Special to the AmNews
Northwestern University football players will have to wait a while longer, or until they make their NFL debuts, to get paid. The National Labor Relations Board unanimously ruled against their petition to unionize. The decision results in the petition’s dismissal and ends Northwestern’s unionization effort and any other player thoughts of unionizing for now.
Realistically, it’ll take a “We Shall Overcome” wildcat strike headed by AFL-CIO/Jimmy Hoffa types for players to get periodic checks from the NCAA. Goodfellas verses Good Ole Boys. And note that Hoffa still hasn’t been found. But larger checks will be written to quarterback Phillip Rivers, and for a longer period of time, too, by the San Diego Chargers, who extended Rivers four more years for $84 million, $65 guaranteed. The Seattle Seahawks made Russell Wilson one of the league’s highest paid QBs last month, also extending his contract four years, $87.6 million total, a $31 million signing bonus, $60 million guaranteed.
New York Jets fans yearn for a quarterback they can re-up. One that deserves to be extended. A quarterback whose deal needs to be re-done. One that has leverage because of what he’s done, what he brings to the table. Skills and abilities far beyond all those others. A franchise quarterback.
Geno Smith, who’s recovering from off-field injuries, stated that he’s feeling great. “Get ready for me to come back,” he said.
Until then, the Jets will depend on 32-year-old veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who they acquired by trade in the off-season.
Drafted in the seventh round in 2005 by the St. Louis Rams, Ryan has played for Cincinnati, Buffalo, Tennessee, Houston and now the Jets, his sixth team. Although he was injured last December while quarterbacking the Houston Texans, it was his best pro season, throwing for 2400-plus yards, 17 touchdowns, with 8 interceptions.
Considering Fitzpatrick’s injury history and their vulnerability at the QB position, the Jets recognize the need for another veteran on their bench. Veteran Matt Flynn, 30, who was just retained in June and dropped in August by the New England Patriots, is expected to be signed, maybe in time for the Jets’ second pre-season game tomorrow night, Friday, at home, MetLife Stadium, against the Atlanta Falcons.
