FanPost

Noles in the NFL Week 11: Here We Go Again

In case you haven't heard, Jameis Winston is in the news again, this time for an incident that allegedly occurred in March, 2016. As BuzzFeed reported, he's been accused of groping an Uber driver while in the drive-through of a Mexican restaurant in Scottsdale, Arizona. The driver in question reported it to Uber at the time, and they apparently suspended his account. She came forward with her story publicly just recently, at a time when women (and men), inspired by the Harvey Weinstein scandal, are coming forward in significant numbers to publicly name celebrities that allegedly sexually assaulted them. The NFL is now investigating.

Jameis has released a denial of the accusations through his representatives and on Twitter, saying that the story was inaccurate, there were actually three passengers in the car, he was in the backseat, and nothing happened (but apologizing if the driver felt uncomfortable). Since then, Ronald Darby has come forward, stating that he was in the back seat with Jameis and that nothing happened.

So Jameis has been accused of unwanted sexual contact and Ronald Darby is his alibi. That sounds mighty familiar. If Chris Casher turns up with a freshly erased phone camera, I give up.

I see five possibilities, listed in order from best for Jameis to worst:

  1. The driver completely made this up. I find this hard to believe given the only action she originally took was to complain to Uber about him. Had she wanted to really punish him for some reason, getting his Uber canceled is pretty tame. If she really knew who he was and was plotting to get money from him, coming forward while he was still litigating the rape case he was accused of would have been the right timing instead of sitting on it until now.
  2. The driver was mixed up and actually took two separate rides from that party, and has the other ride mixed up with Jameis. It could happen -- obviously someone who's just been groped could be flustered enough to get the details mixed up and had this other ride mixed up with Jameis. However, given that Uber has electronic record of who called each time, this seems highly unlikely.
  3. This occurred in the ride that Jameis took, but the driver was mixed up in the details. Whoever was in the front seat may have made the inappropriate contact and the driver thought that the person in the front seat was Jameis (it sounds like she has little to no knowledge of the NFL). Jameis and Ronald may not remember anything untoward happening because they were distracted and/or inebriated enough to not have a clear recollection. This is plausible, and it doesn't speak well to the company that Jameis and Ronald keep.
  4. The driver has the details correct, but misinterpreted the contact in some way. For example, if this was in a drive-through, Jameis might have leaned in to talk to someone, hand over cash/card, or take his food and steadied himself with a hand on her leg, resulting in the unwanted contact. However, he's now lying to defend himself against the accusations and has gotten Ronald to lie for him as well.
  5. The driver is completely correct, and Jameis fondled her and is now lying about it and got Ronald to lie about it.
To me, the third possibility is the most plausible as it requires the least amount of brazen lying on the part of all parties involved. I imagine we'll learn more as the investigation continues. At the very least, there's an alleged third person from the car that has yet to be named. In the meantime, this speaks to the wisdom for celebrities to use public ride sharing services rather than dedicated private car services.

I hope that Jameis and Ronald are telling the truth. However, even then there are issues, and each situation like this that arises wears away at however much credibility they have left.

Big Performances Last Week

Nick O'Leary scored his first NFL touchdown last week. Congrats, NOL!

This wouldn't have been impressive a few years ago, but Graham Gano was perfect on 7 kicks, with 6 of them extra points in the Panthers' blowout of the Dolphins Monday night.

Telvin Smith had his usual stellar performance, racking up nine tackles with a couple of stuffs.

Injury and Depth Chart Updates

The Noles are relatively healthy (except for those on injured reserve), with only Jameis (continuing to be out with his shoulder injury) and Devonta Freeman (still recovering from the concussion he suffered last week) on the report.

Chris Thompson has arguably been the man in the Washington backfield all season, but now he's the veteran leader of the RB corps, as usual starter Rob Kelley is out for the remainder of the season.

Storylines to Watch

Vince Williams played Thursday night and had a stellar evening as the Steelers shellacked the Titans.

The Eagles' four Noles will be on full display as they take on a hobbled Dallas team tonight.

Lamarcus Joyner and Xavier Rhodes will have a DB-off as the Rams visit the Vikings.

And now for The Table. I'm actually at home today, and will update status and stats throughout the day. Depth chart information pulled from OurLads.com while injury report information is pulled from CBS Sports.

Player Team Position Week 11 Status Week 11 Stats Season Stats
Devonta Freeman Atlanta Falcons Running Back Starter
Out (concussion)
Inactive 116 carries, 536 yards (long: 44), 5 TDs, 19 catches, 136 yards (long: 18), 24 targets, 1 tackle (1 solo)
Kelvin Benjamin Buffalo Bills Wide Receiver Starter 1 catch, 20 yards, 1 target 35 catches, 517 yards (long: 43), 2 TD, 57 targets
1 Inactive
Nick O'Leary Buffalo Bills Tight End Backup (2nd string) 1 catch, 8 yards, 3 targets 15 catches, 228 yards (long: 32), 1 TD, 21 targets, 1 fumble, 1 fumble lost, 1 tackle (1 solo)
Graham Gano Carolina Panthers Place kicker Starter Bye 20/21 FG (long: 48), 21/22 XP
Roberto Aguayo Carolina Panthers Place kicker Practice Squad Bye
Christian Jones Chicago Bears Linebacker Backup (2nd string) 8 tackles (6 solo, 1 sack, 1 TFL), 1 QB hit 56 tackles (36 solo, 1 TFL), 1 PD, 1 QB hit, 1 fumble recovery
Eddie Goldman Chicago Bears Defensive Lineman Starter 2 tackles (2 solo, 1 TFL), 1 QB hit 27 tackles (19 solo, 1.5 sack, 2 TFL), 3 QB hits
Levonte Whitfield Cincinnati Bengals Wide Receiver Practice Squad
Roderick Johnson Cleveland Browns Offensive Tackle Injured Reserve
Marquez White Dallas Cowboys Cornerback Practice Squad
DeMarcus Walker Denver Broncos Outside Linebacker Backup (2nd string) Inactive 2 tackles (2 solo), 1 QB hit
3 Inactive
Menelik Watson Denver Broncos Offensive Tackle Injured Reserve 2 tackle (2 solo)
Inactive
Jalen Ramsey Jacksonville Jaguars Cornerback Starter 6 tackles (4 solo), 1 PD 30 tackles (26 solo), 13 PD, 2 INT, 16 yards (long: 15)
Rashad Greene Sr. Jacksonville Jaguars Wide Receiver Injured Reserve
Telvin Smith Jacksonville Jaguars Linebacker Starter 5 tackles (3 solo), 1 PD, 1 INT, 26 yards, 1 fumble recovery, 1 TD 71 tackles (54 solo, 1 sack, 11 TFL), 4 PD, 2 QB hits, 2 INT, 30 yards (long: 28), 1 TD, 1 fumble recovery
Cameron Erving Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Tackle Backup (2nd string)
Terrance Smith Kansas City Chiefs Linebacker Backup (3rd string) 3 tackle (3 solo)
Ukeme Eligwe Kansas City Chiefs Linebacker Backup (3rd string) 2 tackle (2 solo)
1 Inactive
Lamarcus Joyner Los Angeles Rams Safety Starter 4 tackles (4 solo), 1 PD 25 tackles (19 solo), 4 PD, 2 INT, 58 yards (long: 29), 1 TD
3 Inactive
Lawrence Timmons Miami Dolphins Linebacker Starter 6 tackles (5 solo) 49 tackles (33 solo, 4 TFL), 2 PD, 2 QB hits
1 Inactive, 1 suspension
Dalvin Cook Minnesota Vikings Running Back Injured Reserve 74 carries, 354 yards (long: 33), 2 TD, 11 catches, 90 yards (long: 36), 16 targets, 1 fumble
Xavier Rhodes Minnesota Vikings Cornerback Starter 2 tackles (2 solo) 26 tackles (20 solo, 1 TFL), 5 PD, 1 INT, 2 yards
P.J. Williams New Orleans Saints Cornerback Backup (2nd string) 8 tackles (5 solo) 24 tackles (15 solo, 0.5 TFL), 4 PD, 1 INT, 7 yards
Bobby Hart New York Giants Offensive Tackle Starter 1 tackle (1 solo)
2 Inactives
Travis Rudolph New York Giants Wide Receiver Backup (2nd string) 3 catches, 34 yards (long: 19), 6 targets 3 catches, 32 yards (long: 15), 7 target
1 Inactive
Terrence Brooks New York Jets Safety Backup (2nd string) Bye 8 tackles (6 solo), 3 PD, 3 QB hits, 2 INT, 13 yards (long: 13)
1 Inactive
EJ Manuel Oakland Raiders Quarterback Backup (2nd string) 24/43, 265 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 2 carries, 15 yards (long: 10)
Mario Edwards Jr. Oakland Raiders Defensive End Starter 26 tackles (19 solo, 3.5 sacks, 5 TFL), 9 QB hits
Rodney Hudson Oakland Raiders Center Starter 1 tackle (1 solo), 1 fumble, 1 fumble recovery
Sebastian Janikowski Oakland Raiders Place kicker Injured Reserve
Nigel Bradham Philadelphia Eagles Linebacker Starter 6 tackles (4 solo), 1 fumble recovery, 1 TD 50 tackles (34 solo, 1 sack, 3 TFL), 4 PD, 3 QB hits
Patrick Robinson Philadelphia Eagles Cornerback Backup (2nd string) 5 tackles (4 solo), 1 PD 29 tackles (24 solo, 3 TFL), 11 PD, 3 INT, 17 yards (long: 17)
Ronald Darby Philadelphia Eagles Cornerback Starter 8 tackles (8 solo), 2 PD, 1 INT, 5 yards 1 tackle (1 solo)
8 Inactive
Tim Jernigan Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Tackle Starter 4 tackles (1 solo, 1 sack, 1 TFL), 1 QB hit 17 tackles (11 solo, 1.5 sacks, 7.5 TFL), 6 QB hits
Vince Williams Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker Starter 7 tackles (6 solo, 1 sack, 2 TFL), 3 QB hits 47 tackles (37 solo, 5 sacks, 6 TFL), 6 QB hits
Dekoda Watson San Francisco 49ers Linebacker Backup (2nd string) Bye 7 tackles (5 solo)
2 Inactive
Tank Carradine San Francisco 49ers Defensive End Injured Reserve Bye 7 tackles (5 solo, 1 sack, 1 TFL), 3 QB hits
Garrison Sanborn Tampa Bay Buccaneers Long Snapper Starter
Jameis Winston Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterback Starter
Out (shoulder)
Inactive 159/259, 1382 yards, 10 TD, 6 INT, 15 carries, 51 yards (long: 9), 8 fumbles, 2 fumble lost, 1 tackle (1 solo)
1 Inactive
Javien Elliott Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cornerback Backup (3rd string) 3 tackles (3 solo)
1 Inactive
Jesus Wilson Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wide Receiver Practice Squad
Chris Thompson Washington Redskins Running Back/Kick Returner Starter/Starter 4 carries, 17 yards (long: 16), 1 catch, 16 yards, 1 TD, 1 target 60 carries, 277 yards (long: 61), 2 TDS, 38 catches, 494 yards (long: 74), 3 TD, 53 targets, 3 fumble, 2 fumble lost, 8 returns, 165 yards (long: 29)
Dustin Hopkins Washington Redskins Place kicker Injured Reserve 9/11 FG (long: 48), 12/13 XP
Chris Casher x-Free Agent Linebacker
Freddie Stevenson x-Free Agent Fullback
Giorgio Newberry x-Free Agent Defensive End
Josue Matias x-Free Agent Guard
Kareem Are x-Free Agent Guard
Letroy Guion x-Free Agent Defensive Tackle
Marvin Bracy x-Free Agent Wide Receiver
Reggie Northrup x-Free Agent Linebacker
Rodney Smith x-Free Agent Wide Receiver

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