Gronk

Turns out that fourth surgery will more than likely be needed for Rob Gronkowski.

A doctor is slated to examine Gronkowski’s arm to see if an infection has persisted.

According to NFL.com:

Gronkowski had X-rays taken Wednesday as a precursor to surgery, and NFL.com’s Albert Breer reported that Dr. Jesse Jupiter, one of America’s top fracture surgeons, is set to perform the operation next week at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Noted orthopedist Dr. James Andrews was consulted in the case.

The Patriots expect Gronkowski to be ready for training camp, but they won’t have a true idea on his timetable until the plate in his arm is replaced.

If the infection has cleared — Gronkowski has been on antibiotics — no more surgeries likely will be needed. If not, Rapoport reports there almost certainly will be a fifth surgery that would make it unlikely he’d be ready for training camp in July.

Good luck to Gronk. Let’s hope he will be ready for games this fall!

QB Battle Brewing in Philly?
With rookie Matt Barkley ready to compete for a chance to be the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, Michael Vick is coming to camp turning some heads.

According to NFL.com, Vick seems to know what a great chance this is, too. Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer notes that Vick’s “motivation” this year can’t be overstated. “(Vick’s) noticeably bigger and enthused about the offense,” Berman writes.

Vick has spoken plenty that he ran less last season by design. Now, he’s in an offense that should play to his strengths (mobility) with a vastly improved, healthier offensive line.

An exciting, running game? The Eagles? Color me intrigued! For more on Vick and the Eagles, check out the story here.

Minicamp Breakdown

Check out this team by team breakdown from each minicamp and stories to watch this summer.

Picture from @RumfordJohnny

Melvin Ingram Tears ACL
San Diego Chargers Melvin Ingram has torn his ACL in his left knee. If he has a complete tear, he could be out for the whole 2013 season. This leaves the Chargers with very little options for the outside lineback position since Shaun Phillips and Antwan Barnes left the team as free agents.

You can read more here.

Best Bloopers of 2012

Check out this video of the best bloopers of the 2012 season.

Mark Sanchez Drama

Carolina Panthers Steve Smith has stirred up some drama by ripping the New York Jets’ Mark Sanchez.

Smith’s comments from WFNZ-AM, the Sporting News and ProFootballTalk.com:

“He sucks.”

“I wouldn’t let Mark Sanchez throw me a paper bag sandwich.”

The Jets and Panthers meet in December. I guess we’ll see how this drama plays out then.

Sit back and enjoy your morning beverage! We’ve got a few links to give you your NFL fix! Enjoy!

31 NFL Players Lose $41 Million

Wall Street broker, Jeffrey Rubin, caused 31 NFL players to lose a total of $41 million in risky investments. Rubin is now barred from the securities industry. Among his clients was former Baltimore Ravens player, Samari Rolle. According to regulatory filings, Rolle lost $3 million. No other names were given in this article.

If current NFL players are among these investors, they could face investigation by the NFL. The NFL bars its players from any involvement with gaming operations.

You can read more on this in USA Today.

Carolina Panthers Ownership Cries Financial Hardship

According to Deadspin, Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson has been demanding a more owner friendly collective bargaining agreement despite making $112 million over the past two years.

I need a degree in finance to understand exactly what all these numbers mean but it sounds to me like someone is a little greedy. You can read more here.

DirectTV Could Stop Carrying NFL Sunday Ticket

DirecTV CFO Pat Doyle told reporters that DirectTV has considered pulling the plug on NFL Sunday Ticket. In a statement, Doyle says,

“… if the price tag [goes] too high in the next rights deal negotiations, DirecTV would consider striking a non-exclusive deal with the NFL or possibly even dropping the popular package.”

DirecTV’s deal with the NFL doesn’t expire until 2015 so we’re all safe until then. You can read more on this story here.

Zubaz Are All The Rage

Yes, that’s right, Zubaz are back thanks to Addias. Addias has created some NCAA uniforms that gear a strong resemblance to these colorful pants. Since then they have been making a comeback. Even the Gronkowski brothers, Rob, Dan and Chris, love them. They feature these beauties on their site.

To read more on this colorful story, click here.

Welcome to the first edition of a new, hopefully-daily feature here at Offsides … the Morning Blitz! Here we will try to get you some of the links from sources around the country to get you, your daily football fix! We’ll, as always, try to add a little humor to it!

So, sit back and sip your coffee … or whatever beverage that is in your hand … and enjoy!

The NFL’s new Player Assessment Tool is sure to give the Wonderlic a run for it’s money at the NFL Scouting Combine this week in Indianapolis.

The NFL’s new Player Assessment Tool is sure to give the Wonderlic a run for it’s money at the NFL Scouting Combine this week in Indianapolis. According to USAToday.com, the PAT  is supposed to provide teams with an idea of whether a player will get along with teammates, make it to meetings on time and put in the effort to take his skills from good to great. Teams are making multi-million dollar investments in these athletes who get banged around. It is an excellent idea to make sure they are good decision makers. It just is … Seriously!

Other Items

* Alleged Adderall abuser and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Robert Sherman says the NFL Draft is a “sham.” … Yeah, OK Robert. Here’s more from the Seattle P-I.

* Monte Kiffin understands the pressure he is taking on by becoming the Dallas Cowboys’ new defensive coordinator. But you have to wonder about that when he justifies this by saying he is 72 going on 52! Here’s more on Kiffin from the San Antonio Express-News.

* The city of Charlotte’s plan to contribute $125 million toward renovating Bank of America stadium started with a letter Mayor Anthony Foxx sent to the team last September, according to Carolina Panthers president Danny Morrison. Here’s more on the letter and other possible financing sources for the renovation from the Charlotte Observer.  » Continue reading “Monday Morning Blitz: Combine, Tebow and More!”

On the backs of DeAngelo Williams and Mike Tolbert, the Carolina Panthers defeated the New Orleans Saints 44-38.

Look at DeAngelo Go!

DeAngelo Williams rushed for 210 yards and two touchdowns. And Mike Tolbert rushed 25 yards for three touchdowns.

Cam Newton passed for 248 yards and ran 34. Graham Gano had three field goals.

The Panthers end their season on a four game winning streak. They had a 7-9 record to close out their 2012 campaign.

For more about the Saints, and Drew Brees record setting day, please check out Halftime Voodoo!

Here at Aerys Offsides, we love us some Cam Newton.

I’m willing to argue that he’s the QB providing the most (non-meme related) absurdity this season (somebody get that boy a hashtag). Sometimes he’s on, sometimes he’s way off, but no matter what, he’s always making a face at the cameras. Here’s my current favorite:

So when news broke last week that Cam was a Diva with a capital D, we were all like:

DUH.

Or in Cam’s words, “It is what it is.”

I’m not really sure why this is such surprising breaking news. Anyone remember that time back in late September when Cam held up the Panther’s team bus because he was pouting in the locker room? » Continue reading “Cam DIVA Newton, Y’all”

Cam Newton points to the cameras after running to a first down. (Screen Cap)

Cam Newton had 23 pass completions for 287 yards and two touchdowns – one to Deangelo Williams and the other to Greg Olsen. Cam kept the ball nine times for 116 yards, a career high. And, he ran 72-yards for a TD. The Panthers defeated the 11-2 Atlanta Falcons, 30-20.

Graham Gano was three for three on field goals, including a kick he nailed from 41 yards away.

The Panthers are now a surprising 4-9. The Panthers head to the West Coast to take on the San Diego Chargers next weekend.

Cam Newton after the Panthers lost to the Chiefs 27-21 Sunday. (Screen Cap)

An inspired Chiefs squad was just too much for the Carolina Panthers.

Cam Newton was 15 of 27 passing for 232 yards and three touchdowns – to Steve Smith, Greg Olsen and Louis Murphy. The Panthers lost to the Chiefs, 27-21. The Chiefs were playing one day after their teammate Javon Belcher shot his girlfriend multiple times before going to Aarowhead Stadium and shooting himself in front of Head Coach Romeo Crennel and GM Scott Pioli.

The Panthers are now 3-9. The team won’t have an easy task Sunday as they play the first place Atlanta Falcons in Charlotte.

In one of the worst seasons, and in one of the worst moments, the Chiefs came together as a team and beat the Carolina Panthers today in Kansas City. The 27-21 win was played in front of a half-full and incredibly somber Arrowhead, just one day after Chiefs player Jovan Belcher shot his girlfriend and then drove to the practice facilities at Arrowhead and shot himself.

Many fans held signs memorializing Belcher

Despite being witnesses to the crime at Arrowhead, general manager Scott Pioli and coach Romeo Crennel were at the game, leading their team to it’s second win of the season.

Quarterback Brady Quinn threw for 201 yards and two touchdowns, caught by Tony Moeaki and Jon Baldwin. Peyton Hillis also ran for a touchdown in the opening drive, delivering the ball to Coach Crennel on the sideline along with a bear hug.

Jamaal Charles continued to be a bright spot for the Chiefs, running for 227 yards. Kicker Ryan Succop scored two field goals, including a 52-yarder in the last five minutes that forced the Panthers to play for a touchdown to win.

The Chiefs are now 2-10 with a fan base that can be proud of a team that came together midst of such an unspeakable tragedy. They face the Browns next Sunday.

Happy Cam Newton seems to have returned!

Yes, the Carolina Panthers defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 30-22.

Cam had quite the game including going 18 for 28 passing for 306 yards. He threw touchdown passes to Brandon LaFell and Gary Barnidge. LaFell ran in a 43-yard reception. And, Barnidge ran in a 24-yard reception. Cam kept the ball 14 times for 52 yards and two touchdowns, including the high-flying one pictured above.

It was a good win for the Panthers as they have plenty to prove and were able to do so against a team with plenty more to prove in the Eagles. The Panthers are now 3-8 on the season as they were able to help continue the Eagles losing ways, as they too are 3-8 on the season.

If it weren’t for some dramatics you wouldn’t have known this was a Monday Night Football battle of the worst teams in the NFL … Or would you?!

Cam and Panthers head to Kansas City Sunday to take on the Chiefs. … The Chiefs are 1-10.

Follow Miranda on Twitter, @missmiranda. 

Cam Newton’s look just about says it all …

Sad Cam Is Sad. (Via @BuzzFeedSports)

The Panthers lost to the Bucs in overtime 27-21.

The Panthers got things started a little unusually as cornerback Captain Munnerlyn returned an interception for a 74 yard touchdown in the first quarter. Pretty impressive Panther D!

Cam was 16 of 29 passing for 252 yards and a touchdown. He also kept the ball 11 times for 40 yards. Cam’s touchdown pass was thrown to Brandon LaFell. Jonathan Stewart also ran the ball in for a touchdown. He had 15 carries for 43 yards.

The Panthers are now a dismal 2-8 on the season. They will get a few extra days to rest and enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday as they will play the Eagles in Monday Night Football action on Nov. 26.

Follow Miranda on Twitter, @missmiranda.