Matt's Musings

Over the next 25 weeks I'll be rolling out my favorite films of the last decade. This is, as all lists of this kind, personal selections. Agree, disagree, make a comment and share your thoughts! No. 11 Dunkirk (2017) Starring : Fionn Whitehead, Tom Hardy, Harry Styles, and Kenneth Branagh Director : Christopher Nolan Academy Award Nominations : 8 Academy Award Wins : 3 (Best Editing, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing) About : I love Nolan as a filmmaker. He's made some of the best films of the last two decades, and clearly for me "Dunkirk" is added to that list. While I loved the technique and story of "1917," which was released in 2019, "Dunkirk" is the film that made this list. There is a lot to like about the production and storytelling here. There is a strong cast that gives good performances, but the star here is the technique and the story. Nolan does some interesting things with a timeline in trying to tell this important story of a cruc...

Tight end is a tough position. If you go early and grab someone like Travis Kelce or George Kittle, you’re set at the position. But if you like to wait, the challenge is to find one of those late round players that can give you stability and a lift at the position. That’s what makes Tyler Higbee interesting. The Rams’ tight end wasn’t even always the favored person at the position on his own team in 2019, and yet his stretch at the end of the season is tough to ignore. So his ADP is soaring, but is he a good bet going the season? Let’s consider the evidence. Higbee’s Performance Higbee was drafted in the fourth round in 2016. While he’s played in all but one game of his four-year NFL career, Higbee wasn’t a huger performer on the field for his first three seasons. In 2017 he had 25 receptions for 295 yards and a touchdown and in 2018 followed that up with 24 receptions for 292 yards and two TDs . That made him largely an afterthought in fantasy drafts. And yet, the Rams seemed to make ...

I miss football, and sports in general. I'm guessing you do, too. And in the place of actual games, we've been seeing a lot of countdowns of classic games, players, etc. And that got me thinking about my own favorite team, the Denver Broncos. I have loved the Denver Broncos since I was a little kid, more than 30 years of fandom. I started watching them in the late 1980s, and have been faithful ever since. So I thought it might be fun to take a little walk down memory lane and consider my favorite players from those teams. So this is just a personal list, that will be presented in reverse order starting at number 30. Agree, disagree, have your own stories? Share them in the comments. No. 23 Elvis Dumervil (2006-2012) About: As the countdown continues, we get to a guy who played his heart out for Denver before heading to rival Baltimore thanks to some kind of technical fax issue. That was heart-breaking. I wish Dumervil had finished his career a Bronco, but to me he'll alway...

The NFL Draft is over, so it's time to go back, revisit rankings, and see how the draft spots have impacted the way we view the players at the four crucial positions heading into (fantasy) football season. Today I begin with the quarterbacks. This list includes the Top 25 for me in 2020. If you play in Superflex or a 2QB league, you're going deeper than 25. But this should give you an idea of guys I see as QB1 and QB2s, assuming a standard 12-team league size. And, of course, Lamar Jackson remains atop this list thanks to his incredible performance in 2019. In the rest of this list, I'm looking at guys I think will bounce back from injuries, remain solid, or take a step forward in their second and third year. What is noticeably absent are folks like Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert, and by extension Ryan Fitzpatrick. While those guys will undoubtedly be interesting to watch, and some may put up good numbers while they're in there, it seems probable they don't hold ...

Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week. Honey Boy (Amazon Prime) Starring: Shia LeBeouf, Lucas Hedges, and Noah Jupe Synopsis: This film was written by LeBeouf as part of his recovery, and so you get the sense it is very personal. In fact, it's likely a close approximation of his life story and his relationship with his own father, who he plays in this film. It's about a young actor, played as a boy traumatized by an abusive, alcoholic father by Jupe and as a young adult battling his own demons by Hedges. As a young adult Otis (Hedges) drinks too much and winds up in rehab after getting in legal trouble. As he's going through counseling, he remembers the difficult times with his father (LeBeouf), and how that plays into his current issues. There are some strong performances here, but this movie is a little weird at times. It probably is more of a metta experience for LeBeouf, or those who've suffered similarly, than as a general piece of entertainment. Ra...

We're past Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer. The network season is officially over, as it were, and now we're on to summer programming. There aren't as many new series right now, but there still are some. In these weekly posts I look at the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this summer. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Monday Nights: Barkskins, Mondays at 9 p.m. on NatGeo (Premiered May 25) About: This latest NatGeo series is based on the novel from Anne Proulx, and focuses on a group of people trying to navigate the rough circumstances and conditions of "New France" in what is now the United States in the 1600s. The limited series is eight episodes, the first two of which premiered Monday for the holiday. It has some recognizeable actors, including David Thewlis and Marcia Gay Harden, but it's also a bit rough around the edges in terms of content, etc. For fans of historical fiction, especially those that...

Now that the draft is over, and while we have some time to fill before teams come back, it's time to once again look at the positional units the Broncos have assembled for 2020. Today I'm continuing with the secondary group. Secondary: On the Roster: A.J. Bouye, Bryce Callahan, Essang Bassey, Kareem Jackson, Michael Ojemudia, De'Vante Bausby, Duke Dawson, Jr., Davontae Harris, Shakial Taylor, Issac Yiadom, Justin Simmons, Trey Marshall, Douglas Coleman III, Alijah Holder, P.J. Locke, and Kahani Smith About: This is an important and talented group at some levels, but there are plenty of questions at other levels. And this is a group that could provide the most intrigue among positions on defense. There are some locks. Simmons has been franchised, and figures to start at safety alongside Jackson. They were a powerful duo last year, and should be the same again this year. And Bouye, who was brought in via trade, is going to be the team's top corner. Beyond that, well it...

Over the next 25 weeks I'll be rolling out my favorite films of the last decade. This is, as all lists of this kind, personal selections. Agree, disagree, make a comment and share your thoughts! No. 12 Knives Out (2019) Starring: Chris Evans, Daniel Craig, Michael Shannon, Jamie Lee Curtis, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, LaKeith Stanfield, and Ana de Armas Director: Rian Johnson Academy Award Nominations : 1 Academy Award Wins : 0 About: This list continues with one of the newest films on this list, and my favorite from last year. This was atop my list for a variety of reasons, but most of it has to do with the excellent writing and directing from Johnson. He will make another appearance on this list, and he's a fascinating filmmaker. This was a movie that I really enjoyed, A LOT. I saw it a few times in the theater and purchased it when it became available. This whodunit is a lot of fun, and very clever. Just when you think you've figured it out comes another twist. There ...

Finding a weapon at running back, particularly later in a draft, is a gold mine for fantasy owners. And that’s what makes today’s subject, Raheem Mostert, so fascinating. When last we saw Mostert, he was dominating in the playoffs as the 49ers advanced to the Super Bowl. In three games in the post-season, Mostert rushed for 336 yards and five TDs for the 49ers, including 220 yards and four TDs in the NFC Championship Game against the Packers . And that came following a stout stretch to end the 2019 season. Mostert finished the 2019 season with 772 yards and eight touchdowns , doing most of that damage in the final five games he played in the season. His role as the seeming lead back for the 49ers attack to end the season and in the playoffs puts him in prime position heading into 2020. And yet, questions abound. That’s clear when considering Mostert’s ADP, which currently sits as RB 29 in PPR and RB 25 in Standard , making him an RB3. But if he’s the player that ran for 220 yards and f...

I miss football, and sports in general. I'm guessing you do, too. And in the place of actual games, we've been seeing a lot of countdowns of classic games, players, etc. And that got me thinking about my own favorite team, the Denver Broncos. I have loved the Denver Broncos since I was a little kid, more than 30 years of fandom. I started watching them in the late 1980s, and have been faithful ever since. So I thought it might be fun to take a little walk down memory lane and consider my favorite players from those teams. So this is just a personal list, that will be presented in reverse order starting at number 30. Agree, disagree, have your own stories? Share them in the comments. No. 24 John Lynch (2004-2007) About: As the list continues, I'm looking at a guy that wasn't drafted by the Broncos but came and made an impact. Lynch was already an established NFL star when he arrived in Denver. At that point he'd already played 11 years in Tampa Bay, making five Pro B...

The 2020 Draft is in the books, and in the wake of the draft it's time to look at where these rookies sit as we prepare for dynasty drafts. Over the next few weeks I'll be looking at my post-draft rookie rankings by position. Today I conclude with tight ends. This is a tough position, and one that's not likely to be a big part of most rookie drafts. In fact, if you're taking a tight end before the end of the third or fourth round in deeper leagues, you're probably desperate. In my rookie drafts so far, I haven't really felt that need. And it's probably a toss up as to who will hit. But below are some guesses, based on landing spot and potential. Again, if you need a tight end in 2020, you're best bet is to try and find one in trade. It's highly unlikely any of these guys hits in 2020. 1. Adam Trautman, New Orleans Saints: This is a case of being the best landing spot. Jared Cook is there and will be the starter in 2020, but Trautman lands in a good ...

Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week. Fighting With My Family (Amazon Prime) Starring: Florence Pugh, Lena Headey, Nick Frost, Jack Lowden, Vince Vaughn, and Dwayne Johnson Synopsis: This film is based on the true story of Saraya Knight, a WWE performer. It traces her start in England and her rise to become a household name. It also tells the story of her quirky family and the scout who discovered her and championed her run. There have been a lot of films that have touched on the world of wrestling with varying degrees of quality, but I actually thought this film was pretty fun. It helps that they were blessed with Pugh in the lead role. Between this, "Midsommar" and her Academy Award-nominated turn in "Little Women," Pugh had quite the 2019. This one's streaming free on Amazon right now and a bit of light, fun entertainment to fill those quarantine nights. Rating: PG-13 for crude and sexual material, language throughout, some violence and drug c...

As we turn the page into a sort of summer, we're getting some interesting options. But are any of those options really good? That's the question. In these weekly posts I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted series. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks. Sunday Nights: I Know This Much Is True, Sundays at 9 p.m. on HBO (Premiered May 10) About: This new series, based on a novel, stars Mark Ruffalo as a set of twins. Both are adults and struggling. One struggles with mental health issues. And one struggles with the weight of being a caretaker and his own life of grief. It's an excellent lead performance, and it's well made. But this is some incredibly heavy material. There is death and grief and sorrow in spades, and if you're familiar with the source material you'd know that doesn't change going forward. The question right now is how much punishment you can take. I was moved by the story and performance, but it is tough e...

Now that the draft is over, and while we have some time to fill before teams come back, it's time to once again look at the positional units the Broncos have assembled for 2020. Today I'm continuing with the linebacker group. Linebackers: On the Roster: Von Miller, Bradley Chubb, Todd Davis, Alexander Johnson, Malik Reed, Justin Hollins, Josey Jewell,  Jeremiah Attaochu, Josh Watson, Joe Jones, Malik Carney, Justin Strnad, Derrek Tuszka, and Tre' Crawford About : In a 3-4 defense, the linebackers are the heart of the attack, and that's true for Denver. Last year, in Vic Fangio's first with the Broncos, there was great excitement to see what he'd do with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. Then Chubb got hurt. But the hope remains for this season and Chubb returns. In the middle, the Broncos appeared to find an answer in Johnson, who figures to start alongside Davis. That gives the Broncos a solid starting group of Chubb and Miller outside, then Davis and Johnson insi...

Over the next 25 weeks I'll be rolling out my favorite films of the last decade. This is, as all lists of this kind, personal selections. Agree, disagree, make a comment and share your thoughts! No. 13 Sicario (2015) Starring : Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, and Benicio Del Toro Director:  Denis Villeneuve Academy Award Nominations : 3 Academy Award Wins : 0 About: This is the second film in a row penned by Taylor Sheridan. Last week it was a film he directed himself in "Wind River," but this is one he wrote that was directed by Villeneuve, who will make another entry on this list in the coming weeks. The film is a taut drama, and one that features some great performances and some memorable scenes. I really enjoyed a lot of the way this film was put together, but particularly the work from Blunt. In fact, the sequel focusing solely on Del Toro and Brolin is one of the reasons it's not quite as good. But this first film had a style and plot that I really appreciated. It...

No one had a better 2020 draft than Drew Lock. Taken in the second round of the 2019 draft, it was fair to wonder most of last season if the Broncos had buyers’ remorse. There were even questions if Lock would be activated and see the field at all, despite the fact the Broncos’ offense looked pitiful with Joe Flacco and Brandon Allen at the helm. But Lock finally made his debut in December, and went 4–1 as a starter. It was a good sign for the team and fans. Even better, the Broncos have spent the off-season — and particularly the draft — building a team around Lock. That means he’ll have every chance to succeed in 2020. That also comes with the weight of expectation. So how should you think about Lock in your 2020 drafts? A Franchise QB? Lock was one of the top prospects at the position heading into the 2019 draft. Some thought he’d go in the first round, and the Broncos seemed like a logical destination. The team had seemed interested in Lock and held the No. 10 pick in the draft. Th...

I miss football, and sports in general. I'm guessing you do, too. And in the place of actual games, we've been seeing a lot of countdowns of classic games, players, etc. And that got me thinking about my own favorite team, the Denver Broncos. I have loved the Denver Broncos since I was a little kid, more than 30 years of fandom. I started watching them in the late 1980s, and have been faithful ever since. So I thought it might be fun to take a little walk down memory lane and consider my favorite players from those teams. So this is just a personal list, that will be presented in reverse order starting at number 30. Agree, disagree, have your own stories? Share them in the comments. No. 25 Phillip Lindsay (2018-) About: I have always loved to root for the underdog, and in the NFL that doesn't get much bigger than being an undrafted player. The Broncos have had a knack for finding undrafted players, letting them get a chance, and watching them shine. Lindsay isn't the o...

The 2020 Draft is in the books, and in the wake of the draft it's time to look at where these rookies sit as we prepare for dynasty drafts. Over the next few weeks I'll be looking at my post-draft rookie rankings by position. Today I continue with wide receivers. This is the biggest group of rookies I ranked, going with a Top 20 here. It's also the group I've probably adjusted the most in the days and weeks since the draft. I love CeeDee Lamb, and he was my top guy at the position pre-draft. Then his landing spot caused me some concern, but in the time since I've talked myself back into him being the best here, and possibly, in the entire class. In fact, I've since taken him at 1.01 in a league. This is also a deep group. It's possible more than a dozen of these guys will have an impact on fantasy rosters and teams, albeit not all in 2020. But, still, I like this class and the value a lot. So here's my Top 20. 1. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys: Lamb is a p...