NFL COVID Fines and Punishment
This week has seen a number of positive COVID tests around the NFL, and though some of that is unavoidable due to the times, the league is cracking down on the violation of protocols.
Yesterday, the Las Vegas Raiders were fined $500,000 and are losing a sixth-round draft pick for violating coronavirus procedures. Head coach Jon Gruden is being fined $150,000. The team is considered a repeat offender, as Gruden and players have been fined in the past.
Pittsburgh Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin has been fined $100,000, and the team $250,000, for violating protocols related to mask-wearing during Sunday’s win over the Baltimore Ravens.
Alex Cora Named Red Sox Manager
After being suspended from Major League Baseball for the 2020 season for his part in the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal, Alex Cora is back as the manager of the Boston Red Sox.
Cora had served as Boston’s manager for just over two years and managed the Red Sox to a World Series trophy in 2018. He was fired when it was revealed that, as a bench coach in Houston, Cora played a major role in the Astros’ cheating scandal in 2017, but the Red Sox finished in last place this year so… It’s amazing what a last-place finish can do to forgive and forget.
Hide your trash cans, Boston. Your man is back in town.
Seahawks vs. Bills
Week 9 of the NFL season is upon us. It started with a Packers’ rout of the 49ers and will end with a Monday Night contest between the Patriots and the Jets. In between, we’ve got Sunday’s game between the 6-1 Seattle Seahawks and the 6-2 Buffalo Bills, both of whom are in first place in their respective divisions.
Seattle will look to quarterback Russell Wilson and wide receiver DK Metcalf to continue their offensive magic. While Wilson has thrown for 2,151 passing yards and 26 touchdowns this season, Metcalf has caught 36 passes for 680 yards and seven touchdowns. Team work makes the dream work.
After starting the season throwing 12 touchdowns in four games, Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen has cooled off a bit, throwing only four in his last four games. Buffalo’s run game is averaging 108.6 yards per game, so the Bills are going to need Allen and wide receiver Stefon Diggs to make some magic of their own. Expect to see a lot of offense in this one. Advantage: Seahawks
More MLB News
New York Mets
Steve Cohen was officially the owner of the New York Mets for about an hour before he started cleaning house. GM Brodie Van Wagenen is out, as is much of his staff. The Mets are a team in need of a fresh start and it looks like they’re going to get it.
Justin Turner
Los Angeles Dodgers’ third baseman Justin Turner will not be punished by Major League Baseball for his actions following the team’s World Series win. Turner, who tested positive for COVID-19 during game, refused to isolate during the team’s postgame celebration.
MLB released a statement with their reasoning, which included various incidents of miscommunication between officials and Turner, while also pointing out Turner’s regret for his actions. “Finally, Major League Baseball could have handled the situation more effectively,” the statement said.
It’s the *NBA* Holiday Season
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and that means basketball to go with our eggnog and Zoom holiday parties.
Last night, the National Basketball Players Association board of representatives voted to approve a Dec. 22 start date for the NBA’s 2020-2021 season, meaning those prime NBA Christmas Day matchups are in play. The season would be reduced to 72 games, with training camp likely beginning on Dec. 1.
The NBA Draft is Nov. 18, and though the free agency start date hasn’t been set, it can’t be that far off.