Well, so much for that last post predicting Perry or Jones -- today the Patriots traded for Corey Dillon. Dillon is a powerful and fast back who has regularly put up big numbers for Cincinnati until this year -- and except for the very public and very vocal grousing about wanting out as a Bengal, would seem like a great fit for the Pats.

Curiously, the trade is on the heels of moves by the Eagles and Broncos, which has been speculated as positioning for drafting Jackson, and a strange arrest of Ty Law. Can't help but consider whether concern over Law's situation, either as trade-bait or his ability to play this season, affected the timing of the deal. In fact, it had been public for awhile that the Bengals wanted a second rounder for Dillon -- if Law isn't part of a planned trade, then perhaps the timing of the trade was merely to thwart the Raiders or Cowboys (other rumoured suitors for Dillon).

Dillon's arrival does close the door (I hope) on the 'curse' of Curtis Martin (also #28) to Parcells and Jets years ago. Martin was also a 30-ish back coming off his first major pro injury, and although the spin from the Bobby Grier NE personnel department was that he wouldn't be the same, Curtis went on to have four more great seasons. Drafting, then losing to devastating injury, Robert Edwards was merely a tease -- a karmic jab on the short downward pre-Belichick spiral.