Top ten players the Bears could draft at No. 49

So we've been running these Bears draft lists for a while now, and with the thing set to go down this weekend, it's probably best we revisit it once more. Only this is the first time we've done it since the Cutler trade. Pick No. 18 is out of play, so pick No. 49 is where we turn our attention to.

This is a tricky list to do because the Bears pick so late. All of this is contingent on who's available. There's probably even a small chance that all these guys could be gone. Still, after reading up for months, here are ten guys we think could become Bears this weekend.

10. WR Kenny Britt - Rutgers

Britt would be perfect - has has drawn comparisons to everyone from T.O. to Braylon Edwards - but he ranks only No. 10 because it's pretty unlikely he'll slip all the way to No. 49. While most expect Britt to go somewhere in the second round, it's not out of the question he goes late in round one. The Rutgers product is tall and strong, and would be an ideal weapon to give Cutler.

9. RB LeSean McCoy - Pitt

Running back isn't the Bears' biggest hole, but if McCoy slips - and he could - adding a playmaker of his talent could be too much to pass up. Even if it's not with their first draft pick, the Bears need a find a young compliment to Matt Forte somehow. Kevin Jones will be back for another go-around, but I think I'm about ready to shut the book on Garrett Wolfe.

8. S William Moore - Mizzou

Placed in the top slot on Phil's initial list in January. The Bears need a safety to be sure, but it's unclear whether Moore fits the mold. He was a productive college player though, and will definitely be intriguing to Jerry Angelo is he's still available.

7. DE Paul Kruger - Utah

There seem to be seven really good d-end prospects in this draft. They'll all probably be gone by pick 49. But Kruger may be an interesting option. He was super productive in college and is said to have a great motor. Of course, we heard the same things about Dan Bazuin two years ago.

6. WR Hakeem Nicks - UNC

Nicks was the apple of my eye until the big trade. There is still a small chance he could be available at No. 49, though, which would likely result in me dancing. Nicks has rubbed teams the wrong way with his post-season weight gain (and not the good kind). Will it be enough to get him all the way down to the Bears? Stranger things have happened in the NFL Draft.

5. WR Derrick Williams - Penn State

We know the Bears love speed, and that's something Williams definitely brings to the table. Dude is fast as hell. Still, it's impossible to view his career in Happy Valley as anything but a slight disappointment. There have been plenty of big time high school recruits that underachieved in college and went on to pro success, though. Actually, I may have made that up. Either way, the Bears need a wide out, and Williams will almost surely be there at No. 49.

4. CB/S Sherrod Martin - Troy

I wouldn't even know about Martin if not for Brad Biggs' stellar blog, but apparently our Bears are high on him. They've taken plenty of chances on small school players in the past. Some have worked out (Chuck Tillman). Some haven't (Ro Williams). And no one knows what exactly to make of Danieal Manning yet. Martin impressed at the combine though, and his versatility could be intriguing.

3. WR Mohammed Massaquoi - Georgia

I don't think I want the Bears to draft Massaquoi for a few reasons. One, as a blogger, I would hate typing that name every day. Two, most importantly, he is said to be infected with a severe case of the butter fingers. Three, he's not that fast. Four, I really don't want to type that name all the time. Seriously. But the Bears are said to be high on MoMass - and what do I know, I really thought Cedric Benson would rule at one point in my life.

2. S Rashard Johnson - Alabama

The Alabama safety isn't big or fast, but he's a playmaker. We know Jerry Angelo covets that type of player. Angelo's friendship with Tide coach Nick Saban could also be a factor.

1. WR Brian Robiskie - Ohio State

DraftCountdown compares Robiskie to Amani Toomer. That seems about right. Robiskie may never develop into a true No. 1 receiver, but he seems like a safe bet to be a productive pro for a long time.

Top Ten Derrick Rose games

Last night wasn’t one of Derrick Rose’s best performances, but as long as he stays healthy, he looks like a future star in this league for years to come. While this list 15 years from now won’t come close to comparing to this guy’s, Rose will likely finish his career as the second or third best player in the Bulls’ franchise history. These are his top ten all-time games, including his high school and college years.

10. vs. Thornton state quarterfinals March 2007 After making the game-winning shot as a junior to win the state title, Rose showed that he and Simeon were in a class by themselves in their first game downstate the next year. It’s rare you see a high school player come close to a triple-double in a downstate playoff game, but that’s what Rose almost did, finishing with 22 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. And that’s with him sitting out the entire fourth quarter because Simeon was up big.

9. at Utah Nov. 24
This game was a sign of things to come for Rose. In the first of several clutch fourth-quarter performances, Rose made a number of huge shots late to keep the Bulls in the game, scoring 12 of his 25 points in the period. The only shot he missed in the fourth turned out perfectly: the ball bounced right to Larry Hughes and he hit the game-winner at the buzzer.

8. vs. Texas Elite Eight This was billed as a matchup of the country’s top two point guards in Rose and D.J. Augustine. It was hardly a fair fight, as Rose’s size and strength was way too much for anyone Texas tried to throw at him. In leading Memphis to the Final Four in a rout, Rose had a great all-around game, scoring 21 points to go with nine assists and six rebounds. He was even better the next weekend (see below).

7. vs. Atlanta Nov. 11 Although it came in a losing effort, Rose’s 26 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists represented his first real breakout game as a pro. This marked the start of a strong stretch of games for Rose, who would go on to average over 19 points on 50% shooting from the floor during the month of November.

6. at Detroit April 13
In a game the Bulls desperately needed to win to avoid the dreaded eight-seed and a matchup with the Cleveland LeBrons, Rose took over in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 of his 24 points. The biggest play came when Rose went the length of the floor to complete a three-point play to tie the game with 42 seconds left. Then, Rose, who also had eight assists and six rebounds, made a big play on defense, blocking a shot to get the Bulls the ball back, and they eventually took the lead on a basket by Ben Gordon.

5. vs. Houston Feb. 28 With his team trailing by 17 points with just under six minutes left, Rose simply took over the game, scoring 13 of the team’s final 23 points as the Bulls ended the game on a 23-3 run. Despite being hounded by Ron Artest, Rose muscled into the lane and made a very tough shot to complete the comeback, giving the Bulls a 104-102 lead with 32 seconds left. He finished the night with 22 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

4. vs. Oak Hill Academy Jan. 2007
Facing the nation’s top-ranked team that featured notable players such as Brandon Jennings, Alex Legion and Nolan Smith, Rose stole the show. He scored 28 points to go with nine rebounds and eight assists in leading Simeon to a 78-75 upset. Because the game was televised nationally on ESPN, the whole country got to find out just how good Rose was.

3. at Toronto Jan. 14
In the fourth quarter, Rose was just plain ridiculous, scoring 17 of his 25 points in helping the Bulls come from behind. Luol Deng, (remember him?) said afterward about Rose: “Just give him the ball and get out of the way.” Rose also added 10 assists, and who knows, maybe this game will be in the back of Chris Bosh’s mind when he thinks about where he wants to play once he becomes a free agent in 2010.

2. vs. UCLA Final Four When the stage got brighter, Rose took his game to a whole other level. Against a very good UCLA team that had three players start in the league this year as rookies, Rose made this game his NBA audition by going for 25 points, nine rebounds and five assists. He also held Bruins star point guard Darren Collison to just two points. In the tournament, Rose was spectacular, averaging 21 points, six rebounds and six assists in the six games.

1. at Boston Game 1 Afterwards, Rose characterized his performance as “decent.” That’s like Michael Jordan saying he had a “pretty good” career. Rose will be in a lot more playoff games in his career, but it will be tough to ever top this one. Maybe the two most impressive things from Rose’s game was his going 12-of-12 from the free-throw line as well as making big shot after big shot in the third quarter when the Celtics made their run.

Top Ten shortstop-second base duos in Chicago history

Former TTCSer Scott Phillips nominated this idea at work, and I couldn't help but snag it. While you won't find the current Getz/Ramirez combo, nor the Fontenot/Theriot 4-6 tandem (though they have played together since little league), there is a solid list of second base and shortstop greats that have played for either team.
10. Don Johnson and Lennie Merullo
These two were not the surest of hands for the Cubs during the mid-1940's, but they did manage to lead the North siders to a World Series appearance, something the fans at Wrigley haven't seen since.

9. Jackie Hayes and Luke Appling



Let's face it, Luke Appling had to be on here. He is one of the all-time great shortstops ever. While Jackie Hayes is no all star, the two did play the middle infield together for the better part of the 1930's, turning more than 100 double plays four times during that stretch.

8. Joey Cora and Ozzie Guillen



This is the duo many of us at TTCS grew up watching and loving. Guillen was a steady defensive-minded shortstop while Cora was just as good on the other side of the infield. The two only had a few seasons together in the early 1990's, but they were some of the most entertaining we've seen to date.

7. Eddie Collins and Buck Weaver



It's difficult to gauge baseball players from the 1910's, especially ones that opt to lose on purpose. But for a few seasons Eddie Collins and Buck Weaver turned two better than most.

6. Gene Baker and Ernie Banks



I was sort of dumbfounded when people at work thought of Ernie Banks as more of a first baseman then a shortstop. I am not exactly sure how they got that notion. He won two MVPs as a middle infielder and even recored a Gold Glove in 1960. In his his earlier days, Banks worked with Gene Baker, a former all-star himself. The two were paired up for only a few years in the late 1950's, but turned at least 99 double plays in each of the seasons they spent together.

5. Nellie Fox and Chico Carrasquel



Carrasquel and Fox played second and short, respectively, together from 1950 to 1955. And the two of them often found themselves together during all-star festivities. Chico played in the July game four times during those six seasons, while Fox was there five. More Nellie to come.

4. Glen Beckert and Don Kessinger



Glen and Don started together in the 1960's as two guys in their young 20's, and spent more than 10 years together up the middle of the Cubs infield. These two, along with Ernie Banks and Ron Santo probably made the greatest infield in Chicago history. Both are all-stars on many occasions.

3. Ryne Sandberg and Shawon Dunston



Sandberg and Dunston is maybe the most highly-touted duo ever in Chicago. Dunston was the first-overall pick of the 1982 draft while Ryno will forever be one of the greatest and most loved Cubbie in their history. While Dunston was equally flashy, Sandberg ultimately revolutionized the second-base position with his size and ability to hit.

2. Nellie Fox and Luis Aparicio
A middle-aged Fox worked with a young Aparicio after he replaced Chico Carrasquel, And the two future Hall of Famers turned two brilliantly from 1556-1962, including a trip to the 1959 World Series. Until the emergence of Cal Ripken Jr. in the 1980's these two were the ideals when looking for second basemen and shortstops.

1. Johnny Evers and Joe Tinker
Was anybody really doubting that it would be anybody else? Tinker to Evers to Chance is the most famous double play combination in the history of the game. They played together in the 1910's and have no idea why they have become such a staple when discussing the greatest tandems of all-time. There was that poem written 100 years ago, but it also could have been the fact that they fielded balls cleaner than anybody had ever seen during that time.

Top ten athletes whose careers were cut short tragically

BY KEENAN BIGG

Although this is my first post, I wanted to write about something that really meant something. On Wednesday, April 9^th, early in the morning, Major League Baseball and the Angels organization were faced with a grim tragedy. Nick Adenhart, 22, was killed by a drunk driver, just hours after pitching six scoreless inning in his fourth career major league game. No 22 year-old deserves such a fate, and I can only hope that people can take a lesson from this accident. It’s simple, people. Don’t drink and drive. Ever.

So in Nick’s honor, here are 10 athletes whose careers remain an enigma of endless potential

10. Nick Adenhart

6 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 K

Any Angels fan had to be pumped about Adenhart’s first start of the year, because with a line like that, he’d certainly earned the right to be near the top of that rotation. But the number one prospect of the Angels organization will never take the mound, sadly, as his life was cut short by a drunk driver. The kid from California who had grown with Angels since he was 18 leaves a legacy that reminds us all how precious life is and the importance, or lack thereof, of the games we play.

9. Reggie Lewis

The 22^nd overall pick in the 1987 NBA draft from the small Northeastern University averaged over 20 points per game in his last two season with the Celtics, raising his career average to 17.6 per game, but an unexpected turn took place during an off-season practice when Lewis collapsed and died on the court. Lewis suffered from Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) which causes enlarged growth in the interior walls of the heart. The 1992 all-star is one of two players to have his number retired by the Celtics without playing in a championship. He was only 27.

8. Pat Tillman

When Pat Tillman was 26, he felt such a sense of nationalism that despite the fact that his football talent would have ensured his financial security for life (He turned down a 3.6 million dollar deal after his last season), that he joined the U.S Army. The former Pac-10 defensive player of the year at Arizona State set the Cardinal record for tackles in a season with a whopping 224. He and his brother, who had turned down a pro baseball career himself, served their country as Army Rangers, an elite special forces unit, until Tillman was killed by friendly fire on April 22, 2004. His death is still under investigation today.

7. Steve Prefontaine

Pre was the great white hope on the track scene in the late 60s and early 70s. At the elite running program at the University of Oregon, Prefontaine didn’t finish first in three races in college, capturing seven different national championships in cross-country and track. He raced in only one Olympiad in 1972, losing his lead in the 5000 meters with 150 meters to go. Prefontaine broke records in every qualifying event leading up to the 1976 games, but was tragically killed in a car accident in Eugene in May of 1975. He was 24.

6. Brian Piccolo

Piccolo burst onto the scene in 1964 when he led the nation in rushing and scoring for Wake Forest University, however the school was largely ignored by the nation as it was known as a basketball school. Piccolo went undrafted and made the Bears’ practice squad. By 1967, he had played his way to a backup role on the team behind the great Gale Sayers. In 1969, he became the lead blocking fullback for Sayers, but midseason was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor, and died less than a year later. His legacy remains strong in Chicago, kept alive by the moving (if you haven’t cried during this movie, I’ll question your manhood) film Brian’s Song, in which Gale Sayers gives tearjerking speech immortalizing the impact Piccolo had on his life.

5. Thurman Munson

At the height of the 32 year-old catcher’s career, he was a 7-time all-star, batting close to .300 for his career, an MVP in 1976, and the owner of two World Series rings. However while taking a flying lesson in August of 1979, Munson failed to lower landing flaps, causing his plane to crash and burst into flames. While the two friends he was flying with escaped, Munson sadly could not. What Jorge Posada was to the Yankee teams of the 90s, Munson was to the Yankees of the 70s.

4. Korey Stringer

A standout at the Ohio State University, Stringer was a first round pick of the Vikings in 1995. He earned a trip to the Pro Bowl in 2000, which would end up being his final season. Stringer collapsed and died from heat stroke during a training camp workout in 2000. Stringer’s death instantly became a source of controversy due to his size and how hard he needed to work to maintain his job. Today, Stringer’s death has changed the way pro and college football teams conduct their summer camps, due to the risk associated with heat stroke.

3. Sean Taylor

The fifth overall pick in the 2004 draft had 10 picks and was a consensus All-American and Big East defensive player of the year. Sean Taylor forwent his senior season to knock some heads around in the NFL. Sadly, he would only get to do so for a couple years. Taylor was hurt during the 2007 season, and while at home, lost his life to intruders who murdered him. This was only after Taylor had made 299 tackles and 12 interceptions in his brief three-year career. After being named all-pro posthumously in 2007, and to the pro bowl at age 23 the year before, Taylor’s career was unquestionably heading for Hall of Fame status.

2. Darryl Kile

Kile was in the midst of his 11^th Major League season when a trainer noticed that he was missing warm-ups on a June afternoon at Wrigley Field. When he called the hotel, the staff had gone to Kile’s room, only to find him under the covers and dead from a heart attack. Kile had won 133 games in his career and appeared to be entering the best part of it having come off a 16-win season in which he posted a 3.09 ERA. The real tragedy with Kile was that if the patterns that were developing in his career were true, he might have had a shot at the hall of fame.

1. Len Bias

The joy and elation in the hearts of Celtics fans on the night of the 1986 NBA draft was immeasurable when they took Len Bias from Maryland with the second pick overall. Celebrations lasted long into the night. Unfortunately, Bias’s celebration lasted just a little too long. Bias died early in the morning a mere two days after he had been selected. The cause: Cocaine induced heart attack. A man who could’ve challenged the great Michael Jordan for dominance in the NBA, (we can surmise this because the two often battled hard in ACC matchups) Bias became the ultimate question of, “What If?”

Top Ten players in the NL Central

A follow up to Ricky’s list on Wednesday, here are the 10 best players in the NL Central. (Sorry Pirates fans, nothing to see here.)

10: Ryan Ludwick

Though he has been in the big leagues since 2002, the Cardinals outfielder makes this list based on one season alone: 2008. Last season Ludwick was phenomenal, finishing with a nearly .300 batting average, 104 runs scored and 80 extra-base hits (40 doubles, 37 homers and three three-baggers). Do that again Ryan and we promise you won’t be in double-digits on next years list.

9: Edinson Volquez

2008 was the first in the National League for Volquez, and what a debut it was. The Reds righty went 17-6 and finished second in the NL in strikeouts with 206. He’s off to a rough start in ’09, but with a changeup as nasty as his, it’s only a matter of time until he’s back making professional hitters look like Little League scrubs.

8: Carlos Zambrano

Any given time Zambrano’s on the bump, he could throw a no-hitter or be shelled for eight runs in less than two innings of work. In fact, he actually did both those in consecutive starts last September. Talent-wise, there aren’t many hurlers better than Big Z. But even though he’s been in the Majors for nearly a decade, he still hasn’t put all the pieces of his self-control puzzle in place.

7: Lance Berkman

Berkamn’s a switch-hitter, can play multiple positions and hits for both power and average. So then why is he only number seven on this list? Well his stats are much better in the first half of seasons than second, and his right handed hitting is far worse than when he’s a lefty. Also, I think his nickname- The Big Puma- is really stupid.

6: Roy Oswalt

Though he’s never actually won it, Oswalt has finished in the top five of the Cy Young voting five times since 2001. That’s impressive for anybody, but especially for a pitcher who plays half their games at one of the best hitters ballparks in the Majors. Oswalt’s production has tailed off the last few seasons, but even his off-years (17-10, 3.54 ERA, 3.5 strikeouts/walks in 2008) are still really good.

5: Prince Fielder

Prince fell off a bit last season after his incredible 2007, but his stats- .278 BA, 34 HR, 102 RBI- still were good enough to carry his team to the playoffs. Now the question is, after the Brew Crew lost CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets, can Fielder elevate his game and carry even more of the burden to bring Milwaukee back to the post-season in ‘09?

4: Alfonso Soriano

Yes, he strikes out a bunch and he is injured often. No, he won’t take walks or hustle every time on the basepaths. But talent-wise, there aren’t many players that can match the Cubs left fielder. It may be sometimes aggravating to watch, but Soriano is one of the few players in all of baseball that can carry a team for a week or two at a time with his hot bat.

3: Aramis Ramirez

In each of his five full seasons as the Cubs third basemen, Ramirez has hit .289 or better with at least 26 home runs and 92 RBI. Add to that his defense has greatly improved over the years (he still won’t be mistaken for Brooks Robinson, but at least he’s no Dan Uggla in the ’08 All-Star game) and he’s the definition of (regular season) clutch, meaning it won’t be a shock to see #16 on this list for years to come.

2: Ryan Braun

Brewers fans may know this one, but here’s some Jeopardy-style trivia for you to explain how impressive the 26 year old Milwaukee left fielder is:

Answer: Joe DiMaggio, Ralph Kiner, Eddie Mathews and the #1 player on this list.

Question: Who are the only four players ever to hit more home runs than Ryan Braun’s 71 in their first two Major League seasons?

1: Albert Pujols

Want to know how good this Cardinal is? In his entire career, the lowest King Albert ever finished in the NL MVP voting was 2007, when he was ninth. That season, the St. Louis first basemen hit .327, had an on-base percentage of .429, slugged 32 homers and drove in 103 runs. That means Pujols’ worst-ever campaign would qualify as a career year for 99% of players and most likely earn somebody a plaque in Cooperstown if they averaged those stats over a 12-year career. Insane.

Top Ten Reasons Why the Blackhawks Will Beat the Flames

10. Flames First Round Failures

Picture the Buffalo Bills teams in the 90's that made it the Super Bowl four straight years and walked away losers four straight times.

The Flames recent trend of disappointments in the postseason may not be as extreme as the Bills', but you better believe losing in the first round in four consecutive years is in the back of their minds.

9. Depth

Youth is the attribute most refer to while speaking about the Hawks.

But what they should be paying attention to is the depth that has propelled the Hawks to their 46-24-12 record in 2008.

They'll lean heavily upon that depth in this series to combat the savvy know-how of the Flames veterans late in games.

8. Hawks are due

The Hawks playoff drought has been one of the more forgettable periods in the team's history. But now that they'll be making their first postseason appearance since 2002, all bets are off.

I'm a big believer in the law of averages and according to that twisted logic, the Hawks are due in a big way for a series win against the Flames.

7. Fearless

On one side of the coin you could look at this Hawks team and say that their lack of experience in the postseason will hurt them.

But then again, lack of experience could also translate into a sense of fearlessness for the young stars of the Hawks.

They'll be too focused on the task at hand as opposed to being too focused on the grandeur of the moment.

6. The return of Patrick Sharp

While Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews get most of the love from the national media, it's time for Patrick Sharp to make his mark upon the NHL landscape.

Sharp missed the final five games of the regular season with a knee injury, but should be ready to lace 'em up tomorrow night. He'll need to be at full speed for the Hawks to take control of the series in its earliest stages.

5. Hawks were 4-0 against Calgary in 2008

Walking into the playoffs with a perfect regular season record against the Flames should give the Hawks a huge confidence boost. They know the tendencies, style and players of the Flames already and more importantly, they know how to beat them.

4. Miikka Kiprusoff

It's never enjoyable to witness a once great athlete descend into the twilight of his career.

Kiprusoff's had a tough go in the net this season, finishing up 32nd in the league in save percentage and 34th in goals against percentage. Things have gotten so bad for the veteran goalie that Flames head coach Mike Keenan yanked him out of their game against the Oilers last Friday and sat him on Saturday.

The Hawks have to be licking their chops.

3. Injuries to the Flames

The Flames have been devastated by injuries this season and could be without the services of Cory Sarich, Robyn Regehr, Mark Giordano and Curtis Glencross.

But don't expect the Hawks to shed any tears of sympathy for their first round opponents.

2. Home Ice

The Hawks were one of a handful of teams to sell out every home game this season and that streak will most certainly continue throughout their playoff run.

Hawks fans are among the most rabid in the league and come 7:30 PM tonight, the madhouse on Madison part deux will be ready to explode.

1. Nikolai Khabibulin

Come playoff time, having a hot goalie is the greatest commodity a team could possess.

Khabibulin ended the season on a good note, but his lifetime record against the Flames, 25-5-2, is what really jumps out at you.

It's not often a goalie has such a dominant record against any single franchise, but Khabibulin straight up owns the Flames. Throw in a top notch backup in Cristobal Huet and the Hawks have all the help they need in between the posts.