Game Review – PS3 – PHI 33, IND 23 – The Defense
Posted: August 31st, 2016 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 139 Comments »Another week, another incredibly good performance by the Eagles defense. They are getting it done every way you can imagine this summer. They are #1 in scoring defense, run defense, and INTs. They are sacking the QB on a regular basis. The defense is tackling well. They are limiting big plays. This is good team defense without a lot of exotic blitzes.
The DL dominated the Colts front. Andrew Luck was sacked 3 times, but hit several others. I think the Colts were wise to pull him at halftime. He’s too valuable to leave in there taking shot after shot. And it isn’t like the Colts could run the ball. The Eagles stuffed those plays. The Colts like to use a lot of 2 and 3 TE sets. Jumbo looks. The Eagles matched that by loading the box and daring them to throw. Indy didn’t have luck with either option.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Gave up 372 yards, but only 129 in the 1st half
- 3 sacks
- 1 interception, but it did come in the end zone
- Gave up 39 rushing yards on 18 carries
DE
Brandon Graham – Good game. Disruptive vs the run and pass. Came off the edge in the early 2nd and went hard inside. Clubbed the RT and almost knocked the guy to the ground. Luck got the ball out quickly or he would have taken a big hit. Went inside on another play and flushed Luck, setting up Barwin for sack. Got by the OT later and chased Luck down from behind to tackle him. Gave up a couple of yards, but got to hit the QB. Has been terrific vs the run all summer.
Vinny Curry – Played DE and some DT. Tackled RB for minimal gain in early 2nd Qtr. Later on that drive, helped to blow up 3rd/1 run with penetration off the edge. Colts tried to block him with a TE late in the half. If not held, Curry would have had an easy sack. Almost got to Luck anyway. Drove RT backward on next play and affected Luck. Helped to force errant throw. Flew off the edge on the next play and got a hand on Luck. Forced him up in the pocket, right to Logan for a sack.
Connor Barwin – Hustle sack. Chased Luck down from the backside after Graham flushed him. Active game. Around the ball a lot, whether on runs, screens or even completed passes. Jim Schwartz will love his motor. Exploded into the backfield to open the 3rd Qtr. Just missed getting RB for TFL.
Steven Means – Blew by the RT and got a big hit on the QB in the early 3rd. Dropped into coverage on 3rd down play. Thought he might have a chance to pick off tipped ball, but it was a step or two too far away. Flew by the LT late in the game to disrupt the timing on a screen. Played late in the game.
Marcus Smith – Backup DE. Didn’t impress me when I watched the game live, but was better when I studied the tape. Got on the field at LDE in the late 1st. Was right by Luck when Allen got his sack. Had really good play in late 2nd Qtr. Lined up at RDE and looped inside at snap. Used arm to push LG away and stay unblocked. Then had free run at Luck and hit him as he threw. Shocked that was Smith doing that. Tackled RB on play up the middle. Solid vs the run. Wasn’t exploding off the ball. Played under control.
Bryan Braman – Played late. Good push off the edge.
DT
Fletcher Cox – Played DT and DE. Got a big hit on Luck in the mid-2nd Qtr. That came when Cox was at LDE and basically was unblocked. The RT tried to block him, but it was a pathetic attempt. Got good push vs both OGs. Wasn’t getting free, but made his presence known by pushing the pocket on a regular basis. Just a disruptive force.
Beau Allen – Had a sack in the late 1st Qtr. Just powered through the LG and engulfed Luck. Continues to use his hands well and show better than anticipated athleticism. Had another chance to hit QB, but the ball got out before Beau could get there. Good vs the run.
Taylor Hart – Affected an early pass play by having his tall frame in the passing lane. Forced bad throw. Hustled in pursuit of screen. Forced RB back to inside where he got tackled. Blew up 2nd Qtr run by driving back the RG and forcing RB to change his path. Did a great job on 3rd/1 run. Stood up the RG, shed him and stopped the RB short. Got hurt and left the game.
Shot 9 – Taylor Hart does a great job here on 3rd-and-1. Hicks disrupts early and Hart finishes to bring up 4th down pic.twitter.com/mVcVnuOnxY
— Fran Duffy (@fduffy3) August 31, 2016
Destiny Vaeao – Offside in mid-3rd. Got low to help stuff GL run. Ate up blockers, lets DBs make the stop. Real nice pass rush late in the game. Hit the RG with a real jolt and got him off balance. QB got rid of the ball quickly. Blew up a screen pass later on that drive. Shows big time potential at least a couple of plays every game. Has done enough to make the team.
Aziz Shittu – Offside in mid-3rd. Solid effort, but the Colts blocked him pretty well.
LB
Mychal Kendricks – Sloppy game. First preseason action so just rusty, hopefully. Missed tackle in 1st half on run away from him. Basic pursuit tackle LBs make all the time. The Colts had a long run in the 3rd Qtr (wiped by penalty). Kendricks couldn’t make the play. Has to control his area. Mostly good in coverage, but did get beat by RB in the 2nd half. Looked healthy and moved well. No injury concerns. Played late in the game, which reportedly has him ticked off.
Najee Goode – Got in the game at WLB in the early 2nd. Excellent job on run that came at him. Took on OL, filled the gap and RB had nowhere to go. Only saw him for that play early on. Played late in the game. Missed tackle in the flat and his guy ran the pass in for a short TD. Sloppy. Think the coaches wanted MK to get a lot of reps.
Nigel Bradham – Good game. Played SAM in base and was part of the Nickel D. Tackled well in space. Got out wide on run in late 2nd Qtr and took on pulling LT, forcing RB to inside where pursuit was coming from. Short gain. LT actually got called for holding on the play. Bradham was dinged but wasn’t out for long. Active and physical vs the run. Solid in coverage. 5 solo tackles.
Jordan Hicks – Good game. Big moment came on 4th/inches. Hicks blitzed the A-gap and hit Luck as he threw. Ball was hurried and incomplete. Perfect timing. Luck literally had no chance on that play. Hicks was on him instantly. Colts announcers were just sure he had to be offside. They couldn’t believe how fast Hicks was. Was in on 3 tackles. No other highlights, but continues to be in the right spot and run the defense well.
Stephen Tulloch – Took over at MLB in the 4th. Penalty for hit on WR early on. Good play 10 years ago, but not today. Broke up short pass to TE over the middle. Needed to shake off the rust and get a feel for things. Did that.
Myke Tavarres – Didn’t see him on defense.
Don Cherry – Didn’t see him on defense.
Quentin Gause – Didn’t see him on defense. Did see him on STs.
S
Rodney McLeod – Good game. Active vs the run. Was in on 3 tackles. Had TFL and a PD. Broke up pass near the goal line. Luck tried to dump pass to RB and McLeod jumped in and knocked the ball away. Didn’t time blitz well late in the 1st half and was called offside. Got his TFL in the early 3rd when he flew off the backside and jumped all over a RB. Showed his speed on a few plays. When he comes off the edge, gets into the backfield in a hurry. Can’t wait to watch him this season. Smart, tough, explosive and physical.
Malcolm Jenkins – Got beat for 26-yd reception by WR. Jenkins had tight coverage, but the WR went up high and made an impressive grab. Sometimes the other guy is just going to make a better play than you. Was in on 5 tackles. Broke up one pass near the LOS. Tackled well. Good range and active.
Jaylen Watkins – Didn’t play a lot. Covered well on a couple of downfield throws. Got in on a couple of tackles.
Chris Maragos – Didn’t see him on defense.
Ed Reynolds – He and Watkins stuffed a run from the 1-yard line. Never thought I would write that sentence.
Blake Countess – Didn’t play much.
CB
Leodis McKelvin – Solid game. Didn’t get beat. Seemed to be in the right spot on pass plays. Got in on a couple of tackles.
Nolan Carroll – Solid game. Hilton beat him for catch and run of 16 in the early 2nd. Good throw/catch by Colts. Had a bad play in the mid-3rd. Missed tackle of WR in space and he added 30 extra RAC yards and got the Colts inside the RZ. Somewhat made up for that with an end zone INT a few plays later. QB audibled to fade and the WR never heard. He thought it was a run. Carroll just had to catch the ball. Has his coverage limitations, but continues to make plays when he has the chance.
Ron Brooks – Up and down game. Deflected screen pass that Luck gunned at a RB under heavy pressure. Got holding penalty when he grabbed a receiver downfield. Obvious call. Blitzed off the edge in the early 3rd and was called for offside. Played some slot. Not sure he’s a lock for the roster.
Jalen Mills – Someone let Jalen know that hitting/tackling isn’t optional in the NFL. Was more physical in this game. Tackled well. Actually worked hard to get to the ball. Slot in 4th Qtr. Got in on tackle of RB on play right at the LOS. Normally prefers space where there is less contact.
Eric Rowe – Played in 4th. Broke up deep ball thrown to his side. Looked like he tried to pick it off, but didn’t come close. Terrific run stop in the mid-4th. Chased down RB out wide and kept him from scoring. Got him down at the 1. Good speed and a wrap-up tackle.
CJ Smith – Came into the game in the early 2nd Qtr. The coaches wanted to see him play with starters and against starters. Smith had a good game. Had tight coverage of Hilton on 4th/inches throw. Ball was off target, but Smith might have been able to play the ball if there was a good throw. Gave up several completions, but the ball was always in front of him and he tackled well. Plays smart. Doesn’t get beat deep. Takes good angles. Aggressive when the situation calls for it. Making a strong push for a roster spot. Looks natural, instinctive and confident. 7 solo tackles in the game.
*****
STs
Donnie Jones – Averaged 52 yards per punt, but did have one blocked. I still haven’t seen an All-22 clip or good replay of the block to know who is at fault.
Parkey – Missed an extra point.
Sturgis – 2 of 2 on FGs, including a 47-yarder.
RS – Barner had a 25-yard PR. He had a 35-yd KOR. Smallwood also had a 30-yd KOR.
_
[…] Tommy Lawlor Another week, another incredibly good performance by the Eagles defense. They are getting it done […]
Thanks for all this, Tommy. Very good work as usual.
Think MS makes the team?
You’d probably have to find 5 guys you like better at DE (and 5 guys you think would be better next year too — not sure we will be able to retain this DL next year; there almost has to be some turnover). If he was showing nothing and Means looked great, then yeah you might. But if it’s close… his salary is guaranteed so you save nothing but the roster spot by cutting him, so may as well try to keep him, I’m guessing.
I think he has played well enough in the run game that you give him 1 more year. Yes DE’s need to sack the QB, but they also need to play the run.
I’m not Tommy but I strongly believe that the Eagles will rather keep MS II (than Means) simply because of his greater upside.
I also don’t think Howie wants to give up on a former first round pick yet (regardless if that pick came under the regime of Chip).
I’m really not sure which way the team will swing between Means and MS2. With that said I think if Pederson and Schwartz told Howie they want to keep Means over Smith then Howie would cut Smith.
I think the Eagles are keeping Means, Marcus and Braman
Idk. Where do you go light then?
I like CJ Smith quite a bit and for all of the fans who didn’t like the completions he gave up, it may be a good idea to think back a couple years to mile marker 23 & 24. Not only did they give up short completions but long ones as well. I think I remember Shepherd was also very good at not getting beat deep. If he Shepherd does get cut I can take solace in the fact there is another good who is tough to go deep against.
Christ, did Hicks seriously stand up the center on his own in that gif?
Yep, its impressive consider he is 240. Its like how JJ used Trotter, but Trotter was 260 and had zero coverage ability.
Trotter in his prime had some coverage ability.
If you mean dropping back into a zone , yes he had coverage ability, but he had zero man to man abilities in coverage
I know that you seemingly don’t have the highest opinion of Trot, but he could cover TE’s to a certain degree. In his prime that was.
I love Trotter but agility was never his strong suit.
Yes Trotter could cover the blocking TEs of that time, but he couldnt cover the better receiving once, it was Emmons and the likes who normally covered TEs.
Love Trotter, and yes under JJ he did cover TEs now and then. It usually was a mismatch in the Os favor. If Trotter covered a TE it wasn’t because JJ wanted him to. It was because the O dictated that type of coverage.
Whether Trotter was in his prime or not he wasn’t meant to be in coverage nor was he effective in coverage. Part of the reason why TEs killed us for years.
I don’t think its a high or low opinion to say he couldn’t cover TE’s well, there are different schemes and expectations for different players. A good player in the right scheme is great, while a great player in a scheme that doesn’t fit them might not look great. Then you have everything else in between. So to say he wasn’t the best in man coverage doesn’t mean he wasn’t a good player and doesn’t mean he didn’t do what was expected. There are some LBs that can cover but can’t take a OL on.
Trotter was used as something like a run-blitzing DT.
There was some discussion in the last posting about Kaepernik. I can’t show a link with this phone but. Go to niners nation and see the piece by jenniferleechan, where she reposted a piece written by someone who has been in the military for years. It’s lengthy but should be required reading. Of course there will always be those who don’t want to see or hear truth, but surely everyone here is more intelligent than that.
http://www.ninersnation.com/2016/8/31/12725282/veteransforkaepernick-trending-twitter
Thank you.
Opinion, no matter which way, is not truth.
One thing is true. Kap is a human being standing for something he strongly believes in. At NO time did he say anything about the military. The beloved media and juvenile Internet bullies turned the quiet protest into some huge thing for them to screech about. That is one reason why actual military personnel are speaking in his defense.
Yeah what does this have to do with Tommy’s DGR?
My memory of the punt block is I was watching the player positioned in front of the punter, because the announcers were talking about him. Two guys came through the center of the line almost instantly, and he blocked one of them.
It was Ed Reynolds. He looked at the guy on the right, but it was the guy on the left who broke through. Reynolds was a bit slow to react. I thought the player on the right got jammed up, but I’m working off of memory here.
I think that is Maragos’s job normally.
I think your memory is pretty good. I asked Fran Duffy, the All-22 expert, on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/fduffy3/status/771313577957351425
Terrific run stop in the mid-4th. Chased down RB out wide and kept him from scoring
Well spotted, Tommy!
I mentioned that great hustle play by Rowe in the comments sections right when it happened. Really hope he won’t be in the coaches’ doghouse anymore!
It seems as though he needs to make more then a nice hustle tackle to stand out to the coaches.
I don’t like carrying guys simply for STs. I know that STs are important, but really, if he’s a S/LB and can only play on STs is he really worth a roster spot? It’s one thing on a college team with unlimited players, but when you have a limited roster, carrying a one trick pony like that takes up valuable space. Surely (don’t call me Shirley) there must be players out there who can actually play their position and then contribute on STs.
I used to agree with you, but watching the last five years, it’s become apparent that no matter who you have coaching STs, if you don’t have a few “aces,” your STs are going to struggle. It’s tempting to skimp on them, but they can quickly go from being a weapon to a reason for 2 to 3 losses a season.
If they show ability, in all likelihood they aren’t available.
I’m with Bill(below) too. Even if Hicks is the best ST’er on the roster, there’s no way I trot him out there on ST’s and risk injury.
Hasn’t ST single handedly won us more then a few games over the past few years due to ST aces that are not effective O or D players?
Special teams players take more snaps than all but starters on offense or defense. It makes perfect sense to have special teams “starters” on the roster.
Brian Burke estimates ST is worth about 20% of the game. The best ST unit in the league adds about 1.5 wins/season. We saw a little of this the years Chip’s ST was saving our bacon. So yes, I agree that emphasizing this area is important.
http://archive.advancedfootballanalytics.com/2007/08/importance-of-special-teams.html
Someone who can do both is obviously ideal, but take our last safety spot (please!) for example. Ed Reynolds is certainly a better safety than Chris Maragos. However, how much safety would either one of them play? And as Corry and Fran Duffy point out below, the blocked punt was probably Reynolds fault. Maragos likely prevents that. Which is more likely to impact the outcome of a game?
It’s actually about frigging time that the NFL increases the roster.
Yes. Totally sick of it. There are enough college athletes available that it would just increase the opportunities for them to play in the NFL.
Why?
More depth and talent, more guys who get to practice and drill in the system, better-played games, more chess pieces for the coaches to deploy, more spots for talented athletes who have sacrificed their bodies for the game.
more opportunities for fringe/project players that need some time to develop, too.
it’d be cool to allow teams to keep a few guys from Canada or Arena league that don’t count towards the roster. but that would be too much like trying to establish a minor league and we don’t want that, no sir.
Also, players don’t have to risk playing hurt and getting further hurt because of roster restrictions.
Owners fight against it. Don’t want to pay the league minimum to a couple more bottom roster guys.
If the 10 PS guys were just on the roster, it would cost a whopping total of $3.4million dollars a team. So that’s just over 100 million in additional cost.
In a league with revenues in the 12-15 billion dollar range.
Yea, the owners can piss off.
its all biznass
It’s all biznass until a starter rips an ACL on punt coverage because only 46 guys dress. Then it’s just bad biznass.
Amen
please name the industry that is perfect in foresight lol
foresight? there’s been plenty of time to evaluate the system.
in hindsight you are correct lol
PS players are in the union, right?
Then they’ve got no incentive to put on the roster either since they’re already “represented”.
It would cost the owners zero as the money comes from the cap no matter what
“Indy didn’t have luck with either option.”
Heh, Luck. I see what you did there.
https://twitter.com/Eagles/status/771380510333530112
Is this for real? That sounds like fun.
And, if Cleveland’s pick breaks his ankle on those steps, it will be epic.
Back when I lived there I often did this while jogging (it’s a soft j), and someone could get hurt b/c these steps are like too short so you really need to take two at a time. The natural stride is like 1.5 steps. Someone not paying attention and looking down could get hurt. And that would be glorious.
where is the draft being held? is that anywhere near the Art Museum?
On the Parkway. YES.
The draft will be held along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Players are set to walk up the steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art after being drafted, which is pretty cool.
http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2016/9/1/12753282/2017-nfl-draft-philadelphia-time-date-place-ben-franklin-parkway-rocky-steps-art-museum
ohhh. that explains the comments about the city hosting outdoor events.
thats…..actually kind of cool.
i was prepared to be all sarcastic, like “what are the players being forced to wait in an outdoor ‘green room’ so they can walk inside when drafted?” glad i kept that to myself… err…
I brought the roster up to date, hopefully, and reset the results. If you would like, you can try to predict the final 53 either now or after the game.
https://goo.gl/forms/IflRmSQCkBNQhDq73
Lane: (lets pretend the suspension doesn’t happen before cuts) i am assuming this means i should vote for him
oof. i rushed through this, i think there is a chance i voted for parkey & sturgis to both make the team. whoops
If you’d like, do it again and put a comment in the name slot. I’ll delete the old one.
Yep. We will need to put him on the 53.
Hmm, only 1 person voted that Barner wouldn’t be on the roster, I wonder who that could be.
http://www.phillyvoice.com/malcolm-jenkins-i-want-to-win-a-super-bowl-for-the-eagles/
The only way that Malcolm Jenkins can be more lovable is if he brings the Lombardi trophy home. Someone tweet this to DGB.
Malcolm Jenkins seems like the type of person that will follow in the footsteps of Troy Vincent post-career.
Great link, great guy.
We have been pretty lucky with injuries so far this summer. Joe walker was a small sacrifice to the injury Gods, and while Smallwoods injuries have been annoying, it’s nothing that will keep him off the field in the regular season..
..
It would be a damn shame If we lose playërs expected to contribute this season playing in the most meaningless of preseason games. But you can’t really rip Pederson and single him out because we are seeing more teams than usual playing starters in the 4th PS game this year..
.
Hopefully we get some good work in and get our boys out of the game healthy, but I can’t blame new coaches implementing new schemes wanting to see Kendricks in live action. If Kendricks has a problem with it thats his problem for not taking the field in earlier this preseason. He sat out the first two game and put horrible play on film last season for schwartz to evaluate, so WTF does he really expect? najee Goode has been pretty darn good this summer and we just added a very accomplished veteran who has a great relationship with Jim Schwartz, so if Im Kendricks, Id take this opportunity to perform and make a good impression, instead of sitting out and provide Najee and Tulloch an opportunity it inch closer to becoming a real threat to Kendricks playing time this season
..
Then again, I haven’t actually seen or heard any evidence of him pouting or being upset about playing tonight, and Unfortunateky I can’t respect our local media enough to just take their word for it..
.
Hopefully our guys get some decent work in tonight, and avoid this last significant summer injury land mine and get to week 1 with 53 healthy players ready to roll, take advantage of a soft early schedule and get some wins under our belt padding the record for when we get to the hard part of the schedule
We’ve all been thinking it… But you had to say ittttt
When a starting yoûng QB with a red jersey destroys his entire leg due to a non contact injury on the practice field, THATS when I give up tippy toeing around the injury gods in live game action..
Regardless if you disagree or agree with Kap, but has there any athlete been so detrimental to his professional career as of late like him?
Johnny Football?
Has a pro football career?
I don’t thnk too many athletes would be crazy enough to do somethng like this at a time his career was already hanging by a thread..
..
Would have made more sense to me for him to do something like this when he was a Super Bowl QB at the height of his career
..
Even without this drama his career was in serious danger already. He is playing with Fire and he is NO GOOD to “the activist cause” if he pisses away his “platform”… Before his duty to the community, he has a responsibility to his family first and foremost…. Hopefully Kaepernick has been wisely investing his money, because he is dangerously Close to being on a path to career suicide
Joey Bosa?
He was on the verge of becoming a total loser. But he’s got his upfront money and his whole career still ahead of him.
Kap’s career doesn’t look so ‘bright’ anymore..
On the contrary, he was flaming out as a QB and now might have a second wind as a TV blowhard or “reality” star.
Correct me if I’m wrong, didn’t Shady and Chip get into a pissing match about what color socks (or something clothing-specific) to wear during practice as Chip wanted everyone in the same outfit with no individualism? How did Kaep get away with wearing pig police socks with Chip?
Chip coming to San fran with racism allegations attached to his Charechter, and the reputation he earned for failing miserably in his dealings with professional athletes, he probably doesn’t know WTF to do about this combustible Kaepernick situations.. He is Probably even afraid to talk to Kaep about it lol
..
Yesterday Barrett Brooks revealed that he heard stories that Chip literally managed to even piss off the lunch lady at Novacare lol
Ryan Lochte?
Josh Gordon?
Randy Gregory?
Aaron Hernandez? Colt Lycera? There are a lot of dumb athletes…
Oh boy
I totally forgot about Hernandez.
You win!!!
Chase Daniels is a well paid backup, with years of Experience mastering this offense and he is going into this game with guys like Huff, DGB and Paul Turner at his disposal and solid veteran blockers like Wisnewski protecting him tonight, so Chase better make some things happen tonight playing aganst a defense made of fringe Talent… He better not bore us with Incompetance, and get DGB and Huff a chance to make a few plays. Im assuming he will Also have Burton at his disposal… Chase is supposed to at least be good enough to have some success against backups, 3rd stringers and practice squad defenders
lol @ the media digging up footage of Kaepernick wearing socks on the practice field with pictures of Pigs wearing police uniforms, Not a good look for Kaep smh.
..
He is out of his friggin mind. Timing is important in life and for Kaep to do this NOW when his career was already hanging by a thread because of two years of putrid QB play is Career Suicide.. The ONLY Reason Ray Rice never got a second chance was because of his poor play.
.
Kaep isn’t too bright to be doing this now when his two years of horrible play already gives front offices all the jusifyable excuses they could ever need to black ball him.
.,
Clearly he isn’t too bright because if he cares enough about this social change as he claims, he might want to tread carefully because he is risking pissing away the “Platform” that allows him to draw attention to the cause,
..
First and foremost he has a responsibility to his family, before he has a responsibility to society,..I hope This young man saved and invested his money wisely because he is in danger of losing his career, his paycheck and the platform he is using to bring light to the issues.
..
Seems like a dumb yoûng kid to me who needs to grow up. He is about to ruin WHATS left of his career over what? lazy activism that will do NOTHING to change anything? As if everyone already DIDNT understand this problem exist before Kaep indulged in this lazy activism. his intentions may be good, but his deliver method is counterproductive and self destructive,.. If he cared a little more than Lazy activism choosing to sit instead of stand, there were so many better ways to use his platform to help the cause, but that would require actual work instead of just sitting on his ass for a minute and a half….
.,
The solution to this Proboem is NOT to further divide Us as people which is all that Kaepernick managed to accomplish. If he cared to make a real effort he could take a page from NBA players Rajon Rondon, Jabari Parker gathering media, local government, families of victims bringing them all together by organizing a summit in Chicago were people could really have these discussions in positive ways While bringing people together instead of further dividing them yet still draw a lot of attention to the cause
..
Or he could look to his backyard and see all the great work Demarcus Cousins is doing in Sacremento with out reach programs trying to bridge the gap between police and people in dangerous crime infested neighborhoods, in an attempt to bring people together
..
But those type of actions require a lot more work than a grad gesture of sitting on your ass while a song is playing for a minute… What’s sad is it really didn’t have to be this way when speaking on such an important cause, but this is what happens when you DONT use the right delivery method
..
He better play the game of his life tonight because consecutive seasons of terrible play, failure to live up to your lucrative contract, while becoming such a distraction to your team that even playërs on other teams are having to deal with this, is the perfect storm for career suicide… Reminds me of an immature boy trying to act like a man….. When known knucklheads like boogie Cousins and Rajon Rondo are delivering the message so much better than you are THATS probably a big clue that you might want to rethink your strategy
Hence my post below. 😉
NFL needs to step in soon about political stances made by players during the games.
Fans will leave if this continues
It’s starting to snowball now…
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/49ers/2016/09/01/police-reaction-colin-kaepernick-pig-socks-san-francisco/89715672/
Haha fans leaving over the Kaep situation? Give me a break!
It might piss some people off but it’s hard to imagine any significant number of fans leaving because of something like this.
It’s an interesting question as to wether the NFL, or the 49ers, should step in. Is this about a political issue? A uniform issue? An issue of bad taste and insult?
Domestic violence, drug charges – whatever. One guy doesn’t stand for the anthem and you’re not a fan anymore? ok.
It’s more about how people feel about Kaep.
I hope I was clear I was making a point about a fan base, not about me.
so was i.
cool
What exactly is “this proboem” that he is not solving? My guess is he’s seen one too many videos of a black male getting shot with his hands up or running away or prone on the ground. Imagine, if you are able, what you might do if these people were your people, a friend or a relative. Lambasting him for his symbolic gesture and calling him stupid is a bit much. He’s hurting nobody. He’s genuinely aggrieved, I believe, and he doesn’t want to shut up and get in line. We are living in an era of unprecedented wealth and inexcusable refusal to look at what the power elite is unleashing. Our gov’t is presently bombing four nation-states, and our newspaper of record is harping on (on behalf of their favored friends) about Russians hacking our elections. We are witnessing a self-impressed know-it-all feeding on the anger and insecurity of many of our neighbors, and suggesting violent solutions to their problems. In our current political and socioeconomic context, football, sports may not seem to be so important. Even to the professional athlete. One thing Kaepernick has shown us that his brethren have rarely demonstrated is conviction, and the courage thereof. At a time when our mass media and our political leaders are completely bought and paid for, I can only applaud that.
Muhammad Ali was also destroyed by the media (white, tbh) for his political activism. We’ll see how this all looks in years to come. I don’t fault Kaep for having the balls to express his opinion, even though I am not so keen on his methods. He probably should learn how to play QB, though–time is running out on him.
Honestly, if he said to himself that he’d better take a stand before he loses this platform, I can respect that.
The socks were so friggin’ stupid though. He is trying to raise awareness, but now the conversation gets drown out by pictures of his socks.
Exactly. I had no real issue with his stance initially, but somehow had a feeling he would follow it up with something stupid. And the socks are beyond dumb.
Why is a picture of socks taken 4 days before their (49ers) first pre season game now gaining attention? This appears to be more click driven then about the protest.
You are underscoring a quintessential American value, I think. Our ability to embrace a contentious protest doth correlate with the popularity and success of he who doth protest.
Or to later get on board when it becomes cool, popular, and safe. Even someone as successful as Ali wasn’t beloved by the general public until the times caught up with him.
We love winners.
Wow, well said.
It angers me that he gets called un-American for exercising the most American of rights it an effort to improve the state of our nation.
Agree or disagree with his stance, but don’t question his right to take one.
super upvote
Rereading this comment, I want to extract it, bottle it, and use it to spray at the people making comments on Twitter wishing AIDS upon Kaep and the like, much like you do a cat that won’t stay off the table.
yup, I definitely share in that sentiment
It’s ironic that you use Cousins and Rondo as positive examples when they are continously lambasted in the media for being immature and selfish among others things.
While I agree with you about bringing people and communities together, I also feel that the police and other such institutions and individuals with powerful and important positions in society need to be held to account.
Police brutality is a fixture of American society and black people have been victims of this oppression for far too long.
I read your views on not standing for the anthem on an earlier thread and you question the benefit of it, but Kap is not the first to sit for the anthem. I, prior to the Kap saga wasn’t even aware of the anthem’s origin and questionable past, at the very least he has helped to make me more informed on it.
Not sure Kaep was aware of the origin either, if so it didn’t make it into his statement, which said he wasn’t going to show pride in a country that allows cops to get away with atrocities. Honestay I’d be fine with him protesting the anthem’s origins, that’s pretty valid. It got Jackson off the 20, and we have no shortage of sentimental patriotic songs.
I’m totally down with BLM. I think there should be a higher authority that investigates all police shootings as homicides. Even if they witNess a crime and the prep is fleeing, it’s a trial’s job to dish out fair punishment, not law enforcement. It’s a hard job, and that would make it harder, they would lose a bunch of police officers so we wouldn’t have as effective of a force, but this country is over-litigated and over policed anyway. Might be for the better.
To me seeing him sort of disown America was a punch in the gut. America is not letting racism exist anymore than we let Bin Laden get away with 9/11 for all those years. It wasn’t because we as Americans endorsed Bin Laden all those years, it’s because he was a slippery SOB to root out. Racism doesn’t exist because Americans endorse it, it’s because racism and an incredible foe. Are there Americans who minimize it’s existence in this country? Sure. But I think the path to social justice comes from an inclusive approach. As long as you’re American you can change America. That’s why I don’t like seeing him do that, makes it too easy for opponents to say “then leave”. Dig in and hold your ground, don’t let anyone think they or their culture is more American than you and yours and you have a shot in this country.
Any conflict is better addressed through nuance than polarization.
While each and every American is not racist – it would be ludicrous to suggest so – there is most definitely institutional racism.
Black people are misrepresented in the media and belittled overtly and covertly, directly and indirectly and through our exposure to the media we take this in even if it is subliminally. The plight of a people who were only granted official freedom from slavery 150 years ago and were only admitted to mainstream educational institutes, allowed to sit at the front of the bus and allowed to eat in diners of their choosing 50 years ago is marginilised by us as a society. Every time black people have broken down a barrier they have been opposed strongly by elements in society.
We seem to think that just because the KKK are not as strong or recognised as they were previously that everything is A-okay.
The truth is that blacks are the lower class in American society, they do not have the help that middle or upper class people have among one another. It seems that the only way to make it is to Run fast or release an album.
Like it or not, in American society there are many negative stereotypes attached to black people, there are certain opportunities not afforded to them and I feel certain elements fear black intellectualism. I believe this is what the likes of Kap are disowning, black people are free yet they are not truly free, they are a part of american society yet they are not really part of it.
Totally agree, and didn’t intend to say anything contrary. But I think keeping America at arms length only plays into the oppositions message that BLM is “un-American” and the like. When nothing could be further from the truth. The story of civil rights activists is as American as any, Western civilization has been absolutely dominated by the White hetero-normative male for thousands of years, with all others treated as sub-human. Just about all of social progress in human history has happened in the past 150 years, with the American story as integral as any.
We can’t take for granted that our shared goals and ideals for our society (like equality, and “liberty and justice for all”) are unprecedented in history, as we are a tribal species. We must resist the instinct to insulate in the face of fear, and learn to do more than merely tolerate. Every other path will only lead to an un-easy co-existence at best, insurgency at worst. I guess I’m just saying the American identity, spirit, anthem and all those things belong to all of us, and I think there are elements that would love nothing more than for black community to forfeit their legitimate claims and contributions to these things.
Anyone else grow up in Philly during the Rizzo years? Talk about a brutal police force.
I disagree. Had he done it when he was a quality starter, it would have been career suicide. At this point, he has no career. It would have been much more difficult and arguably commendable to have done it when he was a star player.
Now you can’t even tell if he’s doing it to scapegoat the reason he eventually gets released (he sucks).
Are you saying his protest is somehow to draw attention away from his poor play so people can say he was booted out of the league for the protest and not the poor play? Cause if you are, then you are a bigger asshole than I assumed.
As I am a Penn State homer, at least we get to see a full half of Hackenberg. For all the Penn State haters, at least you get to see the defense get some easy interceptions. Win/win situation.
Darren Sproles is in uniform. I sure hope as hell he won’t be playing though!!!
Hey, NFL, please get off your asses and either suspend Johnson now or announce he won’t be suspended. Eagles’ luck is that he won’t be suspended before cutdown on Saturday, they’ll have to cut a Destiny Vaeao or Dillon Gordon and watch them get claimed on waivers by another team, and then the league will announce on Monday “Oh, by the way…..”
Exactly.
It’s a travesty.
Lane Johnson not playing tonight. That could indicate that they think he won’t be suspended and he’ll be in Week 1 starting lineup.
To update:
Howard Eskin @howardeskin 2m2 minutes ago
I’m told reason #Eagles not playing RT Lane Johnson 2nite, feeling after talking 2 #nfl office Johnson will b eligible 1st Gm. @FOX29philly
5 retweets 2 likes
That’s almost as bad if he’s on there initially but then initially suspended the full 10 games. The one advantage that comes from having a player suspended is the extra roster spot.
I refuse to get my hopes up. Don’t even tease me with that.
I actually rather have him suspended the first 10 games to have him back for the last tough stretch of the season.
I still don’t understand what the bloody hold up is?!
https://twitter.com/howardeskin/status/771483511077367808
Go birds
Please no injuries!
Sometimes it’s good to live in New York. Ha!
RE: Lane Johnson’s Status
According to Sec. 2 of the NFL’s policy on PED, a player is informed of a suspension only after both the player’s “A” and “B” specimens have been tested.
Only after the test of the “B” specimen comes back positive is the player notified of his suspension.
At that point, the appeal process begins.
https://nflpaweb.blob.core.windows.net/media/Default/PDFs/Player%20Development/2015%20Policy%20on%20Performance-Enhancing%20Substances.pdf
To recap, on 8/9/16, NFL.com reported that Lane Johnson faced a 10 game suspension.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/08/09/confusion-reigns-regarding-lane-johnson-situation/
All of which indicates, Johnson’s appeal is pending — not his “B” specimen test.
Nice to have you back!
As of beginning of week, his B sample hadn’t come back from the lab yet. At least if Lane can be believed.
we were lost without you
Welcome back
ACV!!!!!!
<3
Was Shephard every actually good?
He was considered good in the slot, I think, but I don’t think we ever saw him play.
Welcome to the 53-man roster, Paul Turner.
Dear football God
Please let Sammy Sleeves be healthy all season long so we won’t have to see Chase Daniel ever on the football field.
Amen.
So is chase daniel as bad as the box score looks?