Quick Walk Around The NFL

Pending, interest, holds, tears and woes just a few verbs to describe the week, Texas, Hard Knocks and trading places add to the list of nouns with quick hits and tidbits in the mix. March 25th, 2014 brought heartache to Buffalo and rapidly spread all over the country, as we had lost one of the most influential men in the National Football League, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. (October 17, 1918 – March 25, 2014), the founder and owner of the Buffalo Bills along with the originator of the American Football League, which in 1970 merged with the NFL. Tuesday in Orlando at the NFL Owners meetings started sadly with the news of losing a pioneer in football, immediately following twitter was a constant stream of  family prayers condolences and adoration for a man they loved and knew. Bills CEO and team president, Russ Brandon had the difficult task of delivering the news to all the owners.

“I speak for everyone within the Bills organization when I say that we are all suffering a deep and profound sadness with the passing of our Hall of Fame owner Mr. Wilson,” Brandon said in a statement. “We have lost our founder, our mentor, our friend, and this is a very difficult time for us all. We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Mary, his daughters Christy and Dee Dee [Edith], his niece Mary and his entire family. “Mr. Wilson had a relentless passion, a deep love for his Buffalo Bills, the City of Buffalo and the National Football League.  He also loved the Bills fans and all of the people of Western New York who embraced the Bills.
“This incredible man was the personification of the Buffalo Bills. His life was grit, determination and resolve. He was bigger than life in many ways and yet he was the everyday man, driving his Ford Taurus to the local store and greeting everyone as they called out ‘Hi Ralph!’ He will be greatly missed by those in our community whose lives he touched.”

The man that had lent money to the Oakland Raiders franchise in order to keep it solvent and was given a 25 percent ownership stake, when re-paid, he relinquished his share in the team. The man that lobbied successfully to postpone the AFL games after President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. In just shy of a century Hall of Famer Mr. Wilson’s legacy will be best depicted in a biography, I merely am sharing a very, very few keynotes mostly gratitude for all that he did, along with prayers with heart filled condolences to his family, close friends and all the Buffalo Bills family.  The Bills have done a beautiful celebration of Mr Wilson on  their site. Wilson’s departure comes merely weeks after the passing of Detroit Lions owner William Clay Ford Sr., who died on March 9th at age 88 and with long-tenured owner, Bud Adams of the Tennessee Titans who passed October 21, 2013 at the age of 90.  Devastating rumors loom Wilson left no heir apparent and the trust that was set up to hold the team after his death is expected to sell the team to the highest bidder within two years. More sadness continued in Buffalo, as HOF QB Jim Kelly‘s cancer has returned and aggressive.  His wife Jill has a blog filled with daily happenings and a lot of faith, my prayers continue for the whole family.

So incredibly overwhelmed and thankful for @chapel_buffalo and the multitudes who are praying for Jim. We LOVE you and thank God 4 u! — Jill Kelly (@HJKforever) March 23, 2014

Up north, in Boston a tragic fire hits home for Tom Brady, literally a few doors down from his home  as he witnessed the devastating blaze.

“I can’t express my gratitude and thanks enough to all the first responders and people that were there fighting that fire all night last night, I had a firsthand view of all the action and was just blown away by the bravery, the teamwork that they displayed.”

Switching gears to pending, expected and interests a few words that can drive you nuts and get you saying the serenity prayer at least for fans, that is.  Monday… Tuesday… Wednesday came and finally after a long weekend,  Jared Allen stays in the NFC North rather than soar northwest as he joins the Chicago Bears for $15M guaranteed. Although it screams crazy to stay in division and join forces with one of your biggest enemies, i.e., Farve to Minnesota or Revis to the Pats. He’s already got some existing ties along with 128.5 sacks as he laterals to Illinois.

Strange-but-true Chicago facts about new @ChicagoBears DE Jared Allen: He got married to Amy, who is from the area, at historic Drake Hotel — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 26, 2014

Those three words above are like the impeding frustration of sitting on the tarmac waiting to take off or deplane, similar to what Mark Sanchez went through before medical was cleared,… there was interest,… he was likely,… then poised and finally agreed and will join the Philadelphia Eagles, complete details will be forthcoming on Friday .

Per Mike Garafolo “the one-year deal Mark Sanchez will sign will be worth a max of $4 million. Base value roughly half of that.”

This gets interesting though with 3 other QB’s already on the roster, including yes another former Trojan, Matt Barkley who most likely he will be battling for the back up position with. Mark Sanchez will be Chip Kelly’s next project. So far the coach has a golden touch: http://t.co/X19JrWHG0n

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 27, 2014

Trading places in the east is complete; Sanchez and Vick may have each other on speed dial this season, swapping one of the toughest markets for the other.

The circus was in town in Texas, at Kyle Field at Texas A&M today for Johnny Manziel most anticipated Pro day that exceeded all the hype, President George H.W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush along with Texas Governor Rick Perry in attendance. ESPN’s coverage of the NFL future QB making it clear where the vote is for the Texans number one draft pick.  Nike already stated the future starts today with the Johnny Manziel Pro day Collection.

Wednesday, Manziel posted on his insta, “Thank you Mr.President for giving my family and I the opportunity to spend some time with you and your lovely wife, something I will remember forever and extremely excited you’ll be attending tomorrow”

Impressive workout by Johnny football. He is a very natural thrower. More impressive than bortles and bridgewater throwing the football — Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) March 27, 2014

The Pittsburg Steelers find themselves on the forefront of reality TV as HBO’s Hard Knocks is knocking!  Not sure if the Rooney family will allow it, having already enough presence in Hollywood with two great-grandchildren, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Rooney Mara and House of Cards, Kate Mara who are also nieces to Giants owner John Mara. However  with the NFL‘s commitment to the show eight teams can be forced to do the show, they may not have a choice. 2014 front runners:  the Bears, Bills, Cardinals,Giants, Rams, Raiders, Jaguars and Steelers. Thanks for walking through a few high and low-lights of the week with me. That’s a Wrap! Desiree