Kaepernick Aftermath
The biggest, and most triggering, story this past week has not been a player almost getting hit by his own helmet; but it has been Colin Kaepernick showing up for a surprise workout for some NFL teams set up by the league itself. Last week, at the time I was finishing the column up, it was reported that Kaep and his team were offered a workout in front of all 32 teams, that coming Saturday, the 16th , at the Atlanta Falcons practice facility. Initially, a lot of people expressed hope that this would lead to an opportunity for him to get back in the league. However, there were also those who expressed skepticism, and that feeling grew even more as the date crept closer. Many questions arose around the participation and availability of the correct personnel in attendance, as many coaches and general managers would be prepping for their Sunday games. It wasn’t long before anonymous sources started joining the conversation. One anonymous source implied this was nothing more than a PR stunt. Another source claimed that the workout was brought about because of Jay-Z’s influence, who has been hired by the league to help them with their Social Justice initiatives and halftime show. Some team officials were announcing their appearance at the private workout but others were also making it known they would not be in attendance. Things could not get any weirder, then the day of the workout finally arrived.
The day of the workout arrives, and it was just as eventful. Heading into the event, it was reported that the workout would be at a closed location but recorded and sent out to GM’s around the league. But on the day of the session, it was moved to another location and started an hour after the original time. At this location, 8 out of 24 reported teams showed but media access was granted. Still, the fallout was just about to begin. Just as there were mixed reactions to news of the workout happening, there were even more mixed feelings about how it went down. The NFL released a statement expressing regret over Kaepernick and his team switching the event location. ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith got on Twitter and claimed Kaep was only trying to be a “martyr” and not really interested in playing football, which prompted an argument with Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid, who is a close friend of Kaepernick. There was even a report that Hov was disappointed and felt Kaepernick turned it into a “publicity stunt.” One of the more vocal, positive reports came from ESPN Senior Writer Howard Bryant, who had a Twitter thread of all the behind the scenes of why the location was moved, including reported suspicions surrounding some paperwork that the NFL wanted Kaepernick to sign.
The general public expects him to be signed immediately, but it might be a little longer before that happens, as well as more complicated. He might not be brought in to help a team win right now, but he could be signed as a backup for somebody’s postseason roster. If a team needs a longer-term option, they might wait until the spring or summer next year to scoop him up; but his best shot would be on a playoff roster within the next month and a half.
Given the circumstances surrounding this event, Kaepernick did the best he could with what he was dealt with. As mentioned earlier, I saw this workout being reported last week while I was writing, but I did not think it was something to get excited about without any extra details. When more details came, I still wasn’t ecstatic more than I was nervous. I even told my girlfriend that I thought it was a setup for Kaepernick to get assassinated. For him to move the location and get the media involved, was a bold, risky move and smart. If he would have signed that waiver, who knows what he could’ve got caught up in. If Kaepernick would’ve went to that private workout, with no public video access, teams could legit throw that film away and tell the public they did not like what they “saw on tape”. Ultimately, people would crucify him and question his motives for years to come if that happened. Instead, he already has video of him throwing a deep ball and possibly some other clips available to show as proof that he still has the talent to compete in this league right now. He has fought through the odds so much with this protest, it only makes sense that his journey back to the league will be just as tough.
NFL Taking QB Protection Too Far
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph could not escape the Cleveland Browns pass rush but somehow he has eluded blame for his role in the helmet swinging melee that got 3 players suspended. In this past Thursday Night Football game, Rudolph threw a screen pass as he was being hit by Brown defensive end Myles Garrett. When trying to get up, there is video of Rudolph trying to take off Garrett’s helmet, as well as kicking and punching the Browns defensive end. Garrett snatches Rudolph’s helmet, so when the helmet-less Rudolph lunges at Garrett, Garrett swung the helmet at him. In defense of his quarterback, center Marquis Pouncy pushed down Garrett, then started punching and kicking him. Cleveland defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi rushed to his teammate’s side but instead just pushed Rudolph to the ground. Garrett, Pouncey and Ogunjobi were all suspended for their actions. Pouncey got 3 games while Ogunjobi was dealt only one; Garrett took the most punishment being suspended indefinitely. As for Rudolph, he only escaped with a $35,000 fine. As shocking as the event itself was, the end result was not that surprising.
The NFL is sticking to its brand of protecting the quarterback by any means. How is it that the guy who started this kerfuffle was able to walk away no real consequences. A fine of $35,000 could be a lot for a 2nd year player, but it’s kind of setting a bad precedent. Rudolph just didn’t start the altercation, it was his actions of kicking Garrett and trying to take his helmet off first, is what made things worse. There’s no reason he shouldn’t be missing some games and the NFL knows this. If Rudolph took issue with how he got hit, then he should take a number. QB’s get bad hits all the time and just let the refs handle it; not physically take it out on the defensive lineman 3 times their size. Rudolph is young and made a mistake, but you need to teach them early to move a lot smarter than what he did. That’s the ultimate protection for him and any other quarterback that wants to think they can get away with that.
Rivers Dried Up?
At the conclusion of the Los Angeles Chargers’ Monday Night football loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, a lot of Chargers fans found themselves facing a conversation they might not have wanted to face for a while: getting rid of Philip Rivers. The 16 year vet threw for 353 yards and 4 interceptions, including the game -ending pick when L.A. was down by 7 and in the red zone. For Chargers fans, it was another reminder of them getting so close to winning but eventually, and literally, throw it all away.
For the most part, Rivers has managed to dodge the blame of this team underachieving due to his big numbers. For the past 6 seasons, Rivers has thrown for over 4,000 yards but only made the playoffs twice during that span. It has also been a decade since he has been able to throw under 10 interceptions in a season. Despite the criticism of his arm, it has been what has saved this team many times. In 2008, he had a career high 34 touchdowns and was able to lead this team to the divisional round of the playoffs. Last season, he led a similar comeback win over the Chiefs, on the road, by throwing it downfield in the final minute of the game. This year he still has his usual 300 yards game quota that he reaches, but those are not doing enough to bring in the W.
Rivers has served a long career to San Diego and Los Angeles but it’s clear that he is not going to bring them a championship. You can blame it on this team not having a solid defense here and there, or struggling to find a running back as good as Ladainian Tomlinson was, or even a sufficient head coach, but at the end of the day – a 16-year day at that – Rivers does not appear to be the answer in the long-term future, something that should be decided on beginning today. Even the New York Giants sort of coped with moving on from Eli Manning, who won them 2 Super Bowls, but has not been able to replicate that success yet. The Chargers have already moved from San Diego and are struggling to bring in their fans for home games. Getting a new QB could be something that would rejuvenate the fan base and bring in more fans. All good things must come to an end and Chargers fans have reached that “end” with Rivers.
Shoutouts/Shutouts
Shout out to the Atlanta Falcons for them getting a win streak with some pride. They have won 2 straight games since returning from their bye week and it has been over the Saints and Panthers, two teams in the mix for the postseason. Falcons could be a strong spoiler for some contenders in the last month of the season.
Shut out to the Washington Redskins offensive line. In Sunday’s loss against the New York Jets, Redskins quarterback Dwayne Haskins was sacked 6 times. At one point in the game, he pleaded with his offensive to protect him better than what they have been doing all day. The Skins dropped to 1-9.
This will be historically great week for the matchups in Week 13. This is the 4th time in NFL history that all 3 primetime games will have both teams above .500. The Houston Texans host the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday Night Football to kick things off. Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens will fly to Los Angeles to take on the Rams. However, the best game will be between the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers. It’s going to be another team that’s there to test the Niners as they hold on to the number one spot in the NFC. Their defense is going to feel the test going up against Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, as well as his dangerous running back duo of Aaron Jones and Jamal Williams. It’s going to be fun watching the future hall-of-famer Rodgers challenge the top ranked pass defense of San Francisco, but until then…I’ll holla.