Seahawks push back on Kaepernick. Is there a sea change in Seattle?
Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick was scheduled work out with the Seahawks this week. That visit was postponed, and the reason is quite surprising.
Sea change: a profound or notable transition; a broad transformation. From William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”.
Former (for the past year) quarterback and full-time social activist Colin Kaepernick was supposed to be in Seattle this week to work out for the team. In itself, this is surprising, as last year Pete Carroll made it clear he saw Kap as a starter in the league, not a backup. In case you forgot:
This is just a guess, but I imagine the Seahawks still view Kaepernick as a starter. Maybe they incorrectly assumed he’d get snapped up by some desperate team that needed him to do just that, start. Of course, no team did.
Instead, players as awful as Deshone Kizer (60.5 passer rating), Tom Savage (71.4 passer rating) and Blaine Gabbert (71.9 passer rating) all saw extensive action. The offensively inept Denver Broncos played three quarterbacks whose passer ratings ranged from 73.3 to 72.0. They all got at least two starts, and only one managed as much as an even touchdown to interception ratio. And he only completed 55 percent of his passes. There were plenty of teams that could have used Colin Kaepernick on the field last season.
What stopped 31 teams from signing him is what Kap does on the edge of the field just before kickoff. In case you’re new to the planet, Kaepernick kneels during the national anthem, and a lot of people don’t like that. What’s surprising is that apparently, the Seahawks now care about Kaepernick’s protest method as well.
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It isn’t about Kap’s arm, it’s about his knee
Or maybe what kept them from signing Kaepernick last season was his image. It hasn’t been substantiated, but unnamed sources say the Seahawks postponed Kaepernick’s visit precisely for the kneeling issue. Reportedly, the Seahawks asked Kaepernick to assure them he wouldn’t kneel during the anthem. Kaepernick said he couldn’t give them that assurance. And now, his visit is postponed.
As long as Pete Carroll has been running this team, he’s been known as a players’ coach, one that not only allowed but encouraged his players to speak out on what mattered to them. Now the Seahawks reportedly gave Colin Kaepernick a stipulation regarding his speech. To be exact, the manner of his speech.
This is a corporation, and like many, they are concerned about their image with the public. That’s exactly why Seattle is looking for a backup quarterback, as they released Trevone Boykin due to his most recent legal issues. That presents a bad image to their fans. Whether it’s “right” or not, the Seahawks are reacting to Kaepernick the same way the other 31 teams in the league have for the past year. That is what’s surprising. Although…
Related Story: Kaeperncick with Seahawks is still a good fit
Maybe it isn’t so surprising after all, when you look at who the Seahawks traded or released this off-season. Richard Sherman and Michael Bennett are easily two of the most vocal players in the league. Maybe, just maybe, there was a little more there than just age, injury, and salary cap concerns. Perhaps there is a sea change in the offing after all.