Now that your in the mood for a little baseball, here we go! How could you not be ready for baseball after hearing that song? I don’t know about your ball park, but “Centerfield” by John Fogerty is played before every baseball game at Fenway Park. And there is nothing like walking out of the tunnel at Fenway, hearing that song blasted over the sound system, gazing over the hallowed ground of the field, and then your eyes hit the Green Monster. Not many other ballparks can offer the ambiance that Fenway Park can provides.

Although in New England, many believe that the Red Sox and Yankees are the only teams on the planet, yet there are other teams out there. Whichever team you follow, this has got be the most exciting time of the year. Every team has a chance, even the Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals fans can fantasize about World Series dreams. Why not? Its opening day, your team is undefeated, and if your team wins the first one then they can’t lose them all.

For months and months I’ve listened to pontificators and blow-hards on the sports talk shows on 98.5 The Sports Hub and 850 WEEI talk about their prognostications and projections on how the season will pan out for the Sox.  Will the Sox win over 100 games?  How will Beckett and Lackey perform?  Will we see the Papelbon of old?  Soon the questions will stop and we will be able to sit back and enjoy the 2011 baseball season.

Now I know many will argue that football has over taken baseball as America’s game, but I am hear to say that baseball is and will always be America’s past time. This fact has never been as eloquently stated as it was by James Earl Jones in Field of Dreams. Jones’ character, Terrence Mann, says, “The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.”

Today you can relish in the fact that baseball is back. The local nine, the boys of summer, what ever you call them, they are back. “Well, beat the drum and hold the phone the sun came out today! We’re born again, there’s new grass on the field. A-roundin’ third, and headed for home, it’s a brown-eyed handsome man; anyone can understand the way I feel.” Let’s play ball!

But fear not dear reader, this is not an article intended to berate your beloved Patsies.  In fact it is my belief that the Patriots defense can be fixed with hardly any major alterations.  All Bill Belichick needs to fix the Patriots defense is one playmaking defensive end.  If only the Patriots had a 6’-6”, 310 pound beast causing havoc on the defensive line like the Raiders have in Oakland, New England just might have raised their 4^th Lombardi trophy this year.

The 310-pound beast I referenced above is none other than former Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour. Just this past week the Raiders resigned Seymour to a 2-year $30 million contract, with $22.5 million guaranteed.  The signing forced me to reminisce about the Patriots defense with Seymour and it got me thinking, “man that Richard Seymour was one hell of a player.”  Truth is that Richard Seymour is still one hell of a player and the numbers don’t lie.

Now before we dive into the defensive numbers that Seymour brings to the table, we first have to understand Seymour’s role in the 3-4 defense.  The role of any defensive end in the 3-4 scheme is to occupy as many offensive linemen as possible, making the jobs of linebackers waiting behind them a lot easier.  It’s all guts and no glory for defensive lineman in the 3-4 scheme; while they tie up their blockers, the middle and outside linebackers fill up the stat sheet in the tackles and sacks categories.

After the 2010 regular season was in the books your New England Patriots had the 25^th overall defense in the league, Oakland ranked 11^th overall.  The 14-2 Pats gave up 366.5 yards per game, and the 8-8 Raiders gave up 322.8 ypg.  The Patriots as a team recorded 36 sacks, tied for 14^th in the NFL, the Silver and Black recorded 47 sacks, tied for 2^nd in the NFL.  But here comes the two worst stats of all.  The Patriots gave up an average of 258 passing yards per game ranking 2^nd worst in the league, the Raiders gave up 189.2 passing yards per game, ranking 2^nd best in the NFL.  And last but not least the Pats were the worst team at getting off the field on 3^rd down allowing their opponents to convert 47% of the time, Oakland was 7^th best in the league allowing their opponents to convert 35% of the time.

Now I know what you might be thinking.  The Pat’s defense faired better than the Raiders defense did in 2009, even without Richard Seymour.  And I’ll come right back at you with the fact the Patriots had two solid DE’s in Ty Warren and Jarvis Green who knew the Patriots 3-4 scheme inside and out.  Which leads me to this conclusion:  For the first time since 2001 the Patriots were without a Pro-Bowl caliber defensive end in Richard Seymour or Ty Warren for the entire length of the season.  There is only so much big Vince Wilfork can do in the middle by himself.

If we revisit the 2007 Patriots; yes the 16-0 Super bowl losing Patriots.  You’ll find that the 2007 Pats recorded 47 sacks, 2^nd most in the league. I’ll give you one guess as to which team finished 1^st.  You guessed it, the 2007 World Champion New York Giants with 53 sacks.  It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that quarterback pressure makes for a successful defense.  Like the great Baltimore Ravens MLB Ray Lewis said, “football is simple, it’s not Chess it’s checkers.”

Now some of you may remember that Seymour only played in 9 games in 2007.  However the Patriots recorded 28 of their 47 sack’s in those 9 games; and team leader Mike Vrable recorded 8 of his 12.5 sacks rushing behind big old Richard.

Ty Warren missed all of the 2010 season after having pre-season hip surgery.  So in theory the addition of a healthy Warren at DE will repair the Pat’s 25^th ranked defense.  But just in case Warren isn’t healthy it might be a good idea for the Patriots to spend their 17^th overall pick (via OAK from Seymour trade) on a playmaking defensive end.  That is if there is a 2011 NFL season.

Don’t forget to check out Sports Haze Boston for related stories.

In Kaberle the Bruins get one of the NHL’s top puck moving defensemen who will be paired alongside Bruins captain Zdeno Chara.  Over the past six seasons only two players have more power play assists than Tomas Kaberle (157); former Bruin Joe Thornton and perennial All-Star Sidney Crosby.  Kaberle can only help improve the Boston Bruins 14th ranked NHL power play.

The 32 year-old Kaberle brings with him a strong veteran attitude that the Bruins have been lacking in past years come playoff time.  Kaberle has spent his entire 12 year career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and has played in four All-Star games.  This is the player Bruins fans wanted at the trade deadline last year, yet even a year later fans of the Black and Gold are excited about the acquisition of  Kaberle.

In other Bruins news, the team sent forward Blake Wheeler and defensemen Mark Stuart to the Atlanta Thrashers and received center Rich Peverley and defensemen Boris Valabik.  With this move the Bruins cleared $1 million worth of cap space and acquire an underrated centerman in the 28 year-old Peverley; who had 55 pts. last year, with 22 goals and 33 assists.

Ellsbury missed most of the 2010 campaign with cracked and broken ribs.  Whether Ellsbury was being a little soft, not wanting to play through the injury, or that the Sox training staff just botched the diagnosis, will never be clear.  However, one thing that is clear: a healthy Jacoby Ellsbury coupled with newly acquired speed demon, Carl Crawford, will give opposing pitchers and catchers migraines throughout the season.

Ellsbury sat down with reporters and explained that, for him, this off-season afforded no down time.  “I’m excited, that’s why I started right away.  There was no off time for me.”  Said the Sox centerfielder,  “I just had to get back in the gym, and get back to working out.”  Ellsbury maintained the notion that he is back to 100%, and that there is no hesitation in his swing or in any other baseball related activities.



Last year, Jacoby  Ellsbury took a lot of flack from the media and even some teammates (Kevin Youkilis) for sitting out as long as he did, and rehabbing away from the team during the season at API (Athletes’ Performance Institute) in Arizona.  But prior to last season, Ellsbury had not shown signs of being ‘soft,’ playing in 145 and 153 games in his first two seasons in the big leagues. The Sox speedster also led the AL in stolen bases in 2008 and 2009 with 50 and 70 swipes respectively.

It’s a pity that the young Ellsbury lost an entire season to injury, but, like Ellsbury, Sox fans shouldn’t dwell on the past; but rather look towards the bright future.  It is still unclear where Red Sox manager, Terry Francona, will bat Ellsbury and Crawford;  but just imagine the fits they will cause on the base paths this year.  Since 2003, only one player (Chone Figgins) not named Ellsbury or Crawford has led or been tied for the lead in the AL in stolen bases.  Assuming Ellsbury and Crawford both stay healthy; the two should combine for over 100 stolen bases without batting an eyelash.

And we can’t forget Red Sox general manager, Theo Epstine’s, theory of “run prevention.”  With the speed of Ellsbury in center, Crawford in left and an above average defender with Drew in right, there aren’t a lot places for the ball to land, but in someone’s glove.

It is fine to reserve your opinion on Ellsbury until the season is a couple of months under way.  But keep in mind, that last season, no Red Sox outfielder stole more than 10 bases, had a batting average over .270, knocked in 70 runs, or scored more than 70 runs.  If Jacoby Ellsbury truly is 100% healthy along with Carl Crawford, they should completely blow those numbers out of the water.

This story was originally posted on SportHazeBoston

At last weeks Super Bowl in Dallas, the Yankees golden boy, All-Star third baseman Alex Rodriguez was caught on FOX’s Super Bowl broadcast being fed popcorn by his newest girlfriend, actress Cameron Diaz.  During the broadcast of last weeks big game, FOX’s cameras were simply panning through one of the luxury boxes at the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium; a luxury box that included the likes of former President George W. Bush, John Madden, Ashton Kutcher and Alex Rodriguez among others.  Unfortunately, or shall I say fortunately?… FOX caught a short clip of Alex having popcorn fed to him, much the same way that a goddess would be fed a bunch of grapes.

Now what makes this story so wonderful, is that reportedly A-Rod was went crazy after he learned about FOX’s airing of the footage on National television.  In fact, according to Bill Zwecker at the Chicago Sun-Times, A-Rod “went ballistic” and truly felt that the “cameraman was out to get him.”

It’s okay Alex… Everyone outside of New York realizes what kind of ball player and man you are.  You’ve been handed everything on a silver platter your entire career and when things don’t go your way you stoop to the lowest levels to achieve your goals:  i.e. Steroid scandal, knocking the ball out of Bronson Arroyo’s glove in the 2004 ALCS, yelling “I got it” rounding third base in the 9th inning of a 2007 game against the Blue Jays causing Howie Clark to back off of an infield fly ball, and by backing down to any opposing player that challenges you on the field.  At least now we know that you carry yourself the same way off the field as you do on the field.  Maybe the Yankees can hire Cameron Diaz to crack open and feed Alex his sunflower seeds while he waits in the on deck circle, cause whatever Alex wants, Alex gets.

Gone are the folk heroes of Ty Law, Willie McGinist, Tedy Bruschi, Troy Brown and Rodney Harrison ( I could list them all, but I digress).  In step the young and eager new comers of, Jerod Mayo, Devin McCourty, Pat Chung and Rob Gronkowski.  All itching to know what it feels like to be the last team standing.  With all this young talent, and oh yeah… A couple of guys who know what it takes to win in February i.e. Brady, Wilfork and Branch; this team looks primed to be playing in Dallas by seasons end.

Can we just stop for a minute and look at some of the out of this world statistics that the Patriots put up this year?  If you’re not a fan of stats, just scroll down for a bit, this may take a while.

Bill Belichick became the 1st NFL coach to win 14 or more games in 4 seasons.

Tom Brady dropped back to throw the ball 492 times, he was only intercepted 4 times while leading the league with 36 touchdown passes.  Just to compare that to Tom’s Colt’s counterpart Peyton Manning- he threw 33 TD’s accompanied by 17 INTs, while dropping back to throw 679 times!

BenJarvus Green Ellis became the 1st Patriot since Corey Dillion (2004) to rush for over 1,000 yards with 1,008 yards.  Ellis also scored 13 rushing touchdowns, 3 behind league leader Arian Foster.

The rookie Tight ends were flat-out of the charts!  Let me explain.  The rookies Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez who were drafted in the 2nd and 4th rounds respectively combined for 87 receptions, 16 touchdowns, and 1,109 receiving yards.  BTW… Gronk tied for the league lead with 10 TD grabs by a tight end with  Antonio Gates and Marcedes Lewis.

Jerod Mayo led the NFL with 175 total tackles, the next closest was Titans Linebacker, Stephen Tulloch, with 159 take downs.

First round pick CB- Devin McCourty made the Pro Bowl with stats that put him in the same sentence as Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu and Asante Samuel.  McCourty proved all the nay-sayers wrong with 7 interceptions, 24 passes defended, 82 total tackles, 2 forced fumbles and 1 sack.  Defensive rookie of the year?  Should be, but will most likely finish second to Lion’s Defensive tackle, Ndamukong Suh.

Sixteen.  That’s right, Sixteen different Patriots players have scored a touchdown this season in one form or another.  Shall I list them all?  Screw it I’ll list them all.  Brady, Hoyer, Green-Ellis, Woodhead, Welker, Moss*, Branch, Gronkowski, Hernandez, Tate, Crumpler, Edelman, Chung, Sanders, Arrington and Guyton.

8. Since their week 9 loss to the Cleveland Browns.  The Patriots have scored 30 plus points in 8 straight weeks.  During that span the Pats have outscored their opponents 299-125.

+28.  Probably the greatest stat of all.  The Patriots were plus 28 in the turnover department this season.  The next closest team was the Pittsburgh Steelers with plus 17.  When you take the ball away more than you give it away, you’re gonna win a lot of games.

See, I told you those stats would knock you on your ass.  Don’t you feel good?  Aren’t you just a little more confident going into the playoffs knowing this?  Well you should.  The Patriots are running like a well oiled machine right now; and the “parity bug” has bitten the rest of the NFL.

Who can beat the Patriots?  Manning’s receivers are dropping like flies.  The Jets have taken a step back since last year.  Kansas City is inconsistent.  Pittsburgh and Baltimore would put up good fights, but the Pats have Big Ben’s number, and Tom Brady flat-out hates Terrell Suggs and the rest of the Raven’s Defense.

As for the NFC teams… I’m not gonna get into that right now.  But if the Patriots were to make the Super Bowl, which I think they will.  I’d love to see a rematch of the 2004 Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles.  Just to see how Belichick would draw up a game plan to attack Michael Vick would be worth the price of admission.

Whether this season ends in a Super Bowl victory or not, this Patriots team might be the best regular season team of the decade.  Yes. Even better than the 2007, 16-0, record-breaking Patriots.  With a new and youthful cast of characters the Patriots look like they will be at the top of the NFL for at least another 5 seasons.  And with 3 of first 33 picks in the upcoming NFL draft  the end seems to be nowhere in sight.

The buzz around the NBA, and ESPN today has been all Celts-Knicks.  Asking the question if the Boston vs. New York rivalry has carried over on to the hard court.  Celtics captain Paul Peirce was quick to dismiss the rivalry talk, stating that the media has tried to play up every other team in  the NBA as the Celtics’ rivals.  Peirce said, one week they’re saying Miami is the rival, next week they bring up Cleveland, now it’s the Knicks.  Peirce believes a rivalry has to be back and forth; and that the only “true” rival the Celtics have is the LA Lakers.

Peirce has a point.  The Celtics have won 21 of the last 26 games against New York, and have beaten the Knicks by an average of 12.3 points per game.

One rivalry that I’m excited to watch tonight is Kevin Garnett against Amare Stoudemire.  The two big men clearly don’t like each other (actually I don’t think KG likes anyone in the NBA not wearing Celtics’ green).  Everytime the two face off there seems be a lot of trash talk back and forth, and most likely a double technical.

I’m not into putting stamps on post season games.  If players and fans want to define this game as a rivalry game, than let them.  One thing is for sure, tonight is must see T.V. for basketball fans.  Which team will keep their win streak alive under the bright lights of MSG?  My money is on the Boston Celtics.

The Philadelphia Phillies crept in like a thief in the night and stole free agent pitcher, Cliff Lee, from the Bronx Bombers.  Red Sox fans rejoiced today when they learned the news that the Yankees would not have the one-two punch of Lee and Sabathia.  Where oh where will the Yanks go from here?

Video: Bobby Valentine’s reaction to the signing of Cliff Lee in Philly