Welcome to the Other Side

BY IAN TASSO
EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP IMAGES

Take yourself back nine years.

The date is February 2, 2002. The place is the Louisiana Superdome.

Outside, it’s quiet. Warm. Damp. Humid.

Inside, it’s equally as quiet. Warmer. Damper. Sweatier. 73,000 fans collectively holding their breath as fabled kicker Adam Vinatieri lines up to cement his name in the NFL history books.

Kurt Warner meanwhile, sat on the bench, bloodied, looking on helplessly. Marshall Faulk sat there too, just as his quarterback, every bone in his body aching. Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce, there all the same, mimicking their general -- their quarterback -- who had been knocked around and smacked in the face more than those kids at the end of Step Brothers.

Seconds later, Vinatieri’s arms shot through the air like red and blue fireworks, igniting a Patriot celebration. They had toppled the Goliath. They had beaten the giant.

The Greatest Show on Turf however, was over. They had hit the wall, and were upset by a team that had no business being there, and no business winning. The most powerful team in the NFL -- the Super Bowl favorite -- a team that had all the marbles, all the cards, and all the tricks, had come up short.

It’s a tale as old as time. It’s a tragic storyline. And it’s also the way sports are.

Because nine years later, the Patriots are on that sideline. Wounded. Bullied. Beaten. And Braylon Edwards and the Jets are doing backflips on the field.

I’m not saying it’s a direct parallel, but it’s pretty damn close. One year you’re writing the history and ten years later you’re drowning in it, unable to get out of your own way. Three straight playoff losses will do that to you as a fan, and suddenly, you don’t feel so high and mighty anymore.

AFC Playoff Picture

BY IAN TASSO
EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS

The temperatures are dropping - fast.

And that can only mean one thing: playoff football.

With the postseason quickly approaching, certain teams are vying for position, others are fighting for their playoff lives, and the rest are trying to prove they have what it takes. Where does your team sit?

On a whole different level:

New England Patriots:

Not only do they have what it takes, they are what it takes; the prototype for success. Is there one quarterback you'd rather have in a playoff matchup than Tom Brady? And at home, too? Locking up home-field advantage might have been the worst thing for the AFC. Not good news unless you hail from somewhere between Boston and Maine.

Still, there are a few questions. Can they win sloppy? The game against the Browns showed a distinct weakness with this team – if Brady is off, this team sheds a little skin.

Also, second half defense. The past two games, New England has shown they can close out games – but early on this year, they had trouble slamming the door shut. Which Patriots’ defense will we see down the stretch?

In the clear:

Not to be Left Out

BY BEN BARKER
EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS

The Boston Red Sox filled a giant hole in their lineup when the pulled of the Blockbuster deal of the off-season to acquire Adrian Gonzalez.

A-Gon will provide a TON of power from the left side of the plate, and his inside out power stroke will absolutely abuse the Green Monster.

 But even after sticking Gonzalez into the middle of Boston’s star-studded lineup, one question still looms over Beantown. Who the hell is going to play left field?

The Sox have more than a few options; let’s take a look.

1. Magglio Ordonez:

The Red Sox have always like the idea of bringing Magglio Ordonez to Boston, and now they finally have a chance.

The ex-Tiger was a key member of the potential Alex Rodriguez-Manny Ramirez-Nomar Garciaparra trade that fell through back in 2004.

Ordonez has spent the past six seasons in Detroit where he’s had great offense production. While he only played in 84 games last season, he still hit at a clip of .303. In 2007 Ordonez won the batting title with an amazing .363 average.

Of course, the Sox couldn’t expect a season even close to that out of the 37-year-old outfielder, but an incentive filled 2-year deal might be enough to draw Ordonez to a team with a great chance of contending for the World Series.

Jets Have Tools to Take Down Pats

BY JESSE LIEBMAN

EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS

The legendary Bill Parcells once said, “you are what your record says you are.”

And while on the surface that saying might be brain-numbingly obvious, and as empty as Al Davis' heart, Tuna just may have been on to something. As of their Thanksgiving Day performance, the New York Jets boast a record of 9-2, good for first place in the AFC East.

Following last season’s run to the AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts, the Jets have been the media darlings of the National Football League. Rex Ryan is always good for a quote (or two), and the team’s antics constantly have even members of the media in stitches. And then there was their appearance on HBO’s Hard Knocks series -- talk about exposure.

Living in Boston, it’s not rocket science to see that the New England Patriots have entrenched themselves as the toast of the town.

The numbers speak for themselves. Three Super Bowls in a four-year span. Four appearances in the big dance in the past decade. If we flash forward to the present, New England has put up more than respectable numbers this year, carrying an identical win-loss record as New York.

Patriots fans -- and while we’re at it, a lot of the media -- will be inclined to remind outsiders that New England’s record is identical to the Jets; even going so far as to imply that Rex Ryan’s team has gotten by on dumb luck.

Let’s face it: the Jets are not a perfect team; then again, no one else is either.

An Early Christmas Present for Red Sox Nation

BY IAN TASSO

EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS

Few things wake me up at 10-o’clock in the morning on a Saturday. 

A text message from my father that reads “OMG Gonzalez to Sox” is one of those things.

Few notes here. One, the fact that this message was the only thing in my inbox on a Saturday morning is nothing short of good news. This means no felonies were committed last night. Or at least nothing big. Or nothing big that I was directly involved with.

Two, I was in my own bed. That might not mean much to most people, but to a college student, given the alternatives -- my own couch, someone else’s couch, my floor, someone else’s floor, the sidewalk, or not at all -- this is quite a moral victory.

And lastly, at 10am, a sentence like “OMG Gonzalez to Sox” can be enough to ensure heart-failure. Or at the very least, an immediate return to unconsciousness. My dad should realize these things and hold off on texts like that until at least past noon.

Alas, the old man had not, and now I was stuck in a pickle.

More than anything, I was shocked for multiple reasons. First off, my eyes were actually open at 10:00 in the morning, and that doesn’t happen too often. Second, I had both my socks on - which may not sound like much to you, but that’s usually the first indication that I didn’t have to run away from anything the night before. Third, my dad had just used “OMG” in a text - pretty hilarious in and of itself. And lastly, Adrian Gonzalez might actually be headed to Boston.

After a minute of weighing my options, I then closed my eyes and went back to sleep. That’s a lot of pressure to deal with at ten in the morning. I’d handle those questions at a much more comfortable wake up time. Like noon. Or 12:30.

Or 1:30.

So here’s what I got for you. Adrian Gonzalez is 99% headed to Boston, barring a failed physical -- or a “Sturm,” as I like to call it -- and this is what it all means:

Who is he?

A former number one overall pick in 2000 by the Florida Marlins, Gonzalez was plucked right out of high school - along with a $3 million signing bonus -- making him the first infield position player taken first overall since Alex Rodriguez in 1993.

Stove Heating Up for Sox

BY BEN BARKER
EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS

With Victor Martinez heading for Detroit, the Boston Red Sox are turning up the heat on their pursuit of free agent outfielder Carl Crawford.

Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein and Manager Terry Francona met with Crawford and his agent earlier this week in Houston, Texas. It seems as though Boston has become more serious about turning every Sox fan’s dream into a reality.

Crawford will be seeking a deal in the 6-7 year range worth just around 120 million dollars. Just last off-season, Matt Holliday raked in a 7-year 120 million dollar contract from the Cardinals. Crawford is considered at least equally as talented as Holliday, and his contract will most likely be for similar figures.

The Red Sox are publicly against giving out contracts exceeding 4 years, and rightfully so. The last three deals that the Sox have shelled out for 5 years or more have been to JD Drew, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and John Lackey. Crawford, however, may prove to be worth the risk.

Even with the Crawford talks heating up, the Red Sox aren’t forgetting about Jayson Werth.

Just days after meeting with Crawford in Houston, Epstein and Francona met with Werth and super-agent Scott Boras in Chicago. It has been almost assumed that the Sox would end up with Werth for the start of the 2011 season, and this is just another step in that direction.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have been rumored front runners in the Crawford sweepstakes, and if they drive the price too high for Boston’s liking, the Sox could end up with an outfield of Werth, Ellsbury, and Drew. Werth would prove to be a cheaper fix for the Sox, and his power from the right side would fill the void left by potential ex-Sox Adrian Beltre and now Detroit Tiger, Victor Martinez.

Oh, The Places They'll Go

BY BEN BARKER
EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS

The top five MLB Free Agents in 2010, and where they’ll play in 2011:

#5 Adam Dunn

Chicago White Sox

Adam Dunn has made it very clear that he doesn't want to be a full time DH at this point in his career.

Chicago will probably re-sign Paul Konerko, but even if they do, Dunn and Konerko could split time at first and DH.

This would be key for the White Sox, as they need some more power in the middle of their order. Konerko went off last year, but will need some help in 2011. Dunn has been offered arbitration by the Nationals, but will certainly decline and sign elsewhere.

Look for him to land in the windy city with a 3-4 year deal hovering around 10 million annually.

#4 Adrian Beltre

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Nobody is smiling more this off-season than Adrian Beltre.

This guy looked to be circling the drain as a legitimate power hitter in the MLB … and then 2010 happened.

Last year Beltre battled through injuries and almost single-handedly propelled the Red Sox into the playoffs. Brandon Wood didn’t work out for the Halo’s last season, and they’ll look for an external replacement for 2011. Nobody fits that mold better than Beltre, a guy who can do it with his bat, and his glove.

Beltre has made it clear that he’d like to return to the West Coast, and I can’t think of a better fit than the Angels.

Last Call On-Air: John Havlicek

November 19, 2010
Tasso, Barker, Liebman, Souza 
   Special Guest: Celtics all-time leading scorer, 8-time NBA Champ and 13-time All Star
      John Havlicek

Last Call On-Air: Kathryn Tappen

November 19, 2010
Tasso, Barker, Liebman, Souza 
   Special Guest: NESN Bruins Analyst
      Kathryn Tappen

Last Call On-Air: Tanguay Strikes Again

November 12, 2010
Tasso, Barker, Liebman, Souza 
   Special Guest: Comcast Sports Net
      Gary Tanguay

Last Call On-Air: Ryan Durling

November 5, 2010
Tasso, Barker, Liebman, Souza 
   Special Guest: Bruins writer and Biz Director, SomethingsBruin.net
      Ryan Durling 

Last Call On-Air: Gary Washburn

October 29, 2010
Tasso, Barker, Liebman, Souza 
   Special Guest: Boston Globe National NBA Writer
      Gary Washburn 

Don't Look Now...

Editor's Note: This article was originally featured in Emerson College's The Berkeley Beacon: http://www.berkeleybeacon.com/

BY GABE SOUZA
EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS

It was second and goal on the three-yard line, midway through the third quarter, with the Patriots cruising 17-3.

But New England's quarterback doesn't settle for cruising.

In recent years he might have lobbed a few spirals in the direction of Randy Moss -- who may, or may not have caught them.

But this was not the time for that. This was time for No. 12 to take back his team, to do what he would've done in the Super Bowl-winning years of 2001-04.

Tom Brady rushed to the line of scrimmage, gave center Dan Koppen a quick pat, took the snap, and used every inch of his 6-foot-4 frame to pile-drive his way into the end zone.

The touchdown gave the Patriots a commanding 20-point lead over Pittsburgh, a team many deemed the best in the NFL.

Almost immediately, over 64,000 Terrible Towel-waving fans fell silent.

Big Bad Tom, with his golden locks and growing scruff, leapt up, raised the ball, and with one giant scream, spiked it to the ground in celebration, instantly refreshing memories of the historic Snow-Bowl win nine long years ago.

And when that pigskin pounded the turf Sunday night, it sent a shock wave through Heinz Field, the repercussions of which were felt throughout the NFL.

The message was clear: Tom Brady is back.

Well, That was Embarrassing

BY TOM NIERADKA
EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS

Sunday night, as I was watching the Dallas Cowboys get rocked by the Packers, I thought to myself…I'm almost embarrassed for the Cowboys right now.

Nothing went right for them, and I just couldn't stop laughing at their misfortune.

So I thought to myself that so far this year, there have been quite a few really odd things that have happened, more so than usual even. Looking back week nine, after much deliberation I was able to compile a list of the top five most embarrassing and ridiculous moments from the games this past week.

5. Hapless Vikings rally from 14-point deficit to beat the hapless Cardinals, accidently   make Brad Childress look good.

There has been a lot of press about the Vikings this week, mostly related to everyone wanting Brad Childress to be fired, including the players who have had enough of his “BS”. Percy Harvin apparently almost came to blows with Childress during an argument where Childress suggested that Harvin wasn't trying hard enough at practice.

All I can say about that fight is that Childress is lucky he checked himself before he wrecked himself.

Back to the game, up until the last five minutes everything was going according to plan. The Vikes were about to lose to the woeful Derek Anderson and the Cardinals, and seal the fate of their perennially terrible coach.

However even the best laid plans can often go bad, and in this case Brett Favre actually decided to avoid throwing interceptions, and instead hit Visanthe Shiancoe for a 25 yard TD in regulation to tie the game, then setting up the game winning field goal in overtime.

But wait, winning is good right?

These New Patriots Of Old

Editor's Note: This article was originally featured in Emerson College's The Berkeley Beacon: http://www.berkeleybeacon.com/

BY IAN TASSO
EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS

There’s a new team on top in the NFL.

Five straight wins – four of them within the conference – and the New England Patriots are back on top, boasting an NFL best 6-1 record seven games into the season.

It’s been a while since New England has been there – five long seasons to be exact. A city once atop the football world has taken a seat on the bus of “above-average mediocrity” that seemingly has reached its final destination: 2010.

With instinctive and aggressive athletes like Jerod Mayo and Brandon Spikes ravaging the middle of the field, thoughts of 2004’s Homeland Defense flicker through my head.

With a versatile, “get just as many points as we need and nothing more” offense stomping up and down the field, it feels like I stepped in a Time Machine and punched 2001 into the dashboard.

But it’s been a long time coming – and a process that was far from easy.

Let’s be honest: the 2009-10 season wasn’t an easy one for our New England Patriots.

Beloved stars Tedy Bruschi and Rodney Harrison were turned away in the offseason, defensive stalwarts Mike Vrabel and Richard Seymour were shipped off just before the season began, and Wes Welker limped away just before it ended.

Last Call On-Air - Brad Marchand

October 29, 2010
Tasso, Liebman, Souza 
   Special Guest: Boston Bruins Forward
      Brad Marchand

From Inside the Locker Room: Celtics' Chemistry Key

Editor's Note: This article and accompanying photos were originally featured in Emerson College's The Berkeley Beacon: http://www.berkeleybeacon.com/

BY GABE SOUZA

EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY JESSE LIEBMAN

Nate Robinson slinked into the Celtics locker room Tuesday night, his 5-foot-9 frame sliding along the mahogany walls, his diminutive size dwarfed by human skyscrapers like Kevin Garnett and Shaquille O'Neal, each in the seven-foot range.

Robinson had just come from the parquet floor in Boston's TD Garden where the Celtics held an open practice for their fans.

Hundreds of green-clad die-hards gathered under the Garden's historical rafters, an NBA record 17 championship banners waving above them, as they cheered on their gladiators in a friendly scrimmage.

Robinson did his best to appease the excited crowd, displaying deft moves all afternoon, splitting defenders in the lane, his ball-handling skills so slick the basketball seemed like a yo-yo in his control. 

But Robinson did more than just steal the show on the floor - he also stole teammate Ray Allen's sneakers and promptly threw them into the crowd, much to the delight of fans.

Those who follow the team closely may be aware of Nate's series of Twitter videos that display his prankster antics, everything from high-flying dunks over the 7-foot-2 Shaquille O'Neal to dumping salt in the big man's water during lunch break.

As we assembled to enter the locker room toting microphones, video cameras, and tape recorders, it hit me.

It may have been the new Garden, but the old aura was still there.

Something About That Green...

BY GABE SOUZA
EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS

It gets me. It gets me Every single time I'm there.

When I look up to the rafters of the TD Garden, it sends a chill down my spine.

I hear the voice of Johnny Most, the famous Celtics announcer. I recall countless conversations with seasoned basketball fans, all of whom remember the guys in green dominating the hardwood.

It seems to grab any player or fan who enters the hallowed parquet floor. It’s not the regulation side hardwood, the leprechaun at midcourt, or the 20,000 raucous Beantown fans. It’s the 17 NBA Championship banners.

That’s right, count them. Seventeen. 

That’s the third most of any team in any professional sport, just behind the Yankees’ 27 in baseball and the Montreal Canadiens’ 24 in hockey.

First, 1965-1966 catches your eye. That year the Celtics breezed by the Los Angeles Lakers four games to one. But getting to the Finals was the hardest part and produced perhaps one of the most famous radio calls in sports history.

Up by one point in the final five seconds of Game 7 of the ’65 Eastern Conference Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers, forward John Havlicek would go down in basketball lore for one play.

“Five seconds left, Boston only has a one point lead,” Most crackled into the radio. “Greer putting the ball into play. He gets it out deep and…Havlicek steals it! He stole the ball, Havlicek stole the ball! It’s all over! It’s all over and Johnny Havlicek is being mobbed on the floor.”

Most was the voice of the Celtics from 1953-1990. If you listen closely, you can still here his voice, cracking with excitement, swooping throughout the rafters of the Garden.

You Can't Win 'Em All

Editor's Note: This article was originally featured in Emerson College's The Berkeley Beacon: http://www.berkeleybeacon.com/

BY IAN TASSO
EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS


The stadium was tense.

Over 42,000 stood together on their feet, their towels flapping in the air as they poured down thunderous cheers like rain from a blackened cloud. 

As their closer came to the set, he held more than just a stitched baseball in his glove. He held the hopes of a city; the dreams of a generation. 

Almost in slow motion, San Francisco's hero exhaled, his pulse thumping in tune with the hundreds of thousands watching. And then, like the ticking hand of a grandfather clock, he made his first movement, beginning his wind-up, one that seemed to take longer than the game itself. 

As he released the ball, time seemed to slow, every rotation bringing the fans closer to a dream that had been held on ice for weeks. Like a tiger eyeing his prey, the batter's eyes widened as the ball approached, his grip tightening around the bat. 

And then it all went silent-a stadium full of fans holding their collective breath for an instant.

His swing seemed to last a lifetime, thousands of eyes glued to the action, thousands more looking away. But as the ball slammed into the catcher's glove, the sound of popping leather acted like a starter's gun at a track meet, signaling a celebration that bordered on pandemonium. 

With a Giant exhale, the stadium erupted in cheers. 

Fireworks and fists shot through the air like synchronized beacons of hope, the intervals between the booming explosions filled in with excitement and screaming.