Tuesday Scoop
A cancellation, a partnership and an odd pet
A quicker scoop today as not a ton has happened since we last chatted. I guess I should name newsletter this The Scoop? I was a notoriously terrible headline writer in my days as a reporter and when I started this I just kept adding the day of the week plus “scoop” to avoid a inevitably bad headline. I’ll take suggestions but The Scoop lives for now. Let’s start with an announcement:
We’re incredibly excited to partner with SkyBox Sports Picks. Skybox is the creator of the Skybox Matrix Interval advanced modeling mechanism — a proven handicapping model carefully crafted through years of testing and refinement. This formula has propelled SkyBox to the top of the industry. They have a multitude packages ranging from a full-season membership, to a daily picks option on all sports from football to NASCAR and everything in-between Skybox has a package for you and with March Madness in full swing, there is no better time to join the team and let them guide you to the winners’ window.
I wouldn’t steer you the wrong way. These guys know their stuff. Check them out.
A COVID Cancellation:
I promise I will not bombard you with ads to start this thing every day, but it felt apt to announce my first at the top today. Super excited to see all of this grow. If you have a business and want to sponsor something, please reach out.
Anyway, back to business.
Ole Miss canceled one of its two midweek games at Louisiana Tech due to a potential COVID-19 issue within its program. Today’s game is still on but the Rebels won’t play a second tomorrow in Ruston. If your initial thought is like mine was and you’re wondering how it makes sense to play one but not two, I am guessing it is depth-related, and since Ole Miss didn’t announce a starter until this morning, I suspect the is pitching staff affected. Otherwise, it seems feasible you could still play two games without a couple position players. I don’t know much beyond that. Go check out my friends at RebelGrove and the Ole Miss Spirit, they’ll have you covered. A couple quick thoughts:
Josh Mallitz is starting this game for Ole Miss, so tossing the COVID issue aside for a minute, it seems fair to assume Drew McDaniel’s services will be needed on the weekend against Auburn. Does this mean Doug Nikhazy is not ready to return yet? Is Bianco making a switch on Sunday and going with McDaniel in place of Diamond? My hunch is the former, but the latter wouldn’t be shocking, and could still happen whenever Nikhazy does return. Keep an eye on who pitches today. Maybe you’ll find a clue.
Louisiana Tech is quite good this year and was an extra-inning Friday loss away from taking a series at top ranked Arkansas last weekend. A two gamer with the Bulldogs is a brutal lead up to SEC play. Obviously, you don’t want anyone to get COVID and here’s to hoping any affected recover quickly, but if the team’s COVID issues are minor, the Rebels may end up viewing this as catching a little bit of a break not having a five-game week as your first weekend of SEC play arrives.
End of the Brees Era
Drew Brees did what most of us thought he’d do over the weekend: he hung up the cleats. The 42-year-old quarterback crafted a remarkable, first-ballot Hall of Fame career and will be remembered as the most consequential athlete in the history of New Orleans sports. I say that as someone who cannot watch enough Zion Williamson.
I grew up a non-Saints fan among a sea of them. Jackson, MS, is Saints country. Most of you know this. And while I found most of you incredibly obnoxious starting after February of 2010, I always found Brees’ impact on a single city remarkable. It’s impossible to overstate the importance of his decision to come to New Orleans post-Katrina and how it altered the future of a franchise, a town, a state and a region. You can argue no single athlete has never meant more to a city in the history of American team sports. The Saints likely aren’t in New Orleans anymore if not for Brees (and Nick Saban’s Miami Dolphins medical staff, but that is neither here nor there) and his legacy will be hard to put into words. But I look forward to reading those who covered him taking their best stab at doing just that. Brees will join NBC Sports as a studio analyst and I think he will do well in that role. Now, if we can just get Phillip Rivers on an R-rated alternate broadcast.
The Saints signed Jameis Winston to a one year deal and seem poised to ride that rollercoaster for a year. I don’t think it is a bad move. Winston has talent that is just wildly unrefined. But given that Sean Payton is paying the back up (Taysom Hill is at best a valuable gadget player in my mind) substantially more money, this becomes one of the odder quarterback dynamics in the NFL. But that can all be argued about later.
Cheers to a great career, I know how much Brees meant to many of you.
Socially Acceptable or Sociopath
This one is less about a questionable etiquette and more just reinforcing my frustrating fascination with people. I played golf in Fort Worth with my dad over the weekend at a place called Fossil Creek. It was a fun track. But on the 8th hole, apartment complexes lined the right side, a common sight on this course as it is tucked between a number of neighborhoods, condominiums and apartments. The point is here that we were not out in the country (and this place was no Bolton Country Club for those of you privy to that jewel). I hit it right on eight and as I found my ball, I looked over to this sight at the apartment next to me.
Someone had a pair of (presumably) pet pigs, in an apartment, on a golf course. I am just curious as to how this works. Surely that can’t be enough room to raise pigs. What is the pet fee at this place? Does the owner walk them to dog parks? How close did he come to eating one when we were snowed in for a week last month? Of course this person isn’t a sociopath and who am I to say a certain kind of pet isn’t socially acceptable — unless you’re a snake guy then you need to re-evaluate the vibe that is sending — I just have a lot of questions. People, man.
NFL Free Agency:
NFL free agency began with a bang yesterday. The Patriots spent more money in a day than they have in a decade on weapons for Cam Newton, who they resigned more than they did a year ago after a horrific season, and front-seven defenders. I don’t have a full-on free agency breakdown for you today, but I am excited to see how all of this unfolds. There will be quarterback movement to a degree the league has never seen. If you’re a fan of NBA free agency, this will be a slightly tamer version of that with more intrigue and actual consequences. Keep an eye out. I bet you’ll find a storyline or two that will grab your attention.
On The Horizon:
Today’s partnership isn’t the only one in the works. A certain butcher who moonlights as a horse racing sharp may be coming back on board. That person may also be filling out a bracket with me on Wednesday’s pod. He might also have deals for subscribers on your favorite things to put on the grill. That’s all the hints I will give. Stay tuned.
Baseball reaction from tonight’s game, of course. First pitch is at 6 P.M.
I’ll toss my bracket in one of these upcoming newsletters, not that any of you want to see that, but I have enjoyed the exercise since I was a kid and you can prod me for how stupendously wrong it is 36 hours into the tournament. I am glad March Madness is back. It was sorely missed.
That is all from me today. Tell your friends about this. It’s exciting to see it grow. Feedback is always appreciated. Have a wonderful Tuesday.