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Swerski Sports Podcast Player

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Bill Swerski's Sports Talk Chicago episode 013

Interview with Stuart Shea, author of Wrigley Field: The Long Life and Contentious Times of the Friendly Confines.  HawkTalk with Jason.  Why oh why did the Cubs sign Manny?


Thursday, May 29, 2014

Thoughts on Game 5 of the Hawks/Kings series?

Congrats to the Blackhawks on their 2OT win against the Kings in game 5 of the conference finals.  What do you think of the new defensive pairings and lines?

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Wrigley Trivia and meet author Stuart Shea Wednesday May 28th!

May 28, 2014 5:00 PM
Harold Washington Library
Cindy Pritzker Auditorium
400 S. State Street
Chicago IL 60605
 

Chicago Tribune’s Printers Row, Chicago Public Library and University of Chicago Press present the ultimate Wrigley Field trivia showdown! The Tribune’s Rick Kogan and quizmaster Stuart Shea, author of Wrigley Field: The Long Life and Contentious Times of the Friendly Confines, will officiate several innings of fast-paced facts, incredible stats, and rollicking history to celebrate the centennial of the iconic stadium.

The trivia showdown winner recieves a Wrigley Field prize pack as well as full bragging rights!

Monday, May 26, 2014

Bill Swerski's Sports Talk Chicago episode 012

We break down the financials of the Chicago Cubs and how it's impacting the baseball operations, Brandon Marshall on the View, Chris Sale is back, The Blackhawks are down but not out and Thibs is being courted....again.  All of this and more on this episode of Bill Swerski's Sports Talk Chicago.

http://archive.org/download/episode006_201405/episode012.MP3


Thursday, May 22, 2014

Wrigley renovations to proceed.

In a news conference on the concourse of Wrigley Field behind third base -- perhaps intended to show the media and those watching live exactly what sorts of renovations the 99-year-old ballpark needs -- Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts laid out the team's comprehensive proposal, detailed below, for the rehab of Wrigley.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Bryant-O-Meter

In homage to the Shawon-O-Meter from when I was younger, I plan to track two of the Cubs top prospects: Bryant and Baez.

Baez Watch 5/21

In homage to the Shawon-O-Meter from when I was younger, I plan to track two of the Cubs top prospects: Bryant and Baez.
Starting to heat up a bit.  Brought his BA up 21 points in a week.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Monday, May 19, 2014

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Bill Swerski's Sports Talk Chicago episode 011

Blackhawks are in the conference finals!  Gary talks Bulls rumors and baseball with us.  Chicago Bears rookie mini camp.  All on this episode of Bill Swerski's Sports Talk Chicago.

http://archive.org/download/episode006_201405/episode011.MP3


Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Bill Swerski's Sports Talk Chicago Episode 010

This is the NFL Draft spectacular. We break down each of the Bears picks and also talk about the NHL playoffs You can listen here:

http://archive.org/download/episode006_201405/episode010.MP3 


C'mon, Hawks! Only 8 more wins!

Only 8 more wins to bring home Lord Stanley's Cup to Chicago, it's rightful home. 


Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Hawks beat the Wild in OT.

The Blackhawks beat the Wild in OT 2-1 on a slick Patrick Kane goal to move on to the Conference final to play the winner of Anaheim/Los Angeles.

Monday, May 12, 2014

5.12.14 Baez Watch

In homage to the Shawon-O-Meter from when I was younger, I plan to track two of the Cubs top prospects: Bryant and Baez.

5.12.14 Bryant-O-Meter

In homage to the Shawon-O-Meter from when I was younger, I plan to track two of the Cubs top prospects: Bryant and Baez.


Sunday, May 11, 2014

Breakdown of the Bears new players from the NFL draft

Kyle is an absolute natural corner, displaying incredibly fluid movement and good cover skills. He has a nose for the ball and can keep up with even the most quick and speedy recievers. He can rush the passer well, and he is one of the harder hitters in this draft class.

I graded him out as the best corner in the draft and he's also the most pro-ready.  He will be a nickel on day 1 and ready to step in and start should Tillman or Jennings get hurt.  Had a sports hernia last season, but it was surgically repaired and no longer a concern.

I wrote this pre-draft.  Ego didn't do himself any favors by coming out early, especially considering how deep the talent pool runs for defensive tackles in this draft.  He isn't particularly quick and he needs to get stronger.  Not exceptional versus the run and sub mediocre versus the pass.  Too many dumb penalties.  Buyer beware.  After being drafted, I went back and re-watched tape.  In a game against Mississippi St, he was absolutely manhandled by Gabe Jackson.  He couldn't shed blocks, he was thrown to the ground.  All single blocks. He has a mediocre swim move.   No other moves.  He's not quick enough off the ball.  He's a nose tackle all the way.  I can't see him being successful playing 3 technique in the NFL. 


I really liked Will Sutton coming out of college.  He's a total 3-technique guy.  He's quite fast for his size and very quick off the ball.  He's tenacious going after the quarterback.  But his arms aren't especially long and he gets locked up by offensive linemen. He needs to get better at shedding blocks to make plays.  He will need to get stronger to be more effective against the run in the NFL.  I'm not sure he's a 3 down linemen in the NFL, but he will have an impact in the league.  Best in a rotation.

Carey is a pretty talented running back, but he will need to keep himself out of trouble.  He had several brushes with the law and many team violations while at Arizona, including charges of domestic battery.  He's a pretty violent runner, but due to his size, he isn't really a bruiser.  He has very good vision and cuts back well.  I would liken him to a poor man's Emmitt Smith.  He does have a bad habit of dancing too much behind the line of scrimmage sometimes, but when he hits the hole, he takes several people with him on tackle attempts.  He is also a 3 down back.  He has good hands as a receiver and can make decent blocks protecting the QB.  Has a good potential to win the backup role behind Forte. 

Brock Vereen is the brother of New England Patriot Shane Vereen.  While at Minnesota, he was a very versatile DB.  He played CB, SS, FS, and single high safety.  He is a pretty fast guy in long speed.  However, he doesn't have that 2nd burst to catch up to receivers in man coverage.  He has some good ball-hawk skills when in single high.  But Vereen is best when he is coming in to play the run.  I project him as a strong safety.  In coverage, though, he will need to learn to turn his head when the ball is thrown or he'll get a lot of flags against him.

Fales is too short by NFL standards to play QB.  However, he is probably the most accurate passer to come out of the draft this year.  His numbers won't show it because of how many drops his receivers had, but the guy is really accurate. He isn't fast at all (ran a 4.99 40), but he's deceptively quick in the pocket.  It makes him hard to bring down.  He also throws really well on the roll out, so when he scrambles, he's dangerous.  He has a short, quick release.  I liken him to Philadelphia's Nick Foles.  He lacks ideal arm strength, but then again, so does Peyton Manning.  In the right system (ie Trestman's), I think he could be a very good NFL backup.

The guy had more reps of 225 pounds than Jadeveon Clowney.  Yes.  He did.  He's also 6'5" 225 pounds.  He had a 71 yard punt at Miami.  He loves to come in and make tackles.  He can punt, hold kicks, and do long kick offs.  If he can manage to perfect pooch kicks, the kid could be a pro-bowler.

Leno started 36 games in a row for Boise St.  Some at LT, some at RT.  There were a lot of reports linking him to many different teams and there was a lot of quiet buzz about him in the late rounds.  Teams seem to like his versatility and ability to play any position on the o-line (center, guard or either tackle).  He squares his shoulders well and has quick feet.  He needs to get stronger to be able to run block in the NFL, but has the makings to be a great contributor. 

Christian Jones was a guy that was a jack of all trades for FSU.  He can play Sam or Will OLB or play the mike.  He can rush the passer.  He can drop back in coverage.  But I projected him to be a 4-5th rounder.  So to see him go to the Bears as an UFA is exciting.  I think teams passed on him because he doesn't excel at any one position, but I think that will bode well for the Bears expected hybrid defense and injury history.

Lattimore is another guy who played very well in college, but didn't dominate enough at the lower level to impress the NFL.  But he's very athletic and a good linebacker.  

Lynch did have a great season at QB last year for NIU.  But I don't see him projecting as an NFL QB.  There's talk of moving him to RB.  Trestman said he had big plans for Lynch.  I wonder if that means serving as the #3 RB and #3 QB and do half back option stuff or wild-cat.  We'll see. 







Friday, May 9, 2014

With the 82nd pick in the 2014 NFL draft...

...the Chicago Bears select: Will Sutton, DT, Arizona State

Withe the 51st pick in the 2014 NFL Draft...

...the Chicago Bears select: Ego Ferguson, DT, LSU

Don't fret about the draft.

I know so many people wanted Calvin Pryor or Aaron Donald. And I think Aaron Donald was the Bears #1 choice (based on need, insider reports, and hints that Emery said during press conferences). From what I am reading, Calvin Pryor may have been red flagged by the Bears due to a health concern. But I promise you that you will all love Kyle Fuller. I spent a lot of time watching game film (especially DT, S, and CB) during the off-season. I mean a lot of game film. And I think Kyle Fuller is far superior to any other CB in this draft. He is fairly tall for a CB and he's extremely athletic. And give a trial by fire and some tutelage under Peanut Tillman and we've got another CB here for 10 years.

Also, remember that it was only round 1. And also remember that these players are all still available: DT:
L Nix
T Jernigan
S Tuitt
R Hageman
D Jones
C Reid (who Emery is in love with)
K Quarles (who helped make Clowney better)

S:
C Loston (I loved this kid on tape)
A Dixon
T Brooks (very underrated out of Florida State. He was my 3rd best safety after watching game film)
D Bailey (underrated out of USC)
E Reynolds

 LB: (this is a bit rough. Not a ton of top picks at all, let alone left)
Brown (later round sleeper)
Smallwood (small school intriguing pick)
Telvin Smith
Kirksey

TE: (Very interesting crop of TEs this year)
J. Amaro
A Sefarian-Jenkins
T Niklas
CJ Fiedorowicz
A Lynch
C Gillmore

RB: They're all available!!!
LOVE Carlos Hyde.
J Hill
T Mason
A Williams
D Freeman
C Sims
J White
 They'll be able to get a good one later in the draft. Don't be surprised if the Bears go offense in round 2. They need to go BPA (best player available)and as good as their offense is, there are still some holes (3rd WR, Blocking TE, backup RB, upgrade at RT, backup QB). But I still think they'll still likely go defense. From what I hear Caron Reid out of Princeton is a guy that Emery loves. And after round 2, the safety class will drop off dramatically. So look for a safety or DT in round 2.

Thursday, May 8, 2014

First reaction to the Chicago Bears first pick

With the #14 pick in the NFL draft, the Chicago Bears select: Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech. I had him rated as the best CB in the draft. I was sad that Aaron Donald got snatched before the Bears picked, but at least we got the best CB in the draft. Does this mean they move Tillman to safety or does Fuller play safety?

Top 6 Safeties in the NFL Draft

After watching a lot of film, here's how I rank the top safeties in the draft: 1. Calvin Pryor 2. Jimmie Ward 3. Deone Bucannon 4. Terrence Brooks 5. Ha-Ha Clinton-Hix 6. Craig Loston

Monday, May 5, 2014

Bill Swerski's Sports Talk Chicago Episode 009

We talk NFL draft with mocks, the futility of Chicago Baseball, the great Blackhawks wins, where the Bulls go from here, and who the most popular teams in town are.http://archive.org/download/episode006_201405/episode009.MP3


Ranking the top safeties in the NFL draft

The NFL draft starts with round 1 on Thursday evening. Here's how we grade out the top 6 safeties in the draft: 1. Calvin Pryor, Louisville. 2. Jimmie Ward, Northern Illinois. 3. Terrence Brooks, Florida State. 4. Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama. 5. Craig Loston, LSU. 6. Deone Buccannon, Washington State.

Welcome to the official site of Bill Swerski's Sports Talk Chicago

Thanks for checking it out. We will be sprucing the site up and adding more podcasts and info. Keep checking back. If you want to listen to episodes look to your right or at the very top of the page.

Bill Swerski's Sports Talk Chicago Episode 001

We talk Bears off-season strategy to rebuilding the defense.
http://archive.org/download/episode006_201405/episode001.MP3


Bill Swerski's Sports Talk Chicago Episode 002

We breakdown the DEs in the NFL draft, talk Bears signings.  We talk Blackhawks end of the season and Spring training
http://archive.org/download/episode006_201405/episode002.MP3


Bill Swerski's Sports Talk Chicago Episode 003

We discuss DEs in the NFL draft, Kane's injury, Teuvo-mania, and spring baseball
http://archive.org/download/episode006_201405/episode003.MP3


Bill Swerski's Sports Talk Chicago Episode 003.5

Bears sign Jared Allen!!!!
http://archive.org/download/episode006_201405/episode003half.MP3


Bill Swerski's Sports Talk Chicago Episode 004

We do analysis of the DTs in the NFL draft and talk Blackhawks hockey.
http://archive.org/download/episode006_201405/episode004.MP3


Bill Swerski's Sports Talk Chicago Episode 005

Breaking down the Safeties in the NFL draft, talk hockey with our Hawks insider, Jason, and ponder the finer points of opening weekend of MLB.
http://archive.org/download/episode006_201405/episode005.MP3


Bill Swerski's Sports Talk Chicago Episode 006

We talk the CBs and RBs in the NFL draft, we chat baseball and Bulls with our basketball insider, Gary.  We also discuss the Bears new off-season moves.
http://archive.org/download/episode006_201405/episode006.MP3


Bill Swerski's Sports Talk Chicago Episode 007




We talk the LBs and TEs in the NFL draft, talk Hawks with Jason, and talk Bulls/Cubs/Sox with Gary.
http://archive.org/download/episode006_201405/episode007.MP3


Bill Swerski's Sports Talk Chicago Episode 008



Israel Idonije, Martellus Bennett, and Anthony Adams on this episode.  Plus we talk with our friend Gary and break down the RBs.
http://archive.org/download/episode006_201405/episode008.MP3


Welcome to the new Bill Swerski's Sports Talk Chicago site



Thanks for checking it out.  We will be sprucing the site up and adding more podcasts and info.  Keep checking back.  If you want to listen to episodes look to your right or at the very top of the page.