Carey

So tonight is Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bucs against TJ Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Looks like Coach Mike is planning on playing his starters for a series or two. If people get hurt, fans in Western PA will blame Tomlin big time. IDK. If Watt, Cam, and maybe Minkah get injured he does deserve criticism. To what extent depends on how much those seasons vets wanted to play or not. Everyone else? I probably wouldn't have a problem with it. I'm not a fan of preseason (probably will not watch going forward) but many of the players are still pretty new. Not necessarily rookies or first-time players. Just 2nd year and 1st as a Steeler. You have to have that continuity. It's better if you get some advanced reps & work before the season starts. Though I think the trend is to do it within meaningful games (still think they are getting to 2/18 as in 18 games after two pre-season stuff). No one's going 20-0. Nobody's winning all of their regular season games. If it happens, it'll probably be a one time thing within a 35-year period. In some cases, it might be necessary, to get close to undefeated, but if you lose a game or two here & there while trying to figure out stuff, that's better than trying to figure out stuff in a meaningless game while receiving a one-way ticket to IR before the opening NFL kickoff. Sure no starters playing worked for McVay and LA, but it doesn't work for everyone. BTW, I'm sorry but I do not see a win for Tampa. At least not a clear cut one. I can see maybe 0-14-3 before a W, but that's just me

100%. It doesn't matter that it was against Washington. The Nationals are a professional baseball team. The fact that it happened in this day & age is great!

I thought Coke and the NFL weren't connected! Otherwise Ms. Swift would've performed the Super Bowl (at least) 3 times since 2010! I could have it mixed with Pepsi, but whatever. This is very good business. Joe has it in him to have a sense of humor. Still a little crazy (or not) that he wasn't even alive during the Home Alone Era (early 1990s). To elaborate Burrow = Culkin. I used to not be a fan of self promotion, but I've come to the point where it's actually okay. Anyway one can make money is okay for me

That was pretty good commentary. All I need is some JR & The King commentary. If you know, you know

Couldn't agree more. It's like an Internet surfer seeing a WAH job or this one easy thing for $5,000 or $10 Grand or whatever spam one would fall for. Despite their demise, the best of the Pac 12 being in a better spot is great for people, their fans that couldn't care less what conference they're playing in

We'll see. Daboll looks to be the real deal. Rivera is great, but he's still a defensive guy

You know, sometimes I hate the media & pundits, along with some of those so-called fans out there. To elaborate, of course people were going to get mad at Carli Lloyd for her comments early. It didn’t matter if she was right or wrong; I think she knows more than most of everyone else. As mentioned, she wasn’t wrong, it’s her current job to call it as she sees it. And then rather than apologize to Lloyd, the media/pundits/fans got it wrong again by saying or blaming Megan for missing a PK as if the 90 minutes PLUS didn’t count. TBH, I didn’t expect anyone to tell Carli that they were sorry for being mean, but at least they could’ve come to the conclusion that this wasn’t the United States’ year. Instead, it’s scapegoat time. None of it was surprising, but ITA with Carli Lloyd; it did feel like they were there for a celebration, and people on the outside thought they could just turn it on. There was still optimism, but it would’ve been a backdoor route for their third consecutive title, which is really unprecedented. Scoring 4 goals throughout the tournament isn’t a recipe for success. I think they score over 3 times as many in one game alone back in 2019! As mentioned, the best of the best like Brazil, Messi, Rinaldo, Pele, Neymar, etc never won 3 straight World Cup titles, so it was doubtful from the start. The team is young, though I currently agree that the coach isn’t the one to lead them to the title in the future. Finally, I don’t think I had an issue with Alex exiting at the end, for a couple of reasons. I think 2027 is the curtain call, and this team was not close to winning it all. If it’s the semis or the final, that would be a different story

Taunting or no, mind trick or not, I wouldn’t even think of hugging any striker as a keeper. On any level of the sport, but that’s just me. Imagine if I allowed a goal. Handshakes are okay; I probably wouldn’t initiate it. Save hugs & handshakes for after the game. As for outright taunting, I might be too upset that I allow my opponent to score to worry about taunting at my expense

I think Eric will be fine, but maybe not. It doesn't matter if Washington gets swept or not by the AFC East. I don't think they're going to be very good this season. That'll leave Harris making changes, and from there, people working for him are probably going to be bringing in their own staff. Which is fair and not a surprise, but man, that'll suck if Eric ends up nowhere in 2024

It wasn't long ago that the Big 12 was in the same situation (maybe it was, but I think definitely within the past decade), but they managed to pull themselves together. At least until Oklahoma & Texas bolted. Fortunately the Big XII will be fine. I imagine the other schools will work things out. However, schools like Stanford may be all about academics, so I hardly think they'll suffer overall at the end of the day

It felt closer to late July than in the middle of the month, but I do miss the PGA Championship in August, ITA. Go figure the 2012-2014 theme plays in the background as I post here. It doesn't feel like a major now that it's in May. Just a glorified PGA event

Maybe teams like Pittsburgh & Syracuse can team up with them to form their own conference. I had a couple clever names to call the conference, but I might just leave those with me

Aaron Rodgers didn't play, but given the airtime the guy received, it pretty much topped anything that occurred on the field (combined I suppose). Cleveland's HOF player going in tomorrow might be the only time someone sans postseason success or even an appearance getting in is the right call AND one I'm in total agreement

Back to football tonight. I'll probably watch everything up until the opening kickoff, and then nothing else for 5 weeks. Not sure if Watson plays but no A-Rod. BTW, the CBS announcing lineup has been finalized. In brief, all of the top teams are the same, as is the studio. New this year is Andrew Catalon replacing a retiring Greg Gumbel, though Andrew's long time partner goes the opposite direction in terms of hierarchy in terms of announcing. As mentioned, JJ Watt and Matt Ryan join the network. I imagine there will be a shake up prior to next year, but it's pretty much status quo (JB, Phil, Nate, Boomer, Coach Cowher AND Jim, Tony, & Tracy)

I have no idea who's winning the Super Bowl this season, but I think I'd pray for someone to dump a gatorade-container full of (green) slime on someone

Logic left the building around New Years 2012

Then they should trade him. Like you said, he's not getting $16 Million in Indy or anywhere, but someone might offer a better deal than what the Colts are willing to dish out. I might have to double-check on where he stands, but I think if he's dealt, then whoever takes him would only have to worry about one year, and then go from there. I don't think there's any point keeping him around for any reason this year, especially if the only thing that comes out of that is a distraction. I guess if they're slated to suck in 2023 then they'll be fine letting him whine on the bench for the season. I'm not joking about trading him. At least explore it. While running backs aren't the thing anymore, see what you can get back. The kid actually did something in 2020 & 2021 even though they weren't very good. They were okay in the postseason against Buffalo while losing; plus he was Top 5 out of 100 in terms of best players for 2022. To be fair, I'm not going to hold that much stock in that since it's a players thing. However, Taylor was first team All-Pro in 2021, so the guy is not a total bum. At the end of the day, I think we can agree that $16,000,000/year is not happening, period. In Indianapolis or anywhere no matter how well Jon and the team has been playing

For me, I enjoyed The Open, but I agree there wasn’t a big reason to watch. I tuned in throughout the week because there’s something special about the game abroad. Similar to Saint Andrews, The Royal Liverpool Golf Club is unique & looks well put-together. Not that the American golf courses are awful; they’re not at all, but compared to the UK, it’s just another golf course. Furthermore, I guess I love early morning sports (ex. Wimbledon, NFL with a 9:30 kickoff) where it seems well-organized. When it’s over, you have your whole day ahead of you. For me, while it was Brian Harman’s major to lose, I felt that there was a chance that he could get caught. It would only take one big time error. Or Rahm or someone posting a tremendous score. None of those things took place on Sunday. The thing about Harman was that he led throughout & has been okay on tour despite not winning in over a half decade. I’d be pissed if some nobody charged up on the final day, especially if it was a one-hit wonder (compared to the start of something). I know people are upset that Rory (2023 Scottish Open winner), Jon, even Fleetwood fell short, but as mentioned, it’s up to them to play better if they want to win. The majors are a big deal, so I agree that it helps if a big name wins. Same goes for the top prize in all of sports. Fortunately, the Fed Ex playoffs are coming. It’s not a major, but it’s the culmination of a great season of golf. I think the move to August helps, and finally, you’re probably not getting a nobody winning that given the structure

I’m neutral to Irsay in general. On one hand, his acquisition of the Colts is a fact. The guy pretty much had to exist on Planet Earth. That’s it. On the other hand, he’s no different than several, if not most of the owners in the NFL (and in sports). Basically they had (to have) a family member die in order to get to their current spot. Maybe some of them worked for real elsewhere or even did stuff within the organization that one would call work. However, Jim’s situation isn’t unprecedented. The fact is he looks more like a villain than many of the others for stories like this and others. I couldn’t care less for Jim Irsay. Though I did admire his “disdain” toward Daniel Snyder. As for Jonathan Taylor, the Colts owner isn’t wrong. It wasn’t put in a friendly way, but maybe it would have benefitted Taylor to stay healthy. Plus, it would be great if Indianapolis was decent on the field. If the asking price is $16 Million per year, then that would be absurd. $10 Million annually is fair. That request is reasonable. Maybe not something that happens but I would hate to see yet another RB get skipped from the rookie contract everyone has to start with to the contract that follows the BIG MONEY one. The game has changed, but a team like the Colts probably need Taylor more than Taylor needs the Colts. In the short run, of course. Kinda sucks that Jon can’t leave, and then before he’s allowed to here comes the tag. Or when that’s not the choice, he’ll get traded to somewhere that isn’t that elite. As mentioned, the game is different in a way that hinders running backs, but a team like Indianapolis probably might want to work something out. The reason why is because their current QB situation is very awful. Maybe things will change their this year, but not a great bet on if it does. Finally, owners, media people, and whomever else can shut up about the CBA. Of course they have to go by that until further notice, but by 2030. What gets on my nerves is that people that were in the league are bound by it despite the fact that it went into motion before the player is drafted. Therefore, it’s classless and dumb of people like Irsay to say that “You agreed to the CBA. Deal with it.” Unless Taylor was allowed to negotiate while in college or High School, he had to follow guidelines that were agreed on before he got there. I mean, even a guy named Ryan Fitzpatrick agreed to it about a minute before he retired

To be fair, Sean wasn't wrong. I guess it's a different feeling & sorta okay to go in that direction. For what it's worth, Payton knows he has to win (ASAP). That being said, I think it would've been better to say nothing. At least until they have some success. Or better yet, win their Week 5 game. If he had more success & accomplishments in New Orleans, then I think this would not have been an issue at all, period

It's not even August.

The safest bet is that the NFL's final four teams will exclude the Cowboys, but to help create yet another prediction go wrong, this signing helps Dallas do just that. One more thing about Addison, in terms of gameplay, he'll be a good asset for a Minnesota team that probably will not be great this season. Plus, he wasn't drunk, but at the end of the day, what he did was wrong (leaving PITT for USC the way it went down wasn't against the law, but wasn't that popular or great either). The guy isn't Jamar Chase, but he is NFL ready. The good news for Buffalo is that the injury happened before camp, as opposed to in-season. It's still a painful loss, and fortunately not life or career threatening (right now) but a lesson learned. The Bills O-Line is still not good but losing a RB puts Josh at risk (based on his play)

It is a one-year deal for Saquon, but the good news here is that he'll be present this year. So that's great. Much better situation as opposed to Vegas. Brian Daboll joining the Giants was huge in 2022, and it will be a big deal this coming year. However, one of the things that might hinder them this year is that their schedule is a lot tougher this year. Well, not a lot tougher, but still, having just checked again, they'll have several tough opponents, including the AFC East and a road appearance at Levi Stadium. No easy Vikings this time around. However, the good news is that the teams that are on their schedule might not be as great as advertised. That's how things usually play out. Speaking of Minnesota... My issue here is that this could be the start of a pattern. I don't know what the league can do, but it would help if they did something since some of his recent decision making so early on has been at best, pretty awful. Sure he apologized and said it was a mistake, but what happens going forward will dictate this kid's story. I probably would have left out that nonsense of rushing your pet to the vet or hospital. Of course you're supposed to care for loved ones, but the laws of a state or land aren't altered for Jordan Addison. Not even legal Emergency vehicles travel that fast. There was another way, I believe, but 140 MPH is not the answer. Fortunately no one was hurt or killed, especially Jordan himself. BTW, that luxury car isn't going to help him with his second contract if and when that period arrives. Unfortunately, sucks for Hines and Buffalo. Even though there is defense for him "having fun" it's not wrong, IMO, to think that there are other ways to have fun. You gotta do the best you can to avoid tragedy. It's one's right, but everything has consequences and the future is never guaranteed. Just do the best to control one's own destiny

Son of James in stable condition following cardiac arrest All the best for him & the family, hope he gets better real quick. Trending toward more positive news, I suppose... Looks like Jaylen Brown is the recipient of the league's richest contract

Or he could have taken the life of someone else or other people over a dog.