After hours of speculation, the deal is done: CB Asante Samuel will wear Eagles green next season. Today Philadelphia and Samuel inked a six-year deal worth $57 million ($20 million guaranteed). The Eagles should now trade either Lito Sheppard or Sheldon Brown, or perhaps instead move one of 'em to safety. Things are looking good on defense; it's time for the front office to answer McNabb's prayers and get the man some wide receivers.

Not even Dicky V's love of Duke can compare with this guy's bias toward the Georgetown Hoyas.

There aren't many quarterbacks who can out-class Donovan McNabb. Recently a fan published an open letter to #5 here in the Yard, and Donovan replied. Click the link to read the letter, and below is D-Mac's reply (comment number 15.2.1 -- available at the same link).

"Thank you for the very kind words. Yes, I believe that many fans feel the same way as you and I cherish that support. We are no different?I want nothing more than to end the heartache of Eagles fans by bringing a Super Bowl championship to Philadelphia.

Trust me the effort is there. It's been my life's ambition to win a championship at this level. In 1999, when Coach Reid and I first got together, we each envisioned what it would be like to win a Super Bowl for Philadelphia. We still share that dream of seeing it become a reality.

It all starts with winning the NFC East. We have to get back on top of the division. Congratulations go to the Giants for their Super Bowl win but that was for the 2007 season. As we get ready for 2008, we have a fresh start. We must find a way to be better than the Giants, the Cowboys and the Redskins.

So "J," thanks again for the kind words and support. Please keep the faith in me and the Eagles!"

Connecticut's athletic director ordered drug tests for two basketball players on Calhoun's squad. One of 'em was the team's second-leading scorer, Jerome Dyson. Wanna guess what happened? He failed.

Have fun on the bench for the next 30 days, Jerome. Calhoun reportedly already had issues with the AD, who not only ordered the tests but also "facilitated the release of a school police statement that included details of the incident."

Sideline reporter embarrasses himself with a slip of the tongue while talking to Seton Hall coach Bobby Gonzalez.

The pictures are head-shots, so nothing here will get you fired. If this is the best France has to offer, I'll stay right here in the City of Brotherly Love. Just kidding. Much love to the French (except for #10, whose photo is attached). Numbers nine and one are my favorites.

" Patrick Marleau (San Jose) has been awful this year, but appears to be turning a corner in the New Year, scoring in four of his last five games. He has also been producing on San Jose's power-play unit, registering four assists in his last five games. Although this could just be a tease, a player with Marleau's talent is worth to take a gamble on."

The 81-71 Wildcats victory belies the truth: Villanova is not as good as the polls (#21) indicate. The Wildcats have no inside presence, and unlike the four-guard lineup (Foye, Ray, Lowry, Nardi) that succeeded a few years back, this team is full of underclassmen.

Villanova will probably climb a spot or two in the rankings, but if Donte Green from Syracuse hadn't gotten in early foul trouble, the Orange very well could have won the home game that they should have won.

Scottie Reynolds led all scorers with 25 points, but the real hero was Dante Cunningham, who despite playing with the flu was 6-8 for 14 points and 8 boards.