The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award
Rifleman has the best throwing arm in a sports movie; Salvucci's handoff lost the game; Brian Riley should have gone to USC
In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:44Read transcript
- One take is that Rifleman, who uncorks two throws, has the best throwing arm ever seen in a sports movie, maybe anywhere, including a perfect throw on the run that looks to go 50 yards, likened to a Drake-made (as transcribed) deep ball.
- The rolling-right bomb that is dropped is called a gorgeous pass and probably the best throw in a sports movie, unlike the double used for Craig Sheffer in The Program, with comparisons to Randall Cunningham, Jeff George, a hard left-handed rifle arm and spiral, Elway and Byron Left (as transcribed).
- Another take is that Brian Riley 100% should have gone to USC on a full ride to play linebacker and brought his pregnant girlfriend, since he is worse off by staying.
- Early-80s USC boosters would have paid him under the table, maybe 50K or 75K when he tried to turn it down; the boring answer is that her family is her support system there.
- During the game discussion, a participant's hottest take is that the loss is Vinnie Salvucci's fault: taking a handoff to the right the left arm has to be up, and on the tape Salvucci has his right arm up.
- On a show like First Take, the zag would be that Nickerson gets extended as coach of the year while Salvucci gets cut and film-smart types like Orlovsky break down the handoff.