In the Web

• I thank you for reading another edition of “In the Web.” I hope I amuse and entertain you with my rapid take on the week that was in sports.

• It’s valid to question whether the New York Jets (1-7) were overachievers en route to a surprising record of 10-6 last season or if they are simply miserable underachievers this year. In actuality, this answer likely lies somewhere in between both of the aforementioned scenarios. The real query is if Eric Mangini is still a certified genius. “The Mangenius,” who finished second to New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton in the 2006 NFL Coach of the Year voting, has seen his media-created IQ plummet to Charlie Gordon-like levels. Can anyone say with a straight face at this point that Mangini could defeat Algernon in an intelligence experiment? As a loyal follower of “Gang Green,” I can’t.

• Both the New England Patriots (8-0) and the Indianapolis Colts (7-0) are everything that the Jets strive to one day become. If by circumstance, these two squads don’t reunite again later this season in the playoffs, I’ll be flabbergasted. But, as the NFL adage goes, any team can beat any other on “any given Sunday.” So, enjoy this game between two elite teams who feature all-time quarterbacks for the ages in the Pats Tom Brady and the Colts Peyton Manning, 31. We may not see a regular season matchup of this magnitude again in quite some time.

• I am extremely cognizant of Manning’s extraordinary skills on the gridiron. But, despite his Tecmo Bowl-like numbers in the past, I always swore that Brady, 30, was the greater passer. Now that he has the offensive weapons to prove my position, I feel vindicated. To date, Brady has hoisted 30 touchdowns in comparison to a measly 2 interceptions. But, wait, wasn’t Brady deemed to be simply a system quarterback? Boy, some of those scouts really are earning their keep.

• A report surfaced late-Friday afternoon that Alex Rodriguez and his despicable agent, Scott Boras, anticipated a contract extension offer worth a guaranteed $350 million simply to arrange a face-to-face negotiation with Yankee suits. My disdain for A-Rod is profound and I already sense a feeling of liberation when I realize I won’t be subjected to seeing the purple-lipped pariah on the hot corner next season for the Bombers. As stated ad nausea in this column, I don’t like coincidences. Can it possibly be a coincidence that both teams that Rodriguez left (the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers) dramatically improved the year after they gained their freedom from him? I think not, my friends. A-Rod wouldn’t know wining if it came complimentary with one of his hair products and he never had any business playing for the most winning franchise in the annals of North American pro sports to begin with.

• By the way, for those keeping record at home, the Red Sox mediocre pitcher, Daisuke Matsuzaka, has recorded more postseason RBI’s (2) than A-Rod has since game four of the 2004 ALCS. Rodriguez has one RBI since that timeframe.

• Rodriguez’s classy wife, Cynthia, wore a tee-shirt to the Stadium last July that said “F*ck you” on the back of it. In essence, those are my last words to the complacent parasite that used to wear #13 for the New York Yankees.

• Without warrant, Rudolph Giuliani, who helped revive New York City and who received universal laud for his leadership as the city’s mayor in the aftermath of 9-11, has always fancied himself as some kind of ultimate Yankee aficionado. Then, just two weeks ago, he publicly declared that he would root for the Boston Red Sox in the World Series in favor of the Colorado Rockies. I have no patience for people who are not sincere with their stated allegiance and, after hearing that, I pronounce Rudy to be about as loyal as a rattlesnake. I had seriously considered voting for Giuliani during the election of 2008. But, how can I do so now? I mean, I’d rather be aligned in a foxhole with Benedict Arnold.

• When asked earlier this week for his opinion of the New York Knicks and their on and off court woes that were punctuated by losing a sexual harassment case last month, NBA Commissioner David Stern said, “It demonstrates that they’re not a model of intelligent management.” Isn’t that kind of like saying that Nate Newton used to dabble in marijuana?

• Tennis great Martina Hingis, 27, abruptly retired from her sport after testing positive for cocaine after the 2007 Wimbledon Championships. Hingis, who denied using the drug and considered the media’s handling of her story disgraceful, went out on her own terms. Despite the circumstance, that’s more than many athletes can say.

• On a serious topic, the media needs to leave Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach Andy Reid and his two deeply troubled sons, Britt, 22, and Garrett, 24, alone. Britt and Garrett both have serious problems and the unconscionable media is feeding off their demise like vultures. Shame on them for covering this personal matter and shame on anyone who seeks updates on this non-sports-story.

• Two weeks after being unceremoniously spurned by the New York Yankees, Joe Torre, 67, inked a 3-year contract to manage the Los Angeles Dodgers for a reported $13 million. Torre is a tremendous man and he is one who I would align myself in a foxhole with.

• Sincere thanks! I hope I entertained.