Two Together

Jets GM John Idzik and Coach Rex Ryan held a joint press conference today. They certainly showed a united front. They have many personnel issues, starting at quarterback.

Rex said his contract issue will resolve itself. He's right on that. Owner Woody Johnson might wait until the season starts to determine if he wants Rex on a long term basis.

It says a lot if he starts next season without a contract extension.

Rex Is Back

Rex Ryan got a stay of execution for another season with the Jets as he will return for the final year of his contract in 2014. It has not been confirmed whether he got an extension or if one is in the works, otherwise he is a lame duck coach next season.

I was glad to see Rex return. He adds a lot of fun to the NFL with his remarks to the media and emotion for the game. I'm a big fan of his and want the Jets to win as long as it doesn't effect the Pats.

He will be under a great deal of pressure to win next season. GM John Idzak must assemble the right players for him to coach. They both share the responsibility for the final outcome. They will win or lose together and must keep owner Woody Johnson happy.

School's Out For Kitna

Tim Tebow must have wondered if he would get a call from the Dallas Cowboys after QB Tony Romo was lost for the season with a herniated disc in his back.

The Cowboys went for "street" players and brought in David Carr, Tyler Thigpen, John Skelton and Caleb Hanie for a tryout to backup Kyle Orton

With their season on the line, they signed 41 year old John Kitna who has prior experience with them. The only problem is that Kitna has not played since the end of the 2011 season. He is a high school teacher and football coach at Lincoln HS in his hometown of Tacoma, Washington.

Kitna has taken some snaps as the opponent quarterback for his high school team, but that is far away from the NFL. He started 124 games with stops in Seattle, Cincinnati, Detroit and  Dallas. He will only play in a dire situation.

If the Cowboys make the playoffs, his school will need to hire a substitute teacher for at least a week. It won't be longer because I don't see the Cowboys going far.  

Time To Get Paid

There is never a good way to select the players for the Pro Bowl. Aqib Talib and Stephen Gotskowski got the nod as starters. Tom Brady, Logan Mankins and Matthew Slater also made the team.

A player's legacy is often defined by championships won and Pro Bowl selections. It also means money in many cases because they have incentives built into their contracts.

Talib will be a free agent after signing a one year contract and taking a chance on this season. He stands to make a lot of money next season whether it's with the Pats or some place else.

The team finally found their shut-down corner after being without one for so many years. Now, they need to determine whether they are willing to pay for one. This will be a very big decision for the team. They can also give Talib the franchise tag which will pay him big-time and effect the team's salary cap.

All On Kyle

The Dallas Cowboys did the obvious today when they announced that Kyle Orton would be their starting quarterback in their do or die game against the Eagles on Sunday.

Jerry Jones previously signed Orton to a 3 year/$10 million contract for this exact purpose. He wasted a great deal of time in thinking that Tony Romo could be ready for the game in spite of a herniated disc in his back. Romo had surgery today to address the problem.

Watching Romo play last Sunday after his injury was painful. Teams take extraordinary steps to try and get players on the field. Romo's injury was too severe. The Cowboys did their best, but they should have made this decision after the game last Sunday.

Winston Won't Light It Up

Florida State QB Jameis Winston had quite a season this year. In addition to wining the Heisman Trophy and resolving a sexual assault allegation against him, he is also preparing to lead his team against Auburn in the Bowl Championship Series national title game on January 6th.

After the game, he will begin his preparation for the upcoming season of the Florida State baseball team. He plans to play both sports because he wants to follow the footsteps of Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders who had great careers in the NFL and MLB.

Winston was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 15th round after he graduated from high school last year. He was ranked as the 22nd best high school prospect by Perfect Game, but ended up with signing with Florida State who agreed to let him play both sports.

Sanders and Jackson were very unique athletes who were able to do something that few can accomplish. Winston is a pitcher, but projects to be an outfielder.

Jackson and Sanders had abbreviated NFL seasons when they played both sports. I don't see how Winston can miss part of the season and still expect to be a starting quarterback. He might do better as a backup on some team, but he needs to find one that is willing to cater to his wishes.

No Bowling Today

I'm very surprised to see that there are no college football bowl games on Christmas Day. I'm sure there was a lot of thought put into that decision by the television networks. They have played games in the past on Christmas.

Getting a television audience is not a problem. Having the fans give up their day and travel to watch a game with two mediocre teams is a hurdle that is difficult to overcome.

The schedule will resume relentlessly on Thursday.

The Last Days of Rex

Black Monday is right around the corner after the games on Sunday. Coaches get fired every year. There are always some surprises either way. Mike Shanahan of the Redskins seems to want to get fired so he can get his $7million salary due him in 2014.

Jets owner Woody Johnson has not given Rex Ryan the endorsement that one would expect. Rex has stated that he believes he will be fired. The New York Post endorsed Ryan which leads me to believe he will get canned.

The Best Game of the Season

The Pats played their best game of the season during their 41-7 win over the Ravens. They still need to beat the Bills on Sunday to get a first round bye in the playoffs.

I hope to see this team on the field for the rest of the season. They played so well in all three phases of the game. After next week, it becomes a one game season.

If they play like yesterday and avoid injuries, there is a good chance to see them in the AFC Championship game.

The Tower of London

Today could be the one of the last games of the great career of Redskins LB London Fletcher. His list of accomplishments is quite long between Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl Championship with the Rams.

He was undrafted in 1998 and went on to have a stellar career with the Rams, Bills and Redskins. He will best be known for his remarkable consecutive game streak which will continue today with  255. He also started 213 at linebacker, a record for that position.

Fletcher's streak is amazing considering the physicality of his position and his age at 38. He had many chances to end it because of injury, but was always able to get on the field.

Hopefully, he is healthy ten years from now.

Don't Take Me Out To Fenway

I'll never understand why Notre Dame decided to play ones of its home games on November 21, 2015 at Fenway Park against Boston College. The place is the worst stadium to watch football. The game will provide fans with terrible sight lines of the field.

Pats fans were so happy when the team played their last home game on December 1, 1968 against the Bills. They eventually moved to the newly built Schaefer/Sullivan Stadium after stops at Harvard and Boston College Stadiums.

I was surprised to see Notre Dame agree to play in such a small place. They could have attracted 68,000 at Gillette Stadium, but will end up with a live gate of about 40,000. The television revenue factors into it. They wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't worthwhile. It's all about the money in college football.

They are also selling the Fenway park angle.

Short By Two Yards

Giants WR Victor Cruz had insult added to injury during last week's 23-0 loss to the Seahawks. Late in the 3rd quarter, Cruz left the game with what appeared to be a concussion and knee injury after leaping to catch a 16 yard pass.

Cruz struck is head on the ground and stayed down for a few minutes. Seattle coach Pete Carroll challenged the play on whether Cruz had secured the ball after hitting the ground. The original ruling of a completion was overturned.

This play impacted Cruz in many ways. His concussion would have kept him out on Sunday and maybe next week, but now he will need arthroscopic surgery on his knee. The incomplete pass took 16 yards from his season total, dropping it to 998.

It was mostly his last play of the season. It prevented him from being the fourth Giants player to have three consecutive seasons with 1,000 receiving yards.

All In The Name

The 34 college bowl game schedule start this weekend when Washington State and Colorado State meet in the New Mexico Bowl. The action will continue until Jan 6th when Auburn and Florida State play for the BCS National Championship.

There was a time when only a handful of teams played on New Year's Day. They  battled it out in games with iconic names like the Sugar, Rose, Orange and Cotton Bowls. A few games were added over the years. Sponsors bought up the naming rights. Players and fans no longer know the real name of the bowl their team is playing in.

Boston College fans are happy to finally make it back to a game. They were one of eleven ACC teams who became eligible after six wins. Once they got their seventh, they punched their ticket to the AdvoCare V100 on Dec 31st against Arizona State. The game was formerly known as the Independence Bowl.

Going to a bowl game means money for both schools. There is a lot at stake. ESPN has every game covered except  three. They pay a great deal of money for broadcasting rights. The games are very expensive to host. Selling the naming rights is just another way of generating revenue.

Unfortunately, it kills whatever tradition is built up over the years by the game. I didn't know the AdvoCare V100 was once the Independence Bowl. It doesn't even have a catchy name. I can't imagine players bragging about their time at the AdvoCare V100 Bowl.

Just Like "The Fridge"

The New York Jets lost their game Sunday to Carolina, but at least they had one of the most exciting offensive plays of the year.

In the third quarter, DL Sheldon Richardson was part of the formation on first and goal from the two. He was given the ball, but was stopped at the one. He got it again and plowed into the end zone for the score. It cut Carolina's lead to 16-13.

It was reminiscent of DL William "Refrigerator" Perry who did the same for the great Chicago Bears team of 1985. He scored three TD's during the regular season and one in the Super Bowl win over the Pats.

The NFL needs more plays like that where players switch sides of the ball.

Post-Career Reality

NBC Nightly News did a great job tonight on a story about the wives of former NFL players who are suffering from brain injuries. The three players profiled spent time in the league during the 80's and early 90's.

They all suffer from physical ailments, memory loss and depression. Their careers were long enough for them to suffer chronic problems that will effect them the rest of their lives.

The NFL and NFLPA had their landmark $762 million concussion lawsuit settlement, but there is great concern that many players prior to 1980 will fall through the cracks because they had short careers.

This problem isn't over.

Great Award For Peyton

A lot of fans are not thrilled with the fact that Peyton Manning was selected by Sports Illustrated as the "Athlete of the Year". They can't be happy for him and his resurgence in Denver after it appeared his career might be over.

I'll never understand why a true fan of the game would hate him. He is one of the best quarterbacks ever to play the position whether you like him or not. His spot in the Hall of Fame is ensured.

Fans hate certain teams and players. I don't get it.

The Expensive Word

Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are always brief and terse during their post-game press conference when the Pats lose. Today was no exception after they lost 24-20 to the Dolphins. The road to the number one seed in the AFC got a bit murkier.

Brady abruptly ended the questioning after he uttered a word you can't say on television. There will be some type of fine. He will just write a check, but he should have thought before he spoke. He got caught up in the moment and will apologize.

I think it just shows how passionate he is about playing and winning.

Tom Having A Meltdown

Fans around the NFL see Coach Belichick as being very stoic and not having much personality. He is far from that. He keeps a even keel throughout the season no matter what type of adversity the team faces.

Meanwhile in the Big Apple, Coach Tom Coughlin is getting testy with the press as his 5-8 team attempts to play hard in their final three games. He got into a heated exchange with a reporter when asked about the removal of the "Super Bowl Countdown " clock in the team's locker room. He claimed no knowledge of its status. Apparently, GM Jerry Reese had it taken down.

That was a good idea to remove it. At 5-8, the only way the team is going to the Super Bowl is by purchasing a ticket. The drama continues.

Need Three Wins

It was a big deal for the Chargers to beat the Broncos 27-20 in Thursday Night Football. If the season ended today, the Pats would have the number one seed in the AFC and home field advantage, including the AFC Championship game.

This is great news for fans, but a little premature with three games left to play. They still need to keep their bye as well as win their playoff game to make it to the AFC finals. A lot can happen between now and then.

Talk shows will be jumping on this and beating it to death with all sorts of playoff scenarios. It makes for interesting conversation, but you can only take so much. The Pats need to beat the Dolphins on Sunday and then finish the season with wins over the Ravens and Bills.

Given the amount of injuries suffered by the Pats, they have their work cut out for them.

It's Good

NFL kickers routinely kick field goals of 60-70 yards during pregame warm-ups. Coaches are not inclined to try such a long one during a game. It can end in a disaster if the defense returns the missed kick. It also gives the other team great field position.

Things lined up perfectly during the game last Sunday between the Broncos and Titans. As play expired in the first half, Broncos kicker Matt Prager booted a 64 yard field goal to break the NFL record of 63 shared by several players

Prager's kick cut the Titan's lead to 21-20 at the half. The Broncos won the game 51-28. There was a risk to the play because the Titans could have run the ball back for a score.

The record of 63 yards was first set in 1970 by Tom Dempsey. He held it until 1998 when Jason Elam kicked one from 63. Sebastian Janikowski did it in 2011 and David Akers in 2012. Janikowski also missed one from 76 yards.

The record might stand for a long time. It would take a special set of circumstances for a coach to try one from 65.

Ready For Firing

I think Mike Shanahan will lead the list of coaches who will get fired at the end of the season. At 3-10, it's only getting worse for the Redskins. RG III has been playing hurt and isn't the greatest leader. He has said things he shouldn't have said at press conferences. Coach Shanahan plans to bench him on Sunday and probably for the remainder of the season.

Griffin's knee injury last year was mishandled from the start. No coach can work with owner Dan Snyder. He controls the purse strings and calls some of the shots no matter what Shanahan says.

I think Rex Ryan has a better chance of coaching his team next year.

9 at 24

There is a pall around the fan base concerning Gronk. They wonder how far the team can go in the playoffs without him. It would have been great to have one of the most dynamic players in the league on offense. You can't possibly replace him.

Fans seem to think it's all over for the Pats. They will be one and done in the playoffs. The difference in their offensive stats since his return is so profound. He had such an impact.

Maybe it will be the final straw and the Pats will make a quick exit in the playoffs. Fans need to realize that Gronk won't be ready for training camp and might have a repeat of this year's schedule.

He is so talented at the age of 24. He's on a track for the Hall of Fame, but I think his career will be cut short. He is facing his 8th surgery since entering the NFL and 9th overall. That's not good.

Moving On Without Gronk

The Pats pulled off an incredible 27-26 win over the Cleveland Browns, but the loss of Rob Gronkowski with a likely ACL tear could be devastating for the offense. Since the return of Gronk, the offense has improved immensely in all categories. He allows Tom Brady to do so much more with the ball.

Gronk is done for the season. They will go on without him, but how far they can go in the playoffs will be a big question. Players, coaches and fans cannot lament his loss because he is not going to be part of the 2013 season from this point forward.

Reed Not Leaving Easily

Jets safety Ed Reed fired back at critics who said his best days are behind him and that he was a shadow of his former self.

Reed will walk into the Hall of Fame, but his exit from the NFL isn't going the way he wished. Rex Ryan is one of his biggest supporters, but he might not be around to coach him after this season.

Reed said he has enough left to play for two more years. I hope he does. He is one of the best ever to play the position. Maybe, he can return to his former level of play. At his age, it's not likely.

I think Reed will be ones of those players who need to have the uniform ripped off his back before he gives it up. I admire that in anyone.

Playing In The Small House

Tim Tebow finally got offered a contract to play quarterback. The only problem is that it's not in the NFL. Instead, he was offered $200,000 to play for the Milano Seamen of the Italian Federation of American Football.

The eight team league begins in March and concludes with the Italian Super Bowl in July. The Seamen have the league's largest stadium with a capacity of 8,000. It's a far cry from the NFL. It's not even the Arena Football League, but it's a chance to show that he can still play.

I doubt he will accept their offer unless he gets an escape clause to go to a team in the NFL. Tebow could stay here and shop himself around when the free agency period starts in March. His phone has not been ringing during the regular season. It probably won't in March.

Who Throws The Ball On Sunday?

Tim Tebow must be wondering if he will ever get another chance to play quarterback in the NFL. Team rosters are full of veteran retreads and young ones who will be out of the league after a year or two.

The Pats play the 4-8 Browns on Sunday. They have four quarterbacks on their active roster and Brian Hoyer on IR. Brandon Weedon, selected in the first round of 2012, has been benched for poor play. Veteran Jason Campbell is out with a concussion.

They signed Caleb Hanie a few days ago, but he only has four career starts. They could also go with 2nd year Alex Tanney who they signed from the Cowboys practice squad.

It looks like the Pats defense could have their day with whoever plays on Sunday. Hopefully, the Browns quarterback doesn't pass for 300 yards.

Don't Ask Winslow

It seems like many fans know more about their team than the players. I can understand someone not knowing all of their teammates by name, especially if they get signed during the season.

Jets TE Kellen Winslow didn't know that his team was still in playoff contention. That is inexcusable, even if the Jets are 5-7. A loss this weekend will eliminate them, but Winslow should have known.

His gaffe was discovered after free-agent WR Donte Stallworth asked him to comment on Twitter about who he thought would be playing in the Super Bowl. Winslow picked the Broncos and Pats in the AFC Championship game and the Panthers and Seahawks for the NFC.

Winslow refused to answer questions from reporters, but went back on Twitter to try and laugh it off. With guys like him, it's easy to see why the Jets are 5-7 and ready for elimination.

Cutting Quarters

The group overseeing high school football in Massachusetts has made another mistake in the playoff format. They already had too many divisions and teams in the playoffs. Schools had a chance to go to a Super Bowl game at Gillette Stadium even if they had a losing record.

Now, it appears the teams playing on Saturday in Foxborough will be competing during 10 minute quarters instead of the usual 12. This allows for shorter games and more to be played.

It's great that the kids have the opportunity to play in a place like Gillette. A smaller roster of games would have been better. In this day and age, everyone has to be included. Kids need to learn that there are winners and losers. Not everyone gets a trophy on Saturday.

The Kick of a Lifetime

I didn't see the Auburn-Alabama game with its thrilling finish. I only saw the highlights. It was one for the ages. The 34-28 last play of the game loss knocked Alabama out of the top ranking in the national polls and dropped them to fourth. It probably cost them a third consecutive national title.

The final play will live on forever as one of the most exciting finishes to any football game. It started with a 57 yard Alabama field goal attempt by backup kicker Adam Griffith. Cade Foster, their starting kicker, was pulled after missing two field goals and having a third blocked by Auburn.

Griffith's kick was wide and was returned 100 yards by Chris Davis for the winning score. It was a highly unusual play, one rarely successful. All three players will be linked together as part of the game lore in the future.

It was the play of a lifetime by Davis and one that both kickers would like to forget.

Playing The Field

I think the NFL needs to take action against Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin after his controversial interference non-call last Thursday against the Ravens.

Tomlin claimed that he was watching the video board when Ravens returner Jacoby Jones was running down the sidelines for an apparent 100 yard kickoff return. Tomlin stepped on the field, causing Jones to break stride to avoid him. He was tackled after that.

Jones may have made it to the end zone. We will never know, but Tomlin's actions showed poor sportsmanship. He claims it was all innocent. Players get too close to the field all the time. No flag was thrown on the play. The NFL will review the film to determine if any action should be taken.

I think the league needs to fine him. Others say the Steelers should lose a draft choice. Tomlin's actions didn't effect the overall outcome of the game, but what if it did? How would the league react then?

The Costly Turnover

There has been a great deal of talk about the future of RB Steven Ridley with the Pats. His fumbles have come at bad times. He was benched last week after he coughed up the ball against the Broncos. How much will he play today against Houston?

Ridley has reached out to former RB Kevin Faulk who had his own problems holding onto the ball early in his career. He might be able to help, but Ridley is the one who can fix it.

Whoever has the ball, takes the blame for any turnover. It comes with the job description. In Ridley's case, he might not be here much longer if he keeps dropping it.

The State of Washington

It's hard to figure out why teams sign certain players. It's a very inexact science. All teams make errors on a regular basis.

The Pats thought they had their kick returner when they signed Leon Washington in the off-season. The eight year veteran was a two time Pro Bowler who had returned 245 kickoffs for an average of 25.9 yards per return. He also returned 168 punts for an average of 9.9 yards.

Washington was hindered by an ankle injury throughout the season. He  spent most games on the inactive list. He had one carry for one yard and returned one kickoff for 19 yards. Most of the time, it appeared that it was a game time decision.

He was immediately  picked up by the Tennessee Titans. Will he play on Sunday or continue on his carousel around the league? Is this the end for him or can he try another team next year?

Moving The Chairs

Jets QB Mark Sanchez said all the right things the other day about his future with the team. They have him for two more years with a salary cap hit of $13.1 million in 2014. The team could cut him and save $8.3 million.

The team will be making some big decisions at the end of the season. It's a big guess whether Sanchez or Coach Rex Ryan will return. Will the Jets try to grab another quarterback in the draft?

I don't think we will see Ryan or Sanchez with the team next year. It's a complete mess. It might be time to rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic.

They Play The Song Today

The NFL has played on Thanksgiving since the 1940's. In recent years, they went to three games, with a prime time battle at 8:30pm.

I have no doubt that network executives have thought of broadcasting four games. It would be difficult without starting one of them before noon.

I bet it was discussed in great detail, but they know it wouldn't work. The NFL would be on-board because it means more money in the coffers.

You can tell it's a big game, because they are showing the National Anthem before the start. They usually only do it during the playoffs because it steals valuable commercial time away from the broadcast. They made an exception today.

Is It Really Rex's Choice?

The drama and hype is building for the Dolphins and Jets game on Sunday. Gang Green plays host to a pair of 5-6 teams. A loss for either one, will almost eliminate their playoff chances.

If Rex Ryan is coaching to keep his job, you would never know it. He was very adamant about staying the course with QB Geno Smith, in spite of the rookie's dismal play. Rex danced around the question of whether he needed the permission of GM John Izdak to replace Smith with Matt Simms.

The NY tabloids are all over this story. A few weeks ago, it looked like Rex would make it to next season. Sunday is a big game for him and the Jets. The Dolphins have their own issues with the Incognito issue.

Serving Up The Soft Ones

I have several issues with college football, including how just about every team has soft opponents on their schedule. Teams look for some easy wins to pad their total to seven and become bowl eligible. The excessive amount of bowl games diminish their meaning, but they are also financial booms to the team involved. They also make money for the networks.

A look at some of Saturday's scores show how far the problem is getting out of hand: #1 Alabama beat Chattanooga 49-0, # 2 Florida State 80 and Idaho 14. # 4 Ohio State was 42-14 over Indiana. # 7 Clemson 52-6 over The Citadel. #12 South Carolina 70-10 over Coastal Carolina and #15 Fresno State 69-28 over New Mexico.

These scores happen throughout the season. Teams plays these games willingly because of the money. My school, UMass got some good pay days while taking a beating the last two seasons.

Hopefully, UMass will have their day when they schedule soft opponents to get the wins needed for a bowl game.

Brady & Manning Continue The Drama

The Pats won a thrilling 34-31 game over the Broncos last night. It had everything, including the Pats being down 24-0 at half time because of turnovers.

Brady lead the team to 31 unanswered points in the second half, but the Broncos wouldn't quit. Manning lead them down the field and sent the game into overtime.

The game had so many great plays, especially on third down. Both teams fought hard and deserved to win. It almost looked like the game would end in a tie.

It was interesting to see Coach Belichick give Manning the ball in OT and take the wind. In the end, the wind played a factor in the final punt of the game to Wes Welker. When it bounced off the leg of Bronco DB Tony Carter, the Pats were able to recover and kick the winning field goal.

I wonder how many fans turned the game off at half time. It was a frigid night at Gillette Stadium. What percentage of the fans stayed until the end of the game?

Brady & Manning XIV

It's several hours before the kickoff between the Pats and Broncos. Fans get to see Tom Brady and Peyton Manning going against each other for the 14th time. Brady has a 9-4 record and three Super Bowl wins, but Manning has all of the statistics and one ring.

Their numbers and accomplishments are amazing. They are the best of their time. This is one of the greatest match-ups ever. They are both near the end of their careers. How much longer will they play? Nobody really knows.

If you love the game, I don't know how you can hate Manning. I want the Pats to beat him and the Broncos, but I've always been a fan of Manning. He is one of the all-time greatest. We won't get too many more chances to see him and Brady battle. I hope fans enjoy it.

Still Hope For 75%

Sunday will be playoff elimination day for those teams who get their eighth loss of the season. Teams with a 9-7 record can still make the playoffs, especially if they with their division. Seattle did it a couple  of years ago with a record of 7-9.

The New York Giants started 0-6, but are riding a four game winning streak to improve to 4-6. They face the Cowboys in a crucial NFC East game where they have a chance to stay in contention.

The season is already over for Houston, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Minnesota and Jacksonville because they already have eight losses. Buffalo and Washington are fighting to stay alive.

From this point forward, every week will send another team or two to the sidelines for the playoffs. The league likes the fact that 75% of the teams are still in contention.

Cunningham Lands In New York

Former Pats LB Jermaine Cunningham didn't see much of the field during training camp because of injuries. He was expected to be cut from the team when the final roster was announced. It ended a disappointing tenure for their 2nd round pick in 2010.

Like many other players, he waited for the phone to ring. He finally got a call form the 49er's and spent most of October with them before getting released.

The Jets signed him this week. Will he make any difference in their defense? They must have seen something that caught their attention. There are many players out on the street looking to get back into the NFL. What made Cunningham the choice of the Jets?

Incentive To Play

The Pats have a number of players who will be free agents after the season. Aqib Talib signed a one year contract, hoping to have a big year and reap the financial rewards in free agency.

It was surprising when Talib didn't get a multi-year contract from a team. He decided to roll the dice and try again at the end of this season.

Talib has played very well so far, but is injury prone. His hip seems to be a point of concern in the future and has caused him to miss games.

 He should be paid like one of the best corner backs, but it probably won't be in Foxborough. Some team will offer him a ridiculous amount of money because of his position.

Missing Welker

The war of attrition continues around the NFL. The team with the best shot in the playoffs will be the one that is healthiest. Players from all teams are dropping every week.

Pats fans will be disappointed to hear that Wes Welker will not be playing when the Broncos come to Foxborough on Sunday night.

Welker took a huge hit late in the 4th quarter in his team's win over the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. He sustained a concussion and must pass all of the protocol tests before he is back on the field.

When Welker was hit, he immediately released the ball as he fell to the ground. It was easy to see that he had no idea where he was. Welker's name will appear as an entry on the team's injury report, but will this particular hit effect him down the road?

Saturday Night Games

New York Jets Coach Rex Ryan has always done things differently. It might not have been the best idea to cancel team meetings on Saturday night before their game against the Bills. The team ended up spending their evening at Dave and Buster's, a game arcade near their hotel in Buffalo.

The Jets played a sloppy game on Sunday and lost 37-14, dropping them to 5-5. Ryan is taking intense criticism for the move which was seen by some as a sign of disrespect to the Bills.

If the Jets won, it wouldn't have been a big deal, but they are fighting to stay alive in the playoff run. Ryan called it a team-building exercise. I think the team needs to get to the playoffs to save his job.

If Ryan gets fired, it won't be for one thing. However, going to the arcade will never rank as one of his best decisions.

Tom & Cam

Tonight's MNF game should be a great match-up between Tom Brady and Cam Newton, two great quarterbacks. Brady has three Super Bowl Rings. Cam has unlimited potential and is so athletic on the field. His three year career is off to a great start. He is a huge threat in the running game. His numbers are amazing.

I don't think running quarterbacks like Cam have a long life in the NFL. Brady is in his 14th season. I don't see Cam doing that.

How Big Is The Bowl?

Some college football teams were trying to get their 6th win yesterday to qualify for a bowl game. Boston College did it with their win over North Carolina State. They are now 6-4 overall.

BC will not be dictating its post-season schedule, but at least they will go to a game. Some alumnae will complain about the quality of the opponent, but with over 30 bowl games, almost anyone gets in.

Every year at this time, we hear there are too many games. As long as the television networks continue to pay broadcasting rights, there will be games. Fans still watch them regardless of the level of competition.

Akron @ UMass

I went to Gillette Stadium today to watch UMass play Akron. It was a close, but sloppy game on a 55 degree day.

Akron turned the ball over three times in the first half, but was able to prevail 17-13. UMass killed themselves with their inability to move the ball and convert on third down.

In spite of it all, UMass had a chance to go ahead late in the fourth quarter, but they turned the ball over on downs. Akron put on a great drive to burn the clock and get a late field goal to seal the win.

UMass falls to 1-9, while Akron improves to 4-8. The move to Division 1A has not been smooth for UMass during its first two years. Poor attendance at Gillette Stadium doesn't help. There is virtually no student support at the games because of the 80 mile ride from Amherst.

Things will be different next year as UMass plans to play three home games in Amherst. The team needs more support from students and alumnae.

Todd Christensen

The death of former Oakland Raider TE Todd Christensen was a footnote in the local paper's sports column. He joins the long list of former NFL players who died too young. His death at 57 came during surgery for a liver transplant.

He was a 2nd round pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 1978 after playing running back at BYU. He broke his foot in Cowboy training camp and was placed on IR. He signed the following season with the Giants, but played in only one game.

Raiders owner Al Davis saw something different. He was converted to tight end and spent the next ten seasons in Oakland where he won Super Bowls in 1981 and 1984. He finished his career with 467 catches for 5,872 yards and 41 TD's. He also played in five Pro Bowls.

After his playing days, he became a color analyst for NFL and college games. He had been experiencing liver problems for the last two years which was traced to complications from gall bladder surgery 25 years ago.

Reed Flying With Jets

It was always a long shot to have Ed Reed sign with the Pats. After he was released by Houston, he had to clear waivers. Teams with a worse record than the Pats could put in a claim for him.

He ended up with the New York Jets where he will be reunited with Rex Ryan, his former defensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens.

I think it's a great move for the Jets and Reed. We will see whether Reed has anything left in the tank. It would have been nice to see him in Foxborough. He will be a free agent at the end of the season, but also a year older and closer to retirement. We will probably never see the magic that could have been with Reed and Coach Belichick.

Saved By His Stroke

Reports indicate that Texan coach Gary Kubiak will be back on the sidelines after suffering a slight stroke during a game two weeks ago.

Kubiak's situation illustrates the health challenges faced by coaches in a job surrounded by stress. His name has been prominently mentioned for coaches who might get fired before the end of the season. I'm sure that contributed to his stress level.

It would be a public relations disaster for the team to fire Kubiak now. They must let him finish the season no matter what happens. I don't think he will be coaching there next season. The team will make a deal with him at the end of the season to ease him away.

Is It The End For Reed?

The end came for Ed Reed today when the Houston Texans released him after a disappointing season. Reed signed a 3 year/$15 million contract as a free agent after coming off hip surgery.

Reed has always been one of Coach Belichick's favorite defensive players, but is it too late at this stage for Reed to make an appearance in Foxborough? He has lost a step and was relegated to backup duty in Houston. His frustration finally erupted after their most recent loss which resulted in the team releasing him.

If the Pats have a chance, why not sign him? Whoever gets Reed him will owe him $412,000, as well as $62,500 for each game he is on the active roster.

Reed probably should have retired last season. You can't blame him for signing a $15 million contract. He must have known he wasn't going to see most of that money.

It's hard to walk away from the game when someone throws money at you.

Bowl Talk

It's hard to generate a lot of excitement about local college football around here. Boston College and UMass are the only ones that seem to get any type of coverage. There are many good programs in Division 2 & 3, but we don't hear much about them.

BC beat New Mexico State last weekend, improving to 6-4. They only need to win one of their last three games to have seven wins and qualify for one of the many bowls available.

They can even get a game at 7-6. They have three chances to get a bowl bid.

Time To Stuff The Ballot Boxes

Fans can vote for the Pro Bowl, but I don't think it's a good idea to have them involved. The NFL wants it that way because they favor anything that makes the game more popular.

There is no fair way to select the Pro Bowl. In the past, it was done by the players and coaches. They often voted for people they were familiar with or had faced in a game.

Fans can now stuff the ballot box if they want to. Players end up getting selected because of their popularity. The game is still important to many because some get bonuses for being selected.

By the time the game is played, many will miss it because of the Super Bowl or injury. The AFC and NFC teams end up going way down on the depth charts to finalize their rosters.

Leonard Leads

Former New York Giants great Leonard Marshall has been diagnosed with CTE. It seems so cruel that the former three time Pro Bowler would be afflicted with his current condition. He played 13 seasons in in the NFL Now, he has a very real brain trauma condition.

Where does he go from here? He is in the uncharted waters of brain concussions in post playing days. There will be many more after him.

TD Joins The List

Hall of Fame RB Tony Dorsett announced that he suffers from CTE, the chronic brain debilitating disease linked to so many former NFL players. He is now predisposed to early-stage Alzheimer's.

Dorsett joins growing list of players with a potentially bleak future. His announcement puts a high profile player into the news cycle of the CTE story.

As long as the game I played, CTE will be a problem when players retire and get older. The game is so fast and violent. The human body was not made to absorb so many train-like collisions.

The real tragedy is that players will die, or in some instances, take their own life. We don't need any more Dave Duerson or Junior Seau stories.

Dolphins Swimming In Controversy

The bullying controversy in Miami involving teammates Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin has ignited a huge discussion. The NFL will be conducting its own investigation. There are rumors that the Miami coaching staff encouraged Incognito to "toughen" Martin up.

Bullying and taunting are wrong in any workplace, but I don't think the NFL is a "normal" work environment. It's been interesting to hear comments from current and former players about this.

Incognito has been suspended by the Dolphins, but Martin has not been heard from. Where will this all end up? It has become a huge story in the media. Everyone has their own take on it.

Who Do You Know?

Many fans know the roster of their favorite home team. They recognize everyone on the 53 man roster, Practice Squad and IR.

With the way players move around so much from team to team, do they really know their teammates? We saw that over the weekend when Jets safety Willie Colon admitted that he didn't know WR Greg Salas in spite of him being on the roster for a few weeks. Salas had a huge game in the Jets win over the Saints.

I can see how it happens. Some players move around a lot. There are only so many people they can know on their team before they head to another one. They are fighting just to stay in the league.

A New Venture For Owens

It looks like Terrell Owens at the age of 39 has worn out his welcome in the NFL after 15 seasons with five teams. It's time for him to move on with his life. He appears to be destined for some type of reality show. The networks have been in no rush to hire him as a commentator. His best hope is to make a living off the silly things he does.

His latest move was to compete in the Professional Bowling Association World Series of Bowling. Most fans never thought T.O was a bowler, but he apparently rolls a pretty good game. He claims a personal best of 277. Will it be enough to make the cut?

At this point, it's more of the sideshow effect for T.O. He can keep making money as long as someone is out the paying him. Has be burned all of his bridges as far as being a commentator? Only time will tell.

Everyone Plays

Some NFL owners want to let another team from each Conference into the playoffs. I think there are already enough teams. Colleges carry it to the extreme with almost 40 post season bowl games. The competition gets very watered down.

Massachusetts high schools are clearly out of control with their high school football playoff format. Eastern and Central Massachusetts are divided into six divisions. A total of 114 teams will be in the playoffs while 81 will miss out in spite of seven teams having a winning record. Officials don't want to discuss that 18 playoffs teams had losing records.

This is all being done because of inclusion. Nobody wants their team to be left out even if it means that the games are not meaningful. Maybe, they should declare every school a Division Champion. That way, nobody will have their feelings hurt.

Look At His Right Hand

The Pats set the standard for being evasive about player injuries. They tell only what the league requires. They have that right and use it to their advantage.

We are seeing that with Tom Brady and his right hand injury. CBS kept a camera on it while he was on the sideline during the game with the Dolphins. Is it a source of concern?

At his post-game press conference, Brady said his hand felt great, but he made no effort to waive it in front of the media. So now we are dealing with a hand injury. Nobody will ever know the extent of it.

Brady will tough it out to the end. Drew Bledsoe played with a pin sticking out of his finger to repair a fracture. They all play to the end in this game.

Tough Time In Tampa

The transition of college coaches to the NFL doesn't always go smoothly. Some probably wished they never left the confines of their school.

Greg Schiano thought he was making a great career move when he took over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year, but the team is 0-7. On Friday, a group of fans held a demonstration at Raymond James Stadium demanding his resignation.

Fortunately, the Bucs have a bye week and can use the time to regroup in the hope of salvaging the season. Schiano is already 7-16 during his time in Tampa. It's not looking good for his future, especially when asked questions about whether he has lost the locker room and players. The fans are ready to dump him.

Rough Landing For Logan

We always hear about "The Patriot Way", but recent events have shown the Pats are not immune to having players make bad decisions. We saw that with Aaron Hernandez.

On a smaller scale, Logan Ryan made a stupid move after his 79 yard interception return off  Geno Smith in the Jets game. As he thundered to the end zone, he slowed down to see if anyone was near him. Once he crossed the goal line, he spun around and grabbed his crotch before falling on his back. He thought this was cute for his first NFL touchdown. He waited his entire life for this moment, but ruined it by grabbing himself for everyone to see.

His actions lead to a $10,000 fine by the NFL and a public scolding by teammate Matthew Slater. Ryan's behavior was immature and selfish. He later apologized to the public, but it took a $10,000 fine to straighten him out. Hopefully, he has learned a lesson. That segment of the play has been edited on the highlights. It was a brilliant run on his part. Too bad he had to ruin it with his selfishness.

Head Case

Brett Favre was in the news again, but for the wrong reason. We just went through that ridiculous rumor of the Rams contacting him about coming back to the NFL.

Favre has now admitted to having memory problems after all these years. Is this a sign of things to come? He wouldn't be the first or last player to be plagued by memory loss.

I don't doubt that Favre could will himself to be on the field. I think he has suffered head trauma and now must be concerned about the long term effects. It happens to everyone in the NFL. They just don't talk about it. Not good for job security.

Rams Go Too Far With Favre

It was unfortunate that the St Louis Rams lost QB Sam Bradford for the season with a knee injury. The signal caller has been mentioned as one of the rising stars in a group of young quarterbacks.

When a team loses their quarterback, options are limited. They can turn to their own depth chart or look for one of the veterans out on the street. The NFL always has a stable of retreads out there who get cycled back and forth between desperate teams.

The Rams decided to think outside the box and approached 44 year old Brett Favre about a return to the league. It's hard to believe that they were actually serious about signing a guy who has not played since the end of the 2010 season.

Favre was an extremely talented player, but how well can he play at 44? He might be a freak of nature to have survived so many NFL seasons with his body intact. I think Favre made the right decision to decline the offer from the Rams. His playing days are over.

Winning, Losing and Talking

Coach Rex Ryan may have saved his job with his team's 30-27 win over the Pats. The New York tabloids are certainly treating him differently. The Jets are getting the top billing over the 1-6 Giants who continue to struggle.

All is well for Rex in the Big Apple. He had the reporters laughing at his recent press conference. He was less defensive in some of his answers. Winning does that to everyone.

After the Pats win over the Saints, Coach Belichick had a 13 minute post-game press conference. Coach Bill always likes to talk after a win. Just don't ask him too many questions after a loss. His press conference  after the Bengals game was about two minutes. Last Sunday, he was a bit more chatty in describing the loss to the Jets. He went on for over four minutes. That's a lot for him after a defeat.

One More Time For Carter

When the Pats signed DE Andre Carter, it reunited them with a player who made the Pro Bowl during his one year stop in Foxborough. Carter was at home without a contract after playing last year with the Oakland Raiders.

He left the Pats at the end of the 2011 season after playing out his one year contract. He was injured in the final weeks of the season with a torn quadriceps tendon. He was placed on IR and missed the Pats run at the Super Bowl.

It's been a long grind for Carter after being the 7th overall pick in the 2001 draft. The draft also featured former Pats Richard Seymour and Gerard Warren in the first round.

Carter will be paid by the game. At this point in his career, it was a matter of finding a team that wanted his services. Team don't care about him being a former first round pick.

Tom's Big Game

The NFL schedule makers must have thought it would be a good idea to feature the Giants and Vikings on Monday Night Football. It looked like a great game between two iconic franchises.

However, the Vikings are 1-4 and the Giants are 0-6. There are many story lines, including Coach Tom Coughlin fighting for his coaching life. Things have gone so badly for the Giants.

It's still MNF. Fans will be watching. The ratings might take a slight hit, but the NFL cash cow will make more money tonight.

Giving Away Games

The penalty on the Pats during the Jets 56 yard field goal attempt did not cost them the game. They should never had been in that situation. They were up by 11 points at the half and got the ball to start the third quarter. They were fortunate to tie the game and go into overtime.

We will now be inundated with discussion about the controversial penalty which was called correctly. It was a specific point in a field goal play that the NFL wanted officials to keep an eye on. The penalty gave the Jets another chance to win the game with a 42 yard filed goal.

The Pats are still 5-2 and sit at the top of the Eastern Division. They will start their new week preparing for the Miami Dolphins.

Mocking Brady

You can always count on the New York Post to have great back pages and columns when it comes to playing the Pats. Friday's edition had a photo composite of a baby in a playpen with Tom Brady's head superimposed over the infant's

It was meant to mock the preferential treatment of Brady that many teams feel the NFL promotes. DL Sheldon Richardson of the Jets openly mocked Brady. That was pretty brazen from a rookie. He was critical of the league without mentioning the officials.

He mentioned that quarterbacks took their beatings in the past. He's correct on that, but the NFL is trying to protect the most important player on any team. They are also some of the league's biggest stars.

Richardson is determined to sack Brady on Sunday. Number 12 has been taking some hits and sported a shiner under his right eye after the Saints game. The offensive line really needs to do their job this week.

Words From Rex

I listened to Coach Rex Ryan's teleconference with the Boston media. It was great to hear him and some of his classic sound bites. He mentioned that he wasn't kissing Coach Belichick's rings.

He captured the back page of the New York Post from another press conference when he told his players to go home and not do anything around the house until after the game with the Pats on Sunday.

He certainly knows how to grab the headlines. At 3-3, the Jets are doing better than many predicted. I want the Pats to beat them on Sunday, but hope Rex and his crew can keep winning and make it to the playoffs. He is the perfect fit for the Big Apple. Unfortunately, his job tenure is tied to winning.

If it was strictly based on the entertainment aspect, he would have lifelong tenure as head coach. He knows how to grab the headlines.

Pats Not Knocking Hard

HBO and the NFL have an agreement to keep filming the wildly successful "Hard Knocks" program which gives a great insight into training camp.

Teams have volunteered for the show. Rex Ryan and the Jets got great ratings during their season on display, but not all teams are looking for the spotlight. It's the last thing that Coach Belichick wants for his team.

The league has stipulated that all teams must participate unless they meet one of the exemptions. The Pats should be safe as long as Coach Belichick remains in Foxborough because a team can decline if they have made the playoffs in any of the past two seasons.

The Pats fall into that category, but don't meet the other criteria of either having a new head coach or being on the show in the past ten years.

If the Pats make it to the show, it won't be good for the fans because they will either have a new coach or have missed the playoffs.

An Opportunity For Someone

The Pats will move on without Jerod Mayo. They have already lost two of their defensive captains for the season, but such is life in the NFL.

Every season-ending injury provides another player with an opportunity that they might not get. Donte Hightower will be calling the defensive signals in the absence of Mayo. Someone else will get a roster spot. Will it be somebody from their practice squad or a player cut in training camp?

Players know it's a dog eat dog world out there. They can benefit at the expense of others. Just ask Tom Brady. His career might be different if Mo Lewis didn't knock Drew Bledsoe out of the game against the Jets. Two players had their lives changed forever in one moment.

Out Of Mayo

The news just came out that LB Jerod Mayo had surgery for a torn pectoral muscle. What does this mean? Is he out for the season? Will Coach Belichick refer to it as an upper body injury?

The team will decide in the next few days whether to place him on Injured Reserve. It doesn't look good at this point for him to salvage the season.

They could carry him on the 53 man roster with the idea that he could come back for the playoffs. Ray Lewis did it last year with the Ravens, but they made an exception for him because it was his final season.

I think that Pats will wait about a week before they place him on IR. This is another big hit to the defense.

Head Games

The Pats and Saints played a great game yesterday, but both teams suffered their share of injuries. Tom Brady took a beating on many passing attempts.

I was shocked to see WR Kenbrell Tompkins still in the game after taking a violent hit to the head. The same can't be said for Danny Amendola. His condition was scary when he got hit. He made no move to break his fall to the ground. He was lucky to get up and walk off the field.

Viewers were able to see a concussion first hand. He must have suffered one. It will be interesting to see his status for the Jets game next Sunday.

Great Moment

The Pats pulled of an improbable 30-27 win over the Saints. It's hard to believe they won, but they did to run their record to 5-1. This was the defining game of the 2013 season. It was also a game for the ages with so many side stories.

The biggest play may have been Bill Belichick's decision to go on 4th and 6th from their own 20 yard line with 3:29 left in the game. That call will be debated forever.

They won the game, but could have lost so easily. You never know how it will play out.

As The Gronk Turns

There seems to be no end in the drama about whether TE Rob Gronkowski will play in the game against the Saints. He has not been medically cleared. It seems to be resting on the shoulders of the legendary Dr. James Andrews. He is supposedly examining the scans of his arm.

There is rumor of not proper healing of the bone. The plate that was inserted and caused the infection may have been a big mistake. If he had let his bone heal normally, it might have been a different story. The team and Gronk are at this point. As the Coach would say, "It is what it is".

This is a great example of trying to get a player back on the field too soon. In Gronk's case, his health may have been sacrificed last season for the benefit of the team in the playoffs.

I think this will drag out all season and after.

Now or Later

Things can only get worse for the New York Giants after losing last night to the Chicago Bears, 27-21. Big Blue is now 0-6 with no hope of making the playoffs. At this point, it will take an incredible run to finish with a winning record.

It does not bode well for Coach Tom Coughlin. Many think he is a Hall of Fame coach, but this season is killing his chances. The team has been on a losing streak that carried over from last year. Fans are getting very restless as they know the season is almost a total loss.

With the way things are going, I think it's a question of whether Coughlin gets fired now or at the end of the season. If he lasts thru Week 17, maybe they can ease him out the door. If he doesn't go willingly, the team may just fire him.

Not The Best Deal

After five games, it's hard to say that signing Danny Amendola over Wes Welker was a better move for the Pats. Both are Texas Tech products with similar playing skills. Amendola was suppose to be the younger and faster version of Welker. We were lead to believe that this was the better signing for the long term.

So far, everything is in Welker's favor. Even his team is 5-0 under Peyton Manning who is on a torrid pace to set all types of passing records this season.

Welker has seven TD's this season which equals the total for Amendola in his 44 career games. He also has the same amount of TD's for all receivers on the Pats combined.

Although he will never admit to it, there had to be a personality conflict with Welker for Coach Belichick not to re-sign him. The guy is such a great player.

Maybe Two More Games

All of the experts in the media are calling for Rob Gronkowski to return to the Pats starting line-up. They feel his absence is the cause of the team's dismal offense. Doctors are expected to clear Gronk for the game on Sunday against the Saints.

Whether he will play is the big question. After four surgeries on his arm and one for his back, it's easy to see why Gronk is a bit leery about getting back on the field. Coach Belichick indicated that the team never put him on the PUP list because they wanted him to be able to work out with the team. Gronk has been seen at practice since the start of the season.

I think Gronk should wait another week or two. I don't feel good about him playing on Sunday. He came back early from injuries twice with disastrous results. They can't afford to lose him for the rest of the season.

Tom On The Hot Seat

Pats fans are getting fidgety because Tom Brady and the offense are not playing well, yet the team is 4-1 with a great defense.

Contrast that to the New York Giants who are 0-5 with a chance to be eliminated from the playoffs real soon. The New York media is feasting on this. Some are already wondering if 67 year old Tom Coughlin is at the end of the line as a head coach.

There is plenty of blame to go around, but it always comes down to the head coach and eventually the GM. Coughlin has been mentioned as a future Hall of Famer because of his two Super Bowl wins against the Pats.

Now, there is discussion whether he will even finish the season. It's been a rough ride for Coughlin at times. Discussing his impending termination has been a hot topic with the New York writers. Another couple of loses could seal his coaching fate.

The Offensive Offense

Tom Brady had it right when he said that two field goals will not win games in the NFL. That was the total offense for the Pats yesterday during their 13-6 loss to the Bengals. There were too many dropped balls and ones that sailed over the receivers head.

The defense is playing great in spite of losing Vince Wilfork for the season and some type of knee injury to Tommy Kelly. The Pats are ranked at the bottom of the NFL in many offensive categories while having one of the best defenses.

It's been a big turnaround on both sides of the ball that has shocked many. Who would have thought the offense would grind to a virtual halt? You can only take so many players out of the equation.

The Life of Brian

Former Pats QB Brian Hoyer appeared to have found a home with the Cleveland Browns after getting only one start in five seasons. He was named the starter after Brandon Weedon sprained his thumb. It was the perfect scenario for Hoyer, a Cleveland area native.

He lead the team to wins over the Vikings and Bengals. It looked like he was getting ready for his third win until he slid awkwardly during a play. He ended up tearing his ACL and will be lost for the season.

It's a tough break for Hoyer who was looking good and appeared to finally be on track to be a starter after sitting on the Pats bench behind Tom Brady.

Where will he be next year? Will he still be a third string quarterback or get another chance to start in another city?

Tough Deal For Vince

The Pats took a big hit Sunday in their win over the Falcons when they lost Vince Wilfork for the season with a torn Achilles. It was a big blow to the team to lose one of the defensive leaders.

There had been talk about Wilfork losing a step this year because of his age. Others thought he might have been hurt. It's all irrelevant at this point.

Wilfork will be 32 shortly and faces an uncertain future. He's at the age when guys in his position start to show signs of slowing down. It will be a long rehab for the big guy. I hope we have not seen the last of Vince, but you never know.

Foggy Goals In London

What is the goal of the NFL for playing games in London? It's a great way to grow the game on an international basis, but are they really serious about putting a franchise there? They will play two games there again this year.

Today, the Steelers and Vikings played. I'm sure the league thought it was a good idea to send two of their iconic franchises to London, but who would have thought they would both be 0-3. The Vikings won 34-27, the stadium was full and the ratings were good as well.

Travel time is the biggest hindrance to locating a franchise there. The Jacksonville Jaguars would probably jump at the chance to move if it was closer.

The league will continue to schedule games there, but with an unclear vision of what they really want to do.

The Tony and Rob Show

The Pats and Falcons game should have been a showcase for two of the best tight ends to play the game. Rob Gronkowski has already been ruled out. He never made the trip. We will be seeing the last of the great Tony Gonzalez who will be retiring at the end of the season after 17 years in the NFL.

Gonzalez has established himself as the best to ever play tight end. His numbers are staggering. Some of it is due to playing for so long.

Gronk is on the pace to match his numbers, but I can't see him playing for 17 seasons. The way it's going now, he will be lucky to last 8 or 9 years. It's hard to tell because he has been injured from the start of his career.

Gonzalez is the career leader for tight ends with 1,253 receptions, for 14,371 yards and 104 TD's. Gronk after three seasons has 187 receptions, 2,663 yards and 38 TD's.

Gronk's best shot at a record is the TD one as long as he has Tom Brady. Could you imagine the numbers Gonzalez could have if he played with Tom Brady?

LT & Boomer

Players have their own personal battles on the field with each other. Some get fined for it and move on. Other times, they continue it into their post-playing days. We are seeing that with Hall of Fame LB Lawrence Taylor and QB Boomer Esiason.

Taylor is the subject of a Showtime documentary on his life: "L.T. The Life and Times". It's a very unflattering view of Taylor's life off the field, especially when he played for the New York Giants under Coach Bill Parcells and defensive coordinator Bill Belichick.

Esiason claims that Taylor received preferential treatment from both coaches. He acknowledges that in his autobiography I read a few years ago. Boomer commented in the Showtime bit as well as a "60 Minutes" story ten years ago.

They are now engaged in a war of words and name calling, some of which cannot be printed in the newspaper or said over the air. I don't think they will be patching up their differences any time soon.

Having His Favorites

Coach Belichick can never catch a break with his critics. He has been vilified for routinely running up the score against opponents. His response has always been that you need to play for 60 minutes, even when you're leading by 40 points.

It was different last Sunday against Tampa Bay. It's well known that Belichick and Buc's coach Greg Schiano are good friends. Both teams scrimmaged in training camp and Schiano's former school Rutgers has become a pipeline for talent to the Pats.

The game was hopelessly out of hand late in the fourth quarter. The Pats were moving the ball down the field and burning the clock. When it came to 4th down and and easy field goal, Belichick decided to go for it. The Bucs stopped them and got the ball back. By then, it was too late.

Belichick has been taking a beating on sports talk shows because some callers feel that he made Schiano an exception to his rule. Maybe he did. He has that right. The defense always needs to stop the offense. It's very basic and these guys get paid a lot of money to do it.

Smith Sets His Standard

Aaron Hernandez set a new standard for bad behavior off the field when he was arrested for murder. Everything else pales in comparison to that.

LB Aldon Smith of the 49er's is making a name for himself for all the wrong reasons. He was arrested last Friday at 7am for drunk driving and pot possession after he drove his car into a tree. He showed up at the 49er's practice a few hours later.

He was arrested for DUI back in January 2012 while in Miami, but the charges were reduced to reckless driving. He is still waiting to see if he will be charged with illegal possession of assault rifles. The guns were found at his place after gang members crashed a party he was hosting. Smith ended up getting stabbed while two other guests were shot.

The 49er's decided to let Smith play last Sunday in spite of being arrested at 7am, two days before their next game. Smith was the 7th overall pick in the 2011 draft. He is immensely talented, but very immature. He has guaranteed salaries of $2.34 million for this year and next, but faces a possible suspension by Commissioner Goodell for his behavior.

To soften his landing, the team and Smith decided it would be best for him to check into a rehab facility. It's a good idea to seek treatment, but it sounds like he is being forced to get it.

Fans Need To Chill

I think fans need to take a step back and look at the Pats being 3-0. It remains to be seen what happens from here, but they got off to a good start. Only seven teams have that record.

This doesn't seem to please a lot of fans who want the team to play better. They see Tom Brady yelling on the sidelines and know the team could be performing at a higher level in all phases of the game.

They want wins now and expect the team to go deep in the playoffs. Who knows what will happen between now and the end of December?

I feel good about this team.

Time To Come Clean

College football continues as a shining example of hypocrisy. Schools pretend that players never receive any money or favors from alumnae. When the NCAA discovers money has been paid, they come down with a hammer on the offending school.

Houston Texan RB Adrian Foster admitted in an upcoming documentary that he took money during his senior year at Tennessee. He cited financial problems and the inability to pay his bills and rent. He said it was a "normal" thing to do and didn't see anything wrong with it. He was hoping that the NCAA would not punish his former school.

The NCAA and the schools need to change their ways. Players should receive some type of stipend. Some are getting money now under the table. It corrupts the entire system. Why not bring it to the surface? It's about time for some honesty from all parties.

Polamalu To Get Cut

After ten years, Troy Polamalu will get his mane of hair cut. The Pittsburgh Steelers safety will have a trim on Veteran's Day at a VFW Hall. His locks will be auctioned off for charity. Others will be asked to cut their hair and make a financial pledge.

He has been a big supporter of various veterans groups. Polamalu has a charity named in honor of his grandfather, a military veteran of world War II.

He has perhaps the biggest head of hair in the NFL. He has appeared in commercials for "Head and Shoulders Shampoo". At one point, his hair was insured for $1 million.

Rumor is that he will have up to ten inches cut. He has locks longer than that. I bet when they finish, he won't look much different.

I saw him on the NFL Network talking about this. He had his hair pulled back. It didn't look that long, but it's a different story when he wears it under his football helmet.

Everyone Wins and Loses

Wins and losses in the NFL are often determined by a few points. When the Pats face Tampa Bay on Sunday, they will face a team that is 0-2. It might sound bad, but the Bucs lost their games by a total of three points. It's like that around the league every week.

After two weeks, there are only eight undefeated teams, but that will change on Sunday. Usually by week six, all teams will have at least one loss. The owners want it that way. Parity is great for the league. It keeps the interest of fans and drives the television ratings.

Some teams are perennial losers. Before Tommy Kelley signed with the Pats, he spent nine losing seasons in Oakland without a trip to the playoffs. At this point in his career, winning is paramount.

Return of Andy

Andy Reid made his return to Philadelphia last night and lead his Kansas City Chiefs to a 26-16 win over his former team.

He was the longest tenured coach in the NFL with the same team before he was fired at the end of the 2012 season. He became the target of fan frustration of having only one Super Bowl appearance in 14 seasons.

The Eagles went to the NFC title game five times, but had only one win to show for it. Fans and the media stated the call for change a couple of seasons ago after the team missed the playoffs. The writing was on the wall.

When he left the Eagles, he took 27 coaches and support staff with him. At least those people didn't lose their job.

Reid has lead the Chiefs to a 3-0 record. With 13 games left in the season, the Chiefs hope to build on that and finally make the playoffs.

Looking at the 2nd Round

The Pats take a regular beating on talk shows when the discussion focuses on their draft picks over the last few years.

Coach Belichick likes to trade out of the first round to get "better value". He especially likes to pick in the 2nd round. From 2008-2011, the team found solid players in Sebastian Vollmer, Brandon Spikes, Rob Gronkowski and Shane Vereen. They have all contributed to the team's success.

On the other hand, they struck out with Terrence Wheatley, Darius Butler, Patrick Chung, Ron Brace, Jermain Cunningham and Ras-I Dowling. Chung and Butler were able to catch on with other teams. The others spent too much time on the injured list while they were on the Pats roster.

You can't blame the front office when players get hurt. Some players never get their career off the ground because of injury. You see it all around the league. It's been going on forever.

No Help In Sight

The Pats have only played two games and already there is a major concern over the offense. Nobody seems to feel that things will fall in place with the three rookie receivers.

Two local writers had some different ideas today. One suggested that the Pats try to trade for Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals. It doesn't matter that he has a $15 million annual salary and would command a couple of draft picks. I don't believe in trades in the NFL. Anything can happen on any play. The Pats could make the deal and then Fitzgerald could be hurt on his first play.

Another writer wanted the Pats to sign Terrell Owens. That makes a bit of sense. I'm sure the Pats have thought about it, but Owens seems to be toxic based on all 32 teams not offering him a contract this year or last. Owens is 39 and brings a great deal of baggage with him. He might be getting a payback for all of his controversial moments during his career.

The Pats would be better of with Deion Branch or Dante Stallworth. I wouldn't be surprised to see the team sign one of them at some point this season.

Clouded Facts

We heard today that special teams captain Matthew Slater will miss 4-6 weeks because of a broken wrist suffered during the win over the Jets. As with any player injury, fans are left wondering what the real story is.

The Pats comply with the NFL when it comes to reporting injuries. They give out as little information as possible. When things are leaked, it can get a little crazy.

There are conflicting reports on how long Danny Amendola will be out. He was on the practice field today which must have been some type of charade by Coach Belichick. Doe he need surgery or not?

I bet Amendola's injury is a factor the entire season unless he ends up on IR. They need to sit him down for a few weeks, otherwise it will be a chronic problem for the rest of the season.

Rob Gronkowski is allegedly 50/50 for playing on Sunday, whatever that means.

Getting His Chance

I'm not sure if WR Julien Edleman can keep up his torrid pass catching with the Pats. It was always thought that he could be the next Wes Welker. Now that Danny Amendola has gone down with an injury, Edleman is getting the chance of a lifetime and has responded big. His value to the Pats for this season is immense.

Nobody wanted him as a free agent. He had a visit with the New York Giants, but ended up with the Pats for 1 year/ $1 million and free agency after the season.

His stats against the Jets were profound. Brady targeted him on 18 of his 39 total passes. He ended up with 13 catches for 78 yards. The most compelling number is converting on 6 of 9 attempts for first down. That says it all.

Edeleman could really cash in at the end of the season if he can keep this pace. It's a real question whether he will be able to play another 14 regular season games.

He is on the way to a big season unless he gets hurt. You never know in the NFL.

Maybe In 2017

The NFL schedule is predictable years down the road. Divisions go against each other on a set rotational basis. When the Giants play the Broncos today, it will be the last regular season meeting for the Manning brothers until 2017.

Will they both be playing by then? Peyton will be 41 and Eli 36. Both have stated that they want to play as long as possible, but that's four more seasons of NFL wear and tear.

I hope they are able to do it. If Peyton makes it to 41, he will definitely be at the end of his career. Tom Brady will be right behind him.

Humoring Sanchez

It looks like the tenure of Rex Ryan with the New York Jets will live or die on the arm of rookie QB Geno Smith. Mark Sanchez appeared to win the battle in training camp until Ryan made a bad decision to use him in the fourth quarter of the final exhibition game. He ended up with a major shoulder injury.

Surgery was recommended, but Sanchez has decided to try and rehab it in order to return before the end of the season. He felt he won the competition for the starting job and wants a shot at regaining it. The Jets placed him on Injured Reserve with the option to bring him back after eight weeks.

This is a roll of the dice for the team and Sanchez. I don't think they have any plans to ever play him again. They are keeping him happy by letting him think that he has a shot to be the starter again. I don't think it will happen.

Rex Ryan is basing his coaching future on Geno Smith. This might seal his fate or bring him back next year. I think he is done in New York after this season.

Suspensions Are Fine

Some of the violence on the field is getting excessive. The league continues to fine players for late hits, especially those out of bounds.

Lions DT Ndamuong Suh has been fined $100,000 for his illegal low block on Vikings center John Sullivan during the Lions season opening win last Sunday.

Suh has been repeatedly fined for his excessive physicality. Last year, he was fined $30,000 for kicking Houston QB Matt Schaub. Suh was also suspended for two games in 2011 after stomping on a Green Bay Packer Evan Dietrich-Smith.

Neither the fines or suspension has stopped Suh from being out of control on the field. His playing style is very selfish as he puts his team in a bad position by risking a suspension.

I think the league needs to start suspending players. Most of them make so much money that a fine doesn't really matter. It's only a matter of time before someone gets critically injured.

The Thursday Arguement

The popularity of the NFL and money drives many of the decisions made by team owners. A few years ago, the league experimented with Thursday night games over the last six weeks of the regular season. Now, it's part of the 17 week schedule.

The money continues to fall into the coffers, but a price is paid by players. The Pats and Jets had little time to prepare for tonight's game. Both teams have a long list of injured players.The Pats are already hurt by injuries to Shane Vereen, Rob Gronkowski, Danny Amendola and Zac Suffield.

Overall, I think the short turnaround hurts the competitive nature of the games. This is why I don't think the league will ever play an 18 game regular season unless the rosters were expanded by several players and every team has two bye weeks.

Catching Some Help

The biggest fear for Pats fans was Danny Amendola getting hurt. He has a bad track record for staying on the field. He puts up Wes Welker type numbers when he plays, but durability is a real issue with him. Now, he is hurt and will miss the game against the Jets on Thursday night.

He suffered a groin injury during the opening win over the Bills. He played during the second half and put on quite a show. The training staff performed a half-time miracle to get him on the field.

How many games will he miss?  It's a big topic on the sports talk radio shows. Coincidently, a story came out about the Pats trying to sign WR Brandon Lloyd. It doesn't sound like he wants to play again. He turned down five other teams

Check With Kurt

The LA Kiss of the Arena Football League has thrown a lifeline to Tim Tebow in the form of a three year contract. They are doing it to generate interest in the league. It remains to be seen whether he accepts the offer.

Maybe he should talk to Kurt Warner who did his time in the AFL and went on to fame and fortune in the NFL. Tebow is very adamant about being a NFL quarterback. It's his only goal in playing, but doesn't look like he will get any other offers as of this moment.

What happens if he is unsigned late in the season and a team loses their QB? Will he get a call? Should he just go to the AFL? He has a chance to play. He needs to make the right decision for himself.

Tough Break For Vereen

All of the "experts" were predicting that Steven Ridley would be benched after two fumbles in yesterday's win over the Buffalo Bills. All signs were pointing towards that, especially after Shane Vereen's huge game.

Apparently, Vereen broke a bone in his wrist on the first play of the game. He had surgery today and will miss at least four weeks. He was a huge presence in the offense with 14 carries for 101 yards and 7 receptions for 58 yards.

Will Ridley make it back on the field or stay in the dog house? He had four fumbles last year and a huge one in the playoffs. He may have caught a break with Vereen's injury. It also gives recently re-signed Leon Washington some potential playing time.

Fantasy World

I don't play fantasy football and have no plans to. Maybe I should. It's a great way to know more of the players around the league.There are so many great players. It's hard to know them all.

I have an issue with the way fantasy football is played. It relies too much on statistics, but that's what fantasy football is.

There is so much to follow in the NFL. It's hard to see all of the highlights of every game. The NFL Network and the others do a great job with their coverage. However, they are spending more time on fantasy football. It's the same in the New York Post and other media.

The popularity demands it. I feel like I'm missing something by not playing fantasy football. I'm not sure what.

Going To Divsion1A

UMass is trying to transition to a Division 1A program. It has been controversial from the start. A record of 1-11 last year didn't help. Nether did poor attendance at Gillette Stadium.

It's off to the same start this year after a 24-14 loss to Maine. They are now 0-2. I was at the game. The attendance wasn't announced, but it had to be less than 8,000.

The fans who are there were very supportive, but the numbers are are not looking good. It needs to get better, but how and when? There is a huge alumnae base in the metropolitan Boston area, but they don't support the team. How do you get them to the stadium?

Other than BC, the college game is second-rate in popularity around here. It can't compete with the professional teams.

Next year, UMass will be playing three home games in Amherst. They need to get back there where the devoted fan base and students would support them better.

Their marketing study isn't looking too good at this point.

Tebow's Time Counting Down

I was hoping that Tim Tebow would make the roster for the Pats, but it didn't happen. His skills didn't meet the level that Coach Belichick was looking for. He didn't play well in the preseason games. The Pats also don't usually carry three quarterbacks.

He is a very popular player among NFL fans. Many want him to succeed, but where can he play? No team other than the Pats expressed any interest in him last spring. He has stated on numerous occasions that he wants to play quarterback in the NFL. He won't consider going to the CFL or the Arena League.

A couple of teams were interested in signing him if he wanted to change positions. He appears to be a natural at running back, but he won't consider it. His options are getting slimmer.

Nobody has a right to play in the NFL. It needs to be earned and based upon a player's skill level. No doubt, he is a positive presence in the locker room, but a team can't tie up a roster spot on that. I want him to succeed, but he is becoming stubborn. His refusal to consider any other option may keep him out of football for good. The ball is in his court.

One of Four

Jet fans must be wondering if they have seen the last of QB Mark Sanchez. His recent shoulder injury will keep him out of action until at least Week 3 of the season. That paves the way for the Geno Smith era. Is he the future of the team? It seems like everyone has given up on Sanchez.

The Jets also signed former first round pick and bust Brady Quinn. They will start the season with four quarterbacks on the roster including Matt Simms. Will they keep all of them throughout the season?

Rex Ryan and his team need to come up big on Sunday. A bad game will get the fires stoked. There is already a quarterback controversy. Ryan doesn't need a coaching one.

First Timers

The NFL is becoming a younger league. The terms of player contracts and the physicality of the game makes careers shorter.

The Pats are not afraid to have rookies play. They lead the league with 14 on their roster and 7 undrafted ones.

Around the league, there are 264 rookies on rosters, an average of 8.25 per team. There are also 69 undrafted ones with 2.2 per squad.

The Pats have found some great undrafted players over the years. How did they slip by? Now, they have Danny Amendola, Tom Kelly, Dan Connolly and Kyle Arrington who all play a vital role.

Wes Welker was never drafted. There are Hall of Fame members who never heard their named call on draft day.

I have no big concerns over having so many rookies on the Pats roster. There is a good blend of veteran experience.

Right Player, Wrong Team

Players have been trash talking forever. It's part of the game. It doesn't always help and sometimes works against the team.

WR Steve Johnson of Buffalo is trying to get his team ready to face the Pats on Sunday. He said that nobody will be able to stop him because the Pats can't cover anyone. He cited Aqib Taib as a player who looks good on film. He also mentioned his friendship with Patrick Chung and talked about knowing him personally. The only problem is that Chung signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent.

What caused the confusion? Johnson isn't saying. He won't even clarify whether he knows Chung. He might get it right by the time the two teams meet again in the season finale.

Cut Thoughts

Every team around the NFL made some surprising roster moves. The Pats were no exception. I never expected them to cut Zoltan Mesko, but Ryan Miller won the Ray Guy Award the last two years as the best collegiate punter. He will save them $1 million in salary, but has little game experience as the holder on extra points and field goals. Hopefully, this doesn't come back to cost them a game.

Tim Tebow was a surprise. I guess we all got caught up in the hype and pictured the Pats carrying him as a developmental project. That was naive for all of us. He didn't even play on special teams. There was really no point in keeping him on the roster.

I hope they didn't make a mistake with Gronk. I think everyone believes that he will be back sooner rather than later. I have no doubt that he will get back on the field. It's a question of whether he will get hurt again. When he had back surgery in college, he missed the entire season. I don't feel good about this decision. Putting him on the PUP list would have cost him six games. It was a more conservative approach that the team didn't want to take. Time will tell if this was the right move.

The Final Play For Him

There will be over 700 players cut from NFL teams before the day is over. Players will fight for 256 jobs available on the eight man practice squad for each team. That leaves about 450 players looking in from the outside. Some will end up on another team and prosper, but some have played their last game.

I thought Tim Tebow had a spot on the Pats, but I was wrong. Maybe he will resurface on another team, but his audition with the Pats didn't go that well.

It might have been an ominous note when Coach Belichick allowed him to throw a TD pass in the final seconds of the preseason game against the Giants. It reminded me of the time when he let Vinny Testaverde throw a TD in the final seconds of the last game of the season to keep his TD pass streak alive. The same goes for when Doug Flutie drop-kicked an extra point in a game that was already won. It was the last moment in their career for those two players.

If Tebow never plays again, at least he had one final shining moment. It would have been nice if he did it during a regular season game. What is his future?

The Final 61

The Pats made some cuts today to get down to the 53 man roster and 8 on the practice squad.

They always field a competitive team. What joy to watch them in this day and age. Some of the players who are cut end up with the team at the end of the season or another one.

Many of guys will never play again after being released. Such is the NFL.

Not A Good Signing

Teams never really know how a free agent signing will work out. The league is full of stories about players who never earned the money they were signed for. The New York Jets are seeing that with RB Mike Goodson who received a four game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. He faces gun and drug charges after his car was stopped in New Jersey back in May.

He has not been around the team since his arrest. He can work out and attend team meetings during his suspension, but won't be allowed to practice. He can return to the team and play in the Monday night game on October 7th against the Falcons.

What will his future be with the team? He faces possible jail time because of his unregistered gun and hollow-pointed ammunition. The Jets thought they made a good signing back in March, but the whole thing is unraveling now.

The End For Ras-I

It came as no surprise when the Pats released CB Ras-I Dowling today. He is another shining example of how difficult the NFL draft is when it comes to predicting a player's future success.

Dowling was the 33rd overall pick in the 2011 draft. He was  projected as a starter, but it never happened. He only played in nine games over the course of two seasons and was injured for most of training camp. Apparently, the Pats didn't want to place him on IR.

Is this the end for Dowling? He will probably get another chance at some point, but it might be his last one. He will become a footnote, another high round pick that never panned out for the Pats.

Paying The Bonus

Aaron Hernandez has his hands full these days trying to defend himself against murder allegations. The Pats were right when they released him after his arrest. They might also owe him over $1 million in bonus money next year according to his contract.

They are digging their heels into the ground to avoid paying him a workout bonus of $81,000. He earned it after participating in the team's off-season workout program. The NFL Players Association is standing behind Hernandez in his attempt to get the money.

The allegations against the former Pats star are very disturbing. If he gets convicted, he faces life in prison. The team is fighting the battle to avoid a public relations nightmare by just paying him the money due.

In the end, I think they will cut him a check very quietly.

Another Rex Move

Coach Rex Ryan may have resolved his quarterback controversy after making a decision to use Mark Sanchez in the 4th quarter during the Jets 24-21 win over the Giants.

Sanchez took a vicious hit to his shoulder and will be "day to day" according to Ryan. He has taken a huge amount of criticism from all fronts for his decision to play Sanchez in a meaningless game behind an offensive line comprised of mostly players fighting for a roster spot.

Injuries are a part of the game and can happen at any moment. Ryan is defending himself against a storm of criticism. He was rather combative with the press who are circling like vultures. Rex appears to be fighting for survival. He needs to have a wining season or his time in New York will be over.

Money Not An Issue

Tom Brady has no problem not being among the top five paid quarterbacks in the NFL. He renegotiated his contract to make it more team friendly. Forbes magazine has rated him as the 11th highest paid athlete at $38 million, including endorsements. Brady has been very careful when it comes to his brand.

He doesn't need to worry about money. His wife, Gisele Bundchen, has been the highest paid fashion model for the 7th consecutive year. She raked in $42 million while walking down the runway and her product endorsements. Between the two of them, there are no financial issues. 

Talking Moss

WR Randy Moss decided to walk into the sunset of his NFL career and take a job with Fox 1 Sports. He is now a member of the media which he despised throughout his career. Moss was known for his abrupt press conferences that bordered on weirdness.

In true Moss style, he denied being a member of the media. I'm not sure what he meant by that, but I thought he did a good job last week when he did analysis of the Pats and Tampa Bay preseason game.

He might be biased towards Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. I don't think that he would ever criticize them, but I thought his comments were well organized and insightful. He appeared friendly towards the camera and spoke in a clear voice.

I think he has a great deal of potential down the road. I hope he succeeds because it would be good for the game.

"Expert" Comments

Pregame shows often have some interesting comments by "experts" who just seem to throw things out there. The show before tonight's Pats game is no exception. Hopefully, it gets more coherent once the season starts.

I realize that commentators often say things just to stir things up. To say that the Pats offense is better than the one in 2007 is absurd. It's far from perfect. It needs improvement in both the running and passing game. Tom Brady's numbers have been impressive, but there's more than that.

The comments get more bizarre listening to these guys talking about the final 53 man roster. When they say that WR Matthew Slater might not make the team, they are showing either their lack of knowledge or just throwing things out there.

Kicking To The End

Every team around the league has battles for roster spots. Sometimes, the final roster is decided by economic factors. Some players are cheaper to carry than others. If the talent level is equal, teams tend to go with the cheaper player.

We are seeing a great battle on the Pats for the punter between veteran Zoltan Mesko and rookie Ryan Allen. Mesko will be a free agent after this season and is expected to have a $1.37 million charge against the salary cap. If they cut him, he only counts for $46,800 in "dead money".

Allen was signed as an undrafted free agent from Louisiana Tech and has a cap number of $405,000. If they release him, the charge is only $1,500. He brings a very impressive resume to the NFL as the 2011 and 2012 winner of the Ray Guy Award, given to the nation's best collegiate punter.

Both have punted well in camp and games. Allen appears to kick the ball deeper, but Mesko has better hang time. Mesko is the veteran with NFL game experience. Allen has the big leg and cheaper contract.

Who will be on the opening day roster?

Physical & Financial Hit

Many free agents around the league ended up signing one year contracts with the hope of having a big season and cashing in next year. It's a risk, but sometimes the only option for them.

TE Justin Keller left the New York Jets after five seasons with the hope of hitting a financial jackpot. Instead, he ended up with a one year/$4.25 million contract with the Miami Dolphins.

Keller was projected to be an important part of the Dolphins offense this season. It all came to an end during Saturday's preseason game at Houston after taking a legal helmet hit to his right knee. He was carted off the field with what the Dolphins called a severe injury. His season appears to be over.

His market value next year will be much less. He will probably end up signing for the veteran minimum if he even gets an offer. It was a very expensive injury for Keller.

Not Really News

There are numerous reports today about the status of TE Rob Gronkowski. They all seem to state that Gronk won't be available for the opening game on Sept 8th. This isn't news. It was known a long time ago.

I expect the Pats to place Gronk on the PUP list which will keep him out of the first six games of the season. Although the season is still three weeks away, he hasn't been on the field since the end of last season.

The team needs to bite the bullet and start the season without him. Their offense has looked good so far, especially with their rookie receivers and their running game. When they get Gronk back, they need him to be 100%. He hasn't been that way for a long time.

Bubble For Two

They always say that you can't make the team if you don't practice. Such is the case with DE Jermaine Cunningham and CB Ras-I Dowling. Both are really on the roster bubble with the Pats this point.

All teams will get trimmed from 90 to 75 on August 27th. Will a decision be made at that point to release them or move to IR? The team isn't tipping its hand or talking about the physical condition of the players.

Their situation is very typical around the league; a couple of draft picks who never panned out because of injuries. Neither one of them has stayed on the field during their career.

He Did It Once Before

Every pre-season game has mixed results. It was nice that the Pats beat Tampa Bay by a score of 25-21, but it doesn't mean that much. There are many areas that need improvement. Tom Brady looked real sharp, but the offense faltered after he left the game.

Tim Tebow showed that he can throw the ball downfield and can run with it. His playing style forces him to scramble which he does very well. However, it's not what Coach Belichick wants from his offense.

I think Tebow will improve if he plays more. I expect to see a lot of him in the last two games. Many think that he has no spot on the roster. Coach Belichick treats every roster spot with reverence and doesn't keep players just to keep them.

In 2000, he kept four quarterbacks because he didn't want to expose rookie Tom Brady to the practice squad and a potential claim by another team. It got a great deal of attention when Belichick did it because nobody keeps four quarterbacks on their roster.