In the aftermath of Wednesday’s decision by the NFL to alter the anthem policy in a way that managed to do more harm than good Authentic Gustav Nyquist Jersey , the NFL Players Association wasn’t happy. The NFL’s players can do something about that in a way that is far more immediate and tangible than pursuing legal remedies over the next several months.
The NFL’s players can make their displeasure known by boycotting OTAs.
Technically (but not actually), these ongoing offseason workouts are voluntary. There’s no requirement to be there. So if the players aren’t happy with ownership right now, all they have to do is nothing.
Yes, some players would jeopardize offseason workout bonuses if they miss more than 10 or 20 percent of the total offseason program. But if players aren’t willing to go without a six-figure payment in order to prove a point now, how will they ever go without seven-figure salaries when the time comes to consider striking, or not caving in the face of a lockout?
Besides, it’s not as if all players need to not show up. If the NFL’s starting quarterbacks come together and agree to make it known to all other quarterbacks on the roster that none of them will be working, well, good luck having football practice with no quarterbacks.
And if any of the young quarterbacks decide to cross the de facto picket line, consider this cautionary tale from Paul Zimmerman’s memoir.
In 1974, Chiefs quarterback David Jaynes, a third-round rookie Youth Derek Stepan Jersey , crossed the picket line. Center Jack Rudnay, who was the leader of Kansas City’s strike effort, had a message for Jaynes when the strike ended.
“Before practice Rudnay had taken a pair of scissors and cut out the crotch of his football pants,” Zimmerman writes. “When he got down to snap the ball, everything was hanging out. Jaynes began his call . . . he reached down . . . and the ball went flying out of his hands.”
Coach Hank Stram, monitoring practice from a tower, yelled, “What’s the hell’s going on down there?”
“He won’t take the snap, Coach,” Rudnay replied.
“Well, get another quarterback in there,” Stram said.
And that Womens Samuel Girard Jersey , according to Zimmerman, was the beginning of the end for David Jaynes.
At best, it’s the end of the beginning of the NFL’s anthem controversy. If the players are genuinely upset about what has happened, it also could be the beginning of perhaps the most significant thing they can do.
Come Tuesday morning, they can not show up.
Rashad Greene has missed nearly twice as many games as he's played in three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, leaving the receiver with plenty to prove going into the final year of his rookie contract.
It's not an ideal position. It's also not one Greene seems concerned about.
"I'm a deep thinker and I'm aware that life is going to hit you sometimes," Greene said after minicamp Wednesday. "It's hitting me this way, and it's my job. You've got to be able to bounce back and be strong and show that you can overcome adversity. It builds character and makes you a better person."
He's counting on it making him a better player, too.
Just being healthy is a good start.
Greene missed seven games as a rookie in 2015 because of a broken thumb. He missed eight more the following year because of an Achilles injury. He sat out all of last season with an ailing back.
Even with the injuries mounting, his confidence never wavered.
So it didn't bother him when the Jaguars signed Donte Moncrief to a one-year, $9.6 million deal in free agency or when they selected DJ Chark in the second round of the NFL draft.
"I wasn't thinking, 'Oh Connor Brown Jersey , this is the end,' or getting agitated with what was going on," Greene said. "You've got to make plays. At the end of the day, it's a job, and if you don't make plays, you're not going to make the team. That's imperative.
"You can't have anxiety. You just got to relax, have fun and make plays."
Greene would have been considered a long shot to make Jacksonville's roster just a few weeks ago. But the former Florida State standout, a fifth-round draft pick in 2015, has made his share of plays during organized team activities.
He's been so impressive that he looks like a strong option to be part of a rotation that includes Marqise Lee, Moncrief, Keelan Cole and Chark.
"A lot of times when you are injured, you do not have that ability to showcase what you can do Michael Frolik Jersey ," coach Doug Marrone said. "I think he went through that last year and right now he is healthy, performing well and looking a lot like the player that I first saw when he came here, making plays and doing things.
"I think that if he keeps continuing the way he does and continues to play this way during training camp and the preseason, he will be heavily involved in the mix of making this team."
Greene has 24 receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns. He's been more dynamic on special teams, returning 39 punts for 432 yards and a score. He averaged 16.7 yards a punt return as a rookie.
But injuries have been his more prominent story line.
"He is definitely versatile," offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said. "He is a smooth wide receiver that has a lot of good quick shake and control of his body. He is a guy that we are excited to see as the pads come on and as training camp goes. We just want to keep seeing him. He is doing everything he can to put himself in position to get out on the field."
And maybe watch less and play more.
"All I can ask for is a chance," Greene said. "And the organization is giving me that. It feels great to be out there and competing. I'm having fun, and I can live with the results."
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