The consistently said their strategies for Bowden were long term.” Some at the group facility believed the rookie was more concerned with choosing up new vehicles than the playbook, and on the field Bowden looked measured and not explosive.” Let me make a couple of points,” Mayock stated of the trade of Bowden. The only thing that truly makes sense is that Bowden was traded for * mostly * on-field reasons, but theres just too much smoke for there not to be some fire in terms of character fit. It wouldnt be the expert or classy relocation to take parting shots at Bowden by validating any kind of character claims.
In the end, fans are provided their choice of what to believe, which is aggravating however somewhat expected. Mayocks hands are tied. It would not be the sophisticated or expert relocate to take parting shots at Bowden by validating any sort of character accusations.
Soon a report in The Athletic comprehensive issues the team allegedly had with Bowdens character and off field events. This paragraph in particular stood apart from the piece.
Mayock said “he was not able to play today” and based upon what I saw in camp, that statement is precise. They attempted him all over the location and appeared to have actually discovered a much better option in each case.
This would recommend Bowden was out on the town in Vegas absorbing the high life or something. Bowden basically rejected that was the case in a tweet, saying to “Dont think everything you check out” as well as that he only left his home twice since showing up in Las Vegas.
His account of things was seemingly supported by Raiders General Manager Mike Mayock Sunday over teleconference.
” Let me make a couple of points,” Mayock stated of the trade of Bowden. “Number one; it was a football decision just. Character, off-the-field, the kid did absolutely nothing wrong. We did all our research on the kid, off the field, he worked his tail off, he concerned work every day. This was completely a football choice, it had nothing to do with anything else. Rather honestly I believe the position modification is a hard one in any year. However its exaggerated in a COVID year with no offseason. Youre taking a kid that was a slot receiver in 18, a quarterback in 19 and asking him to play running back in 20. Actually the only other thing Im going to say about it is it was my call. He was not able to play today at the level expected and because of that we seemed like we had to make a relocation. And once again, its 100% on me.”.
Do not believe whatever you check out lol I stepped outside of my home two times if that on to a brand-new journey lets rock.
— Lynn Bowden Jr (@LynnBowden_1) September 6, 2020.
This is, as Mayock noted, 100% on him. They prepared an athlete and attempted to make him into something he was not. And maybe something about their perception of his character suggested to them that he wasnt worth investing their time to develop him. They cut bait and took a loss instead of a lineup area.
I think with anything like this, there are 2 sides and the reality lies somewhere in between. The only thing that really makes sense is that Bowden was traded for * mainly * on-field reasons, however theres simply excessive smoke for there not to be some fire in regards to character fit. Or at really least a concern about future problems due to the fact that of character.
” Some at the group center thought the rookie was more interested in getting brand-new cars and trucks than the playbook, and on the field Bowden looked measured and not explosive. On top of an absence of breakaway speed, he was constantly getting blasted when it was his turn to pass block. There were also some growing issues that he was getting increasingly more sidetracked in Las Vegas which he might be an influence on other novices like Henry Ruggs III and Damon Arnette.”
Mayock discusses he knew what they were asking Bowden to do was not easy. So, if all else was copasetic, why not enable him the time to either end up being the Joker” receiver you visualized him to be, or move him back to receiver?
No relocation on Saturday was consulted with more shock than the Raiders trading third round rookie Lynn Bowden Jr before he might ever set foot on the field. And rightfully so, due to the fact that it just seldom happens that a group provides up on a top day two prepared gamer before ever actually seeing him play.
Away, it appeared like there had to be more at play here. The team understood from the minute they drafted him that he was a project. The regularly stated their strategies for Bowden were long term. They would start him out as a running back, with a number of functions including as a return specialist, and eventually he would be a Joker receiver.