snowman wrote:

Here’s my two cents.

Unless you own your own business or are retired, you work for someone, for an employer. That employer has rules of conduct when the employee is representing the organization. These players could have expressed their feelings on the subject privately, as Steadman Bailey, as Tavon Austin, etc… but they chose to do it publicly, while at work, as Saint Louis Rams. They should have run this past their boss, Coach Fisher, before doing it because this reflects on their employer and on the league. IMO, they were selfish and perhaps grandstanding by doing it during game introductions. If I were Fisher, I would chew their asses for not consulting him before doing it and privately apologize to the Saint Louis Police Association. This probably involves Stan Kroenke too as the owner of the business.

My own view is different. I dont think being an ’employee’
means you have to agree with your employer’s politix
or act like you do. I think the players have a right
to do what they did. And I’d say that even if they
had worn police badges in support of the police.

w
v

Dak wrote:

FYI, I know police officers, and their Facebook walls are full of “no more support” pledges concerning the Rams.

I want to say, it’s just five players who have a belief. But, it’s really personal to police.

Its interesting — do some folks really think Ram players
have sympathies with the protesters and other teams players dont ? Do they think there
arent just as many Raider players who feel the same way, etc?

…at any rate i’ve supported the rams for a gazillion years even
though 99 percent of the players, coaches and front office folks
have completely different politix than me.
blah blah blah

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• This reply was modified 11 years, 5 months ago by wv.
• This reply was modified 11 years, 4 months ago by zn.

Bernie on the political gesture:
—————
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/bernie-miklasz/bernie-rams-fans-should-savor-this-one/article_6550205f-2abc-5f9b-98bb-28c38ccd6f2e.html

…The Rams are also trying to figure out what to do in response to the roiling events in Ferguson. The Rams organization hosted Ferguson business owners for Sunday’s game. During pregame introductions the Rams’ five wide receivers emerged from the tunnel with the “Hands Up” gesture to convey solidarity with those protesting the police shooting death of Ferguson teenager Michael Brown on Aug. 9.

The Rams’ symbolic show of support will probably create more controversy in a racially polarized community. But players have a right to express their views — just as fans have the right to agree or disapprove of the Rams’ opinions.

But please don’t tell me that players should keep their mouths shut on a volatile issue that’s confronting St. Louis in a profound way. And it’s about time that people speak up so we can have open dialogue on a matter of critical importance. This isn’t North Korea.

“I don’t know what winning a football game does for that,” Laurinaitis said, referring to the Ferguson unrest. “Only God knows the truth. It’s important for the whole city to move forward and really love one another. I know it sounds cliché. But I’m a firm believer that love cures all things.”

The Rams may have gained some fans with their trouncing of the Raiders. They may have lost some fans with their “Hands Up” gesture. But on both counts, the team stood up Sunday.

=====================

• This reply was modified 11 years, 5 months ago by wv.

Fisher gives game ball to William Hayes and Eugene Sims afterwards. Both had family members pass away this week. Hayes in tears after game – Jim Thomas

I missed it. Will savor it on replay, obviously.

Um…so….what was the Turning Point?

w
v

znhater wrote:

wv wrote:

Rams4life wrote:
They shouldn’t have to change the name.

Well no-one that i know of, has
ever argued they ‘have to’ do anything.
Its not about ‘have to’ — its about
what ‘should’ they do.
I think they ‘should’ — you think
they shouldnt, i guess.

w
v

Well eventually they will make them change it. The NFL, the government, someone will. It’s already heading that way.
But i don’t think they should have to. And why should they? The last thing i think of when i hear the redskins name is a racial slur. Everyone knows the skins are a football team. I see no problem with it. And I’m about half Indian myself.

Sure, i get that there are plenty of people who share
your view. And there’s plenty of people who think
the name is offensive/racist. So, its contested
ideological-ground.

There was a time white folks wore black-face makeup
and did minstrel shows etc. At the time
a lot of folks just saw it as good clean fun,
with no harm intended — but then ideas changed.
You dont see those shows much if at all anymore.
Things change. Looks to me like the R-word
is going to change. Just a matter of when,
not if. I think thats a good thing. You disagree,
apparently.

w
v

• This reply was modified 11 years, 5 months ago by wv.
• This reply was modified 11 years, 5 months ago by wv.

It was simply one of the worst, single, decisions
by a Ram quarterback in history.

Sigh.

w
v

Not sure what to expect from C.Long
after such a long layoff and such
an unusual injury.

Sure would be cool if he could play
at his usual level. We’d finally
get to see the real front-four at a time
when when the D is starting to gel. Or somethin.

w
v

Britt reminds me, in one way, of a guy I used to follow
decades ago– Roberto Clemente.

Clemente would often look like he could barely
walk when he staggered to the plate. He’d twist
his neck and body and he’d act like he was about to
keel over — and then he’d hit a triple.

Britt always looks to me like he’s not going to get
up after every hit.

Harkey LAUGHS at thigh injuries, btw.

w
v
==============================
Defensive back Lamarcus Joyner (groin) and defensive tackle Alex Carrington (thigh) are questionable. Probable after Friday workouts are linebacker James Laurinaitis (ankle), wide receiver Kenny Britt (back), cornerback E.J. Gaines (knee), tight end Cory Harkey (thigh), tight end Jared Cook (back), linebacker Will Herring (foot) and linebacker Alec Ogletree, who left Thursday’s practice early due to illness.
Also probable are center Scott Wells, defensive end Robert Quinn and guard Davin Joseph, who all received vets’ days off this week. Defensive end Eugene Sims has missed practice all week due to a death in the family but is expected to play on Sunday.

===========================

• This reply was modified 11 years, 5 months ago by wv.

(On coaching TE Cory Harkey)
“One of my favorites of all-time. You probably have a handful of guys that you look back over 17 years, I think Cory Harkey’s probably in top two or three for sure. You just love his passion. You love his energy. You love the fact that it’s not about getting him the ball. He doesn’t want the ball. He just wants to go hit people, but just what a wonderful young man. Again, I told his father a couple weeks ago if my son grows up to be like Cory Harkey then I’ll be extremely pleased.”
———————–

I’ve said it before — Harkey
is my favorite player.
The guy reminds me of an old-school
70’s type defensive player.
He reminds me of Deacon, and Ditka and Jack Lambert
and Butkis.

w
v

• This reply was modified 11 years, 5 months ago by wv.

znhater wrote:

They shouldn’t have to change the name.

Well no-one that i know of, has
ever argued they ‘have to’ do anything.
Its not about ‘have to’ — its about
what ‘should’ they do.
I think they ‘should’ — you think
they shouldnt, i guess.

w
v

I didnt realize Greg Olson was the OC
and Al Saunders was the assistant-something-er-other.
Bobby April is the special teams guy.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Oakland_Raiders_season

I’m lookin forward to seeing Kahlil Mack.
I remember reading a lot about him
during predraft time.

The Raiders can play tough some weeks.
They only lost to the Pats 16-9.
They lost to the chargers 31-28 and then 13-6.
Lost to Seattle 30-24.

It would be nice to beat an AFC team.

w
v

I didnt know RS is having surgery
after the season.

w
v

========================
Many observers felt the Raiders backed off in response to instant criticism nationally over the amount of their offer. It was for $42.5 million for five years, or more than $2 million per year higher than the Rams’ offer.

Turns out Oakland’s concern over Safflold’s shoulder had some merit, because Saffold said this week he would undergo surgery to repair the labrum after this season.

“I’m gonna get it taken care of — period,” Saffold said. “Because I want it done. I’ve actually been wanting it done. With all the craziness of free agency, I never got a chance (this past offseason).
===========================

“Rams Want To Win For Ferguson”
Jim Thomas
…The arson and looting came after the announcement that no criminal charges would be filed against Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of teenager Michael Brown.
No Rams players offered opinions on the merit — or lack thereof — of that decision, but simply expressed their sadness about the overall situation….”

I suspect if Aliens sucked up
Toledo Ohio in a big vacuum-cleaner,
NFL players would “offer no opinion”
on the event.

Cuz, ya know, a principled opinion
might impinge on their making
money from commercials and such.

w
v