All About The Roster

There are only so many jobs in the NFL. It's all about being on a roster in whatever way that works to get credited service time.

It seems like the pension and benefit programs vary for players between different eras.

What will the new CBA do for the players built the game of today?

MLB Copies The NFL

Major League Baseball took a big step today when they copied the NFL with their two game series in London between the Res Sox and Yankees.

Playing in Europe is all about expanding the market to millions of potential fans.

It's hard to imagine a team in London full-time in the NFL or MLB. The travel logistics are so daunting.

Both leagues should continue to play games. They wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't worth it financially.

Who knows what will happen in the next 50 years of the NFL and MLB?

Tom & Peyton

I thought it was really nice that Tom Brady posted a picture of him and Peyton Manning with a "spoiler alert" that they have always been friends.

There is nothing wrong with that. Players know each other from high school, college and their time in the NFL.

I always enjoyed watching the post-game celebrations between players and coaches. There are so many connections.

Please Release Them

Jets CB Daryl Roberts is one of many former players on the Pats who found success after being released by them.

He was a 7th round pick in the 2015 draft, but ended up on IR after breaking his wrist in the first pre-season game.

He was released by the Pats at the end of training camp in 2016. The Jets claimed him and kept him on their practice squad for the next two seasons.

In 2018, he started ten games and was able to get a 3 year/$18 million contract from the Jets in the off-season. Only $6 million is guaranteed, but it's money he probably wasn't expecting to earn.

Alex Smith

It's very unfortunate to see that Redskins QB Alex Smith might never make it back to the NFL. He broke his tibia and fibula back on November 18th against the Texans.

At age 35, he is still learning how to run again. With training camp a month away, the clock is really ticking. He could be well enough to walk with his family, but not play quarterback in the NFL.

I hope he goes on Injured Reserve, gets paid and credit for one more season in the NFL.

He has had quite a ride, but probably never thought it would end this way.

Neither did former Redskins great Joe Theismann who went on DC sports talk radio and doubted if Smith would ever play again.

Under The Radar

News of a new CBA is flying below the radar. Not much has been said by either side.

The owners want more games. The players want more money and bigger rosters in return.

What will be the final solution?

A Good Bet

Caesars Entertainment is the official casino partner of the NFL. They installed odds for all teams knowing that only twelve teams will make the playoffs.

The Pats are an overwhelming favorite to get to the post-season. I never bet, but the Pats have a line where one would need to wager $850 to win $100. That sounds like a safe bet to me, given the team's history.

What Could Be With Josh

Tom Brady is trying to help Josh Gordon as he attempts to make it back to the NFL. He posted on social media. It remains to be seen if he plays this year.

Brady has taken him under his wing and included him in family dinners. Will this be enough to keep him from another suspension?

The unfortunate thing about Gordon is that it's very easy to bet against him. He has so much talent and Brady knows that.

College Might Be Best

There are so many players and coaches who take jobs just to stay relevant. People can forget you real fast when they don't hear your name.

A coach's life is filled with staff firings and moving to another job.

Do you coach in college or the NFL? What are your job options?

So many people out there give their life to the game.

Mayo & BB 2019

Coaching staffs change all the time around the NFL and colleges. The Pats are no exception, especially this year.

It seems like former Pats LB Jerod Mayo is a perfect fit for this time. Coach Belichick raves about him.

I have no doubt that he will be very involved with BB in calling the defense this year, whatever it is.

Retirement For Josh McGown

Josh McGown is turning 40 in July. He decided to retire from the NFL after 16 seasons and one in the United Football League.

He started a job with ESPN as one of their analysts. It remains to be seen how it all works out.

He will always be a great example of having a long career as a backup quarterback and occasional starter. He threw for 17,707 yards and 98 TD's.

It was a remarkable journey for the 3rd round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in 2002. He thought he would be with them for his entire career, but that didn't happen. He spent time with ten teams during his long ride.

It's a real tribute to him that he was able to play professionally for 17 years.

Brady & Gordon

Pats fans were able to see a video on Instagram posted by Tom Brady of a workout with Josh Gordon.

It remains to be seen if Gordon ever makes it back without another suspension. His career could've been so much better.

He was really starting to gel with Tom Brady last season before it all ended. He had a great opportunity here and it still didn't work out.

He has so much talent. What will his story be this season?

Smart Nickname

Former XFL and Panthers RB Rod Smart had one of the best nicknames ever in "He Hate Me". He became an instant hit in the XFL before the league flamed out after one season.

He ended up playing five years in the NFL, mostly with the Panthers. He was a fan favorite and a member of the team from 2003 that lost to the Pats in the Super Bowl.

He became a news story today after a missing person report was filed on his behalf. He had not been seen in almost a week.

The mystery was solved after six hours, but many questions were left unanswered.

Hopefully, things work out for him in the future.

A Path For Lauletta

Before the 2018 NFL Draft, QB Kyle Lauletta was seen as a good fit for the Pats for a variety of reasons. He ended up being selected by the Giants during the 4th round.

He played in only one game where he was 0/5. Off the field issues also haunted him.

Once the team selected Daniel Jones in the first round this year, Lauletta fell down the depth chart.

To make matters worse, they signed journeyman Alex Tanney who has bounced around for seven seasons while playing in only one regular-season game.

It looks like Lauletta and Tanney are fighting to be the third quarterback which might not even be viable if the team decides to go with Manning and Jones.

No matter what happens, Tanney will find work with some team. The Giants are already his ninth stop.

Players Out There In 2019

Players keep playing in arena football and semi-pro teams with a hope at getting a tryout with some team.

The odds are steep, but some make it to the final cut of training camp and on a roster.

Many have an impact on their team. It happens every year.

Why Go To Texas

Pats Director of Player Personnel Nick Caserio was the top choice of the Houston Texans for their GM job. Apparently, he had a clause in his contract that made it a moot point.

Why would he want to leave other than being bored and looking for a new challenge? He is a critical part of the team's success here.

Any executive position in the NFL is taken at one's peril. People get fired all the time. The latest Texans GM lasted only 18 months.

Some teams are a revolving door.

Summer Break 2019

Most teams are finishing up their mandatory mini-camps and will not resume again until the end of July. For the next 5-6 weeks, 2,880 players will need to be on their best behavior.

No matter what, someone will get into trouble. It could range from drugs to domestic violence. Suspensions will follow. Players will get cut in some instances.

Each team has 90 players on their respective roster. They will be tweaked a few players at a time. Some will never make it back.

Eli's Battle

Giants coach Pat Shurmur hasn't done anything to confirm that Eli Manning is the team's starting quarterback. There will be a competition with Daniel Jones in training camp.

Manning is poised to be in the battle of his career. His time with the Giants is on fragile ground.

It's All About The Broadcast

The NFL Network had an interesting story of selecting the All-Pro team based on analytics.
This is more for fantasy football fans.

The game keeps growing and attracting more followers who want more content for their devices.

It must be a real challenge to negotiate broadcast rights in this age.

Five years down the road could change so much.

Raiders 2019

It was a great decision to select the Oakland Raiders for HBO's "Hard Knocks". They have so many interesting personalities and story lines.

They will entertain and represent the NFL very well.

John Gruden and Mike Mayock have something going on there.

Time For Mayo

It's great to see former Pats LB Jerod Mayo back with the team as the linebackers coach. Coach Belichick spoke very highly of him during recent team activities.

When he was playing, it was always assumed that he would become a coach at some point after he retired.

The time is now. He has the best situation possible with Coach Belichick.

Hopefully, it works out for him.

Changing Positions

Every year, an undrafted player makes it to the final 53 out of training camp.

Gunnar Olszewski is trying to make it as a receiver after playing cornerback at D2 Bemidji State.

At his Pro Day, he attracted a scout's attention as well as Pats receiver coach Joe Judge.

He has returned kicks and punts and could be a "project player".

Blame Johnny

It's never too late to fire a coach or GM. The Montreal Alouettes of the CFL fired coach Mike Sherman with one week until the start of the season.

His first year was a disaster at 5-13. He advocated trading for Johnny Manziel which proved to be a disaster while costing the team two first round draft picks.

Will this give the team a kick start or make things worse?

The Chicago Bears

The NFL Network showed a 100 year reunion of the Chicago Bears this weekend. So many legends from the past showed up.

Jim McMahon spoke to the media for a few minutes. He has been very public about his mental health issues caused by the game.

Every player has their own story. It's a very tough game to play.

Waiting For The Inevitable

The New York media continues to focus on Giants QB Eli Manning and his possible successor in Daniel Jones.

There was considerable attention paid to the two during the team's mini-camp. It will intensify during the pre-season games.

Manning will be on a very short leash if the team gets off to a bad start. It might not be his fault, but he will get the blame.

Over Thirty and Out

Careers are short in the NFL. Not many play past their 30's. It's cheaper to go with younger players. Every season, veteran players never get another chance.

A report showed that only 242 (8.4%) of the 2,880 players on the 90 man rosters are over 30.

By Week One, teams will be down to 1,696. The majority of the ones over 30 will be quarterbacks, kickers, punters and long snappers.

Teams have and average of 7-8 players over 30. The Pats set the bar last year with 15.

Beckham Finally Shows

Odell Beckham Jr becomes a story no matter what he does. He skipped the team's voluntary OTA's much to the disappointment of Coach Freddie Kitchens. He lost a lot of time trying to work with QB Baker Mayfield.

Rumors surfaced that Beckham would skip the mini-camp, but that would have resulted in a fine of $88,650 and anger Browns fans. They have big expectations of him and won't be satisfied with anything less.

Adam Jones

Adam "Pacman" Jones announced his retirement from the NFL. With the way his career started, it's a miracle that he lasted 13 seasons.

He was the 6th overall pick in the 2005 draft, but trouble and arrests soon followed. He was suspended for the 2007 season and was released by three teams and one in the CFL.

He finally found a home with the Bengals in 2010 where he played for eight seasons before finishing with the Broncos last year.

He had great talent as evidenced by his All-Pro selection in 2014 and a Pro Bowl appearance in 2015, but certainly squandered it at times.

Don't Need To Be There

Too much is made of certain players not showing up for their team's OTA's. We hear nonsense about Tom Brady, Odell Beckham Jr and Antonio Brown. Every team has a list of players who didn't show up.

Even the so-called mandatory mini-camp is never long enough for teams to see who should be on the roster.

A Few Spots

NFL rosters are set at 90. Every team has at least 5-7 spots that get resolved in training camp.

So many things will happen before they get down to the "final 53".

There are so many stories this time of the year. The final 53 is always fluid to the end of the season.