TITLE:

The Cast

Date: 20 September 2022

FILLERBUSTER’S ELEVEN

BACKGROUND:   Barely edited as usual unfortunately, so please excuse any mistakes during my stream of consciousness.  I feel the need…the need for speed.  Let’s turn and burn.

SETTING: I got WAY behind on ideas, so I had to streamline.  This is started like 6 weeks ago when we went to Chicago to pick up the new car for wife, and finished on way to and back from Reno.  I have to nix many, many things, but the idea is to get a fresh blog out there.  I wrote this thing to 70% and then had to redo everything because I waited until after Week 2 kicked off in the NFL.  Plus, I spend a LOT of time with what used to me by “blog time.”  Not worried about making it 11 items either…

1. NFL: 
   1. Baker Mayfield lost his Week 1 revenge game too against the Browns, but at least showed some fire near the end of the game for the Panthers to not lose hope for the season.  It makes it easier now that he doesn’t have anyone looking over his shoulder with the Darnold injury.  He needs that shoulder thing, because he then dropped Week 2 to the Giants.  I admit to betting on Mr. Mayfield both times.  I think he needs to remind us when he wakes up dangerous, because I haven’t seen it yet.  Nor has my wallet.
   2. Maybe Josh Rosen and Josh Gordon can go out, have some drinks, and then give The Rock a call.
   3. After that comeback this weekend, Joe Flacco continues to add to his very, very complicated legacy. I hope his wife doesn’t meet Zach anytime soon, as I assume her and her friends are in his perfect, Cougar age range.
   4. Perhaps Lamar Jackson will think about getting an agent.  I have heard of betting on yourself, but since he is a hybrid QB-RB, the shelf life is not as great and he should grab what he can right now.  I get that Russell Wilson’s deal did NOT help his cause as it was team-friendly, but anywhere in the realm of Murray, Wilson, Rodgers, etc. doesn’t exactly make you a poor man.  After the Dolphins came back on them in Week 2, I imagine he is contemplating a lot of things.  You made it through two weeks where you definitely showed you are still the man.  Cash in now.
   5. Jon Gruden’s apology at some banquet was one of the most shallow things I have heard in a while.  And, know that I believe he IS a good dude on the inside, that other people have emails that could have been found, and that he is the example.  But, at least SOUND like you are as sad as you should be…if it is real.  He failed.
   6. The Steelers cashed in a lot of miracles in Week 1 (vs. Bengals) if it is God who likes the Steelers, as my friend told me was the case.  One, I am one of the most optimistic people I have ever met, and I still was in disbelief at least 3 times during the latter part of that Week 1 game.  Two, they barely won after all of those first half turnovers.  This is not exactly screaming optimism from the mountain about Trubisky and friends.  But, at least fans like me we can still have the defense carry as like last year.  Then, they lost TJ Watt.  Then, they blow like 14 chances to win the Pats game.  I am fine with Trubisky until a bye week or long week, but he is definitely proving he is a bridge QB.  His yards per attempt is so low though, that I wonder if it is the Canada system.  The receivers seem to be echoing that sentiment…publicly…which is not good either.
   7. I love how fans now say “MOOOTH” when they previously say “MOOOSE” and he plays the exact same position.
   8. I feel like Dak Prescott is having a very similar start to his career as Tracy McGrady.  Too many injuries, no titles, obvious HOF talent.
   9. I will get to more predictions in the coming weeks.  Got to just get the content out today.  For today, let’s go unbiased as Bills over Packers.  Biased is Steelers over Tampa Bay.
   10. Russell Wilson is sure taking a while to be fully beloved by Broncos fans.  Hackett can’t figure out how to do timeouts or get plays off, and Russell is looking pretty mortal in the present, genius offensive system.  I had a lot more written that I nixed, but figure Broncos fans are seeing a painful enough product right now, that I don’t need to pile on.
   11. The Bills destroyed last year’s #1 seed on MNF last night, and the Eagles destroyed the Vikings.  I heard a lot of chatter about the two teams being in the Super Bowl now.  Let’s not put the cart before the horse.  First of all, they losing QB’s were Ryan Tannehill and Kirk Cousins.  Second, the nation would explode, or at least the East Coast, if the Bills fans were at odds with Eagles fans.
   12. Did anyone else know that the Browns have not been 2-0 since 1993?  That is an absolutely amazing stat.  TWO freaking games to start a season?
   13. Every single game after the early NFL games had a 7 or more point spread, and the one that didn’t was the Cardinals…and they won outright.
   14. Look into the Tweets for that Kyler Murray conversion where he runs 80 yards.  There are some funny ones.
   15. Find the Eli Manning tryout at Penn State under walk-on Chad Powers.  Worth the few minutes.
   16. Carson Wentz is on his last legs.  Maybe go get drunk with Mitch, bro.
   17. HOW do the Jaguars own the old look Colts AND the new look Colts?
2. COLLEGE FOOTBALL:
   1. Nebraska blew it against Northwestern, and somehow having drunk, pissed off Nebraska fans in Dublin did NOT bring that country down.  Sorry about that, Ireland.  Don’t worry.  They lost again, and Scott Frost is out of his job, so we won’t be sending back across the ocean anytime soon.
   2. Scott Frost is jobless with a $15 million buyout.  Things could be worse.  Charlie Weis, Bobby Bonilla, and Scott are having drinks right now.  I saw the list of possible coaches.  My, that is a fun list.  Please get Tomlin OFF of that list.  My guy is going nowhere.
   3. Nebraska losing to OU is not a big deal.  I try to make my wife’s family understand every single year (and I am typically right), that they are a contender.  They might as well rack up as many conference titles leading to a playoff before they enter the SEC, right?
   4. Not sure if you caught the story about a $1000 bet made on Utah State to win it all at 1000-1 odds.  It was really a fun read and fun idea overall for two dudes BS’ing in a bath house in NJ.  Bama sure as heck took care of THAT story emphatically.  Now, they are in the bath house betting on the Giants winning the Super Bowl.
   5. So, does the Oregon loss to open the season show more about them and the weak Pac-10, or just is more about how freaking good Georgia is?
   6. So, Miami is NOT back…got it.
   7. So, BYU is NOT a contender…got it.
   8. Kurt Warner’s kid is now playing college football.  Please tell me his part-time college job is at a grocery store…
   9. We are expanding to a 12-team playoff format in 2026.  Glad we are recognizing that more schools should at least get an invite, but I personally think 12 teams is too many, it will take luster off the end of the regular season, it will screw up the holidays for college kids, and I think the magic number was 6 or 8.  I like the idea of the bye weeks for the top 4 teams though.  They did that right.
   10. Wow, that Appalachian State Hail Mary was crazy good.  But, find the cheerleaders response to it all over Twitter.  Worth it. 
   11. Actually, I will probably include most of the tweets I am about to talk about below, since I retweeted all of this stuff.
   12. Man, Houston football.  If there is ONE thing your kids need to know as a program trying to make that next step, do NOT fight on the sidelines.  And stop increasing our stereotype of WR’s in general also.
   13. Sarcasm.  Totally with the voters.  OU is #6 and USC is #7.  Come on.
   14. Herm Edwards might have not rejuvenated the ASU program as needed, but is there ANY need to fire him on the sidelines after the game with cameras on everyone????? Classless.
   15. They probably wanted to allow enough time in the night to call Deion Sanders.
3. COLLEGE BASKETBALL:  
   1. Get ready for the years of tracking Bronnie and Bryce, folks.  They are the son of King James, and one is about to go to school for a year, and the other just got his first college offer (Duquesne) and I think he is still in grade school.
   2. Emoni Bates might say he was driving someone else’s car that had a gun in it, but he needs to be more careful with his friends if he is about to be drafted.  Or, he is just a bad dude, and Izzo made the right decision by backing off his recruitment.
   3. Nothing else to add, but basketball schools Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, and UNC are all 3-0 at football.  Throw in the Cuse too!
4. NBA: 
   1. I could talk about LeBron getting two years and $97 million or Durant staying with the Nets, but that seems like so old of news.  I still would have loved to be a fly on the wall when Durant made nice with Steve Nash at the first get together.
   2. The Cavs made a bold move by signing Donovan Mitchell.  They still are stuck in the relative middle of the loaded East, but that backcourt is one of the top 2 or 3 backcourts in the league now…well, at least offensively. 
   3. Anyone else catching all of the practice clips with Jamal Murray and Michael Porter?  They look GOOD.  I was mad last year at them not rushing back, but they could really put it all together this season.  Jokic has looked magical still at the World Cup. 
   4. Chet Holmgren is done for the year with an injury mainly seen in football and not basketball.  He was guarding the King.  I don’t question his skills.  I just don’t see how you can’t spend a little less time on your skills and a little more time on beefing up a bit.  Go out and eat a big dinner after lifting some weights…hit the three pointers the next morning.
   5. Are they already working on a reality show if Patrick Beverly and Russell Westbrook end up playing the full year together?  I will watch it.  Russell took his $47 million with no interest in leaving the Lakers money to make the team better, and Beverly was quoted as saying the Lakers brought him over for his playoff pedigree.  Yes, Patrick, LeBron and AD need that from you.  Noted.
   6. Gallinari tore up his knee playing ball for Italy.  Not the start the Celtics wanted to see after signing there two big moves in the offseason (Gallinari and Brogdon), but I firmly believe that since the NBA wanted the game to be international decades ago, that teams should not complain one single bit for any player who gets hurt playing overseas in the offseason.  Any basketball player knows there is an equal chance of getting hurt any single time you step on the court.
   7. The Last Dance jersey sold for $10.1 million.  I have a feeling that this is not the last dance, regardless of what it sold for.
5. NHL:  
   1. The Avs were successful in keeping most of their players, but Kadri going to the Flames will be interesting to watch play out.  Huge hole to fill…
   2. Signing Nathan MacKinnon at $100k above what they paid McDavid is extremely sarcastic and awesome.
6. MLB: 
   1. Albert Pujols better not take into consideration his late season hot streak and try and come back for another season.  I am not rooting against him to come back, and he can do what he wants, but can we just remember some athletes as the way they were in their prime instead of them scratching and clawing to stay in the starting lineup?  Albert, you are going out in style!  Don’t let it ride, and instead ride into the sunset (after a possible playoff run).
   2. The AL MVP race is so interesting…and sad.  We know Aaron Judge will get it because of his HR’s, but everyone knows Ohtani is the MVP because of the way he helps his team on the mound and at the plate.  If the Angels ever freaking get into the playoffs, Ohtani or Trout as MVP will finally be no-brainers.
   3. The fact that we have one hitter approaching 700 career home runs and another approaching 60 in a season at the exact same time is unbelievable. You could easily make an argument for either being two of the most exciting levels in history.
   4. Everything looks rosey right now, but I wonder about the Buehler loss from the Dodgers, and the Tatis loss from the Padres when a series gets tight.  I worry more about the Padres, as the Dodgers hitting lineup could possibly keep them in most games.  But, a short series with the Mets with their pitching could end up a little problematic.
   5. Bryce Harper is back and I feel like the Phillies have made no move.
7. MISCELLANEOUS:  
   1. After yet another major injury, Paige Bueckers will be back next season for UCONN hoops and we are all better because of it.  I admit I don’t catch many games and only root for Dawn Staley since she is a Wahoo, but enjoy catching Bueckers highlights whenever I can.
   2. Frances Tiafoe beat Nadal in the US Open and it was a legit win, with nothing lucky or just good breaks.  I thought he would go on to win the whole thing, and had a small future bet backing that idea, but the brick wall of Carlos Alcaraz is real, folks.  That 19-year-old is the next big deal.  If you want a fun taste of what he can do, Google “behind the back alcaraz” and watch how effortless his needed trick shot was.  Sick.
   3. Why is Margaret Court bashing Serena as she bows out of her final Major?  Just be 80 years old and allow us to enjoy Serena’s final days in the tennis world.  The GOAT debate is debatable and most would pick Serena, and we all know you are IN the conversation, Margaret.  As I mentioned before, Graf is my choice, hands down.
   4. I will say that I know that Serena is 40, but if the draw was going to break in HER favor, higher ranked folks did their best for her to go out on top….well, except the number 1 ranked Iga Swiatek.
   5. Oh, Serena, don’t be making Tom Brady jokes about coming back.  This was your last Major run and we kind of already said goodbye.  The difference between Brady and you is that he NEVER said this was his last year, playoffs, etc.  You did.  You even made a joke about being “vague.”
   6. Nick Kyrgios didn’t fully get into his own way, and once again showed the mad skills he possesses on the tennis court.  But, with Nadal losing, Federer hurt, Djokovic passing on the tourney, and the other highly ranked guys going down, you have to feel that this one was a bad miss.
   7. Swiatek talked about how the US Open uses different balls for men and women.  I know a lot of stuff, but admit when something gets by me.  I fully admit that this was news to me, even with me being an ex-tennis player.  Wow.  They need to change THAT rule ASAP.
   8. If you get a chance to watch the 30 for 30 on the Savannah Bananas, it is unique and definitely worth it.
   9. I don’t follow the WNBA but from a distance, but I will say that some of those records in the playoffs in the first round make me question the system a little.
   10. You can dodge the truth all you want, but Becky Hammon gets looked over for NBA jobs, heads to the WNBA, and then immediately cashes in on a title.  Can we make the wording any bigger about her being the first female coach?
   11. Rory and Tiger are releasing some virtual league, and I am not sure if I even understand what is going on.  Maybe it is because I am not a gamer nor have those VR eye goggles, but they did something and I don’t know what it is.  Have fun playing whatever the heck it is…
   12. The high school football team who allowed the moms to tackle their kids on the team is fully thinking outside of the box.
   13. Will there be Datelines or 20/20’s or other documentaries coming out about George Foreman and Pete Rose both getting accused of sexual assault back in the 70’s, because not sure why it is now news and can’t spend time catching up fully on those stories.  Pete should work on his responses to the media though.
   14. It would be the smartest for LIV and the PGA Tour to work together, but now the finale for LIV is $50 million.  But, I noticed it was teams only, which I admit might make me tune in.  Or, I would like to announce I am moving to the LIV tour, so good luck on this mainstream side of things.  That seems to be the hip thing to do these days.
   15. Miles Robinson is lucky enough to be a member of the USMNT.  Miles Robinson also earns money through the MLS.  Miles Robinson took a shot off of one of those trays servers carry around at a bar, and got arrested for not paying.  He is a defender, but should consider switching to offense (you know, because that is very offensive what he did).
   16. Roger Federer retired shortly after seeing Carlos Alcaraz win the US Open.  Smart guy.  When you know what he makes on those Swiss watch commercials and still is the highest paid athlete in the world, you don’t worry about his time, money, or contentness.
   17. I work remote and my dog even gets uncomfortable with watching First Take.  PLEASE let one person talk at once, Stephen A. Smith.  Jim Rome is the guy who I wanted to be, Mike Greenberg was the guy I am most like, and Stephen is the one that makes me mad…because he sucks and is just fed information to talk about.
   18.  
8. THIS AND THAT: 
   1. I thought I was losing my mind, and went to 4 stores looking for it, but this Sriracha shortage is real.  Order it from Amazon Fresh if you need it, people.  https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/capital-region/weather/2022/08/16/missing-sriracha-sauce–climate-change-may-be-to-blame
   2. House of the Dragon is solid, people.  If you liked GOT, this is up the same alley.  I had more written about it, but had to skip this week because wide is out of town.
   3. If you are one of those non-betting people who hopes it stays in its own container, know that the grocery store Acme just approved sports betting kiosks going into their Ohio Kroger locations.
   4. I can’t believe Salesforce pulled the Red Hot Chili Peppers.  On the flip side, I can’t believe the Red Hot Chili Peppers agreed to play a lowly Salesforce show.
   5. Glad they got Slash involved in that Capitol One insurance commercial about things being an easy decision.  That is sort of personal, as most know Sweet Child O’Mine is sort of my jam.
   6. Stallone is back?  Dude, you made your peace on Creed on we are all good with you on camera.  But, he is restless and back, and in some new show or movie called Samaritan.  Wait.  It is a redo of Judge Dredd?  That means I don’t know much about it, nor should talk about it.  Moving on…
   7. Does anyone else get a little creeped out during that Amazon commercial where they pretend to be having a mom-daughter birds and bees conversation, and then the ending is “what is bang for your buck?”
   8. My wife’s brother has a kid getting all sorts of toys at 2 years old.  What ever happened to the Big Wheel?  Simple, cheap, fun.  I think we have let technology take over a few things that would still work.
   9. Nelson DeMille just busted out a new John Corey novel.    ALL of those books are worth checking out, and it is basically the one series of fictional books I read these days.  Well, wait.  I read it because it is just like talking to myself.  Kind of like this blog.  Maybe you won’t like it…
   10. My buddy from Cincy introduced me to Graeter’s Black Raspberry Ice Cream when I asked him what Cincy is known for.  I admit that it is top ranked on my list all of a sudden.
   11. Camp Goofball was fun.  We went to the middle of the CO mountains for the second year in row, did Colorado things, and listened to a bunch of bands in the rain and camped for two nights.  Great time.  My favorite add to my list of bands I already knew was Yak Attack, a band from Portland apparently.  The keyboardist was off the hook.  Check me out on Instagram if you want to see a clip.
   12. Wife and I saw a Cirque Du Soleil at Ball Arena a couple weeks ago.  We LOVE those things.  Ovo was all about insects, and accomplished the usual things for me.  I need to go to the gym more very soon, and I really feel bad for people who have never seen one of these shows.  If you go to Vegas, my rankings are Absinthe, Love, and O.
   13. My wife got us a credit card that gives us access to Centurion Lounge in any airport.  Man, that was a great AMEX to get.  Highly recommend.  If you tell me that there are “fees,” I respond by saying the airport bar and restaurant prices will be more than mine in a year easily.
   14. If you don’t understand I Prevail, listen to Deep End.  Not my favorite from the album, but it will give you a harmless taste of what they do.  Deep, tough voice countering with a beautiful, whiny voice with some deep lyrics that make you think.
   15. Bad Things by I Prevail is the best workout song on the market right now, so you know. I listen to it on repeat. The ending chord progressions are insane.
   16. Shinedown has some amazing songs that are both hard and moving, but check out their most recent two “slower” songs.  Miracle and Daylight.  They are the slowest songs that are still somehow on my hard rock workout list.
   17. Fire Country looks really good.  Just saw a preview.
   18. In the Green Hawk commercial, they really looked irritated they know a super hero.  Just saying.  That is like knowing Superman and then playing jokes on him.
9. THE FILLERBUSTER
   1. I had some items, but let’s pass on this for this week.
10. TWEETS OF THE WEEK

PointsBet Sportsbook on Twitter: “Never forget when Kirk Cousins almost missed a 3 yard pass at a gender reveal https://t.co/rsuo27Lvqe” / Twitter

Ben Mathewson on Twitter: “Our nation simply doesn’t posses the infrastructure required to handle a Bills Eagles Super Bowl.” / Twitter

Kendall Baker on Twitter: “Eli Manning went undercover at Penn State as walk-on “Chad Powers” and it’s absolute gold. https://t.co/jaEYqBRcMh” / Twitter

FOX College Football on Twitter: “For the first time in college football history Kansas, Kentucky, UNC, and Duke have started the season 3-0 Blue bloods in b̶a̶s̶k̶e̶t̶b̶a̶l̶l̶ football https://t.co/Y1YXNJrrdN” / Twitter

Pregame Empire on Twitter: “Bryan Harsin trying to fix Auburn football https://t.co/L0V8bQtF47” / Twitter

Steelers Depot 7⃣ on Twitter: “Classy Browns fans… #NFL https://t.co/tmoaQVAAM1” / Twitter

(1) Peter Burns on Twitter: “Stetson’s going to absolutely crush his scenes on the Heisman House commercials.” / Twitter

(1) Jay Drew on Twitter: “Hard to see from this shot, but BYU has placed a bouquet of flowers at the 4 yard line in remembrance of Oregon tight end Spencer Webb, who died in a climbing accident in July. https://t.co/dLJmsGyqhy” / Twitter

The theme?  I mixed Daylight by Shinedown with Cirque Du Soleil Ovo. If you read the above, you get the mild references and are fine with it. Listen, I just had to get this thing OUT at this point.

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.