Quotables: Kaepernick’s ‘suspicious incident,’ Alex Mack’s big score
Notably quoted, Thursday: The woman involved in the Colin Kaepernick investigation, just about everyone on Alex Mack’s big payday, and an NFL coach on a sleepy top NFL Draft prospect.
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODA
Those words were reportedly spoken by a woman who had formerly had a sexual relationship with Colin Kaepernick. She was telling Kaepernick's former teammate, Ricardo Lockette, and current teammate, Quinton Patton, to shut the bedroom door they peeked into after Kaepernick had walked out. That moment was the last thing she remembered before waking up in a hospital bed.
Colin Kaepernick investigation
Colin Kaepernick investigation
It’s hard to know what to make of the Miami police investigation into Kaepernick and the “suspicious incident.” David Fucillo at Niners Nation recounts all of the known details here. Worth noting is that the woman said she did not have sex with Kaepernick before passing out, and that according to Miami PD “there’s no evidence of a crime or a sexual assault.” The woman requested an incidental report and isn’t making an accusation.
Whether anything comes of the investigation, it could have an impact on all three players, Kaepernick in particular. The fourth-year quarterback is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2014 season, and has been in contract negotiations with the San Francisco 49ers since the 2013 season ended. He may have lost some leverage with the organization by winding up in a bad situation. The investigation certainly won't help Kaepernick's image in the public, which has been quick in the past to harangue him for far more trivial matters.
Also concerning was the presence of marijuana at the apartment where the incident took place. The presence of a bong does not constitute a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy, as Fucillo points out in his must-read FAQ, but again, the police report won’t help perception of any of the players. Some reaction is natural. It is important not to overreact, according to Fooch:
The blame does fall on him, but I think we can ease up on the judgment. Some folks are quick to point to athletes who don’t get in trouble. But let’s remember that Kap generally has avoided trouble, and he does plenty of good out there. If these allegations prove baseless, there are plenty of people who will bring this up to impune Kap’s character in the future. It’s way too easy for random people on the Internet to throw crap against the wall, and see what sticks.
“No matter what happens, he’s going to be the highest-paid center in football.”
Alex Mack has at least $18 million coming to him over the next two years. The only question is who will be paying him. The Jacksonville Jaguars offered the center a five-year, $42 million offer sheet earlier this week that he is expected to sign Friday. From that point, per the rules of the transition tag, the Cleveland Browns will have five days to decide whether they will match the offer or let Mack walk without getting anything in return.
Alex Mack/Photo credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports The Browns are still “mulling over” the offer. The deal includes a player option after the second year that would allow Mack to void his contract and hit free agency. ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported that Mack would rather play in Jacksonville than Cleveland, and the opt-out clause may be an indication of that sentiment, giving the center the ability to walk away from Cleveland if the Mike Pettine era doesn’t go smoothly. Worth noting is that if Mack doesn’t opt out of his contract, he will receive another $8 million guaranteed in his third year.
The situation is beginning to feel like a custody battle between two guardians already at war with each other. The good news for Mack is that no matter where he lands, he will be making a lot of money.
“So AJ McCarron is filming a reality show about his wedding &...No one thinks this is bigger deal than a logo?”
- Redskins safety Ryan Clark
Clark's tweet, since deleted, was referring to the uproar after Robert Griffin III unveiled a personal logo to the chagrin of those prone to hot takes. That's not to say that McCarron hasn't taken grief for agreeing to allow cameras to follow him and his fiancee Katherine Webb as the two prepare for their wedding. Rumors and criticism prompted McCarron to fire back earlier in the week.
I think it's funny how people think I am doing a tv show. I play football that's it! What my future wife does is her business #worryaboutyou
— AJ McCarron (@10AJMcCarron) April 9, 2014 The lesson in all this is that being a high-profile quarterback is really, really hard.
“He was too tired”
- NFL coach on Kelvin Benjamin
Kelvin Benjamin’s star shot up during Florida State’s national championship season. The 6’5 wideout is a projected first-round pick in SB Nation’s latest mock draft thanks to an uncommon combination of size and athleticism. Reports like this one from NFL.com’s Gil Brandt won’t help his draft standing, however:
According to NFL Media analyst Gil Brandt, when an NFL coach recently went to work Benjamin out, the wideout told the coach “he was too tired” and blew off the workout.
Blowing off a potential employer is a generally frowned-upon practice, even if he represents a team you don’t believe is interested. Benjamin questioned his own work ethic in an interview with the Palm Beach Post before the 2013 season began, though he didn’t seem to have any trouble producing for the Seminoles.
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