-If that’s what all the talk is about with Greg Oden a year finally back from micro fracture reconstructive knee surgery, then he should permanently change his name to Greg Olden. At least it would help explain the lack of production (no FGs, no Pts, 5 rebs, block, 2 fouls in 13 mins) before leaving a season opening 96-76 blowout loss to the Lakers with an ankle sprain with an MRI later today.

It looks like the Blazers former 2007 No.1overall pick is going to be rusty and more of a project than most expected. Especially with how poor his finishes were around the basket badly misfiring on four attempts while showing that his hands still need improvement.

For now, Portland might be more concerned with what the MRI reveals cause it’ll help determine how long the 20 year-old former Ohio State star will be out. They should heed on the side of caution based on what we saw.

As for the rest of his teammates who are expected to compete for a final playoff berth, they stunk it up against the defending Western Conference champs getting taken to school in both ends. Offensively, with the exception of promising Spanish rookie guard Rudy Fernandez (5-of-10 FG, 16 Pts, 4 assists), they were way too stagnant forcing up shots leading to the Lakers’ vastly improved transition attack which had good results.

Pau Gasol had some nice finishes in a strong first half netting all 15 while rating league MVP Kobe Bryant slowly picked apart the Blazers to the tune of a game high 23, 11 boards and five assists. With Metuchen, New Jersey’s own Andrew Bynum (8 pts, 3 BS) back healthy in the lineup, Christ The King product Lamar Odom came off the bench in a new Sixth Man role combining with ex-Knick Trevor Ariza and Jordan Farmar to help a strong Lakers second unit score 36 of their 96 total.

Not bad production from arguably the deepest bench in the league which is a big part of why they should go very far next Spring.

-In the other two league’s openers, the defending champion Celtics got past LeBron and the Cavs 90-85 on championship ring night in Boston. Paul Pierce made up for running mates’ KG and Ray Allen’s struggles by scoring 27 and got bench help from Leon Powe (13 big Pts including couple of jams) and Tony Allen (11 Pts).

LeBron paced the Cavs with 22, seven rebounds and eight assists with new teammate Mo Williams getting 12 including three treys.

-It was a much better debut for Derrick Rose, who helped lead the Bulls past former coach Scott Skiles’ Bucks 108-95. The 20 year-old former Memphis star who Chicago took No.1 overall finished with 11 points, nine assists, four boards and three steals in over 32 minutes leading a balanced attack which included Tyrus Thomas’ double double (15 and 10), Drew Gooden’s 13 and 8 (6 offensive) along with Ben Gordon’s 18 (three treys) and Kirk Hinrich’s 15 and 7 off the bench.

If they’re going to bring both Gordon and Hinrich off the bench, that’s going to be a huge edge for the Bulls because they could start on most teams. The move by new coach Vinnie Del Negro helped Chicago score  46 bench points. Not bad.

Michael Redd paced the Bucks with 30 on 10-of-19 shooting including four from downtown. In his Milwaukee debut, former Net Richard Jefferson was held to 5-of-17 from the floor for 15 points, four rebounds and two assists in 38-plus.

-We haven’t made any league predictions yet but here’s one tip for Knicks and Nets fans. Your teams aren’t as good as the Celts, 76ers and Raptors. Loose Translation: Enjoy fighting for the Atlantic cellar with non-playoff rosters.

We’ll have some picks later with seeds and teams contending for the lottery. Stay tuned.

It’s been a while since I made an entry revolving around Team Dumb and Dumber Clown Mgt 101. In fact, you have to go all the way back to the old Isiah Thomas Days when there was no hope.

Now, here we are all these months later a day before the “much anticipated” season home opener versus the lowly Heat. Already the preposterous Knick Propaganda has begun to become irksome with new coach Mike D’Antoni’s “We’re gonna be exciting,” mantra of basketball on deck under GM Donnie Walsh.

How many times do Knick fans get to be the Halloween version of a donkey? Why not ask Team Mgt leader James Dolan, who apparently is still making the final call on roster moves.

How else can you explain the unfathomable release of Patrick Ewing, Jr. while Anthony Roberson makes the roster as the Knicks 9,000th SG. Alright. Maybe that’s a tad overboard. But come on. It was bad enough Walsh gave away Renaldo Balkman to the Rockets in the offseason.

In Patrick Ewing’s son, they had an athletic versatile forward who could come off the bench and provide energy on both ends including the one word which never enters D’Antoni’s dictionary. That would be the one which wins in this league though if you informed Dumb and Dumber Clown Mgt 101, they’d probably stare at you in disbelief.

So, I’ll say it nice and slow:

D———————-e———–fe—————–nsssssseeeeee!!!!!

So there you have it. More proof that the New York Knicks basketball universe is unlike any of the other 29 franchises. Well, let me take that back. You can’t count the Bobcats who are run by the world’s greatest player and now worst basketball mind. You know him as Air Jordan. Btw…wonder how Larry Brown feels about his roster after going 0 for the preseason. That’s right. They lost all eight exhibition games. Think the man who never saw a dollar he didn’t like wishes he’d stayed here? Did we just say that?!?!?!?!?!

Whoever says it can’t get any worse obviously never saw the Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs or Kansas City Royals.

As the Knicks do prepare for another waste of a season in which they’ll score more under D’Antoni but won’t win much, just remember that to make room for no Ewing, Jr.- a player who worked as hard as anyone to get a shot improving at Georgetown- Eddy “Fat Albert” Curry’s still on the roster eating his way into oblivion with God knows what diseases. There’s no telling what will happen next. He already broke a medicine ball just from sitting on it. So, what’s next to get victimized? A bicycle.

If it weren’t bad enough that Fat Albert has already lost D’Antoni’s trust and that’s awfully hard to accomplish considering how likable and positive the former Sun coach is, just remember this.

Jerome James still exists on the Knick roster.

That’s the No.1 reason Ewing, Jr. didn’t stay. Because Clown Mgt 101 Boss Dolan barked out the orders to keep the scrub so he could get paid out in full for the two minutes he gives every now and then before transferring into his normal street atire when his knees act up.

So, what is there to get excited for? This team is again headed nowhere with zero direction despite promo after promo emphasizing otherwise that they’re going to give back to New Yorkers everywhere who deserve better.

Game One hasn’t even tipped off yet and already Joe Benigno is rooting for the Lottery and the fat lady has begun warming up.

Let the countdown begin!

This was kinda inspired by two things:

1.The windy weather conditions here from the Nor’easter.

2.The idiocy of a few Philadelphians during two sporting events.

As you might know, the World Series made history by suspending play during the sixth inning in Game Five with the Phillies hoping to win their first championship in 27 years tied up at two with the Rays. The game depending on the rainy forecast is supposed to pickup later tonight from that inning on. But will it and will the delay turn the Series completely around? Only the man upstairs knows.

“Quiet Before The Storm”
by Derek Felix AKA D Flex

It was so peaceful outside
A calm kinda presence in the air
Who knew something was hiding
And floating along ever so near

Approaching at an easy going rate
As the sun suddenly was covered in clouds
Almost as if it were holding a Philly baseball fan’s fate
That’s what they get for being such clowns

If only these lost souls didn’t toss objects on the ice
Maybe they wouldn’t feel God’s sudden wrath
Letting their ball team finally win which would’ve been nice
Instead of stuping to tossing packets in opposing family’s paths

No wonder the sun closed up for good
Suddenly darkening skies and making you sigh
Mother nature definitely was in a foul mood
To the Filthydelphians who acted foolish my oh my

You messed with mother nature and delayed a celebration
One which suddenly remains tied and up in the air
As Game Five lingers on will it really commence in jubilation
Or will mother nature’s tease become something they’ll fear

All this on a day which began so peacefully with much hope
Suddenly going from awfully quiet before the storm
If they’d acted civil they wouldn’t have to wash their mouths out with soap
Now instead the sun went away as quiet hit before the storm

Making one realize how wildly unpredictable this place can be
Just when you think you got it all figured out you don’t know jack
As the heavens above laugh out loud haha and slowly unlock the key
Lurking around and soon speaking through the sky throwing you off track

This is how it really becomes in this weird time
A sudden eerie quiet before the storm
Throwing everything you figured way off line
Where just like that nothing’s ever the norm

This is their sin for being unkind and unfaithful
It’s what lengthens their nervousness in vain
Maybe if they had more respect God wouldn’t be so hateful
Instead there’s a doubt like this storm which can create pain

Giving fair warning to those main culprits who dared the great man above
Making its strong presence known by sending rain and chills in the air
Unlike the usual feeling you get on those great days with plenty of love
Never take it for granted as it can strike at any moment if you so dare

That’s the way it goes on this now forever long Philly night
One which could make them think of the quiet before the storm
Especially if their team doesn’t close the deal falling victim to God’s eternal light
If there’s a lesson to be learned it’s never doubt the quiet before the storm

A little something I just wrote in a spare amount of time cause that’s how I roll!

“Untitled”

by Derek Felix AKA D Flex

Check it Check it
1-2 3-4
It’s D Flex on the mike
Bangin’ down your door
Ya better take a hike
Cause I got mad skillz
In this kinda game
Giving ya’ll cheap thrills
So you’ll remember my name
I’m the one you gotta pay mind to
Cause I blow it up till I reach the top
Like Snoop said you got no clue of what I can do
When I’m kickin’ it play the sirens call the cops
Dial 911 cause you’re about to be run out of town
By the one and only D Flex representin’ NYC
So scream holler yell and make your frown
It won’t do no good when I go off on a spree
Cause I’m the one ya’ll best be worried about
Like 2Pac in Juice when I decide to busta cap
Your doomed and you know there’s no doubt
This is my game and my mind don’t fall into the trap
I turn it up a notch raising the roof
Like AI crossing over for a sick reverse
Get ‘em up out of their seats giving some proof
Knowing full well I’m the opposite of a curse
Cause Flex is a winner through and through
Who’s got the fire burning once again
And will go opposite field on ya like Rod Carew
I’m Gretzky, Bird, Magic and Lemieux rolled into one
Finishing ya off with my mad skills with one final promise
You’ll remember me when I’m really done

-The Rays bounced back with a 4-2 win in Game 2 over the Phillies evening the World Series at a game apiece with the next three back in Philly this weekend. Tampa Bay scored twice in the first and tacked on a couple of more runs in the second and fourth off losing Phillie starter Brett Myers while ace James Shields held their opponent without a run in five and two thirds scattering seven hits while walking two and striking out four.

A pair of RBI ground outs from Carlos Pena and rookie third baseman Evan Longoria helped Tampa Bay get off to a quick start. B.J. Upton’s two out bases loaded RBI single to the opposite field plated a third run before Jayson Werth’s throw nailed Rocco Baldelli at the plate with the right fielder crashing into Philadelphia catcher Carlos Ruiz, who held on for the final out.

With Cliff Floyd on third, a well executed safety squeeze from shortstop Jason Bartlett scored the fourth run two innings later.

After Dan Wheeler came onto toss one scoreless frame K-ing a pair, ALCS Game Seven rookie hero David Price made things interesting by giving up a two out eighth inning pinch hit Eric Bruntlett solo blast to left breaking the shutout.

With Joe Maddon staying with the former 2007 first overall pick out of Vanderbilt, it got even tighter when Ruiz ledoff with a double and Jimmy Rollins appeared to be hit by a pitch. If the ball did touch part of the 2007 NL MVP’s jersey, plate umpire Kerwin Danley wasn’t saying and neither did the shortstop make much of it.

Instead, Price cameback to pop him up for a big first out before Werth’s scorcher off Longoria which somehow was ruled an E5 scored Ruiz for the Phils’ second run sending the tying run to the plate in Game 1 hero Chase Utley with Ryan Howard on deck. But Price dug deep getting Utley to chase and then inducing the struggling Howard into a grounder right into the shift for an easy 4-3 putout ending the game.

-A good win for the Rays who like they did in the ALCS against Boston bounced back from a Game One home defeat to even a series making it anyone’s with five potential games left. They”ll be in the identical spot they were when they visited Fenway sending ALCS MVP Matt Garza to the mound against crafty 45 year-old southpaw Jamie Moyer Saturday night. Figure the edge to go to the Rays if Garza continues to dominate. We’ll see if Howard can get untracked.

The other two match-ups at Citizen’s Bank Park pits Andy Sonnanstine against Joe Blanton and a Game 1 lefty rematch between 24 year-olds Scott Kazmir and Cole Hamels. This series shaped up to be a good one and thus far, has delivered even if ratings on Fox are probably down due to who’s in it. It’s good baseball though with solid pitching on both sides, low scores and key hits. Whoever wins the whole thing will have really earned it.

-Who cares if Brett Favre really put in a call to buddy Matt Millen before he was axed by Detroit about a game versus his ex-team. What does it matter? We’re talking about the Lions here, who need all the help they can get and that still wouldn’t be enough. What’s sad is that Favre lied when asked about whether he spoke to Millen. Why hide it? It’s not that bad to begin with but makes him look a lot worse.

Meanwhile, Favre’s sketchy play on the gridiron for an underachieving 3-3 Jets team in a weaker AFC is what should come under fire by the New York media here. He just hasn’t been the difference Gang Green expected him to be with part of the blame on conservative coach Eric Mangini along with Brian Schottenheimer, who’d rather run the ball with Thomas Jones than let one of the greatest QBs the game’s ever seen win a game at Oakland in which he was responsible for even getting it there in the first place.

You don’t treat Favre with kid gloves. That was easily one of the most poorly coached OTs I’ve ever seen with the Jets getting what they deserved. An ugly loss putting them two behind an overachieving bunch in Buffalo who find ways to win and don’t use excuses like the ones Bob Wischusen invents behind a Jets microphone over on ESPN Radio.

Bottom Line: The good teams overcome adversity to pull out games while the mediocre ones don’t which is what the Jets are right now. Mediocre.

-I’m no expert but what does changing her name to Sasha Fierce have to do with Beyonce anyway? She’s fierce anyway. We know that. Just look at her!

-The World Series got going last night with the Phillies behind Cole Hamels, Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge edging the Rays 3-2 to take Game One over Scott Kazmir and Co. in St. Pete. All-Star second baseman Chase Utley’s first inning two-run homer to short right was the only real mistake the former Mets’ farmhand made in six solid frames of three-run, six hit ball while walking and fanning four apiece.

The 24 year-old southpaw was just good enough to lose despite battling through stranding runners while tossing 110 pitches (73 strikes) before the Tampa Bay bullpen shutdown the Phils the rest of the way including big outs by lefty J.P. Howell and Grant Balfour to keep them down a run.

Problem was Hamels, who took home NLCS MVP versus the Dodgers was his stingy self working seven strong allowing two earned on five hits walking a pair while striking out five. Given a three-run lead to protect following backstop Carlos Ruiz’ fourth inning RBI ground out, the 24 year-old former Phillies’ 2002 first round pick bent but didn’t break permitting a Carl Crawford solo shot and a Akinori Iwamura run scoring double in two consecutive innings both with two outs.

However, he did get the dangerous B.J. Upton to harmlessly pop out in foul territory to first baseman Ryan Howard, who made a nice defensive gem getting his glove extended into the stands coming away with the ball for the final out of the fifth.

If Hamels did the job handing the ball off to a pen which has dominated the late innings this Fall, then what Madson and Lidge did wasn’t all that startling with the Philadelphia 1-2 punch retiring all six Rays they faced including the latter getting the first two in only Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria swinging at nasty sliders before popping up Crawford into foul ground where third baseman Pedro Feliz squeezed the final out.

It was Lidge’s sixth straight successive save this postseason making the Phillie closer 47-for-47 including the regular season continuing to erase any doubts from his previous October experience with the Astros where Albert Pujols hit a tying homer which still hasn’t landed.

The Phils won despite another quiet night from top slugger Howard, who took the collar in four plate appearances whiffing three times. They also prevailed in spite of stranding a preposterous 22 on base. That’s what good pitching does. Tampa’s kept them afloat but the Phillies’ best was enough to pickup the win and take the home field away.

One potential turning point last night was when an E3 on Howard allowed Pena to reach leading off the sixth. He then took off on Hamels’ first move towards home but was picked off 1-3-6 despite Joe Maddon’s protests that it should’ve been a balk which Fox tandem Joe Buck and Tim McCarver accurately contended with replays confirming it.

Chalk it up to a break which went the Phils’ way and one which went against the Rays, who now really need tonight’s Game Two sending ace James Shields to the mound against Brett Myers. Especially with the next three shifting to the City of Brotherly Love.

In order for Tampa to have any shot, they obviously need to win tonight’s game and the recipe should be to score often on Myers, who has looked shaky this postseason after a strong finish to the regular season. He’s prone to walking batters and can be taken yard. Something the Rays have done during this run to their first World Series.

The Rays don’t want to let Myers off the hook and allow Charlie Manuel’s pen to dictate things cause they’ve been automatic late. It’s imperative for Tampa to swing the bats early and often getting out to a lead and taking some pressure off Shields.

Before the series began, we liked the more experienced Phillies in six competitive games. For as wrong as I’ve been on the NFL the past couple of weeks, I’m not changing my pick here. I just feel the Phils’ lineup is a little better and their pen gives them an edge despite the Rays throwing better starters outside of Hamels.

-Kudos to the Rays for overcoming a gritty determined defending champ in Boston coming back to beat the Red Sox 3-1 in the deciding Game Seven. It was truly storybook with mainstay Rocco Baldelli netting the series clinching RBI bouncing back from an exhaustion illness which has plagued him the past couple of seasons causing him to miss significant time.

That Longoria got the tying two out RBI opposite field double and steady fill-in utility man Willy Aybar added some insurance with a dinger seemed fitting considering how much of a team they’ve been all season.

We’ll see if they can pull this off becoming the first team to go from worst record the prior year to world champs. It should be a good series!

-One other thought on Game One. Enough already with these bands playing our national anthem. Last night, The Backstreet Boys made a mockery of it. I much prefer our anthem being sang/performed the way it should sound. No time to turn into a choir or hit song. You’d think they’d know better.

-Anyone really feel that the Red Sox would’ve scored only a run leaving all those runners on in the late goings if Manny Ramirez is still there batting behind David Ortiz? Try telling that to Mike Lupica.

Honestly, as diehard a Guns N’ Roses fan as there is out there growing up in the late 80’s/early 90’s, there was no more fascinating band than the original act fronted by the zany unpredictable Axl screeching at the top of his lungs with Slash churning epic solo after epic solo while Izzy chiming in on vocals and rhythm guitar with Duff on bass and Steven Adler doing his thing on the drums for an amazing sound unlike any other.

They were such a great rock n’ roll group which explains why they didn’t last long together cause most big acts rarely do. Still, with the incomparable Appetite For Destruction featuring huge hits still played today like anthem “Welcome To The Jungle“-WTTJ known to Gunners, “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” “Paradise City” and “My Michelle,” their legacy remains very much intact. It’s not often you find an album with no weak tracks on it. But that’s how strong Appetite was. You could rock out to any.

While so much is emphasized about that album, the two Illusions were hardly slouches bringing with it a different style of music fresh sounding producing hits like “Civil War,” and the memorable “November Rain.” There were also solid covers of Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” and The Beatles’ “Live and Let Die” while “You Could Be Mine” became extremely popular as the movie sound track theme of Terminator 2 prominently featured in the video. There also were songs like “Garden of Eden,” “Breakdown,” “Coma,”  “Don’t Cry,” “Estranged” along with “Yesterdays,” and the now too ironic “14 Years.”

When you got lyrics like this, you have to ponder if Axl actually planned to wait this long with Chinese Democracy, which now looks as if it really will finally hit stores on the much rumored 11/23 and 11/25 dates:

But it’s been
14 years of silence
It’s been
14 years of pain
It’s been
14 years that are gone forever
And I’ll never have again

So, how do ya feel knowing that it took this long to finally officially release the first single which is fittingly the entitled album, “Chinese Democracy?” Radio stations finally began playing the digitally remastered track that now includes a fantastic intro befitting of such a song. I always felt it lacked something and was just a little too short. But the intro has a special vibe which drags you into a different dimension. Like we’ll ever live to see a Chinese democracy?!?!?!?!?!

Before we debut the new single here, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the underrated G N’ R Lies featuring the likes of “Patience,” “Crazy,” “Move To The City,” “Used To Love Her” and the controversial but very good “One In A Million” where Axl made references to “faggots and racists.”

Fast forward 20 years later and now, it’s Axl with basically a whole new cast of characters including lead guitarist Ron Thal (Bumblefoot), Robin Finck (lead guitar), Dizzy Reed (keyboard/piano), Tommy Stinson (bass), Chris Pittman (special effects), Richard Fortus (rhythm guitarist) along with drummers Bryan Mantia and Frank Ferrer.

Reed’s the only holdover from remaining with Axl since 1991.

Whether you’re pro or con on this new act, it’s quite understood that it shall never compare to the original Gunners because quite few bands could measure up to that legendary status. There’ll never be another Slash who has always been the main example as to why the old establishment loathes Axl and the new band. However, it’s also easy to say that there’ll never be another Izzy or Duff as well. The old Gunners will always have their own legacy.

The new band is quite good as I’ve seen it live a bunch of times including three great shows at Hammerstein Ballroom. They should be judged on what they produce and not compared to the old act. That’s always been the misconception. I say enjoy them for what they are.

And with that, here’s the brand new Chinese Democracy:

Today’s video “Put On” features the talented Young Jeezy coming clean about what’s really going on these days in the everyday struggle to survive and having their homies backs. Not surprisingly, this was a big hit featuring Kanye West as they go hard. The video itself has some strong parts to it with the start showing off a poor urban family watching the news about the entitled album, The Recession which is poetic since well, it really hits home. Love the flag theme throughout.

Note: The video won’t work above cause it’s unavailable for embedding. So click on the link below:

Young Jeezy fea. Kanye West: “Put On”

Aaliyah tribute song: “I Miss You” is really nice. She was great. Let’s just call this a bonus addition which I liked. The video is really cool highlighting her distinguished career while her peers pay tribute.

You’re probably wondering why I haven’t written much about sports this week. Part of it is cause I’ve been way preoccupied running Battle of NY putting together plenty of Ranger entries with the tragic news of Alexei Cherepanov only making it that more urgent. Poor kid was only 19. What a terrible way to go. Only 19.

The fact is he should be alive no matter if he had a heart condition. The KHL (Continental Hockey League) is still liable for not having a   defibrillator in working order and the ambulance needing to be called back to the arena when this awful tragedy took place in the third period.

I feel terrible for his parents and family who have to live with the harsh fact that their son isn’t around anymore. I hope to God they get the world for this. It shouldn’t have ever come to this. Even if they do get all that money, nothing can replace their son and how special he might’ve been. Now we’ll never know just how good the former Ranger 2007 17th overall selection could’ve become.

I just wish he were still around. His spirit lives on and let’s hope an extremely valuable lesson was learned for the inaugural professional hockey league in Russia. But it sure comes at a very costly price. It was one of their own who was taken. It doesn’t get any worse.

I also feel very bad for Jaromir Jagr, who went back to play once more with Cherepanov and help prepare him for the NHL. The former Ranger superstar had informed the organization that he could play on the team’s second line already. The talented Russian was off to a great start having scored in his final game an eighth time with 13 points total in 15 games. It was following a shift on a near miss off a two-on-one with Jagr that he and his close teammate nearly twice his age joked about probably should’ve scored.

Then the worst happened and he passed out on the bench with Jagr pleading for him to wake up before six people carried him back to the locker room reviving him briefly before he was pronounced dead at the hospital. If everything had been functioning, he probably could’ve been saved. Instead, a life was taken from us way too soon.

Tragedies occur everyday. This one was inexcusable and should’ve been prevented. If only.

R.I.P. Alexei Cherepanov (1989 - 2008)

Aside from the sad doings with an entire hockey community still mourning, here’s a thought which I’m sure many here can agree with:

I’m sick of the Red Sox. Can’t they just go away already? Why couldn’t the Rays finish the job? They were only seven outs away from a five game series win and their first World Series when the unthinkable happened blowing a seven-run lead letting that gritty resilient championship bunch off the hook completely.

Suddenly, Big Papi remembered who he was and hit a huge two out home run and the rest of his teammates followed suit with J.D. Drew taking advantage of Evan Longoria’s throwing miscue to knock in the winning run forcing Game Six. Of course, it was started by probable AL MVP Dustin Pedroia who hadn’t hit much this October. You just can’t give that team an inch.

It’s like what WFAN’s Chris Carlin said on the Morning Warm Up quoting former Arizona Cards’ coach Dennis Green who had that infamous quote after his team gave away a game versus the Bears a few years ago:

“They are what we thought they were!”

Now, suddenly here are the Rays facing a similar crisis to the one the 2004 Yankees experienced when they had the worst collapse of all-time. Sure. It wouldn’t be as bad if they lose tonight’s Game Seven dropping the last three victimized the way Cleveland was a year ago.

However, the scenario would be similar due to having the Sox beat before totally imploding blowing a bigger lead with a pen which had been very reliable before manager Joe Maddon messed up not going to either lefty Trever Miller or J.P. Howell to face David Ortiz when it became apparent Grant Balfour had nothing suddenly opening the door.

Imagine you’re a young talented Tampa Bay team who’s been resilient all year having won when needed against Boston to remain in first and win your first AL East crown. Now, it’s suddenly all on the line the way it was for the Yankees and A-Rod battered by stunning defeats wondering if you’re about to blow it and be labeled chokers with another game in your own home building.

And you know there will be plenty of supporters for the enemy rooting for more history. Just like that unlikely scenario where Derek Lowe easily outpitched Kevin Brown, the Red Sox have the edge on the mound with Jon Lester facing Matt Garza in a Game Three rematch. Can Garza really get the better of Lester twice? It seems unlikely.

Some friendly advice for Longoria, the red hot B.J. Upton (4 homers in ALCS, AL tying record 7), Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena: Get the jump early and get your fans into it.

If they don’t, they’re probably doomed.

Full credit must go out to the Red Sox, who never seem to panic and are showing why they’ve won a couple of World Series the last four years. Still, at some point, their opponent has to show that they have heart to fight back too.

Hopefully, that’ll be tonight cause I’d really like to see two fresh teams decide this year’s World Series.

A Phillies-Rays series would serve that purpose and be very fun and exciting.

Week Seven is here in the NFL and here are our picks:

BILLS (4-1) over Chargers (3-3), 1 ET: The Bolts blew out the Pats but traveled cross country against a good rested Buffalo team. Trent Edwards returns and we think he helps make a difference.

Saints (3-3) over PANTHERS (4-2), 1 ET: Originally, we were tempted to go with Carolina after a dreadful showing at Tampa but are they really that much better than a Saint team which is finally clicking on all cylinders? This one should be tight late.

Vikings (3-3) over BEARS (3-3), 1 ET: Neither of these teams are anything special and don’t score many points. So, expect a very close game where perhaps the team that turns it over less and executes win. I’ll go with the best gamebreaker Adrian Peterson.

BENGALS (0-6) over Steelers (4-1), 1 ET: Pittsburgh is undoubtedly the better team but Cincinnati hasn’t been playing like a winless team and this is one of those dangerous rivalry games. Maybe the Bengals catch Big Ben and Pitt napping.

Titans (5-0) over CHIEFS (1-4), 1 ET: The NFL’s lone remaining unbeaten travels to Arrowhead fresh off a bye week against a brutal opponent. Unless Larry Johnson goes off against the league’s top rated D, it should be a long day in Kansas City.

DOLPHINS (2-3) over Ravens (2-3), 1 ET: Both these teams are coming off bad losses but at least Miami was competitive. Plus they lost in tough fashion. More than you can say for Baltimore who got smoked by the Colts. Both D’s are good and will keep it close but I just feel the home field and Chad Pennington are enough for the Finns to get back on track.

GIANTS (4-1) over 49ers (2-4), 1 ET: It’s awfully hard to see Eli and Co. having a second straight off week after how the Browns manhandled them on national TV. That had to be a wakeup call. This could be close without Antonio Pierce (iffy). Especially with one of the game’s better backs Frank Gore. But figure Big Blue to respond well before a very challenging stretch approaches.

Cowboys (4-2) over RAMS (1-4), 1 ET: Can anyone really see the ‘Boys losing a third in four to the lowly Rams on turf? They’ve already disappointed and might be without Tony Romo (pinky) but there’s still plenty of fire power to get by with T.O., newly acquired Roy Williams and Jason Witten. So why risk further injury to their starting QB?

TEXANS (1-4) over Lions (0-5), 4:05 ET: The Texans finally got their first win pulling one out over the Skins atoning for the prior week’s Sage Rosenfels’ collapse against Indy. Matt Schaub returned and the game’s most overlooked receiver Andre Johnson was heroic. The Post Matt Millen Lion Era has already tossed in the towel reloading by getting a nice return for Williams. The question is how many will they lose?

PACKERS (3-3) over Colts (3-2), 4:15 ET: This is easily one of the best games on the menu featuring Peyton Manning versus Aaron Rodgers with two teams’ fates still in question. Though they’re in a weak division, Green Bay kinda needs the game and I can see Greg Jennings and Donald Driver having big days.

Jets (3-2) over RAIDERS (1-4), 4:15 ET: Another game which Brett Favre and Gang Green must get before business picks up in the second half. With the Chiefs next, they really have no excuses. Why do I get the feeling this will be close?

Browns (2-3) over REDSKINS (4-2), 4:15 ET: MNF was a statement game for Derek Anderson and the Browns playing out of this world against the Giants saving their season. Sometimes, a game like that can give a team a huge boost and the way they played pounding the ball on the ground, passing it and playing physical D, it could carry over against another quality NFC East foe on the road. Kellen Winslow could also be back. The Skins are coming off a very tough loss to St. Louis and have much to prove. This could come down to a last second field goal.

BUCCANEERS (4-2) over Seahawks (1-4), 8:15 ET, NBC: Somehow, Jon Gruden has the Bucs playing a very good brand of football despite not having a star QB getting the most out of vets Brian Griese and Jeff Garcia. In his return to Tampa, Warrick Dunn’s been a nice addition on the ground giving Tampa a well balanced attack along with Ernest Graham. Right now, Seattle can’t seem to get out of its own way. There’s Matt Hasselbeck still but they’re unable to get much done. This is a trap game for Tampa Bay which they must not take lightly.

PATRIOTS (3-2) over Broncos (4-2), 8:30 ET, ESPN MNF: Knowing history with Mike Shanahan versus Bill Belichick, all signs point to Denver who boasts one of the league’s premier offenses led by gunslinger Jay Cutler featuring weapons Brandon Marshall and rookie Eddie Royal. With Matt Cassel struggling last week, the Pats were blown out by the Chargers and are reeling. So, why are we picking them? Just a hunch that the Denver D helps New England out of their funk. Maybe I’m nuts but it’s hard to go against Belichick in this spot even with everything lining up against him.