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By SportsLover, July 26, 2010 10:56 am

Peyton Manning is already supposed to have a signed contract that makes him the highest paid player in the NFL .  At least that’s what we heard from Jim Irsay back in March.  But it’s July, we’re less than a week away from training camp, and the best player in the NFL doesn’t even have a contract.

The scene seems familiar:  Manning didn’t have his $98 million contract finalized in 2004 until the season was well underway; but that was coming off his rookie contract .  This time it’s different, now all of the NFL is waiting for and expecting a record breaking new contract from the Colts .

Sam Bradford’s new contract with the Rams guarantees $50 million, a record for a rookie, who has yet to even prove he can deliver on the field.  Now Manning ‘s agent, who also represents Bradford, has to convince the Colts that their star quarterback is worth more than double that; because lets face it: he is.

Manning is the league’s only four-time MVP, he has taken the Colts to two Super-Bowls, and he is breaking every record in the books.  On top of his greatness on the field, Manning shows he is just as committed off-field.  He attends every team function, , pre-season work-out, meeting, and practice–whether it’s mandatory or not.  And unlike his peers–Ben Roethlisberger and Michael Vick– Manning stays out of trouble.

Manning is constantly referred to as the guy who will be know as the “Greatest of All Time,” and Jim Irsay needs to make sure he’s paid like the greatest.

Even though most players don’t–and probably never will– match Manning‘s credentials, his salary will set the bar for every other player out there, and you can bet every one of them is praying that Manning gets a ridiculous amount so they can negotiate higher when their contracts are up for review.

But in the worst-case scenario that Manning doesn’t get his contract finalized in the next couple weeks, every fan and player will fear it means only one thing: lock-out.  And with that we can all kiss the 2011 season good-bye since the NFL labor negotiations between owners and players is still uncertain.

The bottom-line is that everything football is riding on Manning ‘s contract: the season, the salaries, the players, and the fans.

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By SportsLover, November 5, 2009 9:44 am

The Colts starting linebacker Tyjuan Hagler has been put on IR for the rest of the season due to a ruptured biceps.  Five other players from the Colts team were missing from practice on Wednesday as well due to injuries: Marlin Jackson(strained ACL),Anthony Gonzalez (knee),Kelvin Hayden (knee),Bob Sanders (elbow),and Dwight Freeney who was held out to rest.

Physical injury is part of the game of football, it’s unfortunate when players get hurt but not unexpected.  Now people are beginning to wonder how much damage there is to be had mentally.  Recent studies from the NFL have shown that their is a higher case of dementia and other cognitive impairments in retired and under 50 NFL players than in the rest of the general population.

These studies have not been peer reviewed yet, which means the details cannot be confirmed as fact quite yet.  Within the last month the NFL has formed a concussion and traumatic brain injury committee that will continue to look at long-term effects of brain injuries among players.The committee will also look at the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention brain injury in  players who are still actively playing today.

Though evidence is still being gathered, many professionals over the past three years have testified to the link between sports head injuries and later cognitive problems.  The NFL and its staff still believe their is not enough information to conclude anything as fact.  Who knows where this will take the sport of football in years to come.

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By SportsLover, November 4, 2009 11:32 am

Broncos drop this week in the NFL rankings for third to seventh after an upsetting 30-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.  Several teams so far this week have also suffered from poor performances on the field such as the Seattle Seahawks and the Detroit Lions.

Tonight the undefeated New Orleans Saints will host the first week 9 game against the Atlanta Falcons who are ranked 10th so far.  An upset is unlikely due to the strong play of the Saints in the recent weeks but then again no one expected the 3rd place Broncos to be defeated by the Baltimore Ravens who were ranked 14th.

Rankings:

1. New Orleans         5. Cincinnati         9. New York Giants     13. Houston           17. Chicago

2. Indianapolis        6. Pittsburgh         10. Atlanta                     14. Baltimore        18. Jacksonville

3. Minnesota            7. Denver                11. Dallas                        15. Arizona            19. New York Jets

4. New England       8. Philadelphia      12. San Diego               16. Green Bay        20. Miami