Changing of the Guard in NFL

It was when John Gruden said it had no chance, but it was before that. It was after my friend texted me "I think I saw a tear from Tom Brady."

I was watching a movie but rushed to the nearest TV, I had to see this. Not knowing exactly what to expect, I wasn't surprised that Brady was not crying. I also wasn't surprised to see the New Orleans faithful dancing in the Superdome. Hell, they deserved this more than any fans ever have. It was the other team. There's no doubt in my mind that the Saints are good. They're damn good at that. In beating the Patriots, they met a good team, but they didn't meet that unmistakable dynasty from yesteryear.

The Patriots aren't the same, and that's what I realized last night as a New Orleans defensive back picked Tom Brady off for the second time of the game with a little more than seven minutes left. Right before John Gruden said "that play never had a chance."

They continued on talking about the point I'm hitting home as the Saints orchestrated their supercharged offense. Pats coach Bill Belichick and Brady stood next to each other on the sideline with blank faces. Not even pissed off, just honest-to-goodness blank and quiet frustration and confusion. Of course, the Pats do have those men and they're the reason this fledgling team stands a chance late in the season.

The Patriots went 11-5 and didn't make the playoffs last year. Not that they could've beaten the Steelers last season, but they were a good team. They could have defeated the 8-8 Chargers and probably the Titans and/or Colts. Either way, they were better than the sixth best team in the American Football Conference but because of the playoff format missed them altogether.

Randy Moss, a home playoff game against an injury-plagued AFC North team or a team like Jacksonville, you really can't count out New England and as long as they have Brady and Belichick, there most certainly is hope in Boston.

As the game ended and the players convened at midfield, Drew Brees was shot in a pleasant conversation with a Pats player, his lineman at Purdue. While Brees was talking to Suzy Kolber abotu his five touchdown passes to five different receivers, Belichick genuinely hugged Brees and said something in his ear. Mike Tirico just acknowledged the most sportsmanship I've ever witnessed by Belichick.

Sportscenter is now drowning me out with its loud and pornographic yellow journalism. Please take no offense, those things are why I like it, but the "E" stands for entertainment. I'd write more but I can't until I watch it.

FUN STUFF:

I told myself as baseball was winding down that I wanted a basketball team again. This may or may not be a sin in The Sports Guy's bible of becoming a fan, but I promised myself that I'd give the 76ers a chance. I might as well take to a team in the city I live in. I don't like the Phillies or the Eagles but I wish them well. I like when they win and I enjoy their success. As long as they're not playing the Yankees or Steelers I cheer for them. The Flyers not so much for whatever reason, but I enjoy and can respect Philadelphia sports. Why not take to a team in the city? It's nice that they're abysmal so I'm not a bandwagon jumper. If Allen Iverson comes back to Broad Street, the Sixers will show me that they have the balls to earn my cheering for them and making them my new basketball team. The only time the NBA even got close to what it was in my youthful glory days-idolizing Michael Jordan and crying when I found out what AIDS is-was when Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson (think Ron Artest brawl in Detroit not dreadlocks in St. Louis) and the Warriors took down Dirk Nowitzki and the top-seeded Mavericks. I need basketball back, and I've always enjoyed Iverson.

Iverson met with Sixers' brass Monday in Dallas and they talked for two hours. Evidently it went well and sources close to the team are saying it's gonna happen. I love when things like this heat up.

Bobby Bowden may retire and Charlie Weiss just got fired. Lots of hot news as the air chills.