Your “The Olympics Will Save Us!” Wednesday Evening Open Thread

NFL News:

• Not sure if #MeToo or regular ex-wife issues, but the Panthers have placed interim general manager Marty Hurney on paid leave due to complaints filed against him by his ex-wife.
  • The allegations are for “harassment”. No other specifics are given.

It’s been a fun 24 hours looking at the Josh McDaniels – Colts annulment.

• His agent fired him over being double-crossed.
  • Mind you, the agent also represents Colts GM Chris Ballard, so that amounts to a possible conflict-of-interest as well as a definite awkward phone call.
• The change-of-heart came Tuesday when he met with Belichick & the Krafts prior to emptying out his office in Foxborough, where he was offered an undisclosed sweetened deal.
  • Belichick would allow McDaniels more input into roster construction & salary-cap management.
  • The Krafts liked the idea of a possible succession plan.
  • McDaniels liked the contract extension that would allow his four kids – 12,10, 6,3 – educational & social stability.
• It’s noted by NFL Network that McDaniels has essentially isolated himself from the rest of the NFL at this point:
  • “McDaniels better hope the Patriots don’t renege on any potential wink-nod promise for the future. The Patriots’ offensive coordinator just lit his remaining goodwill from around the NFL on fire.”
    • “While he’s rehabbed much of his reputation both on and off the field in recent years, Tuesday night’s decision likely undid all of that in the eyes of 31 other teams.”
• Oh, and there’s this:

Text from one league source: “That’s Kraft putting it to the Colts again. He will forever try and (expletive) that place ever since deflate gate.”

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 7, 2018

• In case you wanted to know where the moral high ground is, TD’s got you covered:

Haven’t read the article but I can tell you there is NO excuse big enough to justify this. It’s one thing to go back on your word to an organization. But having assistant coaches leave jobs to go with you then leave them out to dry is indefensible. For COMFORT?? https://t.co/hlsYviDC9l

— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) February 7, 2018

Can’t imagine why he’d be upset that a man chose family over football.

Well, who needs football coverage for two weeks when we’ve got the Olympics to keep us warm!

Tonight starts with mixed doubles curling. Since I’m lazy – and have a lot of new students this week – I’m going to crib from Deadspin about what the hell mixed curling is:

In mixed doubles:

• Games are eight ends instead of 10
• Ends are six stones per team instead of eight, and one of those rocks per team is preset
• Teams are just one woman and one man
• Throwing order goes A-B-B-B-A and the throwing order can change between ends. (Most commonly the woman throws the first and last, though the former world champion Russians are a notable exception)
• Games last about an hour shorter (one hour and 30 minutes)

Sweet – Mr. & Mrs. Beerguy for Olympic gold in 2022!

Also, because it’s an Olympics, this is obligatory given the current ban on “Russia” but not Russians.

Tonight’s sports:

• Olympics: keep in mind I’m still figuring out the time changes, NBC’s apathy & CBC’s awful website
  • Mixed Doubles Curling:
    • Canada vs. Norway – 7:00PM | CBC (live) / 2:00AM | NBCSN (delay)
    • USA vs. Russia – 7:00PM | TSN (?) / NBCsports.com
  • Men’s Ski Jumping:
    • 7:30AM | CBC / NBCSN (live)
• NHL:
  • Preds at Leafs – 7:30PM | Sportsnet
  • Bruins at Rangers – 8:00PM | NBCSN
• NBA:
  • Timberwolves at Cavaliers – 8:00PM | ESPN / TSN
  • Spurs at Suns – 10:30PM | ESPN / TSN
• NCAA:
  • Marquette at Seton Hall – 7:00PM | FS1
  • Wake Forest at Miami – 7:00PM | ESPN2
  • South Florida at Connecticut – 7:00PM | ESPNU
    • DO NOT BET THIS GAME, SEAMUS!
  • Creighton at DePaul – 9:00PM | FS1
  • Texas A&M at Auburn – 9:00PM | ESPN2

The Olympics are a nice methadone to the lack of football. THE HOCKEY’S GONNA SUCK, THOUGH!