Carey

As I sorta hoped for, Coach Belichick does have to wait forever! Though it is vexatious that he has to wait 12 months more than what should've been the case IMO. It is sorta similar to his "mentor" where if one goes back to coaching, the entry into Canton resets. Personally (and at his age) it is silly that they can't put the most accomplished HC in right now, let alone the fact that he isn't in there already

Well, there goes the sorta made up Golf Triple Crown! While I thought of someone winning each of the FedEx events within a calendar year in the past, I actually didn't think or expect Hideki to win the BMW. Still a great event; while I'm not expecting Scottie to win the Tour Championship with ease, I didn't think I'd see the most recent Gold Medal winner struggle this week

Harbaugh Out As Michigan Honorary Captain Meh. I guess it's the right call, and for what someone knows is the real reason, if applicable. Not sure if there was any need to mention an NFL conflict, since the league is off during that first week of College Football action. As mentioned elsewhere, former ESPN College Football Analysts RGIII and Samantha Ponder are out at ESPN. I'm not going to re-link the source as I've already done so in the NFL thread, in which both were a big part of the ESPN NFL coverage there. While I'm not a fan of either one, I didn't lose sleep when they were both booted from the "worldwide leader" last week. Unless I'm missing something, Sam Ponder pretty much only was on television for 3 hours a week over the course of the past half decade, and just during the football season. Not a big loss. Meanwhile, which Robert was replaced for MNF, I'm not a big fan of his dismissal for CFB. I'm not in the camp of, "He's totally going to unseat Herbie!" but he was pretty valuable for the sport. Those FSU comments didn't help TBH

I think it's Cooperstown-bound for the 40-year old. It's too bad he didn't play for a better organization since it would've been pretty neat to see him accomplish something big. However, the personal accomplishments are there, and that says something. A significant something to be honest.

I think the latter is fair enough. What would be better would be a lesser fine, but at least he wasn't suspended

The good news is that Williams will get a free pass if things don't work out this year. Imagine if/when they give him an offensive HC by Year 2. Decent things to come for Chicago. Unlike Pittsburgh, whose football team is now secure in the same category as its baseball team (and maybe even its hockey team). That would be an ownership change. Carolina despite the owner is still closer to a title than Pittsburgh, coincidentally speaking. It'll take another year or two, and too bad their HC will not survive it, but I do think they'll get a first round pick for 2025. It's just not going to be as special as Caleb

IMO, MLB could have announced Chicago as being "out of postseason contention" a month ago. Apologies for the upcoming triple negative, but an announcement of that nature would have been correct in advance; I guess there's always a chance to win out. From there, MLB would not have been right, but it's not like they haven't been wrong before

New York didn't extend Randle as of present time, did they? If Dolan feels the need to be more involved than he was not too long ago, it might be a safe or decent bet that they will fall flat on their faces. But not before "falling with the faces bouncing on the floor" a ton of times before settling there. Every night

Robert Griffin & Sam Ponder have both been fired

Is there anyway to sue MLB for conduct detrimental to the well being of some of the best players that help make their sport a success?

Dallas should finish in 4th place in their division, but unfortunately, it doesn't look like a legitimate outcome

If a dumpster was a baseball fan & could talk...the ability to watch television would be amazing. Up until the level where it turned on the TV, saw the Pirates, and said, "Man, that is the ugliest dumpster I've ever seen in my life."

To be honest, it's time to do away with the preseason, period. Something I've said every season before the dawn of time, I think. Just make August NFL meaningful, and then after 4 games, cut the rosters from 90 people to 55.

Not that it's not past time to leave that venue (in its current state)

Maybe Chicago would've kept him instead had the White Sox lost instead to take the outright AL record as opposed to simply tying it /j

Nick Foles To Retire In Philadelphia At The Eagles Home Opener

Two of the greatest quotes, including a quote one of my mentors has voiced every-so-often apply here. "Mum's the word." "I think that guy might have been better off 'sitting this one out'." Okay, so that first quote doesn't really apply. However, if there is anything that is unknown about a competitor or whomever, that's negative but not on a level that wrecks a global economy/everyone's livelihood, I'd prefer someone taking the "saying less" route. The latter quote is the better call. Now, always, and forever. At least he apologized. Speaking of Harrison, I actually thought about him the other day. Not a fan of his. Plus, I'll take my own advice here. Helps that there are an infinite amount of (positive) stories to discuss throughout the league

Here is the ESPN article that focuses on Charles Barkley sort of doing a 180. TBH, I think it's good news, especially when it comes to some overlooked details (TNT and CBS teaming up for March Madness). I guess if a lawsuit plays out, maybe the new NBA deal isn't final. IDK. As mentioned, Chuck (who'll be 62 in six calendar months from now) is a big deal when in comes to television personalities in the history of television. He is under contract for another 8 years. Probably made no sense to announce a retirement when he did, other than to help TNT maintain the rights for the league. Money does talk, but IMO, the team of Chuck, Shaq, Ernie, and Kenny can continue elsewhere. They really do not need a TV package for that to happen. Finally, I do think Barkley is rather loyal. Amid his diss on ESPN, I don't think anyone could get him unless they brought along the other three. Sir Charles wasn't about to do a deal where it's him but with Malika, Stephen A, Perk, and Wilbon. Or with NBC, Maria over EJ. Not to disrespect Taylor, but Ernie, Charles, the Jet, and O'Neal are very close. Of course, it probably would not have mattered anyway since Ernie has no plans of "starting over" a.k.a. going elsewhere at this point. He still does work in other sports. Plus as mentioned, TNT is getting more sports, including the French Open, and some coverage of the new CFB Playoff. For me, nothing lasts forever; I've trended toward doing away with my viewership of studio shows. Just something I've decided to do at my age since I've followed a lot of people in the past. No time to focus on someone new. If I was a couple decades younger that would be different.

According to NFL VP Cathy Yancy, Fans want to be closer to the game, and they want to get to know the players & coaches. Having that kind of relationship is important. They want to hear them, and that's great. You know what? No I don't. I guess I can't speak for other fans, but I do not want to hear from the coaches & the players, especially the former in-game. They have a post-game press-conference, and I believe a mid-week one too. That is enough. As for the players, I'd only want to "get to know them" for a proper, successful prediction in terms of Fantasy Football and sports betting. So, I'll completely disagree with Cathy Yancy here. I do not need to hear from the coaches. I just want to watch the game. You know, the thing that determines a winner, a champion. That being said, I did mention how there was some good to come from the new interview nonsense. I thought I actually posted what that was. Really, to echo Florio and others, I think it'll be a way for assistants to showcase themselves for a better shot at a better job. OTOH, if their HC's aren't a fan of that, they can do the interviews themselves, to best emulate Pop

In the short-run? It sure is. However in the long-run? It's going to be fine. It's similar to several of the other rule chances over the years. It'll feel rusty in the early stages of the season, but eventually everybody will settle in, get used to it, and be okay with it going forward. I'm not a big fan of it. As mentioned by Cowherd and whomever else, it takes away an automatic play & adds excitement to the game. It's safer, will produce more returns, and could increase the number of kickoff TD returns. The double-standard here is that the league sort of created the automatic touch back outcome themselves when they moved things from the 30 to the 35. Here's an update on the in-game interviews, speaking of things I'm not a big fan of. I do think there may be some good to come out from those

In my honest opinion, all I can say about kids in Atlanta & other places down south is that their school year should better come to an end on or around May 9, 2025. Sticking to the theme of things starting early, I still don't think I'd tune into the game if it were taking place a couple weeks later and/or if Caleb Williams were playing. Nothing to gain for the preseason. Though I do wonder what would happen to the HOF game if the NFL ever actually made it to 20 games. I'd say punt it. Otherwise you'd risk someone getting hurt faster than Rodgers did a year ago. Speaking of Aaron, what outstanding dialogue the 4X MVP winner and future immediate HOF player had with Robert Saleh during the offseason!

I meant to post this yesterday (about how things are getting started on Thursday). Crazy to think that next year, the NFL will get going in July! To be honest, I would not be shocked if the NFL still found a way to beat the Olympics. Though I though Williams was playing. Probably smart not to.

Yeah, the Packers had to pay him. As mentioned, I'd like to see more, and doing so would give TPTB more info along with comfort on how to proceed with Love financially. Had Jordan played for Pittsburgh or New York, that would be a bad call IMO. FYI, in "New York" I'm referring to the Jets, not the Giants; TBH the latter would be in a better spot too. Both the Jets & Steelers are run by defensive minded guys. Whereas you have a very good offensive minded guy for the Packers. Similar to Detroit, they are a young & promising team that nearly knocked off the NFC champ in a hostile environment. So I expect them to be better in 2024. As far as a week one injury, that would've changed nothing since 2023 still took place. Well, for the most part. If Green Bay managed to do well or if the injury affected 2025 then here comes the franchise tag. Jordan Love is a first round pick. While that payday would've been a surprise without the second half of 2023, it would not have been a shocker. The issue wasn't that he was a bust; the issue was that nobody saw much of anything since the beginning of the decade

I saw that coming midway through last season /s

It sure would have been weird if the team wasn't happy about it. TBH, the haters in and out of the media are the ones livid. Nobody in the league or here I don't believe. My issue with the league that I sort of referenced was related to their handling of their coverage in a period where the NFL is picking off all of their decent TV spots amid their ratings dominance. To be brief, the NBA on TNT (with the star-studded Inside the NBA) was one of the greatest things on television. Despite a recent 24-hour period on how that might not be dead, it's the end of the road for coverage of the NBA on TNT after all these years. While I didn't comment on last months reports on Charles calling it quits, I don't think it makes sense for him to "start over" elsewhere at this point. Probably no sense in commenting on what the ratings will look like going forward, until the conclusion of the 2027 NBA Finals. If it goes in a positive direction, alright. However, it took a hit over the postseason. Not great, especially since there are several that are irate over the fact that the NFL will be doing their thing on Christmas every year going forward. To add insult to injury, the latter is about to put its most important game during a weekend that has been "reserved" for the NBA during their all-star weekend (Presidents Day). When my time ends on Planet Earth, I'll still wonder how the Turner guys never got one chance at working an NBA Final. Maybe it's not baffling at all, but to me it sure is!