Cheese Curds - News Around The League 2021

[APB]

Is there anyone specifically that would benefit?

Not following it close, like Stefanksi or Baker specifically, might they be eligible in an extra day?

Baker just needs two negative tests to play. They are scheduled to play Saturday. I’m sure two more days to get those two negative tests would help his chances.

Yep, other than screwing up their Saturday schedule and losing out on TV money, i.e. placing money over integrity of the game, there is no reason for the NFL not to slide them to Monday.

[APB]

DeAndre Hopkins (leg) is getting a second opinion after undergoing an MRI.

That can't be good...

[YoHoChecko]

Yep, other than screwing up their Saturday schedule and losing out on TV money, i.e. placing money over integrity of the game, there is no reason for the NFL not to slide them to Monday.

I mean, I'm not advocating for this point of view, but the other consideration here is equity... like, when we were missing multiple WRs and coaches for a Thursday night game and it didn't get moved to Sunday. Somewhere, the league has to draw a line and say what constitutes a reschedule and what doesn't.

I think the Browns are considerably worse off than we were in that circumstance, but I haven't followed much to see if other teams have had games that could/should have been moved. I definitely know some Thursday night games have had some covid issues in addition to ours, which paints a parallel of sorts.

So while yes, I think they can/should move it, the statement that there is NO other reason than money isn't quite true. There is also an equity/fairness discussion to be had on both sides of this debate (it's not "fair" for the Browns to play this shorthanded when they have complied with rules; but it's also not "fair" to reschedule the Browns and not have rescheduled other teams)

[APB]

the league has to draw a line and say what constitutes a reschedule and what doesn't.

That's what I've basically been harping on. The league has given no indication to what constitutes a rescheduling necessity vs playing. Last year saw reschedules where covid outbreaks were far less impactful from a roster and coaching availability standpoint yet the decision to bump was made. I believe the Browns case this week exceeds any reschedule case from last year or this year and is now bordering on ridiculous. I honestly don't know what the league needs to further see to convince them a schedule bump is justified.

The equity point is valid but it goes both ways. No way the Browns are getting a fair shake this week should all those players and coaches sit. I honestly don't think you'd get much pushback from other organizations or fans, either, considering the dire state their roster currently sits.

[paco]

[APB]

I'd have never guessed he is only 33 yrs old.

[Pckfn23]

There aren't any good hard and fast rules or expectations on when to reschedule. There quite literally can not be because they situations are so fluid and there is prior precedent already this season. Would it be equitable to reschedule a game now when the Packers had to play without Rodgers? That's part of the complexity of all this.

[BF004]

If Harvin can catch a punt, I'd kick some tires.

[Yoop]

If Harvin can catch a punt, I'd kick some tires.

for a old hand like Harvin, fielding punts is about like riding a bike, obviously not as retainable as, well you know, having sex or breathing, but it's close

I think almost anyone would be a improvement over what Amari Rodgers has shown.

[APB]

Would it be equitable to reschedule a game now when the Packers had to play without Rodgers?

Equitable? The Packers were without Rodgers compared to:

The Browns are likely to be down five starters on offense due to infections including Mayfield, left tackle Jedrick Wills, right guard Wyatt Teller, tight end Austin Hooper and wide receiver Jarvis Landry. That's assuming tight end David Njoku will be able to come back from the COVID-19 list which he's been on since last week.

Defensively, the Browns are down starters safety John Johnson, defensive tackle Malik McDowell, as well as depth edge rushers Takkarist McKinley and Ifeadi Odenigbo.

Oh, and add the Head Coach to the list, as well.

The current list of COVID reserve players/staff on the roster:

HC Kevin Stefanski
Acting RB Coach Ryan Cordell

Stephen Carlson TE
Drew Forbes G
Jamie Gillan P
Troy Hill CB
Austin Hooper TE
John Johnson III S
Jarvis Landry WR
Baker Mayfield QB
Malik McDowell DT
Takkarist McKinley DE
David Njoku TE
Ifeadi Odenigbo DE
Wyatt Teller G
Anthony Walker LB
Jedrick Wills Jr. T

I give a rip about the Browns as a team but if this situation doesn't scream postponement, I don't know what does. Especially so since they are currently scheduled to play on Saturday and bumping them a couple days (Monday) would not hinder any other week's playing schedule. Plus there is precedent from the league doing exactly that last year. And since precedent came up, none, not one of the preceding situations comes close to what the Browns are going through right now. There hasn't been a precedent that compares to this.

[Pckfn23]

Exactly, the line isn't cut and dry. It's tough to know where to draw it. Does a franchise player or 2 move it or does 15 players move it? If it was moved for one, why wasn't it moved for another. That would probably be why there aren't any published "rules or guidelines."

[APB]

The historic crash-and-burn head coaching run of Urban Meyer in Jacksonville, and likely the NFL, has come to a merciful end after only 13 games. The official statement from team owner, Shad Khan:

Darrell Bevell will serve as interim head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars for the balance of the 2021 season. Darrell succeeds Urban Meyer. After deliberation over many weeks and a thorough analysis of the entirety of Urban's tenure with our team, I am bitterly disappointed to arrive at the conclusion that an immediate change is imperative for everyone. I informed Urban of the change this evening. As I stated in October, regaining our trust and respect was essential. Regrettably, it did not happen.

Trent Baalke continues as our general manager and will work with Darrell to ensure that our team will be inspired and competitive while representing Jacksonville proudly over our final four games of the season. In the spirit of closure and recharging our players, staff and fan base, I will not comment further until some point following the conclusion of the NFL season.

[NCF]

What. A. Turd.

[APB]

Yep.

Dude thought he was still dealing with a bunch of dependent kids he could just bully around. It never occurred to the arrogant ass the players also wield power in the NFL. Good riddance.

[paco]

How many people actually thought that was going to work out with Urban? I think they waited until after week 13 so they didn't set a new "Petrino line".

[Drj820]

He was all but toast as soon as Lawrence spoke out against him saying James Robinson should be on the field more. Then, he just had to be gone after Lambo said he kicked him. Kicked the kicker huh?

Bet if he tried that with Myles Jack then Urban might be in a hospital somewhere right now.

[APB]

DeAndre Hopkins (leg) is getting a second opinion after undergoing an MRI.

That can't be good...

Update:

Nope, not good...but not as bad as it could be.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports DeAndre Hopkins will undergo surgery to repair his torn MCL and will miss six weeks.

There are four weeks left in the regular season, so it sounds like Hopkins’ recovery will extend into the playoffs. His campaign ends without a single 100-yard receiving game, producing 30.7 fewer yards per game than he did last year, his first in Arizona. Hopkins, however, did up his touchdown total to eight from six. Hopkins will likely need the Cardinals to advance several rounds in the postseason to make a return this season.

[APB]

Per RotoWorld:

The NFL and NFLPA agreed to updated COVID-19 protocols for players on Thursday afternoon that, effective immediately, allow players to test off of COVID list with no symptoms for 24 hours and a negative test.

The rules will also create more separation for players and coaches in any indoor meetings or group spaces, limit players from gathering indoors outside of the team facility, and mandated masks regardless of vaccination status. They also come with a warning that teams and players should be prepared for additional modifications to protocols. Both sides had to do something with another wave of COVID hitting America hard, and it's likely this won't be the last change we see this year. The fact that players can get off the list faster is a good thing for fantasy football purposes, but it's yet another thing we'll have to monitor as fantasy playoffs get started.

Apparently the science changed overnight and now says 1 neg test and 24 hrs symptom free is good.

[APB]

Would it be equitable to reschedule a game now when the Packers had to play without Rodgers?

Equitable? The Packers were without Rodgers compared to:

The Browns are likely to be down five starters on offense due to infections including Mayfield, left tackle Jedrick Wills, right guard Wyatt Teller, tight end Austin Hooper and wide receiver Jarvis Landry. That's assuming tight end David Njoku will be able to come back from the COVID-19 list which he's been on since last week.

Defensively, the Browns are down starters safety John Johnson, defensive tackle Malik McDowell, as well as depth edge rushers Takkarist McKinley and Ifeadi Odenigbo.

Oh, and add the Head Coach to the list, as well.

The current list of COVID reserve players/staff on the roster:

HC Kevin Stefanski
Acting RB Coach Ryan Cordell

Stephen Carlson TE
Drew Forbes G
Jamie Gillan P
Troy Hill CB
Austin Hooper TE
John Johnson III S
Jarvis Landry WR
Baker Mayfield QB
Malik McDowell DT
Takkarist McKinley DE
David Njoku TE
Ifeadi Odenigbo DE
Wyatt Teller G
Anthony Walker LB
Jedrick Wills Jr. T

I give a rip about the Browns as a team but if this situation doesn't scream postponement, I don't know what does. Especially so since they are currently scheduled to play on Saturday and bumping them a couple days (Monday) would not hinder any other week's playing schedule. Plus there is precedent from the league doing exactly that last year. And since precedent came up, none, not one of the preceding situations comes close to what the Browns are going through right now. There hasn't been a precedent that compares to this.

Add backup QB Case Keenum to the list.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Browns QB Case Keenum has tested positive for COVID-19 and QB Nick Mullens is now in line to start for the Browns on Sunday.

There's probably a more ideal situation for the Browns then fighting for their playoff lives against the Raiders with their third-string quarterback, but this is where current NFL protocols have led us to. The Browns will likely look to run the ball an awful lot with Nick Chubb on Saturday.

[Captain_Ben]

If Harvin can catch a punt, I'd kick some tires.

Not arguing against bringing Harvin in, but is there some reason why we haven't replaced Amari Rodgers at Punt Returner with someone who is already on the roster? Like Yoop said, pretty much anyone would be better than him at this point.