Paw Prints – Western Michigan Broncos (2-2) @ UConn Huskies (2-2) Preview

Paw Prints - UConn football

This week:

Western Michigan Broncos @ UConn Huskies

The UConn Huskies will finish up the non-conference portion of their schedule on Saturday afternoon when they’ll host the Western Michigan Broncos at 3:30 p.m. at Rentschler Field.

Here are the rosters for the Huskies and the Broncos.

The Line/Prediction:

According to Rivals.com odds, UConn is favored by three points. The over/under is 44 points.

My prediction is UConn 27 Western Michigan 17

Tickets:

According to Ticketmaster.com, there are still plenty of tickets available for the game.

Getting To The Game:

Here is link for the weather report. Here is all the parking info you will need for the game, this link includes directions to Rentschler Field. Here is a Rentschler Field seating chart and here is some general information for Rentschler Field.

The parking lots will open up 4 hours before kickoff. Here is a list of the tailgating rules at the Rent.

At UConn home games, FanFest takes place starting four hours before kickoff up until 30 minutes before the game. This year, it moves to between Gates A and B outside the stadium gates.

The offerings change each game, but activities typically include inflatable games for children, live bands, promotional vehicles and UConn student-athletes from various team signing autographs.

The “Husky Walk” is a chance for fans to welcome the UConn teams as they get off the team buses and head to the stadium. That takes place at approximately two hours and 15 minutes before kickoff between Gates A and B.

Once again this season at the end of home games, the UConn team will sing the “UConn Husky” fight song in front of the student section at Rentschler Field.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Television:

Saturday’s game will be televised by SNY in the Connecticut and Northeast region. Bob Picozzi is on play-by-play while former North Carolina head coach John Bunting is on color. It will also be available online at ESPN3.com.

In the Kalamazoo area, the game will be broadcast on WZZM.

The game will also be replayed on SNY in a condensed mode on the “Husky Power Hour” on Sunday, Oct. 2 at 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 12:30 p.m. The game will be replayed in its entirity on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 1:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 7:00 p.m.

Radio:

For the 20th consecutive season, WTIC 1080-AM in Hartford serves as the flagship station for the UConn Radio Network. WTIC is the state’s only 50,000 watt signal and can be heard in 23 states and parts of Canada.

Veteran UConn announcers Joe D’Ambrosio (play-by-play) and Wayne Norman (color commentary) return to call the action with Kevin Nathan on the sidelines.

The UConn pregame show begins 90 minutes prior to kickoff, while home games, the UConn Tailgate Show will air two and a half hours prior to the game with Arnold Dean. 

UConn football games are also broadcast over the internet at WTIC.com. Here is a  full list of stations on the WTIC/UCONN radio network.

Western Michigan Radio:

The game will be broadcast live on the Bronco Radio Network: 96.5 FM (Kalamazoo, Portage, Mattawan); 96.1 FM (Hollad, Grand Rapids, Muskegon), 94.1 FM (Lansing, Jackson, Battle Creek), and 94.3 FM (Detroit). Robin Hook (play-by-play) and Monty Porter (analysis) will have the call beginning at 11 a.m.

To continue reading the Western Michigan Broncos @ UConn Huskies preview, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Last Week:

The Huskies went on the road and beat the Buffalo Bulls 17-3. The Broncos gave the Illinois Fightin Illini all they could handle in a 23-20 loss.

History:

Saturday’s game is just the second-ever meeting between UConn and Western Michigan in the sport of football. The only other meeting was a 41-27 victory by the Huskies on Nov. 1, 2003 at Rentschler Field — in the stadium’s debut year.

Connections:

  • There are no players from the state of Michigan on the UConn roster and likewise there are no Connecticut players on the WMU roster.
  • WMU head coach Bill Cubit played at Delaware from 1971-74 and UConn dropped three games to UDel during his career, including games in Storrs in ‘72 and ‘74.
  • UConn special teams coordinator/running backs coach Clayton White was an assistant at Western Michigan in 2006 working with the DBs as the team played in the International Bowl.
  • WMU safeties coach Rich Nagy is a 1987 Trinity graduate was a GA there in 1988…He is a native of Fairfield and his younger brother Charlie Nagy was a baseball All-American at UConn, an All-Star major leaguer for 14 years mostly with the Cleveland Indians and now the pitching coach of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
  • Connecticut assistant head coach/defensive line coach Hank Hughes was the defensive line coach at Memphis (1998-2000) and coached current WMU defensive line coach Lou Esposito.
  • WMU head coach Bill Cubit has faced Cincinnati and West Virginia during his tenure but was not on staff in 2003 when the Broncos last faced Connecticut. Director of football operations Tim Knox and director of medical services Kyle Blecha are the only two members of the staff that were on staff the only other time WMU played UConn.

Other UConn News:

Here are the quotes from UConn head coach Paul Pasqualoni’s press conference as well quotes from some of the players. You can watch Pasqualoni’s press conference if you have the time.

Here is UConn’s depth chart for the game.

UConn head coach Paul Pasqualoni has won more BIG EAST Conference games (league contests only) than any other coach in history. Pasqualoni has 62 league wins from 1991-2004 while Frank Beamer of Virginia Tech is second with 57.

With the Sept. 3 win vs. Fordham and Saturday’s win vs. Buffalo, Pasqauloni is also first in league history in overall wins with 109 to top the mark of Beamer with 108. The distant third is Don Nehlen of West Virginia at 61.

Pasqualoni became the first Husky coach since 1923 to win his UConn coaching debut. The last coach to win a Husky debut was Sumner Dole in 1923.

A number of members of the 2011 Huskies were named to preseason “Watch Lists” for 2011. They are:

  • Sophomore Tight End Ryan Griffin (Londonberry, N.H.)
    • John Mackey Award Watch List
  • Senior Kicker Dave Teggart (Northborough, Mass.)
    • Lou Groza Collegiate Placekicker Award
  • Senior Defensive Tackle Kendall Reyes (Nashua, N.H.)
    • Outland Trophy, given to the best interior lineman in the country
    • Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given to the best defensive player in the country;
    • Lombardi Award, given to the best offensive or defensive lineman in the country.
  • Senior center Moe Petrus (St. Laurent, Que.)
    • Outland Trophy
    • Lombardi Award
  • Senior offensive tackle Mike Ryan (Tamaqua, Pa.)
    • Lombardi Award

Connecticut enters Saturday’s meeting vs. Western Michigan with a 17-2 record against opponents from the Mid-American Conference (MAC) since making the move to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2002. The two losses includes a 30-16 defeat at Temple last year. Prior to that game, Connecticut’s last loss to a MAC opponent came back on Sept. 28, 2002, when it dropped a 24-21 overtime decision vs. Ball State.

UConn’s record vs. MAC teams also includes wins over Ohio in 2009 and Temple in 2008 during the regular season and against Buffalo in the 2009 International Bowl.

Connecticut boasts a 42-19 record against non-conference opponents in the regular season since making the move to the FBS in 2002.

The Huskies have won 17 of their last 23 regular season non-league games overall with the only blemishes coming via a one-point loss at Virginia (17-16) in 2007, losses to North Carolina in 2008 and ‘09, Michigan and Temple in ‘10 and Vanderbilt and Iowa State in ‘11.

UConn has posted the following records in non-conference regular season games: 6-6 (2002), 9-3 (2003), 4-1 (2004), 3-1 (2005), 3-2 (2006), 4-1 (2007), 4-1 (2008), 4-1 (2009), 3-2 (2010) and 2-2 (2011).

Here are the categories where UConn is ranked in the top 40 in the 2011 NCAA statistics.

  • Rushing Defense – 24th at 91.25 yards (Fifth in BIG EAST)
  • Pass. Eff. Defense – 10th at 96.44 (First in BIG EAST)
  • Total Defense – 14th at 272.00 (First in BIG EAST)
  • Scoring Defense – 12th at 13.50 (First in BIG EAST)
  • Pass Defense – 23rd at 180.75 (First in BIG EAST)
  • Sacks – 14th at 3.25 (Second in BIG EAST)
  • TFL – 9th at 8.25 (Fourth in BIG EAST)

Individual leaders

  • Rushing – Lyle McCombs, 45th at 91.50 (Third in BIG EAST)
  • Sacks – Sio Moore, t16th at 0.88 (Third in BIG EAST)
  • Interceptions – B. Jones/J. Johnson, t21st at .5 (t3 in BIG EAST)
  • TFL – Kendall Reyes, T21th at 1.63 (Third in BIG EAST)
    Teddy Jennings, T24th at 1.50 (Fourth in BIG EAST)

Notes from this week’s opponent Western Michigan:

Here is video from Western Michigan head coach Bill Cubit’s press conference.

Western Michigan’s flight trip to Connecticut is its first plane travel trip since the 2008 Texas Bowl. The 2009 and 2010 seasons marked the fi rst time the Broncos had gone back-to-back seasons with a flight travel trip since the 1986 and 1987 seasons.

Western Michigan is 2-8 against teams currently in the Big East with both all-time wins coming against Louisville (prior to the Cardinals joining the conference).

Western Michigan’s last game against a Big East team came in the 2007 opener at West Virginia after closing out the 2006 season against Cincinnati in the 2007 International Bowl.

WMU boasts three team members on preseason watch lists (Alex Carder — O’Brien, Manning; Jordan White — Biletnikoff; Kevin Galeher — Rimington).

WMU has two former players on the coaching staff — Ryan Cubit (2004-06) – Quarterbacks; Jake Moreland (1996-99) – Tight Ends.

WMU goes on the road to face a bowl team from the 2010 season six times this year (Michigan, Illinois, Connecticut, Northern Illinois, Toledo, Miami).

WMU has a live horse lead the team onto the field during home games in 2011, marking the first season since 1997. The horse, named Triumph by the fans via an online poll, is ridden by WMU freshman Alyssa Davison. WMU is 2-0 with Triumph so far this season.

Friday UConn Football Links:

Predictions: Big East Week 5 [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

What to watch in the Big East: Week 5 [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Martin Hyppolite practicing, other Thursday notes [Chip Malafronte – New Haven Register]

Recruits Visiting This Weekend, Puyol Talks About Record 54 FG [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Video: Watch Kicker And UConn Recruit Bobby Puyols’ 54-Yard Field Goal [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Thoughts From UConn Coach Pasqualoni Pre-Western Michigan [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Thursday update [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]

Game Preview – Connecticut Huskies vs. Western Michigan Broncos [BigEast.org]

Military Appreciation Day [UConnHuskies.com]

Top UConn football booster gives his blessing to move to ACC [Danbury News-Times]

McEntee Starting; Huskies Not Pleased With 2-2 Record [Hartford Courant]

Western Michigan’s Rich Nagy Grew Up In Fairfield, Played At Trinity [Hartford Courant]

Huskies need to improve ground game [SNY.tv]

Next Week:

The Huskies will open up Big East play next Saturday afternoon when they head to Morgantown, WV to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers.

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

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 9/30

Paw Prints The 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 some of the other sports. 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.

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

UConn Football links

The UConn football links can be found in the Friday football links section of the Western Michigan vs UConn preview.

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Dom answered a few questions in his mailbag [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

Kemba Walker versus Jimmer Fredette [UConn Huskies Basketball]

Marketing to young athletes can be trouble for all involved [Norwich Bulletin]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Moriah Jefferson not expected at First Night [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Other UConn related links

W. Soccer. Huskies Take On Notre Dame, Aired On ESPNU [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Soccer. TopDrawerSoccer men’s college team of the week [SI.com]

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

In The Red Zone: New England Patriots at Oakland Raiders Preview – Week 4

In The Red Zone

This Week

New England Patriots @ Oakland Raiders

The New England Patriots visit the Oakland Raiders at Overstock.com Coliseum on Sunday at 4:15 p.m.

The Patriots (2-1) are 1-1 on the road, 1-0 against the AFC West and 2-1 in the conference.  The Raiders (2-1) are 1-0 at home, 1-1 vs. the AFC East and 2-1 against the conference.

The Line/Prediction

As of Thursday the line on the game from Yahoo! Sports has the Patriots at minus 4.  The over/under is 55.

My Prediction is Patriots 41, Raiders, 30.  Give the points (Patriots) and take the over.  I am 2-1 against the spread and 3 of 3 on calling the over/under in 2011.

Tickets

The Raiders are reporting the game as a sellout.

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 rollin’ to the game with all the gangsta’s in Oakland make sure you check out the links.

Here is the up to date weather forecast from the Weather Channel for Oakland CA.

Click for all the game day information including stadium directions, parking and stadium information, parking map and an Overstock.com Coliseum 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 Wilcotts 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 716.

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, former Patriot Gino Cappelletti does the color and new this year Scott Zolak will man the sidelines. It all starts with Gary Tanguay, Andy Gresh and Zolak with the pregame show at 4 p.m. along the network. The post game starts after the final gun and continues for three hours along the network.

If you are outside the broadcast are of the stations on the Patriots Radio Network you can purchase NFL Field Pass, which allows you to listen to any game live.  You can also pick which teams broadcasters you want to listen to.

All NFL Games are also available on Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio also carries all the NFL games under a special additional package.  They usually only carry the home team feed.

The Patriots radio network call is available on Sirius Channel 86 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 866.

The Raiders Radio Network has Greg Papa calling play by play and former Raiders head coach Tom Flores doing the color via their flagship station KSFO.  Their call is available on Sirius Channel 113, XM Channel 229 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 865.

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 teams website in the media section.

To continue reading the New England Patriots @ Oakland Raiders preview, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Last Week

The Patriots lost to the Bills on the road 34-31 as Tom Brady threw 4 INT’s; while the Raiders beat the Jets, 34-24 at home.

History

  • The Patriots lead the all-time series 16-15-1 including playoffs dating back to 1960 when both clubs were founding members of the AFL.
  • New England is 2-1 against Oakland in the playoffs. The Raiders won 24-21 in Oakland in 1976 while the Patriots won 27-20 in Los Angeles in 1985 and 16-13 in the “Tuck Rule Game” the final Foxboro Stadium game in 2001.
  • This is just the 5th regular season meeting between the teams since 1989.
  • The two teams last met in 2008 in Oakland with the Patriots winning, 49-26.

Patriots Team Notes

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

2011 Patriots Schedule/Results

The Patriots overall franchise record is 403-364-9.  They have won three Super Bowls (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) in six appearances.  They last appeared in the playoffs in 2010 when they lost at home to the New York Jets in the AFC Divisional Playoff, 28-21.  They last appeared in a Super Bowl in 2007 losing to the New York Giants 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII.  They won the AFC Conference championship that season with playoff wins over Jacksonville and San Diego.

The Patriots are the defending two-time AFC East Champions; they have won the division 8 times since 2000.

The Patriots are dedicating the 2011 season to the memory of Myra Hiatt Kraft, the late wife of owner Robert Kraft. Every Patriots player and coach will honor Myra’s memory by wearing a patch with her initials on it in recognition of her lifelong contributions to the local and global community and her influence on the charitable mission of the entire Patriots organization. The patch will be worn on the left chest of every player throughout the season.

Since Robert Kraft purchased the team in 1994 the Patriots are 3-2 vs. the Raiders.

The Patriots are just 2-6 vs. the Raiders in Oakland including playoffs.

Since 2000 the Patriots have the 2nd best road record in the NFL at 58-32.  Only Indianapolis 59-30 has better road record in the same span.

Since 2003 New England is 29-5 in October with a 13-4 mark on the road.

The Patriots have scored 30 or more points in 11 consecutive regular season games.

New England will be wearing pink apparel in support of the NFL’s Breast Cancer Awareness initiatives this month.

The Patriots defense has allowed opponents to convert 43.2% of the time. While the Patriots offense has a 3rd down conversion rate of 54.5%.

The New England defense has sacked the opponents quarterback 6 times in 3 games.

The Patriots are 2nd in the NFL (tied with New Orleans) in points per game with 34.7.  While they allow 26.3 points per game good for 27th in the NFL.

New England is now plus 2 in turnover differential, 5th best in the NFL (tied with 4 others).  The offense has given up 5 INT and 0 fumbles, while the defense has 5 INT and 2 fumble recoveries.

As of this week the Patriots are 9:2 odds to win the Super Bowl.

Patriots Staff Notes

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

Bill Belichick is 5-1 vs. Oakland in his career.  He is 3-1 against them as the head coach in New England including 1-0 in the playoffs.

Overall in his NFL career Belichick is 164-95 in 16 NFL seasons.  He is 128-52 with New England and 36-44 with Cleveland.  He is 15-6 in the playoffs, 14-5 as head coach of the Patriots in the post season.  When you combine his regular season and post season records he is 179-101.

Belichick’s 179 wins are good for 10th all-time.  Bill Parcells is 9th with 183 wins.

He was named NFL Coach of the Year for the 3rd time in 2010.

Patriots Possible Starters

Defense:

  • DE: Ellis
  • DT: Wilfork
  • DE: Carter
  • OLB: Spikes
  • ILB: Mayo
  • OLB: Ninkovich
  • LCB: McCourty
  • RCB: Arrington
  • DB: Bodden
  • S: Brown
  • S: Barrett

Offense:

  • LT: Light
  • LG: Mankins
  • C: Connolly
  • RG: Waters
  • RT: Solder
  • QB: Brady
  • RB: Woodhead
  • TE: R. Gronkowski
  • WR: Welker
  • WR: Branch
  • WR: Ochocinco

Patriots Players Notes

This Tom Brady’s 12th NFL season he is 2-1 vs. the Raiders including 1-0 in the playoffs.

Overall Brady is 113-33 as a starting QB and is 14-5 in the playoffs for an overall record of 127-38.  Brady is a 6 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.

In 2010 Brady won his second NFL MVP and he was the first unanimous winner in league history.

Brady is 50-23 on the road in his career in the regular season.

Brady has thrown 11 TD’s and 5 INT’s while being sacked 3 times in three games.

Brady has 272 TD passes in his career he is now 10th all-time.  Joe Montana is 9th with 273 and Vinnie Testaverde is 8th with 275.

He has thrown for 1,327 yards in just three games which is a NFL record for most passing yards by any quarterback in any three game stretch of a season.

Last week was Brady’s 6th career 4 INT game the others were in 2006 vs. Indianapolis; 2005 vs. Kansas City, 2004 in Miami; 2003 in Buffalo and 2001 in Denver.

WR Wes Welker now has catches in 82 consecutive games including playoffs, 68 as a Patriot.  The last time Welker did not have a catch in a game was 12/24/05 as a Dolphin.

Welker set a franchise record with 217 receiving yards on 16 catches last week in Buffalo.  The previous record was 214 yards set by Terry Glenn in 1999.  The 16 catches ties the team mark set by Troy Brown in 2001.

CB Kyle Arrington now has a team leading 3 INT’s in 2011 after grabbing a pair last week in Buffalo.

TE Rob Gronkowski tied a Patriots team record by grabbing a TD pass in his 5th consecutive game.  He shares the mark with Randy Moss, Daniel Graham, Michael Timpson and Jimmy Colclough.

He also had career high 7 catches vs. the Bills.

LB Jerod Mayo leads the team with 25 tackles.

DE Mark Anderson leads the club with 2 sacks; he also has 2 quarterback hits.

WR Matthew Slater and LB Tracy White, who has made special teams his specialty, lead the in special teams tackles with 3 each.

OL Brian Waters stands guard of Tom Brady.

The Indianapolis Colts signed Patriots practice squad LB A.J. Edds to their 53-man roster on Wednesday. DE Alex Silvestro was signed to take his place on the practice squad.  He was with the team this summer in training camp.

On the injury front looks like DE Mike Wright (concussion) and TE Aaron Hernandez (MCL) will be out come Sunday, neither has practiced at all, although Hernandez was available to reporters near the beginning of the week which is usually a sign the player is okay.

T Sebastian Vollmer (back) and DT Albert Haynesworth (back) both have missed practice all week they’ll probably be doubtful for Sunday.

S Patrick Chung has been limited in practice after missing last week’s game against Buffalo with a thumb injury.  Look for him to listed as questionable for Sunday.  Anyone else with injuries has had full participation in practice this week and should be good to go for the Raiders game.

The Patriots have four New England natives on the roster they are: TE Aaron Hernandez (Bristol CT); OL Donald Thomas (New Haven CT); S James Ihedigbo (Northampton MA) and DE Ron Brace (Worcester MA – PUP).  They have 8 players who played for a New England school or a Big East Conference member.  They are: WR Deion Branch (Louisville); S James Ihedigbo (UMass); C Dan Koppen (Boston College); CB Devin McCourty (Rutgers); NT Vince Wilfork (Miami), OL Donald Thomas (UConn); DE Mike Wright (Cincinnati) and DE Ron Brace (Boston College – PUP).

The Patriots have 7 retired numbers: 20 – Gino Cappelletti, 40 – Mike Haynes, 73 – John Hannah, 78 – Bruce Armstrong, 79 – Jim Lee Hunt and 89 – Bob Dee.

Raiders Team Notes

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

2011 Raiders Schedule/Results

The Raiders all-time record is 420-344-11 and they are 25-18 in the playoffs with their last playoff appearance coming in 2002 when they lost Super Bowl XXXVII to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  They won the AFC Championship that season by beating the New York Jets and Tennessee Titans in the playoffs.  Oakland has won 3 Super Bowls (XI, XV, XVIII) in 5 appearances.

They won the AFL Championship in 1967 and lost to Green Bay in Super Bowl II.

The Raiders have told the league that the playing surface will be re-sodded this week and their will be no dirt infield area as the Athletics are done playing for the year.

The Raiders are 10-6 all-time against New England at home including 1-1 in the playoffs.

Oakland is 11-15 vs. the AFC East since 2001 including playoffs.

Overstock.com Coliseum (aka Oakland-Alameda County/Network Associates/McAfee Coliseum) is the 5th facility the Raiders have called home.  The others include Kezar Stadium (1960), Candlestick Park (1960-61), Frank Youell Field (1962-65) and Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (1982-94).

Overstock.com Coliseum has been the Raiders home twice from 1966-81 and then from 1995 to the present.

Raiders raise expectations but keep their focus on the next challenge.

The fans of Raider Nation, better known as “The Black Hole”, are back at the Coliseum.

The Oakland defense has allowed opponents to convert 42.1% of the time. While the Oakland offense has a 3rd down conversion rate of 38.2%.

The Oakland defense has sacked the opponents quarterback 10 times in 3 games.

The Raiders have the 5th rated scoring offense in the NFL averaging 30.7 points per game.  While they allow 27.3 points per game, good for 28th in the NFL.

Oakland is now plus 3 in turnover differential, 4th best in the NFL.  The offense has given up 1 INT and 2 fumbles, while the defense has 3 INT and 3 fumble recoveries.

Raiders Staff Notes

See what Oakland Raiders head coach Hue Jackson had to say to the New England media about the match up.

Jackson is in his first year as a head coach and is 2-1.

Jackson replaced the embattled Tom Cable who was fired at the end of the 2010 season and is now on Pete Carroll’s coaching staff in Seattle.

After spending several season’s in the college ranks with Pacific, Cal State-Fullerton, Arizona State, California and USC, Jackson has been a coach in the NFL since 2001 with Washington, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Baltimore and Oakland.

This is his first opportunity to be a head coach in either college or the NFL.

He is the 15th head coach of the Raiders franchise and the 9th since 1995.

Amy Trask is the only woman in her role as CEO of a team in the NFL.

Al Davis has been the coach, general manager or an owner of the Raiders since 1963 with the exception of a four-month period in 1966 when he was the AFL Commissioner.  After the merger was announced he purchased 10% ownership of the team in July 1966 and he was placed in charge of football operations.

He has been the principal majority owner of the Raiders since 1972.

In 1992 the Brockton, MA native was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Raiders Players Notes

Jason Campbell is 29-38 as a starting QB.  He is in his second season with Oakland and he is 10-6.  In five seasons he was 19-32 with the Washington Redskins.  Campbell was the Redskins first round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft out of Auburn.

Campbell has thrown 3 TD’s and 1 INT while being sacked twice in three games.

QB Terrelle Pryor who was taken in the third round of the Supplemental Draft in August is appealing his 5-game NFL suspension for his actions in the Ohio State tattoo for memorabilia scandal.  He is in the fourth week of his suspension.

RB Darren McFadden leads the NFL in rushing with 392 yards after he scorched the Jets for 171 yards and 2 TD’s last week in Oakland’s win.

McFadden suffered a groin injury in the 4th quarter of the New York game but he reported it not to be serious.

And the Raiders offensive line is coming of age and is a big key in the emergence of McFadden.

Former Patriots DE Richard Seymour has his own sack celebration and he wants to show it off to his old team on Sunday.  He wasn’t thrilled with how Belichick handled his departure from Foxboro and you should see a motivated Seymour come Sunday.

Seymour talks about his days in Foxboro and what it will be like playing against the team he grew up with.

Raiders K Sebastian Janikowski is living up to Raider lore after being arrested last year for assaulting a woman.

Oakland’s captains for 2011 are RB Rock Cartwright, P Shane Lechler, Seymour, Campbell and McFadden.

There are 7 players on the Oakland roster from Big East universities and New England based colleges. They are: CB Tyvon Branch (UConn); LB Ricky Brown (Boston College); DT Desmond Bryant (Harvard); RB Michael Bush (Louisville); CB Chris Johnson (Louisville); RB James McCluskey (Boston College – IR) and DB Joe Porter (Rutgers).

The Raiders do not retire numbers, although #00, which was worn by Raiders center Jim Otto, is no longer allowed to be issued as part of the league wide number policy.

Next Week

The Patriots host the New York Jets next Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro MA.  Kick off is at 4:15 p.m. on CBS.

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem

Red Sox News & Notes – 9/30

Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona, left, speaks as general manager Theo Epstein listens during a news conference at Fenway Park in Boston, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011, one day after the Red Sox failed to make the baseball playoffs. Epstein said he won't make a scapegoat of Francona after the team's unprecedented September collapse, and that everyone will be evaluated this offseason, including the manager and GM. But he said "nobody blames" the team's 7-20 in the final month on Francona.

It still hurts folks so I’m not ready to talk about what transpired just yet. And now that someone has poured some salt in the wound in regards to the news that Terry Francona may be out as skipper of the Boston Red Sox, it hurts even more.

You can catch the links from yesterday and the overnight by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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

Report: Francona Out as Red Sox Manager [SOX & Dawgs]

Why Francona Deserves To Stay [SOX & Dawgs]

Better things to dwell on [Boston Globe]

Sox collapse brings a cold dose of reality to young fans [Boston Globe]

Post-mortem leaves question of Francona’s future unanswered [Boston Globe]

Lackey, Crawford will be key projects [Boston Globe]

A run on errors [Boston Globe]

Red Sox roster status [Boston Globe]

Fundamental changes needed [Boston Globe]

Wrong right off the bat for Red Sox [Boston Herald]

Sox relive history by imploding yet again [Boston Herald]

Let’s play the blame game [Boston Herald]

Red Sox a team in turmoil [Boston Herald]

In closing, Papelbon leads [Boston Herald]

Blame it all on excuses [Boston Herald]

Anatomy of a collapse [Boston Herald]

Tito’s time may be up [Boston Herald]

Fixing John Lackey’s game ‘big priority’ for ’12 [Boston Herald]

Merloni: Either Theo or Tito will probably go [CSN New England]

Nation STATion: Red Sox flawed from the start [CSN New England]

Epstein addresses season full of ‘regrets’ [CSN New England]

Francona speaks on team bonding trouble [CSN New England]

Future for Francona may be up in air [CSN New England]

Schilling: Firing Tito isn’t the answer [ESPN Boston]

Video: Red Sox collapse by the numbers [ESPN Boston]

Olney and Kurkjian on potential Sox fallout [ESPN Boston]

Olney: Reading tea leaves on Theo and Tito [ESPN Boston]

Epstein: Nobody blames Francona [ESPN Boston]

Tito: I don’t have problem with Lackey [ESPN Boston]

Theo: ‘We’d love to keep’ Ortiz, Papelbon [ESPN Boston]

What were the odds? How ’bout 278 million to 1? [ESPN Boston]

Underachieving Boston Red Sox flunked chemistry [ESPN Boston]

Signs point to end for Terry Francona with Boston Red Sox [ESPN Boston]

Moments Carl Crawford, Marco Scutaro and Jonathan Papelbon will never forget [Full Count]

After the crash, Red Sox face unsettled future [Full Count]

Francona, Epstein leave questions about their Red Sox futures unanswered [Full Count]

The Free-Agent Question: Ortiz, Papelbon, Lackey, Crawford and Red Sox decision-making [Full Count]

Epstein: Red Sox failed conditioning test [Full Count]

Greenville Drive alum Ryan Lavarnway gets taste of ‘March Madness’ [GoUpstate.com]

A New Curse Is Born [Hartford Courant]

Injury Excuse Falls Flat for Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox [NESN.com]

Red Sox Doomed by Base Running Blunders in Late Innings [NESN.com]

Dustin Pedrioa to Get Screw Removed From Left Foot on Friday [NESN.com]

Video: Terry Francona, Theo Epstein Not Ready to Discuss Respective Futures With Red Sox [NESN.com]

Video: Theo Epstein Admits Some Members of Red Sox Didn’t Meet Team’s ‘High Standards’ in Regards to Conditioning [NESN.com]

Terry Francona Steps Out of Character, Shares Concerns He Had With Character of Team [NESN.com]

Video: Theo Epstein Not Offering Any Excuses, Not Blaming Any One Person for Red Sox’ Collapse [NESN.com]

Theo Epstein Exonerates Terry Francona for September Swoon [NESN.com]

John Lackey, Carl Crawford Symbols of Red Sox’ Recent Issues With Free-Agent Signings [NESN.com]

If someone has to go, it should be Theo [Providence Journal]

Key players to remain, but changes on the way [Providence Journal]

A unified front on day after the season’s bitter end [Providence Journal]

Francona, Epstein say they saw signs of trouble early on [Providence Journal]

Epstein wants to keep Papi, Papelbon in fold [RedSox.com]

Getting Lackey back on track ‘big priority’ [RedSox.com]

Crawford out to rebound from ‘rough’ season [RedSox.com]

Red Sox, Francona to mull manager’s future [RedSox.com]

Chemistry, conditioning played role in decline [RedSox.com]

Red Sox Organization Forced Into Offseason Under Microscope After Stunning Turn of Events [Tom Caron – NESN.com]

For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSN New England,  ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.

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

Photo credit: AP Photo

Report: Francona Out as Red Sox Manager

It’s funny how things work out sometimes. Late last night, Steve wrote a post about why Boston Red Sox skipper Terry Francona deserves to stay as the manager of the team.

Manager Terry Francona #47 of the Boston Red Sox watches batting practice before the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 28, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland.A little while after he posted this, the Twitter world was a buzz with a report from Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com stating that Francona was out as Red Sox manager with an announcement coming on Friday.

Terry Francona will meet with Red Sox management on Friday morning, and the expected resolution is that he no longer will be the team’s manager, major league sources say.

While Francona’s departure is not certain, it is the likely outcome, in part because he is pressing for a resolution, sources say. He would not be fired; the Red Sox would simply decline their club options on him for 2012 and ’13.

If Francona is leaving on his own, then I’m okay with this. Could you blame him? Especially with the reports of discord in the Red Sox clubhouse involving the starting pitchers.

We all may not agree with his managerial style at times. But he did what no other Red Sox manager had done since 1918. And that’s win a World Series with the Red Sox. And he won twice.

On Thursday, Tito and GM Theo Epstein held their annual end of the season state of the Red Sox. And with emotions still raw from what happened, the basic nuts and bolts of it all was that Francona would not be made a scapegoat for what happened.

Well if it’s true they aren’t going to exercise the options on his contract, then isn’t that exactly what they are doing. Epstein said that he is ultimately responsible for what happened because he put this club together.

So why isn’t the Red Sox ownership group holding him accountable as well? He put this together. He gave Tito a good squad but in the end, it was a team that lacked chemistry.

How else can you explain the fact the team started 2-10 and finished the season 7-20? You can’t blame Tito for that. The players need to be held accountable.

It’s always a coach or a manager that takes the fall. Why can’t a player take the fall? If one or two or a group of them are the cause of the problem, shouldn’t you fix it? “Firing” the manager isn’t the answer.

Baseball is a business, I understand that. Don’t most businesses fire people who aren’t getting the job done?

Yeah, that’s what I thought too.

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

Photo credits: Getty Images

Why Francona Deserves to Stay

Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona, left, speaks as team general manager Theo Epstein listens during a baseball news conference at Fenway Park in Boston, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011. Epstein said he won't make a scapegoat of skipper Terry Francona after the team's unprecedented September collapse.

Well we all know the story so I will refrain from a total rehash of it here.  But before we get into Terry Francona, Red Sox fans of all ages and ahem, hat colors, need to realize something.

The New York Yankees did not owe the Boston Red Sox anything.  Joe Girardi could have trotted out an A-Ball team and that would have been his right.  His job is to prepare his team the best he can for the upcoming playoffs.

If he feels that the resting of key players prior to the playoffs is the way to go then so be it.  I, and Red Sox fans everywhere should, have no qualms with how Girardi decided to run his team the last week or so.

The Red Sox put themselves in that hole because of poor play, plain and simple.  It was not the Yankees job to help get them out of it.  Just like it wasn’t the Baltimore Orioles job to roll over the last two weeks and to credit of the O’s players and staff they didn’t either.

As Bill Parcells said “you are what your record says you are.”  Period. Amen. The Red Sox are the third best team in the AL East.  Look it up.

With that said I truly believe Francona deserves to stay.  His track record, as far as I am concerned, earns him that.  While everyone, including Francona, failed to do things that needed to be done to win games, to place all the blame on the manager is ridiculous.

At times, I felt he under-managed, especially when it came to the pitchers.  There were occasions he left in starters too long, or showed too much trust in some of the relievers and not enough trust in others.  Sometimes for very logical reasons, sometimes for reasons that only he and pitching coach Curt Young fully understand.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Fans, especially in the information age, think they know everything when in fact we don’t.  We know more about our favorite teams and players than we did even a decade ago, but teams, especially the Red Sox, do everything in their power to hide, disguise and skirt the injury issue.  Prime examples of this are the injuries to Daisuke Matsuzaka and Clay Buchholz.

Because we as fans are not privy to this information sometimes we don’t know, understand or can’t fully grasp the situation why certain players are used and others are not.

Trust issues in the bullpen led Francona and Young to practically burn out Alfredo Aceves and Daniel Bard.  You saw it before your own eyes Wednesday night when Aceves couldn’t find the plate and appeared gassed before he even threw a pitch.

Why do you think Bard, who spent the first 4 and half months as the premier set up man in baseball, all of a sudden fell apart?  He was relied on too heavily because of poor confidence in other members of the bullpen.

Is that the fault of Francona or Young? Possibly but they can only put out there who they have to put out there.  The failure to get another major league ready reliever at the deadline was a huge mistake.

This team counted on a healthy Bobby Jenks and never saw one and yet never replaced him.

Then there’s the failure of the starters who spent most of September in the showers before the game was half over.  Players play, coaches coach.  They players were on the field and they failed to execute in September and it was ugly.

Young should get to stay as well he is too good of a pitching coach to be one year and done.  I was excited when they hired him after he decided to leave Oakland and I still am.  He has a proven track record and much like a manager or head coach in other sports sometimes it takes a year for the results of your program to start taking hold.

Fans also wanted to see Francona “bunt more” and play “small ball”.  Let me ask you this.  Who on the team, in that lineup is capable of that brand of baseball?  Have you ever seen Crawford bunt?  He’s awful.  Do you want to take the bat out the hands of Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, Adrian Gonzalez or Kevin Youkilis?

To all of sudden change the way you play the game after 5 months and go against the way the team was built is not the way to win ball games.  You can’t expect players to bunt when they don’t do it.

If you work as a deli clerk is it fair to you for me to say you should be able to handle working in the pharmacy too?  It’s not something you normally do and I wouldn’t expect you to do it well.

I don’t feel the melt down was all on Francona but like the players there are things he can work on doing better.  Francona is a smart guy, he will learn from this.  A guy doesn’t go from being a genius in July to an idiot in September.

The situation he has in Boston is a good one.  He has a seemingly good relationship with most of the players, his staff and the front office.  While there are things they all need to discuss it isn’t so terrible.  Everyone has conflicts at work, they happen in the supermarket business, the engineering business and in sports.  It’s life and you’re still dealing with individuals no matter how much you share of the same philosophies and theories.

There are changes to be made though and it should come in the dismissal of third base coach Tim Bogar.  I haven’t seen this many runners gunned down at home since the days of “Wave ‘em in” Wendell Kim or Dale Sveum.

The third base coach should be someone who has either done it for a long time or was a recent minor league manager.  Bogar was neither when he was given that job after DeMarlo Hale was moved to the bench.

Ron Johnson, the former Pawtucket manager, should be moved from 1st base coach to 3rd base coach and then they need to hire a first base coach who can instruct a team on base running technique.

In addition to all the runs lost at the plate, numerous other base running gaffs costs the team big innings and wins along the way.  It started in spring training and continued through out the season.  I still see Darnell McDonald ending the 6th game of the year in Cleveland by over running 2nd base.  It seemed like a week didn’t go by without 3 or 4 base running mistakes killing the team.  Luckily most of the season they were able to overcome them with the bats.

But with injuries to Kevin Youkilis and J.D. Drew, as well as David Ortiz, Jed Lowrie, Marco Scutaro and Dustin Pedroia all led to players trying at times during the season to do more.  How many times this year was Ortiz thrown out on the bases? McDonald? Pedroia?  And what the hell was Scutaro doing in game 162?

These are all fundamental mistakes that hurt.  A loss in April or May is still a loss just as it in September.  In theory, McDonald’s base running gaff in game 6 of the season may have cost the team a playoff spot just as much as the Bogar/Scutaro gaff of game 162.  They are preventable mistakes.

I really think the Sox need to hire Gabe Kapler as the base running/1st base coach.  There have been fewer players who were as smart on the base paths as Kapler.  He had decent speed but he never had wasted effort and he knew when to rely on what he saw and when to rely on the coach.  The team needs someone like him and I think being not so far removed and the front office’s love for him he would be perfect.  We need less of Ortiz and others getting thrown out by a mile.

As Theo Epstein said “we all failed collectively”.  It’s time to pick up the pieces and get ready to start all over again because before you know it the free agent frenzy will begin and then it will be truck time.  This team is good and they will be back its just going to be a longer winter than what we’ve been used to lately.

Photo credit: AP Photo

2011 NLDS Schedule

2011 National League Division Series

The teams for the 2011 National League Division Series are set as the Philadelphia Phillies (NL East Champs), Milwaukee Brewers (NL Central Champs), Arizona Diamondbacks (NL West Champs) and St. Louis Cardinals (NL Wild Card) have all qualified for the 2011 MLB Postseason.

By virtue of finishing with the best record in the NL, the Phillies would have home field advantage throughout the playoffs if they should advance that far. The NL does hold the home field advantage in the World Series since they won the 2011 MLB All-Star Game that was held at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ back in July.

The matchups are set as well as the Phillies will face the Cardinals while the Brewers will face the Diamondbacks.

Here is the schedule for each matchup (will be updated as warranted):

St. Louis Cardinals vs Philadelphia Phillies

Saturday, October 1st: Game 1 – Cardinals @ Phillies, 5:07 p.m.
TV: TBS
Announcers: Dick Stockton (play-by-play), Bob Brenly (analyst), Craig Sager (reporter)

Sunday, October 2nd: Game 2 – Cardinals @ Phillies, 8:07 p.m.
TV: TBS
Announcers: Dick Stockton (play-by-play), Bob Brenly (analyst), Craig Sager (reporter)

Tuesday, October 4th: Game 3 – Phillies @ Cardinals, 5:07 p.m.
TV: TBS
Announcers: Dick Stockton (play-by-play), Bob Brenly (analyst), Craig Sager (reporter)

Wednesday, October 5th: Game 4 – Phillies @ Cardinals, 6:07 p.m.
TV: TBS
Announcers: Dick Stockton (play-by-play), Bob Brenly (analyst), Craig Sager (reporter)

Friday, October 7th: Game 5 – Cardinals @ Phillies, 8:37 p.m.
TV: TBS
Announcers: Dick Stockton (play-by-play), Bob Brenly (analyst), Craig Sager (reporter)

Click the read more button below to see the schedule for the Brewers and Diamondbacks if you’re on the home page.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs Milwaukee Brewers

Saturday, October 1st: Game 1 – Diamondbacks @ Brewers, 2:07 p.m.
TV: TBS
Announcers: Victor Rojas (play-by-play), Joe Simpson (analyst), Sam Ryan (reporter)

Sunday, October 2nd: Game 2 – Diamondbacks @ Brewers, 4:37 p.m.
TV: TBS
Announcers: Victor Rojas (play-by-play), Joe Simpson (analyst), Sam Ryan (reporter)

Tuesday, October 4th: Game 3 – Brewers @ Diamondbacks, 9:37 p.m.
TV: TNT
Announcers: Victor Rojas (play-by-play), Joe Simpson (analyst), Sam Ryan (reporter)

Wednesday, October 5th: Game 4 – Brewers @ Diamondbacks, 9:37 p.m.
TV: TBS
Announcers: Victor Rojas (play-by-play), Joe Simpson (analyst), Sam Ryan (reporter)

Friday, October 7th: Game 5 – Diamondbacks @ Brewers, 5:07 p.m.
TV: TBS
Announcers: Victor Rojas (play-by-play), Joe Simpson (analyst), Sam Ryan (reporter)

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

2011 ALDS Schedule

2011 American League Division Series

The teams for the 2011 American League Division Series are set as the New York Yankees (AL East Champs), Detroit Tigers (AL Central Champs), Texas Rangers (AL West Champs) and Tampa Bay Rays (AL Wild Card) have all qualified for the 2011 MLB postseason.

The Yankees finished with the best record in the American League and will have home field advantage all the way through the ALCS. The National League holds home field advantage in the World Series by virtue of their win in the 2011 MLB All-Star Game at Chase Field In Phoenix, AZ back in July.

The matchups are set as well as the Yankees take on the Tigers while the Rangers will take on the Rays.

Here is the schedule for each matchup (will be updated as warranted):

Tampa Bay Rays vs Texas Rangers

Friday, September 30th: Game 1 – Rays @ Rangers, 5:07 p.m.
TV: TBS
Announcers: Don Orsillo (play-by-play), Buck Martinez (analyst), Jaime Maggio (reporter)

Saturday, October 1st: Game 2 – Rays @ Rangers, 7:07 p.m.
TV: TNT
Announcers: Don Orsillo (play-by-play), Buck Martinez (analyst), Jaime Maggio (reporter)

Monday, October 3rd: Game 3 – Rangers @ Rays, 5:07 p.m.
TV: TBS
Announcers: Don Orsillo (play-by-play), Buck Martinez (analyst), Jaime Maggio (reporter)

Tuesday, October 4th: Game 4 – Rangers @ Rays, 2:07 p.m..
TV: TBS
Announcers: Don Orsillo (play-by-play), Buck Martinez (analyst), Jaime Maggio (reporter)

*Thursday, October 6th: Game 5 – Rangers @ Rays, 5:07 p.m
TV: TBS
Announcers: Don Orsillo (play-by-play), Buck Martinez (analyst), Jaime Maggio (reporter)

Click the read more button below to see the schedule for the Yankees and Tigers if you’re on the home page.

 

Detroit Tigers vs New York Yankees

 

Saturday, October 1st: Game 1 – Tigers @ Yankees, 8:37 p.m.
TV: TBS
Announcers: Brian Anderson (play-by-play), Ron Darling (analyst), John Smoltz (analyst) and Tom Verducci (reporter)

Sunday, October 2nd: Game 2 – Tigers @ Yankees, 3:07 p.m.
TV: TNT
Announcers: Brian Anderson (play-by-play), Ron Darling (analyst), John Smoltz (analyst) and Tom Verducci (reporter)

Monday, October 3rd: Game 3 – Yankees @ Tigers, 8:37 p.m.
TV: TBS
Announcers: Brian Anderson (play-by-play), Ron Darling (analyst), John Smoltz (analyst) and Tom Verducci (reporter)

Tuesday, October 4th: Game 4 – Yankees @ Tigers, 8:37 p.m.
TV: TBS
Announcers: Brian Anderson (play-by-play), Ron Darling (analyst), John Smoltz (analyst) and Tom Verducci (reporter)

Thursday, October 6th: Game 5 – Tigers @ Yankees, 8:07 p.m.
TV: TBS
Announcers: Brian Anderson (play-by-play), Ron Darling (analyst), John Smoltz (analyst) and Tom Verducci (reporter)

*if necessary

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Four Red Sox Farmhands In Top 20 South Atlantic League Prospects By Baseball America

Baseball America is busy right now putting together its top 20 prospects lists by league now that the minor league baseball season is over. They got it started with the Arizona League, the Gulf Coast League, Appalachian League, Pioneer League, the Northwest League,  NY/Penn League and the Midwest League.

Boston Red SoxNow it’s time to take a look at where any Red Sox farmhands ranked in the top 20 of the South Atlantic League where the Greenville Drive play.

The Red Sox had four farmhands ranked in the top 20 as outfielder Brandon Jacobs (8th), shortstop Xander Bogaerts (10th), outfielder Bryce Brentz (16th) and first baseman Miles Head (20th) all garnered some attention.

Jacobs was a 10th round draft choice for the Red Sox in 2009 out of high school and has moved up a level each year. This season in Greenville, Jacobs hit .303 with 17 home runs, 80 RBIs and 30 stolen bases in 115 games.

Bogaerts was signed as international free agent in 2009 out of Aruba. The 19 year-old skipped the GCL and NY/Penn Leagues and put himself on the map with a solid 2010 season. In 72 games for the Drive, Bogaerts hit .260 with 16 home runs, 45 RBIs and one stolen base.

Brentz was a first round draft choice for the Red Sox in 2010 out of Middle Tennessee State and spent a better portion of his season playing in Salem. He played in 45 games for the Drive where he hit .359 with 11 home runs, 36 RBIs and two stolen bases. In 75 games with Salem, Brentz hit .274 with 19 home runs, 58 RBIs and one stolen base. When you combine his stats for the season, he hit .306 with 30 home runs, 94 RBIs and three stolen bases.

Head was a 26th round draft choice out of high school for the Red Sox in 2009. He also split his season with the Drive and Salem. In 66 games for the Drive, Head hit .338 with 15 home runs, 53 RBIs and four stolen bases. In 63 games for Salem, he hit .254 with seven home runs and 29 RBIs. When combining his stats between the two clubs, Head hit .299 with 22 home runs, 82 RBIs and four stolen bases.

Since the Red Sox don’t have a team anymore in the California League (which gets announced today), the next look we’ll have is on Friday when the top 20 prospects for the Carolina League are announced.

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

Red Sox News & Notes – 9/29

Boston Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia(notes) reacts in the dugout in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011, in Baltimore. Baltimore won 4-3, and Boston was eliminated from the playoffs after the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees in extra innings minutes after Boston's loss.

This one hurts! That’s all I got for y’all this morning. I’ve got nothing to say right now other than this one hurts!

You can catch the overnight links by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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

Dead Sox [Boston Globe]

Red Sox nation flies south, brings angst [Boston Globe]

Wakefield wants to come back [Boston Globe]

Plenty of question marks for Epstein [Boston Globe]

Stealth Bombers in Bronx [Boston Globe]

Dream year ends in tatters [Boston Globe]

Seeing it for themselves made it even worse [Boston Globe]

Sox fans left with nothing but long trip home from the bar [Boston Globe]

Longoria, Rays finish a wild-card comeback [Boston Globe]

Red Sox complete collapse [Boston Herald]

Players back Tito [Boston Herald]

Red Sox forever choked [Boston Herald]

Season over for Kevin Youkilis [Boston Herald]

‘Devastating blow’ for Red Sox [Boston Herald]

Carl Crawford’s fitting end [Boston Herald]

Red Sox did this to themselves [Chad Finn’s Touching All The Bases]

Sox miss playoffs after stunning loss [CSN New England]

Scutaro, Crawford come up short in key situations [CSN New England]

Papelbon’s rare blown save comes at worst time [CSN New England]

Sox problems run deeper than final loss [CSN New England]

WAR makes case for Ellsbury as MVP [ESPN Boston]

Rapid Reaction: Orioles 4, Red Sox 3 [ESPN Boston]

Vent and vote: What now for Red Sox? [ESPN Boston]

A fitting end to Crawford’s rough season [ESPN Boston]

Epstein: ‘We did this to ourselves’ [ESPN Boston]

Jonathan Papelbon at a loss for words [ESPN Boston]

Stunning ending to epic Sox collapse [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Roof caves in as Red Sox finish biggest September collapse ever [Full Count]

Reaction to the Collapse: Red Sox take stock of biggest September swoon ever [Full Count]

Down To The Wire In AL Wild Card Race [Hartford Courant]

Video: Terry Francona – ‘We Needed to Take Care of Business and We Didn’t’ [NESN.com]

Video: Red Sox’ September Collapse ‘Inexcusable’ for Team That Was Built to Win This Season [NESN.com]

Jonathan Papelbon Not Looking for Excuses After Blowing Save, Suffering Crushing Defeat in Season Finale [NESN.com]

Video: Red Sox Can’t Live Up to Lofty Expectations As September Collapse Turns Season Into ‘Complete Failure’ [NESN.com]

Video: Adrian Gonzalez Says Red Sox Couldn’t Take Advantage of ‘Really Good Chance,’ Says Injuries Played Major Role in Collapse [NESN.com]

Video: Theo Epstein – ‘We Have No One to Blame But Ourselves’ [NESN.com]

Theo Epstein, Terry Francona Will Share Heat Following Red Sox Loss As They Search for Answers [NESN.com]

Red Sox Will Be Remembered as One of Most Disappointing Teams in Major League History [NESN.com]

COLLAPSE COMPLETE: Orioles beat Sox, 4-3, and end Boston’s season [Providence Journal]

Many twists and turns on baseball’s final night [Providence Journal]

Instead of a cakewalk, they walk off the plank [Providence Journal]

Sox couldn’t capitalize on their chances in September [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Gonzalez has been there before [Providence Journal]

Baserunning gaffe proves costly to Scutaro [RedSox.com]

Wild ride over: Sox’s playoff dream blown away [RedSox.com]

Crawford’s season ends on sour note [RedSox.com]

Why Terry Francona was one who deserved (and deserves) better [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSN New England,  ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the Baltimore Sun website. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, the Oriole Post.

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

Photo credit: AP Photo