Byrd not the word. Sox staff could strenghten itself from within

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Paul Byrd was pretty awful last night in Chicago as the Red Sox lost 12-2. Byrd lasting a scant 2 1/2 innings while giving up 7 earned runs on 10 hits. Ouch! Luckily for the BoSox, the calendar said it's September 4th and that means expanded rosters. Still, it wasn't good to see Junichi Tazawa only last 3 2/3 innings himself. To me, the real story is how Byrd fared against a real major league lineup. He impressed last week against the Toronto Blue Jays, but really he faced a team that had given up on the season. The White Sox brass may have given up on the season, but so far the Sox roster hasn't. That was evident last night as Paul Byrd may have made his final, or next to final start for the Sox this season.

Tim Wakefield takes to the bump this afternoon in a very important start for him and the Red Sox. In addition to Wake's return, Dice-k had himself a strong start last night for Pawtucket. If Wake and the Japanese enigma can make a decent return to the rotation, then a recent Red Sox weakness flips itself into a potential strength. With the return of Wakefield and Matzusaka, they round out the rotation after Lester, a struggling Beckett and suddenly consistent Bucholtz.

If Wake and Dice-k can return and be productive, maybe it's time to give Josh Beckett a rest. The Big Texan has been awful over his past 4 starts. He's already eclipsed the 180 innings pitched mark and looks like he needs to rejuvenate himself for the playoff run.

I think the Red Sox may now be poised to create some breathing room in the Wild Card Race. When they do that, they can start getting Beckett, and a few other players some much needed rest.

Breaking news: Durand makes Tennessee's practice squad

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Offensive lineman Ryan Durand confirmed to Fan Fanatic Sports today that he made the Tennessee Titans' practice squad.

Durand, a seventh-round draft pick this year, found out the great news this morning after meeting with Titans head coach Jeff Fisher.

"I'm happy to be a part of the Titans," said Durand in a telephone interview this afternoon. "I'm very excited, it's a great situation for me."

While Durand was named to the eight-player practice squad, there is a 24-hour window where any team in the NFL can claim him off waivers. But if any team does, it must put Durand on the active 53-man roster.

"If someone picks me up and puts me on the active roster, I'm going to go," said Durand, who can put off his grad school plans since this NFL thing has worked out so far.

Durand, if he stays on the practice squad, is looking at his rookie season as a red-shirt type season like in college football. 

"It's going to give me a chance to develop," Durand said. "I'm taking positives out of it. I need to work on a lot of stuff."

So what did coach Fisher say to Durand during his face-to-face meeting?

"I was pretty nervous at that point. He said they were going to keep me and put me on the practice squad," Durand said. "They want to develop my skills more."

Durand also met with his offensive line coach Mike Munchak, a Hall of Fame offensive lineman.

"He told me I'm the type of guy they're looking at as a developmental guy," Durand said.

Durand's first phone call was placed to his father, Steve, who attended last night's preseason game against the Green Bay Packers and was still in Tennessee awaiting the news.

"He was so excited," Durand said. "He was probably more excited than me."

Under practice squad rules, Durand can practice with the team but can't travel to away games. That doesn't matter to Durand, who's determined to make the most of this opportunity.

"It's a great feeling to be part of the team," said Durand, noting practice squad players make around $5,000 per week. "It's a relief that I know where I stand now. I'm not going to say that I'm ready to start for the Tennessee Titans, but I feel like this is a great opportunity for me."

(PHOTO / TENNESSEE TITANS)

Tough Titan: Cuts are right around the corner -- don't count Durand out

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

This is it.

This is the last time to impress the coaches before the final cuts are made by NFL teams to trim rosters down to 53 players.

That's exactly the situation rookie offensive guard Ryan Durand is in.

Durand, drafted in the 7th round by the Tennessee Titans, knows tonight's home game at 8 p.m. against the Green Bay Packers is his final audition to make the Titan roster.

But he's trying not to let it get in his way of performing on the field.

"I don't think (tonight's game) is going to make or break me," said Durand in a telephone interview Wednesday evening. "The other games that I played in are just as important as this one. I'm just trying to do my best and focus on the stuff that the coaches have told me that I need to improve on."

But the nerves of making the team are there.

"To be honest with you, it's on my mind," Durand said. "But that stuff is out of my control. I have zero control over it."

Durand confirmed to Fan Fanatic Sports that the Titans have told all the players that they are cutting down from 73 players to the maximum 53 by tomorrow night. That's when Durand will find out if he made the team -- either on the official 53-man roster or the practice squad.

"I feel I've been consistent the whole way through," said Durand of his preseason work. "There's always room for improvement, but I have been pleased so far."

A few weeks ago in training camp, Durand's intensity showed as he and defensive lineman Mitch King got into a heated battle with fists flying in the air.

"I got him a few good times," Durand said. "He was going with body shots and I had an open-fisted punch to the facemask and the last one I knocked his helmet off."

Durand feels he's learned so much from Hall of Famer Mike Munchak, the Titans' offensive line coach.

"He coaches us up on the little things," Durand said. "He instantly had my respect even without meeting him. He had a 12-year career, he's a Pro Bowler and he's a Hall of Fame guy."

No matter what happens when it's cut time, Durand is thankful that he got an opportunity to test his skills in the NFL.

"It's been an enjoyable experience," he said. "I feel privileged to have had this opportunity. I definitely like my chances, I'm not counting myself out."

Dodgers bolster roster for playoff run

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

The not-so-triumphant return of Jim Ingram is here! Just kidding. Last night, the LA Dodgers further helped their chances for a deep playoff run by picking up Jim Thome and Jon Garland at the waiver deadline. Neither player is a superstar, but both will fill a need the Dodgers have had for some time.

Jim Thome, who will not be put into service at first base, will provide the power bat off the bench they sorely need for the stretch run and the playoffs. Juan Pierre has been fantastic this season, Mark Loretta has been solid, but neither player offers serious pop off the bench. According to reports, Ned Colletti said he expects Joe Torre to be used like Matt Stairs was, and is, for the Phillies.

Jon Garland, in a rare move between division rivals, comes over from the Arizona Diamondbacks and will be inserted directly into the rotation. While he's not have a good season, 8-11 4.29 ERA, he has pitched pretty well since the All Star break. What he does provide is stability. He's a very durable pitcher who should keep his team in the game. My guess is he has a very good stretch here while pitching in the pitcher friendly Dodger Stadium.

As a diehard Dodgers fan, I love these moves. It doesn't look like Colletti gave up much for either player, and it provides depth and adds two more veteran presences to a team littered with young stars. Garland should take over the 4th slot in the rotation and push Vincente Padilla to 5th. I don't expect much from Kuroda the rest of the season, but if he can return at all that would be gravy to me.

Tedy Bruschi will always be a true Patriot

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Players in any sport come and go. They burst onto the scene, some play over 10 years while other fizzle out faster than a tiki torch on a blustery day.

But some also leave a lasting impression about what's right in sports. New England Patriots inside linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who announced his retirement today, was that type of player.

While Bruschi, who played in the NFL for 13 seasons, didn't really ever wow you with his overall stats (although that 2004 Super Bowl season when he went to his first and only Pro Bowl after making 128 tackles was as good as it gets), he was that rare player that always made his teammates better, he was classy on and off the field and he was a guy that seemed like all of us -- a regular, hard-working guy.

But Bruschi was so much more.

He had a heart of a champion and was a three-time world champion with the Pats -- the only team he ever played for which is extremely rare in today's sports world.

His story even was played off the football field, as Bruschi had a stroke shortly after the 2005 Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles.

To no one's surprise, Bruschi beat the odds and returned to the game he loved. We, as fans, loved him too, and it was a special time to see good old No. 54 back in the middle cracking heads with the opponent.

Yes, Bruschi's skills as a linebacker had been diminishing for the last few years, but it happens to everyone. He's 36 now, he reached the ultimate level of play individually and as a team, and it's only second nature to start tailing off. 

But I'll always remember the young-at-heart Bruschi playing with passion, desire and a will to win -- all with a team-first mentality. For a player to be involved in such a tough guy's sport, it wasn't out of the norm to see Bruschi smiling on the field and helping someone up after he drove them into the ground. That was Tedy. He had an unquestioned love of the game that rubbed off on his teammates and it found its way into my home. 

He was damn good, don't let anyone else tell you differently.

Tedy, you've done a great job being a role model by how you've conducted yourself on and off the field. You're what's right about sports today. 

Good luck in the next phase of your life with your children and wife, and thanks for all the great memories in that Patriots uniform. You'll never be forgotten.

You're a true Patriot.

Still want Brady playing in the preseason?

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Are you happy now?

Our fans here at Fan Fanatic Sports, based on the recent poll of "If you were Bill Belichick, would you let Tom Brady play in preseason games?", no doubt wanted Brady to play in preseason games, and I'm willing to bet they've changed their tune now.

Especially after watching Brady jog off the field late in the second quarter of last night's preseason game --a meaningless exhibition game -- against the Washington Redskins.

Tell me you're not a little scared right now? You should be, too. A mammoth defensive lineman, Albert Haynesworth, planted his gigantic frame all over Brady and powered him into the ground. Look at the replays, Brady's right shoulder didn't look very good on that hit. I bet he'll get X-rays and an MRI, and he better be OK.

My point in a previous blog was that the preseason is a joke, it's meaningless and only bad things happen. The preseason jinx struck again -- this time with Brady getting injured.

Initially, it appears like he'll be OK -- the Pats are calling it a sore right shoulder -- but those tests better come back negative or you can kiss this season goodbye Patriots fans.

I've got that knot in my stomach again. It was there last season in the first game against the Chiefs (that's when Brady tore his knee apart and missed the rest of the season).

Maybe I'm just a worry-wart? If so, then oh well.

When you see your prized player get injured in a preseason game, it makes you wonder why these stars are even in the game.

I know the drill -- they need to get game ready for the regular season ... blah, blah, blah. If you're an NFL fan, you've heard the same lip service before.

Bottom line is I'd rather have Brady a little rusty in the regular season, than watch him play a lot in the preseason and get injured.

Well, guess what Pats fan, Brady got injured. We'll never know the severity of the injury because the Patriots will never tell us, but one thing is for sure: Brady got hurt and it could have been avoided.

Blame who you want, but the bottom line is Brady shouldn't have even been in uniform. He gets plenty of reps in practice, albeit no live game action, but that is what the regular season is for.

I'd forgive Brady if he chucked a pick or two early in the regular season because he might have been rusty because he didn't play in the preseason.  But at least I'd have that option, instead of him working off the rust in the preseason, then he gets hurt and there goes our championship hopes.

Players don't like the preseason and think it should be a lot shorter. Boy, I wonder why?

Still want Brady playing in the preaseason? Glad you're on board now!

Sanchez should be worried about facing the Patriots

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Patriots fans should be smiling everywhere.

Why? Well, the hated New York Jets have decided to go with a rookie as their starting quarterback after naming former University of Southern California star Mark Sanchez the No. 1 guy.

Who's really afraid of a rookie QB? It's going to be fun pounding the Jets twice in the regular season and watching them scuffle on offense.

Rookie QBs and NFL defenses don't mix. NFL defenses can be extremely complex, just like the Patriots under coach Bill Belichick, and they also expose rookies.

And you can bank on it happening again this season.

If you watched the Jets' last preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens -- one of the most confusing defenses in the league -- you saw Sanchez dazed and confused, never really knowing where the next blitzer was going to come from. It's all about confusion and deception with defenses, masking coverages and making the QBs really question what is going on. And it works like a well-oiled machine against inexperienced QBs that are just hoping to not screw up too much.

The Jets know they'll take their lumps offensively with Sanchez, perhaps electing to protect him by pounding away with the running game, but rookie QBs all need to go through growing pains.

Luckily, the Patriots can play a huge part in welcoming Sanchez into the NFL.

Boy, playing the Jets should be a lot of fun. 

How do you think that Fireman Fool in the Jets cheering section, leading that stupid cheer of "J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets" is going to react after watching Sanchez throw pick after pick for an entire season?

Remember: it's always better to hand out the lumps instead of absorbing them.

We'll be seeing you on the field Sanchez. FYI, expect the unexpected against a Belichick defense.

This is going to be fun!