Day 1,932, Quasi-Quarantine: Still Processing Everything That Alaska And The Yukon Had To Share And Reveal

 

The seals near Dawes Glacier were so serene and peaceful. We almost felt bad for interrupting their nap.

Glacier calving is a moving (and depressing) thing to witness.

The dog-sledding portion of the trip in Juneau was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The resonant blue of some of the icebergs were truly breath-taking, especially against the backdrop of the persistent gray-white of Alaska's inner passage.

A bear? Yes, a fucking bear. Just getting his dandelion on.

So many more pictures and memories to process. 

What a trip.

Day 1,915, Quasi-Quarantine: Stars Hollow Comes To Raleigh

 

A recent gift-giving opportunity allowed me to present a Hallmark puzzle to a long-time "Gilmore Girls" aficanado.

The 1,000-piece puzzle was just challenging enough, allowing for the various locations from the TV show to be built as a collection of mini-puzzles. From Luke's Diner to the Dragonfly Inn to Lorelai's house and more, the pieces were colorful and vibrant.

Measuring 24" W x 30" H, this puzzle was charming and nostalgic, even for those who struggled to follow the fast-talking Gilmores.

8.6/10, would construct with a "Gilmore Girls" fan again

Limerick Friday #635: A Sticky And Turbulent Summer Looms -- Day 1,912

The summer is nigh

Spirits are high

Another school year past

It goes by so fast

Treasure it more, my guy

When your franchise is a meme

Your fandom can run outta steam

Bring mercenaries in

And then you don't win

This is what happens to your team

Haven't situationally hit worth beans

Who knows what that means

But the wins keep coming

And the Mets keep on humming

Could get pretty interesting in Queens

It's so hard even trying

Amidst all of the lying

Overwhelm and crowd

Commit crime out loud

All the wrong people are dying

Out in the Edinburgh milieu

There's Kelly Macdonald, too

Has a bit of a "Fringe" feel

Gritty and grey as steel

What a godsend has been "Dept. Q"

Last time ...

Day 1,908, Quasi-Quarantine: Interviews, Reminiscences Of The Village Voice Propel "The Freaks Came Out To Write"

 

“The Voice is a place that took things seriously – small things, developing things, emerging things – that other places didn’t. That’s what it always did.” ~Joe Levy

A painstakingly researched work, "The Freaks Came Out to Write" relies on an incredible volume of interviews to re-create the rise and fall of the Village Voice. Author Tricia Romano -- a former staffer -- documents the 70-year history of the iconic publication and its role in historical national touchstones along the way.

“So began an era of demoralizing factionalism at the Voice. After a while there were factions within factions. Writers began to forget the reasons for their feuds, only that they were enemies and wouldn’t speak in the elevator. It felt like a combination of high school and Bosnia. ‘It’s like Yeats's description of Ireland,’ said Richard Goldstein. ‘Great hatred, little room.’” ~Jack Newfield

Subtitled as "The Definitive History of the Village Voice, the Radical Paper That Changed American Culture," the book focuses almost exclusively on the personalities rather than the process. The lack of a narrative throughline compromises the ability of the work to coalesce.

“He was always a vicious, horrible man. Forget about being president. If you’d asked me, ‘Who is the worst person in New York?’ I would have said ‘Trump’ at any time over the last twenty years.” ~Tom Robbins

“You gotta grab the reader by the throat. He’s on the train. It’s hot. He’s trying to hit on his secretary; she’s not giving him the time of day. His wife is mad at him. His kid needs braces; he doesn’t have the money. The guy next to him stinks. It’s crowded. You want him to read your story? You better make it interesting.” ~Don Forst

The overwhelming cast of characters can put a lot of onus on the reader to keep everyone -- and every timeline -- straight. However, the effort is worth it, as the result is an accessible collection of quotes about and memories of one of America's defining journalistic endeavors.

“I was asked years ago to address the elementary school that my son attended and tell them what a reporter did, and I went to the auditorium in a trench coat with the collar up and a notebook in my pocket, baring it to announce that ‘we are detectives for the people.’” ~Wayne Barrett

Day 1,901, Quasi-Quarantine: Big Decisions Loom In The Mets Infield

Despite being 15 games over .500 (37-22), the New York Mets have struggled to find offensive consistency this year. This development has led some to clamor for the elevation of prospect Ronnie Mauricio from Triple-A to the big-league club.

However, the Mets already have a glut at second and third base, with Brett Baty, Mark Vientos, Jeff McNeil, and Luisangel Acuna all vying for time. Adding another young player to the mix without guaranteed action is a suboptimal solution.

The reality is that New York has four promising young players for two positions. Some of how the Mets navigate this issue is dependent on where the club sits in the standings at the trade deadline, how the involved players perform in the next couple of months, and what direction the Mets are leaning in terms of retaining Pete Alonso should he opt out of his deal after the season (a likely scenario).

Here's a quick look at the involved players and the likely variables that David Stearns and his team will be taking into account as decisions loom.

Mark Vientos

The most established of the quartet after a tremendous 2024 season, Vientos's weak defensive play at third base has him verging hard toward permanent-designated hitter territory -- never an ideal scenario when you're 25 years old. He's struggled with plate discipline thus far this season, hitting .232 with six homers and 21 RBIs in 185 at bats. Last season, he delivered 27 long balls and drove in 71 runs in just 413 at bats, batting at a .266 clip and serving as the team's most dangerous postseason hitter.

Why the Mets might want to trade him: If Alonso is retained (a somewhat likely scenario), a transition to first base is blocked for Vientos. If the club values Baty's more well-rounded game at third, Vientos becomes dependent on full-time DH play to justify his role -- which may not be viable if he doesn't come around offensively to at least hold off a platoon. Other teams may look hard at his 2024 season and feel that's the version of Vientos they can build on and offer something of intrigue.

Why the Mets might want to keep him: Vientos is a home-grown talent who showed what's possible last year. He's almost certainly going to get going offensively (he's showing signs of less pressing at the plate recently), he can improve defensively, and he has the longest track record of sustained strong play of this quartet.

Brett Baty

After an awful start to the season necessitated another stint in AAA, he has broken through since his return. In the past 30 games, Baty's hit .281 with six homers and 20 RBIs, often serving as the team's most consistent bat. The power seems to be coming around (12 extra-base hits in 120 at bats), he's emerged as a plus defender at third base, and he's a key left-handed bat in the lineup. 

Why the Mets might want to trade him: His value may never be higher than it is right now and separating him from Vientos (while creating room for Ronnie Mauricio) feels like a necessity at some point. 

Why the Mets might want to keep him: Despite seeming like's had a million chances to win the third-base job, Baty is still just 25 years old. If Stearns & Co. sense he is finally coming into his own and realizing his potential, he may be too valuable a commodity. He's the most natural third baseman and the most well-rounded player of the group, and he offers positional flexibility with the chops to play some second base. 

Luisangel Acuna

After hitting three homers in just 39 at bats at the end of last year and then winning NL Rookie of the Month honors for April, Acuna has come back to earth in a big way since. He's hitting just .133 over the past 15 games and overall is at .246 without a homer in 130 at bats, with an awful .298 OBP. His playing time has diminished, though he has been important in roles as a pinch runner and defensive replacement.

Why the Mets might want to trade him: Acuna rarely barrels the ball and offers little to no power, so New York may see a ceiling to his potential. He also brings name recognition, leading to the chance that another team sees a clearly defined role and path to starting for him.

Why the Mets might want to keep him: At just 23 years old, Acuna likely needs more seasoning in the minors and likely has more to offer than we've seen. His speed is a differentiator, he's been better defensively than anticipated (he looks natural at second base, which is unique in this group), and he brings an aggression and energy to the park. Some talent evaluators think he'll eventually unlock more power, and overall, it feels too early to part with that potential.

Ronnie Mauricio

The towering Mauricio stands 6-4, 166 pounds, and brings an intriguing skill set. He's coming off a serious knee injury, but in just nine games at Triple-A Syracuse, he's hit .515 with three homers, eight RBIs, and four steals in only 33 at bats. He saw some time with the Mets in 2023, contributing six extra-base hits in 101 at bats.

Why the Mets might want to trade him: He's still considered one of the most promising prospects in the organization, but he may have a difficult path to consistent playing time with New York. Mauricio also may not have a clearly defined position.

Why the Mets might want to keep him: There is a sense that he has the highest ceiling of this group, with a rare blend of speed and power. He's versatile enough to play multiple positions (eventually even the outfield), has the natural power and bat speed that franchises prize, and he's still working his way back into shape. Mauricio just turned 24 years old, so it's possible you'd be trading him at his lowest value.

Prediction:

I feel New York will eventually send Acuna down to the minors for more consistent playing time and bring up Mauricio for some major-league at bats. I just don't see the Mets trading any of these four at the deadline, instead waiting to see how the rest of the season unfolds before coming to some determinations about roster possibilities in the offseason.

This is a good problem to have, but I think reality dictates that either Vientos or Baty will have to find their future in a different uniform.

Day 1,898, Quasi-Quarantine: "The End Of The Myth" Features Meticulous Research That Shatters The Lie Of American Exceptionalism

 

“What kind of republic was the United States of America that its national border didn’t just move occasionally, in response to episodic war or diplomacy, but constitutively as a quality of its being? What, exactly, lay on the other side of that moving border? And what happens to a nation when that line stops moving?”

This meticulously researched book features parts that are almost impossibly disturbing to read, but Greg Grandin has fashioned a resource that should be required reading for every U.S. citizen.

“Security was commerce, commerce was prosperity, prosperity was power, power nurtured virtue, virtue was freedom, and freedom had to be extended to be secured and secured to be extended.”

"The End of the Myth" is essentially the defining textbook of the nation's history, delving into the development of the frontier spirit and where the promises that the United States has made to its people have been repeatedly broken -- and the impact that has had on contemporary events.

“After centuries of fleeing forward across the blood meridian, all the things that expansion was supposed to preserve have been destroyed, and all the things it was meant to destroy have been preserved. Instead of peace, there’s endless war. Instead of a critical, resilient, and progressive citizenry, a conspiratorial nihilism, rejecting reason and dreading change, has taken hold. Factionalism congealed and won a national election.”

The author is at his most powerful when he documents the cycle of war begetting more war, justifying further violence and savagery by the violence and savagery it had already created.

“In the years ahead, the expected virtues that would come from the next war were regularly prescribed as the solutions for the vices generated by the previous one.”

Subtitled "From the Frontier to the Border Wall in the Mind of America," the book offers a troubling chronology of the nation's long reliance on brutality and an implicit agreement to ignore self-awareness. How these events have shaped U.S. 2025 -- a country with the highest infant mortality and lowest life expectancy among high-income countries -- is a fascinating component of Grandin's work.

“As vast stretches of the West burn, as millions of trees die from global warming-induced blight, as Houston and Puerto Rico flood, the oceans acidify, and bats, frogs, and flying insects disappear in uncountable numbers, any sentence from Cormac McCarthy’s The Road could be plucked and used as a newspaper headline.”

“Never before has a ruling class been as free – so completely emancipated from the people it rules – as ours.”

The quibbles come from the author's reliance on incredibly long sentences and some really contentious allegations (the "Los Angeles Rams" trading season tickets for illegal Mexican women?!) that aren't cited.

Overall, Grandin pulls no punches in delivering the history that you never got in school -- while offering a glimpse into a future that feels nearly impossible to avoid.

“But instead of having the force of natural law at their backs and the welcoming sun of manifest destiny on their brows, today's American migrants – a ‘sheer mass of humanity,’ as a border patrol agent described NAFTA’s first wave of refugees – are moving into a country that increasingly defines itself by what it hates.”

Day 1,896, Quasi-Quarantine: The Mets Finally Showed Some Life In Beantown At Fenway

While in Boston for work recently, I got an opportunity to finally visit venerable Fenway Park -- the oldest baseball stadium in America -- to see the Sox play my beloved Mets. 

Opening in 1912, the park features the Green Monster and other old-school accoutrements. The weather was listed at 52 degrees and overcast, with a three-mile-per-hour wind coming in from right field (where we were sitting), but it felt chillier than that.

Ascendant infielder Brett Baty carried the day, delivering an RBI single in the second inning (catcher Luis Torrens was pegged at the plate on the play) and a bases-loaded rocket into the left-field corner that plated two and put the Mets up 3-1.

Juan Soto was a target of lusty boos, as Boston fans thought they had a chance to land the $765 million man this offseason before he landed with the Mets. Soto has been barely short of terrible this season, and he continued his performance with a three-pitch strikeout -- all looking -- in the first, another strikeout looking in the third, and a strikeout swinging in the sixth. He redeemed himself slightly by narrowly missing a grand slam in the seventh, driving a ball to deep center that was caught at the wall and resulted in a much-needed sacrifice fly.

After we left in the eighth inning, Francisco Lindor delivered New York's first home run in seven games, depositing a ball over the light stanchion in left field to push the Mets ahead, 5-1. Reid Garrett and Edwin Diaz cleaned up the last couple of innings, combining to give up a hit and a walk while striking out a pair to close out the contest.

On the mound, Tylor Megill struck out 10 in four and two-thirds innings, giving up four hits and a run while walking a batter. Brazoban was nails for two and a third innings, striking out four and giving up a lone hit to earn the win. His highlight was coming in to get a bases-loaded strikeout of Alex Bregman in the bottom of the fifth inning.

The park and the surrounding neighborhood were quaint and amazing, making for a tremendous way to end a quick work trip.

LFGM.

Day 1,880, Quasi-Quarantine: Iffy Role Models And Focus Undercut Promising "Talent"

 

“A world of rampant inequality and insufficient opportunity is, among other things, a world failing to recognize and mobilize talent.”

The science of job interviews and pursuing talent is probably an under-represented part of literature, and "Talent" goes about trying to fill some of that gap.

Tyler Cowen and Daniel Gross take an analytical approach to discussing the topic of identifying corporate game-changers. The work -- which is subtitled "How to Identify Energizers, Creatives, and Winners Around the World" -- includes some fascinating discussion of credentialism, fallibilism, and adhesiveness, leaning hard on the existing research.

“Status-seekers focus on maximizing attention from the perceived elite. Idea-seekers, on the other hand, want to advance knowledge and stimulate curiosity, speaking to the entire room and holding the attention of the group.”

Some of the references to role models have not aged well and the book felt like it lost some focus toward the end (there was a disturbing amount of time spent on scouting supermodels). And while some may be put off by attempts to quantify human beings and the VC mentality, the authors make no qualms about the intent of the book.

“When it comes to team leadership, there is a lot to be said for independent-thinking contrarians who are tough but also fine diplomats when that is called for.”

The ability to pinpoint, court, and sway talent is an essential component of any successful company. "Talent" is a worthy read for those invested in this element of team building.

“The key point here is that the best interviews are not formal interviews at all. We’re sure you can think of other creative ways to take the candidate out of interview mode and into their everyday self. This is important, because the everyday self is what you’ll get if you hire them.”

Limerick Friday #634: Cassian & Crew Ripped From The Headlines -- Day 1,877

 

Story-telling you have to see

With "Bladerunner" vibes, to me

The pace of a hellion

Love in a rebellion

"Andor" is the best thing on TV

A legend in every way

Changed everything with "College Gameday"

"The Sunshine Scooter" was my fave

Every ounce he gave

Lee Corso, an institution we can't repay

Will the injuries calm down

Will the bats ever come to town

The pitching has been sublime

But it's high time

For the Mets stars to come around

A rapist, liar, and thief

Is the bitch in chief

Intentional crime is the point

How is he not in the joint?

His obituary would be a relief

Called NFL games in the nineties

Then moved on to ACC's

A legendary voice he had

Kinda like a friendly dad

Mike Patrick, all the RIPs

Last time ...

Day 1,874, Quasi-Quarantine: Location And Melancholy Fuel Appreciation Of Lego ARC-170 Starfighter Set

 

Our most recent trip to Disney World included the mandatory visit to the Lego Store at Disney Springs, where my building partner landed the iconic ARC-170 Starfigher (set #75402).

Featuring three opening cockpits and two spring-loaded shooters, this 497-piece set is most recognizable for its adjustable wings. The foils move easily and efficiently, the rear guns have cool flexibility, the midship cockpit is nicely detailed, the space for the astromech is clever, and the overall build is both sleek and durable.

For some reviewers, the overall size (smaller than the version from 2010), color mismatching, and the sheer number of stickers are dramatic misses from Lego. In particular, the cockpit stickers are unwieldy and colored much differently than the box representation, while the printed wing pieces feature the wrong maroon hue.

For me, the cockpit for the tail gunner feels incomplete, with no stickers or console, and the price point would seem to justify more printing and fewer stickers. I also find the minifigures (Oddball, Jag, a generic clone pilot, and the R4-P44 mech droid) somewhat uninspiring, though the helmets and face printing are certainly well conceived.

Despite the $70 tag for a set with fewer than 500 pieces, I didn't find this set dramatically overpriced (unlike some others recently). It's a unique build with a few miscalculations on the part of Lego -- your interpretation of how harshly to ding them for them may vary.

Seeing the ARC-170 in action at the recent 20th-anniversary viewing of "Return of the Sith" was incredibly cool, and seeing my building partner rediscover some of his waning Lego passion in Florida certainly gives the set a nostalgia boost in my mind.

Day 1,873, Quasi-Quarantine: Miami Bets On Tools Over Output In Hit-Or-Miss Day # Haul

 

After landing massive trench players on Day 1 and Day 2, Miami didn't stray too far from the emphasis on physicality on Day 3. The second-day shuffling shut the Dolphins out of both the third and fourth rounds (though they did secure a 2026 third-rounder along the way), meaning they went 106 straight selections without a pick. The 'Fins did make three choices in the fifth round, one in the sixth, and two in the seventh.

The pluses: Jordan Phillips of Maryland went 143rd overall in the fifth round despite having a third- or fourth-round grade and being rated 121st overall and the No. 16 defensive tackle by Brugler. The 6-2, 313-pounder isn't even 21 years old yet and has freakish athletic ability that translated to a strong performance in the East-West Shrine Bowl. 

Running back Ollie Gordon (6-1, 226, Oklahoma State) also had a fourth-round grade, considered the No. 136 overall pick and No. 14 running back by Brugler, and Miami snapped him up in the sixth round (179th overall). Another young player (21 years old), he brings a physical dimension to running, short-yardage scenarios, and pass protection that the Dolphins have needed for a while. 

A viable quarterback prospect is always a need, and Quinn Ewers (6-2, 214, Texas) represents that as a seventh-rounder (231st overall). Brugler had him as the No. 6 QB and No. 86 overall player in the draft, with a third-round grade. Even with the signal-caller-value tax, Ewers is worth a flyer based on college production and a fast release.

The minuses: Jason Marshall Jr. (6-0, 194, Florida) was considered a sixth-rounder and the No. 241 overall player in the draft by Brugler, but the 'Fins selected him in the fifth round at No. 150 overall. Even though Marshall is a Miami native who played for the Gators, Dolphins analyst Travis Wingfield had not seen his film -- despite the screaming need the franchise has for cornerbacks. He's a four-year starter in the SEC, but hasn't intercepted a pass since 2022, has shaky technique, lacks speed, and does not have special-teams experience.

Safety Dante Trader Jr. (5-11, 200, Maryland) was Brugler's No. 12 safety with a No. 172 overall rating and went in the fifth round at No. 155 to Miami. Trader is quicker than fast and undersized for the position, though he could benefit from focusing exclusively on football instead of lacrosse, which he also played for the Terps.

On the concerns front for players we've already highlighted, Ewers has durability issues and struggles to extend plays, and he didn't test at the combine or his Pro Day. The inexperienced Phillips managed to record zero sacks in 23 career games and is seen as a one-dimensional, run-stuffing player whose production has not matched his tools. Gordon is a bit of a 'tweener who runs upright, is indecisive, and saw his production fall off dramatically in his final campaign. And Biggers had just two sacks and nine stops for losses in 47 career games.

The bottom line: Half of Miami's eight selections were linemen, and the focal point there was size and potential. For me, too many of the Dolphins' choices were based on projections instead of production, and the lack of attention on the secondary is a massive oversight that leaves the franchise with precious little leverage in negotiations. There are interesting players here who could develop into impactful starters, but general manager Chris Grier and his staff continue to demonstrate a lack of understanding of draft value, scheme fits, and contextual selections.

Day 1,868, Quasi-Quarantine: Miami Makes A Short-Sighted Trade To Bolster The Offensive Front

Looking to fortify the offensive trenches after the retirement of Terron Armstead and other turnover, Miami traded up 11 spots in the second round to secure Arizona guard/tackle Jonah Savaiinaea with the 37th overall pick. The 6-4, 324-pounder was considered the No. 4 offensive guard and No. 55 overall player by draft analyst Dane Brugler of The Athletic, and he actually attended the same high school as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Pairing Savaiinaea with first-rounder Kenneth Grant means the 'Fins added some 700 pounds of human to their lines in the draft's first couple of days.

The pluses: Described as powerful and competitive (and "alert," which, well, yeah, I would hope so) by Brugler, Savaiinaea has position flexibility, playing guard as a freshman and tackle the past two seasons. The three-year starter is also durable, starting 36 straight games across three positions, with a high ceiling based on the fact that he's only 21 years old. He's considered an elite athlete for his size, recording the best 10-yard split (1.72 seconds) at the combine among prospects weighing 315 pounds or more and boasting high percentiles among guards in speed (90th), agility and explosiveness (80th), and weight (85th). Savaiinaea is credited with strong hands, good play balance, positional thickness, leadership qualities, a mean streak, and a desire to always find the next block. Importantly, he's also disciplined, being whistled for just a single penalty last season.

The minuses: The Tafuna, American Samoa, native struggled as a pass protector, one of the reasons why he is not seen as a natural tackle and will be moved to guard. It's suboptimal to spend so much draft collateral on a position switch, especially one for a prospect that was widely considered a reach by observers. Savaiinaea has been described as playing too upright and stiff, spending too much time on the ground at the second level, and experiencing some struggles against inside leverage. He played in the Senior Bowl, but he left school a year early and may have benefited from a bit more experience -- especially at his pro position of guard.

The bottom line: Though Miami sees Savaiinaea as a tone-setter for the offense and the team could always use quality offensive linemen, it certainly felt as if the Dolphins surrendered entirely too much draft capital. To move up 11 spots, the 'Fins gave up its third-round pick and swapped its fourth for a fifth, a steep price for a non-premium position. Compounding matters, it ended the team's involvement on Day 2, which was widely considered the heart of this year's draft value, and also left Miami without a viable secondary addition (a glaring need) in the meaningful rounds.

The best case for Savaiinaea? He immediately grabs one of the two starting guard spots, bringing needed physicality to the unit. Savaiinaea shows an ability to both get to the second level and the perimeter while also anchoring short-yardage improvement.

The worst case for Savaiinaea? He struggles to adapt to a relatively new position and gets relegated to backup status due to technique issues.

Savaiinaea could end up being a terrific add, and there is very little issue with the player himself. The issue is with the price, the position, and the moment. Looking to beef up the offensive line, especially when you're a franchise that often has a unit that ranks at the very bottom of the NFL, is never a bad idea. However, general manager Chris Grier -- as has become a pattern -- has ignored draft context and overall roster need to reach for a player at too dear of a cost.

Day 1,867, Quasi-Quarantine: "Rogues" Showcases The Finest Work Of A Meticulous, Dogged Researcher

Patrick Radden Keefe has compiled some of his finest work in "Rogues," putting his gifts as an investigator and interviewer on full display in this collection of memorable pieces about the worst of the worst.

Subtitled "True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels and Crooks," the book leaves the reader wondering just how Keefe got close enough to secure the details and minutiae of these tales. Some of the stories are harrowing in retrospect (Mark Burnett and Donald Trump, Steve Cohen, and Anthony Bourdain), but the author's meticulous nature overcomes the occasional sense that the subject's voice is missing.

As an aside, I'm an unabashed Mets fan, so I was disappointed but not surprised to see just how awful Cohen -- the team's owner -- is. You can bet that anyone with his amount of money is a massive cheat and crook, but the extent to which this is revealed is pretty staggering.

Keefe can by wry and sardonic, making "Rogue" a fascinating and revealing read -- while serving as a timely reminder that he is one of our nation's very finest journalists.

Day 1,866, Quasi-Quarantine: Dolphins Bypasses Playmakers To Go Behemoth On The First Day Of The NFL Draft

Defensive coordinator has been something of a revolving door for the Dolphins, as the franchise has had seven DCs in the last decade. Anthony Weaver somewhat surprisingly returns for a second season in the post, and Miami made a significant investment in his scheme with massive tackle Kenneth Grant.

The 6-4, 330-pounder from Michigan was pegged as the draft's No. 3 defensive tackle and No. 25 overall player by The Athletic's draft guru, Dane Brugler. The 'Fins drafted him at No. 13 overall with designs on shoring up the run defense and providing up-the-middle pocket push.

The pluses: Grant possesses tremendous athleticism for his size (he was rated No. 3 on Bruce Feldman's "Freaks List"), with clips showing him chasing down ball-carriers deep down the field, revealing dogged effort. He can be dominant against the run, batted down 10 passes in the past two seasons, and has played both nose tackle and three technique. The Gary, Indiana, native is just 21 years old, but has shown leadership ability and room for growth.

The minuses: According to Brugler and others, Grant is unrefined as a pass rusher and struggles at times with leverage, playing too high. Scouts point out issues diagnosing plays and that he has ballooned over 350 pounds at times, so conditioning is something that will need close monitoring. His production has not always matched his ability (just 69 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 17 career starts), which is why many analysts regarded him as a reach at 13th overall. Depending on how you feel about the trend, it's worth noting that Grant also opted out of Michigan's bowl game and declined an invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl.

The bottom line: The way the draft fell, there were value picks to be had at No. 13 at positions of larger need for the Dolphins: cornerback, offensive tackle, and tight end. Texas corner Jahdae Barron and Penn State tight end Tyler Warren are likely game-changers who could have slotted nicely into Miami's schemes. The guess here is that the 'Fins wanted to trade back, but couldn't find any takers (a common issue in a draft that did not have many sure-fire players) and went with a player they rated higher than some others.

And look, Grant looks the part and has the tools to develop into a polished pro. Some of his issues sound like they can be attributed to inexperience -- he played just two full years of college football -- but the question is whether it's wise to use a top-15 pick on a player who requires a significant amount of tutelage.

The best-case scenario for Grant? He becomes Zach Sieler's running mate by taking quickly to individual coaching, playing significant, impactful snaps as a three-down tackle in Weaver's scheme.

The worst-case scenario for Grant? His lack of pass-rush skills and overall conditioning render him a role player on Miami's interior, further impacting a depleted secondary with a lack of pressure in the quarterback's face.

There's a lot to really like about Grant and what he could bring to the franchise. However, a significant amount of that requires giving the Dolphins' braintrust the benefit of the doubt -- something that has gone unearned for a quarter-century.

Check out Miami's Day 2 selection.

Day 1,860, Quasi-Quarantine: Miami Dolphins Pre-Draft Position Outlook: The Secondary

 

So with Jalen Ramsey the latest Dolphin to signal his desire to leave South Beach, Miami is staring at the prospect of having to replace four of the five starters from last year's secondary. 

Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver returns for a second season and is reported to have more sway in some of the personnel decisions on that side of the ball, an important development considering the sheer number of needs at a position group with the most question marks on the roster.

Here's a look at the pre-draft roster landscape:

THE RETURNING STARTER:

Kader Kohou

Kohou has focused on the slot but may need to take on a boundary role. Perhaps the dominant UFA success story in recent franchise history, he has had uneven moments but is certainly a solid starter.

THE HOLDOVERS:

Ethan Bonner, Elijah Campbell, Storm Duck, Cam Smith

Bonner was undrafted out of Stanford, but has gotten some internal praise the past two seasons. At the end of the day, however, he has seven appearances, two tackles, and one pass breakup in his career.

Another undrafted player, Duck was forced into action a season ago and ended up recording 35 tackles and four pass breakups in three starts as a rookie. 

Campbell is considered a core special-teams player entering his fifth season in Miami. He has started three games at safety and does not have an interception in his career.

Despite being a second-rounder, Smith has not started a game in his first two seasons. He has 18 tackles and no interceptions in 21 contests.

The Dolphins seem invested in this quartet to varying degrees, but I think -- even at his most optimistic -- Weaver (notwithstanding a difficult-to-imagine scenario that sees the light suddenly come on for Smith) would agree that things have gone horribly wrong if any of the four have to start consistently in 2025.

THE NEWCOMERS:

Artie Burns, Ashtyn Davis, Ifeatu Melifonwu

A local product, Burns had some good early moments with the Steelers, but his career has meandered of late and he started just one game over the past three season for the Seahawks. Burns, who hasn't had an interception since 2017, needs to be considered purely a depth piece at cornerback.

Davis has spent the past five seasons with the Jets, starting 22 games and grabbing eight picks in that time. I suspect Miami sees him as a rotational safety under the best circumstances.

The most highly regarded newcomer, Melifonwu has good size (6-3, 210 pounds), but had just 14 starts and two interceptions in his four years with the Lions. Based on sheer numbers, the 'Fins have to be projecting him into a starting safety role.

THE FRINGE GUYS:

Jordan Colbert, Ryan Cooper, Isaiah Johnson, Jason Maitre, Patrick McMorris

McMorris -- a sixth-rounder a season ago -- is perhaps the most intriguing of this group, but all five face uphill battles to make the squad in 2025.

THE DRAFT PLAN:

In the likely scenario that Ramsey is jettisoned for a Day 2 pick, Melifonwu is penciled in as one starter, and Kohou is consider another, the 'Fins face the unappealing prospect of entering the draft with three open starting positions in the secondary. Yes, there are street free agents poised to get snapped up following the draft, but that's also not an attractive approach.

That's the bad news. But -- believe it or not if you're a Dolphins fan -- there is good news.

Miami currently has 10 picks and is likely to pick up more when Ramsey and/or Tyreek Hill are traded. This draft is also widely considered to be an extremely strong one for safeties, so the 'Fins seem well positioned to grab a starting safety relatively early in the draft.

Cornerback is considered to be top heavy, which could lead Miami to prioritize the position with the No. 13 overall selection. The top two corners are widely considered to be Colorado's Travis Hunter (also a wideout) and Michigan's Will Johnson, both of whom are likely to be gone by the time the Dolphins are on the clock. 

However, Jahdae Barron (Texas) may be in play at the spot, and Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky), Trey Amos (Ole Miss), Azareye'h Thomas (Florida State), and Shavon Revel (EZU) could be trade-back options. 

Or Miami could also go in the direction of South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori, who many feel has strong coverage skills and is capable of playing in a hybrid role in Weaver's defensive backfield. Georgia's Malaki Starks is another safety who may have too high a grade for the 'Fins to pass on when it's time for them to pick.

THE PREDICTION:

The Dolphins get lucky by sitting tight and landing Johnson, who unexpectedly gets out of the top 10. Miami gets a fourth-rounder for Ramsey and a conditional third for Hill, then fortifies the secondary with a safety on Day 2 and multiple Day 3 corners.

Day 1,859, Quasi-Quarantine: Sprawling "1Q84" Undercut by Repetition And Distracting Fetishizing

 

“But don’t let appearances fool you. There’s always only one reality.”

“Even cats and dogs need names. A newly changed world must need one, too.

“1Q84–that’s what I’ll call this new world, Aomame decided.”

This novel is certainly ambitious, meticulously constructed, and vividly realized. However, its sheer weight (1,200 pages!), volume of plotlines, and tortured sexuality ultimately feel like too much for Haruki Murakami to balance.

"1Q84" is compelling, dealing with religious cults, portals between worlds, mortality, supernatural leprachauns, and the pursuit of love. Some sneaky humor appears, and a challenging scene of a long-set-up reunion is rendered in a pretty way.

“Our memory is made up of our individual memories and our collective memories. The two are intimately linked. And history is our collective memory. If our collective memory is taken from us – is rewritten – we lose the ability to sustain our true selves.”

However, the author's focus on breasts and underage girls becomes overwhelming, making the effort to track and organize competing narratives extremely difficult. Every character has a borderline disturbing relationship with sex, and that extends to Murakami, leading to eight references to ejaculate, 16 to semen, and 71 to breasts. 

“Now he realized that he was inside Fuka-Eri, ejaculating toward her uterus. This was not something that he wanted to be doing.”

“Still, her lower body retained a trace of that special feeling that was always there the morning after an intense night of sex – the sweet lassitude that comes from having your insides powerfully churned. She seemed to notice, too, an unfamiliar sensation between her buttocks.”

Too often, the book felt like a middle-aged Asian man’s fever dream of nubile young Asian women having sex together and with others.

“Lopsided breasts, pubic hair like a poorly tended soccer field.”

“Tengo had to caution himself not to look down there, but he couldn’t help it. His eyes moved to her chest as if toward the center of a great whirlpool.”

To be fair, I also struggled mightily with Murakami's "Novelist as a Vocation" for different reasons.

"1Q84" relies heavily on coincidences and cognitive leaps, and the English translation leads to some shaky transitions and bizarre similes and metaphors.

“Charles looked less like a prince than a high school physics teacher with stomach trouble.”

“ … His voice as hard and cold as a metal ruler left for a long time in a fridge.”

“It was not just that he had terrible style: he also gave the impression that he was deliberately desecrating the very idea of wearing clothes.”

The overall impression is of a meticulously arranged work that loses some of its vitality through repetition and length, leading one to speculate whether Murakami would have done well to pare "1Q84" down severely -- and to tone down the off-putting sexual obsessions.

“Most people are not looking for provable truths. As you said, truth is often accompanied by intense pain, and almost no one is looking for painful truths. What people need is beautiful, comforting stories that make them feel as if their lives have some meaning. Which is where religion comes from.”

Limerick Friday #633: Escapism To The Rescue In Florida, Of All Places -- Day 1,856

Through all the parks we swirled

On so many rides we twirled

Plus beers and dishes

Against my fervent wishes

Left part of my heart at Disney World

The local no-talent hacks

With an absence of facts

Ignoring UNC drama

With Belicheat's sugar mama

Paying off that fanboy tax

As the works did plummet

They found more ways to gum it

Morale was bad enough

'Til they caved on DEI stuff

But hey, at least there's Summit

With a fragile MAGA QB

And a checked-out Ramsey

Plus a psycho receiver

I can't find a believer

In what the 'Fins are trying to be

His at bats like a yo-yo

What to make of Juan Soto

He's even lost his swag

And yes, it's early, but dag

Not sure that contract is for so-so

Last time ...

Day 1,855, Quasi-Quarantine: Up Here, I'm Still On Space Mountain

 

It's been almost two weeks since we returned from another stellar trip to Disney World, notwithstanding a 10-hour drive back punctuated by projectile vomiting on a gas-station median in Nowheresville, North Carolina.

The moments when the kids agree to be seen with me are shrinking by the day, so knowing that we'll always have Space Mountain -- and especially Space Mountain while wearing a "Yoda Best Dad" T-shirt -- gives me exactly the feeling below.

Day 1,854, Quasi-Quarantine: Many-Genred "The Intuitionist" Serves As Compelling Introduction To Colson Whitehead

 

“Inside the late-night denizens, the midnight refuse, slouched over java and racing forms, tuna on stale rye and their doomed itineraries. No one look at anyone else in this crumbling sanctuary: that would risk the perfection of their isolation, their one last comfort in this concrete city.”

The debut of one of America's finest novelists, "The Intuitionist" features the strong, subtle writing that would come to be the hallmark of Colson Whitehead's career.

“Time to sift the facts through her fingers and shake out the fine silt until what is left in her hand is what happened.”

Using the pursuit of the ideal elevator as a racial allegory, the author weaves a compelling story that spans noir, suspense, humor, and drama. 

“They can turn rabid at any second; this is the true result of gathering integration; the replacement of sure violence with deferred sure violence.”

Whitehead's rendering of a moment in a dime-a-dance club makes for a truly beautiful scene, offsetting a rather odd one-night stand midway through the book.

“The men think, this is the last night on earth and I am spending it in the arms of a beautiful woman. The women are not necessarily beautiful, but anything is possible. The women count dimes, ponder the bills waiting on top of the icebox. The bills are gratified a dime at a time, steadily.”

His wide cast of characters can be challenging to sort and place, but the result is an original tale that reveals a unique take on issues of identity and belonging.

“Anyone can start a religion. They just need the need of others.”

Day 1,846, Quasi-Quarantine: Disparate Themes Clash In The Caribbean In Short, Challenging "Tentacle"

 

“As he listened to Giorgio give Malagueta Nenuco’s number and instructions about what kinds of tea Linda liked, Argensi caught sight of the canvases he hadn’t touched in days, the paint dried on the used brushes which he’d neglected to clean because he’d been busy giving sips of water to a one-armed buccaneer who was shitting all over himself in the infernal swamp in his continuous and exhausting other life.”

Often reading like a fever dream, "Tentacle" features a frenetic pace and manic jumps across three different timelines and many characters, making following along a true challenge. However, Rita Indiana's fresh, boundary-pushing writing and imagination make the effort worthwhile.

“Katherine sounded like a woman beaten down by piles of dirty dishes and a construction worker husband who showed his affection by not spitting on the rug.”

The themes are nearly all-encompassing (pick your -ism), as the book documents environmentalism, racism, sexism, classism, eco-tourism, gender, immigration, and capitalistic issues. Indiana is incredibly explicit, but her words are poignant, timely, and brave, overcoming a translation that can feel balky on occasion.

“Lies, thought Acilde, are like beans, they have to be well seasoned or no one will swallow them.”

"Tentacle" is a wild ride, packing weighty topics in a short amount of space -- and challenging the reader in unexpected and confusing ways.

“You’re going to do fine: in this country being white is a profession.”