Detroit Lions Offseason Thread 2023

[MichiganCardinal]

13 minutes ago, KL2 said:

I mean it clear we just disagree here. My guess if he played for the Bears you wouldn't be making this case.

 

The rules are no gambling.

The rules extend to all team activities, why because it's a high profile job and any gambling risks the integrity of the game either by directly betting on the sport or by creating a slippery slope that makes it easier to do so.

I have no problem with the suspension because he knew the rules and violated them. You are just looking for every way to rationalize it away.

 

It’s definitely possible that a week from today I will be less emotional about it and more in favor of the suspension, but right now I’m both annoyed at the suspension and annoyed at Jamo for making a stupid and immature decision.

I wouldn’t be as emotional if it were DJ Moore, and I’d probably be mocking them some, but I still think I would think it’s kind of dumb.

[Tenacious D]

Just now, Mr.TaterSalad said:

A caller on 97.1 brought this up and wondered if the Marvin Jones signing was Holmes response to knowing this was coming down on Jamo.

I think that signing was in response to Chark signing elsewhere.

[RedRamage]

5 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

Williams could have easily went down in training camp with an injury that took him out 6 weeks. Just have to adjust. I don't think this changes their draft plans. 

I tend to agree, though I do think it makes WR/TE a more attractive pickup.  I don't think they're massively reworking their board, but if it comes down to two names that they like/want equally and one is a position with more depth and one is a pass catcher... I think the pass catcher might get the nod.

[Hongbit]

15 minutes ago, KL2 said:

I mean it clear we just disagree here. My guess if he played for the Bears you wouldn't be making this case.

 

The rules are no gambling.

The rules extend to all team activities, why because it's a high profile job and any gambling risks the integrity of the game either by directly betting on the sport or by creating a slippery slope that makes it easier to do so.

I have no problem with the suspension because he knew the rules and violated them. You are just looking for every way to rationalize it away.

 

I’d agree with you if the rule is no gambling.   It’s not.  The rule is no gambling at the team facility.  

The fact the league is ok with non football gambling sometimes but not at other times or places is confusing.  It’s not a morals or even an integrity of the game issue, so what is their issue really?  

Edited April 21, 2023 by Hongbit

[Mr.TaterSalad]

There's no report that WR Coach Antwaan Randle El is wrapped up in there is this? It seemed like a report mentioned maybe a coach was caught up in this situation.

[Motown Bombers]

1 minute ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

A caller on 97.1 brought this up and wondered if the Marvin Jones signing was Holmes response to knowing this was coming down on Jamo.

Marvin Jones signing made sense regardless of Williams availability. CJ Moore was signed March 18th and Jones April 5th. That is a small window for him to find out. Holmes could have found out internally that Williams was gambling and a suspension would be likely. I assume at the very least he knew an investigation was ongoing. 

[RedRamage]

2 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

I never thought of a recently fired coach could become a snitch. It is weird though three of the four players suspended were receivers and they were either on injured reserve or practice squad. 

Obviously I'm massively speculating, but it would surprise me if someone who was let go from the Lions (FO, player, coach, etc) snitched.  I mean, that's kinda how the whole Astro's think shook out, wasn't it? It might have been someone who help a grudge or maybe it was just someone who felt annoyed that s/he was following the rules but others seemed to get away with it without repercussions. Again: PURE SPECULATION on my part here.  Just thinking out loud.

[Motown Bombers]

1 minute ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

There's no report that WR Coach Antwaan Randle El is wrapped up in there is this? It seemed like a report mentioned maybe a coach was caught up in this situation.

Does seem interesting it was mostly receivers. 

[Motown Bombers]

I just hope John Fox wasn't involved. 

[MichiganCardinal]

3 minutes ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

A caller on 97.1 brought this up and wondered if the Marvin Jones signing was Holmes response to knowing this was coming down on Jamo.

I think Marvin Jones was in response to losing out on DJ Chark. I don’t think there is a dire need to replace Jameson for six games, unless we suffer another injury at the position. We can’t stand to start 1-6 again, and that happened because of how depleted this team was after the Vikings game.

[kdog]

This is a much better tight end draft. They were already going to draft one. Losing Jamo might give them the impetus to take one earlier.

[RedRamage]

4 minutes ago, Hongbit said:

The fact the league is ok with non football gambling sometimes but not at other times or places is confusing.  It’s not a morals or even an integrity of the game issue, so what is their issue really?  

Good point... it's really splitting hairs there. I'm not sure I can even conjure up some imaginary scenario where a player might be enticed to throw a game while on team grounds vs. when he's not on team grounds. And you can't exactly say that the team/league is just distancing themselves from gambling when clearly they're not.

I mean, rules are still rules and you can't disobey them just because you disagree with them. But yeah, taking in his light it does feel like a very stupid rule.

[Motown Bombers]

It is troubling it was multiple players and potentially staff. I get the feeling it may have been part of broader ring within the position group. Williams may have gambled on NFL games but they just didn't catch him. 

[Motown Bombers]

"Gambling appears to have been widespread within the Lions organization last season.

In addition to today’s bombshell announcement that four Lions players have been suspended for gambling, ESPN reports that several Lions staff members in various departments were fired last month for violating the gambling policy.

Staff members of NFL teams are not allowed to bet on NFL games, the draft, postseason awards or anything else NFL-related, and they’re also not allowed to gamble on anything at all while they are at the team facility or traveling for team business. It is not clear specifically which rules the Lions employees violated."

Report: Lions fired several staff members in multiple departments for gambling (yahoo.com)

[buddha]

22 minutes ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

A caller on 97.1 brought this up and wondered if the Marvin Jones signing was Holmes response to knowing this was coming down on Jamo.

i hope not.  jones is old and not a frontline starter anymore.

[buddha]

20 minutes ago, Hongbit said:

I’d agree with you if the rule is no gambling.   It’s not.  The rule is no gambling at the team facility.  

The fact the league is ok with non football gambling sometimes but not at other times or places is confusing.  It’s not a morals or even an integrity of the game issue, so what is their issue really?  

why?  you can drink alcohol, just not at work.  seems similar.

[Mr.TaterSalad]

4 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

"Gambling appears to have been widespread within the Lions organization last season.

In addition to today’s bombshell announcement that four Lions players have been suspended for gambling, ESPN reports that several Lions staff members in various departments were fired last month for violating the gambling policy.

Staff members of NFL teams are not allowed to bet on NFL games, the draft, postseason awards or anything else NFL-related, and they’re also not allowed to gamble on anything at all while they are at the team facility or traveling for team business. It is not clear specifically which rules the Lions employees violated."

Report: Lions fired several staff members in multiple departments for gambling (yahoo.com)

Weren't Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes trying to change the culture of this franchise? This seems like a widespread problem with the team and broader organization.

[RedRamage]

4 minutes ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

Weren't Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes trying to change the culture of this franchise? This seems like a widespread problem with the team and broader organization.

To the best of my knowledge, there was no major gambling culture in the Lions before they showed up, so... I'd say they changed the culture.

[Hongbit]

13 minutes ago, buddha said:

why?  you can drink alcohol, just not at work.  seems similar.

Not one bit.  Alcohol is a mental and physical impairment. It creates health, safety, and liability issues in the workplace.   Non NFL gambling does none of these things and represents only a potential moral concern but even that connection seem hazy as online gambling has now taken a more acceptable business.

Edited April 21, 2023 by Hongbit

[Mr.TaterSalad]

30 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

Does seem interesting it was mostly receivers. 

That's why I was wondering if he was caught up in it. A report did say other staff was caught up in it and so I wondered if he was too. I would certainly hope not.

[kdog]

In theory, he could have gambled on the road at a hotel, team plane, etc.

Edited April 21, 2023 by kdog

[buddha]

6 minutes ago, Hongbit said:

Not one bit.  Alcohol is a mental and physical impairment. It creates health, safety, and liability issues in the workplace.   Non NFL gambling does none of these things and represents only a potential moral concern but even that connection seem hazy as online gambling has now taken a more acceptable business.

there are a litany of things you are legally able to do outside the workplace that are not allowed inside the workplace.  alcohol and gambling are just one of them.  no porn viewing at work for example.  some companies dont allow you to view ANY internet sites at work.  

the nfl obviously has concerns about their players gambling given the nature of their business and the perception of competitiveness.

also, im sure this is in the cba, which means the players themselves agreed to it.

[RatkoVarda]

they can claw back some $$$ if they choose 

https://www.spotrac.com/news/financial-ramifications-for-the-5-suspended-nfl-players-1857/

[Motown Bombers]

Not going to lie, a little part of me was hoping it would have been Anzalone instead of Williams. 

[MichiganCardinal]

Expensive gambling loss.