So, as my three favorite sports are all playing at once, I feel the need to write another blog entry. That, and my last entry was a Red Sox midseason review, back when they hadn't pissed away the division to the Yankees and when Victor Martinez was still languishing in Cleveland. Anyway, things are a bit different now; the Sox look like they're a lock for the Wild Card (though Lester *just* got clocked in the knee by a Melky Cabrera comebacker, so we'll see about that), the Patriots have split their fans into "In Bill We Trust No Matter What" and "Crap Crap Crap The Sky Is Falling" camps, and the Bruins round out their preseason tilts this weekend prior to beginning the season at home (!) against the tenacious and dangerous Capitals next week. The Celtics are still in hibernation, but are lurking and will burst onto the sports scene in October. Anyway, I thought I'd check in and see what there is to see about the current state of Boston Sports.
1. Red Sox.
A lot to like, a lot not to like. If you'd caught me a month and a half ago, I would have told you that the Sox were a 3rd place team, and that there was no way that Victor Martinez could solve every problem that the team has. Now, of course he hasn't been able to, but he's come close. With his bat in the lineup, the Red Sox have at least a competent 1-9, with David Ortiz finding his stroke in the bottom of the order and Vic providing a solid and dependable presence wherever you put him. Personally, I'd prefer it if Ortiz and Lowell platooned DH, Youk moved to 3rd, Vic to 1st, and Varitek to retirement, but I'm not going to get that wish with Tito as the manager. he's shown some old-fashioned loyalty to Varitek since Martinez arrived, which is not in and of itself a bad thing, but Tek can't hit anymore, he can't throw guys out, and I've seen more screw ups behind the plate from him in the last 3 weeks than I had in the last 3 years. It's been fun, Jason, but we really need to let you go. If I had to guess, I'd say the team declines his $5 million option after the year and he picks up his $3 million option, but I'd be very surprised if Victor isn't the everyday catcher on this team next year.
Alex Gonzalez and Billy Wagner have been unexpectedly splendid pickups, adding slick fielding and a rebuilt fireballing arm to the bullpen, respectively. All in all, the Red Sox have righted a ship that looked like it was listing badly towards not making the playoffs, and while they'll never catch the Yankees and won't beat them in a playoff series, I'm looking forward to another October of baseball at Fenway. Not too shabby.
2. Patriots.
The Patriots are another story. With the Return of Tom Brady, the buzz in New England was "The AFC East is in the bag, here we come Super Bowl!". I had my issues with this stance back in July and August, and I have issues with it now. First of all, I'm not convinced Tom Brady will ever be the same as he was prior to his injury, and I just don't see how shipping Richard Seymour for a draft pick 2 years from now will help the team in the near future. Sure, that pick could turn into the next Seymour, but we already have to find the next Mike Vrabel and the next Tedy Bruschi (not the mention the next Rodney Harrison) for the defense to be anywhere near where it was 2 years ago, and with the injury to Jerod Mayo in Week 1, the Pats are looking like they'll be hurting on defense all year.
The fact that the Jets talked smack about the Patriots all week, then showed up, had their way with the run defense and then backed up their talk with a win doesn't help. Losses to divisional opponents sunk the Patriots season last year, and I have a bad feeling that that's the way this year will play out, too. I just...don't like assuming that Bill Belichick has all the answers. Not that I'm saying I could coach the team better, of course, or that I'd even want anyone else coaching right now. I'm just saying that the guy's not perfect, and this run of success is bound to end some time. It depresses me that it might be now. Or not. Who knows, they could trounce the Falcons Sunday and I could be feeling 100% better about their chances come January. But let's be honest, here. They *should* be 0-2.
3. Bruins.
BRUINS! Thank GOD it's almost hockey season again. Since Game 7 against the 'Canes last year I've had a bitter taste in my mouth, and I could not be more excited for this coming season. Even with the departures of PJ Axelsson, Stephane Yelle, Aaron Ward and Phil Kessel, this is still a very good team, and one that could still make some noise come playoff time. Though they've lost some pop with Kessel, they have Mark Recchi, Patrice Bergeron, and Marco Sturm ready to pick up the slack, and the defending Vezina and Norris trophy winners (and the Jack Adams winner behind the bench). All in all, I think they'll be fine. Will they earn 116 points this year? No. Last year was a perfect storm of regular season awesomeness, and the Bruins will not run away with the Conference points title again. However, I would be very surprised if they're not in the top 3 in the Conference when the dust settles, as they are in good shape to be the best team in the Northeast Division, unless the Canadiens' shopping spree pans out, and/or if Kessel goes ahead and scores 40 goals for Brian Burke. That's of course unlikely, since he's a creampuff defender who is out until November or December, and he's coming back from major shoulder surgery. Would I like to have him on my team? Sure. But all of this nonsense about him being the absolute key to the offense is ridiculous. Marc Savard is the key to the offense. Without Marc, Phil would not have had the year he did, and while there will be some decline, I'm sure that Ryder or Sturm can step in and pot 25-30 goals with Savard setting them up. It's what he does.
Anyway, I think I'm going to cover specifics with the Bruins in the next entry, before they open up the regular season Thursday. Until then!
-M
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