The Washington Football Team was always meant to be a temporary name after Washington ditched their old nickname. Then it became somewhat popular with fans, leading to some consideration of making it permanent. That appears less likely now, as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office just “issued an initial refusal” of the team’s attempt to trademark the name, Sam Fortier of the Washington Post reports. The decision cited the “generic geographic nature of the request.”
That doesn’t mean they can’t use the name Washington Football Team for the 2021 season, it just means they can’t enforce the trademark right now for things like merchandising. However, experts that Fortier spoke to seem to think the franchise has a good chance of getting this decision overturned on appeal. Either way, it might further incentivize owner Dan Snyder to go with something entirely new. One expert suggested to Fortier the team could add new elements to make the brand more distinctive, like a mascot. A ‘Football Team’ mascot would certainly be something to behold.
Here’s more from around the NFC on a quiet Sunday evening:
- Sticking in the NFC East for a moment. It’s “unlikely” that receiver Michael Gallup is on the Cowboys’ roster beyond this season, Jon Machota of The Athletic writes. Machota argues there’s “just not enough salary cap space,” to fit contracts for Gallup, Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb. A third-round pick in 2018, Gallup is entering the final year of his rookie deal and will be looking to get paid next offseason. Machota does think there’s “a scenario” where Cooper deals with injuries or regresses and the team opts to move on from him and keep Gallup, but that they won’t likely be back together. The Colorado State product is coming off a solid season where he turned 59 catches into 843 yards and five touchdowns, mostly without Dak Prescott. In his last year with Prescott, in 2019, he had 1,107 yards and six scores in only 14 games.
- After trading Julio Jones, the Falcons will be leaning heavily on Calvin Ridley this season. As such, there was understandably some concern when it was announced a couple weeks ago that Ridley had undergone foot surgery. Fortunately, we’ve got another positive update to pass along. The foot injury was actually something Ridley dealt with during the 2020 season, and not a new injury suffered this offseason, the wideout told the media recently, via Scott Bair of the team’s official site. “It was just minor,” Ridley said. “I can walk and all that right now. I’m taking it one day at a time.” He also added that he’s “pretty sure” he’ll be ready for training camp, although Bair writes “that remains a bit of an unknown at this stage.” Either way, it doesn’t sound like anything to panic about.
- In case you missed it, Bears linebacker Roquan Smith is saying he isn’t worried about a potential contract extension.
Michael Gallup was incredibly underrated coming out of Colorado State, and he’s been severely underrated in Dallas.
All the dude does is makes the best of his opportunities and continues to get better and better. He isn’t a top 10 guy, but on a team with playoff aspirations he’s the perfect #2. He just keeps his head down, grinds, and gets the job done game after game.
If Dallas let’s him go, they’ll be making a mistake. He won’t command Cooper money, and he’s more reliable than Cooper. Cooper has the higher ceiling, but it’s been said countless times the best ability is availability.
Agreed 100%. Toss in that he is a solid team first guy.
ditch the over payed sexy pick Cooper and resign/extend workhorse Gallup. CeeDee makes Cooper expendable for a draft pick and cap space
Cooper is a much better receiver than Gallup. From route running to the actual ability of catching the ball (Gallup has hands of stone) Cooper easily outpaces Gallup. Gallup is a nice WR, but he’s the third best receiver in Dallas.
Cooper is a great receiver, but his flaws were not exposed with Prescott out all year. the more balls thrown his way, the less reliable he becomes. out over questionable injuries, out for unknown reasons, some games playing but providing nothing. this all goes back to why the Raiders traded him even though he had abilities. Jerry won’t trade him, this is just me nitpicking
Yeah, sorry. He wanted out of the Raiders organization. All Cooper has done in Dallas is produce. He does get dinged up with lower body issues, but he’ll give you very solid production otherwise. Great addition at the cost of a mid to late first rounder.
your comment contradicts the facts. Cooper is a good player, but he’s also the reason they drafted Lamb
Your comment contradicts reality. Cooper is the reason they drafted Lamb? Riiiight. The Cowboys were set to draft defense when Lamb fell to them at #17. It’s a passing league, and last I checked, most formations have 2, mostly 3, WRs. I’d say stick to the Raiders, but maybe hockey is more your style.
how many playoff games have the Cowboys won with Cooper? they can’t even win the worst division in the league
Cooper doesn’t play on defense.
H-O-C-K-E-Y
point out where anyone said he did. the whole idea is to outscore the other team with Prescott, Elliot, Cooper etc. how’s that been working out
If the Dallas offense is scoring 30 points a game, and the defense is giving up 32 points per game, how many games are you winning? But let’s blame the Cowboys’ record on an offensive player or players.
First you call Cooper a great receiver, then you call him a good player. Meanwhile you say you’re just nitpicking. This Cowboys fan is happy to have Cooper on the team.
Cooper is a quality #1 receiver (say top 10-15 in the league). Gallup is a decent #2 receiver, and in Dallas is a great #3 receiver. Anyone who thinks that Gallup is an adequate replacement for Cooper (or Lamb) might want to consider updating their eyeglass Rx. Gallup IS NOT a #1 WR.
Gotta go. Thanks for the dialogue.
when the large majority of the money and talent is put on the offense, the offense is expected to score more than the defense gives up. you claim Cooper is top 10-20, yet that is barely above middle of the pack and not worth what he’s getting paid (plus injuries). nobody claimed Gallup is better, but dump Cooper to save salary cap for the defense and use Lamb and Gallup. it’s not hard to find a 3rd receiver
The obvious move is to resign Gallup or even extend him now, and move on from Cooper in a year or two, then resign Lamb if he continues to develop into a number 1 receiver. Perfect continuity that way.
Washington Football Cowboys – Jerry would soil himself.
Lol
The prospective names the WFT is floating out for consideration are either absolutely horrific or sadly pandering. Snyder would be wise to abandon them all and wait to finalize his stadium deal before making his selection.