The “William Gaines Memorial Election” Wednesday Open Thread

Well, the NFL Competition Committee did the expected and passed the automatic ejection (or “Burfict”) rule today. A quizzical second change was the addition of the touchback from a kick now being placed at the 25 instead of the 20, which is pretty much going to ensure placekickers try to aim for the 5 yard line.

Dear God – the Rams are going to be on “Hard Knocks”. Cue the whistful homage to the midwestern kid moving to LA to make it big! Then, get ready for a whole day of Jeff Fisher being clumily accepted onto movie sets in exchange for sideline access. I can’t wait for all the Hollywood mustache comparisons.

In addition, the Rams will host a game in China in 2018, whose leaders will no doubt give Stan Kroenke new ideas about labour management & stadium policing.

Some scouts have compared Jared Goff to Jay Cutler. That’s just mean – he’s had all his shots,

Over at the MMQB, there’s a video of Peter King spending four minutes blowing Jerry Jones. Even with the sound off, I could tell he swallowed everything Jones had.

Speaking of Peter King, his favourite rapist is apparently getting a plea bargain to serve between 15-20 years. I guess it beats consecutive sentences, and he will be eligible to purchase admission to the Hall of Fame in 2031 at the earliest.

Sean Payton is staying with the Saints for 5 more years, so will be around to pick Drew Brees’ replacement.

Merchandise note – Mitchell & Ness released their “Best selling jersey by state” map – links here and here. I’ve got nothing to say about the list, but I do love their product.

Politics: I suppose it was inevitable that the wives eventually got dragged into it.

First, this happened: (she is purdy)

Some PAC affiliated to Cruz sent this picture to Mormon followers on Instagram. I’m not exactly sure whom it besmirches more – Trump, or his wife – since they more-than-seem to imply to Mormon voters that voting for Cruz would keep both a political and actual whore out of the White House. But either way, it’s goal was to encourage people to vote for Cruz.

Trump, naturally, took all things in stride and…NOPE! It quickly degenerated into, “You took a shot at my wife, so I’m taking one at yours.”

I’m guessing he used that crack research team he had lying around after checking out OBUMMERS birth certificate was put to use trying to find dirt on anyone left opposing him competing against him in the race.

The best part is that Cruz can claim plausible deniability because it wasn’t his campaign but a group friendly to his campaign that put out the tweet. But do you really want to start a political dirty war with Donald Trump?

Random athletics: If you want to lose a good four minutes, please to enjoy this video on the changing nature of Wrestlemania entrances. Come for the nostalgia; stay for the evolution of the mullet.

https://youtu.be/dVWVxgmrj1s

The unscripted games! (All times eastern)

NHL: (2 games total)

• Sens @ Islanders – 7:00
• Bruins @ Rangers – 8:00

NBA: (12 games total)

• Raptors @ Celtics – 7:30
• Heat @ Spurs – 8:30
• Mavs @ Blazers – 10:00
• Clippers @ Warriors – 10:30

NCAA: more NIT Nastiness!

• Florida vs George Washington – 7:00
• San Diego State vs Georgia Tech – 9:00

Oh god – everyone’s saying “Batman V Superman” sucks. I DON’T CARE!