Trifecta.
TRIFECTA
The Cast
Date: 11 March 2022
FILLERBUSTER’S ELEVEN
BACKGROUND: This started as a long-winded numbered blog. Now, it is slightly organized. Baby steps. Not really edited. Sorry for any errors. I feel the need…the need for speed. Let’s turn and burn.
SETTING: All written on Friday night while wife is at dinner. Dinner doesn’t last long, so this will be quick and to the point, folks. Well, lots of points to make, but no elongated verbiage on any point. Sorry.
- NFL:
- I like how Kyler sends HIS version of his proposed contract.
- I think we knew Aaron Rodgers was staying with Green Bay, even if Denver talking heads thought that the trade was coming together magically. Hey ladies. Aaron is single and the richest man in the NFL, only lacking enough Super Bowls for us to truly have respect for his weirdness.
- But, the Broncos got Russell. He apparently loves winning. He likes his future. Two of his kids are named Future and Win, so that works. This town now likes his wife’s songs. But seriously. The Broncos now have a QB for the next 6-7 years. If Teddy can accept he is a league backup, take him, or lock in another veteran, and they are HOME. I personally think they need a big name or two on defense to lock down third best team in the AFC, but they have money to do so. Aside from Simmons, name one guy on defense other teams are jealous of. The Broncos got Ware and Talib after getting drubbed in the Super Bowl by Mr. Wilson, and you have to think they will do similar this year.
- The NFL Draft is coming, and Jordan Davis just rocketed up the charts, unless you need endurance or a third down lineman. That being said, his combine stats were ridiculous.
- Actually, most of the UGA guys came strong last week.
- With Russell and Aaron off the table, please call Bobby Wagner and Jimmy Garoppolo, Steelers executives. Get Amari Cooper too, guys.
- DeShaun Watson will not be criminally charged, but I think you don’t touch him with a ten foot pole. Or, in LeBron language, a 20 foot pole.
- Calvin Ridley probably is too young to appreciate Pete Rose, and the ONE golden rule you can’t spin in sports. Do NOT bet on the game you play.
- Carson Wentz got traded to the Commanders. I will listen to your Carson conspiracy theories about why the Colts didn’t want him, or the desperation theories of the Commanders…now.
- Did we ever expect to get out of 2022 without hearing that Jerry Jones was the biological father of someone odd? I just assumed that story would come out at some point…
- COLLEGE FOOTBALL:
- I had some draft notes, but I need to skip them tonight. Let’s just say that the big news is that LSU already has a QB and snagged Jayden Daniels. Why? Depth? Two high profile recruits in the same year on the same team always bugs me.
- COLLEGE BASKETBALL:
- I loved Hubert Davis and UNC not caring about Coach K’s farewell at Cameron. UNC can win it all, folks. They have the size, the shooting (finally), the free throw percentage for late in games, and the rebounding. Love their chances with the right draw. They get in Auburn’s bracket? Whooooo.
- UVA beat Louisville to advance to get smoked by UNC the next round. The only upside besides the bricks that Woody Harrelson would be proud of was that the score was Van Halen’s best album…5150.
- Florida might not make anything, but great to see Keyante Johnson back in the lineup after his collapse.
- Wisconsin is dangerous, folks. But only if that ankle of Johnny Davis heals FULLY before the tourney.
- Bellarmine is going dancing! No, they aren’t. But, what a great story. They beat Liberty, won the title game, but still are in the probational period of transitioning to Division 1, so they have to exit stage left.
- In the Wake Forest loss to BC, they looked like a team who thought they DESERVED to advance. No fight.
- Bryant made their first ever tourney, and the Peter Kiss kid not only has a cool name, but acts like that kid from Ole Miss from years ago that we all hated.
- Bruce Weber resigned from Kansas State, and I think a large part of me actually forgot he was there (because they haven’t been really good at all in his tenure)…
- Michigan will be in, but the way they blew it against Indiana has to scare people (me) who thought they could make a run.
- Iowa looks really, really good. And fun. Lots of offense. A little defense. I will root for them.
- This is the first year in a while I don’t have to have a “Virginia wins” bracket. I will only have one bracket and one only.
- Xavier and Wake Forest should go out for drinks. They both looked listless against their opponents and apparently don’t know what “on the bubble” means.
- Tom Crean was fired at Georgia. And he should be. Remember when Tom came to IU and was supposed to restore order? Now, he can’t even restore a winning record in a football conference.
- NBA:
- Kyrie Irving might think the Earth is flat and have that weird vaccination obstacle, but his 50 point game, and then his lockdown defensive game against the Sixers sure makes you believe…a little.
- I think I am convinced that Kevin Durant is the best offensive player in the league right now and it is not close. If Durant wins one more title, he is at the big boy table of greatest of all-time.
- I haven’t seen anyone put an entire bad team on his back as much as Ja Morant since LeBron came into the league with the Cavs. Or when my boy Iverson took arguably the worst Finals team of all time to the title series to get smoked by Shaq and friends.
- I think DeAndre Jordan will be on the waiver wire when I am 80.
- I think I will think Isaiah Thomas should be on an NBA team and not a G-League team when I am 80.
- Someday we will see Zion Williamson do other-worldly things again without acting weird.
- LeBron dropping 56 in a game was really cool and made us think he was young again. Him having to rest the next game after that reminded me he is OLD.
- The Lakers just lost to the Rockets. The Rockets. By the way, I think “Westbrick” is kind of funny and I admit to not hearing that before.
- I am confused how people did not see this Celtics streak coming. Well, let me modify that. I knew they were good. What we should be impressed by more than Tatum and Brown is their defensive output lately.
- Pop tied Don Nelson for most wins all-time. I love Pop. Five titles. But, just like The Hoodie and Brady got resolved, and just like the chicken and the eggs has NOT been resolved, all of those titles were with one HOF player.
- If Jokic is not the MVP this year, I will start Embiid conspiracy theories with ESPN, run naked down Lowell Blvd, and write a really, really angry blog.
- I got a little emotional watching Steph Curry talk to the young Warriors fan in Denver after she was so sad he didn’t play in the last game. I put the tweet below capturing it.
- NHL:
- The Avs will win it all. They have had a lot of questionable losses lately, but they are too talented to lose this year. That is all I have to say about that.
- MLB:
- About freaking time, all. If MLB didn’t play a full season, and start relatively on time because of greed on both sides, I was going to do all of the things I said I would do if Jokic doesn’t win the MVP this year.
- Clayton Kershaw signed a one-year contract with the Dodgers. He is a legacy guy. This makes sense for both sides. Let him continue, monitor his health, and try and have him retire as a Dodger like we all want.
- Derek Jeter stepped down form the Marlins gig. Well, you can’t win everything, man. This would be like Tom Brady buying the Patriots and flaming out…which is something I think we all kind of want too.
- MISCELLANEOUS:
- So, Bob Baffert is suing Churchill Downs for HIM cheating??? Explanation needed.
- So, Tiger Woods won the Player Impact Award without playing a tournament in 2021? I get why he should still win. But, come on. Dude, questionably drove off a highway (his second questionable driving event) and give it to someone else…anyone else. And that is coming from the biggest Tiger fan in the world.
- I had some jokes or serious thoughts for the whole Brittney Griner-Russia thing, but I think I should stay away.
- Djokovic. Either go out with Kyrie and drink a lot and do something we can laugh about, or get the freaking vaccine and stop complaining.
- THIS AND THAT:
- Special K Original breakfast cereal is back…for one week. I enjoyed my 8 bowls of cereal and am most frustrated about the supply chain problem related to Special K and the Charmin TP my wife likes.
- I really, really like walking around without a mask.
- We hosted a baby shower recently. Not sure of the etiquette, but not sure we had to host AND fund this baby shower. What gives. I would think it is one or the other…
- The Batman lost me initially, got me back, lost me again, got me back with a couple action scenes and plot twists, and then I just wanted the thing to end. Treat movies like we ask songs to be 3 minutes and 30 seconds. No more, unless it is The Godfather, or Troy (yes, I have an odd liking for that movie).
- But, the greatest commercial of all time, in my opinion, is this, so it is OK. I’m Batman – Bing video
- I was at a bar having a drink before Batman. They had some “other” sports on besides basketball. There is actually a sport named “beach tennis?” I had no idea. That is fun.
- Chad Brown was on Dateline, and that was the first time during my entire marriage I watched Dateline WITH my wife voluntarily.
- The Witcher has gotten a little better. Not bingy, where I want to finish it all in one night…but better.
- My wife I very proud that she finally finished reading Outlander. Pretty big book, even if she reads it on her phone. Impressed.
- I tried two more Cheez-It flavors in the last two weeks (always seems to happen at airports oddly). Listen, all Cheez-It flavors are good, but reduced fat is the best, folks. Not because I am watching my weight. Because they don’t leave stuff on your hands and they are the crispiest. I have a large enough sample size in my life to guide you correctly.
- I had to transfer my info to a new phone because, a week after breaking my nose and tooth on a scooter, I fell down my front steps and broke my phone too (and almost my hip). WHY does Verizon say I have to do it myself because they have no WIFI at their store? Seems like the obvious thing to have at your store…that is trying to sell me on buying WIFI too all the time.
- Apparently, I am trying to slowly kill myself and fly close to the sun with random accidents…
- Not like Geico commercial parents old. I think you become old when you go to a zoo and feel bad for the animals in cages. Happened to me about 6 years ago. Can’t do it enjoyably anymore. Anyway, a camel escaped a petting zoo in Tennessee and unfortunately killed two people. I am sorry for those people dying. But, if I was an animal caged up and entertaining guests all day in NOT my natural environment, I might be angry if I escaped too. Sorry if that was insensitive. You are reading the wrong blog if you want unicorns and rainbows.
- FILLERBUSTER
- Went to a wedding recently that I thought was happening too quicky. I am the first person to admit I am wrong about anything. Might stick. Congrats, Caitlin and Matt (they don’t read this thing, so we are in a bubble in a way). Plus, I am saying a very, very NICE thing, so I can say the disclaimer. I was seriously sold on their relationship and think it will be eternal. I didn’t think that when they got engaged after three months.
- I went to San Diego last week to see our friend. Man, that place is so cool and it is a shame it is so expensive. I would rather figure out a way to live in Aspen. Aspen just simply needs a beach and it is perfect. Sticking with my Belize plan for my 50th this year and then retirement years from now. Belize is…unbelizeable…sorry.
- Life is good. Work is exploding. I took a job that I was worried about handling, but I am handling it and then some. Nice to grow up and realize your talents are real.
- If you give me a social situation where there is a long table with one side against the wall, I will fight someone to be on the non-wall side and preferably a corner seat.
- We bought one of those Air BNB’s in Ukraine to help out someone random. Felt good. You should do it too.
- My wife and I have the travel itch. We are about to book a trip to Costa Rica. Just picking the dates, but it WILL be a go.
- I live in Colorado. I have a badass 4Runner. I still say this. I will drive places in the snow. But, if it is not necessary, I don’t feel like I should go anywhere, nor anyone else.
- LOCAL
- I love Colorado weather. It was 72 last Wednesday. It was 4 degrees this morning and I had to drip the faucets downstairs. Colorado weather is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get.
- Our wedding dinner was at a place down south in Denver called Nonna’s, with a long “o.” Loved it. Best lasagna I have had aside from my wife’s white sauce version, the Italy Capri version, and Maplewood in Vineland, NJ.
- Man, I could retire in Capri too…hmmmm. What an awesome little town that was.
- You might not like grits nor my Wild Boar Scramble I always talk about, but go to The Universal on 38th. I had a breakfast lasagna special the other day that was ridiculous. They are the one place where you HAVE to pay attention to the special of the day.
- The stuffed bacon-cheese burger at Billy’s Inn is one of my favorites. Right down the street, I try to pick something else, but I always land on that dish.
- It is Restaurant Week in Denver. That means my wife has found the annual excuse to go out MORE for dinner.
- We are going to Voghera for her birthday. Classy Italian wine place where I assume they won’t want me to wear a Steelers hat nor cargo shorts.
- TWEETS OF THE WEEK
Ashley Nicole Moss (@AshNicoleMoss) / Twitter
ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) / Twitter
Charles Woodson on Twitter: “The best segment ever🤣🤣” / Twitter
Jack 🏹📋 on Twitter: “Nikola Jokic is the 2022 NBA MVP and your favorite player is not” / Twitter
ALTERNATE CATEGORIES THAT DIDN’T MAKE THE CUT:
- THE BEST WORKOUT SONG EVER FOR THIS WEEK (because the best song this week IS the best song ever…for now):
- QUOTE OF THE WEEK
- LINKS TO SAVE YOU TIME IN LIFE
- TRAVEL
- THIS WEEK’S LIST
- MY NUMBERS
- GONE FISHING (the riddle for money):
- PICS BY MY PIXEL (pictures from my phone):
- LIFEGUARD ENTRY:
- THE FILLERBUSTER
- EVERGREEN 1:
- EVERGREEN 2:
- Yeah. I know. Most of this stuff has gone by the wayside. I have a dog that I love spending time with. Blogging is secondary these days. Piano is after those two. Start the Healing by Korn, Circle the Drain by Wage War, and The Way I Say Goodbye by Any Given Sin are my three go-to’s for workouts. Teardrops by Bring me The Horizon and Fix Me by 10 Years are two songs that won’t go away.
The theme? Trifecta of Trifecta. One, a three-pointer during March Madness. Two, I am on leg two of my personal trifecta. Valentines Day in February, wife’s birthday in March, and wedding anniversary in April. Three, This weekend is March Madness beginning, wife’s birthday, and St. Patty’s Day. It is a lot.
Oh yeah. Why this picture???? Because what IF this shot was three inches the other way? Wow. History would have to rewrite some stuff. And it would have been a trifecta…and I might be mad at Duke for not covering the spread today but still winning….ugghhh.
And our weekly reminder of the greatest sequel ever made coming out this summer (before the technology they made the movie with gets old)… Top Gun 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8z1rqA8jRw&vl=en
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. As one shepherd said to the other shepherd, let’s get the flock out of here.