The Ravens have made an unnecessary mess out of this Colin Kaepernick situation

Story by USA Today
Written by Steven Ruiz
● Phone# by me: Baltimore Ravens 410.701.4000
Read more: https://theundefeated.com/features/locker-room-talk-nfl-blackballing-of-kaepernick-is-disgrace/

It has been apparent for a while now that Colin Kaepernick’s unemployment has little to do with his football ability. That did not stop many from remaining steadfast in their belief that it did.

That claim is pretty much impossible to make (let alone defend) now after the latest comments from the Baltimore Ravens’ brass regarding the team’s interest in the former 49ers quarterback.
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Twitter1:
Jeff Zrebiec ✔ @jeffzrebiecsun
Cass said team is reaching out to fans and sponsors about Kap decision.
5:44 PM - Jul 30, 2017
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That’s Ravens president Dick Cass pretty much confirming the team is interested in signing Kaepernick — because starter Joe Flacco is expected to miss the start of the season with a back injury — as long as the fans and sponsors are OK with his politics.

First things first: Kaepernick would help the Ravens. Every bit of statistical evidence we have suggests he’s a far more efficient quarterback than backup Ryan Mallett. In fact, he’s better in some areas than Flacco.

Yet owner Steve Bisciotti is still trying to make the “this is about football” claim while also admitting he wasn’t a fan of Kaepernick’s protest.
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Twitter2:
Jeff Zrebiec ✔ @jeffzrebiecsun
Bisciotti said he didn't like Kaepernicks anthem protest. Bisciotti said he's not sure Kap will help team win games.
5:42 PM - Jul 30, 2017
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The President and Owner seem to be on a different page. Or maybe they didn’t get their story straight before talking, because their statements are somewhat incongruous. If the team didn’t think Kaepernick could help win the team games, why would it even waste the time canvassing fans and sponsors about the potential move?

(It’s worth pointing out that the Ravens did not consult fans and sponsors before signing Donte Stallworth in 2010 after he served time for manslaughter after killing a pedestrian while driving under the influence. They didn’t take a public poll before building a statue for Ray Lewis, who pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice after being charged with two counts of murder. http://www.totalprosports.com/2017/06/21/ray-lewis-to-colin-kaepernick-do-you-want-to-play-football-or-do-you-want-to-be-an-activist-video/

They didn’t call the women who buy season tickets before deciding to keep Ray Rice on the team for seven months after a video of him 'dragging his unconscious wife out of an elevator' emerged. Kaepernick peacefully protested a legitimate problem in this country.)

The Ravens are trying to play both sides of the Kaepernick “debate,” and it’s ridiculously transparent.
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Twitter4:
Jeff Zrebiec ✔ @jeffzrebiecsun
Bisciotti on Kap reax: "We’re sensitive to it, we’re monitoring it, and we’re trying to figure out what’s the right tact. So pray for us.”
6:21 PM - Jul 30, 2017
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If this were truly about Kaepernick’s ability to help the team win games, there’d be nothing to “figure out,” except for the particulars of the contract. But that’s so clearly not the case. Not when the alternative is Mallett, who threw five interceptions in a single practice last week. Not when the team’s starting quarterback is 32 years old, already dealing with a bad back and less than a year-and-a-half removed from a major knee injury. Chances are the Ravens backup quarterback is going to play some games this season, and Baltimore would be in much better shape if that backup was Kaepernick. There’s no denying that.

● Baltimore Ravens 410.701.4000
Read more: https://theundefeated.com/features/locker-room-talk-nfl-blackballing-of-kaepernick-is-disgrace/

(Obviously there are salary cap implications, but without knowing what Kaepernick is demanding, speculating about his asking price and if the Ravens can afford it is a useless exercise. What we do know is that the Ravens could save $1 million by cutting Mallett if that’s the route they want to take to make room for Kaepernick.)

On the other hand, Baltimore is one of the spots where the “locker room distraction” argument — which Chip Kelly laid to rest last month — actually makes sense. Kaepernick would create a distraction. Not because of his protest, though; but because he would actually give Flacco some competition.

Statistically, Kaepernick has been better than the Ravens starter over the last two seasons despite playing with an equally anemic supporting cast. There’s an argument to be made that Kaepernick is the better quarterback. He’s definitely better than Mallett. Do the Ravens even care if that’s true? It doesn’t sound like it.
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● Baltimore Ravens number 410.701.4000
Read more: https://theundefeated.com/features/locker-room-talk-nfl-blackballing-of-kaepernick-is-disgrace/