Random Thoughts (October 14, 2008)

After riding Daisuke Matsuzaka to a victory in Game 1, almost every Red Sox fan on the planet -- even the few who exercise common sense -- would have believed that the Rays were overmatched in the ALCS with Josh Beckett and Jon Lester going for the Hometown 9 in Games 2 and 3. It certainly is not fun to be dead wrong. Tampa Bay has stormed back to take a 2-1 lead in the ALCS behind a great effort by the bullpen in Game 2 and an attacking lineup and great pitching by Matt Garza in Game 3. For those of you who failed to pay attention to the incredible load of talent on the Rays, Games 2 and 3 were a showcase for Garza, B.J. Upton, Evan Longoria, Carlos Pena, Dioner Navarro, and the rest of Joe Maddon's gang. I'm not doubting the Red Sox chances to win this series but for those of you who believe that this is 2004 and 2007, you are mistaken. If the Red Sox lose tonight, they will watch the Rays in the World Series. Tampa Bay is too talented and the Red Sox are too banged up to come back from a 3-1 deficit. The Red Sox need David Ortiz to morph back into Big Papi tonight and they need a great outing from Tim Wakefield. Without both, it's time to get ready for 2009... Yes, the Patriots looked like a terrible team on Sunday in San Diego. And as bad as the quarterback played, the reason why the Pats are so mediocre is the defense. Even with Tom Brady under center, this Patriots team would have taken a giant step backwards. The defense is old and can't get off the field against a good offense. The days of Tedy Bruschi and Rodney Harrison making big plays are long gone. The vaunted defensive line of Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork, and Ty Warren get beaten up against a good offensive line. Mike Vrabel and Adalius Thomas are not getting after the quarterback. The secondary is a joke. For the Pats to rebound and make the playoffs, the defense needs to make plays. Bill Belichick needs to get his defensive coordinator Dean Pees and secondary coach Dom Capers on the same page to produce a blitz scheme that pressures opponents into mistakes and takes some of the heat off of an overmatched secondary. I want to see some of the younger guys get more of a shot. I want to see if rookie linebackers Shawn Crable and Gary Guyton have what it takes to be NFL players. This is not a Super Bowl team right now, there is nothing to lose. With Brady out, Belichick needs to take advantage and build for the next five years. Working in Crable and Guyton will give his linebacking corps young legs and depth. Finding out if rookie cornerback Terrence Wheatley can cover anyone helps this team down the road. Coming off the 18-1 season of a year ago, I never thought I would want the Pats to use 2008 as a rebuilding year but that is what is facing this team. The sooner the heads of state in Foxboro come to this realization, the better it will be for 2008 and for the future... Six games does not make a career but how can you not be rooting for Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan... I hope the Buffalo Bills can find a way to land Tony Gonzalez. If the Pats are not going to contend, I hope the long suffering fans in upstate New York can make a push for the AFC Championship... Danny Ainge found Lottery value in trading cash to the Wizards for the rights to Bill Walker, the 44th pick in the Draft. Health will be a concern for Walker but if those knees hold up, the C's found themselves a player... Midnight Madness tonight... Enjoy Tim Wakefield tonight...