Thursday, November 04, 2004
INJURED PATS BEAT BY STEELERS
With no Dillon and subsequently no running game, no corner backs, and 2 receivers out, I'm not shocked we lost to a Steelers team that came off a bye week, was at home, and has bene energized by Ben Rothelsberger. Bellicheck usually fairs better against QBs the more times he plays them so this being Rothel's 1st game against the Pats and going against CBs Samuel and Gay, he was able to pick apart the defense and move the ball. Remember, the Pats are still 6-1, are tied for the division lead and the best record in the conference. The MOTG was Ben Rothelsberger.
FREE AGENCY FILINGS
These players have thus far filed for free agency:
Ellis Burks, Orlando Cabrera, Gabe Kapler, Curtis Leskanic, Derek Lowe, Pedro Martinez, David McCarty, Ramiro Mendoza, Doug Mirabelli, Mike Myers, Pokey Reese, Jason Varitek, and Scott Williamson.
Burks, Mendoza and McCarty are no-brainers. McCarty is solid but Mientkiewicz is a superior player. Burks is done and Mendoza was left off the WS roster.
Leskanic, Lowe, Myers, and Williamson are solid but easily replaced. D-Lowe was HUGE in the playoffs but his regular season lacked dependibility and consistency. Leskanic is a typical long releiver from the pen and can either be signed cheaply by us or replaced. Myers is a left-handed specialist in a similar situation to that of Leskanic's. Williamson's injury problems make him somewhat of a liability and I'm sure Theo can find an equal replacement for low cost.
Three very good bench players are up for free agency. Gabe Kapler provides speed and defense off the bench but he will be desired by many teams. Reese is a gold glove candidate at both middle infield spots and gives the team alot of speed off the bench and depending on whether or not we sign Cabrera, his destiny is quite unclear. Mirabelli is undoubtedly the best backup catcher, at least offensively, and his ability to catch Wakefield is nice. His 9 HRs in limited time will make him expensive to keep, however.
The three big free agents are Varitek, Pedro, and Cabrera. Varitek is the leader of the team and the pitching staff and it is imperitive that we resign him. Cabrera is also an important player to sign. With several other free agent SSs out there (Renteria, Garciaparra, Reese), he will not be an incredibly desired commodity. His defense and consistent offense and quality at-bats helped this team win the World Series and I think we need to sign him. Pedro is a wild card. He could take a discount to stay here or he could stay in Boston. I feel that he is replaceable but if he goes to New York, that could be crushing to me and some of the Red Sox players.
I trust Theo will make the right moves. Not all of his moves will be right, but he will make most the right ones and he has proven that he does not let his emotions sway his decision making which is crucial.
SHOCKING, CELTICS LOSE OPENER TO PHILLY
The Celtics had a lead but couldn't hold it much like they did last year. Pierce had 35 points and 13 rebounds but Davis and Blount were the only other starts to get into double figures in points. Gary Payton added an unimpressive 6 points in his Celtics debut. It will be a long and pointless season but because there's no NHL, I'm going to have to follow the Celtics.
With no Dillon and subsequently no running game, no corner backs, and 2 receivers out, I'm not shocked we lost to a Steelers team that came off a bye week, was at home, and has bene energized by Ben Rothelsberger. Bellicheck usually fairs better against QBs the more times he plays them so this being Rothel's 1st game against the Pats and going against CBs Samuel and Gay, he was able to pick apart the defense and move the ball. Remember, the Pats are still 6-1, are tied for the division lead and the best record in the conference. The MOTG was Ben Rothelsberger.
FREE AGENCY FILINGS
These players have thus far filed for free agency:
Ellis Burks, Orlando Cabrera, Gabe Kapler, Curtis Leskanic, Derek Lowe, Pedro Martinez, David McCarty, Ramiro Mendoza, Doug Mirabelli, Mike Myers, Pokey Reese, Jason Varitek, and Scott Williamson.
Burks, Mendoza and McCarty are no-brainers. McCarty is solid but Mientkiewicz is a superior player. Burks is done and Mendoza was left off the WS roster.
Leskanic, Lowe, Myers, and Williamson are solid but easily replaced. D-Lowe was HUGE in the playoffs but his regular season lacked dependibility and consistency. Leskanic is a typical long releiver from the pen and can either be signed cheaply by us or replaced. Myers is a left-handed specialist in a similar situation to that of Leskanic's. Williamson's injury problems make him somewhat of a liability and I'm sure Theo can find an equal replacement for low cost.
Three very good bench players are up for free agency. Gabe Kapler provides speed and defense off the bench but he will be desired by many teams. Reese is a gold glove candidate at both middle infield spots and gives the team alot of speed off the bench and depending on whether or not we sign Cabrera, his destiny is quite unclear. Mirabelli is undoubtedly the best backup catcher, at least offensively, and his ability to catch Wakefield is nice. His 9 HRs in limited time will make him expensive to keep, however.
The three big free agents are Varitek, Pedro, and Cabrera. Varitek is the leader of the team and the pitching staff and it is imperitive that we resign him. Cabrera is also an important player to sign. With several other free agent SSs out there (Renteria, Garciaparra, Reese), he will not be an incredibly desired commodity. His defense and consistent offense and quality at-bats helped this team win the World Series and I think we need to sign him. Pedro is a wild card. He could take a discount to stay here or he could stay in Boston. I feel that he is replaceable but if he goes to New York, that could be crushing to me and some of the Red Sox players.
I trust Theo will make the right moves. Not all of his moves will be right, but he will make most the right ones and he has proven that he does not let his emotions sway his decision making which is crucial.
SHOCKING, CELTICS LOSE OPENER TO PHILLY
The Celtics had a lead but couldn't hold it much like they did last year. Pierce had 35 points and 13 rebounds but Davis and Blount were the only other starts to get into double figures in points. Gary Payton added an unimpressive 6 points in his Celtics debut. It will be a long and pointless season but because there's no NHL, I'm going to have to follow the Celtics.
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