Five Man Rotation

Gotta give it to the sox. After much debate, scuttlebutt, and decision, the came up with a rotation that I think will serve them well. So, let’s break it down.

1. Josh Beckett – when he is on, he is one of the top pitchers in the game. No doubt. If they can get the contract settled, then I would expect good things.

2. John Lester – perfect number two to counteract Beckett. Great pitches and left hander. What a 1-2 punch

3. John Lackey – the third of the J’s hits this spot in the rotation. Talk about powerful pitching. This weekend, the Butch Stearn’s radio show callers were trying to figure out the top number 3 pitchers of all time in Red Sox history. If Lackey stays true to form, he is it....making the top three TOUGH to beat.

4. Tim Wakefield – he is a mainstay and been here forever. Deserves to keep this spot for now (and given his propensity to pitch only half a year nowadays, Daisuke will fill in later). Knuckleball is a good contrast to the first three pitchers.

5. Clay Buchholz – a possible ace in training, this is a great spot for him. Imagine what he can do against other team’s number 5 pitchers.

WOW!This is a great lineup.....now can’t wait to see what the batting order looks like.

State of the Pats, March

Well, looks like March didn't quite come in like a lion for the Pats, but they certainly weren't sheepish and their approach to free agents as well. Here is my quick hits on what they've done SO FAR in the free agent pool

Their own free agents - they signed the key ones and this is their biggest splash. Kevin Faulk, Vince Wilfork, Stephen Neal, Leigh Bodden, and Tully Banta Cain are all big ones for them. They were key pieces last year on a team that definitely needs an overhaul. You got your 2nd best leader and clutch player (Faulk), your defensive stud (Wilfork), you key guard (Neal), your best d-back (Bodden), and your best pass rusher (Banta-Cain) back. Those are huge. The ones that got away are not going to be immense losses, though I am still a Ben Watson and Jarvis Green fan. They will be missed.

As for their new additions

David Patten - Add Van to his last name and I would ask if this is an Eight is Enough Reunion. Honestly, why this guy back? He knows the schemes, and will be great in camp (to help the younger guys and Brady), but why???He was out of football last year. Wonder if he will be a coach-in-training.

Marques Murrel - This is an okay addition. Always good to have an ex-Jet and a linebacker (the Pats never have enough of those). Hasn't done much to raise eyebrows, but this is certainly not a bad move....just not a rah,rah one.

Alge Crumpler - Well, add another yawn to the list of new players coming in. Crumpler may be past his prime, but he is a solid run blocker, which will come in handy. This is a solid addition, but a lateral move with the loss of Ben Watson.


Not a lot to be excited about regarding new pickups. But, as Bill Belicheck said this week, they are far from being done with moves. Amen!

Drop Bottom Time

Sorry dudes...it has been a while since I wrote. Mea Culpa. But, in that time, our two winter teams have had a similar thing happen. They have become the proverbial Phoenix rising after hitting rock bottom.

Exhibit A - the Bruins. That game against the Pens was indeed the bottom. NESN reports that it had its highest ratings that night and they put up a stinker of epic proportions. Truly is rock bottom! However, seemed to be a wake up call. The team that was less inspirational than dead men walking suddenly has a pulse. Hopefully, the wake up call will be heard and continue.

Exhbit B - the Celtics. The team in green, after dropping that dreadful Nets game, has gone thru a metamorphisis. The team appears to be getting healthier, working stronger, and acting like a team. The so called blahs they had gone thru have been blown away with the wind. Along with that, the team is now playing defense again...and the additions of Nate Robinson and Mike Finley have pumped some more life into the bench.

Buckle up. The rest of the season might yet be interesting!!!

Fearless Bruins???

Wow, lots to say around the tube and dial the past few days. Seems like everyone is in agreement that the Bruins blew it the other day. And, I would have to agree.

What in the world is going on. Your lose your best player, then try to win the game, only to lose on the ice...and off. The Bruins lost more than just face with their poor performance on Sunday...they lost faith. They lost trust in each other. They lost the espirit de corps....and they lost the special components that make them a team.

Here's hoping that they can get it back. To sit back and take a punch is tough....and unnecessary. People are harkening back to last years Dallas game, or the Big Bad Bruins. Now is make or break time. This team may be going nowhere in the standings....but it has to send a message. The Big Bad Bruins need to be back.

Loose ends

Just a few random thoughts during the past few days:

I'm thinking the Bruins are doing the "better luck next year" routine. I think they are believing that this is a down year and next year, with the picks they will get and what should be the inevitable improvement of the team that has done so poorly this year, they should be better.

Got to agree with WEEI's Rob Bradford. The Sox are not going to be as flat offensively as people think.

Nate Robinson....may be short, be he is helping to serve a tall order on this team. Got a little bit of "Energizer" bunny in him.

Hey Felger....know you love the Bruins, but don't panic. Sure, this may not be their year, but there is promise for next year. I know you are often in it for the now, but the window actually looks brighter.

For all of those Pats draft naysayers who believe that Pats haven't had a good draft in years, two things. First, they have found other ways to use those picks ( see Randy Moss) to build the team. And, this is a can't miss draft.

Oh no...it is almost March Madness time.

Randy Moss to Dallas. Did I really hear that? Just say NOOOO!

Nice comeback win for the Celts tonight....they actually showed - gulp - glimpses of their November form.