I'm sorry I don't buy this one bit. I think Cashman is just mad that the Red Sox beat him to the punch with signing Crawford after they lost out on Lee.

Thursday
On-Field Sessions - 9:30-10:30am and 2:30-5:00pm
Patriots Experience 10:00am - 4:00pm
Both sessions are unpadded

Friday
On-Field Sessions - 9:30-11:30am and 3:30-5:30pm
Patriots Experience 11:00am - 4:00pm
Both sessions are unpadded

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this yet...
_________________________________________________

It looks as though Tully Banta-Cain's choice to wait until last week to have surgery to repair his sports hernia did not sit well with the Patriots. In fact, it probably got him fired.

According to a report by ESPN's Adam Schefter, Banta-Cain will be released on Thursday, which is the first day after the lockout that teams are allowed to let players go.

Banta-Cain's hernia was not a new injury. He hoped it would heal with rest, but it flared up on him during recent lockouts. He will be out of action for 4-5 weeks as he recovers from the surgery.

The situation could have been avoided entirely, and Banta-Cain would likely still have his job, if he conferred with Patriots doctors during the lockout. While players did not have access to team facilities or team trainers during the lockout, they could get in touch team doctors.

More to come. . .

DeMarlo Hale will interview for the New York Mets managerial vacancy on Tuesday or Wednesday, Comcast SportsNet reports...

ESPN.com news services

HOUSTON -- New England Patriots receiver Wes Welker tore both his anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in his left knee in Sunday's game against the Houston Texans, but he is scheduled to undergo more testing Monday, a source close to the situation told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Welker left the game in the first quarter after getting hurt on a reception and did not return. Welker tried to plant his left foot after making a catch and that's when the injury occurred.

Wes Welker is carted into the locker room after hurting his left knee.

Welker was helped to the sideline by members of the Patriots' medical staff. He buried his head in a towel while sitting on the bench and was later carted to the locker room.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick did not have an update on Welker's status after his team's 34-27 loss.

Welker caught a pass from Tom Brady on New England's first possession and his knee appeared to buckle as he turned upfield.

When Welker went down, a nearby player immediately called for medical help. Brady and receiver Randy Moss kneeled over Welker, and Belichick also walked out from the sideline to check on Welker.

Welker entered the game with 122 catches for 1,336 yards and four touchdowns this season.

Information from ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, ESPNBoston.com's Mike Reiss and The Associated Press was used in this report.

FOXBOROUGH -- ere are today's Patriots inactives:

WR Joey Galloway
DB Terrence Wheatley
DB Bret Lockett
RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis
LB Jerod Mayo
OL Rich Ohrnberger
OL Kendall Simmons
DL Ron Brace

That means both Vince Wilfork and Wes Welker are active. Both warmed up on the field before the game and appeared ready for action.

Source: Pats release backup QB Walter
By Adam Schefter
ESPN

Quarterback Andrew Walter was informed the New England Patriots are releasing him, an NFL source said Friday.

This means that rookie quarterback Brian Hoyer has, for now, won the competition to be Tom Brady's backup.

Hoyer was impressive in the Patriots' regular-season finale against the Giants, and the Patriots are not expected to trade for or sign another veteran QB.

***************************************************************************
Kinda of surpised by this I now expect the Pats to trade for AJ Feeley.

Boston Celtics (13 votes)

Rajon Rondo emerged, for much of the playoffs, as Boston's best player. So what does that mean for a team formerly known as the Big Three?

Here are three ways to see it:

1. The cup-runneth-over version of the story is that the Celtics now have a Big Four, and that Rondo will lead them back to the promised land.

2. The cup-half-full version is that while the Celtics have some issues to solve, they are still a very potent team just 15 months removed from winning it all. Sure, Celtics president Danny Ainge shopped Rondo and criticized him, and it emerged that Doc Rivers found him hard to coach. Sure, the C's need a healthy Kevin Garnett. Sure, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen have trouble bringing it every night the way they used to. But add it all up, and factor in a bench bolstered by the acquisition of Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels, and the Celtics are ready to rock the East again, just as they did when they started 41-9 last season.

3. The leaky-cup version of the story is that, as dynamic as Rondo might be, it's all too telling that Boston needed him to play out of his mind to squeak past the 41-41 Chicago Bulls in the first round of the playoffs. In this version, KG is a 33-year-old with a bad knee, Allen is a 34-year-old shooting guard (a species not known for longevity) and Pierce is soon to be 32. What's more, Sheed will be 35 this month and isn't known for his commitment to conditioning or fitting in quietly.

For 25 percent of our panel, the Celtics' cup runneth over. The other 75 percent disagree.

LOWELL - Following Boston's Eastern Conference semifinal Game 7 loss to the Orlando Magic in May, free-agent-to-be Celtics forward Glen "Big Baby" Davis could be seen bidding farewell to anyone that would listen, given the real chance it would be his last game with the C's.

But, after an offseason of what he described as challenging negotiations, Big Baby is ready for another campaign in Celtics green, armed with a new two-year deal.

"The situation with the Celtics worked out perfectly," said Davis yesterday after throwing out the first pitch in the Lowell Spinners' 3-1 win over the Brooklyn Cyclones. "Sometimes timing isn't right. But the timing was right to come back to the Celtics. It's the perfect situation."

Davis was selected in the second round of the 2007 NBA draft out of LSU by the now-defunct Seattle SuperSonics and immediately traded to the Celtics as part of the deal that sent Ray Allen to Boston.

As a rookie, Davis impressed at times. He finished the year averaging 4.5 points and three rebounds a game in 69 contests, helping the Celtics to their 17th NBA title. But it was last year that he emerged as a key player.

After averaging seven points and four rebounds a game in the regular season, Big Baby was pressed into key action late in the season as the replacement for injured superstar forward Kevin Garnett. He did not disappoint.

In 14 playoff games, Davis averaged a whopping 15.8 points and 5.6 rebounds a game, including five games of 20 points or more, and a buzzer-beating game-winner against Orlando.

But, once the C's were eliminated from the playoffs by the Magic, Davis faced the uncertainty of free agency.

"It was tough," he said. "You really understand the difference between being with an organization and business. I found out the rough way how things are. But I respect that.

"The tough part is just waiting and feeling discouraged about if the team wanted me or not. That was a big problem."

Big Baby admitted that it was far from a sure thing he would be back with the Celtics. Rumors circulated that teams such as the perennially contending San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks inquired about his services.

"A lot of teams were interested," he said. "But with the (salary) cap, teams didn't want to spend money. Things didn't work out the way we thought with trades and a few things. But, in the end, things worked out perfectly."

On Aug. 10, the Celtics announced the re-signing of the 23-year-old to a two-year deal worth $6.3 million.

Davis, looking trimmer than the 289 pounds he weighed in at a year ago, said that the success of last postseason, and the ups-and-downs of free agency, have made him a better player.

"Big Baby isn't the same Big Baby that you saw in the past and hitting that (game-winning) shot," he said. "It's not the same Big Baby. It's a more advanced, wiser Baby that understands the game more and mentally is a better player."

In addition to re-signing Davis, the Celtics bolstered their frontcourt with the return of Garnett and the signing of temperamental Pistons star forward Rasheed Wallace, a four-time NBA All-Star with a career 15-points-per-game average. Big Baby said he is excited to take the court with the two NBA stalwarts.

"Coming back with KG, you can always learn," he said. "With the addition of Rasheed, I can learn even more and become a great player. I'm all for that. The addition of Rasheed is huge."

With those additions, the presence of stars Paul Pierce and Allen, and emerging Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins back, Big Baby feels confident this team has the tools to win a second title in three years.

"I wanted the chance to win a championship," he said. "Knowing there's a high probability we will be there in the finals is a great feeling. I have already experienced it once, and I want to experience it again.

"Everyone brings a new energy. We didn't repeat, even though we think we should have, even without KG. We feel like this is a championship-caliber team, and we love our depth with guys like Eddie House and Bill Walker off the bench."

Despite bouncing the ceremonial first pitch yesterday, Davis' humorous antics and exaggerated pitching windup were a hit with fans, many of which were sporting Davis' No. 11 Celtics jersey. It further confirmed his status as a bona fide fan-favorite in Boston, a fact already determined by an offseason full of sports talk radio calls demanding Davis be re-signed.

"I think I am safely in the arms of Boston fans," he joked, "as long as they don't see me in a Yankees hat or Steelers (football) jersey. It's fun to be recognized."

Appearing in New York with Al Harrington, Stephen Jackson said he does not want to return to the Warriors this season.

"I don't think I'll be a Warrior next year. I'm looking to leave," Jackson said.

Jackson said the Warriors have been made aware of his desire to be traded.

"I really can't get too much into it right now, but I'm just looking to go somewhere where I can go and win a championship," Jackson said.

Jackson listed the Cavs, any of the teams in Texas and the Knicks as his preferred destinations.

Memphis is a place that I would love to play. The Grizzlies have good young players with a great upside. I love the city of Memphis too.
about 4 hours ago from web

I would lead by example. I could show how important it is to work hard everyday, play the game the right way, & just like it's your last!
about 4 hours ago from web

AI you have never played the game the right way ever in your whole NBA career...

And you sure did a good job leading by example, working your a** off, and playing like every game was your last, last season when you went down with a fake back injury and decided not to play because you didn't want to come off the bench...

Hopefully one of the games this season will be officially your last so we won't have to have a player like you in the league any more!

Some Early Season Notables:
Tue, Oct 27 Boston Cleveland 7:30 PM ET
Wed, Oct 28 Charlotte Boston 7:30 PM ET
Fri, Oct 30 Chicago Boston 8:00 PM ET
Fri, Nov 20 Orlando Boston 8:00 PM ET
Thu, Dec 03 Boston San Antonio 8:00 PM ET
Fri, Dec 25 Boston Orlando 2:30 PM ET
Wed, Jan 20 Boston Detroit 7:30 PM ET

NBA To Release 09-10 Schedule On Tuesday

Aug 01, 2009 6:05 PM EST
The NBA’s 2009-10 regular-season schedule is slated to be sent to all 30 teams on Aug. 3, according to a league memo.

The schedule will be released to the public at 1 p.m. ET on Aug. 4.

It's believed that a return to the Spurs in free agency is highly unlikely but contenders such as Orlando, Cleveland and Boston have been mentioned as potential suitors for Bowen.

Report: Manny, Ortiz tested positive in '03

Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003, lawyers with knowledge of the results told The New York Times.

The two were key members of the Boston Red Sox World Series teams in 2004 and 2007.

Worlds Apart? Red Sox and Matsuzaka Struggle to Find Middle Ground

Just heard this on SportsCenter... Click on Headline for Chris Duncan player info.

Jays say Halladay deal unlikely
Associated Press

TORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays say any trade for ace Roy Halladay needs to be completed by July 28.

General manager J.P. Ricciardi said Tuesday the deadline is necessary to get all agreements in place for what would be a complicated deal. The GM also wants this matter resolved before Halladay makes a scheduled start July 29 in Seattle.

To this point, the Blue Jays haven't seen any offers to their liking. That led Ricciardi to say a deal for his ace is now unlikely.

The Blue Jays are seeking a high-end package of prospects for the 2003 Cy Young Award winner. Halladay is 11-3 this season with a 2.73 ERA.

Red Sox place Wakefield on DL

ARLINGTON, Texas -- All-Star knuckleballer Tim Wakefield is headed to the disabled list.

Wakefield

The Boston Red Sox say Wakefield, who turns 43 next week, has a strained lower back.

Right-hander Clay Buchholz was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket to start in Wakefield's place Wednesday night in Texas.

Manager Terry Francona says Wakefield got hurt throwing on the side Saturday. He last pitched July 8 against the Oakland Athletics and then didn't pitch in the All-Star Game.

Buchholz started Boston's first game after the All-Star break, earning a victory against the Toronto Blue Jays before being sent back to the minors.

Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, Padres - When he played in Portland, Maine, before Hadlock Field was converted to a Fenway replica, the lefthanded-hitting Gonzalez hit the ball the other way quite a bit to hitter-friendly left field. He hit 14 of his 17 homers, drove in 66 of his 96 RBIs, and hit 42 points higher at Hadlock. "I’ve never been to Fenway Park,’’ Gonzalez said, "but I’m told I would like hitting there.’’ Gonzalez, a durable player, could be traded at the deadline if Padres general manager Kevin Towers gets the right deal. The Red Sox have always liked Gonzalez, who is only 27 and who has an affordable contract that calls for him to earn $4.75 million next season and $5.5 million in 2011.

Baby Update. Utah could in play for Glen Davis. Dallas may be interested since Gortat is staying in Orlando. Pistons interested too.
less than 20 seconds ago from TwitterBerry

Redsox first half of the season underated?... I think so!

Walker owes $822K in Vegas

Las Vegas prosecutors have filed a criminal complaint against Antoine Walker, claiming the former NBA star has not paid back $822,500 in gambling debts to three casinos, the Las Vegas Sun reported.

Walker, a three-time all-star who won an NBA title with the Miami Heat in 2006 and a national championship at Kentucky in 1996, has been charged with failing to pay back $1 million worth of markers at Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood and Red Rock Resort, according to the report. Under Nevada law, gambling debts are handled as bad check cases.

Chief deputy district attorney Bernie Zadrowski said he was asking a Las Vegas justice of the peace for an arrest warrant for Walker, 32. Zadrowski said Walker has paid back some of the debt, but still owes $822,500, in addition to $82,500 in fees to the DA's office, according to the report.

Jonathan Powell, an attorney for Walker in Las Vegas, declined to comment, according to the report.

Good game from Chris Lofton.