Josina Anderson has become one of the most eloquent and passionate analysts of the Colin Kaepernick story at ESPN.
The NFL Insider doesn't repeat the same talking points you hear over and over on ESPN and FS1 talk shows. When I watch Anderson talk about the Kaepernick impasse, you hear possible solutions — or at least ways to move forward.
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Take Anderson's recent appearances on ESPN's "NFL Live" with Trey Wingo, or her appearance on CNN with Don Lemon. At this point, most people would probably agree the 49ers quarterback is being blackballed by the NFL for taking a knee during the national anthem last season.
Well, if the NFL is really quarterback-driven league, why don't the league's biggest stars come off the sidelines and support Kaepernick?
"Where are the quarterbacks?" Anderson asked Wingo. "Where is the diversity in the support of a fellow brethren in the NFL who this is happening to?"
Ha. My point was that you need to at least look under the hood. The more familiar car is not always the better car. All I'm saying is look. https://t.co/JK5l4FcFL3
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) August 8, 2017
The media and fans can only sway NFL owners and GMs so much. But what if Tom Brady, Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers and other quarterbacks added their voice to the debate? Or, what if they — brace yourself — actually threatened to walk if their fellow QB is driven out of the league for a silent, legal protest
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Consider the Dolphins' recent signing of the underwhelming Jay Cutler, noted Anderson. Sure, we all heard how Cutler is close to Dolphins coach Adam Gase, knows his offense from their time with the Bears, has a cannon arm, etc.
But given his apathetic first news conference, Cutler looks like a mercenary who's back on the field to collect a $10 million paycheck (he was making less than $500,000 for his gig as No. 2 game analyst for Fox Sports).
So how do teams like the Dolphins really know if Cutler is the best choice unless they at least invite Kaepernick to training camp and see what he's got?
"I'm being facetious obviously, but do we need a Rooney Rule for a quarterback tryout?" asked Anderson.
ICYMI: ESPN's @JosinaAnderson discussed Colin Kaepernick w/ @donlemon last night on CNN. https://t.co/hI68sil71i
— bill hofheimer (@bhofheimer_espn) August 8, 2017
At the end of the day, all players, including quarterbacks, are "independent contractors," Wingo replied. They're more worried about their own jobs and careers.
So even though it may be the right thing to do, most NFL players won't vouch for Kaepernick. They'll let him fight his battle alone.
