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Weekend Sports Report – 10/26/17

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with Packer Dave and Steve Leventhal

Fresh from her Cubs postseason coverage, Dionne Miller of ABC 7 Chicago joins us to talk Chicago Bears and NFL football, including the ongoing Colin Kaepernick controversy. The Bears are surprising everyone with their tenacious defense en route to a 3-4 record. We’ll talk about the other key games in the NFL this weekend, some top college football contests.  John Poulter talks about the thrilling first two games of the 2017 World Series, and this week’s top EPL soccer matchup.  Plus, get our weekly DFS picks with Mike Perlow.

Hear interviews with Brett Hundley, Don Capers, John Fox, Bears OC Dowell Loggains, Drew Brees, Detroit’s Jim Caldwell, Matthew Stafford, Ben Roethlisberger, Dak Prescott, Urban Meyer, Penn State coach James Franklin, and Vikings coach Mike Zimmer.

Don’t miss cameos from Wayne Laravee and Pat Hughes.

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Bears Lions Preview

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Lou Brown
Lou Brown – Major League

“OK, we won a game yesterday. If we win today, it’s called “two in a row”. And if we win again tomorrow, it’s called a “winning streak”… It has happened before!” – Lou Brown (Major League)

Truer words have not been spoken as your Chicago Bears are on the verge of a winning streak. After beating the Raiders at home, the Bears followed up with another win at Arrowhead Stadium against the Chiefs. Thanks to an injury to one of the NFL’s best running backs and Jay Cutler saving the day with 2 late TD passes, the Bears pulled out an improbable victory.

Two in a row!

Now the Bears take to the road again, but this time it is in the division. The lowly winless Lions play host to the Bears this weekend after they had their butts handed to them by the Arizona Cardinals. The 42 – 17 score makes the game actually seem closer than it actually was after the Cardinals had a 28 – 7 lead at halftime.

Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford
Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford

If Bears fans believe that they will see the Lions start Dan Orlovsky start for Detroit, they will be sadly mistaken. Even though quarterback Matthew Stafford was benched last week, it doesn’t mean head coach Jim Caldwell will stick with Orlovsky. The Lions appear to have a dynamic offense on paper but Stafford hasn’t been able to find his rhythm which has Detroit ranked 30th in PPG.

To say that Stafford has put up pedestrian numbers would be an insult to pedestrians. Stafford has a 64.6% completion rate, is averaging 234 YPG and has thrown more interceptions (8) than touchdowns (6) through 5 weeks of the season. The offense has only scored more than 18 points once this season and has given the ball to the opposing team a league leading 15 times.

Fuzzy math might be the “New school” but that is 3 giveaways per game.

In turn, the Bears defense led by Pernell McPhee, is 3rd in the league in passing by only giving up 186 YPG and 4th in the league in total defense with only giving up 304 YPG. It is clear that DC Vic Fangio has improved the Bears defense each week even though this team is lacking in talent.

Bears LB Parnell McPhee
Bears LB Parnell McPhee

Even though the defense is making stride in the right direction, that Bears offense is still suspect as injuries at the wide receiver position have hampered an explosive passing game. OC Adam Gase appears to have gotten thru to Cutler at some level because he has a 2:1 touchdown to interception ration without Alshon Jeffery, Eddie Royal or Kevin White.

When the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions get together, the game is decided on one factor… which overpaid quarterback will screw up the most. In this case, with the Lions looking towards 2016 and Matthew Stafford playing uninspired, the Lions should fold up shop without much resistance if the Bears can put points on the board early. Turnovers should be plentiful and the team that commits the least will prevail as these two teams fight for last place in the NFC North.

Bears Lions Notes & Predictions

Key Matchup: Jay Cutler vs. Matthew Stafford

Key Injuries: WR Alshon Jeffery (Questionable), LB Shea McClellin (Doubtful), Eddie Royal (Questionable)

Fact: Detroit has the most registered bowlers in the United States

Fantasy Spotlight: RB Ameer Abdullah

Spread: Lions -3

Prediction: Bears 24, Lions 18

@WesEvans24

 

The Case for Keeping Jay Cutler

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Bears QB Jay Cutler meets with the media
Bears QB Jay Cutler meets with the media

Cutler may have been under fire for the rock star size of his contract, and his less than stellar on field performance, but there are several million good reasons to keep him on the Bears roster, at least through 2016.

The big hero in this deal is Cutler’s agent who negotiated this colossal deal.  Don’t blame Jay, he just signed on the dotted line, but Phil Emery, the soon to be unemployed Chicago GM.

However, when you examine things more closely, it may work out in the long run, if not for Chicago, then some other team.

My information is based on data culled from Spotrac.com.

Cutler’s average annual salary on the $127 million deal is roughly  $18 million per year. The big hit for the Bears is in 2014-2015 with $38 in guaranteed money.

Let’s compare Cutler’s deal with two other marquee NFL QB’s, one younger, one older, who have similar average salaries.

Thirty-four year old Tony Romo’s deal runs out a year before Jay’s. His average salary and guaranteed money ($54 million) are similar to Cutler’s deal.  The difference, however, is that the Cowboys are on the hook for a larger salary cap hit, should he no longer be on the roster in in 2015, 2016, or 2017.

Cutler is guaranteed $16 million in 2016, but should the team cut or trade him, they are only on the hook for $3 million. In 2017, that amount drops to $2 million.

Twenty-six year old Matthew Stafford of the Lions becomes an unrestricted free agent after the 2017 season.  How much of a raise will he get above the $22.5 million he’s scheduled to earn in the last two years of his deal? Especially if he leads his team back to the playoffs a few more times.

Tony Romo was the top rated QB in the NFL, for any starter. Stafford’s 85.7 rating is actually below Cutler’s 88.6.

The biggest problem Cutler faced in 2014 was having one of the league’s worst defenses preventing him from running a balanced offense, thus increasing his turnovers. The mediocre offensive line which allowed him to be sacked 38 times didn’t help matters either.

It’s easy to criticize Jay because he’s not a charmer in front of the cameras.  Cutler will never be a pitch man like Peyton Manning or Russell Wilson.  That’s just not his style.  But from what we in the media hear, his teammates see a side of Jay the public does not.

The solution.  Draft a quarterback in the second or third round in 2015 or 2016, and nurture them along. Rebuild that defense that was absolutely pitiful in 2014. Then, re-think things in 2017.  Conversely, when the average salaries of QB’s in the NFL start exceeding $25 or $30 million, the deal might not seem so bad after all.

Bears-Lions Thanksgiving Preview

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Bears-Lions 2011

The Bears go into the Thanksgiving holiday with a lot to be thankful for, especially when it comes to their fans. Many of the grumblings the Bears have had to deal with over the past month have dissipated after the back to back wins over the last place Vikings and Bucs.

It is surprising to hear the type of optimism by a fan base of a 5 – 6 team but maybe tis the season.

One day I never overlook is Thanksgiving and with the Bears playing in Detroit on turkey day for the first time since 1999, it’s time to set the menu.

The Turkey: Jay Cutler

Jokes aside… the turkey is the centerpiece of Thanksgiving and to have a successful meal, the turkey has to be cooked just right. This bird is coming off his lowest yardage total of the season at 130, and was unable to move the chains against one of the worst defenses in the NFL.

The Stuffing: Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery

The stuffing is a side that is directly related to the cooking of the turkey. Since it cooks inside the turkey, the only way for stuffing to make a difference at the table is if the turkey is on it’s A game. Marshall and Jeffery combined for 6 catches and only 54 yards last week and will need a better showing if they want to match All-World WR Calvin Johnson and WR Golden Tate.

Bears WR Alison Jeffery
Bears WR Alshon Jeffery

Mashed Potatoes: Bears Offensive Line

The base of the meal, the corner stone of a successful offense starts upfront against the very good defensive line of the Lions. The Lions boast the best rushing defense and a hearty helping of mashed potatoes is needed for the Bears offense to not be one dimensional.

Gravy: Matt Forte

Some might argue the most important part of the meal. The gravy needs to be cascaded over every side on your plate and when you think you have had enough… add a little more. Forte has been the only consistent performer throughout the year and shows no signs of slowing down towards the finish line.

Green Bean Casserole: Bears Defense

For as long as I could remember, my Aunt Margie has always been in charge of this dish. There are 3 main ingredients: green beans, cream of mushroom soup and fried onion strips. Seems pretty simple.

Lions DT Ndamukong Suh
Lions DT Ndamukong Suh

So why does it taste different every time she makes it?

One year I can’t get enough of it and the next I am feeding it to my dog. It is mind boggling and frustrating that such inconsistency can exist with such a routine recipe. The Bears defense has shown up the past two weeks against inferior completion, but will they be able to contain Matthew Stafford who has been struggling of late?

Sorry Aunt Margie.

Rolls: Marc Trestman

They don’t garner the respect they deserve. The herdsman of the bread family. Cleaning up after poor QB play or leftover gravy. They are always wondering if the same brand will be used next year.

Yams: WHAT THE HECK IS A YAM?

Cranberries: Ndamukong Suh

The bane of the Turkey’s existence. Why are these even on the table? The only people who like cranberries, are the ones who bring them.

Pumpkin Pie: A Bears win

Key Matchup: Cranberries vs Mashed Potatoes

Key Injuries: CB Kyle Fuller (Quest.), Jerimiah Ratliff (Quest.), Lance Briggs (Quest.)

Fact: The Bears beat the Lions 19-16 in the first Thanksgiving Day game in 1934

Prediction: Lions 24, Bears 17

@WesEvans24