Safe Kicks

The new rules for the kickoff are hard to follow. Players and coaches are trying to get clarification. I'm sure there will be issues in the preseason games.

I understand the concern over the high rate of concussions on this play. Nobody wants to see anyone get hurt.

It's a very exciting play for the fans. The leagues must find a way to make it safer while keeping it an important part of the game.

Millions of Reasons To Stay

We always hear rumors of Alabama coach Nick Saban returning to the NFL. Why would he ever do that with the deal he has?

He just got another contract extension through 2025 which will pay him $7.5 million annually, in addition to regular bonuses of $400,000.

He has a system in place that has resulted in five National Championships and a record of 132-20. There is no reason to leave.

Don't Ask About Alex

Tom Brady abruptly ended his press conference yesterday when he was asked about Julian Edelman's suspension and a link to his personal trainer Alex Guerrero.

It won't be the last time the question is asked. I think he will react the same way each time. He has no plans to talk about it.

Odell Is Boring

There is too much time spent on discussing a new contract for Odell Beckham Jr. He wants to be the highest paid offensive player other than quarterbacks.

The Giants have him on their books for $8.4 million for 2018. Why don't they see how the season starts for him? He is coming back from a major injury.

Odell is lucky that he has people in the media advocating for him.

Day 2 of Camp

I attended Day 2 of training camp for the Pats. The place was packed on a hot and humid day. Players went through drills for over two hours. So many different things were happening on the field.

It's a very exciting time of the year. The roster will be fluid. Players will come and go. Many decisions will need to be made that will impact careers one way or other.

How To Waste Money

NFL players have no problems squandering their money on things they show off with.

Steelers WR Antonio Brown was a great example when he arrived at training camp in a helicopter with his three kids and girlfriend.

He earns a ton of money and can do what he wants with it, but the league has a horrible history of players going through all of their cash before they are 40.

Not Giving Any Answer

Coach Belichick held his first press conference today before the start of practices tomorrow.

As usual, he was asked about Malcolm Butler and his decision not to play him in the Super Bowl loss to the Eagles.

It was inevitable that the question would be asked, but the answer remains the same.

He is moving on to the 2018 season. There is nothing anyone can ever do that will make him answer that question.

Packing Profits

The Green Bay Packers released their annual financial statement as a publicly held company.

Their profits fell by 50% as the team missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Their share of the annual $8 billion broadcast revenue was $225 million.

In spite of the steep drop in profit, they still finished $34.1 million on the positive side.

Two things are consistent with NFL teams: they all make money and their overall value increases every year no matter what.

Manziel Moving

Johnny Manziel has seen little playing time in the CFL with the Hamilton Tiger Cats. He caught a break when he was traded to the Montreal Alouettes involving several players.

He will be reunited with Coach Mike Sherman who recruited him to Texas A&M. He has a coach and team that wants him. He needs to make the most of this opportunity.

Darrelle Revis

Darrelle Revis decided to retire before the decision was made for him. He was starting to show his age over the last two seasons. Teams were no longer afraid to throw the ball his way.

He leaves the game with Hall of Fame credentials. Revis Island was one of the all time best during his prime.

Unfortunately, time caught up with him as it does with every player.

Camp 2018

Tomorrow is the day for Pats rookies to report to training camp. This is the first day of their NFL career.

They all bring a different story of how they got there. It will be unique to each of them.

Some will have a very productive career. Others will stick around until their NFL life has been used up because they can be replaced by a cheaper rookie.

For many players, this is the final stop in their football career. They just don't know that yet.

Beach of Brady

Tom Brady took a lot of comments today on social media after pictures were posted of him and his wife on a beach in Costa Rica. They were saying he had a "dad's body".

We shall see where this leads to. Brady was never a big guy with a lot of muscle. I think people were expecting him to have a different body.

More T.O. Time

I would love to see Terrell Owens play in the NFL again or the CFL if he chooses that route. He has a lot to offer to a team. Will it ever happen? I don't think so.

He is saying all the right things and keeping the decision to himself.

Cash For Cooks

Former Pats WR Brandin Cooks cashed in with the Rams after signing a 5 year/ $80 million contract. He was never going to get that type of money to stay in Foxborough.

When the Pats traded him, it worked out great for everyone involved. It remains to be seen how much of the money he will ever collect.

Incidental Trauma

The NFL is trying to make the game safer by eliminating leading with one's head. Penalties will be called, except when it comes to "incidental" contact.

The stakes are high. A deliberate hit will result in player ejection. The "incidental" contact aspect will give the referees some breathing room on calling penalties. That works best for all.

Demarco Murray

Demarco Murray has reached the end of the line after he announced his retirement at the age of 30. Time caught up to the former 2014 Offensive Player of The Year.

He had some great seasons with the Cowboys before he left for the Eagles. It was the beginning of the end.

He put up some very respectable numbers, but in the end, the NFL just used him up.

A Time To Skip

It's crazy to think that Terrell Owens will not be at his Hall of Fame induction. He has chosen to skip the day and celebrate it at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

The Hall has decided to avoid talking about him at the ceremony. His name will be mentioned, but that's all.

He has a right to do whatever he wants, but what motivates him to skip such a special day in his life?

Gronk Rumors

The trade rumors continue to stay alive when it comes to Rob Gronkowski. He is looking for a new contract and the only way to get it might be from another team.

The Pats would never get a good value for him. He is almost impossible to replace in the offense.

The game has taken a toll on his body. One must wonder how many years he has left.

The Odd Couple

Twenty years ago, nobody ever would have thought that Randy Moss could mentor anyone. Here we are after all these years and he is trying to help Bucs QB Jamis Winston who is under a three game suspension.

How will this work out? Winston burst into the league with a lot of potential and off the field baggage. It has come back to haunt him with his latest actions.

Randy did his misdeeds in another time. Hopefully, he can impart his wisdom of being around the NFL for so many years.

Grievance Time

I don't understand why the NFL owners never worked with the players over the new policy regarding the National Anthem. It was only a matter of time before the Players Association filed a grievance over the new policy.

They should have known this would happen. Now they can fight it out in public.

No Rush For OBJ

Too much ink has been dedicated to whether the Giants will give Odell Beckham Jr. a big contract. It gets boring very quickly with him.

He needs to play through this season and then see what happens. The Giants would be foolish to spend a lot of money on him right now.

Snow More Fun

The NFL continues to live up to its nickname of the "No Fun League" with it's latest rule about snow on the field.

The offense will now be penalized 15 yards if they try to clear snow away to facilitate a field goal or extra point.

Teams have been doing this for years with varying degrees of success. I never thought it was a big deal. Fans enjoyed it, especially if it helped their team.

AFFL

The American Flag Football League was made for the NFL Network. The game is an interesting concept that has great potential in a time where there is no NFL action or news.

It has been billed as a safe way to play the game because the rules are meant to avoid any contact.

In the segments I watched, there was accidental contact that must have hurt. I wondered whether one player took a shot to the head. A number of players took tumbles to the ground. Inevitably, someone will tear their knee up.

Dollars For Now

When the CBA expires after the 2020 season, players should seek more guaranteed money and fewer years in their contracts.

This is the stance advocated by some. It makes a lot of sense to get the money as soon as possible.

Players rarely see all of the dollars in their contract. They might do better this way.

T.O. Doing It His Way

Terrell Owens always tried to do things his way. It didn't work out all the time, but he was his own person.

Rather than attend his Hall of Fame induction in Canton, he will give his speech at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he was a star player.

Nobody has ever skipped the induction ceremony. He has his reasons. He will certainly generate a lot of coverage of his actions.

He is stealing the spotlight once again.

Jason's Picture

Three years ago today, the life and career of Jason Pierre-Paul changed forever when he lost part of his right hand from a fireworks accident.

He posted a graphic picture of his injured hand as a reminder to people to be careful with fireworks.

In spite of his desire to help and prevent accidents, people will be injured today as a result of their actions.

Edelman's Gift

The Pats are ready to move on without WR Julian Edelman for the first four games of the season, in light of the upholding of his suspension.

Several receivers on the roster are breathing a sigh of relief because it gives Coach Belichick more flexibility. Things might change when Edelman comes back, but he is keeping someone's career alive by not being on the team.

The End For Kam Chancellor

Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor is a great example of how one play can end a career. He suffered a neck injury last season in Week 10 during a game against the Cardinals. He ended up missing the rest of the season.

Chancellor has been told that he risks paralysis if he continues to play. By making his announcement, it appears that he will not be medically cleared to play. As a result, his salaries of $6.2 million and $5.2 million will be fully guaranteed in 2018 and 2019.

In his statement, he said that this was not the way he wanted his career to end.

No Team For Dez

WR Dez Bryant is still is waiting for a team to sign him. At this point, he is looking for a one year contract as a chance to perform and set himself up for a long term deal.

Will this work out in his favor? Is any team even interested in him?