sig hansen redemption

By: Clay

I received my 2010 Allen & Ginter Sig Hansen redemption a lot sooner than I expected. The redemption card stated that I was due to receive a framed relic. Apparently Topps wasn't able to obtain anything for that. I like this better anyway. Captain Sig!

9-3 Bears and more

By: Clay

The Bears have a rough schedule ahead of them. Today's game against New England is very winnable. This has nothing to do with weather and everything to do with the Bears defense. While the Pats d is second in the league in INT's, the Bears are fifth. Tom Brady hasn't been picked in 8 straight while Cutler has a 2 game streak. Brady is due for a pick. My guess is 2 picks for Brady. One by Urlacher on a tipped pass by Peppers and then one late in the game by Tillman. Bears 17 Pats 13.

GSP totally dominated Josh Koscheck at UFC 124. Jake Shields is likely due next for GSP and may happen at a UFC show in April in Toronto. I predict GSP to pick Shields apart. There really aren't any logical match-ups for GSP at this time. The winner of Fitch/Penn as well as Jim Miller may be in line for a shot late in 2011.

No word on Brock Lesner's next fight. I think that Lesnar should either fight Frank Mir or Roy Nelson. Mir/Lesnar III would be the biggest Lesnar money fight for the UFC. Of course, Shane Carwin could make an interesting rematch for Brock Lesnar, but Carwin needs to get his back in order first. Junior Dos Santos will get the next title shot when he faces champ Cain Velazquez.

Clay Guida next faces Takinori Gomi at UFC 125 on New Years day. That show is headlined by Brian Stann vs Chris Leben and Frankie Edgar putting the lightweight title on the line against Gray Maynard. Anderson Silva defends his middleweight title and top pound-for-pound title against Vitor Belfort in February. Rashad Evans will get a light heavyweight title shot against Shogun but time and place is TBD.

Giants-Vikings postponed

By: Clay

It's a conspiracy! Roger Goodell orchestrated the snowstorm and Metrodome roof collapse so Favre would have an extra day to prepare his body and keep his consecutive starts streak alive.

Things

By: Clay

I know we have been terrible over these past few months but let me weigh in on a few things right quick.

First off, Ron Santo died this week and that just plain sucks. If only he had taken better care of himself a little better (drinks and food), he may have still been here to witness the Cubs 2011 season. But, one has to respect Ron for living his life the way he did, knowing that it may not be the best way to go about things. Ron took a lot of criticism as a Cubs color guy but really, every team has a homer in the booth, so it is expected. I always enjoyed listening to Ron and Pat during Cubs games. Thank you, Ron Santo.

As great as Jud is, I'd rather have Steve Stone come over from the Sox and provide commentary with Pat.

Carlos Pena's batting average doesn't scare me. I believe Pena is going to hit the crap out of the ball, especially if the wind is blowing out. That's a good signing by the Cubs. My ideas for the team, if they couldn't get a guy for first, were as follows:

1. Make Blake DeWitt a utility player, filling in at third and second.
2. Move Aramis Ramirez to first base. Sure, he is a defensive liability there but isn't his arm a liability at third anyway?
3. Call up Josh Vitters To play third base. Youth movement.
4. Move Soriano to second base. Hey, that's where he started and he can't hop and hurt himself there.
5. Slide Colvin into left field.
6. Get rid of Jeff Baker. What is with the cubs always having crappy utility players? Jose Macias, Aaron Miles, Manny Alexander, Bobby Scales, Brant and Roosevelt Brown, Jason Doubois...
7. Sign or trade for a decent #2 or #3 pitcher to slide in behind Big Z. Brandon Webb or Matt Garza should do the trick.
8. Win close games.