SB Nation Chicago: All Posts by Josh Brokawhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48877/chicago-fave.png2012-11-22T21:17:19-06:00https://chicago.sbnation.com/authors/josh-brokaw/rss2012-11-22T21:17:19-06:002012-11-22T21:17:19-06:00There's no line for Vikings-Bears Sunday
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<figcaption>Jonathan Daniel</figcaption>
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<p>Jay Cutler's uncertain status has most oddsmakers not offering a line on Sunday's Vikings-Bears game</p> <p>No one yet knows whether <span>Jay Cutler</span> will play Sunday against the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Vikings</a>. That uncertainty has bookmakers <a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/nfl/minnesota-chicago-odds-november-25-2012" target="_blank">unwilling to offer a line</a> for those inclined to bet on this week's pivotal NFC North contest. Cutler was concussed against the <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Texans</a> on a hit by linebacker <span>Tim Dobbins</span> in the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bears</a>' 13-6 Week 10 loss. He did not play against the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco 49ers</a> in the Bears' Week 11 32-7 Monday night loss.</p>
<p>A Bears offense led by <span>Jason Campbell</span> sputtered last Monday night. Chicago totaled 141 yards, passing for 58. Cutler had averaged about 181 yards per game in the passing game, and the Bears' offense was averaging about 281 yards per game through Week 11.</p>
<p>The Bears <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2012/11/21/3676450/jay-cutler-injury-bears-practice-medically-cleared" target="_blank">cleared Cutler to practice on Wednesday</a>. For Cutler to be eligible to play, he must be examined and passed to play by an independent neurologist, per the NFL's new, more stringent concussion policy.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bears/2012/11/22/3680996/bears-vikings-odds-nfl-week-12Josh Brokaw2012-11-20T18:56:52-06:002012-11-20T18:56:52-06:00Cubs cut 1B/OF Bryan LaHair
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<figcaption>Jonathan Daniel</figcaption>
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<p>2012 National League All-Star possibly heading to Japan</p> <p>One of the casualties from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> trimming their 40-man roster on Tuesday was first baseman and outfielder <span>Bryan LaHair</span>, who was designated for assignment. On Twitter, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/CarrieMuskat/status/271045380010016768">Cubs MLB beat reporter Carrie Muskat said</a> the team is "pursuing opportunity for (LaHair) in Japan."</p>
<p>LaHair, 30, hit .259/.334/.450 with 16 home runs and 17 doubles in 2012, in 380 plate appearances, his best season of his three in the major leagues. He was selected as the All-Star Game representative for the Cubs for the 2012 game. LaHair signed as a free agent with Chicago in Nov. 2010, after spending nine seasons in Seattle's farm system.</p>
<p>The Cubs added right-handed pitchers <span>Trey McNutt</span> and Robert Whitenack and infielders <span>Christian Villanueva</span> and <span>Logan Watkins</span> to their 40-man roster on Tuesday, which was the last day teams could make changes to their roster before the Rule 5 draft, to be held Dec. 6 in Nashville at baseball's Winter Meetings.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/11/20/3673496/chicago-cubs-bryan-lahair-cut-goneJosh Brokaw2012-11-20T17:37:25-06:002012-11-20T17:37:25-06:00Bulls to visit Omer Asik in Houston
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<figcaption>Jonathan Daniel</figcaption>
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<p>Bulls reunited with former center on Thanksgiving Eve </p> <p>When the <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bulls</a> visit Houston Wednesday night, they will see <span>Omer Asik</span> for the first time since the Turkish center left Chicago to sign a three-year, $25 million contract with the <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Rockets</a> this past offseason. Asik is averaging a double-double playing starter's minutes with his new team.</p>
<p>Asked if he was surprised by Asik's performance thus far in the 2012-13 season, Bulls head coach <a href="http://www.csnchicago.com/basketball-chicago-bulls/bulls-talk/Bulls-set-for-reunion-with-Rockets-Asik?blockID=804321&feedID=661&awid=8907680427192445387-914" target="_blank">Tom Thibodeau told reporters on Tuesday</a> that the team expected Asik's improvement.</p>
<p>"(Asik) had the right characteristics, the right makeup," Thibodeau said. "Seven feet, he’s got great drive, great character and great intelligence. So, it’s not surprising. He’s getting more minutes, so his production’s going to be better."</p>
<p><span>Taj Gibson</span> told reporters he's been watching Asik, and said that in the NBA, when "you get a lot of touches and game experience, which he’s doing right now, your confidence builds and I can see him doing a lot more stuff in the post."</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bulls/2012/11/20/3673174/chicago-bulls-omer-asik-houston-rocketsJosh Brokaw2012-11-20T17:15:24-06:002012-11-20T17:15:24-06:00Notre Dame is No. 1 for first time since 1993
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<figcaption>Jonathan Daniel</figcaption>
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<p>The Irish are No.1 for the first time since 1993, and fans are just a tad excited. </p> <p>Children born the last time <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/notre-dame-fighting-irish">Notre Dame</a> football held a No. 1 ranking in any poll voted in this November's election. That means it's been 19 years since the Fighting Irish held such a prestigious place in the college football landscape probably has something to do with the joyful tone over at One Foot Down, SBNation's Notre Dame community.</p>
<p>As One Foot Down founding member "whiskey OFD" put it in his Tuesday column, that the Irish are sitting this pretty with one game to play isn't an all-time shock, but the <a href="http://www.onefootdown.com/2012/11/20/3670204/five-wide-fullbacks-the-life-as-1-edition" target="_blank">BCS Championship didn't seem likely when this year began</a>:</p>
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<p>To be sitting at #1 today is a rather amazing turnaround, and in my completely biased opinion, a significant step forward that the entire program can continue to build on. For the first few weeks of the season it seemed possible but still unlikely. Then Oklahoma happened.</p>
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<p>Notre Dame must beat a Matt Barkley-less <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/usc-trojans">USC Trojans</a> squad to complete a 12-0 season and claim a spot in the BCS Championship. Of that game, whiskey says that Southern Cal is a "wounded animal" and that hopefully the team will be "focusing on the task at hand."</p>
<p>Notre Dame plays USC at 8 p.m. ET Saturday night on ABC.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/notre-dame-football/2012/11/20/3673058/notre-dame-number-1-reactionJosh Brokaw2012-11-20T16:41:07-06:002012-11-20T16:41:07-06:00Monday night loss drops Bears in power rankings
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<figcaption>Cary Edmondson-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Chicago drops out of most analysts' NFL power rankings' top 5.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bears</a> took a hit in most power rankings released after Week 12 action, after a 32-7 loss Monday night to the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco 49ers</a>. The Bears, a team that were about universally a top 5 team and as high as No. 3 in many rankings, now reside at the back half of the top 10 for many NFL writers.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/powerrankings">ESPN's panel rankings</a> dropped Chicago from third to sixth. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000098244/article/nfl-power-rankings-week-12-49ers-rise-chiefs-hit-the-cellar">NFL.com's Eliot Harrison</a> and <a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/powerRankings" target="_blank">Brian Billick of FOX Sports</a> dropped the Bears from fourth to eighth in a league of 32. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/21070003/power-rankings-after-painful-start-bengals-primed-for-playoff-push">Pete Prisco of CBS Sports</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2012/11/20/3669888/nfl-power-rankings-week-12-49ers">Joel Thorman at SBNation</a> both moved the Bears back to their eighth slot from No. 3.</p>
<p>Around the NFC North, the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Packers</a>, owners of a five-game win streak, used a 24-20 win at Detroit to cement a spot in the top 5 of most rankings. The <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Vikings</a>, on a bye week, held steady in the 15 range, and the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Lions</a> loss knocked them into the last third of the rankings for several analysts.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8WXeYOZwzSc?list=PLUXSZMIiUfFRF-xk_6Wbo63fvc1BZRTmo&hl=en_US"></iframe></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bears/2012/11/20/3672892/2012-nfl-power-rankings-week-12Josh Brokaw2012-11-13T18:39:10-06:002012-11-13T18:39:10-06:00Blackhawks prospects are having good seasons
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<figcaption>Rob Grabowski-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Blackhawks' prospects Kyle Beach and Mark McNeill have earned Player of the Week honors in their respective minor leagues.</p> <p>The National Hockey League might not be playing, but that doesn't mean that minor league players aren't continuing their development. Two <a href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Blackhawks</a> prospects recently earned Player of the Week recognition in their developmental leagues.</p>
<p><span>Kyle Beach</span>, the Blackhawks' 2008 first-round pick, was <a href="http://www.csnchicago.com/hockey-chicago-blackhawks/blackhawks-talk/Beach-named-AHL-player-of-the-week?blockID=798391&feedID=10334" target="_blank">named the American Hockey League (AHL) player of the week</a> last Tuesday. Beach plays for the Rockford IceHogs, and scored three goals and racked up five points during the week he was honored. Beach, a 22-year-old forward, had 16 goals and 20 assists during the 2011-12 season, his first full one in Rockford.</p>
<p>This Monday, <span>Mark McNeill</span> was named the <a href="http://www.csnchicago.com/hockey-chicago-blackhawks/blackhawks-talk/Blackhawks-prospects-continue-setting-th?blockID=801037&feedID=661&awid=9139232038523901743-914" target="_blank">Western Hockey League (WHL) player of the week</a> for his performance. McNeill had two goals and five assists in three games, as his Prince Albert Raiders went 2-1 on the week. McNeill, 19, is in his fifth season with Prince Albert. He was selected by Chicago with the eleventh selection in the 2011 NHL Draft.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-blackhawks/2012/11/13/3642606/nhl-lockout-blackhawks-prospects-beach-mcneillJosh Brokaw2012-11-13T18:14:54-06:002012-11-13T18:14:54-06:00Mark Buehrle is going to Toronto
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<figcaption>Jonathan Daniel</figcaption>
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<p>Former White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle one of five Marlins heading to Canada in massive Miami salary dump</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Miami Marlins</a> sent former Chicago left-hander <span>Mark Buehrle</span> to Toronto Tuesday, along with four teammates, in a nine-player deal that clears over $80 million from the Miami payroll. Buehrle, shortstop <span>Jose Reyes</span>, pitcher Josh Johnson, catcher <span>John Buck</span> and utilityman <span>Emilio Bonifacio</span> are all now <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Blue Jays</a>, after <a target="_blank" href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/sfl-marlins-trade-buehrle-johnson-reyes-20121113,0,746157.story">the Marlins traded them</a> for shortstops <span>Yunel Escobar</span> and <span>Adeiny Hechavarria</span> and pitchers <span>Henderson Alvarez</span> and Justin Nicolino.</p>
<p>FOX Sports' Jon Morosi called the deal a <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/268501338386751489">"historic salary dump"</a> on Twitter; the Marlins began 2012 with about $100 million in payroll and now owe their roster, before arbitration, about $16 million.</p>
<p>Buehrle, 33, signed a four-year, $58 million contract with Miami on Dec. 7 of last year, and turned in a 13-13, 3.74 ERA campaign for a 69-93 team that finished fifth in the National League East. Reyes also signed with Miami on Dec. 7, for six years and $106 million, and Johnson is owed $13.75 million for the 2013 season.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-white-sox/2012/11/13/3642468/mark-buehrle-marlins-blue-jays-tradeJosh Brokaw2012-11-13T17:17:14-06:002012-11-13T17:17:14-06:00Brian Urlacher doesn't care what the fans think
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<figcaption>Don McPeak-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Bears' linebacker shook Danieal Manning's hand after the Texans safety intercepted Jay Cutler Sunday, says he "could give a crap about what people think on the street."</p> <p><span>Brian Urlacher</span> gave former teammate <span>Danieal Manning</span> a handshake in the first quarter of Sunday night's <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bears</a>-<a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Texans</a> game, after Manning picked off Chicago quarterback <span>Jay Cutler</span> deep in Texans' territory. Manning played with Urlacher on the Bears from 2006-10.</p>
<p>Fans were not so happy about the show of comradery between the two players. Urlacher, asked about the gesture on ESPN 1000's Waddle and Silvy Show Monday, <a href="http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/8623806/brian-urlacher-oif-chicago-bears-rips-critics-handshake-danieal-manning" target="_blank">made it very clear he doesn't care what the fans think</a>:</p>
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<p>"It's just dumb that people think that. 'Why did you help that guy up after you tackled him?' Because I wanted to. What's the big deal? 'Butkus would have never done that.' Well, I'm not Dick Butkus. I'm Brian Urlacher, and sometimes I help people up. Sorry if that (ticks) you off."</p>
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<p>Urlacher said that "I don't give a crap about what fans or people say, they can kiss my butt" and that "Danieal Manning is a friend of mine." Urlacher also said that "when the ball is snapped I want to tackle the other guy, the other team is my enemy," but that when plays are over "it's not like I have to go out there and be a jerk to him because it's during the game and I'm a tough guy."</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bears/2012/11/13/3642230/chicago-bears-brian-urlacher-handshake-reactionJosh Brokaw2012-11-13T15:49:27-06:002012-11-13T15:49:27-06:00The Bears still in position for a first round bye
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<figcaption>Jonathan Daniel</figcaption>
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<p>At 7-2, the Bears still have sole possession of the second seed in the NFC after a 13-6 loss Sunday night to Houston</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> lost their first game since Week 2 on Sunday night, and they lost quarterback <span>Jay Cutler</span> to a concussion. What the Bears did not lose was their playoff position; at 7-2, Chicago <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nfl.com/playoffs/playoff-picture">remains in position to earn a first round bye</a> and a guaranteed home playoff game.</p>
<p>Other NFC contenders struggling in their Week 10 games helped the Bears hold onto their spot in the playoff race. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">Giants</a> fell to 6-4 with a 31-13 loss to Cincinnati; the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a> went to 6-2-1 after tying the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">Rams</a> 24-24; and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Falcons</a> lost their first game of the season in New Orleans, keeping Chicago within a game of the top seed.</p>
<p>Chicago travels to San Francisco to play the 49ers next Monday night. The Bears then host the 6-4 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Vikings</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a> in consecutive weeks before visiting Minnesota, then hosting the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Packers</a> in Week 15. Green Bay is the only NFC team to beat Chicago so far in the 2012 season.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bears/2012/11/13/3641858/chicago-bears-playoffs-first-round-byeJosh Brokaw2012-11-13T15:28:15-06:002012-11-13T15:28:15-06:00Doc Rivers says Bulls still good without D-Rose
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<figcaption>Jonathan Daniel</figcaption>
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<p>The Celtics coach says that having a full training camp to prepare for life without D-Rose helps the Bulls</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Celtics</a> head coach <span>Doc Rivers</span> thinks that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Bulls</a> are playing well so far in the young 2012-13 NBA season without Derrick Rose in large part due to the work of Chicago head coach <span>Tom Thibodeau</span>. Rivers <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bulls/post/_/id/10463/doc-bulls-used-to-playing-without-rose">talked about Rose's absence on Monday</a>, before his Celtics beat the Bulls 101-95 at the United Center:</p>
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<p>"Injuries are bad, obviously, but when you have a training camp without the guy you can make a team. I think injuries are far tougher when you have them in the middle of the season and then you've been working a guy out."</p>
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<p>Rivers said that Thibodeau's team plays "great D" and that "they have great ball control...they're going to exhaust the clock until they get the exact shot that they want." He compared losing Rose to Boston losing <span>Rajon Rondo</span> and said that the difference in having a "great point guard" like Rose or Rondo is that "they can create their own offense in transition, off the end of sets."</p>
<p>Rivers also complimented one of the players taking some of <span>Derrick Rose's</span> minutes, <span>Nate Robinson</span>, saying that Robinson has "matured" and "has better focus" than when he played for the Celtics.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bulls/2012/11/13/3641734/chicago-bulls-good-without-derrick-rose-doc-riversJosh Brokaw