(smokeshow of the day Caitlin on left/ Rebecca on right. PS - Caitlin is also a new Pat's cheerleader.)

METHUEN — Methuen High School senior Rebecca Lucas figured it would be "a pretty good workout," when she competed this spring with more than 300 women for a chance to be a New England Patriots cheerleader. "No way," the 18-year-old soon-to-be-graduate said last week, recalling how poor she thought her chances were to get one of the 24 available spots. "I had no chance of making the team, because I didn't have any dancing experience like most of the girls," she said. "I never seriously thought about being a Patriots cheerleader. I just thought trying out for the squad would be something fun." Lucas, who even was competing against 10 veteran Pats cheerleaders, surprised herself by making the first two cuts. First she was among 56 survivors. That field was narrowed to 32, Lucas still among them. Then she managed to last through a grueling two-week practice session before the final cuts were made. She was flabbergasted to make it.

See, the Patriots' Way is all about excellence. It's about leaving no stone unturned, leaving nothing to chance, and working night and day to find the next great talent. That's why they draft a Matt Cassell or a Kevin O'Connell. That's why they let Deion Branch walk and in a series of moves turn him into Randy Moss and Jarrod Mayo. That's why Tom Brady is scouting Teen Beauty Pageants for the next Giselle. And that's why they'll pick up a girl right out of high school like she's LeBron James.

Bill Belichick wakes up in the morning and pisses excellence. He knows that winning comes from doing all the little things. The way John Wooden used to begin by teaching his players how to lace their sneakers, Belichick knows that greatness comes from doing everything right, not just some things. For years the Pats have been an also ran among NFL Cheerleader units. And I have to think that with a young influx of young talent like Becca, they'll finally have a cheer squad to match their football team.