Football this 'n' that

The free agency signing period in the NFL starts later today. Trading? That's another story.

It's not enough that the Jets quietly heisted running back Isaiah Crowell from Cleveland last year to bolster their offense after the retirement of Matt Forte. Tuesday, it was reported that LeVeon Bell had agreed to a 4 year deal worth over $50 million to get out of Pittsburgh, where it seems QB Ben Roethlisberger had issues with both Bell and since traded receiver Antonio Brown.

It can be argued that Bell, who sat out last season in a contract dispute over being "franchised" by the Steelers, became expendable anyway with the emergence of rookie James Conner. Moving to New York gives the Jets a 1-2 punch in the backfield behind Sam Darnold, but the trick is making sure both Bell & Crowell get equal touches, and stay healthy.

Brown, the son of former Albany Firebird "Touchdown" Eddie Brown, was traded to Oakland for draft picks. Jon Gruden needed another playmaking receiver after stupidly dealing away Amare Cooper to Dallas last season. "Chucky" should lay off the Corona when he's on the clock. Just sayin'.
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Meanwhile, on the other side of MetLife Stadium at the Meadowlands, Giants GM Dave Gettleman didn't endear himself to Big Blue supporters by trading receiver/shampoo salesman Odell Beckham, Jr. to Cleveland for draft picks.

While the Beckham trade conceivably could make the Browns players at last in the AFC North, it does reunite Beckham with former college teammate Jarvis Landry, who came to Cleveland last year from Miami, and gives QB Baker Mayfield an extra deep threat to work with.

Basically, it comes down to this. The balance of power in the AFC North is shifting away from Pittsburgh, which was eliminated from the playoffs in the final week of the regular season, and back to Baltimore, while Cleveland is ready to make some more noise.
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All, however, was not jolly for Gang Green on Tuesday, though. After initial reports had Anthony Barr leaving Minnesota for the Jets, those reports were debunked when Barr opted to stay with the Vikings.
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As if Patriots owner Robert Kraft doesn't have enough problems, his most recent acquisition (to be made official today) is already expressing his political views in advance.

Michael Bennett is expected to finalize his deal, coming over from Philadelphia. Bennett has told the press he plans to stay in the locker room during the playing of the National Anthem next season. That's getting old already. Can't we just put an end to the controversy generated by President Screwloose (Trump) over the Anthem?

Meanwhile, Bennett may have coaxed his brother, tight end Martellus Bennett, to come out of retirement for another go-round in New England, just so the brothers can play together, something they've never done as pros. Michael's resume also includes a lengthy stint in Seattle, while Martellus' points of call have included the Giants, Dallas, & Chicago.
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Seems to me that local newspapers in this market are loathe to even acknowledge the Alliance of American Football, halfway though its initial season.

The Albany Times-Union posts the standings in the sports section daily, but that's about it. El Cheapo Media? Fuhgeddaboutit! If you want to bet on the games, you'd have to get one of the New York City papers, as they're the only ones who have the morning line on each week's games. Apparently, this suggests the AAF will wind up with a very short shelf life after all.