San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
Sports poll
Sez Me (Mother’s Day Edition) …
Most every day growing up I asked my mother: “What are we eating tonight?” Same answer, every time, was: “What I put on the table, you eat.”
She never asked me what I would like.
So, because I’m the son of a fisherman’s wife, married for a long time to a fisherman’s daughter, and doing what I’ve done, it means I’ve never played boss.
But I am putting myself in charge today, so this is a unique, but long-awaited role.
I own an NFL team. I am a billionaire paying people extremely well to make football decisions, and even more money to my players — who are employed to perform, not to run the draft, how we should operate, or what we’re having for dinner.
It’s my asylum. Inmates aren’t going to run it.
Call me a Baby Boomer. I’m fine with it, although there now are babies in the NFL who want to act as though they’re in the NBA, which is a pathetic handful of teams made up of rich, entitled children, the greatest of whom — such as Lebron — are showrunners.
So now we have Aaron Rodgers, the NFL’S reigning MVP (1-4 in NFC Championship games), fed up with the Packers, reportedly saying he won’t play in Green Bay again. He was caught off guard when he wasn’t consulted on the Pack’s first pick in the 2020 draft, Jordan Love, the supposed Qb-inwaiting, and he needed more immediate offensive help.
Forty-eight touchdowns vs. five picks later, don’t think it was needed.
Should Packers brass have at least told him they were taking Love as a courtesy? Maybe. But they traded up. It was a lastsecond deal.
There’s also a rumor crawling around that Aaron wants GM Brian Gutekunst canned (remember, Rodgers hasn’t admitted — or denied — anything).
What he hasn’t said is that he was drafted to eventually replace Brett Favre and sat for three years. No difference.
It all began in Houston when Texans QB Deshawn Watson, upset with a lack of personnel input and realizing the garbage dump he was standing on, said he was done and wanted out. Texans tarnished brass balked, but since then 22 women have filed sexual assault suits against Watson, basically making him untradeable (for now).
Russell Wilson hasn’t gone quite that far in Seattle, but he’s more than hinted he’d like a say in personnel matters. Pete Carroll, the chef, isn’t changing menu orders.
Cardinals QB Kyler Murray also would enjoy playing a little GM. What’s he ever done? At least Rodgers and Wilson have won Super Bowls, and Watson was without question one of The League’s top five QBS in 2020.
Bruce Arians says loopy Tom Brady “was kept in the loop” during the weeks leading up to this draft. So what? Did Tom demand the Bucs not draft a quarterback (replacement?) Kyle Trask? Besides, he’s Tom Brady. Exactly as many rings as Saturn.
It can’t happen in baseball. MLB execs have little clue about amateur talent, let alone professional players.
Terry Bradshaw played when QBS had spines. Listen: “Let him cry. Retire. It looks weak.”
John Kuhn, former Packer and Rodgers’ good friend, believes there’s a “70, 75 percent chance” Aaron starts this year in Green Bay.”
Favre says: “Knowing Aaron, he would sit.”
As owner, I’d tell him: “Aaron, here’s the chair.”
Don’t ever count out wanting more money. But he ain’t making $25.5 mil on “Jeopardy!” Expensive chair.
Control would be like a labor bargaining chip. Give it up and you’re not getting it back . ...
People wonder who’s leaking all this Rodgers stuff. Agents. Best sources in sports. If you’re not tight with agents, you’re not an “insider.” …
As with every other quarterback, Jon Gruden would love to have Rodgers — until he has him. …
I’d say “Jeopardy” should try
Philip Rivers, but the show would run long . ...
I have seen NFL Draft report cards with no grades lower than B-minus. Can’t be. And all grades should be I — for Incomplete. …
Remember when Opie came home with an A in arithmetic, proud dad Andy bought him a bike, and later teacher Miss Crump told Opie she’d screwed up and he really got an F? That’s the draft. …
What has Kyle Shanahan ever won? It’s more: What has Kyle Shanahan lost? …
As Jerry Magee would say, I still doubt Shanahan coveted
Mac Jones . ...
The Titans drafted DE Rashad Weaver (6-4½, 240) in the fourth round, the day after he was charged in Pittsburgh for allegedly punching a woman. If a few other teams had known, he would have gone higher. …
“You know why you guys call them prospects? Because they haven’t done a thing.” — Jim Fregosi …
Brady says he’d give up two Super Bowl rings for a perfect season. This historic load of crap must be sent to Canton for an enclosed display. …
If that kid at Oklahoma is the next Patrick Mahomes, Mahomes isn’t as good as we think he is. …
Saying he feels sorry for “the poor guy” who buys the team,
Donald Trump could have purchased the Cowboys in 1984. Poor guy Jerry Jones’ team now worth $5.7 billion . ...
Again, to Mahomes and others who don’t understand why a team doesn’t have to pay a player who gets injured away from the facility: Go to union meetings . ...
Say Hey: The first time I went to the Giants’ new ballpark, Willie Mays sat beside me in the press box. Not often you get to brush with the best who ever did something. Happy 90th, Willie. …
Seems Tony La Russa has forgotten more about this game than he will ever know. …
The Pads, born in 1969, just had their first no-hitter. Until last week, Baltimore hadn’t had an individual no-no since 1969. …
Four no-hitters already. The Shift. Stinks . ...
Padres hitting coach job is about as secure as No. 3 House Republican. …
Alabama’s spring football game drew 47,218. All five-star recruits. …
In an effort to remain ordinary, USC football has brought in three Texas transfers. …
Nikola Jokic says Serbian basketball players don’t skip games. I love Serbian basketball . ...
Bill Center spins this gem from Bobby Unser: “The only guy who remembers who finished second is the guy who finished second.” Bobby was one of the great racers. RIP. …
Reader Coy Herring sent a tombstone epitaph from an unidentified golfer: “Guess what? I’m 6 under.” …
Stink O’ The Week Sezment: CIF will not hold section and state track meets. I do not understand. State meet is phenomenal. …
I’ve quoted Duke Wayne on this before, but it’s more applicable now: “Life is hard; it’s harder if you’re stupid.” …
South Carolina has added firing squad to its list of death penalty preferences. Boon to blindfold and cigarette industries. …
“In times of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” — Or well …
Sofi Stadium is looking to hire 3,000 part-time employees. Are Fredo Spanos & Sons applying? ...
The border wall is our Maginot Line. …
Happy Mother’s Day.
sezme.godfather@gmail.com Twitter: @sdutcanepa
Will Aaron Rodgers play for the Packers this season?
1. Yes
2. No
Call (619) 293-2727 to vote by midnight Wednesday or go to www.sandiegouniontribune.com to cast your vote until noon Saturday.
Last week
The Padres’ Yu Darvish is 3-1 in his first six starts. Will he win 20 games?
1. Yes, 72 (51 percent)
2. No, 69 (49)