Patriots QB Situation: According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said Thursday that the Patriots, “obviously” have to acquire a young quarterback, whether that be through the draft or a trade (or a potential signing of Johnny Manziel; more on that below). The Patriots find themselves in a very awkward spot, as they desperately need talent in the early rounds of the draft to help them win a Super Bowl right now, but they also need a quarterback to succeed Tom Brady. Personally, I think it’s more important to get the next QB than it is to improve the defense. Let’s say the guy the Pats want is available, but they’d have to use a first round pick on him--or maybe even trade up. If they have confidence in whoever it may be, they absolutely have to make the move. Sometimes the long-term benefit has to come ahead of short-term success. Solidifying the Patriots as contenders for the next 15 years is more important than increasing their chances at winning this year, especially since Tom Brady gives them a pretty good shot even when Julian Edelman is playing cornerback (see 2011-2012) However, there is the possibility that the wizard himself (BB) can thread the needle and get the guy they want without spending too high of a pick.
Rob Gronkowski Situation: Patriots insider and Boston Sports Journal’s Greg Bedard has reported that the chances of Rob Gronkowski being traded seem to be rising. This is something that I have talked about in regards to Gronk for a while now, though the reasoning is changing. The issue with Gronkowski has never been his talent; it has been his unreliability. Before it was injuries, and now it is the constant threat of retirement (and injuries are still there too). I have said before that I think Gronk is done after this season, though it seems very possible that he won’t come back this season at all. In any case, I think the Patriots would be dumb to not look at moving Gronkowski if they can find the right deal. Sign him to whatever contract he wants, get him to commit to continuing his career, and then deal him.
Sidenote: I have said before that I wouldn’t have a problem with Gronk if he retired. The guy has been beaten up for so long, going all the way back to college, and I just couldn’t imagine that he would want to continue dealing with that, especially with the increasingly unsettling reports about the true effect of football on the brain.
Johnny Manziel Rumors: You’ve probably seen the reports by now that Johnny Manziel and the Patriots seem to have some interest in each other. Manziel has met with the Pats a couple times, and this course of events has lit the football world on fire. I’ve heard some Patriots fans get very upset and refute the notion that the Patriots should sign Johnny Football, and I couldn’t disagree more. As I wrote above, it is abundantly clear that the Patriots need a quarterback to succeed Brady, and they need him very soon. I don’t know if Johnny Football can still play. I don’t know if he can still keep his personal life afloat. I have no idea, but what I do know is that he is absolutely worth the risk. Think about it: What exactly is the risk? If he does something stupid, the Patriots cut him. Done. End of story. On the other hand, what happens if he does well? Then you’d have yourselves the guy to take over for Brady and you wouldn’t have had to give up a single thing for him. Exactly zero risk and all the reward in the world. This sounds like a good deal to me.
Odell Beckham Jr. Trade Rumors: As you probably know by now, Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. will be playing hardball with the Giants in negotiating for a new contract extension. First of all, OBJ’s threat to not play unless he gets a new deal is completely ridiculous. He missed almost all of last season, thus it seems a bit absurd for him to threaten the Giants into to giving him a new deal, or at least it’s absurd for him to think he deserves it. Of course talent wise he does, but there’s more to consider. Durability is definitely something you have to take into account. Play a healthy season before you start making demands. The Giants are also reportedly thinking about trading Odell as a result of this. If they can get a couple first round picks, which Adam Schefter reports is the minimum asking price, it seems like the right thing to do. Beckham Jr. is probably the best reciever in the game when healthy, but the Giants are in rebuild mode and two first round picks would certainly help that cause.
LeVeon Bell Talks: NFL Network’s Aditi Kinkhabwala is reporting that Steelers star running back LeVeon Bell is asking for $17m per year. Kimkhabwala added that Bell wants to be paid the same as the Steelers receiver Antonio Brown. This is completely insane. LeVeon Bell is not worth what Antonio Brown is worth. Sorry, but it’s the truth. I know my dear co-host ~TB may not like this take, but a running back (whose production was essentially matched by DeAngelo Williams when Bell missed time in the past) is inherently worth less in contract negotiations than a receiver. Running backs have far lower shelf lives, and Bell’s ability to stay on the field (due to injuries and other reasons) is seriously in question. If the Steelers let Bell walk and went with whoever they have at #2, they would be fine. I know Bell is just sticking up for his own interests and I’m glad he’s going that (I would too, as would anyone with a brain), but that doesn’t mean he’s right. So while I support his decision to play hard ball, I don’t think he’s worth the money. Not even close.
Jim Kelly News: According to ESPN’s Mike Rodak, former Bills quarterback Jim Kelly has had a successful surgery to remove his oral cancer. Kelly’s wife, Jill Kelly, posted on instagram saying, “He is my inspiration and hero” in regards to her husband. Our prayers are certainly with the great Jim Kelly and his entire family.
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