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The rules of free agency

Here's a primer on what to expect and what to believe regarding the Red Sox as the free agent season gets in full swing.

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Dan Shaughnessy Dan Shaughnessy
Bob Ryan Bob Ryan

Today's Globe Sports front-page

Bruins dig in, win in shootout

ATLANTA - The 2-0 second-period lead? Gone. The 3-2 advantage with less than a minute remaining in regulation? Wiped out, thanks to a Maxim Afinogenov goal at 19:18. (By Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff)

Patriots come to the defense

At this time last year, Tedy Bruschi was a leader on the Patriots defense. This week, in an indirect way, he may have sped the passing of those duties to linebacker Jerod Mayo, already a captain in his second season. (By Adam Kilgore, Globe Staff)

Ortiz says Sox need to power up

David Ortiz suggested around this time last year that the Red Sox needed more power in their lineup. As he recalled, the advice was not treated with sufficient respect. (By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff)

A few more observations from Bird’s nest

Larry Bird was not in the house when Bill Belichick decided to go for it on fourth and 2 from his 28. Even though Bird works just a few blocks from Lucas Oil Stadium, he has never been to a game there. (By Dan Shaughnessy, Globe Columnist)

Medicine ball

Bubbly tailgaters will be navigating through the pregame haze into Yale Bowl tomorrow while a big guy in the visitors’ locker room is saying a little prayer. (By Bob Hohler, Globe Staff)

Baseball

Red Sox’ Bay ready to play the field

The talks have been going on all season. But suddenly, as of midnight, things are different. Now it’s not only the Red Sox who can discuss contract numbers with free agent left fielder Jason Bay - every team can. (By Amalie Benjamin, Globe Staff)

Lincecum makes it two in a row

Talk about a freak - Tim Lincecum needed just 15 wins to bag another NL Cy Young Award. (Associated Press)

Football

Jets coach Ryan in Revis’s corner

The final word on the coverage on Randy Moss in Week 2 came from Jets coach Rex Ryan yesterday. (By Albert R. Breer and Monique Walker, Globe Staff)

Titan runs up the points

It’s time Chris Johnson’s name made it into this space. All the Tennessee Titan has done is become not just the top running back in fantasy football, but the top overall scorer. It’s an impressive feat when you consider quarterbacks usually hold the top six or seven positions, and more impressive when you consider seven backs were selected ahead of ... (By Ed Ryan, Globe Staff)

Patriots had us covered

Why is everyone so upset about the Patriots’ loss Sunday night? They covered the number - lost by a point but were getting 3. That’s a win where I’m coming from, if you picked New England. (By Ed Ryan, Globe Staff)

Williams powers Dolphins past Panthers

Ricky Williams rushed for 119 yards and scored three touchdowns, and the Miami Dolphins beat the host Carolina Panthers, 24-17, last night for their fourth win in six games. (Associated Press)

Basketball

Jazz finally make noise in San Antonio

Deron Williams scored 21 points and the Utah Jazz ended their decade-long misery in San Antonio with a 90-83 win over the Spurs last night. (Associated Press)

Tough for Celtics not to believe in Magic

Judging by the changes in personnel, advancing to the NBA Finals was not good enough for Orlando Magic management last season. Nor was getting to the second round of the playoffs nearly satisfactory for the Celtics. (By Frank Dell’Apa, Globe Staff)

Magic thumbnails

■ When, where: Tonight, 8, at TD Garden. ■ TV, radio: CSN, ESPN, WEEI (850). (Boston Globe)

Hockey

Hurricanes complete frantic comeback

Tuomo Ruutu and Jussi Jokinen scored in the shootout after the Carolina Hurricanes rallied from three goals down to beat the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs, 6-5, last night. (Associated Press)

Consider this one a periodic credit report

On recent occasions in this space, we’ve made references to underrated, unsung, and unheralded media personalities, from ESPN’s Ryen Russillo to former Patriots tight end Christian Fauria, who is thriving on WEEI’s “NFL Sunday’’ program. (By Chad Finn, Globe Staff)

Bruins’ Savard at skate but still will have to wait

For the Bruins, yesterday’s morning skate at Philips Arena provided a much-needed sight: Marc Savard in line rushes, sneaking shots past his goalies, and winning faceoffs. (By Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff)

Colleges

Top 25 in action

Game of the week Temple 41, Kent State 31 - Temple is having its best season in 30 years, and Kent State needs one more win to become bowl-eligible. It doesn’t get any bigger than that - at least not this year. (Boston Globe)

K-State eases by BU

Rodney McGruder scored 20 points and four teammates hit double figures as Kansas State downed Boston University, 80-70, last night at the O’Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off in San Juan. (Associated Press)

For Minutemen, time is right to make a move

Given the success of Boston College and Boston University, with each winning an NCAA men’s championship the last two years, as well as playing in the difficult Hockey East, it’s often hard for the state schools to get the recognition they deserve. (By Nancy Marrapese-Burrell, Globe Staff)

Line is all straightened out

It has taken a while. Most of the season, in fact. They survived a game of musical chairs at quarterback, adjustments in the rotation at running back, and an acclimation to their fourth position coach in the last four seasons. (By Mark Blaudschun, Globe Staff)

Downs and distance

Jim McBride's four items of interest on the college football landscape. (Boston Globe)

It never really took off for returner Smith

His 15 minutes of fame came three seasons ago, in the second game of a bittersweet career filled with promise and frustration. (By Mark Blaudschun, Globe Staff)

Rivalries weak

The third week in November has been labeled “Rivalry Week,’’ the point in the season when all sorts of things - from bowl slots to league championships, even Heisman Trophies - can be decided. (By Mark Blaudschun, Globe Staff)

Reign over for Uga VII

Uga VII, the white English bulldog mascot for Georgia’s football team for almost two seasons, died yesterday of heart-related causes, the dog’s owner said. (Associated Press)

High schools

Margolius, A-B strike gold

In a game rife with stars and story lines, the Division 1 girls’ EMass soccer final appeared to have little chance of living up to its hype. But Acton-Boxboro’s Marie Margolius showed a flair for the dramatic, scoring with less than a minute remaining in overtime to lift the nationally No. 1-ranked Colonials over Whitman-Hanson, 1-0, last night ... (By Charlie Peters, Globe Correspondent)

CM wins it in OT

All Catholic Memorial needed this time was one overtime. After beating Brockton on penalty kicks in the Division 1 South Sectional finals and defeating King Philip in two overtimes in the semifinals, the Knights (17-3-3) ended the Division 1 EMass final against Lexington a minute into overtime. (By Michael Grossi, Globe Correspondent)

Bird gives C-C the one that counts

Throughout the Division 2 EMass boys’ final, Concord-Carlisle was frustrated on offense. The Patriots failed to convert on scoring opportunities, thwarted again and again by the Sandwich defense. (By Evan MacDonald, Globe Correspondent)

Additional Sports Coverage

Johnson: NASCAR success not just fueled by format

When Richard Petty set the standard with 200 victories and seven championships over a career that spanned 35 years, no one complained about the way NASCAR determined the champion of its premier touring series. Nobody, that is, except for his competitors, who at the time viewed Petty’s dominance with a bit of prejudice. (By Michael Vega, Globe Staff)

This weekend on TV, radio

SATURDAY AUTO RACING 4:30 p.m. - NASCAR Nationwide: Ford 300, ESPN2 PRO BASKETBALL 8:30 p.m. - Washington at San Antonio, NBA (Boston Globe)

Williams agrees to plea on shooting

Basketball Retired NBA player Jayson Williams agreed to a plea deal that could send him to prison for up to three years for accidentally shooting a driver at his New Jersey estate in 2002, a person with knowledge of the case said yesterday. Williams, who retired in 2000 after playing nine seasons in the NBA for the Philadelphia 76ers and ... (Boston Globe)