NFL Thread 2019-2020

[The Sultan]

Drew Brees ... very good at reading defenses, very bad at reading the room.

Yeah.  That was not very good.  Even when he tried to "clarify" it, it looked bad.

[Hards Alumni]

Drew Brees ... very good at reading defenses, very bad at reading the room.

It is interesting to hear him contradict himself from one sentence to the next.  Almost as if he doesn't "get it" as much as he thinks or says.

[MU82]

I'm all for unity, ending police brutality, and peaceful protest.

Just don't peacefully protest in a way that I'm not all for.

[Uncle Rico]

Surprised Cam Newton doesn't have a team yet.  Wonder why that is

[Jockey]

Surprised Cam Newton doesn't have a team yet.  Wonder why that is

Two-fold, I think.

High-$$$ demand combined with Covid-19 preventing teams from being able to bring him in to be checked out by doctors following injuries the last couple years.

I also haven't heard if he would accept a one-year deal or is holding out for multiple years.

[Pakuni]

Surprised Cam Newton doesn't have a team yet.  Wonder why that is

Honestly, I think it's because nobody knows if he's healthy. Or they do know, and the answer isn't good.

As for Brees, I think he's genuinely a good guy who just stepped in it here. His problem - and a lot of people's problem - is he can't understand that what the flag means to him isn't what the flag means to everyone else.
It's fine that he sees the flag and thinks of his grandpa who served in the military, etc. But that doesn't mean that those who kneel are personally insulting his grandpa or those who've served in the military. That's just him being myopic.

[Uncle Rico]

Honestly, I think it's because nobody knows if he's healthy. Or they do know, and the answer isn't good.

As for Brees, I think he's genuinely a good guy who just stepped in it here. His problem - and a lot of people's problem - is he can't understand that what the flag means to him isn't what the flag means to everyone else.
It's fine that he sees the flag and thinks of his grandpa who served in the military, etc. But that doesn't mean that those who kneel are personally insulting his grandpa or those who've served in the military. That's just him being myopic.

I'd buy that first part if a known injured QB like Joe Flacco hadn't been signed in the last week by the Jets

[Pakuni]

I'd buy that first part if a known injured QB like Joe Flacco hadn't been signed in the last week by the Jets

I'd imagine if Cam wanted a one-year, $1.5 million contract, he could find one pretty quick.

[JWags85]

As for Brees, I think he's genuinely a good guy who just stepped in it here. His problem - and a lot of people's problem - is he can't understand that what the flag means to him isn't what the flag means to everyone else.
It's fine that he sees the flag and thinks of his grandpa who served in the military, etc. But that doesn't mean that those who kneel are personally insulting his grandpa or those who've served in the military. That's just him being myopic.

Well said, and that was my initial take as well. Brees has always been well liked and respected, by teammates and across the league. I think Thomas' initial tweet about "He dont no know better" was probably spot on, before he got further pissed off. Brees should have, and could have know better, but we're all guilty of having tinted shades on sometimes, and not for malicious or necessarily selfish reasons.

He's done tons for the community in NO and is beloved there, but the reactionary realm of social media, much less the current climate the last week or so, it's just a perfect storm to paint him to be an enemy not the ally he more realistically is.

[WarriorDad]

Surprised Cam Newton doesn't have a team yet.  Wonder why that is

Health

[MU82]

Well said, and that was my initial take as well. Brees has always been well liked and respected, by teammates and across the league. I think Thomas' initial tweet about "He dont no know better" was probably spot on, before he got further pissed off. Brees should have, and could have know better, but we're all guilty of having tinted shades on sometimes, and not for malicious or necessarily selfish reasons.

He's done tons for the community in NO and is beloved there, but the reactionary realm of social media, much less the current climate the last week or so, it's just a perfect storm to paint him to be an enemy not the ally he more realistically is.

Agree with all of this and with what others have said, though I am less willing to let him off the hook by blaming "social media."

Real people who hurt are pissed and disappointed at him. Social media is merely their way of communicating it. There also is plenty of it on ESPN and other networks, and in other media.

But yes, I've also heard he is a good guy. It probably will take time, but I like to think he'll work things out with those who are now wondering what's in his heart.

[Pakuni]

Brees offers an apology.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBA1P3gHpT_/?igshid=f7cm3d45oscj

[Uncle Rico]

Health

Didn't stop Joe Flacco from getting a job. 

[The Sultan]

I mean good for Brees, but...

"In an attempt to talk about respect, unity, and solidarity centered around the American flag and the national anthem, I made comments that were insensitive and completely missed the mark on the issues we are facing right now as a country."

Why on God's green earth did you think it would be appropriate at THAT point in time to bring up the American flag and national anthem?

[The Sultan]

Didn't stop Joe Flacco from getting a job. 

And as was mentioned earlier, Flacco got a one year, $1.5 million deal that guarantees just $550,000.  If Cam wants that deal, Cam has that deal.

[MU82]

Panthers coach Matt Rhule says he will respect any peaceful protest his players want to make before, during and after the season. That includes taking a knee during the anthem, if that's what they see fit.

Several Panthers players have been very visible out in public this week, taking part in rallies and speaking.

As a Panthers fan and proud American, I'm happy about all of the above.

[Uncle Rico]

Panthers coach Matt Rhule says he will respect any peaceful protest his players want to make before, during and after the season. That includes taking a knee during the anthem, if that's what they see fit.

Several Panthers players have been very visible out in public this week, taking part in rallies and speaking.

As a Panthers fan and proud American, I'm happy about all of the above.

When and if there is a NFL season, I suspect you'll see a lot of kneeling at the very least.  I think there could be more than just that, like players refusing to play

[MU82]

When and if there is a NFL season, I suspect you'll see a lot of kneeling at the very least.  I think there could be more than just that, like players refusing to play

Why do you think they would refuse to play?

[jesmu84]

Martellus Bennett has some opinions. One of those is not being very happy with his QB.

[Uncle Rico]

Why do you think they would refuse to play?

As a protest to social injustice and racism within the NFL.  How many minorities were hired as head coaches this off-season?  How many were hired as coordinators?  I believe we'll see a lot of protesting of some type across all sports leagues in the next 6 months, including possible game boycotts

[The Sultan]

Martellus Bennett has some opinions. One of those is not being very happy with his QB.

Who is "his QB?"  He hasn't played in two seasons.

[Pakuni]

As a protest to social injustice and racism within the NFL.  How many minorities were hired as head coaches this off-season?  How many were hired as coordinators?  I believe we'll see a lot of protesting of some type across all sports leagues in the next 6 months, including possible game boycotts

We'll see protesting. I'd be shocked if we see boycotts. NFL careers are too short and game checks are too valuable. Also, Wally Pipp.
And, a player kneeling on the field makes a far greater statement than a player nowhere to be seen.

[Pakuni]

I mean good for Brees, but...

"In an attempt to talk about respect, unity, and solidarity centered around the American flag and the national anthem, I made comments that were insensitive and completely missed the mark on the issues we are facing right now as a country."

Why on God's green earth did you think it would be appropriate at THAT point in time to bring up the American flag and national anthem?

In fairness to Brees, he was answering a direct question about it.
The smart play would have been to say something vanilla about wanting to respect and understand everyone's point of view.
The next best option would be to duck the question.

[jesmu84]

Who is "his QB?"  He hasn't played in two seasons.

Ah. That's my bad. I read his tweet and he had quoted AR.

[Uncle Rico]

We'll see protesting. I'd be shocked if we see boycotts. NFL careers are too short and game checks are too valuable. Also, Wally Pipp.
And, a player kneeling on the field makes a far greater statement than a player nowhere to be seen.

It will be fascinating to watch, that is for sure.