Rose Ready to Bloom in The Windy City



The waiting is finally over for Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls faithful.

On Tuesday night, the Bulls opened the 2008 season with a bang defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 108-95. The sellout crowd of 21,762 wasted no time given Chicago native and the #1 overall pick a standing ovation the second he was announced.

Rose would soon return the favor finishing with 11 points, nine assists, four rebounds, three steals, four turnovers, and four crowd-pleasing moves in a little over 32 minutes of action. Starting along side Thabo Sefolosha, the former Memphis star displayed leadership, quickness, and heart.

In one game, his ability to create for himself and his teammates, get to the hole, and run the show demonstrate the type of player Rose will be in the Second City. Sometimes it takes a lot of luck to land a player of his caliber and that is exactly what the Bulls got with their 1.8 percent chance at the top pick in this year's draft. But luck is not an adjective used to describe Mr. Rose.

Wasting no time, Rose turned Milwaukee guard Richard Jefferson around on a fast break less than two minutes into the contest. In the second quarter, Rose picked up a loose ball and tossed a perfect alley-oop to high-flyer Tyrus Thomas. Then in the third, he read the passing lane, darted in front, stole the ball and threw down a thunderous slam dunk. Only a few minutes later, Rose blew past Bucks guard Luke Ridnour like he was stuck in quick sand, got hacked on the arm and completed the three-point play.

He said he graded his performance with a C because of his four turnovers, many would be a little more lenient. Notching a win in his debut along with fellow rookie head coach Vinny Del Negro merits at least a B, especially after last year's debacle.

Last year, the Bulls were predicted by some to compete for the Eastern Conference and even the NBA Championship. Instead, they were extremely disappointing finishing 33-49 and causing Scott Skiles, Jim Boylan, and Ben Wallace to exit stage right.

However, it is a new season and a very different team. Rose leads the starters, while Kirk Hinrich runs the second unit with sharpshooter Ben Gordon. It's been eleven years since Pippen and Jordan led Chicago to their sixth and final championship.

Although, it will be difficult to upend the Boston Celtics, come March and April Chicago will be in full bloom thanks to it's newest superstar, Mr. Rose.

Week 8 Round-up: Fantasy Style

It's coming down to make or break time in your fantasy leagues. Being in four different leagues I find myself at 6-2 (2nd), 5-3 (4th), 3-5 (8th) and 2-6 (8th). The only league I feel I'm done like Matt Millen's football career is the 2-6 league due to drafting Tom Brady in the 1st round and having terrible running backs to protect me, despite drafting Aaron Rodgers.

The other three I find myself alive and well thanks to come clutch performances and crafty managing.

Week 8 Observations:

Running West-brook: Eagles RB Brian Westbrook returned to dominance with a career-high 167 yards, 2 TDs, and 42 yards receiving. When healthy, there is no question he is a top 3 running back, but that's the problem will he stay healthy? Bothered by an ankle injury and fractured ribs already this season, one has to wonder if he'll stay on the field. I'll put my money on another injury and no bye week to help him heal. However, he should put up nice numbers against a poor Seattle squad in week 9.

Who Are These Chefs? I mean Chiefs: Who would of thought Tyler Thigpen from Coastal Carolina could sling the pigskin...well I guess I kinda did or I just knew Brett Farve would throw some picks and give KC a shot. Either way, Thigpen out dueled the legend, finishing 25-36, 280 yards, 2 scores and posting a 110.8 QB rating in the loss. However, don't worry, I didn't start Thigpen, but instead the highly-targeted Dwayne Bowe and all-time great Tony Gonzalez. Bowe finished with a solid 102 yards and Gonzo grabbed 79 yards and a score. 23 points combined from two KC wideouts, I'll take that any day.

Give Me Moore: Another week and another solid performance from ex-Viking and current Steelers RB Mewelde Moore. After posting a ridiculous 120 yards rushing, 14 receiving, and 3 scores in week 7, Moore turned in a very nice performance against a stout run d in the form of the G-men. Moore finished with 84 yards on the ground, 10 through the air and a score. With Willie Parker on and off again with his knee injury, look for Moore to continue to pile up the yardage and scores in Pittsburgh. I have a feeling Parker's knee is worse than believed and could see him being in and out of the line-up here on out. Grab Moore if you can, chances are he is already gone.

Best Connection in Football, Schaub to Johnson?!?: Don't look now, but there may be a new dynamic duo in the NFL. Since Sage Rosenfels went flying, spinning, and crashing to the ground against the Colts, Texans QB Matt Schaub and WR Andre Johnson have come alive. Johnson has averaged right around 148 yards a week his last four while Schaub has thrown for 5 scores in the last two weeks. The poor Vikings secondary is on tap for Week 9, so enjoy the show all you Schaub and Johnson owners.

Put a fork in the Bungals: All you owners with any Cincy players bench them or release them now. Chad Johnson = done. Chris Perry = done. Carson Palmer = done. Cedric Benson = forever done. And even T.J. Housmandzadeh = championship? nope, done. I proclaim this the worse team to have any player on in fantasy football history (Calvin "Megatron" Johnson on Detroit makes the Lions a lot better with Culpepper possibly signing shortly. Hey, he can throw the deep ball. i.e. Culpepper to Moss).

Pick-ups from Week 8: If your looking to turn your season around with most likely five or six weeks left in your regular season...grab one of these late-bloomers.

WR Ted Ginn MIA: This may be a complete fluke, but Ginn is most likely available in almost any league your in after tallying 175 yards this past week against a solid Buffalo Defense. With the wildcat formation in full effect and teams game planning to stop it, look for Ginn to break free in the secondary for a big score next week.

WR Donnie Avery STL: I know some people already pounced on this rookie wideout, but if he's available grab him ASAP. It seems Torry Holt is no longer the big play threat in St. Louie. Avery finished with 163 yards and a score. Steven Jackson should be back against Arizona this upcoming week so look for Avery to hit the long ball again in a possible shootout.

WR Matt Jones JAC: Despite his legal troubles, Jones put up solid numbers last week with 117 yards and a score (while dropping another potential game-winner). At 6-6, may be Jones will finally begin to see his potential as a big play and red-zone threat. The Jaguars travel to the terrible Bungals in week 9 so expect another strong outing from Jones.

RB Kevin Faulk NE: After notching 60 yards rushing, 47 receiving and score against the Rams, Faulk and the Patriots get Indy and their terrible run defense next week. Don't worry about BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Yes, he'll get some touches, but his poor outing and inexperience should get the quicker and more explosive Faulk a shot to shine. Sammy Morris will be out at least another week, possibly two.

WR Kevin Walter HOU: The Texans have won three straight and that's in large part to the stellar play of QB Matt Schaub. With Andre Johnson commanding double-teams, Walter grabbed five for 70 yards and two scores. He has five touchdowns on the year and look for another score this week and some solid yardage as the Texans play the Vikings. The Texans will most likely let Schaub air it out all day.

Check back tomorrow for injury updates and all of my week 9 predictions: studs, duds, and sleepers.

Utter Domination in "Wrigley North"
Zambrano and Lilly magnificent as Cubs sweep Astros out of Milwaukee

Just a week ago things weren't looking positive for the Cubs as they dropped seven of eight. Now, everything couldn't look better.

In the mini two game set with the Houston Astros, the Cubs took advantage of all the circumstances. Playing in front of a clearly pro-Cub crowd and against a team obviously focused on the devastation at home in Houston, the Cubs pitchers mesmerized the Astros hitters.

On Sunday night, Carlos Zambrano returned to form by throwing a dominating no-hitter against Houston. Big Z threw 110 pitches while striking out ten and walking one in his most electrifying performance ever. Zambrano was hitting the gun as high as 99 mph, while displaying a devastating splitter. His performance was so incredible due to the fact that he had just returned from a 12 day lay-off following being diagnosed with shoulder tendinitis. On top of that, he didn't need any huge defensive play to keep the no-hitter going as he allowed only two balls to reach the outfield. This is the Zambrano that Cubs' fans have come to love and will look to lead them to the promise land.

Following Zambrano's masterpiece, southpaw Ted Lilly attempted to make history by throwing back-to-back no-hitters, which would of been the first time that has ever been done. Unfortunately, Lilly's no-hit bid was broken up in the seventh inning thanks to a single by Mark Loretta. Regardless, Lilly dominated as well, pitching seven strong, punching out nine and walking a single batter. The one batter Lilly allowed on base in Lance Berkman, was subsequently picked-off as Berkman was caught leaning toward second. Lilly was pulled after seven and watched as the bullpen in Jeff Samardzija, Carlos Marmol, and Bob Howry completed the one-hitter.

In the two games that reassured Cubs' nation and showed that the Cubs are back as the class of the National League, Cubs pitchers gave up one hit, one run, four walks, and struck out 20. Yes, the Astros had to play a "home-game" at "Wrigley North" in front of clearly pro-Cub crowd. Yes, the Astros seemed preoccupied with the events following Hurricane Ike and the safety of family and friends. However, the Astros were one of the hottest teams in baseball and regardless of what is going on the stats don't lie. If the Cubs starters pitch like that they will win every time, anywhere.

With the rotation back, the Cubs are once again ready to steam-roll into October. With Zambrano, Dempster, Harden and Lilly, the Cubs have the best starting rotation in baseball come October. With the bullpen, it seems the Cubs are destined for a World Series.

In my opinion, the first no-hitter since 1972 by Milt Pappas cancels out the Billy Goat and all other curses you want to throw out there. The Cubs are primed to make history and end a 100 years of heart-break...are you ready?

I know I am. Bring on October!

Hey Cubs...It's September...Wake Up!
Cubs drop eight of their last nine in pathetic fashion

It's been a hundred years since the Cubs last won a World Series. Many say the 2008 squad is the best ever and should bring home the crown. I believe this is their best team ever and best opportunity to end the hundred years of misery. However, the hot and cold spells that continue to shake the team need to stop immediately.

I can't remember a season in which a team stacked from top to bottom with the power and hitting savvy like the Cubs can struggle to put runs on the board in such spurts. In the past ten games, the Cubs have scored only 37 runs. If you take away one game in which they scored 14, during that stretch they've scored 23 runs in nine games, which comes out to 2.5 runs per contest. They've also been shutout twice and have a team era in the month of September in the high sixes. There is no rhyme or reason as to how or why the Cubs can't seem to score.

So far this season, it seems when Soriano, Lee, Ramirez, DeRosa, or Soto go in slumps, they do it at the same time. I can't recall a year in which the top five producing players in a line-up continue to go ice cold in unison. Granted, D Lee has been in a slump basically since the All-Star break, while the rest of the bunch can vanish like a fart in the wind.

However, with all the mediocrity going on the offensive side of the ball, it may be the "diaper duo" also known as Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden that bring the most frustration to Cubs' Nation. Big Z has become the "Big Baby" this year, while Harden is simply living up to his reputation. We all knew what we were getting when the trade with Oakland was completed. When Harden has pitched, he's been filthy and spectacular. Recently, when Big Z pitches you'd rather have Jason Marquis or Sean Marshall out there. Zambrano has been getting lit up like a Christmas tree since the end of July.

In my opinion, the Cubs seem doomed for failure because of their hot and cold offensive spurts and the training wheels that goes with our main starting pitchers (Dempster is the best). The best part of it all is that may be, just may be, the Cubs will get hot again and steam roll into October. That is if they wake up in September.

In the meantime, let's root for anyone playing the Brewers, Cardinals, Phillies, and Astros (where did they come from). And hopefully come October, we'll be singing "Go Cubs Go" and partying in Wrigleyville.

Cubs Sputtering to the All-Star Break

Things aren't so friendly on the northside these days following a three-game sweep at the hands of the Chicago White Sox. The Cubs since sweeping the southsiders at Wrigley last weekend have gone 1-5. Their pitching as been borderline pathetic, while their offense has been lacking the "big hit."

The Cubs do have a laundry list of injuries including superstars Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Zambrano being on the DL with hand and shoulder issues. They also have centerfielder Reed Johnson and lefty-reliever Scott Erye on the DL, while superstar third baseman Aramis Rameriz will be out the first three games of the series in San Francisco starting tonight due to family issues back in the Dominican Republic. With all these injuries, it seems the Cubs are arguably the most banged-up team in baseball.

However, with all these injuries, Carlos Zambrano and Reed Johnson are slated to come off the DL on Thursday just in time for a big series against second-place St. Louis at Busch Stadium. Zambrano will start Friday's series opener, while Johnson could be in the line-up immediately to give the ailing Jim Edmonds a much needed breathier. On top of that, the Cubs believe Soriano may be able to be back before the All-Star break after fracturing a bone in his left hand. Trainers are calling Soriano, "the quickest healer they've ever seen." With the likes of dealing with Kerry Wood and Mark Prior in the past, I'm not sure what they exactly means, but so far all signs point to Soriano being back sooner than the projected six weeks.

Therefore, if the Cubs who still hold the best record in the NL at 49-33 and lead all of baseball with a +95 run differential can manged to pull together over the next couple weeks there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Injuries are a part of the game and the Cubs simply have to overcome numerous obstacles right now to hold their first-place lead in the NL central. The Cubs have been in first since May 12th seeing their lead grow as big as 4 1/2 over the Cardinals. They currently hold a 2 1/2 game lead over St. Louis.

Although the injuries may be an excuse, the Cubs haven't played well on the road all year like majority of baseball. They are a dismal 16-23 on the road including being swept in their last two series against the Rays and White Sox. If it weren't for their major-league best 33-10 home record the Cubs would be in complete disarray. Therefore, in order for the Cubs to turn it around before the break they need big performances this week in San Francisco and St. Louis starting with their pitchers.

No more excuses. Go out, be professionals and play baseball.

Whose Your Chicago Cubs' MVP?

There are too many to pick, but here are three to consider: Soto, Fukudome, and Marmol

With over a fourth of the season in the books, the Chicago Cubs find themselves at an impressive 27-17 after completing an 8-2 homestand.

There are many early season heroes for the Cubs, from the usually consistent Derrek Lee to the ever emotional Carlos Zambrano. They've both done their part, but there are three integral parts: two new and another just continues to dominate.

The two Cubs' rookies, catcher Geovany Soto and right-fielder Kosuke Fukudome have brought patience at the plate and stellar defense. Soto is batting .321 with an on-base percentage (OBP) of .429, 14 doubles, eight homers, 30 RBIs and is slugging (SLG) .607. Soto leads the Cubs in OBP, doubles, RBI's and SLG. He has also compiled 27 walks and thrown out forty percent of attempted base stealers. All this from a rookie catcher, a home-grown future All-Star.

Since opening day, Fukudome has been "the fan favorite" of Cubs' nation. Since hitting a game-tying three-run homer on opening day against the Brewers, Fukudome has become a superstar seemingly overnight. In right field, the "Fu Fighters" hang out to lend their support, while vendors outside Wrigley Field sell Japanese headbands for all those looking to join the Fukudome frenzy. The right-fielder is hitting .314 with an OBP of .416, 11 doubles, two triples, and a team-leading 28 bases on balls. It's Fukudome's patient that has the greatest effect on the former free-swinging Cubbies. He has brought a discipline at the plate that has been missing for over a decade on the North Side. Following Sunday's game, the Cubs lead the majors in team OBP at .372. They also lead the majors in runs, RBIs, and on-base percentage plus slugging (OPS). In every other major statistical category, the Cubs find themselves second in doubles and batting average, and third in slugging percentage. One thing is clear, the "Fukudome Effect" has many positive results.


Finally, there is no higher rising star on the Cubs than a flame-throwing pitcher. He resides in the bullpen, continues to dominate, and is not named Wood. Cubs reliever Carlos Marmol has become a lethal weapon in baseball. He can get starters out of jams, leave hitters scratching their heads, and get the ball to closer Kerry Wood. Marmol has an astounding 1.61 earned run average (ERA) in 28 innings while incredibly punching out 40 batters. This comes after he posted a 1.43 ERA last year going 5-1 and striking out 96 hitters in 69 1/3 innings. Marmol has electric stuff from a 96 mile-per-hour fastball to the nastiest slider in the game today. It is picturesque to watch Marmol strike out the side or simply have a hitter's knees buckle while confusion and frustration spreads over their face.

So whose the Cubs' early-season MVP? It's simply too close too call. However, looking up and down the Chicago Cubs roster there are many names that have surprised and others who just continue to shine. A few other names you can throw into the mix are starting pitcher Ryan Dempster (5-1, 2.35 ERA), utility infielder Ronny Cedeno (..324 AVG, .403 OBP, 19 RBIs, 68 at-bats), and the red-hot Alfonso Soriano (.296 AVG, 10 HRs, 26 RBIs).

Regardless, the Cubs have turned the corner at the plate, at home with a major-league best 19-8 home record, and hopefully as the "lovable losers." All I know is this 2008 Cubs' roster is stacked. If you want an MVP, you pick because at any moment one of the stars will get hot and carry the squad.

So let's forget MVP's for now and just watch a team play.

I Wanna Be Like Mike...Fontenot

Since being called up from Triple-A, Cubs' infielder Mike Fontenot is doing it all including batting an astounding .408 in 20 games and solidifying a spot in the everyday line-up for the red hot Cubs

At only 5'8'' 170 pounds, the Cubs' newest infielder packs quite a pop.

Since being brought up for the second time this year on June 9 and starting since June 10, Mike Fontenont has helped the Cubs go 10-6. During that stretch, the Cubs swept the rival White Sox at U.S. Cellular and the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley to give them their current six-game winning streak.

The Louisiana native knows a thing or two about winning since Ryan Theriot and him won the College World Series at LSU back in 2000, in which Fontenot was named to the all-tournament team while batting .462. It looks like little as changed with this offensive fire-starter. In 20 games, Fontenot is hitting an incredible .408 with eight doubles, two triples, three homers, 13 RBI's, scored 15 runs, and has a .455 OBP. In the recent three-game sweep of the Rockies, the second baseman went 9-for-13 including a 5-for-5 performance in the Cubs wild ninth-inning victory 10-9 to open the series. The 5-for-5 night featured two doubles, two RBI's, and two runs.

Today, Fontenot showed that little men can play a big man's game by going 3-for-4 including a towering 415 foot solo homer. The homer impressed all his teammates including starter Carlos Zambrano who said, "I didn't know that short men could hit the ball like that. He hit the ball like a man. I feel happy for him" (http://www.chicagocubs.com/). Fontenot's pop-single in the first that was lost in the sun extended his career-high hitting streak to 10.

If your wondering how the Cubs acquired Fontenot, look no further than GM Jim Hendry. Fontenot was brought over from the Baltimore Orioles in the Sammy Sosa deal along with OF Jerry Hairston and RHP Dave Crouthers. So all those that thought the Cubs got nothing for Sosa they would be greatly mistaken. Two years since the trade, Fontenot is paying huge dividends, while Hairston and Sosa are Texas Rangers and no one knows who or where Crouthers is.

With the way Fontenot has been hitting all year, including Triple-A in which he was batting .340 in 54 games with 17 doubles, four triples, and six homers, it's clear that the little, big man can hit. Another thing that is a certainty is his amazing production in the two-spot for the rest of the year.

With the Milwaukee Brewers set to invade Wrigley on Friday to start an important three-game series, the Cubs will need Fontenot to remain on fire. With his humble attitude, don't expect anything to change as the Brew Crew meets the newest Cubs star this weekend.

By Sunday afternoon, the Brewers will understand why there's a new Mike in Chicago that Cubs fans want to be like.