The End of the 2017 Regular Season

The season has ended for 20 teams. There are now 12 left to play one more game. Four more will get eliminated next weekend.

For some players, it will be the last game of their career. Some coaches will have trouble finding work next year in the NFL. They might need to go to the college level. Some might never make it back to the big show.

Players will be forced to retire because of injuries. There are young players in college eager to take their spot.

Very few leave the game on their own terms.

Coaches Transition

How many NFL coaches will be fired on Monday? Jim Caldwell of the Lions and John Fox of the Bears seem to be at the head of the list.

They will all resurface somewhere else. It might not be as head coach, but more likely a coordinator.

The NFL is a huge network of coaches who know one another. There is nothing wrong with that.

Coaches move around so much in their career. It can be very hard on a marriage and family.

The $2.5 Million Game

The Pats need to beat the Jets to have home field advantage during the playoffs. Rob Gronkowski has every reason to have a big game.

His contract is filled with incentives. He has a $4 million base salary for 2017. He earned another $4 million with his 1,000 yards in receptions.

His biggest challenge will be on Sunday where he has $2.5 million on the line. He needs either 11 receptions, 116 yards or six TD's. All are realistic except the TD's. Making First Team All-Pro will also do it.

It will be interesting to see if he keeps playing if the game gets out of hand.

A Time To Part

It has been a better season for the Jets than many imagined. Nobody gave them much of a chance to win any games, but it has not been without controversy.

It remains to be seen if they activate Muhammad Wilkerson when they play the Pats on Sunday. All signs point toward the team parting ways with the disgruntled player.

They have a good reason to sit him on Sunday. If he got seriously injured, his $16.75 salary for 2018 would be fully guaranteed. If they release him, they won't be on the hook for any money.

Things have not worked out with Wilkerson after he signed a 5 year/ $86 million contract prior to the 2016 season.

Apple Sits

The New York Giants continue to be a dumpster fire with their latest episode involving CB Eli Apple. Landon Collins referred to him as a cancer on the team. It has been one thing after the other for the former first round pick.

Apple met with Coach Steve Spagnola and Collins in an attempt to clear the air. The Giants decided to suspend him for the final game of the season three hours after their meeting.

Everyone will be glad when the season is finally over.

Last Stand For The Bills

The Buffalo Bills have not made the playoffs since 1999. They hold the longest streak of any professional sports team for this dubious distinction.

At 8-7, their hopes are hanging by a thread. They need help from other teams. Their loyal fans deserve an opportunity. It will all be decided next weekend.

Can't Fire The GM

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones gave Coach Jason Garrett a vote of confidence after the team was eliminated from the playoffs with their loss to the Seahawks.

It was the least he could do for a coach who doesn't pick the players. Jerry can't fire the GM because he would be firing himself.

James Harrison

Steelers LB James Harrison was released earlier this week. Is this the end of the line for the 39 year old? He only played in five games this season and was not happy with his lack of playing time.

Rumors indicate that the Pats and Ravens are interested in him. How much does he have left?

At his age, the end is near.

Kiffen Talk

Why would Florida Atlantic University give Lane Kiffen a ten year contract extension, considering his track record of moving to other jobs?

Why did Kiffen elect to go for a two point conversion while leading 34-3 late in the third quarter against Akron in the Boca Raton Bowl? FAU won 50-3.

These are two questions without any logical answer.

The Nickname League

While reading business articles in the New York Post, I saw that the XFL might be coming back. The one year league, headed by Vince MacMahon in 2001 has been doing some behind the scene stuff, including registering trademarks.

There is a need for a minor league of the NFL to develop players. The XFL was a perfect fit back then, but lost too much money and folded.

Is this the right time, in light of player protest and head injuries? In the end, it will be all about the money.

Vote The Fans Out

The selections for the Pro Bowl were announced the other night. There is always controversy about who made the team and who was left out.

I don't believe in the selection process where equal weight is given to the votes by players, coaches and fans. The ones who play and coach the game should have the final say.

Fans are biased. They often vote for their own team. Making it to the Pro Bowl is a great honor for a player. It is often mentioned in the Hall of Fame selection process.

Leave it to the fans to mess it up.

Running With Mike

The Pats have lost RB Rex Burkhead for at least a month after he injured his knee against the Steelers. This potentially opens the door for Mike Gillislee who has been inactive for the last six games.

Most assume that he will be active against the Bills on Sunday because of position depth issues. If he doesn't have much of a role in that game, he should really question his future with the team.