Where do I begin?

The New England Patriots aren’t playing in Super Bowl XLI because they valued thriftiness over talent.

There was Willie McGinest, the wise-old man, waltzing his way to Cleveland because the Patriots didn’t want him. (even for a home-town discount), Deion Branch, a guy who has a knack for big catches, is in Seattle. Ty Law, who could have been had off the scrap-heap last summer ended up in Kansas City.

It was obvious that all three were desperately missed in the AFC Championship Game.

Realistically, one could argue that getting a first-rounder for a guy that isn’t really No. 1 receiver material (Branch) was, in fact, a very smart move. But how smart did it look when Reche Caldwell botched an easy four-yard pass without a soul in sight during the fourth quarter? It looked absolutely stupid, especially when you consider that a little play like that could have very well been the difference between winning and losing a Super Bowl.

And with all due respect to the NFC Champion Chicago Bears, that was the Super Bowl.

The Patriots now face one of the NFL’s greatest quandaries as their so-called “run” continues. With Tom Brady fast approaching 30, and guys like Teddy Bruschi, Rodney Harrison and Mike Vrabel seemingly on their last legs, at what point do the Patriots decide to spend to win now as opposed to later? If everything starts and ends with Brady, doesn’t it make sense to place yourself in long-term salary cap jail in order to win right now? (Suggestions include resigning Asante
Samuel and making a move for the likes of Cato June and Adalius Thomas). Or are the Patriots going to be like the Pittsburgh Steelers and dabble around with multiple trips to the playoffs, with the hope of getting lucky once or twice as the cheaper, less-talented team.

There’s little doubt that all things in this debate start and end with Brady. The irreplaceable part on a team filled with interchangeable ones. When Brady decides to leave or retire, the Patriots immediately surrender their status as a contender, much like the Post-Elway Broncos and Post-Bradshaw Steelers did. He’s the irreplaceable piece of the Championship puzzle. The problem is, that puzzle piece only lasts so long and it would be a shame to waste him by playing it cheap.

As for the Super Bowl: Indianapolis 41, Chicago 13.

I don’t know what the spread is, nor do I know the over/under. I would highly suggest taking both the Colts and the over.

I also would place a bet on Jesse and Scoop Jackson to both say something stupid and use the Dungy-Smith match-up as a source of NAACP pride. As far as my generation is concerned, skin color and racial inequality are the problems of our parents. Generation
X, Y and Z might care if say, Peyton Manning or Rex Grossman decided to come out of the closet during Super Bowl week instead.

The real winners? Ticket brokers. Indianapolis has never been to the Super Bowl, Chicago hasn’t been since 1986, while New Orleans is still recovering and New Englanders have been through the motions a few times already. Scalpers expect to make big bucks off what looks to be a mediocre game. At last check, I couldn’t find anything under the $3,000 mark.

Finally, as if the last week hadn’t been bad enough for yours truly, the Boston Herald’s Inside Track recently reported that Patriots backup QB Matt Cassel is engaged to former USC Volleyball player Lauren Killian, with the wedding scheduled for sometime within the next few weeks.

Cassel: http://youtube.com/watch?v=IrROLWbtTzY
Killian: http://hindustantimes.com/

Why is this important? First and foremost, I sincerely wish the best of luck to the new couple and am willing to offer my services if they’re looking for a home close to Gillette Stadium. Secondly, I’ve always had a thing for Killian since watching her lead the Women of Troy to a National title a few years back. She was my “diamond in the rough.” One of those, she’s cute and as long as I didn’t know who she was dating, I still thought I’ve got a shot types.

Now that’s gone, like the Patriots season. All that’s left is to wonder whither Peyton Manning’s time of possession on February 4th matches his air time during the commercial breaks.