^{(banner pic courtesy bostonmagazine)}

NFL Notes:

• As expected, the 2018 NFL Schedule Release Presented by Verizon will be Thursday evening at 8:00 PM ET
  • Yes – that’s what they’re calling it. Because, you see, in the NFL, everything is marketable.

• The internet is stirring the pot of dissension in New England, on the heels of Dreamboat not reporting to voluntary OTAs.
  • It comes down to Belichick’s aggravation with the TB12 system interfering with “The Patriot Way”©®™
    • Oh man, misunderstandings are the core of any good sitcom. For viewing purposes:
      • Bill Belichick = Jack Tripper
      • Tom Brady = Janet Wood
      • Julian Edelman = Chrissy
      • Robert Kraft = Mr. Roper
        • Mrs. Roper is either dead or off visiting her mother every week
      • Gronk = Larry Dallas
      • I assume Lana is played by whatever MILF Belichick is currently chasing
  • In the end, I believe this top commenter at PFT says it best:

• Speaking of rumour-mongering, after all the talk yesterday about hurt feelings, Aaron Rodgers said today he “knows his role” as the Packers QB.
  • The Allagash hustlers over at the MMQB go one step further and come juuuuuuuuuust short of calling him a whiny bitch:
    • A player’s power in his organization is directly proportional to the possibility of him wearing a different uniform sometime soon. No threat of departure, no demands. At this point, you might as well call it Rodgers’ Law.

Tonight’s sports:

• NHL:
  • GOLF is not a typo; that’s where they’re showing the games. Old people gon’ be mad!
    • But at least Phoenix will now get to see some playoff hockey.
  • Penguins at Flyers – 7:00PM | NBCSN / CBC (Pens up 2-1)
  • Lightning at Devils – 7:30PM | GOLF / Sportsnet (Bolts up 2-1)
  • Predators at Avalanche – 10:00PM | NBCSN / Sportsnet360 (Preds up 2-1)
  • Ducks at Sharks – 10:30PM | GOLF / Sportsnet1 (Sharks up 3-0)
• NBA:
  • Pacers at Cavaliers – 7:00PM | TNT / TSN
  • Timberwolves at Rockets – 9:30PM | TNT / TSN
• MLB:
  • Indians vs. Twins – 7:00PM | ESPN / TSN2

I just think of Gary Bettman choking on his coffee at the thought of both LA teams out of the playoffs after the first round. Dr. Krieger?