Jacoby_Ellsbury

And 2007 World Series. But that doesn't change that he really screwed us over this year (deliberately, from the looks of things).

So wait, I forget... was Buchholz injured in May-July, or did management just send him down to Pawtucket arbitrarily? If it was the latter, I blame the Red Sox for screwing him royally.

What's AAAA?

Anything to keep Coco from playing everyday I guess. LOL

Packers and Bucs discussing Favre trade per Rotoworld http://www.rotoworld.com/content/HeadLines.aspx?sport=NFL&hl=119335 As much as I hate Favre's inability to make up his mind, I'd be ecstatic if he became a Buc.

What up? Welcome to talksox

Buchholz will get things straightened out. A number of pretty good pitchers currently in baseball were anywhere from below-average to putrid in their first or second full season in the majors (Maddux, Webb, Bonderman, Greinke, Mulder to name a few). If Clay doesn't get it together this year, I'm pretty sure he'll take his lumps, make some adjustments in the offseason/next year's ST, and be a lot better next season.

no no

well problem solved then. i was just responding to a lineup that had both Holliday and Bay in LF and CF.

Ellsbury should be leading off and Pedroia should be hitting second, with Youkilis at 5 or 6. We don't need both Matt Holliday and Jason Bay.

By subtracting Drew.

If Watson was top 10 material, he wouldn't be competing with Marcus Pollard or David Thomas.

Just add Ellsbury. And eliminate the possibility of Lugo. THEN its a sick lineup.

Cool thread. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2008 Outlook: Quarterback The Combatants: Jeff Garcia, Brian Griese, Josh Johnson, Chris Simms, Luke McCown Outlook: I'm not sure the Bucs can be considered Super Bowl contenders in a conference that is steadily getting better, so the best move for the team would be to NOT name Jeff Garcia or Brian Griese (the two obvious candidates coming into camp) the starting QB. I believe now is the time to start establishing a young quarterback and get him into the swing of things, which is why I think the team should name Josh Johnson the 2008 starter. Johnson was a 6th-round draft pick out of San Diego, and during his final season there he threw for 43 TDs and just 1 INT (off a tipped pass I might add). I don't care what league you play in, that's pretty impressive, and should merit at least a crack at the starting job on a team without any elite QBs. It would be best if one of Griese and Garcia (pref. Griese) were kept as veteran insurance in case Johnson flounders, trade the other (pref. Garcia, more value) and try and acquire an extra draft pick for next year. Chris Simms is pretty much out the door already after a public feud with coach Gruden, and Luke McCown will never start for a capable NFL franchise. Running Back: The Combatants: Carnell (Cadillac) Williams, Warrick Dunn, Kenneth Darby, Michael Bennett, Earnest Graham, Clifton Smith Outlook: Earnest Graham was a pleasant surprise at RB last year, pounding his way into the end-zone 10 times and rushing for 898 yards (good for 8th in the NFC). The Bucs have a glut of running backs coming into this year, and I think Graham will be best used as a tandem back with either Cadillac or Dunn, combining their agility and receiving ability with Graham's brutality. Of course, there's legitamite concern for pretty much every other back on the roster besides Graham. Warrick Dunn isn't getting any younger, and one nasty hit by Brian Urlacher or Patrick Willis could send him right into injured reserve. Cadillac spent most of last year on IR himself, and there's a chance he won't completely bounce back from the nasty knee injury that ended his season after 4 games. The rest of the backs here (Darby, Smith, Bennett) are probably best suited to back-up roles. Full Back: The Combatants: B.J. Askew, Byron Storer, Carl Stewart Outlook: B.J. is more a receiving/rushing FB than a blocker, and he's offset by Byron Storer, who's entering his second NFL season and is a good blocking FB. Needless to say, the best way to do this is to use the two in rotation, depending on the set. Wide Receiver: The Combatants: Joey Galloway, Ike Hilliard, Maurice Stovall, Antonio Bryant, Mike Spurlock, Michael Clayton, Dexter Jackson, Warren Paris, Brian Clark, Cortez Hankton, Chad Lucas Outlook: A total of 11 receivers are on the Bucs roster coming into this year; however, only 7 can be considered likely to make the team. The first concern is age, as the top two Bucs receivers last year (Galloway, Hilliard) total 68 years of age. The team drafted Dexter Jackson in the 2nd round, and he brings plenty of speed to the table. It wouldn't be a bad time for Clayton to starting stepping up either, as he has been nowhere on the map since catching 80 balls his rookie year in 2004. One guy on the team who is a bit of a wildcard is 23 year old Maurice Stovall. He's 6-5, 220 lbs, but he has very unusual agility and speed for his size, plus a great leaping ability. If Stovall turns out to be the real deal, he'll move up on the chart real fast. Antonio Bryant missed all of last season, and is still due to serve a 4 game suspension for violating the NFL's drug policy two years ago. But when's he on the field, he's proven to be a quality playmaker, and there's no reason to think he won't see time in 4 (or less) wideout sets. Spurlock excelled as a returner last year, and that's where he figures to stay this year with so many others ahead of him on the chart. The others are practice squad fodder at best. Tight End: The Combatants: Ben Troupe, John Gilmore, Jerramy Stevens, Alex Smith, Daniel Fells Outlook: Smith led the team last year with 32 catches, and does well as both a blocker and receiver. He could be considered the front runner to land the starting job this year. However, the team signed Ben Troupe in the offseason, who is a very nice athlete and presents matchup problems. He didn't play much in 2007 and was rendered expendable by Bo Scaife's emergence in Tennessee, but has put up quality numbers in the past, and he's still only 25. Gilmore was brought in from Chicago, and he's probably the best blocker (at TE/FB ) on the team. Jerramy Stevens has been a head case in the past, and he will likely be the odd man out in the competition this year. Offensive Line: The Combatants by position LT: Donald Penn, Luke Petitgout, Dennis Roland LG: Arron Sears, Dan Buenning C: Jeff Faine, Jeremy Zuttah RG: Davin Joseph, Brian Johnson RT: Jeremy Trueblood, Anthony Davis, Chris Denman Outlook Left Tackle: Donald Penn was impressive in the final 12 games of the regular season, becoming the starter after Luke Petitgout went down. Penn has the gift of being both huge and agile, and is the likely man to start at LT this season. Left Guard: Arron Sears was drafted in the 2nd round last year and helped out immediately with his aggressive run blocking, starting all 16 regular season games and the 1 playoff game. Buenning has starting experience in the past, but was bumped out of his starter's job by Sears last year. Sears has to be the favorite. Center: Jeff Faine was signed from New Orleans in the offseason, and he brings stability to a position previously up for grabs. Faine had an excellent two years with the Saints, and since its an intra-division move for him, he'll be facing many of the same opponents. Right Guard: Davin Joseph started all official games last year for the Bucs, and has been the team's starting right guard ever since he was drafted in 2006. Right Tackle: Jeremy Trueblood started all 16 regular season games last year along with 1 playoff game, and is a house at 6-8, 320 lbs. He also made 13 starts his rookie year in 2006. Defensive End: The Combatants: Gaines Adams, Greg White, Kevin Carter, Jimmy Wilkerson, Marques Douglas, Charles Bennett Outlook: Tampa Bay made Adams the 4th overall pick in last season's draft, and he responded by racking up 6 sacks in just 8 starts. On the other side, Greg White came out of the Arena League last year with a very impressive 8 sacks and 7 forced fumbles in just two starts (though he played in all official games in 2007). Kevin Carter started 14 out of 16 games for TB last year, and made 73 tackles and 3 sacks. The three of them make DE a solid position on a 2nd-ranked defense last year. Defensive Tackle: The Combatants: Jovan Haye, Chris Hovan, Dre Moore, Ryan Sims, Greg Peterson, Chris Bradwell Outlook: The Bucs have been missing the agile, aggressive, successful pass rushing DT that is the base of the Tampa Two defense since Warren Sapp left after the 2003 season. However, Jovan Haye was extremely impressive last season, with 97 tackles, 6 sacks, and 4 FFs and appears the stabilizing force the Bucs need at this position. Chris Hovan is the most likely player to start at the other DT position, with his veteran skills and leadership. The team drafted Dre Moore in this year's draft to help out as well. Linebackers: The Combatants: Derrick Brooks, Cato June, Barrett Ruud, Geno Hayes, Quincy Black, Antoine Cash, Ryan Nece Outlook: The trio of June, Ruud, and Brooks is pretty much locked into the 3 starting LB jobs, barring injury. The surprising Ruud was arguably the most productive player on the entire defensive unit, making 169 tackles, 2 picks, and 3 fumble recoveries and forced fumbles. Derrick Brooks was rock-solid last season as always, making 162 tackles. The only concern with Brooks heading into this season is age; Brooks is 35. His streak of 192 consecutive games started may be in jeopardy. Cato June was bought in from Indy before last season, collecting 120 tackles, rounding out the team's excellent linebacker play. Ruud and June are still relatively young, which bodes well for a defensive unit which has some prominent members getting up there in age. Should injury occur to one of the three, promising rookie Geno Hayes should be the first to get the call to step in. Cornerback: The Combatants: Ronde Barber, Aqib Talib, Sammy Davis, Philip Buchanon, Darrell Hunter, Marcus Hamilton Outlook: Ronde Barber is still among the NFL's elite cornerbacks, but he is also getting up there in age at 33 years old. That said, Barber's main strength has never been his speed, but rather his toughness and intelligence. He should be a quality mentor for rookie Aqib Talib, who the Bucs deemed worthy of their first round draft choice. Talib is a speed demon, but has had some character issues in the past. Davis and Buchanon are veteran CB's who can step in should Talib struggle. Safeties: The Combatants FS: Tanard Jackson, Eugene Wilson, Will Allen SS: Jermaine Phillips, Sabby Piscitelli, Donte Nicholson Outlook: In 2007, the safety positions were extremely productive with the previously little-known Jackson starting alongside Phillips. This season should be more of the same, and the position is deeper this year with ex-Patriot Eugene Wilson stepping into a backup role behind Jackson and possibly Phillips. Ex-starter Will Allen and the speedy Piscitelli round out the safety corps. Special Teams: K: Matt Bryant P: Josh Bidwell LS: Andrew Economos Outlook: Kicker Matt Bryant has shown great power the past few seasons as the Bucs' kicker. Veteran punter Josh Bidwell booted for 43.9 average last season. Coach: Outlook: Jon Gruden's team has had limited success since the Super Bowl run in 2002, but he doesn't appear to be in any kind of trouble, job-wise. I personally like Gruden as a coach, and his fiery approach to the game. If the Bucs fail this year, Gruden won't be the reason.

If I remember correctly this guy was absolutely terrible with Cleveland earlier this year (resulting in his release), but I guess we need bullpen help any way we can get it.

LOL thanks. But now I'm sort of embarassed that I took this thread and made it into an everybody apologize type of thread. I can't win with myself.

Is it the kind of thing where, since its the trade deadline, fans of other teams join and say s*** about getting the better deal (if we traded with their team)?

Kneejerk stuff. I was pretty pissed about those deals at first but I've softened my stance up a little. I don't give other posters s*** unless they give me s*** first, if that's what you're getting at. I didn't insult any other posters in those posts you quoted, I was angry as f*** that we gave away Ramirez for Bay, who's not as good as Manny to start with, and we let go of two prospects (one of which I really liked) on top of that (all of this IN MY OPINION for disclaimer purposes). Kilo and example1 came to me and gave me bullcrap, so I just dished it back. I didn't join this place to make enemies or be a hostile prick (or accept stuff from hostile pricks). I came here to talk baseball.

Well, I just figured that since you're such a smart ass you would at least know who drafted the guy. He also spent some major league time with the Padres, just so you know. I'm not saying you should care. I've just always been of the opinion that message boards are places to enjoy, talk sports (or whatever topic the forum represents), and have chill discussions about said topics. Especially since we're all fans of the same team here. For the record, I'm not really concerned about what you consider 'low intellect', nor should any reasonable person on here, because I'm willing that people like yourself who go on internet rampages against those who disagree with you don't have very fulfilling lives off the computer. I'm done talking about Foulke. Because every time someone posts a differing opinion on here they get mauled, after a while who gives a f***, you know? Maybe I'll start thinking like everybody else now just to appease you people.

No, Jason Bay was drafted by Montreal! YOU ARE WRONG!!

Nope. I will keep posting, thanks. Just to piss you and a couple of others on here off. Since differing opinions seem to draw quite a wave of anger here. I guess people like you are the classic Boston fans the rest of the country hates and criticizes. With good reason, I might add.

I stand corrected. Disregard the earlier stuff.

I'll re-word this one. Is was a great signing gone bad. I know that he was huge in 2004, but that was the only year of the deal he showed up. Imagine where we could have gone in 05 if we just had a quality closer.

Millar was just in the right place at the right time. He was not vital to us winning anything in 04. Bill Mueller won the 2003 batting title, but if memory serves he wasn't quite as good in 04.