Notes from the Coast:

Don't worry Myra Kraft, contrary to rumors Pacman Jones will never be a Patriot. By randomly mentioning teams like the Patriots and the Detroit Lions, Jones' agent is trying to entice the Dallas Cowboys, who do have some interest and a bunch of draft picks, to trade for him. The Lions have already denounced the rumor and the Patriots have stated that they aren't interested in the talented but troubled Cornerback who has yet to be reinstated by the NFL, so I think this plan will backfire.

• The Celtics came off a great road trip going 4-1 and 3-0 against the 'Texas Trio' but looked sloppy in back to back losses against the Hornets and Sixers. Some have blamed the losses on fatigue from all the traveling, but as Allen Iverson say's "we're talkin' 'bout practice". To give his players some added rest, Doc Rivers hasn't had the starters involved in any practices the last few weeks which may have resulted in a multitude of turnovers, sloppy play, and the back to back losses.
• UMass came from behind again to beat Syracuse 81-77 in the Carrier Dome. UMass is the only team legendary Syracuse Coach Jim Boeheim has played more than once without scoring a single victory. Now Coach Travis Ford and the Minuteman advance to the NIT Final Four at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
• In an effort to convince the Red Sox to open the season in Japan, supposedly MLB made the Sox schedule easier. Not so sure about that. The Sox off-days consist of long flights as they go from Japan to Los Angeles, then Oakland, and then Toronto. When they finally do return to Boston on April 8th they have six games in six days against the two top teams in the American League, Detroit and New York. Then they hit the road again!
• The Boston Bruins dropped back to back games to the Montreal Canadiens last week. Now with 6 games left the Washington Capitals are only 2 points behind the Bruins for the final play-off spot in the East.
• Along with many, I'll be attending this Saturday's Red Sox vs. Dodger exhibition game at the Los Angeles Coliseum. The stadium holds over 100,000 fans, so this could be the largest crowd ever to view a baseball game.