The Ravens were reportedly interested in signing quarterback Colin Kaepernick before the 2017 campaign, but a high-ranking U.S. military official may have been part of squashing the club’s plans to meet with the signal-caller, according to TMZ Sports. Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh consulted with several friends while his team was discussing Kaepernick, and one such friend — the unnamed official — “cautioned” Harbaugh about the former 49ers signal-caller. While the official did not tell Harbaugh not to sign Kaepernick, he did indicate the Ravens should give Kaepernick a “set of specific guidelines to follow” in order to remain employed. Kaepernick, of course, was the progenitor of kneeling for the national anthem as a form of silent protest. After passing on Kaepernick, Baltimore went on to sign journeyman Thad Lewis to serve as depth behind starter Joe Flacco.
Here’s more from around the NFL:
- Lions center Travis Swanson is headed towards free agency, and it’s conceivable his reported late-season concussion could be a red flag for interested teams. However, Swanson’s representatives claim that he didn’t actually suffer a concussion in 2017, as Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press writes. Instead, Swanson says a bad reaction to the medicine he was given to treat his (non) concussion was the source of his symptoms. The 27-year-old pivot has a medical note to back up his version of the story, but the Lions are sticking by the original injury report that landed Swanson on injured reserve prior to Week 17. Thus far, both the Jets and Dolphins have expressed preliminary interest in Swanson, who offers 42 games worth of starting experience.
- At least one unidentified NFL team has Louisville’s Lamar Jackson rated as the draft’s No. 2 quarterback prospect, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Jackson, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2016, is generally listed behind Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, Josh Rosen, and Josh Allen is consensus rankings, but it sounds as though at least one team prefers Jackson to many of those signal-callers. Some teams reportedly had interest in working out Jackson as a receiver at the combine, but he declined to take part in non-quarterback drills.
- The upcoming season is likely to be a “make-or-break” campaign for Redskins president Bruce Allen, per John Keim of ESPN.com. Washington has had its fair share of turnover — in the front office, on the coaching staff, and on the roster — during Allen’s tenure, but he’s managed to stick around since 2009. During that time, the Redskins have posted a disappointing 52-75-1 record. Additionally, the club has lost respected general manager Scot McCloughan (reportedly because of a rift with Allen), and will not re-sign franchise quarterback Kirk Cousins.
- The NFL’s scouting combine will remain in Indianapolis through at least 2020, but the function’s long-term location is unclear, writes Mike Chappell of FOX59. While speculation has arisen that Los Angeles or Las Vegas could be the combine’s next home, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk indicates Indianapolis is considered ideal given that every part of the event — meetings, workouts, medical testing — to be located within a small radius.
Wonder who the team that has Jackson as #2 QB is?
My guess would be the Dolphins but I have no idea
You really photoshopped a Ravens jersey
Yep, so silly.
Please, NO MORE about Kaepernick! He’s a clown, he’s not in the NFL because he’s not good at football. He was already benched and on the verge of being cut BEFORE “the knee”. Ironically, it probably saved his job at the time. Vick, also a black QB, is a felon, found guilty of horrible crimes which he admitted to. He was signed to a NFL contract the day he was released from prison. It’s not racism, these GMs would sign anybody if they thought it would lead to wins and saving their jobs. BTW, this clown is so passionate about change? Then why didn’t he bother voting? Not for president, Congress, nothin. I hope the next time I see him he’s hanging me my order at a drive thru window.
Lol… mindless!
@Bryzzo
It’s that reaction that keeps him in the headlines.
I believe Ray Lewis more in that Kap’s girl had to do with him not getting signed
and yet another useless story about kaepernick…
All of this polarization between opinions is the main reason why he isn’t wanted, teams can’t lose half their fans over signing him.
Finally an intelligent comment re: Kaepernick.
He’s not great, but he’s not as terrible as people are claiming. Even in his last year, when he “sucked”, his stats were good enough to be a backup somewhere. Those who claim otherwise are fooling themselves.
However, there is no backup in the league worth the headache of alienating a large portion of your fanbase.
The REAL reason Kap is not playing in the NFL right now is because he tarnished the NFL shield ! That’s it! He wasn’t good for the Brand!
Go Kaepernick! Here’s hoping you get signed and continue to kneel.
Ravens situation is a perfect example of why Kaep won’t get a backup job anywhere. Yea sure,Kaep is better than Thad Lewis.But I didn’t know he was the Ravens backup,and if it was Kaep,i would’ve read about atleast once a week.