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While I have been down on him for a couple of years, I think this is a little pre-mature to just outright release him. Tell him that they do not really have a role with them and ask him what he wants them to do. Maybe he goes on the DL in spring training with phantom injuries and they activate him using ST as a retroactive date when they need him. Releasing him is kind of tough.....hopefully he walks away on his own and doesnt force our hand.

and days on the DL

Yeah, he will be the starting catcher for about a month. His .181 Batting Average, Sub .300 OB%, lack of power, throwing balls into CF, boxing balls, inability to call a game, Passed balls will do him in. We will be CLAMORING for Varitek to start and give us that .232 Batting average with a .293 OB%, limited power production and an arm which couldnt catch Cecil Fielder trying to steal second. We need another option. (I only used batting average in the post because they will be so horrible, its comedic to point out)

Nice chart example. Thank you for putting in the effort to do that. Looks like some of us have underestimated how good Crawford really is.

He doesnt trust his defense like he used to.....you are right and its pretty clear they are nowhere close to what they once were. I am not arguing that. I dont see it as a "no-no" to go for it on fourth down. How many times have you found yourself screaming at the TV to "go for it". Unlike most teams, we have a coach who has the balls to put the petal to the medal. 4th and less than 1 with Brady quick snapping a qb sneak has a high percentage conversion rate. Its almost automatic. In the last couple of years, a study was actually done showing that going for it on 4th down might actually be better than punting the ball, assuming you are on your opponents side of the field. Here is a link to that study: http://elsa.berkeley.edu/~dromer/papers/JPE_April06.pdf Ever think that the reason he goes for it so much is because he considers that a better scheme than punting the ball? Its great to pin a team inside the 20, but that is rarer than we think. Most likely the result will be touchback, and the punt gained 20 total net yards. Why not go for it and at least move the ball, kill some clock and try to get some points out of it? Its better than no points at all. Ever think that maybe BB is ahead of the curve?? (as he almost always is). I loved what Randy did in 07. I loved what he did for Matt Cassel in 08, but last year he started to wear on me. Last year he started his s***, it was only a matter of time. Give the Patriots credit, they diagnosed and got rid of the cancer before it became terminal. Randy Moss was NEVER 100% motivated this year. Like I said, this was only going to get worse. It was never going to get better. Shame on Moss, he dug his own grave. If you dont give 100% to BB and this team all game, every game.....he will replace you. It doesnt matter who you are. Nobody is above the team on that squad. BB says it over and over....."do your job", Randy Moss clearly did not and met his demise.

Lee to the Phillies? Pants tent. The woman in my life will be calling the doctors tomorrow because of an "erection which lasts longer than 8 hours".

Emmz, I respect your football knowledge. I really do. Here are some things to consider however. They HAVE reverted to their old school philosophy. They are throwing screens all day long. They are using dink and dunk.....this version uses the TE's more than they did in the past. They are running the ball, they are play faking. You mention that the old school team relied on ball control....this season has been Bradys BEST season in terms of ball control. 6 straight games of 2 TD passes and 0 INT. The longest active streak in terms of completions without an interception. They have not had a turnover in FIVE games. BJGE has not fumbled a single time all year long. They have done everything....and BETTER than the old school Patriots teams did offensively, and they have more balance than the 07 team did. The defense is getting better. Yeah they sucked, and sucked bad at one point....but they are now starting to pressure QB's and getting turnovers. 2 INTs this week. 2 fumbles forced this week. Mccourty is second in the NFL in interceptions. Yeah this team may be flawed right now. But they are also one of the youngest units in the entire league. They are getting better.

Nope, you are right....went right over my head.

Not quite sure what you are getting at there.....but screw you Pats fans! No fanboy crap here. Only serious stuff!

Yeah....screw you Patriots fans for being pumped about the Patriots winning. Screw you guys because we were wrong!!!!!! So the next best thing is to insult Pats fans. Hey Pats fans you had nothing to do with the win!!! Pat yourself on the back!!!!

shucks.... Randy Moss was the end of the Patriots offense.

I would take either one......over our current options. Actually, make that option (no plural). Varitek is not an option. He is a backup only. Both of those guys are more appealing than Salty.

Buster_ESPN Heard this: Boston is viewed as the front-runner for Russell Martin at this point, according to folks with knowledge of the talks.

I too, love this move. But from day 1 (we knew they would have to account for Beltre and VMART) the weakness was the bullpen. They still HAVE to address the bullpen.

Traditions? I eat a sausage outside the pahhhk. I eat some fenway franks inside......and try to fight the urge of pooping at the park. Dirty toilet seats. Usually its a fight I lose. My insides make my stomach produce the 4th of July fireworks out of my ass because of old/undercooked meat sold at the park. Its ok, its a tradition I happily repeat.

Posada is a below average DH.

Sox made a 7 year offer at Cliff Lee just before signing Crawford: Before signing Carl Crawford, the Red Sox may have engaged in some good old-fashioned negotiating hijinks. It would be just like the Sox to throw a monkey wrench into the Yankees’ attempt to sign Cliff Lee And this little stunt, if it indeed happened, would have qualified. The Sox are one team that made a seven-year offer to Lee, according to officials with another club. But there was a catch. The offer was for a lower dollar figure than Lee would accept, making it an offer that Lee was certain to refuse.

They signed one of the best available corner OF's available this season and most likely next year. JD Drew comes off the book next year. At first I thought it was TERRIBLE. Now that Ive taken a step back and looked at it, it much actually not be so bad. Werth was still a worse deal IMO.

What does this mean for Ellsbury? There is no way they begin the season with 3 LH bats in the OF and 1 LH bat at 1B and DH. Carlos Beltran, Im telling you, thats the next brick to drop.