Bryant Johnson looked around. The former Milford High three-sport star was going to play college football somewhere. Assumption, Northeastern, Stonehill and Bryant were on his dance card. But in his heart, it was all about Bentley University.

It seemed nobody on the Celtics enjoyed being a champion last year more than Paul Pierce. After nine seasons in Boston, which were often filled with tumult and futility, the kid from Los Angeles finally had his brass ring and all the fanfare and adoration that surrounded it. Now he wants it back.

Sorely in need of a vintage effort, the Patriots obliged yesterday at Gillette Stadium. Despite putting up 445 yards of offense, it wasn't the high-flying, light-up-the-scoreboard show that became the norm in 2007. Rather, with ball-control and opportunistic defense that have been the calling card this decade, the Patriots grounded former Boston College star Matt Ryan and the (previously) high-flying Atlanta Falcons, 26-10.

Maybe it was unfair to throw Super Bowl predictions at the Patriots without seeing them play a regular-season game. And perhaps New England was in a no-win situation last night. Dominate the Bills, and they did what they were supposed to do. Play them even remotely tight, and the skeptics come out of the woodwork. So what to think of the Patriots' ridiculous 25-24, come-from-behind victory over the Bills last night?

Considering what Daisuke Matsuzaka could face on Tuesday, life's been a day at the beach to date this season.

In the world of theater, audition notices are put out in order to flesh out a cast. Come on down, let's see what you've got. Maybe there's a role for you in the show. The Red Sox are currently in audition mode. And it's a big role: third starter.

As Tom Brady and the rest of the Patriots jogged out for pregame stretching in full uniform last night, there was a tiny glimmer of hope that this wouldn't be your ordinary preseason finale. Instead, we got all what we expected from the New England regulars. Which is to say, not much. So what did we learn from the Patriots' 38-27 victory over the Giants, aside from the fact that the New England reserves severely outshined the New York reserves? Well, there were at least a handful of guys, specifically on offense, that tried to play their way onto the roster.

There's a giant this year. It's been a few years since there was a consensus behemoth expected to roll to the national championship the way there is this year. Back then, in 2005, it was USC. This year it's Florida, the defending national champions.

If the third preseason game of the year is akin to the "dress rehearsal," then the finale might as well be a Tuesday matinee performed exclusively by understudies.

There was no wavering in his voice, or regret in his words. Firm and composed, Tedy Bruschi stepped to the podium yesterday to officially make the decision to retire after 13 terrific years in the National Football League. And the decision, while difficult, felt right.