Back in December of 2016, Cam Newton was benched for the first series of the game, as punishment for an alleged “dress code violation” as punishment. That punishment only lasted for ONE PLAY; as Derek Anderson immediately threw an interception on the first play. Carolina Panthers Head Coach Ron Rivera could have stood on whatever measure of principles he thought mattered and extended the punishment; but he knew that this would be the very definition of insanity. 
But this week, Derek Anderson (who has only thrown the ball 6.7 passes in the past three years) will be the starting QB for The Buffalo Bills. Oh, and of those 67 passes, five of those were intercepted. He did throw for two touchdowns; but ummm yeah. Another career backup, that’s a backup for a reason, is being sent out to start a game while Colin Kaepernick remains unsigned…
A few weeks ago, I wrote about some teams that I felt should consider at least adding Brother Kap to their roster. Let’s take a look at the state of affairs, as week seven begins... 

​The Buffalo Bills currently rank last in Total Offense, Passing Yards, Receiving Yards, and First Downs. Collectively, between Josh Allen and Nathan Peterman, The Bills have only THREE Touchdown Passes thru six weeks. Add nine INTs and an injured Josh Allen to the mix, and you what you get is one big mess. Prior to all of this, they ran Tyrod Taylor out of town in very disrespectful fashion. And now they want Derek Anderson to put down his clipboard, and throw some more interceptions…

As a resident of The State Of Tennessee, I’ve seen and heard a lot in regard to it’s lineage of quarterbacks. From McNair to Young to Mariota, and all the trash in between, it’s been a lot of good and a lot of bad. But never have The Titans been this impotent. Based on the callers to the various talk radio shows, the fans have largely lost all optimism that the once-heralded Marcus Mariota would lead the team to a brighter future. And to have been sacked 11 times this week, by a Ravens Team that does not include Ray Lewis or Ed Reed??? The Titans rank in the bottom three in Total Offense, Passing Yards, Receiving Yards, and First Downs. And Mariota still can’t stay healthy. Last year, it was reported that Colin Kaepernick actually reached out to The Titans requesting an opportunity to workout for a roster spot. Instead they chose Matt Cassel; and this year Blaine Gabbert. Don’t you think it may be time to return that call and reach back?  

​In my earlier piece, I questioned if The Cardinals understood the ramifications of going forward with an injury-prone Sam Bradford and an unexperienced Josh Rosen under center. Predictably, Sam Bradford went down to yet another injury. Josh Rosen did okay at first; but after being mauled by Denver 45-10 Thursday Night, it is clear that he may already be damaged goods. Last night Rosen threw the ball 39 times; but for only 194 yards. He threw one touchdown, versus three pics, for a QBR of 3.0. Horrible. Offensive Coordinator Mike McCoy was fired after the game; and Byron Leftwich will now be tasked with saving this kid’s career. As if reviving an offense that ranks in the bottom five in every statistical category so far this year. More specifically, the rank next to last in passing yards and total offense-while ranking dead last in third down conversion percentages at a lowly 23.1%. 

​Eli Manning threw the ball 43 times on Sunday; but could not throw a TD. He did throw an INT though. His teammates are publicly and privately expressing frustration over his play. For the season, he has only thrown six touchdowns-versus four interceptions and four fumbles. Colin may not be the shiny new toy in which a high 1st round pick this year would have been viewed as; but he would at this point be a breath of fresh air and new energy. Currently at 1-5, what do The Giants have to lose? In a pretty weak NFC East, it’s not to late to make a comeback? 

​Like The NY Giants, The Oakland Raiders throw the ball an awful lot to not be scoring many points. I don’t even have the patience to do the math on calculating the Yards Per Pass Average for the 142 yards gained off Derek Carr’s 23 completed passes. I know I haven’t been watching; but does anyone throw the ball downfield anymore? Like The Giants, The Oakland Raiders are in a weak division, that can still easily be won. Perhaps a little fresh energy would help energize the squad and muster a turnaround for a team that has fast become the laughingstock of the NFL.

On this day (October 12th) in 1932, the highly-accomplished and incomparable Richard "Dick" Gregory was born. He taught us, he made us laugh, and he made us healthier. He was a Civil Rights Movement Icon, Comedian, and Dietary Guru, that spent the bulk of his life teaching and inspiring the masses. In fact, he was still doing speaking tours right up to the day he passed away in August of last year at the age of 86. He was a lot of things to a lot of people; but for me it was his fiery lectures, of more recent times, that impacted me the most. So it is in that way that I choose to honor him here. This 2009 lecture drops a lot of heavy truths in regard to White Supremacy, Religion, Public Perception, Bill Cosby, 9/11, Practical Wisdom, and So Much More. Some of these truths he speaks will be uncomfortable for some; but who said that truth was supposed to be passive? Soak it up and share with others. Dick Gregory's spirit is still with us; and his message must live on through us...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/aug/20/dick-gregory-obituary

While many of us remember the 1991 beating of Rodney King, by The LAPD; how many remember the name Latasha Harlins? Shot in the head by a Korean Store Owner that suspected the 15-Year-Old of stealing a bottle of orange juice, the murder of young Ms. Harlins was just as much a core reason for the riots as what happened to Mr. King. Latasha died with $2 dollars in her hand-the money to pay for the $1.79 bottle of OJ (no pun intended). Did I mention that she was shot in the back of the head? Soon Ja Du had confronted young Latasha physically; resulting in Ms. Harlins attempting to just leave the store. But instead her life ended on that Saturday Morning of October 9th, 1991. As for her killer? Soon Ja Du was initially charged with 1st Degree Murder, with Special Circumstances; but ultimately, she was only convicted of the far lesser charge of Voluntary Manslaughter. Soon Ja Du was only sentenced to 5 years on probation and 400 hours of community service (with a $500 fine as restitution to The Harlins Family), despite recommendations that she receive the full maximum sentence of 16 years in prison allowed under California Law. Judge Karlin actually argued that Latasha, the murdered victim, was actually the implied criminal in this case. Sound familiar???
The murder of Latasha Harlins occurred just six days after the beating of Rodney King. And while Soon Ja Du’s Empire Liquors store would become the constant target of protests, the building would be torched and destroyed during the riots that went down after the officers that beat Rodney King were acquitted in April 1992. The store never re-opened. While the entire country would have an opinion as to what happened to Rodney, anyone of the requisite age in South Central California would surely tell you that it was the unpunished murder of young Miss Harlins that was the true defining moment that led to an angry rebellion. The verdict in Simi Valley was just the lighter fluid added to an already smoldering fire. Latasha Harlins would be 42 today…
​
SOURCES:
https://www.theroot.com/a-fallen-black-girl-remembering-latasha-harlins-1790898980
https://www.good.is/articles/latasha-harlins-rodney-king-anniversary
https://www.nola.com/opinions/index.ssf/2017/04/los_angeles_riot_25_years.html
https://www.nytimes.com/1992/01/24/news/judge-who-gave-probation-in-a-slaying-may-be-moved.html

​Three weeks into the 2018 NFL Season, Colin Kaepernick continues his daily training regimen while multiple teams continue to daily trot out onto the field with hot garbage playing under center. I get it, I get it, there some elements of the NFL’s fanbase that absolutely deplore Kaep; but there’s an increasingly visible surge of information proving that he isn’t as universally hated as some of the media would like for you to think. And let’s not forget that winning cures everything. Do you really think that, as bad as things are in Buffalo and Arizona, that the fans wouldn’t STFU after a couple wins with Colin Kaepernick under center??? They both started off 0-2, with zero hope for a turnaround. The Giants and 49ers may both have one win so far, but that is far less than what their fans expected for them this season; and it’s only a matter of time before the fans begin to turn on them. 

UPDATE: The Titans have since signed No-Winning/Never Won Austin Davis, as an additional backup, since both Marcus Mariota and Blaine Gabbert are nursing injuries. The San Francisco 49ers, however brought in any even larger amount of trash for workouts. This list included former 1st Round Bust E.J. Manuel-plus losing ass Tom Savage, Kellen Clemens T.J. Yates and more. SMDH. 

Despite injuries and youth, The San Francisco 49ers have shown some signs of improvement this year. Jimmy Garoppolo has played better than the other QBs mentioned in this post; but he has not played at the level of one $100 million-dollar contract pay grade. But alas, none of that matters now. Jimmy G is now out for the season with a torn ACL. Publicly The 49ers are saying that they will put their faith behind C.J. Beathard; but have you seen him play??? Have you seen his stats? Call Colin Kaepernick right NOW and Stop Playing!!! That is unless you just want the number one pick in next year’s draft. The NFC West is pretty weak right now; and there’s ample opportunity to snatch up a division championship/trip to the playoffs. Choose wisely…

​Last season The Buffalo Bills sat down then-starting QB Tyrod Taylor in favor of Nathan Peterman, and it blew up in their face faster than any other similar coaching move in the history of the game. Peterman would go out and throw five interceptions in the first half of a Week 11 Game against The Los Angeles Chargers; before being sent back to the bench. FIVE INTERCEPTIONS, FIVE!!! No QB has thrown that many picks in a game since the 190 NFL/AFL Merger. Still not learning their lesson, Buffalo would let Tyrod Taylor leave and would again award the starting job to “The Peterman,” as Bomani Jones would say. How did that go? Well, after only completing five out of eighteen passes (for only 24 yards,) and throwing two interceptions without a touchdown, The P-Man was again sent back to the bench. Rookie Josh Allen did much better than his predecessor; but hat’s not saying much considering what I just told you. The Bills went into the season expecting for Allen to sit this entire season; but had no other choice but to put him in. Hell, a player retired at halftime last week; if that doesn’t tell you how bad things are, I don’t know what will! *Buffalo currently ranks next to last in Passing Yards by a team, 25th (tied with three other teams) in 3rd Down Conversions, and their quarterbacks have been sacked an astonishing 14 times through three games already. With such horrible stats, it wouldn’t take a genius to figure that Kaep’s Speed and Experience could definitely help them at least put a respectable product out on the field-if not much more. 

​The Cards are 0-3 with Sam Bradford as their starter. The same Sam Bradford who continues to get huge contracts, despite his history of not being able to stay on the field. Has he ever completed a 17 Game Season??? *As for this season, he has yet to throw a touchdown-but the contrary has thrown two INTs. *Maybe that’s why he only averages 3.9 Yards Per Pass. Either he’s scared to throw, or his Offensive Coordinator is scared to let him throw at this point. Week One, in a 37-0 blowout by The Los Angeles Rams, Bradford only amassed 90 yards total; and so far, the scoring going on is the two field goals made over a two-week span. Get him off the field! The Arizona Cardinals rank dead last in Total Offense, Passing Yards, 3rd Down Conversions, and probably everything else. Assuming that The Cards are not stupid enough to actually put Mike Glennon on the field (why does he still have a job?), are they really ready to throw 1st Round Pick Josh Rosen to the wolves? 

​The Oakland Raiders are just plain bad on both sides of the football. Derek Carr was once considered to be one of the future stars of The NFL; but it’s been all downhill from there. Unfortunately for The Raiders, they’ve already broke the bank (and the team) paying him as the star he has yet to become. Either way, competition for playing time would have to help at least light a little fire up under Carr’s behind. Colin Kaepernick already has history in The Bay Area; and whether he plays or not, having him staring over Carr’s shoulder would have to make step up or be exposed. So far he’s thrown five interceptions, with only two touchdowns. He’s no the only reason that The Raiders are 0-3; but he’s absolutely a part of the problem. 

​The Tennessee Titans have somehow stumbled into a 2-1 record through Week Three. Like the 49ers, they have done so despite injuries and youth. More importantly, they’ve done so in spite of absolutely horrific play at quarterback. Blaine Gabbert has been well, Blaine Gabbert (translation: wack as hell, and unworthy of his spot on any roster). And Marcus Mariota not only continues to be a walking injury report; but has yet to throw a touchdown. He does have two INTs though. Lol. Question is, how much longer can this continue without consequences? Again, like The 49ers, The Titans are playing in a weak division. Why not add keep as the safeguard that can help them find their way to ending up at the top of The AFC East? And like The Oakland Raiders, wouldn’t a healthy QB competition be a good way to see what you truly have? The Raiders already paid their guy; but The Titans Front Office still has time to decide whether Mariota deserves that huge payday. 

​Writer’s Note: The bulk of this post was written prior to the Week Three Games were played. The Sam Bradford finally threw a touchdown-two them to be exact-but he threw two more interceptions to go with that. He would AGAIN go down to injury (who didn’t see that coming Lol). Josh Rosen came in and threw his first INT. No touchdowns and only 36 yards on four completions. The Buffalo Bills somehow beat The Minnesota Vikings. Someone must have poisoned the Vikings Gatorade…

On the morning of September 15th, 1963, a bomb was detonated from under the front steps of The Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. While most of the church members had already transitioned upstairs to begin, five young girls were still downstairs in the basement area of the church. As a result, Cynthia Wesley, Denise McNair, Carol Robertson, and Addie Mae Collins would be killed in the explosion. Addie Mae’s sister Susan Collins would survive; but would be blinded for life due to her injuries. Another 14-20 people were reportedly injured in the bombing; and two teenagers (Virgil Ware and Johnny Robinson) would be killed for protesting the murders of these young girls. This horrible moment of domestic terrorism and racist evil would serve as one of the most notable events among those that would galvanize the fight for civil and human rights in America and around the world.
“The blood of our little children is on your hands.”
The Sixteenth Street Baptist Church had been the base of operations for most of the activities centered around the fight for desegregation and equal rights in Birmingham; and was also considered to be a centerpiece of The Black Community. After intense efforts by Dr. King and The SCLC to mobilize the masses, a victory in the overall war had been achieved. On May 10th of that year, Birmingham officials would relent to desegregating the local restaurants, public restrooms, public fountains, stores, and more. This led to an onslaught of retaliatory violence from white groups that included fire-bombings and other bombing attacks at The Gaston Hotel (where Dr. King has previously stayed), the home of Dr. King’s brother A.D., and twice at the home of NAACP Attorney Arthur Shores. Four members a local KKK Splinter Group (The Cahaba River Group) would be named as suspects in 1965; but no indictments would come after an almost five-year investigation. In 1971, a new investigation would be launched, by then Alabama Attorney General Bill Blaxley. Robert Chambliss would eventually be found guilty of murder in 1977.  As for the other three assassins, Bobby Frank Cherry and Thomas Blanton would be sentenced to prison after The State Of Alabama again re-opened the case files in the year 2000. Herman Cash escaped punishment, as he died in 1994. 
SOURCES:
https://www.cnn.com/2013/06/13/us/1963-birmingham-church-bombing-fast-facts/index.html
https://www.nps.gov/articles/16thstreetbaptist.htm
https://www.britannica.com/event/16th-Street-Baptist-Church-bombing
BONUS READING:
https://www.npr.org/2013/01/25/170279226/long-forgotten-16th-street-baptist-church-bombing-survivor-speaks-out