Posted by Jessica Camerato

Former Boston Celtic Antoine Walker was charged early Monday morning with the suspicion of drunk driving. Walker was pulled over at 5:39 a.m. in Miami Beach while driving without the lights of Mercedes on. According to reports, Walker refused a breathalyzer test after police officers detected a strong odor of alcohol. They also noted Walked looked sleepy. He was held on $1,000 bond.

Walker, 32, was bought out by the Memphis Grizzlies in December and is currently a free agent. He played eight seasons in Boston and won a championship with former Celtic James Posey on the Miami Heat.

Posted by Joe Haggerty

The Tim Thomas "Uncle Sam" All-Star campaign didn't catch on in the fan write in vote...but he still could make it as an Eastern Conference reserve

In a much-needed reprieve from the war of attrition that’s been going on with the Bruins’ squad over the last month, B’s coach Claude Julien and his team needed some good news in the health department — and got it at this morning’s practice in Wilmington.

Andrew Ference took part in the hour plus practice at Ristuccia Arena – though he skated off early for “precautionary reasons” — and was among the healthy-enough-to-skate B’s players that heard Julien’s booming voice screaming during the intense morning of drills. Ward didn’t skate at practice with the team, but Julien deemed that his charley horse situation is improving dramatically.

The ”mild” charley horse knocked the 35-year-old out of Saturday’s loss in the second period, and Ward will be a game time decision for tomorrow night’s tilt against the trap-happy Minnesota Wild. Granted Marco Sturm is likely gone for the season with left knee surgery and there’s no timetable for Patrice Bergeron’s road back from his concussion, but things are starting to look up for the band-aid B’s. 

”He’s doing a lot better,” said Julien of Ward. ”His motion and range today was pretty good. He’s going to skate with us tomorrow and we’ll see how he does.”

Ference, out since mid-November following surgery to repair a fractured tibia incurred after blocking a shot during a penalty kill situation, continues to work ahead of schedule and should be back playing in real games over the next week. Tomorrow is a longshot, but nontheless healthy bodies are beginning to fill up the dressing room.  Julien was asked if he could presumably go from having six healthy defenseman to a choice of eight living, breathing, healthy bodies for tomorrow night’s game, and the B’s bench boss didn’t rule out the possibility.

“Ference is still day-to-day and he’s been put through some battle drills today [in practice] so we’ll see how he fares tomorrow,” said Julien, of a Tuesday morning skate that will portend whether Ward or Ference return to the lineup against the Wild. “There’s a possibility that we’ll look at Ward tomorrow and Ference is practicing with us and day-to-day. We’re kind of on the bubble with that.

There’s still some question marks that will be answered tomorrow morning, but we could be [anywhere] from 8 to 6 tomorrow very easily,” added Julien.

All-Star Snub Reaction

Bruins players selected for the Eastern Conference All-Star team will find out Thursday around noontime when the NHL announces the reserve players for the Jan. 25 NHL showpiece event. The B’s didn’t have a single player voted into the Eastern Conference starting lineup — a group filled solely with Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens players – announced over the weekend, and goaltender Tim Thomas felt like it might be a case of too many good Bruins to choose from. Or perhaps not enough tech-savvy, prospering cheaters among the B’s fan base.

Just taking Thomas’ case, it’s a tough decision to choose between Thomas and fellow veteran goaltender Manny Fernandez. Both goaltenders have worked together in seamless fashion to become the best goaltending duo in the NHL this season. Thomas and Fernandez, Marc Savard, Zdeno Chara and Phil Kessel are all certainly deserving of All-Star recognition, and it’s a safe bet that at least two of them will be invited to participate in Montreal’s All-Star weekend three weeks from now.

“I hadn’t thought about it,” said a clearly amused Thomas. “Obviously it was fan voting, so it was unrealistic. The other angle to look at is that this team is so good that it makes it really hard to choose [individual players]. Obviously [the fan voting] was Pittsburgh computer programmers versus Montreal computer programmers. It’s tough to make choices when you could pick so many good players, or you could be like Pittsburgh and Montreal and pick your whole team.” 

Posted by Joe Zarbano

Tonight on Planet Mikey…..

It’s been a long time since Planet Mikey had a full 5 hour show (6p-11p)! Here’s whats in store for tonight….

-The Planet Mikey legend from the Metro West Daily News, Lenny Megliola will be live in studio.

-HOCKEY TALK! 8P-9P. Boston Bruins forward and points leader Marc Savard will call in at 8:15p.

WEEI.COM’s Joe Haggerty will also be in studio to talk Bruins from 8p-9p

- In the 10p hour catch the Daily Planet with the whole Planet Mikey Crew as we break down the latest and craziest news stories.

-Joey the Fish

Posted by Mike Petraglia

When Jeff Jagodzinski left the comforts of his offensive coordinator position with the Green Bay Packers and quarterback Brett Favre following the 2006 season for the head coaching job at Boston College, many asked who is this guy?

Unlike his Dec. 06 introduction, Coach Jags may not be all smiles now.

Now Boston College, and specifically athletic director Gene DeFilippo, may be asking that same question. (NOTE: The Boston College Athletics Department issued the following statement this morning: The Boston College Athletics Department is fully aware of the speculation concerning the position of the head football coach.  It would be inappropriate for the University to comment further at this time)

How else to explain the very public controversy that has erupted with the reports that Jags will be fired after heading to New York this morning to speak with the New York Jets concerning their head coaching vacancy.

Apparently, the threats didn’t faze Jags, who went ahead with the trip and is meeting with Jets G.M. Mike Tannenbaum and presumably, owner Woody Johnson.

And presumably, the Jets are interviewing Jags primarily because of his prior relationship with the current Jets quarterback but it’s unlikely that’s the ONLY reason since Favre’s own position in the locker room is tenuous at best, with many observers expecting Favre to retire for good and not return to teammates that don’t want him around.

On Dec. 19, 2006, Jagodzinski signed a five-year contract to coach at Chestnut Hill, and while there are out clauses in practically every college coaching contract, whether it’s football, basketball or fencing, the dynamic here is clearly different.

“I’m proud to be back here, it’s great. I can’t tell you how (strongly) I feel about that,” Jagodzinski said of returning to Boston College, where he was the offensive coordinator in 1997-98. “I do have an advantage because I’ve been here before. I know these guys, and they know me. I feel real positive about that and the relationship I’ll have with those guys.”

Without knowing what exactly was said or promised inside the walls of the athletic department or what was written down above the dotted line, it is safe to assume that DeFilippo wouldn’t be making this threat without just cause.

The BC administration could hardly be surprised at Jags’ wandering eye given his track record (see below). Which is why it would come as no shock if they put language in his contract to assure some type of stability, an absolute must if your football program intends on landing big-time recruits and keeping them, namely star quarterbacks.

As for his salary, various media outlets have reported that Jags makes $1.5 million annually. But complicating matters is a $1.5 million buyout that just passed in December. In other words, the school could be on the hook for the remaining three seasons of his contract if the buyout deadline passed and they took no action. Without either party commenting, we won’t know and don’t expect either to chirp considering the possible ramifications either way. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by James Stewart

Both Dale Arnold and Michael Holley will be behind their respective radio microphones between the hours of 10am and 2pm. Imagine that!

They are back from vacation and on the first non-Patriots Monday in quite some time, they will be talking about the NFL Playoffs, the Celtics tough loss against the Knicks and some BC sports! BC made headlines today with the Men’s Basketball team beating upsetting the top-ranked UNC at their barn. Oh the Coach Jaggs situation might get some chatter as well.

Today also starts a month long promotion with the Dale and Holley Show, Flemings and the Boston Celtics. Each day right here on the Behind the Glass blog there will be a triva question about the Dale and Holley Show. If you have the correct answer to the question, you’ll be entered to win the Fleming’s Prime Giveaway which consists of a dinner for 2 at Flemings, 2 tickets to a Celtics game during the second half of the season in the “Dale and Holley section” and transportation provided by Fleming’s and the Prime Motor Group luxury car.

With all the rules now on the table let’s get to the first question. We’ll start with an easy one.

What was the date that the Dale and Holley Show started?

CLICK HERE WITH YOUR ANSWER

Posted by Mike Petraglia

We’re not saying we told you so but…

We did point out that Boston College was playing top-ranked and unbeaten North Carolina at Chapel Hill at the vaunted Dean Dome, looking to resurrect the ghosts of Bill Curley and Danya Abrams.

And anytime you put two teams together on the same court, anything can happen. And that anything on Sunday evening was the shocker of all shockers so far this college basketball season.

It seems only fitting that freshman Reggie Jackson would break through on basketball’s biggest stage, just like his baseball namesake did in 1977. Jackson had 17 points on 8-of-14 shooting.

Having taken my two girls to three games so far this season, I must say I didn’t see this coming. But to be fair, South Carolina-Upstate, Maine and San Francisco don’t exactly bring out the intensity. But when the game went into the final minutes on Sunday, the girls started asking questions about Tyler Hansbrough and couldn’t help but feel like they were down courtside, even though watching this one on TV.

Here are five things that went the way they had to for the Eagles to pull of the shocking upset.

1. Tyrese Rice played the role of a first-team All ACC guard. The point guard was 7-of-13 from the floor and 9-of-10 from the floor to lead all scorers with 25 points.

2. Rakim Sanders was nearly unstoppable. The swingman was 9-for-15 from the field with 22 points. He showed no fear of Carolina’s big men as he drove into the land of giants and drew fouls.

3. Tyler Hansbrough was human. Last year’s national player of the year was outscored by Rice and Sanders both. While he had a team-high 21 points, he missed two key free throws down the stretch and could not exert his dominance. He was just 6-for-15 from the field.

4. No late magic. Trailing 82-71, Carolina went on a 7-0 run but had several chances during that run to hit several open three-pointers that would have brought them even closer and sent the dormant Heels crowd into a frenzy. Carolina finished just 7-for-22 from beyond the arc.

5. Al Skinner coached a brilliant game. From the get-go, the Eagles were prepared for a tough battle on the road in their ACC opener. After a 13-point win againt Sacred Heart, observers doubted BC could even come within double-figures. Skinner and his staff removed all doubt early on and it paid off in the end.

Posted by Gary Marbry

For a recap of the Eagles’ 85-78 win over the top-ranked University of North Carolina, click here.

Gary from Chapel Hill is a UNC season ticket holder

Just got back from Gary from Chapel Hill’s seat in Section 221 of the Dean Dome and I’ll admit that none of us saw THAT coming.  What’s more, from where I sat, it didn’t seem like much of a fluke. Boston College just took it to Carolina from about the six-minute mark of the first half until about three minutes remained in the game.

Now, we all knew coming in what Tyrese Rice brings to the table after he torched the Heels for 46 last season in Chestnut Hill.  But Rakim Sanders? For much of the game, he looked like Quinn Buckner (if you are under 35 years-old, ask your dad) with a three-point stroke.  Reggie Jackson? Seven points per game coming in? His quickness gave NBA-hopeful Wayne Ellington fits.

Now here’s another admission: I’ve been talking about how the Heels needed to be pushed. But that talk stayed in the house. This morning, the Raleigh News and Observer had a long article where Tar Heel senior forward Danny Green said the same thing … out loud. In the paper. I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I’m pretty sure that article came up in the Eagles’ locker room today.

As they say, that’s basketball. I’ve been listening to so-called experts yammer on and on for a month now about how North Carolina is the best team in years and that they’ll just waltz through the season and into the Final Four. I’ve even heard a lot of “undefeated” talk. It all gave me the creeps. I mean, I was born at night, but it wasn’t LAST NIGHT, and there are just too many really talented basketball players out there to think that any college team is going to win 40 straight games in a season.

Carolina has an excellent team and one player the likes of whom we may never see again in college basketball. But they showed tonight that any group of 18 to 22 year-olds are beatable on any given night. For the next couple of days around here, talk radio telephone lines are going to be lit up by ABC (Anybody But Carolina) fans, so I’ll probably just pop in some Bruce Springsteen and let it blow over.

This is probably going to be a good thing in the long run for Carolina. I’m pretty sure that this is going to be a GREAT thing for BC and coach Al Skinner (who I’ve always thought was a great coach).  In addition, this is going to be a good thing for the ACC as a whole.

But tonight, this ‘82 UNC graduate thinks it is a really crappy way to start the new year (and going back to the office … in Durham … tomorrow isn’t going to help any).

Enjoy the win, Eagles fans. You earned it.

Oh, and I can be reached at gmarbry@weei.com if you want to rub it in any further.

Posted by Paul Flannery

The Celtics have played 23 games against the Eastern Conference and they have lost twice. The first came against Indiana, a way, way back in early November. If there was any game the Celtics played this year that made no sense it was that one. Well, they have a second “what was that?” game for the 2008-09 season now, after getting dumped by the Knicks, 100-88 at Madison Square Garden. (Recap here)

The Knicks, who had lost seven of eight, did just about everything right. They only shot 41 percent, but they made 9-of-22 3-pointers and were 23-for-28 from the free throw line, with only 10 turnovers. Al Harrington (30 points and 7 boards) and Wilson Chandler (31 points and 8 rebounds) both had career nights.

For the C’s, there was Paul Pierce and there was everyone else. Pierce was sensational with 31 points, seven rebounds and four assists. The Captain destroyed Quentin Richardson in this round of their rivalry, but Rajon Rondo did not have a good night (1-for-7, 3 assists, 24 minutes), Ray Allen missed all nine of his 3-point shots and Kevin Garnett was limited to just 28 minutes (6 points and 9 rebounds) thanks to some early foul trouble and what looked like an ankle injury.

The Celtics have now lost four out of their last six, and four of their last five on the road. They have a tough week in front of them with Charlotte on Tuesday, the tough Houston Rockets on Wednesday, the huge matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday and then Toronto on Sunday. (The Raptors have been playing better lately).

Speaking of the Cavs, the Celtics caught a break because Cleveland lost to Washington, 80-77 Sunday afternoon in a game that was as ugly as the score. Boston (29-6)  and Cleveland (27-6) are still tied in the loss column for the best record in the East race.

A few more quick observations on a Sunday evening:

1. The Celtics got great looks, but they just didn’t go down. The Knicks made more than a few tough shots. It happens. That’s why it’s so hard to win 70 games, or go on 19-game winning streaks. There’s a reason things like that are historic, and it’s also why the reporters got frustrated when the players wouldn’t acknowledge the accomplishments.

Forget winning 70, the Celtics have to get themselves straightened out. There’s no reason to think they won’t, but let’s hold off on the rest of that for now, considering they were to this point stastically not as good as the team that won 66 games last year.

2. Because it was the Knicks, one can’t help think about Stephon Marbury tonight. This one wasn’t the bench’s fault–the decisive run came early in the third quarter–but the bench has been much maligned over the last few weeks and seems to be in need of a shakeup. Marbury makes sense for a number of reasons, namely:

A. The second unit needs a creator. They need someone who can break down his man and get to the basket. The best person off the bench right now is Tony Allen, and his jumper isn’t good enough to allow him to do that with any kind of consistency. That is Marbury’s biggest strength.

B. Eddie House would feast off Marbury drive-and-kicks (provided that smallish backcourt wouldn’t get eaten alive defensively).

C. Rondo is too good, and too far along, to be bothered by somebody like Marbury playing behind him.

D. Marbury could be what they’ve wanted Sam Cassell to be.

E. All of that assumes that Marbury had his screwed on straight if he got here. And if he didn’t, he’d be gone. That is an assumption, also.

3. OK, speaking of the second unit: Brian Scalabrine has to make wide-open jump shots. Yes, he played good defense and it’s really a treat to watch him play with the starters because he does such a good job of moving without the ball, but when he has that much open space, he has to knock them down.

4. Pierce has been playing his best basketball of the season. Over the last 10 games he is averaging 23 points on 53 percent shooting (56 percent on 3-pointers and 87 percent free throw shooting).

What’s been fascinating about his season is that Pierce has been incredibly restrained this year. Earlier in the season, when his shot wasn’t going down he rarely forced the action. Even when he has played with the second unit, he has been fine blending into the action. He’s going with the flow, as he said the other night. He’s not going to win any MVP awards playing like that, but he is the team’s ballast, more so than even Kevin Garnett this year.

5. The Celtics are fine, but it really wouldn’t hurt their cause if they got a big win in Charlotte, Tuesdaty.