Day 1,377, Quasi-Quarantine: The Sith-Mas Spirit Has Real Staying Power On Endor

 

If you've been following (Are you kidding? Of course you have!), I've documented how the initial week of the Lego Star Wars advent calendar honored "Bad Batch" and "Mandalorian," the second week paid tribute to the "Clone Wars" and the prequel timeline, and the third week celebrated "Return of the Jedi" and Endor.

Well, little did I know just how strong the Endor would be with week four in a true advent calendar double-down.

Day 16: Endor bunker

Day 17: AT-ST

Day 18: Speeder bike

Day 19: Endor shield generator

Day 20: Ugly Christmas sweater Palpatine

While instantly recognizable, the Endor bunker was a bit meh, and the speeder bike was a bit flat, but I still dug it. The Endor shield generator was simplistic but spot on, but the AT-ST was a flat-out rad build. 

The finale of the five-day week was Emperor Palpatine, sporting a sweater with the death star and some laser bolts, plus a mug and actual laser bolts to carry -- a welcome addition considering the relative paucity of minifigures thus far.

Focusing the advent calendar so narrowly on a specific place is a new approach, and one that obviously limits what to expect. The upside is that a pretty stellar diorama of Endor is now possible with so many mini-builds.

I expect a slight move away from Endor in the final days of the calendar (breaking it up to allow for a Dagobah focus would have been cool), but overall, I've enjoyed this year's efforts. I can't wait to see what's left -- and no, I'm not someone who obsesses over or even looks at the clues and hints on the box cover.

Merry Sith-Mas to one and all!

Limerick Friday #604: Area Old Yells At Cloud Shaped Like A Wolf -- Day 1,376

Your weekly UNC bitching update

Now where they have manufactured hate?

Mack Brown's as old as dirt

And bad words make his tummy hurt

Obsessing after his latest beatdown by State

Laying a primetime turd

Both embarrassing and absurd

Outcoached and outplayed

This is the bed that they've made

Choking was the sound that you heard

This Festivus Eve

I've got a reprieve

From interminable work

As problems loom and lurk

Mostly in the form of Steve

The shit hit the fan

When Ronnie Mauricio got hurt again

Another big injury in the offseason

As if we needed another reason

To ban international baseball, man

The latest insufferable bitches

Are those wearing Chiefs britches

Over calls, they're weeping

As the Swifties keep creeping

The league won't stand for these Philly-KC glitches

Last time ...

Day 1,375, Quasi-Quarantine: Dolphins-Jets Game 14 Review

 

In a game that was largely won by the Miami defensive front, the 'Fins held the visiting Jets to four yards in the entire first half on its way to an emphatic shutout. Despite missing eight starters, the Dolphins rolled, dominating the turnover battle (4-0) and time of possession (36:21 to 23:39) while moving to 10-4 for the first time in nearly a quarter-century.  

Field position was a massive storyline, as Miami started three straight first-half drives in Jets' territory and began five possessions at midfield or on the visitors' side of the field. New York averaged its own 21-yard line on their own drives and never advanced past the Dolphins' 30-yard line. 

Committing nine penalties isn't great, but Miami showing that the previous week's mind-boggling loss to the Titans was an aberration was low-key important for a franchise desperately trying to establish a culture. In a word, this was thorough.

On to the J-O-K-E, joke-joke-joke recap ...

Offense

• Minus all-everything wideout Tyreek Hill, the offense was uncharacteristically quiet -- though to be fair, the unit didn't have to do much in this one. The 'Fins managed 16 first downs and 290 yards, converting just six of 15 third downs but both fourth-down tries. The red zone continued to be a bugaboo, with the Dolphins scoring touchdowns on just two of five red-zone trips. The ground game struggled at times behind another makeshit offensive front, rushing for 77 yards and averaging 2.8 yards per carry.
• Tua Tagovailoa was cold-bloodedly efficient, connecting on 21 of 24 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown in his 53 plays. He did take three sacks and commit a delay-of-game penalty, but earned a 76.5 grade from Pro Football Focus, and most importantly, ran his record to a perfect 10-0 as a starter against the Jets and Patriots. Backup and former Jet Mike White hit both of his passes for four yards and lost two yards on kneeldowns in his eight plays in relief.
• At running back, Raheem Mostert set a franchise record for touchdowns by rushing for two, running his season total to an even 20. He carried 15 times for 42 yards and caught both of his targets for a yard on his way to a 67.2 PFF grade (he was also called for a false start) in 33 plays. DeVon Achane tallied 62 yards on his dozen touches in 24 snaps, good for a 78.0 PFF grade. Jeff Wilson saw just eight snaps of action, rushing twice for five yards and catching one of two targets for a yard. Fullback Alec Ingold was used exclusively as a blocker in his 19 snaps.
• With Hill out, Jaylen Waddle was targeted on Tua's first three passes and ended up catching eight of nine targets for 142 yards and a 60-yard touchdown in his 41 snaps -- earning a 92.8 mark from PFF. Braxton Berrios caught his lone target for 12 yards in 34 snaps, while Chase Claypool caught both targets for eight yards in five snaps. Cedrick Wilson led all receivers with 47 snaps and caught two of three targets for just two yards, but both he and Robbie Chosen (23 snaps, one offsides call) received poor marks from PFF (53.6 and 47.3, respectively). River Cracraft (eight snaps) was also not targeted, and the wideouts totaled just 22 receiving yards on five receptions outside of Waddle. However, you had to feel good for Waddle, who was been lost in the shadows of Hill's mercurial season to date.
• At tight end, Durham Smythe caught all four targets for 32 yards in 43 snaps. Julian Hill was not targeted but did get whistled for his weekly holding call on his way to a 56.0 PFF grade for his 22 snaps. Tyler Kroft contributed only a holding penalty in his eight plays. 
• The big story up front was the return of left tackle Terron Armstead, who earned an 83.3 PFF grade for his 53 plays of work. Guards Lester Cotton (33.8 PFF mark) and Robert Jones saw action on 61 snaps, while center Liam Eichenberg gutted his way through 58 snaps with a calf injury, earning a game ball despite a 35.8 grade from PFF (he was called for illegal use of hands). Right tackle Austin Jackson had a forgettable game, picking up a 27.4 pass-rushing grade from PFF and also being whistled for holding in 29 snaps. Kendall Lamm (32 snaps), Kion Smith (eight snaps), and Jonotthan Harrison (three snaps) saw action in reserve. While Armstead's return was notable, A-Jax has had a couple of subpar performances after signing a massive contract extension, which bears watching.

Defense

• In a truly stunning effort, the Dolphins allowed just 11 first downs and 103 total yards, limiting New York to 1.9 yards per play. The Jets were just five of 13 on third down and failed on both fourth-down tries. Not only did the visitors not score, but they never even reached the red zone in the contest.
• Christian Wilkins collected three tackles, half a sack, one stop for loss, one offsides call, and a quarterback hit in 42 snaps, being graded at 64.9 by PFF. Zach Sieler notched two tackles, a sack, a stop for loss, a pass breakup, two quarterback hits, and a fumble recovery in 41 snaps. Sieler narrowly missed a second straight week with a defensive touchdown, being tackled on the one-yard line after recovering a fumble.
• At tackle, Raekwon Davis had an assisted tackle and two quarterback hits in 32 snaps, while Da'Shawn Hand added an assisted tackle in 16 snaps.
• Playing angry, Bradley Chubb simply took over the game at outside linebacker, tallying seven tackles, five solos, three sacks, two stops for losses, three quarterback hits, seven pressures, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery in 41 snaps. He had at least half a sack taken away after the game and could have easily had about five with better officiating, but he still earned a 94.0 PFF grade -- best in the NFL among edge defenders in Week 15 -- and earned NFL Defensive Player of the Week honors. Andrew Van Ginkel got 51 snaps on the other side, picking up four tackles, half a sack, a pass breakup, and two quarterback hits, earning an 86.7 PFF grade. Cameron Goode had an assisted tackle and a quarterback hit in 20 reserve snaps, while Emmanuel Ogbah posted an assisted tackle, half a sack, and a quarterback hit in just four snaps.
• At inside linebacker, Duke Riley delivered another strong performance, racking up five tackles, four solos, half a sack, one pass breakup, and a quarterback hit in 47 snaps for a 90.9 mark from PFF. David Long recorded six tackles and one stop for loss in 54 snaps, but was graded at just 58.0 by PFF. Calvin Munson had a solo stop (and got robbed of a tackle for loss) in 11 snaps, earning a 79.2 PFF grade in limited action.
• Jalen Ramsey (pass breakup, illegal contact, 72.6 coverage grade by PFF) and Kader Kohou (quarterback hit, 67.3 mark from PFF) played 47 snaps at cornerback and weren't tested much by New York quarterbacks in Xavien Howard's absence. Eli Apple came off the bench to play 44 snaps, registering four solos, a pass breakup, and an illegal contact flag. He allowed four catches for 42 yards on seven targets according to PFF, which assigned him a 58.6 grade. Nik Needham (two solo stops in 14 snaps) was not graded well by PFF (39.1), but newcomer Ethan Bonner was, earning an 81.7 mark after making an assisted tackle and a pass breakup without allowing a reception in two targets among his 11 snaps. Apple must be credited for a professional outing after weeks of little to no action in Howard's stead.
• The story at safety was Brandon Jones, who appeared to cement his return from injury with five solo stops, two pass breakups, a pair of interceptions, and 40 yards in returns in 58 snaps. He and Elijah Campbell (four tackles, three solos, and a pass breakup in 58 snaps) filled in admirably for starters Jevon Holland and DeShon Elliott.

Special teams

• Jason Sanders hit all three field goals (with a long of just 37 yards) and all three extra points.
• Jake Bailey punted four times for just a 35.8-yard average, but did place three inside the 20-yard line. His 22-yarder on the second-to-last play of the game hurt his average, but instead of downing it, his teammates elected to let it bounce in the wrong direction in order to let more time go off the clock.
• Berrios returned four punts for 53 yards, with a long of 19, but Miami did not return a kickoff. The Jets did not have any kickoff or punt returns.
• Claypool led offensive players with 13 snaps on special teams, while Justin Bethel (18 snaps), Channing Tyndall (17), and Goode (17) paced defensive players in the third phase.

Momentum plays

• Miami got the ball first and got an initial first down on back-to-back completions to Waddle, but a late holding flag on Jackson stymied the drive and led to a punt.
• New York also earned a first down, but Chubb made his third standout play in four snaps, finishing a Wilkins pressure with a huge hit on Zach Wilson that led to a fumble recovered by Sieler on the Jets' one-yard line. Sieler's awareness was important, since Wilkins immediately started celebrating by himself while the ball was still loose on the ground.
• Deciding not to overthink things, the 'Fins ran it three straight times with Mostert, with the back eventually skirting the edge on the third attempt to set a franchise touchdown record and give Miami a 7-0 lead halfway through the quarter.
• The Jets converted another third down to start the following possession, but Van Ginkel knocked away a downfield pass, Jones made a nice underneath tackle, and Apple had strong coverage on a third-down pass. New York ran a particularly stupid fake punt -- somehow believing that they could get four yards on a run straight up the middle in a punt formation -- that was easily snuffed out by Wilkins, Riley, and others to give Miami the ball at New York's 41-yard line.
• The Dolphins took nine plays to travel just 22 yards, with a holding flag on Chosen disrupting the drive and leading to a 37-yard field goal by Sanders to make it 10-0 early in the second quarter.
• The Jets went three-and-out after Chubb again wrecked the drive with a sack, and a 12-yard punt return by Berrios set up the 'Fins in Jets' territory again at the 49-yard line.
• Miami couldn't take advantage of the great field position again, though, as Tua held the ball too long and took a third-down sack that featured Quinnen Williams inexplicably doing the "Waddle" afterward. Back-to-back great pressures by Chubb (he was robbed of a sack when in the grasp wasn't called and set up another by Sieler) made it two straight three-and-outs for New York, which delivered a 54-yard punt with no return.
• As well documented on "Hard Knocks" later in the week, the Dolphins got the coverage look they wanted and coach Mike McDaniel's prediction of a one-play drive proved prescient when Tua unleashed a perfectly delivered deep ball to Waddle, who coasted in from 60 yards out and demonstrated a "Waddle that, bitches" celebration for the Jets. Halfway through the second quarter, Miami led, 17-0.
• New York somehow avoided another grounding call after Goode pressure, and the Jets got a break with a late illegal contact call on Apple on a third-down play. A second-down sack by Ogbah and Riley set up a 3rd & 11 incompletion that saw Wilson injured on a Long blitz. New York uncorked another monster punt of 59 yards, which Berrios took back 13 yards before taking a big hit.
• The 'Fins converted a 3rd & 4 on a short Waddle pass that got better when the Jets -- again, inexplicably -- added a late hit well after the play was over and where whistled for unnecessary roughness. Berrios climbed the ladder to reel in a 3rd & 6 catch that saw him land on his back just in bounds along the sideline. Tua faded a near-interception on the next play, but converted another third down with a dart to Waddle, who went for 19 yards and nearly broke it the distance. A shifty, 12-yard run by Mostert was followed by a one-yard run to the edge by the back -- following a Smythe block -- to extend his scoring record and Miami's lead to 24-0 with a minute remaining in the half.
• With backup Trevor Siemian in, the Jets picked up a first down, but two plays later, Chubb and Van Ginkel ended the drive with a sack. Berrios delivered the best nine-yard punt return you might ever see, sending the teams into halftime.
• New York went three-and-out to start the second half, and the Dolphins responded with a nine-play, 41-yard drive. On a 4th & 5 play, Tua made a no-look pass into a tiny window to find Waddle for 25 yards. The 'Fins reached the Jets' two-yard line, but lost seven yards on a pitch to Mostert and then did not get a flag on a clear interference on a third-down fade pass to Jeff Wilson in the end zone. Sanders booted it through from 27 yards out to push the advantage to 27-0.
• The visitors picked up a couple of first downs on its next possession, but a deep ball was affected by pressure from Kohou, Chubb, and Van Ginkel, leading to an interception that Jones returned 40 yards.
• Miami put together a 12-play drive, aided by a third-down conversion on a Smythe grab and a fourth-down conversion on an Achane run. Mostert contributed an 18-yard run, but his subsequent 13-yard jaunt was nullifed on a late holding flag on Hill. A third-down sack forced yet another Sanders field goal, this one from 35 yards out to make it an even 30-0.
• The Jets strung together a couple of first downs before Chubb took over again with the rare triple play: sack, strip, recovery.
• Once more starting on New York's side of the field, the 'Fins' next drive (featuring White at quarterback) never had a chance thanks to back-to-back penalties on Kroft and Eichenberg. No highlights were shown due to the game being out of hand, but a late hit on the sideline was certainly missed after a Claypool catch and run.
• Following another punt that pinned the Jets inside their own 15-yard line, the visitors converted a 3rd & 6 and a 3rd & 9 due to poor tackling by Miami backups. After a 3rd & 10 long ball fell harmlessly to the turf when Campbell wasn't looking for the pick, the fourth-down long shot was easily intercepted by Jones, who reeled in his second interception instead of allowing Apple -- who was waiting under the ball a yard away -- to get this first of the year.
• A Wilson handoff and two White kneeldowns ensued, allowing Miami to punt the ball away with just 36 seconds remaining. The Jets handed the ball off once to mercifully ended the contest.

2023 Schedule

Miami 36, Los Angeles 34 (1-0)

Miami 24, New England 17 (2-0)

Miami 70, Denver 20 (3-0)

Buffalo 48, Miami 20 (3-1)

Miami 31, New York Giants 16 (4-1)

Miami 42, Carolina 21 (5-1)

Philadelphia 31, Miami 17 (5-2)

Miami 31, New England 17 (6-2)

Kansas City 21, Miami 14 (6-3)

Miami 20, Las Vegas 13 (7-3)

Miami 34, New York Jets 13 (8-3)

Miami 45, Washington 15 (9-3)

Tennessee 28, Miami 27 (9-4)

Miami 30, New York Jets 0 (10-4)

Day 1,374, Quasi-Quarantine: "A Fan's Notes" Details A Spiral Of Alcoholism And Institutionalization Salvaged By Writing And Football

 

"Why did football bring me so to life? I can't say precisely. Part of it was my feeling that football was an island of directness in a world of circumspection. In football a man was asked to do a difficult and brutal job, and he either did it or got out. There was nothing rhetorical or vague about it; I chose to believe that it was not unlike the jobs which all men, in some sunnier past, had been called upon to do."

A grim, sardonic view of the obstacles involved in navigating 1960s America, "A Fan's Notes" is alternatively heartbreaking, hilarious, hopeful, and horror-inducing. Frederick Exley's semi-autobiographic account pulls no punches in addressing mental illness, alcoholism, and obsession.

The matter-of-fact prose belies the magnitude of almost casual sexual battery, racism, and institutional abuse. The result can be borderline overwhelming and depressing, but well worth the effort.

"'For my heart,' I wrote, 'will always be with the drunk, the poet, the prophet, the criminal, the painter, the lunatic, with all whose aims are insulated from the humdrum business of life.'"

I found a number of similarities to Charles Bukowski in Exley's prose. As a huge fan of Bukowski's "Ham on Rye" (the 2011 Scootie winner) and "Notes of a Dirty Old Man," I quickly embraced Exley's style as well.

"After my day's work I drank martinis in the cocktail lounge of the Broadmoor, waiting for the blonde who never came, and for whom I never gave up waiting, such was my optimism and my contentment."

The cyclical nature of the narrator's brief stretches of holding his head above the water before the inevitable descent that sees him betray family and friends can be difficult to read, but the undeniably comedic descriptions have the reader giggling almost against their better judgment.

"I felt not unlike a man who eats too fast, drinks too much, occasionally neglects his teeth and fingernails, is given to a pensive scratching of his vital parts, lets rip with a not infrequent fart, and wakes up one morning to find himself smack in the middle of a Saturday Evening Post cover, carving the goddam Thanksgiving turkey for a family he has never seen before."

Exley's edgy material and his use of a passion for the New York Giants to redirect his manic energies make "A Fan's Notes" an essential read -- and one I wish I could have come across much earlier in life.

"I fought because I understood, and could not bear to understand, that it was my destiny -- unlike that of my father, whose fate it was to hear the roar of the crowd -- to sit in the stands with most men and acclaim others. It was my fate, my destiny, my end, to be a fan."

Day 1,373, Quasi-Quarantine: Diabolical Puzzle Makes For A Cool Yule Experience

 

The holidays are a great time to break out puzzles, and "Santa's Village" proved to be a formidable challenge. This 1,000-piecer was tough due to the sheer number of similar elements -- snow, trees, ice, etc. -- with like hues.

Kudos, Michael Storrings. "Santa's Village" was difficult, but not impossible, and a worthy activity this season.

9/10, would reconstruct again while listening to a "Louis Wishes You A Cool Yule" vinyl.

Day 1,372, Quasi-Quarantine: The Star Wars Lego Advent Calendar Rolls On With A Deep Dive On Endor

 

After an initial week that honored spinoffs like "Bad Batch" and "Mandalorian" and a second week that paid tribute to the "Clone Wars" and the prequel timeline, the third week settled very specifically on Endor as part of the 40th anniversary celebration of "Return of the Jedi."

Day 11: Armoured Assault Tank (AAT)

Day 12: Reindeer Gonk droid

Day 13: Imperial Shuttle

Day 14: Leia Organa

Day 15: Ewok village

The AAT and the Imperial Shuttle were both phenomenally rendered builds, while the Ewok village was clever if a bit simplistic. The Princess Leia Organa minifigure is an exclusive, featuring her in Endor fatigues with her hair up, displaying alternate faces, and holding both a blaster and a Christmas cookie. 

But the highlight of the week for me was the adorable Gonk droid. Droid arms represent the antlers, and a button nose polishes off the holiday look. 

A return to Endor is always a welcome experience for me, and this year's advent calendar -- while somewhat light on minifigures thus far -- has been marked by winner after winner.

Day 1,368, Quasi-Quarantine: Dolphins-Titans Game 13 Review

 

Welp, history was made in Miami when the Dolphins allowed the Titans to pull off the second-most improbable comeback since the Next Gen Stats era began in 2016, with the 'Fins choking away a 99.6% win probability and becoming the first team in 768 games to lose a 14-point lead with under three minutes remaining. Miami won the turnover battle (3-1) and time of possession (32:24 to 27:36), but a series of injuries -- including four in the first nine plays of the contest -- and horrific coaching decisions led to one of the most inexplicable contests in franchise history.

Coach Mike McDaniel and his staff have to take a hard look in the mirror after enabling the first home loss of the season and singlehandedly rekindling nightmares of lost Decembers past. However, the brutal officiating (16 combined penalties were called) has to be mentioned as well. Tennessee is simply a dirty team, and when at least three personal fouls they committed went uncalled, they realized they could get away with almost anything. The visitors wanted to make it an ugly game, and they certainly succeeded -- because the officiating crew empowered it.

On to the dispiriting-choke-fest recap ... 

Offense

• The Dolphins managed just nine passing first downs and converted just four of 13 third-down attempts and misfired on the final fourth-down play of the game. Miami averaged 5.1 yards per carry and put up 158 rushing yards, but for unknown reasons, abandoned the run game in the red zone for ill-advised fade passes, leading the 'Fins to score touchdowns on just two of its five red-zone trips.  On its final two possession, the 'Fins ran nine plays for 24 yards, did not target Tyreek Hill nor Jaylen Waddle, and ran just 1:54 off the clock in an unmitigated failure of imagination and execution.
• In primetime, Tua Tagovailoa struggled in a big way, struggling to come off of his first read and panicking on almost every dropback. He fumbled twice and took five sacks, though he was pressured on 39% of his dropbacks. He went 23 of 33 for 240 yards and ran three times for 15 yards, but averaged just 5.5 yards per pass and made a number of poor decisions. Perhaps most damningly, when he had every opportunity to salvage the contest for the Dolphins, it was almost impossible to have any faith that he would based on demeanor and previous performance.
• Raheem Mostert and DeVon Achane were a solid combination in the backfield, with Mostert leading the way (while battling injury) with 21 carries for 96 yards and two touchdowns, plus a four-yard catch in 46 snaps. In 33 snaps, Achane carred seven times for 47 yards and caught five of nine targets for 24 yards. Alec Ingold had a 13-yard catch that featured a cool hurdle in his 29 snaps, but Jeff Wilson got a single snap for the Dolphins. On a night when Miami needed to pound the ball, McDaniel too often ignored the run.
• At wideout, the dominant story was an early ankle injury to Hill on an uncalled horse-collar tackle. He managed four catches on five targets for 61 yards in 34 snaps, but the offense stalled in a mighty way without him, leading to concerns about how one-dimensional the attack has become. Waddle (six catches, 79 yards, eight targets, 59 snaps) and Cedrick Wilson (two catches, 30 yards, four targets, 40 snaps, 86.7 grade from Pro Football Focus) did their best to make up for a hobbled Hill, but both struggled to get early separation. Braxton Berrios (two catches, 13 yards, 33 snaps) and River Cracraft (zero targets in 14 snaps) were quiet when Tua needed underneath help, and one has to wonder whether Chase Claypool merits a red-zone package as Miami's biggest and most physical wideout.
• Durham Smythe reeled in two receptions on three targets for 16 yards in 56 snaps, while Julian Hill was not targeted in 15 snaps. The tight end group remains deficient in the passing game, and the "Cheetah" injury highlighted that even more.
• Up front, the 'Fins were without four starters at various times during the game, and the results were predictably not pretty. Left tackle Terron Armstead and right guard Robert Hunt were inactives, while center Connor Williams went down with a season-ending knee injury after just six snaps. Liam Eichenberg shifted from guard to center, but was whistled for three penalties (two holds and a false start) and struggled overall. Lester Cotton (called for holding) and Robert Jones (66 snaps, allowing four pressures and two sacks) did not respond well to being thrust into action, with the team earning a 54.9 pass-blocking grade from PFF. Even right tackle and reported stalwart Austin Jackson celebrated a brand-new contract by being pantsed on national television a number of times. The starting offensive line has now missed a combined 21 games through the first 13 games, with that number certain to rise and legitimately calling into question whether Miami's attack can even function based on the current state of the offensive front. McDaniel has been slow to adjust play-calling based on this reality, and he's running out of weeks to prove that he's capable of doing so.

Defense

• One of the worst offenses in the league went 75 and 64 yards against a shot Miami defense in the final moments, with Tennessee covering 141 yards in 2:20, only having to convert a single third down along the way. The 'Fins gave up 403 total yards, including 320 through the air to a rookie quarterback while holding Derrick Henry and the Titans to just 2.9 yards per carry and 83 rushing yards. The Titans scored touchdowns on three of five red-zone visits and took advantage of a number of miscommunications in the defensive backfield. You also never want to let a single player on the other team beat you, and Miami allowed that to happen with DeAndre Hopkins, who got away with a lot of veteran tricks on his way to seven catches for 124 yards and a touchdown. 
• Christian Wilkins collected five tackles, three solos, a sack, a stop for a loss, and two quarterback hits in 62 snaps, but Zach Sieler stole the show up front. In 61 snaps, he notched four tackles, one pass breakup, a quarterback hit, and a pick-six for a crucial defensive score on an evening when the offense was out of sync. He was whistled for a laughable delay-of-game call that was one of a number of officiating mistakes on the night.
• It was a quiet day at nose tackle, with Raekwon Davis (20 snaps) and Da'Shawn Hand (eight snaps) seeing limited action and combining for one solo tackle, a pass breakup, and a quarterback hit.
• At outside linebacker, Bradley Chubb caught a lot of heat for spiking his helmet a few feet shy of the sideline to get a costly unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that extended a Tennessee drive. However, Chubb was Miami's highest-graded player, earning an 87.1 PFF grade after racking up five tackles, a pass breakup, two quarterback hits, a fumble recovery, and nine pressures in 58 snaps despite numerous chips and double teams. Andrew Van Ginkel was stymied, contributing four tackles in 55 snaps, with Emmanuel Ogbah adding three tackles, a pass breakup, and a quarterback hit in 27 snaps. Jason Pierre-Paul (two snaps) and Cameron Goode (one snap) did not record a stat in late-game action, but the Dolphins recognized the lack of depth by signing veteran former Dolphin Melvin Ingram to the practice squad in the days after the contest. 
• Jerome Baker was missed in a big way at middle linebacker, though David Long recorded eight tackles, five solos, and two stops for losses in 63 snaps. Duke Riley played all 71 snaps in Baker's stead, posting five solos.
• In a largely forgettable performance, the cornerbacks collectively struggled to take advantage of opportunities and hold down a weak Tennessee receiving corps. Jalen Ramsey (two tackles, one pass breakup, one phantom holding call) and Xavien Howard (three tackles and three pass breakups) played 70 snaps each, with Howard being in position for interceptions about four times without coming down with one. Kader Kohou played 62 snaps in the slot, collecting five solos, a pass breakup, and a quarterback hit. Nik Needham came on for eight snaps in reserve.
• The situation was even more of a mess at safety. Brandon Jones had seven tackles, five solos, and a pass breakup playing all 71 snaps, while DeShon Elliott contributed eight tackles and four solos in 53 snaps. Elliott left injured at one point, however, and Elijah Campbell notched three tackles and two solos in 18 snaps, but was on the field for a number of busted coverages. While the injury situation is impacting a number of Miami's position groups, the Dolphins are not well equipped to withstand the ailments that have impacted the vital safety position.

Special teams

• Jason Sanders made two of three field goals and all three extra points, but in a one-score game, the blocked field goal looms large. The early indications were that Wilkins was beaten on his block, but there may have been some blocking confusion as well.
• Jake Bailey punted five times for a 47.0-yard average, putting two inside the 20-yard line.
• Berrios returned four kickoffs for 99 yards, with a long of 28, but did not return a single punt.
• Berrios and Ingold led offensive players with 10 special-teams snaps apiece. Bethel (24), Campbell (24), and Goode (23) paced defensive players in the third phase.
• Campbell recovered a muffed punt, Bethel made three solo stops, and Claypool contributed an assisted tackle. However, Brandon Jones was called for illegal formation penalty on a kickoff and long-snapper Blake Ferguson was whistled for a dead-ball unsportsmanlike penalty after a field goal.
• Overall, Tennessee may be one of the only teams with a worse special-teams unit than Miami's -- the Titans fired their coordinator a week after giving up two blocked punts in a single game -- but the Dolphins made it a dead heat in the third phase. 

Momentum plays

• I physically could not bring myself to rewatch this game for obvious reasons. Please respect my decision.

2023 Schedule

Miami 36, Los Angeles 34 (1-0)

Miami 24, New England 17 (2-0)

Miami 70, Denver 20 (3-0)

Buffalo 48, Miami 20 (3-1)

Miami 31, New York Giants 16 (4-1)

Miami 42, Carolina 21 (5-1)

Philadelphia 31, Miami 17 (5-2)

Miami 31, New England 17 (6-2)

Kansas City 21, Miami 14 (6-3)

Miami 20, Las Vegas 13 (7-3)

Miami 34, New York Jets 13 (8-3)

Miami 45, Washington 15 (9-3)

Tennessee 28, Miami 27 (9-4)

Day 1,367, Quasi-Quarantine: Dramatic Tension, Frantic Pacing Propel "The Chill"

"The past was always present. It lives in antiques and memories, war stories and warnings, but it was never gone.

"And never passive."

Recommended by a number of seriously heavy hitters in the horror genre, "The Chill" was eerier than scary, managing to tie in themes of vengeance, family, racism, government over-reach, and environmentalism. 

"But memory was a shifting thing, fluid and deceptive, and it had a way of carrying facts from one place to another so subtly that you didn't recognize the redistribution until too late. One summer the sandbar had been over there, and the next summer you were running aground on it over here. That was memory. You navigated with it, but it was shifting all the while."

Scott Carson weaves supernatural elements throughout the story, relying on a frantic intensity and a propulsive pace. His characters deftly explore the origins of water and memories of locals -- while dealing with their own challenging interpersonal dynamics.

"The day was dull and gray but the leaves were a brilliant assortment of orange, yellow, and red. A long, lovely summer with its throat cut."

While the book can veer technical and the dialogue can occasionally feel stilted, Carson smooths over the rough spots with dramatic tension. "The Chill" is a worthy read for those willing to lean into the otherworldly.

"'Let's see what we find,' she said, and they started down the trail again, taking their lead from a New York City sandhog who hadn't set foot in Torrance County in two decades as he hurried down the path that a dead man in a tunnel under Queens had instructed him to find."

Day 1,366, Quasi-Quarantine: Remembering Shane MacGowan In Such A Very Pogues-Like Way

We should all aspire to have our mourners dancing in the aisles at our funeral. One would have to imagine that Shane MacGowan of the Pogues would have it no other way.

Glen Hansard, Lisa O'Neill, and others sent MacGowan off in fine fashion, playing "Fairytale of New York" in a church in Nenagh, County Tipperary, Ireland.

"I'm just following the Irish way of life: Cram as much pleasure as you can into life and rail against the pain that you have to suffer as a result -- and then wait for it to be taken away with beautiful pleasure."

Slainte in the memory of the Irish Rover ...

Day 1,365, Quasi-Quarantine: The Advent Calendar Goes Heavy On The Prequel Iconography

While the first week largely represented a tribute to recent spinoffs "Bad Batch" and "Mandalorian," the second week was dedicated to the "Clone Wars" and the prequel timeline, with a special emphasis on companion builds.

Day 6: 212th Clone trooper

Day 7: Clone Command Station

Day 8: Battle droid

Day 9: STAP Speeder

Day 10: Hailfire-Class Tank Droid

The clone trooper minifigure is rare, available only in an expensive set, and the next day's clone command station gave him somewhere to set up shop, though it could have used more features.

The "Roger" battle droid came with multiple sets of arms for flexibility, and the following day revealed a STAP (single-troop aerial platform) speeder for him to ride on. The hailfire-class tank droid was a really unique and clever build, rounding out the second week nicely.

Credit as always to Jay's Brick Blog for the building clarifications and identification assistance. This second week featured a nice blend of iconic throwbacks and playability, and I can't wait to see what the next week brings.

Limerick Friday #603: An Extreme South Korean Game Show Goes Reality -- Day 1,362

Dislike reality shows

With manufactured highs and lows

But some are intense

And dramatically dense

The legend of "Squid Game" grows

Half the State team in the portal

Makes me kinda chortle

Transfers abound

But studies have found

Not everyone can be immortal

He led the Pogues

And an army of rogues

Shane MacGowan has passed

A tortured genius and a blast

Singlehandledly made Celtic punk en vogue

Technology is hard

Maybe play another card

A shitty leadership move

That further does prove

Everyone needs to be on guard

A state of Dolphins zen

With win after win

Trying to stay steady

But I'm ready

To be hurt yet again

Last time ...

Day 1,361, Quasi-Quarantine: Dolphins-Commanders Game 12 Review

 

In  a game that went quickly -- featuring just five total penalties and a single turnover -- Miami dominated yet again, moving to 9-3 for the first time in 22 years. The 'Fins actually won the turnover battle (a rarity) and controlled possession (32:16 to 27:44), moving the ball at will on the ground when the game was out of reach. Even more importantly, the Dolphins rotated liberally, getting a lot of players much-needed rest, especially as injuries mount -- starting inside linebacker Jerome Baker appeared to suffer a serious knee injury in this one.

Here's to the that-was-thorough recap ...

Offense

• Miami racked up 406 yards and 6.9 yards per play despite running out the clock for most of the fourth quarter. The 'Fins converted 7 of 13 third downs and both fourth-down attempts. To put a bow on an efficient performance, the Dolphins scored touchdowns on all three red-zone visits and did not commit a turnover.
• Tua Tagovailoa hit on 18 of 24 passes for 280 yards and two scores, without a sack or a turnover, to earn a 91.0 grade from Pro Football Focus. Mike White came in for 13 snaps, completing his only pass for three yards.
• DeVon Achane led the running backs with 17 carries for 73 yards and two touchdowns, plus three catches for 30 yards on four targets. He ran hard in his 37 snaps, earning an 81.7 PFF in what was an I'm-officially-back performance. In 23 snaps, Raheem Mostert added 11 carries for 43 yards and a score, with an eight-yard catch as well. Alec Ingold got 20 snaps, losing three yards on his lone reception, while Jeff Wilson rushed four times for 11 yards in five snaps. This is the healthiest Miami has been at running back all season, leading to real optimism in the run game headed down the stretch.
• In just 31 snaps, Tyreek Hill was electric at wideout, racking up 157 receiving yards on five catches (seven targets) and carrying twice for a loss of four yards on his way to a 93.1 PFF grade. Jaylen Waddle snared five of eight targets for 52 yards in 37 snaps, while River Cracraft caught both targets for 16 yards in 24 snaps. Cedrick Wilson (33 snaps) and Braxton Berrios (25 snaps, one offensive pass interference) were held without a catch, as just three receivers caught passes in this one. The idea that Hill is challenging the single-season record for receiving yards despite a relatively small number of snaps is staggering, but keeping him fresh for playoff seeding is vital.
• At tight end, Durham Smythe returned to play 41 snaps, though he was not targeted. Rookie Julian Hill was targeted twice in 20 snaps and caught both for 23 yards, although ball protection and penalties (another holding call) remain challenges for him. Tanner Conner got nine snaps in reserve.
• Miami went with its eighth different offensive line combination in this one, and both left tackle Terron Armstead (30 snaps) and right guard Robert Hunt (90.6 PFF grade in 42 snaps) left with injuries during the contest. Despite the changes, the 'Fins allowed just two quarterback hits and zero sacks, led by right tackle Austin Jackson (87.0 PFF grade in 61 snaps) and left guard Liam Eichenberg (83.0 PFF grade in 61 snaps, with an ineligible-man-downfield flag). Center Connor Williams also played all 61 snaps, with reserves Kion Smith (31 snaps at left tackle) and Lester Cotton (19 snaps at right guard) filling in nicely. Collectively, this may have been the Dolphins' most efficient and physical performance up front.

Defense

• Putting together another week of defensive dominance, Miami limited the Commanders to just 245 total yards, 4.5 yards per play, 11 first downs, and 6 of 14 third-down conversions. Washington did convert its lone fourth-down attempt and both red-zone visits, but three sacks helped hold the Commanders to just 107 passing yards. The home team did rush for 138 yards on 4.9 yards per carry, but most of that came after the game was well out of hand.
• As usual, Zach Sieler was a monster up front, tallying four tackles, 1.5 sacks, one stop for a loss, and two quarterback hits in 44 snaps. Christian Wilkins added three tackles in 45 snaps.
• On the interior, Raekwon Davis notched one solo stop in 19 snaps, while De'Shawn Hand did not record a stat in eight snaps.
• Andrew Van Ginkel was a demon at outside linebacker, racking up five tackles, four solos, two pass breakups, two quarterback hits, and a pick-six, while being robbed of a sack by a bizarre late whistle by the referee. Van Ginkel received a 90.0 grade by PFF for his work in 46 snaps, not to mention his unbelievably narrow miss of a blocked punt in the third phase. On the other side, Bradley Chubb notched five tackles, half a sack, and one quarterback hit in 48 snaps. Emmanuel Ogbah made the most of his 16 snaps, recording two tackles, a sack (which included a Jaelan Phillips tribute celebration), a stop for loss, and two quarterback hits. Jason Pierre-Paul saw three snaps of action in his Dolphin debut. Perhaps the biggest question pending the severity of Baker's injury is how best to use Van Ginkel: Keep him at outside linebacker, where he is flourishing? Split him between the outside and inside? Move him to a primarily inside role since that position has way less depth, turning the spot opposite Chubb over to Ogbah and Pierre-Paul?
• At inside linebacker, David Long registered eight tackles, five solos, a stop for a loss, and one quarterback hit in 45 snaps. Baker had four tackles and three solos in 22 snaps before suffering what appeared to be a devastating knee injury as a result of friendly fire, but Duke Riley picked up the slack in reserve. In 31 snaps, Riley made eight tackles and three solos, earning a 91.1 PFF grade. Channing Tindall had three tackles and two solos in just three snaps, and will likely need to assume a larger role based on injuries mounting at linebacker.
• The Dolphin corners were not tested much, with Jalen Ramsey making a single solo stop and Xavien Howard recording an assisted tackle and a pass breakup, both playing 52 snaps. Kader Kohou made three tackles in 49 snaps in the slot, and Nik Needham (solo stop in nine snaps) and Cam Smith (three snaps) saw some action in reserve.
• With Jevon Holland out, Brandon Jones filled in with five tackles, four solos, and a quarterback hit in 55 snaps. DeShon Elliott added three tackles and a pass breakup in 52 snaps, with Elijah Campbell coming on for three snaps with the game decided.

Special teams

• Jason Sanders hit his lone field goal (49 yards) and all six extra points.
• Jake Bailey averaged 42.3 yards on three punts, placing one inside the 20-yard line.
• Braxton Berrios returned a pair of punts for seven yards, with no kickoff returns.
• Conner paced offensive players with 12 snaps on special teams, while Campbell (21), Riley (21), and Cameron Goode (20) led defensive players in the third phase. Justin Bethel was whistled for offsides on an extra point.

Momentum plays

• Washington got a sketchy first down when an attempt at a sideline third-down catch was upheld despite a Miami challenge. However, back-to-back good plays by Jones from the safety position forced a Commanders punt.
• It took just three plays for the 'Fins to strike, with a 3rd & 2 deep ball to Hill resulting in a 78-yard score that culminated in a team roller-coaster celebration and a 7-0 advantage.
• After a three-and-out sparked by a Van Ginkel sack that was awarded to Chubb and Sieler due to mind-numblingly dumb ref whistle, Miami went to work again, with Tua finding Waddle for 16 yards on 3rd & 4. Mostert added a 12-yard run, but back-to-back negative plays led to a 3rd & 17. When Waddle broke a tackle and got a dozen yards on the play, Sanders was set up for a 49-yarder and a 10-0 lead.
• The teams exchanged three-and-outs before Van Ginkel read a tunnel screen, jumped in front of the pass for an interception, and raced 33 yards for a pick-six, extending the Dolphins' lead to 17-0.
• Poor tackling by Howard, Jones, and Elliott allowed for a 29-yard run by Brian Robinson on 2nd & 16, then Baker found himself matched up with wideout Curtis Samuel on a 3rd & 7 play that resulted in a 33-yard gain. To add insult to injury, Baker was wiped out by teammate Jones on the sideline, suffering what appeared to be a nasty knee injury. Three plays later, Washington plunged across on a quarterback sneak to trim the margin to 17-7.
• Following an initial first down, Waddle seemed to draw a pass interference penalty on a deep ball that went uncalled. Undeterred, Tua arced a long one to Hill on 3rd & 7, with the receiver adjusting to the ball in the air, reeling in the ball over the opposite shoulder, and sauntering untouched into the end zone to complete a 60-yard score. The low-key high-difficulty grab marked Hill's second 60+ touchdown in the first 20 minutes of the game and pushed the 'Fins ahead, 24-7.
• Washington responded with a third-down conversion on its next drive, but a Sieler sack and a Riley tackle for loss and forced fumble led to a 4th & 23 punt that Van Ginkel was in perfect position to block. Somehow, the ball went through his hands, but Miami got the ball back again.
• Four straight Dolphin runs covered 19 yards, setting up a 20-yard strike to Hill, who caught the high pass on a deep slant to convert a 3rd & 6. An interference on a Waddle deep shot extended the drive, but Hill lost 10 yards on a rush. An eight-yarder to Mostert and a 16-yarder to Waddle turned a 2nd & 20 into a first and goal, and Mostert paid it off with a one-yard touchdown run with just 20 seconds remaining to make it 31-7 at the half.
• The 'Fins got the ball again to start the third quarter and immediately went on the march again by mixing runs and short passes. Achane broke a tackle and went for 21 yards on a short pass, then Tua  hit Cracraft for 13 and Hill for 18 more. Achane broke a couple more tackles on a four-yard scoring run to push the advantage to 38-7.
• The Commanders got another favorable matchup with a linebacker in coverage, finding Antonio Gibson for 32 yards down the sideline to jumpstart the next drive. After converting a 3rd & 4, Washington converted a 4th & 3 when Chubb missed a strip sack and Sam Howell ran for his life, stumbling 13 yards into the end zone for a scramble score. He also connected on a two-point pass, making the score 38-15.
• Miami went three-and-out after a Julian Hill hold got them off schedule. Washington went to the ground game in a seven-play drive, but missed a 53-yard field goal.
• The Dolphins got an initial first down, but a dangerous 3rd & 5 pass to Waddle was almost intercepted after a hold on the linebacker went uncalled. The defense delivered a three-and-out when Long and Van Ginkel buried a 3rd & 1 run for a two-yard loss, forcing a punt.
• The 'Fins fashioned a 59-yard drive that took 13 plays -- including 12 runs. Achane ran eight times for 45 yards on the possession, punching across from two yards on 4th & goal to make the score 45-15.
• Former Wolfpacker Jacoby Brissett took over for the Commanders, handing off three times (Tindall had an assisted tackle on all three plays) to mercifully end the contest.

2023 Schedule

Miami 36, Los Angeles 34 (1-0)

Miami 24, New England 17 (2-0)

Miami 70, Denver 20 (3-0)

Buffalo 48, Miami 20 (3-1)

Miami 31, New York Giants 16 (4-1)

Miami 42, Carolina 21 (5-1)

Philadelphia 31, Miami 17 (5-2)

Miami 31, New England 17 (6-2)

Kansas City 21, Miami 14 (6-3)

Miami 20, Las Vegas 13 (7-3)

Miami 34, New York Jets 13 (8-3)

Miami 45, Washington 15 (9-3)

Day 1,360, Quasi-Quarantine: "Shuggie Bain" Depicts A Slow Descent In A Relentlessly Sordid Scotland

 

"Leeanne turned and regarded him over the curve of her shoulder. In the bright headlights he saw how pretty her eyes really were, not only brown but gold and green and a sad flat grey. He knew now that he couldn't keep his promise. He had lied to Agnes as she had lied to him about stopping the drink. She would never be able to get sober, and he, sat in the cold with a lovely girl, knew he would never feel quite like a normal boy."

A savage depiction of the perils of working-class Glasgow in the 1980s, "Shuggie Bain" is atmospheric and gritty, run through with default abuse and incessant, casual cruelty. Douglas Stuart fans sparks of love and hope in the form of Hugh "Shuggie" Bain, a child who tries to prop up his alcoholic and deluded mother, Agnes.

"At least the Pit had been a known element. It had held them stuck like flies on paper, bounding them in on four sides by nothing. She could harm herself here, but he could not lose her."

"She would not go back to a life she knew the edges of."

The book wastes no time in immersing the reader into this underworld, with the first two sections covering child exploitation and domestic battery. At another disturbing point, a 39-year-old mother of three gets spanked by her father.

Sharing some parallels with the stunning "Juno Loves Legs," the novel is at turns humorous, soul-sucking, heart-breaking, and wistful, shining a dim light on the slow slide toward an inevitable end as the vortex of poverty, abuse, sexuality, and addiction incessantly collide. 

"They had granite faces, cold and hard, from watching the endless soap opera of mindless violence."

Stuart has clearly invested much of himself in the tale, which earned him the 2020 Booker Prize. His work's bleak beauty and the exigent specter of Scotland make "Shuggie Bain" a truly memorable read, defined by two characters -- Agnes & Shuggie -- whose imprint won't easily be erased ... or forgotten.

"He liked to roam alone in the darkness, getting a good look at the underbelly. Out came the characters shellacked by the grey city, years of drink and rain and hope holding them in place. His living was made by moving people, but his favourite pastime was watching them."

Day 1,359, Quasi-Quarantine: 'Tis The Season, In A Galaxy Far, Far Away

 

The Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar has become a bit of a holiday tradition here at the household, and this year's version is off to a rip-roaring start.

The initial five offerings have largely been a tribute to the "Bad Batch" (my low-key favorite "Star Wars" show) and "Mandalorian," and there are certainly way worse places to focus for Lego. 

Day 1: Omega

Day 2: Justifier

Day 3: N-1 Starfighter

Day 4: Christmas pit droid

Day 5: Clone Turbo Tank

The two minifigures (well, one minifigure and a robot bold) included in the first week are both festive. The calendar's first reveal was Omega, a fan favorite who has appeared in just a single set thus far and comes with a clever little sled. The Christmas pit droid is adorable and event includes a Santa sack.

The mini-builds are a little more hit or miss in my mind. The Mandalorian's N-1 Starfighter is easily the standout here, with a sleek and intricate structure. The Clone Turbo Tank is recognizable but somewhat simplistic, and the Justifier (Cad Bane's ship) ranks among the worst designs Lego has included in the advent calendar series.

Overall, I've found the instructions a bit more difficult to ascertain than in previous years (2022, 2021, and 2020), so I've relied even more on the essential Jay's Brick Blog to get me over the hump where needed.

Don't get me wrong -- I love the obscure builds (no Roger droids or weapon racks as of yet!) and the way Lego works hard to weave holiday themes into the offerings. I can't wait to see what the second week and beyond bring, as Lego never fails to exceed expectations.