My journey to The Rise of Skywalker

My wife and I went and had a nice date night last night. We went and had dinner at one of our favorite Mexican restaurant, did some quick shopping for Christmas, and ended with watching The Rise of Skywalker.

I feel I should point out before we get to the nitty gritty that I love both The Force Awakens (TFA) and The Last Jedi (TLJ). In fact, The Last Jedi is my favorite movie of all the Star Wars films. Please note, I said my favorite, not the best as the best is clearly Empire Strikes Back.

Before we get to The Rise of Skywalker (ROS), first let's travel back in time all the way to 1983's Return of the Jedi. Why are we going back there? Well, it was the first movie I attended. I was two years old. Star Wars has been in and a part of my life for thirty-six years.

Now let's jump to 1999. I was a senior in high school, and The Phantom Menace (TPM) was released in theaters, and it was bad. I saw that movie six times because it was Star Wars. TPM had some good pieces in there, but as Charles Barkley would say "It was turrible". Then came The Clone Wars which in my opinion was worse than TPM. Revenge of the Sith was actually pretty good.

Then 2012 comes along and Disney goes out, and purchases Lucasfilm. The house of mouse also promises more new Star Wars movies. That brings us all the way up to 2015 and TFA. I was excited, and apprehensive as millions of others were for the first new Star Wars in a decade.

And TFA was phenomenal! It felt like a Star Wars movie, it looked like a Star Wars movie, the cast, writing, cameos all hit the right buttons. It was nostalgic, and fresh. It reinvigorated the Star Wars fan base. The main criticism of TFA is it is too much like A New Hope (ANH), and it was similar but different enough that it felt like this trilogy was on the right track. I believe even if the next two films were shot-for-shot remakes of ESB, and RotJ that fans would approve.

Then we get to The Last Jedi in 2017. In my opinion this film is a masterpiece. Rian Johnson took Star Wars and went a direction no one expected. It turned the original trilogy's main hero into a grumpy hermit. A lot of people had issue with that, but I did not. This seemed like a natural progression for Luke considering the failures he had faced. We all feel that way sometimes, where we muck up something so bad, or several things in a row and just want to disappear. Myself, Luke, and most people eventually realize that running away and disappearing is not the answer. Luke then goes on to face Kylo in his own way, and it was beautiful and heroic, and everything I wanted.

POSSIBLE SPOLIERS AHEAD (DO NOT SCROLL IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN ROS)

S

P

O

I

L

E

R

S


This brings us to ROS. I don't know if I like it. I don't hate it, and think it can be good, and maybe even great, but I'll need at least one more viewing. The problems of this movie for me were the first thirty minutes of the film felt like J.J. Abrams was jumping around and retconning everything Rian Johnson did in TLJ, it felt disconnected from the meat of the movie. This caused a lot of pacing issues with the rest of the movie, and if I am honest this seemed like it should have been the second movie of a trilogy and not the last movie of a saga. There was one scene with Leia that just felt very out of place. Why Palpatine? WHY? I don't understand why he was needed at all or why Rey had to be his grandchild, as this raises many more questions to which we will likely not get answers. The story could have been so much more interesting without him too. The biggest overall problem with this trilogy seems like there was no overall story direction. J.J. Abrams started it off, and again TFA is wonderful, but there was no clear cut direction for Rian Johnson to go, so he did what he wanted. J.J. didn't like what Rian did and went back to change it the way he wanted to.

What I really enjoyed in this movie are things I have enjoyed throughout this trilogy, Rey, Kylo, and their connection. Leia's sacrifice to save her son was something any mother would do, but was still touching. Force-ghost Luke was awesome as well imparting some much needed wisdom to Rey. Choice matters in life and it matters in Star Wars, and that is why I like Rey's decision at the end of the movie to become a Skywalker.

Draft Time!

Draft Time!

It's that time of year again. NFL Draft time! It's a time of hope, and change. It is also one of my favorite times of the year. The intensity and drama is like nothing else. No one knows what is going to happen on draft night, and that is what has hooked me. Each year I try to live blog the draft, and if I cannot I do a mock draft. Well this year I hope to do both. Today I'll be doing a mock draft of what I would do if I were each team. I'll also say who I think the team would really pick. I will try to predict trades. As you can see from my mock draft last year I'm really good at this. So, let's get going!

  

1.  Arizona Cardinalsr
   My pick: Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama - The Cardinals have a great edge rusher in Chandler Jones, and now they bolster their defense with the draft's best interior pass rusher. Good luck o-lines of the NFC West.
   Their pick: Nick Bosa, EDGE, Ohio State - The Cardinals double-down on their edge rushers and pair Jones and Bosa.
   Analysis: I think Kyler Murray is a smokescreen to get someone to try to trade up, but no one is willing to pay the king's ransom it will take so the Cardinals get one of the two top defenders in the draft.
   
2. Oakland Raiders:
   My pick: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma - The Raiders trade up to grab Murray. Gruden is apparantly infatuated with Murray and starts his and Mike Mayock's rebuild with getting their QB of the future.
   Their pick: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma.
   Analysis: The Raiders trade 1.04 and 1.27 and a 2020 2nd rounder to move up 2 spots to get their QB. If the 49ers stick in this spot they would take the best available pass rusher.
3.  New York Jets:
   My pick: Jawan Taylor, OT, Florida - Edge rusher is a need so Josh Allen is definitely a possibility but, with new HC Adam Gase in town the Jets will want to protect their franchise QB, and do that by selecting Taylor.
   Their pick: Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky - The Jets bolster their middle of the pack pass rush with the best rusher on the board. The Jets could pick Bosa here but Allen is a better 3-4 OLB prospect than Bosa.
   Analysis: To protect or destroy the QB. That is the Jets choice with this pick. I think they want to save Darnold from punishment so they choose to protect.
4.  Denver Broncos
   My pick: Drew Lock, QB, Missouri - John Elway moves up to get his QB of the future. I have read he loves Lock. Lock will have at least one and possibly two years behind Flacco to adjust to the NFL game.
   Their pick: Drew Lock, QB, Mssiouri.
   Analysis: The Broncos give up 1.10, 3.71, and a 2020 1st to move up 6 spots. That is two straight trade downs for the 49ers who are accumulating picks after starting with only 6 selections. The Broncos make this move to proactively beat other teams trying to move up to take a QB.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
   My pick: Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State - In my picks Bosa falls to Tampa and in this scenario the Bucs run to the podium to take the best edge rusher in the draft.
   Their pick: Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama - In the their picks scenario Williams is the one who falls, and the Bucs still run to the podium with Williams draft card.
   Analysis: The Bucs want to move on from Gerald McCoy who has a huge cap hit and is aging. The Bucs also drafted Vita Vea last year so they could look to take a LB, but Williams is the clear best player available here.
   
   
6.  New York Giants:
   My pick: Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky - Gettlemen said he wants a pass rusher and gets an elite one in Allen.
   Their pick: Devin White, LB, LSU - In this scneario there are no edge rushers worth the value, so the G-men pick up White the best LB in the draft.
   Analysis: Montez Sweat's heart condition scares off the Giants in their pick and I think Gettlemen's old school thinking prevents them from taking someone like Ed Oliver. If the Giants do go edge rusher here Rashan Gary out of Michigan may be a fit.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars:
   My pick: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa - I have heard Jacksonville covets Hockenson who put up a show at the combine. This gives Nick Foles a good safety net over the middle.
   Their pick: T.J. Jockenson, TE, Iowa - finally a my pick and their pick line up without a trade.
   Analysis: I can see Hockenson having a Kelce-esque season with the Jags.
   
   
8.  Washington Professional Football Team:
   My pick: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State - Washington trades up with the Lions to get ahead of the Bengals to take Haskins as the 3rd QB in the top 10.
   Their pick: Dwyane Haskins, QB, Ohio State.
   Analysis:  Washington gives up 1.15, 3.76, 5.173, and 7.227 while Detroit gets 1.15 and gives up 4.111, and a 2020 6th round pick in this trade down. Detorit like the Giants would take Sweat if the medical checked out.
   
   
9.  Buffalo Bills:
   My pick: Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama - Considered the top offensive linemen in the draft Williams can play tackle or guard and will help the Bills porous offensive line immediately.
   Their pick: Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama.
   Analysis: This pick makes too much sense. The Bills top need is o-line and the value lines up with the need here.
   
   
10.  San Francisco 49ers:
    My pick: Brian Burns, DE, Florida St. - The 49ers get a standout pass rusher to pair opposite Dee Ford here, and with trading down twice pick up valuable draft capital.
    Their pick: Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi St. - The 49ers still go edge rusher, just one that is rated a bit higher.
    Analysis: I picked Burns because of Sweat's medical, and the fact the 49ers have a brand new medical and training staff. I think in this scenario the 49ers would put their trust in the new staff and draft the higher rated  player.
    
    
11.  Cincinati Bengals:
    My pick: Devin White, LB, LSU - The Bengals lost Vontez Burfict this offseason and if White fell to them would easily replace him minus the headaches.
    Their pick: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston - The Bengals still go defense with an interior pass rusher in Oliver.
    Analysis: If Oliver is the pick he is the perfect understudy to Geno Atkins. White would help on all three downs, while Oliver would probably come in during passing situations. Geno Atkins and Oliver on the inside is a scary thought.
    
    
12.  Green Bay Packers:
    My pick: Andre Dilliard, OT, Washington St. - The Packers have lost important pieces along the o-line in the last few years and have not replaced them well. That stops with the selection of the best pass blocking tackle in the draft.
    Their pick: Andre Dilliard, OT, Washington St.
    Analysis: The Packers would like to pick up another playmaker and if T.J. Hockenson were on the board I could see them going that route, but Hockenson is not, so the next best o-lineman goes.
    
    
13. Miami Dolphins:
    My pick: Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi St. - The Dolphins have needs all over the place, and in the my pick scenario Sweat is still here and the best player available.
    Their pick: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson - Sweat is not available in their pick, so I give the Dolphins a big DT who can move.
    Analysis: The Dolphins really cannot go wrong with needs everywhere on the team, so I gave them the BPA in both scenarios.
14. Atlanta Falcons:
    My pick: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston - The Falcons are always looking for pass rush, and Oliver falls to them here to pair next to Grady Jarrett.
    Their pick: Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan - Gary has all the measurables you could want in a DE. The Falcons coaching staff will have to get more out of him than the coaches at Michigan did.
    Analysis: The Falcons lost Vic Beasly this offseason and Grady Jarrett is on the franchise tag, so d-line is likely where they will go.
15. Detroit Lions:
    My pick: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson - Like the Dolphins the Lions could use help just about everywhere. They pick Lawrence here and line him up next to Trey Flowers as the start of the formidable front seven.
    Their pick: Jawan Taylor, OT, Florida - O-line is definitely a need and with Taylor falling to them the Lions pick up some protection for Matthew Stafford.
    Analysis: The Lions could go a lot of directions here, but help along the lines should be the pick. This could be the range where the top CBs go too, so someone like Greedy Williams is in play.
16.  Carolina Panthers:
    My pick: Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan - Julius Peppers retired in the offseason and the Panthers can get the most out of Gary, so this makes sense with Gary still being available.
    Their pick: Clellin Ferrell, DE, Clemson - Ferrell is rated slighly lower than Gary, but the thinking is the same. They need to find someone to replace Peppers.
    Analysis:  All the mocks I've read and podcasts I've listened to have the Panthers going d-line, and I can't see better value for them either.
    
    
17. New York Giants:
    My pick: Garrett Bradbury, C, N.C. State - If I'm the Giants I continue to build out my lines, and wait for the QB heavy draft class next year.
    Their pick: Daniel Jones, QB, Duke -The Giants get the QB of the future here. Famed draft expert Gil Brandt compared Jones to Peyton Manning.
    Analysis: I don't know what the Giants will do with this pick. They could go for D.K. Metcalf, they could go d-line again or LB. This one is up in the air.
18.  Minnesota Vikings:
    My pick: Clellin Ferrell, DE, Clemson - The Vikings need o-line help, but there is not a lot of value at 18 for o-line.
    Their pick: Garrett Bradbury, C, N.C. State - In their pick scenario Bradbury is still on the board and lines up to a good value at a position of need so he's the pick here.
    Analysis: With Everson Griffen having issues last year I gave the Vikings Ferrell, but they also have needs along the o-line. Cousins will continue to suck if they can't keep him upright.
    
    
19.  Tennessee Titans:
    My pick: Devin Bush, LB, Michigan - The Titans defense is getting a little long in the tooth, especially at LB. Bush will come in and revitalize the middle of their D.
    Their pick: D.K. Metcalf - The first skill player off the board. Metcalf can take the top off the defense and help get Corey Davis open underneath.
    Analysis: Getting a playmaker for Mariota will help, but I think the Titans may look to the second round for a WR, and that's why I gave them Bush.
20. San Francisco 49ers:
    My pick: Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi St. - The 49ers move up ahead of the Seahawks to pick the best safety in the draft.
    Their pick: Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi St.Analysis: The 49ers give up 1.27 and the third rounder from Denver to move up 8 spots and grab Abram.
    
    
21.  Seattle Seahawks:
    My pick: Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi St.- Simmons will need a red-shirt year after tearing his ACL.
    Their pick: Greedy Willimas, CB, LSU - The need is there in the secondary as their CBs after Richard Sherman left have been just ok.
    Analysis: The Seahawks wanted Abram, but with the 49ers moving up ahead of them have to settle for another player.
22. Baltimore Ravens:
    My pick: Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas St. - The Ravens need to protect Lamar Jackson and Risner would make a good bookend with Ronnie Stanley.
    Their pick: Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State - The Ravens also need weapons for Jackson, and the speedy Campbell can help him as a down-field threat.
    Analysis: This pick is about helping Lamar Jackson, and the Ravens can do that one of two ways and I present them both with this pick.
23. Houston Texans:
    My pick: Greedy Williams, CB, LSU - The Texans have whiffed on CBs in the past and hope Williams can be the answer.
    Their pick: Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas St. - The Texans need to protect DeShaun Watson who was hit more than anybody in the league last year.
    Analysis: If Risner was on the board this would've been another lined up pick, but he wasn't for my pick so I gave them the best player at a position of need.
24. Oakland Raiders:
    My pick: Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama - The Raiders complete their backfield with Jacobs here.
    Their pick: Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama.
    Analysis: The Raiders shored up their o-line in free agency, and picked Murray with their first pick. They need a RB and now they have the consensus best RB in the draft.
25.  Philadelphia Eagles:
    My pick: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson - Big bodied mover to throw into the d-line rotation.
    Their pick: Devin Bush, LB, Michigan - Bush falls to the Eagles here after the 49ers traded up with Pittsburgh.
    Analysis: The pick would've been Josh Jacobs, but with the Raiders snagging the Eagles select a defensive player at a position of need.
    
    
26. Indianapolis Colts:
    My pick: D.K. Metcalf, WR, Mississippi - Andrew Luck gets a big downfield target to pair with T.Y. Hilton.
    Their pick: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson - shoring up the middle of their defense with this mammoth DT.
    Anlaysis: The Colts could go in a lot of different directions here.
27. Pittsburgh Steelers:
    My pick: Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State - The Steelers pickup a replacement for Antonio Brown.
    Their pick: Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia - The Steelers are always looking for secondary help, and they get the second best CB in the draft.
    Analysis: Secondary, WR, and LB are the Steelers biggest needs. With no LBs of value here the Steelers select either the pass catcher or pass defender.
28. Los Angeles Chargers:
    My pick: Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma - The Chargers have lost some WR depth this season and will plug Brown into the slot.
    Their pick: Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma.
    Analysis: Another pick lined up. The Chargers do not have many needs and can spend this pick on the best player available which currently is Brown.
29.  Seattle Seahawks:
    My pick: Darnell Savage, S, Maryland - With the Frank Clark trade, the Seahawks acquire another 1st round pick. They use it on Earl Thomas replacement.
    Their pick: Darnell Savage, S, Maryland.
    Analysis:  Savage is a rangy safety that has been moving up boards since the combine. So picking Earl Thomas' successor makes sense here.
    
    
30.  Green Bay Packers:
    My pick: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa - The Packers pick up Jimmy Graham's replacement.
    Their pick: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa.
    Analysis: The Packers get a nice offensive weapon for Aaron Rodgers after shoring up their o-line earlier in the draft.
    
    
31.  Los Angeles Rams:
    My pick: Erik Mccoy, C, Texas A&M - John Sullivan's departure at center leaves a huge hole in the offensive line and the Rams pick up the next best C in the draft here.
    Their pick: Brian Burns, EDGE, Florida St. - Somehow Burns falls all the way down to the Rams in this scenario.
    Analysis: The Rams can go o-line or d-line here, but the with Burns falling all this way there is no way they don't pick the pass rusher.
    
32.  New England Patriots:
    My pick: Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama - The Patriots pick up the versitile safety to replace one of the McCourtey brothers.
    Their pick: Jeffrey Simmons, DT, Mississippi St. - The Pats pick up Simmons who will need to sit a year, but could be the best d-lineman in the whole draft.
    Analysis: Things have a way of working out for the Pats in the draft. I could see them using their plethora of picks to move up or they can sit and let the draft come to them like they usually do.