ST. LOUIS – Lost amid the wild finish that included a game-ending 54-yard field goal and a debate over how certain rules are interpreted was an important development for the Seattle Seahawks in their dramatic 30-28 victory over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.

The Seahawks, who still are missing franchise running back Shaun Alexander and top tight end Jerramy Stevens, may have found the go-to receiver they so badly sought in the offseason. Deion Branch, whom the Seahawks acquired two months ago, got his first start for his new team and contributed significantly with a team-high six catches for 76 yards and two touchdowns.

What Branch has provided is proof that subtle things can make all the difference – be it the way you use your hands to get open, how you run routes or how you react under pressure.

Or particularly, a nasty holdout.

Branch landed in Seattle after missing all of training camp with New England because of a contract dispute. Many people thought Branch would cave at some

This week's edition of the mailbag features a collection of Terrell Owens-related mail, more remarks on Albert Haynesworth, some musings on Brett Favre and other random thoughts.

Away we go.

TRADING FAVRE? ("Vengeful reaction?" Oct. 5, 2006)
What a stupid suggestion: trade Brett Favre. You try to make it sound like it would be in Favre's best interest. "Just win Baby" might be OK for Al Davis and the Raiders, but these are the Green Bay Packers. The Packers are more then just a business; they're part of the people and city of Green Bay. Granted, Favre isn't quite the player he was several years ago but he's still the best quarterback in Green Bay, and [better than those in] a lot of other places. With the talent in Green Bay right now, they won't be doing much better this year then last, but there's a lot more to Favre and the Packers than their record. Unlike all the other teams in the league, Green Bay is still owned by fans like me. In a small town like Green Bay, the Packers are an

Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban is faced with the delicate task of getting Daunte Culpepper back to the quarterback he was while simultaneously changing him to what he must eventually become.

All while having Culpepper stand on the sideline.

All while having the media and fans second-guess Saban’s most important move in his plan to rebuild the Dolphins.

Culpepper is out as the starter for the Dolphins and this is not a short-term plan. It’s not about Culpepper simply getting his head straight after some bad outings. It’s about strengthening Culpepper’s knee so that Culpepper can regain the explosive running ability he had before suffering a catastrophic knee injury in 2005. Culpepper began the rebuilding process this week by spending much of practice working on resistance training, running through rope ladders and other moves designed to quicken his first few steps.

Anyone who has watched Culpepper for more than a series or two can tell he’s not back to normal. Good enough to go on the

New England Patriots defensive tackle Richard Seymour is considered the best in the NFL at his position by many NFL personnel men. But when it comes to his off days, Seymour has lofty goals for his life, such as competing for the title of World's Best Pancake Chef for his growing brood.

Cole: You have a bye this week, what are the big plans?

Seymour: Me and my family are headed to South Carolina for the weekend to see the state fair. I haven't been to the fair since I was in high school. We haven't had a bye at the right time of the year to get to it for a few years, so this is a really good opportunity to go with the kids. Me and my wife [Tanya] are going to have a good time. Eat some elephant ears, some corn dogs and some of those big, huge Fred Flintstone Turkey Legs.

Cole: Your wife likes the Fred Flintstone Turkey Legs, too? That's awesome.

Seymour: Oh yeah, she eats them, too.

Cole: How many kids do you have?

Seymour: Three. My oldest is a 4-year-old daughter. Then I have a

PHILADELPHIA – You have to wonder if Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens, as he watched former teammate Donovan McNabb fire deep passes to guys with only a smidgen of his talent, might have wanted to revisit his decision to leave in the first place.

Owens' return was at best unspectacular and at worst frustrating during the Philadelphia Eagles' 38-24 victory. Unspectacular on two levels: He was both a non-factor in the game and largely a nonentity to the crowd.

In fact, Owens seemed almost oddly disappointed with the mild level of contempt he received from the Eagles fans.

"I don't know, for whatever reason, I just felt like it should have been worse," Owens said.

Sure, there were some T-shirts that said, "T.O. swallows … pills" and some interesting twists on the traditional pillbox hat. But there were no banners. When Owens went the entire first half without a reception, he turned into something of a non-issue. In fact, he was booed in hearty fashion only once, when he dropped

My latest installment of the mailbag features some spirited reaction to my take on:

• Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.

• Some weary reaction to San Diego Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer's play-calling.

• Residual thoughts on the investigation of former Southern California star and current New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush.

• And and a smattering of other issues.

My comments, as usual, appear in italics.

HAYNESWORTH THOUGHTS ("Vengeful reaction?" Oct. 5, 2006)

Albert Haynesworth should have received a suspension for the rest of the year. It would have been a powerful statement from new commissioner Roger Goodell that criminal behavior will not be tolerated on the field, especially in front of a viewing audience. Instead, Goodell is soft on crime just like his predecessors. I hope the district attorney's office steps in and files charges against Haynesworth [charges will not be filed]. Your argument is silly and disregards the fact that these athletes are

Former New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms sat down at a pre-game meeting at the team's hotel one Sunday morning when he was still playing. Nearby was teammate and future Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor, who was carving out his career as one of the greatest defensive players in the history of the game.

And also as one of the NFL's most off-the-wall players.

"Hey Phil," Taylor called quietly to Simms. Simms looked over and Taylor flashed a silly grin. Then, from underneath a fur coat Taylor had draped over his shoulders, Taylor flashed his wrists.

They were in handcuffs.

"I just said, 'What the heck?'" Simms recalled.

Taylor had been cuffed the night before by a woman who went on to steal most of his belongings. It was one of the many crazy stories from Taylor's wild life, which also included drug abuse and a suspension from the league.

But what Taylor's career also included was two Super Bowl championships with the Giants. For all the insane things that he did

There has been plenty of hand-wringing and shouting over Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth's violent actions against Dallas Cowboys guard Andre Gurode this week, up to and including that Haynesworth should be sent to jail.

Late in Dallas' blowout win on Sunday, Haynesworth tore off Gurode's helmet and stomped on Gurode's face, twice. Gurode suffered seven cuts and required 30 stitches.

Perhaps the best take on the situation came from former NFL guard Kevin Gogan, a Pro Bowl player who helped win two Super Bowls in Dallas and had the honor (or is it dishonor?) of once being called the dirtiest player in the game.

Gogan gave a glimpse into what happens on the field and put the situation in some perspective in his weekly podcast on NBX.com.

"That was bad," Gogan said. "My quick take is that we saw the worst of what happened, but you have no idea what happened before that during the first 50 plays. There may have been some cheap shots before that. Obviously there was