NFL Thread 2019-2020

[MU82]

Texans coach/GM Bill O'Brien says he will take a knee alongside his players if they, as expected, conduct a peaceful protest during the national anthem this season.

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/texans/article/Bill-O-Brien-will-take-a-knee-with-players-as-15335910.php

Texans coach Bill O'Brien is so passionate about fighting racial prejudice, getting justice for George Floyd and participating in the McNair family's condemnation of systemic racism in America that he'll join his players when they're expected to kneel during the national anthem this season.

"Yeah, I'll take a knee — I'm all for it," O'Brien said about players kneeling. "The players have a right to protest, a right to be heard and a right to be who they are. They're not taking a knee because they're against our flag. They're taking a knee because they haven't been treated equally in this country for over 400 years."

I think a few other coaches will do the same. They want to be on their players' side, and also on the right side of history.

[The Sultan]

So all of these NFL teams are closing their facilites on Juneteeth Day.

It seems so NFL to think that closing facilities on a Friday in summer is a significant step.

[tower912]

Symbols matter. 

[The Sultan]

Symbols matter. 

Agree completely.  I would suggest closing your facility on a Friday in summer isn't very high on the symbol-meter though.

[Pakuni]

Agree completely.  I would suggest closing your facility on a Friday in summer isn't very high on the symbol-meter though.

I'd venture to guess 32 NFL coaches and their staffs disagree.
Don't get me wrong ... this isn't a huge deal. It's a small step. But it's not meaningless, either. Especially with no minicamps or OTAs, giving away time isn't trivial.

[tower912]

Agree completely.  I would suggest closing your facility on a Friday in summer isn't very high on the symbol-meter though.

Didn't say it was a huge symbol.   Not closing in the current environment would be a much larger symbol.

[Jockey]

49ers player tests positive. He was working out with 16 other players.

[MU82]

Letter to the editor in today's Charlotte Observer:

I am a military veteran who served two tours in Vietnam. I was wounded in 1968 and witnessed the death of fellow soldiers. I understand the cost required to preserve what our flag represents.

When the NFL kneeling protests started a few years ago, I wasn't sure it was the right venue. But after much soul-searching, I asked myself, "Why not?" Kneeling is a solemn position, a sign of homage. Sure, it's a protest, but it's a very respectful protest.

Where I see disrespect is when some members of our society are not afforded "liberty and justice for all." Let's be honest. It's not now, and has never been, an even playing field. Taking a knee to request our nation live up to its values and ideals is a patriotic act I can stand behind.

- Patrick McLaughlin, Charlotte

People forget that it was a soldier who advised Kaepernick to kneel, that it was a respectful way to protest.

If there are pro sports in 2020, folks are gonna see a lot of kneeling. So better to accept it for what it is than freak out.

[GB Warrior]

Letter to the editor in today's Charlotte Observer:

I am a military veteran who served two tours in Vietnam. I was wounded in 1968 and witnessed the death of fellow soldiers. I understand the cost required to preserve what our flag represents.

When the NFL kneeling protests started a few years ago, I wasn't sure it was the right venue. But after much soul-searching, I asked myself, "Why not?" Kneeling is a solemn position, a sign of homage. Sure, it's a protest, but it's a very respectful protest.

Where I see disrespect is when some members of our society are not afforded "liberty and justice for all." Let's be honest. It's not now, and has never been, an even playing field. Taking a knee to request our nation live up to its values and ideals is a patriotic act I can stand behind.

- Patrick McLaughlin, Charlotte

People forget that it was a soldier who advised Kaepernick to kneel, that it was a respectful way to protest.

If there are pro sports in 2020, folks are gonna see a lot of kneeling. So better to accept it for what it is than freak out.

Forgetting has nothing to do it.

[Pakuni]

Cam signs 1 year, $7.5 million deal with the Pats.

[The Sultan]

Cam signs 1 year, $7.5 million deal with the Pats.

And there goes the theory that Flacco was signed and Cam wasn't for racial reasons. Cam got five times the contract.

[Uncle Rico]

And there goes the theory that Flacco was signed and Cam wasn't for racial reasons. Cam got five times the contract.

Hope Cam kills it in New England

[BM1090]

And there goes the theory that Flacco was signed and Cam wasn't for racial reasons. Cam got five times the contract.

Cam signed for the minimum. He can earn up to 7.5 million through incentives. Not sure what those incentives are yet.

That's not to say race was a reason, but 7.5 million is likely not the value of the contract.

[cheebs09]

Cam signed for the minimum. He can earn up to 7.5 million through incentives. Not sure what those incentives are yet.

That's not to say race was a reason, but 7.5 million is likely not the value of the contract.

Fair, but Flacco is only guaranteed $550K. So Cam's earning potential is far greater than Flacco's in his contract. Also, who knows how easy some of those incentives are to hit.

[BM1090]

Fair, but Flacco is only guaranteed $550K. So Cam's earning potential is far greater than Flacco's in his contract. Also, who knows how easy some of those incentives are to hit.

Right. I'm guessing some of those incentive goals will be automatic assuming health.

[Pakuni]

@ABC7News: JUST IN: @FedEx has asked the Washington @Redskins to change its name. Here is the statement:

"We have communicated to the team in Washington our request that they change the team name."

[jesmu84]

@ABC7News: JUST IN: @FedEx has asked the Washington @Redskins to change its name. Here is the statement:

"We have communicated to the team in Washington our request that they change the team name."

Apparently Nike pulled all Redskins apparel from their website

[MUBurrow]

Apparently Nike pulled all Redskins apparel from their website

Holy hell its actually going to happen this time.

[JWags85]

Would be the end of a proud era for a team nickname created by a loud and pro racist segregationist who hired a con artist coach, who had masqueraded as a Native American most of his adult life, to coach his newly named squad.  Some colleges used the name and it was more culturally insensitive than anything, thus they've since changed. Redskins was founded in ill will from the jump.

I do worry how lame a new name will be given Wizards and Nationals the last times around for DC teams have been milquetoast

[shoothoops]

Lots of names floating around, including Warriors. This one is interesting:

https://twitter.com/OllieConnolly/status/1278821758053818369?s=19

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Lots of names floating around, including Warriors. This one is interesting:

https://twitter.com/OllieConnolly/status/1278821758053818369?s=19

I like this one. Other than people being upset that the name changed at all, not sure what problem people could have with this as a replacement.

[The Sultan]

I like this one. Other than people being upset that the name changed at all, not sure what problem people could have with this as a replacement.

Oh I'm sure some will find something to be upset about...

[Pakuni]

Sentinels.
Put Shane Falco behind center.

[GB Warrior]

I like this one. Other than people being upset that the name changed at all, not sure what problem people could have with this as a replacement.

I do love the color scheme. Bring back the radioshack helmets.

[4everwarriors]

Shockin' knowon has fooked wit da Braves orr der tomahawk chop lately, hey?