Monday, June 28, 2010

Seymour Money

The Pats have a reputation around the league for not paying top dollar for their players. There have been a number of players who have left town as a result of contract squabbles. Logan Mankins is the current holder of that title.

Last year, Richard Seymour was entering his last contract season with the team. In a stunning move, they traded him to the Oakland Raiders for a first round draft pick in 2011. The move was seen by many as an attempt to get some type of value for Seymour before he left for free agency.

Seymour was not happy with the trade to such a dysfunctional team. When the 2010 free agency period started, the Raiders offered him a one-year exclusive rights tender of $12.398 million.

He signed the offer last week and will have until July 15th to negotiate a contract extension. The Raiders made a commitment by paying him the average of the league's top five salaries for his position. The Raiders like his veteran presence, leadership ,as well as his play on the field. They have the ability to franchise him next year.

After nine years in the league and three Super Bowl rings, it appears that Seymour has finally cashed in a the big payday. Unfortunately, it appears that he will finish his career playing for a bad team that will never make the playoffs. On the positive side, he will be making big money.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Play It Again Brett

If Brett Favre plays a 20th NFL season, he will be 41 in October. Having a 41 year old QB is a very precarious position. No doubt that Favre is one of the greatest of all time. If anyone can play at 41, it would be him. I'm a big fan of #4.

I just think it's tough for a team like the Vikings to go into the new season with out knowing the status of their QB situation. It worked out well last year when Favre came into training camp late. It could be the same again this year because Favre is a very unique player. We may never see the likes of him again for a long time.

I think he will be back. I just wonder how long he can play for. It might be another three seasons or maybe only one game. He has defied all logic of the NFL.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Taylor Made Mess

The legal problems of Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor continue to grow as he was indicted by a grand jury for rape and several other charges involving a 16 year old prostitute. He is free on $75,000 bail waiting for his next court appearances on July 13.

As more lurid details emerge, they portray the married L.T. in a bad light. His charge of rape carries a possible four year jail sentence. It will be interesting to see what type of legal strategy is pursued by his lawyers.

He could potentially cut his looses by pleading guilty. No doubt the prosecution will want some jail time. On the other hand, should he roll the dice and try for an acquittal by a jury?

The crime involves the issue of prostitution made murkier by the age of the girl. The past of L.T. does not help the situation.

The next few weeks should be interesting.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Fussy With the Schedule

Fans of all sports can be very fickle. They run hot and cold. I have a lot of passion about my sports, but I never get negative of any aspect. Sure, I wanted the Pats to beat the Giants in Super Bowl XLII. It didn't work out. There is no way we can ever change the outcome of the game. People need to move on.

When I was golfing yesterday, I struck up a conversation with a course ranger who has been a season ticket holder since 1961. We discussed the team for about 10 minutes.

He was not enthused about the 2010 schedule, especially with a home game with Kansas City. This is the NFL. Anything can happen when the game is played.

I love all of the teams, some more than others. I've always been a big fan of the Jets, Raiders and Steelers. I'm probably more of an AFC guy, but I would go to see any team if I had the chance.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

No Chanting For Tom

All teams in the NFL have contract issues with players at times. The Pats are no exception. The Jets are holding their mini-camp and took the opportunity to practice on the field yesterday at their new stadium they share with the Giants.

Jets CB Darrelle Reavis has been involved in a very public battle with team management while he attempts to obtain a contract extension that would make him the highest paid defensive back in the league. His first actions were to skip the OTA's held earlier this month.

This time he took it a bit further. While practicing in their new stadium, the team allowed 7,000 fans to watch. Some of them brought signs imploring the team to pay Reavis whatever amount he wants. They also chanted: "Please pay Reavis". It caught the attention of Jets management.

I think this is shortsighted on the part of the fans. Although 2010 is an uncapped year, there will be implications in future years assuming a Collective Bargaining Agreement is worked out between the Players Association and the owners.

Most fans have a minimal understanding of the Salary Cap. They are being caught up in the hype. They should leave contract issues to the responsibility of team management.

I could never picture a scenario with fans chanting in Foxborough. Since Logan Mankins is not under contract, he does not have to be at mini-camp. I don't see the fans chanting for Brady at any point during the season while he is under contract. It just wouldn't happen.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Don't Ask, Won't Tell

Coach Belichick held a press conference yesterday during the team's mandatory mini-camp. He gave many of his typical vague answers on a wide range of topics.

Reporters felt an ethical obligation to ask about the absence of Logan Mankins . As usual, the coach replied that he could only talk about the players who are present. When pressed further about the status of the contract with Mankins, Belichick further emphasized that any contract talk with the team and player are a private matter.

This has been the same answer for 10 years. I agree with the coach. Contact negotiations are a private matter. The public does not have a right to know of the status of an unsigned player. It also serves no purpose in talking about players who are not there. When the games start, the only players who will play are the ones on the active 53 man roster. I guess a reporter should at least ask the questions.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Logan Ready To Take Off

Logan Mankins declined to sign his restricted free agent offer sheet from the Pats and has demanded to be traded. He was very critical of the team and owner Robert Kraft accusing them of not bargaining in good faith.

The team offered him a 5 year $35 million contract, but Mankins felt that it was not in line with other high profile guards in the league. He cited the 7 year $56.7 million contract recently signed by Jhari Evans of the New Orleans Saints.

He will be able is sit out the first ten games of the 2010 season without losing credit for an accrued season. By not signing his tender, the Pats can now reduce it to 110% of his 2009 salary or $1.54 million.

Mankins joins a list of players who have been engaged with contract squabbles with the team. I have no doubt that the team will attempt to trade him. The team is very deep along the offensive line. They will have a surplus of linemen who could start on other teams. Mankins was a starter since being drafted in 2005 in the first round out of Fresno State. He has never missed a game and has two Pro Bowl appearances.

Monday, June 14, 2010

An Offer To Refuse

The Jets and Giants have been unable to sell the naming rights to their new stadium. The sale is considered critical in financing the debt structure of the construction.

It appears they have a suitor, although the teams are not overly thrilled. AshleyMadison is a .com adult website that promotes adulterous affairs for married people. Their ads have been banned from the Super Bowl.

The CEO has offered $25 million over the course of five years for the stadium naming rights. No comments have been made by the teams, but it's hard to turn down that type of money when nobody else is offering it.

My guess is that the teams will decline the offer and hope that somebody makes a better work with more credibility.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Plenty of Seats

The New York Jets face the potential embarrassment of not selling out their home games because of the controversy with the Personal Seat Licenses for season ticket holders. The Giants and the Jets both decided to sell PSL's to help finance the cost of their new $1.6 billion stadium.

In trying to sell the PSL's, both teams suffered cancellations from life-long season ticket holders. The teams have exhausted their decades long waiting list. The Jets have only sold 9,000 of the 18,000 seats covered by their PSL's. The Giants have fared better and have all of their upper bowl seats sold.

In a desperate move, the Jets have slashed their fees which will cost them $47.5 million in revenue. The prices are rather outrageous. The lower end zone has gone from $5,000 to $2,500. The second level has dropped from $4,000 to $2,500 and the lower sideline, between the 10 and 30 yards line, went from $15,000 to $10,000. Refunds will be given to those who paid the higher prices.

Jets owner Woody Johnson, a billionaire, has insisted that the team will not lift the PSL's and sell the tickets game by game. As a result, the nation's number one media market faces the prospect of a blackout for their team's home games.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Final Chance For Daunte

Time often becomes an insurmountable object in the careers of many players. Turning 30 in the NFL is often the beginning of the end of many careers.

QB Daunte Culpepper, who has played 11 NFL seasons, signed with the Sacramento Lions of the United Football League. He will be reunited with his former head coach Dennis Green.

At one time, it appeared that Culpepper was destined for greatness. He was the 11th overall pick in the 1999 draft when he was selected by the Minnesota Vikings. He lead a formidable offense with receivers Randy Moss and Chris Carter.The Vikings were playoff contender, but only made it once to the the NFC Championship game.

Culpepper piled up great numbers, but injuries began to take their toll. He later spent time with the Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders. Last year, he played sporadically with the Detroit Lions.

In 11 seasons, Culpepper threw for 24,153 yards and 149 TD's. He also was a great runner with 2,652 yards in 514 caries. He scored 34 TD's.

This is probably his last chance to audition for the NFL. The UFL season is scheduled so that players have time to sign an NFL contract.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Quirky Fans

Talking football with others is not always the most enlightening experience. I got into a discussion with some people about Tom Brady and Randy Moss. They were bemoaning the fact that Brady has been absent from the off-season conditioning program. Attendance has always been voluntary. That is a league policy. In the past, Brady was a constant presence. Now, he works out on his own. His life has changed now that he has two kids. Others on the team have kids, but they are still there.

I think Brady's situation is unique. There is only one Tom Brady. He is arguably one of the league's bigger stars. I don't think he is getting soft or that his desire to play is any less. In a recent interview on WEEI, he sounded as passionate as ever about playing. He is either sincere or a very good actor.

I don't understand why people label Randy Moss as a complainer. Everyone on the team constantly mentions his leadership skills. I think they are more in tune to what is happening on the team than the average fan.

I think the wackiest thing I heard was that Brady will retire and become a movie star. I think he should stick to his day job.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

A Door Closes

Every time a player is signed, someone gets released. That is a fact of life in the NFL. At this time of year, teams are allowed to have 80 players on their roster, in addition to their unsigned draft choices. When a drafted player is signed, someone must be released.

The other day, the Pats announced the re-signing of free-agent LB Derrick Burgess. He was acquired last year from the Oakland Raiders for a 3rd and 5th round draft pick. Apparently, he impressed Coach Belichick enough to sign him again for the 2010 season.

This was done at the expense of WR Isiah Stanback who was released. This doesn't mean the Pats can't re-sign him, but Stanback is now looking to hook up with another team. I think this my have been a procedural move. He was their 3rd QB during the second half of last season. He played well enough at receiver to have two starts late in the season.

Personnel moves are always risky. Players can be lost to another team. I had Stanback penciled into one of the roster spots. I don't think the Pats have seen the last of him.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Another Cold Game

Last week, there was an item lost in all of the hype during the announcement of the 2014 Super Bowl being played in New York City. The league also announced that the 2014 Pro Bowl will be played at the same venue a week earlier.

Although the Super Bowl designation was met with rave reviews, the Pro Bowl received a negative response from many players. For many years, the game was played in Hawaii. It was seen as a perk and vacation for the players, coaches and their families. It's a game that is not taken too seriously by everyone involved. It is a week of festivities, golf and parties.

The game moved to South Florida last year, but will be back in Hawaii for next season. Players are puzzled as to why the game would be played under such potentially adverse conditions. They have no problem with the Super Bowl, but the Pro Bowl was always seen as a reward. Why "punish" them by making them play a game in a frigid place that does not offer the same side perks as Hawaii or some other warmer climate.

I agree with the players. The league should keep the game in Hawaii.