More NFL News and Notes and My Great Insight and Thoughts

You would not think there’s a recession based on players’ contract demands, what teams are giving them and the expected $35 million-plus signing bonus either Matthew Stafford or Mark Sanchez will demand! Life is good for certain NFL players or players-to-be!

Jacksonville Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew - new contract: Jones-Drew received a five-year deal worth $31 million with a $17.5 million signing bonus. The team plans on featuring him, and we’ll quickly see if he’s worth it. He’s been a team player; he has not been a public nuisance so I can’t argue it.

Can MJD last as a full-time back?

I wouldn’t have done it because I believe in rewarding players for what they’ve done. However, it’s not his fault the team has used him as part of a one-two punch with Fred Taylor.

Nevertheless, I would have seen what he could do this year and then ripped up the contract next year. He has averaged about 11 rushes per game in his career, but the real question is how will his body hold up when the Jags up the carries to about 18 per game?

Everyone raves about his pass-receiving abilities—as do I when it comes to fantasy—but he only has a career average of three per game with a career high of 62 receptions last year. In all, the team utilizes him about 14 times per game.

For the money they’re paying him, I expect no fewer than 22 touches per game. I’ll say this: I believe how you carry yourself and represent the team and the community is part of the contract process. Jones-Drew appears to be a class act that carries himself well, is a solid team player and is liked by the fans.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is showing players through suspensions how you carry yourself does matter, and I agree! That’s my take, and I know others will disagree. You’re welcome to your opinion, and I’m welcome to the correct one! Sorry, couldn’t resist.

Philadelphia Eagles CB Sheldon Brown - new contract demands: I’m quoting from Hot off the Wire what the Eagles stated about Brown, who is demanding a new contract despite having four years left on the extension he chose to sign.

The Philadelphia Eagles issued the following statement in response to CB Sheldon Brown’s desire to be traded. “It’s very unfortunate and counterproductive that Sheldon has chosen to go public with his feelings about his situation.

After thorough evaluation by himself and discussions with his family and agents, he chose to accept an extension of his rookie contract early that provided his family financial security for the rest of his life. It removed any concerns about health or performance that all other players in his draft class had to worry about.

He has four years remaining on that contract and, after taking the signing bonus and his first two years of salary into account, we feel that Sheldon is being paid fairly. Focusing only on a player’s salary for a given year is not a valid analysis. … Sheldon’s comments under the circumstances actually serve to devalue him in a trade if we were willing to consider it, which we are not.

Let’s make this simple; the Eagles are consistent winners because they treat their players fairly, like family, yet understand it’s a business. They take everything into account before taking action or folding under pressure.

For folding under pressure see the following: Denver Broncos, Jay Cutler; Arizona Cardinals, Anquan Boldin; and Cleveland Browns, Kellen Winslow on how to cave in and reward the player while penalizing your team as whole.

Teams could learn from the Eagles, and I applaud the Eagles for their response, and yes, before you e-mail, I mention Boldin because the team feels he is forcing them into trade talks.

John Madden and his retirement

It’s time! He was great for the game but has become a caricature of himself and was an average announcer at best his last few years. That stated, I’m a huge fan and he did help make EA Sports a powerhouse, and from what I know, is one of the great human beings in the industry! Without Madden, EA is not the company it is today!

On another note, I can’t stand NBC’s Sunday night lineup. I can’t say what I think of it without legitimately incurring the wrath of those above me, but let’s just say they could do better instead of going with retreads well past their prime!

Finally, I’ve never watched a game based on announcers! Why are the networks so stupid to pay them millions and millions? Prove me wrong and show me the data in numbers, not focus groups or polls that shows game announcers affecting viewership. It’s ridiculous!

Let the hate e-mails begin, and don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter.