UCLA QB Josh Rosen with an up and down first half, similar to what USC QB Sam Darnold did earlier today against Cal. Rosen was 16-of-28 for 176 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the opening two quarters against Stanford. Rosen only went under center twice but seemed perfectly comfortable out of the gun or at the line of scrimmage.
Injured Niners guard Joshua Garnett, who is out for the year with a knee injury, is Stanford's honorary captain for tonight's game against UCLA.
NFL teams with scouts on the list for tonight's UCLA-Stanford game: The Niners, Miami, Pittsburgh and Seattle. The 49ers actually have seven people listed though it doesn't appear they have that many here. VP of player personnel Adam Peters is in attendance.
Colts owner Jim Irsay on President Donald Trump's comments Friday: "I am troubled by the President's recent comments about our league and our players. Sports in America have the unique ability to bring people from all walks of life and from different points of view together to work toward or root for a common goal, and the Indianapolis Colts are proud to be a part of that tradition in our home city and state. The vast majority of players in the NFL -- especially those who have worn and continue to wear the Horseshoe -- have donated millions of dollars to charities, raised money for those affected by recent hurricanes, created charitable foundations, visited schools, mentored students, worked in homeless shelters, cleaned up parks, and put in hours of their personal time toward improving their communities and the lives of those around them. That's the spirit in which this nation was founded, and we all need to work tirelessly to bring people together to take on the challenges that face us and give back to the people of our communities. More so than any result on the field, that is a common goal worth rooting for."
Bills owners Terry and Kim Pegula issued a statement Saturday night condemning comments made by President Donald Trump at an Alabama rally Friday night about NFL player anthem protests.
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie released a statement Saturday night following comments from President Donald Trump, who said he wished NFL players who protested during the national anthem would be fired:
The Bucs may be seeing their first national anthem protest of the year tomorrow and he might not be alone either. DeSean Jackson went on a lengthy Twitter tirade, saying, among other things, "I definitely will be making a statement, no disrespect to our military of service, but we have to stick together as people! Unity." The Bucs have not had a player kneel or sit for the national anthem since Mike Evans did so for one game last year.
Jaguars owner Shad Khan is in London with the team and spokesman Jim Woodcock said Khan would not have a separate statement regarding President Trump's recent comments about players that protest during the National Anthem. "Commissioner Goodell's statement speaks for Mr. Khan and the Jaguars," Woodcock said. Khan is one of seven NFL owners who donated $1 million to Trump.
Statement from Chargers owner Dean Spanos on Donald Trump's comments regarding NFL player protests: "I wholeheartedly agree with the commissioner's statement. The NFL and its players, more than anything, have been a force for good. What our country needs right now is a message of unity, civility and mutual respect."
Statement from Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk speaking about unity and praising the impact players have on the community.
USC QB Sam Darnold didn't have eye-popping numbers in the Trojans' win against Cal on Saturday but he didn't really need to. Darnold finished 26-of-38 for 223 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Text from an NFL scout who watched the game on what he saw from Darnold on Saturday: "Same thing as usual, all the traits are there. (He's) got the size, arm talent, always seems poised. Needs to be more consistent and would like to see him push ball down the field more than he did."
From talking to players, it's clear Trump comments were a major topic of discussion in NFL locker rooms, charter flights, group texts, etc. on Saturday. Lots of discussion about what should/shouldn't be done at games Sunday. It's important to remember that these locker rooms all have players in them who have supported Trump as well as those who haven't, and that creates some emotional dialogue. But a lot of these guys are angry. There's definitely a sense of "We can't just sit here and take this" from some players. My guess is there will be new forms of protest at games Sunday, but it's hard to predict any consistency on how different players and different teams will handle it. This is likely to be the story of Week 3, at the very least.
Dolphins owner Stephen Ross' statement today: "Our country needs unifying leadership right now, not more divisiveness. We need to seek to understand each other and have civil discourse instead of condemnation and sound bites. I know our players who kneeled for the anthem and these are smart young men of character who want to make our world a better place for everyone. They wanted to start a conversation and are making a difference in our community, including working with law enforcement to bring people together. We all can benefit from learning, listening and respecting each other. Sports is a common denominator in our world. We all have the responsibility to use this platform to promote understanding, respect and equality."
Packers president Mark Murphy: "It's unfortunate that the President decided to use his immense platform to make divisive and offensive statements about our players and the NFL. We strongly believe that players are leaders in our communities and positive influences. They have achieved their positions through tremendous work and dedication and should be celebrated for their success and positive impact. We believe it is important to support any of our players who choose to peacefully express themselves with the hope of change for good. As Americans, we are fortunate to be able to speak openly and freely."
Just in: Both Jacquies Smith and Chris Baker have been downgraded to 'out' for tomorrow for the Bucs. Both players did not make the trip to Minnesota due to the flu.
Predicting the Jets' inactives for tomorrow: G Brian Winters, TE Eric Tomlinson, TE Jordan Leggett, QB Christian Hackenberg, S Rontez Miles, CB Derrick Jones and DE David Bass. DE Mo Wilkerson, listed as questionable with a shoulder injury, is expected to play.
Cornerbacks Nolan Carroll (concussion) and Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring) have been ruled out of Monday's game. Defensive tackle Stephen Paea (knee) is questionable after not practicing three straight days. Paea went through a workout after practice and should be available to play.
49ers CEO Jed York tweeted his response to President Donald Trump's comments about the NFL on Saturday afternoon: “The callous and offensive comments made by the President are contradictory to what this great country stands for. Our players have exercised their rights as United States citizens in order to spark conversation and action to address social injustice. We will continue to support them in their peaceful pursuit of positive change in our country and around the world. The San Francisco 49ers will continue to work toward bringing communities, and those who serve, them closer together.”
If the Cardinals were to do anything in protest of President Trump's comments on Friday night that encouraged NFL owners to essentially fire players who protested during the national anthem, it'd be done as a team, defensive tackle Frostee Rucker said. “I know we do have enough leadership and will to stick together and not do anything single-handedly,” he said. “I don't think anybody wants to be isolated in that because it's a dangerous thing when you're isolated.”
Cardinals defensive tackle Frostee Rucker, one of the team's defensive captains, said a day after President Trump encouraged NFL owners to fire players who protested during the national anthem that the team can't let a single person dictate how they feel. “You know, it's a shame that we're still dealing with these issues over and over and over and he somehow gets a pass to say these things. These guys, we got to stay together and show them in a different way instead of lashing out and being pissed off about it. We got to stick together and show them what compassion love and everything else we do. It's a brotherhood in this locker room. We're out in the community, we know ourselves. We know everything we're about so we can't let one single person, even though it's the president, dictate how we feel. We stick together, we're in a union and if someone takes a knee, it's almost like we all take a knee. He said what he said. We're going to stick together rand be a team and that's about it.”
Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said he's already met with his team to discuss President Trump's comments from Friday night. He added that he meets with his team every week to discuss certain topics. Two weeks ago, the Cardinals met and talked about what the team could do to help hurricane victims.
‘'That is an individual right of an American.” -- Cardinals coach Bruce Arians on how players balance the respect for first responders and the military with feeling the need to do something in the wake of President Trump's comments from Friday night that NFL owners should fire players who protest during the national anthem.
Prediction: The Jets' best chance to win is to stop running back Jay Ajayi, shifting the onus to the turnover-prone Jay Cutler. Problem is, it's hard to trust the Jets' run defense, which has yielded a combined 370 yards in two games. On the other side, the Jets will have problems with Miami's front four, especially without guard Brian Winters (abdomen). Defensive end Cameron Wake is a Jet killer: seven sacks and four forced fumbles in 15 games. The Jets will be 0-3 for the first time since 2003. Dolphins 24, Jets 20
A statement from Steelers president Art Rooney II regarding Donald Trump comments: "I believe the Commissioner made an appropriate statement, and I have nothing to add at this time."
It was a mostly underwhelming first half for USC QB Sam Darnold, who continues to struggle to find a rhythm save for a big chunk of the Trojans' win against Stanford. Darnold was 16-of-24 for 157 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the opening half against Cal. Darnold seemed to get better in the second quarter before an interception down the seam.
