Whenever the Red Sox have a down year (and by “down year” we might mean 90 wins) there will always be over-analysis and blame handed out for the fate of the team. The media assigns themselves this job, and it is on display today.

I’ll sum it up for you so that you don’t need to read the pieces. Gerry Callahan blames the highly paid Texas duo of Josh Beckett and John Lackey for the Red Sox failure. John Tomase points to an early season sweep in Baltimore as a sign of a bad year to come. Dan Shaughnessy says that the team never had a chance because they weren’t built for winning, they were built as a bridge year team. Bill Burt calls the Red Sox fans quitters. Jim Donaldson wants to declare them dead, but is a little gun shy since 2004.

You get the drift.

On the plus side, there is now time to look at the future. There are some good articles this morning as well:

Alternative energy - Amalie Benjamin has a feature on Ryan Kalish, who many feel will be a fixture in the Red Sox outfield for years to come.

Rehabbing Westmoreland set for major personal milestone on Tuesday in Lowell - Daniel Barbarisi has Ryan Westmoreland continuing to make amazing progress.

Brian MacPherson checks in with three Red Sox prospects:

Power-hitting Anthony Rizzo climbing the ladder among Red Sox’ prospects

Jason Rice among those looking to make impact in Arizona Fall League

(Luis) Exposito still searching for his place in pecking order of Red Sox’ catching prospects

Five reasons to watch the Red Sox in September - Sean McAdam says there are still reasons to watch the Red Sox.

Owner touts Terry Francona, Theo Epstein - Scott Lauber has John Henry standing behind his manager and GM.

Patriots hurting for healthy bodies - Mike Reiss has the Patriots already dealing with injuries.

Reel world sets in after unsightly loss - Shalise Manza Young’s notebook has the Patriots getting served more humble pie while reviewing the film from the Rams game.

The Red Sox dropped two out of three in Tampa over the weekend, falling 5-3 last night in a game which pretty much ended the postseason hopes for Boston as they dropped to 6.5 games out of the division and Wild Card standings. Check all the coverage at RedSoxLinks.com.

So, exactly how bad is it for the Red Sox? It’s been better - Rob Bradford says that the Red Sox only remaining hope rests in trying to track down the Yankees.

Red Sox face math problem - Gordon Edes says that a playoff spot is hard to figure at this juncture.

Sox starting pitching fizzles in St. Pete - Sean McAdam has the Boston starting pitching coming up short in this series.

Deal for Angels’ Mike Napoli unlikely - John Tomase looks at the Red Sox putting in a claim on the Angels C/1B , but says he is unlikely to be coming to Boston.

Martinez’s catching is now well-received - Peter Abraham has Sox pitchers more comfortable with Victor Martinez behind the plate.

Tough choice made - Amalie Benjamin’s notebook has Adrian Beltre playing through a tweaked hamstring despite a noticeable limp.

The Patriots will be trimming the roster this week, first down to 75 tomorrow and then to 53 on Saturday. The projections are coming fast and furious: Shalise Manza Young - Mark Farinella – Jeff Howe 

Patriots have to-do list before opener - Mike Reiss has preparations shifting into a higher gear this week.

Belichick not sold on early returns by Patriots - Glen Farley says that the coach isn’t ready to put his returners into the Hall of Fame just yet.

Night in cage all the rage - Nancy Marrapese-Burrell looks at a successful night of UFC at the TD Garden Saturday night.

Kenny Florian defends himself - Dan Duggan has Florian defending himself against comments from UFC President Dana White, who said that Florian “chokes in big fights.”

Hub debut a knockout - Duggan’s notebook has more on a great night for UFC in Boston.

Before I begin I want to take a moment to remember my Grandmother, Frances (Schanda) Allen, who passed away this morning at the age of 96.

There aren’t many people left who can remember the roaring 20′s, the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War, and everything since. Born in 1914, my grandmother could remember all those times, and even up until recently could talk about them. Hers was truly a great generation.

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After so many positives in their first two preseason games, the Patriots took a big step back last night against the lowly St Louis Rams and rookie QB Sam Bradford, who lit up the Patriots first team defense well into the second half, and the Rams kicked a field goal as time expired to beat the Patriots 36-35 in the third preseason game.

While the media will be up in a tizzy for the next week over Laurence Maroney not seeing the field for the second straight game, don’t pay any attention to it, if you can. Despite the proclamations of guys like Peter King, Maroney is in no danger of being cut. My take on it is that the coaches already know what Maroney is, and that he will be the lead back much of the season. Belichick himself said earlier this week of Maroney “He’s ready to go.” They’re taking the games to evaluate the other backs (namely Morris and BJGE), to determine which of them is going to make the roster. I think Maroney and Fred Taylor (and Kevin Faulk, of course) are givens. Maroney could also be sitting down in part to protect him from injury. The Patriots have in the past held players without any known injuries (Deion Branch being one) out of the entire preseason simply to keep them healthy.

Though he may have a slightly smarmy way of saying it:

Albert Breer speaks the truth here. No need to get too concerned over a preseason game, one way or the other.

Consider it part of the learning curve - Breer says that while the Rams dominated the Patriots last night, there is no reason to press the panic button.

Patriots defense takes a step back - Mike Reiss says it plainly – This one stunk.

Ten Things We Learned Thursday Night: Maroney still MIA - Christopher Price leads with Maroney and nine other items from last night.

Five things to remember - Tom E Curran notes that this was not an unmitigated disaster, despite all the negatives.

Brandon Tate makes a favorable impression - Need a bright spot? Brandon Tate was one of the few with his 97-yard kickoff return to open the game. Jim Fenton looks at the night for Tate.

With Hernandez out, Gronkowski showcases skills - Rookie right end Rob Gronkowski was the other bright spot, catching a pair of touchdown passes. Danny Picard has a look at his night.

Few bumps for Tom Brady - Ian Rapoport’s notebook has the QB getting a look at what the offense needs to fix before opening day.

The Red Sox are in Tampa this weekend for what could be another “make or break” series for their playoff hopes.

This trip at Tropicana, it’s all or nothing - Jon Couture says that this Red Sox team is teetering on the line between feel-good and actually good, and that now is the time to show what they are.

For Sox pitchers, it’s show time - Joe McDonald says that the Red Sox built their rotation for series like this one.

Daisuke Matsuzaka nibbles less, fares better - Michael Silverman says that Dice-K has been picking up his pace, with improved results.

Bard having brilliant year in Boston bullpen - Mike Fine looks at the strong year from the hard-throwing reliever.

Prospect has good moves - Peter Abraham’s Minor League Notebook leads off with a look at the Sox trying to find the right position for first-round pick Kolbrin Vitek.

It’s hard to resist bombast of Jets - Unlike Tom Brady, Chad Finn has gotten sucked in by “Hard Knocks.”

Media Roundup: About That ‘NESN Daily’ Program - Over at SB Nation Boston,  my thoughts on NESN Daily…and a few other items.

On a day in which they really needed a doubleheader sweep, the Red Sox took the first game 5-3, but dropped the nightcap, 4-2 in a game in which Adrian Beltre was ejected by a rookie umpire before the third inning for some friendly trash-talking with his friend and former Mariners teammate Felix Hernandez. Get all the links at RedSoxLinks.com.

A golden opportunity wasted - Daniel Barbarisi has the Red Sox blowing a chance to inch closer in the standings.

A little knuckleheaded - Nick Cafardo says that this game was lost the moment the Red Sox decided to start Tim Wakefield instead of Jon Lester.

‘Smack talk’ gives Adrian Beltre boot - Gordon Edes looks at the misunderstanding that led to Beltre’s ejection.

Grooming a replacement? Bard/Papelbon recalls a Yankees relief duo - Alex Speier talks to the Mariners bullpen coach, who says that the Red Sox closing situation reminds him of the mid-90′s Yankees.

Playing the angles in left field - Peter Abraham looks at the revolving door in left field for the Red Sox.

Unforgettable - Lenny Megliola remembers Greg Montalbano.

The Patriots play their third preseason game tonight at Gillette Stadium against the St. Louis Rams. What are you going to watch for tonight? Let the guys covering the team tell you:

Ian R. Rapoport - Christopher Price - Mike Reiss - Albert R. Breer - Tom E. Curran - Robert Lee

Homecoming for Grafton’s Spagnuolo - Rich Garven looks at a homecoming for the Rams coach, who has defensive coordinator of the Giants, put an end to New England’s perfect 2007 season.

No worries when it comes to safety - Karen Guregian says that the safety position seems to be one area in the defense with no concerns.

Bodden’s presence means Patriots have one less question answered - Glen Farley says that Leigh Bodden offers stability on the right side.

Patriots still lacking finishing touch - Jonathan Comey says that the Patriots perhaps one defensive lineman away from making a Super Bowl run.

Numbers are in place for Patriots-Brady deal - Steve DeOssie hears that there are just a “couple t’s to be crossed, i’s to be dotted” in a new contract for Tom Brady.

Extension speaks well of Stephen Gostkowski - Rapoport’s notebook has the kicker getting a four year extension (first reported by Mike Reiss).

‘Hard Knocks’ diary: Torture, f-bombs and one noodle arm - Kirk Minihane reviews the latest episode.

Jets lead NFL in talking, little else - Mark Farinella is taking a wait-and-see approach on the Jets.

With a spot to fill, Ainge is looking - Julian Benbow has the Celtics boss looking to fill one more roster spot.

I’ve got some things to take care of this morning, so I’m going to leave you with this poll.

In his infamous “we should be more forgiving of the Red Sox and more critical of the Patriots” column last week, Chris Gasper noted that colleague Tony Massarotti feels that there isn’t much of an overlap between fan bases of the two franchises.

What do you think? Are you a Red Sox fan and a NY Giants fan? Are you a Patriots fan and a Yankees fan? (I know people who are both of those things.) I even know someone who is a Red Sox fan and Jets fan. In general, though, I think most Red Sox fans are Patriots fans and vice versa.

If you are of mixed fandom tell us your rooting preferences in the comments below, perhaps with how you came to root for those two teams.

(By the way, check out RedSoxLinks.com and PatriotsLinks.com for all your sports news of the day. Also check out Worry Wart – Preseason Game Three vs. Rams by Chris Warner on PD. )

John Lackey struck out a season high 10 batters, and Marco Scutaro drove in fourruns as the Red Sox beat the Mariners 6-3at Fenway Park last night. Get all the coverage at RedSoxLinks.com.

The Red Sox claimed Johnny Damon off of waivers from the Detroit Tigers yesterday, but it remains unclear whether the 2004 World Series hero will return to the Red Sox. Damon has told Detroit reporters that he is leaning towards remaining with the Tigers, who are 10 games out in the AL Central and 15 games out of the Wild Card. Of course, that could just be  posturing to get something further from the Red Sox. The other possibility is that the Red Sox would like Damon, but were more interested in making sure that Tampa or the Yankees couldn’t get him.

A primer for the Johnny Damon saga - Rob Bradford tells us all we need to know about the situation.

Don’t be an idiot, Johnny Damon - Michael Silverman wants Damon back with the Red Sox.

Damon’s return makes all kinds of sense - Joe Haggerty says that this needs to happen.

Give Do-it-all Bill Hall the 10th player award - Christopher Smith says that the utilityman should be honored by the club.

Gerry Callahan and Dan Shaughnessy composed very different columns about Roger Clemens. The former blasts the rocket, while the latter chooses to remember the good times with Clemens, including the time he sent a 6-foot teddy bear to Shaughnessy’s sick daughter.

Catcher improved, mystified - Peter Abraham’s notebook has Jarrod Saltalamacchia still without answers about the infection that landing him on the DL and in the hospital.

Friends: Don’t count on Logan Mankins.

Fans: We’re not.

Ian Rapoport has friends of the holdout guard insisting that he’s prepared financially to sit out the season, with the hope that with a new CBA he’ll be declared a free agent. He lives on a self-sustaining farm and doesn’t spend money! He’s principled! It’s not about the money – he doesn’t spend money! But he’s not going to take less money!  That Frank Bauer (Mankins’ agent) really knows how to get public opinion on his side!

Light: Us ‘trained pigs’ will be just fine - Christopher Price has Matt Light confident in the abilities of his new linemates.

Patriots getting healthy - Mark Farinella has several injured Patriots returning to practice yesterday.

Guyton seeks his role after knee injury - Jennifer Toland has the Patriots linebacker looking to get back into action with his return to practice.

Tom Brady alone in knocking ‘Knocks’ - Mike Reiss has the QB’s teammates not following his example in expressing hate for the Jets and ‘Hard Knocks.’ And here’s Reiss being too soft on the Patriots again.

The Running Back Issue - Chris Warner tries to figure out if there is rhyme or reason to how Bill Belichick uses his running backs in the preseason.

I’d avoid Karen Guregian and her high horse this morning as she demands to know why Quinn Ojinnaka was not made available to the media to “provide some explanation for his past problems at home.” She then launches into how the Jets are signing all their malcontent players, why can’t the Patriots do the same?