Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Adam 2018


Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri recently turned 45. At this stage of his career, he is doing one year contracts. The team just signed him for 2018.

It has taken Vinatieri 22 years to get to the point where he can set several records that could be out of reach in the future.

He needs 58 points to pass Morton Anderson for the most in a career with 2,544. Another six field goals will break Anderson's record of 565.

How much longer can he play? He has avoided injuries, but only a handful of players have been around this long.

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Indy Things Not Happening


The Pats already announced that two things won't be happening at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Josh McDaniels will not be traveling to Indianapolis. It's probably a good idea that he stays home in Foxborough.

Coach Belichick will not be holding a press conference while he is there. It would only be an endless drone of Malcolm Butler questions.

I have no doubt that he will be the focus of the media.

Monday, February 26, 2018

Inviting The Coaches


The NFL continues to make their player draft a major television event. This year it will be held from April 26-28 at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys. Coverage will be on the NFL Network and ESPN.

Round 1 will be on the first day, with rounds two, three and four on the next. Players who attend the first two days of coverage can also bring their high school coach with them. The best thing about that is the NFL will pay the cost of getting the coach there.

it's good to see the league recognizing the vital role that high school coaches have in player development.

Sunday, February 25, 2018

Near The End


Pats WR Danny Amendola is entering free agency for the first time in five years. He has taken numerous pay cuts to stay with the team. He has a great situation with Tom Brady.

Considering his age, he might not have many offers out there. His best option is to stay in Foxborough, but for what price? He doesn't have much leverage.

At best, he has a year or two left.

Saturday, February 24, 2018

No Money On The 14th


After the Super Bowl, it sounded like Pats TE Martellus Bennett was ready to retire. His brief tenure with the team ended quickly when he went on IR.

If he wants to stay in Foxborough, it won't be on his financial terms. He is due a $2 million roster bonus on March 14th and carries a $6.2 million salary cap hit.

Those numbers will make him expendable. His only option is to take a pay cut.

Friday, February 23, 2018

The End For David Harris


Pats LB David Harris was destined to be salary cap victim within the next few weeks. During last season, he said he still wanted to play and had the fire within.

It all ended for him today when he announced his retirement on Twitter through his agent. There was no big press conference with a bank of microphones.

The former Michigan star was a 2nd round pick by the Jets in 2007. He spent his first ten seasons with them before his final one with the Pats.

The Pats signed him to a two year contract, but his lack of speed kept him off special teams and pass plays. With the Pats, he appeared in ten games, with six starts. His 177 snaps was an indicator that the end was near.

His 1,260 tackles with the Jets rank him second all time with the team.

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Fathers and Sons


It seems likely that the Pats will select a quarterback in the upcoming draft. Many names are being discussed, but two that stand out are Luke Falk of Washington State and Kyle Lauletta of Richmond.

Both of these players are similar to Jimmy Garoppolo is many ways and should be available in the second round.

Boston sports talk shows are having fun with discussing Lauletta. His father Joe attended the Naval Academy while Bill Belichick's father Steve was on the staff. Kyle was MVP of the Senior Bowl, but the biggest thing is that he is also a lacrosse player.

It would be quite ironic if the Pats selected Lauletta since his father was on the Navy team at the end of Steve's career.



Wednesday, February 21, 2018

A Certain Ring To It


Players make a big deal out of their Super Bowl ring. It can never be large enough for some. A smaller version is given to workers associated with the team.

A ring from Super Bowl LI, with a connection to Tom Brady, was just sold at an auction for $344,927. You can't blame anyone for selling a piece of jewelry for that much money, but it was odd that the ring had a notation of "Brady" on it.

Some players sell their ring for financial reasons. Hall of Fame LB Lawrence Taylor had legal issues in recent years. He sold his ring from Super Bowl XXV back in 2012 for $230,401.

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Ryan's Decision


When Steelers LB Ryan Shazier had his devastating injury, it looked like he might never walk again. He underwent spinal stabilization surgery and a lengthy rehab.

He said he still wants to play and perform at his Pro Bowl level. It remains to be seen if it ever happens.

In spite of it all, his best choice might be to walk away from the game rather than risk further injury.

Monday, February 19, 2018

McCourty's Input


The mystery around the benching of CB Malcolm Butler continues after Devin McCourty's recent remarks during an interview.

He said it was unrelated to discipline and the team knew that he would not be starting.

Did the move by Coach Belichick effect the team? That point will be debated forever or until the coach clarifies the issue.

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Gronk's Money Machine


If Rob Gronkowski retires from the NFL, you can't blame him if he makes that choice. His injuries would be reason enough.

He is underpaid by NFL standards and has many options if he quits. He has a standing offer to join WWE. Action movies are also on the table.

He has carefully crafted his brand. His father and brothers are all involved in his money machine. He is known for not having spent one dollar of the money he made in the NFL.

Whatever he decides, it will just keep the cash flowing.

Saturday, February 17, 2018

No Breeze For Brees


Saints QB Drew Brees has a day of reckoning with the team on or before March 14th. If the team doesn't give him a new contract by that date, the final three years of his contract will become void. His contract was structured in such a way that the team cannot give him the franchise tag.

Brees has often said that he wants to finish his career with the Saints, but does the team feel the same?

If he becomes a free agent, he would command top dollar. The Browns could offer him a monster contract, but does he want to start all over with a hopeless team?

One thing that will drive the team's decision is the enormous salary cap hit the team will take if they let him go.

The clock is ticking towards that date.

Friday, February 16, 2018

Looking For The Sixth Episode


The "Tom vs Time" series on Facebook was very popular. I enjoyed the first five episodes. The sixth was suppose to be about winning Super Bowl LII, but that didn't happen.

It will be two weeks on Sunday that the game was played. Brady is at his place in Costa Rica. He said the final episode will be out soon.

I wonder he will say about Coach Belichick's decision on Malcolm Butler. What can he really say?

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Firing Worked Out


Sometimes getting fired works out in the end. It was 22 years ago today that Bill Belichick was fired by the Cleveland Browns as they departed the city and became the Baltimore Ravens.

He was immediately hired by the Pats to be their defensive backs coach under Bill Parcells. The rest is history.

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Winding Down On The Kick


A good kicker can last a long time in the NFL. Sebastian Janikowski spent last season on IR with the Raiders. It was the team that drafted him 17th overall in 2000.

Newly hired coach John Gruden announced that the team will not attempt to sign him after 18 seasons with the Raiders. Janikowski offered to take a $1 million pay cut, but the team was ready to move on. Gruden was his coach during his first two seasons.

Is this the end for Janikowski at the of 42? With the way the kicking game is, there will probably be a landing spot for him.

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Patricia and Paul


Coaches in the NFL have many interconnected relationships with one another and those coaching on the college level. Many jobs are given to former cronies because they are comfortable working with them.

When Matt Patricia was named coach of the Lions, he immediately selected defensive line coach Paul Pasqualoni of Boston College to be his defensive coordinator.

They go way back to 2001 when Pasqualoni gave Patricia his first college coaching job as a graduate assistant at Syracuse. He never forgot his former boss who has 14 stops along the way between college and the NFL.

When they first met, neither of them probably envisioned this day.

Monday, February 12, 2018

Gillette Fake Drama


The latest rumor about the Pats is that they kept Josh McDaniels because Belichick and Brady don't talk anymore.

There is probably stress in their relationship, but how does a journalist verify this without talking to the parties involved?

There is no doubt the off-season will be very interesting. So much will happen over the next few months.

Once the new league starts on March 6th, anything is possible.

Sunday, February 11, 2018

Frank's Chance of a Lifetime


When Josh McDaniels walked out of the Colts head coaching job, he opened the door for Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich.

The Colts have a new coach in Reich. It's a great opportunity for the 56 year old former QB who first coached in the NFL as an offensive assistant with the Colts in 2008.

His three seasons with the Colts made him familiar to ownership. Will he survive the five years of his contract?

Saturday, February 10, 2018

Not Paying Dion


It certainly looks like RB Dion Lewis will hit the free agent market. Reports indicate that he is looking for a three year contract with a total of $15-18 million.

After trying to save dollars last year with LeGarette Blount and overpaying for Mike Gillislee, the Pats will probably try their luck with finding someone in the draft.

Lewis will get his money from another team.

Friday, February 9, 2018

The Legacy of Malcolm


No matter what happens in the future for Pats CB Malcolm Butler, his name will live forever in Super Bowl lore and history.

His game saving play in SB XLIX (49) and his benching in LII (52) created so many great story lines.

Much has been written and speculated about what did or didn't happen with Butler. We may never know the truth. The story will evolve.

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Raining Dollars For Jimmy G


QB Jimmy Garoppolo is the luckiest player in the NFL. He spent his first four years behind Tom Brady. He learned so much from Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels.

The Pats were not about to resign him as he was facing free agency so they traded him to the 49er's for a second round draft pick. He played very well for them, especially down the stretch.

The 49er's were determined to keep him. They signed him to a 5 year/ $137.5 million contract today. Not bad for a quarterback who has only seven NFL starts.

Quarterbacks around the league were glad to hear this because it only drives their value higher. It will also further emphasize the pay disparity between positions.

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

A Team With No Coach


The Colts must be beside themselves after Josh McDaniels announced that he would be staying with the Pats. They were expecting to announce his hiring at a press conference today, but now are looking for a coach at the worst possible time.

It appeared that McDaniels was a done deal. The Colts patiently awaited as the Pats made their way to the Super Bowl before it all caved in.

After bailing on the Colts the way he did, teams will be skeptical in the future about his intentions. It seems like he is destined to coach the Pats at some point.

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

A Choice For Mike


New York Jets GM Mike Mccagnan must make a decision about the team's future quarterback. He will probably get fired if it doesn't work out.

He can either overpay for Kirk Cousins or select someone in the draft. Cousins is overrated and the Redskins decided to move on from him after they traded for Alex Smith.

If they choose to find one in the first round of the draft, it better be the right choice.

Monday, February 5, 2018

The Game of Questions


The Pats played their worst defense in ages which lead to their 41-33 loss to the Eagles in Super Bowl LII.

One of the great mysteries will be why was Malcolm Butler benched for the game and saw the field for only one special teams snap. Why did they even give him a roster spot for the game?

The team had 613 yards of offense, but still lost. There are so many questions that might never be answered.


Sunday, February 4, 2018

Super Bowl LII


In the words of Coach Belichick; "Only one team wins the last game of the season". That will be the case by 11pm.

How will the game go? Who will make the big play? It's a chance for anyone to achieve immortality with whatever they do in Super Bowl LII.

Nobody knows how this will end.

Saturday, February 3, 2018

Thursday Night Money


With all of the talk about player safety and the impact of Thursday Night Football, it's easy to see why the games keep getting played.

Fox just signed a five year contract to broadcast 11 games annually. The NFL Network will do the others.

The price is estimated to be between $550-$660 million annually.

With money like that to be split between players and owners, player safety concerns become secondary. The NFL will pay lip service, but it's all about the money in the end.

Friday, February 2, 2018

Being Paid To Watch


Former Pats QB Jimmy Garappolo and DL Cassius Marsh will be cheering for their old team when they play the Eagles in the Super Bowl.

The CBA stipulates that the players are entitled to a share of the money in the pool since they were on the Pats roster for at least eight games. If the Pats win, they each get $112,000 and $56,000 if they lose.



Thursday, February 1, 2018

Two Bills


ESPN did a great job with their 30-30 documentary "The Two Bills". They had a comprehensive interview with Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick about their relationship which was held at Giants Stadium.

They needed each other to have the success they had. Bill Parcells always said the head coach needed a great staff in order to win. Belichick felt the same.