If the internet has taught us anything it's this: imitation as the sincerest form of flattery is taken to a whole other level. Two weeks ago, UConn backup quarterback Johnny McEntee made a YouTube trick-shot video and became an overnight sensation.
Earlier today, we learned of eight-year-old Daron Bryden's skills because -- you guessed it -- he also has his very own football trick-shot video.
Much like Chris Crocker's "Leave her alone!" YouTube plea in 2007 that spawned hundreds of imitators and spoofs, we're probably in the early stages of trick-shot quarterback videos. For instance, meet Monmouth College quarterback Alex Tanney who has a five-minute clip showcasing skills that include everything from completing a pass out his living room window into a moving truck on the street below, to hitting the crossbar from the 40-yard-line while on one knee.
(Worth mentioning: that trick is a lot less spectacular when you remember that prior to the 2003 NFL Draft, then Cal QB Kyle Boller impressed coaches and scouts by pulling off a similar feat. Eight years later and his celebrity claim to fame is that he's Carrie Prejean's husband.)
I think McEntee gets the edge for originality, obviously, but also for production value. Of course, Tanney uses Wiz Khalifa's ubiquitous* "Black and Yellow" so he gets points for that. If you're looking for more detailed side-by-side comparisons, Yahoo.com's Dr. Saturday breaks down both efforts.
Whatever, if you're partial to the beat-you-about-the-head repetitiveness of internet memes, get ready to enjoy the surplus of trick-shot videos poised to inundate the internet. Consider this a warning.
* Ubiquitous = "You can't go five seconds without hearing that beat. Please make it stop. Please make it stop now."
