Rarely, do I get the opportunity to sit and read the Sunday Globe. But, my wife in her haste grabbed the "wrong" newspaper, so I was fortunate enough to see a little of Boston's print edition.

I mean, I usually catch some of its sports coverage on the Web. That is what I do afterall.

It's amazing to me how quickly the Patriots can fall off a page. The Red Sox season is months away with spring training still three weeks away. Yet, my Sox are on the front and inside of the sports section. Oh, I love it.

I was fortunate to read about Julio Lugo. He is extremely excited to be playing for a contender after seven seasons in the bigs, mostly with Tampa Bay.

I can't say I blame him, but he will be facing a lot of pressure in Beantown. I hope he's ready, some better than him could not deal. He'll also be filling some pretty good defensive shoes. Though, he'll tell you he can only fit in his own. Bully for him.

I also got caught up on the latest rumor - Todd Helton to the Sox for....
Well I'm not sure. I've heard Craig Hansen, Mike Lowell and Julian Tavarez mentioned.

Now, I have a lot to respect for Helton. I've had him on fantasy leagues in the past and I've actually suffered with him last year. He has only hit 15 home runs the last two seasons with the benefit of Coors Field and National League fastball pitching. How will that translate at Fenway?

$16 million seems a bit high for that kind of production. Yes, he can hit and get on base but he's far from the player he used to be. Age may be catching up with him.

Last year I bid $25 dollars early in a fantasy draft for his services and won easily. I figured he'd rebound from the 15 home runs the season before (2005) but alas he simply repeated. I was disappointed, but my disappointment would be ten fold had he been in a Sox uniform.

Now one will argue, yes, but Helton was battling back problems. Great that's exactly what we need another aging player with a big contract who may break down.

The deal would mean putting Youkilis back at third, which is okay - but I wonder how much better is Helton over Youkilis at first when you consider age and contract payments. I mean Youk did pretty nicely in the role last year.

Let's see:
Youkilis: 100R, 42 2B, 13 HR, 72 RBI, .381 OBP, .280 AVG
Helton: 94 R, 40 2B, 15 HR, 81 RBI, .404 OBP, 302 AVG.
Now look at
Lowell: 79 R, 47 2B, 20 HR, 80 RBI, .339 OBP, 284 AVG.

Seems a bit much when you add Julian Tavarez (who by all accounts looks to be a frontrunner or at least near the top for the closers role) and a prospect (Craig Hansen? another possible closer). Not to mention the closer's role has yet to be filled.

If they throw in Brian Fuentes I'd at least think about it.

But for now I thnk it is a bit short sighted; there has got to be better options in 2008 at first and third.

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, both are popular guys on and off the field. Both are on their way to the Hall of Fame. Both are record holders.
And while Manning has had many more offensive options at his disposal, Brady has used more players in his offense. There are no stars on the Patriots, but Brady makes people shine. Marvin Harrison makes Manning shine.

But if it's the intangibles that keep the Pats in the win column, than I will attempt to compare Tom Brady to Peyton Manning without the use of on-field stats.

If you saw the results of my matchup versus Jim O'Brien and his Colts, then well you may be as disappointed as I.

As if the Colts are going to score 50 against the Pats, with or without Rodney Harrison.

I was at a disadvantage. I was on unfamiliar turf, facing an offensive jugernaut.
Wait, that is exactly what the Patriots are facing this weekend.

But what if player skill levels were equal? Hmm.

After a long hiatus, I once again to return to the NFL and the New England Patriots.

Instead of rehashing the Chargers game, I like the Pats, will focus on the task at hand - beating Indianapolis.

To do that we solicited the help of "Game On" blogger, Jim O'Brien to partake in a simulated AFC championship game using Madden '07 on Wii.

Wii is something completely different, than say PlayStation.

With my only experience playing Wii being a game of tennis versus an eleven-year-old, I was a little apprehensive.

I must confess when playing video games, I'm used to my thumbs getting a workout.

But after hearing that O'Brien had not played Madden '07, my confidence was restored.

I quickly went through the four trials, learning how to pass, run, defend and kick. It all seemed so simple. I was ready.

I looked to my opponent to take his tutorial, he declined. He was ready.
I put up my first red flag. Hmm.

Oh, well, I knew I was fielding a better team. Right? Indy's defense isn't that good. Brady has only lost once on turf.