Tag: NFL opt out

Ravens T Ronnie Stanley thought about opting out this season

With the ability to opt out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19, Baltimore Ravens T Ronnie Stanley considered sitting out this season.

[jwplayer uLPhyD3W-ThvAeFxT]

As Baltimore Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley enters a critical contract year, he briefly considered not playing this season due to COVID-19.

“It definitely crossed my mind but I’m definitely a person that, I want to play, I want to be around my teammates,” Stanley said to reporters Monday. “I’m just a competitive person and it would take a really high risk to keep me out of the building. At the same time, I think the Ravens are really doing a great job of limiting the chances of contracting the virus.”

The NFL and NFLPA agreed to an opt-out provision for players this offseason in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Players with certain pre-existing medical conditions could opt out with a high-risk designation while others could use a voluntary designation to sit out the 2020 season.

Stanley isn’t the only Baltimore player to consider opting out this season. Calais Campbell, who the Ravens traded for this offseason, said he considered using the league’s opt-out provision due to his asthma and a new baby being in the house. Baltimore did have two players opt out, however. Offensive tackle Andre Smith and wide receiver De’Anthony Thomas both used the voluntary opt out this season, joining 64 other players around the league who opted out before the NFL’s deadline.

Stanley put up a historically great 2019 campaign that had him play even better than Baltimore legend Jonathan Ogden. Stanley gave up just six quarterback pressures and no sacks in the regular season, also helping pave the way for the Ravens to break a 41-year old record for the most team rushing yards in a single season.

With the Ravens looked at as serious contenders for Super Bowl LV, Stanley’s absence would have been devastating for their chances. If Stanley had joined Smith in opting out this season, that would have left Baltimore with no starting left tackle and no experienced backup option to lean on. When added to the retirement of right guard Marshal Yanda this offseason, the Ravens’ offensive line would have undergone a dramatic shakeup.

Luckily for the Ravens, Stanley decided to play this season, which could be a lucrative decision for him. Stanley said his agent and Baltimore are still engaged in contract talks, though he noted it isn’t “at the forefront of his mind.” Still, an impressive 2020 could make Stanley the highest-paid offensive tackle in the league, clocking in near what some of the top quarterbacks earn.

[vertical-gallery id=50097]

Calais Campbell said he thought about opting out of 2020 season due to COVID-19

With a new baby at home and a pre-existing condition, Baltimore Ravens DE Calais Campbell said he thought about opting out due to COVID-19

One of the Baltimore Ravens’ newest additions nearly didn’t play football this season. Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell said he really considered opting out of the 2020 season due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.

“I definitely considered it; you have to,” Campbell said. “You can’t play football with this going on and not think about the risk you’re going to put on yourself and your family.”

Baltimore traded a fifth-round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for Campbell before free agency began, signing him to a one-year extension to make the deal work within their salary cap. Campbell is figured to be a big piece of the puzzle for the Ravens as they try to get over a playoff hump that has seen them exit the postseason early the last two years. As Baltimore eyes up their third Lombardi Trophy, Campbell opting out would have been a devastating blow.

But some players rightfully haven’t wanted to risk their health or that of their families for their job, choosing to opt out of the season. In total, 66 players including two Ravens players, have used the NFL’s opt-out provision to sit out this season. Campbell was certainly no different in having that discussion with himself and his family, and for good reason.

Campbell is the father of a new baby this offseason and with asthma, he likely would have qualified for the high-risk version of the NFL’s opt-out provision. But while Campbell was concerned about the possibilities, it was his work as an NFLPA representative that put him at ease about lining up for the Ravens during the pandemic.

“Going through that process, I realized — talking to the doctors and just setting up the protocols and everything we have to do to keep each other safe — I felt the risks were mitigated as much as we can,” Campbell continued. “You can’t get rid of the risks all the way, but we definitely lowered the percentage of catching it based off of the protocols we put in place. For me, I felt that was enough.”

I’m confident that I can go through the season and play at a high level and stay safe.”

Campbell also pointed to a nearly unanimous decision from the players in the NFLPA to hold everyone accountable for violations of the COVID-19 protocols.

“That was one thing where all the players wanted people to be held accountable, to a degree,” Campbell said. “All the players were pretty much unanimous in making sure there was some type of consequence; holding the guys accountable for when they made mistakes — purposefully made mistakes.”

With a solid set of protocols and some tough punishments for those that violate them, the NFL has found a middle ground as professional sports return to some type of normal. While they aren’t in a bubble like the NBA has created, there’s hope the restrictions will stymie the potential for outbreaks like we’ve seen already hit MLB. Time will tell how well the NFL’s protocols insulate them from the virus and how they react when they do inevitably get hit, but for now, things are moving forward.

While no players should be admonished for thinking about the health and safety of themselves and their family, Campbell’s decision to play this season has to be a sigh of relief for the Ravens. Now with the deadline for players to opt out passed, Baltimore and Campbell can focus on winning a championship again.

[vertical-gallery id=51125]

Ravens enter training camp with only 2 opt outs

Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Andre Smith and wide receiver De’Anthony Thomas were the only two players to opt out due to COVID-19

The official deadline for NFL players to opt out of the 2020 season has passed. For the Baltimore Ravens, only offensive tackle Andre Smith and wide receiver De’Anthony Thomas have used the league’s voluntary opt-out provision to sit out the 2020 NFL season.

Though Baltimore only had two players opt out, that doesn’t necessarily mean there can’t be more at a later time. The NFL has allowed players to opt out at a later date if they’re diagnosed with a new condition that makes them high risk or if a family member is hospitalized, or dies because of COVID-19 or a related condition, according to NFL.com. In total, 66 NFL players have opted out for the season at the deadline, using either the voluntary or high-risk designations.

Though it’s hard for any team to lose any player for the year, this was undoubtedly a tough decision for all 66 players, including Thomas and Smith. But from a football standpoint, the Ravens are still in pretty good shape, since both players were backups and likely on the roster bubble already.

Smith’s opt out does leave the Ravens a little thin at offensive tackle, effectively leaving the team with few experienced options behind Ronnie Stanley and Orlando Brown Jr. Veteran D.J. Fluker is competing for the now-vacant right guard job but has played at tackle earlier in his career, giving Baltimore an experienced option to use in a pinch. Rookie Tyre Phillips is also expected to get some snaps at tackle in training camp in addition to competing at guard.

While Thomas is listed as a wide receiver, his real value to the Ravens was as a return specialist. Baltimore signed Thomas midseason last year, giving him the job over the likes of Cyrus Jones and Justice Hill. Thomas returned 13 punts for 93 yards as well as 10 kickoffs for 166 yards in eight games with the Ravens. But it’s expected Devin Duvernay and James Proche are in line for the return specialist job this year after being selected in the 2020 NFL Draft and offering more upside as receiving threats too.

[vertical-gallery id=50970]

Tank Lawrence opts in, Cowboys Covid list stops at 3

Find out which Cowboys players are opting out of the upcoming season.

The NFL, like the other recently-restarted major sports, offered players an option to opt-out, should they not want to play in the upcoming season for any number of reasons.

The deadline to opt-out was August 6 at 3 p.m. Central and many players around the league have took advantage of this new clause, including three Dallas Cowboys.

There had been discussion that DeMarcus Lawrence was considering this option, but the star defensive end whose wife recently had their first child remains in, announcing a few hours before the deadline through social media.

It’s hard to express just how important Lawrence joining the Cowboys this season will be, as there isn’t a clear starter at the opposite end position after the club lost double-digit sack artist Robert Quinn to free agency.

While none of the announcements came on deadline day, Dallas still had three players opt-out, choosing for the $150,000 loan borrowed against their 2021 salary.

The first Cowboy to withdraw was newly signed cornerback, Maurice Canady. Canady appeared in 13 games for the Jets and Ravens a year ago. The Cowboys cornerbacks were already a concern after the departure of Byron Jones, and while Canady might not have been the Cowboys number one cover man, but the 26 year-old could have provided depth and experience on both defense and special teams.

Fullback Jamize Olawale is perhaps the most notable Cowboy not joining the squad for 2020. Olawale played about 10 percent of the offensive snaps over the past two years, but was a major contributor on special teams. If the Cowboys choose to keep a fullback, it appears it may be Sewo Olonilua’s spot to lose.

Stephen Guidry, a 2020 undrafted free agent wide receiver also opted-out. A Mississippi St. product, he one of the many wide receivers who had an opportunity to claim the final spots on the depth chart. The Cowboys are able to retain Guidry’s rights for the future.

The Cowboys group of withdrawals is less significant than some other teams. For example, the Patriots had eight players opt-out, including former Pro Bowler Donta Hightower.

While on paper it looks like the Cowboys generated a few million dollars in cap space, these decisions didn’t have much impact the Dallas financial situation.

[vertical-gallery id=651761][vertical-gallery id=650773][lawrence-newsletter]

Jets LB C.J. Mosley opts out of 2020 season

Jets ILB C.J. Mosley will be opting out of 2020 season amidst COVID-19 concerns.

Jets starting linebacker C.J. Mosley is the latest NFL star to opt-out of the 2020 season. Mosley will opt out due to family health concerns, ESPN’s Rich Cimini first reported.

Mosley becomes the second Jets player to opt out of the 2020 season, joining reserve offensive lineman Leo Koloamatangi.

The loss of Mosley is a huge blow to the Jets defense. New York was looking forward to getting back its anchor in the middle after he missed 14 games in 2019 due to a severe groin injury.

By the time the 2021 season rolls around, Mosley will have played just two games for Gang Green. He signed a five-year, $85 million deal with an average annual salary of $17 million just an offseason ago.

Fortunately for the Jets, they have an abundance of depth at the inside linebacker position. Avery Williamson, who was once viewed as a potential cap casualty, certainly has increased chances of making the team now. In addition, New York added Patrick Onwuasor this offseason, re-signed Neville Hewitt and James Burgess and will be returning a healthy Blake Cashman.

Now, New York will be scrambling to configure a formidable defense. Gregg Williams’ unit will now be without both Mosley and Jamal Adams for the 2020 season.

Ravens T Andre Smith opts out of 2020 NFL season

Following WR De’Anthony Thomas, Baltimore Ravens backup offensive tackle Andre Smith is using the opt-out provision to sit out the season.

Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Andre Smith is using the league’s voluntary opt-out provision, deciding to sit out the 2020 NFL season, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Smith is the second Ravens player to opt out, joining wide receiver and return specialist De’Anthony Thomas.

Smith was initially signed by Baltimore late last season, just prior to their playoff appearance, not appearing in any games. The Ravens re-signed him to a one-year deal this offseason. Smith has been in the league for 11 years after being selected sixth overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2009 NFL Draft. Though Smith is no longer a starting option, his experience looked to be invaluable to Baltimore considering how thin they are at the position and their Super Bowl aspirations.

The decision to opt out of the season leaves Baltimore pretty shallow at offensive tackle, after cutting James Hurst this offseason. Outside of the starting pair of Ronnie Stanley and Orlando Brown Jr., Smith and D.J. Fluker were the only players on the roster with starting experience at tackle. Smith has now opted out and Fluker is expected to compete for the now vacant right guard job following the retirement of Marshal Yanda this offseason, leaving the primary backup job likely to rookie Tyre Phillips.

[vertical-gallery id=50970]

Ravens return specialist De’Anthony Thomas opts out of 2020 season

Using the COVID-19 opt-out provision agreed to by the NFL and NFLPA, Baltimore Ravens returner De’Anthony Thomas will miss the 2020 season

Baltimore Ravens return specialist De’Anthony Thomas won’t play football in 2020 after using the league’s voluntary opt-out clause due to COVID-19, according to the team’s Twitter account. The move is one of several the Ravens made the day before the entire team is expected to report for training camp.

Thomas isn’t the first player to opt out of the 2020 season, following in the shoes of Kansas City Chiefs right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif. Baltimore also placed UDFA safety Nigel Warrior on the reserve/COVID-19 list over the weekend, making the team’s second roster adjustment due to the virus ahead of training camp.

The NFL and NFLPA have agreed to allow players to opt out of the season, according to Mike Jones of USA TODAY Sports. The opt-outs fall into two categories: high-risk and voluntary. Thomas’ decision will mean he’s unable to play at all this season, after re-signing with Baltimore on a one-year deal to compete as their return specialist.

The Ravens signed Thomas last season after seeing their return game struggle with limited production and turnovers. Over eight games with Baltimore, Thomas returned 13 punts for 93 yards and 10 kickoffs for 166 yards. Thomas was expected to compete for the return specialist job in training camp before opting out. The competition will now likely turn to guys like Chris Moore, Willie Snead, James Duvernay, and James Proche.

[vertical-gallery id=50943]