DRAFT DAY AT THE WAR ROOM ON PREMIO DR

OK, You fans of the Bear! I'm back after taking close to a month hibernation as my mind was insatiable, and my health exciting to say the least.

But I'm back on a great day, NFL Draft day. Yes, the league has chosen to shorten the time for 1st Round Selections from 15 minutes to 10 and Second Round Selections from 7 minutes to 5, both great decisions as my fanny during these days, often was puckered from waiting for a group of administrators, presidents, GM's and coaches to do their thing and as one writer put it, "all designed to make ESPN analyists talk more and more about their teams." These NFL teams know they are huge and they milk it for all its worth. More on that subject in future blogs! They better watch out, these moguls of the gridiron since "TIMES ARE A CHANGIN!"

Ok, back to the draft. At 2 PM St. Louis time the proceedings will begin and as all of us football nuts know, the Miami Dolphins have already locked up the first pick and signed him Jake Long, the huge offensive tackle from Michigan, a worthy and right pick for this former great team, now somewhat hapless franchise. With this pick the Bear says: "They are on their way back with Parcels in the GM position!"

Our St. Louis Rams, now of Chip Rosenbloom and Lucia Rodriguez will be next "on the clock".
The Rams are expected to select either Chris Long, the hard charging son of Howie, from Virginia or the man-handling DT from LSU Glenn Dorsey. Both are great prospects and will definitely help the St. Louis Rams Defense, much to the satisfaction of Jim Haslitt, the team's defensive co-ordinator.

The Bear would have none of this if he was at the desk calling shots. Undoubtedly he would choose to go in the first two rounds with the best offensive linemen available. First pick would be Ryan Clady, the big, quick and offensive offensive tackle from Boise State. But Bear, the Rams have two tackles Pace and Barron. Well yes! Move one of these dudes to guard, probably Clady, maybe Barron or yes, even the great Pace! Are you kidding? NO NO NO! To quote no one in particular, the best defense is a good offense and the Rams offense last year was offensive to say the least.
I know, we've used the word offensive too many times all ready! If this is offensive to you then I suggest you go over to the defensive lovers and kickers and punters and "talk the talk!"
The Rams have two high powered offensive players in Steven Jackson and Mark Bulger and not to be forgotten Torry Holt and of course our new Offensive Co-ordinator Al Saunders is one of the best in the league. Now hear this all you sports announcers, television reporters, who only know QB's, RB's, and WR's: You win football games in the trenches. The St. Louis Rams, who won the Super Bowl in the late nineties, were led by guess who Orlando Pace and Adam Timmerman and I'll even throw in Fred Miller! Yes, these very skilled and tough linemen opened the holes for the great Marshall to spin and drive and outfox the defenders he met, usually in the secondary because of the up-front blocking of the Rams! Yes, and Kurt Warner could count of these guys plus Faulk to give him the time to get the ball to the great receiver corps which made the Rams "greatest show on turf!"

Now, with the second pick the Bear would go with a guard, Brandon Albert of Virginia. At 6'7 315 this guy is a tower of strength and could even be shifted to tackle if need be. This is the kind of player the Rams need to make the offense purr! Pay him the big bucks and let him maul the opposition! What a player! Unfortunately, he will probably be unavailable by the time the Rams draft again.

Here's a name to consder: Owen Schmitt of West Virginia. 6'2 247 and a punisher! The Rams stupidly let Madison Hidgecock become the fb for the Super Bowl Champs NY Giants and suffered the consequences. Just ask Bulger! Schmitt would be very strong compliment to their offense but will he be out there in round three? Keep him in mind.

Thats enough! The Bear is preparing to head for the "War Room" to listen to the all the bull that will thrown out there for the next two days but what the hell, its dynamic fun to see these young college students become instant millionaires! More to come soon! I'm back!

BASEBALL OPENERS ARE EXCITING

In one of my favorite opening days of all time, you had to be happy for the Cubby fans of Chicago, who have been waiting for the "Savior" and may have found him in Kosuke Fukodome, their new right fielder, who thrilled all of the baseball world when he wacked one of "greatly uninspiring"
Eric Gagne's ninth inning pitches over the right center field fence to bring the Cubs to a 3-3 tie, ultimately a loss 4-3 in ten innings. But it was a highly emotional moment when the 31 year old Japanese veteran star of the Chunichi Dragons came to the "Windy City" and joined a club searching for just a little more to get them into contention for a trip to the World Series in08.

It was one hundred years ago when Franck Chance led the Cubs of Tinker to Evers to Chance to their last Series championship. Wow! Could this latest Asian slugger be the tonic the Cubs need to make it happen? We shall see. After all, the great Ichiro Suzuki is the standard by which these players are measured, such a great one out there in Seattle where he garnished 238 hits last year and continues to be one of the truly greats of our time. Japanese and Koreans dot the teams of today with followings thousands of miles away that rock!

How about the Red Sox and Baltimore opening their seasons in Japan where baseball is looked upon as a religion and great players abound!

"Fuki", the Bear calls him "Fuki" was three for three on opening day and also made a fine catch of a ball headed for the stands late in the game and Cub fans bowed and cheered his every move.

No "Remember the Seventh of December" anymore in this country! Soon to be up there along with the Koreans and Japanese will be the Chinese who are beginning to sport bats and balls and with their millions of prospects, will blossom forth hopefully not a "card carrying Commie!"

Of course all the fans of the Bear want to know where's and howfars of what is going to happen this baseball season as the GM and Manager of the famous Fantasy Baseball Blue Dart team, which will be in action Saturday April 5 with its drafting in the infamous "Boys Night Out League" is ready with his picks for 2008. You can take these to the bank and prepare to cash in your chips.

American League East: New York-Boston-Toronto-Baltimore (formerly my beloved St. Louis Browns)- Tampa Bay

American League Central: Detroit-Cleveland-Chicago-Minnesota-KC

American League West: LA-Seattle-Texas-Oakland

National League East: NY Mets-Philly-Atlanta-Washington-Florida

National League Central: Milwaukee-Chicago-St. Louis-Cinncy-Houston-Pittburgh

National League West: Arizona-Colorado-LA-San Diego-San Francisco

AL Divisional Series: Tigers over the Red Sox NY over LA

AL Championship: Tigers over the Yankees

NL Divisional: Mets over the Brewers

NL Championship Series: Mets over Diamondbacks

World Series: Mets over the Tigers

So says the Bear: Santana of the Mets will lead them to the victory they covet and the National League will prevail.

So says the Bear on this April Fools Day in 2008. Hold him fast to these predictions.