Will's Fifth Quarter Sports Talk
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By: Will Farlow The Chicago White Sox entered this season with expectations to earn fan trust after a disappointing 2022 season. The team spotted a split series in Houston, but ever since is showing signs of mediocrity. I think it’s great their new manager Pedro Grifol trusts his guys. However, here are some reasons that this team needs to wake up against Tampa Bay this weekend. The White Sox offense has shockingly been inconsistent during games. Hitters only score the runs early on in the first few innings, and later are unable to score. I have strongly felt the last few years the Southsiders suffer under the issue of stranding runners on the base pads. Scoring runs more consistently with runners on is beneficial to securing more wins. The White Sox hitters also need to improve their plate discipline on a more consistent basis. The bullpen suffered from the losses of injured players Liam Hendriks and Garret Crochet. Players such as Joe Kelly, Graveman, and others have not been able to hold things up. After the DFA of reliever Jose Ruiz , the bullpen pitchers need to take notice and play smarter. It’s also on Grifol to better manage this bullpen in certain situations.
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By: Will Farlow
The NFL Draft presents many things no fan expect when the clock is ticking. Teams make trades that are so unexpected each day before the draft keeps fans on the edge of their twitter feeds. Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles made a smart move that in my opinion makes Chicago fans proud. The Chicago Bears traded the first overall pick in 2023 to Carolina for the 9th and 61st pick in 2023, a 2024 first , 2025 second , and WR DJ Moore. The returning trade package to Chicago shows many aspects that will impact each off these two franchises in different ways.
The Bears now add a proven wide receiver one in Moore, and picks to help their team moving forward. Justin Fields now has more weapons to work with for future seasons. I love this receiver fitting into this offense with his strong durability and deep threat ability. The combination currently of Fields, Moore , Mooney , Claypool, and Kmet is lethal for opposing defenses to face. The next test for the second year Bears GM is to make good choices with the draft picks acquired in the trade.
The Bears have sent fans in the Windy City a positive sign of the future, and the off-season has just begun. I have the utmost confidence in the Bears front office to continue to add to this team the right players for this organization. This trade shows that Ryan Poles got his guy at WR1 and trusted his gut in a historic Bears trade. This team has a future that just got even brighter just many hours ago. The Bears have 48 days to decide now their draft plan for this team’s direction. Chicago can also attempt to sign free agents with a league high cap space as soon as next week. Welcome to Chicago DJ Moore, and thanks Ryan for a trade Bears fans will hopefully never forget.
11/19/2022 1 Comment Bulls Need Wake Up Call
By: Will Farlow
The game of basketball is hard to predict. Teams get a clean slate each season, and start to change how their team is viewed by others. The Chicago Bulls finished last season in a postseason exit in Milwaukee. However, their early season luck has been non-existent. These are my takes on the state of the Bulls currently, and how they can improve.
The Bulls have brought back most of last year's team along with new players like Andre Drummond and Goran Dragic. After viewing their loss 108-107 to Orlando the other night I have concerns. Zach Lavine is not playing to his potential matched with his large contract extension. There is not much consistent chemistry with Nikola Vucevic at the center position. I believe this negatively impacts post-play for Chicago.
The front court of the Bulls is a serious issue. More size and post-play are necessary to help the Bulls compete more consistently. The coaching staff is too set in their ways to make changes. Head coach Billy Donovan has the potential to lead this team in the right direction. Bulls fans should not fear as this season is still early thus far. Chicago Bulls players need a wake-up call as they sit in fourth place in their division behind Milwaukee, Cleveland, and the young Indiana Pacers. Get it going Bulls because Chicago needs you at your best.
By: Will Farlow
The Chicago Bears after a blowout against the New England Patriots on the road surprised there fans earlier this afternoon. The Chicago Bears traded veteran defensive end Robert Quinn to the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles. The Bears are reshaping their team for the long term. Here are my takes on the trade , and how it impacts the Monsters of the Midway
Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles made a smart move today that Bears fans can respect. I like this trade a lot for Chicago. Philadelphia sends a fourth round pick for a aging defensive talent. The Bears were rumored to consider trading Quinn during the preseason, but decided to wait. Fourth round picks are valuable in the NFL where teams find gems that impact their teams. The Bears have a great history recently of great players taken in the fourth round of the NFL Draft.
The Bears should make a few more trades with players in contract years that don’t fit the vision of the future of this team. I think that approach is smart to at least get something of value for a player that could walk into free agency. Ryan Poles showed he is smart in his draft strategy. The Bears got another draft pick , and I see them adding more before the next NFL draft in 2023. Thank for your time in Chicago Robert Quinn, but fly like an Eagle to Philly as the Bears are moving forward
By: Will Farlow
The NFL off-season has brought Chicago Bears fans into a new chapter in the team’s history. First year General Manager Ryan Poles made a smart underrated trade today with the New England Patriots. Chicago sends a 2024 seventh round pick to the Patriots who send 6’4 wide receiver N’Keal Harry. I think this is a smart trade that impacts the Bears offense with more potential.
N’Keal Harry is a former first round draft pick back in 2019. Harry is 24 years old , and with a change of scenery has a chance to get better in his early NFL career. The best part of this deal is how he slides into a young Bears offense that needs a tall receiver. Bears QB Justin Fields owes his GM a big thank you by this trade. I think N’Keal needed to find a better fit for his skillset , and Chicago’s Luke Getsy offense is just right for Harry.
The Chicago Bears acquiring Harry gives them solid depth in their wide receiver core. Receivers Darnell Mooney and rookie Velus Jones get help on offense along with Field getting another useful weapon. I see Harry fitting in the Bears offense long term given his youth , and potential to be a much needed deep threat for Chicago. I like the moves by GM Ryan Poles as they are unexpected, but smart making the future of the Chicago Bears bright . Welcome to Chicago , N’Keal Harry.
By: Will Farlow
Baseball is a game where one should expect the unexpected. Tim Anderson made it as a reserve in the 2021 All Star Game last season without getting to bat. The baseball gods above changed that fate this season as this evening Tim Anderson was named as the starting shortstop for the American League. Anderson is a generational talent at shortstop for the Chicago White Sox organization.
Tim Anderson has played another good season thus far despite an early season injury in the first half of the 2022 season. Anderson was tightly competing with Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette for the starting nod at Dodger Stadium. The White Sox shortstop is humble as when it was announced I liked how he thanked others for helping him to this point. Anderson is hitting an above 300 batting average with fairly good defense. I think this was well overdue for the shortstop , and a good representation of players never giving up on their goals
However, Anderson’s interview on the news of the starting nod I liked how he said one key thing that gives Whit Sox fans hope. Anderson cares more about winning a World Series this year despite getting to start soon in an MLB All Star game. Tim Anderson is a team leader for the Southsiders , and a wonderful representation of all major league players. Tim is the type of talented player that belongs in the popularity contest voting known for the All Star Game. Congratulations TA, and best of luck starting at Dodger Stadium very soon. Playing Shortstop for the American League at the 2022 All Star Game, Tim Anderson!
By: Will Farlow
NBA Free Agency began tonight , and many players so far today have found new teams. The Chicago Bulls faced tough opposition the past few seasons with a lack of size quality in their front court. Tonight that changed for the better as Chicago signed center Andre Drummond to a two year six million dollar deal . Drummond is hopefully the first of many key moves to help the future of this talented Bulls team.
I admire the classic post shooting, strong rebounding center which is why this signing is smart for Chicago. Drummond is a great defensive player with the capabilities to hit a good shot in game situations. Last season the former first round pick averaged 9 rebounds per game with two different teams. The Chicago Bulls aside from Patrick Williams lacked that strong play in their front court. The timing of this signing was interesting before the bigger moves needed for Chicago.
The Bulls still have a center in Nikola Vucevic I believe will be traded this offseason. Arturas Karnisovas and the Bulls front office were smart to sign Drummond given this possibility in the future. The Chicago Bulls need to take this talented roster , and continue to make changes to support the core for the future. Congratulations Andre on the contract, and welcome to Chicago!
By: Will Farlow
The Chicago White Sox are facing a rough start to their 2022 season. Heading into the Memorial Day Weekend, this talented Southside team has faced challenges all over the roster. The starting pitching has been great for the White Sox aside from one egotistic, declining starter in Dallas Keuchel. The White Sox designated for assignment their veteran left handed starting pitcher.
The move took place prior to tonight’s matchup against the rival Chicago Cubs. Fans on the Southside called for this move since the 2022 season began in April with Keuchel sporting poor command , control, and a 7.88 ERA. I felt this cut by the Sox should have happened in late April. The awful start by Keuchel against Cleveland earlier this season showed in my view he was no longer right for this team’s success. This talented team will bounce back , but I like Rick Hahn and the front office using this as an example to hold their players accountable for their rough start in 2022.
Keuchel had a great first season back in a shortened 2020 , but since then has faced issues finding his former self as a pitcher. Some other team will pick him up, but I think the future of the Chicago White Sox rotation burns brighter with Keuchel’s departure. His selfish burying of teammates earlier this season matched with a poor work ethic made him a bad fit in the clubhouse. The White Sox rotation has Lance Lynn returning soon which supports the decision to cut Dallas Keuchel. Thank you for 2020 Dallas, but it was time for you to leave Chicago.
2/13/2022 0 Comments Los Angeles Rams win Super Bowl 56
By: Will Farlow
Sports games leave fans with the choice to expect the unexpected. Football keeps fans on the edge of their seats by every snap and quarter. Tonight, Super Bowl 56 was an exciting, close game that kept fans entertained. The Los Angeles Rams in their home stadium won the Super Bowl tonight 23 to 20 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Here are my takes on the game along with how it impacts the future.
The Cincinnati Bengals only won four games last season, but their opponent was already expected to make it to the Super Bowl. The Bengals showed the future of their young franchise by playing close to a talented and experienced Rams team. Matthew Stafford came to Los Angeles after years of mediocrity in Detroit. Stafford was a missing piece to the Rams finally being able to host the Lombardi Trophy. I admire both teams played good competitive football throughout the game. It seemed like either team could win, and in my view makes it more suspenseful to watch.
The game began with strong play by both defenses early on keeping the score close. Matthew Stafford threw two touchdowns in the first half , and following a Bengals field goal entered the lock room with the lead. The Bengals had faced a deficit previously in the AFC Title game against the Chiefs. The opening 75 yard touchdown pass by Joe Burrow to Tee Higgins jumpstarted Cincinnati in quarter three. The Rams showed their experience as in the closing minutes fought back to win the game.
Super Bowl 56 had very few penalties which showed I feel a good, clean game. The Los Angeles Rams traded many draft picks , spent money, and too risks that paid off as they won their first Super Bowl as the team in LA. Sean McVay is a great coach in football showing age doesn’t matter if you get the job done. The Bengals will be back in the future after tonight’s loss with a chip on their shoulder. I think Gronk and Brady better step back as the Stafford-Kupp duo is lethal. Congratulations to the Los Angeles Rams on their Super Bowl victory!
By: Will Farlow
Head coaches in the NFL play a vital role in the success of a football team. Leadership, teaching, and igniting a good atmosphere in their locker room with players lead to good football in a season. The Chicago Bears for many years have needed a new head coach that can be the missing piece to more wins for the Monsters of the Midway. New Bears GM Ryan Poles on his second day on the job hired former Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus as the new head coach in Chicago. Here are my takes on the new coach and how he can help put the Chicago Bears back on the map of success in the NFL.
Bears fans said goodbye to former staffers named Ryan and Matt weeks ago, and shockingly they are replaced by new people also with the same first names. Matt Eberflus is an interesting hire in my view for the Chicago Bears. The last defensive-minded head coach in Chicago didn’t work well which was the John Fox era. Eberflus brings strong defensive intelligence to the Bears. Fans can get excited for an even stronger defense for years to come which is a side of the football well known in Bears history. Eberflus spent four years from 2018 to 2021 as defensive coordinator at Lucas Oil Stadium. I like a defensive-minded head coach as he can help our future franchise QB Justin Fields become smarter at reading a defense. The questions ahead will be on the minds of Bears fans moving forward.
Bears fans wondered if this hire was due to George McCaskey or Bill Polian’s choices, but they were relieved who made the move. New GM Ryan Poles made the call after a second interview that Matt Eberflus was the guy to help the Bears back to contention. Eberflus is known for implementing a Tampa 2 style defense so it’ll be interesting how the defense approach changes in Chicago. The next step is bringing in his coaching staff, which will need to include a great offensive coordinator to help rebuild the Bears offense.
Matt Eberflus already has a few names of possible coaches that could join him in Chicago. This coaching hire is great for the Bears bringing in a smart, and well-charactered person to lead the team. League experts speak highly of Eberflus along with him being just the leader this Bears team needs. Best of luck to the new Bears head coach. Hopefully, this Matt head coach has better luck than the previous one.
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