Mickey Togs

Toyota announced its recall of 1.12 million vehicles worldwide due to a short-circuit sensor capable of prohibiting air bags from deploying as designed.

The recall will includes several Toyota and Lexus models between the years 2000 and 2002 as listed below:

• Toyota Avalon, Avalon Hybrid (2000-21)
• Toyota Camry, Camry Hybrid (2020-22)
• Toyota Corolla (2020-21)
• Toyota Highlander, Highlander Hybrid (2020-21)
• Toyota RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid (2020-21)
• Toyota Sienna Hybrid (2021)
• Lexus ES250 (2021)
• Lexus ES300H (2020-22)
• Lexus ES350 (2020-21)
• Lexus RX350 (2020-21)
• Lexus RX450h (2020-21)

The subject vehicles have Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensors in the front passenger seat that could have been improperly manufactured, causing a short circuit, Toyota said in a news release. This would not allow the airbag system to properly classify the occupant’s weight, and the airbag may not deploy as designed in certain crashes, increasing the risk of injury.

Toyota and Lexus dealers will inspect the OCS sensors and replace them if necessary on all vehicles included in the recall free of charge. The automotive company said it will notify all customers of the recall.

Saquon Barkley’s time with the Giants is one step closer to reaching the end.

The New York Giants will not franchise tag running back Saquon Barkley, making him a free agent when the signing period begins later this month.

Last offseason, Barkley, 27, and the Giants agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth up to $11 million ahead of training camp, which includes a $2 million signing bonus. The move came ahead of what could have been a lengthy potential holdout as both sides had previously failed to reach a long-term deal prior to their set deadline.

The Giants placed a franchise tender on Barkley, but he didn’t sign it prior to the one-year deal and, therefore, wouldn’t have faced any fines for skipping mandatory training camp as he wasn’t yet under contract. The former No. 2 overall pick recorded 962 yards and six touchdowns on 247 rushing attempts, while also catching 41 passes for 280 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games during the 2023 season.

The Rose Bowl was the big obstacle standing in the way of early expansion for the College Football Playoff from four to twelve teams. That obstacle no longer exists.

The Rose Bowl on Wednesday caved and agreed to become a part  of the expanded CFP. Their decision paves the way for a 12-team playoff as early as 2024. The previous contract under the four-team playoff system ran through 2025 and required the unanimous approval of the six current participating bowls in order to expand early.

The Rose Bowl had previously been holding up expansion because it wanted special treatment from the CFP. Namely, they wanted to maintain their exclusive playing window in the afternoon/evening on New Year’s Day.

The CFP reportedly told the Rose Bowl they would make a good-faith effort to work with them. However, nothing could be put into writing because there is no TV contract yet.

The decision arose because the CFP had put a deadline of November 2022 for the Rose Bowl to agree or risk being left out of the CFP once the current contract expired.

Now, administrators and the CFP will get to work on trying to make the 12-team playoff a reality for 2024.