Sports Lite

Hey everybody. Brilliant game-day strategy by Bill Belichick. Who knew he was going to look past the Jets so he could focus all his attention on the Patriots’ 2011 season opener? …When asked why it took so long for the Pats’ offense to click, tailback BenJarvis Green-Ellis said he could only speak for himself. It took him until the third quarter to sign a pre-game autograph for a fan. …

They’ve beaten Peyton Manning and Tom Brady on back-to-back weekends. So what happens if the Jets keep rolling and win the Super Bowl? The network suits are already planning a reality TV show for Rex Ryan: Dining with the Stars. …You’ve got to love the Rexster. If the big lug winds up working the crowds at those endless Super Bowl press conferences, they may have to play the game on Monday night. …Jets-Steelers and Packers-Bears. Whoa. Talk about a couple of great conference championship matchups. I haven’t been this excited since Nordstrom’s canceled my wife’s credit card. …

The wind-chill factor is expected to be minus-20 degrees in Chicago for Sunday’s game — minus-25 if you count Jay Cutler’s personality. …

Ex-Raiders coach Tom Cable has filed a grievance with the league office claiming Al Davis owes him $120,000. If I’m Cable, I wouldn’t sweat it. I’m sure Al will have Jimmy Hoffa hand-deliver a check any day now. …

What were the odds? Vince Carter scored his 20,000th career point against the Knicks on the same day his man scored his 30,000th. …Carmelo Anthony says he plans on being a Nugget for the entire week. When asked what he planned on doing next week, Anthony said he was taking them one lie at a time. …Then you have the Knicks. Sure, they’re an exciting, high-scoring, fast-paced team and all, but come on. When Walt Frazier is your best defensive player, you’ve got issues. …

It’s almost February, sports fans. That means it’s almost time to almost start caring about college basketball. …Just kidding. I love my college hoops. It’s almost as entertaining as watching Bruce Pearl trying to talk his way out of an NCAA investigation. …

Cam Newton is leaving Auburn early to enter the NFL draft, saying it’s always been his dream to play in a league where you can extort money legally. …

Brett Favre sent in his retirement papers to the league office the other day. Well, sort of. Actually, he jotted a note on the other side of that $50,000 check to Roger Goodell. …

If I sound a little more excited than usual today, it’s because valets and butlers report to spring training in less than a month.