National Football League

[Alpe d'Huez]

Which is why I suspect basketball, baseball, and to a greater extent golf would be more likely to restart. Auto racing is a more interesting one. Football is going to be harder to get started currently. I do suspect if we get a good, reliable treatment that could help.

All true, also based on what Merckx wrote. A place I ride my MTB is near a busy golf course, and I ride my road bike through another (a road through it, that is!), both have seen people out there recently golfing. They are either wearing masks, or keeping a healthy distance from one another. So I could see golf coming back, sans fans, with a rather quiet game so to speak.

I just think, as Merckx does, the NFL is going to be very hard to start. Even with empty stadiums, there's still a great deal of contact, and a lot of people standing around next to one another. Even if you test everyone every single Friday, try to sequester or even fully quarantine them, there's still a risk. Just one false negative...

...any bets Seattle is setting up to resign Clowney, for maybe $15M?

Didn't they already offer him $17-18m, while he wants $20? I think Miami said they would pay him $16, but a longer deal, and he rejected it. I just don't think anyone is going to pay him more than what Seattle offered, and signing with them puts him on a team that is a likely winner the next few years. Star QB, great coach, solid roster across the board, etc.

Baseball is already on the edge of fan irrelevancy with cheating scandals and ridiculously paid players. Hard to see it as a game average Joe can afford to embrace in the US. What goes on the tube first, wins.

Sadly, strangely true. I worry that greedy owners, and players, will jump at the first chance to get sports playing again, even at the risk of health, even killing people. Look at the mayor of Las Vegas for example.

The even sadder thing is that MLB has had numerous chances in recent years to gain traction and regain some stature with the masses, and it seems every time they've blown it. The one thing I won't fully agree with you though is the overpayment of players. The owners have made serious bank in recent years as well. So if the players didn't get it, it would just go to the owners. Now, if you're arguing that the season is too long and that drives up the money, that I completely agree with. If you're arguing that sweet tax deals done by cities to lure teams and build overkill stadiums has driven these prices (and pay) through the roof, I get that. If you're making the old argument that games should be more accessible and tickets shouldn't cost $40 for nosebleed seats like they do in some stadiums, I get that too, I just am not entirely sure what the solution is.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Weiterleitungshinweis

James Devlin retires citing complications from his neck injury last year. He was a beast blocker and underappreciated/suprise factor catcher and runner. The run game will miss him.

On GB, rumor is they're focusing on the run game but if you have Rodgers performing well throwing that opens up the run game. Maybe they're worried about injury to Rodgers and having a backup. Also maybe coaching staff wants a player that can be coached easier as Rodgers can be hard headed and go off script all of his talents aside.

 

[jmdirt]

There was a lot of talk about the huge McCaffrey deal, but I think it’s a smart move. He’s now locked in for what should be his five best years until his 28th birthday. While it’s a lot of money for a traditional RB, I think CMC is anything but and is just as big a threat in the passing game too, as last years 1000/1000 stat points out.

Hopefully Bridgewater proves to be a solid signing, he can’t do any worse than Allen/Grier last season. With Moore, Samuels, Anderson and McCaffrey he has some weapons to target.

I’m not expecting overnight success, but with Rhule it does seem like there is now a plan in place, something I haven’t really been able to say over the past few seasons.

CMc is an absolute stud! He can do pretty much anything on the field (well maybe he wouldn't be a good interior lineman).

 

[movingtarget]

Weiterleitungshinweis

James Devlin retires citing complications from his neck injury last year. He was a beast blocker and underappreciated/suprise factor catcher and runner. The run game will miss him.

On GB, rumor is they're focusing on the run game but if you have Rodgers performing well throwing that opens up the run game. Maybe they're worried about injury to Rodgers and having a backup. Also maybe coaching staff wants a player that can be coached easier as Rodgers can be hard headed and go off script all of his talents aside.

Joe Staley had also had some issues with a neck injury among other things but with thirteen years in the league, he earned his retirement ! Probably a common injury for O line players.

To be honest I never knew much about Develin but I also didn't watch many Patriots games. Good fullbacks are still a valuable commodity and the 49ers run game wouldn't be the same without theirs.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Bridgewater will be an improvement based on what he did when Brees was out. McCaffrey deserves his money but I was surprised that the Panthers went for all defense. McCaffrey doesn't get injured much either. Really he plays above his size, he's quite small. I thought their offense could have used one or two more weapons especially if they get a few injuries.

The problem they have is cap room, which is down to less than $7 million I believe. The good news is next year they get rid of almost $50 million in dead cap, so I expect Rhule and co to make some moves in 2021.

 

[movingtarget]

Aaron Rodgers what now ?

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/apr/27/aaron-rodgers-green-bay-packers-nfl-draft-jordan-love

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Bridgewater will be an improvement based on what he did when Brees was out. McCaffrey deserves his money but I was surprised that the Panthers went for all defense. McCaffrey doesn't get injured much either. Really he plays above his size, he's quite small. I thought their offense could have used one or two more weapons especially if they get a few injuries.

It's great if a team can keep a guy like CMc. Problem is, guys like that tend to carry a heavy load, maybe even get overused, ending in burnout or early retirement after just 4-5 years in the league. That, plus the fact teams can find really good cheap alternatives, means it can also be great if teams go the alternate route as well and spend that money elsewhere to help the team. I've thought for a long time RBs really are a dime a dozen, though it can be really special to have guys like CMc on a roster. Personally, I prefer the alternative / cheap RB option (probably cuz my Seattle team has too many other positional needs to fill haha).

 

[Nomad]

Why? What has he done to deserve this? He's past his prime, but he's still one of the better QBs in the NFL. Jordan Love should be so lucky to have a career in which he is consistently as good as Rodgers is in his decline. I get that the Packers have to prepare for post-Rodgers, but they seem to be throwing in the towel for the next two years. They could have gotten some offensive weapons for Rodgers, which would still be there for whoever replaces him when he retires. This draft seems to be acknowledged as one of the best ever for WR.

I touched on this in an earlier post:

IMO, ownership is blaming him for the loss against SF in the championship game and want to move on (albeit quickly) with a more mobile and strong-armed QB (Love has been referred to as "Mahomes 2.0"). Why else would they make this shocking move? Teams don't sit 1st round QBs very long these days anyway. And if Rodgers has 2-4 good years left, you don't draft a QB in the 1st round (again..in this new era) to play backup for 2-4 years. I see this as the KC blueprint with Mahomes/Smith. Love will sit a year learning from Rodgers, and barring winning the SB, he's out of there and it's Jordan Love for the future. And things could even change in that first year - Rodgers could get hurt or the team could be losing and out of playoff contention precipitating a change. The pressure is all on Rodgers now. And the Packers hadn't drafted an offensive skill-position player in the first round since they took Rodgers in 2005.

As you mentioned, WRs were deep in this year's draft. Two real good one's were still left on the board in Tee Higgins & Pittman, Jr. Rodgers had said he wanted the team to specifically draft a wide receiver with their 1st pick. So, what does GB do? - they trade up from 30th to 26th to get Love. Ouch!...that's got to tick off Rodgers to no end! And why did GB trade their 4th rounder to Miami for that pick? Hmmm...they must have been worried that either Seattle (27), Ravens (28) or the Titans (29) were interested. I'd say Tennessee was the one as they did end up taking a QB in the 7th (McDonald).

And just to show you how fast things can unravel look at Denver last year. Lock is only drafted in the 2nd round. Elway, surprised that Lock had fallen that low, makes a statement that Lock will not be competing for the starting job and will learn under the tutelage of Flacco for the next 2-3 years. Lock gets hurt in the preseason and goes on IR. Flacco gets hurt mid-season and is done for the year. Free agent Brandon Allen gets signed and starts 3 games disappointing Elway by only going 1-2. Lock is cleared from IR and starts the remainder of the season going 4-1. Flacco is given the boot and Lock is the franchise QB moving forward (I questioned last year the signing of Flacco with his injury history and decline in performance prompting Baltimore to take Jackson in the 1st round).

And speaking of LJ - another example of a late 1st rounder who was supposed to learn under a veteran SB winning QB for the next 2-3 yrs. A QB who was questioned by some drafted as a QB and not a RB/WR. A QB, many said, who wasn't ready to play the position because he supposedly couldn't throw very well. Lol. Flacco is the starter, gets hurt mid-season, LJ comes in and performs admirably winning enough games to go to the playoffs and the rest is history.

Weiterleitungshinweis

Weiterleitungshinweis

 

[movingtarget]

The main reason the Packers lost against the Niners was because they couldn't stop the run. Mostert scored three touchdowns in no time with barely a hand laid on him ! Their defense was pathetic. The game was over at halftime although Rodgers hit back with a few TDs in the second half but it was much too late. With the Niners still able to get easy yards and Robbie Gould potting FGs to keep the score moving along. Some analysts are saying that with the way GB has drafted they are trying to imitate the Niners offensive style with a run heavy game. Don't ask Rodgers what he thinks, somehow I don't think he will accept a handful of throws against a whole lot of handoffs like Jimmy did against the Vikings and Packers !

 

[movingtarget]

It's great if a team can keep a guy like CMc. Problem is, guys like that tend to carry a heavy load, maybe even get overused, ending in burnout or early retirement after just 4-5 years in the league. That, plus the fact teams can find really good cheap alternatives, means it can also be great if teams go the alternate route as well and spend that money elsewhere to help the team. I've thought for a long time RBs really are a dime a dozen, though it can be really special to have guys like CMc on a roster. Personally, I prefer the alternative / cheap RB option (probably cuz my Seattle team has too many other positional needs to fill haha).

Yeah they rely on him a lot which was why I thought they would have added more offense but they certainly needed to stiffen their defense as well and they they have to juggle the roster and the budget so it's always tricky.

 

[Nomad]

The main reason the Packers lost against the Niners was because they couldn't stop the run. Mostert scored three touchdowns in no time with barely a hand laid on him ! Their defense was pathetic. The game was over at halftime although Rodgers hit back with a few TDs in the second half but it was much too late. With the Niners still able to get easy yards and Robbie Gould potting FGs to keep the score moving along. Some analysts are saying that with the way GB has drafted they are trying to imitate the Niners offensive style with a run heavy game. Don't ask Rodgers what he thinks, somehow I don't think he will accept a handful of throws against a whole lot of handoffs like Jimmy did against the Vikings and Packers !

I don't buy that one bit - Rodgers is being blamed for the loss. Common sense doctrine: Why else would ownership make a move like this? In one of the links I posted, Rodgers says he specifically wanted a wide receiver taken with the 1st pick. This is a HOF QB and one of the best ever specifically telling the team what he needs on offense. And basically the team does a 180 on him by trading up and taking a freaking QB??? You've got to be kidding me? Tee Higgins, a "megatron" WR out of Clemson, is still on the board. If they didn't like Higgins, there's Pittman, Jr. who lit it up at USC. Both of these guys are day 1 starters. And what Rodgers wants he usually gets (he practically ran McCarthy out of there and wanted LaFleur). Instead, Higgins is going be catching passes from Burrow & Pittman, Jr. from Rivers.

I think some people would be in shock & awe that a team would want to actually dump a SB winning HOF QB after making it to the championship game. But in this case, ownership must have they felt they were the better team and that Rodgers should have done more to win that game. GB sets the bar pretty high and felt they should have been in the SB. And besides teams want more mobile QBs with cannon arms these days. What Mahomes brought to KC is changing the landscape - most everyone now is looking for next Mahomes. And Love, being characterized as "Mahomes 2.0," is what exactly GB is looking for in a change at QB.

The GM seemed surprised that Love dropped down the board and was still available in the latter picks. But as I mentioned in my other post, Lock was supposed to be an early 1st rounder but dropped all the way down to the 2nd. And Lock went 4-1 as a starter last year and completely changed the complexity of the offense with his cannon arm and mobility - attributes not seen here since the Elway days. And look at the weapons Elway has gotten for Lock this year: Jeudy, Hamler (4.27 speed!) & Gordon. That's what GB should have done for Rodgers. So, he's done at GB and maybe if he gets mad enough he'll want to be traded. Lol

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

The Green Bay Packers stiffed Aaron Rodgers again and now divorce beckons

Green Bay failed to give the star quarterback the receivers he needs in last week’s draft. It could be the final straw as the end of his career nears

www.theguardian.com

That's a good article, and I especially agree with this line, saying Rodgers has become "...a 'passing playmaker'. Talk of any decline has been greatly overstated."

IMO, ownership is blaming him for the loss against SF in the championship game and want to move on (albeit quickly) with a more mobile and strong-armed QB (Love has been referred to as "Mahomes 2.0").

That's a bit of a stretch I think. First, Rodgers has always had one of the strongest arms in the league, with maybe the very best deep field accuracy for a decade. I saw almost no indication that he was losing arm strength last season. The only way one could really think that was by mis-interpreting their play calling, which was more conservative than in years past.

Mobile, there I agree with you. If Matt LeFleur sees his team either having a more moving pocket, or a QB who can take off and run now and then to mix things up, as long as he can stay healthy doing so, that could be in their mind, as Rodgers isn't going to do that, and rarely did.

As to the playoff loss to SF, their defense gave up 37 points!!! Their DL couldn't stop the SF run game, at all. Mostert alone had 220 yards, with a staggering 7.6 yards per carry. If ownership thinks Rodgers cost them that game, they must have been sitting in a board room staring at spreadsheets or counting money when the game was actually played. Even his stat line was solid.

31/39

326

8.4

2

2

3-30

21.9

97.2

The two interceptions can almost be excused as the first was a deep bomb in the 2Q, and the last near the end of the game. The three big sacks hurt as well.

Why else would they make this shocking move? Teams don't sit 1st round QBs very long these days anyway. And if Rodgers has 2-4 good years left, you don't draft a QB in the 1st round (again..in this new era) to play backup for 2-4 years. I see this as the KC blueprint with Mahomes/Smith. Love will sit a year learning from Rodgers, and barring winning the SB, he's out of there and it's Jordan Love for the future.

I don't disagree that this is what they may be thinking, hoping. I just think Mahomes is a better find than Love, and Andy Reid a much more savvy coach to prep a young QB than Matt LaFleur. I also imagine Alex Smith was significantly more understanding about his situation, thus did serve like a mentor to Mahomes, than Rodgers is likely going to be with Love. Time will tell.

I agree with you on the other intangibles though. Injuries, potential trades, etc. With that example in Denver showing just how hard it is to truly plan and predict what's really going to happen. That Guardian article notes how dumping Rogers now won't happen. After June 1 the cap hit for getting rid of Rodgers drops. The longer they wait, the better for them to move on, financially. So let's say there is no 2020 NFL season at all (cue to C-19), and in 2021 Love mostly sits. After 2021 leading into 2022 would be a great time to move Rodgers.

Having said that, it's hard to ignore though that a LOT of QB's drafted late in the first round or 2nd round, players that seem to have a lot of potential, do not pan out, or have average careers. EJ Manuel, Brandon Weeden, Brock Osweiller, Johnny Manzeil, Paxton Lynch, Christian Hackenberg, DeShone Kizer, Geno Smith, Jimmy Clausen, Josh Freeman, Kevin Kolb, John Beck, Tim Tebow.... Heck, you can add Josh Rosen, Jake Locker, Blaine Gabbert, Christian Ponder, Blake Bortles, who were all drafted high. Granted, there's no reason to think that Love is the risk that Manziel or Tebow were, and Locker's short career was riddled with injuries. But all of those guys had a lot of hope and expectations around them, and never rose above average. So, for every Patrick Mahomes, there's quite a few Blaine Gabberts and EJ Manuels.

This is why it stands out to a lot of people that in a draft loaded with WR's, to take Love the Packers were so incredibly impressed with him they were blown away, or they really do think Rodgers is all but finished, or they simply are not going to win the SB with him, and are looking to build for the future.

 

[jmdirt]

Bases on a lot of what we have already discussed and a few facts that Alpe just added above, maybe GB powers want time. If they see ER going at least through 22 or 23, why not start looking for his replacement now. If Love works out it might be a bit early in the game, but better early than scrambling in 2023. If love doesn't work out, they still have more years to try other options: draft again next year(s) or less likely free agency. Also, I still stand by the idea of have a game winning QB2/future franchise QB1 on the roster.

If GB powers are talking to ER and he knows what they are thinking it will obviously work out better then if he reads his team news on twitter. Most people are assuming that he was blind-sided by them taking Love, but maybe he knew that if a solid QB slipped to their pick, they were taking him. They will get a speedster with good hands before they play their first game so that's not a worry at this point.

EDIT: I wonder if they ever talked with Jams? NOW knowing that he is willing to be QB2 behind a stud vet, that might have been something for GB to explore (maybe they did).

 

[Oldermanish]

Auto racing for selected events should be the easiest to start. NASCAR, F1 have solid formats and pretty developed broadcast partnerships that would be eager to get content out there. That the NFL Draft broadcasts broke records will start to drive the frenzy. F1 likes pageantry but probably needs seated fans the least to actually get going. NBA is in a similar, but logistically more challenged situation.
Baseball is already on the edge of fan irrelevancy with cheating scandals and ridiculously paid players. Hard to see it as a game average Joe can afford to embrace in the US. What goes on the tube first, wins.

Looks like NASCAR is first to jump with the Governor of North Carolina accepting that the Coca Cola 600 can be raced at Charlotte May 24th without fans. They would have a following race on May 27th. My guess is the broadcast ratings will generate enough revenue to offset lack of fans but that is a lesser issue at this point. If it is well received we could expect them getting as many events as possible scheduled for broadcast making them the first winner on the race to re-start.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

This is why it stands out to a lot of people that in a draft loaded with WR's, to take Love the Packers were so incredibly impressed with him they were blown away, or they really do think Rodgers is all but finished, or they simply are not going to win the SB with him, and are looking to build for the future.

Just wanted to add to what I bolded possibly about GB being impressed / blown away by Love. So, this B/R report is "kind of" an objective look at what the draft selection of Love by GB could mean (https://bleacherreport.com/articles...ackers-send-message-to-rodgers-with-love-pick). The author included several opinions, including Love's selection being GB showing AR who's in control, which I don't buy in spite of the article presenting a reasonable explanation of why that could be. The opinion in the article about why GB drafted Love that I tend to believe more than other opinions is like the bolded one you mentioned. That being GB drafted Love because they think Love can become a star. The article termed picks like Love as a "shoot your shot" pick, which I perceive as being a slightly under the radar pick with some risk but really high reward (as opposed to say Andrew Luck, who was more of a "sure shot" no-brainer kind of pick). I really don't think GB would waste a #1 pick on someone like Love just to show AR who's in control or the middle finger. Check out the article, which does a way better job than this explanation.

 

[Nomad]

That's a good article, and I especially agree with this line, saying Rodgers has become "...a 'passing playmaker'. Talk of any decline has been greatly overstated."

That's a bit of a stretch I think. First, Rodgers has always had one of the strongest arms in the league, with maybe the very best deep field accuracy for a decade. I saw almost no indication that he was losing arm strength last season. The only way one could really think that was by mis-interpreting their play calling, which was more conservative than in years past.

Mobile, there I agree with you. If Matt LeFleur sees his team either having a more moving pocket, or a QB who can take off and run now and then to mix things up, as long as he can stay healthy doing so, that could be in their mind, as Rodgers isn't going to do that, and rarely did.

As to the playoff loss to SF, their defense gave up 37 points!!! Their DL couldn't stop the SF run game, at all. Mostert alone had 220 yards, with a staggering 7.6 yards per carry. If ownership thinks Rodgers cost them that game, they must have been sitting in a board room staring at spreadsheets or counting money when the game was actually played. Even his stat line was solid.

31/39

326

8.4

2

2

3-30

21.9

97.2

The two interceptions can almost be excused as the first was a deep bomb in the 2Q, and the last near the end of the game. The three big sacks hurt as well.


I don't disagree that this is what they may be thinking, hoping. I just think Mahomes is a better find than Love, and Andy Reid a much more savvy coach to prep a young QB than Matt LaFleur. I also imagine Alex Smith was significantly more understanding about his situation, thus did serve like a mentor to Mahomes, than Rodgers is likely going to be with Love. Time will tell.

I agree with you on the other intangibles though. Injuries, potential trades, etc. With that example in Denver showing just how hard it is to truly plan and predict what's really going to happen. That Guardian article notes how dumping Rogers now won't happen. After June 1 the cap hit for getting rid of Rodgers drops. The longer they wait, the better for them to move on, financially. So let's say there is no 2020 NFL season at all (cue to C-19), and in 2021 Love mostly sits. After 2021 leading into 2022 would be a great time to move Rodgers.

Having said that, it's hard to ignore though that a LOT of QB's drafted late in the first round or 2nd round, players that seem to have a lot of potential, do not pan out, or have average careers. EJ Manuel, Brandon Weeden, Brock Osweiller, Johnny Manzeil, Paxton Lynch, Christian Hackenberg, DeShone Kizer, Geno Smith, Jimmy Clausen, Josh Freeman, Kevin Kolb, John Beck, Tim Tebow.... Heck, you can add Josh Rosen, Jake Locker, Blaine Gabbert, Christian Ponder, Blake Bortles, who were all drafted high. Granted, there's no reason to think that Love is the risk that Manziel or Tebow were, and Locker's short career was riddled with injuries. But all of those guys had a lot of hope and expectations around them, and never rose above average. So, for every Patrick Mahomes, there's quite a few Blaine Gabberts and EJ Manuels.

This is why it stands out to a lot of people that in a draft loaded with WR's, to take Love the Packers were so incredibly impressed with him they were blown away, or they really do think Rodgers is all but finished, or they simply are not going to win the SB with him, and are looking to build for the future.

Just a few last thoughts: I think the future is now. By taking Love in the 1st rd, and trading up nonetheless, this shows that GB had an immediate need at the QB spot. Rodgers made it perfectly clear that he wanted a WR - and I would think Rodgers would have control of the offense:

Weiterleitungshinweis

"Rodgers had shared his opinion leading up to the draft that the Packers needed to use their first pick to draft a wide receiver."

Based on this, their immediate need would be WR not QB. And as I mentioned, Higgens was available when they came up to draft at the 30th spot, and they wouldn't have blown their 4th rounder in a trade.

Contrast this with Dallas taking CeeDee Lamb with their 1st pick to compliment Cooper and give DP some weapons. This sounds like a vote of confidence for DP from JJ.

If GB was satisfied with Rodgers in the interim but was looking down the road for an eventual replacement, they could have taken someone like Eason in the later rounds, or look at the QB prospects in next year's draft. Indy takes Eason in the 4th with the plans that he sits for a year learning from Rivers, who's on a 1-yr contract and more than likely going to retired after this year. If Eason is ready he could compete with Brissett for the starting job in 21. And with this move, ownership wasn't exactly sold on Brisset as a starter anyway, hence the acquisition of Rivers and the drafting of Eason. But it's wasn't an immediate need and they took a QB in the 4th - so there's not much at risk if he doesn't pan out. In fact, they took Pittman, Jr. with their 1st pick to give Rivers a badly needed WR.

And sure GB is going to say all the right things; that Rodgers is going to be the guy for the next 2-3 yrs, that Love is a long-term project and needs to learn from Rodgers, and there's nothing to see here, and so on & so forth. I was watching one of those ad nuseam"talking heads" shows the other day and a "former" offensive teammate of Rodgers was saying there's nothing to see here and all is well & good with Rodgers being the guy for the next 3 yrs. A former teammate? What else would I expect him to say. Lol.

I ignore all the rhetoric and believe actions speak louder than words - and this sounds like an immediate need at QB to run a different offensive system.

Packers have ‘had enough’ of Aaron Rodgers’ act

When general manager Brian Gutekunst and coach Matt LaFleur traded up to draft quarterback Jordan Love in the first round of the NFL Draft, they sent a message to 36-year-old Aaron Rodgers that his…

www.google.com

 

[Koronin]

Looks like NASCAR is first to jump with the Governor of North Carolina accepting that the Coca Cola 600 can be raced at Charlotte May 24th without fans. They would have a following race on May 27th. My guess is the broadcast ratings will generate enough revenue to offset lack of fans but that is a lesser issue at this point. If it is well received we could expect them getting as many events as possible scheduled for broadcast making them the first winner on the race to re-start.

NASCAR is actually going to attempt to race 2 races at Darlington, SC (Sunday may 17 and Wednesday May 24) and then 2 races at Charlotte (May 24 and May 27). Both tracks are in easy driving distance from the majority of team shops in the Charlotte area. Then for June the hope is to races Martinsville, VA, Bristol, TN, Atlanta, GA, and Homestead (Miami), FL.

 

[Oldermanish]

NASCAR is actually going to attempt to race 2 races at Darlington, SC (Sunday may 17 and Wednesday May 24) and then 2 races at Charlotte (May 24 and May 27). Both tracks are in easy driving distance from the majority of team shops in the Charlotte area. Then for June the hope is to races Martinsville, VA, Bristol, TN, Atlanta, GA, and Homestead (Miami), FL.

The economics of that would certainly work for NASCAR and broadcasters, making it a possible new normal for sports. It certainly makes sense to hold NBA games in a more proximate location on East and West coasts if they rely on primarily TV for revenue. Safer environment for players and personnel potentially. Local venues would suffer most from lost tourism but that's the next detail to work out.
Big team sports may be a tough start just due to sheer numbers of players, coaches and related workers. How does the CBA deal with players being required to play and resulting illness? Games could hinge on who has the most healthy players....weird to consider let alone bringing fans into the environment. Big, publicly subsidized stadiums also expect payback through tax revenue as well as the NBA so that big dog must be fed.

 

[movingtarget]

Just a few last thoughts: I think the future is now. By taking Love in the 1st rd, and trading up nonetheless, this shows that GB had an immediate need at the QB spot. Rodgers made it perfectly clear that he wanted a WR - and I would think Rodgers would have control of the offense:

Weiterleitungshinweis

"Rodgers had shared his opinion leading up to the draft that the Packers needed to use their first pick to draft a wide receiver."

Based on this, their immediate need would be WR not QB. And as I mentioned, Higgens was available when they came up to draft at the 30th spot, and they wouldn't have blown their 4th rounder in a trade.

Contrast this with Dallas taking CeeDee Lamb with their 1st pick to compliment Cooper and give DP some weapons. This sounds like a vote of confidence for DP from JJ.

If GB was satisfied with Rodgers in the interim but was looking down the road for an eventual replacement, they could have taken someone like Eason in the later rounds, or look at the QB prospects in next year's draft. Indy takes Eason in the 4th with the plans that he sits for a year learning from Rivers, who's on a 1-yr contract and more than likely going to retired after this year. If Eason is ready he could compete with Brissett for the starting job in 21. And with this move, ownership wasn't exactly sold on Brisset as a starter anyway, hence the acquisition of Rivers and the drafting of Eason. But it's wasn't an immediate need and they took a QB in the 4th - so there's not much at risk if he doesn't pan out. In fact, they took Pittman, Jr. with their 1st pick to give Rivers a badly needed WR.

And sure GB is going to say all the right things; that Rodgers is going to be the guy for the next 2-3 yrs, that Love is a long-term project and needs to learn from Rodgers, and there's nothing to see here, and so on & so forth. I was watching one of those ad nuseam"talking heads" shows the other day and a "former" offensive teammate of Rodgers was saying there's nothing to see here and all is well & good with Rodgers being the guy for the next 3 yrs. A former teammate? What else would I expect him to say. Lol.

I ignore all the rhetoric and believe actions speak louder than words - and this sounds like an immediate need at QB to run a different offensive system.

Packers have ‘had enough’ of Aaron Rodgers’ act

When general manager Brian Gutekunst and coach Matt LaFleur traded up to draft quarterback Jordan Love in the first round of the NFL Draft, they sent a message to 36-year-old Aaron Rodgers that his…

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I think Dallas taking Lamb was because Cooper went off the boil in the second half of the season which was why I was surprised they gave him a new 100 million extension ! They also couldn't make the playoffs from the worst conference in the league including a busted up Eagles. They also signed a new coach and franchise tagged Dak. Not sure how any of this inspires confidence in the Cowboys. Which is why people talking about the Cowboys going to the SB seems to be more about hope than cold hard reality. But according to some, the Cowboys are always SB bound..............Lamb might end up being good but the Cowboys need more than a WR to get to the SB especially in the NFC.

 

[jmdirt]

I think Dallas taking Lamb was because Cooper went off the boil in the second half of the season which was why I was surprised they gave him a new 100 million extension ! They also couldn't make the playoffs from the worst conference in the league including a busted up Eagles. They also signed a new coach and franchise tagged Dak. Not sure how any of this inspires confidence in the Cowboys. Which is why people talking about the Cowboys going to the SB seems to be more about hope than cold hard reality. But according to some, the Cowboys are always SB bound..............Lamb might end up being good but the Cowboys need more than a WR to get to the SB especially in the NFC.

Yes and no. I think that D was just a few plays here and there from having a much better season. They were 8 and 8 right? At the end of the season I looked back (in my brain and on the www) and they could have just as easily won four more...12-4 with just few plays. Plus, the same could be said for the div round. Now I don't want to play too much woulda-coulda because that doesn't count for anything, but my point is that one more play maker might be worth four more wins...or they might go 8-8 again! Are they going to the SB? I won't make that claim!

 

[Koronin]

The economics of that would certainly work for NASCAR and broadcasters, making it a possible new normal for sports. It certainly makes sense to hold NBA games in a more proximate location on East and West coasts if they rely on primarily TV for revenue. Safer environment for players and personnel potentially. Local venues would suffer most from lost tourism but that's the next detail to work out.
Big team sports may be a tough start just due to sheer numbers of players, coaches and related workers. How does the CBA deal with players being required to play and resulting illness? Games could hinge on who has the most healthy players....weird to consider let alone bringing fans into the environment. Big, publicly subsidized stadiums also expect payback through tax revenue as well as the NBA so that big dog must be fed.

I suspect we'll see auto racing and golf the first two sports to restart as they are easier to social distance especially with NASCAR saying no "live" pit stops. Pit stops will be done under caution and you keep the place you had on the tract after the pit stop. My guess is that it will take longer to figure out how to restart MLB and the NBA. At this point I don't see the NHL even trying until fall. Football is going to be much harder. I put cycling closer to football in restarting. I suspect we'll need more than just Remdsivir as a treatment before either can be restarted. Hopefully by fall we'll have more treatments. Football is likely the hardest to restart due to the nature of the sport.

 

[jmdirt]

So I haven't sought out any information, but after hearing that the LA Lakers took money from small businesses, I decided that if an NFL team did too, I'm done. I sincerely hope that the NFL BILLIONAIRES aren't that lame...but we'll see. It will take rehab for me to quit my NFL addiction, but they have dinged me quite a bit over the last ?? years so that kind of BS would be enough to end it for me.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Bengals released Andy Dalton, which clears about $17M cap room. From a football standpoint, going somewhere else will probably be good for Dalton, unless its JAX. From a financial standpoint I'm guessing he would get the same or better money?? I wonder if Bilichick is interested?

 

[jmdirt]

Bengals released Andy Dalton, which clears about $17M cap room. From a football standpoint, going somewhere else will probably be good for Dalton, unless its JAX. From a financial standpoint I'm guessing he would get the same or better money?? I wonder if Bilichick is interested?

HMM, Dalton to NE...it could work.

 

[movingtarget]

Flacco, Dalton and Cam now looking for a team but there are not many openings left. As for the Patriots will they be one of the teams looking at Trevor Lawrence in 2021 ? Patriots got Hoyer back so something tells me it won't be the Patriots for Dalton. Bill B said they were looking for a QB in the draft but it just didn't work out for them or they couldn't get the one they liked I guess. Dalton is only 32 but his stats have dropped off, obviously not all his fault ! I think he has more chance to be signed than the other two who are both injury prone. Trubisky might be another one on the outer soon and Mayfield needs to get a good start to the season as well, now that Keenum has joined the Browns.