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NFL
Sept 11, 2019 12:29:22 GMT
Post by kds on Sept 11, 2019 12:29:22 GMT
Now Odell Beckham is being a major distraction for a team that doesn't need one right now. The commissioner, owners, coaches, and GMs better get control of their game, or specifically rogue players. Am I being too melodramatic to say that things are getting out of hand with the players kneeling for the anthem, domestic abuse, violence, abusing PEDs, social media, sitting out over contracts, etc. Well, now Antonio Brown is being accused of rape and sexual assault. This is one of several reasons that, for the last two seasons or so, I've avoided ESPN and the NFL Network, and just turn the games on right as the ball is being kicked off. I've also since stopped wearing player jerseys due to all the bullsh!t that seems to surround players now. I still love the game though.
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NFL
Sept 11, 2019 12:40:23 GMT
via mobile
Post by Kapitan on Sept 11, 2019 12:40:23 GMT
That’s pretty much where I am, too: the game is the game.
I’m reminded of the same kinds of concerns almost 30 years ago, with the most memorable artifact of that panic probably being Charles Barkley’s “I am not a role model” commercial.
It’s not surprising to see a disproportionate number of problems among a population of undereducated, largely wealthy, often spoiled young men (who have women pursuing them and their wealth everywhere). Doesn’t excuse it by a long shot, but it helps explain it.
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NFL
Sept 11, 2019 12:57:11 GMT
Post by kds on Sept 11, 2019 12:57:11 GMT
For some reason it took me longer to separate the game from the athletes than it did for me to separate art from artists, but it's a similar concept.
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NFL
Sept 11, 2019 13:12:18 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Sept 11, 2019 13:12:18 GMT
Once or twice a week, after the boss leaves for the day, a co-worker and I sit down and solve all the problems with pro sports. I usually bring up NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Now, with his annual salary approaching $50,000,000 - I'm not exactly feeling sorry for him. But think about how his daily job must be. He gets to his office, calls in his assistant, and gets a rundown on several players in his league. It might go something like this:
This player tested positive for PEDs, that player is starting a movement on his team to kneel for the National Anthem, this player is holding out to have his rookie contract voided and have his salary quadrupled, that player hit his wife and she called 911, this retired player is suing the league for his dementia, that doctor interviewed with 60 Minutes about concussions and CTE, this player was arrested for sexual assault, that player wants to wear a $200,000 watch during the game, this player challenged his GM to a fight, that player kicked and punched a female in an elevator, this coach was arrested for a DUI, that player was caught deflating footballs, this owner was arrested for soliciting a prostitute, that player hit a young boy with a switch, the President Of The United States is tweeting about the NFL, and that owner is suing the league because you suspended his star running back for assaulting a female.
Roger Goodell: Anything else?
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NFL
Sept 11, 2019 13:14:31 GMT
Post by kds on Sept 11, 2019 13:14:31 GMT
Well, Rog was the dummy who decided to take the reigns on player discipline.
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NFL
Sept 11, 2019 13:24:10 GMT
via mobile
Post by Kapitan on Sept 11, 2019 13:24:10 GMT
And regardless, that job doesn’t warrant $50m!
Easy solution: base player discipline policy more directly on the law rather than political trends, popular trends, and PR.
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NFL
Sept 11, 2019 13:28:23 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Sept 11, 2019 13:28:23 GMT
Well, Rog was the dummy who decided to take the reigns on player discipline. I don't know if "decided" is the right word. He didn't have a choice. However, one thing Goodell did, at least with the domestic/physical/emotional abuse issue, that I agree with. He formed this committee of "experts" including physicians, psychologists, attorneys, law enforcement, players' agents, and leaders of women's groups. Now, when one of these players is accused or arrested, Goodell simply turns the case over to this committee and they take it from there. As far as the outcome or final decision, Goodell then can say that he relied on these experts to make the appropriate decision on the player's disciplinary action.
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NFL
Sept 11, 2019 13:31:55 GMT
Post by kds on Sept 11, 2019 13:31:55 GMT
Well, Rog was the dummy who decided to take the reigns on player discipline. I don't know if "decided" is the right word. He didn't have a choice. However, one thing Goodell did, at least with the domestic/physical/emotional abuse issue, that I agree with. He formed this committee of "experts" including physicians, psychologists, attorneys, law enforcement, players' agents, and leaders of women's groups. Now, when one of these players is accused or arrested, Goodell simply turns the case over to this committee and they take it from there. As far as the outcome or final decision, Goodell then can say that he relied on these experts to make the appropriate decision on the player's disciplinary action. I didn't realize that. But, then again, I kinda checked out on all the off field stuff that I could a few years ago too, so I'm a little behind.
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NFL
Sept 11, 2019 13:39:01 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Sept 11, 2019 13:39:01 GMT
I don't know if "decided" is the right word. He didn't have a choice. However, one thing Goodell did, at least with the domestic/physical/emotional abuse issue, that I agree with. He formed this committee of "experts" including physicians, psychologists, attorneys, law enforcement, players' agents, and leaders of women's groups. Now, when one of these players is accused or arrested, Goodell simply turns the case over to this committee and they take it from there. As far as the outcome or final decision, Goodell then can say that he relied on these experts to make the appropriate decision on the player's disciplinary action. I didn't realize that. But, then again, I kinda checked out on all the off field stuff that I could a few years ago too, so I'm a little behind. Goodell smartly covered all of the bases, especially by putting women on the committee. Again, I'm not necessarily a fan of Roger Goodell, and I certainly don't feel sorry for him with that salary, but his job must be frustrating, stressful or depressing. I would think that an overwhelming amount of his time is spent just putting out fires. I read somewhere that weekly the NFL is being sued for incredible amounts of money by someone for something.
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NFL
Sept 11, 2019 13:41:20 GMT
via mobile
Post by Kapitan on Sept 11, 2019 13:41:20 GMT
I am not sure I agree that it was the right thing for the league to set up that committee. In fact, I’d argue that it could be seen as a typical example of what institutions do when faced with a problem: create a group to take the blame or responsibility, all at additional cost, of course. It’s the same thing our governmental institutions and academic institutions do. When there is a problem, we form a committee of experts. If it goes well, we say “I thought of the idea to form the committee!” If it goes badly, we say “the committee needs to be reviewed, maybe supplemented with additional experts or stakeholders” (with the implied “not MY fault”). It’s a way to pretend the league is somehow both virtuous and fair, all at extra—quite high—costs. An alternative path could have been to say that the league will set penalties XYZ for felony convictions, penalties ABC for certain categories of misdemeanor convictions, and treat allegations according to such-and-such. Leave everything else up to the individual teams.
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NFL
Sept 11, 2019 13:58:28 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Sept 11, 2019 13:58:28 GMT
I see your point. But I see it more as Goodell realizing that some of this stuff is over his head, you know, he's the commissioner of a sporting league. His expertise has more to do with pro FOOTBALL issues than society's issues. Yes, it's also big business, Goodell is working for the owners, but he's not ignoring the societal issues or running away from them. He realized these issues are here to say, are going to get worse, and must be addressed thoroughly. He's just "admitting" if you will that he needs help in sorting it all out. It can be terribly complicated and his decisions affect a lot of people, not just the individual player.
I also think that Goodell through his committee IS setting certain penalties for certain infractions. That is important because as we know Goodell in the past was criticized for his inconsistent penalties. I think you will see, and probably soon, that the penalties will be set and laid out for everybody to see, then when a certain situation comes up, there will be a precedent.
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NFL
Sept 15, 2019 14:35:40 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Sept 15, 2019 14:35:40 GMT
The Eagles play tonight so I have a bit of a wait. This year I joined DraftKings so that will keep me into it until tonight's game.
Hey, Kapitan, inspired by Kirk Cousins ten pass attempts last week, here's a bit of trivia for you. I heard it on a sports' talk show yesterday. In the last 40 years, in dome stadiums, there have only been 3 other games where the QB threw 10 or less passes. But, the Viking won and that's all that matters, right?
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NFL
Sept 15, 2019 15:00:19 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Sept 15, 2019 15:00:19 GMT
Wow, I have zero idea. I'd guess probably these would have been teams with serious workhorse backs, maybe late Earl Campbell, prime Eric Dickerson, Joe Gibbs' Redskins, Byner-and-Mack era Browns? I know those aren't QBs, but frankly I just have no idea. So guessing the teams is the best I can do.
It's Vikings at Packers at noon today, one of the biggest games of our year coming early. I don't know about Lambeau, but it feels like summer here: we're looking at sunny, 80-something weather. So we shouldn't be relegated to <10 passing attempts due to field conditions, anyway.
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NFL
Sept 15, 2019 15:35:58 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Sept 15, 2019 15:35:58 GMT
Wow, I have zero idea. I'd guess probably these would have been teams with serious workhorse backs, maybe late Earl Campbell, prime Eric Dickerson, Joe Gibbs' Redskins, Byner-and-Mack era Browns? I know those aren't QBs, but frankly I just have no idea. So guessing the teams is the best I can do.
It's Vikings at Packers at noon today, one of the biggest games of our year coming early. I don't know about Lambeau, but it feels like summer here: we're looking at sunny, 80-something weather. So we shouldn't be relegated to <10 passing attempts due to field conditions, anyway.
Actually, one of them WAS the Houston Oilers. Earl Campbell ran the ball 37 times in the game and who was the QB? Kenny Stabler! I forget who the other two games were.
BTW, I'm starting Dalvin Cook on my Fantasy Football team today.
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NFL
Sept 15, 2019 15:41:59 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Sept 15, 2019 15:41:59 GMT
Well hopefully he stays healthy for you! That's his biggest problem, historically. But he is definitely one of the most fun-to-watch running backs we've had ... and we've had a few.
Most exciting Viking running backs of my memory:
1. Adrian Peterson, though the final few years really soured me on him. Early on, though ... my goodness. 2. Robert Smith, such remarkable breakaway speed. Our NFC championship game season in 98 or whatever, he was unreal. 3. Michael Bennett, usually forgotten because he wasn't around long. But he was a freak. 4. Herschel Walker didn't produce the way we expected, but just knowing his talent made him exciting!
The other end of the list...
Terry Allen put up numbers when he got to play, but my gosh he was dull. Roger Craig (remember he was here in the early Dennis Green era!) didn't even put up numbers. Chester Taylor. Just punch me in the face.
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