Finding Money

One thing that is consistent in the NFL is the way that players squander their money. Many of them file for bankruptcy after their playing days are over. There are endless stories about players who blow their fortune.

LB Sean Weatherspoon is a great example. Last season he earned $2.35 million while playing for the Arizona Cardinals.

He recently found an uncashed game check from the first week of the season. Apparently, he didn't miss the $138,235.29

Bill, Meet Brock

Teams have been spending money recklessly on free agents. Most of these players won't ever see all of it or the full term of their contract. Quarterbacks are being paid a ton.

Brock Osweiler is a great example. He will be paid $37 million over the next two seasons, in spite of only having seven career starts.

He was signed without meeting Coach Bill O'Brien. That doesn't make any sense. What if their relationship doesn't work out? This has disaster written all over it.

The Growing Problem

I don't understand why the NFL doesn't work for a better solution to the concussion and CTE issue. They are still in denial after threatening the New York Times with a lawsuit over a story about concussions.

A league executive recently appeared before a Congressional committee and mumbled his way through some answers to questions addressing the problem.

There is a $1 billion legal settlement that the owners have offered. It still remains before a federal judge. The NFL needs to release that $1 billion is the starting point. Eventually, they will need to cut their losses and agree to give more money.

To China Again

The NFL has revived the idea of playing a game in China. This will happen at some point. The Pats were scheduled to play a pre-season game in 2007 against the Seattle Seahawks in the China Bowl. The game was rescheduled to 2009 and finally cancelled.

Now, the NFL wants to go back. Is this a better time now? Social media has changed so much since 2009. The league will make this work because of the money.

Julius Adams

Younger fans cannot appreciate the great player that Julius Adams was during his time with the Pats. The defensive star was a second round pick in 1971 and played for the team from 1971-1985 and again in 1987.

Adams died the other day at the age of 67.

He was a member of the team's 50th Anniversary team, playing in 206 career games. He also played in the team's first Super Bowl appearance after the 1985 season.

He was a great player in any era.

Kevin Turner

Kevin Turner was under the radar during his retirement until a few years ago when he announced that he was battling ALS. Many felt that his illness was brought on by years of head trauma. His future was bleak. The Pats announced his death the other day at the age of 46.

Turner was a third round draft pick of the Pats in 1992. He played three seasons for them before spending another five with the Philadelphia Eagles. He finished his career with 160 carries for 635 yards and one TD. He also had 236 receptions for 2,015 yards and 10 scores.

His brain and spinal cord will be donated for CTE research. His name was attached to the concussion lawsuit against the NFL.

Just Say No To Fenway

Boston College declined an opportunity to host their Nov 19th game at Fenway Park against UConn. After what they went through last season with Notre Dame, it's easy to see why.

BC was the visiting team against the Fighting Irish. They had to dress back in their own locker room and then take a bus to the game. The Eagles were allotted only 5,000 tickets.

The Eagles already have one less home game this season because of their trip to Ireland to host Georgia Tech. They did not want to have less than six games at Alumni Stadium. Fans also complained of poor sight lines to the field.

RG 3 - #25

Robert Griffin III made a smart decision when he signed a 2 year/$15 million contract with the Cleveland Browns. He can be a free agent in two years if he can resurrect his career in Cleveland.

RG III carries the hopes and dreams of Browns fans. Is he the guy that finally lead them to the playoffs?

Since 1999, the Browns have started24 different quarterbacks. RG III is #25 for better or worse.

Two Strikes and Out

I support the new rule which will lead to ejection from the game if a player gets two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. The game has been getting out of control in recent years. Officials are hearing too much verbal abuse from the players.

There needs to be more self-control on the field. Officials must not get too quick with penalties for this to work.

More Head Injuries

The NFL Competition Committee is charged with trying to make the game safer. Recent rule changes were made to reduce concussions.

The league reported that they increased from 2014 which saw 206, compared to 271 in 2015. The increase is significant, but probably a result of better concussion protocol. More players are self-reporting, although many still try to hide them out of fear of losing their playing time.

I don't think the game can completely eliminate them.

Save The Ink

Pats owner Robert Kraft wrote a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell asking for the reinstatement of their first round draft pick which was taken away as a result of Deflategate.

This was largely a public relations move to make the fans happy. Kraft has little support from the other owners. There is no way this will ever happen.

Matt VI

QB Matt Cassell has landed on his sixth team to start his 12th season in the NFL.  He has played for the Pats, Chiefs, Vikings, Bills, Cowboys and will now be in Tennessee as a back-up to Marcus Mariotta.

Cassell has had a remarkable career. He only took a few snaps in his college career at USC, but has lasted since 2005.

He continues to earn some good pay checks.