Anyway, I’m feeling cautiously optimistic about this game that has already happened (is there a term for this? Post-causal optimism?). I haven’t breathlessly followed every minute’s Gronkowski update, nor do I know the name of Tom Brady’s childhood goldfish, but I’d like to consider myself an informed supporter. And I think the Pats, with or without Gronk, match up favorably with the fighting Coughlins.

The biggest reason (and I don’t think enough writers have covered this) is the revenge factor. The 2007 Super Bowl was the most painful moment in my life as a Boston sports fan. (So painful, in fact, that I slugged a hole in my wall after Plaxico Burress burned Ellis Cobbs on the final play.) The loss left a putrid taste in my mouth and I can only imagine how it tasted to Belichick and Brady, neither of whom has been known to take a loss lightly. This year's rematch features quite a few holdovers from the 2007 game, from both teams. While the Pats have never been a team to publically engage in smack talk, I would wager a goodly sum that there was a surplus of motivational profanities being hurled in the locker-room, pre-game speech. You can never discount the effect and power of the more-motivated squad, especially on the grandest stage.

Continue reading "Previewing Or Reviewing the Super Bowl"

The Celtics thought they had Baby's replacement in David West (Paul’s former right-hand man) but the Pacers swooped in and snagged him for a cool $20 mil. Consequently, the Hornets are trying to fill out a roster with Quincy Pondexter and a collection of ball boys. Vinsanity joined Odom in Dallas, which lost Caron Butler to the Clippers, which matched Golden State’s absurd, $43 million qualifying offer to DeAndre Jordan (he with the career 5.9 ppg). T-Mac, Rip Hamilton, Chris Wilcox, Mike Bibby and Dunleavy are on the move as well, though these names seem like afterthoughts compared to the seismic activity higher up.

Continue reading "NBA Anarchy"

Count me among the concerned. With 10 interceptions already, Tom Terrific has already thrown six more than he threw all of last year and is on pace to obliterate his previous high of 14. His quarterback rating is an impressive 102.5 and many picks have come off tipped balls, but Brady simply does not seem in control of every facet of the game, as he has in years past. Easy throws, particularly screens and curls, are often strangely underthrown or off-target. His pocket presence seems untenable and things frequently just seem off, for a lack of a better word. Its as if he were nursing an injury that no one knows about.

Continue reading "Brady Off So Far"

Despite not  having played superbly of late, the Celtics stand at 31-16 and hold a five-and-a-half game lead in their division over Toronto.  

The Patriots finished the season at 10-6 (and a perfect 8-0 at home) and lost in the conference semi-finals to Baltimore.

The line between the Red Sox and Yankees is becoming more blurred each year (I know, I know, blasphemous!). But the Sox pay more and more to rob smaller market teams of their best players. Last year they finished 95-67 and, again, made the playoffs.

The Bruins are apparently stinking up then Garden this year but last year made a nice push into the playoffs.

Continue reading "A Message to Boston Sports Fans"

Anyway, lets talk sports. Or perhaps, I will talk sports with myself. Either way, it should be a good time.

During the past week, the Sox allowed Alex Gonzalez to stroll north of the boarder via free agency and then nabbed the man A-Gon will be replacing in Toronto, Marco Scutaro. As far as shortstop swaps go, this move has been widely praised as a coupe. Not only is Scutaro, seemingly, a superior offensive player but he also comes with a pristine reputation as a team-first, winning player. (On another note, I find it equally amusing and sickening that the Sox will pay more money to Julio Lugo to NOT play for them next season than they will pay Scutaro).

Continue reading "Checking In And Talking Sox Shortstop Situation"

Critics say Rondo lacks a consistent jump shot but I disagree. He’s basically money with that 15-20 foot baseline jumper. He’s not a three-point shooter but the C’s already have Ray, Pierce and Rasheed chucking the long ball on a regular basis. Furthermore, with Rondo’s speed, jump shots should be used as a last option anyway.  

What primarily concerns me is Rondo’s attitude and potentially divisive personality. During the course of his three-year career, he has engaged in numerous (and mostly pointless) altercations with other players. In addition, word is he is aloof from teammates and generally unresponsive to coaching or advice. That Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers actively shopped him this past off-season should speak volumes about management’s doubts and concerns. While supremely talented (I would rank him among the top-five point guards in the league), I think the C’s should have waited for the season to play out before making this kind of commitment to such a young and generally unproven player.

Continue reading "Cs Banking on Rondo"

I’ll continue…

Lets see… The Red Sox lost. It was a rough series. I was in San Francisco and missed most of it. Jonathan Papelbon is a turkey, Daniel Bard is the second coming of Rod Beck (‘90s Rod Beck, minus the mullet and a metric ton, give or take). Lets can Pap, keep Bard and save everyone from another year of Pap’s guido shenanigans…. The Celtics won a pre-season game against Toronto the other night and Tommy Heinsohn almost invited an unknown rookie named Lester Hudson to the altar. Should be another interesting season for the C’s, provided Tommy is allowed to pursue his increasingly befuddling tangents, wherever they may take him… I’m mildly afraid for the Patriots this week. The Titans are not a 0-5 team, regardless of what their record might indicate. This is the exact same team (minus Albert “Stomp-On-Your-Face” Haynesworth) that went 10-0 to begin the season last year. And they have Jeff Fisher patrolling the sidelines, who, aside from looking like a 70’s highway cop, also happens to be a damn fine coach.   

Continue reading "Late Night Rant"

Continue reading "Serena Out of Control"

By the time I turned 15 or so, though, I realized that Jordan wasn't much without a basketball in his hands. I realized that he did next to nothing off the court unless it was to market or promote some product aimed toward his own financial gain. Jordan the public figure, I determined, equalled butkis. I've pretty much held this opinion ever since his (final?) retirement following the 2003 season. 

Continue reading "Jordan Impresses in Heartfelt HOF Acceptance Speech"

Say what you will about Favre’s career, his past exploits and how he might have “earned” a little deferential treatment. I maintain that no player --not Lofa Tatupu, not even Y.A. Tittle-- should be allowed to stroll through the back door of a team's practice facility halfway through training camp, blindside two quarterbacks (who had been giving it their all since the beginning of July) and call into question the moral framework of an entire organization. Really, what message are the Vikings (and, specifically, Brad Childress) sending here? That it doesn’t matter how long and hard you train and work, if there’s an old geezer who doesn’t know when to say when, then you’d better be prepared to ride the pine? Favre single-handedly undercuts the team dynamic and, if I were a Vikings player (soon—I’m getting into shape), I’d have a difficult time trusting the organization from here on out. 

Continue reading "The Vikings Message"