First we had to deal with Tom Brady's shoulder. Then it became a "foot" injury. Now, we are hearing that he might be going bald or suffering from a receding hairline.
Reports in the Boston Herald indicate that Brady sought consultation about a "hair plug" procedure. His hair is thinning and apparently he is concerned about a receding hairline.
Perhaps that is why he wear his hair long now because it won't last forever. Hall of Fame QB Terry Bradshaw had long flowing blond locks at one time, but has been sporting a shiny dome since the 1980's.
Brady should be concerned. His father has the classic case of male baldness. Brady has a future in modeling where the coiffure is considered very important. Maybe he might try the Michael Jordan look. It worked well forMJ.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Big Game Tonight in the NFC West
The NFL must be very happy that a pair of 3-7 teams are playing a huge game tonight on Monday Night Football.
The game between the San Francisco 49er's and Arizona Cardinals will have huge implications on the NFC West race as both teams trail the 5-6 Seattle Seahawks and St Louis Rams by only one game.
With six weeks to go, one division may have a winner with a final 8-8 record. As a division winner, they would host a Wild Card playoff game.
At this point in the season, only Buffalo, Cincinnati, Detroit and Carolina are out of the playoff picture. A few more will be added this weekend if some of the teams with eight losses add to their total.
This is what the NFL wants with the "balanced" schedule. It's great for the television ratings with teams still having a shot. This is unlike other professional sports that always have a bunch of teams out of it early in the season.
The game between the San Francisco 49er's and Arizona Cardinals will have huge implications on the NFC West race as both teams trail the 5-6 Seattle Seahawks and St Louis Rams by only one game.
With six weeks to go, one division may have a winner with a final 8-8 record. As a division winner, they would host a Wild Card playoff game.
At this point in the season, only Buffalo, Cincinnati, Detroit and Carolina are out of the playoff picture. A few more will be added this weekend if some of the teams with eight losses add to their total.
This is what the NFL wants with the "balanced" schedule. It's great for the television ratings with teams still having a shot. This is unlike other professional sports that always have a bunch of teams out of it early in the season.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Too Many Teams Playing
It seems like every sport wants to include more teams in the playoffs. The NFL constantly considers whether to add another wild card team in each conference. Baseball is also considering the same.
The start of high school football playoffs begins this week in Massachusetts. There will be no state champion overall because the state is broken down into Eastern, Central and Western sectors.
Eastern Mass. is the classic example of inclusion and ensuring that nobody feels left out or slighted. Rather than label Divisions 1-8, the teams are broken down by Divisions 1 & IA, 2 & 2A, 3 & 3A, 4 & 4A. The initial round will involve 30 teams at 15 games.
Most of the finals will be played at Gillette Stadium. A couple of the games will be played at another venue. I'm sure those players, coaches and parents feel slighted that their team did not get the chance to play in the Big House.
Maybe, they should declare very team a champion. It would save a lot of time for everyone.
The start of high school football playoffs begins this week in Massachusetts. There will be no state champion overall because the state is broken down into Eastern, Central and Western sectors.
Eastern Mass. is the classic example of inclusion and ensuring that nobody feels left out or slighted. Rather than label Divisions 1-8, the teams are broken down by Divisions 1 & IA, 2 & 2A, 3 & 3A, 4 & 4A. The initial round will involve 30 teams at 15 games.
Most of the finals will be played at Gillette Stadium. A couple of the games will be played at another venue. I'm sure those players, coaches and parents feel slighted that their team did not get the chance to play in the Big House.
Maybe, they should declare very team a champion. It would save a lot of time for everyone.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Small Squad Football
High school football is a huge part of the Thanksgiving Day tradition in America. Every game and rivalry has a great story line behind it.
Boston Latin and Boston English renewed their rivalry for the 124th time. It's been lopsided over the years with English winning only twice in the last 40 years.
The teams continue to play in spite of the small number of players on the English roster. They only dressed 14 players for the game. During the season, they have dressed less than 20. The team struggles to recruit players.
That may have contributed to their 54-12 loss to Latin. They trailed 14-7 at one point, but Latin scored seven touchdowns on the ground and piled up 300 yards. The score could have been much worse.
The game was played in Harvard Stadium, quite a venue for a high school contest. I think the players will remember it for the rest of their lives. It meant a lot to the 14 who dressed.
Boston Latin and Boston English renewed their rivalry for the 124th time. It's been lopsided over the years with English winning only twice in the last 40 years.
The teams continue to play in spite of the small number of players on the English roster. They only dressed 14 players for the game. During the season, they have dressed less than 20. The team struggles to recruit players.
That may have contributed to their 54-12 loss to Latin. They trailed 14-7 at one point, but Latin scored seven touchdowns on the ground and piled up 300 yards. The score could have been much worse.
The game was played in Harvard Stadium, quite a venue for a high school contest. I think the players will remember it for the rest of their lives. It meant a lot to the 14 who dressed.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Countdown to J-E-T-S
The Pats were able to beat the Lions yesterday , 45-24, after playing a mediocre first half. Coach Belichick and Tom Brady have emphasized that the team has been unable to play a consistent 60 minutes of football against any opponent this season.
That could come back to haunt them in their next game, a week from Monday against the Jets. That will be their toughest battle of the year. The Jets looked really good last night during their 27-24 win over the Bengals.
The Monday night battle with the Jets should be a great indicator of how far the Pats could go in the playoffs. If they can't be the Jets, they might not get past the first round. The next ten days will be filled with hype. Unfortunately, some "experts" will just focus on what is wrong with the Pats.
You would think the team is 2-9 the way some of these guys talk. After a while, I need to turn the radio off. Of course, these guys would not have a job unless they focused on the negativity.
That could come back to haunt them in their next game, a week from Monday against the Jets. That will be their toughest battle of the year. The Jets looked really good last night during their 27-24 win over the Bengals.
The Monday night battle with the Jets should be a great indicator of how far the Pats could go in the playoffs. If they can't be the Jets, they might not get past the first round. The next ten days will be filled with hype. Unfortunately, some "experts" will just focus on what is wrong with the Pats.
You would think the team is 2-9 the way some of these guys talk. After a while, I need to turn the radio off. Of course, these guys would not have a job unless they focused on the negativity.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
More For Motown
I'll be the first to say that I wish the Pats were playing their game on Sunday instead of Thanksgiving at 12:30PM. I enjoy watching other teams on this day, but I'm a Sunday 1PM traditionalist.
I think it's great that the league has a triple header lined up. The Lions and Cowboys have been a tradition for many years. Detroit started this in 1934. They have always played at home no matter what happened.
Naturally, there is a movement to take the game away from Motown for a few reasons. The Lions have been horrible for the last several years. They usually get the 1st or 2nd overall draft pick because of their losing ways.
They wasted a great deal of draft choices under former GM Matt Millen. Now, some want to move the game out of Detroit in lieu of their poor record and the dismal economic climate of the city. They want to spread the game around and let other cities have the option of being the showcase venue.
I strongly oppose this. I'm a great believer in tradition. Just because the team is playing poorly is not a good reason to move the game. The city of Detroit needs all of the economic help it can get.
The Cowboys came on-board with the Thanksgiving Day game in the 1960's. The night game is just a creation of the NFL Network. If they want to move the game from city to city, do it with the night game.
Thanksgiving is very traditional. I see no reason to move the game from Detroit.
I think it's great that the league has a triple header lined up. The Lions and Cowboys have been a tradition for many years. Detroit started this in 1934. They have always played at home no matter what happened.
Naturally, there is a movement to take the game away from Motown for a few reasons. The Lions have been horrible for the last several years. They usually get the 1st or 2nd overall draft pick because of their losing ways.
They wasted a great deal of draft choices under former GM Matt Millen. Now, some want to move the game out of Detroit in lieu of their poor record and the dismal economic climate of the city. They want to spread the game around and let other cities have the option of being the showcase venue.
I strongly oppose this. I'm a great believer in tradition. Just because the team is playing poorly is not a good reason to move the game. The city of Detroit needs all of the economic help it can get.
The Cowboys came on-board with the Thanksgiving Day game in the 1960's. The night game is just a creation of the NFL Network. If they want to move the game from city to city, do it with the night game.
Thanksgiving is very traditional. I see no reason to move the game from Detroit.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Pacman Squanders
Adam "Pacman" Jones is the poster boy for NFL players who have lead a life involving numerous arrests and misconduct off the field.
Jones is the epitome of a player who has squandered his talents. He keeps getting additional chances because of who he is and his exceptional talents.
He was the overall 6th selection in the 2005 draft when the Tennessee Titans called his name. He began a series of incidents which lead to his suspension for the 2007 season and part of 2008. He resurfaced with the Bengals last year before getting injured this season and ending up on IR.
His latest problems involve being ordered to pay $241,000 to a NYC car dealer for non-payment of two leased luxury cars. It doesn't make any sense why Jones would need to rent both a Lamborghini and a Bentley.
He seems destined to follow the road of many professional athletes who squander their excessive money on cars and jewelry. For all of the money he has earned, he probably doesn't have too much of it left.
The league has recently mandated that all rookies and draft selctions attend a symposium on how to conduct themselves outside of football. Too many of these guys end up broke by the time they are in their late 20's.
Jones is the epitome of a player who has squandered his talents. He keeps getting additional chances because of who he is and his exceptional talents.
He was the overall 6th selection in the 2005 draft when the Tennessee Titans called his name. He began a series of incidents which lead to his suspension for the 2007 season and part of 2008. He resurfaced with the Bengals last year before getting injured this season and ending up on IR.
His latest problems involve being ordered to pay $241,000 to a NYC car dealer for non-payment of two leased luxury cars. It doesn't make any sense why Jones would need to rent both a Lamborghini and a Bentley.
He seems destined to follow the road of many professional athletes who squander their excessive money on cars and jewelry. For all of the money he has earned, he probably doesn't have too much of it left.
The league has recently mandated that all rookies and draft selctions attend a symposium on how to conduct themselves outside of football. Too many of these guys end up broke by the time they are in their late 20's.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Mike Is The Best
I watched a NFL Network show on the sound bites of LB/Head Coach Mike Singletary. He was a stalwart on the Chicago Bears 1985 Super Bowl team that included Walter Payton and William "Refrigerator" Perry and so many others.They beat the Pats 46-10 in the January 26, 1986 game.
He now coaches the San Francisco 49er's to their current 3-7 record. It's been a long road for the Hall of Famer. He was a great defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens with Ray Lewis, but the transition to the head coaching ranks has been challenging.
He may become a victim of the 49er's lack of success and get himself fired. I believe he has a great future in the NFL as a head coach. Nobody is more passionate about the game than him. He is a great asset to any team.
If he gets fired and can't get a head coaching job, he would be an awesome addition to Coach Belichick's staff. Bill might even make him the "defensive coordinator". You never know....
He now coaches the San Francisco 49er's to their current 3-7 record. It's been a long road for the Hall of Famer. He was a great defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens with Ray Lewis, but the transition to the head coaching ranks has been challenging.
He may become a victim of the 49er's lack of success and get himself fired. I believe he has a great future in the NFL as a head coach. Nobody is more passionate about the game than him. He is a great asset to any team.
If he gets fired and can't get a head coaching job, he would be an awesome addition to Coach Belichick's staff. Bill might even make him the "defensive coordinator". You never know....
Monday, November 22, 2010
The Last Days of Brett
The pre-season Super Bowl hopes of the Vikings evaporated yesterday after losing 31-3 to Green Bay at home. It also cost Coach Brad Childress his job. In retrospect, he probably wishes he never based his team's fortune on Brett Favre.
With the Vikings at 3-7, Favre now faces what could be the last six meaningless games of his 20 year career. His compensation amounts to over $1 million per start.
The Vikings must now decide if they want to salvage a few wins. Favre was 17 of 38 for 208 yards, with one interception and heavy pressure throughout the game.
Favre is banged up and could rationalize sitting out the last six games on Injured Reserve. What will he choose to do? What will the Vikings do?
The fans in Minnesota can only roll their eyes as this drama continues to play out.
With the Vikings at 3-7, Favre now faces what could be the last six meaningless games of his 20 year career. His compensation amounts to over $1 million per start.
The Vikings must now decide if they want to salvage a few wins. Favre was 17 of 38 for 208 yards, with one interception and heavy pressure throughout the game.
Favre is banged up and could rationalize sitting out the last six games on Injured Reserve. What will he choose to do? What will the Vikings do?
The fans in Minnesota can only roll their eyes as this drama continues to play out.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Bad Seats At The Game
Last night, Notre Dame and Army played the first football game at the new Yankee Stadium. The teams met for the 5oth time in their rivalry with the Fighting Irish winning 27-3. They played there many times between 1920 and 1950. Their last game there was in 1969.
The stadium was designed with football in mind. I'm not sure what that means other than they were able to get a football field in there. The overhead shots of the field from the blimp did not show the playing field in a favorable light. Too many seats were at odd angles to the field or were just too far away.
Illinois and Northwestern played their game at Wrigley field in Chicago. The stadium was not large enough to meet the NCAA regulations for space behind the end zone. As a result, both teams had to play their offense towards the same end zone. The place also had many awkward seats.
I applaud both venues for having football games there. However, baseball stadiums do not provide good sight lines for watching a football game. Many people must have gone home with stiff necks. You should not need a pair of binoculars to see the action on the field.
The stadium was designed with football in mind. I'm not sure what that means other than they were able to get a football field in there. The overhead shots of the field from the blimp did not show the playing field in a favorable light. Too many seats were at odd angles to the field or were just too far away.
Illinois and Northwestern played their game at Wrigley field in Chicago. The stadium was not large enough to meet the NCAA regulations for space behind the end zone. As a result, both teams had to play their offense towards the same end zone. The place also had many awkward seats.
I applaud both venues for having football games there. However, baseball stadiums do not provide good sight lines for watching a football game. Many people must have gone home with stiff necks. You should not need a pair of binoculars to see the action on the field.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Desperate QB Situation
You don't see many teams with a winning record without a good QB. When a starter goes down, you need a dependable back-up. Matt Cassell landed a huge contract after filling in for Tom Brady during the 2008 season.
Some teams resort to desperate measures. Back in 2007, the Carolina Panthers brought in 43 year old Vinny Testaverde on a Tuesday before stating the next game. This time, they are going with Brian St. Pierre who has been a stay at home dad this season. In fact, he didn't even attend a training camp.
St Pierre had a great career at Boston College before the Steelers selected him in the 5th round of the 2003 draft. He has made a career of being a back-up QB on three different teams.
Unfortunately, he has limited playing experience with career stats of 2 of 5 for 12 yards, one TD and one interception.
After the 1-8 Panthers play the Baltimore Ravens, St. Pierre will increase his career numbers one way or the other.
Some teams resort to desperate measures. Back in 2007, the Carolina Panthers brought in 43 year old Vinny Testaverde on a Tuesday before stating the next game. This time, they are going with Brian St. Pierre who has been a stay at home dad this season. In fact, he didn't even attend a training camp.
St Pierre had a great career at Boston College before the Steelers selected him in the 5th round of the 2003 draft. He has made a career of being a back-up QB on three different teams.
Unfortunately, he has limited playing experience with career stats of 2 of 5 for 12 yards, one TD and one interception.
After the 1-8 Panthers play the Baltimore Ravens, St. Pierre will increase his career numbers one way or the other.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Match of This Era
A lot is being made about the match-up between the Colts and Pats on Sunday. Many feel it's all about Tom Brady vs Peyton Manning. They feel to realize that football is a total team effort, unlike the other major sports.
Some have said this is the greatest match-up of quarterbacks ever. They fail to take into account such icons as Joe Montana vs Troy Aikman and Dan Marino vs John Elway. The list could go on and on.
Brady and Manning are the big ones of this era. The NFL has a rich history which many fans fail to appreciate. These two players are destined for the Hall of Fame, but eventually someone else will take their place. Brady said he wants to play into his 40's. He might do that. You never know, but all careers end at some point.
Another great rivalry will come along. Fans will say that rivalry is the greatest ever. There will be those who never saw Brady and Manning play. That's how it goes.
Some have said this is the greatest match-up of quarterbacks ever. They fail to take into account such icons as Joe Montana vs Troy Aikman and Dan Marino vs John Elway. The list could go on and on.
Brady and Manning are the big ones of this era. The NFL has a rich history which many fans fail to appreciate. These two players are destined for the Hall of Fame, but eventually someone else will take their place. Brady said he wants to play into his 40's. He might do that. You never know, but all careers end at some point.
Another great rivalry will come along. Fans will say that rivalry is the greatest ever. There will be those who never saw Brady and Manning play. That's how it goes.
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