USA TODAY's Tom Pelissero notes the NFL and NFLPA will "review application of concussion protocol" to Dolphins QB Matt Moore, who returned to Sunday’s Wild Card game against the Steelers after "missing one snap in the aftermath of a brutal hit" by Steelers LB Bud Dupree. TV cameras showed the unaffiliated neurological consultant "speaking with Moore after the hit midway through the second quarter." Under protocol, a player "isn’t allowed to return without clearance from that unaffiliated doctor" (USA TODAY, 1/10). PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Mike Florio wrote it will be "interesting to see if the NFL and the NFLPA agree on whether a violation did or didn’t occur and, if so, what will be done about it" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 1/9).
STRAIGHT CASH, HOMEY: FOXSPORTS.com's Ken Rosenthal wrote the "sharp decline in the money spent" on MLB free agents from last offseason to this year is "nothing short of stunning." The biggest reason for the dropoff is "likely the poor quality of the current free-agent class, but many agents remain concerned that the relatively small increase in the luxury-tax thresholds under the new CBA also is inhibiting spending." In '16, six teams spent $218M or more on free agents, and three more were above $100M. Meanwhile, 18 teams have spent under $30M, as "opposed to 13 last season." Teams such as the Phillies and Rangers still "could exceed that sum," but clearly, the "market is depressed" (FOXSPORTS.com, 1/6).
NOT WORTH THE HASSLE: Rory McIlroy was one of the notable golfers to not participate in the Rio Games, and the AP noted he "resented how the Olympics forced him to decide whether he would represent Ireland or Britain." McIlroy said it reached a point that it "wasn't worth the hassle" to compete in Rio. McIlroy: "I had to question who I am. Who am I? Where am I from? Where do my loyalties lie? Who am I going to play for? Who do I not want to (upset) the most? I started to resent it. And I do. I resent the Olympic Games because of the position it put me in. That's my feelings toward it. And whether that's right or wrong, that's how I feel" (AP, 1/9).
