NFL Genuine Draught

Screw baseball.

Football runs the whole year now, so I don't have to bide my time waiting for the NFL preseason anymore with the second-worst run sports league in the world (a distant second to the NBA).

This past weekend's NFL Draft proved that.

Before I get into my main comments on the Uber Bowl, as I'm coining it for now til I come up with something less stupid, I want to congratulate/scratch-my-head-at ESPN for having wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson as a guest analyst during the draft.

He did pretty good and was never at a loss for words (he never was on the sidelines either). However after being boldly put on the spot every time his team, the Panthers, drafted a player, he spoke about their philosophy and the team's goals for the upcoming season.

He was cut by the Panthers today. While sad and ironic, it's also hilarious.

Now for my real top story from the draft - trading for Randy Moss was a brilliant move by Bill Belichick and the Patriots. Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe wasn't happy with the move, and thinks the Patriots made a major shift in personnel philosphy, but I don't think so at all.

The Pats have never really hesitated to take a player with a history of character concerns. Their character-first, team-first reputation has been built on what players do WHILE IN NEW ENGLAND. Randy Moss may have squirted a referee with a water bottle, but it won't happen in Foxboro. That's the idea anyway. When a player gets out of line, you never hear from them again.

Terry Glenn was an issue for years, and Belichick traded him in 2001 - his second year as coach - when Glenn loafed his way back from a hamstring injury.

This offseason, when Corey Dillon started complaining about playing time and wanting to possibly retire, Belichick wasted no time and making it easy for Dillon, releasing him shortly after he made his statements public.

If that happens with Moss, no big deal. We spent a 4th rounder on him. No big loss. If he stays in line, the Pats are in line for a fourth Super Bowl victory - and I'll be able to drink for this one - woah nellie!

In conclusion, nothing has changed in Patriots Land. Randy Moss won't change anything, and nothing will change for Randy Moss. I'll see you all that first week of two of the spring 2008 semester, when the next UMass Riot is for a fourth New England Super Bowl Championship.