Random Thoughts

Just so I have this straight: The entire Red Sox lineup is returning for next year. And the entire pitching staff. In an era where players switch uniforms like my wife deciding what to wear when we go out, at a time when the Sox themselves go through middle infielders like Spinal Tap went through drummers, the lineup that tore through the postseason will be their Opening Day lineup. And they'll have FOUR former World Series MVPs on the roster. Incredible. This is how dynasties begin.

I'm like everyone else, glad that Lowell is back. He's a good guy who produced all year and is easy to root for. But mostly I'm glad they got him for the right price, which was three years, maximum. Any more than that and they would've overpaid. As much as I like Lowell, he was expendable if the price of poker got too high. Keep in mind that there were only seven guys on the 2004 and 2007 championship teams (not counting Youkilis who barely played in '04).

And give the Sox credit for this: this administration has been spot on when it comes to judging their own free agents. They made the right decisions to keep Varitek and Schilling. They made the right decisions to cut ties with Damon, Pedro, Lowe, and and Nixon. And they've made the right decision here. Getcha goggles ready.

That's gotta be a 15 yarder...

Dailymail.com - A British woman planning to start a new life with her husband in New Zealand has been banned from entering the country - because she is too fat. Rowan Trezise, 33, has been left behind in England while her husband Richie, 35, has already made the move down under leaving her desperately trying to lose weight. Robyn Toomath, a spokesman for New Zealand's Fight the Obesity Epidemic and an endocrinologist said that obese people should not be victimised, but agreed with the restrictions. "The immigration department can't afford to import people who are going to be a significant drain on our health resources.

Man, who knew we had to keep our eye on New Zealand?   Because make no mistake about it, the Kiwi’s are trying to build an empire over there. It starts with banning fat chicks and then it slowly progresses to banning ugly chicks and then pretty soon you’re executing chicks that don’t put out.  Next thing you know you got a country full of hot sluts who are fucking their way to world domination.  It’s Superpower 101.  I’ve seen it a million times.   

Bostonherald.com - The Red Sox and Lowell have agreed to the parameters of a three-year contract with an annual worth of “more than $12 (million) but less than $13 (million)” according to a source familiar with the negotiations.

PS - El Pres is a source familar with the negotiations.

Talk about a perfect prognosticator of pigskin premonition. Our buddy Steve B called it just right this week, predicting a 3 point J-E-T-S win over the Steelers and boy did they deliver! With the win Steve, and the Jets' record improves to 2-8. Way to go Steve!!!

If Heidi Klum was giving this speech to me I think I'd just pass out or something. Anyway, it's not the first time I've asked this question and it certainly won't be the last. How the fuck did Dr. Deformed Face lock up this chick? Big dick or not, it just makes no sense on any level.

Things to consider while wondering how we can say we're taking Global Warming seriously when the Buffalo Bisons get to leave their lights on all winter:

*As great as Brady was, as uncoverable as Moss was, the best performance of the night was by the offensive line. The Pats attempted 41 passes and Brady was knocked down maybe twice and pressured out of the pocket only one time that I can recall. All game long Chris Kelsay tried to get around the edge, and all game long Nick Kaczur pushed him into Ontario and he never adjusted. And the closest look Aaron Schobel of Brady was on the Jumbotron.

*Which should be pointed out to the "Why's Brady still in the game?" crowd: When he was in the pocket, Brady was the safest man in western New York. He was in more danger of getting hurt on the sidelines, tripping on the 1st down chain, being run into on a play out of bounds or having a slip-and-fall on a puddle Vince Wilfork's sweat.

*Al Michaels kept saying he was "running out of superlatives" to describe the Pats. Well maybe you ought to tell your bosses to settle the writers strike, ya union-bustin' bastard.

*Ellis Hobbs has been taking a lot of crap for his supposed weak coverage this year. And I'll grant the critics this: on the TD to Roscoe Parrish (when the Pats blitzed but Buffalo picked it up and Hobbs was left one-on-one with no Safety help), he hit the deck like William Shatner taking a fake punch from a Klingon, but beyond that play the coverage was excellent. Parrish finished with the same number of receptions (1) as the NBC goalpost camera.

*The worst part of a blowout in Buffalo is the network can't go to its time-tested move of filling air time with camera shots of hot chicks in the stands. Or the sidelines; was there one closeup of the cheerleaders the entire game? The Jills must have one sorry looking crew this season if NBC decided they were better off going with a 150 shots of the Buffalo city hall and some fat guy frying chicken wings. You were right, Willis McGahee. You were right all along.

*A Chris Hanson punt is so rare now it's become a notable event. If we see any less of the guy, when he comes on the field he's going to be welcomed by guys in top hats and a band playing "Pennsylvania Polka."

To read the rest of this drivel, click here...

Honestly, I thought Andrea looked a little bit extra dolled up last night. I even said something to the First Lady. I guess we know why now.

PS - Zubaz Pants is maybe one of the best names for a blog of all time. I actually had a matching Minnesota Viking's Zubaz hat and pant combo when I was a kid. I was a hot mess to say the least.

For the past decade I feel like one of the most consistent debates in the world of professional sports has been who is the better QB, Tom Brady or Peyton Manning.   The Brady camp points to his 3 rings, his unparalled record in big games and his overall leadership skills.    Meanwhile Manning supporters hang their hat on his Hula Bowl MVP Awards, regular season stats, and his endorsement deals.    They argue that the only reason Peyton Manning has a 2-35 record in big games dating back to college is because everybody else consistently lets him down in the clutch.  If he had the Pat’s defense or Belichick as his coach he’d never lose.   On the flip side, Brady supporters claim that if Brady played in the Colts pass happy offense his entire career he’d probably own every passing record in the book and still have his 3 rings.  Not to mention the fact that  if Manning had to play in the Pats offense the past couple years with their lack of great skill players he’d probably break down and cry and have his dad orchestrate a trade.   And so the debate has raged on and on about who was the better player until this year.  This year the Pats have surrounded Brady with Manning like weapons while a rash of injuries for the Colts have forced Peyton to play without some of his favorite targets.  In other words the two QB’s have basically reversed their situations and allowed us to see how they would perform in each other’s shoes.   And I am being totally unbiased when I say it’s obvious that Tom Brady is a million times better than Peyton Manning.   After all in Brady’s first year with proven WR’s he is already having a better season than Peyton Manning could ever dream of.  And this is despite only having worked with his new toys for 10 games.  Imagine what will happen when he develops the type of chemistry that can only come with years of playing together?  He’ll probably never throw another incompletion the rest of his life.   Meanwhile contrast Brady’s dominance this year with what has happened to Peyton.  Manning has looked like a frightened little child incapable of functioning without his cast of All Pro players around him.   In fact, if it weren’t for Joseph Addai the Colts may not have crossed the 50 yard line the past two weeks.    So I guess in light of these new developments the verdict is officially in.   Tom Brady is a far superior to Peyton Manning.  He can win with or without great players around him while Peyton is clearly a product of his system.   Case Closed.

Much more Emmanuelle here... (Bonus NSFW sex scene)

Who do you want to Wake Up with? Ub@barstoolsports.com