Tag: Mike Florio

Is Daniel Snyder now in trouble?

Is Daniel Snyder finally in trouble?

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The latest Washington Commanders controversial move was succinctly summed up as, “Daniel Snyder doing what Daniel Snyder wants to do.”

This is from NBC’s Pro Football Talk host Mike Florio, expressing how Snyder seems often to not be submitting to what others want him to do.  This was in response to Snyder announcing they were going to conduct their own investigation into the claims of Tiffani Johnston. Johnston last week claimed Snyder had put his hand on her thigh under a table, leaving it there until she herself removed his hand, and then attempted to get her into his limo later that evening.

PFT cohost Chris Simms spoke of hearing the news of Snyder hiring investigators and thought, “Is the NFL really that stupid? Are they that blind to the optics of how this looks in the current situation?” Simms said he was satisfied to learn that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had responded firmly, stating that the NFL was going to be handling the further investigation and not Snyder.

Simms then expressed, “This is the first time, I have actually thought, ‘You know what?  Daniel Snyder is actually in trouble’. I feel like it is real trouble now.” Sims added that he wondered if the other NFL owners are thinking, “Is Daniel Snyder crazy? Does he really think this looks right?”

Florio agreeing with Simms, advanced the notion expressing the NFL owners have been protecting Snyder to protect themselves. Florio indicated in his opinion that Snyder was lucky the NFL had not demanded a written report from Beth Wilkinson’s original investigation. Due to the toxic workplace environment and Snyder’s actions himself, Florio feels the report might have gone as far to say, that the NFL should force Snyder out from ownership of the Washington franchise.

Florio indicated Beth Wilkinson already being the most knowledgeable of what transpired, could be brought back by the NFL to conclude her investigation, getting to the truth, and calling for Snyder to be held accountable.

Also important, Simms admitted for years he thought so much about how “the NFL was special and impeccable” and that he now sees the NFL often “cannot get out of its own way.” Echoing Simms, Florio went further, saying he was a sucker and mythologized the NFL as a kid. He now struggles with why the NFL cannot simply move to get to the truth, not covering for its own owners and for its own league?

Florio reiterated he does not hate the NFL. He simply wants the NFL to do the right things, and conduct investigations with integrity.

PFT: NFL owners should force Snyder to sell Washington Football Team

Pro Football Talk goes in on Dan Snyder — again.

Pro Football Talk was certainly going after Daniel Snyder this week.

Mike Florio showed little restraint and Charean Williams threw a couple of haymakers as well.

Playing video of five or six Eagles fans falling through the railing and nearly on to QB Jalen Hurts, Florio spoke of the disaster it could have been for those fans and Hurts.

“Hopefully the NFL will treat this situation differently than it treated the investigation of workplace misconduct because it all traces back to the same cesspool of dysfunction that has been running the Washington Football Team and Fed Ex Field for more than twenty years. It all goes back to Dan Snyder.”

“They (NFL owners) all need to come together and get rid of Daniel Snyder. He should not own that team. They should force him to sell.”

Williams joined Florio, “It (FedEx Stadium) is a cesspool… If I am FedEx, I am taking my name off of the stadium. It is now the worst stadium in the NFL… I am not trusting any railing at this stadium, ever.”

Florio started round two: “Why in the world would FedEx want its name attached to that location at this point? I would pay twice what I am paying to get my name on it, to (now) get my name off of it… Take my name off of this place. I don’t want to be involved with it anymore.”

“Anyone out there that owns FedEx stock should be thinking, ‘Why in the Hell are we attached to this venue, especially when it is tied directly back to Daniel Snyder’?”)

Florio then proceeded to attempt to explain (in his view) how Snyder has hired differently to simply avoid the NFL coming after him, referring to the hiring changes as superficial…”The NFL needs to take action which will result in a new owner. Surely there is someone out there who can be a more responsible, caring, and appropriate owner of the team.”

Williams then threw her biggest haymaker, “They made Jerry Richardson sell, why not Daniel Snyder? To me, everything that he has done is more egregious when you take the totality of it than what Jerry Richardson did. And his was bad, and they immediately made him sell.”

Snyder is not innocent; he has erred much, and frankly, I too have hoped several years for another owner. Yet, did you notice how neither of them talked of adult fans are responsible for their behavior and should not have been leaning over railings? Or how perhaps stadium security was being lazy in not fulfilling their duties? And does Williams actually “know” what Snyder has done is more egregious than Jerry Richardson?

It is so much easier to simplistically pile on, isn’t it?

 

Washington sideline fight a focus on Monday morning

The former players reacted differently than those who didn’t play the game. That sideline altercation is in the past.

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As expected, the Monday morning sports shows each used a segment discussing the sideline altercation between Washington defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne.

ESPN’s First Take Ryan Clark, “No, it is not necessarily a big deal. I don’t look at this and say these two guys should be admonished for what they did. But you do have to be better than this. When you are getting your butts handed to you, the way the WFT was, don’t be fighting each other. Go fight (your opponent) on the field.”

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio commented that he really thought the two might continue to argue and fight with each other on the field, seeing they lineup next to each other as defensive tackles.

Mike Golic added, “I have a feeling those two are going to be just fine because this stuff does happen, but it happens more often than not in the locker room. You have it, it is frustration, and then it is over and you move on.”

On ESPN’s Get Up, former NFL Defensive Coordinator and Head Coach Rex Ryan commented, “I like what they said that they are brothers and that is going to happen. But I still think they got some issues. They are going to have to get it resolved and sit down man-to-man…”

Coach Ron Rivera had revealed in the post-game press conference he was unaware it had even transpired until he was informed about it later. Rivera also added he had already talked to both of Allen and Payne. When asked what the players had said to him, he quickly asserted, “What my players say to me is really nobody’s business.”

PFT NFL Week 16 preview: Washington vs. Cowboys

PFT previews Washington’s Week 16 game at Dallas.

Pro Football Talk with Mike Florio and Chris Simms previewed the upcoming Week 16 Sunday night game of Washington traveling to Dallas.

Mike Florio spoke of Dallas being the largest favored team in this Week 16 schedule of games. Indeed with Washington still having many players out on the Covid list, and having to play on such a short week, after traveling to Philly for Tuesday night’s game, Washington is (as of now) a 10.5-point underdog.

Both Florio and Simms stated they felt Dallas would win, but that Washington would cover the spread. The video preview is only two minutes in length, so it is easy to view.

Dallas hosts Washington in the Week 16 edition of Sunday Night Football.

PFT hosts respect Washington QB Garrett Gilbert

Garrett Gilbert earned the respect of many people Tuesday, including Pro Football Talk.

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“I have to respect and admire the passion, the love, the dedication that guys like this (Garrett Gilbert) are not walking away,” said Pro Football Talk host Mike Florio.

Wednesday morning, Pro Football Talk hosts Mike Florio, and Chris Simms both expressed their respect for Garrett Gilbert and his effort against the Philadelphia Eagles Tuesday night when Washington fell to the Eagles 27-17.

“He had his moment last night. And nobody wanted to see him play. (We don’t want this guy. We want Taylor Heinicke. We want Kyle Allen),” continued Florio.

“He had a good enough game, and he had a moment, and now he is going to keep going. He is going to keep going and keep going as long as he physically can.”

Chris Simms echoed Florio, “Good for him (Gilbert). He certainly didn’t look uncomfortable or like a deer in the headlights. What a situation; you barely know the offense, and he came in and really made very few poor decisions. He threw the ball pretty well. I mean, it was all positive. They (Washington) did not lose the game because of him. That is certainly not the case.”

“The defense had some turnovers early, got them a little momentum, but ultimately (like we said), the Eagles are a better team.”

PFT talks NFC Wild Cards and Washington

Pro Football Talk discussed Washington’s Wild Card chances.

“Which two teams are we most confident in to earn the final two NFC Wild Card spots?”

Mike Florio and Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk discussed this very aspect of NFC Wild Card teams, Tuesday.

Charean Williams did not hesitate, stating confidently, “Well, I am going with Washington.”

I have set the video to go directly to the discussion regarding the NFC Wild Cards (earlier, they had also discussed who would have the AFC home field in the playoffs. Florio took New England, and Williams selected Kansas City).

Both Florio and Williams praised WFT head coach Ron Rivera’s job this 2021 season for maintaining his leadership voice in the locker room, despite Washington having experienced their horrendous 2-6 start.

With wins over Tampa Bay, Carolina, Seattle, and now Las Vegas, Washington has won two at home and two on the road, thus raising awareness around the NFL and NFL media groups.

Washington Wire is certainly growing in confidence as well regarding the WFT’s ability to stay together and fight together down the final five-game NFC East stretch of the schedule.

PFT discussing Taylor Heinicke and Washington’s win on MNF

Pro Football Talk discussed Taylor Heinicke and Washington’s MNF win over the Seahawks.

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Mike Florio and Chris Simms were talking about the Washington Football Team Tuesday morning after the WFT defeated Seattle 17-15, Monday night.

“I think he (Heinicke) has found a way to color within the lines, so he is not taking big hits,” Florio said.

“He is able to manage the game. He is getting compared to some pretty _ _ _ _ good quarterbacks… He has taken down Tom Brady, Cam Newton, Russell Wilson. There is something to be said for that,” Florio continued.

Then, it was Simms’ turn:

There certainly is. I think he is going to be one of the more interesting conversations as we go down the stretch here.   He really is. He is a kind of a natural at playing the position. He really has an incredible feel as far as moving in the pocket, making some off-balance throws, changing his arm angle. He is extremely slippery moving around, making plays in the pocket, or getting outside of it.

“You know, there is a moxie about him certainly. He does have a presence on the field,” Simms said.

There is much more in this video of Washington’s win, which is 8 minutes, 24 seconds in length.

PFT Previews Washington at Carolina

Pro Football Talk talks Washington at Carolina.

Mike Florio and Chris Simms of Pro Football Talk spent seven minutes previewing the Week 11 contest involving Washington visiting Carolina.

Without spoiling all of the video for you (provided below), the two spoke of how they respect Ron Rivera.

“He didn’t take it (the bait), I like the restraint from Ron Rivera,” opened Florio.

“He is always like that. He has such a great calm demeanor about him, and that is why he has been a really da_ _ good coach for a really long time,” echoed Simms.

“He (Rivera) is on to the next challenge and he is grateful for that,” added Simms. “And he’s got enough things to worry about with his own Washington Football Team, and getting them in the right place, let alone worrying about the past and what happened in Carolina.”

“Rivera told me on Sunday, he’s got his file of plays to be used against Cam Newton, if he ever comes across Cam Newton,” added Florio.

Lamar Jackson shares messages on social media after criticism surrounding working with kids

Lamar Jackson shares messages on social media after criticism surrounding working with kids

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson makes high level plays on the football field, but makes an even greater impact off of it. He gives back to communities in a multitude of ways, as well as sets up events and more to help people who might need it.

Over the weekend, Jackson hosted his annual “Fun-Day with LJ” event in South Florida, which he puts on through his “Forever Dreamers” foundation.

Kids came out and played football with Jackson, ran routes against him while the quarterback lined up at defensive back, covered Jackson as he went out for passes, and caught throws from the fourth-year player. It was a weekend full of fun and plenty of smiles. However, after the videos of Jackson playing wide receiver and cornerback with the kids from his community on a basketball court surfaced, a flood of negative comments began to appear, including from some big media personalities such as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk and former Ravens tight end Shannon Sharpe, now of FOX Sports.

Florio said that Jackson took an “unnecessary risk” on the brink of a life changing contract, while Sharpe went as far as to tell the quarterback to not mess his money up “being dumb”.

In the face of negativity for something that should have only garnered positive attention, Jackson took to both Twitter and Instagram to put out messages. On Twitter, the former University of Louisville star shared one of the reasons that he put on the event, and also said it’s not going anywhere.

On Instagram, the quarterback shared a story that reiterated his desire to win a Super Bowl.

Most of the criticism surrounding Jackson stems from the fact that some believe that he could have gotten seriously injured while running routes and playing defensive back on asphalt. While the quarterback could have gotten hurt in that instance, that goes for plenty of different situations in life. Jackson was having fun with his community and making hundreds of kids smile. That should be the story, not bending a such a positive thing into a negative one.

Jackson shouldn’t need to have his life be under a microscope for every single thing that he does. He’s smart enough to know which situations could be bad for his health and which aren’t, so as long as he isn’t doing anything extremely dangerous, he should be allowed to live his life without negative judgement.

There are many things that go beyond football, and giving back is one of them. Jackson has shown through his actions that being involved in his communities is a major part of his life. Baltimore is lucky to have a quarterback who cares so much about the places that are important to him. He’s a great player on the field, but an even better person off of it.

Eric DeCosta says he first looks to December on new schedule

The 2021 NFL schedule is set to be released in a few days. Eric DeCosta told Mike Florio on the “PFT PM” podcast that he looks to December

In a few days, the NFL is set to release the full 2021 schedule, revealing when organizations will play their opponents for the upcoming season. There are plenty of reasons why knowing when and where a team will play is important, but some franchises value certain stretches more than others.

When asked by Mike Florio on the “PFT PM” podcast to give insight on the first thing that he looks at when the schedule is put out, Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said that he first glances at December.

“I look at December games because I know those are going to be critically important and those can really impact your team,”

DeCosta pointed to Baltimore’s schedule in 2020, recalling that the team had an easier slate down the stretch, which helped the Ravens end the season on a five-game winning streak.

“Last year was a great example. Our schedule was very tough at the beginning of the year and our December schedule was pretty fortuitous. We ran the table. That was a great thing for us to get into the playoffs, momentum and all those kind of things. I think the December games are very, very big. We’ll look at the home and aways in December. I’ll look at that and we’ll see what it looks like.”

In 2021, the Ravens will face off against the AFC North teams twice, the AFC West and the NFC North, plus the Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, and Los Angeles Rams. Much like last season, the month of December could once again determine if Baltimore makes the playoffs depending on who they end up facing and whether they play the majority of the games at home or on the road. Every month is important in the NFL, but DeCosta seems to believe that  December is the one that carries the most weight.