Jason Haskins's Blog, page 21
March 8, 2022
Mountain West men's tournament preview: Chips stacked in Vegas
A riveting regular season should make for a wild Mountain West Conference men's tournament this coming week in Las Vegas, NV.The men's side of the Mountain West Conference had one of the strongest seasons in recent memory. Three teams should be a lock come Selection Sunday, with a possible fourth depending on how games play out (in the conference tournament and beyond).
The quality and depth of teams should make for an exciting four days when action begins March 9.
Recent years saw a bit of a drop-off as far as getting teams into the Big Dance. Prior, there were years that the Mountain West consistently offered up the potential to put three or four teams into the . Years of having five teams, too, happened once upon a time, with the last happening in 2013.
While that likely won't be the case this season, there's a strong possibility four teams could be in the 68-team field when brackets are announced March 13.
Boise State BroncosThe regular-season champion Boise State Broncos lead the pack but just barely. Defensive-minded and offensively efficient, the Broncos (24-7, 15-3 MW) won their first outright conference title since their Big Sky days back in 1988.
Head coach Leon Rice was also selected as Coach of the Year.
Since a four-point loss to Saint Louis, the Broncos have gone 21-3 and powered by a deep, experienced core that can trot out nine players on a nightly basis.
Boise State placed four players on the Mountain West media all-conference teams, including Freshman of the Year Tyson Degenhart. Degenhart has brought energy to the team, playing beyond his years. He averaged 10.2 points per game while shooting 50 percent from the field. Degenhart also has a knack for taking charges (and firing up the crowd).
Abu Kigab and Marcus Shaver Jr. were both selected to the second team. Kigab is the team's leading scorer and also its heart and soul. Kigab averages 14.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.2 steals, while Shaver has shown knack for knocking down huge shots.
The Broncos average 69.2 points per game while holding opponents to 60.8, keeping them 60 points or under 19 times in 2021-22.
Free throws were a huge problem in the early parts of the season but the team has been much better in the last ten games or so and they now shoot 64.4 percent as a team.
Boise State will play the winner of the Nevada/New Mexico game at 3 p.m. (ET) on Thursday (3/10).
Colorado State RamsThe Rams may have finished second in the conference but it was only by one game and they swept Boise State. Colorado State (24-4, 14-4 MW) is ranked 23rd in the most recent AP poll and began the season 11-0.
Averaging 75 points per game, the Rams scored 70 or more only once in their last four games. They, too, have a deep and experienced team, led by Player of the Year David Roddy.
Roddy is an undersized forward but don't tell him that. Or believe it, to be frank. Roddy averages 19.5 points and 7.6 rebounds. Not only does he clean up on the glass but he can shoot, too, hitting 57.5 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from three.
Isaiah Stevens averages 14. 8 and 4.9 assists for the Rams.
Colorado State is solid on defensive but does allow 66.4 points per game. And rebounding can be trouble, too, as the Rams were in the bottom part of the conference at 32.3 rebounds per game.
As the second-seed, Colorado State awaits the winner of Utah State and Air Force. The Rams were swept by UNLV in the regular season but wouldn't have to worry about possibly facing the Rebels until the finals.
The Rams tip-off with their quarterfinal game on Thursday March 10 at 9:00 pm (ET).
San Diego State AztecsThe Aztecs might be the hottest Mountain West team coming out of the regular season. San Diego State (21-7, 13-4 MW) has won four straight and nine of their last ten games.
Thanks to a strong non-conference schedule with wins over Arizona State and Saint Mary's, the Aztecs should be in prime position to make the NCAA tournament no matter how the chips fall in Vegas.
San Diego State can get into a funk on offense, averaging 66.3 points per game. They do have a nice inside/outside presence and a star in Matt Bradley. Bradley shoots 41.3 percent from three-point range and averages 17.8 point per game.
Nathan Mensah doesn't score a ton of buckets (7.4 ppg) but does pull down seven rebounds per game. Mensah also averages 2. 1 blocked shots per game, part of a stingy defense that only gives up 58.3 points.
The Aztecs will open up play on Thursday as well (11:30 pm ET), where they away the winner between Fresno State and San Jose State.
Wyoming Cowboys vs UNLV Runnin' RebelsThe most intriguing matchup on Thursday is the 4/5 matchup between the Wyoming Cowboys and UNLV Runnin' Rebels.
In their lone matchup of the season, UNLV (18-13, 10-8 MW) defeated Wyoming 64-57.
Wyoming (24-7, 13-5 MW) began the season 8-0 and were on top of the conference before slipping down the final three weeks. Still, they have two of the top players in the Mountain West in Graham Ike and Hunter Maldonado.
Ike patrols the inside, averaging 19.9 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. Maldonado runs things, scoring 18.7 ppg while dishing out 5.8 assists. Both were named to the 1st-team Mountain West.
Across the floor, the Runnin' Rebels have a star playmaker of their own in Bryce Hamilton. Hamilton has at times been a one-man wrecking crew averaging 21.8 points per game. Six times he scored over 30, with a 32-point game at Boise State and a 42-point performance in a victory over Colorado State.
The teams are close to evenly matched. Wyoming scores a little more (73.8, to UNLV's 70.3) while both allow just under 66 points per game. Three-point percentage is nearly identical while UNLV holds a slight edge in rebounding.
Tip-off for this game is scheduled for 5:30 pm (ET) on Thursday (3/10)
Nevada Wolf Pack vs New Mexico LobosThe 8/9 matchup on Wednesday, March 9 (2 p.m. ET) between the Nevada Wolf Pack and New Mexico Lobos starts the Mountain West tournament off right.
The two teams met once in the regular season, a 79-70 Nevada victory and we should see a battle of guards in this game.
Nevada (12-17, 6-12 MW) ended the regular season on a four-game losing streak, though in their last two they lost by a combined seven points to Boise State and San Diego State. The Wolf Pack are powered by the outstanding backcourt duo of Grant Sherfield and Desmond Cambridge Jr.
Sherfield is the leading scorer (18.5 ppg) and is shooting 34.1 percent from three-point range. He also dishes out 6.5 assists per game.
Cambridge is a top 3-point shooter, knocking down 81 this season. He averages 16.3 points per game.
In the first game with the Lobos, the duo combined for 28 points, though they were 2-14 from deep. Sherfield dished out 10 assists while Warren Washington and Will Baker each pulled down 11 rebounds.
Nevada scores 72.4 points while giving up 73.8. The Wolf Pack average 34.8 rebounds.
New Mexico is pretty similar across the board, averaging 74.3 points and giving up 75.2. The Lobos (13-18, 5-12 MW) pull down 34.1 rebounds per game and are coming off a nice victory over UNLV to close the regular season.
Jamal Mashburn Jr. is the team's top scorer (18.3 ppg). Jaelen House scores 16.9 points with 4.4 assists. The two combined for 35 points in the early-season loss to Nevada.
Utah State Aggies vs Air Force FalconsUtah State (17-14, 8-10 MW) looked to be a threat as spoiler in this conference for a while but stumbled to a 2-5 finish.
Five of their conference losses were by five points or less, so the Aggies can still be that role and potentially steal a bid if they get hot.
The Aggies split the season series with Air Force (11-17, 4-13), losing by two and winning by 27. Utah State averages 73.9 points per game while giving up 67.1. The Aggies love to share the ball, as their 17.9 assists per game rank 8th in the nation.
Six players average at least eight points per game. Their leader is Justin Bean, who averages 17.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. Bean is much like Roddy and score from inside and out, shooting 54.9 percent this season.
Brandon Horvath (13.6 ppg) is also a player to watch.
Two of Air Force's conference wins came against the San Jose State Spartans. In between those victories, however, the Falcons lost nine straight. When their offense is clicking, Air Force can be a threat, as evident in a win over UNLV.
AJ Walker (14.6 ppg) and Jake Heidbreder (10.4 ppg) lead this team. The two combined for 30 points in the victory over Utah State but were held to only 14 in the loss.
Air Force averages 59.1 points while allowing 65.4. The team only pulls down 26.5 rebounds per game.
This game is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. (ET) tip-off on Wednesday March 9.
Fresno State Bulldogs vs San Jose State SpartansClosing out day one action (3/9 at 7 p.m. ET) is a 6/11 game between Fresno State (18-12, 8-9) and San Jose State.
The Bulldogs won two games against the Spartans (8-22, 1-17) by an average of 25 points. Much like the Aggies, Fresno State was in discussion to possibly steal a bid for the Mountain West. Though the finished 2-6 to close the regular season, a team-oriented style and star player could power the Bulldogs to a lucky streak in Vegas.
Orlando Robinson is one of the top players in the conference, scoring 19.2 points per game. Robinson is shooting 48.1 percent from the field and pulls down 8.2 rebounds per game. Isaiah Hill is the only other Bulldog to average double figures (10.2 ppg) and shoots 38.9 percent.
Fresno State clamps down on defense, allowing 58.4 points. They score 65.1.
On the flip side of things, San Jose State played with a bad hand and short rotation much of the season. Their only conference victory was over New Mexico and 11 times the Spartans scored less than 60 points in averaging 64.1 points.
Omari Moore does a bit of everything for the Spartans, averaging 13 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. Ibrahima Diallo only played in 12 games this season, missing over two months but has provided a spark as of late. Diallo averages 8.3 points and 7.7 rebounds. He also has 20 blocked shots.
Boise State, Colorado State, and San Diego State all should be locks when it comes to the NCAA tournament, no matter their results here.
Wyoming struggled down the stretch, finishing 4-4, and are currently sitting on the bubble. A loss in the quarterfinals would devastate their chances, so the Cowboys needs a win to help themselves out.
Outside the top four teams, UNLV might have the best chance to steal a bid. Nevada, with the excellent guard duo, could get hot and make a run but that's a pretty big long shot.
As wild as the conference can be, I still see it coming down to Boise State and Colorado State for the title on Saturday. But as this time of year repeatedly tells us, it's always best to expect the unexpected.
photo credit: Flickr
March 2, 2022
Academy Awards: Tournament of past 64 Best Picture winners
It's again time for a movie tournament, with a contest between the Best Picture Academy Award winners from the past 64 years.
The Academy Awards have long been considered the pinnacle awards ceremony of the film industry. It is an annual event where Academy voters decide on the best-of-the-best for acting, directing, writing, editing, costumes, sound, and much more. (* the Academy has decided not to air all the categories live this year, which is a huge mistake.)
On March 27, 2022 the 94th Academy Awards will be held. Films like Power of the Dog, Belfast, Dune, King Richard, and West Side Story are among the ten films vying for the honor of being named Best Picture.
Because it's March, and tournaments are in vogue this time of year, it's the perfect time to have a tournament of the Best Picture winners from the last 64 years.
In recent years, the Best Picture category has been expanded, allowing for up to ten films to be nominated. There has always been debate on what these films usually are, putting critical darlings against box office champs in some instances. The latter can often be ignored when it comes to major awards, with the biggest moneymakers not always receiving the accolades.
That being said, the 64 films were ranked on their domestic box office totals. There are some big winners included; films like Titanic and Lord of the Rings: Return of the King that won awards and dominated the box office. And others from the 1950s and early 60s that had no box office total at all.
Prior to 1958, there were well-known winners of the Best Picture award. On the Waterfront, Casablanca, Gone with the Wind, All About Eve, Marty, and All Quiet on the Western Front were fantastic films that are not in this tournament because, well, 64 is a nice number for a bracket.
Speaking of which, let's take a look at the matches.
Red Carpet regionOnce the highest grossing film at the box office, Titanic has fallen all the way to 7th. Despite this, the red carpet has been rolled out for them with the top overall seed in this tournament. Titanic is also tied with two other films for most Academy Awards, with 11.
1) Titanic - 199816) In the Heat of the Night - 19688) Green Book - 20199) No Country for Old Men - 20085) The Silence of the Lambs - 199212) The Deer Hunter - 19794) Platoon - 198713) Midnight Cowboy - 19706) Terms of Endearment - 198411) Parasite - 20203) The Sound of Music - 196614) Birdman - 20157) Million Dollar Baby - 200510) Chariots of Fire - 19822) Dances with Wolves - 199115) The Apartment - 1961Glamour regionMusicals are represented well in this region, with three. And so is Jack Nicholson. Nicholson, winner of three Academy Awards himself, is in two films in this region.
This region also contains the 2nd film with 11 Academy Award wins, Ben-Hur.
1) Gladiator - 200116) GiGi - 19598) Ben-Hur - 19609) Patton - 19715) One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - 197612) Spotlight - 20174) The Departed - 200713) West Side Story - 19626) Unforgiven - 199311) The French Connection - 19723) The King's Speech - 201114) Bridge on the River Kwai - 19587) Out of Africa - 198610) Crash - 20062) Chicago - 200315) Oliver! - 1969Gold Statue regionThe top-seed in this region, and second highest overall, is LOTR: Return of the King. In 2004, this film became the third film to earn 11 Academy Awards. It was the final chapter of the initial run of Peter Jackson films, and was a force with critics and the box office alike.
1) Lord of the Rings: Return of the King - 200416) A Man for All Seasons - 19678) The English Patient - 19979) My Fair Lady - 19655) American Beauty - 200012) Godfather: Part II - 19754) Argo - 201313) The Artist - 20126) Driving Miss Daisy - 199011) Gandhi - 19833) The Sting - 197414) Annie Hall - 19787) Shakespeare in Love - 199910) 12 Years a Slave - 20142) Rain Man - 198915) The Hurt Locker - 2010Glitz regionA wide-range of films in this range, where the real question might be: "Will The Godfather be given any real competition?"
Plenty from each decade to put up a fight, that's for sure.
1) Forrest Gump - 199516) Tom Jones - 19648) Braveheart - 19969) The Shape of Water - 20185) Rocky - 197712) Lawrence of Arabia - 19634) The Godfather - 197313) The Last Emperor - 19886) Kramer vs Kramer - 198011) Amadeus - 19853) Slumdog Millionaire - 200914) Moonlight - 20177) Schindler's List - 199410) Ordinary People - 19812) A Beautiful Mind - 200215) Nomadland - 2021Voting for the 1st round will begin on March 2 on Twitter and continue in the weeks leading up to this year's ceremony. Be sure to follow along @jasonrh_78 and feel free to share.
photo credit: Flickr
February 26, 2022
A look back at Wings: Anatomy of a relationship
This is the final selection in the three-part series looking back the 1990s NBC sitcom Wings.The power of relationships between characters help to drive a story. Books, plays, film, and television rely on the art of the relationship (or lack thereof) between characters and the world in which they reside.
In television, it is relationships between the main cast and how they function which helps drive a series. A drama tends to tendril off, expanding to many different corners and fully diving into minor and major characters.
In the sitcom world, relationships mostly remain confined to the main cast. Sure, a new character will pop up and now then. Or a random stranger will appear to help support a story for an episode or two.
Wings was propelled by a strong core unit of characters and their relationships. A will-they-or-won't-they trope helped drive this along and was sometimes central to the first five seasons of Wings eight-season run. It was also the basic relationships of family, friends, worker-boss, customer-worker, etc. that helped create the world as seen on Nantucket.
Brotherly loveFrom the beginning, Wings told a tale of brothers, family, and friendship with the relationship between Joe and Brian Hackett (Tim Daly, Steven Weber). Theirs was a very fractured relationship in the beginning. Brian, who had ran away with Joe's fiancée, was freshly returned to the island of Nantucket, single and out of work as a pilot.
This situation with Carol () is wrapped up fairly early in the show, with closure between the three settled in episodes three and four of the first season.
From there, we get to see Joe and Brian's relationship flourish. There's was a troubled childhood, with a mom that had abandoned them just prior to their teen years. Their father eventually had a mental breakdown (with scavenger hunts designed to get the brothers together bookending the series in its first and last episodes).
Early teases of a love triangle between Joe, Brian, and childhood friend Helen (Crystal Bernard) fizzled out, especially with Helen pretty firm in her statement that she "doesn't date pilots". Women didn't too often come between Joe and Brian, having learned their lesson with Carol, though the arrival of Alex (Farrah Forke) in season four did briefly provide some tension and fights.
As the Hackett brothers grew from boss/co-worker to eventual co-owners of Sandpiper, we also witnessed their growth. Brian learned to be more responsible while Joe learned to relax and enjoy life (though towards the end of the run, Joe's OCD and attention to detail were played up for plenty of laughs).
And, despite Helen's initial assessment of pilots, a love story emerged.
Wings: The Helen and Joe arcOld friends, the best of friends, Helen Chapel and Joe keep things simple in the beginning, laying a foundation in episode two of season one with Joe saying, "We're buddies."
This is after Helen asks, "Am I sexy?" and we get to see flirting, the first inkling of future relations.
By episode nine of season two, the two are going on their first date and, three episodes later, share a passionate kiss. With that, Joe officially proclaims to Helen, "Let's date."
The two even reach the precipice of marriage (S2, E18) in an episode that begins with the two aiming for a Friday night alone, only to be interrupted by Brian.
Told "we're not the three musketeers anymore", Brian eventually meets Gwen (Lisa Darr) and the two live on the edge of life, kicking off the entire marriage idea.
Of course, neither couple does and by the end of the second season (episode 22), Helen and Joe go their separate ways because of initially Helen getting a job in a symphony in Maine. Unwilling to do long distance, the couple has it out across the terminal, dumped tools and broken plates included. By the end of the episode, despite the symphony job no longer an option, Helen decides to leave for New York to give her music career ago.
There is a lot of resentment by Helen towards Joe in the early part of season three, especially as Joe has met and begun to date Gail (Gretchen German). This is truly the only other woman Joe dates for an extended period, lasting until episode 8.
Meanwhile, Helen twice crashes her jeep into Joe's office as her anger grows. The two eventually reconcile as friends (S3, E3) and share a kiss (S3, E8) after Joe and Gail end things (but both Joe and Helen say "nah").
Things are quiet between the two and then Helen begins seeing Davis Lynch (Mark Harelik) in season five. There's a running joke about Davis always canceling on Helen but eventually he proposes to Helen (S5, E24).
Sparks fly between Joe and Helen when she gives Joe the news of the pending nuptials. A kiss leads to another but all appears to be over before ultimately ending the episode with the two in bed together (discovered by Brian).
Overall, this arc was spread evenly and nicely over the seasons. The beginning of their relationship wasn't too rushed and aside from early season three, their relationship didn't become overly strained and petty. By time Helen and Joe are engaged (S6, E1) and married (S6, E26), enough time has passed and their dynamic fully cemented.
The same, however, can't be said about the love life of Brian.
Brian Hackett: Never settleBrian lived up to his true playboy, wild style nature. He was constantly on the prowl, looking for the fun to never end.
Most of his dalliances were one-episode affairs. That is until Alex rolled into town in season four.
Headstrong and confident, Alex knew exactly what she wanted. She kept Joe ("Ace") and Brian ("Slick") on their toes, pitting the against one another until agreeing to a date with Brian (S4, E7). In this episode, Brian sinks Lowell's (Thomas Haden Church) boat, forcing the dim-witted mechanic onto land.
A second-chance for Brian is had later in season four (E22), where he and Alex have a nearly perfect date. Turns out it was one of Brian's special date packages (which, thinking about it, don't many people have certain things they tend to do on first dates?) and Alex feels used. As it turns out, Brian actually enjoyed her company and the two begin to date.
Season five sees the relationship heat up, with the two moving in together briefly. Brian, however, seemingly has one foot out the door and realizes what he has too late, as Alex has decided to move on.
As expected, Brian deals with heartbreak in the early parts of season six and never really settles down the remainder of the series. He has some on-again, off again flings with Casey (), including an outing that, through a series of events, leads to Joe and Helen's house being burnt down.
Though I was rooting for Brian to succeed in a relationship with Alex, outside forces (read: studio) likely kept that from happening. Instead, we got a version closer to the Brian we'd come to love over the years.
While Brian enjoyed the single life, there was a character who wanted love and sadly rarely ever found it.
Unlucky in loveAntonio Scarpacci (Tony Shalhoub) never quite found true love, despite his repeated valiant attempts.
Antonio was married to Helen in season three, to remain in the United States, and the two are later divorced. He pines after Casey upon her arrival on Nantucket, with multiple failed attempts and makeovers to win her over.
Given the character of essentially a sad sack, Shalhoub as Antonio is some A+ stuff. He fit in seamlessly as friends to the crew and by the last season, is sharing a residence with Brian and Casey.
He even found a consistent love interest in season eight, though much of it was talked about offscreen. It was a relationship where Antonio's insecurities shined through and much of the focus on Antonio the final part of show's run was his desire to earn more money.
Love, laughs, and friendship were never too far away on Wings. The give-and-take buoyed the show for eight seasons, with a perfect mix of comedy touched with moments of drama to make Wings so enjoyable. Memorable, standout characters will live on, with Wings hopefully flying away from the land of forgotten 1990s sitcoms once and for all.
Part 1 - Wings: Forgotten sitcom gem of the 1990s
Part 2 - Wings: Now boarding guest stars and recurring characters
photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
February 23, 2022
Wings: Now boarding guest stars and recurring characters
This is the second in a three-part series looking back at one of the underrated sitcoms from the 1990s, Wings.A longtime staple of episodic television, whether in an outstanding series or a middling one, is the appearance of guest stars and recurring characters. The sitcom Wings was no different.
These appearances serve multiple purposes. They can be used to boost ratings and attract viewers for a struggling show. Back when fall and spring sweeps were a big thing looked at by networks, before cable and streaming shows entered the picture with original content, a major name could appear on a show and send ratings into another stratosphere. Or they could simply be a popular figure at the time and brought in for some good will (and yes, ratings).
Recurring characters could be used for the same reasons, along with helping build the world of a particular series. They could be family members, friends of characters, or even random acquaintances that bring so much flavor to the show they'd be invited back for future episodes.
Wings had all of this and more. Many guest stars and recurring characters entered the terminal at Tom Nevers Field during the eight seasons of this comedy. And we begin with a character crossover event.
Wings: Everyone knows your nameBefore ABC had their TGIF lineup mix-and mash and long before NBC had Chicago Wednesdays and Law and Order Thursdays, Wings gave us multiple occasions with characters crossing over between shows.
NBC was already on the verge of universe building, where we discovered Seinfeld, Friends, and Mad About You shared the same landscape. Wings wasn't a spin-off of Cheers but seeing how both shows had the same creators/producers and were set in Massachusetts, it was only logical that characters from Cheers would make the trip to Nantucket (though the favor was never returned, as many times as the characters from Wings took trips to Boston).
The first to do so were Norm (George Wendt) and Cliff (John Ratzenberger), who walked through the terminal doors for a fishing trip (season 2, episode 2). This was more than a brief cameo, as the two were present throughout the episode, with Cliff even offering sage advice. They never did make it on the fishing trip, as they spent way too much time at Helen's (Crystal Bernard) lunch counter.
It wouldn't be until the middle part of season three (episode 16) when characters from Cheers would return. This time it was none other than the man who would later get a spin-off, Dr. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammar). Dr. Crane was on the island with this wife Lilith Sternin-Crane (Bebe Neuwirth), conducting a self-help seminar.
As mentioned in part one of this blog series, over 20 episodes of Wings were not available on Hulu. One of these contains the final appearance from a character from Cheers. In this episode, Brian (Steven Weber) takes Alex (Farrah Forke) to Boston and a Clint Black concert. Black plays himself in the episode and Brian tries to sneak into a party (or backstage). Also attempting to do the same? Miss Rebecca Howe (Kirstie Alley).
Though the big gun from Cheers, Sam Malone (Ted Danson), never made an appearance, there were plenty of other notable performers to appear on Wings.
Wings: Notable one-timersBetween guest stars and recurring characters, there were likely over 100 different performers, celebrities, statesmen, and more to appear in an episode of Wings.
There were familiar faces of sitcom lore, like David Ogden Stiers of Mash fame, who played an orchestral conductor (season 2, episode 3). And John Ritter (Three's Company), who played Stuart, the ex-husband of Casey (real-life wife Amy Yasbeck) in season seven's 25th-episode.
Ray Charles had a brief cameo (S5, E24) and George Kennedy went through an entire episode playing himself (S7, E21).
Joe (Tim Daly) and Brian's mom was played by Barbara Babcock (S2, E20), while Tim Daly's mom Tyne appeared in episode six of season three.
And of course, Wings capitalized on what was trending around the time, with Colonel Oliver North showing up in the cold open for season 3, episode 18 with a throwaway line about having "no recollection".
There was an older generation of performers and comedians who appeared on the show. Debbie Reynolds played Helen and Casey's mom (S6, E9). Roy's (David Schramm) mother didn't make an appearance until the final season and she was played by Rose Marie. Abe Vigoda (S8, E11), Soupy Sales (S6, E8), and Peggy Lipton (S6, E8) were others who landed in Nantucket.
And older generation of performers and comedians, too, appeared as recurring characters over the 172-episode run.
Wings: Recurring guestsOne of the funnier characters on the show was , who played Carlton Blanchard. Hickey first appeared as Carlton in season three, episode 17. Carlton wins a round-trip ticket at a fundraiser and wants to fly to Las Cruces, which Joe begrudgingly has to agree to. Carlton annoys each of the characters in various ways and only wants to make this trip to see a brother he hasn't spoken to in 50 years. Chaos ensues, a plane crash happens, and the main cast want nothing to do with Carlton ever again.
Of course, Carlton shows up for two more episodes over the years, bringing the same annoyances and comedy. He's talked about in even more in episodes Hickey doesn't appear, as Gilbert Gottfried arrives as Carlton's nephew in season 5, episode 15 (and playing the nephew in two more episodes in seasons six and seven).
Phil Leeds, in some ways, would later replace Hickey as the "annoying old man" character. Leeds drops by in seasons seven (E24) and eight (E11, a Christmas episode). Leeds plays Lou, a character who Joe meets while caught up in a lie. The two end up at a strip club with Brian, who is there to see an old friend (Carol Alt as Tracey, once the "hottest girl in Sconson High".)
Abraham Benrubi appeared as Roy's son in season two, episode ten and is rarely mentioned, if at all, until a reappearance in the 13th episode of season seven. RJ is a star football player but takes cello lessons from Helen, who he first comes out as gay to. Roy initially struggles with this at first and it is in Benrubi's later appearance in which the character RJ is going to get married.
Mark Harelik, Valerie Mahaffey, and Laura Innes kept popping up over the years, and with good reason. Harelik played Davis Lynch, who first shows up as a possible investor in Sandpiper Air in season five, episode four. Davis ends up in a relationship with Helen, though he's discussed more often than seen, and appears in four episodes in season five and one in season seven.
Mahaffey appears as Sandy, an old classmate the core group. Sandy was obsessed with Joe and first appears to be normal in her life as a lawyer (and later, judge). But her obsession with Joe still stands, creating havoc in private with him but nobody else believes the zaniness that happens behind closed doors. Mahaffey appeared in three episodes, beginning in season five, and at one point in her season seven appearance dated Brian.
For the longest time, Lowell (Thomas Haden Church) spoke of his wife Bunny. He had plenty of stories but it took all the way until season three, episode four for Bunny (Innes) to actually make an appearance. Sex-crazed and aloof, Bunny ultimately kicks Lowell off the boat and the two divorce.
Innes, who went on to star on ER, appeared as Bunny in four episodes across seasons three, four, and five, and was just one of many future stars to spend some time on Wings.
Wings: Future starsOne of the great things during this re-watch is seeing performers who would later go onto headline television shows of their own (or find consistent work over the years).
Back in the fifth episode of season one, Megan Mullally appeared as a blind date of Joe's. Brian has set up Joe on this date with Cindy, who is described as the town floozy. Mullally, of course, would later star on NBC's Will and Grace (among other things).
Another performer from those early seasons was Matthew Fox, playing a high school baseball player who was about to break Joe's strikeout record (S3, E21. Brian Doyle Murray was also in this episode as the baseball coach). Fox would later reach superstardom with the series Lost and before that was also one of the stars of the original Party of Five.
Party of Five also saw Scott Grimes gain some notoriety. Grimes has appeared on all sorts of television and movies in the last 30 years, including ER. He was on Wings in episode three of season four, working as a high school intern for Roy.
Others who spent time on Wings include Peri Gilpin (S3, E19) and Kevin Connolly (S5, E7). Gilpin's appearance was prior to her role of Roz on Frasier and Connolly would later gain fame as one of the stars on Entourage.
John Hawkes, who has built up quite the resume over the years, showed up a couple of times in season five as a waiter at the Crab Shack.
Wings delivered laughs for eight seasons and a large part of the success was due to guest stars and recurring characters who boarded the show. Another reason for success? The relationships, romantic and otherwise, for the main cast, which we'll explore in the upcoming part three three of this blog series.
Wings: The forgotten sitcom gem of the 1990s, part 1
photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
February 19, 2022
Wings: A forgotten sitcom gem of the 1990s
This is the first of a three-part look back at the powerhouse that was the sitcom Wings.NBC was once a master of the television airwaves, beginning in the mid-1980s and stretching all the way in to the early 2000s. A laundry list of hit sitcoms still live on in the memory of audiences and multiple streaming services. Cheers, Friends, Seinfeld, The Cosby Show, Frasier, and The Office are but a few that captivated audiences (and in some cases, revered to this day).
There is one show, however, rarely mentioned among these behemoths. A show that was funny, witty, and endearing, star-making and delightful. This was a show that took the office workplace comedy to new heights. Quite literally. Wings was underrated in its time and remains so to this day.
Wings premiered on NBC in April 1990. Created by David Angell, Peter Casey, and David Lee (all of Cheers fame), the show lasted eight seasons and 172 episodes. Given the time of the year when it first aired (kind of a wasteland at that time), there was a good chance it was given the "let's see if it sticks" treatment by ordering only six episodes for that first season. Surviving takeoff, Wings would make its final departure on May 21, 1997.
Over the course of Wings , we primarily followed the lives of brothers and pilots Joe (Tim Daly) and Brian (Steven Daly) Hackett. Along with Helen Chapel (Crystal Bernard), Roy Biggins (David Schramm), Fay Evelyn Schlob Dumbly DeVay Cochran (Rebecca Schull), Lowell Mather (Thomas Haden Church), Antonio Scarpacci (Tony Shalhoub) and plenty of guest stars to fill the terminal at Tom Nevers Field on the island of Nantucket twice over, Wings entertained from start to finish.
Wings: An overviewOne of the things that make a sitcom great is consistency. Wings had this in laughs, character development, and storylines. True to tv trope form, there was also a "will they/won't they" laced in throughout the first five seasons.
Like many great sitcoms, too, there often comes a lull towards final seasons. Those shows that make it past five seasons find a way to not make that drop-off happen all at once. The top-of-the-line shows may never see that happen. And while Wings never quite reached the elite level of greatness, it wasn't until parts of episode seven and into season eight where storylines grew a little bit more wacky and outlandish, sometimes not in the name of good comedy. (It will be said, however, that the two-part series finale "Final Approach" was nearly perfect).
Comedies can sometimes suffer when main characters end up romantically linked throughout (see Friends, when after the initial glow of Monica/Chandler wears off after season five and a baby is tossed in the mix with the Ross/Rachel love affair a few seasons later. The show was never the same.) The creators and writers of Wings teased a very brief love triangle with Joe/Helen/Brian but that never really materialized. And once Joe and Helen did end up together, fresh ways were thought of to keep the show rolling, with a baby never entering the picture.
Certain moments of what we see now as cringe were used as easy jokes that put down a demographic. It was true to comedy of that era but one now people can learn from. The amount of jokes alone about being gay as a putdown or to tap into characters' homophobia were prevalent. It was seen in Wings and Friends, among many, and even stretched into early episodes of The Office.
Despite these shortfalls, Wings mostly stands the test of time, thanks to solid writing, storylines, and a core group that (mostly) stayed around for the show's entire run.
Wings: Core castThe Hackett brothers and life at the airport terminal is the main force behind this show. The brothers own Sandpiper Air, a one-plane operation that also shares the terminal with Roy's AeroMass airline and Helen's lunch counter. There is also a car rental place hanging out in the background but one that rarely gets any mention.
From the very first episode, we see how this dynamic is to play out, especially with the two brothers.
We have the straight-laced and uptight Joe juxtaposed with the freewheeling and carefree Brian. It's responsibility vs not. And of course, one brother (Brian) who stole his brother's fiancée just prior to the events where the series begins.
Daly and Weber were credited with appearing in all 172 episodes, as were Bernard, Schramm, Schull. Towards the later seasons, I believe a few may have fallen in the "credits only" category or may have only even appeared in the first and last moments of an episode.
Helen was in charge of the lunch counter, and was the oldest friend of the Hackett brothers, with a friendship going back to childhood. Thanks to going through childhood with a weight problem, Helen had a love/hate relationship with food. Early episodes had her turning to food to calm nerves as plot points and she had to live down nicknames like "Helen, Helen the Watermelon" (season 7, episode 8) and "Easy Casey's Fat Sister" (S8, E22).
Helen also loved to play a cello and the first four seasons have a focus on trying to achieve her dream. Failed audition after failed audition haunts her, as does a brief stay in New York. The cello is destroyed in a plane crash and she buys a new one eventually but it's not really discussed much after the middle part of season four. (Until the end, that is, but let's not spoil that.)
Roy and Fay were two characters also present from the beginning and a constant throughout the run of the series. These two were often used as part of the second and third storylines of each episode. Roy had some early character development, in relation to his son coming out of the closet. And while Roy's ex-wife and mother were mentioned multiple times over the years, usually as jokes, Roy's son was never mentioned again after the second season until season seven. (Roy's mother sort of filled a Vera from Cheers role and was never seen until season eight, episode 20.)
There was more focus on Roy taking the center of episodes in later seasons, as was Fay (though in those final two seasons, Fay was not present in a few episodes and was on vacation on more than one occasion).
Fay had the unique character distinction of having multiple deceased husbands, all with the name of George. She was loyal to the Hackett brothers as Sandpiper's desk attendant and dedicated friend.
In many ways, Lowell was the comic relief of the show. As the mechanic for the two airlines, the dimwitted Lowell grew up on the island and was friends with Joe, Brian, and Helen from childhood. He lived on a boat for part of the run and loved to go to the dump to shoot rats.
Lowell was written off in season seven, episode four when a collection of events led to him being entered into the witness protection program. (Haden Church left the show to do Ned and Stacey over at Fox and never returned to Nantucket.)
Wings did attempt to bring in a new mechanic in Budd (). Budd never caught quite on and ended up appearing in only eight episodes.
Shaloub's Antonio first made an appearance as a waiter in episode three of the second season. He would return later that season in episode 17 as a cab driver and would remain so the remainder of the season. Antonio was down-on-his luck, always looking for love and rarely finding it.
Two performers who later joined the cast were Farrah Forke and Amy Yasbeck. Forke played helicopter pilot Alex, first arriving in the fourth season. Alex flew an Apache in Desert Storm and played a romantic foil for Brian (and initially, Joe). Forke was listed as a guest star throughout the fourth season and upgraded to series regular in season five. More could have been imagined for Alex going forward but was unceremoniously written out after season five. (Forke did make one final appearance in season six, episode 19 to bring some closure to her character.)
As Helen's sister Casey, Yasbeck arrived in season six. Over her three seasons with the show, it did seem at times Casey was an afterthought in storylines. Still, Yasbeck's portrayal brought plenty of comedic chops to the table and had some dalliances with Brian but mostly was in search of a career during her time on the island.
Many more stopped by the island over the course of eight seasons. Some appearances were brief while others stayed a little longer. Guest stars and recurring characters, and more about the show, will be discussed in part two of this series.
For now, let it be said that Wings will live on forever in our hearts. (Though be careful out there. For one reason or another, 22 episodes of the series aren't available on Hulu, as explained in this post from 2015.)
photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
See what the cast of "Wings" is doing now (as of June, 2021)
February 9, 2022
Super Bowl LVI preview: Poised for a high-octane affair
Two teams have outlasted the rest, setting the stage for a Super Bowl LVI match-up that very few predicted back in August (or even the start of the playoffs, for that matter).Stepping into the NFL playoffs in January 2022, a long-suffering Cincinnati Bengals franchise was looking for their 1st-postseason win since January 1991. Led by second-year quarterback Joe Burrow and rookie wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, many thought a win in the wildcard game could happen but the Bengals were likely a year or two away from being a true contender.
Boy did Cincinnati prove people, myself included, wrong.
Wins over the the Las Vegas Raiders (26-19), the top-seed Tennessee Titans (19-16), and the Kansas City Chiefs (27-24 in overtime) cemented Cincinnati's entry into the big game. After holding off late-rallies in each of their first two games, the Bengals had their own comeback against the Chiefs after trailing 21-3 in the 1st-half.
Ahead of schedule or not, the Bengals will be playing in their first Super Bowl since a January 1989 appearance, where they lost 20-16 to the San Francisco 49ers.
The rematch 33 years in the making did not materialize, thanks to the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams won the NFC Championship and are in their second Super Bowl in the last four years (where they lost 13-3 to New England back in February 2019).
The Rams were expected to be here, as they have been a favorite pick since training camp. Hype grew even more when Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr., among others, joined the Rams midseason. Such a lock for a title they were, social media went bonkers with the Rounders GIF of Teddy KGB going all in (which leads me to believe people hadn't seen the movie to know how that ends). This charge was led by none other than the Rams social media account:
We're all in. pic.twitter.com/3Z0ELD11RW
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) November 1, 2021
It took some time and a few hiccups but the Rams (12-5) eventually figured it out enough to win the NFC West. In reaching Super Bowl LVI, Los Angeles defeated the Arizona Cardinals, dethroned defending champion Tampa Bay (30-27), and finally ended a six-game losing streak to the 49ers (20-17).
Super Bowl LVI takes place on Sunday February 13 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. Kickoff is set for 6:30 pm (ET).
Cincinnati BengalsThe pieces were already in place for the Bengals to make an impact this season, especially on offense. It was a young group and one that performed exceptionally, leading Cincinnati to the AFC North title and Super Bowl berth.
That begins with Burrow, Mr. Joe Cool himself (not to be confused with Joe Camel).
The title-winning, cigar-smoking, cool-under-pressure quarterback was a driving force in Cincinnati's season. Bouncing back from a season-ending knee injury as a rookie, Burrow was slinging the ball around the field from game one.
Burrow threw for 4611 yards, completing 70.4 percent of his pass attempts. He threw 34 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
The playoffs have been just as consistent for the second-year quarterback. Burrow is at 68.8 percent completion rate, throwing for 842 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions.
He has two of the game's bright stars at receivers in Chase and Tee Higgins. Chase only continued to get better as the season progressed and finished with 81 receptions, 1455 yards and 13 touchdown receptions. Higgins was nearly as stellar with 74 catches for 1091 yards and six touchdowns.
The two have contributed close to the same production through three playoff games, combining for 34 catches for 488 yards and one score.
One of the game's best running backs occupies the Bengal backfield. Joe Mixon had one of his most consistent seasons, rushing for 1205 yards and 13 touchdowns. Mixon has been bottled up a bit in the playoffs, averaging roughly 63 yards per game. He's seen his yards per carry average drop from 4.1 to 3.7.
Wide receiver Tyler Boyd and tight end C.J. Uzomah could be players who rise up to have MVP-type games. Both will factor in heavily in Cincinnati's game-plan, though Uzomah was injured in the AFC championship game. He said he expects to play on Sunday.
Keeping Burrow upright will be an absolute must. He was sacked 51 times during the regular season and another 12 in the playoffs, including nine times against the Titans.
And of course, kicker extraordinaire Evan McPherson will play a huge part. McPherson has been money on the road this season, and even more clutch in the playoffs.
Cincinnati averaged 27.1 points in the regular season, which is down to 24 in the playoffs. Their defense gave up 22.1, dropping down to 20 in three playoff games. They are kind of no-name unit but growing in confidence and swagger each game, though they have given up the most yards in this year's playoffs.
Logan Wilson has 30 tackles in the playoffs.
Overall, the Bengals ranked 26th against the pass and 5th against the run
Los Angeles RamsQuarterback Matthew Stafford and company will look to take advantage of the low-ranked Bengal secondary. It is a vaunted Rams aerial attack, especially when the Stafford - Cooper Kupp connection is firing on all cylinders.
Kupp is simply on another level this season. While at times it seems Stafford can get too locked in on Kupp, it doesn't seem to matter much in terms of success.
Kupp had an elite season, hauling in 145 receptions (on 191 targets). He had 1947 receiving yards and found the end zone 16 times.
Help in the receiving corps arrived with Beckham. In eight regular season games with the Rams, he had 27 receptions for 305 yards and three touchdowns. His arrival helped offset the season-ending injury to Robert Woods.
Van Jefferson helped in this regard, too. His 50 receptions, 802 yards, and six touchdowns ranked second on the team in these categories. Jefferson, along with tight end Tyler Higbee, if healthy, could be in for a huge game if Cincinnati is able to shut down Kupp and Beckham.
Stafford was the beneficiary of all this talent. His numbers were similar to Burrow's, though Stafford did play in one more game than the Bengal quarterback. Stafford had 4886 passing yards in the regular season, completing 67.2 percent of his pass attempts. He tossed 41 touchdowns and threw 17 interceptions.
Playoff numbers haven't dropped too much for Stafford, with Kupp and Beckham accounting for 622 of Stafford's 905 yards.
It will be the running game that could make-or-break the Rams. The team is averaging less than 90 yards per game on the ground in the playoffs and will likely be spearheaded by three-person committee on Super Bowl Sunday.
The leading rusher on the season was Sony Michel, who totaled 845 yards. Cam Akers made his season-debut in the playoffs and has 151 yards in the postseason, averaging 2.8 yards per carry.
And it appears Darrell Henderson is on track to return from injury. Henderson had an MCL injury in week 16 and had 688 yards on the ground prior to the injury.
The Rams averaged 27.1 points per game in the regular season, up to 28 in the playoffs. Their defense allowed 21.9 points, shrinking that number to 18 in three postseason games.
It's a sign the big names on the Rams defense are coming together. With Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey, and Miller leading the way, it could be tough sledding for Burrow and the Bengals despite a pass defense ranked only a few spots better than the Bengals. The Rams have been getting healthier on that side of the ball, too, but do have a stout run defense (ranked 6th). The depth they've needed throughout the season will only serve them better on Sunday.
Does it mean a cakewalk for the Rams? Not in the slightest. The Bengals have proved time, and time again, in the last three games no one should count them out. If they can hang around, or even race out to two-score lead, they have proven to be a team that excels at in-game adjustments. For that reason, they are my pick to win Super Bowl LVI: Cincinnati Bengals 24 Los Angeles Rams 21
photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
January 26, 2022
Christmas glare
Others yet are what happens when I'm left alone on long drives across the wintry desert. This is one of those:
Christmas Glare
Owen Harbor detested the Christmas season. One simple thing did not bring this distaste. Long-ranging were the reasons. Cold weather, snow, being merry, tinsel and silver bells were not among a few of their favorite things.
It’s not that Owen openly fought against joy. It’s just they never made a concerted effort to embrace it. One thing, however, did bring a glow to their black heart. Every year, a brazen attempt was made to divide the masses and then delightfully watch arguments unfurl. Hovering over a keyboard, words were typed out with fitful glee: Die Hard is not a Christmas movie.
January 13, 2022
5 QBs from 1st-round of 2018 NFL draft: Wrapping up year four
Five quarterbacks were taken in the 1st-round of the 2018 NFL draft. Year four is in the books for all but one of these players.A season after three of the five quarterbacks taken in the first-round of the 2018 NFL draft made the playoffs, expectations were high heading into 2021.
Instead, regression was the name of the game as the season progressed. Only Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills led their team back to the playoffs while the other two playoff participants from last season spent the last game of the 2021-22 season on the sidelines.
Injuries plagued the quarterback class for much of the season, with only Allen playing in all 17 games. Even when on the field, there were struggles from all five quarterbacks. At times, they looked like they were playing in their first or second season, not their fourth.
Such can be the nature of the NFL, where fortunes often turn on a dime. Four of these quarterbacks now have the offseason to prepare, heal up, and work on what ailed them in 2021. Two should have no trouble leading their team again as the starting quarterback. One could be a starter, depending on where the chips fall, and one could be battling for a chance to remain in the league.
For Allen, however, his season continues, where hopes are that the Bills return to the AFC Championship Game (and beyond).
Josh AllenAn AFC East title wasn't secured until the final week but Allen and the Bills are back hosting a playoff game. An 11-6 season gave the Bills the third seed, whey they play host to the sixth-seed New England Patriots on Saturday.
Allen was the best, and most consistent, of the five first-round quarterbacks this season. He played close to an MVP-level again in 2021. Allen's numbers were slightly down in some areas from his spectacular year three but he was forced to carry the Bills in other ways.
Regular season passing stats were indeed down but not by much. Allen passed for 4407 yards, 137 less than the year before. Touchdown passes were nearly on par (36 in '21, 37 in '20) and Allen had six 300-yard games this season.
Completion percentage dropped from 69.2 in 2020 to 63.3 this season. That number partially took a nosedive because of Allen's last two games, where he was 35-71 for 359 yards. Allen also had three of his career-high 15 interceptions in the second-to-last-game of the regular season.
It was the running game from Allen that really leveled up this season.
Allen ran for a career-high 763 yards, besting his previous high from his rookie season by 132 yards. He averaged 6.3 yards per carry and scored six times as he was often the focus of Buffalo's running attack in 2021.
Allen took off the last three games, all Buffalo victories. He carried the ball 32 times for 208 yards. Buffalo went 5-2 in games which Allen rushed for 50 yards or more.
Sacks played a heavy part in some of Allen's struggles but an issue that has seemingly been solved the last three games. Buffalo allowed zero sacks in this span and Allen has been sacked 26 times this season.
The sky continues to be the limit for Allen and the Bills. A wide-open AFC East field could see Buffalo with a Super Bowl berth by time the playoffs are all said and done. And if not, they should be competitors for years to come.
Lamar JacksonThe Baltimore Ravens ended the season on a six-game losing streak, losing five of those games by a combined eight points.
It was a trying season for Baltimore, from the moment camp opened. They dealt with illness, roster turnover, and injuries, including an ankle injury to star quarterback Lamar Jackson that saw him miss most of the season's final five games.
Jackson left a week 14 loss to Cleveland early in the game to never make it back on the field. It was Jackson's first missed action due to injury in his career, which also contributed to Baltimore missing the the playoffs for the first time in Jackson's tenure.
Jackson was 7-5 as a starter in 2021 as Baltimore finished 8-9. Before his injury, he was on pace to set a career-high in passing yards as Baltimore was forced to pass more this season. With their top running backs injured from the get-go, Jackson was the primary focus in the running game.
So, to balance that out, the Ravens passed the ball more. And the early results were flashy, with Baltimore starting the season 5-1 and Jackson having the game of his life in a week 5 overtime victory against the Indianapolis Colts.
Jackson was nearly perfect in that game, going 37-43 for 442 yards and four touchdown passes. He also carried the ball 14 times for 62 yards in that game.
On the season, Jackson finished with 2882 passing yards, 16 touchdown passes, and 13 interceptions (most in his career to-date). Despite being opposing teams focal point in the ground game, Jackson managed to still rush for 767 yards, though for the first time in his four years yards per carry were under six (5.8).
Jackson was also sacked 38 times.
Getting healthy, and getting strong compliments in the running game healthy, will be a key for Jackson and the Ravens in 2022. Progress in the aerial attack was shown and a better balance on offense for this team could lead to big things in the future.
Baker MayfieldMultiple injuries, forcing the issue, and dropped passes all contributed to Baker Mayfield's struggles in 2021.
Mayfield started the season locked in, throwing for 300 yards or more twice in the season's first five weeks. Then Mayfield hurt his shoulder in week 6 and was never quite the same, not once topping the mark after.
A disappointing season ended with shoulder surgery scheduled and a Cleveland team on the outside of the playoffs looking in.
With one of the strongest running attacks in the NFL, led by Nick Chubb, less pressure should be placed on Mayfield. And that's one of the reasons the team was so successful in 2020. The formula couldn't be replicated in 2021 and Mayfield wasn't quite as efficient.
Now, some of the blame can be assigned to him but when one is also dealing with 4-5 dropped passes per game, that can be frustrating, too.
Mayfield went 6-8 as a starter in 2021 and interceptions became a problem down the stretch. He finished with 13 but 7 of those happened in his final three starts as Cleveland was battling for a playoff spot.
Mayfield tossed 17 touchdowns, completed 60.5, and threw for 3010 yards, the lowest of his career.
All signs point to Mayfield being back under center with Cleveland in 2022. He'll likely need a receiver or two add to the arsenal. And the rise of the playoff-bound Cincinnati Bengals mean the AFC North is getting even tougher. But if Chubb is rocking and Mayfield is rolling, the Browns should be back in the thick of things next season. For Mayfield, that means a little more calm, and a lot more accuracy.
Sam DarnoldSam Darnold's fourth season began with a bang. A new team seemingly provided new life to Darnold as the Carolina Panthers were rolling in those early weeks.
Then, the wheels fell off.
Darnold slumped, running back Christian McCaffrey got injured, and then Darnold did, too. In between, he was pulled but ultimately came back to show a little something in Carolina's last two games.
All told, it was again a season of struggles from the no. 3 pick. Darnold appeared in 12 games, finishing 4-7 as a starter (this after winning the season's first three games).
After the hot start, in which Darnold threw for 300 yards or more in three games, he did not cross that mark again. There was trouble in even throwing for 200 yards, which Darnold did only twice in the last eight games in which he appeared.
By his own admission, Darnold knows that he's "not playing good enough". Health has been in issue, too, in his first four years as Darnold is yet to play a full season. In 2021, the 12 games saw him throw for 2527 yards (more than in year three), with nine touchdown passes and 13 interceptions.
Darnold did notch a career-high with 222 rushing yards, finding the end zone five times.
Looking ahead to 2022, there's a decent chance Darnold will be back as starting quarterback for the Panthers. If healthy, the Panthers have the pieces in place to have an offense that can produce points. Like Mayfield, Darnold will need to find consistency and hope the playmakers around him stay on the field. Darnold, however, might have a more limited window to prove his worth. And if things begin badly, a career backup as his job title could be on the horizon.
Josh RosenAs the backup to Matt Ryan on the Atlanta Falcons, there wasn't a high probability Josh Rosen was going to see much game action this season.
And that held true to form, with Rosen only seeing some playing time in mop-up duty.
That didn't go too well, with Rosen completing as many passes to the Falcons as he did to opponents. He finished the season 2-11 for 19 yards and two interceptions.
At this point, it's difficult to see Rosen garnering a starting spot somewhere in 2022. He's got the tools to succeed but just hasn't put everything together. While I feel he was given up on too soon as the starter in Arizona and Miami, Rosen hasn't done a whole lot since to earn much more. There's definitely still a chance he succeeds down the line but chances are in 2022, Rosen will be battling to simply get on a roster somewhere.
That ties thing up for the 2021 season. For more about this series chronicling the journey of these five quarterbacks, check out the other posts from year four below:
Year 4: Season Preview
Year 4: Thru week 4
Year 4: Thru week 9
Year 4: Thru week 13
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
December 24, 2021
Christmas letter 2021
"Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums..." - Santa Claus is Comin' to TownTo begin with, who among us has ever wondered what exactly this is? I found myself asking this very question singing as loud as my heart's content while driving down a desolate Nevada road three days before Christmas.
Later that evening, with my Encyclopedia set in storage, I turned to the trusty internet to find answers. According to this article, the answer was right in front of us all along. One must simply look at the line prior to discover just exactly what is being conveyed: With little tin horns and little toy drums...
Our "rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums" are simply the sound these instruments make. And as simple as Simon speaking to the pieman, one of the world's great mysteries was solved (the article also covers some other holiday-related queries regarding interesting lyrics).
With that: welcome to the Christmas Letter, 2021 edition. (Now in Technicolor™).
Unlocking mysteries from holiday songs aside, the traditions of the season have taken full hold. They began a bit on the early side, compared to most people, as I had a Christmas tree and a few decorations up around my birthday the third week in November. From there, usual shenanigans occurred, with late-year birthdays to celebrate, shopping to be done, and holiday films to enjoy. (I've even begun to log these over on Letterboxd, which you can follow along with an ever-growing holiday list or just stay up-to-date with what I've been watching.)
The year 2021, in some regards, had a sense of normality to it in my little area of the world. Traveling returned to the agenda, including monthly trips to see my mother and brother.
In June, my sister and her family made the trek out west to visit. A journey by car brought them across a variety of states, landing them in Nevada. From there, we piled into two vehicles, totaling nine people and one dog, to make the drive to Bishop, CA.
This is where dad had grown up and where his final resting place is. Delayed in the summer of 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions across the country, we were finally able to make it to California to lay him to rest. With many health mandates still in place, we kept this to a small gathering and brief word or two as we visited the cemetery where I'd spent riding my bike in on many summer days during my youth (my grandparents lived right around the corner). Spending a couple of days in the city where I spent summers and occasional Christmases my first 15 years on this planet brought closure, catharsis, and a pinch of nostalgia.
Later in the summer, my mom, brother and I again made the trek to California, this time to the northern part to visit mom's side of the family. It was nice to visit with cousins, uncles, and an aunt, all of who I hadn't seen in six years or so. Plus, there was some good food consumed, home-cooked and otherwise, plus a visit to the Francis Ford Coppola Winery.
The stage at Alley Repertory Theater, the company I've been with for ten years now, had been dark since March of 2020. We'd been working hard to back in October of 2021 with a play called The Royale by Marco Ramirez. And things were coming along, weeks away from opening, when a performer had a possible health and safety issue and the decision was made to postpone this show until March of 2022.
Production rolled right into our holiday show, Priscilla Queen of the Desert: The Musical. I was able to work on this show in the capacity of dramaturge and assistant director. We opened the weekend of Thanksgiving and enjoyed quite a run through December, selling out the last six performances. The joy and gratitude between this cast and crew was amazing, bringing a smile to my face throughout many rehearsals and multiple performances. And am very grateful to the audiences who supported our theater and the arts during this time.
photo by Chaz Gentry
Writing held steady for me in the past year. There were no new books released or plays published, though for the 1st time in a couple of years I did start the early process on a couple of new projects. There was also this short story I wrote that I developed a fondness for.
I do want to take a moment to thank those who have purchased my books and spread the good word. It is so wonderful this holiday season to hear from so many people re-reading Of Snow Forts and Santa , sharing the book with the kids, or reading the book for the first time. It means the world to me that a whole throng of you are enjoying (or have enjoyed) this novella.
The Dragon Slayer, the final book in my fantasy novel series, will hopefully have a release date in the spring of 2022. This project took a backseat the last couple of months but pages have been written as of late and I feel momentum building again.
There was some good news on a television pilot script I wrote, receiving an official semifinalist selection for the Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards. And I am still writing about the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, and Boston College Eagles over at Chowder and Champions.
The year has truly flown by and dragged along, if that is even physically possible. It seems the days pass by, sometimes in a resolute state and sometimes with my wandering off. It has been a year in which I am thankful for the laughs and the tears, the friends and family. Blessed to experience so much with you in 2021, whether it good, bad, or falling magically in-between. To those near or far, who I've seen in person or simply online (or haven't spoken to in many moons. Sup?), I want to wish you the very best as the year comes to a close and as we enter 2022. May you all find that extra ounce of love and kindness in your life, whether it is given or taken, as we traverse this thing called life.
Wishing you a happy holiday season, a Merry Christmas, and a happy, healthy New Year!
*To revisit previous Christmas letters or read for the 1st time, here are a few: Christmas 2020 Christmas 2019 Christmas 2018
December 9, 2021
Quarterbacks taken in 1st-round of 2018 NFL draft: An interception party
Five quarterbacks were selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft. This is a continuing series following their careers, now thru week 13 of year four.The fourth year for the five quarterbacks taken in the first-round of the 2018 NFL draft has been bumpy at times. Injuries, inconsistencies, playing behind leaky offensive lines (on occasion), and bad play have all shown up for these quarterbacks in 2021.
Their seasons haven't gone off the rails just yet, for three of them, though things can turn on a dime in these final five weeks.
The theme as of late: interceptions.
They've arrived in bunches, inopportune times, and on plain bad throws. It was an issue at times in seasons one and two for these quarterbacks but, until recently, a problem that seemingly had been corrected.
However bad these interceptions have been, three of the quarterbacks are (mostly) finding ways to win. These three have their teams in playoff and divisional title contention as the stretch run creeps upon the season. The other two? Well, they both could see little-to-no game action the rest of 2021, depending on the situation.
Lamar JacksonAt 8-4 and atop the AFC North, Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens seem to be in the best position right now.
Considering the number of injuries on both sides of the ball, cornerback Marlon Humphrey now joining that list, it's a surprise Baltimore is winning at all. Jackson was a huge reason for that in the first-half of the season. But, in his last three starts, there's been bad throws, wrong reads, and an offense struggling to score points.
Jackson is 1-2 in his last three games, plus one missed due to an illness. In those three games, Baltimore is averaging 15 points per game, with Jackson throwing six interceptions.
Four of those were in a 16-10 win against the Cleveland Browns and that game is Baltimore's only division victory to date.
A combination of being under pressure and holding the ball too long have led to Jackson being sacked 13 times during those three starts. He does have three touchdown passes and has totaled 162 yards on the ground.
Jackson and the Ravens have a tough stretch to close the season, too, with all five games against teams playing .500 or better. Three division games remain, with two of those being on the road. Jackson and a revamped running game, with DeVonta Freeman running decent, will need to return to form if the Ravens want to snag that AFC North title. They may very well get it but it could come down to the very final week. And when you're as banged up as the Ravens, that's never an ideal situation to be in.
Final five weeks: @CLE (12/12), GB (12/19), @CIN 12/26), vs LAR (1/2), vs PIT (1/9)
Josh AllenFinding a bit more consistency in big games is what's been missing for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in 2021. At 7-5, the Bills currently sit in second-place in the AFC East and are 1.5 games behind the New England Patriots.
Allen, too, has been bitten by the interception bug. Leading up to last Monday's blustery affair with the Patriots, Allen had thrown five inceptions in the preceding three games. (Though he did have a clean sheet in that regard despite wind gusts reaching 50 mph in Monday's loss.)
Going 2-2 these past four weeks showed off Allen's brilliance and struggles. In two victories, was 44-56 for 626 yards and six touchdown passes as Buffalo averaged 38 points per game.
In the two losses, however, Buffalo only scored a total of 25 points, with Allen only throwing for 354 yards.
Part of the issue is lack of a consistent running game, of which shows improvement when Allen carries the ball more. He doesn't need to put up Jackson totals but it does seem the Bills offense flows more when Allen gets seven to ten carries per game.
The Bills might have the clearest path to the playoffs, facing teams with winning records only twice down the stretch. Going against a suspect Tampa Bay defense might get Allen rolling again, which is desperately needed if Buffalo hopes to garner another AFC East crown.
Final five weeks: @TB (12/12), vs CAR (12/19), @NE (12/26), vs ATL (1/2), vs NYJ (1/9)
Baker MayfieldThat Baker Mayfield is out there playing at all attests to his toughness and fortitude. A myriad of injuries has befallen Mayfield in 2021, yet he's still out there each week.
Question is, though, should he be?
That's an iffy yes, as long as he and the team are comfortable with it. Despite Case Keenum leading the Brown to a victory in week seven, Mayfield still gives this team the best chance to win. As long as the running game stays intact, that is and Mayfield's not asked to throw the ball 40 times per game.
This happened in a loss to Baltimore, where the ground game struggled and Mayfield had to throw the ball 37 times. He did have a decent performance with 247 passing yards and a touchdown without a pick. But the Browns have had trouble scoring as of late, too, scoring only 30 points in their last three games. Plus, their lone victory was a 13-10 squeaker over the Detroit Lions.
There's been a lot of discussion if Mayfield is the quarterback to lead this team (hence no contract extension). At 6-6, the playoffs and a division title are still in the mix. They'll need a victory this weekend over Baltimore for sure. Like the Ravens, the Browns have a remaining schedule against teams that are all .500 and better.
If Mayfield can get Cleveland back to the playoffs, a fifth-season with the Browns should be lock. If not, there's going to be some long, deep conversations regarding his future.
Final five weeks: vs BAL (12/12), vs LV (12/18), @GB (12/25), @PIT (1/3), vs CIN (1/9)
Sam DarnoldSam Darnold has been out since with a shoulder injury since playing in week nine. He was placed on IR, with an expected time on the shelf of four to six weeks. With the quarterback situation in Carolina still unsettled and Christian McCaffrey out for the season, it will be interesting to see if Darnold is healthy enough to play down the stretch.
On the season, Darnold has thrown for 1986 yards and completed 59.6 percent of his passes. He has tossed seven touchdown passes and was a victim, too, of the interception plague, throwing seven of his 11 picks in his last four games.
Darnold also has 186 rushing yards and five scores on the ground.
Final five weeks: vs ATL (12/12), @BUF (12/19), vs TB (12/26), @NO (1/2), @TB (1/9)
Josh RosenIn backing up Matt Ryan for the Atlanta Falcons, Josh Rosen was unlikely to get much playing time unless an injury occurred.
That has proven to hold true, though Rosen has appeared in a few games during garbage time. Given a chance to do a little bit has not been good for Rosen, as he's completed the same number of passes to his own team as the opposition.
In horrible losses to Dallas and New England, Rosen was 2-9 for 19 yards and two interceptions. Plaguing him even further was that after going 1-3 against the Patriots, Rosen was benched.
The Falcons are still hanging around the playoff picture by a thread. While it's also tough to come in mid-game and perform, chances are Rosen might have shown his way out of Atlanta after the season ends based on his small sample size of game action in 2021.
Final five weeks: @CAR (12/12), @SF (12/19), vs DET (12/26), @BUF (1/2), vs NO (1/9)
Check back in after week 18, where we'll close out the progress of the 2021 season. Catch up with previous weeks below.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
