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Jerry weighs in on the patriots, celtics bruins and more in… his Hublets!

Lately, everytime I sit down at a keyboard it’s either to prepare a lesson, or to research some interesting historical event. The sports world has not come to a crashing halt just because I’m back teaching. (U.S History II, anyone? Bueller? Bueller?)  It also seems of late that there are a great many smallish things I’d like to comment on, without neccessarily pontificating upon them for any great length. So I have decided to introduce what I’ll call the “Hublet”, randomly short bits on a variety of topics. Here goes…..

Hublet #1: I really nailed the Super Bowl didn’t I?! I had picked the 49ers to win 34-17, because I believe the balance of power has shifted to the NFC. Apparently I was a tad premature in my assumption. Also, I think that the case can be made that Joe Flacco is turning into the new Eli Manning; essentially just showing up for the games that really count. Is he worth $20 million? I’m not sure, but I am fairly sure that the Ravens are not going to take the chance of losing him, and will sign him for something in that range. It’s likely to cause them cap problems, but they have no real alternative. (To quote Beyonce, if they want to keep him, they will have to put a ring on him…..Sorry, couldn’t resist.)

Hublet#2:

Dougie Hamilton and the Bruins are off to a hot start. (Leon T. Switzer/Icon SMI)
Dougie Hamilton and the Bruins are off to a hot start. (Leon T. Switzer/Icon SMI)

It’s good to have the Bruins back in action and off to a relatively good start,(5-1-1 at this point) although that 7-3 loss to Buffalo was ugly and very disconcerting. Most of their key players are young-  Patrice Bergeron is 27, Milan Lucic is 24, Brad Marchand also 24, Tyler Sequin only 21, the 6’5″ Dougie Hamilton is only 19, and goalie Tuuka Rask, 25. So it’s likely that the core will be together for a while since mangement was able to tie them up for next several years. Their owner, Jeremy Jacobs, is looked upon in these parts as the”Anti-Kraft” for his part in the lockout, but at least he got that right.

Hublet#3: Apparently, even though many consider Rajon Rondo to be one of the best point guards in the game, the C’s play better withoiut him. At least that seems to be the way the conversation is going around here. I think it’s simply a matter of  Rondo’s style not being the best fit for the talent that surrounds him. Hopefully, he can adjust his game next year when he returns. Fortunately for the Celts, the more consistent playing time has helped some of the bench, particularily Jason Terry and Leandro Barbosa, find their game. Also, it’s unsettling to see someone as young as Jared Sullinger under go back surgery, but we are being assured that he will be fine next season, and the back issues behind him. Let’s hope so.

Hublet#4: I’m sorry, but I can’t believe that the Ravens’ Bernard Pollard wasn’t fined for his hit on Stevan Ridley in the AFC Championship game. I think the NFL should take the same stance on helmets, that the NHL takes with sticks. You are responsible for your stick and if it cuts or hurts someone, it is a major penalty. In football, you should be responsible for your helmet, and should be penalized if you hurt or knock someone out; regardless if they are “defenseless” or not. It may very well be the only way to get  defenders to get back to actually tackling.

I guess that will do for now. Anyone know how many days until spring training? Has the truck left yet?

 

 

About Jerry Ballgame

The personification of "old school", Jerry Ballgame was born in the shadow of Dr. Naismith's peach basket, and baptized in that "Dirty Water." Designated by his "Uncle" Ted, to keep an eye on things, he's here to tell everyone what his view is like from the Hub of the Universe.