Big Reality Check in Miami for the Bulls

After going 8 - 0 in the preseason and stirring up quite a lot of excitement, the Bulls ran into a buzz saw in Miami.  I was focused on the Bears and Blackhawks, so I purposely skipped these games.  But from the highlights I saw and the articles I read, they Bulls had reason to feel really good going into the big season opener against the thrice NBA champions Heat.  Instead, they left American Airlines Arena with a big reality check and a rather rude awakening.  

Derrick Rose looked good in the early going

Sweet move by Derrick. Not many players can split the pick-and-roll defenders like that and take it to the rack!

Wicked move by Cole, breaks Derrick's ankles.  Derrick will not forget this.

Derrick Rose

The line that mattered the most came from coach Thibs, who said, "Now, we begin the journey."

Reference: Not enough of old Rose, Bulls there.

Derrick Rose and Dwayne Wade

"No excuses," Noah said. "They kicked our ass tonight, but we'll be back. It's a long journey. It's a lot of basketball to be played."

Reference: Bulls vs. Heat: Some things never change.

Jimmy "Buckets" Butler

Yeah, Buckets and Deng had something like 3 fouls each in the 1st Q ... what was up with that!?!  It didn't drive me to ER, but it did drive me up the wall (lol)!  

Booze Cruise had it going, for sure. 

That's right, Booze Cruise was on fiyyahhh!

Yep, Noah isn't recovered, yet.  He pulled down 11 boards, but he wasn't elevating very well.  So Thibs has to make a tough decision on him: Does he sit him out, and keep him playing?  Probably the latter, but then how does he play him?  Noah cannot have those monsters minutes like last year.  

Thank you for reading, and let me know what you think!

Ron Villejo, PhD

ESPN Does Commercials Good

Known as The Professor, John Clayton rocks with his astute on-camera analysis.  In this behind the scenes, we see he rocks off camera, too.

Checking in.  Name, please?  Michael Jordan.  Oh.  

There has to be a lot of Michael Jordans out there, who are suffering, because they are not Michael Jordan.

Our very own Patrick Kane scores a goal, goes dadada, then gets knocked down.  I love it.  

Indeed slow day at the office for Usain Bolt: 9.69.  His best day:  9.58.

When do I get to race with Usain Bolt?

What, you're a Russian spy or something?

Fact is stranger than fiction, or is fiction stranger than fact?  Alex Ovechkin is a Russian spy.  Really?

Exactly.  Do not borrow Post-Its from Georges St. Pierre.  

So giant worms can spring into my face?  Nice try...  You're evil.   

Can I have my can back?  

I figured, Why not throw in an oldie-but-goodie Maria Sharapova bit?

Thank you for reading, and let me know what you think!

Ron Villejo, PhD

Weighty Questions on Aledo High School Football

Aledo High School Coach Tim Buchanan

To say that the Aledo Bearcats are in beast mode is a gross understatement.  The Texas high school football team has had a dominant season, judging by their record alone:

Aledo 44, Highland Park 3
Aledo 56, Stephenville 14
Aledo 49, Prep Tech (Mexico) 0
Aledo 84, Arlington Heights 7
Aledo 77, South Hills 16
Aledo 84, Wyatt 7
Aledo 91, Western Hills 0

Reference: Was Aledo’s 91-0 football win last week a case of bullying?

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/10/21/5264501/was-aledos-91-0-football-win-last.html#storylink=cpy

So dominant that the unnamed father of a Western Hills player filed a bullying report against coach Tim Buchanan for running up the score so big.  Whether this is truly bullying is a buzz in the media.  In Parent accuses Texas high school football coach of bullying after 91-0 blowout game, for example, Fox News broadcasters interview psychiatrist Keith Ablow, who thinks this report is a disservice to the fight against bullying.  

Apparently there has been no foul play on  Bearcats, and no such accusation from the other team.  Buchanan pulled his starters in the first half, and eventually had his third stringers on the field.  So how can getting beat on the field, fairly and squarely, be bullying, Ablow is wondering?  Like winning, losing is part of life, and how young people deal with, and learn from, either become vital lifelong lessons.  

But let's step back from all this buzz, and ask additional weighty questions:  How did the Bearcats get to be such as a beast-mode team?  

Sports teams that can recruit top-notch players become winning teams, and winning teams, in turn, are best positioned to attract more top-notch players.  The NFL and NBA have parity mechanisms in place to reduce the likelihood of any one team becoming overly dominant, such as: The worst-off your record is, the higher your draft position is, for nabbing the most talented players.  

But in high school sports, what are the parity mechanisms?

Methinks that, if they haven't done so already, superintendents, principals and directors of high school in the Aledo district need to examine the state of athletics in their district.  The idea is not to take away or otherwise halt whatever Aledo may be doing.  Most importantly, rather, the idea is to understand first what is in fact going on.  The high schoolers can play their hearts out, and be good sportsmen on both teams, but in a 91 - 0 rout there is no competition.  That is more akin to an arcade game than to genuine sports.  

To me, then, there is definitely something wrong with this picture.  Which that father tried to point with what may end up being a feeble accusation of bullying per se, but at the same time an effective prompt for further inquiry and proper investigation.      

Of course in that gathering of school officials, they must also ask the tough questions:  Have there been any recruiting improprieties on the part of Aledo and any other schools?  Besides professional leagues, the NCAA has very strict rules on recruitment.  What are the recruiting rules and regulations for high schools in this district?  

Finally, what has Buchanan shared as far as the success of his coaching staff and players are concerned?  His Bearcats are so dominant, that there ought not be any concern about giving away team secrets that could diminish their winning record.  Maybe he's done this already, but again in the spirit of seeking first to understand, before being understood, officials can show respect for Aledo not just by admiring their success but also by inquiring about the ingredients that make it up.  

Thank you for reading, and let me know what you think!

Ron Villejo, PhD

1985 - 1986 Super Bowl Bears Reunite

A reunion of the 1985 - 1986 Super Bowl Bears is always special.  It is, admittedly, a way to live a triumph of the past.  But more, I think, it is a reminder that life goes on, beyond the playing field.  That these storied men of the gridiron have personal lives.  That time passes, as it does for all of us, so we are no longer young but our memories forever are.

Thank you for reading, and let me know what you think!

Ron Villejo, PhD

Personal Impact of the Bears' Beastly 46 Defense

I was 26 years old, that magical 1985 - 1986 season for the Bears, and how I felt so enthralled that I still remember the feeling nearly 30 years later.  

Imagine finding yourself in an aggravating, infuriating situation, for example, being cut off in traffic.  You want to chase after that driver, run him down, and do a host of things to him that you imagine doing.  But all that want simply stayed, of course, in the fiery hell of your imagination.  It dissipates, and you move on.  You keep driving, calmer with the short passing of time and clearing of traffic.  

But does it really dissipate?  

We could generate that aggravation or fury via sports, and find sanctioned opportunities, time and time again, to express it, release it, and recover a physical and psychological equilibrium.  Working out in the gym could serve a similar purpose.  But it couldn't beat playing sports, because it's a competition and you work at it against an opponent.  Watching sports was also no pure satisfaction, but it was the second best thing to do.  Unleash our aggression, albeit vicariously, in the safety and comfort of our living room.    

The Bears vaunted 46 defense that season was the exception to it all.  I didn't just feel release and calm from a big sack by Richard Dent, or a big hit by Otis Wilson, or a categorical shutdown of the opposing offense as we saw in those playoff games against the Giants, Rams and Patriots.  I also felt joy, maybe ennoblement, even a perfect strength that seemed to change me physically.  I remember leaping off my parent's Lazy Boy, and jumping so high I nearly punched a hole in the family room ceiling.  

So as the 2013 - 2014 Bears defense increasingly looking like a college unit, especially after giving up 45 points to the Redskins yesterday, I go back to that unstoppable 46 defense.

Enjoy!

Thank you for reading, and let me know what you think!

Ron Villejo, PhD

Bears Defense Under the Spotlight

Defensive Coordinator, Mel Tucker

I posted this in the Chicago Bears community on Google+ earlier this week:

When we transitioned from a defensive-minded head coach, to an offensive-minded head coach, I hoped that the pendulum wouldn't swing from one extreme to the other.

This year so far, here's how we rank in the NFL: Bears have gained 369.2 yards a game (9th), and have given up 373.0 yards a game (23rd).

Last year, the numbers were: 310.6 (28th), and 315.6 (5th).

So far, Jay Cutler is playing very well: QBR 73.5 (3rd). It's the Trestman factor, along with a much better O Line and receiving corps.
But, man, it sure seems like the pendulum is swinging to the other extreme. The defense is giving up a lot of big yards: Other teams are finding passing seams in our zone coverage and busting their RBs right into the secondary way too often.

The good news is, after the Redskins game, the Bears don't play for 14 days straight (including the bye week). So players with nicks and bruises can heal up; the backup starters can get in extra film and practice; Mel Tucker and staff can figure things out and make improvements.

Lovie Smith botched up the offense year after year. How will Marc Trestman do with the defense this year?

What do you guys think?

After several comments from friends, I added this:

Here's a couple more stats for you guys: Bears are tied with Seahawks for NFL lead in takeaways (17). A big carry-over plus from last year. But our defense has given up 67 more points than Seahawks.

So I'm sure Emery is keeping a close eye on what's going on, and planning short-term and long-term moves with this unit. I'm glad to know Mel Tucker is highly-regarded, because, man, he's got his hands full.

Clearly, the Bears are a work-in-progress. But despite all the issues right now, they're doing good at 4 - 2.

Let's go, Bears, let's get a W in FedExField on Sunday! Go into the bye at 5 - 2. Then, big Monday night showdown with the Cheese on November 4th! 

Then Sean Carroll asked if the Bears defense have outscored the Seahawks defense.  The short answer is yes!

(image credit)

After more digging, I posted this today:

Bears defense have scored 4 TDs in 6 games: 3 Pick 6s (Jennings [2], Wright [1]) and 1 Fumble Return (Peppers). Seahawks defense have scored just 1 TD in 7 games: a Pick 6.

A major difference: Bears defense giving up 26.8 points a game (25th), Seahawks 16.6 points a game (5th). If we adjust for those defensive scores: it's 22.1 and 15.6 points a game, respectively.

The only caveat to these stats is this: I'm not sure exactly how points-a-game is calculated. Bears offense, e.g., have given up 2 Fumble Returns. Do these scores count against the defense? Conversely, do the defensive scores count for the offense? If so, then we can ignore my adjustment above.

Right now, Bears offense score 28.7 points a game (3rd).

One other stat: Among winning teams in the NFL (i.e., > .500 records), the Bears point differential is second lowest (+11). (Lowest is the Bengals [+10].) Which means the Bears have been playing well enough to win, and even when they've lost, they've hung in the ballgame and kept things close in the end.

For a team that's basically rebuilding, the Bears are a good football team at 4 - 2. Credit: Phil Emery. Reference: Chicago Cubs at 127 - 197, 2 years out of a 5-year rebuilding plan under Theo Epstein, are a train wreck!

Thank you for reading, and let me know what you think!

Ron Villejo, PhD

The Jim Irsay-Peyton Manning Firestorm

Those expressing negatIvity about the concept of building well rounded teams around great QBs 2 achieve Championships have negative agendas
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) October 16, 2013

The noise doesn't bother me,to quote the most loved Ind Colt of all time"I wanted to stay,Jim wanted me to stay,circumstances forced r hand"
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) October 16, 2013

Peyton Manning and Jim Irsay

"[Tom] Brady never had consistent numbers, but he has three of these [rings]," Irsay told USA Today. "Pittsburgh had two, the Giants had two, Baltimore had two and we had one. That leaves you frustrated. 

"You make the playoffs 11 times, and you're out in the first round seven out of 11 times. You love to have the 'Star Wars' numbers from Peyton and Marvin [Harrison] and Reggie [Wayne]. Mostly, you love this [ring]."

Reference: John Fox: Jim Irsay 'ungrateful'.

I posted this on Google+:

Jim Irsay's potshot at Peyton Manning seems boneheaded. But it may work perfectly, come playoffs. Manning was one-and-done, 8 out of 12 post-seasons.

Some reporters just latched on to Irsay's stats that Manning was one-and-done 7 out of 11 times in the playoffs.  They seemed to have forgotten that after a superb 13 - 3 record - in his first full season with the Broncos last year and his first full season after taking a year off for neck surgeries and recovery - the Manning-led Broncos were, you guessed it, ousted in the their only playoff game.

Broncos head coach John Fox chimed in quickly:

"I saw the comments. And to be honest with you, I thought it was a bit of a cheap shot... To me, in my opinion, they were disappointing and inappropriate."

Even former Colts head coach Tony Dungy weighed in:

"Jim is making this personal... I'm surprised."

Dungy thinks Irsay was deliberately trying to provoke the highly competitive Manning.

"I think that's what he's trying to do... Have him make it such a big game he doesn't perform well. I can't figure any other reason to go this way."

Reference: Dungy: Irsay 'is making this personal'.

This firestorm happens ahead of a big Sunday Night NFL showdown: The 6 - 0 Broncos, coming in to Lucas Oil Stadium to battle the 4 - 2 Colts.

Just as the Broncos and Manning found new life in each other, the Colts were quietly undergoing a similarly astounding sea change.  The Colts totally tanked, during Manning's yearlong absence.  But perhaps fortuitously or perhaps strategically, their poor record positioned them to nab Andrew Luck in the draft.  While Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson pretty much stole the limelight - what, with commercial sponsorship and all - Luck simply played superbly.  He's arguably the best of among the young guns in the NFL.

So Irsay's desire for more Super Bowl rings has every possibility of becoming a reality with the next Peyton Manning well-ensconced in their midst.

Let's go back to this little firestorm, shall we.  My weekends are often busy, and I keep my evenings for relaxing with my family as often as I can.  So Sunday Night football isn't really on my radar, as a rule.  But you can bet, I am going to watch this Broncos-Colts game.  I'm sure thousands and thousands of other fans will tune in, too.  If so, then it's score a PR win for the owner.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that Irsay is trying to get Manning's goad up.  Still, there is a great likelihood that the Broncos will whale on the Colts: He is simply playing lights-out this year.  That much was virtually a given already.  But Irsay may have given the Colts an edge by planting seeds of doubt inside Manning's psyche.  No harm in trying, really.

But again Manning has played historically well in the regular season, his teams have averaged 11 wins, over 12 seasons.  So chances are Broncos will come away with a win on Sunday night.

Let's see how the playoffs shake out, however.  Irsay's apparent boneheadedness may actually take seed when Manning takes the field in that first game.  His remarkably consistent star performance in the regular season is matched by a similarly disappointing sub-.500 performance in the playoffs.

I don't have a clue what's going on in Irsay's head, of course.  But it's certainly possible that his mouthing off is both a near-term and a long-term ploy.

I'm sure it's weighing more heavily on Manning's mind now, and it will continue to do so, until he wins a second ring.

Thank you for reading, and let me know what you think!

Ron Villejo, PhD