Pitchforks and Torches: Who's the Rat?
After an unnamed player complained to the NFLPA about the intensity of the OTAs and had the final two practices revoked, the question begs as to who tattled. The Lions have received a very similar punishment for a very similar crime and according to the Detroit News there is a possibility that no one tattled:
The NFL randomly monitors practices tapes, which indicates that it is not likely that a Lions player reported possible violations. - DetroitNews.com
So in all likelihood, the Jaguars didn't have a player complaining, but that leaves us no one to chase out of town with pitchforks and torches. No, no, no, it is way more fun to have a scapegoat. Screw rationality, let's weed out the suspects.
Suspect A - Josh Scobee
Motive: A picture speaks a thousand words. Take a look at the picture above and tell me he looks happy to be there. If that face doesn't say, "I'd rather be golfing," then I don't know what does. Plus, the kicker complaining about the intensity of a practice is like the butler killing someone, it just makes sense no matter how cliche.
Alibi: Why complain? It's not like the upped intensity really affects the kickers all that much anyway. Even if he did complain, would the NFLPA really listen to a kicker complaining about practice intensity?
Chances he did it: 10%
Suspect B - Rashean Mathis
Motive: Rashean hasn't exactly been a fan favorite due to his absence from practices. If absences from practices are pissing people off, how about he just shuts down the practices? Then he'll be like everyone else without having to actually swallow his pride and go back to practice.
Alibi: Pfft...Rashean's been inside in air conditioning while everyone else in Jacksonville has been out sweating like crazy in 100+ heat and he's the one complaining? Come on. He sat through the first 12 practices and had only 2 left to miss, why now?
Chances he did it: 20%
Suspect C - Jack Del Rio
Motive: Consider this tweet by Gene Frenette as evidence:
Del Rio tweaks right hamsting running gassers at last OTA got a big ice wrap on it doing his press conference.
What do I make out of this? The OTAs are even kicking JDR's butt. It's not like he can just tone down the intensity that he set on day 1, he had to keep it up and eventually it got too much for even him. Also add in the fact that he had to stand there in the heat and he just had to shut himself down.
Alibi: Considering how often Jack calls out his players for being pansies, this seems doubtful. Last year he called out John Henderson for missing a practice with a minor shoulder injury. Jack probably thought the OTAs weren't hard enough.
Chances he did it: 5%
Suspect D - Maurice Jones-Drew
Motive: The dude had over 300 carries in 2009 and racked up fantasy points like nobody's business. Now he has to sweat it out in June? That just isn't right. Sure he could sit out of the voluntary practices like Rashean, but does he really want to open that can of worms?
Alibi: MJD has way too much pride in what he does to miss a practice let alone make the entire team miss a week of practice. He's the best because he practices like he's the best. Nothing you throw at him will slow him down.
Chances he did it: 1%
Suspect E - "Chris McGaha" AKA Peyton Manning with a fake moustache
Motive: Ok, here's the scenario. Peyton has seen the Jaguars revamp their defensive line and has secretly spied on their practices (there has to be an explanation as to how he knows so much about opposing defenses). Seeing Alualu, Kampman, Harvey and co. wreaking havoc has him nervous and he needs to throw some wrenches into the plan. So he decides to impersonate a Jaguars player and complain to the NFLPA that the practices are too intense. Chris McGaha is the perfect candidate because no one really knows what he looks like. A little wig and a fake moustache ought to do the trick and voila, practices are cancelled.
Alibi: It doesn't matter how good a pass rush is, it's not like it actually makes it to Peyton. He throws the ball 0.2 seconds after the snap or hits the ground as soon as possible. Why would he be worried?
Chances he did it: 90% ---> He did it
In all reality, Gene Smith is the one to blame here. If he had just drafted Tim Tebow, the savior would have ensured that the entire roster was completely on board due to his lovable charm. Even if the team was working too hard, the NFL couldn't suspend such a wholesome young man from practicing.
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If anyone brought attention - it might have been Jack Del Rio
When Jack publically complained about Rashean holding out from “voluntary” OTAs, that sounded an awful big alarm to me. I am sure the Players Association heard it as well.
In my opinion, Jack went too vocal and too public. Not saying it was the reason, only saying it was meant to be heard and might have been.
Big Cat Country!:: The Official Home of the Unofficial Blog of the Jacksonville Jaguars!
NFL does film review
This more than likely came from the NFLPA/NFL League Office, as they do tape review of OTA practices. It doesn’t take a rat, it’s just video review.
Big Cat Country!:: The Official Home of the Unofficial Blog of the Jacksonville Jaguars!
by River City Rage on Jun 17, 2010 1:20 PM EDT reply actions
Yeah I thought so too
“So in all likelihood, the Jaguars didn’t have a player complaining, but that leaves us no one to chase out of town with pitchforks and torches.”
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Local Media
The media that covers the Jags is reporting that a player complained, and that’s the reason the NFLPA cracked down. Per Vito twitter he claims that it was a player that complained.
Is Vito not telling the truth?
He also claimed that the Raiders never offered a pick for Henderson because they would never pick up his contract. Is it not possible that the Raiders could have renegotiated his contract? Seems the Jags did just that with Justin Smiley contract.
Gene Smith mentioned that there were indeed teams offering picks for Henderson in a post draft interview. That interview can be found on Jaguars website. He also said they changed their mind after selecting a DT in the second round.
The Raiders selected a DT in the second round. Could they have been the team Gene was referring to? Somebody is not telling the truth, and that seems to be the only sure thing.
+1 million
And its offically started.. I still say it was Vito that reported them :) Wanted to start his vacation early..
" In Gene We Trust "
by Charles Goin on Jun 17, 2010 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Unnamed source reporting is so annoying
Regarding the truth, the only thing we know is that we’ll never know
by JohnnyBiceps on Jun 17, 2010 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions
You know
I really don’t know what Chris McGaha looks like. EFF You PAYTUN
"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
Real fans don’t need a reason.
Gamertag: xXTealNinjaXx
Haha
I know, I cant find a picture of the guys face anywhere. He’d be easy to impersonate.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
Haha
I know, I cant find a picture of the guys face anywhere. He’d be easy to impersonate.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
Let's say it was
Which I don’t think it was. It was probably video evidence. But like I just finished saying, suppose it was a player. I cannot think of one player that would complain. Now that definitely speaks to the character quality of the roster Gene put together.
ESPN south blogger Paul Kuharsky kinda went out of his way to saysit was a player
No big deal.....
I would rather be penalized for being too tough than too soft. Vince Lombardi is probably laughing somewhere.
I was speaking of the "too tough" issue.....
not specifically the OTA’s.
Lets hope not TOO hard..
Last thing we need is walking wounded to start the season with.. I think we have been there before :)…. That said, team was much better off with Coughlin, not to mention I think Coughlin has a ring now too.. Hmm… On second thought.. let them knock each other silly in practice.
" In Gene We Trust "
by Charles Goin on Jun 17, 2010 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions
I haven't seen any evidence
of teams getting injury bugs from working too hard. In fact I’ve seen the opposite be true.
Vic Did It...
…just that much sooner that the dead period begins and he can head to NC to golf. It’s well documented that he hates the underwear practices.
Probably just video evidence
But funny article Adam. I think Drew probably has a 0% chance of selling out the practices.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
Vito did it..
He had enough and didnt want to sit in the heat tweeting all day.. Yea I have to say it was definately Vito.. or Peyton.. or Vince Young (For same reasons Peyton could have done it)
" In Gene We Trust "
CBA?? Hello??
Isn’t this fairly obviously a CBA issue, with the players showing they mean bizniss going into negotiations? This is going to be the unspoken issue behind everything that happens for the next year in the NFL unfortunately. I’d love to see how many teams had to cancel OTAs the last few years, compared to the 4 who have had to cancel some this year.
I think the culprit is obvious
What happened? The Jaguars were BANNED from OTAs…that should say it all.
"Lord, beer me strength."
I'm a little thick....
what does this mean?
oh no they know about our secret
"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
Real fans don’t need a reason.
Gamertag: xXTealNinjaXx

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