NFL Thread

[bluegirl147]

15 minutes ago, Notabug said:

I get very sad these days watching Jim Donovan, voice of the Browns, doing his sportscast and having to say stuff like.  'Well, Watson had 66 different masseuses in just over a year, but 15 of them have come forward and said that he DIDN'T sexually harrass/assault them.'  Like we should be bragging about how he didn't abuse ALL of them.

If this was happening to a second string QB I think we know what the reaction would be. 

[JTMacc99]

[xaxat]

I feel kind of bad for Baker Mayfield. Getting replaced by a superior talent is part of sports, but somehow the team is treating him like a toxic persona non grata instead of the other guy.

[Moose135]

6 hours ago, bluegirl147 said:

The NDA's I find troubling.  Why does a massage therapist need to sign an NDA?  NDA's are offered up when you want to keep something from becoming public knowledge.  

If the therapist has information on the player's physical condition, which could impact his play, they wouldn't want that released without the team's knowledge and approval. The NFL has rules about listing players' condition/availability to play, and teams can be sanctioned for not following those rules. What if the therapist passes along information that a player is injured worse than the team/player are saying, and having that knowledge can impact things like wagering on the game?

[bluegirl147]

20 minutes ago, Moose135 said:

If the therapist has information on the player's physical condition, which could impact his play, they wouldn't want that released without the team's knowledge and approval. The NFL has rules about listing players' condition/availability to play, and teams can be sanctioned for not following those rules. What if the therapist passes along information that a player is injured worse than the team/player are saying, and having that knowledge can impact things like wagering on the game?

That might be true but the NDA's the Texans gave Watson the NDA to give to the massage therapist after she said she had receipts. 

[Notabug]

21 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

That might be true but the NDA's the Texans gave Watson the NDA to give to the massage therapist after she said she had receipts. 

Yes, there can be legitimate reasons for a massage therapist to sign an NDA, but it seems like Watson wasn't doing that until after a couple of them complained about his behavior.  

Of course, just like in a doctor/patient relationship; Watson was entitled to privacy and the therapist should respect that by not discussing any specifics of his care with anyone after treating him.  Actually, telling anyone he was her client is not really appropriate either.  However, that's not what he was worried about; it wasn't until he assaulted them and they started coming forward that he wanted signatures.  And, the therapists were perfectly within their rights to go to the police and to speak publicly about the assaults; an NDA is meaningless in the case of criminal behavior, even if it wasn't prosecuted.

And, whoever on the Texans who gave him the NDA's to be signed retroactively had to have known that something more than massage therapy had occurred.  The fact that he was running through massage therapists at a clip of almost one per week was also a great big hint that whatever was happening, it was not standard massage therapy.  As others have noted, most athletes who use the services of a masseuse will go out of their way to find one they really like and stick with that same therapist as much as possible.

Edited June 9, 2022 by Notabug

[Ohiopirate02]

44 minutes ago, Moose135 said:

If the therapist has information on the player's physical condition, which could impact his play, they wouldn't want that released without the team's knowledge and approval. The NFL has rules about listing players' condition/availability to play, and teams can be sanctioned for not following those rules. What if the therapist passes along information that a player is injured worse than the team/player are saying, and having that knowledge can impact things like wagering on the game?

No reputable massage therapist would go blabbing about having a famous athlete on their table and that athlete's medical woes.  While they are not bound to the same level of privacy as other medical professionals, they still keep their mouths shut if they want to keep booking clients.  Even if one of those massage therapists did blab, how would that get to the main sports books in time to affect betting?  The reporters who cover each team are able to suss these types of things out in a much more efficient manner.  

[Notabug]

20 minutes ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

No reputable massage therapist would go blabbing about having a famous athlete on their table and that athlete's medical woes.  While they are not bound to the same level of privacy as other medical professionals, they still keep their mouths shut if they want to keep booking clients.  Even if one of those massage therapists did blab, how would that get to the main sports books in time to affect betting?  The reporters who cover each team are able to suss these types of things out in a much more efficient manner.  

Of course, that would be the professional standard.  However, I would presume that famous athletes, in particular, have a vested interest in maintaining their privacy and that they'd want the specifics of their medical issues kept private not just to avoid association with gambling but also to avoid letting opposing teams know about nagging injuries and even to avoid these things affecting trade talks or contract negotiations,  While there might be others privy to this sort of information, that doesn't mean that a massage therapist couldn't also divulge it to the wrong person.

I think the fact that the Texans apparently had these NDA's on hand at the facility indicates to me that they must serve as a useful document to the team and players.  From what I understand, the NDA Watson received from the team was a standard boilerplate NDA; not something devised specifically for him and his circumstances.

[Johannah]

Moose135 and Notabug, thanks for the insight on NDA's.  Like others, when I first heard about them in regards to Watson, I thought it somewhat amounted to a smoking gun.  Now I see it doesn't have to and I won't use that information to condemn him unless more damning information comes out about it..  Besides, it seems I have other ammunition to use against him.

Edited June 9, 2022 by Johann

[Notabug]

2 hours ago, Johann said:

Moose135 and Notabug, thanks for the insight on NDA's.  Like others, when I first heard about them in regards to Watson, I thought it somewhat amounted to a smoking gun.  Now I see it doesn't have to and I won't use that information to condemn him unless more damning information comes out about it..  Besides, it seems I have other ammunition to use against him.

Well, I think the fact that he didn't ask them to sign NDA's until after he was accused of assault is pretty shady.  NDA's would usually be signed before the massage session begins, not some time later.

[xaxat]

There are valid reasons why a player might want a massage therapist sign an NDA, but I think Watson's actions show that was not the main reason for him.

If he were legitimately worried about sensitive information being publicized, he could have gone to the team medical staff to get a recommendation about individuals with established relationships with the team. He did go to a facility they work with, but then went to other places. If that was unsatisfactory, he could have tried to find one therapist to establish his own relationship with. He also could have tried to ensure that the therapist was licensed in Texas. Not all of his therapists were. And, as @Notabug noted, an NDA should be started at the beginning of the relationship.

[Irlandesa]

7 hours ago, bluegirl147 said:

That might be true but the NDA's the Texans gave Watson the NDA to give to the massage therapist after she said she had receipts. 

I don't even know if he gave her an NDA or if he just started using them going forward.

6 hours ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

No reputable massage therapist would go blabbing about having a famous athlete on their table and that athlete's medical woes.  While they are not bound to the same level of privacy as other medical professionals, they still keep their mouths shut if they want to keep booking clients. 

If the therapists works with a team doc or chiropractor and have massage therapy prescribed, they very well could be covered by HIPAA.  It's another reason why going with a team recommended therapist would be the way to go.

But he wasn't worried about injuries.

6 hours ago, Notabug said:

I think the fact that the Texans apparently had these NDA's on hand at the facility indicates to me that they must serve as a useful document to the team and players.  From what I understand, the NDA Watson received from the team was a standard boilerplate NDA; not something devised specifically for him and his circumstances.

I think NDAs are probably common-ish but I don't think there was anything routine about how he got his hands on this one.  If players routinely had them, then he would have given one to the therapists from the beginning instead of waiting until he realized people might try to expose him. 

[merylinkid]

With regards to blabbing and affecting wagering - everyone can be susceptible to pressure.   This isn't about a massage therapist blabbing to their friends that player X is hurt worse than publicly acknowledged (Tom Brady's infamous "shoulder" injury for instance).   Then that friend going and dropping some bucks on the other hand.   That won't affect the line at all.   The concern is about organized crime pressuring people with info (be it money or threats of harm) for information that can then be used to place LOTS of bets on the other team.   Which would affect wagering.   

Now an NDA won't really help that.   But if someone isn't even talking who their clients are, its a lot harder to find the right massage therapist with the information.   I mean I don't think a team has just one or two so its not hard to figure it out.   But not even saying you work as a massage therapist for team X makes it harder for them to be bribed or pressured.  And EVERYONE has a lever.   It's just a matter of finding it.

YES NDAs apply in criminal investigations.   that's kinda the whole point, to keep people from blabbing publicly and to the cops about the behavior that could put the person in jail.

[bluegirl147]

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/naacp-calls-for-jack-del-rio-to-resign-or-be-fired-by-commanders-for-jan-6-comments-194129567.html

As if the Commanders didn't have enough problems already.

[Grrarrggh]

Eh, same ol' same ol' in Washington. Sadly del Rio represents waaaaayyyy to much of the NFL.

[Prairie Rose]

On 6/9/2022 at 11:46 AM, Notabug said:

I get very sad these days watching Jim Donovan, voice of the Browns, doing his sportscast and having to say stuff like.  'Well, Watson had 66 different masseuses in just over a year, but 15 of them have come forward and said that he DIDN'T sexually harrass/assault them.'  Like we should be bragging about how he didn't abuse ALL of them.

Jim Donovan joined Channel 3 when I was a little kid. He was just the weekend guy then. I too feel sorry that he has to report this. Thank goodness his counterpart at Channel 8, John Telich, retired early this year before the Browns made this profoundly stupid move.

[xaxat]

I think Jack Del Rio is factually wrong and I think his remark was ignorant, however, I don't think he should be fined or fired.

[Danny Franks]

Del Rio is a moron, and has been for a long while. Let's not pretend that the majority of his fellow coaches and certainly almost every owner don't feel the exact same way.

The NFL is a sport where old, conservative, white men make money off young, predominantly black athletes. Those athletes who get rich and manage to get out with their health intact are the lucky ones.

[voiceover]

Dear Coach: The beatings will continue until morale improves.

[JTMacc99]

On a more fun topic:

[xaxat]

And more fun.

How a grandmother found herself playing pickleball with Steelers T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Alex Highsmith

She didn't realize they were famous until the other pickleball players watching them started to ask for photos.

[Popples]

37 minutes ago, xaxat said:

And more fun.

How a grandmother found herself playing pickleball with Steelers T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Alex Highsmith

She didn't realize they were famous until the other pickleball players watching them started to ask for photos.

Good for her, I'm so jealous!

[Irlandesa]

4 hours ago, xaxat said:

And more fun.

I've heard my local pickleball scene also has pro athletes who participate from the NFL and NBA.  This sport is crazy.

[Prairie Rose]

Two more lawsuits against the Browns' new acquisition have been filed, bringing the grand total to 26 (so far):

https://www.news5cleveland.com/sports/browns/2-more-accusers-to-file-lawsuits-against-deshaun-watson-lawyer-says

[merylinkid]

Apparently JJ Watt had some questions for his brother after he got his ass kicked at pickleball by that little tiny lady.

But I can't bother to find it right now, because I am too busy applying ointment to that Dallas burn.

[xaxat]

On 6/14/2022 at 3:32 PM, xaxat said:

And more fun.

How a grandmother found herself playing pickleball with Steelers T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Alex Highsmith

She didn't realize they were famous until the other pickleball players watching them started to ask for photos.

And a couple days later Minkah became the highest paid safety in football.

Coincidence?

[Carey]

Well, back to football.  As in typical, traditional news and what not.

Gronk quits again

News from the above link of Rob's retirement announcement comes courtesy of Yahoo!

In quitting, that means he's calling it quits for the second time.  While I might stay optimistic that he change his mind with TB12's health, several people think it's permanent this time. 

Unless Tampa's on a decent run to where they're very capable of knocking off Los Angeles, I think he stays retired.  A mid-late season arrival one more time would be fair enough if they're in it to win it, but who knows how things will play out this year

[mojoween]

I know I’m shouting at clouds here, but now?  Now is it time for Dan Snyder to be removed?

[bluegirl147]

2 hours ago, mojoween said:

I know I’m shouting at clouds here, but now?  Now is it time for Dan Snyder to be removed?

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/commanders-daniel-snyder-tried-to-discredit-accusers-with-shadow-investigation-133737991.html

He is going to have to answer questions whether he wants to or not.

[Danny Franks]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jun/22/jaylon-ferguson-baltimore-ravens-linebacker-dies-nfl-football

What the hell? Another player dies this off-season. This time it appears to have been an accidental overdose, according to the journalist, Justin Fenton. 

Man, Jaylon was set to have the sort of breakout season that Ravens LBs always do in their free agency year. This is tragic.

[mojoween]

2 hours ago, Danny Franks said:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jun/22/jaylon-ferguson-baltimore-ravens-linebacker-dies-nfl-football

What the hell? Another player dies this off-season. This time it appears to have been an accidental overdose, according to the journalist, Justin Fenton. 

Man, Jaylon was set to have the sort of breakout season that Ravens LBs always do in their free agency year. This is tragic.

And now Tony Siragusa.  He was only 55.

[Johannah]

So sad to hear about Jaylon Ferguson and The Goose.

Damn, last year Ravens players all got hurt and this year they die?  Not trying to be flip, but that was my first thought - and I know Siragusa is retired, but, damn...

[xaxat]

There was a report earlier about how Snyder was skimming money off the home attendance books. 

But now, I think he is costing the league real money. He has been trying for years to get public money for a new stadium. One with revenue from expensive seat licenses, expensive luxury boxes, naming rights etc. 

However, none of the areas, DC, Virginia and Maryland really want to do business with him. What should be a bidding war in one of the country's most affluent areas is now at a stalemate.

So yeah, I now could see the other owners kicking Danny out of the club not because of what he did (or allowed to happen under his watch) but to get a clean (ish) owner who can get public official to gift them hundreds of millions of dollars on a new stadium.

[Carey]

TBH, it would be OK if the NFL stories I read about Dan Snyder and Washington were more about winning and less about (traditional) BS.

Not a great day for a Raven or the Ravens.  Goose's departure sucks as he was rather good both on and off the field. Health aside, I feel for Baltimore, and I hope his family, friends, and teammates can find peace in such a difficult time.  Jayson's death sucks too since it feels like this totally could've been avoided.

[merylinkid]

14 hours ago, Johann said:

So sad to hear about Jaylon Ferguson and The Goose.

Damn, last year Ravens players all got hurt and this year they die?  Not trying to be flip, but that was my first thought - and I know Siragusa is retired, but, damn...

I had the same thought.    Yesterday was a rough one for the Ravens.   

[Danny Franks]

15 hours ago, mojoween said:

And now Tony Siragusa.  He was only 55.

I loved Goose. Early in my adoption of the Ravens as my team, I watched the original Hard Knocks season and he was the highlight of it. So quick-witted and entertaining, but even then you could see he wasn't one of those guys who would start living healthily when he retired. He loved life's luxuries and wanted to enjoy them. 55 is too young, but the dude definitely lived.

[merylinkid]

DeShaun Watson's disciplinary hearing is finally starting on Tuesday.   Guess they hoped to slide it in during the slow period.   Allegedly the NFL is seeking an indefinite suspension of at least a year.    LOL Browns.   Analytics only gets you so far.   You have to actually think before signing a player.

[Crs97]

25 minutes ago, merylinkid said:

You have to actually think before signing a player.

Describing Cleveland’s weakness in a nutshell

[mojoween]

I am absolutely not picking on Keyshawn Johnson because he laughed at himself when he was informed what he did, but he called Wink Martindale “Mark Winkdale” and that just made me giggle.

Also Wink’s real name is Don and now I wonder if he has a fondness for 1970’s game shows.

[xaxat]

Garoppolo must have one hell of an agent. Those Subway ads? Full of Hall of Famers, world champions, Olympic champions. . .and Jimmy G.

[Carey]

1 minute ago, xaxat said:

Garoppolo must have one hell of an agent. Those Subway ads? Full of Hall of Famers, world champions, Olympic champions. . .and Jimmy G.

Way to disrespect 2014 & 2016! 

[twoods]

He sure is purtey, though. 

[shoregirl]

This might be one of my favorite retirement announcements. 

Beau Allen was part of the Superbowl Champion Eagles so he definitely will never have to pay for a beer in Philly.

[cambridgeguy]

The Cowboys probably should have waited a few extra days to make this announcement

[merylinkid]

Cowboys - no publicity is bad publicity.

To be fair, it was probably scheduled for a big drop the first working day after the holiday and nobody thought to pull it.   Maybe companies need to start putting automatic pulls on things that happen if certain events occur.   Like airlines supposedly have with their ads in event of an accident.

[Johannah]

Yeah, it was definitely timed to coincide with the holiday, but really, is there ever a good time to come out with a gun-themed product in today's world?

the product is supposed to be in support of the military, but I'm sure another aspect than guns could be the focus.  Valor? Bravery?  And does the military use silencers ( one of the coffee names)?

Edited July 6, 2022 by Johann

[Salacious Kitty]

Looks like the Browns have offloaded Baker Mayfield to Carolina. 

[Xeliou66]

Baker Mayfield to Carolina. I think Mayfield could have some success with the Panthers, they have a decent team, but I know that Matt Rhule is on the hot seat and so I wonder what they will look like this year. I think the Browns screwed the pooch with this whole situation, I don’t think it was smart to ditch Mayfield after one poor season, and if Watson faces a lengthy suspension or gets into more trouble then the Browns are epically fucked. I think the Browns should’ve stuck with Baker.

Another interesting thing - Cleveland plays Carolina in Week 1, so Baker will immediately face his old team! 

[xaxat]

Apparently Baker agreed to a contract restructure that will reduce his guaranteed money.

He really wanted out of Cleveland.

[bluegirl147]

11 minutes ago, xaxat said:

He really wanted out of Cleveland.

I can't blame him.  Either he stayed and sits on the bench if Watson isn't suspended or he played as their second choice if Watson is suspended.  I hope he does well in Carolina.

1 hour ago, Xeliou66 said:

and if Watson faces a lengthy suspension or gets into more trouble then the Browns are epically fucked

I still don't know what the fuck the Browns were thinking by guaranteeing Watson all that money without the NFL concluding their investigation and issuing a finding.