Your “In A Slow News Cycle, Bad Press Is Worse Press” Thursday Evening Open Thread

CFL News:

• In a move that hopefully doesn’t have to force Maestro to Ctrl+F all his CFL posts, the Edmonton Eskimos announced this afternoon they will be changing their team name.
  • Much like in Washington, it comes after sponsor pressure.
  • To quote TSN, the current incarnation of the franchise has held the nickname since its inception in 1949.

NFL News:

• Fallout from the franchise tags applied yesterday:
  • Dak Prescott says he “couldn’t be happier” to play on the tag with the Cowboys.
    • Probably because he controls the bargaining position, barring injury:
      • His Franchise Tag in 2021 would be $37.7 million.
      • A successful year would increase his net payout from whatever deal he signs.
    • They may not have had the right amount available anyway.
      • In the past 16 months, the Cowboys have signed DeMarcus Lawrence ($105 million), Amari Cooper ($100 million), Ezekiel Elliott ($90 million), Jaylon Smith ($64 million) and La’el Collins ($50 million) to very expensive extensions.
  • The Jags wanted more for Yannick Ngakoue than anyone was willing to offer.
    • This is based on what Houston got for Jadaveon Clowney last year when they sent him to Seattle.
      • They got a third-round pick, linebacker Jacob Martin and pass rusher Barkevious Mingo.
  • Twelve players in total will play under the Tag in 2020.
    • That’s the most since the Tag was created in 1993.
      • The previous high was nine players, in 2009 & 2012.

• Up to July 10th, 72 players have tested positive for COVID-19.
  • This represents 2.5% of the rostered players, with no data available on the number of players tested as a whole.
    • Players who test positive will be placed on IR for three weeks, based on an agreement with the union.
      • They will then either return to practice, or go on the IR list for a longer, yet-to-be-defined period.
  • It’s got JJ Watt concerned.

In the interest of having everyone on the same page in terms of what we know and don’t know at this time, here are a few things I’ve learned being on four NFLPA calls in the last two weeks with hundreds of other players.

Keep in mind our rookies are scheduled to report in 48 hrs pic.twitter.com/wAH1XyQenf

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) July 16, 2020

• Fans are officially barred from all NFL training camps.
  • This came down in a league memo, which also said two in-stadium events could occur, provided they met with league & state guidelines for public gatherings.

• If you follow NFL gossip, there’s apparently some big story about the [Redacteds] that’s going to drop tomorrow.
  • It’s coming from the Washington Post, whose owner – Jeff Bezos – is also an interested possible minority partner for the team.
  • Part of it has dropped early, and it sounds worse than the time they pimped out their cheerleaders.
    • The allegations have already led to three team employees accused of improper behavior abruptly departing, including Larry Michael, the club’s longtime radio voice, and Alex Santos, the team’s director of pro personnel.
      • They announced they’ve hired a lawyer to “review team culture”, in what is seen as a pre-emptive move to limit liability.
        • It is D.C. attorney Beth Wilkinson of Wilkinson Walsh LLP, who has experience defending high-profile class-action lawsuits, including for the NFL against a class-action lawsuit regarding its Sunday Ticket packages.
    • It’s behind a paywall, so we will have to wait for someplace like Vichy Deadspin (not my term) & one of their Quislings (my term) to pay the money & break it down.

Exclusive: Fifteen women who worked for Redskins allege sexual harassment by former scouts and members of owner Daniel Snyder’s inner circle https://t.co/MwMTOFupF9

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) July 16, 2020

Tonight’s … entertainment?:

• Top Rank Boxing on ESPN – 8:00PM | ESPN / TSN3
  • Marriaga-Yap (featherweights)
    • Miguel Marriaga (29-3, 25 KOs) vs. Mark John Yap (30-15, 15 KOs) in a featherweight main event in Las Vegas. Also: Felix Verdejo vs. Will Madera (lightweights).
• Fútbol:
  • MLS is Back Tournament – FS1 / TSN
    • Montreal Impact vs. Toronto FC – 8:00PM
    • Columbus Crew vs. New York Red Bulls – 10:30PM
  • Copa GNP por México
    • Chivas Guadalajara vs. América – 10:00PM | UNI
• Southern hemisphere tackle sports:
  • Super Rugby Australia:
    • Reds vs. Force – 5:00AM | TSN2
  • AFL:
    • Essendon vs. Western – 5:30AM | FS1 / TSN5

That concludes my weekday broadcasts. I’ll be back with something pre-taped for the weekend. In the meantime, and in between time, that’s it – another Open Thread from Beerguyrob.

Bye-bye now.