The End For Steve Gregory

The Pats have begun the process of releasing veteran players because of salary cap issues. DB Steve Gregory became the first. His $3 million cap impact made him expendable. Earlier in the week, he lamented that this might happen.

He could return to the team at a cheaper price, but it looks like the Pats will move on and pursue free agents and draft choices to fill his spot.

Social media was filled with comments critical of his play, but he was able to carve out a career that has lasted eight years in spite of being undrafted in 2006. He played in 111 games, including 54 starts. He will end up some place as a backup.

The Best Name

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix had one of the most intriguing names at the NFL Scouting Combine. The safety from Alabama elected to enter the draft after his junior year. He was selected for the All SEC Defensive Team after the 2013 season in spite of a two game suspension and eventual knee surgery.

Like everyone else at the Combine, he had a remarkable high school and college career. It turns out that his first name is really Ha'Sean. If he ever makes it to the NFL, the commentators will have fun with his name.

No Invitation

The NFL Scouting Combine has concluded. Some players really helped their draft status by what they did there. As the coaches often say, "It doesn't matter how you get to the NFL, as long as you get there". The Pats drafted several players in the past who made the team, but were never invited to the Combine.

OL Sebastian Vollmer raised a lot of eyebrows in 2009 when the Pats selected him in the 2nd round. They later followed up with WR Julien Edelman in the 7th round, but at the time, he was still playing quarterback. DB's Tavon Wilson and Nate Ebner were drafted in the 2nd and 6th round respectively in 2012. Duron Harmon joined the other DB's when he was selected last year in the 2nd round.

All of these players made an impact on the team. It's the same all around the league. Every year there are players who were not invited, but got drafted. Some of those who were there, will never get drafted and won't make a roster as a free agent.

Strange Trades That Didn't Happen

The weird drama in the front office of the San Francisco 49er's will drag on and eventually someone will depart from the team. It was very strange to hear of the attempt by the Cleveland Browns to make a trade for coach Jim Harbaugh.

Team owner Jed York declined the offer, but it shows the strain between Harbaugh and the team as they attempt to negotiate a long term contract with the coach.

Reports indicate that the relationship between Harbaugh and GM Tent Baalke are strained to the point where they only communicate via email. This does not bode well for the long term.

It appears that the team will need to decide between Harbaugh and Baalke. I think Harbaugh is the favorite because he has guided the 49er's to three straight NFL Championship games, but you never know.

Throwing Chances Away

It seems to be the norm for some players to sit out certain drills at the NFL Scouting Combine. We see that especially with quarterbacks. Johnny Manziel and a few others didn't bother to throw any passes. They will wait until their school holds their Pro Day. Some quarterbacks feel more comfortable throwing to their own receivers, but others have no choice.

Only 19 quarterbacks were invited to the Combine. Jeff Matthews of Cornell is a prime example. He already has a mark against him by coming from an Ivy League school, in spite of his accomplishments on the field.

Matthews was asked to be a throwing quarterback for the receiver drills. He jumped on the chance to get more exposure. He projects to be a late round pick or might go undrafted. At least he is not afraid to show what he can do.

Endangered Species

As I watch the NFL Scouting Combine, it seems like the days of the featured running back are going away. So many teams like the Pats do "running back by committee".

This could be the second time in 51 years where a running back wasn't drafted in the first round. It happened last year. The NFL leading rushers in 2013 were mostly drafted in rounds 3-5. That has been the trend in recent years.

Running backs also have the shortest careers. So many are done too soon.

Never Six Feet

NFL teams are notorious for overstating the size of their players. Some seem to grow taller after leaving college. Nobody wants to be short.

QB Johnny Manziel measured at 5'11 3/4" at the Scouting Combine. He is not six feet tall. Whatever team drafts him might list him at six feet after rounding it off to the next inch. There has already been talk about him being a "short" quarterback.

The league has always been obsessed about height and weight. Manziel is now considered to be short and will need to deal with it.

The Sad Tale of Sharper

Former DB Darren Sharper had a great NFL career playing in five Pro Bowls and two Super Bowls over the course of 14 seasons. He won a ring with the Saints. He made a smooth transition to the NFL Network as one of their analysts. I heard him on numerous occasions and always thought he did a good job.

The recent news about his arrest is very disturbing. He is charged with drugging and raping two women in California. He is also being investigated for another eleven druggings and seven rapes across four states in the last 6-7 months.

All of this happened while he was on the staff of the NFL Network. He has been suspended from his job. He faces a long uphill legal battle. If he ever beats the charges, it would still be difficult for him to return in front of the camera.

His story will continue to unfold over the next several months.

No Gonzalez Here

Pats fans were hearing the rumor that TE Tony Gonzalez might try to play another year if he had a shot at going to the Super Bowl with a contending team.

That story ended today with the announcement that he will be joining the crew at CBS for the "The NFL Today" show. Gonzalez will bring his 17 years of playing experience to the broadcast.

CBS decided to change their line-up as they have struggled behind "Fox NFL Sunday". It was surprising to hear that Dan Marino and Shannon Sharpe will not be returning to the show. Gonzalez will be joining James Brown, Boomer Esiason and Bill Cowher.

You don't keep your job as a coach if your team doesn't win. It works the same for television ratings. Someone pays the price.

Ray's Bad Day

Baltimore RB Ray Rice has been portrayed as a guy who overcame the odds to make it to the NFL. Now, we are seeing video released by TMZ of Rice dragging his unconscious wife from an elevator at a casino in Atlantic City.

Police charged both of them after it was revealed that they had some type of altercation. How will this case play out? Will it fall quietly by the wayside? I'm sure the Ravens front office wants it to go away. Will it effect his future with the team?

Who will be the next NFL player to get arrested?

Vince On Line 1

No athlete ever wants to hear talk on the radio about him being overpaid and expendable, but it's happening with Vince Wilfork these days. He is 32 years old, returning from Achilles surgery and counts $11.5 million against the salary cap. He has always been a fan favorite and seems to enjoy a great relationship with the Kraft family.

I would not be surprised if they just release him. I think he can still play, but it won't be for money like that here.

This will be a story that evolves over the next few weeks.

A Good Pay

The NFL continues to make money with ease. Revenue in 2013 was $10 billion up from the $7 billion of 2006. At the head of all this is Commissioner Roger Goodell who serves at the will of the owners.

He is very well compensated for his efforts. In 2012, he earned a $35.1 million salary and also got a $5 million bonus and $4.1 million pension payment. Is $44.2 million too much compensation for the leader of a $10 billion business? The team owners seem to have no issue with it. A few weeks ago, the league sold its television rights for eight Thursday night games to CBS for $300 million.

If Goodell stayed on the job for another 20 years, his total compensation would exceed the $760 million legal settlement with the former players over injuries and concussions. Meanwhile, players in their 70's and 80's get a few financial crumbs thrown to them.