Let it be Lowenstein

What say we fire off a few Random Lists of Five to close out the week . . .

Five players on my Hall of Fame ballot (you know, if I had one):
1. Rickey Henderson. Because my name isn't Corky.
2. Alan Trammell. A travesty that he doesn't get more consideration. His career adjusted OPS is 10 points lower than Cooperstown lock Derek Jeter's, and Trammell's four Gold Gloves are legitimate.
3. Bert Blyleven. All right, I'm convinced. The numbers don't lie.
4. Tim Raines. The second-best leadoff hitter of his era, I'd love to see him inducted the same year as friend and fellow ex-Expo Andre Dawson, who would be No. 6 on this list.
5. Jim Rice. For sentimental reasons more than an actual belief that he deserves it. I don't think he will make it, and the margin of exclusion will be heartbreakingly narrow.

Five players I hope aren't back with the Patriots next season:
1. Deltha O'Neal. The modern day Elvis Patterson. I should just list him five times.
2. Matt Cassel: It was a joy watching the kid this year, but if he's gone, it probably means two things: Tom Brady is healthy, and the Patriots own a couple more quality draft picks.
3. Ben Watson. The ultimate tease. Tell me, what exactly does he do well, other than make hustling tackles on long interception returns?
4. Larry Izzo. Seemed invisible this year, and has no value at linebacker.
5. Tedy Bruschi. It's cold to say it, and it will be sad to see the admirable final link to the '96 Super Bowl team go, but it's time . . . and it has been for a while.

Five major decisions Bill Belichick has been correct about in the face of conventional wisdom:
1. Brady over Bledsoe.
2. Richard Seymour over Koren Robinson/David Terrell in the 2001 draft
3. Drafting Stephen Gostkowski after letting Adam Vinatieri leave as a free agent.
4. Believing in Randy Moss.
5. Giving Matt Cassel his chance rather than adding someone from the Simms/Culpepper/Rattay junk pile.

Five semi-recent Patriots draft-day decisions I'd change if I had a time machine and the inclination to revise NFL history:
1. Pass up tight end Daniel Graham with the 21st pick in 2002; take safety Ed Reed instead. (He went 24th to the Ravens.)
2. Pass up tight end Ben Watson with the 32d pick in 2004; take safety Bob Sanders instead. (He went 44th to the Colts.)
3. Pass up defensive end Marquise Hill with the 63d pick in 2004; take tight end Chris Cooley instead. (He went 81st to the Redskins.)
4. Pass up wide receiver Chad Jackson with the 36th pick in the 2006 draft; take wide receiver Greg Jennings instead. (He went 52d to Green Bay.)
5. Pass up tight end David Thomas with the 86th pick in the 2006 draft; take cornerback Cortland Finnegan instead. (He went 215th to Tennessee.)

Five members of the 1987 Glens Falls Tigers
1. Doug Strange
2. Chris Hoiles
3. Kevin Ritz
4. Steve Phillips (Yes, that Steve Phillips. The ESPN numbskull.)
5. John Smoltz

Five players I'd rather the Celtics picked up than noted carcinogen Stephon Marbury:
1. Joe Smith
2. P.J. Brown. He's said he's retired, but you know Pierce, Allen and KG are still in his ear.
3. Candace Parker
4. Terry Duerod
5. Conner Henry

Five ESPN personalities I don't loathe:
1. Karl Ravech. It's good comedy to watch the pained expressions on his face when John Kruk or Steve Phillips says something particularly stupid.
2. Scott Van Pelt. Seems like a genuinely good dude who likes sports.
3. Gammo. In fact, most of their baseball analysts are insightful and/or entertaining, including Stark, Olney, and Keith Law.
4. Keyshawn Johnson. Always thought he'd end up a Patriot at some point.
5. Can't really come up with a fifth off the top of my head, but I'll take suggestions. [Edit: How'd I forget Jaws? He's the best.]