Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Need More Selections


There was no doubt that Rodney Harrison would end up in the Pats Hall of Fame. It was good to see the committee honor the great OL Leon Gray who is no longer with us.

He was part of a great line of the 1970's with Hall of Famer John Hannah. Fans can only appreciate watching some of his game film. I saw him on TV back then in black and white.

The committee should continue to honor the players from the pre-Kraft/Parcells/Belichick/Brady era.

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Optimism 2019 Edition


This is the time of year for optimism around the league. The New York Jets are leading the way with pumping it up. Everyone is saying the right things.

RB LeVeon Bell wants 500 touches, whether it's running or receiving. His goal is to get to the Super Bowl.

Coach Adam Gase is all about the team coming together. He wants to play meaningful games late into the season.

Will that happen?

Monday, July 29, 2019

Checking Jerry


Cowboys owner Jerry Jones needs to check his own statements in light of the holdout by RB Ezekial Elliot.

Jones doesn't want to give Elliot a new contract with two years left on his current one. He said that his team doesn't need a rushing leader to win a Super Bowl.

He must have forgotten about Emmitt Smith who lead the league in rushing and helped the team with three Super Bowls.



Sunday, July 28, 2019

Boring Beckham


The Browns gave up a lot to get WR Odell Beckham Jr. He brings a large amount of baggage with him as he wants all of the attention.

in a recent interview, he said he kept the brand of the Giants alive last season because people wanted to see him play. It was all about him.

QB Eli Manning and GM Dave Gettleman shrugged it off, but Beckham really needs to focus on this season rather than living in the past.

It didn't work out for him with the Giants for a number of reason.

Saturday, July 27, 2019

A Time To Switch


The journey of QB Danny Etling to the NFL is taking a detour. After being drafted in 2018 by the Pats in the 7th round, he spent the season on the practice squad where he excelled on the scout team.

With the drafting of Jarrett Stidham, it looked like Etling might be squeezed out in a league starving for talent at that position.

Apparently, he will spend his time with the receivers. Could he become another Julian Edelman who was in a similar situation at one time?

Etling faces an uphill battle to make the roster, but this might be his best option. Would he have better chances on another team? It remains to be seen what his fate will be.

Friday, July 26, 2019

Balloon In


Antonio Brown loves attention whether with the Steelers or his new Raider team. He arrived at training camp in a hot air balloon.

The media loved the story. He was immediately put on the "non-football" injury list.

It will soon become a circus with their "Hard Knocks" participation and Brown as the star.

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Training Camp 2019


The 2019 training camp began today for the Pats. There are many questions, but that happens every year.

The team will move on from Gronk. He leaves a big hole in the offense, but Coach Belichick will make the necessary adjustments.

Camp starts with 90 players. Some will come and go. When the final cuts are made for the opening day roster, we can feel certain that several of the 53 spots will be tweaked throughout the season.


Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Mark Sanchez


One door closed and another one opened when QB Mark Sanchez decided to call it a career after 10 seasons. He will now be a college football studio analyst for ABC.

Although he was the fifth overall pick of the 2009 draft by the Jets, he will be forever known for his "Buttfumble" play in a 2012 Thanksgiving game against the Pats which resulted in a touchdown.

Although he began his career leading the Jets to back to back AFC Championship games, his career faltered at times. After five seasons with the Jets, he bounced around to the Eagles, Bears, Cowboys and Redskins, mostly as a backup while appearing in 17 games.

He leaves the NFL with a line of 1,314/2,320 for 15,537 yards and 86 TD's during the regular season.

In site of playing for the minimum salary of $322,000 last season, he still enjoys a net worth of $40 million.

Monday, July 22, 2019

Thumb Silence


There seems to be a big mystery around the thumb injury suffered by WR Julian Edelman. It will sideline him for the first three weeks of the Pats training camp.

Nobody is reporting on how it happened. What is the big mystery? Was he doing something stupid?

Skeptics would say that if it happened under normal circumstances, it would be reported. The team probably knows, but there is silence.

Sunday, July 21, 2019

The Jumping Fool


Tom Brady posted another video of himself cliff diving in Costa Rica. This time he jumped with his six year old daughter who appeared reluctant in the final moment.

I think this showed very poor judgment on his part. He seems to feel that he is invincible to anything. His body and mind is remarkable to be able to play at his level as he approaches 42.

He should not push his luck. He has lived a charmed life in the NFL with only one major injury. He must know that it could end on one play.

Maybe doing stuff like this is what he needs to keep going.

Will he play until he is 45? At this point, it will be year to year.

Saturday, July 20, 2019

Darren Sproles


RB Darren Sproles signed a one year contract with the Eagles. Time is running out on the 36 year old who ranks sixth in all-purpose yards with 19,520. He needs 163 to pass Tim Brown for fifth place.

If he has a good season, he should stick around for another year to try and catch Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton. Brian Mitchell and Jerry Rice, the all-time leader appear to be out of reach unless he plays for a few more years.

No matter what, he is in select company.

Friday, July 19, 2019

Win Now or Else


The New York media is pointing fingers at Giants QB Eli Manning and saying it's all on his shoulders to get off to a good start this season.

After going 8-24 over the last four seasons, GM Dave Gettleman and Coach Pat Shurmur are on a short leash.

Manning will get replaced by 6th overall pick Daniel Jones if he falters, but Gettleman and Shurmur will be gone if the team doesn't make the playoffs.

There is no room for error.

Thursday, July 18, 2019

He Made His Point


A Kansas City Chiefs fan who pointed a laser at Tom Brady during the AFC Championship game was fined $500 after pleading guilty to disturbing the peace. He was also banned for life from Arrowhead Stadium.

The penalties could have been much worse, but he walked away easy. He didn't even say he was sorry.

His behavior has no place at sporting events. People like him are so selfish in their actions. At least, he was banned for life.

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Start The Injuries


Injuries are a part of football. Some teams have already lost players during OTA's. When training camps open over the next week, the stage will be set for more.

Every team will lose at least one player for the season. Some will lose several. Pre-season games become a demolition derby. Some players will make a roster at the expense of others.

The goal for training camp is to get ready for the regular season without losing too many players.

The final toll around the league will be too high, but it happens every year.

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Kicking Money Out The Door


Some NFL contracts are getting out of control. The 49er's finally agreed to terms with kicker Robby Gould after threatening him with the franchise tag.

They gave him 4 years/$19 million, with $10.5 million guaranteed for the first two seasons.

Gould has been a great kicker, but those who play the position know how much they live on the edge. It would be a shock if Gould ever collected all of his money.

Monday, July 15, 2019

Ryan Leaf


Ryan Leaf and Peyton Manning were the two top draft picks in the 1998 NFL draft. There was endless discussion of who should go first. The Colts picked Manning with the first selection while the Chargers went with Ryan Leaf.

Manning went on to have a career that will lead him to the Hall of Fame, while Leaf flamed out after a few seasons.

It got worse for Leaf over the years with numerous arrests for drugs and other charges. In 2012, he was arrested in Montana for breaking and entering which violated his previous parole in Texas. He ended up serving two years in prison.

It appears that Leaf has make a miraculous comeback after ESPN announced that they will hire him as a college football analyst. He now has another opportunity to make the most of his life.




Sunday, July 14, 2019

They All Want It


Commissioner Roger Goodell has indicated that he would like to have a new CBA in place before the start of the regular season. Although it doesn't expire until the end of the 2020 season, it would be advantageous for everyone.

Players want a quicker route to free agency and a bigger slice of the revenue. Owners want an 18 game regular season. They also want to negotiate new television and media contracts.

It's all about the money. Everyone will also express a concern about player safety.

Saturday, July 13, 2019

The Ultimate Throw


Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is a multi-talented athlete. He had a chance to play professional baseball, but chose the NFL

His arm strength was on full display the other day when he threw a ball out and over the top of Arrowhead Stadium. It landed on the concourse.

Players get an automatic fine for throwing the ball into the stands during a game. Mahomes could bring it to a new level if he did it when trying to get rid of the ball.

Friday, July 12, 2019

They Will Wait For Nick


The Houston Texans plan to go with a GM by committee this season after being unable to pry Nick Caserio from the Pats. It's a little late to get another candidate that they want.

Will they sign Caserio after the end of the 2019 season? Does he want to go to a team that keeps turning over front office people?

There is really no further for him to go with the Pats. He can keep doing his job and hope to win another Super Bowl. It won't happen in Houston.

Thursday, July 11, 2019

Albert Haynesworth


When the Pats traded for DL Albert Haynesworth in 2011, it was very controversial. They gave up a 2013 fifth round pick to the Redskins to acquire the very talented player with a lot of baggage.

Haynesworth burst into the NFL as the 15th overall pick by the Titans in 2002. He made two All-Pro and two Pro Bowl teams, but was mired with fines and suspensions due to on-field conduct during games, including stomping on a player.

The Titans cut ties with him after 2008, but it didn't stop the Redskins from giving him a 7 year/$100 million free agent contract. That proved to be a bad decision. Coach Belichick saw the talent and rolled the dice with a trade to get him in 2011.

He never lived up to his potential before the Pats released him in November after a loud confrontation with Coach Pepper Johnson. Tampa Bay signed him for the remainder of 2011 before his career ended.

He stayed under the radar until he suffered brain aneurism in 2014. He resurfaced yesterday with a social media posting announcing that he was suffering from kidney failure and asking for help with a kidney donation.

It remains to be seen what his future holds, but at the age of 38, his body is already broken down.

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Jared Lorenzen


Former Giants QB Jared Lorenzen lost his battle with health the other day at the age of 30. He had been fighting kidney and heart issues as well as a weight problem that had him tipping the scales at 500 pounds.

He was a brilliant quarterback at Kentucky and set many passing records. In spite of his accomplishments, he was undrafted, but signed with the Giants in 2004.

He was a backup to Eli Manning when the Giants beat the Pats in Super Bowl XLII. His career never got off the ground before a short stint with arena football.

His funeral is being paid by players from Kentucky's biggest rival Louisville, including Deion Branch and Chris Redman.

It's very nice gesture of the support by former opponents on the gridiron.

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

No Time For Visit


It doesn't look like the Pats will visit the White House for their Super Bowl Championship. With two weeks until training camp, the logistics probably rule it out. Some players are now on other rosters.

I never thought much of the visits. They are a waste of time for everyone involved. It doesn't matter who is president. Players from every sport skip the invite.

Monday, July 8, 2019

Playing Catch With Gronk


Boston sports talk shows will be buzzing over Tom Brady throwing passes to Rob Gronkowski earlier today at UCLA.

Gronk was in town for a charity event and hooked up with Brady for a workout. He has lost 15 pounds according to a recent interview and enjoying retirement.

Anything is possible during the season. Gronk will need to adjust to no longer playing.



Sunday, July 7, 2019

A Jacket & Ring For Them Too


The Hall of Fame needs to take a look at how they honor deceased inductees. The families of the late Junior Seau and Ken Stabler did not get a HOF gold jacket or a ring that would have been awarded to the inductee.

This year, the family of the late Broncos owner Pat Bowden will get his jacket and ring. Bowden passed away after he was selected and prior to his formal induction.They made an exception for him, but not for the families of Seau and Stabler.

It seems a bit much to make a big deal over giving a ring and jacket to the families. Seau and Stabler deserved better.

Saturday, July 6, 2019

Same Comments Every Year


It's foolish to waste any time on players who are no longer with the Pats. That's why Coach Belichick brushes those questions off.

Players come and go throughout the league. It happens every year.

Tre Flowers spent four seasons here and scored the contract of his life. He was a good player who worked hard. Fans wish him the best, but he was just another draft choice when he came here.

Things work out for some players and not others. There is some undrafted player who will make the final 53 for the Pats. It happens every year around here.

Friday, July 5, 2019

A Second Stroke


Fans were shocked to hear that former Pats LB Tedy Bruschi had another stoke yesterday.

He had his first after the Super Bowl win in the 2005 season. he came back to play three more years.

It will be interesting to see what caused this one. Did it have anything to do with his time in the NFL?

Thursday, July 4, 2019

Losing Pounds


The NFL Network and other sports talk radio discussed the weight loss by players after they decide it's over. Everyone loses a lot of pounds. It varies by position, but it can get real high.

Players come and go through the league. Nobody is bigger than the game. Their career will end sooner rather than later.

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Smaller Gronk


Pats fans need to move on from Rob Gronkowski. He seems pretty happy with retirement. Who knows how he will feel in late December when the Pats are trying to make a playoff run.

There was a lot of buzz over how much smaller he looked. Gronk claims he only lost 15 pounds to get down to 250. He obviously looks different from last year.

It's a shame he is leaving the game at such an early age. Maybe he might feel different after a year or two off.

Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Mark Rypien Resurfaces


Former Redskins QB Mark Rypien will forever be known as the MVL of Super Bowl XXXVI. It was mentioned in the first sentence of most news reports discussing his arrest for domestic violence.

He was arrested by Spokane, Washington police after a disturbance with his wife. Rypien has been very public about his concerns on head trauma suffered in the NFL and aggressive behavior he has exhibited in retirement.

Hopefully, he gets help with his situation.

Monday, July 1, 2019

Ezekial 2.0


Cowboys RB Ezekial Elliot was already on a short leash with the NFL personal conduct policy. His latest allegations in Las Vegas don't help the situation.

He was never arrested in this incident, but didn't need to make the news and get on the radar.

We can only imagine the statement from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. He will defend to the end. Can't argue with a guy who increased the value of his franchise by billions and rippled through the NFL.