Your “This Was A Surprise?” Monday Open Thread

FYI: As one of DFO’s official “Noticers of esoterica”, it’s my job to point out that DFO reached 1500 posts this weekend. And the wizard behind post 1500? Balls, with the AFL Beat. Well done all around.

The Jags pre-season highlights just keep coming: Shaq Thompson was involved in a head-on collision Sunday morning outside of Charlotte. We might as well run the “Breaking: Jaguars” scroll every couple of days until the season starts.

I don’t think any of us are shocked by the revelation that the NFL attempted to influence or derail Congress’ investigation into concussions. Those killjoys over at Deadspin lay out the case pretty clearly that NFL HQ just doesn’t give a damn. Peter King and the SI crew do there darndest to both tell you something happened while trying to deflect so as to maintain PK’s media access. In honesty, Melissa Jacob’s article on changing the length of the season would be valid points on any other day; today, it feels like balancing the tracks so the Acela Excreta can keep rolling. Over at PFT, Florio has words from NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith about this being another example of the League being “out of control”.

Meanwhile, over at nfl.com,

Actually, it’s about Brady’s appeal and the start of the owners meetings in Charlotte (which bathroom will Mark Davis choose?), but it might as well be nothing. If this can’t bring down Goodell, then nothing will.

Tonight’s playoff action!

NHL: Sharks @ Blues – 8:00 (Game 5; series tied 2-2)

NBA: Cavs @ Raptors – 8:30 (Game 4; Cavs lead 2-1)

Short write-up today, as I’m on day-4 of my weekend. There’s been drinking, whale watching, drinking, a four year-old niece’s birthday party at a bowling alley, and drinking. I REGRET NOTHING