Raining Money

It was raining money today for Tom Brady when he got his $14 million bonus from the Pats as stipulated in his contract. This brings his total career football earnings to $196.2, not including all of his lucrative endorsements. It's easy to see why he wants to play for several more seasons.

He will carry a $22 million salary cap hit for the 2018 and 2019 seasons, but the Pats will get creative and find a way to adjust it while putting more money in Brady's account.

Hopefully, he will be in good health after his playing days are over so he can enjoy his wealth.

A Time To Bid

The NFL is all about competition, especially when it comes to bidding for broadcasting rights.

Last year, the league awarded Twitter the worldwide live-streaming rights for ten Thursday night games at a price of $10 million. As a result of its success, it won't happen again this year at that price.

They will solicit bids from Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Amazon.

As they always say: "May the highest price win".

The Romo Mess

Cowboys owner Jerry jones has made a total mess of the Tony Romo situation. No matter what happens, the team will take a huge salary cap hit with or without him.

Prior to the start of free agency, Jones kept saying that the team would do the right thing for Romo. So far, nothing has worked out in the form of a trade. No team wants him.

This is not how a career should end for such an iconic player for the franchise, but Jerry knows best as GM.

Go Play Elsewhere

I agree with the Oakland city councilor who said that the Raiders should find another place to play in 2017 and after until their new stadium is ready. Why should the city give them an extension on their lease at the Coliseum?

Owner Marc Davis could care less about the city. Let them find another place to play since they have no use for the city and its loyal fans.

Oakland Forever

It's very disappointing to hear that the NFL owners have approved the move of the Oakland Raiders to Las Vegas. It's just another greedy move at the expense of fans. Owner Marc Davis knew that the city of Oakland would not pay for the construction of a new stadium.

From a financial point, it's not a bad fit for Vegas. They willingly committed $750 in taxpayer funding as a part of a stadium and convention center complex. Davis had the leverage. He lined up an additional $600 million in bank financing and will pay a $350 relocation fee.

It's a dark day in the era of the Silver and Black

Maybe The End For Oher

It looks like the career of Titans LT Michael Oher might be in grave danger as he remains in the NFL concussion protocol after being injured in Week 4 of the 2016 season.

Oher will always be known as the subject of the hit movie "The Blind Side" of which he was not a fan.

He played for the Ravens for five seasons after they selected him in the first round of 2009 draft.

Once he became a free agent, he ended up with the Titans on a four year deal. QB Cam Newton had his best season in 2015 with Oher protecting him.

He still has not been cleared for activities. It remains to be seen if he ever plays again.

Give Fans A Break

The NFL is kidding themselves and their fans if they think they are going to eliminate any commercials from broadcasts. They are trying to be more creative in how the breaks are arranged.

Commercials pay for the broadcasting rights. They are not about to eliminate a revenue stream. They might have fewer commercials, but the time allocated will still be the same.

They need to come up with a better process on how they are scheduled around a game. They don't need to take a break after every kickoff and punt.

How To Celebrate

Former Pats TE Martellus Bennett made a great point yesterday when he called out the NFL for its silly educational video for players on how to celebrate after a touchdown.

In a game that is filled with bone-crushing hits and devastating injuries, it seems that the league is more concerned about offending anyone's feelings.

Bennett made a great point in saying the league should produce a video for players on how to invest their money. He said they are more concerned about team logos than the players. He cited the NBA for promoting its players which the NFL doesn't.

The NFL pretends to care about its players. They spend too much time on silly things like player celebrations, instead of illegal hits on the field.

Bryan Stork

The end came too soon for former Pats center Bryan Stork after he announced his retirement today at the age of 26. It almost seemed inevitable with his concussion history.

He missed the entire 2016 season after he flunked a physical when the Pats tried to trade him to the Redskins. After his release, the Jets took a brief look at him.

It looked so promising for him in college. He won a national championship at Florida State in 2013. He also won the Rimington Trophy for being the best center in college football.

The Pats selected him in the fourth round of the 2014 draft. He quickly worked himself into a starting spot on the offensive line. He started for them in Super Bowl XLIX.

Prior to the beginning of the 2015 season, he suffered a concussion and neck injury which kept him off the field for months. This was the beginning of the end.

He made a smart decision to leave the game at this time. He accomplished a lot in his short career.

Fans Rolling Their Eyes

Josh McCown will be turning 38 soon and has a career record of 18-42 as a starting quarterback, but managed to get a one year/$6 million contract with the Jets. It's heavy with incentives that could earn him up to $5 million if he guides them to the Super Bowl.

He is seen as a placeholder, but if he starts a game, he will be the 30th starting quarterback since Joe Namath left the team after the 1976 season.

He has lasted this long, in spite of being the rosters of seven other teams in his career. He must be doing something right.

Clark's Biggest Challenge

A reporter pointed out that the sad news about former 49er's great Dwight Clark's battle with ALS was overshadowed yesterday by the discovery of Tom Brady's missing Super Bowl game shirt.

The NFL never likes to hear stories abut the health of former players. The player immortalized in "The Catch" faces a battle for survival. Clark said that football probably contributed to his condition.

Brady's game jersey was a nice story. Clark's is a sad tale of a former Super Bowl hero whose life will continue to fall apart from his illness.

Jets Trying To Land QB

Fans of the New York Jets are probably wondering who will play quarterback this season. They lost Geno Smith to the Giants and only have Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg on their roster.

They plan to have veteran Josh McCown in for a visit. He will bring his career record of 18-42 with him. There isn't much available other than Jay Cutler, Chase Daniel, Colin Kaepernick and Robert Griffin III.

The Jets are in a rebuilding mode. Fans don't have much to look forward to this season. They can only hope that there is another Dak Prescott in the draft. Don't count on it.

Gale Sayers

It's tough to hear that the great Gale Sayers has been battling dementia since 2014. The Hall of Fame member was the youngest inductee ever when he got there at age 34.

His seven seasons with the Chicago Bears were a human highlight film. His career ended because of his knees. It's terrible to see that his dementia was probably caused from blows to his head when he played.

Phone Not Ringing

Former Pats DE Chris Long is a free agent and faces the same situation as other veteran players. There has not been a rush to their door with offers from teams.

Long indicated that he is weighing his options and looking for the right team. That's a nice way of saying that there has not been much interest in him. The same can be said for LeGarrette Blount and Branden Bolden.

Teams can fill their needs with cheaper players from the draft. Some of the current free agents will be looking for work in November. The call might never come.

The Big Turnover

Free agency makes it a challenge for teams to keep their players together for a long term. It seems inevitable they will be broken up as the CBA works to encourage that.

The Pats had a great backfield this past season lead by LeGarette Blount who is a free agent after making $1.1 million. Brandon Bolden also joins him looking for a new deal.

They signed FB Rex Burkhead from the Bengals at a cost of $3.15 million. This was more than James White and Dion Lewis made last year. Both of them will be free agents after the 2017 season.

Blount and Bolden probably won't return. White and Lewis could be gone after next season.

It becomes a revolving door for teams around the league. Some of them will turn over half of their roster before their first game in September.

Revis Wants To Be Wanted

Now that the legal problems for Darrelle Revis have been resolved, there is talk about another stint with the Pats.

It remains to be seen if it ever happens, especially with his poor performance last year. If the Pats could get him for the veteran minimum, it would be worth a shot.

Revis wants to play, but has stated that he wants to feel wanted. That's another way of saying that he wants to get paid. If he wants money, Foxborough is not the place for him.

Tower of Defense

I think Donta Hightower made the right decision to return to the Pats. He got his money with a 4 year/$43.5 million contract. He has another chance to pursue Super Bowls with a team that can get there.

Going to the Jets would have been a step back for him. It's pointless to be part of a rebuilding process when you have a chance to win here.

I commend the Steelers for saying their offer would either be signed or pulled back. The Jets looked foolish with their cupcake episode in honor of Hightower's 27th birthday.

Changing Corners

It looks like the Pats and Malcolm Butler will part ways after they allowed his agent to try and come to terms with the Saints on a new contract. The teams would then agree upon compensation for the Pats through a trade.

Will the defense be better by losing Butler and Logan Ryan, while adding Stephon Gillmore? I don't think fans were planning on losing both starters from the Super Bowl team.

Coach Belichick always has a plan. Hopefully, they don't revert back to the old days when Julian Edelman was taking defensive snaps.

A Cloudy Future

The Pats have a messy situation on their hands with a very unhappy and frustrated Malcolm Butler. As a restricted free agent, his options are limited. He doesn't want to sign his $3.91 million offer sheet and is trying to get a team to give up a first round draft pick for him.

He will be able to cash-in next year on a huge contract, but it looks like all parties will be equally unhappy for 2017. The money they gave to Stephon Gillmore just makes it worse for Butler.

Cooks Will Be Cooking

The Pats really wanted to have Saints WR Brandin Cooks. There was talk about a trade for CB Malcolm Butler, but it didn't happen. Instead, they were able to send their first and third round picks to get him.

Cooks comes to them with some amazing statistics. At his young age of 23, he already has 215 receptions for 2,861 yards and 20 TD's. Only Randy Moss and Larry Fitzgerald had better numbers at that age.

Cooks benefited greatly by being a primary target of Drew Brees. He might not get that many targets with the Pats, but will put up some great numbers.

On paper, they have a very formidable offense as long as nobody gets hurt.

Dollars For Bennett

TE Martellus Bennett got his money from the Packers. It was less than what he thought he could command on the open market. He wanted to be paid like Gronk, but that wasn't going to happen with the Pats.

Bennett will have a much larger role in the Packer offense and gets to work with another great quarterback in Aaron Rodgers.

He will get $18 million over the three years of the contract. He wanted more, but there wasn't a big demand for him.

Cooks Here

The Pats really improved themselves when they traded with the Saints for WR Brendin Cooks. They might have too many receivers with Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Danny Amendola, Malcolm Mitchell, additional free agents and draft picks.

This will be a great battle in training camp. So many moves will be made. The roster is never final for any team.

Ready To Lose Players

Free agency starts at 4pm. The Pats will lose several players. Who will they be?

I predict that Logan Ryan, Duron Harmon, Martellus Bennett and Donta Hightower will find new teams and big money.

The Pats will not make a huge splash with a big signing. They will fill their needs with less expensive players.

Romo Roaming

It's ending for Tony Romo in Dallas after 14 years. The Cowboys will release him on Thursday because nobody wants to trade for him.

He is facing an uphill battle for a starter's job. He turns 37 in April and has a history of injuries, especially his back. Somebody will take a chance on him. He can at least be a back-up.

The league overpays for quarterbacks. It will be interesting to see how much money he gets.

Devlin Serves Whine To Fans

Sports talk will be filled with panic this week from Pats fans once they start losing players to free agency. It seems like CB Logan Ryan and LB Donta Hightower will be the first to cash in. RB LeGarrette Blount will probably leave and be a failure like he was previously with the Steelers.

Fans will complain that the Pats big headline was to sign FB James Devlin to a 2 year/$2.8 million contract. They want the team to spend big dollars on players who will never live up to their contract.

Devlin played a crucial role in the team's offense this year as a blocker. He had no rushes and only caught five balls for 31 yards through the Super Bowl. His value showed as he played 30.7% of the offensive snaps and 33.7% on special teams.

He broke his leg prior to the start of the 2015 season and was placed on IR. The running game suffered from his loss. Coach Belichick considers him to be a crucial part of the offense. The team was smart to sign him, alhough fans will whine for more.

Changing The Team

The Pats will lose some key players when free agency starts tomorrow. They can't give everyone the money they want. There isn't enough room under the salary cap.

You can't blame players trying to get the last dollar. Life in the NFL is short. There is no reason to give a home town discount.

I have no doubt that Coach Belichick and his personnel department have a strategy in place. The players they bring in through free agency and the draft will have an impact on the 2017 season.

Against The Odds

Fans had reasons to doubt that the Pats could ever overcome the 25 point deficit they faced in Super Bowl LI. History was not in their favor.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, NFL teams with a 25 or more point lead were 2,545-4-2 in regular season games and 102-2 in the playoffs.

The odds were so much against them, but the Pats pulled it off.

Trade Talk Nonsense

There has been too much trade talk involving QB Jimmy Garoppolo. Everyone claims to have the inside track on what will happen. They are so delusional into thinking that Jimmy G could command a slew of draft picks.

When the Pats traded Matt Cassel to the Chiefs after the 2008 season, they only got a 2nd round pick. They also had to add LB Mike Vrabel to the deal, in spite of Cassel going 11-5 as a starter in place of Tom Brady.

Quarterbacks can command a price, but Garopollo has only played in two games. If they trade him, they have no backup other than Jacoby Brissett

Sebastian Vollmer

And just like that, it looks like the career of Pats OL Sebastian Vollmer is coming to the end after eight seasons.

He had quite a journey after being a second round pick (58th overall) in the 2009 draft. He wasn't even invited to the Scouting Combine. Many thought that Coach Belichick made a real reach to select him.

Vollmer ended up playing 98 games with the team, including 94 starts. He made Second Team All-Pro after the 2011 season. He was dogged by back injuries, a broken leg in 2013 and the shoulder issue that kept him on the PUP List for 2016.

Like many players around the league, his salary cap hit of $2.4 million made him expendable.

Chris Is Long Gone

Pats DE Chris Long announced that he will not be with the team next year after revitalizing his career and winning a Super Bowl ring.

After eight seasons with the Rams, he rolled the dice when he signed with the Pats prior to the 2016 season. It worked out perfect for him in many ways. He was able to have a healthy year and showcase his talent to the rest of the league.

His primary reason was a desire to play more snaps on the defensive side of the ball. It was no secret that he was a situational player and in a rotation with others. It would be the same in 2017.

At the age of 32, he wants to take advantage of the opportunity to try and grab a big dollar contract.

Someone will pay him.

Randy On His List

There was a lot of talk about WR Terrell Owens when he failed to get elected to the Hall of Fame. A couple of the voters cited his selfishness as a player and his reputation as being a problem in the locker room.

Former Colts GM Bill Polian is now saying that WR Randy Moss deserves the same fate when his turn comes in 2018. He mentioned the same reasons. He failed to say anything about Randy's former teammate Chris Carter who was a problem early in his career.

All of a sudden, behavior has become an issue. How much of a factor should it be in electing future members?