“If he’s healthy…”

That’s the conditional that is the functional foundation of the National Football League.

But “if he’s healthy,” Julio Jones is a perfect fit for the Bucs. Brady throwing to Jones, Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, along with newly acquired tight end Kyle Rudolph? And there’s very little risk for the Bucs. That was a smart, aggressive move by a smart, aggressive organization. I will remind you that Jones’ career average of 91.9 receiving yards per game is tops in NFL history. I said “NFL history.”

Everybody’s talking about the AFC West, and rightfully so. But that is going to be a hellacious battle between the Bucs and Saints in the NFC South. New Orleans is really good, and Dennis Allen has proved he can stop Brady. And I’ll bet you a cheeseburger that “if he’s healthy,” Jameis Winston will play very well. I think he’s figured it out. The key for NO will be Michael Thomas. You know, “if he’s healthy.”

Can you imagine how happy and relieved the Jaguars’ players must be to have an actual, professional, competent head coach?

And then there’s Mike McCarthy. It’s not that he’s incompetent or unprofessional. But he is in a completely untenable position. Dead Man Walking, professionally speaking. It’ll be yours if you want it, Sean Payton.

The reported impending appendectomy for Joe Burrow shouldn’t be a big deal. He’ll be ready to go. Less training camp is “more” for that guy.

But here’s reality. Pro football is a sport with a 100 percent injury rate. I was saddened to learn that Seattle’s excellent running back, Chris Carson, is retiring after five NFL seasons because of a chronic neck injury.

I guess the clarity is a good thing for the ‘Niners. I guess. Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch have officially thrown the keys to Trey Lance. They had to, given what they gave up to get Lance in the 2021 draft.

But now whither Jimmy G.? The Seahawks aren’t going to trade for him. They don’t have to. They can just wait for the ‘Niners to release him. Or is Garoppolo a one-year caretaker for the Browns? Or is there still a chance he could wind up in Houston?

Deebo? He’s about to get paid. And that guy should get paid.

Nothing says “baseball” more than a frustrated player kicking his bat into the dugout, where it then strikes a teammate in the knee. Just rub some sunflower seeds on the wound.

Don’t do it, Celtics. You are really close and you have a very likable and engaging team. KD never saw a locker room he couldn’t kill. Don’t do it.

I don’t think anybody has a better “big picture” view of college football than Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz. He’s been doing this longer than anyone else currently coaching in FBS. Ferentz sees the chaos and uncertainty in the sport and says he is as concerned as he’s “ever been.” I’ve long considered Ferentz to be the “wise old man” in the sport. I just looked up his birthday. He turns 67 in five days. You know, about a week and a half before I turn 68.

I’m gonna try to make this a good day, anyway. You know, “if I’m healthy.”