NFL money machine

We occasionally will want to some of these questions.It began with her asking me about what we would be talking about on this week’s episode of MNP, and when I listed NFL topics I mentioned the new lawsuit against the NFL for having a “secret salary cap” during an uncapped year. She pointed out how it was just another scandal, there’s a bunch in football right now. Then I brought up how Sunday Night Football had usurped American Idol as the highest rated show on television.

Then it dawned on me. It doesn’t matter what happens to the players, coaches, general managers or owners; the NFL has become unstoppable. It’s a billion dollar machine, and the past few offseasons have proved that it has become self-sustaining.

Maybe a lot of people can understand.It doesn’t matter if players put bounties on each other. Or if managers have been manipulating how much players get paid. Or if a general manager rigged a hearing device to hear the opposing team’s headset calls. Or if a team has been videotaping the opponents signals to try and gain an advantage. Or if players take steroids. Or if a player had somebody killed then showed the murder weapon to the cops and no questions were asked (allegedly!). Or if a player started a dog fighting ring and killed puppies. Or if a team celebrated on a boat with hookers. Or if a player was sending photos of his junk to a woman who wasn’t his wife. Or if hundreds of former players are suing the NFL because the sport has caused irreparable damages to their heads. Or if the NFL knew the side-effects of concussions a long time ago and did nothing.

Look at it's cute

Many of you gave me some great advice on last week’s blog post about getting Otis engaged in his eating activities. While I’m looking for mentally stimulating activities that really challenge him, I did start with just simple peanut butter in the Kong to see how hard Otis would work for it. The answer? Very hard. Thanks for all your tips – I’m looking forward to working more with Otis on his food drive, but for now it’s fun to watch him enjoy the simplicity of delicious peanut butter.

Off Duty Friday -2012 NFL Draft Preview

Nowadays, the first overall selection of the National Football League Draft is guaranteed fame and financial security. When the NFL Draft was founded in 1936, however, that wasn’t the case. So, it was understandable when the first overall selection in the inaugural draft, Heisman Trophy winner Jay Berwanger, chose not to play football. The NFL Draft, which humbly started in a Philadelphia hotel, has changed much between then and now. Here’s a brief history of how it has helped shape the league as we know it today.

The Early Years (1930s-1940s)
Prior to the first-ever NFL Draft, players were free to sign with any team. This freedom of choice tilted the balance of power in favor of a few clubs. The Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears and New York Giants combined to win seven NFL championships in the nine years prior to 1936. This inspired Philadelphia Eagles owner Bert Bell to propose the idea of an annual college draft in order to create competitive balance. The draft originally had nine rounds and was expanded to 20 in 1939. The idea presented by Bell, who became commissioner of the league in 1946 and served until his death in 1959, would reshape the NFL.
Unlike Jay Berwanger, the first player selected in the inaugural NFL Draft of 1936, Sam Bradford (pictured) chose to play football after the St. Louis Rams made him the first overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft.
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A New Era (1950s-1960s)
The draft played a major role in helping the NFL fight off competition from other leagues. During the 1950s, the Canadian Football League was signing top college players, so from 1956-59 the NFL held the first four rounds of the draft in late November or early December (getting first crack at the top talent) and rounds 5-30 in January. In 1970, the NFL eliminated another competitor by merging with the eight-team American Football League. A joint draft in 1967 preceded the merger. With the two entities no longer competing for talent, the draft became a major part of the league’s growth.

Draft Builders (1970s-1980s)
With the merge of the AFL and NFL complete, teams built through the draft like never before. In 1970, the Pittsburgh Steelers laid the foundation for future championships by selecting Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw and HOF defensive end Mel Blount. The draft also helped fuel expansion, as the Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers joined the league in 1976. By the 1980s, the draft had revolutionized the league. The draft class of 1983, for example, forever changed the quarterback position. Six QBs were taken in the first round, including all-time greats John Elway, Dan Marino and Jim Kelly. Additionally, running back Eric Dickerson, offensive lineman Bruce Matthews and cornerback Darrell Green all were taken in ’83 and went on to have Hall of Fame careers.

Premium Picks (1990s-current)
The 1990s saw a reduction in the number of rounds to the draft (down to the current seven in 1994), making picks valuable commodities. The Dallas Cowboys dominated the 1991 draft with 18 picks. Most of those selections helped them win three Super Bowls in the 90s. Trading for picks became more prevalent as the decade of 2000 unfolded; teams tried to acquire multiple first rounders or move up in the draft order. In 2001, the Atlanta Falcons traded up to secure the No. 1 pick and took Michael Vick. The New York Giants traded for the No. 1 pick in 2004, Eli Manning, who led them to victory in Super Bowl XLII. The quarterback position became top priority. As the 2010 era came to a close, signal-caller Sam Bradford was the first overall selection of the St. Louis Rams.

Set a day of sports activities

If you are an athlete, were an athlete, fantasize about being an athlete or just like to hang out with athletes, Rutgers Day is your day on the Busch Campus.

The day culminates in the annual spring football scrimmage, the Scarlet and White Game, which will take place at High Point Solutions Stadium from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

To get yourself in the mood, you can visit the E Fields from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to see, handle, and try on the equipment Rutgers athletes use.cheap nfl nike jersey

The Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will host a “mini-combine” on the E Fields, where children can participate in some of the skill events in which National Football League prospects compete as they prepare for the NFL draft. Kids can see how they compare to elite college athletes, and the winners will be recognized at half-time of the Believe Bowl.Cheap New York Giants jersey


The Believe Bowl, which takes place in the stadium beginning at 1 p.m., is a the flag football game between two teams of former Rutgers players designed to raise awareness of spinal cord injuries, and to honor Eric LeGrand, a Rutgers football player recovering from a spinal cord injury.

Admission is free, but fans are encouraged to donate to Rutgers spinal cord research during the game.
SAAC will also host a face-painting booth and several other children’s activities from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Kids Zone on Scarlet Knight Way.

Mike Thomas (Jax) and Randy McMichael (SD)

Mike Thomas (Jax)

He was a highly sought after target last week by new starter Blaine Gabbert, and they should connect well against the Saints defense that have given up the 6th most fantasy points to receivers thus far.

Randy McMichael (SD)

It looks extremely doubtful that Gates will play this week, so McMichael should have another start.  This week, it’s against Miami’s porous pass defense, 3rd worst in the league.  Last week he hauled in 4 for 51, I’d look for bigger and even better things from him this week.

Rex Grossman (Was) and James Starks (GB)

Rex Grossman (Was)

He goes up against St. Louis who can’t defend anybody.  There really isn’t any other analysis behind this besides the fact that he’s been great this year.

James Starks (GB)

Ryan Grant is very iffy this week, and Denver has trouble against the run.  He should redeem himself after a 5 yard performace on 11 carries against the Bears last week.