| Monday’s Morning Mashup | 10.26.09 at 6:17 am ET |
Welcome to Monday’s Morning Mashup, where we’ll get you caught up on what’s going on in the sports world and beyond.
In case you are wondering how Sunday’s Patriots game went over with the locals in London, check out this London Times article here. The author, Nick Szczepanik, says he doesn’t think the league won over many converts. He also points out that the NFL’s new international website has a formula to help fans pick teams for which to root. You answer some questions and then the site suggests a team. Try it here, to make sure your allegiance is correctly placed.
FOOTBALL: To no one’s surprise, the Patriots routed the Buccaneers, 35-7, in London. Chris Price has Ten Things We Learned, leading off with the steady Wes Welker. Kirk Minihane says the blowouts are nice, but the real tests await after next week’s bye. Check the It Is What It Is blog for more notes and quotes from the Patriots.
Elsewhere in the NFL, the Cardinals knocked off the Giants at the Meadowlands, the unbeaten Saints rallied from an early 21-point deficit to beat the Dolphins by 12. The Steelers scored two defensive touchdowns and handed the Vikings their first loss of the year. Peyton Manning did not pass for 300 yards for a record-tying sixth straight game because he didn’t need to in the Colts’ rout of the Rams.
D.J. Bean has his fantasy football realizations from Week 7.
In college news, Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford will have season-ending shoulder surgery and then plans to enter the NFL draft. Florida regained the top spot in the AP Top 25. Dan Rowinski has Five Things We Learned from Boston College’s tough loss at Notre Dame. The funeral for UConn cornerback Jasper Howard is today in Miami.
BASEBALL: The Yankees closed out the Angels in the ALCS for their 40th league title.
In other Yankees news, there’s an investigation into why the concrete in the ramps at the new Yankee Stadium is cracking.
The Phillies said Cliff Lee will start Game 1 of the World Series. The Indians named Manny Acta manager. Acta was fired by the Nationals in July. Japanese 18-year-old pitcher Yusei Kikuchi decided to stay in his home country after meeting with the Red Sox and seven other MLB teams.
ESPN fired Steve Phillips as a baseball analyst. Tony La Russa is considering his future with the Cardinals, and reportedly wants to bring in Mark McGwire as hitting coach.
BASKETBALL: Paul Flannery wonders if this is the last shot for the Celtics’ Big Three. Ray Allen received five stitches above his left eye after being accidentally elbowed by Kendrick Perkins at practice on Saturday.
NBA referees officially are headed back to work.
The ACC held its media day Sunday, and North Carolina and Duke were named co-favorites. Boston College was tabbed ninth of the 12 ACC teams.
Michael Jordan’s son Marcus, a freshman guard at the University of Central Florida, is making some waves by refusing to wear adidas sneakers despite the school’s contract. Jordan wants to wear his father’s signature Air Jordans.
HOCKEY: Joe Haggerty examines the Bruins’ early season struggles and has Three Things We Learned from the B’s impressive comeback Saturday night against the Senators.
SOCCER: The Revolution earned a playoff spot Sunday night, as Jeff Larentowicz scored in the 79th minute for a 1-0 victory over the Columbus Crew in the MLS regular-season finale.
HISTORIVIA: On Oct. 26, 1980, the Bruins tied the Winnipeg Jets, 7-7. Which Bruin scored a pair of goals, including the 200th of his career (which was spent entirely in Boston)?
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I think it’s a privilege to come over here and get to enjoy this type of experience. It will probably never happen again for us, so we’ll retire 1-0 internationally.” — Tom Brady, after the Patriots’ victory over the Bucs in London
STAT OF THE DAY: 11 — Consecutive losses by the Buccaneers, their worst streak since the franchise started with 26 consecutive losses in 1976 and ‘77.
‘NET RESULTS: Here’s a collection of top 10 plays from the NBA preseason, with former Celtic Mikki Moore getting posterized at No. 1.
HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Don Marcotte, who finished with 230 career goals, which currently ranks 10th on the Bruins’ all-time list
SOOTHING SOUNDS: Natalie Merchant is 46 today.

- Lucila Brush on Tuesday’s Morning Mashup
- freddy on A Tale of Two Pitchers
- Jimmie Tippets on A Tiger in the Rough
- Coralie Panama on No Manny For New York: ‘I’ve got no glue,’ says Cashman
- Vernell Panama on A LEEInks Look At Recent Sports Drubbings
- Annie Panama on KG says what we are all thinking
- Internet Banking on Friday Afternoon LEEInks: Lowell Spinners Edition
- Mark Bodnar on Settling sports’ greatest feuds
- Crossdressing Guide on Morning links
- Beaulah Winebarger on Afternoon Links






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