FanHouse Victor DeGrate

Way back in April, I wrote that the Patriots might've found a viable replacement for Asante Samuel, who had recently inked a big-money contract to play for the Eagles, when they signed Lions castoff Fernando Bryant.

I based that not on the fact that head coach Bill Belichick must know something the rest of us don't because HE'S A FREAKING GENIUS (New England signs a boatload of defensive backs every spring, and inevitably, most of them aren't around by the start of the season), but because Detroit head coach Rod Marinelli spoke in glowing terms about Bryant, and stressed that the decision to release him was strictly a financial one.

Maybe that's true, and maybe Marinelli really does think Bryant is "very physical" and "a tough tackler," but I'm guessing Belichick disagrees.

Here's what we know: Tatum Bell isn't very smart, and we have the video footage to prove it. Beyond that, there's really not much to say. Which is why Bell has decided to speak up on the accusations that he purposely stole Rudi Johnson's luggage about 30 seconds after the Lions released him.

Yesterday Bell declared that he "ain't no thief" and that "it was all a misunderstanding," which I take to mean: "Yeah, I did it, but I got caught so I have to make up this lame excuse." Fine. It happens. You were mad about losing your job and this was the cleverest thing you could think to do on your way out the door. Whatever.

But instead of saying as much, Bell has decided to drag this out as long as possible. Good thinking.

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