It's almost mid-May, the Sox lead that AL East, the Yanks are in second, two games below .500, the Brewers have the best record in baseball...all proof nothing means anything in baseball until June. Clemens just signed with the Yanks in his now annual 2/3 season routine--for a mere $18,000,022--, certain to provide the team with an emotional lift as the majority of their starting rotation should soon re-join the team from their DL stints, the Brewers have completed their cupcake scheduled start and hit the road to play some real teams (Mets this weekend followed by the Phillies) so we'll see where they stand against tougher competition, and the Sox clubhouse will soon realize spring training has ended and fall into their annual rash of unreasonable losses, allowing the rest of the AL East the opportunity to catch up by simply playing a few games over .500 for a month. I'd be lying if I were to suggest I'm not reservedly optimistic but very excited about the Sox' team and chance to win the division this year.
Speaking of exciting, how 'bout them Pats? Sure, there may be some remaining roster Qs but they must have less than about any other team out there. Even San Diego, by consensus the most talented NFL team and which is returning almost its entire '06 roster, has some serious Qs due to a good deal of turnover on its coaching staff. The best news for their AFC rivals may be that Norv Turner is their new head coach; is any coach other than he who was replaced, good 'ole conservative Martyball extraordinaire himself, less intimidating or of less concern to opposing coaching staffs than Turner? Just asking.
It would seem the Pats loaded up in an atypical spending spree on fire power to re-tool mainly their receiving core (Randy Moss, Stallworth, Welker, Kelley Washington), also addressing RB in the form of a stud backup in Sammy Morris from Miami, a top-blocking, veteran TE to replace Daniel Graham with Kyle Brady's signing, and potentially most significant is the acquisition of possibly this offseason's top free agent, hybrid Pro Bowl LB Adalius Thomas, who can wreak havoc on the field. (You may think it a stretch to suggest the single signing of Thomas is more significant than all the other changes made, but considering Moss, Stallworth and Washington--the most notable offensive signings--each received only one-year contracts it's altogether likely at least a couple of them won't be with the team a year from now while Thomas figures to be a defensive centerpiece for multiple years among an otherwise aging LB core). In addition, drafting first round safety Meriweather provides important depth in the event Harrison's body continues to break down. The biggest remaining Q is the outcome of Samuel's potential hold out. And yet, reason for optimism remains almost extraordinary.
I wouldn't be true to myself without admitting my mouth waters and heart beat quickens in anticipation of controlling the all-stud Patriots' roster on 2008's Madden.
In case you're wondering why I have been and will continue to walk around with my fingers crossed for the next couple weeks, it's in hopes the Celts land one of the first two picks in this year's NBA draft. Somehow, this feels the least likely of the three events considered in this blog--the Sox winning the division this year, the Pats returning to the AFC championship game in the '07/'08 season, and the Celts' fortune of making good on its 39% chance to land one of the top 2 picks and the opportunity to draft either Oden or Durant. Good thing I'm not a betting man!
I was just reminded of an incident I was involved in today on my drive home and had considered sharing in this space. Eh, it's ultimately of no consequence and this is already long enough to deter potential readers' interest. Maybe the story will make its way here later.
Finally, I just re-read the April 16 post and came to the conclusion I suck at writing and REALLY need to focus on typos/incomplete thoughts. My apologies for the lack of clarity. I'll work on that--not that any one really stops by to check this out, but I'll feel better. And isn't that really all that matters?
