The overreaction to Ja’Wuan James opting out is downright laughable
Aug 5, 2020, 7:02 AM
Some folks are hard to please.
News that Ja’Wuan James will be opting out of this season caused quite a stir at The Fan.
“This is so NOT COOL!” the on-air talent collectively moaned. But not before the obligatory COVID-19 disclaimer: “Of course, we respect his decision to protect his health and his family, but…”
It’s that big, loaded “but” that tells the real story. A quick summary of their main points if you weren’t listening:
• Ja’Wuan James is a quitter.
• John Elway is a failure.
• The Broncos are screwed.
First, with Ja’Wuan. He wrote in his social media opt-out explanation post that there was a “false narrative” about him. This was interpreted on air as a direct shot at Vic Fangio. Really, guys? This is like the killer blaming the bullet for the crime. “Narratives” are media concoctions, repeated, over and over. Fangio only said it once. Ja’Wuan may be talking to D-Mac there.
While we’re on Fangio’s “narratives,” guys, really, when a coach praises the best player on his team (Von Miller) as looking hungrier and stronger than he has in recent years, that is NOT AN INSULT! You do know why they have coaches, right? Not to fluff you up and tell you how great you are, but to urge you to be better, no matter how good you are. Back-up. Starter. Pro Bowler. Hall of Famer. The best coaches know how to get more out of you. That’s what Fangio is trying to do with every single man on the roster; especially his best player! Otherwise, what is he there for? The Broncos already have a great cheerleading team.
Second, slinging dirt on Elway is a little petty. When you run a football team, you make some hard choices. You take chances. Some of them work, some don’t. Sometimes, really talented guys who you gave a lot of money to in free agency don’t pan out. Pointing at it after it fails is like telling a receiver who just dropped a pass, “C’mon, Jimmy, you’ve got to catch the ball!”
Gee, thanks, coach.
When listening to the The Fan, one might make the mistake of believing that offensive line is the only position on a football field. But there are others! Really, it’s true. There are defensive backs and linebackers and tight ends and receivers and kickers and running backs and even special teamers. Lots of needs. Still, the Broncos did make moves in the offseason and in the draft to shore up the line. They added Graham Glasgow and Lloyd Cushenberry this year, plus Dalton Risner last year. What more do you guys want? (I know, I know, you wanted them to draft a tackle, and they didn’t, and now you’re big-time mad!)
So maybe we wait and see how this all pans out before yelling “Fire!” in the theater?
Elijah Wilkinson might just player better than Ja’Wuan James would have this year. You don’t know. Or maybe someone else will step up. No one knows.
Maybe this will inspire Garett Bolles to be the leader he’s destined to be. Stranger things have happened. There are ripple effects to everything that happens on a football team.
When you spend too much time worrying about one guy, it throws everything else off balance. Now that that’s done, there is resolution where before there was doubt. That alone is worth the empty locker. We roll with who we got.
