Tag: Michael Sam

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First Look: Michael Sam on the Dallas Cowboys training field

Note: When (and I do mean “when”) Sam is put on active status, he will not be wearing #46 as NFL rules restrict defensive linemen to numbers between 60 and 79 and 90 and 99.

However, it should be noted that #46 is a symbolic choice for Sam: 1946 was the year the Rams drafted the first African American players, Kenny Washington and Woody Strode.  Sam clearly represents yet another barrier brought down.

Watch part of Coach Jason Garrett discuss the dynamics of adding Sam to the mix in Dallas:

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Michael Sam officially signs with the Dallas Cowboys

Out NFL-er Michael Sam joins the Dallas Cowboys

It’s official! Michael Sam, the first openly gay player to be drafted in the NFL,  has passed his physical (technicality) and signed with the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad.

Sam speaking to the Dallas Morning News: “I’m excited to be to be joining Dallas. I just want to play football, it’s great to be heading back to my home state. … It’s been a roller coaster this past week but I’m happy where I’m at now. … I’m just looking forward to being a Cowboy, my focus is on making the team.”

Head coach Jason Garrett said, “This is about football. We evaluated him as a football player. Our attention is on football.”

During his time on the practice squad (limited to 10 members), Sam will practice with the Cowboys but not take the field during games. However, that can change at any time per the needs of the team. Sam can be activated at brought on to the 53 man roster depending on what management thinks is best for the team AND what is going on regarding injuries, etc.

Recently, the Cowboys’ defensive end George Selvie suffered a shoulder injury; plus, Tyrone Crawford is coming off injured reserve after missing the entire 2013 season. Last year, the Cowboys had the worst defense in the NFL allowing the third-most yards in NFL history.

Reports say Sam will start immediately training with the Cowboys taking the field today.

Go Michael Sam!

(source)

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Michael Sam set to join Dallas Cowboys practice squad

OutSports is reporting that Michael Sam is bring brought to Dallas for a physical with the intention of signing Sam to their practice squad!

Last year the Cowboys had the third-worst pass defense and the worst overall defense in the NFL, allowing over 415 yards per game. They recorded only 34 sacks on the season, and quarterbacks racked up a 96.0 average passer rating against them.

These are not good numbers. Sam can have an immediate impact on the team in the coming weeks.

The Cowboys were always a potential great fit for Sam on the field. They currently have five defensive ends on the active roster, the fifth of which is Lavar Edwards whom they acquired in a trade from Tennessee this weekend. They also have DE Kenneth Boatright on the practice squad. Edwards graded out at -1.7 by Pro Football Focus in the preseason; Sam graded at +0.6.

According to several reports, management spent time calling their veteran players to gauge reaction to making Sam a Cowboy.

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NFL continues to make money off of Michael Sam

While the NFL doesn’t seem concerned about whether or not homophobia is affecting the nascent career of last year’s SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Michael Sam, they are still making money off of him.

His St. Louis Rams jersey (and other merchandise) continues to sell on the NFL website.  The jersey itself is selling for a hefty $295.

Going once!  Going twice!…

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NFL General Manager: Teams want Michael Sam but fear media attention

According to Mike Freeman of the Bleacher Report, he has spoken to at least one GM in the NFL who will admit – anonymously, of course – that teams want Michael Sam, but are afraid of the media attention:

Meanwhile, Adam Schefter of ESPN breaks down Michael Sams stats against similar players and their status:

UPDATE: Ian Rapoport of NFL.com  thinks Michael Sam could be headed to the Canadian Football League:

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Michael Sam goes “unclaimed” after being released by St. Louis Rams

Out NFL-er Michael Sam

UPDATE: CBS News is reporting that Sam met with Rams coach Jeff Fisher today after clearing waivers.  CBS says that Sam looks unlikely to sign on for the Rams 10-man practice squad due to the team’s depth of talent on the current defensive roster.

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After being released from the St. Louis Rams, Buzzfeed’s Logan Rhoades reports that no team claimed Michael Sam.

Once the Rams dropped Sam from their final roster, he was on “waivers,” meaning that other NFL teams had until noon today to take him. Based on last year’s win-loss record, the worst team in the league had the first chance to pick him up, and the best team had the last chance.

Still, Sam can sign to the practice squad for any NFL team — and the Rams are expected to sign him to their 10-man practice unit, according to league sources cited by ESPN.

After being released yesterday, several sources were of the opinion that he was cut due to the already strong defensive line of the St. Louis Rams.

BUT – his preseason stats (11 tackles, 3 sacks) definitely make him worthy of a roster position somewhere in the league. Many, including folks over at OutSports, said that should Sam NOT get picked up by another team it would indicate that homophobia was indeed in the mix here.

I’d be curious to know if there were any rookies who made their rosters with lesser stats?

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Michael Sam responds to release by the St. Louis Rams

Out NFL-er Michael Sam responds to being released by St. Louis Rams
Michael Sam

Out NFL-er Michael Sam sent a series of tweets once it was announced that he was being released by the St. Louis Rams, once again demonstrating the class act that he is a class act.

It’s clear to everyone watching that this isn’t the “finish line” for Sam.

In the next 24 hours it’s very possible one of the other 31 NFL teams will pick up Sam. If not, it’s pretty certain he will be signed to the Rams’ practice squad – giving him more time to hone his skills waiting to either be activated by the Rams or picked up by another team.

But today is not a destination.

Just a detour.

Trust and believe.

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Michael Sam released by St. Louis Rams

Openly gay NFL hopeful Michael Sam was released by the St. Louis Rams today
Michael Sam

Outsports is reporting that Michael Sam, 7th round draft pick and SEC Defensive Player of the Year hoping to become the first gay man to make an NFL regular season roster, has been released by the St. Louis Rams.

The next 24 hours will determine Sam’s immediate NFL fate. The other 31 NFL teams can put in a claim for his services and Sam would go to the team that claimed him first. If Sam is unclaimed, there is a strong chance he will be signed as one of 10 practice squad players by the Rams.

If that happens, Sam can practice with the Rams but not play in a game. For that to happen, he will have to be placed on the active 53-man roster, something that can occur, for example, with injuries to other players. Practice squad players earn a minimum $6,300 per week they are on the team. This amounts to $107,100 if he lasts all 17 regular season weeks on the squad. Had Sam made the Rams roster, he would have earned $420,000 this season. He gets to keep the $45,000 signing bonus he was given after the draft.

It would appear the decision came down to a choice between Sam and undrafted rookie Ethan Westbrooks. Westbrooks is one of nine defensive linemen to land a roster spot.

Throughout the preseason Sam has shown he has the skill and determination to play in the NFL. Dropping 13 pounds prior to camp, he upped his speed. And his stats warrant a spot in the league: in four preseason games, Sam stacked up 10.5 tackles and three sacks in the preseason, including two sacks of Johnny Manziel last weekend.

I think it’s clear both on and off the field, Sam has shown tremendous poise, confidence and talent.  The LGBT community can feel proud that Sam has handled himself so ably.

Here’s hoping we have good news in the next 24 hours.

Go Michael Sam!

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St. Louis Rams announce 17 players cut – Michael Sam still in the mix

The St. Louis Rams cut 17 players today, and Michael Sam remains in the mix so far.

The roster is now down to 58 players. NFL rules state teams must cut to 53 players by 4pmET on Saturday.

USA Today’s TomPelissero tweeted:

NFL.com’s Michael Silver sent this to his followers:

Today’s cuts leave 11 defensive lineman still on the team. Conventional wisdom says the Rams will keep nine or 10 DL players.

According to Jim Buzinski, these are the possible scenarios facing Sam:

• The Rams go with nine defensive lineman, keep Sam and cut Westbrooks.
• The Rams go with nine defensive lineman, keep Westbrooks and cut Sam.
• Rams go with nine defensive lineman, keep both Sam and Westbrooks, and trade a veteran for a need elsewhere.
• Rams go with 10 defensive lineman, keep both Sam and Westbrooks.

If cut, Sam will be available to the other 31 teams for 24 hours. If he gets claimed, he will have a spot on the roster of that team. If he is not claimed, he can be added to the Rams’ 10-man practice squad. This means he can practice with the team but not play, and his salary would be much less than the $440,000 he would get for making the roster; practice players are guaranteed a minimum salary of $6,300 per week for the 17-week season.

Interesting to note: the Rams have already cut the 214th and 226th picks made in the 2014 NFL Draft. As we all know, Michael Sam was famously selected with the 249th pick.

A press conference has been scheduled by the Rams for 4:30pmET on Saturday.

(via OutSports)