A judge has delayed the NFL’s concussion deal with former players due to a concern that the $675 million compensation fund doesn’t provide enough money for those suffering from the after-effects of a career on the gridiron.

+ This time of year, it’s troubling that these negative realities of football are juxtaposed with the wild enthusiasm connected to the playoffs (it’s enough to drive one to scream “Omaha” 44 times). If you happen to be a football fan, this is a great time of year to be reading Gregg Easterbrook.

+ Football has its contradictions. And, of course, baseball has its own. Here are 8 excerpts that explain the Alex Rodriguez doping scandal, and five things to know about the Alex Rodriguez lawsuit. If A-Rod has this much stamina in his fight against MLB, he must be on something.