Even a vote looms to allow the manipulation of draft picks in the name of employment justice, the NFL is imposing more requirements for a team to be deemed Rooney Rule compliant.  Kevin Patra of NFL.com: In advance of Tuesday’s virtual owners’ meetings, the NFL will expand the Rooney Rule, which will now require additional interviews of minority candidates.   NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Monday that the league will require clubs to interview at least two external minority candidates for head coaching openings and at least one minority candidate for any coordinator job, per sources informed of the decision.   In addition, teams must interview one external minority candidate for senior football operations and general manager jobs. Teams and the NFL league office must also include minorities and/or female applicants for senior-level positions, including club president jobs.   The immediate rule changes, which will be effective after the meetings Pelissero added, come as the NFL continues to search for ways to fix the Rooney Rule after another hiring cycle where minority candidates were significantly bypassed, including just three of the past 20 head coaching openings going to minorities.   The Rooney Rule adjustments are in addition to two proposed hiring changes that are expected to be voted upon during Tuesday’s virtual owners’ meeting. Changes to the Rooney Rule do not require a vote from owners.   Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com on the attempts by the NFL Office to get the owners to vote compliantly to its wishes, even though some who have fallen in the class of beneificiaries are wondering about the proposal’s wisdom: Like all rule changes, 24 votes will be required.   As the balloting approaches, “a lot of lobbying” is occurring in support of the proposal.   There’s a persistent belief that the rule will pass, notwithstanding concerns raised by the likes of Chargers coach Anthony Lynn and, as of Monday afternoon, Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy.   Dungy explained the basis for his opposition to the proposal during a Monday appearance on #PFTPM. He also addressed potential alternatives.   “I don’t think you can legislate the right thing,” Dungy said. “I don’t think you can legislate fairness. So to me you have to do other things to kind of try to create that. My suggestion was, if I were the Commissioner, I would get every owner to sit down and write out exactly what he’s looking for, his qualities that he’s looking for in a head coach, a General Manager, personnel department, all of those top-level positions. Even if I’m not looking right now, spell it out so that when that time does come, I have a blueprint to kind of fall back on. And I think that would really help. Number one, it would help owners think about who I have in that position right now. If I’m tempted to make a change, and I spell out, ‘Here’s the five or six things that I really want,’ and I look at the coach I have now, and he is that, well, maybe I don’t need to make a change. Maybe that tells me what I’m looking for.   “But I think more than anything, getting owners to really spell it out, then you can come and say, ‘OK, if that’s what you’re looking for, here are some people who fall into that category. Here’s people you can look at,’ and will have a much better way of going. Right now, I think so many owners, at least the ones I talk to, when they’re in the process, they really don’t know what they’re looking for.”   By having owners think in terms of qualities they’re seeking, they become like likely to lock onto a potential candidate based on name recognition or track record without asking the broader question of whether the coach fits the owner’s broader vision for the job, and for the franchise. Efforts to promote that kind of thinking could promote positive change, without the drawbacks of giving teams a tangible incentive to making hiring decisions based on race. Jabari Young of CNBC.com: Brian Levy, an agent for NFL and college football coaches, said some of his clients don’t agree with adding incentives. He said coaches aren’t looking for “head starts” but “they want to know there’s a finish line” in the process of elevating in the NFL.   “You don’t want to get into a race where you know you’re not going to win no matter what you do, and I think that’s where we’re standing right now,” Levy said. If the problem is not resolved, he added the NFL could be at risk of losing talented minority candidates to the college ranks.   League officials tell CNBC they are hopeful elements of the proposal will be approved, including removing restrictions on assistant coaches. But officials are also hoping the vote will lead to more conversations, including ways to establish a “pipeline” to track and develop minority candidates.    Graves acknowledged the NFL’s proposal isn’t perfect but said the proposal sparked a serious discussion that he hopes will be a “conscientious decision” to make diversity a priority.   “By making this type of proposal, I recognize that the NFL acknowledges the issue of diversity is an important one, and all resources have to be put on the table for the discussion to improve where we are today,” Graves said. “While we have opportunities to get to the table, it doesn’t bind the decision-maker to make decisions with respect to a diverse outcome.” – – – Meanwhile, on the crime beat, in South Florida, Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com reports on not guilty pleas: New York Giants cornerback Deandre Baker pleaded not guilty to his eight charges related to an alleged armed robbery that police say took place last week in Miramar, Florida.   Seattle Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar also plans to plead not guilty to his four armed robbery charges later this afternoon, his attorney Michael Grieco told ESPN.   This was the next step after both players were granted bail ($200,000 for Baker, $100,00 for Dunbar) Sunday following a night in Broward Sheriff’s Office jail satisfying their arrest warrants from the alleged incident.   In the coming weeks, the state attorney’s office will decide whether to go forward toward trial in each of the NFL players’ cases. The burden of proof falls on the state, which saw its four victims recant its story to police that night in sworn affidavits to Grieco within 36 hours of the event. A fifth person, identified as witness Dominic Johnson, also signed an affidavit saying the players weren’t culpable of this alleged crime. Baker’s attorney Bradford Cohen says he has similar affidavits clearing his client including some that haven’t been presented to the state, for “a little strategic defense issue” in the event this case goes forward.   The prosecutor found it “suspect” that the witnesses recanted within 36 hours.   Cohen and Grieco both expect the charges on their clients to eventually be dropped due these affidavits and the apparent lack of immediate other evidence in this alleged crime. Redskins WR CODY LATIMER has a court date in Colorado.  Adam Schefter and John Keim of ESPN.com: Washington Redskins wide receiver Cody Latimer appeared at a court hearing Monday in Douglas County, Colorado, on multiple felony charges stemming from an incident early Saturday morning in which he is accused of threatening a friend with a gun and discharging his weapon after an argument at a poker game.   At the hearing, Latimer’s attorney, Harvey Steinberg, told the court that he has been contacted by law enforcement concerning an investigation of a sexual assault of Latimer’s 4-year-old son that was allegedly perpetrated by one of the individuals at that poker game.   Latimer, who was arrested at 3:15 a.m. Saturday, has been ordered to return for a July 24 court date. He is facing charges of assault in the second degree, menacing, illegal discharge of a firearm, prohibited use of weapons and reckless endangerment.   Steinberg told the court that the allegations concerning the shooting incident occurred at about the same time and location as the alleged sexual assault.   According to the police report obtained by 9NEWS Denver, Latimer and another card player got into a heated argument during a poker game at the home of Roderick English, who told police that Latimer is his best friend. English said he separated the two in the argument and ordered everyone to leave his apartment. According to the police report, there were seven or eight people in the apartment.   English told police that both he and Latimer had been drinking.   According to the police report, Latimer returned to English’s apartment 30 minutes after leaving, was agitated and angry, and blamed English for the initial confrontation during the poker game. At that point, English told police that Latimer pulled out a handgun from his hoodie and waved it around, but not directly at English or his girlfriend, Madi Shal. According to the police report, Latimer said he was going to kill everybody.   The situation de-escalated when Latimer emptied the magazine and cleared the chamber of his gun, according to the police report. But the peace didn’t last long as Latimer later fired two shots near English, who responded by pinning Latimer against the wall. Latimer retaliated by hitting English on the top of his head with the gun. English fell but continued to hold Latimer and again pinned him up against the wall. The fight ended after Latimer told English to calm down.   A police detective arrived on the scene at 12:11 a.m. Saturday. English was detained and taken for medical attention after suffering a contusion on the top of his head and a cut on his face. Latimer was released from the Douglas County Jail on $25,000 bond.   Washington signed Latimer to a one-year deal March 25. He has played six seasons in the NFL — four with Denver and the past two with the New York Giants.   Washington signed him for receiver depth and special teams help, but drafted receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden in the fourth round last month. The Redskins have placed a big emphasis on culture under new coach Ron Rivera. For those who care, Douglas County is the county immediately south of Denver (Tabor County) and includes Parker and Castle Pines along I-25 south. We also note that attorney Harvey Steinberg is a familiar name in cases involving NFL players who run afoul of Colorado Justice.  This from 2015: When the police burst through the door at John Bowlen’s luxury apartment to investigate a domestic dispute and 911 hang-up, the 29-year-old son of Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen hollered, “I didn’t do anything wrong! … I’m calling Harvey.”   Circumstances aside, “it was quite flattering,” said Denver-based criminal defense lawyer Harvey Steinberg, whose long list of exonerated clients includes Perrish Cox, Bill Romanowski, Travis Henry, Rolando McClain and receiver Brandon Marshall.   Other prominent figures who have sought Steinberg’s counsel after run-ins with their league or the law include NBA player Ty Lawson and Broncos executives Matt Russell and Tom Heckert.   “I have Harvey’s number in my cellphone,” former NFL pass rusher Alfred Williams said. “And it’s a number I hope to never use. But you can bet I’ll use it if I have to.”   After graduating from the University of Colorado law school in 1978, Steinberg, 61, worked in the Arapahoe County District Attorney’s Office for six years before going into private practice.   The first professional athlete he defended was then-Broncos tight end Clarence Kay in 1990. Steinberg convinced the judge Kay should be allowed to accompany the team to a preseason game in Tokyo rather than spend the night in jail after he was arrested on a domestic violence allegation.   He’s helped hundreds of athletes since, including Elvis Dumervil, whose Miami road rage case was dismissed, and Matt Prater, whose yearlong alcohol suspension was reduced to one month.   “I know one thing, nobody wants to see him on the other side of the fence,” said former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan. “He’s not into settling; he’s into winning.”   Schefter, who knows Steinberg well, put this on Twitter: Cody Latimer attorney, Harvey Steinberg, on his client’s arrest: “There’s an entire back story to this situation that constitutes one of the most highly provocative situations you can imagine. Please withhold judgment until all the facts of what took place that night are known.”

NFC EAST

PHILADELPHIA On a much lesser scale than QB AARON RODGERS, QB NATE SUDFELD was also slapped in the face by a surprise draft pick.  Kevin Patra of NFL.com: When the Philadelphia Eagles selected Jalen Hurts in the second round of last month’s NFL Draft, much of the discussion was on what it means for Carson Wentz. In reality, the man most affected by the addition was backup quarterback Nate Sudfeld.   The signal-caller re-signed a one-year deal to presumptively be Wentz’s backup. It was a job Sudfeld was slated to fill last year before a preseason injury forced the Eagles to bring in Josh McCown to play the role.   Theoretically, the addition of Hurts could rock the boat in the Eagles’ QB room, with both Wentz and Sudfeld feeling threatened by the pick. Sudfeld, however, doesn’t see it being an issue in Philly.   The 26-year-old QB said on the Eagles Insider Podcast that the team told him they’d add a quarterback to the mix, whether through free agency or the draft, so the Hurts selection didn’t come as a surprise and shouldn’t upset the flow of work.   “Everyone kind of makes it dramatic or a big deal,” Sudfeld said, via NBC Sports Philadelphia. “But once you’re kind of in that quarterback room, it’s a lot of helping each other out and everyone just getting better. It’s never really weird at all. Just looking forward to getting back into the room together with guys and getting to work.”   Sudfeld re-signed in Philly with the hopes of parlaying a full season as Wentz’s backup into a shot at a starting role down the line with another club. GM Howie Roseman noted after the draft that the lack of a long-term backup behind Wentz was one reason for the Hurts selection.   “I’m just looking forward to when all this stuff dies down with the COVID and I can just get back to work,” Sudfeld said. “Because I’m excited about the guy we got. I think Jalen is an incredible teammate and player and I think he’s going to have a great, long career.”   If Wentz goes down with another injury, it will be interesting to see if the Eagles thrust Hurts into action or finally give Sudfeld a shot to show off the skill set that has made him a favorite of the coaching staff. Count Kurt Warner among those scratching their heads at the Hurts selection. Kurt Warner was confused by the selection.   “You’ve got your $100-million man there in Carson Wentz, but when you look at this guy Jalen Hurts, he’s a winner,” said Warner, a Hall-of-Fame quarterback. “Nobody where he’s been, no matter what you ask him to do, he just finds ways to win.”   Warner compares Hurts to one of the NFL’s best, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.   “To me, when I look at a guy in the NFL and I say who does he remind me of, he reminds me of a guy like Russell Wilson,” Warner said. “He may not be the most polished passer right now. He’s growing in that area. But he can make plays. He can buy time. He can do it with his legs. He can do it with his arm making big plays as buys time out of the pocket.   “I’m fascinated by this pick and how (the Eagles) are going to use him. Do they put a package in for him so they can get Carson Wentz off the field? There may be a run package for him. It’s going to be fascinating to how they use these two guys.”

NFC SOUTH

TAMPA BAY Today marked the first day QB TOM BRADY threw to select Buccaneers teammates in an intimate, and presumably non-scoldable, setting.  Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times seems determined to get to the bottom of it. About 20 minutes after sunrise, just before 7 a.m. Tuesday, the luxury vehicles began rolling past the guarded entrance at Berkeley Preparatory School — a Tesla coupe followed by a Porsche and a Ford truck or two.   On the artificial turf football field, tucked away in a well-secluded enclave of the sprawling campus, Tom Brady and about eight of his Bucs teammates began a two-hour throwing session.   Brady wasn’t the only quarterback. But he was the only player wearing a bright orange practice jersey over shoulder pads with his Buccaneers’ helmet.   Center Ryan Jensen was there to make sure Brady received the shot gun snaps before launching dozens of passes on this humid 77-degree morning.   If you had any doubt that Brady wasn’t going to find a way for such a gathering when players can’t be together at a team practice facility due to NFL rules during the COVID-19 pandemic, think again.   Brady appeared to be the one organizing the route combinations and situational drills that Bucs receivers, tight ends and running backs ran for about 120 minutes Tuesday.   At times, like he did with receiver Mike Evans, Brady would walk through the route, showing players exactly where to make their cuts.   Brady’s arm looked live and he took advantage of the large collection of pass catchers to also get in some work on deep routes. Among those attending the practice were receiver Scotty Miller, tight ends Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard, quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert and Ryan Griffin, and running back Dare Ogunbowale.   After about an hour, the Bucs moved into the red zone area near the end zone on the east side of the practice field.   Then it was time for some coming out passing drills, simulating the offense back up deep in their own territory.   Last month, Brady made headlines when Tampa Mayor Jane Castor revealed that the six-time Super Bowl winner was asked to leave his workout in a closed downtown park by a member of the parks and recreation department.   “But you know our parks are closed down and so a lot of our parks staff, they patrol around just to make sure people aren’t doing contact sports and things and saw an individual working out in one of our downtown parks, Castor said. “And she went over to tell him that it was closed and it was Tom Brady.”   Since signing a two-year, $50 million contract with the Bucs, Brady has been itching to get time on the practice field with his teammates.   The lack of an offseason program and organized team activities will be a big hurdle for Brady as he attempts to learn Bruce Arians’ offense.   But apparently, while Berkeley Prep has been closed to students and faculty, the school opened its doors and football field to Brady and what looked to be most of the offensive skill players.   Dominick Ciao, Berkeley Prep’s football coach the past 13 seasons, said Tuesday that he had no knowledge of Bucs players working out at his campus. A former Bucs part-time film analyst for then defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, Ciao referred further questions to athletic director Bobby Reinhart, who didn’t immediately respond to a voice mail message.   Gabbert, who missed the 2019 season with an injury to his left non-throwing shoulder, appeared to have no trouble hitting receivers in stride Tuesday.   Following the workout, which concluded just after 9 a.m., Brady and his teammates spent about 25 minutes on the field and in the bleachers just talking and doing some relationship building.   After arriving in Tampa Bay, Brady didn’t waste any time trying to learn the offense. In fact, he inadvertently walked into the wrong Tampa home carrying two duffel bags looking for offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, who lived next door.   Brady joked about some of his missteps in an Instagram post to Bucs fans a couple weeks ago.   “I’m so happy to be in Tampa Bay,” Brady said. “And I wanted to say thank you guys for welcoming me and my family into your community with open arms — outside of getting kicked out of a park the other day. I’m so excited to be a Buc!”   In fact, Brady was excited enough to ask for the phone numbers of every teammate shortly after agreeing to sign with the Bucs. Apparently, he used that list to organize extensive throwing sessions like the one at Berkeley Prep.   Two weeks ago on the Dock Talk with Killer Instagram Live Show, Brate acknowledged to Lightning forward Alex Killorn that he had been working out with Brady. Then he walked it back, saying they were “virtual workouts.”   “Virtual workouts. And you’ve been doing them on your, um, laptop,” Killorn added. “Don’t worry, that will all be edited out of the final version.”   It’s also not surprising that Brady organized the session at 7 a.m. In addition to providing some protection from the heat of the day as well as some privacy, he also is able to determine which teammates are willing to rise early and make the sacrifice to work on improving their timing and chemistry with him.   Based on Tuesday’s workout, Brady won’t have much catching up to do by the time the Bucs players and coaches are able to be together at the team facility.

NFC WEST

SEATTLE This is amazing (hat tip Sharp Football Analysis) Russell Wilson has never received an MVP vote in his career. We would point out that MVP is that rare award that only has first place votes.  Surely, he would have plenty if you had to do top three as in baseball’s Cy Young Award.

AFC EAST

BUFFALO Sun Sep. 13           New York Jets                1:00pm ET            CBS Sun Sep. 20           at Miami Dolphins           1:00pm ET           CBS Sun Sep. 27           Los Angeles Rams         1:00pm ET           FOX Sun Oct. 4              at Las Vegas Raiders     4:25pm ET           CBS Sun Oct. 11            at Tennessee Titans      1:00pm ET           CBS Thur Oct. 15           Kansas City Chiefs         8:20pm ET          FOX/NFLN/Amazon Sun Oct. 25            at New York Jets            1:00pm ET          CBS Sun Nov. 1             New England Patriots     1:00pm ET         CBS Sun Nov. 8             Seattle Seahawks           1:00pm ET         FOX Sun Nov. 15           at Arizona Cardinals        4:05pm ET        CBS Sun Nov. 22           BYE Sun Nov. 29           Los Angeles Chargers      1:00pm ET       CBS Mon Dec. 7            at San Francisco 49ers     8:15pm ET       ESPN Sun Dec. 13           Pittsburgh Steelers           8:20pm ET        NBC St/Sn Dec. 19/20    at Denver Broncos           Time TBA ET Mon Dec. 28           at New England Patriots   8:15pm ET      ESPN Sun Jan. 3              Miami Dolphins                 1:00pm ET       CBS SCHEDULE THOUGHTS The Bills, who don’t usually play four night games in as many years, might play four night games in as many weeks…Buffalo has four primetime games, only one of which on December 13th with Pittsburgh, which could be flexed…And their Week 15 game at Denver will be considered for NFL Network’s national windows, one of which is nocturnal…Buffalo usually is given the cover of their atmospheric home for national games against foes with bigger brands – but they are being sent to San Francisco and to New England for Monday night fixtures in December…In fact, they get the final Monday night game of the year…The Bills have two division games at either end of the schedule and a pair in the middle, so they have runs of four and six games without a division opponent…Things work out so that they have the same amount of home and road games at every even-numbered break…There are three times that they host a West Coast team one week, only to fly across country the next.

MIAMI Sun Sep. 13           at New England Patriots    1:00pm ET       CBS Sun Sep. 20           Buffalo Bills                        1:00pm ET      CBS Thur Sep. 24          at Jacksonville Jaguars      8:20pm ET      NFLN Sun Oct. 4              Seattle Seahawks              1:00pm ET      FOX Sun Oct. 11            at San Francisco 49ers      4:05pm ET      FOX Sun Oct. 18            at Denver Broncos             4:05pm ET      CBS Sun Oct. 25            Los Angeles Chargers        1:00pm ET      CBS Sun Nov. 1             Los Angeles Rams             1:00pm ET      FOX Sun Nov. 8             at Arizona Cardinals           4:25pm ET      CBS Sun Nov. 15           New York Jets                    4:05pm ET      CBS Sun Nov. 22           BYE Sun Nov. 29           at New York Jets                1:00pm ET       CBS Sun Dec. 6             Cincinnati Bengals             1:00pm ET       CBS Sun Dec. 13            Kansas City Chiefs            1:00pm ET       CBS Sun Dec. 20            New England Patriots        1:00pm ET       CBS St/Sn Dec. 26/27     at Las Vegas Raiders        Time TBA Sun Jan. 3               at Buffalo Bills                    1:00pm ET      CBS SCHEDULE THOUGHTS For a slate with only one primetime game – and that on Thursday at Jacksonville – the Dolphins schedule is kind of interesting…With both West divisions at play, the Dolphins have four games in the late window including a November 15 date with the Jets…With a bye in between, the Dolphins and Jets have the very rare scheduled back-to-back…There is a Week 16 game at Las Vegas that could go to Saturday…Miami has back-to-back home games with the Miami teams at midseason and a three-game homestand in December (if Joe Burrow vs. Tua, Patrick Mahomes vs. Tua and Jarrett Stidham vs. Tua, it could be quite interesting)…They play the Bills in Week 2 in the heat of 1 pm at home and at Buffalo in Week 17, so the temperature difference could be in excess of 80 degrees…Three FOX games in the first eight weeks, including a Flex at San Francisco.

NEW ENGLAND Sun Sep. 13             Miami Dolphins                   1:00pm ET        CBS Sun Sep. 20             at Seattle Seahawks          8:20pm ET        NBC Sun Sep. 27             Las Vegas Raiders             1:00pm ET        CBS Sun Oct. 4                at Kansas City Chiefs         4:25pm ET        CBS Sun Oct. 11             Denver Broncos                  1:00pm ET        CBS Sun Oct. 18             BYE Sun Oct. 25             San Francisco 49ers           4:25pm ET        CBS Sun Nov. 1              at Buffalo Bills                     1:00pm ET        CBS Mon Nov. 9              at New York Jets                8:15pm ET        ESPN Sun Nov. 15            Baltimore Ravens               8:20pm ET        NBC Sun Nov. 22            at Houston Texans             1:00pm ET         CBS Sun Nov. 29            Arizona Cardinals               1:00pm ET         FOX Sun Dec. 6              at Los Angeles Chargers     4:25pm ET        CBS Thur Dec. 10           at Los Angeles Rams           8:20pm ET        FOX/NFLN/Amazon Sun Dec. 20            at Miami Dolphins                 1:00pm ET       CBS Mon Dec. 28           Buffalo Bills                           8:15pm ET       ESPN Sun Jan. 3              New York Jets                       1:00pm ET       CBS SCHEDULE THOUGHTS The first game of the post-Brady era is huddled on CBS early on Sunday with three other games, including Jets-Bills, also on the network…But then in Week 2, Jarrett Stidham makes his primetime debut at Seattle against Russell Wilson…The NFL thinks Belichick will have this team relevant as they are awarded four primetime games in the final nine weeks, only one moveable and one the final Monday night game…Interesting December with a three-game road trip including two games in five days in LA…The last three games are against division rivals…CBS steals the big October 25 home game with the 49ers from FOX.

NEW YORK JETS Sun Sep. 13             at Buffalo Bills                    1:00pm ET      CBS Sun Sep. 20             San Francisco 49ers          1:00pm ET      FOX Sun Sep. 27             at Indianapolis Colts           4:05pm ET     CBS Thur Oct. 1               Denver Broncos                 8:20pm ET      NFLN Sun Oct. 11              Arizona Cardinals              1:00pm ET      FOX Sun Oct. 18               at Los Angeles Chargers   4:05pm ET      CBS Sun Oct. 25              Buffalo Bills                         1:00pm ET      CBS Sun Nov. 1                at Kansas City Chiefs         1:00pm ET      CBS Mon Nov. 9               New England Patriots         8:15pm ET      ESPN Sun Nov. 15              at Miami Dolphins               4:05pm ET      CBS Sun Nov. 22              BYE Sun Nov. 29              Miami Dolphins                   1:00pm ET       CBS Sun Dec. 6                Las Vegas Raiders              1:00pm ET      CBS Sun Dec. 13              at Seattle Seahawks            4:05pm ET      CBS St/Sn Dec. 19/20      at Los Angeles Rams          Time TBA St/Sn Dec. 26/27      Cleveland Browns                Time TBA Sun Jan. 3                at New England Patriots       1:00pm ET       CBS SCHEDULE THOUGHTS In case you wondered, with all the games against the West, it wasn’t too hard to put the Giants and Jets at different times…Still both teams are ticketed for early contests on both September 22 and November 29 (as well as Week 17 where flexes abound)…The Jets might be on Saturday in both Week 15 and 16…Two primetime games at the moment, including Monday night at home with New England…As noted above, the weird back-to-back around a bye with the Dolphins…Odd that the Jets and Giants both have byes on November 22.

THIS AND THAT

UNLOCKING THE LOCKDOWN Even as he strives to maintain his stranglehold on the activities of his subjects, LockDown Governor Gavin Newsom threw a surprising bone to professional sports teams.  If they jump through enough safety hoops concocted by his regime, they can play without fans.  Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com: California Governor Gavin Newsom said in April that he didn’t anticipate football games being played in front of full crowds in the state this fall, but they are moving closer to a point where they could be played without fans.   Newsom said on on Monday that current numbers showing the spread of COVID-19 in California have led to thoughts of opening the state up for professional sporting events in a few weeks “if we hold these trend lines.”   “Sporting events, pro sports, in that first week or so of June without spectators and modifications and very prescriptive conditions also can begin to move forward,” Newsom said.   Newsom has raised other questions about how sports will move forward amid the pandemic. As California and other states move toward opening their doors to those events, we’ll likely start to get some of those answers. Whether it actually works or not, the NFL is letting the world know they may have some “mask theater” on the way.  Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com: The NFL is testing facemasks that could help prevent the spread of COVID-19.   Dr. Thom Mayer, the NFLPA’s medical director, revealed on Adam Schefter’s podcast Monday that NFL engineers and sports performance company Oakley are testing prototypes of modified facemasks containing surgical or N95 material.   “Back in early March, I had suggested that we should consider novel and emerging ways to handle the helmets and the facemasks and the spread of the virus,” Mayer told Schefter. “And these guys, the bioengineers that we use and that the league uses — Oakley, as you may or may not know, does all the face visors for the league under contract — these guys got the bit between their teeth.”   Mayer expects a recommendation that the players use such masks in 2020. He said it’s possible the new design could cover a player’s entire facemask.   “They’ve got some prototypes; they’re doing really good work,” he said. “Some of them, when you first look at them, you think, ‘Gosh, no’ — ’cause you’re not used to seeing it; you’re just not used to seeing it. But they’re looking at every issue you can imagine, including when it fogs up. What do we do with that? But these guys are used to dealing with this stuff.”   Oakley has designed anti-fog sunglasses for the military, Mayer said. Today is the day that NFL facilities are being allowed to be re-opened (of course in a manner that would meet critical approval).  NFL.com on the details: NFL team facilities are permitted to begin reopening starting as soon as next Tuesday provided they meet certain criteria, Commissioner Roger Goodell informed clubs in a Friday memo obtained by NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.   Team facilities are allowed to reopen provided that they do so under “governing state and local regulations, are in compliance with additional public health requirements in their jurisdiction, and have implemented the protocols that were developed by Dr. Sills and distributed to all clubs on May 6,” the memo states.   Teams that do not meet those requirements Tuesday “may reopen their facilities on the earliest date thereafter on which they are able to meet the criteria.”   During this first phase of reopening the following is in place:   Teams are not allowed to have more than 50 percent of staff in the facility, and the number cannot exceed 75 people. That total is for all club locations combined.   No members of the coaching staff are permitted to return to the facility in order to “ensure equity among all 32 clubs.” The strength and conditioning coach may continue work in the facility only if said person “is currently participating in player rehabilitation.”   No players are allowed in the facility other than those currently undergoing treatment. Teams must promptly report any incidence of COVID-19 in the facility.   Teams must promptly report any change in government regulations.   Goodell previously sent out a memo May 6 to teams laying out protocols on how facilities may reopen, which includes consent from state government officials, establishment of a club infection response team, social distancing and other measures. The DB has seen that currently, 22 teams are in Free jurisdictions that would allow such a conditional re-opening while 10 are under the spell of LockDown Governors.  The NFL has indicated that only when the most stringent Governor acquiesces can any of the 32 teams coaching staffs return to their office.

DEBT CEILING NFL teams are now allowed to fall further in debt, much like our federal government.  Amy Trask in The Athletic with thoughts: When the 32 NFL teams gather remotely this week for the annual spring owners’ meeting, there will be discussion and, unless no consensus is reached, a decision as to whether and to what extent the amount of debt that may be carried by each team (and in certain regards, the controlling owners thereof) should be increased.   The debt ceiling (as the limit is referred to within league circles) is currently $350 million, with an additional amount that may, under certain circumstances, be borrowed against non-controlling interests. An increase to $500 million, an increase of roughly 43 percent, is being considered with the suggestion that it is to address pandemic-related decreases in revenue. That is a significant increase in terms of percentage and as a change in longstanding league philosophy and policy. I am not suggesting the potential increase doesn’t make sense or that it shouldn’t be implemented, but simply that it is a big deal from the perspective of many team owners and executives.   Throughout my years in the NFL, I found the debt ceiling to be one of the most fascinating topics we considered within league circles. There was a tremendous divergence of opinion as to the appropriate and wise amount of debt to be carried by teams and whether there should be any limit at all.   That divergence of opinion stemmed from varying business philosophies and from the fact there was a significant differential between and among teams in terms of revenue and owner liquidity; in other words, significant variance of a need for debt — long-term debt, a working line of credit or some combination thereof.   During my years in the league, the gap in annual revenue between the highest-revenue team and the lowest-revenue team was nine figures. There was also a tremendous gap in wealth between and among the 31 owners (Green Bay is publicly owned). Further, teams that have been purchased often carry acquisition debt whereas teams passed from generation to generation do not. Teams that are inherited are subject to estate tax, but such tax obligations can be addressed and satisfied with intelligent, proactive planning.   When I have referenced the league debt ceiling and other league rules related to debt in the past, I have been asked why teams (which are individually, not collectively owned) need league approval to take on debt and how the league knows how much debt a team (and/or its controlling owner) carries.   The answer to the first part of that question is that the teams allow the league to regulate debt. The league is a collection of 32 businesses, and if the requisite number of those businesses decided to change the rules such that the league had no authority in that regard, they could.   The answer to the second part of that question is that there are extremely substantial reporting and compliance obligations with which each team must comply. Those requirements include the annual submission to the league office of multiple audited financial statements, which outline revenue, ticket sales, ownership interests, debt and more. Those reports are reviewed by the league office and team representatives are called upon to answer questions related thereto. The league office then prepares consolidated reports that reflect the information provided by the 32 teams and those consolidated reports are shared and discussed with all teams at league meetings.   As an aside, I will note that the overwhelming majority of team representatives (my teammates and representatives of other teams) believed the reporting and compliance obligations to be onerous. I did not. Each year, I happily declared, “I love audits.” Each year, I thought that might be the year they would actually strangle me. But, they didn’t (strangle me) and I do (love audits). The league requirements are valuable to the financial health of every team and thus the league as a whole.   Also of tremendous importance to the financial health and of the league is Joe Siclare, the NFL’s executive vice president and chief financial officer. It was and remains my opinion that Siclare is an invaluable member of the league executive team and, in fact, one of its best assets. Among his other many attributes is his fairness. I note that because he has been conducting financial stress tests and analysis as to the need for an increase in the debt ceiling. If Siclare believes it is in the league’s best interests to increase the amount of debt a team may carry, I have every confidence that conclusion is based strictly on his analysis, not on any “lobbying” by those team owners who have long wanted to see the debt ceiling raised.   I noted earlier that the prospective increase is a big deal and that is the case for many reasons. Not only is it a substantial increase from a percentage standpoint and because it is a significant league policy, but because it is often hard to roll back increases. While it may initially be related to the pandemic, I wonder if it will be rolled back once we are through it. It is possible that the increase may not be ephemeral. If it does become permanent, it can increase the value of teams.

OVER-UNDER Vic Tafur of The Athletic has six favorite bets as he looks at the current over-under line: We don’t know much yet about what effects the pandemic will have on the NFL, as far as when and where games will be played, if fans will be allowed into stadiums to watch, and how the rules might be affected. We do know that teams’ offseason workouts will be greatly reduced, if not altogether wiped out.   We also know that some of the prices on these over/under totals are quite expensive — none more so than the Buccaneers, as Tom Brady believers have to bet $300 to win $100 (-300) to get a piece of the over of 8.5 wins.   Two tips: Lean towards the under as the books overcompensate for people’s need to be popular and go with favorites. Adding up the win totals offered at any sportsbook or website will always get you to more than 256, which is the mathematically correct number. And go with the proven, adaptable coach. Andy Reid’s Chiefs are 7-0 going over the season’s win total predictions in his seven years with the team.   I started off with my favorite six totals and then listed the rest of the predictions from worst record to best. (The totals are from sportsbook.ag on Saturday.)   The top six   Arizona Cardinals — under 7.5, -110 Everyone is betting on the Cardinals after they traded for top-five receiver DeAndre Hopkins. But their schedule is tough (four of the first six on the road) and I still don’t know how Kyler Murray won rookie of the year last season. He was decent, but a three-game jump from last year’s five wins seems unrealistic for him and a pretty boring defense.   Indianapolis Colts — under 8.5, +180 Philip Rivers is often lumped in with the great quarterbacks who switched teams late in their careers. But 18 QBs have either won an MVP or started a Super Bowl since Rivers became a starter in 2006, and he is not one of them. He has really fallen off, and I don’t know if a great offensive line fixes a statue who throws the ball up for grabs. Plus, for all the love that the national media showers on general manager Chris Ballard, the Colts have won 21 games in his three seasons.   Cleveland Browns — over 8.5, -120 As much as I wrote about how the Browns were going to underachieve last season, I feel just as strongly the other way now. Cleveland added right tackle Jack Conklin in free agency and drafted left tackle Jedrick Wills, so the offensive line is much better, and new tight end Austin Hooper bolsters a dynamic offense with Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb and Odell Beckham Jr. Kevin Stefanski may be new, but he’s a huge upgrade over fired coach Freddy Kitchens.   Baltimore Ravens — over 11.5, -110 The Ravens not only got to keep both their coordinators — amazing how no team waited to raid the Ravens’ or Chiefs’ staffs — but improved their roster on offense and defense. They straight out stole Calais Campbell from the Jaguars, trading a fifth-round pick for the three-time All-Pro defensive tackle. And there is no reason to think that Lamar Jackson takes a step back either. All the Zoom meetings in the world won’t help teams adjust to him.   Green Bay Packers — over 9, -105 Everyone is counting Aaron Rodgers and the Packers out this year. While I do think they were pretty lucky last season AND that Rodgers will only be in Green Bay another year or two, a four-game drop seems way too steep. Running back AJ Dillon was a sneaky good pick in the second round, as he will come in for Aaron Jones late in games and run tired defenses over as the Packers pound the ball.   Miami Dolphins — under 6, +110 Miami had a magical five-win season last year, when everybody thought they were tanking. Congrats to them. But they are likely going to redshirt their first-round pick this season, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and are clearly the worst team talent-wise in their division. Opponents may actually pay attention to the scouting reports of the Dolphins this season. We like the Dolphins over 6 contrary to Tafur, almost as much as he likes the other way around. Here are the rest of his thoughts without his commentary which subscribers can find The other 26   Jacksonville Jaguars — under 4.5, -125   Cincinnati Bengals — under 5.5, -120   Washington Redskins — over 5.5, -105   Carolina Panthers — under 6, -130   New York Giants — under 6.5, -125   Detroit Lions — under 6.5, -110   New York Jets — under 7, -115   Denver Broncos — under 7.5, +120   Houston Texans — over 7.5, -105   Las Vegas Raiders — over 7.5, -105   Atlanta Falcons — under 7.5, -120   Los Angeles Chargers — over 8, +105   Chicago Bears — under 8, -110   Los Angeles Rams — under 8.5, even   Tennessee Titans — under 8.5, +115   Buffalo Bills — over 8.5, -165   Tampa Bay Buccaneers — over 8.5, -300   Seattle Seahawks — over 9, +135   New England Patriots — over 9, -110   Minnesota Vikings — over 9, -120   Pittsburgh Steelers — under 9.5, -135   Philadelphia Eagles — over 9.5, -105 .   Dallas Cowboys — under 10, even   San Francisco 49ers — under 10.5, +110   New Orleans Saints — over 10.5, -115   Kansas City Chiefs — over 11.5, -140   If the DB had to go with six, they would be: Baltimore over 11.5 Cowboys over 10 Chargers under 8 Dolphins over 6 Panthers under 6 The Cowboys, Chargers and Dolphins go against Tafur’s recommendation.  What say you?