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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.