Fire Ryan Poles | Fire Ben Johnson

I am not sure if I am only one who believes this, but is anyone else getting frustrated with all of these new channels, more specifically, sports networks that are being created? With all of these new channels being created, we are seeing our favorite sporting events moving from the over-the-air television to cable/satellite. Call me old-school, but this is sad and pathetic in every way. Let me say first that I am fortunate enough to have cable TV despite the shitty prices (Thanks Comcast you greedy fucks), but not everyone does. I understand that we live in the age of the internet and these events can be streamed free of charge, but the fact of the matter is, it doesn’t cost any money to watch a game with an antenna. We have to pay cable/satellite fees to watch the ones being moved to these stations.

Ever since I can remember, the NHL has been the worst with TV deals. If I was close to or in Canada, it wouldn’t be a problem because most  of their playoff games are on CBC. Here in the states, we are forced to tune to NBC Sports Network for most of the games. Even the Stanley Cup Final has two games on their cable channel. You would think the NHL would be smart and try to get better ratings by having all Final games on over-the-air and instead, they sign a new 10-year deal last year.

In a matter of a decade, we have seen nearly all of the NBA playoffs, including the conference finals, be moved to either ESPN and TNT. In 2012, the entire Eastern Conference Finals were on ESPN and not ABC with the Western Conference games on TNT. They alternate every year for conference finals. This past year, the Western Conference Finals just had one game on ABC (Game 1). Ten years ago, ABC had all the games and NBC did previously ever since the early 90’s.

When I actually gave a shit about baseball, most of the playoffs were on Fox or NBC when I was growing up. Even ABC and CBS had games when I was younger. With what I read, all playoff games will be on either TBS or Fox Sports 1 starting next year. Just another reason not to give a shit. Then, college sports has begun the transition as well. The college football championship is exclusively on ESPN now instead of ABC. College basketball will alternate channels every year for their championship between CBS and TBS.

And of course, you can’t forget about the glorious NFL and village idiot, Roger Goodell. The glorious NFL Network and their Thursday Night Football. Goodell preaches player safety but yet, let’s the NFL schedule games with every team playing at least one Thursday in the season. Yeah. Make players go right back at it after only three days off. WE WANT TO KEEP OUR PLAYERS AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.

All of these companies think they can profit off of these channels big time and I am not an economic genius, but one would think ratings would be so much better if these games were over-the-air because more people get Fox or CBS than Fox Sports 1 or CBS Sports Network. Companies intend to attract the attention of young viewers and children but that won’t happen all the time because some kids don’t have cable and a portion of them can’t afford it.

In conclusion, all I can say is, don’t be surprised if the Super Bowl, of all games, is on cable in the next ten years. All of these people in charge of the networks are a bunch of greedy scumbags.

It was very nice to see football back on my TV in the last week. I did watch the entire Cowboys/Dolphins game last Sunday and this past Friday, the Bears made their return, albeit in the preseason. I often say that the preseason doesn’t mean much and while that may be true, I was for sure more excited this year for games to start than in the past. There is a lot of buzz going on and for all the right reasons so far. I mentioned this in the last thread but for everyone who watched the game, it was very refreshing to see someone other than Lovie Lee Smith standing on the sidelines as head coach. None of us know what the future will hold, but I feel much better with Marc Trestman at the helm. It seems like players on board with what he is doing and buying into his system. He has a track record of improving an offense within a short amount of time.

So the first preseason game had some good things and of course, some bad. I could just imagine meatballs ready to call The Score after Cutler’s first pass for an interception demanding that he gets benched for Josh McCown or (gasp) Matt Blanchard. I thought Kyle Long played pretty well on the line J’Marcus Webb was still terrible. Good thing the Bears have depth to move players around if need be. Webb has already been benched for rookie Jordan Mills. Already? Fine with me. You can already see the difference between Lovie Smith and Marc Trestman. Webb could be on his way out of town by September.

Let’s save the good for last and talk about something that was also, not very good but not worried about quite yet. The second-string defense who let Derek Anderson march the Panthers down the field for a touchdown at the end of the first half. Some of these guys are going to be backups and in the NFL, injuries are going to happen and these are the ones that need to step up. Speaking of injuries, Pat Mannelly has a rib injury, Henry Milton has a concussion and Jonathon Scott still has a sore right knee. The Bears already have Kelvin Hayden out for the season with a torn hamstring. What’s with the NFL already? There are a million injuries and only one week has passed in the preseason.

Alright, some good: How about rookie linebacker Jon Bostic? The Bears have two or three new linebackers for the same amount of money that Brian Urlacher would have received. This is very good. Bostic took an interception for a pick 6. The guys at Fire Ron Turner are stoked about this guy and count me in too. The defense had four takeaways on Friday night.

The next game is Thursday against the Chargers at Soldier Field. I would probably guess Cutler plays into the second quarter. For this game, I will probably focus more on the offensive line since two rookies (Mills and Long) will be starting. Look for Forte and Bush (by Cracky) to get more carries.

Dear A-Rod.

Thanks buddy.

It looks like I have just a ‘stache in that pic. Was that on purpose?

Ladies and gentleman, we have reached a milestone here at the worst site on the internet. It’s our fifth year at this very place. It was started on August 1, 2008. I have to say, I went into this with no expectations. We’ve seen a lot of people come and go. After all of these years (dating back to the old site in 2005/2006), I have to say, I don’t care how ANGRY some of you bastards are (Chucky) or how drunk you may be (Mad City Mac), you guys are alright.

We have also banned a total of three people: TDubbs, Greg and Genre’s favorite, Mike D. and his urine-soaked diapers. We still need one more to complete our Mt. Rushmore. Who’s next?

In all seriousness, I cannot thank you guys enough. I have said that often over the years and it bears repeating. I appreciate all of the support you give because if there isn’t anybody here, Genre and I don’t have anything to talk about.  Both of us don’t take anything for granted. KEEP BRINGING DAT FIRE AND PASSION MY FRENDTS.

Here’s to five more. Cheers.

Camp is underway for the Chicago Bears in Bourbonnais and if you read into what is going on, you will see that things are very different from what we have witnessed in years’ past.  None of us know what will unravel in the next year or two, but you cannot help but feel 100 times better now than you did a year ago (I am looking at you, Chucky). Lovie Smith is out of town and I am still happy about that. What is going on at camp is putting a smile on my face. Who cares if the guy is “weird” by saying odd things. If the guy can coach an NFL team and win games and eventually, a Super Bowl, then that’s all that matters.

1. First, the idea that Trestman has for the Bears this year is something you have to feel good about. When Lovie was here, he always took it easy on the players. No wonder some of these guys were mad. When you don’t have to work so hard or so much, would you be complaining? Probably not. This year, the practices are balls to the wall and all drills are done promptly and quickly.

2. The schedule the Bears practice will be different throughout camp. Trestman has the team practicing at times that they would usually be playing games to help them get use to the times. One practice will be at noon, another, for example will be around 3:00. I like the concept.

3. Devin Hester. Finally, a coach who gets it. Devin Hester is a very important piece to this team. I know he was being a cry baby when Lovie was gone, but we all knew that would blow over. He is where I have been saying he should have been all of these years: Kick and punt returns only. With Lovie and Angelo in charge, they screwed up this guy even more by shoving bullshit down all of our throats by saying this guy will be a number one wide receiver. I don’t ever want to see him on offense again and Trestman is smart enough to know that without even coaching a single game.

4. Another point I should add is what Phil Emery when players reported to camp a few days ago. He said that it is very doubtful that there will be any contract negotiations for any player during the season. I am fine with that. Jay Cutler, Robbie Gould and Charles Tillman are just some of the players who will be free agents after this year and while I am sure they all want to stay, they will have to prove they are worth what they think. The way I see it, Joe Flacco had a point to prove last year and he did what he said he was going to do. I have no problem with Jay Cutler doing the same thing.

While the Bears have lost Urlacher, I still feel the defense could be better without Lovie’s coveted “I-Pass” system. I am already sick and tired of Aaron Rodgers “Danza Slapping” the Bears’ defense into submission twice a year. Mel Tucker will be in charge to make this doesn’t happen. Newcomers like D.J. Williams and rookie Jon Bostic should help the linebackers.

I said this a while back and it’s worth repeating, a new regime is here for the Bears and I’m on board with what they are doing.

http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/9506901/alfonso-soriano-tells-chicago-cubs-accept-new-york-yankees-deal

GREAT. Get ‘er done.

Who’s ANGRY today?