4 Hard Downs: Walking Goals, ACC Media Days, Movie Night & More
Season is starting, Jordan Travis vs Drake Maye, Cade Klubnik enters chat & 60 Miles
Welcome to 4 Hard Downs and Welcome to Media Days. This week, in Charlotte, I am going to be at media days doing some work Learfield/College Sports Now. I get to see some of my friends from across the ACC. I get to talk to some folks from teams and maybe I’ll see my guy, Kevin Best, from UNC.
For me, this is the kickoff and I have to lock in. Build my depth charts. Get my practice updates from across the country and check-in on QB battles and make sure no one gets hurt.
I did two days at the pool this weekend, my kid left a cup of milk on my pillows in my bed for 6 hours, and I’ve got 5 days of shows plus the 2 days at the Westin. So, I’m tired and will continue to be for the duration, so…SPOT THE BALL!!!
1st Down: Speaking Of Tired, 60 Miles & Running
If y’all listen to Hand In The Dirt; a gardening podcast about football. And really a lifestyle podcast. Then you know I was aiming for 60 miles walked in June. I didn’t get there, 58 was where I capped out. But this month on the 24th, this is where I am:
I think I’m going to make it. And then some.
I changed my loop, which is why from February to May went up. I changed my pace, which is why I am still hitting the same times.
And now I’m running a little bit.
I’m not running 2 miles a day. But I am striking out and going walk-run that gets me home in time for “Work It Out Wombats” even if I leave a little later. I’m also running the hills to get to where I want to be.
So, I am tired.
2nd Down: “Cool Runnings” Still Slaps
Running, how about Cool Runnings. Available on Disney+ and we watched it as a family on Sunday. We had an early dinner, I did not want to watch a cartoon movie and I made popcorn in the machine.
I did cry twice.
First time was when Junior’s dad is an asshole to him at the Olympics. It is the Olympics. Granted, it is the Winter Olympics, but still it is the pinnacle of sport. I can’t imagine being a father and having my kid be at the apex of their field and telling them they’re trash and should quit to go work for a guy in Miami.
Second time, obviously, the end of the film. I am calling it a film. It hits hard when they’re carrying the sled across the finish line. I know it isn’t really what happened, but Disney went ahead and put their foot in that ending.
And I’m not a big Disney-ing up fan; like I don’t want to watch most of their movies, but this one still slaps.
Also, John Candy, gone too soon.
3rd Down: Media Days Holler At Your Boy
Your boy is back at it again with the white Vans. Heading to ACC Media Days. I will keep this short, I know I have some colleagues that read this, if you see me, say what’s up. We can shoot something, or just chop it up and shoot the shit. I know that I have an angry face when I am thinking about what I need to do but the smile comes out quick once we get to talking.
Very excited to get downtown, see some old friends and make some new ones. Wednesday afternoon I’m in the building. Thursday morning I’m in the building.
So if you see me, holler at the kid.
4th Down: Who Is The Best QB In The ACC?
Because I am going to the Westin tomorrow, I know folks are going to ask about best teams and, more specifically, best QB in the league. I think there are three different answers to this question and they are all right.
Drake Maye is the best pro prospect for the upcoming NFL Draft. For some folks, that makes him the best.
Jordan Travis won 10 games and when he is on the field for Florida State they are, arguably, the best team in the conference. Which for some folks, makes him the best.
Cade Klubnik took over for DJ Uiagalelei and seems to have the most potential now that the offense is his. He could be the best of all three.
I think that’s the way we have to talk about it. Drake doesn’t have nearly as much talent around him as the other two. Jordan doesn’t play a clearly NFL translatable game like the other two. Cade doesn’t have the experience of these guys.
We don’t have to rank them, we can accept that they’re all the best depending on the lens you view them through.
I am excited to get into Jordan Travis vs Drake Maye vs Cade Klubnik. Thursday Fun Play is going to be highlighting my favorites from each. Wednesday, we will get into which one should be “the best” vs which one will be “the best” because a QB isn’t the a whole team; but a whole team can make a QB. Season is on the horizon, closing in…
Cheers!!!