T.O. cut by Bills

The Bills have announced their intentions of releasing T.O. on March 5 (which is Official Release Day, aka, Don't Let The Door Hit You On The Way Out, Adalius Day). Isn't that amazing? Here we have one of the great wide receivers of his generation who has languished because he never found the right environment to give him the support that he needed.

Change that scenario around slightly, and that could be Randy Moss. He still has 2-3 years before he reaches T.O.'s age, but it is amazing to consider how these extremely talented players have experienced these ups and downs. While I may not like him all that much, I do feel for T.O., to some extent, on this one. Get your popcorn.

Deion Branch speaks truth, makes Hasselbeck sad

So apparently some people, like Seattle Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck, were not happy to hear that Deion Branch would be all over playing in New England again.

Dear Matt Hasselback,

From 2001-2004, the New England Patriots fielded what will be considered by many to be one of the greatest teams to ever play professional football. As fans, we were honored to be able to watch such a high caliber of sport and the players who contributed to this deserve all of the love and respect that they have earned. Since going to Seattle, Deion Branch has experienced none of the same highs with you as his QB. So when he gets all misty-eyed at the thought of returning to the place that provided him with such a desirable environment, let him. What the Patriots did over those four years will not be easily repeated, if it will be repeated at all.

I know you've been injured and all, but still. Let Branch have his memories. He'll still play as best he can, no matter what team he is on. This isn't personal toward you, but hey, you're no Tom Brady.

(I know, below the belt. Meh.).

Starts with Randy Moss, ends with Rodney Harrison

Randy Moss, playing at a charity game in Jupiter, FL, stated that he doesn't think he'll be a Patriot after 2010. This did not come off as selfish or diva-esque, or anything else. He thinks that his value will be less than they will be willing to pay.

But Randy, what about our love? Our deep-seeded love? I hope that he is proven wrong, although I respect his candor in the matter. Good guy, really.

Incidentally, I have stopped reading 'Extra Points,' the boston.com Patriots blog, because I couldn't deal with the lack of professional proofreading (this is the website of the Boston Globe, so come on people and step it up). Actually, that's a bit of a white lie. I did stop reading for those reasons, but my tipping point was when they ran a story asking who doesn't like Peyton Manning. The answer: me, and about 75% of your readership. I do still read their Red Sox coverage (even when they post somewhat ick pictures of Josh Beckett...see previous post).

Here is a fabulous example, though, of the crapterrific proofreading:

'Former Patriots safety Rodney Harrison hit on the team's absence of a defensive coordinator and dearth of leadership at Heath Evans's charity softball game.'

I had no idea that you needed a defensive coordinator for softball or that there was a dearth of leadership at Heath Evans's game. Dear me. They take their off-season charity softball seriously, I guess.

If you're wondering, Rodney basically feels that Bill is capable of everything and anything, and that it will all be okay. Although he did point to a lack of leadership with the young defense.

Josh Beckett Weathers Many Storms

Guy found his saying and stuck with it. Drink every time Beckett says 'storm.'

All kidding aside though, I like the cut of his jib in this interview. It's good of him not to get distracted by contract stuff and worry about it. He came across as a professional in this one, and not a sleazy ickball question mark pitcher who maybe needs to make sure the shirt stays down. No need, Josh. No need at all.

Did you actually watch him pitch?

The Dodgers have signed Eric Gagne.

Eric Gagne.

This proves that no one's career is ever really over.

Or something.

Please re-sign Deion Branch. I want to see this

So as usual in the off-season, speculation is running wild about three things:

1) Will the Patriots sign Jason Taylor? My gut says, 'no.'
2) Will the Patriots sign Julius Peppers? My gut says, 'no.'
3) Will the Patriots acquire Deion Branch again? My heart says, 'Please, please, please, please, please.'

Addressing the question of whether he would be willing to return to New England, Branch said the following: "I still love coach Belichick, and if the opportunity presents itself to come back, I would love to be there. I still talk to Tom [Brady] to this day, and the crazy part is, you never lose that relationship with guys, especially when you do something special, which is what we did in my first four years in New England. I still talk with half of the team. To this day, I still talk with half of the guys that were on the team with me. It’s a special bond. For us to reunite, I don’t know. I would probably be crying at the press conference, if it happens."

There might be something that gets caught in my eye as well.

Plus, then if we are really, really lucky, we might get to see the Deion Branch Dance again. Love this guy.

Florida Panthers' Management Not Nice

I've decided to acknowledge the existence of hockey again. Amazingly, Montreal is currently in the running for a playoff spot, despite the fact that they've been, um, kind of bad (apart from the bizarre win against the Capitals the other night, ending their 14-game win streak).

Anyway, the talk today is about the Florida Panthers and a letter that the management wrote to the fans acknowledging that they suck. For reference, they are currently third from the bottom in the Eastern Conference and on a 5-game losing streak. For additional reference, the Leafs are in the basement. HA! But I digress.

Anyway, the letter used lots of fun businessese, including such classic phrases as 'going forward,' which is one of my least favorite. They have asked the fans not to judge them until they are done with their rebuilding process. When would that be? How do you know?

This move seems like a bad one, in my opinion. Talk about dividing the players from the management. And why would this be made public? Just make changes and keep it in the organization. You've probably already figured out that I don't like it when players air their dirty laundry in public, but I've learned from this experience that I hate it when management does it even more.

Joey Porter: It's Complicated

The Dolphins released Joey Porter today. Ha! That's what you get for talking smack to my boys, then not getting one single tackle when you actually play them. Ha, I say again!

However, apparently due to legal snafuese, he cannot be released at this time, so he has been placed, again, on the Dolphins' roster.

Incidentally, he was not actually released for talking smack about the Patriots, I just choose to think of it in that way. He and, well, pretty much everyone else from the coaching staff right up to Big Tuna were not getting along.

By the way, have you ever wondered where Parcells got the nickname Big Tuna? No? Then don't click.

Huh?

Dear My Habs,

Get it together!

Bob Gainey, the GM, resigned today. No, it is not June. It's the middle of the season and the GM just resigned.

Huh?

I can't think of this happening in other situations very often. Doesn't seem wise.

Gainey, of course, provided many years of service to the Canadiens. He was the first captain that I remember from when I was a kid and a devoted fan.

It's sad to see him go. But a confused kind of sad.

He Who Laughs With More Superbowl Rings, Laughs Last

Mike Reiss came out swinging in defense of Brady as the better pressure QB. I guess I totally missed Dungy's comment about how he'd rather have Peyton in any situation, particularly a drive down the field in the 4th quarter.

How are those SB rings looking there, Dungy? Oh wait, you only got one? Could that be because your QB was one of the great chokers of our generation?

Seriously. Great end. Great game. Geaux Saints!

Bill takes over defense

Okay, this was announced a few days ago and I am behind on things (it has been a busy month...thank God spring training is soon because I am looking forward to the distraction!). Anyway, Belichick has decided not to name a defensive coordinator and will be taking a more active role in the defense.

I don't like this.

Also, apparently they are not making any changes to the offensive coaching staff.

Definitely don't like this.

Compare how we looked this season (sluggish/cruddy) to how the Saints looked tonight (energetic/awesome). We need some of DAT. And while I was hardly expecting them to bring in someone totally new, a shake-up on offense is, in my view, mandated after last season.

My next question: when the hell are we going to start signing our free agents?

THAT JUST HAPPENED

Oh lord.

Lord.

Lord.

That's it, I now agree. The NFL is scripted.

First, the Favral choke.

Then, Peyton late in the 4th to give the Saints a 31-17 lead.

Breesus, take the damn wheel. I haven't been this happy, football-wise, since SB 39.

PS - For tonight, I declare myself the Future Mrs. Sean Payton. Just for tonight. I still love you, Pats, but I mean come on. Saints are on freaking fire here.

Articles that I'm just not even going to bother to read

Peyton Manning's Case for Being the Best Ever.

So you can't have it both ways. Either the ring is the thing, in which case Tom Brady is the best QB of this generation. Or the regular season performance is pivotal, in which case the 2007 Patriots are the best team of this generation.

In other words, the Pats are still #1, no matter which way you choose to cut it.

We're at the very start of the first. I'm liking the Saints' zest. GEAUX SAINTS!