Issue V - Super Bowl Picks

Super Bowl Champion

Friday, January 15, 2015

12:17 PM

NC: Which team do you guys think are going to win the Super Bowl and why?

LuC: I was beginning to think you forgot about us. When was the last time you even came to the table?

NC: Yeah, I admit it's been awhile. I've been kinda busy coaching all of you and winning fantasy football championships.

LuC: You won one. And we do all the work, you just point where you want us to be.

NC: Little bit more to it than that, but we're moving off topic. Anybody see the Packers winning it all?

AC: No.

LoC: Probably not, dad.

LuC: Psshhh. You won't be R.E.L.A.X'ing in Santa Clara is all I'll say. Tom Brady will find a way to win another.

AC: Probably. I honestly think his toughest matchup defensively is this weekend against the Chiefs. Lord knows my Steelers won't be able to stop him. But they could keep up with him, if they can get some healthy bodies. 

LuC: Won't matter. Just like getting last year right, New England will be back in the super bowl once again.

NC: You think so, do you? I guess for the sake of Stephen Jackson, that would be pretty special.

AC: You sure do have sentimentality for old players in this league, don't you dad?

NC: No. I just appreciate the players that have put in the work, and I think they deserve a shot at a championship.

AC: I don't. If you need to ride someone else's coattails, why should you benefit in getting a championship ring?

NC: Someday, let me share with you a story about a guy named Karl Malone.

LoC: I like every team in the NFC. Each team could have an argument for why they can get out of the conference. Carolina has the most to prove, because nobody believes they can get to the Super Bowl. Arizona was the strongest team in the league before Mathieu went down. They still have a ton of talent though. Green Bay has a QB that's been there before, and a defense that's playing well since the first Arizona game. Seattle is riding serious momentum.

NC: So who are you picking?

LoC: Arizona.

LuC: Seattle.

AC: Carolina.

NC: Nice to see the love, gentlemen. I'll take the Packers vs the Patriots. Patriots win.

LuC: You're fried. It's going to be Seattle and New England again. Belicheck could use another ring.

LoC: I'll take the Chiefs against Arizona. They haven't lost a game since Jamaal Charles got his really bad owie, but it's made Alex Smith a better NFL quarterback. He seems to love the pressure that's been put on his shoulders.

AC: Carolina and Pittsburgh. Can't really go against my team now that they've gotten to this point.

NC: Who do you guys have winning?

LoC: Arizona. Carson gets the job done.

AC: Pittsburgh. More trophies for the NFL's best franchise.

LuC: Belicheck wants the trophy renamed. I'm surrounded by idiots.

NC: Easy little man. You've been wrong before.

LuC: When? Check the files, I've always been right.

NC: (Checking…) Well, damn it then. I guess Odell Beckham is the best receiver in football. You had a good year.

LuC: Round table narrator should be determined by predicted success. Get ready for a hostile takeover pops.

Issue IV - Favorite Athletes (Approx. 2020)

Sons at Round Table

Issue 4

Favorite Athletes

N: Hello, and welcome to the 4th edition of my boys at the Round Table.  I’m your host, Nate Confer and this is all a bit ridiculous so let’s get started.

N: You boys know who your favorite football player will be in about 5-6 years time?

LK: I just really like football, dad.  It’s going to be so hard to pick a favorite.  I think that every team has a couple of guys that I could really get behind.  I love that Leonard Williams out of USC.  A big interior pass rusher, I think he could be just as good as your generation’s Suh.

N: Thank you Logan, but I’m not quite so young anymore.  Suh is probably of the generation behind me, I grew up with the Warren Sapp, John Randle and the Goose. You might be right though, I’ve had my eye on Williams for years.

LK: I also like Luke Kuechly. If I keep growing at my current pace, I might be close to his size. He’s probably the best player on the Panthers.

LT: No.  He is good though.  Cam Newton is the best player on the Panthers. Greg Hardy may have been better too.  Kuechly is good because that defense is built to have everything go through him, a la Zach Thomas on the Miami Dolphins.  He was a nice player, but never a world beater.

N: Lucas, our favorite players don’t have to be world beaters.

LT: Not saying that, only that Kuechly isn’t one.

AW: Larry Fitzgerald is my favorite player right now, but I also like Von Miller, Andrew Luck, Justin Tuck, Kendall Wright, Andy Dalton and Philip Rivers.  I can’t really predict that far ahead, but I did enjoy watching Amari Cooper on Saturday afternoons with you dad.

N: Yeah, those were good times.  There’s a lot of nice talent on Saturdays that you guys will be able to enjoy on Sundays soon.  Lucas, is there a guy that stands out to you?

LT: Odell.  He’s already one of the best, when I’m in kindergarten, he will be the best.  Small like me. Fierce.

N: Just way more talented... on to baseball.

AW: Mike Trout. Easy.

LT: Yeah, Aiden’s right about that.  While I think there is an abundance of talent coming through, who wouldn’t want to cheer for a guy like that.  Best player in baseball already, and hustles like he’s trying to make the team.

N: I heard a scout say that he’s only seen two players in his lifetime that would generate perfect scores.  Trout, and Mickey Mantle.

LT: How good was Mantle, dad?

N: Uh-huh.  Logan, who’s your guy for baseball?

LK: I would have to agree with the boys.  Even you said that he was your favorite player, dad.  We’d be hard pressed to find a guy that we can all agree on.

N: Yeah, true.  I probably liked Josh Hamilton a little more a few years ago when I got to see him drop bombs at Target Field, but Trout keeps me glued to the TV.

LK: A close runner-up would be Adam Jones though.  He’s got so much raw talent, kind of like me, right?

N: Nothing like you, Logan.  He’s more speed around the bases, plays in the outfield.  You’re more swing as hard and as far as you can. Mark McGwire, maybe? Anyone think they can predict who they’re favorite basketball player will be?

AW: Andrew Wiggins.  Isn’t that an easy one too?

N: Yes and no.  I think the Wolves have a special talent, but to be honest with you, I wanted Jabari Parker for the Wolves.

LT: Jabari is probably the second best player on his own team, pop.  Giannis Antetokounmpo is the real deal, will be better than both of them, and is easily my favorite player in the NBA, even right now.  He has the Milwaukee Bucks... the Bucks, in a playoff spot.

LK: I like the young Australian.  Ben Simmons.  Even dad said there’s been no one in the league that resembles the skills that this kid has... right, dad?

N: Yeah, from what I’ve seen.  I thought he was a cross of Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter, and most of the scouts agree with me.  His athleticism is off the wall, he sees the game like a point guard and can hit from anywhere inside of 20.  If he continues to progress and develop correctly, the sky is the limit.  Should be next year’s #1 draft pick, easy.

LK: The good news for me is the Lakers and Knicks should still be garbage for a few more seasons, and so I should have a favorite player that I can see just about every night! Isn’t it great, dad, how the NBA accommodates the largest markets?

N: ...

LK: May I be so bold as to suggest that the Australian national team could pull down a silver medal come the 2016 Olympics? Exum and Simmons is a pretty good start, and Andrew Bogut has skills for a center.

N: Andrew Bogut will probably miss the entire tournament due to some undisclosed injury.  But you may not be far off... they should be challenging for a medal anyway.

LT: Tony Parker will make Dante Exum look silly at the Olympics.  And that’s nothing to say of Ricky Rubio and Jose Calderon.  Australia will be lucky to finish in the top 6.

AW: Don’t forget about the Brazilians.  Not only are they hosting, but with the likes of Nene and Anderson Varejao, they could be a force to be reckoned with.

N/AW/LT/LK:  (much laughter and general amusement)

N: So, moving on to hockey...

AW: Why?

LK: Yeah, we hardly ever watch it.  Kind of hard to make impressions of a sport that’s on in our house about once every fifteen days.

LT: Easy for me, PK Subban.  Bad. Ass.

N: He is good.  Makes the Canadians fun to watch.

LK: Well, considering that I wear a Wild hat every single day and it’s the only logo in hockey that I recognize, I’ll probably go with Matt Dumba. He looks like the poor man’s version of your PK Subban.

AW: Staal.  I’m not sure which one, but I feel like my odds are good with what?  3 of them?

N: Yeah, I think so.  And your dad has a Jordan Staal jersey already, so I can pass it down to you.

AW: I’m not wearing that hideous alternate Carolina Hurricanes jersey, dad. Have you even taken that thing out of the closet since you got it?

N: Once.

AW: Should have got the red one.  Carolina didn’t need to mess with a good thing.

N: On to soccer.

AW: It’s about time!

LK: Thought you forgot about it, dad!

LT: Only sport that matters, really.

N: So... proud... (tears streaming down my cheeks) Funny that it took me 17 years to realize what you guys figured out in less than 24 months.  So, any early partiality?

LK: Well, I know that your favorite player was Zinedine Zidane.  I figured why not continue with a good thing and pick his son Enzo.  We watched him once, didn’t we?

N: Yeah, but he needs time to develop.  Definitely has the talent though, and there are worse places to learn other than Real Madrid.  I wonder who pulled those strings?

LK: Do you think I can play like him?

N: ... Lucas, do you have a favorite player?

LT: Duh. Neymar.  He plays like I do.  Balls to the walls, and doesn’t back down from anyone.  Legen... wait for it...

AW: Yeah?

N: Waiting...

LT: I don’t know.  Thought I was going somewhere with that.

AW: I like Tottenham. And Chelsea. And Real. And Manchester United. And Manchester City. (Real Aiden quotes... oh lord) Those are probably my favorites dad.

N: Uh-huh.  Any players?

AW: Well, I wore #7 in soccer. Who is the best #7?

N: There are plenty of good number 7’s.  Guys like... ah, who am I kidding?  Your favorite player will probably be Cristiano Ronaldo.

AW: The one you say is so pretty?

N: (sigh) Yeah, that’s the one.

LT: Dary!  Legendary!

Issue III - Best Disney Movie

Sons at the Round Table

Issue III

Best Disney Movie

N: I’m not even sure why we’re going to have this discussion as we all know that it’s the Lion King, but we may as well go through the progressions, just for fun.  Anything that you guys think gets close to the Lion King?

AW: Um, dad, Frozen is the best Disney movie ever.

LK: I have to go with Aiden on this one, dad. It has the best soundtrack, the best story line, the best characters, and it’s something that we as Minnesotans should be very familiar with, considering that it takes place in our own back yard.  Why are you so against this film anyway?

N: I’m not.  It’s decent, but people are on this train the same way they loved Taylor Swift, Marithe Francois Girbaud’s, The Titanic, Toyota Camry’s, and every other cute little thing that gets introduced to the world and we automatically assume we now live in a better place.  Frozen did not do that for me, on the contrary, I think I hate winter even more now.  Who would want those powers?

LT: Go Dad.  But it’s neither of those films.  It’s Beauty and the Beast. BEST characters ever, it’s got a much better storyline than Frozen with ethical values like sacrifice, recovery, forgiveness among many others.  Elsa’s rather selfish and cold.  Belle is family-oriented and warm, which is more impressive considering her circumstances.  It has the greatest song ever written for the title, and has gone way beyond what Disney may have ever had planned for it between going on Broadway, and released as a Disney on Ice version. 

AW: No, Lucas, it doesn’t have the greatest song of all-time.  That is “Let It Go” and I’ve even caught you singing it in the car with us.

N: It’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight!” What is going on with you guys, this was supposed to be easy!

LK: Lion King is good, dad, there’s no doubt about it.  But Timon and Pumba are kind of used as comic relief, and I think that you wouldn’t need that if you could stand alone with just the greatness of the film.

N: Um... Olaf?

LK: Olaf is very necessary.  He also shows great loyalty to Anna, and fits the association that Anna had with Elsa when she sings “Do You Want to Build a Snowman”, another great classic.

LT: It’s cheesy.

AW: You sing that one too.

LT: I don’t think so.  I sing, “Tale as old as time...” Best song mentioned so far.

N: Second.  And Simba’s life journey is way more valuable than either Anna’s or Beast’s.  Beast is saved by a woman that doesn’t exist in the high heavens, let alone on earth, and Anna falls in love with an idiot.

AW: She was deceived, dad!  Blinded by fancy clothes and finished sandwiches and the like.

N: Simba returns not only for himself, but to avenge his father’s death.  If that isn’t sacrificial, I might as well leave this meeting.

LT: Go, get gone.  I’ll take over the show. (I leave in disgust).

LT: Well, boys, we’re not leaving until I convince you that Frozen is the biggest fraud since Barney... that guy does not love kids, he’s creepy... anyway, Beauty and the Beast has a better villain, a more imposing castle, a better fight scene, and a better theme song.  It’s better than Frozen on ice, which tastes like a little bit of satire to me, and when the curse is lifted on everyone at the end of the movie... ah... it just gets me every time.

LK: It’s a good film, I will agree, I just think Frozen has a better foundation.  Two great protagonists, excellent drama, and personally, a story about two sisters that learn about unconditional love is a better love tale than that of the rags to riches.

LT: You’re ridiculous.  It’s not rags to riches; it’s a story of redemption and forgiveness for the horrible crimes that the prince had committed before meeting and falling in love with Belle.

AW: Yeah, Logan’s right.  It’s a poor girl that realizes she needs a castle and puts on a fake to marry the big, bad beast.  Frozen is about family, love, loss and faith.  Tough to beat that.

LT: Dad was right.  You guys are crazy. (Slams door behind him.)

LK: Actually, Aiden, I probably do like Lion King more.  But I don’t like when dad razzes on Frozen.

AW: Me too.  But he doesn’t need to know that.

Issue II - Super Bowl & Awards Review

Sons at Round Table

Issue II

Super Bowl & Awards Review

N: So, what did you three think of the big game?

LT (Lucas): Seattle choked, I knew it.

LK (Logan): Brady was spectacular when it mattered against a great defense that could be considered one of the best of this generation.  I know that it’s the best that I’ve ever seen, and Brady simply picked them apart when it mattered the most.

N: I’m not sure if he picked them apart, Logan.  He made the right reads, sure, but essentially he just kept picking on the same guy, over and over again.

LK: That’s what makes him special, dad.

N: Hmm.  Injuries are a part of the game, to be sure, but Seattle should’ve have known better than to not double Gronk when it mattered the most.

AW: Belicheck and Brady were just better.  They got lucky at the end there, that’s all I’m going to say, but I think I can speak for everyone when I say that Carroll and whoever else was making the decisions kind of blew it in the end for Seattle.

N: Let’s look at it a little more closely. Why do you think they threw instead of running the football? They had time and a timeout to burn if they needed it...

AW: Element of surprise, maybe?  The whole world knows how wonderful Marshawn Lynch is, and New England is part of that equation.  But like someone said (Trent Dilfer), why not at least throw in a play action, or a read option throw?  The whole play screamed pass, and I think that’s why Butler was able to make such a clean break to the ball.

LT: Dumb, just dumb.  There are random heroes in big games like these, so you just have to go with your strengths.  There’d be less questioning that way.

N: Fair point.  I understand why you throw at Butler, but ride the horse that got you through the war.  I’m not in disagreement, but I understand why they made the call.

LK: That kid just made a really sweet play.  Seattle’s receivers are kind of underrated though, and Wilson doesn’t get enough credit.  To be fair, I think he should have gotten a lot more flack than he did.  It’s a simple pass, and he threw it way too far out in front. Put it on the numbers like you teach us to do, dad.

N: Agreed. If you’re going to miss, miss inside on a slant.  That New England secondary is strong though, almost on the level of Seattle’s.  I just think they should have ran at their first level.  I know Wilfork is beast, but...

AW: Lynch is beastmode! I think he wins that situation more times than not! Remember that game when he did it to my Cardinals earlier this year?  We couldn’t do anything to stop him!

LK: I think that was the play that made Seattle the super bowl favorites.  Once they won in Arizona and regained home field, there really only should have been one champion.

LT: Eh, Pete Carroll? (high fives, Logan)

N: Switching gears... Aaron Rodgers, deserving?

AW: Yeah, I suppose.  Your team really sucks when he’s not in the game, dad.

N: ...

LT: Boom.  But that’s why I think you have to give it to Rodgers.  If the Texans make the playoffs, maybe things should be different, but MVP doesn’t stand for the cool, trendy pick.  It stands for most VALUABLE player.  He changes games, and seasons.

LK: I don’t know why Romo didn’t get more credit.  The Packers are built to last, and a lot of people had the Cowboys finishing in last place after the release of DeMarcus Ware and the loss of Sean Lee to injury.  Romo came off of a serious injury, and they were almost the best team in football. 

N: I think that’s a result of too much productivity from too many people.  If Romo and DeMarco don’t share the accolades, Romo may have had a shot.

AW: No.  Romo’s line is better, his running back is better, his receivers are better.  Plus, DeMarco and Dez wanted more cash, so they played at a peak level. 

LT: Agreed.  Give Rodgers a Dez, and oh Lord! 

N: Odell Beckham...

AW: Ha, you were wrong dad!  He’s really good! The best I’ve ever seen probably!

N: I still take Sammy.

LT: Fly alone, dad.  No one takes Sammy over Odell anymore.  Just another reason why Buffalo is Buffalo.

N: You guys don’t remember him at Clemson, so that doesn’t count.  But, yes, Beckham was really restrained in the LSU offense, so I don’t think anyone could see that coming.

LT: How do you not see that coming?  He can make any catch from any angle.  Give him some complementary receivers, and we’ll have another discussion about his Hall of Fame induction around the time I enter high school.

LK: I liked Mike Evans.  He had a great year with a bad team down in Tampa.  He might be a  touchdown machine in years to come.

N: I have a friend who would disagree with you.  Said he was too slow for the NFL.

LT: Come on Chuck, I thought we were friends!

N: I didn't name names, Lucas.

LK: Doesn’t matter how slow you are if you catch everything.  Just wait until he gets a quarterback.

N: What do you hope to see from your teams this off-season?

LK: Some sort of consistency at quarterback.  I like Locker as much as you do, dad, but he never ever plays.  Might as well just go with Mettenberger at this point.  I think it’ll be some time though, before they can think about playing on the level of New England or Seattle, dad.

N: True.  Nice pieces, but it’s like having 2 frames, and no engine.  Lucas?

LT: Last year was the year.  But since a catch isn’t a catch in the NFL, we have to hope and pray that Romo can give us another year at that level.  I think they should sign AP though.  I haven’t seen him run yet, but from what I hear, there’s no one close when he’s motivated.  Minnesota’s never had a line like this Dallas one.

N: Steve Hutchinson, Bryant Mc... never mind.

LT: Who?

AW: Carson has to stay healthy.  My team is already good enough to win a Super Bowl, in fact I think they would have if Palmer had just played all season!  They have to re-sign Larry Fitzgerald though he’s my favorite player.

N: Sorry to get your hopes up buddy, but I think the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots have eyes for your boy.  Could be a match made in heaven...

AW: No!  He can’t go! Then I won’t like the Cardinals anymore! (Aiden actually said this when I brought up the possibility of Fitzgerald leaving)

Issue I - Super Bowl XLIX

Sons at the Round Table

Issue I

Super Bowl XLIX

In all the years of writing, never did I receive more positive feedback or satisfied readers than I did when I wrote, “Blogs with Aiden”.  I think that sucker started out on Facebook in the now defunct ‘Notes’ section, and between writing Aiden’s monthly perspectives of the new world and our debates over sports, it really took off for me.  At the time, I figured after 2 years of writing those blogs that the process might be stale and so I decided to go in a different direction.  I’ve had some success with Nate’s 9, as well as “Allsportsalways”.  The “Goal, Yellow Card, Red Card, Man of Match” blog hit for a couple of weeks and for awhile even Trifecta’s trifecta had a little steam going, but that concept when out the window pretty quickly. (For those that don’t remember it was a blog about - 3 things about 3 things.) I’ve decided since the kids tend to be the draw, why not start a new concept that kind of fed off the old one... especially since my kids have such different, distinctive personalities. (Aiden – Cup full, better drink it; Logan – Cup empty, better fill it; Lucas – Cup half full, who drank it?) With the help from a number of people, the new version of BWA should be the best delivered blog yet.  Enjoy!

Concept: I will be the “Narrator” of the blogs.  I already have half a notebook full of ideas for it, and I will try and maintain an objective perspective whenever I enter the discussions.  The blog will have occasional guest appearances; if you are interested in being a part of any of these “discussions”, let me know and we’ll figure out a way to work you in.  For those that didn’t catch the cup reference, Aiden will be the realist, Logan will be the optimist, and Lucas will be the cynic.  Most of the topics will cover sports, of course; I’ve been really pleased with the progress my kids have made over the last 6 months when it’s come to their knowledge and fervor for sports.  Nothing is untouchable; however, I also have some outlines written up for movies, pop culture, demographics, business, weather, etc.  Any feedback on how to make it better would be great!  Enjoy the Super Bowl this Sunday!

N: Are you guys excited for the game on Sunday?

AW: Yeah, dad, but I think the Seahawks are going to win, because they beat the Packers, and you say that they are a good team, so that must mean the Seahawks are better!

N: The Packers beat themselves, Aiden.

LT (Lucas): Badly.

LK (Logan): I just want to see a good game.

AW: Logan, it’s always going to be a good game, because it’s the Seahawks and the Patriots.  They are the two best teams in the whole league.

LK: Well, that didn’t happen last year.  The Broncos were a good team, but the game wasn’t really that good after the first play.

AW: That’s because the Seahawks had the perfect game plan to beat the Broncos.  Make Peyton beat you down the field.  And he couldn’t do that, and he turned it over a lot.

LT: Peyton sucks.

N: Who do you think will shine the most on Sunday?

LT: Bill Belicheck, because even if the Patriots lose, he’ll find a way to say he didn’t know anything about it and that it was the NFL’s fault.

AW: Beastmode!  I know he doesn’t really like to talk a lot, but he’s the best running back I’ve ever seen!

N: That’s because you’re only 4.  You know in my day...

AW: Dad!  You always talk about Barry Sanders and Marshall Faulk, but they don’t have any records, so how good can they really be?

LK: If Dad talks about them Aiden, then they must be good.

AW: It says here that Barry Sanders never even won a Super Bowl. Marshawn will have two if he wins on Sunday!

LT: It’s because they don’t let the defenders hit anybody.  If they could hit like they did in Dad’s time, Lynch wouldn’t be that good.

N: That’s not completely false.  Logan, who do you think will stand out on Sunday?

LK: I would have to go with... well... I think Tom Brady needs to win in order to be considered the best ever, but with Wilson playing the worst game of his life 2 weeks ago and still winning the game, I have to think that he will be better. I’m going to go with Russell Wilson.  He sure is hard to tackle.  And he has a great pop-up throw!

N: That wasn’t on purpose, Logan.  He was in trouble, and just had to throw up a prayer.  Luckily for him, it was answered.

LK: I think he knew what he was doing, dad.  He’s already won one super bowl, and he’s only been in the league for 3 years!

N: Agree to disagree.  If Ha Ha Clinton-Dix had just made a play.

AW: Get over it dad!  They lost!  The Seahawks beat them!

N: Okay, fine.  Who do you guys have winning the game this Sunday?

AW: Seahawks, of course.  By 2 touchdowns.

LK: I think it will be really close, and we’ll see the best from both teams.  I do think that Seattle is hard to score against, and their offensive line will give Wilson time.  I think Seahawks win by 3.

LT: Belicheck is the master.  He won’t let the Patriots be distracted by all the insignificant hyperbole that’s gone on these last couple of days.  Carroll coaches off of emotion... which is fine, except that Belicheck is a much better game planner than John Fox could ever be, and the Patriots will be much more prepared than the Broncos ever were.  You both are wrong, the Patriots will win and I’m not sure it will even be that close.

N: Lucas, be nice.  Any other final opinions before nap time, gentlemen?

AW: Where does Kam Chancellor rank in your top defensive players, dad?  You said that no one from today is allowed to hit like they use to, but he hits people really hard.

N: He’s the best safety in the game.  It’s just a different game is all.  He would have wreaked havoc during the 80’s and 90’s though when teams ran more.  But he’ll give Gronk all he can handle, that’s for sure.

AW: So, like top 3?

N: I’d go Ronnie Lott, Ed Reed, and Steve Atwater for my top 3, but if he keeps things going, he’ll be there soon.  Rod Woodson transitioned to safety nicely as well, he would be considered the greatest if he had just made his living back there.

AW: Earl Thomas is pretty good too though.  Maybe they’ll both be in my top 3 soon.

LK: I’m excited for the draft.  I hope my Titans take either a quarterback or Leonard Williams.  That guy probably eats like I do!

LT: The Cowboys better sign all their free agents.  Adrian is going to be too much of a distraction if we sign him, and the Cowboys don’t do well when there are many distractions.  How hot was this Carrie Underwood, dad?

N: Pretty hot, Lucas.

LT: Well.  There’s no one hot enough that would keep me from throwing the football.