Because the great Tom Brady got hurt – and only because Brady got hurt – the NFL instituted a new rule. Pass rushers on the ground are now prohibited from lunging at the quarterback’s legs.

Unless a fallen player is blocked or fouled into the quarterback’s legs, he can’t go there. That, of course, is how Brady suffered a catastrophic knee injury.

“I think all the quarterbacks in this league are critical to what the game is about,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft told the Boston Globe. “It’s like if Peyton Manning were gone for a season, I think the whole NFL suffers, the same way the NFL suffered with Tommy out.

“So whatever we can do to protect quarterbacks and to minimize the opportunity of them being taken out with a year-ending injury I would support. “It’s not good for the league. What makes it special is special players. It’s like going to see a great movie and the star isn’t in the movie. It’s the same principle.”

Because the Patriots raised the issue, the NFL finally recognized it as a problem. Funny how that works, isn’t it?

If Bill Belichick insisted that the league replace footballs with hams for 2009, Roger Goodell would have just one question: “Boneless or bone in?”

MYSTERIES OF THE UNIVERSE

Questions to ponder while the high-profile programs fall by the wayside one by one in the NCAA women’s tourney:

• Should we just go ahead and give the title to U-Conn and move on with our lives?
• Why is Tony La Russa afraid to appoint Jason Motte as his closer? Hasn’t it become obvious that he is the best late-inning option?
• Is Cleveland jacked up about the Browns’ open quarterback competition, as ordered by Eric Mangenius? What could be more exciting that watching Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson battle it out in training camp?

PETE WEBER WOULD BE PROUD

Of Shaquille O’Neal’s commitment to bowling. This is good stuff:

For the record, new Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin remains unperturbed by his villain status elsewhere in the SEC – especially Florida.

“First, I think it’s a neat thing that Tennessee’s logo is all over Florida’s locker room,” Kiffin told ESPN. “We have great respect for Florida and Urban Meyer and what they’ve done there,” he continued. “It’s a big-time place and big-time program. I don’t think bulletin-board material makes a difference.”

WEIRD NEWS STORY OF WEEK

Don’t even know where to begin on this one.

Sounds like that young man’s life is going to be way too complicated this spring. If you know a good attorney in Florida, send him or her in this kid’s direction.

ISN’T LOVE GRAND?

Who says romance is dead in today’s fast-paced society?

Heartwarming stories like one this revive your faith in our society. It’s great to see two busy professional people finding time for build a special bond.

BEING RICH IS COMPLICATED

This, apparently, is why so many athletes get into financial trouble. Cue the violins.

QUIPS ‘R US

Here is what some of America’s leading sports pundits have been writing:

Rick Reilly, ESPN.com, on Tiger Woods: “So far, in his two hand-picked comeback tournaments, Woods was a) knocked out early in the Accenture Match Play, and b) no factor at Doral last week — an event he’d won six times. But he’s Tiger, so you say, ‘Pah! Rust!’ In the meantime, golf has gotten sharper. Phil Mickelson suddenly looks like a brawler. A lot of the flab is gone, along with much of his neck. He’s won two of his last three starts, including a gritty, stomach-virus win at Doral. He’s got a new swing — does the name Butch Harmon ring a bell? — that seems to have eliminated the God-no! slice from his bag.”

Greg Cote, Miami Herald: “What did you think of Swedish golfer Henrik Stenson stripping down to his undies for a shot from the water at Doral last week? I wasn’t impressed. Wake me when the trend reaches the LPGA.”

Elliott Harris, Chicago Sun-Times: “If newly retired pitcher Curt Schilling’s career numbers don’t do the trick to satisfy Hall of Fame voters, he always can try to talk and/or blog his way into the shrine in Cooperstown, N.Y.”

THE PERILS OF SIDELINE REPORTING

Sometimes the interview subjects are a little too glad to see the young lady with the mike.

MEGAPHONE

“Nobody’s contacted me. Nobody’s texted me, nobody’s e-mailed me. And nothing is going to happen on our football team unless those decisions go through me.”

Broncos coach Josh McDaniels, downplaying the Jay Cutler trade speculation while reminding the world that he is still charge.