Quote:I agree completely.


A fan in a bar or on a message board can chime in on any topic and it's his right as a fan.


A media hack can spout nonsense about anything, and that is him being objective. A coach can say something and he's sharing his insight with the public.


But the guys having the most bearing on what happens during the football season, the guys putting their bodies on the line are supposed to " just shut up and play."


It makes zero sense at all.


Know who else used to talk about rushing for 2000 in a season? Fred Taylor. Unlike Chris Johnson, however, he never reached that mark. But even though he is one of a handful of men in NFL history to actually do it, Johnson has to shut up and play.


Despite having salaries that likely dwarfs everyone posting on these message boards, players are still viewed as public chattel.


Players are public figures not public property.