Patriots Ramblings

I know that it is only late May but the sight of a healthy Tom Brady lining up under center and directing the offense makes for good thoughts. With Brady back at the helm, the Pats offense could be a juggernaut. They have added Greg Lewis and Joey Galloway at receiver to complement Randy Moss and Wes Welker. Fred Taylor was also signed this offseason to give the team an additional playmaker in the backfield next to Sammy Morris, Laurence Maroney, and Kevin Faulk. If health problems can be avoided, this offense might rival the dominant 2007 unit that shredded the NFL to the tune of 36.8 points per game... I really like the signing of free agent linebacker Paris Lenon. Lenon has been a solid player and he provides quality depth at a position that the Patriots sorely need bodies. Lenon joins Jerod Mayo, Tedy Bruschi, and (my personal favorite) Gary Guyton. The one big issue for Lenon will be his ability to transition from playing middle 'backer in a 4-3 scheme to playing inside in Bill Belichick's 3-4 defense. With a veteran like Bruschi and a stud like Mayo to provide guidance, hopefully Lenon will adapt sooner than later... Vince Wilfork wants a new contract. He is an integral part of the Pats defense, eating up interior blockers from his nose tackle position with his 6-2, 345-pound frame. In the 3-4 defense employed by the Pats, the nose tackle might be the most important player on the field. Unfortunately for Wilfork, the Pats drafted a potential replacement for him a few weeks ago. Former Boston College nose tackle Ron Brace, a Wilfork-sized player (6-3, 330), will give Belichick and the Patriots leverage in their negotiations with Wilfork. If Wilfork will not accept a "home town" discount to remain a Patriot and if Brace proves he is a capable replacement at nose tackle, we could be seeing the last of Wilfork in New England in 2009... The Julius Peppers rumors have silenced and Jason Taylor returned to the Dolphins, leaving the Patriots without an answer to their pass rushing needs. A trade for Oakland's Derrick Burgess, who registered 3.5 sacks a year ago and has 47 total sacks in his career, would make sense. The Patriots have three second round picks in the 2010 draft and I will not be surprised if Belichick uses one of them to acquire Burgess. If not Burgess, the Pats will enter 2009 with no proven rushers from the edge, save for Adalius Thomas. That is a lot of pressure to put on the young and untested Shawn Crable, a 2008 third round selection, who will be counted upon to get after opposing quarterbacks...

Random Thoughts (May 27, 2009)

The Cleveland Cavaliers, the pick of many (myself included) to win the NBA championship, are on the verge of elimination in the Eastern Conference Finals for three reasons. One, their offense has no rhythm. The Cavs dominated the regular season because they shared the basketball. Yes, LeBron James is the definite focal point of their offense but during the regular season and the first two rounds of the playoffs they were at their best when LeBron penetrated and kicked out to open shooters. Against the Magic, LeBron is totally dominating the ball and their is almost zero ball movement. Second, they play no defense. The Magic are a tough team to matchup with because both of their starting forwards, Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis, are tall (both are 6-10) and can shoot from the outside and drive to the hole. That is why the knocked off the Celtics. However, the Cavs have the athletes to defend both Lewis and Turkoglu. It's simply a matter of effort. No one -- LeBron especially -- so much as gets into a defensive stance. It's not that hard to defend a screen-and-roll if they player defending the ball is in a stance, low to the ground. That's simple high school strategy. Finally, the Cavs are being outcoached. Mike Brown, the reigning Coach of the Year, is being worked over by Stan Van Gundy. Van Gundy has led his team to a 3-1 series lead by running clearouts and screen-and-rolls and Brown has done nothing to respond. The one time in last night's game when Brown went with a small lineup -- playing LeBron at the 4 with Anderson Varajeo, Wally Szczerbiak, Delonte West, and Daniel Gibson around him -- the Cavs took control of the game. Brown needs to continue to play "small ball" if he hopes to keep his teams season alive. Reality is about to set in for Cleveland. The Orlando Magic are playing better on both ends of the floor and the Cavs aren't making the necessary adjustments to turn the tide of this series... I had mixed feelings while watching last night's Red Sox loss to Minnesota. I was sad to see David Ortiz dropped in the lineup, going from third to sixth. After all that Big Papi has done for the Sox, it's hard to see him struggle. I was also happy that Ortiz was dropped. Professional baseball is not just about what happened in the past. The (sad) fact is that Ortiz just is not the All-Star he once was and it is hurting the team. Hopefully, the drop in the order will get Ortiz back on track. If not, his next drop might be to the bench... If the Nuggets can cut down on the inexcusable mental mistakes, they will be joining the Magic in the NBA Finals... The similarities between the 2008 and 2009 Penguins/Red Wings Stanley Cup Finals (yes, I'm giving up on the Blackhawks) and the 1983 and 1984 Islanders/Oilers can not be ignored. Back in the early '80s, the Islanders of Mike Bossy dominated the NHL, winning every Cup from 1980 - 1983. In 1983, they beat the young, upstart Oilers, led by Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier. A year later, the Oilers defeated the Islanders to begin their own run of championships (five in seven years). The Red Wings have been the NHL's dominant team since the late 1990s, winning championships in 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008. In 2008, they knocked off the young, upstart Penguins, led by Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Jordan Staal. A year later, the Penguins will be looking to recreate history, defeat the Red Wings and look to become the next great team in the NHL... There was a major flaw in the season finale of The Office that I didn't catch on to until watching a rerun last night. In the episode where Michael, Pam, Oscar, and Darryl visited a local high school job fair (Job Fair), Pam reminices about her days lying to get out of playing basketball and volleyball in gym class. In the season finale (Company Picnic), Pam was the star of the volleyball games played between the different branches and bragged about her days as a high school volleyball star. So Pam, which is it? High school hero or high school zero... Enjoy Marion Hossa tonight...

Game 7 Thoughts

Just a few things for Doc Rivers to think about before sending out the troops to face the Magic tonight at the Garden... Let Rondo run the offense. The kid has emerged as an elite point guard this spring and you know he will step up in the big moments of Game 7. Let's see if Rafer Alston or Anthony Johnson can stop him... That means stop giving Pierce the ball 30-feet from the hoop and expecting positive results. His success rate with the ball in his hands for more than three dribbles is on par with David Ortiz' batting average this season. It just doesn't make sense. Give him the rock where he can actually be a consistent force, from 15-feet and in... Let's see if Ray Allen has brought his A+ game early on. Would it kill Doc to run a few set plays early on to get Jesus rolling? I didn't think there would be any objections... Here is a novel idea. Considering the C's are down to just 2.5 able big men (gotta give Scal a little love), why not go small at the end of the first three quarters and if it works, stick with it the last few minutes of the fourth. I don't think the Magic have the weapons to stop a lineup of Rondo, House, Allen, Pierce and Big Baby/Perkins. This would also allow the C's to pick up the Magic full court, getting them out of what they want to do offensively... No Tony Allen. At all. No exceptions... Attack Dwight Howard by giving Perkins the ball. That Defensive Player of the Year trophy is so overrated. Howard never plays defense before his player gets the rock. Let's see if how many dumb fouls he can pick up by refusing to guard Perk... Enjoy Jesus Shuttlesworth tonight...

A Modest Proposal

If Martin Luther King, Jr. were a Red Sox fan in 2009, here is what his famous "I Have A Dream" speech might sound like: "I have a dream today ... that one day ... little Kevin Youkilis' and little Dustin Pedroia's will be able to join hands at home plate with little Jacoby Ellsbury's and little Jason Bay's. I have a dream today. I have a dream that the Red Sox will give hope to a Nation where they will be able to watch Hanley Ramirez drive in runs, play a flawless shortstop, and win multiple World Series championships." That's right, TheBostonInsider is back again with another plea (and trade proposal) for the Red Sox to acquire Hanley Ramirez from the Florida Marlins. For the Red Sox to win the 2009 World Series, they desperately need another big bat for the heart of their lineup. David Ortiz just isn't good enough to be the savior anymore and needs to be dropped in the lineup. Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, and Jason Bay are terrific hitters but they alone won't be enough to win a third world championship in six years. That big bat is playing before small crowds in Miami. He is a former Red Sox uber-prospect who was traded to the Marlins before the 2006 season in a deal that landed the Red Sox Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell, two heroes from the 2007 World Series champs. It was a good deal for both teams then and it could be an even better deal for both teams now. The Sox don't just need a bat, they need a shortstop as well. The one big knock on Theo Epstein as a general manager is the constant state of confusion the shortstop position has suffered since he took over in 2003. First there was Nomar, there was almost A-Rod, then there was still Nomar, Orlando Cabrera (and his intricate handshakes) replaced Nomar, Edgar Renteria was signed to replace Cabrera, Alex Gonzalez came in for one year, Julio Lugo took over in 2007 (with help from Alex Cora) and 2008 before an injury paved the way for Jed Lowrie, Lowrie and Lugo both got hurt early in 2009 creating a job for Nick Green, now Lugo is back at shortstop. Confusing enough for you? Lugo is not the short term answer and is not the long term answer. Theo needs to get a good shortstop and there is no better alternative -- at the plate and in the field -- than Hanley Ramirez. Ramirez would not come cheap but the Red Sox have done such an outstanding job of developing young talent that they could probably meet the Marlins asking price. The Red Sox could begin their offer with Manny Delcarmen, a proven relief pitcher at the major league level who has the potential to be a very good closer. They could spice up the offer with Michael Bowden, a starter at Triple-A who has major league stuff but lacks an opportunity in Boston. Adding in Lars Anderson, a power hitting first baseman, would give the Marlins even more reason to consider. The Sox could also add in Lugo, along with $8-10 million to almost pay off what is owed on his deal that expires after the 2010 season, giving the Marlins a shortstop. The Marlins, who are always in a state of rebuilding and trying to cut costs, would add a power arm for their bullpen, a starting pitcher who could help them immediately, a big time prospect at firstbase, and a veteran shortstop who they would have to pay short money for one-and-a-half seasons. The Red Sox would add an All-Star shortstop who would fit into their plans for the next decade, ending the constant turnover at the position and giving them the big bat they need so much right now. Imagine the delight of Terry Francona if he could make out this lineup every day. 1. Jacoby Ellsbury - CF 2. Dustin Pedroia - 2B 3. Hanley Ramirez - SS 4. Kevin Youkilis - 1B 5. J.D. Drew - RF 6. Jason Bay - LF 7. David Ortiz - DH 8. Mike Lowell - 3B 9. Jason Varitek - C That is as deep of a lineup as you will see in the major leagues. A 6-7-8 of Bay, Ortiz, and Lowell would match most teams 3-4-5. It is a lineup that can get on base, hit for average, run the bases, hit for power, and drive in runs. The bullpen could also absorb Delcarmen's loss. Justin Masterson will return to the 'pen when Daisuke Matsuzaka returns to the rotation and the flamethrowing Daniel Bard was called up to the Red Sox on Sunday. I beg you, Theo, bring Hanley Ramirez to the Red Sox!!!

Game 7

I know that the second period isn't over yet but as far as I'm concerned, the Bruins have just put away Game 6 in Carolina. That's right, don't make plans for Thursday night. The Bruins will be playing the Hurricanes for the right to play in the Eastern Conference Finals. Goals by Mark Recchi, Steve Montador, Marc Savard, and Chuck Kobasew have given the B's a 4-1 lead as the second period is about to end. Tim Thomas is playing well in net. You can see that the 'Canes know their season will end Thursday in Boston.

Random Thoughts (May 12, 2009)

The Cavaliers have been so impressive in advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals -- in sweeping the Pistons and Hawks they have won every game by double-digits -- that it is hard to imagine any team stopping them from winning the Larry O'Briwn trophy. I have said it many times but it looks like 2009 is going to be the "Year of LeBron." The man is unstoppable when he decides it is time to score but what makes him so tough to defend is his unselfishness. LeBron is so trusting of his teammates that he very rarely forces his own offense at the expense of an open man. Let's hope for the sake of professional sports in Cleveland that a championship (or two) before his free agency in 2010 will keep LeBron a Cavalier for life... The NHL is going to look very foolish if Bruins defenseman Aaron Ward can't play because of a fractured orbital bone and Hurricanes forward Scott Walker is allowed to play after sucker punching Ward. Ward was fined $2,500 by the NHL for the punch yesterday but it makes no sense that he will be allowed to play after throwing an unnecessary punch. The NHL suspended Rangers coach for one game in their first round series against the Capitals for an offensive remark towards the fans. The league also suspended Bruins forward Milan Lucic for one game in their opening round series against the Canadiens for a cross-check to the face of Maxim Lapierre. The NHL is being inconsistent with its discipline. I just hope that the Bruins are more concerned with beating the Hurricanes in Game 6 tonight than with exacting revenge on Walker... When Kevin Garnett's season ended, it was obvious that their would be no repeat of last year's championship for the Celtics. That doesn't mean that these playoffs have been any less exciting or that they have lacked importance to the franchise. The first round series with the Bulls was legendary, involving a record four overtime games and it went the distance to a seventh game. The Magic series is also looking like it will go to the full seven. These playoffs have also been a showcase for Rajon Rondo and Glen Davis. Rondo has emerged as a top level point guard, on par with the likes of Chris Paul and Deron Williams. Davis has also proved that he is a bona fide NBA player, someone who is capable of contributing to a championship team. With a healthy Garnett returning next fall to go along with Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, and Davis, expect the C's to be right back in the hunt for Banner #18... I am excited for the beginning of the Daniel Bard era in the Red Sox bullpen. Bard is a flamethrowing righty who struck out half (29-of-58) the batters he faced in Triple-A this spring. Bard gives the Sox a power arm who can set-up or close on nights when Jonathan Papelbon isn't available. When John Smoltz eventually joins the rotation (hopefully by next month), the Sox will be able to return Justin Masterson to the bullpen, making it the biggest weapon in Terry Francona's arsenal... Enjoy Michael Ryder tonight...

Random Thoughts (May 7, 2009)

The news is out, everyone knows, and yet I'm still in a state of disbelief that Manny Ramirez has been suspended for 50 games for failing a drug test. The facts are that Manny failed a test and will be suspended for 50 games by MLB. But I do not believe Manny Ramirez to be a steroid abuser. I believe his story that a doctor prescribed him medication that caused him to fail MLB's test. He is taking responsibility for taking that medicine but in no way does this put Manny in the same, dirty company of A-Rod, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Jason Giambi, or Gary Sheffield. The anti-Manny camp in Boston will enjoy this to no end -- I have de-programmed WEEI from my radio already -- but I will stick by Manny, who does not have the body of a man on the juice and did break down with minor injuries not consistent with modern steroid use over the past few years... Only two Celtics have ever recorded three triple-doubles in one postseason in the long and glorious history of the franchise. Larry Bird was the first. Rajon Rondo is now the second. This postseason was doomed from the beginning for the KG-less Celtics but Rondo's performance has made the C's a must watch. He is announcing his superstardom to the entire NBA with every dribble, every steal, every pass, every drive to the hoop. I am so excited for the future of the Celtics with him in charge and also for the future of the NBA because we are entering a Golden Age for point guards. Rondo. Chris Paul. Deron Williams. Derrick Rose. These guys are on the verge of taking over. And we still have Chauncey Billups, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, and Tony Parker playing at a high level with the likes of John Wall and Ricky Rubio on the horizon. Rondo will be why the C's survive the Orlando series and why they will push LeBron and the Cavs harder than most people expect... When the time comes, Kevin Youkilis is going to POUND on Joba Chamberlain... Has anyone told the Bruins that the second round has started... Enjoy Big Papi tonight...

NBA Playoffs Thoughts

Like most basketball fans, I assumed a Cavaliers-Lakers matchup in June was inevitable. After watching the playoffs over the last two weeks, I think we were all wrong. The Cavaliers will win the Eastern Conference and they will do so in decisive fashion. LeBron James is just that good and the rest of his team is perfectly tailored to his talents. Imagine that twenty years after he stiffed the Clippers for Italy, Cavs G.M. Danny Ferry will have played an integral role in making LeBron a champion and probably keeping professional basketball alive in Cleveland. It's the Lakers that are destined to destroy the dream showdown of LeBron and Kobe. The Lakers are going to be involved in a battle just to defeat the Rockets and advance to the Western Finals. The Lakers have no one to stop Yao inside now that the big guy has decided to stick his 7-5 frame on the low block and dominate with a variety of jump hooks, face-up jumpers, and dunks. On top of that, they can't stop Aaron Brooks or Kyle Lowry either, allowing the Rockets point guards to get in the lane almost at will. The Rockets also have three very good forwards in Ron Artest, Shane Battier, and Luis Scola who score, defend, and rebound. Most importantly, at age 30, Kobe is finally starting to slow down. He has played over 1,000 career games and the miles are starting to wear down his legs. He just isn't capable of carrying the Lakers by himself and because they lack any consistent outside shooting to open up driving lanes, Kobe is forced to try and beat his opponents with jump shots. Kobe is a good shooter but his game is getting to the hoop for easy baskets and drawing fouls. With either Battier or Artest on him and with Yao and Scola waiting for him inside, Kobe is not going to get those looks in this series. If the Lakers do survive their series with the Rockets, the Nuggets will most likely be their opponent in the Western Finals. I was so wrong about the Nuggets. I didn't think Carmelo Anthony had it in him to win in the playoffs but I not only misjudged him, I also underestimated the influence of Chauncey Billups. The pairing of Billups and Anthony gives the Nuggets two stars and they have a nice inside presence with Nene and Chris Anderson as well as scoring off of the bench from J.R. Smith. The Nuggets actually pose more problems for the Lakers than the Rockets. I do not see the Lakers surviving the West and returning to the NBA Finals. LeBron will have to beat either the Rockets or Nuggets to win his first NBA championship. I don't think he will complain as much as the millions who wanted a LeBron-Kobe matchup this June.