The debate, if you really want to call it that, over whether the Red Sox should pick up Manny Ramirez’s options for the next two seasons, seems to have heated up recently. Manny has been in the press for all kinds of “problems” and “issues” lately, from the spat with Youkilis in the dugout, the pushing incident with the Traveling Secretary, and the irrelevant story about him jaywalking in Seattle.

The Patriots continued their "bottom-up" rookie signing trend by inking second round pick CB Terrence Wheatley to a contract today. Details of the deal were not disclosed. This signing leaves only first-round pick LB Jerod Mayo unsigned.

Offensive Lineman Nick Kaczur, who was arrested near the Canadian border with over 200 prescription pain killers, pled guilty to drug possession charges. The 28-year-old was ordered to pay $355 in fines and fees by Whitestown Town Justice Stanley Wolanin, who said the drug possession charge will be dismissed if he stays out of trouble for the next six months.

Rookies kick off training camp today, with veterans showing up Wednesday. At the start of camp, the Patriots have inked deals with four of their six draft picks - leaving only the top two players unsigned (LB Jerod May and CB Terrence Wheatley). With the NFL minimum base salary for rookies set at $295,000, the Pats have been seemingly getting great deals with their second-day picks. Here’s how the contracts break down thus far:

Although the Dolphins weren’t exactly a “contender” last season, Jason Taylor still lived in Tom Brady’s nightmares. Over the course of his career, the All-World DE has been one of the best players in the NFL, especially in terms of his getting-to-Brady skills (along with Buffalo DE Aaron Schobel). However, Brady can sleep easy now, and not because he’s sharing his bed with Gisele. The Dolphins have announced a trade which will send Taylor to the Washington Redskins for a second-round pick in 2009 and a sixth-rounder in 2010.

You’ve had a trip to Japan to start the regular season half a world away from Fenway Park and you’ve had to pull out your passport a second time before making your first visit of the season to your home field. You’ve had three ten-game road trips and only one homestand longer than a week.

In his first-ever All-Star Game at-bat with a 2-1 count, Boston Red Sox outfielder J.D. Drew hit a two-run home run to right field at Yankee Stadium to turn a 2-0 lead for the National League into a 2-2 tie as the American League, managed by Red Sox skipper Terry Francona, went on to win 4-3 over the National League in 15 innings.

Despite a few tense moments in the ninth inning Sunday afternoon at Fenway Park, with Baltimore third baseman Melvin Mora at the plate and the tying run just 90 feet away at third base, Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon

With the Patriots fielding one of the best offenses in NFL history once again, all eyes are focused on the defense. The loss of Asante Samuel will hinder the team’s plans greatly, but that doesn’t mean they will be a bad defense. In fact, this defense has the ability to be more successful than last year, which ranked 4th overall in the NFL. There are several question marks on the roster, but the Pats have done their best to mask their weaknesses. Here’s how the positions break down.

The Patriots have always been praised for their exceptional drafts (i.e. landing the likes of Asante Samuel in the 4th round, Tom Brady in the 6th round, and hidden gems like David Givens in the 7th round). Notably, the Patriots ensure their draft picks are football smart and will fit in to the team philosophy.

I don’t know about anyone else, but the last 2 nights have been pretty boring. With a day game on Wednesday that I had to listen to at work, and then NO game yesterday, I’ve been stuck watching reruns of Dog the Bounty Hunter and South Park the last couple nights.It was then that I realized that I am pretty much addicted to the Red Sox. When they aren’t on, I don’t know what to do with myself! Sure, there are plenty of things to do, like watching the Phillies game that was in rain delay for most of the night, or reading…

With a no-hitter thrown in May and last Thursday night’s win over New York at Yankee Stadium, starting Red Sox pitcher John Lester has pitched two shutouts in 2008, the first Boston pitcher to toss more than one in a season since Hideo Nomo threw two in 2001.

It’s currently 4:34 on game day. You want a ticket to the Sox game so you are about to head down to Fenway and wait in line. Today is a nice day, so you should probably wait in the Box Office line instead of scalp free, because as we all know, there won’t be many people with extra tickets down there on a night like tonight.

The 2008 All-Star Game may be held at Yankee Stadium in New York next Tuesday evening, but it will definitely feel like a night at Fenway Park in Boston.