It's Only The Schedule

The NFL Network is able to make a show out of almost any news. They will have a special on tonight when the 2018 schedule gets revealed.

Other major sports just release it to the media, but the NFL is able to make an evening out of it. They are really clever at what they do.

Peyton and Ryan

Twenty years ago today, Peyton Manning was the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. He changed their franchise forever.

There was great debate whether to select Ryan Leaf. Both players were an easy choice.

Manning had a Hall of Fame career with a Super Bowl ring.

Leaf's career was a disaster after being picked 2nd overall by the Chargers. He was out of the league after 2002 with stops in Tampa Bay, Dallas and Seattle. His legal issues ended him in jail.

This is so similar to what is going on now with the worshipping of the quarterbacks of the 2018 NFL Draft.

These players will all have unique careers. Some will be better than others. There will be a disappointments.

Here We Go

What does it all mean when Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski did not show up for the start of off-season activities. They were always there.

Boston sports talk show are not about to let up on this. They will beat this to death.

Nothing New From Amendola

The recent comments by former Pats WR Danny Amendola don't reveal anything new. We all know that Coach Belichick is hard to work for and doesn't pay very well. Players know that when they sign their contract.

If they want more money, they need to do what Amendola did and sign with another team that is willing to pay.

His additional comments on Malcolm Butler showed that fans will never know why he was benched in the Super Bowl. Belichick could've put him into the game, but he didn't.

He will need to live with that decision for the rest of his life, especially if he never gets back to another Super Bowl.

Fewer Returns In College

The NFL and NCAA differ a bit in some of their rules. One item worth watching will be the new change in college kickoffs.

The receiving team will now have the option of fair catching it inside their 25 yard line. The ball will then be placed on the 25.

The primary reason is to reduce the amount of violent collisions on kickoffs and returns.

How will the NFL react to this? At some point, I wouldn't be surprised if they adopt this change. It might be inevitable.

The End For Dez In Dallas

It took forever for the Cowboys to release WR Dez Bryant. They were not going to pay him $12.5 million for next season, while taking a $16.5 million cap salary hit.

The team finally did it today after owner Jerry Jones met with the eight year veteran. Many tried to convince Jones to make the move sooner, but he wouldn't do it.

According to Dez, the option of taking a pay cut was not on the table. The team just wanted to move on.

He will end up somewhere. The money will always be an issue with him.

No Job For Him

In spite of the NFL starving for good quarterbacks, Colin Kaepernick has been unable to land a job.

Nobody can say that teams are avoiding him because of his stance of taking a knee for the National Anthem, but it's rather strange that a player with his talent has been unable to get a contract.

He had plans to meet with the Seahawks as a possible backup to Russell Wilson, but that fell through after he said he would continue with his policy of kneeling.

Kaepernick is firm in his position, even if it costs him money and his NFL career.

They Speak For Tom

Tom Brady enters the season with two years left on his contract. Pats owner Robert Kraft recently said that neither side has an urge to open up talks. That all sounded fine since it came from the owner.

It wasn't good enough for sports talk radio. Some anonymous source said that isn't the case with Brady. Who is the source? Did someone just make this up to see what happens?

There are too many of rumors out there. Anonymous sources have no credibility with me.

Will The Jets Get It Right?

All of the NFL draft experts are trying to predict which players get picked in the first round. The New York Jets have the third overall pick.

Will GM Mike Mccagnan grab another quarterback after selecting Bryce Petty in 2015 and Christian Hackenberg rin 2016? Fans are ready to pounce on him if they don't like his choice.

Every team makes good and bad moves. Tom Brady at 199th in 2000 will always be regarded as one of the best ever. In 2014, the Pats selected DL Dominique Easley in the first round. He was cut two years later.

Success and wins can take the sting out of bad decisions on draft day.

No Calls For Them

I saw a listing of unsigned free agents still waiting for a call that might never come. There are some very accomplished names on the list.

They remain unsigned for a variety of reasons. Some have priced themselves out of the market. Others are facing the age number.

Many still want to play. They just don't realize that it's over for them.

Johnny 2018

It appears that Johnny Manziel got mixed reviews after playing two quarters in the new Spring League. Everyone there is fighting for an audition with the NFL. Interested teams are scouting talent that falls through the cracks or gets overlooked.

In the end, Manziel completed his first seven passes with a TD, but ended up 9 of 15 for 82 yards and three sacks.

Johnny has said he would be willing to play in the CFL. Nobody knows how this will play out. He is able to keep his story alive and give himself a chance.

Draft Schedule

The NFL tries to milk the draft to the last possible moment. They do such a great job maximizing this event. Nobody could do it better.

The drag it to the end of April. I think it should be a week or two sooner. They have it all laid out and do so well in making this work.