ST22

Earlier today, Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli made an announcement that they would not be bringing back left winger Shawn Thornton.

Shawn signed here as an unrestricted free agent in 2007. Nobody knew how great of a ride it would be.

Just four years later, the Bruins were raising the Stanley Cup in Vancouver and all the talk was about how the fourth line played a huge role in winning. Dubbed the "Merlot" line for the jerseys they wore in practice, Shawn Thornton, Greg Campbell and Daniel Paille have had a tremendous amount of success playing together.

People who just casually watch hockey may hear the name Shawn Thornton and think he is just another goon who likes to bash other guys heads in. But if you watch his game, listen to his teammates and see how much he does off the ice, Shawn deserves all the respect in the world. He is not the most skilled hockey player. He never has been and he never will be. Shawn can't skate the fastest, shoot the hardest, or play the best defense. But the guy brings so much more to the table than just dropping the gloves (Even though he can really bring it).

The first thing he brings is the will to win. He never settled for anything less than a win, and that is a big reason why he has won two Stanley Cups. Second, his presence. When Shawn Thornton is on the ice, there is a sense of safety for the teammates of number 22. He was an enforcer, but he made the game safer. Yes, this past year he had a hiccup when he was suspended 15 games for his little run-in with Brooks Orpik, but in general Shawn was policing all over the ice. When someone hit a teammate of Shawn's the wrong way, you better believe he took your number and tagged you on the next shift. Over time you could see so called "tough-guys" back off of hits because they knew Thornton was somewhere in the area. Another thing he brings is leadership. There was some talk about even giving him the "A" to wear on the front of his jerseys. That speaks volumes to the kind of guy he is in the locker room.

While the on-ice stuff Shawn brings can not be replaced by a Jordan Caron, Justin Florek, or anyone else really, neither can what he does off the ice and in the community. Not only does Thornton visit hospitals, do television appearances, and help out in his current home of Charlestown, but he has a foundation in his name. The Shawn Thornton Foundation is a charity that helps people who have been effected by cancer and Parkinson's disease. He is also heavily involved in the Jimmy Fund.

Every now and then there is just one of those guys who comes along that can't be replaced. In this instance, it isn't for the skill and points put up on the board. It is for the heart and soul of a team for seven years, standing up and owning responsibility in the worst of times, and taking the fall for the teams failures. It is too bad the Bruins aren't able to find a spot for the glue that keeps them stuck together. The game of hockey is built on respect and honor, and nobody embodied that more than Shawn Thornton did. I want to thank Shawn Thornton for everything that he did for this organization, but even saying that isn't enough for all that he did. I hope that there are teams out there who understand how good it is to have a player like Thornton on their team, because he deserves it.

Playoff Predictions 2014 WILD CARD ROUND

Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) @ Indianapolis Colts (11-5)

My criteria for picking these games is simply picking the team with the better quarterback and Andrew Luck is just a better QB than Alex Smith. Smith is a game manager at best and his skill set isn't one built for playoff success. If the Colt's take away Jamal Charles and force him to put the ball in the air then they should win. Rusty says ponies take this one 24-17.

New Orleans Saints (11-5) @ Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)

My gut tells me pick the Eagles; they got the hot young quarterback; they got the leagues leading rusher; they got the hip coach. Despite this I'm sticking to my criteria of the superior quarterback winning the game and as good as Foles is, it's still Drew Brees (having a freak child like Jimmy Graham doesn't hurt either). Rusty says the Saint's take this one 35-24

San Diego Chargers (9-7) @ Cincinnati Bengals (11-5)

The numbers scream Bengals. AJ Green is a top flight wideout and Giovanni Bernard is a do-everything back that can be a nightmare for defenses. They also have one of the leagues top defenses. However I severely question their turnover prone quarterback in a playoff setting. Im sticking to my criteria and Phillip Rivers is a better Q than Dalton. Rusty says Super Chargers take it 27-20 (Dalton throws 2 or more picks).

San Francisco 49ers (12-4) @ Green Bay Packers (8-7-1)

The 49ers have the NFC's second most intimidating defense lead by monsters like Aldon Smith and Navarro Bowman. However the Packers counter with one of the best quarterbacks in the game in Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers is far superior to Kaepernick in terms of quarterbacking and thats my criteria for this year. Rusty says Green Bay 31-30 in a thriller at Lambeau.

NFL PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS: Wildcard Edition

I can’t believe the NFL playoffs have already arrived. Seems like just yesterday that I was at Patriots training camp knocking people over to get a glimpse of Mr. GQ himself, Tom Brady. Luckily, as a fan, Tom and company are one of twelve teams left this season competing for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. The Pats also get a bye this week, along with Denver, Seattle and Carolina. Even with these teams taking a breather, there are still four great football games on tap for this weekend.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 4^th 4:35 pm Lucas Oil Stadium

CHIEFS at COLTS: Game 1 of the NFL playoffs this year belongs to the 4 (Colts) and 5 (Chiefs) seeds in the AFC. Both teams had 11-5 seasons but don’t let that fool you. The Chiefs haven’t beaten a quality team since they played Philadelphia on September 19. They had a cupcake schedule outside of their division. Within the division, they went a weak 2-4. For the Colts, they have a quality quarterback in Andrew Luck but he lacks experience in the playoffs and playmakers around him. The trade for Trent Richardson didn’t go as planned (so far), and the Colts ranked 20^th in total defense. Now, obviously there are some things to like about each team. For the Chiefs, it’s Jamaal Charles. He not only rushed for over 1200 yards and 12 touchdowns, but he also caught 7 touchdowns as well. This guy is a weapon and you do not want to face him. For the Colts, the aforementioned Andrew Luck is their key. If he plays to his capability, the Colts can win this game. But because of his lack of playoff experience, I am going to take the Chiefs in this one, 23-17.

The primetime game on Saturday January 4^th will be the first NFC game featuring the 6 seed New Orleans Saints visiting the 3 seed Philadelphia Eagles. (Game time is 8:10).

Quick, what’s the first thing you think of when you hear “Saints vs. Eagles?” Your answer should be offense. Both of these teams are loaded with offensive talent and not much defense. For New Orleans, their offensive firepower consists of QB Drew Brees, freakish TE Jimmy Graham, WR Marques Colston, and versatile RB Pierre Thomas. An impressive 11-5, the Saints came in 2^nd in their division to the Carolina Panthers. On the other side of the field, the Eagles roll out some pretty heavy weapons themselves. For example, QB Nick Foles has been nothing short of flawless since he took over the job earlier this season. Also, the team has a burner at WR in DeSean Jackson and of course this years rushing champion, LeSean McCoy. With all of this offense on one field, this should be a shootout of a football game. It will be frigid in Philly, and I know the Saints struggle mightily on the road, but in a fast paced, high scoring affair, I see the Saints pulling this one out 37-34.

Sunday, January 5^th at 1:10 pm:

If you still have enough energy after Saturday’s games (and why wouldn’t you, 2 games is nothing compared to a regular NFL Sunday), then I recommend watching the second AFC Wildcard game between the San Diego Chargers (6 seed) and the Cincinnati Bengals (3 seed). Where do we start with these two teams? You have San Diego who barely made it into the playoffs, and you have Andy Dalton throwing 4 interceptions last week against the Ravens in a rather meaningful game. While the Bengals had an impressive year, which included knocking off the Patriots, I don’t buy into them. Andy Dalton is mediocre at best, even with targets such as AJ Green, Tyler Eifert and Giovanni Bernard. On the defensive side, they lost their star defensive lineman when Geno Atkins to a torn ACL. As for San Diego, they needed Baltimore and Miami to lose on Sunday just to have a shot at the playoffs, and of course everything fell into place for them. I have been watching Philip Rivers closely this season and he looks like a rejuvenated QB. He had an outstanding season with new WR Keenan Allen and newly signed Danny Woodhead.

I keep going back and forth on this one, but one quote sticks out from Bill Belichick. He said, “It’s not about your record this season, it’s about how you play in a single game”. That’s why I think the Chargers are going to ride the wave they have been on recently and they will move on to the Divisional Round with a 28-25 stunner over the Bengals.

Sunday at 4:40:

Finally, The Green Bay Packers will host the San Francisco 49ers in what I believe is the must watch game this weekend. This is a rematch from week 1 of the regular season, when the 49ers outlasted the Packers in a 34-28 battle. First off, lets take a look at San Fran. On paper, this is the most complete team in the National Football League. They have guys like Kaepernick, Boldin and Davis on offense, who are capable of monster games. On defense, guys like Navarro Bowman, Patrick Willis and Justin Smith who eat running backs for lunch. Not only are they skilled all around, but they have excellent coaching and special teams as well. Now the Packers, who a few short weeks ago only dreamed of the playoffs when Aaron Rodgers went down with an injured collarbone, are hosting a playoff game in the freezing cold Lambeau Field. With a healthy offense of Rodgers, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and rookie RB Eddie Lacy, the Packers can put up points in a number of ways. My only question in this game is the Green Bay defense. Can they keep up with the 49ers and get pressure on Colin Kaepernick? My heart tells me they can and that they beat the Niners, but I have to go with San Fran outlasting the Packers yet again, winning this one by a final score of 34-31.

AFC PLAYOFF OUTLOOK

AFC Predicted Playoff Seeding
1.Denver Broncos
-Peyton might be nicked up at the moment, but I don't expect the injury to affect his play too dramatically. Too many weapons at Peyton's disposal for this team to fall short of the one or two seed. Their high powered number one ranked passing attack should be enough to mask their deficiencies on defense.
2.New England Patriots
-Tom Brady and company are coming off a 55 point explosion against Pittsburgh and the offense appears to be clicking at the right time. Amendola had a breakout game last week, Gronk hauled in his first touchdown and Aaron Dobson finally looked like a second round pick. With Shane Vereen back in the fold next week the Pat's will have the luxury of a reliable pass-catching back who can help alleviate the Pat's struggles on third downs. If the Pat's continue to get healthy and if the defense continues to maintain its steady play then it appears the Pat's are poised to capture a first round bye.
3. Indianapolis Colts
-The Colts looked awful at home against the Ram's getting absolutely destroyed. This game is a concern as it comes off the loss of Reggie Wayne and shows the Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde nature of this team. Lose to Miami and St. Louis at home but beat Denver, San Francisco and Seattle. Inconsistency on both sides of the ball is a concern but when this team plays well they can beat anyone.
4. Cincinnati Bengals
- A big time defense and a sneaky 7th ranked passing attack, the Bengals are a team that could make some noise come playoff time. AJ Green is a superstar receiver with exceptional body control and Gio Bernard is a nightmare to tackle in the open field. A couple tough overtime losses have kept this team from being in contention for a first round bye.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
- Only reason this team is a 5 seed is because they share a division with Denver. A dominant defense with a ferocious defensive front led by Tamba Hali and Justin Houston who have combined for 20 sacks this season. The offense is effective but not the true strength of this team. Alex Smith is an effective game manager but isn't a game changer at the quarterback position. Teams better keep tabs on Jamal Charles though who is 5th in the NFL in rushing. Despite being 9-0 the Chiefs have played a relatively weak schedule and a much tougher back half of the schedule could result in four losses.
6. Baltimore Ravens
- Despite being just 4-5 right now the Ravens are my pick to be the 6th playoff team. Their defense is legit and has only allowed more than 20 points once in the last four games. If the offense, especially their league worst rushing attack, can find a away to put some points on the board then I believe the super bowl champs will find a way back to the playoffs.

Game Predictions

 AFC Wild Card Weekend 
Baltimore Ravens Over Indianapolis Colts- 17-16
Cincinnati Bengals Over Kansas City Chiefs- 21-17

AFC Divisional Round
New England Patriots Over Cincinnati Bengals- 30-20
Denver Broncos Over Baltimore Ravens- 42-17

AFC Championship
New England Patriots Over Denver Broncos- 38-35

Red Sox Offseason 2013-2014

Though it's only been a few weeks, and Mike Napoli is probably still parading around shirtless somewhere, Major League Baseball Free Agency began already (November 5th to be exact). Nobody has yet to sign, as the MLB is known for having a slow start to free agency that usually picks up in early December. For my Predictions, I will start by Red Sox players who are now free agents, followed by potential signees and then possible trade targets to wrap it up.

Red Sox Free Agents: Jacoby Ellsbury, Stephen Drew, Mike Napoli, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Joel Hanrahan.

Let's Start with the biggest name:

1. Jacoby Ellsbury:

In a previous blog, I mentioned that Jacoby is the tone setter for the Boston Red Sox. By that, I meant that he literally determines how the game goes. One of the best leadoff hitters in baseball, Jacoby is one of few who can get on first, steal second, and score on a base hit. He scored a very solid 92 runs this year, which happened to lead the Red Sox. Jacoby Ellsbury is the total package when it comes to evaluating a baseball player. He can run, he can hit and he can play center field with ease. Personally, I believe this is the one person the Red Sox CANNOT let walk. But based on reports, it looks like Ellsbury's time here is done. If that is true, I see him in one of three spots. First, The Seattle Mariners. This was his hometown team growing up (he is from Oregon), and it makes the most sense. Seattle has lost out on big free agents in the past and shouldn't let Jacoby slide by either. Two sleeper teams could be the Washington Nationals and the New York Yankees. The Nationals have a good young team built around Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper, and adding Ellsbury could put them above and beyond. The Yankees, always looking to make a splash, makes sense because Curtis Granderson could easily walk, opening up center field in the Bronx. When it's all said and done, I sadly see Jacoby heading out west, the AL West, and accepting a deal with his hometown squad. As far as money goes, I see him raking in about 130 million dollars for 6 years.

2. Stephen Drew-

A lot of people hated on Stephen Drew because of his bat in the postseason. Everybody overlooked his defense skills and jumped right to his Batting Average. While it was awful, Drew batted .256 in the regular season while driving in 67 runs. Not bad for a guy known for his defense, not bad at all. While Drew is set to decline his 14.1 million qualifying offer, that doesn't quite close the door on his return to the Sox. Drew is thought to be seeking a 3-4 year deal, somewhere in the range of 12-14 per year. I believe that is excessive for him, but the market calls for what the market calls for. It would be a mistake to let Drew walk without even offering a multiyear deal, because Bogaerts at short and Middlebrooks at third will not return you to the World Series. If I were the Sox, I would lock up Drew for 3 years and make Xander a third basemen. When Drew's contract is up, Bogaerts is 25 at the oldest and can make the switch back to short. (Assuming Garin Cecchini keeps flying up the Red Sox farm system at 3rd base). Along with the Red Sox, I can see Drew going many places, especially St. Louis. As we saw in October they are an outstanding young baseball team with a dire need for a shortstop. Drew could and very well may be that guy. One sleeper team could be the Reds, but I think that is a long shot. When free agency heats up, I see Stephen Drew staying in Boston for 3 years and 39 million dollars. 

3. Mike Napoli: 

Last winter, when the Sox inked Mike Napoli to a deal, I was very excited. I had seen what he had done in Anaheim and in Texas (mostly when he was hitting nukes against us), so i expected the same here. And that's where my love for Mike Napoli ended. Sure, he hit 23 home runs and drove in 92 runs which is fine and dandy, but unless your a hard ass with stats like I am, you may have missed some things. First of all, the number of times Mike Napoli struck out this year is astonishing. The guy went down by way of a "K" 187 times. Pedroia's strikeout number? 75. You can not play major league baseball and get away with that many strikeouts. But somehow Napoli does. Hell, Salty can't hit a fastball and he only struck out 139 times, which still sucks but you get the point. It doesn't matter what I think though, it matters what GM Ben Cherington and his baseball operations guys think. And their view is much different than mine. They like Mike Napoli and hope to bring him back. Along with the 14.1 million dollar qualifying offer, which he will deny, the sox are reported to have offered Napoli multiple years. While he will test the market, don't be surprised to see him back in a Red Sox uniform for the next couple of years. There is a slight chance he returns to Texas, but my prediction is Mike Napoli comes back to the Red Sox for 3 years and at least 30 million dollars.

(Beard or no Beard?)

4. The "Salty" Dog:

Don't get me wrong, Jarrod Saltalamacchia seems like a good guy off the field, but on the field he looks like a lost puppy. Statistically, Salty had his best season, but most of the time it is comical to watch him bat. It even became a running joke during that playoffs between me and Justin. We would guess how many pitches it would take for Salty to strike out. (Spoiler alert: it's usually no more than 3). I don't want to get into his defense, so I will leave it at this: There are far better catchers out there for the Red Sox to get. (Mostly through trades because Salty is sadly the 2nd best Catcher on the market). The Sox didn't extend a qualifying offer to Salty, which made him a free agent right away. Of course we can't rule out a return to Boston, but I see Salty fitting in with the White Sox or the Phillies. I would pay him about 5 million max based on the market, but he could probably grab up to 10 million per year. I believe Salty ends up with the White Sox on a 4 year deal worth about 26 million dollars. 

(Can't argue that he has some sweet salad under that hat.)

5. Joel Hanrahan: 

If you are asking yourself "who?" then you probably aren't alone here. Back in the winter offseason the Sox were involved in a 6 player deal that sent the 31 year old closer to Beantown. He unfortunately had to be shutdown in May. Whether he comes back or not depends on price. Obviously if he comes back it would have to be on a one year deal and for not a lot of money. I can see Hanrahan going to a boat load of teams, but if he comes back I think it'll be in the 5-8 million range.

POTENTIAL FREE AGENT SIGNINGS:

Brian McCann: This would be a costly one for the Red Sox, maybe even 100 million, but I think this would be a fantastic signing. McCann has been the man behind the plate for the Atlanta Braves for several seasons, making many All-Star appearances. He is only 29 (30 in February), but he is a solid defensive catcher and can swing the bat fairly well. Two big reasons why he may end up here: 1. He is a good friend of former Brave and current Sox catcher David Ross. 2. To keep him out of New York. The Yankees need a long term catcher and McCann is their guy. It would be nice to see McCann in Red Sox instead of Pinstripes.

Carlos Beltran: Because it has been in the news, I felt the need to address this guy. A 36 year old outfielder who is in decline and can barely play the field, and the sox are "very interested". The Sox should not act on this. They should not sign Carlos Beltran. Signing him would move an aging Victorino to center, it would cut into Jonny Gomes playing time, and lastly it may move Daniel Nava to first base which isn't terrible but not preferred. Hopefully this isn't the big splash the Sox make.

Tim Hudson: A veteran right hander, Tim Hudson is a free agent after a long and successful career in Atlanta. Ross could also be big in bringing Hudson in, but the problem is the Sox already have 6 starters, when Major League teams only go with 5. If they really want the 38 year old, they will have to move a starter which would most likely be Peavy or Dempster (but don't rule out Lackey or Buchholz). I see this as a long shot and probably something not to get your hopes up about.

Carlos Ruiz: Another catcher, 34 year old Ruiz would be a decent option for the Sox. He could split with Ross and have Ryan Lavarnway catch every now and then. This will only happen if the sox believe one of their 3 minor league guys are close to making it to the Big Show. (Those 3 being Vazquez, Snyder and Swihart). 

Bullpen: By way of Free Agency, I could see the Sox picking up any of the following 3: Jesse Crain, Joaquin Benoit or Edward Mujica. Those are some names to keep an eye on. 

TRADE TARGETS: 

Giancarlo Stanton: Very Unlikely, but if Ellsbury is going to walk, why not inquire about Stanton? The only downside is they would probably have to include Xander Bogaerts.

David Price: Another unlikely but talked about trade is David Price. I can't see the Rays trading their stud pitcher within the division, and the Sox would have to give up a lot to get him.

Ryan Hanigan: An Andover native, Hanigan brings personality but not necessarily the statistics. Could be a minor move to get a backup catcher. 

Hopefully the Sox make the right choices and have another great season!

See you at Spring Training Dr. Creepy!

Drunkest Red Sox Player After Game 6

Has to be John Lackey, Guy is a booze bag. Mike Carp is a close second though. Sully put it best "I think Carp is in the corner with throw up on him".

PS- Breslow is definitely drinking water

Better Game Tyer???

THIS

or

THIS