NFL

I really enjoyed the game in Buffalo. Not a big score, no great superstar plays but a tight, tatical fun game. And the difference made by the crowd was amazing. I guess the players got used to being to hear everything now so it was a bit of shock when they couldn't. I think it definitely got to Jackson, at least.

What is going to happen in Indianapolis now that Philip Rivers has retired?

I was a bit surprised to see Phillip Rivers retire.

I don't understand the point of playing 16 seasons for the Chargers, then go to Indy for just one season then hang up your cleats. Why not just play your entire career for the Bolts.

I mean I know he has like 11 children but its not like he needed the money.

Brees as well. He broke all those career records last season. They stopped games for ceremonies. End it then. Why come back for a lack-luster final season.

On the other hand, if Tom Brady can lead the Bucs to the Super Bowl and then retire after just one season in Tampa then that I can understand.

I think when New England dumped Brady he felt he had something to prove - that all that success with the Patriots was as much about him as it was about Belichick.

For the GOAT to lead Tampa to the Super Bowl, whilst the Patriots didn't even make the playoffs for the one the few times this century, would be a fitting send off.

Hall of Fame linebacker and former Bear great "Samurai" Mike Singletary is interviewing with the Bears for their vacant Defensive Coordinator coaching job.

Singletary spent his entire 11 year career with the Bears and was a main force on the 1985 Super Bowl championship team.

In 11 years he made the Pro Bowl 10 times, was named an All Pro 8 times, and defensive MVP twice.

He previously was Head Coach for the San Francisco 49ers for two and a half seasons 2008-2010 where his record was 18-22 with no playoff appearances.

Singletary's coaching style is very, very old school, very authoritarian, very "in your face" - like his primary coach with the Bears Mike Ditka.

I think the Bears roster could use his type of disciplinary presence. Too many problem children being naughty.

I was finding the Cardinals 'All or Nothing' a bit weak so I went over to the Michigan Wolverines one, and am actually finding it more interesting, it is giving me more of an insight into the game. I assume that there must be some important differences between the college and professional games, but I am not interested in that. I am getting more of a sense of the structure of a game.

In terms of the rules there are a few small differences between the college and pro games: no two minute warning in college, clock stops briefly for every first down, only one foot needed in bounds for a catch, ball carrier is down even if he falls down on his own without being touched, targeting penalty and player is removed from game and first half of next game. Overtime rules are completely different. 

But the main thing college football is the defacto developmental league for the NFL. 

That said, college football and basketball areHUGELY popular, particularly in states that don't have major professional sports.

Many college football stadiums have seating capacity of over 100,000.

College football also has more pomp and circumstance. Marching bands, the singing of Alma Mater. A lot of people remain loyal and support their university team their whole life.

College players are not being paid. Every time they step on the pitch they are risking career ending injury with no multi million dollar contract to fall back on.

They play for the love of the game and the dream of making it to the NFL.

And hopefully they take advantage of the free university education and get a degree so that if they get hurt or don't make it to the NFL they could still get a decent job.