The Day Has Come -- Holy War Time

I've been off my game the past few days here at UB, whether it was due to making that radio show and marketing it up or focusing all of my attention on getting absolutely amped up for this Holy War. But it's all irrelevant now, because the Holy War is here!! Tonight at 8 PM, the Boston College Eagles and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will do battle, and Chase Rettig is under center for the maroon and gold. What does he have up his sleeve for the Holy War? You'll have to tune in to ABC tonight at 8 PM and check it out. And of course, you'll have your eyes peeled for the belligerent body-painted Superfans that spell out H-O-L-Y-W-A-R.

Listen to the Beantown Breakdown Tonight 9 PM

The official radio show of Ultimate Boston has finally arrived. I'll be taking the mic with John Griffin at WVBC's AM radio station tonight at 9 PM (and every Thursday night at 9 PM), and it can be listened to online as well. You can join our Facebook group to have access to links and news so that you never miss an episode of the Beantown Breakdown.

To visit the WVBC AM website directly and listen now, click here.

Fantasy Outlook -- Week 4 Likes & Dislikes

Last week was a pretty brutal week for me as far as picking the actual NFL winners. I went 9-7, which was a severe drop-off after starting the season 23-9. Still, though, a lot of my likes and dislikes panned out. A few people actually personally contacted me and said that my advice worked for them. So this is still going well. I'm looking to keep it going in that regard. Who's lighting it up and who's putting out their own flames this week? (And just as a reminder, we're getting into bye weeks. So my picks will be bold. I try to pick the lesser players that you might find on the waiver wire, because you're looking for spot-starters these days. You know?)

5 QBs I Like in Week 4:


Michael Vick vs WAS -- Well this is just becoming a regular type of thing, but Vick is still only being started in 64% of fantasy football leagues. I'm here to tell you that Michael Vick is for real. I was telling people after Week 2 that this guy will make the Pro-Bowl this year. I stand by that. And it helps that the 'Skins have gotten wrecked by opposing QBs this season, with the exception of Sam Bradford.
Carson Palmer vs CLE -- I've been wrong about Palmer a few times, but this guy's receiving core is too good for him to stay silent and live under a rock in the fantasy world all season. Newsflash: Joe Flacco and the previously horrid Ravens torched Cleveland last week. They made the blueprint for beating the Browns through the air (as if we needed one). Palmer and the Bengals will use it.
Chad Henne vs NE -- Hey, I'm a Patriots fan. But Ryan Fitzpatrick burned us last week for 23 points by the Buffalo offense. Chad Henne is much better, and he has much better receivers. We're getting into bye weeks, so people are looking for spot starts from QBs. Hate to say it, but Henne should have a solid day against the Pats (swiss cheese) secondary.
Bruce Gradkowski vs HOU -- Wow DRob, that's a little daring, don't you think? Well there are a few things going for Gradkowski. The Texans have the absolute worst fantasy pass defense in the NFL. The Raiders will absolutely be trailing this game, so they will have to pass the ball to stay in it. Darren McFadden is a huge weapon and Gradkowski has him at his disposal out of the backfield. If your starting QB has a bye, Bruce might not be the worst fill-in.
Donovan McNabb vs PHI -- The matchup everyone wants to see. McNabb vs the Eagles. History shows that QBs tend to win when they return to the place they used to call home for a while. I don't have details for you but I saw it on ESPN. McNabb and Vick will get into a high scoring shooting. That means fantasy success.

5 QBs I Dislike in Week 4


Jay Cutler vs NYG -- Get yourself off the Cutler wagon before he drives you straight off the end of a very high cliff. This success won't continue for long. He's still a prissy little bitch.
Eli Manning vs CHI -- This game is just ugly as far as big name QBs who will fall on their face. The Bears held Aaron Rodgers fairly in check. If they can do that, they'll follow up by holding Eli in check.
Joe Flacco vs PIT -- I probably don't even need to say it, but nearly half of all fantasy leagues are starting Joe Flacco this week! Are you serious, people! Pittsburgh's defense is phenomenal (they've been single-handedly winning them games) and Flacco has only surpassed 6 fantasy points in a week ONE TIME! Despite the fact that it was last week (against the Browns...), he won't duplicate it.
Matt Ryan vs SF -- Watch out for this one. The Niners haven't been great this year defensively against the pass, but I'm expecting a turn-around. 0-3? San Fran was picked to win this damn division. After firing their offensive coordinator, their defensive coordinator better make sure his head's on straight. He will. The Niners come out strong. Don't start Ryan, if you ask me.
Mark Sanchez vs BUF -- That's weird that you're picking a QB to do bad against Buffalo, DRob. Well, I know that. But Favre has a bye, so I needed to pick a different quarterback to hate his guts. I picked Sanchez. I just have a feeling he's going to embarrass himself and his team.

5 RBs I Like in Week 4:


Matt Forte vs NYG -- I correctly disliked him last week. I'm turning the tables and liking him this week.  The Giants run defense is mediocre at best. I already said Cutler will be bad. The Bears will win though, so Forte will have to be good. He will be.
John Kuhn vs DET -- Kuhn is only owned in 15% of fantasy leagues. Going into this season, I'd have called you crazy to ever think about starting him. But the facts are the facts. Kuhn gets the most carries in that backfield. The Lions have a brutal... everything, I guess. And Kuhn will get goal line carries. I'd bank on a touchdown. Decent spot-starter here.
Maurice Jones-Drew vs IND -- I mean, you're always going to start him. He hasn't really performed so far, so I just wanted to erase any doubt. He'll start performing. Namely this Sunday.
Arian Foster vs OAK -- Now that he's stayed under the 12 point plateau for two weeks, the expectations have lowered. Time to like him again. I've been disliking him, and he hasn't performed like the Week 1 stud he was. Against the Raiders, he'll get closer to that mark.
Mike Tolbert vs ARI -- This only applies if Ryan Matthews is hurt, but I like Tolbert. He carried 17 times for 73 yards last week -- pedestrian numbers. But that's a decent per-carry average and he's facing the Cardinals. The Cardinals are not only terrible, but they're actually coming off a win. That means they will get destroyed. Tolbert will help.

5 RBs I Dislike in Week 4:


Peyton Hillis vs CIN -- Woah, Nelly! Don't put too much stock into last week's anomaly! Hillis won't repeat that 24-point performance, so don't start him like he is going to do that. If you're only looking for a few points, then go for it. But don't plan on a big day again.
Rashard Mendenhall vs BAL -- Mendenhall has been great this year, but this Baltimore defense isn't something to scoff at. They're real solid. The Steelers are 3-0 and riding a nice wave, but their final game without Big Ben will absolutely be a let down. An overall ineffectiveness on offense will hurt Mendenhall as he tries to break the Ravens. He'll fail.
Ahmad Bradshaw vs CHI -- I mean, I've never really been a Bradshaw fan from a fantasy standpoint. But he's been solid this year. Not this week. I already said this game would be ugly, and I believe it will be. Both sides will struggle, and Bradshaw isn't poised for another big fantasy week.
Ray Rice vs PIT -- I admit that it's a little weird that I dislike Flacco and Rice but still expect the Ravens to beat the Steelers. But I'm talking in respect to Rice's superstar status. Hell, he might even be sidelined with an injury. But if he plays, he'll be average at best. You simply can't break out for huge days against this Steel Curtain.
Justin Forsett vs STL -- 31% of leagues are starting Forsett this week, possibly just because he's facing the Rams. I don't buy it. The Rams actually have an above-average run defense from a fantasy standpoint (if you cut the league in half), so I'm not about to give Forsett the go just yet.

5 WRs I Like in Week 4:


Brandon Marshall vs NE -- Let's be real folks. The Patriots couldn't keep the Bills receivers in check. Marshall's one of the most talented receivers in the game, and he absolutely lit up the Jets last week. He'll get his numbers, even if the Patriots are able to win this game.
Mark Clayton vs SEA -- The Rams will compete out there with the Seahawks. Don't write these guys off. And if Steven Jackson misses the game with an injury, they'll need to pass the ball more. Clayton is their top dog.
Chad Ochocinco vs CLE -- After two straight quiet weeks, he's ready to get back on track. Same argument as Carson Palmer. The Bengals offense, starting with this passing attack, must and will get itself straightened out.
Mike Sims-Walker vs IND -- I feel like Sims-Walker is fake life and I never pay any attention to him or care about him at all, but he'll still get some decent numbers this week. Divisional games are always intense, and the Jags will at least make a run at the Colts.
Louis Murphy vs HOU -- I liked Gradkowski as a sleeper option, and Louis Murphy falls into the same category. He's one of their best options in the receiving core, and he has the potential to be a very valuable spot start. He's only owned in 56% of leagues and he's only started in 21% of leagues. Grab this guy if you need someone.

5 WRs I Dislike in Week 4:


Anquan Boldin vs PIT -- He might get a touchdown, but he will not have the huge day that he had last week. 91% of leagues are starting him this week. 91% of leagues might end up disappointed.
Larry Fitzgerald vs SD -- Not only have the Cardinals been pretty bad, but the quarterback play hasn't been great. Add in what I said earlier about how the Cardinals will be absolutely horrific this week, and it just makes for a rough outing. I'm not diggin' Fitz.
Steve Smith (CAR) vs NO -- Smith has had a nice season, but last week was a big let-down. I'm on the look-out for another one of those against the Saints. Coming off two poor performances, there's simply no way the Saints don't put a strong performance on the field. They'll do everything better than Carolina, including keeping receivers in check.
Steve Smith (NYG) vs CHI -- I'm just not feeling the Steve Smiths this week. Sorry.
Mike Wallace vs BAL -- He was a hero last week against the Buccaneers, but he won't duplicate that. I've been talking in circles about this game quite a bit. The point is, offense will be at a premium. Don't expect the huge day to repeat.

Globe Reports Rettig Will Start vs ND

Despite the fact that Boston College coach Frank Spaziani has not yet confirmed who his starter will be on Saturday night, the Boston Globe has issued a report claiming they know the answer. The Globe reported that freshman Chase Rettig will make his NCAA debut and that he will be the starter for BC's huge rivalry showdown against the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

Again, there has been no official word from Spaziani regarding this decision, so the Superfans will still have to wait a little longer to know for sure. If it is Rettig, though, he's certainly stepping into a heavy crossfire as the Eagles enter what might be their final matchup in quite some time with their biggest rivals. They call it the "Holy War," and it might be the last one for a while.* There is no doubting the importance and significance of this game in every way possible. The Eagles are desperate for a win. It's against their most hyped opponent. Tickets are going for triple digits right now, more than quadruple their face value. Oh, and did I mention that it's being played in primetime and televised nationally?

There won't be a bigger stage this season for Rettig unless he leads this team to the ACC Championship. So, if he's the starter on Saturday night -- he's arrived. No easing your way into it, no building up to the climax of the season. You're jumping straight to the top and riding the roller coaster from there. If Rettig is ready for it, though -- we just might have a hell of a ride waiting ahead of us.

*Update -- See comment below about Holy War contract. It was extended this summer, unbeknownst to me. Great news.

Who Dat? Yesterday's Answer

Well you all made a pretty unimpressive showing yesterday. The only guess at this Who Dat was by Josh, who was trying to get his first point. And he guessed Byron Dafoe. Which, needless to say, is wrong. Hopefully you all pick it up the next time I post one. Because that just won't fly around here.

Why the Eagles Should Start Rettig

It's the biggest question in the football world here at Chestnut Hill this week. Who should start at quarterback against the Fighting Irish? Will it be sophomore Mike Marscovetra or freshman Chase Rettig? I can't answer that question, but I can make a case for one of them.

If I'm Coach Spaziani, I'm sending my prized recruit out under center. Chase Rettig is a freshman and is a 4-star recruit to most scouting agencies. At 6'3", 205 lbs, he has the physical tools to be a stud field general. He's widely regarded as a top-10 in the nation for this incoming class of recruits. Even though BC originally had intentions of red-shirting him, the situation has changed. Dave Shinskie has been pulled and you're faced with a decision that could make or break your season. So, why Rettig over Marscovetra?

Granted, Marscovetra has compiled some decent stats this year coming in off the bench at the end of games. But just look at the productivity last week of this offense. After Shinskie was yanked, Marscovetra failed to move the ball down field just as the starter did. In fact, the offense as a whole looked even less productive for most of the half. So how is it an improvement? I mean, BC is in a compromising situation right now. Yes, they're 2-1, but it hasn't been pretty. Against two opponents they should have blown out, they had trouble getting away with a win. Against their first ACC opponent, they literally lacked a pulse on offense. It's as low as it gets. You need a spark. Marscovetra showed no evidence that he can be your game-changing spark. So where's the dilemma?

It might be a lot to throw Rettig into a high-intensity environment like a BC-Notre Dame primetime showdown on Saturday night. It might overwhelm him. But hey -- if you're looking for the kid to become a star for this team, how can you be fearing primetime games? Stars want the ball. If he's a star, he wants to play. And if he performs, the confidence will skyrocket. Forget the future, folks -- we're talking about the present. Right now. It's time to make something happen before your beloved Superfans start bringing out the boo-birds toward this offensive unit. The Chase is on.

Trip Down Memory Lane -- Who Dat?

Oh man! We're taking a trip down memory lane here. This is the first Who Dat post since before I came to college. I wasn't able to keep up with the regularity of that stuff. Every day, at a specific time? Not working. But hey, I can still throw in some random ones here or there. So this is the first one in nearly a month. Don't be silly, child... I still have the leaderboard.

Bruce	5 points
Ed B	3 points
Fitch	3 points
Enahs	2 points
Kshep	2 points
Magz	2 points
Mikey Diggs	2 points
Hink	1 point

For most of the BC students who may have only recently started seeing this blog, you might not know how to play. Leave a comment with your name and guessing who the person is that owns this set of eyes. If you are the first to guess it right, you win the point. I release the answer later. As you can see, there have been 20 points awarded in the history of Who Dat. The leader, Bruce, has 5. You still have plenty of time to catch up and win the championship (most points by the end of 2010). I'll do my best to post a few of these each week. The only way you'll win is by coming here and checking often. Anyway, let's cut to the chase. Who Dat?

PS -- I'm not going to post this answer until you at least attempt to guess.

Bruins Young Stars Will Figure Into Equation

Tyler Seguin and Jordan Caron are both
opening some eyes this preseason for the B's.

With the Boston Bruins' season quickly approaching and a few big names still sidelined, there are some spots in the lineup that are still waiting to be filled. And just as you may have predicted back on draft day, there will be some exciting competitions for those spots involving some exciting young players.

Marc Savard and Marco Sturm are both expected to miss significant time to start the 2010-11 campaign. Sturm's absence was expected, but Savard was only ruled out within the past week. With the development, the Bruins have a void on their lineup sheet -- 3rd line center.

"Tyler Seguin needs to be looked at as a center," said Bruins coach Claude Julien when asked about the potential player to fill the slot. Seguin has been playing wing this preseason with Patrice Bergeron and Mark Recchi, and he's looked comfortable -- he's already notched a goal and an assist in two games. Still, Seguin is among the group of players that will need to be considered for that opening.

"I'd still like to see Blake Wheeler play center as well at some point and see if he can recapture his comfort zone that he had when he played that position when he was in school," Julien added. Wheeler has primarily been a winger ever since breaking onto the scene with Boston, but he is a natural center-man who might be capable of making that switch.

Ryan Spooner is a very flashy scorer
with loads and loads of upside.

Seguin and Wheeler are two of the potential suitors, but there are a few more young guns fighting for roster spots that Bruins management has acknowledged have legitimate shots at filling the role. Joe Colborne, Boston's 2008 first-round pick, as well as Ryan Spooner, their 2010 second-round pick, both have shown good stuff in camp and continue to develop their games. They are much different styles, though -- Colborne, at 6'5", is a lesser version of Joe Thornton to most analysts. Spooner, 5'10", is a flashy goal scorer with eye-popping quickness. I'd bet that either of these guys can fill the role. 2007 first-rounder Zach Hamill is also in the mix.

But let's go back to Seguin and Wheeler, who are currently occupying wing spots on different lines. If one of those two guys is the one who fills in that open center spot, it is clear that a wing spot will open up. The most intriguing young player that might step into that role is 2009 first-round pick Jordan Caron, who has been arguably the best rookie at camp this season for the Bruins. At just 19 years old, Caron is just another star in the making that Bruins fans have every reason to get excited about. Personally, this might be the best option that I'd like to see. Seguin and Caron should play together on the third line. Seguin at center and Caron at wing. Aside from the fact that they're both exceptional young stars, you could potentially start grooming a duo that can stick together for years to come.

Ultimately, though, this is the beauty of Boston's team these days. Any of these combinations would be fantastic options to go with. They can't go wrong. It's been the theme of this entire offseason. They couldn't go wrong with their draft choice. They can't go wrong by choosing any of these phenomenal young players. Everything is looking bright in Beantown right now -- from a hockey standpoint, anyway.

Packers Forget How to Play Football

In the most shocking development in ages, the Green Bay Packers actually forgot how to play football tonight against Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears. After their embarrassing last-minute attempt that racked up multiple forward-pass penalties to break the Packers' franchise record for penalties in a game, the Bears officially took the 20-17 victory.
Chicago had a hundred less yards than the Packers (that's a whole football field), but it was irrelevant. Penalty after penalty, all of the idiotic variety, ended up costing the guys in green and white. Nostradamus has fallen! An ugly 9-7 performance! I guess I can only hope that this was a blunder and that next week will be much better. Just an all around rough go of it. Even in fantasy football. I rack up 25 more points than the next highest person in the league, but my adversary tallies 3 more than I do. 119-116 (and yes, the difference maker was a blocked field goal from Mason Crosby...) -- ouch. Not much else to say. But I'll persevere, because I'm a college student and it doesn't really matter whether or not I pick the right football outcomes. For the Packers, though, their only job is to win football games. They must be feeling down on themselves right now. That's why I've included this video clip.

Monday Night Nostradamus

Last Monday night I pulled a Nostradamus act, so I'm going to ride the wave and see if I can double my magic. I'm just going to predict these silly things that will obviously come true. Such as the Packers beating the Bears tonight. I've said it a thousand times. Green Bay is going to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl this year. That quest continues tonight. My general prediction is that the Packers win. Furthermore, the Packers will win 34-21, as I predicted in the score sheet (going for 10-6 with a win tonight, not as good as my previous performances, but still looking to improve to 33-15 overall). And you want another random prediction? Clay Matthews will force Jay Cutler to fumble on a sack at some point tonight. Write it down, mail it in. If you were in Vegas the odds of that are probably pretty steep since it's so specific. It'll happen though, obviously.

Side note, I need Mason Crosby to get 7 fantasy points tonight for me to win my matchup. Heated battle. My very formidable opponent dropped 119 on me, and I fought back to 113 with my kicker remaining. Get big, Crosby! Get big!

Offseason Request: Please Ditch Papelbon

The 2009 Red Sox season ended roughly a year ago with a colossal meltdown by our supposed stud closer Jonathan Papelbon. After that game, I was among the people crying for his departure from Boston. Many people shunned my viewpoint, saying that Papelbon was still an elite closer and that the Red Sox would never be a better team without him. My mindset was that we should have traded him while he was still regarded as an elite closer. That he would never be the same guy and that it could never be resurrected into the times of old.

Well, here we are, roughly a year later. And as the Red Sox go for a sweep of the Yankees and a highly improbable surge to the playoffs, they call Papelbon's number to preserve a 3-2 lead against New York. And just as was the norm for the past two seasons, he was a heart attack. A heart attack that he wasn't able to dodge. He blows the save and leads to the eventual loss that will, in all likelihood, become the final nail in the coffin for this season. So, I'll request it again. Can we please, for the love of God, make the transition to Daniel Bard?

Bard had a very strong season, hurling in 70 games for the Red Sox and maintaining a 1.87 ERA. He had his stretches of difficulty, but the final numbers were at least there. He's shown development ever since coming up, and he has always displayed a dominating ability when he's at his best. Compare his numbers to those of Jonathan Papelbon. I mean, I end up needing a double-take whenever I look at our superstar closer's stat lines. 8 blown saves is pathetic in itself, but an ERA over 4.00? Amazingly, Papelbon's final ERA was 4.02. In years past, the supporters were able to call up his final numbers and say that they were still solid. For the first time, we cannot even fall back on that. Plain and simple -- he sucked this year. And if this was just a rare anomaly, I wouldn't make anything of it. But he has steadily deteriorated and everyone has seen it. I've been calling for it along with millions of other fans. So when will management see it? On a team that needs to re-sign a hell of a lot of guys, it's time to cut ties with the biggest stiff remaining on our roster.

That's my take on it. If you don't agree, fire your best shots. Because I'm truly interested. What case can be made? His ERA is worse than half of our damn starters. That doesn't cut it, especially when the other guy at the back of your bullpen is more than 2 runs better in that category. Two straight seasons have been officially stabbed in the heart by a Papelbon performance. I'm not in favor of making it a possibility ever again.

New Sheriff in Chestnut Hill

Chase Rettig is one of the most highly touted recruits in the nation.

It was ugly on Saturday in Chestnut Hill. The Virginia Tech Hokies strolled into Boston College on parents weekend and they simply embarrassed Dave Shinskie and the Eagles offense in a 19-0 rout of their ACC foes. Two days in the aftermath, the Eagles hit the practice field knowing that there will be a new man in charge under center next weekend.

Coach Frank Spaziani has announced what many of the belligerent Superfans have been hoping for since last week. Dave Shinskie will no longer be BC's starting quarterback. Who will it be? That remains to be seen in practice this week. By all indications, it will be an open competition between sophomore Mike Marscovetra and freshman Chase Rettig. Marscovetra has played some time this season and has accumulated a passer rating of 131.0, which is pretty impressive. Rettig, though, is a 4-star recruit out of California who passed up the chance to play for Tennessee or USC in the interest of coming over to Chestnut Hill. Widely regarded as a top-10 recruit in the freshman class, Rettig is the more intriguing option to take over as quarterback. On the flip side, though, thrusting him into action with a debut in primetime against Notre Dame might be a full plate to handle. Only time will tell as this week unfolds for the Eagles, but regardless of which road Spaziani chooses, Superfans won't be calling to yank Shinskie next Saturday night. The responsibility will be falling on someone else.

Week 3 NFL Picks

I was slacking this weekend. Missed my NCAA picks. Maybe I was too busy watching my BC Eagles get smacked by Virginia Tech. I don't know. But anyway, here it is. The photo is of Gillette simply because the Patriots don't lose at Gillette Stadium. Combine that with the fact they're playing Buffalo, and you have all the explanation you need for this week's lock.

49ers 24, Chiefs 17

Vikings 20, Lions 14

Patriots 33, Bills 13 -- [LOCK]

Falcons 24, Saints 21 -- [UPSET]

Titans 19, Giants 13

Buccaneers 17, Steelers 10

Bengals 26, Panthers 21

Ravens 14, Browns 6

Cowboys 31, Texans 27

Redskins 24, Rams 16

Eagles 28, Jaguars 21

Colts 27, Broncos 17

Raiders 20, Cardinals 13

Chargers 24, Seahawks 14

Dolphins 21, Jets 20

Packers 34, Bears 21

23-9 record will look to improve this weekend. Let's go get it.