Even though professional football appeared to be off to an optimistic start, it only took three weeks for the COVID-19 pandemic to shake up the NFL’s plans. The issue initially appeared to be isolated to the Tennessee Titans as it has spread throughout the Titans’ organization where they have had 23 positive tests since September 24.

In Tennessee, the outbreak appears to be making a turn for the better as there were zero positive tests and the plan to play Sunday was slated to move forward. However, additional team-specific cases have occurred as the Patriots have had three players test positive including QB1, Cam Newton, and star CB, Stephon Gilmore, the Raiders have had at least one positive test, the Jets reported a “presumptive positive” test, and the Chiefs and Bears Practice Squads reported positive cases. The NFL is trying to contain everything by implementing more stringent protocol and all games would be moving forward this week, but, obviously, this is a very fluid situation.

As I wrote last week, a league-wide outbreak, or subsequent outbreaks throughout the season, will likely result in a drawn out and/or staggered season as team’s are put into quarantine and adjusting the schedule could end up being a royal mess.

The MLB just witnessed this issue in their 60-game shortened season as teams were required to play double headers and 7-inning games just to make sure they got to the playoffs in time. The NFL does have the luxury of theoretically playing the season until March, but it would be less than ideal for teams to concentrate games at different times in the season. This is especially true as the league attempts to minimize injury-risk where preventable, such as playing too many games in a short period.

Let’s see how the more strict protocol plays out. I still believe the ideal solution would have been a “bubble-type” scenario where the NFL rented about 4-6 locations for teams to play in order to limit travel and exposure to the disease. We’ve seen it work in the NBA and NHL, which, admittedly, are much smaller enterprises, but scaling it to the NFL’s rosters would have been a nice solution. Technically, the division schedule alignments already cater to this possibility.

Either way, it appears too late to institute that, unless they implement a midseason halt, so let’s hope the remainder of the season goes off without a hitch. More positive tests seem inevitable. Most importantly, even though many of the athletes and coaches may not be of the high-risk section of the population, let’s hope everyone who has contracted the virus is relatively unaffected - including the families.

So, how should the NFL deal with team-specific broken protocol? I personally think Roger Goodell is absolutely abysmal when it comes to disciplinary proceedings as his actions have completely lacked rhyme or reason in the past few years. However, if there is clear broken protocol, something needs to be done to discourage reckless activity such as fines, suspensions, loss of draft picks, etc. (forfeiting games seems somewhat excessive). While it may seem harsh, other leagues that entered the bubble had to make some serious familial and social sacrifices. Thus, the NFL players need to take some accountability.

As we move forward with the season, ProCanes continue to have a presence in the NFL.

Week One ProCane of the Week: DE/Calais Campbell
Week Two ProCane of the Week: WR/Braxton Berrios
Week Three ProCane of the Week: TE/Jimmy Graham
Week Four ProCane of the Week: RB/Travis Homer - While the stats were not incredibly flashy, the second-year RB found the endzone for the first time in his young career. And he did so in a familiar place. Homer caught a short pass across the middle and braced as Dolphins defenders converged. Homer’s homecoming to Hard Rock is surely one he’ll remember for a while.

ProCanes Week Four Highlights:

For Week Four, rookie, DeeJay Dallas, is also developing into essentially the same niche in Seattle as Homer as a role back and special teams coverage guy. After being inactive for the first two weeks, Dallas is starting to get his feet wet as he had 2 rushes and 2 catches for 23 yards, as well as a tackle. For other Seattle ProCanes, Greg Olsen continues be TE1 as he had 5 catches on 7 targets. TEU continues to be well-represented, albeit the numbers have not been all that flashy, as other ageless wonder, Jimmy Graham, has been TE1 in Chicago (and hauled in an impressive one-handed TD score in Thursday Night Football this week), Chris Herndon is carving out the TE role for the Jets, and David Njoku, who scored a TD in week one, is expected to be back in action in Week Five after being placed on the IR.

Speaking of Cleveland ProCanes coming back from injury, DE, Olivier Vernon, was back in action after missing two weeks and showed out in Week Four in the Browns victory over the Cowboys. On 65 Defensive snaps, Vernon recorded three tackles, 1 TFL, and 1 fumble recovery. According to Next Generation Stats, Vernon also had 8 pressures on 44 pass rushes, which equates to an 18.2% success rate. Another ProCane DE, Calais Campbell, continues to impress. Despite playing on the line of scrimmage, Campbell is currently tied for second in the NFL in passes defended at five.

For RBs, ageless wonder, Frank Gore has been RB1 on the Jets, but should anticipate a reduced role as Le’veon Bell is expected back from injury; Duke Johnson has appeared to be dealing with some lingering injury issues as he has had a limited role in the Texans two-headed backfield; and former Cane transfer, Gus Edwards has added a solid element to the Ravens fast-paced RPO attack.

The Chargers lead the league with four active ProCanes featured by LB, Denzel Perryman, who showed efficiency in his 22 Defensive snaps by recording 6 tackles, 1 QBHit, and 1 PD. S, Rayshawn Jenkins, played all 76 snaps and continues to take on a leadership role in the Chargers secondary as he recorded 3 tackles, 1 TFL, and only allowed 2 completions on 7 targets in Week Four.

Another S, Adrian Colbert, who was initially waived by the Chiefs during final cuts has been getting more action with the Giants as he played 43 Defensive Snaps in Week Four. Contrastingly, S, Jamal Carter, finally got an opportunity to play Week Four as he was called up from the Falcons’ Practice Squad and recorded four tackles. However, Carter was released thereafter as he allowed four receptions on four targets, committed two costly penalties, and registered a poor 25.6 PFF grade.

For the men on the OL, Dolphins, Ereck Flowers, has been a stable presence after a career that started off slowly. Jaguars Center and Captain, Brandon Linder, continues to deal with injuries but OL, KC McDermott, played his second straight NFL game after his debut in Week Three, albeit in a very limited role.

2020 Rookie DE, Jonathan Garvin, continues to get more exposure with Defensive Snaps with the Packers as fellow rookies, K.J. Osborn and Shaquille Quarterman, get Special Teams action for the Vikings and Jaguars, respectively.

Week Five Projected ProCane of the Week: DE/Calais Campbell - As the Ravens get a favorable matchup against Bengals, Campbell should be expected to wreak havoc on rookie QB, Joe Burrow, and a young and developing Bengals’ OL.

Week Five Games and Stats:
Thursday Night Recap:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) 19 @ Chicago Bears (4-1) 20

ProCanes Updates
Bears:
TE Jimmy Graham - Week Four: 4 catches on 5 targets for 33 yards; Week Five: 3 catches on 5 targets for 33 yards and 1 TD
S Deon Bush - Week Four: 5 Defensive Snaps, 22 ST Snaps; Week Five: Inactive
P Pat O’Donnell - Week Four: 7 punts, 44.7 yards/punt, 62-yard long, 2 inside 20; Week Five: 5 punts, 45.6 yards/punt, 59-yard long, 3 inside 20
RB Lamar Miller - Practice Squad
CB Artie Burns - Injured Reserve (Season)

Sunday Games:

Carolina Panthers (2-2) (+3.5) @ Atlanta Falcons (0-4)

ProCanes Updates Week Four
Panthers:
CB Corn Elder - 25 Defensive Snaps, 14 ST Snaps, one tackle
Falcons:
DE Allen Bailey - 23 Defensive Snaps, one tackle
S Jamal Carter - (Signed from Practice Squad), 31 Defensive Snaps, 5 tackles

Buffalo Bills (4-0) (-1.0) @ Tennessee Titans (3-0)

ProCanes Updates Week Four
Bills:
S Jaquan Johnson - 16 ST Snaps
OL Jon Feliciano - Injured Reserve (Season)

Las Vegas Raiders (2-2) (+12.5) @ Kansas City Chiefs (3-0)

ProCanes Updates Week Four
Chiefs:
OL Danny Isidora - Practice Squad

Cincinnati Bengals (2-1) (+13.0) @ Baltimore Ravens (3-1)

ProCanes Updates Week Four
Ravens:
DE Calais Campbell - 4 Tackles, 2 QBHits, 1 PD
RB Gus Edwards (transferred to Rutgers) - 22 Offensive Snaps, 9 Rushes for 38 Yards

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3) (+6.5) @ Houston Texans (0-4)

ProCanes Updates Week Four
Jaguars:
OL Brandon Linder - Inactive
OL KC McDermott - 6 ST Snaps
LB Shaquille Quarterman - 1 Tackle, 17 ST Snaps
Texans:
RB Duke Johnson - 5 rushes for 24 yards; 3 catches for 21 yards

Miami Dolphins (1-3) (+3.5) @ San Francisco 49ers (2-2)

ProCanes Updates Week Four
Dolphins:
OL Ereck Flowers - Started all 71 snaps (56.9 Overall PFF Grade)
OL Tyler Gauthier - Practice Squad
WR Allen Hurns - Opted Out
49ers:
WR Travis Benjamin - Opted Out

Indianapolis Colts (3-1) (Pick) @ Cleveland Browns (3-1)

ProCanes Updates Week Four
Browns:
DE Olivier Vernon - 3 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 FR, 65 Defensive Snaps (return from injury)
S Sheldrick Redwine - 16 ST Snaps
DE Joe Jackson - 1 tackle on 21 Defensive Snaps
TE David Njoku - Injured Reserve (projected to return Week Five)
Colts:
DE Al-Quadin Muhamad - 1 tackle on 32 Defensive Snaps

New York Giants (0-4) (+9.5) @ Dallas Cowboys (1-3)

ProCanes Updates Week Four
Giants:
S Adrian Colbert - 2 tackles on 43 Defensive Snaps
DT RJ McIntosh - Inactive

Denver Broncos (1-3) (+8.5) @ New England Patriots (2-1)

ProCanes Updates Week Four
Broncos:
LB Anthony Chickillo - 1 tackle on 33 Defensive Snaps
Patriots:
CB Michael Jackson Sr. - Practice Squad
LB Michael Pinckney - Practice Squad

Arizona Cardinals (2-2) @ New York Jets (0-4)

ProCanes Updates Week Four
Jets:
RB Frank Gore - 13 rushes for 30 yards, 1 catch for 6 yards
WR Braxton Berrios - 3 targets, no catches
TE Chris Herndon - 1 catch for 11 yards on 3 targets
WR Lawrence Cager (transferred to UGA) - 2 targets, no catches

Philadelphia Eagles (1-2-1) (+7.0) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0)

ProCanes Updates Week Four
None.

Los Angeles Rams (3-1) (+9.0) @ Washington Football Team (1-3)

ProCanes Updates Week Four
None.

Sunday Night Football:

Minnesota Vikings (1-3) (+7.5) @ Seattle Seahawks (4-0)

ProCanes Updates Week Four
Seahawks:
TE Greg Olsen - 5 catches on 7 targets for 35 yards
RB DeeJay Dallas - 2 rushes for 8 yards; 2 catches for 15 yards, 1 tackle (11 Offensive Snaps)
RB Travis Homer - 4 rushes for 5 yards; 1 catch for 3 yards and a TD, 1 tackle (17 Offensive Snaps)
WR Phillip Dorsett - Inactive
Vikings:
WR K.J. Osborn - 18 ST Snaps at PR/KR

Monday Night Football:

Los Angeles Chargers (1-3) (+8.0) @ New Orleans Saints (2-2)

ProCanes Updates Week Four
Chargers:
K Michael Badgley - 1/2 FGM/FGA (made 53-yarder; missed 47-yarder); 4/4 XP
S Rayshawn Jenkins - 3 tackles, 1 TFL, only allowed 2 completions on 7 targets (played all 76 Defensive Snaps)
LB Denzel Perryman - 6 tackles, 1 QBHit, 1 PD on 22 Defensive Snaps
OL Tyree St. Louis - played 1 OL Snap

Green Bay Packers (4-0): Bye Week

ProCanes Updates Week Four
Packers:
DE Jonathan Garvin - 24 Defensive Snaps

Other News:

Frank Gore Latest Philanthropic Mission: Miami native, Gore, who continues to get action in the NFL in his 16th season, continues to help in many ways on and off the field. Gore has always given back to his hometown, which included helping out the Coconut Grove Cowboys in 2018. Since January, Gore has gone back to his roots in a mission called Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade to provide critical repairs for nine homes in Miami’s West Coconut Grove neighborhood to help people in need and help revitalize communities. With age, Gore continues to get and do better all around.