Low quality of play across the NFL, Charlie "No-Show" McAvoy, the forthcoming World Series match-up

Tuesday 10/14/25

The Baltimore Ravens are 1-5. I don't mind that at all.

Despite the Ravens being 1-5, they are credited with a 37% chance of making the playoffs. What do these odds makers in Las Vegas know? How are they getting that number? They must know something.

Word is that the Red Sox are bringing back their 2025 coaching staff in 2026, including the third base coach. I do mind this.

People have always said that Jason Varitek will be some outstanding manager, but my feeling is that he isn't a good coach and he won't be a good manager. I don't think he has an aptitude for this. What am I basing this off of? His comments. What seems to me a foggy cluelessness.

In that Red Sox documentary, for instance, at no point do you think he's sharp. He's mostly a pudgy cheerleader in that thing, and not as mature as you would have thought. I don't know. These are my impressions. What my gut tells me. But I've thought this for a while, and nothing I've seen or heard has caused me to think it less--more like more. I could be wrong.

Boston College was eradicated by Clemson Saturday night. I actually stayed up to watch a decent amount of the game. You know what was the most discouraging thing about BC? It's that Clemson is a bad football team themselves. That was quite apparent. It was 17-10 at one point. BC never should have been in the game for that long. That's the worst Clemson team I've seen in a long time. Gives you an idea, then, of how bad BC is. But yeah, I can totally see why Clemson can only beat up on the UNCs and Boston Colleges of the world.

It's weird to see Mac Jones throw for so many yards, even if he is an offense that sets the quarterback up well for that kind of success. He's had a little resurgence. That resurgence is further indictment of the post-Brady Patriots debacle overseen by Belichick.

John Elway's career passer rating was below 80. How many people do you think know that? I know, it was a different era. But people still have no clue.

Cubs lost to the Brewers after fighting back from down 2-0 in the series. I'd say that the Cubs exceeded their expectations this year.

The Dodgers look like the team to beat. They got it together in time--right about the time Mookie Betts went back to being Mookie Betts. I think they'll repeat. I didn't think that for much of the season. I figured the ALCS was a pick 'em, but the Mariners are up 2-0 heading back to Seattle for three games, which means the Jays are in some real trouble now. The Mets trailed the Red Sox 2-0 in the 1986 World Series with the next three games being in Boston, but this isn't where you want to be, and if we're talking probabilities, it'd be a very low one that you're coming back from this. Will take a yeoman's effort to get to a game six in Canada.

Bruins lost their first yesterday at the Garden in a matinee against Tampa. I watched most of this game. The Bruins again went with Korpisalo in what was their fourth game of the season. Two starts for Swayman, two for him--straight up platoon, which is crazy when you are paying Swayman what you're paying him to be the guy.

What is that? You think he can't do it? I'm not saying I believe he can, because I don't. But the organization made this decision to drastically overpay a goalie who is supposed to be one of the best in the league based on the contract he received, which is supposed to go with the workload to match, and you're doing this "handle with care" kid gloves thing?

The Bruins were sloppy. Korpisalo isn't a guy you want starting every other game either. It's okay if he's playing thirty, thirty-five percent of the time, but more than that and he can really start to catch up to you.

But my bigger thought is Charlie McAvoy. This guy is invisible. He's a no-show in so many games. You would hardly know he's out there, unless he turns the puck over in a crucial situation. He is simply not a factor anywhere on the ice. You won't even hear his name called by the broadcasters for long stretches of time. Watch an old Bruins game with Ray Bourque. You heard his name constantly.

There was an offensive zone face-off that amounted to the Bruins final chance to even the score late in the third. Was cleanly won to McAvoy, who took a few steps forward...and missed the net. You cannot miss the damn net there. I detest his game, detest his lack of professionalism. He's a replacement level player out there many games. Neutral, passive, just technically out on the ice.

Meanwhile, I see Makar playing twenty-five minutes yesterday in an Avalanche win, tabulating a goal and an assist. People actually thought that's what McAvoy was supposed to be. Some people still talk about him like that's who he is. Pastrnak played more of a team game than he typically does. Maybe he's trying to round out his game. Put Kucherov on his ass late in the third.

Also saw most of the Patriots-Saints game on Sunday, which the Pats won 25-19. I didn't think the Patriots were very good, but that should have been a two-score difference in the outcome. The officials were bad. Patriots had two long pass plays taken back, and neither merited a penalty. In the first instance, they scored on the drive anyway. In the second, the play on which the Pats were called for offensive pass interference was followed by what was a more egregious example of defensive pass interference that wasn't called. I'm not saying anyone was on the take. I just think very few people in the world now are competent in what they do.

The Patriots can't run the ball. The offensive line is nothing great. Why the wins? Drake Maye has been playing well. He was better in the first half than the second on Sunday, and what positive running players they get they're getting from him. Rhamondre Stevenson had 13 carries for 18 yards. He's running not to fumble, rather than running to pick up yards. That's his goal with each touch--don't put the ball on the ground. Then again, the Saints got a lot of penetration through the Patriots line. They were in the backfield at times seemingly as soon as the back got the ball.

This league is so bad right now. All of these teams kind of suck. There isn't anyone who doesn't suck some. Bills lost again last night, to Atlanta this time. Josh Allen was abysmal. You can be very flawed, have a quarterback who makes the plays, and win a division this year. Everything gets worse in our world now. Including football teams and the quality of league play. Don't get cross at me for saying it. Watch. It's right there in front of your eyeballs.