September 21, 2023 News and Notes

Alan Williams:

• In the largest confirmation yet that something blew up big-time:  The Pat McAfee Show reported this morning that they have also sourced that an FBI raid DID happen at Alan Williams' house, and that they have their own sources which indicate as such.
• Key to this:  They do not say WHY.  They do address the rumor, but everyone, even now as of about 11 AM PDT, is still quite tight-lipped. 
• Again, I want people to understand:  There are actions and discourtesies, especially by the Bears (one-sentence report of the resignation, no picture, wiping Williams from their history, no statement of support -- which would be all but mandatory on a "health and family" situation) which would otherwise not happen which do tend to walk toward some of the worst allegations rumored yesterday.  Just saying.
• And, again, this is not a drag queen, nor a transgender.  This is an ultimate FOOBAW MAN -- 22 years in the NFL as a defensive coach. 
  
• You had best DAMN WELL HOPE this is even just drugs, but then why is the league not involved on that end for possible PED/drugs of abuse situations?  
• You had best DAMN WELL HOPE this is even just money-laundering, but, again, why is the league not involved for possible gambling ramifications, especially after the summer it is had suspending players from irrelevant teams in that regard?  (Of which the Bears are one...)
• And you had best DAMN WELL get off the backs of demographics who aren't doing this shit and starting to get on the asses of those who are, especially those demographics who seem to be doing this under the color of societal power!  
• Dan Weiderer, Bears beat reporter for the Chicago Tribune, has been noting an ominous aura over the team not seen for years -- and he reported that LAST WEEK. 
• In another piece of evidence it's bad:  Over 24 hours now since the resignation (1 PM PDT), and over a week since Williams left the team, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson has said the head coach, Matt Eberflus, has not addressed the team about the resignation.  Stevenson found out as everyone else did.  (Josh Schrock, NBC Sports Chicago)
• And Stevenson's comments also state that he does not view the resignation as a "loss".  He tries to color it as "room for improvement", but that's a telling statement as well!
• IMPORTANT:  2 PM PDT, the "4th and 10" tweet referred initially has been deleted.  A major indication against the rumored child pornography situation, if it's for accuracy.  But all other caveats, vis a vis what a purported raid would be (including the belief about child pornography), are still in play.  The only possible caveat is the belief Halas-McCaskey was involved.     
• 2:50 PM PDT:  Another log on the fire for the child-porn beliefs:  When asked for well wishes on the departure of Williams, linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi put the emphasis exclusively on Sunday's game and said nothing more.  (Dan Wiederner, beat writer, Chicago Tribune, one of the first investigators on the rising trouble in the organization last week)
  
• 3:30 PM PDT:  Dianna Russini of The Athletic appears to contradict Stevenson, or at least indicate that a meeting she has reported took place in each position room with Eberflus about the Williams resignation took place today.  But that the focus must be on the Chiefs.  Not much help there.

Baseball Kayfabe, about ten games to go:

• AL
• East:  Baltimore, 2.5 up on Tampa, both in the playoffs
• Central:  Minnesota magic number is 1.
• West:  Assholes, half-game on both Texas and Seattle
• Eliminated:  Oakland, Kansas City, Chicago, LA Angels, now add Boston.  Yankees are next, Tragic Number 2.
• Wild Card:  Tampa-Baltimore loser is #4 seed.  Toronto is 18 over, Texas and Seattle are 16 over with identical records for the final spot.
• Texas had the tiebreaker over Seattle.
• 3 in Texas this weekend, 4 in Seattle to end the season.  Seattle has to go at least 6-1 in those 7 to get the tiebreaker.
• Best Record will go to the winner of the East.
• As it stands now:  Baltimore and Houston byes.  Texas at Minnesota, Toronto at Tampa. 
• NL
• East:  Barfs champions
• Central:  Milwaukee 7 up on the Cubs, Magic Number 4.
• West:  Dodgers champions
• Eliminated:  Colorado, St. Louis, Washington
• Wild Card:  Philadelphia 14 over, Arizona 9 over, Cubs are 6 over.
• Miami half-game out.  Cincinnati one game out.  Giants three games out.
• Best Record:  Barfs lead is down to 3 1/2.
• As it stands now:  Barfs and Dodgers byes.  Cubs at Milwaukee.  Arizona at Philly.
• Best Record in Baseball for World Series HFA:  Barfs 2 up on Baltimore. 

Sumo, September tournament 3 rounds to go:

• Much schedule juggling, as low-level Maegashira Atamifuji had won 10 of his first 11 matches to take a two-win lead over the entire field heading into today.
• So he was paired with Sekiwake Daiesho, who defeated him.
• His lead is now one over Ozeki Takakeisho (who has escaped injury-forced kadoban) and Maegashira Takayasu, with a host of wrestlers next at 8 wins.
• We are now at Ozeki vs. Ozeki time in the tournament, and Kirishima needs one more win to escape his own injury kadoban, and he faces maiden Ozeki Hoshoryu, who is 6-6 and would need two wins in his final two to escape himself.
• Sekiwake:  Daiesho is already winning record, Wakamotoharu needs one more.
• Komusubi:  Nishikigi and Tobizaru are both one loss away from demotion back to Maegashira.