Here's What I Have To Say

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Here's a list of topics in the world of sports that I feel I need to spout off about. You can either agree or disagree with me, but please have an opinion, either way.

• Man, I hope 98.5 The Sports Hub's Gresh and Zo are right on the money -- like a Tom Brady pass -- when they say that pint-sized WR Wes Welker will be good to go in the Patriots' first day of training camp despite recovering from major knee surgery. If Welker can come back -- all signs point to him being way ahead of schedule in his recovery -- and avoid missing substantial time during the regular season (like the first 7 or so games), then this is outstanding news for Patriot Nation. But be cautious: Welker isn't 100 percent yet, and that knee could give out at any time. But thinking positively, the shaky WR corp just become a major strength again if Welker can be 75 percent of what he was last season. Imagine if he returns and is close to 100 percent?
• The Patriots better ink their franchise quarterback to a gigantic deal ...and fast. If any of these reports are correct, then Brady is getting frustrated that the Pats haven't given him a contact extension. What are the Pats waiting for? Are they seriously trying to play hardball with one of the best QBs in the league? Not to mention, Brady has given the franchise multiple Vince Lombardi trophies, and he deserves a new and deal. Don't mess around Robert Kraft or coach Bill Belichick. If Brady ends up walking next year and wears a different uniform, you two better expect to leave town in a hurry because this fan base will not let that careless behavior slide.
• What should the Boston Red Sox do with David Ortiz? Should the Sox let Big Papi walk after the season or give him a new contact? We're all interested in what Boston's brass will do. I know Ortiz is having a very good power numbers season (18 HRs, 60 RBIs), but how much longer can the 34-year-old keep proving people wrong? Just when you think Ortiz is done (like most of us did earlier in the season), he gets hot with the bat and we all forget about his previous struggles. I can see giving him a two-year deal but not in the range of $20 million (more like $15 million). But he's currently make $13 million and perhaps he thinks he's worth that much or even more? If Ortiz leaves, I wonder who the Sox are already targeting?
• One more homer and A-Rod will have 600 for his career. It's an incredible milestone, but should he be celebrated, ignored or booed? Yankee fans will cheer, but fans outside of the Big Apple probably won't because he admitted to cheating by using steroids. Clean or not, 600 homers is pretty darn impressive. I'll cheer but still remember how he cheated the game and lied about it.
• Former Celtics guard Tony Allen took a little jab at his former team on his way to Memphis, saying that he was "overshadowed" by guys like Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. Overshadowed? I'm choking on my water as I blog. We all know Tony Allen couldn't hold either Pierce or Ray Allen's jock on their worst day, but Tony Allen still needed to hype himself up because, honestly, no one in American really knows who he is. Does Tony Allen really think he's a premier player in the NBA? I'm still laughing. Celtics fans know Tony Allen is a lockdown defender, but he's got no offensive game -- well, shooting the ball anyway. When he touches the ball, you hope he passes it because he'll either throw up a brick, or drive the lane way out of control and chuck up a shot that nearly shatters the backboard. Tony Allen, good luck with the Grizzlies because you're going to need it. I bet you still can't even get a Tony Allen jersey in Memphis, and I bet people are still wondering who he is.