Top 10 Survivors Who Never Got a Second Chance

Survivor has been played by over 600 players.  Some have come back to play a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or even 5th time!  But then some never played again.  In fact, a large majority of players only play once.  But there are ten I can pick out that I wish had played again.  These ten players Survivor really missed out on by not casting them again while their seasons were still fairly recent.  These ten will likely never play again, so there's no one past season 30 on here.  So this is my tribute to them.  My ten favorite one-time players who will likely never play again.  Here they are:

10. Carolyn Rivera ("Mama C") - Worlds Apart
Mama C was a very good player, and she was fairly likable.  I wasn't a huge fan of who she aligned with, but she played a good game, nonetheless.  A part of me feels she deserved the win over Mike, since Mike had to immunity and idol his way to the end.  She voiced on the Top 100 players of all time video on Russell Hantz's YouTube channel that she wants to play again, but I feel like it's too late, as she was already in her early 50's when her season aired.  

9. Ian Rosenberger - Palau
How can we not want to see a guy who voluntarily stepped down from the longest challenge ever back?  And he did so to save face and have a decent relationship with Tom and Katie after the show.  But I believe he has been approached about playing again, but he turned down producers.  I'm sure if they gave him enough of an appearance fee, he would've played again.  Oh well.

8. Taj George - Tocantins
Being a minor celebrity, Taj probably doesn't want to play again.  But she was like a second Cirie Fields.  She was likable, and if not for JT and Stephen, she might have won.  Well, she would've needed to outlast the Timbira members.  Anyway, I wish she had maybe played Blood vs. Water with her husband, former NFL running back Eddie George.  That would've been cool.

7. Hayden Moss - Blood vs. Water
Hayden clearly showed he was a gamer, and his skills from Big Brother translated fairly well to the game of Survivor.  I wish we had seen Hayden on Second Chance or Game Changers.  He would've been a more interesting player on GC than Caleb.  I loved his ability to convince Ciera to force a rock draw with Tyson.  

6. Cao Boi - Cook Islands
The man that came up with the splitting the votes tactic!  Plan Voodoo!  How could we not have seen Cao Boi back?  I honestly think I would've preferred him on Micronesia over Yau Man (especially considering how early of a boot Yau Man was).  Maybe they didn't bring him back because of his racial insensitivity (to his own race, mind you), and also maybe the fact he didn't make the merge.  

5. Earl Cole - Fiji
Earl is the one winner on this list, and man, I would've liked to have seen him back.  He was such a likable guy on a season that isn't particularly likable.  He would've made a good Hero on HvV or probably a more interesting player on Blood vs. Water (with his wife?) than Aras, and he certainly would've been a welcome addition on Winners at War.  Unfortunately, he had to turn it down due to his wife recently giving birth.  

4. Theresa "T-Bird" Cooper - Africa
Each time I watch Season 3, Africa, I like T-Bird more and more.  I like how she wasn't intimidated by Lex at all.  I like her southern accent.  And she's just a sweet, southern lady.  I would've much preferred her on All-Stars over Tina or Jenna Lewis.  They could've had four from Africa on All-Stars as they had four from Australian Outback (Tina, Colby, Amber, Jerri).

3. Marty Piombo - Nicaragua
Marty was a gamer.  He was incredibly smart and was voted out way too soon.  He was maybe (even at the time) ahead of his time.  He should've come back to show his full potential.  But by this point, it's probably too late.  If he was originally cast on a more memorable season, we might've seen him back.

2. Heidi Strobel/Hamels - Amazon
When you think of Survivor Amazon, who are the first players that come to mind?  For me, it's Rob C, Jenna, and Heidi.  And let me also ask you this.  What Survivor player in history best fulfills the dumb blonde stereotype?  You probably think Heidi.  Yet she has never played again.  Such a shame.  Again, she easily could've replaced her friend Jenna on All-Stars, and should've, given Jenna's mom's health at the time.  

1. Shane Powers - Panama/Exile Island
Such a shame that a character like Shane never played again.  And he was willing to, too.  He was on the HvV cast until he was cut for Russell Hantz at the last minute.  He was on the ballot for Cambodia: Second Chance, but somehow missed the cut (come on, people!).  By this point, it's probably too late.  He's probably also given up on reappearing as well.  Shane's just a unique, fun character to watch, and one that you hardly ever see on Survivor.  Again, such a shame.

Re-ranking My Top 10 NFL Commentators and Analysts (And my least favorite!)

Six years ago I ranked my Top 10 NFL broadcasters.  I thought it would be time to re-rank them since some have moved to other networks and my opinions have changed.  First, I will pick my Top 5 for each commentator/play-by-play and analysts/color commentary.  I don't think comparing the two is fair, so I'll rank them separately. 

First, let's do analysts:

5. Trent Green, CBS
He's ok.  He's only on this list because I dislike hearing the commentary of every other commentator out there (besides the 4 ahead of him).  He's knowledgeable, and his voice is fairly pleasant.

4. Mark Schlereth, FOX
For an offensive lineman, Schlereth knows his stuff.  He's also got a great voice for television.  

3. Daryl Johnston, FOX
Daryl is an old-timer as I remember when I first got into watching NFL football, he was doing color commentary way back then.  He's also got a great voice for television and knows his stuff.

2. Tony Romo, CBS
Tony is liked for his ability to predict things, his reaction to plays, and the noises he makes.  But I like him for his knowledge when he points out things we normally wouldn't notice.  

1. Cris Collinsworth, NBC
You either love him or hate him, and I gotta say, I love him.  His voice was made for football.  I will admit he can become a bit annoying, but so can any color commentator.


And now, play-by-play guys:

5. Kevin Burkhardt, FOX
Kevin has great inflection in his voice when calling exciting plays, so it makes for great TV.  He's now the lead NFL guy for FOX after Buck's departure, and I'm all for it.

4. Ian Eagle, CBS
For some reason, we in Seattle get many of Ian's games.  Anyway, he blends a smooth voice with a great knowledge of the game and its players.  It's a great combination.

3. Mike Tirico, NBC
The reason I'm glad Al Michaels left NBC for Amazon is so we could hear Mike Tirico more.  He's got such a great voice and made some great calls.  "Hauled in by Jennings, the Packers win in overtime!  Unbelievable!"  And who could forget the Fail Mary? "Fought for by Tate with Jennings, who has it, who they give it to?  TOUCHDOWN!!!"  And, "... in one of the most bizarre finishes you'll EVER see!"  Look forward to hearing him make more of those.

2. Kevin Harlan, CBS
He's still one of the best and the most underrated.  He's the ultimate play-by-play guy.  His voice was made for it.  I wish CBS would put him with Tony Romo because that pairing would be *chef's kiss*.  I challenge anyone to find a play-by-play guy with a better voice when calling huge/dramatic plays. 

1. Al Michaels, Amazon
The one thing making Amazon's Thursday Night Football tolerable is Al Michaels.  Kirk Herbstreit isn't bad, but Al Michaels carries it.  Al is such a comforting presence and voice; he's like if everyone's grandpa decided to call games.  All your anxieties and stresses fade away when listening to Al call a game.  And I love it when Al makes snide remarks, like the Harvey Weinstein one or when the fans were chanting "bullshit," and he said, "That's the loudest manure chant I've ever heard."  Classic Al.

Ok, now that that's done, I thought I'd rank my least favorite analysts and commentators (from ok to least favorite).  If they're a part of the game, these guys will make me watch a different game (or not watch at all).  These will be a mix of color commentary and play-by-play guys.

Dishonorable Mention: Beth Mowins, CBS
Her voice is just so unpleasant (and it has nothing to do with her being a woman).  I recently told my girlfriend that it's like hearing Phil and Lil's mom from Rugrats calling a game.  Literally, any female sideline reporter that CBS employs would be better.  And she's only a dishonorable mention because she doesn't call NFL games that often (thank God).

5. Jonathan Vilma, FOX
Rarely do linebackers make good color commentators.  Vilma is no exception.  He's annoying and provides very little insightful content.  His voice isn't awful, but it isn't the best.

4. Mark Sanchez, FOX
He just says the dumbest stuff.  He's as bad at color commentary as he was as a QB.  His voice is mediocre at best.  Sometimes I just wish he'd shut the heck up.

3. Greg Gumbel, CBS
It's such a shame.  Greg used to be one of my favorites.  He messes up players' names on a routine basis now.  He really should copy his former partner Dan Dierdorf and retire.  But back in the late 90s/early 2000s, he and Dan were one of the best.  But now the pairing of him and Adam Archuleta is just sad.  

2. Charles Davis, CBS
First off, I hate the sound of his voice.  CBS thinks it makes for great TV, but it's just annoying.  I wish I could mute the broadcast whenever he speaks.  Secondly, his voice only reminds me of how he is in the newer Madden video games and how trash those games are nowadays.  His commentary is rarely insightful, and he says obvious things fairly often.  Fortunately for him, he's paired with Ian Eagle.  That broadcast sure is lopsided.

1. Chris Myers, FOX
I despise FOX whenever they assign him to call a Seahawks game.  Just in the past month, he has covered 3 of the past 4 Seahawk games.  So why don't I like him?  His voice is way too guttural, and he says the corniest and stupidest things.  I wouldn't be surprised if his normal talking voice was distinctly different (like Brian Baumgartner from The Office).  He's a good sideline reporter, but in the booth, he is AWFUL.  He is the only one of these that makes me mute a broadcast and listen to the radio instead.  His worst call of all time has to be when Richard Sherman picked off a pass and was headed to the end zone, and Myers said, "He's got followers, and not just on Twitter!"  So terribly awful and corny.  I hate that my Seahawks are usually on the same network that employs Chris Myers.  He cannot retire soon enough.

Final remarks: There were a lot of well-known broadcasters that didn't make my list that I'd like to comment on.  Joe Buck and Troy Aikman are okay; I can tolerate them to an extent.  They'd be closer to the bottom than the top for me, though.  Another that might be near the bottom for me (and would probably surprise you) is Jim Nantz.  He has a great voice, but his commentary has gotten worse recently.  He's reacted slowly to plays and doesn't have a great voice for exciting plays (probably why he does golf).  He's a terrific narrator but doesn't handle exciting plays particularly well.  Anyone else I haven't mentioned is basically middle-of-the-road for me; I can take them or leave them.

Apps on my phone and what I use them for

You can tell a lot about a person by what apps they have installed on their phone.  You can figure out where they shop, what games they like, how they connect with people, and how they entertain themselves.  So I thought I would share the apps on my phone and what I use them for.  This isn't every single app, as I'm not counting ones that were already on my phone when I got it.  These are in alphabetical order:

ActiveBuilding - This is for our apartment lease and to check on things with our complex.  I can post and read bulletins and access messages from our leasing managers.  I usually just go on my computer to do these things, but when I'm out and about and I need to check something, I can.

Disney+ - An entertainment viewing app.  I love watching things on my phone.  I've watched a few movies on here as well as Star Wars: The Clone Wars.  

Door Dash - My favorite restaurant delivery app.  They have a lot of restaurant partners that offer free delivery.  I haven't had a problem with them yet (although my girlfriend has).  I'd say I use this once or twice a month.

Drive Safe - My auto insurance, State Farm, offers this program as a way to earn a discount for safe driving.  Combined with a beacon I keep in my car, I can use this app to check my trips to see how safe (or unsafe) I drove.  It tracks my car through GPS so I can see exact routes I have taken, if I happen to drive on unfamiliar roads.

DVD Netflix - Netflix originally started out as a DVD through the mail subscription service.  I still to this day to subscribe to this service, as they offer more content this way.  They just came out with an app in the past year so that I can add movies to my queue on the go.  

Fandango - The main service I use to purchase movie tickets.  With reserved seating more common than ever, buying tickets in advance is now the way to go.  When I have to do that, I use the Fandango app.

Harry Potter - Officially called "Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery", this app came out in April of 2018.  It's a Harry Potter role-playing game.  I've put quite a bit of time into this game as it's the mobile game I have played most the last two years for sure.  I am currently taking a break from it (because of lack of content), but I will get back to it someday.  

Hulu - I use this to watch various TV shows, mostly.  It's one of three streaming apps I have on my phone.  

iHeartRadio - A music streaming app I like, although I don't use it that much at all.  May remove some day.

IMDb - As a long time user of this site (since 2005, I believe), I love going on IMDb and checking movie and TV show casts.  Whenever I see an actor I recognize in a TV show or movie, I go on here to check what else I may have seen them in.

Imgur - I use this to upload images and memes so that I can share them with others, either directly or on social media.  

Instagram - Social media picture app.  If I take an interesting picture, I'll generally put it on my Instagram profile using this.

Layout - I use this fairly rarely to make a photo collage for an Instagram post.  They can make a collage of up to 9 photos in one, which I've used to celebrate different occasions.

LivexLive - This formerly was "Slacker Radio", and yes I believe it came on my phone, but I do have the option to remove it, if I so choose.  But I don't because I really like it.  I use this to listen to music fairly often.  My favorite are the countdowns (or "count-ups") they do.

Meme Generator - I use this to create memes, obviously.  I usually do that for people's birthdays to post on their social medias.

Mercari - This is an app I installed recently.  It's like eBay, but a little more user friendly.  You can either buy or sell basically anything.  I have posted a few items to sell that haven't sold yet, but hopefully will some day.

Messenger - Officially "Facebook Messenger", this is the app I use to communicate with others most often.  

MLB - The official MLB app.  I use it to check the scores of Mariners games and get updates on their games, for example scoring changes and final scores.

Netflix - The third of my streaming apps.  I use this to watch various movies or TV shows when I'm not by my TV.  

NFL - The official NFL app.  I use this to check on NFL scores and news, but also to watch NFL games through the NFL Game Pass.

Pedometer - This is the best pedometer app to see how much you walk each day.  It will keep track of all your days and give you charts and reports on your step totals and distance covered.

Reddit - Perhaps the app I spend the most time on now.  Reddit is good for checking up on the latest news and memes.  There's a subreddit for literally everything, so if you have an interest, others do too and you can share posts and comment on them with others.

Rocketbook - Another newer app I got.  I recently purchased a Rocketbook after seeing their pitch on "Shark Tank".  It's basically a reusable notebook that you can very quickly upload scans of to your computer, Google Drive, email, etc.  I used this app to take a scan of my rough draft list for this very post.

Roku - I have a Roku on my TV in the bedroom.  I use the Roku app primarily to turn my phone into a remote, usually when I can't find my actual remote.  Works pretty darn well.

Safeway - My most often shopped grocery store, so I use this app to get coupons, discounts, and to see what's on sale.

Seahawks - As a huge Seahawks fan, I have to have their app.  I often have this app open during games to check stats, and I also use it to watch post game press conferences.  The app will also send me Seahawks news when it's official.

Smith Bros - A bit over a year ago, my girlfriend and I signed up for Smith Bros Dairy delivery, which is a dairy company that delivers dairy products and other food items to your home on a weekly basis.  They recently came out with an app so we can check our orders, add items, all from our phone.

State Farm - As a State Farm Insurance customer, I have to have this, right?  I don't use it much, but I like how they have our insurance cards on here in case I ever need to provide proof of insurance and I can't find my paper card.

Tasty - The app I most use to find new recipes.  I love how there are videos for every recipe, which really helps with cooking.  I use this whenever I am having trouble deciding what to make for dinner.  You can of course save recipes to make later or to make again.

Venmo - I use this to send and receive money between friends.  Not much else to it.

Wells Fargo - My banking app.  I use it to check on my recent transactions, my account balance, and to transfer money.

Xbox - I use this to check my Xbox achievements, generally.  Or to see who is online.  Don't use it much.

YouTube - The app I spend on most (besides Reddit) would be YouTube.  I most often watch YouTube videos on my phone rather than my TV.  

YT Music - My main music app.  I like how they track what you listen to and give you those songs again, so a personalized playlist.  And you can look ahead at the playlist they generate for you and if there's a song coming up you don't want to listen to, you can remove it.  


Well, that's all the apps I have on my phone.  If I install any others, I'll try to remember to add them here.  

Ten Greatest Athletes I Have Ever Watched

I am a big fan of sports, namely baseball, basketball, and football.  I have watched countless hours of each.  I am only 31 and I've only been watching sports since around the turn of the millennium, so these athletes will had to have played then or later.  I got inspired to do this post by the recent and sudden passing of one of them, as you'll see later down this list.  I make many reference to a GOAT, which isn't a farm animal, but the Greatest Of All Time in their respective sport.  So I discuss the possibility of these players being the GOAT in their respective sports league.  I did my best to include a variety of players, not just between my three favorite sports, but in regards to positions, offense and defense, hitting and pitching.

First though, I have to include some honorable mentions:
MLB: Randy Johnson, Roy Halladay, Albert Pujols
NBA: Dirk Nowitzki, Shaquille O'Neal, Kevin Garnett, Steve Nash
NFL: Tony Gonzalez, Ed Reed, Adrian Peterson, Brian Urlacher

10. Pedro Martinez, Starting Pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies
Boy this was a tough one.  I wanted to include a pitcher on this list, and there are so many good ones.  I went with Pedro, just because of how dominant he was for a stretch.  He had an ERA under 2.50 for FIVE straight years.  That's hard to do in one year.  That stretches out to seven years if you include an ERA under 3.00.  He was the most dominant pitcher around the turn of the millennium, which is why I included him.  When I first got into baseball, he was the best there was.

9. Ray Lewis, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
Ray was an incredible force at the linebacker position.  He helped anchor one of the greatest defenses of all time in the 2000 Ravens.  He also got the Ravens back to the big game in 2012 in his final season and won another Super Bowl.  He was just the most ferocious and tenacious linebacker, maybe even defensive player, I ever watched.  The Ravens almost always had a top ten defense while he was with them.  He also made the cover of Madden, not easy to do for a defensive player.

8. Mike Trout, Outfielder, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
He's barely into his career and he's already on this list?  Yup.  He has got off to such an insane start to his career, that if he were to double it or better, he would have the greatest hitting stat line in the history of baseball.  I've been able to see him excel at the game of baseball in all its facets, because he plays in the same division as my Seattle Mariners.  He's the epitome of the five tool player; it's like he was designed in a lab to be the best all-around baseball player ever seen.  His only downfall is his inability to do well in the playoffs, both with his team and individually.  He'll need a World Series ring to really enter the discussion as being one of the GOATs.

7. Tim Duncan, Forward, San Antonio Spurs
Timmay!  Tim Duncan defined class and gracefulness for a big man in his time in the NBA.  He won five NBA championships, the first and last separated by fifteen years.  His pull up shot was pretty as a picture, and his defense was always top-notch.  The San Antonio Spurs franchise would be nowhere without him.  I'd argue he was the best mid-range shooter among big men (6'10" or taller) in NBA history.

6. Drew Brees, Quarterback, New Orleans Saints
I think Drew is the most underrated quarterback maybe ever.  When people talk about the greatest quarterback of all time, they mention Brady, Manning, Montana, but hardly ever Brees.  Drew is going to end up holding most of the all-time passing records when his career is over.  Therefore, I had to include him on this list.  He was the first quarterback to really prove you don't have to be around 6'4" to be an all-time great quarterback.  He's had some great Saints teams recently, but unfortunately for them, each of the last three seasons has ended in heartbreak.

5. Derek Jeter, Shortstop, New York Yankees
He just got elected to the Hall of Fame, falling one vote shy of a unanimous decision.  He's one of the greatest all-around shortstops of all time.  He popularized a style of throw to first.  He became perhaps the greatest clutch hitter of his time.  The moment never seemed too big for one Derek Sanderson Jeter.  And he played in an era where his counterparts and rivals changed teams (Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols), but he didn't. 

4. LeBron James, Forward, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers
I think he's the most physically gifted basketball player of all time.  No one has had his physicality, quickness, explosiveness, and size all in one package.  He definitely could have played football if he had decided to.  But I think he chose correctly.  Currently, Michael Jordan is the greatest of all time, but if LeBron wins another ring or two, it'll be a fierce debate between the two as to who then is the G.O.A.T.

3. Peyton Manning, Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos
Peyton is one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game.  I don't know if there's ever been anyone better at adjustments at the line of scrimmage.  And to top it off, he had a great arm.  He's not only one of the smartest quarterbacks ever, but he's one of the smartest football players ever.  He is probably the one former player I'd most love to talk to about the X's and O's of football.

2. Kobe Bryant, Guard/Forward, Los Angeles Lakers
I am still stunned by his sudden passing.  He was younger than Tom Brady, who is still playing.  I only saw the tail end of MJ's career, and I lost interest in basketball after the Sonics left, so I only saw a few years of LeBron's career.  But I saw most of Kobe's, and he was special.  I don't think I've ever seen a prettier or more effective jump shot or fade-away shot.  And to win championships with and without Shaq proves that he didn't have to have him to win a championship.  To me, he's the GOAT basketball player.

1. Tom Brady, Quarterback, New England Patriots
He's the GOAT.  Period.  In the age of salary caps and quarterbacks being paid exuberant amounts, Tom has done the impossible and won six Super Bowls.  Unless there's a change in the NFL to the salary cap, I don't think this will ever happen again.  Tom has not only won, but he's won convincingly at times.  He had a period of ten years where he at least made it to the AFC Championship game.  That is insane.  He is the greatest athlete I have ever had the pleasure of watching.

Those are my Top 10 Athletes I Have Ever Seen.  If you didn't notice, I did not include any Seattle athletes, mainly because I am saving them for another list.  So look out for that soon.