Who knows what the NFL will be like in 2050. I probably won't be around then, so no need to worry. The game has changed from its early years and what hasn't. Everyone talks about injuries. To me, it's part of the game. Let's face it. It's a man's game. Fans look for hard hits much in the way they do in hockey or in boxing. Yes, some like to take cheap shots or dirty hits and those are the ones who should be punished. But no one forces the athletes to play the game. Take the NFL college draft for instance. The kid/player goes to college supposedly to get an education. Yeah, he's a good player -- probably better than his peers and he gets drafted. He gets an agent and now the negotiating begins. But no one is forcing him to sign that contract that may mean millions per year and signing bonuses. It's sort of the risk-reward scenario that we are accustomed to. Pretty much like the Repman mountain climbing or getting into the ring. You are aware that there's a risk involved. And so do the players. They know that going in regardless of what level they play at. And who cares what President Obama thinks. If he doesn't want his son to play football, play something else. It's all about sportsmanship, developing athletic skills and working as a team. Heck, even baseball has its risks. I can remember playing baseball at the age of 13 and breaking my left wrist on a fastball high and tight. Now, it wasn't a 100-mile an hour Nolan Ryan special, but the sun was over the pitcher's shoulder and I never saw the pitch. Sure, maybe rules need to be changed in the NFL since the players are getting bigger and faster. I know they certainly are since the days I traveled with the New York Jets in the 1970s. But there was steroid use, too, in the 1980s and I know that for fact and can identify a Giants offensive lineman who was directed by a coach to "bulk up" and use steroids. And then the "bounty" scandal with Greg Williams of the New Orleans Saints. This should not be tolerated. But, in my opinion, artificial turf is partially responsible for many of the concussions suffered. Every domed stadium from Atlanta to New Orleans, Indianapolis, Detroit, Seattle, Dallas and so on has artificial turf. And underneath that turf is concrete. So when a quarterback is hit and falls to the turf, his head bounces against what, in effect, is concrete. The league wants to play the 2014 Super Bowl outdoors. Terrific. Then why not go back to natural grass, too. Grass, dirt, whatever. Since the playeers are bigger and faster, widen the field, too. The league needs to go back to fundamentals. The fundamentals of blocking and tackling. Now it's bump the guy instead of wrapping him up and putting both arms around him. And sure the players can sue. But isn't that laughable. One minute they stand united when the collective bargaining agreement expires. But once a deal is reached and they step back onto the field, they are out to beat the heck out of each other. Maybe they need to reduce the number of games. The preseason is a joke even though they reduced it from six games to four. But they are still playing 20 games between the preseasion and regular season before the playoffs begin. And if interest in the sport slowly declines, maybe the number of teams will shrink, too -- back to the way the league began. To me, it's a pattern that will happen will all sports -- not just the NFL.

Great advice Ken.

A-Rod's not the only one who didn't produce. How about Cano, Granderson, Chavez and probably more. And while he's not earning the money the players are, how about hitting instructor/batting coach Kevin Long? Fire the guy. How many players this season hit below their career averages? In the playoffs alone, A-Rod batted a paltry .120. Cano .075, Granderson .100, Chavez .000, Russell Martin .161, Nick Swisher .167. Heck, Repman, you could probably hit better than that blind-folded. And what's worse is how many players will file for arbitration and win their cases for more money? I'm not a Yankee fan, but let's get down and dirty. What a disgrace. And how much were they charging for tickets? Refund! Let's go Mets

This wasn't a separation from the company but we had a sportscaster who had received a cash advance for a trip and when he returned he needed to complete a detailed expense report. When it was determined that he owed money to the company, instead of writing a check, he brought in a bag full of pennies that amounted to more than $100. I don't know who got stuck counting the copper.

How about Irish kilts? And maybe our Olympians will march waving small American flags on Chinese chopsticks.

In the few instances where I have had a retainer client, I put a late fee in the contract. If you specify terms of payment within 30 days of invoice, give them a 15-day grace period, then charge them 1.5% (or whatever you decide should be the applicable rate) and then add it on to the next invoice. Just like paying a credit card balance or your mortgage. Once they see that "late fee" charge, they may begin to wake up.

That's just my point Steve. If there's a "dead end" in journalism, those communications skills will aid in seeking employment elsewhere. How many former jorunalists do you have on staff or are aligned with? There is some value that they bring to the table, whether it's editing, pitching media because of their insight how journalists work, what makes for a good story, etc.

Interesting to know, Danielle. However, you must admit that the communications skills you learned in assisted in your career development path. I don't have a college education, but began my professional career as a freshman in high school as a sportswriter and then had hands-on experience in radio working side-by-side of the industry's top broadcasters. Later on, I mentored some interns and taught them the tools of the trade. But I firmly believe that communications skills are inherent to a successful career, regardless of the chosen path.

Looks like a boxing judge's scorecard. I gave this round to.... They ought to have awards for different size agencies (small, medium and large based on billings parameters) and then let them compete against themselves at that level. Same way tax returns are prepared. The more you earn, the more you pay. It ain't gonna change Repman. Sad, but true. You know the saying, "Can't fight City Hall."

Very moo-ving Ann. Sounds like the China Syndrome of not eating anything that comes from an animal. Apparently, the Asians have better hearts because of this. No milk, no eggs and, of course, no meat.

Thanks Julie. Point well taken.

Janet, Things change all the time. The agency's client calls the shots and this is what they thought they wanted. To answer your question, though, the answer is no. This is a rare instance but there are agencies out there who guarantee placements and you pay accordingly. I have worked under both scenarios. By working on an hourly or project basis, you have continuity and can get a lot accomplished. By working under a "pay for placement" guise you either produce or you don't get paid. In effect, the agency and their client wanted to make sure they had someone in place that they could rely on to get them that coverage. Interestingly, they have backed off -- at least for the time being.

I don't know how much Cosell was "telling it like it is" when he changed his last name from Cohen to Cosell. Makes one wonder.

Say it ain't so, Joe. College sports is as corrupt as the professional game. JoePa escapes this because Sandusky resigned before this came to light. But did he know anything BEFORE then? Unless he, too, lied (hey, come to think of it their mascot is a lion) to the grand jury. They ought to hang all of those involved. And then Paterno turns around and makes a statement to the effect that he hopes students will continue to consider Penn State for their education etc. How will this affect their athletic recruiting? Sure, Sandusky is gone and maybe one of these days Paterno will have the sense to retire as well and there will be a new regime. This is more than an "illegal procedure" penalty. It ranks with a "personal foul." And Sandusky should go from Penn State to the state pen -- penitentiary, that is.

This may sound cheesy, but maybe we bombard Ronald with quarter-pounders and then drop him in the fryer. Let's see if he can shake this.

I know of some airlines Repman that have "wide bodies." Perhaps Evansville should have an NFL team. They probably would make themselves right at home at the training table. You wouldn't believe how much these linemen can put away. Yet, we constantly hear that there are families who can't afford to put a meal on the table.

I whole heartily agree with you, Repman. I don't have any college experience, but I started working at a newspaper newsroom at the age of 14 and had my first bylined article published at 15. I worked as a production assistant at WOR-Radio in New York City at the age of 20 -- working the graveyard shift setting up the studio for John Gambling's morning show and logging commercials for the FCC. Then it was network radio, handling street reporting and doing live remotes. Never have missed a deadline in more than four decades. The experiences of being in a newsroom setting gives you a better understanding of how both operations and reporters work. The best story is the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. I was on my shift as a senior producer for about an hour when it was panic time. Forty seconds to air and a director comes out of the studio asking for the script and carts. The talent who was scheduled to anchor the show misread the schedule and was back at the hotel lounging at the pool. I just reacted, jumped into the studio, flipped the pages for the format for the right ABC Radio Network and then proceeded to ad-lib a 2 1/2 minute show based on what I recalled happened that day. Sure, television is the marquis, but there's nothing like live radio. I'm sure that radio talk show also has helped you in front of audiences. These experiences help with public speaking, interviews and many other areas. And from my experiences, I have been able to teach at two universities.

There are a lot of sharks out there Deb. Anything to make a buck. But after the commercial is made, they don't follow news items and have enough sense to pull spots.

I can see it now Repman. I can visualize one of the banks jumping on the bandwagon. "Your life is about to end. Bank on it."

Maybe your trip would have been quicker if you had flown from Portland, Oregon instead of Portland, Maine.

Great blog Steve and perspective on life. You can look at it from their perspective, too, and at least she showed some respect by calling you sir. She could have totally ignored you and just grabbed the chair. But at least she was courteous which is rare in today's society. You talk about "experience with aging." I believe there is so much "wisdom" that the older generation has that can be shared with today's youth. And it's up to them to grasp onto it. Like the saying goes Repman, "Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer you get to the end, the faster it goes." So be sure to use a large roll. Have a splendid day. All the best, Greg

Ah...Joe Camel Repman. Remember when he was used as an icon much in the way McDonald's uses Ronald? Heck, I can remember all the money that went up in smoke (pun intended) with auto racing sponsorships from Formula One to NASCAR and Indy Car. Yeah, the good ole boys with their cans of Skoal, too. I remember the days of when Philip Morris used to sponsor a music festival. And R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company sponsored the Winston Cup. Heck, I even worked with Hill & Knowlton as a consultant to do a media tour with Dale Earnhardt, the Winston Cup champion, here in New York. R.J. Reynolds spent millions on its racing sponsorship until it withdrew in 2003. Finally, the Food and Drug Administration banned tobacco advertising in June 2010. One story I have to share with you and your readers. I was a sportswriter back in the 1970s and traveled with the New York Jets. The team had just acquired New Jersey's Ed Marinaro, an All-America running back from Cornell University, who had been drafted by the Minnesota Vikings and later was traded to the Jets. I was in my twenties at the time and Marinaro and Joe Namath were seated in the row behind me on the airplane as we were traveling to Massachusetts to play the Patriots. These guys are playing cards and they had a can of Skoal. Being somewhat naive at the time, I inquired as to what that stuff was like. So Namath told me to "take a pinch" and place it between my cheek and gum. I did as he said and spit it out quicker than I put it in. God awful Repman. Heck, I have had asthma since I was 10 and I know what it's like to be gasping for air. I can just imagine what these smokers go through with their self-induced addiction. And many of them look like hockey players sans the jerseys with their rotted teeth or the few that they have left.

I would tease the blog on Facebook and direct them to the Repman site.

I think the question now, Repman, "is it making any difference?" Is this mentality making managers take a longer look to work with their agencies as opposed to have a quick trigger finger as you have often encountered. It will be interesting to see.

No. Tell us Repman how you really feel about Ed. By the way, Yankee owner George Steinbrenner was no angel. Heck, he fired Billy Martin four times -- only to re-hire him and even forced him to resign. And he certainly wasn't fond of Dave Winfield, either.