The Dallas Cowboys have waived defensive end Michael Sam from their practice squad. Sam, the first openly gay player to be drafted by an NFL team, signed with the Cowboys on Sept. 3 after he was among the final cuts of the St. Louis Rams. The Rams drafted Sam with the 249th overall pick this past May, making him the first openly gay player to be drafted in NFL history. He appeared in all four preseason games, racking up three sacks and 11 combined tackles, before the team released him in its final round of roster cuts. Sam played his college football at the University of Missouri and was named SEC co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2013. Unfortunately Sam has had to deal with the attention that had come with being the first openly gay player in the NFL. I believe Sam's draft position fell because teams didn't want to deal with the media circus that would follow. Teams don't want distractions and the attention would be a distraction. Maybe someone talks a chance and picks him up so he'll have another chance to make a roster.
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Harvin Trade a Factor in Loss
Seattle Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin said the shocking Percy Harvin trade Friday had an impact on the team's slow start Sunday that led to the 28-26 loss to the St. Louis Rams.
"Obviously the shock of the transaction and what took place there made for a bit of an emotional roller coaster," Baldwin said. "When something that drastic happens, right before we get on the bus [to go to the airport for the trip], there is going to be an emotional impact. I felt we handled it to the best of our ability, but I think it might have been a factor in some way."
The Seahawks fell behind, 21-3, and trailed 21-6 at halftime before coming back and making it close in the second half.
"There's obviously a lot of things that went on this week that affected the team in numerous ways," Baldwin said in the locker room after the game. "As a competitor, you don't want to admit those things. But as a human, it is human nature. It took us a little while to get on track. I'm just proud we responded the way we did and fought until the very end."
Story from ESPN.com
Marshall Calls Out Cutler
Frustration boiled over inside the Chicago Bearslocker room Sunday, just minutes after the team fell 27-14 at Soldier Field to the Miami Dolphins. Yelling could be heard from outside the double doors, and a source said receiverBrandon Marshall called out quarterback Jay Cutler.
The source said there "are some very selfish individuals in the locker room."
Marshall, meanwhile, didn't deny there was friction in the aftermath of the game.
"We lost, there should be a lot of frustration," Marshall said. "You should hear frustration. We're 3-4. Yeah, this means everything to a lot of guys in this locker room. This means a lot."
While it was believed Marshall also yelled at kicker Robbie Gould, the receiver declined to answer when specifically asked.
"OK, were you in here?" Marshall asked. "Were you in this locker room? This is a team matter. That has nothing to do with you. There's a lot of guys this means a lot to. We're 3-4. We need to play better. That's unacceptable. That's unacceptable. Unacceptable; shouldn't have lost today, shouldn't be 3-4. [The] offense [has] got to play better. It's as simple as that."