Author: jrike10

2021 NFL Preview: Another valiant attempt at predicting the NFL season, and my picks for Super Bowl LVI

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The 2021 NFL season kicks off tomorrow night with one of the most electric matchups I can recall from my time as a fan — Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers against Dak Prescott and my Dallas Cowboys (I just want the Boys to escape Florida without any major injuries, though a miracle would be … Continue reading 2021 NFL Preview: Another valiant attempt at predicting the NFL season, and my picks for Super Bowl LVI

2021 NFL Preview: 11 storylines to track, and the 11 games that will test them

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I say this every year, but I can legitimately say that I am more excited for this NFL season than I’ve ever been for a football kickoff. Both of my teams, the Ravens and Cowboys, have reason for optimism after uneven 2020 seasons. Beyond those two, though, there’s plenty of intrigue and must-watch action to … Continue reading 2021 NFL Preview: 11 storylines to track, and the 11 games that will test them

State of the Orlando Magic: Why Jalen Suggs could be Orlando’s next superstar

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I first conceptualized this post in early June, back when the Orlando Magic were coming off an absolutely abysmal 2020-21 season. Back then, the tenor was unabating gloom, and for good reason: a midseason trade deadline that saw the playoff core jettisoned across the NBA, injuries to the top two long-term prospects and a lowly … Continue reading State of the Orlando Magic: Why Jalen Suggs could be Orlando’s next superstar

Essay: I’m Taking on the Chicago Marathon in a Pandemic Year and Don’t Regret It (Yet)

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The following article is a reported personal essay I developed through my Journalism class this spring. Enjoy! The opportunity to run the 2021 Bank of America Chicago Marathon was just too enticing to pass up.  Never mind that I hadn’t run seriously for two years and hadn’t completed even a half marathon. The race’s Oct. … Continue reading Essay: I’m Taking on the Chicago Marathon in a Pandemic Year and Don’t Regret It (Yet)

A Million More on the Way: Exploring the Economic Exploitation of Technology in Jurassic Park and Attack of the Clones

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The following is an essay I wrote as my final paper for my Film Technology class at Northwestern. Enjoy! Directors George Lucas and Stephen Spielberg transformed the cinema industry in the 1970s, sharing both a friendship and status as leaders in the New Hollywood movement. The 70s saw the pair release blockbusters, Spielberg’s Jaws (1975) … Continue reading A Million More on the Way: Exploring the Economic Exploitation of Technology in Jurassic Park and Attack of the Clones

Rooting Guide for the 2020-21 NBA Playoffs

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The Orlando Magic’s 2020-21 season could not have gone much worse. The two franchise building blocks, Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac, missed pretty much all of the season, while starting lineup linchpins Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon were dealt to Chicago and Denver, respectively. The Magic sank to the bottom of the NBA and sent … Continue reading Rooting Guide for the 2020-21 NBA Playoffs

2021 NFL Mock Draft: Northwestern duo comes off the board early, Jones tumbles

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The Riker Block mock draft has officially become a tradition. Last year's mock draft had no shortage of bold picks, with some (Justin Herbert at 3, Justin Jefferson at 16) making their drafters look like geniuses and a handful of correctly predicted picks. Most of last year's cast of characters returned for the 2021 iteration, … Continue reading 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Northwestern duo comes off the board early, Jones tumbles

NFL Offseason: 49ers, Bucs Among Early Winners

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As with most pro sports leagues nowadays, the term “offseason” has become a misnomer in the NFL. The months following the Super Bowl, the most-watched sports event in America, are packed with contract decisions, free agent signings, pro days and combine performances for prospects, and, the highlight of the offseason, the NFL Draft from April … Continue reading NFL Offseason: 49ers, Bucs Among Early Winners

NFL Season in Review: Top Storylines, Quarterbacks, Games from a Thrilling Season

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Two gloomy, football-less Sundays have passed since the finale of the 2020 NFL season. But the football calendar hasn’t turned to its new year, giving me an excuse to return back to what was a thrilling season and knock out my season in review. In four downs, let’s look back on 21 weeks of madness.  … Continue reading NFL Season in Review: Top Storylines, Quarterbacks, Games from a Thrilling Season

Bucs stop here: Brady completes legendary season in Tampa Bay with Super Bowl win

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When Tom Brady joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I was in absolute shock. The look of 20-year New England Patriot and owner of a record six Super Bowl rings in the red and black of the Buccaneers was jarring, the rare instance of an all-time legend joining a small-market, side note of a team.  When … Continue reading Bucs stop here: Brady completes legendary season in Tampa Bay with Super Bowl win