Follow up on Vick and why the sky isn't falling yet for the Red Sox

Regarding Ron Mexico, I could not agree more with RJ. Using a combined public service announcement about how using an unwrapped wee-wee to slam groupies can lead to lesions and how using a pit bull to attack a rotwiler is just not nice would be the perfect way to punish Vick. Luckily for me, I have Roger Goodell on speed dial and already ran this by him.

But this led me to extending this punishment to other players. For example:

(1) Goodell should make Terrell Owens go back to pre-school to learn about such invaluable life lessons as sharing and quiet time. He should also see whether or not he could pass sandbox, just for the hell of it. This should also be documented on video then immediately posted on YouTube.

(2) Goodell should make Tank Johnson dress up like Baby Huey and recite the following line for a public service announcement of staying in school - "Listen kids, life isn't fair. Even when you deserve a fourth chance, sometimes people won't give it to you. So don't be like me and have the IQ of a jelly donut. Stay in school."

(3) Goodell should place Jared Allen at the Autobon with two cases of Busch Light. And then he should make him play for the Lions.

We could play this game all day. As a matter of fact, we need better suggestions.

Switching gears, I received about five emails within a span of an hour this morning from fellow BoSox fans about how the sky is falling and this is 1978 all over again. Give me a fucking break.

First, the Yankees are the same distance from the Red Sox as the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals are from the Yankees. Chew on that for some perspective to start.

Second, the Red Sox own the largest division lead in baseball - 4 games larger than any other division.

Third, this the same Yankee team that a week and a half before the All-Star break lost 4 straight to the SF Giants and Baltimore Orioles. Beating up on the Devil Rays and the Blue Jays doesn't show me much.

Fourth, the Red Sox have been 20-22 since the start of June...and still hold an 8 game advantage in the loss column. When you can play like the Rangers for a month and half and lose only 5 games off your lead, that doesn't mean a collapse is inevitable.

Now, with that said....there are certainly reasons for concern that don't need to be outlined in great detail - (1) poor pitching from Wakefield and Tavarez; (2) a complete lack of clutch hitting; (3) a general lack of power; (4) costly defensive miscues; and (5) virtually no production from the CF, RF and SS positions (even with Lugo's recent so-called "hot" streak.

However, there is reason to expect some wins in the coming weeks: (1) Schilling should return within 10 days; (2) Tavarez is certainly out of the rotation, leaving his spot to either Kason Gabbard (fresh off a shutout) or Jon Lester (fresh off a strong start in AAA) - either one a dramatic upgrade; (3) Manny and Ortiz have hit the ball well since the break, leading hopefully to production resembling more mid-2004 through 2006 than the first half of 2007; (4) the bullpen has remained outstanding; and (5) they still have two young studs at the front of the rotation in Dice-K and Beckett, as well as Papelbon at the end of your bullpen.

Does this team beat the Tigers or Indians in the playoffs? I'd say the chances are less than 50% - at least right now. But can this team, built on strong pitching, hold off an aging team built around offense? Likely.