Truly awful article written by Jay Mariotti today, with the basic premise being Bill Belichick traded Matt Cassel to Kansas City at a discount because he's friends with Scott Pioli. Here's an excerpt:

"What better way to thank Pioli, who tag-teamed with Belichick to mold three Super Bowl-champion teams, than by setting him up with a dramatic personnel boost in his first winter? Problem is, it smacks of an integrity issue when Belichick earmarks business with a pal and doesn't maximize his return in a big trade…These developments really should draw the attention of the commissioner."

With the Jay Cutler rumors, it does appear obvious New England could have gotten a higher draft pick if wanted, but that's certainly not necessarily a good thing, and Belichick knows this. An early second round pick figures to be a rather cheap starter under the team's control for around four years, especially if executed properly, something the Patriots do more often than not. Conversely, a top-10 or top-five pick is looking at more money than an established superstar. But forget that, the notion I have the most problem with is the accusation Belichick would ever make a deal that isn't in the best interest of his own team. There's a little bit less than a zero percent chance of that happening. And then, Mariotti drops an even bigger bombshell:

"Of course, some will say Cassel should have been kept as Gisele Insurance, pointing to Brady's creepy track record since he began dating his new bride, supermodel Gisele Bundchen. They initially hooked up in 2006. In 2007, the Patriots lost the AFC championship game and dealt with Spygate. In 2008, they were upset by the Giants in Super Bowl XLII, a jolt followed by Brady's lost season. While Gisele is dressing her dogs in matching Dolce & Gabbana floral lace collars, she might want to extend more tender, loving care to her hubby."

As far as I can tell, Mariotti isn't joking. Forget how ridiculous it is to blame Gisele for Brady's performance on the field, it's even more mind-boggling to call an AFC Championship loss followed by a Super Bowl loss during a season when Brady threw an NFL-record 50 touchdowns a "creepy track record." I'm aware most people who know their sports don't take Mariotti seriously, but this is bad even by his standards.