The just released kickoff weekend for the NFL was released with the Patriots home against the Oakland Raiders. I really like that this looks like a tradition of the SuperBowl champs at home for the first game of the year. It was rumoured of either the Steelers or Colts coming in for the game but I wonder if the Colts asked if they could avoid another trip to Foxboro for awhile? Seeing Randy Moss in his first regular season game as a Raider could be interesting as well.

Here's an update on Tedy Bruschi:

BOSTON (AP) -- New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi is considering sitting out the 2005 season for health reasons, his newly hired agent told The Boston Globe.

Bruschi, who was treated for a mild stroke last month, recently hired Boston-based agent Brad Blank to represent him. Bruschi, who has three years remaining on his contract, hasn't been represented by an agent since his rookie season.

Blank insists Bruschi hasn't decided on his plans for next season.

"I can relate to you only that Tedy is considering not playing next year," Blank told The Globe on Tuesday. "Beyond that, I cannot comment on anything."

Bruschi was admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital on Feb. 16 and released a couple of days later. However, an Arizona television station has reported that Bruschi was readmitted to the hospital so doctors could repair a hole in his heart.

Blank and Patriots coach Bill Belichick declined to comment on Bruschi's medical condition.

"Tedy has made all the comments. I leave it at that," said Belichick, who is in Hawaii for the NFL owners meetings.

Bruschi is scheduled to earn $850,000 in 2005, $1.35 million in 2006 and $1.70 million in the final year of his contract. His deal would be voided if he retires, but he could earn his full salary if the team elects to place him on its physically unable to perform list.

Personally, as much as he'd be missed, I'd rather him take the season off and come back for a few more after that. Coming back too early from the stroke could be devasting to his health.

taking the year off is certainly the right move for Bruschi ... you can't write off what happened to him in February as some sort of medical fluke and have him go back to playing football as if nothing had happened ... and he will get paid, which will benefit his family

Halifax won the "battle" with Moncton to host a CFL exhibiton game this summer:

http://www.tsn.ca/columnists/aj_walling.asp

Ouch, that's a lot for tickets!!!

the prices for the game in Halifax are about the same as for a regular-season NFL game in Buffalo -- once you factor in the exchange rate ... but I'll take your word for it that it's expensive for a CFL game

Anybody with any comments on the 3 Panthers players who allegedly took steroids leading up to last year's SuperBowl? It's fueling speculation as to how such indiscretions may relate to the Panthers road to the SuperBowl. Ever since Jose Canseco's book came out, each major sport has had it's own steroid problems "come to light" I guess the NBA will be next, or maybe the PBA? (Professional Bowling Association)

Here's a link to a poll that was recently conducted on nflcanada.com for which NFL team is Canada's favourite and favourites by province and territory:

http://www.nflcanada.com/NFLCanada/CanadianRoots/canadasfavouriteteam.html

I gotta say most of the favourite teams in the provinces are pretty accurate. The Patriots are very popular here in the Maritimes, one big reason is we get all there games on TV (of course I'll lay claim to being the biggest Pats fan out here! ) I know that the Bills are popular because for most people in the province, it's a small drive over the border to see them. I'm not too surprised that the Packers are "Canada's Favourite Team"...

Interesting how that so closely mirrors the favorite teams on the opposite side of the border. The Seahawks are obviously the favorite across from BC, the Bills obviously the favorite across from SE Ontario, the Patriots across from the Maritimes... and then also the Vikings across from Manitoba, but, just like the US, the Packers across from Saskatchewan. That doesn't geographically make sense, but that's how it is in the US too... the Packers are more popular in the Dakotas (especially in the western Dakotas) than they are in Minnesota... you'd think the Dakotas and Montana would go overwhelmingly to their closest team, the Vikings, but they don't.

49ers in Alberta is the one exception that I don't quite get. Might have to do with the same reasons that the Packers are strong all across the board (and in the US but apparently not Canada, the Cowboys), they have a fan base that stretches coast to coast and isn't really isolated to one geographic area.

Glad to see the Canadian people have made the right choice overall

I was hoping the Browns would be Canada's team myself, but I guess it would be hard to attract a fan base while mired in last place all the time (at least, since their return to the league in 1999)

just a quick comment on the latest mess in Carolina -- of all the guys named in this steroid scandal, I have to say I am stunned that Todd Sauerbraun (their punter!!!!!) allegedly had a steroid prescription filled two weeks before the Super Bowl ... why would a punter need steroids?? he has only three jobs in a game -- kick the ball, attempt to tackle any returner who heads for the end zone and sit on the bench ... this does not compute ... beyond that, I think this proves that not even the NFL can keep steroids away from professional sports, if it is proven that any of those guys named -- or their teammates (they might have gotten the steroids for their teammates) -- used them

I was hoping that the Patriots would sign David Terrell and my hope has happened:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=2029266

I think he'll be a example of a player who will benefit in a change of scenery. Helps that he played with Brady at Michigan.

So I was watching Satuday Night Live last night and the annoucement for next weeks host came up, none other than Tom Brady...that's some f'd up stuff!

actually, SNL has a history of having famous athletes hosting the show ... Charles Barkley was one, as was Wayne Gretzky ... I suppose one COULD make the argument that The Rock also qualifies in this category, since what he did in the pro wrestling ring included athletic effort (even if the outcomes were pre-determined) ... heck, even George Steinbrenner once hosted SNL, though he's not a famous athlete (just a guy who happens to own an All-Star baseball team ) ... so I guess we should welcome Tom Brady into the club ... I just hope he doesn't fumble his monologue (insert rim shot)

Yeah, The Rock has hosted SNL a few times - although I think it was only the first one that he hosted in the capacity of a pro wrestler. Last time he was on, he was promoting the release of one of his movies - either "The Rundown" or "Walking Tall" - I can't remember which. He's no longer a pro wrestler - his WWE contract expired without a renewal, and it looks like he's well and truly entrenched in Hollywood anyway.

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~ ...and all the demons are saints, and the saints I'll never trust...~ Blue Rodeo - "Graveyard"

~...Had a dream where everybody looked like someone else, and the farthest I could get from was the closest to myself...~ Men Without Hats - "Sideways"

I don't know if anyone has seen the news on this but LA Avengers lineman Al Lucas died today after sustaining a spinal injury in today's LA-NY AFL game.

My thoughts and prayers go out to "Big Luke"'s family. He was hurt in the 1st quarter and apparently died by halftime (when there was a delay). It's figured that the Avengers met and agreed to continue the game for him.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7455663/

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-player11apr11,0,933526.story?coll=la-home-headlines

I didn't hear about that, Derek H, but oh man...that's awful. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, and his teammates. I can't imagine what that must have felt like, to be faced with the decision of continuing the game or not. Wow.

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~ ...and all the demons are saints, and the saints I'll never trust...~ Blue Rodeo - "Graveyard"

~...Had a dream where everybody looked like someone else, and the farthest I could get from was the closest to myself...~ Men Without Hats - "Sideways"

I was watching the Chicago/San Jose game off and on today and I don't think anything was mentioned of the incident, that's quite a shocker. Reminded me off when Owen Hart died during a WWF pay per view and the show continued on. It's a real shame when a tragedy like this happens.