It's hard to believe that many of the draft "experts" actually make a living talking their nonsense. Mel Kiper has laughed his way to the bank with his many wrong predictions over the years. Most teams and fans disregard his list of "the best players available".
A local writer has made a fool of himself with his latest analysis. He said that Coach Belichick will be leaving in three or four years because the Pats loaded up in the first round with two defensive players. Everyone knows that Tom Brady's career is nearing the end. To say that he has five more seasons might be a stretch. Who knows how many years a player has? The writer said that Brady and Belichick will leave together.
In spite of what Belichick has said about his own future, this "expert" feels he has the inside scoop. Why else would he draft the way he did? It doesn't matter that the new rookie salary structure has changed everything the way teams look at first rounders. Belichick was not one to throw big amounts of money at unproven players. This new cap fits his philosophy.
Only Belichick knows how much longer he will coach. To try to make predictions on his behalf would be foolish for anyone.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
The Banner Man
Throughout the draft, we heard that classic cliche; "the quarterback is the face of the franchise". I think that holds true for all teams, but not every team has a marque player in that position.
As ESPN went for a commercial break, they showed a scene of where the Jets fans gathered in Radio City Music Hall. A huge banner featured the Jets logo and a picture of Tim Tebow. Where was the image of Mark Sanchez?
The Jets continue to say that Sanchez will be the starter. If that is the truth, why did they have Tebow's face on the banner? He is only a back-up quarterback, running back, H-back, fullback and punt protector.
This is just another issue that will cause controversy as the Jets continue their circus into the upcoming season. It would be like the Pats having Brian Hoyer or Ryan Mallett on their banner.
As ESPN went for a commercial break, they showed a scene of where the Jets fans gathered in Radio City Music Hall. A huge banner featured the Jets logo and a picture of Tim Tebow. Where was the image of Mark Sanchez?
The Jets continue to say that Sanchez will be the starter. If that is the truth, why did they have Tebow's face on the banner? He is only a back-up quarterback, running back, H-back, fullback and punt protector.
This is just another issue that will cause controversy as the Jets continue their circus into the upcoming season. It would be like the Pats having Brian Hoyer or Ryan Mallett on their banner.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
The Unfortunate Pick
For some players, where they get selected in the draft, can make or break their career. QB Kirk Cousins of Michigan State must be wondering what he did to deserve this.
He was drafted in the 4th round by the Washington Redskins who had already taken Robert Griffin III as the overall number two selection. RGIII has already been anointed as the franchise quarterback of the future. Where does this leave Cousins? Does he carry the clipboard on the sidelines for the next three years?
He had a stellar career at MSU where he holds passing records for total passing yards, completion percentage, efficiency and touchdowns. He was expected to be taken by a team looking for a starter or a potential back-up.
The selection by the Redskins probably guarantees that the career of Cousins will be stymied for a few years. He is in a similar situation to former MSU great Brian Hoyer. The Pats back-up was never drafted, but was able to pick his own team. He saw a future with the Pats as the back-up to Brady.
Cousins will be paid decently for not playing, but I'm sure this must really frustrate him to no end.
He was drafted in the 4th round by the Washington Redskins who had already taken Robert Griffin III as the overall number two selection. RGIII has already been anointed as the franchise quarterback of the future. Where does this leave Cousins? Does he carry the clipboard on the sidelines for the next three years?
He had a stellar career at MSU where he holds passing records for total passing yards, completion percentage, efficiency and touchdowns. He was expected to be taken by a team looking for a starter or a potential back-up.
The selection by the Redskins probably guarantees that the career of Cousins will be stymied for a few years. He is in a similar situation to former MSU great Brian Hoyer. The Pats back-up was never drafted, but was able to pick his own team. He saw a future with the Pats as the back-up to Brady.
Cousins will be paid decently for not playing, but I'm sure this must really frustrate him to no end.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Draft Off To A Good Start
I can't wait to hear the comments about the Pats two first round selections. They traded up for both. This is unheard of in the era of Bill Belichick.
DE Chandler Jones and LB Donte Hightower should prove to be great selections to add to their defense. I think the team already got better. Hightower has the Nick Saban connection to Belichick.
They gave up their selections in the third and forth rounds, but kept both of their seconds. It appears that they will look for a DB or a RB in rounds 2-4 tonight.
Nobody will be surprised if they trade down to pick up more picks in later rounds.
DE Chandler Jones and LB Donte Hightower should prove to be great selections to add to their defense. I think the team already got better. Hightower has the Nick Saban connection to Belichick.
They gave up their selections in the third and forth rounds, but kept both of their seconds. It appears that they will look for a DB or a RB in rounds 2-4 tonight.
Nobody will be surprised if they trade down to pick up more picks in later rounds.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Draft Night
No matter what the Pats do in tonight's draft, there will be talk about what they should have done. There have been many mock drafts predicting what they will do with the 27th and 31st picks in the the first round. A trade by one team can change the entire draft.
There are those who want the Pats to draft a big-name player. It almost doesn't matter if the player is a good fit for the team. They just want an "impact" player.
Another group will have a melt-down if the Pats trade one of their first rounders for 3rds and 4ths and a first next year. I predict they will do something like this.
In the end, the moves by the Pats will provide considerable fodder for discussions in future years. Here we go again.
There are those who want the Pats to draft a big-name player. It almost doesn't matter if the player is a good fit for the team. They just want an "impact" player.
Another group will have a melt-down if the Pats trade one of their first rounders for 3rds and 4ths and a first next year. I predict they will do something like this.
In the end, the moves by the Pats will provide considerable fodder for discussions in future years. Here we go again.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
320 Jobs Available
It's a winning situation for teams and players with the expansion of preseason rosters from 80 to 90 players. That opens up another 320 roster spots going into training camp. Critics say that talent can get diluted, but I disagree.
The talent level in the NFL is exceptional. In the end, the opening day roster will remain at 53. The expansion allows teams to have a more competitive camp.
Some of these players will remain on the fringe, but may get onto an active roster at some point. It allows teams to get involved in more player "projects".
I'm sure some teams will hide a player on Injured Reserve. It seems like every team does it.
The talent level in the NFL is exceptional. In the end, the opening day roster will remain at 53. The expansion allows teams to have a more competitive camp.
Some of these players will remain on the fringe, but may get onto an active roster at some point. It allows teams to get involved in more player "projects".
I'm sure some teams will hide a player on Injured Reserve. It seems like every team does it.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Wondering Wes
Whenever an unsigned player like Wes Welker starts to talk, it can lead to a number of different things. He has not signed his $9.5 million contract tender for the 2012 season. He said that he has not heard anything further since he was offered it.
I think Wes will lose a great deal of leverage if he signs it. He will be 31 on May 1. If he sings the tender, the Pats might drag out further contract negotiations. The same scene will happen next year at this time unless he gets a long term deal.
I can see why the Pats are balking at this. For financial reasons, I don't blame them one bit. How many more years can Welker play at his level before he suffers a career ending injury? Maybe two? Who knows? Injuries are the key.
He mentioned about not reporting to the mandatory min-camp in June. He would be foolish to show up. The league rules would require him to sign an injury waiver. It wouldn't make any sense to do that.
This sounds like the Vince Wilfork negotiations all over again. The problem is that you just can't sign every player. Maybe the team will challenge Wes into sitting out games in order to force his hand.
I think Wes will lose a great deal of leverage if he signs it. He will be 31 on May 1. If he sings the tender, the Pats might drag out further contract negotiations. The same scene will happen next year at this time unless he gets a long term deal.
I can see why the Pats are balking at this. For financial reasons, I don't blame them one bit. How many more years can Welker play at his level before he suffers a career ending injury? Maybe two? Who knows? Injuries are the key.
He mentioned about not reporting to the mandatory min-camp in June. He would be foolish to show up. The league rules would require him to sign an injury waiver. It wouldn't make any sense to do that.
This sounds like the Vince Wilfork negotiations all over again. The problem is that you just can't sign every player. Maybe the team will challenge Wes into sitting out games in order to force his hand.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Input From Drew
It is only a matter of time before Commissioner Roger Gooddell announceds his punishment against the players involved in Bountygate. It will effect numerous teams as some have former members of the Saints on their defense.
Gooddell has involved player union head Demaurice Smith, as well as former Saints LB Scott Fujita. I find it very interesting that QB Drew Brees will also consult with the Commissioner. Isn't this a conflict of interest? Why would Brees advocate for penalties on his teammates?
The penalties need to be announced before the draft on Thursday. It will certainly effect the way teams work their draft board. The sanctions against some players will open the door for someone to move up in the draft.
Gooddell has involved player union head Demaurice Smith, as well as former Saints LB Scott Fujita. I find it very interesting that QB Drew Brees will also consult with the Commissioner. Isn't this a conflict of interest? Why would Brees advocate for penalties on his teammates?
The penalties need to be announced before the draft on Thursday. It will certainly effect the way teams work their draft board. The sanctions against some players will open the door for someone to move up in the draft.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Tailoring For Tebow
The New York Jets seem very excited about Tim Tebow. They announced that they plan to use him as a running back, H-Back and fullback. This is in addition to his duties in the Wildcat offense.
Coach Ryan has gone on record to say that they want Tebow in about 18-20 plays. That is quite a few snaps. It certainly shapes their offense. There are only so many offensive snaps in the game.
There was no mention of starting QB Mark Sanchez in the article. Mini-camp in May should prove interesting.
Coach Ryan has gone on record to say that they want Tebow in about 18-20 plays. That is quite a few snaps. It certainly shapes their offense. There are only so many offensive snaps in the game.
There was no mention of starting QB Mark Sanchez in the article. Mini-camp in May should prove interesting.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Arresting Times
With the annual draft coming up next week, it is so important for players to stay out of trouble. Someone gets arrested every year. It can cause them to fall on the draft board, costing them money in their career.
CB Alfonzo Dennard is a stellar example. He was arrest this morning for assaulting a police officer during his arrest in Lincoln, Nebraska. Naturally, it happened between 2-3am.
Dennard was rated by many as the 5th best cornerback in the draft. He was the recent recipient of the 2011 Big Ten's Tatum-Woodson Award for defensive back of the year.
Many teams looks at arrests and game behavior. In Dennard's case, he was ejected last year in the Capital One Bowl after getting into a fight with South Carlina's Alshon Jeffery. Both players were tossed out in the first half.
It seems that Dennard has a hard time being a "shut-down" corner. Jeffery had already burned him for 148 yards before they got into their tussle during a pass play. Dennard apologized after the game, but the damage had already been done.
For some, an arrest doesn't change things for them. For others, it's a terrible way to join a team.
CB Alfonzo Dennard is a stellar example. He was arrest this morning for assaulting a police officer during his arrest in Lincoln, Nebraska. Naturally, it happened between 2-3am.
Dennard was rated by many as the 5th best cornerback in the draft. He was the recent recipient of the 2011 Big Ten's Tatum-Woodson Award for defensive back of the year.
Many teams looks at arrests and game behavior. In Dennard's case, he was ejected last year in the Capital One Bowl after getting into a fight with South Carlina's Alshon Jeffery. Both players were tossed out in the first half.
It seems that Dennard has a hard time being a "shut-down" corner. Jeffery had already burned him for 148 yards before they got into their tussle during a pass play. Dennard apologized after the game, but the damage had already been done.
For some, an arrest doesn't change things for them. For others, it's a terrible way to join a team.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Trevor and Jerry
Some fans want the team to go so "outside of the box" on draft day. With their two first and second round picks, the Pats can be very creative in packaging a trade to move up to select an "impact player". Who knows what they will do?
Maybe they can swing a trade like they did in 1985. They traded the 16th overall pick to the San Francisco 49er's for the classic lower first rounder and picking up 2nd and 3rd round picks. Coach Belichick does that all the time.
The Pats selected center Trevor Matich from BYU. He stayed with the team through 1988, but was often injured. He played 26 games with 11 starts.
The 49er's used the pick to draft a WR from a Division II school. Selecting Jerry Rice was a pretty good move by the 49er's. It worked out great for both of them.
Teams miss out on players every year.
Maybe they can swing a trade like they did in 1985. They traded the 16th overall pick to the San Francisco 49er's for the classic lower first rounder and picking up 2nd and 3rd round picks. Coach Belichick does that all the time.
The Pats selected center Trevor Matich from BYU. He stayed with the team through 1988, but was often injured. He played 26 games with 11 starts.
The 49er's used the pick to draft a WR from a Division II school. Selecting Jerry Rice was a pretty good move by the 49er's. It worked out great for both of them.
Teams miss out on players every year.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Beware of Experts
The off-season workouts have started for the Pats and the rest of the league. Every team has absences. It appears Matt Light will retire. Tom Brady isn't there unless he needs to be. He has a $258,000 workout bonus in his contract that he will never earn.
It seems to revolve around Jerod Mayo now on the defense. He and Vince Wilfork are the anchors. Matthew Slater is a leader on special teams.
The 2012 team is starting this week. It's a long way to training camp. Some of the people on the roster won't be there. It's a constant change day to day.
A local "expert" predicted the Pats to be 9-7 this season, starting off 1-3. He doesn't know everything, but on the other hand, he has made a living on being a sportswriter and being wrong.
Maybe the team will be worse than that. Nobody knows what will happen in the 2012 season.
It seems to revolve around Jerod Mayo now on the defense. He and Vince Wilfork are the anchors. Matthew Slater is a leader on special teams.
The 2012 team is starting this week. It's a long way to training camp. Some of the people on the roster won't be there. It's a constant change day to day.
A local "expert" predicted the Pats to be 9-7 this season, starting off 1-3. He doesn't know everything, but on the other hand, he has made a living on being a sportswriter and being wrong.
Maybe the team will be worse than that. Nobody knows what will happen in the 2012 season.
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