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NFL Random Thought of the Day

I heard a "funny," but sadly true statement made by a sports analyst. Something pertinent to all the sports leagues (MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL), but especially the NFL.

"WHEN POLICIES, RULES, TICKET PRICES, ETC, DON'T MAKE SENSE, YOU CAN BE DAMN SURE THAT IT'S MAKING MONEY [for the LEAGUE]."
 
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NFL has no comment on application of gambling policy to Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin’s July 4 party
Published July 6, 2023 03:48 PM

The NFL’s gambling policy contains a specific term regarding the acceptance of hospitality or gifts by “NFL personnel” from “Gambling Entities.” The language of the provision, like the rest of the policy, reads as if it was written by a lawyer, for a lawyer.

It’s not clear where the line is. Which, obviously, becomes useful information for those players and other non-lawyers employed by the league and its teams who are expected to stay on the right side of it.

For Tuesday’s swanky, extravagant, and exclusive party held by Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin , the league won’t officially say which side of the line the party falls on. The league declined our request for comment on the matter.

Unofficially, a source with knowledge of the league’s position on the matter said there is no violation for NFL personnel who attended. Per the source, it was a private party that Rubin has hosted for several years with no promotion of Fanatics or any of its businesses.

That’s fine, but that’s not what the policy says. “NFL Personnel may not accept a complimentary room, service, or other gift from a Gambling Entity if its value exceeds Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250),” the policy states. “Any items accepted (other than de minimis food & beverages generally offered to all patrons) must be appropriately documented and verifiable upon request. Soliciting gifts of any value is never permissible.”

The loophole apparently comes from the term “Gambling Entity.” The policy defines “Gambling Entity” as a “casino, sportsbook, or other establishment or business that offers commercial gambling.”

Assuming that Rubin paid for the party himself and not with Fanatics money, any other sports book CEO or executive could do the same thing, without the policy ever being relevant. Expensive food. Expensive drinks. Expensive entertainment. Maybe a nice little swag bag with far more than $250 worth of stuff in it.

As long as it’s all hosted by the person who runs the sports book and not the sports book, it’s apparently fine.

Obviously, the spirit of the provision could be easily violated, if this loophole is something other than a make-it-up-as-they-go reaction to something that looks and feels like a violation of the policy. As long as the gambling entity isn’t mentioned or promoted, the owner or operator of the gambling entity can give NFL personnel anything and everything. Surely, that’s not the outcome the league intends.

The situation becomes thornier when considering the very real possibility that Fanatics footed the bill for the party, with the whole thing being a write-off. How would the NFL ever prove that? Would the NFL even be inclined to try?

If only players were present at the party, maybe the league would consider it. The fact that Patriots owner Robert Kraft was among the attendees makes it far less likely that the league would ever do anything about it.

And that’s quite possibly the bottom line here. Rubin’s party wasn’t a potential problem until his company launched a sports book. Someone at 345 Park Avenue might had an “oh ****” moment when considering the application of the relevant portion of the policy to the party. If only players were there, maybe they would hammer them. With an owner there, maybe they came up with a way to quietly look the other way.

Meanwhile, the policy is on the books as written, and no one is in any better position to understand how to avoid violating it.

That’s ultimately what we were trying to do. It’s how we explained it to the league. Lots of people in the league read PFT regularly, if not religiously. This would be a great way to help them understand what the policy means regarding hospitality and gifts.

Instead, you’re on your own, players. Proceed at your own risk.
 
Falcons embrace their run-first approach with Bijan Robinson pick

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Right or wrong, they're showing a ton of faith in Desmond Ridder and a run-first offense that you don't see often in this era. Instead of going all-in on an elite quarterback, the Falcons drafted a running back with the eighth overall pick. Talk about bucking conventional wisdom.
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For agents, there’s no more significant inside information than whether an injured client will or won’t play
  • By Mike Florio
  • Published July 7, 2023 07:47 PM

Earlier today, we pointed out that the NFL’s gambling policy has no application to agents , and that the NFL Players Association has no gambling policy for the contract advisors it regulates.

Beyond the issue of agents using their own unique information to place bets, they could also (in theory) sell that information to those who make wagers.

In response to our story, a high-level team executive pointed out something we failed to mention, but should have. Agents always know which injured clients will or won’t be playing.

“Players always tell their agents if they are playing or not prior to game or night before,” the source said. “Imagine how that could swing things.”

Indeed it could. Currently, most agents simply give that information to the reporters who constantly try to one-up each other on Twitter. If the agents who know a given client’s actual status opts to not spill the beans to a reporter but to use it for the purposes of betting — either directly or indirectly — that could be powerful information.

It’s all the more reason for the league and union to work together to devise effective strategies for preventing that information from being misused.
 
Weekend Mailbag: Jim Wyatt Answers Questions From Titans Fans
Jul 07, 2023 at 11:26 PM

Jim Wyatt
Senior Writer/Editor

Malikmail2

NASHVILLE – We're now a week into July, and a week closer to training camp.
This weekend's Titans mailbag, well, it's here.
Let's get right to it…

Question: Hi Jim. Thanks for getting us all through these dog days, can't wait until we have some actual football to talk about.
My question is about Malik Willis. It's great to hear all the reports that suggest he's making improvements, but I'm still seeing articles/posts out there suggesting his roster spot is in jeopardy. Doesn't the new rule that allows for the 3rd QB to dress on game days more or less guarantee his spot? Please let me know if I'm missing something. Thanks!

Jim: Hey JB. Appreciate you reading. Malik's roster spot isn't guaranteed, even with the new rule. Ryan Tannehill and Will Levis will be on the 53-man roster because Tannehill is the starter, and Levis was the 33rd overall pick and he's going to be given time. So, Malik needs to keep improving, and earn his spot. Right now, I think he will be on the 53 himself, and I wasn't thinking that way the beginning of May. Malik outperformed Levis this offseason, and definitely showed improvement from a year ago. But things can change.
 
DeAndre Hopkins holds out hope another team will enter the mix, increasing his value
  • By Mike Florio
  • Published July 9, 2023 10:19 AM

Last month, receiver DeAndre Hopkins visited the Titans and Patriots. Since then, he has played the waiting game.
Via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, Hopkins is waiting for another team to enter the mix . If that happens, his value could increase.

Obviously, this implies that neither the Titans nor the Patriots have made him an offer he can’t/won’t refuse. Per Reiss, both teams have indeed made offers — and the Titans have been “more aggressive to this point.”

It’s unclear whether another team will emerge before camp opens. Hopkins could choose to wait until a veteran currently on a team gets injured or displays ineffectiveness, creating on-the-fly interest in his services. If, as many believe, Hopkins isn’t a fan of practice, waiting until the season approaches to sign could be enticing to him.

Still, at some point, he needs to get ready to make an impact right away, especially since his eventual contract will include incentives based on playing time and/or production.

Reiss also notes that, if it ultimately comes down to the Patriots or the Titans, Hopkins could ask himself which one gives him a better chance to reach his incentives and max out his earnings. His experience with Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien could be a plus in that regard.
 
JB said:
What did the Texans "do" to Mills?
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Put him under Center, as an NFL starter, far too soon.

Mills could’ve been developed or carried a clipboard for at least a season before even being allowed to compete for the QB1 spot. I saw nothing wrong with his selection in RD3, but pushing him out there (as the QB1) with his limited CFB experience and the team as assembled was reckless.
 
OptimisticTexan said:
Put him under Center, as an NFL starter, far too soon.

Mills could’ve been developed or carried a clipboard for at least a season before even being allowed to compete for the QB1 spot. I saw nothing wrong with his selection in RD3, but pushing him out there (as the QB1) with his limited CFB experience and the team as assembled was reckless.
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I thought he only started because the starter was injured
 
JB said:
I thought he only started because the starter was injured
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True….but they could’ve signed another veteran to QB1 versus leaning on Mills in GM3. GM2 they had no other options. After GM2 they had options.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: JB
OptimisticTexan said:
Put him under Center, as an NFL starter, far too soon.

Mills could’ve been developed or carried a clipboard for at least a season before even being allowed to compete for the QB1 spot. I saw nothing wrong with his selection in RD3, but pushing him out there (as the QB1) with his limited CFB experience and the team as assembled was reckless.
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Honestly I don't think it mattered. In the few games he did play in college he wasn't very good. He's just not as talented as he was made out to be. Sitting for a year, maybe that would have helped some but I don't think enough to have made much of a difference.
 
badboy said:
Packers rookie already labeled a bust, but is that fair? - FanSided https://fansided.com/2023/07/13/packers-rookie-already-labeled-bust/
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Fairly idiotic. I understand these guys trying to get paid for articles. Some don't even select their topic. But to hang a bust label on someone who has never taken a training camp snap is ignorant. I've already posted a link during draft season on Van Ness on why he didn't start for Iowa, and how he had the 2nd most snaps on their d-line. How long would it take for a wannabe writer to google that? 2 minutes? I guess in our microwave society, that's just too long.
 
I really hope the Texans are watching how the FB- Hunter Luepke (UDFA / North Dakota State) situation plays out in Dallas.

This was a player I really wished the Texans had signed or drafted late. He’s a complete FB in the mold of 49’ers, Kyle Juszczyk…..in my book, he’s more like a 49’ers Tom Rathman. He’s a FB who can block, run, play HB, TE, run routes, and has soft hands. He’s up against a bevy of veteran RB’s in Dallas…..but a lot folks think he’s a shoe-in to make the team.

If they try to hide him on the PS or he becomes a late TC cut, Texans should try to get him signed.
 
OptimisticTexan said:
I really hope the Texans are watching how the FB- Hunter Luepke (UDFA / North Dakota State) situation plays out in Dallas.

This was a player I really wished the Texans had signed or drafted late. He’s a complete FB in the mold of 49’ers, Kyle Juszczyk…..in my book, he’s more like a 49’ers Tom Rathman. He’s a FB who can block, run, play HB, TE, run routes, and has soft hands. He’s up against a bevy of veteran RB’s in Dallas…..but a lot folks think he’s a shoe-in to make the team.

If they try to hide him on the PS or he becomes a late TC cut, Texans should try to get him signed.
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As i understand, signing player off another team's PS means player is put on our active roster. On our projected roster, whom does he replace?
 
Apologies if posted already:
sports.yahoo.com

Jon Gruden’s quest for retribution vs. NFL looks ironclad and shows no hint of a settlement

The top theme that emerged to those closest to Gurden: “Jon’s going to take this all the way,” said a source with personal ties to Gruden, Roger Goodell and ex-Washington exec Bruce Allen. “It’s as personal as it gets.”
sports.yahoo.com sports.yahoo.com

The top theme that emerged to those closest to Gurden: “Jon’s going to take this all the way,” said a source with personal ties to Gruden, Roger Goodell and ex...
 
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