JoPoy88

as someone who is clearly anti-vaccine currently, Cole absolutely should be concerned about his and his family’s health. Crying on twitter about league protocols does nothing to help protect his health. Getting vaccinated would.

He’s getting dragged for airing these complaints and dumping on his union publicly because team leaders have repeatedly said they won’t address anything vaccine-related publicly, preemptively shutting down media members from asking questions about the subject at all. With that context, you can see why what Beasley is doing (for, like, the 3rd time now) stinks of hypocrisy, yes?

7 and 1? Can’t tell if you’re talking AFC championships or Super Bowls but those numbers aren’t right in either case. Bell may well still have some talent left but if you think he’s gonna pop up here or elsewhere and get back to his dominant Steeler years that’s not happening.

And wait until a reporter asks Beasley about his latest twitter meltdown and the usual suspects here will trash the reporter for doing his job. Like clockwork.

I agree. The union has leadership elected by the players to negotiate and enact stuff like this with the league. He shouldn’t be complaining publicly about the lack of a full referendum on this, but he is of course.

Cole’s current issue is more with the players’ union than anything else - seems he wanted a vote before the league and union agreed to the separate protocols. (Yes I know he has other issues re the vaccine.)

i would definitely like to see something more wacky like this. Just one game a season or whatever, don’t overkill it but Nike tried to do something “out there” with color rush and just screwed it up so bad for so many teams. The zubaz idea is really cool though.

Thanks. I really hope the helmet restriction is lifted. Heard they were debating it a while back but haven’t heard any news on a decision.

i don’t think Star is exceptional in any way. If there was a feasible way to upgrade the position I’m all in. I just don’t get the “he’s a bum” “he quit on his team” “he’ll come in fat he doesn’t want to work” etc… You can make the argument he’s overpaid, sure; I’d buy that. There’s a few other guys on this defense guilty of the same thing based on production though.

As expected. I’d like to hear about tailgating rules from the county next but that probably isn’t coming anytime soon.

and Phillips plays at or around 307lbs, same as Star. Height difference is negligible.

so after all the hand wringing around here, he comes back just a shade under playing weight.

I *think* Carolina traveled to somewhere in South Carolina? I thought I remembered them going down there since they rep both states. EDIT: Yes the Panthers go to Wofford College in Spartanburg SC. 90 min from Charlotte. They are going back this year.

The training facilities at the stadium are so much better now after the recent renovations. Harder to justify leaving for camp now.

Oh they are definitely copping out. If no one says anything then no one can be singled out and asked hard questions. Obviously they’ve discussed this collectively and decided this is the way they’re gonna go with it. Personally I don’t like it but i’m not all bent about it either.

Again with the “no one cares.” Bro, you don’t speak for everyone. YOU may not care, and that’s fine. Personally, I do care about the answer to JW’s question, for purely football reasons, since the league announced these different standards based on a team’s level of vaccination. I’d like the Bills to be able to take advantage of the relaxed rules for teams that meet the vaccination threshold. Other people may also care about that question and answer in broader terms as well, because some people want to get past COVID and see as many people as possible vaccinated asap. That would include public figures like the local football team. Generalizations are the quickest way to prove to others that you’re a moron.

Riiiight. Doesn’t address anything I said or asked but seems legit. So not only do you know everyone’s cares, but their motivations too? Doubling down on the generalizations was the card to pull huh? Pfft.

That’s a shame. Hope Mac is a fast learner.

LOL. “No one” cares huh? Guess you better tell Beane and McDermott that then, since they both have recently commented publicly on this exact issue. What method did you use to poll the entire football community to come to your conclusion that absolutely NO ONE cares about this?

I have no problem with the league being asked how and why these standards were adopted. I also never said Poyer or any other player was wrong for declining to answer any questions about vaccinations. But reporters shouldn’t be insulted and accused of hackery just for asking.

The power dynamic you talk about is real and I think it’s the media’s job to push back against it, not just accept it. Again you make great points and that’s why I appreciate JW asking those questions. I don’t want beat reporters turning into blatant league shills like Peter King (who I despise) or access merchants like Schefter or Rapoport. You may well be right that JW risks something pressing questions about vaccinations, but that’s a plus in my book, not a minus. I don’t want a pack of fawning local reporters puffing up this team. It’s not needed; they’re already good. And we already have that on a national level when it comes to the league with people like King whom you mentioned. edit: And that imbalance in the power dynamic is exactly why local reporters should keep asking questions about it. Do you really want a cowed media feeding you only what the team and league wants you to hear? If yes, then you’re just a sheep.

You’re exactly right - they are on equal standing - the press can ask whatever they want and the player(s) are free to answer or decline. Journalists so beholden to their subjects that they would never dare press them don’t stay journalists for long.

so you think any time a player (or coach, GM, or owner for that matter) tries to preemptively shut down a topic reporters should automatically cow to their wishes and not attempt to do their job?

I mean, some of you are saying “it’s not a football issue” and then going into the ways it actually is of consequence to teams and the league. Seems a little contradictory. The vaccine questions aren’t directly to the game on-field, yes. But the league is clearly setting different standards for teams based on whether or not the team meets the vaccination threshold. Those standards affect things like practice, meetings, mobility within team facilities, etc. Those things DO affect the team and can indirectly affect on-field performance; Brandon Beane has admitted this himself. So it kinda is a football issue and seems like it should be okay for media to ask questions about it.