Happy Tax Day. Or not.
From the "Talks too much" studio, let's enjoy the process as much as the product. (And remember the mailbag.)
Oregon's Marcus Mariota during the national anthem before the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Ohio State Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Two weeks from tomorrow is the NFL draft. We love the draft. You know this.
We will have a contest - our Feeling the Draft Contest is one of the annual ones we do - and we'll announce the details next week.
The biggest question at the top of the draft hinges on Marcus Mariota and what the Tennessee Titans in regard to the former Oregon Heisman winner.
We can debate that point and the Titans moves - they have three really: trade, take defensive lineman Leonard Williams or draft Mariota and hit the reset button - and we feel certain we will.
But, with the release of the Wunderlic scores of Mariota and FSU Jameis Winston, now seems a fair time to ponder if either is going to be a franchise quarterback. Mariota's 33 of the 50-question test and Winston's 27 certainly will not dissuade any potential suitor.
We know about Winston's bouts with stupid decisions and criminal accusations off the field, but on it he had the it factor that NFL teams would love in a quarterback.
FILE - This is a Feb. 21, 2015, file photo showing Jameis Winston at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. Winston has spent much of the past two months crisscrossing the nation, sharpening his quarterback skills and trying to convince NFL teams he's learned from mistakes made off the field and ready to become the face of a franchise. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File) Mariota earns rave reviews off the field, but the question about his mechanics in a spread system and whether he has the arm strength for the league are valid.
We think Winston will be a franchise guy if he gets out of his own way. He's accurate, he's charismatic and he embraces the moment. That's a big checklist for playing the position in the NFL. We're not as sold on Mariota though. Yes, he's a quiet leader, but he has bouts with accuracy and we have to wonder how much he embraces the fire.
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NBA real MVP
Wow, that escalated in a hurry. Golden State star and MVP dunk Steph Curry hit 77 3s in a row in practice. Seventy-seven. He made 94-of-100 in the drill. Seet buckets of Robin Hood accuracy that's awesome in its awesomeness.
OK, we have conceded that Curry, the former Davidson star, will win the NBA MVP. He's had a great year and he's the best player on the best team. And whatever you think of the award that counts for something.
Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry waits during a timeout in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday, April 9, 2015, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) Here's something else that counts in the balloting and has for years: Voter's fatigue.
It happened when Jordan was in the league and it's happening now with LeBron James.
Curry deserves the award this year, so this is more a general statement than an accusation this year. Plus, LeBron was only good in the first six weeks of the season, while Curry has been aces from start to finish.
That said, LeBron does have a Peyton Manning-esque argument that is tough to argue. OK, in true terms of value to a team, Lebron's last four years - three previous and this season - in Cleveland, the Cavs finished in the top two in the East. In his four years in Miami, the Heat finished in the top two in the East.
When LeBron was in Miami, Cleveland was in the lottery every year. Now that he is Cleveland, Miami will miss the playoffs.
So, in terms of value, it's pretty simple: With LeBron you finish in the top two, and without him you get ping pong balls hoping to draft the next LeBron.
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Finally honoring Pacman?
Confusing headline of the week so far: "Post Office to issue Pacman stamps."
We thought it was going to be the video game, but then asked ourself, "Self, why honor Pacman now?" Sure he was a groundbreaker back in the day and he was a curvy instant social celebrity without being able to speak and without social media. He was a Kardashian before we had 400 TV channels.
Boxer Manny Pacquiao participates in an interview with The Associated Press, Friday, Sept. 5, 2014 in New York. Pacquiao takes on undefeated Chris Algieri in the gambling enclave of Macau on Nov. 22 for a piece of the welterweight title. The bout comes a year after the Filipino headlined the first big fight card there by beating Brandon Rios. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) So we clicked on the story only to learn it's the Philippines Post Office and Manny Pacquiao.
That makes way more sense.
And since we're here - and less than three weeks from Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather getting into the ring, we have to wonder aloud whether this will revive boxing or be a one-time high-water blip.
Thoughts?
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This and that
This Dec. 21, 2014 photo, Cleveland Browns' Johnny Manziel (2) sits on the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C. A person familiar with the situation says Manziel has been released from a rehab facility. Manziel entered the undisclosed clinic Jan. 28 for treatment of an unspecified problem. The person said he was discharged Saturday, April 11, 2015, speaking on condition of anonymity because of privacy issues. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone) - After getting out of rehab, Johnny Manziel was seen in primo seats at a Rangers game Tuesday with some primo eye candy. Side question: How much fun did Johnny Football have in college? Scale of 1-to-10, it had to be a 47 right?
- There are some Nike Golf execs wondering how this happened. Jordan Spieth - name and all - could be the one that got away and springs Under Armour golf into the game. Remember Adidas turned down the other Jordan back in 1984 and the rest has become billion-dollar history.
- The Braves lost to Miami 8-2 on Tuesday. Here's hoping that Mr. Trevor Cahill, Atlanta's No. 5 starter who allowed five hits and four earned in less than three innings, works out. Here's also saying we're not holding our breath.
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Today's question
To tell you the truth this is a staggering day for historic events.
The Goatee - Abraham LincolnGE was founded in 1892 on this day. The first Olympic Games closed on this day in 1896. The Titantic sunk on this day in 1912. Jackie Robinson made his Dodgers debut today in 1947. The first McDonald's was founded by Ray Kroc in 1955 on this day. The first Ford Mustang is rolled off the floor in 1964. Those numbers bombed the Boston Marathon two years ago today. And Leonardo da Vinci was born on this day in 1452.
This is like the Babe Ruth of days.
Also, Abraham Lincoln died 150 years ago today. Thought we'd pass it along.
So let's toss out a rare double Rushmore of Lincoln - a Rushmore of Abes/Abrahams and a Rushmore of Lincoln - in honor of the 16th president.
Whatcha' got and remember the mailbag.