FOOTBALL TALK-By David Ortega for Football Reporters Online
Looking under the hood of Week 13
Saints, Colts looking more one dimensional....
Even though both teams remain undefeated, one can not help but notice over the past couple of week how both teams have come dangerously close to seeing their perfect seasons end. One notable factor that might be of concern has been the teams lack of committment to the run. In the Saints last two games they are only averaging 84 yards on the ground compared to their season average of 142 yards. In those two games the Saints have passed for 775 net yards. The Colts are also not setting any ground game records averaging 92 yards on the ground over their last four, just a tick better than their 32nd ranked season average of 88 yards. In the same span the Colts are averaging 278 yards passing per game. One thing fantasy owners will note, these teams know where their strengths lie and figure to lean heavy as the post season approaches.
Chargers set to ride the rolling Rivers....
The Chargers have quietly crept up on the competition in the AFC and sitting at 9-3 in first place of the West, they have a great oppportunity to grab the number two seed in the post season. One of the major reasons for the Chargers surge and great success has been the play of quarterback Philip Rivers. Not only has Rivers led the Chargers to seven straight wins, but he's been passing among the elite as of late. In his last two starts he's passed for nearly 700 yards and thrown four touchdowns while completing over 73 percent of his passes. Just as impressive are his 14 touchdown passes and just three interceptions during the seven game win streak. With the number two seed in their grasp, expect the Chargers to ride Rivers hot hand right into the playoffs.
More fantasy Notes
When the Bills face the Chiefs on Sunday, one thing fantasy owners can expect to be missing is any kind of defense. For the Bills this could be a great opportunity for quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to continue to earn the trust of his coaches by utilizing his playmaking receiver Terrell Owens. Over the past three games that Fitzpatrick has been the starter Owens has seen 28 targets and caught 17 passes. With the Chiefs 28th ranked pass defense next on the dockett, expect these two to improve those numbers.
A big key for the Chiefs in their matchup with the Bills will be to stay with the run. The Bills are ranked dead last against the run, so expect the Chiefs to feature a lot of running back Jamaal Charles. The Chiefs 2nd year back has one 100-yard rushing game this season, but he is averaging over 90 yards from scrimmage in his last three games. Even though he has yet to break out this season Charles is averaging nearly five yards a carry. The Bills defense allows nearly five yards a tote, so this could be a big week for Charles if the defense can keep things close.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Seven & Out – Week #13
Seven & Out – Week #13
By Michael – Louis Ingram Director of Scouting Services/Associate Editor Football Reporters Online
BASN/FRO
PHILADELPHIA (BASN/FRO) – We devote this issue of 7&Out to the Cincinnati Bengals; the NFL’s most improved team (and Tiger Woods’ unofficial favorite squad).
Cincy’s former Puddy Tats have some serious growl goin’ on, and are poised to win their division; but while Big Cats can maul you (as our favorite Cablinasian found out) a little pussy can REALLY hurt you!
Alright, new shooter comin’ out…
For the first time in NFL history, there are two 12-0 teams in the same season. The INDIANAPOLIS COLTS, who clinched the AFC South last week, improved to 12-0 with a 27-17 win over Tennessee. The NEW ORLEANS SAINTS reached the 12-0 mark for the first time in franchise history with a 33-30 overtime victory at Washington. With the win, New Orleans also clinched the NFC South.
(This is one time when the South should rise, according to the talent of the aforementioned teams).
The Colts have now won 21 consecutive regular-season games, tying the 2006-08 New England Patriots for the longest streak in NFL history.
(But don’t mention that head coach who’s responsible for it. Jim Caldwell is Coach of the Year – or you can get rid of the fucking award – forever).
Minnesota quarterback BRETT FAVRE has now played in 283 consecutive regular-season games, passing Vikings legend JIM MARSHALL for the longest consecutive game streak in NFL history by a non-kicker/punter. New York Giants punter JEFF FEAGLES has played in an NFL-record 348 consecutive regular-season games, including today’s 31-24 win over Dallas.
(And as the League gets a collective hard-on behind this, why isn’t Jim Marshall in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?)
The CINCINNATI BENGALS improved to 9-3 with a 23-13 win over Detroit. The Bengals’ nine victories are an eight-win improvement over last season (1-10-1) through the first 12 games. Cincinnati is tied with the 1963 Oakland Raiders (0-12 in 1962; 8-4 in 1963) and the 1999 Indianapolis Colts (2-10 in 1998; 10-2 in 1999) for the best win improvement through 12 games from one season to the next in NFL history.
(I did! I did see a Puddy Tat!!! Bengals have earned their stripes).
Indianapolis quarterback PEYTON MANNING threw for 270 yards and one touchdown in the Colts’ 27-17 win against Tennessee. Manning has 3,685 passing yards and 25 touchdowns this season. He is the first player all-time to pass for at least 3,500 yards in 12 consecutive seasons and is also the first player in NFL history to throw at least 25 touchdown passes in 12 seasons in a row.
(In or out of Peyton’s Place, Manning is a joy to watch; and Drew Brees couldn’t carry his left testicle).
Tennessee running back CHRIS JOHNSON rushed for 113 yards in a 27-17 loss against Indianapolis. Johnson leads the NFL with 1,509 rushing yards and became only the fifth player in NFL history to rush for 1,500 yards in his team’s first 12 games. He joins Pro Football Hall of Famers JIM BROWN, WALTER PAYTON and O.J. SIMPSON and former Denver running back TERRELL DAVIS as the only players to accomplish the feat.
(Now those are REAL yards – see how many tailbacks show up with 1500 after 14 games and you’ll see what I’m talkin’ about).
San Diego running back LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON rushed for a touchdown in the Chargers’ 30-23 win against Cleveland. Tomlinson, who has scored 150 total touchdowns (135 rushing, 15 receiving) in 137 career games, is the fastest player in NFL history to reach 150 total TDs. Tomlinson joinedJERRY RICE and EMMITT SMITH as the only players to score 150 career touchdowns...
(In spite of his front office’s efforts to further disrespect him. LT, that’s the way to tell A.J. Smith to kiss dat black azz).
Tomlinson rushed for 64 yards against the Browns and has 12,321 career rushing yards. He passed MARSHALL FAULK (12,279) and Pro Football Hall of Famer JIM BROWN (12,312) to move into eighth place all-time.
(Hopefully L.T. will be moving on to an organization that actually appreciates him).
New England wide receiver RANDY MOSS had 66 receiving yards in the Patriots’ 22-21 loss at Miami. Moss has 1,058 receiving yards this year and joined JERRY RICE (14) as the only players in NFL history to record 10 1,000-yard seasons.
(A modicum of consistency, skill and talent; imagine what numbers he really could’ve put up if Oakland had a team when he played there!)
And as always, once the point is established, roll a seven – you’re gonna crap out!
mike@footballreportersonline.com
By Michael – Louis Ingram Director of Scouting Services/Associate Editor Football Reporters Online
BASN/FRO
PHILADELPHIA (BASN/FRO) – We devote this issue of 7&Out to the Cincinnati Bengals; the NFL’s most improved team (and Tiger Woods’ unofficial favorite squad).
Cincy’s former Puddy Tats have some serious growl goin’ on, and are poised to win their division; but while Big Cats can maul you (as our favorite Cablinasian found out) a little pussy can REALLY hurt you!
Alright, new shooter comin’ out…
For the first time in NFL history, there are two 12-0 teams in the same season. The INDIANAPOLIS COLTS, who clinched the AFC South last week, improved to 12-0 with a 27-17 win over Tennessee. The NEW ORLEANS SAINTS reached the 12-0 mark for the first time in franchise history with a 33-30 overtime victory at Washington. With the win, New Orleans also clinched the NFC South.
(This is one time when the South should rise, according to the talent of the aforementioned teams).
The Colts have now won 21 consecutive regular-season games, tying the 2006-08 New England Patriots for the longest streak in NFL history.
(But don’t mention that head coach who’s responsible for it. Jim Caldwell is Coach of the Year – or you can get rid of the fucking award – forever).
Minnesota quarterback BRETT FAVRE has now played in 283 consecutive regular-season games, passing Vikings legend JIM MARSHALL for the longest consecutive game streak in NFL history by a non-kicker/punter. New York Giants punter JEFF FEAGLES has played in an NFL-record 348 consecutive regular-season games, including today’s 31-24 win over Dallas.
(And as the League gets a collective hard-on behind this, why isn’t Jim Marshall in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?)
The CINCINNATI BENGALS improved to 9-3 with a 23-13 win over Detroit. The Bengals’ nine victories are an eight-win improvement over last season (1-10-1) through the first 12 games. Cincinnati is tied with the 1963 Oakland Raiders (0-12 in 1962; 8-4 in 1963) and the 1999 Indianapolis Colts (2-10 in 1998; 10-2 in 1999) for the best win improvement through 12 games from one season to the next in NFL history.
(I did! I did see a Puddy Tat!!! Bengals have earned their stripes).
Indianapolis quarterback PEYTON MANNING threw for 270 yards and one touchdown in the Colts’ 27-17 win against Tennessee. Manning has 3,685 passing yards and 25 touchdowns this season. He is the first player all-time to pass for at least 3,500 yards in 12 consecutive seasons and is also the first player in NFL history to throw at least 25 touchdown passes in 12 seasons in a row.
(In or out of Peyton’s Place, Manning is a joy to watch; and Drew Brees couldn’t carry his left testicle).
Tennessee running back CHRIS JOHNSON rushed for 113 yards in a 27-17 loss against Indianapolis. Johnson leads the NFL with 1,509 rushing yards and became only the fifth player in NFL history to rush for 1,500 yards in his team’s first 12 games. He joins Pro Football Hall of Famers JIM BROWN, WALTER PAYTON and O.J. SIMPSON and former Denver running back TERRELL DAVIS as the only players to accomplish the feat.
(Now those are REAL yards – see how many tailbacks show up with 1500 after 14 games and you’ll see what I’m talkin’ about).
San Diego running back LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON rushed for a touchdown in the Chargers’ 30-23 win against Cleveland. Tomlinson, who has scored 150 total touchdowns (135 rushing, 15 receiving) in 137 career games, is the fastest player in NFL history to reach 150 total TDs. Tomlinson joinedJERRY RICE and EMMITT SMITH as the only players to score 150 career touchdowns...
(In spite of his front office’s efforts to further disrespect him. LT, that’s the way to tell A.J. Smith to kiss dat black azz).
Tomlinson rushed for 64 yards against the Browns and has 12,321 career rushing yards. He passed MARSHALL FAULK (12,279) and Pro Football Hall of Famer JIM BROWN (12,312) to move into eighth place all-time.
(Hopefully L.T. will be moving on to an organization that actually appreciates him).
New England wide receiver RANDY MOSS had 66 receiving yards in the Patriots’ 22-21 loss at Miami. Moss has 1,058 receiving yards this year and joined JERRY RICE (14) as the only players in NFL history to record 10 1,000-yard seasons.
(A modicum of consistency, skill and talent; imagine what numbers he really could’ve put up if Oakland had a team when he played there!)
And as always, once the point is established, roll a seven – you’re gonna crap out!
mike@footballreportersonline.com
The Morning Huddle-a Look back at week 13
The Morning Huddle-By David Ortega for Football Reporters Online
What I saw in Week 13
Brees is too much for defenses....
When the chips are down and your backs against the wall, if you can call for help there's no one better to call than quarterback Drew Brees. With their perfect season on the line Brees pulled out all the stops and used every one of his weapons completing passes to seven different receivers. Brees passed for 419 yards, completing 35 of 49 passes and tossed two touchdowns to help the Saints remain undefeated.
Warner returns to form Sunday night....
Coming back from a concussion that sidelined him last week the Cardinal's quarterback Kurt Warner showed no ill-effects, but rather his old pro bowl form passing for 285 yards and tossing three touchdowns. With Warner back to his old self completing 22 of 32 passes including a couple of 30 yard touchdown throws to his favorite targets the Cards easily handed the Vikings their second loss of the season; perhaps a blueprint they will follow in the post season.
Jackson needs lots of help in St. Louis...
The Rams struggles on offense this season are well documented, but there's no question irregardless running back Steven Jackson keeps on trucking. On Sunday Jackson rushed for over 100 yards, it was his seventh time this season and the fifth time in his last six games. Jackson rankeds second in the league in rushing with 1,232 yards this season, but only four touchdowns.
10 Things I Remember
Week 13
1. The Falcons have just two reliable pass catchers, White and Gonzalez. The two combined for 17 receptions and 176 yards on Sunday.
2. Jonathan Stewart is a capable ball carrier when he has the opportunity. Starting in place of the injured DeAngelo Williams he rushed for 120 yards with a score.
3. Philip Rivers is playing like an elite quarterback. On Sunday Rivers passed for 373 yards and tossed two touchdowns.
4. The Bengals have a top tier running back with Cedric Benson; in Week 13 he carried the ball 36 times for 110 yards.
5. The Jets running back Thomas Jones not looking done yet rushing for 109 yards on 23 carries against the Bills.
6. The Saints have another explosive weapon with wide receiver Robert Meachem; eight catches for 142 yards and a two touchdowns.
7. Quietly Brandon Marshall is working his way back to fantasy relevance. On Sunday he caught seven passes for 94 yards with a touchdown.
8. The Raiders rookie receiver Louis Murphy has possibly given fans something to cheer about; four catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns.
9. The Colts have another weapon of their own with wide receiver Pierre Garcon; six catches for 136 yards receiving.
10. Despite the December gloom, the Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo threw the ball well passing for nearly 400 yards with three touchdowns.
What I saw in Week 13
Brees is too much for defenses....
When the chips are down and your backs against the wall, if you can call for help there's no one better to call than quarterback Drew Brees. With their perfect season on the line Brees pulled out all the stops and used every one of his weapons completing passes to seven different receivers. Brees passed for 419 yards, completing 35 of 49 passes and tossed two touchdowns to help the Saints remain undefeated.
Warner returns to form Sunday night....
Coming back from a concussion that sidelined him last week the Cardinal's quarterback Kurt Warner showed no ill-effects, but rather his old pro bowl form passing for 285 yards and tossing three touchdowns. With Warner back to his old self completing 22 of 32 passes including a couple of 30 yard touchdown throws to his favorite targets the Cards easily handed the Vikings their second loss of the season; perhaps a blueprint they will follow in the post season.
Jackson needs lots of help in St. Louis...
The Rams struggles on offense this season are well documented, but there's no question irregardless running back Steven Jackson keeps on trucking. On Sunday Jackson rushed for over 100 yards, it was his seventh time this season and the fifth time in his last six games. Jackson rankeds second in the league in rushing with 1,232 yards this season, but only four touchdowns.
10 Things I Remember
Week 13
1. The Falcons have just two reliable pass catchers, White and Gonzalez. The two combined for 17 receptions and 176 yards on Sunday.
2. Jonathan Stewart is a capable ball carrier when he has the opportunity. Starting in place of the injured DeAngelo Williams he rushed for 120 yards with a score.
3. Philip Rivers is playing like an elite quarterback. On Sunday Rivers passed for 373 yards and tossed two touchdowns.
4. The Bengals have a top tier running back with Cedric Benson; in Week 13 he carried the ball 36 times for 110 yards.
5. The Jets running back Thomas Jones not looking done yet rushing for 109 yards on 23 carries against the Bills.
6. The Saints have another explosive weapon with wide receiver Robert Meachem; eight catches for 142 yards and a two touchdowns.
7. Quietly Brandon Marshall is working his way back to fantasy relevance. On Sunday he caught seven passes for 94 yards with a touchdown.
8. The Raiders rookie receiver Louis Murphy has possibly given fans something to cheer about; four catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns.
9. The Colts have another weapon of their own with wide receiver Pierre Garcon; six catches for 136 yards receiving.
10. Despite the December gloom, the Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo threw the ball well passing for nearly 400 yards with three touchdowns.
Ndamukong Suh could beat Tim Tebow, Toby Gerhart for Heisman
The Heisman Trophy is tomorrow and the person once considered a lock for the win, Florida Quarterback Time Tebow, is not only no longer that, he could lose to Nebraska Defensive Tackle Ndamukong Suh.
Who?
Yes. Nebraska Defensive Tackle Ndamukong Suh has emerged as a possible 2009 Heisman Trophy winner after Sports Illustrated writers selected Suh over Alabama Running Back Mark Ingram, and Stanford Running Back Toby Gerhart, who got three and one first place votes respectively.
The reason is that when one looks at the tape or video, its hard to find a more dominant player at his position than Suh. He had 12 sacks, 82 tackles (23 for loss), and 10 pass breakups, according to S.I.
One thing's for certain: defensive tackles, who play in the middle of a defense with a center on one side, the guard to deal with and the offensive tackle on the other, don't normally have 12 sack seasons, let alone 82 tackles.
This video - not created by the Nebraska Athletic Department - started a true grass-roots effort to place Suh in the Heisman hunt. It worked:
Who?
Yes. Nebraska Defensive Tackle Ndamukong Suh has emerged as a possible 2009 Heisman Trophy winner after Sports Illustrated writers selected Suh over Alabama Running Back Mark Ingram, and Stanford Running Back Toby Gerhart, who got three and one first place votes respectively.
The reason is that when one looks at the tape or video, its hard to find a more dominant player at his position than Suh. He had 12 sacks, 82 tackles (23 for loss), and 10 pass breakups, according to S.I.
One thing's for certain: defensive tackles, who play in the middle of a defense with a center on one side, the guard to deal with and the offensive tackle on the other, don't normally have 12 sack seasons, let alone 82 tackles.
This video - not created by the Nebraska Athletic Department - started a true grass-roots effort to place Suh in the Heisman hunt. It worked:
Friday, December 11, 2009
Tiger Woods indefinite leave from golf - Twitter reactions
Other than the British tabloid The Sun, the news that Tiger Woods was taking an "indefinite" leave from golf hit Twitter like a tsunami. Comedian and show host Howie Mandel had this hilarious tweet:
Ouch.
To which Larry King tweeted:
Once the top "Trending Topic" on Twitter, now number four, "Tiger Woods" had generated 5,832 tweets in a second at one point during my surf session. Many of them were just repeating the news, others contained the view of the person doing the tweeting:
And professional athletes made their thoughts known. Here's LPGA tour star Nicole Hage:
Cincinnati Bengals Cornerback Geoff Pope:
In all PGA golfers have largely stayed away from tweeting on Tiger Woods as of this writing.
Stay tuned...
My appearance on Larry king postponed again! Thankyou tiger woods. I guess he f'kd me too about 3 hours ago from Echofon
Ouch.
To which Larry King tweeted:
Jim Moret guest hosting tonight on Tiger's indefinite break from golf. We'll reschedule @HowieMMandel. (But you should still buy his book!)
Once the top "Trending Topic" on Twitter, now number four, "Tiger Woods" had generated 5,832 tweets in a second at one point during my surf session. Many of them were just repeating the news, others contained the view of the person doing the tweeting:
angel41793 tiger woods giving up golf!? impossible! half a minute ago from txt
laurenmc18 I would like to publicly thank tiger woods for the fact that my dad now knows the term "sexting"
Ryan_Chase I'm pretty sure that more people know about what Tiger Woods did than know about the good news of Jesus Christ less than a minute ago from txt
And professional athletes made their thoughts known. Here's LPGA tour star Nicole Hage:
Part of me feels like when I was little and found out santa wasn't real ......I'm so disappointed! @Meredith_Duncan 6 minutes ago from UberTwitter in reply to Meredith_Duncan
:O about 2 hours ago from UberTwitter
'Indefinite' break :O about 3 hours ago from UberTwitter
Omg Tiger is taking a break :O (---mouth hung open) about 3 hours ago from UberTwitter
Cincinnati Bengals Cornerback Geoff Pope:
tiger!!!!!!!!! 19 minutes ago from web
In all PGA golfers have largely stayed away from tweeting on Tiger Woods as of this writing.
Stay tuned...
Tiger Woods updates: Tiger Woods quits golf, hurts America
Tiger Woods' golf hiatus? Reads more like "Tiger Woods quit golf" to me. Man, I can't believe it. When I saw the news, it came from the British tabloid The Sun so I did't jump on it as fast as if it were at TMZ.com; I waited. Then the Washington Post sent me an email with the bad news that I then saw on Tiger's website:
Tiger Woods taking hiatus from golf:
I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people, most of all my wife and children. I want to say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness. It may not be possible to repair the damage I've done, but I want to do my best to try.
I would like to ask everyone, including my fans, the good people at my foundation, business partners, the PGA Tour, and my fellow competitors, for their understanding. What's most important now is that my family has the time, privacy, and safe haven we will need for personal healing.
After much soul searching, I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf. I need to focus my attention on being a better husband, father, and person.
Again, I ask for privacy for my family and I am especially grateful for all those who have offered compassion and concern during this difficult period.
My thoughts then turned to an exchange I had with my dear Mum at the Atlanta Airport because she said that Tiger shouldn't have allowed himself to be taken in by "those blondes" to which I said to Mom it was Tiger Woods' choice to go after them. But my Mom's point stuck in my head for a different reason: something else she said to me:
I'm 75 years old. I can remember when I had to drink out of a different fountain and they (white people) would throw rocks at us as we walked to school. So for me, seeing Tiger win is something else.
See, black folks like my Mom watched any golf event Tiger Woods was in no matter how small and insignificant it was. Indeed, people of color tuned in to see Woods because - and I don't give a crap what he said he was - he's African American and male and winning. A lot. Seven times this year alone.
And that's why Tiger Woods' hiatus from golf's going to hurt golf. Golf will go back to be a boring rich white man's game in the eyes of many simply because Tiger's not playing. And you know what will happen: sponsor money, once abundant when Woods was playing, will rapidly diminish in an already massively tight economy.
Events without Tiger Woods watched their ratings drop 50 points, and attendance figures lessen. My concern is what a prolonged, say two year absence, from golf will do to the game. My prediction is it will set the game back 20 years. After a time in the not too distant future, we'll talk of "Golf BT" and "Golf AT" or before and after Tiger Woods.
But Woods' departure will also have an impact on how older African Americans think about racial progress. Many older black I talked to - and I mean over 65 years old - loved Tiger Woods and his family and still do. But they continue to ask why some black athletes choose blonde women and this episode will only fuel those questions even more. Is the concern racist? Well, it's race conscious but where it could become racist is when negative characteristics are attached to anyone blonde when the conversation comes up.
Sticking together
That's bad and I've seen it happen already.
I think what could have ended all of that is if Tiger had not quit golf and repaired his marriage at the same time. But according to the new obviously accurate Sun, Woods wife Elin Nordegren said he's got to chose between "Golf and her". She won and now she calls the shots in the Woods household, giving new meaning to the allegations of what she did with a golf club that Thanksgiving night.
So Woods followed her instructions and at least, I hope, his marriage will be repaired over time. Tiger's got a great wife; it appears that having a lovely blonde woman wasn't as great a thing as wanting one. That's something Woods and some black athletes will have to overcome: not seeing her or any woman as a color to gain in conquest, but a person to love and cherish. If Tiger's marriage were as we thought it was, we wouldn't be having this conversation and some older blacks would be comfortable with the new society around them. But it isn't and they're not.
Older African Americans - preaching staying within the race for decades - bear some blame for the Woods problem. When I was little, less so now by far, talking about the ills of interracial dating was an obsession that to me was at the level of a disease. It's no wonder some of their kids wanted to find out what dating someone blonde was all about. Really, who cares in retrospect, but some people can't get beyond their own color issues to see straight.
The past is over; something my Mom says all the time.
Woods staying and repairing his marriage will calm these turbulent racial waters. Does Tiger Woods' have that kind of impact? Look, you can't take in $100 million a year and not have some impact on industrial society. Tiger Woods, for all of his faults, is now and will remain a symbol of modern American culture. What he does impacts all of us. Tiger's quitting hurts Golf. Tiger getting a divorce sets back interracial marriage. I'm rooting for Tiger Woods to come back roaring again at both for the sake of America.
Climate change impacts TransAmerica Pyramid - gets LEEDS award
The concern over climate change has led to a major restructuring of the iconic TransAmerica Pyramid. The building that was hated by one of my favorite Cal urban planning professors Allan Jacobs (famous for his brutal honesty), who fought against its design when he was Planning Director for The City of San Francisco, won The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEEDS) Gold Certification Award by the U.S. Green Building Council today.
The building no longer has TransAmerica Insurance as its headquarters tenant but is now managed and leased by Cushman & Wakefield and owned by TransAmerica Pyramid Properties, a member of the AEGON Companies.
The building was hailed by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom who said "San Franciscans now have another reason to appreciate one of our city's most recognizable structures. I'm proud of the LEEDS Gold Certification achieved by the TransAmerica Pyramid."
The Pyramid and 505 Sansome Street and 555 Washington Street will all be built to LEEDS standards. 505 Sansome is already approved where's 555 Washington Street's is on the path to approval. The idea is to create a kind of "green island" within an urban block in San Francisco. This Google sat map offers a look at the area:
View Green Island San Francisco in a larger map
Stay tuned...
The building no longer has TransAmerica Insurance as its headquarters tenant but is now managed and leased by Cushman & Wakefield and owned by TransAmerica Pyramid Properties, a member of the AEGON Companies.
The building was hailed by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom who said "San Franciscans now have another reason to appreciate one of our city's most recognizable structures. I'm proud of the LEEDS Gold Certification achieved by the TransAmerica Pyramid."
The Pyramid and 505 Sansome Street and 555 Washington Street will all be built to LEEDS standards. 505 Sansome is already approved where's 555 Washington Street's is on the path to approval. The idea is to create a kind of "green island" within an urban block in San Francisco. This Google sat map offers a look at the area:
View Green Island San Francisco in a larger map
Stay tuned...
Brian Kelly Press Conference - Notre Dame gets passing expert
This happened much faster than I thought, but the now-former Cincinnati Bearcats Head Coach Brian Kelly was introduced today at a press conference as the University of Notre Dame's 29th head football coach. Kelly coached the Cincinnati Bearcats to an amazing run, going undefeated in 2009 and earning a Sugar Bowl game against Florida.
I think the Fighting Irish made the right choice; they found someone who's passing approach is light-years ahead of that of Charlie Weis.
Yep. I wrote that. Light years.
Coach Kelly's innovative use of formations and motion and creative short passing methods are worthy of intense study. Of particular note is his employment of formations with four wide receivers on one side of the ball. In those sets, Kelly will use short-man-in-motion to cause one receiver to "rub" another, then run what is called a "stick" pattern off that action.
Coach Kelly uses four-and-five wide receiver formations most of the time. He employs the quarterback draw from these sets. And Coach Kelly rolls out the quarterback to vary the passing launch point.
Coach Kelly also regularly uses a high-middle-low receiver pattern combination that's lethal. I'm not taking anything away from Weis, who had a great approach to the passing game, but Kelly's is just more varied. This video from this year's game against Fresno's a great example of how the Brian Kelly passing game works, and why Golden Domers should be excited:
Under Brian Kelly, Notre Dame will be able to move the ball against anyone. I'm just concerned that the defense will not have the talent needed to take the Fighting Irish to national championship level.
Stay tuned.
I think the Fighting Irish made the right choice; they found someone who's passing approach is light-years ahead of that of Charlie Weis.
Yep. I wrote that. Light years.
Coach Kelly's innovative use of formations and motion and creative short passing methods are worthy of intense study. Of particular note is his employment of formations with four wide receivers on one side of the ball. In those sets, Kelly will use short-man-in-motion to cause one receiver to "rub" another, then run what is called a "stick" pattern off that action.
Coach Kelly uses four-and-five wide receiver formations most of the time. He employs the quarterback draw from these sets. And Coach Kelly rolls out the quarterback to vary the passing launch point.
Coach Kelly also regularly uses a high-middle-low receiver pattern combination that's lethal. I'm not taking anything away from Weis, who had a great approach to the passing game, but Kelly's is just more varied. This video from this year's game against Fresno's a great example of how the Brian Kelly passing game works, and why Golden Domers should be excited:
Under Brian Kelly, Notre Dame will be able to move the ball against anyone. I'm just concerned that the defense will not have the talent needed to take the Fighting Irish to national championship level.
Stay tuned.
Happy Hanukkah! Celebrating Hanukkah in Oakland and the East Bay
Happy Hanukkah (or Chanukah, Hanukah, Hannuka and the Festival of Lights) ! I wasn't raised to believe that one had to be Jewish to recognize Hanukkah, so today's a special day. Latkes! Yum! (And for the record, my Mom makes awesome Latkes and she's African American. Unfortunately, I'm back in the Bay Area for business and she's in Georgia, otherwise she'd make them for me!)
For those who may be surprised to see this celebration on my blog and aren't familiar with Hanukkah, here's a nutshell primer.
This is the eighth day of the Festival of Light on the eve of what is called the commemoration of the miracle of the oil. Each day, one kindles the Hanukkah lights of a special candelabrum, the Menorah which has nine branches, and does this once each day for eight days (December 11th to December 19th), increasing the number of lights each evening. So for this time before sundown we kindle one light. (In the Jewish calendar the day begins at night, then starts the 1st day of Hanukkah.)
The ritual celebrates the victorious battle of the Jewish rebel army the Maccabees over the supposedly much superior Syrians in 165 B.C. and the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. (By the way, there are many variations of this history, so chime in with any variation, if you please.)
One lights a menorah, exchanges gifts, and has food cooked in oil. Now the question is can one get a good Latke in Oakland?
Yes.
The place I visit is called Grand Bakery and its on 3264 Grand Ave just up the street from The Grand Lake Theater; the number is 510-465-1110. They ran out earlier today because of the Hanukkah rush. And sundown is nigh. So the best alternative is to make your own or visit Saul's Deli in Berkeley.
Making Latkes is easy, really. Here's a great receipe I found for Zucchini Parmesan Latkes at The Friday Flyer:
Zucchini Parmesan Latkes
Yields 24 pancakes
2 lbs. zucchini
1/2 lb. russet potatoes, peeled
1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 C. chopped green onions (scallions)
1/2 C. grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. chopped garlic
1/2 C. chopped parsley
1 tsp. salt
1/2 Tbsp. pepper
2 tsp. sugar
1/3 C. flour
2 medium eggs
Vegetable oil for frying
Serve with sour cream
But if you have to go out in the East Bay, I annually recommend Saul's Deli, at 1475 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley, CA. Saul's has a fantastic Hanukkah menu and a Latke tent and Beer Garden that's open until 7 PM. And the Jewish Community Center has a Family Shabbat and Candlelighting at 5pm. The JCC East Bay is at 1414 Walnut Street in Berkeley and at 4500 Redwood Road in Oakland ; the phone number is 510-848-0237 in Berkeley and 510-530-9222 in Oakland. The JCC East Bay has a full list of daily Hanukkah events.
So as we approach sundown and you think there's no place to go in the East Bay, don't dispair! There's lot's to do and places to visit! Happy Hanukkah.
For those who may be surprised to see this celebration on my blog and aren't familiar with Hanukkah, here's a nutshell primer.
This is the eighth day of the Festival of Light on the eve of what is called the commemoration of the miracle of the oil. Each day, one kindles the Hanukkah lights of a special candelabrum, the Menorah which has nine branches, and does this once each day for eight days (December 11th to December 19th), increasing the number of lights each evening. So for this time before sundown we kindle one light. (In the Jewish calendar the day begins at night, then starts the 1st day of Hanukkah.)
The ritual celebrates the victorious battle of the Jewish rebel army the Maccabees over the supposedly much superior Syrians in 165 B.C. and the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. (By the way, there are many variations of this history, so chime in with any variation, if you please.)
One lights a menorah, exchanges gifts, and has food cooked in oil. Now the question is can one get a good Latke in Oakland?
Yes.
The place I visit is called Grand Bakery and its on 3264 Grand Ave just up the street from The Grand Lake Theater; the number is 510-465-1110. They ran out earlier today because of the Hanukkah rush. And sundown is nigh. So the best alternative is to make your own or visit Saul's Deli in Berkeley.
Making Latkes is easy, really. Here's a great receipe I found for Zucchini Parmesan Latkes at The Friday Flyer:
Zucchini Parmesan Latkes
Yields 24 pancakes
2 lbs. zucchini
1/2 lb. russet potatoes, peeled
1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 C. chopped green onions (scallions)
1/2 C. grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. chopped garlic
1/2 C. chopped parsley
1 tsp. salt
1/2 Tbsp. pepper
2 tsp. sugar
1/3 C. flour
2 medium eggs
Vegetable oil for frying
Serve with sour cream
But if you have to go out in the East Bay, I annually recommend Saul's Deli, at 1475 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley, CA. Saul's has a fantastic Hanukkah menu and a Latke tent and Beer Garden that's open until 7 PM. And the Jewish Community Center has a Family Shabbat and Candlelighting at 5pm. The JCC East Bay is at 1414 Walnut Street in Berkeley and at 4500 Redwood Road in Oakland ; the phone number is 510-848-0237 in Berkeley and 510-530-9222 in Oakland. The JCC East Bay has a full list of daily Hanukkah events.
So as we approach sundown and you think there's no place to go in the East Bay, don't dispair! There's lot's to do and places to visit! Happy Hanukkah.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Liu Bolin thinks President Obama's setting World on fire
Chinese artist Liu Bolin thinks President Obama's setting the World on fire - making rapid change in many ways. And to express his view, Liu Bolin's created a sculture of Barack Obama that's on fire. In a sculpted image that renders Obama in the guise of The Human Torch, flame intermittently rises up over the head of Obama.
Liu Bolin made the sculpture to celebrate Obama's visit to China and is an admirer of the President. Liu Bolin said, “Obama is a very interesting and perspective leader. He is so hot now that I decided to impress this in “Burning Man Obama” work. Here's the work in this video:
I like the work, but others have issues with it.
Stay tuned.
Liu Bolin made the sculpture to celebrate Obama's visit to China and is an admirer of the President. Liu Bolin said, “Obama is a very interesting and perspective leader. He is so hot now that I decided to impress this in “Burning Man Obama” work. Here's the work in this video:
I like the work, but others have issues with it.
Stay tuned.
Obama Nobel Peace Prize Speech one of President's best (video)
Always able to deliver an address that's the measure of the moment, President Barack Obama did so again this morning with a speech that CNN's David Gergen said would "stand the test of time."
Obama's Nobel Peace Prize, I now contend, was given not for keeping America out of war, but for this unique person at this special moment in time. Obama is doing what I thought was impossible: turning the unjust act of war into a just action of necessity. Here's Obama's speech:
Obama's Nobel Peace Prize, I now contend, was given not for keeping America out of war, but for this unique person at this special moment in time. Obama is doing what I thought was impossible: turning the unjust act of war into a just action of necessity. Here's Obama's speech:
Holly Sampson Tiger Woods Video: porn star talks sex
New Tiger Woods video!
The latest in the ongoing Tiger Woods scandal has Porn Actress Holly Sampson talking about sex with Tiger Woods in a video created for the website online show Naughty America and originally aired May 26, 2009. But the video - which I have in my video-blog talk above - has Holly giving information that the media has not as of this writing touched on.
Holly Sampson
Holly Sampson mentions that she was at "Tiger's bachelor party", which means Tiger Woods was not married at the time. That's an important fact to remember because Tiger Woods has been painted as one who ran around with all of the alleged mistresses after he was married. But the real story is Holly Sampson was part of what I now call the "Entertainment Culture" Woods was already caught up in.
Holly Sampson gets around. In the video she mentions sleeping with celebrities like Kevin Costner and Stephen Dorff before she talks about Tiger. But when she does mention Woods, she talks at length about him.
I f—– Tiger Woods... Me and my girlfriends did a bachelor party for Tiger and it was amazing. A friend of mine Brent Bolthouse - he runs a lot of nightclubs. He used to be a friend of mine and he was good friends with one of Tiger Woods' assistants. So me and my girlfriends we did a bachelor party for Tiger and uh it was amazing. And so he picked me to go into the room...I have to say he was really good. He and Kevin...I've got juice...I think it’s pretty amazing. He’s (Woods) like the whitest black boy you’ve ever met. His teeth are perfect and he’s the perfect gentleman. He’s beautiful.”
Holly Sampson also said that Tiger Woods practiced safe sex as did she.
I've got to take an aside and crit on the "whitest black boy" comment. Holly Sampson talks as if she thinks every black guy's a rapper and has never been with an African American gentleman. That's what we call "institutionally racist" where she would say 'I'm not racist' then say racially divisive things like that. Calling Rush Limbaugh!
But I digress.
Now what's interesting aside from the matter of where they met being a bachelor party, is the role of Brent Bolthouse. I did some online checking and Brent Bolthouse has become of some note in the LA Entertainment Culture. He's been in the business for 19 years and he owns four nightclubs (two of which are visible on his MySpace page), hotels, is the producer of the MTV television show "The Hills", and is an event planner.
(Indeed, the New York Post reports that another alleged Tiger Woods mistress Jaimie Grubbs was at a recent party thrown by Bolthouse in LA.)
What we're getting is a bigger picture of Tiger Woods life in this culture of parties, athletes, celebrities, and women. It's a scene that I now contend he got addicted to before he married Elin Nordegren and never got out of his system.
But it's clear also that Tiger Woods Management needs to, again, get control of what's an out of control media circus. It's like a giant PR amusement park with the World's longest indoor roller coster: one never knows what's around the corner.
But Tiger Woods does.
Stay tuned.
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