Riddle Me This, Jishman

Last week, I was right and wrong again. My record is now 14 for 20.

This week, they sang songs from the Rat Pack Era.

Bottom Two

Kris Allen
Matt Giraud

Who goes home?

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Ahhhh!!! The Ghosts of NFL Draft PastWith a day left before the 2009 NFL Draft, Yahoo has gotten into the act:

“My six favorite draft busts and where they are now” by MJD

I was sad to see that Dave Brown didn’t make the list…

So a few years ago, Jishman started the Mt. Rushmore of Athletes…. this past year, ESPN borrowed the idea without any acknowledgment of the Jishman….

Well, now, I ask the ultimate sports question:

Which NFL draft day busts would be on your Anti-Mt. Rushmore of Athletes? Here are four names to start the debate:

1) Ryan Leaf
2) Akili Smith
3) Tony Mandarich
4) Steve Emtman

Who would be on your list?

I posted my last mock draft on March 1st. I have to apologize to Jishman and to our loyal readers who have been enteretained by our dueling Mocks (normally four to six per year). This year, I just couldn’t do it!

I have never been so unenthused about a draft class in my life. There are very few real stand outs, I have dubbed 2009 as the “parity draft.” This is a draft where you can get at 29 what you can get at 9, and that makes drawing up a mock draft boring. If you say Nicks can be drafted at 10, 15, 17, 22, 29, 35, or 47th… you would be correct. Except for a few players, there is nothing to be excited about this year! And even the exciting players don’t generate the buzz players have in the past.

The fact, in my sole opinion, that the top ten guys are going to walk away with contracts so far above their talent level is mindboggling. Now don’t get me wrong. I will watch the draft for a few reasons:

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So, my friend, Jon, runs a blog called MyusicInMyMind about the music he loves. I’m insanely jealous because he’s going to Jazz Fest this weekend in New Orleans. Some of the acts he’s looking forward to:

Friday:

Wynton Marsalis
Spoon
Drive-By Truckers
Trombone Shorty

Saturday:

Ivan Neville & Dumpstaphunk
Wilco
Galactic
Kermit Ruffins
Erykah Badu
The Del McCoury Band
Paul Sanchez

Sunday:

Robert Cray
Dave Matthews Band
Etta James

In my iTunes collection, I have 5 of these artists and I have to say, having listened to a lot of them for many years, I’d love to go. Jon, good luck, buddy! Tell me how Trombone Shorty (Troy Andrews and Orleans Avenue) and Robert Cray are!

Last week, I was right again. My record is now 13 for 18. Even though the judges saved Matt, I still get the credit for the right call. So, this week, two people are going home.

This week, they sang songs from the Disco era. And can anyone tell me why the judges love Kris Allen?! He’s just not that good… I would love to see him go home!

Bottom Four

Lil Rounds
Danny Gokey
Kris Allen
Matt Giraud

Who goes home?

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Yup, Detroit Lions fans, after an 0-16 season, the real thing that was missing wasn’t more on-field talent, it was a FIERCER LOGO! BOOYAH! Don’t kid yourself, last year’s logo was a pansy comparatively! It was a small child, now this one…this logo is going to instill fear into the hearts of foes!

I quote the sage, Shaft (he’s a bad mutha!) when I write: “DAMN RIGHT!”

If I lived there, I’d be ALL over this!

You know, in today’s market, can we ever look down our noses at jobs - even if they’re for unquestionably the worst team in the NFL last year? Next, the New York/New Jersey Red Bull are going to come a calling…

Last week, I was right again. My record is now 12 for 17.

This week, they sang songs from the Movies.

Bottom Three

Matt Giraud
Danny Gokey
Kris Allen

Who goes home?

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ESPN is reporting that Florida International University may announce (as early as today) that Isiah Thomas will be their new men’s basketball coach.

Is this a good idea? Does Isiah have any knowledge of recruiting in general or in South Florida in particular? Ultimately, I see this as a win-win for both Thomas and for Florida International. Here’s why…

For Thomas:

Coaching at FIU gives him the ability to start over and prove that he can coach and recruit talent to be competitive in the Sun Belt Conference. If he is successful, he might be able to land a job at a higher profile college or back in the NBA. If he fails, he gave it a shot and can probably find another job somewhere in basketball.

For FIU:

Hiring Thomas gives them a high profile coach to recruit higher profile players. The Sun Belt has quality programs (see Western Kentucky, Middle Tennessee State, and South Alabama) and raising FIU’s performance can only be a good thing. In addition, with 30,000 students, FIU should be able to support top notch sports both financially and with fans.

I know Jishman will disagree that Thomas deserves another shot after what he did to the Knicks, but this is just my 2 cents.

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

Dateline: RMTJ Headquarters on the Upper West Side of New York City

1.) In RMTJ nerd news, the creator of Dungeons & Dragons, known the world ’round as D&D, has passed at 61 years of age. Dave Arneson died after a two-year battle with cancer. Back in 1974, Mr. Arneson and Gary Gynex created a universe that captivated kids and previously closeted dorks and where they could live out there wildest “sci-fi fantasies”. While Merlin McHates-You, our D&D expert, played only Advanced D&D and not the original, he still owes many hours during high school to role playing games.

2.) And in television news, it appears that Studio 60 wasn’t his last foray into television. No, friends, Aaron Sorkin may be returning to the small screen. Apparently, his “program within a program style” will be attempting to satirize the Cable News Program world. Our television program expert, Nielson McHates-You, agrees with the article. Studio 60’s failures were that it: A.) Wasn’t funny, yet was a comedy show; B.) Had way too many storylines; C.) Never made me care about the main characters; and D.) just had way too many characters. West Wing made you care about the characters from minute one, and when the president walked in at the end of the episode, you teared up. You never did that with S60. It was a comedy show, not a space shuttle launch. Make me laugh and then go to credits. I don’t care that it was a drama and three years later, I attempt to forget it ever existed.

This has been RMTJ news! (BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP)

Last week, we got rid of Megan (no) Joy (ever when she was singing)!!! About time!!! My record is now 11 for 16.

This week, they sang a song from the year of their birth.

Bottom Four

Danny Gokey
Lil Rounds
Kris Allen
Scott MacIntrye

Who goes home?

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I will write more about this another time, but frankly, I’m okay with there being open season on the paparazzi. I’m tired of stories about the poor, afflicted paparazzi who get shoved and shot at and all they were doing was INVADING PEOPLE’S LIVES FOR THE ABILITY TO SELL ONE MORE PICTURE OR PAPER! I’m sorry, I don’t agree with the Supreme Court in this case. Just because you’ve chosen the life of a celebrity doesn’t mean you should lose the ability to guard your privacy. Last I checked, that is a civil liberty too.

Downtown Grill & Brewery – Knoxville, TN – Tiffany

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North by Northwest Restaurant and Brewery – Austin, TX

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Two Rows Grill & Brewery – Houston, TX – Nathan – Only restaurant in Houston that still brews its own beer – and def get the frickles (fried pickles)

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