Sunday, January 3, 2010
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Anniversary! kind of...
So we did 1 full year of posting! Wow, its been fun. I wanted to hit 100 posts but I didnt want to have a bunch of short blurbs with no meaty material. Yeah, its a day late but sue me. So here we are. Uh.
How bout lets recap some of my favorite stuff I encountered this year. Remember, this isnt necessarily stuff that came out this year, but stuff I encountered this year. This isnt my best of, nor will I likely do a best of, this is my favorite stuff of the year.
The Boys and Girls Guide to Getting Down - Its a mocumentary about pretty much being in your 20s in LA. One of the funniest movies Ive ever seen. Dont worry, you dont have to be in your 20s, nor ever been in LA to think its funny. Prepare yourself for non gross out humor about the interaction between the sexes and getting down. And if you do see it, dont ruin the cameo at the end. Every person I show it to says its hillarious. Problem is, I cant find anyone who knows about it. This thing came out in 2006, but NO ONE knows about it. I think its an incredibly clever movie that you should go out of your way to see. So go see it.
Drive In Movie Theatre - I finally went to a drive in. I had a blast. I saw two moving turds on screen and still had a blast: GForce and GI Joe.
Custom Suits - Nothing is quite the sensation of a custom suit. Im addicted.
Castle Crashers - If you have an XBox, you should have Castle Crashers. 4 player side scrolling beat em up. Tons of fun, good unlockables, get it.
Haloumi Cheese - The cheese that grills. You put it on a grill, it doesnt melt, it browns. Pure delicious.
Passing to the Running Back - Running backs are great at running with the ball. Why not get them the ball as they are on the run, sometimes with no one marking them, or only with (poor tackling) corners to beat.
Corn Tortillas - Once I started toasting them, I never sought out flour again. For now.
Lets Play Videos - So there are games that I missed out on. Some of these games I most likely will never get to play for lack of supply. People do these lets plays where they play through the game. Some people give voice over commentary. Clearly this isnt for everyone. But its kind of nice watching an entire level and deciding if I need to play a game or if I can just watch a few short Lets Plays and experience the best parts of a title. Some are plain funny. Others bring out nostalgia as you see someone use similar or entirely different tactics to pass a difficult section of a game.
Spill - I told you about these guys. 4 guys and a Robot reviewing movies. Since then Ive discovered that they do 3 podcasts a week talking about news in movieland, comic books, and bullshit. Yeah, my favorite show on the site is called Lets Do This where they profess to only discuss bullshit. Its great.
The Spoony Experiment - I cant recommend TSE enough. Im not even going to write too much. Here is his own description of the site. Check out his review of Yor: Hunter from the Future and his Lets Play of the first stage of Swat 4. Genius. If you dont like it, its probly not for you
AT4W - There were alot of comic books that I hated when I was younger. Even now there is stuff that I see that I doubt the quality of. Atop the 4th Wall is essentially documenting the highs and lows of comicdom. Well written show. If you have any interest in the entertainment industry or comic books, give it a shot.
Finally, my favorite crappy movie of the year.
Southland Tales - A 2006 release. Im not sure what to say here. Unlike something like the Wicker Man which I recommend to everyone. I cant recommend this to anyone. Its such a total misfire that its got some entertainment value in just watching it misfire on nearly every possibly level. There are comedy bits which are poorly done, serious bits which are laughable, and its far too long to really be a fun watch. Look at the cast of this monstrosity. You almost have to see it. This is the movie that uses the following line: Im a pimp, and pimps dont commit suicide. I guess Ill end with some clips from it. Make your own call as to see it or not. But I warned you.
How bout lets recap some of my favorite stuff I encountered this year. Remember, this isnt necessarily stuff that came out this year, but stuff I encountered this year. This isnt my best of, nor will I likely do a best of, this is my favorite stuff of the year.
The Boys and Girls Guide to Getting Down - Its a mocumentary about pretty much being in your 20s in LA. One of the funniest movies Ive ever seen. Dont worry, you dont have to be in your 20s, nor ever been in LA to think its funny. Prepare yourself for non gross out humor about the interaction between the sexes and getting down. And if you do see it, dont ruin the cameo at the end. Every person I show it to says its hillarious. Problem is, I cant find anyone who knows about it. This thing came out in 2006, but NO ONE knows about it. I think its an incredibly clever movie that you should go out of your way to see. So go see it.
Drive In Movie Theatre - I finally went to a drive in. I had a blast. I saw two moving turds on screen and still had a blast: GForce and GI Joe.
Custom Suits - Nothing is quite the sensation of a custom suit. Im addicted.
Castle Crashers - If you have an XBox, you should have Castle Crashers. 4 player side scrolling beat em up. Tons of fun, good unlockables, get it.
Haloumi Cheese - The cheese that grills. You put it on a grill, it doesnt melt, it browns. Pure delicious.
Passing to the Running Back - Running backs are great at running with the ball. Why not get them the ball as they are on the run, sometimes with no one marking them, or only with (poor tackling) corners to beat.
Corn Tortillas - Once I started toasting them, I never sought out flour again. For now.
Lets Play Videos - So there are games that I missed out on. Some of these games I most likely will never get to play for lack of supply. People do these lets plays where they play through the game. Some people give voice over commentary. Clearly this isnt for everyone. But its kind of nice watching an entire level and deciding if I need to play a game or if I can just watch a few short Lets Plays and experience the best parts of a title. Some are plain funny. Others bring out nostalgia as you see someone use similar or entirely different tactics to pass a difficult section of a game.
Spill - I told you about these guys. 4 guys and a Robot reviewing movies. Since then Ive discovered that they do 3 podcasts a week talking about news in movieland, comic books, and bullshit. Yeah, my favorite show on the site is called Lets Do This where they profess to only discuss bullshit. Its great.
The Spoony Experiment - I cant recommend TSE enough. Im not even going to write too much. Here is his own description of the site. Check out his review of Yor: Hunter from the Future and his Lets Play of the first stage of Swat 4. Genius. If you dont like it, its probly not for you
AT4W - There were alot of comic books that I hated when I was younger. Even now there is stuff that I see that I doubt the quality of. Atop the 4th Wall is essentially documenting the highs and lows of comicdom. Well written show. If you have any interest in the entertainment industry or comic books, give it a shot.
Finally, my favorite crappy movie of the year.
Southland Tales - A 2006 release. Im not sure what to say here. Unlike something like the Wicker Man which I recommend to everyone. I cant recommend this to anyone. Its such a total misfire that its got some entertainment value in just watching it misfire on nearly every possibly level. There are comedy bits which are poorly done, serious bits which are laughable, and its far too long to really be a fun watch. Look at the cast of this monstrosity. You almost have to see it. This is the movie that uses the following line: Im a pimp, and pimps dont commit suicide. I guess Ill end with some clips from it. Make your own call as to see it or not. But I warned you.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Madoff
Given to me by Bill Anand Jr.
Why am I bringing you this? Notice anything funny about that article? Yeah, no new facts. NONE. This looks suspicious. I think you are about to see "Madoff Missing" headlines or you are going to find out that the man they thought was Madoff was actually a double, a robot, or with all his resources, a clone.
You heard it here first.
Bernie Madoff moved to prison hospital
Why am I bringing you this? Notice anything funny about that article? Yeah, no new facts. NONE. This looks suspicious. I think you are about to see "Madoff Missing" headlines or you are going to find out that the man they thought was Madoff was actually a double, a robot, or with all his resources, a clone.
You heard it here first.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Going into the Redskins Offseason: Coach Candidates
Suppose a name isnt brought in. You have Zorn, Sherm Smith, Greg Blatche, Jerry Gray, Danny Smith, and some assistants and some consultants. I dont really want to keep Jim Zorn as anything besides a QB coach. I was a fan until the dramatic change in production once he lost playcalling duties. If the team rallies to a strong finish, Id be ok with it, but at this rate I dont see a really strong reason for keeping Zorn here.
Could you promote from within? Possibly. Ive heard rumblings of a Greg Blatche retirement. Lets just assume that happens. You could see something like Jerry Gray, Kirk Olivadotti, or John Palermo elevated to Defensive Coordinator or Head Coach. Theres even been talk of Danny Smith taking over.
Of all the coaching candidates on the roster, Im ok with one of the defensive guys taking the helm. I think its a bad move to totally shuffle everything when parts of the team have been looking stronger and stronger.
Offensively, regardless of whether Sherm Lewis is willing to stay on as a playcaller or not, the offense is now producing. There is no guarantee that the next coach will get his offense going. Thus, if you are going to go outside of the organization to get a HC, it makes sense to bring in a defensive HC as the defense is now struggling with consistency, double moves, getting turnovers, and just holding people.
I actually have a candidate. Greg Manusky, currently DC with the 49ers. Why him?
Things I view as a plus:
Manusky at HC, he will likely want to bring in some of his own guys, but you have Sherm Squared at offense, the current crop of defensive staff in place which he might meet and keep.
I think thats the strongest move for the franchise, yes, even stronger than pulling a coach who has won gold elsewhere. No coach has ever comeback to win a title with another team. That likely has alot to do with the situations, not the actual coaches. A coach might have won in another town because of some revolutionary tactic, great personnel, great staff, or just gotten lucky. When a team brings in someone who has won gold elsewhere, usually its under the coaches' conditions (his own personnel, roster control, playcalls, guaranteed money, etc) which maybe arent the same conditions as he won under.
Thats my call though. You dont have to agree.
Could you promote from within? Possibly. Ive heard rumblings of a Greg Blatche retirement. Lets just assume that happens. You could see something like Jerry Gray, Kirk Olivadotti, or John Palermo elevated to Defensive Coordinator or Head Coach. Theres even been talk of Danny Smith taking over.
Of all the coaching candidates on the roster, Im ok with one of the defensive guys taking the helm. I think its a bad move to totally shuffle everything when parts of the team have been looking stronger and stronger.
Offensively, regardless of whether Sherm Lewis is willing to stay on as a playcaller or not, the offense is now producing. There is no guarantee that the next coach will get his offense going. Thus, if you are going to go outside of the organization to get a HC, it makes sense to bring in a defensive HC as the defense is now struggling with consistency, double moves, getting turnovers, and just holding people.
I actually have a candidate. Greg Manusky, currently DC with the 49ers. Why him?
Things I view as a plus:
- Hes not a "name"
- Hes not the sexy choice
- He is a defensive guy
- He played under Gibbs/Pettibon
- He has coached in Washington before
- He has coached good defenses in SD and SF
- Hes coached under Marty and Mike Singletary
- Hes 43.
Manusky at HC, he will likely want to bring in some of his own guys, but you have Sherm Squared at offense, the current crop of defensive staff in place which he might meet and keep.
I think thats the strongest move for the franchise, yes, even stronger than pulling a coach who has won gold elsewhere. No coach has ever comeback to win a title with another team. That likely has alot to do with the situations, not the actual coaches. A coach might have won in another town because of some revolutionary tactic, great personnel, great staff, or just gotten lucky. When a team brings in someone who has won gold elsewhere, usually its under the coaches' conditions (his own personnel, roster control, playcalls, guaranteed money, etc) which maybe arent the same conditions as he won under.
Thats my call though. You dont have to agree.
Going into the Redskins Offseason: Name Coaches
First, everyone expects HC Jim Zorn to be fired, the team to be blown up, and a "name" coach to be brought in. I dont think these expectations are unwarranted nor are they unlikely.
However, I am not sure that would be the best thing for the near and far future.
Currently the Skins have the following staff:
Obviously Im not going to talk about all of them. I dont think you can talk about player personnel until you talk about staff so we have to get that settled. Some of the names talked about being brought in are Mike Shannahan, Jon Gruden, and Bill Cowher. I dont think any of them will be brought in but if any are, they would make their own changes, bring in their own guys, and likely that would mark the (at least temporary end of Vinny Cerrato).
The problem is that I dont think any of those guys will want to come here over anywhere else. Those guys would want personnel control, play calls, their own staff, etc. Dan Snyder would have to fire Cerrato and of that I am not 100% sold he will do (though it seems to be possible or even probable). Id also like to make a note here that Vinny Cerrato might be a bit unfairly maligned here based on some of the "sources" that have surfaced, but that is for another time.
Plus, Snyder's reputation and actions even this year might have turned off alot of major suitors. When he tried to replace Zorn, when he offered the job to other people mid season, when he brought in Sherm Lewis all during the tenure of another coach without consulting him, these were all met with general hostility from the public and from the football world. I dont think any potential suitor trusts that they will be given a fair shot at this point. At the first sign that things are going south, even if it isnt their fault, they might get thrown under the bus. Then you gotta figure in the other teams and job opportunities those guys will be getting. So dont be shocked if he cant lure one of those guys into the Capital.
Up next, we talk about my alternatives to the big name coach.
However, I am not sure that would be the best thing for the near and far future.
Currently the Skins have the following staff:
Front Office
Head Coaches
Offensive Coaches
| Defensive Coaches
Special Teams Coaches
|
The problem is that I dont think any of those guys will want to come here over anywhere else. Those guys would want personnel control, play calls, their own staff, etc. Dan Snyder would have to fire Cerrato and of that I am not 100% sold he will do (though it seems to be possible or even probable). Id also like to make a note here that Vinny Cerrato might be a bit unfairly maligned here based on some of the "sources" that have surfaced, but that is for another time.
Plus, Snyder's reputation and actions even this year might have turned off alot of major suitors. When he tried to replace Zorn, when he offered the job to other people mid season, when he brought in Sherm Lewis all during the tenure of another coach without consulting him, these were all met with general hostility from the public and from the football world. I dont think any potential suitor trusts that they will be given a fair shot at this point. At the first sign that things are going south, even if it isnt their fault, they might get thrown under the bus. Then you gotta figure in the other teams and job opportunities those guys will be getting. So dont be shocked if he cant lure one of those guys into the Capital.
Up next, we talk about my alternatives to the big name coach.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Redskins Defense
Again, Im not sure what to say. Here were our four points
2. Rogers's Struggles. Im going to modify this. DB struggles. Hall, Rogers, Landry all struggled this year especially with the double move and tackling. I dont know whats going on with these guys because theyve all played at a high level before but part of the problems of the defense is that the plays are there to be made but broken tackle, blown coverage on a double move... yeah, Im not sure what to do about this.
3. Inconsistency - Most likely this is a a symptom of the previous 2 points. I think Ill just point out that late in the game the team continues to go to a prevent so soft you could wipe a baby with it. Totally refusing to blitz, refusing to pressure dbs, and practically escorting teams up the field quite quickly.
4. Competition. The teams played have gotten stronger and have put up some points outside of Dallas (but see the last scoring drive in this case).
I have to say Im a little dissapointed in the defense. There are times they play well, but then they give up multiple tds on the same double move. Or they make a hit in the backfield only to fail to tackle someone leading to a huge play, or like in the Saints game actually have someone not named Hall or McIntosh pick off a pass to then have it stripped for a TD.
Its not bad per se, but its not great.
So what do you do about it?
- Defensive Focus
- Rogers's Struggles
- Inconsistency
- Competition
2. Rogers's Struggles. Im going to modify this. DB struggles. Hall, Rogers, Landry all struggled this year especially with the double move and tackling. I dont know whats going on with these guys because theyve all played at a high level before but part of the problems of the defense is that the plays are there to be made but broken tackle, blown coverage on a double move... yeah, Im not sure what to do about this.
3. Inconsistency - Most likely this is a a symptom of the previous 2 points. I think Ill just point out that late in the game the team continues to go to a prevent so soft you could wipe a baby with it. Totally refusing to blitz, refusing to pressure dbs, and practically escorting teams up the field quite quickly.
4. Competition. The teams played have gotten stronger and have put up some points outside of Dallas (but see the last scoring drive in this case).
I have to say Im a little dissapointed in the defense. There are times they play well, but then they give up multiple tds on the same double move. Or they make a hit in the backfield only to fail to tackle someone leading to a huge play, or like in the Saints game actually have someone not named Hall or McIntosh pick off a pass to then have it stripped for a TD.
Its not bad per se, but its not great.
So what do you do about it?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
