First Call: Coronavirus crisis may keep Raiders in Oakland; Tom Brady’s options narrowing; Xavier Johnson staying at Pitt

In “First Call” for Monday, we defend the NFL’s decision to move forward with the start of its league year. Coronavirus may impact the Raiders’ ability to move to Las Vegas on time. And potential landing spots for Tom Brady are disappearing.

Look a little deeper

The NFL took heat from social media virtue signalers in recent days.

“How can the NFL go about its business and start the league year at a time like this!?”

Well, easily. Because business can be done over the phone and via computer. One thing the coronavirus doesn’t do is infect your WiFi or the signal from your mobile device.

At least not that the CDC has told us about.

Yet. I wouldn’t rule that out.

Until that day comes, though, I see no problem with the NFL starting its league year on time Wednesday.

The Twitter-shamers disagree because of, you know, “optics.”

Whatever that means.

I do understand NFL free agency does not require public gatherings and contact, and I do understand it would be a welcome relief, but I can't see it next week. Sports world has shut down, many teams sent home, optics, etc. And there is no urgency to having it now. #coronavirus

— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) March 13, 2020

The NFL had a benefit other leagues did not: Its season is not underway or imminent. Any adjustments would not come at the same cost. Despite that, the NFL is moving forward with what looks a lot more like defiance than prudence: https://t.co/cF6g7BPmLI

— Jenny Vrentas (@JennyVrentas) March 16, 2020

The NFL keeps saying (and the media keeps reporting) that there are "no plans" to delay free agency. Those plans are expected to change on Sunday. Those plans should change now.https://t.co/VarEPtUrvc

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 13, 2020

Turns out, however, at least according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the NFL Players Association, not the league, wanted the season to start on time.

NFL says NFLPA would not provide consent to move league year, per source.

NFLPA says: No one is traveling anyway. It’s not football activity, it’s deals. Everyone is working remotely. Let’s do our business remotely. And this could get worse before it gets better. So do it now.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2020

First of all, this is obviously spin from the league to shine up their image from those hits as the only major pro sports league still running close to normal.

As if it is the league’s fault covid-19 hit at a time when its games were not being played.

And, boy, it’s convenient that the decision is being made to look like the players’ call now that the collective bargaining agreement has been signed. Right?

Again, the “optics” of such a leak could’ve poisoned the discussions before the deal got signed.

But now, who cares? The deal is done! Throw responsibility at the NFLPA’s feet.

That said, I don’t blame either ownership or the labor side for wanting to get the process going. In particular, players who are about to become free agents.

Especially, as Schefter points out, if things are about to get worse before they get better. These guys want to know where they can sign before the league goes totally dark for Lord knows how long.

Similarly, the teams within the league want to know about the cap space they may have and their roster constructions.

Abundance of caution is one thing. Sacrificing practicality in the name of safety when safety isn’t even a concern is another.

That’s utterly unnecessary, despite the constant attempts of the social media preeners who always want to be holier than thou.

Elsewhere in “First Call”

• ProFootballTalk.com is suggesting that the coronavirus crisis might slow construction on the Raiders’ new stadium in Las Vegas. That could make the Raiders go back to Oakland for another season. The Chargers and Rams may have to stay in their current Los Angeles stadiums, too.

• The window of teams is closing for free agent quarterback Tom Brady. The Tennessee Titans signed Ryan Tannehill. And now, according to Chris Simms of NBC Sports, you can put those rumors of San Francisco as a destination to rest, too. A lot of people are starting to think it’s Tampa Bay or back to New England for Brady.

• Pitt guard Ryan Murphy is transferring after just one season with the Panthers. But Xavier Johnson announced that he is staying in Oakland.

• The coronavirus has found its way into the NHL. Not with a player. But a member of the Vancouver Canucks front office has tested positive.