Camping

There are so many side stories in any NFL training camp. I was in Foxborough today for the Patriots camp.Every camp is a mix of rookies and veterans. So many guys trying to earn a spot on the roster. They can't all make it.

Guys get cut. Many find another opportunity with another team, but for some, it's the end of a childhood dream.

Every team has a bottom quarter of their roster that always has movement. It's exciting to watch and see who makes it.

The End For Plaxico

The end comes quietly for many players. They either retire on their on own terms, get released or are injured. In the case of WR Plaxico Burris, a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder will end his season and most likely his career.

It will end in Pittsburgh where it all started when he was the 8th overall pick in the 2000 draft, 191 selections before Tom Brady. Burris bolted to the Giants after five seasons. He lost the  2009 and 2010 seasons to prison on a gun charge after he accidentally shot himself with an illegal handgun.

He resurfaced with the Jets for the 2011 season and signed with the Steelers during 2012 as a free agent. Although he played well after prison, he was never the same player after losing two years.

As in the case for so many players, his injury got a slight mention by one of the football writers in a column.

Two Big Hits

They might be pre-season games, but the hitting is real. We saw that last night throughout the Pats and Eagles game. Ryan Mallet and Julien Edeleman both took big hits.

Mallet was knocked out of the game late in the second quarter with a hit to his upper chest. It was a huge blow that rocked his body. He never played another snap. It was Tebow the rest of the way. The dialogue between Mallet and the medical staff on the sideline must have been interesting.

Edeleman was trying to get another yard on his play. His head was down, but he was not leading with the crown of his helmet. He took a tremendous shot right below his neck. He got up a bit dazed, but stayed in the game.

Players don't want to take themselves out of the game because they know it will give someone else the opportunity to win the job. Edelman has missed a huge amount of time already this year because of his broken foot from last season. To take himself out of the game would give the coaches a reason to release him at some point.

Mallet only had 24 regular season snaps last year. He was trying to make the most of his time last night. It all changed on one play and he was out for the game.

Tom Brady has been very resilient during his career. He has a great offensive line, but anything can happen on one play. He knows that more than anyone.

Going Younger

Teams around the NFL seem to be going with a youth movement. They would rather sign draft picks and younger players than veterans who could command more money. The free agency period was a reality check for many veterans. Some still find themselves without a job. They may need to wait until after the first week of the season to be signed. At that point, their contract isn't guaranteed.

Players were jettisoned all around the league in cost cutting moves and to free up salary cap space. LB Calvin Pace was a classic example. He can still play at a high level at the age of 32 and would make just about any roster.

The Jets released him earlier this year because of his $11.6 million salary cap number. For two months, he had no offers. The Jets finally threw a bone and signed him for the veteran minimum. It's not bad money, but a far cry from what he was use to.

It's a harsh reality for many players. The big contracts are no longer there for some.

A Simple Key To The Game

The season really begins tomorrow night when the Pats play their first exhibition game against the Philadelphia Eagles. They have been conducting joint practices for the last three days. Coach Belichick is a big believer in this. The team will hold similar practices next week with Tampa Bay.

Pre-season games are a necessary evil. I expect to see Tom Brady play the first half and into the third quarter. The Pats need to get their passing game going with all of the new players. For many of them, it's a last chance to make an impression and stay on the team.

No matter what happens, there will be injuries around the league from these games. It's nice to win, but the score doesn't really matter. The key is to have no major injuries.

The Life of Riley

WR Riley Cooper has lasted three years with the Philadelphia Eagles after being drafted in the 5th round in 2010. That's a long career sometimes in the NFL. He has played and managed to catch 46 balls and 5 TD's in three seasons.

It seems like he will be forever known for his racial slur caught on video at a recent Kenny Chesney concert at the Eagles home field. He ignited a firestorm and create a discussion about race in America. He was forced to spend time away from the team, but is back now.

How will the Eagles handle this? Will Cooper be on the team on opening day? He has taken a rightfully deserved beating in the media. He seems destined to live with this as a scar on his reputation and character.

He will need to reinvent himself. Maybe within five years there will be a TV movie about his redemption.

School's Out For A Few Days

The NCAA and  ESPN are all about the money. Why else would they agree to televise 69 college football games during the week when student-athletes are allegedly in the classroom? It's all a sham. The schools go along with it because there is a big paycheck waiting for them. There is money to be made playing on days other than Saturday.

It doesn't matter that a lot of these kids never get their degree. The schools put the burden on the athletes to keep up with their studies. Many of them don't and fight to maintain their eligibility.

The 69 games will involve 138 teams made up of 65 players each. That's at least 8,970 student-athletes who will miss more than one day of classes in order to travel on road games.

The only response by the NCAA is to admit that academics could be better for student-athletes in Division 1. Their admission is nothing, but pandering. Meanwhile, ESPN and the NCAA will keep an eye on the ratings. They want to broadcast the games that will reach the biggest audiences and generate more ad revenue.

The Charade of the NCAA

Johnny Manziel has brought a great deal of excitement to Texas A&M football as well as a lot of money. His current problem highlights what is wrong with the NCAA and college sports.

Johnny Football faces a season long suspension after admitting that he signed autographs at a show for a "five figure" payment. This is in direct violation of NCAA rules. Manziel comes from a wealthy family and is often seen driving around campus in a Mercedes.

He has become a cash cow for his school. In light of his phenomenal season last year and bowl game, the dollars are raining on Texas A&M. Coach Kevin Sumlin  got a $700,000 raise to go with his $3.4 million annual salary. All of the coaching staffs got bonuses. Would they have received them if the team had a losing record? Of course not.

College sports are filled with hypocrisy. Student athletes pretend that are interested in getting a degree and the schools go along with that. The NCAA even has academic eligibility requirements which are a joke.

The NCAA rides a high horse when they crack down on schools. I believe that the players should get some type of financial stipend in addition to their scholarship. When a team wins, the money flows from the alumnae. The schools use their athletes for their own financial benefit.

Meanwhile, the NCAA will probably hammer Johnny Football because it's all a charade.

Lot of Money To Kick

How much do you pay a kicker? The Pats showed that they would not pay top dollar to keep Adam Vinatieri in spite of his Super Bowl winning kicks. They have done very well with Stephen Gostowski as his replacement.

Some teams are willing to overpay. The Oakland Raiders do that on a regular basis for positional players. They emptied the vault to keep kicker Sebastian Janikowski with a 5 year/ $19 million contract. It includes $8 million guaranteed over the next two years. This might not be the best example of managing the salary cap, but the Raiders do things like that.

Janikowski is one of the most accurate kickers in the league and has the highest rate of touch backs. He was the 17th overall selection in the 2000 draft, way before Tom Brady was drafted at 199.

Each team makes their own decisions with their salary cap. I just don't think the Raiders made the best decision with this one.

Should He Tip?

NFL players are under a microscope on and off the field. They become public figures. Some of the attention isn't deserved. They can't do things without the public noticing.

QB Drew Brees had a situation that went viral which I thought was very unfair. Last month, he was at a San Diego restaurant to grab a take-out order of food. He goes there on a regular basis and poses for photos with the staff.

He paid $74 for his food and left a $3 tip. Someone decided to take a picture of the receipt and post it on-line. Brees was upset because he said it made him look cheap.

Is Brees obligated to throw money around on a take-out order? Is there a moral obligation for him to spread his wealth? The Saints signed him to a 5 year/$100 million contract. He has more money than he can ever spend, but I don't think he obligated to be a big tipper on a take-out order of food.

Where does he draw the line? Should he tip the attendant if he has gas pumped for his car?

Next Friday Night

By next week at this time, the Pats will have played their opening exhibition game against the Philadelphia Eagles. How long the starters play remains to be seen. Tom Brady needs to get some work done with his receivers. He might be forced to play longer than he should.

It seems inevitable that players get hurt and lost for the season in these games. It happens every year around the league. The exhibition season is very controversial. Fans feel they are getting ripped off because they pay regular season prices for these games.

There is talk every year about cutting back on the schedule. Coach Belichick is a big supporter of the games. I agree with him that they serve an important purpose. We all hope that nobody gets hurt. It's bad enough in the regular season.

The Final Five

The Pats had the greatest duo of tight ends in NFL history for the 2011 season with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. Gronk had 90 catches for 1,327 yards and 17 TD's. Hernandez wasn't far behind with 79 for 910 yards and 7 TD's. The future looked so bright for them and the Pats offense. Both were injured in 2012, but still put up some great numbers.

As we look towards the 2013 season, fans can only hope for Gronk to return at some point and be his former self. That remains to be seen after undergoing back surgery and four operations on his broken arm.

This has given the other tight ends the chance of a lifetime. They are probably good enough to make any other NFL roster, but they will never match Gronk and Hernandez. Coach Belichick liked what he saw in Jake Ballard when he played for the Giants. He thought enough of him to grab him off the waiver wire when Big Blue attempted to put him on IR. It remains to be seen whether he can come back from surgery on his torn ACL.

Daniels Fells and Michale Hoomanawanni played well last year when they had the chance, but only had nine catches between them. At least they averaged 21 yards per reception.

Brandon Ford and Zach Sudfeld were both undrafted and one year starters from Clemson and Nevada respectively. Sudfeld had a history of injuries while in college.

The Pats have yet to bring any other tight ends into camp. It looks like these are the five who will battle it out for two or three roster spots. I don't think they will carry three because they often use a lineman in three tight end formations if they only carry two.