Paying tribute

Page 2 of 12 -- 4. Richard Seymour: It looks more and more as if Seymour is going to be a perrenial All-Pro. He didn't make many tackles last week, but his DI (Disruption Index) was off the charts.

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5. Tom Brady: He's playing hurt. I referred to him rating on the GTM (Grogan Toughness Meter) a few weeks back, and he's still doing it. What he's doing out there doesn't look pretty, but he's won the respect of his teammates because he's showing the attributes of a true leader.

6. Tyrone Poole: This guy is so consistent. A very good player. A very underrated player who has made some big plays already.

7. Ty Law: What Brady is doing offensively, Law is doing defensively. He's setting an example playing hurt and excelling while subpar. It goes to show you how good he is when he's completely healthy.

8. Tedy Bruschi: Watch him go through a wall every week.

9. Larry Izzo: He might be at the top of his game. He's been absolutely dominant on cover teams.

10. Bobby Hamilton: Doesn't get much pub, but he leaves his heart and soul on the field on a weekly basis. Not the most gifted D-linemen, but he has a great feel for the moment.

I'm calling a Patriots upset in Miami this week. I know, crazy, right? I don't like the 5-1/2 spread on the game. I think it'll be much closer. The Patriots never play well there, but if they can keep Ricky Williams from running wild and force Jay Fiedler to throw it around, it might be a good day for the New Englanders.

Some of the funniest e-mails I read every week are the ones who 1) take me to task for not picking the Patriots every week; and 2) when I don't pick them right. Like "Boy you must hate the Patriots because you picked the Titans" or "You really blew it on that Titans pick this week!"

It has to be frustrating for Troy Brown, who is having big plays called back because of penalties. At least we know he can still make them.

Interesting comment from Charlie of Brookline: "It looks to me that the teams the Patriots play are all having bad days when they play them. I doubt that will continue in Miami."

Can't wait for the Dallas game. To those who write here claiming Bill Parcells can't coach without Bill Belichick, well, unless he's calling him every week for pointers, I think Big Bill is doing pretty well.

I wonder if the Jets are re-awakening.

Celebrity restaurant review

Joe Cochran, Red Sox clubhouse manager: Joe is a big Capital Grille fan. He likes his steak medium with a pinch of onion strings. It's amazing the job Joe has done over the years in the tiny confines of that clubhouse since 1986. Joe says this is probably the best group of players he's ever dealt with.   Continued...