Bert Sugar at The 2006 NFL Draft

Bert Sugar at The 2006 NFL Draft

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On my first visit to the NFL Draft last year, my good friend Bill Chachkes said "Hey Zennie, go over to (HBO Boxing Analyst) Bert Sugar and ask him for a cigar." So I did, and wound up in a great joke-telling conversation with Sugar and commentator and personality Roy Firestone. And I got a great cig.

So, I went up to Sugar again at the 2006 NFL Draft, and he remembered me and again presented me with a great cigar, and this time an excellent rumination on the Ukranian boxer Vladimir Klichco's problems in the ring.

He then smoothly moved from that topic to how he told the late Pete Rozelle that the NFL Draft was going to be a big thing years before it was. I love Bert. He's always got an opinion, a smile...and a cigar. Bert Sugar's a true New Yorker.

Formats available: Quicktime (.mov)

Shaq Gets In Touch With His Inner Superman - TV Spot Shows Melding Of Sports and Entertainment

In this newest trailer that was ran during the NBA Finals, Miami Heat Center Shaq O'Neill is intercut with scenes from the upcoming Superman movie. The NBA's done this melding of it's players and super hero movies for at least the last three years.

Here's Shaq and Superman:

Niners Offensive Coordinator Norv Turner Answers My Question About Scheme

Several months ago I sent in a question to San Francisco 49ers' offensive coordinator Norv Turner. Well he answered it on the 49ers website. Here it is:

Q: To what degree has the college game caught up with the NFL in scheme design in the passing game, in your view? I have three playbooks: 1999 St. Louis Rams, 2005 Notre Dame, and 2004 Cal Bears. What is interesting to me is that I can find the same double screen in two books, and more plays that are similar, than not. Have we reached an era of "scheme sameness?" Does this make it easier for a rookie QB like Ben Roethlisberger or the Niners Alex Smith to be successful? Zennie Abraham

A: I don’t think you are ever going to get to that degree actually because in the NFL it is much more based on personnel matchups than in college. There are also limitations to what you can do in the NFL. You are not going to have your quarterback do the type of things you would in college, like running the football. I think probably the biggest difference would be the individual matchups you have to handle. For instance let’s say a great pass rusher against a tackle - that might limit what you can do from a scheme standpoint in the NFL.

I think people oversimplify the transition for quarterbacks because it isn’t scheme that makes it difficult for a young quarterback. The difference is the level of play. The rush is much faster, more severe and the hits are a lot tougher on a young quarterback. The coverage, particularly in man coverage, is much better and closer. The margin of error is less in the NFL and you don’t get away with sloppy plays or poorly thrown balls. For young quarterbacks, the precision is much greater for them than in college and some guys just handle the adjustment quicker than others.

Whats so Funny Plaxico?

So Mr. Burris, why do you insist that you don't need to be in the Giants off-season program? Don't You remember how "Invisible" you were in the Play-off loss to Carolina, or how you withered away in the month of December While Eli struggled?

When you came to NY last spring you assured us you would be worth your 26+ million dollars, that indeed you are a team player even if you march to a different drummer(in the army, people who march to different drummers either get kicked out, or put in special operations!). Does that march include only knowing how to leap up for a ball and one or two other moves during your pass routes? So that means when you aren't open this year you'll stop WHINING when Eli throws to Tiki out of the backfield, or Jeremy across the middle? Pray tell Plaxico, what will you say when your numbers slip??

Tony Softli New VP of St. Louis Rams - AP and Seattle PI

St. Louis Rams hired a new VP and eliminated the GM position.

ST. LOUIS -- The Rams have restructured their front office, eliminating the general manager position and hiring two vice presidents.

Tony Softli was selected vice president for player personnel, the Rams said Tuesday. Softli, formerly director of college scouting for the Panthers, will lead the player personnel department that will include longtime general manager Charley Armey, whose new title is vice president for pro personnel.

Softli, 46, began working in scouting when the Panthers entered the league in 1995 and took over as director of college scouting in 2000. He is credited with helping draft standouts Julius Peppers, Steve Smith and Kris Jenkins.

Softli has ties to new coach Scott Linehan.

The two worked together on the University of Washington coaching staff in 1994. Before that, Softli was a linebacker for the Huskies.

"Choose or Lose The A's" Meeting - June 20th 2006

"Choose or Lose The A's" Meeting - June 20th 2006

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While many -- probably you -- were watching the epic Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks NBA Finals game, a giant handful of Oaklanders were holding the third meeting of a group called "Choose or Lose The A's".

Hey, I didn't make up the title. That honor belongs to Robert Limon, who organized this effort which has picked up steam and will be marked by it's first event, a July 7th tailgate party at the Oakland Coliseum in the "B" parking lot.

The group's idea is to drum up enough fan support to encourage elected officials to pay attention to and take real action leading to the retention of the Oakland A's in Oakland. This vlog shows one of the planning meetings of the group, of which I'm a member. But we encourage you to get involved in any way large or small -- even if it's just sending an email link to this vlog to someone you know anywhere in the World who's an A's fan. Drop me an email at zenabraham@aol.com

Formats available: Quicktime (.mov), Flash Video (.flv)

Beattie's Birthday

Beattie's Birthday

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This is a very simple vlog of the birthday gathering for Beattle, the five-year-old daughter of my good friend J. Randy Gordon. It includes my good friend Beth and Randy's girlfriend Julie.

I posted this mainly because every time I need to smile, I watch it. That and Beattie looks just like my good friend K.J, minus 26 years!

Formats available: Quicktime (.mov)

A380 Delayed Again; Scandal - Video Of A380 Landing

Better safe than crached. While the Airbus A380 may be losing money because of the delays, that's nothing compared to what would happen if one of them crashed due to negligence. They should be careful. Here's a video of an A380 comin into land at Perpignan.



EADS top exec on the defensive
Questions about Airbus A380 delay, stock sale loom

By August Cole, MarketWatch
Last Update: 3:00 AM ET Jun 17, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Airbus's former chief executive, Noel Forgeard, already on the defensive after the botched delivery of its next-generation flagship jet, is under further assault from customers, investors and even his employer.
EADS, the largest aerospace company in Europe and parent of Airbus is reportedly probing Forgeard's knowledge of electrical system development delays with the Airbus A380. Forgeard, now co-chief executive of EADS, told a radio station Friday that he was apprised of the situation in April.

And French financial regulators also disclosed Friday they have been looking into the trading of EADS (FR:005730: news, chart, profile) shares for weeks, and will be looking at the latest revelations as part of their investigation.
Forgeard sold Airbus shares, as did other directors, in a trading window that opened in March, according to EADS. See full story.

The timing couldn't be worse for Airbus, which is the only rival to Boeing Co. in the revived commercial-jetliner market.
The aerospace industry is just one month away from gathering in Farnborough, England, for what is arguably its most significant trade show of the year. Instead of wowing attendees with the massive, A380, and a much anticipated design to challenge Boeing's composite-built 787 Dreamliner, the spotlight is likely to be on Forgeard's woes and impatient airlines waiting for their 555-seat jets.

And with the attention on the U.K. for the air show, British firm BAE Systems is planning to sell its 20% stake in Airbus -- effectively making Airbus a Franco-German operation.

That sale follows a similar move by French media firm Lagardere which announced they were reducing their Airbus holdings in April. See full story.

Airbus' shareholder structure is changing at a critical juncture for the aircraft maker, eager to outsell and outsell deliver Boeing for another year.

The global airline industry is in the midst of a rebound, and even some of the large U.S. airlines are expected to turn a profit.

Santonio Holmes - Steelers WR Holmes faces domestic violence charge - ESPN and AP

I'm not sure this is the case of the Steelers not doing their homework. Or is it? They gave up a lot to get him. But .... He's a father as well. Did they ask if he was a good dad?

Steelers WR Holmes faces domestic violence charge
Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes was charged early Monday with assaulting a woman, his second arrest since he was chosen in the first round of the NFL draft.

Holmes was arrested at an apartment just after midnight and taken to the Franklin County jail, Sgt. Loucious Hollis said. The 22-year-old player is to remain in jail until his arraignment Tuesday on charges of domestic violence and simple assault, both misdemeanors.

Police received a call from a female who said the father of her child had assaulted her, police spokesman Sgt. Michael Woods said. While the officers were making their report at the apartment, Holmes returned and was arrested. Police would not release the woman's name or details about what Holmes was accused of doing.

Before the April draft, Holmes said he hoped he would be a top pick so he could support his three children.

Holmes, who is from Belle Glade, Fla., was arrested in Miami Beach, Fla., on a charge of disorderly conduct during Memorial Day weekend. Steelers coach Bill Cowher criticized Holmes the following week, but said he wouldn't hold the matter against the former Ohio State receiver.

The Steelers did not return a message concerning this latest arrest.

Holmes led the Buckeyes in receiving last season with 53 catches for 977 yards and 11 touchdowns. He gave up his final season of eligibility to make himself available for the draft.

Rachel Sears: Pro Triathlete Runs At The Escape To Alcatraz Triathlon

Rachel Sears: Pro Triathlete Runs At The Escape To Alcatraz Triathlon

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Rachel Sears is a professional triathlete, friend, and SBS Personality who's been through a lot over the past two years. She's been hit by a car, attacked by a pit bull, and beset with injuries that have caused her to make the "continue or quit" decision many times. She continues, carrying out an ambitious racing schedule that had her at the annual Escape To Alcatraz triathlon.

This race starts as the contestants dive into the waters of the San Francisco Bay from a ship stationed near Alcatraz Island, hence the name of the event. I caught Rachel long after she emerged from the waters of the San Francisco Bay, and as she entered the Bike In, Run Out transition zone, then as she finished the run portion of the "Escape" with a sprint to the finish line, and a wave to the camera guy.

Rachel's a premier coach of triathletes at all age levels. You can reach her and her partner Phil Casanta at HyperCat Racing: http://www.hypercatracing.com

Formats available: Quicktime (.mov), Flash Video (.flv)

"I'm Late" - My Trip To Fantasy Studios In Berkeley

"I'm Late" - My Trip To Fantasy Studios In Berkeley

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I've been a member of a film festival screening committee that meets at the legendary Fantasy Studios in Berkeley for about five years, now. Our 2006 movie screening season kicked off on the day this video was made. As it happened I was running late for a 3 PM screening of what turned out to be a very weird and terrible film, with some of the most interesting camera angles I've ever seen.

At any rate I decided to film my trip because I was late! Fantasy Studios is the home of the Saul Zaents Film Center, where such famous flicks as "The English Patient" and "Out of Africa" were conceived and produced.

Saul Zaents and Fantasy Studios are featured in the new book "Cinema by the Bay" about Bay Area movie studios and their famous founders -- George Lucas, Saul Zaents, Francis Ford Coppola, Steve Jobs and Pixar -- who've had such an amazing impact on Worldwide cinema.

Formats available: Quicktime (.mov), Flash Video (.flv)

Vloggercon: Introducing Ben "Bendrix" Williams Of www.codedsignal.com

Vloggercon: Introducing Ben "Bendrix" Williams Of www.codedsignal.com

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Ben "Bendrix" Williams is quite simply an expert at not just making podcasts, but distributing them. The head of codedsignal.com is one of the headline presenters at the upcoming "Podcast and Portable Media Expo" September 29-30 in Ontario, Ca. He will talk about "Viral Promotion Tips N Tricks for the Video Blogger and Podcaster."

Ben's available to develop podcasts of conferences and events. Visit http://www.codedsignal.com

Formats available: Quicktime (.mov), Flash Video (.flv)