Latest On Colin Kaepernick Workout
Free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick completed one of the most unique workouts in NFL history this afternoon. The NFL offered to stage a workout for the quarterback earlier this week. However, Kaepernick’s team became weary of the league’s intentions when his representatives were refused in their requests to open the event to the public. In a last minute decision, Kaepernick’s representation moved the event from the Falcons facility to a public location on their own.
Here’s the latest on the workout and its aftermath:
- When the venue was changed, the NFL released a public statement on NFL.com that expressed they were “disappointed” with Kaepernick’s choice not to participate in the workout they had organized. They claimed “Twenty-five (25) clubs were present for the workout, and all 32 clubs, their head coaches, general managers, and other personnel executives would have received video footage of the interview and workout.” The league also felt the need to note they “made considerable effort to work cooperatively with Colin’s representatives,” among a list of other points that attempted to counter some narratives that the league had been purposely opaque in their negotiations.
- The league also tweeted out from the league’s official account a thread reiterating some main points from the press release. One key point from the league’s perspective, “Colin moved his workout to a facility an hour from Atlanta Falcons Flowery Branch facility. No one got a heads up until NFL saw the Twitter statement.”
- Former Raiders and Browns head coach Hue Jackson was scheduled to run the workout orchestrated by the NFL. However, while Kaepernick’s team invited Jackson to run the workout at the new venue, Jackson returned to the airport, according to Michael Silver of NFL.com.
- WR Bruce Ellington, WR Brice Butler, WR Jordan Veasy, TE/WR Ari Werts, and Panthers S Eric Reid were on the field with Kaepernick for the workout, according to Kaylee Harung of ABC News. The free-agent receivers were likely hoping to catch the eyes of scouts present to view Kaepernick, while Reid has been one of the most consistent advocated for Kaepernick in the league.
- One claim in the announcement made by Kaepernick’s representatives was that the league required he sign an agreement that included language to limit his ability to bring claims against the league. Of course, given Kaepernick’s previous collusion lawsuit against the league, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk argues the workout was a ploy by the league to put Kaepernick “in legal checkmate.”
- In the end, there were not nearly as many teams present at Kaepernick’s workout as the NFL claimed would have been present for the workout they had planned. The Washington football team, Eagles, 49ers, Chiefs, Jets, Titans, and Lions were the teams present for his workout, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.
- The 2-hour workout was streamed on YouTube and consistently maintained roughly 45,000 viewers. On the field, one NFL executive described Kaepernick’s arm talent as “elite” and on the same level as “when he came out of college,” according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
- Teams that had personnel present for the workout noted that the workout consisted of 60 throws and “Basically showed he’s the same guy he was,” according to Albert Breer of MMQB. After the workout, Kaepernick did not hold any formal interviews, but in his closing remarks said he would hold an interview with any team. He also thanked his fans for their support and reiterated, “I’ve been ready. I’m staying ready. And I’ll continue to be ready….The ball’s in their court. We’re ready to go.”
Latest On Colin Kaepernick Workout
Colin Kaepernick‘s Saturday workout will not go according to the NFL’s plan. The quarterback’s camp changed the venue. Instead of the session commencing at the Falcons’ Flowery Branch, Ga., facility, Kaepernick will work out at a different location.
The NFL declined to allow media into the workout, which went against Kaepernick’s wishes for transparency, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). Kaepernick’s representatives have rescheduled the workout for 3pm CT, moving it back an hour. Charles Drew High School in Riverdale, Ga., will serve as the new venue, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (on Twitter).
“From the outset, Mr. Kaepernick requested a legitimate process and from the outset the NFL office has not provided one,” Kaepernick reps Ben Miselas and Jeff Nalley said in a statement (Twitter link). “Most recently, the NFL has demanded that as a precondition to the workout, Mr. Kaepernick sign an unusual liability waiver that addresses employment-related issues and rejected the standard liability waiver from physical injury proposed by Mr. Kaepernick’s representatives.
“Additionally, Mr. Kaepernick requested all media be allowed into the workout to observe and film it and for an independent film crew to be there to ensure transparency. The NFL denied this request. … Mr. Kaepernick still looks forward to seeing the representatives from the clubs today.”
Kaepernick’s camp requested to record the workout alongside the NFL’s camera crew, according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo.com (on Twitter); the group did not trust a process with the NFL being the only party with the tape. When the league refused that arrangement, Kaepernick requested media be permitted to view the session. When that was nixed, the quarterback ditched the previous setup, Robinson tweets. This distrust should not surprise given the contentious history between the former Super Bowl starter and the league.
More than three-fourths of the league will send reps to watch the ex-49ers starter throw. While there will not be head coaches or GMs on hand, Steve Wyche of NFL.com reports (video link) many pro personnel heads and scouting directors are in Atlanta. Some execs on hand are believed to be in consideration for future GM jobs, a sign some teams are taking this workout seriously. However, some may not be. Some teams may have been there only because of the NFL’s request, Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com tweets.
The NFL was set to provide three wide receivers to participate, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Considering this 11th-hour venue change, it’s possible that will no longer happen. However, ex-Kaepernick teammate Bruce Ellington will be there, with Fowler adding the 32-year-old free agent will bring up to five wideouts to the workout.
The Panthers will not be among the 25 teams in Atlanta for the workout, per The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue (on Twitter). This is interesting given Carolina’s quarterback uncertainty and employment of Eric Reid, who joined Kaepernick in alleging collusion against the NFL. Per Reid, Panthers owner David Tepper told him the team was not planning to add a veteran quarterback.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/13/19
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB Vontarrius Dora, DB Sojourn Shelton, G Ian Silberman
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: WR Greg Dortch
- Released: WR Quadree Henderson
Chicago Bears
- Signed: OL Dino Boyd, LB James Vaughters
Denver Broncos
- Signed: S Tyvis Powell
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: RB Darius Jackson
- Placed on injured list: RB Bruce Anderson
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: C Nate Trewyn
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: LB Jake Carlock
- Released: DB Doug Middleton
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: WR Davion Davis
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/12/19
Today’s practice squad updates:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: RB Craig Reynolds
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: OT Garrett McGhin, OT Aaron Monteiro
- Released: OT Matt Kaskey
Denver Broncos
- Signed: LB Malik Carney
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: OL Gerhard de Beer
New York Giants
- Signed: WR Alex Bachman, LS Colin Holba
NFL Workout Updates: 11/12/19
Here’s the latest from around the league’s workout circuit:
Carolina Panthers
- OT Garrett McGhin, OT Aaron Monteiro
Cleveland Browns
- DE Tashawn Bower, DB Jontrell Rocquemore
Houston Texans
- RB Elijah McGuire, DL Caraun Reid
Indianapolis Colts
- TE Matt Flanagan, CBs Jayson Stanley, WR Cody Thompson
New York Giants
- RB George Aston, WR Alex Bachman, WR Jonathan Duhart, LS Dan Godsil, LB Dewayne Hendrix, LS Colin Holba, OT Pace Murphy, P Ryan Santoso, LS Drew Scott, CB Arrion Springs, K Tristan Vizcaino, WR Papi White, LB Jamell Garcia-Williams
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/12/19
Today’s minor transactions:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Corn Elder
- Waived: G Bryan Witzmann
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on IR: C Brian Allen, LB Bryce Hager
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/11/19
Here are Monday’s minor moves:
Chicago Bears
- Re-signed: T/TE Bradley Sowell
Houston Texans
- Signed: DE Joel Heath
- Waived: OL Dan Skipper
Kansas City Chiefs
- Placed on IR: T Martinas Rankin
- Signed off Colts’ practice squad: T Jackson Barton
New York Giants
- Signed off Panthers’ practice squad: CB Corn Elder
- Waived: OL Evan Brown
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Claimed off waivers from Titans: OL Aaron Stinnie
- Waived: C Nate Trewyn
Panthers Claim RB Mike Davis
For a second straight Monday, the Panthers claimed a notable skill-position talent on waivers. They were awarded running back Mike Davis, whom the Bears waived on Saturday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
Davis did not see much time with the Bears but may have a clearer role with the Panthers. It would make sense for Carolina to give usage dynamo Christian McCaffrey some rest. Davis functioned as a change-of-pace Seahawks back last season.
McCaffrey’s 233 touches sit second in the league, though Dalvin Cook has accumulated his NFL-leading 243 in one extra game. The Panthers had C.J. Anderson on their 2018 roster to serve as a McCaffrey complement, but the team did not use the veteran much and cut him midway through the season. This season, the Panthers have given McCaffrey 185 carries. He logged 219 throughout last season. Backup running back Reggie Bonnafon has taken just 11 handoffs this year.
Considering Chicago gave Davis just 18 touches this season, he should be fresh to spell McCaffrey. Davis, 26, averaged 4.6 yards per carry with the Seahawks last season. Operating as Chris Carson‘s backup, Davis posted 728 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns. Last season marked Davis’ first steady backfield work; he spent the 2015-17 seasons not factoring in significantly in San Francisco or Seattle’s ball-carrying plans.
This move comes a week after the Panthers claimed ex-Steelers wideout Donte Moncrief. Both Moncrief and Davis were cut in order to balance out the Steelers’ and Bears’ compensatory-pick formulas, respectively.
Cam Newton Considering Surgery
Ever since Panthers QB Cam Newton was forced to the sidelines with a Lisfranc injury after his team’s Week 2 loss to the Buccaneers, we heard that the star signal-caller would not undergo surgery. However, now that he has been placed on IR, that could change.
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports that Newton is indeed considering surgery to repair the injury, and the procedure could take place within the next two weeks. The maximum recovery period is three months, so Newton would be healed in plenty of time for the Panthers to fully consider all of their options with respect to their former No. 1 overall pick.
Rapoport says that a trade is the most likely outcome. Newton is due $18.6MM plus a $2MM option bonus in 2020, so if he is healthy, his contract is movable. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports says that there will indeed be a trade market for Newton should Carolina choose to go that route, and La Canfora’s sources suggest that the Panthers could net a first-round pick for the 2015 MVP, or at least several early Day 2 selections.
Meanwhile, Kyle Allen, who has performed so admirably in Newton’s absence, has an interesting contract situation. Because Allen spent most of 2018 on the practice squad, he was cut off his rookie contract, which means he can receive an extension this offseason (a year earlier than most other players who entered the league in 2018). If the Panthers don’t choose to extend him — and if Allen doesn’t force the issue — they will be able to keep him under club control as an exclusive rights free agent in 2020 and 2021 and then as a restricted free agent in 2022.
La Canfora says team owner David Tepper fully appreciates the benefits of having a starting QB on an entry-level contract, so while the jury is still out on Allen, it will be interesting to see whether the club pursues a team-friendly extension after this season. That certainly sounds like a possibility, though Allen’s performance throughout the remainder of 2019 will obviously go a long way towards determining his future in Carolina.
Panthers Bringing Back Hogan
- Even without Cam Newton the Panthers are right in the thick of the playoff race, so they have to start thinking about some late-season moves. Carolina is apparently looking for a boost to their receiving corp, as the team plans on using one of their two injured reserve-return slots on receiver Chris Hogan, according to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic. Rodrigue notes that Hogan was out on the practice field on Wednesday. Hogan only had three catches through four games with his new team before getting put on IR.