Just a few thoughts I had during my weekly jog with Bill Parcells.

All of Boston should send a Christmas card to the Duquette household this holiday season. He brought us the one thing we all wanted: our own Canseco.

With Madonna's sidekick in the line-up, the Green Monster could come tumbling down. He'll steal 40 bases, and hopefully will use his head a bit less this year.

In all honesty, Canseco is the best thing to hit Boston since Larry. And if the Sox sign even half the players the Globe claims they are pursuing--at last count it was Larry Walker, Steve Finley, Steve Avery, Babe Ruth and Michael Jordan--they could win 110 games.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Mr. Duquette.

Is anyone else out there beginning to see a resemblance between the Patriots and the great San Francisco teams of the late-'80s? Just wondering.

Sunday could very well be the official passing of the torch. The young Patriots could deliver the knockout blow to the wobbling and wounded Buffalo Bills. The Pats are playing their best football in seasons, decades, probably ever.

But the Bills have only lost two games in a row once this year, and they simply do not lose AFC games that matter. The Bills, until dead, buried and spat upon are the team to beat in the AFC. Apolgies to the Dolphins, Dan Shula and his golf cart, but its the truth.

Do you think Parcells will call the Bledsoe household on Christmas day to spread his holiday cheer? How about that reporter he damn near beheaded? Just wondering.

It's good to see "Never Nervous because I don't play" Pervis Ellison in the lineup. He adds a missing element to the Celtics, a big man that can run.

I loved Ellison in college, and if he stays healthy, he may turn out to be a more useful signing than Dominique. He has the skills to be a productive center. And you really can only go up from Acie Earl.

I like the Bruins' chances this year in the NHL. Anything can happen in an eight-game season, but if Oates, Nealy and Bourque can get hot, there could be Lord Stanley's mug on display at the Garden this coming summer.

Roger Clemens, despite his amazing tendency to say or do something stupid, does a lot for the Boston community.

This past weekend, he spent the day at a mall, going head-to-head with Santa--unconfirmed reports that he was taunting Santa's popularity were proved false--signing autographs for charity. Quietly, over the years, he has spent time at hospitals visiting sick children.

Two thumbs up to old Roger during this holiday season, even if he threatens to walk away from baseball if a salary cap is passed. He means well--he should just keep his trap shut a little more often. Hopefully Canseco can teach him a thing or two when he speeds into town.

And last, a holiday cheer to Bob Kraft. If it weren't for him, it would be the Anheuiser-Bush St. Louis Patriots travelling to Buffalo this sunday. Thanks for saving the sports year, Bobby. And here's to many more years in Boston.