Videos

Chicago Bulls: 3 potential trades with Portland Trail BlazersRyan Heckmanon August 31, 2020 at 11:00 am

Chicago Bulls (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
Chicago Bulls (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
Next1 of 4Prev post
Use your (arrows) to browse
Chicago Bulls, NBA Rumors

Chicago Bulls (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Chicago Bulls could find an ideal trade partner in the recently eliminated Portland Trail Blazers.

The Chicago Bulls have sat back and watched the 2020 NBA Playoffs from the comfort of their homes, but there is plenty of reason to believe they could be in that mix sooner rather than later. Under the new leadership of Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley, this team very well might surprise and become a playoff team in 2020-2021.

Now, will they match the level of a powerhouse team like the Los Angeles Lakers? Of course not. However, the Bulls could be sneaky good — almost reminiscent of the team Los Angeles recently took out in the Portland Trail Blazers.

Chicago has some pieces in place, like Portland; pieces that could help this team compete on any given night if they continue to develop like Portland has seen out of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Obviously, the likelihood of any current Bulls player turning out to be Lillard is not exactly sky-high.

However, Coby White surely hasn’t come close to hitting his ceiling. Let’s see how he continues to develop. Zach LaVine is already a borderline star, yet we aren’t sure if he will be around for the long haul. We will have to wait and see how Karnisovas feels about his future.

For Portland, it was a tough first round as the eighth seed. Playing Game 5 without Lillard clearly hurt them in crunch time. There are other weaknesses to be addressed, too, if they are to make it back to the postseason next year.

RELATED PRODUCT
GOAT Plate T-Shirt by BreakingT
GOAT Plate T-Shirt by BreakingT

The Bulls might be an ideal trade partner for Portland. In fact, they could each help the other out significantly with the right deal.

Next: Trade No. 1

Next1 of 4Prev post
Use your (arrows) to browse
Load Comments

Read More

Chicago Bulls: 3 potential trades with Portland Trail BlazersRyan Heckmanon August 31, 2020 at 11:00 am Read More »

Chicago Cubs: 3 pitchers to deal at MLB trade-deadlineVincent Pariseon August 31, 2020 at 12:00 pm

(Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
(Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
Next1 of 4Prev post
Use your (arrows) to browse
Chicago Cubs, David Ross

Chicago Cubs (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)

The Chicago Cubs could be looking to move one of their starters at the trade deadline.

The Chicago Cubs aren’t having the best time as they head into Monday’s trade deadline. They need some help in the bullpen and they really need to add some pop to their starting lineup. They have some trade pieces that might be able to help that cause in their starting lineup but there might even be a few starting pitchers that teams like in a trade. With the lead they have in their division, they should be trying to make a run this year.

There isn’t much time left with this core that won the World Series in 2016 so they might as well try to get things figured out. If they are going to do so, they can’t go into the postseason with things currently the way they are right now. There is a lot of talent there but they need a spark. Trading someone that is a staple to their roster might be exactly what they need to shake things up.

The starting pitching started off really well. They got good production from everyone who was making starts for them but it has since slowed down a little bit. Yu Darvish is a legit Cy Young contender, Kyle Hendricks is steady as always, and Jon Lester has been up and down. Those three are pretty much locked to be postseason starters but the four (and potentially five) spots are up in the air. They might look to move someone in their rotation that isn’t one of those three. These are the three starters they have that could be moved:

Next: Jose Quintana

Next1 of 4Prev post
Use your (arrows) to browse
Load Comments

Read More

Chicago Cubs: 3 pitchers to deal at MLB trade-deadlineVincent Pariseon August 31, 2020 at 12:00 pm Read More »

Chicago Bears Rumors: Leonard Fournette a must-signRyan Heckmanon August 31, 2020 at 12:43 pm

Chicago Bears (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
Chicago Bears (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)

The Chicago Bears could solve their depth at running back with a single move, following some breaking news.

Over the course of the offseason, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace has seemingly ignored the running back position. With David Montgomery going down to a groin injury just a few days ago, the team is in need of some serious depth.

Fortunately, the Jacksonville Jaguars just made headlines by releasing former 2017 no. 4 overall pick Leonard Fournette.

Since around the time of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Jaguars had been trying to trade Fournette for essentially whatever they could get. Following the draft, there were a few reports of Jacksonville failing to snag even a seventh rounder for the running back, which is shocking.

His time in Jacksonville is now over, and likely because of character or personality issues. Fournette had gotten into a couple of altercations during games in the past, and his attitude hasn’t always been the best.

With that said, the Bears absolutely have to bring him in. Of course, the conditions would be serious. Head coach Matt Nagy is all about culture. Therefore, Fournette would need to understand from day one that he is held to a high standard.

Maybe a change of scenery is what he needed. Maybe there were deteriorating relationships behind the scenes. We don’t know the entire story. What we do know, however, is that he would fit perfectly with the Bears and their current situation.

RELATED PRODUCT
Chicago's One Tru QB Short-Sleeve T-Shirt
Chicago’s One Tru QB Short-Sleeve T-Shirt

Even with Montomgery back in a few weeks, Fournette would be a phenomenal guy to have alongside splitting carries. The great thing about him is that he can actually catch the football. Prior to 2019, Fournette wasn’t exactly known as a pass-catching back.

But, last season, he caught a whopping 76 passes for 522 yards. He can, indeed, catch the ball.

Between his pair of 1,000-yard seasons and being only 25 years old, it seems too ideal a situation for Chicago. Anywhere Fournette would go at this point, he would obviously be held to a strict, tight standard and his attitude would have to be kept in check.

At this stage, Fournette has to know that his career depends on how his next opportunity goes. Attitude and relationships speak volumes, in addition to talent. It’s not all about the football field — he has to act like a man of character as well.

It remains to be seen just what exactly happened behind the scenes in Jacksonville, and if that will put a damper on his chances of landing a job. But, I would assume Fournette isn’t without a team for very long. The talent is too great to pass up. Are you listening, Mr. Pace?

Load Comments

Read More

Chicago Bears Rumors: Leonard Fournette a must-signRyan Heckmanon August 31, 2020 at 12:43 pm Read More »

Chicago Bears: Ranking edge rushing duos in NFC NorthUsayd Koshulon August 31, 2020 at 1:00 pm

Chicago Bears (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Chicago Bears (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Next1 of 5Prev post
Use your (arrows) to browse

Chicago Bears (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

The Chicago Bears have Khalil Mack but how would one rank the edge-rushing duos in the NFC North?

If you ask any Chicago Bears fan about who’s got the best edge-rushing duo in the NFC North, odds are that they’ll tell you that the Bears do because of the presence of Khalil Mack. However, outside of Mack and the Bears is where the picture starts to get a little cloudy.

Minnesota Vikings fans will tell you that they’ve got the best duo featuring Danielle Hunter and Yannick Ngakoue. Green Bay Packers fans will tell you that they’ve got the best duo featuring Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith. Meanwhile, Detroit Lions fans will make a case for their team being the best in the NFC North, despite knowing their team isn’t.

This offseason, two NFC North teams made moves to bolster their pass rush. The Bears added Robert Quinn in free agency by paying him a five-year deal with $70 million dollars. Quinn will join Mack and look to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks.

With the Vikings acquiring Ngakoue on Sunday morning, there are some clear discussions to be had about who’s really got the best duo. Ngakoue, who’s got 37.5 sacks over the last four seasons has risen from being a third-round pick to a stud pass rusher who’s just beginning to enter the prime of his career.

Meanwhile, the Packers didn’t add anyone to the pass rusher, while the Lions added Notre Dame’s Julian Okwara with the 67th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Detroit also features 2019 free-agent signee Trey Flowers, who’s entering the second-year of a five-year deal signed last offseason.

RELATED PRODUCT
Chicago Bears Youth Family Holiday Pajamas - 10/12 (M)
Chicago Bears Youth Family Holiday Pajamas – 10/12 (M)

With the NFC North loaded with pass rushers, how do each of the duo’s rank? Let’s rank all four and find out.

Next: Number One

Next1 of 5Prev post
Use your (arrows) to browse
Load Comments

Read More

Chicago Bears: Ranking edge rushing duos in NFC NorthUsayd Koshulon August 31, 2020 at 1:00 pm Read More »

Chicago Cubs: Make Major League Baseball history on SundayVincent Pariseon August 31, 2020 at 2:00 pm

CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 30: Jason Heyward #42 of the Chicago Cubs is congratulated by David Bote #42 after the defeating the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on August 30, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. All players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson. The day honoring Jackie Robinson, traditionally held on April 15, was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chicago defeated Cincinnati 10-1. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 30: Jason Heyward #42 of the Chicago Cubs is congratulated by David Bote #42 after the defeating the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on August 30, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. All players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson. The day honoring Jackie Robinson, traditionally held on April 15, was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chicago defeated Cincinnati 10-1. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

The Chicago Cubs made history in their Sunday afternoon victory.

It was pretty pathetic when the Chicago Cubs lost the nightcap of their Saturday doubleheader because of some bad decision making. Craig Kimbrel should not be closing baseball games anymore and he allowed the Cincinnati Reds to win on a walk-off wild pitch. Well, the Cubs knew that needed a big bounce back on Sunday and they got it. Tyler Chatwood was on the mound which makes things uncomfortable but he actually pitched well before having to leave the game with an injury.

What happened later in the game is where the Cubs made Major League Baseball history. The ball was flying out of the park for the Cubs. Ian Happ, Kyle Schwarber, and Jason Heyward all hit two home runs in the game. It was the first time in MLB history that all three starting outfielders hit multiple home runs in the same game. Obviously, it sounds like something that wouldn’t happen very often but to not happen once in 120+ years is very impressive.

For the Cubs to say that any three players hit multiple home runs in the same game, you would have to go all the way back to April 16th, 1955 when Ernie Banks, Randy Jackson, and Dee Fondy did it. That is a long gap between the team doing it which is very interesting. It is something you definitely don’t see often and probably won’t see again for a long time.

Schwarber’s second home run was a grand slam and it was hit a very long way. He made the game go from a comfortable 6-1 ninth-inning lead to a very comfortable 10-1 ninth-inning lead. The Cubs won to finally reach the 20 win mark after starting the season 13-3. Things are far from good for this team and they need to make some improvements but there is no doubt that this history-filled game was a lot of fun to watch.

Hot: Three Cubs to trade at the trade deadline

They are off on trade deadline Monday before starting a three-game set with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Pittsburgh is a bad baseball team so it would be a bad look to lose to them ahead of a five-game set with the St. Louis Cardinals over the weekend.

Load Comments

Read More

Chicago Cubs: Make Major League Baseball history on SundayVincent Pariseon August 31, 2020 at 2:00 pm Read More »

Chicago Bears Rumors: Bears top favorites for Leonard FournetteRyan Heckmanon August 31, 2020 at 2:59 pm

Chicago Bears (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Chicago Bears (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

After being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Leonard Fournette could be heading to the Chicago Bears.

Monday morning, the Jacksonville Jaguars made a huge move by releasing former 2017 fourth overall pick Leonard Fournette. Interestingly enough, the Chicago Bears have a pressing need at running back.

Just days ago, second year starting running back David Montgomery went down to a groin injury. Montgomery was taking a handoff from Mitchell Trubisky when he slipped and fell down without any contact.

The latest reports on Montgomery say he could miss 2-4 weeks, which would put the soonest return right at Week 1 against the Detroit Lions. If the Bears wanted to be smart about it, though, they would wait the full allotted time for Montgomery to be 100 percent healthy and get some practice reps under his belt.

Right now, they would look at starting either Tarik Cohen or Cordarrelle Patterson in place of Montgomery. Neither are a prototypical running back, and the Bears would be taking a risk attempting to fill in the gap with those two.

While news and rumors continue to fly regarding Fournette, the most recent odds from Bovada are intriguing to say the least.

Remember, a couple of years ago the Bears had some of the highest odds from the same exact source to land Khalil Mack. Some called it crazy. Others didn’t think the Bears would spend the capital to get Mack. But, in the end, Mack became a Bear.

RELATED PRODUCT
Chicago Bears PTX Backpack Cooler - Navy
Chicago Bears PTX Backpack Cooler – Navy

The Jaguars have attempted to trade Fournette dating back to NFL Draft weekend this year, but failed to even fetch a seventh round pick. Many reports cited attitude or character problems for the reasoning behind his issues in Jacksonville.

With that said, the Bears definitely need to be cautious if they decide to go after Fournette. There will need to be expectations laid out from the beginning, and Fournette’s attitude must improve.

Matt Nagy has a solid culture built within the locker room and they cannot afford to keep a guy who is a poison. That said, if Fournette and the Jags truly weren’t a good fit together any longer, maybe he just needed a fresh start.

Could that fresh start be in Chicago? It would certainly be quite the signing for the Bears, who need every boost on offense they can get right now.

With a quarterback competition going on and neither guy truly impressing, there is little reason for optimism when it comes to the offense. Fournette would give them a boost, even though he isn’t lining up under center.

Load Comments

Read More

Chicago Bears Rumors: Bears top favorites for Leonard FournetteRyan Heckmanon August 31, 2020 at 2:59 pm Read More »

North Chicago cop fires at armed man after traffic stop: officialsSun-Times Wireon August 31, 2020 at 9:51 am

No one was injured when a North Chicago police officer fired his gun during a traffic stop Aug. 29, 2020, in the north suburb.

No one was injured when a North Chicago police officer fired his gun during a traffic stop Aug. 29, 2020, in the north suburb. | Adobe Stock Photo

Authorities said no one was injured in the shooting and a semi-automatic pistol was found near where the man was arrested.

No one was injured when a North Chicago police officer shot at a man after a traffic stop Saturday in the north suburb.

The officer stopped a vehicle after the driver showed “signs of impairment” about 8:50 p.m. in North Chicago, according to a statement from the Lake County sheriff’s office. The driver allegedly tried to elude the officer before pulling over near 24th Street and Dickey Avenue.

The man got out of the car, “ignored the officer’s commands to put his hands up, and appeared to be reaching for a firearm in his waistband,” the sheriff’s office said. The officer fired his gun and the man ran away.

Police set up a perimeter around the area and took the man into custody a short time later, authorities said. A semi-automatic pistol was found in the area where he’d been hiding.

No one was hit by gunfire during the incident, the sheriff’s office said. The man remains in custody with charges pending.

The Lake County Major Crime Task Force is investigating the use of force by the North Chicago officer. The officer has been placed on administrative leave pending a review of the incident.

Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.

Read More

North Chicago cop fires at armed man after traffic stop: officialsSun-Times Wireon August 31, 2020 at 9:51 am Read More »