Weekly NFL News and Notes Column

 Spartan Nation was one of the first to report about the possibility of assistant coaches unionizing. I can tell you the latest, as we know it. I talked

 

Spartan Nation was one of the first to report about the possibility of assistant coaches unionizing. I can tell you the latest, as we know it. I talked with three NFL assistants on this subject over the holiday. Two of them were for it the other was not. The third however admitted, “It will pass. So many of them want it. I am just concerned that the owners would simply dump a guy when he was about to get vested.” He went on to say, “They have the ability to pass it and they will. It is just my conservative side talking.”

 

Problems are brewing in NE with Tom Brady and the Pats. They are dragging their feet on giving him a new deal. They are prepared to let it drag on and when this contract plays out, using the franchise tag. Brady took a hometown discount when signing this present deal, but the Pats have done nothing when his salary has been ridiculously low compared to other contracts to at least adjust it. Keep in mind that Brady has done nothing wrong. This will probably be his last significant deal. He gave the Pats the discount, and if he feels they haven’t done enough with it, there is nothing wrong with him looking or should we say wanting to. Keep your eyes on this. The contract and his not attending every voluntary (emphasis on voluntary) workout have drawn some internal frustration from the team.

 

Jamarcus Russell getting arrested for possession of a controlled substance simply enhances the already poor track record of the young man. I wish no ill will on him, but he is the poster child of why picking college kids and giving them millions is stupid. Pay the proven vets and get a rookie salary cap is a growing mantra around the league and when the labor dispute is settled, there will be a rookie cap.

 

I mentioned last week in this column how players around the league are all watching Lions’s President Lewand and how the NFL deals with him for his alcohol issues. This is mounting now. On Monday I spoke with a team player rep for the union who told me emphatically, “I have no issues with Roger (NFL Commissioner) protecting the shield. I get it. That’s cool, but don’t just protect it from players. If he doesn’t do anything or he slaps his hand, he is going to have some real problems. We’ve already talked.”

 

The Eagles have come out and said that they haven’t considered getting rid of Vick. I can tell you that several team officials don’t think they are telling the truth and one was even more blunt when he said, “Vick won’t be an Eagle to start the season. I think they are trying to see if he has any trade value left.” Again, I have no info if he will be let go, but that NFL team official thinks so.

 

The Spartan Nation’s and current Cleveland Brown Robaire Smith was charged last Thursday with carrying a gun in his luggage at Flint's Bishop Airport. I love Robaire, but how do you forget you have a gun in your luggage? The sad part is that he is a great member of the community and I hope this doesn’t tarnish that. The charge is a misdemeanor that carries a maximum sentence of a year in jail.

We told you last week about the rookie symposium. Some draft picks that attended were unusually high on it. One told me on Friday, “I knew pretty much everything that was said. I still needed to be reminded of it. I think the old players who spoke and some of the non-football people were the best.” I love the rookie symposium and how the Commissioner has expanded it.

 

One of the most significant gets this off-season was in Washington. They picked OT Trent Williams as their first round pick. Then, they went out and got Jammal Brown. That was a monstrous addition. That allows Brown to play the LT spot until Edwards is ready. If he is ready before the season, that will be great. If not he plays right. This is a smart move by the Skins.

 

The Steelers covet the services of former Spartan Flozell ‘The Hotel’ Adams. The conventional wisdom is if the usually cheap Steelers pony the money they can have him over the Broncos.

 

I get no compensation for this, but every NFL fan should go out and purchase Sean Payton (Saints head coach) memoir on the Super Bowl winning season. Most books like this are worthless. Payton did it right, with real info (good and bad) and took the reader behind the scenes. It is a fantastic read.

 

With everyone healthy, the Patriots look like they are gaining the inside edge for the AFC in 2010. I will wait for my predictions until the week before the season starts, but if they can avoid issues with Brady this could be special.

 

Just got a phone call and I can tell you that the Titans have blinked. Chris Johnson will have a new deal before the season starts.

 

We told you weeks ago that Lambeau Field expansion was coming. It is. This historic facility is a legend unto its own and making it bigger won’t change the fact that it is always packed. Anyone who can put steam on a mirror should have to visit this sacred and holy place of football at least once. AMAZING!

 

Mike Furrey is with the Redskins, and once again another team loves this former NFL receiving champs attitude. He has come into DC and shut his mouth and worked hard. A long shot, Furrey will make this team. I am rooting for my buddy and the fact that he is truly the good guy. When his NFL time is done for sure, I have some amazing stories to tell you about his time in Detroit. AMAZING!