The NFL stands as a proud symbol of everything that's f-d up in the U.S. Right up there with the NCAA, the WWE, and the NRA. If there was a 'spit' emoticon, I'd use it.
Mientkiewicz has earned a shot. If not with this organization, then a different one. I don't think Jake Mauer would happen until after Joe's retirement as a player.
Our Mathematical Universe, by Max Tegmark. Pretty interesting guy, and our outlooks are often similar. Just gotta figure out what that damn Dark Matter and Dark Energy (which combined make up about 95% of the Universe) are.