By ALLEN THIGPEN

I was going to say something clever with this farewell. Something about how Keyshawn Johnson's recent departure from the NFL paled in comparison to the online retirement of one Drew Snyder. However, I decided against it. Silly comparisons to the object of Alan Bean's fantasy football desire would hardly capture the gravity of this moment.

I guess I just want to say I'll really miss this place. I'll miss the laughs, I'll miss the links and I'll certainly miss Drew's free-wheeling use of photoshop. Where else can I find a photoshopped image of Cousin Quinn Snyder living the homeless life, or Brian Sorgenfrei "bleeding Raider blue"?

I've been fortunate enough to know Drew some 14 years, beginning with our days on JA's 1993 purple team (8-0, 5th and 6th grade basketball champs). He taught me how to work a football stat sheet on the way to the 1998 preseason jamboree. He uncovered the infamous 2004 XSB fantasy football conspiracy, shaking up the league's front office and saving the championship season of my franchise, Team Dubose. He even gave me the keys to the SNN car on several occasions, an opportunity I'll never forget.

Drew is the real article, and his site is a reflection of not only his unique humor and wit, but of the multitude of readers who consider him a friend and respect his genuine approach to life. It's not just the links and laughs that bring people to these parts.

The day Ken Burns makes his nine-volume documentary on the growth of the deep south blogosphere, Drew's face will be the one set to wistful violins and slow zoom-outs.

Snyder News Network, I bid thee farewell.