DAYTON MOORE, NO MORE

Dayton Moore has reportedly taken himself out of the running to be the next Red Sox GM. Moore was head of palyer development for the Atlanta Braves and was considered to be the front runner for the vacant spot in the Red Sox organization when he was asked back to Boston for a second interview.

The million dollar question, or rather the $125 million question is, why did he pull himself out? Was it fear of the pressure of Boston's media and their unholy alliance with The Grinch Larry Luchino? It was far too early in the negotiations for there to be a contract dispute. Was he afraid that if he didn't do well, he'd be fired within 2 years and have an abrupt end to a career as a General Manager. Was he afraid that if he did a good job, he would be gone in 3 years unless he bowed down before Master Larry? Perhaps it was a combination of both. As was feared, the Boston Red Sox have created a no-win situation for any prospective GM, particularly a young one, to come to Boston.

JOHNNY BE GREEDY
The Yankees are reportedly finished talking with Johnny Damon. Apparently, Damon's requests for a contract were too high even for New York. The numbers being written about are $84 million over 7 years. Ladies and gentlemen, if this is true, then Johnny Damon and Scott Boras need to seek psychological counseling NOW! $12M a year for 7 years?!? If he thinks that anyone will pay him that much for that long, he must be insane. I know he's endured alot of run ins with the wall at Fenway Park, but that is still no excuse for such an unreasonable demand. Damon would be 39 in the last year of this contract. Good luck, Johnny. Maybe you'll get a spot on a Mexican League team for 84 million pesos.

PATS ADD 2 MORE TO INJURED RESERVE
Defensive back Randall Gay and Center Dan Koppen are both out for the remainder of the season. They were both placed on Injured Reserve today. Koppen suffered a disloacted shoulder. Gay reaggravated an ankle injury, apparently. Koppen is the 3rd defensive lineman who will miss a start due to injury. Gay is the 6th defensive back to go on injured reserve.

The news out of Foxborough isn't all that bad. Patrick Pass practiced with no signs of serious pain. Kevin Faulk and Matt Light have been listed as "doubtful" on the mid-week injury report. Here is the full injury report:

Offensive tackle Matt Light (ankle) -- doubtful
Running back Kevin Faulk (foot) -- doubtful
Offensive tackle Tom Ashworth (knee) -- questionable
Linebacker Monty Beisel (back) -- questionable
Receiver Troy Brown (foot) -- questionable
Running back Corey Dillon (calf) -- questionable
Receiver Tim Dwight (rib) -- questionable
Receiver David Givens (knee) – questionable
Tight end Daniel Graham (shoulder) -- questionable
Defensive lineman Jarvis Green (shoulder) -- questionable
Fullback Patrick Pass (hamstring) -- questionable
Safety James Sanders (ankle) -- questionable
Quarterback Tom Brady (right shoulder) -- probable

The 5-4 AFC East leading Patriots host the 2-7 Saints on Sunday to begin the relatively easy part of the schedule. The Saints aren't pushovers, though. They have been playing with a good deal of pride this season despite their record, and the Patriots have had trouble winning each of their 5 victories.