Happy Friday everyone. But not you, Baker Mayfield. Ouch-standingly bad beat for the Raiders minus-5.5 last night. Brutal.
Let's handle our business, shall we? I think we shall.
First, excellent stuff from Stephen Hargis on the TSSAA approving name, image and likeness opportunities for high school athletes. This is a big deal, but I don't think it will become this free-for-all spending war. Not really sure how marketable high school athletes are.
Still, we have bagged on the NCAA for not getting out front of the NIL discussions. At least the TSSAA is trying to be forward-thinking in the matter. Here's his story in today's fishwrapper.
Here's Paschall on the Vols first Biletnikoff winner. Side question: Is that the right name for the best WR award in college football history? I know Fred Biletnikoff was a fine player, but is he even a top 25 WR all-time? Discuss.
As for the Rushmores, let's roll with these.
Rushmore of Young -- Young Frankenstein, Steve Young, young at heart and Young Guns.
Rushmore of American rock bands -- Beach Boys, Van Halen, Metallica and a personal nod to Lynryd Skynyrd.
Rushmore of all-time commissioners -- Pete Rozelle, Commissioner Gordon of Gotham City, David Stern and Kennesaw Mountain Landis.
Rushmore of Walt -- Disney, Whitman, Frazier and Bellamy. (No Walters, just Walts.)
Also remember the Bowl contest. You can see the games and the spreads here. Email your entry to me at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com.
From Todd
Jay, please tell me the Braves are going to sign Dansby. Please.
What is taking so long?
Todd —
Not sure what is taking so long, but Dansby's patience certainly is going to up the price with the monster deals Xander Bogaerts and Trae Turner signed with the Padres and the Phillies, respectively.
I don't know if Alex Anthopoulos and the Braves are going to break the salary ceiling for Dansby. I do know that Dansby's counter offer before the start of the 2022 season of six years and $140 million looks pretty affordable compared to the other deals for the above shortstops.
I also saw this from Paul Hembo's Twitter account.
"The Mets will pay Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander $173.3M over the next 2 seasons. The Braves will pay Matt Olson, Ronald Acuña Jr., Raisel Iglesias, Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies, Michael Harris II, Spencer Strider $171M over the next 2 seasons."
Wow.
In truth Todd, I don't have any idea what Dansby will do. But if I had to guess, well, I think Swanson will be playing somewhere else for the next five-to-seven seasons and will get north of $25 million annually to do it.
Sorry my man.
From Bicycle Bob
Jay, you've been saying that an expansion of the College Football Playoff would render the regular season meaningless. I share your concerns. I think there's a way to address the issue, while simultaneously avoiding the dilemma facing the CFP voters today, who are dealing with two of their top four teams losing last week in conference title games. That is: eliminate conference championship games. Do that, and suddenly the regular season means a lot, as it will decide your conference champion. And you eliminate last-minute surprises to the CFP selection. And without a conference title game, you free up a weekend to expand the playoffs and make more money. And isn't that what it's all become about?
BB —
I wish there was a way to secure the meaning of the college football regular season when the expansion takes hold in 2024.
But there simply is no possible way the conferences will do away with the conference championship games. It's too big a money maker -- and it is an extra TV product to peddle -- for the leagues.
Plus, the conference championships are going to be the springboards since each of the Power Five champions will get into the expanded playoff.
The title game will be critical, too, when the SEC expands to 16 teams when Oklahoma and Texas join the league. Especially if the talk of doing away with divisions happens. With 16 teams in the SEC and fluctuating schedules, you could have multiple unbeatens in a given year.
Without a title game, if there are two (or goodness forbid three) 12-0 teams, who would be the SEC champ?
You are 100% right about one thing though.
It is all about the money. Always has been but it was never this apparent I suppose.
From Scott
Man, I love the 5-at-10. I look forward to it every day.
I saw the Chase Artopoeus signing last night. Surely the Mocs aren't pinning their hopes on him, right? Dude was a walk-on at UCLA and never saw the field. I'm hopeful we see another signing (or two) at that position. Until they have a dude under center, the Mocs will continue to mire in above-averageness.
Regarding Griner -- so sad that she comes home, but the U.S. marine, Paul Whelan, is still in a Russian prison.
Scott —
Thanks for reading, my man.
UTC needs a dude behind center for sure. There are a lot of pieces in place, and Rusty Wright deserves credit for that.
But to take the next step and get back to consistently being a playoff participant and SoCon champ, the Mocs need better quarterback play.
As for Brittney, well, plenty has been said in all directions, and it is sad that we moved Heaven and Earth -- and dealt an arms dealer -- for a WNBA player and could not get a Marine freed.
I don't want any American wrongly detained anywhere in the world. That's not the issue, so I think we all are glad that Griner is coming home.
But the cost and the risk and the conversation about the Marine must be debated, and the details are striking.
I also wondered this: How many people are in Silverdale Detention right now for offenses similar to the drug possession charges Russia had against Griner?
From Chas
The Falcs are benching Mariota. Guess the brass must read and heed Jay.
Gas prices are down 40 cents this month, and lower than a year ago.
The House has passed the Respect for Marriage Act (with 39 Republican yeas).
For Friday's bag: Will you be celebrating these accomplishments, or giving Uncle Joe any credit?
Chas —
Wait, I thought you said gas prices rising were not Joe's fault.
But gas prices falling means Joe deserves credit? Hmmmmm.
And if Joe is mingling in the inner-workings of the Falcons front office then a) my favorite NFL team is really in trouble and b) here's hoping the U.S. doesn't trade the No. 3 man in al-Qaeda for Mariota and a future draft pick.
I think we all will celebrate the gas price dip. The truth is, though, that gas prices are the most visible price out there.
And whether we're going to call it one or not, we are in a recession, and the interest rate is still climbing. Groceries are through-the-roof expensive. And if I had to guess, more than a few folks who were part of the housing-buying frenzy over the last 12 months will be underwater in 2023.
It's going to get worse before it gets better, in my opinion.
But, yeah, way to go Joe, it now is $3 cheaper to fill my tank. (We need a sarcasm font on this platform, you know it.)
As for the respect for marriage bill, I have always supported the very basic right and choice to love whomever you choose.
Have a great weekend friends.