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From the Things I never thought I’d say file:

1. I like Rush Limbaugh.

Of course, I’m referring to the Rush Limbaugh currently appearing on ESPN’s NFL Countdown and ONLY in that context! His input on the show – “Rush Challenge” – has been refreshing and provocative, forcing the regular commentators to dig a little deeper in their analysis and sometimes revealing their inherent biases as former players. What I like most is that he’s obviously done his homework and speaks intelligently about the game, even when offering opinion over analysis, and his presence on the show is more substantial than spectacle. Certainly beats the weather bimbo Fox added to their broadcast a year or two.

Where I used to switch over to FOX or CBS at Noon when their broadcasts started, I now stay with ESPN to the start of the game because it stays fresh for the full two hours.

2. I hope the Patriots beat the Jets.

Sacrilege, though it is, I can’t bear the thought of them bouncing back this week and Vinny Testaverde getting any more undeserved accolades. The guy’s 9th on the all-time passing yardage list, a decent game or two away from Johnny Unitas?!?! WTF? He’s a career has-been who would have been put out to pasture years ago if not for the admittedly amazing season he and the Jets had in ’98. Unfortunately, that one season allowed him to linger and let his overachieving mediocrity seep into the entire team.

The saddest part about his lameness is that it could lead to Curtis Martin leaving the Jets in an undignified way. Defenses don’t need to respect Vinny so they key in on Martin who doesn’t have the kind of support up front he needs to make things happen anymore. Lamont Jordan’s knocking on the door and Vinny’s helping open it sooner than it should be.