This time of year can be stressful enough without listening to knucklehead after idiot call into Boston-region sports talk shows with their "well-thought-out" theories on who should go where, what manager is doing a bad job and generally playing out the role of the worst general managers in history.
I realize that putting on ridiculous callers is part of the gag, but at some point, it becomes the exact opposite of entertaining and engaging radio. With that in mind, I want to share four topics that have been dominating the airwaves of WEEI for the past month or so.
Whether it's the on-air talent or the untalented people calling in, I'm ready to hear cats singing Christmas carols before listening to people banter about the following news items anymore. Yes, I'm perpetuating the problem a bit by regurgitating these topics, but someone has to provide clarity.
Coming in at No. 4: New England receiver Randy Moss is dogging it.
This is more of a reputation issue than anything, but there seems to be an assumption—like this from Mike Felger—that Moss is not giving it his all because Tom Brady isn't throwing him the ball.
Have there been any public incidents? No. Have you heard of any behind-the-scenes complaining? Not that I know. Has he been trying less? I don't think so and this floats into that gray area of people not knowing what they're seeing on a field and using the 'taking plays off' tag a bit too liberally. Too many people think they know when they really don't.
So far, Moss has caught eight TDs and 54 receptions for 740 yards, a bit off pace from last season's record-breaking campaign. He's had some bad games, but so have the rest of the Pats' receivers. Moss has needed time to work things out with his new QB Matt Cassel, something that is tougher than most give credit for.
And if you still aren't buying it, keep this in mind: unlike Terrell Owens, Moss hasn't gone in front of the cameras this season to publicly demand more catches or undermine the coaching staff. He's in a great position with a team that is winning and will be catching bombs from Tom Brady soon enough. This is a story that isn't even there, but keeps rumbling in the background.
And our No. 3, can Kevin Youkilis play another position?
Emerging from the news the Red Sox might be interested in signing free agent slugger Mark Teixeira, there have been plenty of people asking whether Youkilis can play another position like left field, shortstop, or even...gulp...catcher (yes, people have asked this), Why would the team want to move Youk, you might ask? So the team can essentially have their cake and eat it too with Mike Lowell at 3rd, Teixeira at 1st and Youk filling a need at another position.
In a word: no. A Gold Glove winner, Youkilis filled in and played outstanding third base during Lowell's injury-riddled 2008 season, which is the only reason signing Teixeira is even being considered. He provides Boston with an interesting option if they do ink Teixeira and a conundrum in finding a trade market for Lowell, coming off hip surgery.
But rest assured: the man that finished third in AL MVP voting this season will either be at first or third...that's it and that's all. You can't have an All-Star at every position and moving Youkilis is asking too much and weakening another position. It's not Little League...this is Major League Freakin' Baseball.
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about 1 month ago
Sorts talk radio is to hear innterviews and gain information. Most who call just want to hear themselves be heard on the radio. The talk part is for the most part a joke.
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