Happy Gilmore: Golf with Attitude

You can be a moderate hit and be loved well after your release. I see it with Caddyshack. But I see it especially with Happy Gilmore as it turns 25 today. In the pantheon of movies Adam Sandler has done, I view him as someone that nails it at times and underdelivers at other points. But during his early post Saturday Night Live days, he could hang with other comedies. There are multiple reasons to why the film is beloved and even gets some love from actual golfers.

First is how the characters are. The plot is Sandler's Happy never making it as a hockey player and with a golf swing, may have found a way to save his grandmother's house that has been repossessed. From there, it finds its characters that help or are a nuisance. And it's from actors that you don't typically think of in the higher end of Hollywood that put up very good performances. Whether it's the mentor of Carl Weathers' Chubbs or Julie Bowen's Virginia who keeps Happy in check, they provide their importance to the character. Even small characters like the heckler or Mr. Larson. Of course, you can't mention the film without mentioning Shooter McGavin, who believes in class, even if it means being an ass to get his point across. It may have made Christopher McDonald the stereotype of being mostly villains, but not your usual bad guy.

Second is the scenes. For me, anything with the orderly guy at the nursing home. Absolute scum, but funny. What's interesting is some TV edits include a deleted scene where Happy finds out how he treated his grandmother and gives him his comeuppance. More than likely to see justice, and I can't blame them. The mini-golf scene with Chubbs on how to putt. You got the Pro-Am scene with Bob Barker and the fight. A couple scenes with the heckler. Every scene is not dull. Not every joke is a winner, but its consistent in having solid scenes. Even the serious scenes like late in the film with Chubbs and around the middle of the film with Happy feeling embarrassed to admit to Virginia why he joined the golf tour. All of it compiles into a decent story and have a fun score to go along with some of the licensed songs. No different than a number of comedies over the last 40 years.

Lastly is how quotable it is. It may not be to the level of Dumb and Dumber, but whether it's the important characters or the small ones, they at least have one line that you can remember. Any outbursts from Shooter or the negativity he gets. Happy's blow ups. That's just the tip of the iceberg. I'm sure someone has said "warm glass of shut the hell up" or "the price is wrong, bitch." at some point. That's the lasting effect to many movies that people enjoy. It's either that or they've watched a movie so many times, they can recite the whole film.

This is Sandler's best film and like a number of 90s comedies, it holds up. Good pacing altogether. It's not the best comedy in the world, but it's always a fun one to watch unless its butchered completely on television.

2021 Daytona 500 Thoughts

I'm not going to have a whole to say because it ran very late and caught a glimpse of the highlights. Not a lot to discuss regarding the Daytona 500 for this year. About as typical as you can get for NASCAR. They allowed fans into the stands at limited capacity. A couple scrapes, not a lot of lead changes, a very lengthy rain delay. The final lap ending in Michael McDowell getting his first win ever on the Cup series. amidst a huge fiery crash that knocked out some strong contenders.

It helps a bit that it's not someone like Denny Hamlin or Kevin Harvick. Nothing personal against these two, but to see one of the middling drivers get their chance says something. The top three was McDowell, Chase Elliott, and Austin Dillon. Some big aggressive driving at points throughout the race. Scrapes with the walls. There's excitement to wanting to win the Great American Race. It clouds the drivers minds that you make decisions at points where it leads to a potential huge mistake. Give NASCAR patience for at least getting through it. Some drivers surprised. Obvious disappointment in others. Hopefully next week, the pressure is less and they get back to the comforts of racing every week.

2021 NFL Hall of Fame

Quite a good list of players and coaches

First off is Alan Faneca. He was a force as one of Pittsburgh's linemen being their first pick in 1998. Blocked for some strong running games of the day when Jerome Bettis was leading the way and a Super Bowl. Pro Bowler nine times, also had a couple good years with the Jets before ending it with Arizona in 2010. Not sure what the criteria is for linemen. Must have really impressed given what the teams he was on was able to do. Can't complain.

Next is the coach selection, Tom Flores. While his numbers aren't great because of his three years with the Seahawks from 1992 to 94, he was integral to the Raiders from 79 to 87. Following John Madden's retirement from coaching, he picked up the team and got them to win the Super Bowl his second year and his second title in 83. A Latino coach, there is representation for what he was able to do. Great choices in guys like Marcus Allen and Howie Long as guys like Jim Plunkett and Gene Upshaw were getting older. Flores was also able to not get distracted by owner Al Davis and all the things going on during the 80s, especially when they moved to Los Angeles. That alone should make him Hall of Fame worthy.

Surprised but not at the same time, Calvin Johnson got in first ballot. I didn't think he'd get in first try given his stats are over 11 thousand yards and 83 touchdowns. I'm used to receivers waiting a while. Second overall pick of 07 and his career all in Detroit, he did a lot of damage in his final six years, especially when Matthew Stafford stayed healthy. Leading touchdown receiver in 2008, the 0-16 team. Led the league in yards in 2011 and 12, the 12 year being the record one, shattering Jerry Rice's yards that he got in 1995. Six time Pro Bowler, knew he would get in. Couldn't imagine being first ballot. But Canton gets a really good player.

This must have been long overdue for John Lynch. Third round pick in 1993, he didn't light things up until a few years into his career. A lot of has to do with his ferocious play. Very big hitter. That's why he was a nine time Pro Bowler and knew when to make those big plays. When you think Tampa's defense, I feel like he's left behind considering guys like Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks. It did get him a Super Bowl. His stats are not the greatest with just over a thousand tackles and 26 interceptions. Safety wise, that's not too bad given his position. How he is in San Francisco now as a GM probably helps a little bit. Maybe it was the right year to get him. Not saying he doesn't deserve it, but better late than never.

I don't even need to explain Peyton Manning. First overall pick of 1998. Lead the league in interceptions with 28, a rookie record that is still there. Improvements over the years. Rarely getting sacked in Indianapolis. Gets them the elusive Super Bowl in 2006. Lots of records, MVPS, leading in stats at the time of retirement in yards and touchdowns thrown. Injury forces him out and he does to Denver. Single season records in touchdowns and yards. Not a good final year, but ends it with a Super Bowl win. Very obvious first ballot guy. Where he goes outside of his TV show, he can do whatever he wants.

Bill Nunn, I don't have a lot to say. But considering he was able to do during his time with Pittsburgh, it meant something for the Rooneys. Being there from 1968 until his passing in 2014, he was in the front office. The guy could find talent that was necessary. More than likely, that's how they were able to build such a big team in the 70s and the team holding relevancy in the 90s and 2000s. More than its fair share of Hall of Fame players, how this guy didn't get in when he was alive, I don't know. But the consistency of the franchise gets him the enshrinement. 

Drew Pearson may be a controversial one to younger people. But what they fail to understand is how different the league was in the 70s. You weren't seeing 4000 yard seasons consistently with two or three receivers with a thousand plus yards each. If you want to blame somebody, blame the 1999 Rams. But Pearson was a consistent player and a favorite for Dallas and their quarterback, Roger Staubach.  The Hail Mary was due to those two in 1975. His stat line is good for the 70s and 80s at 7800 yards and 48 touchdowns. Who knows what could have been if it wasn't for a car accident in 1984 that ended his career. Still, you'd think he would have had a fighting chance considering a Super Bowl and being part of the 70s Hall of Fame team. The disappointment last year may have set in for the NFL to get him in. If they're going to do that, then get Everson Walls in. Fuck the Dwight Clark catch, which wasn't even that special of a catch. That stigma should have been erased when he won the Super Bowl with the Giants

Last is Charles Woodson. Fourth overall in 98, he was a leading man in regards to the secondary he was with. Huge knack for making some big tackles and picking off the opposing team. A rookie of the year and Pro Bowls in his first four years, health issues plagued the later years of his first stint with the Raiders. Did a lot more when he went to Green Bay. That includes a Super Bowl, two time leading interception guy, a defensive player of the year award. Did decent his second stint with the Raiders. At 1200 plus tackles and 65 interceptions, a team player all the way, Not a surprise he's first ballot.

Don't know if there will be ceremonies for last years to go with this, but there's some really special groups that will be remembered for years to come.

YouTube Videos: Feb 5-11

 

Geeks and Jocks: Episode 62

New episode.

https://anchor.fm/ryan-sullivan1gaj/episodes/Episode-62-No-Golden-Opportunity-eq6dqe

Super Bowl LV Post Thoughts

I would have thought Super Bowl LV would have been close. Or at least competitive. With it all said and done, Tampa Bay gets a championship with its Buccaneers in mediocre game that left a lot to be desired. There is no conspiracies or anything like that. The Kansas City Chiefs did not play well, but the referees did not do a good job either. And the NFL wonders why they get ripped a number of times for questionable, blatant calls, and calls that don't get made.

If it wasn't for his fourth quarter last year, Pat Mahomes would have had a mediocre Super Bowl. This year, it was without Eric Fisher at left tackle and no center with Daniel Kilgore. Pressure was going to come. Safe to say Mahomes did not feel comfortable. Clyde Edwards-Helaire was not given a fighting chance in carries despite 64 yards rushing. Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce both had decent games, but the rest, not so much. That defense couldn't create pressure on Tampa and couldn't stop the run, which was one of the more interesting aspects. Frustration mounts when you can't do anything.

Tampa played a clean game. That was one of the factors I thought would play in. Tom Brady put in my predictions in how he would perform outside of passing yards. Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones defied expectations in their performances. Fournette also doing it receiving wise with nearly 50 yards to go with his 89 rushing yards and a score. Antonio Brown got his chance to shine with a score. Defensively, stopping the run was not going to be a problem. It was stopping Mahomes and they kept him in check. A couple plays, he acted like Barry Sanders or Josh Allen.

That being said, this will be one of the forgettable Super Bowls. Not trash tiered level, but enough to be considered a huge disappointment. I do think the refs played a factor into this game. They are not the primary reason the Chiefs lost, but some of the calls in the first half were a bit ridiculous. I think Mike Evans flopped on purpose to draw pass interference on the touchdown drive late in the second quarter. Some of the holding calls didn't look like holding. Penalties on uncatchable passes. No consistency and given some of the guys on the Bucs, I'm amazed both sides didn't get penalized for face masks. It did get chippy.

Commercial wise, I can't complain. The best being the Tide commercial with the hoodie that had Jason Alexander's face. If you're a Seinfeld fan, you'll notice the song. Big deep cut into a nod to a late episode of the show. Some of them were weird like the Doritios ad and the Uber Eats that had Wayne's World. Too much promotion for the Paramount Plus app that begins next month. Most of the other stuff, I don't care much.

All together, not an abysmal Super Bowl, but not a good one as far as a package goes.

YouTube Videos: Jan 29-Feb 4

 

The 2021 QB Effect

Even with the Super Bowl a few days away, some wonder who is going to land with a team at quarterback. That will be on many people's minds after the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams made a swap of their signal callers. Matthew Stafford goes to California for the sun and Clayton Kershaw. Jared Goff goes to a dysfunctional franchise that hasn't won a playoff game in almost 30 years and only been in it eight times since 1991. Who's the next domino to fall?

Carson Wentz and Deshaun Watson are guys who want to leave their teams. Amidst new coaching in Philadelphia, the relationship with Wentz may be beyond repair. But someone has to be desperate. Maybe San Francisco? I can't imagine having that much faith left in Jimmy Garoppolo. And I read something that Garoppolo could go back to New England, who really needs a signal caller. Watson obviously does not like the culture in Houston. The potential of another swap could be with Las Vegas and Derek Carr. I'm assuming Jon Gruden doesn't like Carr. Both him and Watson have prime years ahead of them. The uptick of Vegas is Josh Jacobs being a strong back, though the DUI at the end of the year, I don't know.

A big thing recently was rumors of Andrew Luck returning. All because of some alleged texts. Stuff involving people that are friends with his wife and talking about him missing football and Jimmy (assuming Indianapolis Colt owner Jim Isray). Luck retired because of health reasons. Why would he want to return? Married and has a kid. Works in architecture. The Colts will find somebody. Just a matter of when. New Orleans wants to keep Jameis Winston. Likely a precaution depending on Drew Brees. 

Other notable people include Matt Ryan and Cam Newton. Ryan has potential to leave Atlanta, but their owner believes he will be back along with Julio Jones. Supposedly, Ron Rivera may want Newton to be with him in Washington. It's a different ball game compared to Carolina. A lot can happen over the next month or two. Someone is going to get themselves set for a Super Bowl run down the road. 

Geeks and Jocks: Episode 61

New episode

https://anchor.fm/ryan-sullivan1gaj/episodes/Episode-61-Ignorance-epre6h

Super Bowl LV Thoughts

Very simple. My thoughts on what could happen with Super Bowl LV. It's going to be different given the pandemic, but should be an entertaining game, nonetheless.

For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there has to be stability on offense. No turnovers is the key and maybe getting Antonio Brown back if he can recover from his knee injury. A 43 year old Tom Brady will have to throw for 60 percent or better completion rate on his passes. The receivers like Mike Evans need to be super aware of when passes are coming to them. A guy like Scott Miller could surprise people. Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones have to be ready to tote the rock. Defensively, I would say it would be easy to stop the Kansas City Chiefs run game, but you never know. The secondary and linebackers have to keep eye on Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, and Mecole Hardman and where they are on the field. Do that and that's how they win.

For the Chiefs, they need the run game to show up. They have to trust their rookie running back, Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Pat Mahomes will definitely put on a show, but a banged up offensive line might be a bit of trouble. Tampa has the number one run defense, but they have to try to rush it. Feed the ball here and there to keep the defense honest. Hill and Kelce will be given some targets, but don't be surprised if you see one of the others play a factor. On defense, pressure on Brady will be a huge importance and the difference between winning and losing. Evans, Chris Godwin, and Brown are tough to deal with, but a tight end such as Rob Gronkowski could be a nightmare. Each position of the Chief defense has to put 110 percent into being ready to deliver the hits, deflections, and turnovers if they can stop the Bucs.

I think the Chiefs will win. It will be close, but it comes down to both teams run games and the turnover battle.