I said it two weeks ago.. I'll say it again.. Lou made a huge mistake playing the Iowa Cubs for the final week. Yes, our players needed some rest, but not that much rest. You see it every year. The team with momentum continues in the playoffs. Its obvious we had ZERO momentum. The Dodgers were hot. How could we be hot when we were rolling with the Iowa Cubs.

It would have been big if Lou would have pushed his team right up until playoffs and knocked a team like the Brewers out of the playoffs. What a perfect opportunity to keep momentum.

Lou blew it on that one.. BUT, either way, the players had to step up and play. They didn't and in my opinion, they owe the city of Chicago an apology. This was worse than 2007. I'm literally sick to my stomach.

They played like they had the weight of 100 years on their shoulder.

I really believe its not the curse, but the weight of 100 years on the organization, fans and city. That weight shifts to the players when it comes to big game moments.. Yes, they are professionals, but when you lose your backing, you lose quite a bit....

Its a tough road ahead. Whoever is there when the Cubs win the WS will have to overcome the weight and expectations. So far, our current team is nowhere near that.

Here's the way I see it. The players choked. Lou definitely did not help any (any other manager and he'd be run out of town after this mess). But the players just did not step up. Cut and dry. D. Lee got a lot of hits, but none when it counted. Aramis and Soriano continued their horrific post season hitting. Why they can't hit in October is beyond me. Aramis was so good for us in '03 and Soriano has had a ton of post season experience. He should be our best hitter in the playoffs..not our worst. Sure Dempster had probably his worst outing of the season. But to score 6 runs in the series is a joke. The offense has to do better than that!!!

I have a hard time saying that you have to come back with this exact same team but we don't have a lot of options. With all of the huge contracts and no-trade clauses, Hendry has his work cut out for him to put together a true winner.

I think that it will take a special group of players to overcome the negativity and constant weight of such things as: the curse, 1969, 100 years, black cats, goats, bartman, Durham, etc. I just don't think this team is that special group it will take to get it done.

They played like the weight of hundred years was on their backs - because it was. In game 1, the look on Dempster's face pretty much said it all after he got pulled and sat down on the bench. In game 2, it was pretty apparent that nobody wanted the ball hit to them after Theriot misplayed the grounder on that hit and run play (the start of the meltdown). In game 3 they all sat on the bench and showed no life at any point in the game. It was over way before that.

I don't know what Hendry needs to do now and I doubt he has a plan just yet either. Hopefully the ownership change won't interfere with possible deals, signings, etc.

I think youre right. 100 years is a hard thing to not think about. Chicago should just forget about all of the years the Cubs have gone win less and just hope it gets lost in the paperwork.