[ad_1]
Aaron Rodgers is not in Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers will not be at Green Bay this week. I thought that was very clear.
The idea that a “mandatory” junior camp would have any bearing on this impasse between the all-time great midfielder and the iconic franchise was always laughable. Honestly, I’m a little surprised that Rodgers’ presence was such a thing. Like, were there people who showed any interest in this confrontation at all who thought maybe he was going to interrupt his life to attend some pseudo-like practices?
Believe me, Mark Murphy and the powers that be in Green Bay were not surprised in the least. They have known for months. Rodgers and others close to him told them that QB ended up with them. He will never wear this shirt again. Sorry, there was never a chance Rodgers would leave this thing, arbitrarily, in mid-June, to accommodate the team’s off-season schedule.
To reiterate, I don’t know, maybe for the 645th time: Rodgers told those who trust he’s finished with the Packers, will never play with them again, and have no intention of appearing in any of their football activities – voluntary or mandatory. Could that change by August, for example? Probably. Rodgers himself won’t know exactly how he feels about sitting in training camp until he actually does.
But, as we’ve documented many times before, this is an individual who can be very stubborn and when he gets something in his head, and takes a stand, he can be tough and firm. I wouldn’t bet him coming on the first day of camp at this point. No way.
Perhaps the beams can find a creative solution. Maybe they can find a suitable third party to mediate a bit, and step in on their behalf. But having Murphy, Brian Gutkunst and the boys – the same people Rodgers thinks blinded him and cheated on him about Jordan’s love position – take turns trying to push him for more money and editorial history about what happened in the spring of 2020. Much will change. I don’t see this approach as more fruitful than it already was.
Perhaps there is a solution and a way to get Rodgers to reinvest in the only franchise he has ever known. But just promising to trade him in 2022 isn’t even on the field—that was the front office’s plan all along; Or at least the way the rest of the league members, and Rodgers himself, were reading it when they moved on to the Love Project. This is not even a compromise. Money alone is not the answer either.
Rodgers puts his foot on their collective neck. Their season has sank without him. Rodgers knows that and the Packers Copper knows that. Despite everything you might read or hear elsewhere, believe me, he has all the clout. Any fines or salaries he misses will be returned to him – and then some – whenever he decides to attend (if he decides to attend).
By late July, things may have calmed down. Maybe he wakes up one morning and decides to go back to work for these guys. Meanwhile, I still think he’s very satisfied to watch them get confused.
James signing is a smart move for Ravens
A very smart move by the Ravens to effectively spend $500,000 for the right to control up to two years of Ja’Wuan James’ career. They bought it low on processing and could reap real rewards from it.
James could take all 2021 to recover from his torn Achilles. This deal isn’t really about that. It’s all about maximum flexibility in 2022. Baltimore has a left tackle for All-Pro Ronnie Stanley coming out of major surgery at the end of the season, and he traded Orlando Brown Jr. to The Chiefs when he requested a deal somewhere where he could stay in left-handed tackle after the championship As Stanley’s replacement for half of 2021.
They didn’t really touch a tackle in the draft and waited for the offensive line market to decline and then essentially signed Alejandro Villanueva for $8 million this season to move to the right side, with the contract including what is essentially the team’s option for 2022 at $8 million. And now they have James with a base salary of $2.5 million for 2022 with a chance to earn another $5 million in incentives based on how much he plays.
And at that rate, it’s worth keeping it even with just a potential alternate swing in the event of an injury (the hat is going up next year too, remember). If Villanueva is getting old or struggling to make a right-side change, you can swap James in a year from now and cash out pocket and limit the savings that can be spent elsewhere. If Stanley’s health is a concern and ankle procedures lead to more problems (worst-case scenario), well, you have Villanueva at a very reasonable $8 million and he’s played on the left side for a long time, and James can step in with a right tackle.
James can get the job done – health has always been his problem. He will have plenty of time to recover. And even if he doesn’t, for only half a million, it’s not a gamble at all.
Stafford and McVeigh fit perfectly
I expect big things from Matthew Stafford and Sean McVeigh this season. So big things.
As we know, McVay can be energized and excited to talk about anything football related. When I spoke to him recently on my radio show about Stafford, he did not disappoint. This is no exaggeration. Stafford is a truly elite midfielder and for the first time in his career he will be put in the best possible position to succeed with the Rams.
“The more closely I studied him, because admiring him from afar is one thing,” McVeigh told me. “…But when you really study the intricacies of center play—play in time, rhythm, pocket movement, eyes down the field, to be able to move and manipulate defenders at the rhythm and timing of play, I mean this guy is awesome.
“Obviously he can do every single throw and is only well known for his ability to pass. But his ownership and his toughness. You know one of my favorite things I’ve known about him is just listening to what his teammates are saying and what the guys around him are saying. I can’t. Telling you how many calls you got immediately after making the trade from former teammates or coaches who were with him who couldn’t say enough good things about him. Then you turn around and say, “You know what, it sure sounds like everything I’ve heard; He keeps checking all the boxes without a doubt.”
These two will wreak havoc. And if the offensive line can hold up a little, the sky is the limit.
[ad_2]
Picture Credit!