Jason Licht Is Not Finished
May 14th, 2018
BY IRA KAUFMAN
There’s more work to be done.
The draft is over and the free-agent market has been depleted, but I’m not convinced the Bucs are ready to compete with the big boys of the NFC South without a few additions.
When I look at Tampa Bay’s roster, I see a glut of talent and depth at wide receiver/tight end and on the defensive line, where Mike Smith now has five new bodies to throw at Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Cam Newton.
As the Eagles proved last season en route to a championship, you can never have too many quality men up front to stop the run and make quarterbacks squirm.
The new-look defensive line is the biggest reason Stick Carriers are optimistic about the 2018 Bucs. And on offense, Jameis Winston surely can’t complain about his targets. Now all he has to do is build some chemistry with DeSean Jackson.
Every team has needs — and these Bucs are no different. When Jason Licht looks at his current roster, he can’t be overly confident about this secondary and the right side of his offensive line.
Good News & Question Marks
The good news is a better pass rush will certainly ease the burden on defensive backs who had to cover way too long last fall. You can take more chances and the cushions should shrink if you know quarterbacks won’t have the time to waltz through progressions without getting their hair mussed.
Bucs GM Jason Licht
The addition of Ryan Jensen should give this offensive line a nasty anchor as Ali Marpet shifts to left guard, his second position change in as many seasons. How about the right side?
Don’t ask.
We saw J.R. Sweezy last year — and let’s just say Buc fans weren’t overwhelmed. Now we don’t even know when or if Sweezy will be available in 2018. That wouldn’t seem like such a problem if the Bucs had options who inspire confidence.
Despite the rhetoric coming out of One Buc Place at the moment, Alex Cappa projects as a right tackle at the pro level, not a 6-foot-6 guard. Caleb Benenoch started the final five games at right tackle and might have a future there, but he lacks experience at guard.
If the season started today, Evan Smith would likely start at right guard. That’s not a disaster, but Smith ideally would be a versatile backup at the interior spots.
Right tackle Demar Dotson was an ironman between 2012 and 2014, but the longest-tenured Buc turns 33 in October and he has missed 18 games in the past three seasons. If Dotson can stay healthy, he remains a dependable player, but his body may be breaking down.
Shopping List
This uncertainty up front fueled my passion for Quenton Nelson, but the Colts pounced on him at No. 6, just before Licht was ready to make him a Buccaneer and turn the offensive line into a team strength.
We’ve heard a lot about the potential of Carlton Davis and M.J. Stewart in the past few weeks, but the cornerback position still seems thin.
Brent Grimes will be 35 in July and he missed three games last year. If he goes down for an extended period, look out.
The other corners on the roster are Davis, Stewart, Javien Elliott, Maurice Fleming, Vernon Hargreaves, rookie Mark Myers, David Rivers, Josh Robinson and Ryan Smith.
In that group, Hargreaves is the only one who has recorded an interception in a Tampa Bay uniform … and he has only one.
Davis has the size and physicality the Bucs crave at corner, but let’s not be in a hurry to test his ball skills against Michael Thomas and Antonio Brown within the first three weeks.
That’s why the Bucs should still be in the market for a veteran corner who can teach these youngsters how to be a pro. Ronde Barber started only nine games in his first two seasons before emerging as a future Hall of Famer.
Licht has every reason to feel good about his offseason makeover, but let’s be realistic. This roster still needs a touch up.
Ira Kaufman is the most revered sports personality and writer in town. He has hung his hat at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters since July 2016. Tampa Bay’s only Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, Ira busts out columns here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and his award winning podcasts fire Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can also hear Ira on SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio Wednesdays during football season, and see him now on Mondays at 10:30 p.m. on Spectrum Sports 360 (aka BayNews 9). Ira also is part of the FOX-13 Tailgate Sunday show and enjoys beet salads, Riesling, Chiefs victories and needling Joe.
May 14th, 2018 at 12:29 pm
Don’t tell me Eric Reid couldn’t help this team
May 14th, 2018 at 12:32 pm
There should be some $$ freed up when Sweezy is cut post June 1st…….and I expect that to happen.
We probably will have enough to sign a RG & CB in FA and there will certainly be veteran players cut from other teams….I think there will be several CBs on that list who won’t be Bucs next year.
May 14th, 2018 at 12:33 pm
Or Tre Boston or Kenny Vaccaro and the bucs need a legit NFL ready Right Tackle
May 14th, 2018 at 12:37 pm
Flowers from NYG is unhappy, he might play RT
May 14th, 2018 at 12:38 pm
Its unlikely another vet CB will be added Ira.
The youth movement is afoot.
Our investment of two 2nd rd picks, a 1st rd pick and a 4th rd pick will be allowed to “mature” this year as we transition towards life after Grimes.
Oh – there’s also that inconvenient little detail about not having any more money available to spend as well…
May 14th, 2018 at 12:43 pm
Agree with your assessment Ira, but the Bucs need an experienced RG & RT, as well as a veteran CB. Tandy & Conte may not be world-beaters at Safety, but at least they are experienced. Other than Brent Grimes, our CBs are all VERY young & relatively inexperienced. They may shine behind the improved DLine (and I sure hope they do), but if Brent goes down we’d have 2 CBs & at least 1 Safety with minimal experience. Like Dr Phil used to say … “And how’s that working for ya?”
May 14th, 2018 at 12:49 pm
Sounds to me like Ira forgot about the cap situation. Signing three second round players will cost a little more than originally planned.
And I’m not one bit worried over the CB position. VHIII will step up.
And as to Dotson…we just drafted his ‘nasty’ replacement.
May 14th, 2018 at 12:50 pm
The real question is this: what new needs will be revealed this season? Because every year, new ones arise.
May 14th, 2018 at 12:51 pm
They could cut Sweezy and Dotson and save a bundle.
May 14th, 2018 at 12:59 pm
Why do we keep DeSean Jackson? He’s kind of redundant and definitely gone after his contract ends this year. Why distract JW3 with trying to develop chemistry? We have some young receivers that are ready to step up. There have to be a few teams that are desperate for a top notch veteran receiver (I thought Dallas was going to come calling for him). That would either free up cap space – or – maybe there is another team that would like a trade for a veteran corner.
May 14th, 2018 at 1:00 pm
There will be a lot of lineman, corners, and safeties released before opening day. You can bet that Licht will be active during that time. He may pilfer other teams practice squads or pickup other teams newly released free agents but I am confident he will have his scouts at every NFL team practices, and they will put together a list of players who were overlooked or were on the proverbial bubble because of depth rather than poor play. Trust in Licht. He wants to win.
May 14th, 2018 at 1:04 pm
They will never bring in Reid.
He kneeled for national anthem the entire year. With macdill Air Force base and a ton of military vets in the area , they would lose hundreds /thousands of fans and support.
Not saying right or wrong…it’s his choice to kneel. However , owners not dumb enough to allow this drama.
May 14th, 2018 at 1:08 pm
Yeah there are still some question marks. No I don’t expect every single one to be addressed. When has any team ever gone into a season with confidence at every single position? I mean someome will have to step up. There is at reason we drafted teo corners early and have other young players at the position we hope will grow. And yeah unless we ditch djax and/or sweezy cap is an issue. Heck if they don’t cut sweezy that is their answer to your question at RG. There into him and Smith. How many deep should they be?
May 14th, 2018 at 1:14 pm
In a battle between “Buc Insiders”…Buccaneer BrownEye throws out some fairy dust at Hall of Fame Voter and beloved Buc icon Ira “Don’t Call Me Irv” Kaufman. I needed a Monday morning chuckle…thank you!
May 14th, 2018 at 1:27 pm
Bird he already said he’d stand. Amazing people will stand and support wife beaters but not someone who kneels for what he believes and the NFL doesn’t care. Not justifying Reid’s actions just the hypocracy of the NFL and its fans.
May 14th, 2018 at 1:34 pm
We are not going to bring in any CBs. If they wanted another they would bring back Robert McClain since he knows the system and started for us. Maybe after training camp when they see how they kids actually play, but there isn’t any CB’s out there worth signing.
May 14th, 2018 at 1:39 pm
I agree Bird. Too bad he chose to protest at work. He definitely could help the team out!
May 14th, 2018 at 1:46 pm
Apparently the only people who can protest are colonizers against the kings taxes. All others will be put down.
RIP #MLK #MalcolmX #Gaza and any other brownies protesting injustice throughout the world whether at work or not.
May 14th, 2018 at 1:50 pm
No DB I have nothing against his right to protest. I fought for his right to do so. However when one protests on the clock the employer has the right to do whatever they please. These players get paid insane amounts of money and can afford to throw rallies, appear on TV etc etc. Don’t do it at work or suffer the consequences. If you don’t think that you have to keep your employer happy then there is no hope for you.
May 14th, 2018 at 2:05 pm
^^THIS^^
May 14th, 2018 at 2:20 pm
Djax could be traded to a team that needs a #! OR 2 WR…..and one will likely be injured before the season starts…..lets just hope it’s not one of ours….
As for the kneeling….it’s just fine…before or after work.
May 14th, 2018 at 2:24 pm
Fans are always looking at the current year but a gm can’t because they have to think long term success which this team could have if the qb takes the next step. I understand wanting to sign any and every player you can think of but Erick flowers beating out Dotson, someone is on something. There’s no stranger that’s going to come in and take the spot is the longest tenured buc without an injury. You don’t invest at corner in the draft simply to go out and sign guys to take away snaps. We have enough vets to ease these guys in. I’m not a Conte fan but I prefer the steal in the draft scenario at corner and safety
May 14th, 2018 at 2:36 pm
Ronde Barber started only nine games in his first two seasons before emerging as a future Hall of Famer.
Vernon Hargreaves & 1 of the rookie CB’s will be the key to the Bucs secondary. If he shows no growth it will be a struggle getting off the field on 3rd down when it matters most. The defensive line should be stout enough against the run & be improved at rushing the passer to put us in advantageous 3rd down situations. I just don’t see the cavalry coming in the secondary because so much was invested in the draft. I hope Tandy beats out Conte for SS because he’s the more consistent player imo. I wish we would consider Eric Reid but I think we know why that won’t happen.
As far as the O-line goes…cut Sweezy & let Benenoch & Evan Smith battle it out this season. Sign & experienced RT for insurance & reduce the pressure on Cappa in training camp. He might be the answer but that’s why you get the insurance.
What you think Joes???
May 14th, 2018 at 2:37 pm
Kneel on your own time. That crap won’t be tolerated in a city that celebrates it’s veterans and McDill. I’m a veteran and I think it’s unpatriotic. That crap wouldn’t have happened 20 years ago. Only today because everybody is so effed in the head and everyone has a comment. Even prison inmates have access to the web these days. Our country is becoming @ss backwards while people give more credence to the immorally corrupt rather than be gracious that we live in a country that affords their freedoms. Stop the damn kneeling.
May 14th, 2018 at 2:39 pm
This is a crash or win draft for jason..
May 14th, 2018 at 2:42 pm
This is not a free speech issue….this is a workplace expression issue….it is up to the employer (team/NFL) to establish and enforce rules….they have chosen not to do so.
They are suffering the effects of bad PR on permitting an unpopular expression.
Any of us could try political expression at our workplace and soon find out that it won’t be permitted……
Try wearing a MAGA or Black Lives Matter hat to work and keep it on throughout the workday and you’ll find out.
May 14th, 2018 at 2:55 pm
Pickgrin has repeatedly pointed out that we’re cap-broke, which has been so aggressively ignored, that we long time readers are losing our faith in Ira and Joe. What should be done, and what can be done are two different things.
May 14th, 2018 at 2:57 pm
TBBF
Whatever, Goodell maybe ok with the BS for liability reasons but teams are proving reluctant to put these cretins back to work. Reid will never don a Buc’s uniform unless he stops insulting veterans and patriots. Can you imagine the uproar if we brought him in and he kneels at the first game? Season ticket holders (many McDill veterans) would go ballistic over it.
May 14th, 2018 at 3:03 pm
Hey! Russell Shepard just got cut from the Cats. I’ll take him back any day. One of the best special teamers ever! Need his fire back on Special teams.
May 14th, 2018 at 3:23 pm
While Ira makes some points. Jason Licht has shown a determination to try out
his new acquisitions and see if they fit in with his vision of building this team.
IMO, he at least attempted to fill more holes on the roster than ever before.
All we can hope for is ,that the new mentality will give us some extra wins and put us in contention.
May 14th, 2018 at 3:24 pm
@SCBucsFan he would say anything to get back into the league at this point. Kaepernick said the exact same thing until the time came to put up or shut up when Seattle asked and he said no.
May 14th, 2018 at 3:39 pm
@ Trench
Like I said….it is a very unpopular expression and players, teams, owners and the league are suffering the consequences.
I agree that it is highly unlikely that Tampa will employ a player who kneels or even one who has knelt. Probably one reason why Bennett isn’t here.
As for the kneeling…..the fans are welcome to do it if they choose because they are customers….but the players, coaches and staff are employees and they shouldn’t .
It has nothing whatsoever to do with free speech. Free speech is a right and cannot be prohibited.
May 14th, 2018 at 4:12 pm
Will say it again…
Another interior lineman
A backup swing tackle
Eric Reid
Grab Reid. It’s a no brained.
Then…
KEEP FIXING THE TRENCHES AND FIXING THE BUCS!!
May 14th, 2018 at 4:12 pm
Will say it again…
Another interior lineman
A backup swing tackle
Eric Reid
Grab Reid. It’s a no brained.
Then…
KEEP FIXING THE TRENCHES AND FIXING THE BUCS!!
May 14th, 2018 at 4:32 pm
The Bucs don’t have much cap space available, I think after the draft they have maybe $4-mil left or so – I think that’s the case. For Sweezy I wonder if the Bucs aren’t dumping him because he’s injured and to do so would require an injury settlement that would eat up the space he’d create by being cut. Also Sweezy’s salary goes down next year (as does Gholston) so I wonder if the Bucs might just say f it and keep him around. As for Evan Smith I have zero faith in the guy, it’s amazing to me that they brought him back and let Pamphile walk, that still baffles me.
Anywho Licht at this point should be working full time on getting extensions done for Marpet, Kwon and Smith so in turn they can get started on the Winston extension. Losing any one of those guys would be a huge blow, yet keeping all of them isn’t going to be easy either.
May 14th, 2018 at 5:19 pm
@ Trench War:
We’ll stop kneeling and/or supporting those that kneel when we can go to Waffle House peacefully as a paying customer, or ask for directions without getting shot at, or drive a car we aren’t ‘supposed’ to be able to afford without getting harassed, or simply walk home after working a 13 hr shift without getting tazed, punched in the head and thrown in jail for simply jaywalking. Were those freedoms excluded from the negotiations, or were ‘we’ excluded from those negotiations. If you can’t answer that then you sir are the very reasons we kneel/fight…
May 14th, 2018 at 5:25 pm
Anyone that thinks we are a Superbowl team right now is crazy. If we have a good draft class then we should be competitive…. But making the playoffs and going all the way to the finals is just not realistic.
Ira’s lead “Before you think about Superbowl…” Blah blah blah, nobody should be thinking Superbowl regardless of any late moves we may make. Let’s start by getting in the tournament at the end of the season rather than top 10 draft slots.
I want this coaching staff to stick around a while. I want my team to be competitive and make the wildcard. The rest will come… Baby steps forward are far better than the crash we had last year.
May 14th, 2018 at 5:43 pm
If u want to kneel. Stay away from football. Eric Reid is getting what he deserves.
May 14th, 2018 at 5:53 pm
SB
Don’t do it at work or suffer the consequences. If you don’t think that you have to keep your employer happy then there is no hope for you.
—————-
1. Check out the 1965 AFL All-Star game.
The 21 black players, after meeting among themselves to discuss their experience, voted to boycott the game. Some white players, like future Hall of Famer Ron Mix of the San Diego Chargers, joined in. A day later, the AFL owners chose to support their players, and moved the game from New Orleans to Houston. It marked one of the first instances of professional athletes working together to make a social statement.
the AFL owners CHOSE to support their players, and moved the game from New Orleans. And that’s probably why there’s no more AFL.
2. Players contract and or collective bargaining may not allow owners to fire them.
3. Raymond James Stadium was built and is founded by taxpayer dollars. If they want to deny employment to players based of social activism then they should be 100% privately funded.
Kap and Reid are going to win a boat load of money then donate it to create even more Afro wearing fist pumping future presidents. Oh the unintended consequences of hate and oppression, you gotta love it.
May 14th, 2018 at 6:52 pm
KYBUCFAN
Find another way to protest
May 14th, 2018 at 6:53 pm
blahblahblah
I love all this talk about the “hundreds/thousands of fans” who would leave if Reid came here.
If they left over Reid when they stayed during the Jeremy Stevens years then I don’t give a darn if those fans stay or go. Those same fans wouldn’t bat an eye if the Bucs somehow landed Tyreke Hill.
And anybody whose faux-patriotism is offended over Reid, but doesn’t think twice about a player who sexually or physically assaulted a woman isn’t worth spit. Furthermore, I openly question anyone’s patriotism who hates civil protest, but turns a blind eye to actual violent crime–and all I can say is BRING ON REID, and I’ll wave bye to the hypocrites.
May 14th, 2018 at 6:56 pm
@KYBUCFAN
Kneeling during our National Anthem doesn’t garner sympathy, it makes you look anti-American. Find another way without disrespecting veterans and patriots.
May 14th, 2018 at 7:28 pm
KYBUCFAN,What about breaking into stores and burning buildings down and just acting like wild animals?are these the people you say are getting tasted and shot?Oh I forgot,”They didn’t do nuffin wrong!it’s hard to have pity for anyone who will destroy there very own community and who won’t work!go cry somewhere else,we don’t pity fools!
May 14th, 2018 at 7:29 pm
DB55
The only hateful statement I’ve heard here just came from you. As usual.
May 14th, 2018 at 7:48 pm
DB55,Kapp and Reid gonna win a bunch of money?LMAO, they better hope they hit the lottery cause it looks like they are unemployed!also,the NFL has the best lawyers in the country!remember the usfl lawsuit against the NFL?They got 1 dollar!and you think these two clowns are gonna get paid?we all knew you wasn’t playing with a full deck,but damn now you just verified your ignorance to the entire buc fan base!well done sir!I bet double nickel is saying lose my name clown!
May 14th, 2018 at 8:14 pm
DB55: you mean Afro wearing fist pumping future Republican Presidents right?Otherwise you’re a racist.
May 14th, 2018 at 8:23 pm
@Bob in Valrico
You laid it out perfectly. There is an urgency to retool this roster and Licht has answered the bell so far by bringing in some higher quality talent to provide depth, or wrestle away starting jobs from veteran players. Jason Licht wants to win as bad as anyone else. Let’s hope that during the entire process we come out with the best 53 that can give our division a run for their money.
May 14th, 2018 at 8:25 pm
Lol….I don’t know what any of you guys do for a living but I own a Construction company. I employ 11 people currently and if they want to stay employed here they will do what I say. Period, End of conversation. If they spend time protesting to my customers and annoy them and it gets back to me they get a warning. Break that warning and they are looking for another employer. “Simple as That”
Stop getting so hung up on “Ideals” and what not. If ANY NFL Owner wanted to sign Reid or Kaep they are FREE to do so. They also are not required to hire them based on the fact that they will not follow the owners wishes…..Why is this so hard for people to figure out??
May 14th, 2018 at 8:37 pm
If ANY NFL Owner wanted to sign Reid or Kaep they are FREE to do so. They also are not required to hire them based on the fact that they will not follow the owners wishes…..Why is this so hard for people to figure out??
——–
1. Are they free to do so? I believe that is the reason for the lawsuit.
2. The courts will decide and I’m sure many will be shocked.
3. Your 11 employees don’t have contracts and you don’t receive taxpayer dollars. You probably live in a right-to-work state so you could fire them for no reason at all.
But to your point the 1965 all-star team protested the game by not attending it and the owners worked with the athletes rather than penalizing them. What a noble concept.
May 14th, 2018 at 8:40 pm
Lucious Selmon Says:
May 14th, 2018 at 7:29 pm
DB55
The only hateful statement I’ve heard here just came from you. As usual.
———-
What did I say? That the most peaceful protestor in the history of America who wasn’t protesting at work got killed like a dog in the streets. #FACTS.
Truth is it never matters how you protest any protest for equality will be met with violence. Turn on the news buddy. Oh wait it probably fake news my bad!
May 14th, 2018 at 9:05 pm
What DB55 fails to realize is anyone can file a lawsuit,but winning is a whole new ballgame particularly against the best lawyers in the world which the NFL has!also,neither player is under contract so they can file a lawsuit but they will look like fools again!when kapp started kneeling,it made a average quarterback look like a fool that no owner or GM wanted in their locker room!period!!it cost him his career and you can bet he regrets it!it was simply a ignorant career ending decision by kapp!
May 14th, 2018 at 9:49 pm
DB……Unfortunately it is short sighted people like yourself that perpetuate the race problem today. You can’t stop playing the victim. Forest for the trees and all that.
May 14th, 2018 at 11:19 pm
DB55
Try actually reading about that 1965 team. You act like you’ve lived through what they experienced, yourself. I think not.
http://theundefeated.com/features/when-racism-drove-the-afl-all-star-game-out-of-new-orleans/
May 15th, 2018 at 3:06 am
Instead of being distracted from the real issue simply ask yourself……
Should the United States of America reduce it’s current 50 States to say 48 ?
(48 States That would remain The United States.)
The United States Government will grant 2 current states with the intent of creating a independent black states/nation’s.
The United States would have no influence or authority on how these newly ceded territories would be organized or governed.
These 2 ceded territories would be ruled and populated strictly by Blacks for Blacks. Complete autonomy will be granted to the two and no Whites would be allowed in residency or any role of power.
Is this idea racist?
Is it pro or anti American?
Is this diversity and inclusion or racist segregation and apartheid?
Now the question is do you support this movement?
May 15th, 2018 at 3:41 am
The problems in our culture are less about our disagreements and more about how we deal with them.
e.g.: DB55 posts some thoughtful stuff mixing some facts and some hyperbole
Rather than expersssing a difference of opinion, or discussing a different hyperbole over the same facts, some of you round-up your reactions to a level befitting an empty or ad-hominem attack . . . It started off better, but eventually the thread is derailed entirely with posts like the one directly above
It’s like American culture is blackjack and everyone always doubles-down
SB’s original point and DB55’s are not mutually exclusive
And Lordy, I hope the second and third round picks outperform their expectations
May 15th, 2018 at 10:22 am
Still sad to continue to see people talk about the kneeling and still missing the point. Reid said he wouldn’t knee this year. Plain and simple. Also, this is not your typical job. There was nothing in place saying you couldn’t knee I’m sure. Probably is now though with some teams.
The kneeling was to bring awareness to police brutality of minorities. Once again, for those slow folks; had nothing to do with the military. Nothing to do with disrespecting the flag. I just can’t figure out why folks can’t get this through their mushy brains. NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MILITARY!!! But I guess only us minorities understand that. Most of the folks who do the complaining seem to not be in the minority.
Cause and effect. Cause: White cops killing unarmed minorities. Effect: Protest to bring awareness to the cause. It’s just that simple. Stop over-complicating it. I come to these sites to hear about Buc’s football and not all this other non-sports related stuff repeatedly. We get it. You don’t want the dark meat to say anything and we’re not going to listen or be silenced. So let’s get back to football.
May 15th, 2018 at 11:48 am
@ I Bleed Pewter and Red:
Why should i have to, or better yet share with us all the sure fire way to protest and get action… I’ll wait……. See the things you don’t understand is we’ve been protesting for many many more yrs than I’ve even been alive and i am 40!! And in other ways besides kneeling and showing our support for 1 another!! Care to know what that has gotten us??? Zero zilch nada!!! There isn’t mkre violence and racism n this world it’s been there the whole time, but now with all the social media and sharing its easier to show and tell… Idk, maybe 1 day you’ll actually prefer ‘us’ kneeling instead of fighting back… Pick your poison sir…
May 15th, 2018 at 11:54 am
@John Meeks:
1st off sir i don’t need/want your pity, just fair treatment like everyone else in this supposed to be free country…
2nd You every thought the only reason some steal is because they are not left with very many options like job s that actually pass enough to feed/support a family
3rd You want to claim we steal, tear down our own community, etc… Do a history check and you’ll see “we” are not the mass shooters, mass murderers, or the ones that try to control everything we fear…!!
Go sit down somewhere and read before you try to talk about something you have no clue about, most of you ‘fakes’ wouldn’t last a week in my world… Funny… SMH
May 15th, 2018 at 11:57 am
@John Meeks:
And by the way, if you don’t pity fools then you definitely don’t pity me because i don’t know any fools with several college degrees…!
May 15th, 2018 at 12:19 pm
@James Aliaz:
They not missing the point bru, they ignoring it as they have been for all these years. See the real problem is the ‘kneeling’ brings the issues front and center. Harder to ignore when its on such a big stage! But if they not part of the solution, then they must be part of the problem! I’ve seen some of ‘them’ stand and fight on our behalf, but there’s still plenty of them who choose to continue to ignore it… May be guilty conscience, may be hidden preference…
May 15th, 2018 at 1:16 pm
What does the national anthem have to do with a football players job? Is the national anthem even necessary before sporting events? How many of us have stood still for The playing of the national anthem at the beginning of our work day? Are the players even on the clock at this time? Doesn’t their job start at kickoff?
Kneeling Does not inhibit the players’ performance one iota, as the national anthem occurs BEFORE the game.
Respect should be shown to anyone who is willing to sacrifice their lives for a cause they strongly believe in however, I have heard many veterans state that they fought for that right for everyone to have and have no problem with peaceful protests. These “kneelers” are making sacrifices as well For what they believe is a virtuous cause.
“White people have to get more uncomfortable.” -Popovic (Spurs HC)