Job hunting

Bobby Sewall worked out for the Jacksonville Jaguars on Tuesday in hopes of finding work in the NFL after the Tennessee Titans cut him in the preseason. The former Portsmouth High School and Brown University standout left without a contract, but said the Jaguars left the door open for something to get done in the near future.

"Workout went well. Caught every pass, the GM (Jaguars general manager Gene Smith) seemed impressed," Sewall said in a text message.

The wide receiver added that the team was interested in signing him to a futures contract after the season, meaning he would be under contract with Jacksonville when the 2011 season begins. But the Jaguars did not rule out bringing in Sewall this season, depending on injuries.

"After my workout, they said they would look at things week to week, so if a spot opened up, I could fill that for them," Sewall said.

If that need arose, Sewall likely would join the team's practice squad.

"They just don't have a need at this time, but said they are always looking to upgrade," he said.

Keep trash-talking on the court

Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva and Kevin Garnett of the Celtics got into a bit of an altercation during Tuesday night's game, and according to Villanueva, who suffers from alopecia universalis, a skin condition that causes hair loss, Garnett said he looks like a "cancer patient."

Villanueva delivered the news via his Twitter account, and it didn't take long for sports-talk radio and the blogs to sink their teeth into it. So much so that it forced Garnett to release a statement. Essentially, Garnett claimed he told Villanueva that he was "cancerous" to his team and the league.

Either way, I think we all can agree that what Garnett said was insensitive. It was stupid, and once it came out, he should have just apologized. Case closed.

But trash-talking in the NBA has been around for decades. It's an art form that likely started on the playgrounds and has reached great heights. From Larry Bird, to Michael Jordan to Gary Payton to Kevin Garnett, guys just run their mouths to get in the head of their opponent.

Do I think Garnett was thinking about sensitivity when he said what he said? Absolutely not. But at the same time, keep the trash talk on the hardwood. Ultimately, Villanueva is going to look like the chump here, running to his computer and whining about a name he was called. Speaking of playgrounds, that was a childlike move.

And moving forward, it'll be interesting to see what Villanueva does when someone talks about his Mama.

R.I. high school football media poll

With its one-point win over Portsmouth on Friday, Bishop Hendricken held on to its top spot, and for the third straight week, garnered all 11 first-place votes. Portsmouth dropped to No. 3, but remains Newport County's top team.
With a dominant performance at Moses Brown on Saturday, Rogers (undefeated in Division III) moved up to No. 8 while Middletown's 41-0 win over Tiverton, apparently, did not impress voters very much. The Islanders stayed at No. 18.

1. Hendricken (11) 220 1
2. Barrington 203 3
3. Portsmouth 199 2
t-4. East Providence 183 4
t-4. La Salle 183 5
6. Woonsocket 157 t-6
7. Tolman 156 t-6
8. Rogers 137 9
9. Cranston West 128 8
10. Chariho 126 10
11. Ex.-West Greenwich 90 13
12. Cranston East 70 15
13. St. Raphael 67 20
t-14. Johnston 65 11
t-14. Moses Brown 65 12
16. Burrillville 63 19
17. Central 58 16
18. Middletown 40 18
19. Mount Hope 26 14
20. Mount Pleasant 22 NR

Dropped from poll: Coventry 17.
Also receiving votes: Coventry 19, Westerly 17, Lincoln 10, Cumberland 2, Shea 1.

New England beats Minnesota 28-18

With Favre gone. New England right end Mike Wright sacks Jackson. Jackson running and passing leads Vikings to New England territory, but not to any points.
Pats win 28-18.

Pats in control late at 28-18

Green-Ellis runs great to get Pats a first-and-goal at the Minnesota 1. So what's with Brady getting piled up on consecutive plays to make it third-and-goal at the 2 at the two-minute warning?
A field goal only puts New England up six points. Never mind. Green-Ellis somersaults into the end zone and Pats survive a Vikings challenge for a commanding 28-18 lead on a 13-play, 80-yard march.
Take bows, Danny boy and BenJarvus.

Wonderman Woodhead

How about Danny Woodhead! On third-and-12 he takes a pass on his 46 and slithers 14 more for a first down at the Vikings' 40 with 3:45 to go and the Pats clinging to a 21-18 lead.

Vikings get within 21-18

Minnesota's not going down easily. Patriots help the Vikings with some defensive penalties in the secondary. Vikings go 80 yards on nine plays, with Tarvaris Jackson, in for a groggy Favre, passes for a 1-yard touchdown and then a 2-point conversion to bring the visitors within 21-18.
Will Favre be back after what a blow to the chin?

Pats increase lead to 21-10

The Halloween treats keep on coming for New England. Minnesota began a series at midfield. On second down and a yard to go, Favre seemed to connect with Harvin for a sizable gain. But the ball went off the hands of Harvin on the turf, seemed to hit his foot, and then ended in the hands of the opporunistic McCourty, who returned his interception to the Vikings' 37.
Patriots running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis got some big yards, with the most important the 13-yard run for a 21-10 New England lead.
Favre's going to need one of his famed comebacks to pull this one out for the Vikings.

Pats stay ahead 14-10 late in third quarter

Favre's going long, too, on Minnesota's next play from scrimmage. But left cornerback Devin McCourty matches strides with Harvin, who has to break up what would have been a pick by the New England rookie.
Harvin makes a catch at the New England 49 that brings up a fourth-and-inches. Behind by four points, Childress opts to punt, and Welker tumbles to a fair catch at his 9.
A six-minute drive to close out the third quarter with some points is the goal.
Pats are three-and-out, but on a long incomplete to Branch, Woodhead really picked up the rush with a superb block.

Pats on top 14-10

This is the kind of smart improvisation needed as Brady and Tate combine for a 65-yard touchdown.
Brady bought some time in the pocket, was flushed to his left, then spun around as Tate, having stopped on the left sideline, went down the line. Brady spotted him just before getting hit and hit Tate in stride on the Vikings' 40. Tate then showed his speed in cutting to the middle of the field and leaving Minnesota's secondary behind him.
It couldn't have come at a better time for a New England offense that hadn't done much until this explosion.

Vikings lead 10-7

Vikings end of first series of second half with a 24-yard field goal by Ryan Longwell - isn't that a great name for a kicker? - whose short kick is well done, putting Patriots down 10-7.
What's disturbing for New England fans is Favre in directing that 11-play, 68-yard march is under little pressure.

Pats, Vikings in 7-7 standoff at halftime

Questionable to return, huh? Harvin grabs a short pass and goes for 15 yards to the Pats' 45. But NE stiffens and Vikings punt, putting the Patriots on their 7-yard line midway through the second quarter.
New England secondary, especially right cornerback Kyle Arrington, is keeping Moss in check. So far.
Pats are three-and-out and Vikings soon start from their 43.
Harvin underneath, thanks to a vertical clearout by Moss, goes for 19 yards to the New England 39 - shades of Moss with Wes Welker not too long ago.
Harvin goes for another gain - nine yards - underneath as Favre is picking up good chunks of short yardage in getting Vikes to the 16.
Now it's first-and-10 from the 10.
And now fourth-and-1. And Vikings coach Brad Childress gambles and goes for it. Against four NE down linemen: Brandon Deaderick (305 pounds), Vince Wilfork (324), Myron Pryor (310) and Ron Brace (330).
Peterson, arguably the best running back in the NFL, gets a handoff deep as the Pats line slides to the left. Peterson in the late-developing play gets stuffed for a loss of two yards with, what, less than a minute remaining in the half?
Thus, Pats escape with a 7-7 standoff at halftime.
Think they're second-guessing Childress in the Land of 10,000 Lakes? Sakes alive! You're on the road. Kick the field goal for a 10-7 halftime lead. It's not like you had any time left in the half to take advantage of your good field position if you had stopped the Pats on downs.

Patriots pull even at 7-7

Here's your treat, New England. Well, maybe, since Minnesota is challenging a gain of 33 yards to the Minnesota 10 from Tom Brady to Brandon Tate - courtesy of the ball going through the hands of Vikings free safety Madieu Williams. The play stands.
On the previous play, Brady hooked up with Deion Branch on the right sideline for a big gain - but couldn't it have been bigger if Branch had lowered his shoulder and stayed in bounds instead of offering an olive branch to the Minnesota secondary?
No matter. Danny Woodhead takes a direct snap as Brady does an acting job leaping and muscles three yards for the tying touchdown.
Since the nickname "Ironhead" is taken, what's a good tag for this 5-foot-7-3/4 dynamo?

Harvin hurt, but Vikings drive to a 7-0 lead

Minnesota wide receiver Percy Harvin jams his left ankle after a 21-yard reception and is helped off the field. But Peterson gets big yardage and a roughing-the-passer gives Vikings a first down at the Patriots' 6-yard line.
Peterson gashes the interior for five yards as the first period comes to a close.
Harvin's return is questionable - ditto for Peterson's dive for a 1-yard touchdown, which New England challenges. The ruling on the field stands. No treat for New England fans. 7-0 Minnesota.

Pats, Vikngs gain little on their first series

Happy Halloween from Gillette Stadium. Not as many weird costumes as I expected. Maybe many of the fans spent Saturday night trick or treating here in Foxborough, Foxboro, as the special night was pushed up so as not to coincide with the really scary celebrants: Patriot fans today.
Speaking of scary, Pats are 2-5 in games played on Halloween, but the first time they've been at home - their throwback uniforms.
The first New England series doesn't go far, but a 51-yard punt pins the Vikings on their 11.
Guess who comes out under center. The boos tell you. Brett Favre. And especially for Randy Moss.
Adrian Peterson gets stuffed for no gain on a third-and-one, thus Minnesota's turn to punt.