Bleacher Report - Articles by Ryan Amin

Keep Fighting, Save Hockey

Ryan Amin — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:50:01 -0400

After this year’s NHL season is over, the general managers will get to together to possibly eliminate fighting in the game.

The sport has finally recovered its fan base with new, young players, along with some players who are having historical years.

But if fighting is banished, the fans and the players are not going to be happy.

Hockey is obviously a tough sport. You got to be able to take a hit and dish one out. It is reasonable that coaches and managers do not want to see their star scorer getting pummeled in front of the crowd and getting injured, but that is why you have enforcers.

If the players knew that fighting was not allowed, the only way they could retaliate would be to play dirty. Even worse, those jerks that play cheap will not get what is coming to them. Let the enforcers protect your team because they love it, their teammates love it and so do the fans.

That is another thing. Does no one care about the loyal fan anymore? You would think in an economy like this, the NHL would want to sell as many tickets as possible. If you have watched a hockey game before, you have noticed the entire arena gets on their feet for a goal and a fight. The fights are what initially attracts most fans and keeps them watching.

If fighting dies, so does the NHL. I do not think the majority of the owners will allow that, but if they did, it would be a true shame.

Chicago Cubs: Can You Feel It?

Ryan Amin — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:07:44 -0500

Get ready Cubs fans. We are less than three months from Spring Training and four months from Opening day. There is a lot to look forward to and good reason to hold on to hope.

After last season ended in heartbreak with what seemed like the shortest three-game sweep in the history of the playoffs, the Cubs have acquired Kosuke Fukudome, resigned Kerry Wood, and are trying to acquire 2B Brian Roberts.

The Cubs are hoping they have stabilized the outfield after using a combination of Murton, Soriano, Jones, Floyd, Pagan, Pie, Derosa, Fuld, and Patterson as a result of signing Fukudome. The new key player brings speed, a great bat, and comes from a championship team (World Baseball Classic).

Chicago did not resign their veteran catcher Jason Kendall, which means Geovanny Soto will get the starting spot. Soto impressed many last year with his power stroke and cannon arm, so it's not surprising the Cubs would give him the starting nod.

The disappointing start last year was blamed mostly on the youth of the rookies and the newcomers. All of that should be put to rest, barring Fukudome as the team definitely got their act together midseason. The only question marks are the rotation because of the addition of Dempster, and the closer spot.

It should be a great season; emphasis on the word should because all Cubs fans know there is no such thing as a "sure thing" in baseball. One thing is for sure: They'll be fun to watch.

Chicago Bears: Is Devin Hester's Talent Wasted in the Windy City?

Ryan Amin — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 10:33:40 -0500

Was that a bolt of lightning ? No, that was Devin Hester, who this year has broken his previous record for combined punt and kick return touchdowns with 7. Yes, he broke the record even though teams have tried squibbing it, kicking it away from him, and eventually kicking it out of bounds all together.

Hester was used a wide receiver this year and had two touchdowns. He's dangerous as a receiver and just plain lethal as a return man.

Hester was probably the Bears MVP this year. He changes the entire game. Either with touchdowns or great field position. But not even his talent could help the Bears get into the end zone. Teams would kick it out and give it to the Bears on the 40, and 4 times out of five Chicago will move the ball less than 30 yards and punt. If Hester were to go to a team like Indianapolis or New England (or any team with a respectable offense), that team is gonna set some kind of offensive record and get a trip to playoffs.

If Jerry Angelo needs a game plan, here it is...

Draft offense.

Hey, Chicago Bulls? The Clock Is Ticking

Ryan Amin — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 08:10:51 -0500

The Chicago Bulls are 13-20.

These last 11 games before the All-star Break could have a major effect on the rest of the season.

After a terrible start and the questionable firing of Scott Skiles, the Bulls have gone 4-3 under Pete Boylan.

All of the games have been close including two overtime losses to the Magic and Trailblazers.

But it still isn't enough.

They haven't convinced me that they have really played better. The best team the've beaten under Boylan were the Kings—who didn't even have Bibby in the lineup.

You can sense that the fans at the United Center are getting restless. This year's team was supposed to be one of the top teams in the East.

After years of high hopes and all those players Paxson has drafted from winning programs, it's all on the verge of collapsing in Chicago.