This is why the NFL tried to implement a gag order on owners as it pertains to the national anthem quagmire.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones spoke to reporters at the start of camp Wednesday Mark Sanchez Jersey , and reiterated his support for all things red, white, and blue while violating the policy he helped create in March.

Via PFT’s Charean Williams, Jones said players have been told they have to be on the field for the anthem and standing at attention.

Which is fine, except the league policy approved in March (which has since been tabled while they try to work on an actual solution) allowed players to stay in the locker room if they chose.

While unsurprising, Jones’ stance also underscores what a mess the owners made in May by creating a policy designed to appease someone who will not be appeased while also alienating players by not asking them for input.

The NBA has largely been able to avoid this particular minefield, not necessarily because players are required to stand, but because there has been an atmosphere of trust between that league and its workforce on matters of social justice.

Jones admitted the comments made by President Donald Trump were “problematic Josh Malone Jersey ,” and added “everybody would like it to go away.”

That’s not likely to happen anytime soon, at least as owners continue to make things worse by talking.
Two weeks into the Miami Dolphins‘ offseason practice regimen, first-round draft pick Minkah Fitzpatrick’s running tally of interceptions is underway.

”Have I been counting them? Every DB counts them,” Fitzpatrick said with a laugh after Tuesday’s workout. ”I’ve got two picks and a couple of pass breakups. Just doing my job.”

Contact drills won’t begin until training camp, but early indications are the Dolphins used the 11th overall pick wisely when they selected Fitzpatrick.

The safety from Alabama said he’s not fazed by reports Dolphins owner Stephen Ross wanted to trade down on draft night rather than pick Fitzpatrick.

”I heard about it,” Fitzpatrick said. ”He’s a businessman. He’s going to see the business side of everything. This is extra motivation to prove I’m a worthy pick and deserve to be here.”

The front office wanted a playmaker to upgrade a defense that ranked fourth-worst in points allowed last season, and so far Fitzpatrick looks as if he’ll make Miami better.

”He has done a good job,” coach Adam Gase said. ”He has gotten his hands on a lot of balls. He seems to be all over the place. He has a great motor and a great work ethic. You can tell he takes this very seriously and puts everything he has into this.”

The Dolphins’ investment goes beyond a first-round choice. Fitzpatrick signed a $16.44 million Marcell Dareus Jersey , four-year deal last week.

But he said he didn’t celebrate the contract, and doesn’t have any plans for the money besides buying a place to live.

”Anytime you see your hard work paying off, it’s a good feeling,” he said. ”But you’ve got to keep telling yourself it’s not the end goal. I didn’t come here just to be a first-round pick. I wanted to be a great player here and establish a great legacy.”

Fitzpatrick said the Dolphins are dividing his practice time evenly among the strong safety, free safety and nickel back positions. He said he doesn’t have a preference and is happy to move around.

”They trust me to do that,” Fitzpatrick said. ”They’re not putting too much on me, but they know they can put a lot on me.”

Pro Bowler Reshad Jones is certain to start at one safety spot, and veteran safety T.J. McDonald also returns after starting the final eight games last season. Defensive coordinator Matt Burke may decide to play both along with Fitzpatrick at times Taven Bryan Jersey , and June is a time for experimenting.

General manager Chris Grier has compared Fitzpatrick to a Swiss army knife because of his versatility. And wherever Fitzpatrick lines up, he’s making his presence felt.

”He is flying around at practice,” quarterback Ryan Tannehill said. ”He plays aggressive and plays fast, and that’s what you want to see out of a DB.”

Fitzpatrick played for Nick Saban at Alabama, which may be why he hasn’t found the demands of the NFL too daunting so far. In fact, the coaching styles of Saban and Gase are similar, he said.

”They’re both very passionate coaches,” Fitzpatrick said. ”They’re both real hands-on. The only difference is coach Saban yells a bit more.”

At Alabama Graham Glasgow Jersey , Fitzpatrick had a school-record four interception returns for touchdowns. He’s confident about quickly improving his professional pick total.

”That’s going to keep going up,” Fitzpatrick said. ”As I get more and more comfortable, I’ll make more and more plays.”

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