Bob Neumeier and Bob Ryan filled in again on the Dennis & Callahan show on Tuesday morning and were joined by Jon Meterparel. To begin the first hour, the guys recapped Monday’s Red Sox win over the Yankees to force a split in the four-game series. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning, Terry Francona left Jon Lester in to face the left-handed hitting Curtis Granderson. After Lester struck out Granderson, Francona brought in Daniel Bard, who blew away Derek Jeter and Nick Swisher to end the threat.

Talk then focused on Daisuke Matsuzaka as the guys debated his effectiveness and the bashing he’s received. Ryan and Meterparel were OK with the Daisuke-bashing while Neumeier argued that he’s pitched better this season and has received too much heat. Ryan said that if you have tickets to a Red Sox game and Daisuke is pitching that day, that’s probably a game you could miss and sell your tickets. Callers agreed with Ryan and Meterparel for the most part, feeling that Daisuke nibbles and tries too hard to be perfect, causing him to throw so many pitches.

Shifting to football, the guys talked about the preseason game between the Bengals and Cowboys on Sunday night. The game actually drew almost three times the rating of the Red Sox-Yankees game on ESPN, proving that people are starving for football to return. Neumeier summarized that interest in baseball is waning and compared to football, baseball is dead. Ryan argued that the same could have been said 40 years ago and baseball is chugging along just fine. Though the two failed to agree, the television ratings and attendance numbers back up Neumeier.

Later in the show, Neumeier raised the question of what are American athletes doing in the last 20 years where the rest of the world is taking over sports? Ryan, instead of blaming American athletes, feels that the world is catching up to the United States and the gap is narrowing. As sports spread and the popularity grows worldwide, other nations are producing really good athletes.

With Shaquille O’Neal having a press conference later in the morning, the guys turned their attention on the newest Celtics acquisition. Ryan praised Shaq and puts him in a tier just below Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. According to Ryan, not only is Shaq the most accessible big men in the league, but he’s one of the most accessible players in the league. Despite his inability to guard the pick and roll well, Shaq will bring a low post offensive game that the Celtics will be able to pound at times.

To round out the show, the guys concluded with buzzer-beaters. Meterparel talked about Darrelle Revis and his holdout to become the highest paid cornerback in the NFL. Ryan talked about Rasheed Wallace and the shame that he never reached his full potential because of his lethargic character. Neumeier talked about Zenyatta and the horse’s impressive 18th straight win at Del Mar in California.

Caller of the Show: Nick from Weymouth talked about kids back in the day always being at the baseball field on Saturday afternoons. Now, there is specialization with sports like lacrosse and soccer which separates kids into different groups.

Quote of the Show: “I want to come back in another life as Justin Bieber.” — Jon Meterparel on the teen pop star

To begin the final hour of the Dennis & Callahan show, the guys discussed Rick Pitino and the extortion case with Karen Sypher. Neumeier argued that people don’t care about situations like these, citing examples of Bill Clinton and Eliot Spitzer. He said people can’t pass judgments if they want to see Tiger Woods play golf and give Ben Roethlisberger a standing ovation when he returns to training camp.

Returning from a break, the guys talked about the Red Sox placing players Jonathan Papelbon and Mike Lowell on waivers to gauge interest. Describing the rules of the waivers system where teams can pull players off, Ryan said that Papelbon isn’t going anywhere, at least for this season. Neumeier pointed out that Manny Ramirez has been placed on waivers by the Dodgers and could be claimed by a playoff-contending team needing a bat, such as the Rays. The Red Sox, however, would ironically be in position to block such a trade.

Returning to his argument from earlier in the show, Neumeier criticized the Red Sox pitching staff for not rising to the level that the Yankees and Rays starters have performed at. Pointing out that Boston’s offense has done well this season, Neumeier puts the onus on the starters and relievers. Ryan, however, feels that the entire team needs to play better and blames the injuries the most. Overall, he feels that it isn’t the Red Sox’ year, but he isn’t willing to count them out in early August.

In buzzer-beaters, Ryan praised Jeremy Lin from Harvard and Matt Janning from Northeastern for signing with the Warriors and Suns, respectively.

Caller of the Hour: One caller argued Neumeier’s point that people don’t care about the morality of cases such as Pitino. There are a lot of religious people in Kentucky who have a problem with what Pitino did and are having a tough time looking past it.

Quote of the Hour: “We’re the biggest hypocrites going. Who are we to pass judgments on these people?” — Bob Neumeier on the Rick Pitino situation

The guys opened up talk on Tiger Woods and the Ryder Cup to begin the third hour of the Dennis & Callahan show. Right now, Woods is not qualified to play in the tournament because he’s not in the top eight. However, as he told the media when he was asked, he plans on playing his way onto the team. Corey Pavin has the ability to select Woods with his captain’s pick and said that he would obviously love to have Tiger on the American team. Ryan wonders if Woods will play in the Ryder Cup if he was selected by Pavin but not by breaking the top eight.

After a break, Neumeier talked about things he’s noticed about the Dolphins at training camp. First, he pointed out that Brandon Marshall is a beast and will give Miami a much-needed receiving threat. Second, he said that Marshall, who has been very impressive in camp, was actually being shut down on occasion by defensive back Vontae Davis. In comparison to New England, the Dolphins are in a similar place to the Patriots and share some of the same needs.

Chris Price of WEEI.com joined the guys at the bottom half of the hour to talk about the Patriots perhaps signing Aaron Schobel. The linebacker was recently released by the Bills after contemplating retirement and has been linked to possibly joining the Texans in his home state. Price said that Schobel plays best in a 4-3 defense, which would mean New England would have to shift from the 3-4. Price also compared the Schobel situation to Ted Johnson retiring before the 2005 season, with the Patriots scrambling to fill the role with veterans linebackers Chad Brown and Monty Beisel. Price also touched on Brandon Spikes being a good fit for the Patriots with his read-and-react ability. Even though he’s not the most athletic linebacker, Spikes seems to have the cerebral characteristics that New England covets at the position.

To wrap up the hour, the guys talked about Howard Cosell, who they agreed is in the discussion of greatest broadcasters of all time. Chris Berman, who will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, won the Pete Rozelle Television-Radio Award, given to an iconic football broadcasting figure. Cosell never won the award, which the guys feel is preposterous and a major oversight.

Caller of the Hour: Byron countered Ryan’s argument by saying that Tiger’s publicist would love Woods to get invited to the Ryder Cup rather than qualifying with points. He would be humble and unselfish by accepting the invite, improving his image in the process. If he spurns Pavin’s invite, then he’s only perpetuating the perception that he’s self-absorbed.

Quote of the Hour: “He’s one of the few larger-than-life characters that I’ve ever encountered in my life.” — Bob Ryan on Howard Cosell

To begin the second hour of the Dennis & Callahan show, the guys talked about the Celtics signing Shaquille O’Neal and adding much-needed bulk and height. Ryan referenced his newspaper column, saying that he feels the move is a good one and O’Neal immediately becomes the best rebounder on the team, solving a enormous problem Boston had in the 2010 NBA finals against the Lakers.

After stating that Shaq is one of the top endorsing athletes in the country, Neumeier asks why is he returning to play basketball with a significant cut in salary if he doesn’t need the money. With Shaq’s ability to set up in the low block and kick it out to superior shooters, Neumeier feels it’s a brilliant move on Boston’s part.

Talk shifted to Kendrick Perkins and the difference between him and O’Neal. Though Perkins is a presence in the post defensively, his offensive game is still undeveloped and has improved slowly. Ryan feels that he’s gotten as far as his talent allows him and is surprised that he’s even is at the level he’s at offensively. As for Glen Davis, the guys agreed that he needs more minutes and will get better with a full season ahead of him. Ryan pointed out that he has great hands and lateral ability with his bulk, making him a great option off the bench for the Celtics.

To conclude the hour, Neumeier called out Brett Favre for sitting in his truck (with it running) and not having the decency to get out and do an interview. The guys agreed that he’s receiving a ton of media attention for no reason because there are probably six quarterbacks that are more productive than him at this point in his career.

Caller of the Hour: Buzz criticized Perkins and used him as an example of someone who should not have gone directly from high school to the NBA. At Perkins’ age, Shaq was superior and there is no comparison between the two. Buzz pointed out that Perkins still lacks offensive moves and has fundamental errors in his game, even after being in the league for as long as he has.

Quote of the Hour: “For those listening on the radio, this is another case of the media bitch section.” — Bob Neumeier on Brett Favre disrespecting reporters

To kick off the first hour of Thursday’s Dennis & Callahan show, Bob Ryan and Bob Neumeier talked about the Red Sox’ blowout loss to the Indians Wednesday night. Now into August, Boston sits 6 1/2 games behind both the Yankees and Rays, who sit tied atop the AL East.

Despite the Red Sox having an abysmal performance vs. the bottom-feeding Indians, Ryan felt that the game should be thrown out the window because it was a very small sample size. Though things are looking bleak at the moment, Boston has an opportunity to get back into the playoff race with a four-game series coming up against the Yankees in New York. Neumeier, on the other hand, said that the injured players are returning but disappointing by not stepping up. The Red Sox are not pitching well, they’re not hitting well and they’re not fielding well, making for a below-par stretch run.

Even if Boston doesn’t make the playoffs, it legitimately has a shot of winding up with the third-best record in the entire league. Ryan said that there was always a good chance it could break down that way, with only two spots for three teams in the best division in baseball. Neumeier, who’s not willing to give the Red Sox a pass this season, can’t help but feel that the Rays have drafted and developed players better, helping them have a better season than Boston with a significantly lower payroll.

To round out the hour, the guys discussed Alex Rodriguez finally hitting his 600th home run on Wednesday. Ryan groups the New York third baseman with the likes of Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire and feels that the erosion of his image has hurt his perception in the public. When it comes to voting for the Hall of Fame, Ryan is unsure whether or not these players should be honored. Neumeier made the argument that Rodriguez passes the eye test and is one of the best players in our lifetime, with or without performance-enhancing drugs.

Caller of the Hour: Kevin reminded the guys that the reason Tampa Bay has good young players is because it wound up with the No. 1 pick for several years, while Boston has always been competitive and had lower draft selections.

Quote of the Hour: “When will you get it through your head? It’s just not their year. What do you want from them? Are they supposed to win the World Series every year?” — Bob Ryan on the Red Sox not having the stars align this season