John Rooke - Thinking Out Loud

Saturday, September 03, 2011

John Rooke, GoLocalProv Sports Editor

Thinking Out Loud…while wondering what’s going on with Cranston native and former Red Sox 1st baseman Mike Stenhouse…

• Now that it appears we’ll have another round of “intercollegiate Armageddon,” thanks to Texas A&M’s impending departure from the Big 12, what’s next for the Big East? To be the poacher, or be poached? That is the question…

• The new name that has popped up on the radar screen – Pittsburgh. Once thought to be a target for an expanding Big 10, now the Panthers are apparently on the Big 12’s radar to replace A&M and perhaps further expand, along with BYU, SMU, Houston and Big East newcomer, TCU…

• Not for nuthin’…but Texas is being portrayed as the “bad guy” in the Aggies’ departure by some, for their creation of the Longhorn Network. Not so fast…Texas says A&M was approached about a joint “UT-A&M” TV network four years ago, and the Aggies said ‘no thanks.’ When Texas decided they could make a go of it on their own, A&M wanted back in. Texas then said, ‘no thanks.’ Can’t make this stuff up…

• Good start for the Big East in football, going 3-0 in season openers Thursday night…including Syracuse’s 36-29 win over Wake Forest in OT. An Orange loss at the Carrier Dome could have been disastrous in the court of public perception for the league…

• So the Patriots threw up a couple of stinkers to end the pre-season. Does it mean anything? Well, the long term view says “probably not.” In the short term – “maybe.” Getting off to a good start in the regular season is imperative for a team that squarely has sights set on the Super Bowl…

• The questions Pats fans should be concerned with center around the health (and happiness) of guys like Shaun Ellis and Albert Haynesworth. Haynesworth says his move to New England is “career saving.” If he can give the Patriots what they need in the defensive trenches (pressure on the opposing QB’s), then it’s win-win. Albert wins, and the Pats win…

• Is it right to be depending on players who are on the downside of their football careers? Maybe not…but as I said earlier in the pre-season, there is a “carpe diem” attitude present around Gillette Stadium these days…

• The Patriots’ 53-man roster will be set by 4pm Saturday afternoon. Expect a surprise, or two, on the final list. At least one who makes it, and one who leaves, will leave you scratching your head…

• Here’s a shocker. Cam Newton is starting at QB for the Carolina Panthers. Hmmm, didn’t see that coming…

• Remember the Patriots were looking at Chicago’s Lance Briggs a year or two ago? He wants out of Chicago now, because the Bears won’t give him the raise he’s asking for. Doesn’t sound like Pats’ material to me…but then again, neither did Albert Haynesworth…

• Crazy as it might sound, Sox fans should be pulling for the Yankees’ Jesus Montero, who made his debut Thursday night at Fenway (going 0-4). If he has success, it might mean less interest in going after, oh…David Ortiz as a DH for next year…

• Win the AL East, or take the wild card and call it a day? I know a lot of Sox fans who don’t care…they just want to get in, and the playoffs to start now. Me? Win the division. Control your destiny as best you can. And if you win the season series against New York (which they have), shouldn’t you be ahead of them in the standings???

• Detroit’s Justin Verlander is the American League MVP. Would the Tigers be where they are – in first place in the AL Central – without him? No…way…

• On the Big East rap sheet…former Seton Hall hoop center Kelly Whitney has pleaded guilty to armed robbery, and is expected to get a three-year prison sentence…

• While Ricky Ledo pulls Friar fans’ collective chain…DePaul is quietly making some noise on the recruiting front, getting a commitment from a double-double machine, forward DeJuan Marrero…

• And Jim Calhoun has told new UConn president Susan Herbst he will not retire this year, even though speculation has said otherwise. Maybe finding a scholly spot for a guy like uber-recruit Andre Drummond helped him stick around – ya’ think?

• And how do the Friars spell success in trying to keep up with (and beat) teams like UConn? Not D-U-N-N or L-E-D-O (although they will help). It’s N-O-E-L…

• The Deutsche Bank Championship is this weekend at TPC Boston in Norton, MA…part of golf’s “playoffs,” otherwise known as the FedEx Cup. Tournament proceeds benefit the Tiger Woods Foundation, which is great. But there’s no Tiger in the tournament, which isn’t great – for golf. Love him or tired of him, Tiger is still a magnet for attention…

• President Obama gets ripped for a lot these days, but what about this? New candidate Rick Perry (the current Texas governor) just sent a fundraising letter out asking for a $76 donation, signifying the number of rounds of golf the president has played since entering office. “Help us yell a pre-emptive ‘fore’ before the president takes a three-iron to the economy and makes matters worse.” Dude could use a new speechwriter…

• US Open Tennis. Going on in New York. Is anyone paying attention?

• Former Cranston East and Harvard baseball product Mike Stenhouse (also my former broadcast partner on NESN Pawsox broadcasts, but don’t hold that against him) is taking a stand. Long fed up with RI’s “tax and spend” ways crushing our ability to attract and keep businesses, Stenhouse is heading up the RI Center for Freedom & Prosperity. Here’s someone willing to put his money and effort where his mouth is. Find out more – [email protected]...

• The mailbag question this week comes from Jeff in North Providence, who offers more of a statement than a question: “Relax. It’s preseason folks. Obviously the Lions took their game more seriously than the Pats. But don’t be surprised if we are looking at a wild card berth this year rather than division champs.” Jeff…sounds like you might be down on the Pats chances. Or you’re a Jets fan. Which is it? The Jets should be pretty good again, but the Patriots have their “eyes on the prize.” The Pats will win the AFC East, provided they stay relatively healthy. By the way, wasn’t Green Bay a wild card team last year? How did they finish up?

• Interested in having your questions on local RI sports (including the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics) answered in a somewhat timely fashion? Send ‘em to me! It’s your chance to “think out loud,” so send your questions and comments to [email protected]. We’ll share mailbag comments/Facebook posts/Tweets right here! Follow me on Twitter, too @jrooke0722…