So far I have liked the Camelot series. Pretty decent characters and storyline. And while the storyline has still been good, a couple characters themselves have started to take a nosedive of sorts. The couple characters I speak of are our main character Arthur and the now object of his affection Guinevere as the second half of this episode becomes a full blown love affair.
After what seemed like a long wait between Raws, tonight’s broadcast started off with John Cena’s moronic diatribe about how big his match against the Rock will be next year. Seriously John, I’ve already forgot about it because it’s a whole freakin’ year away, so let’s move on. And move on we do as Randy Orton enters the arena and gets in the ring, stating that someone who actually won their Wrestlemania match should get the next shot at the Miz. Orton is in turn interrupted by the idiotically named Prince of Parkour John Morrison. This guy is the last one I would want to see as a champion or even getting a title shot. Seriously, half the time he doesn’t even land his specialty move, but they just move on like nothing happened. This carries on for a few minutes as Dolph Zigler and R Truth both also come out to plead their case until the anonymous general manager computer chimes in. He or she states that a 5 man gauntlent match will determine who faces the Miz at Extreme Rules. (The next pay per view)
Before the commercial break we are told Edge has a big announcement, with rumors abound that his career is over. I kind of doubt it. Also we get to see Jack Swagger vs Lawler again, for the third time. If Lawler wins, he gets a piece of Michael Cole (again!) and if not he doesn’t. It would almost be worth seeing Lawler lose so the whole Michael Cole feud is over because I’m a little wore out from it.
When we return from commercial break there’s a strange promo with some crazy broad with an unseen face flicking the head off of a doll. Maybe it was Cole’s mom or something. Anyways, our first match in returning from commercial is Brie Bella vs Eve for the Divas Championship. Eve has the referee mark Brie’s hand so they can’t pull any of their switcheroo shit. Unfortunately through some distraction, Brie face plants Eve and pins her, effectively winning the Diva’s belt.
The next match is the Raw debut (first match) of new talent Sin Cara. It’s a refreshing change to see a new guy facing a jobber like Primo instead of all the usual guys fighting in the same matches week after week. And Sin Cara did not disappoint, because this guy has some crazy ass gravity defying moves going on. One didn’t work the first time but he nailed it the second try and it was so sweet it made you forget about the first one. I’m now eagerly awaiting Sheamus to attempt taking revenge.
After another commercial break we are treated to the Corre bickering with one another until Santino comes out with a group of superstars that he calls the Apple. Get it? Applecore? Yeah I can’t stand Santino either. Everyone in close proximity to him becomes as much of a joke as he is. Plus he looked completely fricking stoned, lord knows he has a terribly hard job being such a week to week turd. His group is made up of Daniel Bryan, Mark Henry and Evan Bourne. After a match that is already started before returning from commercial, we actually get to see Santino kind of wrestle against Heath Slater but unfortunately the horribly named Apple falls to the Corre. How ironic…. or stupid.
After what seems like the twelfth commercial we are right into the Lawler-Swagger match. I don’t know what is going on for this episode of Raw but it seems like there are microphones placed all around the ring because we are treated to hearing the repeated droning of Michael Cole the entire match. And he repeats everything about four or five times. It was so annoying I had to mute the tv for the majority of the match. At the end in a gratifying moment, Jim Ross yanks Cole down from the ring apron and as Swagger goes to help him Lawler pins him for the three count. Lawler then makes his stipulation to Michael Cole, stating it will be a tag team match with Swagger whom Cole had just slapped for losing the match. So at Extreme Rules it will be Lawler and Swagger v.s. Cole and someone of his choice. Paint me not excited either way.
And now to Edge. My previous assumption was completely wrong as Edge did indeed announce that he is retiring due to his injuries and advice from his doctors. Even though I was never a huge fan of Edge it is too bad to see him go. He was one of the most popular superstars around at this point and it will be interesting to see who is able to fill the void left by him. I salute Edge for his years he put into the WWE for the fans.
Without further adieu the 5 man gauntlent match begins. It starts off with Randy Orton and Dolph Zigler. Randy Orton seems to have it wrapped up but before he can execute his RKO, members of the New Nexus interfere and Orton loses with a quick pin from behind by Zigler. Orton is then beat down by the Nexus members and they once again prove how badass they are by beating someone three on one.
R Truth is the next contestant and he handily beats Zigler, so it’s bring on the next guy – John Morrison. It’s seeming more and more like we are going to see a Cena/Miz rematch unless Raw actually shows some originality. Not suprisingly, Morrison misses his lame Starship whatever move and R Truth takes him out and has to face John Cena. As the match progresses, I can’t really decide who I want to win. I’ve never been impressed with R Truth and his rapper persona, but I definitely don’t want to see a Cena/Miz rematch. I have to agree with Miz when he says that the people chanting “let’s go Cena” are pretty much five year olds and girls while the “Cena Sucks” chanters are everyone else with half a brain. As the match goes back and forth it appears Cena will win the Miz and Alex Reiley jump in and beat them both up resulting in a double disqualification. Miz did this because he didn’t appreciate the “you can’t see me” gesture directed at him. Afterwards the GM announces that the Extreme Rules pay per view championship match will now be a triple threat match between Cena, R Truth and Miz. I guess that’s better than another Cena and Miz crapfest. Let us know what you all think in the comments section!
Over the weekend I had to pleasure of seeing a film called Hanna. I had been waiting for the release of this movie for quite some time now and I can tell you – I wasn’t disappointed. The movie revolves around a 16-year-old girl (Saoirse Ronan) who is trained by her Ex-CIA father (Eric Bana) from an early age to fight and survive against exceptional odds. Cate Blanchett’s character is our antagonist, as she attempts to hunt down Hanna.
Series 32 of Doctor Who starts on Saturday the 23rd of April, and will be shown on BBC One, BBC One HD and BBC America. And I, for one, am so excited I could wet myself! No, really, I could.
This is all the information I know up to now (no, not just the date, what I am about to impart to you.) There will be a few light spoilers, but not too many as I don’t want to know too much either.
First up is the fact that this years series will be split in two. The first seven episodes will end on what has been promised to be a ‘memorable and shocking cliffhanger’. Then a summer break in July and August before the final six episodes are shown in autumn (or fall, for all you Americans). It is also going to be more dark and spooky. Time to hide behind the sofa?
The first two part story is by Steven Moffat. Episode one is entitled ‘The Impossible Astronaut’ and episode two is ‘Day of The Moon’. It’s set in America in 1969 (there has been filming in Utah and Arizona) and sees the return of River Song (Alex Kingston).
The general plot, as reported by Doctor Who Magazine, goes as follows.
July 1969. Man takes his first, tentative steps on the Moon. That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for… okay, you’ve heard that one before. But a lot more happened on Earth that year than mankind remembers.
Four small TARDIS-blue envelopes. A date, time and map reference. “We’ve been recruited,” ponders River Song. All roads lead to Lake Silencio, in Utah, on one balmy day in April. And an astronaut. An Apollo astronaut in the lake. Impossible? Not today. For the heavens have become a part of man’s world, and this is the day that some one is going to die.
Someone is going to die, and it’s going to be either The Doctor, Amy, Rory or River
Yes, you read that right, one of them will die! Apparently.
Really? Didn’t Rory die last series? You can’t kill The Doctor, surely? River Song seems the most likely candidate, but… really? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
All this and, what are being called, the scariest monsters yet! Even more terrifying than the Weeping Angles. And this is just for starters.
Episode three will be ‘The Curse of The Black Spot’. Hugh Bonneville will feature as a pirate captain and Lilly Cole as a mysterious creature that haunts his ship.
Episode four is ‘The Doctor’s Wife’, written by comic legend Neil Gaiman. This is the story they ran out of money for before filming last year. It sees the return of the Ood (the only returning monsters this year).
Episode five – ‘The Rebel Flesh‘ – and episode six – ‘The Almost People‘ – are a two parter, and episode seven (written by Moffat) will be ‘A Good Man Goes to War’.
The only two episode titles, for the second part of the series, so far announced are episode nine (by Mark Gatiss), which will be called ‘What Are Little Boys Made of?‘ and episode eleven, titled ‘The God Complex’, which will see David Walliams (of Little Britain fame) as an alien character called Gibbs.
The other news of the second part of the series is that James Corden and Daisy Haggard will be reprising their roles as Craig Owens and Sophie from last years episode ‘The Lodger’.
In also news a new magazine is out now for North America, Doctor Who Insider, from the publishers of Doctor Who Magazine.
And to finish off, here is the trailer for the new series, plus the prequel to ‘The Impossible Astronaut’.
Now please excuse me whilst I go find dry underwear.
It would appear Viggo Mortensen is out of the running to play Zod, because Michael Shannon of recent Boardwalk Empire fame, has landed the job to portray the baddest Kryptonian of all. According to a report from Yahoo!, Director Zack Snyder had this to say of Zod and Michael Shannon:
“Zod is not only one of Superman’s most formidable enemies, but one of the most significant because he has insights into Superman that others don’t,” Snyder said in a statement to Deadline, which was first to report the superhero casting news. “Michael is a powerful actor who can project both the intelligence and the malice of the character, making him perfect for the role.”
Michael Shannon, who is also an Academy Award nominee for his turn in Revolutionary Road, can definitely play a sinister role. His character Nelson Van Alden in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire is calm and collected, but prone to outbursts of rage from time to time. It would seem with Shannon’s addition to the cast of Superman: Man of Steel, they have an all star lineup going. Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Amy Adams and Henry Cavill round out the rest of the cast of the Man of Steel. Now the only thing to wait on is the casting of all the minor roles for the movie, assuming they’ll cast Jimmy Olsen and Perry White. And who could forget Zod’s cuddly Kryptonian minions Ursa and Non. I vote for the WWE’s Kane to fill the role of Non if he is in the movie!
So what say you, the reader about this most recent Man of Steel casting selection? Yay or Nay? Unleash your fury in the comments section below!
The NFL draft, to most football fans is just a little event for their teams to restock the stables with fresh rookie talent, that will end up buried on their team’s depth charts just learning the ropes. Then, within a few years those fans will say: “Hey didn’t we draft that guy a couple of years back?” Not really caring where the talent came from, but just sitting back and enjoying the luxury of their team’s front office doing everything right and loading their teams with quality players. Ah, to be a fan of teams like that…
Well, I have no idea what that’s like because I’m a Detroit Lions fan, scratch that… Detroit Lions MEGA FAN!!! And over the past decade the NFL draft has become Lions fans Super Bowl, mainly because it always seems like we’re picking in the top 5, but also because it’s that time of year where that magical thing starts to creep into our heads, and that thing is called Hope.
Hope that next year will be better; maybe we’ll have a winning record, or even make the play-offs, or maybe even… oh sorry, I got lost in my own fantasy again.
Anyways, over the past decade I have really paid attention to who’s coming out of college that could help my beloved Lions reach the top of the mountain, only to sit by and watch them blow almost all our draft picks.
I always like trying to pick guys that the casual fan hasn’t really seen play, or sometimes even heard of. So without further ado – Here is my list of 11 players you should keep an eye on during this years NFL draft.
For 2010 Matthews was a 2nd Team All-American, 1st Team All-Pac 10, a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, and lead the Oregon Ducks in tackles for the 2010 season. He also had a very good showing in the National Championship Game and the Senior Bowl. Matthews is a very instinctive, tough linebacker with a high football I.Q., who isn’t quite as athletic as his older brother Clay, but is a very hard-working football player who brings with him the right mentality. Matthews will be most likely taken in the 3rd or 4th round of the draft and will be a very solid starter either on the inside (4-3 or 3-4) or at the strong side (4-3) position during his NFL career.
I have two words for this guy, TACKLING MACHINE!! Herzlich has had a very impressive career at Boston College; in 2006 he was named to the Freshman All-American Team. He finished the 2007 season with 97 tackles and led his team in tackles for a loss, which surely got him national recognition for 2008 where he won the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, 1st Team All-American, and a Butkus Award Finalist; He also had the most interceptions in the country for a linebacker that year with 6. After his Junior season he was considered a 1st round draft pick if he would’ve entered the NFL draft, but Herzlich decided to stay for his Senior year where, in the off-season, he was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, which is a rare form of bone cancer. Herzlich had to have surgery on his left leg to remove a tumor from his femur where doctors inserted a metal rod to help repair his leg. After the surgery the doctors told him he would never run again, but after a long rehab and a season off from football Herzlich played his last season at Boston College where he started all 13 games, and finished third on the team with 65 tackles and 50 solo stops. He tied for first on the team with two forced fumbles, and was second on the team with four interceptions. He is the definition of tough, and its players like him that make me and probably most fans love the game of football. It will probably take him another season to get his speed back fully, but he is an extremely instinctive player with good range and good coverage skills, and he heavily relies on his best attribute, which is tackling. Herzlich has a 4th to 6th round grade on him but I hope he goes no later than the 3rd round because this guy deserves it.
Cannon is an absolute beast; this guy is 6-5 and weighs 358 lbs. He hang cleans 520 lbs. (A record at TCU) and he squats 720 lbs for 2 reps. He will be among the very strongest players in the NFL, not only is he strong, but he is also very athletic (for a guy his size) he ran the 40 in 5.2 sceonds and was very fluid in all of his drills he performed at his Pro Day. Cannon has been dominant as a starter at TCU as a Right Tackle for 2010 Cannon was a three-time All-Mountain West Conference selection, a 3rd Team All-American in 2010, and anchored an offensive line that led TCU to single-season records in touchdowns (70) and points scored (520). Cannon was also instrumental in TCU tying for seventh nationally, allowing just 0.75 sacks per game. Cannon played Right Tackle at TCU but is projected to play either Right Tackle or one of the Guard positions. Cannon is a down right nasty run blocker and was great as a pass blocker at the college level, but a lot of NFL Analysts think that he doesn’t have the footwork to pan out as an elite Tackle at the NFL level (we’ll see). Cannon will most likely go in the 2nd round, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he got picked up at the end of the 1st.
This guy is a load to handle on the inside, and he is a true Nose Tackle at 334 lbs. Taylor was very dominant against the “elite” Big 12 Offensive lines and he consistently beat double teams all season long. He has long arms, a huge frame, and is very strong which allows him to stack and shed his blocks, making him perfect for any 3-4 defenses looking for an anchor at the Nose Tackle position. Taylor earned 2nd Team All-Big 12 for 2010, and had the most tackles by a Baylor interior lineman (62) since Ethan Kelley in 2002. Taylor ran the 40 in 5.18 and has a good amount of pass rush moves and athleticism which will help him at the next level. After the Combine and his Pro Day Taylor is projected to be a late 1st or early 2nd round draft pick this year, especially since there are a lot of teams running a 3-4 defense in today’s NFL.
Kaepernick is possibly the next Ben Roethlisberger. Their style of play is very similar; Kaepernick is 6-5 233 lbs, is very mobile and can throw with strength and accuracy down the field while in the pocket, or on the move. Kaepernick is also the only quarterback in college football history to have passed for over 10,000 yards and rushed for over 4,000 yards in a collegiate career, and also as the only QB to have passed for over 2,000 yards and rushed for over 1,000 yards in a single season three times in a career (consecutively).
Kaepernick is the type of Quarterback that on 3rd and long can hit a receiver down field or run for the first down. He doesn’t have blazing speed, but he’s fast enough. His throwing accuracy is inconsistent and he has the instinct to run instead of stay in the pocket in some situations. Kaepernick is most likely a year or 2 away from being ready to start in the NFL, but when he does I think he will be a very good NFL Quarterback. Kaepernick is projected as a 2nd-3rd round draft pick, but I would not be surprised if a team reaches for him late in the 1st round.
Hunter had a great Senior Bowl week and some considered him to be the best looking back overall. From his running ability to his blitz pickups, NFL analysts have made comparisons from Thurman Thomas to Maurice Jones-Drew. His stats are not that impressive over his career at Oklahoma State, but Hunter has a great understanding of his position and his assignments. His running ability is solid; he finds his gap and hits it hard while having good vision and cut back ability. Hunter is very impressive in picking up the blitz, at 5-7 200 lbs he is taking on much bigger and stronger players without fear or hesitation. Hunter is projected to go in the middle of the draft, but don’t be shocked if he was picked up in the late 2nd round or early 3rd round.
Reed is an explosive player that is versatile enough to play either a Defensive End in a 4-3 alignment, or an Outside Linebacker in a 3-4 alignment. He was named 1st Team All-Pac 10 for his senior year at Arizona. A lot of teams have him at OLB in a 3-4 after his 4.65 40 time at the combine which was faster than 18 of the 24 linebackers there, but he’s still considered a “tweener” and could work as a DE in a 4-3. Reed has a lot of experience with his hand in the dirt starting for 3 years as a DE. He has a very powerful bull rush and a quality speed rush, which he will have to add to at the next level. He has a great work ethic, a high football I.Q. and he is relentless in pursuit. When he arrives to the ball carrier he does so with power and burst. Reed is projected to go in the 2nd or 3rd round due to his skill and versatility.
Cameron has really improved his stock after the Combine and his Pro day. Cameron is an athletic freak and posted great numbers for a player his size. He is 6-5, 250 lbs. and ran the 40 in 4.53 while registering a 37 ½ inch vertical leap. Cameron didn’t put up impressive stats this past season, but he was very versatile for the Trojans. Cameron regularly split out from Tight End to a split receiver position resulting in a matchup problem for opposing defenses. Cameron moves extremely well for a TE, he catches the ball naturally and is very fluid in his route running. He also has the frame to only get bigger. Not to mention he also played for the USC basketball team, and we all know how teams like TE that where also basketball players. Cameron is projected to go anywhere from the 2nd round to the 4th round, but I believe he will be off the board sooner rather than later.
At 6-1, 200 lbs and a 4.35 40 time at his Pro day what’s not to like? Add to that great ball-hawking skills with 11 career interceptions and setting a record at NMS in interception return yardage (319) and you got a solid NFL quality Corner Back. House also has the ability of being a very dangerous return man, which will only make him more valuable to teams in need of such a player. House has the ideal size and athleticism to be a starting CB at the next level, he is also very physical and aggressive in run support which is always a plus. House is projected to be a 2nd to 4th round draft pick and considering the demand for quality CB, I would say he goes late in the 2nd round.
I just love Penn State, blue-collar, bring your lunch pail to work type players and that is exactly what Wisniewski is. Wisniewski made his first start during his freshman year at Penn State and has been a staple on the O-line ever since. A 1st Team All-American, Wisniewski is known for not only his toughness but his outstanding technical skills at his position, and extremely high football I.Q. Wisniewski has a ton of experience at both the guard and center positions against top competition throughout his career. He is very instinctive and aware of picking up blitzes, he finishes his blocks, and he is very quick and mobile with a great work ethic. In my opinion he should be the first Center off the board in the draft. Wisniewski is projected to go in the 2nd round.
Foster had a monster Senior year for the Huskies finishing the season with 162 tackles. Yeah, you read that right, 162 tackles in 13 games which comes out to 12.58 tackles per game. Take a minute to let it sink in…yeah it’s ridiculous. Anyways, Foster was named a 1st Team All-American his Senior year and named to the All-Pac 10 team his Senior, Junior, and Sophomore year while also being named the Huskies team MVP in 2008. Foster is extremely instinctive and has good coverage skills to go along with his ability to dominate in run defense. This guy is the ideal Linebacker – He’s tough, he’s smart and he can play all 3 LB positions. If I had to pick just one player on this list who I thought was going to be a truly great player in the NFL, I would have to pick Foster. He not only has the experience and the skill, but he also has the right mentality and has a good head on his shoulders. I believe Foster will go in the 2nd round to a team that desperately needs LB help (hint, hint DETROIT LIONS). Anyways aside from wishful thinking Foster has a 2nd to 3rd round grade for this year’s draft.
So that is my list, we’ll just have to watch the draft to see where these guys go. And then, God willing, there will be a season and maybe we’ll see them on the field.
Grizzly Bomb 