I was going to continue my pattern of ignoring all NFL news until March, but then Deadspin ruined that by publishing this:
And suddenly, I can find humour & delight in the NFL again. Mostly because it’s the Bears; partly because it doesn’t mention the Falcons & their choke-job.
It’s really the perfect headline & photo.
- The headline calls into question all the ambiguities & terribleness the Bears front office can muster.
- The Bears want to do something to help their team
- but the contract they wrote financially hampers that ability
- he is guaranteed $16 million against someone’s cap this year
- which is why few teams will trade for him
- if the Bears are forced to release him, they have to eat that against their 2017 cap
- 9% of their total 2017 cap, according to Spotrac
- and then he can sign wherever, for whatever
- he is guaranteed $16 million against someone’s cap this year
- but the contract they wrote financially hampers that ability
- Jay Cutler has the ability to influence the process by just being Jay Cutler
- despite not having a no-trade clause
- because he’s actually more expensive to sign that Tony Romo & other potential free agents or trade partners
- The Bears want to do something to help their team
- LOOK AT THAT PHOTO!
- the head-down expression; the not-working beard; the not-in-uniform demeanour
- the sad walk off the field in a near-empty stadium
- the “Happy Holidays” on the screen in the background
When you take into account headlines like “Tony Romo sweepstakes: Where will the quarterback end up?” and “Is Jimmy Garoppolo As Good As He Looks?“, I’m sure the market for a 34 year-old vaccine-resistant QB is as hot as ever. March 9th has never looked so attractive.
Tonight’s sports:
- NHL:
- Oilers at Panthers – 7:30PM | Sportsnet
- Capitals at Flyers – 8:00PM | NBCSN
- Bruins at Ducks – 10:30PM | Sportsnet
- NCAA:
- Duke at Syracuse – 7:00PM | ESPN
- Xavier at Seton Hall – 7:00PM | FS1
- Louisville at U*NC – 9:00PM | ESPN
- Butler at Villanova – 9:00PM | FS1
- Oregon at California – 9:00PM | ESPN2 / TSN2
- Oregon State at Stanford – 11:00PM | ESPNU
If that’s too much college basketball (or “col*lege basketball” if you’re watching the Tarheels), don’t forget there’s a new “It’s Sunny” tonight. A Valentine’s episode, which I’m sure will be packed with all the love the gang can muster:
Dennis asks the gang to work at Paddy’s during Valentine’s Day, but they get distracted by a mystery cricket hanging out in the alley. Later: they realize Dennis wants them to improve their relationships and they air their grievances.
And here’s the preview:
GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME!
Yeah, you’re wrong about Cutler. He is set to make $16 million if kept on the roster. If he is cut, it is only a $2 million dollar cap hit. NICE FAKE NEWS / ALTERNATIVE FACTS, CAPTAIN CANADA!
(That’s what “Dead Cap” means in your link. And only $15 million, not $16 million if not cut)