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About Kirk Minihane

Kirk Minihane thinks "Slap Shot" is -- without argument -- the best sports movie ever made and is also convinced the 1985-86 Celtics would have finished with a record of 78-4 if they had cared about the regular season. He has been a columnist at WEEI.com since 2009 and is the co-host of "Sports Saturday" on WEEI.

 
COLUMNS
Kirk Minihane
01/10/2012 - 8:20am
Why the Patriots are Super Bowl bound
The Patriots are going to the Super Bowl.
Kirk Minihane
01/09/2012 - 8:43am
A Patriots loss to Tim Tebow would be a disaster
It's tough to win 13 games in an NFL season.  How tough, exactly? Well, the other three teams in the AFC East - Bills, Dolphins, Jets, in case you needed a refresher - have won 13 or more games a total of four times in a combined 150 seasons of professional football. The Patriots have won 13 or more games five times in the last nine seasons.  
Kirk Minihane
01/04/2012 - 1:35pm
Why Ray Allen is one of a kind
Ray Allen is Mariano Rivera.
Kirk Minihane
01/03/2012 - 8:12am
Report Card: Brady, Belichick lead the way
Report Card Time as we take a look at Sunday's win over the Bills and the regular season in total.
Kirk Minihane
01/01/2012 - 7:28pm
No question, Tom Brady closing in on history
We know there are plenty of questions surrounding this Patriots team (the worst great team in history?) as they get ready to try to win a playoff game for the first time during the Obama administration. 
Kirk Minihane
12/22/2011 - 9:40pm
No way around it, title window is closed for the Celtics
 "In my mind, this is a one-year [title] window for us. It's closing, there's no doubt about it." -- Doc Rivers Not closing, Doc. It's closed.
Kirk Minihane
12/20/2011 - 4:43am
Patriots Report Card: Brady, Hernandez head the class
One man's Report Card from a win that slowed down the Tebow Express but really yielded no answers, unless you were wondering what Tebow would look like if he threw right-handed (maybe one of the six or seven all-time "Really, CBS?" moments -- and yes, Phil Simms did tell us that Tebow's throwing motion was similar to Tom Brady's. Kind of makes you reevaluate his criticism of Andrew Luck, no?) … -- QUARTERBACK -- A-
Kirk Minihane
12/15/2011 - 2:53pm
Patriots Mailbag: All Tim Tebow, all the time
Finally, a place on the internet has been carved out to have a discussion about Tim Tebow. 
Kirk Minihane
12/14/2011 - 1:10pm
The many myths of Tim Tebow
Tim Tebow has managed to pull it off. He's the most underrated and overrated quarterback on the planet today. First: I was wrong about Tebow.
Kirk Minihane
12/13/2011 - 8:19am
Patriots Report Card: No defense for league's worst secondary
Report Card time and we'll start with a question: Does anyone think this defense is going to stop Tim Tebow?
Kirk Minihane
12/07/2011 - 1:02pm
Time for Tyler Seguin to grow up
 “Just one of those things you’ve got to do once in a while as a coach. He’s missed some meetings. Obviously it’s not the first time. When it’s the first time, you give guys a break. But it’s happened more than a few times. At one point, he’s got to hold himself responsible. We felt he could have easily done that. Hopefully it’s a learning thing.
Kirk Minihane
12/06/2011 - 8:13am
Patriots Report Card: Is Tom Brady underrated?
Report Card time and we'll start here: Is it possible that Tom Brady is underrated? I know that question might want to make the anti-Brady crowd vomit up every piece of food they have ever digested, but I only ask because of this: Brady is putting together of one of the two dozen or so best seasons by a quarterback in NFL history and no one is talking about it. Crickets and tumbleweed kind of quiet. The afternoon programming at NESN has generated more buzz.
Kirk Minihane
11/30/2011 - 1:06pm
In the end, Sox should have stuck with Francona
It's over. Our kind of long and not really national nightmare is finished. Bobby Valentine is going to manage the Red Sox in 2012. And, yes, if you had walked up to me on September 1 and told me that I wouldn't have known what language you were speaking.
Kirk Minihane
11/29/2011 - 9:08am
Patriots Report Card: Brady leads the way
Report Card time and we'll start with two questions:  What do you think goes through Wes Welker's head when he sees DeSean Jackson flat-out quit on a football field? And do you think there's a chance in the world the prospect of taking a hit from Tracy White -- not exactly Dick Butkus circa 1966 -- would ever inspire fear in Welker?
Kirk Minihane
11/23/2011 - 8:51am
Patriots Report Card: Where running up the score is a must
Report Card time and a quick word about running up the score in the NFL. 
Kirk Minihane
11/20/2011 - 11:23pm
The legend of Scott Pioli: Separating myth from reality
Scott Pioli has won the George Young NFL Executive of the Year Award twice (he's been named Exec of the Year three times by the Pro Football Writers of America). In 2009, ESPN put together its All-Decade Team.
Kirk Minihane
11/16/2011 - 1:02pm
The Mailbag: Patriots, Paterno and Papelbon
Mailbag time, and we touch 'em all this week.
Kirk Minihane
11/15/2011 - 7:55am
Patriots Report Card: Belichick, Carter head the class
Report Card time and Patriots 37, Jets 16 doesn't change, in my view, the ultimate destination of the 2011 New England Patriots. This team simply doesn't have the defensive talent to win three (or four) playoff games. Sorry.
Kirk Minihane
11/10/2011 - 10:39am
From Saint to Fraud: Joe Paterno's legacy now defined
In the end, all Joe Paterno cared about was Joe Paterno.
Kirk Minihane
11/09/2011 - 6:58am
The Haynesworth experiment was always destined for failure
 “He can do almost anything he wants. He doesn’t want to do anything. To me, that’s the issue. He’s one of those guys you walk in a meeting and you tell him, ‘Put down the phone.’ The next day you have to tell him to put down the phone. The next day, you tell him to put down the phone.
Kirk Minihane
11/08/2011 - 8:14am
Patriots Report Card: Blame Brady for loss to Giants
Report Card time and Sunday's loss to the Giants is on Tom Brady and Tom Brady alone.
Kirk Minihane
11/02/2011 - 1:22pm
Patriots Mailbag: No defense for Belichick
Look, it’s all Bill Belichick bashing here this week. There was a time when that was viewed as more of a warning than an invitation (and still probably is by some).
Kirk Minihane
11/01/2011 - 6:46am
Patriots Report Card: The blame starts with Belichick
Report Card Time and tattoo this please behind your eyelids and remember it the next time an opponent converts a third-and-13 or another QB puts up a 100 passer rating against this Patriots defense and you very much want to forever strip the HC of the NEP of genius s
Kirk Minihane
10/26/2011 - 12:10pm
Five thoughts on Theo Epstein/Ben Cherington: When Tommy John equals good news
Five thoughts a day after a pair of press conferences that shook the city of Boston (OK, not really) and caused us to ask the toughest question of all: Is it possible NESN (gasp) lacks credibility?
Kirk Minihane
10/25/2011 - 8:15am
Patriots Report Card: Is this a great team?
Bye Week Report Card time and we'll start with a question: Is this team going 14-2 again?


Audio On Demand

It Is What It Is Cast: Ex…

It Is What It Is Cast: Examining the New England Patriots offseason

In the latest edition of the "It Is What It Is" podcast, Chris Price and CSNNE's Mike Giardi take a look at the Patriots offseason on both sides of the ball, try and get a handle on which new guys will make an impact first, and whether or not the Patriots have altered their style when it comes to drafting and developing wide receivers.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk on Tebow's release

Mike Florio joined the program to discuss the Jets decision to release Tim Tebow, he said the situation is as disaster all around for the Jets and that the problems begins with owner Woody Johnson. Mike also said that he was disappointed with the Pats moving back in the first round.

Mike Petraglia, WEEI.com, Sits Down with Butch Stearns to Help Break Down the Pats Draft

One of the hardest working men in the biz, Mike Petraglia aka "Trags", sits down with Butch Stearns live in Foxborough to help break down all the latest Pats moves. He discusses his reaction to the trade in Round 1 and the guys those picks produced. Also, the boys talk about the decent trade the Pats made in acquiring LeGarrette Blount from Tampa Bay for Jeff Demps and a 7th rounder.

Celtics President Danny A…

Celtics President Danny Ainge with Salk and Holley

We check in with Danny Ainge for our first talk to him since the Celtics season ended last weekend. We talk about the future of the team, KG, Pierce, Doc Rivers and more, as Danny directly answers the rumors being floated by ESPN's Stephen A. Smith.

Jackie MacMullan, ESPNBoston.com: "Gut" tells me Doc will stay

Jackie Mac joins the show to discuss the trade rumors swirling around Paul Pierce, KG, Doc Rivers and the Celtics. She also discusses the future of the Celtics head coach.

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith on his rumored Celtics Clippers trade

Stephen A. joined the program to discuss the trade rumors he has reported regarding a possible trade including Doc Rivers and the Clippers. Stephen A. also told the guys that he has heard that Danny and Doc may be tiring of working together.

Buster Olney, ESPN, on El…

Buster Olney, ESPN, on Ellsbury's future with Sox

Buster Olney joins Mut and Merloni to talk about the struggling Ellsbury and what that is doing to his contract value when he becomes a free agent.

Former Red Sox manager Terry Francona catches up with D&C

Terry Francona joins the Dennis and Callahan Show to discuss his first-place Indians team as well as his time in Boston. The former Boston manager also touches on his recent book co-authored by Dan Shaughnessy and Shaughnessy's recent dust-up with David Ortiz.

John Lackey postgame guest after the last game of the Minnesota series

Joe Castiglione talked with John Lackey after he picked up the W against the Twins. Lackey threw seven innings, and retired the 1st twelve batters of the game.

Pierre McGuire, NBC Sport…

Pierre McGuire, NBC Sports: B's have instilled "fear" "concern" and "doubt" into Rangers

McGuire joins Mut and Merloni to discuss the Bruins game 3 win, the Rangers awful power play, and the Shawn Thornton Derek Dorsett altercation.

Shawn Thornton on his big game three

Shawn joined the program to discuss his big night at MSG. He told the guys that it is not Marchand's job to fight and that he needs to be on the ice and out of the penalty box.

NESN's Barry Pederson on the Bruins dominance

Cleveland Indians hottest team in baseball, yet remain last in attendance May 19, 2013 By AJ Kaufman 6 Comments There’s a scene in Major League where Bob Uecker, portraying the radio voice of the Indians, bemoans, “In case you haven’t noticed, and judging by the attendance you haven’t, the Indians have managed to win a few here and there, and are threatening to climb out of the cellar.” Well, that was nearly 25 years ago and fictional, but today’s reality is that Cleveland has won 17 of its last 21, and currently tops the AL Central with a mark of 25-17. No one in the majors is better than the Indians in the past month (20-7). That’s great news. The bad news, however, is the Tribe somehow remain in the MLB cellar when it comes to attendance. How can this be? The fact that I wrote on this same topic almost to the day last year – when only Tampa Bay drew fewer fans than Cleveland - may be even more troubling. Though roughly 34,000 watched a walk-off win Friday night against Seattle, perfect weather and free caps weren’t enough to draw more than 36,000 Saturday and Sunday combined. What did the Indians do in those tilts? They nabbed another walk-off win on Saturday, then the Indians crushed the great Felix Hernandez Sunday behind Justin Masterson, arguably the AL’s best pitcher right now. Fun fact: The Indians have already faced eight Cy Young Award winners in 2013: Bartolo Colon, R.A. Dickey, Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Jake Peavy, David Price, Justin Verlander and Hernandez. They have won seven out those eight matchups. Simply astounding. This offseason, the much-maligned Indians front office finally made a legitimate attempt to improve the team through free agency. I’m not talking an Ubaldo Jimenez-like trade, but rather smart acquisitions that brought veterans Mike Aviles, Michael Bourn, Jason Giambi, Scott Kazmir, Brett Myers, Mark Reynolds, Drew Stubbs and Nick Swisher to Cleveland. In addition to being a fantastic place to watch a game due to great egress and ingress, with extremely affordable tickets, the best promo lineup anywhere, Jacobs Field boasts overall, cooler, less muggy summer weather than most Midwestern locales. The team also lowered beer and hot dog prices to $4 and $3 respectively. What other professional stadium in any sport offers that? I have visited 28 of the 30 current Major League Baseball stadia, and few top The Jake when all angles are considered. I say that as a baseball fan, not an Indians fan. As for the putative “economic” angle, these are the same people who spend insane amounts of money to watch terrible football every fall and show up in decent numbers for putrid basketball in the winter. Irrespective of season length, those sports charge up to 10 times the price for a ticket, and the atmosphere isn’t half as fan-friendly as baseball. I understand fans’ lack of willingness to get on board to some degree. A decent recap of Cleveland’s decade of “rebuilding” can be read here and the team suffered a horrific collapse last August. However, in addition to all the benefits of attending games at Jacobs (now Progressive) Field, fans should also realize the team has potential and often exceeds preseason aspirations at any point without warning. Cleveland hosts the rival Detroit Tigers — heavy favorites to repeat as AL Central champs — Tuesday and Wednesday nights before hitting the road. The temperature should be pleasant at first pitch each evening so you’d expect The Jake to be full to watch the best hitter on the planet right now — but don’t count on it.

Former Red Sox manager Te…

Former Red Sox manager Terry Francona catches up with D&C

Terry Francona joins the Dennis and Callahan Show to discuss his first-place Indians team as well as his time in Boston. The former Boston manager also touches on his recent book co-authored by Dan Shaughnessy and Shaughnessy's recent dust-up with David Ortiz.

Shawn Thornton on his big game three

Shawn joined the program to discuss his big night at MSG. He told the guys that it is not Marchand's job to fight and that he needs to be on the ice and out of the penalty box.

The boys respond to Salk's attack

Our afternoon host Mike Salk was offended at Gerry and Kirk's conversation on his favorite band Rush, the guys responded.

Pierre McGuire, NBC Sport…

Pierre McGuire, NBC Sports: B's have instilled "fear" "concern" and "doubt" into Rangers

McGuire joins Mut and Merloni to discuss the Bruins game 3 win, the Rangers awful power play, and the Shawn Thornton Derek Dorsett altercation.

Buster Olney, ESPN, on Ellsbury's future with Sox

Buster Olney joins Mut and Merloni to talk about the struggling Ellsbury and what that is doing to his contract value when he becomes a free agent.

Shawn Thornton sticks up for Marchand as Derek Dorsett backs down

Mut and Merloni discuss the Derek Dorsett, Brad Marchand, and Shawn Thornton altercation and how great it was.

Full tilt, full time. New…

Full tilt, full time. Newest inductee to the Patriots Hall of Fame Tedy Bruschi with Salk and Holley

We talk to #54 about his career and well deserved induction to the Patriots Hall of Fame.

Salk and Holley's Four (or Five) at Four - 05/21/13

We tackle four off-topic topics! Today including RGIII's wedding registry, Tiger Woods, new putters in golf and more.

Barry Melrose: Sit the injured veteran defensemen until you need them, until you lose

We check in with ESPN's great hockey analyst and former NHL coach Barry Melrose to get his take on this Bruins-Rangers series. We also ask the coach in him how he'd deal with the great play of the rookie defensemen when the vets get healthy... and his answer might surprise you.

Daily Planet Tuesday May …

Daily Planet Tuesday May 21st

The Bruins look to take a 3-0 series lead, Jon Lester gets his first loss, Dwight Howard has options in free agency.

Daily Planet Monday May 20th

Today on the Daily Planet the Bruins have a 2-0 lead over the New york Rangers, the Red Sox are back on the winning sde of things, and the noteable birthdays of the day.

Daily Planet Thursday May 9th

The Bruins have almost finished raking the Leafs, the Red Sox struggle from the mound, Miami Heat fans show their level of class.

Salk and Holley's Miked U…

Salk and Holley's Miked Up and Answer the Question - 05/21/13

They're like a ray of morning sunshine on an otherwise gloomy day.

Salk and Holley's Miked Up and Answer the Question 05/21/13

....uhhhh.....a bunch of bombs over there....

Salk and Holley's Miked Up and Answer the Question - 05/17/13

Sounds like a prostate exam to me!

Linda calls in to describ…

Linda calls in to describe the scene on Dexter St in Watertown

Linda explains how the shootout transpired in Watertown during the early morning hours. She saw the first suspect mortally wounded and police beginning the manhunt for the second suspect.

More from this show

Boston bombing hero Jeff …

Boston bombing hero Jeff Bauman: "He's dead and I'm still here"

Jeff Bauman, a victim of the Boston Marathon bombing, joined the show to give the guys an update of his condition and a first-hand account of that terrible day. Jeff told the guys how he wrote the description of the bomber as soon as he could. Mr. Bauman added that he is aided every day with the knowledge that he is alive and the terrorist that detonated the bomb is dead.

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Shawn Thornton on the Bru…

Shawn Thornton on the Bruins game 2 win

Shawn joined the show to discuss the teams great performance in game two against the Rangers. Shawn said that he wouldn't mind playing for John Tortorella because he seems like a funny guy.

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Elliotte Friedman of CBC …

Elliotte Friedman of CBC on the Bruins dominance of the Rangers

Elliotte Friedman joined the show to discuss the Bruins domination of the series thus far. He said that while nothing is certain he cannot see a way in which the Rangers come back and win the series.

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Minor Details Ep. 49: Man…

Minor Details Ep. 49: Managerial development with Torey Lovullo and Arnie Beyeler

By and large, the focus of development in the minor leagues is on players. Still, there is a developmental path for coaches and managers in the farm system, as is evident from the fact that the previous two managers of the Red Sox' Triple-A affiliate in Pawtucket -- Torey Lovullo (2010) and Arnie Beyeler (2011-12) are now both on the Red Sox' big league coaching staff. They share their insights about the differences between player and coaching expectations in Triple-A vs. the majors, while discussing professional development from the perspective of former minor league managers who aspire to similar positions in the big leagues.

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