WR Calvin Ridley, TEN (2 Viewers)

[Hot Sauce Guy]

They agreed to ban the shift, have a pitch clock, and one other sticky thing, per sources. I saw it on the Tweets at the deets. 

Yup, baseball is now dead to me. They’ve been doing shifts of various sorts for the last hundred freaking years.

Ted Williams would personally kick the crap out of anybody who said they wanted to ban the shift. First he would yell at them that they should just learn to hit the opposite way into the gigantic hole that’s a defense is giving them. He would be a  600 career with the current shifts in MLB. Utterly pathetic.

they have entirely ruined what used to be my favorite sport.

/rant

 

[tangfoot]

Yup, baseball is now dead to me. They’ve been doing shifts of various sorts for the last hundred freaking years.

Ted Williams would personally kick the crap out of anybody who said they wanted to be on the shift. First he would yell at them that they should just learn to hit the opposite way into the gigantic hole. Utterly pathetic.

they have entirely ruined what used to be my favorite sport.

/rant

Not to disrupt the thread but if you can’t hit to the opposite field to defeat the shift, then you do not belong in professional baseball. 

 

[rockaction]

Yup, baseball is now dead to me. They’ve been doing shifts of various sorts for the last hundred freaking years.

And it's still about the money. That's what makes this whole thing turn. Cash money. 

No way do guys get their bodies as banged up as they do in pro football without consideration. 

Baseball is entirely not immune to the same dollar concerns. 

Pro sports is all about the dollar. They'd ban the games themselves if they could still help themselves to that sweet, sweet revenue stream. 

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Not to disrupt the thread but if you can’t hit to the opposite field to defeat the shift, then you do not belong in professional baseball. 

AMEN!!!

 

[-OZ-]

I ding guys for all concerns relating to performance. 

Depression relates to performance. 

Depression is not a measure of one's character, however, it is a measure of one's usefulness in time of need. 

This is spoken by someone who has suffered depression/anxiety issues in his life. Believe me, I don't want to say that it's a negative on their character or that they're bad people, but producers? 

It can lay up the best ones. 

there you go, being all reasonable and stuff

 

[rockaction]

I want to talk more about Arnette. Did anybody see that video? The unadulterated anger and hate while he's holding an eagle? That was just insane. 

 

[-OZ-]

And it's still about the money. That's what makes this whole thing turn. Cash money. 

No way do guys get their bodies as banged up as they do in pro football without consideration. 

Baseball is entirely not immune to the same dollar concerns. 

Pro sports is all about the dollar. They'd ban the games themselves if they could still help themselves to that sweet, sweet revenue stream. 

It’s a business.

 we don’t have to watch. 

 

[rockaction]

there you go, being all reasonable and stuff

Normally my hot takes are reserved for the most mundane of topics and my reasonable arguments are reserved for really passionate issues. 

I find that people hate both.

 

[-OZ-]

Yes, but presumably the guys who are getting paid millions and millions of dollars have no need to gamble on football games.

Usually a relatively safe assumption.

If anyone is gambling on these games because they HAVE to, that’s a problem.  Most do it for fun, a bit of excitement. 

 

[rockaction]

It’s a business.

 we don’t have to watch. 

Oh, there you go pooping on childhood dreams. 

Nah, I wasn't really even complaining. For what pro footballers go through? They've got to be well-compensated. 

For baseball? The money in baseball is due to Marvin Miller. Now that's an enviable union if one is a worker. They have a stronger union than even the strong blue-collar ones. Because they have a monopsony, but that's neither here nor there. 

 

[Skipdog77]

And he bet on them to WIN of all things lol

”NFL determined that Calvin Ridley placed multi-legged parlay bets involving 3, 5 and 8 games that included  the Falcons to win, per source. Investigation determined there was no involvement from any team players, coach etc. placed via his mobile device out of state.”

This is how they confirmed the mental health issue. 

 

[wlwiles]

Yes, but presumably the guys who are getting paid millions and millions of dollars have no need to gamble on football games.

Usually a relatively safe assumption.

It's not about need at all.  I don't need to bet on games, and I doubt you do either, but yet we still like to throw a parlay or three out there.  

The NFL is practically begging every single eligible person (based on age/location/legality/etc) to place a wager on their product.  Mr. Ridley is the product, and no he should not be betting on games. I'm just pointing out the NFL talking out of both sides of their mouth it seems.  

 

[Faust]

FOX NFL's Jay Glazer reports "a couple of teams thought they were close to a trade" for Calvin Ridley, but "the Falcons pulled back" because of the league's investigation into his gambling activity. 

Ridley was reportedly on the block after missing over half of the 2021 season while tending to his mental health. There were also reports that he did not want to return to Atlanta for the upcoming season. The Falcons appear to have been doing their potential trade partners a favor by backing out of talks. However, it's likely that other teams would have been informed of the investigation by the league before a trade went through. It's likely that Ridley garners some interest if he returns for the 2023 season, though it's unclear how willing teams will be to pursue him after this offense. 

SOURCE: Jay Glazer on Twitter

Mar 7, 2022, 5:17 PM ET

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

It's not about need at all.  I don't need to bet on games, and I doubt you do either, but yet we still like to throw a parlay or three out there.  

The NFL is practically begging every single eligible person (based on age/location/legality/etc) to place a wager on their product.  Mr. Ridley is the product, and no he should not be betting on games. I'm just pointing out the NFL talking out of both sides of their mouth it seems.  

I love betting on football. But if I were being paid millions of dollars and knew that a single wager would jeopardize my ability to make those millions of dollars? I would certainly find other ways to have fun and get excitement. Privately held stripper oil wrestling competitions on my luxury yacht, for example.  

Putting the ability to earn tens of millions of dollars of risk for something so petty is simply not rational.

 

[Dickies]

And he bet on them to WIN of all things lol

”NFL determined that Calvin Ridley placed multi-legged parlay bets involving 3, 5 and 8 games that included  the Falcons to win, per source. Investigation determined there was no involvement from any team players, coach etc. placed via his mobile device out of state.”

He really does have mental health issues.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

It's not about need at all.  I don't need to bet on games, and I doubt you do either, but yet we still like to throw a parlay or three out there.  

The NFL is practically begging every single eligible person (based on age/location/legality/etc) to place a wager on their product.  Mr. Ridley is the product, and no he should not be betting on games. I'm just pointing out the NFL talking out of both sides of their mouth it seems.  

Sorta like their biggest sponsors that sell booze telling you to buy cases of their product, but "drink responsibility".

 

[ghostguy123]

Ouch.  Glad I dont own him anywhere

 

[-OZ-]

I love betting on football. But if I were being paid millions of dollars and knew that a single wager would jeopardize my ability to make those millions of dollars? I would certainly find other ways to have fun and get excitement. Privately held stripper oil wrestling competitions on my luxury yacht, for example.  

Putting the ability to earn tens of millions of dollars of risk for something so petty is simply not rational.

he’s not a BAD guy but he’s never been the sharpest tool in the toolbox. 

 

[wlwiles]

I love betting on football. But if I were being paid millions of dollars and knew that a single wager would jeopardize my ability to make those millions of dollars? I would certainly find other ways to have fun and get excitement. Privately held stripper oil wrestling competitions on my luxury yacht, for example.  

Putting the ability to earn tens of millions of dollars of risk for something so petty is simply not rational.

100%.  He wagered $1500 according to his twitter, and has now lost how many millions?   

I could probably arrange that wrestling competition for you though, and you wouldn't even need the yacht lol

 

[SayWhat?]

It's not about need at all.  I don't need to bet on games, and I doubt you do either, but yet we still like to throw a parlay or three out there.  

The NFL is practically begging every single eligible person (based on age/location/legality/etc) to place a wager on their product.  Mr. Ridley is the product, and no he should not be betting on games. I'm just pointing out the NFL talking out of both sides of their mouth it seems.  

Talking out of both sides of their mouth?  The NFL wants the public to gamble (obviously).  Gambling increases interest and increases viewership. Increased viewership and interest and partnerships mean more money, for everyone involved.  The NFL doesn’t want players gambling.  Players gambling can impact the integrity of the game and create immeasurable impacts for the league.  This isn’t that complicated if you’re a player or coach in the NFL.  Gamble on whatever other sport you want.  Gamble as much as you want.  Just don’t gamble on the NFL.  Ridley is a maroon, especially so for including his own team in the bets and regardless of the fact that he wasn’t playing, and he deserves whatever punishment is administered.  

 

[SayWhat?]

100%.  He wagered $1500 according to his twitter, and has now lost how many millions?   

I could probably arrange that wrestling competition for you though, and you wouldn't even need the yacht lol

I don’t believe you’re interpreting his text correctly.  Pretty sure they haven’t disclosed how much he wagered.

 

[rockaction]

The NFL wants the public to gamble (obviously).  Gambling increases interest and increases viewership. Increased viewership and interest and partnerships mean more money, for everyone involved.  The NFL doesn’t want players gambling.  Players gambling can impact the integrity of the game and create immeasurable impacts for the league. This isn’t that complicated if you’re a player or coach in the NFL.

This. 

The post this quote is responding to is exactly what I hoped to head off at the pass upthread. Just because they're partners with these entities does not mean the league wants its own members to be using those entities. 

 

[Stinkin Ref]

Talking out of both sides of their mouth?  The NFL wants the public to gamble (obviously).  Gambling increases interest and increases viewership. Increased viewership and interest and partnerships mean more money, for everyone involved.  The NFL doesn’t want players gambling.  Players gambling can impact the integrity of the game and create immeasurable impacts for the league.  This isn’t that complicated if you’re a player or coach in the NFL.  Gamble on whatever other sport you want.  Gamble as much as you want.  Just don’t gamble on the NFL.  Ridley is a maroon, especially so for including his own team in the bets and regardless of the fact that he wasn’t playing, and he deserves whatever punishment is administered.  

he's not a moron....he has mental health issues.....

 

[rockaction]

I don’t believe you’re interpreting his text correctly.  Pretty sure they haven’t disclosed how much he wagered.

It's his Twitter. He said he wagered $1500. His Tweet is being interpreted correctly here. 

 

[IHEARTFF]

what a sad story

win $1,500 to lose $65MM

 

[SayWhat?]

It's his Twitter. He said he wagered $1500. His Tweet is being interpreted correctly here. 

Oh crap yeah.  I thought he said “I’ll bet you $1500 I don’t have a gambling problem.”  Which, would’ve been a bit funny.  

 

[Desert_Power]

Oh crap yeah.  I thought he said “I’ll bet you $1500 I don’t have a gambling problem.”  Which, would’ve been a bit funny.  

Read it that way at first too

 

[rockaction]

Oh crap yeah.  I thought he said “I’ll bet you $1500 I don’t have a gambling problem.”  Which, would’ve been a bit funny.  

I laugh, but only because it replaces crying. How sad for this young man to go through this. I know people are writing him off, but I actually feel for the guy. He just potentially lost his livelihood over this. 

 

[rockaction]

what a sad story

win $1,500 to lose $65MM

Did he win? 

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

This. 

The post this quote is responding to is exactly what I hoped to head off at the pass upthread. Just because they're partners with these entities does not mean the league wants its own members to be using those entities. 

They also spend considerable time money and resources educating players of this exact thing, warning against this exact scenario. Every player goes through seminars every year as I understand it. It’s not like there’s any plausible deniability for a player who gets caught gambling on the sport.

 

[wlwiles]

I'm not trying to say NFL players should be allowed to bet on NFL games.  There's a whole integrity issue there, etc. etc. 

But every which way you turn in the NFL landscape these days, there's DRAFT KINGS and FAN DUEL and CAESARS and a million other betting/gambling promos, all sponsored or partnered with the NFL.  Just feels like a very slippery slope and it wouldn't surprise me if we hear of this happening more going forward. 

Talking out of both sides of their mouth?  The NFL wants the public to gamble (obviously).  Gambling increases interest and increases viewership. Increased viewership and interest and partnerships mean more money, for everyone involved.  The NFL doesn’t want players gambling.  Players gambling can impact the integrity of the game and create immeasurable impacts for the league.  This isn’t that complicated if you’re a player or coach in the NFL.  Gamble on whatever other sport you want.  Gamble as much as you want.  Just don’t gamble on the NFL.  Ridley is a maroon, especially so for including his own team in the bets and regardless of the fact that he wasn’t playing, and he deserves whatever punishment is administered.  

This. 

The post this quote is responding to is exactly what I hoped to head off at the pass upthread. Just because they're partners with these entities does not mean the league wants its own members to be using those entities. 

The very first thing I said is that NFL players should not be allowed to bet on NFL games.  That's not the argument.  I agree Ridley should be punished, and I have no opinion whether it should be 6 games, 12 games, 1 year, lifetime, etc.  

All I was doing was pointing out the juxtaposition of the NFL embracing the sportsbook culture, and speculating that this may not be an isolated incident, who knows.  Wasn't trying to open a can of worms re: NFL players being allowed to gamble on NFL games, that's insane. 

 

[rockaction]

All I was doing was pointing out the juxtaposition of the NFL embracing the sportsbook culture, and speculating that this may not be an isolated incident, who knows.  Wasn't trying to open a can of worms re: NFL players being allowed to gamble on NFL games, that's insane. 

I didn't say you did condone gambling on the NFL, but this is a fair post, though. If it feels like people are jumping on you, it's probably because your argument wasn't this nuanced before. 

I see your point. Totally. 

 

[JohnnyU]

So, I suppose in the one league I have him I have to hold for a freaking year to see what happens in 2023?  Jesus, f'n Christ.  Should it be treated as an ACL injury?  Or worse?

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

So, I suppose in the one league I have him I have to hold for a freaking year to see what happens in 2023?  Jesus, f'n Christ.  Should it be treated as an ACL injury?  Or worse?

That’s exactly how I would approach it. He is either a drop or a hold, depending on your roster limitations.

after 2021, that’s just brutal.

 

[JohnnyU]

That’s exactly how I would approach it. He is either a drop or a hold, depending on your roster limitations.

after 2021, that’s just brutal.

yes, it's not like he just played in 2021, lol.  Now it is two years in a row he wont play.  That does matter for crying out loud.  You can't drop him IMO.

Edited:  Or can you?

 

[facook]

Just to clear up some info in here:

NFL players ARE allowed to gamble on other sports, just not NFL football.  Other NFL/team personnel are not allowed to bet on sports at all.

And the Falcons beat the Jags in the game in which Ridley bet on them.  For whatever that's worth.   

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

yes, it's not like he just played in 2021, lol.  Now it is two years in a row he wont play.  That does matter for crying out loud.  You can't drop him IMO.

Edited:  Or can you?

There are leagues that have 16 man rosters, or fewer… he’ll be closing in on 30 years old if and when he plays again. and who knows for what team that will be.

In some formats he’s absolutely going to be a droppable asset.

 

[JohnnyU]

There are leagues that have 16 man rosters, or fewer… he’ll be closing in on 30 years old if and when he plays again. and who knows for what team that will be.

In some formats he’s absolutely going to be a droppable asset.

From the shallow roster perspective I agree.  In 24 to 26 man rosters is where I'm coming from.

 

[The Big Donkey]

i think he's done. at least he got through 3 years at alabama, close to a degree.   finish that up or a trade school, join the rest of us.

 

[menobrown]

So, I suppose in the one league I have him I have to hold for a freaking year to see what happens in 2023?  Jesus, f'n Christ.  Should it be treated as an ACL injury?  Or worse?

Worse IMO because in my leagues I believe he'll be chewing up a roster spot all year instead of being IR eligible. 

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

From the shallow roster perspective I agree.  In 24 to 26 man rosters is where I'm coming from.

Yes, it’s like he tore his Achilles. Start praying.  

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Worse IMO because in my leagues I believe he'll be chewing up a roster spot all year instead of being IR eligible. 

Yup - dead weight/roster clogger 

 

[menobrown]

There are leagues that have 16 man rosters, or fewer… he’ll be closing in on 30 years old if and when he plays again. and who knows for what team that will be.

In some formats he’s absolutely going to be a droppable asset.

Were I own him is such a format but I have no plans to cut him and those plans would only change if I had reason to think his suspension was longer then a year. Based on his twitter account he seems to think he'll have a year and where you might say he's closing in on 30 I'd say if he returned in 2023 he'll play almost two full seasons before turning 30. 

Now I'm also the kind of guy who once held Josh Gordon for 7 years in this format.

 

[Dickies]

Likely an unpopular opinion in this thread, but I don't really see the big deal in what he did given that he was inactive, away from the team, and had no way to impact what happened in the games.  Seems like a heavy-handed punishment.

 

[BigJim®]

@CalvinRidley1

I bet 1500 total I don’t have a gambling problem

eta: I think he's already deleted it, but not before the internet captured it for life.

eta2: Still There

It's a sad situation. Very salient reply to his tweet from someone:

"The amount doesn't make you an addict at all... risking $11M in this year's salary for a $1500 parlay might."

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Now I'm also the kind of guy who once held Josh Gordon for 7 years in this format.

Yeah, and all he did was get high…a whole bunch of times. 

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Likely an unpopular opinion in this thread, but I don't really see the big deal in what he did given that he was inactive, away from the team, and had no way to impact what happened in the games.  Seems like a heavy-handed punishment.

I actually kind of agree with this. But rules are rules. It’s a stupid rule… But he did break it.

There should probably be a carve-out in the rules for a player is inactive. But since there isn't…

on the other hand, even inactive players have inside information that the general public does not. Ridley is still friends with players on the team. For example, if he knows that several players are nursing injuries that are otherwise too superficial to show up on this injury report, he could have a advantage in wagering.

there are probably dozens of hypothetical examples where someone who has insider information about a team could benefit from a gambling perspective.

 

[KingPrawn]

Likely an unpopular opinion in this thread, but I don't really see the big deal in what he did given that he was inactive, away from the team, and had no way to impact what happened in the games.  Seems like a heavy-handed punishment.

I don't think the impact he had on games is the issue in this case. I think the issue would be the insider information he may have had.

 

[rockaction]

I don't think the impact he had on games is the issue in this case. I think the issue would be the insider information he may have had.

It's just the opposite. The NFL doesn't care that he's getting over on the betting public, it's whether he can influence his teammates to adjust their availability or playing competency. 

 

[Leroy Hoard]

It will be interesting when Ridley's suspension gets compared to what happens with Kamara. Totally different situations but you know it will become a subject.