"As if Monday night's matchup between the Patriots and Jets weren't exciting enough for New England fans, the team will honor former linebacker Tedy Bruschi at halftime.

Though it is certain that Bruschi will be a member of the Patriots Hall of Fame in a few years and he is very proud that he spent his entire 13-year career with one organization, he doesn't believe his No. 54 should be retired.

"To say that no player can ever wear No. 54 for the New England Patriots again, that's sort of selfish,'' Bruschi said yesterday via conference call. "I think that other players deserve to know and realize what has gone on in the organization. I remember before Super Bowl [XLII] when Andre Tippett made the Hall of Fame and [Mike] Vrabel wore 56 out to practice in an old jersey in honor of Tip. That planted a seed in my head: That'd be cool if another player wore 56."