Getting Past The Preseason.

John Ahern

Chances are if you have survived the roster cut down to seventy-five, your chances of making a "team" have significantly increased. I know what you're thinking! A genius I am not! That would be correct. But if you take into consideration a teams practice squad, the increase of certain positions of depth on each roster, it may elevate the odds that you open the season as part of the shield. Not to be left out is one important fact. As much of a detailed evaluation of talent there has been the past several weeks, There is still no assurance that some players have difficulty transitioning from scrimmages to meaningful games. Survivors of the first cut will be looked at if within the first few weeks any member of a team can't
perform on the big stage. As long as they remain in uniform, their value league wide increases.

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The Patriot Way:

New England's trading of 6 time pro bowler and 2010 first team all pro guard Logan Mankins to Tampa Bay left many scratching their heads. Not because of what the got in return, tight end Tim Wright, who was performing so poorly this preseason that he was on the verge of being cut, and a 2015 fourth round draft pick, but because of the timing. In a season in which the Patriots are essentially a team that's a heavy favorite to again reach a Super Bowl, why, now, do you jettison a team captain, an obvious leader, and a protector of your "franchise" in Tom Brady. Reports are out there that the team asked Mankins to restructure his deal, giving back some of the 10 plus million he was going to earn this year. He allegedly balked at the idea. And now Mr. Brady is upset as well. He should be. Although not a glamorous position, but an interior lineman is an ingredient in a cohesive unit, know in this case as an offensive line. The Patriots paid him handsomely for a reason, and now they wanted to get out from under that deal. They did. And it may cost them. But...hey...isn't that "The Patriot Way!

High Expectations:

San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick is entering his fourth season and has started in 23 games. His 17-6 record suggests that of a winner, completing almost 60% of his pass attempts with a fancy 31/11 touchdown to interception ratio. He's been to two NFC Title games and a Super Bowl. Pretty impressive! But there is pressure on him in 2015, mostly because of the aforementioned success. When you take the league by storm as part of a "pistol" offense, relatively new to the game when he burst onto the scene in 2012, and have immediate success with it, you set the bar for yourself, much less your team. And that's where this signal caller stands. Maybe not as much by his fellow teammates and coaching staff, but by a passionate fan base. The shelf life on a scrambling physical quarterback in a west coast type offense is thought by many to be 4-5 years. It very well may be the case with Kaepernick, as opposing defenses will continue to adjust to his style.

Show Me The Money:

Here is a list of the top ten most valuable NFL franchises and their worth:

1) Dallas Cowboys  3.2 billion

2) New England Patriots  2.6 billion

3) Washington Redskins  2.4 billion

4) N.Y Giants  2.1 billion

5) Houston Texans  1.85 billion

6) N.Y. Jets  1.8 billion

7) Philadelphia Eagles  1.75 billion

8) Chicago Bears  1.7 billion

9) San Francisco 49ers  1.6 billion

10) Baltimore Ravens  1.5 billion

One can only imagine what a franchise in Los Angeles would price at.

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