Happy Valentine’s Day

Posted on November 30, 2011 by jtulz07

Two months ago today, the Red Sox officially said their goodbyes to Tito with a less than forgiving sendoff. With Ben Cherington stepping into Theo’s spot, Red Sox Nation sat by idly, waiting for his first move to be made. Shortly after a weekend of thanks that all Boston fans would approve, the Red Sox created their own headlines. Rumors surfaced from sources close to the situation late Tuesday night that Bobby Valentine would take the helm at Fenway as the Red Sox 45^th manager.

With two months of built up anticipation for this very moment, it could have only been expected that Red Sox Nation would let their voices be heard about their feelings for the newly selected manager. From MLB analysts around the country to local sports figures, the opinions seem to be split down the middle. They either love it or hate it, nothing in between. Personally, I think it’s a good move. Granted, it may be due to the fact that everything we’ve heard about the Sox for the past 3 months has made me want to slit my wrist, so some positive news is a bit uplifting, but I think Valentine has potential. He’s a guy that knows baseball, plain and simple. He knows how to prep a team and come out on top. I mean as recent as last year he was in consideration for several other managerial spots with the Marlins and Orioles before staying on as an ESPN analyst, so he must be doing something right. He just wanted to hold off until a real team offered him a job. Sorry Nons. Seriously though, the Sox need this kind of boost, especially after our recent collapse. I think it’s definitely going to bring new life to the club. The Red Sox are expected to officially announce the move sometime Thursday.

Tuesday’s Top Tweets

Posted on November 29, 2011 by jtulz07

Starting today, each Tuesday we’ll post some of the top/funniest tweets of the week from the sports world. If you have any tweets you want to see posted, shoot an email to bsb.tips@gmail.com. Don’t forget to follow the Boston Sports Blog @BostonSB!

Saints vs. Pats Superbowl?

Posted on November 29, 2011 by nolankartholl

Alright, let me start this post out by saying that this is not my prediction for the Superbowl. As good as both teams are, I just don’t see them getting past some of the more balanced teams in the league. With that being said, I would love to see this matchup come February because it has the ingredients to create one of the most delicious offensive showdowns in history. Looking at the figureheads of both squads, Brady and Brees, these guys are out of their minds this year. With both teams really using their entire wide-receiving core because each team lacks a Randy Moss / Calvin Johnson like superstar, it is truly incredible that these guys are both (yes, both) on pace to break the record for yards in a season. It’s a testament to their preparation and dedication to the game (if you watched the post-game last night, you could see Steve Young draw full as he described Brees). With that being said, this Superbowl matchup would be an all out slugfest. I legit think the over-under might be 409. With neither team possessing much of a secondary, players like Sproles and the super tight-end that is Gronkandez stepping up, the offensive display will be a masterpiece. Watching two of the best in the history of the game battle it out is something that I am undoubtedly looking forward to. That is unless Rogers continues to perform the same way he has in the last 11 games. In which case it will go down as the greatest QB performance ever (yes, even better than ’08 Brady).

Boeheim Safe

Posted on November 29, 2011 by christoph131

Head Coach Jim Boeheim will remain Syracuse’s basketball coach for the forseeable future according to schools chancellor Nancy Cantor. It is great that he is not following in the footsteps of Joe Paterno and although he does not believe the allegations, he understands why they had to fire Coach Fine. In Syracuse’s win vs. Stanford Friday night, the team left Bernie Fine’s seat vacant and each tapped it every time that they came off of the court. So whether the allegations were true or not still remains to be seen, but according to his crazy sounding wife, they seem pretty true. Anyways, Coach Boeheim was praised for how he handled the situation with this quote:

“What is most important is that this matter be fully investigated and that anyone with information be supported to come forward so that the truth can be found”

It is nice to see a man accept what is happening and believe in the process rather than just sticking with his friend of so many years. Hopefully it all works out and we find out that he didn’t fiddle with those ball boys.

Two for Suh

Posted on November 29, 2011 by davecouture

Ndamukong Suh of the Detroits Lions has been suspended for two games without pay for his decision to stomp on a Packers player during the Thanksgiving game this Thursday. I don’t agree with many of Roger Goodells decisions but this is something that needed to be done. Suh’s suspension will cost him $164,000 and potentially cost his team a victory while in the running for a playoff spot for the first time since 1999. Following the game Suh insisted it was unintentional, but then days later proceeded to call commissioner Goodell to apologize. What is there to apologize for if what you did was “unintentional”? The best thing Suh could have done was publicly apologize to his fans and teammates for getting ejected in such an important game and at the time potentially facing a suspension that could cost his team a playoff spot. Maybe this will make him learn? I doubt it.

Rivalry Renewed

Posted on November 29, 2011 by jtulz07

One of the most famed rivalries in sports….Celtics vs. Lakers. With promises of the NBA season back in action, who could wait to see these two teams go at it again? Well C’s fans, you didn’t have to wait long. The East Coast, West Coast rivalry is already at battle, this time, off the court.

Two of the NBA’s biggest names being talked about are Chris Paul and Dwight Howard. Rumors have been lingering for months now regarding the C’s interest in Howard. It’s highly unlikely that even getting Howard alone could happen without getting rid of Rondo. But with the cap space and reality of putting Rondo on the trading block, it is possible to go after both. Likely? Maybe a stretch. Rondo does a great job running the offense but Ainge is looking for someone to put up points along side Pierce, which Rondo has never been able to do on a consistent basis. Fast forward a few months to present day and now the Lakers have entered the mix, and their not stopping at Howard. The Lakers want to and are in a decent shape to acquire both Howard and Chris Paul. This idea doesn’t sit well in my stomach. Sure it’s just speculation, but if the Lakers were to trade Bynum and Gasol, for these two stars, you can sure put the seemingly unraveling Lakers of last season back on the map.

Not Too Much “Brotherly Love” in Philly

Posted on November 29, 2011 by davecouture

I ventured off to Philadelphia this weekend with a group of friends to see the Patriots take on the Eagles. The Patriots dominated the Eagles 38-20 and the Philadelphia fans were not exactly thrilled about it. In the third quarter, there was a loud and clear “Fire Andy” chant throughout the stadium. Andy Reid has been the Head Coach of the Eagles since 1999 where he took over a team that went 3-13 the previous season. Reid completely turned that franchise around. He led the Eagles to four consecutive championships after only being the Head Coach for two seasons. Yes, this season has been a complete disaster for the Eagles but it wasn’t Coach Reid who put the spotlight on them by self-proclaiming themselves as the “Dream Team”. It was the players, and they deserve to take the blame. Every time DeSean Jackson touched the ball he got booed. Especially after dropping two potential TD passes. This is the difference between most team’s fans, and our New England fans. Everyone, (including Tom Brady) has criticized New England fans for not being as crazy and loud as others. If I was a Patriots player I would much rather have a fan base of loyal and more football educated, die-hard Patriots fans rather than a bunch of bandwagon drunks that are too delusional to realize the blame shouldn’t be on Andy Reid. Rather, it’s on their over-paid prima donna football players like DeSean Jackson.

New Season, New Rules

Posted on November 28, 2011 by nolankartholl

Three things as a result of the shortened NBA season:

1. John Wall will have his coming out party. Due the fact that this kid has more athleticism than just about anyone who has entered the league in the last decade – besides Yoa Ming of course – the shortened season will help him come out of the gates hot. Building off of his incredible second half performance last year, 17+ points and 8+ assists per game( look it up), this guy is going to come out of the gates like Seabiscuit.

2. Oklahoma City will cruise. Okay, so everyone is talking about how the shortened season will benefit the vets because they will have more poise and know how to manage the ups and downs better. With that being said, I am very excited to see how the San Antonio Spurs – who have a mean age of 46 – are going to hold up with back-to-back-to-back games. I love the Spurs, don’t get me wrong, but Oke City is young, fast, and healthy. These guys have the mojo and the scorers to flat out beat teams with their pace.

3. The Miami Heat will win the NBA Title. I mean, I know how much everyone out here loves Lebron… why wouldn’t you? This guy knows how to make a classy exit, perform in the 4th quarter and announce the unprecedented 8-peat – what’s not to like? Son of a bitch. Okay seriously now, I hate to announce it here on BSB, but I can’t get away from it. The shortened season, coupled with the fact that the Heat gelled late last year is a recipe for success. The 66 games will give guys like Dwayne Wade, who still have some left in the tank, the ability to push themselves more down the stretch. Athleticism and the ability to stay injury free will be critical this season.

It may be “un-BSB” of me to post this, but I’m a Pacer fan (at least we have Larry Bird), so I really have no hope whatsoever.

Room for Improvement

Posted on November 28, 2011 by jtulz07

In the NFL, it’s hard to criticize a team that’s first place in their division, looking at a first round bye in the playoffs. If you’re the Patriots, it comes with the territory. Winning isn’t enough. Perfection is the goal sought after. Bill would be the first to tell you that his team has yet to reach this state of excellence, despite their decade of dominance in the league. At 8-3 this year, you best believe the Pats have been under strict scrutiny. The secondary is horrible. Brady has shown signs of being human. Ochocinco was a bust. Blah, blah, blah. The hits just keep on coming.

Well let’s take a look at the facts. Kyle Arrington is leading the league in interceptions with seven and the Pats are actually tied 2nd overall in picks. Sure they’re ranked dead last in total defense and I agree they need to improve, but hey, we’ll take what we can get. Alright, so now Brady’s taking criticism? He leads the league in passing with 3,627 yards and is 2nd in passer rating and TD passes. Let’s be honest, Tom’s still nowhere near human. Ochocinco…alright ya got me.

Chad Ochocinco has been less than stellar for the Pats, to say the very least. I think he played more of a role in the win against the Eagles than he has all year. Not only did he not play, but word on the street is that Terrell Owens was on the Patriots sidelines at the beginning of the game. T.O. wants back and what better place than New England? The Pats have nothing to lose in at least taking a look at Owens. If he too is a bust, we get rid of him. The Patriot’s offense has been great with our young guns and Tom but add a deep threat into the mix…game over.

Meyer Moves North

Posted on November 28, 2011 by christoph131

After week-long speculation about why he was taking time off from being an ESPN analyst, Urban Meyer accepted the Ohio State head coaching job. He will hope to turn the Buckeyes back around after all the controversy that haunted them after last season. Over 10 seasons of coaching, Meyer only has lost 23 games (of course he had Jesus-loving Tebow for a good amount of those years). He will make 40 million dollars over the next 7 years which begs the question, what am I doing with my life? This salary would put him at the top of the list with Alabama’s Nick Saban and Texas’ Mack Brown as the highest paid coaches in NCAA Football. Let’s see if this 40 million dollar man can turn Freshman Braxton Miller into a Tim Tebow-caliber player.