Jerry Jones pushing out Goodell? Gase says his offense ‘is awful’
Goodell’s raise is on hold as owners ponder his leadership on anthem and other issues
A month ago, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was promised a hefty raise and contract extension. But that reward is in jeopardy as he’s now faulted for long-raging protests involving civil rights, the flag and the national anthem. ESPN reported that 17 team owners held a conference call last week to discuss halting the new deal for Goodell. Some reporters feel this is the first step toward the ousting of the Face of the NFL. ESPN’s Mike Wilbon said on Pardon the Interruption: “In the words of the great Hawk Harrelson, ‘He gone.’” Meanwhile, Peter King of Sports Illustrated called Goodell’s future “mostly cloudy.” He pointed to Jerry Jones as the leader of the insurrection.
Between the Lines: In calling for discipline of Tom Brady and Zeke Elliott, Goodell lost two valuable allies among owners: Cowboy Jerry and Patriot Bob Kraft.
Dolphins coach Gase calls his offense ‘a joke,’ says players ‘are not putting the work in’
Miami Dolphins coach Adam Gase is a very sore loser. After his team was routed 40-0 by the Baltimore Ravens in an uglier than usual Thursday Night game, Gase did what he usually does after an embarrassing defeat: lash out at the players, tell the media how disgusted he is by lack of effort. The Dolphins gained 196 yards total offense against Baltimore, and Gase in his day-after press conference said: “I’m tired of the offense being awful. . . . Defense is fine. Special teams we seem to be all right. Offensively, it’s a joke. . . . You’ve got too many guys that don’t want to take it home with them.” Too many of “our best players” did not “put forth effort” before taking the field. “We’re not putting the work in . . . . I’ve been addressing this for two years, so I’m kind of fed up. . . . Those that want to come on board, great. Those that don’t, we’ll get rid of them.” One he quickly got rid of was running back Jay Ajayi, who was bottled up at the line of scrimmage. Gase said Ajayi was “trying to hit home runs all the time. . . . How about take the four or five yards you’re going to get? . . . To me, it comes down to more than just offensive line.” Two days later, the Dolphins traded Ajayi to Philadelphia for a fourth-round draft pick.
Dear Coach: Another reason Ajayi didn’t gain yardage is an offensive scheme that never includes a fullback and rarely a tight end who blocks. Julius Thomas is not going to dig out holes for a running back.
Byant pouting on sideline: pointing toward leaving Dallas?
As the Dallas Cowboys were struggling to take control of Sunday’s rain-battered game in the nation’s capital, Dez Bryant was stalking the sidelines, jawing with offensive coordinator Scott Linihan and QB Dak Prescott. Bryant raised two fingers above his head, which FOX announcers interpreted as signaling that he had been targeted only twice so far. He went on to catch four passes, but that wasn’t enough to quell speculation that diva Dez was unhappy and hoping to find another team. Of course, Cowboys coach Jason Garrett insisted otherwise. “He understood the nature of the game; with the conditions we were going to run the ball more. He was just encouraging everybody.”
Dear Dez: You could have helped your cause by not dropping a pass in the end zone.
Verlander says ‘slick’ baseballs are reducing effectiveness of sliders
Whenever home run production increases dramatically, major-league pitchers point to baseballs being modified, perhaps intentionally. So it’s not surprising that in a year of record power, suspicion rises that balls are “juiced” — or slickened so the pitcher doesn’t have as much grip. But when the complainer is a possible Hall of Famer, Justin Verlander, there is some credibility. “The balls seem a little bit different in the postseason, and even from the postseason to the World Series ball,” said the Houston Astros’ righthander, who started Game 6 Tuesday night in Los Angeles. “They’re a little slick. . . . We just want consistency.” But that’s not so easily attained. Scientific research at the University of Massachusetts has shown that all baseballs are not the same, that subtle differences can occur from one batch of balls to another or even within the same box. The rule is that baseballs must weigh 5.0-5.25 ounces, with the lighter ones traveling 8.4 feet farther. It would be possible for MLB employees to check the boxes to ensure 5.0s only.
Between the Lines: There are always suspicions that MLB wants more home runs because everybody but the pitchers love them.