Posted by Alex Speier

Though a rumor has circulated in major-league circles that Tim Wakefield is dealing with shoulder problems that may lead him to contemplate retirement, it appears that the notion is unfounded. The 42-year-old’s shoulder shows normal wear, but otherwise, his end of year medical examination–performed before the Red Sox decided to pick up his option for next season–was virtually identical to the one at the end of the previous season, and from a medical standpoint, there is no known reason to expect that he cannot match his 2008 contributions next season. Wakefield went 10-11 with a 4.13 ERA in 181 innings during the regular season, before going 0-1 with a 16.88 ERA in his lone postseason appearance.

Posted by Joe Haggerty

NESN is reporting that Bruins blueliner Andrew Ference will be out 6-8 weeks with a fractured right tibia, an injury suffered while blocking an Andre Markov blast against the Canadiens Thursday night. The B’s will put young defenseman Matt Hunwick into the lineup for tonight’s game against the New York Rangers in Madison Square Garden, but the long term loss of Ference could prompt the Bruins’ front office to make a move for a defenseman on the trade market. Stay turned to Pucks with Haggs for any further details as they develop

Posted by Kirk Minihane

Are both out for tomorrow. 

Have to admit I’m surprised that Hasselbeck is back in the lineup for the Seahawks. Figured they would shut hi down for the rest of the season. At 2-7, Seattle is toast for 2008 and Hasselbeck has the kind of injury that can easily be re-aggrevated (bulging disk in back, leading to nerve damage in right leg). 

Hard to believe that Hasselbeck was a top-seven QB heading into the season. Seattle’s offense has been awful in his absence (truth be told, they also struggled in his four starts as he managed just a 57.7 passer rating). I’d keep an eye on him however, if only for this reason: The Seahawks play the Rams (25th vs. the pass) in Week 15. If he is healthy and has a decent start or two in the next few weeks he could be a sleeper start for a playoff team in need of a QB.

Posted by Mike Petraglia

Call it fatigue. Call it sluggishness, or being outplayed or a combination all three. But the Denver Nuggets showed the Celtics Friday night that they are human on their home court. They hadn’t lost at home in the regular season since last March 26 to Philadelphia, a string of 11 straight wins on the parquet. But that changed when the Nuggets closed the game with a 10-1 run. Now the focus is on the Bucks in Milwaukee, where the Celtics are right now, trying to make sure one bad night doesn’t turn into two.

Denver coach George Karl said his team played with the eye of the tiger.

Chauncey Billups said the Nuggets didn’t panic when the Celtics when they made their runs or made big plays like when Kevin Garnett slammed one home to tie the game at 82-82 with three minutes left.

Ray Allen, who scored 18 of his game-high 26 in the first quarter, said the Green has to do a better job with the little details to make sure losses like Friday don’t happen again.

Kevin Garnett said the Celtics were just a step slow.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers really doesn’t want to use fatigue as an excuse.

Rivers said falling behind finally burned Celtics.

Posted by Steve Ciaccio

Game Day:

BC FSU 8 pm kickoff tonight at Doak S. Campbell Stadium.  It will be a black out, as FSU will wear black shirts and pants, and encourage fans attending to wear black as well.  Since we are already at the stadium, I know a bit early for an 8pm kickoff, but we have to go when the early bus leaves.  I thought I would bring you a few images of what we do when there are late games:  First off, you have to know Meterparels eating habits.  The greaser the food the better.  One of his favorite stops is Steak-N-Shake, so we took off for lunch at noon headed for, you guessed it SNS.  To the left Meter is enjoying a Frisco melt, Jayme Parker got the same thing (her first ever trip to SNS), I had the Portobello Mushroom and Swiss burger.  As we left Jparker put a cool lid on Meterparel, for a guy that doesn’t like to wear hats it took him a while to remove this one!  You get a free bowl of soup with that hat?  Oh it looks good on you!

Tonight’s game will be a big test for the BC offensive linemen, not only will they have the crowd noise(another picture on that to follow), but they will have to deal with Everette Brown, a 6 foot 4 inch pass rushing machine with 9 sacks this year.  Chris Crane needs to not lose the game for the eagles.  What I mean by that is, don’t make any mistakes (see Quinton Porter in the first ACC game at the Heights-first pass was a pick 6), don’t try to force things, or this defense will kill you.

Bus ride in there are already Noles fans tailgating, think they'll make it to kickoff?

A small note that may only interest me (did I just sound like Peter King right

Meterparel and Jayme Parker on the field about 2pm!

there) and Big Game James.  Ron Simmons will be on the sidelines tonight to enjoy a game at the Doak.  Simmons a former FSU linebacker in the 70’s and WWE superstar.  There is a good article in NoleSports.com about him and his love for FSU.  I told Jayme she has to interview Ron if he is there so give a listen tonight.  Don’t forget the game is on AM 680 due to celts conflict.

Posted by Jessica Camerato

In a move that seemed inevitable, the Boston Celtics assigned rookie J.R. Giddens to their NBA Development League affiliate Utah Flash on Saturday.

The Celtics selected Giddens out of New Mexico with the 30th overall pick in this year’s draft. That night Celtics president Danny Ainge and head coach Doc Rivers praised his athleticism and defensive intensity.

However only 12 players can suit up every night and there have been minimal opportunities for Giddens. He averaged 2.0 points and 1.5 rebounds in 7.5 minutes during preseason play but has been on the inactive list the entire season.

The Celtics demanding schedule has not allowed Giddens to get in quality practice time.

“We haven’t had any really so it’s really tough,” Rivers said before Friday’s game against the Denver Nuggets. “It’s tough for all those guys right now.”

Giddens is the Celtics first assignment to the D-League this season.