The agent for New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss has fired back at allegations that his client hit a long-time friend causing her injury and then refused to help her seek medical treatment.

In an email to Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe, Tom DiPiero, responds to the allegations made by Rachelle Washington and her attorney, David McGill in a statement.  The text of the email that follows is from the Globe’s website, Boston.com. 

My communications with Mr. McGill began last Wednesday. He told me that Randy had intentionally hurt his client’s hand and wouldn’t take her to the hospital and that if Randy didn’t pay up, he would go public and file suit in Florida for battery. He gave me until 3 pm Friday to let him know. He demanded that I not come up with “something like $50,000 or $75,000,” but something with “six figures.” He had told me that the x-rays on her hand or finger were negative. I explained that it was my understanding that what occurred was the result of a horseplay-type accident and Randy was sorry it had occurred and he would pay for her medical bills and pain and suffering and that I would prefer to turn this over to his homeowners’ insurance coverage as we normally do with accidents. He said he was not interested in insurance or what her injuries were. He said he was evaluating the claim based on what Randy stood to lose. He threatened that Randy would suffer large amounts of money in future salaries and endorsements and what he claimed would be game suspensions.

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According to Butch Stearns of WFXT TV FOX 25 in Boston San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has a torn ACL and will attempt to play on it Sunday afternoon in Foxboro.The Chargers have reported the injury as a “sprained MCL” but according to a source Stearns claims the QB has the much more serious ACL tear. The source also told Stearns that it will severely limit Rivers side to side movement.

Now for those of you who don’t know, Stearns is one of the biggest flaming idiots in all of Boston sports. Check that, in all of sports. This is the same moron who talked over the star spangled banner during his on field pre-game report prior to a Red Sox- Indians playoff game this fall. Not to mention his on going battles with Curt Schilling over Stearns stupidity. So if this turns up to be false, either before, during or after the game I won’t be surprised.

If he does get it right, it will just go to show you even a blind squirrel can find a nut on occasion.

The attorney representing Rachelle Washington, the Florida woman who filed a temporary restraining order against Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss, has issued a statement in the case.

David McGill’s statement comes from NBCSports.com. 

“For the past 11 years, Ms. Washington has cared deeply for Mr. Moss and has been there for him throughout all of his trials and tribulations. However, she refuses to be further disrespected by him. It has never been her intention to hurt Mr. Moss in any way. However, she has suffered mental and physical harm as a result of his actions. She simply wants him to take responsibility for what he has done. As a battery victim, she has shown great strength throughout this entire ordeal.

“Ms. Washington has been unfairly characterized as someone simply seeking financial gain. In fact, it was Mr. Moss’ representatives who first contacted our office to offer a “six figure” settlement with hopes of not having this incident become public record.

“We have heard Mr. Moss’ statement regarding the incident. He has acknowledged that he was at Ms. Washington’s Florida residence and that he was “guilty” of an “accident” which occurred. However, Mr. Moss fails to mention how his reckless and degrading conduct rendered Ms. Washington unable to drive her vehicle to seek medical attention. As the evidence will show, there is serious doubt that Mr. Moss is capable of recalling with clarity the exact details of what transpired that evening. As Mr. Moss has previously stated, “Do your homework and check his resume.

“We look forward to presenting all of the evidence at the court hearing on January 28, 2008.”

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The NFL playoffs are back on Sunday with a pair of games for the AFC and NFC Conference Championships. For football fans in the northeast this is a great weekend because the Patriots are back on the field against that pack of yipping yorkies, the Chargers. That team reminds me of my brothers dog because neither of them will shut the hell up. And like my brothers dog a good smack with a newspaper and putting him in his room does the trick.

It’s also a great day for Giants fans because Elisha Manning has all of a sudden morphed into into a manly quarterback and the Giants are playing some very good ball. But they have to go into historic Lambeau Field and come out with a win to go to the Super Bowl. I kinda feel bad for Jets fans, I mean they’ll be drunk again which sometimes isn’t so bad, but their top division rival and the guys they share the back pages with are both still playing and that has to suck as bad as the Colts did last Sunday.

So here’s the breakdown:

Sunday January 20, 2008 at Gillette Stadium, Foxboro MA

San Diego at New England (-14) at 3 P.M. on CBS.

Announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms

• Ian: Patriots 34, Chargers, 21

• Steve: Patriots 28, Chargers, 10

Sunday January 20, 2008 at Lambeau Field, Green Bay WI

New York Giants at Green Bay (-7) at 6:30 P.M. on FOX.

Announcers: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman

• Ian: Packers 21, Giants, 17

• Steve: Packers 24, Giants, 20

We start with head coach Bill Belichick’s weekly visit with the Big Show on WEEI in Boston.  This week the coach talks to the usual suspects and discusses the win over Jacksonville, the upcoming game with San Diego and what the toughest part about being a coach is.  This seems to be the one time a week when Belichick kind of opens up and you get to have some insight into the mind of a maniac. 

Also just a side note if you have Comcast Sports Net/New England on your cable or satellite system make sure you check out the “Road to Perfection” starting Wednesday night and each night until the game as well as before and after the game on Sunday.  They had some great guests last week and it will continue this week with former Patriot TE Christian Fauria and others joining host Michael Felger.  You’ll also notice that Sox & Dawgs is one of the featured bloggers on their site providing Patriots content during the playoff run.

The San Diego Chargers lost both star running back LaDainian Tomlinson and quarterback Philip Rivers to injuries during Sunday’s game at Indianapolis to knee injuries.

Tomlinson was injured on a second quarter run and limped off the field after being tackled on an eight-yard gain. He had fumbled on the play but the Chargers were able to recover the ball. Tomlinson went to the sideline and was examined and even jogged in front of the bench and rode the stationary bike hoping for a return that never came.

Rivers basically pulled a “Gramatica” when he leaped throwing the ball to Darren Sprowles who went 56 yards for a touchdown. He landed awkwardly apparently hyper-extending his knee. He was examined on the trainer’s table on the sideline and then walked to the locker room. He later returned to the bench but never came back into the game and was seen limping at game’s end.

Both players are listed as questionable for Sunday’s AFC Championship game in Foxboro against the Patriots.

You can probably put tight end Antonio Gates in the same category as he saw limited action with dislocated toes.

The initial forecast for Sunday’s 3pm tilt at Gillette Stadium is for high temperature in the mid-teen’s.

Now that the Colts have been dispatched with a “one and done” does head coach Tony Dungy comeback or walk away?

Since Week 12 the Chargers and Patriots are a combined 15-0.

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“Good evening. I’m Ron Burgundy and here’s what happening in your world tonight.”

The New England Patriots will host the San Diego Chargers in the AFC Championship game Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. These two teams are not strangers to each other as the Patriots eliminated the Chargers in the AFC Divisional round last season with a 24-21 win at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. This year the two clubs met in Week 2 in Foxboro. It was the first game after the camera incident and a nationally televised game in which the Patriots whipped the Chargers 38-14. Here’s some of what Sox & Dawgs wrote on the game:

“May I have your attention! I have just been handed an important news bulletin…….” The Patriots whip the Chargers, 38-14 at Gillette Stadium in front of a national television audience and improve to 2-0. The Chargers drop to 1-1. You know the old saying, “You mess with the bull, you get the horns” well that applies here as LaDainian Tomlinson and the rest of the whiney cry baby Chargers got their asses kicked up and down the field tonight. This should show teams to just shut their mouths and play the game on the field. Have fun on that long ass, late night plane ride back to California. The Patriots battle cry. Camera’s? We don’t need no stinking camera’s. Folks this team is pretty damn good, in fact it may be the best team they’ve ever had and that’s saying a lot.

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The San Diego Chargers beat the Indianapolis Colts 28-24 for the chance to face the New England Patriots next Sunday for the AFC Championship in Foxboro MA.  Game time is 3 P.M. on CBS.

New England Patriots Director of College Scouting Thomas Dimitroff has been named the new general manager of the Atlanta Falcons. 

Dimitroff was one of six candidates for the job that included Philadelphia Eagles general manager Tom Heckert, Chris Mara who is the New York Giants president of player evaluation, a pair of Green Bay scouting officials, director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie and personnel analyst John Schneider, as well as Indianapolis Colts vice president of football operations, Chris Polian.

Dimitroff, replaces former general manager Rich McKay who stepped down from that position but will continue as the team president, and his first order of business will be to help in the selection of a new head coach.

Dimitroff has been with the Patriots for six years. He joined the franchise in 2002 as a national scout and then was named director of college scouting a year later.  He also worked nine seasons in the scouting departments of the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns.

Dimitroff isn’t a sexy selection for the general manager’s job but he is widely respected as a talent evaluator and that should help the Falcons greatly as they try to rebuild.

Patriots Facts and Figures:

Did you know that the Patriots defense gave up 137 points in the first half this season? And that they gave up 137 points in the second half of games as well?

The Patriots had 75 TD’s this season and 17 of them came on the ground. That total is second most for the team in the last 20 years only to the 20 rushing TD’s they had in 2006.

The Patriots only had 26 three and out drives in 167 chances. While the Colts had 26 three and out drives in 166 chances.

Did you know the Patriots had 41 drives that lasted 10 plays or more?

71.9% of the time the Patriots converted a first down on 3rd and 3 or less.

The Patriots led the NFL with 57 receptions for 20 yards or more.

The Patriots longest pass play was a 69-yard TD pass to Donte Stallworth against Dallas.

Did you know the Patriots were the only team in the NFL to score a field goal or a touchdown on 50% or more of their possessions?

The Patriots scored 90 points in the last two minutes of either half.

Did you know that Bill Belichick is one of 9 NFL head coaches to win three championships or more since 1933? Do you wanna bet the other 8 are enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

We all know the Patriots had remarkable success on their opening drives but did you know the Patriots outscored their opponents on first drives 71-10?

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This Week

The New England Patriots host the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium on Saturday at 8 p.m in an AFC Divisional Playoff game. 

The Patriots are 8-0 at the Razor this season and 12-0 against the AFC. The Jaguars, including the Wild Card game, are 6-3 on the road this year and 9-4 versus the AFC.

Here are the rosters for the Jaguars and Patriots.

The Line/Prediction

As of Tuesday the line on the game from Yahoo Sports is Patriots -13.5.  The over/under is 49.5.

My prediction is Patriots 38, Jaguars, 21. Give the points and take the over. I am 9-7 against the spread and have called the over/under twelve out of sixteen times in 2007.

Tickets

The Patriots are reporting the game as a sell out.  It is the 148th consecutive sellout dating back to the 1994 season opener.  The record includes preseason, regular season and playoff games.

Tickets to the game, if available, may be purchased through Ticketmaster. You can check the availability here. Many times tickets are released in the last 48 hours prior to the game.

Getting To The Game

If you’re lucky enough to be going to the game make sure you check out the links.

Here is the up to date weather forecast for the game from The Weather Channel.

Click for stadium directions, parking information, parking map, specific MBTA train times for this game and a Gillette Stadium seating chart.

Tailgating

Here’s a bunch of different tailgating recipes from Tailgaiting America. There’s something there for everyone and every type of meal or snack. I’ve tried some of the recipes and they’re very good and for good measure here is one of my own.

And with tailgating many people enjoy some adult beverages.  With that in mind check out Drink Nation for how to make all sorts of great drinks.  You can look things up by name, ingredient(s) or by theme. 

Whether it’s at the game, a bar or someone’s house moderation is always the key to a great time.  Please don’t drink and drive and designate a sober driver.  Remember You Drink, You Drive, You Lose.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Television

CBS is televising the game to the nation and the play-by-play duties will be handled by Jim Nantz with Phil Simms doing game analysis. You can check here for your local CBS Station.

Radio

The Patriots Rock Radio Network broadcasts the game from flagship station WBCN-FM 104.1 in Boston. Gil Santos handles the play-by-play and former Patriot Gino Cappelletti does the color.

It all starts with Gary Tanguay, Scott Zolak, Pete Brock and Andy Gresh and the pregame show at 5 p.m. along the network.

The post game starts after the final gun and continues for three hours.

If you are outside of the broadcast area of the stations on the Patriots Rock Radio Network you can purchase NFL Field Pass which allows you to listen to any NFL game live. You can also pick which teams broadcasters you want to listen to.

All NFL games are also available on Sirius Satellite Radio. The Patriots radio call is available on Channel 123 and 181, the Jaguars radio call is available on Channel 124 and 126.

The game can be heard nationally on Westwood One. Dick Enberg has the play by play, Dennis Green will do game analysis and John Dockery is the sideline reporter for the game.

Looking for a post game report with all the angles?  Well join Comcast SportsNet New England for the complete wrap up immediately after the game (around 11:30 p.m.).  Check your local cable listings for the channel near you. 

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