Raiders Opinion: Kaepernick Tryout Forces Honesty And Self-Examination
Last week, the Las Vegas Raiders welcomed Colin Kaepernick for a tryout. By the reaction, some within the fanbase snitched on themselves.
After years of football inactivity, Colin Kaepernick earned a tryout with the Las Vegas Raiders. While that should be the top story of the week, and leave it at that. However, the mere fact that people decided to twist a tryout into something far deeper, revealed an ugly side of the fanbase. Now, as we’ve known for the longest time, large pockets of fandoms reveal how they feel about social justice and equality. If Colin Kaepernick were another veteran quarterback, no one would bat an eye.
Not Sticking To Sports
If you flashback to the last six years since Kaepernick stepped away from the NFL, you heard a phrase.
” Stick to Sports” became the mantra of the closed-off demographic that only cares about sports and zero about the athlete. Kapernick tried to force the NFL public to have a conversation. However, from owner to fan, many appeared unwilling or prepared for the conversation. Instead, flag-waving individuals ignored common sense and embraced the bigotry of their ancestors. Bluntly put, as a Black man, navigating is the most precarious job in the country. You can name all of the people that left this world via police brutality. As a result, some ignored the conversation, growing angry at the fact of being forced to look at the real-life ugliness.
Credit The Boldness
Lost in all of the commotion about the tryout was Josh McDaniels extending an invite. Regardless of what the fanbase thinks, he wants to improve the team. That alone deserves praise. In addition, the willingness to scour the ends of the earth in search of talent should give anyone rooting for the Raiders a bit of hope. Kaepernick, in a backup role, could help the Raiders. If McDaniels doesn’t think so, he won’t find a role in Vegas. Like his mentor, McDaniels sees football as team-first, drowning out the outside noise.
Busy QB Room
Over the 2022 off-season, the Raiders remained very active in quarterback acquisitions. They signed Nick Mullens, signed and released Garrett Gilbert. In addition. Vegas traded for former New England Patriot Jarrett Stidham. The end goal with the Raiders signings is most likely to replace Marcus Mariota brought to the roster. For which, out of the names listed, Kaepernick may be the best bet.
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Legs Over Throwing
With the Raiders’ offense bursting at the seams with talent, adding a mobile quarterback for specific situations adds one more threat opposing defenses will have to worry about slowing down. Mariota showed the potential for success the role brings, and Kaepernick, even at his climbing age, should not have an issue filling the role. Just about any quarterback in the league can complete a short pass, but significantly less have the athletic mobility Kaepernick has shown in the past, and a limited role after a fairly long hiatus could make this potential signing mutually beneficial.
No Controversy
In all honesty, Derek Carr would have zero to be concerned about with the tryout. Firmly ensconced as the starter, the Raiders lack quality depth at backup quarterback. Inviting a player that still flashes the ability to play at this level doesn’t hurt. Colin Kaepernick receiving a tryout should be a surprise. However, look at the rest of the passers behind Carr. In a perfect world, a Raiders backup would only see the field in mop-up duty, pretty much, extended garbage time. Nothing he would do on the field would affect the team.
So Close
If those that frowned at the Kaepernick tryout wanted to look less fishy, they could have cited football facts that could dissuade teams from the signing. First, Kaepernick threw his last pass in 2016. Rust in the NFL is a real affliction that affects players after a year. Imagine that multiplied by over half a decade. Next, Kaepernick, while blessed with a strong arm lacks touch. Remember the 49ers lost a Super Bowl and the ensuing NFC Championship game due to failed fade passes. Folks missed the onfield to yell about disliking social justice. While the completion percentage is lower than Carr’s, this is not particularly devastating, as Kaepernick would most likely be brought in for situations that would favor a run or a short pass.
Bottom Line
For anyone truly concerned that Colin Kaepernick would unseat Derek Carr, stop. That tryout was to bolster the backup depth. With that said, for those that rolled their eyes about Kaepernick’s stances, stop. In a league that is predominantly Black, you’d expect that one day someone would take a stand. Colin Kaepernick may never be a Raider. Worrying about something for the wrong reason helps no one. The team needs a better backup. That stays a concern.
