4 Hard Downs: Real Kick Showdown, LeBron is HIM, QB vs DE in the ACC
Conference of QBs with EDGE guys on the hunt, Bron killing them & hard shoe decisions
There is something really cool about being a dad and your kid being so into things like school and piano; but she wakes up and watches the Olympics. She is watching the swimming to pick up tips. That’s her sport.
That’s when I see myself in her. We went fishing with my dad at our neighborhood fishing hole and it just was so good to have 3 generations of Felders together and her talking to my dad about the Olympics. Dolphin kicks. Streamlining. How to get better. And my dad looking at me like, “this was you with football.” A thing she never really showed before but the Olympics brought out of her.
So, more on the Olympics let’s go ahead and SPOT THE BALL!!!!
1st Down: LeBron James is 40
Look man, I know he is 39. I know because I’m a month older than him and I’m 39 too. When you’re that close to 40, you’re 40.
And he is delivering.
This pass against Puerto Rico was an elite feat; and he made it look like light work.
This is not a James vs Jordan for GOAT thing. This is accepting greatness in different forms. Kobe or Jordan in this position, this is a, “shut up and give me the ball and we’ll win” thing. LeBron is a millennial parent shepherding this team to the eventual gold (knock on wood).
He’s all in on gentle parenting.
Does it suck sometimes, if you want that old school shit?
Sure.
However you can get great results if past you has set future you up for success. In my mind these passes are the equivalent of when I put the croissant in the oven before I go to bed so all I have to do is wake up and turn it on. Future, Bron at this point, current has a one-step process, past me was doing a good job and there is no arguing about anything.
Past LeBron knows Anthony Edwards is the future and that he’s going to come clear off a screen so set him up for success. Past LeBron knows Steph Curry can hit this three so he occupies both defenders to give a clean shot.
Which leads to future LeBron winning a gold medal. The goal.
2nd Down: Can Travis Hunter Be Charles Woodson
No. No he can’t.
He’s good. Very good. Got a legend helping steer him into what he wants to be with Coach Prime. I just don’t think we realize how good Woodson was in both college and the NFL.
This man won the Heisman, played 17 years in the NFL, made a position change and was an absolute monster at everything he did. I have a good friend who played with him and said, without a doubt, the best to ever do it, and that is someone who played with/for Aaron Rodgers.
Yes, I love Deion. Yes, I love Darrell Green. Yes, I love Champ Bailey. I love Rod Woodson, Carnell Lake, Ronnie Lott, Steve Atwater, John Lynch and Ronde Barber.
But we better put some damn respect on Charles Woodson’s name. This man was an elite corner and then the best money/safety.
3rd Down: Kick Check Y’all
Gallery of the Jordans that I’m choosing from:
I can tell you one thing, Concords and the Adapts ain’t getting out of them boxes.
Basically it is down to the MA2a (do those count as Js?), Flight Suit 5s, Bulls Over Broadway 10s and Bred 11s as the finalists. What do you think?
Leaning toward a shoe change between the show and the pre/post-show honestly just to not ruin any of my treasures; or in the words of Golem “My Precious” and the Concords are absolutely 1 shoe to rule them all.
4th Down: ACC Got Some Dogs
A thing I didn’t get to talk about much coming out of ACC Football Kickoff was the abundance of pass rush talent in the league. Ashton Gillotte from Louisville and Rueben Bain from Miami were the leaders for the preseason best EDGE guys. That being said, Pat Payton from FSU, Kaimon Rucker from UNC, Jasheen Davis from Wake Forest and Antwaun Powell-Ryland from Virginia Tech are sitting there like, “why not us?”
Hell, throw in Fadil Diggs too, the A&M transfer to Syracuse.
That’s me and Jasheen Davis, his hands are not small. I just have big hands and he out bigged me, as a 5’10” person vs a 6’3” guy. I do think next year we’re going to do wingspans and break out the tape (it will be real fun for them in suits).
Back to the point. So much has been made about the QBs and not enough has been made about the guys who are hunting them down. Yes, Cam Ward is in the league. Yes, DJ Uiagalelei is back in the league. Yes, Kyron Drones is a grown ass man. Yes, Cade Klubnik should take a step forward.
They’re all going to have to do it while dealing with a pretty dope pass rusher every single game. This should have been my biggest takeaway from ACC Football Kickoff, but we all got so bogged down in the portal and the 105 and new playoff format that I truly fumbled the bag.
This league has dudes that will get after the passer. That’s what I’m most excited for entering the 2024 season.
Now excuse me, as I get ready for Debby and go for a run in the rain.
Cheers!!!
Is Travis expected to play both ways? How do you think that limits his ceiling as defensive player?