To go along with today's Union Leader story about Kendal Volz and the approach of the Red Sox to signing draft picks, here's a full "Asked and Answered" with Red Sox assistant general manager Ben Cherington.
The deadline to sign draft picks -- Volz was a ninth-round pick of the Red Sox in June and is the lone college player drafted by the Red Sox in the top 15 rounds who has not yet signed -- is Aug. 17.
With the negotiations with Volz, because he wanted to work on his mechanics and also because he wasn't drafted as highly as he expected, did you expect all along that it would take until August until he signed (if at all)?
We knew when we drafted him that he was coming off a year that was probably a little less than what his expectations were. He was a high-profile guy coming off last summer and his first two years at Baylor, and, in the spring, he was one of the higher-profile college pitchers. He didn’t have the spring I’m sure he wanted to have. When we drafted him, we knew he wanted to go out and pitch this summer and regain his form if he could and show people what he could do. It wasn’t about knowing that negotiations would take a certain amount of time. We knew he wanted to pitch, and we knew we’d get a chance to get to see him more.
How common is it for teams and players to do that, to just shelve negotiations until the last couple of weeks before the deadline?
I don’t think it’s uncommon. There are college players every year that use the summer leagues as a forum to show what they can do or to try to get back to form. The two months or however long it is from the draft to Aug. 16 is valuable time. Sometimes teams use it to gather more information and evaluation and to keep talking, and sometimes the player wants to use it to show what he can do and to work on things. Sometimes both the team and player want to use it.
What are the factors that determine whether a player signs quickly and easily or a player either doesn't sign or takes all summer to sign? Is it mostly a matter of money, or is it usually similar to what Volz is doing now?
It can be all of the above. There are times in the draft when, on the day of the draft, you feel like your evaluation of the player is complete and you’ve got all the information you need to make that evaluation and the player is very clear about what he’ll sign for and you value him at a spot in the draft that’s consistent with that kind of signing bonus. Those are the ones that are taken and sign quickly. With the other scenario, there’s a variety of other types of cases. Generally, they all lead toward needing more time for the team to continue the evaluation – maybe they didn’t see enough of the player in the spring or have information missing or the player was hurt a little bit and needs to get healthy. Sometimes the player isn’t sure whether he wants to sign or go to college and needs more time to consider that option.
From our perspective, certainly, there are players that we feel like are good candidates to sign right away because our evaluation is done, it’s clear what the asking price is, and it matches up with the evaluation. Those are the guys who are out playing now. But there also are times when using the rest of the summer makes sense.
Is it easier or harder to place a specific value on a draft pick than on a major-league free agent?
It’s really a very similar exercise as in the major leagues. The big difference is that it’s not a free-agent market – there’s only one team negotiating with the player. You evaluate the talent and you evaluate and identify what you think is the upside and what the potential is down the road, and then you compare that to the rest of the draft class and where that player’s talent matches up relative to his draft class. You can go back in time and look at other players in similar situations in the last two or three years and build a case for why a player fits into a certain category in terms of his signing bonus by comparing a player to a similar pick in years past or a player with a similar profile or ability in years past. That process is fairly similar to what we do with big-league free agents except, again, there’s only one team involved in the negotiation.
How do you deal with the temptation to go a little bit further with a guy so you don't let him go and get burned later the way, say, not signing someone like Matt LaPorta probably hurts a little bit now?
That temptation can be there, and that’s similar with any personnel decision we make whether it’s a trade or a major-league free agent. Anytime you’re evaluating a player, you have to place a value on that player and an evaluation of what you’re willing to pay. Sometimes it’s in the form of players that you’re paying in a trade, and sometimes it’s in the form of a contract or a signing bonus. You’ve got to evaluate what that is and place a value on it. Sometimes you do go a little bit past what is the point of pain to get a deal done, but at the end of the day, you’ve got to be true to your evaluation, and you’ve got to be true to how you evaluated the player at that time. If not, we inevitably will start to become inefficient with our money.
You can always look back in hindsight – you bring up LaPorta, and I don’t know what it would have taken because we never got that close – but had we gone further, depending how much further, one might say that would have been a good decision. But we have hundreds of players that we negotiate with every year – be it in the draft or international free agency or whatever the market is – and if we live by that principle that, with every single one, we’re always tempted to go further and get a deal done, we’re going to be spending a lot of money and not getting much for it. It’s hard to evaluate in retrospect. We do look back, and we look back at cases that we didn’t get right. But we have to try to stay disciplined to what the evaluation is at the time. ...
When you’re trying to buy a house, you start with a number that you feel really good getting a house for. We all know how often you usually get to that number. You generally have to compromise in some way, and you bump up at a point where it starts to feel painful.
Do you have any fun stories or anecdotes about negotiations with some of the players who have come up through the system in recent years, what those negotiations were like?
No, nothing that comes to mind right away. Looking back, it’s always very easy to see the truth more clearly. Pedroia signed for whatever he signed for – I wasn’t involved personally, but, at the time, I’m sure he was asking for more money. I’m sure we said, at the time, ‘This is our offer, and we believe it’s fair because of X, Y and Z. We compare you to this player and that player.’ Well, fast-forward five years, and he was probably right. He was probably worth more money. But there are just as many examples of the opposite where, in retrospect, it wasn’t worth it. That kind of thing happens all the time.
Showing posts with label askedanswered. Show all posts
Showing posts with label askedanswered. Show all posts
Monday, August 10, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Asked and answered: Clay Buchholz
Clay Buchholz will make his first start at Fenway Park on Tuesday in almost exactly a year. Last July 29, he pitched into the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels and probably would have emerged with a pretty decent-looking line if not for a Garret Anderson home run and a couple of inherited runners relief pitcher Craig Hansen allowed to score.
Buchholz wouldn't see the seventh inning again that season. He left after six unspectacular innings in Kansas City a week later, failed to get out of the fourth inning in Chicago a week after that and was sent back to the minor leagues for good after getting knocked around in the third inning against Baltimore at Camden Yards.
Now, though, he's back in the major leagues and looking to reverse that trajectory. Below is an interview conducted on Friday for this story that ran in Sunday's Union Leader:
Now that you've got two starts under your belt, how do you feel like everything is going?
"The first start, it was really nerve-wracking, the first time back up, all that stuff. The last start, I felt like everything from the first batter of the game, there was a lot of stuff going on – people on base every inning. I didn’t have any 1-2-3 innings, and I had to throw a lot of pitches.
"I’m better right now than where I was last year when everything was going on. I don’t think anything is bad. I’ve got to make a few adjustments on the curveball to get the curveball in the strike zone more consistently, and instead of having just two pitches to work with throughout the first four or five pitches in the game, I’ll throw that one in there and see what else happens. I feel good with everything that’s going on so far."
What goes into the decision to not throw the curveball as much as you normally might?
"I hadn’t really had my good curveball like I normally do probably the last three times I’ve been out. My last start in Pawtucket, it didn’t feel right, and in Toronto, it felt different than it normally does. I’m working on that right now, trying to get that back in the mix to where I can use it on a more consistent basis."
Having already made your debut once but then spending a year away for the major leagues, how is it different this time around?
"The first time I came up, I didn’t know anything else except what I’d been doing, so I came up and rolled with all the punches thrown at me. Last year, being sent down and this year, being my first time back up, I think I was more nervous, from that aspect, coming back up after being gone for a while – not to try to prove a point but to show everybody that I worked hard to get to where I was at this whole year and am trying to keep it that way."
Do you worry much about pitch efficiency -- like throwing 90 pitches in four innings at Texas -- or is that something that comes with time?
"That comes from trying not to let them hit it. That was the comment I made the other day: I’ve had a lot of quick innings throughout this year with throwing it in the zone and letting them hit it at somebody. But whenever you’ve got your guys (on offense), you're trying to help them out, trying to keep runs off the board and get on a roll. I feel like it’s coming pretty soon. This team’s full of great hitters, and it’s only a matter of time before the sticks roll around.
"But I was trying to give them a way to come in and score some runs and start a little winning streak here. I started picking at the corners instead of throwing it over the middle and letting them hit it. In deep counts, you throw a lot of pitches. I’ve done that a couple of times this year, though."
Is that a matter of attacking a major-league lineup differently than you'd attack a minor-league lineup?
"No, I’ve gotten pulled in the fourth or fifth inning at Pawtucket a couple of games for being at 92 or 93 pitches. It just comes with throwing strikes, I guess. I threw a lot of strikes the other night, but when it came to the counts where I needed to put them away, I had three 0-2 counts, and all three of them ended up getting on base. That’ll get your pitch total up a little bit.
"It’s just not being scared to throw it – if you make a mistake and throw it over the plate, maybe they hit it and get a hit or maybe they hit it at somebody or maybe they don’t hit it at all. Instead of just trying to make them swing and miss, I pick to contact. That’s the key."
Does the July 31 trading deadline mean anything to you, at least to the extent that you'll be relieved when it's past?
"No, you can’t go out on the field and worry about things that are out of your control. It’s been that way all year. I’ve had people go out and ask me about the trade talks and everything throughout this whole season. It is what it is. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, I’m here, and I’m hoping I’ll go out there every fifth day and help this team win."
Buchholz wouldn't see the seventh inning again that season. He left after six unspectacular innings in Kansas City a week later, failed to get out of the fourth inning in Chicago a week after that and was sent back to the minor leagues for good after getting knocked around in the third inning against Baltimore at Camden Yards.
Now, though, he's back in the major leagues and looking to reverse that trajectory. Below is an interview conducted on Friday for this story that ran in Sunday's Union Leader:
Now that you've got two starts under your belt, how do you feel like everything is going?
"The first start, it was really nerve-wracking, the first time back up, all that stuff. The last start, I felt like everything from the first batter of the game, there was a lot of stuff going on – people on base every inning. I didn’t have any 1-2-3 innings, and I had to throw a lot of pitches.
"I’m better right now than where I was last year when everything was going on. I don’t think anything is bad. I’ve got to make a few adjustments on the curveball to get the curveball in the strike zone more consistently, and instead of having just two pitches to work with throughout the first four or five pitches in the game, I’ll throw that one in there and see what else happens. I feel good with everything that’s going on so far."
What goes into the decision to not throw the curveball as much as you normally might?
"I hadn’t really had my good curveball like I normally do probably the last three times I’ve been out. My last start in Pawtucket, it didn’t feel right, and in Toronto, it felt different than it normally does. I’m working on that right now, trying to get that back in the mix to where I can use it on a more consistent basis."
Having already made your debut once but then spending a year away for the major leagues, how is it different this time around?
"The first time I came up, I didn’t know anything else except what I’d been doing, so I came up and rolled with all the punches thrown at me. Last year, being sent down and this year, being my first time back up, I think I was more nervous, from that aspect, coming back up after being gone for a while – not to try to prove a point but to show everybody that I worked hard to get to where I was at this whole year and am trying to keep it that way."
Do you worry much about pitch efficiency -- like throwing 90 pitches in four innings at Texas -- or is that something that comes with time?
"That comes from trying not to let them hit it. That was the comment I made the other day: I’ve had a lot of quick innings throughout this year with throwing it in the zone and letting them hit it at somebody. But whenever you’ve got your guys (on offense), you're trying to help them out, trying to keep runs off the board and get on a roll. I feel like it’s coming pretty soon. This team’s full of great hitters, and it’s only a matter of time before the sticks roll around.
"But I was trying to give them a way to come in and score some runs and start a little winning streak here. I started picking at the corners instead of throwing it over the middle and letting them hit it. In deep counts, you throw a lot of pitches. I’ve done that a couple of times this year, though."
Is that a matter of attacking a major-league lineup differently than you'd attack a minor-league lineup?
"No, I’ve gotten pulled in the fourth or fifth inning at Pawtucket a couple of games for being at 92 or 93 pitches. It just comes with throwing strikes, I guess. I threw a lot of strikes the other night, but when it came to the counts where I needed to put them away, I had three 0-2 counts, and all three of them ended up getting on base. That’ll get your pitch total up a little bit.
"It’s just not being scared to throw it – if you make a mistake and throw it over the plate, maybe they hit it and get a hit or maybe they hit it at somebody or maybe they don’t hit it at all. Instead of just trying to make them swing and miss, I pick to contact. That’s the key."
Does the July 31 trading deadline mean anything to you, at least to the extent that you'll be relieved when it's past?
"No, you can’t go out on the field and worry about things that are out of your control. It’s been that way all year. I’ve had people go out and ask me about the trade talks and everything throughout this whole season. It is what it is. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, I’m here, and I’m hoping I’ll go out there every fifth day and help this team win."
Saturday, May 23, 2009
'They want to get a hit off you really bad'
John Smoltz will make his second rehab start at MerchantsAuto.com Stadium in Manchester on Tuesday. He threw 29 pitches in three innings, allowing one hit and striking out two, in his first rehab start on Thursday at Single-A Greenville.
What do you want to get out of that start on Tuesday?
"More pitches. (chuckles) I want to throw more pitches, extend the innings, upgrade a couple of things each time out. It’s like a spring training game – make sure I get all my pitches into the game and execute."
Is it fun to get to pitch in some of those smaller minor-league parks in front of people who don't usually get to see you pitch?
"It is, and it isn’t. It is for that reason, and it isn’t from the results standpoint because you don’t really have a lot to gain. You’ve got to try to make your pitches in a situation where you know nothing about the hitters, and they want to get a hit off you really bad. I enjoy the experience, but at the same time, I’ve got to remind myself that I’m trying to get ready to come up to the big leagues and really face the top of the line."
(Yes, that's it. But this was a totally spontaneous interview conducted in a doorway as Smoltz was on his way out of the Red Sox locker room late Friday night, too late even to make it into Saturday's Union Leader story. It's a OneIf exclusive. What do you want from me?)
What do you want to get out of that start on Tuesday?
"More pitches. (chuckles) I want to throw more pitches, extend the innings, upgrade a couple of things each time out. It’s like a spring training game – make sure I get all my pitches into the game and execute."
Is it fun to get to pitch in some of those smaller minor-league parks in front of people who don't usually get to see you pitch?
"It is, and it isn’t. It is for that reason, and it isn’t from the results standpoint because you don’t really have a lot to gain. You’ve got to try to make your pitches in a situation where you know nothing about the hitters, and they want to get a hit off you really bad. I enjoy the experience, but at the same time, I’ve got to remind myself that I’m trying to get ready to come up to the big leagues and really face the top of the line."
(Yes, that's it. But this was a totally spontaneous interview conducted in a doorway as Smoltz was on his way out of the Red Sox locker room late Friday night, too late even to make it into Saturday's Union Leader story. It's a OneIf exclusive. What do you want from me?)
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Dustin Pedroia doesn't do UZR
Old-school baseball minds have started, gradually, to embrace the concepts of statistical analysis of offense -- on-base percentage, strikeout percentage, OPS+. They've been a little slower to come around on the idea of statistical analysis of defense.
A cover story in Sports Illustrated this spring brought the idea into the mainstream a little bit, but "UZR" still might as well be the Swedish word for "amusement park" for all the credence old-school baseball minds want to give it. (UZR stands for "ultimate zone rating," a measure of how many runs a player saves on balls hit into his zone of the field.)
And it doesn't get any more old-school than Dustin Pedroia.
How do you feel like you evaluate defense?
"It’s just errors. If you make all the routine plays and don’t give the other team more outs, that’s the biggest thing. If you’re giving major-league-caliber hitters more than 27 outs, you’re not going to win many games doing that. A lot of teams are focused on making all the routine plays and getting themselves back in and hitting. That’s the most important part because it’s tough enough pitching, especially at this level."
Do you incorporate some of the new ideas about defense, the zone ratings, the plus-minus, that sort of thing?
"No. I don’t think anybody really believes in that stuff. I don’t really know how they do that. My biggest focus is, if the ball is hit to me, pick it up and throw it and get an out. You don’t need zone ratings or anything like that to tell who’s a good defensive player and who’s not. You can pretty much look out on the field and tell who can play defense and who can’t."
Do you feel like good defense -- aside from not making errors -- contributes to the success of a pitcher?
"Yeah. You’ve got to position yourself right. If a guy’s dead pull, you shouldn’t play him the other way. You’ll give him more hits. Positioning is huge, playing defense, and if you position yourself the right way, you’re going to make more plays and get more outs, so pitchers’ ERAs are going to go down."
When you look at a game like that game two weeks ago against Tampa Bay, the game where Jon Lester got burned on ground balls that found holes in the infield, does that give you more confidence in some of those pitchers who have high ERAs?
"We always have confidence in our pitchers. Sometimes you run into those days where everything finds a hole. That’s just baseball. Our thing is, we just try to prevent that. We try to prevent those days from happening. Sometimes you look up and a team has 13 or 14 hits, and eight of them are ground balls that find holes. You just try to position yourself the best way you can to get those outs."
A cover story in Sports Illustrated this spring brought the idea into the mainstream a little bit, but "UZR" still might as well be the Swedish word for "amusement park" for all the credence old-school baseball minds want to give it. (UZR stands for "ultimate zone rating," a measure of how many runs a player saves on balls hit into his zone of the field.)
And it doesn't get any more old-school than Dustin Pedroia.
How do you feel like you evaluate defense?
"It’s just errors. If you make all the routine plays and don’t give the other team more outs, that’s the biggest thing. If you’re giving major-league-caliber hitters more than 27 outs, you’re not going to win many games doing that. A lot of teams are focused on making all the routine plays and getting themselves back in and hitting. That’s the most important part because it’s tough enough pitching, especially at this level."
Do you incorporate some of the new ideas about defense, the zone ratings, the plus-minus, that sort of thing?
"No. I don’t think anybody really believes in that stuff. I don’t really know how they do that. My biggest focus is, if the ball is hit to me, pick it up and throw it and get an out. You don’t need zone ratings or anything like that to tell who’s a good defensive player and who’s not. You can pretty much look out on the field and tell who can play defense and who can’t."
Do you feel like good defense -- aside from not making errors -- contributes to the success of a pitcher?
"Yeah. You’ve got to position yourself right. If a guy’s dead pull, you shouldn’t play him the other way. You’ll give him more hits. Positioning is huge, playing defense, and if you position yourself the right way, you’re going to make more plays and get more outs, so pitchers’ ERAs are going to go down."
When you look at a game like that game two weeks ago against Tampa Bay, the game where Jon Lester got burned on ground balls that found holes in the infield, does that give you more confidence in some of those pitchers who have high ERAs?
"We always have confidence in our pitchers. Sometimes you run into those days where everything finds a hole. That’s just baseball. Our thing is, we just try to prevent that. We try to prevent those days from happening. Sometimes you look up and a team has 13 or 14 hits, and eight of them are ground balls that find holes. You just try to position yourself the best way you can to get those outs."
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Asked and answered: Mike Lowell
Third baseman Mike Lowell has a unique bond with the suddenly disgraced Manny Ramirez -- the two are the only World Series MVPs in the history of the Boston Red Sox. And while several players offered their thoughts on the news that Ramirez had been suspended for 50 games, Lowell perhaps put it best:
Were you surprised when you heard the news?
"Absolutely. I'm surprised when I hear the news about anyone. He's another big-name guy and just another black eye for the game. Guys that are playing the game are trying to maximize the talents that they've been given naturally, but everyone's linked in that category. That's what's a shame. I understand that it's hard for Major League Baseball to glorify guys that they think are doing it right because we don't know. That's almost where it's gotten to. That's very unfortunate, but we keep finding these guys.
"The message is terrible, especially for young kids who might aspire to be major-league baseball players."
What's the protocol now as far as putting something in your body?
"I don't put (expletive) in my body. I don't understand why, now, anyone would come close to taking anything that could remotely result in a positive test. I don't know. In the past, if guys did it, they had the crutch that they weren't testing. But, nowadays, I don't really understand it. Maybe there was a secret society I wasn't invited to, but I don't get it. I don't. I wish I could, but I don't."
Do you think Manny was doing anything while he was here?
"I have no idea. I have no idea. He's a phenomenal hitter, and I never saw anything. I defer to asking Manny that question."
What would you say to people who now say '04 and '07 are tainted?
"Everyone's entitled to their opinion, but I don't feel like our '07 season was tainted. This is still a 25-man team. It remains to be seen what happened in '07, but Manny's going to be questioned a lot. I prefer talking about today's game and our next series. Manny's on another team right now. It would be a lot more prevalent if he was on our team; it would have affected us. But it really doesn't."
Does it surprise you more or hurt more because he was on your team?
"No, it hurts me because he made a personal choice and I think it was the wrong one and I think it sends a terrible message. Each person's got to look in the mirror in the morning. If you can live with it, it's up to you."
Do you see a time when this has all gone away?
"I would love to see a time, but it doesn't seem like it's anywhere near because we've got guys that keep, you could say, trying to beat the system. But like I said, I just don't understand why it would be done now. I don't get it."
If you get caught now, it's just stupidity, right?
"I would lean towards that, yeah."
Were you surprised when you heard the news?
"Absolutely. I'm surprised when I hear the news about anyone. He's another big-name guy and just another black eye for the game. Guys that are playing the game are trying to maximize the talents that they've been given naturally, but everyone's linked in that category. That's what's a shame. I understand that it's hard for Major League Baseball to glorify guys that they think are doing it right because we don't know. That's almost where it's gotten to. That's very unfortunate, but we keep finding these guys.
"The message is terrible, especially for young kids who might aspire to be major-league baseball players."
What's the protocol now as far as putting something in your body?
"I don't put (expletive) in my body. I don't understand why, now, anyone would come close to taking anything that could remotely result in a positive test. I don't know. In the past, if guys did it, they had the crutch that they weren't testing. But, nowadays, I don't really understand it. Maybe there was a secret society I wasn't invited to, but I don't get it. I don't. I wish I could, but I don't."
Do you think Manny was doing anything while he was here?
"I have no idea. I have no idea. He's a phenomenal hitter, and I never saw anything. I defer to asking Manny that question."
What would you say to people who now say '04 and '07 are tainted?
"Everyone's entitled to their opinion, but I don't feel like our '07 season was tainted. This is still a 25-man team. It remains to be seen what happened in '07, but Manny's going to be questioned a lot. I prefer talking about today's game and our next series. Manny's on another team right now. It would be a lot more prevalent if he was on our team; it would have affected us. But it really doesn't."
Does it surprise you more or hurt more because he was on your team?
"No, it hurts me because he made a personal choice and I think it was the wrong one and I think it sends a terrible message. Each person's got to look in the mirror in the morning. If you can live with it, it's up to you."
Do you see a time when this has all gone away?
"I would love to see a time, but it doesn't seem like it's anywhere near because we've got guys that keep, you could say, trying to beat the system. But like I said, I just don't understand why it would be done now. I don't get it."
If you get caught now, it's just stupidity, right?
"I would lean towards that, yeah."
Friday, May 1, 2009
Asked and answered: Charlie Williams, UNC wide receivers coach
Here's the full Q&A with Charlie Williams, who coached Patriots draftee Brandon Tate at North Carolina:
What were your first impressions of Brandon?
"What I saw was he was a dang good punt returner and kick returner. Once he started playing receiver, though, I was excited because we had three receivers who all did something different and something special.
(Hakeem Nicks was drafted in the first round by the New York Giants; Brooks Foster was drafted in the fifth round by the St. Louis Rams.)
"What he does is when he has the ball in his hands, he knows what to do with it. He knows how to catch the ball and run with it after the catch. He knows how to get a release and get downfield in a hurry. He can stick his foot in the ground and make that first guy miss, as well."
What is it that makes him such a dangerous kick returner?
"He has a feel for it. You have to have a feel for it. What we had to do was, after his junior year, we looked at all the tapes, and we needed him to stay with the return. He tried to deviate a lot of times. We got penalties because guys were going one way and he was going another. Once we got him to do that, he just set the world on fire."
Was he a guy who outran his blockers sometimes, too?
"He could do that, too. If there was a crease, he was going to hit that crease. That's what he did well: When he got in the open field, it was hard for people to make the play."
What does he have to do to contribute as a wide receiver in the NFL?
"All of them are going to have to learn how to adjust to the NFL game? What they'll see is a lot more press coverage in the league. It'll be hard for them to line up against press. Brandon was always an inside receiver for us; it would be a mismatch if they put a linebacker on him, and it would be a mismatch if it was a safety."
How does he adjust to the press coverage?
"He has good enough feet. He has good enough shake that he can get away from you. He has to use his hands, but he'll learn to do that well."
Does he compare to anyone you saw in the NFL when you were the wide receivers coach with the Buccaneers?
"He has the speed and quicks and can get off the line like Reidel Anthony got off the line. He has the shakes like Jacquez Green had to make the first guy miss -- and make the second guy miss."
Is playing next year a reasonable goal for him based on where he is in his rehab?
"Oh, yeah, no doubt. I know they'll rehab him and rehab him. If he's ready to play this year, where he'll help the is on special teams. I'm not saying he can't help them as a receiver, but if all they're asking him to do is punt returns and kick returns, he can help them."
Is he excited about the opportunity that's been created with the trade of Ellis Hobbs as a kick returner?
"Yeah. He's excited about the whole opportunity, No. 1. He's excited because he knows the Patriots are a playoff team and a Super Bowl-winning team. That's their goal, to get back to that point. He's just excited to have that opportunity."
Does he specifically want to contribute at receiver, or would he be happy just being a return guy?
"He wants to do it all. He can do it all. He knows he can help the team. They have great receivers on that team, and all he's going to do is add to it."
Speaking of those receivers, does he compare with Wes Welker at all?
"The thing Wes Welker does is that he gets open and he catches the ball. Brandon will get open and he'll catch the ball, and he's going to run after the catch. That's the part you need in the league: You've got to have some yards after the catch."
How did he approach his rehab?
"Let me just say this: It was hard on him. It was the first time he's really seriously been injured. It was hard on him. Now all that waiting game, that whole deal is over. They know they're going to get him up there and get after him in his rehab. The harder he works, the faster he recovers and gets on that field. What he wants to do is get on that field. When he sees his other buddies on the field with their teams, that's only going to make him more hungry."
What were his expectations for the draft?
"He realized that before the injury he was heading in the right direction and would have been among that top group of receivers drafted in the first round. After the injury, all he was hoping for was to get drafted."
What's he going to do during the rookie camps and training camps?
"It's all about doing the rehab. Minicamp is this weekend, but his whole deal at minicamp will be rehab. They'll be getting on a schedule and getting him on a program to rehab."
What were your first impressions of Brandon?
"What I saw was he was a dang good punt returner and kick returner. Once he started playing receiver, though, I was excited because we had three receivers who all did something different and something special.
(Hakeem Nicks was drafted in the first round by the New York Giants; Brooks Foster was drafted in the fifth round by the St. Louis Rams.)
"What he does is when he has the ball in his hands, he knows what to do with it. He knows how to catch the ball and run with it after the catch. He knows how to get a release and get downfield in a hurry. He can stick his foot in the ground and make that first guy miss, as well."
What is it that makes him such a dangerous kick returner?
"He has a feel for it. You have to have a feel for it. What we had to do was, after his junior year, we looked at all the tapes, and we needed him to stay with the return. He tried to deviate a lot of times. We got penalties because guys were going one way and he was going another. Once we got him to do that, he just set the world on fire."
Was he a guy who outran his blockers sometimes, too?
"He could do that, too. If there was a crease, he was going to hit that crease. That's what he did well: When he got in the open field, it was hard for people to make the play."
What does he have to do to contribute as a wide receiver in the NFL?
"All of them are going to have to learn how to adjust to the NFL game? What they'll see is a lot more press coverage in the league. It'll be hard for them to line up against press. Brandon was always an inside receiver for us; it would be a mismatch if they put a linebacker on him, and it would be a mismatch if it was a safety."
How does he adjust to the press coverage?
"He has good enough feet. He has good enough shake that he can get away from you. He has to use his hands, but he'll learn to do that well."
Does he compare to anyone you saw in the NFL when you were the wide receivers coach with the Buccaneers?
"He has the speed and quicks and can get off the line like Reidel Anthony got off the line. He has the shakes like Jacquez Green had to make the first guy miss -- and make the second guy miss."
Is playing next year a reasonable goal for him based on where he is in his rehab?
"Oh, yeah, no doubt. I know they'll rehab him and rehab him. If he's ready to play this year, where he'll help the is on special teams. I'm not saying he can't help them as a receiver, but if all they're asking him to do is punt returns and kick returns, he can help them."
Is he excited about the opportunity that's been created with the trade of Ellis Hobbs as a kick returner?
"Yeah. He's excited about the whole opportunity, No. 1. He's excited because he knows the Patriots are a playoff team and a Super Bowl-winning team. That's their goal, to get back to that point. He's just excited to have that opportunity."
Does he specifically want to contribute at receiver, or would he be happy just being a return guy?
"He wants to do it all. He can do it all. He knows he can help the team. They have great receivers on that team, and all he's going to do is add to it."
Speaking of those receivers, does he compare with Wes Welker at all?
"The thing Wes Welker does is that he gets open and he catches the ball. Brandon will get open and he'll catch the ball, and he's going to run after the catch. That's the part you need in the league: You've got to have some yards after the catch."
How did he approach his rehab?
"Let me just say this: It was hard on him. It was the first time he's really seriously been injured. It was hard on him. Now all that waiting game, that whole deal is over. They know they're going to get him up there and get after him in his rehab. The harder he works, the faster he recovers and gets on that field. What he wants to do is get on that field. When he sees his other buddies on the field with their teams, that's only going to make him more hungry."
What were his expectations for the draft?
"He realized that before the injury he was heading in the right direction and would have been among that top group of receivers drafted in the first round. After the injury, all he was hoping for was to get drafted."
What's he going to do during the rookie camps and training camps?
"It's all about doing the rehab. Minicamp is this weekend, but his whole deal at minicamp will be rehab. They'll be getting on a schedule and getting him on a program to rehab."
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Asked and answered: Kevin Youkilis
Here's what he's done so far this year:
* A .467 batting average
* A .529 on-base percentage
* A .778 slugging percentage
* Three home runs
* Five doubles
* Nine runs batted in
* Eleven runs scored
* Four hits, including a single, double and home run, on Saturday
Wow.
Four hits again tonight. What is it that's clicking for you?
"I've just been fortunate. I've gotten a couple of good pitches to hit and gotten good results. A lot of times, you base it on results -- well, in spring training, I couldn't get a hit, but I was hitting the ball good. I just didn't have any results. For me, right now, I'm having good results, and I've got to keep having good at-bats. If you have good at-bats, you give yourself a good chance to get hits."
Did you do anything different this off-season to let you hit the ground running like this?
"Nope. Same old stuff. I'm just going out and doing the same routine. I don't change anything. I'm going through the same routine I've always gone through. It's nothing different. I'm just trying to have good at-bats."
Did the World Baseball Classic help in terms of hitting intense pitching right away?
"I don't think that had anything to do with it because I had four days off, stuff like that. Right now, I'm just hitting the ball good and I've got to keep going up there and having good at-bats throughout the whole year and, hopefully, it turns out for the good."
With that double (in the eighth inning), you were a triple short of the cycle, did that cross your mind?
"When I was running? No. I was just trying to get to second base. I didn't know where the ball was because right off the bat, you've just got to run hard. You never know where the ball is, and you've just got to try to get to second base. I was just watching David (Ortiz) to see what he did. It's not a big deal for me. It's just getting on base and trying to score runs. If that stuff happens, a lot of times, you don't even know it. You're just going up there and trying to have good at-bats."
Did anyone mention hitting for the cycle to you?
"No, no one's mentioned it. For me, I'd rather hit another home run than a triple."
You mean you didn't yell at David, 'I would have had the cycle if you weren't in the way'?
"Nah, no chance. You can't really get a triple to left -- there'd be a lot of people diving and getting hurt. That'd be the only way. It's pretty hard to get a triple to left. But I don't really think about that stuff. I'm just going up there and trying to get hits. The cycle is nothing I've ever thought about doing in my life; I just want to get as many hits as possible. I'll take four doubles or a home run and single, double, triple."
Terry Francona said he feels like you're still getting better. Do you feel that way?
"I hope. I hope I'm not getting worse. I hope I get better as my career goes on and I can end my career on a high note someday, but at some point, there's going to be a struggle. Hitting's not easy. (On Friday) I didn't hit the ball well and didn't have a good day, but you bounce back and you've got to keep going. Everyone goes through a little bit of a slump. You just try to get out of it as soon as possible."
* A .467 batting average
* A .529 on-base percentage
* A .778 slugging percentage
* Three home runs
* Five doubles
* Nine runs batted in
* Eleven runs scored
* Four hits, including a single, double and home run, on Saturday
Wow.
Four hits again tonight. What is it that's clicking for you?
"I've just been fortunate. I've gotten a couple of good pitches to hit and gotten good results. A lot of times, you base it on results -- well, in spring training, I couldn't get a hit, but I was hitting the ball good. I just didn't have any results. For me, right now, I'm having good results, and I've got to keep having good at-bats. If you have good at-bats, you give yourself a good chance to get hits."
Did you do anything different this off-season to let you hit the ground running like this?
"Nope. Same old stuff. I'm just going out and doing the same routine. I don't change anything. I'm going through the same routine I've always gone through. It's nothing different. I'm just trying to have good at-bats."
Did the World Baseball Classic help in terms of hitting intense pitching right away?
"I don't think that had anything to do with it because I had four days off, stuff like that. Right now, I'm just hitting the ball good and I've got to keep going up there and having good at-bats throughout the whole year and, hopefully, it turns out for the good."
With that double (in the eighth inning), you were a triple short of the cycle, did that cross your mind?
"When I was running? No. I was just trying to get to second base. I didn't know where the ball was because right off the bat, you've just got to run hard. You never know where the ball is, and you've just got to try to get to second base. I was just watching David (Ortiz) to see what he did. It's not a big deal for me. It's just getting on base and trying to score runs. If that stuff happens, a lot of times, you don't even know it. You're just going up there and trying to have good at-bats."
Did anyone mention hitting for the cycle to you?
"No, no one's mentioned it. For me, I'd rather hit another home run than a triple."
You mean you didn't yell at David, 'I would have had the cycle if you weren't in the way'?
"Nah, no chance. You can't really get a triple to left -- there'd be a lot of people diving and getting hurt. That'd be the only way. It's pretty hard to get a triple to left. But I don't really think about that stuff. I'm just going up there and trying to get hits. The cycle is nothing I've ever thought about doing in my life; I just want to get as many hits as possible. I'll take four doubles or a home run and single, double, triple."
Terry Francona said he feels like you're still getting better. Do you feel that way?
"I hope. I hope I'm not getting worse. I hope I get better as my career goes on and I can end my career on a high note someday, but at some point, there's going to be a struggle. Hitting's not easy. (On Friday) I didn't hit the ball well and didn't have a good day, but you bounce back and you've got to keep going. Everyone goes through a little bit of a slump. You just try to get out of it as soon as possible."
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Asked and answered: Jason Bay
No, he's not Manny.
So far this season, he's better.
Jason Bay hit his third home run of the season on Friday, an opposite-field blast in the bottom of the second that sparked the Red Sox to a come-from-behind win over the Orioles. The stereotypical Canadian -- he was even at the Bruins game on Thursday night -- now has seven extra-base hits in 10 games and a team-best .781 slugging percentage to go along with 10 RBI.
What's with that opposite-field power?
"Well, it's part of my game. It's not something that I can make happen; it's just something that when you're up there and feeling good and get the pitch, you hit it. Luckily for me, I have the ability to drive the ball out of the ballpark basically all the way around. It just depends on how you're feeling. It is a part of my game, but it's definitely not the only part."
Do you feel like you've turned a corner as an offense these last couple of games?
"I hope so. Definitely, today was a big day for us -- down 7-0 and we chip away here and there and win that game. But more importantly, the bullpen was great, and as an offense, hopefully we got some guys -- I don't think it's fair to think every guy in that lineup is going to be firing at all times. Obviously, early on, there were more guys not doing well than there were guys doing well. It's tough to pick up the slack. But we have the ability to have two or three guys not on their game and still put up a lot of runs. Hopefully, some guys have turned the corner."
How tough is it for guys to stay patient, work the count and draw walks when you're down 7-0?
"I think it's a little bit easier because when you're down by that much, your mentality is, 'We need baserunners.' We're not going to score seven runs on one swing with nobody on. But you're also talking to a team that can play some pretty long ballgames because of the at-bats that we take -- and not because guys are up there thinking, 'I don't want to swing at this pitch.' Guys are very, very selective, whether it's Youk, whether it's J.D.; the list goes on and on. That was more or less our lineup doing what it normally does in getting guys on."
How unusual did tonight's game seem to you?
"We were just eating dinner, and I looked at Pedey, and I was like, 'We're not talking about the fact that we were down 7-0 and we won that game.' 7-0 is a humongous deficit, especially when they have their No. 1 guy on the mound. You can't get it all back at once. We got four back right away, which was huge because if you go out in the second inning after they got seven and roll over, it sets the tone a little bit. We got a couple back there, and then you chip away, one here, one there, boom, it's a doable game. That's something most guys probably forgot about or maybe haven't really soaked up yet. But that could potentially be a season-changing game in a lot of aspects, whether it's the offense getting going or it's record-wise, getting one more win instead of one more loss. Whatever it is.
"That was a long answer."
But that was a pretty smooth seven-run comeback.
"That's kind of why it gets overlooked. It was, 'Hey, we won the game,' and at the end, it was like, 'Hey, no big deal.' It was early enough that we came back when it wasn't that dramatic; it was early in the game, a couple of runs here and there: 'OK, now we're down by three.' 'OK, now we have a tie game.' Once it was 8-5, it was almost like it was a regular game, not remembering we were down seven at one point. That's how it gets lost."
Was there any point when that flipped over from coming back from seven runs down to a regular game where you just have to chip away?
"You go out there and, obviously, J.D. walks and then you get a home run, and all of a sudden, it's like, 'OK, we're only down five,' and we have another baserunner. We went back out and it was 7-4, now we're talking about three runs. Regardless of what had happened, three runs is three runs. It's a quote-unquote 'regular game' or 'regular deficit,' and you can make that up. That was the mentality -- just chip away -- and we did that. That's ultimately the formula you want to use. Nine times out of 10 it doesn't work that way when you're down by seven, but tonight was one of those nights for us."
So far this season, he's better.
Jason Bay hit his third home run of the season on Friday, an opposite-field blast in the bottom of the second that sparked the Red Sox to a come-from-behind win over the Orioles. The stereotypical Canadian -- he was even at the Bruins game on Thursday night -- now has seven extra-base hits in 10 games and a team-best .781 slugging percentage to go along with 10 RBI.
What's with that opposite-field power?
"Well, it's part of my game. It's not something that I can make happen; it's just something that when you're up there and feeling good and get the pitch, you hit it. Luckily for me, I have the ability to drive the ball out of the ballpark basically all the way around. It just depends on how you're feeling. It is a part of my game, but it's definitely not the only part."
Do you feel like you've turned a corner as an offense these last couple of games?
"I hope so. Definitely, today was a big day for us -- down 7-0 and we chip away here and there and win that game. But more importantly, the bullpen was great, and as an offense, hopefully we got some guys -- I don't think it's fair to think every guy in that lineup is going to be firing at all times. Obviously, early on, there were more guys not doing well than there were guys doing well. It's tough to pick up the slack. But we have the ability to have two or three guys not on their game and still put up a lot of runs. Hopefully, some guys have turned the corner."
How tough is it for guys to stay patient, work the count and draw walks when you're down 7-0?
"I think it's a little bit easier because when you're down by that much, your mentality is, 'We need baserunners.' We're not going to score seven runs on one swing with nobody on. But you're also talking to a team that can play some pretty long ballgames because of the at-bats that we take -- and not because guys are up there thinking, 'I don't want to swing at this pitch.' Guys are very, very selective, whether it's Youk, whether it's J.D.; the list goes on and on. That was more or less our lineup doing what it normally does in getting guys on."
How unusual did tonight's game seem to you?
"We were just eating dinner, and I looked at Pedey, and I was like, 'We're not talking about the fact that we were down 7-0 and we won that game.' 7-0 is a humongous deficit, especially when they have their No. 1 guy on the mound. You can't get it all back at once. We got four back right away, which was huge because if you go out in the second inning after they got seven and roll over, it sets the tone a little bit. We got a couple back there, and then you chip away, one here, one there, boom, it's a doable game. That's something most guys probably forgot about or maybe haven't really soaked up yet. But that could potentially be a season-changing game in a lot of aspects, whether it's the offense getting going or it's record-wise, getting one more win instead of one more loss. Whatever it is.
"That was a long answer."
But that was a pretty smooth seven-run comeback.
"That's kind of why it gets overlooked. It was, 'Hey, we won the game,' and at the end, it was like, 'Hey, no big deal.' It was early enough that we came back when it wasn't that dramatic; it was early in the game, a couple of runs here and there: 'OK, now we're down by three.' 'OK, now we have a tie game.' Once it was 8-5, it was almost like it was a regular game, not remembering we were down seven at one point. That's how it gets lost."
Was there any point when that flipped over from coming back from seven runs down to a regular game where you just have to chip away?
"You go out there and, obviously, J.D. walks and then you get a home run, and all of a sudden, it's like, 'OK, we're only down five,' and we have another baserunner. We went back out and it was 7-4, now we're talking about three runs. Regardless of what had happened, three runs is three runs. It's a quote-unquote 'regular game' or 'regular deficit,' and you can make that up. That was the mentality -- just chip away -- and we did that. That's ultimately the formula you want to use. Nine times out of 10 it doesn't work that way when you're down by seven, but tonight was one of those nights for us."
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Asked and answered: Jason Varitek
Red Sox starter Jon Lester pitched five strong innings and threw one bad pitch on Wednesday night; the lefty was charged with five earned runs, but a pop-up behind third that fell for a hit and a miscommunication on a squeeze bunt really were what ruined his night. Only his five-pitch walk to Gabe Kapler and the fastball he left up to Carlos Pena (a pitch Pena hit into the center-field bleachers) were really his fault.
The outing certain didn't diminish the faith Jason Varitek has in his young pitcher:
What went wrong for Jon in the fifth?
"We had some little things happen. Actually, he kept us in it -- he was one pitch away, the pitch to Pena that ended up being a little bit of the difference. ... A few freak things happened, and then he worked his way into keeping the game at a two-run game. He didn't get away with one pitch to Pena, and it ended up being a four-run game."
How tough a play is that squeeze?
"I took two hard steps (toward the ball), and it looked like Jonny had a bead on it and I went back to get home, but with those two hard steps, I got Jonny thinking I was getting it. We got criss-crossed there. I probably should have kept going through the play and got the out."
How did Jon look otherwise?
"I think Jon threw the ball well. He kept the damage -- there was some freak stuff in that inning -- kept it right there. We were just one pitch (away). Jon is going to do a great job for us, period. It's just unfornate that happened. He threw the ball well."
Is Jon's changeup where you want it to be at this point?
"He's going to progressively continue to get better with it. He made some good pitches with it tonight."
The outing certain didn't diminish the faith Jason Varitek has in his young pitcher:
What went wrong for Jon in the fifth?
"We had some little things happen. Actually, he kept us in it -- he was one pitch away, the pitch to Pena that ended up being a little bit of the difference. ... A few freak things happened, and then he worked his way into keeping the game at a two-run game. He didn't get away with one pitch to Pena, and it ended up being a four-run game."
How tough a play is that squeeze?
"I took two hard steps (toward the ball), and it looked like Jonny had a bead on it and I went back to get home, but with those two hard steps, I got Jonny thinking I was getting it. We got criss-crossed there. I probably should have kept going through the play and got the out."
How did Jon look otherwise?
"I think Jon threw the ball well. He kept the damage -- there was some freak stuff in that inning -- kept it right there. We were just one pitch (away). Jon is going to do a great job for us, period. It's just unfornate that happened. He threw the ball well."
Is Jon's changeup where you want it to be at this point?
"He's going to progressively continue to get better with it. He made some good pitches with it tonight."
Saturday, April 4, 2009
A&A: Justin Masterson, pitcher
It's hard to believe that Justin Masterson still is awaiting his first Opening Day with the Red Sox. A year ago, the sinkerballer began the season as a starting pitcher with Double-A Portland; this year, he's an integral part of perhaps the deepest bullpen in the major leagues.
A year ago, he went 4-3 with a 3.67 ERA as a starting pitcher but dropped his ERA to 2.36 as a reliever; in the playoffs, he allowed two earned runs in 9 2/3 innings.
What have you learned from being around a pitching staff as talented and experienced as this one?
"Nothing jumps out at you; it's not like a life-changing experience or anything. But you see how each guy goes about their business differently. They know what makes them good, and they stick to that. It gives you a chance to see how they do it and take some things away from that and really figure out who you are as a pitcher also."
When you come in for your first couple of springs, do you make a point to look around to see how someone like Josh Beckett handles himself?
"You notice it. There's an aspect of, you want to see what makes them good and how they're successful. But you also want to make sure you do your own thing, too. You have to remember that even though he does that, that doesn't mean it's going to work for me. You definitely, when you come in, you take a look. For me, it's better to have a broader knowledge of what's going on rather than saying, 'Well, this is how I do it.' You take it in. You take a look at everyone, whether it be a guy at the top or a guy at the bottom. You see what you might like or dislike, throw in your two cents' worth."
What did you see out of Beckett last year while he was struggling?
"He was doing the same stuff he was doing when it was working well. He stuck to his plan. Whether it be the body maybe not feeling as good as it had or some unfortunate circumstances as far as not catching breaks, he just let it. But what I saw was that he continued to stay on what he knew made him good. He didn’t veer from that. If something goes wrong, you can’t be like, ‘Oh, I’ve got to change everything!’ You’ve got to remember that this also made you good – so stick with it and things will turn back around."
Have you seen a difference in Jon Lester this spring after the year he had last year?
"There’s definitely a whole lot more confidence – not that it wasn’t there before, but when you have success, and he was definitely a workhorse for us last year, it builds in your mind. You say, ‘OK, I’ve been here and I know what I can do and what I want to do.’ He’s taken it upon himself to be more of that go-to guy."
Is there some excitement about how deep and talented this pitching staff is?
"Absolutely. You look down through, and even guys who are here today (jerks head toward the locker of Daniel Bard), guys who will be in Pawtucket and whatnot, guys who will be in Double-A and working their way up, there’s a lot of quality guys. It’s like, ‘Man, somewhere else, they might be in the big leagues right now.’ That’s a testament to the organization and how much quality pitching we have – on paper. Of course, the season hasn’t begun, so we don’t really know what’s really going to take place. Maybe it won’t work out as well as we hoped. That’s what makes it exciting."
Does that make it more fun to come to the ballpark, even just to sit in the bullpen and watch the starters pitch?
"What’s great about this team in general, besides the talent, is the quality of individuals who, all by themselves, they want to come and watch other guys pitch. They want to watch the game to see how well the starters are going to do, and you’re rooting for every other bullpen guy that’s going out. And that’s even before having such great talent, which makes it probably even more like, ‘Oh, man, there could be something special about what’s going on.’"
A year ago, he went 4-3 with a 3.67 ERA as a starting pitcher but dropped his ERA to 2.36 as a reliever; in the playoffs, he allowed two earned runs in 9 2/3 innings.
What have you learned from being around a pitching staff as talented and experienced as this one?
"Nothing jumps out at you; it's not like a life-changing experience or anything. But you see how each guy goes about their business differently. They know what makes them good, and they stick to that. It gives you a chance to see how they do it and take some things away from that and really figure out who you are as a pitcher also."
When you come in for your first couple of springs, do you make a point to look around to see how someone like Josh Beckett handles himself?
"You notice it. There's an aspect of, you want to see what makes them good and how they're successful. But you also want to make sure you do your own thing, too. You have to remember that even though he does that, that doesn't mean it's going to work for me. You definitely, when you come in, you take a look. For me, it's better to have a broader knowledge of what's going on rather than saying, 'Well, this is how I do it.' You take it in. You take a look at everyone, whether it be a guy at the top or a guy at the bottom. You see what you might like or dislike, throw in your two cents' worth."
What did you see out of Beckett last year while he was struggling?
"He was doing the same stuff he was doing when it was working well. He stuck to his plan. Whether it be the body maybe not feeling as good as it had or some unfortunate circumstances as far as not catching breaks, he just let it. But what I saw was that he continued to stay on what he knew made him good. He didn’t veer from that. If something goes wrong, you can’t be like, ‘Oh, I’ve got to change everything!’ You’ve got to remember that this also made you good – so stick with it and things will turn back around."
Have you seen a difference in Jon Lester this spring after the year he had last year?
"There’s definitely a whole lot more confidence – not that it wasn’t there before, but when you have success, and he was definitely a workhorse for us last year, it builds in your mind. You say, ‘OK, I’ve been here and I know what I can do and what I want to do.’ He’s taken it upon himself to be more of that go-to guy."
Is there some excitement about how deep and talented this pitching staff is?
"Absolutely. You look down through, and even guys who are here today (jerks head toward the locker of Daniel Bard), guys who will be in Pawtucket and whatnot, guys who will be in Double-A and working their way up, there’s a lot of quality guys. It’s like, ‘Man, somewhere else, they might be in the big leagues right now.’ That’s a testament to the organization and how much quality pitching we have – on paper. Of course, the season hasn’t begun, so we don’t really know what’s really going to take place. Maybe it won’t work out as well as we hoped. That’s what makes it exciting."
Does that make it more fun to come to the ballpark, even just to sit in the bullpen and watch the starters pitch?
"What’s great about this team in general, besides the talent, is the quality of individuals who, all by themselves, they want to come and watch other guys pitch. They want to watch the game to see how well the starters are going to do, and you’re rooting for every other bullpen guy that’s going out. And that’s even before having such great talent, which makes it probably even more like, ‘Oh, man, there could be something special about what’s going on.’"
Monday, March 2, 2009
Asked and answered: Justin Masterson, Red Sox pitcher
Justin Masterson pitched two sharp innings in the Red Sox's 5-3 loss to the Orioles in Fort Lauderdale on Monday. Here's his reaction:
How'd you feel?
"It was nice. It was nice. Today I personally didn’t feel as strong; it’s still early spring training. But it was nice to get out there and get in some kind of a rhythm, get a few ground balls and try to work the changeup a little bit. It was nice to be out there."
Did you approach this start differently than you would as a reliever, even though it's spring training?
"Yes and no. I’m pretty laid-back as it is, so I’d say there’s a little more laid-back-ness as I approach this. There’s not as much of a dire need to dominate. It’s more, in many respects, to get a good feel, especially being a big guy and with my delivery, just making sure we get a good feel so we can take that from pitch to pitch."
What pitches are you working with now? Are you trying to add anything?
"Javy Lopez and Gary Tuck and countless guys have said, ‘You never want to take away. You always want to add.’ For me, I’m happy with the four-seamer, sinker and slider. The changeup, we worked it in last year sometimes, but it’s one where we want to get it even more consistent so if it is only used two or three times a game, those two or three times, it’s pretty effective. We’ll definitely continue to work that in there. That would be the main thing."
Are you looking at this as competing for the fifth spot in the starting rotation, or are you just waiting to find out what your role is?
"Kind of neither. It’s more just looking at it as trying to get ready to pitch. If you look at it as a competition, it’s a battle. But if they’re just waiting for them to tell you, you have that sense of, ‘Oh, I’m just waiting in limbo. I’m not going to start pitching.’ I want to go out and, whatever innings I’m in, do the best I can to get ready. Whenever the word comes about exactly what will be taking place, I’ll be ready to pitch.
How is the feel of your breaking pitches coming along?
"The slider seems to be coming pretty good. I actually waited a long time to work it in, as far as the spring goes, and it feels really good. For me, my arm angle, if I can relax, allows it to roll off the fingers, which makes it effective. In some respects, the sinker is the biggest feel pitch for me, just to get that feeling and make sure we stay on top and drive through it rather than trying to cut it off."
Disappointed you didn't get the strike three call on that check-swing on a slider to Ty Wigginton?
"I still got a pop-up. If he’d hit a home run, I would have been a little more upset. But for me, mentally, I knew it was close. It’s right there. That’s the thing: You take that and say, ‘Hey, that’s a good pitch to work off’ and put that in your head and move from there. I think there’s too much spring left right now."
Is it unsettling not to know if you're going to start or relieve?
"For me, it’s nice. Part of it is neat to be within that discussion: ‘Oh, wow, they really think I can do either one,’ and I feel the same way. It’s not unsettling yet. I hope it doesn’t get there. I’d like to stay with a nice, easy mind about it because even if one decision is made, something could happen and that decision could change. No matter what, you’re going to have to stay more or less on your toes and just be ready for whatever comes your way.
Have they told you when they're going to make that decision?
"There’s no definite timetable. They want to let me know before the season started. You’d think a week or so, maybe a couple of weeks to go to the bullpen and get a back-to-back outing there, get that feel. But there’s no definite time, and I’m fine with that. ... I’m just hoping for all the guys to be good because I want to have a tough staff because we’ve got one, especially with the likes of Brad (Penny) and when John (Smoltz) comes later."
How'd you feel?
"It was nice. It was nice. Today I personally didn’t feel as strong; it’s still early spring training. But it was nice to get out there and get in some kind of a rhythm, get a few ground balls and try to work the changeup a little bit. It was nice to be out there."
Did you approach this start differently than you would as a reliever, even though it's spring training?
"Yes and no. I’m pretty laid-back as it is, so I’d say there’s a little more laid-back-ness as I approach this. There’s not as much of a dire need to dominate. It’s more, in many respects, to get a good feel, especially being a big guy and with my delivery, just making sure we get a good feel so we can take that from pitch to pitch."
What pitches are you working with now? Are you trying to add anything?
"Javy Lopez and Gary Tuck and countless guys have said, ‘You never want to take away. You always want to add.’ For me, I’m happy with the four-seamer, sinker and slider. The changeup, we worked it in last year sometimes, but it’s one where we want to get it even more consistent so if it is only used two or three times a game, those two or three times, it’s pretty effective. We’ll definitely continue to work that in there. That would be the main thing."
Are you looking at this as competing for the fifth spot in the starting rotation, or are you just waiting to find out what your role is?
"Kind of neither. It’s more just looking at it as trying to get ready to pitch. If you look at it as a competition, it’s a battle. But if they’re just waiting for them to tell you, you have that sense of, ‘Oh, I’m just waiting in limbo. I’m not going to start pitching.’ I want to go out and, whatever innings I’m in, do the best I can to get ready. Whenever the word comes about exactly what will be taking place, I’ll be ready to pitch.
How is the feel of your breaking pitches coming along?
"The slider seems to be coming pretty good. I actually waited a long time to work it in, as far as the spring goes, and it feels really good. For me, my arm angle, if I can relax, allows it to roll off the fingers, which makes it effective. In some respects, the sinker is the biggest feel pitch for me, just to get that feeling and make sure we stay on top and drive through it rather than trying to cut it off."
Disappointed you didn't get the strike three call on that check-swing on a slider to Ty Wigginton?
"I still got a pop-up. If he’d hit a home run, I would have been a little more upset. But for me, mentally, I knew it was close. It’s right there. That’s the thing: You take that and say, ‘Hey, that’s a good pitch to work off’ and put that in your head and move from there. I think there’s too much spring left right now."
Is it unsettling not to know if you're going to start or relieve?
"For me, it’s nice. Part of it is neat to be within that discussion: ‘Oh, wow, they really think I can do either one,’ and I feel the same way. It’s not unsettling yet. I hope it doesn’t get there. I’d like to stay with a nice, easy mind about it because even if one decision is made, something could happen and that decision could change. No matter what, you’re going to have to stay more or less on your toes and just be ready for whatever comes your way.
Have they told you when they're going to make that decision?
"There’s no definite timetable. They want to let me know before the season started. You’d think a week or so, maybe a couple of weeks to go to the bullpen and get a back-to-back outing there, get that feel. But there’s no definite time, and I’m fine with that. ... I’m just hoping for all the guys to be good because I want to have a tough staff because we’ve got one, especially with the likes of Brad (Penny) and when John (Smoltz) comes later."
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Asked and answered: Junichi Tazawa, Red Sox reliever
Junichi Tazawa is almost certainly bound for the minor leagues at the end of spring training. Red Sox manager Terry Francona said as much between games on Saturday: "He's going to go through our system and learn to pitch and play the game the way we feel."
But he's certainly opened looked sharp enough to open some eyes at the big-league level. He tossed a shutout inning last Wednesday against Boston College and looked even sharper on Saturday. He struck out four and walked one -- Nashua's James Donaldson -- in two innings of work. The next question, naturally: Can he do it against major leaguers?
(Angel Chavez is another player who'll be sorry to see college teams disappear off the schedule. the non-roster invitee, who played last season at Triple-A Las Vegas, doubled and homered twice, including a grand slam Saturday, against Boston College and Northeastern.)
Here's a sampling of Tazawa's Q&A with reporters -- through a translator -- after Saturday's 14-0 win over Northeastern:
What has been your impression, after two outings, of what camp has been like?
"When it comes to the hitters, I've only faced college players so far, so it's tough to say. But right now, I'm just trying to figure out which type of batters swing and hit which type of pitches. I've had some early success so far, but there's still a lot of learning left in terms of what types of batters I'm going to face. As for the team and the camp overall, everything is new to me, but I've had lots of support from the Japanese staff here, and I think that overall things are going well."
Are you eager to test yourself against major league hitters?
"Yeah, I certainly want to see how I stack up against major league hitters. But at the same time, I'm a little bit nervous to face them."
What has surprised you the most about spring training?
"I don't know if there's any one thing in particular, but I was surprised by the number of fans that always come out for our games, even during the week. That's been impressive."
People have talked about how comfortable you look. Do you feel as comfortable as you look, and what's making you that comfortable?
"When it comes to the workouts, there's a lot of people that I can talk to, so I feel a little bit relaxed. But when it comes to facing live hitters, whether that's during BP or in the games, I certainly feel pretty nervous out there."
Have you done anything different this spring from what you did in Japan?
"One difference is that, previously, where I would pitch side sessions of 100 to 200 pitches to get ready for the season, now those side sessions are much shorter. For example, they're timed sessions of, say, 12 minutes. So that's one adjustment I've had to make."
Does that feel different so far?
"In Japan, I would often throw 100 pitches every day, day after day, without any rest. But right now, for example, after an outing, I'll get two days off of pitching from a mound. But right now I don't feel I need to pitch more. I feel good where I am, so I think things are going well."
Has it been beneficial to have Takashi Saito and Hideki Okajima around?
"Everything is so new to me that having the chance to speak to them, to both Okajima-san and Saito-san, and to hear their stories has been a big source of confidence for me."
Saito said that because you are so young coming over here, you could be a trailblazer for other, younger Japanese players to come to the United States and assimilating quickly. Can you envision yourself in that role?
"I don't think as myself as a pioneer. I just wanted to play baseball in the U.S., and that's why I'm here. If I can perform well, that might give other Japanese players the opportunity to play over here. In that regard, I would like to play well."
But he's certainly opened looked sharp enough to open some eyes at the big-league level. He tossed a shutout inning last Wednesday against Boston College and looked even sharper on Saturday. He struck out four and walked one -- Nashua's James Donaldson -- in two innings of work. The next question, naturally: Can he do it against major leaguers?
(Angel Chavez is another player who'll be sorry to see college teams disappear off the schedule. the non-roster invitee, who played last season at Triple-A Las Vegas, doubled and homered twice, including a grand slam Saturday, against Boston College and Northeastern.)
Here's a sampling of Tazawa's Q&A with reporters -- through a translator -- after Saturday's 14-0 win over Northeastern:
What has been your impression, after two outings, of what camp has been like?
"When it comes to the hitters, I've only faced college players so far, so it's tough to say. But right now, I'm just trying to figure out which type of batters swing and hit which type of pitches. I've had some early success so far, but there's still a lot of learning left in terms of what types of batters I'm going to face. As for the team and the camp overall, everything is new to me, but I've had lots of support from the Japanese staff here, and I think that overall things are going well."
Are you eager to test yourself against major league hitters?
"Yeah, I certainly want to see how I stack up against major league hitters. But at the same time, I'm a little bit nervous to face them."
What has surprised you the most about spring training?
"I don't know if there's any one thing in particular, but I was surprised by the number of fans that always come out for our games, even during the week. That's been impressive."
People have talked about how comfortable you look. Do you feel as comfortable as you look, and what's making you that comfortable?
"When it comes to the workouts, there's a lot of people that I can talk to, so I feel a little bit relaxed. But when it comes to facing live hitters, whether that's during BP or in the games, I certainly feel pretty nervous out there."
Have you done anything different this spring from what you did in Japan?
"One difference is that, previously, where I would pitch side sessions of 100 to 200 pitches to get ready for the season, now those side sessions are much shorter. For example, they're timed sessions of, say, 12 minutes. So that's one adjustment I've had to make."
Does that feel different so far?
"In Japan, I would often throw 100 pitches every day, day after day, without any rest. But right now, for example, after an outing, I'll get two days off of pitching from a mound. But right now I don't feel I need to pitch more. I feel good where I am, so I think things are going well."
Has it been beneficial to have Takashi Saito and Hideki Okajima around?
"Everything is so new to me that having the chance to speak to them, to both Okajima-san and Saito-san, and to hear their stories has been a big source of confidence for me."
Saito said that because you are so young coming over here, you could be a trailblazer for other, younger Japanese players to come to the United States and assimilating quickly. Can you envision yourself in that role?
"I don't think as myself as a pioneer. I just wanted to play baseball in the U.S., and that's why I'm here. If I can perform well, that might give other Japanese players the opportunity to play over here. In that regard, I would like to play well."
Monday, December 8, 2008
Asked and answered: Junior Seau, Patriots linebacker
The newest (and oldest) member of the Patriots' corps of linebackers jumped right in against Seattle, and he participated in a conference call with media from San Jose on Monday.
Junior, can you talk about the task at hand for you guys going forward? Given the injury situation, what do you guys have to do? What’s the mindset for you guys?
"Basically our mindset is to go out and, honestly, look at film today and take it one day at a time. We’re not going to worry about injuries; it is what it is and the team that we put out on the field will be able to focus on winning that game."
How do you feel today? How sore are you, or not sore how do you feel after your first game in almost a year?
"You definitely use different muscles surfing and packing coolers for volleyball games. There are some fast-twitch muscles that are kind of sore, but other than that I feel good."
Can you go over the task at hand for you guys and what it’s going to take, especially with the defense playing shorthanded?
"We’re definitely going to have to pay attention to details in terms of the scheme. Really relying on the scheme in itself and believing in each other. We’re really going to just have to pull together and that’s what we’re going to do."
Did it feel like riding a bike at all, getting out there and getting back into it so quickly and playing as much as you did?
"Yeah it did. It was definitely a familiar sight. I felt at peace in going in, I really did. Being part of the NFL and back on Sunday it’s something that I live for, and that hasn’t changed."
Was the feel of the locker room the same for you too? The attitude and what you saw from the players, even with the younger players around you?
"Well, it’s a different team. When you say ‘Is it different?’, I expect it to be different. What we have to do is adjust to the team which we have, the players, the character which we are building and we go from there. For us to think we’re going to have the same team, the same attitude, the same mentality that we had last year would be false."
Did you go back to giving the pregame speeches or have they given that honor to somebody else?
"That will never change. That will never change. I definitely love to share the experience in the years which I’ve had and having been down that road before and sharing it with the young guys, it was definitely something that the players were looking forward to. Hopefully I didn’t disappoint them."
What kind of memories does playing the Oakland Raiders bring up from your old days in San Diego?
"Well, they don’t like me. But being part of an organization that played them twice a year with San Diego, it was definitely a tough environment playing in the end zone with the Black Hole behind you and, it’s cheers that you can do without."
With younger guys it’s often not the physical thing that they need to catch up on – it’s the mental thing. In your case, having the experience playing in this system, is it more of a physical thing for you now than a mental thing as far as getting back into the swing of things?
"I’ll tell you what: My experience and my knowledge of the game is so much faster than my 40 time. It really is, and it’s been that way for a good six or seven years. With me coming back, I wasn’t worried about the 40-yard dash or lifting weights, breaking records on the bench press. It was basically just getting the momentum and the rhythm where calls were just second nature in terms of terminology. That’s basically what I did with the two days that I had to experience the game plan."
Before you came back to the Patriots, as you watched them as a spectator at home were you amazed at all the injuries they’ve had this year and their ability to overcome them for the most part?
"It really is a testament to the system and the coaching staff and what they do with the schemes. Obviously being competitive in the National Football League with the injuries which occurred this season, it’s pretty impressive to see that we’re still in the hunt."
Junior, can you talk about the task at hand for you guys going forward? Given the injury situation, what do you guys have to do? What’s the mindset for you guys?
"Basically our mindset is to go out and, honestly, look at film today and take it one day at a time. We’re not going to worry about injuries; it is what it is and the team that we put out on the field will be able to focus on winning that game."
How do you feel today? How sore are you, or not sore how do you feel after your first game in almost a year?
"You definitely use different muscles surfing and packing coolers for volleyball games. There are some fast-twitch muscles that are kind of sore, but other than that I feel good."
Can you go over the task at hand for you guys and what it’s going to take, especially with the defense playing shorthanded?
"We’re definitely going to have to pay attention to details in terms of the scheme. Really relying on the scheme in itself and believing in each other. We’re really going to just have to pull together and that’s what we’re going to do."
Did it feel like riding a bike at all, getting out there and getting back into it so quickly and playing as much as you did?
"Yeah it did. It was definitely a familiar sight. I felt at peace in going in, I really did. Being part of the NFL and back on Sunday it’s something that I live for, and that hasn’t changed."
Was the feel of the locker room the same for you too? The attitude and what you saw from the players, even with the younger players around you?
"Well, it’s a different team. When you say ‘Is it different?’, I expect it to be different. What we have to do is adjust to the team which we have, the players, the character which we are building and we go from there. For us to think we’re going to have the same team, the same attitude, the same mentality that we had last year would be false."
Did you go back to giving the pregame speeches or have they given that honor to somebody else?
"That will never change. That will never change. I definitely love to share the experience in the years which I’ve had and having been down that road before and sharing it with the young guys, it was definitely something that the players were looking forward to. Hopefully I didn’t disappoint them."
What kind of memories does playing the Oakland Raiders bring up from your old days in San Diego?
"Well, they don’t like me. But being part of an organization that played them twice a year with San Diego, it was definitely a tough environment playing in the end zone with the Black Hole behind you and, it’s cheers that you can do without."
With younger guys it’s often not the physical thing that they need to catch up on – it’s the mental thing. In your case, having the experience playing in this system, is it more of a physical thing for you now than a mental thing as far as getting back into the swing of things?
"I’ll tell you what: My experience and my knowledge of the game is so much faster than my 40 time. It really is, and it’s been that way for a good six or seven years. With me coming back, I wasn’t worried about the 40-yard dash or lifting weights, breaking records on the bench press. It was basically just getting the momentum and the rhythm where calls were just second nature in terms of terminology. That’s basically what I did with the two days that I had to experience the game plan."
Before you came back to the Patriots, as you watched them as a spectator at home were you amazed at all the injuries they’ve had this year and their ability to overcome them for the most part?
"It really is a testament to the system and the coaching staff and what they do with the schemes. Obviously being competitive in the National Football League with the injuries which occurred this season, it’s pretty impressive to see that we’re still in the hunt."
Friday, November 28, 2008
Asked and answered: Richard Seymour, Patriots defensive lineman
Richard Seymour didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday with a knee injury, but he returned to practice on Friday after pronouncing himself ready to go against the Steelers on Sunday. The Patriots will need him -- the Steelers don't give up many points, and that means it'll be imperative that the Patriots get in the face of Ben Roethlisberger and keep Willie Parker from breaking a 60-yard run for a touchdown.
Seymour had something of a down year last year -- he played in just nine games and finished with a career-low 23 tackles with 1.5 sacks. But he's re-emerged as a playmaker this season, getting into the backfield and sending quarterbacks running. Coaches have credited him with 49 tackles (29 solo), seven sacks and 13 quarterback hurries; he has at least one sacks and one quarterback hit in each of the Patriots' last three games.
Ready to go?
"Absolutely. Hopefully, that's the game plan. This time of year, everybody's banged up and not feeling 100 percent. But you go out and you give it your best shot."
It's a big conference game, after Thanksgiving, almost December. What are you thoughts about this game and how it affects playing in January and February?
"You want to play your best football now; this is the time you want to defend your home turf. This is a big game; Pittsburgh is a really good football team, and they do a lot of things well. We have a lot of respect for them. They play the game the way the game is supposed to be played. It isn't like a team that's going to try to come in and trick you. It's a team that says, 'Hey, this is what we're doing -- can you stop it?' That's a challenge, and the guys on this team, we look forward to challenges and playing in tough, physical football games."
How much of a challenge is it to go against Ben Roethlisberger?
"Roethlisberger does a good job ad-libbing, making plays with his legs. He's a strong, tough guy to bring down in the pocket. He can take a broken play and turn it into a touchdown. It isn't like we can go to sleep -- most plays last three or four seconds, but he can get outside the pocket, and you have to be aware of his abilities."
They've had some injuries with their running backs, but it seems like whoever they throw in there is capable of running the ball.
"Yeah, they have a big, tough, physical offensive line, and they do a good job of moving guys up front. Our front seven is definitely going to be challenged this week, and we feel like we've got a good front seven, so man on man."
How do things change when Willie Parker goes out and Mewelde Moore goes in, or vice versa?
"Parker is a guy that has a lot of speed, and he can take any run and hit a home run with it from any point on the field. But both of them do a good job. The other running back is a lot like Kevin Faulk -- real shifty, catches some balls out of the backfield and does a good job for them."
Is chasing Roethlisberger around early in the game something that can catch up to you late in the game?
"A lot of quarterbacks, you can get to them early in the game and sack them or whatever the case may be. He's a guy that weighs on you at the end of the game. Sometimes you see defensive linemen not able to bring him down; he's able to shrug those guys off. Rarely do you ever see a quarterback with that much strength. He's a big, strong guy in the pocket, so we definitely have to wrap that guy up."
Seymour had something of a down year last year -- he played in just nine games and finished with a career-low 23 tackles with 1.5 sacks. But he's re-emerged as a playmaker this season, getting into the backfield and sending quarterbacks running. Coaches have credited him with 49 tackles (29 solo), seven sacks and 13 quarterback hurries; he has at least one sacks and one quarterback hit in each of the Patriots' last three games.
Ready to go?
"Absolutely. Hopefully, that's the game plan. This time of year, everybody's banged up and not feeling 100 percent. But you go out and you give it your best shot."
It's a big conference game, after Thanksgiving, almost December. What are you thoughts about this game and how it affects playing in January and February?
"You want to play your best football now; this is the time you want to defend your home turf. This is a big game; Pittsburgh is a really good football team, and they do a lot of things well. We have a lot of respect for them. They play the game the way the game is supposed to be played. It isn't like a team that's going to try to come in and trick you. It's a team that says, 'Hey, this is what we're doing -- can you stop it?' That's a challenge, and the guys on this team, we look forward to challenges and playing in tough, physical football games."
How much of a challenge is it to go against Ben Roethlisberger?
"Roethlisberger does a good job ad-libbing, making plays with his legs. He's a strong, tough guy to bring down in the pocket. He can take a broken play and turn it into a touchdown. It isn't like we can go to sleep -- most plays last three or four seconds, but he can get outside the pocket, and you have to be aware of his abilities."
They've had some injuries with their running backs, but it seems like whoever they throw in there is capable of running the ball.
"Yeah, they have a big, tough, physical offensive line, and they do a good job of moving guys up front. Our front seven is definitely going to be challenged this week, and we feel like we've got a good front seven, so man on man."
How do things change when Willie Parker goes out and Mewelde Moore goes in, or vice versa?
"Parker is a guy that has a lot of speed, and he can take any run and hit a home run with it from any point on the field. But both of them do a good job. The other running back is a lot like Kevin Faulk -- real shifty, catches some balls out of the backfield and does a good job for them."
Is chasing Roethlisberger around early in the game something that can catch up to you late in the game?
"A lot of quarterbacks, you can get to them early in the game and sack them or whatever the case may be. He's a guy that weighs on you at the end of the game. Sometimes you see defensive linemen not able to bring him down; he's able to shrug those guys off. Rarely do you ever see a quarterback with that much strength. He's a big, strong guy in the pocket, so we definitely have to wrap that guy up."
Monday, November 24, 2008
Patriots edge closer to playoff berth
Bill Belichick's team kept its playoff hopes alive with its win on Sunday afternoon; with the Colts and Ravens also winning and improving to 7-4 on the season, it would have been an almost fatal blow had the Patriots lost and fallen to 6-5.
Here's how the AFC standings look right now:
1. Tennessee (10-1 overall, 7-1 in the conference)
2. Pittsburgh (8-3, 7-1)
3. New York Jets (8-3, 6-3)
4. Denver (6-5, 3-5)
5. Indianapolis (7-4, 6-2)
6. Baltimore (7-4, 6-3)
--------
7. New England (7-4, 5-4)
8. Miami (6-5, 5-4)
9. Buffalo (6-5, 4-4)
If three potential wild-card teams are tied in overall record, as the Patriots are with Baltimore and Indianapolis, here's how the tiebreakers work:
1. If one team has defeated both of the other two teams, that team is the top seed of the three. Conversely, if one team has lost to both of the other two teams, that team is the bottom seed. The Colts beat the Ravens in Week 6 and the Patriots in Week 9, so that means they now hold the No. 5 seed.
2. Record in conference games. The Ravens are 6-3; the Patriots are 5-4.
But the Patriots do have a leg up on Miami; with the head-to-head series now a split, the Patriots' better record in AFC East games (3-2 to 2-2) puts them ahead, and while both teams still play against Buffalo on the road, the Dolphins also have to play the Jets at the Meadowlands. And Buffalo is 0-3 in the division, which means they're all but done unless they win out and both the Dolphins and Patriots stumble badly.
Because it is relevant, here's what's left on the schedule for the top four wild-card contenders:
5. Indianapolis: at Cleveland (4-7), vs. Cincinnati (1-9-1), vs. Detroit (0-11), at Jacksonville (4-7), vs. Tennessee (10-1).
(That schedule couldn't be much softer. The Browns are 1-5 at home, the Jaguars are reeling and the Titans won't have anything for which to play in Week 17 now that they're no longer undefeated.)
6. Baltimore: at Cincinnati (1-9-1), vs. Washington (7-4), vs. Pittsburgh (8-3), at Dallas (7-4), vs. Jacksonville (4-7).
(That's a little bit more daunting; Tony Romo is back for the Cowboys, and the Redskins are better than their record indicates given how tough their schedule has been.)
7. New England: vs. Pittsburgh (8-3), at Seattle (2-9), at Oakland (3-8), vs. Arizona (7-4), at Buffalo (6-5).
(West Coast swings are never easy, but New England should beat both Seattle and Oakland, and if Kurt Warner's Arizona Cardinals win at Gillette Stadium, the Patriots don't deserve to go to the playoffs, anyway.)
8. Miami: at St. Louis (2-9), vs. Buffalo at Toronto (6-5), vs. San Francisco (3-8), at Kansas City (1-10), at New York Jets (8-3).
(Cupcake city. That's why it's imperative that the Patriots take care of business against Seattle, Oakland and Arizona -- a loss in even just one of those games might drop them behind the Dolphins.)
Here's how the AFC standings look right now:
1. Tennessee (10-1 overall, 7-1 in the conference)
2. Pittsburgh (8-3, 7-1)
3. New York Jets (8-3, 6-3)
4. Denver (6-5, 3-5)
5. Indianapolis (7-4, 6-2)
6. Baltimore (7-4, 6-3)
--------
7. New England (7-4, 5-4)
8. Miami (6-5, 5-4)
9. Buffalo (6-5, 4-4)
If three potential wild-card teams are tied in overall record, as the Patriots are with Baltimore and Indianapolis, here's how the tiebreakers work:
1. If one team has defeated both of the other two teams, that team is the top seed of the three. Conversely, if one team has lost to both of the other two teams, that team is the bottom seed. The Colts beat the Ravens in Week 6 and the Patriots in Week 9, so that means they now hold the No. 5 seed.
2. Record in conference games. The Ravens are 6-3; the Patriots are 5-4.
But the Patriots do have a leg up on Miami; with the head-to-head series now a split, the Patriots' better record in AFC East games (3-2 to 2-2) puts them ahead, and while both teams still play against Buffalo on the road, the Dolphins also have to play the Jets at the Meadowlands. And Buffalo is 0-3 in the division, which means they're all but done unless they win out and both the Dolphins and Patriots stumble badly.
Because it is relevant, here's what's left on the schedule for the top four wild-card contenders:
5. Indianapolis: at Cleveland (4-7), vs. Cincinnati (1-9-1), vs. Detroit (0-11), at Jacksonville (4-7), vs. Tennessee (10-1).
(That schedule couldn't be much softer. The Browns are 1-5 at home, the Jaguars are reeling and the Titans won't have anything for which to play in Week 17 now that they're no longer undefeated.)
6. Baltimore: at Cincinnati (1-9-1), vs. Washington (7-4), vs. Pittsburgh (8-3), at Dallas (7-4), vs. Jacksonville (4-7).
(That's a little bit more daunting; Tony Romo is back for the Cowboys, and the Redskins are better than their record indicates given how tough their schedule has been.)
7. New England: vs. Pittsburgh (8-3), at Seattle (2-9), at Oakland (3-8), vs. Arizona (7-4), at Buffalo (6-5).
(West Coast swings are never easy, but New England should beat both Seattle and Oakland, and if Kurt Warner's Arizona Cardinals win at Gillette Stadium, the Patriots don't deserve to go to the playoffs, anyway.)
8. Miami: at St. Louis (2-9), vs. Buffalo at Toronto (6-5), vs. San Francisco (3-8), at Kansas City (1-10), at New York Jets (8-3).
(Cupcake city. That's why it's imperative that the Patriots take care of business against Seattle, Oakland and Arizona -- a loss in even just one of those games might drop them behind the Dolphins.)
Friday, November 21, 2008
Asked and answered: Vince Wilfork, Patriots nose tackle
The Patriots' locker room normally is a deserted place when the door swings open and the media hordes swarm in. It's hard to blame them; answering endless questions about the Miami Dolphins' "Wildcat" offense has to get pretty tiresome. But reporters still need to ask questions and get some responses to share with their readership or viewers, and it can get pretty difficult finding willing players.
Randy Moss, for example, declined several interview requests this morning; when a Boston Globe reporter asked, "Can you help us out today?" he responded with a flat "Nope!" and then completely ignored another entreaty. When a Boston Herald reporter squatted next to his locker to try to talk about it, to tell him they weren't "trying to be a pain in the ass," Moss said, "I don't like talking to the media. It's not in my contract, so I ain't got to do it. I'll give you crumbs here and there, and that's all I've got to do. If I talk, it's going to be after the game on Sunday, and if I don't talk on Sunday, maybe the next Sunday. If I don't talk then, maybe the next Sunday."
Some, though, are endlessly available. Cornerback Ellis Hobbs is one; fullback Heath Evans is another. Both are friendly and personable and set aside a few minutes whenever quote-desperate reporters need them.
Nose tackle Vince Wilfork is another one who generally treats reporters like human beings and gives thoughtful answers even to inane questions. A group of cameras gathered around him at his locker right at the beginning of the open-locker-room period, and he smiled at the group before walking out of the room. A few minutes later, though, he returned with a wise grin on his face: "Y'all thought I wasn't coming back, didn't you?"
He did come back, though. And here's what Wilfork had to say:
Though this week isn't completely do-or-die, does it have a playoff feel to it?
"Yeah, it does. For one, being a division game, and for two, what they did to us last time we played them. Right now, it's a one-game season for us, so we've got to put all our eggs in this basket, and next week will be the same thing. We'll need everybody. This is a tough football team we're facing. We know that. We're going to get their best, and, hopefully, they'll get ours. This week, we've had some good practices and put some good practices together, and we feel good about this whole thing, going down there.
"Hopefully, we'll walk away with a win, but it's going to take our 'A'-game. Anything other than that, I think we're going to walk away with an 'L'. We're going to do everything in our power to try to play that type of game. But it's a challenge. It's a challenge. This is what you live for. Games in November and December determine where you'll be in February and January. We've got our hands full, but we're looking forward to the challenge."
Are you "Wildcat"-ted out yet?
(laughs) "No. I'm pretty sure they have something else brewing up, and we have to do a good job of making sideline adjustments, whatever they may be. They might not, but having the success they’ve had early in the season with it, they’d be a fool not to try run it."
Do you feel comfortable, after a week's preparation, that you will be able to stop it?
"I feel very confident with what we've done in practice. We've covered a lot of ground. Every week, it seems like somebody's pulling something out of their bag of tricks to throw at us, and (the Dolphins) might have something new. At that time, we'll have to go to the sideline and make adjustments. That's going to be real important. But going forward, we're pretty prepared. We're prepared, and I feel very confident going into this week's game. I think my teammates feel the same way."
What does Chad Pennington bring to his team?
"I'll tell you what: Leadership is one thing. He doesn't turn the ball over. He was like that when he was at the Jets, and this team thrives off that -- and when you have two running backs and they're running the ball so well, sometimes they don't need to throw the ball. He has a high completion rate, and anything that's open or in tight coverage, he'll throw to. We have to be ready, and the guys in the backfield have to cover the receivers and go forward from there. But it's going to be tough getting to him because they're doing such a great job of blocking for him. He can identify blitzers and coverages and identify those quick and get the ball out right away. We're going to have to get to him real early and often in this game."
Is there any different feel in this locker room, seeing as how it's November and you're playing kind of a desperation game, as opposed to past years?
"This locker room is still the same locker room it was last year when we were undefeated and the years before when we were winning championships. It's the same locker room; we just have different faces. We're very confident. We have a group of guys who love what they do. You can't ask for anything better than that. We're so used to winning around here that I think the fans and the media sometimes get lost in that just because we have won quite a bit. We have four losses. It's not the end of the world. Sometimes people look at us, and I don't think people look at us like a football team because of the success we've had.
"We know we'll normally go through ups and downs in a season. We're going through them. But it's not the end of the world. Nobody is telling us our season is over. If they do, I'll tell them something, and it's not nice. We're very confident. We know what's at stake, and it's going to start with a win against a tough division game and move forward from there. The week after that, we'll do the same thing. It's tough, but it's NFL football."
Randy Moss, for example, declined several interview requests this morning; when a Boston Globe reporter asked, "Can you help us out today?" he responded with a flat "Nope!" and then completely ignored another entreaty. When a Boston Herald reporter squatted next to his locker to try to talk about it, to tell him they weren't "trying to be a pain in the ass," Moss said, "I don't like talking to the media. It's not in my contract, so I ain't got to do it. I'll give you crumbs here and there, and that's all I've got to do. If I talk, it's going to be after the game on Sunday, and if I don't talk on Sunday, maybe the next Sunday. If I don't talk then, maybe the next Sunday."
Some, though, are endlessly available. Cornerback Ellis Hobbs is one; fullback Heath Evans is another. Both are friendly and personable and set aside a few minutes whenever quote-desperate reporters need them.
Nose tackle Vince Wilfork is another one who generally treats reporters like human beings and gives thoughtful answers even to inane questions. A group of cameras gathered around him at his locker right at the beginning of the open-locker-room period, and he smiled at the group before walking out of the room. A few minutes later, though, he returned with a wise grin on his face: "Y'all thought I wasn't coming back, didn't you?"
He did come back, though. And here's what Wilfork had to say:
Though this week isn't completely do-or-die, does it have a playoff feel to it?
"Yeah, it does. For one, being a division game, and for two, what they did to us last time we played them. Right now, it's a one-game season for us, so we've got to put all our eggs in this basket, and next week will be the same thing. We'll need everybody. This is a tough football team we're facing. We know that. We're going to get their best, and, hopefully, they'll get ours. This week, we've had some good practices and put some good practices together, and we feel good about this whole thing, going down there.
"Hopefully, we'll walk away with a win, but it's going to take our 'A'-game. Anything other than that, I think we're going to walk away with an 'L'. We're going to do everything in our power to try to play that type of game. But it's a challenge. It's a challenge. This is what you live for. Games in November and December determine where you'll be in February and January. We've got our hands full, but we're looking forward to the challenge."
Are you "Wildcat"-ted out yet?
(laughs) "No. I'm pretty sure they have something else brewing up, and we have to do a good job of making sideline adjustments, whatever they may be. They might not, but having the success they’ve had early in the season with it, they’d be a fool not to try run it."
Do you feel comfortable, after a week's preparation, that you will be able to stop it?
"I feel very confident with what we've done in practice. We've covered a lot of ground. Every week, it seems like somebody's pulling something out of their bag of tricks to throw at us, and (the Dolphins) might have something new. At that time, we'll have to go to the sideline and make adjustments. That's going to be real important. But going forward, we're pretty prepared. We're prepared, and I feel very confident going into this week's game. I think my teammates feel the same way."
What does Chad Pennington bring to his team?
"I'll tell you what: Leadership is one thing. He doesn't turn the ball over. He was like that when he was at the Jets, and this team thrives off that -- and when you have two running backs and they're running the ball so well, sometimes they don't need to throw the ball. He has a high completion rate, and anything that's open or in tight coverage, he'll throw to. We have to be ready, and the guys in the backfield have to cover the receivers and go forward from there. But it's going to be tough getting to him because they're doing such a great job of blocking for him. He can identify blitzers and coverages and identify those quick and get the ball out right away. We're going to have to get to him real early and often in this game."
Is there any different feel in this locker room, seeing as how it's November and you're playing kind of a desperation game, as opposed to past years?
"This locker room is still the same locker room it was last year when we were undefeated and the years before when we were winning championships. It's the same locker room; we just have different faces. We're very confident. We have a group of guys who love what they do. You can't ask for anything better than that. We're so used to winning around here that I think the fans and the media sometimes get lost in that just because we have won quite a bit. We have four losses. It's not the end of the world. Sometimes people look at us, and I don't think people look at us like a football team because of the success we've had.
"We know we'll normally go through ups and downs in a season. We're going through them. But it's not the end of the world. Nobody is telling us our season is over. If they do, I'll tell them something, and it's not nice. We're very confident. We know what's at stake, and it's going to start with a win against a tough division game and move forward from there. The week after that, we'll do the same thing. It's tough, but it's NFL football."
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Asked and answered: Matt Cassel, Patriots quarterback
No one is confusing him with the man he replaced under center, but there's no question that Matt Cassel continues to make progress in relief of Tom Brady for the Patriots. It'll be interesting to see how the Patriots deploy him today -- running backs Sammy Morris and LaMont Jordan remain unavailable, but the Bills' pass defense (12th in the NFL) is significantly better than its run defense (26th in the NFL).
Here's a sampling from Cassel's meeting with the media earlier this week:
As a young quarterback yourself, have you appreciated from afar what Buffalo Bills quarterback Trent Edwards has done?
"He's done a great job. He has won a lot of games out there and continues to progress. Even from last year, I think his first playing time was against us, and I thought he did a great job last year. He continues to get better and I have always been impressed with the way Trent has played."
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels talked earlier this week about how you did a good job against the Colts of avoiding pressure and getting rid of the ball. Can you talk about your development in that part of the game?
"That was just part of the game plan. We knew that they had a good rush last week. Part of the game plan was to go out, get the ball out quick, go through the reads and if you didn’t have anything downfield then get the ball to the backs. We were able to do a good job last week. Whatever the game plan calls for that is what we try to accomplish. We were able to execute that well last week.
Any comfort in not having to face Bills defensive end Aaron Schobel this week?
"He's a great player. We have a lot of respect for him around here. He played well against us throughout the years. Unfortunately for him, he has an injury right now. Everybody wishes, for their sake that he is healthy. Nobody likes to see anybody not play due to injury. We have a lot of respect for him.
How good is this Buffalo team?
"They're a very good team. They play well on defense and they run around and give you a lot of different looks. Offensively, they are playing well. They have a lot of great skill players. They have some good running backs. We have our work cut out for us. We have to have a good week of practice and be ready to go come Sunday."
Are you happy with how the offense has progressed since you have become the starting quarterback?
"I'm happy to see that we are having some production on offense. I think that we have a lot of work to do. I do think that we are growing as an offense, and I think the guys are stepping up and making some pretty big plays. We have to continue to do that if we are going to be successful in these next eight games.
How much does it help to have your entire offensive line back (with the return of Nick Kaczur and Stephen Neal)?
"They are doing a great job. They continue to push themselves each and every week. They did a great job last week, and hopefully we can maintain that throughout the rest of the year."
What has been the most surprising thing to you so far this season?
"Surprising? It's hard to say. Every week, there's something new and there is a new challenge that comes about. For me, obviously, from Week One to Week Eight, it is a much different challenge. In Week Two and Three, you are trying to gather yourself, kind of understand what your role and grow into that leadership role. Now, we've defined that aspect, so we're moving forward as an offense and trying to get better each and every week. Every week, there are new challenges. Now that I know what my role is and how to approach it week in and week out, I feel that we can work on other things."
Last week, you guys said the game against the Indianapolis Colts felt like a divisional game because you have faced them so many times. How does it feel now that you are in a real divisional game this week?
"It's a huge game for us. We are fighting for first place. I am sure there will be a great atmosphere there Sunday. We're all looking forward to it and we'll be up for the challenge."
Here's a sampling from Cassel's meeting with the media earlier this week:
As a young quarterback yourself, have you appreciated from afar what Buffalo Bills quarterback Trent Edwards has done?
"He's done a great job. He has won a lot of games out there and continues to progress. Even from last year, I think his first playing time was against us, and I thought he did a great job last year. He continues to get better and I have always been impressed with the way Trent has played."
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels talked earlier this week about how you did a good job against the Colts of avoiding pressure and getting rid of the ball. Can you talk about your development in that part of the game?
"That was just part of the game plan. We knew that they had a good rush last week. Part of the game plan was to go out, get the ball out quick, go through the reads and if you didn’t have anything downfield then get the ball to the backs. We were able to do a good job last week. Whatever the game plan calls for that is what we try to accomplish. We were able to execute that well last week.
Any comfort in not having to face Bills defensive end Aaron Schobel this week?
"He's a great player. We have a lot of respect for him around here. He played well against us throughout the years. Unfortunately for him, he has an injury right now. Everybody wishes, for their sake that he is healthy. Nobody likes to see anybody not play due to injury. We have a lot of respect for him.
How good is this Buffalo team?
"They're a very good team. They play well on defense and they run around and give you a lot of different looks. Offensively, they are playing well. They have a lot of great skill players. They have some good running backs. We have our work cut out for us. We have to have a good week of practice and be ready to go come Sunday."
Are you happy with how the offense has progressed since you have become the starting quarterback?
"I'm happy to see that we are having some production on offense. I think that we have a lot of work to do. I do think that we are growing as an offense, and I think the guys are stepping up and making some pretty big plays. We have to continue to do that if we are going to be successful in these next eight games.
How much does it help to have your entire offensive line back (with the return of Nick Kaczur and Stephen Neal)?
"They are doing a great job. They continue to push themselves each and every week. They did a great job last week, and hopefully we can maintain that throughout the rest of the year."
What has been the most surprising thing to you so far this season?
"Surprising? It's hard to say. Every week, there's something new and there is a new challenge that comes about. For me, obviously, from Week One to Week Eight, it is a much different challenge. In Week Two and Three, you are trying to gather yourself, kind of understand what your role and grow into that leadership role. Now, we've defined that aspect, so we're moving forward as an offense and trying to get better each and every week. Every week, there are new challenges. Now that I know what my role is and how to approach it week in and week out, I feel that we can work on other things."
Last week, you guys said the game against the Indianapolis Colts felt like a divisional game because you have faced them so many times. How does it feel now that you are in a real divisional game this week?
"It's a huge game for us. We are fighting for first place. I am sure there will be a great atmosphere there Sunday. We're all looking forward to it and we'll be up for the challenge."
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Asked and answered: Kevin Faulk, Patriots running back
Kevin Faulk has played more halfback than true running back over the years, catching passes out of the backfield and running draws out of the shotgun formation more often than lining up in the I-formation and powering through the middle.
With an injury to Sammy Morris possibly depleting the Patriots' corps of running backs even further, though, he might end up with more traditional carries than he's seen in the past.
(A swarm of notebooks and cameras congregated around Faulk's locker on Wednesday morning.)
"I didn't have this much people at my birthday party."
With Laurence out, do you expect to see an increased workload?
"Whatever's asked of me to do. I've been here long enough to just be prepared anytime they call your number."
How did you feel about the way things went with the run game on Monday?
"It just showed that we're capable of doing that. We've just got to be consistent the rest of the year."
What do you expect out of St. Louis this week?
"Since their bye week, it's been two different teams, really. They're playing really emotional right now and have some real speed at linebacker, and they're playing aggressive."
How did Sammy Morris look before he went down in the first half?
"That's Sammy. Sammy was doing his thing, just helping the team win any way he can."
How big of a difference does it make playing at home?
"It's always a big difference. You've got your fans behind you, and they're backing you 100 percent. Then you go out there and play well as a team, so it complements each other."
Could you tell how much more confident Matt Cassel looked once he had that sort of running game in front of him?
"It was everyone. It was everyone getting confidence and getting off to a good start, and the whole team was just feeding off each other. We're just playing well.
Is that something that started from the get-go?
"The thing that was on our minds that we wanted to re-emphasize was to be emotional from the beginning of the game."
With an injury to Sammy Morris possibly depleting the Patriots' corps of running backs even further, though, he might end up with more traditional carries than he's seen in the past.
(A swarm of notebooks and cameras congregated around Faulk's locker on Wednesday morning.)
"I didn't have this much people at my birthday party."
With Laurence out, do you expect to see an increased workload?
"Whatever's asked of me to do. I've been here long enough to just be prepared anytime they call your number."
How did you feel about the way things went with the run game on Monday?
"It just showed that we're capable of doing that. We've just got to be consistent the rest of the year."
What do you expect out of St. Louis this week?
"Since their bye week, it's been two different teams, really. They're playing really emotional right now and have some real speed at linebacker, and they're playing aggressive."
How did Sammy Morris look before he went down in the first half?
"That's Sammy. Sammy was doing his thing, just helping the team win any way he can."
How big of a difference does it make playing at home?
"It's always a big difference. You've got your fans behind you, and they're backing you 100 percent. Then you go out there and play well as a team, so it complements each other."
Could you tell how much more confident Matt Cassel looked once he had that sort of running game in front of him?
"It was everyone. It was everyone getting confidence and getting off to a good start, and the whole team was just feeding off each other. We're just playing well.
Is that something that started from the get-go?
"The thing that was on our minds that we wanted to re-emphasize was to be emotional from the beginning of the game."
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Asked and answered: Heath Evans, Patriots fullback
Fullback Heath Evans was part of a goal-line package that was angry and embarrassed after failing on four straight fourth-and-1 attempts against San Diego a week ago. That's why, after Sammy Morris scored from four yards out in the second quarter, there was so much celebration in the back of the end zone -- it was a relief for that unit to be able to assert itself once again.
Rookie BenJarvus Green-Ellis and veteran Kevin Faulk combined with Morris and Evans to rush for a combined 257 yards in the game.
How did it feel to get the running game back in a groove?
"In this league, you know it can be week to week, but this was one week where we were able to get into a groove early. It was kind of a snowball effect -- it just kept rolling. Benny comes in and finishes strong, Kevin is Kevin, like always, and Sammy was running like a madman to start us off. You know what? When the 'O'-line plays that way, things are very easy for us."
How do you describe those runs and the way those were blocked?
"There was a bunch of different styles tonight, but all in all, there were a lot of guys covered up. When I take off (out of the I-formation) and I'm seeing specifically one guy to block instead of two or three, that's a great feeling. There wasn't a lot of cleaning up tonight. Most of the time, I was getting on my guy. That's just because guys were prying open holes up front. Shoot, on Benny's touchdown (in the fourth quarter), I had nobody to hit. I don't know if you guys saw that. It was late in the game, and I'm sure they were tired, humiliated like we were last week. We've been there; we understand that. But to go through there, I didn't know what to do with myself. The 'O'-line played so well that we just walked in."
How empowering is that, when you're out on the field and you can call fourth-and-1s and pick them up?
"For me, it's all about confidence. It's like when our defense is out there and some team is going for it on fourth-and-1, I'm getting my helmet ready because, confidence-wise, I believe in those guys, and most of the time, they get the job done. For us, when we get the ball rolling that way, it's that snowball effect and just gets bigger and bigger and bigger. Momentum is a tough thing to deal with in this league."
After that first touchdown, after Morris scored, did it seem like there was some extra celebration in the back of the end zone?
"You get, last week, to be down there four times in a row -- that was humiliating to any fullback in this league, any running back, any offensive line. When you get a chance to punch it in and punch it in with force, like we did, where he's basically walking in untouched, you love that. You love that."
Rookie BenJarvus Green-Ellis and veteran Kevin Faulk combined with Morris and Evans to rush for a combined 257 yards in the game.
How did it feel to get the running game back in a groove?
"In this league, you know it can be week to week, but this was one week where we were able to get into a groove early. It was kind of a snowball effect -- it just kept rolling. Benny comes in and finishes strong, Kevin is Kevin, like always, and Sammy was running like a madman to start us off. You know what? When the 'O'-line plays that way, things are very easy for us."
How do you describe those runs and the way those were blocked?
"There was a bunch of different styles tonight, but all in all, there were a lot of guys covered up. When I take off (out of the I-formation) and I'm seeing specifically one guy to block instead of two or three, that's a great feeling. There wasn't a lot of cleaning up tonight. Most of the time, I was getting on my guy. That's just because guys were prying open holes up front. Shoot, on Benny's touchdown (in the fourth quarter), I had nobody to hit. I don't know if you guys saw that. It was late in the game, and I'm sure they were tired, humiliated like we were last week. We've been there; we understand that. But to go through there, I didn't know what to do with myself. The 'O'-line played so well that we just walked in."
How empowering is that, when you're out on the field and you can call fourth-and-1s and pick them up?
"For me, it's all about confidence. It's like when our defense is out there and some team is going for it on fourth-and-1, I'm getting my helmet ready because, confidence-wise, I believe in those guys, and most of the time, they get the job done. For us, when we get the ball rolling that way, it's that snowball effect and just gets bigger and bigger and bigger. Momentum is a tough thing to deal with in this league."
After that first touchdown, after Morris scored, did it seem like there was some extra celebration in the back of the end zone?
"You get, last week, to be down there four times in a row -- that was humiliating to any fullback in this league, any running back, any offensive line. When you get a chance to punch it in and punch it in with force, like we did, where he's basically walking in untouched, you love that. You love that."
Friday, October 17, 2008
Asked and answered: Holy @#&%#@#! edition
J.D. Drew, Red Sox outfielder, who hit a two-run home run and then drove in the game-winning run with a single in the bottom of the ninth:
Can you go over those at-bats?
"We were in a situation where we needed some runs in a big way, and Papi was able to get a huge home run and give us some run support there. I'm just in a situation where we're trying to get a ball in the zone, trying to get a rhythm going. Missing six weeks of the season, I've found myself in a little bit of a bad rhythm but trying to work through it. I felt like I had some good at-bats, was able to get a ball in the middle of the plate and put a nice swing on it. And then the same thing kind of happened in that last at-bat."
Were you guys able to draw on previous comebacks, like last year against Cleveland, in this game?
"It's a little different, you know -- it was critical. Everyone knew that we needed to win the ballgame. It doesn't matter how you do it. We didn't want to go down 7-0, but there's a lot of fight in that dugout, and a lot of guys knew as soon as we got some runs on the board, we could get something going, and we were able to do that with (Dustin Pedroia's) hit and then Papi got that home run and that got things kind of steamrolling, and we were able to win the game."
What did you see on that last hit?
"I knew I hit it really well. I got a ball in the middle of the plate, just tried to square it up, similar to what happened in Anaheim when Coco was on second, just trying to get a ball to hit in the hole somewhere. And I hit it really well -- I thought well enough to get it over his head, but (it being) so deep in right field here, I didn't know if he would catch it or not.
Terry Francona, Red Sox manager, for whose team this has become old hat:
Is a win a win, or is this one more than that?
"Well, considering a lot of things -- a loss, and we stay home -- I've never seen a group so happy to get on a place at 1:30 in the morning in my life. I can't say the game was exciting because the first six innings we did nothing. They had their way with us every way possible. And then this place came unglued, and we've seen that before. But because of the situation we're in, that was pretty magical."
Tell us what you saw with Ortiz's hit and then the two hits by Drew.
"Well, David got us back into (a place where) if something else happens, it makes it interesting, where all of a sudden they've got to go to the bullpen, do some different things. J.D. squared up two balls really well. Coco (Crisp's) at-bat was probably the best at-bat he's had as a Red Sox, again, because of the situation. But we did some unbelievable things. (Jonathan Papelbon) went out and threw another inning. He was gassed from the first inning. So we get to keep playing, and that's truly thrilling."
Coco Crisp, whose 10-pitch at-bat ended with a single to score Mark Kotsay with the tying run:
When you're going through an at-bat, do you have any idea how many pitches you were facing, what's going on? Do you know now?
"Yeah, somebody said nine."
It was 10.
"See? Somebody was wrong. I didn't know. I was just focusing on every pitch. I stepped out, said a little prayer, you know, and every time I got back in, it was the same routine, the same thing I asked for. I lost track of how many pitches."
What was the difference on the last pitch?
"The location was different. His ball sinks and tails away from you a lot; he left a few of them up, and I was able to get a piece of them. They were actually good pitches, up and out of the zone. But the ball sinks so much sometimes that it might just drop down into the zone. It didn't, so they ended up being good pitches, and I was able to foul those off and keep myself in it and then on a long at-bat, he made a mistake, and I was able to put it in play."
Did you see how many fans were still in the stands when it was 7-0?
"Yeah, I saw a few of the fans leaving -- with good cause, I guess, being down seven in the seventh, right? Most of the time, guys don't come back from that. This is an exception to that. But I know they're at home kicking themselves in the butt, like, 'Gosh, dog, I just left an instant classic!' But the guys that did stay, they're out there partying and celebrating and cheering, and it makes it exciting -- not only for us, to win a game like this and celebrate, but when you're coming back in here through the dugout and you see them out there partying and giving air high-fives, it makes you a little happier."
Can you go over those at-bats?
"We were in a situation where we needed some runs in a big way, and Papi was able to get a huge home run and give us some run support there. I'm just in a situation where we're trying to get a ball in the zone, trying to get a rhythm going. Missing six weeks of the season, I've found myself in a little bit of a bad rhythm but trying to work through it. I felt like I had some good at-bats, was able to get a ball in the middle of the plate and put a nice swing on it. And then the same thing kind of happened in that last at-bat."
Were you guys able to draw on previous comebacks, like last year against Cleveland, in this game?
"It's a little different, you know -- it was critical. Everyone knew that we needed to win the ballgame. It doesn't matter how you do it. We didn't want to go down 7-0, but there's a lot of fight in that dugout, and a lot of guys knew as soon as we got some runs on the board, we could get something going, and we were able to do that with (Dustin Pedroia's) hit and then Papi got that home run and that got things kind of steamrolling, and we were able to win the game."
What did you see on that last hit?
"I knew I hit it really well. I got a ball in the middle of the plate, just tried to square it up, similar to what happened in Anaheim when Coco was on second, just trying to get a ball to hit in the hole somewhere. And I hit it really well -- I thought well enough to get it over his head, but (it being) so deep in right field here, I didn't know if he would catch it or not.
Terry Francona, Red Sox manager, for whose team this has become old hat:
Is a win a win, or is this one more than that?
"Well, considering a lot of things -- a loss, and we stay home -- I've never seen a group so happy to get on a place at 1:30 in the morning in my life. I can't say the game was exciting because the first six innings we did nothing. They had their way with us every way possible. And then this place came unglued, and we've seen that before. But because of the situation we're in, that was pretty magical."
Tell us what you saw with Ortiz's hit and then the two hits by Drew.
"Well, David got us back into (a place where) if something else happens, it makes it interesting, where all of a sudden they've got to go to the bullpen, do some different things. J.D. squared up two balls really well. Coco (Crisp's) at-bat was probably the best at-bat he's had as a Red Sox, again, because of the situation. But we did some unbelievable things. (Jonathan Papelbon) went out and threw another inning. He was gassed from the first inning. So we get to keep playing, and that's truly thrilling."
Coco Crisp, whose 10-pitch at-bat ended with a single to score Mark Kotsay with the tying run:
When you're going through an at-bat, do you have any idea how many pitches you were facing, what's going on? Do you know now?
"Yeah, somebody said nine."
It was 10.
"See? Somebody was wrong. I didn't know. I was just focusing on every pitch. I stepped out, said a little prayer, you know, and every time I got back in, it was the same routine, the same thing I asked for. I lost track of how many pitches."
What was the difference on the last pitch?
"The location was different. His ball sinks and tails away from you a lot; he left a few of them up, and I was able to get a piece of them. They were actually good pitches, up and out of the zone. But the ball sinks so much sometimes that it might just drop down into the zone. It didn't, so they ended up being good pitches, and I was able to foul those off and keep myself in it and then on a long at-bat, he made a mistake, and I was able to put it in play."
Did you see how many fans were still in the stands when it was 7-0?
"Yeah, I saw a few of the fans leaving -- with good cause, I guess, being down seven in the seventh, right? Most of the time, guys don't come back from that. This is an exception to that. But I know they're at home kicking themselves in the butt, like, 'Gosh, dog, I just left an instant classic!' But the guys that did stay, they're out there partying and celebrating and cheering, and it makes it exciting -- not only for us, to win a game like this and celebrate, but when you're coming back in here through the dugout and you see them out there partying and giving air high-fives, it makes you a little happier."
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