Last week I wrote about how winter sports are my favorite. I stand by that and believe that winter is the best sports season of the four. I love the fast paced-schedule down the stretch and the tournaments … it is always a great product.

However, there is one huge flaw in winter sports that we are about to face head on once again, and it is the two-week delay during the holidays.

This is not a Rhode Island thing, this happens everywhere. Winter sports begin, teams will play a few games and get their feet wet, then will be put on hold for two weeks.

As I write this, I am trying to think of alternatives to fix this problem. Coaches are used to it, as are the players, but from what I gather, it is a pain in the butt to deal with. Especially with rebuilding programs that are trying to gain some momentum, it’s hard to see two weeks of progress be diminished thanks to the holiday break. More established teams can work around it, no problem, but many teams struggle to figure it out.

Could we just wait until Jan. 2 to start the league schedule? We could. The schedules would have to be shortened and/or condensed, but it is possible. The problem, though, is that all of the pre-holiday practice would be put on hold. My thinking is that at that point, what’s the difference between stopping games or practice for a two-week break? There really isn’t much of one in my opinion.

The other option would be to try to squeeze games in during the holiday. Let’s be real though, no one wants that and half the players and coaches would be away for family events. That is not really feasible, either.

I guess there really is no good solution to this problem, other than to point out the good.

On the bright side, teams will enter the break with an idea of what they have and it will give them time to relax and assess.

For a team that struggles out the gate, they can use the two weeks as a way to regroup mentally and physically while the coaches try to identify the problems. For the teams that get off to big starts, they can celebrate the holidays and have something to look forward to once they return.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not talking myself into liking the break. I just believe that there is no better option. Any change would be more disruptive than just sucking it up and hanging out for two weeks.

Similar topic, but I have to admit, I am not wild on holiday tournaments.

I guess my biggest gripe about them is that these exhibitions are real, true exhibitions. Teams are usually not fully rostered, there is nothing actually on the line. They can be fun to watch because they are so lighthearted, but still, what are we doing here? If you are going to have a holiday break, have a holiday break.

Not trying to be a Grinch. I love the holidays and they are some of the best days of the year. I just like to whine and question the world around me.

Now that we have the first few games under our belts here, my biggest takeaway to this point is that our girls basketball teams are going to be a ton of fun to watch this season.

Pilgrim is coming off of two down years, but started off 2-0 and beat some quality opponents including Lincoln on the road. The Pats seem to have finally found an offensive rhythm with girls like Faith Meade, Gianna Ramos, Jenna Madden and company. Pilgrim seems to be back in it this winter.

The Toll Gate Titans lost their best player from last year Adeline Areson, but also started off 2-0 by beating Narragansett and Central. Toll Gate beat Central by 35 points on the road, making a statement that it will be a factor in Division III.

Johnston also tipped things off by going 2-0 in league play. The Panthers had a rough go last season but now also seem to have taken a step forward in Division IV. I am totally on board with the league adding this new division and the Panthers are already reaping the benefits, which will be a lot of fun to watch.

Cranston West started 2-1 and 0-1 in league play while East sat at 0-2. Although it has been a mixed bag for our Cranston teams, I expect them to compete for playoff spots as well.

Overall, our five girls teams have been outstanding collectively. I figured we’d see improvement from last year, which was a down year overall, but it looks like we could wind up with five playoff clubs.

Speaking of playoffs. The latest debacle on Sunday eliminated the Patriots from true playoff contention in my opinion. Sure, they are still mathematically in it, but it won’t happen.

Between the Bengals, Dolphins and Bills, there is virtually no chance that New England pulls itself back into this thing. The Pats would be lucky to win one of those games. They will probably have to win two, minimum, to even have a chance. Not happening.

That final play to end the game was atrocious and 100 percent on the coaches in my eyes. Sure, the players took the fall and said they acted off script with the laterals. Still, it is up to the coaches to enforce discipline and make sure that those things don’t happen.

The players panicked. I am not sure why considering the game was tied and the ball was in their hands, but they totally collapsed. Never would we have thought that a Bill Belichick team would crumble in a moment like that, but it happened in spectacular fashion.

If I were Robert Kraft, I would be in Belichick’s ear, demanding something big be done this offseason. Whether it is a trade, a signing, a termination, something has to give.