Forgettng Thomas

LT Joe Thomas of the Cleveland Browns is probably headed to the Hall of Fame, but his career has many contradictions. After being the third overall pick in the 2007, Thomas has not only played in every game of his career, but he has never missed a snap.

At the same time, the Browns have never had a winning season during his tenure or made the playoffs. He has been selected to ten straight Pro Bowls, earned a lot of money, but will probably never be on a championship team.

In a recent interview, he indicated that he was already suffering some memory loss. He seem to shrug it off as part of playing the game or just an occupational hazard.

His attitude may come back to haunt him twenty years from now. He might be one of those players who has a bad time after retirement.

Nobody knows what will happen to anyone. It's not a good sign when you admit to memory loss at 32.

The Starting 90

This NFL Draft has been very exciting. There will be at least 10 new faces on the Pats final 53 man roster when they open the season. They need to work with the current roster of 90.

This is a very exciting time for fans as they see their team's roster built for the new season. So many new players.

A lot of these players will see their dream die when they never make a roster for any team. Others will keep getting chances until they stop.

Rounds 2 & 3 Draft 2017

Rounds 2 & 3 of the NFL draft will be held tonight. The Pats have two picks in the third round. So many "experts" thought the team would do something with QB Jimmy Garoppolo to get into the first round, but it didn't happen.

Some fans were panicking last night because the Pats didn't have a first round selection. They are saying the same about the second round.

They selected CB Cyrus Jones last year in the second round. How did that work out? In the fourth, they got WR Malcolm Mitchell. That worked out well.

You never with any player.

2017 NFL Draft

It's Round 1 of the NFL Draft tonight. So much is at stake for players who stand to gain or lose millions, depending on when they are selected.

Will there be surprises in the first ten? Will the Pats try to get into the fight? How will all the fantasy drafts play out?

The history of the NFL is filled with stories with players who heard their name called in this round, but they never did much once they had their opportunity.

Danny's Annual Pay Cut

Danny Amendola is a great example of a player who signed a long term contract, but never saw all the money. It's always a farce for most players.

He was billed as the replacement for Wes Welker when he signed his 5 year/$31 million contract in 2013.

He was forced to take a pay cut last year to $1.6 million to stay on the roster. His 2017 salary of $6 million was never going to happen. Instead, he reduced it to $1.7 million, including bonuses and incentives.

The best part for him is the $1.25 million base salary is fully guaranteed. He will be a free agent after this season and facing the end of the road.

Long Run Ends

College players await the NFL draft on Thursday. There will be elation and disappointment, based on where they were selected. Some will never hear their name called. Only one player will top the list.

Jake Long did that in 2008 when he was selected number one overall by the Dolphins. He began a career with four straight Pro Bowls as a member of their offensive line.

His venture into free agency after 2012 ended in disaster with the Rams as he missed the 2013 and 2014 seasons with a torn ACL.

He was a backup with the Falcons for 2015 and was having a good season with the Vikings in 2016 until he ruptured his Achilles during Week 10.

It all ended today when he announced his retirement. Eleven seasons went by too soon for him.

Usually Not Right

Every year before the NFL draft, we hear how so and so is going to be the next so and so. Most of these predictions are wrong. Some players never make it to the NFL, never mind stardom.

The media loves to pump up players. That's part of their job. They say things that are untrue. Mock drafts are the biggest joke. They should only be viewed as fun and for conversation. I can't take them seriously.

The Great Bill Speaks

It was great to hear the comments of Bill Parcells about the retirement of QB Tony Romo  He admitted that Romo should retire because of the toll the game takes on a player's body. He also said that the great TE Jason Whitten should give it up.

Romo is done. He moves onto a great gig with CBS.

A Giant Mess For Eli

Giants QB Eli Manning has himself in a big legal mess over trying to pass off helmets as game-used. It seems like a ridiculous thing for a guy like Manning to do.

Why would he get involved in such a nickel an dime operation? He has old emails that make him look bad. He is fighting all charges. The Giants are standing behind him.

Players do all sorts of crazy things. This one is very puzzling.

Only Brady Knows

Boston sports talk shows have wasted too much time talking about Tom Brady and the reason why he skipped the team's visit to the White House.

There have been all sorts of theories about Brady and President Trump. Nobody wants to consider that Brady's parents were in town to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

We will never know the truth, but there is only so much that can be said.

Right On Schedule

Only the NFL could create a two hour show about he release of the 2017 regular season schedule. The NFL Network always does it right with their programming. This one was no exception. They even had fans call in and give their opinion of their respective team.

There was a very good overview of how the schedule is created. It's a massive undertaking and handled by four employees at the NFL headquarters.

Aaron Hernandez

I woke up this morning to the news that Aaron Hernandez committed suicide in his prison cell. Last Friday, he was found innocent of a double murder, but was already serving a life sentence for the murder of Odin Lloyd.

Investigators are looking into other scenarios, but it looks like a suicide. His conviction for the Lloyd murder was under appeal and will now be vacated according to Massachusetts law.

There are financial implications for his family based on his NFL pension, civil lawsuits and money owed to him by the Pats. It will be battled out in court by highly paid lawyers.

In the end, Hernandez will forever be an example of what might have been as part of the greatest tight end combination, along with Rob Gronkowski, in NFL history.

Butler Served

Malcolm Butler finally signed his Restricted Free Agent tender and will be under contract for $3.91 million next season. It also allows the Pats to trade him before they probably lose him to free agency next year.

The Pats don't have a pick in this year's draft until the third round at #72. There is no doubt that Coach Belichick would like to get into at least the second round.

On the other hand, Butler and newly signed Stephon Gillmore would be a formidable duo at the corners.

Will Butler be here for the first game in September? It remains to be seen.

Roddy White

The end never goes well for most players. It's great when they can decide to walk away from the game. Others are forced to deal with it because no team wants them even if they are a star.

We saw that with Falcons WR Roddy White this week who announced his retirement after sitting out the 2016 season. In spite of being the Falcons all-time leader in receptions, yards receiving and touchdown catches, the decision was made for him.

He became a victim of a system where teams are looking to go younger and cheaper. His career ended with 808 passes for 10,863 yards and 63 TD's. The career of the former first round pick in the 2005 draft ended at 35.

No Buyers At The Market

The New York Jets are only kidding themselves if they think they can get something for DL Sheldon Richardson in a trade. Whoever gets him will be on the hook for one year at $8 million and a guy who is looking for a huge contract.

Richardson is a brilliant player. He was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2013, but has a number of issues that have caused him to miss games as a result of being suspended.

At one point, they were looking for a first round pick. They should take whatever they can get.

Twins Together

The Titans released CB Jason McCourty today. It immediately started rumors after he said he would like to play with brother Devin and the Pats.

Will the team sign him? They tried to trade for him during the 2015 season, but things didn't work out.

He has been injured the last two seasons. If he can get back to where he was, he would be a great addition.

Dan Rooney

The NFL lost an icon today with the passing of Steelers owner Dan Rooney. His family has owned the team since the 1920's. He was a huge influence in the growth of the league.

I have always been a Steelers fan. Their teams are legendary going back to the glory days of the 1970's. So many great players and Hall of Fame members. I enjoyed their teams.

It's really awesome to hear the responses of players on the NFL Network.

Will Gronk Show?

Fans will be waiting to see if Rob Gronkowski shows up on Monday for the team's conditioning period. He appears to have made a good recovery from his back surgery that ended his season early.

He left fans wondering after they saw him playfully tackling Tom Brady at the Red Sox home opener.

Some thought that it was a bit much seeing him crashing to the field. When it comes to Gronk, everyone holds their breath. He needs to show up and ease the concerns of fans. 

No Dice

Leave it to the NFL to be a great example of hypocrisy. They had no problems letting the Raiders leave Oakland for a new stadium in Las Vegas. It's always about the money.

The league is investigating several players who participated in an arm wrestling contest at a casino. Players are not allowed to do events or promotions at gambling venues.

This is so lame. The league does nothing about the concussion crisis. It would rather spend time cracking down on stuff like this and end zone celebrations.

No Beast In The East

I don't put any stock into the rumors about RB Marshawn Lynch coming to the Pats if he doesn't sign with the Raiders. His price tag will be too high and the Seahawks will need to be compensated since they still own his rights.

The Pats are not about to pay big dollars for a running back. They know they can get someone for less than $2 million a year.

LeGarrette Blount has an offer on the table. He will either sign it or they will move in another direction.

Looking To Pick

Will the Pats make a move on draft day to secure a first or second round pick? They don't have either one as of now.

Fans can be certain that decisions will be made on draft day. If they want a certain player, they will do their best to go after him. They are not afraid to make any type of trade.

Take The Money LG

LeGarrette Blount has a contract offer from the Pats. Neither side is talking numbers or length, but it's rumored to be less than $2.5 million annually.

He probably thought he could score a big contract after his great season, but the market is not there for a 30 year old running back.

He should take the money from the Pats before he is on the outside looking in.

Not The End of Ben

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger said that he will return for his 14th season. A few months ago, it appeared he might retire.

He has a small window left in his career. Got old so fast.  Nobody would ever complain if he retired this year or next.

The Steelers need to be ready to have another great quarterback.

Rex TV

It's great to see Rex Ryan land a gig on ESPN's "Sunday NFL Countdown". He will continue to draw his $5.2 million salary from the Bills, while collecting another $300,000 from ESPN.

He is very outspoken and says some crazy things. His press conferences were always entertaining. I think he will do a great job and look forward to listening to him

Simms Knocked Out

Cowboys QB was limited in his playing options for the 2017 season. No team was beating a path to his door. He decided to retire and will join CBS as a broadcaster.

This sounds like a nice story, but not to Phil Simms. He looks like the odd man out in the booth. I always thought he did a good job with Jim Nantz, but CBS felt otherwise.

Yo Adrian

The Pats hosted free agent RB Adrian Peterson today. Many were wondering why the team would even think of signing him.

I don't think the team has any interest in him. I bet Belichick is evaluating his playing ability in case they ever play against him.

If the team signs him, they will need to deal with a lot of negative publicity.

Sign Someone Younger

Free agent Pats RB Brandon Bolden may have priced himself out of the NFL. The five year back and special teams player has no future in the league. Teams are not beating a path to his door.

He played five great years under Coach Belichick as an undrafted college player.

In spite of his special teams experience, he has generated little interest. His best option would be to try and work a deal with the Pats to fight for a roster spot in training camp.

Otherwise, he might become a street player who never makes it back to the NFL.

Another Great Teddy B

The brilliant young QB Teddy Bridgewater resurfaced in the news this week when the Vikings decided to sign journeyman Case Keenum to backup Sam Bradford.

It remains to be seen if Bridgewater ever makes it back to the NFL after dislocating his kneecap and tearing his ACL during a non-contract practice. He is expected to miss the entire 2017 season and might not be ready until March 2018.

Hopefully, he gets back on the field. He showed so much potential in his short time. He had the future ahead of him.