Marshawn Skips Out

[jshawaii22]

He did it again after the game.... along with another crotch grab on the TD. I saw a rumor that the NFL will consider this a violation (2nd) time and have the option of suspending him for the Super Bowl. At some point, I wonder who's he's really mad at right now.

On the other hand, I predicted him as the MVP of the game on offense..

js

[RiverDog]

Yea, I saw the crotch grab and started to wonder... but I have a hard time believing they'd suspend him for the SB.

I predicted the same, Beast as offensive MVP. Bad weather day, gotta go with the running game.

[BelizeHawk]

I cant believe they would suspend him. The impact that would have on the game would be monumental. An outrageous fine maybe, but a suspension for something other than drugs, abuse or violent on-field activity would create a bigger scene than the NFL would want.

[jshawaii22]

he got fined 100k the last time for walking away from his responsibilities. No one cared what he said, what words he uses, just say something.. We all better hope that they have a heart. He just did a great E:60 segment. Answered all the questions, did himself right. I just don't get the post-game walk-away.

I think less and less that he's going to be a Seahawk next year, but I sure hope I'm wrong.

[Anthony]

I doubt they suspend him, but it would not surprise me at all. The NFL does what it wants, or at least tries to.

[Zorn76]

There is Absolutely No Chance he's gonna get suspended for the Super Bowl.

None.

There's also no mention of that even being a possibility in this link:

http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2014/st ... ning-media

About the Only way somebody could be out for a game like this would be if they threw a punch at the opponent.

[HumanCockroach]

The "possible" suspension was for the gold shoes Lynch had planned on wearing, and then didn't.... He'll probably be fined for the crotch grab ( whether I feel it is warranted or not) but I guess that IS his decision to make.....

[Zorn76]

I'm not big on Beast's antics like that, but the guy's effort and heart more than make up for all the other stuff that goes along with him.

All things considered, he's Easily my favorite Seahawks RB of all time.

[jshawaii22]

There is a 'personal conduct policy' hanging out there. Don't be so sure that the NFL, pissed off at his obvious FU toward the league in general, couldn't use that along with his 'repeat' offense this week of not staying for the interviews.

The source I heard it from is just talking heads after the game. I wouldn't have a clue who was actually doing the talking, but I think it was NBC Radio Sports. It wasn't an NFL source, I'll give it that.

We need the Beast to be ready in AZ, like he was today. He doesn't seem to get phased over the fines, but it's about $115k so far this year. That's a lot of skittles.

js

[Zorn76]

Hey js - Didn't mean for my last post to sound like a direct attack on your OP or your latest comment.

Just think it's way too extreme for the league to pull a stunt like that, even given ML's past.

I'd also have to read the letter of the law for the personal conduct policy, but still would be surprised if it's at all possible for hm to be disciplined like that.

[jshawaii22]

Well, we can all agree on one thing... ON TO ARIZONA!!!!!

[HumanCockroach]

I believe the last time they fined him it was for "taunting" doubt they could suspend him for that, and even IF they could, I'm not entirely sure how they could say he was taunting in the first place as no one from GB was in the area, and no one from GB was visible to him when he did it.

It isn't a "conduct" issue anymore than an F bomb being dropped on tv, and I don't recall anyone ever being fined, much less suspended for doing it.

[RiverDog]

I wonder if Goodell has ever watched a Major League Baseball game? You get some serious crotch action in those games, and nobody says boo. And how about soccer, when a line is set up to defense a free kick? And those are the gentlemanly, non-contact sports.

Yea, but those aren't intentional insults. Ken Griffey Jr. once grabbed his crotch after hitting a home run as a not so friendly signal to Sparky Anderson, who had intentionally walked him in his previous at-bat. That's the only crotch grab I can think of that was done intentionally as some sort of demonstration.

I, too, have a hard time believing that they'd suspend Lynch for the biggest sporting event on the planet. It would be a HUGE distraction and controversy and they would invoke the wrath of millions of Seahawk fans, many of whom are still simmering about XL. Especially after a season that involved the Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson scandals, the league want nothing more than a nice, serene Super Bowl week with lots of warm fuzzy stories that appeal to all the soccer moms that they are so eager to court.

But I got to tell you that I'm getting a little tired of Beast's antics. I don't mind him giving the press a cold shoulder and fully support him over that issue, if he doesn't want to meet the POTUS, that's fine, too, and the crotch grab was funny when he did it in Arizona. But enough is enough. Lynch is clearly intentionally causing a major distraction and calling attention to himself. This isn't about him, it's about the team, the 12th man, and winning another SB.

[obiken]

Right on River! I too am going to step in it and you can call this an Obi or whatever, but its time to man up in here and call a psycho, a psycho. Yes he's our psycho, and we love him, but after this year is over, its time to send him down the road. He is hurting his own legend. Come on, I can no longer call him a good guy, he has serious mental issues. Not hugging the guys after the TD?? Give me a break. No one is bigger than the team, and not even Brett Farve, is bigger than the game. What started as Beast mode eating skittles, has turned darker. I hope I am wrong.

[obiken]

River If Curt Shilling doesn't want to meet BO I totally understand. However, I will eat the cardboard off a Wheaties box if Lynch is a Conservative in any arena of his life. It was just another stunt.
He gets paid to talk to the media, I agree its a stupid interview and I wouldn't play his silly game, IF I was a reporter I would go onto someone else. Ok the first time, I said why make him, I defended the stupidity. Now I just cant. He knows in 2 years he will be irrelevant, after 30 he joins a lot of great backs on the NFL history shelf.
So in ending Marshawn, we love you thanks for everything but don't let the door hit you on the way out. Very few players better than you have put on a Hawks jersey, but a lot better people have.

[RiverDog]

Right on River! I too am going to step in it and you can call this an Obi or whatever, but its time to man up in here and call a psycho, a psycho. Yes he's our psycho, and we love him, but after this year is over, its time to send him down the road. He is hurting his own legend. Come on, I can no longer call him a good guy, he has serious mental issues. Not hugging the guys after the TD?? Give me a break. No one is bigger than the team, and not even Brett Farve, is bigger than the game. What started as Beast mode eating skittles, has turned darker. I hope I am wrong.

The no hugging is fine with me. I never hugged my teammates after a great play. High five's weren't even in vogue yet as a two handed waist high palm slap was the biggest congratulations we ever gave each other. His been there, done that hand shake is fine by me. All reports are that he's a good teammate and is well liked by everyone.

But this crotch grab is beginning to look very selfish as he's flaunting the league and risking a suspension that would hurt the team, and that's where I draw the line...when personal behavior begins to affect the team.

[monkey]

When we first traded for Lynch, you guys should remember how down on the move I was. I was against it partly because of stuff like this from him. I was against it because I thought he'd become a circus onto himself.

After the game is over, Lynch disappeared, and the media is left talking about Russell Wilson's horrible game turned incredible...which is an obvious story line, but it's NOT the reason we won that game.
Marshawn Lynch's INDOMITABLE WILL is the reason we even had the chance to get back into that game!

Frankly, I don't really care what his antics are on the sideline, so long as he's not cheating, and he's not.
I want to keep having the chance to see him do what he does on the field.
I don't CARE what he says or doesn't say to the media! I don't care that he's upset with the media for twisting his words up, or whatever the reason he keeps acting out is, (the media DOES twist up people's words intentionally! They're not just journalists, they're spin doctors who are inventing stories and frankly I share Lynch's dislike of them!).

All I want is to see him do what he does.
That's all.
He was EASILY our MVP last game. Easily.
What he did, the will and effort he gave, the fight for every yard, the RAW WILL...frankly I just don't care what he did on the sideline. I really don't.

Lynch has won me over forever. He can say or not say whatever he wants to say or not say, I just couldn't possibly care less. Not one player on the team gave more effort than Lynch yesterday, not one!
He's the baddest running back I've ever seen. I'd pay just to watch him run people over.

[HumanCockroach]

When we first traded for Lynch, you guys should remember how down on the move I was. I was against it partly because of stuff like this from him. I was against it because I thought he'd become a circus onto himself.

After the game is over, Lynch disappeared, and the media is left talking about Russell Wilson's horrible game turned incredible...which is an obvious story line, but it's NOT the reason we won that game.
Marshawn Lynch's INDOMITABLE WILL is the reason we even had the chance to get back into that game!

Frankly, I don't really care what his antics are on the sideline, so long as he's not cheating, and he's not.
I want to keep having the chance to see him do what he does on the field.
I don't CARE what he says or doesn't say to the media! I don't care that he's upset with the media for twisting his words up, or whatever the reason he keeps acting out is, (the media DOES twist up people's words intentionally! They're not just journalists, they're spin doctors who are inventing stories and frankly I share Lynch's dislike of them!).

All I want is to see him do what he does.
That's all.
He was EASILY our MVP last game. Easily.
What he did, the will and effort he gave, the fight for every yard, the RAW WILL...frankly I just don't care what he did on the sideline. I really don't.

Lynch has won me over forever. He can say or not say whatever he wants to say or not say, I just couldn't possibly care less. Not one player on the team gave more effort than Lynch yesterday, not one!
He's the baddest running back I've ever seen. I'd pay just to watch him run people over.

Excellent post.

As for the "intentional" distraction? Eh, I heard the exact same thing last season during the lead up to the SB about his refusal to talk to the media. Worked out ok IMHO...

Simply am not going to get worked up about trash talk ( or display in this case) it happens all the time, and it happens across the league, does anyone in the world believe the NFL would have it's panties in a bunch if Lynch instead said " suck my d*ck" instead of relayed that message the way he does? Absolutely not. The NFL doesn't give two shakes about that message, they care about soccer Moms and kiddos seeing it and becoming offended. What Lynch is doing is NO different than a dunk over a GP, or spiking the ball, he isn't doing it anywhere but after scoring a TD, and even then ONLY in the biggest moment...

Maybe someone can clarify those TD celebration rules for me, but I'm 100% confident that there is NO rule against using your own body in celebration. You can't use a prop, you can't have organised celebrations with team mates, you can't dunk the ball, but not to the best of my knowledge, a SINGLE word about not being able to grab yourself, none. ( doesn't mean I would endorse my kid doing it, and I certainly wouldn't have done it, that whole Largent "act like you have been there" thing).

Simply not going to get all up in arms about something that no matter what people or the league says isn't against the rules. They used a convenient "taunting" technicallity to fine him last time, but it simply doesn't fall under conduct, or celebration rules.

[RiverDog]

Frankly, I don't really care what his antics are on the sideline.....

You'll care if they start considering his crotch grab a taunt and start calling unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on him. Believe me, the league isn't going to let him keep getting away with it and just slap him on the wrists. I wouldn't be surprised if the league tells him and coach Carroll that if he does it in the SB that they'll flag him for unsportsmanlike conduct or even threaten him with ejection. He needs to stop. Now!

[monkey]

That's just it though, Marshawn wants to win.
I have zero doubt that he WOULD stop if his antics were costing the team in the game.
As of now, they aren't, they are just costing him personally.

[RiverDog]

That's just it though, Marshawn wants to win.
I have zero doubt that he WOULD stop if his antics were costing the team in the game.
As of now, they aren't, they are just costing him personally.

I agree, monkey. It's just that if the fines aren't stopping him, they will escalate the punishment until they find something that does make him stop, and that means something that's going to hurt the team. If they've told him once not to do it and he ignores them, they aren't just going to forget about it and let him keep doing it. They will not let him win.

[HumanCockroach]

The Arizona game was fined under the "taunting" rules, which is fine I suppose, but IMHO they are going to have a hard time proving this was taunting, and without any rules of any kind in place saying it is illegal, they are going to have a hard time making that a fineable offense ( at least in this game)....

IF the league changes the rules next year to include that action as illegal, and he still does it, I understand being upset with him, but we aren't there yet, and being overly upset at this point is silly.

[Hawktawk]

Frankly, I don't really care what his antics are on the sideline.....[/quote]

You'll care if they start considering his crotch grab a taunt and start calling unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on him. Believe me, the league isn't going to let him keep getting away with it and just slap him on the wrists. I wouldn't be surprised if the league tells him and coach Carroll that if he does it in the SB that they'll flag him for unsportsmanlike conduct or even threaten him with ejection. He needs to stop. Now![/quote]

I'm with River. Stop grabbing your junk Beast. I don't care about the cleats or the media but if you want to set an example for the young inner city kids this would be a good place to start.

[NorthHawk]

I have to seriously wonder if this will be Marshawn's last game.
He doesn't seem happy about the media thing, and with his chronic back issues and all the punishment he takes as a Running Back, maybe he might just pull the plug like Sanders did.
If we win, he could leave knowing he was a 2 time Champion - and even if we don't he could leave knowing he was part of a team that got to the big dance twice in 2 years which is a great accomplishment in and of itself.

[RiverDog]

The Arizona game was fined under the "taunting" rules, which is fine I suppose, but IMHO they are going to have a hard time proving this was taunting, and without any rules of any kind in place saying it is illegal, they are going to have a hard time making that a fineable offense ( at least in this game)....

IF the league changes the rules next year to include that action as illegal, and he still does it, I understand being upset with him, but we aren't there yet, and being overly upset at this point is silly.

I don't care about the fines. They can fine him all they want and it won't cause me any heartache. It's not my money. But it is 'my' team, and it's the possibility of penalties, ejections, and suspensions that worries me. And as far as there being no rules in place to cover such a gesture, it's the league that makes the rules, and I wouldn't be surprised if they issue some sort of 'special' rule for this game to cover Lynch's crotch grab...no pun intended.

[HumanCockroach]

And IF they do and IF Lynch does it again and IF it costs the Seahawks I'll be right there with you, but only IF those things come to pass, until then, there are far too many if's for me to be concerned about it.

[Anthony]

To me Lynch and Wilson are the only 2 top players on offense we have. When they both play well we dominate, when one plays well we can win, when they both play bad we are in trouble. We have won with Lynch mot doing much, and Wilson being otherworldly, and we have won with Wilson not playing well and Lynch being otherworldly. However I cannot recall every winning with both playing bad. The only way we can move away from this formula is to either get more talent in the passing game around Wilson, or find a legit compliment to Lynch that is not our QB. IF we had the Gb WR and oline, or pretty much any top QBs Wr and oline we could move away form Lynch. But we do not, nor are we likely to. I have no problem with Lynch's "antics" as to me it is about the game and staying out of serious trouble which he does both. The only way Lynch gets suspended would be if the NFL wants to give HE every advantage as every week players do things that are questionable, or in poor taste. There is no history of suspending someone for not talking to the media, only fining them. As to the grabbing of the crutch sorry you watch a game every week and you will see it a dozen times a game.

[NorthHawk]

What's this fixation on the crotch by the NFL?
Just check out MLB where it happens all game long...

[jshawaii22]

To the point when it becomes OUR issue, we may not know when he 'crossed' the line until it's too late. But, you're correct about the fines... It's HIS $$$. Seems kind of defeatist that he pushed so hard to get his contract renegotiated and then throws it away because he doesn't want to answer three stupid questions, but that's his choice and his wallet.

Personally, I really fear that that the non-media time will be far more of an issue to the NFL then the Crotch Grab, which is on the field issue. The fines are sure a lot more for that.

However, I wish he would at least tell someone (Mike Rob?) what the hell we did to him to get to this point. If it's Seahawk management, so be it, but if he's just pissed off in general, The "I don't want to touch you after I score" is a real jab at the whole team. So much for the 'team concept' that everyone else talks about as being the most important factor in the game.

js

[RiverDog]

What's this fixation on the crotch by the NFL?
Just check out MLB where it happens all game long...

The point is that he's not adjusting his jock strap or casually scratching an itch as is the case in MLB, it's an intentional gesture he makes after scoring a big touchdown, the meaning of which is unknown. The reason why the NFL is making a big deal out of it is that they don't want to be blamed for hundreds of kids from college to Pop Warner grabbing their balls when they score a touchdown.

[monkey]

Stop grabbing your junk Beast. I don't care about the cleats or the media but if you want to set an example for the young inner city kids this would be a good place to start.

Please don't misunderstand what I am saying, I am NOT saying that I am fine with the behavior in the sense that I think it's OK for a role model to behave that way or that I would allow my children to emulate his behavior!
That's a whole other debate for another thread, one which I think would inherently involve some weighty topics such as the tension between his freedom to express himself, versus his responsibilities as an adult etc....
I DON'T think he is choosing wisely when he keeps doing this stuff. I DON'T think he's being a good role model at least in that specific instance, (though what he does in his off time with his charities is an example of him being a TERRIFIC role model!).
I also just don't think that I really care...

He doesn't HAVE to fit my definition of class, or my definition of role model or my definition of etiquette.
He's not being paid to be the spokesman for the Seahawks, or the face of the franchise (though he is the heart!).
He's being paid to run the ball in a way that is completely unique to him, the balance, the strength, the indomitable will to get more yards...that's a specific skill set that no other RB in the league has in the same way.

This is an entertainment business, and I would spend my hard earned money to see him run the ball for us. I realize that the NFL wants it to be family friendly (though the hypocrisy behind that statement alone is laughable!), but ultimately the NFL is about warriors battling it out on the gridiron, and it gets messy, it's not sterile or hygienic, it's emotional and raw, and passionate, and Lynch is ALL those things.
He's the gritty side of the entertainment that is the NFL. Warriors aren't always pretty, but they are necessary.

[RiverDog]

My opinion is similar to Monkey's. In fact, I find the hip thrusting type of dance that players like Mebane and Bennett show us after a big play to be more offensive, but I see no effort by the league to change them, nor do I see a reason for them to do so.

They did fine Randy Moss for his fake moon a few years back because it was determined to be obscene. I think you can make a pretty clear distinction between Mebane's belly jiggle or Billy "White Shoes" Johnson's gyrations and grabbing your genitals.

I'm not advocating that they ban such demonstrations, only that I would understand it if they did. They do have a responsibility to the entire viewing public, not just us old men that are not offended by it, to the contrary, are quite experienced at grabbing our genitals. It would certainly be more understandable than the 100K the league levied Lynch for not talking to the press.

There was some commentary about Lynch by the talking heads this afternoon. It's the opinion of several of them that the crotch grab is is part of a contest between Lynch and the league, that Lynch has it in his mind to test the league in just about everything... shoes, crotch grabbing, not speaking to the press, et al. He's a rebel without a cause, or so they said.

[HumanCockroach]

Huh. I must be the ONLY guy that sees Lynch not jumping around, blocking a hug from Baldwin as him saying " we aren't done yet" He handled it as he always does, he shook everyones hands, but wasn't going to prematurely celebrate a victory, and as it turns out HE had it pegged.

I seriously doubt a single player, including Doug, have ANY issue what so ever with FINISHING the game before going nuts. Seattle STILL needed a two point conversion, AND to hold the Pack ( which they did not do) I'm personally glad his focus, in a game like that, was on the job at hand, not jumping around like a bunch of teenage girls at a One Direction Concert.

[RiverDog]

Huh. I must be the ONLY guy that sees Lynch not jumping around, blocking a hug from Baldwin as him saying " we aren't done yet" He handled it as he always does, he shook everyones hands, but wasn't going to prematurely celebrate a victory, and as it turns out HE had it pegged.

I seriously doubt a single player, including Doug, have ANY issue what so ever with FINISHING the game before going nuts. Seattle STILL needed a two point conversion, AND to hold the Pack (which they did not do) I'm personally glad his focus, in a game like that, was on the job at hand, not jumping around like a bunch of teenage girls at a One Direction Concert.

Then you must not have read my post above when I replied to Obi by saying his not hugging/celebrating wasn't a problem with me. But I guess I can excuse you for not reading everything I write as I've written a lot today as I'm recovering from a back injury.

[HumanCockroach]

I admit I did not ( obviously) just seemed like there was quite a bit of that, and believe it or not, I don't read everything on the board

[mykc14]

he got fined 100k the last time for walking away from his responsibilities. No one cared what he said, what words he uses, just say something.. We all better hope that they have a heart. He just did a great E:60 segment. Answered all the questions, did himself right. I just don't get the post-game walk-away.

I think less and less that he's going to be a Seahawk next year, but I sure hope I'm wrong.

IMO his walking away after the game has nothing to do with how he feels about the other Hawk players or FO, instead it is an attempt to say FU to the league. ML has a huge issue with the league and is in the middle of a giant pissing match with them. Fined for no interview, fined for crotch grab, loses appeal for no interview fine, told he would not be able to play with gold cleats, etc so he decideds he is going to do a crotch grab and he isn't going to interview again. F U LEAGUE!

[jshawaii22]

Yep he can do that... FU the league. So, back to my first post... what do we do when the league has had enough and suspends him? There really isn't anyone you can compare him with so this is new territory for a league that absolutely doesn't like to be shown up by anyone.

I also don't believe that this isn't against the Seahawk 'team' ie: management as well as the NFL itself. Maybe not the players or the fans -- Hard to tell.

[RiverDog]

Yep he can do that... FU the league. So, back to my first post... what do we do when the league has had enough and suspends him? There really isn't anyone you can compare him with so this is new territory for a league that absolutely doesn't like to be shown up by anyone.

I also don't believe that this isn't against the Seahawk 'team' ie: management as well as the NFL itself. Maybe not the players or the fans -- Hard to tell.

Yes, there is no doubt that Lynch has an ongoing feud with the league and there's no indication that he has a problem in the locker room. But I wouldn't make the assumption that everything between him and team management is all peaches and cream, either. They weren't real pleased with his absence at the White House and we all know the rumors about him supposedly reluctant to get on the bus after the Harvin trade. They can't be happy with all these fights between him and the league. He seems to be taunting them, testing them to see how far they'll let him go. Lynch is a big uncertainty as no one knows what he's going to do next.

As well as the team was able to cover up all the crapola that was going on with the Harvin shenanigans, it wouldn't surprise me if there wasn't some major differences existing between them and Lynch that we're not being told. Pete is very tolerant of personal behavior, perhaps too tolerant, and gives his players plenty of wiggle room, but even he has his limit, and you gotta think that Lynch is getting close to it.

The good news is that none of this seems to affect his performance on the field. He always gives his best and then some.

[mykc14]

Yes, there is no doubt that Lynch has an ongoing feud with the league and there's no indication that he has a problem in the locker room. But I wouldn't make the assumption that everything between him and team management is all peaches and cream, either. They weren't real pleased with his absence at the White House and we all know the rumors about him supposedly reluctant to get on the bus after the Harvin trade. They can't be happy with all these fights between him and the league. He seems to be taunting them, testing them to see how far they'll let him go. Lynch is a big uncertainty as no one knows what he's going to do next.

As well as the team was able to cover up all the crapola that was going on with the Harvin shenanigans, it wouldn't surprise me if there wasn't some major differences existing between them and Lynch that we're not being told. Pete is very tolerant of personal behavior, perhaps too tolerant, and gives his players plenty of wiggle room, but even he has his limit, and you gotta think that Lynch is getting close to it.

The good news is that none of this seems to affect his performance on the field. He always gives his best and then some.

Oh, I agree there's animosity between Lynch and the management I was just saying I don't think that had anything to do with why he left quickly on Sunday or didn't shake his teammates hands after his TD. This could still lead to a very messy divorce this offseason, it could also lead to some sort of short term extension, or him simply playing out his contract, or him retiring. That's the thing with him nobody really knows and I wouldn't be shocked if any of those happened.

[jshawaii22]

Not trying to harp on any one issue as a tell all to what is happening... but I've watched multiple film replays of the "CATCH" by Kearse and what happened in the following 60 seconds. I was able to count off most offensive player on the field in the End-Zone eruption,... except one. Guess who I didn't see there or at any time during the rest of the post game celebration or awards, which he actually won as "Player of the Game"... Marshawn is one of the main cogs of the team. He comes in, does his job, more then any of us could of hoped for. Did anyone see him on the field at all? Maybe someone at the game could chime in.

js