John Lackey believes his struggles last season have been overblown. "Honestly, I think it was overblown," he said. "I'd won 14 games only once in my life. I led the team in quality starts. Whatever. It kind of comes with it." Lackey points to the fact that he led the team in innings pitched (215) and quality starts (21, most by a Sox pitcher since 2004). He signed a five-year, $82 million contract with Boston before the 2010 season. "I'm not saying I pitched great, I'm not saying that at all," he said. "I definitely could have pitched better." He weighed in at around 242 Monday, he said, a difference of 13 pounds from the 255 he said he weighed last season. Lackey said the impetus for dropping the weight did not come from the club, even though team officials privately complained that he did not come to camp in good shape last season. "I'm just trying to get myself the best chance possible to stay healthy and maintain a high level performance all year," he said. "We're all pretty excited about this season and want to be a part of it, for sure."