PATRIOTS ACQUIRE TULLY BANTA-CAIN

The Patriots came to terms with recently released linebacker Tully Banta-Cain. I think this is a great signing, as Banta-Cain should be able to learn the defense quite quickly, and be ready to play in Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

In all seriousness, Banta-Cain, whose contract expires at the end of the season, was released then re-signed by the Pats to a deal that extends into next season, but for a lower salary. So Banta-Cain gets job security, and the Patriots get a lower cap number.

Source:
RotoWorld.com

GALLOWAY GONE AWAY

The Patriots cut Joey Galloway today, in a not so surprising move. Galloway had been a healthy scratch the past few games, not even making the trip to Denver. There had been rumors of a trade today, but apparently there were no takers. Cutting him now, before the trade deadline at 4, does allow him to choose a new team to sign with, instead of being placed on waivers. Yeah, Belichick's a real classless jerk.

Source:
The Sporting News

SPITGATE

So will the New York Post be putting asterisks next to the Yankees box scores? Or maybe Rivera's stats?

And no, I'm not accusing Rivera of cheating. I'm accusing New York fans of being an obnoxious, simple-minded rabble of morons and excuse machines.

BANTA-CAIN CUT, GALLOWAY REMAINS, AND THE ADALIUS THOMAS MYSTERY

Yesterday the Patriots cut 3-4 specialist Tully Banta-Cain, but he'll probably be back on the team. I wouldn't understand dropping him completely, as he leads the team with 3 sacks, and has played solidly on the outside of the defensive front. He expects to be back with the Patriots.

Joey Galloway has not been cut. It's probably because he's a veteran, and would therefore be getting paid anyway. The Patriots did not make any trades with him (despite wild speculation in the National Sports Media) yesterday. But I think they're only hanging onto him in case something awful happens to their receivers.

Speaking of receivers, rookie Brandon Tate out of North Carolina might be able to return to practice this week.



And there's still the case of the missing outside linebacker. There's not much to report on Adalius Thomas' absence from Sunday's game. He has been underperforming all season, and I suspect the coaching staff saw some things in practice they did not like. Thomas has been a disappointment since joining the team, but he has shown sparks of brilliance. If he doesn't play in London, then I think he'll likely be cut.

Source:
Boston Herald

BC CRUSHES NC STATE

The Tennessee Titans and NCSU Wolfpack should get together, go out for some hot cocoa, and bitch about the weather in New England. Both teams traveled to Massachusetts this weekend, both had to deal with the cold, and both gave up 50+ points.

A week after being embarassed by Virginia Tech, the Eagles returned to the creamy middle of the ACC and pummelled NC State. The win puts BC on top of the mediocre Atlantic Division, half a game ahead of Clemson and Wake Forest.

Montel Harris set school records with 264 yards rushing and 5 TDs. He's rushed for 756 yards and 5.6 YPC this season. He had 900 yards on the ground last year. He's got 5 more games to surpass that mark.

BC isn't amazing. They don't deserve to even be considered to be ranked (they got 3 votes in the latest Coaches' Poll). But they're better than what everyone thought they'd be. They only need 1 more win to attain bowl eligibility, and they lead their division.

They play Notre Dame in South Bend next Saturday at 3:30.

Sidenote: I was disappointed with BC fans at this game (actually, the fans NOT at this game), particularly the student section. It was about 5 rows from full, and in 3 years of working games at BC, I've never seen that. Leaving a cold blowout game early is one thing, but not even being able to fill the student section is just sad. When BC fans like myself complain about not getting big bowl bids, we should point the fingers at our fellow fans, and not some vague Dixieland good ole boy conspiracy.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/The News & Observer, Ethan Hyman

LUCIC OUT FOR AT LEAST 10 GAMES

The Bruins placed bruising forward Milan Lucic on extended injured reserve. He's not eligible to return until at least 10 games and 24 days have passed. Lucic broke a finger in Friday night's victory in Dallas.

After trading Kobasew, the Bruins needed forwards so they called Guillaume Lefebvre, Brad Marchand and Vladimir Sobotka up from AHL Providence. Lefebvre played decently in Satrday's loss to Phoenix. Marchand was solid in preseason. And Sobotka's been up and down for a few years. He's tallied 10 points (4 G, 6 A) in 10 games with Providence.

Byron Bitz will likely move up the depth charts to the 3rd or 2nd line, replacing Lucic. Bitz had to fill that role in the Montreal series last postseason, and did so admirably.

But this is the worst news the Bruins could get. Lucic is the kind of guy that can spark a team to turn around. Now he's out until at least mid-November.

Source:
NESN

SO WHY THE F*CK DID THE BRUINS TRADE CHUCK?

Last night, the Bruins traded winger Chuck Kobasew to the Minnesota Wild. As surprising as this move was, it was simply stunning what the B's received in return: Alexander Fallstrom, Craig Weller, and a 2011 2nd round pick.

Fallstrom is currently playing for Harvard. He's a freshman. In the NHL, you can draft a player and they can remain with their junior team, or their college team. He's a 6' 2" 200 pound forward.

Weller scored 1 goal and 2 assists last season for the Wild. He's 28 and has 4 NHL goals. He's good for a bunch of penalty minutes, and maybe he might fit-in on the 4th line. I'm not really sure. All I know is the guy spent 6 seasons playing for the Hartford Wolfpack of the AHL.

So the Bruins traded a solid 3rd line forward for a POTENTIAL 4th liner who hardly ever scores, a college freshman, and a draft pick 2 years away.

I'm not too happy. But I am quite confused. It's not a bad deal for the future, but it hurts the team right now. And the last thing this team needs is to be hurt. Kobasew only has 1 assist so far, but he has played decently in every game. And if this was about clearing cap space, why not do it before the season, and perhaps create enough room to re-sign Kessel.

The Bruins' biggest weakness seems to be at defense. Hopefully this move clears space for the Bruins to make another deal for a solid defenseman who can play the penalty kill. But I have my doubts.

I'll miss Kobasew. He was what he was, and wasn't going to get markedly better. But he was a solid backbone-of-the-team kind of guy. He played the Carolina series with 2 broken ribs for Christ's sake. Yet folders like Blake Wheeler get to stay with the team.

Sources:
Boston Herald
Hockey Data Base
Harvard Athletics

PATS DRILL THE OILERS

Last year when the Cardinals came to Gillette, they were smoked 47-0 in a snowy, freezing rain, wintry mix, crappy winter day. They simply didn't want to be there that afternoon. The Titans looked the same way, on and off the field.



When the visiting team exits the tunnel at the very last minute to warm-up, you already know the Pats have won.

This was the biggest shutout in the NFL since 1976.

Tom Brady looked outstanding. It was against a crappy defense, but Brady finally clicked with Welker and Moss. 9 different Pats caught catches, Welker for 150 yards and 2 TDs, Moss for 129 and 3 scores. Brady's 5 1st quarter touchdowns is a new NFL record. He got me 51 fantasy points.



Laurence Maroney was decent. Then again who wasn't.

I wouldn't get too accustomed to games being this easy for the Pats. The combination of a listless 0-6 team with wretched weather rolled out the red carpet for the Patriots. They did show some improvement in certain areas, and it was nice to face a cupcake after taking on some quality opponents. It was also nice to give Brady an opportunity to get back on track.

Next week is another easy team, but in a weird place. The Pats play the Buccaneers in London. The Patriots have yet to win away from Foxborough.

Also, the Bills beat wunderkind Mark Sanchez and Coach of the Year Rex Ryan. So the Pats are atop the AFC East once again.

And this picture is just awesome:



Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credits:
AP