Top Shot - Season 3

Dr.Rob said:

I don't think the target is in good taste--unless Jake is in on it and takes a chunk of the proceeds home.

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There are multiple ones of Jake (e.g. Holding a bat), so I'm sure it was with his consent.

I don't think the target is in good taste--unless Jake is in on it and takes a chunk of the proceeds home.

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You can be certain that Jake is getting a cut out of every target sold. It is illegal to use another person's name or likeness for commercial purposes without that person's consent.

For that reason alone I would never buy one of those targets. Jake is an embarassment as a man and, more damagingly, as a United States Naval Officer. He won't see a single cent from me.

hso said:

Just because you're not familiar with them doesn't make the stupid. I saw them on lots of guys on the flights back from Afghanistan and Iraq through Kuwait so I doubt those guys are stupid.

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Not to play to the "mall ninja" stereotype, but haven't the Japanese, specifically Ninjas been wearing those for centuries? The first place I ever saw them was on Sasuke (Ninja Warrior in America)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasuke_(TV_series)

My take

I for one was not a big fan of Mike coming back. I liked the guy, but, as Colby had said when he lost earlier "Unfortuantely, you have fired your last shot on Top Shot."

But, there he was again shooting.

I would have liked to see something like all 5 of the remaining shooters running that shootoff in a timed run. And Mike merely has to beat at least one to stay in...but only Mike can lose.

Maybe not as much entertainment value, but more inline with my values...

9mmepiphany said:

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I think we are talking about these

Not sure who made those pictured but the first type I was aware of from the Ranger guys was the Vibram Fivefinger shoes.

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/index.htm

Jake's strategy (try to eliminate the best shooter first) wasn't unsportsmanlike, but his behavior definitely was. He torpedoed his own plan by drawing a target on himself, and it became obvious everyone would vote against him. And despite all his "I'm the best" BS, he was obviously afraid he would lose to one of the other two. So scared as a matter of fact he didn't even want to try. That or the fact that everyone hated him just got too much for him to deal with. He is talented, but psychologically fragile enough to fall apart with the slightest failure.

Jake is an embarassment as a man........

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This is SO true and SO sad.........................................that it made me laugh really hard for just a second.

That's just awful. A five fingered shoe trying to be classy. It reminds me of a Keith Stone Keystone beer commercial. Just accept the fact that they look like sporty water shoes.

One of our shooters wears the Vibram toe shoes.
He is good enough that I am not going to criticize his choice of footwear.

To me they just look like... What's the best word for this? A shoe that, in my opinion really doesn't fill any niches.

I don't see a benefit with individual toe movement, because footwear is meant to protect the foot in every aspect, and in these, it just seems like it's going to be a helluva lot easier to break a toe... Just my loose change.

They do look like water-wear, but I don't really see how they "belong" or "benefit" in any sporting situation.

9mme,

You have a link to the forum with the behind the scenes info from the crew member? Sounds interesting.

I appreciate this thread. I watched St. Louis beat Milwaukee last night, so I missed Top Shot. Sounds like I missed some drama!!

To me they just look like... What's the best word for this? A shoe that, in my opinion really doesn't fill any niches.

I don't see a benefit with individual toe movement, because footwear is meant to protect the foot in every aspect, and in these, it just seems like it's going to be a helluva lot easier to break a toe... Just my loose change.

They do look like water-wear, but I don't really see how they "belong" or "benefit" in any sporting situation.

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Don't knock it till you try it. The idea of the shoe is that it allows flexibility of your whole foot, whereas a running shoes allows you to only bend at your ankle. Run around barefoot for a while and really concentrate on what your foot is doing. Then put on running shoes and you'll notice the difference. It can solve some problems relating to poor running form and in general is a much lighter shoe. The only problem is it doesn't provide any cushion so don't run on concrete.

Mike's Vibram Five Finger Shoes

There is a not-insignificant group of runners and other athletes that are moving towards barefoot activity, and the Vibram Five-Fingers are one of the shoes of choice. Some bio-mechanics folks feel there is a lot of good in going barefoot, and these shoes and others give you the barefoot bio-mechanics while protecting your feet.

I tried the Five-Fingers, and just had too much trouble getting my small toe in, and winter wear is a problem, too (requiring five-toed socks). About a month ago, I bought some Merrill Barefoot shoes, and they've been great.

There is an active thread on this topic that would probably be better for this discussion here http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=618377

But while we're on the topic:

The only problem is it doesn't provide any cushion so don't run on concrete

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This is why I can't wrap my 'mind' around wearing them. No, I haven't tried them and I can kinda see an interesting benefit, BUT I have seen people wear them to our 3-Gun matches and there is large stone gravel and all manner of sticks, spent shell casings, rocks, etc. all over that range area.

I just don't think it'd feel good to run or even walk over a good sized stone, or the equivalent, that protrudes up into the underarch of your foot.

I could literally see that 'dropping' me.

Hmm. Maybe I just have sensitive feet.

I guess the point of them is to reinforce (train?) the concept of walking on your toes and balls of your feet most of the time?

Other than wearing them in environments like that, I could see them being pretty comfortable around the house and yard.

quatin said:

Don't get disillusioned into thinking that anyone on the show isn't an already accomplished shooter in some field. "Bubba Jethro" would not make it on the show. Everyone has to be already active in competitive shooting, even if they don't do it full time.

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Really?

Dustin Ellerman

A bright and energetic summer camp director, Dustin Ellerman is an easy guy to like—and he aims to please. “I’m from Zavalla, Texas, a small town of 647 people,” says this self-taught marksman and avid hunter. “I sure don’t want to let them down.” Besides shooting pistols and rifles, Dustin is proficient with a compound bow; he also throws tomahawks and knives. A minister, accountant, lumberjack, husband, father of two and foster father of three, Dustin lives in the middle of the Angelina National Forest and considers himself a Renaissance man. “I’m a nice guy,” he says, “but I can be too outspoken and honest—if I don’t like you, I won’t hide it.”

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No mentione of any "active ... competitive shooting". Dustin validated this in an interview with the Lufkin Daily News.

Despite not actively participating in competitive shooting, Dustin may just be the single-best all-around marksman from all three seasons. In my mind, Dustin is the consummate "Bubba Jethro" (he hails from a town of fewer than 650 people in Texas) and probably one of the best-prepared Top Shot competitors to date.

Dr.Rob said:

Dustin might be the best 'overall' shooter, he's certainly likeable.

I'd like to see Dustin or Gary win.

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Plus 1 , and I have been wearing footwear with Vibram soles since the 1970's and I never knew it was pronounced "Veebrum" I always thought it was "VeyeBram"

Dustin and Gary are the most likeable shooters so far in the competition. For me Dustin has performed the best overall. Gary hasn't really done well so far in the individual events.

It looks like I'll never fully understand why Jake would quit in the middle of a competition due to some setback. Imagine his hero Attila didn't cross the Danube because the water was too cold.