Ten Take Friday

Here we go. Ten takes in a row. Simple. Easy to read. No room for interpretation.

1. The NFL has another concussion problem: last night they proved with all the hits Panthers QB Cam Newton took to the head coupled with the fact either concussion officials in the stadium didn't seem to notice or were waved-off by their bosses, the league has shown they're simply negligent, unqualified, or just don't care about the health of its players. See the league's antiquated marijuana policy.

2. Buffalo Bills RT Seantrel Henderson will take his four-game suspension. He has dropped his appeal. That only happens when you don't have a case. You need to fail four urine tests--yes, one-two-three-four!!!--to lose a quarter season.

When it comes to Crohn's Disease, all bets are off. But, if the NFL were to cut Seantrel slack, then the NFL would see a dramatic rise in, ahem, Crohn's cases or similar situations.

Sadly, the league would rather push painkillers and create drug addicts than allow weed to be smoked to ease the car accident-like pain felt from the first day of training camp until (maybe) mid-March.

Forget the Chron's for a second. The NFL needs to just eliminate testing for the sticky-green. But they won't without a concession. Good luck, NFLPA.

Meanwhile, for those of you who preach that weed shouldn't smoke recreationally, geez, isn't drinking alcohol always recreational? See, you don't get to choose. And this is coming from someone who has never inhaled. Ever.

3. Back to Denver. It's amazing what a well-timed timeout will do. We'll be talking about the missed 50-yard Graham Gano field goal come December. Will also be talking about the one he made a minute earlier.

4. Staying in the Mile High City: today Trevor Siemian is poised simply because Denver won. If Gano makes the second kick, we're talking about Paxton Lynch.

5. Brandon Marshall kneels during "The Star Spangled Banner." Colin Kaepernick may have not been the guy you'd peg to start this conversation, but athletes like Marshall who have followed suit are actually doing more than just kneeling. Marshall is donating money and looking to help while letting America know afterward he is not anti-police, or anti-military. He wants the BEST America. Shouldn't we all?

Meanwhile, kudos to Kaep for literally putting his money where his mouth and knees are and doing the same from the revenue garnered from the spike in his jersey sales.

6. World Cup of Hockey: Team USA coach, John Tortorella is getting ripped for saying he'd bench any player who sits during the national anthem.

Every situation--Kaep, Marshall, Megan Rapinoe--is different, as is this one. And y'know what? He's right.

The jersey says USA. If you don't want to represent the country, don't play. Period.

If you're gonna play, you'd better be all-in on an international stage.

6. Yes, the Buffalo Bills season rides on Tyrod Taylor. And yes, he can't just be as good as Eli Manning or Phillip Rivers. He needs to be Ben Roethlisberger.

7. The Arizona Cardinals will win the Super Bowl this year and become the next Pats-like dynasty. Write it down.

8. Good for baseball, good for the Mets, and good for Tim Tebow. Eff everyone else. Especially baseball pundits, purists and the NFL.

Thursday went like this: baseball steals headlines using ex-NFL wonder; football gets back in the limelight talking about headshots to a star quarterback.

Which story would you rather have?

9. The Yankees and Mets have made baseball fun again in New York. It's amazin' what a few fresh faces will do. And, by the way, why does Joe Giardi get so much hate? Maybe because Yankee fans only watch Yankee games. Despite a lack of offense, age and pitching problems the last two seasons, Girardi posts the best pythagorean win-loss record in baseball.

Translation: he's managing his team to victories. What a frickin' concept!

10. Don Henley is one heckuva songwriter. Incredibly underrated.