Ramsey insists Hill is not his equal, Peppers harrassed by Browns fans
Ramsey emphasizes that Tyreek made All-Pro ‘as a return specialist’
Much is being made of Sunday’s matchup of Kansas City Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill against Jacksonville Jaguar Jalen Ramsey. But Ramsey, who may have supplanted Richard Sherman as the NFL’s most outspoken player, does not see Hill as being his equal. “He made All-Pro as a return specialist. Let’s get that right. He went to two Pro Bowls as a return specialist. For two years I made All-Pro at my position as a corner. So it’s not a wide receiver versus corner matchup.”
Dear Jalen: What’s the point of trying to diminish your opponent? You have given Hill extra incentive to show he’s faster than you
Jabrill Peppers faces off-field hostility from Browns fans
Jabrill Peppers, first-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2017, is wearing out his welcome. Peppers, 23, said Browns fans are so hostile to him off the field that “I don’t go by myself anywhere. . . . I can’t even go get toiletries without having to worry about something like that.” He has considered wearing a hoodie to hide his face, but he said he won’t do that because “that would be bad manners.” He thinks some of the hostility dates to his choice of college: Michigan, arch-rival of Ohio State, whose Buckeyes are very popular in Cleveland. But Peppers hasn’t helped himself by making disparaging comments about Browns fans. “That’s one thing I notice about Cleveland sports, you guys are very, very wishy-washy. If it ain’t going right immediately, calling for heads, calling for jobs.” But he realizes much of the hostility is due to his disappointing performance as a safety and kick returner. “I’m not playing up to my potential,” he said, “and they see that as well.”
Capitals raise Stanley Cup banner and don’t mention the departed coach, Barry Trotz
Tuesday night was a time of celebration in Capital One Arena, as the Washington Capitals raised their banner with its picture of the Stanley Cup. They played a 4-minute video showing highlights of the team’s first Stanley Cup championship in its 44-year history. But in the speeches and video that were included in the ceremony the name of Barry Trotz was not mentioned even though he coached the team for the entire season. Granted, he left the team soon after it ended, in a contract dispute, but it hardly seems appropriate to exclude him entirely from the recognition. “This is the ultimate in pettiness,” said Bob Ryan on ESPN’s Around the Horn. “There’s no excuse for it. They should have acknowledged Barry Trotz.”
Rodgers unhappy with Packers’ ‘terrible’ offense after 22-0 romp past Buffalo
Tom Brady has said that if Aaron Rodgers had the advantage of a creative coaching staff such as Bill Belichick’s in New England, “he’d pass for 7,000 yards, he’s so much more talented than I am.” Rodgers is 34, aware that twilight is approaching a quarterback on a gimpy knee. There was a hint of urgency in his voice when he addressed the media horde Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field. He did not see a 22-0 trampling of Buffalo as a credit because “we were terrible on offense. Four-hundred-23 yards looks pretty good compared to some of the games we put forward in the first three weeks, but it should have been about 45 points and 600 yards.” Then he criticized his team’s play selection: “There was no flow. . . . We need to find ways to get our playmakers into position to get more opportunities. . . . Davante (Adams) is a tough cover for anybody. He should have had 20 targets today. They really couldn’t stop him.” Adams was targeted 14 times and caught 8 passes for 81 yards. Packers coach Mike McCarthy said that if Rodgers did not like the plays that were called, the quarterback has permission to change them in the huddle or at the line of scrimmage.
Dear Aaron: Thanks for the candor. You now have a public invitation to take over your team’s offense. So do it. Be Peyton Manning . Why not?
Thomas waves goodbye with his middle finger
All-Pro safety Earl Thomas appeared to be just a few days away from being freed from the Seattle Seahawks, whom he feels have devalued him. The Seahawks reportedly were close to trading the disgruntled player to Kansas City, the NFL’s No. 1 scoring team that’s in desperate need of back-end defense. But before a trade could be consummated, Thomas suffered a broken leg in the Seahawks’ Sunday game at Arizona. As he was being carted from the field, Thomas turned toward the Seahawks’ bench and flipped the middle-finger gesture to his team of eight years. He was angry because the team had not granted the contract extension he wanted. He held out of training camp because he didn’t want to risk an injury that might ruin his marketability when he becomes a free agent at the end of this season. Seattle’s All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner said he understood what dilemma Thomas found himself in: “If he doesn’t come, then he’s not a team player. He does come in and gets hurt, then it’s. ‘Well, he shouldn’t have come in.’”
Dear Earl: You shouldn’t have come in. You should have worked out diligently, in front of witnesses, and the Chiefs would have wanted you. Much more than they want you now.
Bucs coach Koetter says he should be fired after ‘horrific’ blowout in Chicago
Dirk Koetter, coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was in no mood to offer excuses after his team was chewed up by the Chicago Bears – 48-10. In his postgame press conference Koetter said: “We should fire every person that was on that field today, starting with me. It was horrific.”
Dear Coach: Easy now. Yes we know the Bears are the Bears, but let’s not forget you beat a very good New Orleans team and almost beat the defending Super Bowl champions.
