Sunday, January 31, 2016

The Wrost Game Tonight


The NFL would do itself a favor if they eliminated the Pro Bowl game. It has become a joke with so many players declining to play because of injuries and other reasons. The game also loses out on the players selected from the two Super Bowl teams.

When selections were made, 86 players made the cut. Now, they have reached out to a total of 136 to fill the rosters. It has become challenging, especially at the skilled positions. Quarterback selections are a farce.

It's no secret that the game is played because it gets a decent television rating and generates money.

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Don't Bet On The Move


The Oakland Raiders are a lost team. They have no lease for a stadium for the 2016 season. Their move to Los Angeles is on the back burner. The latest has them moving to Las Vegas and partnering with UNLV on a $1billion stadium.

This seems unlikely due to the attitude of the NFL about Las Vegas and gambling. It doesn't stop the league from having relationships with fantasy sports websites.

The Raiders should not be looking for a public handout to build a stadium in Oakland.

Friday, January 29, 2016

The Golden Team


It's hard to come up with a list of the greatest for anything. The NFL released their "Super Bowl 50 Gold Team" of the greatest players by position for the Game.

Bill Belichick and Tom Brady lost out to Chuck Noll and Joe Montana for quarterback and coach. The team is filled with Hall of Fame members. Adam Vinatieri was chosen as the kicker.

In a separate announcement, ESPN tabbed Brady as the all-time best player of the Super Bowl. That will spark a great deal of discussion.

These lists always omit someone and never satisfy all of the fans.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Negotiating To Stay


I think local sports talk shows are grasping for issues with the Pats. There will be a turnover on the roster. It happens to every team in the NFL. Several veteran players have salary cap numbers that the team cannot live with.

The Boston Globe had a great analysis of the roster and salaries. It's easy to see that a number of players will either renegotiate their contract or they won't be with the team next season.

I'm sure we will be shocked at what happens to the roster, but it's an annual event.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Reasons To Lose


The analysis of the Pats 20-18 loss to the Broncos in the AFC Championship game will go on for a long time. So many things went wrong.

The Pats won the coin toss and took the ball to open the game. This was the first time they did this since the first game of the 2008 season against Kansas City. We know how that ended with Tom Brady suffering a season ending knee injury in the opening series of the game.

One of the biggest problems was third down conversion where the Pats were successful on only two of fifteen attempts. That is a recipe for losing a game.

There were a number of other factors involved, including going on fourth down and not taking an easy field goal attempt in the fourth quarter.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Dave's Last Game


I don't think anyone saw the firing of Dave DeGuglielmo coming. The offensive line coach of the Pats was let go after the debacle in the AFC Championship game.

It's hard to imagine this being a rash decision by Coach Belichick. It must have been brewing throughout the season.

During Belichick's 16 seasons with the Pats, nobody from the coaching staff was  terminated in such a public way. We will never know the full story, but it must be very interesting.

Monday, January 25, 2016

2015 Season Over


Coach Belichick was right when he said the entire team and coaching staff shares the blame for the loss to the Broncos in the AFC Championship game. Things went wrong from the start with the missed extra point.

The offensive line of the Pats was terrible and probably cost them the game, in addition to getting Tom Brady hit too frequently.

This game will be talked about for a long time. I don't think too many fans were expecting the outcome.

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Last Game For Manning?


It's hard to believe that this is the 17th time that Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have gone up against each other. It seems so appropriate that it's the AFC Championship game today. Rumors persist that this will be the final game of Manning's career.

I don't see him being in Denver next season, but he still wants to play. In a league that is starving for franchise quarterbacks, there will be a job for him on another team.

Will Manning insist on being a starter? That might be a real challenge for him, but I hope he can keep playing.

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Two Different Results


So many great players never get the chance to appear in a playoff game. Fans around here are accustomed to post-season wins, but it doesn't happen everywhere.

Twin brothers Devin and Jason McCourty are both valuable starters on their respective teams. Jason has played with the Tennessee Titans for seven seasons, but has never been to the playoffs or on a team with an above .500 record.

Devin has experienced great success with the Pats. He has been to the playoffs in all of his six NFL seasons, including the last five consecutive AFC Championship games. He  already has one Super Bowl ring and is looking for his third trip to the game.

The Titans are just trying to be competitive in the future.

Friday, January 22, 2016

Not Much Mayo Left


Jerod Mayo has ended up on Injured Reserve with a season ending shoulder injury. This is the third consecutive season for him. At 29, he may have played his last game in Foxborough.

Mayo had a brilliant start to his career after being the 10th overall selection in the 2008 draft. He consistently lead the team in tackles until the injuries struck him.

He has played in a backup role this year with a restructured contract. In all likelihood, he will be released at the end of the season because of his $11.4 million salary cap hit.

It remains to be seen if he will ever play again, but it won't be here.

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Gronk's Greatest Hits


TE Rob Gronkowski knows that he is a marked man when the Pats play in Denver on Sunday. Some Bronco players have said they plan to hit Gronk at the knees in order to bring him down.

Fans know that this can have disastrous results. He caught a lucky break when the team last met in November when he only suffered a sprained knee after a huge hit.

Gronk said that all the hits were legal and just part of the game. Fans always worry when Gronk gets tackled. It only seems to be a matter of time before he gets hurt again.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Classless Cam


Cam Newton is the face of the Carolina Panthers. He has been criticized for some of his showboating. After his team beat the Seahawks, he didn't show any class when he ripped and crumpled a "12th Man" banner that a fan left behind.

I thought he showed poor sportsmanship by his childish actions. Cam and his team seem to be anointed to play in Super Bowl 50.

It remains to be seen if they can beat the Arizona Cardinals. What will Cam do if he loses?

Monday, January 18, 2016

A Bad Trend


Bengals CB Adam Jones made a fool of himself when he questioned whether Steelers WR Antonio Brown suffered a concussion during the final moments of their Wild Card playoff game last week.

He said that Brown was faking it, but eventually agreed to apologize to him if he missed the Divisional round game against the Broncos. Brown was out because of his concussion and Jones apologized.

QB Ben Roethlisberger also took a crushing sack and appeared to injure his shoulder. The weekly injury report indicated that he had a separated shoulder and torn ligaments. Big Ben played valiantly against the Broncos yesterday, but his team lost in the final moments. CB Aqib Talib is now saying that Roethlisberger was faking his injury.

What is wrong with these players to question anyone about their injury? It was plain to see that both players were hurt. This sounds like a new disturbing trend in the NFL.

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Four Million Reasons


Is Peyton Manning playing his last game as a Denver Bronco if his team loses against the Pittsburgh Steelers? A win will force the Pats to travel to Denver for one more Manning-Brady matchup.

It remains to be seen whether the Broncos bring him back next season, especially with his enormous contract.

Manning took a $4 million pay cut as part of a contract restructure. He has a chance to earn a $2 million bonus if the Broncos win today. A Super Bowl win will get him another $2 million.

He certainly has the motivation to win today and play another game.

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Hoping For Another Game


It's hours away until kickoff when the Pats host the Kansas City Chiefs in their playoff game. So much is at stake for both teams. One will have their season end.

The Pats have many questions with Brady's ankle, Edelman's foot, Gronk's back and knee and the situation with Chandler Jones.

Fans hope that there is another game after this one, but you never know.

Friday, January 15, 2016

No Public Financing


Fans of the St Louis Rams will watch their team relocate to the Los Angeles area. Their owner was determined to make the move no matter what the city or state did.

The fans might be losers in this situation, but the citizens of Missouri are the winners for not financing their $400 million share of a public/private football stadium which was in the plans.

Owner Stan Kwoenke will pay at least $1.8 billion for his own complex at the site of the former Hollywood Park outside of LA.

I am totally opposed to using taxpayer money to build stadiums. Team owners or the NFL should finance their construction. The debt service on Missouri's $400 million share would have strangled the state for years to come.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Johnny Nowhere


Now that the Cleveland Browns have a new head coach in Hugh Jackson, it's only a matter of time before they cut Johnny Manziel.

One writer analyzed the quarterbacks of all 32 teams to see where Manziel would be the best fit. He pointed to the St Louis Rams. Coach Jeff Fisher seems to think that he would be a good project.

Any team that signs Manziel is doing it out of desperation.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

The Rex & Rob Show


Rex Ryan has already been put on notice that the Buffalo Bills must make the playoffs next season for him to keep his job. If he gets fired, it will be along with his brother Rob who is now the "assistant defensive coach".

Rex and Rob will vie for camera time during telecasts. Bills fans should get ready for a circus. Hopefully, Rex doesn't get himself fired.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Lewis Eyes His 8th


Some records in sports will never be broken. Coach Marvin Lewis of the Bengals stands alone in opening-round playoff losses. His team was eliminated Saturday night in the opening round for the fifth consecutive season. They are also 0-7 for playoff games during the tenure of Lewis.

He can thank Adam Jones and Vontaze Borfict for causing 30 yards in unsportmanlike conduct penalties in the final minutes of their loss against the Steelers. Their selfish actions lead to Pittsburgh's winning field goal.

This is not the first time his players have ben out of control. It won't effect his future with the team. He will be back in 2016 to try to extend his dubious record.

Monday, January 11, 2016

His Biggest Play


One play can make or break a career. We saw that on Sunday night when Blair Walsh of the Vikings missed a game-winning 27 yard field goal with 22 seconds left.

Instead, it knocked his team out of the playoffs when they lost 10-9 to the Seahawks in the NFC Wild card game.

It was the first field goal miss for Walsh from 20-29 yards during his four year NFL career. He has been to the Pro Bowl and made many big kicks in the past.

The frigid temperatures didn't help, but nobody wants to hear that when a team's season comes to an end on one play.

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Tom On 95


If Tom Coughlin becomes the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, it will make for great drama next season. The teams will play each other twice as part of the NFC East.

Coughlin will meet with Eagle ownership tomorrow. I think the only thing that could mess this up is the amount of years Coughlin would want on his contract.

Three years might be a good deal for both parties.

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Pass On This One


The Cleveland Browns have expressed interest in Pats Defensive Coordinator Matt Patricia for their head coaching vacancy. He would be smart to stay in Foxborough rather than get into a bad situation.

The Browns have hired seven different head coaches since 1999. When they fired Coach Mike Pettine and GM Ray Farmer, it was the fifth time since 2008 that they have replaced both positions. The Browns roster is in shambles. They have QB Johnny Manziel who is a big bust.

Someone will get the job because they can't turn down the opportunity.

Friday, January 8, 2016

Need Another Stop


When Rex Ryan became coach of the Buffalo Bills, he said that he was in it for the long haul and it would be the last stop of his career.

After an 8-8 season, Rex and GM Doug Whaley have been served notice by ownership that their jobs in 2017 are contingent on the team making the playoffs.

I can't imagine Rex going through a season without making some type of crazy comment. His act works well when the team wins, but can get old real fast when the losses pile up.

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Megatron Might Be Megadone


It's easy to see why the great WR Calvin Johnson is contemplating retirement at the age of 30. After nine years in the league, his body has taken a beating. He owns a slew of NFL and Detroit Lions records, but has only played in one playoff game.

His teams have been horrible even before he was taken as the second selection overall in the 2007 draft.

He stands to make $15.96 million in 2016 and count $24 million against the cap. His numbers are excessive for any team.

Johnson appears to be tired of losing and not having his talent fully utilized. He wanted the Lions to build a better team, but it hasn't happened. The losses have only mounted up.

It would be a shame to see a player like him walk away with some good years left. The money makes a difference, but the losing and injuries have taken a toll. It sounds very similar to Barry Sanders.

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Pays To Get Fired


San Francisco 49er's head coach Jim Tomsula never got a chance for a second season with his team after posting a record of 5-11. Ownership fired him after their last game.

We can't feel bad for him. The team announced that they will pay him the remainder of his 4 year/$14 million contract whether or not he pursues another job. His future plans are uncertain, but he has a good chance for lifetime financial security if he manages the money well.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Job Security


Both Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia are hot commodities in the NFL coaching replacements. They will get interviewed by the Dolphins for their vacancy.

Are they head coaching material? Their competition isn't much better. Most head coaches get recycled around the league. Some go back to being coordinators before their turn comes up again.

McDaniels got fired early into his stint with Denver. Patricia has never been a head coach. They should probably stick with their jobs with the Pats. They will have better job security.

Monday, January 4, 2016

The Road Ahead


Tom Brady said that the Pats will be a different team in two weeks when they play in their Divisional Round playoff game. The team has stumbled along with a 2-4 record after starting the season 10-0.

Injuries have devastated them. Do they have the horses to make it to the Super Bow? The road will be difficult, especially if they go to Denver for the AFC Championship game.

So many experts thought the Pats only had to win two easy playoff games to punch their ticket to the season finale. They were so wrong.

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Tom's Finale


It looks like it's curtain time for Coach Tom Coughlin. His 6-10 Giants have missed the playoffs for the fourth straight season. Reports say he will resign on Monday, with one year left on his contract. This avoids him being fired by the owners.

Coughlin took a great deal of criticism this season, especially on how he handled the in-game meltdown of WR Odell Beckham Jr. He said he was unaware of the three personal foul penalties called on Beckham during the game. How could he not know this? He often showed poor management of the game clock.

I don't think he is a Hall of Fame coach just because he won two Super Bowls against the Pats.

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Rex 2016


I'm glad to see that Rex Ryan will return to coach the Buffalo Bills in 2016, in spite of the team missing the playoffs for the 16th consecutive season.

With a win over the Jets, the Bills have a chance to finish at 8-8. He can also derail the playoff plans for his former team which goes into the game with a 10-5 record.

Rex made many mistakes this year and continues to say things that he can't backup. He really needs to make the playoffs next season just to keep from being fired.

Friday, January 1, 2016

Peyton's Position


It looks like Peyton Manning will be the backup for Brock Osweiler when the Broncos play the Chargers on Sunday. Denver has a first round playoff bye at stake with a win.

Is this a ceremonial thing for Manning? Is he ready to go with everything on the line?

He is a proud warrior who has given everything to the game. It must be tough to stand on the sidelines. It's not about the money. He wants to play.

The careers of Peyton and Brock are like two ships passing in the night. How much longer can Manning play?