San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
Jackson situations has collusion odor
Sez Me … Lamar Jackson isn’t Colin Kaepernick any more than Don Knotts was John Wayne.
The situations between the two NFL quarterbacks — one present, one ex — clearly aren’t the same, but the background musicians are playing a similar Russian dirge.
I’m not alone in thinking Kaepernick, whose Mortal Sin was the Immaculate Genuflection during the anthem, was blackballed (and others who followed his lead, including teammate Eric Reed, were not). In his prime. Even now he’s 10 years younger than Tom Brady.
There is no proof of collusion, a Deadly Sin, but when every team, many quarterback-impaired, refuses to sign a QB with Super Bowl pedigree — even as a backup with great athletic ability, the stink can be inhaled in Novosibirsk.
Kaep more than likely would have defeated Baltimore in that Super Bowl — if Jim Harbaugh’s comical play-calling near the goal line gave him a chance.
All I can say is his kneeldown took place during a 2016 Niners exhibition, and Colin hasn’t taken a snap since that season, when he started 12 games and threw 16 TDS vs. four picks. Most of The League’s owners care about money more than winning, but Kaep wasn’t going to blow open anyone’s vault.
The filthy talk of collusion, of course hyperbolized by Unsocial Media, again is crawling out of the swamp. Thus far, anyway, owners outside of Baltimore aren’t stampeding to even ask Jackson what he likes for breakfast.
And it sure appears as though Lamar, 26, MVP in 2019, and one of the most difficult-toprepare-for, dangerous athletes to play the game (and who developed into a solid passer with little skill around him), is trying to enter a door that may be closed, but not locked. Yet.
After failing to sign a longterm deal with the Ravens, which Jackson has worked on as his own agent, Baltimore last week slapped a non-exclusive franchise tag on him, meaning he’s free to negotiate with other clubs. If he agrees to an outside deal, the Ravens can either match the offer or receive two first-round draft choices from that team.
Not one non-playoff team with the cap space to handle Lamar has shown interest. It isn’t ability or personality. It’s guaranteed dollars — plus two No. 1’s.
This isn’t pure collusion so much as it is a vaccine for Jimmy Haslam Disease the owners want to keep from spreading in their exclusive club.
Haslam, owner of the Browns, massaged troubled QB Deshaun Watson with $230 million — in fully guaranteed money — including a $45 million signing bonus. Unlike baseball, NFL bosses aren’t keen on giving away guaranteed dough — filling a hole, maybe, but not the whole boat. Football players get hurt. A lot. And Lamar can get hurt.
He clearly wants the Watson guarantee, and the Ravens aren’t obliging. Prior to the 2022 season, Jackson reportedly turned down a four-year, $250 mil deal with $133 mil guaranteed. Not breakfast meat.
Some teams could have used Kaep, but a whole lot more can use Jackson, a problem on the field, but not off of it. If he isn’t wooed by somebody, then collusion again is the star of the show, but there aren’t many kings out there willing to offer the crown jewels.
They see Haslem as an outlier here, a rogue, and the quarterback thing is hitting the fan like a load of crap. If Aaron Rodgers doesn’t retire and plays again this fall, it won’t be for Green Bay, but he isn’t getting blackballed. He stands to make close to $60 million.
The day is coming when the salary cap won’t include quarterback salaries. It’s now beyond difficult to build a championship-caliber team when a QB is eating a quarter of the payroll.
Jackson is one of the NFL’S brightest lights, a QB unique in all the world. He deserves everything he can get, but owners also are going to see his rambunctious style of play makes him an enormous gamble for a complete guarantee.
Let’s just say, for now, there’s no quarterback in next month’s draft who can approach his skill level — with the possible exception of Florida’s incredibly raw Anthony Richardson, who, still, as my dad would say, “has to eat a few beans yet.” ...
There have been very few QBS in draft history worth what Carolina is giving Chicago for the first overall pick — when you include the draft picks and fine receiver D.J. Moore the Bears are getting for someone who has never done it. Chicago’s biggest crime spree since Capone. …
It used to be that a highly drafted quarterback bust affected a team for a long time due to ridiculous rookie salaries. Not often anymore, but this one could be different, because of the picks. My guess is Richardson wowed Carolina at the combine. …
Told You So: Ace capologist Ed Mcguire chiropractored some stars’ contracts and The NFL Team That Used To Be Here’s cap went from $20 million over to $19 million under. … Caps are movable feasts. … Non-subscribers will be able to watch the Black Friday NFL game for free. But parking in driveways will be $50 per car. …
Friends reveal what Rodgers did in that dark room. Developed film. …
Juan Soto and his sore calf should not have departed Peoria for the WBC. …
Winning the Mountain West regular-season title is a monster for a sea-level basketball team.
Brian Dutcher should have been Coach of the Year. …
Funny how it was such a good basketball conference before it began Mountain Westing. …
After 47 years coaching Syracuse basketball, Jim Boeheim is retiring, along with his 2-3 zone defense. I didn’t know jackasses could carry that load so long. …
Louisville basketball coach
Kenny Payne says he doesn’t care about wins and losses. Guess not. His team went 4-28.
RIP, John Demott, longtime San Diego sports voice and creator of, No. 11ENZO! … Hernandez,” and, “Double-deuce, triple-e, the one and only, Juli Veee!” …
RIP, Otis Taylor. One of the best receivers not in the Hall of Fame. …
RIP, Bud Grant. One of my favorite coaches. Wasn’t a fan of training camp and preferred print media. …
I hate it when the networks show the school logo instead of its name. There are 350 Division 1 schools. How are we supposed to know every team? We have enough stupid without adding more to the pile. …
Ron Desantis gushes: “Florida is leading the nation!” On to the Sudetenland! …
Posed Question: If you could have tickets to every NCAA Tournament game or four days at the Masters, which would you choose? Answer: Masters — by a 450-yard drive. …
Posed Question II: At what age did you learn how to drive? Answer: Doesn’t matter. We drive, but we never learn how. …
It would be perfect for Flushing, N.Y., Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is gushing over the 1,116 toilets and urinals in his new, $2 billion Inglewood arena — which should give Kohler and American Standard an edge in naming rights. Apparently he doesn’t have much faith in the possible hygienic quality of its food and drink. …
Free agent O-lineman Kelvin Beachum says QB Kyler Murray “has to grow up.” To what, 5-11? …
Seeing used to be believing and cameras didn’t lie. Not anymore.
sezme.godfather@gmail.com Twitter: @sdutcanepa