Obviously wouldn't wish anything like that to happen; but since it did, could this actually benefit the team for the long haul? Troy Murphy needs to get all the burn he can simply to get back to form. With Davis out for a period of time here, this basically forces more minutes on Murphy, which will speed that integration along. Also frees up more minutes for Green to play some PF, to see if he can hang with a big-four + Green rotation, which could prove to destroy the smaller sized Bulls and Knicks. 

      I feel like since last years Finals when Perk went down, then this season not having him, Shaq/J.O. having to also take a seat has allowed for Davis to maybe assume far too great a roll on this team. I feel like he was better playing the 10-15 minute roll as more of a spark off the bench or in mismatch situations, as opposed to being an occasional starter or big minutes off the bench. That coupled with the fact that he has been sort of a black hole lately once someone feeds him within 10-15 feet of the rim, I don't mind having him out of the equation for the time being. We will get to see outright if Murphy can prove to be the more effective backup PF/C.

    It's obvious that we need some more production from the bench, but also a little flexibility with how we start the game. It would be a weapon to be able to have a couple different starting lineup looks, especially once the playoffs start and we find ourselves matching up against different sized teams in multiple-game series. I think the only way to do so is, unfortunately, trade one of the big-3. I believe Ray Allen would be the easiest because of his large, but soon expiring contract that will provide flexibility to a teams cap.

   The Bulls are one of those teams who seem to have loads of talented players who either aren't being used properly within their system or just are simply unhappy and uninspired by their current situation. The trade I am proposing allows Chicago more flexibility to re-tool through free agency next year, and hopefully gives us enough of a shake-up and re-distribution of ability to our lackluster bench. Would this trade work for you all, and also Chicago?

Celtics Trade: Ray Allen, Leon Powe, Jr. Giddens, 2nd round pick

Bulls Trade: Ben Gordon, Andres Nocioni, Tyrus Thomas

We then hopefully sign Marbury at the vet minimum, and all of a sudden we have a wider variety of weapons, who are obviously not as consistent as Ray (the clear cut best player in the trade). We get more size off the bench and a player who KG and Thibs, and Clifford Ray could morph into an all-NBA defender in Tyrus Thomas. He can be so intense at times, and would feed off our teams positive energy (and his friend Big Baby). I think the same goes for Gordon, in that he needs a change of scenery.

    Bill Bellichick has once again pulled the Patriots out of the sewage, only to have us smelling like roses. It would have been awesome to see how we would have fared in the playoffs. However, as a fan, I could not be any more proud of the heart and never-say-die attitude the whole team displayed throughout the course of a season, with a situation that most teams would have thrown the towel in after the first few weeks.

    We now have the obvious problem/blessing, thanks to the Michaelangelo of QB sculptors in Belichick, of having two Pro-Bowl calibur QB's (how Cassell or Rivers didn't get in over Favre, I will never know) on our roster. So what do we do? Are the Lions stupid enough to get on the phone with us and offer their 1st, and 20 pick for Brady, providing a few glorious sips from the fountain of youth (Andre Smith OT #1,  a solid DB with the #20, and then the luxury of a possible gamble on a Knowshown Moreno or Chris Wells if they fall that far at #24).  Is it a stretch to say that Cassell himself couldn't fetch us a 1st rounder at this point? (Jacksonville, Chicago, Minnessota).

   Personally, I think Cassell is a product of the Patriots system....yes, he was never really provided with an ample opportunity, but would he have the Chiefs for example, fighting for a playoff spot? 14 mil for a backup QB is kind of ridiculous, we all know this. So I am assuming this is only the beginning to a very interesting Patriots off-season. We of course don't have as much leverage until an announcement is made that Brady is fully recovered from his injury, making either QB a viable commodity to another organization. But could we trade away Brady?  Is that a sacreligous thought to have as a fan, or I am just thinking the Patriots-way, whatever is best for the team? Someone tell me what is going to happen!