It Happens At 9pm

It's cut-down day for all teams. Many players dread that notification that their services are no longer needed. For some, it's the end of the line. They won't get picked up by another team. Some might wait until December to get the call they have been waiting for.

Once they get to 53 players by 9pm, it only means that they are safe for that moment. Some will go to the practice squad. If OL Brain Waters returns to the Pats, it will be at the expense of another player. Most teams have a fixed amount of players guaranteed spots on the roster. For the rest, it becomes a waiting game.

Several writers covering the Pats have picked their own 53 players. Some of the lists are very interesting. Every year there are some shocking releases. I wouldn't be surprised with anything Coach Belichick does.

Don't Call Them Practice Games

After losing 6-3 to the Giants last night, the Pats finished their pre-season with a record of 1-3. This doesn't mean anything as far as predicting success in the regular season. Coach Belichick was giving a number of players one last look. I agree with the notion that the roster is all set except for about five or six spots.

The pre-season format won't be changing for the foreseeable future. The game was missing about 35,000 fans who decided not to show up. It doesn't matter to the Giants because season ticket holders had already paid for their tickets. The NFL should call these "practice games", but they won't because they wouldn't be able to justify charging regular season prices.

I hope that sports talk radio will not dwell on the 1-3 record. All attention should be focused on the final 53 man roster and getting ready for the season. Every team lost a player or two with season ending injuries.

The weekly train wreck commences next Wednesday with 17 weeks of players getting hurt.

Two Days To 53

The best thing about tonight's  pre-season game against the Giants is that it concludes this process for another year.We will no longer hear the complaints about fans paying regular season ticket and concession prices for games that don't mean anything in the standings. Every year, there is a call to end this charade or change it to make it more financially palatable to the season ticket holders who must buy these tickets.

The television networks must be under strict order not to show the sparse crowds in the stand, but they show some shots occasionally.It's an embarrassment to the league, but on the other hand, these fans are the "studio" audience. The only ones that count are those watching on television.

I find the next two days very exciting as teams cut 22 players from their rosters and also form their practice squads. There will be some shocking names of players who get released. For some, this is the end of their career.

75 & Counting

The Pats created attention with the release of  receivers Donte Stallworth and Jabbar Gaffney. Does that mean they are done here for good here? Players move on and off the roster. Ross Ventrone was released. I think he lead the league last year in being signed and cut. The Pats were making personnel transactions on him almost every week.

If The Pats are done with Gaffy and Stallworth, will they be eating any signing bonus money? Some of those signing bonuses are contingent on making the roster. Every team has dead money from free agent signings that didn't pan out.

The Pats will cut another 22 players to get to the 53 man roster by the 4pm on Friday. We will have a better idea of what the season opening roster will look like. Will Brian Waters finally show up? Who goes to the practice squad? Will they claim any players on waivers? What about free agents?

As Coach Belichick often says, the opening day roster won't be the same one in December.

One Game Left

The game against Tampa Bay didn't resolve many issues. The Pats kept their offensive starters on the field for the first half, but had a hard time moving the ball and getting first downs. Nate Solder got beat on a number of occasions which resulted in Tom Brady getting hit hard. This cannot continue in the regular season.

Dan Koppen had a bad game. Many are writing him off the roster as he has struggled in camp. The team gave him a two year contract and would need to eat some money if they cut him. Speculation indicates that they might try to make some type of financial settlement with him. It looks really bad for him right now when it comes to making the team.

It was shocking to see how empty the stands were. The fans in Tampa Bay paid the regular season price, but didn't get regular season NFL football. On a positive note, there is only one pre-season game remaining.

The Last Chance For Some

The third playoff game will be very critical for at least ten players. The roster is at 85, but will be cut to 75 by 4pm on Monday. Most of the ten players released might catch a chance with another team, but for some, the journey will be over. They will play the last football game of their career tonight. They might pursue more opportunities, but they might never happen.

The goal is also to get through the night without any players suffering a major injury. That is the unknown wild card in the NFL. Injuries happen at any moment. You can only hope they are not devastating to the player. The game has no bearing on the regular season, but players around the league will suffer bad injuries.

The Great QB Search

Many fans of the Pats have been spoiled by the success of the franchise during the time that the Kraft family has owned the team. Over the course of 18 seasons, the team has only had two starting quarterbacks. You could include Matt Cassell for the 2008 season when Tome Brady went down.

This season, at least nine teams will start a rookie or a second year player running the offense. Teams around the league can't find a stable quarterback. The Miami Dolphins have started 18 different players since Dan Marino retired.

It wasn't always like this with the Pats. Throughout their history, they have always had a revolving door at the position. Many thought Jim Plunkett would be the franchise QB when he was drafted number one overall in 1971. It lasted until the team traded him to Oakland and Steve Grogan took over in 1975.

Matt Cavanaugh came along in 1978. Things were going well for Grogan until they selected Tony Eiason from that great QB draft of 1983. The late 80's saw the likes of Tom Ramsay, Tommy Hodson, Mark Wilson and Doug Flutie. The 90's started with Hugh Millen and Scott Zolak before Drew Bledsoe arrived.

The Pats have experienced limited interruption in this position in the last 18 seasons. I can't say what will happen once Tom Brady retires. We might end up like most teams in the NFL.

Final For Fanene

As usual, Coach Belichick was vague in his answers about why the team released DE Johnathan Fanene after signing him to a three year contract, including a $3.85 million bonus. Fanene has spent most of camp on the sidelines with a variety of injuries.

His signing made a big splash back in March. The seven year veteran was seen as playing a major role on the defensive line this season. As Coach Belichick said "things didn't work out". Apparently Fanene had an injury that was not disclosed at the time of his signing.

The Pats will be forced to eat his bonus, but can do it over two seasons. Based on his possible prior injury, the team has the option to recover his bonus. We will probably never find out what really happened.

Regular Season Prices

It's hard to make sense of the pre-season at times. The Pats play three games over the course of nine days. That's a recipe for injuries and other problems.

Last night, we saw how precarious these games can be when Michale Vick was knocked out of the game by LB Jermaine Cunningham. Vick left the game to have his ribs x-rayed. Fortunately, they were negative. The Eagles dodged a bullet on this one.

The Pats need to make it through the next two games without any major injuries. It was a good idea to rest many of the starters last night. They will see more action against Tampa Bay on Friday night.

Last night's game was filled with third and fourth string players. In spite of it all, the league still charges regular season prices for these games. They are a necessary evil in the NFL. They are the best way for teams to evaluate players. Fans just sit back and take it.

Unfair Calls

The labor dispute between the NFL owners and the referees is reaching a critical point. Mistakes have been made by replacement officials. The league was blowing its horn about the replacement officials, but we are learning that many of them come from Division II & II conferences and even the Lingerie Football League.

There have been unnecessary delays in games as officials sort out calls. It will be a real nightmare if these guys start the season. Eventually, a big mistake will be made which could drastically impact the integrity of the games.

The dispute is over wages and retirement plans. In the end, the dollar figures seem relatively small for a $9 billion industry.I don't know why this goes on. It should have never reached this point. The NFL is always about nickels and dimes.

The Injury Bug

As the pre-season schedule rolls along, we are hearing very little about the idea of playing 18 regular season games. Teams are already getting hit hard by injuries from the games. Some players have already been lost for the season. No team seems to make it to the start of the season without someone going on IR. The Pats already lost LB Dane Fletcher when he was hurt in the first pre-season game.

Player safety is a huge concern in the league. Coaches agree that the pre-season games are needed to evaluate players. It's a shame that some never make it to the start of the season. Once the season starts, it becomes one continuous train wreck week after week. The healthiest team in December has the best chance in the playoffs.

Winning With A Sprint

The other day I read a story about the New York Jets trying to sign Jeff Demps, the Olympic sprinter who won a silver medal in the 4x100 relay. He played with Tim Tebow at the University of Florida. He had decent numbers with 2,470 rushing yards, 23 TD's and also returned kicks. He never got an invitation to the Scouting Combine.

His agent said that every team was interested in him. I was quite skeptical, but thought the Jets would sign him because of his connection to Tebow.

However, the Pats beat everyone by signing him. Coach Belichick has often stated that the return game was bad last year. He tried a number of players, but nobody ever stood out. It looks like the return job is for Demps to lose.

I'm still skeptical because of his size. It's a great idea to give him a shot. It will be interesting to see how they plan on using him. I assume he will also carry the ball out of the backfield.

Pain In The Knee

There can be no doubt that Logan Mankins has a tremendous threshold for the pain that comes with playing in the NFL. His return to practice surprised many who though he might start the season on the PUP List.


It seems that he suffered a sprained MCL  during Week 16 of last season . It forced him to miss the season finale against Miami. After the Super Bowl, he had  surgery on the his right knee for a torn ACL. He essentially played through the playoffs with a sprained MCL and a torn ACL in his two knees.

He said he never sought an MRI until the end of the season. The MRI would have told the truth that nobody wanted to hear. Mankins said the pain was never that bad to warrant one. Maybe it wasn't, but did the training and medical staff turn a blind eye to an injury that was more serious than stated?

Nobody, including Mankins, wanted him to miss the playoffs. A little bit of medical knowledge of his condition may have raised a red flag for him not to play.

The NFL is a league where players risk life and limb. There is an institutional mentality to play through pain. I think Mankins raised it to a new level.

Going Both Ways

Jets coach Rex Ryan said that he plans to use CB Antonio Cromartie as a wide receiver in the upcoming pre-season games. Cromartie has begged his coaches in the past to let him play on the other side of the ball. Ryan mentioned that Cromartie might feel differently once he gets hit by a safety.

I think it's a great idea. One of the problems with the NFL is that coaches are not creative enough. Too many players are specialists. Some defensive players only get on the field for certain passing or running situations. Even first round picks are not always viewed as four-down players.

Coach Belichick has allowed players to be on both sides of the ball for years. WR Troy Brown is the best example with his play at defensive back. Belichick has no problems using linemen as fullbacks. LB Mike Vrabel caught ten passes for 10TD's while playing tight end.

I hope Cromartie's debut works out well. It will be good for the game.

Chad Cut

Every player has their own story about how their career ended. Chad Johnson went down in a ball of flames over the weekend. First, he allegedly head-butted his wife of less than one month during an argument. She needed treatment for three inch gash on her forehead.

He was cut by the Dolphins yesterday. They used the typical language about things not working out. Hours later VH1 suspended his reality tv show, "Ev & Ocho". There might be a team that is desperate for a receiver. His wife will probably come to his defense and say the whole thing never happened.

Domestic abuse is a hard thing to sell with the NFL. He would have been better off with ta DUI charge. People would be more understanding.

His recent press conference should have been a source of concern to any of his fans. He was either kidding about some things or he has lost it mentally.

It would be a real scam if this was some sort of publicity stunt for his show. If it was, it backfired big time.

Logan Lands

The Pats caught a break today when Logan Mankins returned to practice. He came off at PUP list just at the right time. The offensive line struggled at times against the Saints last Thursday.

Mankins revealed that he played most of last season with a partially torn ACL. He injured it again during the Super Bowl. He appears to have made a quick recovery from his surgery. Hopefully, he continues to make progress. Having him back will go a long ways toward stabilizing the offensive line.

Kicking The Tires

Coach Belichick is always looking for players who can help the team. In spite of being overloaded with receivers, they are bring former Giant/Jet WR Plaxico Burress in for a tryout. It's hard to figure the logic behind this, although everyone seems to think Deion Branch is on the "bubble".

The team seems to be going with Brandon Lloyd, Jabbar Gaffney, Wes Welker and Donte Stallworth for four of the roster spots. Matthew Slater and Julian Edelman will make the team for what they do on special teams. It would be a stretch to carry one more receiver.

They could sign Burress for the veteran minimum, but would they keep him on the roster for the first game of the season? By doing that, they would guarantee his contract. It sounds like they might be "kicking the tires" on him.

Drawin The Line

After the first pre-season game against the saints, there should be some concern about the offensive line. It's a work in progress, but also one with many question marks. Nobody really knows when Logan Mankins will return from his ACL surgery. Everyone seems to think that Brian Waters will appear on the roster before the start of the first game like he did last year. Sebastian Vollman was drafted with the knowledge that he had a history of back issues. He still has not been able to practice and might start the season on the PUP.

The retirement of Matt Light created a big void at left tackle. Dan Koppen missed all of last season with a broken ankle suffered in the season opener.He has not looked good in practice. It seems like the team is signing offensive linemen every day.

Coach Dante Scarnecchia had been lauded for his ability to put a solid line together. This might be his biggest challenge yet. Tom Brady got knocked around against the Saints. That can't continue if the team has any hopes for a winning season.

The Game of Injuries

Coach Belichick is the first to say that pre-season games are the best way to evaluate players. You can only simulate so many game conditions in practice. You always run the risk of injuries. Tom Brady got hit hard a few times last night, but was ok. Everything is fine until someone gets hurt.

As I listened to sports reports today, it sounded like a train wreck throughout the league. Players were hurt, some more serious than others.

The Pats took a big hit with the loss of LB Dane Fletcher to an ACL injury. In all likelihood, he is lost for the season. This is a huge loss as Fletcher was playing on all downs and special teams. He was hurt on a punt return during the first quarter.

Fletcher was a great story as he battled his way onto the roster in 2010 as an undrafted free agent. He blossomed last year and was going to play a lot this year. His injury opens an opportunity for another player, but where does this leave Flecther next for season?

2012 Season

Tonight is really the start of the 2012 drive to the Super Bowl with the pre-season game against the New Orleans Saints. Nobody expects Tom Brady to play more than one or two series. Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer need to get some game action.

Many issues will be addressed tonight. Will there be a primary running back? Who will be on the "bubble" when it comes to receivers? Will Gronk be back to his level of last year? What about Jermaine Cunningham, Donta Hightower and Chandler Jones?

There are so many players that need to get into the game to see if they should survive the first roster cut in two weeks.

The key for both teams is to ensure that nobody gets hurt. It's almost a guarantee that someone will get placed on IR as a result of the pre-season schedule. It happens every year throughout the league.

Weighing In Big Time

It's easy to see a direct relationship between the size of NFL players and the increase with major injures. Years ago, players rarely ruptured muscles or tendons, but it happens more frequently now. The sheer size of players is a major factor.

Back in 1980, there were only three players who weighed over 300 pounds. Last season, there were 353  over 300 pounds, including three who tipped the scales over 350. The biggest size is on the offensive line with 31 of 32 teams having an average weight over 300.

Players know they need the weight and bulk to compete against their peers. Not much thought is given to their post-career days. Down the road, there will be numerous heart attacks and strokes caused by excessive size and weight gain.

The NFL gives it some attention, but knows that speed and size help drive the product and keep the money machine flowing.

Stupid Fights

Fights among players can happen at practice. It usually involves pushing and shoving. Players don't usually take off their helmets and start punching each other. The Pats had one last week during their public practice inside Gillette Stadium. They had another one a few days later which caused Coach Belichick to address the team. Tom Brady also had a separate meeting with the players.

The New York Jets decided to do better and had one with 20 players involved. I don't think they solve anything with the fights. What bothers me especially is when the public is watching the practice. When people see a fight, they act like they want someone to die.

When I was at practice two weeks ago, there was some pushing between two players and all of sudden the fans were yelling and screaming for more.

They need to be reminded that they are not at a hockey game.

The Last Stand For T.O.

Many fringe players can only hope for a tryout with the goal of getting an invitation to training camp. WR Terrell Owens is now one of those players. At the age of 38, he was able to get a workout with the Seattle Seahawks who are low on receivers. The team doesn't look to be that good, but at this point, Owens can't be fussy where he ends up.

For him, it's not a matter of playing for a championship. He is just trying to play for a game check. I'm sure he has some gas left in the tank, but not too many receivers play until they are 38. If this doesn't work, who knows how many more chances he might get.

His stint in the Indoor Football League was a failure. He left the team under a cloud of controversy. His main goal has been to get a tryout with a NFL team. He finally got one. Let's see what happens.

Gallery Closes Early

I was a surprised to hear that OL Robert Gallery announce his retirement today. Apparently he had several conversations with Coach Belichick and arrived at this decision. The eight year veteran was being viewed as a backup who would probably play quite a bit given the current condition of the offensive line.

You always wonder what goes through a player's mind to reach this decision. He must have given it a lot of thought, but after eight seasons it looks like he has seen enough. Many players must lose their motivation as the years and hits wane on.

The 6'7", 320 guard was the second pick in the 2004 draft. Many guys like him don't live up to their draft hype, but he was able to last eight seasons which is a great accomplishment.

Bracing the Bubble

Coach Belichick doesn't like to refer to players being on "The Bubble", but DT Ron Brace is probably there. The former 2009 second round pick from Boston College has been a major disappointment. He is in the last year of his four year rookie contract.The team might decide to cut their losses with him.

During his first three seasons, he has only played in 29 games. He seems to have the injury bug. He started the 2011 season on the PUP list and was a healthy scratch in four of the last five regular season games, as well as the Super Bowl.

He is facing fierce competition for a roster spot. The team is stacked with defensive linemen. Time might be running out.

Another Candle In The Wind

Tom Brady turned 35 years old today. That is so old in the NFL. How much longer can he play? He has gone on record as saying that he wants to play until he is 40. That is a great goal. I hope he does it because he is the greatest quarterback in franchise history. We will never have another Tom Brady in my lifetime.

Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallet are waiting to see if Brady ever gets hurt. Otherwise, they never play. They get paid a lot to watch Brady play. Eventually, they will get free agency and make a lot of money because they were there with Belichick and Brady.

Who knows how much longer Brady will play? It's game to game for anyone in the NFL. I hope he plays until he is 40. If he does, he will go through another contract negotiation. I can't imagine him playing anywhere else. They always said that he will end his career in Los Angels if they ever get a franchise. He could be there at 38 if they don't give him another contract.

Will he have his 40th birthday here and still palying?

Cromartie On The Offense

We all know that Coach Belichick takes it one game at a time. The two games with the New York Jets should be a circus. Now, we have CB Antonio Cromartie anointing himself as the second best receiver on the team in spite of not playing in a game. This happened after Coach Rex Ryan floated the idea that Cromartie might play a little offense this season.

Rather than be a team player, Cromartie said he would be the best receiver after Santonio Holmes.How do the rest of the receivers feel about being moved down the depth chart? Naturally, Coach Ryan is already trying to do damage control during the first week of training camp.

This can only be good for the Pats as the Jets will continue to fracture and have one of their typical 8-8 seasons. Once the quarterback controversy gets fully stoked, anything can happen.

End of Session

LB Clint Session of Jacksonville is probably not much different when it comes to dealing with concussions. He suffered one in a pre-season game last year. On November 20th, he suffered another one in the game against Cleveland. He was able to hide that one from the team doctors and stayed in the game. Several plays later, he suffered another one which ended his season.

After seven months, he is still unable to get back on the field. Doctors have no timetable for his return. There is concern that is career might be over. Last season, he left the Colts to sign a five year free-agent contract for $29 million. He was paid a $2.5 million roster bonus in March.

Like most players, Session was aware that his tenure in the league was dependent on him being on the field. There is always pressure to return from injuries because a younger player is waiting to take their job. Many players have suffered multiple concussions during games. They pay a heavy price later on.

Session has admitted that he might be dealing with a very bad situation down the road. Other players will follow a similar route this season.