Don't give a rat's ass about Tom Cruise, "Top Gun" or the sequel. I doubt I'll see it. Saw "Top Gun" when it came out but it had no lasting impression. Didn't join the military or anything. No, that took watching "An Officer and A Gentleman". After seeing that, I filled out an application for the Air Force flight screening program and dedicated the next year of my life to trying to get in. In those days, it was an arduous process that accepted 1% of the college grads who applied.
Somehow, I got in. Then I got out. My illustrious Air Force career lasted 21 days.
Looking back, it seems so silly. To be so young and impressionable. I knew nothing about military life or flying airplanes. I was a Jewish kid from Long Island. Jewish kids from Long Island become doctors, lawyers, stock brokers, realtors -- not friggin Air Force pilots or anything else that deals with signing up to fight in real wars.
Nothing like standing on a flight-line, freezing to death in your jumpsuit, when it's 30 degrees at 7 am and then roasting on the runway under glass at noon when it's 100. The world from "up there" isn't nearly as attractive, or at least wasn't to me, as being down here looking up. I really didn't like the complete loss of control that goes with military life; most of all the possibility of having to drop bombs on peasant villages. And then there was a insignificant fact that, doing spins and stalls, my insides wanted to come out.
I didn't wash out. Left voluntarily. I'll never know for sure but I guess I'd have washed out if I'd tried to stay in because it's really hard to learn to fly when you feel super sick. I remember my flight instructor saying I wasn't getting it fast enough and lamenting to him how I don't get it, that I'm a super quick study, that I'm really good with my hands and have great spacial sense, that I'd tested out at 99th percentile for pilot aptitude. He made the point that when one is sick, one doesn't learn. If there were more time, I'd be fine because my body would acclimate. But with just 9 hours until my check flight, things weren't looking good.
Truth is, by that time, I didn't care. I could see it wasn't the right career for me. Glad I had the opportunity to try. Still amazed that I went on the crazy journey because I saw a film. It's unbelievable how naive young people can be.
As for the Seahawks, I'm with those who don't want to see Gino at all. Put Lock or Eason under Center and see what he can do. Let's win or lose that way. I know Carroll won't see things this way but, if I were the one making the calls, that's what I'd do.
I had the feeling last year that we never really saw Shane Waldron’s offense because Russ was too busy being improvisational Russ. I hope, but don’t really expect, that Lock can competently run Waldron’s offense and that we’ll see some long, time consuming drives that lead to points, while resting the refurbished defense.
In this dream scenario the Seahawks have a better record than the Broncos, have the Broncos top 10 draft pick next year and a ton of salary cap space.
It’s early in the year so a fan can dream the impossible dream.
Jun 4, 2022·edited Jun 4, 2022Liked by Seaside Joe
TOP GUN -- Experienced the first film at a pre-public premiere in Oak Harbor, WA. in a theater packed with Naval aviators and crew, including three gents who served as credited technical advisors. Best overall movie viewing experience over the years, bar none.
In it's organic 80's context, the movie was (at least) three things :
1) A *Tom Cruise* product of the late 80's, carefully constructed around his ticket-selling status so as to stroke his over-inflated ego, polish his public persona and maximize...
2) ...profits for the particular Hollyweird team (of producers) who lined up funding for the project, which is actually NUMERO UNO on *any* list about WHY a studio film gets made.
3) A massive recruiting video for the US Navy (and USMC), whose culture it glorified mightily -- if more than a little bit unrealistically. Don't bother asking how I know this, I just do.
In hindsight, it was also clearly propping up the usual socio-cultural signalling associated with blindered American exceptionalism, adventurous overseas militarism and general acceptance of both.
The new film is basically all this and more, though it's worth noting at this point that both are expertly crafted cinematic endeavors, from a technical standpoint as well as characterization.
Understanding the success of the new "Maverick" film isn't all that hard. Just re-read the above list, then multiply it by current American (and global) conditions.
QUARTERBACKS :
The shallow nature of most current media and the bizarre strategic ignorance regularly demonstrated by "reporters" asking coaches to broadcast what they plan to do (and how) to the rest of the league (seriously?) turned me off most coverage long ago.
Poorly-informed "opinions" masquerade as *analysis* in comments sections literally everywhere, but in few places does this phenom manifest more obviously than the hindquarters of sports media.
Of course "YOU" know more about the game than a coach of five decades backed by an experienced GM, their staff of coaches and scouts and everybody's individual networks of colleagues across the greater football universe.
Options are limited, but not absent. What does Wyman think? He's as "homer" as they come, but I've met him and he's an honest guy. Bucky Brooks continues to provide actual insight, along with a slow, steady stream of former players finding their way to the broadcast booth.
That said, I possess zero problem with open, honest more-or-less *informed* speculation, like the work of our earnest host and author here at Seaside Joe. As such, here's my nickel worth...
Based on what was clearly a league-wide assessment of the '22 draft, Carroll and Schneider's shrewd acquisition of Drew Lock in the Denver trade (plus Fant, Harris and the picks) was their equivalent of drafting a QB, hence the specific comments about his ranking.
They were well aware of the Fangio-Lock friction and less than advantageous coaching (and social) circumstances during his first three seasons.
Remember, Fangio was the old-school "no fun" guy who came into Denver and immediately shut down the playing of music at Denver practices, offering disparaging comments in the press that surely lost him a few hearts and minds in the Bronco's locker room.
The polar opposite of Coach Carroll, at least on the public-facing side.
Based on ten years of hindsight, it's clear Lock is the "hopeful" starter. Smith is being offered his last "window" to earn a starting quarterback role, based on years of faithful service at VMAC and football attributes. Eason is surely fighting for the backup job, barring a breakout camp.
Captain Obvious stuff, but necessary as preface when SO many hold such unrealistic views about the operations behind an NFL team. Especially the year-to-year challenges of managing a huge socio-economic experiment with dozens of young, wealthy/alpha males competing for jobs.
Personally, I suspect stability and situation WILL "un-Lock" Drew's potential, as measured by his college production, draft position and big rookie finish, before suffering the slings and arrows of Fangio's following two seasons shuffling offensive deck chairs on the U.S.S. Elway.
The 'Hawks clearly feel much the same, and I'm quite happy deferring to the talented team of professionals at VMAC paid more than most of us to evaluate and decide such football matters.
Based on the logic on full display thus far this off season, it's hard to imagine them pursuing another potential starter until the "Underwear Olympics" are over and camp is well underway. If it's becoming clear that 'D) none of the above' are up to standard, I will bet y'all a dollar it is NOT Baker Mayfield or Jimmy G -- and not just for salary cap reasons.
[ NOTE : my estimation of new DC Clint Hurtt continues to rise as he spends more time in front of the microphone.]
On Tom Cruise and the 'Top Gun' thing: Stay away from ANY of these noisey nothings! ALL they ARE is promo for Tom Cruise, surrounded by 'flash bangs' and monstrous 'special effects.' Cruise is a short guy with a Napoleanic complex who thinks he's Paul Newman. NOT! Newman was not tall, was totally handsome, married a beautiful woman (Joanne Woodard) and stayed married to her, and Newman could actually play a role and act! Cruise couldn't 'act" his way out of a paper bag. The figures being used are 'box office bait' for MONEY. Don't take the bait.
I haven't seen Top Gun: Maverick yet, however a colleague who's 35 yrs old and a pro driver for Mazda saw it and told me the last 45-60 mins may be the single best "movie experience" in his life. So 97% Rotten tomatoes
Start Lock, see what you have been able to do with him. Hemp is a dead end even if he’s so-so. If Lock has not changed put in Eason. Winning is not the most important factor this year.
Blows my mind that Geno is only a year older than Jimmy G.
Anyways I want to see Drew Lock because I see him as the boom-or-bust option. If he makes good on his upside and plays really well? That's great news! If he totally flops, then that's fine too. Next year we'll draft a real QB. I feel like Geno is a known quantity: a medium floor, low ceiling guy who can run the offense. I think he WILL be the starter because I think Pete is expecting to sneak into the playoffs and Geno is the best option for that kind of "meh, but better than expected" season that will save Pete and John's bacon.
I will comment on the main part of this later, but just wanted to pop in the comments to offer that I'm really into the new Top Gun for the same reasons I'm really into the recent Mission Impossible films. It's mostly about the craft of the making of the thing more than the thing itself: people who are the very best in the world at what they do having a ton of fun making something and putting their entire being into making it as TOTALLY FUCKING RAD as possible. These movies are "serious" in that the endeavor requires a "serious" tone to get the epic feeling that comes hand in hand with the type of TOTALLY FUCKING RAD they're aiming for, but you can just feel the joy everyone is taking in every moment of making this thing. I love it.
QB hope. I'd like to see the Seahawks get both Lock and Smith up to the level they need to be so they can rotate them and keep the opponents having to watch film on both to prepare for games against the Hawks never knowing for sure which one they will have to face.
It's a giant NO from me on Baker Mayfield. I do believe the stories about his bad attitude, and figure that's why no other team is racing to take him into their locker room.
I've never been a Tom Cruise fan. Never been a fan of Action films with the central theme of violence. Is Tom Cruise actually an actor, or is he a stunt man who talks?
Best case scenario is Seahawks go undefeated.
Second best case scenario is Seahawks QB has an amazing year and secures the job long-term.
Third best scenario is Seahawks go winless and nab the best QB on the board in the 2023 draft.
Geno is a known quantity. So is Baker. I actually think Lock gives us the best shot at all three scenarios.
Don't give a rat's ass about Tom Cruise, "Top Gun" or the sequel. I doubt I'll see it. Saw "Top Gun" when it came out but it had no lasting impression. Didn't join the military or anything. No, that took watching "An Officer and A Gentleman". After seeing that, I filled out an application for the Air Force flight screening program and dedicated the next year of my life to trying to get in. In those days, it was an arduous process that accepted 1% of the college grads who applied.
Somehow, I got in. Then I got out. My illustrious Air Force career lasted 21 days.
Looking back, it seems so silly. To be so young and impressionable. I knew nothing about military life or flying airplanes. I was a Jewish kid from Long Island. Jewish kids from Long Island become doctors, lawyers, stock brokers, realtors -- not friggin Air Force pilots or anything else that deals with signing up to fight in real wars.
Nothing like standing on a flight-line, freezing to death in your jumpsuit, when it's 30 degrees at 7 am and then roasting on the runway under glass at noon when it's 100. The world from "up there" isn't nearly as attractive, or at least wasn't to me, as being down here looking up. I really didn't like the complete loss of control that goes with military life; most of all the possibility of having to drop bombs on peasant villages. And then there was a insignificant fact that, doing spins and stalls, my insides wanted to come out.
I didn't wash out. Left voluntarily. I'll never know for sure but I guess I'd have washed out if I'd tried to stay in because it's really hard to learn to fly when you feel super sick. I remember my flight instructor saying I wasn't getting it fast enough and lamenting to him how I don't get it, that I'm a super quick study, that I'm really good with my hands and have great spacial sense, that I'd tested out at 99th percentile for pilot aptitude. He made the point that when one is sick, one doesn't learn. If there were more time, I'd be fine because my body would acclimate. But with just 9 hours until my check flight, things weren't looking good.
Truth is, by that time, I didn't care. I could see it wasn't the right career for me. Glad I had the opportunity to try. Still amazed that I went on the crazy journey because I saw a film. It's unbelievable how naive young people can be.
As for the Seahawks, I'm with those who don't want to see Gino at all. Put Lock or Eason under Center and see what he can do. Let's win or lose that way. I know Carroll won't see things this way but, if I were the one making the calls, that's what I'd do.
I had the feeling last year that we never really saw Shane Waldron’s offense because Russ was too busy being improvisational Russ. I hope, but don’t really expect, that Lock can competently run Waldron’s offense and that we’ll see some long, time consuming drives that lead to points, while resting the refurbished defense.
In this dream scenario the Seahawks have a better record than the Broncos, have the Broncos top 10 draft pick next year and a ton of salary cap space.
It’s early in the year so a fan can dream the impossible dream.
TOP GUN -- Experienced the first film at a pre-public premiere in Oak Harbor, WA. in a theater packed with Naval aviators and crew, including three gents who served as credited technical advisors. Best overall movie viewing experience over the years, bar none.
In it's organic 80's context, the movie was (at least) three things :
1) A *Tom Cruise* product of the late 80's, carefully constructed around his ticket-selling status so as to stroke his over-inflated ego, polish his public persona and maximize...
2) ...profits for the particular Hollyweird team (of producers) who lined up funding for the project, which is actually NUMERO UNO on *any* list about WHY a studio film gets made.
3) A massive recruiting video for the US Navy (and USMC), whose culture it glorified mightily -- if more than a little bit unrealistically. Don't bother asking how I know this, I just do.
In hindsight, it was also clearly propping up the usual socio-cultural signalling associated with blindered American exceptionalism, adventurous overseas militarism and general acceptance of both.
The new film is basically all this and more, though it's worth noting at this point that both are expertly crafted cinematic endeavors, from a technical standpoint as well as characterization.
Understanding the success of the new "Maverick" film isn't all that hard. Just re-read the above list, then multiply it by current American (and global) conditions.
QUARTERBACKS :
The shallow nature of most current media and the bizarre strategic ignorance regularly demonstrated by "reporters" asking coaches to broadcast what they plan to do (and how) to the rest of the league (seriously?) turned me off most coverage long ago.
Poorly-informed "opinions" masquerade as *analysis* in comments sections literally everywhere, but in few places does this phenom manifest more obviously than the hindquarters of sports media.
Of course "YOU" know more about the game than a coach of five decades backed by an experienced GM, their staff of coaches and scouts and everybody's individual networks of colleagues across the greater football universe.
Options are limited, but not absent. What does Wyman think? He's as "homer" as they come, but I've met him and he's an honest guy. Bucky Brooks continues to provide actual insight, along with a slow, steady stream of former players finding their way to the broadcast booth.
That said, I possess zero problem with open, honest more-or-less *informed* speculation, like the work of our earnest host and author here at Seaside Joe. As such, here's my nickel worth...
Based on what was clearly a league-wide assessment of the '22 draft, Carroll and Schneider's shrewd acquisition of Drew Lock in the Denver trade (plus Fant, Harris and the picks) was their equivalent of drafting a QB, hence the specific comments about his ranking.
They were well aware of the Fangio-Lock friction and less than advantageous coaching (and social) circumstances during his first three seasons.
Remember, Fangio was the old-school "no fun" guy who came into Denver and immediately shut down the playing of music at Denver practices, offering disparaging comments in the press that surely lost him a few hearts and minds in the Bronco's locker room.
The polar opposite of Coach Carroll, at least on the public-facing side.
Based on ten years of hindsight, it's clear Lock is the "hopeful" starter. Smith is being offered his last "window" to earn a starting quarterback role, based on years of faithful service at VMAC and football attributes. Eason is surely fighting for the backup job, barring a breakout camp.
Captain Obvious stuff, but necessary as preface when SO many hold such unrealistic views about the operations behind an NFL team. Especially the year-to-year challenges of managing a huge socio-economic experiment with dozens of young, wealthy/alpha males competing for jobs.
Personally, I suspect stability and situation WILL "un-Lock" Drew's potential, as measured by his college production, draft position and big rookie finish, before suffering the slings and arrows of Fangio's following two seasons shuffling offensive deck chairs on the U.S.S. Elway.
The 'Hawks clearly feel much the same, and I'm quite happy deferring to the talented team of professionals at VMAC paid more than most of us to evaluate and decide such football matters.
Based on the logic on full display thus far this off season, it's hard to imagine them pursuing another potential starter until the "Underwear Olympics" are over and camp is well underway. If it's becoming clear that 'D) none of the above' are up to standard, I will bet y'all a dollar it is NOT Baker Mayfield or Jimmy G -- and not just for salary cap reasons.
[ NOTE : my estimation of new DC Clint Hurtt continues to rise as he spends more time in front of the microphone.]
On Tom Cruise and the 'Top Gun' thing: Stay away from ANY of these noisey nothings! ALL they ARE is promo for Tom Cruise, surrounded by 'flash bangs' and monstrous 'special effects.' Cruise is a short guy with a Napoleanic complex who thinks he's Paul Newman. NOT! Newman was not tall, was totally handsome, married a beautiful woman (Joanne Woodard) and stayed married to her, and Newman could actually play a role and act! Cruise couldn't 'act" his way out of a paper bag. The figures being used are 'box office bait' for MONEY. Don't take the bait.
This is the worst take I’ve seen on Top Gun. I saw it in the theater twice the summer that I turned 20. It’s a really enjoyable, fun movie.
I haven't seen Top Gun: Maverick yet, however a colleague who's 35 yrs old and a pro driver for Mazda saw it and told me the last 45-60 mins may be the single best "movie experience" in his life. So 97% Rotten tomatoes
Sorry, put my comment in the wrong place. Tom Cruise is just a little turd in a big world.
Start Lock, see what you have been able to do with him. Hemp is a dead end even if he’s so-so. If Lock has not changed put in Eason. Winning is not the most important factor this year.
Blows my mind that Geno is only a year older than Jimmy G.
Anyways I want to see Drew Lock because I see him as the boom-or-bust option. If he makes good on his upside and plays really well? That's great news! If he totally flops, then that's fine too. Next year we'll draft a real QB. I feel like Geno is a known quantity: a medium floor, low ceiling guy who can run the offense. I think he WILL be the starter because I think Pete is expecting to sneak into the playoffs and Geno is the best option for that kind of "meh, but better than expected" season that will save Pete and John's bacon.
Where's the link to the extended essay on Tom Cruise 80s movies? I feel like you are just warming up.
I will comment on the main part of this later, but just wanted to pop in the comments to offer that I'm really into the new Top Gun for the same reasons I'm really into the recent Mission Impossible films. It's mostly about the craft of the making of the thing more than the thing itself: people who are the very best in the world at what they do having a ton of fun making something and putting their entire being into making it as TOTALLY FUCKING RAD as possible. These movies are "serious" in that the endeavor requires a "serious" tone to get the epic feeling that comes hand in hand with the type of TOTALLY FUCKING RAD they're aiming for, but you can just feel the joy everyone is taking in every moment of making this thing. I love it.
Thoughts on Hendon Hooker? Has all the physical gifts
QB hope. I'd like to see the Seahawks get both Lock and Smith up to the level they need to be so they can rotate them and keep the opponents having to watch film on both to prepare for games against the Hawks never knowing for sure which one they will have to face.
It's a giant NO from me on Baker Mayfield. I do believe the stories about his bad attitude, and figure that's why no other team is racing to take him into their locker room.
I've never been a Tom Cruise fan. Never been a fan of Action films with the central theme of violence. Is Tom Cruise actually an actor, or is he a stunt man who talks?
ninety percent Lock starts, fifty percent Eason backup, coaches are genius