I am not going to go into the specifics here, but if you guys have been paying attention to the NFL related news over the last week or so, you know that DeShaun Watson is not having a very good time of it...like at all.
As of the time I am writing this, 16 women (and counting) have come forward and have accused Watson of sexually assaulting them. Not just harassing them, but sexually assaulting them...And there is a definite theme to it. All of the women accusing DeShaun Watson are massage therapists/spa workers. It appears that DeShaun Watson has a nasty habit of targeting women who work giving massages, by forcibly demanding they finish him off/provide happy endings, whatever you want to call it. Look. Watson is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law...however, as we are not that court, we are free to make our own judgement calls here. I remember back to when the first woman accused Bill Cosby of slipping her a drink at a bar in the 1970s, and his efforts to have sex with her. Gold digger. It's Bill Cosby, dammit. America's dad. No way in hell that story could be true. And then the 2nd woman came forth, with a story very similar to the first. And then the 3rd. And 4th. And 5th. And 6th....well...maybe there is something to this...by the time we got to woman #19, pretty much everyone had figured out that the odds weren't great that ALL of them were just trying to make a quick buck by accusing Bill Cosby and hoping for a nice out-of-court settlement that didn't require the Cos to admit any guilt...One or two women? Maybe. But 19? Nah man. 19 women telling almost the same stories as each other gets VERY hard to ignore...and now Bill Cosby is in prison. DeShaun Watson currently sits at 16 accusers. Even if he somehow manages to avoid any guilty verdicts at all that stem from court cases regarding these 16 women, what is his reputation going to be? Has he become persona non grata already? A lot of women watch the NFL. Would they root for a team that signs a player accused of sexual assault by 16 different women? What kind of look would that be for the team that signs him? With Michael Vick and the dog fighting, while serving in prison, Vick owned up to his actions, and did everything he could to demonstrate he had changed. He's worked to end dogfighting, worked to pass a bill in Congress that prohibits animal fighting completely, works for the Humane Society, etc. He' served his time, he's acted contrite, and got another chance. Right now, DeShaun Watson has been 100% defiant, denying all of the charges, claiming he has never been anything but completely respectful towards women. Maybe he is telling the truth...but at least 16 women are openly disagreeing with that claim, based on their own personal interactions with him. Even if we give him the absolute benefit of the doubt, will an NFL team do the same, no matter how talented he is? What is your opinion on the accusations against DeShaun Watson?
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Guys, don't feel obligated to post on this if you don't want to, this post is really just cathartic for me, as the Stafford/Goff trade is official now, and Matthew Stafford is no longer a Detroit Lion...not quite closure here, but acceptance. Go win the Super Bowl you couldn't win in Detroit, Matt. My one hope, is that when he decides his career is over, that he signs a one-day contract with Detroit, so he can officially retire as a member of the Detroit Lions. What has got into Bill Belichick? I've never seen him go so hard at free agency like this. Let's give a rundown of who the Patriots signed in the past 2 days.
What is everyone's thoughts? On paper, are they AFC East contenders? NHguy - The lead story, and yet, simultaneously the least surprising, is that Drew Brees has officially announced his retirement. We pretty much all knew he was done already, as it was clear after the Saints lost to the Bucs in the playoffs, that he was absorbing it all in, as if it would be the last time he ever suited up...because it was. Not long after his official retirement announcement, NBC announced he would be joining their announce team...also completely unsurprising, as we have known he signed a TV deal before the season even began...
- The Detroit Lions resigned Romeo Okwara, keeping Romeo and his brother Julian on the same team. I am happy with this, Okwara was one of the very few defensive bright spots last season. I wish they had found a way to keep BOTH Okwara and Golladay, but, better to sign one at the cost of the other, than to lose both...glass is half full, I guess. - Rumor has it that the Saints are looking at resigning Jameis Winston to be their starting QB now that Brees has retired. For their sake, I just hope Jameis paid a lot of attention to Brees, so he learned how to cut a lot of the stupid decisions. Winston has a monster arm, that's never been the problem...He spent a year under a master decision maker, if he learned what he needed to, more power to him. Otherwise, the Saints could platoon the position, switching between Winston and Hill...who just got a massive extension on his own. - The "Russell Wilson to Bears" rumors just won't die...and I just don't see how Chicago can possibly afford Wilson, without trading away half the team...they just don't have cap space to get a player like Wilson without sacrificing multiple key players... - Gronk says he wants to "dip his toes" in Free Agency. To that, I say, I'll believe it when I see it. He'll entertain a few offers, and then sign a contract for less money to stay in Tampa, so him and Tom can try to win another Super Bowl next year...Gronk is gonna stay in Tampa as long as Brady is there, and then he'll retire. www.xfl.com/xfl-latest-news/cfl-to-explore-opportunities-for-alignment-with-xfl-owners?s=04&fbclid=IwAR23dqmON0C9jg-nK_77lGgQH2mZ5WG_qBvKNp31TjLILm5oCgE1jbb68dA Two leagues enter into formal talks exploring potential for collaboration and innovation to grow the game of football TORONTO & Greenwich, CT - The Canadian Football League (CFL) and XFL owners Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, and RedBird Capital have agreed to work together to identify opportunities for the leagues to collaborate, innovate, and grow the game of football. Statement from Randy Ambrosie, CFL Commissioner: “Canada has an exciting game and devoted fans, and our discussion with the XFL provides a tremendous opportunity to build on that strong foundation. We look forward to exploring how we might work with one of the most innovative sports brands in the world to grow the game, engage fans in new ways, and reach new audiences. We look forward to seeing what possibilities our discussions might uncover, and to sharing those with our fans as the process unfolds.” Statement from Dany Garcia, XFL Chairwoman and Owner: “Since we first acquired the XFL, we have focused on identifying partners who share our vision and values on and off the field. A vision filled with opportunity, innovation and the highest level of entertainment value for the benefit of our athletes, fans and communities. The CFL has expressed that similar sentiment and jointly we recognize a great opportunity to build exciting innovative football experiences that make the most of each league's unique strengths. I look forward to our continued discussions and we will update the sports community as we have more to share.” Statement from Jeffrey Pollack, XFL President and CEO: "We are honored and excited to be in discussions with the CFL. It's clear through our early conversations that we share a passion for football, an expansive sense of possibility, and a deep desire to create more opportunity for players and fans across North America and around the world. Blending the CFL’s rich heritage with our fresh thinking, and the unique reach and experience of our ownership, could be transformative for the game. We look forward to learning more about what's possible together with the CFL and where our shared passion takes us." UPDATE VIA XFL TWITTER, THAT MAKES THIS A HELL OF A LOT MORE INTERESTING... Why exactly would the XFL need to put their season on hold, pending the outcomes of conversations with the CFL? Doesn't this strongly suggest that the XFL and CFL are engaging in talks to form a merger, and become a single football league? - Alex Smith, the NFL Comeback Player of the Year (shit, let's call it for what it is, he's the Comeback Player of All-Time), has been released by the Washington Football Team. I remain just as convinced now, as I did before last season even began, That Alex Smith needs to call it a career, as he has absolutely nothing he has to prove to anybody, after coming back from the injuries and infections he had, that almost took his life. I said it then, I say it now...I don't ever want to see Alex Smith wear an NFL uniform again. Not out of any hostility towards him, but rather the opposite: I want to see him just enjoy the rest of his life with his wife and family. God knows if any NFL player has earned that right, it's Alex Smith.
- As we all saw, JJ Watt has signed with the Arizona Cardinals. This signing is clearly relevant to the interests of Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, who just wants an offensive line to protect him...I mean, he already has to play against Aaron Donald twice a year, he's gotta play Nick Bosa twice a year, and now he's got to play against JJ Watt twice a year too...granted, Watt isn't the player he used to be...but from Wilson's perspective, if the Seahawks don't upgrade his protection, he is gonna get slaughtered out there. I don't blame Wilson at all for talking trade partners, even if he really wants to stay in Seattle... - On a related note, the Chicago Bears are going to do anything they can to get Russell Wilson...only they don't have many pieces to work with. In order to afford Wilson, they would probably have to get rid of star WR Allen Robinson II and Khalil Mack...but if they include them in a trade to get Wilson, why would Wilson want to come to Chicago? - On a personal note, the Detroit Lions better resign Kenny Golladay, or Franchise him and find the money to sign him long term next year. If they let Golladay enter free agency, I am gonna be pissed. With Matt Stafford now a Ram, Golladay is the best player currently on the roster. - The Detroit Lions are also actively trying to trade backup QB Chase Daniel to relieve some cap space issues. Why would a team want Daniel? Mentorship. There are going to be a lot of fresh QBs entering the NFL, and Daniel has the reputation of being a teacher at the position. Could be useful to have if you are planning on drafting Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Zach Wilson, Mac Jones, Kyle Trask, or other QB and you want them to be ready on opening day... - Jason La Canfora over at CBS Sports is reporting that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are considering extending Tom Brady's contract...until he is 47, and that Brady is willing to take a massive pay cut to make the sure team can keep a quality team around him...That is, Brady wants to play AT LEAST until age 45, not that the would retire at age 45...Honestly? If he can keep playing at the level he did this year, and can play for until he is 47, he would retire with regular season totals of around 90,000 passing yards and between 650-700 TDs, and when you include his playoff stats, would mean 100,000+ total passing yards, and 700-750 career passing TDs. I know we tend to talk a lot of hyperbole, but if Tom Brady plays 3 more years, the records that he already owns, that he will be adding on to, will never be broken by another NFL QB, ever. And that includes the kid out there in Kansas City. (And that's not even mentioning the possibility of adding even more Super Bowl rings to his collection) - In a bit of irony, CBS Sports is also reporting that the New England Patriots top target in Free Agency is none other than...Jimmy Garoppolo. Wouldn't that be a kick, if he signed back with the Patriots? - Josh Gordon had 4 receptions for 70 yards and two TD passes in his FCF debut. d- Russell Wilson wouldn't object to staying in Seattle, however if the Seahawks were to trade him, he has four teams that he'd prefer to go to: the Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears and the Las Vegas Raiders.
First, Seattle would be stupid to trade Russell Wilson until he demands to be traded, which he hasn't done yet...Secondly, if he does demand to be traded, I gotta say, he'd look DAMN GOOD wearing the Silver and Black as a RAIDER, BABY! In all honesty though, if/when Drew Brees officially sends his retirement letter to the league offices, the Saints are probably his best chance to win a 2nd Super Bowl. New Orleans is already a legitimate Super Bowl contender, and Russell Wilson taking over for Drew Brees would do nothing to diminish that status. - Aaron Rodgers is apparently engaged to actress Shailene Woodley...Is she a step up from either Olivia Munn or Danica Patrick? - The Pittsburgh Steelers are working on a restructured deal to keep QB Ben Roethlisberger for one more year, likely the last contract Big Ben will ever sign his name to in the NFL. Part of me thinks they really don't have much choice, based on his cap hit. Might as well get something for the 22.5 million he already counts against the cap for next season...Dump him, they have to find another QB, AND still have that debt. Cheaper just to keep him until his contract ends. - The Fan Controlled Football League, or FCF. You may have seen an article on ESPN or something about how this league that you've never heard of before that article, will have both Johnny Manziel and Josh Gordon in it...Well, they are currently through week 3 of their season, and I managed to watch the first game they aired Saturday night on Twitch between the Wild Aces and Zappers. If I were to boil down the FCF very briefly, it's basically like the Arena Football League, played indoors, on an AFL sized field, 7v7, but without the nets to the sides of the goalposts. Hell, there aren't even any goalposts. So where does the "Fan Controlled" part come in? Well, when you sign up, you have to pick a team to support. Once you do that, apparently, you got to vote on pretty much everything from rules before the season began, the team uniforms, who your team drafts to play each week (rosters for the 4 teams will change on a weekly basis), etc. Then, during the actual games, the fans of each teams vote on the plays, who the starting roster should be, and even call instant replays (fans of the two teams playing's vote counts as 1, fans from the two teams not playing's votes are worth 10) This league is probably gonna be a massive trainwreck...so of course I am gonna watch it. - There is lots of talk in Michigan that the Detroit Lions should heavily pursue signing Ndamukong Suh in Free Agency. I have to agree with the idea, I think. Suh definitely had his maturity issues in Detroit while Jim Schwartz was the head coach. Schwartz almost actively encouraged the cheap shots, because he loved the idea of the Lions defense being seen as "bad boys", "thugs", etc. He wanted to have the Lions defense be feared, like the 1970s Raiders defenses were. So, Ndamukong Suh's behavior as a Lion wasn't exactly discouraged by the HC. But he is an older and wiser player now. he may not have the same explosiveness he had as a young 20 something, but dammit, Ndamukong Suh would be a major upgrade to the DTs the Lions have right now, as he actually knows what the phrase "pass rush" means...Plus, if it makes Aaron Rodgers shit in his pants even once, WORTH IT! |
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