Bracing For The End

I wonder if we have seen the last of DT Ron Brace. The 2009 second round draft pick from Boston College has been a disappointment in his four years with the team. He was inactive for the last three games and only had two tackles so far this season.


To release a second round pick says a great deal of the payers in front of him. Apparently, the undrafted Justin Francis is ahead of him on the depth chart.

Brace illustrates the difficulty in draft selection. The Pats drafted 12 players in 2009. Only Sebastian Vollmer and Patrick Chung are still on the roster. It's nothing out of the ordinary. It happens on every team. The draft is very unpredictable.

Black Monday

The NFL likes to control every aspect of its operation. We are seeing that tomorrow with Black Monday. It has become the day for firing coaches. Several will face the axe tomorrow.

The NFL Network will devote special coverage to it. Speculation is rampant over who will be unemployed. For the most part, everyone will have a job if they lose tit tomorrow.

Andy Reid is rumored to land in San Diego. Their current coach, Norv Turner, will end up as a coordinator on another team. The NFL is one big coaching fraternity. They take care of each other. Former coaching opponents will now be working on the same team.

A coaching career in the NFL really means Not For Long.

Taking A Chance On Playing

The NFL tries to convince the public that they have the concussion problem under control. They have a system in place to monitor players. They have done a decent job overall, but some of the responsibility lies with the players.

If a player gets a concussion, they can still hide it from the training and coaching staffs. We saw it the other day with Jets QB Greg McElroy. He was sacked 11 times last week during his first start. He was scheduled to take the ball in the season's finale tomorrow. However, he told the training staff he was having headaches and dizzy spells while lifting weights. He has been ruled out for Sunday. Mark Sanchez will take his place.

It's easy to see why players try to hide concussions. There is no job security in the NFL. McElroy had been given the opportunity that he waited his entire life for. He finally started a game, but got hurt.

Everyone is replaceable. McElroy would have tried to play tomorrow. It wasn't going to be the best decision for his health, but I'm sure he felt pressure to take advantage of his opportunity. He knew he might not get too many more chances.

A Start For Hoyer

Former Pats QB Brian Hoyer came into the NFL in 2009 as an undrafted college player. He was released by the Pats at the end of training camp last September. He was out of the league until the Pittsburgh Steelers signed him as a third stringer when Ben Roethlisberger got hurt. He was later released and claimed three weeks ago by the Arizona Cardinals.

Last week, he appeared in relief during he 28-13 loss to the Chicago Bears. He was 11/19 for 108 yards. Apparently, it was good enough to get a start this Sunday in the season finale against San Francisco 49er's. It will mark the first start of his NFL career.

During his three years with the Pats, he appeared in a mop-up role in 13 games. This might be he break he has been looking for. There was no way he would get playing time for the Pats unless Tom Brady got hurt. He was able to learn from Brady and Coach Belichick during the last three seasons.

This is a huge game for him. He will be a free agent at the end of the season. It's a great chance to audition for other teams. I hope he has a big game.

No Tebow Time On Sunday

The New York Jets continue to implode with the Tim Tebow sideshow being part of it. Coach Rex Ryan announced that Mark Sanchez will start in Buffalo on Sunday. One game wonder Greg McElroy will miss the game with a concussion.

Where does this leave Tim Tebow? The game is meaningless with the Jets 6-9 and Buffalo at 5-10. Why don't they give Tebow a shot? His season has been a complete failure. He needs to get out of New York to save his career. He has been non-stop fodder for sports talk shows.

It's obvious that Ryan has no confidence in him. On the other hand, Ryan needs to win this game to finish at 7-9 and have a shot at saving his job. We have definitely seen the last of Ryan and Tebow together.

Ray Is Back

Ray Lewis was activated to the 53 man roster of the Baltimore Ravens after missing several games from a triceps tear. Lewis is expected to sit during Sunday's game against the Bengals.The goal is to have him available for the playoffs.

This is a miraculous comeback for the 17 year veteran. Many thought they had seen the last of Ray. His status for next year is up in the air, but he will be available for the playoffs. How well he pays remains to be determined.

Lew is definitely going season to season at this point in his career. I hope he is able to play at his former level. The NFL will have a huge void when he plays his last game

Not A Pretty Win

If you watched the post-game press conference yesterday after the Pats 23-17 over the Jacksonville, it's hard to imagine they actually won the game. The played very poorly in the first quarter. The Jaguars got over 200 yards of offense in the first 15 minutes of the game.

The Pats played well enough to have some key plays in the second half that sealed the game. The scary part is that they were playing one of the worst teams in the league, but Jacksonville didn't look the part.

If they beat Miami, they will get a first round bye as the second seed. They should be able to do it, but they need to play better or it will be a quick exist in the playoffs.

Las Vegas bookies must have been scratching their heads as the Pats failed to cover the spread of 12. You never know with the NFL week to week.

Passing On Vick

The Philadelphia Eagles are almost certain to release QB Michael Vick after the end of the season. He is due to make $15.5 million next year of which $3 million becomes guaranteed on Feb 6th. His time may have run out, especially if Coach Andy Reid Gets fired. It would also be difficult to trade him because it could not get done before March 12.

There are rumors that he could end up with the Jets. I think that would be a terrible marriage considering his past. The New York tabloids would be relentless once things go bad. He needs a team in a smaller market.

The future of the Jets for next season is up in the air. Decisions will be made after the season on the coaching staff, GM and quarterback. I don't think Vick is part of the plans.

The Annual Carousal

This time of the year starts the annual coach and executive carousal. There are at least five coaches who won't be around next year with their team. Norv Turner has already been told that his time with the Chargers is up. The same goes for Romeo Cronnel and the Chiefs. His GM, Scott Pioli, will be looking for a job.

The NFL seems to just reshuffle the deck. Coaches move to other teams as either head coaches or coordinators. Executives are wired into their own network and resurface with another team.

There is always some college coach who is the hot item. This year it's Nick Saban of Alabama and Chip Kelly with Oregon. Some team will try to lure them with tons of money and control over personnel.

In the end, teams will realign their staffs. At some point, everyone will have their chance to get fired. There are not many coaches who get to retire on their own. It usually gets forced upon them.

More Time Off

It looks like the Pats will go without Rob Gronkowski again when they travel to Jacksonville. With two games left, there is no point in playing him. They need him at 100% for the playoffs. They don't need a repeat of last year when he was ineffective in the Super Bowl because of his high ankle sprain.

The Pats could still get a first round bye, but there are many scenarios that need to fall in place. They need to play well against Jacksonville and Miami. Once the playoffs start, it's a whole new season. They need everyone healthy. There is no point in rushing Gronk back.

The Storm Begins

The New York Jets have dug themselves into a hole they might never get out of. Last spring, they gave QB Mark Sanchez a contract extension with guaranteed money. They are on the hook for $8.25 million next season. No team will want to trade for him unless the Jets are willing to eat most of his salary. If they cut him, they still owe him the cash. They will also take a huge hit on their salary cap.

QB Tim Tebow is expected to ask for a trade or be released after the season. His experiment has been a total disaster. Meanwhile, Coach Ryan bypassed him and named Greg McElroy as the starter on Sunday against the Chargers.

The New York tabloids have been relentless with their criticism for Ryan and GM Mike Tannenbaum. It's going to interesting to see who is left standing if owner Woody Johnson decides to clean house. Sanchez has not played well, but he is being skewered without mercy by the media. It's going to get worse.

The Hypothetical Game

During Coach Belichick's press conference today a few reporters had to bring up the hypothetical situation of playoff match-ups. It's always a waste of time trying to get the Coach to talk about it. I feel the same way.

The Pats are in the playoffs. They can get a first round bye under a few extraordinary scenarios. Who they play will be determined by the next two weeks. It's the same for all teams.

Reporters and talks shows get into this because it's part of their job. I find it boring at times. There's only so much you can say about it.

Coach Belichick and Tom Brady continue the same mantra of going out and playing the games to win them. There is nothing else anyone can say at this point.

Hearing About It Forever

The worst thing about the loss to the 49er's the other night was the call on 4th down late in the fourth quarter. It didn't work out and the Pats surrendered the ball. One play does not win or lose a game.

Unfortunately, we will now talk about this for years to come. One local sports talk show will not move on from the 4th down play against the Colts in 2009. The Pats didn't convert and lost the game.

If a play works, it's a great decision. When they don't and the team loses, we end up hearing about it forever. There are those who are always trying to find fault with something that Coach Belichick does. They now have another thing to hang onto.

Maybe The Final Night

There is still over 7 minutes remaining in the game with the Jets and Titans. The playoffs are on the line for the Jets. Sanchez has turned the ball over. Tebow came in for a series, but didn't do anything.

The Jets are trailing 7-3. The season is now or never. So much depends on this game for the future of Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez. I have some doubt of their ability to win the game. We shall see.

The College Money Machine

Big time college football lives up to its name because of the money involved. It's a serious business at many schools. The University of Texas had a profit of $71.2 million after expenses. Penn State was 2nd with $53.2 million. The are 42 coaches making over $2 million annually, with Alabama's Nick Saban leading the way with $5.5 million.

It's easy to see why there are violations with recruitment and academics. Alumnae want their schools to do well. There are buckets of money to be had. The student athletes never see any of it unless it's illegal and under the table. Many end up without a degree. Meanwhile, the schools keep making the money.

All-American Hype.

I don't follow college football that much. It's hard enough to keep up with the NFL. When the All-American teams were named this week, I didn't recognize too many players. Alabama had six on the first three teams. They will probably all get drafted in the spring.

The NFL Scouting Combine often gives me the greatest exposure to the college players. Being All-American doesn't guarantee success in the NFL. It might get the players selected earlier, but it doesn't mean that much.

There will be players in the league next year who didn't get drafted or invited to the Scouting Combine. It happens every year.

Bowling In The Future

Tomorrow starts the first of 35 college bowl games and finishing with the BCS Championship on Jan 7th. ESPN owns the entire television schedule except for the Capital One and Cotton Bowls.There is something for everyone who follows the college game, but I don't really follow this.

In the future, my goal is to see UMass in one of these games It might take a few years, but if you can get a 7-5 record, you might get an invitation to some obscure game. I have no problem with that as long as the school gets on the national stage.

More Games For More Money

The NFL is considering expanding the playoff system from the current 12 teams to either 14 or 16. This was discussed at the quarterly owner's meeting this week. The Commissioner addressed the issue publicly.

The league says they want to do it to increase the competitiveness of the season. So many teams still have a shot at a Wild Card spot going into Week 15. More teams in the tournament would keep teams fighting to the very end of the season rather than be out of it earlier.

I don't support it. It's really all about the money with more games on television. I don't want to turn the playoffs into the NHL where almost every team makes it.

Stallworth Stalls Out

It's difficult to understand every roster move made by the Pats. It's always "done in the best interest of the team". Everyone was shocked when they released WR Donte Stallworth after one game.

He had a huge 63 yard TD catch from Tom Brady in the 3rd quarter of the 42-14 win against the Texans. He showed great speed and moves as he ran for the score. Now we hear that he is out for the year with an ankle injury. Is this a phantom injury? It's hard to believe with only Wes Welker, Brandon Lloyd and Matthew Slater on the WR depth chart. Reports indicate that the team might sign Deion Branch again.

The release of Stallworth has many wondering what happened. It's one of those things we will never know. Stallworth gets paid for the rest of the regular season. Not bad for one game. Unfortunately, his career has been on the downward side since his arrest and conviction for vehicular homicide. He was cut by the Pats at the end of training camp. He failed to catch on with any other team. It took him until week 14 to get another job. It remains to be seen if this is the end of the line for him.

A Cautious Outlook

The Pats played a great game last night during their 42-14 of the Houston Texans. It was their best game of the year. They did it without Rob Gronkowski and with only three catches by Wes Welker. The defense cam up huge.

Now, it's onto the San Francisco 49er's on Sunday night. Another big game on the national stage. They need to keep their momentum going and not let up with their last two games with Jacksonville and Miami.

It's hard to feel overconfident because of their two losses in their recent Super Bowl appearances. We can't forget the loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the 2009 playoffs and the Jets in 2010. Brady said he played lousy in some of the 2011 playoff games. There is potential for a letdown.

It looks like they have a great chance to go deep into the playoffs. It's a long journey to the Super Bowl. They need to win that game, especially if it's against the New York Giants.Losing to them three times would be devastating to Belichick and Brady's legacy.

No Indication

I always thought the Heisman Trophy was a farce. The award always goes to the best college quarterback or running back. They never consider defensive players. Charles Woodson was the last one to win it in 1997.

QB Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M beat the other finalists including Notre Dame LB Manti Te'o. Manziel is a red-shirted freshman who has three years of eligibility remaining. Will he leave school early for the NFL draft?

Winning the Heisman has proven to be a curse for may recipients. The list is long of those who never had much of a career in the NFL. Meanwhile, Te'o is considered one of the top players in the 2013 NFL draft.

The award is a great honor to win. However, it's not an indicator of future success in the NFL.

It Looks So Cold

The Detroit Lions are playing the Packers tonight in Green Bay with rain and snow. The field is so wet and cold. It must be awful to fall down in that frigid water. The worst part is going in at half time and coming out after. I don't know how they stay warm.

It's even worse for the fans to sit through a rain storm and 40 degrees. They would be much better off if it was 20 degrees colder and snowing. They would all stay warmer.

Naturally, none of the players are wearing long sleeves.

4th & 15

Coach Belichick is on record for saying the NFL wants to eliminate the kickoff play. The issue of player safety has been a big focal point. The kickoff causes many injuries and concussions because of the speed and violent collisions.The Competition Committee has come up with a very radical proposal that would really change the game.

When a team scores on a FG or TD, the offense keeps the ball and it's placed on their own 30 yard line. It's now 4th and 15. You either convert or punt.

It opens a new strategy in the game by giving the offense another chance to score. Failure to convert on 4th and 15 puts your defense in a bind.

I really like this idea. I hope they at least try it during a preseason game. The league seems intent on eliminating the kickoff. I love the play, but too many players get hurt.

Miami Whine

Several players from the Miami Dolphins embarrassed themselves and their team by complaining about the way the Pats played the game in the 4th quarter last Sunday.

Tom Brady lead a drive of 7:18 that resulted in a field goal that put the game out of reach.They complained that the Pats ran the ball ten times with Steven Ridley and once with Shane Vereen. The Dolphins were unable to stop them. Apparently, the Pats were suppose to mix up their offense and not run the same play continuously. Some of the Dolphin players felt disrespected.

It takes a lot of nerve for them to say something like this. Their responsibility was to stop the Pats by having them either turn the ball over or punt. For them to complain is ludicrous and makes them look like poor losers.

On His Mark

Rex Ryan has put all of his chips on Mark Sanchez. He is betting his coaching future on a quarterback that the fans want to run out of town. When the Jets travel to Jacksonville, they know they need to win the game to keep their 5-7 season alive.

If the Jets can run the table and finish 9-7, Ryan will survive to coach for another season. The Jets need to get off to a great start on Sunday. They can't afford to have another week of sluggish offense.

Ryan keeps saying that Mark is his guy. He loyalty is admirable, but when the ship is sinking, everyone needs to take a look at where they are. Ryan is either the ultimate gambler or a total fool that didn't know when to make a change.

Jet fans are holding their breath, but will demand someone's head with another loss.

Not Finishing The Season

The season is over for Julian Edelman after he suffered a broken bone in his foot is last week's game. As usual, someone will take his place and the team will move on.

Edelman was having a breakout season, although he missed several games. Injuries have always been a knock on him. He has been unable to keep himself on the field. He was seen as a possible replacement for Wes Welker after this season.

The Pats can franchise Welker again, but it will cost them $11.5 million. Are they willing to commit that much money to one player? Edleman was seen as a cheaper alternative,although his contract is done after this season.

Where does this leave the Pats with Edeleman? I'm sure they will sign him, but he has never been able to play a full season. Meanwhile, Welker just keeps catching balls thrown to him. He has only missed a few games in his career. They are two different players, each with a unique skill set. The team would be better off with both of them.

Keep Drinking It Up

The New York Jets continue to dominate the tabloids with their inept play and bad decision making by Coach Rex Ryan. During yesterday's press conference, Ryan boasted that he had three quarterbacks that he was confident with. I'm glad he is because the fans don't feel the same way.

A New York Post poll of 38,000 readers gave the nod to McElroy with 57%. Tebow and his broken ribs had 38% and Sanchez got only 5%.

The Jets are on the hook next year for $8.25 million because of Sanchez. Writers are saying that Ryan's QB selection for Sunday is the biggest of his career. Meanwhile, he dithers and tries to convince everyone that he has three NFL starting quarterbacks.

Rex was last seen filling everyone's glass with more Kool-Aid.

Rex and Mark Walk The Line

Tim Tebow fans were waiting all season for Mark Sanchez to get the hook. When it finally happened yesterday, Greg McElroy was the one who got the call because Tebow is still nursing a rib injury.

It was a shock to see Sanchez get pulled with the team losing 6-0 in the third quarter. McElroy brought the team down the field for a touchdown which proved to be the wining score.

The fans went wild in their celebration. Rex Ryan now has a quarterback controversy on his hands. He has refused to name a starter for the game next Sunday. The team is now 4-8 and on life support. There were over 20,000 empty seats in Met Life stadium for the fiasco yesterday. Fans are demanding a change.

Sanchez and Ryan are bound together. One of them won't be there next season.

Taking A Win

The Pats had their hat and t-shirt day in Miami after their 23-16 win. It wasn't a pretty game, but they did enough to beat the Dolphins. Coach Belichick will take any win in the NFL. That has been his mantra when asked by the media.

Winning the Eastern Division has become a forgone conclusion when it comes to goals for the team. It gets them into the playoffs with four weeks to go. They are facing tough national night games with Houston and San Francisco.

They need to keep playing better as the regular season winds down. The young players on the team can't become complacent after clinching a trip to the playoffs.

It's all about getting to the final game.

Bart Being Bart

Fans of the New York Jets have no problem expressing their anger about the team. Thousands of them are boycotting the game against the Arizona Cardinals. They showed no mercy last week when the team was making it's way to the locker room during the halftime of their game with the Pats.

The loud booing caught the attention of  the players, especially LB Bart Scott. He said the fans who booed were probably picked last for dodge ball at recess. He's probably right on that, but also pouring gasoline on the fire.

Jet fans are in a crisis mode. The season is on life support. The coach is still saying things he can't back up. Players seem to have a free reign in saying anything they want, but they are only alienating the fans. Instead of winning or losing together, the team and the fans have split.

No Towel

The NFL does everything they can to maximize any possible sponsorship along the way. I was surprised today when I bought a bottle of TIDE detergent. Apparently, they are the official detergent of the NFL. I didn't know that.

They have partnered with the NFL to market themselves and give fans a rally towel for their team. I'm not sure of the size of the towel. I don't think it's very big.

I lost my eligibility for a "free" towel when I threw my receipt away earlier today. I can't believe I did that.

Business As Usual

The NFL continues to fine players for illegal hits. It doesn't seems to stop anyone.DT Ndamukong Su  of the Lions was fined $50,000 for kicking Houston QB Matt Schaub during their Thanksgiving Day game.

The networks always show the violent hits in the highlights. Rather than suspend players, the NFL just issues a fine and collects the money from the players. It becomes the cost of doing business for some of them.

The league wants to avoid suspensions which only end up hurting the product they put before the public.They don't want to turn the game into flag football. There is a fine line between what is legal and illegal. The speed of the game causes a big blur. Things happen very quickly.

I often wonder what the response will be when there is a real tragedy. What happens when we see the next Daryl Stingley?

The Ship Is Sinking

It could get very ugly at Met Life Stadium on Sunday when the New York Jets host the Arizona Cardinals. Both teams are 4-7 and one game away from missing the playoffs. Thousands of Jets fans are trying to dump their tickets to on-line brokers with the count is up to 7,000. Some are selling as low as $18. The Jets have failed to sell-out their games, but the team has bought up the unsold tickets to avoid a television blackout.

Maybe the team might be better off if they didn't broadcast their game. The season for Rex & Co. has gotten very ugly. It will get out of hand with another loss. I just don't see them running the table over the last five games.

Fans of the Pats can sit back and watch as the ship goes down in New York. Offensive Coordinator Tony Sparano will be the first to go. That might not be enough for Jet fans. Owner Woody Johnson might need to clean house, including Rex Ryan and GM Michael Tannenbaum.

The Problem With PED's

The NFL continues to catch players using Performance Enhancement Drugs. It results in a four game suspension. It happened to Brandon Bolden and now it's Jermaine Cunningham's turn. His bout with PED's will also cost him four games during the final stretch of the regular season.

Privacy laws prohibit the NFL from identifying the substance. This puts the players at a disadvantage. The list of banned substances is very long. Some were legal in the past and available over the counter. Others were prescribed for conditions like Attention Deficit Disorder.

It gives the perception that the player was taking steroids or human growth hormone. That is so unfair. What was legal in the past is now a punishable offense. I feel the NFL really needs to tweak their PED policy. I don't think it's working the way it was intended.

Ed Hangs It Up

The recent 49-19 loss by the Jets to the Pats on Thanksgiving night continues to have repercussions. The legendary "Fireman Ed" has decided to hang up his helmet and stop leading his J-E-T-S chant at home games.

This is a shocking development to fans who have watched Ed Anzalone do his thing since 1975. He has been involved with various team activities at times although he is not employed by them.

Ed claims he has been harassed at games by fans for wearing a Mark Sanchez game jersey. It has happened at his seat, in the parking lot and various places around the stadium. Apparently, the loss to the Pats was the final straw. He will continue to attend games, but will dress differently and change his seats.

It's too bad it had to end this way for Ed. He was very passionate about his cheering. The television cameras always put his mug on the screen at some point during a broadcast.

The Pro Bowl Farce

The Pro Bowl is becoming a complete joke. It starts with the game. I think they should vote players to the team, but they should stop playing the game. Football doesn't adapt itself to an all-star game. The rules are different to protect the players. As a result, there is little defense played. The score is right out of Arena Football, with both teams racing up and down the field.

Letting the fans vote if a bigger travesty. They vote for their own team or ones from their fantasy squad. Troy Polamalu leads the voting at strong safety, but he has only played in five quarters the entire season. How can you be voted to the Pro Bowl if you are injured for most of the season?

 Polamalu is one of the great players of his time, but the honor should go to someone who is playing at the highest level at their position in the current season.

The Rex Watch

The New York Jets were able to sneak into the 2009 playoffs with a 9-7 record. They went on to the AFC Championship game which they ultimately lost. With a current record of 4-7, they would need to win their remaining five games.

The face the Cardinals, Jaguars, Titans, Chargers and Bills. None of them have a wining record, but are fighting for a possible wild card spot. It certainly won't be easy with the way the Jets are playing.

To make matters worse, the New York tabloids have Coach Rex Ryan in their sights. One more loss will eliminate them from the playoffs. When that happens, the floodgates will open. Every mistake he makes will be magnified by the media.

I think the only was he can save his job is to get a show of support from owner Woody Johnson, but that hasn't happened. He might escape the axe if the Jets play competitive in their remaining games. It might not be good enough for their fans who are getting very restless. They are now looking at 45 years without a trip to the Super Bowl..

A Hit To Remember

WR Julian Edelman was having the game of his career last night against the Jets until he got blasted by safety LaRon Landy early in the second quarter. He suffered a crushing helmet to helmet hit and was on the ground for several moments. He left the game and never returned after suffering a head injury. The hit was considered to be legal.

Edeleman already had a 56 yard TD reception and scored another on a kickoff fumble by Joe McKnight. His status for the game against Miami is questionable, but if he ever has neurological problems later on in life, he can look back at this game as being a part of the cause.

Big Game Tonight

It's a huge game for the New York Jets tonight when they take on the Pats. Another loss will almost eliminate the Jets from playoff contention. A loss by the Pats would put them in a bad situation for getting a first round bye in the playoffs. They would most likely host a Wild card game.

The Pats travel to Miami next weekend and play them at home in the season finale. A loss in either game would also put them into the first round of the playoffs.

It should be a very competitive game. The Jets are fighting for their lives. A loss would be devastating for Coach Rex Ryan.

A Bunch of Characters

Whenever the Pats acquire a player with character issues, we hear the same discussion that the team has changed its direction about signing players with questionable backgrounds. The league is full of players with various issues.

The recent trade for CB Aqib Talib shows that the Pats are willing to do what it takes to win. They were able to scoop up CB Alfonso Dennard in the 7th round of the 2012 draft because he was previously arrested the week before. Many thought he would have been a 2nd or 3rd round selection. They said the same for Aaron Hernandez who slipped to the 4th round after testing positive for pot.

Ted Washington and Corey Dillon helped them win a Super Bowl. They took a shot with Albert Haynesworth and Chad Johnson, but it didn't work out for either one of them.

LB Brandon Spikes had some off-field issues. He is also considered by many to be a dirty players, but because he plays for our team, he is ok.

A Chance For Hoyer

Players around the NFL often make the roster because of injury to others. There are very opportunistic moments that players need to take advantage of. We are seeing that with former Pats QB Brian Hoyer who was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Backup QB Bryan Leftwich, who was playing in the place of Ben Roethlisberger, also sustained an injury to his ribs. The Steelers reached out to Hoyer who had been unemployed since he was cut by the Pats at the end of training camp.

This is a great chance for Hoyer who had only played in garbage time for the Pats. He might never be a starter, but he could continue to carve out a career similar to the one of Leftwich. Hoyer was undrafted unlike Leftwich who was the 7th player selected in the 2003 draft.

Leftwich has made a career of being a journeyman backup with several teams. Hoyer is back on a team. It's a chance to stay on a roster and be a backup. 

A Break For Gronk

The Pats took a big hit yesterday during their 59-24 win over the Colts when they lost Rob Gronkowski to a broken arm. He underwent surgery today and will miss 4-8 weeks. This is on top of the tenuous health of Aaron Hernandez. All of a sudden, the team is left without two of its most potent offensive weapons.

Rodney Harrison suffered a similar injury when he played for the Pats. He said it took him over six weeks to get back to normal. I doubt if we will see Gronk before the playoffs. The team rushed Hernandez back too soon. Hopefully, they don't do it with Gronk.

Some question why he was even on the field during the final PAT in a 35 point rout. He was hit in the arm by Sergio Brown who spent three seasons with the Pats. Gronk routinely plays on the point after. With 45 players dressed, teams use their starters on various special teams.Wes Welker was returning kicks late into the 4th quarter. The same thing could have happened to him.

A Business Trip For Adam

Fans certainly have the right to express themselves. That's what it's all about. There are great rivalries throughout the NFL.

I was disappointed that Pats fans decided to boo Adam Vinatieri when he came out on the field to kick a field goal during the Colt's loss to the Pats. I also saw some negative comments on Facebook about him..

They obviously don't realize his role in the three Super Bowls titles. If they did, they never would have done it. He left the Pats over money. The Colts were willing to drastically overpay him. The Pats had a much lower offer on the table. After 17 season, he is playing as well as ever.

I understand the frustrations of fans when their team loses a player to free agency, but it's a business. The game has a rich history and tradition. It's part of the American culture, but for the guys who get paid to maim each other, it's a business at the end of the day.

Jets Hitting Turbulence

At this point in the season, every game becomes bigger for teams. In some cases, another loss can almost eliminate them for playoff consideration. We are seeing that when the Jets (3-6) play the Rams (3-5-1).

The Jets desperately need to win this game. Seven losses would make a Wild Card spot very difficult. I think Rex Ryan needs to make the playoffs to save his job in the future. I think he is safe for this year, but if they miss the playoffs this year and next, I think it will be all over for him.

Mark Sanchez needs to have a strong performance and lead the offense to a win. If he plays poorly, there will be more clamoring for Tim Tebow. Some anonymous Jet have thrown Tebow under the bus by saying he is a lousy player. Dissension has hit the team. Ryan has addressed it publicly, but it appears the Jets are fracturing. Will it effect their play?

It seems so long ago when Ryan and the Jets had back to back trips to the AFC Championship game. As they say in the Big Apple, it's only been 44 years since a return trip to the Super Bowl.

I think the Jets are doing a good job in making it 45 years.

Friday Afternoon With Bill

Coach Belichick has some great press conferences on Fridays. He often elaborates on things pertaining to the game. Today, a question about Colt's kicker Adam Vinatieri lead to some great insight about how players are selected to the Hall of Fame.

He reflected upon that there is only one kicker and no punter in the Hall. His description of the diversity among the players by position, individual accomplishments, length of career and championships was very insightful. There is definitely a gap by position in the Hall.

It's too bad that the press is always asking dumb and useless questions. When given the time and opportunity, the Coach has some really great talking points.

Don't Worry About The Window

Pats fans waste a great deal of time worrying about Tom Brady's "window". Some think that he has a certain amount of years left in his career. They should know that there is nothing for certain in the NFL. They can ask Pittsburgh fans how they feel about losing Ben Roethslisberger to a throwing shoulder injury and a dislocated rib that is close to his aorta. No time table is given for his return.

It happened on one play. With that moment, the fortunes of the Steelers was placed in jeopardy. Who knows how the rest of the season will play out? There is talk that he might be placed on Injured Reserve.

Every player is one down away from either IR or a career ending injury. Fans should not waste time wondering how many good years Brady has left. It could all end on one snap.

At Least 12 Heads Injured

The NFL always claims that they are concerned about player safety. Last weekend, at least 12 players suffered some form of concussion. Three quarterbacks took big hits, including Michael Vick, Jay Cutler and Alex Smith. Vick might miss the rest of the year for the Eagles. Cutler is most likely out for the Bear's game on Sunday. Smith stayed in the game and threw a TD pass for the 49er's, in spite of having blurred vision.

Why was Smith allowed to keep playing? Were the protocols in place to ensure that players didn't make the decision? Players usually don't take themselves out because they know that someone is ready to grab their job. Brady Quinn and Matt Cassell have been taking turns playing quarterback for the Chiefs after each of them had a previous concussion. RB Fred Jackson of the Bills took a vicious hit by Brandon Spikes in the closing moments of their loss to the Pats.

Concussion vary in their severity. The league takes a very public stance on player safety. They issue huge fines for illegal hits, yet their television partners love to show the big hits that knock players out of the game and cause potential brain damage down the road.

The NFL likes to have it both ways because it's all about the money.

No Discounting Anyone

Many Pats fans already assume their team will be playing in the Super Bowl. It's only a matter of the NFC opponent. They believe the defensive problems will be resolved in time for another championship.

Not everyone feels the same way. Last night, ESPN went on record as saying it will be the Houston Texans and the Atlanta Falcons. They disregard the 49er's and Bears in the NFC and the Ravens and Pats in the AFC.

Anything could happen when the playoffs arrive. Last year, the Giants were finishing the season with a record of 9-7. They were close to having a losing season. In the end, it worked out pretty good for them in the Super Bowl.

The Ninth Game

The goal for the Pats is to win the Eastern Division, but they need to play well in all three phases of the game. They lead the NFL in offensive, but their defense is ranked 25th and 29th against the pass.

Some feel the defense is better than last year, but they give up too many yards. Team are able to convert on 3rd and long, keeping drives alive.

This team should finish at least 11-5, assuming there are no catastrophic injuries. It's looking more like Aaron Hernandez will have problems with his ankle until the end of the season.

We keep hearing about "opportunistic defensive plays". They are winning the turnover battle. The defense won the game against the Bills in the final 23 seconds.

It would be quite ironic if they go to the Super Bowl and lose the lead in the final minutes. That happens when you give up too many yards.

Almost Lost It

One of the analysts made a great point when he said that the team that makes fewer bad plays is the one that usually wins. The Pats were in a spot to lose the game until Devon McCourty got an interception during the final minute of the games. Although the Pats beat the Bills 37-31 and are now 6-3, they could have very easily lost the game.

I also heard that they have created "opportunistic turnovers" throughout the season. These have killed drives and given the Pats an extra chance to score. I'm sure we will hear about the yards given up and the inability to close a game.

They are right on these two points. If things don't change, it will come back to bite them in the playoffs. Some think that they will run the table and go undefeated. I think that is a reach. They need to play better.

Not Bowl Bound

It has been a rough season for UMass football with their attempt to become a Division 1 power. Their inaugural season has them at 0-9, including 0-5 in the Mid-American Conference. They have three games left to salvage their season.

Today might be their best hope when the play 1-9 Akron. Both teams have seen their season implode. UMass has been outscored 188-21 in their last four games.Attendance at Gillette stadium has been less than expected. It looks pretty empty when you have 10,000 fans in a 68,000 seat arena.

I plan to attend the last two games of the season. Hopefully, they can get to 3-9. If they can ever have a 7-5 season in the future, they will get a bowl bid. It just won't happen this year.

No Luck For Brady

I enjoy listening to sports talk radio as long as discussions don't get into hypothetical situations. That's one of the reasons I don't play fantasy football. I'm not a big fan of talking about trades that would never take place.

That was my issue with the absurd discussion of trading Tom Brady for Andrew Luck in a straight up deal. They actually spent time talking about this. This is too hypothetical for me to listen to.

Brady wants to play at least another five years. Maybe, he will never win another Super Bowl or even get back there.Nobody knows.

Andrew Luck is having a great rookie year and has replaced Peyton Manning. Those are big shoes to fill. Time willl tell how Luck's career will unfold. He has great potential and maybe he will do more things than Brady ever did.

I'm not ready to trade at this moment or in the future. I'm with Tom until the end of his career. I always wonder if it will end on his terms.

The Crazy Schedule

The NFL will allow flex-scheduling next weekend. The Pats have been moved to a 4:25 start against the Indianapolis Colts. It's not that big of a deal, but they must travel to New York to play the Jets four days later on Thanksgiving night. They travel to Miami for a game on December 2nd. Teams will play the same amount of games during that period, but the Pats only have three days to prepare for the Jets.

As much as I like Thursday night games, I don't think they help promote player safety. There will be little recovery time after the Bills game. They get it on the other end, but I don't think it's the best thing to do this late in the season.

Everyone goes along with it because it's all about the television revenue. There are no high salaries and big bonuses without it. As long as nobody gets hurt, everyone is cool about it.

Firing Jerry

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was locked out of his team's locker room after their 19-13 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night. Jones could be heard banging on the door and yelling to be let in. Players said they had never seen him so upset. He wanted to speak to the team and answer questions from the media.

During a pregame interview, he mentioned that he would have fired the guy making all of the team's personnel decisions. That would be difficult to do because he would need to fire himself. The team is hitting a bump at 3-5 and face a big challenge to make the playoffs.

As owner of the team, Jones can do anything he wants. He has his own press conferences and regularly updates the media on injuries and other personnel transactions. I'm sure he enjoys his role, but it hasn't worked out in recent years. Nobody could ever convince him otherwise.

Not Really Valid

I have my doubts about the validity of the Sporting News mid-season poll of NFL players. They reached out to 103 from 27 different teams. Players were told not to vote for anyone associated with their team. I assume they used the proper protocol to determine the correct sample size.

Rex Ryan won the vote for the most overrated head coach. That is no surprise, but it was to hear about Bill Belichick being ranked next. I find it hard to believe that he is viewed this way. The Pats were selected as the best organization. Isn't that a reflection of his effort as CEO of football?

Andy Reid, Mike Shanahan and 13 other coaches also received consideration. Who voted on this? What was their level of experience in the NFL? Many players have no clue of the game's history. They only know about the teams they are playing.

Playing For Their Job

With 10 minutes left in the third quarter, the Saints are leading the Eagles 21-3. This game was anointed as the one that Coach Andy Reid and QB Michael Vick were playing for their survival. The Eagles need to make the playoffs for Reid to keep his job. Vick is due a ton of money over the next two seasons. It's hard to say that he is the guy if their season ends after 16 games.

Going into the game, the Eagles were 3-4, but not playing well. It's not working right now, whatever it is. Usually, the quarterback goes before the coach. It could be a double one for Reid and Vick if they don't make the playoffs. Vick needs the team to win games for him to keep his job. Otherwise, he will be the first to be thrown under the bus.

Tebow Beats Brady

Whenever Tom Brady and the Pats lose a game, we hear talk about his pending demise because he is 35 years old. There is no doubt that he is losing the race to time. However, he still plays at a level that few quarterbacks ever get to. Fans have been spoiled by his clutch play.

NFL players don't feel the same about Tom. In a poll by Sports Illustrated, 180 players were asked to name the most overrated players in the league. Brady ranked 9th.

The New York Jets have the two most overrated players with Tim Tebow and Mark Sanchez ranking one and two respectively. That doesn't surprise anyone that follows the game. Brady certainly gets a great deal of national media attention and rightfully so. He has the championships and big games to back it up.

Tebow and Sanchez have nothing to show for it other than a 3-5 record at this point in the season. Tebow is a $2 million backup quarterback who the Jets plan to use at some point. Everyone is waiting for this to happen before they start playing meaningless games.

A Battle That Won't Happen.

It's too bad that Terrell Owens is not with a team. He should be battling with Randy Moss over the number two spot for career receiving TD's. Moss had one last night and now stands in 2nd place with 154, one more than T.O. He has a long way to go to catch Jerry Rice who has 197. Moss is 35 years old and playing in a reduced role in the San Francisco 49er's offense. His spot at number two appears to be pretty secure. Larry Fitzgerald, with 76 career TD's, is the closet one to him.

Moss is now tied with T.O. for 4th place in total career TD's with 156. In front of them, they have LaDanlian Tomlinson (162), Emmit Smith (175) and Jerry Rice (208). I think Rice is safe for many years to come.

It doesn't look like T.O. will get another shot to add to his total. It would have been a great battle with Moss. T.O. spent some time with Seattle, but it didn't work out. At 37, it might have been his last chance.

Time For Tim

Things are in place for the Jets to make their quarterback change to Tim Tebow. They dropped to 3-5 after their 30-9 loss to the Miami Dolphins yesterday. They have a bye week to get things back on track. Rex Ryan gave a vague show of support for Mark Sanchez as his starter.

This would be the best time to make a switch. One more loss would put the team in a very precarious position to make the playoffs. Any team could still do it at 10-6, but things don't look well for the Jets. They are playing poorly. Their offense isn't going anywhere.

Rex Ryan knows he is under the gun. The team needs to win. If they give up on Sanchez, it might be a permanent decision. It's a big one to make, but the options are getting fewer as the season starts to slip away.

The Changing of The Gronk

The NFL doesn't believe that players should celebrate a touchdown. They often issue fines for excessive celebration. It's just another thing they do to control all aspects of the game, but it looked a little different during the Pats 45-7 win over the Rams in London today.

Gronk had two classic TD spikes, but also added a dance and the ultimate when he mimicked the "Changing of the Guard" at Buckingham Palace. His high stepping was superb. The NFL thought enough of it to place it on their website during the game. They knew the crowd in London wanted to see plays like that.

It's too bad that the league had to crack down on celebrations. The players didn't help the situation with taunting and dances that bordered on being sexual, especially with their hip gyrations. It's too bad that they prohibit throwing the ball into the stands after a TD. It's an automatic fine.

The NFL is right in looking at all celebrations on a case by case basis. They need to keep the fun in the game for the fans at the stadium and those watching on television.

Staying Home

When it comes to injuries, we never really know the extent of any with the Pats. Aaron Hernandez is a great example. After getting hurt in the game against Arizona, he missed the next three games with a high ankle sprain. He has not been 100% since and did not make the trip to London to face the Rams.

Apparently, the ankle has not been responding to treatment. He will now have another two weeks to get ready for Buffalo.Will this injury effect him for the rest of the season? That is anyone's guess, but it doesn't look good right now. Hernandez was lucky  that his ankle didn't break, but it looks like this is going to be with him for the rest of the season.

We will probably hear some crazy story about the injury after the Super Bowl. On the other hand, we might never really know. 

Time For Slater & Edelman

CB Ras-I Dowling has been placed on IR with a season ending injury for the second consecutive season. It doesn't bode well for his future with the team. He played in only two games last year before going on IR on October 29th with a hip injury. Now, he is out with tear in his thigh muscle.

It remains to be seen whether the team wants to go forward with him next season. He has a four year contract after being the first pick in the second round of the 2011 draft. He came here with great credentials and started the first two games last season.

Will the team go after a free agent or is it time for Matthew Slater and Julien Edeleman to play defense again? It was good enough to get them to the Super Bowl last year, but fans are growing weary of not having a shut-down corner. This is the perfect opportunity for Alfonzo Dennard to step into his spot. He has played well when called upon.

Unfortunately, we will be hearing more talk about the defensive secondary. If the Pats don't go to the Super Bowl, we will keep hearing this during the off-season.

A Tough Sell Overseas

I support the NFL's plan to play games in London. The Pats are doing it for the second time in four years. Robert Kraft fully supports this endeavor, although he has ensured that his team is the visitor. That allows him to avoid losing a home game at Gillette and aggravating fans.

The NFL wants to get their brand into Europe and beyond. It might be a tough sell. American football has a small market over there. NFL Europe folded after a few seasons due to small crowds at stadiums.

Europe will always be rabid for soccer. That is their form of football. The NFL can try and sell their product, but the market is limited. I don't forsee any city ever having a franchise.

Things Are Worse In K.C.

As Pats fans voice concerns about the secondary, they can look at the Kansas City Chiefs and see how much worse things could be. A whole generation of Pats fans are unaware that their team was in constant turmoil for many years.

Chiefs Coach Romeo Crennel announced that Brady Quinn will continue to start in place of Matt Cassel who has finally been cleared to play after suffering a concussion three weeks ago. The Chiefs are 1-5 and coming off a bye. The next few weeks will determine the fate of the season for the team, Crennel and head of football operations Scott Pioli.

Cassel still has two years to go on a 6 year, $63 million contract that he signed after the team acquired him in 2009. It was Pioli's first season in his new position and his first personnel move. Cassel was coming off a great season where he lead the Pats to a record of 11-5 after Tom Brady was lost for the season in the opening game of 2008.

Quinn struggled in his last start. He has failed to live up to his hype after being the 22nd pick of the 2007 draft. He had three tough years with the Browns before he spent the 2010 and 20011campaigns with the Denver Broncos. He saw no action for them.

The Chiefs gave him a one year contract to be the backup to Cassel. This is now the opportunity of his career. If he doesn't succeed, he might be destined to a career of being a journeyman backup who never plays. Crennel and Pioli know that their time could be short as the fans are getting restless.

I don't think Cassel will survive the next two seasons. I think they will dump his contract. Would he ever come back to the Pats?

Rex's Personal Choice

Rex Ryan has no problems making brash predictions that never hold up. It the past, he was willing to guarantee a win or a trip to the Super Bowl when prompted. He seem to tone it down a bit this year.

He must have felt foolish the other day when the Jets released FB John Connor, a 5th round pick in 2010. During that training camp, Rex boasted on HBO's "Hard Knocks" that Connor was his personal draft selection based on his hard blocking. The team already had 16 year veteran Tony Richardson, one of the best to play that position.

It didn't seem to matter to Rex. He did the unusual thing and kept Connor and Richardson on the roster for the 2010 season. It's very rare for a team to carry two fullbacks, but Rex does things out of the ordinary.

At the start of the 2011 season, Rex anointed Connor as the future and sent Richardson into retirement. The only problem was that Connor never played that well in the backfield, but he contributed on special teams.

Connor started the 2012 season with knee and hamstring problems. The Jets recently signed Lex Hilliard who spent a short time with the Pats before they released him. Last week, the Jets gave Connor an injury settlement which will allow him to sign with another team. The Jets could resign him after six weeks if another team doesn't grab him.

Liking The OT Rule

It took a great effort by the Pats to beat the Jets 29-26 in overtime. It should never have gotten to that point. The Pats continue with their inability to close out games, especially with a 10 point lead in the fourth quarter.

I like the new overtime rules where each team gets a possession. The coin toss was still critical because it gave the ball to the Pats who went on to kick a field goal. The Jets needed a FG to tie or a TD to win the game. It was now up to the defense to take care of things. Sanchez was able to drive his team until the final play where he coughed up the ball on a fumble.

At least the Jets had the ball once. It was incumbent upon them to score, but they didn't. Game over. I think this is a much fairer way to decide the outcome.

Rex's Newest Idea

The New York Jets have been quiet this week leading up to the game with the Pats. Even Coach Rex Ryan has toned it down, other than saying that his team would win. I would expect nothing less from Rex. The Jets are taking a page from the Pats by being quiet and not giving any bulletin board material.

Rex decided to try a different tack. He has complained to the league that the Pats are not allowing teams enough time for substitution when they are in their hurry-up offense. Teams have been called for too many men on the field because they were not able to get off in time. Whose fault is that? If the officials thought it was a problem, they should do something about it.

One analyst made a good point by saying the Pats could have complained that the crowd at Seattle was too loud for Tom Brady and the offense. Rex will try anything. I give him credit for coming up with this.

Moss Playing Along

There appears to be a healthy marriage between the San Francisco 49er's and Randy Moss after he sat out the 2011 season. He has been saying all of the right things about his coach, offensive coordinator and his amount of  playing time. His numbers are way down with only 9 receptions for 99 yards and one TD. He has been on the field for about a third of the offensive snaps.

At his advanced age of 35, he must realize that time is working against him. It never seems to end well for Moss and whatever team he plays for. He must be looking at Chad Johnson and Terrell Owens who are both without a team. Chad and T.O. have generated little interest from teams who desperately need receivers. Moss must realize that he is one step away from joining them.

It remains to be seen if Chad and T.O. ever step onto a field again. Meanwhile, Moss adds to his Hall of Fame resume.

The Circus Comes To Town

Don't bother telling Rex Ryan that his New York Jets are 11 point underdogs against the Pats on Sunday. He has already said that his team will win. Tim Tebow might even play running back according to him.

I love games with the Jets. They are guaranteed to be a sideshow and carnival from Gang Green and their leader. Rex keeps on saying ridiculous things. He can't help it, but I really enjoy the sideshow.

I think he is great for the NFL. I only hope he doesn't get himself fired if the Jets implode during the next 11 weeks. He might be a great defensive coordinator, but he garners the spotlight as a head coach. I think he realizes that he is just bluffing. No matter what, he is always entertaining.

Going For Dennard

Coach Belichick is not about to listen to some of the crazy ideas that are tossed out on talk radio. Some people say some really ridiculous things. One caller suggested that Bill O'Brien left the team after last season  to take the head coaching job at Penn Sate because he felt that Tom Brady was losing his skills.

One idea that sounds logical is to give Alfonso Dennard more playing time in the secondary. The 7th round pick has played well when given the opportunities. He was projected to be as high as a 2nd round pick, but  slid because of an arrest shortly before the draft. The Pats were able to scoop him up.

There is no doubt that the secondary will help determine the fate of the season. Devin McCourty has struggled, but has the full endorsement of Coach Belichick. Ras-I Dowling continues to not live up to his expectation. Patrick Chung has played well, but still gets beaten on plays. Kyle Arrington and Sterling Moore have done ok, but maybe not enough to help the team get deep in the playoffs.

Barring a trade, the only other players out there are the street free agents. I like what I have seen so far of Dennard. It would be interesting to see if he plays more if the secondary continues to struggle.

Losing Games Late

I think fans are justified in being concerned about how the Pas are losing their games. They have a record of 3-3, but their losses have been by a total of four points. They also blew a 31-7 lead to Denver in the fourth quarter and almost allowed Peyton Manning to pull off another big win. It was only a fumble by Willis MacGahee inside the 10 yard line that killed their drive. With a lead late in the game, they keep letting teams score points and give them a shot at a win.

The team has been like this for a few seasons. It started in their first Super Bowl loss to the Giants Where does the fault lie? The defensive backs could be doing a better job. Receivers were open too much in the loss to the Seahawks. The offense needs to keep the ball and convert on third down, especially late in the game to burn the clock.

What will their final record be? Everyone has crowned them champs in the Eastern Division and given them a shot at going to the Super Bowl. The season lasts another 11 weeks. They need to play better or their season will end on December 30th.

The Head of Wes

Anyone who watched the Seahawks and Pats game must have wondered how Wes Welker could continue to play after taking two violent shots to his head. Neither one resulted in a penalty, but there could be a fine levied this week.

Welker's hits were helmet to helmet. It was tough watching his head move around the way it did. It was more shocking that it didn't knock him out of the game. I assume he spoke to a doctor on the sideline and was checked for a concussion. If he didn't suffer one then, it would be a miracle.

I think players and teams still have a "don't ask, don't tell" policy when it comes to head injuries. Players know they need to be out on the field. Steven Ridley had his helmet ripped off as he was being tackled on a play. His primary concern was keeping his hands on the ball. This was done at the expense of his unprotected head.

If Welker ever has neurological issues after his playing days are over, you could look at this game as a possible cause.

One More Time For Ray

I always thought it would end this way for Ray Lewis. He tore his triceps muscle in his right arm and will be out for the season. There had been a great deal of speculation that Lewis might retire after the season. Will his injury change his decision?

If he came back next year for an 18th season, he would be 38. Could he play a role like Junior Seau did with the Pats until he was 41? Ray always played flat out as a four-down linebacker. He went into this season 20 pounds lighter because he said he needed to maintain his speed. Did his weight loss play a factor?

NFL injuries can be very freaky.

If I had to give an opinion, I think Ray will be back next year. I don't think he wants to end his career this way. I know he would like to ride out and win a Super Bowl like Jerome Bettis and Michael Strahan. It might not be in the cards. I'm not sure how the final chapter will be written.

Whatever he decides to do, I think he has a great deal to offer.

The Number Fallacy

Coach Belichick is not a big advocate of statistics. He routinely brushes off questions about them. A great example is the analysis of punters and where Zolton Mesko fits.

He ranks last with a 39.3 yard average and is next to last with a net of 34.2 yards. Dismal numbers like this at another position would have a fantasy league player looking to dump them.

However, only 3 of  his 19 punts have been returned. This ranks best in the league. He has placed 11 of 19 kicks inside the 20 yard line. The Pats are tied in giving up the fewest punt return yards with only 22.

Is Mesko having a good season or should Belichick look for someone who can kick further? This point shows the fallacy of statistics.

Belichick has often said that a running back could carry the ball once for one yard, but it could be the biggest play of the game and keeps a 3rd and 1 drive alive late in the game. Just don't tell that to the fantasy players. 

Kevin Faulk - The End

Kevin Faulk reached the end of his career last Tuesday when he announced his retirement at an emotional ceremony at Gillette Stadium. It was only a matter of time before this happened. He was a 35 year old free agent running back, hoping for one more chance with the Pats.

He had a glorious 13 year career after being drafted in the 2nd round in 1999. He was the only player left over from the Pete Carroll era. He set a bunch of team records and won three Super Bowls, but the end must have stung a bit.

He tore his ACL in the second game of the 2010 season and was lost for the season. He started 2011 without a contract, but the Pats brought him back for one more chance at another ring. He began the 2011 season on the PUP list, but came back to play in seven games. He must have realized the writing was on the wall when he was inactive for the Super Bowl.

He said he had offers from other teams, but didn't want to play anywhere else. He probably should have retired after his injury, but didn't want it to end that way. Instead, he came back for one more season, but in the end, time and younger players caught up to him.

It was probably best that the Pats didn't sign him for this season. He might have been a final cut in training camp. I think this was a better way for him to end his NFL career.

Seatle Times

The game on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks has produced a great deal of side drama because of the story line of Pete Carroll. There has been a lot of interesting conversation on talk radio about it. Bob Kraft seem to put his on spin on it during a Boston Globe story where he reflected about who should have control over personnel decisions on the team.

There seems to be a blur about the transition from the Pete Carroll era to Belichick. Several personnel people, including Bobby Grier, were held over until the following year. It seems like everyone wants to grab a bit of the credit for drafting Tom Brady.

Who was making the decisions back then? You get several different stories. Belichick will certainly never comment. If they ask him next Monday, he will only be concerned about getting ready for the New York Jets.

Sanchez On The Line

The New York Jets have lost three of their first four games and are fighting to save their season. QB Mark Sanchez is getting it from all sides with his inability to lead his team to victory. Tim Tebow is the 600 pound gorilla in the room with his sporadic play in last Monday night's loss to the Houston Texans only stirring things up more.

Now, we are hearing that owner Woody Johnson is meddling in the offense by suggesting that Tebow start over Sanchez. Coach Rex Ryan is waffling in his support over his starting quarterback. Last year, he said that Sanchez would start as long as he coaches the Jets. Now, he has changed it to saying that Sanchez will start this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.

This game could be a career changing one for Sanchez. He needs to perform well and lead the Jets to a victory. The Tebow sharks are circling the boat. With a loss, it will only be a matter of time before the switch is made. Rex Ryan knows that his future as a coach depends on having a wining season.

I don't think it really matters to him who is taking the snaps. He only wants to win. Otherwise, he will be a defensive coordinator for some other team next year.

Coughing It Up

You can't blame former Pats RB BenJarvis Green-Ellis for leaving the team and signing a lucrative free agent contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. With the Pats, he was part of the running back group. Now, he has become the featured back with the Bengals.

The money is so much more than he would have been paid in New England. It's a different game for him now. Unfortunately, he has ended his streak of never fumbling the ball. He went through high school, four years of college and four seasons with the Pats without putting it on the ground in 510 NFL carries.

So far this season, he has turned it over three times on 82 carries. This type of ball security gets you a seat on the bench eventually. It's also a good way to get released at the end of the season and voiding his big contract. Fumbling the ball will end a running back's career as quickly as a knee injury.

Wes Going Off

If Wes Welker is trying to end his tenure with the Pats, he is doing a very good job with his most recent dig at Coach Belichick. His comment of "Sticking it in Bill's face" was a direct shot at Belichick. Others have done this. Ty Law, Lawyer Milloy, Richard Seymour, Mike Vrabel and a host of others locked horns with Belichick and went public with their comments. They were all released or traded.

To make matters worse, owner Robert Kraft was miffed back in training camp about the inability to sign Welker to a long term deal. He said the team tried its best to work a deal with Welker, but the sides could not agree.

Is Welker in the dog house? It seem to be with his lack of playing time initially, but injuries have forced the team to use him more.Will Belichick respond to Welker by not starting him on Sunday against Seattle?

This whole thing looks bad for Welker's long term future with the team. It will come down to money in the end. They need his play, but they will only pay him so much. His comments are not helping the situation.

Always A Champ

We heard a great deal of talk yesterday about the match between quarterbacks Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Fans were treated to seeing two of the all-time bests. At their advanced NFL age, who knows how many more times we will see them both on the same field?

One player who was under the radar was 14 year veteran Champ Bailey, one of the greatest cornerbacks of this generation. It will be interesting to see what type of interest he generates when his time comes for Hall of Fame election.

He has been selected to the Pro Bowl on eleven occasions, including six as All-Pro. His failure to win a championship is the only blemish on a remarkable career.

Players such as Baily don't get the attention they deserve. He has played at the highest level at his position throughout his career. He has been a model of consistency and one of the all-time best.

Who Is A Fan?

I think there is a very broad definition for the term "fan". Many start to follow a team when it is doing good. It becomes the popular thing to do. Success breeds followers. What happens to these people when their team hits a bump in the road?

Pats fans are spoiled by having won three Super Bowl in four years. Since then, some fans have been whining because it has been seven seasons between titles in spite of getting to the big game two more times.

The Pats had a playoff game drought from 1986-1994. That never stopped me from following the team or watching them. What will happen to fans when Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are no longer part of the team? It will be like rats jumping off a sinking ship.

I saw a comment on Facebook from somebody who was threatening to stop following a college team because they suffered an embarrassing loss yesterday. That person is not really a fan. The easiest thing to do is to jump on the band wagon when things are going well. His team will probably have a losing record and not get an invitation to the nearly 30 post-season bowl games. It looks like he is getting ready to get off the wagon.

L.A. Is The Place

When the Pats play the St Louis Rams in London in two weeks, they could be competing against a team that has its eyes on a move back to Los Angeles. The team moved from there in 1994, but is one of several NFL teams that could apply t move to LA. and their proposed new stadium. San Diego, Jacksonville, Buffalo and Jacksonville are also mentioned.

A private group has plans to build a $1.5 billion stadium. One of the problems is that there is no way that the  stadium will never be built for the stated price. By the time its done, it will probably balloon to $2 billion. This is an absurd amount of money to invest in a facility that has limited use throughout the year.

The plan is to have a decision in place by next spring regarding franchise relocation. The stadium construction plan is very ambitious with a completion date in time for the 2016 season. I can't see this date being met. There are so many loose financial ends with the group trying to get a team.

There are hurdles for this project to overcome. Los Angles will also use long term bonds to build a new $315 million convention center.

There isn't an overwhelming ground campaign to get a team to L.A. The league wants a team in the nation's second largest market, but it was dwindling attendance which helped force the Rams to St Louis.

Monday Night Jet Test

The Monday Night Football game will be a great match-up between the Houston Texans and the New York Jets. Houston, Arizona and Atlanta are the only 4-0 teams in the league. The game has huge implications for the Jets because the New York tabloids are calling for Tim Tebow to replace Mark Sanchez after some bad performances by the Jets offense..

Things might be going great for Sanchez in his private life as he squires Eva Longoria around the Big Apple, but his starting days could be numbered. A loss by the Jets would be a big step backwards. Sanchez needs to have a monster game to save his job.

Through four games, he ranks last among QB's for completion percentage and has the 29th lowest rating. Coach Ryan is saying that Tebow is his guy, but Coach John Fox said the same thing in Denver about Kyle Orton before Tebow replaced him after the 6th week of last season. The timetable seems to be similar this year for Sanchez.

Does Tebow have that "magic" again? He has been roundly criticized for not being a good NFL quarterback. He might just get another chance to address his critics. It could be 2011 all over again.

Two Pairs of Running Backs

The Pats made history during their win against Buffalo when they had two players each rush for over 100 yards in the same game. They were also the the only other team to do it when it happened on November 22, 1980 on the road against the Baltimore Colts.

When that moment happened last Sunday for Brandon Bolden and Steven Ridley, the announces  had to scramble to find out when it last happened..

The 1980 team was coached by Ron Erhardt, missing the playoffs with a 10-6 record. They had a very powerful offense lead by QB Steve Grogan, WR Stanley Morgan and Harold Jackson and the legendary TE Russ Francis.

The backfield featured Don Calhoun and Vargas Ferguson. Calhoun was a 10th round pick by Buffalo in 1974. He came to the Pats in 1975 and played with them through the 1981 season. He is the team's 5th all-time rushing leader with 3,391 yards.

Ferguson was an All-American at Notre Dame and a number one pick by the Pats in the 1980 draft. He came to the team with great expectations, but injuries cut his career short. He was released by the team after the 1982 season. He attempted to play with the Cleveland Browns and Houston Oilers before ending his career in 1983.

Bolden went undrafted last year while Ridley was a third round pick in 2011. They are at the start of their careers. Where will they go from here? Both have great talent, but the career for a running back is short. Will they follow the lead of BenJarvis Green-Ellis and leave when they become free agents? Will they even get to that point? Only time will tell.

Hopefully, they won't follow the lead of Vargas Ferguson and have their career cut short from injuries.

Jerry Being Jerry

I heard a great commentary today regarding the comments made by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones after their Monday night loss to the Chicago Bears. He said he was very disappointed in them.

As owner, Jones can say and do anything he wants. He made himself General Manager and holds a weekly press conference like Bill Belichick. He is the spokesperson for the team. It's his baby.

However, in 15 seasons and four games into 2012, they are 122-122 during that period. Is Jones the blame for all of this? What about QB Tony Romo who has a record of 17 games over .500 during his tenure in Dallas? When in doubt, blame the QB.

Jones will continue to whine about things. His team has only one playoff win in 15 seasons. I'm sure he is already thinking of who to blame when this season implodes.

Tebow Time Is Near

The New York Jets took a 34-0 beating from the San Francisco 49er's on Sunday. Coach Rex Ryan was in full damage control during his Monday press conference. It wa filled with expletives about how his team played. On a positive note, they are 2-2 and have 12 games ahead of him.

The vultures are circling over QB Mark Sanchez. The Tebow followers know that this is the time to start stirring it up. Ryan said he has no plans to switch to Tebow, but that could change if the offense continues to flounder.

I feel that Tebow will be taking snaps by the second half of the season. Rex has boasted too much about going to the Super Bowl. If they continue to lose, Sanchez will be the fall guy. It's only a matter of time.

Roundup In Buffalo

As listen to pregame shows this morning, it appears that today's game against the Buffalo Bills is a "must" win if only to silence all of the critics who seem to feel that season is on the edge. A loss today would mean a three game losing streak which a Belichick team has not had since the 2000 season.

Several players didn't make the trip including Aaron Hernandez, Logan Mankins and Julian Edelman. With Gronk being a game time decision, a great deal of the offense might fall onto Wes Welker. He will definitely get more snaps today, Perhaps, this will put an end to all of the talk around his diminished role in the offense.

For every team around the NFL, they will go into each game with a roster that is not at 100%. Who knows what will happen once they get Hernandez back? The goal of every team is to make it through the game without any major injuries. That is the great unknown.

Another Great Decision By Rex

You can always count on Rex Ryan to make decisions that hurt the New York Jets. He still believes that his team has a shot of making the Super Bowl. After three games, every coach should feel this way unless they are 0-3.

Since he feels his team will be playing in February, he has decided not to put CB Darrelle Reavis on Injured Reserve with a torn ACL. His surgery will not be performed for a few more weeks in order to reduce swelling. Most cases require a 6-9 month period of rehab. It would be a real stretch to think that he would be ready to play by the first week of February.

By keeping him on the 53 roster, he is forcing his team to play one man short. As the season goes on, Ryan will realize that he needs every healthy player on the roster. He should stop kidding himself and place Reavis on IR. There is no way he will be back in time for the playoffs.

Not Embracing Change

RB Joe McKnight of the New York Jets will never be confused with Pats Hall of Famer Troy Brown when it comes to doing extra for the team. Coach Rex Ryan announced that McKnight will switch to defense and take snaps at cornerback due to the season ending injury for Darrelle Reavis.

McKnight grumbled to reporters that the Jets were giving up on him as a running back. He was a 4th round pick of the Jets in 2010 from USC where he was billed as the next Reggie Bush. McKnight has struggled at times out of the backfield.

He later said that he was looking forward to playing any position. This is in sharp contract to Troy Brown who was switched to cornerback during the 2004 season when the team was decimated by injuries. Brown played both ways and on special teams, helping the Pats win their third Super Bowl.

One of the reason Brown is in the team's Hall of Fame was his ability to play on both sides of the ball. McKnight is being given that same opportunity, but instead of embracing it, he started to complain about the team giving up on him as a running back.

The Mystery of Kellen

Many players reach a point where they are glad just to be on a roster. Apparently, TE Kellen Winslow doesn't feel that way as he asked the Pats to release him. They team granted his request, but created a mystery. Why did Winslow ask out?

He caught one pass last week in the loss to the Ravens. He was used sparingly on only a few plays. Playing time might have been an issue, but there were few takers for him when he was released by Seattle during training camp. Is some other team interested in him? That would be tampering and subject the team to a penalty. Has he lost his desire to play?

Winslow came into the league with big shoes to fill. As a first round draft pick, he was also the son of a Hall of Famer. He never lived up to his hype. He made his money, but his accomplishments are minimal. I think he finally realized that his career is over. He probably would have been released once Aaron Hernandez makes it back form his injury. Why not stick around for a few game checks? Even if he wasn't playing, he was making decent money for someone who was at the end of the line.

The Hurt Game

The weekly NFL injury report will only get worse as the season rolls on. Every week there are two or three players who suffer season ending injuries. There are others who somehow escape a devastating injury. We saw that in the Ravens and Pats game when Julian Edelman took a helmet to helmet hit from Ed Reed. A flag should have been thrown as Edelman could have been severely hurt or had a concussion.

Houston QB Matt Schaub took a vicious hit to his head which cost him a small piece of his earlobe. The quarterback is always an easy target. Most teams still have the unmentioned goal of knocking him out of the game.

One of the worst injuries was for Jets CB Darrelle Reavis who suffered a torn ACL that will sideline him for the season. He was hurt on a non-contact play when his leg slid out form under him.

I hate to see any team lose a player, but it's worse when he is the best defensive player on the team. The Jets will need to move on without Reavis, but it will be a real challenge

So many players get hurt without contact or a violent collision. TE Aaron Hernandez suffered his ankle injury when Danny Woodhead innocently feel on his legs at the end of a play.

Every player who steps on the field must deal with the fact that it could be their last play of the season. Injuries are just freaky at times.

Gamblers Unhappy

It might take something like the fiasco in the Packers and Seahawks game last night to get some resolution with the NFL referees lockout. A very controversial call on the last play of the game gave Seattle a touchdown and a 14-12 win over Green Bay.

To make matters worse, it cost Green Bay the game and effected the point spread of 3 1/2 as the Packers were favored to win the game.

The Nevada Gaming Commission estimated that there was between $150-200 million wagered on the game. Many bettors are unhappy about the results. It wouldn't be that much of an issue is it didn't effect the outcome of the game as well as the spread.

I always felt that it would need to get to this for something to get done. Maybe the labor issue will continue, but the NFL is squarely in the sights of all. The call in the game didn't effect the television ratings, but once you get the gamblers involved it becomes another story

Week Three

Now that the Pats are 1-2 after their loss 31-30 loss against the Ravens, we will be forced to hear talk about how the season is spiraling out of control. The Pats have their first losing record since 2003. We will hear about the must-win against Buffalo on Sunday. The Eastern Division could get quite competitive before it's all over.

Maybe some of the Wes Welker talk will go away, but it could get worse. There are those who love to doubt Coach Belichick the moment something goes wrong. We will hear about bad play calling and incorrect use of personnel.

With fourteen weeks to go in the regular season, it's going to be quite a ride.

Four Jackets Needed

The term "future Hall of Famer" is used too loosely to describe players these days. If they all made it to Canton, the HOF would need to build a new wing just for them. Every team, including the Pats, has players on that list.

Tonight's game between the Pats and Ravens truly has four future Hall of Famers in Ray Lewis, Ed Reed Tom Brady and Coach Bill Belichick. All four should be first time selections when they become eligible. If they don't get selected, there is something wrong with the process.

The biggest question is how will they end their career? Ed Reed has been banged up in recent years. Ray Lewis seems to be indestructible after playing linebacker for 17 seasons. Tom Brady has often said that he wants to play until he is 40. Coach Belichick has never been one to tip his hand. Who knows what he will do?

Hopefully, they all leave the game on their own terms. Their stars have shined so brightly. It would be a shame for any of the players to end it with a catastrophic injury. I often wonder how much Coach Belichick wants to do this. He shows no sign of slowing down, but he even has said that nobody does it forever.

Be Careful Around Bernard Pollard

Ravens safety Bernard Pollard has been part of several plays where players on the Pats have been injured. It started when he was with the Kansas City Chiefs when he knocked down Tom Brady in the opening drive of the 2008 season. Brady suffered his now famous knee injury that cost him the season.

Pollard moved on to Houston for the 2009 season. In the season finale against the Pats, he was pursuing Wes Welker on a play when number 83 slipped and tore his ACL. Welker's loss was devastating for the Pats in the playoffs as they suffered a first round loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Last season, he was in on the play when Rob Gronkowski suffered his high ankle sprain in the AFC Championship game that left him ineffective for the Super Bowl loss to the new York Giants.

Pollard will be on the filed tomorrow when the Pats play the Ravens. Hopefully, nobody gets hurt, but you never know in this game. The game is so fast and filled with violent collisions. 

Larry Whigham

I can understand that fans don't always have a connection to the players of the past. Everyone varies on the depth that they follow the NFL. A local writer surprised me with some of his comments about Larry Whigham who played nine years in the NFL, including seven with the Pats.The writer is young, but I thought he would have more insight to the past.

He was poking fun of a fan who wore a Larry Whigham game jersey at the season opener against the Arizona Cardinals. He said that Whigham played seven undistinguished seasons in Foxborough and started only five games. He was correct about the starts, but so wrong on everything else.

Whigham excelled on special teams when he was with the Pats. He was a 4th round pick in the 1994 draft by the Seattle Seahawks, but was released. Bill Parcells picked him up and put him on special teams. He stayed there during the rest of his years with Parcells and three seasons with Pete Carroll. He played the 2000 season under Coach Belichick.

He had  memorable game against Miami in the 1997 when he intercepted Hall of Fame QB Dan Marino twice, including one he returned 60 yards for a TD. He played DB in nickel and dime defenses throughout his career. He also was got his first selection to the Pro Bowl for his excellence on special teams in 1997.

He spent the 2001 and 2002 seasons with the Chicago Bears where he gained Pro Bowl honors for the second time in 2001. He concluded his career with them, playing 30 games as a Bear.

The writer was correct in saying Whigham only had five starts. In fact, he only had six starts in his career, but played in 136 games with two Pro Bowl appearances. He was also a special teams captain when he was with the Pats.

Overall, I think he had a pretty good career. It's too bad the writer never did his research, but most of them don't.

The Case of Vince Young

Vince Young should serve as the poster boy for all that is wrong with big rookie contracts. He was the third overall pick taken in the 2006 draft by the Tennessee Titans. He signed a five year contract for $26 million, but his time with the Titans was filled with highs and lows as a starter and backup.

After being released at the end of the 2010 season, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles where he was a backup to Michael Vick. Red flags should have appeared as he was one of the players who sought financial assistance during the 2011 labor lockout from the Pro Player Fund of the NFLPA. He took a $1.9 million loan with a 20% interest rate because of his apparent financial problems.

The Buffalo Bills brought him into training camp this season, but released him in August. From there, it's been all downhill. His $26 million is all but gone. He faces litigation against financial advisers, accusing then of fraud. His finances are a mess. He is broke and out of the NFL with an uncertain future.

Young is typical of so many players who get a ton of money when they are young, They get bad financial advice and spend the money frivolously. Now, he has nothing to show for it. He won't be the last to face this problem. The league struggles to educate its players about this.

Waters Receding

Most NFL teams believe that if they throw more money at an unsigned player, a deal will get done. This does not appear to be the case with Brian Waters.The 14 year veteran and Pro Bowl player remains away from the team in spite of being offered a hefty pay raise. Numbers were not revealed, but Waters is staying at his home in Texas. It might be a ploy by Waters to get more cash after the Pats wanted him to take a pay cut.

At 35, Waters has a growing family. Last year, he left them behind in Texas for several months while he enjoyed a Pro Bowl season and Super Bowl appearance with New England. It must be a strain on any family.

Perhaps, the time has come for Waters as it often does with every player. Waters has the chance to leave the NFL on his own terms. It's not from being injured or getting cut from the roster. He has a spot if he wants it.

I can't blame him for his decision. After so many years in the NFL, there is only so much physical punishment a body can take. He might not have Super Bowl ring, but he is leaving on his own terms. Not many players get that option.

Making Bad Calls Or Not At All

It's going to be a long season no matter how you look at it. Until the referee problem is resolved, we will continue to hear about bad calls and mistakes made by the replacement referees.  That was clearly on display last night when the Broncos and Falcons played a game filled with penalties that should have been called and several points where the game was getting out of control.

As with most things, this labor issue is all about money. The owners seem unwilling to reach any type of compromise. You can't blame the referees for not wanting to give up their league pensions for part-time work while the owners want to convert them to a 401k. The owners seem unwilling to agree to grandfather the current officials and place any new ones on a 401k. The zebra men would be happy with that.

It appears that some of the replacement officials are not up to speed with the NFL rules which have differences from the college ones. The games are taking more time to play than they should.

I heard a good point today. The NFL owners won't pay any attention until it starts to effect the television ratings. That's not about to happen anytime soon. They just about print money with their cash cow of broadcasting fees.

An Easy Win

UMass made the decision to play big-time football. This season will certainly be a growing process. The team is 0-3 and has been hammered by UConn 37-0. Indiana 45-6 and Michigan 63-13. The team is definitely in over it's head, but looks towards the future.

There is one consolation in the 50 point loss to Michigan. I never wager on sport, but for those who do, there was some interesting numbers from the game. I thought it was absurd that the point spread was 45 1/2, but UMass lost by 50. The over and under was 53, but the game had a total of 76 points.

In spite of the huge loss, it was a great idea to play Michigan. UMass got a lot of national exposure and also picked up a huge game check for traveling to Ann Arbor to take a beating. Michigan was more than happy to do it and get a win against a soft opponent. That's how college football works.

An Angry LaRon

When the Pats face the Jets, Safety LaRon Landry will have an extra dose of motivation. The former Redskin blasted Coach Mike Shanahan and the team's medical staff about how they handled his Achilles injury which caused him to end up on Injured Reserve during the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

He also took a verbal shot at Coach Belichick for having him come to Foxborough, but not being there to meet with him. I think we all thought that Landry would be signed by the team. The Pats certainly expressed a lot of interest in him. There was a caution sign about his history of injuries, but his playing skills outweighed any negatives.

I was surprised when I heard that Belichick was never there to meet him. It's difficult to get a handle on what happens at Gillette because their is always a shroud of secrecy.

Another Life For Dan Koppen

When Coach Belichick released Dan Koppen, many thought it was the end for the10 year veteran who was selected in the 5th round of the 2003 draft. Koppen had a stellar career with the Pats until he broke his ankle last year in the season opener.

He was a free agent in the off-season, but the Pats signed him to a two year contract with some bonus money. They ended up releasing him. He was signed by the Denver Broncos this week. and will be used mostly in a back-up role.

Koppen wants to keep playing and this is one of the only ways to keep doing so. He was courted by the Tennessee Titans during the free agency period, but elected to have another run with the Pats. His contract isn't guaranteed so he is playing for a weekly pay check. With his service time, that comes to about $60,000 per game.

You can't blame players for hanging on. Koppen at 33, is in that grey area for offensive linemen. Guys his age at that position are on a short list.

It will be interesting to see how long he lasts. If he ends up on Injured Reserve, he gets paid for the entire season. It's easy to see why some players continue to subject their bodies to the damage that the NFL gives them. It's all about the money.

Those Gmes On Thursday Night

I heard a lot of talk today about Thursday Night Football. Is it really worth it? No doubt he NFL gathers so many more millions with these Thursday Night games. None of these teams are playing after a bye week at this point. The scheduling  of these games gives the teams very little time to come up with a game plan. It will only get worse late in the season.

As a fan, I like Thursday Night games, but I know that it's not good for "player safety". The NFL wants to go forward, They just leave players behind. with the safety issue..

A Test For Revis

It will be interesting to see if New York Jets CB Darrelle Revis plays on Sunday after suffering a concussion in the season opener against the Buffalo Bills. Unlike other injuries, the decision to play will be out of his hands and Coach Rex Ryan.

The new guidelines for concussions require Revise to take a series of cognitive tests where he must score as well as he did when he took the baseline exam during preseason. He must also be cleared by the team doctor and by an independent neurological consultant. The league is tyring to take the "warrior" mentality away from the players when it comes to head injuries.

His results will be watched closely around the league. Revis insisted that he only had a "mild" concussion, whatever that means. Like most players, he has probably lost count on how many he as experienced in his career.

Three Strikes For Ty

We may have seen the end of Ty Warren's career after he ended up on Injured Reserve for the third straight season. He left the Pats after the 2010 season where he spent it on IR due to a hip injury. He signed a 2 year/ $8 million contract with the Denver Broncos during free agency.

While in Broncos training camp, he tore his triceps in his right arm and ended up on IR. During the opening win over Pittsburgh on Sunday night, he tore it again. The team placed him on IR. He will be a free agent at the end of the season.

Where does this leave the former first round pick and the 13th overall in the 2003 draft? After three seasons on IR, I think his options might be limited. He could sign for the veteran minimum next year, but he has too many red flags. Some team might take a shot on him for cheap money, but the two time Super Bowl winner with the Pats never wanted it to end this way.

They Already Started

One of my big concerns for this season has been realized. There was a great deal of commentary about the role of Wes Welker in the season opening win against the Titans. He was the team's fourth leading receiver behind Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez and Brandon Lloyd. He caught three balls for 14 yards, one of his lowest totals in years.

People are already predicting his demise. Some say the Pats will trade him before the deadline. Even Julian Edeleman had a catch. They say that Coach Belichick is checking to see if Edelman can take Welker's spot. You also hear that he might be eased out of the offense because the Pats don't want to sign him to a long-term contract.

I was very pleased with the win until I heard all of this nonsense. Now there will be no end to the talk and speculation until he has at least 10 receptions and 100 yards in a game. Just because Brady targeted him only seven times, people think that the end is here for Wes.

This is going to be a very long season if we keep hearing this stuff.

Waiting For The Big One

There are several examples of the replacement officials making incorrect calls throughout the league yesterday. So far, it has not effected the outcome of any games. It's only a matter of time before they blow a big call. Once that happens, the NFL will come under fire from all sides.

The league is treading a very fine line with the officials.They seem determined to switch them from their pension plan to a 401k. Both sides are dug in for a protracted fight. I can understand their point, but I think the current officials should keep their plan. If the league wants to change it for new hires, that should be agreed upon. The league doesn't want to do it.

Maybe the game tonight needs to have a very bad call for both sides to come together. The public is ok until something really goes wrong.

Week 1

It's always great to start the season with a victory as the Pats did today with their 34-13 win over the Tennessee Titans. There are several items to focus on.

I'm sure the talk shows will be burning about Tom Brady getting knocked down and his bleeding nose cut. Pass protection is still a concern. Fans are not accustomed to seeing their poster boy quarterback bleeding on the sidelines. I'm sure this will get prominent attention by the media.

The running game looked very good with a 100 yard day by Steven Ridley. Brady distributed the ball well, although he was hurried a number of times.

The defense held them to 13 points and capitalized on turnovers. I'm sure we will hear about some of the longer pass plays by the Titans.

By Wednesday, it will be time to move onto the home opener against the Arizona Cardinals.