MichiganCardinal

I expect Roger Goodell will spin the NFL wheel of punishments to determine his fate and it will land on a four-game suspension.

I feel like with the way the courts are moving on this, a player who wanted to transfer right now and play in the fall could probably get an injunction to allow it. I think transfer rules are heading right out the window.

That’s a great story. And it sounds like they did you a favor kicking you out. Facial recognition is a stadium-by-stadium thing. Madison Square Garden has it and has been involved in ongoing litigation about it because they are using it to ban attorneys who are on the opposing side of litigation, for no reason other that they are on the other side of litigation. I do think there are probably more standards in place with the NFL because of their relationship with Ticketmaster. Given that every ticket goes through Ticketmaster, even when bought elsewhere, I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a master list of banned individuals somewhere, that makes it at least more difficult for them to buy tickets. Probably comes more into play with season ticket holders.

If JJ works out for them, this makes sense. You are effectively paying Jefferson your QB's salary during JJ's rookie deal. But this is just so much money to devote to one player at one position when the team surrounding him has some glaring issues. The Vikings can't decide whether to blow it all up or keep trying to patch holes in the bow of the ship (Viking puns, get it?)... They'll likely be stuck in purgatory for it. Methinks they will regret this.

If I’m Brad, I’m working with a PI right now to determine the veracity and seriousness of these allegations. McManus’s camp had previously said these were “demonstrably false” claims, which - if words mean anything - means something. The last good Lions kicker was a Bronco who ultimately was released due to off the field controversy (DWI). Will the next be the same?

I don't think they'll talk about it publicly, because I don't think the NCAA will like it. Anybody who can stand in the way of it happening won't know until it's a done deal, similar to how we didn't hear a peep about the USC/UCLA moves, and then overnight it was a done deal. They'll want to get the power players (Michigan, OSU, Alabama, USC, Georgia, Notre Dame, etc.) on the same page. Once that happens and the money is aligned in one direction, I expect it happens quickly.

I agree. There are a lot of bruised egos and hurt feelings that will need time to heal, and it's not going to be snap of the fingers back to the PAC-12.

A mildly interesting offseason watch. This dude (a Michigan native and Lions fan) creates videos at NFL stadiums generally centered around seeing how long he can stay before he gets "kicked out of" (asked to leave) a stadium, or - with college stadiums - videos where he tries to find unlocked gates and enter the stadiums. In everything I've seen, he's respectful, and while he tries to avoid personnel, he doesn't disturb anything, just videos the stadium, and leaves when he's told to leave. He gets formally ejected from Lucas Oil Stadium here, and this video provides a pretty interesting insight on what the process is for people who the NFL kicks out of the stadium. He had to pay $250 for a "four hour" training on appropriate fan behavior, and then pass a test, in order to be permitted back in not only Lucas Oil, but any stadium in the NFL. I've always wondered what happened to knuckleheads who run onto the field at a baseball game, or get escorted out for being too drunk. This is probably the answer.

As long as it's football, people will watch. It won't have the same allure as it did when it was Bo and Woody, or even Tressel and Carr. But that's been the case for a while now.

College football needs to die and be reborn. B1G + Miami, Stanford, Cal, and Notre Dame SEC + Florida State, Clemson, Virginia, Va Tech, UNC, and Duke Disband from the NCAA for football only. Let the other sports figure their own stuff out. Inertia will work itself out so that UCLA Golf and Oregon Tennis aren’t traveling to Happy Valley and Piscataway. 44 teams is a lot for a new pro sports league, but when you have teams like Rutgers, Illinois, and Vanderbilt amongst them, it’ll be okay.

Even if there are a few though - particularly a few in Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Georgia - it could make a difference. I agree that this is not some whole scale change. It never was going to be. But it could be a slight change in the margins. And slight changes in the margins may decide this election. I don't think he's gaining supporters by being a convicted felon.

I agree. I think that would look like two years probation instead of one right now, but the next five weeks could change that. If Trump goes scorched earth like he tends to do, and we see him doxxing jurors and court staff in the coming weeks, I wouldn’t put it past Merchan to put him in jail.

Not really. Appeals are all law based, not fact based. The appeal will be about whether the jury instructions were proper, or whether certain witnesses should have been allowed to say certain things. Merchan will have guidelines for the sentence and then discretion to go up or down. If he uses it, and goes above the guidelines, then that can be reviewed for abuse of that discretion. He would have to make a very clear record as to why he was going above the guidelines. But that appeal would only apply to the sentence, not the conviction.

I know the voting restriction in Florida was debunked, but I wonder how other countries will react. He’s not allowed in Canada, Japan, or Australia with a felony.

I generally believe he should be treated like any other criminal. Which starts with getting sentenced per the guidelines. Generally that would be a year or two probation, a fine, maybe community service…. if he just shuts up and takes his sentence. But he’s not going to do that. He and his cronies are probably going to go after jurors and their families, the clerks and their families, the judge and his family, and more in the next 5 weeks. He’s going to double down on his conduct. Continue to claim he did nothing wrong. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are massive disruptions at the courthouse, with MAGAs protesting and swatting (maybe even a 1/6 repeat at the sentencing). It’s going to be hard for Merchan to watch the next five weeks and not sentence with that in mind. As he should, and as he would for any other convicted felon.

Thats at least 5th grade civics. I’m trying to keep it around 2nd grade social studies.

There have got to be some Trump voters out there who can comprehend that this was a jury of his peers right? That this was the jury his attorneys agreed on? That this verdict was unanimous? That even one hold out could have made him not a felon, and died a MAGA hero? Probably not. Still a good day.

Good riddance

If they thought Nico was a $24MM wide receiver, why pay Stefon Diggs $23MM? Who I’m sure will throw a fit when he learns he’s not the highest paid receiver on his own team.

Watched The Fall Guy today. Loved it.

I don’t think it’s the biggest weakness. Receiver was a strength last year, and I don’t think losing just Josh Reynolds makes it a weakness. I think a lot of the concern was also there when we lost Chark last year, and we were fine. I think the biggest weakness in the short-term is still the secondary. It’s been overhauled, but It’s likely we’ll be counting on at least one, if not two, rookies to start in week one. The best veteran corner is also new to the team and system. Some of the returning players (Branch) may be asked to play a new position. The talent is there, and if Arnold is as good as advertised, they’ll be fine. But it’s a lot to ask rookies to come in and contribute week one.

Death, taxes, and Goff being underrated by the media.

His job will probably be much easier in a place where no contract extensions take place.