Love Hurts (You).

By The Fillerbuster

The Cast 012619

comeback-pats

you have to TAKE it from brady-greats do this

SETTING:

Greetings and salutations, folks.  It has been a while.  It has actually been the longest I have not written unless I am on vacation.  Two weeks.  Lots to cover.  Don’t worry.  I got rid of some of the older stuff you no longer care about.  I did still include older stuff that I care about.  Wife is out of town.  So, my chosen day is watching about 10 hours of basketball on my couch.  Ten.  Yes.  So, although there is no rush, and although this will be written all in one sitting with very limited editing (sorry, no intern), we should probably get to it.  I feel the need…the need for speed.

Let’s turn and burn.

EVERGREEN (topics that don’t fade away):

FOOTBALL:

The divisional round is the best weekend of football, no matter whether both championship games went to overtime or not.  It is two days.  It is six plus hours per day.  It is the last chance for the underdogs.  I don’t care if they are blowouts or not.  Four games in two days of must win football is the best.  Did I enjoy the AFC/NFC Championship Sunday?  Yes.  Did I Love the OT’s?  Yes.  But do I think there is a debate on the best weekend of football?  No.  Think of it this way.  My favorite sporting event of the year is March Madness.  Hands down.  But, when asked of my favorite DAY of the year?  Not even close.  It is NOT the Monday championship game.  Final Four Saturday or The Masters Sunday, which ironically both hit in April.  When talking about days I wish I had a bedpan, it is definitely two weeks ago for football.

PAYTON:

I don’t care about the missed ref call.  I don’t care about the loss.  If I am a GM looking for a coach, I am trying to find the next Sean Payton and Sean McVay.  Why?  Because they combine game tactics that are tested and true, but aren’t afraid to change Cousin Mo.  They will do an onside kick.  They will throw it on fourth down.  They will run the Wildcat with a backup RB in the backfield.  They will change the pace of the game without thinking about it.  My guy, Tomlin, tries to do the same thing.  But, he is not as successful.  If I a GM looking for a leader, I want someone who isn’t scared of changing the tide, but will be smart about it.  Payton is the loser this year, but I am taking him as my coach ANY day of the year.

TORCHES:

It is so interesting in watching the torch get passed.  We had the biggest differential in ages for QB’s a couple of times in these playoffs.  In one, the younger won.  In the other, the older won.  It is magical to watch.  One person knows all of the tricks but can’t deliver physically.  One person has all of the gifts, but doesn’t have the experience.  Drew Brees gave way to Goff, Brady took Mahomes jugular and stapled it to an Uggs shoe.  I love it.  When we talk about John Elway, we can say anything we want.  But, he didn’t care about passing the torch, he didn’t care about playing for other teams, and he just won his last game…and dropped the damn microphone.  Doing that is harder than it looks.  How do you tell yourself you can’t do it again?  How do you accept that the younger guy now gives your team a better shot?  I am jealous of all of the people who have been HOF’ers and achieved what they did.  But, I also know that I would have played until I was limping off the field, so kind of glad I wasn’t that good.  Goff now has his shot and will most likely fail.  Mahomes will have more shots.  But, DAMN, it was fun to watch.

SHOWS:

I can’t keep up.  Can you?  Of course you can’t.  You go to work and hear at the water cooler about this must watch show on this service that you might have just heard about.  Everyone swears by the show.  But, then, you realize that you are already addicted to three shows and have to watch two other shows with your wife, husband, or partner.  Then, you realize that your two favorite shows start the next season in one month.  Then, your brain explodes.  There are too many shows.  There are too many services.  You know what sucks?  Half of all of these shows on random services are GOOD.  So, try not to think about what you are missing.  We are ALL missing stuff.  No one has that kind of time, and if they do, I wonder other things about them.  I actually think that everyone knows that their show isn’t the best, but because they know they are missing other shows because of time, they say that THEIR show is the best at the water cooler.  That gives them leverage in conversations.  “That show sounds great, but you know what show you HAVE to check out?  Mine.”

RELATIONSHIPS:

Big Ben is nearing the end of his career.  AB is in his prime.  I don’t care who is right.  I don’t care who is wrong.  Just fix it.  Ben, so you want to wonder in your 40’s while you are trying to rape chicks at college bars again what could have been if you would have been nicer to Bell or Brown?  No.  You don’t.  The window is not only closing, but it is almost where a cold air sneaks in barely, but you still need to plug a sheet in there to stop the cold air.  Get over it.  Get over yourself.  JuJu is not the answer on his own.  And you shouldn’t expect him to be.  We don’t know.  We will never know.  We can’t see inside your conversations.  We aren’t in the locker room.  But, we know that there is a problem.  You are both millionaires.  AB likes catching balls from you, even if no one likes you in general.  Be nice.  This is like when George tells Jerry that Gary never had cancer.  But, he has a parking spot, so he says… “YOU BE NICE.”  You still have the parking spot, Ben.  YOU BE NICE.

MLB HOF:

Do you realize what just happened?  Listen, I love Mariano Rivera as much as the next guy, but there have been NO unanimous selections…ever.  Ruth, Mantle, Gehrig, Mays…not unanimous.  And THIS is the guy we grant the 100% to?  My problem is this.  I am fully supportive of granting 100% to someone.  And, I am fully supportive of Mariano Rivera getting in the HOF on his first try.  But, SOMEONE say no.  So, you are telling me that 100% of you agree that someone who pitches one inning a night is good to go, but not all of you are good with voting OUT Clemens and Bonds, who were HOF’ers before they cheated?  You are telling me that the same voters who gave Rivera 100% also took TEN years to decide that another specialized position player, Edgar Martinez, just got in on his 10^th try?  Get it together.  Congrats, Mariano.  You were a HOF player and the best closer of all time.  But, I am just mad that Martinez just got in on his last try, and Rivera got 100% on his FIRST try.  Be aloof.  Be traditional.  But, for God’s sake, be CONSISTENT.  Ugghhh.

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

NFL:

• Rams-Saints: I get it. The refs DID screw over the Saints, and now Saints fans and players are treating this like a UCF National Title.  But, it wasn’t like that was the last play.  It isn’t like it was the only play.  The Saints were up 13-0 and owning the game, but settled for two field goals initially.  Then, they stagnated.  You can’t stagnate against one of the most dangerous offenses in the land.  You can’t bank on the refs making the right call.  Oh, AND the Saints got the ball first in OT, so quit the crying.  I lost some cash, and the game should have gone the other way.  But, the breathing space was provided, and the door wasn’t shut.
• One other thing on that PI no call. I wasn’t mad the refs missed the PI call.  I was mad the refs missed the PI call AND the helmet to helmet.  TWO obvious focuses, and they whiffed.  What I have noticed most this year in the NFL is that we know the focus of the refs is player safety, yet some of the biggest plays of the year WERE helmet to helmet calls.
• I hope the refs at least still got charged for a night’s stay when they changed hotels last minute after the bad call. Everyone else does when it is within 24 hours of staying.
• Chiefs-Pats: You saw future genius against present genius. But, that isn’t what I loved most about the game.  What I loved most was that Tom Brady basically said on the last three drives “you can beat me and play a great game, but I won’t give it to you, and you literally have to TAKE it from me.”  Mahomes did everything in his power.  But, you CAN’T give Tom the ball with time left, ok?  And, you can’t line up in the neutral zone either and give him TWO third downs.
• One of the most entertaining camera angle plays of the year was that Edelman touch/no touch punt return. It was perplexing to say the least.  I didn’t have a drop of alcohol while watching the replays, and I was still in awe.
• Watching Tom Brady cuss seems made up and constructed to me. It is like a guy with no street cred but enough Super Bowl rings to fill a hand saying “I think I will CUSS in my post-game interview.    I am crazy cool guy who will break the rules.”
• NFL OT rules stink. You know it.  I know it.  We need some change.  Just do the college rules.  They rock.
• In the buildup to the Pats-Chiefs game, a lot was made of the cold temperatures. If anything, wouldn’t that have favored the Pats anyway?  Did Boston suddenly get warm?
• In the Super Bowl, we could have had the best stat and well liked QB against the best QB arguably of all time. That would have been fun.  Instead, we get Jared Goff and a cornerback who told us “that is still under review and I can’t talk about it” when asked if he shot himself in the leg.
• Los Angeles fans can’t even drag themselves to their OWN home games, let alone travel across the country to watch a team they just learned to adopt. We literally yearned for a team to relocate to L.A., but forgot that IF they won, no one would leave their couch.
• The Chiefs fired their DC after the loss to the Pats. WHY?  Doesn’t the “we made the GOAT convert THREE consecutive long third downs” come into play?  Lots of people have looked stupid lining up across from Uggs Man.
• We just had a bunch of firings and then hirings in the NFL. Anyone else feel like the Rooney rule of interviewing at least one minority candidate for your positions just kind of faded away?  I don’t think the Cardinals could even manufacture hours where they might have interviewed anyone but Kingsbury.
• Larry Fitzgerald will return next year to the NFL. I really need him back.  My subpar fantasy team really wouldn’t know what to do without him on my team.  I will enter two leagues, and somehow end up with him on BOTH teams.
• I can think of a lot of things to do within days of missing a kick that would have sent your team to the divisional round, but getting your 15 minutes then probably isn’t the most optimal looking item from others’ point of view. Cody Parkey, the Bears PK, probably should not have jumped on a morning show before the paint dried to talk about his missed kick.  Andy Warhol probably would have advised against that also.
• At least it was a good thing that no fan made the contest they held, replicating the conditions and distance of the FG attempt. That I suppose is a positive.
• Remember when Patrick McCaw was the hidden gem on the Warriors championship teams? Did YOU know where he landed?  He is on the Raptors now?  After a stop in Cleveland?  When did all of this happen?  I didn’t know that and betting most others didn’t either.  I bet you even Cleveland fans didn’t know he made the stop.
• Jerry Rice says that Antonio Brown wants to play for the 49ers. Of course he does.  Actually, Antonio Brown probably wants to play anywhere else as he is definitively in grass is greener mode.  I am not sure why you would want to leave a future HOF in the last two quality years of his career who throws to you all the time and the rest of your team is pretty good too.
• When looking for more examples of why Eagles fans ARE Eagles fans, you had to look no further than after their playoff loss. The headline read “Eagles fan assaults girlfriend and puts dog in microwave after loss.”
• If I am the Eagles, I am sticking with Wentz too. You have seen nothing to dissuade you that your high pick of him was wrong, and given the amount of mistakes made in finding a QB high in the draft, you count your blessings and roll with him.
• The Eagles also covered their bases by giving Nick Foles the $1 mil bonus incentive he just missed out in number of snaps. Classy, smart, and hoping to keep both of them somehow.
• When thinking about how much exposure I sometimes want my blog to have someday, I just root for the equivalent of the coverage that Adam Gase’s eyes got during his welcome presser. Seriously, that was weird.
• I think I was just wondering the other day where Paxton Lynch ended up. You too?  The Seahawks just picked him up.  What an odd career that dude is having.  And the Seahawks must be smarter than all of us.  Because I am not seeing the sense in THAT.  He couldn’t be #1 in Denver where there was no QB.
• I am still confused as to whether Brian Orakpo actually has a cupcake shop.
• Hey, Broncos fans. In case you were wondering if A) you were sticking with Case Keenum or B) in the market for Joe Flacco or Nick Foles, you didn’t send your OC to the Senior Bowl.  So…yeah.  I assume you aren’t drafting anyone unless you believe that not talking to them is advantageous.
• I can’t speak for your wallet, but I know I personally would pay MAD money to watch Max Kellerman destroy Stephen A. Smith in the ring. I feel like Stephen A. Smith needs a good punch in the mouth after listening to his NFL previews.  As the OK Tatt guy says in those irritating new OK commercials, stay in your lane, bro.
• Prop bets have been around for years of course. But, with sports betting legalized in many states, I already see a lot more media coverage on them.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL:

• Go to a big time school with a hole at QB. Go follow your old QB coach.  Go to a school on the up and up.  Or, go to a school LOADED with weapons on offense whose QB has won the Heisman Trophy the last two years.    Tough one.  I was rooting for this to happen.  Jalen Hurts fits like a glove at OU.  Did I voice that it was a guarantee in my household?  No.  It made too much sense, I was worried about being wrong, and I didn’t want to elevate my wife’s hopes.  But, it DID happen.  And, coming from a guy who has been to Norman, I understand both the Heisman argument, AND the feel of the town.  Norman is pretty special and just oozes football.  Plus, Jalen probably wants a statue on the coolest drag in college football.  Their defense still needs worked out, but they already made the playoff with no defense, and their offense will be scary once again.
• (during my very light editing, she just placed a $20 bet (she is in Vegas) on Jalen to win the Heisman-good for her)
• Almost simultaneous to Hurts committing to OU, the school’s up and comer, Austin Kendall, got the hell out of Dodge. It was like so little amount of hours that I don’t even know how they got the signatures through so fast.
• I am still confused as to whether Trump thought Clemson wanted those burgers or actually thought they would buy that it was because the government was shut down.
• Steve Sarkisian gets fired and hired faster than Wikipedia can even update his profile. He is now OC with the Tide.  Safe place to be for another firing and hiring next year.  Can’t wait.  I am thinking he gets fired and then picked up by Ohio State.  Nostradamus Fillerbuster.
• For the 10^th time, I love Kyler Murray. He was special at OU.  He was fun to watch on the field.  But, I am going to play baseball if I am him.  Or, I would have stayed in college for another year.  But, don’t go the NFL.  He is too short, and I am not seeing the translation like others are.  I especially wouldn’t take him in the first round.  And Broncos fans who want him truly let me know their desperation at the QB position.
• One of the most irritating things I find in life is when someone is not AWARE. Be a dick.  Be cocky.  Be selfish.  But, at least own up to it.  Does Trump really think that because all college kids like McDonald’s, that makes him serving fast food at Clemson’s visit OK?
• I like that Michael Strahan invited them to have lobster with him.
• I mentioned UCF earlier. Make jokes, as I do, all you want.  They VERY quietly got Notre Dame transfer Brandon Wimbush as their new QB.  Fake championship or not, that is not a bad pickup.
• Harbaugh is crazy. We get it.  But, offering a seventh grader a scholarship is just really over the top.  I think on the weekends he does lots of mushrooms (can you imagine being on mushrooms and trying to focus on game film?).
• Miami just picked up Martell, and although we haven’t seen him play yet, I assume any Ohio State reject is not a bad player. It is kind of like when someone decides to leave the Kentucky basketball program.
• I thought when Urban Meyer was retiring, he was really retiring. I get still wanting to be involved in football, but can you imagine going from making $7 mil to $100k in one year?

COLLEGE BASKETBALL:

• This is the 11^th straight year that Iowa State has had a player from Canada on its roster.
• Only certain types of people notice when IU hits a meaningless three at the end of a loss, or Hunter makes a meaningless two at the end of the Duke game…to beat the spread.
• Scottie Pippen’s kid just committed to Vandy in case you are tracking where the family of HOF players go.
• I was proud when UVA team beat a very, very good FSU team by a lot. Then, after beating Miami, FSU lost to Duke, Pittsburgh, and Boston College in succession.  THAT is a perfectly consistent sliding scale, folks.  Not sure which loss was the worst of them.
• I knew UVA was doomed when Duke lost to Syracuse earlier in the week. You never WISH to go to Cameron Indoor, but ALWAYS hope they are on a winning streak when you DO play them.
• But UVA losing to them without Tre Jones was NOT a good sign for games to come, as they will probably see them TWICE more, and those will both be with him most likely. Duke just doesn’t operate the same without Tre Jones.  They have All Americans everywhere, but only one basketball.  Someone has to get it to them.
• I don’t pretend to understand network rights and everything, but HOW did ESPN actually allow #4 Virginia and #9 Virginia Tech play and NOT be on main TV?
• By the way, and I should have put way more money on it even though hindsight is 20/20, but the Cuse got SEVENTEEN points on the road against Duke. That is just too much for a perennially good team against anyone on the road.  That was also, interestingly enough, the first home loss by Duke to an unranked team, although we all know that unranked idea with Cuse had an asterisk.
• Jim Boeheim had lunch with a booster that day, who promised to donate $175k if Boeheim beat Duke. Donation received.
• UNC got PUMMELED by Louisville at home, then SMOKED a good Virginia Tech at home tonight. I can’t figure that team out, and not many people can.
• I know that Texas Tech hoops hasn’t been good for too many years, but I didn’t realize how long it had been since they beat an also subpar Texas hoops team at their crib.
• The Wooden 25 was released, but does anyone else really think that Zion Williamson won’t get it? Keep the list updated, but I think the case is closed.
• How everything weeds itself out…two unbeaten teams (Michigan/Virginia) on the road against good foes, and BOTH go down in the same day.  No records in jeopardy again THIS year heading into March.
• Nevada almost went down to Boise State, but I always say this. Road conference games do NOT need to be pretty.  They just need to get accomplished.
• Case in point. UK let Auburn come back on them.  But, they got it done.  On the road.  Not easy, and a W is a W.
• You want to know what a football school is? It is OU.  I watched the KSU-OU game, and that place was dead even before they got behind.  They obviously think about football during basketball season too.
• So, Kevin Ollie lost more at UCONN AND cheated? That isn’t good.
• West Virginia hadn’t won a conference game all year. And then they knock off KU.  Going to be a fun March.
• West Virginia literally has a hard time each and every time down the court doing the ultimate basic of basketball. They can’t put the ball in the basket.
• The #5 recruit is going to Washington and will shun the blue bloods. I don’t know why I get so excited to someone to NOT go to KU, UK, or Duke.
• When you watch Iowa State and their renaissance, remember their best player is UVA’s 6^th man two years ago.   I have a feeling the committee will try their hardest to match those teams up in the Sweet Sixteen.
• You need to know NOW the non-major conference heavyweights for your bracket.  Don’t pick recklessly.  Buffalo is ranked and getting pub, but I watched their loss against NIU.  They have legitimate flaws overall.  You want a non-major that will make another run?  Look no further than Nevada.  No matter where they are in the rankings at the end of the year, know they are legit.
• Auburn is good. I love the South Carolina loss because the point spread tapers back for the next few games.
• Do you ever see a score go by on ESPN’s bottom line, freak out for a second, and then realize that it was a women’s score?
• UVA just smoked Notre Dame. I will take a close loss at Cameron as their only loss for quite a while.  We are taking this thing this year.
• Calipari is doing what he does every single year, love him or hate him (I hate him). He takes a fresh batch of youngsters, loses some games early to make you wonder, and then has them hitting stride by March 1.  This year is a perfect example of that, and although KU was missing their big guy, they will pounded them legitimately.
• I like to take the over/under when I can’t decide on which side to go with in a game I am watching. Indifferent action I call it.
• Remember this. Wherever Marquette ends up in the bracket, they shoot free throws really well.  They came back on Xavier today, and are SO HARD to come back on because they don’t miss at the charity stripe.  That is important, people.  Coaches, free throws, experience, guard play, road wins.
• The NC State over Clemson will give Clemson fans and players nightmares for months.
• Tennessee is a pretty good basketball team, I have decided, although I think they will bite it by some 8 seed who barely snuck in (Syracuse).
• I can’t figure out Maryland and I have watched them play about five times. They lost to Illinois today, and are truly an enigma wrapped in a puzzle.

MY UVA Duke SPEED NOTES

• This was a split poll, #1 vs #1 game.
• Second chance points in the beginning of the game killed UVA.
• Duke was up NINE to two in offensive rebounds at the half.
• When you watch UVA play, know that it doesn’t matter whether they are ahead or behind. IF the other team is on pace for 55 points or so, they probably will lose.  Duke was WAY on pace early, and then came back to the pace, and guess what?  UVA made it close again.
• The Zion dunk when getting hit on the arm HARD was better and harder than it looked in slow motion. That dunk was vicious.
• The late run at the end of the first half by Duke did not end the half well.
• Duke had the highest halftime score of any team vs. UVA this season.
• Ty Jerome had a horrible first half, and the rematch in C-ville will be different and he won’t be off two games against them in a row.
• DeAndre Hunter looked very NBA-ish ALL GAME.
• I don’t think UVA’s halftime plan was for Diakite to take the first THREE shots in the second half.
• Neither team led by more than one for a LOT of the second half. Fun stuff.
• With 8 minutes left, both team only had two pointers a piece.
• With 8 minutes left, neither team was shooting above 61% from the stripe.
• The drives by Barrett and Williamson killed UVA all game, and were odd. UVA doesn’t allow drives like that against other teams.  That shows the talent of Duke’s players.  They broke our system.
• Zion’s two handed block was amazing. Bill Russell would have caught it or tipped it to himself though.
• Kyle Guy missed a wide open three at a time they HAD to get a bucket, and that made the deficit too much for the remainder of the game.
• I signed off from notes due to stress. Thanks, Mr. Hunter, for beating the spread for me.

NBA:

• James Harden has scored 30 ore more points in more than TWENTY straight games.
• Harden had a line of 43-10-12 in that run.
• James Harden is still not a starter as voted by the fans for the All Star Game. That is scary.
• (upon light editing, he made it, but still bothersome he made it in at the very end)
• Somehow, during this streak, he also shot 1-17 from three point range, tying a Kobe Bryant record for futility.
• The Rockets are ALREADY a one man show, so losing Capela to injury makes them MORE of a one man show? Also scary.
• But, at least they are getting rid of Melo. That is a positive.  Think about the state of Melo in the locker room.  The Rockets NEED any scorer from anywhere, but they will trade Melo away for nothing just to get rid of him.
• So, Blake Griffin had 44 against his old team (Clippers) and he should try that hard every game. Just saying.  Just pretend everyone is the Clippers.
• The Bulls are in such disarray that they offered their interim coach an extension DURING a losing streak.
• San Antonio has great fans as we know. The return cheers they gave Tony Parker furthered that stereotype.
• Amazing how no one has stepped up from the youngster clan on the Lakers, even though LeBron never gets injured, he is injured, and this is their CHANCE.
• I am not sure I understand what is going on with Dennis Smith and the Mavs. It is like the very, very poor man’s version of Kawhi Leonard.
• But, at least he will be in the dunk contest.
• The Nuggets wanted to lead off SportsCenter after their game with the Warriors last week. They did.  Mission successful, although not under the terms they envisioned.  Should we be impressed that they at least scored 38 in the first quarter while the Warriors were scoring 51?
• I find it kind of mind-blowing that ex-CU Buff, Spencer Dinwiddie, had a career average of 10 points, is averaging 17 this season, and 20 in his last 5 games.  We are so used to them being at the bottom of the standings, that I bet you didn’t know that not only are they in the playoffs presently, but also a SIX seed.
• So, Kyrie Irving had a revelation is just NOW apologizing for the whole LeBron thing? That is insane.  Too late, man.  If you need a special moment years later to remind you that you blew up playing with the greatest player possibly of all time, then you really do think the earth is flat.
• Not sure if fans interacting with refs on social media is such a good idea. They must pay the filtering person a boatload.
• When thinking about expanding sports, I still can’t believe they allowed London to witness the Wizards vs. the Knicks. That is just wrong.
• I think Michael Beasley is improving. If putting the wrong shorts on before coming into the game is the worst thing he did this week, then that is a graph that is up as you head right.
• DeMarcus Cousins now playing makes me and all other NBA fans outside of the Bay area kind of sad. The fact that he can hit it from three too really depresses me.  I am thinking of Evil Empire Star Wars references, but I can’t pin it to one.
• Kenneth Faried is a hell of a tweener, and has made a career out of being too small for his position. The Rockets need to get Harden help, and not sure Kenneth is the answer.  The people they let go in the offseason made me think their GM really doesn’t know what is going on.
• Anthony Davis can say he wants to stay in New Orleans, and being that it is my third favorite city in the U.S., I get it. But, they consistently underachieve, and I don’t want one of the best talents of our generation to go to waste.  Get him on the Lakers and let’s make this fun.
• I personally think the above will not happen. I DO think Marc Gasol could happen to the Lakers though, and the numbers support that possibility.
• I think Carmelo Anthony should start kneeling for national anthems. That at least would give us context as to why not ONE team in the NBA wants him on their team.  Or, he could try just being a nice guy.  What a waste of such a talented scorer not on his last legs.
• I don’t think anyone really understands the NBA All Star Game voting process, but at least, whatever process it is , James Harden is now in the starting lineup. I think I would have questioned everything we believe as real, including death and taxes, if he wasn’t in that lineup.
• I like what the Lakers said when prepping to play the Rockets. “Anything under 50 is fine.”
• Well, unless you were Wilt Chamberlain. Then, that is boring and just a day to day occurrence.
• Wilt averaged 40 points a game for…515 straight games.
• Luka Doncic got his first triple double. Luka Doncic is my favorite NBA player for the tenth time.
• Did we ever think that Klay Thompson would NOT have a game where he hit his first TEN three’s?
• Rajon Rondo was busted for tax fraud. I have a feeling that it hurts him a LITTLE more than it hurts Mr. Ronaldo.
• I was talking about how much of a loss it was for all NBA fans to lose Victor Oladipo for the season. Then, I realized I was talking to a Boston fan.  God Bless you, Greg.
• You can love LeBron. You can hate LeBron.  But, like Notre Dame being good at football, the villains are still missed when they aren’t good or not playing.
• About ten hooks of this blog were written during the week. I JUST mention Spencer Dinwiddie, and by the time I finish this, he needs thumb surgery.
• Sure, I am the younger brother who wants to break all of my brother’s records, so just like I loved Eli winning two Super Bowls before his brother, I also will be laying money on Seth Curry against Steph Curry in the three point contest.
• The NFL has all of these weird events going on pre-Pro Bowl, like Dodgeball (loved Andrew Luck ruling shit the other day by the way). But, I am not interested.  But, I DO love the NBA skills stuff.  Skills, three point competition, dunk contest, etc.  I actually just like watching the dunk contest with people so I can be that guy who talks about how things will never get better ever than Dominique vs. MJ.  Very irritating, I am sure, but it is what it is.
• Actually, kind of sad that the NBA skills crap wasn’t this weekend when my wife was away.

MLB:

• Because I had a conversation with my wife about this, I just want everyone to know, that IF Kyler Murray picks baseball, he just doesn’t magically get in the opening day lineup. It is a little more complicated than that, but he still gets paid.  But, he will start in the minors like everyone else.  Watch The Rookie.  That will explain it.
• I just heard that the Padres might have a shot at Manny Machado. That changes my opinion of Manny.  He might be a jerk, but at least recognizes that the greatest city in the U.S. IS San Diego.
• I think that Phillies fans and Bryce Harper are a perfect marriage. I won’t go into why, but it is perfect.  And then, I have to like him again after hating him for the last two years.
• I wonder about some stuff, and I don’t wonder about other stuff. I just simply would like to sit down with the FSU Twitter person, and ask HOW?????
• Mike Mussina wasn’t flashy, didn’t win it all, and lacked in Cy Young’s, MVP’s, and wins. But, he was ridiculously consistent.  Well deserved.
• Roy Halladay had flashes of brilliance that just couldn’t be ignored.
• Rivera and Martinez were covered above.

NHL:

• I had on my list to comment on the ridiculous Jets power play percentage of 30%. But, it has been two weeks.  They are down to 25%.  So…Tampa BAY has a ridiculous almost 30% on power plays.  That is insane.  I didn’t sell it, did I?
• Anyone else notice that the Golden Knights are looking like last year’s Golden Knights again? Just mentioning it.
• I know I miss football when I put $20 on a late NHL game.

MISCELLANEOUS:

• I admit to not knowing (thank you, Jay Buckner) that Danielle Collins, the Cinderella of the Aussie Open on the women’s side, played at UVA.
• Glad someone from the USA is doing anything, actually. Nice run by Mr. Tiafoe.  He won’t go away.  I see him getting in the semi’s at Wimbledon or the US Open.  Beating Kevin Anderson is not easy by any means.
• (I just had a flashback of Matrix)
• A man lost money on a betting contest because his WIFI wouldn’t connect. I had that experience.  I rooted for Mahomes and KC just because the ONLY bet I was going big on the entire last weekend was the Pats, and the site went down…so I wanted to lose on a non-bet, rather than win on a failed bet.
• I find it funny that the local sports station is saying 103.5 The Fan…”gio.” I like word plays.  Well done.
• The WVU-Tennessee game is about done. I hate network crap.  Dick Vitale should be doing the UK-KU game.
• So, Tiger Woods made the cut, but isn’t threatening. I actually don’t care about ANYTHING Tiger does until The Masters, because his imprint has been good enough thus far to make him dangerous at the greatest place on earth.
• Well, as I learned last year, the greatest place on Earth surrounded by the sketchiest town I have ever seen. In Augusta, on the other side of Amen Corner is a pawn shop.
• Bull riding is scary stuff. We know this.  Did you read about that young bull rider who died at the hospital due to internal injuries?  My wife was at that event.  She said the news hit her harder, because the guy almost walked off on his own, making it even more eerie.
• I feel like Bob Costas and NBC have been separating for a while.
• Do you know who Megan Walker is? Well, she is a girl who can talk crap to any dinner crowd or social gathering for the rest of her life.  She outscored Tulane basketball…the team…by herself in the first half of their game.  She plays for UCONN.
• Just be glad I don’t have a stat like that. I would make a T-Shirt and lead every conversation with it.
• Phil Mickelson shot a 60. He is getting older, but if there is a guy who can shoot a 57 or 58, he is still that guy.    I hate that guy for no reason whatsoever.
• I feel like Caroline Wozniacki either loses in the first round, loses to an old school veteran, or wins the tourney.
• I feel like no one, including me, wants to see Pacquiao take on Money again. If you disagree, you should start a blog and write about it.
• Roger Federer isn’t depressed about losing at the Aussie Open. He is just glad that his older legs have the slower surface French Open next on the docket.
• I just realized that Djokovic-Nadal is tonight at like 3am.  Dammit.  Yes, I am staying up to watch it, and you should too.
• I wouldn’t be so mad, but I stayed up last night to watch the Osaka victory. I should have done one or the other in hindsight.
• Nadal and Djokovic lost a total of 10 games in the SEMI-FINALS. That is insane.
• I would record it, but I hate watching sporting events late. My brain just doesn’t handle it.  I despise people who wait 30 minutes into an NFL game so they can skip the commercials.
• So, Serena Williams knocks out Halep and then blows a 5-1 lead to get knocked out of the Aussie? That sounds like a movie that someone made up.  She only has about two more years in her.  When she gets near the finals, she needs to pound that.
• I have read about Tony Romo’s genius. I have read about Romo’s “luck.”  I have read about Romo’s pay upgrade next year.  Listen, write if off all you want.  I was listening fully.  He NAILED every play, and has done similar things before.  He might be a goof, but it has been a while since we had football genius telling us what is up.  Think about it.  We, at one point, thought it was a good idea that Dennis Miller would be a good NFL announcer.  Let’s enjoy it.
• Good run, bro, but it will take a while before I can spell “Tsitsipas.”
• (I won’t tell you how many times I glanced at the Wikipedia page to make sure it was right)
• I think Landon Donovan missed his calling. He should have been a boxer.  That way, when he retires like 15 times, it just is normal.

THIS AND THAT (pop culture, Fillerbuster thoughts):

• So, the most depressing event happened to me today. I have said in this blog many times that the burger at Old Major in Denver Highlands is the best burger in Colorado.  The Double Double.  Whenever Lindsey goes out of town, I plan my Saturday lunch at Old Major.  I went today.  The burger is OFF THE MENU.    The only reason I am so motivated to write this blog is because as SOON as I am done, I am pinging Old Major about this BS.  I didn’t even eat.  I just walked out.  So, if you are keeping score, my favorite two burgers over the years in CO are at places that A) closed after my announcement (Justice Snow in Aspen) or B) took it off their menu (Old Major).  Ugghhh.
• I have hit that pool shot (just about) that Matthew McConaughey hits in that stupid Lincoln commercial. It was in Leadville at Joe Cocker’s bar.  I dropped the pool stick like a microphone, closed out my tab, and left.  2002, I believe.
• I went to Linger (in the Highlands) for brunch, and then noticed most things had one single ingredient that I didn’t like except for the sliders. They were FANTASTIC.  Not only did I not regret the non-brunch choice, but I will be going back and NOT reading the menu and getting the sliders.
• I miss Uptown Denver, but the Ice Cream at Sweet Cow and Little Man in the Highlands is pretty ridiculous. Good ridiculous.
• I am married and my wife loves me. But, after many years, I am actually surprised when she genuinely laughs at something I say or write.  Apparently, and I would never have guessed this, my summary of the OU-Bama game from a couple weeks ago was HILARIOUS.  Never saw that coming.
• Some follow up movies shouldn’t be made. In some cases, they should.  I am very excited about Coming To America 2 and am thankful they gave the movie a long time for people to forget or digest.  What I AM worried about is this.  Eddie Murphy was funny any time he talked from the years 1983 to 1994.  My cutoff is Delirious until Beverly Hills Cop III.  Anyway, the movie SHOULD be made again, but who will accept him?  Can he regain the funny zone?
• Let’s talk about YOU. Not you, the person.  You the show.  I would say it is above watchable and Dexter-like in a relationship, but there is more.  I have NEVER seen my smart wife stumped going into the final two episodes.  She figures everything out.  She knew Usual Suspects in five minutes.  She had 6^th Sense nailed in 10 minutes.  She is frustrating because she is so smart.  She had NO CLUE how You would end.  Neither did I, but I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer.  Anyway, watch You.  You will rethink posting anything on social media EVER AGAIN.  And, you will enjoy it because my wife didn’t know the ending.  Maybe you won’t.
• (do you guys know what I mean by a “compromise” show? It is a show that is below ALL of your shows, but it is the top of the heap when your wife has the remote.  For example, The Voice would be #1.  I would never watch that show PROACTIVELY, but it is better than Dateline and 20/20.).
• I feel like Key & Peele skits are funny for an average of 17 minutes and then I am done.
• Speaking of averages, during writing, I exceeded my average sneeze count. I only sneeze about once every three weeks.  But, when I do, I need to go to another room, get Kleenex or paper towels, and just get out of Dodge.  I just sneezed 23 times.  LOUD ones.  Ones that scared the shit out of the cats.  My average is 15.5 by the way.
• Brian Regan is funny. I am NOT going to research this hook note from my Google Doc list that sometimes I remember and sometimes I don’t, but apparently, you should Google “Brian Regan crowe, moon, feegler roofing, ironing board.”
• The “feegeler roofing” is the funniest part of the above.
• Revelry Kitchen about five blocks from our new house is amazing, just so you know.
• I remember being ADDICTED to Criminal Minds. I ducked out after the 5^th  Now, I am just GLAD it is finally done.  When I think we are out of ideas, I think of the fact that that show lasted so long.
• I feel like when geese aren’t flying in a “v,” they are just messing with us.
• Truffle hot sauce tastes exactly how ridiculous it sounds.
• Even though we ordered pizza during poker last night, I feel like pizza is in my plans again for this evening.
• Ross won big time at poker. I broke even, which is odd and has many Seinfeld references.  It is painful when the best, cocky player wins.  It is a new type of pain when the best player is also getting CARDS.   He had like 5 straights minimally.  I actually am happy with my Even Steven as I didn’t go head to head with Ross as many times as other people.
• People were wearing coats during the game in my cold garage with three mini-heaters.   I was fine a sweatshirt and I might have to find a new game.  I might find a new poker group.  Geez.
• I make my debut on 20 questions this week for my work. I will be asking new employees fun questions.  I will have to admit, that combining book stuff with my off-beat brain, my questions are original and amazing.  I find myself asking myself the same questions I am revealing on Friday.  And it is fun.
• Why don’t I take an iPod Shuffle to the grocery store? Why do I listen to elevator music?
• I am trying to achieve 11 total bracelets and necklaces by June. I am at seven.  My wife is so excited about this.  That was sarcastic.
• True Detective season 1 was incredible. Season 2 was ok.  This season 3 look incredible and I might have to start watching again.
• I know someone who got invited to The Voice and missed their tryout by a day and they planned an entire trip to the city FOR the tryout.
• I made Presidents Club in sales, which is cool, and it is scheduled during March Madness, which is not.
• We are going to Miami, which is also a downer. Going to Presidents Club should make other people jealous.  Rule #1.  If I did not make it this year, I wouldn’t really care about someone else going to Miami.  I would care if they went to MEXICO.
• My wife has scheduled this entire extravaganza for Valentine’s Day, and not only does that make me feel inferior, but how can I top it? I think I will resort to writing a song, lyrics and music.
• She is mad because I figured out what she is doing for me. If you ask me enough questions about where to stay and close towns in the area west of Colorado Springs, EVENTUALLY the Google search will pop up events nearby.  She is awesome.  We are going to see wolves, which are the greatest animals outside of mongooses.  So, I assume we will visit a mongoose habitat next year for Valentine’s Day.
• I have had dreams about Pimento cheese since I went to The Masters.
• I have lived six months without a microwave and I am moderately impressed with myself.
• When Old Major didn’t have the Double Double, I went to Panera. I have decided that the steak and arugula sandwich is pretty awesome.  I think I also like saying the word “arugula.”
• Why is the camel commercial about Hump Day suddenly making a comeback? Are we going to see it like 20 times during the Super Bowl?
• I got free pizza at work this week, so it was a great, great week.
• Do you think that if UVA’s Kyle Guy were to open a restaurant, he would be mad that the name “Five Guys” was already taken?
• I have mentioned I sit next to a guy at work again that will embellish the blog moving forward. We are recreating the doc from years ago called “Lifeguard.”  The reason he is a lifeguard?  Because he looks for pop culture conversations in his high chair, and then blows the whistle, and comes over and starts every conversation with “you know what is interesting” or “ did you know that.”  Examples of the new doc.
• This is the “guy” since we are talking about guys.
• I asked out loud the other day what the band was with the most number of members. I scarily replied in like five seconds “Polyphoinc Spree.”  I then Googled that band.  He was right.  They had like 30 members at any given time, but HOW did Anthony KNOW that?
• I still have no idea how Feed The Wolf from August is still my top read blog, but wish I could recreate whatever I did that for search engines. It could be worse.  It could be called “Don’t Stop Believin.’”
• That is the devil song. That, Love Shack, and Hotel Califonrnia.
• We are skipping Jazzfest this year in New Orleans. One, because there is no Panic.  Two, because although I want to see The Rolling Stones, I don’t need to see them THAT bad.
• I can’t believe that Pop It Pal, a zit popping simulation tool, made it to Shark Tank.
• Wrap your head around THIS. Netflix has 139 million subscribers, and that is including all of us who just use someone else’s credentials.
• I live far enough from downtown that it snows differently at my house than it does downtown.
• GOT starts on April 14^th, and I will stop my life to watch that first episode.
• Dragons are less cool to me since my work just used the GOT Dragons in their presentation at the company meeting.
• Billions starts March 17^th, and now we are all wondering what Irish ties the show is introducing.   I will say this.  Sopranos was a great show.  Billions is JUST below it in my opinion.  My wife was in Ireland when I binge watched it from start to finish.  She has no idea of the addiction that was created when she was gone.  So, the fire of a new season is COMING, my love.
• I mentioned Jay Buckner earlier. He has agreed to be my tennis partner in the spring, as I have decided that 2019 is the year I revisit my mad skills at the sport.  I love tennis.  Athletic chess.
• The comedy radio channel does one thing brilliantly. When a comedian is done and you are wondering who they were, they say their name.  Except before commercials.  I heard this guy talking about his fiancée, Lindsey, and her long voicemails, and it was Ovaltine (Seinfeld) gold, but they didn’t say his name.
• Lindsey and I found out there were three bars literally 5 blocks from us that we hadn’t heard of. We went to one of them last Friday.  We quickly learned that not only do we have an age difference that is large, but that HER age was ten years older than the patrons.  So, the short of is that she felt old, meaning I felt REALLY old.
• I truly thought that we already knew all of this stuff about Robert Kelly and that he had already been banned from everything already. But, riveting info I guess lately.
• Sartos was in our Passbook. We went there for brunch.  It was magical and I don’t know why it wasn’t full.  I will be gong back to find out if their Italian food is better than White Pie (the best lasagna I have had outside of Rome).
• Seriously, White Pie’s lasagna is the most ridiculous food you have ever had. White sauce too.  Only Rome does it better.
• Parisi on Tennyson is my new best kept secret place for Italian sandwiches and good happy hour specials. Check it out.
• We went to Steel Panther (see pics below for entertainment), and it was great. Not only did I see in action the band that still loves glam rock, but I A) dressed up this year B) saw my bartending buddy from back in the day and C) smiled ear to ear while they played repeating bass, guitar solos, and talked dirty to the audience.  I truly, truly miss Winger, Poison, Whitesnake, and Dokken.
• Don’t worry, after turning everything upside down, I found my White Lion tour shirt.
• So, it is great that my wife loves ONLY White Claw Black Cherry as I know what will make her happy. It is NOT great that everyone and their mother is drinking the same freaking flavor and the four closest liquor stores are always out of it.
• Jimmy Buffet’s national anthem made me even more jealous of his life overall. He literally has sat in Key West, writing three cord songs about drinking, sold millions of albums, created a live experience that you won’t believe until you attend, and…can’t really sing.
• But, he dropped the mic, and that was cool as hell.
• I like the song that plays during the iPhone commercial with different colored shirt people running the streets.
• I refuse to Google it, I know that two Steelers have already been front and center, but I still don’t fully understand The Masked Singer.
• On the list of 1041 things I wish I invented and patented, I would like to put the GMC tailgate with nine functions. I am not a truck guy, but I just want that tailgate.
• The red wolf moon whatever eclipse was really cool, and made me once again be thankful I live in Mountain time, as staying up until midnight on a school night sounds like it sucks.
• I am so glad that the first black female is running for the next election, and she really couldn’t time it any better, considering if she wins her side, she is only going against Trump, right?
• If Trump serves two terms, I am moving to Belize or Singapore or Australia or Vancouver within 48 hours of announcement.
• The only reason I laugh at the government shutdown is because I remember the last one, when ALL of my clients were government clients, and therefore I couldn’t do ANYTHING. Pretty sure there is no casino strike coming up.
• I just learned this week that “Pepe” is slang for “Jose.” Had no clue.
• I read that the Oscars nominations dissed Emily Blunt a little, and I am kind of happy for that.
• If Meryl Streep wins best actress, I will treat that as a sub-level version of Trump being re-elected. Belize or Australia or Singapore or Vancouver immediately.
• I hope the guy from Bohemian wins best actor, I hope Melissa McCarthy wins best actress, and I will root for Black Panther just because it would be cool, and the same guy who did that soundtrack did Creed II.
• Speaking of Sopranos, has it really been 20 years? What an epic show.
• There are crazy stories EVERYWHERE. This week’s story I wish I didn’t read was this.  A woman in a vegetative state just gave birth because a male worker at the home impregnated her.
• Safeway nearby has recently started only storing the small Cheerios box for supply. I hope they know that I can kill that small box in the morning OR night, within two days.
• My wife thinks I am stupid in my 2005 4Runner because I adjust the temperature during all times, and she says that is only when you hit “auto.” But, I have tested it the last few days, and I firmly believe that the temperature DOES matter.  When you hit “auto,” it varies the level of air.  When you don’t hit auto, IT adjusts the level automatically to maintain that temp.  When I dropped her off at the airport, I put it on 67, and the temperature of the air was MUCH lower.  I am right.  But I will play dumb.
• True love is lots of things, but dropping your wife and friends at 4am and going straight to work after not only shows love, but also work love.
• I sell the stuff for a LIVING, and agree with my assumption that the digital signage by the airport on those big outdoor screens…is missing the point totally. Those are literally the most ridiculous and useless digital signs I have ever seen.
• I have decided that as of this week, I will change my pasta salad recipe I have had for ten years. I did have pasta, parmesan, shredded cheese, pepperoni, Melting Pot condiment, and onion.  I am adding egg.  It will be fancy.  I am excited.
• After being depressed about being even in poker, I couldn’t watch Rounders after the session. GOT Hardhomme was one.  AMAZING episode.  Aside from the boat taking ten years to get a football field away from the dock at the end, the episode is mind blowing and was the most expensive episode outside of the dragon ones.  If you are someone wondering if you should buy in, not a bad one to start with.
• I truly think that anyone who doesn’t like Game of Thrones is weird and strange.
• I am taking my time in writing at this point, because one way or the other, I have to stay up until 4am to watch the Aussie Open.
• The good thing about poker night last night was I FINALLY saw one other person with a Google Pixel 2. You all are missing out.

TWEETS OF THE WEEK:

THE BEST WORKOUT SONG EVER FOR THIS WEEK:

In the spirit of Tom Brady making his third consecutive Super Bowl, let’s dabble in some treasure workout songs from the last ten years: