Repping Beantown

After years of unprecedented success at Gilette Field, it’s hard to second guess Bill Belicheck, so why start now, but perhaps Tom Brady shed a few private tears in the comfort of his own home after hearing the Patriots traded WR Randy Moss to Minnesota, after 47 touchdown receptions in 3 years. Randy Moss was an integral part in the Patriots’ passing attack over the past 3 years, but he will return to where he began his NFL career just 4 games into the 2010 regular season.For the first time in his tenure with the Patriots, in what ironically was his last game in silver and blue, Moss was held without a reception. Of course, for a guy who has come into question over the years in terms of effort, one has to wonder how lockdown the Dolphins’ corners truly were on Sunday. No one is suggesting Randy was actively trying not to catch passes, but perhaps not trying his hardest to haul in slightly off the mark balls thrown his way. Moss had already gone on record saying he felt underappreciated in the Boston area, as if the local media and fan base wanted him to fail. So the feeling here is good riddance. The Patriots won Super Bowls with Deon Branch and David Patten leading the receiving corps, having an All-Pro receiver for Brady is more of a luxury than a necessity. Ramble On

Move over Hancock Place, your days as Boston’s largest immovable structure may be numbered as Shaquille O’Neal is expected to sign with the Celtics in the very near future. Though certainly no match for the towering 60-floor skyscraper in terms of sheer height, Shaq’s larger than life personality will surely make the already massive 325 lbs. center Boston’s most prominent asset over 7 feet tall. Not to mention, Shaq actually predates Boston’s tallest building, born in 1972, 4 years before construction on Hancock Place was complete. While his production on the court recently has declined relative to his peak performance years, Shaq is still a beloved superstar from coast to coast. Countless media appearances highlighted by his own reality show, Shaq Vs. (during which he takes on other celebrities at their chosen profession), has kept him relevant off the court as his on-court minutes wane.Still, if utilized effectively, Shaq can be a very effective player for the Celtics. Admittedly, a 38-year-old basketball player is well past his prime, but in sparing minutes he can still provide a valuable contribution. Kendrick Perkins is coming off an injury at the center position, while Rasheed Wallace, who came off the bench last year to spell Perkins, announced his retirement earlier this off-season. With an imposing Dwight Howard still dominating the interior down in Orlando, Bosh and Ilgauskas making their way to Miami, the Bulls bringing in Boozer to complement Noah and the Knicks signing Amare Stoudemire, the Celtics obviously feel the need to keep pace with their fellow Eastern Conference contenders in the big man arms race.Shaq played with the Cavaliers in 09-10, but became a free agent this off-season, eligible to sign with any team of his choosing. Last season, he averaged 12.0 points and 6.7 rebounds over the course of 23.4 minutes, while appearing in 53 games (all as a starter).

While the Japanese have Godzilla, Boston is home to its own “Green Monster,” predating even the release of the original black and white film. Standing 37 ft. and 2 inches high, the sky-reaching faade has stood guard to Landsdowne St. since Fenway Park was originally constructed in 1912. The left field shadow of the Green Monster has been home to some of the game’s most decorated players including Hall of Famers Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski and Jim Rice, not to mention modern day big league all-stars Manny Ramirez, Jason Bay and Jacoby Ellsbury. Ramble On

The hometown Celtics, one of the NBA’s most historic franchises, came up short in a bid for what would have been a league record 18^th championship as they lost a hotly contested game 7 to the arch rival Los Angeles Lakers. Still, with the Lakers hoisting only their 16^th NBA title, the Celtics remain the league’s “winning-est” team for at least one more season. Ramble On