1. I was 2-for-4 over the weekend, and on to the playoffs go Arizona, San Diego, Baltimore and Philly. Although I was rooting for the Vikings, I wasn't upset to see Philly pull off the win-but I was immensely relieved that Asante Samuel's interception-turned-TD was NOT the winning margin. That would have been pretty hard to swallow, especially when you remember that his part on the Patriots was played by Deltha O'Neal this year. Tom Brady with his ripped apart knee would have played the corner better most days. As much as Beleichick would never admit it, there's no question that Samuel's absence-or, more appropriately, the lack of effort on the part of the Pats to effectively address it-made the Pats' pass defense a lot weaker, and might have cost them a playoff berth. You think Rivers burns Samuel time after time after time like he did O'Neal? 

2. The Celtics stink. Ok, that's harsh, but good God, did you see any part of that game last night? No rebounding, Garnett in foul trouble, and that third quarter was the worst basketball I've seen in a long time. I think they're starting to miss James Posey, and no, I don't think Stephon Marbury is the answer-the Green may as well just sign Manny Ramirez for all the headaches Marbury would bring them. Even Garnett sounds a little uneasy about the prospect, saying Marbury would be a good addition if he "was about making this team better." Sounds like the Big G thinks his former teammate might be about something else, eh?

3. The Browns seem hot to squirrel away Eric Mangini (do you suppose he used Belichick as a reference?), although it's becoming clear with each passing failure of a former Pats' assistant that Belichick really is the coaching brains of the franchise, and the rest is just, well, details.  You'd think the Browns of all teams would know that. Of course, the Browns are also hot to score Scott Pioli, who may just bring along Josh McDaniel with him. While I can't blame Pioli for looking for more money or greener pastures, I sincerely doubt he will even find equal success anywhere that doesn't employ, well, Bill Belichick, just as it's unlikely Belichick will be as successful without Pioli. The two of them, along with Bob Kraft, were a perfect storm, guys whose hearts practically beat in unison. If a new team thinks Pioli's going to repeat that level of success on his own or with Eric Mangini/Josh McDaniel, I'm afraid he's going to be disappointed and will disappoint the fans of Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City, etc. as well.

4. Not much on the Red Sox front. Josh Bard is back, which is good, but doesn't address the day-to-day catching needs, and Brad Penny has a whiff of Wade Miller to me. They need to upgrade their offense, and seem to feel comfortable looking in the Wal-Mart post-Christmas markdown bin to do it. Looking at this team with all it's questions-who are the real Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell, will Papi's wrist bounce back, can Jacoby Ellsbury produce past June, what about Penny and Buchholz-my gut is that, without making any moves, they will contend for but not win a postseason berth.

TTFN. Last week before school starts, got lots to do...