It's Good

NFL kickers routinely kick field goals of 60-70 yards during pregame warm-ups. Coaches are not inclined to try such a long one during a game. It can end in a disaster if the defense returns the missed kick. It also gives the other team great field position.

Things lined up perfectly during the game last Sunday between the Broncos and Titans. As play expired in the first half, Broncos kicker Matt Prager booted a 64 yard field goal to break the NFL record of 63 shared by several players

Prager's kick cut the Titan's lead to 21-20 at the half. The Broncos won the game 51-28. There was a risk to the play because the Titans could have run the ball back for a score.

The record of 63 yards was first set in 1970 by Tom Dempsey. He held it until 1998 when Jason Elam kicked one from 63. Sebastian Janikowski did it in 2011 and David Akers in 2012. Janikowski also missed one from 76 yards.

The record might stand for a long time. It would take a special set of circumstances for a coach to try one from 65.

Ready For Firing

I think Mike Shanahan will lead the list of coaches who will get fired at the end of the season. At 3-10, it's only getting worse for the Redskins. RG III has been playing hurt and isn't the greatest leader. He has said things he shouldn't have said at press conferences. Coach Shanahan plans to bench him on Sunday and probably for the remainder of the season.

Griffin's knee injury last year was mishandled from the start. No coach can work with owner Dan Snyder. He controls the purse strings and calls some of the shots no matter what Shanahan says.

I think Rex Ryan has a better chance of coaching his team next year.

9 at 24

There is a pall around the fan base concerning Gronk. They wonder how far the team can go in the playoffs without him. It would have been great to have one of the most dynamic players in the league on offense. You can't possibly replace him.

Fans seem to think it's all over for the Pats. They will be one and done in the playoffs. The difference in their offensive stats since his return is so profound. He had such an impact.

Maybe it will be the final straw and the Pats will make a quick exit in the playoffs. Fans need to realize that Gronk won't be ready for training camp and might have a repeat of this year's schedule.

He is so talented at the age of 24. He's on a track for the Hall of Fame, but I think his career will be cut short. He is facing his 8th surgery since entering the NFL and 9th overall. That's not good.

Moving On Without Gronk

The Pats pulled off an incredible 27-26 win over the Cleveland Browns, but the loss of Rob Gronkowski with a likely ACL tear could be devastating for the offense. Since the return of Gronk, the offense has improved immensely in all categories. He allows Tom Brady to do so much more with the ball.

Gronk is done for the season. They will go on without him, but how far they can go in the playoffs will be a big question. Players, coaches and fans cannot lament his loss because he is not going to be part of the 2013 season from this point forward.

Reed Not Leaving Easily

Jets safety Ed Reed fired back at critics who said his best days are behind him and that he was a shadow of his former self.

Reed will walk into the Hall of Fame, but his exit from the NFL isn't going the way he wished. Rex Ryan is one of his biggest supporters, but he might not be around to coach him after this season.

Reed said he has enough left to play for two more years. I hope he does. He is one of the best ever to play the position. Maybe, he can return to his former level of play. At his age, it's not likely.

I think Reed will be ones of those players who need to have the uniform ripped off his back before he gives it up. I admire that in anyone.

Playing In The Small House

Tim Tebow finally got offered a contract to play quarterback. The only problem is that it's not in the NFL. Instead, he was offered $200,000 to play for the Milano Seamen of the Italian Federation of American Football.

The eight team league begins in March and concludes with the Italian Super Bowl in July. The Seamen have the league's largest stadium with a capacity of 8,000. It's a far cry from the NFL. It's not even the Arena Football League, but it's a chance to show that he can still play.

I doubt he will accept their offer unless he gets an escape clause to go to a team in the NFL. Tebow could stay here and shop himself around when the free agency period starts in March. His phone has not been ringing during the regular season. It probably won't in March.

Who Throws The Ball On Sunday?

Tim Tebow must be wondering if he will ever get another chance to play quarterback in the NFL. Team rosters are full of veteran retreads and young ones who will be out of the league after a year or two.

The Pats play the 4-8 Browns on Sunday. They have four quarterbacks on their active roster and Brian Hoyer on IR. Brandon Weedon, selected in the first round of 2012, has been benched for poor play. Veteran Jason Campbell is out with a concussion.

They signed Caleb Hanie a few days ago, but he only has four career starts. They could also go with 2nd year Alex Tanney who they signed from the Cowboys practice squad.

It looks like the Pats defense could have their day with whoever plays on Sunday. Hopefully, the Browns quarterback doesn't pass for 300 yards.

Don't Ask Winslow

It seems like many fans know more about their team than the players. I can understand someone not knowing all of their teammates by name, especially if they get signed during the season.

Jets TE Kellen Winslow didn't know that his team was still in playoff contention. That is inexcusable, even if the Jets are 5-7. A loss this weekend will eliminate them, but Winslow should have known.

His gaffe was discovered after free-agent WR Donte Stallworth asked him to comment on Twitter about who he thought would be playing in the Super Bowl. Winslow picked the Broncos and Pats in the AFC Championship game and the Panthers and Seahawks for the NFC.

Winslow refused to answer questions from reporters, but went back on Twitter to try and laugh it off. With guys like him, it's easy to see why the Jets are 5-7 and ready for elimination.

Cutting Quarters

The group overseeing high school football in Massachusetts has made another mistake in the playoff format. They already had too many divisions and teams in the playoffs. Schools had a chance to go to a Super Bowl game at Gillette Stadium even if they had a losing record.

Now, it appears the teams playing on Saturday in Foxborough will be competing during 10 minute quarters instead of the usual 12. This allows for shorter games and more to be played.

It's great that the kids have the opportunity to play in a place like Gillette. A smaller roster of games would have been better. In this day and age, everyone has to be included. Kids need to learn that there are winners and losers. Not everyone gets a trophy on Saturday.

The Kick of a Lifetime

I didn't see the Auburn-Alabama game with its thrilling finish. I only saw the highlights. It was one for the ages. The 34-28 last play of the game loss knocked Alabama out of the top ranking in the national polls and dropped them to fourth. It probably cost them a third consecutive national title.

The final play will live on forever as one of the most exciting finishes to any football game. It started with a 57 yard Alabama field goal attempt by backup kicker Adam Griffith. Cade Foster, their starting kicker, was pulled after missing two field goals and having a third blocked by Auburn.

Griffith's kick was wide and was returned 100 yards by Chris Davis for the winning score. It was a highly unusual play, one rarely successful. All three players will be linked together as part of the game lore in the future.

It was the play of a lifetime by Davis and one that both kickers would like to forget.

Playing The Field

I think the NFL needs to take action against Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin after his controversial interference non-call last Thursday against the Ravens.

Tomlin claimed that he was watching the video board when Ravens returner Jacoby Jones was running down the sidelines for an apparent 100 yard kickoff return. Tomlin stepped on the field, causing Jones to break stride to avoid him. He was tackled after that.

Jones may have made it to the end zone. We will never know, but Tomlin's actions showed poor sportsmanship. He claims it was all innocent. Players get too close to the field all the time. No flag was thrown on the play. The NFL will review the film to determine if any action should be taken.

I think the league needs to fine him. Others say the Steelers should lose a draft choice. Tomlin's actions didn't effect the overall outcome of the game, but what if it did? How would the league react then?

The Costly Turnover

There has been a great deal of talk about the future of RB Steven Ridley with the Pats. His fumbles have come at bad times. He was benched last week after he coughed up the ball against the Broncos. How much will he play today against Houston?

Ridley has reached out to former RB Kevin Faulk who had his own problems holding onto the ball early in his career. He might be able to help, but Ridley is the one who can fix it.

Whoever has the ball, takes the blame for any turnover. It comes with the job description. In Ridley's case, he might not be here much longer if he keeps dropping it.