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!

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.

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

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

Other Nominees:

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

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.