Grip on Sports: The sun is shining, it’s warm, the days are long – it’s a perfect time to think about football

A GRIP ON SPORTS • We’re not even officially to summer yet. That doesn’t happen for another 10 days or so. But that doesn’t stop the football talk. Nothing does, really. Read on.

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• As I was running up and down the Internet this morning, it struck me the level of football stories. And there are some of interest to those of us who live right here in River City.

(As an aside, does anyone even understand a “Music Man” reference anymore? Heck, Ron Howard, who just got finished directing “Solo,” was only a little kid in that movie, pretending to have a lisp and wondering when the next time Andy Griffith would take him fishing. Maybe it’s time to update my movie references to, you know, this century. Anyway, back to football … )

The big news in Seattle, of course, is Earl Thomas’ holdout. And it is big news, especially considering Thomas is the last of the Blues Brothers or Bash Brothers or Legion of Boom or whatever they called themselves. But in Los Angeles, Thomas’ holdout is a back-of-the-section story. The Rams, who are trying to win now – as opposed to the Seahawks’ plan, which is to win once more before Russell Wilson retires to direct a “Music Man” remake starring his wife – may be without Aaron Donald, quite possibly the best defensive lineman in the league these days.

So the next time you are down in the dumps about Thomas’ egocentric holdout statement, just remember you are not alone in this world. There is always someone else with the same problems.

But there is more to football than money. There are awards, as in the Heisman Trophy.

Some of the most prominent preseason Heisman hopefuls, thus eliminating any chance they have of winning the 758-pound hunk of rock, hail from the Pac-12.

There’s Stanford’s Bryce Love, the running back who returned for one more year of college against all odds. There’s Oregon’s Justin Herbert, a quarterback with a short resume – he was hurt last season – and a strong arm. There’s Arizona’s Khalil Tate, who was the most impressive quarterback in the nation a year ago for about four games. 

And, finally, there’s Washington quarterback Jake Browning, who has an advantage few other Pac-12 hopefuls have: His team is going to be really good. Good enough to challenge for a national title. That always helps.

So as spring slowly morphs into summer and the length of daylight continues to stretch, there are NFL’s minicamps blooming everywhere and speculation about the upcoming college season. Which, it seems, is just about a perfect accompaniment to this best of all seasons. 

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WSU: Around the Pac-12, Oregon State is packed and ready for the College World Series. The Beavers will be dragging some baggage to Omaha. … Washington is going to Omaha as well. … Hey, more football news, including Heisman hopefuls, how the trophy can be won and the linemen of the South. … Utah is focused on the future of its football stadium – and a past season that celebrates a 10th anniversary. … A new coach usually means roster changes. Arizona is dealing with that truism right now.

Gonzaga: David Stockton has been invited to train with Team USA. Jim Meehan has more in this story. … Keep this transfer in mind. The Zags are still looking for another guard for next season.

EWU: Ryan Collingwood returns to the sports department as the Eastern beat writer and he hits the ground running. Today he has two stories. The first is on a segment of the Eagles’ basketball schedule next season. The second is on Eastern Washington players in the CFL. It wasn’t the best week.

Mariners: If you missed the M’s game against the Angels last night, you missed another Nelson Cruz power display. He hit two more home runs and the M’s won, 5-3. (When Cruz came off the disabled list in early May, I wonder aloud on the radio when he would take over the team lead in home runs from Mitch Haniger. I speculated it would be before the month was out. I was wrong. It took until June 11.) …The Mariners are starting to be noticed. … This would be really sad. 

Seahawks: There are other items besides Thomas’ future status to cover before minicamp opens today. … Roster moves occurred yesterday. 

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• We will share your thoughts on the Mariners in this space on Thursday. Why Thursday? A variety of reasons. Mainly, though, I’m lazy. Until later …