I never knew Rob Bradford was a fascist, until this week. Apparently I’m on a new schedule, folks, and the only ones who will suffer are you. The voices of the people are being squelched. From this point through the rest of the offseason, the d-bag mail bag will become a twice-a-month exercise, not the weekly conversation we’ve grown accustomed to. Thanks, Rob. I hear there’s an opening at TASS for a blogger.

It’s not that I won’t be writing, though. Oh, no. I’ll be writing twice a week. I’ll just be doing "columns,” which I thought were for newspapers. But apparently here in Cuba it’s back to the future.

As punishment, I’ve delivered Bradford and editor boy an 8,327-word opus this week. That’s a record, I believe (Ed Boy Note: Confirmed). And it’s worth it, baby. We hear your many criticisms of my Belichick/Pioli “best and worst” column earlier this week. We expose Tony Dungy as a fraud. We wrap up our Boston College conversation. We do some Bruins. And, most importantly, we set sail on the high seas of ball-washing for some of my favorite former Patriots. Don’t you find it ironic that Deion Branch’s initials are DB?

Shoot me an email at mfelger@weei.com and I’ll respond in TWO WEEKS. Don’t be afraid to let Rob know how you feel.

--

Michael,

Can you explain this to me, please:

John Harbaugh, a rookie coach, took a Baltimore Ravens team that was 5 - 11 in 2007, lost their starting quarterback from 2007 and was forced to use a rookie quarterback -- and he finished 11 - 5 in 2008 and went (to the playoffs).

Jeff Fisher took a Tennessee Titans team that was 10 - 6 in 2007 and out of the playoffs, lost their starting quarterback from 2007 and was forced to play with backup Kerry Collins in 2008 -- and he finished 13 - 3 in 2008 and claimed a No. 1 seen in the playoffs.

Bill Belichick took a New England Patriots team that was 18 - 1 in 2007, lost their starting quarterback from 2007 and was forced to play a fourth-year backup -- and he finished 11 - 5 and missed the playoffs.

So why is everyone saying that this is Bill Belichick's greatest coaching job and no one is talking about Fisher and Harbaugh? And please do not tell me about other injuries -- EVERYONE has other injuries (the Titans lost Haynesworth, for example). Oh, and didn't Don Shula lose his staring quarterback and take the Miami Dolphins to a 17 - 0 record?

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE -- Get everyone to stop talking about the Great Bill Belichick. He has slipped dramatically as a coach since 2004 and he is no longer THE defensive genius of the NFL. The Eagles, Giants and Ravens have much better defenses every year. Bill Belichick's defenses have gone soft and are not aggressive like they used to be. Why can't people come to grips with the fact that Belichick is getting older and he is not the coach at 55 that he was at 50. People get older and lose energy.  It is ok to admit this. Would you want a 60-year-old surgeon who used to be great working on you, or a 45-year-old surgeon who is great working on you?

Doug

Lowell

A: I'll take any doctor other than the guy who did Brady's knee in LA. Seriously, I agree this was not Belichick's best single-season coaching job. There were some games that got away from him. I've said that all along. But it was still really good. It was a complete validation of his program. How can you mention Harbaugh in the same breath as Belichick? Let's see what Harbaugh does over the next three years. If the Ravens are consistently in it and he develops Flacco into a star, then we can talk. Fisher is a different story and is more worthy of being in the discussion with Belichick. Fisher has been in Tennessee 15 years, during which time the Titans have finished .500 or better 10 times and made the playoffs six times. Belichick's record dwarfs that, of course, but Fisher has still won with two different generations of players and three different quarterbacks (Steve McNair, Vince Young, Kerry Collins). His teams are always tough, physical and competitive. On three separate occasions he's taken them from the bottom of the standings to the top. So he's legit. And here's a clue for you, Doug: So is Belichick. Anyone can do it for a season. Belichick has done it here for a decade. That’s what sets him apart.

--

Michael,

By and large, I agree with your best & worst of the Belichick / Pioli era. But I sometimes think we (as fans/sportswriters) are naive in what we think should be done in free agency. Keeping Asante, Branch, Vinatieri would have had significant ramifications against the salary cap in their contract years and thereafter. Would we have Adalius Thomas, Wes Welker, Randy Moss and each of our front three on this roster right now if we'd signed Asante, Branch and Vinatieri?

Paul

A: The short answer is yes. The Pats could have signed all of those players and been under the cap. They had the room. And even if they didn’t, they could have restructured contracts or exploited loopholes to create more room. As many of you know, I've long since come to the realization that the cap isn't nearly the impediment that owners would have you believe. It's often a convenient excuse for not spending money. I’m not saying you can do whatever the heck you want (keeping Brady and Cassel at over $14 million each, for example, is doable but not ideal). I’m just saying it’s rare nowadays that teams are prevented from signing players because of honest-to-goodness cap problems. They don’t really exist around the league anymore.

I’ll give you a specific example for your question above. You wonder if a guy like Adalius Thomas and the starting defensive line would have been here had the Pats spent the money on Asante. Well, Thomas was signed the same season in which Samuel played under the franchise tag, which at nearly $8 million made him among the highest-paid cornerbacks in the league that year. Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork and Ty Warren were also firmly under contract and on the roster that season. So you wonder if they could fit Thomas and the D-line under the cap with Samuel also making big money? No need to wonder, Paul. They did it. With room to spare, actually. They still had the money to sign Welker and trade for Moss. What’s more, if the Pats had given Samuel an extension, his cap charge would have been less than the franchise number for at least the first few years of the deal, which would have given the Pats even more space to sign other players. Cap space was not the reason Asante was allowed to leave. Get that out of your head. He bolted because the Pats didn't want to give him $20 million in REAL MONEY that he was asking for on the next contract.

For the Pats, these matters come down to real-dollar value. They just didn't think Asante was worth it. They were wrong. I also think they wrong on Branch. They’ve been right on just about everyone else, but those are the two I keep going back to. Even if we accept your premise and assume Moss wouldn't be here if the Pats had paid Branch the money he wanted -- if it was an either/or proposition, in other words -- then I also know where I stand on that. I still think they should have paid Branch.

--

Subj: Gay!!!!

Felger,

No mention of Randall Gay???

Ryan Miller

A: Good job on the subject line. Got my attention. I think Gay slipped through the cracks of the “best and worst” article because he wasn't a draft pick and he wasn't a veteran free agent. I should have created a category for best rookie free agent signings, which I'll do here:

1. Stephen Neal -- He was originally put on the defensive line and released after his rookie camp in 2001, but I'll still give the Pats credit for him because they signed him back by the end of the year (you can see him on the sidelines in Super Bowl XXXVI against St. Louis) and, over time, turned him into a really good guard.

2. Randall Gay -- Your guy, Ryan. Had a great rookie season in 2004, helping to shore up the secondary en route to another title. He never had the same impact thereafter, however.

3. Mike Wright -- Has played a role on the defensive line

4. Gary Guyton -- A bright future as a nickel linebacker.

5. Pierre Woods -- A special team stalwart.

--

Felger,

We were all certainly privileged to see Bill and Scott in action over the years. One thing you did not mention in your article is that they made all of us better fans. They made us all more aware of what was important in creating a winning franchise.

One major disagreement I have is you have Bethel Johnson listed as your second worst pick in the Pioli/Belichick era. I completely disagree with you. He should not even be on the list. I do agree with you he was a bust as a second round pick.  He was immature and failed to take advantage of his skills and apply them to the system.

My case to have him off the list completely is the fact that he was a major reason why the Pats won the Super Bowl in 2003. He had two major TD plays that resulted in the Pats clinching the #1 seed with home field throughout the playoffs and winning in the Divisional round of the playoffs. The play that clinched the #1 seed was against the Colts at the RCA Dome in Week 11, a 92-yard kickoff return for a TD. This was a huge swing in the game right before the half. Tony Dungy failed miserably by even kicking it off to him after a scoring drive by the Colts. The second major TD was against the Titans in that freezing Divisional Playoff game after a Pats first-round bye.

Believe me, I can't stand BJ. I thought he was a complete waste. But I dare you to come up with any plays that meant so much to the team by any other bad draft pick the Pats had.

Food for thought.

Take Care,

Greg

A: A point I took into account with Johnson. I chewed that food, in other words, and still spat it out. He stunk. He was drafted No. 45 overall after the Pats traded up in the second round to get him. And it turned out he wasn't close to being their kind of guy. As for your first point, I agree 100 percent. We all know football a lot better around here because of those guys. If not for them, we may even have felt a guy like Bethel Johnson was okay.

--

Felger, 

For the most part I agree with all the busts and hits that you mentioned. I think that the worst decision was letting Samuel go. Not just because they didn't want to pay him the money, but they could have signed him prior to franchising him for way less money. Not to mention, after letting him go, they might as well have had Bill Belichick himself playing cornerback. And what about Roosevelt Colvin? He was one of the big parts of the Pats success (when he was on the field). Why no mention?

Eric,

Wareham

A: On Colvin, I didn't consider him a huge success or a big failure, either. The injury wasn't anybody's fault, but he just wasn't the guy they thought they were getting once he had the metal plate in his hip. Still, as you said, he was a key piece of a championship team in 2004, and he deserves credit for that. Even with the injuries, I believe he was money well spent.

--

Felger,

One disagreement on the ”worst contact decisions’’ section. I think the Adam Vinatieri decision epitomized the philosophy of Belichick and Pioli because they assigned a value to the position and didn't budge. This is one of the reasons they had the success over time (not having double standards even for HOF kickers). Also, they had made the decision that they had a more than capable replacement in Gostkowski and they were right. As Gostkowski matured into a clutch pro bowl kicker, Vinatieri has shown his age (especially from long range).

Thanks,

Jim

Norwood

A: The reason why I still disagree with the Vinatieri move is that kickers are so cheap. Vinatieri’s cap number ranges between $2-3 million in Indy, which constitutes less than two percent of the cap. Again, it was the actual dollars ($3.5 million signing bonus; $12 million over five years) that Pats felt constituted bad value. I just disagree with them on that. I think Vinatieri has been worth it the last three years for the Colts, who had a disastrous kicking situation with Mike Vanderjagt before Adam arrived. Just look at how Vinatieri kicked down the stretch of the Colts’ 2006 Super Bowl year (see below). He was one of the big reasons they won it all. Of course, Gostkowski was a great pick, and I made sure to point that out. But I don’t think that when it comes to “clutch” play you can put him in the same breath with Vinatieri yet. You’re right on one thing: The way the Pats handled the Vinatieri move was entirely consistent with how they do business.

--

Felger,

Kickers aren't the cheapest guys on the field -- in fact, by number of plays, Vinatieri was as expensive as Brady (if not more so). In any case, though, would the reverse scenario (Pats keep Vinatieri in 2006, Colts draft Gostkowski) have turned out any better?

Samer T. Ismail

A: It would have turned out worse for the Colts, that’s for sure. That’s because I don’t think Gostkowski, as a rookie, would have been able to do what Vinatieri did when it counted in ‘06. To refresh your memory, Adam missed one regular season field goal after Thanksgiving that year (8-of-9). Then he went 3-for-3 in the wild card game at Kansas City; 5-for-5 in the divisional round in icy Baltimore; 3-for-3 against the Pats in the AFC title game; and 3-for-4 in the Super Bowl against Chicago. That’s 14-of-15 in the playoffs if you’re scoring at home. Bottom line, though: If I implied that not signing Vinatieri hurt the Pats, I take it back. It didn’t. That doesn’t mean it was the right thing to do at the time.

--

Subj: Are you dating Deion Branch?

Felgy,

Every writer has one and Deion is yours. He is to Michael Felger as Brett Favre is to John Madden or Peyton Manning is to Peter King or guys-who-consistently-cover-the-spread are to Al Michaels. Branch was great here, no doubt. He and Brady had a great chemistry, without question. But you really can't argue that they made a bad deal with him. A first rounder for someone that has never made a Pro-Bowl let alone been an All-Pro? That's bad? He wanted Reggie Wayne money and he's not Reggie Wayne and wasn't even going to be a free agent at the end of the year. I know deals aren't made in a vacuum, but there is no way this was a bad deal especially considering the contract Branch signed (6 years and $39 million) and the games he has played since (33 out of a possible 48). The Super Bowl MVP is legit and he did have great games when the lights were brightest, but don't try and bail yourself out by saying the Pats haven't won a championship since he left. They were the best offensive team in the history of the NFL without Branch. Love the stuff and the rest of the column was great (that Seymour pick might be the best they have ever made considering what went on around them).

Sincerely,

Jim Not Doing Work in His Cubicle

A: You’re right. Deion wasn’t Reggie Wayne here. He was better.

--

Felger,

When you look at what you are calling “ worst contract decisions,’’ you seem to be only looking at football stats. Those are certainly one side of the argument.  However, I believe you are overlooking the “soft’’ side of the decisions -- that at least three of the guys (Ty Law, Deion Branch and Asante Samuel) were in danger of being the bad attitude, “undercurrent’’ guys that spoil the locker room and undermine the productivity of the unit. All of those guys were in the media loudly proclaiming their need to be treated better prior to their last seasons. Even Vinatieri was known to be unhappy after being franchised. 

While we will never know the actual thinking on this, it's been noted in at least Michael Holley's and David Halberstam's book that Coach B does think about this. I believe he factors this into his famous sense of “value’’ for a position on his T-E-A-M.  

Margaret Matthews

Dedham, MA

A: I disagree. It’s been nine years, and I have yet to see a single player undermine this team with a bad attitude. It just doesn’t happen here. The locker room is too strong. Besides, Ty Law was a phenomenal competitor regardless of what he felt about his contract. Branch was a tremendous big-game player from Day 1. And you think Vinatieri would have made waves? Really? The kicker? Thanks for the email, Margaret, but sorry. No dice.

--

Felger,

After watching Florida win another National Championship and constantly seeing the genius of Belichick, I can't help but wonder how the Pats ended up with Chad Jackson. Aren't these two (Belichick and Urban Meyer) buddies? Why would Meyer screw him like that? I'm assuming he must have given a full endorsement, yet he knew Jackson was a fraud. I would love to know the conversation then and now between these two when that name gets brought up...I wouldn't be surprised if Meyer gets a horse head in his bed one of these days.

Matt

A: I think Bill and Urban are still good. But from a football perspective, that relationship has certainly hasn’t paid the dividends the Belichick/Nick Saban friendship did. I’m still waiting for them to get a Florida guy who can play.

--

Michael,

Having seen Larry Fitzgerald, I think it is time to reevaluate Randy Moss. Fitzgerald is in another league. Fitzgerald makes the hard catch, the acrobatic catch in traffic, the give-it-your-all catch. If Fitzgerald is the tiger, then Moss is the giraffe, the reluctant giraffe at that. He does not run out plays, he does not block. He is no longer worthy of the designation of superstar. They have no long threat and they can't stretch the box.

Also, on the pass rush and pass defense. Both were evident in the playoffs last weekend and both are lacking with the Pats. Their secondary: No need to comment. Asante Samuel: miscalculation. Their solutions this year: amateurish.

Tight end play: Pathetic. If you are drafting for blocking, draft low. Many wasted picks here.

Running backs: We have retreads. Many great shifty backs on display this weekend. Very poor drafting.

Cassel: Great pick. Trade him for help in all of the above. We need it. Pray that Brady's knee is stable.

Pioli: Did a great job, but in view of all the above, missed quite a few as well. How would you rate him? Perhaps 50-50? Many poor draft choices. Bring it back to earth.

I think we are guilty of the great over hype of players and management.

Jack Berg

A: On Moss, you're right on some things but terribly wrong on others. I agree that Moss is no Fitzgerald. If anyone thinks Moss went after the ball with passion this year, just watch the Arizona receiver and you’ll see how it’s really done. Fitzgerald is also a player who can defeat double teams and outmuscle multiple defenders around him. Moss only rips it up against single coverage. Big difference. But to say Moss doesn't stretch the field or draw attention from defenses is flat-out wrong. He garners that attention even when he's not playing well and doesn't deserve it, but he gets it every week nonetheless. And Moss wasn’t just a good downfield blocker in 2008, he was a GREAT one.

On the other points. Tight ends: I don't care if they never draft another one. Spend those picks on defense and go take care of your needs at tight end with affordable free agents. The Pats don't throw to them anymore, any way. Running backs: I love Sammy Morris. Good value, good production. If he's the starter, I'm not upset. Durability is an issue, yes, but I would be disappointed if the Pats drafted a running back high this year or spent big free agent dollars at the position. Cassel: I agree. Later, babe. Pioli: On the draft picks that really mattered, he was much better than 50-50. But even if that was his batting average, do you realize that's still pretty good? If you hit on half of your guys over a three-year period you've built a solid contender. I think people don't get that.

--

Subj: Brady

Hey mike,

I thought you called 'em like you saw 'em and weren't a jock sniffer? In the last week, the object of your man-love has been photographed in California and New York. I was hoping he might have learned something from taking last winter off and not rehabbing in Foxboro instead following his girl around the planet. Might he have been ready to play a little in preseason? Did his lack of work contribute to his injury? Is football still a priority? Is he turning into a Favre-like prima donna? You say you ask the tough questions down in Foxboro. Just wondering when Brady might be on the receiving end of a couple.

Pugs

A: How about never? I don't know where you got the impression that I ask tough questions. I much prefer to rip athletes behind a microphone or a computer screen and then weasel out when they're in front of me. But let's see how it plays out with Brady. Trust me, I'll second-guess him if it doesn't look like he's doing the right things. I don't believe last year qualifies, though. He got hit in the knee, for God's sake. It was a fluke, Pugs.

--

Felgy,

Going in to this year I thought there were only three people in the organization the Pats could not afford to lose, Belichick, Brady, and the Kraft family. Well they lost the league MVP and still managed to win 11 games. I now believe it is down to the coach and the owner who they can not afford to lose. I do not want to disrespect Pioli and McDaniels -- they have been outstanding. And I hope we do not have to worry about the loss of Brady for a long time. But I am more convinced than ever that assistant coaches and players can come and go, but as long as the Kraft family continues to own this team and Belichick is in charge this team is in great shape.

Rick

A: Belichick’s the guy, Rick. Let’s be clear on that. But I do like the Krafts as owners. We all should. They set this whole thing in motion nine years ago when they realized their mistake with Pete Carroll and Bobby Grier. Then they made a phenomenal hire (Belichick) to replace them. Best of all, they got out of Bill’s way and let him do his job. That's my definition of a good owner. And I think our confidence in their judgment to hire the right guy when Belichick finally decides to retire should be high as well. So far they're only batting .500 when it comes to coaches, but they've learned a ton since the Carroll days. Like the rest of us, Belichick has taught them what’s important.

--

Mike,

Can the Pats require that Pioli not be involved in the draft with the Chiefs (Similar to what the Senators did to Chiarelli)? It would seem that a good chunk of time spent in Foxboro this season was working on the draft in April. Thus he would take the time spent on NE's dime and apply this to the Chiefs.

Thanks

Robb,

Attleboro

A: Not the way it works, Robb. Yes, Pioli will be drafting for the Chiefs based on scouting trips he made on the Patriots’ expense account. But that’s the way the cookie crumbles. Even if the NFL tried to impose some sort of late start date, there’s no way they could enforce it. You don’t think Scott would be able to make the decisions from his couch? Of course he would, just like Chiarelli did.

--

Felger,

With the new league year approaching, and a new CBA not in place, can you please describe the ramifications of an uncapped 2010 season? How does it affect the 2009 Cap? Do you think it will lead to a league that more resembles MLB? It would be a shame for the NFL to veer away from its parity doctrine.

Thanks,

TJ

Dunstable

A: From what I understand, there’s no effect for 2009. As for 2010 and 2011, while those seasons would be “uncapped,” they would still be governed by the CBA, and there are a host of restrictions that would kick in that would actually limit player movement, not encourage it. For one, the service time needed to reach unrestricted free agency will jump from four years to six years, meaning players who signed rookie contracts in 2005 and 2006 and are expecting to be free in an uncapped year will be disappointed. For another, teams will have two franchise tags at their disposal, not one. (That means, for example, that the Pats could franchise both Richard Seymour and Vince Wilfork if they wanted to.) Finally, playoff teams will be under spending restrictions that are too complicated to get into.

The bottom line is that it’s not going to be the free for all some people are expecting. Pat Kirwin wrote an informative piece on this on NFL.com a while back.

--

Felger,

Now that Tony Dungy has officially retired from the Colts, you just knew that he would receive nothing but glowing coverage from the media. From all accounts, Dungy is a very good man that does a lot of work in the community and he should be commended for that. However, if I was a Colts fan, I would be thrilled to see him walk out the door. How can a team with that much talent over the years only have one Super Bowl victory? How can a team with that much talent have four one-and-done years in the seven years that Dungy was the head coach? If you read some of the stuff written about Dungy, you would come away thinking that he was the second coming of Vince Lombardi. Lombardi did not have a career 9-10 postseason record like Dungy had, but you will barely hear that from the media because he is such a great community guy. Let's face facts: take away their Super Bowl season and the Colts have been big time underachievers in the postseason over the past seven seasons.

Steve

A: How about his 2-4 postseason record in Tampa? I agree with you, Steve. Overrated. I always thought it spoke volumes that Jon Gruden took virtually the same players Dungy had with the Buccaneers and won a Super Bowl right out of the gate. Dungy is fine at building a program, obviously. He was partly responsible for two Super Bowl teams. His 139-69 regular season record is stellar. But when it comes to the big game, let’s remember he’s from the Marty Schottenheimer tree, as is Bill Cowher. Just look at their playoff records: Schottenheimer was 5-13. Cowher was 12-9 (he was 8-9 until the Steelers’ four-game Super Bowl run in 2005). I don’t think those numbers are a coincidence.

--

Felger,

I had an idea for Sports Tonight, although it might be a little late. You could run a reverse Favre tribute, a montage of terrible passes and interceptions that parodies the ESPN tributes. 

Jim

A: We’re only a 30-minute program, Jim. Not enough time.

--

Felgy,

Michael Vick gets released from prison this summer. Which team comes through with the winning bid for his services: The Think Tank up in Buffalo, or the Texas Goober Owner/GM? I’ve got to go with the Texas Goober on this one because how can he resist? Can't you just see Jerry Jones drawing up a play for Wade Phillips with Vick spread out at WR? Or maybe lined up next to Romo and taking the direct snap. “I’ll tell you what, Wade. We’ll call it the `wild dog.’’’

Kevin Wythe

A: Totally realistic scenario. Shall we commence with the BC love-in?

--

Mike,

I had the opportunity to hear about your comments regarding Boston College and the BC football team on CSN. I say “hear’’ because I didn't watch the show, and I think that puts me in the majority of New Englanders. But that aside, I understand you went out of your way to tarnish the school and the program and all those associated with it, including the student athletes. I understand you went to Boston University, and given that those schools have a healthy rivalry, I expect some good-humored ribbing of BC on occasion. It’s part of what makes that rivalry fun. What you performed, both last night and just about anytime you're behind a microphone on TV or Radio is nothing more than slander. It's childish and unprofessional. A legitimate member of the media can have their biases, but to allow them to infiltrate your reporting so transparently, particularly during a interesting story like the coaching situation, is really weak at best and vengeful at worst.

A quick review of your resume reveals a mid-level sports reporter who has spent the last 10-15 years bouncing between mid-level jobs in the Boston media. You don't seem to spend much time in one place, even when given your own radio show. That suggests to me that, in the eyes of your customers, you are either dense, incompetent, or a difficult co-worker. I suspect that the answer is a combination of all three. At present, you spend your nights in front of about 150 viewers and do your “routine.’’ This is only punctuated by occasional appearances on the radio w hen they decide to throw you a bone, probably out of pity.

Speaking of the radio, I've always found the commentary interesting whenever you are on the show. You openly permit and probably encourage endless sophomoric discussion about your family. Some of the things I hear make ME cringe, but you don't seem to mind. You almost relish in it. I have to ask then, what kind of man are you that you would allow that sort of disrespect simply so you could “look cool’’ on the radio. Really; what kind of man?

Mike, you really should take a long look in the mirror and drop the routine. It's one thing to poke fun, it’s another to be slanderous and vengeful. If you want to push on with your coverage so laced with bias and hate, perhaps you could start a mixed topic television show with Chris Matthews and you could push up your viewer count from 150 to 156. I'm sorry you hate Boston College so much. I'm a huge fan and I look forward to the upcoming football season and the present basketball and hockey season. I have many friends who attended BU who somehow manage to be civil and interesting, even when discussing BC football. It’s unfortunate for you I suppose. Next time at the Garden, stick your dome out of the press box and have a gander at the two BC banners hanging from the rafters or the Hockey East jersey display in the loge concourse; it might help you to realize that while you think your hate is making a difference in bringing down BC, you are most certainly losing the battle.

Best wishes

John Kalin

A: First of all, you say I’ve bounced between “mid-level’’ jobs the last few years. I wish. Try low-level (sorry, 890). Also, you say I haven’t spent a lot of time at any one place. Again, I beg to differ. I was at the Herald 19 years, which is 75 years in dog time (Ed Boy Note: It is?). And I was at 890 for three years, which, believe me, is an eternity. Anyway, only a BC grad who takes himself way too seriously would consider my commentary “slander.” You folks just can’t take it, can you? Good luck next year in the Weedwhacker Bowl.

--

Subj: You are so right about BC

Felger,

This BC thing is hilarious to me. I know you were there, but the thing that struck me at that press conference regarding Jags was when DeFilippo mentioned that it was a difficult day for all of the staff, players, alums, but then he said, “and most importantly...ME!’’ It’s about him!!! So every BC person pays all of their car payments before buying another one, pays every installment on their cell phones before jumping to another carrier, and they just go ahead and tell their boss that they will be actively searching other jobs to better their situation?! PS: Do you see what I see? Urban Meyer WILL replace Belichick in 3 years.

Matt

Worcester

A: You’re right, Matt. Anyone associated with Boston College never breaks a contract, or even talks about breaking one. I mean, BC kept their word and stayed in the Big East, right? Oh, wait…..As for Urban Meyer to the Pats, I think Florida should fire Meyer just for thinking about it.

--

Subj: Wrong again, lightweight

Felger,

I heard your inane questions at the press conference at BC, and I'll take the time to explain to you why you’re wrong. First, BC fired Jags “without cause.’’ I'll translate that for a mental midget like you: HE'S GOING TO GET PAID. Coaches are all mercenaries and as long as they “get paid’’ they don't give a damn about anything else.  

We all understand that you are not a Mensa Member, but this should even be easy for you. Your single most laughable comment of the week is that you are unbiased about this situation. Point out the one positive comment that you have made about BC EVER? You won't find it. You really need psychological help.

David Black

South Yarmouth

A: Here’s one good thing I’ll say about BC. It’s a story, actually – and I’m being serious. Both my parents went to Marquette (undergrad and law school) in the 60’s. There were a few priests in Milwaukee who were organizing civil marches during this period, and the Marquette student body was involved in many of them. The school administration, however, was strongly opposed to their students participating. At one point, the school threatened to expel those who took part. It was at this time that Boston College extended an offer to the students of Marquette: Anyone who was thrown out of school for participating in a civil rights march would gain automatic acceptance into BC. This is what my parents tell me every time they hear me bashing BC. It’s a nice story. I hope it’s true.

--

Felger,

DeFilippo acted more like a scorned lover than an AD.

A: Agreed. It was personal for him. It’s just business, Sonny.

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Felgy,

I'm a big fan of the transitive property in sports, so here we go. Harvard beats BC by 12. Harvard plays Yale on Feb 6th. If Yale beats Harvard by 12, I'll go ahead and say Yale is 24 points better than BC. Yale beat MIT earlier this year by 23, 86-63 at Yale. So if Yale can beat Harvard by 12, MIT hoops will be 1 point better than the Eagles. And I'll bet we even have a better graduation rate. Go Engineers!

Shane Norton

A: Unless I’m mistaken, didn’t BU beat Harvard this year? My research shows a 75-59 BU win in Cambridge Dec. 3. That must mean the Terriers are 28 points better than the Eagles! We’ll never get to see that head-to-head matchup, though. When it comes to its non-conference schedule, BC obviously aims lower. If we were the Boston University School for the Blind maybe DeFilippo would play us.

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Felger,

Don’t forget William Green to your list of bad BC characters.

Jarred Alexandrov

A: What was I thinking? Old “One Shoe’’ William. Put him in the hot tub with Chmura, Stevens and Romo and you’ve got a party.

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Hey Felgy you DB

You're only a BC basher because you didn't get in. Admit it. You would have gone into the BC nursing program if it came down to it instead of BU.

But on a different note -- I think BC fired the wrong guy. To beat #1 UNC, and then to fall to Harvard AT HOME??? What a disgrace for Al Skinner. Nice job of keeping the team motivated, Al. Keep up the good work Felgy, at least I like you better than your partner on the Sportsnet New England Show.

John

Concord NH

A: Tanguay went to Maine. HA!

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Hey Felger,

As a distinguished Boston College graduate, or to be more accurate a Boston College graduate, I wanted to write in and let you know that I couldn't agree with you more about the “superfans.’’ These people come out of the woodwork when Chuckie Dukes, Bill Curley, or Matty Ryan come around, but have you ever seen Conte Forum during a b-ball game in early January? Ninety percent of the fans are local kids from a teen center who got the tickets for nothing.

Also the graduation rate thing drives me crazy. I know it will never change due to revenue streams and such, but if a program can't get its kids to graduate by going to duck drawing 101, then they shouldn't be allowed to have a program. I took plenty of classes that were popular with the football players. The first class, ten of them would be there. But by the end of the semester there would be a group of two to three that consistently went to class. Oddly enough the kids who stopped going to class kept playing on Saturdays. Screw BC, their pompous alums, and the ridiculous "superfans" who couldn't name fifteen Varsity athletes at gunpoint.

Name Obscured So I May Find Future Employment in Brighton

A: Didn’t Romanowski fail duck drawing?

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Felgy,

I heard you asking the annoying questions to DeFilippo during his useless press conference. Two questions: Do you think BC is the type of program that can attract a premiere coach after this? That, by the way Felger, was begging for a follow-up question based upon his response of “I have a stack of resumes in my office….blah, blah, blah.'' Your next question should have been, “Uh, Geno baby, those resumes were sent to you before you fired a coach for interviewing for the HC of the NYJ.’’ Anyway I have been waiting patiently for your thoughts on this whole fiasco but have not seen them anywhere.

Ron

A: You haven’t seen them anywhere? Well, if you think I was annoying at that press conference, you should have seen me on TV. But I think DeFilippo’s actions are going to make it very hard for them to land a special guy, because special guys are going to want to use the BC job as a stepping stone to the next level. I don’t mean to be disrespectful to Frank Spaziani, but it’s unavoidable: BC got exactly what it asked for with him. A 61-year-old career assistant who, if he was a good head coaching candidate, would have gotten a job a long, long time ago.

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Subj: BC Gargles

Felgy,

I love the BC talk. All those “graduation rates mean you're a top tier program’’ windbags need to pound sand. That is what losers say. You ever looked at the football graduation rates? The top of the list is dominated by second-tier teams. Stanford, the service academies, Duke, Northwestern, BC. You know what all of those places have in common? Do yah? You go there to ALSO play football. I watched the Under Armour All-American game and the US Army All-America game and there weren't a ton of BC committs running around on that field….If there's an argument there is no argument. Now give it a rest super fans and enjoy being in the main stream media for a while...Yah, the school is being laughed at for firing Jags, but it's the most publicity you've had there in a while. Take it.

Jim

Boston

A: And now that Spaziani is on board we can go back to ignoring them. I feel better already.

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Hi Mike,

When you get a chance, please tell Doc Rivers to inform the Celtics that when they have the lead in the fourth quarter to STOP taking jump shots and drive straight to the basket! I would appreciate it very much, Mike, if you would have Greg Dickerson bring this to Doc’s attention.

Sherman Napier

Worcester

A: I’ll remind Greg to ask him. He can do it right after he gets back with Doc’s dry cleaning.

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Subj: Loser

Talk about a drama queen, look who is calling the kettle black? Gotta look pretty for the camera every time you look into it. And who is the guy who came up with the “guys I would do'' list?....Loser.

Scott Hughes

A: A disgruntled Celts fan that heard me on Comcast call Paul Pierce a drama queen. I really said it just to get under the skin of Cedric Maxwell, but I’ll stand by it if need be. As for yours truly being a drama queen…..the second part, maybe.

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Felgy,

I can't take another four months of Cassel franchise talk and between those calls the host spouting “it's all about pitching'' b/c the caller asked if the sox could move Youk to shortstop, have Beckett catch on his off-days, and trade Delcarmen, Lugo (they would NEED a shortstop!) and Drew for Hanley Ramirez. Make it stop Mike.

Jay

Dracut

A: There's only one remedy, Jay: Bruins talk

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DB,

I’m a rabid B’s fan. There has been tons of blood flow in my nether regions with their early season success. The system is solid. Young guys are developing at a rapid rate. The stars are playing like stars (Chara and Savard). And they can seamlessly switch from a finesse style to a gritty style. But I have to admit – I’m nervous. I worry that the young guys will hit a wall (Matt Hunwick already has). I worry that Bergeron will not be able to come back 100%. I worry that their transition game can be stifled by aggressive fore-checking teams. I worry that there is no way Thomas and Fernandez can keep playing this well. Am I being a bitch? Am I still psychologically damaged by two HORRENDOUS first-round losses to the Habs? Please tell me everything will be ok. Please.

Mike

Pawtucket

A: I can’t, Mike. And this is as well as I’ve ever seen the Bruins play IN MY LIFE. I would say they are about to hit a breaking point on injuries, however. I think they can handle the loss of Sturm for the year because they have so many good forwards. Krejci looks like an absolute stud, so even if Burgeron doesn’t come back or is limited, I think they still have a good 1-2 punch at center. But if they lose anyone else for the playoffs from what I consider to be their top six forwards (Lucic, Marc Savard, Kessel, Blake Wheeler, Krejci and Michael Ryder), that would be tough to overcome. And, of course, deep playoff teams roll out more than just two good lines, so maybe a veteran pickup is needed for insurance. As for their offense in general, I still have to figure it will come back to earth in the playoffs. As you said, teams have already started to trap them successfully. That means their fortunes will once again come down to how they play in their own end, which is why I think Chara is the most indispensable player on the team and why we should all be watching Thomas and Fernandez down the stretch (I wonder if Fernandez has a chance to be the playoff goalie if he’s the better of the two). As for Hunwick, I was at the game last Saturday when he took down some dude from Carolina with one punch. If you missed it, check it out.

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Subj: TMZ reports....

“TMZ has learned Mariska Hargitay has suffered a partially collapsed lung over the Xmas holiday and it collapsed again today. Her rep only would confirm that a partially collapsed lung has sidelined the actress. We're told she has been readmitted to the hospital but will not miss any episodes. We do not know her condition. Hargitay was sledding in the Hamptons around New Year's Eve but we're now told the cause of the lung problem is unknown. Story developing...''

So, Felger, is it possible to have a collapsed lung, then not have a collapsed lung, then have a collapsed lung? Apparently so!

David Cochary

A: Right again, folks. Gammons. McAdam. They've all felt the wrath of truth. Now it’s Bledsoe’s turn.

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Felger,

Rapid fire for you:

Which Patriot has the hottest wife? 

Who is the most media-accessible Patriot you've covered?

Which players do you have the best relationship with?

Which players do you have the worst relationship with?

Who wins in a fight - Meter or Dale?

MD

Quincy

A: In order: 1. Other than Tom Brady, obviously? Christian Fauria would take the prize. I know he’s not current but his wife is ridiculous. 2. Damien Woody. 3. I’ve always had the best luck with punters, especially the Jewish ones (Josh Miller). Lee Johnson was also my boy. Currently? Not too many. Izzo. Vrabel. Rodney. Ty Warren is a hell of a nice guy, too. Logan Mankins is a sweetheart (seriously). 4. Seymour. Formerly Corey Dillon. 5. Dale, which tells you all you need to know about Meter.

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Felger You DB!

First off, props to you. It takes some stones and some integrity to stick to your guns and call Mike Vrabel one of your biggest disappointments of the season, despite your obvious relationship with him on the Comcast show. People can question you on a lot of things -- your sexuality, your taste in women, your Nike pullover, etc. – but your willingness to call them like you see them is beyond reproach.  Sure it's probably a major reason why some people like you as much as a burlap thong, but those of us who don't have season passes to Happyland wouldn't have it any other way.

Now that doesn't mean you’re always right. Case in point, you blew listing one of the best trades the Pats pulled off in the Belichick/Pioli era. Bill and Scott send the 19th pick overall (Kyle Boller) in the 2003 Draft to the Ravens for Baltimore's second rounder in 2003 and their first in 2004. That second became Eugene Wilson after they traded up with Houston and the first became Vince Wilfork.   That's the type of heist that makes you wonder if the Pats brain trust roofied Brian Billick's Coors Light. To me this has to rank as the second biggest deal in the Belichick Pioli tenure behind the Moss mugging.

And you were right about Madonna after all. She is a MILF – that’s Mom Islamo-extremists Like to Fatwa. But what makes the terrorists think they can take out the material girl when they can't touch some C-list celebrity bookworm? The Fatwa on Salmon Rushdie was such a debacle you have to wonder if Isiah Thomas was somehow involved. French paparazzi on mopeds have racked up more celebrity casualties than the TMZ wing of Al Queda. Madge has apparently hired a couple of former Mossad agents just in case, however. I think Mrs. Ritchie will be just fine as long as she can keep her security somewhere above the level of the El Al VIP pool tables.

Mike

Attleboro

A: I’ve got to be honest, Mike. I don’t get the Madonna rant, but I’m going to allow it in the bag because if it’s coming from you, there’s got to be value. But if I get sued, I’m coming after your ass. (Edit: I just googled Madonna and Fatwa. Got it now, Mike. Where was I on this story? Go girl!).

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Felger,

Enjoy your mailbag every Thursday. Your candor is refreshing amid a sea of ball-washing.

James Flannery

A: Come meet the captain on this Sea of Ball Wash, the one and only Greg Dickerson. He’s taking me and Branch on a sunset cruise. Feel free to join us, although you’ll have to wait two weeks to enjoy the next bag. And you can thank Rob Bradford for that.

Take that, editor boy! Next time it will be 10,000!

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Michael Felger can be seen nightly on Comcast Sportsnet and is a regular contributor for WEEI.com. He can be reached at mfelger@weei.com.