Most Points Ever

UMass continues to struggle this season after losing 58-50 to the University of Ohio. It was the first time I've ever seen 100 points scored in a game.

The Minutemen battled their way throughout the game, but fell short again to drop them to 0-6. Their record doesn't reflect their level of play. They have been very competitive in their games, but continue to miss important plays that impact the final result.

The rest of the schedule doesn't look any easier.

Cruz To TV

WR Victor Cruz is watching his playing career end before his eyes at the age of 30. After the Giants released him in February, he signed with the Bears, but wasn't able to make the 53 man roster.

He still hopes to catch on with another team, but his prospects are slim. There are younger, faster and cheaper players out there for teams to sign.

He should stick with his new job as a studio analyst for the NFL Network. His personality is suited for television and should do quite well. His career ended too soon, but he has another opportunity as he moves forward.

What Happens Tonight?

Tonight's matchup between the Bears and Packers is the oldest in the NFL. They both enjoy a career record between them of 94-94-6 since 1932.

The bigger focus is what will happen during the National Anthem. In the past, the television networks rarely showed it because it took up time that could be devoted to commercials.

How the players act is becoming the story. It shouldn't be that way, but it is.

Boring Odell

The Giants are now 0-3 after their loss to the Eagles. Very few teams have ever made the playoffs with a start like that.

Odell Beckham JR had a great game with two TD's. He showed his usual selfishness by violating the league's policy on celebrations in the end zone. The rule was changed to allow for celebrations, but Odell thought it would be a good idea to drop on all fours and mimic a dog urinating on a fire hydrant.

He claimed that he didn't know that it was unacceptable. The Giants were assessed a penalty on the kickoff. In the end, it didn't effect that series by the Eagles.

Beckham is one of the marque players of the NFL. He earns some of the highest endorsement dollars, but does a lot of immature things that reflect on him and the league.

Expensive Water

It was a very controversial Sunday around the NFL with players taking a knee during the National Anthem. There is no easy answer to this issue.

That Pats had another controversy at Gillette Stadium on a 90 degree Sunday afternoon when the concession stands ran out of bottled water.

Fans were asking for a cup of water. The only size available was the large ones for soda. The decision was made to charge $4.50 for tap water.

Stadium management faced a firestorm of criticism for taking advantage of the situation. Fans should know that it's all about the money. They should be thankful they were only charged $4.50.

Staying Ahead of the Problem

The NFL is doing a better job monitoring players with concussions. Before yesterday's games, 11 players were in the concussion protocol program, compared to one in 2007 during Week 3.

Back then, head injuries were treated like pulled muscles and sprains. I don't understand why that happened. I'm not a doctor, but I understand the seriousness of head injuries.

This is one of the biggest issues facing the future of the NFL. Making the game safer is a big challenge.

Monday Talk Radio Will Be Crazy

The Pats pulled off an amazing 36-33 win over the Texans today, but the bigger story will be the protests around the NFL during the National Anthem.

Players from every team took a knee. The Ravens and Jaguars did the same while playing in London, but stood for "God Save The Queen".

Maybe the NFL should do like some college teams. When I go to UMass home games, both teams stay in the locker room.

UMass Almosts Wins

UMass fell to 0-5 after a 17-13 loss to Tennessee. Nobody gave them a chance as they were an underdog by 26 points.

The Minutemen don't need to make any apologies after taking on an SEC powerhouse. The game will be another loss on their record, but they continue to play a strong Independent schedule that many teams would shy away from.

I have no doubt that the program will win at some point.

Watching The Future NFL

There are always some interesting stories about teammates in the NFL. LB David Harris and DL Alan Brach are finally back together on the Pats after their legendary careers at the University of Michigan.

The 2006 game between #2 Michigan and #1 Ohio State is considered one of the greatest contests in the history of the Big 10.

Ohio State came out victorious, 42-29. The game featured 35 future NFL players. That is a very remarkable number.

A Case For Aaron

The NFL and the Pats are being sued for $20 million by the former fiancé and daughter of the late Aaron Hernandez after it was revealed that he suffered from a severe case of CTE.

Upon his death, his brain was donated to the CTE research center at Boston University. The results indicated that his condition was like that seen in players in their late 60's who have CTE.

There are two options for the NFL and Pats. They can settle or battle in court.

Don't look for this to go away.

Will They Trade Anyone?

Everyone seems to becoming an expert on conspiracy theories when it comes to players on the Pats who might be traded for the deadline.

The two most mentioned names are Alan Branch and Malcolm Butler. All of this is based on their decreased playing time compared to last season.

Coach Belichick is quick to mention that he does what is best for the team, depending on the opponent.

Fans should realize that anything is possible. Nothing should be a surprise.

Increasing His Value

It was probably best that QB Jacoby Brissett got traded to the Colts for WR Phillip Dorsett. He wasn't going to see any action with Tom Brady and Jimmy Garrapolo in front of him.

The Colts are facing uncertainty with Andrew Luck. Brissett got his first start for them last Sunday. Although his team lost 16-13 in overtime to the Cardinals, he had a decent day with a line of 20/37 for 216 yards and one interception.

More playing time will only increase his value. He should thank the Pats for trading him.

Visit For Hightower

Pats LB Donta Hightower will be seeing Dr James Andrews about his knee. It's never a good sign for any athlete seeking another opinion from the noted doctor.

Hightower seems like one of those players who is outstanding when on the field, but always cursed by injuries.

Many careers are cut short because of it. Hopefully, the same doesn't happen to him.

They Will Focus On The Negative

The Pats beat the Saints 36-20, but the doomsayers will focus on the missed extra point by Stephen Gotskowski and the groin injury to Rob Gronkowski.

The extra point hit the upright and bounced away. Gronk left the game after his injury.

The media and talk radio will waste too much time this week speculating on potential problems with the kicking game and whether Gronk will lose time.

It's never good when your kicker misses any attempt. You never know with Gronk.

One Team Will Be 0-2

The Pats face the Saints tomorrow. Both teams are 0-1. By this time tomorrow, one of them will be 0-2. I can only imagine what will happen with the local media if the Pats end up on the losing end.

The only thing that could make it worse is Tom Brady having a horrible game. That will bring the calls for Jimmy Garropolo.

Condition of Gronk

TE Rob Gronkowski was very quiet in the Pats loss to the Chiefs last week. He was targeted six times, resulting in 2 receptions for 33 yards. He was being doubled-teamed all night. He complained to the officials about being held.

There seems to be greater concern today. Some are saying that Gronk looked nothing like his former self and might be finished.

Could this be the end of is brilliant career? The next few games should be interesting.

DeShaun Watson

QB Deshaun Watson of the Texans gets his first NFL start tonight against the Bengals. He is being thrown into the fire after the benching of Tom Savage in the team's opening 23-9 loss to the Jaguars.

Is this too much for Watson, the brilliant star out of Clemson? He was a magical player in college. Let's see how that carries over to the NFL.

Time For Rex

I thought Rex Ryan did a good job in his first game as a color analyst on Monday Night Football. He has a lot of raw talent that needs to be developed.

There are a lot of things he could improve on. He had some silent moments with the first female MNF broadcaster, Beth Mowins. The entire show could have been better.

I cut Rex a lot of slack because he was born to do this. I've always been a big fan of him.

DJ Going Home

The wrist injury to Cardinals RB David Johnson provided an opportunity for Pats RB DJ Foster. They signed him from the practice squad of the Pats.

Foster played great in the preseason, but was destined to remain on the practice squad throughout the season. Fans heard all sorts of wonderful things about Foster, but it wasn't meant to be here.

This will be a homecoming for Foster as he went to Scottsdale High and the University of Arizona. He should see quite a bit of playing time in the absence of Johnson.

Time For Stupid Talk

The worst thing about the loss to the Chiefs is the boring talk about benching Tom Brady and having Jimmy Garropolo start. We hear this every time when the Pats lose.

Some fans are ready to jump off the band wagon. Their dream of a 19-0 season have been crushed. They are looking to blame someone.

They don't care about Brady's accomplishments. They just see a 40 year old quarterback on the field and a young guy on the bench.

Enabling Cromartie

Free agent CB Antonio Cromartie faces the possibility of never finding another team that wants a 33 year old player.

The media continue to make light of his fathering skills. With the recent birth of the sixth child with his current wife, he now has 14 children from 8 women scattered around the country. His child support payments will eventually be his downfall.

USA Network plans to do a reality show about him and his wife as they deal with raising children. It should attract viewers and advertisers, but it's making a farce of the entire situation.

There are children growing up without their father as Cromartie can't be everywhere at once. This is such irresponsible behavior on his part. A reality tv shows just makes it worse.

Adam Vinatieri 2017

Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri will be starting his 22nd season. He is the oldest player in the NFL and will turn 45 in December.

He played 10 seasons with the Pats before he signed with the Colts. He will be starting his 12th season with them. When he plays in their second game, he will equal his 177 game tenure with the Pats.

He shows no signs of slowing down. He is still one of the league's best kickers and has the motivation to keep playing.

If he plays for two more seasons, he should become the career leader in points. The great Anderson brothers are ahead of him. Another 56 points will tie him with Gary, while 126 will break Morton's record.

If he sets the record, it should be out of reach as it will have taken him 23 seasons to break it.

A Time To Lose

After the Pats took a 42-27 beating last night from the Chiefs, there is massive panic by fans. Many thought the team just needed to show up to go undefeated.

One national restaurant chain should update their radio commercial concerning free chicken wings if the Pats go 19-0. That offer didn't last very long.

It's probably good that the Pats lost. Fans had unrealistic expectations about the team and season. It remains to be seen if they play better a week from Sunday against the Saints.

Don't Predict The Future

The 2017 begins tonight when the Pats play the Chiefs in the opening game. It will be a spectacle for many reasons.

Unfortunately, sports talk radio cannot give up the discussion of Tom Brady being 40 years old and Jimmy Garropolo becoming a free agent at the end of the season.

Everyone seems to an opinion and prediction on how long Brady will keep playing. They even voice their thoughts on the future of Coach Belichick.

As a fan, I have reached the point where I switch the dial. All of this talk is pointless. Brady's future could change on one snap with a major injury. Fans should try to enjoy the present, instead of trying to predict the future.

No Weeks Off

It's a good idea that NFL teams have a bye week, especially in light of Hurricane Irma in Florida. Sunday's game between the Dolphins and Bucs in Miami has been rescheduled to Week 11 when both teams have a bye.

It was a no-win situation for fans and players. Both teams will play their 16 game schedule without a week off. The alternative was to play in a neutral city just to get the game in. This would've denied the loyal Dolphins fans of seeing their team at home.

The hurricane season goes through October. There could be another problem somewhere else. You never know.

Odell and Gronk For Dollars

Rob Gronkowski is a money machine. His carefully selected line of product endorsements fills his bank account with untold dollars. He often says how he as never spent any of his NFL paychecks.

His latest venture is a Dunkin Donuts commercial with Odell Beckham Jr. It will certainly get a lot of air play during the season.

The ads pairs up two of the most marketable players in the NFL. They just keep making money.

Danny Woodhead 2017

It's really great to see that former Pats RB Danny Woodhead made the roster of the Baltimore Ravens after the team signed him as a free agent.

He has such a great story after being signed in 2008 by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent. This will give him ten seasons in the NFL.

Nobody ever thought he could do that. Running backs never last that long.

Trading Time

The Pats have made so many moves to their roster. It's such an exciting time around the NFL as all teams go through this process.

Coach Belichick is constantly tweaking the roster. There is no doubt he will make a trade before the league's deadline. He seems to love trading when the opportunity works out.

53 Subject To Change

QB Jacoby Brissette had a great game for the Pats the other night against the Giants. Radio analyst Scott Zolak kept saying that Brissette had played himself onto the roster with his performance.

He was traded today to the Colts for WR Phillip Dorsett, a former first round pick in 2015. Both teams needed to make the trade. With the health issues of Andrew Luck, the Colts needed to do something. With the loss of Julian Edelman and Cyrus Jones, the Pats were without a primary player to return kicks and punts.

Coach Belichick will continue to make roster adjustments once players clear waivers tomorrow at noon.

Justin Time

Pats CB Justin Coleman got a break when he was traded to Seattle for an undisclosed draft pick. He has a home for now, as it looked certain that he would be released.

Ironically, he is going back to the team that signed him to their practice squad in 2015. The very next day, the Pats signed him to their practice squad.

It's always good when a team wants to trade for you.