With training camp now underway in Napa, and Martavis Bryant comfortably on the practice field, it’s looking more and more like the Raiders have little to worry about in terms of losing Bryant to a suspension.
Michael Gehlkin, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter who issued the story six weeks ago, briefly added to his report on Twitter saying that the Raiders plan to have Bryant this season and whatever issue there may have been occurred before the Raiders traded for Bryant.
Gehlkin’s timeline seems to contradict NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who reported in June that all was well with Bryant when the wide receiver met at the NFL offices in late April.
To spice up the fun on Friday, The Athletic’s Vic Tafur suggested on Twitter (complete with @ mentions) that Gehlkin should apologize to Bryant for the report. And going back a little farther, remember it was Tafur who basically called the story “click-bait” way back in June.
Beat writers (in this quiet corner of the twittersphere at least) don’t tend to talk trash to each other and now Tafur seems comfortable enough to double down on his assertion that there was never much of a story here to begin with. That’s great news for Gruden and company because the Raiders paid a steep price for Bryant and he figures to be a big part of the offense this season.
Given that Gehlkin is now saying it’s been more than three months since Bryant may or may not have violated conditions of his substance abuse program, any punishment after this much delay would be irresponsible on the league’s part.
But it would be a little naive to put it past them…
twitter: @raidersbeat
punish GheIkin