Weekend of Despair

As you've probably noticed, this weekend sucked for New England sports fans. The Sox were swept away by the Angels in the most unlikely fashion and the Pats looked terrible in the second half against former offensive protege Josh McDaniels and the Broncos.

While both losses were arguably shocking and disappointing, the Red Sox loss has to be the worse of the two. Over the past five seasons they have made it a habit of coming back when down (0-3 in 2004, 1-3 in 2007 and forcing a seventh game after down 1-3 in 2008) but this year they were the team to collapse. Leading 5-2 into the eighth and 6-4 in the ninth, one would have thought we'd see a Game Four. Not so fast. Jonathan Papelbon was terrible in his only relief appearance of the series (1 IP, 4 hits, 2 BB, 3 ER) and suddenly the season was over. Truly a terrible way to end the season and leave a lot to be desired come this off-season. Two questions loom largest: Will the Sox re-sign Jason Bay or go elsewhere? Will Papelbon be on the trading block with Daniel Bard big league ready? Deep down you'd like to see the Sox explore options for a big power bat, but Bay is a solid player that will hit 30 homers and drive in 100 runs. Look for them to do all they can to re-sign him. It is highly unlikely that the Red Sox with trade Papelbon but if they do they'll either get a boatload of high level prospects or a young starter like Felix Hernandez in Seattle.


Sunday's misery was not over after Papelbon blew the game in the ninth. Rather, the Patriots built a comfortable lead of their own before falling flat in the second half, losing 20-17 in OT. Tom Brady looked good in the first half, throwing two touchdowns and leading the Pats against a tough Broncos D. The second 30 minutes were a disaster. Brady was inaccurate, rushed and looked to be a bit confused at times. Although the Broncos defense deserves a lot of the credit, Brady was just not what we've become accustomed to. On the other side, Kyle Orton looked like John Elway, completing 73% of his passes while throwing for 330 yards and two touchdowns himself. If not for a complete let down in the fourth quarter, along with some stupid penalties, the Patriots could be 4-1 and atop the AFC East. Instead, they are 3-2 and looking average at best.

A final note to Denver, burn those uniforms and never speak of them or wear them again. Thank you.