Perhaps Chris Mortensen is still sore from being burned by BFF Brett Favre, and has decided to attach himself to a malevolent force instead of one that’s just ignorant, but Mort seems to have the inside news from New England an awful lot these days. The latest scoop from Foxborough has the Pats’ video department saving DT Vince Wilfork from an unpaid vacation.

Wilfork was fined $35,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Jay Cutler two weeks ago. Due to “a history of illegal hits” (how’d you like to have that on your resume?), Roger Goodell was set to suspend Wilfork. But he forgot the old adage that behind every man is a good woman and a CIA-style surveillance unit.

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• Now that Tampa Bay has rid themselves of the ‘Devil‘, the WASHINGTON POST reports the Rays are also hoping to ship Elijah Dukes to the Nationals:

• BLOOMBERG throws down the gavel, as ex-NFL commish Paul Tagliabue is heading back to his ol’ law firm.• THE WORLD OF ISAAC throws the flag at Joe Gibbs, whose end-game blunder led the Redskins to another loss.

• Now that Les will stay Miles away, the DETROIT FREE PRESS reports that Michigan is measuring the MAC, as the school appears interested in Ball State’s coach:

• Speaking of job openings, the LOS ANGELES TIMES looks over the short list of candidates who might wander into Westwood after Karl’s cutting.• NATION OF ISLAM SPORTSBLOG is happy to see Don Imus back on the air, especially with some new p.c. sidekicks.