Mike Vick’s Future, It Isn’t In Atlanta

Atlanta still has the rights to their former superstar Mike Vick. However, they have stated publicaly that they have zero interest in Vick ever being a Falcon again.

How different would their tune be if not for Mathew Ryan.

Ryan seems to have an image that a franchise would love for their star quarterback. On top of that, he had a rookie season that was likely more impressive than Vick’s first full year.

I have a hard time picturing Ryan causing the public relations chaos that Vick has.

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NFL Network, Comcast Deal In Works

The NFL is close to reaching agreements with its network partners, FOX and CBS, on contract extensions. The deals with FOX, CBS and NBC run through the end of the 2011 season, and it’s likely the networks will have two years added to their deals. NBC’s extension, although not as close to completion, is also expected to get done.

Currently the NFL gets $622 million CBS annually and $712 million from FOX for the rights to their respective Sunday games. Maybe more importantly for the NFL is the status of their own network in relation to the nations largest cable provider, Comcast.

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NFL Owners Slummin’ it at the St. Regis

Numerous outlets have stories about the upcoming NFL Owner’s meetings and their choice of venue. That choice is the St. Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point, CA.

AIG stayed at the St. Regis in Dana Point last September/October (after receiving bailout money) at a reported cost of more than a half million. Now it’s the NFL’s owners meeting outside LA.

Of course, maybe the most important point of emphasis at these meetings; these tough economic times and how to cope.

Goodell says that the location of these annual meetings were determined 4 years ago and the NFL executives decided not to change now.

Maybe that is a reasonable excuse assessment on the NFL’s part but that won’t stop some from really questioning this decision and it definitely won’t stop some lighthearted jabs here.

Check out some pictures of the St. Regis after the jump.

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Goodell Takes Pay Cut

Roger Goodell not only agreed to have his salary frozen this coming year but went as far as agreeing to take a pay cut in the current fiscal year.

Reports are that Goodell will give up between 20% to 25% of his $11 million salary for the 2008 budget year which,  for the NFL, ends March 31. League spokesman Brian McCarthy has stated that the league is taking other steps to reduce its expenses by about 20%.

Beyond the commissioner forgoing the raise that was previously written into his contract this coming year; the rest of the NFL’s executive staff will be subject to similar cuts as well.

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Roger Goodell flexes his muscle, week 17 NFL scheduling changes

Three week seventeen games will be moved from 1:00 p.m. EST to 4:15 p.m. EST.

On CBS, the Dolphins @ Jets game will now have a late-afternoon kickoff. while Jacksonville @ Baltimore has also has been moved to a 4:15 p.m. EST start. On FOX, the Dallas @ Philadelphia game has been moved to 4:15 p.m. EST as well. The Broncos @ Chargers game will be the Sunday night game on NBC.

AFC East

The Dolphins control their own destiny. They win and they take the division, just one year after going 1-15. The Patriots need to win and either the Dolphins or Ravens lose. The Jets need a victory coupled with a Patriots and or Ravens loss.

The Patriots could potentially be the first team since the new playoff format in 1990 to have 11 wins and not make the playoffs.

AFC West

The resurgent Chargers earned the right to play for the division title yesterday with help from the faltering Broncos. That’s right, 15 weeks after the Chargers were screwed out of a win against Denver, those same Broncos will travel to San Diego in a re-match for the whole sha-bang.

I don’t think I’ve routed for the Chargers since Natrone Means suited up in the mid-9o’s.

NFC East

The Cowboys can clinch a playoff birth with a win while the Eagles clinch the wild card with a win against Dallas and losses by Tampa Bay and Chicago.

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First, of all this is going to be a heck of a week of games; so much on the line. However, as a Patriots fan, it is awful not controlling your own destiny. The thought of having 11 wins and not making the playoffs is a very difficult one to deal with. A sentiment that Matt Cassel reiterated this morning on the radio.

The AFC West  should forfeit their playoff spot to the AFC East. Even the lowly Bills who are 0-5 in the division are 4-0 against the AFC West.

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