THE STATE OF THE NATION

As Terry Francona chews his tobacco and spits constantly in Fort Myers, he will have one of the toughest jobs to accomplish at the end of spring training- creating the most potent lineup he can for the upcoming 2011 season.  Every Boston Red Sox fan has been trying to configure a lineup that will be most powerful, but Francona likes the versatility of the left/right alternation.  Where will newly acquired Carl Crawford bat? He doesn't like to lead off.  Where will Jacoby Ellsbury bat after only playing in 18 games in 2010? Pedroia? Adrian Gonzalez? If I was Terry Francona, I would be smiling from ear to ear.  No matter where you put any of these guys in the lineup they will produce.

The way I see it is, Jacoby Ellsbury is best when he is the catalyst of this ballclub.  Yes, he may have missed over 140 games, but he is still a dangerous lead off hitter.  His OBP must go up, but he is still young and developing.  Newly acquired Carl Crawford can excel in the number two spot no question about it.  He is a five tool player that will change the game by himself.  What about Pedey though? He is one of the best two hitters in the game.  But, if you move Pedey to the three spot he will see many more fastballs with Adrian Gonzalez waiting in the on deck circle.  Pedroia will be the first to tell you that he will be a beast as a three hitter.  Batting cleanup, Adrian Gonzalez should be the no-brainer.  Instead of having Chase Headley and David Eckstein protecting him, he will have Dustin Pedroia, Carl Crawford, and Kevin Youkilis protecting him.  Difference? I think so.  In the five spot, Kevin Youklis will fill that void.  He is a top 10 MVP vote-getter every single year and this year should be no different.  Look for Youk to have 25 HRS, 100 RBIs, 90 RS and a .310 average.  In the six hole, David Ortiz.  He is coming off another 30 HR 100 RBI year.  Those numbers may rise with the lineup he will be a part of in 2011.  Batting seventh, Jed Lowrie should finally get his shot.  He is a switch-hitting shortstop that has some pop and is finally healthy. But, Scutaro will probably fill this spot  Next in line, J.D. Drew could be the best eight hitter in baseball.  He is aging, but the numbers are still there at the end of the year.  Finishing off the most powerful lineup in baseball is Jarod Saltalamacchia.  The numbers for him are gravy essentially because he will be concentrating on defense and keeping his pitchers in line.  We do not need him to concentrate on offense with the names in the lineup.

My 2011 Red Sox lineup

CF Jacoby Ellsbury
LF Carl Crawford
2B Dustin Pedroia
1B Adrian Gonzalez
3B Kevin Youkilis
DH David Ortiz
SS Jed Lowrie/Marco Scutaro
RF J.D. Drew
C Jarod Saltalamacchia

It may go against Tito's strategy, but this will be the most effective lineup for the Nation.  12 days til Truck Day, get pumped.

GIVE WELKER AND MANKINS THE MONEY THEY DESERVE, SIGN BIG NAME?

Wes Welker and Logan Mankins are two stars on the Patriots that need to be paid in the next year.  Yesterday, Welker told reporters that he doesn't deserve a big contract which is probably sending shivers down his agents spines.  Come on Wes.  He had seven touchdowns this year and 86 catches are coming back so soon from one of the worst sports injuries you can possibly get.  Yes, his numbers were down, but over the past four years with the Pats Welker has an astonishing 432 catches, 4,536 yards, and 22 touchdowns.  Contact extension? I think so.

Mankins on the other hand held out until week 8 of the Patriots season, and as usual gave Tom Brady the protection he needed to win an MVP award.  Mankins is going to Honolulu for the Pro-Bowl only playing half a season that is how good this guy is. He is only 28 years-old and is a major factor in the Patriots protection.  He is a three-time pro-bowler that the Pats should give first priority this offseason.  He has played in 89 games out of a possible 96 and the seven games he missed were due to his contact hold up.  This guy does his talking on the field and deserves to stay with the Patriots.  He should have deeper pockets in 2012.

Many people thought not having a deep threat in the Jets game in the postseason is the reason why the Pats lost.  I agree and disagree at the same time, but it would not hurt to explore options such as Larry Fitzgerald, Vincent Jackson, Chad Johnson, or someone of that caliber.  A difference maker that causes no problems on the field (minus Chad Johnson).  Larry Fitzgerald would be a perfect fit for the Pats system.  Being young showed in the 2011 postseason, but it is a point in the right direction once these guys get more experience under their belts. 

Sign Welker, sign Mankins, trade or sign Larry Fitzgerald.  Come on Kraft, do your best Theo impression and open the checkbook for your home team.

PERK BACK IN THE MIDDLE

No one anticipated Kendrick Perkins returning tonight versus the lowly Cavs in Beantown, but why not? against a team who has not won in 18 straight games.  His return date was suppose to be February 4th versus the Mavericks, but Perk was too anxious.  Let's not forget this man because he is a huge part of the Celtic style of basketball.

With Kendrick Perkins now healthy, we can finally get a look at the starting five the rest of the NBA is going to fear heading into the playoffs.  Pierce, Ray, KG, Rondo, and Perk have never lost a playoff series, Yes, ever.  He is an enormous presence on the boards, down the defensive end, and on the offensive glass.  He pushes Shaq to the bench and makes an already deep bench ever deeper.  There is no question if Perk was healthy in game 7 versus the Lakers last year, the Celtics would be holding the championship trophy yet again but that was not the case.  The Lakers outrebounded the Celtics by 17 and if you think that Perk would not have made a difference, then you are crazy.

It is great to see number 43 back on the hardwood.  He has come into his own as an NBA player and has matured over the years.  He is a difference maker with his ability to block shots as well as his defense along side KG.  Look for the Celtics to go on a streak again because with Perk back they will be setting the tempo in the East.  The best defense is the NBA just got even better.  If you can believe that.

WHAT KIND OF YEAR WILL PAPS HAVE FOR THE SOX?

Talk about drama.  The once almost untouchable closer was dangled in front of many teams' eyes this offseason.  The Red Sox even made an offer to Mariano Rivera before he signed with the Yankees.  The Sox finally offered Paps arbitration worth $12 million for this season.  Paps is coming off his worst season as a Red Sox posting a pedestrian 3.90 E.R.A., 37 saves, eight blown saves, and seven losses.  He did strike out 76 hitters in 67 innings and will be in a contract season so how will he perform?

Paps cannot be happy with the acquisition of Bobby Jenks almost saying that after this year, he will be the Boston Red Sox closer.  We cannot forget about Mr. Daniel Bard who can bring the heat with a fastball that registers over 98 mph consistantly with a back breaking slider.  If Paps has a chip on his shoulder all year, he could potentially have one of his best seasons as a Red Sox.  The question is with this potent lineup will Paps get a chance to close the door on 35-40 saves? Will Jenks get the extra work or Bard? We will not know until they take the field in April, but we do know that Jonathan Papelbon is the 2011 closer for the Boston Red Sox.

He has registered over 35 saves in each of his first five seasons.  He did not let up a run in the post season until 2009 versus the Angels.  That is just a ridiculous stat.  Fans are stabbing Paps in the back because he had one bad season, only throws a fastball, and was blowing saves left and right last season. 

Let me say one thing.  I am not saying sign Paps for $16 million per year next season, but it will be a mistake if they let him just walk.  He does not deserve that kind of money, I get it.  But, this guy has been nothing but nails since coming to the Nation.  He makes Bard better and he will make Jenks better.  If he uses that splitter that all Boston fans know and love, this could be one of his best years as a Red Sox and it will have them second guessing to let him go.

IS THIS THE YEAR THE B's CAN MAKE IT DEEP INTO THE PLAYOFFS, LORD STANLEY?

The 2010-2011 Boston Bruins have had their ups and downs.  There were times where they could not score, times they could not score on a power play, or kill a penalty, but at this point in the season it looks like the Bruins are hungry.  The black and gold stand at 26-13-7 which is good for a two seed in the conference and a one seed in the division.  They are playing tremendous hockey at a crucial point in the season.  Patrice Berguron has been dynamite leading the team in points.  Lucic has been finding the back of the net.  Chara all of a sudden is playing the greatest hockey of his career.  Savard is looking like Magic Johnson out there dishing the puck not to mention the play of Timmy Thomas.  This guy is proving doubters wrong this year.  Last spring, all that was talked about on sports radio was when can we get rid of this guy? He is too old.  He is owed too much money.  Well, how does a .945 save percentage and a 1.83 goals against average sound with seven shutouts and a 22-4-6 record between the pipes?  Unbelievable, yes I know.  Not to mention Tuukka Rask has been coming on strong.  Not as strong as Thomas, but with Tuukka playing well, he can give Thomas the rest he deserves.  He is on pace for starting 60 games.  A team needs two hot goalies going into the playoffs and if Tuukka can play like he did in the 2009-2010 playoffs along side Superman Timmy Thomas, the Bruins may have a shot of going the distance as long as they can put the puck in the back of the net.  They cannot make any mistakes at the blue lines and need to compete on a nightly basis.  No more winning one and losing one.  This team needs to go on a streak to get their confidence back and that is exactly what they did on the road of all places to climb into a number two seed in the standings.

WHO CAN THE CELTICS WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP WITHOUT?

Rondo? - Yeah, right.  The league leader in assists and the best general in the game right now. With him off the floor, every fan saw how this team operated. It was not a pretty sight.  He creates so many open looks for his teammates and just makes the game easier for them as well.  He runs the team like no one else.  His experience now is an advantage for the Cs unlike his rookie years where he was lost.  He is starting to develop a jumpshot which could be the last piece to the puzzle for a complete package for Rajon.  He is a joy to watch and a future hall-of-famer.

Pierce?- The Truth, yeah right.  His ability to take his man to the hoop or off the dribble is uncanny.  He can shoot the three ball or take you to the elbow and create the seperation he needs to splash one in your eyebrow.  He is the leader and captain of this team.  This team would not be where they are today without this man.

KG?- We all saw what happened when this man was hurt during the postseason.  His defensive urgency and intensity is like no other.  He is too important to this team on the defensive end and can knock down 18 footers with no problem.  With this guy healthy, this team can steam roll to the NBA finals.

Ray?- It is easy to say yes to him, but who has hit as many clutch shots this year than Ray? As I am typing this he just hit a go-ahead two pointer versus the Pistons.  He is having one of his best years shooting and is a key piece to the 2010-2011 Celtics.

The real answer is that the Celtics could not win an NBA championship without any of them.  They are too valuable in different ways.  If this team can stay healthy, they could be hoisting the NBA championship trophy this year and not Kobe Brant.

DESTINATION DALLAS? MAYBE FOR REX AND THE JETS

Say what you want, the Patriots did not come to play today.  All the jabber conducted by the Jets all week must have got to the Pats finally because they did not look in sync for the entire 60 minutes.  Mistake after mistake led to Jets scoring points.  When is the last time you said mistake by the Patriots? or interception by Tom Brady? Not for a very long time.  The Pats looked great on the opening drive before Tom Brady over threw Ben Jarvis on a screen pass.  That is where the wheels fell off.  The crowd was out of it and the Pats were stunned.  A dropped touchdown pass in the hands of Alge Crumpler.  A fake punt muffed by a dropped snap by Pat Chung.  Dropped pass after dropped pass and under thrown balls to overthrown balls all over the field.  The Jets backed their talk this time leaving the Pats packing their bags for not Dallas, but for vacation.

The clock management in the fourth quarter was also questionable.  They may have been moving the ball by running it, but down 10 with less than eight minutes to go? Every Patriot was walking to the line of scrimmage with just defeated body language.  Brady was sacked five times, the most he has ever been touched all year.  The bye week may have put the Pats at a disadvantage because they looked nearly unbeatable two weeks ago and today they may have had trouble beating Foxboro high school.  It is a shame that we will have to listen to Rex Ryan for the next week and for the rest of the year, but he outcoached Belichick today.  I never thought those words would come out of my mouth, but he did. 

Sportscenter is off limits for the time being.  29 days until pitchers and catchers report to Fort Myers.  The Celtics are first in the East and the Bruins are steam rolling.  We thought we were cueing the duckboats for the 2010-2011 Patriots, but maybe we need to ride the wave of the Cs and Bs until the summer comes along.