Falcons vs. Eagles
Falcons come in with a bitter taste in their mouth for how the team lost in the Conference Championship to the Eagles. The team struggled on offense last year under offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, but Sark is in his second season and has developed a rhythm with QB Matt Ryan and wide receiver Julio Jones. The two-headed backfield beast that is Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman will be a threat all season in the run game. With the defense back healthy and lean the team should see a promising outcome in 2018.
Eagles come in as the Super Bowl champion, but also without QB Carson Wentz for Week 1. Nick Foles won the Super Bowl for the team but this was with a completely different squad. Gone is wide receiver Torrey Smith, tight end Trey Burton and running back LeGarrette Blount. The team brought in wide receiver Mike Wallace to replace the deep threat of Smith this season and will lean heavily on running back Jay Ajayi in the backfield. Eagles defense is packed and stacked and should lead the NFC East again this season.
Prediction: Falcons
Bengals vs. Colts
Bengals come in after a disappointing season outside of the playoffs. QB Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green are really in a win now situation this season or this may be Marvin Lewis' last in Cincinnati. There looks to be promise in the run game this season with running back Joe Mixon which should take some of the burden off of the passing game. The defense looks good with Preston Brown in the middle of the line but they need to beat the toughest opponents in their division and this looks to be an uphill challenge.
Colts would like to erase 2017 from their memory and with the return of QB Andrew Luck they may get a chance to do just that. There may be some rust early on for Luck, but once he's up to speed the Colts will see a surge in their offensive production especially with Marlon Mack in the backfield. Their biggest question marks will be on defense which is young but healthy. They will get tested early and often in the AFC South.
Prediction: Bengals
Bills vs. Ravens
Bills biggest change in the offseason is trading quarterback Tyrod Taylor. The team is starting the season with Nathan Peterman at the helm. Peterman didn't have a good showing in his only start last season, but has looked good in the preseason this year. Peterman will have help with his big receiver Kelvin Benjamin able to stretch the field out speedy receiver Zay Jones healthy and LeSean McCoy able to ground and pound out of the backfield. The defense is young and ready to take the team back to the playoffs.
Any worries that Joe Flacco would lose his starting job to the rookie Lamar Jackson were laid to rest during the preseason. Flacco showed out and proved he is one of the better quarterbacks in the league. He'll have Michael Crabtree and Willie Snead to throw it up to..if Crabtree can live up to his potential and the defense can play up to the level from a few years ago this team will be a threat in the AFC North.
Prediction: Ravens
Buccaneers vs. Saints
Buccaneers are the biggest question mark of the NFC South. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will start the first three games of the season with Jameis Winston out on suspension. They will need more production out of Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson this season if they hope to remain competitive in one of the stronger divisions. Peyton Barber is stepping into the starting role this season in the backfield and have high expectations on his shoulders. The defense made positive changes in the offseason that should help them move out of the cellar of their division.
Saints start the season without running back Mark Ingram for four games. No worries as they do have offensive rookie of the year Alvin Kamara ready to pick up the slack. Drew Brees biggest weapon will be Michael Thomas who will need to catch more than the five touchdowns he caught last season to be a double covered threat. Saints defense is solid as they come and should make them the front runner in their division again this season.
Prediction: Saints
Texans vs. Patriots
Texans were decimated by injuries last season and finished with a paltry four wins. This season they have Deshaun Watson, J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus all back healthy. Watson showed flashes of greatness in his rookie season prior to his injury and with DeAndre Hopkins having the best hands in football these two should be able to light up the scoreboard. With all their defensive weapons healthy this team can return to their playoff glory days.
Patriots start the season without the help of wide receiver Julian Edelman for the first four games. The team will go with Phillip Dorsett and Chris Hogan at receiver and James White in the backfield. The biggest questions are on the team's defense but the Pats are still the best team in their division.
Prediction: Patriots
49ers vs. Vikings
Jimmy Garoppolo went 5-0 last season and cashed in as the 49ers quarterback. He'll have the speedster Marquise Goodwin and the deep threat Pierre Garcon to keep his undefeated streak going. With Carlos Hyde gone, Matt Breida is going to crush it out the backfield. The addition of Richard Sherman on the defense didn't just shore up the secondary but added much needed leadership.
Vikings parted ways with Case Keenum and brought in veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins this season. Through the preseason he has looked like the right fit with Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen. Dalvin Cook is back healthy and should pick up where he left off last season. This team is one of the toughest in the league and should be able to dominate in their division.
Prediction: Vikings
Titans vs. Dolphins
Can Rishard Matthews and Corey Davis help Marcus Mariota and the Titans back to the playoffs? That's the question they will need to answer right out the gate. Derrick Henry takes over the starting running back job with Dion Lewis splitting carries. The team brought in Kenny Vaccaro and Malcolm Butler to complete their secondary which should give them a boxer's chance in the AFC South.
Dolphins lost Ryan Tannehill before the season last year but with his return the team is in a show and prove year this season. The team added Danny Amendola to the slot and Frank Gore to the backfield in hopes of turning their luck around. Will the defense be able to keep pace with their biggest rivals this year?
Prediction: Titans
Jaguars vs. Giants
Jaguars fell one game short of the Super Bowl last season. Can Blake Bortles and the offense repeat the same kind of success in 2018? He'll have Donte Moncrief and Keelan Cole to help him. Leonard Fournette rushed for over 1,000 yards last season and should see even more production this year. Jaguars has one of the top as well as youngest defenses in the league.
Giants had an awful season last year that culminated in Eli Manning being benched and the team firing their coach early in the season. This year sees them with a new head coach in Pat Shurmur ready to get this offense back on track. Odell Beckham is newly paid and rookie running back Saquon Barkley has been impressive through the preseason. The team also shored up the left side of the line with the addition of guard Will Hernandez. The team traded Jason Pierre-Paul in the offseason so will rookie B.J. Hill be able to dominate at the same level?
Prediction: Giants
Steelers vs. Browns
Steelers were thrown through a loophole when running back Le'Veon Bell was a no-show for the first week of the season. This forces running back James Conner into the starting role. He may not be a Bell, but Conner is an efficient rusher and will have the benefit of running behind a great line. He also has the benefit of playing with Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown. Their 3-4 defense is one of the best in the league and should finish top 10 this season.
Browns come in as the worst team in the league for the last two seasons. This year they hope to make a complete 180. This starts with bringing in a top wide receiver in Jarvis Landry on the other side of Josh Gordon (though rookie Antonio Callaway will make the start in Week 1) and trading for veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who led his team to the playoffs last season. Browns also picked up Carlos Hyde who was a great addition to that backfield which struggled to gain yards last season. The defense was already stacked but the addition of cornerback Denzel Ward should shore up the questions in the secondary. This team should be far more competitive this season and can easily pick up four wins on the season..
Prediction: Steelers
Chiefs vs. Chargers
Chiefs finished atop their division last season, but opted to trade quarterback Alex Smith in the offseason. This puts second year quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the starting role. Mahomes has a canon for an arm but can make poor decisions in his underneath game. However, the addition of wide receiver Sammy Watkins on the other side of Tyreek Hill should help him in this area. 2017 rushing leader will play a significant role this season and could finish the season in the top five again. With the return of vocal leader Eric Berry, the defense should lead this team back to the top of the division.
Chargers finished second in their division last season by going on a tear down the stretch. On paper, this team is one of the best in the league, can they prove that on the field? Philip Rivers has a healthy Keenan Allen to throw to and Melvin Gordon eating up yards on the ground. Bosa and Ingram are a crazy one-two punch on the defense. If the team can solve their kicking woes they will be hard to beat this season.
Prediction: Chiefs
Cowboys vs. Panthers
Cowboys released wide receiver Dez Bryant in the offseason and tight end Jason Witten retired. Dak Prescott will have to get used to Allen Hurns and Geoff Swaim to replace those yards and veteran presence. Fortunately he does still have Ezekiel Elliott as a dual rusher/receiver threat at running back. Can Sean Lee will this defense into the playoffs this season?
Cam Newton is ready to play up to his 2015 MVP level. He'll have deep threat Torrey Smith and Devin Funchess to help get there. Christian McCaffrey is now the full time starting running back and his dual threat ability makes him hard to cover. Can Panthers defense break into the top five and lead the team back to a Super Bowl?
Prediction: Panthers
Redskins vs. Cardinals
Redskins signed quarterback Alex Smith in the offseason. Smith has playoff experience and should help this team get over the hump finally. If Jordan Reed can stay healthy this season he'll be a great option at tight end but Josh Doctson and Jamison Crowder give Smith enough options in the downfield game. The team lost rookie running back Derrius Guice before the season so veteran running back Adrian Peterson will have to shoulder the load. Nose tackle Da'Ron Payne will be the one to watch on the defensive line.
Sam Bradford won the starting job at quarterback for the Cardinals. When healthy, Bradford has one of the strongest arms in the league. He will have a healthy David Johnson back at running back and veteran wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald to help him over the top. The defense is strong and will finish in the top 15 but the team is likely to only finish second in their division.
Prediction: Redskins
Seahawks vs. Broncos
Can the Seahawks offensive line protect Russell Wilson effectively this season? This is probably the biggest question besides the team's secondary. Russell Wilson does have the benefit of having Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett, and Chris Carson at running back. There are a lot of new faces on the defense which may play against them this season.
Broncos struggled at quarterback last season and made the bold move to sign Case Keenum. in the offseason. Will this pay off in their favor? He has Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders to help him. Rookie running back Royce Freeman has looked impressive in preseason, but will it translate to the season? The addition of rookie linebacker Bradley Chubb to the defense should bring them back into the top five and make the Broncos a winner in their division.
Prediction: Broncos
Bears vs. Packers
Second year quarterback Mitch Trubisky got a helping hand with the additions of wide receivers Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel this offseason. This gives him a compliment of receivers in addition to two great running backs in Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen. The defense has been waiting for their offense to catch up and this season may finally be that time.
Aaron Rodgers is back healthy and ready to lead the Packers back to the top of the NFC North. He won't have Jordy Nelson there to throw to, but Davante Adams and Randall Cobb are ready to make those catches. Jamaal Williams has great hands and quick feet and should be a consistent runner for them this season. Mo Wilkerson and Mike Daniels are a pass rushing threat that should dominate their division.
Prediction: Packers
Jets vs. Lions
Rookie Sam Darnold takes over the starting quarterback job for the Jets this season. He is the only rookie quarterback to do so, which says a lot about how impressive he has been in the preseason. Isaiah Crowell comes over from the Browns this season to add depth to the running game. Can Gang Green defense help their team finally come out of the cellar of their division?
Lions brought in a new head coach to help improve their defense but on the offensive side of the ball they brought in running back LeGarrette Blount to try to break the curse of the team not having a thousand yard rusher since 2013. This will be the year that curse is broken. The defense under head coach Matt Patricia will become a force in the NFC North.
Prediction: Lions
Rams vs. Raiders
Rams come in off a playoff berth last season and spent the offseason vastly improving their defense. The team brought in cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib as well as nose tackle Ndamukong Suh and locked up defensive tackle Aaron Donald to a long-term deal. The offense looked strong under Jared Goff and Todd Gurley last season so the changes at defense should help the Rams head back to the top of the division and the playoffs.
Raiders lost one of their biggest defensive weapons in defensive end Khalil Mack. The team isn't lost without him, it just pushes Tank Carradine into the starting role. The biggest addition on the offense was wide receiver Jordy Nelson who has been a long time deep threat in the league and should give Derek Carr the deep ball target he needed last season. Raiders are the biggest question mark and may struggle this first season under head coach Jon Gruden.
Prediction: Rams
Thursday, September 6, 2018
Monday, August 27, 2018
Mental health and the NFL
According to the World Health Organization, one in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives. Around 450 million people currently suffer from such conditions, placing mental disorders among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide.
With such a staggering number of people being impacted by mental health issues, many people still find it surprising to see professional athletes admit to suffering from such disorders.
In the lead up to training camp, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon took time away from his team to work on his mental and emotional health. Gordon has had disciplinary issues in the past for drug use and has openly admitted to using to deal with his mental health problems and anxiety. While his teammates were supportive of Gordon's decision, many people speculated the worst about his motivation. Could it be as simple as needing to take care of oneself mentally?
Seahawks wide receiver Brandon Marshall has been open about his own struggles with borderline personality disorder since 2011. He has been an outspoken advocate of mental health treatment and the need for support from players, coaches and the league as a whole. This has garnered both praise and misunderstanding around the league. Mental health is a lot harder to accept and understand than a broken wrist or torn ACL.
Recently NFL Network's Steve Smith came out and admitted to his own battle with depression during his playing career. Many called his decision to speak out on his battle with mental health brave, but should it be brave to take care of ones mental health? Shouldn't it be just as accepted as taking care of ones physical well being?
We like our athletes to be physically fit and capable. We want them to be demigods without human failings, but athletes are just humans who suffer all the same human frailties as other human beings. This includes the need for mental and emotional support.
In May of this year the NFL and the NFLPA held a joint symposium on mental health. The league partnered with Cigna to try to find ways to support their players as they sought treatment for mental health issues. One player, however, found the league's discussions as more punitive than supportive.
Cowboys troubled defensive end Randy Gregory has been critical of the league's attempts at addressing mental health. Gregory, who suffers from bipolar disorder has run afoul of the league several times for drug use which he is said to use for his condition. The league should focus on mental health and the treatments for it as much as it focuses on substance abuse and the punishments for it. Many players need counseling and treatment for their mental health and addiction issues not just punishment.
Mental health in the general population is a taboo subject. For athletes it is even more difficult to discuss a need for help with depression, anxiety and other neurological and mental disorders. The shame and secrecy need to be removed so that someone seeking treatment isn't ostracized or criticized or even considered brave for speaking out on their need to take care of themselves mentally and emotionally. The league should provide as much support to a player seeking mental health treatment as they do a player seeking treatment for physical injuries. If we can accept that a player needs rehab and medication for a broken fibula we can accept that a player needs counseling and medication for their mental well being too.
With such a staggering number of people being impacted by mental health issues, many people still find it surprising to see professional athletes admit to suffering from such disorders.
In the lead up to training camp, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon took time away from his team to work on his mental and emotional health. Gordon has had disciplinary issues in the past for drug use and has openly admitted to using to deal with his mental health problems and anxiety. While his teammates were supportive of Gordon's decision, many people speculated the worst about his motivation. Could it be as simple as needing to take care of oneself mentally?
Seahawks wide receiver Brandon Marshall has been open about his own struggles with borderline personality disorder since 2011. He has been an outspoken advocate of mental health treatment and the need for support from players, coaches and the league as a whole. This has garnered both praise and misunderstanding around the league. Mental health is a lot harder to accept and understand than a broken wrist or torn ACL.
Recently NFL Network's Steve Smith came out and admitted to his own battle with depression during his playing career. Many called his decision to speak out on his battle with mental health brave, but should it be brave to take care of ones mental health? Shouldn't it be just as accepted as taking care of ones physical well being?
We like our athletes to be physically fit and capable. We want them to be demigods without human failings, but athletes are just humans who suffer all the same human frailties as other human beings. This includes the need for mental and emotional support.
In May of this year the NFL and the NFLPA held a joint symposium on mental health. The league partnered with Cigna to try to find ways to support their players as they sought treatment for mental health issues. One player, however, found the league's discussions as more punitive than supportive.
Cowboys troubled defensive end Randy Gregory has been critical of the league's attempts at addressing mental health. Gregory, who suffers from bipolar disorder has run afoul of the league several times for drug use which he is said to use for his condition. The league should focus on mental health and the treatments for it as much as it focuses on substance abuse and the punishments for it. Many players need counseling and treatment for their mental health and addiction issues not just punishment.
Mental health in the general population is a taboo subject. For athletes it is even more difficult to discuss a need for help with depression, anxiety and other neurological and mental disorders. The shame and secrecy need to be removed so that someone seeking treatment isn't ostracized or criticized or even considered brave for speaking out on their need to take care of themselves mentally and emotionally. The league should provide as much support to a player seeking mental health treatment as they do a player seeking treatment for physical injuries. If we can accept that a player needs rehab and medication for a broken fibula we can accept that a player needs counseling and medication for their mental well being too.
Thursday, August 2, 2018
Like him or not Terrell Owens is a Hall of Famer..period
This Saturday is the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony. Eight new men will join the ranks of the legends of the games for all eternity. One Hall of Famer will be noticeably absent from this weekend's festivities.
Back in June, Terrell Owens made an announcement that he would not attend the enshrinement ceremony in Canton, Ohio. Owens later announced he would celebrate his induction at his alma mater, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga instead. His decision caused a media firestorm with many Hall of Fame voters deriding his decision and accusing him of being selfish. Worst still, some voters went so far as to say that they would not have voted for Owens had they known he would not attend the enshrinement ceremony.
Love him or hate him, Terrell Owens IS a Hall of Famer. He is worthy of being in the Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is not a popularity contest and not a measure of how good of a human being a person is before, during or after their playing career. It is not a measure of who they were once they stepped off the field of play. If this were the case many people in the Hall of Fame would not be in the Hall of Fame now.
There are men in the Hall of Fame now who have been accused or convicted of domestic violence, assault, drug trafficking and even murder. Despite being accused of being a bad teammate and "locker room cancer", Owens has never once been accused of any off-field issues. Considered brash, cocky and selfish, many former teammates say he was generous and kind behind closed doors.
However he was portrayed in the media, whatever issues he created for himself with the teams he played for, Owens' numbers cannot be denied. Owens finished his sixteen year career with six Pro Bowl selections, 1,078 receptions, 15,934 yards receiving (second all-time) and 153 touchdowns (third all-time). His stats are on par with Randy Moss whose career was also considered controversial but also made the Hall of Fame this year.
Terrell Owens may not be a media darling and folks may be disappointed he won't be in Canton, Ohio for the enshrinement ceremony but to belittle his accomplishments for his decision to not attend is ridiculous. In the end the ceremony is for the fans and if the players don't want to attend it is their right to not attend. We can still applaud their accomplishment and be happy that we got to see them during the height of their playing days. In the end that's what matters most.
Back in June, Terrell Owens made an announcement that he would not attend the enshrinement ceremony in Canton, Ohio. Owens later announced he would celebrate his induction at his alma mater, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga instead. His decision caused a media firestorm with many Hall of Fame voters deriding his decision and accusing him of being selfish. Worst still, some voters went so far as to say that they would not have voted for Owens had they known he would not attend the enshrinement ceremony.
Love him or hate him, Terrell Owens IS a Hall of Famer. He is worthy of being in the Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is not a popularity contest and not a measure of how good of a human being a person is before, during or after their playing career. It is not a measure of who they were once they stepped off the field of play. If this were the case many people in the Hall of Fame would not be in the Hall of Fame now.
There are men in the Hall of Fame now who have been accused or convicted of domestic violence, assault, drug trafficking and even murder. Despite being accused of being a bad teammate and "locker room cancer", Owens has never once been accused of any off-field issues. Considered brash, cocky and selfish, many former teammates say he was generous and kind behind closed doors.
However he was portrayed in the media, whatever issues he created for himself with the teams he played for, Owens' numbers cannot be denied. Owens finished his sixteen year career with six Pro Bowl selections, 1,078 receptions, 15,934 yards receiving (second all-time) and 153 touchdowns (third all-time). His stats are on par with Randy Moss whose career was also considered controversial but also made the Hall of Fame this year.
Terrell Owens may not be a media darling and folks may be disappointed he won't be in Canton, Ohio for the enshrinement ceremony but to belittle his accomplishments for his decision to not attend is ridiculous. In the end the ceremony is for the fans and if the players don't want to attend it is their right to not attend. We can still applaud their accomplishment and be happy that we got to see them during the height of their playing days. In the end that's what matters most.
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Why Le'Veon Bell was the real winner in the break down of his contract negotiations
Franchise tag deadline was July 16 and the day passed without a single player being able to workout a long-term deal with their team. Among those players was Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell.
Bell is one of the premiere backs in the NFL. In just five years in the league he has amassed more than 5,300 yards rushing with 35 rushing touchdowns as well as 2,660 yards receiving with an additional seven touchdowns. This despite missing games in 2013 and 2016 and being out with an injury most of 2015.
Despite all of his accomplishments on the field, the Steelers have been reluctant to sign the young back to a long-term deal, opting to franchise tag him each of the last three seasons. While Bell has faced injury and off-field issues his production numbers on the field both in the backfield and out in space are hide to deny. Any argument that Bell is not worth a long-term investment is made moot by his consistent play on the field and the fact he is still a young player in the league at only 26. If he were an older back whose numbers had shown decline in the last few seasons this would be more of an argument to make but as we have seen him produce back to back seasons of 1200 plus yards, it would behoove the Steelers to be willing to sign him to a deal worthy of his numbers.
Teams are always willing to invest in quarterbacks, even those who haven't proven to be worth a long-term high paying deal. The same respect is not given to the running back position and in particular to players like Bell who play more than one position on the field. While he is not worth quarterback money, his compensation should be closer to that of a WR2.
Bell wants to be paid like a premiere player who plays both back and receiver (which he does). The Steelers want to pay him in alignment with what the league is playing the top running backs in the league. This would make sense if he were only used as a feature back and not a slot receiver in numerous formations. To dismiss this aspect of his game is to deny that he plays a much more significant role in the team's offense. Which seems to be what the team is doing by not being willing to offer Bell closer to the numbers he wishes to receive. Bell has made less money in five years with the Steelers than Ezekiel Elliott has made in two years with the Cowboys. At some point Bell deserves to receive a fair compensation for his work not his position.
Bell will play this season on a $14.5 million franchise tag. He will have the option to move on next season and find a team willing to pay him more of what he is worth as a RB1/WR2. Unfortunately after this latest break down, it isn't likely to happen in Pittsburgh. Bell's agent has already made it clear this is likely his client's last season for the Steelers.
Bell is one of the premiere backs in the NFL. In just five years in the league he has amassed more than 5,300 yards rushing with 35 rushing touchdowns as well as 2,660 yards receiving with an additional seven touchdowns. This despite missing games in 2013 and 2016 and being out with an injury most of 2015.
Despite all of his accomplishments on the field, the Steelers have been reluctant to sign the young back to a long-term deal, opting to franchise tag him each of the last three seasons. While Bell has faced injury and off-field issues his production numbers on the field both in the backfield and out in space are hide to deny. Any argument that Bell is not worth a long-term investment is made moot by his consistent play on the field and the fact he is still a young player in the league at only 26. If he were an older back whose numbers had shown decline in the last few seasons this would be more of an argument to make but as we have seen him produce back to back seasons of 1200 plus yards, it would behoove the Steelers to be willing to sign him to a deal worthy of his numbers.
Teams are always willing to invest in quarterbacks, even those who haven't proven to be worth a long-term high paying deal. The same respect is not given to the running back position and in particular to players like Bell who play more than one position on the field. While he is not worth quarterback money, his compensation should be closer to that of a WR2.
Bell wants to be paid like a premiere player who plays both back and receiver (which he does). The Steelers want to pay him in alignment with what the league is playing the top running backs in the league. This would make sense if he were only used as a feature back and not a slot receiver in numerous formations. To dismiss this aspect of his game is to deny that he plays a much more significant role in the team's offense. Which seems to be what the team is doing by not being willing to offer Bell closer to the numbers he wishes to receive. Bell has made less money in five years with the Steelers than Ezekiel Elliott has made in two years with the Cowboys. At some point Bell deserves to receive a fair compensation for his work not his position.
Bell will play this season on a $14.5 million franchise tag. He will have the option to move on next season and find a team willing to pay him more of what he is worth as a RB1/WR2. Unfortunately after this latest break down, it isn't likely to happen in Pittsburgh. Bell's agent has already made it clear this is likely his client's last season for the Steelers.
Monday, July 2, 2018
Why Jameis Winston deserves a longer suspension from the league
Recently Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston was handed down a three-game suspension for a violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy. The suspension was handed down for a March 13, 2016 groping incident involving an Uber driver. Winston later released a statement apologizing to the driver for "the position I put you in", but never for actually assaulting the young woman. Buccaneers released a statement saying that they were disappointed in Winston for violating the personal conduct policy. The driver later released her own statement saying she was thankful for the apology even if it "needed work."
The problem with the apology and the short suspension are two-fold. First, while Winston did issue an apology he never admitted to what occurred that night in the Uber. This comes long after initially denying the assault even occurred at all and having a former teammate, Ronald Darby, attest to the same. The fact Winston apologizes now for the incident doesn't take away his original denials and should have been taken into consideration as part of his suspension.
Second, the length of his suspension is ridiculous given the nature of the accusation. It flies in the face of the league's own Personal Conduct Policy rule for the length of suspensions involving sexual assaults where the baseline is stated to be six games, regardless of whether the player is charged with a crime or not. How can Winston be facing a three-game suspension for an assault when Patriots QB Tom Brady was suspended four games for knowing about deflated footballs? If the argument is that Brady compromised the integrity of the game and Winston didn't, what does that say about the priorities of the league? It shouldn't just be about the integrity of the game, but also the integrity of the players who play it.
Women are an ever growing demographic for the league. It has to make a strong statement to the players, employees, owners and fans that violence against women is not acceptable. This cannot be done when players apologize for assaults and face minimal punishment for doing so.
Winston is playing under the final year of his rookie contract. The team has a fifth year option through 2019 but he will be under heavy scrutiny both on and off the field to determine if he will have a future with the Buccaneers or even in the NFL. While he has said that he has sworn off alcohol and turned his life around, all eyes will be on him moving forward. Eyes will be on the league as well and how they continue to handle incidents of violence against women.
The problem with the apology and the short suspension are two-fold. First, while Winston did issue an apology he never admitted to what occurred that night in the Uber. This comes long after initially denying the assault even occurred at all and having a former teammate, Ronald Darby, attest to the same. The fact Winston apologizes now for the incident doesn't take away his original denials and should have been taken into consideration as part of his suspension.
Second, the length of his suspension is ridiculous given the nature of the accusation. It flies in the face of the league's own Personal Conduct Policy rule for the length of suspensions involving sexual assaults where the baseline is stated to be six games, regardless of whether the player is charged with a crime or not. How can Winston be facing a three-game suspension for an assault when Patriots QB Tom Brady was suspended four games for knowing about deflated footballs? If the argument is that Brady compromised the integrity of the game and Winston didn't, what does that say about the priorities of the league? It shouldn't just be about the integrity of the game, but also the integrity of the players who play it.
Women are an ever growing demographic for the league. It has to make a strong statement to the players, employees, owners and fans that violence against women is not acceptable. This cannot be done when players apologize for assaults and face minimal punishment for doing so.
Winston is playing under the final year of his rookie contract. The team has a fifth year option through 2019 but he will be under heavy scrutiny both on and off the field to determine if he will have a future with the Buccaneers or even in the NFL. While he has said that he has sworn off alcohol and turned his life around, all eyes will be on him moving forward. Eyes will be on the league as well and how they continue to handle incidents of violence against women.
Thursday, April 26, 2018
2018 NFL Draft - Round 1
1. Browns- Baker Mayfield- QB- Oklahoma
2. Giants- Saquon Barkley- RB- Penn State
3. Jets- Sam Darnold- QB- USC
4. Browns- Denzel Ward- CB- Ohio State
5. Broncos- Bradley Chubb- DE- NC State
6. Colts- Quenton Nelson- Guard- Notre Dame
7. Bills (via trade from Buccaneers)- Josh Allen- QB- Wyoming
8. Bears- Roquan Smith- LB- Georgia
9. 49ers- Mike McGlinchey- OT- Notre Dame
10. Cardinals (via trade from Raiders)- Josh Rosen- QB- UCLA
11. Dolphins- Minkah Fitzpatrick- DB- Alabama
12. Buccaneers- Vita Vea- DT- Washington
13. Redskins- Da'Ron Payne- DT- Alabama
14. Saints (via trade with Packers)- Marcus Davenport- DE- UTSA
15. Raiders- Kolton Miller- OT- UCLA
16. Bills (via trade from Ravens)- Tremaine Edmunds- LB- Virginia Tech
17. Chargers- Derwin James- DB- Florida State
18. Packers (via trade from Seahawks)- Jaire Alexander- DB- Louisville
19. Cowboys- Leighton Vander Esch - LB- Boise State
20. Lions- Frank Ragnow - Center- Arkansas
21. Bengals- Billy Price- Center- Ohio State
22. Titans (via trade from Ravens)- Rashaan Evans- LB- Alabama
23. Patriots- Isaiah Wynn- Offensive Tackle- Georgia
24. Panthers- D.J. Moore- WR- Maryland
25. Ravens- Hayden Hurst - TE- South Carolina
26. Falcons- Calvin Ridley- WR- Alabama
27. Seahawks- Rashaad Penny- RB- San Diego State
28. Steelers- Terrell Edmunds- Safety- Virginia Tech
29. Jaguars- Taven Bryan- DT- Florida
30. Vikings- Mike Hughes- DB- UCF
31. Patriots- Sony Michel- RB- Georgia
32. Ravens (via trade from Eagles)- Lamar Jackson- QB- Louisville
2. Giants- Saquon Barkley- RB- Penn State
3. Jets- Sam Darnold- QB- USC
4. Browns- Denzel Ward- CB- Ohio State
5. Broncos- Bradley Chubb- DE- NC State
6. Colts- Quenton Nelson- Guard- Notre Dame
7. Bills (via trade from Buccaneers)- Josh Allen- QB- Wyoming
8. Bears- Roquan Smith- LB- Georgia
9. 49ers- Mike McGlinchey- OT- Notre Dame
10. Cardinals (via trade from Raiders)- Josh Rosen- QB- UCLA
11. Dolphins- Minkah Fitzpatrick- DB- Alabama
12. Buccaneers- Vita Vea- DT- Washington
13. Redskins- Da'Ron Payne- DT- Alabama
14. Saints (via trade with Packers)- Marcus Davenport- DE- UTSA
15. Raiders- Kolton Miller- OT- UCLA
16. Bills (via trade from Ravens)- Tremaine Edmunds- LB- Virginia Tech
17. Chargers- Derwin James- DB- Florida State
18. Packers (via trade from Seahawks)- Jaire Alexander- DB- Louisville
19. Cowboys- Leighton Vander Esch - LB- Boise State
20. Lions- Frank Ragnow - Center- Arkansas
21. Bengals- Billy Price- Center- Ohio State
22. Titans (via trade from Ravens)- Rashaan Evans- LB- Alabama
23. Patriots- Isaiah Wynn- Offensive Tackle- Georgia
24. Panthers- D.J. Moore- WR- Maryland
25. Ravens- Hayden Hurst - TE- South Carolina
26. Falcons- Calvin Ridley- WR- Alabama
27. Seahawks- Rashaad Penny- RB- San Diego State
28. Steelers- Terrell Edmunds- Safety- Virginia Tech
29. Jaguars- Taven Bryan- DT- Florida
30. Vikings- Mike Hughes- DB- UCF
31. Patriots- Sony Michel- RB- Georgia
32. Ravens (via trade from Eagles)- Lamar Jackson- QB- Louisville
Monday, April 16, 2018
What is the NFL teaching women and minorities about their place in the sport?
As the 2018 offseason workouts begin one face is sadly familiar in its absence from any team's roster.
Free agent QB Colin Kaepernick has yet to find a home with any team in the league since 2016. While Kaepernick has gone on to off-field recognition for his social justice work including winning GQ Man of the Year and donating more than $1 million from his charity, the league has found themselves at odds with his stance against social injustice.
Now this offseason his former teammate, Eric Reid finds himself blackballed from the league as well. Bengals recently had a meeting with Reid where team owner Mike Brown did little more than inform Reid that his team will not allow its players to protest during the National Anthem. The team neither signed him nor even worked him out.
Meanwhile the Seahawks recently postponed a planned meeting with Colin Kaepernick after asking the young star to clarify his stance on the anthem protest moving forward. The team informed him they would meet with him at a later date once he knew his plans. This is the same team that last season brought Kaepernick in for a workout and informed him that they wouldn't sign him because he deserved to be a starter in the league.
The message the league is sending is loud and clear that standing up against social injustice and discrimination will not be tolerated a clear signal to both players and their African American fans.
At the same time, what message is the league sending to their female fans?
49ers linebacker Reuben Foster has been charged with multiple domestic violence and weapons charges after an incident involving his then girlfriend in February. The team and the league have yet to merit out any punishment to Foster for the incident.
The league's lax discipline on domestic violence is not a new phenomenon. While the Bengals admonished Reid for his social justice stance, the team didn't fail to draft running back Joe Mixon last season despite video evidence of him punching a woman in the face while in college.
Former Giants kicker Josh Brown only faced additional suspension after the league received backlash for only suspending him one game after Brown openly admitted to assaulting his wife.
Former NFL linebacker turned MMA fighter Greg Hardy was given a second chance in the league despite a brutal assault against a former girlfriend. While his second chance fizzled out in Dallas, the fact he was given another opportunity speaks volumes.
Most troubling of all, Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs was accused of multiple incidents of domestic violence against his wife but never faced any disciplinary action from the team or the league despite multiple protective orders and reports. His wife eventually filed for divorce in 2015.
While owners and the league have been debating how to handle the National Anthem and players that want to continue to demonstrate, the league has not been as quick to address the uneven discipline dolled out for those who commit violence against women. This is a massive issue for a league who has spent years and large sums of money to bring in more female viewers with initiatives and even clothing lines geared specifically to female fans. However, their lack of a consistent message against domestic violence and the perpetrators who commit it stand in stark contrast to the message they are trying to convey. This message is even further corrupted when African Americans see the league as vehemently opposed to players protesting social inequality but unwilling to take a hard line stance against domestic violence.
If a player can be blackballed for standing up to social issues, what is stopping the NFL from doing the same to those who commit violence against women? For now the league is sending a clear message that domestic violence is acceptable but being socially conscious and taking a stance is not.
Free agent QB Colin Kaepernick has yet to find a home with any team in the league since 2016. While Kaepernick has gone on to off-field recognition for his social justice work including winning GQ Man of the Year and donating more than $1 million from his charity, the league has found themselves at odds with his stance against social injustice.
Now this offseason his former teammate, Eric Reid finds himself blackballed from the league as well. Bengals recently had a meeting with Reid where team owner Mike Brown did little more than inform Reid that his team will not allow its players to protest during the National Anthem. The team neither signed him nor even worked him out.
Meanwhile the Seahawks recently postponed a planned meeting with Colin Kaepernick after asking the young star to clarify his stance on the anthem protest moving forward. The team informed him they would meet with him at a later date once he knew his plans. This is the same team that last season brought Kaepernick in for a workout and informed him that they wouldn't sign him because he deserved to be a starter in the league.
The message the league is sending is loud and clear that standing up against social injustice and discrimination will not be tolerated a clear signal to both players and their African American fans.
At the same time, what message is the league sending to their female fans?
49ers linebacker Reuben Foster has been charged with multiple domestic violence and weapons charges after an incident involving his then girlfriend in February. The team and the league have yet to merit out any punishment to Foster for the incident.
The league's lax discipline on domestic violence is not a new phenomenon. While the Bengals admonished Reid for his social justice stance, the team didn't fail to draft running back Joe Mixon last season despite video evidence of him punching a woman in the face while in college.
Former Giants kicker Josh Brown only faced additional suspension after the league received backlash for only suspending him one game after Brown openly admitted to assaulting his wife.
Former NFL linebacker turned MMA fighter Greg Hardy was given a second chance in the league despite a brutal assault against a former girlfriend. While his second chance fizzled out in Dallas, the fact he was given another opportunity speaks volumes.
Most troubling of all, Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs was accused of multiple incidents of domestic violence against his wife but never faced any disciplinary action from the team or the league despite multiple protective orders and reports. His wife eventually filed for divorce in 2015.
While owners and the league have been debating how to handle the National Anthem and players that want to continue to demonstrate, the league has not been as quick to address the uneven discipline dolled out for those who commit violence against women. This is a massive issue for a league who has spent years and large sums of money to bring in more female viewers with initiatives and even clothing lines geared specifically to female fans. However, their lack of a consistent message against domestic violence and the perpetrators who commit it stand in stark contrast to the message they are trying to convey. This message is even further corrupted when African Americans see the league as vehemently opposed to players protesting social inequality but unwilling to take a hard line stance against domestic violence.
If a player can be blackballed for standing up to social issues, what is stopping the NFL from doing the same to those who commit violence against women? For now the league is sending a clear message that domestic violence is acceptable but being socially conscious and taking a stance is not.
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