NFL free agency starts tonight!

OK, so I guess I'm a bit of a dork for getting excited for the NFL free agency period, which starts tonight at 12:01 a.m. But the Falcons could be in the mix of teams looking to make an early move once p.m. turns to a.m.

Here are some things to look for:

- Cornerback DeAngelo Hall has made it very clear that he wants out of Atlanta. Along with free agency, tonight marks the first night trades can be made between teams, as well. The Giants and Redskins are interested in the Pro Bowl corner, and a team like the Bills could look to strike a deal if the price is right.

- Linebacker Michael Boley is an unrestricted free agent and could be on his way out of town, as well, if the Falcons don't ink him before this evening. There are a lot of teams that would fall all over each other for Boley's services, so keep an eye out on this front.

I'll be scouring the net tonight for the latest and most up-to-date moves and rumors, so check back frequently to see what the Falcons and the other NFL teams do during the early period.

Clock to free agency period ticking down

My excitement grows as the clock ticks down to free agency. The period begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday morning -- or Thursday night if you want to look at it that way. There will likely be a frenzy once the period begins, and the Falcons could be one of the teams trying to make a late-night move.

Of course, free agency has lost some of its luster since so many good players who were expected to hit the market have been franchise tagged in recent weeks.

So who do you think the Falcons will go after at the start of the period? Will they even make an early move? And how upset would you be if a big name isn't picked up within the first few days?

Coach Belichick, your lack of class is showing

Perhaps it was of little surprise that, as one second still remained on the clock during Super Bowl XLII, New England head coach Bill Belichick made for the locker room. After all, Belichick does absolutely nothing by the book and, when it comes to losing, he's not exactly the poster child for sportsmanship.

But as the Patriots failed to convert a fourth-and-20 with the final seconds ticking away in the New York Giants' 17-14 win, Belichick made his way to midfield to meet with Giants coach Tom Coughlin not knowing that there was still a second on the clock. After shaking hands for a brief moment, the referee informed both coaches that there was still one tick left on the clock. Coughlin retreated to his sideline; Belichick decided he wasn't going to wait it out. A brief camera shot showed Belichick walking toward the locker room while the Giants were setting up for the final kneel to make their win official.

And people wonder why the Patriots are so polarizing? People wonder how anyone can possibly hate or root against the Patriots? This is exactly why. Belichick, regardless of reports that he actually has a soul and a personality off the field, is about as classless as any figure in sports. When Randy Moss left the field early a few years ago, everyone jumped all over him. When Dennis Rodman did the same thing, everyone threw a fit. With everything that happened Sunday night about to sink in, it'd be nice to see the media target Belichick the same way.

In a time when everyone is screaming for accountability, it'd be nice to see Belichick have to answer for why he felt it necessary to snub the better team Sunday night. His Patriots were obviously outplayed and outclassed in Super Bowl XLII, and a little humility would be refreshing. Instead, we get the same old story from Belichick and the same old story from those who are responsible for reporting things of this nature. Bill Belichick is not untouchable and he's not exempt from showing some class. Apparently, he doesn't realize that. But, really, what do we expect from the guy who sparked one controversy earlier this season and is about to be uncovered in the sequel, Spygate II?