5-at-10: Friday mailbag on future 5-at-10s, Bowl Contest standings, Pop Greeson’s all-time sayings, a few Rushmores, fantasy advice and hate mail

From a slew of you

What’s the prize for the Bowl contest? What’s your favorite contest? What gave you the idea to do contests?

And

From Pete

Dear Lord man do you even read your stuff before it goes online? You make at least three mistakes a day!!!

I thought you would be better as a professional writer.

Gang –

As we stare another end of the year in the face, this seems to be a perfect time to reassess the 5-at-10 as an entity.

First, we’ll start with Pete, who we can only picture as Richard Vernon from Breakfast Club: “I’d expect more from a varsity letterman.” But your point is fair and we’ll get back to it.

As for the other specific questions, well, here goes. We normally get a gift card to cover lunch, try to find some corporate swag from either of our two work places and whatever else we can find. Sadly, since we quite covering the Masters, our old Masters swag closet is almost empty.

The bowl contest is up there pretty high because it gives everyone a rooting interest in each bowl game. That’s why we pick all games and folks have to roll the dice on Louisiana or Tulane. We have the standings, and we will post them shortly.

That said, the Masters contest, though, is our personal favorite because, well, it’s the Masters.

As for the idea, well, it comes from the central goal of the 5-at-10: To have an interactive hub for regular folks who are looking for something that hopefully checks a few of these boxes. Thought-provoking. Familiar. Conversational. Topical. Civil. There are other goals, of course, that interest other folks in the building more than me. (Eyeballs, clicks and the lick.)

But as our numbers continue to grow, we think focusing on the content and the core will lead to the latter items.

Back to the start, as we head to 2019, anyone have any suggestions for the 5-at-10. Newcomers and regulars alike, this place is as much fun as it is because of you guys. (Side note: I really, Really, REALLY appreciate the civility we have maintained around these parts in an online world filled with crap and hate and every thing in between.)

We are going to have more gambling talk, whether it’s just a pick of the day or what not because that is going to be more and more of the sports culture.

Do you like the mix we have of sports to culture to politics? What changes would you make?

Open to all ideas and conversations. And because I do not say it enough, thanks for making this one of the most fun parts of the gig.

Merry Christmas.

From Scott

Why are you not picking all the bowl games in the Fab 4 this year? Some of us like to look for entertainment every time there’s a game on, you know?

C’mon man. I need this.

Scott –

Wow. We’re two entries in and we could repeat the “I expected more from a varsity letterman” clip. For those of us a certain age, Breakfast Club is on the shortlist of most quotable movies.

(Side Rushmore of most quotable movies, and this is a very personal Rushmore so this is only my offering, not the official, “In the Books” Rushmore – and yes, that “In the Books” clip is from Uncle Buck, which is sneaky high on my list: Caddyshack is far left and it’s not really that close; Animal House, Fletch and Raising Arizona are my four, but there are times that some will rotate in and out. Like now with Christmas Vacation. Or baseball season with Bull Durham – “This son of a (bleep) is throwing a two-hit shutout and he’s shaking me off Do you believe that (bleep)?” Or around family members and O Brother Where Art Thou. And for some of you regulars, if you are thinking, “Raising Arizona, really?” well know this: Raising Arizona is the home for the original Co-Cola reference.)

Anyhoo, where were we? Oh yes.

OK, we have not picked every game on the official letter, but I believe there has been a reference to every bowl game in terms of a gambling side in the 5-at-10 somewhere.

We are 2-1-1 on our formal picks – had under 54 in Fresno State-Arizona State, Utah State -7, Georgia Southern -2 and MTSU + not enough – and have referenced the others in various entries. We had losers with Northern Illinois and the over in the Ohio-SDSU game, but hit with Ohio to cover and Tulane over Louisiana last Saturday. We also hit Marshall and the over last night. So our ‘unofficial’ picks are now a smidge better than our official picks because, well, football. We have an official pick tonight – Toledo-FIU under the 60 – after the announcement that FIU quarterback James Morgan will not play.

(Side question: As the era of legalized sports gambling continues to grow, what type of regulations/guidelines will be put in place to avoid a coach from saying, “Hey Johnny QB1 is out,” on Thursday and then put him in the game on Saturday with a shrug and “He got better.” Morgan is not an All-American, but the line has gone from Toledo -6 down to Toledo -3 all the way back up to Toledo -7 right now. And the total started at 66.5 and with the announcement – and news that winds will be in the 20-mph range for most of the game – is plunging as we speak. We saw it at 60 yesterday morning. It’s closer to 57.5 now. So yes, the presence of QB1 – and truthful info accordingly – is valuable information.)

As for our unofficial plays through the weekend, let’s go here: We’ll lay the monster number with BYU tonight. Side note: Favorites are crushing books so far in the bowl season because the public prefers to lay the points in almost every instance. So far, through eight games, chalk is 7-1 and the underdog cover was Eastern Washington after the line grew to 2.5 right before kickoff in a Georgia Southern 23-21 win.

On Saturday, we’re on the board with Army minus-4.5, Hawaii-La Tech over the 60 and Troy-Buffalo over the 49. The other Saturday bowl game is Memphis-Wake and, man, we have little feel for that one. But since we are here to serve, unofficially, we’ll back Wake and take the 3.5.

Thanks for reading.

As for the Bowling for Bowls of Bowl Game Success (Bowler Optional) Standings, well, these were done Thursday afternoon, pre-Marshall-USF, so the maximum points available is 8 (six one-point games and one two-pointer). As always, if you think you have a different score or do not see your name, please email me at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com.

Scores (and the scores are higher this year to this point because of the number of favorites that hit):

Mike C. – 8

Justin S. – 8

Sheila – 7

Mark J. – 7

Dave L. – 7

Lil 5-at-10 – 7

Bryan C. – 7

Spud – 7

Spy – 7

Backup QB – 7

Gatortodd – 7

Gus Sucks – 7

5-at-10 – 6
Mark W. – 6

Chris B. – 6

Big Al – 6

scole023 – 6

TrueBeliever – 6

Bo C. – 6

Word Up – 6

Chris P. – 5

Bill T. – 5
Zach T. – 5

WarEagle22 – 5

Will C. – 5

Josh P. – 5

Michael P. – 5

Chris J. – 5

Brent R. – 5

Mike R. – 5

Dawg 747 – 5
Ellis M. – 5

Sportsfan – 5

Brandon E. – 5

DC22 – 5

TN Tuxedo – 5

Mrs. 5-at-10 – 5

Tracy W. – 5

ChatSportsNut – 5

Mark P. – 5

Ted T. – 5

LionScot – 5

Jason T. – 5

CommodoreScot – 4

Alejandro – 4

Chuck H. – 4

HGLIII – 4

Charles M. – 4
Runner-up-of-Life – 4

Mike H. – 4

John M. – 4

Andy O. – 4

Big Brained Listener Hal – 4

Thompson1 – 4

Jackson J., – 4

Jordan T., – 4

Matt H.- 4

Peter the Picker – 4

Always Something – 4

BravesBacker – 4

Thompson2 – 3

Thompson3 – 3

Cantbuyaburgerboohoo – 3
Chuck N. – 3

Steve M. – 3

Henry H. – 3

Gary M. – 3

Ernie H. – 3

Greg B. – 3

Skip S. – 3

Travis H. – 3

Peter W. – 3

Andy W. – 3

Terry A. – 2
Matt J. – 2

MJ15 – 2

Fat Vader – 2

Ted P. -1

RTR Tommy – 1

Hudson H. – 1

Weena – 1

Jason G. – 0

From Chas

My dad always urged me to “Use your head for something besides a hat rack.” How about some more of yours? Your dad sounds like he was a cool dude. Though he wouldn’t have used the “dude” moniker for himself, I bet.

Chas –

He was a cool dude, and you are correct, he was not super inclined to use the word ‘Dude’ all that often.

Thanks for the kind words, and the chance to write about Pop. Again.

We have shared some of his all-timers such as “Rather be rich and healthy than pour and sick” and “It doesn’t take a Phi Kappa Beta to figure that out.” The last one was guaranteed to come with a sly wink and a nod.

Since this is the first Christmas I will spend without my parents, it is rather cathartic to write about some of the all-timers from Pop.

We’ll start around Christmas:

At a Christmas Eve service many moons ago, as the pastor asked the abnormally large crowd to introduce themselves, Pop leans to a newcomer and in small talk asks politely,” So when’s the baby do?”

“I’m not pregnant,” was the tense reply.

Pop, cooly as ever, “Have you met my wife Barbera” as he walks to the other side of the pew.

He frequently told my mother that she was going to spend us into the “Pour House” but that was kiboshed after a young me asked to take a tour of this infamous “Pour House” since we were moving there and all.

There was the time I wanted a Pedro Guerrero jersey – game worn – of course and noted that it was only $250. “I wouldn’t pay $250 to watch Pedro Guerrero eat an entire bale of hay.”

There was a particular slow kid on one of the countless teams he coached that he bemoaned, “I believe I could mail him to second base faster.”

The ballpark wisdom was wide-spread and varied. It also was tough for a 10-year-old me to understand all the time. “Don’t tell me how good you are, show me how good you are.” When I asked to start hitting left-handed as a 12-year-old, his response was a clean and easy, “Are you hitting 1.000 right-handed yet?”

He frequently would remark that “I had beat all he’d ever seen,” and it was rarely a compliment.

But as life and Pop continued to shape me, the lasting Pop dad cliche will forever be “Work Hard.” It was his signature sign off whether I was going to grade school heading back to Auburn or trying to pick up the check (which rarely worked) on our regular Friday lunch.

In the end, “Work Hard” transitioned to “Proud of you” which everyone likes to hear of course. From Pop, though, it was especially kind because compliments for most of my life were as common as Harvest Moons and sick days. (Side note: I have taken one sick day in my 16 years at the TFP and that was to have jaw surgery on a Friday. One. As far as I know, Pop took a half-day in 45 years at Cleveland Electric for knee surgery. He once got sick when we were on a beach trip and said to mother that, “Well, at least I got sick on vacation and won’t have to miss work.”)

As for the final transition from “Work Hard” to “Proud of You” it signified more than kindness and the softening of Pop – which happens to every old-school Southern man when he looks into the faces of his grandkids. For me, in a lot of ways, told me in ways better than any of his one-liners and country spin he knew I learned how to work hard.

And that’s high praise from Pop and so many from his generation.

Rushmore of dad cliches: “I’m not made of money/Money does not grow on trees” or any combination of that has to be far left right? From there we’ll go, “Early bird gets the worm,” “When I was your age.” and of course, “Don’t tell your mother.” This is a better – and tougher – Rushmore than I realized.

Rushmore of Reggies: White, Jackson, Miller and Reggie Hammond, Eddie Murphy’s character in 48 Hours, which was his first feature film and part of the launch of arguably the great comedy film run ever. Murphy, who is expected his 10th child, had, from 1982 starting with Reggie Hammond in 48 Hours, in order Trading Places, two unbelievable final years on SNL, Best defense (yes a stinker), Beverly Hills Cop, Golden Child, Beverly Hills Cop II and Coming to America. Add in Delirous and Raw, which is the funniest stand-up routine I have ever seen, and Murphy had close to a decade of comedy dominance that no one can really come close to.

Rushmore of Pitt movies: Ocean’s 11, Inglorious Bastards, Seven and A River Runs Through It which narrowly edged “The Fish that Saved ‘Pittsburgh.” (Sue me.)

Rushmore of Simpson characters not named Simpson: Ralph Wiggum “Me fail English? Unpossible.” Ned Flanders, Mr. Burns and Kent Brockman (This side of some SNL Rushmores and some comedy movie Rushmores may be one of the most varied and toughest.)

From Justin and a slew of others

Should I start Trubisky at San Francisco or Mayfield vs. Cincy in my championship game?

Justin –

Fair question, and we got a few of them after Thursday’s reference to fantasy football. Side question: Do we under cover fantasy football around these parts because whenever we discuss it, we get a sizable amount of feedback? Discuss.

Some numbers to crunch for Justin on Mitchell vs. Baker:

One, Cincy is bottom 5 in the NFL in passing yards allowed – more than 270 per – and San Fran is 12th in passing yards allowed at 233. So there’s that.

Each defense – Cincy and S.F. – is in the bottom 6 in the NFL in passer rating against and each has allowed 28 or more TD passes.

Two variables: Check weather on each as close to time to make a decision as possible because all of those locales could be dealing with crappy snow. Secondly, the Bears-49ers play in the 4 p.m. window Sunday, meaning that the game could be pretty meaningless for the Bears. Consider that they have clinched their division at 10-4. Making sure Trubisky is 100 percent healthy for the playoffs could be a concern.

If the weather is comparable, I’d give a heavy edge to Baker. (Games since Hue Jackson was fired, his numbers are strong – 13 TDs, 5 picks, 1,604 yards in six games – and he torched the Bengals in their previous meeting to the tune of 258 yards and 4 TDs with no picks).

There are a few other fantasy questions out there, and I will answer them around lunch. We are running short on time this morning somehow.

Not exactly fan mail

Will you please shut up about the school board!!!

You snobby (blank) Signal people think you know what is best for everyone. NEWSFLASH: You don’t just because you’re rich does not make you right.

Shut up!

Getting closer

I don’t know why I keep reading your drivel. I hope you get nothing for X-mas.

(Side note: Drivel is a great word; and if you use X-mas, you and I can’t be friends any way.)

Almost there

Well Mr. Greeson, I guess you and the rest of the worry warts on the subject of bumpstocks have finally gotten what you want.

You gotten president Drumpf to do your bidding and write a TERRIBLY worded fed reg that won’t stand up past it’s first serious court challenge to ban a novelty device that, before Las Vegas had NEVER been used in a mass shooting. And there is a good chance that even without this idiotic ban it would probably never get used again. Furthermore as I PROVED to you by sending that video of a gun expert bump firing an SKS carbine without one, they are COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY to bump fire ANY semi-auto rifle. But you and the rest of these fools that were yelling about them wouldn’t shut the (bleep) up so we had Las Vegas.

And PLEASE don’t try to tell ME that you and the rest of the naysayers didn’t have at least SOMETHING to do with putting the idea to use one into that fool’s mind in Vegas. You had as much of a responsibility to NOT put an idea like that into the head of a mal-content with hair in his ears and an IQ of about 90 or less as anyone in the media and you shirked it! So now we have the idiots in the DOJ trying to define a piece of PLASTIC as a “machine gun”.

Do you see now what you and other inveterate, uneducated chronic complainers can do to TOTALLY (bleep) things up for legitimate, LEGAL gun owners?

Merry Christmas everyone.