Kyrie Irving (2) – Something to ‘Witness’

The ‘King’ is dead, but don’t worry, hope is here.

 

FNL QB’s – Ranked

Have you ever wondered who was the greatest High School QB to ever lace it up in Dillon on FNL?  From Season 1 through Season 5 there has been no single position more important for the success of  Dillon football or Coach Taylor’s teams than QB1.  So, from worst to first, here is the official FNL QB Ranking:

6) #9 – We know nothing about the overall record of the Dillon Panthers in Season 5, but we do know #9 was their leader.  We know only a handful of facts about #9:  1) He was JD McCoy’s successor.  2) He was coached by the controversial but offensive minded Mac McGill 3) He lost to Vince Howard’s Lions in the crosstown rivalry game.  We saw his arm strength on display but know that regardless of his pedigree, he would not be QB1 when the “Super Team” was created.  As a shadow in this great traditions history, #9 will always be just a footnote.

5) Jason Street – Although we know a scout from Notre Dame thought he was the best high school QB he had ever seen and his heroics were always talked about, Jason Street never won State and actually never beat Arnett Mead.  There is no telling what this boy could have done had he not been paralyzed.  His determination and knowledge of the game may have been the very edge that got that Panthers Team a State ring, but his influence was greater in the chair than out of it.  He will always be idolized, but Jason Street means more as a pesona than a person behind center.

4) Voodoo - Much ballyhooed Louisiana State Championship QB, Ray “Voodoo” Tatum could have been the greatest QB in Dillon and possibly Texas high school football history.  The unfortunate events of Katrina brought him to Dillon, and his skills were extraordinary.  His speed was blazing and his arm was magnificent.   His attitude however destroyed his opportunity to be a Taylor disciple.  Voodoo did lead the Mustangs to State, but he watched Saracen take home the ring.  He is a champion, but not in any other way than on paper in a place drowned by flood waters.

3) JD McCoy – He was the single most polished QB prospect ever to wear Panther blue.  On the practice field he was a highlight real.  Unfortunately, like the great Todd Marinovich, McCoy had daddy issues.  He also suffered from a temper and the inability to overcome adversity.  He was benched at State, he lost to a mediocre East Dillon team, and ended his Panther career without the much-anticipated return to State.  He failed.  He was spoiled.  He was a disappointment to all who wear the #12.

2) Matt Saracen – “Seven.”  He was an artist.  He was a friend.  He was a shy boy thrust into the spotlight of Dillon high school football.  He was a leader.  He worked hard.  He was the least talented person on this list.  But, Matt Saracen never gave up.  He fought for every yard.  He is a State champion.  Matt Saracen could run the post, and run the slant for respect, but he could also “run this pattern” for all to fear him.  He is the heart of the Dillon Panthers and the first true King made by the King Maker.

1) Vince Howard - Howard was not an actual Dillon Panther on screen.  #5 was an East Dillon Lion, although future QB1 of the Dillon Panther “Super Team”.  He was a State champion and led the single worst team in Texas high school history from worst to first.  He could throw a 60 yard bomb or run past any defense to get into the end zone.  He was perfection.  He was also Coach Taylor’s greatest legacy.   For the record books Vince Howard was the Last Lion QB to win a State Title and in our imaginations the greatest Dillon Panther to ever win one as well!  When Buddy Garrity, Tim Riggins and Matt Saracen hold up their hands, they have 1 ring, 1 blue stone.  When Vince holds up his, he displays two traditions that run with honor and pride through the city of Dillon.  “Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose.”

What a wild ride.  What an amazing show.  Truly some great QB’s came out of the Dillon football machine.  They all have stories.  They are all legends.  Texas Forever!

The Lying Game…

I want to preface this by saying that I have loved this show from the beginning and the ending of “East of Emma” is going to bring me back in Jauuary, but I would caution the writers: It is imperative that there is “closure” and then a new set of storylines.  PLL is now facing a huge problem with viewers who are tuning out because the mystery never ends.  Everything has to end.  Change is imperative. 

So, who are the prime suspects: Annie Hobbs, Derek Rogers, Alec Rybak, Clarice Boyle  and Emma Becker.

All had motive and opportunity.  Unfortunately, the show’s ending left us with nothing but questions.  So, this is what I think:

Leaving us wondering if Emma was in the back seat by having her show up to the party in a new dress and wet hair is a red herring.  It’s a rabbit trail.  Having her do harm to her sister is untrue to the character and puts the show into a hole it couldn’t escape.  Nothing Emma has done or said would ever justify such a twist.

The most likely person to be in the back seat was Clarice Boyle.  She was angry after the confrontation with “Sutton”, she was out income after the Foster Care ruling and it would be very realistic for someone to try and regain control of someone they had dominated for so long.  She is also an easy charater to nail to the wall without creating a huge stir for the series going forward.

On the flip side, the fugitive Annie Hobbs may also make a lot of sense.  She was confused, lied to and had already acted out when confronted with her daughter’s presence at the facility.  It also explains her racing off after seeing “Emma” at the party, because she knew she had to get back to the lake and undue the mistake she made.

New Lows…

We are young.  We are lacking depth.  We have very little talent.  The coaching staff is new.  Too many excuses, not enough positive results.  This is the life of a Browns fan!

Hits like Gold…

Much like with the late “Nate Dogg”, you throw Christina Aguilera on a track and it becomes gold.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEPTlhBmwRg

Unfortunately, as the main act, she falls far from the peaks her talent should take her.

SMG Back on TV…

With the CW bringing Sarah Michelle Gellar back to television with their new show “Ringer” it is a good idea to take some time to debate this important question:  Is Sarah Michelle Gellar (SMG) the greatest actress of this generation?  I am going to say, quite possibly…we’ll have to see how this pans out.

http://www.cwtv.com/shows/ringer

Other Nominees:

Kerri Russell, Jennifer Love Hewitt (JLH), Emilie de Ravin, Alyson Hannigan and Mischa Barton 

 

 

FNL, The End…

Hey, I am sure you guys read Grantland, but here is the article about the end of FNL.  Honestly, for myself, I fell in love with Season 1.  I don’t think there was a better show on tv during FNL’s first season. See my comparison below. Then, I got confused by the murder and half-heartedly watched most of Season 2, caught a few of the first episodes of Season 3 and gave up on it.  I think I will buy these on DVD and start over.  For me it seems worth it.  I don’t think there was a more well written show on tv during its run, but it carried with it many distractions like plot, pacing, day/time slot, switching of networks, coach switching high schools, etc…it was an uphill battle. 

 

Mostly though, I will miss it: http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/6766070/clear-eyes-full-hearts-lose

 

 

I put FNL into a category with the following shows.  These shows had remarkable first seasons, but due to many factors couldn’t truly reach their full potential. 

 

1) Roswell – Roswell crashed in Season 3.  It was apparent that all involved were ready for the show to die, and they killed it. 

2) Angel - A great 5 season ride. (If you count time served on Buffy, these characters were part of an 8 year television run). Each episode was very good, but many of the story arch’s seemed incomplete.   

3) Heroes – This show had the single greatest 1st season of all.  Fell flat over the next 3.  Too many characters and too many ?’s.

4) FNL – See above.

5) Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles – This was the last show I actually refused to watch DVR’d and had to watch live.  It was terrific and with the edition of BAGs in Season 2, I expected a lengthy run.  Then, Fox pulled the plug.  I was inconsolable for weeks.  The single greatest television tragedy of my lifetime.

 

Alex Morgan; #13 on the Pitch, #1 in our Hearts…

In honor of yesterday’s US victory over France, I give you the hope for America’s soccer future, Alex Morgan:

The formal Letters…

Just a specific thought I have been having that is shared by my readers:

fL: J Paul, for many reasons, the NBA saw a resurgance of interest this season.  How do you think the lock-out will affect the future of the sport? – Bryan Brown, Boston, MA.

JP: I fully expect the NBA to cancel the 2012 season.  That being said, in the end, the owners will win out and the new NBA will have a much better foundation.  However, much like the NHL discovered, winning the fans back will be tough.  I give it three years to recover and the NBA being “Fantastic” again in 2015.

The real issue facing the NBA is one of perception.  It is a speculative league spending millions on unproven and raw talent.  It is a star driven league with teams asssembling only pockets of fans loyal to any given team.  They live on headlines generated off of projected free agent movement opposed to the “now” of real action.

The NBA also produces the least “professional” of the professional athletes.  Each year the NFL, MLB and NHL are infused with talent that in the majority of cases can make an instant impact because of rigorous training and preparation over time.  This year, the Top  pick made by the Cavs played 11 regular season college games!  Their 2nd pick played only 1 full college season.  How can they be expected to play professional level basketball? 

The NBA needs a drastic change to its current model, and I hope they don’t play again until that happens.  The league needs to develop “team” oriented fan bases, make player development more of a priority, and become fiscally responsible.

…they should also fine LeBron James for playing so horrible during playoff games. 

 

 

The Hickson Deal…

JJ, you will be missed. 

Image Taken From - http://blog.sportscape.tv/2010/07/18/tip-in-points-isolation-j-j-hickson/