Da Dos

Tag: Star Trek

  • Misc

    Misc

    Despite being an English/Lit major, I never really thrived under the ‘thesis-driven’ paradigm that monopolizes nearly all academia [Thanks, Hegel].

    I’m much jazzier and found my best writing often emerges from inspiration to free form. Then later, I chisel it down.

    “To write is to rewrite” ― Carlos Ruiz Zafón

    Performing and reading adds another layer, and for any aspiring writer I recommend taking an acting class even if you never plan on acting. It’ll give a writer a more holistic understanding of the creative process and possibilities of the ‘product’.

    A bonus is that after spending a semester or two around aspiring actors, everyone else seems fucking sane.

    So, here’s some mishmash.

    Ozzy Trapilo snaps.
    Can also check out Benedet.

    Butch take. Neither Trapilo nor Benedet looked Kiran-esque. Trapilo specifically showed a decent side-step and solid anchor. Doesn’t seem to have the athleticism of Braxton exploding to the 2nd lvl, but few OTs do.

    Benedet to me doesn’t seem as strong, but perhaps a bit more nimble. It’s important to remember that Benedet’s arms are 32.5″. Not many PB LTs are T-rexes. I suppose we can pray to the T-Rex Saint Joe Staley [33.5″].

    Perhaps more interesting though is that Ben Johnson had the cajones to basically debut two rooks [a UFDA and a 3rd RDer no less] at new positions while Mad Maxx was doing his best Cocaine Bear impression.

    The experiment could’ve easily exploded, but it worked. When was the last time a starter was straight benched mid-game? Fuck, Smoking Jay pushed WebbNation in primetime, and he still wasn’t bench; the switching was part of the adjustments that saved the game while simultaneously sending a message to the locker-room:

    You’re next.

    We all know the Bears’ D is struggling mightily vs run, and this play illustrates why.

    The pass-rush has also flopped. Is Sweat still on the team?

    Nevertheless, they did create 4 TOs, and made two key stops. One on 4rth and short [granted, Raiders decided simply to olé Billings] and the other forcing Raiders to settle for FG late [a dropped pass helped].

    Meanwhile, Tyrique Stevenson, everyone’s favorite anti-hero [pro-villain?], has been on fire.

    On specials, the gunning still looks iffy. They almost lost the game by allowing the Raiders’ KR to near the 40 – a first down away from FG range.

    Fortunately, they were bailed out by Josh Blockwell. Turns out, he didn’t get lucky though.

    This reminds me of when Belichick prepped his team about a certain slant SEA runs. Then, in the biggest play of SB XLIX, the CB jumps it, INT – Red, White and Blue confetti.

    Or more recently, just last season when the Puke noticed how the triangle leaves a gap, charged, blocked the FG. Game. Puke.

    It’s rare for the Bears to be on the other side of tactical strikes. Feels great, builds confidence and wins games.

    Walk like an Egyptian…

    Random silliness.

    I guess the media gave BJ some guff about his in-game interview, but I thought it was funny. A snarky Chicago coach? [clutches pearls…]

    I don’t know who this dude is, but I pray to all that is holy that Halas gives him an open tryout for HB…

    And, just because…I love the smell of fresh dilithium in the morning…

  • Draft Dross

    Draft Dross

    “One can make a valid argument and still be wrong” the Prof boomed

    It’s a concept I never truly considered. I was young, so still lived in a black-and-white world where everything is either right or wrong, no gray [life cures you of that, btw]

    A flat-earther is not likely to win any debate because by default that argument won’t be valid. Too much overwhelming evidence to the contrary

    But one can make a valid argument that intelligent life exists outside earth
    And one can make a valid argument that it does not

    A LOT of issues are like this [perhaps too many unless you just like arguing]

    Enter the draft

    It’s basically just one big argument

    GMs are making the case for THEIR methodology, for THEIR guys

    They’re likely not going to be YOUR methodology or guys, and this is where the endless mocks, big boards, debates and post-mortem dissecting originate

    Exhibit A

    Last year Poles stayed at #9 and drafted Rome. That was a valid move
    It was valid because many graded Rome as a top 3 WR, and sure-fire top-10, even 5, talent [more so than WR Tet McMillan who went #8 overall]. Everyone knew Keenan Allen was just a band-aid, hence WR still a need

    Nevertheless, some favored other prospects like Fashanu, Murphy, Dallas Turner…
    Some preferred to trade down and draft [fill in the blank]
    Others, like me, wanted the DOUBLE trade-down then nab Graham Barton, C, Duke

    Guess what?

    All were valid plans: staying put, trading down, trading down twice

    [What was NOT valid IMO was trading UP for Rome, which Poles almost did since he’s no Howie Roseman]

    2015 Butch would’ve been FURIOUS Poles didn’t trade down and draft Graham. Now? Maybe I’ve mellowed, or tuned,-out, but I’m more patient, “OK. I am not as high on Rome as Poles, but I’ll give Rome a shot”

    This came from experience. I specifically remember the 2013 NFL Draft

    In that draft, Emery drafted Kyle Long at #20. I borderline HATED that pick, and became a nigh insufferable prick about it!

    I was SURE my plan to draft Eifert [who many comp Loveland to] or Sharrif Floyd, then scoop Warford later, was the correct plan

    IMO Emery was just wrong, and naturally, I the Golden-God and bringer of football light, was right

    Well, as it turned out, ALL THREE: Long, Floyd, and Eifert were derailed by INJs

    While Warford no doubt was the better OG than Long, and stolen in the 3rd, he didn’t help the Lions win any SBs

    In fact, how many SBs did the Bears, Vikings or Lions win after 2013?

    ZERO

    Maybe in the micro I was a bit more right. Eifert+Warford was likely more optimal than Long+Bostic, but in the macro, it barely registered because the Bears employed Emery as GM, Trestman as HC, and Cutler at QB

    Floyd, Eifert, or nearly any prospect, was never going to miraculously make those 3 HOFers

    Heck, KC drafted Kelce in the 3rd that year, and it still wasn’t enough ’til Mahomes

    And oh yeah, lest we forget, nearly every Bear fan at that time was clamoring for the two ‘lock’ OGs: Jonathan Cooper and Chance Warmack. Both went Top 10

    Both BUSTED. Worse than Long

    And let us recall everyone wanting Solomon Thomas in the Trubisky draft

    ‘Valid’ pertaining to the NFL Draft is scarily relative. In science it may take 100s of years to disprove the sun revolves around earth, but in the NFL your ‘theory’ is proven ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ inside 3-4 years

    And if you wrong – you gone
    However, it’s about being wrong at QB/HC

    Truth is, much like in 2013, this 2025 draft is practically superfluous because the REAL determiner of Bears’ success is already in place: Caleb, BJ, and Poles [in that order]

    The rest is dross