Did you miss me? Probably not, because the newsletter was in great hands while I was gone. Anyway, I had a great time in London even if Djed Spence — the reason for my booking the trip in the first place — bailed on my Spurs to play in Italy’s Serie A. Anyway, this weekend was all about college football, and not only the players who went to my high school. This is a real guy. This is art. This was crazy. And I’m not even going to talk about (or link to) Lane Kiffin. 

In U.S. Open news, Carlos Alcaraz is so dominant, he doesn’t double-check who his opponent might be until he steps on the court, it seems — and I love him for that. Friend of OffBall Joon Lee posted a new YT video on our sudden obsession with tennis. Ben Shelton wants off his ‘On’ contract. And Andrea Petkovic, author of the sublime ‘Finite Jest’ Substack, refuses to let your ring light ruin her Open.

I know I spend too much time pontificating from my soapbox, but I do need everyone to start asking themselves, “why am I doing this?” before they follow someone, purchase something, or participate in any type of consumerism. There’s no reason Kirk Herbstreit’s dog’s merch pop-up should have generated thousands of sales. 

I am once again asking you to care about (and watch) Chad Powers. Season 1 ended abruptly because of scheduling issues, so I expect Season 2  to not only pick right up and move quickly, but also to be really good. Because, again, it’s a good show.

This James O’Brien masterpiece was shot 10 years ago, but it rediscovered its rightful place atop your timeline this weekend with all the farewell salutes to the great Gael Monfils. Monfils, Mon Roi.

Manifesting is a big part of my life. And since the FIBA Women’s World Cup began last week, I’ve been manifesting a Team USA ship, but I’ve also been manifesting a new friendship. 

Walk with me while I get a little parasocial. 

It’s no secret Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have had beef since college. Through no real fault of their own, they’ve nearly incited a culture war. Caitlin stans have rabid disdain for Angel, and Angel fans can’t stand watching Caitlin either. I don’t really have the time or the word count to go into all of that, nor do I have interest. 

Because watching them play together has been a total blast. Not only that, but their chemistry is so good on the court, I’ve decided to start a rumor until it turns into a full-blown reality. Caitlin and Angel are actually besties. 

As of right now, no, this is not true. (Like I said, manifesting is a big part of my life) But I’m not the only one taking note of how their games complement each other. 

Not to mention Caitlin and Paige Bueckers, two players also rumored to have beef, seem to be getting closer too. “Caige’s” pre-game warmup has charmed the internet. 

And Angel and Paige are close, so, by the associative property (ok math!), Angel and Caitlin are on the brink of a beautiful new friendship. 

And as a closing and totally unrelated thought, I do want everyone to know about this discovery I made this week. 

The NFL Is almost here, and the first game of the year will be a Super Bowl rematch. Which I guess people are mad about, but I don’t really know why. 

Anyway, let’s get hyped. 

I’ve already told you to watch “Hard Knocks” this year, which features the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, so surely you’ve checked that off your list already. 

I don’t agree that it’s the best one in forever, but that’s fine. Watch it and let me know. 

For the Substack ‘Pure Hustle’ Jeffery Thompson compared each NFL team to a famous beloved film. 

Adidas’s spot featuring Ochocinco, Rome Odunze, Garrett Wilson, and Amon-Ra St. Brown is a banger. 

The Vikings have a rocket scientist on their coaching staff, and the story of how he got there is absolutely riveting.  

Ahead of the 49ers-Rams game in Melbourne on Thursday, Christian McCaffrey is wondering why no one is talking about how good Australian coffee is. Which is interesting to hear, because that’s kind of the main thing they’re talking about when it comes to Australia, if you ask me. His coach Kyle Shanahan is confused that there aren’t crocodiles and Kangaroos everywhere. Fair.

Chiefs tight end, Travis Kelce, was at an Indian restaurant in NYC this week, which I know, is not news, but I guess he’s married to someone famous enough to warrant an entire People article on that. 

And by the way, this was not my favorite.