Ramon Foster, Steelers linemates losing patience with Le’Veon Bell
Maurkice Pouncey, Ramon Foster complain about Le’Veon Bell’s contract holdout
Some of the linemen who block for Le’Veon Bell are losing patience with the running back holding out for a higher salary. “I’m kind of pissed right now,” center Maurkice Pouncey said. “It sucks that he’s not here. . . . It doesn’t look like he’ll be in the game plan for Sunday against Cleveland. James Conner looks great. We’ll worry about Bell in Week 2.” Conner is Bell’s backup. Starting guard Ramon Foster was even more critical of Bell: “What do you do? Here’s a guy who doesn’t give a damn, I guess, so we’ll treat it as such. I just hate it came to this. He’s making seven times what I make.”
Dear Le’Veon: : You get $14.5 million for showing up. You’re a free agent when the season ends. When your teammates start saying you’re greedy, your value is compromised.
Mariners Gordon, Segura in clubhouse brawl
Before Tuesday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles, an argument developed in the Seattle Mariners’ clubhouse. Center fielder Dee Gordon asked reporters to leave, after which there were sounds of yelling and other commotion. The Seattle Times reported that a fight broke out between Gordon and shortstop Jean Segura, and a half-dozen teammates pulled them apart. Gordon was heard shouting obscenities. The flash point was a pop fly the night before that the outfielder dropped for an error. At the time it seemed meaningless, since the runner did not score and the Mariners won the game. Manager Scott Servais said, “Things happen in a clubhouse. Our guys are working through it and talking through it. It’s unfortunate but it happens. It happens a lot more than you know.”
Between the Lines: Nerves were frayed because the Mariners’ season has been slipping away. The team has lost six of its past 10 games to fall 5 ½ games behind in the race for the second wild card in the American League.
NFL sponsor Nike embraces Kaepernick in its ‘Just Do It’ 30th anniversary marketing campaign
Colin Kaepernick, shunned by the NFL for protesting social injustice while the national anthem plays, has joined with Nike, one of the NFL’s main sponsors, in an advertising campaign. Nike, which makes the uniforms for the NFL, is developing a special line of sneakers and apparel devoted to Kaepernick, for which the quarterback will be well compensated. While polling indicates a majority of NFL fans oppose Kaepernick’s practice of kneeling during the anthem, the company is targeting the rebellious 15-17 age group which is its marketing base. The response from the White House was predictable: “I think it’s a terrible message and a message that shouldn’t be sent. There’s no reason for it.” But President Trump added, less predictably: “In another way, it’s what this country is all about, that you have certain freedoms to do what other people think you shouldn’t do.”
Between the Lines: There’s some irony here. Nike has been sued for not showing justice toward its female employees. And there’s also the issue of the company’s alleged reliance upon what borders on slave labor in China to manufacture some of its products.
Gruden engineered Mack deal and others, now facing an outcry from Raider Nation
Jon Gruden, Oakland Raiders’ new coach, has authority in all football decisions and used it to trade Kahlil Mack, 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, to Chicago. The Raiders received a first-round draft pick in 2019 and a first and third in 2020, while sending Chicago a second- and a fifth-rounder in 2020. Many Raiders fans and some of their players are outraged. “No way,” tweeted QB Derek Carr. The Bears signed Mack to a 6-year extension for $141 million ($90 mil guaranteed). Not since Champ Bailey went to Denver in 2004 has such a big-time football star been traded in the prime of his career. Gruden also has made two other unpopular trades. He gave a third-round pick to Pittsburgh for receiver Martavis Bryant, and a fifth-rounder to Buffalo for backup QB AJ McCarron. Former New York Times reporter Mike Tanier tweeted: “A FIFTH for AJ McCarron? I wouldn’t trade a fifth of Jim Beam for AJ McCarron.” The Raiders on Saturday waived Bryant, who missed extensive practice time because of ailments the coach considered “minor.” And it’s also been reported that Bryant is about to be suspended a second time for substance abuse. The Raiders gave Gruden a 10-year, $100 million contract. He said a month ago, “If I don’t get it done, I won’t take the money.”
Dear Coach: OK, McCarron is an upgrade over EJ Manuel and Connor Cook. Trading Mack might have made sense if you hadn’t also given a 2nd-round pick. As for Bryant, why did you ever want this malingering trouble-maker? And why promise to refund your contract if you fail? Do you really need more pressure on yourself?
Raiders’ Worley suspended for DUI, firearms possession and resisting arrest
Cornerback Daryl Worley of the Oakland Raiders has been suspended for four games without pay because of incidents on April 15. Worley in June pleaded guilty to three misdemeanors: driving under the influence, carrying firearms in public and resisting arrest. At the time of his arrest he was a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. According to NFL Network he was found inside a vehicle blocking a highway near the team training facility. He was waived by the Eagles and later signed with the Raiders.
Between the Lines: Worley was a third-round draft choice of Carolina in 2016 and had a promising rookie season as a starter. But he regressed last year, and with these off-field incidents his future in the NFL is doubtful.
