Panthers change Logo

The Carolina Panthers have decided to make a logo change, mainly to the eye and mouth area of the Panther. The Panthers, who are making their first change since 1995 when they entered the NFL, are looking to modernize their look.

“more aggressive, contemporary look to the logo while making it more three-dimensional for ever-increasing digital use.” according to a team press release.

The team looks to integrate the logo into next season. Said team President Danny Morrison “we have one of the finest and most recognizable logos in the NFL and wanted to make it as modern as possible without losing the dramatic essence of the mark.”

Pro Bowl Blues: The NFL Deserves a Better All Star Game

By Jeremy Schloss
Follow Him on Twitter

We are all spoiled as NFL fans. It’s an amazing free product being put out every 5 months out of the year. All we have to do to enjoy this wonderful product is own a television set. This enjoyment has extended now to our computers, smart phones, iPads, and hopefully soon, chips implanted in our heads that allow us to watch anytime we so desire. It’s become the most popular sport here in America and as the ratings will show, its fan base is as strong as ever.

This is what makes the Pro Bowl so freaking frustrating. Why can’t our best sport, put out a better All Star game? First let’s examine the reasons why the Pro bowl isn’t up to par with the other sport’s games. (aka Sucks)

1. Injuries, Injuries, Injuries. Football is the roughest sport we have. Injuries can occur at any point, on any play and there is little anyone can do about this. It’s part of what makes this game so enthralling. The problem is, these injuries end up costing players millions of dollars. They shorten careers. Why would a player risk getting injured for an All Star game?? They just have too much to lose. By the time this game roles around, most of the participants have had some sort of injury to deal with throughout the season. This is supposed to be a time for players to heal, not aggravate old injuries. There is just too much at stake for a player to go all out when the game is meaningless. Watching a game when the players don’t go 100% is just not the same. We might as well be watching the Arena League. Fans watch sporting events because it’s the best players playing a game they enjoy. We marvel at seeing things we all wish we could do. The Pro Bowl just doesn’t display that.

2. Team over Individual. Football above all other American sports is a team game. There are individual stars, who do make a big difference, but a team is only as good as the sum of its parts. You can be the best running back in the league, but if you don’t have a guy blocking who he’s supposed to block in front of you, chances are you are hitting the turf quickly after touching the ball. A lot of what happens in football relies on what the guy next to you is doing, and not doing. And when the guy next to you isn’t giving his all out effort, it’s hard to display your full arsenal of skills. NBA, NHL, and MLB All Star games allow for the individual player to shine. Its part of what makes those games so great. That formula just doesn’t work in the NFL. The game isn’t built that way. Too much of a players success relies on what the other guys on the field are doing. The Pro Bowl is like a stack of dominoes. If one guy isn’t giving it his all, it affects every other guy on that field.

3. Timing. The other 3 All-Star games are mid season events. Players are still in “game” or “season” mode. The Pro Bowl is weeks after the regular season ends. Most of the guys haven’t played in about a month going into it. Some players are just too checked out to display their full skill set. Picture a scenario where you get 4 months vacation time off from work. You take your first 3 weeks and then have to come in for 1 day only to work on some random project that didn’t hold any weight for your career. You know as soon as the day is over, you get to go back on your vacation. Are you going to be totally ‘there” for that project? No, you will probably coast through the day and spend most of your time thinking about how late you’re going to sleep in tomorrow.

4. Location, location, location. Every year the Pro Bowl is played in beautiful Hawaii. (The year it was in Miami was a welcome change that obviously didn’t last very long). It’s a great way to reward the players who earned a trip to the game. One thing about Hawaii though, it’s the last place on earth you would want to have to do your job. It’s a vacation spot, not a place to go back to work. Hard to get up for a game when a lounge chair and cocktail on the beach are just a few blocks down the road. It’s also a place where the average rabid fan doesn’t exist. Hawaii has no pro team. Most of the fans in attendance are locals or vacationers. I don’t want to question the fan-hood of a whole state, but how many die-hard fans can live on those islands? Part of the fun of football is going to the game and interacting with the fanatical crowd. That atmosphere just doesn’t exist on a tropical island. Why would it? There are waves to surf and margaritas to drink. Every other Pro All Star game has its star-studded game in a franchises home city. Die-hard fans attend. Cities come alive for the events. It provides a spark to the average sports city. That spark doesn’t exist in Hawaii. It’s just not needed.

So, how do we fix this? I have heard the idea to eliminate the game itself. While I’m not totally opposed to the idea, I just don’t see it happening. The league seems to like it, and I imagine it generates a ton of revenue for the league. So the question becomes how do we improve the game? The first thing I would eliminate is the including lineman during the game. Anyone watch the game last weekend? The defensive linemen don’t feel like rushing the QB, and the O-lineman don’t feel like blocking for anyone. Half the plays end with the lineman standing around. While it’s a boring aspect of the game, it’s also a pivotal one. So I say throw out the lines. The game should go more backyard football style of play. 1 QB, with 3 receivers, a tight tend, and a running back. The defense employs 3 corner backs, a lineman covering the QB, who can rush after a light goes off after about 4 Mississippi’s, and 2 linebackers covering the RB and TE. It would be similar to an NFL Blitz video game style of play. It would be high scoring, energetic, and exciting. We would get to see the skill position players make the plays. Make the first down marker every 20 yards and play the game to a set score as opposed to a time limit. The game would be unique, full of big plays, and most importantly fun. There will be a lot less need for tackling so hopefully the injury concern will be lifted somewhat. You can’t tell me you wouldn’t want to watch this game and see what happens. I’d also move the game around every year between warm weather locations such as Miami and San Diego, along with dome stadiums. It would give other fan base cities a chance to the game the way baseball does. Have coaches interchange players on the roster as they see fit. How great would it be if the game comes down to next team to score wins. The coach can put in any combination of players they think will work the best. We would see our brightest stars going up against each other for a winner take all drive. Who will the coach put in, Brady or Manning for the game winning drive? Should Asomugha defend Andre Johnson or Darrelle Revis? These questions would be fun to see answered.

Besides the game itself, the NFL should look into re-instituting the skills competition. Baseball has the Home Run Derby and Basketball has the slam dunk competition. These events are the most exciting parts of their respective games and are able to be displayed in competition form. Football’s most exciting moment is the big hit. As much fun as it would be to watch this occur over and over again, for injury sake, this can’t happen. What I am proposing is something similar to the NHL skills competition structure instead. Various players would participate in a number of skill events against each one another. Think of it as an NFL Olympics. NFC against the AFC and each team has pro bowl selected participates with each event worth a certain amount of predetermined points. Here are my proposed events:

Sprint: NFL fastest man will be decided. Perhaps a 100 yard dash. Winner gets to claim he is the NFL’s fastest man for a year.
Reason: Its quick, exciting, and would settle the debate on who is the fastest guy. We love watching speed. It’s the reason we watch the Kentucky derby every year and the same reason Usain Bolt became a household name.

Hail Mary Throw: NFL’s strongest arm will be decided.
Reason: Its just fun to watch guys’ chuck a ball as far as possible. This won’t settle all the who’s the best QB debates, but it would be cool to watch a ball sail 70 yards or so. They just have to make sure Andy Reid is not allowed to compete…I heard the dude has a ridiculous canon!

WR vs. CB: Each WR starts at the 20 yard line w/ one CB on them. QB has 5 seconds to get him the ball and score a TD any way they can. Best out of 3 for each one.

Reason: The Cornerback vs. Wide receiver match up is always full of trash talking and see-saw victories. This finally settles the bragging rights.

Longest kick: Strongest leg will be decided for Place kickers. Play it as a match style of contest. Kickers would have to match each other’s length of kick, kind of like a game of horse.

Reason: Kickers need an event. Would give fans a chance to see a FG length we never see in games usually.

Lineman dance competition: 5 linemen square off and score a TD. Other players rate who has the best TD dance

Reason: Do I really need one here? Would be by far the most fun anyone has at the weekend, fans and players alike.

Obstacle course: composed of the most athletic linebackers and any other position

Reason: We all grew up watching American Gladiators. Why not take some of our best athletes and put them through all of these crazy obstacles in a giant race to cap off the event. It will be funny, competitive and fun time to watch. Like American Gladiators, have the team with the most points going into this last event begin with a head start, depending on how big the lead is. First team to cross the finish line wins the skills competition.

I’m not saying this All Star weekend would be perfect, but I can guarantee it will certainly be more fun, more fan interactive, and a very least, more interesting than the current Pro Bowl format.

Being named to the Pro Bowl is the only thing players really care about. I can’t imagine they’re genuinely excited to actually play another meaningless game. This format offers players something different and hopefully a chance to have a little fun and entertain the crowd. The NFL deserves a better All Star game. This new proposal at least, gives that notion a chance.

Schlossy Awards

By Jeremy Schloss
Follow Him on Twitter

Every year the NFL gives out the same boring awards. They are discussed and dissected so often throughout the season that when they are finally announced, little suspense is left. This reality gave me an idea to spice things up a bit, so I would like to officially announce my first annual Schlossy Awards!

I’ll start with the generic awards of who I believe is deserving and then will get into the fun stuff.
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MVP: The more I think about this, the more I’m swayed toward Drew Brees, which I know is a complete 180 from my stance just a few weeks ago. It’s just too hard to leave this guy out after what was basically the best statistical season we have ever seen from a QB. It wasn’t just stats with Brees either, the entire offense was geared around him and without him, I’m not sure the Saints are a playoff team. The same can be said for Rodgers, although, he probably took a chink in the MVP campaign by having Matt “Millionare” Flynn come in and run the offense just as good if not better. That one game probably did more in closing the gap than anything else. Both guys had fantastic seasons and both are deserving, so my vote is a split for the award this season. Now, I hate dual awards as much as the next guy, but I just can’t bring myself to leave one of these guys out. This was a rare case when there are legitimately 2 deserving winners

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Defensive Player of the Year:
There has been a lot of talk of Justin Smith deserving this award. I can’t argue with that too much, and I know stats are over rated, but his numbers just don’t stand out like Terrell Suggs’s does. Smith was fantastic and came up big toward the end of games when they really needed a play, but he was surrounded by fantastic talent and probably wasn’t even the best defensive player on his team this season (NaVorro Bowman actually outplayed the more prominent Patrick Willis, and basically steamrolled opponents running game. He was one of the few bright spots in what was a bad year for Penn State football all around). On numbers alone Suggs was fantastic, 70 tackles, 14 sacks, 7 FF, and 2 picks. But the numbers only tell a part of the story, as Suggs was used as both a line backer and defensive end and basically revolutionized what is now known as the “hybrid” player in the NFL. He is one of the few guys who can rush the passer, stuff the run, drop in coverage, fight through blockers, and chase down receivers. Offenses had to change their game plan to focus on whatever side of the field Suggs was not occupying. One day I believe we will be talking about the 9 year vet as a Hall of Fame candidate and as the unsung hero on the Lewis and Reed lead defenses. Having Ngata occupying the middle of the line certainly helps unleash Sugg’s powers, but few guys can do as much, and dominate in as many facets as Suggs. His best season so far as a pro deserves this award.

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Offensive Rookie of the Year:
An unusually crowded field this season with Julio Jones and AJ Green both living up to their receiving top 10 hype and a red headed 2nd rounder who lead a surprising Bengals team to the playoffs in Andy Dalton. But it would be impossible to overlook the achievements of Cam Newton this season. He had every excuse to fail but came out swinging from day 1, and never looked back. He proved all his doubters wrong by showing fantastic touch in his passing game and throwing for over 4,000 yards as a rookie. He single handily revived Steve Smith’s career, rushed for 13 Td’s which made him one of the more dangerous red zone threats in the league, completed over 60% of his passes, gave the Panther fans something to cheer about, and cured World Hunger. (OK maybe he didn’t do the last part, but I wouldn’t put it past him for next season). Cam did all of this with a lock-out stunting his growth, reps, and training camp. I can’t wait for Act 2 next season. The future is bright in Carolina for the first time in a long time.

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Defensive Rookie of the Year:
This was a one horse race that turned into a 2 horse one towards the end of they year, thanks to an injury to the runaway and a late push by an unknown commodity. For more than half the season, Denver LB Von Miller was not only the best defensive player to come out of the 2011 rookie class, but also one of the best defensive players in the league. You will be hard pressed to find a guy make such an impact on a unit so quickly. Then he got hurt and never seemed to be the same guy. No doubt if Miller stayed healthy he would have been in the defensive POY discussion as well. 63 tackles and 11.5 sacks is not to shabby for a guy who wasn’t full strength for the last quarter of the season and who missed a few games. About the time Miller was fading, a defensive end known as Aldon Smith took the baton and ran wild with it. Showing shades of “the freak” Javon Kearse, Aldon recorded 14 sacks this season, including 7 in the month of December. He also excelled in the 4th quarter, recording 9 of his 14 sacks at the end of games. Smith stepped up his game when it counted this year (note to the entire Cowboy defense this season). An under the radar quantity on draft day, had Niner’s fans scratching their head as they didn’t get the QB or WR they desperately wanted, turned into the #1 pass rusher on the #1 defense in the NFL. Had Smith done anything in September I would be awarding him this prestigious honor right now. Miller was just too impact-ful this season, despite the injury to overlook though. It seems both players have only the brightest of futures in this league.

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Coach of the Year:
I really wanted Jon Fox to win this, but his team faded down the stretch. What he did with Tebow and that team was nothing short of amazing. Not too many coaches could have made the decisions he did, and taken that team to the playoffs, but Fox found a way. Whether or not Tebow is the future of this organization is irrelevant. Fox made the decision to play Tebow which wound up becoming one of the more memorable stretches in NFL history. He seemingly on the fly found a way to tailor the offense to meet Tebow’s strengths. If Tebow is indeed the quarterback next season, it will be interesting to see what he comes up with an entire off season to plan out. Despite this stellar job, a bay area coach right out of the college coaching ranks one up-ed Mr. Fox and restored a once prominent franchise back to glory after years of basement dwelling. Jim Harbaugh did the unthinkable and turned Alex Smith into a successful NFL QB. The Niners became NFL elite this season and this was all done with very little prep time for Harbaugh and his coaching staff. Most coaches flame out coming from the college ranks to the pros (Nick Saban anyone…), but Harbaugh not only challenged that notion, but completely turned it on its side. What the real shame is, if Ted Gin didn’t get hurt and was able to play in that NFC championship game, he might actually be coaching in his first Super Bowl already. Hard to have a better debut for the 49’er coach. Seemingly the coaching carousel that has been the 49’ers has ended.

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Comeback Player of the Year:
Who cares. This award is stupid.

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AND NOW FOR THE FUN AWARDS…

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Most Disappointing Fantasy POY award:
It would be too easy to declare Jamal Charles this recipient. I think a truly deserving player had to have played all season and rightly disappointed owners every week. At least Charles’ owners knew to play someone else after the injury. Same goes for Andre Johnson. The real debacle this season was Chris Johnson. Johnson took his top 5 ranking and punished his owners foolish enough to invest in him for most of the season. Seeing a 20 rushing yards for the game scroll across the fox NFL ticker was commonplace for most of the season. Then, just as owners starting benching the halfback, he decided to once again return to form for a couple of games. By this time owners had given up on him and were most likely out of the playoff race anyway.

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Best Fantasy Waiver Wire Pick up award:
For any team that waited too long to pick up a QB and started drinking the Cam Cam juice way back after his electric performance in week one vs. Arizona. Cam ended up #3 on yahoo standard scoring, most likely a waiver wire pick up for most teams. Special nod to owners who waited and took a flyer on Matthew Stafford staying healthy, and Rob Gronkowski as most likely a cheap 2nd TE or a last round pick.

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Falling Star Award:
This goes to Twitter aficionado Chad Ocho Cinco. Mr. Cinco finally fell out of the public eye this season. When many expected a rejuvenation in NE, he quickly became a ghost in that offense. 15 total receptions and only 1 TD, which didn’t come until week 15, was all he could muster. In the NFL, we see careers harpoon quicker than any other sport and Chad is a now a poster child for this occurrence. When your tweeting habits make more headlines than your actual play, I’d say your career is just about over. On the bright side, we will soon have Ocho Cinco in the commentating booth or studio gig to look forward to. Hilarity can only ensue.

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Couch Potato Award:
This goes out to the player most likely to be watching football on Sundays next season as opposed to actually playing. It goes to the infamous Caleb Haine who got  outplayed by a guy who was coaching junior high football a week prior.  Best of luck to Caleb and whatever career he pursues moving forward.

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Old Timer award:
This goes out to the player who, due to his very senior NFL age, who should have been declining but had one of his best seasons. London Fletcher, who has been under-appreciated throughout his 14 year career, at the ripe old age of 37 led the league in tackles this year with 166. Throw in 3 FF and 2 picks to boot. Very few linebackers outside of Ray Lewis even play till this age, let alone excel. Fletcher’s contract is up this season and I hope some team decides to bring him in and delay his trip to the retirement home.

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Men In Black award:
You know how Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones’s job in the MIB movies are too help assimilate aliens into our culture and work force. Well if they put a guy in the NFL, his name is probably Calvin Johnson. The guy just seems to be on a different level than anyone else in the league. He is so big, so strong, so athletic, so dominate, that its just not fair anymore. Combine that with a great attitude and work ethic and its a real possibility he isn’t a human. Maybe in the MIB 3 sequel coming out this summer (Why Will Smith, Why?? What has happened to you to and your career?) will explain where Calvin came from and how he got here to the Detroit Lions.

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Butter-finger Candy Award:
Roddy white might have lead the league in drop passes with 15, but I’m handing this award right to Jermichael Finlay who was 5th in the league with 11 drops. He gets this delicious and chocolatey award because I’m counting the 2 big drops in the playoff game against the Giants, plus the fact that he had the best quarterback in the league right now throwing to him. Not too long ago we all thought Finley was going to be the best TE in the league with a unique combination of skills and size. Now? Gronk and Jimmy Graham stole that title and probably won’t be giving it up anytime soon. Evidently Finley took the candy bar’s phrase “nobody better lay a finger” to heart.

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The Ocean’s 11 award:
This prestigious honor is reserved for the player who rewarded his team and fan base with a terrible performance after receiving a big payday. Believe it or not, Chris Johnson doesn’t deserve this. CJ probably suffered from the hold out and wasn’t in the best of shape all season. His improved performance at the end of the year supports this theory. Ryan Fitzpatrick gets this award due to his seemingly instantaneous decline after receiving a huge and unecessarily long term, mid season contract. He single handidly fooled the entire city of Buffalo into thinking they actually found a QB in the post Jim Kelly disaster era. The Ivy leaguer’s 23 interceptoins lead the league this season. Perhaps we should have known probably the smartest guy in the league could figure a way to scam the Bills out of millions faster than it took Brad Pitt and George Clooney to steal millions off Andy Garcia. Kudos Ryan Fitzpatrick, Kudos.

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The Bizzaro Keith Hernendez Award:
I think we can all agree that former Met first basemen Keith Hernandez has the best mustache ever. Keith’s counterpart in the bizzaro world, where everything is opposite, would be the guy w/ the worst facial hair this season. Meet Ravens QB Joe Flacco. Flaccos attempt at a Fu-Manchu was probably the worst thing on the field outside of Kyle Williams on kick returns this post season. He looked like an 80’s biker back for one more score.

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and finally…

The Steamin’ Willy Beamen Award:
For anyone who hasn’t seen the modern football classic Any Given Sunday, Willy Beamen is the 3rd string QB who rose to stardom from obscurity when given a chance. DeMarco Murray wins this easily as the Oklahoma running back was selected in the 3rd round after a stellar but injury plagued college career. He began the year 3rd on the depth chart behind Felix Jones and Tashard Choice but almost suddenly found himself starting due to injuries. He only ran for over 250 yards in his starting debut smashing the immortal Emmit Smith’s Cowboy record. Murray seemed poised to the lead Dallas into the playoffs but an injury ended his season prematurely. Can’t wait for Murray’s over the top music video next year where he refers to himself as “Blurry” DeMarco Murray.

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Doubtful Roger Goodell adopts any of these new awards but one can dream. Next week I’ll break down the Super Bowl and give my pick which is sure to be epic.

Are You Ready for the “Tweet” Bowl?

By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter

In a desperate attempt to get folks to watch the Pro Bowl, the NFL will reportedly relax its social media policy during Sunday’s game, allowing players to tweet before and during the live game. To encourage outreach, the league said it will set up a computer on each sideline where the players will be encouraged to tweet messages to fans as well as opponents during commercial breaks or when they aren’t on the field.

Will you even watch the Pro Bowl? I for one, have not watched a Pro Bowl in 25 years, and your talking to the biggest NFL fan around.

I’m imagining tweets going back and forth to opposing players, that look like this:

“Dude are you going half ass on the next play, if so let me know. You know I’m in my contract year and I ain’t trying to get hurt”

Either way fans do you love or hate this idea?

20 Players selected to take part in 1st ever “NFL Business of Music Boot Camp”

Twenty current and former NFL players including seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver and NFL Network analyst TORRY HOLT and two-time All-Star defensive backs ANTOINE BETHEA and AL HARRIS will take part in the first-ever NFL Business of Music Boot Camp at New York University’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music in New York, it was announced today.

The program, which runs from February 27-March 1, is being directed by NFL Player Engagement and the Clive Davis Institute in NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and offers professional training for creative entrepreneurs in the music industry.

Following are the current and former NFL players enrolled in the NFL Business of Music Boot Camp:

Player enrollment criteria include previous participation in NFL Player Engagement programs, prior music experience, essays, and NFL playing experience. All costs other than travel are covered by the NFL. 

Faculty members at the Business of Music Boot Camp will include:

CLIVE DAVIS, chief creative officer of Sony BMG, who has developed top performers including Janis Joplin, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Santana, Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd, Aerosmith, Whitney Houston, and Alicia Keys. He won a Grammy Trustee Award in 2000 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.

DANNY STRICK, co-president of Sony/ATV Music Publishing. From pitching the Motown catalogue to rock acts with Jobete Music early in his career to becoming senior vice president and GM of BMG Music, Strick has held a number of influential positions in the publishing industry throughout his career. 

JONATHAN DANIEL, a founder and partner at Crush Management, an artist management company that represents acts including Gym Class Heroes, Panic! At the Disco, Train, and Cobra Starship.

SAM HOLLANDER, a songwriter and producer whose work has often appeared in the Top 40 Pop Hits. He has written or produced for artists including Gym Class Heroes, Cobra Starship, Train, and Chiddy Bang. 

AL BRANCH, the general manager at Hip Hop Since 1978, a management and production company whose roster boasts major figures Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, and Young Jeezy.

MICHAEL “BLUE” WILLIAMS, the CEO of Family Tree Entertainment, which recently merged with Primary Wave Music to create Family Tree Primary Wave. His client roster includes Cee Lo Green, Cody Simpson, and Eric Benet, and previous clients include OutKast, Monica and Big Sean.

MICHAEL SOLOMON, co-founder of Musicians on Call–a non-profit organization that brings music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities–as well as the co-founder of Brick Wall Management, whose past and present roster includes artists John Mayer, Citizen Cope, and William Fitzsimmons.

Raiders hire Allen for Head Coaching job!

In one of the more interesting moves of the week, the Oakland Raiders have hired former Denver Broncos Defensive Coordinator, Dennis Allen to be their new Head Coach.

It’s not an interesting move in the sense that there is anything wrong with Allen, he is a good coach who’s been around long enough to run a team, but rather they didn’t hire someone from the Packers tree.

Reggie McKenzie, the new Oakland GM, is a former Packer and many in the media world felt the reasoning behind the firing of Hue Jackson was largely due to the fact that McKenzie was hired. The rumor mill was swirling that Winston Moss was going to be named the Head Coach, but he wasn’t.

Dennis Allen comes with a good football resume but this hire now leads me to believe their might have been a clash in personalities or direction out in Oakland. Perhaps it was the trade for Carson Palmer, or that they lost their way out of the postseason. Perhaps there is a master plan for direction of the organization that we don’t know but we wish Allen the best of luck with his new job as the Oakland Raiders Head Coach.

In Memory of Joe Paterno

Skinnypost.com is a website predicated on the NFL game and that bears our focus. However when a pure football legend, such as Joe Paterno, passes away we feel it is fitting to have a brief moment to acknowledge all that he has accomplished in the game of football. At 85 years old, JoePa gave a lifetime to this sport and to improving the lives of America’s young men.

Joe Paterno

Born on December 21st, 1926 and passed on January 22nd, 2011. Rest in Peace Coach.

Peyton talks Colts!

By Steve O’Reilly

One of the reality’s of this business is that time waits for no one and neither do NFL teams. While many people believe that you shouldn’t lose your job to injury, each case is different in and of itself. When you combine the magnitude of factors surrounding Peyton Manning you can see how this needs to be handled with kit cloves.

First you look at what he has accomplished and what he means to the organization, next you look at his physical health and what he can still bring to the table. After that you have to notice the 28 Million dollars he is due in March then the fact the team does have the 1st Pick in the NFL draft and the best QB prospect to come down the pipe in a long time. So what do you do?

So far the Colts have cleaned house, firing the VP and GM in the Polian father & son combo. Next the fired the Head Coach letting Jim Caldwell go. Is it a sign of what’s to come? Whatever it is Peyton doesn’t seem to like what he is seeing.

“I’m not in a very good place for healing, let’s say that,” he told an Indianapolis newspaper. “It’s not a real good environment down there right now, to say the least. Everybody’s walking around on eggshells. I don’t recognize our building right now. There’s such complete and total change.”

Peyton was asked if he has spoken with owner Jim Irsay and replied… (it) “is going to happen at some point, but we haven’t had that conversation yet because we really don’t need to have that conversation yet.”

Manning acknowledged that Irsay is going to make the ultimate decision about his future and not the newly hired General Manger, Ryan Grigson.

“I don’t want to get into some kind of fan campaign with the owner, but I think it’s well documented that I want to play in the same place my whole career,” Manning continues to say, “It’s been a privilege to play here. I love the fans, the city, the transformation of the fans, how our place has become the toughest stadium to play in, the fact our fans wear more jerseys to games than anybody else. It’s been fun to be a part of that.

“But I understand how it works. I understand tough decisions have to be made. There’s personal and there’s business and that’s where we’ve got to separate the two. I’ve seen other guys leave places and it was personal. I’ve invested too much into this city for that to happen. We live here, we’ve given lots of time and money to the community and our church, and that’s never going to change. Nothing changes that.

“Whatever happens, happens. I can’t give you a prediction because Jim and I will sit down at some point and he’ll get a feel for where I am and I’ll get a sense of what direction he wants to go. Right now, I have no idea.”

To see the full article check out The Indianapolis Star

Gronkowski Will Be Ready For The New York Giants

By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter

The Boston Herlad is reporting that Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski will play in Super Bowl XLVI against the Giants.

Gronkowski injured his left ankle in the third quarter of the game. On film, the injury looked worse than it actually was, however the ankle injury will not prevent him from playing in Indianapolis in two weeks.
The source with inside knowledge to Gronkowski’s injury stated

“He’ll be ready to go.”

With such news Patriots nation can be delighted that their all world TE will be ready for the Giants. Right now the exact injury has not been stated .

After the game Gronkowski sported a walking boot and had tests done after the game as well. On the day Gronkowski ended up with five catches for 87 yards On the year the pro bowl tight end had 90 catches for 1,327 yards with 17 TDs which marks the best season ever for a tight end in the history of the NFL.

Ray Lewis is Still Hungry!

By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter

Some might have thought the Raven’s loss to the Patriots could have meant the end of Ray Lewis’ brilliant career, however the veteran middle linebacker says he will return for another season.

“Is this my last time as a Raven?” Lewis said. “Absolutely not.”

On paper, Ray Lewis turns 37 in May of this year. During the season, Ray Lewis finally looked human, missing four games dealing with turf toe. If all goes as plan Lewis will be entering his 17th season in the NFL. Let me remind you folks, that all of those years have been with the Ravens. Lewis has been the face of the franchise in Baltimore and from what it looks like, he will remain the driving heart and soul of next years unit.

The savvy veteran still shows the capability as a leader off the field and on the field, as he led the Ravens with 12 tackles against the Patriots. Mid thirties or not, Ray Lewis still has the fire in him to help lead the Ravens towards the future.

“For us to be here now, I’m hungry again and I’m thirsty again,” Lewis said. “Every time you go through something like this, it has to drive you. I truly believe that’s the only thing that makes people great. It’s not the ones who always winning that people remember. It’s the ones who go through tough times.”

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