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Paul M. Banks

NFL Mock Draft 10-27

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By Paul M. Banks and Peter Christian Team needs have been taken into account for this mock draft. And of course, this is all highly subject to change between now and late April. Team                             Player             Position    School 1. St. Louis Rams    Ndamukong Suh    DT    Nebraska Suh is an expert at winning his battle at the line of scrimmage … [Read more...] about NFL Mock Draft 10-27

Big Ten Power Rankings 10-20

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1. Iowa (7-0, 3-0) They are the best team in the Big Ten, and the most boring. They have plenty of talent all around, but quickly name three players on the squad…you can’t can you. There’s nothing flashy or exciting about any of their skill position players. And if you look at their team rankings in all the major categories, nothing jumps out at you. They’re in the middle … [Read more...] about Big Ten Power Rankings 10-20

Fire tie TFC, another disappointing 2-2 performance

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By Alex Simon It was an ugly performance by both teams’ backlines Saturday night.  However, a late inexcusable mistake by a Fire substitute let the visiting TFC (Toronto FC) side off the hook.  Thus, the Fire played to a 2-2 tie against Toronto. While Chicago’s playmaker Cuauhtémoc Blanco was sidelined with a strained hamstring, TFC’s star player, DeRo (Dwayne De … [Read more...] about Fire tie TFC, another disappointing 2-2 performance

Illini Tailback Situation Part 1- Jason Ford and Mikel LeShoure

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By Paul M. Banks Heading into this season the talk about the Illinois Fighting Illini program, certainly offensively at least, was about the passing game; and the stellar group of receivers that were allegedly one of the best position groups in the nation. There were lots of questions about the defense and the running game- the latter of which took a big step backward last … [Read more...] about Illini Tailback Situation Part 1- Jason Ford and Mikel LeShoure

Whitecaps, Wind, and Waves – Losing my Triathlon Virginity

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By Paul M. Banks The Sea was angry, my friend. That was my first thought getting into Lake Michigan to begin my portion of the Chicago Triathlon Relay. My second thought, as I entered the cold 63 degree water (still an upgrade from the ridiculously unseasonable 58 degree air temperature) “Why the hell did I sign on for this again?” And why did I not seriously train for this? … [Read more...] about Whitecaps, Wind, and Waves – Losing my Triathlon Virginity

Most Overlooked NFC North Storylines

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By the TSB Staff The NFC North will undoubtedly be a reality series this fall with the Brett Favre-Minnesota Vikings story likely to be "the lead" all year in most NFL content-producing mediums. #1 overall draft pick Matt Stafford helping rebuild the Detroit Lions, Jay Cutler bringing the Chicago Bears solid quarterback play for the first time since the Industrial Revolution … [Read more...] about Most Overlooked NFC North Storylines

Ranking the Big Ten Football Venues

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By Paul M. Banks Our friends over at Midwest Sports Fans.com have ranked the atmosphere at all 11 Big Ten football Stadiums. And Chicago's two teams, Illinois and Northwestern, did not place well. Actually, their showing was pitiful, 8th and 11th respectively. If you can use the term "respect" in regards to what the writer thought of the Wildcats and Illini home fields- at … [Read more...] about Ranking the Big Ten Football Venues

MLB Road Trip: Oakland Athletics, White Sox West

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By Paul M. Banks Thou shall not be a sports bigamist- that is one of the ten sports fan commandments. You got one team and you stick with them. But I often bend this rule. Sure, whenever my Chicago White Sox play anybody, the Sox are the good guys and the other team, they’re the bad guys. However, I’ve had moments when I’ve rooted for the Cubs (now is not currently one of … [Read more...] about MLB Road Trip: Oakland Athletics, White Sox West

Chicago Sox Exchange

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Soxman and Paul M. Banks Alas the dynamic duo of White Sox blogging returns.  With the NBA draft complete and the Chicago Blackhawks on ice for the summer, “Sports Ace,” Paul M. Banks returns to wrap up the Cross-town Classic, discuss the White Sox chances in the AL Central, and to dive into the latest MLB trade rumors involving the southsiders. (SM) Welcome back, Sports … [Read more...] about Chicago Sox Exchange