Day 522

• Hillsborough County, Florida:  5,600 quarantined students just in the first week of school.  That is approximately 2.5% of the entire student population -- in one week.
• The entire Inland Empire of California and it's Republican newspapers have all endorsed Larry Elder to become the next governor of California -- and the recall to make him such next month.
• In the San Francisco Chronicle's categorical rejection of the recall, they note that Elder, a Black Rush Limbaugh-clone Oreo, may win the recall with less than 10% of the vote.  If the first question (an up-down on current-Governor Newsom) wins, Newsom is out and is immediately replaced by the highest-vote getter (regardless of percentage) of the slate of candidates September 14th. 
• Latest word now have the Barcelona soccer club $1,600,000,000 in debt.  Forget Financial Fair Play -- this could be the end of the club!   
• ESPN now touting a SIX THOUSAND YARD passing season with a 17th game.  Current record is 5,477 -- or, more importantly, 342 yards a game.  If this is any indication, it appears scoring may be ready for a further explosion.  Even with the extra game, a 6,000 yard season would actually require an average of 353 yards, every game.
• And here's another rule-change in action which might get them there -- it may be infeasible for defensive backs to play any kind of defense at all...

First call for an illegal low block. This is a foul as it is illegal for a player to block low more than 2 yds outside the tackle or more than 5 yds either side of the line of scrimmage. Audio has @timryan99 discussing the problems for the DB. Not sure what he is supposed to do. pic.twitter.com/sC4vc1tS9O

— Terry McAulay (@SNFRules) August 15, 2021

• Speaking of Terry McAulay, this one was not called taunting and should've been -- in both his opinion and mine.  Went right in his face and clapped his hands, and a scuffle did ensue.  That should've been 15, and McAulay admits there's a good chance it will be.

This was not deemed taunting. A little surprising given how forceful the Competition Committee was in their directive.
However, it does seem to me to be a spontaneous celebration rather than intent to engender ill-will and it would be good if this exact action is not penalized. pic.twitter.com/n7DoPz3ttF

— Terry McAulay (@SNFRules) August 14, 2021

• There's a far easier way to do this.  Any non-football act directed at a player on the opposing team is UC.  Shut the fuck up and head back to your huddle.   
• Jay-Z and the owner of the Philadelphia 76ers, using the Fanatics branding, are one of six bids for legalized sports betting in the state of New York -- to be awarded late this year.  The hope is for the first major legal New York sports betting to take place surrounding Super Bowl LVI in February.
• The Tampa Bay Rays lead the AL East, 25 games over .500 -- they just had their lowest non-restriction crowd in history at Tropicana Field.  Only 5.460 attended tonight's contest.
• Trevor Bauer is facing a restraining-order hearing tomorrow.
• MLB has confirmed another "Field of Dreams" game, August 11, 2022 -- Cubs vs. Reds.
• Jeopardy! is now in off-season -- two weeks of "Alex Around The World" episodes selected from around the horn and aired around Christmas, followed by the 2021 Tournament of Champions, hosted by Buzzy Cohen.  Then, presumably (unless the show gets a fucking brain!), Matt Amodio returns with 18 wins and $574,801 (sixth in regular-season wins, third in regular-season earnings).