The Show Goes On

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has stated that the draft will go on as scheduled from April 23-25. It will be scaled back with no live audience.

Critics complain that teams have not been able to schedule visits and physicals.

They have a valid point, but much work was done in the past year on these players. It won't be perfect, but the show should go on as long as proper precautions are taken.

Cap Is Tight

Reports show that the Pats have the 2nd smallest salary cap space with only $891,775 available to sign free agents and players on the roster.

They will need to either release some or renegotiate their contracts.

This happens every year. It could be worse. The Chiefs have only $177 to sign anyone.

Time For Bill

I love the Pats Hall of Fame at the stadium. Fans should check it out.

There are so many players that deserve the honor of induction.

Bill Parcells should be part of it, but the history is long with him and team ownership.

I really hope it happens by Executive Order.

No Tanking

Tom Brady's departure has created all sorts of bizarre comments by fans and talk show people. They are writing their own narrative about conspiracy theories.

One of the craziest ideas is that Coach Belichick will tank the season in order to get one of the top quarterbacks in 2021.

That is such a foolish thought for so many reasons. It goes against everything Belichick believes in. He needs to keep winning for a several more seasons if he has any hope to pass Don Shula for the most career wins in NFL history.

Quarterbacks Waiting

Some veteran free agent quarterbacks are not seeing a market for their services. This could change after the draft or during training camp.

There is a very good possibly that either Joe Flacco, Cam Newton, Andy Dalton or Jameis Winston might not find a roster spot by September.

Bill's Emmy Nomination

It is so crazy to think that Bill Belichick has been nominated for an Emmy award for his work with the NFL Network's "All-Time 100 Players" show. He was so outstanding and deserves to win over Charles Barkley, Jay Bilas, Al Leiter, Kenny Smith and Michael Strahan.

His nomination is for "Outstanding Sports Personality: Studio Analyst". Fans never see this side of him.

Clowney Not Clowning

Some players are determined to get the maximum amount of money even if there is no market for them.

Seahawks DE Jadaveon Clowney wants a multi-year deal for at least $20 million annually, but teams are not knocking on his door because of his injury history.

He might be better off with a one year contract and try again next year assuming he has a decent season.

No To Watson

The departure of Tom Brady has created endless speculation on who will play quarterback for the Pats next season.

One of the craziest rumors is to trade with the Texans for Deshaun Watson. The price would be incredibly high at two future first round picks, as well as selections in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th rounds. OL Joe Thuney would also be part of it.

Why would any team do this deal? It's one thing to lose all these draft picks, but the salary cap implications for Watson would strangle the team for years.

The Last Kick

It was inevitable that the Pats would move on from kicker Stephen Gostkowski. They picked up almost $4 million in salary cap space on a 36 year old trying to come back from season ending hip surgery.

He will leave as the all-time points leader for the Pats. He had 14 awesome seasons other than the injury last year.

He might have a future with another team, but it all depends on his hip.

The injury didn't happen overnight. It might be time to move on. I'm sure he had a lot of time to think about his future.

Hoyer 3.0

It looks like QB Brian Hoyer will begin his third stint with the Pats since they signed him in 2009 as an undrafted player. He has been with five teams with 39 starts. His experience as a backup will help Jarrett Stidham and Cody Kessler.

He knows the offense after playing behind Tom Brady in 2017 and 2018.

He had just finished the first of a three year contract with the Colts, but became expendable when they signed Phillip Rivers.

Brady's departure to Tampa Bay will give Hoyer at least another year in the league.

The Great Ben Watson

The Pats will probably go big when it comes to finding tight ends in the draft or free agency. They only have Ryan Izzo and Matt LaCosee after the expected retirement of Ben Watson.

The former first round pick of the Pats in the 2004 draft got everything he could from his career. Although he never won a Super Bowl, he was on the 2007 team which came within one elusive victory of a perfect season.

He left to joint the Saints in 2008 and another stint with the Ravens before signing with the Pats in 2019 with a hope of one last chance for a ring.

He had numerous injuries, but leaves the game with 547 receptions for 6,058 yards and 44 TD's.

A Key Position

The Pats signed free agent FB Dan Vitale who has played four seasons between the Browns and Packers. He has been very productive and could play a vital role in the running game.

The offense took a big hit last year when James Devlin suffered a neck injury and was lost for the season. His status for 2020 is unclear.

I'm sure the team will look for additional help in the draft.