The Patriots were riding high, fresh off of a 48-14 drubbing of the Miami Dolphins when WR Darryl Stingley dropped a bombshell on the team, announcing his retirement after the 1977 season. According to a reporter from the Pat`s Pulpit, Stingley is disgruntled at the overall functioning of the offense. Said the reporter, `Grogan has struggled much of the year, and Stingley is discouraged by Grogan`s regression from last season. When he isn`t struggling he`s locating rookie WR Stanley Morgan more often than not. Stingley isn`t happy with this, nor with coach Cheapcatch`s reluctance to throw 80-yard bombs like last year`s coach, Landryshat.` It appears that Stingley lost his starting spot to Morgan prior to the Miami game, and Morgan`s 6 catch 136 yard 2 TD effort will most likely earn him a permanent place at that post, further propelling Stingley down the path to retirement.

As well, Stingley declined to discuss the prospect of being traded in the off season, opting to continue playing rather than hanging up the cleats for good. Either way, it`s a bold move by Stingley to drop this suddenly upon the team, and to include such incendiary remarks toward his team, especially as it is amidst a tough fight for a playoff spot and division title.