Mike Reiss of The Boston Globe reports Tyrone McKenzie, a 3rd round pick in the recent NFL Draft, tore his ACL Saturday at the Patriots' mini camp & will be lost for the season. He hadn't even signed a contract, so I don't know the ramifications of this injury on a pending deal. This kid has overcome so much in his young life, it's sad to see his pro career stalled with injury. McKenzie played for Michigan State as a true freshman & had a bright future there until his mother was involved in an automobile accident that left her unable to operate her day care center. McKenzie dropped out of school & became a night desk clerk at a local Hampton Inn to help his mom & siblings. He stayed in football shape working out 6 days a week. McKenzie later signed with South Florida after his mother recovered & was able to return to work. Reiss also reported the Pats' recent signing of free agent safety Brandon McGowan & the return from season-long injury by Tank Marshall, may signal the end of Rodney Harrison's time in New England. Harrison, also a free agent, has been rumored to be interested in Atlanta if the Falcons decide to let safety Lawyer Milloy go.

The Cincinnati Bengals released Levi Jones, their starting left offensive tackle. Jones had been injured in '08 & was scheduled to make $3 million this season. The Bengals had hung on to Jones until they were able to draft Alabama tackle, Andre Smith. Jones wasn't a Pro Bowl participant, but he is definitely a serviceable, reliable & experienced left tackle who will find work very soon. I think Buffalo might be in hot pursuit quickly. They traded LOT Jason Peters to the Eagles & didn't draft a suitable replacement. Jones was a 1st round pick out of Arizona State in 2002.

The Steelers released inside linebacker Larry Foote last week & it didn't take long for him to find a new team. He signed today with the Lions. Sound like quite a comedown?  Foote was born in Detroit, makes his off-season home there & attended the University of Michigan. Foote made it clear last week after his release he wanted to play for the Lions. He took his 2 Super Bowl rings back home & is expected to start at middle linebacker. Actually, the Lions are pretty solid at linebacker now with Foote, Ernie Sims & free agent signee, Julian Peterson. When your 0-16, having a decent linebacking corp is a start in the right direction.

It's widely accepted that for several years the Big Ten Conference keeps falling further & further behind other "power conferences". Examine these stats; only 3 first round draft picks in '09 came from the Big-10, they had a 1-6 bowl record last season, 4 of those losses by double digits & over the past 5 years, the Big-10 had a 44-54 record against other "power conference" schools. Most of the offenses are plodding, slow & boring to watch. They're plodding, slow & boring to play in as well. Their recruiting has become tougher because the more athletic kids want to play in faster, more exciting offenses. Many of them want to play in better weather too even though those with NFL aspirations shouldn't consider weather as an obstacle in college. As a receiver, you might catch 40 passes a season in the Big-10 or catch 80 in the SEC, Big-12 or Pac-10. The Big-10 is definitely on national TV less than they used to be & who doesn't want to be on television? If Rich Rodriguez can right the ship at Michigan with his spread offense & make them contenders on a national scale again, it will go a long way to create excitement around the Big-10. This conference has always been resistant to change & as things have evolved in college football, the Big-10 has often been in the rear view mirror.

Is Scott Pioli looking to catch lightening in a bottle again? It's been reported from several outlets that former Missouri Tiger backup quarterback, Chase Patton, has been invited to the Chiefs' rookie mini camp this weekend. Patton was never a starter at Mizzou just like current Chiefs' QB, Matt Cassel, was always the backup at Southern California. Patton, at 6-5 230 lbs, has the size & a strong enough arm to give him a shot to make an NFL team as a #3 quarterback. The Columbia native starred at Columbia Rockbridge High before attending MU.

Sports Illustrated's Peter King is reporting Indianapolis Colts WR, Marvin Harrison, is retiring. The 13-year veteran with lifetime stats of 1,102 receptions for 14,580 yards & 128 touchdowns, is certain to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame shortly after he becomes eligible.  Harrison told King his knee, that gave him so much trouble last year, hasn't gotten much better & he doesn't want to play anymore. With the possibility of legal issues resulting from a shooting at a Philadelphia area carwash owned by Harrison, I think he'll stay retired, unlike the next story.

Minnesota Viking coach, Brad Childress, is flying down to Mississippi tonight to meet Brett Favre for dinner. I think his return to the NFC North Division is going to happen. Even at 40 years of age, he's better than anyone the Vikings currently have on their roster at the quarterback position. Plus he wants to stick it to Packer GM, Ted Thompson, who he believes forced him out in Green Bay.