Bobby vs. Youk
More controversy coming out of the Red Sox locker room. This time it was manager Bobby Valentine criticizing Kevin Youkilis saying he does not think his third basemen is as "physically and emotionally into the game" as he used to be.
Valentine later apologized to Youkilis for the comments.
Of course everybody is jumping down Valentine's throat and sticking up for Youkilis. Valentine's timing was bad as the team just rattled off three straight wins but it's hard to feel bad for any player on the Red Sox right now. Last season was a debacle and is still too fresh in the minds of Red Sox fans, the players are pampered and spoiled; and they were spoiled by former manager Terry Francona, who I am certainly not knocking as he is the most successful manager the team has had in recent memory.
Valentine is brought in to change the culture and when he speaks honestly and ruffles a few feathers he gets a fire storm of hate.
Dustin Pedroia chimed in saying "that's not the way we do things around here." Well I got a news flash for you Dustin, the way you "do things around here" has led to two straight third place finishes and the most embarrassing regular season collapse in baseball history.
Furthermore, the way the Sox players do things got its last manager that they all loved and who protected them fired, so a manager that's not going to pamper his players is just what this team asked for.
Welker absent
Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker was missing from the team's voluntary workouts Monday. Normally that would not be alarming as the workouts are voluntary but given Welker's contract situation it's newsworthy.
The Patriots put the franchise tag on Welker, something most players hate, has yet to sign his tender or come to a long term contract agreement with the team.
Let's hope this isn't the beginning of a contract hold out, as Welker is the second most important cog in the Patriots offense.
-Compiled by Nick Curcuru
