KAEPERNICK SUES FOR COLLUSION

[HairOfTheDog]

Now, they’re nipping it in the bud, and I have no problem with it.

Chuck Foreman (ex-Viking) offered a sound bite last night regarding this issue:

“The players brought the issues to light and I commend them for that. Now, it’s the next phase where action needs to occur. Get active in your community and make change happen.”

Couldn’t have said it better myself.

It's hard to say with any real certainty how much the anthem controversy contributed to the 2016 and 2017 NFL ratings declines. But, I understand the business reasoning behind the new policy and believe political pressure likely played a part in its crafting.

"Stand up and show respect for the flag" is very similar to Trump's tweets and public statements. I didn't find the kneeling disrespectful. But there's no objective way of measuring or forcing respect in any case.

"Stand up with good posture during the anthem" is more clear and sensible. I believe that's essentially what the NBA's policy states. Then again, the NBA policy wasn't crafted under political pressure, threat, or derision by the government over private business.

As for it being time for the NFL players to get active in their communities, a whole lot of them are all over it and have been for a long time, which is really great. Same is true for professional athletes in other sports. The NFL league's recent and various contributions to community efforts in response to the protest controversy are also good things, in my opinion.

[Duchess]

"Patriotism isn't about making everyone stand and salute the flag."

"Patriotism is about making this a country where everyone wants to."

Not my quote, it's Jason's. I agree with it.

[Blindgreed1]

Now, they’re nipping it in the bud, and I have no problem with it.

Chuck Foreman (ex-Viking) offered a sound bite last night regarding this issue:

“The players brought the issues to light and I commend them for that. Now, it’s the next phase where action needs to occur. Get active in your community and make change happen.”

Couldn’t have said it better myself.

It's hard to say with any real certainty how much the anthem controversy contributed to the 2016 and 2017 NFL ratings declines. But, I understand the business reasoning behind the new policy and believe political pressure likely played a part in its crafting.

"Stand up and show respect for the flag" is very similar to Trump's tweets and public statements. I didn't find the kneeling disrespectful. But there's no objective way of measuring or forcing respect in any case.

"Stand up with good posture during the anthem" is more clear and sensible. I believe that's essentially what the NBA's policy states. Then again, the NBA policy wasn't crafted under political pressure, threat, or derision by the government over private business.

As for it being time for the NFL players to get active in their communities, a whole lot of them are all over it and have been for a long time, which is really great. Same is true for professional athletes in other sports. The NFL league's recent and various contributions to community efforts in response to the protest controversy are also a good thing, in my opinion.

Initially, I did find it disrespectful to kneel. And I would venture to say that there are a few veterans out there who still find it disrespectful, but a protest is meant to bring attention and in that, the kneeling served it's purpose. I agree that something should be done about the mistreatment of black folks, but I'm still not sold on a guy who was raised in an upper middle class white household being the mouthpiece for such a protest. I guess someone had to do it, but I also think that what the Olympians (2 black one white) did back in the 70's held more weight. No... I won't disown anyone on my team for making the trip to the white house anymore than I will boycott the NFL over political reasons like so many people did this year. I enjoy the sport as is regardless of who the current commander in chief is.

[HairOfTheDog]

"Patriotism isn't about making everyone stand and salute the flag."

"Patriotism is about making this a country where everyone wants to."

Not my quote, it's Jason's. I agree with it.

I don't know who Jason is, but I agree with his sentiment as well.

It's the difference between authoritarianism and democracy, essentially.

[Duchess]

No... I won't disown anyone on my team for making the trip to the white house anymore than I will boycott the NFL over political reasons like so many people did this year. I enjoy the sport as is regardless of who the current commander in chief is.

Aww c'mon, you're not going to trash your Kureig or burn your jersey or any of the myriad of stupid things people do when they don't agree?

Har Har

[Blindgreed1]

No... I won't disown anyone on my team for making the trip to the white house anymore than I will boycott the NFL over political reasons like so many people did this year. I enjoy the sport as is regardless of who the current commander in chief is.

Aww c'mon, you're not going to trash your Kureig or burn your jersey or any of the myriad of stupid things people do when they don't agree?

Har Har

Not over anything like this. It's not "off the table" for me though. For instance if we had traded Wentz to give Nick a fat contract I would have probably burned my Eagles silk boxers in protest.

[Duchess]

So, Charles Robinson, senior NFL reporter for Yahoo, has reported that months into the 2017 free agency the NFL used a DC consulting firm to ask Americans whether a specific unemployed player should have been signed by a team. Guess who the player was. This week the NFL declined to say why it needed that info. I recognize that's their right.

[Blindgreed1]

So, Charles Robinson, senior NFL reporter for Yahoo, has reported that months into the 2017 free agency the NFL used a DC consulting firm to ask Americans whether a specific unemployed player should have been signed by a team. Guess who the player was. This week the NFL declined to say why it needed that info. I recognize that's their right.

I think it's pretty safe to say they needed that info because there is a lawsuit.

[HairOfTheDog]

The NFL rolled over like a scolded dog and once they did that opened the door for trump to say that those who want to kneel probably shouldn't be in our country. I'm not going to normalize this bullshit. It's not normal, it's not okay.

Don't look now, but you're in agreement with Piers Morgan.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...elers.html

I've actually been in agreement with him a few times over the last several months myself, including now.

[Duchess]

Don't look now, but you're in agreement with Piers Morgan.

[HairOfTheDog]

So, Charles Robinson, senior NFL reporter for Yahoo, has reported that months into the 2017 free agency the NFL used a DC consulting firm to ask Americans whether a specific unemployed player should have been signed by a team. Guess who the player was. This week the NFL declined to say why it needed that info. I recognize that's their right.

I think it's pretty safe to say they needed that info because there is a lawsuit.

The professional survey was conducted and the results were provided to the NFL six months prior to the lawsuit being filed. That's the potential problem for the NFL's collusion defense.

If it can be established that Goodell shared the survey results with owners and recommended that owners consider negative survey feedback before considering picking up Kaepernick, it could amount to 'collusion' under the collective bargaining agreement.

[HairOfTheDog]

Trump's inteference/pressure on NFL teams could also help Kaepernick's collusion case.

As shown in their October 2017 meeting with players and league officials, a number of team owners were openly worried about President Donald Trump’s intense criticisms of Kaepernick and how the league responded to Kaepernick.

Owners were mindful of Trump warning the NFL that he could recommend that teams should not receive favorable tax treatment in their stadium deals. Trump also encouraged fans to tune out from games if teams and the league didn't discipline protesting players.

Also working in Kap's favor: internal franchise documents generated as part of the free-agency evaluation process and testimony from witnesses harvested via depositions in the collusion litigation has established that teams viewed Kaepernick as being good enough not simply to be employed by an NFL team, but to be a starting quarterback for an NFL team.

The NFL will have a hard time convincing a judge or arbitrator that Kaepernick wasn't given a shot because he wasn't a good enough performer in light of those franchise documents, the deposition testimony of people like Elway, and Kap's stats.

There is also electronic communication between owners which is part of the evidence, but I haven't seen anything about the contents yet.

I'm not saying Kaepernick is going to win his case; it's a tough charge to prove. But, he certainly has a shot.

Refs:
https://www.ninersnation.com/2018/5/22/1...uarterback
https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/05/24/colin-...lling-data

[Maggot]

I'm looking forward to see how they will protest this year. The ideas are endless.

[Blindgreed1]

So, Charles Robinson, senior NFL reporter for Yahoo, has reported that months into the 2017 free agency the NFL used a DC consulting firm to ask Americans whether a specific unemployed player should have been signed by a team. Guess who the player was. This week the NFL declined to say why it needed that info. I recognize that's their right.

I think it's pretty safe to say they needed that info because there is a lawsuit.

The professional survey was conducted and the results were provided to the NFL six months prior to the lawsuit being filed. That's the potential problem for the NFL's collusion defense.

If it can be established that Goodell shared the survey results with owners and recommended that owners consider negative survey feedback before considering picking up Kaepernick, it could amount to 'collusion' under the collective bargaining agreement.

Or it could amount to Kaep sucks as a QB

[HairOfTheDog]

Or it could amount to Kaep sucks as a QB

The league's own subpoenaed freelance franchise reports and testimony from NFL experts completely contradict that claim/opinion, though it's still being voiced by some football fans. I don't think the NFL reps will even try to use that defense in formal legal proceedings.

The other claim by some football fans that Kaepernick is obviously just a washed-up unpatriotic prick because "he's not black enough to silently protest social and racial injustice with legitimacy" also isn’t something the league representatives are stupid enough to put forth.

[HairOfTheDog]

Anyway, I saw this earlier today.



I kinda doubt it will happen because it's a whole lot to ask that so many players put their short careers and financial futures on the line, no matter how strongly they object to the NFL's new ban on peaceful silent protest.

[Midwest Spy]

I hope they all give up their roster spots.

See ya.

[Maggot]

What an opportunity for the second string players! Brilliant!

[Duchess]

The NFL will be rescinding that ridiculous rule. You heard it here first. It wasn’t even voted on FFS. Roger could fuck up a wet dream.

[Blindgreed1]

Or it could amount to Kaep sucks as a QB

The league's own subpoenaed freelance franchise reports and testimony from NFL experts completely contradict that claim/opinion, though it's still being voiced by some football fans. I don't think the NFL reps will even try to use that defense in formal legal proceedings.

The other claim by some football fans that Kaepernick is obviously just a washed-up unpatriotic prick because "he's not black enough to silently protest social and racial injustice with legitimacy" also isn’t something the league representatives are stupid enough to put forth.

His stats back it up. End of story. He was neck and neck with Russel Wilson at the end of 2013. Took a nose dive down the toilet after 2013 and never recovered. That's not a claim/opinion. That's a fact Jack.