League far away from vaccine line
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Monday that even with COVID19 vaccines now being distributed to hospitals nationwide, NFL players and personnel will not be jumping the lines for vaccination before Super Bowl LV, which is scheduled for Feb. 7 in Tampa, Fla.
He also emphasized that with the event still 55 days away, the league needs to be prepared to “adapt and evolve” with regard to the coronavirus, which has affected 16.5 million people in the United States and claimed more than 300,000 lives in this country.
After spending about a quarter and a half in seats at Raymond James Stadium Sunday watching the Buccaneers-Vikings game with his family on a sunsplashed afternoon, Goodell said he felt completely safe with the COVID-19 protocols and social-distancing.
But just 55 days from Super Bowl LV, Goodell still has no idea about the seating capacity for the league’s championship.
“I think the way we’re approaching that is we’re going to be taking that not on a day-by-day basis, but obviously the safety of our fans and the community are going to be No. 1,” Goodell said. “We will be working with public officials and the health officials to define that as we get closer to the game.
“We’re going to try to bring as many fans as we can safely do into Raymond James Stadium, but we’ll be working with the local officials on that. ... I’m not sure there’s a specific number that we are confident saying this is what it will be. ... We will not make projections about what the current environment will be 55 days from now.”
Goodell also said the NFC and AFC championship teams might not arrive until sometime late in Super Bowl week.
Typically, participating teams locate to the host city about a week before the game.
“We’re going to do whatever we think is going to keep our personnel safe,” Goodell said. ... Obviously, as we get closer, we’ll make those determinations.”
Ravens
Lamar Jackson got one of his favorite playmakers back Monday night. Baltimore tight end Mark Andrews was back after missing two games. Andrews, who has 60 catches and six touchdown receptions this season, had been on the reserve/COVID-19 list before he recently was activated. He was one of 23 Baltimore players placed on the list after an outbreak of the virus.
Raiders
After watching the defense get gashed for more than 200 yards rushing and his team allow at least 30 points for the eighth time in 12 games, coach John Gruden fired defensive coordinator Paul Guenther. Gruden announced the move shortly after the Raiders (7-6) got overwhelmed in a 44-27 loss to Indianapolis Sunday that dealt a severe blow to their playoff hopes. Defensive line coach Rod Marinelli will take over as coordinator for the rest of the season. “It’s really hard,” Gruden said Monday. “I have a lot of respect for this guy, Paul Guenther. But I really feel for the best interests of this team right now we need a new voice.”
Lions
Detroit will hold out hope as long as they can that quarterback Matthew Stafford can play at Tennessee with banged- up ribs. “We’ll take it until the end of the week,” interim coach Darrell Bevell said. “He’s a little bit better this afternoon than he was this morning.” Stafford was knocked out of a 31-27 setback Sunday to Green Bay with a rib injury.
49ers
After watching Nick Mullens’ turnovers cost San Francisco a game despite a strong defensive effort, coach Kyle Shanahan said it might be time for a change at quarterback. Shanahan said he would consider benching Mullens for C.J. Beathard after two giveaways led to defensive touchdowns for Washington in the 49ers’ 23-15 loss Sunday. “I’m up for anything right now,” Shanahan said. “We’ll see how that goes the next couple days.”
Cowboys
Mike McCarthy will be returning to Dallas next season, according to at least one prominent frontoffice voice. In the midst of a disappointing season, some questions already had started to swirl about the potential future of McCarthy and his staff. But Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones settled some of those rumors — at least for the head coach. “There will be absolutely no change with Coach McCarthy,” Jones said.
Falcons
Atlanta’s offense figured to be potent this season. But against the Los Angeles Chargers, the top three weapons — quarterback Matt Ryan, wide receiver Julio Jones and running back Todd Gurley — were non-factors Sunday in a 2017 loss. Ryan tossed three interceptions, Gurley was held to 19 yards rushing and Jones didn’t play because of a hamstring injury. The Chargers converted the final interception into the game-winning field goal.