Michael Sam rides off to Montreal

[dcmissle]

 
Wish I'd realized the irony there myself.
 
My point was just that physically he fits the mold of guys who have been successful in this system (Sam is 6'2 261).  If he can't get playing time in Dallas, in a scheme suited to his size/talents, with an excellent DL coach in Marinelli, on that absolutely atrocious Dallas defense, it's never going to happen.

That's one reason this is beautiful -- it is removing wild-eyed, agenda driven arguments that the League is hating on him. It's the perfect spot with built in advantages and no excuses.

People said Tebow was vilified because of his Christian beliefs. The NYJs admittedly was a poor destination -- a circus in which everything worked against him and where he had no legitimate shot. Tebow goes to NE, gets cut and is out of the League. No more foolishness about Tebow.

Here Sam has landed in the functional equivalent of NE, except better because the opportunity is greater, not the NYJ.

I really want him to succeed. Some people just want an issue. There will be no more issues with Sam.

 

[Deathofthebambino]

I couldn't be happier that he's getting a shot with Dallas, or any team for that matter.  I'd feel the same way if he were straight.  Football players that do nothing but succeed every time they are on the field deserve a shot to see if they are for real.  It would be nice if everyone had unbelievable 40 times, killed the combine, aced the Wonderlic and fit perfectly into whatever mold is deemed to be a fit for whatever position they are supposed to play.  But, that's just not the case, and I think Sam is one of those guys.  Kind of like a guy the Patriots have that's basically the exact same size, plays basically the exact same position, was drafted at roughly the same point, had 3 sacks in his first preseason, spent a couple years on practice squads and has a lot of the same skills that Sam has.  A little surprised nobody has compared him to Ninkovich, but IMO, he can play that type of role in this league.  Hopefully, we'll see.
 
I disagree that there won't be any more issues with Sam though.  If he washes out of the league the way Tebow did after getting a shot in Dallas, then yeah, I agree.  But, if he ends up being a real player in this league, there will be questions about why he dropped before the draft, why everyone passed on him, why it appears only one team wanted him for their practice squad...For me, it won't matter one bit at that point, but those questions will creep back up into the media cycle if he ends up being good at the NFL level.  You can bet on that.

 

[soxfan121]

  Kind of like a guy the Patriots have that's basically the exact same size, plays basically the exact same position, was drafted at roughly the same point, had 3 sacks in his first preseason, spent a couple years on practice squads and has a lot of the same skills that Sam has.  A little surprised nobody has compared him to Ninkovich, but IMO, he can play that type of role in this league.  

 
I disagree with your scouting assessment. Ninkovich has always been average-or-better as a run defender and that kept him in the league while he refined his pass rush technique. Nink also has had more coverage skills than Sam has shown at any level; the ability to "stand up" and play 3-4 OLB is part of Nink's skill set. No scout or professional evaluator thinks Sam has that ability. 
 
Sam really is much more comparable as a "poor man's" Robert Mathis. A less explosive Bruce Irvin (Seattle). Sam's strengths as a player are all "going forward".Which is why Sam is not a fit for the Patriots. If you can't set the edge and hold up against run blocking, you aren't playing DE for the Pats. The only exception I can think of is Mark Anderson and he was an experienced (but not good) 3-4 OLB who could at least drop in to coverage if the play call required it. Sam has no such experience. 

 

[Devizier]

Many people with very little knowledge about football 

 
Might as well shut down the forum then, because as William Goldman once said, "Nobody knows anything".

 

[soxfan121]

 
Might as well shut down the forum then, because as William Goldman once said, "Nobody knows anything".

 
SuperNomario knows things. Just read his posts.
 
The rest of you, I go back and forth on depending on the day. ;-)

 

[Dogman]

 
SuperNomario knows things. Just read his posts.
 
The rest of you, I go back and forth on depending on the day. ;-)

 
 
It's day independent for us regarding you.  :whoa:

 

[Bosoxen]

I hadn't chimed in on this yet, but I'm thrilled the Cowboys are giving him a shot. When I saw that he cleared waivers over the weekend, I turned to my brother and said that I hoped the Cowboys would grab him. Imagine my glee when I saw that they had. The Cowboys are desperate for defensive line help and he is a much more attractive option than some retread coming off his couch.

As soon as he gets called up to the 53-man roster, I will explore the possibility of buying his jersey. I have vowed to not give the Cowboys another cent of my money as long as Jerruh draws breath, but I will make an exception for this.

 

[Leather]

Maybe it's time to change the thread title.
 
EDIT: I have no ideas.

 

[Deathofthebambino]

PP, I think you know that if Sam ends up being a good player, the media won't be asking the same questions on why he dropped as they did when they questioned why teams missed on Brady, Colston or Gates.  It'll be a much, much different conversation, with people implying very different things. 

 

[KiltedFool]

PP, I think you know that if Sam ends up being a good player, the media won't be asking the same questions on why he dropped as they did when they questioned why teams missed on Brady, Colston or Gates.  It'll be a much, much different conversation, with people implying very different things.

If Sam ends up being a good player some media outlets will attempt to bang that drum of why he dropped, but the story of the late bloomer or the diamond in the rough is also a constant drumbeat in the NFL. Warner bagging groceries or James Harrison being cut multiple times before becoming one of the most feared linebackers in the league. It happens every year.

He's now in the place and circumstances that arguably provide him the absolute best chance he'll ever have to become a legitimate NFL player, I hope he succeeds, even though Jerrah annoys the hell out of me.

 

[soxfan121]

PP, I think you know that if Sam ends up being a good player, the media won't be asking the same questions on why he dropped as they did when they questioned why teams missed on Brady, Colston or Gates.  It'll be a much, much different conversation, with people implying very different things. 

 
Let's have him make the active roster first. I understand the desire to see Sam succeed in a huge way. But even if he only makes the roster for one game and one snap, this whole thing is already a net positive and major milestone. And it regardless of how it works out for Michael Sam, the next guy will not have his shower habits analyzed or get called a distraction for wanting to work in the NFL. He'll be Bob. And that's important.
 
If this were a sports movie - and it will be - getting cut is the end of act 2, Jerry arriving to sign him is the start of the ending and getting on the field has the inspiring orchestral music swelling to a 360 shot of the stadium cheering as we cut to the credits. 
 
Will Jerry be a producer for this movie? (Is he THAT smart?) If not, how much will it cost to shoot the climatic scene inside Jurrah's World and how many conflicted Texans will be cheering wildly as extras and getting paid $25 to do so?

 

[ivanvamp]

I heard a report this morning which said that after Sam got cut by St. Louis, Goodell contacted other teams in the NFL to see if they would give Sam a shot.
 
Has a commissioner *ever* done anything remotely like that before?  If so, then I guess this is standard operating procedure.
 
If not, well, it tells you about the politics of this situation.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

I heard a report this morning which said that after Sam got cut by St. Louis, Goodell contacted other teams in the NFL to see if they would give Sam a shot.
 
Has a commissioner *ever* done anything remotely like that before?  If so, then I guess this is standard operating procedure.
 
If not, well, it tells you about the politics of this situation.

Where did this report generate? Link? It plays into my thought that Goodell contacted Fisher on draft day to ensure he was selected.

 

[Winger 03]

I am almost positive Schefter said it on a local DC show as well.
 

I heard a report this morning which said that after Sam got cut by St. Louis, Goodell contacted other teams in the NFL to see if they would give Sam a shot.
 
Has a commissioner *ever* done anything remotely like that before?  If so, then I guess this is standard operating procedure.
 
If not, well, it tells you about the politics of this situation.

 

[Freddy Linn]

Below is the King quote (Link).  I guess Stephen A. Smith had it on his show yesterday morning as well.

King reported the news about Sam during the pre-game show before NBC's coverage of  the NFL regular-season opener between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.
“The Rams waived Michael Sam, the first openly gay player trying to make an NFL roster, he was unemployed for two days,” King said. “During that time a league official contacted multiple teams asking if they had evaluated Sam as a probable practice squad player.”
“Now Sam and the NFL avoided a nightmare situation when he signed with the practice squad of the Dallas Cowboys.”

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

Where did this report generate? Link? It plays into my thought that Goodell contacted Fisher on draft day to ensure he was selected.

 
And we're unhappy that the commissioner is extending efforts for this guy?
 
I think we can let this one slide.

 

[dcmissle]

Yes we can.

There is an implication that this is all for show. But even if it were on the NFL's part, that does not matter. And it does not matter because Jerry Jones would put an antelope in uniform if it helped him win without Jimmy Johnson.

Again, if Sam is good and the Dallas defense is bad, Sam will get his shot.

 

[soxfan121]

There is an implication that this is all for show. But even if it were on the NFL's part, that does not matter. And it does not matter because Jerry Jones would put an antelope in uniform if it helped him win without Jimmy Johnson.
 

 
I laughed very hard at this. Beautiful image.

 

[Joshv02]

Yes we can.

There is an implication that this is all for show. But even if it were on the NFL's part, that does not matter. And it does not matter because Jerry Jones would put an antelope in uniform if it helped him win without Jimmy Johnson.

Again, if Sam is good and the Dallas defense is bad, Sam will get his shot.

But, if that were true, why would Jones need the NFL to call him to make that decision?  (A perfectly reasonable answer is that he didn't - its coincident.  I don't know.)

 

[Chemistry Schmemistry]

 

 
And we're unhappy that the commissioner is extending efforts for this guy?
 
I think we can let this one slide.

 

I'm trying to picture the commissioner forcing Jerry Jones to do anything that he didn't want to do. Probably couldn't have even talked him out of drafting Quincy Carter.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

 
And we're unhappy that the commissioner is extending efforts for this guy?
 
I think we can let this one slide.

Then let's also let it slide that this isn't only about football.

The more and more I read the more and more I'm believing Goodell and Fisher were in cahoots because the commissioner couldn't find another team to draft him. If he is afraid Sam not landing in the league was worthy of intervening why would sticking your nose into ensuring he was drafted be any different?

Congratulations Roger.....You're now Vince McMahon.

 

[soxfan121]

Then let's also let it slide that this isn't only about football.

 
Precisely no one has ever said this is "only" about football. 
 
That's the very definition of a strawman and you know it.

 

[PBDWake]

Do you know the contents of the call? For all we know it was about covering its ass from discrimination challenges. "You did your due diligence? Nobody said "Don't sign the gay guy?"? Good.".
 
It could be Goodell's mini version of the Rooney Rule as well. Making sure that a player IS being evaluated as an equal. Nothing in that report says anything about a pressure to sign him.

 

[PedroKsBambino]

Then let's also let it slide that this isn't only about football.

The more and more I read the more and more I'm believing Goodell and Fisher were in cahoots because the commissioner couldn't find another team to draft him. If he is afraid Sam not landing in the league was worthy of intervening why would sticking your nose into ensuring he was drafted be any different?

Congratulations Roger.....You're now Vince McMahon.

 
He's been Vince McMahon since the day he took the job---except he's not as effective a showman.   He runs a league that is so powerful and appealing it can survive what has always looked to me to be very weak leadership.

 

[E5 Yaz]

Released from the Cowboys practice squad

 

[Rusty13]

Released from the Cowboys practice squad

 
I would be shocked if he landed anywhere else at this point.

 

[Leather]

Is he any good at run support?  

 

[pokey_reese]

Does anyone who follows the Cowboys know if they had to shuffle their practice squad because they were really thin at some point on the roster?  Is this an issue of his simply playing the wrong position, or is it that he just wasn't good in practice?

 

[Cellar-Door]

Does anyone who follows the Cowboys know if they had to shuffle their practice squad because they were really thin at some point on the roster?  Is this an issue of his simply playing the wrong position, or is it that he just wasn't good in practice?

Position would be my guess. DeMarcus Lawrence is coming off IR/designated this week  they traded a 3rd to move up 15 spots in the 2nd to get him. Makes DE less of a practice squad need. They replaced him with a LB who is a good special teams player.

 

[Bosoxen]

Position would be my guess. DeMarcus Lawrence is coming off IR/designated this week  they traded a 3rd to move up 15 spots in the 2nd to get him. Makes DE less of a practice squad need. They replaced him with a LB who is a good special teams player.

 
I think this is pretty much it. That and Spencer returning and starting to take on a larger role.
 
You beat me to it because I had a post all typed up when a coworker interrupted me right as I was about to hit post. Phooey.

 

[Tony C]

*sniff* that dream, too, is dead. Ah well...hope the guy cashes in on the lecture circuit or something.

 

[Dan to Theo to Ben]

I hope BB brings him in for a workout, even if during the bye week if he's somehow still available. Hope he isn't thinking it would be subtraction (media) by addition

 

[RedOctober3829]

He'd be worth a look with the injury to Jones

 

[Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt]

It's a guy who has some skill getting to the passer. And it's not like Chandler was lighting it up against the run. I'm not even being a bleeding heart progressive here, this team could use a guy with his purported skill set, no?

 

[Cellar-Door]

It's a guy who has some skill getting to the passer. And it's not like Chandler was lighting it up against the run. I'm not even being a bleeding heart progressive here, this team could use a guy with his purported skill set, no?

maybe, though he doesn't at all fit the Patriots MO. He can only play 1 position in one formation and probably only on passing downs, and he doesn't play special teams.

 

[Sprowl]

*sniff* that dream, too, is dead. Ah well...hope the guy cashes in on the lecture circuit or something.

 
All that Oprah footage before Sam's celebrity career went to radio silence should come in useful now. Or if he can talk a good football game, he could get some commentary opportunities.
 
If Sam wants to stick at playing football, it might be time for him to look at the Canadian Football League. The Grey Cup isn't far away.

 

[Fred not Lynn]

Who has Sam on their negotiation list in the CFL?

 

[mascho]

Who has Sam on their negotiation list in the CFL?

 
Montreal owns his rights.
 
ETA: And while only at 7-8, the Alouettes are in first place in the Eastern Division with 5 games remaining. Sam could find himself playing playoff football pretty quickly if he went that route.

 

[Fred not Lynn]

Isn't there some roster rule that prevents guys who get cut from NFL teams from jumping into the CFL that season?

 

[Chemistry Schmemistry]

 

Isn't there some roster rule that prevents guys who get cut from NFL teams from jumping into the CFL that season?

 

I think that's only for suspended players (or someone under contract - they can't loan players). That would seem overboard, and counter to what amounts to a free opportunity for fringe guys to get experience that may be of significant benefit.

It certainly couldn't hurt to take a look, but we have to keep in mind that the insane skills required to put pressure on the quarterback in the NFL require more than just being a top player at the major college level. A competent NFL tackle can handle most of what college players could throw their way.

Since Sam does nothing on special teams, I don't see him being of any value here. But hopefully he'll prove people wrong at some point. I'd like to see him get some playing time in the CFL.

 

[richgedman'sghost]

   

I think that's only for suspended players (or someone under contract - they can't loan players). That would seem overboard, and counter to what amounts to a free opportunity for fringe guys to get experience that may be of significant benefit.

It certainly couldn't hurt to take a look, but we have to keep in mind that the insane skills required to put pressure on the quarterback in the NFL require more than just being a top player at the major college level. A competent NFL tackle can handle most of what college players could throw their way.

Since Sam does nothing on special teams, I don't see him being of any value here. But hopefully he'll prove people wrong at some point. I'd like to see him get some playing time in the CFL.

Honest question: Why can't he play special teams? Does he not want to play ST or is it a matter of ability?  Is he that slow or unathletic that he could not play on a coverage team? I would think his agent  or someone would be advising Sam to learn to play ST? If Michael Sam is truly a borderline player I would think the more versitility he brings to the team, the better. A good comp in baseball would be Brock Holt who learned to play all three outfield positions in addition to 3b/2b/SS.

 

[ivanvamp]

How can he really be that unathletic and yet be SEC defensive player of the year?  I mean, the SEC is *LOADED* with incredible athletes on both sides of the ball.  How do you get to that level in the freaking SEC and not even make the NFL?  I mean, even Tim Tebow had some success in the NFL for a little while.

 

[Bosoxen]

Honest question: Why can't he play special teams? Does he not want to play ST or is it a matter of ability?  Is he that slow or unathletic that he could not play on a coverage team? I would think his agent  or someone would be advising Sam to learn to play ST? If Michael Sam is truly a borderline player I would think the more versitility he brings to the team, the better. A good comp in baseball would be Brock Holt who learned to play all three outfield positions in addition to 3b/2b/SS.

 
I'm not sure that I recall a whole lot of defensive ends playing special teams. Maybe on field goal block units, but not on any kind of kickoff or punt coverage. I very well could be wrong, but nothing really stands out.

 

[soxhop411]

Michael Sam is a free agent after getting cut from the Cowboys practice squad back in October. Whether he’s out of the NFL because he’s not good enough or because he’s an openly gay man, we may never know for sure.

But much in the same way that Tim Tebow remained in the limelight despite not actually being on an NFL roster, Sam is still in the public eye, and he’s got a one-on-one interview with Oprah coming out this week that should raise some eyebrows, if the nifty editing employed in this preview turns out to be more than just a tease:

http://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/preview-of-oprah-interview-appears-to-claim-that-current-gay-nfl-players-have-contacted-michael-sam/

 

[soxhop411]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aD5FztwL4K0

 

[Marciano490]

Damn.  What's Oprah's 40 time? 

 

[fairlee76]

Damn.  What's Oprah's 40 time? 

40 of what?

 

[Super Nomario]

I don't want a lot of Oprah trailers, but I think it's funny that the video is all her asking questions with no verbal responses from Sam, just shots of his face. It kind of reminded me of Bill Hader's Lindsey Buckingham on SNL's "What's Up With That?"
 

 

[MentalDisabldLst]

I'm not sure that I recall a whole lot of defensive ends playing special teams. Maybe on field goal block units, but not on any kind of kickoff or punt coverage. I very well could be wrong, but nothing really stands out.

 
Air Wilfork likes this.

 

[Bosoxen]

 
Air Wilfork likes this.

 
Had to Google that. I'm glad I did: