Quick random thoughts.

Because I'm in full basketball preseason mode and am not doing much on the Patriots for a few days, here are a few quick random thoughts to make sure the post changes...

** I just love listening to all of the panicky fans calling in to the talk shows, claiming that Bill Belichick has lost his mind, Matt Cassel should have stayed and Tom Brady should have been traded and so on. These are the same people who would have called me a "no-talent hack" seeking to draw attention to myself and mocked the size of my newspaper if I even hinted that there might have been cracks in the Patriots' dynastic armor entering this season.

Nobody jumps off a bandwagon better or more entertainingly than the New England sports fan.

** One revelation after another with Tiger Woods. Does it really surprise you? If I mention the name "Todd Marinovich," is it an accurate analogy?

One has to wonder what happens to kids who are wound so tightly and programmed to become little sports machines in childhood once they grow up. I think we're seeing it.

** On that note, this area goes ga-ga over the Deutsche Bank Tournament every year because of the presence (or anticipated presence, even if he doesn't play) of Mr. Woods. How do you think that's going to go over with the masses this year? Personally, I think the crowds will be bigger if he shows, because everyone loves to watch a train wreck.

** Gisele Bündchen's bündle of joy is due in two weeks. So, my question to you -- how would you feel if, through an accident of incredibly bad timing, Tom Brady skips the Buffalo game to be present at the birth of The Spawn of the Supermodel, and the Patriots lose and fall out of first place in the division because of it?

Brady's already made it clear that he wants to be front-and-center at this birth because he was denied the privilege of being present at the birth of his son by spurned actress/ex-galpal Bridget Moynahan. Food for thought ... would Brady skip a game, and how would he be perceived if it means the Patriots miss the playoffs?

** Those who want to expand the high school football playoffs, take note. Would you rather have the excitement and emotional attachment to the Thanksgiving games? Or do you want the ultimate goal of high school football to be playing shortened games in crappy conditions (and in front of sparse crowds) as we saw in the last two Super Bowls at Gillette on Saturday?

** The way things are going this week, it looks as if I may skip the Audio Blog. But we'll see how things go tomorrow. Remember, the high school hoop season kicks in Thursday night and I'll be doing a game practically every day until Christmas. Not enough hours in the day sometimes...