By Brandon Simmons
OBJ is Free
The Cleveland Browns and wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. have ended their relationship. The Browns cut OBJ last week and he cleared waivers on Monday. This happened in the wake of a public outcry from fans to get him off the team after clips were going around of Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield overthrowing, which can also be found in a video that OBJ’s dad reposted on his own social media. However, it may not be viral videos or hashtags that prompted this move. Sources are reporting that Beckham requested a trade a few times leading up to the moment when the team made it known they were looking to move him. Now the time has arrived for both parties getting what thy desired.
This was an interesting decision by the Browns and the situation remains to be monitored. OBJ was someone who was reportedly adored by his teammates. Something like this can cause division in a locker room. However, the Browns are a heavy-run football team, so there’s not a lot of opportunities to spread the ball around to all of the receivers, especially one that has been injured since last year and has not been able to get the connection they wanted. It’s just one of those that happened, but it just so happens that the players involved are both high-profile names, which will make it a big deal.
As for OBJ, the NFL world is his oyster now. In spite of the knee injury last season, he wants to prove that he is still a viable option in this league. His first season in Cleveland, he recorded 1,035 yards and 4 touchdowns that year. He might not hit that mark this year, but if he gets in the right system – i.e. where they actually throw the ball with no play action – then he can add a major boost to a team right now. He doesn’t have to be a number 1 or 2 option – and he won’t be this late in the season – but he will have an immediate impact. The teams that come to mind are the Seattle Seahawks (now that Russ is coming back), Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. All of these teams re instant contenders, except for the Seahawks, who will have to climb out of a 3-5 hole when QB Russell Wilson returns from injury. OBJ should enjoy his freedom now because he will be picked up by a team real soon.
Aaron Rodgers Vaxx Fallout
The NFL was having a manageable season through their COVID mandates, until Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers caught COVID and made the whole world sick. Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19 before Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, which ruled him out for the game. However, in the wake of the announcement, came a ton of information – or misinformation – surrounding the QB and his diagnosis.
After the COVID announcement, there was a clip going around showing the QB answering a question about whether or not he was vaccinated, by responding that he was immunized. The “immunization” was revealed to be a natural medicinal process but not approved by the NFL as an approved vaccinated measure. But then Rodgers takes things even further by providing a variety of reasons for not getting the vaccine, which includes him being allergic to an ingredient in the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines as well as hearing about how multiple people reacted when they got the shot. When appearing on the Pat Macafee Show, Rodgers said he was taking treatment advice from podcast personality Joe Rogan, who apparently suggested he use the horse dewormer.
Within a week, Aaron Rodgers has brought the most negative press to the NFL as far COVID is concerned, but this is nothing that falls on the league. While a lot of people want to make this the football version of Kyrie Irving vs. The Mandate, Rodgers just seems to have muddied up his entire stance with a few fallacies. Not only did he mislead with his “immunization” response, but he apparently lied proclaiming that doctors from the league office told him even the vaccinated can catch COVID and spread it. However, league officials shut that down quickly. The NFL has not forced anybody to get vaccinated, but they have put rules in place that are tougher on unvaccinated players, should they catch COVID. Rodgers is free to make his own choices, but some of those choices also come with consequences, and criticisms, that you just might have to accept.
Can Russ Save the Seahawks?
The Seattle Seahawks got some good news earlier this week when QB Russell Wilson was cleared to return from a hand injury suffered in Week 5. He was ruled out for at least 4 weeks after having surgery done on it but now he is set to be activated off injured reserve this week. It comes at the perfect time as the Seahawks are at 3-5, tied for last in the NFC West but also 3 spots behind the Atlanta Falcons for the final playoff spot.
Wilson is obviously going to get this team back where they need to be. In Wilson’s absence, the Seahawks went 1-2, losing both games by 3 points. It’s doubtful they lose those games if Russ is available. There is also the possibility of Seattle picking up wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. after he cleared waivers. Now Wilson will make his return against the Green Bay Packers, but he will have some easy games on his schedule going forward such as the Washington Football Team, Houston Texans, Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions. His first 2 games back might be a struggle for him getting back into rhythm, but they should not be anything for him to worry about.
Shoutouts/Shutouts
Shout out to former NFL running back Frank Gore who has decided to step in the boxing ring. Tuesday, it was announced that Gore will be putting the gloves on against former NBA player Deron Williams. The fight will be an undercard for the Jake Paul- Tommy Fury happening in December. Gore played one of the toughest positions in one of the most violent sports for 16 years; he just might have a shot.
Shut out to the people trying to chastize the ref on Monday Night Football who seemingly did a “hip check”. The story is that Chicago Bears linebacker Cassius Marsh sacked Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger on 3rd down, making it a 4th down. However, it appeared that Marsh said something to the Steelers sideline, thus prompting a taunting penalty. So when the ref was about to throw the flag, he appeared to have bumped into Marsh. That got everyone on the internet just as outraged because a ref struggling to get a flag out of his pocket and hitting a player, is more infuriating than that same player costing his defense a chance to get off the field at that time and prevent the Steelers from adding on to the score.
Week 10 is here and players are starting to return from their injuries, adjust to their new teams they’ve been traded to. Russell Wilson makes his return to the Seahawks when they visit the Green Bay Packers, who may or may not have QB Aaron Rodgers. The New England Patriots will host the Cleveland Browns, as 2 of the 5 teams tied for the final playoff spot in the AFC are going to battle it out. The Kansas City Chiefs – one of the other teams amongst that group – will visit the Oakland Raiders on Sunday Night. The Chiefs have not been playing their best football this year and this game may very well be a turning point in their season. The Raiders have had a ton of distractions go on this season, but somehow have managed to keep their heads above playoff waters. However, when these two teams meet up, all of that goes out the window and everything is decided on the field. But until then…I’ll holla.
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