Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Red Sox Decline Options On Scott Atchinson and Dan Wheeler
Scott Atchison's option was for the 2012 MLB minimum plus $200,000. He remains on the 40-man roster and is not eligible for arbitration. So the Sox could simply tender him an offer at the minimum or slightly above and retain him.
Dan Wheeler is a Type B free agent. So the Red Sox could offer him arbitration and get a draft pick once he signs with another team.
I was really let down by Dan Wheeler who went 2-2, 4.38 ERA with 39 Ks, but none of these guys will be missed. It's weird with relievers because they can be so good one year and suck the next. I mean Bobby Jenks (although I highly doubt it) could have a really good year next year. I don't know what the Sox are going to do bullpen wise, I'd like to say we are going to get Heath Bell and other bad ass guys but who knows.
Broncos Sticking With Tebow
The Bronco's are sticking with Tim Tebow this weekend against Oakland after he put on a stellar performance of 18/39 for 172yard with 1 TD and 1 Int, rushed for 63, got sacked 7 times for -55, fumbled. It's almost beating a dead horse to say that this guy shouldn't be starting at QB anymore. Sure he may have won a couple games in the 4th, sure he had an unbelievable career at Florida, but this guy can't throw accurately, can't read a defense and this isn't college.
The Broncos would be much better served drafting a Landry Jones or trading for a Ryan Mallett this offseason then sticking with Tebow passed this year. I honestly believe if Tebow switched to righty and learned how to properly throw with the arm he would be a better qb, his windup is far too long. Kyle Orton will be starting after this weekend.
Breaking News: Julian Edelman Arrested
"According to a report in the Boston Globe, Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman will be arraigned on charges of indecent assault and battery in Boston Municipal Court on Tuesday. Officers were called to a Back Bay nightclub around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday morning to investigate reports of a possible assault. Edelman was arrested on a single count of indecent assault and battery, according to Boston police spokeswoman Elaine Driscoll. Edelman was taken into custody but posted bail and was released by police (WEEI)."
Right now the story is that Edleman was at some Halloween party and was dancing with some chick and reached under her dress. This caused a fight between Edleman and some guy that was there. All 3 people were kicked out of the bar, and police arrived at the scene and arrested Edleman.
It is too early to know what's true or not true, but with Edleman only having 3 catches for 25 yards this year I'd say he is probably going to be cut rather quickly. The Patriots have way too many similar WRs on this roster as it is, and if this is true will be a back eye for the Patriots and I would expect that they wouldn't put up with this.
If we get more news on the story we'll update the post.
Kim Fucking Kardashian Is A Great Scam Artist
So yesterday Kim Kardashian filed for divorce from former husband and New Jersey Net Kris Humphries to end a 72 day marriage. If you remember this relationship was followed by their show and the marriage was a 2 day, 4 hour event that netted them 18 million dollars.
So she was married for 72 days, robbed everyone and we aren't supposed to be mad about this. Listen the Kardashians are only famous because Kim made the most unimpressive porn I have ever seen, and since then she has been riding as much black cock until Kris Humphries. Like I read on twitter yesterday, With Kim K being single, and the McRib sandwich coming out, this is the best week in the history of black men." She is a talentless cunt, and the world would probably be better if the place was rid of the Kardashians altogether. I hope people boycott their show and their stores and just have them go away.
Also, in these situations do you need to return gifts in this situation? I feel like morally you should, but this C bag probably wont.
Well CC Is Off The Market
The Yankees and starting pitcher CC Sabathia came to an agreement on a contract extension yesterday night to that adds $30 million and one season to his existing contract, giving him a package that pays $122 million over the next five years.
Anyone who thought that CC was going anywhere other than New York this offseason was foolish. There is no way that the Yankees were going to let this kid go. People will say that CC is going to eventually break down because of his weight and because he throws a bazillion innings a year, but not going to happen. This guy is an old school pitcher who will be able to go up there and be effective for a majority of his contract. The good news for this means that the Yankees may not overspend on other SP out there, so the Sox may get a fair shot at whoever they desire (hopefully not CJ Wilson). I say trade our whole minor leagues to Seattle for Felix but whatever.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Today's Train of Thought- The Jolly Green Giant and the Pumpkin Patch, October 31st, 2011
Today's train of though takes us back to the pumpkin patch for Haloween this year, this time in the Wolverine state.Here, railpictures.net contributor Craig Williams caught Huron & Eastern's Durand Turn decelerating past a pumpkin patch south of Bay City, MI. The weekday train to the Norfolk Southern interchange in Durand (west of Flint) has an all GE lashup on this October 2008 afternoon. The green paint of previous owner BNSF/Burlington Northern on lead unit- C30-7 #5086- is still visible in the fading afternoon light.
Trailing #5086 is cabless B30-7AB- also purchased secondhand from Burlington Northern- has been repainted into a scarlet and grey reminiscent of the Southern Pacific and a black and white U23B trailing.
#1 Versus #2 in College Football
#1 LSU will play #2 Alabama in an SEC showdown Saturday in Tuscalosa. Here's a look at the last 7 great regular season clashes featuring the top 2 ranked teams in the country.
Nov. 18, 2006 No. 1 Ohio State def. No. 2 Michigan 42-39
The Buckeyes won a memorable shootout the day after legendary Michigan coach Bo Schembechler died. There were 900 yards of total offense, each team had a running back rush for over 100 yards, and the game wasn’t decided until Ted Ginn recovered an onside kick attempt by the Wolverines after Chad Henne’s TD pass cut the game to 42-39 with two minutes left.
Sept. 9, 2006 No. 1 Ohio State def. No. 2 Texas 24-7
Early-season showdown was kind of boring. Troy Smith threw two TD passes – including one to Ted Ginn in the final minute of the first half – and Colt McCoy and Texas struggled. You probably remember these two standout backs from this game: Jamaal Charles (113 total yards) and Beanie Wells. Troy Smith went on to win the Heisman trophy.
Nov. 30, 1996 No. 2 Florida State def. No. 1 Florida 24-21
FSU’s stout defense – led by Daryl Bush, Peter Boulware, Andre Wadsworth, Sam Cowart and Samari Rolle – beat the hell out of Danny Wuerffel (he threw for 362 yards but completed less than 50 percent of his passes and was picked three times) and won at Doak Campbell.
Nov. 13, 1993 No. 2 Notre Dame def. No. 1 Florida State 31-24
It was billed as the “Game of the Century” and Gameday made its first trip to South Bend. Lee Becton was Notre Dame’s workhorse running back who features prominently in the video below. Charlie Ward was the FSU QB who tried to rally the ‘Noles from a 14-point deficit in the final two minutes.
Nov. 16, 1991 No. 2 Miami (Fla.) def. No. 1 Florida State 17-16
The QB matchup at the time was great: Gino Torretta vs. Casey Weldon. Three stars from the game that will jog the memory of anyone over the age of 30: FSU running back Amp Lee and Miami LBs Jesse Armstead and Michael Barrow. With less than :10 to play, FSU kicker Gerry Thomas missed a FG Wide Right. Bobby Bowden famously looked befuddled. Miami went on to win the National title. The following year, this series produced Wide Right II.
Sept. 16, 1989 No. 1 Notre Dame def. No. 2 Michigan 24-19
Rocket Ismail ran two kickoffs back for touchdowns and the Irish attempted just two passes – Tony Rice, the option QB was legendary – and Notre Dame won in Ann Arbor. Here’s what Bo said about Ismail: ‘That may be the fastest guy I’ve ever seen … He’s faster than the speed of sound.”
Nov. 26, 1988 No. 1 Notre Dame def. No. 2 USC 27-10
Tony Rice vs. Rodney Peete at the Coliseum. Rice threw a 55-yard TD pass to Rocket Ismail, and then Rice scampered around the end on the option for a 65-yard TD run and the Irish rolled.
Nov. 18, 2006 No. 1 Ohio State def. No. 2 Michigan 42-39
The Buckeyes won a memorable shootout the day after legendary Michigan coach Bo Schembechler died. There were 900 yards of total offense, each team had a running back rush for over 100 yards, and the game wasn’t decided until Ted Ginn recovered an onside kick attempt by the Wolverines after Chad Henne’s TD pass cut the game to 42-39 with two minutes left.
Sept. 9, 2006 No. 1 Ohio State def. No. 2 Texas 24-7
Early-season showdown was kind of boring. Troy Smith threw two TD passes – including one to Ted Ginn in the final minute of the first half – and Colt McCoy and Texas struggled. You probably remember these two standout backs from this game: Jamaal Charles (113 total yards) and Beanie Wells. Troy Smith went on to win the Heisman trophy.
Nov. 30, 1996 No. 2 Florida State def. No. 1 Florida 24-21
FSU’s stout defense – led by Daryl Bush, Peter Boulware, Andre Wadsworth, Sam Cowart and Samari Rolle – beat the hell out of Danny Wuerffel (he threw for 362 yards but completed less than 50 percent of his passes and was picked three times) and won at Doak Campbell.
Nov. 13, 1993 No. 2 Notre Dame def. No. 1 Florida State 31-24
It was billed as the “Game of the Century” and Gameday made its first trip to South Bend. Lee Becton was Notre Dame’s workhorse running back who features prominently in the video below. Charlie Ward was the FSU QB who tried to rally the ‘Noles from a 14-point deficit in the final two minutes.
Nov. 16, 1991 No. 2 Miami (Fla.) def. No. 1 Florida State 17-16
The QB matchup at the time was great: Gino Torretta vs. Casey Weldon. Three stars from the game that will jog the memory of anyone over the age of 30: FSU running back Amp Lee and Miami LBs Jesse Armstead and Michael Barrow. With less than :10 to play, FSU kicker Gerry Thomas missed a FG Wide Right. Bobby Bowden famously looked befuddled. Miami went on to win the National title. The following year, this series produced Wide Right II.
Sept. 16, 1989 No. 1 Notre Dame def. No. 2 Michigan 24-19
Rocket Ismail ran two kickoffs back for touchdowns and the Irish attempted just two passes – Tony Rice, the option QB was legendary – and Notre Dame won in Ann Arbor. Here’s what Bo said about Ismail: ‘That may be the fastest guy I’ve ever seen … He’s faster than the speed of sound.”
Nov. 26, 1988 No. 1 Notre Dame def. No. 2 USC 27-10
Tony Rice vs. Rodney Peete at the Coliseum. Rice threw a 55-yard TD pass to Rocket Ismail, and then Rice scampered around the end on the option for a 65-yard TD run and the Irish rolled.
The Shaq/Kobe feud could be ready to boil over again.
"So I'm on edge because I don't have a new deal, and Kobe is on edge because he might be going to jail, so we're taking it out on each other. Just before the start of the '03-'04 season the coaching staff called us in and said, "No more public sparring or you'll get fined." ... Phil was tired of it. Karl Malone and Gary Payton were sick of it. ...
So what happens? Immediately after that Kobe runs right out to Jim Gray and does this interview where he lets me have it. He said I was fat and out of shape. He said I was milking my toe injury for more time off, and the injury wasn't even that serious. (Yeah, right. It only ended my damn career.) He said I was "lobbying for a contract extension when we have two Hall of Famers playing pretty much for free." I'm sitting there watching this interview and I'm gonna explode. Hours earlier we had just promised our coach we'd stop. It was a truce broken. I let the guys know, "I'm going to kill him."
http://deadspin.com/5854904/in-new-book-shaq-explains-how-kobes-sexual-assault-charges-destroyed-the-lakers
Haunted House Floors Reporter
Major props to this reporter for not dropping F bombs after being scared to death while airing a live shot from a haunted house in Detroit.
This is SO Bush League
Arkansas Special Teams player Marquel Wade with the "Cheap Shot" of the century on Vanderbilt's Jonathan Krauss in Saturday's game in Nashville. Wade was ejected. They ought to give Krauss a chance to get a running start and bowl his butt over.
Happy Halloween From Not Another New England Sports Blog!
Well, this certainly has the feel of a Halloween unlike any other. Whether travel plans included flying across the country or trick-or-treating in the neighborhood, the recent snowstorm has thrown the travel plans of millions into complete disarray.Whatever your Halloween plans are, here's hoping that you're able to stay safe and warm. If you're travelling any distance, be especially careful.
And Halloween just wouldn't be Halloween without attractive women wearing not very much, wouldn't it? Even though there's technically no costume involved, one can't help but admire this Elvgren girl proudly displaying the fruits of her labor.
This is from a 1962 Gil Elvgren piece titled All Smiles (or Glamorous) in which the charming, scantily clad brunette still has the foresight to keep pumpkin guts off of her.
Millions Without Electricity as Northeast Socked by Early Snowstorm
Williamstown, MA looking more like a Christmas card thanHalloween this weekend. AP PhotoMuch of the northeast and mid-Atlantic region was socked by an unusually early snowstorm this weekend, knocking down tree branches, shutting down schools, airports or highways and leaving millions without electricity. Some officials say that it could be up to a week before electricity is fully restored in some areas.
From West Virginia to Maine, residents were digging themselves out from as many as 32 inches of snow in some places. Governors throughout the region declared a state of emergency as utility crews and personell worked to restore power, open up roadways and remove falled tree limbs.
In Connecticut, Governor Malloy ordered 900 cots and food brought to Hartford's stranded travellers at Bradley International Airport. Travellers on a Jet Blue flight that was diverted from Newark to Bradley International were stranded on the tarmac for nearly 7 hours with no food, water or functioning bathrooms. Firefighters and paramedics came on board to treat a parapalegic who had trouble with the circulation in his legs before the remaining passengers were eventually bussed to the terminal.
In New York City, Central Park was closed after a woman was injured from being hit by a falling tree limb. Crews have been working to chip the fallen trees and reopen the park in time for the New York City marathon, despite as little as one inch falling on Manhattan. However, the snow was wet and heavy and many of the trees were thought to have been weakened from Tropical Storm Irene passing through in late August.
In Western Massachusetts, as many as 700,000 people were without power after the snowstom. The Berkshire county town of Peru had already received a record amount of snow, with 32 inches being dumped on the Western Massachusetts hilltown before Halloween.
Indians Trade For Derek Lowe
"The Indians acquired Derek Lowe from the Braves, tweets John Kreger. The Braves will pay all but $5MM of Lowe's $15MM salary, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney. Olney says the Braves will receive a second-line player in return, and ESPN's Keith Law tweets that it's an A-ball reliever (MLBTradeRumors)."
There were people who wanted the Sox to land this guy last year, and I'm glad they didn't. Derek Lowe is washed up, and I think he is going to get lit up now that he is back in the AL. Lowe, 38, posted a 5.05 ERA, and had an 8.75 ERA is September which was one of the reasons for the Braves collapse. I guess the Indians didn't give up much of anything, and paying $5 million for a starting pitcher is a pretty good deal.
Latest On Red Sox Manager Search
Cherington confirmed that the team will begin talking to candidates in the coming days, with Philadelphia Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin and Milwaukee Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum set to interview for the job this week. The Red Sox haven't named anyone else, but I am sure there will be more. It is really hard to me to really know who would be better. I don't know anything about these guys really, but I just want this over ASAP. It's not like I can sit here and tell you I knew a lot about Francona before they hired them, so I just have to trust Cherington knows what he is doing.
I am looking forward to the rest of the offseason, and see what the Red Sox do. Who will be their 4/5 starter? Who will be their RF? Is Papelbon/Ortiz coming back? Do we want them back? Can Youk play 3B everyday? If he can't does that mean Ortiz needs to go? All of these things interest me more then the search for the manager.
How I Feel As A Patriots Fan: Concerned
I am not concerned about the Patriots making the playoffs. I'm not even concerned about them winning the division, but I am concerned about this team being a Super Bowl team.
As a Patriots fan we can keep holding on to this team being a bend, but don't break defense. Sure, I'll play along and even understand it, but sometimes (like yesterday) it isn't good enough. When the Patriots did that on-side kick yesterday I thought it spoke volumes about how this team feels about it's defense. Every time the Steelers got the ball they would drive. Maybe not leading to touchdowns, but they got first downs. In my eyes, I didn't feel at any point the Patriots were going to get the Steelers offense off the field.
So, from that standpoint I don't blame Belichick for doing what he did. It really didn't bother me as much as it seems to be bothering everyone else. WHAT DOES BOTHER ME is the moves he has been making for years now. The trading of draft picks to stockpile later picks. Not fixing glaring problems (pass rush) either through the draft or free agency. Cutting people for seemingly no reason. Can anyone really sit here and tell me the Patriots weren't a better defense with Bodden, Meriweather (I know I hate him too), and James Sanders? They wouldn't be a lot better, but they are more talented then the undrafted guys were are throwing out their in our secondary.
I believe Belichick is one of the best coaches in the game, but his role as GM has been pretty questionable for awhile now. I know, there are probably Patriots fans that just threw their computer across the room, because God forbid you question their moves, but I am still not over the fact of how much better this team could be if they drafted better and made better free agent pickups. Coaching can get you so far, at some point you need talent. When they did that onside kick, it was because they knew they couldn't stop the talent on the Steelers.
Now, I agree with Rob the problem yesterday was the offense. If they don't score 35+ point they will most likely lose. There was 2 reason why the Patriots offense got shut down. First was the Steelers excellent gameplan of playing press coverage on the Patriots WRs, which threw off the timing of the offense. The Patriots don't have deep threats, so you throw off the timing, game over. The other thing that threw off their timing was the fact the Steelers seemingly had the ball the whole game. You keep an offense off the field, especially a timing offense like the Patriots, and they just aren't going to be as sharp.
Can they turn this around? Sure, the offense can be THAT good when the timing is on. I don't think there are many teams that can do what the Steelers did, so there is a chance they go far, but if you ask me how I feel as a Patriots' fan today I'll tell you that I'm concerned.
Tony La Russa Retires
I am not a Tony La Russa guy at all. In fact I despise the man, however, I think he did one of the better jobs I have ever seen this year and to go out with a World Series win is pretty good. It was his third championship. He also won the 1989 World Series with Oakland and the 2006 Series with St. Louis.
The four-time Manager of the Year won six pennants, three in the AL with the Athletics and three more in the NL with the Cardinals, and his 2,728 victories trail John McGraw by only 35 for second on the all-time managerial list.
Like I said, not a big fan, but this year he did a hell of a job.
College Footbal Last Weekend
31 Georgia Tech, 17 (5)Clemson
Finally Clemson and Tahj Boyd lose. I have been a non believer this whole year and it was due to knowing that there was going to be a stupid game like this. Boyd couldn't get going and threw 2 picks. Georgia Tech on threw 9 passes but their run game was ridiculous putting up 383 yards and controlling the clock. Happy Clemson got exposed.
24 (14)Nebraska, 3 (11)Michigan State
I texted Bob before the game saying Kirk Cousins wears skinny jeans and is awful and both are true. Michigan State are one pass away from being a 3 loss team. Bob's boy Cousins threw for 86 yards and a pick and their running backs couldn't get over 60 yards. I'm glad Michigan State lost and didn't win out because we don't need to see a hail mary a million times.
56 Stanford, 48 USC (3 OTs)
Really good game if you like QBs, Andrew Luck was 29/40 for 330 with 3 TDs and 1 Ints and Matt Barkley was 28/45 for 284 yards and 3 PICKS and 1 INT. It's a shame USC isn't post season eligible because they have a real good team. If Stanford runs the table they can find themselves in the National Championship game.
Can't wait for Saturday where LSU is playing Alabama
Finally Clemson and Tahj Boyd lose. I have been a non believer this whole year and it was due to knowing that there was going to be a stupid game like this. Boyd couldn't get going and threw 2 picks. Georgia Tech on threw 9 passes but their run game was ridiculous putting up 383 yards and controlling the clock. Happy Clemson got exposed.
24 (14)Nebraska, 3 (11)Michigan State
I texted Bob before the game saying Kirk Cousins wears skinny jeans and is awful and both are true. Michigan State are one pass away from being a 3 loss team. Bob's boy Cousins threw for 86 yards and a pick and their running backs couldn't get over 60 yards. I'm glad Michigan State lost and didn't win out because we don't need to see a hail mary a million times.
56 Stanford, 48 USC (3 OTs)
Really good game if you like QBs, Andrew Luck was 29/40 for 330 with 3 TDs and 1 Ints and Matt Barkley was 28/45 for 284 yards and 3 PICKS and 1 INT. It's a shame USC isn't post season eligible because they have a real good team. If Stanford runs the table they can find themselves in the National Championship game.
Can't wait for Saturday where LSU is playing Alabama
Around The NFL: Here We Go
25 Steelers, 17 New England
The Steelers and Big Ben proved that they were the team to beat in the AFC. No James Harrison, No James Farrior, No Hines Ward, no problem. The Captain failed to mention in the recap that Ben torched the suspect the Patriot defense for the tune of 365 yards on 50 attempts on which he had 36 completions. The Patriots defense were worse than the Steelers wide receivers and that was pretty evident. They basically controlled the whole game through the air.
Also the Captain failed to mention the terrific job the Steelers did on Brady and the offense. Pittsburgh did to the Patriots what the Patriots did to the Rams in the superbowl. They beat up the Patriot Receivers and they hardly made an impact on the game. Welker had 6 rec and 39 yards, Deion Branch had 4 rec for 36 yards and TD. The Patriots were unable to play their game, because the Steelers didn't allow them. The Lamar Woodley and Brett Keisel were in the backfield a lot putting a ton of pressure on Brady. Holding Tom Brady (who has been on record pace) to under 200 yards is amazing. Ike Taylor is the 2nd best corner in the league.
ANOTHER thing the Captain failed to mention is the follies by head coach Bill Belichick. Bill had his once a season real bad game. His game plan sucked and the onside kick was one of the dumbest things I have ever heard. They haven't got an onside kick in Bills time as a Patriots coach and had 3 time outs and the two minute warning. Yes, Gostkowski muffed it, but it should have been kicked deep. When is Bill going to accountable for these things. I mean he had a bye week to game plan for this and it was very "unPatriot" like. All they did was cut Leigh Bodden and put Pos I Dowling on the IR, which hurt in this game.
Looks like there will be a rematch in the Superbowl with Green Bay and Pittsburgh.
31 St. Louis, 21 New Orleans
What the fuck Saints and Drew Brees. How do you let the winless Rams destroy you. Steven Jackson had a great game running 25 times for 159 yards and 2 TDs. The Saints can't have these games if they want to be considered elite.
21 Panthers, 24 Vikings
Cam Newton is having a great year statistically but owns a 2-5 record. He threw 3 TDs and led his team to FG range at the end of the game to tie it and Olindo Mare shanked it. Tough loss for the Panthers, I feel like I say that a lot.
30 Baltimore, 27 Arizona
Right when I was bashing Joe Flacco all day he goes and 31/51 for 336 yards. Most of which was in the 2nd half. Baltimore had to come back from 24 points in this game, they won, but they can't feel good about themselves.
23 Bills, 0 Washington
I picked Washington in this game......... I shouldn't have. Ryan Fitzpatrick rewarded the Bills by throwing 262 yards and 2 TDs.
45 Lions, 10 Broncos
Here is Tim Tebow getting Tim Tebowed..... funniest thing ever.
Tebow went 18/39 for 172 yards with 1 TD, 1 Int and an for 63 yards and fumbled 3 times with 1 loss. Thank God we don't need to hear about him for a while.
34 Cincy, 12 Seattle
Andy Dalton may not be putting up Cam Newton stats however, he has his team at 5 and 2. Rookie AJ Green is having a pretty good year as well with 5 TDs this year. Seattle is bad.
34 Philly, 7 Dallas
This is probably Vick's best game since last year. He went 21/28 for 279 and 2 TDs and also chipped in with 50 rushing yards. But the real star of this team is Lesean McCoy running for 185 yards on 30 carries and 2 scores. I don't get Dallas, sometimes they look awesome and other times they look like last night.
Canadiens 4, Bruins 2
Give credit to Montreal for blocking shots (29 of them in total, Spacek blocked 7, Gill blocked 5) and for breaking up Bruins' passes, but it didn't seem like the Bruins properly respected Montreal's abilities to do so. How many passes did the B's try to slip past Montreal sticks that were already down on the ice? How many times did one sole Bruin try to carry the puck through 2 or 3 Canadiens?
The breaks in Saturday's game didn't go the Bruins' way. The Habs had the first 5 Power Plays. The B's hit a few posts in the early stages. But the Bruins didn't capitalize on things that did go their way. They failed to convert a lengthy 5-on-3 into a goal (Seidenberg's failure to keep the puck in the zone during that Power Play sums up how the Bruins' season has gone). And almost every Bruins' possession was short and ended with a whimper.
Montreal matches up well against the Bruins. Their speed allows them to get to loose pucks first, allows them to harass opposing forwards, and makes their counterattack quite deadly. The Bruins' strength is their physicality. And that was only sporadically apparent Saturday. We've seen the Canadiens fear the Bruins before. They're not afraid right now though.
And don't let Pussy Kunt Subban get under your skin. That's his goal. And yes, I would say that to Subban's face, so long as we were in a Foot Locker or at the zebra enclosure in a zoo. The sight of those black and white stripes make him go down with just a nudge.
Ference's post-Subban penalty was a bad call, but Lucic shouldn't give Subban the excuse to dive. If you're going to get a 2 minute slashing penalty, make Subban feel it for 20 minutes. And if Subban wants to play these silly games, then drive Brian Gionta through the boards in response.
The Bruins have some fundamental problems to work out. Their breakout is ugly. They're not dumping and chasing enough. They don't move the puck with any purpose. They're not imposing their style of game on the opposition.
And when is Joe Corvo going to do anything positive? he's an improvement over Kaberle, but who wouldn't be? He's been sound defensively, but hasn't contributed to the offense, and has looked tentative on the breakout.
On the bright side, the goalies are playing well. Tim Thomas doesn't look a year older, and the goals Rask allowed weren't his fault. The Penalty Kill has been reliable. Shawn Thornton is doing his job. Tyler Seguin looks like he's been in the NHL for 4 years. He's on pace for 30+ goals and 80 points. Bergeron is doing the little things, which is more than can be said for some of his teammates.
The Bruins have the talent, some of the guys are playing very well, but some individuals making mistakes and not making good plays are sabotaging the team. And they need to shape up or be shipped out.
Bruins host the Senators Tuesday night. Ottawa are 7-5 and have won 6 straight. When a hot team meets a cold team it'll either be a blowout, a turning point, or a tornado.
-The Commodore
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