Redaction

The football community has lost several members of what might be called its "second generation" lately. The New York Giants have experienced the death of both co-owners in less than a month. Steve Belichick — the father of Patriots coach Bill Belichick and a legendary Navy assistant coach and scout in his own right — passed away on Saturday. Belichick kept that news from the players until after the game, which he coached "with a heavy heart."

Though these rumors may turn out to have been greatly exaggerated, there's much speculation about whether the Colts will see to the demise of the '72 Dolphins' place as the only team to have a perfect 17-0 season. Eugene "Mercury" Morris and Paul Warfield, who were members of that championship squad, appeared on ESPN's Cold Pizza this morning. "Call me when they're on my block, don't call me when they're in my town. ... They're unbeaten, we're undefeated," said Morris, pointing out that the Colts have several games left before the end of the season.

Morris also called out Jim Rome, who reportedly called the annual toast tradition "classless." In the first broadcast, Morris said that he wouldn't kick Rome's ass because he (Morris) was a Christian, but that Jim Rome was welcome to come to their Super Bowl party in Detriot, and he would pull Dom Perignon on his face. Dana Jacobs commented that the staff of Cold Pizza didn't necessarily agree with Jim Rome. After the segue to the Up or Down segment, Jeremy Schaap (filling in for Jay Crawford) commented that Mercury obviously hadn't been having the decaf. The commentators agreed that '72 Dolphins' stock was way up there.

Mercury's remarks about Rome, and Dana Jacobs' response, were missing from the rebroadcast. The comments in Up or Down were left intact, though, as were other references.

Jim Rome likes to do stuff like this. Consider the Jim Everett incident, when Rome called him "Chris" (as in women's tennis legend Chris Evert) one too time many. The video is available here. I think it would be hilarious if Mercury Morris gave Rome a champagne shower, except that it would be a waste of good Dom. For the record, I also believe that Morris could kick Jim Rome's ass. And I don't think the toast is classless. (Not that Jim Rome is exactly a much of an authority here.) This is sports. Celebration is part of the game. If we were talking politics, you could make an argument that it would be classless if it were happening publicly. (I have no problem believing that sort of thing happens privately. Imagine, for example, the Republican House and Senate leadership toasting their hold on Congress since 1994!)

It'll be interesting to see if Rome mentions Morris' comments this afternoon on Rome is Burning (airs at 4:30 Eastern time), or has the video. Maybe he'll be able to tell us if the footage was snipped from the second airing of Cold Pizza at Morris' request, or the producers'.