Protests abound
Man, remember the time when we turned to sports to forget the real world and simply be entertained.
What was that, like three months ago?
Now, we are surrounded by the hypocritical and haphazard meddling statements from athletes and organizations about this social issue or that perceived injustice. We have all heard about the Colin Kaepernick anthem protest, and we have watched as more and more players have fallen in line with the movement.
Whatever. (And yes, it's there right to do whatever they please during the anthem, just like it's my right not to like or agree with it. Just like it's my right to point out that they are protesting something that is already being addressed by the government as best it can. In a lot of ways this would be like protesting outside the Waffle House to demand the Waffle House stay open 24 hours, and then the manager comes out and says, "Uh, we are open 24 hours." Now, if the players are going to protest until racism is ended, well, good thing they are not holding their breath.)
And the NFL - the league that manages its reputation to the point that it fines players for violating the dress code by changing its uniform - is silent.
Now comes the news that the NCAA is pulling seven championship events out of North Carolina because of the state's bathroom rules.
And there was a protest of Ryan Lochte last night on Dances with the Stars.
Man we are offended by everything. It's sad.
(And if that offends you, well, go read something else.)
Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts sets back to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Western Kentucky, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)College football Top 5s
We are going to listify on Tuesdays this year during the college football season. In fact, we'll do five top-fives in 10 words or less. Yes, the often-imitated, never-duplicated Top 5s in 10 by the 5-at-10 times five. Ready? Let's go.
SEC top 5
Alabama. And it's not that close.
Texas A&M. Receiver Christian Kirk is a legit-first-rounder.
Arkansas. That win over TCU was nice.
Tennessee. Replacing LB Darren Kirkland will be tough.
Florida. Are the Gators good or Wildcats terrible? Yes, they are.
Top 5 title contenders right now
Alabama. And it's not that close
Houston. Cougars need Oklahoma to run the table.
Florida State. Monster trip to Louisville this weekend.
Ohio State. Urban Meyer has assembled nation's second-best roster.
Michigan. Coach Khakis is legit.
Top 5 Heisman candidates
Lamar Jackson, Louisville. To repeat, he has more touchdowns than every FBS team.
Deondre Francois, FSU. Dual-threat quarterback duel comes Saturday.
J.T. Barrett, Ohio State. Job is his. Should have been last year, too.
Shane Buechele, Texas. Freshman phenom has Longhorns dreaming big.
Royce Freeman, Oregon. Big play running back will post huge stats.
Top 5 games this week
FSU-Louisville. Winner has leg up on playoff chase.
Oklahoma-Ohio State. Tickets on stubhub.com average around $480 per.
Alabama-Ole Miss. Unbelievably, Tide has a two-game losing streak in series.
Michigan State-Notre Dame. Two top-20 teams; Irish can't lose again.
USC-Stanford. Winner has inside track to Pac-12 title game.
Top 5 pressure points (players/coaches in the most intense spotlights)
Les Miles, LSU. Dude has his career in a Purdue transfer's hands.
Danny Etling, LSU. Said-Purdue transfer, who has to save LSU season.
Gus Malzahn, Auburn. Texas A&M comes to Auburn; Malzahn's offense needs to shine.
Brian Kelly, Notre Dame. The 2012 BCS title game feels like a decade ago.
Lamar Jackson, Louisville. He's thrashed Charlotte and Syracuse; if he gets Noles...
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) scrambles against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) NFL power poll
It's back. Our NFL power poll, which includes the best and worst teams in a league designed for complete and total parity.
Side question: The NFL has become America's sport - the TV numbers from the opening weekend were monstrous - and it has arrived there with a very socialistic view. Everyone has the same cap. Schedules are manipulated to hinder good teams and help poor ones. Teams that draft well are at a huge advantage, which rewards excellence, but that reward has a limited window. NFL. USA. Let's protest. Oh wait, never mind, we already have plenty go that.
To the poll, and for those that are regulars around this space, you know that not all 1-0 teams are treated equally. Quarterbacks and coaches - and that marriage is more important to NFL teams than any coupling in every other sport - carry as much influence as anything this side of the record. Because, as the late great Dennis Green emphatically told us, "You are what your record says you are." (And we let them off the hook.)
The Best
1. New England Patriots. Does anyone in sports do it better? The Spurs are worth mentioning here. Alabama and Nick Saban as well. Still, in a league that craves and tries to demand parity, the Patriots just keep chugging along. Here's you stat of dominance: Under Bill Belichick, the Patriots have recorded double-digit win totals for 14 consecutive seasons. And does anyone doubt that continues?
2. Pittsburgh Steelers. Monday night, the Steelers torched Washington. It was not close, and the Pittsburgh offense was dominant, and that's without Le'Veon Bell, who is one of the three best running backs alive. If you are going to beat the Steelers this year, you better be prepared to score 35-plus points.
3. Cincinnati Bengals. Yes, they needed a rally to escape a better-than-expected Jets bunch. And, yes, they have some offensive line questions after allowing the Jets to sack Andy Dalton seven times Sunday. The Bengals have arguably the most talented roster 1-through-53 in the league.
4. Denver Broncos. Trevor Siemian certainly is the outlier on this list of quarterbacks of the league's top teams. But when your defense is that swarming, and your head coach has a well-documented history of making the most of athletic quarterbacks, there is reason for confidence and optimism for the defending Super Bowl champs.
5. Oakland Raiders. Noticing a trend here? Yes, the AFC appears way more deep and way more talented than its NFC counterparts. Look at the best in the NFC: Carolina lost to the Broncos; Seattle barely beat a mediocre-at-best Dolphins team; Green Bay had to rally past a young Jaguars bunch; Minnesota needed two defensive touchdowns to top the Titans. Not good. And the Raiders went to New Orleans, and despite letting Drew Brees do just about anything he wanted to, Oakland walked out with the win.
The Not Best
28. Tennessee Titans. A season with much promise opened with a great first half. And then the offense imploded and allowed the Vikings defense to turn two turnovers directly into touchdowns in a 25-16 loss. The Titans are better, for certain, and the tandem of DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry in the back field is daunting. But if your go-to wide out is Tajae Sharpe, well, you are going to have issues going downfield. Also of note, the Titans stifled Minnesota star Adrian Peterson.
29. Buffalo Bills. Seven points? Seven? And you lose your best wide out in Sammy Watkins, who may miss an extended stretch with a foot injury? Not the best start for a make-or-break season for head coach Rex Ryan.
30. Chicago Bears. The Bears are rebuilding and in truth, that roster is limited in a lot of areas. A fast start Sunday was quickly deterred by a Houston team that will contend in a wide-open AFC South. How's this for a potential strange scenario? The Bears could have a potential trade piece in quarterback Jay Cutler.
31. Cleveland Browns. OK, other than the floater the Rams dropped, is there a worse way to start the season than how the Browns did? Their quarterback separated his shoulder in a loss to the rookie and potential franchise quarterback the Browns traded on draft day. Hey, Cleveland, at least you have the Cavs starting soon.
32. Los Angeles Rams. New city, same Jeff Fisher offense. Seriously, take a three-year stretch when Steve McNair was on the short list of the best players in the league, and Jeff Fisher is the anti-Belichick. Monday night's 28-0 loss to a woeful San Francisco roster is flat-out troubling. To make it worse, here are the results of every Rams' possession, in order: Punt-Punt-Punt-Pick-Punt-Punt-Punt-Punt-Punt-Punt-Pick-Punt-Turnover On Downs-End of Game.
This and that
- Wow, this is a tough way to get the rest of the night off. Braves rookie shortstop Dansby Swanson was standing around behind the mound as the pitcher was warming up, and catcher Tyler Flowers' errant throw hit Swanson right in the junk. Ouch-standing.
- Today is Sept. 13, and the Cubs' magic number is 3. Read that again.
- Speaking of the NFL, well, players can speak their mind during the National Anthem but Antonio Brown can't twerk after a touchdown. So, NFL, perceived sportsmanship must be mandated and enforced, but patriotism is optional? That's your stance?
Today's question
Knock yourself sill. There's plenty of meat on the bone here today folks.
As for a Rushmore, Milton S. Hershey would have been 159 today. Yes, dude did OK in the candy biz.
Rushmore of candy off the rack at the cash register? Whatcha' got?