The Patriots opened their 2003 season with a big win at the Razor against the New York Giant, 26-6. As in any early preseason game we'll see this year, the veterans and first teams did not receive very much playing time. Tom Brady did play long enough to go 3 for 4 for 25 yards that included a 16-yard touchdown pass to Troy Brown. This drive started with a turnover cause by Rosevelt Colvin whom the Patriots signed as a free agent in the off season. Ted Johnson recovered and the Giants' first possession didn't even last long enough for a three and out.

Starting at cornerback was Asante Samuel and Eugene Wilson who played for the injured Ty Law and O-T-I-S Smith. Both played well, but maybe the biggest highlight reel came from fourth round pick Dan Klecko, who counted for 2 1/2 sacks and five tackles while playing three positions on defense: nose tackle, defensive end and linebacker.

The Patriots will play the Redskins at FedEx Field in Washington on Saturday night.

For the third year in a row, a right tackle has opted for retirement during training camp.

The position must be haunted.

"I know it's three years," head coach Bill Belichick said. "I know it's the same position. I can't give you an explanation for it.

"That one took me by surprise. I definitely didn't see it coming. In the end it was a personal decision, one I can't shed any light on."

So, with no explanation except probably wanting to be closer to his family (hello, move 'em to New England...), Stai is a retired guy, just like Joe Panos and Rick Tylski before him.

The Bill Parcells version of the Dallas Cowboys is 0-1, after getting shutout by Arizona 13-0.

"We didn't really do much of anything," Parcells said. "We had way too many long yardage situations, we were getting penalized or sacked, we dropped balls, we couldn't get near their quarterback. Just pretty much everything was poor."

Ouch! The Cowboys might want to give former players of Parcells teams to see what it is like during a losing period. I guarantee the stories will not be pretty.

Monday Night Football will present Philadelphia at New Orleans tonight.

The Patriots will travel to Washington to play the Redskins for an 8 PM game. It will be televised locally on WCVB-5, with Don Criqui and Randy Cross in the booth, or Gil Santos and Gino Cappelletti on WBCN 104.1 FM, and their affiliates.

ESPN will air the Buffalo Bills at the Tennessee Titans in preseason action at 8 PM on Saturday, August 16.

1. Great to see real Patriots games again.

2. Pawtucket Red Sox pitcher Bronson Arroyo threw a perfect game over the weekend, only the fourth time in the 120 year history of the International League for a pitcher to throw one. And just think, someday this guy will be on our team!

3. The return of Monday Night Football is great, but Lisa Guerrero doesn't look as good on TV as she does in still pictures. I think ABC needs to get her a better make up artist. The hair was a mess, she looked sub par. Time to kick it up a notch, cause John Madden ain't doing it.

4. I love it when Parcells teams lose and lose badly. I always get the feeling that he's about to blow a gasket after every loss.

5. Texans running back James Allen has also opted for retirement, saying he wants to be a rap star. Great, just what the world needs, another bad musician.

6. Looks like the Bengals are off to their usual start, losing to the Jets 28-13. If it makes Marvin Lewis feel any better, I'm sure the Jets were just testy from their preseason opener in Japan when the Bucs kicked them around pretty good last week.

7. Man, that Jeremy Shockey can't find anything nice to say. He called Bill Parcells a homo in an interview last week, and then had to apologize publicly. He's vowed to never say anything "outrageous" again, or at least during preseason.

8. Hear that? Hear that whistling sound? Nope, that's not a missile, just the Red Sox playing in August.

9. Dan Klecko is going to be that big player everyone missed. If he gets some good playing time this season, he'll be that X factor that comes up with big plays right when you need them the most.

10. Overall, I like this year's rookie squad for the Pats. Unlike last year's class, I think the 2003 class is going to make a big impact this year.

ejh