2021 NFL Off-Season Thread

[Lineker]

 

[The Buscher]

This one bums me out.  I know people always got on Sherman for his "sorry ass Crabtree" rant after the NFC Title game, but in sitdown interviews he always came across as one of the most well-spoken, well-adjusted players in the league.

[LL!]

Given that last ESPN article, it seems like he's having problems with family and the "violence" was against cops. 

[gunnar hendershow]

Basically my feelings as well.

Just now, LL! said:

Given that last ESPN article, it seems like he's having problems with family and the "violence" was against cops. 

Thanks for sharing this. I'm less inclined to be upset if this is the case.

[Lineker]

Said article:

Quote

Free-agent cornerback Richard Sherman was booked at 6:08 a.m. local time Wednesday at the King County Correctional Facility in Seattle and is being investigated for burglary domestic violence, according to public records.

Records state he was denied bail, but a spokesman for the Redmond (Washington) Police Department told ESPN that is standard procedure for suspects of domestic violence until they can appear before a judge.

The spokesman, who would not confirm the name of the person taken into custody, said a 911 call from the residence was received at 2 a.m. PT. The person calling said that an adult male family member who did not live at the residence was attempting to force his way into the home.

When police arrived, the suspect was outside the home. He fought with police but was eventually apprehended and taken to a local hospital to be checked. After he was cleared medically, he was booked into the King County Correctional Facility.

The spokesman said no one at the residence was injured.

Sherman, 33, completed his third season with the San Francisco 49ers in 2020 after spending the first seven seasons of his career with the Seattle Seahawks.

Sherman also is a vice president of the NFL Players Association's executive committee.

"We were made aware of an arrest last night of one of our player leaders for an alleged domestic violence incident and have activated our domestic violence crisis protocol for the protection and support of everyone involved," the NFLPA said in a statement. "We will continue to monitor events closely as more facts are made available to us."

Sherman has been selected to five Pro Bowls and is a three-time first-team All-Pro in his 10 NFL seasons.

 

[Lineker]

Quote

The Washington Football Team, which is choosing a new nickname and logo that depart from any "linkage to Native American imagery," will not consider "Warriors" as an option, team president Jason Wright wrote Monday.

Wright made the announcement in his "weekly brief" posted on the team's website, citing the team's "inclusive process to listen to all voices" with a "particular emphasis to engaging, listening and learning from Native American leaders and individuals throughout the country."

That process was "not just the simple, easy-to-categorize 'who's for or who's against' polling of our old name, but research revealing the psychological effects of Native American team names on American Indian and Alaska Native youth," he wrote.

"In sum, this engagement demonstrated to us a consensus that moving forward with no ties to Native American imagery is the right path. I am personally and deeply grateful for the Native American community leaders who engaged with us, sharing painful, raw and real stories that persist to this day. Their stories affirmed our decision to move in a new direction in the creation of our new name and identity, and we are proudly forging ahead in this journey with a promise to our community -- a promise to continue to be inclusive in our process and collaborative with our fans," he wrote.

That led Wright to address the Warriors nickname, which he said had emerged as a possible new identity among the team's fans. The franchise had sent a survey to season-ticket holders for their thoughts on possible nicknames earlier this year, and Warriors reportedly was one of options listed.

"One might look at this name as a natural, and even harmless transition considering that it does not necessarily or specifically carry a negative connotation. But as we learned through our research and engagement with various groups, 'context matters' and that makes it a 'slippery slope,'" he wrote.

"Feedback from across communities we engaged clearly revealed deep-seated discomfort around Warriors, with the clear acknowledgment that it too closely aligns with Native American themes. Such an embrace of potentially Native-adjacent iconography and imagery would not represent a clear departure that many communities have so forcefully advocated for us to embrace, and that frankly, we set out to do when we started this process a year ago."

Washington decided to retire its previous name last summer. It hasn't yet settled on a new name or logo, but there will be a permanent one in place for the 2022 season. It will continue as the Washington Football Team this season.

"We have 89 years of history in this league and failing to acknowledge our past use of Native imagery in the consideration of the new name wouldn't be mindful of the individuals and communities that were hurt by the previous name. We've made significant changes in our organization and our culture, and our new name must reflect these changes. To that end, we will choose an identity that unequivocally departs from any use of or approximate linkage to Native American imagery," Wright wrote.

 

[Toe]

At this point, Washington Football Team has kind of grown on me as a team name. 

[Lint]

If they were smart, Washington would have a name picked out, but turn the process of elimination into a "reality" style web show like The Bachelor where, leading up to the reveal, each week someone dressed as a potential mascot is eliminated

[Lineker]

Quote

The wife of Dwayne Haskins faces a domestic violence charge stemming from an alleged assault involving the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback that occurred in a Las Vegas hotel room earlier this month, according to multiple reports.

Kalabrya Gondrezick-Haskins faces a felony charge of battery and domestic violence resulting in bodily harm stemming from the alleged altercation on July 3 at The Cosmopolitan.

According to reports, Gondrezick-Haskins is accused of punching Haskins in the mouth, and other injuries Haskins reportedly suffered were "substantial in nature."

Haskins, 24, had a split upper lip and a missing tooth, and he suffered other injuries to his mouth that would require dental work to repair his teeth, according to reports.

Police were called to the hotel around 2:30 a.m. PT, according to reports, and Haskins was taken to the hospital for the facial injury.

Gondrezick-Haskins told police, according to reports, that the pair married in March and were in Las Vegas to celebrate with friends and renew their vows. At some point in the evening, there was an argument that escalated when she allegedly hit Haskins in the mouth.

Haskins, according to reports, said he remembered getting into a fight with his wife but didn't remember getting punched in the mouth. In searching the room, officers found a piece of tooth and blood, per reports.

Haskins, a former first-round pick by the Washington Football Team in 2019, signed a one-year deal with the Steelers in January in hopes of reviving his NFL career.

 

[Lineker]

tw - covers discussion of suicide

Spoiler

Richard Sherman was intoxicated and threatened to kill himself during a confrontation with family members before his arrest early Wednesday in a Seattle suburb, according to a 911 caller who identified herself as the free-agent cornerback's wife.

Audio of the 911 call, purportedly made by Sherman's wife Ashley Moss, was obtained by ABC News and ESPN early Thursday.

The caller described Sherman as being "drunk and belligerent" and said he was "threatening to kill himself." The caller, who identifies herself at one point as "Ashley Sherman," also said Sherman was "being aggressive," wrestled with her uncle and "sent text messages to people saying he's going to hang himself."

The caller can be heard attempting to prevent Sherman from leaving the residence, saying "Richard please stop." She also told the 911 dispatcher that Sherman drank two bottles of hard alcohol.

At one point during the call, the caller asked the dispatcher to tell police, "please don't shoot," and said Sherman told her he would fight police if they arrived.

In a subsequent 911 call, the caller said she thought Sherman was driving to her parents' home in Redmond, Washington, which is just under 30 miles away from the couple's home in Maple Valley.

Sherman is facing several charges after authorities said he crashed his SUV in a construction zone, tried to break in to his in-laws' home and then fought with officers, who used a police dog to apprehend him. He was booked early Wednesday at the King County Correctional Facility in Seattle. Records state he was denied bail, but a spokesman for the Redmond Police Department told ESPN that is standard procedure for suspects of domestic violence until they can appear before a judge.

Sherman's hearing before the judge will not take place until Thursday afternoon. The judge will determine if there was probable cause for an arrest and also set bail.

Moss told the Seattle Times on Wednesday that Sherman "didn't harm anybody."

"My kids were not harmed in the incident," Moss told the newspaper. "He's a good person and this is not his character. We're doing all right, just trying to get him out. I want people to know no one was injured."

The burglary charge is a felony that includes a domestic violence component because it was the home of relatives. Sherman did not enter the home, strike or try to hit any family members, authorities said. The malicious mischief charge is in relation to the damage he allegedly did to their front door.

Washington State Patrol received a separate 911 call at approximately 1:26 a.m. PT about a possibly impaired driver after Sherman allegedly drove his SUV into a closed construction zone. The call was made by a worker in the construction zone, state police captain Ron Mead said Wednesday, noting "we're very fortunate there were no injuries."

Police responded and found the vehicle, which had "significant" damage on the driver's side as a result from contact with a barrier, in a nearby parking lot. They ran the plates on the vehicle and determined it was registered to Sherman.

In their efforts to find Sherman, the Washington State Patrol was alerted to the incident called into police in Redmond and went to that location and assisted in the arrest.

Officers and state troopers tried to calm the situation by developing a rapport Sherman. One trooper told Sherman how, as a teenager, he worked as a valet and once parked Sherman's car.

Redmond Police Department Chief Darrell Lowe said the situation between Sherman and police turned after he was informed they had probable cause to place him under arrest. At that point, he began to walk away and increased his pace, at which time the K-9 unit was deployed to aid in the arrest.

The Washington State Patrol received a blood search warrant and took a sample from Sherman, Mead said. Those results are still pending. Lowe said police could smell an "odor of intoxicant emitting from [Sherman's] breath."

Sherman, 33, completed his third season with the San Francisco 49ers in 2020 after spending the first seven seasons of his career with the Seattle Seahawks.

The NFL said Wednesday that it "investigates any incident involving law enforcement and if there is a violation of the personal conduct policy the player would be facing discipline."

Sherman also is a vice president of the NFL Players Association's executive committee.

"We were made aware of an arrest last night of one of our player leaders for an alleged domestic violence incident and have activated our domestic violence crisis protocol for the protection and support of everyone involved," the NFLPA said in a statement. "We will continue to monitor events closely as more facts are made available to us."

Sherman has been selected to five Pro Bowls and is a three-time first-team All-Pro in his 10 NFL seasons.

 

[Lineker]

 

[GhostMachine]

15 hours ago, Lint said:

If they were smart, Washington would have a name picked out, but turn the process of elimination into a "reality" style web show like The Bachelor where, leading up to the reveal, each week someone dressed as a potential mascot is eliminated

They should definitely avoid going with the already used Senators or Generals. Bullets won't even be a consideration.

 

Edited July 15, 2021 by GhostMachine

[Lineker]

Quote

Two NFL teams remain under 50% vaccinated less than two weeks from the start of training camp, a person familiar with the vaccination rates told The Associated Press.

As of Friday, Washington and Indianapolis had the two lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates among the 32 teams in the league, according to the person, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the league hasn't released the numbers, which are changing daily.

Pittsburgh, Miami, Carolina and Denver have the highest vaccination rates. 13 teams have achieved at least 85%, a league source tells ESPN's Kevin Seifert.

Teams on the lower end of the vaccination table face potential competitive disadvantages.

The NFL doesn't plan to cancel any games this season, the person told the Associated Press.

In a memo sent to clubs last week and obtained by the AP on Thursday, the NFL, in conjunction with the NFLPA, updated protocols to allow teams traveling to joint practices to have their daily maximum of Tier 1 and Tier 2 individuals. [Tier 1 comprises players, coaches, trainers and others who need direct access to the players, and Tier 2 includes GMs, operational staff and others who might need to be near players.]

The traveling party will be either 100 or 140, depending on the club's vaccination percentage. The club must limit the number of individuals traveling on the team transportation to 85 but may bring additional Tier 1 and Tier 2 staff up to the applicable daily tier limits separately to attend the practice.

Also, beginning at the start of training camp, teams will be required to develop a method to visually identify fully vaccinated Tier 1 and Tier 2 individuals.

Using color-coded wristbands or credentials is recommended, but clubs are free to implement other methods.

Last month, the NFL and the players' union updated protocols to loosen restrictions for fully vaccinated players and to encourage others to get the vaccine.

Unvaccinated players must continue to get daily testing, wear masks and practice physical distancing. They won't be allowed to eat meals with teammates, can't participate in media or marketing activities while traveling, aren't permitted to use the sauna or steam room, and may not leave the team hotel or interact with people outside the team while traveling. Vaccinated players will not have any of those restrictions.

 

[The Buscher]

 

[Krabby]

Just now, Buschie Kay said:

 

And has a mobile football game named after him!

[Lineker]

Quote

PITTSBURGH -- The Steelers are signing edge rusher Melvin Ingram, his agent confirmed on social media Monday.

Ingram is signing a one-year contract, according to NFL Network.

The 32-year-old Ingram fills a major hole in the Steelers' defense left by the free-agency departure of Bud Dupree to the Tennessee Titans.

"I met with Coach [Mike] Tomlin," Ingram told NFL reporter Josina Anderson. "You can tell he's very involved and a players' coach. That's what stood out to me. He wants to win, and that is what I am on.

"My role is my role. He just told me to come in and be me. Everyone knows how I play."

Ingram, who had interest from other NFL teams and visited the Steelers on Monday, will compete for the spot opposite T.J. Watt that is currently occupied by second-year outside linebacker Alex Highsmith.

With Dupree's exit, the depth behind Watt and Highsmith was perilously thin. NFL journeyman Cassius Marsh and sixth-round draft pick Quincy Roche were projected to be the primary backups.

Ingram, a 2012 first-round pick, had spent his nine-year career with the Chargers, racking up 49 sacks -- fourth in franchise history -- en route to three consecutive Pro Bowl nods from 2017 to 2019.

He played in just seven games last season because of a nagging knee injury that landed him on injured reserve twice, and he failed to record a sack for the first time in his career. The Chargers opted not to re-sign him after his four-year, $64 million deal expired following the 2020 season.

 

[livid]

Big for both real and fantasy football.

[gunnar hendershow]

That absolutely sucks for Akers. Lots of veterans out there for them to replace him with but it won't be the same. Akers was really good and looked poised to dominate this year.

[livid]

And speaking of fantasy...hey @Maxx what we doing!? Your 2x champ is ready for the threepeat! 

[Maxx]

True players already know the answer, because its the same every year!