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Friday September 28, 2012

2:26

Chad Finn:

Good afternoon, chatters. Chad will be here momentarily, but feel free to submit questions now.

Friday September 28, 2012 2:26 Chad Finn

2:37

Chad Finn:

Hey gang -- Thanks for stopping by on this rainy Friday (at least here on Morrissey Blvd). Lots of questions in the queue already, so let's get to it.

Friday September 28, 2012 2:37 Chad Finn

2:37

[Comment From Shane VereenShane Vereen: ]

What's McDaniels' obsession with Woodhead? Especially on 3rd down?

Friday September 28, 2012 2:37 Shane Vereen

2:39

Chad Finn:

Well, one of the explanations for why he played so much -- what was it, 15 carries and two catches -- against Baltimore was because he has a better grasp of the hurry-up, and a lot of his action came during that. But beyond that, I don't really get it. He's a nice change-of-pace player, but it seems like the more you see him, the less effective he is. And anytime he's getting more touches than Gronk by a 17-2 ratio, you're doing something wrong.

Friday September 28, 2012 2:39 Chad Finn

2:40

[Comment From SeanSean: ]

Does Bobby really believe he's coming back next year, or is he just saying the right things (for once) and going through the motions?

Friday September 28, 2012 2:40 Sean

2:41

Chad Finn:

Well, if he heard Ben Cherington's interesting choice of words when he was on with D&C the other day, he can't possibly believe it, though I suppose he's capable of deluding himself. Really, I think he's saying that to force their hand to some degree, sending a message that he's not going to quit and they're going to have to fire him. I wouldn't be shocked if he's worried that the Sox are going to try to get out of paying him for that second year.

Friday September 28, 2012 2:41 Chad Finn

2:41

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Don't feel confident that any of the current pitchers are truly number 1 starters. Don't like what's available through free agency. Can't bet on anything in the minors. That brings us back to King Felix. Any chance we can pry him away from Seattle?

Friday September 28, 2012 2:41 Guest

2:44

Chad Finn:

Yeah, I'd agree with that. Lester has pitched like a No. 1 in the past, but certainly not for a while now. I think he can and will get back to that level, but you can't count on it. As good as Buchholz has been after his miserable first 5-6 starts, I'm not sure anyone looks at him and his 4.22 ERA this year as a true No. 1.

Friday September 28, 2012 2:44 Chad Finn

2:46

Chad Finn:

Felix seems to be the Holy Grail for Sox fans, and understandably. But he's got two years left on that deal in Seattle, so I think it may be another year before they shop him. He's awesome, but this price will be nuts, and he's going to have about 2,000 innings on that arm two years from now. We'd all love to see him here, but if the price starts with Bogaerts, Bradley, Middlebrooks, Barnes, etc., it might be counterproductive to pull off.

Friday September 28, 2012 2:46 Chad Finn

2:46

[Comment From PetePete: ]

Can you explain the 8-year anniversary celebration of the 2004 championship team? I thought it was shameless. What was the point?

Friday September 28, 2012 2:46 Pete

2:48

Chad Finn:

A total misdirection play, a Wag-the-dog moment by Dr. Charles, trying to get us to look over at the duck boats and the shiny trophy and not notice the lemon of a product they've put on the field this year. I'll never complain about seeing that crew from '04, especially Pedro, and it's nice that Foulke is finally getting his due here. But it does cheapen the 10-year anniversary a bit.

Friday September 28, 2012 2:48 Chad Finn

2:48

[Comment From CBA82CBA82: ]

And the next manager of the Boston Red Sox is...?

Friday September 28, 2012 2:48 CBA82

2:49

Chad Finn:

I think they'll work something out for Farrell if he makes it known to the Blue Jays that this is where he wants to be. If not Farrell, Torey Lovullo. I do wonder if a small reason the Indians fired Manny Acta now was concern that Sandy Alomar may end up here. Doubt it, but it's possible.

Friday September 28, 2012 2:49 Chad Finn

2:51	Who should manage the Red Sox in 2013? Bobby Valentine ( 14% ) John Farrell ( 30% ) Torey Lovullo ( 38% ) Millsy! ( 14% ) Gene Lamont ( 5% ) Friday September 28, 2012 2:51

2:51

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

If the Pats lose this weekend, do I have permission to officially be worried?

Friday September 28, 2012 2:51 Guest

2:51

Chad Finn:

Sure, but you shouldn't be. That's Mazz's job.

Friday September 28, 2012 2:51 Chad Finn

2:52

Chad Finn:

Seriously, 1-3 would be strange, and the Bills would gain some legitimacy by beating the Pats (though we said the same thing in Week 3 last year, and then the Bills got Fitzpatricked). This team is going to be fine, though. They've lost two games against good teams by a field goal.

Friday September 28, 2012 2:52 Chad Finn

2:53

[Comment From Jon in PhoenixJon in Phoenix: ]

I still think the Patriots will win 11-12 games this year, so I am not panicking with the first 3 games. My concern is Bill Belichick's inability to repair and fix the defense. Its been 6-7 years and he still hasn't been able to recapture the magic of '03-'04. We win 11-12 games, make the playoffs, game a home playoff game and we get bounced because we can't get off of the field on 3rd down and we can't stop teams at the end of a game. You score 30 points on the Ravens, you ought to win the game.

Friday September 28, 2012 2:53 Jon in Phoenix

2:56

Chad Finn:

Well, bounced is an interesting word. Twice they've lost on the final drive of the Super Bowl, essentially. Another time in the closing seconds of the AFC Championship game. It's frustrating that they don't have 2-3 more Super Bowls, because they easily could. But it's incredible that they've been so close, and that they are a favorite yet again a dozen years into this run. They did set themselves back by missing on some relatively high picks -- Darius Butler and Terrance Wheatley, to name two, and Ty Law and Willie McGinest have proven extremely difficult to replace. I'd give this D more time -- it's young, fast, and I think it will come into its own, despite some of those same old problems cropping up against the Ravens.

Friday September 28, 2012 2:56 Chad Finn

2:56

[Comment From scrumhalfstevescrumhalfsteve: ]

How much blame does Goodell shouder in this ref debacle?

Friday September 28, 2012 2:56 scrumhalfsteve

2:57

Chad Finn:

I'm going to blame him for all of it, just because he seems like such an insincere, inauthentic person who says one thing and does another, especially in regard to player safety. (I cannot believe the Ravens were playing last night after playing Sunday night.)

Friday September 28, 2012 2:57 Chad Finn

2:57

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

2013 Sox' record? I say 81-81. Sadly, that will be a big improvement over this year.

Friday September 28, 2012 2:57 Guest

2:59

Chad Finn:

I'm skeptical that they're going to be a contender next year, but all you have to do is look at the Orioles this year to realize it can change quickly. If Lester, Buchholz, Ellsbury, and Pedroia all play to something close to their peak levels, Ortiz and Middlebrooks are both healthy, and Cherington hits on a couple of mid-level free agents this offseason, they could be in the wild card mix for sure, and maybe more than that. But right now, it feels like that's asking a lot.

Friday September 28, 2012 2:59 Chad Finn

2:59

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

I'm hoping the O's sweep the Sox and then the Sox sweep the Yanks.

Friday September 28, 2012 2:59 Guest

3:00

Chad Finn:

Me too. So the opposite will probably happen.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:00 Chad Finn

3:00

[Comment From terpsforsoxterpsforsox: ]

1-2 isn't the disaster it seems like it could be, but the Patriots really have a slim margin of error for the forseeable future. I hate to say any game in Week 4 is must-win but it sure seems like that this week, right?

Friday September 28, 2012 3:00 terpsforsox

3:01

Chad Finn:

Nah, it's not must-win, though it's an important game because it's in the division and the conference. But if they lose, I might agree that beating Denver and Peyton Pennington next week is must-win.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:01 Chad Finn

3:02

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Kevin Faulk was a much better Kevin Faulk than Woodhead. I miss Kevin Faulk.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:02 Guest

3:03

Chad Finn:

Truth. And Faulk somehow managed to be a great pass blocker. Woodhead gets tossed aside like a bag of trash getting thrown into a dump truck.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:03 Chad Finn

3:03

[Comment From terpsforsoxterpsforsox: ]

Am I the only one that's a little encouraged despite 1-2? The defense struggled Sunday, but they're so young they are going to have some growing pains and get better by December and January. And despite all that (and the refs, and a maybe-missed FG), they still almost won in a very hostile environment. I still think this is the best team in the AFC, their margin of error is just slimmer

Friday September 28, 2012 3:03 terpsforsox

3:05

Chad Finn:

I'd generally agree with that, though Houston's impressive start probably gives them bragging rights as the best team right now. (Hell, I always think of the Patriots as the favorite and go from there. That thinking doesn't go over well at the Lodge.) One encouraging thing to come out of the Ravens game was the play of the line -- they weren't perfect, but Brady got rid of the ball quick and generally avoided any cringe-inducing plays.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:05 Chad Finn

3:05

[Comment From Chad in Dallas UMaine96Chad in Dallas UMaine96: ]

The Pats pass rush looks identical to last years, 4 guys rushing, no one getting to the QB, how does Belichek let this slide every year without addressing it?

Friday September 28, 2012 3:05 Chad in Dallas UMaine96

3:07

Chad Finn:

To me, drafting Chandler Jones in the first round probably counts as addressing it. He was great the first two weeks, got held so much by Michael Oher Sunday that he'll be playing his Siamese twin in the sequel to "The Blind Side,'' and still managed four hurries. They don't blitz much because if it gets picked up, their cornerbacks are on an island. Sometimes I wish they were more aggressive too, but generally, I think this is going to be a much better defense than the one they had last year.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:07 Chad Finn

3:08

[Comment From WJMurrayWJMurray: ]

Don't you think the Bills would be better off with a quarterback like Tebow to develop the running game?

Friday September 28, 2012 3:08 WJMurray

3:08

Chad Finn:

You lost me at quarterback like Tebow. They *have* a quarterback like Tebow -- Brad Smith, a situational player who would be completely exposed playing QB every down.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:08 Chad Finn

3:09

[Comment From Sons_of_NomarSons_of_Nomar: ]

Did you catch the ESPN/Twitter debate between Keith Law and Rob Parker on AL MVP – Parker caused a little kerfuffle by making the standard hacky nerd stats jokes. I also noticed, though, that again Law comes off as (politely) “doesn’t suffer fools” and (accurately) “kind of an arrogant jerk”. I agree with his argument 100%, but when many of the more visible SABR-inclined writers act like that, I think it detracts from the legitimacy of their argument and makes them easy to dismiss. Not all are like that, obviously, but it feels like a lot of higher profile guys are.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:09 Sons_of_Nomar

3:13

Chad Finn:

I missed that. I'll have to go look it up, but I agree with your premise. I really like Law -- he's extremely smart, has an opinion but is willing to listen to counter-arguments, and is a much nicer guy than he seems in his snarky chats and so on. (Same for me! Honest!) But there is a real dismissiveness by a lot of the sabermetric crowd that probably is a turn-off to some fans who want to understand where they are coming from but don't yet have the base of knowledge and give up because they are made to feel dumb or small. Seems counterproductive and exclusionary to me, which probably happens because they were made to feel that way by the mainstream when they were first starting out. I mean, there's no doubt -- no doubt -- Mike Trout should be the AL MVP this year, even if you think WAR gives too much weight to defense. But man, Miguel Cabrera could win the Triple Crown, and he made an unselfish move to the third base, and at the very least the argument should be a fun one to have. No need for either side to be dismissive or condescending.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:13 Chad Finn

3:13

[Comment From Bobby5Bobby5: ]

Odds on me sticking around after Ben Cherington talked about how fast he wanted to find a new manager if a search were to occur this off season?

Friday September 28, 2012 3:13 Bobby5

3:14

Chad Finn:

You mean before or after security shows up with a cardboard box for his things?

Friday September 28, 2012 3:14 Chad Finn

3:14

[Comment From Sons_of_NomarSons_of_Nomar: ]

Who are you adopting to root for in the playoffs? I wouldn’t be bummed to see the Nats, O’s or Braves (Chipper) take it. I’d love to see the A’s win as well to put an end to all the “Billy Beane never won a thing” rhetoric– either way, at least it’ll be a fun playoffs to follow even without the Red Sox

Friday September 28, 2012 3:14 Sons_of_Nomar

3:18

Chad Finn:

Nats would be a great story, and I'd like to see my boy Adam Kilgore cover a champ. Same for the A's, because no one thought that team was going to be good this year, and they have a few players I thought were great guys when they played here in Reddick, Coco, and Brandon Moss. I can't root for the Orioles, because I've already had my fill of revisionist "We shoulda kept Duquette!" emails. And personally, I'll root for the Braves. Back in the '80s and early '90s, we got TBS at my house but not NESN, so I adopted them as my NL team. Oddibe McDowell, Dion James, Gerald Perry, guys like that, and then Gant, Avery, Justice and that crew. Chipper is one of my favorite current players, and I suspect he's not about to go out with a whimper.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:18 Chad Finn

3:18

[Comment From terpsforsoxterpsforsox: ]

Who's your Sox manager on Pitchers and Catchers day in February? I'm still hoping Torey Lovullo gets an honest chance at it (like last year, when he didn't really). Still wouldn't mind seeing them take a look at Tony Pena Jr. from the Yankees as well, but that seems unrealistic

Friday September 28, 2012 3:18 terpsforsox

3:19

Chad Finn:

Not sure why Pena hasn't gotten longer looks from teams. Did good work in KC, but left under weird circumstances. He doesn't strike me as someone who the Sox front office would covet, though, probably because he had about .300 career on-base percentage.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:19 Chad Finn

3:19

[Comment From Ricky RomaRicky Roma: ]

What is up with AGonzalez? Do you think he may be hurt or is he in an awful declne? Scary to think we may have had to pay him for all the years remaining on his contract. What a fortunate trade.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:19 Ricky Roma

3:21

Chad Finn:

Total mystery to me. I wonder whether there's something the Red Sox know that made them more comfortable in sending him to the Dodgers than we know. I mean, I kept waiting for the home run power to come back, and it's been about a year and a half now that it's been gone.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:21 Chad Finn

3:21

[Comment From Bobby V PoisonBobby V Poison: ]

How much has Bobby V's defeatist, "there's nothing you can do", "what difference will it make" attitude poisoned the players on the 2012 Red Sox? A 34-47 record at Fenway including 0-7 in Extra Innings and only 1 walkoff win all year, speaks to very deep-rooted psychological problems and a losing mentality, something that could limit the potential of very promising players going forward and damage the Red Sox for years to come.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:21 Bobby V Poison

3:23

Chad Finn:

I think that attitude settled in after everything had gone wrong rather than it being a reason this year has been a mess, though his generally sarcastic attitude has been an issue from the beginning. There are enough hard-working, right-minded players leading that team that a "who cares?'' attitude isn't going to be pervasive. And besides, any young player who takes that attitude when given a chance to establish himself in the major leagues probably isn't anyone you want around anyway.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:23 Chad Finn

3:23

[Comment From lou merlonilou merloni: ]

Still think Ciriaco is just a "meh" ??

Friday September 28, 2012 3:23 lou merloni

3:26

Chad Finn:

Yes. Has something happened that should convince me otherwise? He's 27, has a .694 OPS, and has walked 7 times to 44 strikeouts. He's a decent utility guy, a Punto replacement with better speed, nothing more. Which reminds me, I still need to respond to the guy who castigated me for blaming Bobby V, then in his next email suggested Ciriaco should start at first, Mauro Gomez at third, and Daniel Nava in left.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:26 Chad Finn

3:27

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

It's been asked before but I'll ask again: what has Farrell done in his Blue Jays managing stint to even remotely suggest that he'd be a good manager -- for the Sox or anyone else? Never mind that we'd have to cough up some sort of compensation to get him.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:27 Guest

3:29

Chad Finn:

Not a lot in Toronto, sort of like Tito in Philly. It's a bad situation -- lost three starters within a week, Bautista got hurt, Lind regressed, Snider flopped, and so on. Some of that is on him, some of it isn't. But he's been very successful elsewhere -- running the pitching here, working to develop the farm system in Cleveland -- and he's a bright guy. I don't mind that he's getting his indoctrination in managing elsewhere -- if he learns from whatever mistakes he's made in Toronto, the Sox will benefit.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:29 Chad Finn

3:29

[Comment From Jon in PhoenixJon in Phoenix: ]

Ben C. has normally been very savvy with the media. I thought his "slip" about the manager search and indirectly Bobby Valentine was a way for him to draw a line in the sand with ownership. I don't think that there is anyway that Bobby is back, but I think Ben is telling everyone that they need to do it the Baseball OPS way to be effective.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:29 Jon in Phoenix

3:30

Chad Finn:

Interesting theory. I wonder what Lucchino thought when he heard that.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:30 Chad Finn

3:30

[Comment From EE: ]

Chad cmon. Comparing Gronk's touches with Woodhead's is apples and oranges. Maybe Gronk was double teamed. Or just not open. As I recall, with Woodhead on the field the Pats moved the ball with ease.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:30 E

3:32

Chad Finn:

Yeah, it is to some degree. But Gronk was targeted three times -- twice, really, since one was a pass thrown at his feet when Brady was running for his life -- despite running 33 routes. That's inexcusable. And Woodhead ran for 37 yards on 15 carries. The Patriots moved the ball, but I wouldn't exactly say it was because of him. Admit it -- you bought a Maroney jersey and scribbled out his name and replaced it with Woodhead, didn't you? Thrifty.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:32 Chad Finn

3:32

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Are you looking forward to the Sox honoring the 07 team in 2 years? What a joke.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:32 Guest

3:34

Chad Finn:

Should have done it this week for the five-year anniversary. Can't get enough Devern Hansack, Bobby Kielty and Bryan Corey around here.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:34 Chad Finn

3:34

[Comment From bill leebill lee: ]

Who would have bet that Aceves would make Padilla look like a reasonable moderate ??

Friday September 28, 2012 3:34 bill lee

3:35

Chad Finn:

I love that. I can just hear Padilla telling Aceves, "C'mon, Fredo. Give peace a chance,'' as he sticks another pin in his Bobby V. voodoo doll.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:35 Chad Finn

3:35

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

If Dr. Charles is such a PR genius why has everything they've touched this year turned to crap?

Friday September 28, 2012 3:35 Guest

3:36

Chad Finn:

I liked the 100-year celebration. Always good to see Yaz and those guys. But yeah, there have certainly been some situations where they've looked tone-deaf. Best p.r. move they could make is admitting the sellout streak is over.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:36 Chad Finn

3:37

Chad Finn:

I meant the All-Fenway team there. Though no team is complete without Manny.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:37 Chad Finn

3:37

[Comment From MikeOMikeO: ]

Who makes the most sense as 1B-man next year? Trumbo (trade)? Loney? Swisher? LaRoche or Napoli in platoon?

Friday September 28, 2012 3:37 MikeO

3:39

Chad Finn:

Geez, does it have to be from that crew? No interest in Swisher. Showboating phony who annoys his teammates and is prone to streaks. Napoli has killed the Sox, so naturally he's on the list even though he had a lousy, injury-plagued year. Loney hits like he's paying homage to Larry Biitner or something. Sign me up for LaRoche. I guess.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:39 Chad Finn

3:40

[Comment From Sons_of_NomarSons_of_Nomar: ]

Seeing Foulke back in town was a good reminder of how shortsighted Boston fans can be - booing Beckett this year was a bit more justified, but a good reminder of how fans will turn at the drop of a hat...

Friday September 28, 2012 3:40 Sons_of_Nomar

3:41

Chad Finn:

Yeah, Foulke said some dumb stuff here, but the fans should never have turned on him after what he did in '04. That was really disappointing.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:41 Chad Finn

3:41

[Comment From DavidDavid: ]

Certain folks in the media are aghast at the idea of the Sox listening to Bill James. While I wouldn't want to have dinner with him, is it really that strange to want to consider what he thinks, given our experience with recent signings?

Friday September 28, 2012 3:41 David

3:44

Chad Finn:

Listening to Bill James is a sign that they're trying to do things right. The Red Sox were at their best when Theo was surrounded by different voices with different backgrounds, smart people like Bill Lajoie, Hoyer, Cherington, etc., who gave him all the information required to make the right decision. James's comments about Paterno and the Freeh Report were ill-considered and tone-deaf, but I think his intentions were to help out his friend Joe Posnanski a bit. The bottom line is that James has done as much for baseball analysis as anyone of recent generations, and I'd suggest that those who dismiss him should probably read something he has written first before coming to that conclusion.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:44 Chad Finn

3:44

[Comment From JBJB: ]

Gammons mentioned in a tweet that Pedro will have a roll with the Red Sox. Any idea what that would be? Will he be the first director of pitching?

Friday September 28, 2012 3:44 JB

3:45

Chad Finn:

Opening Day starter, I hope. No, I'm not sure. I'd be fine if his role was to stop by the NESN broadcast every night and tell stories about Manny. But Pedro is as brilliant as he was talented. He could be an asset in just about any role. Hope it's true.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:45 Chad Finn

3:45

[Comment From JohnJohn: ]

I think we could bypass Tek and delightfully caputre the spirt of the 2004 squad by naming Manny Ramirez as manager. What could go wrong?

Friday September 28, 2012 3:45 John

3:46

Chad Finn:

You know, it probably wouldn't be as much of a disaster as Bobby V., and much more entertaining.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:46 Chad Finn

3:46

[Comment From JohnJohn: ]

Should the Sox trade for Tulo? Rumor has it that he could be had.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:46 John

3:48

Chad Finn:

Yeah, a couple of the Rockies writers shot that down pretty quick. Obviously would love to see him here in theory, but he's injury-prone and due $155 million through his age 36 season. Not happening.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:48 Chad Finn

3:48

[Comment From DennisDennis: ]

Read your piece on Devin McCourty. I think the Baltimore game was terrible for him. Outside of the bad coverage I saw three missed tackles because his arm tackling. I think he should have been cut before he got on the bus.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:48 Dennis

3:49

Chad Finn:

I'm glad you're not in charge of personnel. He had some terrible moments in that game, some pretty good moments, and if he makes one of those picks (that he was in position to make), you're talking about him differently this morning. Really? Cut him before he gets on the bus?

Friday September 28, 2012 3:49 Chad Finn

3:49

[Comment From JayJay: ]

Did the Red Sox hire Jason Varitek as a non-manager just to shut up the brainless sycophants who think he would be the perfect replacement for BV? I mean... come on!

Friday September 28, 2012 3:49 Jay

3:51

Chad Finn:

When I hear "special assistant to the GM,'' I tend to think, "ex-player getting a figurehead job in the organization for a reason of semantics,'' such as when they gave Fisk the title so they could say he came back to the Red Sox and thus retire his number. Or, I think "sassy, wise-cracking secretary with a heart of gold.'' Not sure which one Tek qualifies for. (Actually, I think he'll have a real, valuable role. They're just giving him a little leeway to find out what it is he wants to do.)

Friday September 28, 2012 3:51 Chad Finn

3:52

[Comment From SeanSean: ]

Chad, thinking a little outside the box, how about Bill Mueller or Gabe Kapler as Sox manager? Or your boy Tim Naehring?

Friday September 28, 2012 3:52 Sean

3:54

Chad Finn:

That's inside the box -- believing that guys who were smart, popular players here can make that transition. Kapler is interesting, but I wonder what his standing is within the organization after he spent one year as a manager in A ball and then went back to playing. Mueller was pretty low-key when he played here, but well-regarded. Wouldn't mind seeing him interview, at least.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:54 Chad Finn

3:54

[Comment From GordoGordo: ]

Speaking of Kevin Faulk, he brings nothing to the table on the WEEI pregame show. I legitimately forget he's there most of the show.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:54 Gordo

3:56

Chad Finn:

Yeah, he's got a little Daubach in him -- so quiet sometimes that you forget he's there, as Dauber was during his long-forgotten stints on "The Big Show.'' But you have to give him a little time, I think. Troy Brown was the same way when he first started, and now he's excellent. And that's still a very good show -- Matt Chatham is a tremendous addition, Chris Price is very good, and hearing Dale on that show takes me back the Mannix/Hobson/Nellie days.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:56 Chad Finn

3:56

[Comment From rick in varick in va: ]

Sounds like Doc really is not missing Ray that much....I think this is the strongest 2nd group we have had since the 80's. Once Avery is back---could be a Bledsoe situation if Courtney Lee is lighting it up. How does Doc handle Darko? I think Sullinger is one rookie that will get p/t--big body who can rebound. He could be killer for us on the offensive boards.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:56 rick in va

3:59

Chad Finn:

Yep, they're very deep. Hope those who were killing Ainge last year realize how brilliantly he put together this roster. Lee is a coup, Terry will fit with Rondo better than Ray did, and while the jury is out on how Sullinger will fare against bigger players, I love that Doc said he'll "destroy" smaller ones. Cannot wait for this season to get going. And don't worry about Bradley and Lee. Bradley's a good kid and teammate.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:59 Chad Finn

3:59

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

I was disappointed to hear that Andre Carter signed with the Raiders this week. I hope the Pats did their due diligence and decided that he hadn't fully recovered from his injury and therefore couldn't help them like he did last year.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:59 Guest

3:59

Chad Finn:

Yeah, he still has lingering effects from the injury, which is why the various teams that worked him out -- the Rams were another, and there were others -- didn't sign him.

Friday September 28, 2012 3:59 Chad Finn

4:00

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

unfortunately I feel there is no way the Pats win this game... I have Buffalo winning 41-38. Talk me off the ledge here.

Friday September 28, 2012 4:00 Guest

4:02

Chad Finn:

I'm not really the talking off the ledge type anymore. If Patriots fans are on the ledge after a 1-2 start in which they've played pretty well and could be 3-0, and if Patriots fans don't have faith in a team that has had an unprecedented run of success in the salary cap era, I'm gonna have to wonder what the hell you're doing on the ledge in the first place and leave it to you to find your way off of it. ENJOY. THIS. TEAM. AND. STOP. LOOKING. FOR. THINGS. TO COMPLAIN. ABOUT.

Friday September 28, 2012 4:02 Chad Finn

4:02

Chad Finn:

(I did that for you, Mike Reiss.)

Friday September 28, 2012 4:02 Chad Finn

4:03

[Comment From SportoSporto: ]

SABR-inclined writers like Law, Neyer, and Bill James do a disservice by acting like Internet bullies, whereas dinosaurs like Chass and Shaugnessy also hurt the sport by going to the lowest common denominator of calculators and parents' basements. Who are the good ones, in the middle? Crasnick, Olney, and Stark come to mind.

Friday September 28, 2012 4:03 Sporto

4:06

Chad Finn:

I don't think Bill James is a bully -- he really doesn't respond to any of that stuff and just does his thing. There's no one who appreciates both the nostalgic and statistical sides of baseball with more good humor than Joe Posnanski. Sam Miller for BP is another, and while Jonah Keri has a strong sabermetric connection, his appreciation for other aspects of the game comes through in his writing. There are a lot of writers who love baseball in more than one way. I like to think I'm one of them.

Friday September 28, 2012 4:06 Chad Finn

4:06

[Comment From SteveSteve: ]

Native New Englander living in DC -- haven't heard your opinion on what has been the story of the year down here (the Strasburg shutdown). Thoughts?

Friday September 28, 2012 4:06 Steve

4:07

Chad Finn:

Hate it -- talked about it a lot on the podcast a week or two ago with Jim Kaat. The Nats have a chance to win it all this year that may not come around again for some time. You can't shut down your best pitcher when the pot of gold is within sight. It's admirable that they're protecting him as not to damage his value when Boras eventually takes him to free agency, though.

Friday September 28, 2012 4:07 Chad Finn

4:08

[Comment From APAP: ]

The 4th quarter of the Ravens game brought back bad memories of the inability of the Pats defense to stop an opponent when a game was on the line, but it also equally brought back the bad memories of the Pats offense going stone cold when they could put the game away....

Friday September 28, 2012 4:08 AP

4:08

Chad Finn:

Can't argue either of these things. Felt like a Giants game.

Friday September 28, 2012 4:08 Chad Finn

4:08

[Comment From BoKnowsBostonBoKnowsBoston: ]

I would just like to remind the loyal viewers that Belichick typically uses the first 3-4 games to gauge his teams prior to introducing more complicated schemes. I still believe this defense will be a force come end of season.

Friday September 28, 2012 4:08 BoKnowsBoston

4:09

Chad Finn:

Optimism? Are you sure you're a Patriots fan, Bo? THEY'RE 1-2 AND THE LEDGE IS FILLING UP! (I'm with you.)

Friday September 28, 2012 4:09 Chad Finn

4:10

[Comment From Stu BaggsStu Baggs: ]

How long before you start getting emails and tweets for Varitek to take over for Cherrington from fans misinterpreting 'Asst to GM' as "Asst GM"?

Friday September 28, 2012 4:10 Stu Baggs

4:10

Chad Finn:

Fans? I'll probably get one from Varitek's wife.

Friday September 28, 2012 4:10 Chad Finn

4:10

[Comment From DontBlamePedeyDontBlamePedey: ]

Chad, maybe a ridiculous question but is there any merit in bringing Youk back into the fold as a back-up at 1st/3rd? A fan favorite and a chance for him to potentially retire as a Red Sox.

Friday September 28, 2012 4:10 DontBlamePedey

4:11

Chad Finn:

Imagine he'll want to play every day.

Friday September 28, 2012 4:11 Chad Finn

4:12

[Comment From BoKnowsBostonBoKnowsBoston: ]

I'd just like everyone to know how awesome Drew Magary of Deadspin is. Uncanny ability to make me laugh.

Friday September 28, 2012 4:12 BoKnowsBoston

4:13

Chad Finn:

Same here. Love the Funbag on Tuesday. Dude replacing him on the Peter King takedown has done a good job, though. MAYBE.

Friday September 28, 2012 4:13 Chad Finn

4:13

[Comment From JBJB: ]

Thoughts on Nomar being apart of the '04 team celebration?

Friday September 28, 2012 4:13 JB

4:14

Chad Finn:

Weird. I like Nomar, and he was a part of the '04 team technically, but would anyone argue that trading him was a, if not the, turning point.

Friday September 28, 2012 4:14 Chad Finn

4:15

[Comment From Larry LucchinoLarry Lucchino: ]

Chad, as we've uhhhh said before, the Red Sox have the uhhhhh best fans in all of baseball as evidenced by the uhhhhh sellout streak that I know uhhhhhh all of Red Sox Nation is so very uhhhh proud of. In uhhhh recognition of that and uhhhhh observance of Dice K's final season of an uhhhhh memorable Red Sox career, John, Tom and I would like to announce a very uhhhhh special event for our season ticket holders. Before we uhhhhh put him on a plane bak to the uhhhh Orient, fans will be able to uhhhhh take the field at Fenway, and uhhhhh stand in the batters box against Dice K and uhhhhhh run to first base after he uhhhh throws 4 straight balls in the dirt.

Friday September 28, 2012 4:15 Larry Lucchino

4:16

Chad Finn:

And on that note, thanks for stopping by everyone. That might be the best closing question in the storied history of this chat. Say hello @GlobeChadFinn and we'll do this again next week.

Friday September 28, 2012 4:16 Chad Finn

4:16