Flip The Script.
FLIP THE SCRIPT
The Cast
By The Fillerbuster
15 January 2021
(Cobra Kai will be briefly discussed at a very high level, but there will be NO spoilers)
We have a vaccine. We are at later stages of being stuck at home. Restaurants are opening up again. There might be a light at the end of the tunnel. But, what do we have to do right now? We have to Flip The Script on what we can. We have to test the boundaries and make sure we maximize the rest of this hangover of 2020. I just blazed through all seasons of Cobra Kai, a show that I can’t believe I dodged for this long, as I not only love the Karate Kid movies, but have busted out The Crane in many situations. What? You haven’t? Weird. Anyway, the character Hawk from Cobra Kai busts out this line when reinventing himself from a birthmark-ed nerd to a mohawk karate guy. That was the first part of the blog theme inspiration. The second and closing part? That would be…
NFL:
Winner: Cleveland Browns
The pandemonium might have started with a high snap to open a playoff game between two long-time rivals, but the hints were all along the trail like Hansel and Gretel bread crumbs. Even when the Steelers started out 11-0, I thought it was obvious that it was smoke and mirrors and tried not to get too excited about the season’s outcome. TRIED. It is hard not to get slightly excited when your team is 11-0. But, the NFL is not the college level. Gimmick offenses loaded up on one type of play won’t work in the long run. The spread faded out. RPO’s phased themselves out as a full game plan. Bottom Line. NFL teams have the high-level talent and WILL adjust. And, when you have the worst rushing game in the league, they will figure out how to stop you. That occurred way before the wildcard game between the Steelers and Browns, and let’s just say the exclamation point was applied during that game. Game? Poor choice of words. It was not really a game. When my optimistic self is trying to pump up my wife about only needing 6 total touchdowns to win, and getting excited about briefly being within two scores, there is a problem. Baker didn’t even have to do much early on during the bludgeoning. It was the high snap, it was a lot of running over and around Steelers tackling, and suddenly it was 28-0.
Steelers fans have been spoiled over the years. The joke is about the little brother/big brother relationship with the Browns and Steelers, the ridiculous record in Pittsburgh and in closing games to the season, the fact that the Browns are never in the playoffs and the Steelers seldom aren’t, and other depressing items over the years for Cleveland fans. I am realistic to the point that I am AWARE that I am spoiled, and that is half the battle. Then, the demolition occurred last week. So, here is where I stand on this.
Yes, I am supposed to hate the Browns until my dying days. Yes, I want them to fail in all years and us to succeed. But, in this case, in this year, it is different for me. They came INTO Pittsburgh, during a win or go home playoff game, and with their team missing people due to COVID and the Steelers totally healthy, and the Browns absolutely pummeled the Steelers for all four quarters, and dismantled the constant passing game of the Steelers, which ironically became necessary sooner rather than later after getting down four touchdowns early. The Steelers’ running game is offensive to say the least. Anyway, with that being said, I am rooting for Little Brother for the remainder of the playoffs. This idea might be stomped by Patrick Mahomes before you even read this column, but my support was there, for the record. I will be rooting with my wife (Sooners fan) for Baker against the immovable object that is the Chiefs. The Steelers were expected to be playing this week against the Bills, and the Browns were supposed to be sitting at home sulking as usual, but all the props in the world to the new Browns. They flipped the script fully, and played a second playoff game.
My wife is a diehard Oklahoma Sooners football fan. I have been to many games in Norman, some Oklahoma bowl games, etc. When I watched Baker Mayfield take the field, get off the bus, talk to coaches, or whatever else during our trips, you FELT his presence. You knew there was something special about him. When he ended up in Cleveland, a town used to losing, you also knew he was PERFECT for that role. HE was the guy who would not tolerate the same old Browns. HE was the guy who wouldn’t expect anything but winning in his tenure there. HE was the guy who would live in the stadium. HE was perfect for that city and that team.
I am a semi-sick Steelers fan, as I am less than a week from the initial pain. Maybe other Steelers fans won’t agree, but I will be pulling for you Cleveland Browns, yelling at the TV along with my wife for you. I guess the good news is that your team is young, and will be around even if Patrick gives them the State Farm discount on Sunday. But, a fairy tale sometimes CAN happen early. A script CAN be flipped before it is ready. That is HOW it gets flipped unexpectedly. I say that you give Kansas City hell, Baker.
Others who flipped the script recently in the NFL:
- Hoodie. Props to not taking the Medal of Freedom from our delusional outgoing President. You flipped the script, sir.
- The Jags new coach is Urban Meyer, and Urban’s parents definitely flipped the script on naming babies, because I don’t know too many “Urban’s.”
- The Ravens got down 10-0 against Tennesee and suddenly remembered Lamar hadn’t won a playoff game yet and that the Titans had shown them the exit last year. Lamar flipped the script.
- Taylor Heinicke flipped the script without a doubt. Although the kid lost against Brady and Friends, I know I would play that with WFT dude any day of the week. His fire and effort were evident, his reads were timely and efficient, that stretch TD showed his resolve, and he earned a QB job somewhere if not in Washington.
- The Rams flipped the script by reminding us that defense DOES win championships and playoff games. They were all OVER the place against the Seahawks.
- The Horse somehow flipped the script. He somehow fired himself while promoting himself simultaneously. Brilliant, John.
- Many coaches fired, many coaches hired.
Some people who did NOT flip the script recently in the NFL:
- Tomlin did NOT flip it. Seinfeld has a live skit saying that if you repeat a noun in a short sentence, that you are contributing nothing to the conversation at all. Not only did Tomlin say it once, but he piled on two more for good measure. “It is what it is. Our record is our record. Our performance was our performance.”
- (By the way, TRY and stop saying “It is what it is.” Tough to do, but you will be better off because of it.)
- #7 seeds did NOT flip anything, but at least the Colts showed a pulse. I personally liked the playoff format just as it was and did not need an additional playoff team, but I get it is about the dough.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Winner: No one.
- Michigan flipped the script in the wrong way. We all expected them to fire The Khaki. Instead, they signed him BACK up. Losing questionable games, losing to Ohio State, and never being in contention seems to be the recent winning formula. Go Blue.
- Ohio State did not only keep the script the same, but allowed the Heisman Trophy winner to win the MVP of the game…all in the first half. Great plan.
NBA:
Winner: D’Angelo Russell.
If you haven’t seen the clip where D’Angelo Russell asks the REPORTERS about their take on the Capitol riots, check out this and stop reading my blog as it is quite moving stuff (start the video at 7:30 and it goes to about 14:30): https://www.yahoo.com/now/nba-timberwolves-d-angelo-russell-capitol-riots-feelings-asks-reporters-for-discussion-205821908.html
Lots of other action in flipping the script on the professional hardwood in the past weeks:
- Jerami Grant was a bench player for the Nuggets, and many wondered what he could do in an expanded role. How about 24.8 PPG?
- Luka continues to dominate, with another 30-point triple double.
- Steph reminds us that he IS still Steph with a 62-point game.
- Kyrie went absent oddly post-Capitol riots, post-mask-less event, and he either quarantined, or sailed to the end of the flat Earth to test his theory. He lost over $860k for this absence. That…is…like…a lot of money that is mattress money to him.
- James Harden did NOT flip anything, as he became the latest to A) complain enough to get a trade and B) try to join the guys that beat him rather than try and do it with the hand that was dealt (I HATE super-teams). I hope the Nets implode. Kevin Durant is the only one of the three who showed he can sacrifice stats to win (with the Warriors). Kyrie and James? Well, there is no way they sacrifice pretty stats for a title. And what is funny is IF they don’t win a title, then this trade was a bust. The Rockets now have about 17,000 first rounders over the next 7 years.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Winner: NON-Blue Bloods
Duke, Kentucky, and Kansas are considered three of the top blue blood programs in all of college basketball. They each have done enough to deserve that entitlement. But, this past Tuesday, ALL three lost to very NON-Blue Blood programs. In the same night. Virginia Tech took out Duke quite easily, Alabama dismantled Kentucky IN Lexington, and Oklahoma State edged KU. We just got out of a very strange year of 2020 and it won’t be normal any time soon, but all three being beat is still odd. KU is legit and will remain that way. They are a contender. The other two? Well, let’s just say that teams better unload on them this year while they can, because it won’t last for long.
MLB
Winner: Tommy
Go back and listen to his interviews. There was no script. If there was, he threw it out on to the diamond before talking with the press. He didn’t flip the script. He turned it on its side and ran it over. I can’t think of anyone who associates with one professional club like Tommy Lasorda does with the Dodgers. As a player, as a coach, over decades and decades and decades. He did things different, and the Dodgers fans and non-Dodgers fans loved him for that. He has a restaurant named after him. He has a street named after him. He has a baseball field named after him. Heck, he even has minor planet #6128 named after him. We lost him recently at the life-full age of 93. He was outgoing, friendly, transparent, smart, funny, and skilled. And he did interviews like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzjWQF1oP2M
And he won two titles as a manager of the Dodgers, but he didn’t even NEED to do that to become a legend. His personality overrode any stats. Happy trails, thank you for blessing us with your presence, Tommy, and we will miss you.
NHL
Winner: Nothing flipped…yet, but we are glad it is back.
GOLF
Winner: The PGA
This is very similar to what Belichick did. The PGA Tour moved the 2022 PGA Championship from the originally planned Trump course. Listen, there is an absurd amount of planning that goes into a golf Major, so moving anything within a year or two is a big change. We don’t know what the final legacy of Trump will be yet, but we know that organizations like the PGA understand the concept of CYA. Props for not being too scared to pull the trigger on this.
THIS AND THAT:
Winner: Cobra Kai
I am embarrassed that such a big fan of Karate Kid didn’t latch on to Cobra Kai earlier, but I have and am caught up. Actually, Netflix took a while to catch on to, so I guess everyone was a late starter (started on YouTube). I was amazed what THEY did with their “script.” It was like watching a show they asked ME to write, with full flexibility of as many flashbacks as I wanted throughout. I actually can’t believe it is popular to a generation that is too young for those movies. It even makes fun of itself and its 80’s style and writing and songs. And not even the best acting. But, it is ridiculously entertaining, twist-filled, and karate fight stocked. It literally sucks you in, and then makes you smile with an overload of Miyagi flashbacks. Yes, there are more tournaments, warring dojos, and crane kicks. And, in case you were curious, they must have called EVERY SINGLE person still alive from those old movies. Because, most of them make an appearance at some point. It is only three seasons. Catch up. Oh, and to restate if you skipped the beginning of the blog, the blog theme? Very early in the show, a nerd flips the script (actually says those words) and shows up at Cobra Kai with a red mohawk and tattoo. I am not saying you should go that route, or take up karate in SoCal, but I AM saying it is a good lesson. Anyway, the show is so bad in a way, that it is GOOD. So weird, but true. We still have room on the bandwagon, and rumors say they don’t plan to end it until season 5 or 6.
- The Little Things with Denzel Washington looks really GOOD. Check out the trailer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HZAnkxdYuA
- House of the Dragon: They are pulling a Star Wars and busting out the prequels. This will occur 300 years before GOT happens. I would lie and say I won’t watch it, but you are damn right I will.
- Strawberry Park: this is now our #1 rated hot springs in Colorado. SO Colorado-y.
- Tanya Roberts dies: Yes, I believe I saw her first in the Playboy stash I found in the house. RIP, Tanya.
- Clarice: I am actually amazed it took them THIS long for another spinoff of Silence Of The Lambs.
- Fake fireplaces are really cool and you should get one. We have one, and I OK’d it BEFORE I found out that it actually puts out heat.
- Bitcoin. A San Fran man is locked out of his Bitcoin account and has two tries left to figure out his password he made 13 years ago. If he fails, he is banned for life. If he succeeds, he has access to $220 million.
- History of Swear Words: Watch this miniseries hosted by Nicolas Cage. Funny stuff.
- Get ramen from Uncle if you get ramen. I am not a ramen guy, but my wife loves the stuff, and I will admit that it is pretty damn good.
- High Point Creamery: Get ice cream delivered. I recommend the Dark Chocolate Orange Marshmallow flavor.
- Mandalorian: We are on Season 1, Episode 3, and it is Cobra Kai all over again. I can’t believe I ducked this series when I love the original movies as much as I did.
- Run: This is a Netflix movie that is worth the time. Sort of psychotic, sort of scary, and the twists they toss your way are very hard to call.
- Maine Shack: We just tasted this place’s food last week. WORTH it. Pricey, but they have igloos and limited inside seating and you should go.
- Mante Te’o documentary upcoming: Well, unless someone is making up shit.
- Sam’s Automotive: If you live anywhere near the Highlands, and want the most honest mechanic in the Denver area, take it to Sam’s on 44th Street. I realized that I live down the road from a place I used to take my Cherokee, and took my 4Runner there. I gave him a list, he only fixed the items that were needed, and the rate was about half as much as Goodyear (by my work) would have charged. HIGHLY recommend if you are lost on the auto repair front.
- I still get suckered in when Forrest Gump is on the television.
- I still like all of the Geico-Parent commercials.
- Creed 3: This is coming out soon, and of COURSE it is Clubber Lang’s kid he will fight.
- I find it surreal that I am actually nervous for our nation on a day that we should be excited for a new President to be sworn in.
- Stop using a lot of exclamation points, all. It takes away from the excitement of when they are needed.
- Tom Cruise has hired robots to make sure Mission Impossible set is COVID-safe. Just in case you were worried that he might be losing it.
- News of the World makes me think that Tom Hanks is inheriting Clint Eastwood’s western roles moving forward. Same premise, same type of character, same quality. It is worth seeing, but it is no Unforgiven. But, what IS?
- Liam Neeson is NOT flipping his script, as The Marksman (just saw the preview in the theater) is putting him behind a gun rather than hand fighting, as he knows that we know that he is getting too old to be a hand fighting badass.
- Man, I miss popcorn movie life. Tonight was nice to enjoy, and plenty of room!
- We miss traveling so are getting away for one single night on this three day weekend in CO Springs. We are doing all of this within a 24-hour period. We don’t mess around.
- Pike’s Peak (again)
- Cheyenne Zoo (again)
- SunWater Spa (first time)
- Carlos Bistro (first time)
- Bicycle Lodge (first time)
- Cave of the Winds (again, but first for cave tour)
- Urban Steam (first time)
- Back to Denver to see Baker beat KC
THE FILLERBUSTER:
I am flipping my script too. Past maintaining and moving to improving (even busted out a new “before” picture to pair with a cut “after” picture), 5am daily reservations at 24 Hour, running in the snow, TRX in the snow, got some new spectacles, mostly dry January, reading The Power of Now, got some work flywheels which are changing angular momentum into rotational energy (that may or may not be sarcastic-you choose), watching my wife make our entire household automated through Alexa, and we are about to get the Golden Retriever puppy at the beginning of February.
I believe the dog name pot is boiling down to these, although I might decide to wait until we see her to name her (wife got choice of breed, I get choice of name):
| Gaia |
| Buttercup |
| Caneel |
| Belize |
| Kendall |
| Nola |
| Virginia |
| Adrian |
| Delores |
| Belinda |
| Lux |
(apparently, Seven can’t be on this list)
TWEETS OF THE WEEK:
In the words Nick Nolte from the Mandalorian, I have spoken. Talk to you when I get inspired again. Thanks for reading. I hope you wake up feeling dangerous, Baker.
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. As one shepherd said to the other shepherd, let’s get the flock out of here.
