Ravens Offensive Coordinator Jim Caldwell knows that the top jobs in the NFL are still a rare position for minorities.  “Fact of the matter is, there’s just not many minority playcallers and minority coordinators,” Caldwell said on Wednesday when asked about the Rooney Rule. According to Gregg Rosenthal,

Caldwell said there are plenty of guys “in the pipeline” right now that are deserving of opportunities. It’s a hot topic because of the potential changes that are coming to the Rooney Rule after a NFL hiring cycle this month that didn’t include one minority hire for a head-coaching job or a general manager job.

Caldwell said that there are a lot of running-back coaches that would make great candidates because they have to know the running game and the protection schemes well in the passing game. It sounds like Caldwell supports a possible change to the Rooney Rule that would require minority interviews for coordinator positions.

Rosenthal also asked Caldwell what changes he’s seen in terms of hiring minorities during his career.  Caldwell’s answer is quite telling of how overlooked minority coaches are not only in the NFL but in college as well,

“There are some similarities (to 10-20 years ago),” Caldwell said. “I was the first African-American head football coach in the ACC. That was 1993. That wasn’t 1956. That wasn’t 1965. That was 1993. That wasn’t long ago. … Here’s another instance that it’s come full circle again and something needs to be done, needs to be talked about, and needs to be implemented.”

While some will continue to argue that the best person for the job should get the position, if the best person isn’t even getting interviewed because of the Good Ol’ Boy network, then there is a good reason why the Rooney Rule was implemented in the first place and why it needs to be revised.

Ravens Safety Bernard Pollard doesn’t have a good out look on the NFL. As reported to CBSSports.com , Pollard doesn’t think the NFL will be around in 30 years.

“Thirty years from now,” he said, “I don’t think it will be in existence. I could be wrong. It’s just my opinion, but I think with the direction things are going — where they [NFL rules makers] want to lighten up, and they’re throwing flags and everything else — there’s going to come a point where fans are going to get fed up with it.

 “Guys are getting fined, and they’re talking about, ‘Let’s take away the strike zone’ and ‘Take the pads off’ or ‘Take the helmets off.’ It’s going to be a thing where fans aren’t going to want to watch it anymore.”

Pollard also gives more of an explanation of what he thinks and the rationale behind it,

“The league is trying to move in the right direction [with player safety],” he said, “but, at the same time, [coaches] want bigger, stronger and faster year in and year out. And that means you’re going to keep getting big hits and concussions and blown-out knees. The only thing I’m waiting for … and, Lord, I hope it doesn’t happen … is a guy dying on the field. We’ve had everything else happen there except for a death. We understand what we signed up for, and it sucks.”

 “Like I said, I pray it never happens, but you’ve got guys who are 350 pounds running 4.5 and 4.4s, and these owners and coaches want scout-run blockers and linemen to move walls. At the same time, they tell you, ‘Don’t hit here, and don’t hit there, or we’ll take your money.’ Like I said, I hope I’m wrong, but I just believe one day there’s going to be a death that takes place on the field because of the direction we’re going.”

 

Pollard makes some good points and with the new CTE evidence Pollard may be on to something.

Losing is a hard pill to take and Wes Welker’s wife Anna went the sore loser route and trashed Ray Lewis on her facebook page. She posted:

“Proud of my husband and the Pats. By the way, if anyone is bored, please go to Ray Lewis’Wikipedia page. 6 kids 4 wives. Acquitted for murder. Paid a family off. Yay. What a hall of fame player! A true role model!”

Way  to stay classy there. Of course this isn’t the first time a Partiots wife got salty after a loss. I’m sure that someone in the Pats organization was watching the post and got word because she issued and apology statement via  sports blog Larry Brown Sports:

 

“I’m deeply sorry for my recent post on Facebook.” “I let the competitiveness of the game and the comments people were making about a team I dearly love get the best of me. My actions were emotional and irrational and I sincerely apologize to Ray Lewis and anyone affected by my comment after yesterday’s game.

“It is such an accomplishment for any team to make it to the NFL playoffs, and the momentary frustration I felt should not overshadow the accomplishments of both of these amazing teams.”

 

Of course this is the new way of the world. Say something offensive and then apologize and walk it back. Here a suggestion next time you’re on Facebook, Twitter or whatever and you want to get something off your chest, write it out and then delete it!