■New England parents, teachers, and coaches should send Belichick thank you notes. In addition to all the wins and championships, Belichick has given a hammer to all of us. Reminding your son to take out the trash sounds so much cooler when you get to say DO YOUR JOB in terse Belichickspeak.
■When he was relaxing in his dorm room in the Coolidge Hall high-rise tower at UMass, bet Victor Cruz never thought Madonna would be talking about his dance moves days before the Super Bowl.
■Remember J.D. Drew’s season-saving grand slam in the ’07 playoffs against the Indians? That could be Chad Ochocinco Sunday night. One touchdown catch in the Super Bowl could make it all worthwhile. Too bad Ocho never learned the playbook. Too bad he’s afraid to talk to his offensive coordinator.
■The Patriots are 0-2 in Lucas Oil (Can Boyd) Stadium - an 18-15 loss to the Colts in the Matt Cassel season of 2008 and the 35-34, fourth-and-2 epic in 2009.
■Curtis Martin’s first game of professional football was against the Cleveland Browns at the old Foxboro Stadium on Sept. 3, 1995. Martin ran for 30 yards on his first carry, had 102 yards, and scored the winning touchdown. He was surrounded by reporters in the locker room after the game. Wiseguy coach Bill Parcells, then in his third year in New England, walked past the scene and said, “Don’t put him in Canton just yet.’’ This weekend both Martin and Parcells are hoping for a call from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
■A few members of the 2001-02 Patriots are quietly wondering why there was no official recognition of the 10th anniversary of their breakthrough championship.
