Former pro football player Tony Sardisco, who was captain of the Boston Patriots in the early 1960s, has died at age 73. Sardisco died of a massive heart attack at his home in Shreveport on Sunday, said Madeleine Bergeron, his daughter. "Everyone is going to miss him greatly. He was the most wonderful friend, coach, uncle, husband, father, teacher, mentor anyone could ever have," Bergeron said. "He was an inspiration to many." Sardisco was a Tulane University All-American and an AFL All-Pro lineman with the Patriots in 1961. He was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.

There is nothing new to report on Deion Branch and his contract negotiations with the Patriots, but the time is approaching when it might become a front-burner issue. Branch, who has one year to run on his rookie deal, said last month that ??my job is to finish my (current) contract.? His agent, Jason Chayut, refused comment last week. ??There are only about three or four teams where Branch wouldn?t be a No. 1,? one industry source said, refuting the notion that Branch is too small to excel. ??Is (Carolina?s) Steve Smith (5-9, 185) not a No. 1? Is (Washington?s) Santana Moss (5-10, 185) not a No. 1? Of course they are, so that?s not really the argument.?

The Patriots may bring in San Diego Chargers veteran Donnie Edwards and University of Virginia?s Ahmad Brooks who both could pair with Tedy Bruschi inside, enabling Mike Vrabel to move back outside. Edwards and the Chargers have reportedly been at odds throughout the offseason and a serious rift seems to have developed between he and general manager A.J. Smith. Some expect San Diego to either waive or trade the 33-year-old, although Smith says he won?t.

Doug Flutie, the 1984 Heisman Trophy winner, has decided to retire and end a career that has seen him play both in the United States, as well as Canada. The 43-year old Flutie has decided to become a college football analyst for ESPN and ABC. Flutie will most be remembered for his hail-mary pass against the Univeristy of Miami, but his success in Canada and rebirth in the NFL years after his first go-around can't be forgotten too.

According to sources, cornerback Ty Law was scheduled to undergo a physical with the Patriots last Friday as part of a free agent visit. It?s assumed that Law made it into town for the appointments (he was visiting Tennessee Thursday, where he reportedly passed a Titans physical), although Patriots officials would not confirm the visit. Pats coach Bill Belichick has kept in touch with Law this offseason through a series of private phone conversations.

Doug Flutie said Saturday he has spoken regularly with New England coach Bill Belichick and wants to consider all his options - including offers to go into broadcasting - before making an announcement. "I think I know what I want to do," the Patriots 43-year-old backup quarterback said. "I just want to make sure I have everything on the table before I do anything." He doesn't expect the final decision to be a difficult one. "It's going to be pretty cut and dry when it all comes down to it," Flutie said in an interview with The Associated Press. "I'm just weighing all my options right now, letting all my offers come in and put them on the table and make a decision and I'll be doing that real soon. "I'd say within a week. I want to make sure I listen to everybody first. It's all in what your best opportunity is."

The common line of thought is that Doug Flutie will be retiring from the NFL, but Tom Brady is hopeful that his backup returns. "I don't know how that's going to work out," Brady said when asked about Flutie at a news conference.

After a brilliant career that pitted the undersized quarterback Doug Flutie against all types of critisism, only to have the quarterback prove the naysayers wrong time and time again, Doug Flutie expected to retire from pro football. Flutie?s exit from the game, widely expected and reported on Channel 4 last night, ends one storybook career for the Natick resident. He most likely will embark on a sports broadcastng career. New Enlgand Patriots coach Bill Belichick was noncommittal yesterday when asked about Flutie?s future. ?You?ll have to talk to Doug about what Doug?s future is,? he said. ?I won?t speak for Doug.?