The final hour started with Bob Neumeier and Bob Ryan welcoming Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com to discuss some important NFL issues.

Florio referenced his prediction about the Patriots winning the AFC East but hedged that to say he might make the Dolphins the favorite to win the division. He said the Jets are overrated, and fans should consider the Texans and Browns on the rise.

Also, Florio mentioned how the Patriots should consider signing Tom Brady soon because Peyton Manning will receive an enormous contract eventually.

The conversation switched to discussing how poorly the Sox have played against weaker opponents, and Meter noted how they have struggled against the Orioles. Neumeier added that the MLB umpires are daydreaming for two hours and that baseball is extremely slow. Ryan responded by saying baseball should not allow a clock or timer for the sport and that it should remain the way it is.

Meter mentioned the recent news from the Rick Pitino-Karen Sypher trial and asked Ryan if Louisville should consider firing Pitino. Ryan said Pitno would probably resign, but Meter agreed with Neumeier about how he fills seats in the arena.

The hour concluded with Meter’s buzzer-beater mentioning how Joe Paterno is six wins shy of 400, Bob Ryan mentioned how the “Mannywood” sign has come down at Dodger Stadium and Neumeier included how Little League Baseball will allow instant replay.

Caller of the Hour: Steve in the car called to talk about Meter’s comments in regards to how the Red Sox, Rays and Yankees have played better against teams that are competing for a division compared to the basement squads.

Quote of the Hour: “Meter this is before you were born, because you’re 27.” – Neumeier on two influential Boston celebrities, John F. Kennedy and Tom Brady

The second hour kicked off with Bob Neumeier addressing if Mike Lowell would remain in Boston for the rest of the season or play for another club. Bob Ryan asked if fans should extend their sympathy to him and wondered if there was a team interested in acquiring his services.

Neumeier emphasized the important role Lowell played with the Sox in 2007, which resulted in a World Series title, but Ryan responded that he has been reduced to a one-dimensional player. These comments led to a slew of phone calls from listeners who gave different reasons to keep or release Lowell.

Meter wanted to know why the Sox didn’t move Lowell. He referred to an article written by Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal and wondered if the reason why he wasn’t traded was because he would have landed with the Yankees as Rosenthal reported.

Neumeier posed the question of what position Lowell would play Tuesday or if he would remain in “baseball jail.” He then assured the listeners that he would have a good outing.

The hour concluded with a mention that today is Tom Brady’s 33rd birthday.

Caller of the Hour: Tony in Bridgewater called to say that Mike Lowell has no value on the Sox. He said that if the team were ahead of the Yankees and Rays in the standings, feelings would be different. Also, he mentioned how so many fans are frustrated with the team and how Lowell cannot play the field any more.

Quote of the Hour: “You pushed me to the brink.” — Bob Ryan, responding to a whirlwind answer about the Mike Lowell situation

The third hour of Tuesday’s Dennis & Callahan show started off with an interview with ESPN NFL analyst Chris Mortensen. Mortensen told D&C that he’s heard that Tom Brady is not particularly happy with the way his contract extension negotiations have gone thus far. He added, though, that Brady is a pro, and he expects the star to handle the situation as such. However, Mortensen noted that he believes Brady should get paid more money than Peyton Manning, who also is looking for a contract extension heading into the season, and that perhaps Patriots fans should pay more attention to Logan Mankins‘ contract situation heading into training camp. Finally, Mort gave his rankings of the AFC East teams, putting the Jets in the top spot with the Dolphins second and Patriots third. (To hear the interview, go to the Dennis & Callahan audio on demand page.)

The show moved on with the crew giving predictions on how the AL East will shake out. Mikey boldly stated that it is his belief that the Red Sox will catch the Yankees by season’s end. Gerry was not nearly as optimistic and was willing to make a bet with Mikey that the Sox would be looking up at the Yankees at the end of the season. Mikey, who already has another bet with a friend that Dustin Pedroia will have a higher batting average than Derek Jeter, agreed that if his prediction doesn’t come true, he will announce the name of the rock star he hooked up with in 1981.

Caller of the Hour: J.P. from Providence said that he blew through a red light after hearing Mortensen saying that he believes the Dolphins are better than the Pats. He asked, “Is LeBron [James] playing for the Dolphins? Did [Bill] Belichick pay him to say that?”

Quote of the Hour: “Why would we expect Tom to be happy, making $6.5 million? It’s not like they’re going out there and signing a bunch of free agents to truly make this team better.” — Chris Mortensen on the biggest reason why Tom Brady is not happy with his current contract

The third hour started with the hosts talking more about the Rick Pitino-Karen Cunagin Sypher trial. Gerry provided his input, noting that he believes Sypher is completely crazy. A listener asked to have an in-depth account of the situation, which was followed by John recounting all the important details.

Gerry then shifted the conversation to Tom Brady‘s contract and how ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the quarterback and the Patriots are in the process of working on a new deal. Schefter joined the show to  comment on this topic.

“The talks are going on,” Schefter said. “They seem, from everything I’ve gathered, to be very cordial. They seem to be on the same page. It’s just a question of finalizing it and getting it done.”

Dennis brought up how Brady’s new contract will be compared to Peyton Manning’s. Unlike Brady, Manning has been franchised in his career and is expected to receive the largest contract in NFL history.

The guys also talked about guard Logan Mankins and wondered if he would play this season for the Patriots. John wondered if he would be run out of town for calling owner Robert Kraft a liar. Schefter commented on this issue and said, “I would think they don’t trade him.”

Quote of the Hour: “She’s a crazy criminal.” — Gerry Callahan on Karen Cunagin Sypher for causing chaos with University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino

To begin the fourth and final hour of Friday’s Dennis & Callahan show, Bob Neumeier and Bob Halloran discussed current stars on the Boston sports scene. According to Neumeier, one reason why this Red Sox season hasn’t been as interesting is because the team doesn’t possess a clear and definite star like during the days of Pedro Martinez.

Neumeier also believes Rajon Rondo is a star because he has the wow factor and when you watch a game with him playing, he can do something you’ve never seen before. Even though he’s not a good shooter, he brings so much more in different facets of his game. Halloran, on other hand, feels that Rondo has the potential to be a star but his weakness disqualifies him as a star right now. The guys agreed that Dustin Pedroia has the qualities and ability to be a star, but he hasn’t reached that status yet despite winning the Rookie of the Year and MVP awards early in his career.

Focus turned back on Tom Brady as Neumeier and Halloran referenced ESPN’s Chris Mortensen claim via Twitter that the New England quarterback is unhappy with his contract negotiations.

Caller of the Hour: One caller disagreed with Neumeier on Rondo and said that he’s a shooting star and one that hasn’t been consistent yet. A listener also texted that Rondo can’t be a shooting star if he can’t shoot the basketball.

Quote of the Hour: “As a birthday present, because we’re not giving out gifts, we’re not giving out presents, on your 47th birthday we’re giving you a chance to plug your book.” – Neumeier, setting up Halloran to plug his most recent book