East Region Fan Poll

[Jonny Utah]

The Red Sox are like the Keystone cops right now. Wild pitches. Passed balls. Catchers dropping the exchanges or throwing relays into left field. Even the Ellsbury play from last night, which was admittedly a tough play, I mean it just looked awkward the way he fell and bobbled it.

The injuries have been tough to overcome, but some of it makes you shake your head. The Red Sox trying to trade for a pitcher, at this stage, just to throw him in there? It's like a kid running to a bookstore a 9:57 because he's got a report due the next day but he left the book in his locker, and when he sees the book is sold out, says "Screw it" and buys the Cliffs notes. And this is a team with a payroll approaching $200 million? It's like in 2006 when the Yankees were down 2-1 in the ALDS and they threw Jared Wright on the mound. These things end badly in most cases

Lets face it.  The Red Sox didn't buy the right players this year.  Don't worry, they have the same 300 million to spend next year.  Kind of like a craps game.

And more particular, they bought 1 really wrong player...Carl Crawford.  I think Crawford's attitude has spread the the entire team.  And JD Drew is exactly what I hate about this team.  I've never watched a guy strike out on 3 pitches more gracefully in my life.

baseball is funny though isn't it?  I guess that is what big money teams get when they want to spend big dough on players that don't work out.  You are almost better off saving that money for trades in the middle of the season.  At least Bedard is doing what they expect him to do. 

[lewdogg11]

The Red Sox are like the Keystone cops right now. Wild pitches. Passed balls. Catchers dropping the exchanges or throwing relays into left field. Even the Ellsbury play from last night, which was admittedly a tough play, I mean it just looked awkward the way he fell and bobbled it.

The injuries have been tough to overcome, but some of it makes you shake your head. The Red Sox trying to trade for a pitcher, at this stage, just to throw him in there? It's like a kid running to a bookstore a 9:57 because he's got a report due the next day but he left the book in his locker, and when he sees the book is sold out, says "Screw it" and buys the Cliffs notes. And this is a team with a payroll approaching $200 million? It's like in 2006 when the Yankees were down 2-1 in the ALDS and they threw Jared Wright on the mound. These things end badly in most cases

Lets face it.  The Red Sox didn't buy the right players this year.  Don't worry, they have the same 300 million to spend next year.  Kind of like a craps game.

And more particular, they bought 1 really wrong player...Carl Crawford.  I think Crawford's attitude has spread the the entire team.  And JD Drew is exactly what I hate about this team.  I've never watched a guy strike out on 3 pitches more gracefully in my life.

baseball is funny though isn't it?  I guess that is what big money teams get when they want to spend big dough on players that don't work out.  You are almost better off saving that money for trades in the middle of the season.  At least Bedard is doing what they expect him to do.

Both of those guys were head scratchers from the get go.  No way were you like "YES, WE GOT JD DREW!!!".  Same way I felt about Crawford and with re-signing Beckett.  You get to the point of spending money just cause you can.  Kind of how I imagine Yankees fans felt about guys like Sheffield and AJ Burnett.

[gordonmann]

Yeah it's a good time to be a sports fan for pretty much any New York team right now.... 'cept the Jets.

It's never a good time to be a Mets fan. I speak from experience. Now you can go back to discussing relevant baseball teams.

[Doid23]

Both of those guys were head scratchers from the get go.  No way were you like "YES, WE GOT JD DREW!!!".  Same way I felt about Crawford and with re-signing Beckett.  You get to the point of spending money just cause you can. Kind of how I imagine Yankees fans felt about guys like Sheffield and AJ Burnett.

Exactly. And don't forget A-Rod. I'm actually to the point that the Yankees spending is starting to make this all feel empty, where if they win they were supposed to, and anything less than winning the WS is a failure. As opposed to the Yankees run in the late 90's, which was accomplished with home grown players and smart, value trades. THAT was a team that I loved rooting for, especially after the doldrums of the early 90's.

I'm a die hard Yankee fan, but this Red Sox thing is more akward than enjoyable. But yet, I still fear them more than the Rays if they were to meet in the ALCS.

[lewdogg11]

Both of those guys were head scratchers from the get go.  No way were you like "YES, WE GOT JD DREW!!!".  Same way I felt about Crawford and with re-signing Beckett.  You get to the point of spending money just cause you can. Kind of how I imagine Yankees fans felt about guys like Sheffield and AJ Burnett.

Exactly. And don't forget A-Rod. I'm actually to the point that the Yankees spending is starting to make this all feel empty, where if they win they were supposed to, and anything less than winning the WS is a failure. As opposed to the Yankees run in the late 90's, which was accomplished with home grown players and smart, value trades. THAT was a team that I loved rooting for, especially after the doldrums of the early 90's.

I'm a die hard Yankee fan, but this Red Sox thing is more akward than enjoyable. But yet, I still fear them more than the Rays if they were to meet in the ALCS.

This is how I feel about baseball altogether.  I actually like routing for Tampa and Florida(in past years) and other small market teams.  They are hungry, they have that 'this year or bust' feel to them and they have a lot of passion. 

At least the Patriots tend to sign some underdogs and try to groom players that fit their system.  I still enjoy watching them more than ever.  But baseball has really lost it's appeal to me, and that sucks because I am a huge baseball fan.

[JT]

Both of those guys were head scratchers from the get go.  No way were you like "YES, WE GOT JD DREW!!!".  Same way I felt about Crawford and with re-signing Beckett.  You get to the point of spending money just cause you can. Kind of how I imagine Yankees fans felt about guys like Sheffield and AJ Burnett.

Exactly. And don't forget A-Rod. I'm actually to the point that the Yankees spending is starting to make this all feel empty, where if they win they were supposed to, and anything less than winning the WS is a failure. As opposed to the Yankees run in the late 90's, which was accomplished with home grown players and smart, value trades. THAT was a team that I loved rooting for, especially after the doldrums of the early 90's.

I'm a die hard Yankee fan, but this Red Sox thing is more akward than enjoyable. But yet, I still fear them more than the Rays if they were to meet in the ALCS.

Yet it was the players picked up off the scrap heap that made the difference:

P - Bartolo Colon
P - Freddie Garcia
C - Russell Martin
IF - Eric Chavez
OF - Andrew Jones

And from the farm:

3B/SS - Eduardo Nunez
IF - Ramiro Pena

All for about $13 million.  That and the bullpen, put the Yankees where they are.  I think the moneyball lessons are starting to come to the Yankees.  The times that Cashman stands pat and keeps good farm talent are happening more often.  The hair trigger is just not happening as much since George is gone.

AJ Burnett is just a guy with a million dollar arm and a ten cent head.  He is a thrower and not a pitcher.  When he isn't on, he can't battle.

[softballrz]

Life long sox fan and they are killing all of us here in New England.  Also, looking for a bone or two for the Gulls!

2011 NEW ENGLAND DIVISION III FOOTBALL POLL


Week #2 - 9/26/11
Rank Team Record (First-Place Votes) Points Last Week's Rank
1 Endicott 4-0 (16) 210 2
2 Springfield 2-1 (1) 167 1
3 Williams 1-0 (4) 165 3
4 Maine Maritime 3-0  149 4
5 Trinity 1-0 (1) 133 T5
6 Worcester St. 4-0   127 T5
7 Amherst 1-0   94 7
8 Curry 3-1   73 10
9 Western New England 3-1   43 ARV
10 Wesleyan 1-0   13 -
Also Receiving Votes (to be listed a team must receive at least one percent of the available 

[JT]

Both of those guys were head scratchers from the get go.  No way were you like "YES, WE GOT JD DREW!!!".  Same way I felt about Crawford and with re-signing Beckett.  You get to the point of spending money just cause you can. Kind of how I imagine Yankees fans felt about guys like Sheffield and AJ Burnett.

Exactly. And don't forget A-Rod. I'm actually to the point that the Yankees spending is starting to make this all feel empty, where if they win they were supposed to, and anything less than winning the WS is a failure. As opposed to the Yankees run in the late 90's, which was accomplished with home grown players and smart, value trades. THAT was a team that I loved rooting for, especially after the doldrums of the early 90's.

I'm a die hard Yankee fan, but this Red Sox thing is more akward than enjoyable. But yet, I still fear them more than the Rays if they were to meet in the ALCS.

This is how I feel about baseball altogether.  I actually like routing for Tampa and Florida(in past years) and other small market teams.  They are hungry, they have that 'this year or bust' feel to them and they have a lot of passion. 

At least the Patriots tend to sign some underdogs and try to groom players that fit their system.  I still enjoy watching them more than ever.  But baseball has really lost it's appeal to me, and that sucks because I am a huge baseball fan.

I wish the Jets kept Danny Woodhead, I really like him. They kept Joe McKnight from USC over Woodhead. I think Woodhead is far more versatile.  Could have been a Welker like player for the Jets... out of the backfield... in the slot.

[Frank Rossi]

Both of those guys were head scratchers from the get go.  No way were you like "YES, WE GOT JD DREW!!!".  Same way I felt about Crawford and with re-signing Beckett.  You get to the point of spending money just cause you can. Kind of how I imagine Yankees fans felt about guys like Sheffield and AJ Burnett.

Exactly. And don't forget A-Rod. I'm actually to the point that the Yankees spending is starting to make this all feel empty, where if they win they were supposed to, and anything less than winning the WS is a failure. As opposed to the Yankees run in the late 90's, which was accomplished with home grown players and smart, value trades. THAT was a team that I loved rooting for, especially after the doldrums of the early 90's.

I'm a die hard Yankee fan, but this Red Sox thing is more akward than enjoyable. But yet, I still fear them more than the Rays if they were to meet in the ALCS.

No more awkward than, say, blowing a 3-0 lead in an ALCS...

[rams1102]

OK, back to Football. I'm #3 in the voting. I had it Alfred, Cort, MSU Sals, Kean, Del, Hobt, Spring, Alb, End. You can make an excuse for any order in the top (5). The poll is just peoples opinion and nobody is wrong. I believe Alfred is #1 as of this week. It could change on Sat. The NJAC probably won't be decided until the last (2) weeks. TCNJ can be a real wild card. We will see how they play at Kean. Now down to Kean. A great start w/wins against Wesley and Cortland. As yanks said they did not win the game of stats but won the game. Cortland had a shot to win at the end. Kean then played like crap against W.Conn and thats why I moved them down. I love my Red Hawks, but what have they done. Not an impressive 3-0 but seemed to get a little better against Buff St. We will see on grass at B-Port. Cortland could easially be 3-0and Kean 2-1. This is what makes the East Fan Poll so good. Watch out for the MAC Del appears to be good and we will see what Albright does and the schedule gets tougher. This is just a whole lot of fun.

[dlippiel]

OK, back to Football. I'm #3 in the voting. I had it Alfred, Cort, MSU Sals, Kean, Del, Hobt, Spring, Alb, End. You can make an excuse for any order in the top (5). The poll is just peoples opinion and nobody is wrong. I believe Alfred is #1 as of this week. It could change on Sat. The NJAC probably won't be decided until the last (2) weeks. TCNJ can be a real wild card. We will see how they play at Kean. Now down to Kean. A great start w/wins against Wesley and Cortland. As yanks said they did not win the game of stats but won the game. Cortland had a shot to win at the end. Kean then played like crap against W.Conn and thats why I moved them down. I love my Red Hawks, but what have they done. Not an impressive 3-0 but seemed to get a little better against Buff St. We will see on grass at B-Port. Cortland could easially be 3-0and Kean 2-1. This is what makes the East Fan Poll so good. Watch out for the MAC Del appears to be good and we will see what Albright does and the schedule gets tougher. This is just a whole lot of fun.

dlip agrees, this is a lot of fun!

[dlippiel]

It was dlip who had Kean at #8 by mistake. dlip has iti right on his home computer but must have ****ed up his message to AU, sorry fellas, dlip is batting 1,000 the past two weeks  . Anyway here is how dlips poll should look  ...he said poll should look...

Alfred
Cortland
Kean
Montclair
Salisbury
Del Val
Bart
Springfield
Rowan
Albright

Yes, looking at the Cortland game's box score and reading posts about the game from many who were there and Keans ****ing awful performance against one of the worst teams in the entire east, dlip feels it appropriate to believe, that this week, even with the head to head loss, Cortland is a better team than Kean. Definitely up for debate though and dlip can see both sides. dlip is sorry to get everyone in a stir with his mistake, sorry fellas.

It's all good dlip...while I disagree with your rankings, its your opinion and you are entitled to it.  Also...it's only Tuesday, so what else are we supposed to talk about!!!

dlip appreciates that Yanks! Just curious, where do your disagreements lye with dlips poll (the correct one)? dlip tihnks this might be good for discussion and is curious on your thoughts.

[dlippiel]

Life long sox fan and they are killing all of us here in New England.  Also, looking for a bone or two for the Gulls!

2011 NEW ENGLAND DIVISION III FOOTBALL POLL


Week #2 - 9/26/11
Rank Team Record (First-Place Votes) Points Last Week's Rank
1 Endicott 4-0 (16) 210 2
2 Springfield 2-1 (1) 167 1
3 Williams 1-0 (4) 165 3
4 Maine Maritime 3-0  149 4
5 Trinity 1-0 (1) 133 T5
6 Worcester St. 4-0   127 T5
7 Amherst 1-0   94 7
8 Curry 3-1   73 10
9 Western New England 3-1   43 ARV
10 Wesleyan 1-0   13 -
Also Receiving Votes (to be listed a team must receive at least one percent of the available

dlip thinks the Pride would ****ing steamroll Endicott. He just wnated to throw that out there.

[Frank Rossi]

Hey, Pride!

[wesleydad]

i will throw my 2 cents in on the east poll discussion.  i may be the only person who has seen cortland and the kean-wesley game.  based on what i saw on the field and ignoring the scoreboard, which in the end is all that matters, i believe that cortland is better than kean and am really surprised that they actually lost to kean the week before, i saw the rowan game this past weekend.  kean is a scrappy team and took advantages of mistakes that wesley made, they would have been blown out as the stats show.  seems like the same thing happened to cortland.  right now, i believe that cortland is a better team than kean, but the head to head can not be ignored so you almost have to put kean ahead of cortland until kean loses and i expect them to lose more than one.  i think del val is as good as cortland, yes i saw them play too, against leb val, they are young and will likely get better as the year goes on.  the east is wide open and will likely do the same thing they always do, eliminate each other bringing mount over again.  the team that i am really familiar with, salisbury will be a tough game for anyone and i may have put the alfred/salisbury game on my travel agenda had my son not decided that oct 15 was a good day for his wedding.  i will almost certainly head over to montclaire to see the cortland/montclaire game, never been to montclaire.  you guys are right, the discussion is fun.