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Now what
So the Underwear Olympics have come and gone. We discussed some of the movers — in each direction — in this space Monday.
The biggest question for NFL fans from Savannah to Signal though is what are the Atlanta Falcons going to do to address the most important position in sports.
Oh, it's out there. And for those of us who long for the days of Steve Bartkowski or even the roller coaster that was Mike Vick or the even the unrealized potential of a Jeff George and certainly the underappreciated production from Matt Ryan, the questions hangs over every part of the franchise.
Who is the franchise's QB1?
We may not know who he is yet — and we'll discuss some of those complicated competitors for the job — but I think we all have a firm belief who it is not.
Desmond Ridder is not him. Heck, Falcons coach Raheem Morris said as much when he met with the media during the combine.
"If we had better quarterback play, I'm probably not standing here at this podium," Morris said last week in Indy.
Yeah. Bye Desmond, and it's not all his fault. Hey Steelers fans, good luck with that Arthur Smith experiment.
But the options are everywhere for Atlanta, and more than a few of them have the "Hey did you know Jon Gruden's wife was a cheerleader at UT" vibe in terms of the 404 and the QB1 connection.
There's the looming free agency of Kirk Cousins, a savvy veteran who is better than most realize. Heck, dude is a top-12 QB. And according to reports, Mrs. Cousins grew up in Alpharetta, which is almost as close to the ATL as Smyrna (where I grew up) but with more rich folks.
There's the now availability of Russell Wilson, the former All-Pro in Seattle and bust with the Broncos. Dude has quality tape, is younger than Cousins and could come on the bona fide cheap. Also, his wife — pop star Ciara — grew up in Riverdale, which is South of the ATL and also as close as Smyrna but with way more poor folks.
There's the chatter about Justin Fields, the Bears QB who is clearly on the trading block in Chicago. To complete the connection, Fields grew up in Cobb County — where Smyrna is — and went to Harrison High School. He's a dude.
But who will be the Falcons "dude de jour," because it's clear that must be addressed.
Do they go on the cheap and hope one of the aforementioned three has lightning in a bottle?
Do they pray JJ McCarthey is him and that he could fall to Atlanta at 9?
Do they pay the King's ransom to move up and get the sweepstakes for any of the partners of the law firm Williams, Maye and Daniels in the top 3?
I believe the biggest question in the draft — I love the draft, you know this — revolves around the Bears.
After that, ball is in your court Coach Morris and Co.
And the stakes are impossibly large.
EA Sports
It is impossible to put a gauge on the excitement we have for the looming relaunch of the EA Sports college football video game.
Short story long. It took me six-plus years to get out of Auburn University with a degree for a multitude of reasons.
A. I was one of the biggest bookies on campus for at least 18 months and became fairly well known for being a guy who picked up a check or three. My consigliere Justin tells me the statue of limitations has expired, but know this: The operation was large. And the cash was flowing.
2. I enjoyed college more than anyone you know for a lot of the wrong reasons. The aforementioned reference is a starting point, but let's just say that the first time I saw "Animal House" I thought it was more a documentary than a lark.
And D. EA College football. That, and Tecmo Bowl and old-school RBI Baseball on old-school Nintendo occupied way more of my time than those silly classes. Scoop of chocolate, scoop of vanilla, don't waste my time.
(Side note: Suffice to say there was a time in my life I would gamble on anything, especially video games. Played more than one game of Super Tecmo 2 with wagers on the line that included stakes with a comma.)
(Side note on the side note: There was a time that if you saw me sit down at a card table with money in the pot, well, we could just save everyone the time and pass it on over. Anyone ever heard of a little game called Boo-Ray? Not sure of the spelling. Am sure it funded more than one trip to the Panhandle of Florida. First class.)
Anywell, where were we? Ah yes, EA Sports college football.
Not many folks realize the impact of this game — from the gaming community to the place we are in college athletics.
This was the basis of Ed O'Bannon's lawsuit back in the day — he sued EA Sports for their college hoops game — that has become the name, image and likeness tsunami that makes NIL as identifiable for sports fans as SEC and MLB.
This assuredly big business. According to reports, 10,000 NCAA college football players have opted in, and each will be paid $600 for their involvement.
Does that seem low? Of course. But like most things, the leverage of cost and profit must be considered, which may be the most telling lillipad we have stepped on in this college sports journey.
Most say they are less worried about the money and more pleased to be in the video game.
Gotta admit, it would be boss sauce to be in a video game. Well, unless they gave me the actual athletic rating I deserved.
(Side note: If you are of age to remember EA College Football, you know you created yourself as a recruit — likely as QB1 — and went to your favorite school and Joe Burrowed-it. It's OK to admit it.)
Praise be
OK, deep breaths everyone. Deep breaths.
Ronald Acuña's knee seems to be fine, big picture.
He is expected to be ready for the season opener.
Yes, the Dodgers are my favorite team. Yes, I will watch the Dodgers more this year — we all will because every national broadcast that can schedule the Dodgers will schedule the Dodgers since you know they spent a billion (yes, billion with a 'B") in the offseason — than years past.
But I will still watch way more Braves games. It's on my time frame.
And with the exception of maybe Doc Gooden pitching in 1985, Junior at his Mariners' highlight-apex or the home run chases of McGwire and Sosa in 1998 or Barry Bonds a few years later, there is no baseball player that is more must-see TV than Ronald Acuña Jr.
Heck, somewhere, Rob Manfred just released a breath almost as deep as everyone in Braves Nation.
Man, he's fun to watch.
This and that
— Speaking of the EA Sports game, it appears Arch Manning is one of the few holdouts from granting the game his likeness. Of course non this side of Ooltewah football coach Goose Manning with that last night needs the extra coin, I can't help but wonder if the Mannings may be in talks for a video game of "The Manning Passing Academy." Thoughts?
— Today is Super Tuesday. Please go vote, especially for the local elections, because as much as we lament the dreck atop the tickets for each party, your local vote carries way more weight. And matters way more in your day-to-day in most cases.
— Yikes, Nick Swardson — an actor who has been one of the barnacles on the S.S. Adam Sandler in a slew of his movies — had a lowlight during a Colorado stand-up set. Egad.
— This is a fun story. These local folks got a year's worth of free chicken from the new Shaq joint in Hixson. Man, that Shaq. He's downright lovable, you know?
— Rules people. Paschall has some college football details on the additions to the Vols staff. You know how it works.
— Great story here on Paul Azinger's sudden removal from NBC's golf coverage. Great details. And his suggestion for his replacement is downright perfect. One Chuck Barkley, who be the far opposite of "Turrible" calling pro golf.
— Jason Kelce retired Monday. Enjoy good sir.
— Keith Mitchell finished T-9 in the Monday conclusion of the PGA event. That was worth $210,536. Yeah, that's winning the weekend. Stephan Jaeger and Luke List missed the cut this weekend, which is news for Jaeger, who has been an ATM all things considered for the past year.
Today's questions
True or false, it's Tuesday. Morning Ern.
True or false, the Kelces are No. 2 on the list of best brothers in NFL history behind Peyton and Eli.
True or false, the Falcons draft a QB in round 1.
True or false, you have played poker with $500-plus in the pot.
True or false, hearts is more fun than spades.
True or false, the Broncos deal for Russell Wilson was the worst trade in NFL history. (Yes, worse than Minnesota dealing for Herschel.)
True or false, you will vote today.
You know the drill. Answer some T or Fs, ask some T or Fs.
As for today, March 5, let's review.
John Belushi died on this day in 1982. Speaking of "Animal House," rest easy Bluto.
"Stairway to Heaven" was played live for the first time on this day in 1971. That song is so long, they finished it in 1999.
Patsy Cline died in a plane crash on this day in 1963. She of course sang some of the most familiar country tracks ever.
And in the country music theme, and I know we have asked for the all-time women of country music, but let's try this.
Rushmore of all time songs by a female country musician. Go.