Joe Mixon's Rehab Effort Is Working

[nctarheel0619]

In a recent meeting with an NFL franchise, Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon was asked a simple question: Why did you do it? 

Mixon's answer, a team official told Bleacher Report, was contemplative and thoughtful. And while the official wouldn't tell B/R exactly what Mixon said, he felt Mixon's answer was sincere.

Mixon's willingness in recent weeks to address the character issues that have swirled around him after he was caught on video punching a woman in the face has transformed his image, according to that team official. Not just within that team, but around much of the league.

Indeed, people around the NFL now tell me Mixon is moving up draft boards.

It's long been believed that Mixon, like Ray Rice, would suffer because his assault was caught on video, and that video would embarrass any team that drafted him. Thus, he either wouldn't be drafted or he'd be selected late. Several team officials say at least four franchises have removed Mixon from their draft boards.

But the narrative around Mixon seems to be changing.

Now, remember the first and only rule of Draft Club: Everyone lies about Draft Club. So if team officials say Mixon's draft stock is rising, well, it may not be.

But in this case, I believe Mixon's rise is accurate. He seems to be impressing teams with his sincerity. Teams that once feared taking him are no longer as scared to do so.

Not only is his draft stock improving, but some teams say no player is moving up draft boards faster than Mixon. Apparently he's checking every box as he meets with various franchises.

Mixon might now go as high as the second round. Some even believe the late first round is in play. (Still, remember the first rule of Draft Club.) 

There are still teams who are highly uncomfortable with Mixon being drafted at all, let alone in higher rounds. Some of these teams are outraged by the idea of a team selecting a player who hit a woman. No one is saying he shouldn't be allowed to play in the NFL. They just don't want him drafted.

The league office is watching this situation closely. They may deny this, but based on interviews I've done, the NFL doesn't want Mixon drafted either, feeling it would undermine the league's efforts to curb violence against women.

To some in football, what happens with Mixon is a test. Rice was once a line—a video line—few in the NFL thought would ever be crossed again. No one thought a player caught committing an act of violence on video would ever have a career in football.

It's possible Mixon may move that line.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2697592-mike-freemans-10-point-stance-joe-mixons-draft-stock-is-surprisingly-rising

 

But, but, I was told by the Huddle's moral police he wouldn't get Drafted.  

@15

[therealmjl]

Not happening 

[GoobyPls]

He's easily the third most talented back behind Fournette and Cook.

[Proudiddy]

And sadly, despite being the one who was physically assaulted first, his contrition still won't put him on our board.  But, we're not alone.  McShay said this morning that he thinks only 6 or 7 teams are legitimately even considering drafting him, ANYWHERE.

[nctarheel0619]

1 minute ago, Proudiddy said:

And sadly, despite being the one who was physically assaulted first, his contrition still won't put him on our board.  But, we're not alone.  McShay said this morning that he thinks only 6 or 7 teams are legitimately even considering drafting him, ANYWHERE.

McShay has been wrong about every pick in his Drafts but the top 2 forever.  I don't think he seriously knows anything.  

[Proudiddy]

Just now, nctarheel0619 said:

McShay has been wrong about every pick in his Drafts but the top 2 forever.  I don't think he seriously knows anything.  

Good point. It does seem like he is really just guessing, but just another opinion to consider I guess.  I still don't think we are interested in him at all, and I doubt we even so much as had a scout look his direction at the combine interviews or OU's pro day.

Honestly, the scenario i was discussing in the other thread about trading back...  Mixon is the ideal kind of guy I would want to make that deal for.  It would be an absolute steal and he's more of a featured back than McCaffrey is or will be, and is still more than capable of contributing in the passing game.

[imminent rogaine]

He isn't coming here but he is prob the best back for our current system. That said, our current system blows and I still hope we change our system and pull in a power back.

[caatfan]

9 minutes ago, nctarheel0619 said:

But, but, I was told by the Huddle's morale police he wouldn't get Drafted.  

Did you mean: moral police ?

[Vagrant]

16 minutes ago, Proudiddy said:

And sadly, despite being the one who was physically assaulted first, his contrition still won't put him on our board.  But, we're not alone.  McShay said this morning that he thinks only 6 or 7 teams are legitimately even considering drafting him, ANYWHERE.

Listen smart guy, "physically assaulted first" is probably one of the most hilariously dumb things. Have you ever heard of anything called proportional reaction to a threat? If a child comes up and shoves you in the leg, you can't legally punt the kid across the room. Why? Because your response was not proportional to the level of threat you encountered. Self defense only applies when you feel there is a real danger and the only option that remains is to act first so that you're not physically harmed. Do you believe Joe Mixon was under any form of threat in that video? Can you watch it and say "Yeah, he was in danger. That was a reasonable reaction." If not, it's not self defense. You're talking about a full grown freak athlete giving his best punch to a woman. There's no reason someone raised properly would do that. None. 

If this dude couldn't run fast, 80% of the Huddle would want him lynched. Instead, we're sitting here arguing on if he should have the honor to put the jersey on for this team and say he's a Panther. Seriously. If you posted this video without context in other parts of the forum and nobody had any idea who Joe Mixon was, people would be saying "thug shouldn't ever see freedom again" and "if that was my sister, I would have killed that boy." Now you want to cheer for him. Interesting choice. 

[imminent rogaine]

9 minutes ago, caatfan said:

Did you mean: moral police ?

Did you mean Morel Police?

[jumpman910]

Good for Mixon, all he has to do is bring Dede along with him to his next rehab session. 

[countryboi]

I think Mixon maybe equal or even more talented than Cook but his past is going to be a very hard sell here in Carolina.

[nctarheel0619]

14 minutes ago, Vagrant said:

we're sitting here arguing on if he should have the honor to put the jersey on for this team and say he's a Panther.

It would be an honor to watch good guy Joe Mixon in a Panthers jersey.  This woman hit him first, and spit on him.  To make matters worse, she's gotten a DUI, and two other priors on here.  But all we hear about is, "he hit a woman."  Well, she hit him first.  Don't put your hands on another person, if you don't want a counter reaction.  Simple as that.  

[Vagrant]

7 minutes ago, nctarheel0619 said:

It would be an honor to watch good guy Joe Mixon in a Panthers jersey.  This woman hit him first, and spit on him.  To make matters worse, she's gotten a DUI, and two other priors on here.  But all we hear about is, "he hit a woman."  Well, she hit him first.  Don't put your hands on another person, if you don't want a counter reaction.  Simple as that.  

Nice bait. Not taking it. My previous post addressed this drivel.