Thursday, December 31, 2020

No Bowling Tonight

 

I thought I would check out the Mercari Texas Bowl on ESPN between 3-7 Arkansas and 6-4 TCU.

They were showing a college basketball game. Apparently, TCU had to withdraw because they could not put 53 healthy players on the field as required by the Big 12.

Covid has already forced the cancelation of 16 games They had 13,000 tickets sold, but these games are best suited for television.

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

The End of The 2020 Pats


At 6-9, the Pats are trying to be 6-10 when they close out the season with the Jets. 

It has ben a crazy time with Covid and players sitting out. 

They are done as of Sunday.

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Fired In DC

 

WFT QB Dwayne Haskins Jr was released by the team yesterday. He was the 15th overall pick in the 2019 draft, but the team had grown tired of his behavior which included a $40,000 fine violating Covid protocols. He was also stripped of his captaincy.

After not being claimed, he will be a free agent and able to sign with any team. There is propbaly a team out there that will take a chance on him for cheap money


Monday, December 28, 2020

Trying For 500


The Pats face the Bills tonight on MNF. It's the first time in years that they have not been the favorite.

At 6-8, they are trying to get themselves to 500. It's an opportunity for QB Cam Newton to show what he can do.

Nobody really knows who will be quarterback next season. 

Sunday, December 27, 2020

Window 2020

The window is closing for teams to make the playoffs. When you need to depend on other teams to do things, it can get very difficult.

Strange things happen this time of the year. That is the norm of the NFL, but the pandemic has turned the season upside down.

Saturday, December 26, 2020

Tom's Best Half

Tom Brady had a career best first half in leading the Bucs to a 47-7 win over the Lions. The team clinched its first playoff spot since 2007.

It was a legendary day for Brady who had a line of 22/27 for 348 yards and four TD's. He sat out the second half as the team cruised to a win. 

Boston sports talk radio will be talking about this.

Friday, December 25, 2020

The People Want


Social media has results of polls that indicate fans want Jarrett Stidham to start instead of Cam Newton when the Pats play the Bills on MNF.

I don't expect this to have any impact on Coach Belichick going forward with Cam Newton.

BB needs to win every game if he ever wants to break Don Shula's win record.

He might run out of time with losing seasons.

 

Thursday, December 24, 2020

A Rose By Another Name

 

The college bowl game season gets stranger by the day. The Rose Bowl will be played in Dallas instead of Pasadena. It couldn't get an exemption from the state of California because of Covid.

The semi-final College Playoff game kicks off in the early afternoon on New Year's Day. The change in location allows families of players to attend.

An interesting issue is whether it will be called the Rose Bowl. The name and licensing rights are owned by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and the city of Pasadena.

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Cam To The End

 

Coach Belichick has faced repetitive questions about sitting Cam Newton down and starting Jarrett Stidham. They won't go away and he won't have any part of it.

The Pats are 6-8 and out of the playoffs. Every game is important to him. It's all about winning.

His goal is to catch Don Shula for the most career wins.

He feels that Cam is the best way to go for these last two games

.

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Jets Win

I always liked the New York Jets. I go back to the days of Joe Namath and all that. They are a franchise with a rich history.

They have been a train wreck for so many years. When they finally beat the Rams 23-20, they avoided a winless season with a record of 1-13. 

The great RB Frank Gore caught a third down reception to help run the clock out and seal the win.

Fans shouldn't whine about losing the #1 overall pick in the draft. I want my team to play to the end which the Jets did.

Nobody knows if Trevor Lawrence is the answer for the Jets

Monday, December 21, 2020

Still Two Games Left In 2020


I didn't listen to sports talk radio today after the Pats were eliminated from the playoffs. It must've been a train wreck with crazy comments from callers.

There are those out there who really blame Coach Belichick for where they are now.

Fans panic all the time. Next season is so far away with two games left.

Sunday, December 20, 2020

Playoff Hopes End

The Pats lost 22-12 to the Dolphins and were eliminated from the playoffs for the first time since the 2008 season. It was one of the worst outings of the season for Cam Newton.

Will he start the last two games? Things have not worked out here for Cam.  In the early weeks of the season, there was talk of signing him to a long term contract. He must be wondering if his career is over.

The team needs to see what they have in Jarrett Stidham, but Coach Belichick wants to win the games.




Saturday, December 19, 2020

Finally After 25 Years


It has taken 25 years, but the Bills finally won the Eastern Division title with a 48-19 win over the Broncos in Denver. 

It would've been nice for the fans to have this special moment at home, but the Bills had a great effort on the road.

They have found their quarterback in Josh Allen. Hopefully, they can win their first playoff game in 25 when the time comes.

Friday, December 18, 2020

It Time For 2%


They say the Pats have a 2% chance of making the playoffs. That might be right in this crazy season

With a record of 6-7, it would be awesome if they could ever finish at 9-7.

It might not be good enough to make the playoffs.


Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Flexing It 2020


The NFL must always bow to the needs of their broadcast partners. They flexed the Giants/Browns from 1pm to 8:20pm on SNF. It's not a bad idea to show a great game like that

If fans were going to games, this would've been a bigger issue. In the end, they changed the time to help their ratings.

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

How About 8-8

The NFL is really into analytics. Some of it makes a lot of sense. They make predictions on potential performance.

At this point, they give the Pats a 2% chance of making the playoffs. That sounds about right.

They need so many different scenarios from other teams.

They need to focus on getting to 8-8.

Monday, December 14, 2020

The Last Three Games of 2020

The Pats have a path to the playoffs, but it has so many things must happen.

One more loss ends the season. Even if they win their last three games, so many other things need to happen with other teams.

Sunday, December 13, 2020

Fake Real Estate News


Many websites have misleading headlines that encourage users to click and see what it's all about.

Nobody really knows the future of Cam Newton. One site posted that he recently sold his condo. That would make one believe that the Pats are not in his plans.

It turns out that it was for his place in Charlotte when he played for the Panthers. He sold it to a member of the Charlotte Hornets.

I'm sure he was glad to get rid of it.


Saturday, December 12, 2020

85% Want Change

The Pats have a great post-game show on a local Boston channel after each game.

They always do a poll question during the show and announce the results near the end of the broadcast.

After they lost 24-3 to the Rams, 85% of the responders said it was time to bench Cam Newton.

When asked about it later, Coach Belichick was very firm in saying that Cam was the starter and they are trying to win games.

Friday, December 11, 2020

Eagles Just Say no


The college bowl season is trying to schedule games during a pandemic. Most will be played in front of a handful of fans or empty stadium.

Six wins usually gets a team there. It will be tougher this year with teams playing fewer games. Some bowls will be taking almost any school.

Boston College qualified for a game, based on their 6-5 record in the ACC.

Players voted to decline the invitation. They want to go home and spend time with their families over the holidays.

You can't blame them. It has been a long season. They don't want to play another game in front of nobody.



Thursday, December 10, 2020

Cam Really Needs This

The Pats and Rams are the only game in town tonight. Both need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

QB Cam Newton also needs to showcase his talent tonight as he will be a free agent at the end of the season.

Will some team open the vault and throw too much money in his direction? The Pats made a good move when they signed him to the veteran minimum contract with incentives.

There are so many things unclear about Cam's future. If he loses tonight, he probably won't be here next year.


Wednesday, December 9, 2020

TNF Pats 2020


When the Pats play the Rams on TNF, it will be a huge game for them. Another loss will end their playoff hopes. A record of 9-7 in the AFC isn't good enough.

You never know how this game will end.




Tuesday, December 8, 2020

NFC East In 2020

We saw the 3-8 Cowboys lose to the 6-5 Ravens by a score of 34-17 tonight on Tuesday Night Football. They finally played this game in these crazy times.

The Ravens caught a break and are now 7-5. Dallas is out of it with a record of 3-9.

Crazy things happen in the NFC East. The winner might not be 500.

Can the Cowboys run the table and win at 7-9?

Monday, December 7, 2020

The 1972 Dolphins Celebrate Tonight

The Steelers are now 11-1 after losing 23-17 to Washington.

The living members of the 1972 undefeated Dolphins team are celebrating tonight. Hall of Fame RB Larry Csonka posted on social media with a toast and cigar to honor their legendary team.

It's a shame to see the passing of so many of the great players and coaches from that time.

Sunday, December 6, 2020

The Pats Reach 6-6

The Pats kept their playoff hopes alive with their 45-0 win over the Chargers to raise their record to 6-6.

They had to win this one, but Thursday will be a quick turn around with the Rams.

They must win again.

Saturday, December 5, 2020

The Expensive Injury

When Giants RB Saquon Barkley tore his MCL and ACL, he saw millions of potential dollars go down the drain.

He has another season left on is rookie contract, but many thought the Giants would give him a new one prior to the injury. The pandemic has also impacted team revenue. The salary cap will be $20 million less next season.

All of this make it less certain that they will agree to a big dollar contract extension.

Friday, December 4, 2020

Another Chance For Jordan

WR Josh Gordon has been reinstated by the NFL following his one year suspension for violations of the league's substance abuse policies.

Gordon is a very talented player, but has lost the best years of his career after having been suspended eight times.

He will rejoin the Seahawks and be allowed to play in their final two regular season games. 

Thursday, December 3, 2020

No Thursday Night Football


The NFL is plowing ahead with its schedule. It's getting tough to keep track of all the changes.

The league has said that games will be played on every day of the week if necessary.

So many games have been juggled that there is no action tonight on TNF. 


Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Wednesday Afternoon Football

The NFL is doing everything possible to play its scheduled games. There have been postponements and rescheduling, but no cancellations so far.

The Ravens and Steelers will finally play today with a 3:40pm kickoff. The very odd time was set by NBC who will broadcast the game, but insisted it be moved to an earlier time slot.

The network is committed to televising the annual tree lighting at Rockefeller Center starting at 8pm. The earlier kickoff time allows for delays and any overtime.  

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Time Ends For Patricia

It was inevitable that Matt Patricia would get fired by the Lions. He joins a list of coaches who have been unable to change the direction of the team since it won the NFL Championship in 1957.

GM Bob Quinn was also let go. He came to the Lions in 2016, but left with a record under 500. The team has one playoff win since 1957 when they had a victory in 1992.

Patricia had his chance to lead the team. He finishes with a record of 13-29-1. Guys like him usually resurface as a coordinator or in some other capacity.

 

Monday, November 30, 2020

That Crazy NFC East


The Pats are hanging on to the slim chance of making the AFC playoffs with a record of 5-6. They must win all of their games and need losses from other teams. 

Meanwhile, it's different in the NFC East where the Giants are on top with a record of 4-7. It's a very tight race with Philadelphia, Washington and Dallas all one game behind.

The Eagles are playing the Seahawks tonight on MNF. A win would give them a record of 4-6-1 and a share of the division lead.

Sunday, November 29, 2020

Who Wants To Play QB?

 

Covid is turning the NFL season upside down. The Broncos are the latest to deal with a situation that impacts the overall competitive process.

When they face the Saints today, they will be without any of the quarterbacks on the active roster. They will start rookie WR Kendall Hinton from their practice squad.

Hinton played quarterback three seasons at Wake Forest where he had a line of 133/253 for 1,504 yards and eight TD's. He also rushed for 1,059 yards on 188  carries with 12 TD's.

It sounds like he gives them their best chance, but the team wanted to add offensive quality coach Rob Calebrese to their active roster. They felt he knew the offense better than anyone else.

The NFL nixed that move as they didn't want to get into a situation with coaching staffs becoming storage areas for potential players.

Friday, November 27, 2020

UMass Ends 0-4

UMass finished its four game season with a 45-0 loss to Liberty, ending at 0-4.

The Minutemen gave up 629 yards on defense and were only able to produce 227 when they had the ball.

UMass continues its crazy ride as a Division 1 program. Entering this season, their six year record was 19-77. In their four games, they were outscored 161-16. A winless season doesn't help.

They were lucky to have a season of four games because it was canceled during the summer. It came back to life in September.

It's important that the seniors had a final chance to play.

Thursday, November 26, 2020

One More Week For 2020

The NFL has a mess with the game between the Steelers and Ravens. It was suppose to be played on Thanksgiving night, but Covid changed everything.

It doesn't seem like they should play on Sunday night.

The NFL needs to add another week to the season in light of Covid.

It's a no brainer.

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

No Thursday Night Game

 

The NFL must be disappointed over postponing the Thanksgiving night game between the Steelers and Ravens due to a high number of positive Covid tests on the Ravens. It will be played Sunday night.

Is this just kicking the can down the road? Will things be better Sunday night?

The NFL hates to lose any money. Postponing a Thursday night game doesn't help, but they must show concern about players, coaches and team personnel.

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

A Sore Loser

Tom Brady has been accused of being a sore loser in the past. He is taking heat for not shaking hands with opposing quarterbacks after a defeat.

He did it to Jared Goff on SNF after losing 27-24. He did it earlier in the season to Nick Foles of the Bears after another loss.

Critics point out that he has no problem seeking out his opponent when he wins. 

Monday, November 23, 2020

Best Game of 2020

 At 4-6, the Pats are almost out of the playoffs according to the experts.

It's long road ahead. They must win every game.

One more loss ends the season.


Sunday, November 22, 2020

Can't Be Talking About Playoffs

 

The Pats really hurt their playoff hopes after losing 24-17 today to the Texans. They are now 4-6 and need to win the remainder of their games to have any chance. 

It won't be easy as they lost RB Rex Burkhead to a knee injury that will probably end his season. At this point, he was the team's MVP on offense.

Saturday, November 21, 2020

Rivers Parting


It was looking like the Pats would part company with DE Derek Rivers, their 3rd round pick in the 2017 draft.

He missed his first two seasons with an ACL injury and other issues.

His playing time was cut down to 16% of possible snaps so far this season.

The Pats have an opportunity to sign him to the practice squad if he doesn't get claimed.

I don't think his time is done in Foxborough.

Friday, November 20, 2020

UMass Game 3 Florida Atlantic


UMass just lost 24-2 to Florida Atlantic University. The Minuteman defense played great, but the offense could never get a long sustained drive.

They were given 33 points by the betting line. The over of 51 was never reached.

They have one more game with Liberty next Friday at noon.

Nobody ever thought they would play four game this year in autumn. 

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Moving On To The Texans

 

The Pats are 4-5 and are trying to stay in the race for a playoff spot. The Eastern Division title is not an option this year.

They can't lose more than one game or their season is over.


Tuesday, November 17, 2020

UMass Ready To Cover

 UMass will end up with a four game season after scheduling a game this Friday with Florida Atlantic.

The Minutemen area a 32.5 underdog with an over/under of 50.5

They will probably drop to 0-3 with Liberty on the docket the follwing Friday to close out the season.


Monday, November 16, 2020

Cam Time

 

It's good to see the Show Time Cam at NFL stadiums with or without fans. Everyone loves to pose after a big play.

It must be really hard to play in front of nobody, especially if your team is just playing out the season..

Sunday, November 15, 2020

Made It To 4-5

The Pats won a crucial game tonight when they beat the Ravens 23-17 to improve to 4-5. They are still in the hunt for a playoff spot. They need to get to 500.

They travel next week to play the Texans at 1pm. They will be favored, but that doesn't mean anything. 

Saturday, November 14, 2020

Smith Makes It Back

Some players never make it back from their injuries. QB Alex Smith of the WFT will be starting his first game in two years after a gruesome 2018 injury that saw both bones broken in his lower leg.

He had to endure 17 surgeries and complications to get to this point.

No matter what the score is against the Lions, Smith has already won his own battle.

Friday, November 13, 2020

Ravens By 7

 

The Ravens are favored by seven points over the Pats on SNF.

It will be the only show in town. The Pats can't afford to lose this game.


Thursday, November 12, 2020

Sunday Night 2020

 

The Pats are 3-5 and need to beat the Ravens to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Will that happen? If they get to 3-6, it would be really difficult for their future plans.

They will get all of the attention on Sunday Night Football with the Ravens.

It's a game they need to win.

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Allen Signs


There are only 32 punters in the NFL. Jobs are scarce and many are on the outside waiting a chance to make a team.

Ryan Allen was released by the Pats in 2019 after they selected Jake Bailey in the 5th round of the draft. He was able to resurface with the Falcons, but was a free agent at the start of 2020.

I'm sure Coach Mike Vrabel was comfortable signing him considering his link to the Pats. 


Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Don't Lose Two

 At the halfway point of the season, the media is posting the playoff prospects for most teams.

The Division leaders are in the driver's seat. It's their title to lose.

The Wild Card teams will do their best to fight off the competition and get their slot.

The Pats are  "In The Hunt".

That really means that the post-season is on a week to week basis. Two more losses will end their season.

Monday, November 9, 2020

Won't Take Another 87 Years

QB Tom Brady had a very rough night Sunday in the Bucs 38-3 loss to the Saints. It was his largest margin of defeat in his 283 starts in the NFL and 29 at the University of Michigan.

He had a line of 22/38 for 209 yards, three interceptions and a 40.3 passer rating.

The game was hyped as a marque contest between Brady and Drew Brew, but was very one-sided.

The Bucs also broke an 87 year old  NFL record for having only five rushing attempts that gathered 8 yards.

It could have been four carries, but Blaine Gabbert replaced Brady at the end of the game and took a knee which counted for -1 yard.

Sunday, November 8, 2020

Steelers 8-0 So Far

The Steelers beat the Cowboys 24-19 today to remain undefeated at 8-0.

Their record gives them an opportunity to pursue an undefeated season, but each week will bring a new challenge.

Fans and sport talk shows will  keep the conversation alive, but the Steelers need to do their part weekly.


Saturday, November 7, 2020

A Different Type of Win


As expected, UMass lost to 16th ranked Marshall by 51-10.

However, they beat the odds because Marshall was favored by 44.5 points.

Those gamblers who took UMass with the points scored a victory.  

Friday, November 6, 2020

Watt To Do

 

Many of the great players throughout NFL history saw their best years wasted on losing teams. Everyone has only so many years to play.

Texans JJ Wat has been with them for ten seasons. They are 1-6 with Bill O'Brien already having been fired..

It's looks like they will be rebuilding, but don't have a first or second round pick in the 2021 draft.

Watt wants to have a shot at winning a Super Bowl. If he stays with the Texans, he might never get his opportunity.

Thursday, November 5, 2020

It's Not Competition


Boston sports talk radio is trying to create a competition between Coach Belichick and Tom Brady over who is doing better.

Brady is doing very well and was the NFL Offensive Player of the Month for October. The Pats are struggling with a 2-5 record.

Fans and the experts need to move on from this story. Brady was never going to be paid by the Pats. Belichick needed to find a future quarterback.

That part hasn't gone well so far this season.

Wednesday, November 4, 2020

That Playoff Spot

 

At  2-5, the Pats are moving on to the Jets.

They can't afford to lose more than two games or the season is over.

They all know that.

The goal is 7-2 to finish the season and hope that 9-7 gets a spot.


Tuesday, November 3, 2020

UMass The Big Underdog


UMass plays its second game of the season when they travel to Marshall. They are 44.5 point underdogs, with an over/under of 55.5

All things point towards this being a very long day for the Minutemen. 

At least they have another game on their schedule.

Monday, November 2, 2020

2020 Bowling

 

It sounds like there will be a college bowl game season this year. Will all 37 games get played? There are a lot of financial reasons to play them.

They are scheduled to start on December 19th in this abbreviated season.

In the end, they are another hyped up televised game that provides revenue to the participating schools. They also get great exposure.


Sunday, November 1, 2020

It's Not Good @ 2-6

It's hard not to think that the chance of the Pats going to the playoffs probably died today when Cam Newton lost the ball in the final moment of the 4th quarter against the Bills.

The Pats were looking good to win the game or tie with the score at 24-21, but it all ended when Cam coughed it up. 

Can the Pats get to the playoffs? 

Saturday, October 31, 2020

The Long Road Ahead 2020

At 2-4, the Pats can't lose against the Bills.

If they end up at 2-5, they would need to go 7-2 to get to 9-7 and a  hopeful playoff spot.

That appears very difficult at this point.

Friday, October 30, 2020

Julian's Shrinking Window


Pats WR Julian Edelman will miss a crucial game Sunday against the Bills after having knee surgery.

This has not been a good year for #11 who will turn 35 before the start of next season. He is at the point where the end is near.

Nothing has been said about the procedure or how many games he will miss. 

If the Pats play themselves out of contention for the post-season, will fans see him again in Foxborough?

 

Thursday, October 29, 2020

Chasing The Bills


When the 2-4 Pats play the 5-2 Bills, the season will be on the line for them. Every game is important, but a loss to the Bills would put too much distance between them for the AFC East title.

They need a winning streak before the season slips away.

Will it happen Sunday?


 

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

The Three Game Season


It looks like UMass will have a three game season after picking up two more contests to round out their 2020 schedule.

Two probable losses loom on the horizon when they travel to #22 Marshall (5-0) on November 7th and Liberty on the 27th.

UMass should get quite a bit of exposure against Liberty at it will be a noon time start on Black Friday. 

It remains to be seen if they will schedule any more games.


Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Don't Let Fans Vote


Letting fans vote for the Pats Hall of Fame selections isn't the best idea. They continue to disregard players from the pre-Kraft/Parcells/Belichick era. 

The latest "All Dynasty" team is a joke. It has no credibility when they leave out Pro Football inductees OL John Hannah and LB Andre Tippett.

I read the results and moved on.


Monday, October 26, 2020

Can't Keep Losing

The Pats are 2-4 with Cam Newton leading them. Quarterbacks get all the credit and criticism for whatever they do with their team.

At this point, the Pats need to go 8-2 to end up at 10-6 or be 7-3 the rest of the way to go 9-7 and maybe missing the playoffs in the AFC East.

Nobody knows how the season will end.


Sunday, October 25, 2020

Time To Be 2-4

Pats QB Cam Newton became the first quarterback to rush for 5,000 yards and pass for 30,000 in their NFL career. It was an amazing accomplishment.

He did it during the team's big 33-6 loss to the 49er's where he had a passing line of 9/15 for 98 yards and three interceptions. He ran 5 times for 19 yards.

His milestone was lost along the way. He didn't help himself with his play today. He is looking for a big multi-year contract. If he wants that type of money, he won't get it in Foxborough unless he wins a Super Bowl.

The Pats are 2-4 and fans should be concerned about the rest of the schedule.

Saturday, October 24, 2020

Banned For Money


Players do selfish things that get their team penalized or hurt in some other way.

LSU alumnae Odell Beckham Jr thought it was a good idea to hand out money to players in their locker room after defeating Clemson in the national championship game back in January.

Beckham claimed it was fake money, but was wrong. The NCAA has banned him from the school's football facilities for two years.

The football program is hoping that there are no additional penalties.

  

Friday, October 23, 2020

AB & Brady 2020


NFL contracts are never real until they are signed.

We are hearing the Bucs have an agreement with WR Antonio Brown, pending a few issues.

A player is never on a team until the transaction has been finalized, but Tom Brady has lobbied for him from the start. 



Thursday, October 22, 2020

Jets Coach Won't Make it


When the Jets lost to the Dolphins 24-0 last Sunday, it dropped their record to 0-6.

Coach Adam Gase will be one of the first to be fired at the end of the season if he makes it that far. His career record is 30-40 as a head coach.

To make matters worse, Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams has been publicly critical over who to blame for the team's problems. 

The Jets are not going anywhere this season.

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Not Another Twenty Years

 

If you can keep a team from scoring a touchdown, there is a much better chance to win.

Last Sunday, the Broncos need six field goals to beat the Pats 18-12.

It was the first loss in the Belichick era against a team they kept from the end zone. 

They are 39-1 in those games since 2000.



Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Back To 2002

 

The Pats are in uncharted waters being 2-3 at this point in the season.

Covid has greatly impacted the team's ability to practice. It has shown up in their record.

The defense has played well, but the offense is evolving.

Coach Belichick has never had a team with a losing record at the end of October since 2002.



Monday, October 19, 2020

Start of 2020

 Play On 2020

The Pats are 2-3 and need to play better. Their loss to Denver was helped by their lack of practices because of Covid testing.

We can only hope that teams make it to the end of the season.

Sunday, October 18, 2020

The Offensive Offense


The Pats played one of their worst games on offense in a long time resulting in a 18-12 loss to the Broncos.

They kept Denver from the end zone, but lost the game to their six field goals. 

The offense didn't help with three turnovers and giving up four sacks.

The Pats went into the game without practicing this week because of Covid and had six players on the restricted list.




Saturday, October 17, 2020

UMass Football 2020 Starts


UMass finally returns to football today when they play Georgia Southern (2-1) in Statesboro at 4pm. It will be televised on ESPN2.

The Minutemen filled a vacant spot after Georgia Southern had games postponed because of the pandemic.

They come in as 31 point underdogs with an over/under of 61.5

No additional games are on their schedule at this point. 



Friday, October 16, 2020

Ferentz Was Doing Well


Pats center James Ferentz tested positive for Covid today. He will miss the next two weeks.

Ferentz was seizing the opportunity to fill in for David Andrews at center.

At 31, he has seven NFL seasons split between the Texans, Broncos and Pats with two Super Bowl rings at Denver and Foxborough.

He has made a career as being a backup lineman. He finally started a game with the Pats in 2019.

Ferentz played at Iowa for his father Kirk, a long time friend of Coach Belichick.

After being undrafted in 2014, he finally made it to the Pats in 2017 where things have worked out well.

This season could be a breakout one for him.



Thursday, October 15, 2020

Broncos On Sunday


Pats QB Cam Newton and CB Stephon Gilmore practiced today after missing almost two weeks because of positive Covid tests.

The Pats are favored by 9 1/2 over the Broncos.

At this point, the goal is to play the game on Sunday.

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Jets Dumping Money


The Jets know their season is spinning out of control after their 0-5 start. Coach Adam Gase will probably be fired at the end of the season if they don't start wining.

They made a big move yesterday when they released RB LeVeon Bell. They were hoping to get something for him in a trade, but teams were scared off by his contract. 

It will cost them $15 million in dead money for 2020 and $4 million in 2021. In the end, their investment of  $28 million resulted in 15 games on his part since 2018.



Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Another New Conspiracy

Boston sports talk radio has been floating a conspiracy theory that Coach Belichick was more than willing to postpone the game against the Broncos because QB Cam Newton tested positive for Covid.

That one move impacted the schedules of eight other teams. Would that have been done for a third string player? 

Teams will have players who test positive before the end of the season. Will the schedule be further adjusted?



Monday, October 12, 2020

Always Getting Attention


The Pats are certainly the focus of attention for the NFL. Their Covid situation is turning the league upside down with three players testing positive.

Back in the summer when the league was trying to put a season together, they said they expected positive tests from players and would deal with it. They never said how.

Other than the Titans and Pats, things are holding up around the league. How long will this last?

Sunday, October 11, 2020

Third Try Next Sunday


The Pats continue to create havoc with the NFL schedule because of  their positive Covid tests. 

They will now play the Broncos next Sunday which was to be their bye week. Several other teams also had to move games.

If this keeps happening to the Pats or another team, it will cause more disruptions.

The NFL should have built in another bye week into the schedule. 

Saturday, October 10, 2020

No Quarterback Yet


The Pats finally practiced today for the first time this week before playing the Broncos on Monday.

Coach Belichick has not named a starting quarterback as things are very fluid.

The odd-makers still favor them by ten points, but there is no guarantee that something might happen before the game related to the health of players. 




Friday, October 9, 2020

One Practice This Week


The Pats didn't practice today. Their facility has been closed for three days. They will attempt to have a practice tomorrow before hosting the Broncos at 5pm on Monday.

Covid has greatly impacted the team's preparation, but there is nothing anyone can do other than shut down.

Thursday, October 8, 2020

Another MNF 2020 Game

 

It's pretty crazy to think that the Pats will play another Monday Night Football game when they host Denver in front of nobody at 5pm at Gillette Stadium.

The NFL doesn't want the problems of the Pats to interfere with the MNF kickoff. They already did it once.

Ratings drive decisions being made because games must be played per the league.



Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Denver Issues

The Pats are facing more Covid issues for their upcoming games with the Broncos. Stephon Gilmore had a positive test which caused the team to shut down their facility until Friday?

Is the game in jeopardy? The NFL doesn't want these disruptions which could effect the future of the season.

Tuesday, October 6, 2020

More Brian Hoyer


QB Brian Hoyer had a horrible game last night against the Chiefs. Will he get another start or get sent to the bench?

The 12 year veteran had a chance last night to burnish his legacy, but it went down in a ball of fire. He has taken some very brutal criticism. 

All I can say is that he lasted 12 years in the NFL with seven teams.


Monday, October 5, 2020

Hoyer Tonight


The Chiefs host the Pats tonight in a rescheduled game from yesterday. They will go without QB Cam Newton and center Shaq Mason.

They already had to endure a game day flight to Kansas City and the uncertainty of future positive Covid tests.

The odd-makers are giving the Pats no chance and the Chiefs are favored by 11.

It's a great opportunity for QB Brian Hoyer to get a start.

Sunday, October 4, 2020

Who Starts?


The NFL hit a bump in the road today when the Titans-Steelers game was canceled because of 20 cases of Covid on the Titan's team and staff. The game will be played on October 25th.

The Pats had their 4:25pm prime time game against the Chiefs canceled because Cam Newton tested positive. The game is scheduled for Monday at 7pm.

Hopefully, it happens.

Saturday, October 3, 2020

Not On Monday or Tuesday


Pats fans found out this morning that QB Cam Newton tested positive for Covid and will miss tomorrow's game against the Chiefs.

The league initially announced that the game will be played either Monday or Tuesday night, but that situation is fluid.

The Steelers and Titans had a similar situation for tomorrow. Their game has ben rescheduled for October 25th.

It's hard to believe the Pats will play Monday or Tuesday in light of the health issues.

Friday, October 2, 2020

Parents As Fans


UMass Football is trying to stay alive in this pandemic season.

Will they play 3-5 games starting in November?

No fans are allowed, but will they let parents in?

Thursday, October 1, 2020

A Case For Gase


Tonight's game between the Jets and Broncos will have two teams fighting for the survival of their season with records of 0-3.

The New York tabloids already have Jets coach Adam Gase getting fired if they lose this game.

Gang Green has been dismal on both sides of the ball. The offense isn't going anywhere. Even if they win tonight, Gase will be on a very short leash. He might not make it to the end of the season.

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Coach Prime


Jackson State University created a real buzz when they hired Deion Sanders as their head coach.

It will be a big career change for the Hall of Fame cornerback and media commentator.

His huge personality should be a draw to get the best talent from around the country.

They are scheduled to play spring football as part of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.


Tuesday, September 29, 2020

One Less Early Game


The NFL allows the broadcast networks to tweak the starting times of games on Sunday.

The Pats were scheduled to host the Broncos on October 11th for a 1pm game which will now start at 4:25pm.

Fans love early games, but the networks want to showcase Cam Newton because he is so exciting to watch.

Monday, September 28, 2020

Old & Young Stars


Sunday Night Football was a classic quarterback matchup between the Packers with Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees of the Saints.

The Packers prevailed 37-30 in a very tight game. They have been legends throughout their career, but are nearing the end.

Monday Night Football featured two of the games youngest stars with Patrick MaHomes of the Chiefs and Lamar Odem of the Ravens.

The future is so bright for both of them.


Sunday, September 27, 2020

Expensive Injury


The ACL injury to Giants RB Saquon Barkley not only cost him the season, but also a lot of potential money.

There was talk of a four year extension worth $70 million, but that will now wait. The team will need to decide whether to exercise his fully-guaranteed fifth year option for 20222.

Many players have come back from from ACL surgery and had very productive careers. Each case is different, but this injury cost him money.

Saturday, September 26, 2020

Bowling For Few


The pandemic has raised havoc for the college bowl game schedule. It looks like many of the games won't be played. Conferences who are playing will have opportunities for their teams.

We will probably see teams with losing records because they will be the only ones available.

The ticket sales will be poor or non-existent, but the games are made for television.



Friday, September 25, 2020

Cam Can Run


Pats fans are watching something special with QB Cam Newton. He holds so many NFL records when it comes to running the ball as a quarterback.

He has the most career carries with 960 over Michael Vick's 873. Russell Wilson is the only active player who has a chance to match them with 723. Let's see what Lamar Jackson does. He is such a special player.

In Sunday's game against the Raiders, Cam will have the opportunity to break the tie with Randall Cunningham for second place in career QB rushing yards at 4,928. Michael Vick leads with 6,109.

His 62 career rushing TD's puts him ahead of every quarterback.




Thursday, September 24, 2020

Gronk 2020


Rob Gronkowski will earn $9.25 million in Tampa Bay no matter how the season ends. They have Tom Brady, but does that make a difference?

Gronk had two catches for 11 yards in the opener. He didn't do anything against the Panthers in Week Two.

Does it really matter at tis point? There are so many things to consider.

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Cam Time Game 3


Pats QB Cam Newton is projecting a positive message for his own play and the team.

Things have worked out well after two games.

It's a long season, but he is doing his best to be liked by the fans.

He is very exciting to watch.

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Need More Than Five Gmes


UMass hopes to play this season with a 3-5 game schedule and opponents to be named.

Will they play five games this season? Nobody really knows.

Monday, September 21, 2020

UMass Football Season 2.0


UMass plans to play football this season starting in mid-October. As an Independent, they will try to find teams looking for opponents.

It won't be easy at this point, but things are very fluid.

How many games will they play? Nobody can say for certain.

I hope it works out.

Sunday, September 20, 2020

Dangerous Place To Play


The lack of preseason games and limited contact practices showed its impact today with a rash of big injuries.

Giants RB Saquon Barley and 49er's DE Nick Bosa were lost for the season with ACL injures. QB Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a high ankle sprain and will miss time.

Players from the 49er's complained about the playing surface at MetLife Stadium where the injuries occurred in their game against the Jets. They will return there next week to play the Giants.

The game is dangerous enough without playing surfaces causing injuries.



Saturday, September 19, 2020

Week Two 2020


It's pretty crazy to think that there will be no Seattle fans in the stadium when the Pats play them on Sunday Night Football.

So many great stories could be written. There is a big concern of the smoke from the wild fires creating a health issue.

The NFL will go to great extremes to play this game.

Friday, September 18, 2020

Betting On 2016


The Pats hold countless NFL records in so many different categories. One of their long streaks will end this Sunday night when they face the Seahawks.

For the first time in 64 regular season games going back to 2016, they will not be the betting favorite. They will be underdogs by four points.

The last time that happened, Tom Brady was facing a four game suspension as a result of Deflategate.

Garoppolo started the season opener against the Cardinals, but the Pats won 23-21.

It's a different team in a different season now.

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Big Ten Is Back


The Big Ten has reversed itself and will now play football starting October 23rd. Members will play an eight game schedule within their conference.

There was a huge amount of pressure from the athletes and their parents. They will also have regular Coronavirus testing.

Many hope that the Pac 12 will follow, but football is prohibited in California at this point.

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Is Odell The Next AB?


It looks like WR Odell Beckham Jr is wearing out his welcome in Cleveland. Rumors are strong about the Browns offering him in a trade.

The Pats have ben mentioned. Will they do it? They have $26 million in salary cap space.

After being burned by Antonio Brown, will they trade for another gifted receiver with a ton of baggage?

It would be worth a shot if they could restructure his contract.

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Cam Knows How To Play Along


Pats fans will never know the condition of Cam Newton's hamstring. It appears that he injured it during the team's win over the Dolphins.

He denied it being a problem, but he was holding it a couple of times on Sunday.

We all know how Coach Belichick feel about injuries. Cam is playing along.

Monday, September 14, 2020

Fitz Keeps Going


Dolphins QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was on the losing end of their opener against the Pats, but has accomplished a lot in his 16 year career.

Of the 14 quarterbacks selected in the 2005 NFL draft, he was the last one chosen as 250th overall pick in the 7th round. That group included Aaron Rodgers, Alex smith and Matt Cassell.

He holds a number of NFL records, including throwing for over 400 yards in three consecutive games. He is the only QB to throw a touchdown pass on eight different teams.

He has made stops with the Rams, Bengals, Bills, Titans, Texans, Jets, Bucs and Dolphins.

In his 139 starts going into this season, he has a record of 55-83-1 and has never made the playoffs.

After 16 seasons, he always seems to have a home even as his approaches turning 38 in November.





Sunday, September 13, 2020

Pats Open 2020


The Pats host the Dolphins today in their season opener at Gillette Stadium. The 2020 season has so many questions starting with pandemic issues.

Great care is being taken to ensure the health of players, coaches and everyone else related to the football operation.

The Pats will take the field as 6 1/2 point favorites, with an over/under of 42 1/2.

We will know the outcome in about four hours. At that point, Tom Brady will be playing in the nationally televised game in the 4:25pm slot.



Saturday, September 12, 2020

Folk Time Opening Day


The Pats finally solved their kicker situation for opening day when the signed veteran Nick Folk to the 53 man roster.

The transaction guarantees him his $1.05 million contract for the season because he was on the roster for Week 1.

It's hard to believe that he will kick for the entire season.

Justine Rohrwasser is still part of the competition with his role on the practice squad.

Friday, September 11, 2020

Team Needs To Tackle


NAVY and BYU showed how bad college football could be this year in light of the pandemic.

Teams are lucky to be playing, but NAVY has conducted limited practices with no tackling for health and safety reasons.

It showed in the 55-3 loss to BYU in front of nobody. No band, mascots or tailgating

NAVY has rescheduled its game with Temple to October 10th and hopes to practice tackling.




Thursday, September 10, 2020

2020 Starts Tonight


The NFL season opens tonight when the Chiefs host the Texans. Kansas City will be one of the few venues that will have limited fans in the stands.

Nobody knows how the games will work out in terms of player health from the Coronavirus.

This will be a very unique season.

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

Not Like Seau


CB Aqib Talib called it a career today after 12 NFL seasons. The last two were filled with injuries and the writing was on the wall.

Nevertheless, Bill Belichick tried to get him to join the Pats for $6 million and a job covering tight ends.

In light of the crazy times, injuries and his age, he decided to walk away from the game and focus on his new podcast.

Belichick's efforts were so much like in 2006 when he coaxed LB Junior Seau out of retirement for a few more seasons in Foxborough.

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Slow Down The Cam Bus


Everyone needs to pump the brakes on Cam Newton. One expert said the Pats should lock him up to a long term contract if things are working well after Week 3.

Cam has admitted he has a lot to prove this year. He can chase the money after the season.

When he signed with the Pats, he was out of options. No team was knocking on his door.

His enthusiasm looks genuine. Fans should be excited about that.

The real key is whether he can stay healthy and make it to the end of the season.

Monday, September 7, 2020

Berry Picking


As released players surface elsewhere, the Pats signed Division III All American WR Mason Kinsey to their practice squad. He went undrafted from Berry College, but spent time with the Titans in training camp before being released.

His impressive stats were against lesser competition, but showed 203 receptions for 3,343 yards and 50 TD's.

There is a lot of upside to this. If it doesn't work, they will move on.

Sunday, September 6, 2020

Who Will Kick?


The Pats didn't have any of their released players claimed off waivers. They will be able to add them to the expanded practice squad.

Coach Belichick needed to make some big decisions because the players on the 53 man roster can return from IR after three weeks compared to the previous eight weeks during previous seasons.

There is no kicker on the roster, but veteran Nick Folk and 5th round draft pick Juston Rohrwasser are on the practice squad.

A decision will be made during the week for the season opener against Miami. One of them will kick or someone else will be brought in.

Saturday, September 5, 2020

Cam Is Happy For DeShaun


Texans QB Deshaun Watson signed a four year/$160 million contract extension today.

Nobody is happier for this than Pats QB Cam Newton who is playing on a $1.05 million deal that is an audition for a bigger contract next year.

If Cam plays well, he will earn a lot of money in the future, even if it isn't with the Pats.

Friday, September 4, 2020

Logan Lands In NYC


Many free agents price themselves out of a job with their crazy salary demands.

DB Logan Ryan is a great example of someone who wanted top dollar as a cornerback. He went through the off-season without offers.

As soon as he started to call himself a safety, he signed a $7.75 million contract with the Giants.

He didn't leave any money on the table because it wasn't offered to him.

He can try free agency again next year.




Thursday, September 3, 2020

Bill's Deal


Bill Belichick gets a lot of criticism on sports talk radio about his role as GM and the team's draft selections over the years.

It's easy to point out the mistakes made. They traded a 2nd round draft pick for Mohamed Sanu.

I think fans will get excited over Cam Newton being the starting quarterback and a team captain.

As one of Belichick's best free agent signings, the team will pay him $1.750 million for the season.

Cam has the opportunity to play for a big contract with the Pats or some other team.

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Moving On From Sanu


As teams gets ready for roster cuts, Coach Belichick has started making moves in order to give some players a head start on signing with another team.

Apparently, the tenure of Mohamed Sanu will be ending after less than one year. The team announced plans to release him.

Sanu was traded from the Falcons last October for a 2nd round draft pick. It seemed like a high price to pay, but Belichick has never been afraid to cut his losses and move on.

Sports talk shows will discuss this for the rest of the season.

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

No Fans For Now


Teams have revealed their plans for possibly having fans at their games.

The Cowboys, Chiefs and Dolphins will have fans for their home opener, but at a reduced capacity. The Pats won't have anyone for the month of September.

What will it look like in December? How will the season go?

Monday, August 31, 2020

Maybe By Thanksgiving


Division 1 college football programs will be losing a huge amount of money this autumn because of the cancellation of the season.

Some want to try and play in the spring. That seems so far away and many things could happen before then.

The Big 10 is looking at the possibility of starting around Thanksgiving. Will this happen or is it just wishful thinking on their part?

Sunday, August 30, 2020

Is It Cam Time?


Will Cam Newton be the starting quarterback for the Pats this season?

There has been talk about sharing snaps during games. Will that happen?

It looks to be a very exciting season no matter what.

Saturday, August 29, 2020

Time For Nick


Should anyone be surprised that Coach Belichick selected a kicker in the 5th round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Justin Rohrwasser from Marshall was looked as an overreach by BB. Kickers are signed after the draft unless there is one exceptional player.

It looks like recently signed Nick Folk has the lead on the position. Rumors say that Rohrwasser is injured. I have no doubt that something happened.

The team can't go forward without a healthy kicker. Nick Folk is getting another chance at this point.

Friday, August 28, 2020

High School Football 2020


Some states are playing high school football, but others are not including Massachusetts.

Seniors who don't play are being robbed of a chance to audition for a football scholarship at some level.

Players with great potential are being lost in the shuffle. They might never have an opportunity. They deserve better.


Thursday, August 27, 2020

Time For Harris


NFL training camps always have competitive battles for roster spots and playing time.

Second year RB Damien Harris is looking to make an impact this season after being inactive for most games last year and having his number called for just a few plays.

More is expected of him in 2020. He is following the path of James White who was invisible his rookie year before emerging during his second season.

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Covid Opportunities


The pandemic has given opportunities to players who might never have a chance to make a roster. The numerous players who opted out opened the door for others.

The NFL's decision to expand the active and practice rosters has provided additional jobs.

Unsigned free agents are looking for their opportunity which may or may not happen. Some players price themselves out of a job with their salary demands.

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

That Empty Feeling


It sounds like some teams will have fans in their stadium to start the season. The NFL has never addressed this publicly from a competitive viewpoint.

The Pats will be at a disadvantage for their home games in September because Gillette Stadium will be empty. Will they be there in October?

How will teams handle the emptiness? Will they pump in sound and fake crowd noise?

Monday, August 24, 2020

BC's Reason


As a member of the ACC, Boston College is like an outpost compared to the location of the other schools.

There is a lot of controversy that they still plan to play football.

BC has many reasons to want to play. They will get $30 million in television revenue this season.

Sunday, August 23, 2020

The Youngest Rosters



The Giants and Jets probably have the youngest rosters in the league.

With the retirement of LS Zak DeOssie, the Giants have nobody over the age of 27. WR Sterling Shepard is the senior player on the roster. The same can be said for the Jets.

Both teams have gone with younger players instead of bringing in seasoned veterans.

With so many things uncertain about the 2020 season, it's inevitable that both teams will sign a player over 30 at some point.

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Best Bet of 2020


Gamblers devote so much time to try and beat the system to win money on their NFL bets. It doesn't matter what type of bet. They just want action.

The most challenging wager ever is whether the NFL will make it to the end of the season and the Super Bowl.

Nobody can predict the outcome.

Friday, August 21, 2020

Stidham's Hip Issue


It sounds like Pats QB Jarrett Stidham will miss a few weeks with bursitis in his hip.

The hosts of a Boston Sports talk radio show sounded ignorant when they said they couldn't understand why a player of Stidham's age could have it.

Trying to argue a point is often a waste of time. I was surprised by the tone of some of the callers.

They seem to imply that it happens mostly with older people. That is so incorrect.

Thursday, August 20, 2020

Football In Spring


Many states are realizing that high school football can't to be played this fall because of the pandemic.

The governing body of Massachusetts high school sports has decided to have a spring season in 2021 between February 22 and April 25.

This assumes the Coronavirus will be under control by then, but is this just postponing the inevitable?

It's a win, particularly for seniors, but will it happen? If it does, it will impact the rosters of other spring sports.

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Gillette Will Be Empty


It will be a different look at Gillette Stadium this year for so many reasons. So many players have left.

Unfortunately, fans won't be able to see it because they will not be able to attend home games through the month of September.

I can't imagine playing an NFL game without fans. Many teams have an issue with game day attendance, but at least some people show up.

The Chiefs hope to have about 17,000 in the stands at their first home game. We shall see.

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Thirty Years For Brady


Tom Brady's signing with Tampa Bay was probably the best thing for the remainder of his career. His time with the Pats was up. Both sides needed to move on.

He has been very dedicated to working with his new teammates prior to training camp.

In a recent interview, he showed his excitement when he mentioned for the first time in his 30 years of playing football his head coach was from the offensive side of the ball.

The more amazing thing is that he has played football for 30 years. Few can ever say that.

Monday, August 17, 2020

Big 10 Hits


It's easy to see why the Big 10 Conference wants to try and play spring football even if it's a crazy idea. Financial loses for the 13 schools could approach $952 million according to estimates.

Ticket sales alone will account for at least $275 million, in addition to broadcast revenue.

Schools like Rutgers could lose $49 million while Ohio State is looking at a $104 million hit. The list goes on.

Playing spring football isn't guaranteed. Nobody knows where we will be with the pandemic.

The best players will be preparing for the NFL Draft. It's a real mess.


Sunday, August 16, 2020

Hogan & The Jets


Some players come into the league undrafted, but seem to last for years. WR Chris Hogan is a great example.

The former lacrosse player had limited playing time in college, but stuck around with the Dolphins in 2011 and 2012 without ever getting on the field.

Then came four years with the Bills (2012-2015) before his time with the Pats (2016-2018) where he won two Super Bowls.

He signed with the Panthers for 2019, but only played in seven games because of arthroscopic knee surgery.

His recent signing with the Jets makes it a complete trip through the AFC East for him.

At 32, he is making the most of his opportunities.



Saturday, August 15, 2020

Evaluating 2020 Talent


The cancellation of the 2020 football season by the Pac 12 and Big 10, as well as other conferences will have a huge impact on players looking forward to the 2021 NFL Draft.

It makes talent evaluation so much more difficult as there will be no film from the 2020 season to review and critique.

Players will be impacted where they fall or rise in the draft. Decisions will be made on what the scouts have in their system.

It will have a huge financial impact on some.

Thursday, August 13, 2020

Some Are Still On


Will any college play football this season? The easiest thing to do is to wait to make a decision. There is no turning back after that.

I'm sure some conferences will wait until they are forced to determine their fate.



Tuesday, August 11, 2020

It's Over For UMass


UMass announced the cancellation of their football season today. It was inevitable as they had already lost three opponents with more on the horizon.

Will there be any teams still planning to play by the end of this week?

Saturday, August 8, 2020

The MAC Is The First


The Mid-American Football Conference is the first Division 1 group to pull the plug on the season because of the pandemic.

It will be a costly move as most members received a big payday for scheduling a Top 10 team. They were also ready to play games on Tuesday and Wednesday nights under an agreement with ESPN.

All of this money is off the table. It will force schools to make further cuts in their athletic budget.

Friday, August 7, 2020

All About Jobs


There are so many players in the NFL who are trying to carve out a career. It's so hard to make a roster. Nobody needed a pandemic to get in their way.

A number of players who have opted out for the season have made a lot of money in their career. They have the luxury of sitting out and giving their body a season of rest.

In normal times, the bottom third of the roster never know if they will make it to the end of the season.

Players on a roster right now are in a good situation even if they get released.

Thursday, August 6, 2020

August 21 Might Be The Day


UMass will have remote learning this year with few exceptions. There will be limited students on campus. What does that mean for the football program?

The NCAA is trying to get things in order by August 21st. Will that happen?


Wednesday, August 5, 2020

UConn Is First


UConn became the first Division 1 school to cancel its football season because of the pandemic.

As an Independent, it faced an uphill battle to have a fall schedule. Games with Indiana, Illinois, Ole Miss and Maine had already been canceled. Another two with North Carolina and Virginia are in jeopardy.

The team has not had any players test positive for the Coronavirus, but school officials looked at the broader picture and decided to wait until 2021.

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Who Wants To Play In 2020?


The Pats lead the NFL with players who have opted out for 2020. What doe that mean?

Conspiracy sports-talk radio floated the idea of it being a rebellion against Coach Belichick.

Every player needs to make their own decision. Many know they might never have this opportunity again if they leave or stay.




Monday, August 3, 2020

The Fighting ACC


As an Independent, Notre Dame was faced with losing many of its football games this season because of the pandemic.

Their history and legacy allowed them to join the ACC for 2020 and make them bowl eligible.

They will certainly have a stacked schedule this season, but they always have great broadcast ratings so it's a win for all.


Sunday, August 2, 2020

Trying To Schedule


College football is trying to go forward while dealing with the health concerns of players and coaching staffs.

The pandemic has raised havoc with schedules with many conferences canceling games with non-members.

Schools are trying to line up games. We might see Boston College play UMass because each school lost opponents.

UMass lost a $1.8 million payday to travel and take a beating from Auburn. It would've been great national exposure for the Minutemen.

Saturday, August 1, 2020

Be Better Than MLB


NFL teams must do a better job than MLB in dealing with the pandemic. Recent outbreaks on baseball teams have put the season in jeopardy.

It took so much effort to get to this point.

Nobody really knows how it will end.

Friday, July 31, 2020

Will They Have Contact?


NFL players have a few more days to opt out for the season.

Whenever it happens, it gives someone a chance at a roster spot or practice squad. It impacts more than one player.

The Pats re-signed WR Will Hastings after cutting him. He played at Auburn with QB Jarrett Stidham.

They still have roster spots to fill. More opportunities.

Will they ever have a contact practice?



Thursday, July 30, 2020

Nate Is Helping


The New York Post had a great story of the decision by Giants LT Nate Solder to opt out of the 2020 season.

As a six year cancer survivor with his own situation, he has dealt with one his young children having a rare form of cancer.

He is walking away from around $13 million this season.

He didn't have the greatest season last year. Many wanted him cut to save money on the salary cap.

He made it easy for them by opting out.

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Not Some Conspiracy


Boston sports talk-shows are filled with conspiracy theories on why players on the Pats opted out of the 2020 season.

Guys like Donta Hightower, Patrick Chung and Marcus Cannon are leaving huge amounts of money on the table. They are not trying to stick it to Coach Belichick.

With their opting out, they are actually helping the Pats with the salary cap.

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Eight and Counting


The Pats lead the NFL with eight players who have opted out of the 2020 season. More will probably join the list.

They include LB Donta Hightower, OL Marcus Cannon, S Patrick Chung, RB Brandon Bolden and FB Dan Vitale. All were expected to play major roles, but things happen.

It will certainly give younger players an opportunity to get on the field.

Monday, July 27, 2020

They Won't Play Ball Tonight


The NFL and other sports leagues will be closely watching MLB and their reaction to members of the Miami Marlins being infected with Covid-19.

The fact that 13 players tested positive raises many flags. The next few days should be interesting.

Saturday, July 25, 2020

The 2020 Season Played On


It's easy to see why the NFL wants to play the season in light of the pandemic.

The $16 billion revenue stream will take a $4 billion hit from fans not being at stadiums. That will impact the salary cap for 2021 based on the CBA.

It will be week by week this season to get to the end.

Friday, July 24, 2020

Street Players 2020


This is not a good time to be a veteran free agent. So many jobs have been eliminated with the reduction of the training camp roster.

Some players can wait forever for the right deal, but so many veteran players have no team and future.

Thursday, July 23, 2020

Chances Lost


The NFL has agreed to have only 80 players in training camp, instead of the usual 90. This will make the social distancing logistics a bit easier in light of the pandemic.

Since there will be no preseason games, it will make roster evaluation a priority.

The biggest impact will be on the fringe players who were only looking for a chance to show something in training camp.

It impacts ten players per team and 320 around the league.

Some of these players will never get another opportunity. Many will give up on their dream and move on with their life.

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

High School Football Is Great


Massachusetts high school football might start on Sept 14, but who knows in these crazy times.

It doesn't sound like any team will play a complete schedule of opponents if that ever happens.

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Too Soon For Bowling


Nobody knows for certain whether football will start on time at any level.

Some high school leagues are getting ready to make the call. Others are moving it to spring like a number of colleges.

The NFL opens training camp next week and will probably have no preseason games.

It's too far into the future to wonder if the 38 college bowl games get played.

Football can get started, but can it finish the season?

Monday, July 20, 2020

Those Unwanted Games


It's good to see that the NFL & NFLPA have agreed on daily Covid- 19 testing for the first two weeks of training camp.

Where do they go from there with preseason games? They need to make a decision soon.



Sunday, July 19, 2020

Maybe In Spring 2021


There is talk about trying to play high school football in spring in light of the pandemic. Things continue to look worse for starting it up with the student athletes soon.

It would create havoc with the spring sports, especially track and field which often draws football players.

If games get postponed until spring, will they really get played?

Saturday, July 18, 2020

Wear The Shield


Oakley has designed a great face shield for the players. Over 700 wore some type of protection during the 2019 season.

Being able to breathe through them has been an issue with NFLPA.

There are so many unresolved issues before the start of training camp, especially with player safety.

Friday, July 17, 2020

Training Camp Questions


With training camps scheduled to start on July 28th, NFL teams are still in the dark about the preseason schedule and the testing protocols for Covid-19.

The NFLPA continues to work with owners to determine the best way to get things going. Should testing be done daily or every other day? How many preseason games will teams play?

The medical situation is very fluid and changing daily.

The goal is to start and finish the season. Will that happen?


Thursday, July 16, 2020

Dak's Money


Cowboys QB Dak Prescott was determined to get the last dollar from the team during contract negotiations.

He turned down a multi-year deal that would've paid him in the $33-35 million range, with $100 million guaranteed.

After earning $2.7 million during his first four seasons, he will play under the franchise tag for $31.4 million this season.

He will continue to strike a new deal, but owner Jerry Jones will only go so far.

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

What Will Jackson Do?


Ravens QB Lamar Jackson certainly benefitted from the contract extension signed by Patrick Mahomes.

Some are saying that he won't get the type of money Mahomes got until he wins a Super Bowl.

Mahomes seems to tied to the Chiefs for the rest of is career.

Would Jackson take a shorter term deal and become a free agent before he is thirty?

So much can change for the stars in the league. Just ask Cam Newton.

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Mr Subway


There was a lot of buzz today about Coach Belichick filming a commercial for Subway at a store in Branford, Connecticut.

He has never done any type of commercial endorsements. He could've made a fortune over the years. Why now?

If he ever decides to stop coaching, he will have television networks lining up with barrels of money for him.

Did he talk to Peyton Manning about the opportunities out there?

Monday, July 13, 2020

More Just Fall


College Football is losing games daily. The latest was the Patriot League, featuring Holy Cross and a great group of teams.

High schools are staring at a questionable future.

Sunday, July 12, 2020

Losing A Big Check


The UMass football program has struggled since their move to Division 1. They play an independent schedule with some very tough opponents.

They are scheduled to play Auburn this year and will pocket $1.8 million for taking a beating.

The program needs the money and exposure, but the game might not be played as the SEC is looking at canceling non-conference games in light of the pandemic.

Saturday, July 11, 2020

Ring of Gordon


Former Pats WR Josh Gordon plans to auction his Super Bowl LIII ring that he earned during the 2018 season.

He never made it to the playoffs due to his suspension for violating the league's drug policy. Coach Belichick awarded him one, based on his contributions.

Everyone will speculate the reasons for him selling it, in light of his numerous suspensions.

He doesn't need to share his thoughts with the world unless he wants to.

Friday, July 10, 2020

It Started With The Big 10


The college football scene gets cloudier day by day. The Big 10 announced that it will only play conference opponents in all of their fall sports.

Later in the day, the PAC 12 followed.

Both of these developments leave a number of schools with vacant dates on their schedule.

Do they want to play these games in light of the pandemic?

More dominos will fall.

Thursday, July 9, 2020

Ivy Times


The pandemic has created a slow drip by drip on the collegiate football season.

Fordham has canceled its first three games. The Ivy League said it will play in the spring.

That's fine for their seven schools, but they all play three non-conference games with teams who will now have one less game to play.

Wednesday, July 8, 2020

Marque Money


Peyton Manning is on top of the leader board for collecting royalties from NFL merchandise related to him. He topped the list with a check for $3.36 million, in spite of being retired.

Tom Brady was second with $2.99 million, followed by Patrick Mahomes at $2.78 million.

Saquon Barkley, Dak Prescott and JuJu Smith-Schuster all hit the $2 million mark.

JJ Watt lead the defense at around than $1 million.

More Jobs For Players



The pandemic has created extra opportunities for players due to the increase in size of the active roster and practice squad.

The roster while increase from 53 to 55, with two additional ones being active on game day for a total of 48.

The practice squad will add four players to round out at 14. There will also be a weekly pay increase of $2,500 to $10,5000.

This is a great chance for players who would never make it out of training camp due to the numbers game.

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Richest Deal Ever


Chiefs QB Patrik Mahomes set the new standard for professional sports contracts when he signed a ten-year $503 million extension that will keep him with the team through 2031.

It seem like a crazy amount of money to pay anyone, but the market was there for him. It includes $477 million in guaranteed money.

Mahomes is already a reigning Super Bowl MVP and has nothing but potential ahead of him.

Hopefully, his career lasts long enough to get all of his cash.

Monday, July 6, 2020

Who Will Stay Away?


There are so many things that NFL teams need to deal with to get to the point of having training camp.

One of the concerns is the health of older coaches or those with underlying medical issues.

MLB has seen a few coaches decide to stay at home and try to do their job through a video conferencing and other methods.

It's only a matter of time before teams have this issue with their staff.

Health is the most important thing.

Sunday, July 5, 2020

Who Will Last?


One MLB player summed it up when he said the champion will be the last one standing who has not lost key players to the Coronavirus.

The same holds true for the NFL, NBA and NHL. Nobody can predict the future in the next few months.

Saturday, July 4, 2020

They Played Six


The 2020 season changes daily because of the pandemic.

The NFLPA team representatives voted unanimously to recommend that the entire preseason schedule of games be canceled.

The league said they will study it. Other than revenue, there is no logical reason to play these games even during normal times.

It's hard to believe they once played six preseason games.



Friday, July 3, 2020

Positive About That


Will the NFL have players testing positive for Coronavirus when training camp opens? It seems inevitable.

When MLB started summer camps today, they had 19 players who tested positive. Will that number increase?

The NHL and NBA face the same challenge as they try to reopen.

Thursday, July 2, 2020

Who Starts?


Boston sports talk radio is already filled with everything Cam Newton. Is he the starting quarterback? Are the Pats unhappy with Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer?

In light of Covid-19, it would be foolish to keep only two quarterbacks on the roster. Cam gives them so many options.

Nobody is the starter at this point. The team has never been together on the field in 2020.



Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Fewer Games or Not


It looks like the NFL wants to cancel the preseason games for Weeks 1 and 4. Games would be played Aug 20-24 and 27-31.

This needs the agreement by the NFLPA before it's a done deal.

Covid-19 is making everything a challenge to play games, but there is no other way.

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Shopping In The Bargain Basement


There have been comments about the veteran minimum contract the Pats gave to Cam Newton. It has incentives that could reach $7 million.

Newton signed the contract that was negotiated because it was the only offer he had on the table. He was in no position to hold out for more.

If he plays well, he can get a bigger deal next year when he is a free agent.



Monday, June 29, 2020

Cam Time


The Pats are taking a low risk with the signing of QB Cam Newton to a one year deal. Adding him for $1.05 million makes it easy if it doesn't work out.

His last two seasons with the Panthers have been filled with injuries that made him expendable. By the time he was released, the free agent market for quarterbacks had dried up.

It's a chance for Cam to compete for a starting job and reset his career for being a free agent at the end of the season.

Sunday, June 28, 2020

Can't Stop Those Pracices


Tom Brady is tweaking the NFL to the end, in light of the guidelines not to have group practices.

The league and the NFLPA can't really do anything.

Getting Covid-19 could certainly impact practices.

Saturday, June 27, 2020

Virus Is Day To Day


Football at all levels has concerns about Covid-19 going forward. Clemson had 37 players test positive from spring workouts.

The NFL has their own issues and concerns with a $15 billion industry that is losing revenue by the day.

Division 2 icon Morehouse College has already cancelled its 2020 season because of virus concerns. Their decision will impact the schedules of all their opponents.

A small high school in Massachusetts pulled the plug the other day.

Friday, June 26, 2020

He's No Tebow


Former Jets QB Christian Hackenberg was selected by them in the 2nd round of the 2016 draft.

He is among three quarterbacks since 1967 who did not play a down in the first two seasons of their career, in spite of being drafted in the first or second round.

At 25, he is looking to make it in MLB as a pitcher with a 90 mph fastball. The only problem is that he hasn't pitched since high school where he had a very mediocre career.

His football days are over after being cut by the Raiders, Bengals and Eagles.

Hackenberg is trying to go the same route as Tim Tebow, but doesn't have the celebrity status to sell tickets at any level.

Thursday, June 25, 2020

Can They Stop TB?


The NFL has no prohibition against players getting together for informal workouts.

Tom Brady might be pushing the envelope with 17 players getting together on a field in Tampa Bay. He has openly posted pictures on social media.

He seems to be mocking the NFL for all the things it put him through. Can't blame him for doing that. It's more important that he plays to his stellar level if he gets the chance this season.

Hopefully, nobody in the group tests positive.

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Covered In Ads


The NFL seem to think that there will be fans at games this season.

They announced that the first 6-8 rows of stadium seats will be vacant and covered over in tarps. It provides a buffer zone between players and fans, but also allows the league to sell advertising space.

The NFL never misses a trick to grow revenue.

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Let's Practice With TB in TB


The NFLPA sent a memo to players telling them not to practice in groups. That has not stopped Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski from getting together with a few other receivers.

Will there be any punishment for Brady for not following the guidelines?



Monday, June 22, 2020

Less Than Six Weeks


The NFL sent a memo to players telling them not to practice informally with teammates because of the pandemic. It's a big news item whenever a player tests positive because that is the reality.

Will training camp happen at the end of July?

Sunday, June 21, 2020

Dollars For Dak


It looks like Cowboys QB Dak Prescott will play under the franchise tag this year for $31.4 million as he attempts to get a long term deal.

His negotiations will be watched closely by Deshaun Watson and Parick Mahomes as they will be free agents in 2022. Prescott's numbers will drive the quarterback market higher.

There is such an economic disparity around the league, with many players making the veteran minimum.

Saturday, June 20, 2020

Ready For Harris


Pats RB Damien Harris has a chance to have a breakout season in 2020. Sony Michel recently had surgery on his foot which might open the door for more touches by Harris.

After drafting Michel in the first round in 2018, the Pats felt they couldn't pass on Harris who averaged 6.4 yards per carry and set an Alabama record in the process. He was also a very dependable receiver, catching 52 balls for 407 yards.

The rookie season of the third round pick was very similar to that of James White. Both players saw limited action and were often inactive on game day. Harris had only four carries on a team with good depth at the position.



Friday, June 19, 2020

Playing In Summer 2020


The future of professional sports this year took a hit today with the positive Cov-id testing for a few players and staff across sports leagues.

I have no doubt this will happen with teams in any sport. The NFL has a plan to go forward

Nobody can predict the future or if the leagues will ever play this year.

Thursday, June 18, 2020

Positive In Texas


College football is already having issues with players testing positive for the coronavirus. The University of Texas announced that 13 of their players are effected. Cases have surfaced at other schools.

Where is this all headed as summer starts this weekend? Will colleges and the NFL make it to the start of the season?



Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Fifteen Billion Reasons


The NFL has $15 billion on the line with the playing of the 2020 season. They are guaranteed $10 billion from broadcast revenue even if they play in empty stadiums.

There is great incentive to go forward, but with great caution in light of the pandemic.

Nobody really knows what will happen.

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Tough To Read The Market


The Coronavirus was the perfect storm to destroy the free agency market for many players like DE JaDaveon Clowney.

He wanted a contract of $20 million annually, but has heard crickets. His only option might be to sign during training camp or at some point in the season.

Monday, June 15, 2020

Being Positive Isn't Always Good


It was inevitable that players would test for the virus. The Texans and Cowboys had positive tests for several players including Ezekial Elliot.

Nobody seems to be sick. I have no doubt that players around the league will test positive and be fine, but there are those situations that go so drastically wrong.

Nobody knows the future.


Sunday, June 14, 2020

Hold The Contact


The NCAA has its own problems with sporadic positive Covid-19 tests showing up on football players. What does it mean if one player on the team tests positive?

We are in such a gray area. We might get to a point where teams just play the games in front of a few fans without ever practicing and having some type of physical contact.

Saturday, June 13, 2020

More Injuries


Teams have not been able to have any live drills on the field. Players are unable to use the weight training equipment.

Will this result in more injuries during the season? I think it will.


Friday, June 12, 2020

TB In TB


Tom Brady is getting rave reviews during his short time in Tampa Bay. He has energized the franchise, but it's a shame it's being done during the pandemic.

He has been leading group workouts at various sites.

Nobody knows how the season will play out.

Thursday, June 11, 2020

More Hours For College


The NCAA has agreed to give teams additional hours of practice when they reconvene this summer. Most teams lost a good portion or all of their spring practices.

The game will look very differently this year with limited fans in the stands and a level of play that could be filled with mistakes from lack of practice.

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Why Not Retire


QB Joe Flacco signed a one year deal with the Jets for the veteran minimum of $1.05 million.

He is trying to come back from a neck injury which sidelined him for most of last season. At 35, he projects to be a backup to Sam Darnold.

He has already earned $167 million during his career. He doesn't need to do this for the money. If he wants to leave the NFL on his own terms, it might not happen.

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

See Bill In Late july


The NFL has issued some very strick guidelines that teams need to follow in order to open for training camp. There are significant changes to the team's practice facility.

The Pats are fortunate to have their facilty at Gillette and need to only worry about one locker room. Some teams just use their stadium on game day. That will be another issue.

With everything going down, Coach Belichick decided to cancel all activity on the field until camp. Everything will be virtual through the end of July.

Monday, June 8, 2020

Reche Caldwell


Former Pats WR Reche Caldwell was apparently the target of a fatal shooting in Tampa, Florida where he lived.

He pleaded guilty in January to committing health fraud in a case involving several other former NFL players.

The former second round pick by the Chargers in 2002 also spent time with the Pats and Redskins during his six year career.

He was the Pats leading receiver in 2006 with 61 receptions for 760 yards and four TD's.

He had previously acknowledged the challenges of transitioning from football.

Sunday, June 7, 2020

Just Throwing The ball


QB's Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham have been holding their own private throwing sessions with receivers. This is happening all around the league. Players are doing things on their own.

The pandemic guidelines are very challenging to have any type of practice.

Saturday, June 6, 2020

The Corona Process


Nobody can ever predict whether the NFL and colleges will play this season. They are trying their best to go forward.

If teams can't practice, they don't really have a team. You just can't play games without practices and physical contact. That's the nature of football at any level.

Friday, June 5, 2020

Three Weeks Together


The NFL tries to avoid awkward scheduling conflicts, but they happen like it did for the Jets and Dolphins this season.

They both have a bye during Week 11, but the Dolphins host the Jets during Week 10, while the reverse will happen during Week 12.

It should make for some interesting game day preparation.



Thursday, June 4, 2020

Going To The Office


Friday will be another step in the hope of having games this season. Coaches will now be able to go to their team's practice facility.

This is a critical stage because teams need to get to the point of having players on the practice field.

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

No Joint Practices


It came as no surprise to hear that the NFL has canceled any joint team practices for 2020.

Coaches have found this to be a very effective use of their time in training camp, but it won't happen this year because of the pandemic.

Fans really enjoyed them. The Pats drew enormous crowds at Foxborough when they held them. I was there on two different occasions.

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Just Lost Huge Money


Every year we have stories of college players who are projected to be selected in the first few rounds of the NFL draft, but develop a slight injury that turns into something major.

Clemson WR Justyn Ross was considered a first round pick next year, but will miss the entire upcoming season due to a spinal condition that was uncovered after being injured at practice in March.

Ross will undergo surgery on Friday because of a congenital fusion of vertebrae since birth. He also has a bulging disc.

His future playing career remains uncertain. At the very least, he will drop huge in the draft which will cost him untold amounts of dollars.

Monday, June 1, 2020

Holding on Edelman


People who play fantasy football get carried to extremes with player analysis.

I saw an article today about whether you should draft Julian Edelman since he is no longer getting throws from Tom Brady.

It seems to imply that he will be a different player this season. That could be true as he just turned 34.

He will need to work with whoever plays quarterback.

Fantasy players will need to make a decision.

Sunday, May 31, 2020

Four Is Enough


In these crazy times when teams can't get together, it makes all the sense in the world for the Pats to go with Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham at quarterback. Both of them have time in the offensive system and with Coach Belichick.

You keep hearing stories of Josh Rosen being a player of interest. It might happen in another time, but BB is playing it close to the vest.

They have two undrafted QB's on the roster that will get a chance.

Saturday, May 30, 2020

Reggie & John


Coach Belichick was never shy about saying great compliments to opposing players. He did that with Colts WR Reggie Wayne. It's probably why Reggie hoped to play for the Pats in 2015, but it only lasted a few days. His career was over.

As Reggie explained in a recent interview, there was a $450,000 signing bonus that he was willing to give back to the team. Belichick waived him off and said to keep the money.

It's too bad he signed with the Pats so late in his career. It's like when they signed John Lynch.

Their careers ended in Foxborough.

Friday, May 29, 2020

Let's Practice Together


The NFL is crawling back to have some type of pre-season workouts.

The Governor has approved professional sports teams to reopen practice facilities in Massachusetts, but with big restrictions.

The league wants all teams to start at the same time. That might be very difficult in some locations.

Time will tell.

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Can't Just Study


NFL teams are doing their best to orientate their new players in light of being unable to meet or conduct drills.

Players can study the playbook and watch film all day, but they need to work on refining their skills.

We could see a lot of sloppy play if the season gets off the ground.

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Will Might Be Julian


Fans need to move on from Tom Brady. It's a waste of time to lament over the past.

He seems to be so recharged with his new team and working so hard.

The Pats have Jarrett Stidham and his former teammate WR Will Hastings who went undrafted. He was Stidham's favorite target as a slot receiver at Auburn.

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Logan Looking To Land


CB Logan Ryan parlayed his time in New England into a good free agent contract with the Titans.

He is now a free agent looking for around $10 million annually. The Jets are quite interested, but it will come down to the dollars.

Ryan has championship rings, so he is playing for a big contract at this point.

Monday, May 25, 2020

Temperature Is Too High


The NFL will need to adhere to so many safety guidelines to play in 2020. One thing we won't see are stories about players who gutted it out with the flu.

Players and coaches will have their temperature taken daily. They will be sent home if it goes about 100.3.

There is no doubt that someone will get sick in a pool of that many people.



Sunday, May 24, 2020

Joe's In New York


QB Joe Flacco was the MVP of Super Bowl XLVII, but it doesn't really matter at this point. The former 18th overall pick in 2008 was released by the Ravens after 11 seasons with them.

His time in Denver was ruined by a herniated disc that required surgery. His $1.5 million deal with the Jets for the 2020 season is the best chance to stay on the radar.

He faces an uphill battle to make the roster, but probably will for his veteran leadership.

Saturday, May 23, 2020

They Sell Beer For Money


I read a very interesting analysis of what it will take to get the NFL to play this season in light of the pandemic.

Nobody knows where we will be in September. Team owners know they can't fill stadiums to full capacity. Reports show that game day revenue with tickets, parking and concessions is at $5.5 billion.

It's a revenue stream that nobody wants to see end, but it will be a real challenge to see this season to the end.

We will be in uncharted waters.


Friday, May 22, 2020

Looking For Giant Money


Players of the same position love to see others get big contracts because they know it could trickle down to them.

Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey just signed a 4 year/$31.1 million contract extension. He was the second overall pick in the 2018 draft.

This looks good for Giants RB Saquon Barkley, the first overall pick in the same draft. He wants to renegotiate his rookie deal. McCaffrey's numbers gives him a starting point.

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Dak Declines


Cowboys QB Dak Prescott should realize that he won't be able to beat owner Jerry Jones in contract negotiation.

He wants to be the highest paid player at that position and turned down a 5 year/$175 million offer.

NFL contracts are all smoke and mirrors because very few players ever see all of the money they signed for.

Prescott wanted a shorter length, but the Cowboys pushed for more years. They signed Andy Dalton because of this.

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Guarding Too Much Money


The Pats have a huge salary cap problem with so much dead money on the books due to Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Stephen Gotskowski and Antonio Brown.

They have several players that are taking up huge amounts of space. They have committed $28.5 million to guards Shaq Mason and Joe Thuney. They lead the league in money spent on starting guards.

Although they are both great players, this is preventing them from signing other free agents.

Belichick would like to trade Thuney, but doesn't want him to go to a potential rival or get minimal in return.



Tuesday, May 19, 2020

How Happy Is Brady?


It's great to see Tom Brady having a rebirth in Tampa Bay. He seems so excited to be there in a new environment. He has sought out the phone numbers of teammates and thrown the ball to some of the key offensive players.

Tom Brady spent 20 years with the Pats. He is in a new world right now. It is so good for him and the NFL.

Coach Belichick is very happy going with Jarrett Stidham.

Monday, May 18, 2020

Stateside 2020



It was inevitable that the NFL would cancel its games in London and Mexico City. The upcoming season will be a logistical nightmare in light of the pandemic.

The Jaguars were slated to host two while the Dolphins and Falcons had one each. The Cardinals were to host in Mexico City.

It remains to be seen if the season starts on time.

Sunday, May 17, 2020

Don & Bill


As Coach Belichick moves forward to winning games and adding numbers to his legacy, he is ultimately chasing Don Shula for all-time wins.

Their relationship is so complex and will no-doubt be part of some show on the NFL Network.

It's exciting to see him going with Jarrett Stidham.

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Not THe Way To Hire


The NFL needs to do a better job in hiring minority candidates for head coaching and front office jobs. Some teams do a much better job than others.

A radical proposal would allow teams to move up in the draft if they hired them.

Is this fair to the other teams that have done their duty?

Friday, May 15, 2020

Not Ready For 2021


The NFL is trying its best to go forward with the 2020 season. Nobody knows if the full schedule will be played or if fans will be in the stands. The story will evolve over the next few months.

It's easy to see that some members of the media have nothing to write about when they start projecting the 2021 NFL draft.

College football is still questionable for September. How can you evaluate players if they don't play?

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Brady Driving Prices


Tampa Bay is having a football renaissance since they signed Tom Brady. Season ticket requests have skyrocketed. The secondary ticket market has prices going through the roof.

Meanwhile in Foxborough, the Pats have a years long waiting list for season tickets, but the secondary prices continue to fall without the star attraction of Brady.

In the end, both franchises will continue to make money and increase in value.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Red Jacket For Seymour


Richard Seymour was selected to the Pats Hall of Fame over coach Bill Parcells and LB Mike Vrabel.

It was a great choice by the voters as Seymour has been a finalist for the HOF in Canton, but there was a question of why couldn't he get into the one in Foxborough.

Will Bill Parcells ever get voted in? Owner Robert Kraft could make an executive decision, but will that cheapen the honor?



Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Prime Time Brady


When Tom Brady signed with Tampa Bay, it forced the NFL and its broadcast partners to rearrange their television schedules to accommodate the fans who want to watch him.

During Weeks 5-12, Brady will be on once on Thursday night and two for Sunday and Monday.

The five broadcasts should yield huge ratings which is what the league wants.


Monday, May 11, 2020

New Brady Theory


The media will now be happy to discuss the latest Tom Brady conspiracy on why Tom Brady left the Pats.

They are now saying that his relationship with Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels broke down over play calling and the lack of offensive weapons.

With no games to discuss in any sports, this point will be debated to the end of the earth.

Sunday, May 10, 2020

TV Tom


Tom Brady is the best thing that ever happened to Tampa Bay. The NFL and their network providers went to great extremes to give him maximum exposure during Weeks 5-12.

They have him on one Thursday night game, as well as two on both Sunday and Monday nights.

He is reviving the franchise. The NFL loves that because it only increases the value of the league.


Saturday, May 9, 2020

College Football 2020


The NCAA has indicated that the college football season might be in jeopardy, especially if classes don't start on time.

Some schools around the nation could have an issue with summer practices and keeping players safe.

It will be a real challenge to have crowds in the stands.

Friday, May 8, 2020

Ready To Backup


Free agent QB Cam Newton has indicated that he is willing to consider being a backup this year. Teams appear to be all set with their starting quarterback.

Many feel that the former MVP should just sit out the season and try again next year.

Teams have not beaten a path to his door. At this point in his career, he needs to find a team and stay relevant.

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Leaving Whenever



Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh wrote an open letter to the college football community regarding the eligibility of players for the draft. He is making a radical proposal that makes a lot of sense.

Players who leave after three years for the draft would be able to return to school if they were not selected. They would also be able to declare for the draft at any point.

Schools make a great amount pf money from their players who get no part of it. Players mature at a different rate and some are ready for the NFL after one year.

The NCAA has too much control over them.

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Frank Gore @ Jets


RB Frank Gore will be turning 37 shortly and just signed with the Jets, his third team in three years.

He was productive in Buffalo last season on a reduced workload of 599 yards to bring his career regular season total to 15,269.

He might be too far behind the 18,355 of Emmitte Smith, but has a chance to catch Walter Payton at 16,726.

He has been very durable over the years. Time will tell.

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Not All Get Chances


NFL teams drafted 256 players and signed more than 1,000 undrafted free agents to fill out their 90 man roster.

There are winners and losers on both sides of the player competition. Teams have been unable to hold tryouts on players who might be part of the team's 90 in a normal situation. Some might never get the chance they have waited for.

Veteran players have an advantage because they already have their foot in the door and teams might be more willing to go with them.





Monday, May 4, 2020

No Way To Return


The NCAA should reconsider how they treat college football players who elect to leave school early in the hope of being drafted.

Since 2010, over 25% of them were not selected in one of the rounds. Many found their way to a team as an undrafted free agent.

TE Thaddeus Moss of LSU is a great example. The son of Randy Moss had a great year in 2019, including two TD receptions in the National Championship game.

He decided to take his chances in the draft, but a medical exam showed a fracture in his right foot. His stock dropped so much that he went undrafted. His best option was to sign with the Redskins for a $20,000 bonus.

Players such as Moss, should have an option to return to school. This injury cost him a great deal of money.






Sunday, May 3, 2020

No More Dalton talk


Many "experts" feel that the Pats cannot go into the 2020 season with Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer as the depth chart for quarterbacks.

We have heard the narrative of the team signing former Bengals QB Andy Dalton. That talk finally ended yesterday when the Cowboys gave him a one year/$7 million deal to backup Dak Prescott.

Nobody seems to want to let Coach Belichick make his own decision about the quarterback position. They want some overpriced veteran to come in and try to learn a new offense during these times where practices might be limited because of the pandemic.

Saturday, May 2, 2020

Will It Happen On September 10th?


The NFL plans to open their season on September 10th and play the Super Bowl on February 7th. This is based upon many assumptions.

Will training camp start at the end of July? Playing the games, with or without fans, will present significant public health challenges.

It seems hard to believe that the season could begin without issues.