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.

Cincinnati defensive tackle Geno Atkins had 7.5 sacks last season, a rare total coming from an interior defensive lineman. (News.Cincinnati.com)

As I’ve written here once before, I don’t play in a traditional fantasy football league with the traditional fantasy football structure. I see those abbreviations and have no idea what they mean.

I play real fantasy football. My team has 72 players. My offensive linemen contribute to my point total. As does my punter, my free safety, my defensive tackle and everyone else on my starting 26 (the traditional 22 plus a kicker, punter, punt returner and kick returner).

My league has 14 owners, our rosters are keepers without a cap, and we are now in our 27th season.

Andrew Luck went No. 1 in our draft on Sept. 1. Chandler Harnish was No. 196 at the end of the 14th round. In between is where it got interesting and where there are lessons for all of us.

But first, here is a look at the the 27th NLRF Draft First Round results

1. Shoe Laces: Andrew Luck, QB
2. Sledge Halwigs: Robert Griffin III, QB
3. Late Parrots: Trent Richardson, RB
4. Ocelots: Doug Martin, RB
5. Roos: Justin Blackmon, WR
6. Chippewas: Matt Kalil, OT
7. Rumblin’ Rubes (from Shortcuts): David Wilson, RB
8. Pterodactyls: Russell Wilson, QB
9. Derons: Mark Barron, SS
10. U.C. Twits: Melvin Ingram, OLB
11. Zygotes: Geno Atkins, DT
12. Bomags: Colin McCarthy, ILB
13. Shortcuts (from Rubes): Ryan Tannehill, QB
14. Derons (from Bugeaters): Morris Claiborne, CB

DRAFT FOR NEED

As the owner of the Zygotes, I feel compelled to explain the Atkins pick.  Rules require teams to play at least one defensive tackle and one inside linebacker. Most teams play a 3-4 defense to maximize sack and tackle totals. Finding a defensive tackle that can provide those type of stats is rare. I had a chance to draft Ndamukong Suh a couple of years ago. I passed on Suh, instead going with the big-play potential of C.J. Spiller. I have regretted it to this day. » Continue reading “Fantasy Football From A Non-traditional Perspective”

Kendall Wright was selected 20th overall by the Tennessee Titans

The following are picks 14- 22 in the 2012 NFL Draft.

* Rams (via the Cowboys): Michael Brockers, DT LSU. Read more about the selection from The Pigskin Arch!

*Seahawks (via Eagles): Bruce Irvin, DE, West Virginia.

* Jets: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina. Read more about this selection at The Green Room!

* Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

* Chargers: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina.

* Bears: Shea McClellin, DE, Boise St. Read more about this selection at Windy City Sweetness!

* Titans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

* Patrots (via the Bengals) Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse. Read more about this selection at The Foxhole!

* Browns: Brandon Weeden, QB Oklahoma State.

After an almost 6 month hiatus, the Aerys NFL writers have revived the Aerys Huddle.

In the latest edition of the Huddle, the writers got together to share their thoughts on free agency and the upcoming draft, and put together our own version of a mock draft.

As we currently don’t have writers for every team, the mock is incomplete. You will also see that some writers have selected the same players – particularly in the top and bottom ten – but in most cases we have offered several alternative options for each selection so that you can see where we think the team is headed on draft day.

1.3 Kim, Minnesota Vikings - Matt Kalil, OT, USC

1.4 Miranda, Cleveland Browns - Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Alternative Options: WR Justin Blackmon » Continue reading “Aerys Huddle – 2012 Draft Edition: Part One, The Mock Draft”