Source: Chad Jackson released

Posted by Reiss' Pieces August 31, 2008 at 1:26 pm

In a surprising move, the Patriots informed wide receiver Chad Jackson this morning that they are cutting him from the roster, according to a league source.

Jackson, the team's second-round draft choice in 2006, entered training camp in a battle for the No. 3 job previously occupied by Donte' Stallworth. He also took repetitions as a punt returner.

With Jabar Gaffney seizing the role of No. 3 receiver, and receiver/returner C.J. Jones making the 53-man roster, Jackson was apparently deemed expendable.

Bowden down as Van Every returns

Posted by Ian Browne August 31, 2008 at 1:26 pm The morning after winning his first big league start, Michael Bowden was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket on Sunday as the Sox recalled outfielder Jonathan Van Every.

Hanging Chad

Posted by Mike Giardi August 31, 2008 at 1:17 pm

Word is circulating that the Patriots have told Chad Jackson his services are no longer wanted. In fact, our good friend Mike Reiss is reporting this in the Globe. Fairly bold of the team to part ways with a wide receiver who just three drafts ago they traded up to grab in the second-round. But - and you know this if you’ve been a religious reader of this site - I think Jackson’s football IQ is painfully low. That has been evident on the practice field as well as during game situations.

I realize he lost a good portion of last year due to injury, but that shouldn’t have prevented him from ingesting that playbook and coming into this summer with a full grasp of the offense. Watching him, it is safe to say Jackson wasn’t grasping much, thus this surprise, a day after rosters were trimmed to 53. Let me know what you think. Does this move catch you off guard? Do you think the Pats have enough at wideout to make this work? Will they regret sending the former Florida star packing? Do tell…

RI Olympians to be honored Monday night

Posted by Projo Sox Blog August 31, 2008 at 1:03 pm Four Olympians with Rhode Island connections will be honored in pregame ceremonies Monday night at Fenway Park with the other New England natives who participated in the recently concluded Beijing Olympics. Providence native Demetrius Andrade (boxing), Saunderstown's Elizabeth Beisel...

Randy Moss Interview Transcript - 8/31/2008

Posted by New England Patriots News Feed August 31, 2008 at 1:00 pm

New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss addresses the media following practice at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, August 31, 2008.

Pregame Odds and Ends

Posted by Projo Sox Blog August 31, 2008 at 12:57 pm -- Mike Lowell (oblique) hit off a tee on Saturday. He's taking today off but may take batting practice Monday. -- Kevin Youkilis still was feeling the effects of flu-like symptoms and may not even make it to the ballpark...

Red-Faced Francona

Posted by Projo Sox Blog August 31, 2008 at 12:49 pm By STEVEN KRASNER Journal Sports Writer BOSTON -- Boston manager Terry Francona was more than a little red-faced during the fifth inning of Friday night's game. Francona bolted out of the dugout, ready to protest an "out" call of Dustin...

Randy Moss checks in

Posted by Reiss' Pieces August 31, 2008 at 12:48 pm

FOXBOROUGH – Comments from Patriots receiver Randy Moss, who spoke with media members this morning at Gillette Stadium:

What are your thoughts as you prepare to open another season?
“I really don’t have any, to be honest with you. I know it’s been a long preseason, a long training camp, so everybody is ready to get the season started. It’s not that feeling like last year. It’s just more like ‘it’s about time it’s come around.’ I think that’s where I’m at.”

You had expressed some nervousness that you were feeling when we spoke with you at the end of training camp. Are those feelings still there?
“Yeah, because I think the expectations are so high. They’ve already been set. With the preseason included, it’s still here. It’s not a bad nervousness, it’s just knowing what we have to do to accomplish our goals. That’s where the nervousness sets in, because last year we did some good things around here. Hopefully we can continue that, so that’s where the nervousness is.”

With the inconsistency of the preseason, do you feel confident going into the preseason? Some outside observers are worried that you went 0-4.
“I don’t see any frustration or anything setting in around here. We’re getting ready for Sunday, so we look forward to a good game.”

Are you looking forward to getting Tom Brady back in the huddle, running the offense?
“I don’t think just me, but I think the whole team is ready for Tom to come back. I think that he is the leader of this team, and he does some great things out there on the field with that ball. You know, he really wasn’t out there with us in preseason. I guess that’s a good thing, but we’ll see Sunday.”

You dispelled the myth last year that a quarterback and receiver need to work in the preseason to develop timing, because you didn’t play. Now that Tom didn’t play, do you think that still applies?
“I think we’ll be all right. We have enough timing down from last year, to the camps, and also a little bit of training camp. I think we’ll be fine. We’re going to put our guys out there and see what happens.”

How do you feel physically compared to last year?
“It’s no comparison, really. I just feel good, ready to go. That’s about it.”

You’ve had a long career, now in your 11th season. Do you still get excited about the start of the regular season?
“I get excited every day, especially coming to work. I think this year, like I said before, the bar and the expectations are so high – the bar has been raised so high – that it’s actually easier to focus because we know what we have to do. The way I feel, I’m not speaking for the team, but I feel pretty good. I’m actually waiting for Sunday to get another season started.”

News, notes and lineups

Posted by Extra Bases August 31, 2008 at 12:46 pm

Michael Bowden will work out with the team today and then return to Pawtucket. He was optioned this morning to make room for outfielder Jonathan Van Every. He may return when the rosters expand as insurance in the bullpen or to make a spot start.

Terry Francona said that the 21-year-old righty, who pitched five innings, allowed two runs on seven hits in his major league debut Saturday night in an 8-2 Red Sox win, had not yet reached his innings pitched threshold. Bowden has now thrown 149-1/3 innings. It's not quite certain what that maximum is, normally it's 150-160 innings.

Bowden said he received 84 text messages, 30 missed calls and 18 voice mails. Many of them were from his Chicago-area friends.

Francona shrugged off comments made by Ozzie Guillen, who said he wasn't impressed with Bowden. Francona said he didn't see the comments, but added, "I was happy with him." Francona dismissed Guillen's comments noting that every manager has a different style. Guillen's is certainly unique.

Bartolo Colon is expected to pitch today for Pawtucket. His locker has been reinstated in the Sox clubhouse. The Red Sox have a day-night double-header Sept. 13 against Toronto and may need an extra pitcher around that time, whether it be versus Toronto or Tampa Bay. Colon will be ready to go by then.

On the MASH front: Kevin Youkilis was still sick with the flu and wasn't at the ballpark this morning. Coco Crisp was present, but not in the lineup and Josh Beckett, who had also caught the bug, was playing catch in the outfield. Francona said that Mike Lowell will not need a rehab stint and may take live BP Monday. He hit off a tee yesterday and is taking today off.

Here are the lineups:

Boston:

Ellsbury-CF
Lowrie-3B
Ortiz-DH
Pedroia-2B
Kotsay-RF
Bay-LF
Bailey-1B
Cora-SS
Cash-C
Wakefield-SP

White Sox:

Cabrera-SS
Swisher-RF
Quentin-LF
Thome-DH
Konerko-1B
Griffey-CF
Ramirez-2B
Crede-3B
Hall-C
Floyd-SP

Bowden Optioned; Van Every Promoted

Posted by Projo Sox Blog August 31, 2008 at 12:32 pm By STEVEN KRASNER Journal Sports Writer BOSTON -- One day after he earned a win in his major league debut, Michael Bowden was optioned to Pawtucket this morning. Taking his place on the roster will be outfielder Jonathan Van Every,...

Page 3 of 192«12345»...Last »