NFL - NEWS & NOTES

I was only connecting the dots from previously reported articles concerning the potential start of an NFL/NCAA season. ie:

• The NFL stating that unless all locations where NFL teams train (as a team) are free from lock downs, no team(s) will be allowed to open training facilities.
• The NCAA stating if students aren't on campus attending class, then student athletes will not play.
  • There are at least 3 NFL teams that train in or around Los Angeles County (Rams, Chargers and Cowboys).
  • Cal just announced they will not open campus for the fall semester. No doubt more will follow suit.

These are beaurocrats making these decisions. I doubt they have the mental acuity to understand nuances.

 

LA is extending the "stay-at-home" order while also relaxing restrictions - opening more businesses, etc. So, yes, the beaurocrats seem to understand nuance. Again, I would hope that the article you read detailed that. If not, time to throw that source away.

The "stay-at-home" order is not a draconian measure that keeps all people in their home without exception. There is nuance. It's why there's a hope for the future, and things like the NFL season. But if morons keep defying these orders, then that hope will quickly fade. For example, Florida is one such moron.

 

NFL doesn’t rule out moving California teams out of state for 2020



Amid increasing speculation that NFL games won’t be able to proceed with fans or at all in California in 2020, the NFL hasn’t ruled out the possibility of moving the 49ers, Rams, and/or Chargers to other states for the coming season.

“We are preparing to play the 2020 NFL season as scheduled and with increased protocols and safety measures for all players, personnel and attendees,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told Gilbert Manzano of the Southern California News Group in response to a request for comment on the possibility of staging games involving the L.A. teams in other locations. “This includes games at SoFi Stadium. We will be prepared to make adjustments as necessary, as we have during this offseason, demonstrating that we can safely and efficiently conduct key activities, such as free agency, the virtual offseason program, and the 2020 NFL Draft.”

The league has firmly committed to a noncommittal approach, neither confirming nor ruling out anything while generally reiterating that the plan is to proceed, but to adjust if needed. As previously noted, it wouldn’t be difficult to move the three California teams to other stadiums. It’s also possible that both L.A. teams will share the new venue in Las Vegas, with the Raiders.

“We will continue to make decisions based on the latest advice of medical and public health officials, as well as in full compliance with current and future government regulations,” McCarthy said. “Our primary focus will be on protecting the health of our fans, players, club and league personnel and our communities.”

The pending stay-at-home order in Los Angeles County is expected to remain in place through July. While that doesn’t affect the Rams and Chargers, who aren’t headquartered in L.A. County, their new stadium is. If/when the county’s stay-at-home order extends beyond August 1, this will affect the preseason and/or the start of the regular season.

Which means that the NFL will need to be ready to move the California teams to other states. Which will require negotiation between the league and the NFL Players Association, given that players will be yanked for the season out of their homes and dropped into some other location.

NBC
_______
___________________

This would help...

 

Dolphins remain in play for Logan Ryan



Logan Ryan won’t return to Tennessee, and by all accounts, the Jets are favored to land him. But the Dolphins “remain in play” for the cornerback, Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reports.

Ryan and the Dolphins have had recent talks despite their riches at cornerback.

Ryan, 29, wants close to the $9.5 million he made last season for 2020, which may be unrealistic at this point in free agency.

He is No. 3 on PFT’s list of the top available free agents.

The Dolphins extended Xavien Howard‘s contract paying him $15 million a season and paid Byron Jones $16.5 million a season in free agency. They are the second- and third-highest paid corners in average salary.

They also drafted Noah Igbinoghene in the first round.

The Jets have a bigger need than the Dolphins with Pierre Desir, Quincy Wilson, Bryce Hall, Brian Poole and Arthur Maulet as their top options. But the Dolphins have Brian Flores, who was on staff in New England when Ryan played there.

NBC

 

Michigan won’t be “filling stadiums in the fall”

The Lions may not have to worry about getting booed at home. Again.

On Tuesday, Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer said that she doesn’t expect large crowds in her state this year, due to the ongoing pandemic.

“There is reason to feel some confidence here,” Whitmer said on WQKI-FM, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “But we also have to measure expectations and say life’s going to be different. We’re not going to be filling stadiums in the fall.”

She wasn’t asked to clarify whether this means empty stadiums or stadiums that aren’t full to capacity.

“COVID-19 is a novel virus and that means it’s like nothing we’ve ever seen before,” Whitmer said. “We’re learning a tremendous amount. Every week that goes by, we’ve learned so much more about this disease and what it’s going to take to keep us safe and to avoid that second wave.”

The second wave continues to be a major concern for many, but at the same time little concern for many more.

The Lions, in response to Whitmer’s remarks, followed the edict of the league office and said nothing.

“The Detroit Lions are following the NFL’s lead in preparing to play a full 2020 season in front of fans,” the team said in a statement, via Birkett. “Given the evolving circumstances surrounding COVID-19, contingencies are needed and will be in place. We are evaluating all facets of the game day experience, and will do what is required to maintain a safe and healthy environment at Ford Field where our fans can feel comfortable.”

If the people responsible for the state aren’t comfortable with any fans present, there will be none. Where that goes remains to be seen, and it depends in large part on the willingness of people to do things now that will limit the spread of the virus later.

Some may not like that, but that doesn’t make it not true.

NBC

 

I have a question for the esteemed L4SN members... If sports were to go ahead and get going this Summer/Fall and the stadiums were empty... how do you pay these millionaires to play? I dont understand how continuing with empty stadiums is going to work.

 

Home games are really only one portion of revenue for these teams. No doubt that things like TV revenue will absolutely cover these players' salaries.

I'm sure the owners want their stadiums to be filled, and to be making that money. But if the alternative is to not play at all... well, that's an easy choice.

 

Raiders, CB Prince Amukamara agree to terms

A former Giants first-round pick and standout with the Bears, cornerback Prince Amukamara and the Raiders have agreed to terms, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday.

Amukamara's 10th season will be the first in Las Vegas for the Raiders, as they're picking him up after the Bears released him.

Garafolo added there's still some work that needs to be done with final details, but Amukamara and the Raiders have agreed on overall terms.

Whether with the Giants or Bears, Amukamara has been a starter since his second season in 2012. Last year with the Bears -- his third in Chicago -- he started 15 games with 53 tackles and 10 passes defended.

While he left a sizable hole in the Bears secondary, he aids in filling a need for the Silver and Black.

NFL.com

 

Willie, the teams get the bulk of their money from the multi billion dollar tv revenue. The other problem is that the players don’t get any of their salary until the regular season. They get bonuses but if they want their big paychecks they have to get to the regular season and play.

 

Good news: The Rams have finally unveiled their new uniforms.

Bad news: The Rams have finally unveiled their new uniforms.

As expected, the iconic design on the helmet has been adjusted, with lines and shading and something other than the continuous solid horn dominating the helmet.

The uniforms can be seen at RamsNewLook.com, a destination that potentially will induce a seizure or two with all of the flashing logos and movement.

The new blue in the uniform is dubbed “Rams Royal,” and the new yellow is called “Sol” (yes, Sol) “after the bold sunshine of Southern California and also represents the ‘soul’ of the team.” The white is officially “Bone” (there’s a wisecrack floating around in there regarding the connection between the choice of color name and that prices at the team’s new stadium, but I’ll exercise discretion).

The numbers have been Nikified (they are shaped sort of like the Steelers’ numbers), and the Sol digits on the Rams Royal jersey fade subtly to Bone. Also, there’s a shoulder patch that has “Los Angeles Rams” written on it, apparently to ensure no one thinks they’ve moved back to St. Louis or Cleveland.

The uniform also has three sets of pants, one for each of the three primary colors.

Given the strong negative reaction to the team’s new logos, look for the uniforms to trigger a pushback, too. Which means that the Rams can keep them for a few years and then Nikefy the look a little bit more with the latest iteration of the ensemble.

NBC

 

Doesn't look as bad as their logo, which isn't saying much lol

 

Nike does it again. This time, by asking a bored second grader to use Microsoft Paint.

What a terrible set of uniforms. Between EA and Nike, the NFL has signed exclusivity agreements that have been absolutely, mind-numbingly awful.

 

Florida governor: Teams that can’t play in their states are welcome here

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis says his state is ready, willing and able to welcome any NFL teams that can’t operate in their own states.

Amid talk that California and some other states won’t lift restrictions in time for the NFL season, DeSantis is positioning his state to be the temporary home of those teams. DeSantis said he is reaching out to commissioners of professional sports leagues to let them know it can work.

“If you have a team in a league in an area that just won’t operate, we’ll find a place for them here in Florida,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis said Floridians support sports taking place again.

“Our people are starved to have some of this back in our lives,” DeSantis said. “I think we can certainly do it in a way that’s safe.”

The UFC has already had one event in Florida and will have two more in Florida this week. There’s also been talk that Major League Baseball could play at spring training sites in Florida, starting in July. And if the NFL can’t have all 32 teams playing in their home stadiums, DeSantis would clearly be very interested in having additional teams play in Florida.

NBC

 

I'll answer a question with a question. How much of a players salary comes from TV revenue. I would think the NFL salary is a great percentage. MLB would have to share.

 

I can't believe this moron represents us (me being a Floridian). Florida is going to go down in history for getting this all monumentally wrong, when all is said and done.

 

this situation is getting weirder and weirder

 

MLB says their ready to go, but the players will not play for a penny less than promised. MLB wont share, lol.

 

I thought along the same lines. Seems as if Florida was hit pretty hard, now someone there is willing to take on another states tide when they have their own issues. Its a nice and hopeful sentiment, but seems a bit premature and knee-slappish.

 

DeSantis never took this seriously, and still doesn't. Restrictions are now lifted state-wide. And no doubt, things will continue to get worse here. Individual businesses and citizens have to protect themselves, because heaven knows the State does not care at all. It's been a real crap show. But, not at all surprising. I'm sure we'll hear plenty about how terrible Florida is doing, in the months to come, sadly.

 

I have a question for the esteemed L4SN members... If sports were to go ahead and get going this Summer/Fall and the stadiums were empty... how do you pay these millionaires to play? I dont understand how continuing with empty stadiums is going to work.


I Totally agree with you.........NHL wants Vancouver as a "HUB" City and I can't go to a game.
The AHL has Cancelled their season.....the NHL has to do the same.
MLB.........NBA.......PGA........MLS.........Cancel and get ready for next season.