Random Commanders Thoughts

[McD5]

It's really not that difficult to understand. Everyone wants him there. They even offered him $500k to show up. Players don't have to show up, just like I don't have to show up at work on Sundays.

What we don't want is the HC doing or saying something stupid that hurts the rest of the team.

 

[Chris]

If Desean's shoulder was injured in a blocking sled incident it seems more likely that he ran into said sled by accident rather than being involved in a sled drill. Just sayin.

 

[Henry]

what the Ravens do have literally nothing to do with us or how we conduct our business.

Well, other than we don't want to violate offseason workout rules, because that can actually hurt the team more than one player missing a voluntary workout. If Gruden called Jackson out and then the team was forced to forfeit a week of OTAs, THEN I'd be pissed at Gruden for once again not knowing when to keep his mouth shut. Yapping away at the press about Griffin was a mistake. I'm not mad at him because he's not making that mistake again.

 

[Primus Porcus]

what does that have to do with the Ravens OTA violation?



saying Jackson needs to get to OTA for conditioning and chemistry training with his teammates that is not the same as what the Ratbirds did.

I think the fear is that if Gruden were to come out and say he NEEDED to be there, the players union and NFLPA would get involved saying that they're 'not required' therefore Jackson cannot be 'punished' for not attending.


I'm with you though... a 'no comment' or some sort of a deflection would have been the route I would prefer he take.

 

[Elephant]

Not sure it's there's enough causal link evidence here to flatly call it a "correlation." I had forgotten this until yesterday when I heard it discussed on local sports gab ... DeSean missed time last training camp with an injury--shoulder I think?--sustained in a block sled drill. His conditioning may well have been off by the time the Miami game rolled around, but there is no evidence it had anything to do with missing voluntary OTA's in May. Of if there is, I haven't seen any.

*

Edit: In fact, he missed the entire preseason from a shoulder injury in camp Aug 6, not because he skipped May voluntary OTA's.

Yeah, that injury to his shoulder that seemed to linger on...shoulder injuries do not go away after a few weeks, they tend to be with an athlete for a while, if not a lifetime. You can give him the benefit of the doubt, but I can't. Philly fans told me all about his "pre-season injuries" to get out of having to play in pre-season games. It's a pattern that I am simply too lazy to support with anything other than anecdotal philly fans who were pissed he left, Who-Del being one of them, and he is not the avg philly homer, he actual knows his team's faults.

Jackson is your typical WR prima dona who, when healthy, is dangerous...I guess that gives him a pass.

 

[Elephant]

****ing players union and their stupid demands! If DeMaurice Smith wasn't such a bumbling idiot, we wouldn't be talking about this!


Surely, even Om sees the correlation!

 

[Primus Porcus]

Not sure it's there's enough causal link evidence here to flatly call it a "correlation." I had forgotten this until yesterday when I heard it discussed on local sports gab ... DeSean missed time last training camp with an injury--shoulder I think?--sustained in a block sled drill. His conditioning may well have been off by the time the Miami game rolled around, but there is no evidence it had anything to do with missing voluntary OTA's in May. Of if there is, I haven't seen any.

*

Edit: In fact, he missed the entire preseason from a shoulder injury in camp Aug 6, not because he skipped May voluntary OTA's.

That wasn't my point. My point was that he missed OTAs because he didn't want to participate, then he missed training camp because of the shoulder, then he sustained an injury very early in the season that a lot of professionals connect with conditioning. Was him missing the OTAs the sole reason that he injured his hamstring? Can't definitively say that. Could he have injured his hammy if he HAD participated? Absolutely, but had he been at OTAs his body might have been a little closer to full speed, even if he had missed the preseason due to the shoulder. It's all 'what ifs' and 'coulda beens' but his absence surely didnt help his conditioning.

 

[micks113]

Loves me some Jay Gruden. Why? Because he's a players coach. Players play for players coaches. If you want to dispute that, explain the marty shotty my way or the high way experiment. He will fulfill his contract AND get renewed to new deal. Along the way, in this division, there is nothing in our way to success. Happiness is just round the bend....Jeff Beck.

 

[Miles Monroe]

I'm really not up to tracking down the article, but I'm extremely confident I'm correct in saying DJax didn't run into the blocking dummy, it chased him down from behind.......























But actually, he fell down, and slid into the base of the blocking dummy.....

 

[Primus Porcus]

I'm really not up to tracking down the article, but I'm extremely confident I'm correct in saying DJax didn't run into the blocking dummy, it chased him down from behind.......























But actually, he fell down, and slid into the base of the blocking dummy.....

I believe you are correct

 

[Bulldog]

Jackson was signed before McCloughan came here. He was the last of the Allen free agents. We have jettisoned the other two, Hatcher and Roberts, just recently.

Everyone knew Jackson had talent but was a mercenary, he didn't buy into the team concept. When we signed him we had to expect that was going to continue.

Gruden and McCloughan are riding out his contract hoping he puts up the 1,169 yards and 19 yards per catch average he had in 2014 before he moves on in 2017.

There really is no effective way of dealing with Jackson at age 30 other than to accept who he is.

Trying to shame him for missing voluntary workouts and perhaps going half-speed in preseason games is just going to be counter-effective vis a vis his performance this year during the season.

So, does Jackson represent the kind of talent we want on the team? Yes.

Does Jackson represent the kind of character we want on the team going forward? As Scot indicated in the lead up to the draft and free agency, the obvious answer is no.

You can like the money the Redskins gave to Josh Norman or not, but the fact remains Norman is a case of what McCloughan is looking for - an elite level talent that is ultra competitive and concentrates 100% on football and not his post-football career as a cable-TV personality, etc.

 

[ntotoro]

you treat each player the same to the public (with respect) or you get called a hypocrite who plays favorites.

its obvious gruden has a thing for jackson. theyre always goofing around on the field, laughing with each other. overly defending him.

I think of the time Jackson gave Gruden that titty twister on the field one day after practice and thought to myself "What dude with any self-respect would let another man get away with that?"

Forget that they should have a coach/player relationship, hell... even man-to-man, I'd never let another man do that without severe repercussions.

Nick

 

[TomE]

BT excellent points, I'm pretty sure most know what's up with Djax it just seems that some don't like how Gruden is publically handling the presence(or lack of) of a 30 yr old prima donna.

Gruden has made subtle comments during the season and at camp/preseason games about his deficiencies (blocking, "injured" during training camp, etc.) but to most it was not taken as calling out the guy.

I suppose it's a matter of degree, public chiding vs factual criticism (which we all can see on the field ) are both 'calling out ' but one version seems to upset folks more than the other.

The 'respect' thing cuts two ways and mutual earing of same is required.

Djax comes with a body of work considered elite and does little to denigrate the team image and he will put in the work for Gruden when it is actually required by contract.

Gruden's big 'gaff' in outing Griff instantly imbedded the negative notion of his playing 'favorites' so any action or comment by the guy will be fodder for those so incensed.

 

[Ax]

I think of the time Jackson gave Gruden that titty twister on the field one day after practice and thought to myself "What dude with any self-respect would let another man get away with that?"

Forget that they should have a coach/player relationship, hell... even man-to-man, I'd never let another man do that without severe repercussions.

Nick

Note to self: Upon ever meeting ntotoro, a titty-twister is now required.

Followed immediately by ducking, and/or, running for your life.

 

[ntotoro]

Note to self: Upon ever meeting ntotoro, a titty-twister is now required.

Followed immediately by ducking, and/or, running for your life.

 

[ntotoro]

yeah, man. its kind of hard to take a guy seriously when he can't even defend himself from tuning in to Tokyo!

Come in, Rangoon!!!

 

[TomE]

Kirk on Djax..... some kinda expensive family time eh?

 

[Burgundy Burner]

DJax is going to give a purple nurple to everyone here.

Leave DJax Alone!

It's Friday. Next topic.

 

[McD5]

Here are some quotes from OTAs. I always expect these to be positive, but some are eye-popping.

Top 10 Quotes: OTAs, Week One

9. Linebacker Junior Galette: "I think about how I can boost the squad, I am just thinking about how I can be part of the squad. Looking at the roster, you can look across the league and matchup with every team if not better than every team. I am very excited, I have never played with this much talent on one defense before."

10. Linebacker Preston Smith: [On being a mentor] "I wanted to help because I felt that pressure last year and you got to kind of have people to tell you to 'calm down and just play.’ I feel I am in a position now to help somebody and I want to. If I see a need to help him, then I’ll help him. I am going to help calm their nerves and tell them to 'be comfortable.’"

5. Tight end Vernon Davis: "I think it is one of the best locker rooms I have ever been in. The coaching staff, the players, and upper management, everyone is fantastic. I look forward to playing for these guys and with these guys. I say that because of my experience here. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world."

 

[Burgundy Burner]

McD5. I would like to give you five minutes of patience.

You get to do the mocks and offseason work next year. Ha!