Carmelo Anthony on the Nets is a Really Bad Idea

Reading the news, and then watching sports last night, I saw that KD and Kyrie want the Nets to sign Carmelo Anthony.

I mean, come on with this nonsense man.

Yes, Carmelo won't be the distraction that Dwight Howard will be in LA, and he can still shoot the ball fairly well , and he is better than a lot of dudes currently in the NBA, but his time is done. While he won't be a distraction, we have seen the past 2 years how he has acted, and played, when he isn't the first option. He was a dud in OKC. He never put it together, and when asked if he would come off the bench, to be instant offense, which is what the Thunder needed at the time, he scoffed and said he "wasn't a bench player". And in Houston last year he was a total disaster. He did not shoot the three well, something he has never really been that good at, he was horrific defensively, even worse than usual for him, and he was released from the team, I think, less than 20 games into the season.

Carmelo would not opt to be a bench guy, or the third, fourth or fifth option on Brooklyn this year, and KD isn't even playing this year. Guys like Kyrie and Caris Levert and Jarrett Allen, and hell, even Joe Harris, I'd want them all to shoot before Carmelo would. And next season, they have KD coming back. He would have to opt for the bench, and if you listen to former players, guys I really respect like Chauncey Billups, Carmelo won't go for that because he has a "I need to get mine" mentality. He would rather score 30 and lose than come off the bench, play 15 minutes, score 10-12 points and win, and possibly even compete for a title. He wants to get buckets first and foremost, and the Nets already have enough established guys, and young up and coming guys, that can do that better than he can right now.

This isn't to say that he can't still shoot though. I have watched so many offseason videos of NBA players playing pickup basketball games, and Carmelo has been heavily featured in said videos. And he is putting the ball in the basket, and even dunking with relative ease. What I don't see him doing much in these very loose games, shooting the three. He has always been a great mid range shooter. Hell, he is one of the better mid range shooters the league has ever had. But that is such a non entity in the modern NBA. Other teams will let him shoot all the mid range jumpers he wants, and then they will come down, find the man he is guarding, give him the ball, and that guy will shoot a pull up three on him, or take him to the basket with ease. What the people watching these offseason work out videos, myself included, don't fully realize is, there is little to no defense being played. Like at all. I play rec basketball, and I play a ton of pickup basketball, and those games are strictly exercise for some, and a chance to shoot a ton of open jumpers for others. There is no real emphasis put into playing defense. Just look at what Devin Booker said when a few guys tried to double team him in one of his pickup games. So Carmelo is facing pretty much zero defense. These videos are ostensibly a highlight reel. They are made to make him look good. When, or if, the Nets sign him, he will have to try and do this stuff against real NBA players, playing real defense. We saw how that went in OKC and Houston.

Finally, he is better, or has been better, than a good amount of players in the NBA right now. If I had to choose, I'd rather have Carmelo over guys like Dwight Howard, Luke Kennard, Reggie Jackson, Kyle Singler, Richaun Holmes, Tyus Jones, Quinn Cook, Nik Stauskas(is he still in the league?), JJ Barea or Markelle Fultz, to name a few. But, all those guys are busts, or on their way out. Instead of going after Carmelo, I'd look in the G League or overseas for a younger, and more willing to play a bench role, player.

Carmelo was once great. In Denver, he was awesome, and his first few years as a Knick were solid. But, he totally fell off a cliff, and now, he just isn't what he used to be. Also, the Nets have this great young core, and they just added KD, Kyrie and Deandre Jordan. I don't want them to bring in Carmelo because he is buddies with Kyrie and KD and have him take away valuable playing time from the younger guys that played really well last year, and will continue to get better with more playing time. It's not fair to them. Also, the Nets have a younger, and better defensively, version of Carmelo already in Spencer Dinwiddie.

I hope the Nets don't sign him, and if I really look at it rationally, I don't think they will. If they do, it will be a headache for them. I say one more time, just ask OKC and Houston. I'm sorry Carmelo, you used to be one of my favorite players to watch, but you are washed now. That's the truth.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet. 

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Cloves and Fedoras: Ramona Shelburne Tells a Tale Worthy of Hollywood with "The Sterling Affairs" Podcast

Cloves and Fedoras is Seed Sings reviews for little known pieces of pop culture. Feel free to contact us with your own submissions of undiscovered gems that must be known.

Zach Lowe finally returned from his annual summer vacation the other day, and released the latest "Lowe Post" podcast. I'm a big time fan of that show, I usually listen to it before I listen to anything else, and I like it so much that even when he has Brian Windhorst on, who I cannot stand, I still listen because Lowe is such a great basketball writer.

Yesterday I was thrilled when I saw that Ramona Shelburne was the guest. She is right up there with Lowe, for me, as far as the best writers in basketball today. I have a very short list, Lowe, Shelburne, Jackie McMullan, hell, that might be it. So, whenever Shelburne is on the pod, it becomes even more of a must listen to for me. She was on to promote her new "30 For 30" podcast called "The Sterling Affairs". Pretty much every, if not all, NBA fans know the story of him being forced to sell the Clippers. Sterling is a total scumbag, racist asshole who deserves all the horrible things in life to happen to him. And that is very straight forward on this 5 part podcast series. But what Shelburne does with this, how deep she dives into his past and present, is truly wonderful. Also, not only do we see how awful Sterling is, but we see that his wife Shelly is not much better. And how V Stiviano was the only person who was willing to put him on blast, but how it had to be an absolute last ditch effort type thing. We also get to hear from lawyers, former players and coaches, announcers and TV personalities. It is so cool, and kind of sad and creepy.

I am three and a half episodes in, I had to clean my house while my kids were at school, the perfect time for me to binge podcasts, and I am totally invested and riveted and disgusted and blown away at what I am hearing. I cannot recommend this enough. Only 3 episodes in, and I find myself yelling at my phone and gasping and being completely shocked, but not surprised at all the goings on from Sterling's early life to when the tapes that Stiviano was recording for almost 2 years released. Sterling has always, and will always, be a racist asshole who only surrounds himself with yes men and women. He is a womanizer as well, a curmudgeon and a cheap skate. Hearing from former players, guys like Olden Poliyence, Ryan Hollins and Blake Griffin, at how uncomfortable and how he treated his players like property is appalling and revealing. The stories of the infamous "white parties" that the Sterling's would throw before the season sound so awful and uncomfortable and sad. Hearing Doc Rivers, who played and coached under Sterling, talk about how awful he was behind the scenes was eye opening. Listening to his wife, who is still with him, makes me angry at her and feel zero sympathy. She tries to come off as all innocent and clueless, but she is complicit in everything he did, does and will do. She is just as bad. Like I said earlier, Stiviano was the one who really brought his horrible behavior to light, but she is not a great person either. She was a star chaser and would be with anyone if they had money. Listening to Matt Barnes talk about her was hilarious because he truly hates her. Apparently she really tried to insert herself into the players lives, and they weren't having it.

What I think I like most about it though is how this story has everything that a big time Hollywood movie would want. It has many bad guys that take advantage of people, guys who were too afraid to tell the main villain to stop, intrigue, disgusting affairs and the main bad guy, finally, getting what he deserves. I cannot wait to finish the last episode and a half. I'm going to workout later, and I will most definitely finish it then.

This is a real homerun. I know that I am super hard on ESPN, but every once in awhile, they do something like this, and it totally works. Check this 5 part podcast series out. It is very well done, and it is a great, yet horrifying story. Know going into it that there is some truly awful language, and some horrible, horrible things are said. But man is this so, so good. I cannot wait to finish listening. Check it out.

Ty

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. Ty never thought much about the Clippers until this whole Sterling thing blew up. Now the team cleaned up their ownership nicely, yet they make Ty take notice of the team a but more.

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Let's Revisit the Underrated Black Keys Album "Attack and Release"

In preparations for The Black Keys show I’m going to in less than a month, I have been listening to their older records to reacquaint myself with some songs I used to love. “Thickfreakness” still rules, “The Big Come Up” is a great debut and “Rubber Factory” shows real growth.

Today I listened to “Attack and Release”, and I have to say, I think this is their most underrated record. I remember liking it a good deal when it came out. Listening to it this morning, I love it. This was when The Black Keys started to try something a little different. I love that they were just a guitar and drums duo at first, and when I heard that they were going to work with Danger Mouse, who I adore, and add bass and keys, I was skeptical. Well, I was dead wrong. That really rang true to me today. Their sound on “Attack and Release” is so full, yet still theirs and theirs alone. They still have that raw duo feeling, just spruced up a bit. I also should have never doubted Danger Mouse. He’s worked with tons of different artists, and pretty much everything he touches is great. The same can be said for “Attack and Release”. His influence is right there at the very beginning. The first track, “All You Ever Wanted” features him on the keys, and Dan Auerbach singing like he hadn’t to that point. It’s a beautiful song, and instantly took away any worry I may have had. They then follow it up with “I Got Mine” which is beautifully typical Black Keys. It was also one of the first songs I learned on guitar. It rocks and rolls and Auerbach growls the lyrics and Carney hammers away at his kit. From there on out, the rest of the record is filled with classic Black Keys and them trying out new stuff. They do the same song, “Remember When”, but it’s 2 different styles. The first is slow and filled with instruments they never used before. It’s great. They then play it as a straight up rock song, and it hits like a rock. It’s so cool. After “I Got Mine”, they follow that with the single, “Strange Times”, and that is a great, classic Black Keys song. The next song though, “Psychotic Girl”, has a banjo and Auerbach trying a new singing style and kick ass guitar solos. I love this song. “Lies” is a great peek into the future. It has that slower, soulful sound. It’s a quality song. “Same Old Thing” takes you back to grimy garage rock. “Oceans and Streams” is an interesting, in a good way, amalgamation of their old and new sound. And the final track, “Things Ain’t Like They Used to Be”, is another slower, and sad song. It also introduced me to Jessica Lea Mayfield, and she is an amazing singer.

What makes this record so good is how transitional it is for The Black Keys. It marks their first step towards change and growth, yet gives you their usual sound. It’s great. It’s a sneak peek for what future records would sound like. Without “Attack and Release”, and working with Danger Mouse, I don’t know if they would’ve grown as much as they have as a band. This record is now in my top three of their records, and I’d put it in my top 25 all time. It’s that good. I’m glad I revisited it today. It made me so happy that I follow this band and consume all of their music.

Seriously, if you’re a Black Keys fan, give “Attack and Release” a listen today, and think of how it has influenced their current sound. This record was the jump off point, and I hope they play some tunes off it when I see them live. What a great, unheralded record.

Ty

I am on Atkins and This is Where I Like to Go Out and Eat

This is what I eat at home

Today I am going to go out of my box a little bit and talk abut something new I have noticed in the world of food lately.

I am an Atkins person. I started the diet when my son was about one as a way to lose weight, and lose weight I did. I went from 340 pounds to 240 pounds within about 4 years. I have since leveled off, and I stand right around 265-270, which is a good weight for me. But, at first I really struggled with the diet. It was tough for me to give up bread and pasta and full sugar soda and ice cream and candy, namely licorice. I loved all those foods, and I ate way too much of them. After the first year though, I kind of got used to not having them anymore. It was something I stopped pining for over time. Since the weight loss I found going to restaurants as kind of a hassle. Yes, there are endless meat and cheese and veggie options, but after awhile I get sick of eating a salad or having just meat and a veggie. I found myself wanting more. So for awhile I slipped back into old habits. I would get a meat dish, but I would have a carb heavy side. I would get fries or a potato, or have bread before the meal came. I realized this was messing up my stomach, both internally and externally, so about a couple months back I decided to go back to being more conscious of what I was, and am, eating. I got up around 285, but since I got back on the diet, I am back down to 275, and I feel good.

This all brings me to my point today. Yes, I still go to restaurants and have salads and meat dishes, but some places have made it a bit easier, and more carb conscious friendly for people like me to have a taste of what I am missing so much. For instance, yesterday I took my kids to lunch at Qdoba. We had a crazy storm in Saint Louis, and my son had school called off due to flooding. So I took them to the local library to play for awhile, and my son asked if we could have Qdoba since it is close by. I said sure, and pretty much decided I would have my usual burrito bowl. But when we walked in, they had a newer menu with some specials on it, one of them what they called a Keto bowl. I was intrigued since the Keto diet is pretty much the same as Atkins. I ordered it, and it was awesome. It had a bit of lettuce on the bottom, some cheese and pico de gallo. They also filled it to the brim with their brisket and guacamole. I mean, it was piled on there. I added a little hot sauce and I devoured that thing. I was satiated, and felt full. That doesn't usually happen for me at a place like Qdoba, but it did yesterday. I was super impressed, and I appreciate that Qdoba is now catering to carb conscious people.

Another place that is trying to help out the Atkins community is Blaze Pizza. I know RD has these all over his hometown, but it is relatively new to Saint Louis. I was out with my dad and daughter last week, and he suggested we got to Blaze to try out their Keto crust. Again, I was intrigued. We went, they still had some left, apparently it sells out quick, and we each got our own pizza on the Keto crust, and it was delicious. It was the first time in a long time that I felt like I was eating real pizza. Sure, the crust is a little different, but it still tasted like pizza. I got pepperoni, sausage and green peppers on mine, and it was great. It was pizza. It was giving me that feeling that I was missing. My dad had a meat lovers pizza on the crust, I tried his, and it was great too. The entire pizza, all 6 slices, has a grand total of 6 carbs. It is wonderful. I'm sure some other places are doing this now, I know you can get burgers lettuce wrapped at big time chains, and I am so grateful that this is a viable option now.

I just wanted to say that I really appreciate this, and I hope more and more places will continue to follow this trend. There are a lot of Atkins people out there, and we will pay money to eat the things we miss while on our diet. This is great.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. Ty used to work at St. Louis Bread Company. Back in those days he would eat same number of carbs in one day that he now eats in one year. Those were the days

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Good for You Andrew Luck

I was watching college football on Saturday night, and during the game I saw the news scrawl that said Andrew Luck had informed the Colts that he was retiring from football.

I was stunned.

My first instinct was that this wasn't a real thing. I assumed that someone had gotten their news and sources wrong. I simply didn't believe it. I legitimately thought it was a mistake. But, I saw that Adam Schefter was the source, and he is the Woj of the NFL for ESPN. He is right pretty much every single time with these things. My wife then entered the living room, I told her, and since she plays fantasy football, she was stunned as well.

This is a big deal. I cannot state that enough. A player of his caliber, with his pedigree, with a possible Super Bowl contending team coming back, to walk away is absolutely stunning. Now, I need to say, this is only a shock to the football world. This is only a shock for on field stuff. This is only surprising because he is so young, and like I said, had a great supporting cast around him. Outside of the football field, I commend what Luck is doing. He has more money than he knows what to do with. He has had a solid career. He went to the playoffs. He came back from injuries to be great last year. He was the QB of one of the most epic playoff comebacks ever. He was a number one overall pick. He had a great college career. Pretty much the only things he didn't do was win an MVP or a Super Bowl. Other than that, he did it all. So he can walk away with his head held high.

That's another thing, Luck leaves with his brain still pretty much fully intact. He might not have to suffer some of the horrible side effects that happen to NFL players after they have stayed in the league too long. He is still all there. He still knows what's up. He gets it. That is incredible. And to walk away so young, with such a good team, I think that is brave as hell. No one would ever condemn any regular person if they were able to retire at 29. They would applaud that person.

The idiots are not applauding Luck, they are booing him during a preseason game, or calling him soft like Doug Gotlieb, or saying anything negative about this decision, you are all wrong. The people calling him soft, I'd love to see them take the beating he did for 9 years and come out okay. They don't stand a chance. Doug Gotlieb is a moron, so anyone that listens to him is a moron too, and he is just out there trying to keep his name in social media. He was a subpar college basketball player, and he is an even worse commentator. He is like a lesser Skip Bayless, and that is not a compliment, at all. And the fans booing him, how classless do you have to be? He didn't have the heart or the will to give it his all anymore. You really want him to risk his life so you can get drunk and yell at him when he throws a pick or gets sacked? I wish I knew who was booing him so I could go straight up to their faces and boo them mercilessly.

All in all I am still a little stunned by the news, but I get it. After thinking about it, and watching his press conference and hearing other players talk about it, he is doing what is best for him and his family, and that is all that matters. Football is a game, and he doesn't have to do it anymore if he doesn't want to. That takes courage and bravery to walk away when your heart isn't fully into it. I will miss watching him play, but at least he has his health, his brain, and he can do whatever in the hell he pleases now.

Good for you Andrew Luck. I will look back at your football career fondly. Enjoy your retirement.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. Ty remembers the hurtful words and tweets directed towards him after he walked away from his professional career. Ty had done all he wanted to as a dental lab tech by 31, there was nothing left to accomplish.

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A Few Quick Thoughts on the Awesomeness of "Moana"

I have a young daughter, and I don’t know why it took me so long, but I just recently watched “Moana” with her, and that movie rules.

I have stated that, as a father of a girl, I want her to see strong female leads. “Moana” has that tenfold. Of course we have Moana herself, and I feel like she’s a great role model. She strong, curious, independent, a rule breaker and a fighter. She stands up for herself too. She’s a very strong willed, and well meaning person. I love how much my daughter loves her. She’s wearing a dress with her on it as I type this. Alongside Moana there is her grandma. She’s the one that pushes Moana to be her true self. She tells her that the sea needs her, and that she needs to be the one to get their island back to where it used to be, when it was thriving. The villain is a girl too, but I found myself thinking what she was doing was not so bad, and when Moana does win, the villain immediately turns back to the good side. But she is strong as hell.

Outside of all the great female characters in the movie, The Rock is great as Maui. He’s full of himself, he can sing and he does, eventually, do the right thing. I also like Jermaine Clement as the Crab. His one scene, and song “Shiny”, makes for one of my favorite moments of the movie. The music is wonderful as well. The songs are beautiful and moving. I believe Lin Manuel Miranda wrote a good amount of them, and he’s a hell of a writer. The song about the old tribe in particular is glorious. I get goosebumps every time I hear it. And the girl that voices Moana can really sing. The animation is as colorful as a rainbow.

“Moana” is good in pretty much every aspect. I really enjoyed it. I recommend it to everyone, but especially dads with daughters. It’s really good.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. Now that Ty has a daughter he is trying to ehance his knowledge of Prince with some knowledge of Princesses. Have fun Ty

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Ty Listens to "IGOR"

In anticipation of seeing him live in a few months, I have been devouring Tyler the Creator's most recent album "IGOR", and I have to say, I really, really like it.

I was a bit on the fence at first because it is such a departure from what I am used to from him. On his other records he has some, how do I say this, nasty or, at times, scary things he talks about. Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of all his stuff, but when he was with Odd Future, and when he first went off on his own, he had some shocking lyrics. That was how he made his name as a solo artist. Then, a few years ago, he released “Boy Fuck Girl", which I like, but it showed a little growth from him. It was still akin to his older style, but he did have a few songs that kind of ventured out of his norm. On "IGOR", it is all different, and I love it.

When I first heard the album, I was stunned. I didn't expect it. In fact, my first thought was, why? But, as I listened to it more and more, I started to like it more and more. Now, I feel like I listen to it front to back once a day. I listen to it in the car, on runs, while mowing my grass, pretty much anytime I am driving, or exercising, I find myself picking "IGOR" as my choice.

First of all, I love the opener, which is pretty much all instrumental. There are a few lyrics here and there, but for the most part, it is like a pump up song. It gets you ready for what you will be listening to from there on out. The very next song, "EARFQUAKE" shows how much of a difference Tyler the Creator is making on this album. This song is, by far, his most accessible. It has a great hook, a nice beat and there is a few verses from Tyler himself that are excellent. The video for the song is awesome too. Check it out. But in "EARFQUAKE" Tyler even sings, and I have to say, he pulls it off.

From there on out, the record shows a total and tonal change from him. The album is, in essence, a love record. It seems like he has someone, or had someone, in his life that gave him the influence to put this type of record out. The music is softer and nicer and different in a very good way. And don't get me wrong, this is still a rap record, it is just different from what Tyler the Creator has done before. For example, "NEW MAGIC WAND" is a straight up rap song, but it doesn't have any shock lyrics, or stuff that makes me take a step back. He crushes the song, but it is just different. I also appreciate that he recorded himself saying some pretty deep stuff in between songs. I like that he kept it on the record too. It's great.

So while it took me a few listens to get into it, I now have a newfound love for this album. I have stated many times that I like when artists take chances, and Tyler the Creator is taking a big chance, and nailing it, on "IGOR". The newfound love also has me very hype to see him do this record live. I cannot wait to see what the show is like, and to hear these songs live. I have never seen him live either, and I feel like this is a great entrance into a live Tyler the Creator show. If you are a fan, you will love this record because Tyler the Creator is awesome. But I feel like people that may not listen to him would enjoy this record too. It really is for music fans of all kinds. There is still cursing on it, so maybe don't listen to it with the kids, although I still do listen with my kids. But, other than that, "IGOR" rules.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. He is glad to find some new exciting music. All the Weird Al has not been getting Ty pumped to mow the grass.

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Better Late than Never on "The Favourite"

As I do around this time of year, I try to catch up on some award winning movies from the previous year. Most premium channels are now showing them, and the other day HBO was playing “The Favourite”. I recorded it, and I literally just finished it about 10 minutes ago. Needless to say, I have some thoughts.

First off, I wanted to see this movie because I really enjoyed the director’s previous movie, “The Lobster”. I wanted to see what he would do next. Now I have to say up top, I enjoyed “The Favourite”, but I also have about a million questions that I don’t know will ever get answered, but that’s okay. I like when a movie makes me think about it for a few days after I watch it. That is the sign of a good movie to me. That shows that the director, writers and actors all did their jobs, and did them well. That being said, it’s a super weird movie. It is even wilder, to me, than “The Lobster”.

“The Favourite” just kind of starts, and moves along from there. You get the idea that it’s about a queen, but it takes awhile to get to the real story of the movie. It did start a little slow for my taste, but when it picks up, it really picks up. The movie is about a sickly and petulant queen who basically chooses between 2 women to be her second in command. Olivia Colman is wonderful as the queen. She is petulant and moody and whiny and childish and paranoid. Colman nails this. She is really good in this role, especially when the story starts to pick up.

Now, I don’t want to take anything away from Colman, as I said, I thought she was great, but Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz are far superior in their performances, for me. This is a total departure from what Stone usually does, and man is she wonderful. She is manipulative and willing to do anything to climb the social ladder and only cares about herself, no matter who gets hurt. I’m used to seeing Stone, who I really like as an actor, play the good person, the hero. She is very far from that in this movie, and she nails it. I was blown away by her performance. It makes me like her even more. I don’t know if she was nominated for this or not, but she definitely deserved to be either way. She is so good in this movie. But Rachel Weisz, to me, was the absolute star of this movie. She is so, so, so good. She is strong and powerful and commanding and righteous. She is the queen’s right hand person so much so that she essentially runs the country for me. She is a total badass too. She doesn’t take any crap from anyone, and she’s a fighter. At first I didn’t like her character, but as the movie went on, I grew to love her, and root for her. I couldn’t figure out who to root for for a bit. Then Weisz has this tremendous turn, and I totally bought in. Not only should she have been nominated for sure, she should have won many awards for this role. She was amazing.

There were some other smaller performances from some solid actors, but this was really a story about these 3 women, and it was very well told. The movie is haunting, yet beautiful to look at. The music is absolutely incredible. I found myself, saying aloud to no one, that the music in this movie rules. I would totally listen to this score just for fun. And the three main actors totally nailed their performances.

As I said, I still have a ton of questions, but “The Favourite” is a good movie, and it deserves all the accolades it got. I like the movie, and I recommend it. Just know that it is very strange, and will leave you scratching your head, in a good way.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. Ty dislikes the Oscars so much he never pays attention to them. If he had, Ty would know that both Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz lost their shots at a second Oscar when Regina King won her goddamned deserved first Oscar.

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Ty Watches "The Righteous Gemstones" Series Premier

Last night my wife and I watched the new Danny McBride show "The Righteous Gemstones" on HBO. I have been anticipating this show, as I stated on a previous podcast, and boy did the pilot, for me, live up to the hype.

This show has all the elements that I have come to expect from McBride, Jody Hill and David Gordon Green, but amped up by ten. No show of theirs will live up to "Eastbound and Down", that was lightening in a bottle, but "Vice Principals", and now "The Righteous Gemstones" are excellent. What i really enjoyed about "Vice Principals", and I have written about this before, was how comedic, yet dark, it was. That show was excellent, and it had a great run. What I found in the pilot of "TRG" was that, while still funny, this show may be their darkest yet. There was some wild stuff that went on in the pilot episode. I am not going to spoil anything, but man did stuff gets nuts at the end.

What I want to focus on more today is the plot and the actors. I love the plot of this show. I am a non religious person, not at all, so to see a show that sends up the whole Evangelical TV minister, and makes them sinister and evil and only interested in making more money than any person could ever need. We have all seen how awful some of these TV ministers, Joel Osteen comes to mind first, are really are behind the scenes. That is what this show shows us. The three main characters, John Goodman as the patriarch and main minister Eli, Danny McBride as the screw up, yet thinks he is more important than he really is Jesse Gemstone and the gullible and wet behind the ears youngest son, Adam Devine as Kelvin Gemstone, are all great in their own ways. Goodman is menacing and in a deep state of depression. His wife has died and his family is constantly fighting each other. Add on the fact that he is trying to be the only game in town, he is a bad dude. Goodman is perfect for this role. McBride is perfect in the role of an asshole who is way in over his head. He seems good on the surface, but he has some demons that he is fighting, and he refuses to go it alone. He wants to drag all kinds of people into his own mess. And Devine, in a very different role for him, is so innocent and maybe has some kind of soul and just wants to help people. They are all great. The third child of the family, Edi Patterson as Judy Gemstone, is definitely the smartest one of the family, but she doesn't get her due because she is a female. Patterson was a revelation on "Vice Principals", and now, in a much bigger role, I feel like she is going to shine.

Outside of the Gemstone family, the supporting actors so far are really good. Tim Baltz is Patterson's soon to be husband, and he is a pushover and hilarious. Dermot Mulroney, as a rival minister, is kind of badass, and I actually found myself rooting for him in the episode. Casidy Freeman as Amber Gemstone, McBride's wife, is so good and menacing herself. She had the line of the episode to me when Baltz's character said that the family is backwards and they never give women a chance, Freeman speaks up, but before going into her rant, she asks McBride if she can speak. Even a guy in a super small role, Tony Cavalero as Keefe, the former Satan worshiper who is now working for the church and has found God, I found him absolutely hilarious. Everyone, so far, has been wonderful, and I cannot wait to see where they take the characters from here on out. I have also seen that Walton Goggins, one of my very favorite actors, is going to show up in upcoming episodes, and I'm sure that will rule. It is not only the characters that I cannot wait to see where they go, it is the story too. Like I said, no spoilers, but the way the pilot unfolded, things are going to get wild in this first season. It should be dark and hilarious.

Look, I am a McBride fan. I am predisposed to like what he does, and a show like "The Righteous Gemstones" is perfect for his sense of humor, and what he wants to do on a show. I have a feeling this will be one of my favorites from 2019, and I cannot wait to see how the next 8 weeks pan out. I highly, highly recommend this show. It is really good.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. Ok people, one spoiler. Never in your life will you see the efficiency of a Land Rover running over not one, but two people. It was shockingly awesome

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I So Want to See the Lakers Fail With Dwight Howard

Last week I wrote about Boogie Cousins injury, and how much it upset me.

Well, the Lakers might be doing the unthinkable now, because they are considering bringing back Dwight Howard, and not the Dwight Howard they brought in when they also signed Steve Nash. This is the Dwight Howard that can’t stay healthy, has been on, and then traded from, I think 4 teams since then, has become an even bigger distraction and, by all accounts, wears out his welcome very, very fast. Also, I don't think the dude can really play that well anymore.

He was great once, especially in Orlando, but since he left there, it has been a real shit show for Howard. I will admit that he had moments in Houston, and maybe even a good game or 2 while in Charlotte, but nothing close to what he was when he was a star in the league. He quickly become too much of a headache for the Rockets to deal with, and they offloaded him, the emergence of Clint Capela was a big help too, for next to nothing. He then signed with Charlotte, but like I said, he didn't do too much, and he only spent a season there. He then went to Washington, and I think he played, maybe, 20 games last season. Since then he was dealt to Memphis, again for nothing, and was expected to be released. And now we have this story with his possibility of a reunion with the Lakers.

The hater part of me, the one that loathes the Lakers, wants to see them sign him because it would be a disaster on and off the court. Howard is at a point in his career where he doesn't really offer much of anything in a solid role player. He isn't the defender or rebounder he once was, he can’t shoot from anywhere outside of 3 feet, he gets hurt far too often and he whines and complains when he doesn't get touches. On a team with LeBron, AD and Kyle Kuzma, how many touches would he, or should he, get? Very little I would say. Add on the fact that he is well past his prime, and the Lakers already have too much of that as the roster is currently constructed.

After missing out on Kawhi, the Lakers cobbled together your typical LeBron roster, bringing in vets that used to be good, but now aren't so hot. I like Danny Green, but he is a shell of himself. At times last season, Avery Bradley was one of the worst professional basketball players. Alex Caruso is a scrub, and he is the Lakers new Matthew Dellavedova. Javale McGee has turned into a much better rim runner, but he still can’t shoot, and he gets into foul trouble far too often. Now add Dwight Howard to that mix, and I think it could be catastrophic. LeBron and AD are enough to make a playoff push. I don't think the Lakers are going to win 59 games and be the 2 seed like Bleacher Report says. I don't think they are title contender like The Ringer says. I don't even think they are the best team in their own city. So why would they add Howard? It is mind boggling. LeBron already has 2 big men, one in AD who, when healthy, is a top 3 player in the league. Why do they need to add a guy that will give them absolutely nothing whatsoever? They would be better off, I can't believe I am saying this, using that money on Carmelo Anthony. At least he is still a threat from outside.

If the Lakers were to add Howard I would laugh and laugh and laugh. Everyone seems to think they are instantly a contender because of LeBron and AD, but just think of what Howard would do to them, and that locker room. It would be exactly like his first run with them. Remember, when they barely finished over .500, and got smoked in the playoffs. That was rough, and that was over 5 years ago. Howard is only older, slower and cannot do the things that modern bigs need to do to be helpful in the NBA today.

Please, for my hater side, sign Dwight Howard because that would be hilarious. But, if you wan to be taken seriously, as a real threat in the West, stay far, far away from him. It hasn't worked once, and it surely will not work this time.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet. 

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Ty Watches "Last Chance U" Season 4

It seems like the last 2 years right around this time of year I find myself giving a review of the Netflix show "Last Chance U", and today, I will be doing that very thing.

I just finished the fourth season last night, and this season was quite a doozy. The first 2 seasons of the show featured a pretty prominent Junior College football team in Mississippi. They had some good players, a loud coach and won. They were established as a junior college powerhouse. It was interesting to hear these kids stories, and pick sides, I pretty much always took the players side.

The show then shifted in season 3 to a new juco in Kansas. This team, Independence Community College, was a bottom of the barrel squad. They never had a winning record, at one point they were in the midst of a 14 game losing streak, they hadn't been to a bowl games in decades and they had never won any of the bowl games they were in when they made bowl games. Then they hired a volatile new coach, Jason Brown, and he was starting to turn things around. In his first year, while they still held a losing record, he stopped the horrid 14 game losing streak, and he had his team playing some solid football by the end of the year. Then he had a full offseason to recruit, and recruit he did. This is where season 3 picked up. He had gotten some of the top D1 transfers to come play at this small school in Kansas. They had a QB who was at Florida State. There were a few other guys that saw some snaps on other big time D1 schools, but had bad grades or run ins with the law or school, and they were kicked off their teams. His team was pretty good, and in Brown's second season, the Independence Pirates won the conference, and made their first bowl game in a long time, which they won. He did all this with some good players, but, he is a brash, no nonsense guy that has hustled his way to where he was at the time. He curses like a sailor. He drinks, by his own admission, too much. He constantly yells at his players and fellow coaches. Guys would leave for other jobs, or get fired, simply because Brown did not like them. There is a lot of screaming matches on the sidelines during season 3. I do have to say, while it made me uncomfortable at times, it was riveting TV.

I was excited to see season 4. I would check occasionally for updates, and then I want to say in early August, I was made aware that the new season was available to stream. I do need to say, I already knew going into this season that Brown was forced to resign because of a very insensitive text exchange with a German player, more on that in a minute. So I was curious to see how everything was going to unfold. When I started watching, about a week ago, the first episode of the season started out with Brown gushing over all his new talent. He had one of the top dual threat QB's, a few solid receivers, the number one rated juco D lineman and a crop of solid linebackers and defensive ends. This was going to be a big year in Independence. They were picked in the preseason to win the league, and were a national title favorite. And after one game, they looked the part. But, their dual threat QB would get injured on the second play of the game, which should have been an ominous sign. After that first game, the season went to hell. They lost 8 straight games. It was brutal to watch. This team, beaming with talent, just couldn't put it together. They would have a few miscues, the coaches would get into it, and the game would be lost. They seemingly did it to themselves all year long. After the QB got hurt, they went to the backup, and after one or 2 mistakes, they would take him out and out in the third guy. It got so bad that they brought the former FSU player back. That really messed with what little stability this team had. When they couldn't decide on a QB, the offense went to shit. This was rough for the defense. They were constantly put in horrid situations that no team could recover from. Then, when the offense had the occasional spark, the defense would find a way to blow leads. I do need to say this though, the defense was much, much better than their offense. I put very little blame on that unit. During the losing streak things got rough both on and off the field. The players started to lose any interest in playing like a team. It turned into guys just trying to get film work to get a scholarship. The coaches then started to bicker. Then some other players started to stop going to class. Then Jason Brown started to cut guys for no reason and fire coaches who already said they were leaving at the end of the year. While I think Jason Brown knows the game of football well, what he needs to work on, according to what was filmed, are his people skills. This all came to a head for me in 2 instances during this 4th season.

The first was when he cut his best receiver because he smelled like weed, and then started to bash him, this coming from the player mind you, to coaches recruiting him. The second was the text incident I mentioned earlier. He had a redshirt QB from Germany on his team that he let be team manager during his redshirt year. This kid did what was asked of him, and because he wasn't right on time to hang a poster for Brown, he called him a "German fuck", and said, "I am your new Hitler". Look, I understand letting your emotions get the best of you. It happens to me every Tuesday at my rec league basketball games. But I have never verbally abused anyone, and I wouldn't even think to compare myself to a horrific dictator that murdered so many people. This was too far. As I said, I think Brown knows the game of football enough, but he has awful people skills. When all this came to light I thought he would be more apologetic, or at least show some kind of sympathy. Instead, he called himself "old school", said that he could be someone else's "treasure", blamed the kid and said, "if you do the crime, you have to do the time". He never once apologized. That is far too prideful even for me. This could have easily been a non story, and something that was solved quickly, but Brown didn't want it that way. It was a bad season, that did not live up to expectations, Brown blamed everyone but himself, cut good kids for no reason and fought constantly with his players and coaches. He let his emotions run him. Even I think he would admit that. That was my biggest takeaway from the fourth season, how pride can get in the way, and when things go bad, the best way to handle them would be the exact opposite of what Jason Brown did in Independence, Kansas. I'm sure he will get another chance to coach somewhere, but for Brown, this one incident will, unfortunately, be what he is always remembered for.

That being said, if you like "Last Chance U", this recent season was cringe worthy and great. I highly recommend it. Just know that it gets real nasty at the end, and that it is like watching a train wreck, where the train decides that everyone else is to blame.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. One time in his rec league another player told Ty that he was his Lech Walesa. Ty has no idea what that means.

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This Boogie Cousins Injury Sucks, Again

I was out mowing my grass today, and I got the news via my watch that Boogie Cousins had suffered a "leg injury" during a recent workout. I thought nothing of it really, he was coming off a torn ACL and torn quad, so I just assumed it was attached to one of those injuries.

Well, when I got inside, I saw that he actually tore his ACL again. I don't know if it was the same one he tore before, but, it is not good news. I do know that much. Regardless of where the tear is, this is devastating news for one of my favorite NBA players. Sure, I wasn't happy that he signed with the Lakers, but I also wasn't happy that he signed with the Warriors last offseason. He did essentially the same thing this season, a one year prove it deal to hopefully get paid next summer, but now, he is gong to miss another full season in his prime.

This stinks. I really dislike horrible injuries like this to players I am not a big fan of, so when it happens to a guy I actually like, a guy I enjoy watching play, a guy I actively root for, it makes me very unhappy. People are now going to forget how dominate, and good and agile and explosive on and off the court Boogie was a few years back. He is in Isaiah Thomas territory. Thomas came out and exploded while with the Celtics a few years back, and since getting hurt, in the playoffs, of which he shouldn't have been playing, but Danny Ainge used him anyway, and now he has been on 4 teams in three years now, just trying to get back to a fraction of his old self. When he was with the Celtics, he was an excellent scorer and a fourth quarter killer. He was that dude, and he was looking at a big time payday. Then Kyrie Irving came calling, and like I said, Thomas had a nagging hip injury, and he was relegated to being a sidekick on a LeBron Cavs team. The Celtics traded him for Irving, and since then, Thomas has never been the same. He will never get his payday, most likely. He seems destined to be a one year deal kind of guy for the next 5 or 6 years, then, he will end up overseas, or become a coach. I can see it so clearly now. I fear that is what will happen to Boogie.

Now don't get it twisted, Boogie is a much better, and much bigger star than Thomas, but he is coming off three horrid leg injuries, and he is a big man. The cards are stacked against him for a variety of reasons now. For one, the modern NBA is drifting away from a player like Boogie. He is a back to the basket big that likes to play a low post game. Sure, he can shoot threes a bit, but he is not a real threat from deep. The modern NBA doesn't want that. They want bigs like Brook Lopez or Anthony Davis. Both those guys can shoot from deep, and Davis is one of the best defenders in the league. Hell, a guy like Giannis, who isn't a good shooter yet, can still glide his way to the hoop and has some handles. Boogie doesn't have that anymore. Second, he was on this Lakers teams as a backup and a spark off the bench. That is not his game. Boogie needs to be in the flow of the game to get going. He needs to start for his ego. He needs to get touches, as all bigs do. He needs to be included to stay involved. Point blank. If Boogie doesn't get the touches, or the accolades, he loses interest. Look how poor he played in the Finals last year. Again, I love the dude, but he was awful in the Finals. That is because he wasn't looked upon as a real option. The Raptors didn't fear him, and it showed. That was going to be his role on this Lakers team. He wasn't going to start. He wasn't going to get touches in the post. He was not going to be a focal point. And now, he tore his ACL. Third, he has three leg injuries, and that is doom for a big man. Just look at Bill Walton or Yao Ming. Those guys can barely walk now, and when they got hurt, especially leg injuries, they were never the same. They suffered major setbacks. I don't see how that doesn't happen to Boogie now. Finally, he is losing such an important year for his career. I felt like he was really going to pop off this year, and blow up. I genuinely believed he was going to get a good deal from some team at the end of the season. Now, that is not happening. He is not going to get the big deal. He is not going to get even close to max money. He is never going to get the years that he wants. It is not going to happen now, and maybe not ever. It is the brutal truth. The NBA is a business, and Boogie is now getting into damaged goods territory. Signing him to a max deal now would be like if Coca Cola brought back "New Coke". That stuff was awful, and they got rid of it ASAP. I feel like that is how teams will now look at Boogie. He may get a few one year deals here and there, hell, he may even get a 2 year deal if he plays, and plays well in 2020, but that is his best case scenario.

This really bums me out. I want what is best for Boogie, and another torn ACL is very, very far off from anything good at all. This stinks. I wish top guys would stop getting hurt. It hurts the game when All Stars are missing half, or full years. And make no mistake, Boogie is a star. That is though is looking more and more like a was now.

Oof

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet. 

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I Will Miss the Great "Baskets" When it is Gone

It was announced about a week ago that the show "Baskets" on FX would be concluding the series with the season 4 finale on August 22nd. I don't know if this was decided by the creators or the network. I would like to think that the creators decided for themselves. I'm bummed by this, but I understand why they are ending it in 2 weeks. This season has felt like a finale all season long. The way the characters have developed throughout the series feels like it was all leading to a conclusion from the first episode of season 4. Some minor spoilers are coming. Fair warning.

Chip is the CEO of the family barn, and is starting to stand up for himself a bit more. He has become an adult, which seems like it was his arc. Dale is insane, and living in a wild trailer park, but he has been there for his family when they have needed him, and he and Chip have had a moment where it seems like they finally understand, and accept, one another. Martha has become more confident, and she doesn't beckon to every call from the Baskets family. Dale's ex wife has moved on. Their 2 kids are growing up, and they seem to be happy enough with their lot in life. Christine is married to her one true love, and she finally seems genuinely happy. All of the main characters have pretty much wrapped their individual stories with 2 episodes left.

All that being said, I will really miss this show for some different reasons. I like how different it is from most shows on TV right now. It is original and funny and moving and shows what it is like to be in a weird, yet loving family. Louie Anderson has been an absolute delight as Christine on the show. I was stunned when I saw him playing the mom, but after about a minute, I forgot, and totally bought it. That is the sign, to me, as a character really inhabiting the role and making it so believable and real. Martha is one of the most underrated comedy characters on TV. She is so monotone and never changes her facial expressions, yet she may be the funniest person on the show. Every time she has had an episode dedicated to her character, I have always found myself laughing, or feeling remorse, for her. She is wonderful. Zach Galifinakis has been tremendous in his 2 roles. He plays both Chip and Dale, and the fact that I forget that he is playing both twins speaks volumes to his performance. As Dale he is so wild and sad and southern and dumb. As Chip he was such a pushover and a follower that turned himself into a real adult, like I said before. He has played these 2 guys so very well. "Baskets" is filled with great, unique performances from very solid actors.

I also like how the show had such an odd premise, Chip is a real clown from Paris that moves back home to Bakersfield with his family. It sounds simple-ish, but the stories went in so many different directions, and they were all told so very well. I also liked how they showed another side of California that we don't see on TV. Bakersfield seems like such a boring, old timey town. That is not the California that is usually shown. There are no models or big studios or fancy stuff going on. Bakersfield looks like a real town that you'd pass through without even recognizing it. And I really like all the odd side characters the show has brought on from time to time. There are Chip and Dale other adopted twin brothers that are famous DJ's. They were great. The old time fair guy that works at the barn was funny, yet sad. The people that live in the same trailer park as Dale are nuts and wild themselves. The pastor that has a church right next to the barn was a delight. He has a beautiful singing voice too. Martha's parents were so old, yet so funny. It was filled with excellent side characters as well as the main cast.

Like I said, I am bummed that the show is ending, but I get it. And, I still have 2 episodes left to enjoy before it ends its 4 year run. Honestly, that is 3 seasons longer than I thought it would get. Kudos to the creators and writers and actors of "Baskets". I will always remember this show, and I am grateful that I got to see it in real time. I would bet a good amount of money that it will become a cult classic whenever it ends up on a streaming service. It is that good of a show.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. He is tired of all his favorite tv shows leaving him. Why can’t “Young Sheldon” be given only three seasons and then we can have “Love” back for more.

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This Tate Martell Miami Situation is a Fiasco

I know that I spent last week talking football, but the story that came out from the University of Miami yesterday is too good not to acknowledge.

For those in the know, Tate Martell left the University of Ohio State after Justin Fields transferred there and decided to go to Miami. He assumed he would start, Miami had recruited him, and he didn't think he would get a chance to play if he stayed in the shit hole that is Columbus. I, like a lot of people, assumed he would start too. He was talking all this shit, went on Twitter to talk about how good he is, and how he should play, fought with the NCAA to get immediate eligibility, even though he transferred simply for playing time, somehow won the appeal and was granted immediate eligibility and started practicing with the team right away.

Yesterday new coach Manny Diaz announced that a freshman who enrolled early was going to be his starting QB. This brought back so many of the stupid things this Martell kid had said on many social media platforms. There was even a text exchange between him and a friend where he was bashing other recruits who have gone on to, at the very least, play some QB in college football. I mean this is a clear case of a kid that cannot back up all the talk. This reminds me so very much of the Tate Forcier era at Michigan, but Forcier at least got to play in some real games. All Martell did last year was play in mop up duty, and with the departure of Dwayne Haskins, I'm sure he figured he was next in line. Then the Justin Fields transfer, who also got immediate eligibility, happened. Then he left and now he is not starting. In fact, it was reported that after the true freshman was named starting QB at Miami, Martell didn't even show up for practice. Again, I go back to Tate Forcier after Denard Robinson was named the starter for Michigan. Robinson came in, ran the offense to perfection, and at the time, was clearly the top QB for the Wolverines. So Forcier transferred, expected playing time at a big school, didn't get it, and now, I couldn't tell you where he is. I do know where Denard Robinson is though, because he stuck it out until it was his turn. That is the problem I have with Martell, That, and the non stop talking and gassing himself up via Twitter. He flat out got beat. Diaz has had these kids in camp for a bit now, and it was clear to him that the freshman was better than Martell. And for him to reportedly skip practice the very next day, that is some sour grapes. I mean, in all likely hood he was going to be the backup, and the cliché thing is, "the backup QB is one snap away from being the starter". Also, what if this other kid struggles a bit? Then I'm sure Diaz wouldn't hesitate to put Martell in. But nope, it seems as if he is going to try and leave another big time program, and catch on somewhere else, because he doesn't feel like he should earn his spot, he thinks it should be handed to him. Sure, he was probably great in high school, but he has done zero in college football, and now he is getting beat by a true freshman.

I don't know what will happen to Martell from here, but if he does decide to transfer again, this would be his third time, if I were a coach of a major program, I would steer clear of him. It is clear to me that he doesn't want competition, that he doesn't think he needs to practice, that he thinks he is the best no matter who else is already established, or what big time recruits have been brought in. The funny thing to me, that I saw all over sports websites yesterday, was people saying he was going to end up on season 5 of "Last Chance U". That would be hilarious. This kid has proven that he isn't ready, not yet at least, for big time college football. All he has shown is that he can run his mouth, and then get beat out by other QB's on the roster.

This is one of the reasons why I have a problem with the NCAA, and their transfer portal. Anytime it gets tough for one of these 4 or 5 star kids in high school, they leave. They don't even wait to see what will happen, or if they will get a chance. They just up and leave, and end up playing at a small school, and the NFL forgets about them. It is kind of ridiculous how much this goes on. I have no problem with a kid leaving if the coaching situation changes, or if they get hurt and have been told they won't get to play much when they get back. But, to transfer because someone is better than you, that is laughable to me.

Well, we will have to wait and see what will happen next in this crazy story. But, I feel like he is going to be Miami's version of Tate Forcier. Hell, maybe we will see him on "Last Chance U" next year. Time will tell.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. Ty is not ready for a repeat of the Tate Forcier era. No Michigan fan should have to relive those 7 win seasons.

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Ty Watches "The Lion King"

I have spent the last 2 weeks talking about football, so today, I want to take a break from that and write about the new "Lion King" movie.

My wife and I decided to take our kids to see it last weekend, along with some of her family, and I was excited. I love the original, it is one of my all time favorite movies. And when I saw the cast for this new one, I got my hopes up very high. I know other critics have come out lately and said some negative things, calling it pointless and saying it looks weird and the songs are odd.

I disagree. I enjoyed the hell out of this movie. I thought it was fun, sad, looked cool and I really enjoyed the music. The fact that they got these animals to look so real with CGI work is stunning to me. It legitimately felt like I was watching real life animals speak to one another and sing songs. It looked like something that could have been on the National Geographic Network. It felt so real. I almost immediately forgot that it was CGI, until the animals started to speak. And the voice actors, for the most part, I thought were great. I'm a big time James Earl Jones fan, and he nailed it this second go round with Mufasa. It was comforting to hear a familiar voice right off the bat. He was excellent. Alfre Woodard as Sirabi was great as well. She empowered the loyalty, yet fierceness that the character brings in the movie. Young Simba and Young Nala, the actors escape me right now, were cute and fun and when they sang "I Just Can't Wait to be King", it brought me right back to childhood. Chiwetel Ejiofor, as Scar, was scary and menacing and made me forget that Jeremy Irons was the same guy in the animated "Lion King". Donald Glover was a perfect choice for grown Simba. He has a unique, well known voice, and he can sing. His renditions of some of the classic songs were great. Billy Eichner, as Timon, and Seth Rogen, as Pumba, were the best for me. They were funny and witty and charming and really brought on the essence of the original Timon and Pumba, with a little updated flair. Billy Eichner was truly wonderful. He was the best one in the movie in my opinion. John Oliver as Zazu was a good choice. They kept the character British which I liked. Keegan Michael Key and Eric Andre, along with Florence Kasumba, were frightening and funny as the hyenas. My only minor criticism would actually be for Beyoncé. She was the only one I didn't really let myself get lost into like I did with the other animals. I love Beyoncé, but this role, and her performance, felt kind of forced. It almost seemed like she didn't really want to be there. I felt like she was reading her lines off the script as they recorded her lines. She is wonderful, but acting just may not be her thing.

Outside of the cast and the look, the music was all good. They had all the classics, along with a refurbished "Be Prepared", which I was appreciative of because I didn't need my kids to be as freaked out as I was as a kid.

I do want to point out that, in a movie where CGI is used to make the animals appear real, it does get violent. But, imagine what would really happen if some lions got into a fight, or there was a stampede, or if some hyenas had you trapped. It would be scary, and this movie showed that.

All in all though, I found myself really enjoying the movie, and the experience of sharing it with my kids. My wife and I loved it, and we were glad that our kids had a good time with it too. I'd say, ignore the critics that are saying mean things about the movie. The critics trashing it, for the most part, are clichéd , hackey critics that only like Oscar bait. If you liked the movie as a kid, and you have kids of your own, or just a grown up kid, I'd highly recommend seeing it. It was great.

Ty

Ty Predicts the 2019 College Football Season

Okay, time for the good football, the football I truly enjoy, college football. There is almost nothing I enjoy more than watching college football on a Saturday in the fall. It is the best. It is the one time of year where I do not mind not leaving the house at all, and having the TV on all day. I get lost watching all the different teams play on Saturday's, but I most focused when Michigan plays, obviously. I love the fall because it means college football is back.

Like I have done in the past I will pick each power conference winner, and point out a few teams that may be under the radar. Unlike the past though, I will not dwell too much on all the teams in the power 5 conferences. I will mention some, give sentences on a few and explain why I picked each conference winner. I will conclude everything will my playoff picks, my title game, my title game winner and who I think will win the Heisman. Okay, lets get to it.

I am going to start with my conference, instead of saving it for the end, the Big Ten. This is the conference I pay the most attention to. I watch most of the games even if I don't like the team that is playing. The Big Ten should be pretty competitive, as usual, but if Michigan doesn't finally break through and win, I will be upset and angry. They have one of their better offenses in recent memory returning. They have 8 starters back, including Shea Patterson and almost the entire o line. They have a great trio of receivers. The tight ends are utilized properly. And while young, the depth at running back is insane. The defense did lose some key guys, but they had so many players that played meaningful snaps last year that are back. Sure, Devin Bush, Chase Winovich and Rashan Gary will be tough to replace, but they have recruited guys just for this occasion. They have some tough games, Army really stands out to me in the non conference, and they play Notre Dame again. But, most of their toughest games are at home. They get Notre Dame, Army, Michigan State, The University of Ohio State and Iowa all in Ann Arbor. I expect, and all fans should, this team to be very good. They should win the Big Ten. That being said, The university of Ohio State is always there, and they have owned the conference for a bit. They have a bunch of new players, but still, they don't rebuild, they reload. Michigan State should be better than they were last year. and their defense is grimy, gritty and dirty. Northwestern has a new shiny 5 star QB taking over, and they are always an annoying out. Minnesota has gotten better every year under PJ Fleck. Iowa is always tough, can run and now they can pass the ball too. Penn State has to break in a new QB, but they have a solid defense, can run and they play tough at home. Nebraska should be much better, but they need to shore up a porous defense. Wisconsin has a Heisman hopeful in Johnathan Taylor, and they get their toughest games at home. Purdue is better, and that Moore kid they have is a stud. Indiana and Maryland are fine. And Illinois and Rutgers will suffer some more growing pains. Michigan should win the conference this year.

Next I will go to the Big 12. This conference really comes down to Texas and Oklahoma, and I think Oklahoma is better in every facet. No one plays defense in the Big 12, but Oklahoma is better than Texas. All teams air the ball out, or can run like gangbusters, and Oklahoma is better at that. West Virginia is going to regress. Kansas has Les Miles, but that will not amount to many more wins in year one. Baylor should have gotten the death penalty. Iowa State is tough, but they always find a way to blow games. Oklahoma State's run as a contender is well past, and Mike Gundy is a dickhead. Texas Tech has 5-7 written all over them. TCU could be better, but they really fell on their faces last season. I think Oklahoma will win because I think the kid from Alabama is a better QB than the one Texas has.

The Pac 12 has really become a lost conference. They haven't been relevant in the past couple years. That being said, Oregon has a legit top NFL prospect playing QB for them in Justin Herbert. They are super explosive too. Washington has a good transfer QB coming in to take over, and they actually play defense, and play it well. Utah is always tough. They are a better version of Northwestern. USC is in dead man walking territory, especially with former players opining for a new head coach. Washington State is fun, but they play less defense than a Big 12 team, and they always seem to lose steam late in the season. Stanford is tough, but they haven't been able to put together a full season in awhile. I'm done letting them make me look stupid. Colorado had a moment, but they are back to being a 7-5 team at best. And the rest of the conference is very blah. I'm going with Oregon because this is Herbert's last run. I think he could blow up this season.

Now to the SEC. I still think the SEC is very overrated, but Alabama is still in the conference, and they are still awesome. They have so many good players, led by Tua Tigaviola. He's awesome. He is a Heisman front runner, and he will lead that very explosive offense. Alabama's main threats will be LSU and Georgia. Both those teams have great returning QB's and good run games. They also play very solid defense. Georgia is a better team, but LSU plays up to opponents, and they could make some noise. Outside of those three teams it is really jumbled in the middle. Missouri got one of the best transfers in the country in Kelly Bryant, and he alone will make this team an 8 or 9 win team. Missouri fans will soon forget about Drew Lock. Bryant is a much better QB. Auburn will be really good or really bad. No in between. Florida is coming off a huge bowl win over Michigan, and they have a ton of talent back. But, their success depends on Felipe Franks, and he has not been great so far in college. Texas A&M will be very good very soon, but they are still a year or 2 away from really competing. Mississippi State is solid, but no better than an 8 win team. And from there on out, the rest of the conference has too many question marks. It will once again come down to Georgia and Alabama, and, as usual Alabama will prove their dominance. I'm getting sick of picking them.

Speaking of teams that are so easy too predict, does anyone have a shot to beat Clemson in the ACC? I don't think so. In fact, I know so. Clemson is coming off an absolute dismantling of Alabama in the title game last year, and pretty much everyone from that offense, mainly Trevor Lawrence, is back. They could easily average 50 points a game this year. They can walk through their schedule. They are so good on offense, and even with the departures on defense, they will be just fine. Clemson is now in Alabama territory. They are approaching unbeatable status. Sure, teams like Miami should be decent, and Florida State should rebound. Syracuse is becoming good again. And Georgia Tech runs that funky triple option. But I mean come on, Clemson will trounce their way to a division title. They are legit.

Outside of the power 5 teams, Army is a very good, very disciplined football team. They will be tough. Notre Dame has a good QB coming back and they will always be a threat. UCF, while not having Mackenzie Milton and his backup, got Brandon Wimbush, and he is a perfect fit to run their offense. Outside of those teams, no one really jumps off the page. We don't have a UCF from a few years back, or a Western Michigan from even more years back. The power 5 teams are the best of the best this season.

Picking the four team playoff has been tough for me. I have Clemson and Alabama as locks. The next 2 teams I have struggled with. I've waffled between so many variations, but I think I finally have my other 2 teams. I'm not going with a Pac 12 team either because I'm sick of getting burned by that conference. I'm going with Michigan and Georgia. I think Oklahoma will blow some games, that Texas is a little overrated, and I already stated why I will not pick Oregon. My order from 1-4 would be Clemson, Alabama, Michigan and Georgia. That would give us Clemson-Georgia and Alabama-Michigan. And, for what seems like the tenth time in a row, I have Clemson and Alabama in the title game. And, I think it will be a repeat of last year. Clemson is a better football team right now, and Dabo Swinneyis a better coach. There, I said it.

As far as the Heisman, I do not see how Trevor Lawrence from Clemson doesn't win it this year. He would have to fall off the face of the Earth to not win it. He was great last year, and now he has the full reins of that offense.

Okay, there it is, my 2019 college football preview. We only have three more weeks until real games are going to be played. I cannot wait. It is going to rule.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. It seems like the last few years Ty has been hyping a Missouri Quarterback. Come on Ty, stop giving me hope for an 8 win season. Seven wins is where the Tigers have made their home.

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Ty Picks the 2019 NFL Winners

Wrapping up my 2019 NFL preview, today I am going to pick division winners, AFC and NFC title matchup and Super Bowl matchup, and winner. I will also pick the big awards like, coach of the year, offensive and defensive MVP, overall MVP and offensive and defensive rookies of the year. Unlike the past, I will not do a deep dive into each division because that seems pointless. I did just count down all 32 teams, and gave reasons for why I have them where I have them. So, lets get to it.

As always, I will start in the AFC, and that means the AFC East is up first. This is the, I think, 4th year that I have done this, and once again, I am going with New England. They are the best team in the division, and they have zero competition from the other three teams. This may be their last hurrah, but the Patriots are as close to a shoe in as you get in the modern NFL. The AFC West is a teensy bit better, they at least have 2 teams that I think will be in the mix all year, but I am going with the Chiefs. I had them as my number 1 overall team for a reason. The Chargers will fight, and may even lead the division for a hot second, but the Chiefs are so god damn explosive on offense, and their defense improved this offseason. The bottom of that division, Denver and Oakland, is going to be horrendously bad too. Chiefs all the way though. They are great. In the AFC North I have the Baltimore Ravens. This may cause people to yell at me, think I'm stupid or crazy, but I love what the Ravens are doing, and I think the rest of the division is not that good yet. Pittsburgh will take a step back, I don't buy the Cleveland hype and the Bengals are going to be awful. I do however love me some John Harbaugh and Lamar Jackson and Earl Thomas and the fact that the Ravens want to run the ball a billion times and win with defense. I think it will be ugly, and it may only take 10 wins, but I have the Ravens winning the North. And in the AFC South, I'm going with the Colts. This will be the toughest division to win in the AFC, but I feel like the Colts are back to being a perennial playoff team, and division winner. The Texans will be their biggest threat, and don't sleep on the Titans. But, I just think with Luck back, and Frank Reich leading the way, and that young defense already being so good, they will take the division.

So that leaves me with Indy, Kansas City, New England and Baltimore as playoff locks. My two wild cards are Houston and the Chargers. In the AFC title game, I think it will be the Chiefs and Patriots, and this time, the Chiefs won't get hosed by the refs, and they will be able to stop some big pass plays. The Chiefs will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

Now to the NFC. Lets start in the East here. I'm going with Philadelphia. Like I said in my preview, on paper, they may have the best team, and they have the best team by far in this division. The Cowboys will step back with or without Ezekial Elliot, Washington is awful and the Giants are worse. Philadelphia has about as easy a route as the Patriots in this division. The NFC West is a complete joke of a division, and the Rams will use that to coast to another title. The Cardinals are breaking in an overrated, and not deserving new head coach, and Kyler Murray is a rookie. The 49ers are more overrated than the Browns and the Seahawks have no one besides Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner. The Rams can sleepwalk their way to another division title. The NFC North will be very, very tough, except for the Lions. I feel like Green Bay, Minnesota and Chicago will all have winning records. In the end, I like to go with defense, but that doesn't mean I am picking the Bears. I'm actually going to go with the Vikings, as much as RD might disagree with me. This is a put up or shut up year for them, and I think they will respond, especially on the defensive side of the ball. But Green Bay and Chicago will be right there all year. In the NFC South, it is all about the Saints. They have almost as much talent on offense as the Chiefs do, and they can put up points. They do need to be better defensively, and I think they will be. The Panthers will be a big challenge to them I think. The Falcons window has closed, and Tampa Bay is a joke of an NFL team. The Saints should, fairly easily I might add, win this division, and be primed for a big run in the playoffs.

So, that leaves me with the Saints, Vikings, Rams and Eagles as locks for the playoffs. The wild card is a bit harder for me in the NFC, but I will go Chicago, sorry Green Bay, I just don't like the Matt LaFleur hire, and I'll go with the Panthers to get back in the playoffs this year. As far as the NFC title game goes, I think we will see Rams-Saints part 2, but this time the Saints will get some revenge, and it won't come down to a blown non call by the refs. I feel like the Saints will smash them.

That means I have the Saints and the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. I hope this happens because that game would be exciting as hell. And, I'm going to go with the Saints to win, and my shocker pick of the year, I think Drew Brees will retire after the game if they do win. I just don't trust Andy Reid, and Sean Payton is a hell of a coach, especially in big time games. Patrick Mahomes will get his eventually, but every super star has to go through bumps before they get their championship. This will, most likely, be his last bump before that.

Okay, on to the awards. Coach of the Year I'm going to go with Mike Zimmer. I think the Vikings will be much better, and it will be because he gets that defense to play at a championship level again. Offensive MVP, I'm going with Mahomes. I told you all yesterday that I think 5,000 yards and 50 TD's will be his new norm. He will continue to put up "video game" numbers for awhile. Defensive MVP will be Aaron Donald. The guy is simply amazing, and he alone will do what Khalil Mack did last year for the Bears. Aaron Donald is awesome. Offensive Rookie of the Year will be Kyler Murray, and I think he will win it on the strength of his first 3 or 4 games. He is going to put up ridiculous numbers because of that gimmick offense, but teams will figure it out. But, if he already has 12 TD passes, and something like 1,200 yards after week 4, he will be a lock. Defensive rookie of the Year is going to go to my favorite player in the draft last year, the good Josh Allen. He is going to fly all over the field for the Jaguars, and he will bring back a little bit of that "Sacksonville" feel from 2 years ago. Finally, overall MVP. I'm going to double dip here, and go with Mahomes to win it again. He is on a whole other level, and his numbers are going to be insane. He is the new generation of QB in the NFL.

Okay, there it is, my entire 2019 NFL preview and predictions Come back tomorrow when I deep dive into college football, my favorite sport to watch.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. Every year Ty seems to pick the Vikings to edge out the Packers, and every year some other overachiever takes the NFC North crown. Is this the year of the Lions? Is it ever the year of the Lions?

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Ty Ranks the 2019 NFL Teams: Perfect Pepperoni Pizza Division

Today is the final day of my 2019 NFL countdown. I'm not done with the NFL after today though. I will come back tomorrow with my division winners, Super Bowl matchup, champ and award winners, and on Friday I will be writing one of my favorite pieces, my 2019 college football preview. But, today I will give you my final four NFL teams going into the 2019 season.

Coming in at number 4 I have the defending champs, the New England Patriots. Part of me was kind of shocked that I didn't have them as my number one overall team. I mean, they seem to be in the hunt every year, or at least since 2001, when Tom Brady took over as the QB. The Patriots, as much as I dislike them, are the biggest, flashiest and best dynasty of the 21st century. In any professional sport. I don't think anyone could argue that. In an era of cap space, player movement and coaching changes, they remain the one constant. But, they are getting older, and at some point, old age wins out. This team will not be this great for much longer, possibly only one or 2 more years. I know they just gave Brady an extension, but he will be 44 when that contract is up. I genuinely feel that this is it for him as the best QB in the game. I truly believe that he is the greatest QB that has ever played, but every great before him slowed down when they turned 40. Joe Montana, while still solid as a Chief, wasn't as great. Dan Marino aged poorly. We are watching guys like Eli Manning regress right now. Brett Favre was never the same, even with that one year in Minnesota, as he was with the Packers. The Broncos won a Super Bowl in spite of Peyton Manning. These things happen, and it will happen to Brady very soon. It will also happen with Julian Edelman, who is not a hall of fame player no matter what the Boston media tells you. Sony Michel is a good back, but how good will he be without Brady. Rob Gronkowski retired, but who really cares? They have an okay o line. They will still be good this year, but they have holes. Their defense is a true bend, but don't break defense. They will give up a ton of yards, but they will make it tough for you to score in the red zone. Just ask the LA Rams about that. I do like that they signed Michael Bennett, but I was wrong about him last year. And they took Chase Winovich in the third round, and while I think he will be a fine rush end, I don't see him becoming a star. I do like that they are giving N'Keal Harry a shot. He has the look and feel of a solid wide out. The Patriots are going to be good this year. Hell, they may even make another Super Bowl. But, they are older and that means key guys could miss time. Still, they will win their trash division with ease, and probably win 12 games during the regular season.

At number 3 I have a team that I seriously flirted with putting number one, the New Orleans Saints. The Saints are a very, very good team, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Drew Brees is another one of these older QB's, but he gets rid of the ball so fast, and he is deadly accurate, that he doesn't take too many hits. He has one of the better receivers in the game locked up now in Michael Thomas. This offense is so perfect for him, and he is the man at wide out for the Saints. Alvin Kamara is fast becoming one of my favorite NFL players, and he is the prototype modern NFL back. While guys like Ezekial Elliot and Melvin Gordon are holding out or asking for trades, Kamara is surpassing them in every category, and he is the one dude I would want if I were starting a NFL team today. He can run, catch passes and is blazing fast. Their o line can protect when needed. And Sean Payton is an offensive guru. Maybe the best in the league. Their defense is why I have them at 3, and not 1. They got so much better last season, but they still have lapses. They still have moments that make you shake your head. And you cannot always rely on your offense to bail you out. Sometimes that defense will have to make plays. I think they can get better, but I am still a little wary of how good they can be. The Saints also play in a tough division, and it won't be as easy as last year was for them. I still think they will win the division, probably win 13 games, and be a real threat to be in the Super Bowl, but it all depends on how much that defense can improve from last year.

At number 2 I have the Philadelphia Eagles. This current construct of the roster reminds me so much of their Super Bowl winning team. I know that Carson Wentz hasn't been entirely healthy during his career, and Nick Foles kept this team afloat last year and won a Super Bowl for them, but Wentz is a better, and younger QB than Foles. If he can stay healthy, he will have a humongous year. It helps that he has abut 5 guys that can run the ball, a great group of receivers that know what to do and very, very, very good o line protecting him. The Eagles also have one of the most sound and devastating defenses in football. They can stop any team in the run and pass game. They can rush the passer. The linebackers can cover and hit. The secondary is lock down. The Eagles are a very good football team with solid depth and big name players. They also have a very good coaching staff, no matter what the people over at The Ringer say. The Eagles will coast in their division, and I wouldn't be shocked if they went 14-2 or 15-1. They are that good. They are a legit Super Bowl contender.

The final team on my countdown, coming in at number 1, coached by Andy Reid, the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs have the best offense in football. By about a thousand miles. Patrick Mahomes is the next generation of QB. He is the modern NFL QB. He can run, and he can fling it. I would not be shocked, at all, if 5,000 yards passing and 50 TD's is his new norm. He is so fluid and calm and collected in the pocket. And when he has to scramble, he does crazy shit like no look passes, and he hits receivers in stride. He is an amazing QB. I'm not a Chiefs fan, but I am a big time fan of watching Mahomes play QB. He has great protection from, maybe, the best o line in the NFL. He has awesome, and fast, wide outs. Travis Kelce is a much more fun version of Gronk. He is also about a thousand times more likable. They have guys that can run the ball, although it is very disturbing to me that the NFL is letting Tyreek Hill suit up this year. Their defense was the problem last year, but they went out and signed guys that will help, mainly Tyrann Mathieu. He was such a great addition for this team. They will now be able to get after the passer, but also be able to cover when they do have to go man. The Chiefs seem to have it all right now. The only question, how will an Andy Reid coached team perform with this high of expectations? Andy Reid is a good head coach, in the regular season. That is why I could see the Chiefs winning 14 or 15 games, and easily winning the division. But in the playoffs, he has had some horrid moments. Will that happen this year? Maybe. But, I think Mahomes is good enough to erase any of Reid's past antics and guide this team to a big time season. They are the team to beat in my opinion.

Okay, that is my 2019 NFL countdown. I'm sure some people are mad at me, think I was too soft on some teams and probably think I am crazy for thinking that the 49ers or Browns are still going to be not that good. We will see. Come back tomorrow for picks.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. Every year sports guys like Ty keep waiting for Brady and Brees to get older, and every year those two guys keep proving us wrong. Makes you think.

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Ty Ranks the 2019 NFL Teams: Sausage and Green Pepper Pizza Division

Day 7 of my NFL countdown kicks off with my number 8 team, the Indianapolis Colts.

I want to start off right away and tell all the Colts fans to chill out about Andrew Luck's health right now. Last year, right around this same time, he couldn't throw anything except a Nerf football. Then when the season started, he went on to have a great year, and the Colts were back in the playoffs. I'm sure whatever this calf injury is right now will be fine. Also, remember how good the Colts were last year? It was supposed to be a down year. They were supposed to be bad again. They had Josh McDaniels flake on them, then had to hurry to hire Frank Reich. And all of that turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Luck came back, and as I said, was great. They found a platoon run game that worked for them. They got shifty and reliable receivers. The offense was all about crossing routes and check downs and grinding clock. The o line coalesced when it needed to. And their defense became very formidable. They could cover and stop the run. They looked like a real football team by about week 4, and then a playoff contender halfway through the year. Well, it is all pretty much the same this year. Luck is back. They have a stable of backs. They added Devin Funchess, while not great, still good, to a good group of receivers and the defense is pretty much intact. I kind of look at the Colts like the NFL's version of the Portland Trailblazers. They tend to get overlooked, and then they are 8-2 before anyone takes notice. I feel like they struck gold in having to settle for Frank Reich as their head coach. He is a QB's coach, and he installed a perfect offense for this phase of Luck's career. As I said, I think Luck will be fine, and with the core of this team back, I do not see how they don't win their division, and even get a first round bye in the AFC. The Colts are an easy double digit win team for me, probably 11, and as long as Luck is their QB, they will continue to be a playoff threat. Good for you Indy. You got 2 transformational QB's to run your team when you needed it most.

At number 7 I have probably my second least favorite team in the NFL, the Chicago Bears. Look, they won the lottery when they traded for Khalil Mack. That guy is the best defensive player in football, and when he was added to an already good defense, that put the Bears above the top for me. They had it all on that defense, except a pass rushing, run stopping wrecking ball of a linebacker. Then they got Mack. He was astounding last year. Again, I despise that team, but seeing Mack play football is pure joy. It is like watching the Spurs play basketball. It is perfection. Yes, Adrian Amos left in free agency this summer, but he is all they have to replace on one of the best defenses in football. The Bears defense is worthy of making them a title contender. Where I find fault, and why I don't have them in my top three, lies within their QB. Mitch Trubisk, right now, is not a very good NFL QB. Sure, he made a few plays here and there last year, but the Bears won because of their defense and run game. I should know, I had Tarik Cohen on my fantasy team. The offense was good in spite of Trubisky. They won games because they could grind out the clock, and let the defense come in and close things out. The biggest question, and what could make or break this team this year, is if Trubisky can make the leap. I don't think he can. I don't think he is very good. Being a Packer fan, the fact that Trubisky is their starting QB gives me hope that the Packers can stay in it every year he is behind center. Matt Nagy proved to be a capable coach, and he has pretty much everything you need to be a contender, except at QB. The fact that Trubisky is still such an unknown really makes me think twice before I put the Bears in the conversation as a Super Bowl contender. They will still win 10 plus games, and be in the playoffs, but Trubisky is what is holding them back from being a 12 to 13 win team, and a lock for the division.

At number 6 I have the LA Chargers. The Chargers are a team in flux at the running back position, Melvin Gordon just asked to be traded, but I don't think that matters. The Chargers are just like the Colts to me, except with a better defense. Sure, Phillip Rivers is a billion years old, but he has Keenan Allen to throw to. He also has Antonio Gates for another year. The Chargers also played fine without Gordon last year, when Austin Ekeler took his place. They also have a very solid o line. And that defense will get after you. They can rush the passer with the best of them. They can also cover, and they have a heavy hitting secondary. They can outscore you, or win in a slug fest. But, what I always, always, always go back on with this team, is their tendency to sleepwalk through a good portion of the year. They are not consistent with their level of play. Also, when they do have the goods, they have blown it in the past. That is why I do not think they will win, or even be in the Super Bowl for the foreseeable future. I also think Rivers is starting to trend, just a little bit, into Eli Manning territory, and they don't really have a replacement for him yet. But, the Chargers will win 11 or 12 games, and easily be in the playoffs this year.

My final team for the day, coming in at number 5, is the Super Bowl runner up, the LA Rams. The Rams are a very, very good offensive team. They play fast and loose and can run and pass. They are a much better run team because they have Todd Gurley. I know he was injured during the playoffs last year, but even in his few snaps, you could tell that opposing defenses were worried. He has had a full offseason to heal, and I feel like he can go to a whole other level, which is scary. I don't think Jared Goff is a Hall of Famer, but I do think he is a solid game manager, and Sean McVay's offense suits him perfectly. He is like Alex Smith was in KC before Pat Maholmes took over. He can dink and dunk the ball all over the filed, and when he needs to go deep, Brandin Cooks can get that separation. The o line is also great. The defense is the problem, but it isn't much of a problem because they have Aaron Donald. Aaron Donald is amazing. He is the best d lineman I have seen since I watched Reggie Smith when he joined the Packers. Aaron Donald can do it all. He can rush, stop the passer, and I bet he can even guard backs out of the backfield. After Aaron Donald, it gets a bit thin. They have solid guys, like Dante Fowler, Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters, but they did get burned a bunch last season. They played in a lot of high scoring games, due to their inability to get off the field. And while Wade Phillips has done a solid job, let that dude he retire. He is so old. Like fragile old. But, the Rams are in a crummy division, with Seattle being their "toughest" opponent, and that means they can sleepwalk their way to 11 or 12 wins, and be back in the hunt to play in a second straight Super Bowl. Time will tell.

That's it for today, come back tomorrow for the final four teams in my countdown.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. Ty misses the days the Rams were in St. Louis and the coach was Jeff Fisher. Nothing says excitement like 7-9 season after 7-9 season.

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Ty Ranks the 2019 NFL Teams: Supreme Pizza Division

The weekend has passed and we are now back to my 2019 NFL countdown. We are finally to the stage of what I consider all the teams to be playoff, or division winner, contenders. It is all good from here on out.

At number 12 I have the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys, a team I have loathed since childhood, depends on health, growth from their QB, and if they sign or let Ezekial Elliot walk. I, for one, would let him walk. He is a total headache off the field, he likes to hit females and, while a productive back, can be replaced. Look at what the Steelers did last year, and what a ton of other NFL teams have done in the modern NFL with running backs. They use them and throw them out. Remember when DeMarco Murray was the big thing in Dallas? Well, he had his breakout year with them, left in free agency and is now out of the league. I do not think Elliot is this great back that some proclaim, and if I were the Cowboys, I'd say bye. I would probably do the same with Amari Cooper. When he was traded there, he blew up. But, was that a sign of things to come, or a mirage? I think it was fools gold. He was out to prove the Raiders wrong, he did, but now teams will key on him. He is bound to regress. I would however lock up Dak Prescott. The modern NFL is so QB driven, and while Prescott isn't the best QB in the world, he is efficient and mobile and can lead a team. Those are my true feelings on this team. Now, for the hatred. Why did they bring back Jason Witten? How does Jason Garrett still have a job? Why is Jerry Jones so god damn racist? And, this team will never be "America's Team" ever again. The Cowboys are a mirage themselves. They have moments here and there, but they have done nothing but fall flat on their faces for the past decade, especially in the big moments. They are fortunate to be in such a crummy division. Their division alone is enough to push them to 9 wins, and a possible wild card slot. I do think it will be a struggle, especially because their defense is so suspect, but they will find a way to a .500 or better record.

At number 11 I am staying in the Lone Star state, and going with the Houston Texans. While I do not like Texas at all, I do, for some weird reason, kind of like the Texans. It has nothing to do with their coach, he is a boob, and their owner died, and I hope he is rotting. But I enjoy them because of guys like DeAndre Hopkins and Deshaun Watson. They are so much fun to watch play the game. Watson dances and moves and fires bullets from the pocket. And usually, they end up in the hands of Hopkins who is an amazing receiver. He is also oddly underrated. His name needs to be in the same breath as guys like Antonio Brown, Julio Jones and Michael Thomas. Hopkins is that good, and I'd say only Julio Jones is better. The o line needs to be shored up so Watson doesn't take so many hits. They are not as bad as Seattle, but not anywhere near as good as some of the upper echelon o lines. Their run game could be better too, but I think undrafted rookie free agent Karan Higdon is a good guy to go with. He was the stabilizer for Michigan the last 2 years, and when he learns to really catch and go, he could be a solid back. The defense is always going to be good, but I do worry that they won't give Jadaveon Clowney what he wants. He is so good and so big and one of the best defensive ends in football. They need him to make that duo, Clowney and JJ Watt, as deadly as they can be. They are also solid in the linebacking unit and the secondary. This team is good, and they will compete all year with the Colts in their division. I see them winning 10 games and earning a wild card spot because Hopkins and Watson are such a dangerous combo.

At number 10 I have the Minnesota Vikings. This is a make or break year for this team, and you know it RD (ed note: yup). They need to do something big this year, or I would blow it all up. Mike Zimmer needs to get back to being a good coach. They need Dalvin Cook to stay healthy. They don't need their receivers yelling at their QB on the sidelines. They need their 84 million dollar guaranteed QB to actually play, and win, some important games. And they need their elite defense to be elite. That may sound like a lot, but they did almost all of that 2 years ago with Case Keenum at QB. Sure, it took a miracle play to get them to the NFC title game, in which they got trounced, but they still made it that far. It was because of their defense. The Minnesota defense has the players, and potential, to be great. Like, Denver Broncos recent Super Bowl champion great. They just need to put it all together. They also need Kirk Cousins to get off his nonsense, and play like the top level QB they are paying him to be. I don't think he is up their with some other guys, I'd much rather have Deshaun Watson. But, they went to a NFC title with Case Freaking Keenum. Minnesota has the goods. They have the players. They have the pieces. They just need Zimmer and his staff to get it right. This may be their last chance. I do see them pushing all year to 10, maybe even 11 wins, but they are in a tough, tough division. They will be fighting for a playoff spot all year, even with double digit wins.

My final team for the day is my team, the Green Bay Packers, coming in at number 9. I see bounce back written all over them this season. I am an optimist when it comes to the Packers, but if Aaron Rodgers is healthy all year, they are a great team. They finally settled on Aaron Jones in the backfield, and I am totally down with that. They have a great number one receiver in Davante Adams. And this is Jimmy Graham's last chance. I think he will respond well to that. The o line is also one of the best in football. The defense has always been the problem in Green Bay. But this offseason they went out and spent money on guys and drafted for needs on that side of the ball. I absolutely love that they took Rashan Gary. I cannot wait to see him wreck backfields in the fall. Also, Jaire Alexander is now in his second year, and he is already one of the better shut down corners in the league. The 2 things that scare me most though, Rodgers health, he gets hurt so much more now, and Matt LaFleur. I was not on board with his hiring, and I think it could be bad. If he is insistent on running his offense, with no checks at the line from Rodgers, that could become a major problem. But, if it works out, and Rodgers stays healthy, I could see Green Bay getting back to being an 11 or 12 win team. They now have the offense at full health, and they addressed some much needed problems on defense. Now lets see if they can stay healthy, and is LaFleur has the goods.

That's it for today. Come back tomorrow for the next 4 teams.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. What Ty needs to do is visit Texas before he dismisses it. Sure it is hot, the scenery sucks, many of the people are questionable, but damn do they have some great food.

Follow Ty on instagram and twitter.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.