Having a first-year NFL player retire isn’t a thing you’d think you’re going to read when you are going to bed, but around 10pm last night the following Instagram post started to make its way through Twitter:
The only thing comforting about not knowing this play would be the last of my career, is knowing… https://t.co/yBJ5jCW42d
— A.J. Tarpley (@AJTarpley) April 7, 2016
While there were the occasional mouth breather that insinuated Tarpley wasn’t “man enough” to tough out traumatic brain injury, most fans have been supportive and effusive in their praise. That’s been great to see, not only from a “folks can be human” standpoint, but that people are finally getting it – if a player taps out it’s not weakness, it’s wisdom. And if they’re retiring, it’s because they want more out of life than to be eviscerated via twitter when they screw up – or worse knocked into next week on a play they’re not totally “in” on.
As a coach myself, I pride myself that I’m a part of a staff that values the health of a player ahead of a play/game/situation. To do otherwise is small-minded and takes away from the mentor/teacher role a coach has in my opinion. Especially at my level – if I’m forcing a 15-17 year old out onto the field for a game, what untold damage could I be doing to that player? It just doesn’t make sense.
Finally, as the NFL sees so many players retire prior to be “fired”, hopefully steps will be made to even out the pay discrepancies that will occur. Remember, the new CBA froze out rookie wages because they “hadn’t earned it yet” with the intention of paying players as they matured and proved their value. With the early retirements and the rising cap, some players are being paid – but others are still put in a “wait and see” mode because the cap can’t account for their windfall.
About Me / My Plans For Buffalo Wins
So, elephant in the room time. With Joe’s semi-retirement, I’m now the face that runs the place. In Joe’s farewell tweets, I think he hit on points I’m going to try and follow up on – namely, collaboration and participation. Going forward, we’ll add some #content to the site, partly in the form of additional writers that will mix in with our established people. In my mind, inside-baseball style this to me will give a nice rotation of writers that aren’t burdened by a “we need something on the site” mandate. When you read someone you’ll know they’re bringing it because they want to, not because we’ve twisted their arms, etc etc.
Also, news flash – I’m not Joe. In the past year and a half or so of my time writing for Buffalo Wins I think you all realize that. So I’m going to be me – goofy at times, passionate about avoiding group think on issues pertaining to the team / NFL and readily available to chat. I might not be a one man war against MSM, but I am going to challenge anyone, anywhere that I think is throwing out a hawt taek. I might take less four letter words than Joe to get there, but we both typically arrive at the same place. But if anyone disagrees – we’ll have those takes too. This isn’t gonna be Rich’s Opinion Wins, after all.
I’m also not going to overstep where I have limited knowledge – so I’m making efforts to make sure, particularly on the hockey side of the house to have folks (in addition to our regular crew) added in that have a passion for the Sabres I’ve yet to reach.
We’re also going to try and cross promote among the blog-a-gentsia to ensure we get all of the voices of fandom out there – it makes for a better chorus I think. So if there’s something on any blog that should get more eyes on it, we’ll try to signal boost when possible and collaborate as much as possible. So if it’s anyone – Rumblings, Mafia, THE DEEG!, Building the Herd, a Twobillsdrive post that stood out, or a tweet-storm on a relevant topic by someone, I want to help get the word out. I also have a few master projects I’m going to tinker with – and when they’re ready I think you the reader/listener (dum dum dum!) will appreciate them.
We’ll also be adding in a passion I know a few of us have – pro wrestling. Now, this isn’t gonna become Pro-WrestlingWins or ThronesWins or GunnersWin – but I do want to have fun with it. Mainly, my goal is to continue the site going as a place where folks can get those takes out. If not you, who? If not now, when? Etc Etc.
So if this seems like something you’d like to join in on – find me on Twitter (@RDotDeuce) or tweet our main site (@BuffaloWins).
If I said “Let’s Go, Buffalo!” here would that be trite?
Let’s Go Buffalo,
-Rich-
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