NFL Rumors: ESPN Smith claims Rams working to deal Goff for Watson

ESPN Smith claims insider information on NFL Rumor over Goff/Watson

Now Stephen A. Smith is at it again. Smith claims that he had received an insider tip on Rams assembling package to offer for Watson. In his exact words? ‘A source just texted me that information, that’s not me and my opinion. A source just gave me that information a few minutes ago.’  That was the claim on ESPN’s First Take today by Stephen A. Smith at the 0:07 second mark in the video below.

So what can we make about all this? Well the use of the team ‘source’ is indicative of anyone. It could be someone with the position to know the inner workings of the Rams or Texans organization, a buddy from a local bar, a class project from a neighborhood kindergarten class, or the custodian from the ESPN studios. Now, he is claiming to have insider information about the LA Rams packaging picks and QB Jared Goff to offer the Houston Texans

That’s unlikely. But Smith stated it on the air, so it needs to be addressed.

Shock Jock modus operandi

Stephen A. Smith is a national sports media ‘shock jock’, someone whose reputation is made by voicing controversial opinons about sports teams and sports figures. His history and track record suggest no access to anything closely related to the inner workings of the LA Rams personnell department. But he does have a track record of spitballing vitriol at the LA Rams, and particularly quarterback Jared Goff.

What could be more mean-spirited and cruelly-intended than to claim an ‘unnamed source’ about a trade involving the quarterback of a playoff team preparing for the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs? If you want to stir the pot now, that’s one helluva way to do it.  But there are few critical facts missing. First and foremost, Watson has a no-clause that will need to be cleared by him prior to any deals. Secondly, no playoff team risks dangling their starting quarterback in any trade talks prior to their season being over. So held up to the light, this one fails to cut the mustard.

But we’ll play along. What would it take for the Rams to pry Watson away from the Texans?