Be Careful Celebrating

I always enjoy watching players celebrate after a big play or score. The league tries to keep it contained. Taunting is so easy with all of the emotion in the game. Sometimes, players celebrate prematurely or with bad results.

Bills WR Sammy Watkins was running for a score on a 94 yard TD reception against the Jets, but decided to celebrate early. He was caught from behind on the 10 yard line. Although, his team scored, Watkins ended up with just a 84 yard reception.

DL Lamar Houston of the Bears made a real bad mistake when he decided to celebrate his sacking of Pats QB Jimmy Garopollo in the waning moments of their 51-23 loss. His sack dance resulted in a tear in his ACL, knocking him out for the season.

Watkins could have cost his team a win, but he didn't. Houston decided to celebrate a meaningless sack after his team was trashed.

The Last Days of Rex

After yesterday's 43-23 defeat of the New York Jets by the Buffalo Bills, it only seems like a matter of time before Coach Rex Ryan is fired. The team played very uninspired football, with six turnovers. The game was never as close as the score indicated.

The New York tabloids are called for the firing of Ryan and GM John Idzak. It might be the only option for owner Woody Johnson. Fans left the debacle early and fear this could spiral into a 3-13 season.

No matter what happens, Rex will have a job next year. His best option is being a television commentator. He was made for that.

Just Another Name

We may have seen the last of Jets QB Geno Smith after he tossed three first quarter interceptions against the Bills. Coach Rex Ryan pulled him and sent in Michael Vick.

The season of the Jets is spiraling out of control. Vick might not be the answer, but Ryan had to take some type of action with Smith.

It looks like Smith will be just another name on the long list of quarterbacks since Joe Namath.

Not Keeping Up With Mr Jones

Pats fans will never really know the extent of the hip injury of Chandler Jones. Initial reports indicated that he will miss at least 4-6 weeks. Now, we are hearing that he might miss the rest of the season.

The team has signed a couple of defensive players to address this issue. I can understand the secrecy if they expect Jones to return, but it doesn't sound like he will. If that's the case, what difference does it make if the public is told of the injury.

Season Slipping Away

As teams enter Week 8, we can get a good look at those who are in danger of having their season go down the drain. The Oakland Raiders lead the pack at 0-6, but have the New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars sporting 1-6 records.

Tampa Bay, Minnesota, Washington and Tennessee all have five losses. Their season is in great danger. We are almost at the halfway point and some are looking to see where they will end up in the draft order.

Vick's New Role

The season for the New York Jets is almost lost, but I thought it was a good idea that they traded for WR Percy Harvin. He seems to have a reputation of being a toxic player on a team, but has a big supporter in QB Michael Vick. They go back to the days when Harvin attended Vick's football training camp.

This might be Vick's biggest contribution to the team this season. There is still another half season to play. A lot can happen between now and the end of December.

GM John Idzak needs to have Harvin make an impact. He has faced a storm of criticism for his draft picks and free agent signings.

Release of Michael Stam

Michael Stam, the first openly gay player in the NFL, was released from the practice squad of the Dallas Cowboys. He was replaced by a linebacker. The move raised a lot of eyebrows.

What does this say about the future of Stam? Being the SEC Defensive Player of the Year usually meant being drafted in the first round. In the case of Stam, he dropped to the 7th before being selected by the St Louis Rams. He was a final cut during training camp. The Cowboys signed him to their practice squad, but it didn't work out.

Did the SEC voters get their selection wrong? Are the "experts" right about Stam not having a true position and being a "tweener"? I don't think we have seen the last of him. His personal situation has not been an easy journey

Winston Not The Best Choice

Florida State QB Jameis Winston plans to enter the 2015 NFL draft. This should get all the fanatics salivating. The second year player is coming off his Heisman Trophy win last year as a red-shirt freshman. He has also dodged criminal prosecution in several cases, including an alleged rape of a coed.

There is no doubt that he is one of the most talented players in college football. He also comes with several red flags about his character. Former NFL and MLB great Bo Jackson gave up in his effort to mentor him.

Winston is also a very talented baseball pitcher and wants to play both sports professionally. How will this effect his position in the draft?.

Anyone with his skills would be one of the top five picks in the draft. Will teams gloss over his off-field issues in spite of the controversy the NFL faces for domestic abuse cases?

Unbreakable Records

I don't think anyone will break Peyton Manning's TD record in the future. Drew Bress and Tom Brady have 374 and 372 respectively, but they are too far away. Some records will never be broken.

Who will break Brett Favre's iron man streak of 321 consecutive starts? Eli Manning has 168.

Emmitt Smith's rushing record of 18,135 yards is safe with Steven Jackson the closest active player with 10,944.

Bill Belichick with 218 wins will never surpass the 347 of Don Shula.

Jerry Rice put up 22,895 yards in receiving. Reggie Wayne has 13,985, but is 36. Calvin Johnson is 29 with 9,679. They will never break it.

Never say never, but it might take another generation of the NFL before these are close to being touched.

A Record Night

I just watched an interview of Peyton Manning by Bob Costas before Sunday Night Football. He has a chance to break Brett Favre's all-time TD record.

Manning's interview was very insightful. He is a real student of the game's history. He mentioned meeting some who previously held the record, including Sammy Baugh, Johnny Unitus and Y.A. Tittle.

If he doesn't break the record tonight, he will do it very soon. At that point, it should be out of sight for decades. There is nobody even close right now.

Steve Grogan #14 Kansas Sate

I met former Pats QB Steve Grogan at Gillette Stadium today as part of the UMass/Eastern Michigan game. Every UMass game at Gillette has a former Pats player up in the Club Seats. They sign photos and pose with fans. I've met Steve Nelson, Pete Brock, John Smith, Geno Cappaletti and others.

Grogan was the heart and soul of the team during his career which spanned from 1975-1990. He was the ultimate warrior and fought all competition for his job.

There are so many great memories I have of him. He played until he was 37 before his body gave out. He had neck vertebrae issues like Peyton Manning. At the peak of his career, he was earning $600,000.

The game was different back then for quarterbacks. He took a real beating. I wonder how many concussions he had. They didn't keep track of them back then.

Jets Almost Win

The Jets played very well in their loss to the Pats last night. They didn't have any disastrous moves by the coaching staff or players.

They had a chance to win on the last play of the game with a 58 yard field goal attempt. It was blocked and it was over, with the Pats winning 27-25.

If the Jets make progress, will it give Rex Ryan another year as head coach? They are drowning at 1-6, with the prospect of losing more games. The roster is a disaster. There are so many questions.

It was great drama last night. I hope Rex doesn't get fired.

His Final Play of the Season

We saw how quickly the season can end for a player when the Pats lost Jerod Mayo and Steven Ridley to knee injuries in the Bills game. It happens all around the league every week.

The Cleveland Browns lost Pro Bowl center Alex Mack to a broken leg. He suffered his injury during a blocking play against the Steelers. Prior to that, he played every snap of his career. He made it through 5,279 plays before getting hurt.

Rex On The Ropes

If the Jets lose tomorrow night against the Pats, will that spell the end for Coach Rex Ryan? The team is 1-5 right now and another loss would devastate their playoff hopes.

It almost seems inevitable that Rex will get fired at some point. I think he will have a head coaching job next year with the Jets or another team.

His star was bright in the Big Apple for two years, but faded fast. I always enjoyed watching him. I hope he coaches them next year.

Not Listening

I'm still not ready to listen to sports talk radio about the Pats. The dialogue doesn't make any sense. I can't believe what I'm hearing. The talk masters are stirring it up to help their ratings. I get it.

I don't expect it to be "sunshine days" for the rest of the season. Every game is unique. The team is evolving weekly.

As a fan, I don't have any major concerns about the team's future this season. Injuries can happen at any time.

Missing His Chance

Some of the "experts" feel they can predict future player productivity. I'm not sure how they do that. One local writer cited the case of Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson.

This genius said that Peterson will most likely miss the rest of the 2014 season due to his legal issues. He said that with Peterson's 10,100 career rushing yards, he has a chance to be the third all-time NFL rusher if he has four more seasons of 1,500 yards each.

That seems to be very tall order.

Peterson's goal should be to play in the NFL again. The rest will fall into place.

Game of Injuries

Although the Pats beat the Bills 37-20 today, it appears that we will continue to hear bizarre comments about the future of Tom Brady. This is getting real old, but it's the best they can come up with.

The bigger concern should be the injuries to Jerod Mayo and Steven Ridley. Both suffered knee injuries and could be done for the season. It was painful to watch their knee get destroyed. Rob Gronkowski also took a big hit, but stayed in the game.

The Pats face the Jets this Thursday with a short turnaround. It's crazy to play another game so soon.

Ready To Pounce

The drama for the Pats will continue in Buffalo tomorrow. Many "experts" are not willing to cut Tom Brady any slack after his performance last week. They are ready to pounce on him if they lose tomorrow.

Brady was listed as "questionable" on Friday's injury report with his ankle. Nobody knows what that really means. It should be a great game between a couple of 3-2 teams.

The Pats have dominated the Bills in the Belichick era, but the past doesn't matter. They just need to win tomorrow to keep the wolves from the door.

Another Shoe Dropping

How will the NFL react to the latest report of domestic violence? Former Chicago Bears GM Jerry Angelo claims that the league hid "hundreds" of domestic abuse cases during his three decade involvement with the league.

The story is already generating controversy in the Bears organization where team officials are saying it didn't happen.

What is the truth? I don't doubt that instances were covered up. Things were done that way. It wasn't right, but it happened.

Circus Next Week

Rex Ryan has drawn a line in the sand for himself by declaring that his job is on the line unless he reverses the decline of the Jets. They are 1-4 and face Denver with Peyton Manning on Sunday. They will have a short week before they face the Pats on Thursday Night Football on the 16th.

Two more losses could doom Ryan. The six year coach is 15-25 in his last 40 games and has a 43-42 overall record with the Jets.

Placing his future in the hands of QB Geno Smith could seal his fate. GM John Idzik hasn't done a great job in drafting the right players. Free agent RB Chris Johnson wasn't the answer.

No matter what happens against the Broncos, Rex will be have his usual bluster when his circus rolls into Foxborough next week.

Thursday Night Train Wreck

I agree with the NFL players who are speaking out about playing games on Thursday night. It brings in extra broadcast revenue that the players get a piece of.

However, the games are not in the best interest of player safety. I agree with their point. How can you play a game so soon after their weekly Sunday train wreck?

It's all about the money. Players can be replaced. That's how the owners feel.

Jets Being Jets

The New York Jets are watching their season slip away after losing their fourth consecutive game. At 1-4, they need a drastic turnaround or it will be a lost cause.

The quarterback situation is precarious. I'm not sure Michael Vic is the answer. They only signed him for one season.

Rex Ryan is painting himself into a corner with his pre-season boasting. It will be interesting to see how the Jets play the rest of the season.

Looking For The Cracks

It appears that some of the media are digging their heels into the ground regarding the alleged Belechick/Brady controversy. Last week was crazy.

Sunday's team was the one we want to see through the rest of the season. Can they do that? They still have eleven games left to play.

I can understand why talk shows have a certain agenda. They get great ratings for that. Everyone wants to talk about the Pats.

This is such a great time in the history of the team. You never want it to end.

Must Win Tonight

The Pats get to showcase themselves again on national television tonight against the Cincinnati Bengals. Much has been said since their thrashing from the Kansas City Chiefs.

They need to win tonight to silence the critics. Tom Brady must play well. Everyone has an opinion on his pending demise. People want to run him out of town. They forgot about the three championships.

If they lose, it will be another week for me of limited sports talk radio. There are too many stupid comments from callers.

The Raiders

I have always followed the Oakland Raiders and want them to do good. Their history is legendary between owner Al Davis, Coach John Madden and all of the crazy players.

They have really fallen on hard times with their 10th consecutive loss. That resulted in another head coaching change, the 8th in the last twelve years. Tony Sporano is now in charge of the train wreck.

After winning the AFC Championship game in 2002, they have the worst record of any team since. How can they be so bad year after year?

Deflecting The Draft

This has certainly turned into an interesting season with all the things going on. Tom Brady and the Pats might be melting down in front of us, but we still have all of the league and Commissioner controversies.

In spite of all that, they still managed to excite fans by announcing the NFL 2015 Draft will be held in Chicago at the end of April. That should certainly get the juices flowing for the draft fanatics.

It will also deflect some of the heat away from the stories dogging the league.

The World Outside of Foxborough

Pats fans often think they are the only team in the NFL. Their view of the football world revolves around Foxborough. They are so wrong. There are so many great rivalries throughout the league.

Tonight's TNF game is a legendary NFC North match-up between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. Both teams are 2-2 with their own issues. They very passionate fans on both sides of the field.

The league doesn't revolve around the Pats.

Can't Be So Honest On TV

ESPN probably wished that Trent Dilfer and Steve Young kept their comments about Pats owner Robert Kraft to themselves. They teed off the Krafts before the game between the Pats and Chiefs.

Some of it might be true, but ESPN executives don't always want their commentators being honest. I agree with their claim that the Pats nickel and dime players, but I feel they are committed to wining championships. They just watch every dollar to the extreme.