http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/6835090/nfl-total-quarterback-rating-shifts-way-see-position

Here is the story explaining the new stat ESPN has created to evaluate QBs. Obviously, the article does a much better job of explaining it than I ever could but in a nutshell, the stat evaluates the probability of winning before and after every play, then assigns credit or blame for changes in the win probability to the QB. Then it normalizes this number to a 0-100 scale with 50 being average. I was curious to see people's opinions of this stat, as I know how vitriolic the reaction has been to some new stats in baseball and was wondering how the football fans would be. 

Despite the fact that this stat would not be able to be calculated by the average fan (though who would want to), I happen to really like this new stat. It encapsulates all of the contributions a QB can make, including srunning, avoiding fumbles, and avoiding sacks, and drawing penalties, which had previously been unaccounted for. Also, by being attached to win probability, the stat rewards clutch performances while devaluing empty blowout stats. Finally, hopefully this stat could once and for all debunk the tired cliche of typical analysts who deify "game managers" who "just know how to win." 

What are your thoughts on this new stat? Any chance people will actually accept it?

In my mind, there is a lot to dislike about the debacle that has been this NBA free agency. I dislike how the Holy Trinity obviously made this decision years ago, yet pretended to be on the fence in order to heighten suspense. I dislike how Lebron felt the need to go on TV to further make an ass of himself. I dislike how the more you hear of behind the scenes, the more it sounds like Lebron is a weak little man child who can be easily manipulated and pouts when he doesn't have his friends.

But one thing that there is nothing wrong with, is the decision itself. Everyone and there mother is coming out of the woodwork to say that this is Lebron taking the easy way out, he's quitting, he's not a real competitor. "Kobe, Jordan, Bird, Magic would never need another star to win their championship." My question to these people is what basketball have you been watching. Kobe has won his championships with Shaquille O'Neal, easily one of the top 3 players in the league at the time of their pairing, and Pau Gasol, the most skilled big man currently in the league. Jordan had Scottie Pippen, one the greatest small forwards ever and one of the most disruptive defensive players of all time, and Dennis Rodman, one the greatest rebounders and defenders of his era. Bird played with Kevin McHale, a HOFer who was one of the most skilled post players ever, Robert Parish, Bill Walton, Dennis Johnson. Magic had Kareem and Worthy. Even Bill Russell had Sam Jones, Bob Cousy, Bill Sharman, John Havlicek.

Where did belief that all of these guys were solo assassins come from? I would rather have a lot of those forgotten teammates than Dwayne Wade and all of them over Chris Bosh. The only difference between the legendary figures everyone holds up and Lebron is that Lebron chose his teammates where as all the others had their chosen for them by a GM. If anything, that will make the victories more impressive as Lebron was more of a factor in building the team. 

So, in conclusion, hate Lebron for all that he is, a whiny, immature prima donna who thinks of no one but himself, but don't hate him for wanting talented teammates. All great champions have had supremely talented teammates, and Lebron, who is far more Magic than Jordan despite what everyone wishes, is perfectly suited to thriving while surrounded by premier talent. 

I want to preface this by saying that this is in no way a recommendation to trade for Haynesworth. It's just an idea that seems somewhat intriguing and I think is worth discussing.

Given that Washington appears to have gotten a rather sudden case of buyer's remorse, Haynesworth has now inhabited that precarious position of being publicly supported and valued by his current team while obviously being shopped behind the scenes. So should the Patriots be interested in such a dominant defensive player, if he is available?

Vince Wilfork is a major and important part of the Patriots team. I believe he is almost as important to the defense as Brady is to the offense. This trade would not be as a replacement for him but rather exploring the option of playing them together. Wilfork has shifted to end many times over his years with the Patriots and could form a powerful tandem of lineman who routinely require double and triple teams in order to contain. Add to these two perennially underrated Ty Warren, and the Patriots would instantly have a claim to one of the most dominant defensive lines in NFL history.

The obvious drawback would be a pronounced reduction in speed and pursuit from the line. Both Wilfork and Haynesworth are both athletic marvels for men their size, but their speed still falls short of what is normally expected of a 3-4 DE. This would put more of a burden on the linebackers to pursue quicker backs but this additional workload would easily be offset by how much freedom the LBs would have playing behind this mountainous line. 

Additionally, while Haynesworth total salary was enormous, a large chunk of the bonus owed him was paid recently. The remaining part of his contract is reported to be a very reasonable 3 years and 16 millon with 9 of it guaranteed. This is hardly prohibitive and in fact, is quite reasonable. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/04/06/at-three-years-and-16-million-haynesworth-contract-is-now-very-tradeable/

So the question remains, what package of picks would one of the second round picks and maybe a later pick be enough to acquire Haynesworth? And would you be interested in assembling this unique D line?

As word broke out about the new contract signed by Joe Mauer, I'm sure many people around these parts were disappointed. Obviously, Mauer had been a long term target of many Red Sox fans as far back as a few years ago. They saw the upcoming hole at the position as a perfect convergence of opportunity with need. Yet I always looked upon the signing with some trepidation and now that he has resigned with the Twins, I find myself feeling quite positively about the deal. 

For starters, the contract needed to sign Mauer would be mammoth, larger even than the record deal given him by the Twins. The fact that he would be leaving his home state and the inevitable bidding war that would ensue would likely drive the price and years into unheard of levels. While Mauer is a spectacular player, it would be extremely difficult for him to live up to this contract, especially for a player who is likely to have to move to first base in a few years. This money could likely be better spent on more efficient uses, such as international free agents, overslot draft bonuses, and more mid-level free agents. And with a minor league system that has multiple intriguing options for filling the Catcher position, the Red Sox will not be suffering for missing out on Mauer.

Additionally, Mauer's resigning is a major positive for Twins and the state of Minnesota. Mauer is easily the most famous and popular person in the state. Losing him, after losing a string of players like Torii Hunter and Johan Santana would further prove to the world that routing for lower payroll teams is just a fool's errand. By locking up Mauer for what is surely his career, it gives hope to other teams that their favorite players are not destined to leave. Sometimes it is nice to see a player where he is meant to be, not where he is paid the highest. 

So how do the rest of you feel?

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nfl/news/story?id=4977828

Adam Shefter is reporting that the Patriots and Leigh Bodden have agreed to a deal in principle. No word yet on the amount of money or the years but barring an absolutely outrageous deal, I'm very glad.

Bodden, last year, had the exceptionally rare combination of being fundamentally sound while also stepping up for some big plays. He'll be a stable foundation in our secondary around which our younger DBs can build. 

Now just the inevitable Kevin Faulk resigning and we'll return all of our key free agents. Good things.

As it appears almost certain that Hoyer will become the new GM of the Padres, I began to wonder what effect that will have on a potential trade for Adrian Gonzalez. 

Help:

• Familiarity with Boston front office
• Ease of communication
• May feel he owes something to Theo and Boston
• Carryover of rose colored view of Boston prospects
• Does not share same personal connection to Gonzalez

Hurt

• Fans may complain that any deal is done a favor (may have to get more from Boston than other teams to overcompensate)
• Is aware of all the flaws of Boston players and prospects
• Gonzalez's strengths are valued equally by Hoyer

Boston sports has recently been on both sides of the familiarity of GMs. The KG trade is obviously a product of Ainge and McHale's friendship as the Celtics was not the best offer on the table. On the other hand, the Patriots trade of Matt Cassell to KC was below market and done quicker than necessary. So despite what they may say, friendships and favors do exist in sport front offices. 
So what do you think? Is Hoyer being hired by San Diego a good thing or not?

For this season, trade for a lower level DH solution, like Nick Johnson. He would be perfect because his contract expires this year. So he finishes the year at DH, we get the draft pick, then we find a different player for the future.

This offseason, both Jason Bay and Matt Holiday are free agents. It's a well known fact that Bay is our worst defense player this year by just about every defensive measure. Holliday is known as a very good left fielder. Holliday is having an off year, which may make him more of a bargain in the offseason. And I think it's been the Sox plan to resign Bay barring any Manny like contract demands.

Now it may be a little too hopeful to think they could ever sign both, but to me that would be the best case scenario. Improves defense and gives us a long term core of great hitters. The Sox payroll has been declining and hopefully they'd be willing to open up the purses a little.

Apparently, the only reason the Sox signed Baldelli is for JD Drew to look better by comparison. Seriously, Baldelli makes Drew look like Cal Ripken. He seems to want to be injured. I don't think he's figured out the difference between laying out for a catch, putting your body at risk, and jumping into a wall making no attempt to save yoruself from injury. He is getting frustrating to watch and I'm just looking forward to the return of Kotsay.