Tuesday, September 30, 2014

The Big Loss


Fans and the media are in a panic after the Pats were embarrassed by the Kansas City Chiefs on MNF 41-14. It drops their record to 2-2, but we are hearing calls for Tom Brady to be benched.

I think it's an overreaction, but the team played poorly on both sides of the ball. They need to turn it around very quickly or the season will be in danger.

Who ever thought we would hear this talk? The loss was considered to be the worse regular season one during Bill Belichick's tenure.

Will things get better? It remains to be seen.

Monday, September 29, 2014

Fate of Rex


It seems early for the annual New York Jets meltdown. They are now 1-3 after winning their opening game. They lost 24-17 yesterday to the Detroit Lions.

QB Geno Smith heard chants for Michael Vick. He cursed at a fan. The pressure is on for Smith to keep his job. Another loss could get him a seat on the bench.

Coach Rex Ryan needs to make the playoffs to keep his job. He needs the best QB running the offense.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

The London Follies


The NFL needs to stop kidding their fans into believing that there will be a team in London. The Oakland Raiders hosted the Miami Dolphins there today and lost 38-14. The stadium was sold out. The league must be happy with two more games there this year.

Everyone talks about the logistics of having a team there. It's not practical from a travel point of view. It always sounds like a wonderful idea until you think about the burden of flying for the West coast teams. The London team would face a big challenge.

The league should continue to play a few games there annually. It's a great way to grow the fan base and add television revenue.

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Another UMass Loss


I attended the game between UMass and Bowling Green. It was a thrilling one which went down to the last series before UMass lost 47-42. It drops them to 0-5 for the season.

The Minutemen have faced an uphill battle since deciding to join the Middle America Conference and play in Division 1A. There has been a great deal of whining by the media over a state school spending taxpayer money on football.

I thought it was a great idea to move up to 1A. It's a building process. Many people don't have the patience. Some want to see UMass fail.

The team is playing much better than their first two seasons. They don't have any wins to show for it. The defense needs to get better. They can't seem to stop any team on third down when it really matters.

Friday, September 26, 2014

Vince Wilfork - DB


There are certain plays that define one's career. Some get embellished over the years by the media and fans. We love to look at them on the highlight reels.

Vince Wilfork has many great plays. His interception in the final moments of last Sunday's 16-9 win over the Oakland Raiders was a classic one in his career. He is now on the "Leader Board" with the Pats defensive backs for interceptions.

That was such a great play. It took a complete team effort just to get to that point where Vince could make it.

Great team football as BB would say.

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Woodhead Done


Former Pats RB Danny Woodhead struggled to make it to the NFL after being undrafted. His time with the Pats was very productive and put him in the position to sign a 3 year/$7.25 million free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers.

His season came to an abrupt end last Sunday when he broke his fibula on a one yard run. At first, it looked like it was just his ankle, but his leg was broken, ending his season.

He is the 8th Charger player to be placed on IR. As with most injured players, this will probably result in him renegotiating his contract and leaving some of his money on the table.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Cassell Out For The Season


QB Matt Cassell has overcome so much to have a ten year career in the NFL. He became the Vikings starter out of training camp. He was looking over his shoulder at first round pick Teddy Bridgewater.

It's all a moot point now as the Vikings placed Cassell on Injured Reserve after he broke several bones in his left foot during the team's loss to the Saints.

He was on the first year of a two year/$10 million contract with the Vikings. His future with the team is uncertain after this season.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

A Big Mistake


I enjoy watching players celebrate after making a big play or scoring a TD. The NFL has been cracking down and penalizing players for certain on-field activities.

Apparently LB Steve Tullock of the Detroit Lions took it a bit too far. After sacking Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers, he tore his ACL while gyrating on the field. He will be lost for the season.

Tullock made it through 131 consecutive games without missing one. Now, he faces months of rehab to get back on the field.

Monday, September 22, 2014

Lame Line


The Pats are 2-1, but it sounds like 0-3 around here. The defense played great yesterday in the 16-9 win over the Raiders. The offense continues to struggle. The offensive line let Brady get knocked down too many times. He took a few violent hits.

Will the line get better? Fans can only hope. Otherwise, the Pats will do their normal thing and win the Eastern Division, but get eliminated early in the playoffs.

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Rodney Speaks


Much has been said about Roger Goodell's press conference on Friday. He can't seem to dig himself out of his hole. I thought Rodney Harrison said it so eloquently on Sunday Night Football.

He based his comments on conversations with current players. He cited the league's ability to fine and collect money from players immediately upon infractions.

They want the Commissioner fine himself $5-10 million. He made around $45 million last year. Players resent that so much.

I agree with Rodney. Goodell needs to take some type of punishment if he wants to keep his job. He can just write a check. The owners will give him a bigger bonus to make it up.

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Squandering Opportunities - 2014


The NFL has enough problems without worrying about their future players. Florida State QB Jameison Winston managed to get himself suspended for the game against Clemson for inappropriate behavior at the school's Student Union. It's just another transgression for a highly overrated player who will be a bust in the NFL.

His stock is dropping in the draft because of his character issues. There is always one team out there that will take a chance on a player like him.

The TV people must be livid over this. This is their prime-time Saturday night game. Winston keeps doing stupid things and is a shining example of how people waste their precious talent.

I hope I'm wrong because can play so well.

Friday, September 19, 2014

BB Would Have Done Better


I don't know what to think after listening to Roger Goodell's press conference and the fallout from it. I thought he did his normal routine that the owners would want.

I was shocked to hear the comments from Tedy Bruschi who is part of the EPSN/NFL broadcast team. He called on Goodell to resign. He has lost the support of many current and former players.

This situation has the potential to end Goodell's tenure. The next few days will be critical. Hopefully, nobody gets arrested before Sunday.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Not Really News


I don't think you will find too many people that condone the behavior of some NFL players off the field. The news has been lit up with several arrests involving domestic and child abuse. We are hearing some outrageous stories.

All of a sudden, everyone is shocked by what is going on. This has been happening for a long time. It also involves former players. It's finally getting some attention and rightfully so. The league needs to do a better job.

People who hate the game have something to stand on now. It's only going to get worse.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Sponsors Speak


The NFL must be concerned about the backlash from the Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson incidents. The Vikings reversed a decision to reinstate Peterson after sponsors threatened to terminate their financial agreements with the team.

Rice and Peterson have already seen their endorsements dry up. No team wants to lose a source of revenue. The Vikings had no option. It might take quite a bit of time for Peterson's case to make it through the legal system.

It's only a matter of time before another player gets arrested. The NFL is being closely watched.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

RG III


It was shocking to hear all the talk about the possible demise of Robert Griffin's career. The third year QB will probably be lost for the season with a dislocated ankle. This comes in wake of a torn ACL at the end of his rookie season in 2012.

RG III is being labeled as a star-crossed player who accomplished amazing things on the field when he could stay on it. Some players are like that. We have Gronk with the Pats.

Some careers never get off the ground. Others start brilliantly, but end too soon. Hopefully, this is just a bump in the road for RG III.

Monday, September 15, 2014

Ten Years For Matt


Vikings QB Matt Cassel didn't have the best game of his career against the Pats yesterday. He threw four interceptions in his team's 30-7 loss.

No matter what happens, Cassel should take pride in knowing that he has lasted ten years in the NFL. This is a small miracle, considering he never started a game at USC. He played behind Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart.

Palmer was the overall first pick in the 2003 draft. He has played 123 games with a line of 2,930/4,682 for 33,739 yards and 213 TD's.

Leinart is out of the NFL. He was the tenth overall pick in 2006, but played in only 33 games and showed a line of 366/641 for 4,065 yards and 15 TD's.

Cassel is with his third team after the Pats drafted him in the seventh round of 2005. He got his chance to play when Tom Brady got hurt in the first game of the 2008 season and lead them to a record of 11-5. He was traded to Kansas City after the season where he landed a big contract. He lasted four years before he signed with the Vikings and has played the last two seasons.

Coach Belichick has often said that it doesn't matter what you did in college or where you got drafted. It only matters what you do with your opportunity. Cassel is a great example of perseverance and never giving up.

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Brady's Unhappy Win


Tom Brady was very abrupt in his post-game press conference. He reacted as if the team lost. The Pats dominated the Vikings 30-9, but Brady was probably right in his criticism. He knows he left a lot of plays on the field. He had a hard time connecting with Gronk and Danny Amendola.

The passing game needs to get better and he knows it. The critics are starting to come out of the woodwork. It happens when you turn 37 and your team has a clone of you on the bench.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Adrian's Turn


The NFL faces another murky issue with Adrian Peterson who was arrested for hitting one of his kids. The Minnesota Vikings have deactivated him for their game tomorrow against the Pats.

Peterson said he was just doing what had been done to him when he was a kid. The story hit social media and is now under intense scrutiny by everyone.

What will the NFL do about it? They already caught fire for how they handled Ray Rice. Will they come down hard on Peterson to please the public? He wasn't the first player to do this.

Friday, September 12, 2014

They Didn't Get Caught


Prior to the revelation of the second Ray Rice video, he was due to return to the Baltimore Ravens today as he was finishing his two game suspension.

Now, things are crazy. The Ravens released him and terminated his $40 million contract. There is a growing call for Commissioner Goodell to resign in light of the controversy.

This episode of domestic violence has no place in society. However, this is nothing new. It's only out in the open because of the TMZ videos. Many current and former NFL players realize they could have been like Rice. The same holds true for others. It's a horrible problem.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Jerry & Johnny


Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones should have fired his GM a long time ago, but he can't fire himself. He has been very involved with the team, often to the detriment.

They gave QB Tony Romo a $119 million contract extension, with $55 million guaranteed. It didn't matter that he has never done much in the post-season.

Now, we are hearing that he wanted to draft Johnny Manziel. Somehow, his staff was able to talk him out of it. That was probably one of his best decisions. Their two egos would never have survived in Dallas.

I don't think Manziel will become a star on the field, although he will sell a lot of shirts.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Time To Point Fingers


The Ray Rice controversy continues to grow. Commissioner Roger Goodell is the target of many critics who are demanding his resignation. He serves at the will of the owners who appear to support him up to this point.

There is plenty of blame to spread around. The Baltimore Ravens handled the situation poorly. The league's investigation was inept. Without TMZ, this entire episode might never have surfaced.

The league knows it has a domestic abuse problem. They don't know how to deal with it, especially if it involves a star.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Time For The Stupid Talk


I will avoid listening to sports talk radio after the Pats loss to Miami. There are too many stupid comments being made, especially about Tom Brady. Some people are starting to turn on him. They have no clue about team football.

The Pats need to win in Minnesota on Sunday to stop this nonsense. The same people will be the first to jump on the band wagon. That's why I never like to watch a game in a public place. People say things that show their lack of knowledge about football.

Monday, September 8, 2014

Rice Boils Over


The NFL has a public relations nightmare with the revelation of the Ray Rice knockout video tape of his wife's beating. The league claims they have never seen it. I hope they are right. Did anyone affiliated with the league on any level watch it? They said they asked police for all videos related to the investigation. Why did this surface today?

The Baltimore Ravens terminated Rice's $40 million contract and released him. The NFL suspended him indefinitely. It was the only thing they could do.

Domestic violence is wrong on all accounts. Social media serves as a way of policing behavior in this age. This case is nothing new, but surveillance cameras can capture bad behavior 24x7. The internet keeps a story alive forever.

Sunday, September 7, 2014

A Clean Slate For All


The Pats begin their quest today in Miami for a possible trip to the Super Bowl in February. They have a bad history there with a 15-34 record. The teams of the 1970's and 80's fared poorly in the legendary Orange Bowl.

So much will happen over the next 17 weeks. The new season holds great promise with many surprises along the way. Injuries can derail any team.

You never know who might get hurt game to game. Some players will suffer career ending injuries. The NFL has a dark side to it. Teams and fans will be disappointed by the end of the season.

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Seau Family On Offense


The family of the late Junior Seau had opted out of the NFL concussion lawsuit settlement. They will pursue a wrongful death suit against the league.

I'm glad to see them take this action and hope their case gets to trial. The league will try to buy their silence with a large amount of money. They don't want the league exposed because it will make them look bad.

The family knows they have an advantage because Seau was a future Hall of Fame candidate. The league will try to blame him for his suicide. It will get ugly. We saw that with the great Mike Webster.

Friday, September 5, 2014

The Jerry & Michael Show


It was looking bad for the NFL when Michael Sam was bypassed by all 32 teams after being cut by the St Louis Rams. The first openly gay player has been under a microscope since he came out before the draft.

A media circus has followed him since that day. The former SEC Defensive Player of the Year saw his stock drop in the draft before he was finally selected by the Rams in the 7th round. In the last ten years, the SEC award virtually guaranteed a first round selection for a player.

Sam was praised for his work ethic, but his game was picked apart by the media. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stepped forward and signed Sam to the team's practice squad. Will he regret the decision if Sam becomes a distraction?

He appears to be the first practice player to have a press conference after signing on with another team. It never happens.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Don't Cut The Captain


There was speculation that Pats OL Dan Connolly would become a salary cap casualty because of his high number. He survived training camp. If he stay on the roster for the Dolphins game on Sunday, his salary will be guaranteed for the season.

He was elected a team captain, along with Tom Brady, Matthew Slater, Jerod Mayo, Vince Wilfork and Devon McCourty. It would be awkward if the team cut him at this point, but nothing would surprise me.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Brian Waters


Former Pats OL Brian Waters decided to call it a career after 13 NFL seasons. He is a great example of how far an undrafted player can go.

He began and ended his career with the Cowboys. Waters was signed out of North Texas by Dallas where he played tight end, full back and defensive end. He was cut in training camp, but signed by the Kansas City Chiefs who switched him to the offensive line. He played 11 stellar seasons for them before joining the Pats for the 2011 season. He was able to play in the AFC Championship and Super Bowl with them.

He sat out 2012 over a contract dispute with the Pats, but finished his career last year with Dallas. His resume will show six Pro Bowl and two All-Pro selections. He was one of the dominating guards of his time. He will get consideration for the Hall of Fame, not bad for a player who was forced to change his position.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Brady's Biggest Challenge


Tom Brady has lived a charmed life in the NFL and off the field. He has earned millions and has three Super Bowl rings. His ticket to the Hall of Fame has already been punched.

In comments today, he said he wants to play until he "sucks". He wants to finish his career in New England. Will it happen? Will Coach Belichick keep him on the field to the detriment of the team?

Most players retire because of declining skills or injury. Brady is prepared to go to the very end. He wants to go out on his terms. That might be the biggest challenge of his career.

Monday, September 1, 2014

Michael's Road


Michael Sam, the first openly player in the NFL was released by the St Louis Rams. He cleared waivers and is now a free agent. The Rams decided not to sign him to their Practice Squad. What happens next?

I heard a great critique of him that really nailed it. Sam is an undersized defensive end who doesn't want to switch positions and has no role on special teams. That says it all.

It sounds similar to Tim Tebow who disregards any thought of changing positions.

Julian Edeleman would not be playing in the NFL if he insisted on playing quarterback, the position he excelled at Kent State.