QB Stock Game

Today on SVP & Russillo the guys unveiled their QB Stock Game. The rules are as follows:

Each QB has been assigned a price based upon their record and QBR (it's QBR divided by 10 plus win differential divided by four). You get $1,000 to spend and must select one QB from every tier. QB prices will be adjusted after the first four weeks of the season. Please note that any QB who isn't listed below is a $3 IPO.

The list of prices is at the link. I thought this sounded fun so I'm going to play along. My picks:

QB	Price	Shares	$
Tom Brady	8.11	20	162.20
Jay Cutler	6.39	35	223.65
Matthew Stafford	4.75	98	465.50
Robert Griffin III	2.26	65	146.90
		Total	$998.25

If you're interested feel free to play along and post your picks.

Movie Reviews

I finally decided to watch "Pulp Fiction" on Netflix. It's practically worshipped on the IMDb rating system (9.0) and consider a cult classic. Here's my take: I didn't get it. None of it. Overrated. Complete waste of my time. I didn't see what the big deal was about the movie. It really shouldn't come as much of a surprise, I typically don't care for Quentin Tarantino movies.

"Sneakers" (7.1 IMDb rating, 1992). Thought it was worth watching on Netflix. Robert Redford usually keeps my interest.

"Eight Men Out" (PG, 1988, 7.3 rating): this movie is about the 1919 Black Sox scandal in the World Series. I thought it was worth watching. I didn't really understand the real backdrop to the story, but according to the movie, they did a great job explaining why they took the bribes.

"The Bad News Bears" (PG, 1976, 7.3 rating): Basically this review is about the PG rating. I honestly can't remember even a 5 minute segment that I would consider PG. The language was bad, yet no F-words. Even more puzzling is typically rating standards have been watered down as years go on. So, what is considered rated R in 1990 or later (as long as no nudity), it's usually given a PG-13 rating if the movie were to have been released in 2005 or newer. Our rating standards have been lowered. The drinking and smoking throughout the movie and the swearing, especially by the 12-year olds, was not acceptable behavior or content to earn a PG rating. Side note: I've never seen the Billy Bob Thorton version and have no plans...it can only be worse with him. I believe it has a PG-13 rating, but still no F-words.

Miller Time

So, with Braxton Miller out for the season, what is MSU fan thinking? Are the planets starting to line up? OSU will still be tough and I'm sure the back up isn't going to be bad. The way I look at it, he'll still have nearly 3 months of game and practice experience before he takes on Big Blue at The Shoe. I'm not optimistic about UM's chances. They still probably win 10 games without Miller.

The Doobie Brothers

Steeler running backs Le'Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount will be charged with marijuana possession. Apparently there is a chronic problem in the Pittsburgh Steeler backfield.

I have to admit, I'd always hoped LeGarrette Blount smoked weed.

UPDATE: They just broke this story at the end of the TV5 Sports segment...and Sam Merrill was pissed. "Hire a driver!"

"...and the word is PANIC"

Yeah, it's time to spread the word, and the word is "panic." If the playoffs started today, the Tigers would be golfing. I'm not blaming the skipper and I'm not using injuries (off-season surgeries or mid-season injuries) that haven't fully healed as an excuse. I'll definitely blame the bullpen. I'd also like to see a few starters with the mindset of "I'm taking matters into my own hands." I'd like to see some starters respectfully tell "Bossmus" they are pitching 7 innings no matter what.

2014 Draft Prep

A few links to help with your draft preparation:

Yahoo Top 150
ESPN Top 300 (Probably our default list)
ESPN Cheat Sheets
NFL.com Draft Kit
FOXSports Player Rankings
FOXSports Draft Guide

Marvel Rankings, Phase 2

After seeing  Guardians of the Galaxy multiple times I decided to redo my Marvel movie rankings. After careful consideration I decided that I couldn't decide so I'm taking the easy way out and leaving a tie at the top of the list.

1a. Guardians of the Galaxy
1b. The Avengers
3. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
4. Iron Man 3
5. Iron Man
6. Thor
7. Captain America: The First Avenger
8. Iron Man 2
9. Thor: The Dark World
10. The Incredible Hulk

Thoughts?

Get Your Groot On

What the...?

I was preset-channel surfing the other day and stopped on "The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World...on Z93!?!? Does that song make you think of great workout music or anything for getting rid of a little anger if you are having a stressful day? Jimmy Eat World is in the Z93 mix now? Are they running out of Metallica songs? Just play Kryptonite for the billionth time from 3 Doors Down.

Draft Day

The NFL preseason has started and fantasy draft day is soon approaching. So, does anyone have a plan as to the time and place? It might be a good idea to have an idea with all the other scheduling difficulties that come with that weekend.

Thoughts on Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy opened on Thursday night at the local theater (7pm not 12am) so here are a few thoughts:

-I loved this movie. It's a little hard to rank because it's so different from the Marvel films but it would definitely go near or possibly at the top of the list for me. Definitely the most fun movie I've seen all year.

-A few movies or TV shows I've seen this be compared to in reviews: Star Wars (naturally), Indiana Jones, Avengers, and Firefly. I'd throw Farscape in there too.

-You know how the movie looked a little weird in the trailers? Well, it's a little weird. I'd say the tone was conveyed accurately by the trailers. If Star-Lord dancing through ancient ruins to the sounds of "Come And Get Your Love"  is too much for you then you might want to skip it.

-The music is a major component of the movie, both as part of the plot and the overall feeling of the movie. It's no accident that the songs were featured so much in the commercials.

-The movie is really funny. Most comedies would be lucky to have this many laughs, but it doesn't compromise the movie at all.

-I don't think I could come up with just ten favorite quotes from the movie, there are that many good lines. "We're just like Kevin Bacon!"

-The cast is fantastic. I had some doubts about Chris Pratt but after seeing the movie it's apparent why they chose him and it's hard to picture someone else playing the role. Zoe Saldana and Dave Bautista are both very good in their roles, Bautista in particular does a great job considering he's an ex-wrestler.

-Rocket and Groot deserve special mention. Despite being computer animated they easily match or surpass any of the actual people in the movie.

-There is a ton of stuff in this movie that I thought Marvel would never consider trying to put on the screen. At this point I'm not sure there's much they feel like they couldn't adapt from the comics.

-If you're a comic fan the scene after all the credits is worthwhile, otherwise it probably wouldn't break your heart to miss it. It doesn't relate to any upcoming movies.

Some bonus thoughts after a second viewing:

-The audience applauded after both screenings.

-The scene where Rocket is explaining the jailbreak plan is my favorite scene in a movie this year. It's just a perfect piece of comedy.

-I love the facial expressions and reaction shots in this movie. There's a ton of subtle details that really elevate the characters.