St. Peter Academy News

Read Across America & Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebrations

Dr. Seuss’ Birthday is a big deal at St. Peter Academy and this year was one of the best celebrations! It was a wet gray day outside, but all the creative costumes made it bright and fun inside! Everyone from teachers to students from

Toddler to Grade 6 participated. All the zany characters were represented, the Grinch, Cat and the Hat, the Lorax, Thing One & Two and even Cindy Lou Who!

Happy 119th Birthday Dr. Seuss. Thank you for creating all the wonderful characters and books for everyone to enjoy!

Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you! - Dr. Seuss

St. Peter Academy is accepting applications for the 2023-2024 school year. St. Peter Academy is an independent, community-based private school and serves students from ages 15 months through grade 6. SPA is currently accepting applications for the limited spaces available in the year-round toddler program (beginning at age 15 months) and for students in Pre-K (School Year and Full Year Programs), Kindergarten and grades 1-6. Financial Aid Available. Two Scholarships will be offered this year for applicants for Grades 1 through 6. You may request scholarship information from the Front Office (spa@stpeteracademy.com). Appointments for individual virtual tours can be made by contacting Maria Blasi, at 617-268-0750 or by emailing spa@StPeterAcademy.com.

This NFL offseason will see no shortage of drama, that’s for sure. It’s like every day there’s something, a new rumor, a new contract, a potential trade. It’s exactly what the NFL wants, in order to stay relevant for the entire 365-day calendar.

This week was a big week in the league calendar, as teams had until this past Tuesday, March 7, to place the franchise tag on a player. Most of the notable franchise tags were placed on running backs like the Giants’ Saquon Barkley, the Cowboys’ Tony Pollard, and the Raiders’ Josh Jacobs. But the most-notable franchise tag was placed on Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson, 26, was hit with the nonexclusive franchise tag this week. The non-exclusive tag pays out an average of the top-five tag amounts at the player’s position from the previous five years, or 120% of the player’s previous year’s salary, whichever is greater. Players who receive this non-exclusive tag are allowed to negotiate with other teams, but the tagging team — in this case, the Ravens — has the right to match any offer and would also receive two first-round draft picks if another team decides to sign him.

So, if you’re another team in the NFL, and you want to acquire Jackson, not only would you have to negotiate a massive contract with him, but you’d also have to then give the Ravens two first-round picks. Jackson’s non-exclusive tag number is $32 million. He could choose to play under that one-year, $32 million deal, or he has until July 17 to work out a long-term deal, either with the Ravens or with a new team. Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta remains optimistic that Jackson and the Ravens can still agree to a long-term deal this offseason.

“There have been many instances across the league and in Baltimore when a player has been designated with the franchise tag and signed a long-term deal that same year,” said DeCosta on Tuesday. “We will continue to negotiate in good faith with Lamar, and we are hopeful that we can strike a long-term deal that is fair to both Lamar and the Ravens. Our ultimate goal is to build a championship team with Lamar Jackson leading the way for many years to come.”

Back in September, it was reported that Jackson turned down a fiveyear, $250 million extension, with

$133 million guaranteed. Jackson, who does not have an agent and represents himself, reportedly wanted his contract fully guaranteed, like Deshaun Watson signed with the Cleveland Browns last offseason. Watson’s deal is a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million.

The new league year begins next Wednesday, March 15, and so Jackson can then begin to negotiate with other teams, assuming that one of those other teams would be willing to part ways with two first round picks in order to complete a Jackson acquisition. Another alternative is that Jackson decides to hold out. Jackson missed the last month of last season with a knee injury, including the playoffs, and there was some speculation as to whether or not Jackson would’ve battled through had he been under a longterm contract.

I personally think that Jackson’s first move right now should be to hire an agent. Players shouldn’t negotiate their own contracts. It’s not worth it for Jackson. He’ll be better suited being represented by somebody who knows how to negotiate with professional sports teams. Then, if I’m Jackson, I’m meeting with any team that wants to meet with me. If you want an elite quarterback, then you have to pay the price. Heck, you now have to pay the price to keep an average at-best quarterback.

Just look at the New York Giants, who just signed Daniel Jones to a four-year, $160 million deal. That’s $40 million a year for a quarterback who threw just 15 touchdowns in 16 games last season, and 10 touchdowns in 11 games the year before. Wild stuff.

Meanwhile, Jackson is a former NFL MVP who has the fourth-best record of any quarterback who debuted in the Super Bowl era. His record of 45-16 trails only Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, and Roger Staubach. In games without Jackson the last two seasons, the Ravens went 3-9.

Given the current QB market, if Jackson wants somewhere between $45 million and $50 million a year, he should probably get it. Somebody check in on Bill Belichick to see if he’d rather spend that money on Jackson now, or Mac Jones in two years. Because if Daniel Jones is getting $40 million a year, who knows what Mac is going to ask for. Follow Danny on instagram @ DannyPicard.