Report: Red Sox Set To Acquire Joel Hanrahan From Pirates

Joel Hanrahan #52 of the Pittsburgh Pirates reacts after giving up a home run in the ninth inning against the Cincinnati Reds during the game on September 30, 2012 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Apparently the Boston Red Sox are not happy with Andrew Bailey as their closer. It's the only logical explanation out there right now for trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates that appears to be nearing completion.

According to multiple media reports, the Red Sox and Pirates are working on a deal that will send Joel Hanrahan to Boston for minor leaguers Stolmy Pimentel and Jerry Sands Jr. Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston is reporting that Mark Melancon could be included in the deal as well.

Hanrahan is set to be a free agent after the 2013 season and was 5-2 with a 2.72 ERA and 36 saves for the Pirates in 2012. He had 40 saves in 2011 for Pittsburgh.

Bailey struggled in his return from a thumb injury suffered during spring training. He was 1-1 with a 7.04 ERA and six saves in 19 games.

Pimentel played the 2012 season with the Portland Sea Dogs where he went 6-7 with a 4.59 ERA in 22 starts. Sands was part of the deal that sent Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford and Nick Punto the Dodgers.

Obviously the Red Sox are doing everything they can to improve their bullpen which had to do yeoman's work last year with the crappy starting pitching they got.

If Bailey isn't traded, he'd likely set up for Hanrahan. I don't see the Red Sox giving up players so Hanrahan can set up. And if Bailey isn't traded, the Red Sox bullpen looks pretty solid for 2013.

I still think the Red Sox need to go out and get some starting pitching depth.

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photo credit: getty images

Providence Bruins 3, Connecticut Whale 1

By Wil Goldsholl

Hartford, CT, December 22, 2012 – Chris Bourque’s third-period goal was the difference Saturday night at the XL Center, as the Providence Bruins, Boston’s top affiliate, came to Hartford for Military Appreciation Night and tipped the Connecticut Whale 3-1, advancing to 15-10-0-2 and moving ahead of the Worcester Sharks for second place in the Atlantic Division.

CT WhaleIn the opening minutes of the game, Providence and Connecticut were testing the water. Neither squad came on too aggressively and as a result the chances were few and far between. The first quality opportunity of the game went to the Whale on a Kris Newbury saucer pass directed for Marek Hrivik; the chance would go by the boards.

Chris Kreider drew interference on Lane MacDermid at 4:19 behind Providence goaltender Michael Hutchinson’s net, and a power play ensued. Connecticut again came close, but failed to hit the net when Matt Gilroy let a one-timer fly into traffic in the slot. The puck would flutter towards the net but just over the crossbar.

Connecticut received another opportunity a second before MacDermid’s penalty expired. Matt Bartkowski flipped the puck over the glass in the Providence defensive end for delay of game at 6:18. Hrivik found himself in the right place at the right time but could not convert the only Whale shot of the power play. Connecticut would finish 0 for 5 in man-up situations on the night.

Cam Talbot, who, in Coach Ken Gernander’s words was “enormous” in Manchester on Friday, did not see any rubber for nearly nine minutes until Jamie Tardif opened up in the high slot.

The play came to the other end and Shayne Wiebe was called for goaltender interference near the midway mark of the period. That Bruin power play would produce one redirected chance, and a rebound try by Bourque, but still no goals.

Newbury had a look at Chad Kolarik on a two on one moments after the penalty to Wiebe expired, but once again the pass was mishandled.

Micheal Haley dropped the gloves with MacDermid with three and half minutes left in the period and Kreider drew another penalty, this time Jordan Caron for hooking with 1:41 on the clock. Tommy Cross and Christian Hanson nearly connected for a shorthanded goal before the period ended scoreless.

Connecticut drew first blood 4:44 in to the second. Logan Pyett fed the puck across the blueline to newcomer Steven Delisle. Delisle slid it down the wall for Newbury to sling it right to the net from the half boards. Hrivik tipped the puck on net and Kolarik collected the rebound for his tenth of the season. Following the goal, the ice at the XL Center was covered in donated teddy bears, which will be donated to the children of Newtown, CT, in the Whale’s annual “Teddy Bear Toss”.

Sam Klassen was sent off for holding, and Providence would knot the game up. Carter Camper sent a back-door pass to Kyle MacKinnon. Talbot made the initial save but Tardif was there to finish the rebound on the backhand.

Brandon Segal, in reply, poked the puck free on the following play. Tommy Grant broke in alone, and Hutchinson came up with a timely stop on the five-hole attempt.

Talbot opened the third period with a stretching kick save on a wraparound effort. The teams exchanged power play opportunities but neither 5-on-4 unit could produce another scoring effort.

After a rebound on a Hrivik chance with Blake Parlett and Kolarik in front didn’t find its way across the goal line, Bourque scored the game winning goal with 6:02 to play. Taking advantage of some contact with Talbot in the crease, Bourque was able to turn on a loose puck and fire one top-shelf. His fifth of the year was assisted by Zach Trotman and MacKinnon.

The Whale came close in the closing minutes; Segal sailed one over the top on a rebound chance with 3:30 left, and the Newbury-Hrivik-Kolarik line was trigger happy during their 60-second shift with three minutes remaining.

Talbot was lifted from the net with just over a minute to play, but Christian Hanson would seal the game with an empty netter. Talbot came up with 20 saves in the loss, while Hutchinson stopped 24 of the 25 he faced.

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Providence Bruins 3 at Connecticut Whale 1
Saturday, December 22, 2012 – XL Center Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Providence 0 1 2 – 3
Connecticut 0 1 0 – 1

1st Period- No Scoring.Penalties-MacDermid Pro (interference), 4:19; Bartkowski Pro (delay of game), 6:18; Wiebe Ct (goaltender interference), 10:26; MacDermid Pro (fighting), 16:27; Haley Ct (fighting), 16:27; Caron Pro (hooking), 18:19.

2nd Period-1, Connecticut, Kolarik 10 (Hrivik, Newbury), 4:44. 2, Providence, Tardif 15 (MacKinnon, Camper), 12:06 (PP). Penalties-Klassen Ct (holding), 10:25; MacDermid Pro (kneeing), 15:33.

3rd Period-3, Providence, Bourque 5 (Trotman, MacKinnon), 13:58. 4, Providence, Hanson 4 (Trotman), 19:15 (EN). Penalties-Delisle Ct (interference), 2:56; Warsofsky Pro (tripping), 7:42.

Shots on Goal-Providence 6-8-9-23. Connecticut 9-7-9-25.
Power Play Opportunities-Providence 1 / 3; Connecticut 0 / 5.
Goalies-Providence, Hutchinson 4-5-1 (25 shots-24 saves). Connecticut, Talbot 10-11-0 (22 shots-20 saves).
A-5,626
Referees-Mark Lemelin (41).
Linesmen-Mike Baker (11), Paul Simeon (66).

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Video: UConn Women Routs Hartford 102-45

Before the start of the game at the Chase Family Arena, children from the Newtown youth basketball league join the Connecticut Huskies and the Hartford Hawks to remember those killed Dec. 14 at the Sandy Hook Elementary School.

It's been a long time since the UConn Huskies women's basketball team played a road game in the state of Connecticut (1991). But when it's one of your former star players (Jen Rizzotti) at an in-state school (Hartford), you do what you can to help her build her program.

After a very emotional pre-game tribute to the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting attended by students of the school who survived, the Huskies and Hartford Hawks took to the court to provide a distraction for those young students on Saturday afternoon.

It wasn't much of a game though as the Huskies dominated throughout on their way to a 102-45 win over the Hawks in front of a sold-out crowd at Chase Family Arena in West Hartford, CT.

The No. 2 Huskies improve to 10-0. Rizzotti's Hawks squad falls to 8-3.

UConn was paced by freshman Breanna Stewart's career-high 27 points and seven rebounds along with two blocked shots. Stewart passed former Husky All-American Maya Moore with 169 points in her first 10 career games (Moore had 165).

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis added 21 points while Kelly Faris had 18 points. Brianna Hartley's resurgence continued as she had 15 points, six assists and five steals. Stefanie Dolson rounded out the Huskies in double-digits with 10 points.

The Hawks, who played without their leading scorer Amber Bepko, were led by Daphne Elliott's 10 points. Nikkia Smith added eight points and a team-high four rebounds while Ruthanne Doherty and Katie Roth both had six points.

I'll be honest. I'm not sure how they played on Saturday. That pre-game ceremony was so moving that you could see the players and staff holding back tears. But as I said above, I'm sure it was a nice distraction for the students from Newton.

Everything UConn has done up to this point has been in preparation for the big games on their schedule. The first of those comes up in one week when they'll take on the No. 1 Stanford Cardinal in Palo Alto, CA. Tip is scheduled for 4 p.m.

UConn Huskies @ Hartford Hawks 12.22.12 box score

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photo credit: david butler ii – special to hartford courant (no. 4 in gallery)

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 12/22

UConn Huskies Daily Roundup

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men's basketball and women's basketball teams as well as the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

It's game day for the UConn Huskies women's basketball team as they'll take on the Hartford Hawks at 1 p.m. at Chase Family Arena in West Hartford, CT. The game will be broadcast locally in Connecticut on SNY. You can also watch online for a free at SNYUConn.com. You can also listen on the IMG/UConn Radio Network.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Women's Basketball links

UConn goes on road to face Hartford [carl adamec – sny.com]

Sellout crowd welcomes UConn-Hartford [carl adamec – sny.com]

Rizzotti Talks Fondly Of Former Players; Hawks To Pay Tribute [rich elliott – ct post]

New twist on UConn/Hartford series [jim fuller – new haven register]

Huskies looking foward to reunion with former coach [jim fuller – new haven register]

Why Geno is playing in Jen’s house [lee lewis – republican-american]

Rizzotti, young UConn players have reunion Saturday [ct post]

This Time, Geno Takes UConn Women To Rizzotti's House [hartford courant]

Auriemma, Huskies playing in Jen Rizzotti's house now [new haven register]

Video: Geno Auriemma on Breanna Stewart [sny.com]

UConn Men's Basketball links

Kevin Ollie’s Take [dom amore – hartford courant]

Wrapping Things Up from XL [dom amore – hartford courant]

It Wasn't A Very Merry Christmas for Kevin Ollie 15 Years Ago [david borges – new haven register]

After 'Beautiful' First Half vs. Fordham, UConn Plays to Scoreboard in Second [david borges – new haven register]

Notes/Quotes from Fordham: “We can’t go out and get Patrick Ewing. He’s not around.” [kevin duffy – ct post]

Post-game breakdown, video: Fordham [gavin keefe – the day]

Second verse, same as the first.. [neill ostrout – journal inquirer]

Boatright leads the way [john silver – sny.com]

Work in Progress [uconn huskies basketball]

UConn men roll past Fordham [ct post]

Backcourt play 'beautiful' thing [ct post]

Huskies Take Advantage Of Points Off Turnovers To Beat Fordham, 88-73 [hartford courant]

Guard Play Continues To Improve [hartford courant]

Kevin Ollie's New Year Might Very Well Start With A New Deal [hartford courant]

Ryan Boatright, Huskies finish Fordham [new haven register]

UConn gets the job done [the day]

UConn Football links

Former UConn commit signs with FAU [jim fuller – new haven register]

Clayton White Leaves UConn For N.C. State [hartford courant]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Mazzilli Named a Pre-Season All-America First Team Selection [uconnhuskies.com]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Video: UConn Men Batter the Rams 88-73

Given the way the UConn Huskies men's basketball team dominated the first half action, you would have thought the final outcome would have been much greater than it was.

Instead the Huskies sat back in the second half and saw the Fordham Rams claw their way back into things.

But in the end, it was the Huskies who ended up prevailing 88-73 over Fordham in front of 10,265 at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on Friday.

UConn improves to 9-2 in Kevin Ollie's first season as head coach. The visiting Rams fall to 2-9.

University of Connecticut Huskies guard Ryan Boatright reacts after a dunk during the first half.Ryan Boatright led the way for the Huskies with a career-high 26 points and nine assists. He did however have six turnovers. Shabazz Napier added 19 points, six assists and a team-high seven rebounds to go along with four steals.

Omar Calhoun chipped in with 17 points while DeAndre Daniels added 10 points. R.J. Evans returned to action with nine points.

Branden Frazier was the high scorer for the Rams with 26 points and had four rebounds and five assists. And like Boatright did for UConn, he also had six turnovers. Chris Gaston was the only other Fordham player in double figures with 11 points and he added six rebounds.

Ryan Rhoomes led the Rams with seven rebounds to go along with just one point.

This was a game where the Huskies should have absolutely blown away the Rams. They had 29 point halftime lead. Instead with the UConn enjoying a 63-31 lead, they watched Fordham get back into the game with a 19-0 run.

While the Huskies never let the Rams get closer than 13 points the rest of the way, it was something that shouldn't have happened.

They played the scoreboard and that ended up almost costing them. Given the way Ollie has coached them this season, you wouldn't have expected this to happen. But it did. And you he'll make them work even harder in practice.

I've said this all along. If the Huskies can play a complete game, they'll surprise some people in the Big East this season. After all, that's what these early season games are for, the grueling Big East season.

They'll get a chance to show they can play a full 40 minutes next Saturday when they host the Washington Huskies at the XL Center in Hartford, CT. Tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.

To continue reading, please click on the continue reading button below if you're on the home page.

Fordham Rams @ UConn Huskies 12.21.12 box score

Here are the postgame quotes from UConn head coach Kevin Ollie.

Here are UConn's postgame notes.

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photo credit: richard messina – hartford courant (no. 4 in gallery)

Connecticut Whale 5, Manchester Monarchs 2

Manchester, NH, December 21, 2012 – Kris Newbury scored two goals and added an assist, Marek Hrivik had a goal and an assist, and Cam Talbot made 39 saves, as the Connecticut Whale defeated the Manchester Monarchs by a score of 5-2 Friday night at Verizon Wireless Arena.

CT WhaleThe Whale also got two assists from Steven Delisle, his first career AHL points after joining the team earlier in the week from Greenville of the ECHL, and two helpers from Chad Kolarik.  Marc-Andre Cliché scored both Manchester goals.

The Whale won despite being outshot 41-29 in the game.

The Whale, who had absorbed a 9-2 pounding from the Monarchs less than two weeks before, December 8 in Manchester, jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by Hrivik and Newbury.

Hrivik opened the scoring with his third of the season at 7:54, set up by a Newbury centering pass out of the left-wing corner.  The Monarchs left Hrivik alone in front of the goal, and he waited for Manchester starting goaltender Martin Jones to commit before flipping the puck past him on the stick side.  Delisle, playing his first game in a Whale uniform, started the play by dumping the puck into the corner and picked up the other assist.

Newbury scored on a power play at 12:40 for a 2-0 lead, getting his ninth of the year.  Kolarik tipped the puck to Newbury at the right side of the slot and Newbury’s slap shot overpowered Jones, trickling over the goal line just before Hrivik got to it.

The Whale were outshot 15-8 in the first, but Talbot stopped all 15 shots in the Whale goal.

The Monarchs would have a 20-13 shots advantage in the second period, but the Whale nursed their 2-0 lead until the 13:18 mark, before Cliché scored twice in 46 seconds to tie it quickly for Manchester.

Cliché’s first goal came on a power play at 13:18, on a deflection of a Jake Muzzin shot from the top of the left circle, after Andrei Loktionov won a faceoff.  Cliché then scored off a rush at 14:04, after Stefan Legein centered the puck off left wing.  Talbot stopped Cliché’s initial try, but Cliché got two more whacks at the puck and poked it in on the second one.

The Whale then regained the lead with just 24 seconds left in the period, when Kelsey Tessier scored off of a Ryan Bourque feed.  Bourque carried the puck into the offensive zone on right wing and spun back, before playing the puck in front to Tessier, whose high shot cleanly beat Jones.

Chris Kreider increased the margin to two goals at 4:46 of the third period, scoring his fifth goal of the season.  Kyle Jean carried the puck across the slot before handing the puck to Kreider at the top of the right circle, and Kreider’s snapshot found the net behind Jones (19 saves), who was then lifted from the game in favor of Peter Mannino, who would go on to stop all five shots that he faced.

Newbury created the final margin with an empty-net goal with 45.8 seconds remaining, his team-leading 10th goal on the year.

The win stopped a two-game Whale losing streak and improved Connecticut’s record to 12-13-2-0 for 26 points.

The Whale return to the XL Center Saturday night for their last game before the Christmas holiday, a 7:00 PM date with the Providence Bruins. That is “Military Appreciation Night”, with a jersey auction in the second intermission to benefit the VFW of Connecticut, and that game also features the Whale’s annual “Teddy Bear Toss”.  Fans are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped soft toys to the game and, when the Whale scores its first goal, heave them on to the ice to be donated to the children of Newtown, CT.  Also, teddy bears will be for sale in the XL Center atrium, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Tickets for all Whale regular season home games at the XL Center are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, through TicketMaster Charge-by-Phone at 1-800-745-3000 and on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.

To continue reading, please click on the continue reading button below if you're on the home page.

Connecticut Whale 5 at Manchester Monarchs 2
Friday, December 21, 2012 – Verizon Wireless Arena

Connecticut 2 1 2 – 5
Manchester 0 2 0 – 2

1st Period-1, Connecticut, Hrivik 3 (Newbury, Delisle), 7:54. 2, Connecticut, Newbury 9 (Kolarik, Gilroy), 12:40 (PP). Penalties-Newbury Ct (fighting), 0:15; Clune Mch (fighting), 0:15; Pyett Ct (hooking), 2:41; Legein Mch (holding), 11:43; Haley Ct (fighting), 19:45; Deslauriers Mch (fighting), 19:45.

2nd Period-3, Manchester, Cliche 4 (Muzzin, Loktionov), 13:18 (PP). 4, Manchester, Cliche 5 (Legein, Clune), 14:04. 5, Connecticut, Tessier 3 (Bourque, Delisle), 19:36. Penalties-Delisle Ct (unsportsmanlike conduct), 0:14; Clune Mch (unsportsmanlike conduct), 0:14; Kreider Ct (hooking), 1:19; Segal Ct (tripping), 7:31; Delisle Ct (interference), 13:06.

3rd Period-6, Connecticut, Kreider 5 (Jean, Parlett), 4:46. 7, Connecticut, Newbury 10 (Kolarik, Hrivik), 19:14 (EN). Penalties-Pearson Mch (high-sticking), 5:09; Bodnarchuk Mch (delay of game), 5:17; Jean Ct (tripping), 9:59.

Shots on Goal-Connecticut 8-13-8-29. Manchester 15-20-6-41.
Power Play Opportunities-Connecticut 1 / 3; Manchester 1 / 5.
Goalies-Connecticut, Talbot 10-10-0 (41 shots-39 saves). Manchester, Jones 7-12-2 (23 shots-19 saves); Mannino 5-2-0 (5 shots-5 saves).
A-3,906
Referees-Ryan Hersey (8).
Linesmen-Jeremy Lovett (78), Bill McGoldrick (94).

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

UConn Football Loses Another Assistant Coach

Clayton White, running backs coach and special team coordinator is in his first year with the Huskies as UConn works out during spring practice in 2011.

It's looks the USS UConn Huskies football program is taking on water rather quickly with the latest news of another coach leaving.

Just a few days after losing defensive coordinator Don Brown to Boston College, head coach Paul Pasqualoni is losing his running backs and special teams to coach to another ACC school.

According to Desmond Conner of the Hartford Courant, Clayton White is heading to Raleigh, NC to join Dave Doeren's staff with the North Carolina State Wolfpack. White is a former Wolfpack football player as he was linebacker there from 1999-2001.

While this loss may not sting as bad as Brown leaving, it still leaves a gapping hole with two major parts gone.

The Huskies have been pretty good on special teams the past few years with Nick Williams and Cole Wagner (punter) along with Dave Teggart and Chad Christen (kickers). And at running back, Lyle McCombs burst on to the scene last season but struggled this season behind a mediocre offensive line.

Pasqualoni has some major holes to fill and you don't know how the loss of these coaches could affect the recruiting efforts.

Remember, just because a recruit has given a verbal commitment, it doesn't mean he has to come to UConn. Only once he signs his national-letter-of-intent is he bound to the school.

So it'll be interesting to see what happens with this as well as who Coach P will choose as new assistant coaches.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credit: john woike – hartford courant

Video: Geno Auriemma on “Morning Joe”

UConn Huskies women's basketball Geno Auriemma stopped by the set of MSNBC's "Morning Joe" to talk about the establishment of a scholarship for the students affected by the tragedy in Newton, CT one week ago.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Note: I was told by my father that it will not play on an iPad or iPhone. To view on an iPad or iPhone or other mobile device, click here.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 12/21

UConn Huskies Daily Roundup

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men's basketball and women's basketball teams as well as the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

It's game day for the UConn Huskies men's basketball team as they'll take on the Fordham Rams at the XL Center in Hartford, CT at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast locally in Connecticut on SNY. You can also watch online for a at WatchESPN. You can also listen on the IMG/UConn Radio Network.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Men's Basketball links

Shabazz Napier: Ollie Contract is ‘Out of Our Hands’ … Notes, Quotes From Practice [dom amore – hartford courant]

Shabazz Napier Talks Ollie's Contract, Boston-New York and Chris Gaston [david borges – new haven register]

Notes/Quotes from Dec. 20: “I kind of came to terms with no matter what we do, it’s not going to be in our hands.” [kevin duffy – ct post]

We Were Only Freshmen… [kevin duffy – ct post]

An early morning affair [neill ostrout – journal inquirer]

Napier talks Ollie’s contract [john silver – sny.com]

Calhoun’s play the key [john silver – sny.com]

Men's Basketball Takes On Fordham [uconn huskies basketball]

Calhoun loyal, talented, but still taking freshman lumps [ct post]

UConn Ready For Fordham; No Progress On Ollie's Contract [hartford courant]

Shabazz Napier speaks on coach Kevin Ollie's contract situation [new haven register]

Ollie's lone concern is preparing for Big East [the day]

UConn Women's Basketball links

UConn-Hartford a Team USA reunion [carl adamec – sny.com]

UConn Ready To Rock The House At Hartford [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Stewart Thrives For Huskies In Reserve Too [rich elliott – ct post]

Tuck, Stokes Will Not Play At Hartford Saturday [rich elliott – ct post]

UConn, Hartford Series Moves To Chase Family Arena [rich elliott – ct post]

Breanna Stewart gets offensive [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn recruits shine on first day of Nike TOC [jim fuller – new haven register]

No. 2 Huskies Head to Hartford on Saturday to Take On Hawks [uconnhuskies.com]

It Appears Bria Hartley Is Back For UConn [hartford courant]

Three Points from Wednesday's win over Oakland [new haven register]

UConn Football links

Shelton's Dan Orlovsky a home-state hero [new haven register]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

In The Red Zone: New England Patriots at Jacksonville Jaguars Preview – Week 16

In the Red Zone

This Week

New England Patriots @ Jacksonville Jaguars

The New England Patriots visit the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, FL on Sunday at 1 p.m.

The Patriots —- The Jaguars
Overall 10-4 Overall  2-12
Road record 5-2 Home record 1-6
AFC South  3-0 AFC East  0-3
AFC 9-1 AFC 2-8

Jeff Triplette is the referee assigned to the game.

The Line/Prediction

As of Thursday the line on the game from 5dimes.eu via Yahoo Sports has the Patriots at minus 15.5.  The over under is 50.5. 

My Prediction is Patriots 48, Jaguars, 21.  Give the points (Patriots) and take the over.  I am 3-11 against the spread and 10 of 14 on calling the over/under in 2012.

Tickets

The Jags are reporting the game as a sell out. In fact in order to meet demand for tickets they have opened up additional sections of seats that are usually tarped off.

Jacksonville has not had a home game blacked on in over three seasons.  Their sell out streak sits at 25 consecutive games.

Tickets to the game, if available, can be purchased through Ticketmaster.  You can check the availability here.

Getting to the Game

If you’re lucky enough to be going to the game in Jacksonville make sure you check out the links.

Here is the up to date weather forecast from the Weather Channel for Jacksonville FL.

Click for all the game day information including stadium directions and parking information, parking map and an EverBank Field seating chart.

Tailgating

Here’s a bunch of different tailgating recipes from Tailgating.com.  There’s something there for everyone and every type of meal or snack.  I’ve tried some of the recipes and they’re very good. 

And with tailgating many people enjoy some adult beverages.  With that in mind check out Drink Nation for how to make all sorts of great drinks.  You can look things up by name, ingredient(s) or theme.

Whether it’s at the game, a bar or a friend’s house moderation is always the key to a great time.  Please don’t drink and drive and designate a sober driver.  Remember You Drink, You Drive, You Lose.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Television

CBS in televising the game regionally and Kevin Harlan will do play by play while Solomon Wilcots will provide the game analysis.  You can look here for your local affiliate.

See if you’re getting the game courtesy of J.P. Kirby at the506.com.

The DirecTV designation is Channel 711.

Here are all the rules on NFL TV broadcasts including explaining the blackout rules, flex scheduling and commercial breaks.

Radio

The Patriots Radio Network broadcasts the game from flagship station WBZ-FM, 98.5 the Sports Hub in Boston. Gil Santos handles the play-by-play and former Patriots QB Scott Zolak will do the game analysis. It all starts with Gary Tanguay and Andy Gresh with the pregame show at 10 a.m. along the network. The post game starts after the final gun and continues for three hours along the network.

The Patriots radio network call is available on Sirius Channel 123 and on SiriusXM Internet Channel 818.

The Jaguars Radio Network has Brian Sexton calling play by play and former Jags DE Jeff Lageman doing the color via their flagship station WOKV-AM/FM. 

Their call is available on Sirius Channel 104, XM Channel 233 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 814.

Patriots All Access

Patriots All-Access features behind the scenes looks, interviews and breakdowns with head coach Bill Belichick and in depth features on the team.  It’s hosted by Steve Burton of WBZ-TV (Boston) and airs weekly in most New England television markets.

  • Boston MA on TV 38 Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.
  • Providence RI on WNAC Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.
  • Manchester NH on WMUR Saturday at midnight
  • Portland ME on WMTW Sunday at 5 a.m.
  • Hartford CT on WCTX Saturday at 5 p.m.
  • Springfield MA on WFXQ Saturday at 7 p.m.
  • Bangor ME on WVII Sunday at 11 a.m.

You can also watch it anytime on the team website in the media section.

To continue reading the New England Patriots @ Jacksonville Jaguars Week 16 preview, please click on the continue reading button below if you're on the home page.

Last Week

The Patriots lost at home to the 49ers, 41-34.  The Jaguars lost on the road to the Dolphins, 24-3.

History

  • The Patriots lead the all-time series 8-1 including playoffs.
  • The Patriots are 3-1 against the Jaguars in the playoffs.
  • The Patriots are 2-1 on the road in the series.
  • New England has won the last five meetings.
  • Jacksonville’s lone series win was in the 1998 post season vs. a Pete Carroll coached team.
  • The two teams last met in 2009 at Foxboro and the Patriots won 35-7.

Patriots Team Notes

Here is the Patriots roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.

2012 Patriots Schedule/Results

The Patriots overall franchise record is 424-369-9.  They have won three Super Bowls (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) in seven appearances.  Overall they are 23-16 in the post season.

They last appeared in the playoffs in 2011 when they beat Denver home in the AFC Divisional Playoff, 45-10 and defeated Baltimore 23-20 in Foxboro in the AFC Championship Game.  They lost Super Bowl XLVI to the New York Giants 21-17. 

The Patriots were 13-3 (2-1 in playoffs) in 2011 and are the defending four-time AFC East Champions as well as the defending AFC Conference Champions.  They have won the division 10 times (including this season) and the conference 5 times since 2000.

This is the Patriots final regular season road game and they return to the site where they won their last Super Bowl (XXXIX vs. Philadelphia).

The Patriots have played 6 of the 9 teams this season that have former NFL players as their head coach.

New England is the only NFL franchise to score 500 or more points in 4 seasons (2007, 2010-2012).  They join St. Louis (1999-2001) as the only teams to have done it three years in a row.

Even if the Patriots were to be shutout in the seasons final two games they will still average more than 30 points a game for the season. 

New England is 81-47-1 against teams in the AFC South.

Since 1999 the Patriots have the best record in the NFL at 157-65.

Since 2001 the Patriots are 72-17 in games played on Thanksgiving or later.

Since 2001 New England is 43-6 in December games.

The New England defense has forced a turnover in 25 consecutive games dating back to Week 6 in 2011.

The Patriots have seven non-offensive touchdowns in 2012. The 2010 Patriots and 1961 Patriots teams own the team record with nine non-offensive touchdowns. The NFL record for most non-offensive touchdowns is 13 by Seattle in 1998.

Date             Game                     Touchdown

9/9/12          at Tennessee           Dont’a Hightower 6-yd. Fumble Return

10/21/12       vs. N.Y. Jets            Devin McCourty 104-yd. Kickoff Return

11/18/12       vs. Indianapolis        Julian Edelman 68-yd. Punt Return

11/18/12       vs. Indianapolis        Aqib Talib 59-yd. Int. Return

11/18/12       vs. Indianapolis        Alfonzo Dennard 87-yd. Int. return

11/22/12       at N.Y. Jets             Steve Gregory 32-yd. Fumble Return

11/22/12       at N.Y. Jets             Julian Edelman 22-yd. Fumble Return

The Patriots are 1st in the NFL in points per game with 36.1.  While they allow 22.5 points per game good for 17th in the NFL.

The New England defense has sacked the opponents quarterback 29 times this season while their quarterbacks have been sacked 23 times.

New England is PLUS 22 in turnover differential, 1st in the NFL. The offense has given up 7 INT and 7 fumbles, while the defense has 16 INTs and 20 fumble recoveries. 

The Patriots are 98 for 198 (49.5%) in 3rd down efficiency and 6 for 9 (66.6%) on fourth down attempts.  Opponents are 73 for 177 (41.2%) in 3rd down efficiency and 8 for 19 (42.1%) on 4th down attempts.

New England is 44 of 64 (68.8%) in the red zone while opponents are 23 for 39 (59%) in the red zone in 2012.

In goal to go situations New England is 35 for 43 (81.4%) and opponents are 18 for 24 (75%).

Since Robert Kraft bought the team in 1994 they:

  • Have the most Super Bowl wins, 3.
  • Have the most regular season wins, 203.
  • Have the most wins including playoffs, 222.
  • Have the most conference titles, 6.
  • Have the most division titles, 12.
  • Have the most playoff wins, 19
  • Have played the most playoff games, 29.
  • Are tied for the most playoff seasons, 14.
  • Have the best playoff win percentage, .671.
  • Have drafted the most Pro Bowl players, 20.

New England set the following team records in 2011:

  • Total yards, 6,848.
  • First downs, 399.
  • Net passing yards, 5,084.
  • 100+ yard receiving games, 18.
  • Games with 30+ points, 12 (tied for most in NFL history).

Patriots Staff Notes

This is the link to head coach Bill Belichick’s Wednesday press conference on the Jets.

Bill Belichick is 5-2 vs. the Jags in his career including playoffs.  He is 5-0 with New England.

Overall in his NFL career Belichick is 185-101 in his 18th NFL season.  He is 149-57 with New England and 36-44 with Cleveland.  He is 17-7 in the playoffs, 16-6 as head coach of the Patriots in the post season.  When you combine his regular season and post season records he is 202-108.

Belichick’s 202 wins are good for 7th all-time. 

Belichick is one of five head coaches in NFL history whose father (Steve Belichick) played in the league.  The others are former Kansas City head coach Todd Haley (Dick Haley), former San Francisco head coach Mike Nolan (Dick Nolan), former Cincinnati head coach David Shula (Don Shula) and former NY Jets head coach Joe Walton (Frank Walton).

Belichick is one of just four coaches to win three Super Bowls, joining Chuck Noll (4), Joe Gibbs (3) and Bill Walsh (3).  Those men are all in the Hall of Fame.

He is the only coach in NFL history to win three championship titles in four seasons.

He is the only coach in NFL history to have led his team to 10+ wins in 9 consecutive seasons.

Patriots Possible Starters

Offense:

  • LT: Solder
  • LG: Mankins
  • C: Wendell
  • RG: Connolly
  • RT: Vollmer
  • TE: Hoomanawanui
  • TE: Hernandez
  • WR: Lloyd
  • WR: Welker
  • QB: Brady
  • RB: Ridley

Defense:

  • DE: Ninkovich
  • DT: Wilfork
  • DT: Love
  • DE: Jones
  • LB: Mayo
  • LB: Spikes
  • LB: Hightower
  • LCB: Talib
  • RCB: Dennard
  • S: McCourty
  • S: Gregory

Patriots Players Notes

This Tom Brady’s 13th NFL season he is 5-0 vs. the Jags including 2-0 in the playoffs.

Overall Brady is 134-39 as a starting QB and is 16-6 in the playoffs for an overall record of 150-45.  Brady is a 7 time Pro Bowl QB; two time NFL MVP and has won 3 Super Bowls while twice being named the games MVP.  He is also listed as the 21st Greatest Player in the History of the NFL according to the NFL Network.

He was ranked in the preseason by ESPN’s Ron Jaworski as the 3rd best quarterback in the NFL.

Brady has 330 TD passes in his career he is now 5th all-time.  Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton is 4th with 342.

Brady has 134 regular season career wins; he is 5th all-time.

Brady finished the 2011 season with 5,235 passing yards and joined Drew Brees (5,476 in 2011 and 5,069 in 2008), Dan Marino (5,084 in 1984) and Matthew Stafford (5,038 in 2011) as the only players in NFL history to reach 5,000 passing yards in a single season.

Brady has thrown at least 1 TD pass in 46 consecutive games.

The Patriots are 89-16 when Brady throws at least 2 TD passes in a game.

Brady has 53 games in his career with 300 or more passing yards he is 5th all-time.

On the season Brady is 355 of 560 (63.4%) for 4276 yards with 30 TDs and 6 INTs his QB rating is 100.1.

WR Wes Welker now has catches in 115 consecutive games including playoffs, 98 as a Patriot.  The last time Welker did not have a catch in a game was 12/24/05 as a Dolphin.

Welker leads the team with 100 catches for 1172 yards.  He is the 1st player in NFL history to do it five times.

Welker has the second most receptions (750) all-time among undrafted receivers. Rod Smith is the NFL’s all-time leader with 849.

WR Brandon Lloyd had a career high 190 receiving yards on Sunday vs. San Francisco.  It was the most in a single game by a Patriots receiver in 2012.

TE Aaron Hernandez and Lloyd each had 10 catches on Sunday marking the third time in franchise history the Patriots had a game with multiple layers having 10+ catches.

TE Rob Gronkowski has 37 receiving touchdowns and 38 touchdowns overall (1 rushing) since 2010. The NFL record for most receiving touchdowns in a player’s first three NFL seasons is 43 by Randy Moss and the NFL record for most touchdowns overall by a player in his first three NFL seasons is 47 by Barry Sanders (4 receiving and 43 rushing).

He is tied for the team lead with RB Stevan Ridley with 10 TDs.

Ridley leads the team in rushing with 1105 yards on 252 carries.

RB Danny Woodhead had 2 TD’s on Sunday night it was his 2nd two TD game of the year.

TE Mike Hoomanawanui’s 41-yard grab in the 3rd quarter was the longest of his career.

K Stephen Gostkowski has two field goals of 50 or more yards in 2012.  With one more he will be the first Patriots kicker with three field goals of 50 or more yards in one season.

Gostkowski (7 for 10) needs one more field goal of 50 or more yards to tie Adam Vinatieri (8 for 17) for most in team history.

DE Rob Ninkovich leads the team with 8 sacks, it is a new career high for sacks.

Rookie DE Chandler Jones and Ninkovich lead the team with 11 QB hits each.

Ninkovich and LB Brandon Spikes lead the team in forced fumbles with 5 each, which ties Mike Vrabel’s franchise record.

Ninkovich has 3 forced fumbles on sacks this season.  

Ninkovich and DT Vince Wilfork lead the team with 4 recovered fumbles each.

Mayo leads the team through 14 weeks with 170 tackles (105 solo).  Spikes is second with 123 tackles (79 solo).

S Devin McCourty leads the team with 5 INTs. Sunday night was the 3rd one that he has made in the end zone in 2012.

McCourty also has team high 13 passes defensed in 2012. CB Kyle Arrington is 2nd with 10 passes defensed.

WR Matthew Slater has a team high 19 tackles on special teams.  Rookie S Nate Ebner is 2nd with 15 tackles on special teams.

There are only three players on the team who played on at least one of the Super Bowl championship teams, Brady (3), Branch (2) and Wilfork (1).

Roster moves this week:

  • 12/22 – WR Kamar Aiken promoted from practice squad.

LB Mike Rivera (ankle) was the only Patriot to miss both the Wednesday and Thursday practices. 

QB Tom Brady (right shoulder) missed Wednesday practice as a rehab day.  He returned on Thursday.

TE Rob Gronkowski (forearm/hip) most likely will be inactive again this week with a targeted return for Sunday December 23 in the season finale at home against Miami.

DL Ron Brace (back) did not dress against San Francisco and he is not on the injury report this week.

LB Tracy White (elbow) did not dress against San Francisco is listed as having had limited participation.

The Patriots captains for 2012 are QB Tom Brady, DT Vince Wilfork, G Logan Mankins, LB Jerod Mayo, CB Devin McCourty and WR Matthew Slater (special teams).

Patriots players with Jacksonville-area ties are TE Aaron Hernandez, LB Brandon Spikes and DE Jermaine Cunningham (suspended) who played at the University of Florida.

Former Jaguars returning as Patriots are LB Tracy White and G Dan Connolly.

The Patriots have 5 New England natives on the roster they are: TE Aaron Hernandez (Bristol CT); OL Donald Thomas (New Haven CT); DE Ron Brace (Worcester MA); LB Niko Koutouvides (Plainville CT) and OL Jamey Richard (Weston CT – IR). 

They have 11 players who played for a New England school or a Big East Conference member.  They are CB Will Allen (Syracuse – IR); DE Ron Brace (Boston College); RB James Develin (Brown); RB Tony Fiametta (Syracuse – Exempt List); DE Justin Francis (Rutgers); S Stephen Gregory (Syracuse); DE Chandler Jones (Syracuse); CB Devin McCourty (Rutgers); OL Donald Thomas (UConn); OL Jeremiah Warren (South Florida – Practice Squad) and NT Vince Wilfork (Miami).

The Patriots have 6 retired numbers: 20 – Gino Cappelletti, 40 – Mike Haynes, 73 – John Hannah, 78 – Bruce Armstrong, 79 – Jim Lee Hunt and 89 – Bob Dee.

Jaguars Team Notes

Here is the Jaguars roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.

2012 Jaguars Schedule/Results

Jacksonville’s all-time record is 140-146-0 and they are 5-6 in the playoffs with their last playoff appearance coming in 2007.  That season the Jaguars beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road in the AFC Wild Card game and lost in Foxboro to the Patriots in the AFC Division game. 

The Jaguars have never appeared in a Super Bowl.

The Jaguars have new ownership after Wayne Weaver sold the team to Sahlid Khan in January.  Khan had previously tried to purchase the St. Louis Rams.

This is the Jags final home game of 2012.

They have only 1 home win in 2012 the fewest ever in a single season for the franchise.

This is the fourth series meeting between the teams in Jacksonville, the Jags are 1-2 as the home team.  The lone win is a playoff win.

Jacksonville is one of four teams New England has never lost to in the regular season (5-0).

This is the Jags 4th game in a row against an AFC East team, they have lost the previous three games.

Since 2002 Jacksonville has 13-17 record against teams in the AFC East.

The Jaguars have had losing streaks this year of 2-, 3- and 7-games.

Jacksonville starters (offense and defense) have missed a combined 70 games due to injury this season.

The Jags lead the NFL with 6 two point conversion attempts they are 3 for 6 (50%).

Jacksonville has only lead after three quarters in 3 of the 14 games they played this season.

The Jags are only 1 of 3 teams in 2012 without a non-offensive touchdown.

The Jaguars are 31st in the NFL in points per game with 15.6.  While they allow 27.4 points per game good for 29th in the NFL.

The Jacksonville defense has sacked the opponents quarterback 15 times this season while their quarterbacks have been sacked 42 times.

Jacksonville is PLUS 1 in turnover differential, 16th in the NFL. The offense has given up 11 INT and 9 fumbles, while the defense has 10 INTs and 9 fumble recoveries. 

The Jaguars are 53 for 185 (28.6%) in 3rd down efficiency and 7 for 21 (33.3%) on fourth down attempts.  Opponents are 79 for 189 (41.8%) in 3rd down efficiency and 4 for 7 (57.1%) on 4th down attempts.

Jacksonville is 14 of 31 (%) in the red zone while opponents are 32 for 61 (52.5%) in the red zone in 2012. 

In goal to go situations Jacksonville is 10 for 14 (71.4%) and opponents are 22 for 28 (78.6%).

Jaguars Staff Notes

Read what Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey had to say to the New England media about the match up.

Mike Mularkey is 2-12 in his first season with Jacksonville.  He was 14-18 in two seasons with Buffalo for an overall record of 16-30.

He is 0-4 vs. New England in his career.

Prior to coming to Jacksonville he was the offensive coordinator for 4 years with the Atlanta Falcons.

Mularkey is one of 9 former NFL players who are current head coaches in the NFL.

Mularkey replaced interim head coach Mel Tucker who replaced Jack Del Rio with 5 weeks remaining in the 2011 season.  Del Rio in nearly 9 seasons had a 73-63 regular season record.  He was also 1-2 in the playoffs.

Tucker remained as the assistant head coach/defensive coordinator.

Linebackers coach Mark Duffner was the head coach at the College of the Holy Cross from 1981-1991.

Defensive line coach Joe Cullen played at UMass from 1986-89 and he coached there from 1990-91.

Jaguars Possible Starters

Offense:

  • LT: Monroe
  • LG: Pasztor
  • C: Meester
  • RG: Nwaneri
  • RT: Bradfield
  • TE: Lewis
  • WR: Blackmon
  • WR: Shorts
  • QB: Henne
  • RB: Owens
  • RB: G. Jones

Defense:

  • DE: Babin
  • DT: Alualu
  • DT: Mosley
  • DE: Mincey
  • LB: Stanford
  • LB: Posluszny
  • LB: Allen
  • LCB: M. Harris
  • RCB: Cox
  • S: Landry
  • S: Lowery

Jaguars Players Notes

Chad Henne is 1-3 as the Jaguars starting QB.  Henne was 13-18 in 4 seasons with Miami.  Overall he has a record of 14-21 in 5 NFL seasons. 

Henne was the Miami Dolphins 2nd round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft out of the University of Michigan.

He is 1-4 vs. New England in his career all with Miami.

Henne is 112 of 216 (51.9%) for 1438 yards with 8 TDs and 5 INTs.  His QB rating is 75.7.

He replaced Blaine Gabbert who was placed on the IR prior to Week 12.  Gabbert was 5-19 as a starting QB in his 2nd NFL season. 

He was the Jaguars 1st round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft out of the University of Missouri.

RB Maurice Jones-Drew has missed the last 8 games with a foot injury.  Despite that he still leads the team in rushing yards with 414.

WR Justin Blackmon leads Jacksonville with 51 catches.

WR Cecil Shorts has four 100-yard receiving games this season.  He is 75-yards short of 1,000 yards for the season he would be the first Jacksonville receiver to have a 1,000 yard season since 2005.

Shorts' 925 receiving yards lead the Jaguars.

P Bryan Anger enters the game with 82 punts through 14 games, four shy of setting the single-season franchise record.

C Brad Meester is expected to start his 73rd consecutive game, the third most in team history. Meester owns the franchise record with 92 consecutive starts.

DT C.J. Mosley enters the game with a team leading 3 fumble recoveries in 14 games. He is one shy of tying the single-season franchise record.

LB Paul Posluszny enters the game with three interceptions, tied for the most of his career.

He is tied for the team lead with CB Derek Cox.

Posluszny leads the Jags with 207 tackles for the season.

DT Tyson Alualu leads Jacksonville with 3 sacks.

Jacksonville’s captains for 2012 are C Brad Meester, Gabbert, LB Daryl Smith, Posluszny and RB Montell Owens (special teams).

Jacksonville players with New England ties are:

  • DT Terrance Knighton is a native of Hartford CT.
  • LB Julian Stanford is a native of Bloomfield CT.
  • RB Jordan Todman is a native of North Dartmouth MA.

Former Patriots DB Antwaun Molden is now playing with the Jaguars. 

DE Jeremy Mincey was originally selected by New England in the 6th round of the 2006 NFL Draft.

RB Rashad Jennings (concussion) and RB Maurice Jones-drew were the only two Jaguars to miss practice both Wednesday and Thursday.  Jennings has missed the last 2 games and Jones-Drew has missed the last 8 games.  I would expect both not to dress on Sunday.

The other Jacksonville players who did not participate on Wednesday all had full participation on Thursday and should be expected to play.

CB Aaron Ross (calf) was the only player to be limited on both Wednesday and Thursday.  All the others that were limited on Wednesday returned to full participation on Thursday.

The Jaguars have 6 players who played for a New England school or a Big East Conference member.  They are LS Jeremy Cain (UMass); RB Montell Owens (Maine); DE George Selvie (South Florida); RB Brock Bolen (Louisville – IR); G Jason Spitz (Louisville – IR) and RB Jordan Todman (UConn – IR)

Jacksonville has 1 retired number for Tony Boselli (71).

Next Week

The Patriots host the Miami Dolphins next Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro MA.  Kick off is at 1 p.m. on CBS.

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