Birthday memories
Morning folks. Today we celebrate the ninth birthday of the 5-at-10 the Third. (Yes, technically we are a Junior, so there's that. Rushmore of Juniors would be Cal Ripken, Ken Griffey, Dale Earnhardt and Junior Achievement. Where were we?)
Lil' 5-at-10 in 9; big age, a year from double digits. He is our oldest, and is a reminder of the biggest unknowing lie told with true intentions in the world. It happens when people with kids tell people expecting their first child that it "will change your life."
And the expecting parents answer almost universally, "Yes, we know."
The truth is all of us had no idea how much kids change everything. Everything. It's glorious and an emotional roller coaster that can't be described because it's amazingly universal and impossibly individualistic at the same time.
So happy birthday Not-so-Lil' 5-at-10 (anymore), and thanks for changing my life.
FILE - In this Feb. 7, 2016, file photo, Denver Broncos' Von Miller (58) strips the ball from Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 50 football game, in Santa Clara, Calif. Von Miller got the best of Cam Newton both in the Super Bowl and its aftermath, making the NFL's MVP the butt of his jokes on "SNL" and trolling him on Instagram after sack-stripping him twice in the shadow of the Panthers' goal line. Miller, who was named Super Bowl MVP after his two sack-strips of Newton led to both of Denver's touchdowns in the Broncos' 24-10 win seven months ago, said he lobbed the friendly jabs only because he has immense respect for Newton, whom he called "the best player in the league." Newton, who faces Miller again Thursday night in the 2016 NFL kickoff in Denver, swears he didn't mind Miller rubbing it in. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File) NFL is here
We all have been swept up in the bliss and majesty that was a glorious opening weekend of college football. (Remember this feeling because this coming weekend, because Saturday's schedule is far less glamorous.)
Still, we must acknowledge that the NFL is set for toe to meet leather Thursday in a rematch of the last Super Bowl. Yes, the Broncos will be sans Peyton Manning as they turn to Trevor Siemian. And the Panthers are hoping that the Cam Newton that won the MVP last year will return rather than the Cam Newton who was really lacking in the Denver win last February.
With that, we'll make our individual awards picks today and do team forecasts come Thursday. Deal? Deal.
MVP - Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay. Yes, this may feel like picking Jason Day in every golf major, but with a healthy Jordy Nelson and a ticking clock of motivation, here's thinking Mr. Olivia Munn delivers. (Rodgers' significant other, Ms. Munn, is very easy on the eyes.)
Offensive player - Adrian Peterson, Minnesota. Here's guessing that Peterson challenges the 2,000-yard mark, but loses the MVP because, well, quarterbacks are inherently more valuable. (A theory the Vikings simultaneously are trying to eschew and prove by dealing a first-round pick in '17 and a conditional pick that could be as high as a second in '18 for the artist formerly known as top-overall pick Sam Bradford.) Side question: Why does the NFL have MVP and offensive and defensive players of the year? Would you think they would be the same, though they rarely overlap?
Defensive player of the year - Khalil Mack, Oakland. Luke Kuechly and JJ Watt are the Rodgers and Brady of the defensive honors category. Well, Mr. Mack is about to join them. Dude was first-team All-Pro at two positions last year - linebacker and defensive end- and his Raiders teammates are better this year.
Offensive rookie of the year - Ezekiel Elliot, Dallas. Talent + opportunity rarely meets in a better fashion than what Elliott has in year one in Dallas.
Defensive rookie of the year - Jalen Ramsey, Jacksonville. A lot of people believe Ramsey was the best player in the '16 draft. He'll live up to that expectation in his first year with the Jags.
Comeback player of the year - Andrew Luck, Indianapolis. After an injury-filled 2015, here's betting Luck reminds all of us why he was pegged to be the Peyton 2.0. Omaha. Omaha.
Coach of the year - Bill Belichick, New England. The more things change, the more, well, you know. Ol' Coach Smiles a Never has a ton of pieces and the real hurdle of no Tom Brady for the first month.There are a lot of choices here, considering Bruce Arians in Arizona, Gus Bradley in Jacksonville and even Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh are poised for big runs, too. But it's hard not to take the Hoodie and feel good.
Thoughts?
And then there was one
One baseball team appears overly interested in signing Tim Tebow, the notoriously famous quarterback who is as polarizing as they come, for whatever reason.
Tebow got a ton of love and criticism from the divided sides during his relatively short-lived NFL career. He then was met with a ton of backlash for announcing he wanted to try to play professional baseball.
Do I think he'll ever see the majors? Of course not.
Do I expect him to sign sooner rather than later? Yes.
Here's what Atlanta Braves GM John Coppolella told MLB.com: "Whatever Tim decides, the fact that he wants to play baseball is good for the game. It's similar to when Michael Jordan or others have wanted to play. It's positive to draw this kind of interest to the game and make it a story because it's good for baseball. There's no risk. If it doesn't work, we'll be honest with Tim early, and we can move on. If it does work, it's great for the Braves and it's great for baseball."
There is little risk for the Braves, and for Tebow.
But c'mon John this is not great for baseball; this is great for the Braves bottom line, considering Atlanta owns all of its minor league franchises, so even a year of Tebow in say A-ball in Rome would be a boon for ticket sales.
Plus, let's not forget the millions of people who go buy a Braves' No. 15 with "Tebow" across the back.
This and that
- Speaking of polarizing figures and jersey sales, who says controversy doesn't pay? In the summer, Colin Kapeernick's No. 7 was the 20th-best selling 49ers jersey. Now, it's the best seller across the NFL.
- Because he's Steve Spurrier and the rest of us aren't. Here's the Ol' Ball Coach doing his best Usain Bolt impersonation before the Florida game last weekend. Don't ever change, Coach. Ever.
- Make time to read this excellent column from TFP ace sports columnist Mark Wiedmer.
- On the other side of the coin, here's a heart-breaking story of a 54-year-old man who died a few minutes after dancing with his daughter at her wedding. Ugh. Now it's dusty in here.
Today's question
OK, feel free to offer some NFL projections and insights. It's OK, everyone's doing it.
If you need a Rushmore, today is national salami day, a very underrated sandwich meat.
So what's on the Rushmore of cold cut?. Go, and we'll start with turkey, ham, roast beef and lean toward pastrami.
P.S. - remember the mailbag.