Photo by Keith Allison

Sunday for many people is a special day. Filled with family, friends, and possibly some yelling at the television. Football has been a large part of people’s Sunday traditions, but with things being the way they have been lately, many are wondering when the focus will return to actual football. It seems less has been made of the game, and more is being made about what President Trump has tweeted out about something or which players have decided to take a knee for the National Anthem.

Regardless of your personal feelings on these subjects it does come across as slightly foreboding when you couple that with the fact that across the whole board NFL’s TV ratings are down. Some might say that this is attributed to the ongoing spectacle sideshow that the NFL has turned into. Commissioner Goodell has not ended the stalemate with the player‘s union about proper procedure for pre-game policy, and continually rides the fence on the issue. This has further dragged on with President Trump now taking to the keyboard to weigh in his two cents worth.

The cold hard facts remain though that viewer ratings are down for every game except for the one o’clock slot. It might stand to reason that the games in that hour block did well because they were full of tough rivalry showdowns, or it could also mean that it is, generally speaking, a very boring time for television. Either way the games are getting less views, and you can be sure that trend will continue unless an agreement in procedure can be reached. Until then, we get to deal with a circus sideshow and the clowns in it.

Photo by swimfinfan

To hear the details check out the radio show page where Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports & Tony Williams of Metro New York joined me to talk about this mock.

Mock NFL Draft

*Saints trade the 32nd pick to Cleveland for pick 33 & their 5th round pick.

News:

The best news possible for Bills fans is that Sabers owner Terry Pegula has reached agreement to buy the team. Pegula will keep the team in Buffalo.

The NFL claims they never saw the elevator video of Ray Rice knocking his girlfriend out. I find that not believable. To think that the most powerful sports league in the country couldn’t get a video that TMZ had no problem finding is a lie of the worst kind. It is an attempt to cover up the most ludicrous miscarriage of justice in the history of the NFL. If Roger Goodell had any guts at all he would have changed the suspension when he realized how unfair it was. But he doesn’t and won’t any time soon.

A prosecutor said that the feelings of the victim are taken into consideration when deciding how to proceed with a domestic violence case. In this case it is clear that Janay Palmer wanted Rice to get the minimum punishment. That would explain the decision to place Rice in a diversionary program.

Flag-mania was not prevalent in week 1 of the season. It was good to see that the zebras finally figured out that the DB has as much right to the ball as the receiver. That is kind of a good thing. Hands to the face flags were called at a higher rate than last year however. That is a good thing as well.

Several teams suffered serious injuries. Texan OLB Jadeveon Clowney, the 1^st pick overall this year, has a torn Mencius and will miss 4 to 6 weeks. The Chiefs lost OLB Derrick Thomas for the season with an Achilles injury. The Browns lost TE Jordan Cameron (shoulder) and RB Ben Tate (knee). The Bears lost 2 offensive linemen C Roberto Garza and G Matt Slauson. The Colts suspended DE Robert Mathis injured is Achilles working on his own and is lost for the season.

Notes:

Falcons 37 Saints 34 – This was a giant win for the birds. The key to the game was the Saint D let the team down under the attack of QB Matt Ryan. Ryan threw for 448 yards. The Saint O built a 13-0 lead but the D could not hold it. The Saint D also allowed a late drive giving the Falcons the tie. It was a turnover in OT that setup the winning FG. The loss by the Saints hurts their chances of getting the #1 seed in the NFC. That will be critical if they expect to go get to the Super Bowl. The Saints are not going to go to Seattle and win the NFC title.

­Dolphins 33 Patriots 20 – This was a huge loss for the Pats because it exposed the O line issues. QB Tom Brady was sacked 4 times and pressured all day by DE Cameron Wake and the D line of the Fish. Brady also fumbled twice. The Fish converted 59% of their 3^rd down attempts while the Pats converted just 29%. The Pats need the top AFC seed if they hope to get to the Super Bowl. But until they fix the O line and find a way to stop the run on defense, that is not likely to happen.

49ers 28 Cowboys 17 – Dallas could not give the ball away fast enough. They turned the ball over on three of their first four possessions. The 49ers had 21 points with only 4 offensive plays. The game was never close after that. The 49er D looked good but most of that was due to the charity of the Boys. Things will be a lot harder when the 9ers get into their division games.

Eagles 34 Jags 17 – Eagles QB Nick Foles turned the ball over 4 times which allowed the Jags to build a 17-0 half time lead. But the second half was a different story. The Eagle D has to start the game ready to play if this team expects to go deep into the playoffs. The Eagles are still the class of a very ordinary NFC East.

Steelers 30 Browns 27 – For my thoughts about this game check out “The Secret behind the Browns 24 point comeback” right here on Fryingpansports.

Rumors:

IF the NFL and NFLPA finalize a new drug policy several players that are currently suspended could get some relief from it. Browns WR Josh Gordon was tested slightly over the current NFL limit for weed in the system but the new higher limit could apply retroactively to his case. Bronco WR Wes Welker could also get a pass on his 4 game suspension.

Several teams are in serious trouble getting to the playoffs even after just 1 game.

The Ravens have a must win Thursday against the Steelers. Pittsburgh is already up a game in the division and if the Ratbirds go to 0-2 with 2 division losses, it will be very difficult for them to recover. The Ratbird O has struggled all preseason to get the TD rather than a field goal.

The Redskins O is also pathetic. While the Skins D has played OK, it will be the O that prevents them from getting to the post season.

The Bears’ loss at home was a huge failure. The fact that they lost to the Bills makes the loss twice as costly. To make the playoffs, the Bears have to win home games and win the games on the road against the teams they are supposed to beat.

The Johnny Manziel package was just a rumor. He did not appear in the game.

The officiating this week was weak. While there was no Fail-Mary there were a lot of calls that were head-scratchers. One surprise was the lack of calls for the arm bar by either a defender or receiver. The zebras got the word from Park Avenue that the preseason games were bogged down by all the flags. But they may have gone too far in the other direction.

That is what I think. Tell us what you think by commenting here or tweeting me @NNRonDSN.

NOTE: Check out the live News, Notes and Rumors show on Monday, Thursday and Friday at 6 PM Eastern on or http://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/. On Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports, former NFL scout Kelron Sykes and I talk football with just a little Indians and Cavs thrown in. The archive is available on http://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/. Please join us.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He edits http://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels on and a non-fiction work at http://www.merriam-press.com/. Follow him on twitter @NNRonDSN to get the schedule of Special News, Notes and Rumors broadcasts. You can hear the previous shows on http://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/ and the live show Mondays at 6 PM Eastern time on .

He also edits .

To keep up with the News, Notes & Rumors podcasts, follow me on twitter @NNRonDSN.

Monday on NNR we will present the results of my Browns Season Simulation. Please join us at 6 PM EDT on or http://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

News:

Saints TE Jimmy Graham got his money. He is a first round pick in any fantasy draft.

Browns WR Josh Gordon did not help his cause with a 2^nd legal issue since he appealed his indefinite suspension. Both issues show he has major issues. After failing a test for weed, he was caught speeding with a friend smoking pot. Then he was arrested for DUI. At this point I doubt he can stay clean for a year to qualify for reinstatement. He may never play again.

49er RT Alex Boone says he won’t attend training camp unless he gets a new deal. The way he played in 2013 he should be more than happy with his salary. He missed way too many blocks to get a raise.

Flying J/Pilot President Jimmy Haslam signed an agreement with the fed. It will cost the company 92 million dollars. All Browns fans should buy as much gas as possible because Haslam needs the money.

Panthers DE Greg Hardy was found guilty of assaulting a female and communicating threats. It is likely he won’t suspended any time soon. He has filed an appeal of the conviction and it is doubtful that the appeal will be heard before the end of the season.

The Cowboys cut backup QB Kyle Orton. That allowed him to keep the 3 million dollar portion of his signing bonus. The upside for the Boys is a 3 million dollar cap savings. The down side is that former Browns QB Brandon Weeden will now backup Tony Romo who is recovering from 2 back surgeries this off season.

Notes:

The Broncos want to resign TE Julius Thomas but not at Graham money. Thomas profited greatly from having Payton Manning at QB. Thomas is not at all close to Graham in talent and would be average on most teams.

USC has done the right thing for its football players. Nearly all schools grant scholarships a year at a time. If a player gets injured or wants to quit football, the scholarship is not continued. USC has changed its policy to grant 4 year scholarships that are guaranteed regardless of the player’s status.

Rumors:

Most people believe that Haslam is safe from prosecution. For my opinion check out my editorial “What does the Pilot/Flying J settlement mean to the Browns?” on http://fryingpansports.com/#5yjPTbKkRpqXMmsO.99

The rumor is that the Panthers might cut Greg Hardy but don’t believe it. He is way too talented to cut and the team needs the D because the offense is hobbled by a lack of quality receivers.

Despite what WR A.J. Green thinks, the Bengals are not likely to give QB Andy Dalton a big dollar extension any time soon. The team is concerned about his inability to win playoff games. He threw 1 TD with 7 interceptions in his 3 playoff losses.

Cowboy backup QB Weeden has looked good in OTA drills. But when he is pressured by a D line, he falls apart.

The Timberkitties are insisting on any trade with the Cavs for Kevin Love including Andrew Wiggins the 2014 overall 1^st pick. LeBron James wants Love and the Cavs will probably give in. If they were willing to wait the pressure on Minnesota will grow exponentially. The value of Love will decrease with each passing day. No team is willing to give their top star for a 1 season rental.

Love can facilitate the deal if he said publicly he would only sign an extension with the Cavs. If he did the Timberkitties would probably settle for PF Tristan Thompson, SG Dion Waiters and a 1^st round pick or 2.

That is what I think. Tell us what you think by commenting here or tweeting me @NNRonDSN.

NOTE: Check out the live News, Notes and Rumors show on Monday, Thursday and Friday at 6 PM Eastern on or http://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/. On Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports, former NFL scout Kelron Sykes and I talk football with just a little Indians and Cavs thrown in. The archive is available on http://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/. Please join us.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He edits http://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels on and a non-fiction work at http://www.merriam-press.com/. Follow him on twitter @NNRonDSN to get the schedule of Special News, Notes and Rumors broadcasts. You can hear the previous shows on http://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/ and the live show Mondays at 6 PM Eastern time on .

He also edits .

To keep up with the News, Notes & Rumors podcasts, follow me on twitter @NNRonDSN.

News, Notes & Rumors for 07/18/14

Monday on NNR we will present the results of my Browns Season Simulation. Please join us at 6 PM EDT on or http://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.
News:
Saints TE Jimmy Graham got his money. He is a first round pick in any fantasy draft.

Browns WR Josh Gordon did not help his cause with a 2nd legal issue since he appealed his indefinite suspension. Both issues show he has major issues. After failing a test for weed, he was caught speeding with a friend smoking pot. Then he was arrested for DUI. At this point I doubt he can stay clean for a year to qualify for reinstatement. He may never play again.

49er RT Alex Boone says he won’t attend training camp unless he gets a new deal. The way he played in 2013 he should be more than happy with his salary. He missed way too many blocks to get a raise.

Flying J/Pilot President Jimmy Haslam signed an agreement with the fed. It will cost the company 92 million dollars. All Browns fans should buy as much gas as possible because Haslam needs the money.

Panthers DE Greg Hardy was found guilty of assaulting a female and communicating threats. It is likely he won’t suspended any time soon. He has filed an appeal of the conviction and it is doubtful that the appeal will be heard before the end of the season.

The Cowboys cut backup QB Kyle Orton. That allowed him to keep the 3 million dollar portion of his signing bonus. The upside for the Boys is a 3 million dollar cap savings. The down side is that former Browns QB Brandon Weeden will now backup Tony Romo who is recovering from 2 back surgeries this off season.

Notes:
The Broncos want to resign TE Julius Thomas but not at Graham money. Thomas profited greatly from having Payton Manning at QB. Thomas is not at all close to Graham in talent and would be average on most teams.

USC has done the right thing for its football players. Nearly all schools grant scholarships a year at a time. If a player gets injured or wants to quit football, the scholarship is not continued. USC has changed its policy to grant 4 year scholarships that are guaranteed regardless of the player’s status.
Rumors:
Most people believe that Haslam is safe from prosecution. For my opinion check out my editorial “What does the Pilot/Flying J settlement mean to the Browns?” on http://fryingpansports.com/#5yjPTbKkRpqXMmsO.99

The rumor is that the Panthers might cut Greg Hardy but don’t believe it. He is way too talented to cut and the team needs the D because the offense is hobbled by a lack of quality receivers.

Despite what WR A.J. Green thinks, the Bengals are not likely to give QB Andy Dalton a big dollar extension any time soon. The team is concerned about his inability to win playoff games. He threw 1 TD with 7 interceptions in his 3 playoff losses.

Cowboy backup QB Weeden has looked good in OTA drills. But when he is pressured by a D line, he falls apart.

The Timberkitties are insisting on any trade with the Cavs for Kevin Love including Andrew Wiggins the 2014 overall 1st pick. LeBron James wants Love and the Cavs will probably give in. If they were willing to wait the pressure on Minnesota will grow exponentially. The value of Love will decrease with each passing day. No team is willing to give their top star for a 1 season rental.

Love can facilitate the deal if he said publicly he would only sign an extension with the Cavs. If he did the Timberkitties would probably settle for PF Tristan Thompson, SG Dion Waiters and a 1st round pick or 2.

That is what I think. Tell us what you think by commenting here or tweeting me @NNRonDSN.

NOTE: Check out the live News, Notes and Rumors show on Monday, Thursday and Friday at 6 PM Eastern on or http://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/. On Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports, former NFL scout Kelron Sykes and I talk football with just a little Indians and Cavs thrown in. The archive is available on http://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/. Please join us.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He edits http://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels on and a non-fiction work at http://www.merriam-press.com/. Follow him on twitter @NNRonDSN to get the schedule of Special News, Notes and Rumors broadcasts. You can hear the previous shows on http://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/ and the live show Mondays at 6 PM Eastern time on .
He also edits .
To keep up with the News, Notes & Rumors podcasts, follow me on twitter @NNRonDSN.

A reach is defined here as a pick well above the rated position of the player. These are some of the worst reaches.

Jets Dexter McDougle CB Maryland – They spent the 80^th pick on a guy that was a 7^th round value even when healthy.

Bucs Kevin Pamphile OT Purdue – He struggled all season but the Bucs took him with the 149^th pick. I had him ranked in the 790s.

Seahawks Jimmy Staten DT Middle Tennessee – Staten was ranked in the 790s but despite a good draft the Hawks took him at 172.

49ers Kenneth Acker CB Southern Methodist – The Niners had a good draft but this one is a head scratcher. Acker was rated in the 550s but they took him with pick 180.

Rams Maurice Alexander SS Utah State – The Rams did well over all but took Alexander with pick 110 despite most analysts thinking he was undraftable. I had him in the 450s.

Jags Brandon Linder OG Miami (Fla.) – Linder was a 7^th round value but the Jags took him with pick 93.

Redskins Spencer Long OG Nebraska – The Skins had only a few picks but wasted on on Long who was a 7^th round value at best but was taken with pick 78.

Falcons Dezmen Southward SS Wisconsin – He was a late 6^th round value but they took him with the 68^th pick.

Giants Jay Bromley DT Syracuse – Bromley was a 6^th round value but the G Men took him with pick 74.

Raiders Derek Carr QB Fresno State – OK I am one of a few analysts that really didn’t like Carr. At best he is Brandon Weeden lite. The Raiders took him with the 36^th pick. I had him ranked as the 254^th best QB but only 17 QB prospects were considered draftable.

That is what I think. Tell us what you think.

NOTE: Check out the live News, Notes and Rumors show on Monday, Thursday and Friday at 6 PM Eastern on or http://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/. On Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports, former NFL scout Kelron Sykes and I talk NFL draft with just a little Indians and Cavs thrown in. The archive is available on http://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/. Please join us.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He edits http://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels on and a non-fiction work at http://www.merriam-press.com/. Follow him on twitter @NNRonDSN to get the schedule of Special News, Notes and Rumors broadcasts. You can hear the previous shows on http://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/ and the live show Mondays at 6 PM Eastern time on .

He also edits .

To keep up with the News, Notes & Rumors podcasts, follow me on twitter @NNRonDSN.