The NFL says camps will open on schedule, and that getting the league’s fans to vote is paramount.  NFL.com:

The NFL has advised teams that training camps are expected to begin as scheduled July 28 with rookies and selected players permitted to report earlier, league executive vice president, general counsel Jeff Pash said on a conference call Thursday.

The league held a virtual meeting with owners Thursday to address a number of topics, including training camps, 2020 season planning amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, “Inspire Change” social justice programs and workplace diversity.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters following the meeting that in addition to training camps opening as planned, the league’s focus is to “get ready for games at our stadiums and to engage our fans both in stadiums and through our media partners.” Goodell added that talks are ongoing with the NFLPA over specifics.

Earlier this month the NFL issued guidelines for protocols and procedures for when players could eventually return to team facilities. The guidelines need to be agreed to by the NFLPA, and NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills later acknowledged that protocols are still being developed as the science around COVID-19 evolves.

Sills said Thursday that the league is setting up a “very ambitious testing program,” but he added that “testing alone will not be sufficient to keep everyone healthy. It’s vitally important to keep social distances and use masks when possible.”

Among other topics discussed during Thursday’s meeting was a new major NFL voting education and registration initiative. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported the league is developing programs that will focus on education, registration and activation and working with the NFLPA, the Players Coalition and others (RISE, US Vote Foundation, etc.).

“Our goal is for everyone associated with the NFL to register to vote and vote and inspire others,” NFL senior VP of social responsibility Anna Isaacson said. “… We all have a shared right and obligation to go vote.”

In addition, NFL executive vice president of football ops Troy Vincent told reporters that all 32 teams will be given anti-racism training in July.

NFL owners also voted to tarp off seats in stadiums near the field to keep distancing between players, people on the sideline and fans, per Rapoport. Teams are permitted to sell the that space to advertisers.

NFC EAST

DALLAS

RB EZEKIEL ELLIOTT has more semi-violent (and here it is violence by dog) incidents  than any other player. He is being sued by an essential worker, his pool cleaner, saysTMZ.com:

A pool cleaner claims she required surgery and will likely be scarred for life after Ezekiel Elliott’s dogs violently attacked her in March … and now she’s suing the NFL star.

But Zeke’s attorney tells us the NFL star adamantly denies wrongdoing and now he’s digging in for a legal war.

It’s all spelled out in new court docs, obtained by TMZ Sports, in which a woman says she went to clean Elliott’s pool at his home in Frisco, TX on March 11 … when she was “ambushed” by his 3 dogs — a Rottweiler and two bulldogs.

In the docs, the woman claims the Rottweiler bit her arm and dragged her … before the two bulldogs began attacking her legs.

The woman says the dogs bit her multiple times … and after she was able to free herself from the animals, she went straight to the emergency room “in immense pain.”

Has she gone back and cleaned his pool since, we wonder?

WASHINGTON

We always figured that Doug Williams was a big reason that the Redskins drafted QB DWAYNE HASKINS – and he’s speaking out now about the QB from Ohio State’s positives.  Kevin Patra of NFL.com:

The Washington Redskins are banking on a Year 2 improvement from quarterback Dwayne Haskins. Ron Rivera and Co. put most of their eggs in Haskins’ basket after eschewing the QB spot at No. 2 overall to take dynamic edge rusher Chase Young in April’s draft.

One big proponent of Haskins within the organization is Redskins senior vice president of player development Doug Williams, who praised the young quarterback’s arm talent.

“I don’t care who came out this year, last year, there’s not a quarterback that’s come out in the last two years that has the ability — from an arm strength standpoint and arm talent — that Dwayne Haskins has,” Williams said on 106.7 The Fan, via NBC Washington.

First off, a list of highly-drafted QBs to come out the past two years: Kyler Murray, Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert and Jordan Love, and even Jacob Eason has a big arm despite going in the fourth-round in 2020.

It’s a quality list to be put on top of with some good arms. It also behooves the Redskins brass to see the positives in Haskins.

No one questions Haskins has a howitzer of a right arm. His ability to flick the ball downfield and buzz passes through defenders isn’t questioned. Even in limited time last year, he made some wow throws.

The question isn’t whether Haskins has a cannon. We’ve seen big-armed QBs fail with regularity. The question for Haskins and the Redskins is whether he can put the rest of it — the footwork, mental aspect, reducing sacks, etc. — together to become a top-tier starter.

Williams is acutely aware of the strides his young quarterback needs to make if the Redskins are to compete in the NFC East in 2020.

“Dwayne can throw with the best of them,” Williams said. “Now mentally, he has to control the other part, and I think he has aligned himself and realized that’s what he has to do, and I think that’s what he’s doing. I think at the end of the day, give him the opportunity to do what everybody is doing, and that is to improve upon his game.”

So much of the Redskins’ success in 2020 will rise and fall with Haskins’ play. Washington hopes to see that beautiful cannon puncturing holes in defenses with far more regularity than the mortar that sprays aimlessly all over the yard.

NFC SOUTH

ATLANTA

We think we know that the Saints and Buccaneers will be good and that the Panthers will re-build.  But what about the Falcons?

QB MATT RYAN is excited about his (and Dirk Koetter’s) offense.  Kevin Patra ofNFL.com:

On paper, the Atlanta Falcons offense looks explosive.

Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, and Todd Gurley. The makings for a juggernaut are there.

We’ve seen paper teams projected to do big things in June combust into flaming pulp come November too often.

Ryan sees the upside his crew can bring in 2020. The signal-caller told Chris Long on the Green Light Podcast he believes the group can be a good as the 2012 group that went 13-3 and were a play from making the Super Bowl.

“We had a pretty good unit in 2012 with Roddy White, Julio Jones, Michael Turner, Tony Gonzalez — those guys were all pretty good,” Ryan said, via the team’s official website. “I’ve got to imagine that this is right up there with them.

“You’re talking about Julio in his prime, Calvin Ridley going into Year 3 coming into his own. You’ve got Todd Gurley, who is hungry who wants to prove it this year. Hayden Hurst, another guy, first-round draft pick who just ended up in a spot where, the way they were running the football, it was no fault of his own [that he didn’t have the stats].”

The 2012 Falcons finished seventh in points and eighth in yards. Outside of the Kyle Shanahan-led offense in 2016 that led to Ryan’s MVP award and helped Atlanta get to the Super Bowl, it was the Falcons’ best offense of the decade and had the pieces to win from every avenue. Ryan sees a lot of similarities in his current weaponry to that 2012 group.

“It’s got to be right up there, I think so,” Ryan said of the Falcons’ weapons. “I’ve been lucky, I’ve had some great guys that I’ve played with.”

The 2019 campaign was an up-and-down affair in which the offense had bursts of explosiveness but lacked consistency due in part to injuries and an offensive line that struggled.

Ridley’s progression in Year 3 will tell a big tale in how explosive the passing game can be. Hurst has a lot of doubters to silence after being surpassed on the Ravens’ depth chart. And Gurley must overcome questions about his knee to re-establish himself as a workhorse.

Those are a lot of ifs to wade through to get to any comparison with the 2012 squad. But there is no questioning the talent is there for the Falcons’ offense to be dynamic if the health and blocking hold up in 2020.

CAROLINA

Should there be an Anthem, the DB would expect that the kneelers will far exceed the standers – or at least that is what the NFL office, outspoken players and media have led us to expect.  So this story about new coach Matt Rhule is unsurprising.  The AP:

Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule said he’s considering kneeling alongside his players during the national anthem this season in support of the movement against racial injustice.

“I would consider anything as we move forward,” Rhule said Thursday on a Zoom conference call. “I’m supportive of the cause. I’m supportive of the movement. I’m supportive of social justice. I think for every person, coach or player, that will be a very personal decision. I think it has to be made at the right time and the right reason for everybody.”

The first-year coach hired from Baylor previously has told his players that he will support them for expressing their views about social injustice.

“I will support my players with whatever they do and then when the time comes I will really think deeply about what is the best thing for me and what is the best way I can show my support,” Rhule said.

TAMPA BAY

The DB admits to thinking QB TOM BRADY was channeling Winston Churchill here, but we stand corrected.  Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com does not approve in any case:

The man known for reciting “LFG” is now channeling FDR.

“Only thing we have to fear, is fear itself,” Brady posted on Instagram, with a photo of him drinking from a water bottle at Buccaneers workouts that he has organized.

It’s the latest act of open defiance from Brady, given that the NFL Players Association has recommended that no players work out together before training camp, explaining that the “goal is to have all players and your families as healthy as possible in the coming months.”

The NFLPA isn’t alone in that regard.

“The NFLPA and the NFL are in the same place,” NFL chief medical officer Allen Sills said on a Thursday conference call with reporters, specifically in response to a question from Ian Rapoport of the NFL regarding Brady’s workouts and his Great Depression-era message. Dr. Sills explained that the league hopes to have the “safest possible environment for all our constituents,” and he said that there is a shared risk but also a shared responsibility among players to keep themselves and household members as safe as possible.

This isn’t to pick on Brady. He’s hardly the only quarterback organizing workouts happening without the benefit of NFL/NFLPA protocols and oversight. But Brady is the best quarterback in league history, and he has been the most visible and discussed player in recent months. His words and actions have considerable influence, both on other players in the league and far beyond.

If Brady isn’t taking the threat of the coronavirus outbreak as seriously as he should, why should anyone else? That’s the heart of the problem, and either he doesn’t realize that or he just doesn’t care.

Moreover, it’s another example of the bizarre disconnect currently sweeping the nation regarding the appropriate response to a pandemic that has in recent weeks shown no signs of dying down or going away anytime soon. Brady obviously doesn’t care about any of that, and that’s his prerogative. He just needs to understand the impact that his message will have on others, whether it persuades people to become unconcerned about the situation or whether it gives those who are searching for evidence to support their own lack of concern a fairly strong plank on which to stand.

And then we thought Roosevelt said it in response to Pearl Harbor and World War II’s arrival.  But, through the magic of Wikipedia, we learn that it was a line in his first inaugural address in 1932 during the Depression.

– – –

Knee surgery for EDGE JASON PIERRE-PAUL per Kevin Patra of NFL.com:

Jason Pierre-Paul endured another surgery. This one is minor.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ pass rusher underwent minor knee surgery this week, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported, per a source informed of the situation.

Despite the summer surgery, JPP is expected to be ready for training camp, Pelissero added.

Pierre-Paul posted videos on Snapchat heading into and leaving surgery Friday morning, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.

After dealing with a neck injury last year that cost him the first six games of the season, JPP appears on track to open the season full-go, the knee cleanup notwithstanding. In just 10 games last year, he compiled 8.5 sacks.

Re-signing JPP and Ndamukong Suh were big moves — if not as splashy as signing Tom Brady and trading for Rob Gronkowski — that kept the Bucs’ stalwart front seven mostly intact as Tampa attempts to get to the playoffs for the first time in a dozen seasons.

AFC NORTH

CLEVELAND

Even as QB TOM BRADY forges ahead with offseason workouts, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski wants his eager QB BAKER MAYFIELD to stand down out of an abundance of caution (fear itself).  Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski will talk to Baker Mayfield about staying safe if he decides to host a Camp Mayfield against NFLPA medical advice.

“I really encourage our players to stay safe, and that is from the moment we started talking to these guys back in April,‘’ Stefanski said on a Zoom call Thursday. “I’ve told them that the No. 1 priority is their safety and their family, and we want to make sure that we’re here for them and providing any resource for them.

“I have reminded them ad nauseam to wash their hands, social distance and really heed the advice of these experts. … We want to make sure they are staying safe.”

NFLPA Medical Director Thom Mayer on Saturday advised NFL players to stop working out together in light of a recent positive Covid-19 test after one such workout and spikes in several states. A 49ers player tested positive after a small group workout with teammates in Nashville that included quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

‘‘Please be advised that it is our consensus medical opinion that in light of the increase in COVID-19 cases in certain states that no players should be engaged in practicing together in private workouts,” Mayer wrote. “Our goal is to have all players and your families as healthy as possible in the coming months.

“[We] believe that it is in the best interest of all players that we advise against any voluntary joint practices before training camp commences.”

NFL Medical Director Andrew Sills, in a conference call on Thursday, agreed with the NFLPA’s position and discouraged small group workouts with teammates. He said the NFL can’t ban such workouts but players need to understand “risk reduction and mitigating risk. Players are going to share the same risk but also the same responsibility to each other.‘’

He added that the NFL is having “very active discussions” with helmet and other equipment manufacturers to help stop the virus’ spread.

Mayfield has been contemplating hosting another group session, one that running back Kareem Hunt said this week that he plans on attending. It’s not yet known if Mayfield will actually do so. Browns center JC Tretter is president of the NFLPA and will undoubtedly have some input, and Stefanski will weigh in.

“I will talk to those guys,” Stefanski said. “Again, it’s their offseason. We can’t really direct them to do anything football-wise in this break so I’ll talk to them and just reiterate that I want those guys to stay safe.”

Despite the warning, Bucs quarterback Tom Brady worked out with about a dozen teammates at a high school in Tampa this week, according to The Tampa Bay Times. They did so despite two Bucs players and a coach recently testing positive. He posted photos of the session on social media, including one standing next to tight end Rob Gronkowski that read “No Excuses.”

AFC SOUTH

INDIANAPOLIS

Congratulations to the Colts, who have the top PR staff in the NFL in the last year as judged by the Pro Football Writers.  The handling of Andrew Luck’s sudden retirement put them over the top:

The Indianapolis Colts public relations staff, lauded for access for local and national media especially in the wake of the sudden retirement of quarterback Andrew Luck before the start of the 2019 season, has been selected as the 2020 Pete Rozelle Award winner by the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA).

The Colts PR staff, the 31st Rozelle Award winner, earned the award for the second time in franchise history (1996).

The other 2020 nominees for the Rozelle Award were the Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Rozelle Award is given to the NFL club public relations staff that consistently strives for excellence in its dealings and relationships with the media. The award is named for Rozelle, NFL commissioner from 1960-89, who started his distinguished career in sports PR roles as a student at both Compton (Calif.) Junior College and the University of San Francisco. After two more years as USF’s assistant athletic director after graduation, he broke into the NFL as the PR director of the Los Angeles Rams from 1952-55. Rozelle used his PR principles as commissioner to build relationships with the media during a period of unprecedented growth and challenge for the league.

During the 2019 season, the Colts’ PR staff consisted of Steve Campbell (vice president of communications), Matt Conti (director of football communications), Christian Edwards (assistant director of communications) and Pamela Humphrey (communications coordinator). The Colts were also assisted by interns Hayden Clark and Kaila Lewis.

“This shouldn’t be surprising. Steve Campbell, Matt Conti and the entire Colts PR staff, which also features Christian Edwards, Pam Humphrey and interns Hayden Clark and Kaila Lewis, have been one of the top PR staffs in the NFL for a number of years,” said Mike Wells, PFWA Indianapolis chapter vice president, who covers the Colts for ESPN.com  “They were put to the test before the regular season even started when Andrew Luck delivered arguably one of the biggest stories of the year when he announced his retirement. The news broke in the second half of a preseason game the night before the presser was originally scheduled. But just like the demeanor of general manager Chris Ballard and coach Frank Reich, the Colts PR staff didn’t get rattled. They put together a press conference that night at Lucas Oil Stadium that featured Luck, Reich, Ballard and owner Jim Irsay. It ran so smoothly that you would have thought it was scheduled for that night.”

– – –

That PR staff might again be put to the test as LB DARIUS LEONARD says he was “profiled” at Chipotle.

The CEO of Chipotle has promised an investigation after Colts linebacker Darius Leonard said he was racially profiled at a restaurant in Florence, South Carolina.

Leonard said on Instagram he and four others, all people of color, were having a meal when the Chipotle manager approached his table with a “terrible attitude” and was “very disrespectful,” telling them that another customer had complained about them. Leonard said he was then kicked out.

“That’s what being black in America is right now,” Leonard said. “Us not even doing anything wrong, going out to eat with your family, just trying to spend a little bit of quality time, and you can’t even enjoying eating anymore.”

After Leonard’s post got attention on social media, Chipotle released a statement from its CEO vowing to take the matter seriously.

“We are currently investigating the incident involving Darius Leonard in Florence, South Carolina,” Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol said. “We have a zero tolerance policy for discrimination of any kind and we have suspended our manager while we conduct a thorough investigation. I’ve personally reached out to Darius and I’m committed to ensuring the appropriate action is taken once the investigation concludes.”

The 24-year-old Leonard was born and raised in South Carolina. He is a Pro Bowler heading into his third season with the Colts.

Chipotle has wasted no time trying to appease Leonard.  Jason Owens ofYahooSports.com:

Chipotle has suspended the manager of a South Carolina store after Darius Leonard says that he was racially profiled and kicked out of the restaurant after having a private conversation about Black Lives Matter with his family.

The Indianapolis Colts All-Pro linebacker made the accusation on an Instagram video Thursday.

He said that a white customer complained to the restaurant’s manager, who then kicked him and his party out based strictly on the man’s accusation.

Leonard didn’t identify who he was eating with, but referred to them as “family” and described them as “three other Black guys and a mixed woman.”

“Toward the end of our meal, the manager come up … with a terrible attitude, asking us do we have a problem,” Leonard said. … “He’s saying that a white guy said we was verbally abusing him, talking trash to him.

“It was basically a lie. We basically got kicked out of Chipotle because of that. They said that they wanted to call the police on us. That’s what being Black in America is right now.”

Chipotle told Yahoo Sports that the manager has been suspended and that Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol has reached out to Leonard.

More from Leonard, who thought he would die if the police were called.

“When you think about being a Black male now in America, and to hear that they want to involve the police — the first thing that went in my mind was I have a wife and a kid,” Leonard told ESPN’s First Take on Friday. “If the police is involved, you’re thinking you’re not making it home. For me to have to sit there and think that my life is in jeopardy just because I’m sitting there eating with my family, not causing no problem, is scary.”

– – –

Leonard said the manager had a “terrible attitude” and made his party leave after threatening to call the police. He told First Take that the manager’s demeanor changed after he found out the linebacker’s identity, but that was disheartening as well.

“It sucks that you have to be someone in the public eye that they look up to to get treated equally,” Leonard said. “Besides me playing football or anything, I am a human being. I want to be treated as everyone else.”

TENNESSEE

The Titans have made a socially responsible hire.  Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com:

Nashville native Adolpho Birch III is returning to his hometown to work in a prominent role with the Tennessee Titans.

Birch, who most recently served as Senior Vice President – Labor Policy & League Affairs for the National Football League, joins the Titans as Senior Vice President/Business Affairs and Chief Legal Officer.

He’s one of three new hires announced on Thursday by the organization.

The Titans have also hired Surf Melendez as the team’s Creative Director, a new role for the organization. Dan Werly has been hired as the team’s new General Counsel.

Birch, a 1984 graduate of Father Ryan High School who also holds an undergraduate degree from Harvard and a law degree from Vanderbilt, will oversee legal affairs and segments of human resources for the Titans, while also managing team initiatives related to state and local government, and business planning and strategy.

Birch has spent 24 years in the NFL offices, working in a variety of roles. His duties included labor negotiations, managing the drug testing program, government relations, sports betting, employee development and the league’s critical response team.

Over the years, Birch has also worked with federal, state and local officials on key league issues such as youth concussion laws, the league’s tax status and the FCC’s blackout rule. He also previously directed the NFL’s player development efforts, working with programs designed to support player and employee off-field success, focusing on continuing education, financial education, career development and clinical assistance.

Birch’s father, A.A. Birch, Jr., was the first African-American chief justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court and became the first judge to ever serve at every level of the Tennessee judiciary. The city of Nashville named a courthouse after Birch following his long and successful legal career.

Adolpho Birch is slated to begin his new role with the team next month.

Melendez joins the Titans after spending six years with the Miami Dolphins as Managing Director, Content & Creative and was responsible for the creative direction of the team and Hard Rock Stadium. In his time with the Dolphins, the organization’s content team gained recognition from the Emmy and Clio Awards. He also spent three years at adidas as their Sr. Brand Design Manager, Creative Director, and brings experience working at several ad agencies. With the Titans, Melendez will be responsible for team’s creative direction, while overseeing digital/broadcast content and gameday production.

Werly joins the Titans after spending a year as the General Counsel for Nashville Soccer Club. Prior to joining Nashville SC, Werly was the Managing Partner for Sievert & Werly, where he represented a number of sports franchises in that capacity. He spent six years working for two Chicago-based law firms following his graduation from Georgetown Law School.

Last month, the Titans elevated Burke Nihill to President/CEO of the team when Steve Underwood retired from his full-time role as President/CEO of the Titans.

Surf Melendez – what a great name.

At SurfMelendez.com, he tells us a little bit about himself:

I love the arts. I love the beauty of creativity, technology and sport. My personal mantras are Good Enough Sucks, Feedback is a Gift and the Idea is King. I keep these close to me daily.

I studied fine arts and architecture at the University of Florida before, get this, opening a restaurant chain in South Florida. After the hospitality days, I began a career in finance. Something even further away from my true love and education in design. But along the way I came across a boutique ad agency named Crispin Porter + Bogusky. This opportunity righted the ship and I grew as a creative. While I was there we went from boutique shop to global ad agency that was hitting it’s stride and racking up awards and recognition.

The free thinking, relaxed work environment was appealing to me but it was the idea of following my design roots that made me make the move into advertising. While there I developed my design skills and opened my mind to big, open, creative thinking that was rooted in strategic goals. Ideas began and continue to begin in “what if’s”. I learned that to truly create good work there is no room for egos and the idea is king. Period.

I have participated and created national and global campaigns for Nike, Coke Zero, Microsoft, Burger King, Harley-Davidson, AXE, Best Buy, Land Rover, General Mills, Buell Motorcycles, Ask.com, Bell Helmets, Miller Lite, Giro, Shimano, Plum TV, Sprite, Volkswagen and Smartwool for Crispin Porter + Bogusky, Sterling-Rice Group and Victors & Spoils.

During my time at these ad agencies we were recognized for some pretty incredible awards. AdAge awarded CP+B with Agency of the Year awards several times and subsequently, Agency of the Decade. While at the Sterling Rice Group we won 2010 Small Agency of the Year (Silver) and Outside Magazine’s Best Places to Work (#3). These are achievements I am very proud of.

My next stop was adidas North America where I combined my love for sport with my agency experience to develop campaigns for one of the largest apparel companies in the world. My role there was Sr. Brand Design Manager which in agency tongue translates to Creative Director. I was the only CD servicing the brand’s marketing for North America.

I am truly fortunate and grateful to have develop an in-house team of creatives that were instrumental in the lifestyle transformation of the sport performance side of the brand. I also worked in very close partnership with the event/activation, e-commerce, media, public relations, Originals and global teams.

AFC EAST

BUFFALO

We think co-owner Kim Pegula is one of the most interesting figures in the NFL.  This from Vic Carrucci of the Buffalo News:

The Buffalo Bills’ coaching booth had a notable visitor during the team’s regular-season finale against the New York Jets at New Era Field on Dec. 29.

Team co-owner and president Kim Pegula revealed Tuesday that she took in her first NFL game from that location in order to get a taste of what it’s like to wear a coaches’ headset and listen to conversations between Sean McDermott and his staff.

“It’s craziness that goes on,” Pegula said during a Zoom call that was part of the NFL’s Quarterback Coaching Summit. “And we didn’t even have the ball. They were talking a mile a minute, and I learned quickly how fast that game is.

“I mean, it’s a three-hour game, but it goes real fast with the type of decisions you have to make on the fly and the changes and all the communication. I was really impressed with how it all worked down there.”

Later, in a Zoom call with The Buffalo News, Pegula said the idea of wearing the headset came up during a conversation last season with Dan Evans, the Bills’ vice president of information technology.

“He said to me, ‘If you really want to know what’s going on on the field, you need to be on the headset,’ ” Pegula said. “I’m like, ‘Oh, am I allowed to be on a headset?’ So I picked a game after we had made the playoffs. I peeked in, they had the headset for me, and my reaction was, ‘Oh, my gosh!’

“Organized chaos is all I could say. I’m sure they all knew exactly what everyone was saying at the same time. But just listening on the headset really gave me an appreciation for what it really takes — whether you’re an offensive (coordinator), a position coach or the head coach — and for the time, the speed of everything that’s happening and the decision-making that you have.”

To refresh your memory, Kim was a Korean foundling who was adopted by the Kerrs of Rochester, New York at age 5.  She was working as a waitress during a college summer in Olean, NY, met customer Terry Pegula there, was offered a job and eventually married him.  This was in the early 90s.  She’s now 51, he’s 69.

MIAMI

The owner of the only team with a black head coach AND a black GM has made a donation.  Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com:

Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is committing $13 million over the next four years to fight systemic racism through RISE, the nonprofit foundation he started in 2015.

“Growing up in Detroit, I saw firsthand what racism did to tear apart our community, destroy lives and further inequality,” Ross said in a statement. “I started RISE based on the belief that our nation must address the scourge of racism directly to achieve true unity. Now more than ever, our mission and the need for this work is clear.”

This commitment raises Ross’ RISE funding to $30 million.

“During this time of national unrest, many individuals have stepped up to being part of the solution. Stephen continues to dedicate his time, resources and vision, as he has for decades, in an unwavering commitment to ending racism in partnership with the leadership, heart and influence of athletes globally,” NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent said. “Stephen’s words are backed by his actions demonstrated by his body of work to advance equality, respect and understanding as a leader in the national dialogue on race and social justice.”

NEW YORK JETS

Who are you going to believe, New York Daily News rumor monger Manish Mehta who rarely has a source that isn’t anonymous or Jets coach Adam Gase.  Kevin Patra ofNFL.com:

Adam Gase isn’t interested in discussing the Jamal Adams situation publicly.

The New York Jets coach told reporters Friday in a conference call that he’s keeping all discussions about the star safety’s trade request in-house.

“Anything that’s gonna deal with communication with Jamal will stay between us,” Gase said, via NFL Network’s Kim Jones. “That’s how we’re operating in-house and keeping our locker room tight.”

Adams requested a trade last week after contract extensions have reportedly gone nowhere. Gase added extension discussions would also be something that would remain in-house.

Despite a report to the contrary, Gase said he has a positive relationship with Adams.

“My relationship with Jamal has been good since the time that we’ve gotten here,” he said. “To me, we’ve always gotten along well (on and off the field).”

The coach, who is on the hot seat entering his second season and dealing with his best defender wanting out, was forced to state the obvious amid the swirling controversy:

“Yes, I want Jamal on our team,” he said.

Who wouldn’t want a game-changing defender with a nose for the football and a sledgehammer’s mentality?

Last season, Adams compiled 75 tackles, 13 QB hits, 10 tackles for loss, seven passes defended, two forced fumbles, and one INT, earning All-Pro honors and his second Pro Bowl.

Gase praised the safety’s versatility and, echoing Gregg Williams’ sentiments from the previous day, hopes the sides can patch up their differences.

“It’s no secret Jamal was not involved (in the offseason program),” he said. “We have to get to a place where we can get him back in the right spot and ready to go.”

The Jets coaching staff is saying the right things, but it could all fall on deaf ears if Adams persists with his trade demands despite two years remaining on his contract. Perhaps the only way for New York to make it right is not public praise but showing him the money.

THIS AND THAT

KAEP

After three years of crickets, is there a bidding war underway – in both cash and promised forums – to get Colin Kaepernick’s signature on a contract?  TMZ.com with the report from Michael Silver:

Could Colin Kaepernick’s NFL return be as few as a couple weeks away???

The answer could be yes … because “multiple” teams and at least one head coach have legitimate interest in signing the QB before the start of the season, according to NFL Network reporter Michael Silver.

The plugged-in journalist said on the league’s owned NFL Network on Wednesday, “I have talked to one head coach who is absolutely interested” in Kaepernick.

The holdup? Silver says it’s all about the coronavirus pandemic … and the lack of the ability for teams to physically workout Colin for a tryout at their facilities.

“Colin Kaepernick, who has not played since 2016, finds himself in the same situation that Cam Newton and Jadeveon Clowney do,” Silver said, “which is a team that would be ready to sign him would want to work him out.”

Of course, Kaepernick did famously hold his own workout last year — which was on video … but Silver says teams would still like a front-row view this summer before putting pen to a new contract.

The NFL reporter adds, “There could be a chance that something happens when teams are able to get that part of it done.”

Unclear when teams will be allowed to host free agents for tryouts … but training camps do open July 28 — so seems that date is nearing.

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com says that while teams are telling Silver of their interest, they have not made it known to The Man himself, the representatives of Kaepernick are telling Florio all they know:

Earlier this week, Mike Silver of NFL Network said that multiple teams have interest in quarterback Colin Kaepernick. That may be the case; however, no one has reached out to Kaepernick’s camp to gather information or to do anything to suggest that interest exists.

It’s possible teams are interested. It’s possible they’re waiting until training camp approaches before making a move. It’s possible.

It’s also possible that if there’s interest it ultimately won’t be acted upon, if by late July the effort to agitate for Kaepernick’s return to the NFL has subsided.

Regardless, it’s one thing to express interest to a reporter or to anyone else who, you know, isn’t the person in whom a team has interest. It’s quite another to actually express the interest to the person in whom the interest exists. If/when that ever happens, that will be significant.

It hasn’t happened yet.

THE PERFECT TEAM

An interesting exercise here – what is the best team you could create within the salary cap?

Using the salary cap and players’ cap numbers for the 2020 season, NFL Media Researcher Anthony Holzman-Escareno attempts to piece together the best team money can buy this fall. Have a comment or question about the squad he’s put together? @FrontOfficeNFL is the place to reach him.

Some important notes about this exercise:

The team consists of 53 roster spots.

A salary cap of $198.2 million (the cap for NFL teams this season) was used.

Roster spots for players on rookie contracts are capped at 24 (with no more than four players drafted from each round for Rounds 1-3 and 12 total from Rounds 4-7), with some exceptions: I was allowed to “trade down” for a player (i.e. use a second-round slot on a third-round player).

Plus, this limit does not apply to undrafted rookie contracts, and players on fifth-year options also do not count toward the rookie contract limit.

I was allowed to select one player who received the franchise or transition tag in 2020. If I didn’t select such a player, I could use a spot to keep one more non-first-round pick on a rookie contract.

I was allowed to sign one free agent to a minimum salary contract using the veteran salary benefit.

BY THE NUMBERS

Total salary cap: $198,200,000

Salary cap used: $197,810,753

Salary cap space: $389,247

Offense: $70,636,967 (35.71%)

Defense: $126,478,786 (63.94%)

Special teams: $695,000 (.35%)

Most expensive player: DT Aaron Donald, Rams ($25 million)

Least expensive player: K/P Ty Long, Chargers ($695,000)

Most expensive position group: Interior defensive line ($40.4 million)

Least expensive position group (excluding specialists): Tight end ($5.5 million)

STARTERS

OFFENSE         PLAYER                         DEFENSE       PLAYER

QB       Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs          DT        Aaron Donald, Rams

RB        Alvin Kamara, Saints                  DT      Kenny Clark, Packers

WR       Michael Thomas, Saints           EDGE   Cameron Jordan, Saints

WR       Chris Godwin, Buccaneers       EDGE   Danielle Hunter, Vikings

WR       A.J. Brown, Titans                      LB      Darius Leonard, Colts

TE        George Kittle, 49ers                    LB      Fred Warner, 49ers

LT        Terron Armstead, Saints          CB        Jalen Ramsey, Rams

LG        Andrus Peat, Saints                  CB       Tre’Davious White, Bills

C          Rodney Hudson, Raiders          S          Jamal Adams, Jets

RG       Graham Glasgow, Broncos      S          Eddie Jackson, Bears

RT        La’el Collins, Cowboys S          Derwin James, Chargers

FULL ROSTER

* – denotes player is a starter on this team

R – denotes a player on his rookie contract

OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK (3 players): $8,899,347 total salary (4.5% of cap)

*Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs ($5,316,443; R – Round 1)

Jameis Winston, Saints ($2,860,000)

Gardner Minshew, Jaguars ($722,904; R – Round 6)

The best team money can buy has a quarterback on a rookie contract. Any world that allows for Patrick Mahomes to be had for $5.3 million is a kind one.

Others considered: Lamar Jackson, Ravens (R – Round 1), Jarrett Stidham, Patriots (R – Round 4), Cam Newton, free agent (veteran salary benefit option)

Toughest decision: Passing on using a second first-round slot at the position by leaving Lamar Jackson out.

RUNNING BACK (4): $7,462,480 (3.8%)

*Alvin Kamara, Saints ($2,376,193; R – Round 3)

Aaron Jones, Packers ($2,182,002; R – Round 5)

Chris Carson, Seahawks ($2,149,285; R – Round 7)

Phillip Lindsay, Broncos ($755,000; R – undrafted)

Loading up on running backs who are playing on rookie contracts is the ideal roster-building strategy. None of the NFL’s highest-paid running backs (Christian McCaffrey, Ezekiel Elliott, Le’Veon Bell) were even a consideration here.

Others considered: Nick Chubb, Browns (R – Round 2); Miles Sanders, Eagles (R – Round 2); Marlon Mack, Colts (R – Round 4)

Toughest decision: Keeping Chubb off the roster.

WIDE RECEIVER (6): $15,548,334 (7.8%)

*Michael Thomas, Saints ($7,000,000)

*Chris Godwin, Buccaneers ($2,331,041; R – Round 3)

Kenny Golladay, Lions ($2,312,706; R – Round 3)

Courtland Sutton, Broncos ($1,865,981; R – Round 2)

*A.J. Brown, Titans ($1,284,629; R – Round 2)

Hunter Renfrow, Raiders ($753,987; R – Round 5)

Adding Michael Thomas to this roster for $7 million? That’s the definition of highway robbery. The NFL’s single-season receptions king came at a discount for the Saints in 2019 and will again in 2020. The talent among former second- and third-round picks on rookie contracts at wide receiver was ludicrous, and four such players found themselves a place on this roster. Chris Godwin trailed only Thomas in receiving yards per games in 2019 and should soon be among the highest-paid receivers in the league. A.J. Brown, coming off a fantastic rookie season, can do it all at the position. Both measuring 6-foot-4, Kenny Golladay and Courtland Sutton are big-bodied, athletic, emerging receivers who offer big-play ability. Hunter Renfrow offers cheap depth and upside in the slot.

Others considered: DK Metcalf, Seahawks (R – Round 2); Deebo Samuel, 49ers (R – Round 2); Terry McLaurin, Redskins (R – Round 3); Mecole Hardman, Chiefs (R – Round 2); Tyreek Hill, Chiefs; DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals; Robert Woods, Rams

Toughest decision: Choosing from the receivers who are playing on second- and third-round rookie contracts.

TIGHT END (4): $5,473,366 (2.8%)

*George Kittle, 49ers ($2,207,574; R – Round 5)

Dallas Goedert, Eagles ($1,533,895; R – Round 2)

Chris Herndon, Jets ($917,381; R – Round 4)

Jaylen Samuels, Steelers ($814,516; R – Round 5)

The pairing of George Kittle with Dallas Goedert gives the roster the best tight end duo in the NFL. Each offers receiving prowess and blocking capacity. However, using a second-round slot on Goedert was one of the tougher decisions in this exercise, especially considering some of the playmakers drafted in Round 2 that were left on the table (Nick Chubb, DK Metcalf, Mecole Hardman, etc.).

Others considered: Mark Andrews, Ravens (R – Round 3); Darren Waller, Raiders; Austin Hooper, Browns

Toughest decision: Selecting Goedert over Mark Andrews.

OFFENSIVE LINE (9): $33,253,430 (16.8%)

*Terron Armstead, Saints ($8,356,250)

*Graham Glasgow, Broncos ($5,968,750)

*Rodney Hudson, Raiders ($5,237,000)

*La’el Collins, Cowboys ($4,950,000)

*Andrus Peat, Saints ($3,600,000)

Cedric Ogbuehi, Seahawks ($2,237,500)

Joe Looney, Cowboys ($1,187,500)

Orlando Brown, Ravens ($966,430; R – Round 3)

Andrew Wylie, Chiefs ($750,000)

Terron Armstead and Andrus Peat are tremendous values for the Saints (and this team) in 2020. Armstead will be a high-level protector of Mahomes’ blindside, while Peat starts at left guard but also bring experience at tackle. Initially, my plan was to include the Eagles’ Brandon Brooks as the team’s right guard since he might be the NFL’s best interior player. However, I turned to Glasgow, who earned a big payday from the Broncos this offseason, after Brooks suffered a torn Achilles tendon earlier this month.

Others considered: Quenton Nelson, Colts (R – Round 1); Ryan Ramcyzk, Saints (R – Round 1); Braden Smith, Colts (R – Round 2); Taylor Moton, Panthers (R – Round 2); Tyrell Crosby, Lions (R – Round 5); Chase Roullier, Redskins (R – Round 6); Jason Kelce, Eagles; Ronnie Stanley, Ravens

Toughest decision: Passing on Ravens OT Ronnie Stanley’s $12.866 million fifth-year option.

DEFENSE

INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINE (4): $40,390,000 (20.4%)

*Aaron Donald, Rams ($25,000,000)

*Kenny Clark, Packers ($7,690,000)

Gerald McCoy, Cowboys ($4,250,000)

Javon Hargrave, Eagles ($3,450,000)

Aaron Donald is the best football player on the planet, and this team would be incomplete without him. He’s the most expensive player on the team, and if we were employing an auction-draft format for this exercise, I would have freed up more resources to acquire him, if necessary.

Others considered: Chris Jones, Chiefs; J.J. Watt, Texans; Calais Campbell, Ravens; Michael Pierce, Vikings; David Onyemata, Saints; Danny Shelton, Lions

Toughest decision: Passing on both Jones and Watt, despite his injury history.

EDGE RUSHER (6): $32,005,566 (16.1%)

*Cameron Jordan, Saints ($9,097,000)

*Danielle Hunter, Vikings ($9,000,000)

Brandon Graham, Eagles ($6,288,000)

Arik Armstead, 49ers ($6,000,000)

Maxx Crosby, Raiders ($870,566; R – Round 4)

Jadeveon Clowney, free agent ($750,000; veteran salary benefit)

Cameron Jordan is a menace as a pass rusher and in the run game. He can easily slide inside next to Aaron Donald on obvious passing downs. Danielle Hunter is an elite, young pass rusher who set the record for most sacks before turning 25 years old…Jadeveon Clowney on a veteran minimum contract is too good to be true, but he’s still a free agent as of this writing, so we’re going to pretend he’s ring-chasing on an unrealistic prove-it deal. Maxx Crosby is a nice throw-in as a fourth-round pick in 2019 who finished with 10 sacks as a rookie.

Others considered: Myles Garrett, Browns (R – Round 1); Nick Bosa, 49ers (R – Round 1); T.J. Watt, Steelers (R – Round 1); Robert Quinn, Bears

Toughest decision: Passing on Garrett, who would have occupied a first-round slot. A lack of comparable values (such as Jordan and Hunter) at other positions forced my hand.

LINEBACKER (6): $10,222,492 (5.2%)

Jayon Brown, Titans ($2,200,891; R – Round 5)

Matt Milano, Bills ($2,198,379; R – Round 5)

Elandon Roberts, Dolphins ($2,000,000)

*Darius Leonard, Colts ($1,976,675; R – Round 2)

*Fred Warner, 49ers (1,096,547; R – Round 3, franchise tag replacement)

Alexander Johnson, Broncos ($750,000)

This group may be one of the team’s most modest units, but All-Pro Darius Leonard is no cornerstone to scoff at.

Others considered: Jaylon Smith, Cowboys; Lavonte David, Buccaneers; Deion Jones, Falcons; Kwon Alexander, 49ers; Jamie Collins, Lions

Toughest decision: Trimming as much salary at the position as possible while still fielding a respectable unit.

CORNERBACK (6): $27,420,218 (13.8%)

*Jalen Ramsey, Rams ($13,703,000)

Darius Slay, Eagles ($4,300,000)

Anthony Brown, Cowboys ($3,250,000)

*Tre’Davious White, Bills ($3,210,884; R – Round 1)

Desmond King, Chargers ($2,203,000; R – Round 5)

J.C. Jackson, Patriots ($753,334; R – undrafted)

Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore certainly would be an attractive candidate for any team, but he comes with a cap hit of $18.7 million. For my money, Jalen Ramsey is the best cornerback in the NFL and he saves $5 million in cap space. Tre’Davious White is finally garnering the respect he deserves coming off his first All-Pro selection in 2019. He’s a top-five player at the position with a cap hit outside of the top 50.

Others considered: Denzel Ward, Browns (R – Round 1); Jaire Alexander, Packers (R – Round 1), Marlon Humphrey, Ravens (R – Round 1), Chris Harris Jr., Chargers; Nickell Robey-Coleman, Eagles; Jimmy Smith, Ravens

Toughest decision: Choosing not to double-dip on first-round corners with Ward, Alexander or Humphrey.

SAFETY (4): $16,440,510 (8.3%)

*Jamal Adams, Jets ($7,172,348; R – Round 1)

*Eddie Jackson, Bears ($3,716,452)

*Derwin James, Chargers ($3,378,805; R – Round 1)

Xavier Woods, Cowboys ($2,172,905; R – Round 6)

Eddie Jackson’s contract extension made him the NFL’s highest-paid safety (in average salary per year) in January. It also came with a $3.7 million cap hit this season. That’s like finding a Bentley on clearance! Jamal Adams and Derwin James are interchangeable chess pieces that can play all over the field. Two of the NFL’s most versatile defenders, each is comfortable playing over the top, in the slot and in the box. With Jackson, Adams and James, using a three-safety base defense is a real possibility. Xavier Woods is a plus coverage safety who can contribute on special teams, as well.

Others considered: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Steelers (R – Round 1); Marcus Williams, Saints (R – Round 2), John Johnson, Rams (R – Round 3)

Toughest decision: Choosing two of these three players: Jamal Adams, Derwin James and Minkah Fitzpatrick.

SPECIAL TEAMS

KICKER/PUNTER (1): $695,000 (0.3%)

Ty Long, Chargers ($695,000)

To say specialists are not very, well, special on this roster would be an understatement. They are extremely important to actual NFL rosters. This roster is planning on not having to make many punts or field-goal tries. Ty Long gets the nod here because he punted 48 times and made nine extra points and seven field goals (including a 51-yarder) last season. A tight end or linebacker on this roster will have to learn how to long-snap, although going for two points after every touchdown is a serious consideration.

Toughest decision: Deciding to go with only one specialist.

Is there a longsnapper somewhere?