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The Cast, by The Fillerbuster

Eleven things I am thinking about today as I write this quick-hitter:

1. Super Bowl:  We have a saying at our startup.  This is the worst our software will ever look.  Well, that was the worst you will ever see the Chiefs offense look, and the Niners still couldn’t get it done.  Shanahan got rid of DC Steve Wilks, because he needed a scapegoat, but there were also two 3 and outs while up in score where they threw it every single time.  The defense didn’t lose that game, but adjustments weren’t made at halftime on EITHER side of the ball.  Kelce had one catch in the first half and eight in the second. How many teams will forget the game plan to RUN it at the Chiefs, and then suddenly forget that as the game goes on?  Spagnuola took away a lot of the short passes to the weapons, but that just means you need to get creative. The Niners couldn’t get their playmakers the ball.  Making overall adjustments after the game starts is what Shanahan is weak at.  Bottom line.  You can script out the game and be prepared for every hypothetical, but you have to morph with the game’s unexpected turns.  Wait until the Chiefs get an actual WR, folks.  I gave a ballpark correct score with the wrong team winning.  I really thought Shanahan would put on his big boy pants this time against a beatable Chiefs offense.  Oh, and don’t give The Witch an extra down to match your initial OT score.  And, The Witch came through once again.  So, the AFC is down to ONE guy, Joe Burrow, who has proven to stand up to The Witch.  Great.
2. It was heartbreaking hearing the shooting news break in real time.  So sad.  Really a shame that people can’t go to a parade in these times without violence breaking out.  I won’t go in depth too much on this, as people have stated what needs to be stated more eloquently.  But, I will say this.  You can’t have a monstrous public parade and still check for steel.  You either lose people and energy through the process, or continue to risk everyone’s lives who are there…because some people out there are simply evil.  We might be getting close to the end of big city parades.
3. Caitlin Clark broke the all-time scoring record while posting 49 points and scoring the record breaker from the logo.  Literally, she broke the record shooting from the court logo. Badass. What a time this is for women’s hoops.  Sure, Clark (and Iowa) is a good story.  But, MY point is that you can’t plan this perfection for timing.  She does this RIGHT before the weekend where Sabrina is facing Steph in a three point contest.  What visibility, both financially and culturally, for women’s college and pro hoops.
4. The Buckeyes fired hoops coach Chris Holtmann after seven seasons.  Chris came from a successful Butler program, but never got out of the Sweet 16 at Ohio State.  That is unacceptable with the talent they naturally get at that school.  I think this was a good move to get a head start on recruiting for next year.  Listen, that program has been good.  It is one of the many schools, like Auburn, Florida, Bama, Michigan, Texas, etc., that has proved that football schools CAN be hoops schools.  Chris had a couple decent teams that should have gone farther.  My up to date Final Four while we are here:  UCONN, Purdue, North Carolina, Arizona.  Although, know that all hell will break loose this year.  Every good team is beatable and has weaknesses.  So, those are the teams I like, but we will have to see the bracket before jumping to any firm conclusions.
5. We all heard about the LeBron-Steph playing together trade rumor.  I don’t want to hear ONE more thing about this, and they better not do it.  They are the closest thing we have to a new day Magic and Bird, and THEY sure as heck had no interest in playing together.  Thomas wanted to go through Jordan and not join him, Ewing wanted to beat Hakeem, not form a twin tower team, and Stockton would never want to pass a ball to Jordan.  I know we are in the time of super teams, but let’s keep the 1:1 rivalries in play as much as we can.  Hate each other, you two.
6. The Nuggets starting five is one of the best in the NBA.  Not one person in the world would dispute that notion.  But, we here in Denver are getting a little worried about the bench.  The young players haven’t made the leap we expected, nothing was done at the trade deadline, and Bruce Brown’s skills and Jeff Green’s locker room presence are a little more missed than we thought they would be.  Still confident as long as healthy, but those bench minutes worry me a little.
7. While on the NBA subject, Bojan to the Knicks and Hayward to the Knicks were easily my two favorite trade deadline moves.  All of the “big” moves were done well before the deadline.  One other NBA note.  What Russell Westbrook has done in LA by going to the bench has changed our entire paradigm on his legacy.  If he proactively went to the bench and they end up winning this thing, his legend just becomes so much better.  Much respect, Russ.
8. I don’t watch enough NHL games as I want to because there aren’t enough hours in the day, but I will say this.  The Stadium Series is the best.  Outside hockey is the best.  I will have to record it since I will be out of the country during this year’s events, but you should tune in if you haven’t before.
9. Tiger Woods is back, and so are his back spasms in his first event.  Just get that back and leg back in shape, and do something magical at The Masters, bro.  I just want to see ONE more relatively healthy run from my boy.
10. What I care about:  For the record, I really thought that UVA Hoops could make a postseason run as they were getting hot.  That home loss vs. Pitt was a killer though, and made me lose a lot of hope.  LOVE their rotation, love the players, but they just haven’t fully put it together and become a well-oiled machine like in years past.  If they drop another couple of games, I won’t be put through the agony though, as they probably won’t be in the tourney at all.  For the record, I will gladly take Russell Wilson off the Broncos or Justin Fields off the Bears as the new Steelers starting QB.  That is how desperate I am as a fan to have a somewhat talented QB in Pittsburgh.  Just give me “upside” and I am happy.
11. My buddy went to the Waste Management Open, and it was also on my bucket list.  Well, after this year’s shenanigans, major changes are apparently coming.  The extreme fun is over.  Dammit.  Missed out, and so did you.  No more Happy Gilmore crowd stuff.

Got to go.  Talk to you next time.