Richard Sherman shared many opinions in an excellent first-person column he published for SI’s “The Monday Morning Quarterback,” including some reasons why he is disappointed with the league.
The All-Pro cornerback expressed his concerns with the pass interference rules in the league that favor offenses and explained how the rules make it hard to compare the current Seahawks defense with other dominant defenses from past eras. He then wrote about some other issues he has with the league:
On a bigger level, I look at the NFL today and I’m as disappointed as ever in its management. Commissioner Roger Goodell operates at a high level, but he’s doing what 32 owners tell him to do. I once believed that having more retired players in the league office could remedy this, but the former player in the highest position, executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent, continues to disappoint. When he told Adrian Peterson he’d receive a two-game suspension and the league failed to deliver, he became just another suit.
Under Goodell the league continues to put players like Marshawn Lynch in a position to be mocked by the media, which seems to get a kick out of seeing people struggle on camera. As teammates we’re angry because we know what certain people do well and we know what they struggle with. Marshawn’s talking to the press is the equivalent of putting a reporter on a football field and telling him to tackle Adrian Peterson.
Sherman is a very intelligent guy and already called out Goodell for his relationship with Patriots owner Bob Kraft. He said that was the reason why he did not expect a penalty for “Deflategate.” But his point about why the league forcing all players to talk with the media is valid, as is his criticism of Vincent.
Maybe when he’s done playing, Sherman should look into taking up one of these roles.
