Help...What is this protrusion on oil filter mount?

This is on a 2000 2.7 4wd. My finger is pointing to the protrusion on the side of the oil filter mount. It looks like it serves no purpose and is in the way of mounting my LT header. There is a hole in the bottom but the hole doesn't go anywhere. I'm certainly considering cutting it off. Somebody stop me, cause I may break out the sawzall in the morning.

 

Looks like a drain shield when you remove the oil filter it keeps oil from running down the block and making it smoke after an oil change.

 

Ah ha. That makes sense. I wonder if not all of the early 1st gens had this.

 

My wife's doesn't have that. It's a messy bitch every time I change the oil

 

Can't be as bad as my 98 Camry where the oil filter is upside down at an angle. I'll sleep on the idea of cutting it off and look at it in the morning.

I really appreciate the responses from you fine fellas.

 

Wish they'd done that on the 2nd gens. Fucking oil everywhere. LOL

 

BTW - Those are some damn shiny headers...

 

Northwest Offroad Tri Y header. They are shinny.