Saturday, April 30, 2016

2016 Draft Day 3


Mel Kiper Jr is bringing his "A" game again. He could be making stuff up for all we know, but ESPN has great coverage.

They just showed a great stat. In 2015, 64% of the players on NFL rosters were drafted after the 3rd round, while 14% were in the first and 22% in the 2nd and 3rd.

This is a big day for roster building and finding future starters. Many great players get selected in these rounds.

Friday, April 29, 2016

2016 Draft Day Two


The Pats will finally get to make some draft selections tonight. What positions will they try to get depth for? They have needs at running back and wide receiver. Will they draft a quarterback?

So many of the mock drafts were useless. They got most of the players right. They just didn't get them with the right teams. There are always surprises.

Let's see what happen tonight.

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Their Shining Moment


Tonight is the first round of the NFL draft. Every player selected will have their own story. The night holds so much hope and promise, but some dreams will be shattered.

If we look back two years from now, everyone will have a different level of success. Who will become a star? Who will get injured and have their career end? Who will be a bust?

It's the same story every year, but very exciting.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Contract Tweaking


I read the New York Post daily. They have great headlines. They have it out for Tom Brady and the Pats. The recent court ruling on his four game suspension has hyped them up even more.

Yesterday's edition  had a big headline about the reworking of Brady's contract to turn most of his 2016 salary into a bonus. If he sits out four games, it will cost him $235,000 instead of $2.1 million.

The Post implied that he was playing tricks with his money. They know they were wrong in saying it. Every team in the NFL does this as part of the tweaking of the salary cap.

It made for a good headline, but it it's normal business in the NFL.

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

No Road For Russell


As the former #1 overall pick in the 2007 draft, QB JaMarcus Russell will always be considered one of the biggest busts ever. When he came into the league, he was noted for his immense athletic talent and poor work ethic. That didn't stop the Oakland Raiders from selecting him as their franchise quarterback.

Russell had a horrible career with a 7-18 record as a starter during his three seasons. Now at the age of 30, he is trying to convince a team to give him a shot during training camp. He said he would play for free, but that is only posturing because the CBA would prohibit that.

Why would team give him a chance? He never proved anything when he had the opportunity. Doesn't he think being out of the league for seven years does not work in his favor?

With the shortage of quarterbacks, maybe a team will invite him in for a tryout. I don't see it happening.

Brady's Ruling


I always felt that Tom Brady's four game suspension would be upheld by the US Court of Appeals in New York City. He is running out of options. He will probably appeal it to the full court. I don't think the US Supreme Court would ever hear the case if it came down to them.

One of the bigger surprises was how quickly the decision was issued. Most thought that a ruling would be made during the summer. It's interesting to note that it came several days before the NFL draft.

The NFL Player's Association should continue the fight, but they are facing an uphill battle.

Monday, April 25, 2016

Another Bad Trade


I will never understand why teams trade away a ton of draft picks to move up to the number one or two slot in the NFL draft. The Philadelphia Eagles are the latest team to make this mistake when they made their big trade with the Cleveland Browns.

The Eagles are desperate for a quarterback. They are willing to roll the dice and draft an unproven one. They will get the overall #2 pick in the draft from the Browns in exchange for their own 8th overall pick, third-round (77th), fourth-round (100th), first round in 2017, and second-round in 2018. The Eagles will also get the 2017 fourth round pick of the Browns.

This has all the potential of being a bad deal. If it is, the Eagles front office people will pay the price.

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Not The Best Picks


If the Pats select a receiver in this year's draft, it's pretty certain that the player won't have much of an impact on the team. They have not had much success in drafting at that position during the Belichick era other than Deion Branch, David Givens and Julian Edelman.

Bethel Johnson, Chad Jackson, Brandon Tate, Aaron Dobson and Josh Boyce played for a couple of seasons. We have the forgettable ones like P.K. Sam, Taylor Price, Jeremy Ebert and Jeremy Gallon.

They will probably select someone, but don't look for them to be a star.

Friday, April 22, 2016

Marvin's Losses


Most NFL coaches don't last for 13 seasons with a record of 0-7 in the playoffs, but Marvin Lewis has been able to do it with the Bengals.

After a first round playoff exit the last three years, he has a contract extension through 2017. His record is 112-94-2.

His teams have been competitive during the regular season, but can't take the big step forward in the playoffs. Will 2016 be his year?

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Norman's Move


Players who are offered the franchise tag run the risk of losing money if they don't accept the one year deal. CB Josh Norman of the Carolina Panthers had a chance to make a guaranteed $13.952 million in 2016.

He was looking for a longer term contract with more money. Norman and the Panthers could not reach a deal so they rescinded the tag, making him a free agent.

Norman will find out if he is worth the $15-16 million that he feels he should get. The Panthers were offering him $11 million. This was a risky move on is part. He probably didn't think the Panthers would pull the money off the table.

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Commercial Luck


Colts QB Andrew Luck appears in a commercial for TD Ameritrade Brokerage. He appears in uniform talking to a few different employees in their cubicle. He says the same three words to four different people.

A worker dressed as a rabid fan results in Luck calling him out. Their exchange of the same words is absolutely brilliant.

What a great creative commercial.

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Try Once More


Johnny Manziel continues to be a human debacle. How will his story end? His agent Drew Rosenhaus just ended their relationship for the second time. Will they go for three strikes?

In spite of his train wreck life, Manziel continues to fly under the legal radar and gets a pass on everything. At some point, his luck will run out.

Meanwhile, his NFL career goes down the drain.

Monday, April 18, 2016

Holiday Games


The NBA has owned Christmas Day with their broadcasts. There are not many other options. Since the holiday falls on Sunday this year, the NFL saw a great way to cash in.

Most teams will play in the afternoon on the 24th, including the Pats. Fans can watch the Bengals and Texans on Christmas Eve.

The NFL will take over Christmas Day at 4:40pm with the Ravens at the Steelers. The 8:20pm game will have the Broncos at the Chiefs.

The planned this in advance. It's all about the money in the cash register. They are the best at doing it.

Sunday, April 17, 2016

Where Is Bill?


The Pats announced this year's candidates for the team's Hall of Fame. The nominating committee is doing something wrong when Coach Bill Parcells is not on the list. Parcells lasted only four seasons with the team, but his impact was immense.

The nominees are all worthy candidates. RB Kevin Faulk and LB Mike Vrabel are best known to the younger fans. My vote will go to CB Raymond Clayborn who was one of the best defensive backs in the team's history. He won't get elected because he played in another era.

Saturday, April 16, 2016

Bill's Special Day


Coach Belichick turned 64 today. I'm sure he has celebrated his birthday over the years, but nothing can beat this day back in 2000. The Pats selected Tom Brady in the 6th round of the draft. The team was never the same after that.

Belichick and Brady are linked together forever. How many more years do they have? Their ride has been amazing.

Friday, April 15, 2016

Not Pushing Papers


Former USC and NFL great Lynn Swann has been hired as the new athletic director at his former school. He beat out 200 candidates, in spite of having no administrative experience.

When schools make a hiring like this, do they really expect the candidate to sit behind a desk and perform the detailed work of a typical athletic director? Will he be more of a fund raiser and face of the athletic program?

I can't imagine Swann trying to work out the scheduling details for the school's softball team.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Titans Win


The Rams and Titans made a blockbuster trade that the Rams will live to regret. Trading up for the overall number one pick can be a disaster if it doesn't work out. The Rams need a quarterback and someone to create a buzz in Los Angeles.

In addition to the number one overall, the Rams get a 4th (113th) and 6th (190th) from the Titans. Tennessee cleaned up with the Rams with two second round picks (43rd & 45th) one 4th (76th) and the team's first and third round picks in 2017.

This trade seems very lopsided. Speculation has the Rams taking QB Carson Wentz of North Dakota State. If Wentz becomes a star, it will be a brilliant move. If not, the Rams have hurt themselves for the next few years.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Easing Out Easley


It came as a surprise to hear that the Pats released DT Dominque Easley after only two seasons. They selected him as the 29th overall pick in the 2014 draft.

They knew he was a risk after having both knees operated on for ACL tears while in college. His immense talent was worth the gamble.

As usual, the team's actions left many unanswered questions. Why did they decide to do it now? We may never know the real answer.

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Capping The Bowls


College football bowl games exist because they make money for the team involved and television networks. There are too many games and not enough of good teams.

The NCAA will prohibit any new games for the next three years. The 40 bowl games last season featured some teams with mediocre records, including three that were 5-7.

It doesn't make any sense having teams with losing records.

Monday, April 11, 2016

Johnny's Friend


Johnny Manziel makes news no matter what he does. His latest involves moving in with Von Miller, the Broncos defensive star. They were teammates at Texas A&M. Their careers have certainly taken different paths.

Miller has been advocating to the Broncos that they sign Manziel. I don't think he will get too far with that.

Saturday, April 9, 2016

Suit Didn't Fit


It sounded like a good idea when a lawyer from Maine filed a federal lawsuit against the NFL on behalf of Pats fans in an attempt to recoup the team's first round draft pick. The Commissioner stripped the team of their pick as a result of Deflategate.

Team owner Robert Kraft was mentioned as a defendant because he didn't do enough to get the pick back. The lawyer cited it as a violation of consumer protection laws.

The lawsuit was dead on arrival. A judge dismissed it and may look into whether the attorney should be cited for filing a frivolous lawsuit.

Friday, April 8, 2016

Just Say No To Johnny


The Denver Broncos must be very concerned about their quarterback situation if they are having talks with Johnny Manziel. What does he really have to offer them? He didn't play well when he had the opportunity in Cleveland. He faces some type of suspension once he clears up all of his issues.

Teams get desperate and are willing to give anyone a shot. This is a good example.

They should explore other options either through free agency or the draft.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Millions of Reasons To Stay


It's hard to figure out the Colin Kapaernick situation. The 49er's don't really want him, but they guaranteed his $11.9 salary last week. They are trying to trade him to the Broncos.

Denver wants him to take a massive pay cut to a 2 year/$14 million contract. Kapaernick has declined the offer. Why would he give so much money back when he can sit on the 49er's bench in 2016?

The team thought they could pull off a trade and get something, but this has not gone the way they thought it would.

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Watt Dimming Early?


Houston defensive star JJ Watt is on his way to a Hall of Fame career. He already has three Defensive Player of the Year awards. Teams can't defend him.

He recently said that he would not necessarily have a long career. He sees himself like WR Calvin Johnson who recently retired after nine seasons at the age of 30.

Watt wants to play at the level he is at now and would not continue if he saw a drop in his performance. He might follow a new trend where players leave the game while they still have good years left.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Incentive To Lose


DT Alan Branch and OL Marcus Cannon are two of the heaviest players on the Pats. Both have financial incentives in their contract to lose weight.

Branch can earn $100,00 each time his weight is under 355 pounds for April, May and June. He can get another $100,000 if he reports to training camp under 350.

Cannon has a similar deal. He gets $100,000 for being under 350 in April, 345 in June and 340 in July.

Although it seems like easy money, both players have struggled with their weight. It will be interesting to see if they make their goals.

Monday, April 4, 2016

Richmond Not Getting Rich


Richmond,VA is a great example of a city throwing money at a NFL team. They built a $10 million practice facility for the Washington Redskins to use during summer camp. The team agreed to train there for eight seasons.

The financial aspects of the facility have not lived up to the expectations of city leaders. This is no surprise. Cities fool themselves into thinking that it will lead to an economic boom. In the end, it's just another black hole to pour money down.

Teams need to be like the Pats and pay for the own stadium and practice facilities instead of holding out their hands for public funds.

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Jets Crashing Soon


The New York Jets are already in a mess because they have no salary cap space. They only have $719,647 and still need to spend $5 million on draft choices. There is also the issue of QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. GM Mike Maccagnan admitted that this was not his area of expertise.

Defensive stars Mo Wilkerson, D'Brickshaw Ferguson and Darrelle Revis account for $46.8 million or about 30% of the team's cap room.

Drastic moves need to be made which will only weaken the team. This is so typical for teams that spend freely on free agents.

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Position of Choice


The career of Tim Tebow will always be a mystery. His quarterback style was never embraced by another team. He never wanted to play in the CFL. Many thought his best position might be tight end or fullback. He was always adamant about not switching positions.

After being out of football for three seasons, his career is most likely over. He never attracts any interest from teams starving for a quarterback.

We will never know what might have been.

Friday, April 1, 2016

Scrapping Chances


The NFL decided to eliminate their Veterans Combine this year. It was an opportunity for players to showcase themselves to teams in a group setting.

They had 105 players at the one last year, but only three were on opening day rosters. There are so many players who slip through the cracks and never get their chance. It always happens.