No Marshall or Holmes, Patriots better deliver in NFL Draft

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

The AFC East is going to be a beast this season.

And the Patriots might just be the third-place team in the division.

Well, let's hope not.

But it's hard to swallow that the Jets and Dolphins keep improving this offseason, while the Pats have retained some key players from last season (Vince Wilfork was the No. 1 priority), but they haven't made the big free agency splash yet. And they most likely won't.

It appears that Bill Belichick and Co. plan to build this team in the draft with a first-round selection and three second-rounders.

But both the Jets and Dolphins have added youth and experience with two outstanding pickups recently.

And it came at a position where the Pats could use some help -- wide receiver.

The Jets trade for Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes, while Miami turned some heads by trading for Denver star receiver Brandon Marshall.

I know they both come with off-the-field issues, but they are talented and should help out both teams immensely.

Just think about it: Wouldn't either one of those wideouts look good in a Patriots uniform?

While I wish either was suiting up and catching passes for the Pats, I still have faith that New England will get a high grade from NFL Draft gurus Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay after their selections.

If they don't deliver the goods, then they could be in real trouble in the division.

Doesn't it hurt to know that those two rival clubs have improved so much? But hey, at least we resigned Vince Wilfork, right?

Boston College proved it was the most dominant team...from the most dominant conference

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

The ice chips have settled and Boston College has come out on top as the top team in college hockey for the second time in three years.

I will be the first to admit that early in the season and as late as the beginning of this tournament that while they were a very good team, the Eagles didn't have the star power to win the whole thing. And the lack of big stars just may be the reason they won it all.

All tournament Barry Melrose kept pointing out the fact that Wisconsin had the most draft picks of any team in the tournament, including three first-round draft picks on defense. The problem for Wisconsin is the Badgers played like a group of high draft picks instead of like a team.

Yes, Boston College was faster than Wisconsin, which is an incredibly fast team itself, but it wasn't speed that made the difference. It was passing. Boston College executed plays in transition to perfection because of impeccable tape-to-tape passing. Players looked to each other as outlets and the team looked to be communicating so well, you might have thought Jerry York had implanted something in their brains that transmitted what one was thinking to all the others.

Wisconsin players, on the other hand, tried far too often to do everything themselves. When they did pass, things happened for them like a very good bid in the slot off a pass from the corner in the first period, but especially once the Badgers were down, the individualism reared its ugly head and right then you had a feeling Wisconsin was done.

With the win, BC established itself as one of the dominant teams in college hockey, having won two trophies in three years and three over the last 10 seasons. The Eagles have appeared in the championship game four of the last five seasons and seven of the past 13 seasons, dating back to 1998.

What is also impressive is the road Boston College took to get there. First of all, the Eagles finished one point out of first place during the regular season and went on to win the tournament of the toughest conference in college hockey, which earned them a No. 1 seed in the tournament.

Don't buy that the Hockey East is the toughest conference? It has to be, especially over recent years as each of the last five championship games have featured a Hockey East team. In fact, since 1990, the NCAA championship game has been without a Hockey East team just four times. Twice both teams in the title game have been from Hockey East - 1995 when Boston University topped Maine and 1999 when Maine beat arch-rival New Hampshire. Only once since 1990 has a Hockey East team not reached the Frozen Four and that was in 1992.

Six of the last seven Hobey Hat Trick finalists have been from Hockey East.

Even after taking the top spot in the Northeast regional, the Eagles had the rougher road to the championship game than Wisconsin. After dispatching an Alaska team that was better than everyone thought it was, The Eagles had to first face the team that finished tops in the ECAC during the regular season, which also happened to be the best scoring team in the country in Yale. After the victory over Yale got them to the Frozen Four, they had to play the CCHA's toughest team and the team ranked No. 1 overall in Miami (OH) and finished off the season with a win over the WCHA's second-ranked team at the end of the regular season. The teams they played in the tournament leading up to the title game finished in USCHO's final rankings at No. 17, No. 8, and No. 1, respectively. Comparitively speaking, Wisconsin played No. 15 Vermont, No. 7 St. Cloud State and No. 20 RIT.

Some parting shots

• ESPN can try to spin it all they want, but the ice at Ford Field looked terrible. I'm not an expert on ice, but I've seen enough hockey to know that when the puck is lying flat and still ends up bouncing over the blades of sticks, the ice isn't competition caliber. It was a nice little gimmick and a way to boost ticket sales, but what if ice conditions had had a serious effect on a game? It just wasn't the right venue for a championship game.
• The CHA should be stripped of its automatic bid. Alabama-Hunstville made it and you can't hate the team for it because it got in because of how the rules are, so good for them. But what was good for them was bad for hockey. The team plays in a four-team conference and won a total of 12 games all season with a .409 winning percentage. Two of those games happened to be at the right time, so they got put in with the best teams in college hockey, which they were not.
• RIT, on the other hand, was good for college hockey, much like Bemidji State was the year before. RIT admittedly plays in a lesser conference, but they had 28 wins, was a top-20 team and beat up on two teams perceived to be incredibly more talented than it was. What makes the RIT story even better is the fact that the school does not give athletic scholarships. Every kid at that school is there to be something besides a hockey player and that is commendable.
• UNH fans who have been spoiled by the team's recent successes have started calling for head coach Dick Umile's job because he has been unable to shake the school's "University of No Hardware" moniker. Those fans have short memories. They forget that before Umile showed up in Durham 20 years ago, UNH was an absolute laughing stock. Since the Umile era began, the Wildcats have been a competitive program in the toughest conference in college hockey with a 462-234-73 record. The Wildcats have finished as regular season champions six times and three times in the last four year, including this season, which most prognosticators had them finishing fourth at best. They have been to the NCAA tournament 16 times, including nine straight years, which is the second-longest active streak. UNH is in a town that most people couldn't point to on a map, has a rink that with 200x100 dimensions a lot of players don't want to play at and a budget that restricts the amount they can offer in scholarships. Most of Umile's scouting comes from the local area and that itself can be tough with programs like BU and BC a short trip down I-95. And yet he always finds a way to make his team competitive. I'm not saying that this is the best UNH hockey can be, but for a team that lost its three top defensemen and the team's all-time leading scorer to graduation, plus a guy named van Reimsdyk to the Flyers, this team did pretty well for itself and Umile is the reason why.
  

Here's what I have to say

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Here's my two cents on 10 topics in the world of sports.

Do you hear what I'm screaming, or would would like the chance to just punch me in the face?

Here goes:

1. The Bruins are going dancing, the Bruins are going dancing. While I'm pumped that this club stepped up when it mattered the most, I'm still not sold on them winning the Stanley Cup. And the last time I looked, that's all any team in the postseason cares about. This team doesn't need moral victories, so it's not a successful season if they merely get into the playoffs or win a series or two. What I'm more jacked up about is that the Bruins have a shot -- as long as the 2010 NHL Draft Lottery goes according to plan -- to land a legit superstar if they get the No. 1 or No. 2 pick (thanks to the Toronto Maple Leafs). As long as the Bruins get a top-2 pick, they will lock up a franchise player like center Tyler Seguin or left wing Taylor Hall. Seguin or Hall, who do you prefer?
2. The NBA playoffs can't begin soon enough because the Boston Celtics surely aren't serious in playing out the end of the regular season with any passion. I'm totally fine with guys resting up, so I'm not really knocking Doc Rivers and the C's brass. Health is key, especially with an older club. I'll take fresh legs from Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce any day. Quick, get the playoffs going.
3. I've heard from a few Red Sox fans that they aren't surprised that the New York Yankees won two of three games over the Sox at Fenway Park to open the season. The top reason I've heard is that the Yankees are simply a better team. I'm not really buying that yet, even if I'm a Yankees fan. With a rotation that features Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and John Lackey, I'm expecting the Red Sox to be a pain in the (fill in the blank) all season long.
4. I just can't believe how many country-club clowns are actually cheering on Tiger Woods at the Masters. It's funny how Tiger promised to clean up his act when he returned to golf. I guess his temper is already getting the best of him. Read this link if you don't believe me. Guy can't be that smart is he knows microphones and cameras are littered around the course. Better yet, face it, he doesn't care what anyone else thinks. He cares more about himself and winning trophies. Yes, a great role model.
5. The NFL Draft (attending it is something that's on my to-do list before I die) can't get here soon enough. Is there any doubt that the hapless St. Louis Rams will select Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford with the top pick? If they don't, then everyone in that organization should be fired.
6. My son says that CC Sabathia is the best pitcher. If I was starting a team, I'd take Tim Lincecum (because of his age and upside) first, but it's hard to argue that CC's not one of the best in the game right now. No doubt he's the best left-hander.
7. I keep hearing that the Los Angeles Lakers will win another NBA championship, but something tells me to pick the Cleveland Cavaliers.
8. What's your favorite sports movie of all-time? No, it's not "Hoosiers" or "Slap Shot" or "Bull Durham." Those are all very good flicks, but mine is "Major League."
9. If you were Red Sox manager Terry Francona, who do you start at DH, David Ortiz or Mike Lowell? We know Big Papi is Tito's boy, but don't sit there and tell me Lowell shouldn't be in that lineup. Yes, I know he played vs. the Royals on Saturday night, but Ortiz is the guy for now. Please give me a good reason why Ortiz is the king DH in Beantown at this point in his career.
10. Boston's Tuuka Rask has all the ingredients to be a star goaltender in the NHL. Tim Thomas who?

High-scoring NCAA hockey title bout? Don't count on it.

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

My bracket is officially busted with the complete and utter implosion by Miami (OH) in last night's second semifinal, which was almost as much of a route as the first.

Between the two games, the winning teams scored 15 goals against two defensive-minded teams. Miami went into Thursday's game ranked first in the nation in team defense with the two top goaltenders in goals against average. RIT was ranked third in team defense.

Wisconsin scored in the opening minutes of the first two periods, using its superior speed and skating to its advantage as RIT spent most of the day chasing the Badgers around in the defensive zone. Boston College took advantage of Miami spending almost an entire period in the penalty box (seven penalties for 14 minutes), scoring its first two goals with a man advantage.

In both cases the offenses used an opponents' weakness to its advantage. In RIT's case, the Tigers like to keep the puck in front of them at all times and use a system that more often than not will make up for their lack of standout skilled players. Wisconsin, however, has too many skill players and players headed to the NHL, including some very good offensive-minded defensemen. RIT couldn't contain them all and as a result, the Badgers were able to move around pretty freely in the Tigers' zone.

Boston College didn't shy away from the physical play, despite the Red Hawks' size advantage, accepted contact and often as a result a Miami player found his way to the penalty box. It's hard to win when you're down a man for nearly one third of the game. Miami is a team used to playing with a lead and once it fell behind by three goals, the Eagles had to be feeling secure about their chances.

And while both teams did play smart, explosive offensive hockey and that's the first thing that comes to mind when talking about the games, it was the defensive efforts that really sealed the deal for the Eagles and Badgers. Yes, there were many goals against good defenses, but throw on top of that the fact that RIT and Miami were both top-10 teams in scoring offense and the combined 13-goal differential in the two semifinals looks even more impressive.

John Muse only had to make 17 saves for BC and Scott Gudmanson had to make just 13 for Wisconsin. And why? Because the defenses didn't allow anything in their own respective zones.

What makes both of these teams so dangerous is the fact that the defense begins with the forwards and that they both have forechecking down to a science. Both teams are aggressive in pursuing the puck, putting pressure on the puck carrier, regardless of the zone. They feast upon turnovers in the neutral zone, giving them the opportunities to turn defense into offense almost instantly. And if that's not enough, they backcheck tremendously well.

So what happens when two teams with a similar repertoire like this face off? More often than not, it's not the high-scoring, lamp lighting affairs people would expect. Sometimes both teams that have the kind of skill these two do at the forward position hold each other to a stalemate with the team making the first mistake giving up the first goal.

Then again, I could be completely wrong and we could see BC/Yale all over again. Either way, strap in for some exciting hockey.

(Click on the bracket for a larger view.)

Fantasy Baseball Friday: Weclome Back!

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Well, this weeks' article is going to be a tad different due to the fact the season isn't even a week old. This week I'm going to highlight the first week All Stars as well as forecast a few fast and slow starts. Now, down to the brass tax

First Week All Stars:

C: Matt Wieters - Orioles

1B: Miguel Carbrera - Tigers

2B: Placido Polanco - Phillies (not yet eligible at 3B)

3B: Ian Stewart - Rockies

SS: Jimmy Rollins - Phillies

OF: Vernon Wells - Blue Jays

OF: Delmon Young - Twins

OF: Garrett Jones - Pirates

SP: Tim Lincecum - Giants

RP: Brian Wilson - Giants

Hot Starts:

1. Delmon Young - Is this the year he finally put it together? I'm still not sold. He's always shown flashes, but quickly returns to his inconsistent form. He's still only 25, but still doesn't walk enough for me to think this will last.

2. Garrett Jones - Many people what he would do after lighting the world on fire in the 2nd half of the season in 2009. He's shown will hit for power and drive in runs already against the Dodgers this week. He's a good bet to hit 25+ home runs and drive in over 8o. I'm buying him being a decent 4th outfield and backup first basemen in mixed leagues.

3. Carlos Gomez - If you have him, sell him as high and fast as possible. He still has no plate discipline and doesn't walk enough for him to keep stealing bases. He has all the tools, but until he gets more patient and learns the strike zone he'll never be a solid fantasy performer.

4. C.J. Wilson - This is just a gut feeling, but I feel like he's going to be a fantasy starter for the first half of the season. I worry about him long term as he's never pitched a full major league season as a starter.

5. Chris Perez - I'm a firm believer he'll be the Indians closer for all of the 2010 season. He's looked great saving two games this week. I doubt he's still out there, but if he is, grab him.

Slow Starts:

1. David Ortiz - Big Papi should realistically be relegated to a platoon with Mike Lowell. He can't hit lefties at all, especially good ones. If you have him, you need to pay close attention to his match ups. He can still mash against most right handers.

2. Derek Lee - Watch out for Lee. He's someone I've been watching to have a serious drop off this season. Don't bail on him yet, but if he's still struggling come May 1st, it may be time to move on.

3. Josh Hamilton - I am a fan of Hamilton, and am pulling hard for him to return to his All Star form of two years ago, but I think he's just too injury prone. I wouldn't go near him. He's not playing full time right now because of an injury, and struck out 4 times in a game earlier this week.

4. Julio Borbon - The highly touted rookie doesn't have a hit yet this season, but don't give up on him. He's nothing more than an extra outfielder who'll get you stolen bases, but he will straighten himself out as the season goes on.

5. Alfonso Soriano - He scares me as a fantasy player now. He doesn't steal bases and his offensive production keeps getting worse. I wouldn't be surprised if you see him fall off the face of the fantasy earth this season.

Well, I apologize for the somewhat short article this week, but it's only the first week. Look for a much more in depth article next Friday.

Anyone tired of the 'Eagles soar to Frozen Four' headlines? BC isn't

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

(Note: This is the last of a three-part series analyzing the performances of all three Hockey East teams in their respective regionals in the NCAA tournament.)

It's probably the most cliche headline in the history of journalism when referring to a team with a bird as its mascot. And for Boston Colllege, it seems every trip it takes to the Frozen Four, it is accompanied by at least a few headlines that read, "Eagles soar" etc., etc., etc. As one who has written a few headlines in my day - and is pretty good at it, if I do say so myself - I have one thing to say to those headline writers: It's not original. It's not clever. It's lazy and shame on you.

The reason I start with that little rant is because by using the same old cliche, it cheapens the accomplishment of being one of the four best teams in the NCAA hockey tournament. It's being one step away from the pinnacle of these players' hockey careers to this point and for a lot of them, it's the highest they will ever get.

Some think that especially by missing North Dakota in the second round, the Eagles had an easy go of it this tournament. Not so, my friends.

The Eagles won a 3-1 decision in the first round against Alaska-Fairbanks in a game that was surprisingly close. Alaska was especially good at pinching on defense, which prevented BC's skaters from odd-man rushes in transition and while in the end the better team won, you couldn't help but walk away impressed with the play of the Nanooks.

What might have BC fans concerned was the play of the Eagles' defense in the second round against an explosive Yale team. The Eagles beat the Bulldogs, 9-7, in the highest-scoring regional game ever. Going into the game, Yale's high-powered offense was thought to be severely weaker because of the loss of its best player, but a team doesn't become the top scoring team in the country simply because of one guy.

Boston College proved its offense can be explosive as well and really was in control of the game most of the way, despite the high goal totals. The goals were mostly scored in bunches and always with Yale trying to chip away at the Eagles' leads. And while BC on a couple of occasions let them back into the game, give them credit for not giving it up, even when Yale played nearly the last four minutes of the game with an extra attacker, which is a pretty gutsy move.

Those who are still concerned about the defense can rest assured that the next team BC faces in Miami (OH) will not have nearly the firepower and is much more of a defensive minded team. The question I have more than whether or not the Eagles can stop Miami from scoring is whether or not the Eagles will be able to put one past whichever goalie Miami throws out there. Both are at the top of the list in goals against average and Miami is one of the very best in goal prevention.

But if there's one thing we've learned from watching the Bruins, it's that goal prevention doesn't mean anything if you can't score. No one ever won a hockey game without scoring a goal.

Re-signing Beckett was a no-brainer

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Excuse me if I don't do any back flips or call Theo a genius for signing Josh Beckett to a four-year extension. Why? Because I don't pat people on the back for making easy decisions.

When the Red Sox signed John Lackey to a lucrative deal this offseason, it was believed by some that the front office was preparing to let Beckett hit the free agent market at the end of the season with Lackey acting as his replacement. I had to chuckle.

And that's not a knock on Lackey, who is a fine pitcher. But Josh Beckett, whether you want to call him the ace or not, has been the anchor of the Red Sox pitching staff and there was no reason to let him go.

If the team is ready to pay $8.6 million to a player who is now playing for a division foe and pay another $12 million for a player who is essentially a backup designated hitter at this point in his career, it had better have been ready to pay the man with 65 wins and a .657 winning percentage and a 5-1 postseason mark in four years with the team.

With him retained, the Red Sox could have one of the most formidible pitching staffs in baseball for a long time. Beckett, Jon Lester and Lackey are now all assured spots in the rotation (barring something unexpected happening, of course) from now until 2013 and possibly 2014 if the Red Sox pick up Lester's option that year. Clay Buchholz, who many teams would love to have as a second or third starter down the road, is also under Red Sox' control until 2014. Granted, this is all with the unrealistic assumption that no one gets hurt, traded, etc.

Normally, I am not a fan of long-term deals with pitchers because so few of them have worked out and likewise, the deal with Lackey makes me nervous because he has had difficulty staying healthy. Beckett hasn't had such issues with the Red Sox, starting at least 30 games in three of the four seasons he's been in Boston. It's especially impressive after getting a reputation for being injury-prone with the Marlins, although he often voiced frustrations with them, once calling himself the healthiest man on the DL.

Beckett seems like an old man simply because he's been around forever. He pitched his first game at 21 years of age and will turn 31 in May, so the odds of this extension turning out to be a Mike Lowell-esque disaster are not as high.

I don't know if I like using the term "big game pitcher," but the bottom line is if you were looking for someone who fit that description on the Red Sox, it would have to be this guy. Given is track record, age and the fact that the price tag wasn't all that unreasonable, given what the team has handed out in terms of contracts recently, this was a no-brainer.

So congrats, Theo, on making maybe the easiest decision in your professional career.