Your “Now I Can’t Wait For Free Agency!” Wednesday Evening Open Thread

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
  • 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

• 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!