Bills send all rookies home after coronavirus outbreak

Since the Toronto Blue Jays have decided to play in Buffalo, the teams that call the city home have become almost irrelevant. So when ESPN'S Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN reported all Bills rookies were sent home from camp, it came as a bit of a shock.

Even more shocking was that the Buffalo Bills have an ESPN reporter. Thank you Marty Fenn of Clutch Points for that bit of Information.

 

“As we were informed by medical experts as training camp opened, we expected to have positive tests for COVID,” the team said in a statement to ESPN. “With 5 since the beginning of the testing period last Tuesday, we decided to take a disciplined, proactive and preventative approach to hopefully eliminate additional cases within our team.

The Bills’ rookies first reported on July 21 to begin testing. The rookie who tested positive Thursday did so after registering three negative tests, a league source said."

Marty Fenn stated the player was asymptomatic. "The rookie who tested positive is reportedly asymptomatic, but will have to wait five days until receiving another test and being cleared to enter the team facility.

Undrafted rookie cornerback Ike Brown was previously placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday, with defensive tackle Vincent Taylor and wife receiver Duke Williams also being placed on the list on Wednesday."

As Fenn states, the league has been doing everything possible to make sure they have proper safety procedures in place. There will be little to no fans in attendance and players can opt out of their twenty year.  Training camps have been reduced in size and the preseason canceled. 

There's not a lot more the league can do at this point besides finding a bubble city and moving the start of the season back a few weeks. Roger Goodell is animate that league will start on time. With the spike in virus cases, it's still possible for the season to be canceled.

Marlins COVID-19 outbreak: Four additional players test positive; 17 total reported cases among team

The Miami Marlins announced Tuesday that four more players and coaches have tested positive for the Coronavirus, bringing the number to 17 confirmed cases.

The outbreak has caused a disruption for the league, especially with Baltimore and Philadelphia. As reported yesterday the league is reworking some of the schedules. The league released a statement about the outbreak.

Here is the league statement per CBS Sports

""The health and safety protocols were designed with a challenging circumstance like the one facing the Marlins in mind. The response outlined in the joint MLB-MLBPA Operations Manual was triggered immediately upon learning of the cluster of positive cases, including contact tracing and the quarantining and testing of all of the identified close contacts. The Marlins' personnel who tested positive remain in isolation and are receiving care." 

Marlins executive Derek Jeter said the Team is in talks with the league as it tests and quarantines itself. The team will be out of action until after Sunday at the minimum.

Here's the official statement from Jeter. "We continue to take this entire situation very seriously. All of our players, coaches and staff are, understandably, having a difficult time enduring this experience. After receiving additional test results on our Major League team this morning, we reached out to the Commissioner's Office with concern for the health and safety of our team as well as our opponents.

We have moved to a daily testing schedule while we isolate and quarantine appropriately, along with enacting additional preventive procedures with our traveling party. We look forward to safely returning to Miami where we conducted a successful and healthy Spring 2.0 before departing on the road and experiencing challenges. For the time being, we will remain in Philadelphia and gather information in order to make informed decisions and prepare for our return to action next week."  

The MLB has shown what not to do, and is an example of players unwilling to comply with living in a bubble and the league unwillingness to part with money to call of the season. The rest of the teams will continue to play among this outbreak. The league is walking a gray line. It's only going to take one serious outbreak or player death to shut sports down in America.

As the Blue Jays return to .500, Miami Marlins Outbreak Postpones 2 Games and Rocks M.L.B.’s Return

Ryan Boricki picked up his first win of the season, as Toronto belted out four solo homers to bring themselves back to .500 on the season. However, this wasn't the big news for the MLB.

The Miami Marlins who are one of two teams to call 'Covid Central' aka Florida home, have tested positive for the virus.

The MLB canceled two of the Marlins games against the Orioles and the Yankees game at Philadelphia, according to Tyler Kepner of the New York Times.

"While league officials said there were no plans to suspend or cancel the season — which began just last Thursday — two games were postponed Monday after the Miami Marlins learned that at least 14 members of the team’s traveling party, including 12 players, had tested positive for the virus, " wrote Kepner.

Americans have had the toughest time following any type of requirements and have shown their stubbornness. The MLB has stated that it does not plan to cancel the season if teams get the virus. Former Yankees shortstop and executive for the Marlins released a statement.

“The health of our players and staff has been and will continue to be our primary focus as we navigate through these uncharted waters, take a collective pause and try to properly grasp the totality of this situation," said Jeter.

The United States has tried to rush reopening of the country. There have been protests and lawsuits against the government for people upset the government would put people's lives before the liberties of a select self centered few. 

Dr. Michael Saag, an infectious diseases expert at the University of Alabama at Birmingham weighted in on the situation. “I think it’s another indictment of the United States’s overall approach to Covid, We find ourselves impatient. And that’s what I think we’re suffering from, both in terms of not just Major League Baseball but for every other thing we’re trying to do.”

The Marlins will be tested in Philadelphia, where the team is currently staying. The team has players on standby but unless it is deemed safe, those players will not join the rest of the team.

Dave Martinez, manager for the Nationals, talked about the what was going on. “This thing really hits home now that you see half a team get infected and go from one city to another, I’ll be honest with you, I’m scared, I really am.”

Kansas City first baseman O'Hearn said, “It seems like it’s spreading like wildfire. It’s definitely a scary situation. Everyone realizes the kind of risk we’re taking.”

Of course it's scary and yeah, it's spreading like wildfire. Several states in the southern US didn't want to close and opened too soon. Citizens across the entire country did not and still haven't taken the virus seriously. It's probably the reason why Americans are restricted from traveling to most countries.

Kepner wrote, "On Friday, the first day of games for most teams, the league announced that only six of 10,939 samples it had tested that week (or 0.05 percent) had returned new positives. But most of those tests were conducted while teams were training at their home parks, before traveling to road sites."

Sounds like the league is slipping in their testing. The players should be tested daily. With the team still playing across the United States, this is a clear sign that sports need to stay in bubbles. The NFL has been looking to do the same thing as the Majors. Maybe this will get them to follow the NHL and NBA to save the season.

Dr Saag continued, “I’m personally concerned about schools reopening in hot spot states, and we know where they are. I think Major League Baseball is kind of the vanguard on this, and the other collections of people — be it students or campuses or the N.B.A. perhaps — it’s all going to follow suit because we’re in such a big hurry.”

The commissioner of the MLB admitted he had thought about isolating players for the season but he knew that players would refuse to play and the league is dying. He needed to make a decision to do what was best for the league.

Commissioner Manfred said about the idea of keeping players limited to the hotel and stadium, “So then we realized, gee, that’s pretty tough. So then we started talking about including families, and you realize as you get into that phase that you get into quarantine numbers that are insane.”

Manfred admitted that they thought about hub games in Texas, Arizona, and Florida but decided against it. Which was probably a good thing, since those are all hot spots for the virus.

Pitcher Adam Ottavino said Monday, “You just see comments, ‘Oh, this was expected. To me, OK, so, well, if it was expected, it’s just so reckless in my opinion. But a lot of guys didn’t want to do the bubble. I would’ve been willing to do the bubble. I thought, personally, that was a no-brainer. But I don’t speak for everybody."

The problem is not everyone was willing to play in a bubble. Players weren't willing to make their millions of it meant having to comply with health and safety regulations that kept them from doing things as normal. 

Manfred doesn't see the Marlins situation as anything dire. In a statement Monday he said, Manfred said, “We knew that we were going to have positives at some point in time. I remain optimistic that the protocols are strong enough that it will allow us to continue to play, even through an outbreak like this, and complete our season.”

Back in July Manfred sounded a little different, “If we have a team or two that’s really decimated with a number of people who had the virus and can’t play for any significant period of time, it could have a real impact on the competition and we’d have to think very, very hard about what we’re doing.”

For now it appears that the only thing Manfred is thinking about is raking in the cold hard cash, regardless of who pays the price. If not handled correctly, this could get the United States to cancel sports indefinitely until the virus is contained.

Covid crashes the NFL Hall of Fame celebrations

Covid is standing between the NFL and the Hall of Fame. The US has had 22 states with spikes in cases as they reopen. Thus the NFL canceled the August 6th preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and The Dallas Cowboys. Fans of the 70s were looking forward to it.

With covid expected to be an uninvited guest at the Hall of Fame ceremony on August 8th, the NFL has postponed that until further notice as well.

Adam Schefter tweeted "The Cowboys and Steelers, who were scheduled to play in this year’s preseason opener, now are expected to play in the 2021 Hall of Fame game next summer, per sources. The HOF enshrinement ceremony also is expected to be held then."

On June 20th, NFL doctor, Dr. Mayer told players to stop working out until called to report to organized team training. This was after several teams had players and other personnel contract the virus. Players have ignored this, most notably Tom Brady.

On June 18th, Dr. Fauci a leading specialist on the coronavirus told the NFL they might not have a season. In which the NFL responded by basically saying he didn't know what he was talking about.

The canceling of the Hall of Fame is just another step closer to not having football in 2020. As I previously stated, with players not caring about the virus, the NFL might have to have players sign waivers, and then still play with scabs to fill rosters. It's not ideal but it may be needed. This story is sure to continue.

Mayer requests players to stop joint training

On Saturday June 20th, teams received a major blow. Chief Medical Official for the NFL, Dr. Thomas Mayer requested all players immediately stop any workouts with other players.

In his statement , Mayer told players that the league is doing everything they can to come up with a way to keep players safe but again reiterated that players avoid trying to keep some form of normalcy until called upon to report to their corporate facilities.

In his statement Mayer said "Please be advised that it is our consensus medical opinion that in light of the increase in COVID-19 cases in certain states that no players should be engaged in practicing together in private workouts. Our goal is to have all players and your families as healthy as possible in the coming months."

There have been several organizations that have come up with infectious personal including Dallas, San Francisco, Tampa, Denver, and Houston. All reporting cases this week. The NFL is trying to protect it's corporate employees but this is evident that there are lapses in their policy.

98.5 the sports hub reported on Dr. Mayer's statement saying "It's worth noting that while the NFLPA cannot outright ban its players from getting together, their advice here certainly comes with an eye for the future, as Mayer noted that this suggestion comes with the parties wanting to have the smoothest operation possible when teams begin to report to camp next month."

Now while the NFLPA doesn't have the power, one must wonder what kinda power Roger Goodell has in stopping those with NFL salaries from meeting. This statement by Dr. Mayers comes after The Leading voice on the coronavirus, Dr. Fauci came out and said the NFL couldn't keep their players safe unless they played in bubbles.

Something The NFL and Dr. Mayer disagreed with. So far the NFL and NFLPA are not doing well with keeping players safe. With the Virus spiking in 22 states, it is going to be hard for the NFL to keep personal safe. Especially for the 7 months that they normally gather. The NFL is on the Max Kellerman Cliff with the coronavirus and is going to have to take drastic measures to keep the season from going over.

It could be coincidence but keep in mind the League was doing okay until Tom Brady decided to Join the Buccaneers and things have only gotten worse since Gronkowski joined Brady and both received uniforms. Is fate punishing the NFL for the dynamic duo disrupting the natural order of the NFL?

Fauci "there may not be a season"

On june 15th, I released an article titled Clutch Points reported NFL Players catch Corona as NFL is preparing to Open. In which I discussed the possibility of there not being a season.

Since then It has come to light that a Denver Broncos' player, and a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization has come down with the virus, and two more have entered quarantine.

One of the experts on the coronavirus, Dr. Fauci, has said that the NFL might not have a season. He spoke with CNN about it. 

"Unless players are essentially in a bubble – insulated from the community and they are tested nearly every day – it would be very hard to see how football is able to be played this fall. If there is a second wave, which is certainly a possibility and which would be complicated by the predictable flu season, football may not happen this year."

As I reported in my last article 22 states were seeing increases in the number of infected individuals. Some up to 25%.

CBS Sports Caitlin O'Kane reported the NFL's chief medical official about what the league is doing to contain and stop an outbreak among NFL employees. Here is a sample of the statement from the NFL's website.

""We will make adjustments as necessary to meet the public health environment as we prepare to play the 2020 season as scheduled with increased protocols and safety measures for all players, personnel and attendees..." 

NFLPA union president JC Tretter released the following statement

“I don’t know at this point. Obviously, it’s a novel, emerging virus, so there’s consistent updates, and new information comes out every day. So, I’ve continually tried not to look too far ahead, focus on two-week spurts of making sure we’re all set up." 

Baseball, Basketball, and Soccer have all discussed playing in a set location. The sports would hold tests and limit accessibility to the players and league-team employees. Baseball players have been against this idea.

O'Kane wrote "Plans could also involve players isolated in a bubble site and routinely tested with the hopes of eventually returning to home markets when possible, CBS Sports reported. "

As I stated in my previous article, players don't seem to care about the virus and with Goodell wanting to press on with the season , he may issue waivers or have the league play with scabs.

Find my earlier article from June 15th here. 

http://vicariouslypatriots.blogspot.com/2020/06/clutch-points-reported-nfl-players.html

Clutch Points reported NFL Players catch Corona as NFL is preparing to Open.

On Monday june 8th, the NFL released rules for players to return to work and to team facilities. The NFL broke players down into two groups and even explained how facilities would be cleaned.

On June 13th, 21 states reported spikes in new cases according to the Washington Post. Who listed a few of them.

"Alabama, Oregon and South Carolina are among the states with the biggest increases. Alabama saw a 92 percent change in its seven-day average, while Oregon’s seven-day average was up 83.8 percent and South Carolina’s was up 60.3 percent. Hospitalizations have risen as well. For example, Arkansas has seen a 120.7 percent increase in hospitalizations, from 92 cases to 203, since Memorial Day."

Early June 15th, NBC’s Erin McLaughlin reported "Growing concern as 14 states see 25% spike in coronavirus cases amid reopening."

Shortly after NBC's report, the New York Times reported "Arizona, Texas and Florida are reporting their highest case numbers yet. As of Saturday, coronavirus cases were climbing in 22 states amid reopenings."

Obviously, this is concern for everyone but for the NFL, this could delay or even end the season before it starts. States like Pennsylvania, Washington, North Carolina and Michigan whom host NFL teams were also listed.

According two Shane Mickle of Clutch Points, at least two clubs have had players test positive for the virus as of the morning of June 15th.

Shane reported "Several Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans players have tested positive for COVID-19, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media.

None of the players are believed to have been in the teams’ facilities, but as the NFL tries to get ready for a full season, players testing positive is concerning."

According to Ian Rapoport the NFL had already planned for this and is taking action.

"A month ago, NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills said: 'We fully expect that we will have positive cases that arise. … Our challenge is to identify them as quickly as possible and prevent spread to any other participants.' The teams appear to have done that." 

NFL Players just want to get back on the field. With Millions of dollars at stake, many are willing to put themselves and others at risk.

Allen Robinson of the Chicago Bears was reported to of said “I’m not too concerned. I think that if we’re going to be put back in the facility, I think measures are going to be taken.”

The NFL is a billion dollar business and while Roger Goodell has been doing everything to protect the shield from possible lawsuits, he has been animate about the NFL opening on time. As long as players like Robinson don't care, the league may issue waivers and even bring in scabs willing to play.

Stay tuned as this story is sure to continue. 

‘Multiple’ NFL coaches won’t return to team facilities before training camp

ESPN'S Jeremy Fowler is reporting that we may not see any type of normalcy as many coaches won't meet until August.

“Coaches from multiple NFL teams tell me their staffs aren’t returning to team facilities until training camp barring an unforeseen development. Others are holding out hope for in-person work in June, but some teams are making the decision now that everything stays virtual”

This will have a major impact on NFL teams and players. Coaches usually use the time to evaluate personal to see which undrafted players are actually better than Veterans. 

Players will miss out on coaching and having the opportunity to learn the playbook, systems and schemes. This is the most crucial time for players, who need the extra coaching.

There are players like Tom Brady who are getting teammates together to practice, and there are also players like Hjalte Froholdt who have sought out offseason training programs that get Intel from teams on what players need to work on. Thus to be ready for the upcoming season.

Obviously, not everyone shares this work ethic as there is no news of Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, Brian Hoyer, Lamar Jackson, Philip Rivers, Jarrett Stidham and the rest of the NFLPA members holding voluntary workouts of their own. 

Maximo Gonzales of Clutch Points wrote "The league had extended its virtual offseason workout program until the end of May in order to give teams in states with varying restrictions ample time to prepare. Of course, the lack of any definitive plan has seemingly resulted in some pushback regarding the upcoming June minicamps."

New York opened Sunday allowing the Bills to begin their OTAs. Several teams have been given permission to open today, Including New Jersey's own New York Jets and New York Giants. We won't get into why New Jersey teams are fronting as New Yorkers. For now all that matters is their spring has started.

It would not be surprising to see virtual camps run until near the end of June according to NFLPA president JC Trotter, who is the center for the Cleveland "Dumpster Fire".

Roger "The Clown" Goodell, commissioner of the NFL wants to start the season on time but coaches are putting player safety above the league. The Commish may have to order mandatory camps to get the league up and running by September. 

Maximo Gonzales pointed out the obvious for those not paying attention. "Until then, it seems that many coaches are in no hurry to put an end to the virtual period of the offseason." 

And that is bad for an early September kickoff. While the NFL tries to get back to Normal. The US had 12,668 confirmed new cases but testing in the United States is still slower than it should be and states have begun reopening. Which is cause of concern for a second wave of the deadly virus.

There is a very real chance that the 2020 NFL season maybe scrapped or games may end up on PPV with empty stadiums, so the league can make up for ticket revenue. For now, the NFL is "must wait and see" TV.

Hopefully the league will start airing Hank Williams Jr commercials with his "Are you ready for some football" to get fans excited for the upcoming season.

Update: as of 0740 the number of new cases jumped to 18,971 from the 12,668. The United States won't know how many people were actually infected with the virus during Memorial day for approximately 3 weeks.