PATRIOTS GET A SAFETY AND A KICKER

I remember a few years ago I bought a Tebucky Jones jersey at the Patriots Pro Shop because it was discounted. This was after he had left the team and the Shop was trying to liquidate its inventory of the product. That could have been a wise investment on my part.

Today, the Pats signed Safety Tebucky Jones. The length and amount are still unknown at this time, but I'll find out as soon as I can. The Patriots also signed Martin Gramatica to be the place kicker. Gramatica is best known for his ludicrous post-kick antics, but he once was a good kicker and could be again.

The Patriots also learned what their schedule will look like come the fall. Here it is:

Sunday, Sept. 10 – vs. Bills, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 17 – at Jets, 4:15 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 24 – vs. Broncos, 8:15 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 1 – at Bengals, 4:15 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 8 – vs. Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 15 – BYE
Sunday, Oct. 22 – at Bills, 1 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 30 – at Vikings, 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 5 – vs. Colts, 8:15 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 12 – vs. Jets, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 19 – at Packers, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 26 – vs. Bears, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 3 – vs. Lions, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 10 – at Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Sunday. Dec. 17 – vs. Texans, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 24 – at Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 31 – at Titans, 1 p.m.

It's a difficult first place schedule, and finishing with 3 of 4 games on the road won't be a picnic, especially with Gillette being such a formidable place to play in December.

SOX SQUEEZE ONE OUT

The Red Sox followed up Tuesday's slugfest with a magnificent display of pitching. Beckett, Timlin, and Papelbon. The Sox also showed some nice defense in their 2-1 victory over the Rangers.

The Rangers had a weird first inning which allowed them to score. Wilkerson scorched a double down the right field line, a Wild Pitch moved Wilkerson to third and an infield single knocked him in. That would be it for the Rangers scoring.

Neither team mounted any serious offensive threat until the 7th inning. Manny walked to lead off the inning, the Trot Nixon took an 0-1 pitch and deposited it over the right field wall. The homerun gave the Red Sox a 2-1 lead. Then Beckett came out and did something that is HUGE in baseball, particularly in close games like this one. He completely shut the Rangers down.

Mike Timlin came into the game and was less than impressive. He gave up a single to Mark Teixera, then after a fly out walked Blalock. Mench singled to left, Teixera tried to score but Manny threw him out with the help of Mike Lowell. Timlin induced a ground out to end the inning, the scoring threat, and essentially the game.

Papelbon came into the ninth inning, strike out, pop out, strike out, game over.

The Man of the Game is Josh Beckett. He threw 7, scattering 7 hits and a walk. He allowed only that strange run in the 1st. He also struck out 5, and threw 109 pitches, 75 for strikes. The Red Sox have an off day before flying to Baltimore and facing Daniel Cabrera and the Orioles.

We're out of the gate and we're looking strong.