The Continuing Saga of Colin Kaepernick vs. the NFL

Update - Saturday, 11-23-19

Still no new job offers coming his way. Here's an interesting article on the latest news regarding CK https://sports.yahoo.com/fair-or-not-we-know-why-colin-kaepernicks-phone-isnt-ringing-with-nfl-offers-after-weekend-workout-210253095.html?.tsrc=daily_mail&uh_test=2_15

Update - Monday, 11-18-19

So, the big event didn’t exactly go as planned. Kaepernick refused to sign a routine waiver form, argued over several details, and eventually pulled out and moved the whole show down the road to a local high school. Many fans and supporters followed him. Most of the NFL folks did not, including Hue Jackson, a respected former NFL head coach (and maybe former supporter) who was chosen by the league to conduct the workout. Jackson went home instead.

Ok, so I failed to predict that CK would get his panties in a twist and not show up for his NFL scheduled workout! Dang it! I really should have guessed he would go all Diva and pull something like this!

Anyway, here is the official response from the NFL http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001077164/article/nfl-releases-statement-on-change-to-colin-kaepernick-workout

And for the sake of balanced reporting, here is a article including statements from CK and his agent regarding the whole fiasco https://sports.yahoo.com/colin-kaepernicks-workout-was-an-allin-gamble-015347827.html?soc_src=community&soc_trk=ma

And of course, you shouldn’t miss Stephen Smith’s take on this! https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2019/11/17/stephen_a_smith_colin_kaepernick_doesnt_want_to_play_football.html

Let’s check my predictions –

1.       I said he would look good and most of the reports were fairly positive, especially in regards to his arm strength. There were a few questions about accuracy, but that was never really his strong suit anyway. He stuck with mostly throwing, but all indications were that he looked to be in good shape overall, so I’m calling this one in my favor!

2.       I predicted all 32 teams would attend and I was close. Until the drama started, 25 teams had indicated they would participate. (Unfortunately for Kap, only 8 bothered to follow him down the road to his own private show.) Video will be sent to all 32 teams. Some of them might take the time to watch it. I wouldn’t. Ok, I admit it, I was off (by a little) on this one.

3.       Still waiting to hear if anyone will make him an offer, but this prediction was based on him actually conducting his official NFL tryout/workout. His continuing display of nonconformity will probably turn off some teams and may hurt his chances here. Calling this one even.

4.       And again, we’ll have to wait on this one as well. But just to get ahead, here’s a further prediction. Now that he has once again thumbed his nose at the league, I will double down on this prediction. I don’t see him playing in the NFL again. And honestly, if he does, he would probably be better off signing in the off-season and giving himself a legitimate chance to earn a roster spot and playing time. (Instead of signing somewhere now following this disaster of a PR stunt.)

ORIGINAL POST 11-15-19

So, the NFL has arranged a special Tryout/Workout for Colin Kaepernick this Saturday in Atlanta to demonstrate his skills to potential suitors in the league. Nevermind that the season is more than halfway over, the tryout is being held on a day when it is unlikely that any head coaches or General Managers will be able to attend, and the league has already paid him a huge settlement to just go away.

I have written about Kaepernick before (https://rdperryauthor.blogspot.com/2018/09/nike-just-do-it-or-not.html) and despite his skill set, I still have doubts about whether or not he will ever again play in the NFL. But here are some of my thoughts on his upcoming tryout.

First of all, I question the sincerity of the NFL. I think this is probably just a PR stunt designed to head off another possible lawsuit. The timing is definitely suspect. Kaepernick asked for a Tuesday workout, when most teams’ HC and GM would actually be available, but he was told he could have this Saturday in Atlanta or nothing. Seems strange, but what can you do? CK appears optimistic tweeting “I’ve been in shape and ready for this for three years, can’t wait to see the head coaches and GMs on Saturday.” Good luck with that!

So, here are my early predictions regarding the big tryout!

1.       He will look really good. As with top college prospects and their pro day workouts, a scripted workout with familiar receivers should be a piece of cake. No doubt, CK will show off his mobility and arm strength and he will surely be in excellent physical shape. I think he will put on an impressive show.

2.       All 32 teams will send someone.  Probably not a lot of head coaches or GMs will attend, but unless your team is just dying to be accused of racism, or being part of the black-balling cabal, at the very least someone from the scouting department will show up. I really believe that even the teams that have absolutely no need for a QB will still participate in this sham of a tryout.

3.       At least one team will make him an offer of some kind. He does have skills. And he is better than many of the NFL’s current back-up QBs (and a few starters maybe). Despite the social activism baggage he carries, someone will take a chance. I think.

4.       And finally, I predict that he will not sign with anyone. (I could be wrong on this one!) The problem will be one of two things, in my opinion. First, I don’t think he will sign with a team, unless he believes he will start or at least compete for the starting job. At this point in the season, I just don’t know if any HC wants a QB controversy, but who knows? Secondly, I don’t think he will sign for back-up money. If he believes he is worthy of a starting spot, then he will expect a salary that reflects that, and I’m not sure any team is willing to pay big bucks for a back-up. There really is a legitimate reason why so many teams have QBs on their rosters who are less talented than CK.

So, there are my predictions for the big show in Atlanta. On Monday, I will update the blog and see how accurate I am!

Veteran's Day

Today is Veteran’s Day, a federal holiday observed annually to honor U.S. military veterans. For a more complete look at the history and significance of the holiday, check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veterans_Day.

My father was a veteran. He served in WWII and although he seldom talked about it, I know he was proud of his military service. I thought I would share a poem from my collection https://books2read.com/randomthoughts that I wrote in his honor.

War Story

          

My father served in World War 2,

But he never talked about it.

I find that very strange even now.

He was quite the storyteller,

And he loved to entertain

And repeat the tales he told

To all who’d listen.

But in all the years that passed,

I never heard one story

About the war.

So, today, take a moment to think about the men and women from your family (and all the other families as well) who answered the call to serve their country. Whether in times of war and conflict or times of peace, it is a sacrifice all too often unacknowledged and underappreciated.

1776 by David McCullough: Book Review

I wanted to like this book, really I did, but honestly, I was severely disappointed. The one I was actually looking for was his earlier book, John Adams. (Having seen the excellent HBO miniseries with Paul Giamatti, and having heard several positive reviews, I thought it would be a good read.) Instead, I found this one at the local library book sale and snatched it up.

I’ll try not to throw out any spoilers, but unless you’re unsure of who won the Revolutionary War, I should be okay. And of course, I’ll just assume you’ve heard of a guy named George Washington. (The General and later President, not the kid with the ax and the cherry tree.)

So, about the book. To begin with, nothing really happens for the first hundred pages or so. Instead you get a long (boring) description of all the major (and minor) players. I’m not kidding when I say it was like reading an encyclopedia or a research paper. (Accurate, considering that there are 70+ pages of source notes and bibliography at the end of the book.)

Once the actual battles begin, it does pick up a bit, but honestly, even then, it drags. When descriptions of the army’s retreats are longer and more detailed than the actual fighting, you know you’re in for a dry read!

This may be just a pet peeve of mine, but another big problem was the poor quality of the very few maps provided. (I’m a big fan of Jeff Shaara, a great writer of historical fiction, and his maps are always clear, concise, and helpful.) In this book, there are 3 beautifully hand-drawn maps from the period, all of which were decidedly unhelpful. Maybe it’s just me, but try as I might, I had very little luck finding the locations described in the text when I studied the maps. Consequently, all the battles (and retreats) eventually sounded the same. These guys went over here, and across this river, and this hill, and then back to this other place. Over and over. (To quote that famous politician, Ilhan Omar, “Some people did something.” LOL)

Anyway, my biggest issue, I suppose, is just the story itself. I understand the concept – one very important year in our history - 1776. The problem is that the “concept” leaves you with no real ending to the story. It was winter, and it got cold, so everybody went home, and we’ll start the war back up again in the Spring. The End. Seriously?

Okay, that’s not really the ending, but it’s close. And tacking on a couple of pages of summary about how important this year was to the overall war and its impact on General Washington, etc. didn’t really make for much of a conclusion. If this were a movie, I’d swear they were doing nothing more than setting us all up for a sequel, but apparently McCullough’s plans for a follow-up book were scrapped when he changed publishers.

So, overall, I would call this book, boring, confusing, and ultimately unfinished. Still, if I come across a copy of John Adams, I will probably give this author a second chance. Until then, I have a copy of Jeff Shaara’s book To the Last Man, a historical novel about the first World War which I may begin next. Leave a comment and let me know what you’re reading these days!