Merry Christmas friends and please know how grateful I am for your presence.
We're going to move quickly today because it's Christmas and I still have to help Santa get his fat bottom back up my chimney.
Christmas wishes
We'll offer a quick top 5, last-second Christmas wishes for the better parts of the sports world:
— May the Dodgers win 120 games and lose in the Divisional series;
— May the Bills wins the Super Bowl (it is time friends);
— May the Pistons win a game;
— May Michigan boatrace Alabama (I am betting big on Bama, but Santa, please let the Sabanites fall);
— May each of your teams prevail, that is as long as they are a) not playing my team or b) not playing the team I have wagered the Lil' 5-at-10's college fund on.
Weekend winner/loser
It still is a Monday, and I could offer the Falcons in both categories.
They won Sunday.
But that also means it's a step toward Arthur Smith keeping his gig.
And it also means it is a step away from the No. 1 overall pick and a QB around which the team and city could rally.
Alas. Atlanta Falcons football — winning and losing, all in the same Sunday.
Winner/loser part II
Is the NFL pushing the envelope of its popularity with a Peacock (streaming) only Saturday night NFL game?
I don't know and it's hard to argue because the NFL embraces the technological version of the great Glengary Glen Ross intro of "Always Be Growing."
But if you are going to draw a line in the sand and then the masses don't cross that $9.99 line to see Bills-Chargers, are you growing or closing?
Maybe we will get a better taste when Peacock has a playoff game next month.
Merry Christmas.
This and that
— That said, the NFL is about to kick the NBA to the Christmas curb, You know it. I know it. Roger knows it. And so does Adam Silver.
— Kudos to Brent Key and Georgia Tech, which a) delivered an exclamation point on a turnaround season and b) cashed a really big ticket for someone you know. War Jackets.
— Side Christmas note: I think "Love Actually" and "Christmas Vacation" are overrated. There I said it.
— Gang, I promise a Bowling for Bowls of Bow Game Success (Bowler Option) update ASAP. That's on me.
Today's question
Christmas tradition that you think is overrated. Go.
As for today, Dec. 25, let's review.
Well, Jesus was born today. That's a biggie.
Also, Rickey Henderson is 65 today, and while Rickey would assuredly argue the celebrations are for him, I will offer that he is certainly far left on the Rushmore of leadoff hitters.
Who else joins him?