Red Sox v. Rangers (May 31, 2015)

Boston Red Sox (22-28) v. Texas Rangers (25-25)

Globe Life Park in Arlington 

SP - Joe Kelly (1-4, 6.24) v. Wandy Rodriguez (2-2, 3.60)

1. Pedroia, 2B

2. Betts, CF

3. Ortiz, DH

4. Ramirez, LF

5. Napoli, 1B

6. Sandoval, 3B 

7. Bogaerts, SS

8. Swihart, C

9. Castillo, RF

Red Sox v. Rangers (May 30, 2015)

Boston Red Sox (22-27) v. Texas Rangers (24-25)

Globe Life Park in Arlington 

SP - Wade Miley (4-4, 4.47) v. Alex Gonzalez (0-0, 0.00)

1. Pedroia, 2B

2. Betts, CF

3. Ortiz, DH

4. Ramirez, LF

5. Sandoval, 3B

6. Napoli, 1B

7. Holt, SS

8. Leon, C

9. Castillo, RF

Red Sox v. Rangers (May 29, 2015)

Boston Red Sox (22-26) v. Texas Rangers (23-25)
Globe Life Park in Arlington

SP - Steven Wright (2-1, 3.68) v. Yovani Gallardo (4-6, 4.13)

1. Pedroia, 2B

2. Betts, CF

3. Sandoval, 3B

4. Ramirez, DH

5. Napoli, 1B

6. Holt, LF

7. Bogaerts, SS

8. Swihart, C

9. Castillo, RF

Rodriguez Dazzles In Debut

7.2 shutout innings in Texas, 7 strikeouts, 3 hits allowed and just two walks issued.

Maybe this summer still has a chance.

Red Sox v. Rangers (May 28, 2015)

Boston Red Sox (21-26) v. Texas Rangers (23-24)
Globe Life Park in Arlington

SP - Eduardo Rodriguez (0-0, 0.00) v. Nick Martinez (4-0, 1.96)

1. Pedroia, 2B

2. Betts, CF

3. Sandoval, 3B

4. Ramirez, DH

5. Napoli, 1B

6. Holt, LF

7. Bogaerts, SS

8. Swihart, C

9. Castillo, RF

Red Sox v. Twins (May 27, 2015)

Boston Red Sox (21-25) v. Minnesota Twins (27-18)
Target Field

SP - Rick Porcello (4-3, 5.07) v. Phil Hughes (3-4, 4.50)

1. Pedroia, 2B
2. Betts, CF
3. Sandoval, 3B
4. Ramirez, LF
5. Ortiz, DH
6. Napoli, 1B
7. Bogaerts, SS
8. Holt, 3B
9. Swihart, C

Note:

The Red Sox will call-up Eduardo Rodriguez, one of their top pitching prospects, for the start tomorrow afternoon against the Rangers.

Rated by SoxProspects.com as the team's fourth overall prospect and their top pitching prospect, the 22-year-old lefty acquired from Baltimore in last year's Andrew Miller trade will be getting his first opportunity to showcase his talents for John Farrell.  With the team's starting pitching struggling - especially Joe Kelly - Rodriguez may be able to parlay this spot start into a permanent job.

LeBron Guides Cleveland To NBA Finals

LeBron James is an easy target for basketball critics.  The list of "wrongs" committed by LeBron include:

1. He's not Michael Jordan.

2. He agreed to leave his original team, the Cavaliers, to join up with a rival in an effort to finally win a championship.  This is something Jordan, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson would never have done.

3. He has lost in the NBA Finals three times in five chances.

4. He's not Michael Jordan.

5. He doesn't seem to embrace his "Superman" basketball qualities enough of the time.

I've been very critical of LeBron James in his career.  I look at him and at his career and although I'm impressed with his talents and his accomplishments, I always feel like there's something more.

Imagine that?  A player with two NBA championships, six trips to the NBA Finals, four regular season MVP trophies, two Finals MVP trophies, two All-Star MVP trophies, a former Rookie of the Year, eleven All-Star Game appearances, eleven appearances on either the All-NBA 1st or 2nd Team, and six appearances on either the All-NBA Defensive 1st or 2nd Team who boasts career per-game averages of 27.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 6.9 assists.  And I think he can offer more.

I'm done hating on LeBron James the basketball player.  It's time to sit back and enjoy the rest of the show.  This is a man who has been in the national spotlight since he was a sophomore in high school and has pretty much exceeded expectations.  I might not like the way he expects every call but other than that, I'm on board.

This is a special player who has carried the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals.  For a second time. The Cavs, for those of you who don't know, are a historically bad franchise and LeBron, in his return to the team from his four years in Miami, has lifted them to the cusp of a championship.

The comparisons to Jordan, or even Kobe Bryant, will have to wait until his career is finished and it can be properly put into perspective.  Until then, enjoy this amazing talent and start building a case against some unknown 3rd Grader who does not know now but will one day be compared, unfairly, to the great LeBron James.

2015 NBA Mock Draft (Version 1)

The inevitable Warriors-Cavaliers NBA Finals match-up does not start for over a week so it's time to roll out the first edition of the annual NBA Mock Draft.

1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky

2. Los Angeles Lakers: Jahlil Okafor, PF, Duke

3. Philadelphia 76ers: D'Angelo Russell, SG, Ohio State

4. New York Knicks: Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, Guangdong (China)

5. Orlando Magic: Justise Winslow, SF, Duke

6. Sacramento Kings: Kristaps Porzingis, C, Latvia

7. Denver Nuggets: Mario Hezonja, SG, Croatia

8. Detroit Pistons: Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky

9. Charlotte Hornets: Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona

10. Miami Heat: Myles Turner, C, Texas

11. Indiana Pacers: Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin

12. Utah Jazz: Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas

13. Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky

14. Oklahoma City Thunder: R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State

15. Atlanta Hawks: Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky

16. Boston Celtics: Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas

17. Milwaukee Bucks: Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA

18. Houston Rockets: Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin

19. Washington Wizards: Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame

20. Toronto Raptors: Cameron Payne, SG, Murray State

21. Dallas Mavericks: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona

22. Chicago Bulls: Tyus Jones, PG, Duke

23. Portland Trailblazers: Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville

24. Memphis Grizzlies: Jarrell Martin, PF, LSU

25. San Antonio Spurs: Guillermo Hernangomez, C, Spain

26. Los Angeles Lakers: Olivier Hanlan, PG, Boston College

27. Boston Celtics: Justin Anderson, SG, Virginia

28. New Jersey Nets: Robert Upshaw, C, Washington

29. Cleveland Cavaliers: Delon Wright, PG, Utah

30. Golden State Warriors: Rakeem Christmas, C, Syracuse

Red Sox v. Twins (May 26, 2015)

Boston Red Sox (21-24) v. Minnesota Twins (26-18)
Target Field

SP - Clay Buchholz (2-5, 4.58) v. Mike Pelfrey (3-1, 3.00)

1. Pedroia, 2B

2. Betts, CF

3. Sandoval, 3B 

4. Ramirez, LF 

5. Ortiz, DH 

6. Napoli, 1B 

7. Bogaerts, SS 

8. Castillo, RF

9. Leon, C

Red Sox v. Twins (May 25, 2015)

Boston Red Sox (21-23) v. Minnesota Twins (25-18)

Target Field

SP - Joe Kelly (1-3, 5.13) v. Ricky Nolasco (4-1, 6.00)

1. Pedroia, 2B

2. Betts, CF

3. Ortiz, DH

4. Ramirez, LF

5. Sandoval, 3B 

6. Napoli, 1B 

7. Bogaerts, SS 

8. Nava, RF

9. Swihart, C

Note:

I like that John Farrell has finally tinkered with his lineup but he shouldn't stop with the flipping of Pedroia and Betts at the top.

To take pressure of off Betts, he should be dropped in the order.  He obviously has talent but after two months of leading off, he doesn't look ready for that role quite yet. 

Here is the lineup Farrell should be utilizing:

1. Pedroia, 2B

2. Sandoval, 3B

3. Ramirez, LF 

4. Ortiz, DH 

5. Napoli, 1B

6. Bogaerts, SS

7. Betts, CF

8. Castillo, RF

9. Swihart, C

The bottom tier of that lineup does lack experience but if the Red Sox have decided to, or been forced into, using young players then there's no reason to try and split them up in the lineup.

It's time to go with their best in the top half of the lineup while allowing Bogaerts,  Betts, Castillo, and Swihart to develop with a little less pressure on them.

Red Sox v. Angels (May 24, 2015)

Boston Red Sox (20-23) v. Los Angeles Angels (22-21)

Fenway Park

SP - Wade Miley (3-4, 5.10) v. Hector Santiago (3-2, 2.25)

Red Sox v. Angels (May 23, 2015)

Boston Red Sox (19-23) v. Los Angeles Angels (22-20)

Fenway Park

SP - Steven Wright (1-1, 4.02) v. C.J. Wilson (2-2, 3.06)

1. Pedroia, 2B

2. Victorino, RF

3. Ramirez, LF

4. Ortiz, DH

5. Bogaerts, SS

6. Napoli, 1B

7. Castillo, CF

8. Holt, 3B

9. Swihart, C

Red Sox v. Angels (May 22, 2015)

Boston Red Sox (19-22) v. Los Angeles Angels (21-20)
Fenway Park

SP - Rick Porcello (4-2, 4.26) v. Garrett Richards (3-2, 2.29)

1. Rusney Castillo, RF
2. Rusney Castillo, RF
3. Rusney Castillo, RF
4. Rusney Castillo, RF
5. Rusney Castillo, RF
6. Rusney Castillo, RF
7. Rusney Castillo, RF
8. Rusney Castillo, RF
9. Rusney Castillo, RF

Castillo's Back?  Hopefully tonight.

Red Sox v. Rangers (May 21, 2015)

Boston Red Sox (19-21) v. Texas Rangers (17-23)
Fenway Park

SP - Clay Buchholz (2-4, 4.93) v. Wandy Rodriguez (1-2, 3.86)

1. Betts, CF
2. Pedroia, 2B
3. Ortiz, DH
4. Ramirez, LF
5. Napoli, 1B
6. Victorino. RF
7. Holt, 3B
8. Bogaerts, SS
9. Leon, C

Red Sox v. Rangers (May 20, 2015)

Boston Red Sox (19-20) v. Texas Rangers (16-23)
Fenway Park

SP - Joe Kelly (1-2, 5.58) v. Phil Klein (0-0, 7.71)

1. Betts, CF

2. Pedroia, 2B

3. Ortiz, DH

4. Ramirez, LF

5. Napoli, 1B

6. Nava, RF

7. Holt, 3B

8. Bogaerts, SS

9. Swihart, C

Red Sox v. Rangers (May 19, 2015)

Boston Red Sox (18-20) v. Texas Rangers (16-22)
Fenway Park

SP - Wade Miley (2-4, 5.60) v. Yovani Gallardo (3-5, 3.94)

1. Betts, CF

2. Pedroia, 2B

3. Ortiz, D

4. Ramirez, LF

5. Sandoval, 3B

6. Napoli, 1B

7. Nava, RF

8. Bogaerts, SS

9. Swihart, C

Red Sox v. Mariners (May 17, 2015)

Boston Red Sox (18-19) v. Seattle Mariners (16-20)

Safeco Field

SP - Steven Wright (1-0, 4.22) v. James Paxton (1-2, 4.31)

1. Betts, CF

2. Victorino, RF

3. Pedroia, 2B

4. Ramirez, DH

5. Napoli, 1B

6. Sandoval, 3B

7. Bogaerts, SS

8. Holt, LF

9. Swihart, C

Red Sox v. Mariners (May 16, 2015)

Boston Red Sox (17-19) v. Seattle Mariners (16-19)

Safeco Field

SP - Rick Porcello (3-2, 4.50) v. Felix Hernandez (6-0, 1.85)

Red Sox v. Mariners (May 15, 2015)

Boston Red Sox (17-18) v. Seattle Mariners (15-19)

Safeco Field

SP - Clay Buchholz (2-4, 5.73) v. J.A. Happ (3-1, 3.29)

1. Betts, CF

2. Pedroia, 2B

3. Ortiz, DH

4. Ramirez, LF

5. Napoli, 1B

6. Victorino, RF

7. Sandoval, 3B

8. Bogaerts, SS

9. Leon, C

Patriots Prepare For Battle With The NFL

Despite the Wells Report not revealing any conclusive evidence against the Patriots, Roger Goodell still made the decision to suspend Tom Brady for four games, strip the Patriots of their 2016 first round draft pick and 2017 fourth round draft pick, and fine the team $1-million.

I hope Goodell is ready for a fight over this.

Just like when Sonny locked the door on the bikers in "A Bronx Tale" and doomed them to a beat down from the mafia, Roger Goodell and the NFL are about to take a beating from the army of lawyers that Brady and Robert Kraft will assemble to overturn the suspension and fine while reclaiming what will likely be the 32nd pick of the first round next year and a late fourth round pick in 2017.

The Patriots have fired their first shot of this war, creating a website they have called "The Wells Report in Context."

The next step will be a formal appeal by Brady and then possibly the unprecedented move of Kraft suing the NFL over the punishment.

I am a certified member of the Patriots Nation but don't confuse my love of the team with my belief that the suspension will be reduced or eliminated and that the team will not pay a penny of the fine or lose their draft picks.

A man as successful as Robert Kraft would not risk the embarrassment of fighting Goodell and the NFL over this issue if he was not 100% convinced he would win.  Kraft has too much at stake to take on the NFL so by doing so, he is certain that he will win.

ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, maybe the most trusted media source in professional football, believes that Brady will beat the suspension and that Kraft will fight this because he believes that the league unjustly punished his franchise.

Goodell will now go on the defensive, a position he has experience with considering his public blunders in suspension cases featuring Ray Rice, Greg Hardy, and Adrian Peterson in recent months.

My prediction is that in the end, the Patriots lawyers will overturn the suspension, reclaim the 2016 first round pick but end up forfeiting the 2017 fourth round pick while paying a reduced fine more in the vicinity of $100,000 for - as the Wells report stated - the team having employees that "more probable than not"  deflated the footballs and that Brady was "at least generally aware" of this happening.

I also believe the NFL will re-write its rule book to clarify the handling of footballs before games.

And in the end, it will be the other 31 teams that will suffer the wrath of Brady, Bill Belichick, and the Patriots in 2015.  They will use this as motivation to run through the league and at Super Bowl 50 it will be the Patriots who emerge as champions, sitting on the NFL's Iron Throne for a fifth time this century.

Red Sox v. Mariners (May 14, 2015)

Boston Red Sox (16-18) v. Seattle Mariners (15-18)
Safeco Field

SP - Joe Kelly (1-2, 6.35) v. Roenis Elias (0-1, 3.86)

1. Betts, CF

2. Pedroia, 2B

3. Ortiz, DH

4. Ramirez, LF

5. Napoli, 1B

6. Victorino, RF

7. Holt, 3B

8. Bogaerts, SS

9. Swihart, C

Red Sox v. Athletics (May 13, 2015)

Boston Red Sox (15-18) v. Oakland Athletics (13-22)
O.co Coliseum

SP - Wade Miley (1-4, 6.91) v. Sonny Gray (4-0, 1.65)

1. Betts, CF
2. Pedroia, 2B
3. Ortiz, DH
4. Ramirez, LF
5. Sandoval, 3B
6. Holt, SS
7. Nava, 1B
8. Bradley, RF
9. Leon, C

Red Sox v. Athletics (May 12, 2015)

Boston Red Sox (15-17) v. Oakland Athletics (12-22)
O.co Coliseum

SP - Justin Masterson (2-1, 5.18) v. Drew Pomeranz (1-3, 5.12)

1. Betts, CF

2. Pedroia, 2B

3. Ortiz, DH

4. Ramirez, LF

5. Napoli, 1B

6. Sandoval, 3B

7. Victorino, RF

8. Bogaerts, SS

9. Swihart, C

Free Brady

Time to make sure the mattresses have been purchased because the Patriots will be going into battle with Roger Goodell and the NFL.

Four games?

$1-million fine and a lost first round draft pick in 2016?

Good luck Fredo Goodell, you're going to need it.

Red Sox v. Athletics (May 11, 2015)

Boston Red Sox (14-17) v. Oakland Athletics (12-21)
O.co Coliseum

SP - Rick Porcello (3-2, 4.38) v. Scott Kazmir (2-1, 2.75)

1. Betts, CF

2. Pedroia, 2B

3. Ortiz, DH

4. Ramirez, LF

5. Napoli, 1B

6. Sandoval, 3B

7. Victorino, RF

8. Bogaerts, SS

9. Swihart, C

Red Sox v. Blue Jays (May 10, 2015)

Boston Red Sox (13-17) v. Toronto Blue Jays (16-15)

Rogers Centre

SP - Clay Buchholz (1-4, 6.03) v. R.A. Dickey (1-3, 4.38)

1. Betts, CF

2. Pedroia, 2B

3. Ortiz, DH

4. Ramirez, LF

5. Sandoval, 3B

6. Napoli, 1B

7. Bogaerts, SS

8. Bradley, RF

9. Leon, C

Red Sox v. Blue Jays (May 9, 2015)

Boston Red Sox (13-16) v. Toronto Blue Jays (15-15)

Rogers Centre

SP - Joe Kelly (1-1, 5.72) v. Drew Hutchison (2-0, 7.47)

1. Betts, CF

2. Pedroia, 2B

3. Ortiz, DH

4. Ramirez, LF

5. Sandoval, 3B

6. Napoli, 1B

7. Craig, RF

8. Bogaerts, SS

9. Swihart, C

Red Sox v. Blue Jays (May 8, 2015)

Boston Red Sox (13-15) v. Toronto Blue Jays (14-15)
Rogers Centre

SP - Wade Miley (1-3, 7.15) v. Aaron Sanchez (2-2, 4.62)

1. Betts, CF

2. Pedroia, 2B

3. Sandoval, 3B

4. Napoli, 1B

5. Nava, RF

6. Craig, LF

7. Swihart, C

8. Bogaerts, SS

9. Shaw, 1B

Wells Reports Is "More Probable Than Not" A Complete Waste Of Time

Over three months have passed since the New England Patriots and Tom Brady were accused of illegally tampering with the footballs that the team used in their 45-7 rout of the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game.

At halftime of the game it had been determined that several of the Patriots game balls were inflated to pressures less than the NFL allows and then were re-inflated to make them meet NFL regulations.

Since the initial allegations, Ted Wells has been conducting an investigation of the role of the Patriots organization and Brady in the handling of the footballs before that game.  His report was released yesterday.

The Wells Report found no guilt on behalf of Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick, or anyone else in the Patriots organization.  Instead, it focuses on two equipment employees - John Jastremski and Jim McNally - and Brady.

Wells determined that it was "more probable than not" that Jastremski and McNally deliberately deflated the footballs and that Brady was "at least generally aware" of this.

Most of the findings are based on text messages shared between Jastremski and McNally as well as phone conversations between Brady and McNally.  While there are some parts of the texts that can be viewed as showing Jastremski and McNally were guilty and while it seems odd that Brady would call Jastremski several times in the days following the victory over the Colts after not talking to him by phone over the previous six months, there is no "smoking gun."

The Wells Report failed to discover hard evidence that any member of the Patriots organization was involved in tampering with the footballs.  There is no video of either Jastremski or McNally deflating the footballs or any part of a text message from Brady directing them to tamper with the footballs or to not speak about the subject.

The bottom line is that based on a lack of hard evidence, any punishment of Brady should be minimal.  He cooperated with the investigation and the investigation failed to prove he was directly involved.  Brady should receive no suspension and at most should pay a fine.

Red Sox v. Rays (May 6, 2015)

Boston Red Sox (13-14) v. Tampa Bay Rays (14-13)
Fenway Park

SP - Justin Masterson (2-0, 4.71) v. Alex Colome (1-0, 0.00)

1. Betts, CF

2. Pedroia, 2B

3. Ortiz, DH

4. Napoli, 1B

5. Sandoval, 3B

6. Craig, LF

7. Holt, RF

8. Bogaerts, SS

9. Swihart, C

Red Sox v. Rays (May 5, 2015)

Boston Red Sox (12-14) v. Tampa Bay Rays (14-12)

Fenway Park

SP - Rick Porcello (2-2, 5.34) v. Drew Smyly (0-0, 3.38)

1. Betts, CF

2. Pedroia, 2B

3. Ortiz, DH

4. Napoli, 1B

5. Sandoval, 3B

6. Craig, LF

7. Holt, RF

8. Bogaerts, SS

9. Swihart, C

Red Sox v. Rays (May 4, 2015)

Boston Red Sox (12-13) v. Tampa Bay Rays (13-12)
Fenway Park

SP - Clay Buchholz (1-3, 5.76) v. Jake Odorizzi (2-2, 2.41)

1. Betts, CF

2. Pedroia, 2B

3. Ortiz, DH

4. Ramirez, LF

5. Sandoval, 3B

6. Napoli, 1B

7. Holt, RF

8. Bogaerts, SS

9. Leon, C

Patriots Draft Focuses On Defense

The NFL Draft weekend has come and gone and Bill Belichick's Patriots selected eleven new players that will compete for positions on the defending Super Bowl champions' roster.

Belichick constantly states that team building is a process and he lives up to that mantra which makes it difficult to make accurate projections on how any of the new Patriots will fit in if they make the team.

Here is a look at the possible projections for the draft picks

Malcom Brown, DT, 1st Round - He will be expected to contribute immediately on the interior of the defensive line.

Jordan Richards, SS, 2nd Round - Richards, this year's surprise pick by the Patriots, could be in the safety rotation and should be a special teams contributor as well.

Geneo Grissom, OLB/DE, Oklahoma, 3rd Round - Grissom will be expected to help bolster the pass rush in sub packages as well as find a role on special teams.

Trey Flowers, DE, Arkansas, 4th Round - Like Grissom, Flowers should help with the pass rush and on special teams.

Tre Jackson, G, Florida State, 4th Round - Jackson will have an opportunity to start immediately as the Patriots rebuild their interior offensive line.

Shaquille Mason, G, Georgia Tech, 4th Round - Mason will also have an opportunity to start immediately as the Patriots rebuild their interior offensive line.

Joe Cardona, LS, Navy, 5th Round - If he gets a waiver from the Navy and can go to training camp, Cardona would be expected to be the team's long snapper.

Matt Wells, OLB, Mississippi State, 6th Round - Wells could be a candidate to make the roster as a "cover linebacker" due to his speed (4.42 40-yard dash).

AJ Derby, TE, Arkansas, 6th Round - The Patriots love the tight end position and Derby could make the roster as he would offer the team youth and athleticism at the position.

Darryl Roberts, CB, Marshall, 7th Round - The Patriots had an obvious need at cornerback but they waited until the 7th Round to address the position.  Roberts has decent size (5-11, 190-pounds) and good speed (4.36 40-yard dash) but he will probably have to prove himself as a special teams player to make the team in September.

Xzavier Dickson, OLB, Alabama, 7th Round - Dickson will have the opportunity to compete for a spot as a position pass rusher and special teams contributor.

A quick analysis of this draft and free agency leads one to believe that Belichick's defense will focus more on pressuring the passer than in the past.  They already have established starters Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich at defensive end and have Zach Moore and Jake Bequette on the roster.  Now they have added Jabaal Sheard in free agency and drafted three more pass rushers this weekend.

It seems the idea will be to put as much pressure on opposing quarterbacks as possible to cover up for a secondary that has lost Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner.

Teams like the Giants, in winning Super Bowls in 2007 and 2011, have proved that it does not matter who is covering opposing receivers when the defensive line and linebackers can record sacks or pressure quarterbacks into mistakes.

Let's hope that's how it works out for the Patriots.

Potential Patriots In 2nd And 3rd Rounds

After adding defensive lineman Malcom Brown with the 32nd pick of the first round last night, Bill Belichick and the Patriots enter tonight's portion of NFL Draft weekend with one second round pick (64 overall) and two third round picks (96 and 97 overall).

The Patriots also hold the second choice of Saturday's fourth round (101 overall) so if they decide there is a player they really want tonight, Belichick should have enough capital to move up.

I would expect the Pats to address needs at offensive line, defensive secondary, and possibly receiver, running back, defensive line, or linebacker tonight.

Yesterday I posted some thoughts on players I believed would be potential targets of the Patriots.  All of them are still on the board heading into tonight.

Other than my list, some other intriguing names still on the board from the perspective of the Patriots and their anticipated needs include (in no particular order):

Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska
Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
Carl Davis, DT, Iowa
Landon Collins, S, Alabama
Jalen Collins, CB, Louisiana State
A.J. Cann, G, South Carolina
Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State
Trey Flowers, DE, Arkansas
Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana
Preston Smith, DE, Mississippi State

Red Sox v. Yankees (May 1, 2015)

Boston Red Sox (12-10) v. New York Yankees (13-9)
Fenway Park

SP - Justin Masterson (2-0, 5.16) v. CC Sabathia (0-4, 5.96)

Patriots Land Malcom Brown With 32nd Pick

When you are annually one of the top teams during the NFL season and constantly find yourself in the Conference Championship Game and the Super Bowl, it means you are picking at the end of the draft every year.

Picking so low in the draft every year can make it difficult to maintain a roster that can compete yea in and year out for championships.  Very few teams are capable of doing this which is why there is so much parity in the NFL.

Thankfully for Patriots fans, their team usually drafts players that come in and contribute right away to championship contending teams.

Hopefully, the man they took with the last pick of the first round, will continue that tradition.

Malcom Brown, expected by many draftniks to go in the first half of the first round, slid to the 32nd pick and is the newest member of the New England Patriots.

A 6-2, 320-pound defensive lineman from Texas, Brown is projected to be a big part of the Patriots defensive line rotation for 2015 and beyond.  A run stuffing tackle who also has the ability to get to the quarterback, Brown will join 2014 first round pick Dominique Easley as the future of the team's interior defensive line.

With the Patriots losing Vince Wilfork to the Texans in free agency, Brown will have high expectations to produce from day one but being surrounded by an excellent group of lineman and linebackers and playing for the best coaching staff in the NFL should help him be able to live up to those expectations as a rookie.