Coming Right At Ya...Yeah!!!

Manimal is back with the Thought...Of..The...Week

2010-10-08T13:16:00.004-04:00

Manimal! America! He's back with his first real, lucid thought of the week! WOOOoooo
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Bears!

Who would have thought after the first quarter of the season we would be in first place? I will break down the first 4 games based off my point of view.

Game 1: Better to be lucky than good! Bears dominated the game from the time of possession but not from points on the board. Lovie kick the damn field goal in the 4th to take the lead! Bears good! Lovie bad! Opening Day awesome!

Game 2: Thank goodness for Dallas ineptness (Good Word HAYO)! Bears were solid and what a win on the road! Don’t remember much of the game...22 oz. of wine and 22 oz. of crown/seven will get you. I do know that Romo makes O’s mom excited. Bears!

Game 3: Packers beat themselves but also the Bears missed some opportunities as well. Drop pass in end zone, Missed Field Goal, etc. Intense game makes for intense fans! Bears! Editor's note: ZOMBO!

Game 4: Block someone please! WTF! Tice and Martz run some screens and hot routes. Defense did play well which is a great sign. Offensive line needs something. Go sign some guys that want to block! Coaching lost that game.

Overall – Bears have impressed so far, need to focus on offensive line and pressure on QB. Coaching right now is the biggest question mark moving forward. Where are the adjustments in game and at half? Come on!

Manimal's Grades
Offense “C” - need to protect and need to run – bring back the ’85 line!

Defense “B+” – need to get pressure on the QB other than Peppers. Where is Tommy Harris? Get off the field on 3rd down!

Coaching “D” – can not write down what I am thinking here...

Special Teams “B” – kicking game is fair, return game is good and blocking game is good.

Last Word: Doesn’t Peppers looks like a Bear in real life?

Oh God! Cutler out, Collins named starter for week 5

2010-10-07T13:16:00.002-04:00

A collective fan base screams. Just so you now have the list Fox here it is:

Bears starting QBs since Jim Harbaugh
Peter Tom Willis
Will Furrer
Erik Kramer
Steve Walsh
Dave Krieg
Rick Mirer
Steve Stenstrom
Moses Moreno
Shane Matthews
Cade McNown
Jim Miller
Chris Chandler
Henry Burris
Kordell Stewart
Jonathan Quinn
Craig Krenzel
Chad Hutchinson
Rex Grossman
Kyle Orton
Brian Griese
Jay Cutler
Todd Collins

Lovie: We're 3-1 after the 1st quarter of the season

2010-10-07T09:14:00.003-04:00

Lovie's swearing up and down he's not holding players more accountable than he ever has (see ya Mark Anderson) and he is starting to answer questions by announcing the team's record. What's next? Jay is our quarterback even though he is now a paraplegic.

Despite ~~some~~ many issues with a offensive line, the Bears ~~just may have something going~~ demise might be imminent. A showdown on ~~Monday night~~ Sunday against ~~2-0 division rival Green Bay~~ winless Carolina awaits. You may have to take Monday off from work for this one if Todd Collins is thrown to the wolves again. My, oh my how things can change in one week.

So Smith's mantra of "We're 3-1", it sure doesn't feel that way. Mike Martz is taking full responsibility along with Lovie and Jerry and that's great. But the blame goes around. Where is the progress after 4 games with this new offense? The pocket collapses quicker with each snap. The coaches are switching offensive lineman in and out making changes on the fly. This is what practice is for. It doesn't appear to be working.

Cutler looked concussed the whole second quarter, but before that he still holds on to the ball too long at times. The Martz offense is 7-step drops and throw, not waiting for the arm-showcase deep ball. Who are you Jay, Rex?

And to those of you that say run the ball more. If the line can't pass block, what makes you think they could run block. Martz in the end could be a terrible hire. Our franchise QB is in jeopardy if he keeps putting him in danger with his playcalling, especially behind this line. Figure it out Mike Tice!!!

Possibly though the team has done the need soul searching this week and can return to some semblance of an offense like in Dallas. They won't give up 10 sacks again. That's almost impossible. But Cutler will take his hits, but hopefully not the free shots that bounce his head off the turf. This Carolina team is awful and should present a limited attack without a passing game. Stop the run and create a few plays in special teams and with turnovers. Bears win the field position battle and win. Prediction: Bears 23, Carolina 16

Mullins out for season opener (Family Obligations)

2010-09-07T17:08:00.001-04:00

All:

Because family matters more than football, I will be unable to attend this Sunday for the season opener at BW-3. I know I tricked you all with that Facebook invite. Ha!

My wife's crackpot of an aunt has planned a surprise 80th birthday party for Grandma Betty at 12:30 p.m. at some park God knows where in Lafayette.

Many things are wrong about this, I know. But Betty did provide us with a large sum of money in the card box at our wedding so I should show my appreciation for her 80 years. On the whole I don't have a problem with this except the 80th birthday isn't until the middle of December - THREE MONTHS AWAY. While I won't accuse the aunt of tempting fate, I will say she is a fucking shitty planner. I mean these people are Colts fans - mix in a schedule much.

So other than me being kidnapped Sunday morning about 6 a.m. or someone knocking off Candy (last name redacted) of Lafayette -- enjoy the game without me Sunday.

I'll be at a park. Outside. Somewhere in the middle of Lafayette. Fighting young children. Eating shitty macaroni salads and store-bought shitty cookies. Hating my life. Praying for a rain cloud that will get me close to a TV.

I Fail.

J. Mullins

Thought of the Week - Week 4

2009-10-07T12:02:00.000-04:00

Bears win again. Our schedule gets pretty tough now.

I am going to go away from football and share a story about a certain athlete that you wouldn’t believe he is the way he is. Yes I am going to talk about Wade Boggs! Wade Boggs is a hall-famer baseball player who is one of the best hitters off all time. My buddy and his dad won a trip to Cooperstown thru Miller High Life. A High Life trip where they got to hang out with Wade Boggs and Gaylord Perry. That sounds awesome, well let me tell you that he said Wade Boggs partied from the time they got there thru out the weekend and until they left. He said Boggs was trying to get people to stay out with him every night until 3 in the morning and when he woke up he was ready to start that morning. What a guy!

Here are two short stories

During the Hall Fame walk thru, Boggs shows up with his own beer. While going over some baseball artifacts a bat from Babe Ruth, a ball signed by Cy Young and them pulling out Wade Boggs mitt, he puts his beer down next to them and grabs the mitt and starts asking them to throw the ball to him.

Then later that day he asks a little boy who is favorite player and why and trying to make this kid say his name. Gaylord walks over to the father and kid and says just say Boggs. He so drunk he wont remember the conversation anyway tomorrow.

Love Boggs. That is what a call a High Life Trip with a High Life Man.

BEARS

Thought of the Week - Week 3

2009-10-07T12:01:00.000-04:00

I was still finishing up my vacation and I went to a wedding on Saturday night and I pounded beers all night. It was one of those nights that beer tasted really good until the Keg for the Budweiser and Miller Light ran out. They only had Michelob kegs left. Michelob is brutal but sh*t when its free why not. The wedding was a great time as well. The people were great, food was great, and the music was great. That night I crashed at O’s place and got even more jacked up when he showed up after the ND v. Purdue Game.

I woke up at 5 AM and didn’t have a clue where I was at. I thought I was at a hotel room and asked if me and O went out last night. That was a fricken hellarious! I panicked for a minute and then realized where I was at.

I didn’t make it to the game that day. I had to many cobwebs. O could fill you in on what we talked about that night. O was so drunk he thought my dog was his dog even though I have a Golder Retriever and he has a Chocolate Lab. What a good night and like I said a Win but it wasn’t easy. Lions next thank goodness that they one the week before.

Thought of the week - Week 2

2009-10-07T12:00:00.000-04:00

What a game against the Steelers! We needed that one. That Sunday I was starting my vacation so I let one rip, another day of White Russians and shots of Jim Beam Black Label. Thanks Shelby for not winning your contest.

On Monday I felt awful but I went to breakfast to get something in my belly. I just want to leave you with this. White Gravy is delicious. Biscuits and Gravy are a perfect marriage. Hot buttermilk biscuits and white sausage gravy. Yummy! I ate that and fell back asleep until 5 PM. What a way to start a vacation.

One more thing I ate a chicken basket from DQ with white gravy for lunch and then I went back to sleep until 5 PM.

Bears going to win next week against a Hasselbeckless Seahawk Team.

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK is back!!

2009-09-23T10:46:00.000-04:00

Fresh from Manimal's brain...here was the opening thought of the week:

Well after a very disappointing lost on Sunday night, 5 White Russians, 4 Tall Boys, and 3 Crown Shots this guy was done for the night. Knowing I was going to have cobwebs all day on Monday I was ready. I made it to work and was pretty much done all day with life and the Bears. Urlacher lost for the season not good! Cutler looking like a typical Bear QB not good! Going home good! The couch is going to be awesome! I was looking forward to going home and enjoying a Monday night double header, but ……………. When I got home I forgot that someone was going to be dog sitting two hot dogs for the next couple of days with that someone not really going to be there to watch them either. This is where it gets interesting. If you ever want a dog do not buy a d*mn hot dog. I walk in and all they do is bark at me. They are the size of my foot and all I want to do is punt and kick them. I can’t catch them because they are so little and they can hide in the small areas. Then my dog wont leave me alone as well because he dislikes small dogs too. Finally around 7 PM the game starts and after me scaring them with my manimal yell they shut the F*ck up! but wait they decide to jump on and off the couch and on and off me including my 70 lbs dog as well because again he is jealous. What a Monday Night! Even better, being told they are house broken I am not chasing them around the house. When I find them there is piss on the carpet. Great!!!!!

Tuesday not much better I get home and they wont come by me even though I spent to whole day yesterday with them. I take them outside on their leash and that’s a blast. There little legs getting tangle every 5 seconds. I try and relax but the manimal is coming. I start dinner and every time I walk around they start barking at me. I walk in the dining room and bam piss and sh*t! That’s it I grab the one get him the crate. The second one is elusive and finally after chasing him for 20 minutes I grab him and get him in the crate. I look at my dog and he pisses. What a Tuesday Night!

Moral: Eat hot dogs they taste great!

Thought of the week - Final

2009-01-02T10:22:00.000-05:00

Sunday Night after a terrible display of Defense, I decided to sit by myself and think about what really is going on with the Bears, First off, I can see the Bears letting go of Babich. Is it his fault? I am not sure but someone will shoulder the blame. Rumor has it that they will sign Maranelli, great another guy at the podium with nothing to say but stay the course. I am positive person as well but sometimes you need to kick someone in the teeth. So the season has ended but looking back at it this is what we have think about for next season. For my favorite Bear, here are 18 questions for next year.

The Bears were not picked even to come close to making the playoffs, but played better than expected. Will they make a run next year?
Hurricane Orton hit the city and we are excited. Is he the answer at QB?
Urlacher needs to strengthen his legs to get off blocks. Can he come back at a Pro Bowl level or is he going to just bang chicks?
Ogunleye who? Will he ever sack again or just sack White Castle?
3^rd and long who cares throw the ball, sh*t! Can the secondary please find a WR to cover?
Can Lance Briggs play any harder?
Will the Coach run for office? He has my vote. He has my vote to come back to coaching.
Will BH wear his awful tie-dye shirt anymore on Sundays? Will he grow out his nappy hair again? BOILER UP!!!!!!! Copyright Manimal 2008
Will Kostka invite even more people to sit at our tables so the true Bears fans who are sitting all tight together like we are in a f&cking box truck with a bunch of stinky sweaty bean eating illegal aliens (Tom) trying to sneak back into the states for a better living? I know run on but come on! Kotska hey next year by a shot after the opposing team scores…..ohhh are the games a social event, nope!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Will O say something nice next year during the season? Nope, he is going to be doing shots Kotska buys for him.
Will Joe Mellady please where some teams colors?
Will Mullins be able to attend all games next year and not miss the most important game of the season? Tell the jerks who gave you the wrong part to stick it in there pee hole and sh*t it out!
Will Manimal be able to keep his love of the Bears separate from his hatred to Jill not doing my dishes as she cleans her?
Will Ky pick a team, Bears or Chicks?
Will Wild Bill put together another fantasty football team next year, that is so bad that his team name will be “cr#p!”
Will Coming Right at Ya make another road trip to Soldier’s Field for a fun weekend of booze and haze? We all need to take two days off after that one!
Can the Bears draft a 1^st round pick that will be part of the team in ’09?
Can I please get more loving next year and you know who you are? Dirty Movies……………..

Have a Happy and Safe New Year! Mike Tomczak you are a gentleman! Please remember he was the 1^st 18 that meant a lot to a city and to me.

My Year in Sports

2009-01-02T09:21:00.000-05:00

Where to begin. 2008 was a disasterous year in sports for me. The pain and suffering continued in the well we call Cubdom. Our Cubs won 97 games and easily won the Central Division and secured the best record in the National League. The team gave us so many reasons to believe.

They suffered injuries throughout the year to Soriano, Zambrano and Ramirez and perservered throughout. They won games like a game against Colorado where they were down 9-0, they swept the Brewers in a pivotal 4-game series on the road and even managed to get no-hitter for the first time in my lifetime by Big Z.

My friends and I celebrated the division title with a bottle of Dom and made sure we were all free for a few weeks in October so we could watch our lives as fans change. But it was over real quick (like a scooter ride). I knew it was over after two games, but I don't feel smarter because of it.

They walked batters, made fielding errors and choked at the plate in a 3-game drubbing to the LA Dodgers, a flawed team that won a very poor division. Yet somehow they traded for Manny Ramirez who had quit on Boston and he came to LA and tripped over himself enough to hit what felt like 10 homeruns in 3 games. I've yet to really talk about it since. My friends have been talking over the hot stove and I can't manage to get a word out. The pain continues. It's a new year but I am not optimistic.

Our GM is now tinkering with a 97-win team by acquiring some guy named Gathright and Aaron Miles. He traded away our second baseman, Mark DeRosa and kicked our closer and longest tenured Cub Kerry Wood out the door. We've been trying to get Jake Peavy and do it already if you're gonna. And big fucking deal if we get Jake Peavy, pitching wasn't the problem last season. Of course until Dempster threw his airballs in Game 1.

Look at Peavy's postseason record in 2 starts. He is 0-2 with a 12.10 ERA in 9 2/3 innings. He's given up 13 runs on 19 hits. And yes those runs were earned. So let's not act like he's the savior. He's as unproven in the playoffs as anyone. As you can tell I'm bitter and unimpressed with the offseason so far.

The Bears
As if the Cubs weren't enough pain, the Bears had to blow a shot at the playoffs by losing to Houston in the last game of the season. But I tell you what, Houston was a better team than the Bears and a bad matchup. The Bears finished 9-7 and many will tell you it could've been better. Hell we had Carolina, Tampa and Atlanta all beat. Let's look at that.

The Bears had Carolina down 17-3, but were then dominated over the last 23 minutes of the game and lost 20-17 so scratch that one. The Tampa game while inexcusable, was a mystery to me when you see that Brian Griese threw 67 times, but was never sacked. And the Atlanta game. We didn't deserve it anyway. Jason Elam missed a 33 yard FG indoors that would've put us down 9 with a few minutes left. Then Orton led us on the TD drive. Yes you make your luck, but still. That loss is canceled out by the crappy win over Green Bay. Plus the Bears beat the Lions twice and the lowly Rams. So you know what, the Bears were mediocre. But nonetheless they overachieved at 9-7. The playoffs would've been nice, but just another reason for me to have another hungover Monday at work.

The rest

Most of my other teams sucked too. West Virginia gave it a nice run in the NCAA tourney before losing and then Michigan came along and stole another WVU coach after that. As for the Wolverines, they were god awful under Rich Rodriguez. The UM offense literally defined the phrase "a monkey fucking a football" (see right). In fact so did the defense. In the end they blew ass, got rolled by Ohio State and I barely watched. In fact I thought college football sucked for the most part this year. The BCS is a mess and I'm tired of Tim Tebow.

My beloved Lakers lost in the NBA Finals to the Celtics of all people. The teams appear headed for a rematch in 2009. Yes I know LeBron you're ready. At least for me, I was enjoying a Pearl Jam concert the night the Lakers were rolled in Game 6 and didn't have to hear Kevin Garnett yell "I'm going to Disney World!" Although that was funny and Rome plays it all the time.

Lastly, Ball State thrilled at times going 12-0. They punched IU in the mouth and then won a nice one at Central Michigan. But then even this season went south as the Cardinals fumbled away the MAC title to fucking Buffalo. Then, Coach Hoke left for more money. And now we play Tulsa in a marginal bowl game on January 6.

Summary
You mean nothing to me 2008 sports season. Hell I hated my sports teams so much in '08 that I was distracted enough to get engaged. Ok that one will probably get me in trouble. Love you Mel!!

So let's gear up for a new year in sports! I mean with this kind of optimism, good things are sure to happen. Cheers!

Thought of the Week for week 15

2008-12-11T09:37:00.000-05:00

Recently I have been by myself in thought and i was thinking of a couple of things that I thought I would share with you all.

One, I had a nice laid back Saturday evening with a buddy when we started talking about fictional characters. I thought how nice it would be to be a tv/movie character. Who would you be or who would you like to talk to? I myself have many characters in movies and tv that I would like to hang with but there is one that comes to mind. His name is Dr. Frasier Crane, yes the good old fashion radio therapist. Dr. Crane is a genuine character who looks for the best in people and in life. I would like to spend an evening with him getting drunk and have him analyze me. I mean drunk, a good old sh*tface night with him talking about the Bears, shots, and why Lilith is such a hot sexy b*tch. That would be awesome. Yes I know he is fictional but one of my friends believes he is real. His name is Bill.

Bill have you ever watched Cheers or Frasier? Come on man, he is a drunk therapist that hangs with drunk buddies at a bar and then moved to Seattle to hang with his metrosexual brother. I know tv reality is cool that is why i wanted to share that with you all. Next time think about that and ask your self the question: Who would I drink a beer with that's on TV/Movies?

Two, that same weekend i went to a nice dinner. Afterwards i had to use the bathroom while in there i let one go. Yes a gigantic fart that felt great to release. I don't think anybody was around in the stall or anything but who cares. I need to release one and boy did I. Afterward while I was washing my hands i thought you know what that was an expensive fart. Dinner, Drinks, Dessert, all that food was expensive and i just had an expensive fart. That was no chili fart, which is awesome in its own way but a good old fashion hundred dollar fart. You ever think about that? Well now you can.

Bears and Saints what a game. Finally a good game on Thursday night. Yes I will be there because I am on vacation and I am going to get ripped, drop a fart in the bathroom and go home and give Frasier Crane a call.

Godspeed! Manimal sign off!

Need more Bears coverage?
David Haugh's Trib column (Dec. 11)
Brad Biggs Blog (Sun-Times)
Bears Notes (Sun-Times)

Thought of the Week: 14

2008-12-05T09:55:00.001-05:00

Well after drinking a case of beer on Sunday, I watched the Bears screw up a 1^st and goal on the three and then go for it on 4^th with a draw play at the strength of the Vikings Defense. Kick the field goal! Then next play, a former Bear, no name needed, catches a 99 yard touchdown pass. What a kick in the balls! That’s when I knew that the Bears night was over and my night was starting.

I remember everything about the game and bar and I was still talking in sentences when we left. But, in mine and “O” great foresight we thought another beer on the way home was the way to go. Well walking into a bar don’t remember the name, it is off Allisonville Road, we met a guy who was so drunk it made me even drunker than I already was if that’s possible. I decided to talk to this guy and realized that he could speak my drunk language at that point we decided to get serious about some subjects. You won’t even guess!

We talked about Missouri, Kansas, and the Old West. Yes the Old West, I am quite the historian when I am drunk and this guy thought he could top my knowledge. I was really getting him thinking about what happened back then and where we are now. I looked at “O” and in amazement “O” was losing it how I was just f*cking with this guy. Finally, “O” needed to leave before he pissed himself. But I just want to leave it this week as: “Jesse James was the Baddest A$$ outlaw ever!”

Ohh Yah, Bears if you lose to Jacksonville this week and I am going to dig up Jesse James and he is going to shoot everyone including Robbie Gould!

TOTW - Week 12

2008-11-18T15:44:00.000-05:00

What happened last weekend? Did the Bears even want to play? Did Urlacher want to get his pretty white uniform dirty? Did Maynard not know how to kick the ball? Did the Bears Defense know that they were playing Defense? Did Orton want to throw the ball downfield? Did the receivers want to catch the ball? HELL NO!!!!!!

I am in the city during the week and all I hear is how the Packers need this game more than the Bears, Well you know what those early loses finally caught up to the Bears.

Come On!

Lovie quit being a tight little teenager and open up the “D”. Lets get some pressure on the quarterback. Lets not give him a minute to sit back and pick us apart and make the defense look like swiss cheese. Hey Ron Turner, “RUN THE BALL”, Green Bay Defense last week gives up over 150 to Adrian Peterson and we run the ball 18 times, yep that’s right 18 times. I drank more beers than we rushed the ball.

Come On! Next week if we don’t beat the Rams by 14 plus we are in a world of hurt moving on…….Breathe……….Breasts…ahhhhhhhhhh!

Six weeks to go...GUTCHECK TIME

2008-11-17T22:08:00.000-05:00

The Bears deserved a good beating. Not only did they deserve a beating, it's amazing that they've avoided a beating like this season. I guess it was because the offense was scoring. Compound Orton's injury with an aging and cement-footed defense, it didn't matter who we were playing on the road in week 11, we were going to get trounced. A 37-3 loss to the Packers hurts a lot, but let's face it the defense has nothing left.

After going toe-to-toe with Tennessee for 60 minutes and losing a home game, we should've pooled funds and bet the Pack and cashed in for a relaxing Sunday. Instead we got steamrolled by cheese.

So there's a lot to be worried about with six games left. If the Bears could with 4 of 6 then a 9-7 record may win the NFC North. It starts with a win over St. Louis. Then a rematch with Minnesota on the carpet. That's also a must-win. Then a 3-game home stretch minus any cupcakes.

I can see a lot happening. 7-9 looks likely with the way they played Sunday. Remind me why Urlacher is going to find the missing step and why he gets blocked every play. Also why no pass rush. No sacks, no hits on the qb, when is the last time we hurried a qb. Alex Brown, Dvoracek, Ogunleye, Harris, Idonije, Mark Anderson....do these guys even exist. I saw Mike Brown giving max effort and I saw Kevin Payne doing some things. But they only make plays because the other team is already 7 yards up field before they are touched or the Bears are chasing down a wide open receiver.

Lovie's future

And I've been off the Lovie wagon for some time. But this loser has no answers. He has no plan. He stuck thinking this team can find lightning in a bottle based on something they did 2 years ago. The leaks started in the Super Bowl (and remember the Tampa game 2 years ago) and continued last season with that nightmare. I don't know what the answer is. I guess we grin and bear it.

Regardless, you kids are on your own. I'm headed to the Caribbean for a few days. I'll miss the Rams game and when I get back we better be 6-5 for Christ's sake.

Sunday's showing

I'd like to say kudos to all you crazy kids for coming out. That was an impressive showing of Bears fans. Bw-3 Castleton is a Bears bar. I beg you all to keep the faith and regardless show up for Sunday boozing. We started this thing kinda half-ass in 2002 and now we are blowing up!!

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

2008-11-14T09:56:00.000-05:00

A new weekly feature on ComingRightAtYa.com -- our boy Manimal inspires us with a thought that will get you through the work week and get you ready for Sunday madness.

Week 11 thought:

I was thinking about Joe and how bad he feels for getting in a bar fight at 30. Well, let me tell you something. What about being 30 and looking at your computer screen all day, two days after you drank way too much? Hitting buttons on a computer like a monkey, not comprehending, and looking at stuff you shouldn’t be looking at work. Your boss comes in to talk and you look at him, can’t recognize him, and can’t even muster up a story of why you feel bad. You just look at him say I am a loser with jeans on that you wore on Sunday that has mustard and ketchup stains. I am melancholy due to the fact that even in the evening that night I still was apologizing about not being right. Even today being Wednesday my body especially my A$$ is still trying to recovery from whatever the hell happened to me this weekend. So Joe don’t feel bad because you won the fight and got prize money feel bad for me……….and my Bears because we have a long road ahead of us to make a run for the division and playoffs. And, one more thing don’t ever tailgate next to people drinking Hennessy!

Godspeed,
Manimal

It's October, let the choking begin

2008-10-03T11:01:00.001-04:00

I always start October, or fall in general, with a mucus riddled throat. Sometimes spitting out balls of mucus goo. As a non-smoker it disturbs me. I usually hit it with some mucinex and claritan. I don't why it always happens, it just does. I think I've figured it out.

It's because I'm a Cubs fan.

The calendar turns to October and my gag reflex kicks in. And my baseball team follows suit.

The gagging, the choking, the pressure, the all out terribleness of it all. This my friends is a disgrace. An utter failure. A comedy of errors, literally in game 2. A walking disaster like game 1. Who knows what game 3 will bring? It will happen at 10 p.m. on Saturday. The Cubs will likely leave October without much of a whimper. They will flail at pitches on the corner, chase balls into the gap and probably now make the baserunning mistakes they haven't made because well they haven't had any in 18 innings of choking baseball.

I won't mention any of the Cubs by name, because this collection of frauds are on their way to becoming just like the losers that came before them. This one as collossal as the 1984 failure. 97 wins. Down the drain. Giving us as much hope as they ever had. Gone in excruciating high definition pictures that will last me a lifetime.

I put a lot into a Cubs season. It will be worth it someday. Probably when I'm 73 and I have no one to share it with. Baseball will have contracted to 16 teams, because people care more about soccer, American Idol and dance competitions. The Tampa Rays will have 7 banners, but because they only have 70 season ticket holders, they'll relocate to Puerto Rico.

Look it hurts. More than you know. There is no next year to me. I'm suffering now. People that love me are suffering. There's nothing I can do about it. It's in my brain to stay. There's no going back. At this point, I will see this Cub thing through.

This one hurts more than ever though. It's not even over yet, but I know it is. I think. Ah that Cubbie optimism. I'll keep waiting.

Is it November yet?

The time is now...

2008-10-01T13:29:00.000-04:00

It's here finally. We've waited for this. It's been a grueling season. I want to write a tearful piece, but will instead to refer you to Al's piece today at Bleed Cubbie Blue. He says it right. There is a hole in my life and I know it's in yours too (if you are a Cubs fan). And when we win it will be spectacular. (Normally never use we when I say a sports team, but the Cubs are the only team I allow myself to do that with).

So let's cut the music and get right to the predictions:

American League
Angels over Red Sox in 4: Too many health issues for Sox.
Rays over White Sox in 5: Young Rays have just enough to be weary, aging Sox.
ALCS: Angels over Rays in 5: No way Tampa is ready.

National League
Phillies over Brewers in 4: Brewers can't get to CC in game 5
Cubs over Dodgers in 3: Sweep.
NLCS: Cubs over Phillies in 6: Game 6 in Wrigley and we roll on. Lilly comes up big for us.

World Series
Cubs over Angels in 5: The World Series always gets over quick these days. The Cubs will have momentum and shock the world. Believe.

See you tonight!

My ulcer hurts...can we win by 10 once?

2008-10-01T11:41:00.000-04:00

How bout them Bears. Big victory over the Eagles, now we must roll up to the "D" and roll a bad team. Are the Bears capable of rolling anyone?

Tough to answer. I'd like to think if we played defense all the time like that goalline stand that maybe this team has a shot. Maybe Orton can play QB in this league. Oops turnover, maybe he'll always be learning on the job. This is a real shot for the Bears to make a statement to the NFC that they're going to hang around all year. At 2-2 and tied with the Pack, it's all in front of the Bears.

Chicago has a chance to go to 5-2 before the bye week by beating Detroit and Atlanta on the road, then getting Gus Frerotte and the Viqueens. But know this, don't count on anything with the Bears. They owe the Lions from last year, so they have to get this win in the books before I'm ready to seriously talk about anything ahead. Win this game without a scare and we'll talk.

I really think the Bears may win or lose every game by a field goal this year. But put together back to back wins and I'll forget those two collapses (until they haunt us in Week 17).

Time to put the money where the mouth is. I've looked at this team for 4 weeks and look I don't see us going to the Super Bowl. I don't even want to talk playoffs right now. The Bears are a wildly inconsistent team that could go 11-5 or 6-10. But know this: they're a fun team to watch. They make me mad. They give me heartburn. They make me ecstatic. They make me do stupid things. And that's all I want. And they are capable of doing good things this season. Great, well we'll see about that.

Bears 33, Lions 16

See you Sunday!

Chicago Bears: 53 Minutes of Hell

2008-09-22T23:31:00.000-04:00

Too bad for the Bears that NFL games take 60 minutes to complete. Lots of blame to go around for this one. Let's take a look at some of the suspects.

1. Charles Tillman - Great game by Peanut until his boneheaded piling on/punching of a Buc, while most of the Bears defense was walking off the field after finally stopping the Bucs 3 and out on their own 8. 10 plays later of Brian Griese filleting the Bears defense and the field goal is good and I regret eating the shrimp at BW-3.

2. Rashied Davis - On 3rd and 7 in Overtime, Davis absolutely fans on a perfect pass from Neckbeard. The play probably sets CHI up inside the Bucs 35 and Robbie Gould probably doesn't miss twice in one game.

3. Robbie Gould - Robbie you are a fine kicker. But let's be honest, the Bears don't pay you 15 million dollars over 6 years to miss FGs on days when hardly any wind blows off the lake. Granted the defense turns the Bucs over 4 plays later and Orton hit Lloyd for a TD, but it could've been 27-14 and OT never happens. Our offense looks like a 5-year old on training wheels at times, your leg must be perfect.

4. Kyle Orton - What the fuck were you doing in the 2nd quarter on the tight end screen pass. Very RexChadMosesCadeKordellHenryChrisJonathonCraig-like. We'll go 5-11 if you keep making plays like that. Better 2nd half for sure.

5. Ron Turner - Lose the fucking TE screen. Forever. You've done enough to lose your job, but please lose that play. I know you'll make Brandon Lloyd a pro-bowler. Right. And Felix Pie is the NL ROY.

6. Lovie Smith - Get your players in better shape. Fine Charles Tillman. Yell at somebody. Say the word "FUCK". One time. Try it. It's a great word. After you say it go try it with your wife. But seriously, go fuck yourself Lovie. A rookie head coach is running the Wildcat and scoring touchdowns with ease against a team 9 months removed from 18-0. What have you done to change things? Have you had any other rational coaching thought other than putting a bandaid on a bleeding and aging defense? You cut Ricky Manning Jr and Chris Harris (last year) b/c they don't run your system well. Well this system sucks and I wake up some nights missing Ron Rivera. Please come back Ron. I would never think about Lovie Smith again in my life if he left. Never.

7. Jerry Angelo - Unless you have 3 A+ drafts in a row, this team goes 3-13 in 3 years. Show yourself the door. Please. Mission Abort.

All of the above adds up to a stinking loss. I still smell it. I have no idea how they regroup. Stopping all the penalties could help. Seeing Brian Westbrook in street clothes will help. But I've seen this same Bears defense make second stringers look like hall of famers. Philly comes in a little banged up off of two physical games. Maybe there is a little magic in the Bears.

I know this. I'll soldier out again to BW-3 and probably order the tenders, shrimp and wedges and watch Mark tear up buckets of Corona. I'll be happy for a few quarters, but if the Bears have another third-term abortion and blow a double-digit lead, I will cut somebody's throat.

Bears chatter and yes still bitter

2008-09-16T22:42:00.000-04:00

Ok so our Bears grasped defeat from the jaws of victory on Sunday. I say no worries about the loss. If you want something to worry about, worry about how the fuck our offense would matchup against Philly or Dallas. Did you see that game on MNF. Wow!

But in the drunken haze, I saw Greg Olsen fumble twice and Jason McKie get the call on 4th and 1. That was the most ridiculous play call I've ever seen. It reminded me of Tecmo Super Bowl, when you pick the run play and the whole computer defense would swarm because they called the same play. And the 3rd and 1 pass was like Orton hit up and B, instead of up and A on the controller. You don't pass on 3rd and 1 there. Hurricane Orton, not so much.

I will say this about Orton, he made some nice throws and he has better presence in the pocket than Sexy, but you gotta hit the deep ball. Stop overthrowing the deep receiver or throwing it 5 yards out of bounds. Get back on the dance floor if you have to. We need a 200-yard passer please.

Commence operation Kill Griese!

Cubs: Your table is ready

2008-09-16T22:28:00.000-04:00

Make your playoff reservations...because it's going to happen. That's right the magic number is dwindling. Dare I say it be four after tonight. Prince Fielder promptly goes yard as I write this. Oh well!

This is so awesome. The Cubs should be clinched up, possibly even home field if they take 4 out of 6 games from the Brewers and Cardinals at Wrigley this weekend.

I like the rotation very mucho for the playoffs. Think of it in the NLCS. Zambrano and Dempster in games 1 and 2 at Wrigley. Lilly in a road game 3 and Harden waiting in the wings in game 4. If it goes 5, Big Z at home throwing dots.

I love stupidity!

2007-07-18T11:07:00.000-04:00

San Fermin Festival

Running of the Bulls Photos on Yahoo!

Every year in Pamplona, Spain people gather to be really stupid. Sure it's a breathtaking event and probably big fun, something you'll never forget...yeah yeah yeah. Thrillseeking for me doesn't involve the opportunity for anything getting stuck in my body, much less some of these orifice shots.

Let's take a look at the video tape...err photos.

This seems like a good plan...kick the bull maybe it'll turn around and get you too!

I'd give this guy more props if he put horns on his head!

Holy crap. New underwear for everybody!

Now let's live as this guy for a few seconds

Lucky bastard!

My Top 5 Favorites

#5
I just love the pending doom for this poor sap.

#4
This guy looks old too. Son of a gun, there goes my hip replacement.

#3
Well adoption is always an option!

#2
A double bullseye browneye! Calling all rectal surgeons!

#1
Best photo ever! Yes looks again. He's likely out 4-6 weeks. And no, the bull is not searching for bone marrow.

Then I read more about this guy and how he beat cancer and this is his way of living a full life: do something thrilling every year. Looks like he is cursed.

Listen to more from these freaks

Also during these festivals there are these other freaks running around terrifying children. No word if the Burger King or the Quaker Oat guy was overseas.

Again, I guess it could all be worth it.