This is not the way the Patriots want to start the season off. Rodney just released this statement:

Tomorrow the commissioner will announce that I've been suspended by the NFL for violating the league policy on banned substances. That suspension will be four games. I want to make it clear that not once did I ever use steroids. I did admit to the commissioner that I did in fact use a banned substance. My purpose was never to gain a competitive edge. Rather, my use was solely for accelerating the healing process of injuries I sustained while playing football.

"I haven't made excuses nor will I make excuses. I made a mistake and I'm very sorry for that. I understand that I'm a role model to high school to college, to young kids. I don't condone my decision, my behavior. I'm very, very embarrassed by it. I'm disappointed in myself and to any young person, any high schooler, any college athlete I sent the wrong message with my actions. And I would ask and I would want to be the example for them to never jeopardize what they believe in and never jeopardize their health. And they always have to love themselves."

 

I will be absent from the team for the next four weeks. That is a penalty that I have to serve. I intend to return and do my best to really help this team in any capacity I can help this team get back to winning the championship. It has been a tough time for me. The last week or two, even before this, I have apologized to my family, which has supported me, all my friends, and now I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to my teammates. Like I said before, they never were involved with this. This is something I did and I apologize to them for being a distraction because that is the last thing we need going into the regular season. I never intended for that to happen. I apologize to the entire New England Patriots organization and the fans who have supported me so faithfully over the past five seasons here, through Super Bowls, injury, through ups and downs. They have supported me. I definitely, definitely appreciate them. At this time, that is my statement. I am not answering any questions. Like I asked before, I appreciate your patience and I just ask that you respect my teammates and my family. Thank you

ESPN's Chris Mortensen has reported that Patriots safety Rodney Harrison will be suspended for four games by the NFL after he admitted to federal investigators that he obtained Human Growth Hormone (HGH).

Harrison had a hearing with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday, the sources said, and the Patriots could announce the suspension as early as Saturday, when all teams must reduce their rosters to the regular-season limit of 53 players.

A league spokesman said Friday the NFL will not comment on the Harrison case. Harrison could not be immediately reached for comment. A Patriots source told ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli that the team is aware of the sanction against the 13-year veteran and is "dealing with it." The team source declined to say when the Patriots became aware of Harrison's involvement.

Freekin Willy is fed up!

In the 9th inning of yesterdays loss to the yanks, 21 year old Yankee rookie flamethrower Joba Chamberlain threw two 98 mph fastballs over Kevin Youkilis' head to the backstop. Chamberlain was quickly ejected. Both teams had different views on what happened. (video below)

Us:
"If that young man was trying to get our attention, he did a very good job," Terry Francona said.

Them:
"If you sit back and analyze it, it doesn't make sense," Torre said. "Absolutely ridiculous. We're trying to play the game of baseball."

Us:
"It is what it is," Youkilis said. "You know, two balls going over somebody's head at 98 mph, I don't know. I didn't see any other pitches going that far out of the strike zone. Those balls were pretty close to the head. There were a couple of nods here and there. Who knows what it really meant? Ask him what his intent was. He's going to probably tell you he didn't mean to throw those."

Them:
"I'm just trying to get outs," Chamberlain said. "I'm trying to establish myself in this game. ... There was no emotion behind it at all. I'm not trying to send a message or anything. I have too much respect for [the Red Sox] and for this game."

Us:
"Coincidence?" Youkilis said. "I don't know. It doesn't look good. When two balls go at your head and the guy has a zero ERA and is around the strike zone pretty good, any man is going to think there's intent to hit him in the head."

Them:
"I'm new to all this," Chamberlain said. "I definitely didn't want to get attention in that way."

Us:
Youkilis said Chamberlain shook off a signal with the count at 1-and-1 and threw the ball at his head. The next pitch was the same, so the evidence was obvious, he said.

"You can sit here and say it was intent," Youkilis said.

Them:
"They Slipped," Joba Said. "Really."

After watching this video, both times Posada set up outside and they're trying to say he missed by that much twice in a row?/? That's bull! You got to love Josh Beckett's fire! watch what he thinks of Joba during all of this.

No doubt, someone is going down in September.

Look here, Mr. Bob “What’chu wearin’ under there” Watson! Terry Francona is not going to put up with any of your B.S.!

I don’t care how many lackeys you parade into our dugout, or how often you demand us to show you our underwears…

Although I wasn’t in the dugout on Wednesday, I imagine the conversation went something like this:

Watson: So, uh, Terry….

Terry: What?

Watson: Remember, before… uh, we had that talk about you not wearing your jersey?

Terry: Yeah. So what?

Watson: Well, and I hate to do this, but I need you to show me your jersey. Would you mind pulling your jacket down?

Terry: (pulls down collar in silence).

Watson: Great, great. Now, and I know you have a game to manage here in a bit, but, uh, I’m going to need to see what is underneath your jersey.

Terry: What? No!

Watson: Yeah, it’s a uh, new rule. Homeland security and stuff. Just need a peek. Won’t take more than a moment.

Terry: (sighing) Fine. (pulls jersey down). Now, go.

Watson: (admiring) Nice chest.... Um, ok. Everything is up to code up top. Now… I…

Terry: What?

Watson: There’s just one tiny more thing I need to investigate. I’m going to need to see what is going on underneath your, uh, pants…

Terry: Get the hell out of my dugout!

I’m sorry, Mr. Watson, that Terry verbally slapped you a few years back for your inability to properly do your job and you've yet to get over it. I’m sorry that your ties to the Yankees are making you feel you need to constantly meddle in our affairs. And mostly, I’m sorry that you like to look underneath our manager’s clothing. Because that’s just creepy…

- I think it is has been a while since I posted and the CEO is about ready to run me over. Literally.

- I think the Sox need to get some clutch hitting from someone.

- I still think the Sox win the division but they are certainly starting to worry me. They especially worry me in the playoffs as it seems like they beat up on the weak but struggle against the good teams.

- I think I am so sick and tired about hearing about Michael Vick. I wish he would just hurry up and go to jail. And if you don't think he will be back in the NFL in two years you are crazy. Leonard Little, from the Rams, killed a lady while drinking and driving and he is still in the league, so there is no way Vick gets a lifetime ban.

- I think Brady's favorite target this year will be Wes Welker.

- I can't believe the summer is almost over. One more weekend.

- The good thing is we have the Sox and Pats to look forward to.

- I think it is the Bears and Pats in the SuperBowl this year, which is what it should of been last year.

- I am almost as sick about hearing about Brady's kid as I am hearing about Vick.

- I am not sure if there are any college football fans around Boston but if there are I strongly recommend pickup up the book, "Dixieland Delight" by Clay Travis. Think of it as a sort of Bill Simmons take on the SEC. Being a fan of Tennessee I find it interesting. People up north just don't realize how crazy people are about their college football in the South.

- I think the CEO and I should win our Fantasy Football league with both Frank Gore and Steven Jackson on our team.

- I think the wife might divorce me this year after all of time the CEO and I spend on our fantasy team.

- I think I am still waiting for JD Drew to get a big hit this year.

- I really think the Celtics are going to be fun to watch this year.

- I don't think the C's make it to the NBA finals.

- I think between posting these thoughts today and keeping an eye on the Sox score, there is a good chance I might get fired today. I hope the CEO is going to put me on full time.

- I thought I was going to die last night when Clemens took that no-hitter into the 6th inning last night. Can you imagine what that would of done to Red Sox nation.

- I think the one good thing about summer being almost over is that there will something to actually watch on TV. Right now there is crap. Last night I had to watch "Hogan Knows Best" and "Scott Baio is 45 and single".

- For any of you who read something other than sports books, check out Vince Flynn. Great author who writes about the CIA and terrorists. Good stuff. So yes I do read something other than sports books.

- I think that USC wins the National Championship this year and John David Booty wins the Heisman.

- I think I need to turn the internet off as the Sox are losing again and I am about to hurt someone or something.

- I think it is time for the holiday weekend. Enjoy and we will talk to soon!!!!

Freekin Willy is back and I couldn't agree with him more.

Since Dice-K starts off the series tonight VS. the Yanks, I thought I'd show this somewhat entertaining video of Dice-K on and off the field. I'm sure It's even more entertaining if you can speak Japanese!

See more artwork here.

I was talking earlier with some guys from work about the Red Sox this year.  As we all know, today we start a three game series with the Evil Empire from the Bronx.  I'm personally excited, I only wish we could have faced Moose ourselves, rather than leaving it to the Tigers.  But we discussed this series, I heard a lot of what I did not want to hear: complete and total fear.  People are scared that the most consistent team in the majors all year will all of a sudden collapse.  I swear, only from us Sox fans.

And for some one reason, I am the chatised one, being made fun of for being so happy with the Sox position.  I apologize to all if an 8 game lead and the best record in baseball this late in the season is something to be happy about. 

We are 8 games above the Yankees as it stands now, just when their hot streak seems to be coming to an end.  In the time of their hot streak, they have whittled away at a 14.5 game lead, seeing it diminish to a 4 games lead at one point, and now we are back to 8 games.  Yes, the Yankees have hacked off 6.5 games from that lead, but they had to play completely out of their trees to get there.  The pace that they have played at has been incredible, but they can't do it until the end of September.  They just can't.  Meanwhile, the Sox have played well.  Everyone wants to see how good the Yankees are playing, but the Sox are playing great as well.  Any other period without this hot streak by the Yanks, and people would be cheery.

Now, don't get me wrong: I know something COULD happen.  Injuries happen freakishly, and the Sox could go on a skid.  But let's really look at the likeliness of this happening.  The Sox's best asset this year has been a solid rotation, which makes it harder to go on long losing streaks.  Beckett and Wakefield have 16 wins a piece, and Daisuke would be right there had he gotten some run support.  Gabbard filled in well when Schilling was out, and Lester has been effective since taking over for an equally effective Julian Tavarez. 

Our lineup has been getting progressively better as well.  Crisp and Lugo are hitting, Pedroia deserves the ROY award, Lowell is playing for that contract, and JD Drew....well, I guess 1 bad 14 million a year investment happens to everyone.  But regardless, the lineup is solid overall.  The addition of Kielty has been terrific over Wily Mo, and even Hinske is contributing when he gets in there.

But people still aren't happy.  People still think about the Boston Massacre, and the Boston Massacre 2 (from last year) and think the world is going to fall from beneath them.  If you remember last year though, the injuries started even before that series.  This is a different entity; there is no reason to worry this year (as of yet).  Can't we be happy?  Can't we smile, knowing that our team is playing well?  I'm sorry, but after 2004, I gave up thinking the worst every year.  That snapped me out of this negative aura sitting above the Fenway that hovered over the rest of town.  It made me happy, and not worried about curses, and other voodoo.

Let me put it to you folks this way: If you were told before this season that the Red Sox would have a 5 game lead over the Yankees, as well as being tied for the best record in baseball, all the while the aging Yankees pitching staff is breaking down day by day, on August 31st, would you be happy?  If not, you have to severely examine yourself, and learn not to worry so much.  Oh, and might I add, that is the WORST case scenario.  We could be up 7 games with the best record, all while losing 2 out of 3 games. 

Me? I will live in my optimism.  If you have an issue, just leave me alone, and I will see you in the playoffs.

My favorite Radio host Michael Holley, of WEEI’s “Dale & Holley” program, who just finished his latest book, “Never Give Up: My Stroke, My Recovery & My Return to the NFL,” written with Tedy Bruschi is already working on his next book. It’s going to be about what it takes to manage the Boston Red Sox in sports crazed Boston. Holley has already met with Terry Francona about the book and has agreed to provide input.

According to WEEI, Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel reported to Gillette Stadium this morning, ending his holdout. Samual will sign the one-year, $7.79-million franchise tender before the team’s 8 a.m. meeting. He has missed 31 days of training camp and now will cram to get ready for the opener.

In the wake of Transformers making eleventy kabillion dollars this summer (well, $300 mill, but still nothing to sneeze at.), and Spider-Man being a ridiculously profitable franchise, and even that Narnia movie spawning some inevitable sequels, it should come as no surprise that it was announced in all the Hollywood trades that Paramount is rolling out its big-screen, live-action film version of childhood fave G.I. Joe.  Director Stephen Sommers of The Mummy series is taking the helm, with the film scheduled for a summer 2009 release.

Obviously, the studio bigwigs see this as a potential goldmine, especially if they cast it right (I'm thinking Angelina has the stuff to play evil witch The Baroness, but she may too busy saving the world to play a baddie).  I naturally will reserve judgment until I see some clips and see who they get to play Snake-Eyes (who was always my personal favorite), but I'm really praying for someone out there to write an original movie.  Anyone?

Okay, that's the cynical, starving screenwriter in me talking.  Honestly, I'll probably see the movie when it comes out, if for no other reason than I was a huge Joe mark when I was a kid, and I really never will grow up.  I laid down my ten bucks to see Transformers because I loved that when I was a kid, even though those previews were woefully unimpressive.  And even though the movie itself failed to win me over, I know I'll see G.I. Joe, because, well, Snake-Eyes was really cool.

But I recently realized something while playing Transformers Monopoly with my seven year-old nephews (where the rules were slightly changed so that any player could take any amount of money from the bank anytime they wanted.  I definitely want these kids to handle my real-life finances.)  I realized that they really don't make these movies for people like me (single, losery thirty-somethings).  I had my run at Transformers and G.I. Joe twenty years ago, and while the nostalgia thing is good for a lark, I'm not going to be buying any of the toys this time around, so they'll be getting my ticket money and that's about it. 

For my nephews, however, it'll be awesome.  It'll be new and cool and stuff will blow up and there will be these neat tanks and jets, and it will also be pure.  And it should, because G.I. Joe, and Transformers and all of that stuff from the eighties down to the stinking Smurfs was about good guys beating bad guys.  Even though the Transformers movie threw in Meghan Fox for a little sex appeal, the main idea was good vs. evil, and that's really what we should be teaching people today.  Hell, with the war going on now, I wish there was a real G.I. Joe team to send in there, because they never lost.

In the end, even though I cry to anyone who will listen for originality in my movies, I do think it's good that we keep bringing these ideas back for a new generation every time one rolls around.  I mean, Sesame Street never gets old.  Barbie never gets old.  Why should G.I. Joe be retired?  The toys have actually been around for decades, when they depicted real-life soldier-types, not black-clad, silent ninjas.  But what it all coems down to is that when I was a kid, I thought that ninja was really cool, and I turned out just fine.  I'm betting this generation will, too.

Yo Joe!

According to the Herald the Celtics have signed 6-8 forward James Posey. This is a great move as Posey is known as a high-energy, tough-minded, shut down defender, who plays hard every night. Last year he averaged 7.7 points, five boards and one steal per game with the Miami Heat.

According to his agent Mark Bartelstein, Posey could have received more money to play in some other locations, but was attracted by the Celtics’ growing allure as eastern conference contenders.

This might even turn out better than if we signed Reggie Miller who plays weak defense.

If you're like me, you spend most nights wide awake worrying about John Henry, principal owner of the Sox.  I never know if I, or the rest of Red Sox Nation, is spending enough money on the team to support him.  What if this man, who pours so much money into our beloved franchise doesn't have enough left over to pay his electric bill, let alone pick up a souvenir cup or cap from a game?  I don't know about any one else, but I've yet to get my invite over to his place to catch an away game or maybe play some Madden.  Perhaps he lives in a dingy apartment, or worse, rents a 8x12 room in a shady hotel.  Well, I have a feeling I'll be sleeping like a baby tonight....

Mr. Henry returned all his recyclables and shook out his couch cushions and managed to scrounge up $16 million dollars to purchase the former home (pictured) of Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank H. McCourt Jr.  Residing in Brookline, the modest 18,000 square-foot mansion contains seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and two half-bathrooms.  There's even a separate wing on the house with a pool, media room... oh, and that's where you'll also find the staff quarters.  Ironically, I've been thinking of adding a separate wing on my one-bedroom apartment for my staff but I thought it might be too tacky.

If any one else is like me, rest easy tonight.  John Henry is not homeless.  That Tom Werner character, however, is a different story altogether...
 

People always wonder what teams do during long rain delays, well during Thursday nights 2 1/2 hour delay in Chicago, According o the Herald, The Red Sox were getting their groove on to the new anthem of Red Sox relief pitcher Hideki Okajima  called “Okajima, Oki-Doke.”

     “It’s awesome,” said Okajima’s translator, Jeff Yamaguchi, who was the one primarily responsible for the impromptu party. “The clubhouse went nuts. We played it like 30 times.”

The song is upbeat and lends itself to dancing, as was evidenced by the gyrations of Ortiz and others. 

Okajima reportedly never got up and danced, but was laughing and smiling the entire time.

Remarkably, the well-received ditty only has two words in its lyrics - “Okajima, Oki-Doke.”

“The joint was jumping,” said Red Sox manager Terry Francona.

The song will make it's debut next time he enters a game at Fenway Park. As soon as I can find the song, I'll post it here.

Here are two new additions to Lost this upcoming season according to The Ausiello Report.

First is Lance Reddick who plays Major Cedric Daniels on one of the greatest shows on TV, The Wire. He will play Arthur Stevens, an intimidating corporate-recruiter character. Reddick also had a lengthy arc on HBO's Oz, where he starred opposite returning Lostie Harold Perrineau.

The other is Ken Leung whose memorable turn as Uncle Junior's mentally unstable protégé on The Sopranos last season. Non-Sopranos fans may know Leung from his role as Kid Omega in Brett Ratner's franchise killer, X-Men: The Last Stand. The rumor is that Leung will be playing the Russell, a brilliant mathematician who is capable of great insights and has a tremendous knowledge across various scientific fields. He's expected to first turn up in February's season premiere.