The "Step Back from the Edge" Edition of Barstool Fridays!

Panic is over-rated folks. Sure, the Bronx Bummers swept my beloved Boston Red Sox over the last few days, casting a shadow over the beating we delivered to the White Sox a few days earlier. I know, the lead for the AL East is down to 5 games. But look at our schedule between now and when the Yanks come to town September 14th. Step back from the ledge, take a deep breath and move on to Barstool Friday!!!!!

• The UMass Minutemen kick off the 2007 football season against Holy Cross on Saturday. Coming off of a run to the National Championship game last year, the guys have high expectations on them. A good start taking down HC will be a great indicator for the season. My biggest question for the season will be Quarterback Liam Coen, and how he fares without the potent Steve Baylark in the backfield. Baylark, by the way, has played pretty well ford the Cardinals and hopefully will at least get a shot at the practice squad.

• Are you ready for some football? In just over a week, the highly anticipated 2007 season commences for the New England Patriots. The Pats look downright scary, and it will be really interesting to see how they respond. We all know how they have thrived on the underdog and "lack of respect" tags in the past, certainly terms that won't get much play this year. Belichick is a master motivator though, and these seasoned veterans that make up the squad shouldn't be distracted by the hype. It is going to be a great season.

• The Quest For Green 17 continues with James Posey being added to the squad this week. Great pick-up in my opinion. A talented role player with excellent defensive skills who also will be the only Celtic who has been to the promised land. Posey's ability to play essentially 3 positions off the bench is a big help. I'd still like to see Danny pick up a veteran point to back up Rondo, but so far, so very, very good. It has been a long time since I was this excited about basketball in August.

• Now, I know you've been waiting for this. I know that I am that rare breed, the Red Sox Optimist. But look, we have 29 games remaining. Of those 29, 20 are against Baltimore, Tampa and Toronto. All teams that suck. All teams that are going to be on auto-pilot, more concerned about tee times than wins and losses. Add to that the 6 game closure to the season. There are two games against Oakland and 4 against the Twins. Neither of these teams has anything to fight for, they are out of the playoff picture. And these games are in Fenway. Boston should be alive with Division Champion spirit, the homefield advantage plus. So that leave us with 3 games worthy of discussion. Who are those 3 games against? The Yankees of course. And can you seriously see the Yankees taking more than one game in Fenway? No? Good. Now you are starting to come around. Manny should be back by then plus we have the expanded September rosters. Things are fine in Red Sox Nation. Anybody know when playoff tickets go on sale?

I'd love to go on for hours, but by then you'll already be sitting on that barstool and wouldn't go fully armed with this week's info. Back to a regular schedule next week. Happy (don't) Labor Day!