largely asymptomatic Omicron variant races through these
facilities virtually unchecked that it will result in players
not having symptoms or
and look what we got to be realistic about this.
They're not going to self-report their symptoms.
They're going to put their head down and they're going
to play when TJ W tested positive, a few weeks ago, on
a Monday.
Some people said to me. Well, now now we know why I didn't
play all that. Well, the day before against Cincinnati,
probably wasn't feeling. Well, TJ W not wired to raise his
hand and say, I'm not feeling well.
Football players
are wired to play football. That's what makes it. So remarkable.
When a guy like Ben Roethlisberger
says, I'm not feeling well.
All and he ends up being positive for covid-19. Most
guys would not do that and Roethlisberger is doing
the right thing but it is the thing that cuts so dramatically
against who and what football players are and what they stand
for. But that was one of
the first text I got from somebody in a position of
significant influence with one of the teams once these new
protocols went through, everyone is going to hide their
symptoms and unless somebody's got a fever or their staggering
around from
Lethargy. And every other thing that may affect them to
the point where they can't control it and conceal. It. This is
what we're going to see. This is what we're going to have and
this is what we're going to be dealing with
as we go forward. And
the problem though, is
for the team's, the idea that, that if you do start getting
positives, if guys have obvious symptoms, they do targeted
testing
and you do the high-risk testing, based upon who they
were exposed to, that's when you can have the domino effect
where you get a bunch of guys.
Think positive who are asymptomatic, but you have to
test them now that and nothing stops them from revising. The
protocol further
because what they did that's right last week.
They took a protocol that as it was applied to the current
situation made it harder to play games and get everyone
paid. If they realize that, these Protocols are going to
jeopardize the ability to play games and get everyone paid.
You know, what they're going
to do. They're going to change them again
because they are getting through the season. They are
getting the games in. The owners aren't going to lose
their money Shireen and the players aren't going to lose
their money.
Is the the wink nod deal
that labor and management have done here?
Well, that's why we saw the protocols changed last week and
you're right, if it affects games going forward. We're
going to see him change again. I did think like you said
though that the new protocols would allow for players to
return much quicker and we really
haven't seen that so far. Like I was convinced that Taylor
heinicke would start tonight and it didn't happen Baker,
Mayfield last night. It didn't happen. So
I am amazed that these new protocols, guys aren't coming
back as quick as I thought they Going to come back, but because
I thought we were going to see some really quick. Turnarounds.
Theoretically, you can come back. If you're vaccinated
the day after testing positive, but we haven't seen that so far,
Mike.
The Packers have a player on the covid-19 reserve list
receiver. Marquez Valdez scantling. And the knee-jerk
reaction, when you hear that is, oh, let's
hope Aaron Rodgers isn't a close contact. But remember,
the 90-day testing holiday that applies to him after his
positive from November also precludes him from that
automatic five-day. Absence that happens. If you are
unvaccinated and you are close contact with someone who's
infected. So for the
same reason, he's not tested every day and won't be until
two days after the NFC championship. Chip, if they win
that game, he also isn't subject to five days of
absence. If he has close contact with a player who does
test positive. So they don't
have to worry about Aaron Rodgers,
not being available
and sharing. That may be the Saving Grace here.
Once every team deals with this,
and the virus does wash through the facility.
You got a bunch of guys
who are exempt from testing of any kind
through the end of the season, that was a point. We made over
the weekend so we won't get to the point. You know, with
the Browns or the Rams
or Washington, or now
the Chiefs potentially
where we're worried about. Will they be able to suit up enough,
guys? And one thing I was told over the weekend,
44 is the magic number. I'm surprised. It's that high. You
try to get the answer from the commissioner last week at
the ownership meetings and he gave you a non-answer
When Calls were being made to determine whether they go
forward with the three games. It got postponed 21 on offense,
20 on defense.
Kicker punter, Long Snapper,
and basically two quarterbacks seven offensive linemen is part
of that if you fall below that, that's when they're going to
say. We don't expect you to go forward.
That's a high number.
So it's not going to take much for a game to get scrapped if
they can't postpone it.
Well, and then like I said, the Rams last week, we're at 29.
There's no way you could have played a game with that number
of people on the covid reserve. Less. So absolutely Mike.
I mean that seems like a reasonable Lumber. It is higher
than I
thought simply because I thought the NFL would force
teams to play with whatever they had. You saw Kendall
Hinton start at quarterback last season for the Broncos. So
I was convinced they were going to say Throw, whoever you
have out there and let's go go play.
I think the Broncos ended up having to go forward with hint
and because of the circumstances that case, where
the quarterbacks reportedly took off their tracking
devices, put them in the four corners of the room gathered in
the middle of the room
and watch film, not realizing that was all being
or not caring. That was all being recorded via
surveillance camera. They all know the cameras are in
the rooms, but that's what got the Broncos bust and I think made
the league less inclined to postpone that game, but
I thought what they would do and I saw
something recently and I didn't track down the story but It
looks like what the NBA allowed a team to do was go out and
sign players on an emergency basis
to fill out the roster. I thought that's what the NFL
would do push comes to shove double secret protocol.
You need 10 guys. Go pick up ten guys. You need five guys.
Go get Five Guys, whatever it takes to not have to cancel
these games, but there was real talk about cancellation, not
forfeit. But cancellation of those three
games. The union got involved aggressively to persuade
the NFL to postpone because I think the NFL
Didn't want to start down that path
because I think once you give teams and out, once they know
there's a fallback,
you're going to see that potentially become
that safety, net that they, you know, they're less Vigilant
about keeping themselves from getting positive because they
just believe that if it hits the fan, it's not going to be
question of me, not getting paid
this week is just a question if we play the game a day or two
later.
Well, and you look at a team like the Buccaneers with
the quarterback like Tom Brady. And
they haven't had the covid issues that other teams have
had and I guarantee you, that's part of Tom Brady saying look,
here's what we're going to do. And we are not going to get
covid in this place and they've been they've been very good.
And just
like last year. I still think that that making the playoffs
and being successful in, the playoffs is going to come down
to how covid Village isn't. Some of these teams are going
forward are
Going to have your quarterback when you need him. Are you
going to have your key players when you need them to win?
Whether it be a key game like tonight's games for these teams
or a playoff game going forward?
Bruce Arians from time to time will brag about the fact that
when the Buccaneers go on the road, they adhere to The
Unofficial protocol of everyone stays in the hotel for
the evening because that isn't the case. As
a general rule for the vaccinated players this year.
I think the guy who gets the credit for that is
Tom Brady. I think when when Tommy
it now goes door-to-door
you better be in your room. You better be in your bed or
playing Xbox or PS5 or messing with your phone or doing
whatever anything other than not. Being in that room or
you're going to have to
listen to him.