Double Double #oldmajordenver

Double Double

By The Fillerbuster

The Cast 10/30/2018

SETTING:

Greetings and salutations, people.  This is the last installment until I get back from Aspen (Sunday, Nov. 4^th).  So, it is written in short parts.  Everything except the Evergreen area (and pics) was written on Sunday during non-Steelers football.  I did the more lengthy Evergreen section on Monday during the horrible NE-Buffalo MNF game.  Editing, pics, and the day’s events were added on Tuesday night during Basketball:  A Love Story (FINALLY).  No theme yet.  Contenders are Ice Cube, Double Double-Old Major, Steelers, Hereditary, Halloween, Aspen, etc.  I feel the need…the need for speed.

Let’s turn and burn, folks.

(for those new readers, as there seem to be a lot more these days, this is stream of consciousness, barely edited, not pre-thought out, and just written in ONE shot/sitting)

EVERGREEN (topics that don’t fade away):

• Postseason baseball is the best. And it becomes SPECIAL when the already incredible drama becomes a great game.  That is what happened in Game 3 and Game 4 of the World Series.  Did I appease my wife by watching a movie (Hereditary) on Friday night after nine innings because I had overloaded her on baseball that night already?    Did the movie end before the 15^th inning and did we both watch the rest?  Also yes.  And HOW do you get up 4-0 at home and then get destroyed?  Ask the Dodgers, but it was still epic.  Takeaways?
  • The better team, and the best team ALL season won, so how are we surprised or sad? What happened SHOULD have happened.
  • Pearce winning the MVP when he is like the 7^th best player on the team is…fun.
  • That city waited a LONG time to experience a championship (sarcastic).
  • I feel like David Price was in the bullpen OR pitched every single game. That guys arm is made of rubber.  We should be looking into THAT.
  • I don’t CARE what Rich Hill said to the coaches. He apparently said he was tired and not sure how much more he could have gone.  You tell him “you are hot, and you are staying in.”  That is why you make the manager bucks.
  • (watch For The Love Of The Game-it will get you through those innings, Rich)
  • The underdog in the World Series wasn’t really…likeable. The Dodgers paid a pretty penny for their lineup.  The Brewers we would have rooted for, even WITH Ryan Braun.  So, everyone outside of L.A. and those weird Dodgers fans living elsewhere we all know were HAPPY the Red Sox won.  It is kind of like if the Steelers or Pats make the Super Bowl this year and lose…not much love.
  • The Red Sox proved time and time again they like winning the series on opposing fields…and they did that…again.
  • Manny Machado getting slow motioned crossing first base in a must have safe call for a comeback WHILE blowing a bubble signified what he is…someone who isn’t IN it on every play. I hate that guy.  It would have been the coolest thing ever to touch first base blowing a bubble if you were safe.  But, since you were out, and we all know you are an A-hole, we don’t like it.
  • We are two days away from Kershaw deciding whether he wants to stay or go with the Dodgers. That is kind of a big deal, folks.
  • We all know the Astros-Red Sox series was pitting the two best teams against each other, right? THAT was the World Series.
  • The Dodgers are the first team ever, in setting up the lineup with all right-handed hitters, to leave its FOUR regular season home run hitters on the bench in a World Series game to start the game.
  • Going into Game 4 of the World Series, Jackie Bradley had TEN RBI’s with TWO outs in the inning.
  • I never laughed at Kimbrel’s stance before a pitch until I made my wife watch a game with me. NOW I think it is hilarious and some baseball version of Karate Kid.  She laughed every time he pitched, and so did I.
  • In case you don’t want to like Mookie Betts, he fed the homeless after a World Series win, and that is really not easy to hate…even if you despise the Red Sox.
• If the Jags or Broncos aren’t hitting up Colin Kaepernick’s cell phone, then I believe we live in the Bizarro world. Why?  I have written BOOKS on this issue, so I won’t go into much more detail.  But, the guy EASILY is worthy of a tryout, and I truly don’t get it.  He went on a knee during the anthem for a cause, and whether you disagree with him or not, he pitched in a million bucks for the cause with NO JOB/FOOTBALL INCOME.  And, even thought the RPO is going out of style a little, don’t TELL me he isn’t better than Nathan Peterman.  He IS.
• I get it. We have set up men.  We have closers.  We have set up men for set up men.  Times change.  But, WHY do managers take out hot pitchers, starters or relievers?  I get that you have everyone on the roster available in the playoffs and this is the end game.  But, there were at least FOUR times during the series when a manager took out a pitcher when he was low enough in pitch count and still throwing heat, that I would have left it alone.  Times can change, but let athletes who are the best at what they do…DO what they do.  If you can’t get out of jams, then what do you learn?  Stop trading out pitchers for other guys just because the next guy is a righty or lefty.  There HAS to be a limit to changes.
• We will always have debate. No, there is no TRUE answer.  But, I want MY answer to be considered in college football.  Every single year, we know who the top 2 teams are pretty much, and the other ones are the problem.  I get it.  So, here is my solution (for the 100^th time for old school readers).  The top two teams in the rankings get a bye.  We then invite FOUR other teams, comprised of the other three conference winning teams, or two and a plus 1 IF one of the conferences lays an egg, and then invite a fun non-Power 5 team to make it fun.  It is brilliant, if you ask me.  It adds ONE week.  It provides clarity.  Expand the college football playoff to SIX teams and let’s move on from there.  THAT is the freaking solution, folks.
• I hate…DESPISE…the college football targeting penalty rule. You are telling me, of all rules to be MORE decisive and immediate in college as opposed to the pros, we pick the split second decision from a cornerback or safety at a younger age to hit or back off?  And, if they choose wrong, they are EJECTED?  That is silly.  I get player safety.  I get times are changing.  But, let’s apply a penalty that makes sense for the kid, the coaches, the team, and the fans.  Sit them out for a quarter.  Sit them for a half.  But, walking them off the field for a on-the-fly decision is ridiculous.  It hurts the game.  It hurts the kid.  It hurts the sport.  Give them levels at least.  If Burfict, Jr. (God help us if there IS one of those any day soon) lays out a defenseless receiver, then toss him.  But, for the other calls?  Penalize him righteously, but let’s not go overboard.  These are college kids.  Let them play…and learn from their mistakes.
• And flip-flop pass interference while you are at it. I say it should be 15 yards in the NFL and at the spot of the foul in college.
• It is supposedly smart to trick the referee on a flop, fake punch, elbow, etc. It IS.  But, why are they doing this?  I watched a flop by Joel Embiid the other day that was bad.  He tricked the refs.  Good job.  Wasn’t touched.  But, HOW will you get future calls if you have that one on your record?  Maybe there should be an age limit on when you can try this so you don’t destroy your career.  This branches into another related topic.  You know why I dislike LeBron at ALL?    MJ pick and chose his battles with the refs.  He didn’t complain on EVERY single marginal foul or no call.  LeBron complains on everything.  Yes, you have a body that changed the game.  Yes, you probably get fouled every time and are just stronger than everyone else.  Side note:  Shaq should have been A) MVP at least four more times and B) gone to the foul line about 50% more, but come ON.  Play the game.  Let the refs do their job.  And when something bad DOES happen, state your case.  You will be more respected.  Don’t flop.  Pick and choose your battles.  Just play the game and let the calls fall as they do.

 

WEEK-FISH (current topics of interest in sports):

• (written Monday obviously) This MNF game is HIGHLY entertaining early on. Brady is unsuccessfully throwing blocks, the Bills are bringing out college plays, and this is FUN.
• Chad Kelly was released. He is going to be a hell of a trivia question 20 years from now.
• Rajon Rondo and his wife are PERFECT together. We hate both of them, they start trouble together, and unfortunately they have a single ring in their house.  Someone rob them and make all of our lives more simple.  I think they are just waiting around for wrestling fights with husband and wife.
• There aren’t many game changers or league changers in the NFL, but wherever Patrick Peterson ends up might be a different type of trade.
• Please get him, Steelers. Trade everyone but Joe Haden and let’s DO this.
• (imagining the Steelers with Patrick Peterson)
• (on editing, the trade deadline passed and the above didn’t happen…dammit)
• Sydney Crosby started out slow, but MAN his first couple of goals were pretty spectacular.
• I think the Giants traded the wrong “Eli.” I think I lot of people think so.
• We know where the Raiders play now. We know where the Raiders play in 2020.  Anyone know where they plan on playing in 2019?  I don’t.
• Kansas hoops will hold out De Sousa because of all of this stuff with the college hoops trial. Good thing, and this is probably far from over.  As Jim Rome so eloquently said years ago in The Jungle (radio show-I was an original “clone”), it ain’t cheating if you don’t get caught.  But, then it is cheating.
• UGA escaped against Florida, but they had a drive where they recovered at the one-yard line. They had like 17 plays, 14 penalties, and got a field goal out of it.
• I exaggerate here and there, but it was still ugly. They still ended up covering the spread, so I didn’t care that much about the drive.
• Trae Young is exciting and must-see TV. Doncic is boringly efficient and will probably get a ring someday.
• I understand and know a lot of things. But, I am AWARE of what I DON’T understand.  When Gruden got traded in the NFL, I did research and understood how a coach could be traded for draft picks/players.  But, when the story came out about the UFC trading fighters to the ONE league, I researched it, and still couldn’t understand it.  Call me.  I don’t get it.  How is that a “trade” when it isn’t in the same league?  Can the CFL and NFL trade players?
• Some of you might think that Dennis Leary doing the intro to the World Series is just about money or a random big name with nothing to do in October. You people didn’t listen to his early stuff.  He is a DIEHARD Red Sox.  My favorite?  “I was supposed to be the starting center fielder for the Boston Red Sox.  Life sucks.  Get a helmet.”
• Don’t read this, mom. I admit to drinking an entire Nyquil Green Death flavored bottle just because Dennis Leary dared us to on No Cure For Cancer.  The night…was interesting.  I did NOT get arrested that night, but definitely pushed the envelope in Annapolis, MD.
• Anyone else see the words “gymnastics” and “assault” in a sentence and not be sure if it is new, old, or a repeat story? I skip over them these days because I figure it is like reading a Nassar story…repeat.
• Anyone else think it should be a bigger story that Simone Biles had a kidney stone, and 24 hours later came back to not only WIN the competition, but have a vault named AFTER her? This makes the MJ flu game look like child’s play…
• The Sooners football team has a badass QB coming next year (which is needed considering their guy will win the Heisman and then go make $5 mil/year for the A’s), who apparently won’t play the rest of his senior high school season for unknown reasons. Be good, kid.  The road is PAVED for you, sir.
• Anyone else notice that the Red Sox invited everyone and their mother from the 2004 title team to throw out the first pitch during a World Series game, and Curt Schilling was in the crowd?
• He was probably delirious anyway in the crowd or tweeting racist tweets, but just saying…he had a red sock and they ARE the Red Sox. Hide your wallet, and let the guy join the party.
• Steph Curry has TEN games with 10 three pointers or more in his career.
• And doing that AND scoring 51 points is ridiculous.
• AND, It as time for the usual Klay Thompson one-up. FOURTEEN three pointers the next night.
• Who would have thought I would be sweating out a push on my betting night and the KNICKS would be the easy win?
• (on editing, they BOTH won for me-thank you, Mr. McCourty)
• I know the Packers fans travel well, but having a pro-Packer crowd in L.A.? Come on, L.A.  It sounded like a game in Milwaukee, but not Lambeau, and it shouldn’t even be close.
• The NFL fired a ref, and his only mistake was calling a flag on a false start on a scoring play…seems like the wrong guy if you ask me. You could fire the guys who have made the wrong calls in Baker Mayfield plays alone, and have backing.
• The Knicks have KD billboards? A little early and presumptive if you ask me.  I guess when you are desperate, there are NO rules.
• When is BALTIMORE putting up billboards? If KD leaves the dynasty/Evil Empire, doesn’t one of these locations make the MOST sense?
  • Lakers-LeBron
  • Wizards-where he is from
  • OKC-to revisit past glory
  • Rockets-just because they are pissed and are apparently offering everything for anything
• With all of Jimmy Butler’s complaints, the maximum trade ask of FOUR #1 draft picks from the Rockets is something you really can’t turn down if you ask me. And, seriously, HOW do you play the full 82 game season with a guy who A) hates being there B) stunts your player development and C) has maximum trade value right NOW??????
• Very quietly this week, UGA lost their new RB and the #1 RB overall for next year.
• Hey, Texans, nice comeback from a slow season start, and I guess you ARE pretty good. Impressive win on Thursday, even if it was against a pretty bad team.
• Georgia Tech and Georgia Southern combined for ONE completion between the two of them…in TWO separate games. They both won.  Just when you thought you had everything figured out in life and football…
• Included in my links below is my favorite weekly article (now that Peter King is retired and besides mine of course). Ten Thing by Zach Lowe is pure basketball brilliance.  Detailed and you have to know basketball to get what he is saying, but brilliant regardless.
• I was expecting at least two more years for football improvement at the University of Virginia, and a lot is due to coaching and their badass QB. UVA beat UNC and is now off the list of the ten teams from the Power 5 without being ranked in a really, really long time.
• Did that ref who called a penalty (on a microphone) on “Virginia Tech” at UVA get out of the stadium OK?
• Actually, he got out fine. The football tradition at UVA is not strong with The Force.
• The year before I went to school there, we were #1 in the nation the year before, as we had a tradition of going 7-0 and ending up 9-4. God bless, George Welsh, and running it up the middle on 3^rd and 3 every single time.
• I am not an Atlanta Hawks fan…not anywhere close…but I like this newer owner. He said HE was the schmuck in the room…and apparently now he isn’t anymore.  I guess transparency is an excellent defense against designing a starting lineup that wouldn’t last for the first two rounds of the second tier Hoop-It-Up tournament…in any city.
• Some of you might not appreciate golf and not care about two rich guys playing 18 holes for $9 million. I do.  And you should too.  Phil vs. Tiger.  And they are teasing $50k side bets on PUTTS.
• Not sure how a story from last year’s ASG is suddenly news, but this Fergie-Warriors argument is HILARIOUS. Below, I am including the retort from the Warriors after Fergie’s man talking trash on Draymond laughing during the anthem.  Note:  we ALL laughed on that anthem.
• “Let’s play some basketball!!”
• I LOVE to see programs rebuild with a new guy who was a legend playing at their school. Anfernee Hardaway, the Man of a Million Moves,  just snagged a 4 or 5 (depending on which site you ask) star hoops player to start the party.  Watch this team in two years.
• (remembering watching Hardaway play college hoops…)
• I wasn’t surprised to see DeMarcus Cousins get a technical foul from the BENCH the other day. I WAS surprised to see that he APOLOGIZED for doing that.  What a world we live in.  I feel like one of those stories was fake news.
• Anyone else notice that UGA’s win against UF included a lot of running up the middle, the secret to their success last year? Not sure why they abandoned that style.
• Notice that MANY of UGA’s RB’s are becoming stars in the NFL? Not a mystery, folks.
• What is sad about the Iona hoops player punching a coach is that there are SO many stories of small school players making it big these days, and now he has officially taken himself off that possible list. Get mad.  Get pissed.  But, don’t become the player version of Bobby Knight.
• Man, I miss Bobby Knight in coaching anything, anywhere…
• So, I just watched the Packers fumble the ball BEFORE one of the greatest comeback artists of all time got the ball, down two, with 2 minutes left.
• (on editing, HE was traded…Ty Montgomery-sure it had nothing to do with that at all)
• (well, they DID have THREE NFL level RB’s and not enough carries to go around, and that fumble definitely helped any gray area decision)
• Sometimes you have to jump on a line if it looks off. Sometimes you need to check the injury report.  I admit to seeing the Wisco line against Northwestern and jumping all over it.  Wisco’s starting QB didn’t play because of concussion protocol.  Didn’t matter, as Northwestern smoked them, but still should have done my research.  Lesson learned…again…probably not.
• I am not sure if I was alone, but I thought IF there was EVER a time when FSU would rise up and show its competitive historical stripes, it would have been against Clemson. Not only was I wrong, but they broke records for how badly they got beaten.
• The Wake Forest RB had good season numbers at the end of the third quarter against Louisville. Tell Petrino to hit the road, Cardinals.
• Every team puts some effort into its touchdown celebrations, but I agree that the Seahawks pulling off a hitter rushing the pitching mound during the World Series was pretty epic.
• The Steelers got a free kick after a safety call, botched it, and the Browns recovered. How many times does THAT happen?  I don’t remember it ever happening on my watch.  Neither did the announcers before you start saying “NO, Fillerbuster, you are wrong.”
• I am wrong here and there, but ever try and write 100 plus ideas with stat backing and NOT be wrong on anything? Get your own blog and try it.
• I really liked the Larry Bird-Magic Johnson intro before Game 5 of the World Series. Good tie-ins to baseball, good reminders of what your clash was, and made me realize I am getting very, very old.
• This Love Story basketball show is pretty amazing.
• They just said Hubie Brown was the smartest guy ever in basketball…I agree.
• Todd Gurley just stopped before the goal line to help us Packers bettors hit the game. THANK you, Todd.  You are my favorite player ever for the next hour or so (obviously written on Sunday).
• So, you are telling me that we have heard NOTHING from Mr. Bell, but he loads up James Conner’s cell phone with texts after each game?
• (on editing, I assume since he didn’t get traded, he reports Wednesday at 9am, post trade deadline)
• I have decided Iowa’s offense is not made for the two minute drill. It was horrible to watch.
• CU loses to A) one of the worst Power 5 teams this year and B) makes it homecoming weekend. Pick a smaller school, guys.  Not making fun of you.  UVA had our scheduling of homecoming problems also…
• I remember when I thought that WVU and TCU were closet college football playoff contenders. TCU lost to Kansas, which until this year, couldn’t beat ANYONE.
• I am still not sure how WVU doesn’t score on most plays with the players it has.
• Please tell me you saw the Northwestern coach hype man/coach. If not, let yourself LIVE.  Here you go:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xwKWOAyNK0
• Seriously, hit that link. It is worth it, and I put it in separate from the links below…that special.
• The Cavs fired Mr. Lue as their coach after starting 0-6. We kind of saw this coming.  When Kevin Love is your lead character, then trouble will happen.
• I FINALLY get sold on Texas football being good and they lay an egg vs. Oklahoma State.
• ALL Pac-12 underdogs this past weekend won OUTRIGHT.
• I believe that hip radio songs are cool and all, but have been enjoying the World Series and the Dodgers employing the simple organ guy playing whatever is relevant and timely. I missed my calling on three things in life.  A) Jingle writer B) Sport organ player C) rio in a jet fighter (I would have been an excellent Goose).
• Not only did I not expect Washington football to lose to Cali (although stayed away on the bet), but no way did I see Washington scoring only 10 points.
• When I parlayed the Texas and Oregon money line wins, at least BOTH of them lost. That is…emphatic closure.
• In case you were worried about missing an exciting Steelers/Browns game while watching the Broncos, you didn’t miss anything. It sucked.  Both as a Browns and Steelers fan.  If only the Steelers could figure out the first quarter…
• The Steelers had more penalty yards than offensive yards in the first quarter.
• The Steelers got their first 1^st down with 12 plus minutes in the second QUARTER.
• My fantasy teams might not be all that and a bag of chips, but I have kept A.P. on both of them, and he got about 30 points today for both. Take THAT and rewind it back.
• Fitzmagic did great when replacing Winston after four interceptions, AND beat the spread of 4 points before losing. Guess I need to adjust my fantasy roster…again.
• We don’t believe in moral victories as sports fans, but you kind of HAVE to if you are a Broncos fan right now, right? They gave the Chiefs a good run.
• The Giants are really, really bad.
• The Panthers are heating up a little.
• This was the first week I actually remembered to bet on Sunday games the night before when there was a London game. Thanks, Eagles.
• Who would have thought taking the over in the Colts-Raiders game would be a GOOD idea?
• I can’t believe the Packers were down two points, with their HOF QB getting the ball back with two minutes left, and…they fumbled.
• I just realized I watched a LOT of football this weekend.
• Next week in college football is sort of an epic weekend, so you know.
• But back to the NFL, who would have thought the Cardinals would only score 18 points and somehow win?
• I REFUSE to think the Bears are good.
• JUST when I thought the Lions would hold home court, they get smoked by the Legion of Whom.
• The Saints beat the Vikings at home, are now looking like a Super Bowl contender as they do on paper, and now we get them facing the RAMS next week? THAT will be epic.
• I am pretty sure Case Keenum is just a journeyman QB with a good year under his belt. I think Dave Krieg, Josh McCown, and him have beers when we aren’t paying attention.
• So, no offense to Adam Vinatieri, but if you play long enough and are a kicker with a decent team, you WILL be the NFL all-time leading scorer.
• Rick Pitino wants to go back to coaching. Paid for players.  Makes sense.  Perfect match.  But aren’t we kind of over him fully.  Aside from the fact that the only guy who has looked the same age for 20 plus years is Coach K, just go away, bro.  You had your 15 minutes.  We loved it.  You are Mr. Asterisk as far as I am concerned/the college basketball version of Chip Kelly.
• (but on editing and watching A Love Story, there is a BIG segment on him and it reminded me that he WAS special)
• LSU is the biggest underdog at home this week since…1999.
• The Browns fired Todd Haley and Hue Jackson. I don’t get it.  Your team has showed signs of life.  You have a promising QB.  You are a different team overall.  You have lived through the tough times.  Fire Haley.  That is fine.  But, I totally disagree with not giving the rest of this year to ride this wave out.  Firing him after losing to a team they have historically ALWAYS lost to is not the best timing.
  • And, there is always the other side of the coin. This from one of my Cleveland friends (Ben L.):  As far the Browns fiasco going on, I was leaning the opposite way.  No coach should be given another year after 0-16.  If it wasn’t for their recent turnover problems with coaches, everyone else would agree that with too.  I understand getting some consistency in place, but Hue isn’t the one making this team better.  That’s John Dorsey and his ability to build a roster fairly quickly.  The Haley firing was more surprising to me.  I know we’ve had some struggles on offense this year, but are still scoring more points than the last couple years.  I’m not saying his play-calling is always on point, but not as bad as it was last year (with Hue calling the plays).  The other surprising factor is to let them both go mid-season while playing a rookie QB…  In any case, we’ll be job hunting very soon.
  • Also from Ben: Lastly, after the weekend Cleveland just had with coaches being let go, you think Francona is answering his phone?
• Lincoln Riley as the new coach for the Browns? Yes, I get the QB-coach link.  But he has no NFL ties, and if I am him, I am riding out the Sooners roll until it fully ends.  Plus, their QB next year coming in is no slouch.  Bob Stoops has a life that doesn’t suck and he just did OU the whole end of career.    Stay in Norman, Lincoln.  Don’t do Chip Kelly II.
• Thurman Thomas is getting his jersey retired tonight. He didn’t have the speed in Tecmo Bowl of Deion or Bo, but dammit if I didn’t use the Bills all the time.
• The Cavs were 0-6 when they fired Lue. They have no LeBron.  They now have no Kevin Love for a month.  I don’t get this either.  His pantry is empty and their new hope (Star Wars reference) is a made-to-be Vinnie Johnson.  Let this one ride out too.
• No interim coach named for Cavs hoops? Someone who is the “voice?”  This is not a music show on TV on Mondays and Tuesdays and sometimes Wednesdays.  Have a plan when you do something midseason.
• (on editing, my wife and I lose interest in The Voice after the chair turns, and there are no rockers for me, so we have paused on watching it)
• Basketball: A Love Story is getting by the minute and may be my theme.  SO much 80’s music.
• Watching the Bills ritual ketchup-mustard spraying on super fans made me feel like I was on acid…but I wasn’t.   Buffalo is so weird.  They have cool waterfalls though, so there is THAT.  I watched the pre-game.  Really?  Randy Moss says only him and Michael Phelps can swim in that water?  He is that good?  Impressed and did NOT know that.
• Bazley is just the first, folks. He took a G-League contract and signed a shoe deal.  Worked out great for Sebastian Telfair, right?
• I think that Chad Kelly should give the Giants QB just arrested a call…
• NFL trade deadline highlights:
  • Montgomery already covered above, but he got traded to a good spot in Baltimore…lucky guy.
  • Pack send Clinton-Dix to the Skins…I did NOT see that one coming.
  • The Rams now address their D-Line.   That has looked like a weakness.  They picked up Fowler.
  • DT went to the Texans. It was great to hear local sports radio talk about him.  Apparently, what we never heard through the media or in tweets was silence that meant he was a good teammate, a good player, and a good dude.
  • WHY did Emmanuel Sanders say on live radio, after that trade, that he wasn’t sure he wanted to stay with the Broncos??? He just became their #1???
  • That is why they pay them the big bucks. No way I would have gotten rid of Golden Tate if I was the Lions.  No freaking way.
  • Why aren’t there MORE NFL trades?
• The college football playoff teams were released. Listen, they were as we expected.  You could argue a one loss LSU should be below an unbeaten Notre Dame, but Bama, Clemson, LSU, and Notre Dame sounds about right.  Everyone and their mother is rooting against Notre Dame right now.
• In case you feel like getting into betting, you SHOULD. Not only did Nevada post the best sports betting month EVER, but it was the SIXTY SECOND straight month they beat bettors.  Might as well go to a casino and play tables WHILE you lose.
• (yes, I am stubborn and still try and love the entertainment value…and don’t do too bad)
• The NFL is adding a FOURTH NFL game to the slate in London next year.   I get that you know what you are doing.  I get that nothing has slowed you down.  But, STOP saying football is an international sport.  People in Mexico don’t like it.  People in London don’t like it.  Let’s just maximize what we have and call it a day.  We will never beat out soccer, rugby, polo, whatever…

 

THIS AND THAT (pop culture, Fillerbuster thoughts):

• I don’t think I will ever workout after work on Thursdays because that is the only night I know that Seinfeld is on at 5pm. Everything else is slowly being phased out.  Now I know how people fifteen years my elder feel with Cheers.  I freaking HATE the Big Bang Theory and stop pushing that down my throat.
• I like my new work seat (big move recently) for a lot of reasons, but mainly because all of my Seinfeld jokes are APPRECIATED. Thanks, Erik.  I used to mutter stuff and it got lost and NOW the guy next to me laughs wholeheartedly.
• Erik and I competed in a Seinfeld trivia night at a bar. We got beat by a group of 10 people with a glow in the middle (cheating with phones), and the questions were pop culture questions, and not specifically ABOUT Seinfeld.
• Hereditary movie review (no spoilers).
  • It was a very good scary movie in these times of crappy scary movies.
  • I was less impressed by the quality of the movie, and MORE impressed that my very smart wife didn’t figure it out in the first 10 minutes. She figures out EVERYTHING.  It is frustrating.  But, NOT this one.
  • The movie had very scary scenes with no obvious gore, which I respect.
  • I still think The Conjuring and The Shining (old school) were slightly better.
  • The turning point scene in this movie was one of the most surprising, and disturbing scenes, I have ever seen. I don’t even want to give you a hint.  You will literally fall off the couch on the plot turn.
  • The scary scenes were consistently good, but I didn’t feel the wrap up closure that could have been done. Scary?    Closure?  Not as good as it could have been.
  • Having Gabriel from Usual Suspects in it made me happy.
• Sequels are rarely cool, and celebrating classic events is OK, but ships driving the exact course as the Titanic are dangerous in my opinion. Why don’t you cruise through the Bermuda Triangle while you are at it?
• How my wife picked the ONE Verizon dead spot in the entire Denver Metro area for our new permanent house (until we move to Belize) is beyond me…
• Conversation: WIFE: “Do you like Jersey deli’s?”  “Yes.  I am from there, so…yes…”  Salt and Grinder in the Highlands is pretty cool.  We were there for breakfast, but it was good enough that I will come back to check out some unhealthy Jersey sandwich.
• I am pretty sure people don’t really know what New Jersey is truly about.
• Thoughts and prayers to the city of Pittsburgh for the synagogue shooting. Many paid writers will write many more great things about this, so I won’t try.
• If, like me, you were wondering why all of the mail bombs did NOT go off, I think we got our answer. He was a strip club DJ.  In the spirit of baseball, he needed a closer/scientist/ detonation guy.  He was also a male dancer, and a body builder.  In light of my previous hook, and I didn’t look, maybe HE was from Jersey and would like Salt and Grinder TOO.
• My wife and I MANY times have booked a trip and not had the actual tickets for the event we are going for. It makes it exciting.  Anyway, excitement is now closed for Bedlam, the annual meeting of OU and Oklahoma State.  We got tickets.  Either A) the person was very nice and just wanted OU people to have it (thanks to my wife for starting off text with “Boomer”) or B) they didn’t know they could double the price for those things.  Yay, us.
• So, now I have knocked out a couple of Norman games, a GOOD Norman game, the Red River Shootout, a college football playoff appearance, the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans with OU in it, and now Bedlam. I am slowly hitting for the Sooner cycle.
• What is YOUR ceiling for events or concerts?   Unless I have thousand dollar bills coming out of my mattress, I have MY limits.  Here they are.  $200.  $250 if a VERY special event.  A concert or sporting event is three hours.  If I pay more than that for those things, I don’t care HOW special it is…I won’t feel like I got my hourly rate out of it.  And I personally think anyone who pays more should be budgeting better.  This goes for hotels too.  Not sure what the hotel would have to include, but paying more than $250 for a ONE night stay at a place with a bed seems ridiculous too.  I will go $350 on the East Coast because things are just more expensive there.
• The only people I think are bigger idiots are people who rake leaves. Raking leaves is for suckers.  Take in Fall and enjoy it.  Plus, it is healthy for the lawn next year (that is what my sprinkler guy told me a couple of weeks ago).
• When choosing between watching baseball or football tonight, I decided to watch baseball. Saints-Vikings is a regular season game.  This could be it for the greatest show on baseball earth and is FINALITY.
• Want to know what stupid is? I will tell you.  Recently, we have the ability to “work remotely” wherever we want at work.  I don’t think about those things, because I love work and going to work.  But, my wife is in Keystone this week for a conference.  I am meeting her on Wednesday night to spend two nights in Beaver Creek, and then we are doing Aspen for the weekend.  I could have worked from Keystone for three days.  I am silly.  Pics of my feasible workspace are below.
• Yes, Aspen. Probably my favorite place on earth.  And, yes, you can do it cheap.  The fancy/ expensive thing is a stereotype, unless you just do touristy stuff like an idiot.  Thinking about going there?  Give me a shout.  I know all of the secrets.  You can enjoy it affordably.  I have been there probably 100-150 times.  More to come AFTER I go there, since you are reading this when I am about to go.
• When I parents dropped me off at the University of Virginia, it took this New Jersey kid about two days to acquire the “y’all” instead of…hmmm…you guys…whatever I used to say. Anyway, being teamed in work with an engineer (your go-to person in sales deals) who not only says “y’all” but writes “y’all” in emails to clients has me…saying y’all again.  I love it.  I find that the client finds it very transparent and genuine.  Plus, now I can’t stop saying it again.  Thanks, Houston Will.
• It was one thing to read about parents at a school’s game yelling “speak English” in the national tabloids. It was another thing to see it was the city about 10 minutes away from my house in Jersey.  Hopewell Township.    South Jersey charm.  Ugghhh.
• As a nation, we have a problem fighting some entities that abuse their power. So, explain to me again how airlines are allowed to do what they do?  I refreshed a screen ten times a day in Incognito from four different airports to go see my parents at Thanksgiving, found an opening for a couple of hours, and then the prices went back to $500 one way?  HOW is that possible that they are allowed to abuse us like this?  HOW is Southwest the only airline that allows refunds?  So many question… Unfair on many levels…
• Just like I delete Frontier emails these days. You get an advertised price for $15 for a flight with a hard as rock seat and a miniscule lap table, and then you PAY more for your actual seat, checked bags, carry on bags, and suddenly end up at the normal price.  Stop the madness.
• My wife left this morning at 7am (written on Sunday). My wife is a Sooner fan as you know.  My wife is now a Baker Mayfield Fan.  My wife is very animated, to say the least, when watching Sooner games.  I apparently have a poker face when watching my Steelers, as you can’t tell if we are winning or losing.  The Steelers and Browns are rivals.  Man, I am glad my wife was gone on Sunday morning.  Given this new development in our relationship, I will pretend to be sick, be out, be out of town, or do whatever it takes to NOT hear anyone in my household root for the Browns against the Steelers.
• Someone please buy her a freaking jersey. I can’t do it as a Steelers fan.
• My parents have many, many great qualities. The LATEST great quality is this.  I informed them that I would be making my first holiday appearance in many, many years, but had ONE single request.  Golf, Phil, and Woods, are all singular syllable words, but I didn’t get through ANY of them before my mom informed me they were getting that match.    That…is magical.  And they already watch football nonstop.  I am going to see my parents for two days, and we will watch football, hang out, and watch a $9 million golf match without even being pushed.
• BUT, they are getting a treat. My wife insists on cooking for them.  It took some talking into, but I informed them or alluded to the fact that not letting her cook would be like not letting MJ shoot hoops in the backyard (or pretty much doing anything in life).    Not sure how she is doing seasoning, importing kitchen utensils, cooking the turkey, or what we are throwing in our suitcase or running to get at 2am the night before, but my job was simply to get permission to do it.  In her court now…
• Listen, people. I know that sales people are sales people, and that I always will think I can break the system by picking up the phone…I get it.  But, you, as non-sales people should still know THIS.  Hotels are NEVER sold out.  There is ALWAYS a pocket of rooms held on standby.  If you don’t believe that, then you are just shooting yourself in the foot for some good times.  My wife hates when I say this (which I say a couple times a day), but “IT NEVER HURTS TO CALL AND ASK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
• I love The Voice. I hate Mariah Carey.  I love the way she looks though like any human man.  I wonder whether my hatred or love will win out when I catch up on The Voice next.
• (on editing, I have already admitted we are behind. What is a compromise show?  A show that I will not watch unless she is here on the couch with me and I don’t hate)
• (some dudes out there are shaking there heads and saying “she isn’t all that…” yes, she was, and is, and stop lying to yourself…she is just a (sorry again, mom) BITCH.”
• More interesting than Ms. Carey’s personality, however, is the fact that they actually found an iceberg shaped like a RECTANGLE. THAT is amazing.
• I miss obvious stuff, and notice other non-obvious stuff. It is what I do.  Anyway, is anyone else aware that it is SO obvious that ESPN capitalizes just the first word in its headlines, and SI.COM is so damn cheesy that they capitalize every single word in a headline like it is a sales PPT.
• I am less concerned that Deniro got a bomb package than any recording of his response to it. Had to be something very Italian and tough.  I almost feel like quoting something from Casino, but I won’t.
• I don’t want to hear about things David Schwimmer look a-likes did as much as I want to hear that HE did the act. Can anyone tell me that he WASN’T the most hated Friends character?  I think not.
• The Roast of Halloween at the local Comedy Works was amateur and the first night. It was not as good as the holiday roast the year before.  But, I was more bothered by the preparation.  The jokes don’t have to be spot on, but come on…
• You should still go the Christmas one at Comedy Works.
• The Queen family outing is soon. Somehow, and I am not sure how this happens, Lindsey’s family thinks that Led Zeppelin is NOT the greatest rock band of all time.  Zeppelin, Beatles, The Who, Rolling Stones in my opinion…then maybe Queen.  I will still go.
• The Red Wings are so bad this year during a rebuild that Arby’s has rescinded its decade long hat trick for a player-free curly fries for everyone promotion. They now offer it for three goals for the TEAM scoring three goals.
• I am impressed by the increased readership in my blog, but why is everyone reading the Feed the Wolf blog from August? It was good and all, but kind of dated.  But, it is about feeding the wolf, so that is cool.
• I like the new Cheetos marketing concept of “what do you see in YOUR Cheetos?” I agree.  Like Jeff Goldblum said about water in Jurassic Park, chaos is good.
• Not trying to be a Colorado homer, but if you haven’t seen MS containing Josh Blue, you should. I saw him when I first moved out here BEFORE he won Last Comic Standing.  He is in Denver on December 21-22.
• My wife was scared to show me the article, but GQ apparently says that wearing socks and sandals is suddenly cool now again. I will stick to my cargo shorts and no socks, but good to know.  More ammo…
• Cargo shorts are too practical to go away…
• The Google Pixel 3 is out now. I am happy with my Google Pixel 2, as I am making my entire life Google (and not against Google buying my company), but good to know my phone is off the hook also.  I like taking pictures.
• True fandom, since I refuse to own any Steelers player in fantasy except for Big Ben and the defense (seriously-never draft them so I don’t hope for a RB play on 3^rd and 29 and be that guy at the bar), but I got my ass BEAT by James Conner this week and loved every second of it.
• I think “God Friended Me” might be the dumbest idea for a TV show since the last new idea for a TV show.
• I am proud to say that I OFFERED to see A Star Is Born this past weekend, my wife turned it down, and now I might never see that freaking movie. But, at least I offered.  I feel warm and cozy and at peace with myself.  Glad it didn’t work out.
• We went to Hobby Lobby to get some stuff for our Air BNB. I know that none of my ideas will be accepted, but I had to tell my wife to let me be me…as that place is MAGICAL.
• We didn’t end up buying anything I wanted, and my one thing I wanted to propose, she picked out independently, so my magic was lost in the shuffle.
• Brodo’s is right down the street from Hobby Lobby and we ate there. My favorite food is lasagna (with mac and cheese being a close second).  My wife’s magical recipe has made me more of a white sauce lasagna guy, but I will say this.  Brodo’s had the best RED sauce lasagna I have had in a very long time.  But, all white sauce lasagna still rules.  #1:  Rome or Capri (my favorite place on earth aside from Belize) #2 White Pie (Uptown).
• Why didn’t they do these fast commercials in smaller windows earlier in our life?
• I walked in the gym this morning for my morning swim mile, an there was a guy sleeping in the chair. I walked out, and the police were there.  Of all places to crash at, WHY would anyone pick a gym?  Are bums on social media?  They should give out the best places to pass out.
• I don’t have a theme yet for this blog, but maybe it should be Ice Cube.  It HAS been a good day (Sunday).  Gym, golf, Double Double Burger, grocery store, good day in betting, Steelers win, World Series, etc…
• My driving range session transformed me today. I A) am now a golfer and not a guy who plays golf B) will use a driver next round C) was destroying the freaking ball and didn’t “work” on my swing at all D) identified that my swing is a Jon Rahm swing E) can’t wait to go out again.
• I lined up four balls on a tee with the driver, and walked up to hit them like Adam Sandler and hit them a MILE. Not sure what the furthest marker is at Park Hill, but I had some balls close to it.
• I hadn’t heard about the new show, Ray Donovan, but the actors I saw on the previews has me intrigued.
• I won’t be having a son, but if I WAS a father, know that I would be the guy who calls his daughter from Planet Chicago in the commercial. That is totally something I would do.
• Don’t know about you, but I am over the State Farm commercials with both agents in it.
• I have decided that if Lindsey is out of town, I immediately order stuffed crust Pizza Hut pizza. Almost involuntary…
• I have three days to pack for my Aspen trip. My packing is A) irritating and B) masterful.  I have rough drafts for my packing.  Elements change, depending on whether I am flying or driving.  I am special.  But, as Jerry Seinfeld said, I AM a “’master packer.”
• Holy crap. They are getting into my MAN on this Love Story show…Zeke.
• I am sorry for you folks who have never been to a Colorado mountain town. SOOO sorry.  And MORE sorry if you have never been to Aspen.  And, I would like to get money for anyone mentioning THIS term, as I invented it.  When you are in Aspen, you feel very Colorado and “Aspeny.”  That is my term.  I dress Aspeny when I go out there.  Tell your friends.
• My cats frustrate me…because they are…cats. But, this week, THIS is what I was most frustrated about.  Of all of the fancy food we buy them to treat them special, the food (fish and shrimp) that looks the most like shit I would personally eat or like if I was a cat, they DON’T even TOUCH.  I don’t get it.
• Basically, if I had a bet to eat cat food as a frat pledge, and I got the option of what kind, I would choose the fish and shrimp.
• I feel like I missed my calling as a jingle writer for companies. I almost got into it when Two and Half Men came out, and I now have missed the window.  But, when I hear a BAD one, I notice.  Liberty Mutual, HOW did you OK THAT song?  I mean, Car Toys?  That is simple yet effective.  The Lodge Casino?  It works.  We sing both of them at various times in life.  Liberty Mutual?  Not so much.  Find out if Charlie Sheen was acting or can actually write you some stuff.
• I love how Snoop’s commercial for For Hims makes SURE that he says that guys have problems, but “not me.” I bet you that was in the contract.  Man, when he gets really old, it will be hilarious.
• I think something is wrong with you if you don’t like cold pizza.
• I am going to see my parents, and there is a “red tide.” Go away, Mikey.  This one is not so good for you (Rounders).
• I admit to hitting a window during a Steelers bye week in fantasy and picking up the Pats D, them scoring 25 points, and me STILL dropping them because I want the Steelers defense.

 

BONUS SECTION (going to highlight something each time…different):

• Today? Burgers in Colorado.  I will try and do something different each segment starting sooner or later.  I have lists for everything.  Burgers are no exception.
  • #1: Old Major:  the Double Double does not need ANYTHING on it.  Two tiny burgers that combine for a LARGE experience.  It is one of three burgers that I get sad eating…when it is done.  Don’t you dare put ketchup or mustard on it.  Not needed.  Just ask for the Double Double.  That is all.  I get it with no pickle and get the spicy aioli for my fries dipping.
  • #2: Humboldt Fish Farm Wine: It has bacon mixed in, and I admit to making a noise that   other tables looked at me during when I took a bite.
  • #3: Justice Snow’s (Aspen):  Cows from a mile down the street, and as soon as you get over the fact that you just drove by their brothers and mothers, you enjoy MAGIC.
  • Asterisks: Highland Tap & Burger, D-Bar, Cherry Cricket all in play…
  • (getting a Justice Snow’s burger this week, so maybe it will move up…)

TWEET OF THE WEEK:

How bad are things at Florida State? Well… pic.twitter.com/hm4LIVe7SQ

— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) October 27, 2018

I'd imagine this is cancelled. https://t.co/FadswUYcqx

— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) October 23, 2018

The Warriors played the remix of Fergie’s national anthem 💀💀💀 pic.twitter.com/VmCSUrdPtU

— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) October 27, 2018

Find the Seahawks tweet on your own…

THE BEST WORKOUT SONG EVER FOR THIS WEEK:

Change in the rankings today as I noticed that I actually fast forward my iPod Shuffle from Feed The Wolf TO Pure Evil.  Automatic demotion.  Big Day.  I haven’t had time to recruit new ones, AND the present ones are doing just fine.

#1: Pure Evil by Like A Storm (congrats-you have dethroned a song I now include in my blog closing)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXKfC_-chEQ

#2:  Feed the Wolf by Breaking Benjamin (now up to #2 in ALL TIME ranking behind the ultimate workout song-noted below)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTuNRW8Zens

#3: Black Honey by Thrice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9GTEsNf_GU

#4: Chronos by Parkway Drive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dBA2YxbFoE

 

The ULTIMATE workout song for me, and probably will NEVER be overtaken (sorry, Feed The Wolf), is:

Eyes of a Stranger by Queensryche:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4duZjxusGM

 

During my workout today, I wrote down my present playlist, in case you like the songs above.

Psycho by Breaking Benjamin, Shadow Boxing by Parkway Drive, Suffocate by Sixx AM, Prayers of the Damned by Sixx AM, Krawling (remix) by LP, Lifelines by I Prevail, Waking Lions by Pop Evil, anything from ten years ago by Korn (especially Take Me), Hollow by Breaking Benjamin, Torn in Two by Breaking Benjamin, Who We Are by Nothing More, Slither by  Velvet Revolver, Medicated or Dirty by Sevendust, most Skillet songs…

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

Wrap your head around THIS one.  Highly Suspect/ Human lyrics:

So figure it out, or don’t figure it out
I figured it out
The bigger the river (the bigger the river)
The bigger the drought (the bigger the drought)

LINKS TO SAVE YOU TIME IN LIFE:

https://deadspin.com/boban-marjanovic-can-ferociously-dunk-by-just-kinda-lea-1830077236

 

https://www.koco.com/article/gold-digging-dog-pretends-to-be-stray-to-scam-mcdonald-s-customers-out-of-burgers/24214097

https://deadspin.com/police-half-nude-cornell-runner-took-acid-attacked-wo-1830003386

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25084779/zach-lowe-10-things-like-including-kawhi-leonard-toronto-raptors-nba

https://deadspin.com/what-the-fuck-is-the-deal-with-this-weird-fake-ufc-tra-1829975037

https://deadspin.com/words-cannot-begin-to-describe-the-horror-of-fergies-al-1823122519

https://www.farandwide.com/s/top-beaches-united-states-ed823620b189413e?utm_campaign=beachesusa-cf6a3399426b46ac&utm_source=twi&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=92367

https://www.si.com/mlb/2018/10/27/world-series-game-3-unlike-anything-weve-ever-seen-before

https://deadspin.com/the-warriors-dont-give-a-shit-about-fergies-feelings-1830046368

https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/vbk98d/antarctic-researcher-allegedly-stabbed-colleague-who-spoiled-book-endings?utm_campaign=global&utm_source=vicefbca

BY THE NUMBERS:

Here is my favorite number of the week in the sports world:

10 (number of years that the Bills have gone without hosting a MNF game even though they suck now and were kind of decent for a year or two with Taylor)

Here are MY numbers for the week (meant to be a riddle for the time being):

623

302

THE RIDDLE:

Nothing today, but I am bringing back PRIZES (Marty, be aware).  I probably will offer up a trivia question that is either personal and can’t be looked up easily on Google, and do a $20 Venmo prize for whoever guesses it first.  More to come on this, and stay tuned…

CLOSING:

See?  The ever-evolving format is GETTING there.  Happy to take input on the template, and I just don’t want this to be simply the random thoughts I used to do.  Organized Chaos, we will call it.  Yes.  Organized Chaos.  Evergreen is kind of already organized.  Week-fish CAN be organized if I get picked up by a website, but too much time involved for me right now to separate it into sports.  This and That probably will never be organized, as the fun is the randomness.

 

Hope you all have/had a great Halloween.  The one holiday where you don’t get time off, but can be someone or something else.  I always am jealous about people who plan for this holiday.  I always am the one going to the Arc store last minute the day before and finding some useless on time wear costume.  I WILL say I pulled off a great Dexter when it was hip and cool.

This year, I will just be driving to the mountains, so nothing cool for me…

 

That’s it for today.  Hope you enjoyed or are at least more informed.  Remember two things.  First, feed yourself, feed your family, but always, always remember to…feed the wolf.  Second,  if you can’t spot the sucker in your first half hour at the table, then you are the sucker.  Will I blog again?  That is a CLOWN question, bro.

Next installment:  I will be back on Nov 4^th , but will not post until the 5^th or 6^th.  Enjoy your week and weekend.  I will be doing Aspen-y stuff.

PICS:

I don’t have any “recent” pics I want to share, but in the spirit of the holiday, I tracked down my more recent Halloween costumes…as you can tell, I never tried very hard or were too last minute…

Thankfully, I didn’t locate the bumblebee one…

And, in case you care about what I threw back in the pond, here you go…

THROW IT BACK

 

Daniel’s out for usc

gronk travels with pats

embiid Drummond real estate

nfl admits another missed flag on Mayfield

griffin hits 50

Reid grievance dismissed

skateboarding exec molested teen

Indiana comes back vs minn blows it

Indy driver paralyzed

haunted house on the hill

hopkins catch

pens 9 goals 36 shots

Machado Sox signals

Texans lose wr will fuller

wiretap released hoops trial

womens world cup money-union

msu nassar stuff

everyone saying thielen is best wr

jenkins calls out nfl teams on kaep days after reid calls him out as a sellout

tcu Turpin arrested

twins now have youngest manager

Luke Walton anger dad not so much

md found abusive but not toxic

nicki minaj in trouble for stealing tracy chapman song without permission

giants trade dt harrison to lions

met an eli who pronounced elllly

gatto, code, dawkins found guilty in hoops trial

david stern calls dell demps lousy manager pels and poised to lose davis too

msu gets fined 10k for brawl with um

players questioning gruden accountability

luke walton fined 15k for criticizing refs

juju buys 100 lottery tickets allegedly to buy leveon bell back

i love joe haden, want patrick peterson

google lens-find what is in picture on net???

11 ranked teams lost college

missed extra point after a score to stay behind 4-browns

lebron passes dirk on all time scoring list

fantasy-elliott on bye

Dave Roberts decisions late inning

sale’s yelling helped Sox rally but no start

Heisman Houston’s king 7 tds

pixel 3

Leicester city death

mj LeBron tease 1:1

Japanese woman gives up royalty marries man she loves

reboot clueless-ugghhh

boys fire o line coach

dt broncos where

gordon tardy, not disciplined

rutgers dismisses lb for “plot to murder” wow

brady says rodgers motivates him

Butler puts on final show?