Sports this 'n' that

 There now exists a quarterback controversy in New England.

The Patriots' 2nd year QB, Mac Jones, was benched Monday after throwing an interception. Rookie backup Bailey Zappe led the Pats on 2 TD drives to give New England a lead that would soon disappear, as the Patriots were upset by Chicago on Monday Night Football, squandering a chance to pick up a 1/2-game on idle Buffalo.

Seems to me Jones was rushed back three weeks after an ankle injury opened the door for Zappe's star turn.

===============================================

Jones, though, got away with what might've been an accidental kick to the crotch of a Chicago defender, the same one who picked him off a play or two later. Jones was sliding out of danger on the play, but might've been out of control in doing so. Peyton Manning, on ESPN2, took note of a "kick to the jewels", and the clip has gone viral.

Saw a commercial over the weekend that says Manning will be taking part in this year's CMA Awards on ABC. Stop the pain! Season 2 of the Capital One College Bowl wraps this Friday. Manning was recently a guest picker on College GameDay in the Saturday series' 2nd trip to his alma mater, Tennessee, this season. While he's shillin' for Caesar's SportsBook, at least we're done with his lame ads for Nationwide Insurance.

We got this from his press agent when he was asked about his client taking on too much.

"I don't think so. He's doing fine."

Gee, what a surprise.

=======================================

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay may need to be given a certain book by George Santayana.

It wasn't so long ago that Irsay had convinced Philip Rivers to finish his NFL career with the Colts, which didn't end well. At last check, Rivers is coaching high schoolers.

Having learned nothing, Irsay signed Matt Ryan after Atlanta cut the former #1 draft pick out of Boston College (2008). Ryan's poor play has landed him on the Colts' bench, making room for 2nd year QB Sam Ehrlinger (Texas). I get that Ryan wanted to prove "Matty Ice" could still play, but in his 15th season, stick a fork in him, he's done.

=========================================

32 years ago, MTV VJ Kevin Seal was given a series in which he tried his hand at various action sports. Sporting Fool lasted just one season, and Seal was gone not too long after that.

Today, ESPN would be wise to see about rebooting the series with a new star, professional bloviating idiot Stephen A. Smith.

We told you about Smith getting an alternate broadcast of selected NBA games this season (God help us all!), but we all know how ignorant he really is about sports other than, and sometimes including, basketball. While Smith has gotten rid of his ill-advised attempts to use vocal inflections similar to that of the late Howard Cosell, putting him on the slopes or in a boxing ring should smarten him up real quick.

It's either that, or he dresses up as a college mascot as a stand-in for Lee Corso.