FOXBORO - Repeat after me. Blessed be Bill.
Blessed be his holy game.
OK, without desecrating the church's "Divine Praises" any further, it is time to pay a bit of homage to the man whom so many kicked around last week.
Bill Belichick, now a blistering 89-39 (That's 70 percent wins, folks!) as the boss of your New England Patriots, hung a statement on the NFL at the expense of the perennially pretending San Diego Chargers, 38-14.
All the extracurriculars, the distractions that were supposed to hinder the Pats and their preparation simply never materialized. In fact, per usual with the Belichick Era, it probably galvanized this group as one.
New England took care of business, flexing its new-found muscle with marquee free agents Randy Moss and Adalius Thomas each cashing in for first-half touchdowns.
Two weeks into the National Football League schedule, and the script has been written.
Explosive Cincinnati, with a paper machete defense, again appears fraudulent.
Ditto for the Chargers.
So, it again appears that the Nov. 4 meeting in Indianapolis with the world-champion Colts will be the deciding factor on who hosts the AFC Championship in January.
Yes, New England, even without two of its top defenders (injured Richard Seymour and suspended Rodney Harrison), is that good.
The Patriots let it be known their feelings on the head coach and his current scandalous ways for all the football-playing world to see.
First, the team leaked to ESPN.com that Belichick's contract to coach the club had been extended through the 2013 season.
Then, twice in the pregame, the in-stadium camera's focused on Belichick.
The first time, in warm-ups, drew a smattering of applause from the Patriots faithful in the house.
The second came as the Pats starting defense was announced. Gillette erupted with a sustained standing ovation, sort of the way the San Francisco Giants fans treat their hero and fellow admitted cheater, Barry Bonds.
"He's made great contributions to this franchise over the last seven years," said Patriots chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. "Myself, and all of our fans, truly appreciate his efforts."
The owner had better, when he considers the alternative. Imagine, the Spanos family gave Norv Turner the keys to a sparkling 14-2 Cadillac of a team.
Turner is only as good as his 59-83-1 record as a pro coach indicates.
It doesn't take long for his pox to spread on what once was a powerhouse.
Offense is Turner's specialty, has been forever. Nice to see he's taken the greatest offensive player in the game, LaDainian Tomlinson, and rendered him mediocre.
Imagine all those poor saps who finished last in their fantasy leagues last year, looking at the bright side, a chance to grab the magnificent LT.
So far, Tomlinson, who rolled up 2,323 yards of offense and 31 touchdowns a year ago, has 134 yards (combined rushing and receiving) and one score after two weeks with "No Game Norv."
The same offense (9 of 11 starters back with upgrades at both receiver spots) that churned out 365 yards a game and an NFL best 492 points now can't get out of its own way.
Tomlinson, he's well on his way to a 544-yard rushing season if the first two weeks are any indication.
Who needs film with Turner calling the shots. Pick the situation. Second-and-10 ... Tomlinson off tackle. Third-and-more than 10 ... screen. The guy is as predictable as a poorly-guised Law & Order episode.
By the end of the night here, you almost expected the sellout crowd of 68,756 to start passing a hat, hoping to help pay off the $500,000 fine the NFL dropped on Belichick.
Considering what's out there, a little baggage with Belichick is not a bad thing.
