Tailgate

Are You Slaughter Material?

2009-11-11T20:51:55Z

Yesterday we told you about tryouts for the Chicago Force women's tackle football team and the Chicago Outfit women's roller derby team. Well, fellas, today it's your turn.

The Chicago Slaughter, the Indoor Football League team coached by ex-Bear Steve "Mongo" McMichael, is holding open tryouts for guys age 18 and older at the Finish Strong Sportsplex, 551 W. Roosevelt Rd. in West Chicago. The (potential) bad news? The tryouts are this Saturday, so if you think you need to hit the gym a little first, you've only got a few days to get it together. More info can be found on the Slaughter's website.

Oh, and if you are thinking that making the squad is going to be a cakewalk, think again. The Slaughter were the 2009 Continental Indoor Football League champs and finished with a 14-0 record. They take that impressive finish into their inaugural IFL season.

Bears and Scares

2009-11-11T15:43:36Z

Jerry Azumah is multi-tasking! Not only is the former Bear giving his analysis of his ex-team's debacle at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals over at Vocalo, but he also joins the crowd in wondering what the heck is happening to Sammy Sosa's skin. You can check out the interview here.

Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Tryouts

2009-11-10T18:51:07Z

Two of Chicago's hardest-hitting women's sports teams are giving you the change to test your mettle when they hold open tryouts in the coming weeks.

The Chicago Force women's tackle football team, who made it to the Western Conference Finals last season, will hold tryouts for female athietes 18 and over on Satuday, November 21 at Northeastern llinois University and Saturday, December 12 at the Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway. No football experience is necessary, just a willingness (presumably) to hit and be hit. Get complete details here.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Outfit is looking to add to their roster of roller derby girls with tryouts/practice sessions at the Fleetwood Roller Rink in Summit, Ill. The Outfit finished their recent season with a perfect 10-0 record. You can get more Outfit info here.

Hawks Postgame Puck Zone

2009-11-10T04:23:59Z

Tonight's Blackhawks game against the L.A. Kings was the lone contest on the schedule, and the Hawks delivered to a national Vs. audience, earning a 4-1 victory to snap a two game skid.

A few thoughts after returning from the United Center, both on the game and the state of the Hawks in general:

Tonight saw the return of Hawks captain Jonathon Toews and winger Ben Eager from concussion symptoms. Toews looked a little rusty to start, but began to find his stride as the game wore on and found the back of the net on the power play in the third period. More importantly, following a spotty start, the Hawks settled into the game and Toews' presence was felt through all the lines. Eager, in limited minutes, showed a spark that the Hawks' fourth line has been missing.

Unfortunately the Hawks still found themselves short-handed, as Dave Bolland missed his second straight game due to lingering back problems that could eventually result in surgery. If Bolland bounces back, the Hawks may find themselves at close to full strength at the end of the month, when free agent sniper Marian Hossa is expected to return from a shoulder injury.

For once, the Blackhawks power play was indeed advantageous, going 2 for 3 in the victory, again with Toews a major factor. The Hawks need to use the momentum from tonight and figure out what was working because the past month has seen more struggle than success. The Hawks did also net a power play goal in their last game at Colorado, but the special teams unit also gave up a short-handed goal and a second goal just at even-strength, and the night before the team fizzled to an 0-for-6 in a loss at Phoenix.

Two of the biggest unsung heroes the first month of the season have been John Madden. Madden scored his second goal on a nifty backhand tonight, earning a well-deserved spotlight with the game winner, but his signing was one of the shrewdest off-season moves the Hawks made. Madden is a strong defensive forward, does great work in the face-off circles and has been able to adapt his game to a rotating group of line mates. Also, I've sung his praises before, but Andrew Ladd continues to play a fantastic game and does not get nearly the accolades he deserves.

Tonight's number one star was Troy Brouwer, who netted a goal and two assists, along with a team high six hits. Brouwer has been making his presence felt on the physical end throughout the year, but if he can continue to contribute offensively (he's currently 8th on the team in points), he could be poised for a career year. Also, congratulations to Andrew Ebbett on his first goal as a Blackhawk tonight.

The win over the Kings was the beginning of a four-game homestand, followed by the annual two-week long circus trip as Ringling Brothers moves into the U.C. Wednesday, the Hawks play host to the West-leading Colorado Avalanche. The teams have split the season series so far, with both games going into lengthy shootouts. The Hawks also honor Bobby Hull during the game. Friday is an Original Six battle with the woeful Toronto Maple Leafs, and Sunday the Hawks welcome the San Jose Sharks and former player Jeremy Roenick gets his own well-deserved Heritage night from the team.

WCR All-Stars Skate Into National Championships

2009-11-09T20:05:07Z

The Windy City Rollers' away team, the WCR All-Stars, have enjoyed a fantastic 2009 season thus far. After walloping Portland on Oct. 17 113-73, the gals are moving on to the ultimate test: the WFTDA National Tournament.

This year's "Declaration of Derby" tournament takes place Nov. 13-15 in Philadelphia. Last year, the WCR All-Stars placed second in the nation. This year they have their eyes on the prize as they bout against some of the best leagues in the country. WCR will play the winner of the bout between the Kansas City Roller Warriors and Denver's Rocky Mountain Rollergirls. Their first game will be at 1:30pm EST on Saturday, Nov. 14.

Footballic Ramblings: Bears Meet the Woodshed

2009-11-09T03:41:29Z

This game got ugly. Fast. How fast? Oh about 65 seconds into the game, I'd say:

"You stay classy, Chicago."

Following the amateur pugilist's ejection, the bloodbath was sooooo on! Cardinal quarterback/testament to clean living and Bible reading, Kurt Warner, got his Old Testament wrath of God on against the infidels in Chicago's secondary, peep the stats: 5!! touchdowns, 261 yards, 22 of 32 and a robust rating of 132.9 (a perfect rating is 158.3) As overwhelming as the aerial assault from Warner, the Cardinals offense managed a startlingly balanced attack with Tim Hightower and Chris Wells leading a two-headed ground game that was good for 186 yards on 31 carries against a very depleted Bears defense (sans Harris thanks to stupidity and sans others thanks to various injuries).

For the Bears, the problems that have been apparent all year (and really the problems were around last year too) all came out of the woodwork on Sunday. Defensively: Sieve-like defensive line without anyone really anchoring the point of attack? Check. Lack of pressuring opposition's quarterback? Check. "Deer in headlights" secondary? Check. Against a team like the Cleveland Browns these soft spots are problematic but manageable because, well, the Browns suck. Against a hi-octane offense such as Arizona? How fare ye, Danieal Manning? What's that? You can't hear me because Larry Fitzgerald cut your ears off and fed them to you in between his twin touchdown grabs and his cute little 123 yard day at the office? The Bears defense is without a rudder and with games against Philadelphia, Minnesota (twice), San Francisco, Baltimore and Green Bay still up, the defense will be getting the "log in wood chipper" treatment for the foreseeable future.

But surely the offense will manage something? Nope. The Bears offensive line has been abysmal and won't be improving against the likes of those teams either. Honestly, Jared Allen, following a sack, could very well slice Cutler's heart out like the priest in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. The running game is going to continue to be buried under an avalanche of furiously angry and oversized men meaning Matt Forte and Garret Wolfe great harm. Jay-Bot 5000 is struggling through the pains of a porous offensive line and his numbers will continue to stagnate in the middling range of starting qbs and his lack of smiles will continue. Cutler, who for the most part this season has been fairly blameless in his interceptions and miscues, has to take the blame for an ugly pick he threw in the fourth after the Bears had tried to manage a modest rally. But let's face the facts, a very old and decrepit Bears defense lost this game --Chicago was down by 27 before they even scored a second touchdown and you will not win very many games when you face that sort of deficit. With a very imposing second half schedule the Bears and their fans will have to begin altering their expectations and maybe accept the fact that for the team to get back to competing some very difficult personnel decisions will have to be made this winter.

Fire Headed to Eastern Conference Final

2009-11-08T21:14:58Z

After the loss in the first leg to the New England Revolution, the Chicago Fire were down one goal going into the final match of the semifinals. All they needed was two goals...and to shut out the Revs. They accomplished both last night in their 2-0 win at Toyota Park, granting them a spot in the Eastern Conference Championship.

The Fire got started early with numerous attempts on goal and a few close calls. Finally, in the 35th minute, the Fire took the lead. Marco Pappa, after receiving a pass into the box from Brandon Prideaux, cut inside a Revolution defender and sent the ball back to John Thorrington. He curled the ball into the left side of the net putting the Fire up 1-0. But their mission was not over.

In the 83rd minute, the Fire secured their second goal. Chris Rolfe sent a ball to the right corner and Patrick Nyarko was able to take control of it. He sent the ball into the box for Cuauhtemoc Blanco. As Revolution goalie Matt Reis came out to challenge him, Blanco launched the ball over his head and between two defenders to score the second goal. Victory was in sight.

The Fire defense continued to fend off every push from the Revolution. The crowd got louder and louder as the five minutes of stoppage time ticked by with no response from the Revolution.

Now the Fire will host Real Salt Lake this coming Saturday, November 14 at 8 p.m.

Footballic Ramblings: The Red Birds Come A Callin'

2009-11-06T19:25:01Z

Are you a scarecrow? Do you like to play with fire? Then by all means, please, take the Bears as three point favorites to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Of course, to expect that to pan out is to forget a) Vegas oddsmakers know people are suckers and b) the Bears defense is still "beary, beary bad." Yes, the Bears held Cleveland to six points and forced five turnovers but let's also remember that Cleveland is a terrible team and mired in utter disrepair; and that prior to the battering they dispensed to the Browns, the Bears defense had been roundly abused by the capable offense of Cincinnati. Which brings us to this Sunday. Hey, the Bears are facing another capable offense in the Arizona Cardinals with, arguably, an even better defense than the Bengals, so let's cut to the chase and say, "No, the Bears won't be winning this game."

Granted, Chicago's good for at least one win per year against a much better team (see, the Week One win last year against Indianapolis) but that win already happened this season, Week Two against the Steelers.

So what can expect on Sunday?

When 'Zona Has the Ball

Strong-armed, God-fearin', Goblin-lovin' quarterback for the Cardinals will be scanning the horizon for half-man, half-machine, all-awesome, Larry Fitzgerald for the deep bomb against the, as always, flammable Bears secondary. Fitty's tandem partner Anquan Boldin is a game-time decision for the coaching staff, but if he does manage to play it's going to be a very long day for the Bears secondary. Boldin and Fitzgerald both pack breakaway speed and hulking size that typically overmatches opposing safeties and backfields. The Cardinals have only given up 14 sacks all season, but when they do give 'em up, it hurts. The Red Birds are losing slightly more than 7 yards per sack. Which is great news for the Bears defensive line. If the d-line can be disruptive and afford the linebackers the chance to pressure Kurt Warner than maybe, just maybe, the Bears can slow down the passing game. Various blitz and stunt packages have always been effective against "Ol' Man Warner" and his hobbling hips and knees aren't getting any younger so the Bears should exploit this weakness in the machine-like Cards O.

When Chicago Has the Ball

The Cardinals defense is ranked 8th against the run in the NFL and 13th in total defense so don't expect too much to come too easily for the Bears, particularly Matt Forte and/or Garret Wolfe. I fully expect to see a game plan very similar to the one employed against Pittsburgh in Week Two, wherein OC Ron Turner had Cutler passing throughout the entire game and the rushing attack was hardly even an afterthought. Considering the utter shambles that the offensive line is in, short passes and screen passes to the running backs could be the most effective way to get either Forte or Wolfe the ball anyway. Not making matters any easier for the offense is the fact that speedster, Devin Hester will likely be sitting this game out. He's not practiced all week and he sprained his ankle pretty badly against the Browns. Officially he's still listed as "questionable" on the injury report, but speed is Hester's game and he won't be effective if he's gimpy. ****UPDATE**** Hester is good to go for Sunday. h/t Trib.
It's been a trying few weeks for Jay-Bot 5000 as he's thrown more picks than TDs recently and that trend could continue against the edge-rushing Cardinals defense. Cutler has had to "cope" with a rapidly disintegrating offensive line all season long and it's definitely made an impact on his "decision-making," ie: Throwing the ball away and getting hit makes waaay more sense than holding onto the ball and still getting hit.

The fun kicks off at 12:00 and will be broadcast in FOX HD, so be sure to wear sunglasses just in case there's a cut to Terry Bradshaw's shiny, bald dome in the studios. More football on tv scheduling fun at the 506!

Um, Not So Fast... (Updated)

2009-11-06T16:24:48Z

Yeah, that whole White Sox/Kansas City Mark Teahen-Chris Getz-Josh Fields trade that buzz around the league Thursday? Don't change your scorecards just yet.

Apparently it's not a done deal as none of the players involved have officially been notified yet, according to reports. Teahen even Twittered as much.

Now, reports of Scott Podsednik and Ramon Castro filing for free agency are correct. And rumors that the Texas Rangers are throwing out feelers for Jermaine Dye have some validity. But that KC/Sox deal? Let's just wait and see.

UPDATE: Ok, NOW it's official: The Teahen-Getz-Fields deal has finally been approved by all parties. Geez, was the Red Sox-to-Yankees trade of Babe Ruth this complicated?

White Sox Trade Getz and Fields For Royals Mark Teahen

2009-11-05T18:53:23Z

The Chicago White Sox traded infielders Chris Getz and Josh Fields to the Kansas City Royals for utility infielder Mark Teahen. Kenny Williams wasted little time after the 2009 baseball season came to a close last night as the Yankees collected their 27th World Series title against the Phillies.

Teahen hit .271/.325/.408 for the Royals last season. Rumor has it Teahen has been brought in to replace soon-to-be free agent Jermaine Dye. He has hit a career a 261/.325/.514 at U.S. Cellular Field.

Getz is still recovering from a sports hernia operation he under went back on Oct. 2 Fields as you recall requested a trade back in July after his playing time dwindled with the emergence of Gordon Beckham.

Williams also resigned first baseman-outfielder Mark Kotsay to a one-year, $1.5 million contract. Kotsay was part of a trade that sent Brian Anderson to the Boston Red Sox. Anderson was another unhappy camper whose playing time was cut this year.

Hot Stove action has just begun and is only more likely to get hotter as time rolls on. The GM's have their winter meetings with in the next few weeks.

Cubs Lilly Has Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery

2009-11-05T00:04:35Z

Ted Lilly under went arthroscopic shoulder surgery this afternoon. Depending on how the rehab goes for him he may or may not miss the start of the season next April.

Another Cubs pitcher with a surgically repaired shoulder. Stop me if you've heard this one before. Hopefully for the Cubs sake this won't be a season long issue. They can't afford to lose a pitcher of Lilly's caliber.

Zap! Pow! Huh?

2009-11-04T16:30:49Z

Some NFL players collect cars. Others collect guns (hello, Tank Johnson). Still others seem to collect celebrity girlfriends.

The Bears' Lance Briggs? Comic books.

Don't laugh (at least to his face). Briggs is a pretty big comic book geek it turns out, actually hosting his own blog on the subject and creating a series of YouTube videos documenting his love of the superhero genre. Below is an example of him in fullblown fanboy mode.

(Via Zoner Sports)

Brian McBride up for Comeback Player of the Year

2009-11-03T18:43:43Z

When Chicago Fire forward Brian McBride underwent surgery for a labral tear in his right shoulder this summer, it was thought he would take almost four months to return to the pitch. It only took the veteran eight weeks.

After returning, McBride wasted no time getting back into the game. Before his surgery he had six goals under his belt this season. He tacked another onto that in the Fire's match against Toronto FC in late September.

In honor of his speedy recovery and immense talent on the soccer field, the league has made him a finalist for the 2009 MLS Comback Player of the Year Award. The winner will be announced next Tuesday, November 10.

Footballic Ramblings: Defense Leads the Way in Bears Win

2009-11-02T17:11:27Z

On a day when the Bears were sporting their "Halloween" jerseys, with the spirit and memories of "Sweetness" buzzing throughout Soldier Field, the Bears defense took charge of the game and brutalized an awful Cleveland offense, forcing five turnovers on the day and scoring one touchdown. Granted, the Browns are not an NFL-caliber team this season [I'm thinking middle-of-pack Big Ten team --Ed.] still, the win still counts and for the Bears it was a step in the right direction after dropping two rather resounding decisions to the Falcons and Bengals.

If only the Bears could play a team like the Browns every Sunday. The Bears defense was forcing turnovers and pressuring Derek Anderson all game long (though they only managed one sack). On the other side of the ball, Jay Cutler found five different receivers against the hapless Browns secondary, while Matt Forte and Garret Wolfe, whilst channeling their inner-Walter Payton, got serious about this "run game" against one of the league's most rush friendly defenses.

However even in the win one of the underlying problems with the Bears all season long was still there. Namely, the Jay-Bot 5000 was sacked four times and hit another seven times and once again the offensive line is too blame. Protection has been a huge issue all season long and it's a disturbing sign that the Bears could not create more time for Cutler against a very average Browns pass rush. On the plus side, the usually flammable secondary was sporting asbestos cleats or just playing against the ghastly QB duo of Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn who were a combined 7/20 with an average of 3.7 yards per pass, and yes, that's less than the Browns' average yards per rush of 4.0. Wow. That's bad. In any case, the secondary was at its opportunistic best, ripping two dying quail lobs from the lakeshore skies and returning one for a touchdown.

The only bright spot for the Browns was their dynamo/bottled lightning wideout and return specialist, Joshua Cribbs, taking six kickoffs back for a total of 137 yards against a usually decent Bears special teams.

For the Bears the win was a step in the right direction, but the issues are still there. The o-line is not performing, the running game though decent, should've been shredding the Browns like an enraged water buffalo. Cutler, for the first time all season, did not throw a single touchdown and the Bears had to settle for three first half field goals after three drives stalled in the Browns' red zone. Next week the Bears are facing a very dangerous Arizona Cardinals team and that game will be much more of a measuring stick than this "second bye week" against Cleveland. Problems still abound, but Chicago is back in the win column.

Fire Fall in First Leg of Semifinals

2009-11-01T23:22:11Z

The Fire struck first, but the Revolution took home the win.

In the first leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinal match-up, Chicago came out strong. With a rebound shot from Chris Rolfe in the 17th minute, the Fire took an early lead that they maintained through a majority of the first half. But in the first minute of stoppage time before the half, Emmanuel Osei managed to knock a header into the net for a valuable goal to tie the game.

Going into the second half, there appeared to be promise for the Fire to take the lead. But despite a couple close calls, they could not manage to get the ball to the back of the net. In the 75th minute, New England delivered the final blow. Shalrie Joseph scored his first career playoff goal after winning a foot race to the ball with Fire goalie Jon Busch.

The win gives the Revolution an advantage in the deciding leg of the semifinals, which will be played at Toyota Park on Saturday, November 7.