The NFL opted to postpone three Week 15 games on Friday, but there was serious consideration of another route before those decisions were made.
The Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams, and Washington Football Team were nearly forced to forfeit their respective Week 15 games, according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports. This not only would have led to players from all three teams losing their game checks, but their opponents — the Raiders, Seahawks, and Eagles — would not have been paid either.
The NFLPA successfully argued that the Browns, Rams, and Washington experienced a rise in cases despite adherence to the league’s COVID protocols. The union’s major goal was to ensure that the games could be played so the players would not lose game checks.
Forfeits would have come with significant ramifications, as many of the aforementioned teams are involved in playoff races. The Rams are a game behind the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West, while Washington and Cleveland are in the thick of the playoff race. All three would have had to absorb a loss, while the Eagles in particular would have collected an extremely valuable victory.
There is a reason why a lot of the players on the Eagles and Raiders are clearly unhappy with the postponements. On one hand, they would have lost a week of game checks in a forfeit scenario. On the other, they haven’t done anything wrong, are ready to play, and would have been credited with an important win in the standings had the NFL not shown some mercy to their opponents.
Photo: Nov 21, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) walks off the field after the Browns beat the Detroit Lions at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Fans of the New York Giants probably will not be feeling particularly appreciated with the team’s “Fan Appreciation Day” this weekend.
The Giants announced in an email this week that they are celebrating “Fan Appreciation Day” during Week 15 against the Dallas Cowboys. What is the grand giveaway going to be for all the lucky fans? A free medium soft drink (for season-ticket holders only, of course).
The promo was rightfully lampooned on social media, including angry tweets from some of the Giants’ own fans. Take a look.
It is bad enough that Giants fans have to root for a team that is the worst in their division and has not even had a winning season since back in 2016. Now, season-ticket holders who spent tens of thousands of dollars on seats can’t even get anything more than a medium soft drink (not a large, mind you) for their troubles? It almost might have been less insulting for the Giants to give all of their fans a yo-yo and a paper clip to take home.
There is at least one bit of good news for Giants fans though. As bad as it is, the free medium soft drink for “Fan Appreciation Day” is not even the worst giveaway we have seen from a New York professional sports team.
Photo: Dec 29, 2017; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants president and chief executive officer John Mara holds a press conference introducing New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman (not pictured) at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Kyrie Irving is getting ready to play for the Brooklyn Nets as a part-time player after the team changed its stance on the guard, according to reports.
Irving has not played this season because he has declined to get the COVID-19 vaccine. New York City has an indoor vaccine mandate, which would have prevented Irving from participating in the team’s home games. Rather than let Irving play in road games, the Nets told him to stay home indefinitely.
Now they have changed their stance.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski says the Nets are willing to let Irving be a part-time player. He also says Irving is still declining to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Multiple professional sports leagues are currently seeing a heavy increase in positive COVID-19 tests among their players, although most cases have been asymptomatic. The increase in positive cases has resulted in several teams seeing players be sidelined. The Nets have multiple players out either due to injury or health and safety protocols.
The Nets are at a point now where they can’t afford to shun a player over the vaccine. They need some actual help on the floor and are willing to be flexible and allow Irving to play in road games, which is an outcome for which he has been hoping.
Photo: Feb 1, 2020; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Giants could have someone on defense ready for a revenge game Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Giants are in need of linebacker help, and to that end the team signed longtime Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith to their practice squad Friday. Smith will have a chance to be promoted to the active roster for Sunday’s game.
Smith was one of the league’s best linebackers not that long ago. He was a Pro Bowl player in 2019, but his on-field performance declined to the point that it no longer justified his salary. Smith understood that, though he didn’t lose confidence in himself either.
Still only 26, Smith had 154 total tackles for the Cowboys last season. An opportunity to play regularly for the Giants down the stretch would give teams a look at him down the stretch as he tries to find a job for 2022.
We haven’t heard much regarding Deshaun Watson for several weeks, but now there may be some more clarity regarding any criminal charges he could face.
Watson was accused of inappropriate sexual behavior by over 20 women, who filed civil suits against him. Many of the women also went to police with the allegations.
The Houston Chronicle published a report on Thursday regarding the Watson case. According to them, search warrant records say investigators are considering indecent assault as a possible criminal charge. Indecent assault is a misdemeanor crime.
The allegations from the women all showed a similar pattern of behavior from Watson. The Houston Texans quarterback is accused of contacting multiple women, typically via social media, and arranging for massages. During the massages, Watson would allegedly pressure the women into performing sex acts on him.
Watson has not played at all this season, but he was the subject of multiple trade rumors. The Miami Dolphins were considering him but did not end up making a trade for him. The 26-year-old played in all 16 games last season for Houston, which went 4-12.
Photo: Aug 17, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) before a game against the Detroit Lions at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
NFL legend Lawrence Taylor was arrested in South Florida on Thursday on charges related to his status as a registered sex offender.
Andy Slater of SlaterScoops.com reports that Taylor was charged with two felonies. Taylor allegedly did not inform authorities that he changed his address, which is something he must do as a registered sex offender.
Taylor, 62, has been arrested multiple times. He became a registered sex offender in 2011 after he pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct and patronizing a prostitute. The former New York Giants linebacker was accused of having sex with a 16-year-old girl. He told police he believed she was 19.
Taylor has a history of substance abuse and legal problems. He reached a plea agreement in a 2016 case after he hit a police car while driving impaired. The Hall of Famer was also involved in a domestic incident with his wife years ago that led to her arrest.
Photo: Broward County Sheriff’s Office
Mario Cristobal is already doing some big work at Miami.
Cristobal flipped Jaleel Skinner, who had previously been committed to Alabama. Skinner announced his decision on Friday.
Skinner is a 6-foot-5 tight end from IMG Academy in Florida. 247 Sports has him rated as a 4-star recruit.
Skinner had scholarship offers from several top schools and chose Miami over Bama, Florida, Florida State and Texas, among others.
Skinner originally committed to Alabama in October, so he wasn’t committed to the Tide for long before signing with Miami.
Odell Beckham Jr. hinted on Twitter Friday at some big news for the Los Angeles Rams.
The wide receiver tweeted the word “negative” along with a hugging emoji and yawning emoji.
The implication is that Beckham, who previously was in COVID protocols for the Rams, has now tested negative for the virus.
By testing negative, Beckham should be on his way to being cleared to play in the Rams’ game against the Seattle Seahawks. The game was originally scheduled to be played on Sunday, Dec. 19, but it has been moved to Tuesday night on Dec. 21.
The 29-year-old wide receiver has played in four games for the Rams after being let go by the Browns midseason. He has 15 catches for 204 yards and three touchdowns with the Rams this season.
Photo: Oct 21, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) warms up before the game between the Browns and the Denver Broncos at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Shaquille O’Neal is focusing on his health after his weight recently ballooned considerably.
In a feature this week for Men’s Health, the retired Basketball Hall of Famer revealed that his weight crept up to 415 pounds during the pandemic. For reference, his playing weight was 325 pounds.
The feature adds that O’Neal now trains four days a week for about an hour a day, doing 20 minutes of cardio and 40 minutes of strength work. O’Neal notes that he would like to slim down to 350 pounds and be fit enough to post a “thirst trap” to Instagram for his 50th birthday on March 6, 2022. The 15-time NBA All-Star also said his goal is to avoid having his stomach hang over his belt, what he calls the “OTBB” or “over-the-belt Barkley” in reference to Charles Barkley.
O’Neal struggled with staying in shape during his NBA career as well. It was a major point of contention between O’Neal and former Los Angeles Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant. While O’Neal has been very active in his retirement with his TNT “Inside the NBA” analyst gig, his many different investments, and several other ventures, it sounds like he is really focused in on his physical health as he nears the big 5-0.
May 20, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Former NBA player and current TNT television personality Shaquille O’Neal prior to game one of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL has reportedly postponed three Week 15 games due to the increased COVID-19 cases across the league, and several players are unhappy about it.
The Las Vegas Raiders-Cleveland Browns game, which was originally scheduled for Saturday, will now be played Monday. The Seattle Seahawks-Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles-Washington Football Team games are expected to be moved from Sunday to Tuesday evening, according to multiple reports. Like last season, many players are objecting to the changes.
Eagles cornerback Darius Slay indicated on Twitter that he believes Washington should have to forfeit due to their COVID cases.
Some Raiders players aired their frustrations, too. Cornerback Casey Hayward called the postponement “real bulls—” (edited by LBS for profanity) and said he was led to believe there would be no rescheduled games this season. Hayward then wondered out loud if Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter, the president of the NFL Players Association, had a hand in the decision.
Raiders linebacker KJ Wright also claimed he was deceived. Fellow linebacker Will Compton said his team is ready to play.
The NFL and NFLPA made changes to the COVID-19 protocols this week, and it’s possible more could be coming. Vaccinated players and coaches who test positive but are asymptomatic now have a path to returning to their teams just a day later. A report on Friday claimed the majority of NFL players want COVID protocols eliminated altogether.
Photo: Nov 28, 2021; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (2) reacts after breaking up a pass against the New York Giants during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
