AGOSTINI: NFL commish looks like Pinocchio

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We hope you enjoyed the final episode of "Honey, I stole the refs."

• When NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Monday night wasn't a factor in the settlement, his nose grew about six inches.

• Another reason the regular refs had to return: Imagine the reception for the replacement guys at Lambeau Field.

• After the replacements' 48-game NFL foray, they'll happily return to something closer to their speed — Wittenberg vs. Wabash.

• Patriots coach Bill Belichick was fined $50,000 for grabbing the arm of a replacement ref. He won't try that stunt against Ed Hochuli.

• The fine wouldn't discourage him. Hochuli's arms would.

• A bad trend: Belichick's single-syllable post-game press conferences have inspired imitators in other interview rooms.

• The Broncos have received $134,000 in fines. The Raiders have been penalized for only 102 yards in three games. Don't blame Peyton Manning for being confused.

• Nearly as impressive as the American League-record nine straight strikeouts by the Tigers' Doug Fister (Merced): His 8-1 record and 1.44 ERA the last two Septembers.

• A must-watch this season: Downey senior quarterback Aaron Zwahlen, a virtual finished product.

• The Dodgers' Eric Gagne said he and many of his teammates used performance-enhancing drugs. No surprise. Methinks Barry Bonds homered against many juiced pitchers.

• Melky Cabrera's suspension could have destroyed the Giants' chemistry much less their offense, and they took it home without him. His chances of returning for the playoffs varied between "slim" and "are you kidding?"

• A fond memory: The late Manute Bol, the Sudanese Warrior.

• Welcome to the hot seat, Jeff Tedford (Cal is 1-4).

• Ex-NFL quarterback Vince Young blew $26 million in five years. We'd all be prudent, careful and smart with $26 million stuffing our pockets, right? Right?

• The 49ers will finish three road games out of four today at the Jets. A 3-1 record will look good to them.

• For those who can't imagine the 49ers' whiffing two straight weeks, remember: They've been good for barely a season.

• Given the fact the NFL has devoted so much energy to player safety, why did it schedule four games in 18 days for the Ravens?

• Two points lost in the replacement refs' storm: 1. Green Bay may have regressed, and, 2. The NFC West is growing teeth.

• Bet you didn't know: Nate Sudfeld (Modesto Christian) is only the third true freshman quarterback ever at Indiana.

• A salute to the college football programs that almost never change their uniforms: USC, Ohio State, Alabama, Auburn, Penn State, Oklahoma.

• What connects them: Winning.

• About $250 million changed hands on the Innacurate Reception. The NFL wasn't shamed to the table by a pension, player safety, its own arrogance or even the replacements' incompetence.

• It was, of course, the money.

Bee staff writer Ron Agostini can be reached at ragostini@modbee.com or (209) 578-2302.