Sports this 'n' that

The NFL free agency signing period has begun, and, so far, it seems the NFC South could be the biggest winners.

As we all know, Tom Brady decided that 20 years was enough in New England, and, pending a physical, is signing with Tampa Bay as Jameis Winston's replacement. Winston, in five seasons with the Bucs, was erratic, throwing too many interceptions, most of them at critical times. Brady now has the skill receivers in Mike Evans and OJ Howard that he didn't have with the Patriots last season.

Other moves:

Todd Gurley is returning to Georgia. Cut by the Rams for salary cap reasons, Gurley signed a 1 year deal with Atlanta. The former Georgia Bulldog will return to the Peach State to a hero's welcome to be sure.

The Giants cut journeyman defensive back Antoine Bethea, then signed Colt McCoy, late of Washington, to be Daniel Jones' backup. There's still some offensive line issues to be addressed, however, and if they think the draft will fix that, well......!

The Joe Flacco era in Denver is over after 1 season. The Broncos cut Flacco on Thursday, though he's recovering from injury.

In addition to Gurley, the Rams also cut Clay Matthews, Jr., ending his Los Angeles homecoming after 1 season.

Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix will be reunited with coach Mike McCarthy in Dallas after 1 1/2 seasons in Washington. Why Green Bay dumped him in the first place, I'll never know.
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The Boston Red Sox's chances of making the 2020 postseason just took a big hit.

Ace pitcher Chris Sale will undergo Tommy John surgery, and will miss the season, and a chunk of 2021, as well. A move long overdue, given his struggles last year, and in the Sawx' run to the 2018 World Series title.
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The general paranoia over COVID-19 has claimed the New York Racing Association.

After two backstretch workers at Belmont tested positive earlier this week, NYRA has suspended racing indefinitely. OTB-TV's Seth Merrow broke the story on Thursday. That means the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, set for April 4, will be postponed or cancelled, as the major stakes races of the spring continue to be shuffled in the wake of the pandemic.
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COVID-19 has also penetrated the NFL.

New Orleans coach Sean Payton tested positive earlier this week, but says he's fine and expects a full recovery, per ESPN.

Over in the NBA, two Los Angeles Lakers and four Brooklyn Nets, including injured superstar Kevin Durant, have tested positive over the last week, raising doubts as to whether or not the NBA will finish out the season.

With the NCAA tournament cancelled. the Associated Press declared Kansas the men's national champion in their final poll of the season. Talk about going old school.