Saturday, January 31, 2015

The Best Bet


The Super Bowl proves once again that sports betting should be legalized in states other than Nevada. Last year, the legal bets totaled $119 million with the house making a profit of $19.7 million.

On the other side, there was $3.8 billion bet illegally. Government should get a piece of the action. It's a lot of money that is flying under the radar.

Friday, January 30, 2015

Vince Says All


Vince Wilfork did a very insightful 40 minute interview with the Super Bowl media. He called the concussion issue in the NFL "a bunch of bull crap".

I was surprised to hear him say that. He took a very defiant stand which I have a great deal of respect for. He gave the classic line of  "this is what we signed up for". He's right about that. It's a very violent game. Everyone knows what they're getting into.

I really think there is a connection between concussions and neurological issues later on in life. Research has shown that with the examination of brain tissue from deceased NFL players.

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Sour Kurt


I was disappointed to hear former Rams QB Kurt Warner point a finger at the Pats concerning their win in Super Bowl XXXVI. During an interview, he kept reiterating his point that he hoped everything was done fairly by the Pats.

He had no specific allegations. He was just tossing it out there. He sounded more like a sore loser whose team lost the game in the final seconds with a field goal by Adam Vinatieri.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Prime


I always enjoy listening to Deion Sanders. He has a lot to say and does it so well. He can back it up with his great career. He was one of the best,

He does such a great job with the NFL Network.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

The Fan Favorite


Former Pats FB Mosi Tatupu died suddenly five years ago at the age of 54. His death shocked his many fans. He was a favorite at Sullivan Stadium with his "Mosi Mooses" banner and cheering section.

His family revealed that his brain suffered from CTE, the debilitating condition found in many former players. His repeated head trauma caused him to have behavioral problems after he left the game.

There is no current test that can determine if a player has CTE. It can only be found upon autopsy. The problem will only get worse in years to come as players are autopsied.

Monday, January 26, 2015

Saying No To 14


The NFL is trying to make the point after attempt more challenging for teams. A missed kick is a rare occasion.

The Pro Bowl tried something new when they placed the ball on the 25 yard line and made it a 35 yard kick. They also narrowed the goal post width from 18 to 14 feet.

I have no issue with the change in distance, but the goal posts should be kept at their current width. I believe in tradition and the posts have been that wide forever.

Moving the ball back might encourage more teams to try for two points. That is always an exciting play.

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Pro Bowl


I'm watching the Pro Bowl on ESPN tonight. They keep playing the game because people watch it and it raises revenue. The goal is to not get players hurt. Will anything happen tonight?

It's not the same as watching a real NFL game. Nobody wants to get injured.

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Circus Continues


I thought Bill Belichick did a great job at his press conference today by trying to provide a scientific explanation on why footballs get deflated.

In spite of what he said, some people won't be satisfied. It will always be on his record no matter what he does. People have their minds made up and there is nothing he can do to change them.

He said he doesn't plan to talk about this again, but there will be a media circus waiting for him in Arizona.

Friday, January 23, 2015

Tuning It Out


I think the whole Deflategate issue is a result of the 24/7 social media feeding frenzy. It's really a product of our time. Things have been going on in professional sports forever. What is cheating?

People have agendas and they won't be happy until they see them through to their satisfaction. Many people hate the Pats and want to see them get the maximum punishment. What will it be? It probably won't be enough to satisfy many.

The media has hijacked this story and won't stop.  I might need to stop listening to sports talk radio. It is more venomous than if the Pats lost the AFC Championship game.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Inflating Nonsense


There are so many people who want to see the Pats fail. They hate Belichick and Brady and everything else associated with the team.

Football inflation was a non-issue before this week. How did it happen? Up to this point, there is no explanation. Some will never be happy with the outcome unless heads roll. It takes so much away from the game.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Another Chance To Show


I think it's a great idea that the NFL will have a combine for veteran free agents who want to show their skills to perspective teams. It will be held on March 22nd at the Arizona Cardinals training complex.

As it stands now, free agents must wait for the telephone to ring for another chance to play in the NFL. This combine will allow teams to assess specific players and their skill level. If the need arises, they will know who to contact for a tryout.

It's a win for everyone.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Taking The Air Out


I have no idea where the "Deflategate" controversy will go. Did the Pats intentionally deflate the footballs during their AFC Championship win over the Colts? I think this would be a very difficult thing to do, given the protocol the NFL has for game balls.

No matter what happens, the controversy will stay with Coach Belichick forever. It will become another thing to add to Spygate and the controversial offensive formations used against the Baltimore Ravens.

The people who hate the Pats are rejoicing in this latest issue.

Monday, January 19, 2015

The Band Wagon


Now that the Pats are going to the Super Bowl, the fans are coming out of the woodwork. Everyone wants to be on the band wagon. It happens all the time, no matter which team it is.

A lot of these people are not really fans. They just want to be part of the excitement. We  see it on Super Bowl Sunday. Some people watch the game because they don't want to feel left out. They would never watch football otherwise.

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Talk Show Craziness


It is seven hours before the Pats play the Colts in the AFC Championship game. I just turned off a sports talk show on the radio. The callers and one of the guests were saying things that don't make any sense.

Fans around here are spoiled. They don't realize how difficult it is for any team to get here today. Nine AFC Championship games in the 15 years of the Belichick/Brady era isn't good enough for some and neither is a record of 5-3 in those games.

If the Pats lose, I will not listen to any of the shows until after the Super Bowl. People say stupid things which reflect their lack of knowledge of the game.

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Card Stays


Ohio State 3rd string QB Cardale Jones had a great run to lead his team to the national championship over Oregon. He had three great games, but they were the only ones he ever started in his collegiate career.

He held a press conference the other day to announce that he will be back at school for another year. He could have declared his eligibility for the NFL draft, but decided he needed more playing time.

Mel Kiper Jr said he could go as high as the second round. I find this hard to believe. Jones played awesome in his three games including the Big 10 title game, Sugar Bowl and the national championship game. That was quite an audition for anyone.

He still faces competition at the quarterback position next season because of the team's depth.

Friday, January 16, 2015

Not Lighting Up With Winston


NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr has already anointed QB Jameis Winston as the number one overall pick in this year's selection of players. He has QB Marcus Mariota as going second.

Kiper assumes that Tampa Bay will embrace Winston as the saver of their franchise. Winston is a very gifted athlete who had a remarkable college career, but has many red flags which should scare away many teams. His off the field issues are indicative of a very immature person.

Can he adapt his skills to the NFL and stay out of trouble? I would have no issue with drafting him in the late rounds, but he is not worthy of the top pick.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

When Does He Get Fired?


Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett was given a  five year/$30 million contract extension after leading his team to the playoffs for the first time since 2009. His future was very shaky at best because of owner/GM Jerry Jones. Many thought he would be fired if the team didn't make the playoffs.

I think Garrett is on a very short leash for two years at best. If they have a bad record next year, he will be on the bubble again. Two years of missing the playoffs will get him fired.

GM Jones will continue to make wrong personnel decisions which will put Garrett on the firing line. He owns the team and can do whatever he wants.

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Rex Making Promises


Rex Ryan was in classic form at his introductory press conference as the new head coach of the Buffalo Bills. He mentioned that the team had not been to the playoffs since 1999 and told them that they would be headed there in 2015. He also acknowledged that he needed to do a better job in developing a quarterback.

Fans might feel a little different because Rex's first choice was either the Falcons or the 49er's. The team gave him 25 million reasons why he should stay there for five years.

Will this be a long term affair between Rex and the Bills? He really needs to get them to the playoffs to ensure his credibility.

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Rex Riding In Buffalo


I'm glad to see that Rex Ryan is back coaching in the NFL even if it's in a small market team. Rex was made for the Big Apple, but it didn't work out on the offensive side of the ball. He was a media magnet who loved the spotlight.

It might not be better for him in Buffalo without a decent quarterback, but I think he will energize the new ownership and the loyal fans of the team. He was able to land a 5 year/$25 million contract.

The Bills last made it to the playoffs in 1999 and have used 17 quarterbacks since then. The team finished 9-7 and shows promise for the future. He will probably tone down his rhetoric and not make any guarantees.

Monday, January 12, 2015

The End For Manning?


I wonder if we have seen the last of Peyton Manning. He didn't play well in the Bronco's playoff loss to the Colts. Now we are hearing that he played the last several games with a torn quadracep.

So many questions remain unanswered regarding his future. The Broncos might end up with a new offensive coordinator. The team has a number of free agents on the offensive side of the ball. Manning is due a salary of $19 million. Does he want to keep playing?

So many players never leave the game on their own terms. Manning is getting to that point.

Sunday, January 11, 2015

What A Call


Instant replay and penalties can often decide the outcome of a game. We saw that today with the Green Bay Packers win over the Dallas Cowboys.

I thought WR Dez Bryant had a reception on 4th and two from the Packer's 31 yard line. It would have given the Cowboys first and goal from the one yard line, but the call was overturned. It helped to decide the outcome of the game.

I hate to see teams lose on a controversial call, but the Cowboys backed into this game by a couple of non-calls against the Detroit Lions.

The Packers will have their hands full next week in the NFC Championship game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Hoping For Another Game


Hopefully, the season doesn't end for the Pats today as they face the Baltimore Ravens. I think this will be a very difficult game. Some seem to think that the Pats will win easily, but I don't believe them.

The playoffs are unforgiving. One mistake by anyone can cost them the season. It should be a great game.

Friday, January 9, 2015

Say No To Jameis


The New York Jets are trying to put a GM and coaching staff together. It looks like they are getting the leftovers. Now that Florida State QB Jameis Winston has declared his intention to enter the 2015 NFL Draft, the New York tabloids are speculating whether the Jets will try and work a deal to select him.

The Jets have made many bad choices over the years. Drafting Winston would be the worst thing they could ever do. He should stay in college for two more years to mature as a person. He already has numerous red flags with his off-field behavior.

They should take their 6th overall pick and trade it for more selections. Their last few drafts have been terrible.

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Jets Getting Ready For Another Mistake


So far, there are six head coaching vacancies in the NFL. Teams are taking a slow and deliberate approach to picking the right candidate. There are no big names this year that stand out. It's another version of shuffling people around until they get fired in their next job.

The New York Jets appear to be headed to selecting another coach who will continue to lead them down their road of mediocrity.

Fans and the media are looking for them to make a big splash, but it won't happen. Owner Woody Johnson has formed  a triumvirate with his two consultants Ron Wolf and Charley Casserly.

A year from now, Jet fans will wonder how they ended up with their new coach and why didn't they keep Rex Ryan.

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Cowboys To Lose


I think the Detroit Lions got a bad deal in the 4th quarter in their playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys. The initial pass interference call was overturned by the referee which resulted in a 4th and one for the Lions. They punted the ball away poorly and gave Dallas perfect field position.

The Cowboys marched down the field for the wining score. They will now travel to Green Bay to face the Packers. The Lions will be remembered for having a potential playoff win taken away from them. I was hoping that they would beat the Cowboys.

I have no doubt that Dallas will lose in Green Bay. That's how they are in the big games. They couldn't beat the Lions without the mistake by the referee.

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

All On Saturday


The "experts" on Boston sports talk radio seem to think that the Pats will have an easy time with the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. I don't feel that way. I think they will have their hands full. The offensive line needs to do a better job protecting Tom Brady.

Anything can happen in a one game season. The stakes are very high. The season will come crashing to an end for one of them on Saturday. The winner gets a shot to play for an opportunity to go to the Super Bowl.

Monday, January 5, 2015

NIKE Pays Big


NIKE has unveiled the uniforms that Alabama and Oregon will wear in their BCS Championship game. The Oregon ones will be without any of the school's traditional yellow and green colors. Ohio State's red shirt will be a tribute to the 1968 national championship team.

Many football purists object to the NIKE uniforms. Both schools will reap a big payment for wearing the stuff. NIKE paid Oregon $600,000 in cash this year as well as a $2.2 million equipment allowance. Ohio State had it even better with $1.5 million in cash and $2.5 million for equipment.

With that type of money, NIKE can dictate the colors. The schools don't mind the payments.

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Cowboys & Lions


There are always great stories in the playoffs. The Bengals continued their playoff losing streak by falling to the Colts.

The Lions and Cowboys face off in the second game. The Lions have lost seven consecutive playoff games. Will they keep that dubious distinction?

I hope they beat the Cowboys. If they do, Jerry Jones will probably fire Coach Jason Garrett because he can. He is such a sore loser. He should fire himself as GM.

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Playoffs - Wild Card Games


There are some good games for Wild Card weekend. Some of the best players never make it to the playoffs. WR Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals has enjoyed a phenomenal career, but has not been to the playoffs in five years. He has another chance today.

It's a one game season for all times involved. Anything can happen. We saw that back in 2007 when the undefeated Pats beat the 9-7 New York Giants 38-35 in their last game of the regular season, but lost to them in the final moments of the Super Bowl.

Friday, January 2, 2015

Strange Timing


The Buffalo Bills seem to be moving in a positive direction after finishing with a 9-7 record. Their second year coach Doug Marrone was their sixth since Wade Philips was fired after the 2000 season.

They will now be looking for a coach as Marrone opted out of his contract. He had that stipulation with the change in ownership earlier this season. Maybe he felt that he would get the axe by the end of the month. His decision allows him to pursue another job while there are still openings for head coaches.

Rumors are swirling that he might be in line for the job with the New York Jets. The timing appears very suspicious. Was there tampering by the Jets consultants, Ron Wolf and Charley Casserly? Was owner Woody Johnson behind it? He already misspoke about the status of pending free agent Darrelle Revis.

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Playing For Even


The college bowl game schedule finally becomes relevant today with the two BCS playoffs games. Oregon vs Florida State and Ohio State vs Alabama look like two great battles.

I don't think that was the case with the Texas Bowl the other day with Arkansas against Texas. They had a pair of 6-6 teams with a winning season at stake. Arkansas won 31-7. Texas went home with a bowl game check and a 6-7 record.

Even losers make money with this crazy bowl schedule.