Your “Seriously, Competitive Eating?” Fourth of July Open Thread

NFL News: (21 days until training camps open)

• Marquise Goodwin finished 7th in the long jump trials, and thus won’t be going to Rio, which disappoints Rex Ryan on a number of levels.
• The NFL rule book has been published online for accredited media members. According to PFT, the main changes – noted on page 2 – are:
  • It is now a delay of game penalty if a team is erroneously granted a timeout.
  • The offensive and defensive play callers can use the coach-to-helmet communications system regardless of whether the coach is in the booth or on the sideline.
  • There is no longer a five-yard penalty for illegally touching a pass after being out of bounds and then re-establishing inbounds, but it is a loss of down.
  • The line of scrimmage for extra point kicks is permanently the 15-yard line.
  • Touchbacks on kickoffs are now moved to the 25-yard line.
  • All chop blocks are illegal.
  • The horse-collar tackle rule now includes a defender grabbing the jersey at the name plate or above.
  • A player who gets two fouls for certain kinds of unsportsmanlike conduct is automatically ejected.
  • Multiple spots of enforcement for a double foul after a change of possession have been eliminated.
• In what seems like crass exploitation, the Arena League – the lesser of the two AFLs – has said, via press release, they would welcome Johnny Manziel with open arms.
• Today in bullets!
  • Dallas police released their report on the Aqib Talib shooting last Friday.
  • Bucs rookie OL Dominque Robertson was shot Saturday night in what police are calling “wrong place; wrong time”.

Finally, former Baltimore Stallion & Raven OJ Brigance gave the Lou Gehrig speech at Yankee Stadium on Monday. An ALS sufferer himself since 2007, he is the only player to have won a Grey Cup & Super Bowl while playing in the same city. He currently works in the Ravens’ front office.

Ladies & gentlemen, Joey Chesnut:

https://youtu.be/fAqBF1ukRss

I once competed in a regional contest for Nathan’s, for charity. I got through 20 in the 10 minutes, and I didn’t want to eat for two days afterwards. That’s as close as I ever want to come to qualifying for something like this. I still have the t-shirt, to remind me never to do something that stupid ever again, for whatever reason. Deadspin had a link to an ESPN clip about what your stomach does during a contest like this: (sorry for using video of a video)

https://youtu.be/cyCjhpZidJo

The whole one-hour show was just a ridiculous spectacle, what with the breakdown of strategies and the play-by-play. I never caught if there was an off-screen “Roman moment”, or “reversal of fortune” as ESPN called it, but I’m sure there was one or two. He was called “the greatest eater in the history of mankind”.

I don’t understand what makes someone decide that this is going to be their “something”. Please, enlighten me in the comments.

Tonight’s sports: (National networks listed only)

• Baseball – various regional games; Tigers @ Indians – 7:00 ESPN
• MLS:
  • Orlando @ Dallas – 9:00 (regional)
  • Portland @ Colorado – 9:00 (regional)
  • Vancouver @ LA Galaxy – 10:30 – TSN
• Replays:
  • Tour de France – NBCSN/Sportsnet
  • Wimbledon – ESPN/TSN
  • Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating contest – ESPN2 – 8:00

Alternative Programming:

• NBC: Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular – 8:00
• CBS: Boston Pops – “Pops Goes the 4th” – 9:00

I hope you enjoy your holiday evening. I ENJOYED MINE!