Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Signing Day Part I (and B-ball vs. NU)
This is a BIG DAY for Illinois athletics. For the football team, signing day has finally arrived. Coach Zook and his staff have assembled a great recruiting class that ranks in the Top 20 in the country. When is the last time we saw an article with this headline for football recruiting? Answer: I don't recall ever seeing one like it but for those of you who are older than me, it has been more than a decade and probably even longer than that.
The hard part of recruiting for this class is done and all the coaches can do now is wait the formal, signed national letters of intent to come across the fax machine today. While there is always the risk of surprises on signing day, let's hope the only surprise came earlier this week when quarterback Clint Brewster changed his mind and committed to Minnesota (where his father is the new coach).
I can't wait to see these guys on the field over the next four years. Check the blog again later today for some additional thoughts on football recruiting from Chief.
In addition to the excitement of signing day for the football team, Illinois has an important basketball game tonight at Northwestern. Like just about every game for the remainder of the season, this is a must win game for the Illini. Here are a couple of previews about the game from the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune, respectively. Also, here is one from the Daily Herald that contains information at the end about the Illini's continuing battle with injuries.
Couple of miscellaneous side notes:
--This is what often frustrates me about the NBA. I support John Paxson's decision wholeheartedly on this one. I can only hope that the comments Thomas made in the second article are more reflective of him than the first article, which was written by Sam Smith.
--Interesting perspective on the Bears and Rex Grossman. The thing that stood out to me in this article: The Bears had enough money under the salary cap that they could have signed Drew Brees last off-season!!! I know hindsight is 20/20 but come on, that should have been a no-brainer. They would likely be getting fitted for the Super Bowl rings if they had made that move. To win a championship, you have to go all in (as they would say in poker). I hope Jerry Angelo considers that and takes it as a lesson learned.
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The hard part of recruiting for this class is done and all the coaches can do now is wait the formal, signed national letters of intent to come across the fax machine today. While there is always the risk of surprises on signing day, let's hope the only surprise came earlier this week when quarterback Clint Brewster changed his mind and committed to Minnesota (where his father is the new coach).
I can't wait to see these guys on the field over the next four years. Check the blog again later today for some additional thoughts on football recruiting from Chief.
In addition to the excitement of signing day for the football team, Illinois has an important basketball game tonight at Northwestern. Like just about every game for the remainder of the season, this is a must win game for the Illini. Here are a couple of previews about the game from the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune, respectively. Also, here is one from the Daily Herald that contains information at the end about the Illini's continuing battle with injuries.
Couple of miscellaneous side notes:
--This is what often frustrates me about the NBA. I support John Paxson's decision wholeheartedly on this one. I can only hope that the comments Thomas made in the second article are more reflective of him than the first article, which was written by Sam Smith.
--Interesting perspective on the Bears and Rex Grossman. The thing that stood out to me in this article: The Bears had enough money under the salary cap that they could have signed Drew Brees last off-season!!! I know hindsight is 20/20 but come on, that should have been a no-brainer. They would likely be getting fitted for the Super Bowl rings if they had made that move. To win a championship, you have to go all in (as they would say in poker). I hope Jerry Angelo considers that and takes it as a lesson learned.
Labels: Chicago Bears, Illini football, John Paxson, Northwestern, Recruiting, Signing Day
# posted by Good Hope Orange : 9:06 AM
Monday, February 05, 2007
Don't be nice to your opponent until AFTER THE GAME!
MENTAL NOTE: DO NOT EVER LET ALMA MATER WISH ONE OF OUR OPPONNENTS LUCK AGAIN BEFORE A BIG GAME!
As a fellow Illini fan, I appreciated Alma Mater pointing out two former Illini players who are now with the Colts. One of those players, happens to be Kelvin Hayden, who she wished good luck on Saturday. Now, I know she is a Chicago Bears fan like me and that she was cheering for the Monsters of the Midway. However, next time, maybe it would be wise to avoid wishing one of our opponents good luck before the Super Bowl or any other big game. Then we won't have to read headlines the following day that say this or also this.
That being said (and all kidding aside), if the Bears had to lose, I would rather than lose to the Colts with good guys like Hayden, Dungy, and Manning rather than some of the other teams out there. And they really are good guys. You probably have read the various stories about Dungy and Manning but you may have missed a couple that the Tribune ran on Hayden last week. I think you will be impressed by him too if you read this story with comments from one of his former teachers and this story about his mom.
Last night's loss was disappointing and I wish the outcome had been different. If we are lucky, the Bears will be back to the Super Bowl again next year but it is a long road to get back there again. I will say that this loss of one of my favorite teams, did not sting near as badly as the Illini's loss to North Carolina back in 2005. I think that is because it was so much fun to watch that group of players and to see them perform as a true team. You felt like you knew those guys and could relate to them. Good memories...
Until Later, GO BEARS AND GO ILLINI!
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As a fellow Illini fan, I appreciated Alma Mater pointing out two former Illini players who are now with the Colts. One of those players, happens to be Kelvin Hayden, who she wished good luck on Saturday. Now, I know she is a Chicago Bears fan like me and that she was cheering for the Monsters of the Midway. However, next time, maybe it would be wise to avoid wishing one of our opponents good luck before the Super Bowl or any other big game. Then we won't have to read headlines the following day that say this or also this.
That being said (and all kidding aside), if the Bears had to lose, I would rather than lose to the Colts with good guys like Hayden, Dungy, and Manning rather than some of the other teams out there. And they really are good guys. You probably have read the various stories about Dungy and Manning but you may have missed a couple that the Tribune ran on Hayden last week. I think you will be impressed by him too if you read this story with comments from one of his former teachers and this story about his mom.
Last night's loss was disappointing and I wish the outcome had been different. If we are lucky, the Bears will be back to the Super Bowl again next year but it is a long road to get back there again. I will say that this loss of one of my favorite teams, did not sting near as badly as the Illini's loss to North Carolina back in 2005. I think that is because it was so much fun to watch that group of players and to see them perform as a true team. You felt like you knew those guys and could relate to them. Good memories...
Until Later, GO BEARS AND GO ILLINI!
Labels: Chicago Bears, Kelvin Hayden, Super Bowl
# posted by Good Hope Orange : 5:10 PM
Blood is Thicker Than Water
Reason #1 why, while I was rooting for the Bears, I didn't mind seeing the Colts win: Tony Dungy is a class act.
Reason #2: Blood is thicker than water. I'll always root for former Illini to do well...no matter who they play for...almost (it's really tough to root for Brandon Lloyd on the Redskins).
Anyway, Colts DB Kelvin Hayden did the Illini proud with his interception return for a TD. In fact, in a nice bit of irony, Bears Offensive Coordinator and former Illini Head Coach Ron Tuner was the one who got Hayden to switch to cornerback from wide receiver when Hayden played for the Illini. Classic.
Speaking of blood is thicker than water...Clint Brewster is going to play for his dad at Minnesota instead of Illinois. Now I understand wanting to go play for your dad. And I know we're dealing with high schoolers here, many of whom can't make up their mind about what to wear each day, let alone which college to go to. But good grief. The kid decides this on the first day of the no contact period. Thanks pal. At least it's not as bad as this guy because we've still got Juice and an awesome recruiting class on the way.
Finally, Duke has lost two straight. Sniff. Sniff.
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Reason #2: Blood is thicker than water. I'll always root for former Illini to do well...no matter who they play for...almost (it's really tough to root for Brandon Lloyd on the Redskins).
Anyway, Colts DB Kelvin Hayden did the Illini proud with his interception return for a TD. In fact, in a nice bit of irony, Bears Offensive Coordinator and former Illini Head Coach Ron Tuner was the one who got Hayden to switch to cornerback from wide receiver when Hayden played for the Illini. Classic.
Speaking of blood is thicker than water...Clint Brewster is going to play for his dad at Minnesota instead of Illinois. Now I understand wanting to go play for your dad. And I know we're dealing with high schoolers here, many of whom can't make up their mind about what to wear each day, let alone which college to go to. But good grief. The kid decides this on the first day of the no contact period. Thanks pal. At least it's not as bad as this guy because we've still got Juice and an awesome recruiting class on the way.
Finally, Duke has lost two straight. Sniff. Sniff.
Labels: Chicago Bears, Clint Brewster, Duke, Indianapolis Colts, Kelvin Hayden, Tony Dungy
# posted by Chief : 12:37 PM
