Football Dialogue: My Two Cents

FOXBORO, MA - AUGUST 11: Ryan Mallett #15 of the New England Patriots celebrates Richard Medlin's touchdown with Sammy Morris #34 in the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 11, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The New England Patriots defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 47-12. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

It’s June and as every football fan knows this is the slow time of the football year with very little of real substance happening on a daily basis. I mean the OTAs sure, the occasional free agent move but for the most part this is when fans should schedule vacations, weddings and anything else as you can certainly pull back on the daily or hourly obsession of what is your team doing next. With that said there are some things going on that I can’t let go without commenting or at least sharing my opinion.

First come on New Orleans let’s get the deal done for Brees. Has any franchise ever had a worse off-season? You need some positive PR and here is a guy in Brees who saved your franchise, is a great guy on and off the field and you nickel and dime him. I guess they want the bad press to continue. I’ve said it before to really get the stink of the franchise they will likely need to cut ties with all those involved with the bounty gate. Mark my words as Mickey Loomis will continue to “rise” in the Benson organization so that he’s involved with both franchise they own and a new GM is in place just to create the image things are changed in New Orleans, very similar to what the Falcons did with Rich McKay after the Vick disaster and trading of Matt Schaub. A change was needed in Atlanta and one is needed in New Orleans the question really should be how severe.

Next up: It was nice to see Gronkowski being rewarded for being a beast of a player and the #1 option for the Patriots offense and speaking of New England the development of Ryan Mallett intrigues me as if his head is on straight the Patriots might have a great QB waiting in the wings. Mallett watching Brady to see how it’s done could legitimately mean another 12 years of a contending Patriots franchise (Denver is trying the same thing with Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler). I also have to ask if Dan O’Brien has great success at State College could he be the odds on favorite to succeed Belicheck whenever he retires. Sorry Josh but O’Brien could be doing his internship as a head coach just waiting should the New England guru eventually retire.

Another thought I had was isn’t it ironic when you read about guys like Chad Ochocinco, TO, Plaxico, and Santonio Holmes carry on with stuff throughout their careers and how some teams have allow it for years (not so much now) and then you have Brian Banks. I for one hope someone will invest the time in a guy like Brian Banks and if he remotely shows something they find a place for him on a practice squad. He’s a great example of a guy who would benefit from a NFL Developmental League.

For any NFL player, writer, owner or broadcaster who will say stuff like “the fans don’t understand” or “why are the fans mad at the owners or the players it’s just business” they need to read the story of Joseph Armento andthe letter he sent to Brandon Jacobs. Deep down every passionate fan was Joseph Armento when they were small and in some ways they still feel that strongly about their NFL teams today. To the players it’s a job to fans it’s a passion and many times an obsession. I’m tired already of it but I have a feeling the Tebow PR machine is just starting. Ironic to me that guys like Romo, Vick, Rivers, and a few others get torn apart for not delivering by fans yet have great numbers but a guy like Tebow goes 5 for 32 in a game yet has die-hard fans who want more of him. I feel bad for Mark Sanchez as this year has the makings of ugly. How do you know we are starving for football news? The fact that RGIII was comfortable in OTAs actually was reported on ESPN. Seriously raise your hand if you thought they were going to come out and say “RGIII was a total disaster cancel your season tickets.”

My closing comment is boy will the heat be on Andy Reid this year in Philadelphia. He’s pushed out or has thrown his weight around enough to make it clear that every decision will have to come from him and if he fails gives Jeffrey Lurie no choice but to remove him as he doesn’t have anyone else to blame. Total power like that makes me say I hope Jon Gruden is keeping his football contacts handy as I’m betting he’s the Eagles coach come 2013. As for Joe Banner and the rumor he wants to get a group together to buy the Buffalo Bills. That would be outstanding as there are no more passionate fans than the Bills and to have Banner in a front office would be a continued step in the right direction to get that franchise back to playoff contention.

Your thoughts are always welcomed.