Back in college, I spent more time playing video games than I should probably admit . . . but Ill still admit it proudly. From Madden and NBA 2K to Mario Kart and 007, my roommates and I competed more with the sticks than we did in any other form of life.
Madden was the odds on favorite, as we held tournaments almost every day after class, and let the intensity reach all kinds of unhealthy and pathetic levels. Eventually, our tournaments were a lot like the NFL, with different players adopting different styles and unique Madden identities.
If youre familiar with the game, you know what I mean. You know there was the guy who ran the ball too much. The guy who threw too many long balls. The guy who always went for it on fourth down. The guy who relied far too much on computer assistance.
And of course, the guy who only knew how to run one play.
Every Madden player hadhas a friend like this.
In some cases, it was a screen pass. In others, a tight end out or a simple slant pattern. But it was always one playthe same play every timethat you knew this particular opponent would go to whenever he was in trouble. Naturally, knowing it was coming was one thing; stopping it was another. After all, the only reason he ran it so much was because he was so damn good at doing so.
For the most part, this one play allowed your buddy to stay competitive, even win a few games along the way, but at the end of the day, it wasnt sustainable. It was only a matter of time before a lack of depth and creativity in his play calling came back to bite him in the ass.
Boston Red Sox
By now youre probably wondering: OK, what the hells your point?
So here it is: The Red Sox are that guy who only has one play and last night, the Angels figured it out.
Honestly, where would the Sox be right now without Clay Buchholz? For the better part of the summer (save for a quick stop on the DL), Buchholz is all they've had. The only pitcher they could count on to step when it mattered most. Before last night, the Sox were 9-2 in Clays last 11 startsa chunk of games that made the difference between this team being competitively mediocre and undeniably disastrous. Granted, neither option is ideal, but youd certainly prefer the former, and Buchholz was the only one keeping that reality within reach.
But last night, not even Clay could save the day, as the Angels lit up Boston's only weapon to the tune of a season-high seven runs over a season-high 12 hits. They took Boston's best play and repeatedly blew it up in the backfield. As the undeniable disaster of this 2012 season continues to slowly set in.
But hey, on the brightside, only got six more days until the release of Madden '13!
Rich can be reached at rlevine@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Rich on Twitter at http:twitter.comrich_levine