Tampa Bay Vipers sign suspended NFL WR Antonio Callaway

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LeoNY
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Tampa Bay Vipers sign suspended NFL WR Antonio Callaway

Post by LeoNY »

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Intriguing move by Tampa. They also recently traded for Stacy Coley from the Renegades.

Callaway was suspended by the NFL twice during the 2019 season. Most recently 10 games for a substance abuse violation.
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MikeMitchell
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Re: Tampa Bay Vipers sign suspended NFL WR Antonio Callaway

Post by MikeMitchell »

It’s a smart move on Callaway’s part. He’s already under NFL suspension. Even if he would have signed with an NFL team. He wouldn’t be able to play. If Callaway has his head on straight. He can really prove himself.

The XFL gives Antonio Callaway the opportunity to rehab his reputation. Setting aside the marijuana stuff. Callaway has had other issues since he was in college. On the field, while extremely talented. He’s an inconsistent player. Callaway will drop easy passes and run poor routes.

From the XFL and Tampa’s perspective. They just added a 4th round draft pick from the 2018 class. Someone who was projected by some to be a first round talent. The Vipers have some good receivers but they don’t have a lot of speed and playmakers at the position.

The XFL’s character policy is being tested with Callaway. Tampa probably needed to get approval from the league office before making this move.
nick1091
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Re: Tampa Bay Vipers sign suspended NFL WR Antonio Callaway

Post by nick1091 »

Agree - very low risk move by the Vipers for a guy that had problems but a lot of talent.

Regarding the character stuff, the substance of it isn't all that different than Will Hill (drafted by STL), except obviously the recent timing.
4th&long
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Re: Tampa Bay Vipers sign suspended NFL WR Antonio Callaway

Post by 4th&long »

MikeMitchell wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2020 11:11 am It’s a smart move on Callaway’s part. He’s already under NFL suspension. Even if he would have signed with an NFL team. He wouldn’t be able to play. If Callaway has his head on straight. He can really prove himself.

The XFL gives Antonio Callaway the opportunity to rehab his reputation. Setting aside the marijuana stuff. Callaway has had other issues since he was in college. On the field, while extremely talented. He’s an inconsistent player. Callaway will drop easy passes and run poor routes.

From the XFL and Tampa’s perspective. They just added a 4th round draft pick from the 2018 class. Someone who was projected by some to be a first round talent. The Vipers have some good receivers but they don’t have a lot of speed and playmakers at the position.

The XFL’s character policy is being tested with Callaway. Tampa probably needed to get approval from the league office before making this move.
The NFL is reviewing its policy on marijuana use especially in states where it is legal. That may be internal justification/loophole used. Being a Gator and only 2 -3 yrs removed from school makes him extra attractive in Florida .

Its getting press too:

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2 ... -callaway/

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/form ... ay-vipers/

https://www.si.com/college/florida/foot ... vipers-xfl

Local:

https://www.tampabay.com/sports/gators/ ... -callaway/

Its definitely worth the signing, NFL player, plenty of press, Florida school playing on FL XFL team. Win, Win, Win.
MGB01
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Re: Tampa Bay Vipers sign suspended NFL WR Antonio Callaway

Post by MGB01 »

Add to that recent UF star, as opposed to Tebow, whose last game as a Gator was the last BCS game on FOX (and Brian Kelly had been the coach at Cincinnati before that game too). If you're going that route it's best not to make people dig through the yearbooks too much
4th&long
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Re: Tampa Bay Vipers sign suspended NFL WR Antonio Callaway

Post by 4th&long »

On a side note the Vipers are advertising on The Pewter Report one of the local TB Bucs news sites.

(likely a rotating ad)

https://www.pewterreport.com/
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