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Filler

AIRPLANE

By The Fillerbuster

The Cast 011119

 

SETTING:

Greetings and salutations, people.  This is written on the way back from my work trip to Miami.  The tradition for an airplane rant/cast is not to look up anything while writing, and that is the case here.  My “adds” after the flight are noted in the miscellaneous section, as they were topics after my flight.  I quote the airplane related movie Top Gun all the time regardless, but with airplane rants/casts, it seems even more fitting to say that I feel the need…the need for speed.

Let’s turn and burn.

EVERGREEN (topics that don’t fade away):

KICKER BACKUPS

I get that kicking in the NFL is tougher than it looks.  I get that is probably why we don’t see kickers also punt, and vice versa (that was a topic in the LAST blog).  It is a hard job.  And I also get that you don’t want to waste a roster spot carrying a backup kicker.  But when you carry a plus 40-year-old one?  In the playoffs when you might need kicks the most?  You are telling me that one guy can’t practice for an hour a week during the season and be the backup kicker?  Seahawks kicker Sebastian Janikowski went down with a hamstring problem in their playoff game against the Cowboys early on.  Now, there was no missed FG or extra point, but they also had to go for two when down 24-20 after a touchdown (which made the bet a push by the way).  I am not saying that you need a guy who can boot 50 yarders.  Leave that to the experts.  But, have a guy primed to at least kick an extra point or short field goal if it comes down to it.  There has to be an athlete on the roster who can do double duty.  Maybe have a roster spot for a guy who can be a backup kicker and play special teams.  Just saying you need a plan.

IN-STATE PLAYERS

UVA hoops just recently lost another in state prospect, Kofi Cockburn, to another out of state school.  Now, UVA hoops really doesn’t have many problems these days outside of small schools in Maryland, and their system doesn’t require blue chip recruits.  That being said, you have to keep kids home if possible in recruiting in any college sport.  Not to mention that one top high school hoops programs in the land is Oak Hill Academy…IN Virginia.  UVA football is still not getting in state recruits even though NOVA (Northern Virginia) is a hotbed, even with their progress this year.  Also in hoops, Anfernee Hardaway, when starting out at Memphis, remembered this rule, and made sure his local guys were going nowhere aside from Memphis.  Next year’s top recruit happens to be from the area, and he is staying local.  Anyway, the bottom line is this.  What is successful recruiting?  It is making sure local kids stay local, and THEN start reaching out to the geographic football and basketball hotbeds.  Now, doing this in New Hampshire or Idaho won’t work as effectively of course, but you have to work like Elaine from Seinfeld, searching for the sponge.  Start central, and then make concentric circles outward until you are master of your domain, find someone sponge-worthy, etc.

CLEMSON AND THE ANTI-SABAN

Fun, energetic, loving, caring, joking.

These are words NOT used in describing Nick Saban and his Evil Empire.  Maybe Nick has a secret lovable personality all his players love, but we all highly doubt it.  Did you watch those post game pressers with each coach?  Did you hear the interviews?  How mind blowing is the difference between each coach?  And now, that the series is knotted up 2-2, who would YOU go play for?  Dabo is transparent and raw, and the care he shows his players sure has showed the last few years, both in defeat and in winning.  I think the worst thing that could happen to Saban would be A) one team rises up to challenge his methodical ways and B) that team be FUN.  We saw it a couple of years ago, but to me this year was so much more glaring.  And, this year Dabo has a QB who CAN’T go anywhere.  He almost is FORCED to be a college legend now.  Saban’s methods were Belichick-like in the way that you understood how he carried himself but that he WON.  All the time.  By a lot.  Now, there is a disturbance in the force.  Well, that is backwards.  There is a disturbance in the Evil Empire and now the fun Jedi’s can win.  I hope you get your wish of Matthew McConaughey playing you in a movie, Dabo.

Side note:  if Tua and Lawrence don’t start the debate again about A) draft eligibility and B) paying college players, I don’t know what will.  Good luck with THAT, NCAA…

PLAY UNTIL THE WHISTLE SOUNDS

You can be 80, 40, or 10 right now in age.  Your coaches ALWAYS have said “play it until the whistle sounds” and “sometimes play AFTER it if in doubt.”  Anyway, the Eagles-Bears game had a play that was reason #1763 for this mantra.  The Eagles were so grateful that the ball hit the ground before the end of the first half on a pass attempt and were signaling pass incomplete to the refs, that NO ONE JUMPED ON THE BALL.  The announcers were perplexed, and the refs had to dig deep in the rulebook.  But, when a pass is called a catch, which it was, and no one clearly gets the possession of the ball, then it is no longer ruled a catch.  So, the Bears maintained possession of the ball.  Anyway, keep running, keep trying, pick up the ball and be the idiot who runs down the field needlessly…because you HAVE to make sure there isn’t some other little known rule that would benefit your team.  Play it out.

TURNOVER

One other thing resonated with me during and after the Bama-Clemson title game.  Turnover.  Every single year, Saban’s assistants go elsewhere, which makes sense given the teams’ success.  But, that turnover is going to have consequences eventually, especially when a team with the same talent level is on the other side.  There is no answer to this dilemma.  You can’t expect assistants to stay for less money.  You can’t expect successful assistants to not want to run their own show.  And, you will find replacements.  But, the constant minor change is not good overall.  Clemson has remain relatively unscathed in coaching exits.  That consistency showed on Monday.  So, Dabo, maybe you are such a lovable guy that no one will leave.  But, I doubt it.  I am not saying these are the reasons why you beat Saban, but I am saying enjoy it while you can, bud.

CONSPIRACY THEORY

Eric Reid is getting press for an abnormal and statistically impossible amount of drug tests.  I will keep this short.  The NFL is smart.  But, IF this is planned, does anyone else think it is weird that:

  • Kap doesn’t have a job in the NFL when talent at the position is low?
  • The first guy to kneel with him during the anthem is getting drug tested galore, and one could go down the road that the NFL is trying to get rid of him also from national TV?

Just saying…

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

 

NFL

  • I admit it. I was on a golf course taking advantage of the nice winter day in Denver rather than be somewhere watching the Colts-Texans game, but you can’t argue with what is true these days.  The Colts are hot as a team and their previous golden child is BACK.  And, the Texans have to wonder what they have to do to actually win a playoff game.  This year, they had the win streak, home field advantage, a healthy QB, a hungry defense, and they still got worked.
  • I admit it. I didn’t think the Cowboys would hold serve.  They did.  I don’t think their road travels much farther, but they already have impressed me.
  • The Ravens can say they made the right choice in starting Lamar Jackson. They can get rid of their Super Bowl winning QB.  They can think that teams won’t deploy SEVEN DB’s on them again like the Chargers did.  But, teams will.  I am not saying Lamar Jackson isn’t your QB of the future.  I am just saying that THIS year wasn’t that time to release the hounds.  I would have rolled with Flacco when he got healthy and possibly started with Jackson next year.
  • You can say the kicker missed/got blocked. You can say the 23rd ranked defense played their game of the year.  But, one way or the other, you have to say, whether a Philly fan or not, there IS something magical in the air when Nick Foles is hanging out as starting QB.  He threw that ball at ¾ arm level on a FOURTH down to hit Tate.
  • Oh, and THIS headline got buried a little with Parkey’s miss and the Eagles advancing overall. Nick Foles was FOUR snaps short of a $1 million incentive they put in place in his contract.  Good to hear that the Eagles will work something out with him on this note.  I assume they might wait another weekend to fix this problem though, as maybe he will just get MORE than that if he gets them to another NFC Championship Game.
  • The Steelers are apparently going to shop Antonio Brown. Because, when you are too good for your game changing RB, you might as well be too well off without your generation changing WR too.  I took the rumors as simply rumors since the math doesn’t add up to them releasing him, but then Thursday the OWNER decides to tell us he expects Brown to be gone too.  Sounds like a plan.  I could write about this, but maybe you just watch this as my take on it.  https://twitter.com/yahoosports/status/1080603239777689600?s=21
  • I will tell you one of the themes of Broncos country if you only made generalizations based on Denver sports radio talking heads. Case Keenum might exist, but they are already prepared to write off next year and work on either a young QB from the draft or work on installing a free agent (Foles/Flacco/etc.).  Everyone has accepted that Case Keenum is just a journeyman QB…still.
  • In the meantime, they will adjust to Vic Flangio, a high quality but low impact type of hire.
  • But the bottom line is that there aren’t a lot of flashy head coaching candidates out there these days.   Case in point.  You think Packers fans are chest pumping on Matt LaFleur?
  • Along with learning he wasn’t ready yet to be a head coach when he DID want to be a head coach, Josh McDaniels must have taken some other lessons along with him back to New England. In an open market relatively with plenty of options, he is doing the smart thing and riding shotgun with Mr. Brady for another few years.  That is NOT a bad plan.
  • Cliché.   Dry.  Did the Cardinals even actually conduct one interview with Kliff Kingsbury?  For a franchise set in losing presently, that was one QUICK hire.
  • So…if McCarthy was “only” targeting the Jets job, and they just hired someone else, then…yeah…
  • I am fine with the NFL welcoming the first female official, but my only pushback is this. In every other sport where that barrier is broken, females also play that particular sport.  They have the same or similar rules.  There is a parallel that we understand and can see.  In this case, it is tougher to see that parallel.  There is no female football league that is front and center.  Should be interesting, and I will be rooting for her.
  • I like the Browns promoting of Freddie Kitchens. That says to me that they were happy with the process progressing internally already, so that bringing in someone new would change what they have going on there right now.
  • A survey was just done that revealed that 95% of players think Kaepernick should have a roster spot at this point. You all know I agree with that and then some.  And it is painful to watch these teams with obvious openings not even give him a ring or tryout.  Let’s keep it with the Broncos for a second.  They are the perfect candidate.  They have a guy they just paid good money to underperforming.  They have an unreliable backup.  Why NOT have him around and test him out in a game where Case doesn’t have it?
  • NFL predictions:
    • Colts-Chiefs: I get it.  Everyone is in love with the Colts.  But, it doesn’t erase the facts.  The NFL MVP is Mahomes.  Arrowhead is the toughest place to play outside of the Superdome.  The Chiefs just have too many weapons.  The Chiefs are rested.  It will be close, but I have it as Chiefs 23-20.
    • Pats-Chargers: Tom Brady will eventually lose in the playoffs and this run will be done.  But, it surely is NOT happening in Foxboro if you ask me.  Pats 31-20.
    • Cowboys-Rams: I won’t bring in home field, because the Rams really don’t have a great one.  I will just say that the Rams are a well-coached machine that will hit stride against a tough Cowboys defense.  Glad the Cowboys won a playoff game.  The better team will win this one.  Rams 34-17.
    • Saints-Eagles: Nick Foles is in the air.  So is the Superdome and Drew Brees.  Storybook endings are nice, but the Eagles should be glad they won a game they maybe shouldn’t have.  Saints win 27-10.
    • Yes, I took all the home teams, but for different reasons. And that is what you play the regular season FOR.  Home field advantage.

 

 

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

  • We of course will never know the whole story of how Kingsbury left, but I personally loved the fact he quit AS they were blocking him from talking to teams. That is kind of like a real life, successful move for George to the Mets…without having to be bodysuit man.
  • We talk about Bama being a dynasty and Clemson becoming one. We talk about the Pats kind of being a dynasty.  But, what is a dynasty?  Seven out of eight is a dynasty.  What is that stat?  That is how many FCS titles North Dakota State has won and THAT is ridiculous.
  • George Welsh passed away the other day. He was the head coach of the Virginia Cavaliers when I went to school there, and for years before and years after.  I, of course, had some problems with conservative tendencies in games and the Clemson losing streak, but what he really did is black and white and amazing.  However you slice it, George made UVA football relevant.  Sure, his 7-0 starts and top five rankings were frequently followed by four or five losses to END the season, but we were on the national radar without a doubt.   And that made my college years much more fun also.  And, aside from doing what he did on the field, he was a beloved man in the UVA community for years.  George, happy trails and we will miss you.
  • Vince Young heads up the new class of college hall of famers. Given his mediocre NFL career, I personally think Vince will always be famous for two things.  He capped an amazing season with the best single individual performance in a college football title game that we have ever seen.  That is one.  The other is his Wonderlic score.  We will never get over that hump.  It is mind boggling to even ponder how he could try and get that score.
  • I read a list of possible locations where Jalen Hurts could transfer. Nothing to do with my Sooner family on the wife side, I think OU makes a heck of a lot of sense.  That is who I will root for.  I also think that if I am a Tennessee Volunteer alum or student, I would be rooting for that to happen too.  Miami and Maryland also make a lot of sense.
  • When hearing about two Michigan coaches moving over to Ohio State, I thought two things. One, Day is doing an amazing job already if he is stealing coaches of his choosing.  Two, I felt like I felt after hearing that Johnny Damon went to the Yankees.  Just weird that they would go from one rival to the other.
  • So…yeah…former LSU OL Matt Branch was shot…by his dog. Like, the dog ended up pulling the trigger.  Look it up.
  • Finally, it was announced on Thursday that Kyler Murray will enter the NFL Draft. I admit to being surprised and wrong about this, as I clearly underestimated his love of football.  He will get drafted probably in the first round, he will play bigger than his size, and he will be moderately successful.  But, I am NOT buying he is a future superstar in that sport.  We have seen it time and time again.  The guys in the NFL are faster, stronger, and bigger.  The same runs will not work as well, seeing over the line will be a bigger problem, and although it will be fun watching him try and take over the league, I think the smarter move is going to play baseball.  Only so many Doug Flutie’s come along…

 

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF GAME NOTES

  • Well, I thought about doing a game journal, but decided to just do notes. And given the boring nature of the game, I will admit this section is not too exciting.
  • He might be playing with less cards in his deck these days, but Lee Corso didn’t do what I did and just take the six points with Clemson. He picked them to win outright.  Nice call, you crazy guy.
  • I can’t name one single Andy Grammar song and only know who he is because it said those words at the bottom of the screen, but he sounded like crap to me.
  • I found it weird that the network only did the background and talking from the QB of each team early in the game. No starting lineup for the remainder of the guys?
  • We thought the pick 6 at the beginning of the game was just a nice head start for Clemson. Little did we know that would be how the whole game would go.  Tua misread that defense and that was different than how his year went.
  • Tua answering with a bomb TD made us start thinking we had a battle on our hands.
  • It was interesting seeing some All-American linemen who will both be at the next level go at each other for the whole game pretty much.
  • Bama missed what we thought was an important extra point. It wasn’t.
  • Bama got stopped deep in Clemson’s territory and false starts didn’t help things. This had an echoing effect from the last game against OU where a couple of penalties contributed to OU making a mild comeback.  No Saban headset throws though.
  • The score then went to 16-14. We were excited about the game we were getting.  Man, we were wrong.
  • Down 21-16, Tua tried another bomb and totally misread the coverage again. Another INT.
  • The Les Miles beer commercial was HILARIOUS.
  • Tua then misread a blitz that he should have dumped the ball off to his RB on the play.
  • I think the “little bit country, little rock and roll” Chevy commercials are dumb.
  • There were sacks every other play by Clemson, but you just felt the whole game that Tua was releasing the ball a LITTLE before he really wanted to.
  • Bama’s fake FG try had many, many things wrong with, and the announcers even called it out, but did you SEE the formation they ran a fake against? Clemson was so obviously NOT in a FG formation, and it was doomed from the start…along with being a little insulting.
  • Ah…foreshadowing. The Mad Hatter/les Miles is the Fanville villain.    Not sure if that was planned, as that is two separate sponsors.
  • Clemson stopped Tua on a fourth down run, and then drove down the field again. Which drive?  You remember.  Justyn Ross had TWO amazing bobble catches on that drive.  44-16.  I expected to see Jalen at this point, but Saban went there MUCH later than I thought he would.
  • Most people turned the game off at this point. I hung around.  I wanted to see camera shots of Nick Saban in pain.

 

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

  • No more cupcake scheduling. No more neutral court tourneys.  Conference play.  This is where the rubber hits the road and I am READY.
  • Zion Williamson showed the world he is not only a dunker and the world became much more scared of this immovable force. UVA-Duke is coming up soon, and although watching UVA hoops can be painful to people who don’t like that sort of play, something HAS to give in that game, and it will be more than interesting to watch which side gives.
  • By the way, the Florida State team that UVA pummeled is a really, really solid team.
  • We were already talking about the Iowa State’s and Oklahoma’s possibly giving KU trouble in conference play to end their streak, but the Azubuike injury really makes this notion more real. I thought KU could win the whole thing before the season.  They MIGHT be able to swing their conference without him.  They don’t make a March run with him though.
  • UNC had been inconsistent away from home all year, and yes, NC State isn’t really that far from their home, but that still was a nice quality win they picked up against them the other night.
  • Process this. The Pac-12 ended their non-conference season with a .514 win percentage.  That is horrible.  That is semi-ridiculous.  They are on the path of getting one or two teams tops in the tourney.

 

NBA

  • I agree the MJ-LeBron debate is real, but there is one thing about it that bugs me. WHY does LeBron have to bring the subject up?  Why does he call HIMSELF the GOAT?  The GOAT is something reserved for other people to call him.  Be quiet and let us get a word in edgewise, LeBron.  We do the comparisons.  Not you.
  • The whole Jimmy Butler experiment is not going optimally for the Sixers. They do realize, don’t they, that having an entire team that likes to shoot the ball inside outside of JJ Redick is NOT optimal, right?
  • Dirk didn’t overtake Kobe for scoring at Boston Garden, but I was sure glad I happened to be tuned in to hear the crowd urge him to try. Pretty cool stuff to have a historic fan base cheer an opposing player.
  • I peeked. I admit it.  I don’t really care that Chandler Parsons is parting ways with the Grizzlies, but I DO care about whether he is still getting paid on that RIDICULOUS deal he signed years ago.  He is.  Still owed $38 million from that thing in its last year.
  • I hope someone hires Thibs after his most recent dismissal in Minnesota. I like him as a coach, but feel he is a coach that needs a particular TYPE of team.  Minnesota was not that type of team.  I feel like dealing Wiggins and Butler to someone at the same time can throw one off.  He needs to find a team with less spoiled brats.  That list of teams in the NBA is small, but maybe around to a point.
  • James Harden dropped Jamal Murray pretty badly the other night, and Murray shouldn’t feel bad at all. The tear that Harden is on is other-worldly.
  • Speaking of Harden, he is STILL not in the starting lineup for the NBA All Star Game after another week of fan voting. Harden is out of the starting lineup, Durant isn’t even in the top 5 for his position, and Derrick Freaking Rose is still being voted in THE STARTING LINEUP for some weird reason.
  • I laughed out loud when Deadspin, when commenting on the recent good percentage of Brook Lopez from deep, called him Splash Mountain. That is a keeper.
  • Let’s map this out for folks. We were worried about how Cousins might slow down the Warriors when inserted into the lineup.  But, in his absence, the Warriors haven’t looked LIKE the Warriors.  So, I guess on January 18th or whenever it happens, there are not really any concerns about putting him in the lineup now.  They aren’t functioning fully, so how bad can it be if he shakes things up a bit?
  • I hope Nerlens Noel is ok after his bad fall. He might not have the jaw dropping stats, but what he is would be DEPTH in the frontcourt, and the Thunder will need that depth for any stretch run in the postseason.
  • I wasn’t thinking anyone would be on a record setting pace, but I personally am surprised there is not ONE NBA team with single digit losses at this point in the season.
  • I mean, they are a solid team, but the NUGGETS have the best record in the beastly West. You can say you forecasted that happening, but you would be lying.
  • The fact that Nick Young stole a cell phone at a car wash and threw it at the person IS funny, but it was MUCH funnier when doing these things while being employed in the league. Someone pick that lad up.  Things are more exciting with Nick Young around.
  • Aldridge 56 2OT win vs thunder

 

MLB

  • Telling you. The more time that goes by with no end game action on Machado and Harper, the more I think they are going the same place.
  • In news that IS surprising, for the first time since 2010, baseball salaries are DOWN. Now, they are only overpaid for their particular sport by about 400%.
  • I admit to not being fully aware that Ohtani would be hitting this year, even though he is out for Tommy John surgery for his pitching elbow. It makes sense that he could still hit, and I am excited for it, but just didn’t think about it.
  • In the news that will be more fanfare than anything legitimate, know that Russell Wilson will indeed attend Yankees spring training once again.
  • An Oakland A’s blogger got let go of his duties after writing that because Kyler Murray was entering the NFL draft, he hoped he got hurt.

 

NHL

  • Ever notice how hockey always has the least separation between good and bad teams? Yes, there are standings.  Yes, there are teams at the top that we expect to be there and same for the bottom of the heap.  But, the WORST team in the NHL only is EIGHT games below .500.  That is not a lot actually.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Finland beat the U.S. in some hockey divisional world thing somewhere.
  • Think you have heard everything about the cycling world and cheating and drugs? You have not.  This past week, a ninety-year-old man competed in a cycling race.  He won in world record time for his age group.  He was drug tested.  He was doping and stripped of the time and record.  He was the ONLY person in his age group competing in the race.
  • I find it odd that the lead story on ESPN this morning was that Jon Jones simply “passed” a drug test.   Progress.  He finally didn’t cheat.
  • What a world we live in. Tyler Trent is a kid who died this past week and was a super fan of Purdue.  Some guy actually threatened the lives of his family.  Sad, people.
  • Tim Tebow is engaged. I bet you he and the media are “excited.”  I personally don’t care.
  • Andy Murray will retire from tennis. His hip is giving out on him and his age isn’t making it easier.  He won THREE Slams, nothing to laugh at.  Considering he was part of a Big Four, then those three Slams are even more impressive.  He brought Wimbledon back to the homeland.  He had a heck of a career.  We will miss you, Andy.  You were all class.

ADDS

  • I know Denver hosts the stock show this month, but cracked up after my flight to hear an auctioneer as the voice welcoming people to our city.
  • Gary Kubiak won’t be part of Fangio’s staff. Citing different direction or something.  Well, there are two sides to this coin.  One, the Broncos lose a beloved coach who won them a title.  Two, the fans get CHANGE.  And people around here need a dose of greener grass in some regards.  At least they will get a new system.

 

THIS AND THAT (pop culture, Fillerbuster thoughts in quick hitter fashion):

  • So, we have gone to Pizzeria Locale twice in the last year using Passbook coupons. Love the place.  Cheap, good pizza, they serve drinks, and great atmosphere.  Highly recommend getting on that bandwagon.
  • I loved playing golf last weekend. Great Colorado mix of everything.  Sun out to make it warm enough to play, snow still on the ground in spots, and ponds were still frozen over.  My amazing driving range sessions didn’t directly translate to a better score.  What an amazing and perplexing game golf is.
  • I finally finished Ozark. Great show, but I still felt the whole time was thinking there is NO way they get out of THIS, but they keep getting out of those spots.
  • I think Jason Bateman deserved to get nominated for Ozark, but get the feeling he is basically just playing himself and that the acting isn’t very hard.
  • SNL was a repeat, but still watched it since it was one we missed. Live Schreiber was the host.  I really enjoyed the skit about hating all the same things done in song.
  • With our new membership, we made our first Sam’s Club trip…to scout it out. That store is beyond dangerous.  The ONLY thing I did right was NOT buy anything until I make a list of things that might be more beneficial to buy there.  I didn’t blindly starting buying things.  That would have been messy.
  • I have figured out that leaf mulching is an activity that takes much more time than it looks like.
  • Still, the reign continues. Not sure what tags accidentally got linked to the post, but even though Feed The Wolf is a post from back in August, it continues to be the most read blog of last year.  No idea on why.
  • Miami was typical Miami. We were only in there for a day, so no real time to enjoy anything except sitting outside for dinner, and getting my ankles dipped in the ocean.
  • I have now gone south to Austin and Miami during there very cold spells. Miami was down to FIFTY and that is crazy cold to those people.  I loved it, as I got worked over on wearing shorts in Austin with 40 degree weather.  That is not pushing it to wear shorts overall, but when walking around a city that is pushing it a little.  Fifty is shorts range easily.
  • I read the article. I read it slower.  I still am not sure how a single large tuna fish sold for 3.1 MILLION.    Dollars.  I don’t care.  That is still expensive for a freaking fish.
  • When I walked out of Bohemian Rhapsody, I said to people and in this blog that I could see him getting nominated for best actor. I did NOT see best picture potential.  Not that the Golden Globes are a direct transfer to the Oscars, but him winning both awards means the threat is very, very real to A Star Is Born.
  • I am not a Spider Man fan, but not a hater either. I AM an animated movie fan.  So, when spider Man beat out favorites such as Ralph Wrecks the Internet, I wasn’t exactly happy with the results.
  • You don’t need to know who Polyana Viana is, but her story is simple. Don’t try to steal cell phones from UFC fighters.  A guy tried, with a cardboard gun cutout.  He was quickly subdued by Polyana until the police came.  Whatever you do today, it will NOT be dumber than what that guy did.
  • After I read an article, I really DO want to click on those fun “other” articles. I don’t.  But, I will say they do their job very well.  I am like “YES I would like to know more about these unforgettable pictures!”
  • I liked John Wick better than I thought I would and actually was mad I waited so long to see it. John Wick 2 kind of pushed it a little.  It was just OK.  Now, I am hearing there will be a John Wick 3.  Keanu, I know we joke about your movies and characters, but you are going to get all you CAN out of this likeable character, aren’t you?
  • The other day I had to workout at work WHILE watching my emails. It sucked.  I had to do it.  But, if I don’t get my “escape,” it just isn’t the same.
  • Let me get this straight. They took the Unbreakable guys, threw in the Split weirdo, and made a movie out of it?  Got it.  We are out of ideas for the 1000th
  • Is this border wall thing done or is he impeached? Just wake me when it is over, please.
  • HBO is teasing a second season of Big Little Lies. I will watch it, but just confused how you make a round two of the first season.  I mean, it is kind of a small town.  Don’t you think they will be a little more READY for someone getting murdered?  Don’t you think people will be a little more suspicious when odd things happen?  You should watch the first season though.  Solid story telling an tough to figure out.  I admit the only reason I started watching it was because I looked up while Lindsey was watching it way back when and Nicole Kidman was getting railed on the kitchen counter.    You got my attention.  And then I became a fan.
  • This section is going to get more interesting, people. My colleague at work who is the pop culture EXPERT just started sitting next to me again for 2019.  Fun facts galore coming soon.
  • Again, you are missing out if you have never entertained yourself by watching Drunk History. You combine the actual learning of odd events in history, the incredible lip syncing of dialogues, and the surprising guest stars and guests telling the story, and you have a winning formula, folks.
  • We all hate when autocorrect corrects a word to something we don’t mean at all. But, are you sometimes, on the other side of the coin, AMAZED on some of the predictions it sometimes does?  With two words?  I am.
  • My wife laughs at me packing each time, but packing for a single night is actually harder. Why?  Because I have a hard cased suitcase, so therefore I am filling the thing with something, whether I really need it or not.
  • I was at the airport at 5am. I was in B gate at DIA.  The Chick Fil’A line was nothing.  I couldn’t pull the trigger on the chicken breakfast.  It sounded interesting and new, but it would break my routine of a McDonald’s bagel egg sandwich.
  • There is a mini-moving walkway in B gate in the middle of each direction of gates. The fact that it exists is odd enough.  But, let’s accept that as a given.  Since it exists, WHY do people get on the thing and NOT walk.  It is like 20 feet long.  It is not a ride.  If you are in a situation where you need a 20 foot long moving walkway to go from point A to point B, I expect you to WALK on it.
  • Seriously, I just listened to it again on my plane ride. The guitar solo in Kyle’s Song, by Moe, is ridiculous and awesome on all fronts. You will never expect the guitar solo coming after the calm    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldbx76m_D88
  • More songs I think people haven’t heard from back in my college days.
  • River of Deceit by Mad Season https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm72DPJCX58
  • Chloe Dancer by Mother Love Bone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH0gnwtSEGI
  • Billy Joel is coming to Denver and you better believe I will be there.
  • Fort Lauderdale is a retirement location, right? So, do they keep their airport cold as ICE because the retired folks go home to too hot of house and they want it to be different?  I had to spend four hours in that airport today, and it was frigid.

 

TWEETS OF THE WEEK:

 

 

 

Kevin was my fraternity brother as a side note…

 

THE BEST WORKOUT SONG EVER FOR THIS WEEK:

No change in the rankings, but I went up to top FIVE this week.

 

 

 

 

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

Steve McCroskey: Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue.

Rumack: The life of everyone on board depends upon just one thing: finding someone back there who can not only fly this plane, but who didn’t have fish for dinner.

Captain Oveur: What is it, Doctor? What’s going on?

Rumack: I’m not sure. I haven’t seen anything like this since the Anita Bryant concert.

Captain Oveur: Joey, have you ever been in a… in a Turkish prison?

Roger Murdock: Flight 2-0-9’er, you are cleared for take-off.

Captain Oveur: Roger!

Roger Murdock: Huh?

Tower voice: L.A. departure frequency, 123 point 9’er.

Captain Oveur: Roger!

Roger Murdock: Huh?

Victor Basta: Request vector, over.

Captain Oveur: What?

Tower voice: Flight 2-0-9’er cleared for vector 324.

Roger Murdock: We have clearance, Clarence.

Captain Oveur: Roger, Roger. What’s our vector, Victor?

Tower voice: Tower’s radio clearance, over!

Captain Oveur: That’s Clarence Oveur. Over.

Tower voice: Over.

Captain Oveur: Roger.

Roger Murdock: Huh?

Tower voice: Roger, over!

Roger Murdock: What?

Captain Oveur: Huh?

Victor Basta: Who?

LINKS TO SAVE YOU TIME IN LIFE:

https://deadspin.com/espn-doesnt-appear-to-know-what-happened-during-the-civ-1831520133
https://deadspin.com/dirk-nowitzki-couldnt-get-the-two-measly-points-the-cel-1831515529
https://deadspin.com/i-mean-he-does-carry-the-ball-1831527105
https://deadspin.com/90-year-old-cyclist-stripped-of-world-record-after-fail-1831555605
https://deadspin.com/the-chargers-smothered-the-ravens-with-an-insane-game-1831548602
https://deadspin.com/ufc-fighter-polyana-viana-whooped-the-ass-of-a-man-who-1831551842
https://deadspin.com/steve-smith-who-showboated-while-losing-chides-deshau-1831546046
https://theconcourse.deadspin.com/warmths-ranked-1831583788
https://deadspin.com/dan-evans-might-already-have-the-shot-of-the-year-1831646338
https://deadspin.com/i-regret-to-inform-you-that-stephen-a-smith-is-in-a-fe-1831636223

 

BY THE NUMBERS:

362

201

1

1187

50

1:21

 

THIS WEEK’S LIST:

With Andy Murray mentioned, here is my list of favorite tennis players off the top of my head.  Mats was the MAN.  He retired and played in a rock band.

Mats Wilander-most people forget he won three of the four Slams in 1988

John McEnroe-there is nothing to say as he talked shit on the court and had the game to back it up

Andre Agassi-changed the game as the pretty boy with skills, and then reinvented himself as even BETTER than that guy

Steffi Graf-patterned my entire tennis game on her game

Rafael Nadal-when you control a Slam and surface and still win on other surfaces as bonuses, you are the man

Boris Becker-broke the mold of how to win a Slam

Chris Evert-consistency, rivalry with Martina, and all surfaces

Pat Cash-Australian…so he is cool, and has a Slam

Lleyton Hewitt-Australian…so he is cool, and he has TWO Slams

Jimmy Connors- the All-American guy with an old man run at a Slam for the ages

THE RIDDLE:

Last week’s answer (no winners)

21 (Star Wars-5, Diehard-1, Bourne-3, Indiana Jones-1, Lethal Weapon-2, Rocky-2,4, Nightmare on Elm Street-3)

Empire Strikes Back rules, Ultimatum had all of the best elements of Bourne before it went south, Raiders won’t be touched, Lethal Weapon was best against the South Africans, Rocky 2 is the best quality, Rocky IV stopped the Cold War, and Nightmare #3 had Dokken as its theme song.

No riddle this week.

CLOSING:

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.

PICS:

You have to love being somewhere where you can golf with frozen ponds:

You have to love when this is the view from a cheap CITY course:

Telling you.  I have to figure out how to make a fortune off this freaking cat:

I have worked with this person for years.  How did I just notice this clever wit as her screen saver?

Snuck in 30 minutes post work in hotel room and pre-dinner to snag this pic:

And somehow this has morphed into my favorite pose wherever I go:

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

THROW IT BACK

 

kanter skips trip Turkish pres
steelers expect to restructure ben’s contract
cfp says don’t expect field to expand
allen hurns injury cowboys
kerr says warriors haven’t reached potential yet
britton yanks 3/39
warriors Kings do record 41 3’s.
belnelli-irving
wayne rooney arrested in va for public intoxication
ty hilton retires clown mask after beating texans
zion rates 360 as a 6 or 7
iniesta blacface tweets
rose apologizes for kill yourself remarks
schiano fired again osu
ex-zona asst book richardson reaches plea
parkey’s fg now a block
brewers giants discuss bumgarner trade
bucs interview bruce arians
gruden has final say in personnel
Clyde Frazier defends kd criticism
durant knicks rumors
humboldt driver pleads guilty
wiggins gay remark
brad childress quiets aaf job
justin fields fighting for eligibility
nfl says reid not targeted pee testss
ohio state qb exploring transfer
jets hire adam gase
dozier agrees to deal with nats
jets looking at williams dc

Bucs-hire arians

Cali player dies

haskins to enter draft
warrant issued for ronaldo’s dna

 

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