I was in a great mood on my ride back from my dad’s house Sunday afternoon. The Patriots sent a message in their first game of the 2010 season, thoroughly dismantling the Cincinnati Bengals in all facets of the game.

Were there chinks in the armor? Of course. But, by all accounts, New England football fans had plenty of reasons to smile following a 38-24 victory.

After the so-called NFL “experts” picked clubs like Green Bay, Indianapolis, Baltimore and Dallas as their Super Bowl favorites, the forgotten Patriots made a statement.

And then Moss made his statement.

The 33-year-old wide receiver sounded like a spoiled child trying to talk his way out of trouble. One minute, Moss was claiming that he didn’t want the local sports media “to take anything out of context,” and then he blatantly contradicted himself by saying that he doesn’t care what people write about him.

Moss, a 13-year veteran, said he wasn’t trying to ruffle any feathers, yet, during the course of his self-indulgent rant, he had a whole lot to say: he expects this to be his last season in New England; any contract offer from the Patriots in the offseason would be a “slap in the face”; and he has a “fair” relationship with team owner Robert Kraft.

He also alluded to being overworked by coach Bill Belichick. At the tender “old” age of 33, Moss said he’s bruised and battered. Raking in millions upon millions of dollars over the last 13 years, Moss needs to, in his words, “look out for me and my family.”

Wow. Really, wow.

Cut him. It’s as simple as that. If he’s not happy (and clearly he’s not), then send him home. The Pats just won their first game (with the help of Moss’ five catches for 59 yards), yet Moss didn’t want to talk about the win; he instead drew attention to himself and his contract. Just pathetic.

I gave the guy the benefit of the doubt earlier in the week, following his comments about being “unwanted.” Pro football is a business, as Moss reminded us several times on Sunday, so for him to make a power play in the week leading up to opening kickoff, so be it.

But venting your frustration mere moments after your team’s victory, there’s no excuse. My advice to Belichick and the rest of the Pats’ brass, cut him loose. The team may not be as good without Randy Moss lining up for passes, and Tom Brady might be a little disgruntled without No. 81 at his disposal, but that’s too damn bad.

The Patriots built their dynasty on the “team first, me second” philosophy. Moss doesn’t seem to get it.

Here’s the most laughable statement he made at the podium: “I am a man and this is a job. And I take my job very seriously to heart.”

The unemployment rate in this country is almost at 10 percent, yet the lavishly-paid Moss isn't happy?

This is a man who should lose his job.

Drury High School Athletic Director John Franzoni announced several changes to the Blue Devils' fall sports schedules on Saturday:

GIRLS SOCCER:
vs. Easthampton — new date 9/22 (postponed from 9/9)
at St Joe — will be played on 9/27 at BCC @ 6:30 p.m. (varsity only)
 
BOYS SOCCER:
at St Joe — will be played on 9/17 at BCC @ 6:30 p.m. (varsity only)
at Taconic — will be played on 9/21 at BCC @ 7 p.m. (JV will play @ 5:30 at Taconic HS)
at Hoosac — game has been moved to Thursday, Sept 30 (moved from 10/1)
 
CROSS COUNTRY:
at Wahconah — meet will now be run on Thursday, Sept 30 (moved from 9/29)
 
GOLF:
vs. Mt Greylock — new date will be Monday, Sept 20 (moved from 9/7)
at Lenox — new date will be Wednesday, Sept 29 (moved from 9/17)
 
FOOTBALL:
Varsity game vs. Hoosac on November 6 — game time is 2:30 p.m.
JV football changes;
at Mt Greylock — game time is 6 p.m. on Sept 27
at Monument — new date is Sunday, Oct 17 @ 2 p.m. (moved from 10/18)
at Lee — game time is 5 p.m. on Oct 25

Athletic directors can e-mail all schedule changes and announcements to info@iBerkshires.com. Futhermore, local coaches are encouraged to e-mail individual team updates, scores and other interesting anecdotes to pronan@iBerkshire.com, and the info will be shared on the 4th and Inches sports blog.

Sorry, Ali Fedotowsky (a.k.a The Bachelorette) but you’re old news. There’s another star hailing from the Village Beautiful, and yes…..it’s a purple cow.

The Williams College mascot is about to get a whole lot of face time, and the man behind the mask is a Drury High School graduate.

Beginning this Monday (September 13), ESPN will begin airing a College GameDay commercial featuring some of the most recognizable mascots in the country: the Florida Gator, Oregon Duck, Texas Tech Raider, Georgia Bulldog, Penn Quaker, Ohio State Buckeye and …

…..the Purple Cow from Williams College.

And who better to don the purple attire than Stamford, Vt. native and Drury grad James Dunn, who recently graduated from Williams. Dunn provides an entertaining personal account here from his trip to Long Beach, Calif.

This is all pretty exciting, wouldn’t you say? Among some of the biggest powerhouses in collegiate sports, and there’s the Division III Ephs, representing a quaint town nestled in the northwestern most corner of Massachusetts. But why? There’s a great back story, and The Boston Globe’s Bob Ryan has the scoop.

Ryan’s column is a great read, featuring plenty of local references sprinkled throughout, including a quote from Williams College information director Dick Quinn.

So here we are, ready to kick off another NFL season. Couldn’t be more excited.

A fall breeze is in the air, school is back in session and the election season is heating up. You’ve got to love the fall! It’s that bitter winter I could do without.

Here are the fall sports schedules for Pittsfield, Taconic and Mount Greylock high schools:

Pittsfield Generals

Taconic Braves

Mount Greylock Mounties

Drury High School released its schedule earlier this summer.

iBerkshires.com encourages local athletic directors to submit their fall schedules to info@iBerkshires.com.