Carey

While it may go without saying that Baltimore’s 20-game preseason winning streak is phenomenal, it should be acknowledged. As unnecessary as the preseason is, it can tend to be underrated. That being said, it likely seems important to the Ravens, but I don’t think they should have or needed to go all in to preserve it. J.K. Dobbins didn’t need to play in the game, but based on the rather awful structure of this season’s schedule, I don’t think it’s a total big deal, either. This final week of games was previously used for the league’s dress rehearsal; with the start of the season a couple weeks later, some teams didn’t want to have their starters out of action for 2 weeks. Plus, I think the Ravens are a tad bit deep in terms of who they have within the run game. Sucks for Dobbins, but I think Baltimore will be fine. On a separate note, I think New England will be fine regardless of whether they start Cam or Mac. Either decision Bill makes is no surprise. IMO, I could see the Pats making the switch after their game against Tampa. Or it could be made before then, if at all. If I had to guess now, Tampa wins in Week Four if Cam starts for the Patriots, but they’ll lose if Mac starts for the Patriots when the two teams face off

Not just everything, but the guy might ruin everybody! In other words, with contract tracing and the passing along of whatever, he could impact other people and other teams, which could wreck the schedule. While people are better off being vaccinated than not, coupled with the NFL rules & guidelines, someone that isn't vaxxed but did everything to avoid getting infected could cause an outbreak through no fault of his own. It could lead to a forfeit, which is not cool. OTOH, someone that is fully vaccinated could infect someone that isn't, but despite the possibility of following the rules, it could have a domino effect. At the end of the day, it's a tricky spot; the players have the right to make a decision, and the league has the right to make the decision to control the conditions of the workplace. I don't know whether Buffalo will have a ton to gain from keeping Cole Beasley around, mojoween. Lamb18 is on point in that the Bills have Stefon Diggs. However, Diggs is not immune to injury. No one is; even Favre got hurt (albeit in somewhat of a lame duck season 11 years ago). On the other hand, looks like a guy like Josh Allen can make everyone around him better. I don't think they'd regret it from booting Beasley, but it would be bad business if they didn't check with the other 31 teams to see how they can profit from his ouster prior to a release

Yeah, PITT is pretty much average. Not awful, but not championship level either. Like the professional team in the area, they always lose to a team they have no business losing to. What sucks is that they have a history of knocking off powerhouses in games they have no business winning! To add insult to injury, it occurs in a year where they're going nowhere. Though Pitt hasn't won double-digit games in nearly 40 years (should have in 2009). Speaking of the stadium, I sorta wish people would stop wishing for an on-campus stadium to best help with their situation. Sports or no, really anything, the most popular thing to best help in one's situation? Winning. Back to NFL. Man, it looks like it's curtains for Cam Newton. It was probably going to happen anyway. I totally will have no issue if they name Mac Jones as the Week One starter. If the former MVP can get it together, he can still contribute someway and somehow toward New England's quest to its 7th title. Of course, Cam has the right to make his own decisions, but man, there are rules & protocols, and I guess I was a little surprised that Newton isn't really vaccinated

I think Fitz will sit out this year, and then in the off-season, announce his retirement. It'll be somewhat similar to what Vinatieri did a year ago. Maybe he'll return mid-season; maybe not. You never know who'll need WR help later, but I imagine it'll have to be a contender (as in Super Bowl contender). It's possible that Larry emulates what Randy Moss did a decade ago when he was out in 2011 & then returned in 2012 with San Francisco. I could see that with, say Tampa Bay. It would be fitting to end it in his "home stadium" with his fellow Westwood One teammate. While I think Tampa could win it, the difference between Larry and Randy is the latter was in his mid 30s, whereas Fitz will turn 38 in 10 days. Nevertheless, barring a comeback, Larry will be celebrating something somewhere in Ohio in August 2026

On a related note, while the reigning NFL MVP returned to Green Bay, no word on whether Aaron Rodgers showed up to practice today

Yeah, it'll be kind of difficult for Mike to remain as EP. The thing is if he doesn't get the hosting job, he remains the EP going forward without a doubt. Richards is very bland as a host, sort just there and total meh. However, he turned things around at TPIR. While that credit has recently gone to others, he's better behind the scenes instead of in front of a camera. Plus, he was a showrunner. Burton and a second chance? I'm all for that. He's not getting the job but I think he deserves another shot to prove that he's capable to host the show and do a pretty fair enough job as a guest host

Not shocking news at all. I was initially surprised that they were going back to guest hosts, but as mentioned elsewhere, contract negotiations coupled with the season starting in less than a month gives them no choice. Just hope it's not too long since the process was somewhat of a joke

Meanwhile, there's a guy that played for the worst franchise in the league that didn't even exist during Belichick's first decade in the NFL. As time passed, that guy that didn't exist is in the Hall of Fame and Bill, who has about 2/3 dozen rings isn't in the HOF

Johann, I think you and I agree. I guess I'm in the middle here with the new taunting rule. On one hand I love it since it's unnecessary. Make the play and move onto what's next. On the other hand, I hate it because someone might passively celebrate (or not even) but the ref thinks it's taunting and then there's the flag. I can't imagine the rule surviving, but it probably won't go away until it costs someone a meaningful game, which might factor into one's season and career

ITA. I guess it was a nice gesture to allow for it, but it was really unnecessary

Jeopardy will be fine. FWIW, Alex actually had gameshow experience prior to his run. Several people that lack gameshow knowledge but think they have it did not know that. Ditto with Mike Richards, and one could say his background exceeded Trebek. As mentioned, no matter what the choice was, several people were going to be unhappy. IMO, no slam dunk here, but not a failure either. I'll wait and see, and might have an opinion in a year or two

You know what, I think I gotta agree here. Mike Richards may not be a guy that would have me go out of my way to watch Jeopardy! However, between him and everyone else, he has a qualifying gameshow background. I've heard a lot from sports media saying Aaron Rodgers would be the outright best choice. That doesn't count for me. He was good, but a lot of those folks aren't that bright & knowledgeable when it comes to the gameshow world. Say what you will about Ken Jennings. If you know me, you'd know that I couldn't care less about how he may or may not have rubbed people the wrong way. One side is all-in for Mr. Jennings, and the other side will die before watching the show with him there. Man, that middle section is super perfect for me. Though I can see it both ways. Anyway, it's not official until it is. Looks like Ken isn't the guy. The fact is, whenever it comes to these things, the obvious or definitive choice pretty much never gets the job. Ken was that guy. Sure Jennings has the knowledge, background, and history of Jeopardy! He is an employee. Plus, he has added to his gameshow resume. Mike Richards had the task of being the showrunner on probably the most accomplished network TV gameshow for over a decade in TPIR. During that time, he had a very short run as a Pyramid host. Mike took over from Bob & Roger in terms of running TPIR during a dark period. It was not pretty early on, but it appears he revived it to where it's very decent in the Drew era. Finally, in terms of hosting, Alex might have an edge on Richards as it relates to people's lives prior to hosting Jeopardy!

Probably the best shot Kelly has in terms of winning a Natty. Assuming Alabama & Clemson both get picked off!

I just read a second coach is also out for the same reason. Forget the team. Cole Popovich from New England

You know, I thought for a second that the Big 12 would die in the early part of the past decade. It survived and actually got better. Texas AND Oklahoma joining the SEC will kill it no matter what else doesn't happen

"Suns [lose] in 4" And there's your Phoenix headline. Or rather, the hottest thing selling in Milwaukee right now! Monty Williams is the type of person who, if he spilled or mishandled a pot of sauce or a gallon of milk onto the floor or important documents, the time spent crying or getting mad over that would be spent cleaning it up and figuring out a replacement for the lost items. Something he'd preach to someone else, that's for sure. What he did reminded me of Scott Brooks speech to Oklahoma City after they lost to Miami in 2012, and how they were going to handle it. A team that included KD, Westbrook, and Harden, no less. That, and how Manning met up with Ray Lewis after the latter's 3rd to last game, following a painful home loss. The Thunder stars have since gone on to have better careers, and Manning was okay after that (and somewhat before too)

And now, the talk is that this is the next big thing, the future for the NBA. Forgot exactly how Colin Cowherd mentioned it, but Milwaukee winning is a great thing for the league. So far, Giannis is off to a good start. 1-1 in the NBA Finals without the series getting to a Game 7. The Bucks winning it all was rather inevitable after their escape against Brooklyn. Though I wonder how the series would've played out had a healthier LA Lakers team came out of the West. Or the Warriors teams that have dominated in the past (except for last year). Despite his classless exit, I feel bad for Chris Paul. It is what it is that they got fortunate to make the Finals. It might be CP3's last shot (and Phoenix). I think he could've handled it better, but the fact that the end is not too long from now may have been part of the emotions going for him, more than being "jealous & bitter" at the Bucks I know that the NBA Commish announces the MVP (or makes it official), but I don't see why Malika didn't just confirm it herself. It was super obvious. Dan Patrick used to crown the MVP (for the Super Bowl) by saying so; the NFL didn't need Roger Goodell to make a special announcement of it. Hats off to ESPN/ABC/Disney for sticking with Malika Andrews, speaking of which. She did well in a big role, last minute, including the trophy celebration. If this happens with NBC/CBS/FOX, they'd have the pregame/studio host or the play by play guy do it. To be fair, those other networks have a permanent person doing it (studio host for NBC, PBP guy for CBS aka Nantz, and Bradshaw or whatever for FOX)

To be fair to CP3, the NBA Finals is foreign territory for him, and when his career ends, it'll be a glorified dream!

First things first: Thanks to Lady Whistleup for your kind words. Just a ton of adversity that started a couple Fridays ago and lasted throughout the week. Just a combination of network and power issues. I probably don't care about that stuff any other time of the year, but I'm travelling and will be off for a week or so. Went from having a decent lead to a moderate one. The difference was that I'd be returning with a slim lead, but instead, might return being behind. I'm hoping for the series to end tonight as well. Same reasons as LexieLily, plus I'm ready for some football. It'll be the last time we'll see this change, but even without it, the postseason has been a couple handfuls of meh at best. Furthermore, I'd like to see it end tonight since I'll be heading out of town around the end of the week (now a couple days or so). I'd rather not deal with travel & a winner-take-all game, especially if Phoenix loses at home again. OTOH, if the Suns win out, then it'll be worth it!

Oh that sucks. Practice & training camp is still very important, regardless of the saying of people getting hurt there (or in preseason for those that need it). Without it, you're going down in a meaningful game (regular season or the postseason following a meaningless Week 17/18 game). Practice makes perfect, and preparation is key for success, but what a downer. Practice & prep doesn't directly result in wins, but injuries during those times still lead to one being sidelined for a minute or for the year.

The league isn’t going to call for mandatory vaccines. However, they have the right to control their conditions of their workplace. While roughly half of a typical population like or dislike Mark Madden, he was right on point when it came to discussing the employment conditions. Jon Rahm found out the hard way; he was permitted to golf at the Memorial despite not being vaccinated, but the officials had every right not to change or modify the rules on the fly to benefit Jon Rahm. As mentioned, no one is forcing the players to participate. Like all business, they have a right to not work. Of course, the players are under contract, and if they don’t show up, they won’t get paid. They could opt out, but apart from that if they’re not vaccinated then things will be tough. Nonetheless, despite not receiving a paycheck, they have a right not to be there. By the way, if anything, I think certain guidelines will be determined on a team basis, a player’s real employer. For one, the vaccinated percentage differs throughout the 32 teams. As mentioned, Dan Snyder is not booted half his team. Furthermore, if Tampa Tom Brady isn’t vaxxed, I hardly think he’s going anywhere either. FWIW, I don’t recall him passing on the vaccine, nor did I hear that he received it. Similar to the comments made on who he voted for, I guess this is one of the things that will not be made public from TB12

And when it's all said and done, but 2035, for his efforts of overseeing the sport for the money, people will look at him as a more worthy candidate than a lot of other former players for Cooperstown and reward him

Painful loss for Phoenix, but it would've been just that for Milwaukee given how they had a double-digit lead lead despite trailing by double-digits early enough. The Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy will be on site in Milwaukee on Tuesday. It will have meaning to the team hosting that game, they can hoist it or leave for the Valley without doing so

Before I respond to Lady Whistleup, I gotta thank and apologize to AimingforYoko for my post on Friday, which was the culmination of the worst week in nearly a year and a half (measured off of expectation). Just brutal and cruel on my end; adversity is what it is, but sometimes things are ridiculous. I felt that a point may have been made regardless of mentioning a different guy, but I posted the wrong guy. My fault, I'm better than that. Unless I'm super fast or in a hurry or something; I'm a fan of getting it right before getting it first. As for the Olympics, to his or her their own. Over the past 60 years & in no particular order (other than chronological), the 1984, 1992, 1996, 2004, 2008, & 2012 summer games were so worth it for me. It was the use of action in terms of a group of athletes playing for their country. It is a high honor. There's discussion to be made toward the popularity. There may be some activities that a viewer could care less for, and others that might produce the opposite thought. IMO, this past couple of years, specifically hoops, have been tough without known stars being featured in the Olympics. It's sorta like this postseason: the fewer the big names, the less the interest. As mentioned, no one was forced to be there. Outside of protocols, injury, and whatever else, no one was forced to quit or forgo it either. Just a personal opinion, not a fact or anything

Chances are that a team would boot a player for another reason, as in someone getting cut for "not being that good" when the real reason is due to someone not being vaccinated