Glimmer of hope

I don't know why I do it - but I actually got excited last night when the Sox took the 3-2 lead in the top of 9th against the Yanks in New York. Maybe because I love the Sox, maybe because I hate the Yankees, maybe I just wanted something to really root for after watching the Patriots get lucky against the Bills. But I felt pretty good. Then Papelbon got squeezed, the Yankees rallied, tied the score and all my excitement disappeared as I rolled over and went to sleep, certain of the inevitable loss that followed.

I'm not going to go on a diatribe about how they were still mathematically in it (they were) or get on my soap box about how this game was a microcosm of the season (it was) and I'm certainly not going to turn this into an over-the-top negative statement about the state of the Red Sox. (Just as an aside - did anyone else read that ridiculous article by Dan Shaughn"ASS"y in the Globe the other day. There is no ray of sunshine for that man. None. Everything has to be negative. Even a Mike Lowell appreciation night needs to become something negative with him. He seriously needs to take some happy pills or see a counselor or something. Issues - that's all I'm saying.).

Instead, I will use this moment to be happy. There is a glimmer of hope. College hockey starts on Thursday and the first game that counts is Michigan v. Mercyhurst in Ann Arbor on Saturday. And the Eagles pick up their sticks for an exhibition game on Sunday. So it can't all be bad.

A couple of weekend observations:

- Dave Shinskie is bad. I appreciate all he did last year, gutting it out to get the Eagles to an 8-5 record and a win away from the ACC title game. But he is not good. I hope Marcovetra or Rettig can put something together against the Irish this weekend but it doesn't look good. There is a lot of promise on the BC team but the main pieces are just so young and inexperienced that its going to take a season or two to get back where they were.

- The Atlanta Falcons may be for real. After trouncing their opponent last week, the Falcons went out and followed it up with a solid victory in New Orleans against the defending champions. Yes, they allowed a game tying field goal as time expired in regulation but in overtime they took advantage of the opportunity they were given and finished off the Saints. Makes me feel good to see Matt Ryan succeeding at the next level.