Would you be mad if one of our players did this?

[Idgit]

I disagree... but then my issue is always about timing. These guys were on their own time hanging out like guys do. That doesn't bother me.

The autograph thing could've waited until after Vick was off-camera... and honestly, I don't buy the whole, it's for my nephew thing either. But then this was before they swap jerseys while still on the field and pose for the NFL cameras. lol

Now, I just don't care, but that was my issue then.

To be clear, I agree it was a mistake to be seen on camera requesting the autograph. Because of the perception. But I never thought it was actually a big deal in itself. It's silly to expect there's not camaraderie between players on opposing teams, even division rivals.

 

[Idgit]

What evidence do you have of this? While it may be that way for you, I don't think it's accurate to suggest it universal. OBJ has been as productive as a WR can be in his first two seasons. When it comes to production on the field, I don't think anyone has much room to tell OBJ what he should and shouldn't be doing off of it. Whatever he's doing is clearly working.

Evidence? It's self-evident, isn't it? I have no problem with the two of them being good friends, and I have no problem with them hanging out, but the night before the game is not really the time for them to catching some bro-time. Who knows what gets said when either player gets a few pops in him, for starters, but two, it's in-season. I want my best players hanging out with their teammates. I want them focussing on the game plan, relaxing, and getting rest. Dancing with an opposing player the night before might not necessarily be a problem, but if you're home with your teammates and focussing on the game at hand, you're sure it isn't.

It doesn't have to be universal to be an issue, it just have to have the potential to be an issue.

And I also completely disagree that nobody has room to tell OBJ what he should and shouldn't be doing the night before a game. It's a billion dollar organization that he's one of the face of. If they want him chilling before game time for 17 nights out of the year, that's not too much to ask.

And before we agree that what he's doing is working, let's agree that you have to look at more than just on-field production, because there have been a lot of productive players who were bad teammates. When you're getting a public perception for being volatile and distractible, it's not a good thing for the team. I mean, perception is one thing, but if the perception is actually merited, it's another entirely.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

Funny. I remember a pitchfork party in my honor when I ripped Tashard Choice for getting Michael Vick's autograph years ago.

I do remember that. Things change, its a business and point blank they are buddies now. They play with the best in their area as kids, and really almost none of them hate each other. The great ones want to play with each other....why we started giving them all trophies I don't know.

All we can hope is Zeke and Dak have friends cause they would be a nice free agent pickup.

 

[LocimusPrime]

Evidence? It's self-evident, isn't it? I have no problem with the two of them being good friends, and I have no problem with them hanging out, but the night before the game is not really the time for them to catching some bro-time. Who knows what gets said when either player gets a few pops in him, for starters, but two, it's in-season. I want my best players hanging out with their teammates. I want them focussing on the game plan, relaxing, and getting rest. Dancing with an opposing player the night before might not necessarily be a problem, but if you're home with your teammates and focussing on the game at hand, you're sure it isn't.

It doesn't have to be universal to be an issue, it just have to have the potential to be an issue.

And I also completely disagree that nobody has room to tell OBJ what he should and shouldn't be doing the night before a game. It's a billion dollar organization that he's one of the face of. If they want him chilling before game time for 17 nights out of the year, that's not too much to ask.

And before we agree that what he's doing is working, let's agree that you have to look at more than just on-field production, because there have been a lot of productive players who were bad teammates. When you're getting a public perception for being volatile and distractible, it's not a good thing for the team. I mean, perception is one thing, but if the perception is actually merited, it's another entirely.

That's some good stuff right there. Real good stuff

 

[LocimusPrime]

I do remember that. Things change, its a business and point blank they are buddies now. They play with the best in their area as kids, and really almost none of them hate each other. The great ones want to play with each other....why we started giving them all trophies I don't know.

All we can hope is Zeke and Dak have friends cause they would be a nice free agent pickup.

So did this change in philosophy happen recently? I mean choice and Vick where playing less than 8-10 years ago

 

[Deep_Freeze]

Evidence? It's self-evident, isn't it? I have no problem with the two of them being good friends, and I have no problem with them hanging out, but the night before the game is not really the time for them to catching some bro-time. Who knows what gets said when either player gets a few pops in him, for starters, but two, it's in-season. I want my best players hanging out with their teammates. I want them focussing on the game plan, relaxing, and getting rest. Dancing with an opposing player the night before might not necessarily be a problem, but if you're home with your teammates and focussing on the game at hand, you're sure it isn't.

It doesn't have to be universal to be an issue, it just have to have the potential to be an issue.

And I also completely disagree that nobody has room to tell OBJ what he should and shouldn't be doing the night before a game. It's a billion dollar organization that he's one of the face of. If they want him chilling before game time for 17 nights out of the year, that's not too much to ask.

And before we agree that what he's doing is working, let's agree that you have to look at more than just on-field production, because there have been a lot of productive players who were bad teammates. When you're getting a public perception for being volatile and distractible, it's not a good thing for the team. I mean, perception is one thing, but if the perception is actually merited, it's another entirely.

Times change man, social media has changed everything. We have heard about the card games and such that Jordan, Barkley and such played.....but did we have video of it?? Would that have made us mad that they were buddies??

The main difference now is we see it. Mantle acting like a drunk idiot, could we see it.....nope. They have been doing this for a long time. I have pro athletes in my family, and I will tell you what I say to my friends........I want to watch them play the game, and don't want to meet or talk to them off the field.....cause guess what, you probably won't like that guy off the field if you really knew him.

 

[ConceptCoop]

Evidence? It's self-evident, isn't it? I have no problem with the two of them being good friends, and I have no problem with them hanging out, but the night before the game is not really the time for them to catching some bro-time. Who knows what gets said when either player gets a few pops in him, for starters, but two, it's in-season. I want my best players hanging out with their teammates. I want them focussing on the game plan, relaxing, and getting rest. Dancing with an opposing player the night before might not necessarily be a problem, but if you're home with your teammates and focussing on the game at hand, you're sure it isn't.

It doesn't have to be universal to be an issue, it just have to have the potential to be an issue.

And I also completely disagree that nobody has room to tell OBJ what he should and shouldn't be doing the night before a game. It's a billion dollar organization that he's one of the face of. If they want him chilling before game time for 17 nights out of the year, that's not too much to ask.

And before we agree that what he's doing is working, let's agree that you have to look at more than just on-field production, because there have been a lot of productive players who were bad teammates. When you're getting a public perception for being volatile and distractible, it's not a good thing for the team. I mean, perception is one thing, but if the perception is actually merited, it's another entirely.

I'm not a psychologist, but I don't think the statement is self-evident. I think it's a very common belief, but common doesn't mean true. I used to train Muay Thai and never found that my feelings towards my opponent had any impact on me. I understand that plenty of people do benefit from that form of motivation, but I don't think it's universal at all. Some athletes meditate, some listen to music, some study the playbook, some spend time with family - everyone has their own pre-game rituals. As fans, I don't think we have room to question. Coaches should have a pulse on what motivates their guys, so if a coach has a problem with it, I think that's different. But I am pretty confident that Beckham did everything he could to win that game, and that spending time with Brown beforehand had literally zero impact.

 

[FLcowboy]

Would you be mad if Dez or Zeke did this?

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/f...ght-steelers-game-article-1.2897667?cid=bitly

I would. This is largely what's wrong with the league these days.

Friends are friends. The rivalry they share will make for a better football game.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

So did this change in philosophy happen recently? I mean choice and Vick where playing less than 8-10 years ago

Nah, we just see it more now. Vick and Choice did it on a public stage. When Isiah and Magic were exchanging kisses at mid court, do you really think they never hung out, outside the court??

Of course they did, maybe too much lol. Anyway, the philosophy hasn't changed, us seeing it has. Realize that the hate amongst fans has nothing to do with them at all, they are getting a check, thats all that matters to most of them now.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

During pre-game warmups before the season opener, Dez and OBJ were playing catch. Dez says he and Beckham are friends and even came to his defense on Twitter early this season (when OBJ was having his affair with the kicking net and stuff).

Personally, I don't have a huge problem with players on opposing teams being friends. But I would prefer all the fraternizing be done during the offseason. Right before or right after a game just doesn't seem......right.

 

[Nova]

I don't have that big of a problem with the players hanging out.

They're people.

I don't know how late things went or anything though. That would be my biggest concern, really.

 

[Idgit]

I'm not a psychologist, but I don't think the statement is self-evident. I think it's a very common belief, but common doesn't mean true. I used to train Muay Thai and never found that my feelings towards my opponent had any impact on me. I understand that plenty of people do benefit from that form of motivation, but I don't think it's universal at all. Some athletes meditate, some listen to music, some study the playbook, some spend time with family - everyone has their own pre-game rituals. As fans, I don't think we have room to question. Coaches should have a pulse on what motivates their guys, so if a coach has a problem with it, I think that's different. But I am pretty confident that Beckham did everything he could to win that game, and that spending time with Brown beforehand had literally zero impact.

Times change man, social media has changed everything. We have heard about the card games and such that Jordan, Barkley and such played.....but did we have video of it?? Would that have made us mad that they were buddies??

The main difference now is we see it. Mantle acting like a drunk idiot, could we see it.....nope. They have been doing this for a long time. I have pro athletes in my family, and I will tell you what I say to my friends........I want to watch them play the game, and don't want to meet or talk to them off the field.....cause guess what, you probably won't like that guy off the field if you really knew him.

To be clear, I've very specifically said that I have no issues whatsoever with them being friends or hanging out socially. My issue is specifically with it happening on the eve of a game and when their teams are playing each other. And it's a focus issue and not a camaraderie issue.

It's not any different than the stories we heard for years about the Manning Bowls, where the brothers who talk every week skipped the ritual and just met up to shake hands before the games. Heck, S'ua Cravens reportedly dodged phone calls from his mother before our game just because she's a Cowboys fan. We can agree to disagree on how much of a distraction from focus it really is to hang out or party with a competitor the night before a game. I happen to think it's significant and wouldn't ever consider it, but even if it's not an issue.

But for a guy like Beckham who's got the issues and the reputation he's got, it pretty much comes with its own distraction. McAdoo has already come out publicly and said "[Beckham] needs to control his emotions better and become less of a distraction to himself and to his teammates." Beckham's reply? "He said, she said," Beckham said. "I'm not really concerned about anything but [the upcoming game]."

The dude's a distraction. He's already got his teammates talking about his sideline antics. He doesn't need them talking about what he's doing, with who, the night before a game. Heck, it's pretty much the same issue Tony Romo had going to Cabo with Jessica that everybody freaked out about. Except Tony's was a whole weak before, he actually spend the time in preparation, and with his own teammate and his family, and there was no jeopardy of him losing focus or inadvertently sharing anything with the competition.

Now, I'm not saying it's a huge issue, because it's relatively small potatoes in the scheme of things, but it reinforces a negative perception and it certainly doesn't help anything, so it's got nothing but downside.

As for his friendship with Brown overall, though, I think it's great. The two guys obviously like each other and respect each other on the field. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[Idgit]

During pre-game warmups before the season opener, Dez and OBJ were playing catch. Dez says he and Beckham are friends and even came to his defense on Twitter early this season (when OBJ was having his affair with the kicking net and stuff).

Personally, I don't have a huge problem with players on opposing teams being friends. But I would prefer all the fraternizing be done during the offseason. Right before or right after a game just doesn't seem......right.

That's how I feel, too. Though I have less of a problem with pre-game catch than I do with a social situation the night before the game where players can stay out late, or get into trouble together.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

To be clear, I've very specifically said that I have no issues whatsoever with them being friends or hanging out socially. My issue is specifically with it happening on the eve of a game and when their teams are playing each other. And it's a focus issue and not a camaraderie issue.

It's not any different than the stories we heard for years about the Manning Bowls, where the brothers who talk every week skipped the ritual and just met up to shake hands before the games. Heck, S'ua Cravens reportedly dodged phone calls from his mother before our game just because she's a Cowboys fan. We can agree to disagree on how much of a distraction from focus it really is to hang out or party with a competitor the night before a game. I happen to think it's significant and wouldn't ever consider it, but even if it's not an issue.

But for a guy like Beckham who's got the issues and the reputation he's got, it pretty much comes with its own distraction. McAdoo has already come out publicly and said "[Beckham] needs to control his emotions better and become less of a distraction to himself and to his teammates." Beckham's reply? "He said, she said," Beckham said. "I'm not really concerned about anything but [the upcoming game]."

The dude's a distraction. He's already got his teammates talking about his sideline antics. He doesn't need them talking about what he's doing, with who, the night before a game. Heck, it's pretty much the same issue Tony Romo had going to Cabo with Jessica that everybody freaked out about. Except Tony's was a whole weak before, he actually spend the time in preparation, and with his own teammate and his family, and there was no jeopardy of him losing focus or inadvertently sharing anything with the competition.

Now, I'm not saying it's a huge issue, because it's relatively small potatoes in the scheme of things, but it reinforces a negative perception and it certainly doesn't help anything, so it's got nothing but downside.

As for his friendship with Brown overall, though, I think it's great. The two guys obviously like each other and respect each other on the field. Nothing wrong with that.

I got you. In those situations though, you really don't have to worry about inadvertently shared information though. Most ain't worried about football at all when hanging out. Trust me when I say, we worry about football far more than they do, its our entertainment.....just a job to them that they want to get away from just like we try to get away from our jobs by talking football instead of our jobs.

We can hang out, but if you want to talk about my job, I'm finding someone else to hang out with.

 

[JDSmith]

They train together in the offseason and they don't even line up against each other since they both play the same position. I can't imagine why I'd care at all.

 

[Diehardblues]

I don't like the idea of hanging out anywhere the nite before the game. Granted it was a nite game so they didn't have to be up early.

In the old days players often came in hungover but they were only part time athletes then. Their livelihood wasn't based solely on the NFL.

As coach the night prior on the road I'd have team dinner and meeting with curfew like by 10 or 11:00. Strictly business .

Personally if they are allowed out of the hotel which I wouldn't allow I'd rather them be at someone's house than a nightclub.

This is a big reason Landry started having the team stay at a hotel for home games to control their environment the night before which Jimmy and Jerry now has continued doing .

 

[DOUBLE WING]

It's not social media that caused this, it's free agency. Football is a business, plain and simple. Most players don't spend their careers with one team anymore, so why hold this deep-seeded resentment for another team and its players when you could theoretically be playing for that team next year if you get cut?

 

[Alexander]

Seeing these two play grab *** prior to the season opener this year really tells me I need to understand that the brand of football I grew up on is dead.

Harvey Martin would never throw a wreath in anyone's locker room these days.

Probably would get fined if he was "crazy" enough to do so.

 

[LocimusPrime]

This is how I want them to feel about opponents. Just my opinion. Everyone is entitled to their own view.

 

[LocimusPrime]

And if you call the refs out. Take that! Say it one more time. One more time.