USC’s Mark Sanchez getting lots of NFL looks

This week the NFL is meeting in at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort and getting a lot of criticism for staying at such a high priced venue during tough economic times.  This reporter says leave them alone.  If staying in plush digs puts the money men (read owners) to push through rule changes that will protect their gladiators from life crippling injuries I say let them stay at the St. Regis all summer.

Some of the rules adopted include:

1. Initial force of a blindside block can’t be delivered by a helmet, a forearm or shoulder to an opponent’s head.    A blindside block will bring a 15-yard penalty. (Long overdue!)
2. First contact to the head of a defenseless receiver also will draw a 15-yard penalty.
3. No blocking wedge of more than two players on kickoffs.
4. Kicking teams can’t have more than five players crowded together to capture an onside kick.

Rodney Harrison, New England Safety, has already come out and criticized the above changes as making the game too soft.  We have to remember that Rodney’s job is to deliver such hits…not receive them. Think that might change his mind?

Two weeks ago I met with an NFL running back, who didn’t want to be identified. He retired after 12 years in the league.  We were discussing the current economic crisis and someone at the table suggested that he didn’t have to worry because of the NFL’s generous retirement plan.  He laughed. “That money won’t be available to me for another 15 years and when it is I probably won’t be around to collect it?”   The next obvious question was “why not?”  “Check it out” he said. “Very few of us are still alive.  Those of you who refer to yourself as a ‘working stiff’  have a considerably longer lifespan than an NFL player.”

Rose Bowl MVP, USC’s Mark Sanchez  is expected to be a high draft pick in the upcoming NFL draft. Sanchez had an outstanding showing at the “Combine” earlier this year and is at home in Orange County waiting for the April NFL draft.  Rumors are flying about who is ‘courting” him. Pretty good sources said that his week he was visited by represeentatives of Denver,  Redskins, 49ers, Jets and Steelers.  Two of the group of prospective employers tested him on his ability to study the playbook and he passed with colors.

Several of his USC teammates also expected to be high draft picks including linebackers Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga. Both are on the Steelers charts as well as several other clubs.