1) David Ortiz should NOT be shooting off his mouth to the press about wanting (does anybody really know what he wants) a new contract, or is it just an extension. Don't forget he's still got another year to go on THIS contract. Does he want more money, more years or both? Somebody has to tell him there is no "I" in TEAM. Also, Dustin Pedroia should shut his mouth and stop criticizing the Red Sox in Big Papi's negotiations saying to the press, "Show him the money." What's Papi looking for? When he says it's a business and he has to look out for the welfare of his family?? or go elsewhere?? That's a lot of bunk!! He's getting $15 million a year. No team in baseball is going to give him, an aging 39 year old designated hitter, only, more than $9 million and, definitely NOT a multi-year deal. But the bottom line is...he should not be negotiating in the media. PERIOD. It sets a bad example for the rest of the team and is not conducive to building a TEAM. I've always looked to the "Red Auerbach philosophy" for building a winning team. It was simple. Don't bad mouth the team to the media...don't hold out on your contract and DON'T try to negotiate in the media. Guys who did that to Red were traded. When Paul Westphal told the media HE should be starting ahead of John Havilcek Red traded him to Phoenix...and won a title here in Boston. When Cedric Maxwell held out Red traded him for Bill Walton and won another world championship. Bill Belichick learned how to build a team from Parcells and Auerbach and, when guys like Ty Law, Lawyer Milloy, Richard Seymore and Assante Samuel shot off their mouths to the press he traded, or let them go. In short, if you couldn't play for Red Auerbach you couldn't play for them so, guys, please shut up and play ball.
2) Ever since Bruin's coach, Claude Julien took out Tukkah Rask after giving up three goals to Montreal the other night these "youngsters" on the radio have been speculating, just about everything like, sending a message, is he about to lose his starting job, etc. The fact of the matter is that the Bruins have not come back from even a two goal deficit half way through the game. Claude was just trying something different....and these guys should have known that!
3) Ever since the Patriots lost to Denver these kids playing sportstalk hosts have been saying, "What are they going to do to rebuild the team now?" Tolling the bell of doom for the Patriots seems to get people to call their shows. Not real knowledgeable fans because they know better. No, they still get those no-nothings who just want to hear their voices on the radio. Lest we forget...next year the Patriots will get TWO (possibly three in Jerod Mayo) future hall of famers back in Vince Wilfork and "Gronk," not to mention five starters and a healthy and meaner than ever, Logan Mankins who is mad as hell and bent on revenge. They'll draft a tall, fast receiver, defensive backs and depth at a few positions on defense.
4) Nobody has yet blamed play selection on the loss to Denver. The Pats had a great running game when they were running straight ahead using the bull strength of runaway freight train Blount. Josh McDaniels, instead, started trrying to run him wide (not our strength) and quit the running game after 4-5 plays. Also, the whole world knows Tom Brady is not very good at long passes. (He throws them more on a line instead of "looping" them high and letting the receiver run under them. It's called a "touch" pass and Tom can't do it)) He does great on shorter passes yet, McDaniels first 4 pass plays were long, three of which could have been TD's if not overthrown. The other pass was to Mathew Slater. A special teams player? One of the best receivers on the team (league), Danny Amendola, only got one target the entire game. I could go on and on but you get the point. Now tell these kids out there how the sports should be played.
Okay, if you insist on more super bowl talk...I feel the referee's are liable to play a bigger part in this game than ever before. If they call an "even" game I pick Seattle, 24-21.
NOTE:---Coming up soon is our own Hall of Fame. Nominees are Pete Rose, Roger Clemens, Gino Cappelletti, Dom DiMaggio, Dwight Evans and Rick "Nifty" Middleton. Stay tuned.....