Isn't it Nice that it's Football Season Again?

This past week of sports didn't really feature anything too crazy until Saturday and Sunday. The Red Sox are still on a heck of a slide, Tom Brady is arguably a god, and it snowed on Cannon Mountain last week. I am here, though, to talk about these things, along with stuff that really might mean nothing to you, but I find interesting.

The Boston Red Sox have done awful within the past week and a half or so (3-7 in their last 10 games as of Tuesday) and are in serious jeopardy of losing their wild card spot. The Sox were 83-52 on August 31st, were a game and a half ahead of the Yankees in the AL East and 9 games ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays and the California of Anaheim of Los Angeles Angels. Since then, though, the Yankees have not only passed the Sox, but also put a lead on them in the division, with the Rays and Angels also within a handful of games in the wild card race. So what's the problem? Over the past month, Jason Varitek and Jarrod Saltalamacchia are hitting under .231, Dustin Pedroia has about as many hits as a MySpace page, and Jed Lowrie has one more extra base hit then me (or you). As far the pitching staff goes, Tim Wakefield and John Lackey have ERA's well over 6, and Daniel Bard couldn't get Plymouth State math professor William Hett to hit into an out. Despite all of the debacles over the past couple of weeks, the Sox are going to get into the playoffs. Having this span of bad games might not be bad for the Sox, though, as it might only make them stronger in the playoffs. "Experts" always talk about teams getting into the playoffs on a hot streak, but in my opinion, it is about when you are cold. If your team is cold about a month before the playoffs start, you team isn't screwed. The team has time to rebound, and if they play it right, they can be hitting their peak right in time for the end of the playoffs.

Tom Brady's performances in the past two games have been unreal. Against the Dolphins, Brady threw for 517 yards despite not having organized practice from the lockout during the summer. Brady's encore performance was fantastic as well, as he threw for 423 yards against the Chargers, becoming the first quarterback to start a season with a 500+ yard passing game and then follow up with a 400+ yard passing game. Brady wasn't the only quarterback who had fantasy owners jumping up and down, as Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton threw for 422 and 432 yards in his first two NFL games. Newton was expected to be an upgrade from Jimmy Clausen and Matt Moore, but I don't think anyone expected this. Newton could have easily started off his career 2-0, had it been for a few plays here and there, but he has given Panther fans a reason to believe for the next decade (and then some). Injuries have killed a few teams already in this early part of the year, as Kansas City Chief players Jamaal Charles (torn ACL) and Eric Berry (knee), Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning (neck) and Seattle Seahawk receiver Sidney Rice (shoulder) are either out for the year or their return dates are unknown. All four players were crucial to their teams and will be missed. Other injuries to keep an eye on include Arian Foster (hamstring), Marcedes Lewis (calf), Steven Jackson (quad), Hakeem Nicks (knee) and Brandon Lloyd (groin) have all had injuries effect their playthisyear.Nothavingorganizedoff-season workouts and practices have allowed for numerous injuries to happen early in the year that probably could have been avoided. As far as individual teams go, the Detroit Lions' 2-0 start doesn't surprise me whatsoever, as their offense is loaded and their defense is good enough to get by (especially that defensive line with not only Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, but Kyle Vanden Bosch as well). The Buffalo Bills (Ryan Fitzpatrick is a legitimate quarterback) and Washington Redskins (Rex Grossman has some how revamped his career with help from Fred Davis and company) are more of a surprise, though, and it will be interesting to see if they can keep it up or not. As far as 0-2 teams go, the Seattle Seahawks, Indianapolis Colts, and Kansas City Chiefs (all playoff teams last year) are all winless on the year, and quite frankly aren't even competitive. At least they have the Andrew Luck bowl to look forward to.

Speaking of Andrew Luck, the Stanford Car- dinals have been taking care of business and are currently a quite 3-0, passing Florida State in the college football polls. November 12th is the date they have circled on their calendar though, as the Oregon Ducks (currently ranked 10th) come into town. The Cardinals can thank the Oklahoma Sooners for that top 5 spot, though, since the Sooners behind quarterback Landry Jones knocked off the Seminoles. Having the ability to beat a top 5 opponent on the road should give the Sooners a lot of momentum that might carry them to the national championship game, but only time will tell. As it is with each season with college football, every week will have a turn in the road that no one expects, and seasons will be shot down the drain with each loss.

In other irrelevant (though I find interesting) sports news

- Watching Vince Wilfork running after he got an interception against the Chargers was pretty neat. All linemen have a dream of doing something like that, and in my opinion, something like that shows that lineman are athletic and can move.

-Justin Verlander is the best pitcher in the game (24-5 record, 2.29 ERA).

-Lexi Thompson won her first WPGA Tour event. The catch? She's 16 years old.

- While I haven't seen the Mayweather/ Ortiz highlights, from what I have come to understand, Mayweather delivered a cheap shot and a half. Mayweather has always fought lower competition, and when he finally boxed someone who is a great boxer (in Ortiz), he cheats to win.

 -With that said, Pacquiao/Mayweather needs to happen.

-Kickoffs that go into the end-zone should not be returned, as the majority of these returns don't end up pass the 20 yard line.

-I am not sure why all of the conferences in college football are getting torn apart, but it seems as if the best idea would be to divide the whole nation into different sections and have 4 teams represent each section in a playoff-like bracket.

-It wouldn't be in Prince Fielder's best interest to leave the Milwaukee Brewers if he wants to win.

-Metta World Peace would be a heck of a jersey to have (formerly Ron Artest).

-My pick to win the Loudon NASCAR race is Ryan Newman, but I see Clint Bowyer giving Newman a run for his money (and watch for Justin Bonsignore in the modified race).

-Best NFL game of the upcoming week? I am torn between two, Baltimore at St. Louis and the Texans heading to New Orleans.

Non-sports information of the week

-If you go to school in Plymouth, don't complain about it being cold in September. It gets much worse.

-Lupe Fiasco should be nominated for Spring Fling. If you don't know who he is, I know that you have heard a song by him before (look him on YouTube or ITunes).

-Shout-out to Manny's downtown pizza and calzones. The buffalo chicken calzones are awesome.

-Compared to last year, I feel as if there are a lot more longboarders and skateboarders this year.

-It won't be too much longer until the leaves turn colors, and that snow is on the ground.

-Putting an Applebee's in Plymouth would be awesome. Imagine what kind of service it would do during half-price appetizers.

-In my opinion, Bretton Woods is the best mountain to ski at in New Hampshire (if you like glade-skiing)

-Make sure you vote for me today for second year attendant for Homecoming from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

‘Till next week I'm outta here..........