Peterson's Whine

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson is entering his 10th NFL season. He said the off-season preparation is wearing him down and might send him into retirement before his skills and body give way.

His situation is not unique. Many players feel the same way, but never go public with their thoughts. Peterson should realize that there are players on the fringe who are waiting for their opportunity that might never come. If Peterson or any other bored player decides to retire, it will give them the chance they need for a roster spot.

There are some rooting for Peterson and other players to retire.

Pay The Bottom Feeders

I read a great editorial that proposed the elimination of the franchise tag. Players always want long term security and big dollars.

The NFLPA needs to address the issue of the bottom feeders. The veteran minimum salaries need to be adjusted. Everyone on the 53 man roster should make over $1 million.

The salaries pale in compassion to MLB, NHL and NBA. Each of those sports have their own skill set, but the pay discrepancy should not be that much.

Long Ride Might End

Prior to the new CBA in 2011, first round picks were guaranteed to make a lot of money. That didn't always translate to success on the field for many players. The list is quite long.

OL Jake Long was the overall #1 pick by the Dolphins in 2008. He signed a 5 year/$57.5 million contract. The money was good, but not his production.

After his release, he spent two seasons with the Rams. He ended up on IR each year with ACL injuries.

He spent last year with the Falcons, but played in only four games before his release at the end of the season.

He claims he is healthy now and is looking for a team. He will probably end up as a practice body at some training camp. Making the final roster will be another challenge.

Long made a lot of money, but might be at the end of the line.

Darrelle Dollars

I wonder if the New York Jets are having second thoughts about all the money they committed to Darrelle Revis.

They are on the hook this year for a salary cap hit of $17 million. He will be 31 in July. They are trying to sign other players to long term contracts, including Ryan Fitzpatrick, but he accounts for a huge portion of the team's payroll.

Maybe the Jets wil feel they need to go in another direction at some point in time.

Guaranteed money is never guaranteed.

Big Win For Rex

If Coach Rex Ryan gets fired at the end of the season, at least he will make it interesting for the fans. The Bills coach announced that his team had won the off-season.

Nobody knows what that really means, but Rex is ready for opening day. His team has not the playoffs since 1999. They were 8-8 last season. The fans are more than restless. Some say that Rex won't be around in 2017 if the team misses the playoffs.

He will turn this into a circus before it's over.

One Down So Far

The Pats finished their OTA's and mini-camp with only one player lost for the season. It appears that almost every team suffered one major injury.

The Pats were expecting big things from TE Michael Williams this season, but it won't happen after he tore his ACL during a drill.

Teams will be looking to avoid major injuries when training camp opens at the end of next month. It won't be easy. Players get hurt.

Costly Injuries

The NFL has a great disparity in salaries. Quarterbacks get the big dollars. Players with the franchise tag are sure to cash in.

On the other end of the spectrum are many players like TE Michael Williams. After he suffered a season ending injury, the Pats released him. He was under a "split contract". As a result, his $525,000 salary will be reduced to $348,000.

His injury ended up costing him $177,000 in lost wages. This happens all around the league.

Michael Williams Gone

TE Michael Williams had a productive time with the Pats after he got traded to them during the 2015 season. After tearing his ACL at the team's mandatory mini-camp, the team released him and will give him a medical/financial settlement. As a free agent, he is free to sign with anyone, including the Pats.

His injury is just another example of the fragility of NFL careers Every player is different. Things happen at practice. It's all part of the game.

Players Are Numbered

Leave it to the NFL to institute rulings that don't make any sense. For a number of years,  Coach Belichick had his players practicing during OTA's without wearing a number on their jersey. He felt that it promoted team communication and bonding.

The NFL felt otherwise. They now require numbers to prevent injured players from practicing. They like to rise their high horse about player safety.

Stalemate In Denver

The Denver Broncos have a mess on their hands with LB Von Miller. They put an offer on the table of 6 years/ $114.5 million with $39.8 million guaranteed.

Miller hesitated because of the amount of money guaranteed. The Broncos pulled their offer. They are now in a standoff, with Miller threatening to sit out the season or at least the first ten weeks.

Nobody knows how this will play out, but it's a great example of how NFL contracts work. They are usually smoke and mirrors. Nobody ever seems to collect all the money from their contract.

Kelly & Ryan

Hall of Fame QB Jim Kelly predicted that the Buffalo Bills will fire Rex Ryan if his former team doesn't make the playoffs this year after a previous 8-8 season.

Kelly is very passionate about his former team, but why would he stoke the fires so early? Ryan has made too many predictions in the past for his own sake.

The last thing that fans want is a season where the coach is on the line every game. It creates too much pressure around the team.

Rex is the type of coach who will eventually get fired. It happens to everyone.

Sherman Speaks

Seattle Seahawks CB Richard Sherman has always been outspoken and not afraid to speak his mind. I thought he was 100% correct in what he said about new stadium projects.

I agree that none of it should be taxpayer funded. The billionaire owners and the NFL should pay for the construction.

Oakland Raiders Mark Davis is trying to convince Las Vegas officials to ante up money for the construction of a new stadium in order for his team to relocate there.

Publicly funded stadiums are a waste of taxpayer dollars.