The moment of truth is finally here for Colin Kaepernick. The league may be genuine, or it could be just posturing, but in any event, Kap’s consistency and class have forced the NFL to make a move.
Clubs were informed Tuesday that a private workout will be held for the blackballed, free-agent quarterback on Saturday in Atlanta.
According to reports, the session will include on-field work and an interview and all 32 teams are invited to attend, and video of both the workout and the interview will be made available to them.
How many of those 32 teams will show up is the million-dollar question. Regardless, Kaepernick expressed a joy we haven’t seen from him in a while via Twitter:
I’m just getting word from my representatives that the NFL league office reached out to them about a workout in Atlanta on Saturday. I’ve been in shape and ready for this for 3 years, can’t wait to see the head coaches and GMs on Saturday.
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) November 13, 2019
Several clubs have inquired about Kaepernick’s current football readiness, and sources told ESPN’s Dan Graziano that the workout was also set up in response to a statement by Kaepernick’s representatives sent Oct. 10 saying they had received “little to no response” from all 32 NFL teams.
Kaepernick began kneeling during the National Anthem to bring awareness to police brutality and racial and social injustice in 2016, the last season he ever stepped on an NFL field.
The rest, as they say, is history.
REAL OPPORTUNITY OR NFL PUMP FAKE?
NFL analyst Ryan Clark of said it sounded like a “setup” and something “smells” fishy because Kaepernick’s camp wasn’t contacted by the NFL until Tuesday about the workout on Saturday.
Clark sees it as more of another disingenuous tactic by the league and its collusive owners to distance themselves from talks of Kaepernick being blackballed by appearing to be interested in his skills.
These former players believe that the NFL is still trying to spin a narrative that has already been formed in an attempt to rewrite how terribly they will be remembered in history during this time.
When the entire Kaepernick situation is reflected upon 50 progressive years from now, his stand will be looked upon as another glorious Civil Rights moment in America.
Former Heisman winner and NFL player Desmond Howard said the entire situation is like a movie, “written, scripted, directed and produced by the NFL”.
Some have refused to be skeptical of the opportunity and would rather look at the workout as a sign of change that is long overdue.
In a memo, the league said: “Earlier this year, we discussed some possible steps with his representatives and they recently emphasized his level of preparation and that he is ready to work out for clubs and be interviewed by them. We have therefore arranged this opportunity for him to work out, and for all clubs to have the opportunity to evaluate his current readiness and level of interest in resuming his NFL career.”
Stephen A. Smith implied that Jay-Z was part of a collective effort that took place to get Kap back in the league. and the only thing that can get in the way of Kaepernick being in the NFL is if he “refuses to shut up or goes out there and prove that he can’t play.”
If this workout is indeed genuine, then these three teams are in desperate need of Kaepernick’s services.
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati is 0-9 and going nowhere with Andy Dalton. He’s a shell of his former self (9 TD, 8 picks) playing on a team that is going nowhere with rookie coach ZachTaylor. If any franchise needs a spark it’s the Bengals. Kaepernick could possibly provide that it. He’s hungry to get back on the field and prove that he’s not washed up and hasn’t been away from the game too long as some haters have tried to say.
With seven games left in the season and no chance of making the playoffs, this could be a win-win for both parties. If Kaep performs well, then he could become a contender for a starting job next season with the Bengals or another team in need of a proven quarterback who has been to the Super Bowl.
Detroit Lions
Mathew Stafford has fractured bones in his back. Unheralded backup Jeff Driskel could only muster 13 points in Sunday’s loss to the division-rival Chicago Bears and Stafford’s return is up in the air.
Colin would be a great fit for the team. He has a nice core of receivers as 10 different Lions players caught passes on Sunday. A well-rested Kaepernick with fresh legs can make up for.
Miami Dolphins
Dolphins rookie HC Brian Flores was entering a disaster zone when he got the job in Miami. After signing Ryan Fitzpatrick and trading for Josh Rosen last offseason, the Dolphins are still searching for their franchise quarterback — thus the 2-7 record.
Fitzpatrick is a career backup who fills in nicely for terrible teams, but he’s not a piece for the future. Kaepernick still has another five solid years of football in him if he can regain his old form. The Dolphins hold three first-round selections in next year’s draft and will definitely be drafting a quarterback. However, we know that rookies can struggle in the NFL and having a veteran presence there to start the season is almost mandatory.
Who better than Kaep?
