SPORTSbyBROOKS

10:15 AM The New York Daily News reports that a bulging disc in his neck is not only ending the season for Giants LB Antonio Pierce, but it could also mean the end of his career.

10:00 AM Looks like the Saints are the real deal after pummeling the Patriots to stay perfect on the season. Meanwhile, Peter King points out a problem with the Pats: their defense has given up 73 points in two games to the undefeated Saints & Colts.

9:00 PM Chris Johnson is a very fast man. But Rajon Rondo wants to see for himself. The blog Red's Army reports that the Celtics guard has challenged the Titans RB to a race, with the winner getting $2,000. CJ tweets back: "that's easy money set it up on espn."

8:45 PM We always hear about Cuban baseball players defecting to the U.S., but Cuban umpires? The AP reports that Nelson Diaz arrived in Miami on Sunday with his wife & two daughters. He was to work the 2009 WBC, but Cuban officials said they "didn't trust him".