NFLPA Exec Dir DeMaurice Smith said the union has "remained in touch" with representatives for Colin Kaepernick, though the organization has "respected their decisions" not to get involved on his behalf. Smith appeared on ESPN Radio's "Mike & Mike" Friday and said, "We'll continue to work with them if and when he wants to pursue other things. We will look at those things and give him the best advice that we can have." Kaepernick remains unemployed with the NFL season beginning in less than two weeks, and many critics believe the league has blackballed him after he began the spate of protests during the national anthem. Smith said, "We stand ready to do anything and to take every action that he wants us to take" ("Mike & Mike," ESPN Radio, 8/25).
THROWING SHADE: The AP's John Wawrow noted Bills RB LeSean McCoy believes teams "might consider it not being worth the 'chaos' to take on a polarizing player" like Kaepernick to "fill what's likely to be a backup role." McCoy on Thursday said, "You've just got to look at all sides like, if I'm an owner or the GM of a team, do I want to put him on my team? Is he good enough to be on the squad to even deal with everything that's going on?" McCoy added, "There's certain players that could be on the team with big distractions, and there's other players that it's not good enough or not worth it." He indicated that it is "easier on teams to take on a distraction if it involves a star player" like Patriots QB Tom Brady or Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. because they "would immediately fill starting roles" (AP, 8/24). In Buffalo, Jay Skurski notes McCoy endured a similar situation when he played with QB Michael Vick with the Eagles. McCoy said of Vick, "He’s 10 times better than Kaepernick. You’ll deal with that situation, that attention, that media aspect of it. The good, the bad attention you’ll get. Compared to Kaepernick, it’s like, he’s not really that good of a player to deal with" (BUFFALO NEWS, 8/25).
TRYING TO AVOID THE SPOTLIGHT: In Buffalo, Kimberley Martin writes McCoy is "right" in that the NFL has "proved time and again that talent is enough to earn players a pass, no matter their transgression, regardless if they're a distraction to their teammates and organization." The spotlight’s glare "awaits any team that signs" Kaepernick, as protests and perhaps a "divided locker room could also be on the horizon" (BUFFALO NEWS, 8/25). Meanwhile, in Sacramento, Matt Barrows tries to dispel the idea the 49ers "dealt with a media circus last season" and that any team that signs Kaepernick "will, too." There is "no denying that a small army of reporters descended on San Diego for the 49ers' final preseason game last year" and there also were a "lot of media on hand for the 49ers’ season opener at Levi’s Stadium." However, on most weeks, it was a "normal-size crowd." As the season went on, the "number of reporters who showed up day to day was actually smaller than usual." The media interruption to most players' routines was "minimal if not non-existent" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 8/25). ESPN's Rachel Nichols said Kaepernick would only be a distraction if a team "lets it be a distraction." She said, "The 49ers did a great job of handling that last year. The team that gets him doesn’t have to make it a big deal” (“PTI,” ESPN, 8/24).
KHAN OK WITH KAEP, IN RIGHT SITUATION: In Jacksonville, Brian Jackson noted Jaguars Owner Shad Khan "gave his blessing if the team’s front office decides to pursue" Kaepernick. Khan said he would "absolutely" be okay with his team signing the free agent. He noted the decision "will come down" to Jaguars Exec VP/Football Operations Tom Coughlin (NEWS4JAX.com, 8/24). Jacksonville-based WJXL-FM Jaguars host Mike Dempsey tweeted Khan "reiterated that he was open to anything his football people suggested to make the Jaguars better" (TWITTER.com, 8/24).
THANKS BE TO YOU: Kaepernick on Thursday took to Twitter and responded to Wednesday's rally on his behalf outside the NFL's N.Y. HQ. He wrote, "Thank you to everyone who went out to support yesterday. My faith always has been and always will be in the power of the people!" (TWITTER.com, 8/24). ESPN’s Bill Polian said Wednesday's protest “reminds general managers and owners and coaches that he comes with baggage not of his own making, and that’s the worst kind of baggage” (“NFL Live,” ESPN, 8/24). Meanwhile, FS1's Colin Cowherd said, “If you would have looked at that crowd and seen 10,000 people with New York Giants’ jerseys and Eagles’ jerseys and fans, you’re like, ‘That’s our business. Those are our customers.' I watch that and I’m like, 'Those are activists'” ("Speak For Yourself," FS1, 8/24).
