By KEVIN McNAMARA, The Providence Journal

Prepare for a hefty dose of Tim Tebow talk this week, even if Bill Belichick isn't about to get caught up in it.

Belichick's New England Patriots have won five straight games and are closing in on another AFC East title, but the only topic on the minds of Pats' fans this week is how the team will handle a quarterback who has completed the fewest passes in the NFL.

BOSTON - After a long, wet, sloppy day of baseball Saturday, Jason Varitek appeared before the Boston baseball media and was asked how his 39-year-old body is holding up this season.

"You're asking me after a six-hour game? Terrible," the Red Sox catcher said with a smile.

On the cover of this year's Boston Celtics media guide is a slogan the franchise professes to live by: "It's all about 18.''

"The Vision,'' which was hatched by "The Decision,'' is unfolding nicely these days for LeBron James and the Miami Heat. Is "The Championship'' next?

MIAMI - With the Boston Celtics hanging around just enough to remain within striking distance in the fourth quarter here Tuesday night, it was time for the team's key players to make their move. Instead, they went looking for answers in all the wrong corners.

BOSTON - Of all the stars on the Boston Celtics roster, you'd think guarding Rajon Rondo would be the easiest task.

Until the NCAA gets serious about handing out stiffer penalties, coaches tweaking the recruiting rules will simply remain a way of life.

In the span of just a few days last week, No. 2 Pittsburgh lost at home in a nail-biter, No. 9 Syracuse lost at home by 22 points and No. 8 Villanova was knocked to the canvas in the second half at Providence.

The initial reaction in many quarters was, "Geez, does the Big East have any really good teams?"

BOSTON - Last May, I remember sitting in a downtown Cleveland lunch spot and listening to a bartender named Gary.

BOSTON - If you walked into TD Garden Wednesday night and didn't know any better, you'd think Doc Rivers and Gregg Popovich were coaching two of the NBA's struggling teams.