RuntheDamnBall Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 and maybe he just isn't good enough. Except that isn't what the thread is about, but we know how and why you feel. The kid can get to the QB and should be able to latch on with somebody if he really wants to. Wood is saying that ESPN with its stupid coverage made that more difficult. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan1959 Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 I think Eric Wood was right to call out ESPN for their obsessive coverage of Michael Sam; however, it was more than just ESPN. I feel bad for Michael Sam. It should have simply been a feel good story of a young man who had the courage to be who he was, and an organization, in a sport that epitomizes traditional views of masculinity, giving him the opportunity to achieve his dream. At this point in time, an openly gay player joining an NFL team should have generated nothing more than such sentiments. Unfortunately, it was never going to be that simple. The collective media, in its never ending quest for sensationalism, rather than just reporting, did the very thing they would eagerly crucify anyone else for doing: singling him out for being different and hindering his chances for success because of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Wood is largely correct, although its more than just ESPN. All the attention from all corners for a 7th round pick is absurd. That being said, I don't think Sam made much of an effort to avoid it all, especially this spring. Regardless, I'm sure he'll be on the ESPN payroll within a month if he doesn't get signed to a practice squad somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattM Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Â He didn't he had 3 which tied him with perennial pro bowlers such as tahir whitehead and our very own Corbin Bryant. Did you watch any of his games to say he belongs on a ps? Or are you purely going off of stats because if you look at the list of preseason sack leaders there's a lot of who? guys on it. Â http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?tabSeq=0&statisticCategory=SACKS&conference=null&season=2014&seasonType=PRE Â And yet Corbin Bryant not only made a roster, he made a roster deep in quality DL. You kind of helped prove the opposite of the point I think you were trying to make. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 The fact that ESPN dedicated time to shower speculation about Michael Sam tells you what they are interested in. Â Look how much time they spent on the Penn State shower speculation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 I believe the Rams cutting him was a pure football decision. Their D-Line is deep. However, I can't believe that there are no teams out there who need pass rush help that are willing to at least kick the tyres on a proven pass rusher at college level who showed up to some extent in pre-season at least in situations packages. Â If he doesn't even get a look for a PS then you have to think there is something else going on. Sacking the Quarterback in the NFL is not easy... if you can find a guy cheap who can do it (even if it is only on obvious passing downs) then you take a chance on him. There are worse pass rushing DEs who have bounced around practice squads in recent years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 The fact that ESPN dedicated time to shower speculation about Michael Sam tells you what they are interested in. Â ESPN is interested in eyeballs and mouse clicks, period. They will use any means necessary to get them. Sadly, lots of idiots oblige them by watching/reading their wall-to-wall Michael Sam coverage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filthymcnasty08 Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Look how much time they spent on the Penn State shower speculation. Â +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 I believe the Rams cutting him was a pure football decision. Their D-Line is deep. However, I can't believe that there are no teams out there who need pass rush help that are willing to at least kick the tyres on a proven pass rusher at college level who showed up to some extent in pre-season at least in situations packages. Â If he doesn't even get a look for a PS then you have to think there is something else going on. Sacking the Quarterback in the NFL is not easy... if you can find a guy cheap who can do it (even if it is only on obvious passing downs) then you take a chance on him. There are worse pass rushing DEs who have bounced around practice squads in recent years. Of course there's something else going on. No other team wants a marginally talented player for the price of having a horde of media idiots constantly harassing their team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badasss Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 There's gotta be a law suit brewing in here somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrader Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Why was Wood even asked this question in the first place? It has absolutely nothing to do with him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave mcbride Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 I think the best path for Sam may be to do what Jacquies Smith and Cameron Wake did - go to the CFL, where ESPN won't pay attention to him. If he can play well there with minimal disruption, an NFL team may well go after him given that the "story" will have faded quite a bit in the next year or two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Best Player Available Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 it is Not just ESPN. CNN the modern equilvelant of the National enquirer has an article on their front page. fact is all these rags have articles, and full expect to see him on the cover of Rolling Stone sooner rather than later. Â These sources report what they THINK people want to hear. Feel sorry for the dude, and he probably has no future In the league based on talent and not sexual preference. But these morons will find some way to spin it to sell clicks And copy's. Â Â Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
17 Josh Allen Posted September 1, 2014 Author Share Posted September 1, 2014 I watched all 4 of the rams pre-season games I bought the $20.00 preseason package. Your able to watch entire pre-season games After there over in around 30 Minutes. Â To me he looks like a good player that should Be on a active NFL roster. At the Very least he should be on a practice squad. Note this year NFL teams get to keep 10 practice Squad players Instead of 5. So he should at the very least make A practice squad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlbillsfan1975 Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 I could not agree more with Eric Wood. Everyone needs to call out ESPN. Because they are so hungry for ratings they are ruining a person's dreams. Shame on the media for being such hypocrites. Much of the media could care less any more about what journalism should be but care more about ratings and personal glory...sad for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsBruce Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 ESPN is the Jerry Springer of sports news and talk. The network and its heads feed on scandal, controversy and negativity. I've taken to calling it MeSPN, as the network, and again, its good looking, clever, erudite and WAY hipper than thou talking heads seem to create as much news as they report. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuntheDamnBall Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Why was Wood even asked this question in the first place? It has absolutely nothing to do with him. He wasn't, he responded to Tucker on Twitter. Â I believe he is a player union rep, but I could be incorrect on that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drinkTHEkoolaid Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 (edited) I think wood is 100% spot on. Â If espn didnt want to make his shower habits public discussion a team would probably already made him an offer at least for a PS somewhere. No team wants that type of circus for a borderline roster player. Edited September 1, 2014 by drinkTHEkoolaid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metzelaars_lives Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 and maybe he just isn't good enough. When's the last time you saw a guy get drafted, get three sacks in the preseason and not even make a practice squad? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filthymcnasty08 Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 ESPN jumped the proverbial shark long ago. I would much rather go to the web for highlights and box scores….NFL Countdown/Sports Center both so overproduced at this point that they are practically seizure-inducing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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