Bill from NYC

In the state of New York only a public servant can offer or receie a "bribe." Also, one must distinguish between bribes and unlawful graities. An easy rule of thumb would be: bribe = Bad act. Illegal gratuity = Good act. For instance, a police officer arrests a man who is robbing and beating an elderly mother. Her son is happy so he gives the police officer (public official) a 200 dollar gift card to Morton's Steak House. This would be an illegal gratuity. Another person gives a police officer 500 dollars not to arrest him for heroin sales. That is a bribe. Now, can one legally offer a receptionist at a doctor's office (non public servant) a 20 dollar tip for a quicker appointment? Yes, absolutely. I don't know the law in Florida (assuming this is where the alleged offer took place) but I have to believe that Ross's alleged offer was not a crime for the reason stated above. This doesn't in ANY WAY stop the NFL from having a policy which forbids acts like the one alleged. I was was the commissioner I would be very angry that Flores came in 3 years after the fact with this charge (which Ross now denies), and because of what appears to be anger and retribution seeking. Is there an NFL bylaw somewhere demanding that coaches come forward in situations like these? I have no idea, but Ross doesn't look so good right now, and neither does Flores. Of course, this is jmo.

She's come undone She found a mountain that was far too high And when she found out she couldn't fly It was too late It's too late She's gone too far She's lost the sun She's come undone

Oh, my love You're like a precious stone Part of earth Where heaven has rained on Makes no difference Where you are Day or night time You're like a shinin' star And how could I Shine without you When it's about you That I am, whoa-oh, oh-oh Diamond girl Roamin' wild Such a rare thing Radiant child

Augie, Harbaugh's name is being tossed around for that job. Maybe DeMeco thinks that a 2nd interview would be a waste of his time. Harbaugh really is qualified, wouldn't you say? Seriously. But as I said, there really is no holding back a man like Ryans. He will get his chance. Things will happen for him and many other deserving people. That said, you can't start at the top. Not when billions of dollars are involved. That is why I made the point about rewarding teams who hire minority OCs and DCs. And btw, I did not think of this. Another poster in this thread did.

OK, gotcha. I do however think that a majority of NFL roster players do get some sort of signing bonus. I think that anybody can be a racist. I also think that not everybody is racist, even if you own a football team. I agree with posters in this thread that a problem is that there are not enough black OCs and DCs. As you probably know, I am a fan of the Crimson Tide and keep an eye on our current and ex-players. Do you know about DeMeco Ryans? He played at Alabama and is now the DC for the 49ers. He was hired by them in 2017 as a defensive quality control coach and just kept moving up. He recently turned down a second interview with the Vikings for their head coaching job. Imo there is no stopping a man like this. One poster in this thread suggested a draft pick reward for signing a minority OC or DC. Imo this is a smart and novel idea. You can't just appear out of nowhere and become a head coach. There is too much money involved in the NFL, or for that matter major college. Jmo.

I get that and you are right. But again, is a coach in any way obliged to report an offer like this?

I find this part of the issue to be quite fascinating. If a police officer sees this type of corruption and it is found out that he or she waited 3 years or so to report it, the officer would be fired or perhaps even jailed, depending on the degree of the corrupt act(s). The difference is, a police officer is a public servant. A football coach is not. I am wondering if there is anything in the contract of a coach, or even the NFL Charter/Bylaws that demand that the coach comes forward if he knows of corruption. If so, Flores certainly would appear to be guilty. In a way, I feel bad for him. If his allegation about tanking is true, this is certainly a blow to the integrity of the entire NFL. In essence (again, if he is telling the truth), he was given a choice between "ratting out" a billionaire owner, or keeping quiet and saving his career. Tough choice, no? Good question!!! I am guessing that resting players is not necessarily trying to lose.

I see your point to some degree, but you seem to have forgotten about the huge signing bonuses that many of these players receive. Also, I think that the average NFL Salary is pretty high, and the union benefits are very good. What is the league minimum salary these days? Do they get pensions after 4 years? I don't remember how long they must play in the league to qualify. Btw I am NOT one who thinks that these players don't deserve big salaries for the physical beatings they really do take. They do, but I am unprepared and unwilling to paint NFL players as powerless victims. Is this how you would categorize them?

Maybe Bill O'Brien. Edit: I see that he is already being mentioned.

You might be right but I am not 100% sure. It is frequently said in Tide Fan circles that Daboll wanted to pull Hurts for the pre injury Tua early in the season and Saban refused to do so. When Saban did put Tua in there, they won a National Title. I'm not ready to give Daboll all, or even the bulk of the credit. The offense of that particuar team was SO good that Tua, Najee Harris, and Davonta Smith were second string freshmen!!! Personally, I think that their best OC in recent times was Sarkisian. I think that Daboll prefered the NFL over college by a huge margin. Imo, being a college coach is MUCH harder and time demanding given the recruiting responsibility. Multiply this times at least 2 or more when you are working for an overbearing, obsessed Saban. The thing is, when you work under Saban, it really does pay. Ask Daboll, Sarkisian, Kirby, Jimbo, Kiffen, Locksley, and MANY other multi-millionaires.

My baby loves me, she gets me feeling so fine And when she loves me, she let's me know that she's mine And when she kisses, I feel the fire get hot Se never misses, she gives me all that she's got And when she ask me, if everything is OK I've got my answer, the only thing I can say, I say Yeah yeah That's what I say, I say yeah yeah

It would seem that way, unless he taped him.

If Flores can prove this happened then of course Ross will have a huge problem. That said, it wouldn't seem to involve racism, would it?

I do not argue that point. Still, how would this work in other industries? You don't think that he was supposed to notify NFL officials that an owner actually offered him money to purposely lose games? Really?

I don't think that is the point Promo. Flores is saying that he knew that Ross wanted to tank and just now decided to come forward.

Actually, you make a great point.

I think that the allegation against Ross will do him more harm than the alleged racism. The Rooney Rule would seem to at least partially open the NFL up to this, and I am NOT saying that I dislike the Rooney Rule. Frankly, it doesn't sway me one way or the other. His allegation against Ross might be true mind you, but what owner in his right mind would hire someone who just ratted out his fellow owner? Too bad he is a defensive guy. Alabama will probably lose, or even fire O'Brien. Maybe Saban could have saved another career.

They say candy is sweet But it just can't compete with You, baby You've got everything I need And nobody can please like You do, baby (nobody but you) And who believes that my wildest dreams And my craziest schemes will come true?

Was Marrone fired?

I don't know if was was fired, he quit, or they will now have 2 OL coaches, but Saban just hired an Offensive Line Assistant Coach.

I completely agree.

Careful with Ford. The risk with him is the weak competetion that he faced at Cincinnati. At Alabama he was 4th or 5th string and barely saw any playing time. I am not saying that he isn't somewhat talented. I do not however think that he is worthy of a day 1 pick. Jmo.

If I listened long enough to you I'd find a way to believe that it's all true Knowing that you lied Straight-faced while I cried Still I look to find a reason to believe Someone like you Makes it hard to live without Somebody else Someone like you Makes it easy to give Never think about myself

First of all, thanks for posting this. Posts are like this are what makes TSW such a good place in the offseason! I found the stat that you posted about Carolina so intriguing that I took a closer look..... Since 2003, they did not have a first round pick in 2 of the seasons. And you are correct, from 2004 until now they did not draft any offensive linemen in round 1. They did draft 3 CBs (not too bad lol). They also drafted no less than 4 LBs and 3 DTs. They drafted 2 wrs but one of them was Kelvin Benjamin. In other words, their drafts are historically stupid. My only other comment is that I am all but 100% certain that Jax will draft an OT, specifically Evan Neal. Cam Robinson is a nice player (and a bit of a head case) at LT but he is a UFA. I don't know if Jax wants him or if he wants to stay but even if he stays, I think that they will draft an OT to protect Trevor Lawrence, who is going to be great imo. If I was Lawrence and they drafted a DE with the 1st pick, I would be pissed off and hold it against the franchise in terms of staying there or leaving as a UFA when possible. Jmo and thanks again!

Yes, it was, thank you! I felt as if he he nevr had a decent run before then. That was a very strange game. Jerry Ostroski even threw a couple of successful blocks! It was as if the Dolphins were having a job action of sorts.