Limerick Friday LXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXIV: FIFA Empties Itself Of Sepp’s Blatter, Plus A Hectic NBA Finals

FIFA an utter disgrace, you say

Headlines bash soccer all day

Corruption was always known

The story that’s hidden alone

Is why Hope Solo is allowed to play

In the Keys, secrets, murder and booze

The biggest liar is hard to choose

“Bloodline” reeled me in with its trailer

Led by a chunky Coach Taylor

Red eyes, broken hearts, can’t lose

Insults they were hurled

As LeBron danced and twirled

A battle of have-nots and haves

An Aussie propels the Cavs

As Mozgov dunks on the world

Last time …

Limerick Friday LXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXVXXXIII: Now What Will Local “Media” Do To Defend The University Of No Control?

The allegations read

Words to be dread

By every Tar Hole

Lack of Institutional Control

“Burn it down,” they said

A seven-run lead

With five outs to bleed

Then a meltdown from hell

Bad karma, alive and well

NC State Shit, indeed

They tried to play coy

Exhausted every ploy

The cover-ups kinda worked

‘Til Willingham twerked

Will they finally shit-can Ol’ Roy?

The low point of the sports year

Punctuated by a yawn and a beer

But summer has arrove

Beach-goers in droves

Family time is finally here

Last time …

Limerick Friday LXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXVXXXII: Summer Reruns Lead To Cinematic Revelations, Plus Pack9 Chases Rings

Portrayed on the silver screen

The Village folk scene

“Inside Llewyn Davis” for the win

The Coen Brothers did it again

Oscar Isaac, poignant and serene

Cleveland vs. Golden State

That’s the rumor, at any rate

LeBron vs. Steph Curry

But still, I’m in no hurry

To watch these games on so late

Here comes springtime cleaning

Of possessions, I’ll be weaning

But you stumble across

Things you just can’t toss

Boxes full of memories and meaning

Spying that can’t be quantified

On Snowden, “Citizenfour” testified

A whistleblower’s plight televised

Had me completely mesmerized

But also, more than a little terrified

 

With a title they were flirting

Missing out had them hurting

The Pack Nine like a shooting star

So close, yet so far

Is State’s perpetual burden

Last time …

Subversive Comedy Amidst The Mothballs: How Dave Letterman Became My Comedic Hero

In my early teen years, I spent many hours lying on the floor of my bedroom closet, watching “Late Night with David Letterman.”

Let me explain.

Back then, you see, Letterman’s show came on at 12:30 a.m., after Carson. My parents thought that seemed a little late to be staying up, especially for someone who had the appalling nerve to sleep past 8 a.m. on occasion as it is.

So I got all McGyver down at the Radio Shack. I found a black & white TV in the garage that probably last showed “I Love Lucy,” strung coax cable underneath my bedroom carpet, into the closet, behind a small cutout door, and into an attic extension/storage area. I hooked up the TV, pummeled it several times, and was in business. I mean, I could sort of tell it was a person talking on a decrepit TV—but the audio was loud and clear.

This all seemed important to me. Because Letterman was this comedic force that had blasted everything you thought was rote about late-night TV in specific and comedy in general right out of the water. Here was this gangly, gap-toothed awkward figure who seemed to be ill-suited for the medium and looked like no one you’d ever seen on TV.

But this goofy-looking Midwesterner was raw, unfiltered, original comedy in physical form. He asked the questions no one else would, he ego-checked the celebrities that no one else dared, he Velcroed himself to things that no one else considered, he threw things from heights that no one else wanted to. He was Uncle Dave, a buzz-drunk prankster out to impress the neighborhood kids—and piss off the HOA at the same time.

Letterman became this anti-establishment cult figure, not just pushing the envelope, but dousing it with gasoline, lighting it on fire, taping Rolaids to it, and seeing if it would float. He commandeered his show with barely disguised disdain, as if someone forced him to host a late-night show, so he figured he would keep pressing buttons and spinning dials until someone got up enough energy to fire him.

The Atlantic dubbed his style “alternative comedy,” with David Sims writing that “In his earlier days, Letterman came across as someone who had stolen a camera crew and broken into an empty studio.”

In those earlier days, he also had a contempt of marketing façade and publicist-created celebrities, and he could slice, dice, and essentially end careers with his on-air interviews. He mellowed considerably after his open-heart surgery and the birth of his son, but he never slowed down—fast, clever, and timely with his on-the-fly remarks to the end.

Oh, he was fallible; make no mistake. He was overly acerbic at times, was an admitted alcoholic, and tended toward self-flagellation. He creeped a bit too hard on young actresses and later owned up to taking advantage of his position by sleeping with subordinates. He must have come close to losing his gig more times than anyone truly realizes.

But through it all, he never pretended to be anything other than a hick from Indiana who woke up every morning thinking, “How the hell did I get a TV show?” He changed the tone, tenor, and look of comedy, and his impact was felt in all corners of entertainment. During his stretch run, I was blown away by how many big names were moved to tears by Letterman’s impact on the course of their lives—from Adam Sandler to Ray Romano to Jimmy Kimmel to Norm Macdonald to Conan O’Brien.

“He was the North Star for me and every comic of my generation,” said O’Brien.

Personally, I always saw Letterman through the lens of generational conflict. My Mom didn’t like him; found him too coarse, too sardonic, too mean-spirited. He belonged to the rebellious youth, all rumpled with a too-long tie and unscripted barbs, while Jay Leno was your parents’ choice—the staid, polite-chuckle presence, a cue-card reader, milquetoast in a pressed suit. Half out of exasperation and half out of my ability to make her laugh, my Mom often suggested I consider writing for late-night TV; now that she’s passed, in my heart of hearts, I know she really meant, “Go write for David Letterman.”

But writing took me in a different direction, and I’ll have to settle for living vicariously through Letterman as my comedic hero. And maybe I’ve mellowed like Dave over the years, a husband and father of two more likely to watch “Doc McStuffins” than toss a microwave filled with marbles off an office roof.

Part of me, though, will always be on the floor of that closet, awash in black and white, breaking the rules of the house to watch a one-man laugh revolution break all the rules of comedy. Waiting to be discovered by my parents. Waiting for the renegade camera crew to show up. Waiting for Uncle Dave to do something outrageous.

Waiting for one last laugh that’ll always be just out of reach … yet never completely lost.

Thanks, Dave. I’ll leave the closet light on for you.

Limerick Friday LXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXVXXXI: From B.B. To M.M., From Yepremian To Letterman, A Week Of Difficult Farewells

Emotionally heart-rending show

Perhaps too tied up like a bow

Found himself in his chi

Inspiration found him by the sea

Sad to see Draper and “Mad Men” go

Undisputed king of the blues

Crestfallen at the B.B. King news

Transcendent with your Lucille

You made every listener feel

What a treasure to lose

To marketers everywhere it spoke

When advertising was less of a joke

And at the very end

You might say of “Mad Men”

It was an eight-year ad for Coke

A bald little kicker he was

Loved him like every Fin fan does

Was funny enough to get away

With a Super Bowl boneheaded play

Gary Yepremian will be missed by us

A self-described Indiana hick

Pulled off a stupid pet trick

Of course, the top 10 list

Among what will be missed

Of Dave Letterman’s original schtick

Last time …

Limerick Friday LXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXVXXX: The Hammer Falls On The Deflatriots, Plus “Mad Men” Ponders Painful Farewell

A collection of cheating tools

With zero respect for the rules

Brady got held to the fire

For being a habitual liar

Belicheat plays the NFL for fools

As the days dwindle past

Denial has set in fast

The Letterman finale is near

For an icon we hold so dear

Let’s make every punchline last

A pitching staff to be feared

But an offense that’s disappeared

Young arms carry the Mets

But bats as bad as it gets

First place does feel kinda weird

A Pete-Trudy happy ending

Walkabout Don’s fate is impending

Peggy is off on her own

No mention of Roger or Joan

Betty’s lung cancer a bit heart-rending

Will he finally be Dick Whitman?

Will we see Megan again?

Will Roger stick with Marie Calvet?

Will Ken have his final say?

Hoping it’ll make us remember when

Last time …

Limerick Friday LXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXVXXIX: “Mad Men” Chases The Contrails, Plus Shhhhhhh … The Mets Are Still A Thing

Don turns into Dean Moriarty

Roger’s empty-office drunken party

The strands beginning to unravel

Separate ways they start to travel

“Mad Men,” for the sentimental and hearty

A solid draft for the ‘Fins

Making up for previous sins

Firepower at wideout

Playmakers throughout

Now, who will coach them to wins?

A Pacquiao-Mayweather whatever

One more boring endeavor

Pacquiao fought with a bum shoulder

Mayweather danced and got older

Now can Floyd go away forever?

From the team that brought you Spygate

Now comes the art of deflate

Documented cheating yet again

Belicheat breaks rules to win

Goodell covers it up, just wait

The Mets keep bubbling along

Winning just feels kinda wrong

Have hit a few rough patches

Seem to go scoreless in batches

But steady on is their theme song

Last time …

Finding Some ‘Fins: Will Tactical Gambles Pay Off For Miami’s Once And Future Regime?

I should start out by saying that it’s difficult to evaluate this draft without factoring in Kenny Stills, the former Saints wideout landed by Miami for the price of its third-round choice. Of course, that means you have to consider Mike Wallace leaving for the price of a fifth-rounder, but both are certainly worth mentioning for context.

In comparison to last year’s draft, which featured picks from North Dakota State, Liberty, Coast Carolina, and Marist, this year’s haul focused on traditional football schools. The hope here is that translates to better tape against better competition, with more accomplished football men providing better evaluations. On the flip side, this draft felt heavy on the boom-or-bust picks, with more selections with medical or character concerns.

In the fifth round, Miami netted four selections in the span of 12 picks, and that is likely where this draft will stake its reputation. To me, the key to the draft is fifth-rounder Jay Ajayi, one of college football’s very best running backs who slipped due to a troubling knee condition but could end up being the stealiest of steals.

Anyway, here's the rundown: 

First Round (14th overall): DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville

It’s no secret that Miami needed a big-bodied red zone threat, and with running back Todd Gurley and cornerback Trae Waynes already off the board, this became a surprisingly easy pick for the ‘Fins. At 6-3, 210 pounds, Parker rounds out the Miami receiving corps that now features deep speed (Stills), slot quickness (Jarvis Landry), veteran route-running (Greg Jennings) and the ability to win contested balls in tight spaces (Parker). This choice reminded me a bit of the year Miami drafted Ryan Tannehill, in that there was very little drama and a broad consensus. Now, it will be up to Tannehill to help make the most out of Parker’s dynamic skill set.

Second Round (52^nd overall): Jordan Phillips, NT, Oklahoma

After trading back with Chip “Mad Scientist” Kelly and the Iggles, Miami opted for a luxury pick in this underachieving man-child. Knowing that it didn’t have a third-rounder, the Dolphins elected to choose a dude with weight issues and a pre-existing back injury at an already-deep position. Some of the hyperbole surrounding him reminds me of Darryl Gardener, whose Miami tenure was filled with highlights and lowlights. I don’t hate this pick, but it did have me scratching my head some.

Fourth Round (114^th overall): Jamil Douglas, OG, Arizona State

It’s hard to shake the feeling of desperation that surrounded this pick. Miami needed a guard prospect, and with most of the consensus guys off the board, it reached for a guy who was a burglar and whose play has been characterized as “going through the motions.” He does appear to possess some position flexibility and tools to work with, but this marked a second straight underwhelming selection for me.

Fifth Round (145^th overall): Bobby McCain, CB, Memphis

Using a fifth-rounder gained in the trade with Philly, the ‘Fins went pure playmaker here, tabbing a slot corner with kick-return ability. Though Miami’s needs lie at perimeter corner, you can never have enough nickel guys, and McCain has a reputation as a ballhawk to offset his lack of size. I’m decidedly a fan of this move in this spot.

Fifth Round (149^th overall): Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise State

Bone-on-bone knee deterioration certainly doesn’t sound like a medical file you want associated with, say, an NFL running back. However, acknowledging that doesn’t preclude this being a tremendous choice with one of four fifth-round options. Ajayi is a versatile, physical back who could prove to be a worthy complement to—and even a potential replacement for—Lamar Miller. Some hefty “ifs” involved here, but a really nice get for the Dolphins … and the kind of pick that can push a draft from good to great.

And don’t forget—this is the pick Miami got from Minnesota in the Mike Wallace trade. Though there was fault on both sides, the reality is the Dolphins weren’t constituted to get the most out of Wallace’s unique skills. So if they could jettison his salary and land a starting-caliber running back even for a couple of years, it could end up being a strong move for Miami after starting from a position without much leverage.

Fifth Round (150^th overall): Cedric Thompson, FS, Minnesota

Thompson was a guy who seemed to be linked to Miami throughout the evaluation process, so he wasn’t much of a surprise in this spot. Not the biggest or most instinctual safety, but he’s got stellar measurables (4.48 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 40.5-inch vertical. 4.28 second in the short shuttle). A solid developmental free safety with the type of athleticism that special teams coaches clamor for? That makes him a low-risk, high-reward choice at this spot in the draft, and another strong fifth-round pick for the ‘Fins.

Fifth Round (156^th overall): Tony Lippett, WR, Michigan State

Well, if you’re going to draft a dude only to switch him to a new position, this is the spot to do it. Lippett was a productive wideout for Sparty, but the Dolphins reportedly envision him as a corner. It’s impressive to start at both positions against top college competition, and Miami obviously saw something in Lippett to make them think there were tools there worth exploring.

With four fifth-rounders, I couldn’t help wondering whether it made sense to flip one for Zac Stacy of the Rams, but once Ajayi was available, that resolved itself. I also found myself wondering whether it was worth using the final fifth-rounder on LSU’s La’El Collins on the chance that he is innocent—but I do obviously understand why using a fifth-round pick on someone with a possible connection to a murder would be, er, tricky.

Anyway, as I mentioned, Lippett is most certainly a gamble, but one that Miami was in a position to afford.

Summary

The post-hoopla draft grades have been largely kind to the ‘Fins, and it will be interesting to see how the talent landed by the new evaluation duo of Mike Tannenbaum and Dennis Hickey is handled by holy-crap-how-is-he-still-here coach Joe Philbin. 

I’ve long been concerned about Philbin & Co.’s inability to not only develop players, but have a viable vision for how they see a player growing into the Miami system in terms of role and accountability. While I’d love to see Philbin prove me wrong, the overriding sense I have is that the next coach will be tasked with assessing and developing Miami’s Class of 2015.

Limerick Friday LXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXVXXVIII: “Mad Men” Careens To A Sobering Conclusion, Plus ‘Fins Weather The Storms

A punchline is what Don’s become?

As the '70s arrive for some?

An uneven stretch run

For an epic series almost done

“Mad Men” needs some focus and rum

A bust of epic proportions

Says a lot, considering ‘Fin abortions

Dion Jordan suspended yet again

His career over before it began

Will there ever be a change in draft fortunes?

They took difficult shots

And yes, they took lots

But Lacey as a fit was fantastic

Washington brought energy spastic

Unexpected choices for State kinda rots

A relatively weak season three

Ended with the Underwoods up a tree

A highlight was Doug

His story not swept under the rug

“House of Cards” fading, but still can’t quit ye

A big receiver fit the bill

So they took Parker from Louisville

He was a nice scoop

To round out a nice group

No more excuses, Tannehill

Last time …

Vetting the Vets: ‘Fins Actually Make Right Choice In Free Agent Receiver Pool

With Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline, and Brandon Gibson ushered out the door in the turnstile that is the Dolphins receiving corps, Miami had a desperate need for a veteran presence to bolster breakout candidate Kenny Stills, promising Jarvis Landry and journeyman Rishard Mathews.

The braintrust of Mike Tannenbaum and Dennis Hickey narrowed their focus to a group of three free agents at varying stages of their careers in the NFL: former San Francisco wideout Michael Crabtree, ex-Viking Greg Jennings and one-time Dolphin Wes Welker. While each has made significant contributions in the league, there were major reasons why they were still available deep into the offseason.

For Crabtree, injuries and ego were the limiting factors. Much like Keyshawn Johnson, Crabtree is a guy who deemed himself a No. 1 receiver but never brought the production to bear out that anointment. In the often-fragile Miami locker room, would bringing in an often-injured receiver with an overinflated sense of skills and overinflated contract demands be counterproductive?

In Jennings, you’re looking at a 31-year-old wideout whose best days are behind him. Would what he has left and possible leadership skills outweigh the diminishing returns of a skill-position player on the decline?

For Welker, a litany of recent concussions has cast his NFL future in doubt. Would a 34-year-old with consistent and troubling medical concerns coming off his worst season in a decade who happens to play at a position of strength (the slot, where Landry operates) find any fit at all in Miami’s system?

After doing their due diligence and vetting each candidate, the Dolphins took their time. They analyzed fit, salary cap, intangibles, familiarity, and availability, then made their pick. Two weeks before the draft, Miami announced the signing of Jennings to a cap-friendly, limited-risk deal. In return, the ‘Fins got a player with a couple of good years left who has a familiarity with Joe Philbin from their time with the Packers and is a respected presence in the locker room. 

For what Miami needed in terms of leadership for a young receiving corps, a proven route-runner for an ascending quarterback, and a known commodity for the right price, the front office landed the right guy—giving the team flexibility in the draft and reliability at a position of need.

Limerick Friday LXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXVXXVII: Spieth Humiliates Augusta National, Plus When Will Don Draper Start Swinging Back?

Tiger’s involuntary bequeath

The title to Jordan Spieth

Trounced the field at the Masters

His ascents just got even fasters

He and Rory could be a rivalry with teeth

“True Detective” trailer

Couldn’t really be any fail-er

Casting choices gone wrong

Gonna pay for it for long

Can Fukunaga find a way to tailor?

The draft is quickly approaching

Insanity the ‘Fins usually encroaching

A receiver or running back, perhaps indeed

Or a corner or guard, both needs

But does it really matter, with the coaching?

“True Detective” captivated

“The Jinx” agitated

Now “Silicon Valley” is back

Plus “Veep” returns to attack

With HBO, no one’s equated

Don getting beaten down

By women all around

Loneliness pervades his pores

The ad life, it only bores

Will he skip New York town?

Last time …

Limerick Friday LXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXVXXVI: “Better Call Saul” Chicago-Sunroofs Its Way To End Of Remarkable Season One, Launching Hotbed of TV News

Fate, Jimmy couldn’t duck it

After Marco kicked the bucket

Took a deal to fill his coffer

Then got a plum job offer

Saul Goodman was born and said “Fuck it”

Coulda been one for the ages

Instead, Wisconsin rages

Duke’s rookies led the way

But the refs held full sway

Handed it to the Devils for higher wages

Mortality the theme of the day

As hemlines rise and sideburns sway

Don wonders what it all means

Legacy’s worth a hill of beans

“Mad Men” time is slipping away

While the media reported on Tiger’s smile

They missed real stories by a mile

At 21, Spieth made every birdie

At 65, Watson’s game is still sturdy

The Masters opened in fine style

TV is gonna get bolder

With the return of Scully and Mulder

For six epis, anyway

Good material in the NSA

Conspiracies and “X-Files,” shoulder to shoulder

Last time …

“Content Strategy For Mobile” Seeks To Help You Paddle With The Mobile Wave Instead Of Against It

"Writing this way isn't just good writing for mobile. It's good writing for everyone."

For many companies, navigating the treacherous waters of mobile marketing and responsive design can be akin to tackling Bells Beach on a Boogie Board. Though “Content Strategy for Mobile” would seem to describe a book of relatively narrow focus, Karen McGrane’s work covers a lot of ground related to best practices in web writing. Taken as a package, she delivers the board, wax, and leash necessary to at least be competitive in the mobile swell.

Setting the tone early, she highlights the distinction between users and readers right from the start. McGrane points out that the user is unpredictable, while the reader “is us.” Most importantly, she goes to great lengths to emphasize that mobile is not a trend and can be ignored only at the risk of lost business. As a result, it’s simply bad practice to identify desktop-only content.

"You are in the content publishing business. It is your mission to get your content out, on whichever platform, in whichever format your audience wants to consume it. Your users get to decide how, when, and where they want to read your content. It is your challenge and your responsibility to deliver a good experience to them."

As we’ve seen elsewhere, McGrane argues for us to “stop thinking about ‘pages’ and start thinking about ‘packages,’” which facilitates the process of guiding the user to where they want to go. In addition, many organizations conflate the words “content” and “copy” to mean the same thing, so it’s important to remember the differences, which this book points out.

The author delves into ever-evolving user behavior, noting that it is difficult to draw conclusions based on identifying someone as a mobile user; we simply don’t know for sure how it changes their behavior. In essence, making the choice to use a smaller screen doesn’t mean that the reader is adopting an expectation of inferior or lesser content.

Personally, I wasn’t aware of the demographic breakdown of Internet access—that billions of people all over the world can only access the Internet through their mobile phones and that nearly 90% of Americans without a high school diploma don’t have a broadband Internet connection. McGrane points out that some companies actually have a moral obligation to create a mobile experience in order to reach those who need their services most.

The author advocates for the pursuit of content parity (“the same content where it’s feasible, and equivalent content where it’s not”) and a mobile-first strategy, as well as both qualitative and quantitative assessments of content in the leadup to site redesign. This is inevitably going to lead to some difficult conversations with owners of existing content, who want to apply niche needs to the broader site.

"As with any evaluation process, the art of the content audit is the art of persuasion."

“Your website structure shouldn't map to your org chart -- it should map to how users think about their tasks and goals."

Easier said than done, right? Indeed, content prioritization across platforms will necessitate a streamlined and rigid editorial workflow. This is where McGrane advocates for adaptive content, which allows for device and screen flexibility. This type of content can also be repurposed and restructured with meaningful metadata, which Jason Scott refers to as a “love note to the future.” By using metadata and categorization, then structuring content into meaningful chunks, it can be reused in myriad ways. In the author’s view, the ability to slice and dice your content—content modeling—is the key to maintaining relevance now and into the future.

"If you care about providing great design and a user experience that's appropriate for a given platform, you need to be thinking about adaptive content."

"Develop a process and workflow that will support and enable maximum content reuse with minimum additional effort. That's adaptive content: structured content that's created so that it can be reused."

To create a good user experience within any content management system (CMS), McGrane mentioned the importance of ensuring all understand the message that content management is “bigger than just the CMS.” She also made some interesting points about couple vs. decoupled CMSs, and the impact each has on the potential of multi-channel publishing. In pursuit of “future-friendly” content management, McGrane points out, content creators have to be given the tools and ease of use needed to facilitate flexible content reuse. In the same breath, she wrote that almost 60% of domains under development by American federal agencies aren’t being built with a CMS, another fact that caught me off-guard.

"Too often, people wind up fulfilling the technology's needs, as servants of their content management system, rather than having the tool support and facilitate their needs. We force people to conform to the system's needs as they fight their way through fields and dropdowns, rather than have the technology do what it does best: handle routine tasks automatically."

The author spends little time on the topic of using data gathering to influence content changes, as well as SEO ramifications. However, she does point out that partial mobile optimization that depends on linking to the desktop version is “going to break search.” From an analytics standpoint, McGrane pointed out that content choices often made based solely on gut feel, without being supported up by the metrics. She does decry the importance of having a process for data collection and analysis, as well as the positive SEO implications inherent in having no differentiation between desktop, mobile, and tablet content.

"You can't do mobile content strategy correctly until you define how you're going to measure and optimize performance."

In terms of tone, McGrane favors a straightforward, no-nonsense style. I found the book somewhat short on examples, and the author went to the well a few too many times on the “forking” pun. However, there were a number of tremendous resources shared, ranging from figures showing how to apply content inventory audits to acronym usage (COPE: Create Once, Publish Everywhere is a particularly useful one).

For those who have had the mobile wave pass them by and are caught between sets, “Content Strategy for Mobile” offers the direction—and push—to catch the next ride to shore sure success.

Limerick Friday LXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXVXXV: Bounceback TWD Season Closes Without A Bang, Plus State Lets Elite Eight Slip Through Fingers

A brilliant fifth season did rally

Chose forgiveness instead of a sally

Morgan returns as a samurai

The Wolves are lurking nearby

Restraint the theme of the finale

Draft winds are blowing off the sound

Fin missteps are sure to abound

Tannenbaum now in charge

Of decisions small and large

Tell me again why Philbin’s around?

Betrayed by his brother Chuck

Just when he’d found good luck

The trials of Slippin’ Jimmy

Gets by on his hustle and shimmy

Saul emerges saying, “Who gives a fuck?”

Duke continues to roll

The Zags couldn’t take their toll

Handchecking continues uncalled

Offenses, in response, get stalled

Can Sparty keep them from their goal?

 

A golden opportunity lost

The Elite Eight it did cost

Cat ate some bad eggs

So he didn’t have his legs

Rally caps all over were tossed

Last time …