NFL: Raiders WR Antonio Brown protests fines for absences

What a shame that the "Hard Knocks" series on HBO has concluded. Not just because some viewers can't get enough of ever-entertaining Oakland coach Jon Gruden, but that the Antonio Brown subplot appears to be never-ending.

The terrific wide receiver, captain of the NFL's all-diva team, has indicated his outrage via Instagram over being fined for missing a walk-through without permission. He was hit for $13,950, in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement and team policy.

Brown's somewhat incoherent response, super-imposed on a copy of the letter sent to him by Raiders general manager Mike Mayock explaining the fine: "When your own team want to hate, but there's no stopping me now devil is a lie. Everyone got to pay this year so we clear."

Brown's bank account already had been lightened by $40,000 for a prior training camp absence, and he received fair warning that more no-shows would not be tolerated.

Other franchises often conveniently forget issued fines to stay on a player's good side, particularly those related to holdouts over contract disputes. (Example: Will the Cowboys dock Ezekiel Elliott for all of the time missed?)

It is striking to see Oakland take a hard line with its newly acquired star. To use a time-worn cliche, Mayock and Gruden are striving to change the culture, which has soured in Raiders-land.

At a recent news conference, Mayock pointedly asked Brown, through the media, whether he is "all-in or all-out." Based on Brown's latest jab, it appears he stands somewhere in between, as he has all summer with issues ranging from frostbitten feet to objections with the helmet he is required to wear.

Surely Mayock is peeved that what would be considered a private interaction was shared by Brown with the masses. Player-management beefs are expected to remain in-house.

Fortunately for the GM, the tone of the letter was hardly mean, even as it threatened Brown with further fines if he continued to operate like a gig economy worker instead of an employee.

It began with "Dear Antonio."

It ended with, "Sincerely, Mike Mayock."

The Raiders remain one-point favorites for their season opener Monday against the Denver Broncos.