Sunday, March 31, 2019

No Coaches, No Problem


Coach Greg Schiano had a very brief tenure in Foxborough before he abruptly resigned this week. Who will call the defense? The coaching staff is undergoing a huge change with the departure of Brian Flores and several key assistants.

Will the sons of Belichick assume a bigger role? I'm sure Bill has a short list of coaches who would jump at the chance to be on his staff.



Saturday, March 30, 2019

Don't Sell Your Stock


The AAF is saying that it might fold without cooperation from the NFLPA. They want to be the minor league of the NFL.

When the XFL begins play next year, will they strictly be looking at players who have never been on a NFL roster? Will this effect the caliber of play?

WWE chief Vince McMahon just sold $270 million of his stock in the company to finance the league. Was this a wise move?

Back in 2001 during its only year of operation, they burned through $70 million before going out of business.

What will be different his time around?

Friday, March 29, 2019

Short Answers By Bill


Members of the media often feel that Coach Belichick doesn't give them the full and detailed answers that they want. He is under no obligation to give them anything.

His 43 minute press conference at the recent Owners Meeting was a classic. One writer kept a count on the amount of questions and the length of his answers.

The 116 questions averaged 15.4 words in length. He used the terms "We'll see" 21 times and "I don't know" 13.

He should be in rare form again on Draft Day.


Thursday, March 28, 2019

The League Might Fold


The AAF should serve as a minor league for the NFL. There are plenty of Division 1 players who are not on NFL rosters.

The league has said it will fail unless they are able to use players from NFL practice squads. The NFLPA feels that action would be in violation of the CBA. There is also a concern that players would feel pressured to play.

Those on practice squads have varying degrees of experience. Criteria should be established that would allow certain players to migrate to the AAF.



Wednesday, March 27, 2019

More Things To Review


A recent rule change allows for the option to review offensive and defensive pass interference calls, as well as no-calls.

This will have a big impact on the game. In some instances, it will effect the outcome. It works both ways.

There is always a concern about the length of the game and play stoppage, but it's important to get the call right.


Tuesday, March 26, 2019

No Gronk Zone


From this point forward, Coach Belichick doesn't want to hear about Rob Gronkowski. He is gone and no longer part of the team.

They will address the tight end situation. It's a great loss, but someone will take his place.

The game goes on.

Monday, March 25, 2019

End of Gronk


It appears that Rob Gronkowski has retired, but his agent left the door open that he might return at some point during the season.

I'm sure it was a difficult for him to leave the game at 29, but his body was telling him it was the time.

He will probably question his decision at some point, especially when the season starts.

He had too many injuries and surgeries to keep going. He has many options.


Sunday, March 24, 2019

Johnny AAF


You can't blame the AAF for trying to showcase Johnny Manziel in tonight's game between Memphis and Birmingham. He played a few series and didn't really do anything.

He gets unlimited chances to get back to the NFL. Fans want him to succeed because he has so much talent.

Will he ever be a starting quarterback in the NFL?



Saturday, March 23, 2019

Pocket Change Settlement


When the NFL settled its collusion lawsuit with Colin Keapernick and Eric Reid, many thought the league paid a huge ransom to end the litigation. Some thought it could be upwards of nine figures.

In the end, it was settled for under $10 million minus legal fees.

Reid is back in the league, but what about Kaepernick? Teams are starving for a good starting quarterback, but nobody is beating a path to the door of the former 49er.

Will he ever play at any level again?



Friday, March 22, 2019

Time To Redo


The Pats are really up against the wall when it comes to salary cap space. They have a little over $6 million and they still need to sign some of their own free agents.

They must do something with Tom Brady's contract. They have him at a bargain salary of $14 million, but he counts $27 million against the cap.

Redoing his contract would be a big help, but they also need to do something with Rob Gronkowski, Devon McCourty, Stephone Gillmore and Donta Hightower. When their contracts were negotiated, nobody thought that they would see these huge numbers because they wouldn't work with any other team. It's the nature of NFL contracts.

Players are always willing to listen if it means more dollars in their pocket.

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Josh Kline


So many former Pats have been able to use their time with the team as a spring board to a bigger contract.

OL Josh Kline is no exception. He was undrafted out of Kent State in 2013. He spent three seasons with the Pats before getting released at the start of the 2016 season.

The Titans claimed him off waivers and he had three productive seasons with them.

He has now landed a 3 year/$15.75 million deal with the Vikings.

He might not see all of the money or the end of the contract, but this is the most money he has ever made.

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Big Ben Bell


It was interesting to hear LeVeon Bell's comments about his tenure with the Steelers and QB Ben Roethslisberger. Apparently, he feels that Ben runs the team and controls it all.

There was no way Ben could keep Le'Veon and Antonio Brown happy with the way the ball was distributed in the offense.

When players leave a team, they usually just move on. In the world of social media, it's so easy to let your thoughts go viral.

This situation isn't anything new in the NFL. It's just so easy to share things like this now.




Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Fitz In Sun


It was inevitable that the Dolphins would sign a veteran quarterback since they already has two unproven ones on their roster.

Ryan Fitzpatrick agreed to a two year/$11 million contract. The 36 year old will be joining his eighth team since being selected in the seventh round of the 2005 draft.

His previous stops with the Rams, Bengals, Bills, Titans, Texans, Jets and Buccaneers have been as a starter and backup. He holds a career record of 50-75-1.

He will serve as a placeholder for whoever they select in the draft with the 13th overall pick. He will become the 21st starting quarterback for them since Dan Marino retired in 1999.

The team is rebuilding this year, but Fitzpatrick will prove why he has lasted this long.


Monday, March 18, 2019

Manning Money Day


Giants QB Eli Manning received a $5 million roster bonus today. He appears to be the starter, but how long will that last for?

GM Dave Gettleman is gutting the roster with the trade of Odell Beckham Jr and letting Landon Collins walk to free agency.

The team is in a transition. Manning probably never though it would end this way in light of winning two Super Bowl.



Sunday, March 17, 2019

Man of Many Chances


Johnny Manziel has been around the NFL and CFL since 2014. Both leagues have dismissed him. He now has a chance with the AAF.

It's a great move by the league and team to sign him just to attract interest. It's cheep and just a marketing ploy, but the league needs viewers to survive.

The Memphis XPESS will be his landing spot. It will be interesting to see how he does with Hall of Famer Mike Singletary as his coach.

If it doesn't work, he will probably get another chance next year in the XFL.

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Dollars For Dez


WR Dez Bryant must be wondering if he will ever get a big contract again after seeing the money given to Odell Beckham Jr and Antonio Brown.

Bryant tore his Achilles during his first practice last season with the Saints. The team wants to bring him back, but has not been in a hurry to sign him.

He needs a big year if he ever hopes to score big financially.


Friday, March 15, 2019

Really Only Two years


We are seeing some huge dollar amounts on the various free agent contracts. Players are all about getting the most money in the form of a signing bonus.

For the most part, these contracts are two year deals. Nobody ever sees the full amount of money because of its impact on the team's salary cap.

Thursday, March 14, 2019

Bill Getting Sun


Some Pats fans are going crazy that the team hasn't blown huge amounts of money on overpaid free agents. Coach Belichick has been vacationing in Barbados during the start of free agency, according to reports.

Fans are already concerned about the 2019 roster. So many players will come and go before we get to the first game of the season.

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Brown Late As Usual


WR Antonio Brown basically got himself traded to the Raiders after being a huge disruption with the Steelers. In the process, he scored a new contract with a pay raise.

In his typical fashion, he was late for his introductory press conference. He probably had a good reason, but it's not a good start.

How long will it be before he starts to show some of his selfish and boorish behavior?

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

A Giant Trade


The trade of Odell Beckham Jr from the Giants to the Browns will certainly have a huge impact around the league.

The Browns get a gifted, but high maintenance player in exchange for their 2019 first and third round picks as well as safety Jabril Peppers.

How will this work out for the teams? The Giants get extra draft picks and move on from a player who had his issues. The Browns get one of the best receivers to pair up with QB Baker Mayfield.


Monday, March 11, 2019

Money Gone From Table


With the pending start of free agency, we are already seeing large amounts of money being given to players. The numbers sound very impressive, but most don't ever see it all.

Former Pats LB Jamie Collins is a great example. The Brown released him in a salary cap move with two years remaining on his contract.

He left the Pats for a four year/$50 million deal after the 2016 season. In the end, he collected about $27 million from the Browns. He might never get another deal like he had, but he certainly isn't broke.

Saturday, March 9, 2019

Michael Bennett


The Pats added a little insurance, in light of Trey Flowers being a free agent, when they traded with the Eagles for DE Michael Bennett. They gave up a 2020 5th round draft pick and received Bennett and the Eagles 7th round pick in the same year.

Bennett comes with no guaranteed money, but has a good shot at making the team. Will this bring his brother Martellus out of retirement? The former tight end for the Pats has often spoken about being on the same team with his brother.

As in the case of Jason McCourty, players still need to make the final roster for their dreams to come true.



Friday, March 8, 2019

A Time To Move On


The Steelers are in a real bind after trying to trade WR Antonio Brown to the Bills. Word is that Brown said that he would not report to the Bills if traded.

Brown still has three years left on the 4 year/$68 million contract that he signed before the start of last season.

The Steelers are facing a massive salary cap hit with all of the dead money on the books once Brown is no longer part of the team.

Since Brown has his own list of teams he would agree to report to, the Steelers should just release him, take the cap hit and move on.


Thursday, March 7, 2019

Ready To Fire


It looks like Cowboys owner and GM Jerry jones is ready to fire coach Jason Garrett if the team doesn't do well this year.

Jones indicated that Garrett will not be getting an extension just yet, in spite of being in the last year of his contract.

Garrett is 77-59 during his tenure, with a 2-3 record in the playoffs.

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Trey Dollars


Pats DL Trey Flowers is sure to cash in on free agency. The Pats won't be able to sign him in light of the money he can get on the open market.

You can't blame him. It's time to cash in now and make some serious money that could guarantee his financial security if managed properly.

I'm sure he will get some big money.

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Ready For Prime Time


The NFL plans to expand the Scouting Combine and have more of the events broadcast in prime time.

It makes perfect sense as the show has good viewership in its present timeframe.

The league is always in favor of anything that would generate more revenue.

Monday, March 4, 2019

Expensive Mistakes and Injuries


The NFL has a new policy of not inviting prospects to the Scouting Combine who have arrests for domestic violence, sexual assault or weapons charges.

DL Jeffery Simmons of Mississippi State was projected to be a first round pick. His arrest for hitting a women in high school resulted in him being barred from the Combine.

Things got worse the other day when he tore his ACL while training. He will probably miss most of the season, but his draft stock has dropped considerably. This has already cost him several million dollars which he might never get back.


Sunday, March 3, 2019

Keep It Going AAF


The NFL should have some type of financial support for the AAF. There are so many great players.

The NFL Network has been such a great partner in showing the game to the fans and let them decide.

Players want the AAF to stay alive and prosper. It's a win for all.





Saturday, March 2, 2019

Dropping Dollars


Players at the Scouting Combine know the stakes are high when it comes to draft position. Every time they drop, it means the loss of more dollars. It's very apparent in the first round.

Last year, QB Baker Mayfield was the overall first pick and ended up with a fully guaranteed contract of 4 years/$32.7 million. QB Lamar Jackson kept dropping in the first round until finally being selected 32nd by the Ravens. He signed for 4 years/$9.5 million, with a guarantee of $5 million.

In the end, some of the players at the Combine will never get drafted or ever play a down of football again. They just don't know it yet.