The Tip-Off

Photo courtesy of TheWindyPixel.com

T.G.I.F. and all that crap. Here are some tips & links for this weekend.

I Was In The Pool!!: Join a bold bunch of Chicagoans as they celebrate shrinkage, taking the Polar Plunge– a dive into Lake Michigan Saturday afternoon.  [Lakeview Polar Bear Club]

Now That’s Pretty Cool: MJ congratulates Derrick Rose on his All-Star selection. [ESPN Chicago]

We’re Going Streaking: The Bulls try to make it five straight wins when the face the Hornets Friday night & the Hawks go for three straight in Carolina on Saturday.

Obvious Tweaking: If you’ve ever looked at an ad and thought: “This just doesn’t look right!” then this is the site for you. [Photoshop Disasters]

Culter – INTs = Exciting: Courtesy of Jay Cutler Superstar, this video. It’s a really well-done look at the saga that brought Jay to Chicago, and the highlights section conveniently omits all 26 interceptions thrown by the Golden Boy…which is nice.

The One Post You Need To Read To Win Money On The Super Bowl

I’m not in any way promoting gambling, BUT…for those NSNG readers out there looking to put a little money on the Super Bowl next weekend, PredictionMachine.com is your new best friend. Whether you plan on betting $5 or $5,000, it’s in your best interest to read this… 

Here’s a quick blurb about this new site, which hit the interwebs just in time to make you some serious scrilla:

PredictionMachine.com
runs every game 50,000 times before it’s actually played once and comes
up with a comprehensive breakdown of every game including personal stats for
each team, win %, close win %, blowout win %, each player’s % to win the
Super Bowl MVP, and much, much more.

…Paul
Bessire, who built the Predictalator, has had great success, like accurately choosing the
winner of: five of the last six Super Bowls, including last year’s four-point
(exactly) win by Pittsburgh; five of the last six World Series, including the
Yankees’ 2009 win in six and the 2006 Cardinals win in five (both to the game);
five of the last six Stanley Cup champions; and five of the last six NCAA
Tournament champions (as of Selection Sunday).

Sounds like a pretty solid pitch to me.

Of course there’s no way to determine EXACTLY how things will go. Peyton Manning might break an ankle on the first play, Marques Colston may get overexcited and drop every pass that comes his way and Dallas Clark might pull a Eugene Robinson and miss the game entirely, stuck in the clink.

No matter how much is left to chance, gamblers will still gamble and people will always take their chances on the biggest game of the year. So if you’re gonna put your money on the line, you might as well be as informed as possible. I give you, courtesy of PredictionMachine.com, your guide to bringing home the big money on Super Bowl Sunday.

You’re welcome.

Brouwer Powers Hawks To OT Win Over Sharks

Thursday night’s matchup between the Central-leading Blackhawks and the Pacific-leading Sharks certainly lived up to its billing.

The Hawks took an early 3-0 lead over San Jose behind goals from Dustin Byfuglien, Troy Brouwer and Andrew Ladd, but two scores from Joe Pavelski and a third period tally from Manny Malhotra sent the game into overtime.

Just 1:37 into the extra session Brouwer nailed a wrister from the point to seal the 4-3 win for Chicago. Brouwer’s two goals on the night bring his season total to 17, third most on the team behind just Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. 

Brouwer certainly picked a good time to get hot. He’s notched five goals in the Hawks’ last seven games to help the team
to a 5-2 record with one game remaining on their eight-game road trip.

Chicago Bears Continue Seemingly Endless Coordinator Search

It’s been over three weeks since the Chicago Bears began their search for new offensive and defensive coordinators. Candidates like Jeremy Bates, Perry Fewell, Ken Zampese, Rob Chudzinski and Hue Jackson have come and gone (or, in some cases, never came at all), and the search is no closer to resolution.

It’s no secret that the 2010 season is Lovie Smith’s last chance to win or get out, and most agree that the job security of any new coordinator will be predicated on Smith’s success. Is it worth picking up and moving to a new city for a job that will likely last just one year–especially a job with so many restrictions. A new defensive coordinator would essentially be a puppet for Smith, carrying out his defensive scheme and acting with little to no authority.  A new offensive coordinator would essentially be a puppet for Jay Cutler, who has gone through three oc’s in three years. Neither position is ideal for a guy looking to move up the coaching ranks.

Getting Over The Hump: The Wednesday Link Dump

Moist tidbits from the interwebs to get you through the tail end
of your Wednesday afternoon.

• Courtesy of SI’s Hot Clicks, this awesome collection of ambient ads. [Bored Panda]

• Cubs confirm commitment to stay in Mesa. [Chicago Breaking Sports News]

• Topless e-card? I guess I understand the appeal. The “Big Jew” name option? Not so sure about that. (Warning: NSFW) [HottieGram.com]

• A simply incredible photo. [News One]

• Patrick Kane youngest Hawk to 200 points [Chicago Tribune]

• Wanna know which viral videos are hottest on any given day? [Viral Video Chart]

• A spectacular message on cynicism and life, delivered by a total class act.

Win The Jersey Off A Blackhawk Player’s Back

Head out to the Horseshoe Casino on Wednesday, February 10th for your chance to win the jersey right off a Blackhawk player’s back!

Next month Hawks defenseman Brian Campbell will launch his new charity, Campbell For Kids, with the 1st Annual Campbell for Kids Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament. If you knock out a Blackhawk in poker, you literally get the shirt off his back as he leaves the table!

Some of the confirmed guests include Adam Burish, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp,
Patrick Kane, Brent Seabrook, Tony Esposito and Denis Savard. Attendees will also enjoy unlimited drinks and food, a silent and live auction, casino gaming, live entertainment and the chance to mix and mingle with Hawks past and present.

To get the skinny on tickets and how to enter the tourney, go to CampbellForKids.org.
 

Chicago Cubs Agree To Deal With Outfielder Xavier Nady

According to Yahoo! Sports and MLB.com, the Chicago Cubs have agreed to a tentative one-year deal with free agent Xavier Nady, most recently of the New York Yankees. Nady, who has also spent time with the Padres, Mets and Pirates, would add much-needed depth to the Cubs’ outfield.

Nady underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery (the second such surgery of his career) after playing in just seven games in 2009. When healthy, Nady can be a powerful presence at the plate. In 2008, a season he spent with both the Pirates and the Yankees, he hit .305 with 25 homers and 97 RBIs.

In looking to add depth to their outfield, the Cubs also had their eyes on former South Sider Jermaine Dye and last year’s fourth outfielder, Reed Johnson. Assuming Nady has recovered fully from his surgery, he should be e a fantastic addition to the team–and a much more intriguing long-term find than either Dye or Johnson.

The deal will be finalized only after Nady (and his elbow) pass a very important physical.
 

Things That Suck More Than Food Poisoning

Walking home from watching the football games Sunday night, I popped into Whole Foods for a late night snack. They were just about to close, so I quickly grabbed a container of sushi–normally a safe choice at WF.

Not so much.

Since about midnight Sunday night I’ve been suffering from a pretty spectacular case of food poisoning. I’ll spare you the details–suffice it to say I have rid my stomach of anything resembling a liquid or food–even most of the Gatorade I attempted to sip yesterday afternoon. My weakened state, limited brain capacity and bitterness over being sick has inspired this little gem of a post: Things That Suck More Than Food Poisoning.

Feel free to add your suggestions in the comments.

Mesa Council Approves New Cubs Facilities, Waits For Word From Team

A beer vendor at the Cubs’ current home for spring training, Hohokam Park.

Monday evening the Mesa City Council approved an $84 million proposal for new spring training facilities for the Chicago Cubs. The team is expected to respond with the final word on the proposal sometime in the next few days.

Writes Dave van Dyck on Chicago Breaking Sports:

If the Cubs board approves the proposal for a new 15,000-seat stadium
modeled after Wrigley Field, the two parties would enter into an
exclusive negotiations period.

Not only would the Cubs operate
the new complex, which would be built east of HoHoKam Park along the
202 Freeway, but they would try to find another team to take over the
old site.

Friday, the Mayor of Mesa, Scott Smith, spoke about the specifics of the proposal on the “Roc and Manuch” show on The Fan, AM 1060. Check out the interview at Fanster.com.

[HT to NSNG reader Greg Esposito for the interview.]

The Tip-Off

J-WOWW that’s a classy lady.

T.G.I.F. and all that crap. Here are some tips & links for this weekend.

Here Comes The Sun?: The struggling Chicago Bulls are hurtin’ for a win. They try to avoid their third straight loss when they take on the Phoenix Suns tonight.

Hawks Ready For A Run: Antti Niemi will get the call in net for the second straight game when the Hawks head to Vancouver Saturday night looking to snap the Canucks’ three game win streak.

So Long Coco: Tonight is Conan O’Brien’s final night hosting The Tonight Show. Grab some popcorn, a beer and your Jay Leno voodoo doll and enjoy a few more hours of hilariously awkward host v. network jokes.

Don’t You Know I’m Loco?: Saturday night at Rino hang with J-Woww, she of the massive fake boobs and skunk-like hair, one of the cast members from the insanely popular MTV show The Jersey Shore.