NFL News:

• Florio is retreading a report that the NFL is considering the Rams & 49ers in China for the 2018 season’s first game. The main article is hidden behind a paywall that demanded too much info, but the gist I caught was that the League would make this the Thursday Night opener, in order to give maximum travel time for both teams.
  • Note: It would be the Rams giving up the home date, which makes sense given that they’ve already been granted a future Super Bowl.
  • Wanna melt your brain? Check out nflchina.com, the League’s official site.
• The Blaine Gabbert – Brock Ostweiler matchup was considered “underwhelming”, but the Niners did rack up over 200 yards of rushing, which is what you want in a pass-first offence that couldn’t beat something called the “Texans”.

Speaking of nuggets, guess who claims partial credit for this?

If you said “Ray Lewis”, you’ve won a free Baltimore necktie and a personal tour of Balto from a Mr. Omar Little.

I mean – I guess they’re friends. Either that, or Ray Lewis is Blacula.

Who’s back at work this week? Notables include:

• Karlos Williams – cleared for Bills practice
• Josh Gordon – off the inactive list
• Ezekiel Elliott – walk-through’s only
• Terrell Suggs – non-contact drills

Finally, WHO GOT HURT? Names/injuries of note:

• Saints rookie Sheldon Rankins – broken fibula
• Bengals rookie Andrew Billings – torn meniscus
• Eagles rookie Carson Wentz – hairline fracture of the ribs
• GRONK! – unknown leg injury
• Steelers backup QB Bruce Gradkowski – torn hamstring

Finally, ESPN has the important story of the day – new French fry offerings at stadiums for 2016. Their #1 is the “Chicken & Waffle Fry Stak” offered in Phiadelphia.

Looks heart-stopping. Probably costs $20. Two of the Top-5 are in Cleveland, so angina might be a valid escape plan for Browns fans this season.

In lieu of in-depth analysis of the first preseason games, I will instead leave you with this poem about addiction. Because even though we knew they would be garbage, we still (mostly) tuned in like the addicts we are.

Drug of Choice - Evets Pordlaw

You are my drug,
My substance of choice,
The chemicals in my blood…
She, who calms the violent voice…

Without you; I tremble,
I stammer and I shake…
When you are near; I fumble,
Within my soul; I quake…

My addiction; that is you,
Is fire in my veins…
My affliction; I infuse,
Only thoughts of you remain…

There is no rehab for this pleasure,
No exception for this high…
A single dose cannot be measured,
In your absence I would die…

Strung out for life…
Dependant to the core…
Powder, pills or liquid,
I need you more and more…

Should I ever be denied,
Unto death I would depart…
For methadone could not subside,
These track marks on my heart…

I’m sure drug references have already been a topic for DFO Radio, but check out the playlists for something new to listen to. The recommendations for The Avett Brothers was a good one for me.

Tonight’s sports:

• MLB: Royals @ Tigers – 7:00 (ESPN)
• Olympics:
  • 8:00 – NBC Primetime: track, beach volleyball, women’s gymnastics
  • 9:30 – OLN: France vs Brazil volleyball; men’s heavyweight boxing final

Remember when doing your Google image searches,

ONE OF THEM IS 16!