BSJ Daily Briefing 01.11.18: Celtics afternoon tip in London; trading Jimmy Garoppolo under the franchise tag

Good morning!

A few random thoughts while I prepare to have afternoon tea instead of beers for the Celtics' game against the 76ers...

• So the Celtics are playing one game in London. I don't get it. At least with the NFL it's one of 16 games. It means something, it's an event. This is one of 82. Why not play a couple games against the Sixers there?


• For those still computing how the Patriots could have kept Jimmy Garoppolo long enough to trade him under the franchise tag ($25 million — and they would need to have the space to do it) in March, the Patriots are projected to be about $15.6 million under the cap when the new league year begins, according to our own Miguel Benzan. The Patriots could clear $15.35 million (it's $17.35 million but there's a top 51 rule in effect that's complicated) in temporary space without breaking a sweat if they released Martellus Bennett ($6.4 million), Dwayne Allen ($5 million), Alan Branch ($3.7 million) and David Harris ($2.25 million). It's not like the Patriots needed to leap tall buildings in a single bound to keep Garoppolo long enough to trade him. It's one of the flaws in the whole "They had to trade to trade Jimmy G at the trade deadline" arguments.


• The other argument would be: Well, he could pull a power play on where he lands because he can't be traded until he signs the tag. My answer would be: I thought you wanted to play, which is why you wouldn't entertain a bridge deal? Fine, don't sign the tag. Sit on the bench for a fifth season while you watch Brady. And then we can do this again a year from now. Up to you, kid.


• It's not that complicated.


• Good to see University of Maine grad Brian Gaine get his shot as the new Texans' general manager. Gaine has been knocking on the door for a few years, and might just have the perfect match with Bill O'Brien. They speak the same football language, as both hail from the Bill Parcells/Bill Belichick tree. It's a fit O'Brien has been looking for.


• So let me get this straight. The NHL, in order to get the 3-on-3 All-Star Game, gave the player's union a bye week in exchange. The NFLPA can't even get a working concussion protocol for its players and it's the most popular league in the country by far. Seriously, how weak is the NFLPA? If it doesn't ask for and threaten the moon in the next CBA, it's definitely the worst union in American pro sports.

Another dunk show breaks out at @Celtics practice in London!

?: #Celtics x #HereTheyCome
?: The O2 Arena • London
⏰: 3pm/et Thursday
?: @NBATV pic.twitter.com/EOL4gEr6ez

— NBA (@NBA) January 10, 2018