Monday, October 31, 2016

Bad Ratings


The NFL big-shots continue to wonder why their television ratings keep falling. Monday night is down 29%, Sunday 19% and Thursday 18%. They like to cite the presidential election and fans being angry with Colin Kaepernick for sitting during the National Anthem, but the problem is rooted deeper than that.

The league is at the saturation point of mediocre match-ups in prime time. Networks pay $45 million for each Thursday night game, but they often feature teams with losing records and no marque players.

Consumers will not buy a product just because it's there. The NFL needs to have star players and "can't miss" games. They are lacking in both right now. They want to see Brady and Manning and not the stuff they try to sell now.


Sunday, October 30, 2016

How Many Career Wins


After today's win over the Buffalo Bills, Coach Bill Belichick has 230 regular season career victories. He recently passed Curly Lambeau and is fourth on the all-time list.

He should pass Tom Landry in another two seasons with his 250th win. It gets real difficult after that with George Halas at 318 and Don Shula at 328.

Shula's record looks out of reach. Halas would also be difficult to catch. Belichick's final total is remains to be seen.

Saturday, October 29, 2016

UMass Wins Over Wagner


I was in Amherst today to see UMass defeat Wagner 34-10 and go to 2-7 on the season. The program has made great strides, in spite of their losing record. Their Independent status has them playing a very ambitious schedule, including three SEC teams. The Minutemen have been competitive in all of their games

They face a huge task on the road with three games in the next four weeks against Troy, BYU and Hawaii. They have a bye on Nov 12th.

Hopefully, they came win a game or two. They need it to silence the critics.

Friday, October 28, 2016

A Giant Issue


It's a good thing that New York Giants rookie CB Eli Apple was a first round draft pick and carries a guaranteed contract. His comments from his mother Annie have put Giants ownership in an awkward position.

She blasted John Marra over the team's handling of the domestic violence case involving kicker Josh Brown. As a survivor of domestic abuse, her comments rang loudly.

The Giants will do some waffling, but this too shall blow over eventually. The league is more concerned with their sagging television ratings than domestic violence.

Eli will probably get released at some point next year.

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Dion Sighting


RB Dion Lewis practiced with the Pats for the first time since OTA's in the spring. They have three weeks to activate him or place him on season ending IR.

His return would add to their already potent offense. Lewis had a brilliant start to his career before a series of knee injuries. Will he be the same player he was before?

I don't think the team will add him to the roster if he isn't ready. If he returns, he will certainly help the offense.

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Bad Fitz


The New York Jets benched QB Ryan Fitzpatrick after throwing 11 interceptions and leading them to a 1-5 record.

With their season on the brink, Coach Todd Bowles went with Geno Smith. That lasted until he went down with a knee injury. Fitzpatrick went back to play and helped the team win and improve its record to 2-5.

After the game, he went into meltdown mode, calling out owner Woody Johnson, GM Mike Maccagnan and the coaching staff for not having any confidence in him.

Fitzpatrick is on a one year contract. His comments and performance so far doesn't bode well for his future with the Jets. They need to have a winning steak, which looks very unlikely at this point.

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Some Guy I Never Heard Of


The Pats made a trade with the Lions today to acquire LB Kyle Van Noy, a 2nd round pick in 2014 from BYU. I never heard of the guy.

I saw a comment on Facebook about how great he was in college. He's one of those 2nd round picks that hasn't done anything so far.

He has a new beginning with the Pats. Some of these guys they get never end up doing anything. Others make a big contribution to the team.

Monday, October 24, 2016

Brian's Tough Break


It was unfortunate to watch Bears QB Brian Hoyer break his non-throwing arm last Thursday night during their game with the Packers. He had surgery today and was placed on IR. He could return before the season is over, but the Bears have a long list on IR.

Hoyer is a great a story of an undrafted player from Michigan State in 2009. The Pats signed him in 2009 and which allowed him to sit behind Tom Brady and learn.

After he left the Pats at the end of the 2011 season, he began a journey that would take him to the Steelers, Cardinals, Browns, Texans and Bears.

Although he has only 29 career starts, he has made it into his 8th season. Not many undrafted players can say that. Guys like him can play for several more years as an experienced back-up QB.

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Don't Blame Odell


The NFL keeps trying to regulate behavior on the field. Players can't even celebrate after a big play without risking a fine by the league

The hypocrisy of it all was in place last week when Giants WR Odell Beckham was fined $24,309 for removing his helmet after a game-winning catch. The NFL is afraid of feelings being hurt.

They had no problem allowing it to be used as the "Castrol Edge Performance of the Week". Nothing gets in the way of money when it comes to the NFL.

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Todd Bowled Over


New York Jets coach Todd Bowles knows that his job is on the line after a 1-5 start. He has placed his fate in the hands of Geno Smith after deciding to bench Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Bowles said the decision was his, but admitted that he consulted with owner Woody Johnson and GM Mike Maccagnan.

Whenever a coach utters this line, it's usually a case where it was not his decision. It's hard to believe that Smith could go 9-1 s a starter and get the Jets into the playoffs.

Bowles is probably already on the list of coaches to be fired after the season ends. It's a tradition with the Jets.

Friday, October 21, 2016

The Experts Missed Him


WR Chris Hogan is a great example of players who fall under the radar and never get drafted. He signed a 3 year/$12 million contract with the Pats last March as a restricted free agent.

So far, it looks like a good move for a guy who played only one year in college. He spent four years at Penn State as a lacrosse player before becoming a fifth year senior at 1-AA Monmouth. His numbers were not impressive with 12 catches for 147 yards and 3 TD's. He also played some defense, with 28 tackles and 3 interceptions.

He signed with the 49er's as an undrafted free agent in 2011 before being cut. He spent the rest of the season with the Giants and Dolphins on their practice squads.

His big break came in 2012 when he signed with the Bills. He impressed Coach Belichick enough that the Pats pursued him after the 2015 season.

The league is full of players like Hogan who never even get invited to the Scouting Combine. The Pats recently released Johnathan Cooper who was the 7th overall pick in the 2013 draft.

Stuff like this is normal around the league.

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Jets Going Down


At 1-5, the season of the New York Jets is in a downward spiral. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick leads the league with 11 interceptions. Nothing is going right.

Since the Jets are carrying four quarterbacks on the roster, they will go with Geno Smith when they play the Ravens on Sunday.

Fans must feel that the season is slipping way. Smith won't be building their confidence when he brings his career record of 11-18 as a starter.

Rex Ryan is sporting a 4-2 record in Buffalo and probably has a big smile on his face while watching his former team implode.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Giving Up Less


At the end of Week 6, the Pats sport a 5-1 record and are ranked #2 in points allowed. Coach Belichick always places an emphasis on points, but it's not good enough for some of the local talk show people.

The Pats have an issue on third down and give up too many passing yards. Those numbers don't usually translate into fewer points, but the defense has prevented the big plays.

Too much emphasis is given to statistics. Points allowed tells a lot about a team. I would take that any day.

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Microsoft Ruled Out


Microsoft has a $400 million contract with the NFL to have their Surface Pro tablet on the sidelines for use during games.

Coach Belichick announced today that he will no longer use them and go back to the old way of black and white pictures.

He spent five minutes of his press conference today explaining his reasons. He recently spiked one during a game when it stopped working.

Microsoft issued a statement bragging about its success during games, but announcers keep calling them ipads. They are not getting their $400 million worth.

Monday, October 17, 2016

Dak and Tony


The Dallas Cowboys are 5-1 under QB Dak Prescott who has been filling in for the injured Tony Romo. Rumors are swirling that Romo will get his job back and disrupt the wining momentum.

The final decision will be made by GM and owner Jerry Jones. There will be controversy no matter what happens. Jones is known for making bad decisions.

I have no doubt that the team will begin its slide if they bench Prescott.

Sunday, October 16, 2016

Bengals Throw It Away


The Pats beat the Bengals 35-17, but the game was marred by unsportsmanlike conduct and taunting penalties on both sides.

The Bengals were especially guilty. Some calls should have been made. The officiating crew let it get out of hand.

The same thing happened to the Bengals last year in their playoff loss to the Steelers. It's easy to see why Coach Marvin Lewis is 0-7 in the post-season. His teams lack discipline when  it really matters.

Friday, October 14, 2016

Cooper's Cash


When the Pats released OL Johnathan Cooper, they were giving up on a $4.1 million player who was acquired in the Chandler Jones deal.

By being on the opening day roster, they are responsible for his $2.4 million salary. He already had a $1.7 million bonus.

He wasn't without work for long as the Browns signed him. It remains to be seen how much he plays on Sunday.

No matter what happens, he made $4.1 million this season.

Thursday, October 13, 2016

No Exchange of Tickets


The NFL makes a big deal of its official ticket exchange site where fans can buy them from season ticket holders. I just watched one of their numerous ads on the NFL Network.

I decided to check it out. I was disappointed to see that the Pats limit the buyers to current season ticket holders or those who have paid to be on the waiting list. They also dictate the amount you can buy.

The Pats have always controlled the resale of their tickets. It was probably the only way they would sign on to the program.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Banging Heads


Fans saw the NFL concussion protocol in action the other day when the Pats played the Browns. Late in the game, WR Chris Hogan banged his head on the ground while making a reception.

The referee ordered him to the sidelines. He went to the locker room for examination by a third party doctor who cleared him to return. The system seem to work as intended.

What would happen if a player like Tom Brady sustained a concussion late in a crucial game and the referee ordered him off the field? It could decide the outcome of a game. We saw that with Julian Edelman in the waning moments of the Super Bowl.

Nobody wants to leave the game. It would be a tough decision to make, especially if the player was ok in the end.

It's only a matter of time before we see this happen.


Tuesday, October 11, 2016

The Early Slide


It's already panic time for Jets and Giants fans with their teams having 1-4 and 2-3 records respectively.

The Jets are already in a deep hole and don't look like they will repeat their 10-6 record of last year. The Giants have issues on both sides of the ball. Odell Beckham is having his own problems.

I predict that the Jets will fall out of the playoff race before the Giants. Neither are headed for the post-season.

Monday, October 10, 2016

45 Million Reasons


It really doesn't make any sense in terms of player safety to play a game on Thursday night after one on Sunday. Whenever there is money involved, the NFL ceases to use logic.

The league has a license to print money with their television contract. The new one for Thursday night brings more money to the table. Over the next few years, the networks will pay an average of $45 million to televise each game.

The quality of the product doesn't matter when there is that much money at stake. The NFL will mumble some concern about the players, but will move forward.

Sunday, October 9, 2016

The Biggest Enemy


The NFL is wondering why its television ratings have taken a nose-dive this season. Fewer viewers will results in financial adjustments to sponsors. That means less money for the league.

Tonight's game features a great contest with the Giants at the Packers. At 9pm, it will go up against the second Presidential Debate which is guaranteed to have monster ratings. The league will take another hit.

The NFL puts up with a lot, especially players who suffer crippling and long term injuries. They especially hate losing money.

Saturday, October 8, 2016

The Head of OBJ


There is no doubt that Giants WR Odell Beckham has a chance to be one of the all-time greats. His first two seasons are a reflection of his unlimited potential.

He is also hurting his team with his on-field behavior that is drawing penalties. His teammates have called him out in an effort to settle him down and stay focused on the game.

Defensive backs have been able to get into his head by verbally abusing him. It seems to be working. Teammates and coaches keep pointing this out to him, but to no avail.

Giants offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan has criticized opposing defensive players by saying that their taunts and other acts are done only because they lack the ability and confidence to stop Beckham.

He is probably right to a degree, but it's up to Beckham to be mature enough to rise above this and show them who is the better player. Instead, OBJ continues to whine his way through games and hurt his team.

Friday, October 7, 2016

The Great Joe Thomas


We never hear enough about the offensive linemen who are the ones who can really make or break a team. Without a good line, there is no offense or points scored.

Durability is a challenge. Brutal contact happens on every play. It's hard to imagine how LT Joe Thomas of the Browns is able to be so consistent.

Thomas has played all 148 games of his career in Cleveland and never missed a snap over 9,203 plays. It's the longest consecutive streak in the NFL.

Any play could end it, but he keeps going.

Thursday, October 6, 2016

The Wallet Tightens Up


It remains to be seen if CB Antonio Cromartie gets another chance to play in the NFL after being released by the Colts. He signed with them back in August, but it ended after their recent game in London.

How will this effect his child support payments? He has fathered twelve children with eight different women. He has been hauled into court on several occasions to enforce child support orders.

His kids will be the ones who get hurt.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Gronk's Cover Story


Fans are beginning to wonder if there is really something true about the "Madden Curse" in light of Rob Gronkowski's injured marred season.

Since 2000, several players on the cover have experienced injury filled seasons or sub-par performances. Gronk suffered a hamstring injury during training camp which caused him to miss the first two regular season games. He has only one catch so far while being used primarily as a blocker.

Some were concerned about the so-called curse when Gonk's selection was announced. It does seem rather strange that there is a bad trend for the players on the cover.

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Too Much Trade Talk


Now that the Pats played poorly against the Bills and lost 16-0, fans need to pump the brakes on Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett. Talk shows have wasted too much time on trade discussions involving Jimmy G. Many seem to think that GM's will beat the door down to trade for him.

After Matt Cassell filled in for Tom Brady during the 2008 season, they were only able to get a 2nd round pick for him. They also had to include LB Mike Vrabel in the deal.

There is a shortage of good quarterbacks in the league. The Pats will probably trade Jimmy G, but don't expect a first round pick in return.

Monday, October 3, 2016

Showing Them Mediocrity


The NFL is trying to grow the game in Europe by playing in London. Since 2007, they have staged 14 contests. They have never had one between two teams with winning records. In fact, just eight of the first 28 teams had a winning record.

The game yesterday between the Jaguars and Colts had two teams with a combined 1-5 record. British fans will need to wait until the Oct 23rd match between the Giants and Rams if they want to see teams with a possible .500 record.

They draw well on game day and with the BBC broadcast. The NFL is not showing its best product, but few teams want to make the trip across the pond.

Sunday, October 2, 2016

Quick To Fire


There is no doubt that several NFL coaches will lose their jobs at the end of the season. It happens every year. The lack of job security comes with the profession.

It gets worse on the college level. Les Miles, the coach of LSU, was fired after his team lost to Auburn last Saturday and left them with a 2-2 record.

They are probably out of the BCS playoff picture, but could get a bowl bid with a seven win season. This isn't good enough for alumnae and the LSU administration.

Miles lead LSU to a national title in 2007, but hasn't been able to have a double digit win season since 2013. They lead all schools with 43 active players in the NFL.

Schools are quick to pull the trigger. Notre Dame's coach Brian Kelly fired his defensive coordinator after the Irish lost 38-35 at home to Duke. Someone had to take the fall in order to keep everyone happy.

Saturday, October 1, 2016

Watt Dimmed For Season


Players try to return from injuries too soon in many cases, especially after having surgery. Houston star J.J. Watt will be the poster boy for trying to come back too soon after a recent back operation.

He was hurt in his team's loss to the Pats and had another back procedure the other day. His season has ended as he was placed on IR.

Will two back surgeries effect his playing future? Will he be the same dominant player next year? Time will tell, but I have a hard time believing that he will have a long career.