Carey

Way to disrespect 2014 & 2016!

It's sorta already weird right now. Well, every 3 years with it being part of the rotation for the CFB playoff. FWIW, Pasadena will be the site of one of the National semifinals following the final season with those California schools in the Pac-12. IMO, there will always be a Rose Bowl. Just not really exclusive to the Pac-12 & Big Ten. Soon after their arrival East, the 12-year deal with the postseason finally ends. It could've ended sooner, but it didn't. As long as it's not extended (with 4 teams max fighting for the title). As mentioned, we're probably seeing the beginning of the end of conferences and the rivalries too. Times change, and things are different. I think I'll be fine with it. Especially since I'm hoping & wishing for the same in the pros .[The NHL has done it though not w/o criticism. The NFL has not done anything in 2 decades. All they did was extend the season and expand the postseason. The NBA also expanded its postseason (which is rather nice) but probably will revamp things when they get to 32. Major League Baseball is looking to go to 32, I guess. We'll see how they'll restructure their leagues] As is the custom, football is king, but it'll be a rather interesting B1G in 2024-2025 come hoops time!

My early thoughts on all of this is if Oregon, USC, UCLA, and Washington all join the Big 10, it's a big deal, that conference is happy. They'll have a giant grin, except mine could be TEN times bigger if/when Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Michigan State zoom down and over to the infamous SEC

Nittany cougar: for a second, I was a tad bit upset when I read your post. Then I had to read it again since I didn't really want to have any reason to root against Iga next month. Call me petty, but I was all like, "Swiatek is great, but no thank you on her winning." Really if Williams has company (French & Wimbledon combo) that's not a big deal, all time or thus far this millennium. I'd probably say "Aww, Serena's feat is no longer exclusive!" if it was all time, but sounds like it hasn't happened within the past quarter century. Nothing unprecedented since Day One. Therefore, I can root for Swiatek going forward. Though if Petra is part of it, I'll be undecided. Barring something sudden & random (which has been the case a ton so far), it should be a great event. Of course, upsets happen

Outside of what xaxat said in terms of these "scraps" (the relief pitcher participation), I basically hate them. Just a waste of time and does nothing toward the benefit of life (in baseball). Though I guess if you're going to go for it, make it count, just like Seattle & L.A. did. Good for them, but better for the people collecting for the abundance of violations committed. Maybe my dislike toward these scrums seems like the craziest thing said in the sport of MLB, but if you want a crazier take or even position, then join that guy that said the Pirates "will win the World Series (with)in 5 years". On the topic of "violence" (and away from "super" optimistic takes), I think I can feel bad for a guy like Harper despite his financial situation. Part of the "tradition" in baseball includes a pitcher hitting a batter for whatever reason. Fair enough, as long as it's not at the head (area) or enough to cause serious injury (and I don't believe Blake did that intentionally; just a tough break). Injuries are part of sports, but it just sucks when a rare/random segment results in one of the faces of the sport missing time

Until he doesn't, I'll give him a chance to grow the best way. It's not great if you weight about or slightly less than someone a foot and a half shorter than you. Like in the NFL, the move is toward offense, but there's still defense & physicality

That's fair enough. Mrs. Manning is really excluded from a lot of stuff. Might be her choice, and in terms of giving a damn, she might not care. Ditto for Cooper and Arch. I still feel that Cooper is pretty well known as opposed to a Jeopardy clue. I feel he deserves some mention, but I agree he can voice his concerns himself. However, it's not a total big deal, and definitely not a surprise that the media would say that it's Peyton/Eli's nephew. It's really common sense, and the media probably isn't changing that. The good news is that Arch has a chance to create his own story. He might surpass Eli; he might not surpass Peyton, but if all goes well, the media will refer to Arch as just simply Arch

For real. After all, he is the oldest. Most accomplished? No. However, he's pretty known as opposed to a nobody!

IMO, whatever happens in the Draft as it relates to the Warriors is no big deal at the very worst. Golden State = Niners + Pats * Colts. To be more specific, they have a mix of the 49ers from Montana to Young. Also, while they didn't plan to suck for a year, they picked a very good time to be in position to draft first overall. The Colts won (its division basically every year except the year when Manning was out and Luck was coming up). In addition, the Warriors culture is top notch just like New England (IOW Winning tops everything)

I'm not going to label Jay's decision as LIV 1, PGA 0. However, change is inevitable, and one has to change a little to evolve against the times and competition. IMO, I guess it's a draw, but no one & not much has changed right now

TBH, it would be OK if the NFL stories I read about Dan Snyder and Washington were more about winning and less about (traditional) BS. Not a great day for a Raven or the Ravens. Goose's departure sucks as he was rather good both on and off the field. Health aside, I feel for Baltimore, and I hope his family, friends, and teammates can find peace in such a difficult time. Jayson's death sucks too since it feels like this totally could've been avoided.

To be fair, nothing's really changing here basically. Outside of the majors (not too recently however), the guy was sorta not a part of the action on weekends anyway

Well, back to football. As in typical, traditional news and what not. Gronk quits again News from the above link of Rob's retirement announcement comes courtesy of Yahoo! In quitting, that means he's calling it quits for the second time. While I might stay optimistic that he change his mind with TB12's health, several people think it's permanent this time. Unless Tampa's on a decent run to where they're very capable of knocking off Los Angeles, I think he stays retired. A mid-late season arrival one more time would be fair enough if they're in it to win it, but who knows how things will play out this year

I think it's fair to say that Detroit put a similar beating to Pittsburgh in 2009 IIRC, but that was also the last time they won in that series. The latter responded quite well, though it was late in the same series at a point where they sorta had to. To a lesser extent, albeit it not by much, Tampa will have to do the same (which they kinda did against New York). Every game is different, and the champs only need to (and have to) take one in Colorado (if they make it back there). I'm just not optimistic that they'll escape their home rink without Colorado "taking" one after what happened on Saturday. TBH, I'd be more okay seeing someone new win it this year. I'd probably say differently (which was my pick FWIW) if Pittsburgh faced them instead of New York. OTOH, if Tampa somehow rallies, it would validate whatever since this would be a season where they played in full and without a break. A lot of people in Pittsburgh cite(d) that when they matched (and now passed) the 16-17 years

Whew! What a US Open & a win for Fitzpatrick; just so perfect!

Huh. I see. Interesting; I wonder why it wasn't on USA yesterday. It's been on USA every day (including Thursday & Friday) at least for me. If it wasn't on USA yesterday, then I have no idea what channel they aired the 3rd round, if at all. Like on Saturday, I was doing something else, so I did not have the television on to start. I probably find it. Or not since I still don't know what was up with the lack of consistency

Looks like the final round is underway (must be on Golf Channel with NBC taking over around Noon Eastern). Zalatoris & Fitzpatrick can thank the World Number One and the US Open defending champion for surging and faltering, as they’re apart of the final tee time. John Rahm’s fall was pretty painful, and Scottie had a great Eagle shot but later fell victim to the “fun” of a US Open course crushing people. Matt and Will are 4 under, while Rahm & Scheffler are 1 & 2 back. Bradley is at 2 under so he’s tied with the Masters Champion in fourth place. It’s really still anyone’s game, but the scary thing is if whatever happened to John at the final hole repeats itself, while painful, that’ll be exciting. It means everything will come down to the finish

I guess it's Atkinson basically emulating McDaniels. To be fair, the GSW culture seems so good; why leave a good thing to go to something that you might get booted from while Golden State continues to stack up glorified wins. However, he might end up going to another great place especially if a wait takes longer than he expected

Magog is Durant. Not the best kept secret I suppose LOL!

It's pathetic really. However, if it covers his debt, so be it. Honestly, I wouldn't bet on his move to LIV solving it, or permanently ending his gambling habit

Oh yeah; I totally forgot. I do remember reading that she called it quits. Just did not when I posted, obviously

Time for bed. I'm turning in and peacefully passing out. Anything can happen, but there's no reason to stay up tonight. I'll be up tomorrow following a (very) good great night's rest, and I'm not going to have read for confirmation that validates my awesome pick of Warriors in six. Similar to staying up for what should be a nice celebration at the Garden, there's no need to toss sleep time in the trash (though it's to Friday). I might be on here or elsewhere to see the news. It'll likely surface in my app(s). However, I'll see it at some point. The fact is? Golden State gets 4 in 8 years and Curry get that MVP. Yeah!

Meh; I think CBS did okay. It'll be interesting how NBC handles it this weekend. As mentioned JT basically said it's their call. Rory may have been a little kind for a second while being tough everywhere else. Nantz was pretty much, "I wouldn't have done it after everything the PGA has done," and Faldo was pretty much "Fuck 'em." Nick IMO was tougher but I don't think he was critical all the time a la McIlroy as it relates to this stuff. He can be bold without hesitation so it's not surprising, but good for Rory for his lack of holding back in terms of his stance. Jim's interview with Jay Monahan was alright. Asked the tough questions, and while Jay may or may not have given the best answered, he seemed prepared enough. Speaking of prepared, that might be the opposite case as it relates to Lefty. FWIW, my app feels the need to list his placement regardless of what it is. I get that for Woods, but I do wonder if they'd do that for him or have done it outside of the US Open

Huh. I thought Rafa already was a father. If Nadal wanted to keep this quiet until after his delivered, that is totally fair and routine as mentioned. Taking away the private stuff, there are several people that choose to stay mum when it comes to one's pregnancy (especially if it's early and the sad case of something terrible early or even late). IIRC, the Mannings didn't disclose the fact that they became fathers until after their wives delivered. At least I didn't see any news prior with Peyton and Eli. I guess it wasn't easy for Nadal (but not on the Prince/Duchess level from 2013 IMO). Speaking of Rafa, as mentioned, the guy plays because of the love of the game. I'd be surprised if he retires over the injury stuff. If he's still able to play (at a decent level) he'll go for it. Especially with the record within reach. Yeah, I'm always going to root for Federer, Serena, and Nadal too. In time, I might add Kerber, Barty, and Swiatek, but what an awesome past 20-30-40 years for great legends and matches in the sport! When it's over for Roger and Rafa, on the men's side, I might treat it like Tiger-less PGA stuff (IOW, rooting for a great tournament)

I guess you could say the Niners are one QB away from a title, or another trade away; I don't know. Earlier today (probably late this morning) a local DJ in my area made mention to how the Buccos got "destroyed" by the Cards. Can't remember the word used to describe the result of the 2nd game within the double header. I'm not sure if I'd call 9-1 as embarrassing, but I can be a little harsh and realistic. For what it's worth, while it can't happen in the AL, an NL perfecto can be beautiful within a defensive game. Really a scoreless one because I think it's awesome seeing a guy clinch a perfect game by going yard to break a scoreless mark