Sunday, February 28, 2021

Early 2021 QB Rumors

Sunday sports talk in Boston is focused on the quarterback situation for the Pats.

One report indicated that Bill Belichick is still very high on Cam Newton, in spite of his tough season.

The Jimmy Garoppolo trade rumors will never end. Everyone has their own take.

As soon as you hear the term "anonymous source", you need to wonder.

Saturday, February 27, 2021

They Don't Last

 Fans are hoping the Pats make a big splash in the draft and select one of the hot quarterbacks.

Every year, the draft features those who the experts say will make a major difference for the franchise.

I read some analysis of the 14 quarterbacks drafted in the first four rounds in 2015 and 2016.

Of those who started a game, only Dak Prescott is with his original team.

Thursday, February 25, 2021

A Different Challenge

The latest thing we are hearing about Tom Brady is that he wanted to leave the Pats so he could accomplish the "Peyton Challenge". 

When Peyton Manning left the Colts, the team was ready to move on from a quarterback who missed a season from neck surgery. He signed with the Broncos and won a Super Bowl with them.

Brady's time had worn out with the Pats and Coach Belichick. Both seemed to want to try something else.

The Pats were 7-9, while Brady won the Super Bowl with the Bucs.

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

No More Tebow Time

 Tim Tebow quietly ended his professional baseball career with the New York Mets minor league system.

The writing was on the wall for the former 33 years old quarterback.

He made it as far as Triple A in 2019, but didn't have a bat. In 223 games he had 11 HR, but only hit .223

His journey was controversial to some. He probably got extra consideration from the Mets, but in the end, it didn't work out.

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Cam Wants In

QB Cam Newton has indicted that the would like to return to the Pats this season. During a recent podcast, he said dealing with Covid set him back in learning the playbook. He had the worst season of his career.

Local sports talk shows and callers are not embracing this idea. The only voice that really matters is Coach Belichick. 

The team is actively looking at all options.

Monday, February 22, 2021

Wentz Finally Went

Fans in Philadelphia must be wondering what happened with QB Carson Wentz. The team finally traded him to the Colts for a third round draft pick this year and a conditional third in 2022.

Wentz was coming off the worst statistical rating of his career and scheduled to make $47 million over the next two seasons. He signed a four year/$128 million extension in June 2019.

Fans are upset over how much the team gave up to draft him in 2016. To move from pick  #13 down to the #2 spot, the Eagles gave up two veteran players and four additional picks, including a future #1.

This serves as a great example for teams who give up too much to select a specific player.


Sunday, February 21, 2021

League Year 2020 Ending

Teams will regret some selections in the draft this year because many players had a limited season or none at all. There is no Scouting Combine and limited options at Pro Days at schools.

It will be interesting to see how the undrafted free agents do. They are a cheaper option rather than a veteran player, but it's a different game in this pandemic world.

Saturday, February 20, 2021

Watson Come Here

If Texans GM Nick Casserio wants to trade QB DeShaun Watson, it sounds like there is interest out there from a bunch of teams if they are willing to give up at least two first round picks and more.

The key is to create a huge demand for Watson on the open trade market. A team must realize they are paying a steep price for a player with a great future.

Friday, February 19, 2021

Nick's Challenge

Nick Casserio was a loyal employee during his tenure with the Pats. He had a number of roles, including player evaluation in recent years. He wanted to be a GM, but it wasn't going to be in Foxborough.

His hiring by the Texans was not received well by the fans. They had grown tired of the Patriot Way under former Coach and GM Bill O'Brien.

Casserio has quite a challenge ahead. QB DeShaun Watson wants to be traded. JJ Watt requested his release which was granted. The team does not have a first or second round draft pick this year.

Fortunately, he has a 6 year/$36 million contract. Time is on his side right now.

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Football Dominos

High school football in Massachusetts was always kicked down the road to start in March, in light of the pandemic. It was a way to give seniors and everyone else a season.

Many logistics were still unresolved such as trying to practice on a snow covered field.

An area high school finally decided to pull the plug on the season. Will others follow?

Playing football in the spring has never worked out, even on the professional level.

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

The Hour of Big Ben

It remains to be seen if Ben Roethlisberger has a future with the Steelers. He seems to have no problems playing for $19.5 million, but the team might want to move on.

If he retires, the Steelers still take a $22.5 million salary cap hit, but there seems to be some discussion over whether he is their best option moving forward.

How will this end?


Tuesday, February 16, 2021

QB 2021 Draft Talk

There is no doubt that the Pats need a new quarterback for 2021. It just didn't work out with Cam Newton.

It doesn't seem like Jarrett Stidham is the future of the team.

Will they sign a free agent, trade with a team or draft a quarterback?

Nobody knows what BB will do.

Monday, February 15, 2021

Can't Sign All of Them

The Bucs are Super Bowl champs, but they also have salary cap issues like most teams. They have 24 players who will become free agents. Some will be looking for a pay bump. 

The cap will be reduced by $23 million because of revenue lost from not having fans at the games. Tough decisions will be made, but that happens with every team.

Sunday, February 14, 2021

Tebow 2021

The baseball career of Tim Tebow is still alive as the New York Mets invited him to their Spring Training Camp. He is just one of 75 players trying to make some impact on the roster.

Tebow is 33 and has been pursuing this since 2016. He gave up on the NFL. You can't blame the Mets for going along. It has the potential to be a great story.

If he has a good camp, he could make the roster as a publicity stunt by the new ownership. They need to create some hype with fans.

Saturday, February 13, 2021

Chris & Lacrosse

Former Pats WR Chris Hogan lasted an improbable ten seasons in the NFL in spite of playing lacrosse only at Penn State.

He had one post graduate season playing football at Monmouth, but was able to last on NFL practice squads from 2011 until a breakout season with the Bills in 2016.

He won two Super Bowls with the Pats and had another AFC Championship Game loss.

His decision at age 33 to try and play in the Premier Lacrosse League is a great story and should bring attention to the sport.

Friday, February 12, 2021

Watt Out In Houston

The Texans released JJ Watt today at his request. They could have waited to try and make a trade, but their action  makes Watt a free agent and saves the team $17.5 million in salary cap space.

I wonder what QB DeShaun Watson thinks of this after requesting a trade previously.

Watt should get considerable interest, but needs a team with cap space. Will he return home to Wisconsin and play with the Packers or unite with his two brothers on the Steelers?

Both teams have cap issues and a host of players they need to sign.    

Thursday, February 11, 2021

Limited Action On Brady

All we hear is that Trevor Lawrence is the man and the future star of the NFL. That's all wonderful and good because the league needs to build it's future fanbase.

Team will throw tons of money with the latest and greatest, but it didn't happen for Tom Brady last year during free agency.

According to reports, only the Chargers and Bucs expressed any interest in pursuing him.

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Throwing The Trophy

Tom Brady had quite a day today during the team's victory boat parade in Tampa Bay.

He threw the Lombardi Trophy about 20 feet to a boat behind them with Gronk.

It worked out well and everyone had a laugh, but what would've happened if it fell into the water?

 

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Who Is The Best?

We can never deny the remarkable accomplishment of Tom Brady with winning seven Super Bowl championships.

Many have called him the greatest NFL player ever, but some are saying he is the greatest athlete of all-time.

How do you measure that between team and individual sports?

This is creating much discussion, but I don't know how you judge anyone to be the best ever across all sports.

Monday, February 8, 2021

Gronk As Brady's Backup

After winning the Super Bowl MVP a record five times, Tom Brady has designated others to take the customary trip to Disney World.

Rob Gronkowski did a great job from what I've seen in the news. He was the perfect one to be there with his family.

Sunday, February 7, 2021

Super Bowl LV

 

We are one hour away from the kickoff of Super Bowl LV between the Bucs and Chiefs. 

It's never a good idea to give Tom Brady three points, but the oddsmakers did.

Five hours from now, this event will be history. We just don't know how it will play out.


Saturday, February 6, 2021

Betting 2021

 

The game tomorrow has an incredible amount of action. Sports books have very creative bets.

Wagering should be legal in states that want it. They reap money through taxation on the users.

The NFL knows this is the future. Money is there for the taking. People want to gamble.

Friday, February 5, 2021

High School Spring Football


The pandemic caused most states to cancel high school football last fall. Massachusetts developed a plan to have an abbreviated season with practices starting at the end of February and games played through mid-April.

Teams will be forced to limit game day rosters to 45 players who must be socially distanced on the sidelines while wearing a mask.

Players cannot huddle. There was thought given to increasing the distance between the offense and defense, but this was considered too radical.

Hopefully, things work out and the players can finally get on the field. 

 

Thursday, February 4, 2021

Rodney On Cam

Everyone has a comment about Bill Belichick and Tom Brady who is back in the Super Bowl with his new team.

It didn't work out great with Cam Newton taking his place.

NBC analyst and former Pat's great Rodney Harrison said it would be BB's worst decision ever if he brought back Cam Newton because he can no longer play.

The team really needs to move on from him. He will get a job with a team. He wants to be a starter. It could happen, but not here.

I hope he can still play because he was so accommodating with the media. He was fun while he was here.

You always want to think he can still play at a great level

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

The Two Without Rings

It was interesting to see an article that said Tom Brady played with 218 teammates who were part of his nine Super Bowl rosters and won a ring.

I'm not sure how they figured that number, but decisions are always made on game day.

There are always exceptions. Logan Mankins and Wes Welker played in the two Super Bowl losses against the Giants after the 2007 and 2011 seasons.

They share a common bond of playing twice and never winning..


Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Time to Complain

 I don't understand why former Pat players are whining about dealing with Bill Belichick as a GM.

Danny Amendola has been vocal about taking pay cuts to stay with the team. He never mentioned being part of the great ride that got him two Super Bowl rings in three appearances, while keeping his career alive.

Monday, February 1, 2021

BB & TB

 It seems like some in the media are trying to create a rift between Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.

Things are being said by former players. The media is feeding on that.

Those two men had an amazing relationship that will last forever. They are the only ones who can speak.