2014 Boston Sports Holiday Wish List
BOSTON (CBS) -- One of the most enjoyable parts of being a kid during the holiday season is grabbing a big box of crayons and making up your wish list.
Of course, it's much more enjoyable when you actually get everything (or at least most of the things) you scribbled onto that list, but we know that doesn't happen all the time. Sometimes, that one Ninja Turtle or Lego set you really wanted is the same toy that everyone else wants that season, and there just aren't enough to go around.
The same goes for our local sports teams. We all want to see them raise a banner or trophy at the end of their season, but more often than not, they usually fall short of that goal. So here are a few things on wish lists of the Boston Sports teams this holiday season:
A Successful February Trip To Arizona For Patriots
At 12-3 and sitting on top of the AFC, the Patriots are in very good shape to be making a trip out West when the calendar changes to 2015. But there is still a lot of football to be played, and just making it to the AFC Championship is no guarantee that you'll be playing two weeks later -- even if the road to Arizona goes through Foxboro.
After a two-year absence from the big game, and a decade-long title drought, a Super Bowl should sit atop all the Patriots' (and their fans) wish lists.
A Healthy Finish For Pats
Health is always a big concern for every team heading into the postseason, and with one game remaining in the regular season, let's just hope everyone on the Patriots can remain in tip-top shape.
The Pats haven't had a fully healthy Rob Gronkowski for the playoffs since he was a rookie, so maybe someone should pick up a live-in bubble for the big tight end. And make it one big enough for two people, so Darrelle Revis can take up residence until the postseason.
An Ace For Red Sox
Sure, the Red Sox have a pretty good collection of starting pitchers with their offseason acquisitions of Rick Porcello, Wade Miley and Justin Masterson, but none from that trio, or the returning Clay Buchholz and Joe Kelly, are seen as a front-of-rotation horses. Instead, it looks like the Red Sox have a stable of ponies.
Maybe one of those five could emerge as an ace as the season goes on, with Porcello the likeliest of candidates, but it would be nice if Boston had an ace when the season starts. They've always had the luxury of having one starter the team could count on if they needed to win one game, but heading into 2015, that remains a big question mark with this team.
Some Offense For Bruins
The Bruins offense has been anemic throughout the season, and their 2.5 goals per game average ranks 21st in the NHL. They've scored two or less goals in 19 of their 34 games so far this season.
Without Jarome Iginla, who has seven goals for the Colorado Avalanche this season, David Krejci and Milan Lucic have been left looking for a linemate on the Bruins' top line. Peter Chiarelli has been a man on a mission trying to find a top line winger who can find the back of the net, but that search (and all the internal options they've tried) has been unsuccessful so far.
The Bruins have some money to spend after trading Johnny Boychuk just before the season, so it would be nice if they could find some offensive help sooner rather than later.
Time Machine For Chiarelli
It was a rough offseason for Chiarelli, who had to watch Iginla take a three-year, $16 million deal from the Avalanche and then had to salary dump Boychuk for a pair of draft picks. He might want to jump in a time machine and get a "do-over" for this offseason, or maybe even go back to 2012 and tell his past self not to invest so much in Chris Kelly.
A Copy Of "The Opposite" For Josh McDaniels
Josh McDaniels can't seem to do anything right when it comes to his play-calling, so maybe a copy of the famous Seinfeld episode "The Opposite" will serve him well. In that amazing 22 minutes of television, George Costanza decides to go against his instincts and do the opposite, with great results. Maybe McDaniels will see this, and decide to go against his first instinct (like that third-and-14 play action play against the Jets on Sunday).
Also, let's get Josh a winter hat. Visors are out -- especially in the winter.
A Title For The Revolution
The New England Revolution made an exciting (and unexpected) run to the MLS Cup Final this season, but once again fell short in a 2-1 loss to the L.A. Galaxy. The Revs are 0-for-5 in their MLS Cup appearances, so lets buck the trend and get them a title in 2015.
Trainer For Panda
The Red Sox signed Pablo Sandoval to a five-year, $95 million contract this offseason, hoping he'll bring some pop to the lineup and continue his winning ways in Boston.
When you see Sandoval, he doesn't exactly look like the most athletic person given his rotund physique. The Giants had some concern about his weight in the past, and now with all those delicious options at Fenway Park just a few steps away, it could spell future problems for the Sox and Sandoval.
So let's get a jump on things and get "Kung Fu Panda" another trainer or two. Just stay away from obscure cousins in the Dominican Republic.
A Trade For Brandon Bass
A solid veteran, Bass is wasting away on a rebuilding Celtics team. He's in the final year of his contract and would be a welcome addition to a number of contenders, so let's get him out of green and onto a team that is playing for something. He deserves better than his role in Boston.
Swear Jar For Tom Brady
Brady's emotions have been on full display this season, and we've seen more than a few F-Bombs flying out of his mouth on the sidelines.
Some love the fire that Brady shows, while others aren't a fan of his potty mouth. Maybe if Bill Belichick put a swear jar on the New England sidelines, with the cash going to charity, everyone could reach a middle ground on this one.
Gross Of Stress Balls For Brad Stevens
Stevens' Celtics are hard to watch on some nights, and he can't be pleased watching the losses pile up this season. Rondo is now gone, with the keys to the offense being handed over to rookie Marcus Smart.
One stress ball certainly won't be enough for the rest of this season, and with the rebuild looking like it could last for a while, let's save some money by buying in bulk.
An Alarm Clock For Jonas Gray
Gray ran for 201 yards and four touchdowns against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 11, but by Friday of that following week he was in Bill Belichick's doghouse after sleeping in and arriving late to practice.
Musinex, Nasal Spray For Bill Belichick
Though this would make his press conferences less entertaining, it would make them a lot more sanitary.
A Soccer-Exclusive Stadium For Revs
The Kraft family says this has been in the works for some time, and they hope it happens sooner rather than later.
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