The End of the 2017 Regular Season

The season has ended for 20 teams. There are now 12 left to play one more game. Four more will get eliminated next weekend.

For some players, it will be the last game of their career. Some coaches will have trouble finding work next year in the NFL. They might need to go to the college level. Some might never make it back to the big show.

Players will be forced to retire because of injuries. There are young players in college eager to take their spot.

Very few leave the game on their own terms.

Coaches Transition

How many NFL coaches will be fired on Monday? Jim Caldwell of the Lions and John Fox of the Bears seem to be at the head of the list.

They will all resurface somewhere else. It might not be as head coach, but more likely a coordinator.

The NFL is a huge network of coaches who know one another. There is nothing wrong with that.

Coaches move around so much in their career. It can be very hard on a marriage and family.

The $2.5 Million Game

The Pats need to beat the Jets to have home field advantage during the playoffs. Rob Gronkowski has every reason to have a big game.

His contract is filled with incentives. He has a $4 million base salary for 2017. He earned another $4 million with his 1,000 yards in receptions.

His biggest challenge will be on Sunday where he has $2.5 million on the line. He needs either 11 receptions, 116 yards or six TD's. All are realistic except the TD's. Making First Team All-Pro will also do it.

It will be interesting to see if he keeps playing if the game gets out of hand.

A Time To Part

It has been a better season for the Jets than many imagined. Nobody gave them much of a chance to win any games, but it has not been without controversy.

It remains to be seen if they activate Muhammad Wilkerson when they play the Pats on Sunday. All signs point toward the team parting ways with the disgruntled player.

They have a good reason to sit him on Sunday. If he got seriously injured, his $16.75 salary for 2018 would be fully guaranteed. If they release him, they won't be on the hook for any money.

Things have not worked out with Wilkerson after he signed a 5 year/ $86 million contract prior to the 2016 season.

Apple Sits

The New York Giants continue to be a dumpster fire with their latest episode involving CB Eli Apple. Landon Collins referred to him as a cancer on the team. It has been one thing after the other for the former first round pick.

Apple met with Coach Steve Spagnola and Collins in an attempt to clear the air. The Giants decided to suspend him for the final game of the season three hours after their meeting.

Everyone will be glad when the season is finally over.

Last Stand For The Bills

The Buffalo Bills have not made the playoffs since 1999. They hold the longest streak of any professional sports team for this dubious distinction.

At 8-7, their hopes are hanging by a thread. They need help from other teams. Their loyal fans deserve an opportunity. It will all be decided next weekend.

Can't Fire The GM

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones gave Coach Jason Garrett a vote of confidence after the team was eliminated from the playoffs with their loss to the Seahawks.

It was the least he could do for a coach who doesn't pick the players. Jerry can't fire the GM because he would be firing himself.

James Harrison

Steelers LB James Harrison was released earlier this week. Is this the end of the line for the 39 year old? He only played in five games this season and was not happy with his lack of playing time.

Rumors indicate that the Pats and Ravens are interested in him. How much does he have left?

At his age, the end is near.

Kiffen Talk

Why would Florida Atlantic University give Lane Kiffen a ten year contract extension, considering his track record of moving to other jobs?

Why did Kiffen elect to go for a two point conversion while leading 34-3 late in the third quarter against Akron in the Boca Raton Bowl? FAU won 50-3.

These are two questions without any logical answer.

The Nickname League

While reading business articles in the New York Post, I saw that the XFL might be coming back. The one year league, headed by Vince MacMahon in 2001 has been doing some behind the scene stuff, including registering trademarks.

There is a need for a minor league of the NFL to develop players. The XFL was a perfect fit back then, but lost too much money and folded.

Is this the right time, in light of player protest and head injuries? In the end, it will be all about the money.

Vote The Fans Out

The selections for the Pro Bowl were announced the other night. There is always controversy about who made the team and who was left out.

I don't believe in the selection process where equal weight is given to the votes by players, coaches and fans. The ones who play and coach the game should have the final say.

Fans are biased. They often vote for their own team. Making it to the Pro Bowl is a great honor for a player. It is often mentioned in the Hall of Fame selection process.

Leave it to the fans to mess it up.

Running With Mike

The Pats have lost RB Rex Burkhead for at least a month after he injured his knee against the Steelers. This potentially opens the door for Mike Gillislee who has been inactive for the last six games.

Most assume that he will be active against the Bills on Sunday because of position depth issues. If he doesn't have much of a role in that game, he should really question his future with the team.

Time For Alex

Coach Bill Belichick took a flame thrower to the team's relationship with Tom Brady's man Alex Guerrero. He is now barred from the Pats facility.

Sports talk radio is having a feeding frenzy on this. They invent the news and have no problem with that.

Nobody knows how this will all play out.

At What Price

In light of the controversy involving Caroline Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, the team has been put up for sale. How much will it cost? The Buffalo Bills sold for $1.4 billion a few years ago.

Music icon P Diddy has expressed interest. Colin Kaepernick immediately said he wanted to be part of his ownership team. How would the other owners handle that?

Anything involving Kaepernick could really stir up some headlines.

Need To Win

The Pats have a history of winning in Pittsburgh in recent years. Everyone seems to be focusing on this and thinking that today's game will be an easy win.

If the Pats lose, their hopes of home field advantage in the playoffs get very murky.

There is way too much talk about what happened in the past. It doesn't really matter at this point.

Team Five For Freeny

Rob Gronkowski's one game suspension gave a breath of life to the career of Jonathan Freeny. The former member of the Pats was signed to replace Gronk. He played 19 snaps against the Dolphins before they released him days later. The Saints claimed him off waivers.

It has been quite a year for Freeny. After being released by the Pats in August, he spent three weeks with the Ravens and four days with the Jaguars.

His one game with the Pats was a good break because it gave him exposure to teams.

It has been quite a challenge for Freeny after being signed by the Dolphins in 2011 as an undrafted free agent. He played four seasons with them before signing with the Pats in 2015.

It was looking good after they gave him a two year extension in 2016. Injuries caused him to miss most of the season, but he played in the Super Bowl win over the Falcons.

He has lasted longer than most players.

Bowling 2017

Tomorrow is the start of the 40 college bowl games, culminating with the National Championship game on January 8th.

It all starts with the Celebration Bowl, followed by the New Orleans, Cure, Las Vegas, New Mexico and Camelia.

They take Sunday and Monday off because of the NFL, but resume on Tuesday with the Boca Raton. They are silent on Christmas, but keep a busy schedule through the rest of the year and January 1.

Several of these games will be less than exciting. Some of the teams have records of 7-5 and 6-6. The games need 80 teams. Another 50 Division 1A schools can only dream of their chance in the future.

Jacoby's Opportunity

The Broncos beat the Colts on Thursday Night Football. It was another great opportunity for QB Jacoby Brissett to lead his team to a 3-11 record.

No matter how it ends, Brissett now has a season of work to display to NFL teams. It can only help his value in the future.

Teams can take advantage of him now because of his two years in the league. He has a chance for a long career if things go right.

Playing is so important. He is doing it now.

Gore Like A Bull

You can never blame a player for trying to hang on and not retire. Some do it for the money, league records or a chance to win a championship.

In the case of Colts RB Frank Gore, it's a chance to move up on the all-time list for rushing yards. If he gains another 238 before the end of the season, it will be his 10th year of 1,000+ yards. It will also leave him 36 behind Curtis Martin for #4 on the list.

Gore will turn 35 in May, but indicated that he still wants to play if the right situation comes by.

Teams should give him a chance. He has been very durable and more talented than many of the running backs out there.

He will also improve his chances of making the Hall of Fame, based on his numbers.

Third Down Disaster

The Pats have really dug themselves into a hole after their 27-20 loss against the Dolphins last night. They were outplayed in all phases of the game.

It's hard to believe that they were 0/11 on third down. No team will ever win a game with those numbers. Tom Brady took a beating from the Dolphins pass rush. The way to beat the Pats is to keep the pressure on Brady.

They really hurt their chances for the #1 seed in the AFC and must beat the Steelers on Sunday to regain their advantage. They cannot lose another game going forward.

Gronk's Financial Hit

Rob Gronkowski will pay a steep price with his one game suspension for his brutal hit on Tre'Davious White during his team's win over the Bills.

Gronk will forfeit a $250,000 game check, as well as a $31,250 game day roster bonus. It will also make it harder for him to reach all of the incentives in his contract.

He can earn another $5.5 million if he plays in either 90% of the offensive snaps, 80 receptions, 1,200 yards or 14 TD's. Making First Team All-Pro will also do it.

The Pats won't change their offense just to help him do it. Missing the game could be very costly.

The Farce of Protocol

The NFL Concussion Protocol is becoming a joke. Texans QB Tom Savage took a brutal hit on an incomplete pass on third down in their game against the 49er's. He appeared dazed and his hand was twitching.

Medical staff examined him and cleared his return. He was ineffective during the next series before getting pulled and replaced by T.J. Yates.

Social media lit up with all sorts of critical comments. Any player who has a twitching hand should not be allowed to keep playing. What were they thinking?

Popular Shirt

Eli Manning had his legend grow when he sat sown after starting 210 consecutives games for the Giants. His future with the team is very uncertain.

His #10 jersey is one of the top selling game shirts.

He has a few years left with the NFL. It might be with the Giants.

Don't Lose Seven

If the Pats can win in Miami on Monday Night Football, they will have their ninth consecutive AFC Eastern Division title. The Dolphins are 5-7 and on their last breath for a playoff spot.

After this weekend, the scene will really change around the NFL. Seven losses will destroy most playoff chances.

Voting For Ty

The Pats website has a poll where fans can vote on the team's three semi-finalists for the NFL Hall of Fame. It's quite an accomplishment to have Ty law, Randy Moss and Richard Seymour among the 25 who will get further consideration from the selection committee.

I voted for Ty Law because he has come so close in the past. I was surprised that Seymour was on the list. Randy Moss will have some competition from Terrell Owens.

There is no fair way to select members. Statistics and winning are important. We always have surprises when the lucky players are announced.

Never Going There

Who will be the next head coach of the New York Giants? Pats Offensive Coordinator Josh MacDaniels is a top candidate, along with ESPN analyst Jon Gruden who always seems to be mentioned for jobs.

They should forget about Nick Saban who has built a football powerhouse at Alabama. He has the best gig ever with a contract through 2025 which will pay him a total of $65 million in salary. He can earn another $700,000 annually in incentives and will make $11.25 million this season.

He also has a $26.9 million buyout in his contract. No team will ever touch that.

Brady Was Joshing

We keep seeing the verbal argument between Tom Brady and Josh MacDaniels on the sidelines during Sunday's win over the Bills. People are trying to make it into something bigger than it is.

Talk shows are coming up with their own conspiracy theories. They love to say that Brady and Coach Belichick don't get along.

Listening to all this nonsense is boring and a waste of time.

Giant Ending

It was inevitable that the Giants fire Coach Ben McAdoo and GM Jerry Reese after the team lost to the Oakland Raiders. At 2-10, they are on pace to have their worst record since the NFL started the 16 game schedule.

McAdoo's callous handling of Eli Manning was perhaps the last straw. Fans were outraged that Manning was benched in favor of Geno Smith. This ended his 210 consecutive game streak.

The team appeared ready to move on from Manning next season, but they should have let him play out the season. The Giants were not about to make the playoffs.

McAdoo sealed his fate with this decision. He probably will never be a head coach again, but will be an assistant somewhere.

Only Small In Size

Jojo Natson is probably one of the smallest players in the NFL at 5'7" and 153 pounds. In a league of giant men, he can often be overlooked.

He wasn't invited to the Scouting Combine and went undrafted. He was cut by the Colts, but signed by the Jets to their practice squad.

He will be returning punts and kicks against the Chiefs when they square off today. He will be living his dream against the odds.

Fantasy Concern

Browns WR Josh Gordon will be on the field tomorrow against the Chargers. He is making an improbable return after missing 1,078 days because of drug suspensions.

His last full season was in 2013 when he had 87 catches for 1,646 yards and nine TD's in 14 games. It remains to be seen if he still has his brilliant skills.

The article I read about him focused on his impact on Fantasy Football, rather than any concern for his well-being.

Lot of Empty Seats

We keep hearing stories of small crowds at NFL games. I saw it tonight when I watched "Patriots All Access".

Their feature with Coach Belichick and "The Belistrater" featured Bills games in San Diego, Jets and at home. In all instances, the stadiums looked rather empty.

Fans are staying away. If they bought tickets previously, the team gets the money even if they get rid of them to a paying customer.

The Cowboys and Redskins had a very small crowd in the House of Jerry Jones for their game on Thursday Night Football.