RED SOX ADD MORE SEATS YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO SIT IN

The Coca-Cola corner will sit atop the roof overhanging the left field grandstand. It adds 412 new seats to the ballpark, as well as room for 100 standing room patrons. The Red Sox say tickets will be $75 for seats in the section, and $25 for standing room.

This section replaces a makeshift "luxury" box which had been an auxiliary press box for the 1999 All-Star Game. The Sox claim that they are trying to increase the number of seats in the ballpark that cost $100+.

If the $75 seats and $25 SRO tickets are sold for every home game, about $2.7 million in new revenues will come to the Red Sox, not including additional concessions, and the naming rights fee Coca-Cola paid.

This is yet another desperate attempt to cram more seats into an already overcrowded facility. And I'm sorry, but $75 a seat isn't exactly cheap. I love how this new ownership group has turned the team into a winner. But Fenway Park is a run-down, small, shanty. Moreover, it doesn't maximize the potential revenue the team could be taking in. More revenue=more spending money=better players. And with the Yankees moving into a new baseball cathedral, with luxury boxes, and 50,000 seats; the Red Sox might be left in their dust. And who wants that?

Source:
Boston.com

PATRIOTS OFF-SEASON THOUGHTS: TIGHT END

Ben Watson tied with Jabar Gaffney for the 5th most receptions on the team last year. Combined with Kyle Brady, and David Thomas; Patriots tight ends totaled 46 receptions for 468 yards. That's a pretty good yards per reception average (10.2) for tight ends.

With Watson andThomas; the Pats are pretty much set at tight end. It isn't the best group of TEs. There aren't any Tony Gonzalezes or Dallas Clarks in this bunch. But they do their job. They're good blockers for the run and on pass protection. And when the receivers are covered, they are solid outlets.

It would be nice to see Watson get more consistent touches. He got about half of his receptions (17 of 36) in four games (Week 2 vs. SD, Week 5 vs. CLE, Week 14 vs. PIT, Week 17 vs. NYG). In the other 8 games he played in, he averaged 2.4 receptions, which isn't keeping him very much involved in the offense.

In 2006, Watson was a big part of the Patriots offense. He was second on the team in receptions (49) and receiving yards (643). Obviously with the addition of Moss, Stallworth, and Welker; these numbers were bound to drop.

When the Patriots ran into a formidable, and nearly unstoppable pass rush, they were lost. After relying on deep passes and complex combination routes all year, they seemed to have no idea how to play old school (4 years ago) Patriots field position football. This was where the tight end was needed, both to pass protect and to to punish defensive ends that were running straight upfield. Quick outs, tight end screens, quick passes on the flat. These types of plays were needed. With no running game working, dumping off to big tight ends like Watson (255 lbs.) and Brady (280 lbs) would have served as a good replacement.

Ben Watson had 0 receptions in the Super Bowl. Kyle Brady had 1 for 3 yards.

I don't think the Patriots need to go out and acquire help at tight end. But they should consider getting the tight end more involved in the offense.

One thing to look forward to in 2008 will be David Thomas. We haven't seen much of him, but when we have, it's been fun to watch. Against Jacksonville in '06, he filled in for Watson and had 5 catches for 83 yards and a TD. He re-aggravated a foot injury and was unable to play for most of the 2007 season. If healthy, he could become a serious force in an already deadly offense.



(Re)sources:
ESPN.com
Pro-Football-Reference.com