A tough drop for Bledsoe

Page 4 of 4 -- He'd be on thin ice

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One thing Tedy Bruschi and his doctors will have to decide in the next few weeks is whether the Patriots linebacker should take a blood thinner such as cumadin for a lengthy period, because, if so, his career will be in serious jeopardy. Patients on blood thinners have to be careful about being cut because the blood does not coagulate easily, making it difficult to stop any bleeding. Obviously, that would be worrisome in a blood sport such as football. If Bruschi were a prizefighter, his career already would be over. Any fighter who suffers a brain bleed like the one Bruschi suffered that caused his minor stroke is automatically banned for life in Nevada, and those suspensions are honored around the country.

Two-way street

Bills general manager Tom Donahoe feels Jerome Bettis was Pittsburgh's MVP not only because of the way he played after Duce Staley was hurt but because he originally agreed to sit behind him. "What he did, and the message he sent, was that team is more important than the individual," Donahoe said. True, but tell that to the Patriots' Troy Brown if he does not collect the multimillion-dollar roster bonus he's due next month. Brown took a major hit for the team when he agreed to shift from offense to defense, because that guaranteed he would have no shot at reaching contract incentives worth $200,000 for 50 catches and $400,000 for 60 catches. If he is released next month or his contract is redone in a way that precludes him from getting the roster bonus, he may start wondering just what all this "team" talk really means.

Strengthening themselves

The 49ers made at least one strong move toward improving by hiring old friend Johnny Parker as strength and conditioning coach. Parker has not been in pro football since leaving the Buccaneers after their 2002 Super Bowl victory. Tampa has had a ton of injuries since Parker left. Parker has been strength and conditioning coach on four Super Bowl teams, three of which won the Lombardi Trophy.

Playing `tag' in Seattle

The fourth time was the charm for Seattle left tackle Walter Jones. Jones has been the Seahawks' franchise player the last three years, earning $17.904 million but no big bonus money. Now he has a deal paying him a $15 million signing bonus and roster bonuses of $3 million a year for several seasons. Some have attributed this to the good work of newly signed consultant Mike Reinfelt, but the fact is Seattle needs the franchise tag for either quarterback Matt Hasselbeck or running back Shaun Alexander, who can become free agents next month.

Hike!

Patriots season ticket-holders shouldn't feel too bad about the price increase of 25 percent on sideline seats (from $99 to $125). After all, Rams fans have had their ticket prices raised six years in a row and what do they have to show for it but one Super Bowl ring?

Play it again

The Patriots will issue their latest version of a "Three Games to Glory" DVD by spring. The DVD again will include all of the plays in their three playoff victories as well as hours of extra interviews and Bill Belichick's chalk talks explaining several key plays. It can be preordered by going to the team's website.

Material from personal interviews, wire services, other beat writers, and league and team sources was used in this report.