Saturday, August 31, 2019

Roster Games


Teams around the NFL are down to their 53 man roster, with the practice squad still to be decided. There are always many surprises.

Some veteran players are released with the understanding that they will be resigned by their team.

WR Demaryius Thomas is a great example. After his initial release, he can be signed for cheaper money. It happens all around the league.

For the Pats, this initial 53 will not be the same for Week One.

Friday, August 30, 2019

UMass 2019


UMass starts their season tonight when they are hosted by Rutgers. It's a big payday for UMass as they will get $1.5 million for being served up to a team that is favored by 15 1/2.

The Minutemen have struggled since going to a Division I program. Their schedule has been filled with bowl bound teams. In the last five years, they are 15-45. They could seek easier opponents, but have chosen to pursue top notch ones.

Fans want to see improvement. A winning season would be amazing, but who knows whether it will happen.

The big question tonight is the final score and where they stand with the over and under of 55.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Final Game For Some


Teams are playing their final preseason game. Their main goal should be to not get anyone hurt. No matter what, someone will get injured and miss the season. It happens every year.

Many players will never suit up again after tonight. It's a harsh reality of the NFL.

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

The Final 1,200


Coach Belichick made a great comment on the release of 1,200 players on Saturday. They get traded and released. It happens every year.

No matter what, someone will end up on the roster that we never expected.

The roster will be fluid the first few weeks.

Many careers are about to end. They just don't know yet.

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

A Brown Helmet


Raiders WR Antonio Brown has captured media attention with his never ending quest to wear a helmet that doesn't meet NFL guidelines for safety. He has lost two grievances before an arbitrator. He received an ultimatum from GM Mike Mayock to be a part of the team or not.

Several helmet makers have stepped forward to make Brown their endorser by supplying him with their product and gathering all the attention.

In the end, Brown will make money off of this. It was a great move on his part.


Monday, August 26, 2019

Andrew Luck Retired


Colts QB Andrew Luck surprised everyone when he announced his retirement at the age of 29 during the team's preseason game Saturday night. He said the injuries had taken a toll on him mentally and physically.

With two weeks to go until the start of the season, it was not the best time for this. Luck needs to take care of himself.

Colt fans should be ashamed of the reaction by some who booed him off the field after it was announced during the game. Luck expressed his shock and disappointment to their response.

Thursday, August 22, 2019

A Short Career On Fox


Many former players try to make it in broadcasting. Not everyone is successful. The important thing is to have a chance.

Former Pats DL Vince Wilfork was a contributor to the Fox pregame show last season with short funny stories.

Something just didn't work and Fox decided not to keep him on for this season. He has a lot of potential if given the right situation.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Odell Keeps It Going


Odell Beckham Jr cannot move on after his trade from the Giants to the Browns,

He claims that it wasn't a business decision by them, but rather done out of spite.

He also groused about his passing routes that he felt were so predictable with Eli taking the snaps.

Much is expected from him this season.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Tuesday's Nonsense


People on sports talk radio just float ideas out there. It doesn't matter if there is any substance to them.

One station spent too much time talking about whether Jerod Mayo will be the next coach of the Pats. He has been a coach for two preseason games and they want to move him to the next spot.

The same goes for Belichicks kids who are on the coaching staff. Who knows what their long terms plans are? Anything thoughts are pure speculation.

Monday, August 19, 2019

Punter Gone


The Pats released six year punter Ryan Miller today. There are some salary cap implications, but it's all about saving money here and there.

Their 5th round draft pick Jake Bailey is a bargain for them. A good chance to cut player cost.

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Jakobi Time


Pats rookie WR Jakobi Meyers is making a strong case to grab a roster spot. He has excelled in training camp and the first two preseason games.

How did he go undrafted? He has a very good chance to make it.

Saturday, August 17, 2019

Getting Through Game 2


The Pats beat the Titans 22-17 and all that, but it was more important that both teams went away without any major injuries.

Tough decisions will be made on the roster. There will be players that they don't want to release, but they get caught up in a numbers and position situation.

Tom Brady didn't play. That will be talked about.



Friday, August 16, 2019

Josh Gordon Back


It was great news to hear that WR Josh Gordon has been reinstated to the NFL and allowed to rejoin the Pats.

He is such a brilliant and talented player, but has only played in 36 games in the last six years due to his suspensions.

Everyone wants to see this work. Hopefully, there is a network in place to support, but not stifle him.

Nobody ever wants to walk on egg shells, but he is under a lot of pressure to succeed because of his talent.

Everyone wants the best for him.

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Coach Vrabel


I think it was a great idea for the Pats to hold joint practices with the Titans before their game on Saturday night.

There are so many story lines in this one, especially with Mike Vrabel as a head coach. What a transition he has made. It was inevitable that he would get to this point.

He was such a joy in his time with the Pats while being part of three Super Bowl winners. He was a also deadly receiver as a tight end with critical catches from Tom Brady.

He should have a good coaching career.

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Gone For 2019


Injuries happen during games or practices. Some are season ending based on the amount of time needed to rehab.

Lions WR Jermaine Kearse will miss the rest of the season after breaking his leg in the preseason game against the Pats.

Former Pats OL LaAdrian Waddle signed a one year/$2 million deal with the Bills, but tore his quadricep and is out for the year.

Both players certainly had their futures impacted.

Every injury is different.


Tuesday, August 13, 2019

A Union Within The Union


As the NFL owners and Players Association attempt to come up with a new CBA, running backs as a group have petitioned the National Labor Relations Board to recognize them as a separate union. They call themselves the International Brotherhood of Running Backs.

They have a valid point with their position having the shortest career of 2.57 years. They are the second lowest paid with an average salary of $1.291 million annually. Only long snappers earn less, in addition to the small number of full backs on several teams.

It remains to be seen how this will work out or whether it will have any life to it.



Monday, August 12, 2019

Helmet Retire


Tom Brady discussed his concerns about his helmet in light of the crazy situation going on with Antonio Brown. Brady gave his up very reluctantly, but it's part of the agreement between the league and the Players Association. It's all about player safety.

Many players around the league are happy with their helmet, but must comply with the new rule.

Sunday, August 11, 2019

Colin's Third Year


Colin Kaepernick is back in the news with a recent social media posting about waiting for a chance to play in the NFL again.

He sat out the 2017 and 2018 seasons as no team approached him with a contract. In a league starving for quarterbacks, nobody wants to take the lead and whatever comes with it.

We keep hearing that he would be signed if a team felt he could play. They probably don't want to deal with the controversy he would bring.

Saturday, August 10, 2019

Brown Helmet Issues


The Raiders must be wondering why they agreed to add WR Antonio Brown to their team. He is now threatening to retire if the NFL doesn't allow him to wear the helmet he has worn for the last ten years.

The league has new standards for the equipment which forced players to give up their headgear.

Brown does a lot of things for attention, but he isn't about to walk away from millions.

Friday, August 9, 2019

Preseason Game One 2019


Pats fans need to pump the brakes with anything that happened in last night's win over the Lions. They had a lot of good things, but too many penalties.

Some players made impressions in some phase of the game. It's up to the coaches to sort them all out.

The final cut to 53 and practice squad is very difficult.

Thursday, August 8, 2019

Preseason Week One - 2019


The NFL preseason starts tonight with games around the league. The Pats will be hosted by the Lions.

All teams have the same two goals: getting reps for their new players and not losing anyone to injury.

It's very hard for teams to make it through the next four weeks without losing someone to a season ending injury.

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Money Year For Jimmy G


Every NFL player has something to prove this season. They are always fighting for their next contract.

When the 49er's traded with the Pats for QB Jimmy Garappolo, they structured his contract in such a way to protect themselves.

They gave him a deal for 5 years/$137.5 million, with $42 million paid in 2018 and $18.9 million this season. IF they don't like his performance, they can release him before April 1 of next year and void the last 3 years/$76.3 million.

Garoppolo is returning from tearing his ACL in the third game last season. He needs to prove that he is durable. He has shown great ability on the field, but staying healthy could be a challenge.

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Just Flip The Coin


I don't bet on games, but it must be a real challenge to make a pick on a preseason game. The Pats are favored by 1 1/2 over the Lions Thursday night, with and over/under of 36.

It's almost like flipping a coin in determining the winner. That goes the same for total points.

There will be a lot of action to start the season.

Monday, August 5, 2019

Brady Not Concerned


Some fans and talk show hosts are making a big deal of Tom Brady's new three year contract extension. He gets a pay raise of $8 million and will earn $23 million this season.

The contract has two placeholder years for salary cap purposes at a total of $64 million. Brady will become a free agent at the end of this season. He will then negotiate another deal with the Pats.

At this point, it only makes sense to go year to year. Brady has defied age, but he is going where few have ever gone.

Sunday, August 4, 2019

Not Geno Time


When QB Geno Smith signed with the Seahawks earlier this year, he felt it was a good opportunity to be a backup to Russell Wilson. He is now the third quarterback, with Paxton Lynch in front of him.

Smith feels that he can be a starter if given the right situation. It won't happen in Seattle.

If he feels the way he does, he should ask for his release now. Waiting to the end of training camp will force him to compete with younger players.

Did his time with the Jets at the start of his career hurt his future prospects?

Saturday, August 3, 2019

Time To Apply


Josh Gordon has applied for reinstatement to the NFL. How will this go? Will he get suspended for more games? Will he play this season?

He has wasted so much of his career. His track record is not good for avoiding drug suspensions.

Everyone wants to see him succeed. He has so much talent. It's a shame he is wasting it.

Friday, August 2, 2019

Training Camp 2019


I attended training camp for the Pats today. It might be the last one open to the public since they are off tomorrow and travel to Detroit on Sunday for joint practices with the Lions next week.

There was so much going on. Every snap is critical to the players involved. Everyone has their own story of how they got to this point.

For some, it's the grind of another camp. Some players are hoping to keep their dream alive with a roster spot or a stint on the practice squad.

Unfortunately, the 90 man roster will be trimmed down to 53 active and 10 practice squad members. A few always end up on IR or the PUP.

Some players are facing the end of the road. Their future will be decided for them.

Thursday, August 1, 2019

Adjusting The Cap


Nothing is done in Foxborough without a reason. There must one for not giving Tom Brady a new contract. It only makes sense from a salary cap point to negotiate.

The team only has $7.49 million in cap space. They can really help themselves by redoing his contract.

Brady has a modest salary of $15 million, but the 4th highest cap hit in the league at $27 million. His $12 million gap is the largest in the league.

He said he wants to play until he is 45, but at this point, he is really year to year.