WE HAD BROKEN UP FOR GOOD JUST AN HOUR BEFORE, AH-AH, AH, AH-AH, AH-AH, AH ~ In a story that conjures up memories of the movie Jerry McGuire, USC quarterback Matt Leinart canned agent Leigh Steinberg.  I wonder if he did it in a public setting with many people around?  I wonder if Leinart’s Dad told Steinberg that his word was as strong as oak?  Steinberg met a similar fate recently at the hands of another Trojan, Winston Justice.  

Leinart had chosen Steinberg to handle his contract, but he earlier signed with Creative Artists Agency (“CAA”) to represent him off the field.  Leinart has to wait a few days before he can announce his new agent although the speculation is, it will be Tom Condon who recently moved from the mega agency IMG to CAA.

No truth to the rumor that Condon was recently heard at NFL owner’s meetings imploring Leinart to, “Help me help you!”

HEY LITTLE SISTER WHAT HAVE YOU DONE…HEY LITTLE SISTER WHO’S THE ONLY ONE ~ Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk and the sister of Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn were recently engaged and they are planning a St. Patrick's Day, 2007, wedding in Columbus, Ohio.  Sounds like Laura Quinn bleeds Irish but we’re sure she’ll be content with that Top 6 payday that A.J. is soon to receive and the eventual wedding that they can certainly afford.  Wonder if she’ll like it in Green Bay?

Brother Brady is expected to be an equally high pick in the 2007 NFL Draft.  Some even project him as next year’s No. 1.  But then again, they said that about Matt Leinart last year, right?

YOU’RE SIMPLY THE BEST…BETTER THAN ALL THE REST…SIMPLY THE BEST ~ And speaking of No. 1 picks, most expect Reggie Bush to be the first player to greet Paul Tagliabue at the podium on April 29th.  One person who doesn’t is Ben Dogra.  "I think there's more teams that may have Mario Williams rated No. 1 on their boards than Reggie Bush.  Mario's going to go high. He's the real deal, a guy you have to account for."  We think he’s the real deal too but the real deal is going no higher than No. 2 (by the way that’s pretty high).  Sorry Ben.  Oh by the way, Ben is Williams’ agent.

JUST SIT RIGHT BACK AND YOU’LL HEAR A TALE…A TALE OF A FATEFUL TRIP ~ When Daunte Culpepper first greeted the Miami media, he appeared anxious to start with the Dolphins and outwardly confident that he would be ready for the Dolphins opener.  He now seems to be backpeddling a bit.

''Well, me personally, that's my goal [to start the season opener], but there really is no timeline on when I am going to be 100 percent or ready to play,'' Culpepper said Monday. ``Me personally, that's my personal goal, but I still have a good picture of the whole thing, and I'm real good with reality and I know that an injury like this, it's tough to come back from that quick.''

Good with reality?  Ok, we’ll leave that one alone for now.

Culpepper was later asked to comment on Vikings Head Coach Brad Childress’ comparison between Culpepper and T.O.  Culpepper seemed to burn inside at that notion and went on to downplay the personal significance of the Vikings v. Dolphins show down scheduled for November 19 in Miami.  That one will certainly be must see TV.

One final note on Culpepper, is it me or did the Dolphins get a steal with this cat, giving up only a No. 2.  Even if he can’t play at all in 2006, wouldn’t he have been worth a No. 2 to the Ravens?  After all, when is the last time a No. 2 pick of the Ravens contributed meaningful minutes on the field?