Adam 2018

Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri recently turned 45. At this stage of his career, he is doing one year contracts. The team just signed him for 2018.

It has taken Vinatieri 22 years to get to the point where he can set several records that could be out of reach in the future.

He needs 58 points to pass Morton Anderson for the most in a career with 2,544. Another six field goals will break Anderson's record of 565.

How much longer can he play? He has avoided injuries, but only a handful of players have been around this long.

Indy Things Not Happening

The Pats already announced that two things won't be happening at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Josh McDaniels will not be traveling to Indianapolis. It's probably a good idea that he stays home in Foxborough.

Coach Belichick will not be holding a press conference while he is there. It would only be an endless drone of Malcolm Butler questions.

I have no doubt that he will be the focus of the media.

Inviting The Coaches

The NFL continues to make their player draft a major television event. This year it will be held from April 26-28 at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys. Coverage will be on the NFL Network and ESPN.

Round 1 will be on the first day, with rounds two, three and four on the next. Players who attend the first two days of coverage can also bring their high school coach with them. The best thing about that is the NFL will pay the cost of getting the coach there.

it's good to see the league recognizing the vital role that high school coaches have in player development.

Near The End

Pats WR Danny Amendola is entering free agency for the first time in five years. He has taken numerous pay cuts to stay with the team. He has a great situation with Tom Brady.

Considering his age, he might not have many offers out there. His best option is to stay in Foxborough, but for what price? He doesn't have much leverage.

At best, he has a year or two left.

No Money On The 14th

After the Super Bowl, it sounded like Pats TE Martellus Bennett was ready to retire. His brief tenure with the team ended quickly when he went on IR.

If he wants to stay in Foxborough, it won't be on his financial terms. He is due a $2 million roster bonus on March 14th and carries a $6.2 million salary cap hit.

Those numbers will make him expendable. His only option is to take a pay cut.

The End For David Harris

Pats LB David Harris was destined to be salary cap victim within the next few weeks. During last season, he said he still wanted to play and had the fire within.

It all ended for him today when he announced his retirement on Twitter through his agent. There was no big press conference with a bank of microphones.

The former Michigan star was a 2nd round pick by the Jets in 2007. He spent his first ten seasons with them before his final one with the Pats.

The Pats signed him to a two year contract, but his lack of speed kept him off special teams and pass plays. With the Pats, he appeared in ten games, with six starts. His 177 snaps was an indicator that the end was near.

His 1,260 tackles with the Jets rank him second all time with the team.

Fathers and Sons

It seems likely that the Pats will select a quarterback in the upcoming draft. Many names are being discussed, but two that stand out are Luke Falk of Washington State and Kyle Lauletta of Richmond.

Both of these players are similar to Jimmy Garoppolo is many ways and should be available in the second round.

Boston sports talk shows are having fun with discussing Lauletta. His father Joe attended the Naval Academy while Bill Belichick's father Steve was on the staff. Kyle was MVP of the Senior Bowl, but the biggest thing is that he is also a lacrosse player.

It would be quite ironic if the Pats selected Lauletta since his father was on the Navy team at the end of Steve's career.

A Certain Ring To It

Players make a big deal out of their Super Bowl ring. It can never be large enough for some. A smaller version is given to workers associated with the team.

A ring from Super Bowl LI, with a connection to Tom Brady, was just sold at an auction for $344,927. You can't blame anyone for selling a piece of jewelry for that much money, but it was odd that the ring had a notation of "Brady" on it.

Some players sell their ring for financial reasons. Hall of Fame LB Lawrence Taylor had legal issues in recent years. He sold his ring from Super Bowl XXV back in 2012 for $230,401.

Ryan's Decision

When Steelers LB Ryan Shazier had his devastating injury, it looked like he might never walk again. He underwent spinal stabilization surgery and a lengthy rehab.

He said he still wants to play and perform at his Pro Bowl level. It remains to be seen if it ever happens.

In spite of it all, his best choice might be to walk away from the game rather than risk further injury.

McCourty's Input

The mystery around the benching of CB Malcolm Butler continues after Devin McCourty's recent remarks during an interview.

He said it was unrelated to discipline and the team knew that he would not be starting.

Did the move by Coach Belichick effect the team? That point will be debated forever or until the coach clarifies the issue.

Gronk's Money Machine

If Rob Gronkowski retires from the NFL, you can't blame him if he makes that choice. His injuries would be reason enough.

He is underpaid by NFL standards and has many options if he quits. He has a standing offer to join WWE. Action movies are also on the table.

He has carefully crafted his brand. His father and brothers are all involved in his money machine. He is known for not having spent one dollar of the money he made in the NFL.

Whatever he decides, it will just keep the cash flowing.

No Breeze For Brees

Saints QB Drew Brees has a day of reckoning with the team on or before March 14th. If the team doesn't give him a new contract by that date, the final three years of his contract will become void. His contract was structured in such a way that the team cannot give him the franchise tag.

Brees has often said that he wants to finish his career with the Saints, but does the team feel the same?

If he becomes a free agent, he would command top dollar. The Browns could offer him a monster contract, but does he want to start all over with a hopeless team?

One thing that will drive the team's decision is the enormous salary cap hit the team will take if they let him go.

The clock is ticking towards that date.