Congrats Yankees: So this is what a $75 million hug looks like?!

Mini One on One: New England Style!

Check out the Gretzky-like goal from 9 year old Oliver Wahlstrom of Portland, Maine.

R.I.P. Captain Lou Albano (1933-2009)

Are the Pats taking on too much?

Bill Belichick's organizational multi-tasking may be spreading his personnel too thin. This year the Patriots have Nick Caserio (a front office person) also coaching the DB's and now a unseasoned Quarterback's coach working with the Head coach on calling offensive plays! Why can't the Patriots hire a designated Offensive Coordinator or Defensive Backs coach?? I know they didn't believe in giving former Coordinators Charlie Weiss and Romeo Crennel pay raises but are the Patriots this cheap or is Belichick this much of a control freak?

Either way, it may be catch-up with him and the Patriot's are suffering because of it.

In Bill We Trust?

With Rodney Harrison and Teddy Bruschi retiring and no Josh McDaniel calling plays to help Tom Brady allude all the blitz packages and ease back from injury, the Patriots were already depleted from last year. On top of that Coach Bill Belichick traded Mike Vrabel, Richard Seymour, Russ Hochstein and Ellis Hobbs for draft picks.
The draft pick he got from KC for Vrabel and Matt Cassel was used to pick Pat Chung who didn't play one down on defense in the embarrassing loss to the New York Jets last week. Also, for a coach who doesn't believe in looking past the next week's opponent, Belichick trades an All-Pro in Seymour for a draft pick in 2011.
I'm not sure if the Patriots are secretly rebuilding but aside from Jerod Mayo, they haven't had a lot of luck in the draft latelty (solid 3rd and 4th rounders like O’Connell and Thomas were recently let go for nothing). This is made worse by the fact that Tom Brady, Randy Moss, and Wes Welker are in their prime right now and the Patriots are facing one of most competitive schedules this year. On top of that, for some reason Belichick decided not to hire a pure Offensive Coordinator or even sign an experienced back-up QB this year to help Brady.
So no pass-rush or leadership on Defense and no direction and support on Offense makes me think that with all these (non) moves, the old football coach has already let Brady, Moss, and the 2009 team down.

Heart of A Champ, Bench of A Loser: Celts Can't Repeat

CLOSED: For Repairs

Now that it's still early in the Sox season, the Bruins have just lost their best chance at a Stanley Cup in 20 years with a heart-breaking overtime loss, the Celtics' title chances are virtually hanging by an exhausted thread (or tendon for that matter), and the Patriots don't open up training camp for several weeks; I think it may be a good time to take another brief hiatus from the Ol' Boston Sports Blog ...just until the wounds have healed and/or David 'Big Papi' Ortiz hits his first couple home runs of the 2009 season.

The Agony of Defeat

Even though the 2008-09 Boston Bruins had the best record in the Eastern Conference, swept Montreal in the first round, and temporarily returned everyone to the glory days in the 'Hub of Hockey', the team still could not dig itself out of a second round deficit against a playoff-savvy team like the Carolina Hurricanes.

In reality, the Bruins probably never stood a chance after going down 3 games to 1 to a team that has always lost their first playoff game in each of the last 4 series it's won, has made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals in each of it's last two playoff appearances, and has a goalie in Cam Ward who has never lost a Game 7.

Yet, it was an especially bitter loss because it was in sudden-death overtime, at home, and the winning goal was deflected in by a series villain, Scott Walker, who had attacked Aaron Ward in Game 5 and had never scored a goal against the Bruins.

A Tuesday Trifecta for the Old Towne Teams!

Boston Bruins keep their composure and beat the Cane's 4-2 in Carolina to force a Game 7 in Boston!
Boston Celtics score 13 unanswered points to nip the Magic and now lead their playoff series 3 games to 2!
Boston Red Sox come from behind to beat the Angels 4-3 in Anaheim without Youkilis or Pedroia!

A Hurricane Punch Might Sucker Bruins in Game 6

The NHL ruled that Hurricane's Scott Walker will only be fined $2,500 and not suspended when he punched defenseless Bruin Aaron Ward with less than 3 minutes to go in a 4-0 Bruins' rout of Carolina in Game 5. On top of that, Jussi Jokinen wasn't even penalized after he nearly took Bruins' Captain Zdeno Chara out with a slash to the back of the left ankle near the end of the second period. It's bad enough that these cheap shots took place against two Bruins Defensemen (a position which is already depleated by injury), but for it to happen when the game was nearly out of hand and without consequence is shameful.

Now most in the 'Hub of Hockey' hope that the cheap shots and unfair rulings will only enrage and motivate the B's to a win in Game 6. However, if the Bruins focus all their effort on retaliation, then this could play right into the Hurricane's game plan. As we all know, when a team is over matched in the NHL they will often send a lesser player or 'instigator' to irritate a top player on the other team. If he doesn't spark his own team with his efforts, then he may just be able to get the more talented opposing player off the ice with a matching penalty.

As the better team, the Bruins need to be careful because should the B's Milan Lucic or Zdeno Chara seek revenge against the Cane's, then two of the Bruin's top players may be taken out of 'their game', or worse, the game. It will be hard enough for the Bruin's to climb out the series hole and win in Carolina, so let's hope the injustice done in Game 5 only motivates them to stick to their game plan in Game 6.

Down 3 Games to 2, Bruins Still Need Some Help

Did Mad Manny Mean Roid-Rage?

As we learn that Manny Ramirez is the first high-profile MLB player to test positive for performance enhancing drugs and could be suspended for as many as 50 games, one has to wonder if the normally mellow Manny was a victim of 'Roid-Rage' when he threw down 64 year old Red Sox Traveling Secretary Jack McCormick over tickets and got into a dugout fight with Kevin Youkilis over nothing last year?

How Sweep It Is! Sox Take Yanks Again!

The Boston Blue Sox?

After many complaints, the Red Sox finally switched from blue to red socks (to go along with the recently re-added red t-shirts) under their new gray road uniforms. In a recent statement, Red Sox Chief Operating Officer Mike Dee said that initially the blue socks were not a prime consideration in the new uniform design, especially because most of the time the socks aren't visible.

Really?!? Considering the team has been known as either the 'Red Stockings' or 'Red Sox' for over 100 years, you would have to explain to me how a designer or marketing person was able to overlook including red socks in the new road uniforms. It's bad enough that the new gray uniforms look more like the LA Dodgers or remind one of the old gray uniforms the Sox wore during the heartbreaking '86 World Series, but to have the prominent color be blue and not red is ridiculous! Especially when fans never asked for the road uniforms to change and the prior road uniforms already had more red added (as ordered by Owner John Henry in 2003) and are now associated with our World Series victories in 2004 and 2007.

The Celtics Are Looking Tired...

So Brian 'Semi-Pro' Scalabrine And Celts' Defense Must Step it Up Against the Bulls this Series!

Patriots Could Be Dancing With the Stars

As predicted, the Patriots got help in the 2009 NFL Draft for their Defensive Backfield (picking-up 2 players including Darius Banks from UConn); the Offensive Line (3 players with upside), as well as, selecting a young Wide Receiver to develop. However, the Pats did not pick-up a pass-rusher which could be telling for a team that finished 26 out of 32 in the league and also traded OLB Mike Vrabel in the off-season.

This could mean that pass-rushing veteran Defensive End Jason Taylor may be leaning towards signing soon with the Patriots -Or- perhaps a trade with Carolina for Defensive End Julius Peppers could still be in play. Aside from compensation, the only concern for All-Pro Peppers becoming a Patriot is that his salary would upset the pay scale of veterans like Defensive Tackle Vince Wilfork which may be one of the reasons why the Pats selected DT Ron Brace of Boston College in the second round of the NFL Draft.

Sox Sweep Yankees & April Homestand!

Red Sox Rookies: Who Had the Best 2 years?

FRED LYNN:

1975 - .331 Avg. 21 HR 105 RBI 47 Doubles

• AL Rookie of the Year Award
• AL MVP Award
• Golden Glove Award
• All Star team

1976 - .314 10 HR 65 RBI 32 Doubles

• All Star team

NOMAR GARCIAPARRA:

1997 - .306 30 HR 98 RBI 44 Doubles

• AL Rookie of the Year Award
• Silver Slugger Award
• All Star team

1998 - .323 Avg. 35 HR 122 RBI 37 Doubles

• AL MVP Runner-up

DUSTIN PEDROIA:

2007 - .317 Avg. 8 HR 50 RBI 39 Doubles

• AL Rookie of the Year Award

2008 - .326 Avg. 17 HR 83 RBI 54 Doubles

• AL MVP Award
• Silver Slugger Award
• Gold Glove Award
• All Star team

The 2009 NFL Draft

The New England Patriots have 11 selections in the NFL Draft this weekend including 6 in the first three rounds. As in past years, Coach Bill Belichick and the Pats won't use all 11 picks and will probably either trade away a few for next year or package some to move up the draft board and aquire a player that may be dropping.

That said, after listening to all the pundits and so-called experts, here is my take on what areas the Patriots will try to target in order of priority.

1. DEFENSIVE LINE: Even though the Patriots still need Linebacker help, the feeling is that they don't view any of the famed Linebacking corps coming out of USC (Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews, and Rey Maualuga) as can't miss prospects within their system as they did with Jerod Mayo last year. Plus Richard Seymour's contract will need to be renegotiated soon, so look for the Pats to select Robert Ayers with the 23rd pick in the first round. Ayers is a Defensive End from Tennesse (like J. Mayo) who could possibly be converted to a pass rushing linebacker like former Patriot Willie McGinest.
   
2. DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD: Just like pitching in baseball, you can never have enough Defensive Backfield depth in football. Plus Ellis Hobbs and newcomer Leigh Bodden are in their final year of their contracts, so look for the Patriots to take a stab at local product CornerBack Darius Butler from UConn with the 34th pick.


3. OFFENSIVE LINE: Whether it be the SuperBowl loss to the NY Giants 2 years ago or the first game against the KC Chiefs last year, Tom Brady returns to a line of blockers that couldn't effectively protect him the last 2 games he's played in. Also, 11 out of 14 players of this group are entering the final year of their contract. Plus, this draft year is deep in Offensive Line talent, so I could see the Patriots picking-up one or two Offensive Linemen between the second to fourth rounds.


4. RUNNING BACK/WIDE RECEIVER: With Kevin Faulk getting older, Laurence Maroney still not producing, and Fred Taylor more of a short term solution, I could see the Patriots possibly picking-up another unheralded Running Back in the middle-to-late rounds like UConn's Donald Brown. Also, the signing of Joey Galloway is another short term answer at Wide Receiver, so the Pats also may select a Wideout with upside in the middle-to-late rounds.


5. QUARTERBACK: I think the Patriots are more interested in using West Virgina Quarterback Pat White as a 'red herring' in this weekend's draft than a 'wildcat' in the upcoming season, but that doesn't mean the Pats won't try to develop another Matt Cassel with a late round pick.

Beware of the Dancing Bear!

...And this is what will happen if you date a Montreal Canadiens' fan!

Au Revoir Les Habitants

Yes! The Bruins beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 and swept their arch-rival 4 games to 0 in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal. The victory marked the Bruins' first NHL play-off series win since 1999 and it was the first time the B's have beaten the Canadiens in a series since 1994. Plus, it was their first series sweep since 1992 in which they beat the Candiens too.

This win was sweetest for Bruins' Coach Claude Julien and Winger Michael Ryder who were both sent packing by Montreal and now have a new home in Boston. Also, this series victory could be considered a mini-payback for recent losses to Montreal in 2008, 2004, and 2002. Sorry Montreal fans, but karma can be a bitch and this should teach you not to 'boo' another country's National Anthem!

Our Great White Hope?

Now we're really screwed! First Kevin Garnett is declared out for the NBA play-offs and now we learn that Leon Powe tore the ACL on his 'good knee' and will need surgery.

That leaves the Celtics short on big men and fans hoping that Brian Scalabrine makes an impact when he returns from multiple concussion syndrome in Game 3 at Chicago.

A Perfect Patriots' Day for Beantown

Boston Marathon: Good weather for the 113th running and American runners finish 3rd in both the Men's and Women's division!

Boston Red Sox: Win 12-1 and sweep the Orioles to climb back over .500 for the first time this year since Opening day!

Boston Bruins: Beat the Candiens 4-2 in Montreal to go up 3 games to none in the quarterfinals of the Eastern conference play-offs!

Boston Celtics: Beat the Chicago Bulls 118-115 despite injuries and a 5 point deficit late in the game after Ray Allen makes consecutive 3-point shots!

'Batting Stance Guy' Meets the Red Sox

...Plus more past and present Red Sox Batting Stances!

No Foolin', KG and Ainge Out for the Playoffs

April is now the cruelest month for Celtics' fans. Not only is All-Star Kevin Garnett out for the Celtics' 2009 play-off run but word is that Celtics' General Manager Danny Ainge suffered a heart attack as well.

I'm really not sure which is more surreal. On one hand, Celtics' GM Danny Ainge is only 50 years old and a former 3-sport athlete who is still in great shape for his age. On top of that, he is a Mormon who doesn't smoke or drink alchohol, yet after falling ill the other night, they found out that his artery was 100% clogged!

On the other hand, we were told all along that Kevin Garnett was going to be fine. His injury was mild and he could have come back sooner but that the Celtics were just giving him more time to be safe. They said he was going to be back for the last week of the season but since the playoff seed was solidified they thought starting up again in the playoffs would be the best just to get a couple extra days of treatment. Now Coach Doc Rivers tells everyone that he saw KG in practice on Thursday and there is no way he can go in the playoffs and probably will need surgery after the season!

Much like last year's injury to Andrew Bynum, Laker players and their fans were told repeatedly that Bynum would be ready for the play-offs until it was finally declared that he was done for the rest of the season. Now Celtic fans are left with a lot of questions. With the best medical expertise at their disposal, how is it that Doc Rivers and Danny Ainge didn't know how serious KG's injury was and who really gained from this non-disclosure? Their players? The opponent? Certainly not the fans who have all year for another successful playoff run and now must pray for a Willis Reed-like apearance late in the play-offs by Kevin Garnett.

As Rick Pitino once said, "Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish aren't going to be walking through that door"...And now neither will Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett, so it appears that the Celtics and their fans will need a lot more than the the luck of the Irish to repeat as World Champions this year.

Does Bob Watson Hate the Red Sox?

Terry Francona and Theo Epstein were shocked at the recent 6 game suspension levied by MLB Disciplinarian Bob Watson. Especially since Watson basically overruled the umpires' decision on the field. Umpire Joe West neither ejected or warned Beckett after his errant pitch came in high and tight on the Angels' Bobby Abreau. In fact, West stated that he actually thought Beckett "handled himself well" during the altercation.

That said, behind closed doors I'm sure the Red Sox brass aren't all that surprised at Watson's decision. After all, this isn't the first time Bob Watson has used his power unfairly against the Sox organization.

Bob Watson's Timeline of Tyranny:

• June 1979: After a mid-season trade with Houston, Bob Watson plays 84 games with the Red Sox before signing with the New York Yankees in the off-season and claiming that Boston was not accepting of black players
• October 1995: Watson is named General Manager of the New York Yankees
• February 2002: Major League Baseball names him Vice President in Charge of Rules and Discipline
• May 2002: Watson penalizes both the Sox Trot Nixon and Frank Castillo of the Rays for fighting yet only consults with Rays' Manager Hal McRae (not the Red Sox) before handing down the fines and suspensions
• July 2002: Tampa Bay Ray's Pitcher Estaban Yan hits Sox Manny Ramirez with a pitch yet Yan is neither fined or suspended by Watson even though both benches were already warned earlier in the same game.
• October 2003: During game 3 of the ALCS, Sox Pedro Martinez hits Karim Garcia with a pitch inciting one of the game's most famous brawls. Then Yankees' Pitcher Roger Clemens threw one up and in on Manny Ramirez, the benches cleared and New York Coach Don Zimmer charger at Martinez angrily. Watson fines Pedro Martinez $50,000 for the incident, and Ramirez $25,000 but Don Zimmer receives only a $5,000 penalty.
• October 2003: Also, neither Yankee Outfielder Karim Garcia nor Yankee Pitcher Jeff Nelson are fined by Watson for what Boston Police called an "unprovoked attack" on a Red Sox employee in the Yankees' bullpen near the end of that same game. Both were later charged with assault, but the MLB Disciplinarian saw no reason to fine or suspend the players.
• July 2004: Yankees' Pitcher Tanyon Sturtze sucker punches Red Sox Outfielder Gabe Kapler. Kapler responds with clearly less force than Sturtze, but Watson gives them equal fines and suspendions even though Sturtze had started the altercation with Kapler. On top of that, Trot Nixon, who rushed to the aid of Kapler and pulled Sturtze off of him, is also suspended for 3 games and fined. Then, only after appeals to the ridiculous sentences did Watson relent on Nixon and Kapler's suspensions.
• April 2005: Red Sox Manager Terry Francona is suspended 3 games for his role in a beanball incident with the Tampa Bay rays, yet a month later Yankee's Manager Joe Torre receives only a one game ban after a similar incident between New York and Detroit
• August 2007: Watson sends one of his underlings into the Boston dugout during a game to make sure that Red Sox Manager Terry Francona is wearing his uniform correctly. Fancona is shocked because he is wearing the proper attire but he is also being distracted from during a very important game. Watson later passes the 'Francona Rule', banning managers from wearing pullovers instead of their team jersey.
• April 2008: Finally, in light of the recent 6 game suspension of Josh Beckett, it is interesting to note that Watson only suspended Yankee Pitchers Joba Chamberlain and Kyle Farnsworth 2 and 3 games respectively for throwing at Red Sox player's (Youkilis & Ramirez) heads!
  

Manny? Happy? Returns?

Sure you can warn Dodger fans about the frustration of life with Manny Ramirez and what the saying "Manny being Manny" really refers to, but until they experience it for themselves, they just think you're crazy. They'll say that the guy is just fun-loving and a monster at the plate, so what's not to love? Well, now Dodgertown is getting a taste of what life is really like rooting for the mercurial hitting savant.

Without any other suitors this off season, the Dodgers were still generous enough to give Manny a 2 year/$45 million contract including a player option in the second year! But now less than 2 months later, the ever-grateful Ramirez has come out and said that he really wants to finish his career where it all began, in Cleveland. All this while the Dodger's unveil their new campaign where Manny claims that Los Angeles is the place where he belongs and his town now.

Welcome to 'Planet Manny' Angelinos! He's your problem child now!

Bird was the Word in the Summer of '76

Northbourogh, MA native and 1976 AL Rookie of Year Award Winner Mark 'The Bird' Fidrych found dead at age 54. Born in Worcester, MA, the two-time All Star became an instant folk hero for his pitching prowess and his quirky behavior on the mound but like his career, his life ended much too early.

Notes from the Coast:

There were a lot of 'uglies' this past week, but leading the way was the Red Sox anemic offensive performance against their postseason rivals Tampa and Anaheim. The Sox have lost the first two series of the season mainly because they are hitting only .240 as a team with the main culprits being Jacoby Ellsbury (5 for 24), David Ortiz (4-20), Mike Lowell (4 for 23), J.D. Drew (2 for 16), and Jed Lowrie (1 for 18). Even Josh Beckett's bravado and a mini-brawl with the Angels couldn't fire up the Sox' bats in Anaheim.

Yikes! - The Cleveland Cavaliers spanked the Celtics by 31 points on National TV and the Cav players had to turn to dancing during timeouts to keep themselves interested in the blowout. Fortunately, the Orlando Magic lost 2 games which assured the Celtics would have the second best record going into the postseason. However, now with only 2 games left in the season, the Celtics must somehow integrate their injured players and secure a play-off rotation or a lack of chemistry and cohesiveness could be their downfall in the quest for Banner #18.

Yikes! - The affable Argentine, Angel Cabrera, wins the Masters only after Kenny Perry and Tiger Woods both bogey the last two holes and Phil Mickelson once again self-destructs on the back 9 with poor shot choices, missed putts, and a shirt that looked to be two sizes too small.

Yikes! - The Miami of Ohio Hockey team had a 3-1 lead with less than a minute to go in the NCAA Championship game only to lose 4-3 in overtime. The good news is that Coach Jackie Parker and the Boston University Terriers won their 5th NCAA Hockey Title with a comeback for the ages!

Yikes! - The Boston Bruins fell just short of the getting the best record in the NHL but even more troublesome is that they will open the play-offs against their nemesis, the Montreal Canadiens. Granted the Bruins are the #1 seed and the Canadiens are #8, but anything can happen with these rivals. In post season play, the Canadiens have won 24 of 31 playoff rounds (including 18 in a row from 1946-1987), and 13 times in club history, the Canadiens have gone on to win the Stanley Cup after meeting the Bruins in the playoffs. Need I remind you what happened in 1971, 1979, or 2004?

# 9 On the New Year's Wish List Fulfilled!

The Boston Bruins will host the next NHL Winter Classic outdoors at Fenway Park on January 1st, 2010.

Why I Dislike the Rays More than the Yankees

1. For some reason the Rays always play with a chip on their shoulder against the Red Sox even though the Yankees should be their main rival since Tampa is where the Yanks' Spring training home is located
2. They beat the Sox in the ALCS only to lose the World Series to a Phillies team with only 92 wins
3. They have stockpiled young talent because they have always drafted so high and are now able to attract complementary veterans like Pat Burrell and Gabe Kapler because Tampa is not the worst place to live
4. They have Carol Pena who was raised in Boston but couldn't hit with the Sox, and and now he may be the next David Ortiz with the Rays
5. At $43 mill, their payroll is the second lowest in MLB
6. With Joe Maddon as their manager, they play 'small ball' better than the Angels and are a tough match-up for the Sox
7. They don't even have a passionate fan base and average less than 10,000 fans a game
8. Before this offseason, their highest paid player only made $6 million per year!
9. Their window before having to pay and/or possibly lose their young talent unfortunately coincides with Sox' own window with David Ortiz, J.D. Drew, Mike Lowell, and Jason Varitek.
10. They just don't seem to know any better and fearlessly keep winning

Let The Games Begin -- Sox Open 2009 with 5-3 win over Rays!

A Shotgun Wedding

Gun shots were fired at Tom Brady and Giselle Bunchen's wedding in Costa Rica.

Two Weeks Until Opening Day!

The Schill Is Gone

Curt Schilling hangs up his spikes after 20 years.

UCLA's Secret Weapon for March Madness

Lots Of Medical Questions

Combine all the recent low-risk high-reward signings with the key injured players from last year and the 2009 Boston Red Sox may be better served setting up a M.A.S.H. Unit when Spring Training begins next month in Fort Meyers, FL. Needless to say, the Red Sox Team Doctors have their work cut out for them this year. Arguably Josh Beckett, Brad Penny, Mike Lowell, David Ortiz, Jason Varitek, Takashi Saito, and John Smoltz all had better years in 2007. However, if the Medical staff can help return these guys even to their 2006 form, the Sox could be vying for another World Series title in 2009...but that is a big "IF".

Brad Penny (Shoulder)
2008: W-L 6-9 ERA 6.28 - 2006: W-L 16-9 ERA 4.33

John Smoltz (Shoulder)
2008: W-L 3-2 ERA 2.57 - 2006: W-L 16-9 ERA 3.49

Josh Beckett (Oblique)
2008: W-L 12-10 4.03 ERA - 2006: W-L 16-11 5.01 ERA

Takashi Saito (Elbow)
2008: 18 Saves 2.49 ERA - 2006: 24 Saves 2.07 ERA

Mike Lowell (Hip)
2008: 17 HR 73 RBI .274 Avg. - 2006: 20 HR 80 RBI .284 Avg.

Rocco Baldelli (Mitochondrial Disorder)
2008: 4 HR 13 RBI .263 Avg. - 2006: 16 HR 57 RBI .302 Avg.

David Ortiz (Wrist)
2008: 23 HR 89 RBI .264 Avg. - 2006: 54 HR 137 RBI .287 Avg.

Julio Lugo (Quadricep)
2008: 1 HR 22 RBI .268 Avg. - 2006: 12 HR 39 RBI .268 Avg.

Jason Varitek (Head)
2008: 13 HR 43 RBI .220 Avg. - 2006: 12 HR 55 RBI .238 Avg.

So You Think You Had A Bad Week?!?

It wasn't all bad as Tyrese Rice and the Boston College Basketball team did manage to upset the undefeated and #1 ranked North Carolina Tar Heels and in Chapel Hill no less. However, for the other Hub Sports teams, the rest of the week was as gloomy as the January weather in Boston.

BOSTON CELTICS:

After beginning the season 27-2, the Celts lose their next 6 out of 8 games. Even though the Garnett, Pierce, and Allen played well early on and Rajon Rondo improved greatly from last year, it's apparent that they miss James Posey. Last year it was Posey, as much as Garnett, who set the tone for the Celtics. He was the leader of a bench unit that would routinely beat the first unit in practice and often pull out games when the starters weren't on their games. As this year progresses, teams are learning how to defend Rondo, taking advantage of the weak Celts' bench, and subsequently wearing down the 'Big 3'.

BOSTON COLLEGE FOOTBALL:

Not only does Boston College lose their first Bowl game after winning 8 in a row, but they lose to a (6-6) Vanderbilt football team which hadn't won a Bowl game in 53 years. To add insult to injury, second year BC Head Coach Jeff Jagodzinski is then caught soliciting NFL teams for interview requests after promising his boss (and friend), Athletic Director Gene DeFilippo, that he would stay at BC for the length of his contract. Coach Jags then interviews with the New York Jets even though he has little or no chance of landing the job and is subsequently fired by the DeFilippo. To make matters worse, this is all happening at the height of recruiting season.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS:

It wasn't enough that the Pats didn't make the playoffs when the Jets failed to beat Miami, but then the Jets fire Bill Belichick's former protege and now nemesis, Eric Mangini, only to see the Cleveland Browns hire him within the week. To make matters worse; the Pats could lose Scott Pioli and Josh McDaniels as both are still interviewing with other teams, former Pat Asante Samuel makes another pick-6 in the playoffs for the Eagles, and early reports say Matt Cassel will be offered the franchise tag which means that Tom Brady is having setbacks with his knee.

BOSTON RED SOX:

Mark Teixiera is officialy announced as a member of the arch rival New York Yankees and Bostonians finally learn the bitter truth that contrary to all the reports, the Red Sox were never his or his wife's first choice. After losing out on Teixiera, the Sox front office seems shell-shocked and with less than 5 weeks until Spring Training they are still struggling to find a starting Catcher, a fourth Outfielder, and support for David Ortiz in the line-up. Plus, their new division rival, Tampa Bay, manages to solidify their already potent line-up by signing free agent slugger Pat Burrell for pennies on the dollar.

BOSTON BRUINS:

After beginning the year with a remarkable 29-5 record and a recent 10 game winning streak, the team loses 2 straight games as the injuries and fatigue begin to mount. Milan Lucic and Aaron Ward can't shake their nagging injuries, Marco Sturm is scheduled for knee surgery, and Patrice Bergeron may be out the rest of the year with another concussion.

Transfer of Utilities?

My West coast moles tell me that the Red Sox have contacted free agent infielder and former Arizona State standout Willie Bloomquist. According to the Boston Herald's Sean McAdam, the Sox aren't planning on bringing back Alex Cora which leaves the the loser of the starting shortstop position battle between Jed Lowrie and Julio Lugo to be the utility infielder going into the season. However, if the Sox are still pursuing another middle infielder like Bloomquist, then Lugo or Lowrie may be part of a bigger trade that's brewing for either a hitting shortstop like Michael Young and Hanley Ramirez -or- a young catcher like Miguel Montero and Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Sox Spending little with Penny & Green

So the Yankees sign Mark Teixeira, A.J. Burnett, and C.C. Sabathia for $423 million. The frugal Tampa Bay Rays spend over $16 million to solidify their potent line-up with Pat Burrell and the Red Sox pick-up an injured Brad Penny and Utility Infielder Nick Green for less than $6 million!

Woohoo! Who's next Theo...Willie Bloomquist ?!?

New Year Wishes For Boston Sports!

10.) Eric Mangini not getting another head coaching job in the NFL

9.) The Boston Bruins playing the Montreal Canadiens in the next NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park

8.) Celtics’ GM Danny Ainge picking-up a valuable bench player before the playoffs begin

7.) The Boston Red Sox securing another big bat to support David Ortiz in the line-up

6.) The New York Yankees not making the playoffs with Mark Teixeira

5.) Mike Lowell, David Ortiz, and Josh Beckett all returning to their 2007 form

4.) The Boston Red Sox winning another World Series

3.) The Boston Celtics winning back-to-back NBA Championships

2.) The Boston Bruins winning their first Stanley Cup in over 35 years

1.) Tom Brady returning 100% healthy for the 2009 NFL season