RYAN'S CHANTS

What Doesn’t Grind My Gears

You know what really doesn’t grind my gears?-

-The Celtics. The Boston Celtics have just won their 18th consecutive game over the New York Knicks, tying their franchise record. This win improved their record to 26-2 also tying the NBA record for the best start by a team with two loses. Their next game is against the Philadelphia 76’ers, a win there would give them the record for themselves. The other two teams who are tied with the Celtics for that record, coincidentally, are the Knicks and 76’ers of the past, both of which went on to win NBA titles the year of the record. This was a convincing win during which each starting players scored in the double digits, lead by the young point guard, Rajon Rondo, with 26 points. With defenses focusing on stopping the “Big Three,” Rondo has emerged as a scoring threat as well as a passer. This season is really looking good for the Celtics to repeat as the NBA champions.

-The Patriots. The Patriots do not have control over their own destiny, which is never a comfortable feeling for the organization, but no matter what happens with the playoff scenario they can look back at this season as a success. Many thought that their season was over 18 offensive plays after the opening kickoff. The franchise quarterback and defending MVP, Tom Brady, went down with a season ending knee injury after playing only 18 snaps in the first game. Then, while mourning the loss of the best player in the league, we saw the rise of the biggest surprise player of the season. When most thought that he wouldn’t make the Patriots’ 53 man roster after the preseason, backup quarterback, Matt Cassel, took the reins of the offense. The Patriots were still able to beat the Chiefs in week one despite losing Brady. Week two, against the division rival New York Jets, marked Cassel’s first career NFL start and first start since high school football. On the other side it was Brett Favre’s 18,374th career start (haha). The Patriots were able to rally behind Cassel and come up with a crucial win boosting the young quarterback’s confidence. Improving as the weeks went on, Matt Cassel did something that Tom Brady didn’t even do last year when he set all kinds of passing records. Cassel threw for over 400 yards in two consecutive games. Now, after beating the life and momentum out of the playoff clinched Arizona Cardinals, the Patriots stand at a miraculous 10-5. Their playoff chances are still alive, but they need either Baltimore or Miami to loose and they need to win against Buffalo in week 17. Not being able to control their own destiny, playoffs or not, this season was a success.
(Interesting Note: Arizona Cardinals’ rookie cornerback Dominique Rogers-Cromartie has never seen snow until he played the Patriots this week in the snow storm at Gillette Stadium.)