You may have already seen or heard the narrative play out in your local NFL forum, Facebook feed and talk radio station. Reportedly today at Cincinnati Bengals practice, linebacker Vontaze Burfict “went low” on a tackle to running back Giovani Bernard. Bernard, of course, is recovering from a torn ACL suffered last November.
If you’ve just read the headline or heard the story, you obviously think Burfict is scum, going too hard in camp and doesn’t have any consideration for his teammates. That’s pretty much the story that’s out there and it’s even made the front page of NFL.com.
But that doesn’t mean it’s true. Writer Jay Morrison stirred it up first by posting a video to his twitter feed with the caption, “Burfict goes low on Gio. RBs coach Caskey not happy.”
Here’s the video.
https://twitter.com/JayMorrisonCMG/status/892469815931273216
I have no idea how good Morrison’s eyes are or if he needs to update his contacts prescription, but in no way is Burfict going low on that tackle. He hits Bernard in the right shoulder, then completes the tackle, sliding down his body. Burfict doesn’t hit him in the legs or anywhere near his knees.
In fact, this is a picture perfect tackle. Burfict has his head up, he wraps up and takes his man down. This is how you coach it. He doesn’t even violently force Bernard to the ground. Now, you can forgive the running backs’ coach for thinking it was low at first, and maybe even Bernard’s offensive teammates, but the video is clear and all the NFL media commenting on it should be honest here instead of trying to stir shit up and and get clicks. There are better ways to do that on the internet. Have they considered boobs or kittens doing cute shit?
Burfict, of course, has a rep as a dirty player and framing the flare up in this light serves that narrative. Even if it’s not true.
Edelman and Gilmore tossed out of Patriots practice
Bill Belichick has a no fighting policy on the New England Patriots practice field and Tuesday wide receiver Julian Edelman and cornerback Stephon Gilmore broke it.
Gimore and Edelman scrummed up after an incomplete pass int he red zone. According to reports, wide receiver Chris Hogan broke up the fight and both men were sent to the locker room to hug it out.
Incident lasted about 10-15 seconds. Bill Belichick has non-negotiable practice rule: No fights, and if you do fight, you are ejected.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 1, 2017
Lucky for these two crazy kids, they’ll probably still make the team.
Cam Newton dealing with arm soreness
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton did not throw at practice Tuesday due to arm soreness he experienced during warm ups.
“He (Newton) started warming up this morning and said he still felt a little bit sore,” Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said. “Why push it? Why have him throw with a sore arm and make it worse? It made no sense to have him throw with a sore shoulder.”
Newton was joined on the sidelines by his new left tackle Matt Kalil who is still dealing with a groin injury.
Olsen on Cam: It’s not about what he’s doing today. It’s all about getting him ready to go for San Francisco.
Yuuuuuup.
— Bill Voth (@PanthersBill) August 1, 2017
It wouldn’t surprise me to see Newton held out of most, if not all the preseason as the Panthers look to return to their Super Bowl form. Last season the team went 6-8 with Newton experiencing a down, and injury hampered season. Newton completed a career low 52.9 percent of his passes for 3,509 yards, 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He rushed 90 times, also a career low, for 359 yards (you guessed it, career low) and five touchdowns (not a career low, but tied a career low).
Jordan Reed to see toe specialist
The clouds continue to darken for the Washington Redskins and tight end Jordan Reed. Tuesday Reed left the team for Charlotte, N.C. to see a specialist for his injured toe. According to head coach Jay Gruden, there is no timetable for Reed’s return.
Reed has been a dominant player when he’s on the field, but staying healthy has been a problem. Last season Reed appeared in just 12 games, catching 66 passes for 686 yards and six touchdowns.
And now for your dumbest injury of training camp
Before the first week of camp ended, Dallas Cowboys defensive end found a new way to injure himself. Irving might be glad to get the time off for his upcoming four game suspension for PEDs after tearing out his nipple ring during a drill.
That’s right. He was wearing a nipple ring.
I lost my nipple ring during practice today 😑
— David Ja Rodd Irving (@Caliboy_95) July 26, 2017
Of all the times I’ve seen grown men wearing expensive jewelry on the football field and thought they were idiots, it never occurred to me that one might have some stabbed through his nipple. I suffer from a lack of imagination.
Other NFL News
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Dominique Easley suffered a knee injury during practice Thursday and it’s thought to be serious. He was scheduled for an MRI Tuesday night. Last season Easley had 35 tackles, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one pass defense.
The Baltimore Ravens will be without the services of tight end Crockett Gilmore this season. The Ravens, already strapped for tight end talent, will lose Gilmore after he required surgery to repair his MCL. The Ravens also lost rookie offensive lineman Nico Siragusa and wide receiver Quincy Adeboyejo to injuries. According to the NFL Network, Siragusa tor his ACL, MCL and PCL.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back I’Tavius Mathers was sent to the hospital after suffering an injury to his head and neck on the field. He was spine-boarded and, reportedly, showed some neurological symptoms according to the team.
The Oakland Raiders held wide receiver Amari Cooper out of Tuesday’s practices after getting roughed up a little on Monday. Last year Cooper caught 83 passes for 1,153 yards and five touchdowns.
The Arizona Cardinals bolstered their secondary by signing cornerback Tramon Williams. Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians isn’t afraid to bring in older players and Williams will enter his 11th season in the league. He spent the last two seasons with the Cleveland Browns after beginning his career, and winning a Super Bowl with, the Green Bay Packers. Last year Williams started seven games, played in 12 and recorded 36 tackles, one fumble recovery, five passes defended and one interception.
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