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Game Theory is the study of strategic decision making. One thing I've noticed is how the sports world has a dearth of articles through the prism of game theory. That is quite strange to me as I can't think of a more consensus driven and follow the crowd type industry than sports, the NFL in particular. I will periodically post these type of articles on my website and will title and image them differently so they stand out.
First up in my game theory crosshairs is the running back position and how the NFL undervalues it. One consistent pattern of game theory is that when everyone is doing business one way you probably should be doing it the opposite. Whether it was in the 80's when everyone ran the 4-3 defense, in the 90's when everyone ran West Coast offenses or in the 2000's when everyone reached for QBs in the Top 10 it was usually better to go rogue than stay with the crowd. Currently the most mainstream viewpoint in the NFL is that the RB position isn't worth squat. Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch and LeSean McCoy are widely regarded as 3 of the 5 best running backs in the world yet all have had rumors surrounding them that their team will force them to take a pay cut. The NFL Draft is no different as 2 of the top 13 players on my board happen to be running backs and most Mock Drafts currently have 1 or both of them available at #27 when my Dallas Cowboys come on the clock. Melvin Gordon is my #1 RB for now but Todd Gurley is close as he has a much higher upside due to his superior size and strength. Gordon reminds me of Jamaal Charles, eerily so actually, while Gurley reminds me of Adrian Peterson not so much in style as in just sheer athleticism for his size at the running back position. Both look like long term stars at the position so it will be interesting to see if either or both crack the first round. It's an interesting debate as there are a lot of ways to look at it. On one hand you can make the case that a RB should NEVER be drafted in the first round as every year there are plenty of starting caliber running backs going for $2-4 million a year in free agency with Justin Forsett being the most recent example. Few positions in the NFL have as many candidates to fill a team's starting role as the RB position. Last year 10 of the top 11 rushers were not 1st round picks, the lone exception being Marshawn Lynch. Also there hasn't been a 1st round pick at the running back position since 2012. This shows that running backs are universally being avoided in the 1st round AND you can fill the position adequately or even impressively in the 2nd round or later. Another defense of this argument is the list of the past 7 running backs taken in the 1st round:
2012: Trent Richardson, Doug Martin, David Wilson
2011: Mark Ingram
2010: CJ Spiller, Ryan Matthews, Jahvid Best
Not only are almost all of the best running backs in today's NFL not 1st round picks but almost all of the recent 1st rounders are busts. Two of the seven aren't even in the NFL anymore (Wilson, Best), three of the seven are free agents (Spiller, Ingram, Matthews) with rumors persisting that their current teams' won't even try to keep them and two of the seven (Richardson, Martin) are struggling to just keep their starting job. Arguments like this sure make it seem like a GM should be fired if they spend a 1st round pick on a RB but I will try and explain why there are two sides to the argument and why taking a RB in the 1st round could be a boon for a franchise. First off is the late 1st round contract. The Cowboys are picking at #27. Last year the Cardinals took Deone Bucannon at that spot and gave him a 4 year $7.71 million deal which comes out to approximately $1.9 million a year. In the past two drafts a team in the late first round could have taken any of these backs with their pick:
Jeremy Hill
Carlos Hyde
Giovanni Bernard
Le'Veon Bell
Eddie Lacy
Hill, Bell and Lacy all were in the Top 7 in the NFL in rushing last year. Hyde was held back due to playing time issues and Bernard is a multidimensional threat that impacts the game in more ways than just running the ball (he has back to back +1,000 yard in rushing and receiving combined so he is still quite impactful). All 5 would be slam dunks as late 1st round picks and their franchise would be saving millions every year by taking this approach. The Cleveland Browns gave a 2 year $6.2 million ($3.1 million per year) contract for Ben Tate last offseason. The Jacksonville Jaguars gave a 3 year $10.5 million ($3.5 million per year) contract to Toby Gerhart last offseason. Both were considered shrewd moves by the consensus as they used the modern day approach for the position and filled their RB need on the cheap so they were able to use cap space and draft choices in other spots. Tate was cut midway through the season and had almost no impact on his team, Gerhart averaged 3.2 ypc and had less than 400 yards rushing on the season. I understand why people look at guys like Le'Veon Bell, Eddie Lacy and Lesean McCoy who were taken in the 2nd round and say that no one should take a RB in the 1st but a team taking a RB in the late 1st guarantees themselves the pick of the litter and these RBs available at that pick are superstars in this league while the players taken at other positions are not. Last year the Cardinals took Bucannon at #27 and he didn't even start for them for much of the season. You don't think them drafting Jeremy Hill instead would have changed the course of their season? Andre Ellington got hurt but even before he did he wasn't putting up good rushing numbers (3.3 ypc on the season). Replace him with Hill and the Cardinals likely win 1-2 more games in 2014 which would have secured for them the #1 seed in the playoffs. Also drafting a RB in the 1st round gets you 4 years at around $2 mil per for an elite talent which allows you to avoid the "retread market" where shot in the dark types like Gerhart and Tate mingle with over the hill types like Willis McGahee, Frank Gore, DeAngelo Williams, Steven Jackson, etc. Look at teams with a Top 10 rusher from last year and you will notice that all 10 of those teams had a winning record in 2014. The NFL is a passing league that is focused around the QB but an elite RB can take immense pressure off of that QB which allows him to perform better. Before Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh had a dysfunctional offense yet this year, with Bell being #2 in the NFL in rushing, Roethlisberger led the NFL in passing. DeMarco Murray led the NFL in rushing and Romo followed him by leading the NFL in QB Rating since he was allowed to pass in more advantageous positions. Andrew Luck's team couldn't run the ball or stop the run and they were blown out in the playoffs because of those two failures. The Seahawks were one play away from winning back to back Super Bowls and both years they were led by an offense centered around a Skittles eating beast of a running back. There are questions about whether Melvin Gordon has enough strength and toughness to be a good inside runner and worth a 1st round pick. There are questions if Todd Gurley will be able to stay healthy for a 16 game season and be worth a 1st round pick. Yet if you can answer either of those two questions affirmatively then you should be rooting for your team to draft that running back in the first round. It will be the first time in 3 years that one was taken that high and numerous analysts and commentators will pan the pick as it has become cool to bash the running back position. Yet for teams drafting in the late 1st round there are few places where you can get better bang for your buck than by going against the trend and drafting an elite running back prospect at that point. The Cardinals at #24, Ravens at #26, Cowboys at #27, Broncos at #28, Colts at #29 and Patriots at #32 would all be wise to re-consider their approach to the position and change course. I doubt they will so it will be fun to re-visit their decision to pass on Todd Gurley and instead take a mediocre tackle, a #3 CB or a 2 down linebacker who makes little impact. All the while they will be grinning like Cheshire cats when some "stupid" team like the Bengals takes another RB "too early." You know those Bengals right? The ones that have stolen an elite talent in the 2nd round each of the past two years simply because he played running back. You know the team that has made the playoffs 5 of the past 6 years despite having a crappy QB behind center? What do they know.
Updated 2/21/15 (PR is pass rusher not punt returner)
- Jameis Winston QB Florida St. Soph
- Leonard Williams DT USC Jr.
- Joey Bosa PR Ohio State Soph
- Myles Garrett PR Texas A&M Freshman
- Marcus Mariota QB Oregon Jr.
- Landon Collins S Alabama Sr.
- Cam Robinson LT Alabama Freshman
- Laremy Tunsil OT Ole Miss Soph
- Robert Nkemdiche DE Ole Miss Soph
- Kevin White WR West Virginia Jr.
- Andrus Peat OT Stanford Jr.
- Kendall Fuller CB Virginia Tech Soph
- Christian Hackenburg QB Penn St. Soph
- Laquon Treadwell WR Ole Miss Soph
- Randy Gregory PR Nebraska Jr.
- Myles Jack LB UCLA Soph
- Amari Cooper WR Alabama Jr.
- Melvin Gordon RB Wisconsin Jr.
- Danny Shelton DT Washington Sr.
- Vernon Hargreaves III CB Florida Soph
- Dante Fowler Jr. PR Florida Jr.
- Tre'Davious White CB LSU Soph
- Arik Armstread DT Oregon Jr.
- Mario Edwards Jr. DE FSU Jr.
- Todd Gurley RB Georgia Jr.
- Vic Beasley PR Clemson Sr.
- Devante Parker WR Louisville Sr.
- Paul Dawson LB TCU Sr.
- Trae Waynes CB Michigan St. Sr.
- Deion Barnes PR Penn St. Jr.
- Reggie Ragland LB Alabama Jr.
- DT A'Shawn Robinson DT Alabama Freshman
- Brandon Scherff OT Iowa Sr.
- Jaelen Strong WR Arizona St. Sr.
- Nelson Agholar WR USC Jr.
- Marcus Peters CB Washington Jr.
- Cedric Ogbuehi OT Texas A&M Sr.
- TJ Yeldon RB Alabama Jr.
- Ifo Ekpre-Olumu CB Oregon Sr.
- Duke Johnson RB Miami Jr.
- Maxx Williams TE Minnesota Soph
- Jaylon Smith LB Notre Dame Soph
- Brett Hundley QB UCLA Jr.
- PJ Williams CB Florida St. Jr.
- Jordan Lucas CB Penn State Jr.
- Kevin Hogan QB Stanford Jr.
- Karl Joseph S West Virginia Jr.
- Owamagbe Odighizuwa DT UCLA Sr.
- James Connor RB Pittsburgh Soph
- Erik Striker LB OU Jr.
- Speedy Noil WR Texas A&M Freshman
- Eric Kendricks LB UCLA Sr.
- Tyler Johnstone OT Oregon Jr.
- Davonte Fields PR TCU Jr.
- Tyler Boyd WR Pittsburgh Soph
- La'el Collins OT LSU Sr.
- Jamison Crowder WR Duke Sr.
- Bralon Addison WR Oregon Jr.
- Alani Fua PR BYU Sr.
- Ereck Flowers OT Miami Jr.
- Shaq Thompson S Washington Jr.
- Sean Mannion QB Oregon St. Sr.
- Jake Fisher OT Oregon Sr.
- Shilique Calhoun PR Michigan St. Jr.
- Chris Hackett S TCU Jr.
- Tony Conner S Ole Miss Soph
- KD Cannon WR Baylor Freshman
- AJ Tarpley LB Stanford Sr.
- Cody Prewitt S Ole Miss Sr.
- Dorial Green-Beckham WR OU Jr.
- Denzel Perryman LB Miami Sr.
- Malcom Brown DT Texas Jr.
- Clive Walford TE Miami Sr.
- Kei'Varae Russell CB Notre Dame Jr.
- Cameron Irving OT FSU Sr.
- Tevin Mitchell CB Arkansas Sr.
- Sammy Coates WR Auburn Jr.
- Noah Spence PR Ohio State Jr.
- Corey Crawford DE Penn St Sr.
- Henry Anderson DT Stanford Sr.
- Michael Bennett DT Ohio St. Sr.
- Shaq Lawson PR Clemson Soph
- Connor Cook QB Michigan St. Jr.
- Hunter Henry TE Arkansas Soph
- Brendan Langley CB Georgia Soph
- Christian Covington DT Rice Jr.
- Mike Davis RB South Carolina Jr.
- Bryce Petty QB Baylor Sr.
- Atwan Goodley WR Baylor Sr.
- Quandre Diggs CB Texas #28 5'10 192 Sr.
- Kenneth Dixon RB Louisiana Tech Jr.
- Nick O'Leary TE FSU Sr.
- Derron Smith S Fresno State Sr.
- Johnathan Gray RB Texas Jr.
- Andre Monroe DT Maryland Sr.
- Josh Shaw CB USC Sr.
- Denzel Nkemdiche S Ole Miss Jr.
- Kenyon Drake RB Alabama Jr.
- AJ Johnson LB Tennessee Sr.
- Tevin McDonald S Eastern Washington Sr.
Additional comments:
Non eligible players included-This can be confusing for some as you might see Joey Bosa at #3 and say, "but he's not even in the draft this year?" Correct! I still include them on my year end list like this because I think it is helpful to see the strengths and weaknesses of a draft class and especially a specific position. As you can see the top 2 pass rushers on my board (Joey Bosa and Myles Garrett) aren't draft eligible which gives a better perspective on the next tier talents like Randy Gregory and Dante Fowler who are in this year's draft. Both should have good careers but neither seem like superstar types and that is more easily seen by including freshman and sophomores. Also I only include the non-eligible players on my beginning and end of season lists so a new list for the 2015 entrants will be added to the website later.
Jameis Winston-So Jameis regains the top spot. He had the top spot at the end of the 2013 season, had a terrible offseason in which he was arrested for stealing crab legs, the rape charge was brought up again in a formal investigation by the school and he screamed obscenities on the FSU campus at a woman yet even all of that only dropped him to the #7 spot in my last rankings in the fall of 2014. He's just too talented to not deserve a Top 3 pick as he reminds me of a later career Steve McNair after he gained more accuracy yet lost a little speed and athleticism. Both could move and buy extra time in the pocket, both were tall and somewhat thickly built men and both had good arm strength but also the ability to put touch on the ball. I just finished watching the QB portion of the Combine tonight and again am sold on Jameis being a franchise QB. That being said he is still a grade A dumbass and I have no doubt that he will cause some PR nightmare for the NFL franchise he goes to. Cam Newton, Ben Roethlisberger, Colin Kaepernick, Jay Cutler and Brett Favre have done the same over the years and all of them were still given the chance to put a helmet back on for their franchise so I don't see it being as big of a problem as some people do. I expect Winston to be taken #1, have a very good rookie season and quickly establish himself as a Top 20 QB. He will have a high interception rate but he's a winner, a leader and is clutch. There aren't too many franchise QBs out there so Tampa will accept him, warts and all.
WR Class-There were 3 rookie wideouts last year that had +1,000 yards receiving which was historic. Already there is talk of this being a trend due to improve QB play, the proliferation of the spread offense to the NFL, etc. I don't buy it. I said that last year's draft was the best WR class I've ever graded and it did not disappoint. I fully expect 3 wideouts (Kevin White, Amari Cooper and DeVante Parker) to have good rookie seasons but wouldn't be surprised if none of them broke the 1,000 yard mark. It is tough to do and will continue to be seen as a rarity once last year's WR class recedes from memory. That being said Kevin White intrigues the hell out of me. He reminds me of Julio Jones due to his size/speed combination, his long dreadlocks help the comparison too. I'm less intrigued by Amari who I think was force fed the ball a lot this season. Keep in mind he was a borderline 1st round pick going into this year as his sophomore campaign wasn't very impressive. He isn't strong, tall or very tough which makes me think he will be a high grade #2 WR more than a top end #1. He could surprise me but I think he will underwhelm expectations and Lane Kiffin will be exposed as a future red flag for prospects. In 2012 he force fed the ball to Marqise Lee who won the Biletnikoff Award that year (118 catches for 1,721 yards and 14 TDs) and in 2014 he force fed the ball to Amari Cooper who also won the Biletnikoff (124 catches for 1,727 yards and 16 TDs). Do you see any similarity? I do. Cooper will be a very good player and is superior to Lee as a prospect but neither look like #1 wideout material.
Leonard Williams-Tomorrow the DL go through the Combine process and I am excited to see Leonard's workout. Right now he grades out as the #2 DT I've ever graded, only behind Ndamakong Suh who was a once a generation prospect coming out of Nebraska. Williams is that rare prospect who has no holes in his game as he is an elite athlete, fills up the stat sheet, is a leader, has a great motor and has no character issues. I am sold on Winston as a franchise QB otherwise Williams would be an easy choice for the #1 spot on my board. With the QB position getting so much attention there is a good chance that Williams will still be on the board at #3. I suspect the Jaguars would be quite happy with that outcome as Gus Bradley is a defensive minded coach who was the defensive coordinator for the Seahawks previously and is a guy who values hard work and toughness. Leonard has that in spades and he will be a great addition to whatever team he goes to.
Landon Collins-He is the highest rated safety on my board since Eric Berry in 2010. I have a Top 5 grade on him which is higher than most scouts so it will be interesting to see where he ends up but I suspect he will end up as at least a Top 10 selection. The NFL has too many elite tight ends who cause matchup nightmares and not enough versatile safeties that can cover them. Collins is the rare type that can play centerfield, move down to cover a tight end one on one or lay a jaw dropping hit on a ball carrier. He is a physical freak who is just learning how to play the game and I expect multiple Pro Bowls from him. I do wonder though if Mark Barron being a bust as a Top 10 selection a few years ago, and both being Alabama alumni, will affect his draft status.
With 2014 in the books it's time to take a look ahead to 2015. What better way to start off the New Year than with a set of predictions. It has also been awhile since I posted on the website so my predictions will have additional commentary by it as I catch readers up with what is on my mind. Enjoy the predictions:
Marcus Mariota will be the 1st Overall Pick: It will be interesting to see if he's the 1st Overall Pick of the Bucs or someone else but I think this kid has too much value to fall even to the #2 spot. I'm sold on him becoming a quality NFL starter due to his height, speed, accuracy and great decision making (his 1.1% INT rate is the greatest in college football history) yet I'm still not sold on him becoming a superstar. I'm sure more than 1 team will be sold on that though so I expect him to either go to the Bucs or go to a team that gives the Bucs an RGIII type haul for the 1st Pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Jameis Winston returns for his junior season and wins his 2nd Heisman: No one believes Winston when he says he wants to return for another season but I do. He gets a lot of grief for being a dumbass, and rightfully so, but the kid is a competitor and I think he wants to end his collegiate career on a high note. He has so many off the field issues for a team to deal with but, purely as a prospect, I think he's a top level talent. He reads defenses relatively well, has great accuracy and is an emotional leader that teammates seem to rally around. I suspect FSU is again undefeated at the end of the 2015 regular season as Winston joins Archie Griffin as the only two time winners of the Heisman.
Jeremy Hill will be arrested this offseason: I rated him as the #2 RB in last year's draft because of his elite talent and he's showing it late in the season yet I was hesitant of the kid's character and think the success he's had in his first NFL season will go straight to his head. He won't kill anyone but he's my pick to being arrested for a fight outside a club, a DWI or some other lower level offense.
Panthers beat the Cards: I thought this was a somewhat controversial prediction but then I saw that Vegas had the Panthers as 6.5 point favorites. Controversial/playing it safe, however you want to look at it I think that the Panthers are the most underrated team in the tournament. Cam Newton is playing the best football of his career (I was shocked how accurate he was against Atlanta last week) and he finally seems to be healthy enough to be a dual threat again. Their defense is still struggling but they've improved the past few weeks and against Ryan Lindley they won't have to be world beaters to keep them under 20 points. I expect the Panthers to win comfortably.
Cowboys beat Lions: This would have been a blowout if the injury/suspension issues were reversed yet with the Lions getting back Suh and Fairley while the Cowboys will be missing Melton and probably Hitchens the pendulum swings back towards the Lions a bit. I still think the Lions are a very flawed team that had to scrap for wins throughout the season while the Cowboys are the most efficient and balanced offense in the league. It won't be a blowout but I see the Cowboys winning by low double digits.
Bengals beat the Colts: The Colts look like a team that ran out of gas a few weeks ago while the Bengals look like a different team with Jeremy Hill as their lead back. Andrew Luck is #2 on my MVP ballot (for those who care I have Rodgers #1, Watt #3, Romo #4 and Brady #5-yes it is QB heavy but that is the most important position in football so it should be QB heavy) simply because he has so little talent to work with. Even Luck won't be able to shift the odds in his favor in this matchup as Hill will get his seemingly standard 150 yards and 2 TDs and Dalton will be mediocre throughout yet it won't matter. What's funny is how Dalton will be praised by the announcers as "finally breaking through" despite his poor stats and lack of impact on the game.
Steelers beat Ravens: This is the only game I don't really have a good sense on but I can't just avoid it right? The Steelers are a much better team and at home but without LeVeon Bell their talent level gets evened out quickly. Also it's a rivalry game and this rivalry has been tough to predict over the years. It should come down to the 4th Q.
Seahawks beat the Panthers: Shocker I know, though I do think this game could be closer than most people think.
Cowboys beat the Packers: I love Rodgers but if the weather works out, the Cowboys could go into a blizzardy Lambeau Field with the best offensive line and one of the best running backs in the league. I like Eddie Lacy but the weather would still have to be viewed as a negative with Rodgers/Nelson/Cobb all being hurt by it. I think the Cowboys would overcome Rodgers greatness if there is an Ice Bowl 2.0.
Patriots beat the Steelers: I doubt Bell is back next week so the Patriots would likely blow out the Steelers as Belichick would stick Revis on Antonio Brown and the Steelers would have 2/3rds of their triplets invisible in the game.
Bengals beat the Broncos: Peyton Manning isn't healthy, Julius Thomas isn't healthy, the weather in Denver is dropping as we speak, the right side of their offensive line is in shambles, Manning isn't clutch and oh did I mention it's the playoffs?
Seahawks beats Cowboys: Yes the Cowboys won there earlier this year but the Seahawks didn't hit their stride until about 4 weeks ago so I expect a very different outcome the second time around.
Patriots beat Bengals: This game is won easily as the Patriots can shut down any team's run game due to their triangle of Wilfork at 3-4 NT and Donte Hightower and Jamie Collins at 3-4 ILB. Once the run game is shut down the Bengals will be forced to pass and Dalton won't be outplaying Brady anytime soon in a Conference Finals.
Seahawks beat Patriots: This was my preseason prediction and I feel more confident than ever about it. I think these are clearly the best two teams in the league with the Packers a distant third (yes I have the Packers losing to the Cowboys but I think the weather will play a large role in how that game plays out as on a neutral field I still have the Packers).
Texas A&M goes 11-2 in 2015: A strange prediction after all of the NFL stuff but I think the signing of John Chavis will result in a major turnaround on defense and Sumlin's offense was held back by the inexperience of Kyle Allen. Allen will be much better in 2015, he was actually turning into a pretty solid QB by the end of 2014, and they will be one of the most balanced teams in the SEC. They'll lose to Alabama and one other SEC West team yet win the rest of their games, including their top level bowl matchup.
Charlie Strong will be fired in 2016: Yes I know this is an article for predictions in 2015 but I fully believe that the Longhorns will be 8-4 or worse in 2015 and 2016 which will result in him only getting 3 years and the quick boot out the door. Strong is a poor fit for the Longhorn program which seems to be all about hype, finesse and attitude these days. He wants to build a hard nosed, blue collar program and it just won't appeal to UT fans. Add to that the fact that Texas A&M, Baylor and TCU are in the midst of historic eras for their programs and Strong to be shown the door after two more mediocre and rather boring seasons. UT fans are not patient and when they realize that they aren't even relevant then the tipping point will have occurred.
Dylon Mack will re-commit to Texas A&M: A lot of old timers hate how kids commit and de-commit at the drop of a hat but I don't think Mack is that type of kid. He made it abundantly clear that he was uncomfortable staying with Texas A&M since they still didn't even have a defensive coordinator. Two weeks later they not only have one but they have arguably the best one in the entire country. He will join Myles Garrett in College Station and they will be the best DL in all of college football.
LeBron will be in the NBA Finals for a 5th straight season: The Cavaliers are a mess right now but LeBron is the best player on the planet and I expect him to mesh enough with Irving and Love enough to lead them to the NBA Finals. He'll get swept by a much more talented Western Conference team but it'll be a testament to his talent that he took such a flawed team so far.
Odell Beckham will be the #1 WR in fantasy: I've never seen a rookie wide receiver play better than Beckham did as his extrapolated numbers for a full season were ridiculous. I think he will get even better with a full offseason with Manning and he will be the fantasy MVP in 2015, especially considering he likely won't go till the 2nd round in most drafts.
Fantasy Sleepers: Jimmy Graham, Adrian Peterson, AJ Green, Calvin Johnson, Jordan Cameron, and Brandon Marshall are all studs who had issues last year that weren't really their fault. I would draft any of them in 2015 as I suspect they will unfairly be downgraded due to their mediocre seasons. I also would look to Eli Manning, Ryan Tannehill, Carlos Hyde, Isaiah Crowell, Eric Decker, Mike Evans, Brandon Lafell and Travis Kelce as sneaky picks that look good on draft day but look great by mid-season. All of those guys mentioned above were starting to bust out by the end of 2014 but just ran out of time so the mass publications will likely keep them underrated going into the new season. Try and add 1 or 2 of these guys in the mid rounds though Hyde and Evans could easily blow up with a few choice words by Matthew Berry and turn into early to mid 2nd round types.
Recently I read that the NFL just broke a record for the highest combined QB Rating through 3 games of the regular season. I wasn't surprised about this at all as the NFL is on its fourth straight year of an elite draft class of signal callers joining the league and these recent additions have created a historic level of depth at the quarterback position. I've been an avid fan of the NFL for a decade and a half and I've always been used to the fact that there were more teams than quality quarterbacks. Every year there were 4-8 teams in the NFL that had little to no chance of competing due to their atrocious lack of talent at the quarterback position. With the advent of 7 on 7 camps and leagues in Junior High and High School as well as the prevalence of spread offenses in the college game the NFL has seen a flux of quality talent in recent drafts at the quarterback position. I am of the opinion that the quarterback position is about to become less valuable as a capable starting quarterback will no longer be seen as a scarce resource by NFL franchises and they will stop overpaying for them. An elite quarterback will still be of the utmost value but a mid level quarterback like Joe Flacco, Andy Dalton or Jay Cutler will see their value, ie salary, drop as teams will have an abundance of cheaper options which would result in only a slight reduction in performance.
In just the last three years the NFL saw 12 teams take a quarterback that has been productive enough to be a regular starter for them (Cam Newton, Jake Locker, Andy Dalton, Colin Kaepernick, Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III/Kirk Cousins, Ryan Tannehill, Russell Wilson, Nick Foles, EJ Manuel, Geno Smith and Mike Glennon.) In that 3 year time frame 12 new talented signal callers were added to the NFL as "starter caliber" and by my estimate only 2 left as Vince Young retired and Matt Hasselbeck became a permanent backup with the Colts and will retire at the end of this season.
It's pretty easy to do the math when it is +12 and -2 to see that the NFL's long standing deficit of starting quarterbacks is quickly coming to an end. Add in the 2014 NFL Draft which saw four quarterbacks (Blake Bortles, Johnny Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater and Derek Carr) taken in the first 36 picks, three of whom took the majority of their team's snaps this past weekend, and the depth of talent at the QB position could be considered at an all time high. I went through NFL teams depth charts and found that 23 of the 32 teams wouldn't even consider a QB change which left only 9 teams "potentially" in the hunt for a QB in 2015. Of those teams 3 (Giants, Cardinals, Rams) have veteran quarterbacks that have been productive at times but appear to be on the decline and in need of replacement, 5 have young quarterbacks that the team (Bucs, Bills, Jets, Dolphins, Titans) pretty recently spent a 1st or 2nd round draft pick on yet are still on the fence about and 1 team (Texans) which had nothing but stop gaps in place and would surely be in the market for a quarterback next year. What does this all mean? I think the first thing it means is that the average starting salary for a mid level quarterback will soon be decreasing. Andy Dalton, Alex Smith, Jay Cutler and Colin Kaepernick all got extensions this offseason with many analysts being surprised at how mediocre some of the numbers were. I was not as the difference between Alex Smith and Jake Locker is minimal in my opinion so Smith should be praising his agent that he was given a 4 year $68 million extension after his 89.1 QB Rating in 2013 while Jake Locker will possibly be replaced in 2015 as his 86.7 QB Rating in 2013 wasn't considered good enough. Last year the Bears ran into this issue when Jay Cutler went down with an injury and Josh McCown took his place as the backup actually played better than the starter. I was intrigued at the possibility that an NFL team would finally bite the bullet and downgrade their QB in exchange for an improved salary cap situation yet in the end the Bears were unwilling to be pioneers and test out this new idea. Instead they rewarded Cutler with a 7 year $126 million extension and watched McCown leave for a measly 2 year $10 million deal from the Bucs. This despite Cutler having a middling career QB Rating of 85.1, being 31 years old which usually begins to lead to a decline in performance from most quarterbacks and the fact that McCown's 109 QB Rating in 2013 easily trumped Cutler's 89.2 QB Rating while they played with the exact same supporting cast, coaching staff and offensive scheme. The Bears probably thought long and hard about stiffing Cutler and moving on but took the predictable route and who can blame them as NFL franchises have been making similar decisions for decades now. With the number of quality starting quarterbacks closing in on the important number of 32 I suspect that we won't be waiting much longer for a similar situation to arise and an NFL franchise to finally make the logical choice of going with a $5 mil a year Chad Henne, Matt Cassel, or Josh McCown type over a $17 mil a year Alex Smith, an $18 mil a year Jay Cutler or a $20.1 mil a year Joe Flacco. The improvement from a low 80's to a mid to high 80's QB Rating isn't worth the 3 to 4 fold increase in salary and with so many cheap and talented quarterbacks coming into the NFL via the draft there is no longer a need to pay these ransoms for mediocre talent. My analysis is controversial as it would necessitate a 180 degree change from where quarterbacks salaries are currently heading but if the next 3 NFL Drafts yield a comparable number of "starting caliber" quarterbacks as the past 3 NFL Drafts have then the quarterback position could soon become similar to the running back position where a few elite talents (Adrian Peterson, LeSean McCoy, Jamaal Charles, Matt Forte, Arian Foster) make big money but the rest of the starters are on rookie contracts or undermarket secondary deals due to the oversupply of talent on the market. Aaron Rodgers and Andrew Luck will continue to break the bank but in 3 years the current contracts of the mid level quarterback (Alex Smith, Joe Flacco, Colin Kaepernick, Jay Cutler, Matthew Stafford, Eli Manning) will seem laughable and teams will no longer feel abliged to overpay for these mediocre players. The tipping point I suspect would be when there is an NFL Draft with 3 or more 1st round talents at quarterback but only 1 or 2 teams with a legitimate need. A few of those 1st round talents would drop into Round 2 or even Round 3 and suddenly a team would be faced with the decision of whether to keep their good but expensive starter or draft the young, talented quarterback who comes with a 4 year $2.198 million contract like Russell Wilson did in 2012. That would begin a game of musical chairs at the quarterback position as teams would no longer be scrambling just to make sure they had a quality starter but now would have two or three to choose from and could drive a hard bargain in free agency or wait an extra round in the draft before selecting their signal caller. Since this would be an epochal shift it is difficult to time but I suspect that the groundwork will be laid for this shift in the 2015 NFL Draft with Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston, Brett Hundley, Kevin Hogan and Connor Cook combining with the 4 quarterbacks of this past draft to put further pressure on the job security of mid level quarterbacks. A few teams would begin the experimentation, possibly an innovator like Chip Kelly would be the first as I could see him not being convinced that Nick Foles was worth $20 mil a year since below average quarterbacks like Mark Sanchez put up video game numbers in his system each preseason, and then a glut of quarterbacks would arise in free agency which would lead to salary declines in mass. Restructurings would break out across the league, the franchise tag would only be used on the elite quarterbacks and each new wave of quarterbacks from the college ranks would be less and less promoted as 1st round talents would now almost always be drafted by teams that already had a capable starter in place. Year long mentorships of young quarterbacks would be in vogue again and quarterbacks being injured for a large stretch of games would no longer result in a team's season being ruined. The NFL would still be a quarterback driven league but I expect it to soon be one in which there is a plethora of talented quarterbacks and the end result will be an even greater level of parity, something the league will love. Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Drew Brees have dominated the league for years and many commentators have talked about how much the NFL will miss them when they retire in a few seasons. I suspect the league won't miss them at all as the quarterback position will be in better shape than ever due partly to quality like Andrew Luck but mainly to quantity as the NFL is about to be overrun with quarterbacks. The league will never be the same.
The Cowboys season is set to get underway in about 4 hours and I thought I'd preview their upcoming season and what I see in store for them. Unfortunately the Cowboys are about as volatile and complex of a team as there is in the NFL so I had to break it down into two viewpoints. The first vantage point is the pessimistic view of the 2014 Cowboys and trust me it was an easier one to write. The second vantage point is the optimistic view of the 2014 Cowboys. Finally I combined the two views and gave my win-loss prediction and how I see the season turning out. Enjoy!
Glass Half Empty
Living rooms go eerily quiet across the country as the announcer sums it up, "The Saint have scored on their first 6 possessions of the game and now Romo is down after taking a vicious blind side hit. If this is his back the Cowboys season is over." The headlines the rest of the season would spell it out for everyone: "Tony done for the year, Cowboys season with it." "Passing on Manziel looking bad in hindsight." "Jones preaches optimism as Cowboys lose 5th straight by double digits." "Cowboys sign Tim Tebow to keep AT&T stadium packed full despite 1-10 record."
This season could end horribly for the Dallas Cowboys and anyone who doesn't at least acknowledge that possibility isn't being honest. Last year the Cowboys gave up more yards than any team in NFL History. This season they will be playing without DeMarcus Ware, Jason Hatcher and Sean Lee who were widely regarded as their three best players on that defense from a year ago. The two players the Cowboys are relying on the most on their defensive line, Anthony Spencer and Henry Melton, both missed the entire 2013 season due to injury and have only recently begun to practice. There is a chance that one or both of them never has an impact for the Cowboys this season. Their top defensive draft pick, DeMarcus Lawrence, broke his foot and will miss at least the first 6 games and could miss the entire season if the Cowboys get off to a slow start and the coaching staff plays it conservatively with him. Their top linebacker, Sean Lee, tore his ACL and will miss the entire season. He wasn't just their best linebacker but he was the defensive play caller and the leader of the defense. His loss was devastating to the team on a physical and psychological level. Their best cornerback, Orlando Scandrick, tested positive for Ecstasy and will miss the first four games of the season. In both the 2013 regular season and the 2014 preseason Scandrick was the one player on the Cowboys roster that could consistently play man coverage at a high level. The Cowboys face the 49ers and Saints during Scandricks' suspension. Both teams were among the "Final 8" in last year's playoffs and would have been favored even if the Cowboys had Scandrick starting. The Cowboys safety duo of Barry Church and JJ Wilcox is considered one of the strengths of the team. Neither has made a Pro Bowl, combined they only have 25 starts to their name and neither is expected to be anything more than an average starter. Again, this is considered one of the strengths of the team. Dez Bryant is one of the 3-5 best wide receivers in the game. Everyone knows this and therefore Bryant will face more double teams than at any other point in his career. Jason Witten is 32 years old and on the decline of his career. Terrance Williams is going into his second season and shouldn't be expected to be an offensive focal point yet in his career. Gavin Escobar was non-existent as a rookie. DeMarco Murray has missed 11 games over the past three seasons due to injury. Cole Beasley is 5'8. These are the five players that will have to play well to keep teams from double teaming Bryant on every single snap. There are issues with all of them. Romo had offseason back surgery. It is the second back surgery of his career. His back does not allow him to practice more than a few hours at a time. He also had to be given numerous days off while he built up his back's strength. He has missed more days of practice in training camp than in any season of his career. It would be a surprise if the offense was clicking on all cylinders right out of the gate due to Romo's limited practice schedule. He turned 34 this year. Troy Aikman had back and head injuries which caused him to retire at the age of 34. He has been adamant this offseason that all is not well with Romo and when asked if Romo's best days were ahead of him he said, "I don't necessarily think that would be the case with him, not just because his age….the back injuries that he's had, that's a big unknown. That's a significant injury and I know that from experience. No one really knows yet how this back is going to hold up. To say that his best years are ahead of him, I wouldn't agree with that." The Cowboys have been 8-8 the past three seasons with a healthy Romo in the prime of his career. What would the Cowboys record be if Romo's play finally begins to slip? What would the Cowboys record be if Romo has an injury plagued season like he did in 2010 when he missed 10 games? All is not right in Cowboy Country.
Glass Half Full
I am often amazed at the pessimism of the Dallas Cowboys fan base. This year it is to new levels as everyone sees the same old terrible defense as last year. I understand the logic behind the argument, "The 2013 Cowboys defense was historically bad. It set numerous records for ineptitude and this year's version is missing the three best players from that horrific defense. They will be the worst defense in NFL history." I think there is some validity to that but I also think that it is a biased argument that has numerous flaws in its logic. First off there is the argument that this is a historically bad defense. Yes it did set numerous records in futility yet many of the record set like first downs in a game and yards given up are not nearly as important as the one key factor: points allowed. By this statistic, the most important indicator in my opinion in evaluating a defense, the Cowboys were barely in the bottom quartile. The Cowboys in 2013 were 26th in scoring defense and were only 2.1 points behind the Denver Broncos who were 22nd in scoring defense yet still made it to the Super Bowl. This is not the NFL in the 1980s when every championship level team had to have a dominant defense. This is the era of the spread offense with no contact rules and innovative play calling that has accentuated the skill of numerous elite quarterbacks. I don't want to sidetrack the discussion but I honestly do think that Dallas still has one of those elite quarterbacks in Tony Romo. Last year the top six teams in scoring defense all made the playoffs. Last year the bottom eight teams in the NFL in scoring defense did not make the playoffs. So obviously you cannot be one of the worst defenses and still make the playoffs yet it then gets hazy as the Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos both made the playoffs while being the 9th and 11th worst scoring defenses while the Cardinals and Dolphins both didn't make the playoffs while having the 7th and 8th best defenses. The difference is that those poor defensive teams had Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning at QB while those good defensive teams had Carson Palmer and Ryan Tannehill at QB. With the Cowboys having one of the Top 10 QBs in the league in Tony Romo they don't need the defense to be very good for them to still have a shot at the playoffs. Most analysts disagree with me but the numbers prove me right as there is a higher correlation to elite offenses making the playoffs than to elite defenses making it. In 2013 nine of the top twelve defenses made the playoffs while ten of the top twelve offenses made the playoffs. It happened again in 2012 as eight of the top twelve defenses made the playoffs while ten of the top twelve offenses made the playoffs. It is better to have an elite offense than an elite defense in the NFL and the Cowboys have an elite offense. Last year they were 5th in the league in scoring and seemed to finally show signs of becoming the dominant offense they should have been these past few years. Many people have the incorrect notion of Dallas being consistently a dominant offense yet last year was the first time under Garrett that they finished as a Top 5 offense. The previous time it occurred was 7 seasons ago in the 2007 season. Dallas finished 13-3 that year and had the #1 seed in the NFC. We all know how that ended but the point is that Dallas was an elite offense last year and elite offenses can hide a plethora of issues for a team. I fully expect Dallas to be as good if not better on offense in 2014 as the two issues that previously were holding the Cowboys back appear to have been solved. The first issue was the offensive line. At one point the Cowboys had one of the 5 worst offensive lines in the NFL as 22 straight years of Jerry Jones not drafting an offensive lineman in the first round finally caught up with him. To his credit though, he did change his opinion on the concept and has now drafted an offensive lineman with a 1st round pick in 3 of the past 4 drafts. With Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin all in their early twenties and under contract for the next 3 seasons, the Cowboys have a chance to be a dominant offensive line.
The other issue was Jason Garrett's play calling. I've always considered him an overrated offensive mind and as a play caller he's just downright bad. Every year there are at least 2 games where everyone but Garrett knows the Cowboys should run the ball yet they somehow don't. Every year the Cowboys struggle in the red zone settling for far more field goals than they should. Every year the Cowboys run an offensive system that fails to incorporate crossing routes, rubs and bubble screens which are three of the "newer" aspects of offenses around the college and pro game. Garrett has stubbornly stuck to his Norv Turner/Air Coryell offensive system which is a timing based system that does little to help its receivers get open. It has infuriated me watching Garrett's medieval offense these past few years while Chip Kelly, Darrell Bevell and Mike McCoy have been so innovative. It is not surprising that both Peyton Manning and Phillip Rivers had their careers revived when they met up with Mike McCoy. He calls plays to get guys open schematically and would never force Romo to throw 10 back shoulder throws a game to be successful. Thankfully the Cowboys hired Scott Linehan this offseason and Garrett appears to be completely out of the play calling loop. With the Cowboys having one of the better offensive lines in all of football and Jason Garrett no longer calling the plays I would be surprised if the Cowboys weren't a Top 5 offense. With that level of production coming from one side of the ball the Cowboys only need to be a below average defense to be legit playoff contenders. Everyone talks about the Cowboys being historically bad last year AND no longer having their top 3 defensive players (DeMarcus Ware, Jason Hatcher and Sean Lee) which is true but Ware was banged up all year and largely ineffective. In 2012 the Cowboys had Ware and Spencer yet it was Spencer who was considered the superior player that year (Profootballfocus ranked him as the #1 3-4 OLB in the NFL that year, well ahead of Ware.). I mention this because Spencer returning seems to be completely inconsequential to Cowboys fans and Ware leaving is considered devastating. The fact is that Ware hasn't been the "old Ware" since 2011 and having Spencer off an injury plagued season might be better than having Ware off his injury plagued season. Also Sean Lee missed 5 games in 2013 and wasn't himself in 3 other games so the Cowboys basically only had Lee for half a season. Finally, Jason Hatcher was a Pro Bowler in 2013 and Henry Melton, who was signed to replace him, was a Pro Bowler in 2012 so I don't expect any noticeable drop off in production from that position. If you accept that Spencer and Melton for Ware and Hatcher is basically a wash then the difference between the 2013 and 2014 Cowboys will be whether 8 quality games by Sean Lee is more important than having an improved Morris Claiborne, JJ Wilcox, Brandon Carr and defensive coordinator. That last one might be the most important as I can't stress enough how bad Monte Kiffin was as a playcaller so I fully expect there will be major improvement in defensive performance just from the switch of Kiffin to Marinelli.
I'm not trying to sell you that the 2014 Cowboys defense will be good but I could see them "regress to the mean" and go from a terrible defense to just a below average one. If that occurs the Cowboys could be nipping at the heels of a playoff berth just like they have been the past 3 seasons.
Everyone knows that the Cowboys have a good offense and a bad defense. The question is just how good the Cowboys will be this year on offense and how bad the defense will be. Call me optimistic but I don't expect the Cowboys to regress from their Top 5 offensive ranking last year and think that many people are being a little too harsh on the defense. My Dad is in full agreement with Bill Simmons, unknowingly of course, with a 3-13 prediction. Profootballtalk has them ranked as the 24th best team in the NFL (the record would be somewhere around a 5-11 mark). Bob Sturm (The Ticket), Calvin Watkins (ESPNDallas.com), Steve Dennis (sideline reporter for the Dallas Cowboys) and Chris Arnold (The Fan) all have them going 6-10. I'm a little more optimistic as I have them going 7-9 yet was waffling on whether to put them higher not lower than that mark as the Cowboys are so absolutely stacked on offense that I could see them pulling off a Saints 2009-2011 type season in which their offense was so dominant that it didn't matter that their defense struggled. Of course Romo's back, Linehan taking over the offensive play calling, Marinelli taking over the defensive play calling, health of the offensive line (they have a great starting 5 but almost no depth behind it), health of the defensive line (Anthony Spencer, Henry Melton and Demarcus Lawrence are their top 3 guys and all are coming off major injuries) and Orlando Scandrick's suspension all are wild cards on this season. It's funny that the team I've watched for the past two decades is also still one of the hardest teams for me to predict. I know the Seahawks will be great, the Giants will be terrible, the Jaguars will be much improved and the Patriots, Broncos, Saints and Packers will all be in contention for the title. Yet the Cowboys, Redskins, Chiefs and Falcons are the four hardest teams to predict for this NFL season as any of them could go as high as 11-5 and as low as 3-13. That isn't a great place to be as a Cowboys fan but I suspect we will have some clarity early in the season as I am predicting they beat the 49ers in Week 1 and are 2-2 or 3-1 when a quarter of the season is complete. It would immediately put to bed the dire talk about their defense setting NFL records and give the team some hope that the playoffs are a real possibility. Or the Cowboys get blown out by the 49ers in a few hours and we realize that Dallas is in for a long season, something the pessimists have been preaching for months now on talk radio.
Predictions are always fun as if you get it right you have bragging rights over friends and if you get it wrong, well who remembers? For instance last year I remember quite clearly how I picked the Seattle Seahawks to win the Super Bowl yet it then gets a little hazy. Did I really pick the Houston Texans, the team with the worst record in the NFL in 2013, to play the Seahawks in the Super Bowl as the AFC Champs? I'm unsure. I suspect that somewhere there's documented evidence of that prediction but who really has the time to find it and why bring up such silliness. Let's just focus on the positives and all be friends, shall we? With the NFL season upon us I am ready for another set of predictions. I used the format here, which is well done by ESPN as it has 16 NFL writers with their predictions, and then I threw in a few additional ones for fun. Enjoy and let me know your thoughts in the comments section. Which of these predictions is most likely to turn out to be the one I regret the most?
Super Bowl Champion: Seahawks
AFC East: Patriots
AFC North: Bengals
AFC South: Colts
AFC West: Broncos
AFC Wild Cards: Chargers, Jaguars
NFC East: Eagles
NFC North: Packers
NFC South: Saints
NFC West: Seahawks
NFC Wild Cards: Cardinals, Falcons
AFC Champion: Patriots
NFC Champion: Seahawks
Coach of the Year: Pete Carroll
MVP: Aaron Rodgers
Offensive ROY: Johnny Manziel
Defensive ROY: Jadeveon Clowney
Additional picks
First runner up for NFC Wild Card: Vikings
First runner up for AFC Wild Card: Ravens
Worst Record in the League: Giants
Cowboys Record: 7-9
1st Overall Pick in 2015 NFL Draft: Marcus Mariota
Top 100 Updated 8/31/14 (PR is pass rusher not punt returner)
- Leonard Williams DT USC Jr.
- Joey Bosa DE Ohio State Soph
- Todd Gurley RB Georgia Jr.
- Marcus Mariota QB Oregon Jr.
- Laremy Tunsil OT Ole Miss Soph
- Andrus Peat OT Stanford Jr.
- Jameis Winston QB Florida St. Soph
- Ifo Ekpre-Olumu CB Oregon Sr.
- Duke Johnson RB Miami Jr.
- Kevin Hogan QB Stanford Jr.
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- Tony Conner S Ole Miss Soph
- Vic Beasley PR Clemson Sr.
- Brett Hundley QB UCLA Jr.
- Kendall Fuller CB Virginia Tech Soph
- Deion Barnes DE Penn St. Jr.
- Christian Hackenburg QB Penn St. Soph
- Myles Jack LB UCLA Soph
- Kei'Varae Russell CB Notre Dame Jr.
- Cedric Ogbuehi OT Texas A&M Sr.
- Nelson Agholar WR USC Jr.
- Mario Edwards Jr. DE FSU Jr.
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- Landon Collins S Alabama Sr.
- Jordan Lucas CB Penn State Jr.
- AJ Johnson LB Tennessee Sr.
- Tyler Johnstone OT Oregon Jr.
- Davonte Fields PR TCU Jr.
- Jalen Mills CB LSU Jr.
- Dante Fowler Jr. DE Florida Jr.
- Desmond King CB Iowa Soph
- Shaq Lawson PR Clemson Soph
- Quandre Diggs CB Texas #28 5'10 192 Sr.
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- La'el Collins OT LSU Sr.
- Jamison Crowder WR Duke Sr.
- Amari Cooper WR Alabama Jr.
- Jaylon Smith LB Notre Dame Soph
- Bralon Addison WR Oregon Jr.
- Kenyon Drake RB Alabama Jr.
- Damian Swann CB Georgia Sr.
- Karl Joseph S West Virginia Jr.
- Devante Parker WR Louisville Sr.
- Alani Fua PR BYU Sr.
- Melvin Gordon RB Wisconsin Jr.
- Sean Mannion QB Oregon St. Sr.
- Tim Scott CB North Carolina Sr.
- Shilique Calhoun PR Michigan St. Jr.
- Ty Montgomery WR Stanford Jr.
- Marcus Rush PR Michigan St. Sr.
- Justin Burris CB North Carolina St. Sr.
- Denzel Nkemdiche S Ole Miss Jr.
- AJ Tarpley LB Stanford Sr.
- Dorial Green-Beckham WR OU Jr.
- Denzel Perryman LB Miami Sr.
- Clive Walford TE Miami Sr.
- Cameron Irving OT FSU Sr.
- Randy Gregory PR Nebraska Sr.
- Tevin Mitchell CB Arkansas Sr.
- Sammy Coates WR Auburn Jr.
- Noah Spence PR Ohio State Jr.
- Corey Crawford DE Penn St Sr.
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- Connor Cook QB Michigan St. Jr.
- Brandon Scherff OT Iowa Sr.
- Hunter Henry TE Arkansas Soph
- Brendan Langley CB Georgia Soph
- Justin Hardy WR East Carolina Sr.
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- Christian Covington DT Rice Jr.
- Erik Striker LB OU Jr.
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- Atwan Goodley WR Baylor Sr.
- Shaq Thompson LB Washington Jr.
- Ronald Darby CB FSU Jr.
- Braxton Miller QB Ohio St. Sr.
- Merrill Noel CB Wake Forest Sr.
- Chris Hackett S TCU Jr.
- Johnathan Gray RB Texas Jr.
- Andre Monroe DT Maryland Sr.
- Jaelen Strong WR Arizona St. Sr.
- Josh Shaw CB USC Sr.
- Cody Prewitt S Ole Miss Sr.
- Brandon Carter WR TCU Sr.
- Tevin McDonald S Eastern Washington #7 Sr.
- Kenneth Dixon RB Louisiana Tech Jr.
- Nick O'Leary TE FSU Sr.
- Maxx Williams TE Minnesota Soph
- Derron Smith S Fresno State Sr.
- Keith Smith LB San Jose St. Jr.
- Deshazor Everett S Texas A&M Sr.
- Eric Kendricks LB UCLA Sr.
- Marlin Lane RB Tennessee Jr.
- Isaac Gross DT Ole Miss Jr.
- Michael Dyer RB Louisville Sr.
- Rashad Greene WR FSU Sr.


text: Without question, Casa is the best Mexican restaurant in town. It starts when you are greeted at the door by Jose, Mario, Fernando or one of the many other fine people at the front - you will get a smile, handshake and/or hug before they take you off to your seat. The chips & salsa will come... read more

subset: commoncrawl


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A Brief Exposition of the Constitution of the United States (Google eBook)
Hogan & Thompson, 1834 - 178 pages
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act of Congress adjourn adopted amendments appointed arising articles of confederation authority bill bill of attainder chosen citizens clause commerce committed common defence concurrence Congress assembled consent Consti Constitution crime Daniel Carroll declared delegated dent dependent district duties election establish executive exercise expressly Federalist foreign nations Francis Lightfoot Lee George Clymer grant gress House of Representatives impeachment important interest judges judicial power jurisdiction jury justice land legislative legislature letters of marque liberty limited manner means ment militia mode necessary neral North Carolina number of electors number of votes object offence party peace persons voted powers of Congress prescribed present preservation principal prohibited proper punishment racter ratified regulation require requisite respective restriction Roger Sherman Samuel Huntingdon secure Senate sion stitution Supreme Court taxes thereof tion tive treason treaties trial two-thirds Union United vernment vested Vice President whole number
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Page 33 - States. 2 A person charged in any State with treason, felony, or other crime, who shall flee from justice, and be found in another State, shall on demand of the executive authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up to be removed to the State having jurisdiction of the crime.
Page 177 - All bills of credit emitted, moneys borrowed, and debts contracted by or under the authority of Congress, before the assembling of the United States, in pursuance of the present Confederation, shall be deemed and considered as a charge against the United States, for payment and satisfaction whereof the said United States and the public faith are hereby solemnly pledged.
Page 37 - The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice President, shall be the Vice President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office...
Page 30 - United States of America. He shall hold his office during the term of four years, and together with the vice-president, chosen for the same term, be elected as follows : 2. Each State shall appoint...
Page 172 - Freedom of speech and debate in Congress shall not be impeached or questioned in any court, or place out of Congress...
Page 22 - In all our deliberations on this subject we kept steadily in our view that which appears to us the greatest interest of every true American, the consolidation of our Union, in which is involved our prosperity, felicity, safety, perhaps our national existence.
Page 174 - ... of establishing rules for deciding in all cases what captures on land or water shall be legal, and in what manner prizes taken by land or naval forces in the service of the United States shall be divided or appropriated � of granting letters of marque and reprisal in times of peace � appointing courts for the trial of piracies and felonies committed on the high seas...
Page 30 - Congress may determine the time of choosing the electors and the day on which they shall give their votes; which day shall be the same throughout the United States. 5. No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither...
Page 172 - For the more convenient management of the general interests of the United States, delegates shall be annually appointed in such manner as the legislature of each State shall direct, to meet in Congress on the first Monday in November, in every year...
Page 173 - No vessels of war shall be kept up in time of peace by any State, except such number only, as shall be deemed necessary by the United States in Congress assembled, for the defence of such State, or its trade; nor shall any body of forces be kept up by any State, in time of peace, except such number only, as in the judgment of the United States, in Congress assembled, shall be deemed requisite to garrison the forts necessary for the defence of such State...


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Beloved Activist Clown Wavy Gravy's Hippy Icon, Flower Geezer and Temple of Accumulated Error
* Additional fees apply. No coupon or promo codes necessary to enjoy the displayed discount price.
The last date listed for Wavy Gravy's Hippy Icon, Flower Geezer and Temple of Accumulated Error was Sunday February 10, 2013 / 2:00pm (Doors Open at 1:30pm).
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Philosophy Talk: Live Public Radio Tapings Explore Philosophical Topics at the Marsh
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Last time it was a film. This time, live, but reads from a book after 1st gd story. The book is sort of boring/eschatalogical, so we left. Not that funny. Don't need to hear a lot of name-dropping of people I know!
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We really enjoyed listening to Wavy Gravy performing and reminiscing; whether he is telling a story or reciting one of his poems or singing a jolly audience-join-in type of song, he is always his fine funny funky compassionate self. This was a...continued
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He's one of my hero's so to be in his presence is a gift.
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Truthfully I was sort of disappointed as I have followed the antics of Wavy and the Hog Farm folks for years. The problem is we all get older and it is more difficult to jump around (or even move slowly) and you could see the pain on his face in...continued
Running time: 90 minutes, with no intermission.
This performance is recommended for audiences ages 15 or older (no infants please).


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University of Puget Sound Library, February 2015
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by Justin Simien; Effie T Brown; Julia Lebedev; Angel Lopez; Ann Le; Lena Waithe; Leonid Lebedev; Stephanie Allain; Tyler James Williams; Tessa Thompson; Kyle Gallner; Teyonah Parris; Brandon P Bell; Malcolm Barrett; Brittany Curran; Justin Dobies; Marque Richardson; Dennis Haysbert; Topher Osborn; Bruton Jones; Phillip J Bartell; Toye Adedipe; Kathryn Bostic; Lions Gate Films,; Roadside Attractions (Firm),; Code Red Productions (Firm),; Homegrown Pictures.; Duly Noted, Inc.,;
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Language: English
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I recently became an Influenster which allows me to try products for free, and a lot of the time they aren't even sold in stores yet! 780 more words
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Hello Sunshines!! I'm so excited that March is here :) I'm so ready for spring and of course, March Madness!! 30-0 makes my heart sing…Goooo Cats! 1,152 more words
"Natural" Messy Waves
The hairstyle of the moment is the "I woke up like this" messy do. I, as well as the rest of the world have been working to master this seemingly undone disheveled look. 253 more words
Ashley Madekwe Shares her Beauty Secrets
Ashley Madekwe Shares her Beauty Secrets by kusja featuring a flat iron
Face care
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James Read beauty product
vanity redux.
this year i decided to majorly overhaul my beauty routine. it's a lot to do with my increasing age, and after having a baby and rounding the bases on 35, i felt the need to step up my game. 660 more words
On a Mission to Condition
On a Mission to Condition by msmiminyc featuring organix hair care
Rita Hazan hair conditioner
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Holiday Hair Saviours.
Lucky me! I've spent a week in Egypt with my lovely boyfriend and had a FANTASTIC time, we drove quad bikes, shopped, went snorkelling (I felt like I was in finding Nemo) oh! 615 more words


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Careers and Worklife
Navigating happily through your professional life
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"You have to start somewhere"
Ben Cohen clocked in at McDonald's as a cashier, drove a taxi cab, and filled a security guard position prior to becoming a teacher. He eventually became one half of Vermont's Ben & Jerry's. We are currently working hard to find great placements for the area's soon-to-be college graduates. Our goal is to place them in […] [Read More]
Improved Job Market May Lead to Higher Turnover
In an ideal world, the majority of employers have turnover on their minds a lot of the time, specifically how to retain employees and boost their morale. Unfortunately, turnover prevention is tied in with so many other business-related concerns and priorities. NBC Today's Allison Linn points out that with a gradually improving job market, employers […] [Read More]
Building the community of women in technology
Great things for women in the technology industry are happening right here in the Capital Region. Conferences, educational focus groups for aspiring and current it/tech students, and professional organizations are available for women to take part in; networking opportunities are increasing, and now's the time to get involved! In late 2012, Walrath Recruiting staff members […] [Read More]
Email etiquette affects your job search
The majority of job search-related early communication occurs via email rather than in person and over phone. From resume submissions and applications to setting up appointments and phone screens while on the go, email is likely to be the job seeker's primary method of communicating with recruiters and hiring companies. Email seems to be a […] [Read More]
Upcoming local career fairs
Spring is a very busy time for career fairs, and for companies that are looking to hire full-time and part-time employees as well as interns and summer employees. The following fairs are set for this spring, so job seekers should take note and plan ahead to attend: Schenectady Job Fair – Wednesday, March 20th at […] [Read More]
Standing out Among the Pack
Hundreds of thousands of job applicants are being confronted with the same issue as they continue their job search(es). They meet minimum qualifications for nearly every job applied, but the phone still doesn't ring. Phone calls placed to recruiters and HR Managers result in little to no information regarding the status of submitted resumes. Frustration […] [Read More]
Upcoming Career Fairs for College Students
The Spring semester is prime time for college and university-sponsored career and internship fairs. Students are preparing for their next step toward success post-graduation, and look forward to networking, exploring potential summer break intern positions, and finding that first full time job out of college. All of these can be found at college or university […] [Read More]
An Offer You Can Refuse
After months of scouring job listings, heading to interviews, meeting with career counselors and recruiters, polishing and re-polishing your resume, you finally receive an offer! If only you didn't feel so apprehensive about accepting that long-awaited job offer. Perhaps you weren't completely sold on the position when learning about the details, or maybe you didn't […] [Read More]
Gaining Experience When You're Inexperienced
When talking with new applicants over the phone or in person at a job fair, we always ask about previous work experience as part of the initial conversation. When an applicant who has very little to no work experience is interested in an opportunity that requires at least one to two years of previous work […] [Read More]
Times Union Job Fair is Monday, January 21st
This coming Monday, hiring companies and experts in resume writing, resume critiquing, and other career-related fields will be on hand at the Times Union Job Fair in Albany. Doors will open at 10am at the Albany Marriott located at 189 Wolf Road; company representatives will be available until 4pm that day. Those who are seeking […] [Read More]
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Sick Fish :(
I have a sick beta. I have had his since last August. He randomly does this not eating thing but usually it only last like a week. I give him less food and then he will go back to normal amounts as the week progresses. I was cleaning his water and noticed that his fins (all of them) looked veiny and blood shot and kinda frayed. So I looked it up on the Internet and i think that it is Fin Rot. I bought some Maracyn-two but the packets are for ten-gallon tanks and i keep him in a one-gallon tank. Should i just use like a few sprinkles of the powder or what?
You really don't need the Maracyn2. Improving the water conditions will help alot. Since its a small tank just add some salt. How often and how much water do you change? Do you use a water conditioner, if you have "city" water? What is the water temperature? Usually, finrot is from stress from not so ideal water parameters. Sometimes it is bacterial. Something doesn't sound right though. Sometimes fish won't eat when you first get them, but are normaly "pigs" afterward, especially bettas.
I would personaly use PrimaFix and Melafix I think you will find these easer to use and they are very reliable.
Fin Rot is a bacterial problem usually caused by bad house keeping.
Do you do a regular 30% water change and how often. Do you do any water treatments before you add the water to his tank.
Here is a link to my Betta Tank
[link=Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos]http://photobucket.com/albums/b209/keithgh/Betta%20desktop%20tank/[/link]


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If Our Bodies Could Talk
Handshakes Are Disgusting
Dec 10, 2013
| 21-part series
Video by
The Atlantic
Business is dirty; you don't have to be. A practical video guide to the professional fist bump.
Author: James Hamblin
About This Series
Off-beat perspectives on health topics from Dr. James Hamblin.


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(The Hosting News) – Top web host Rackspace Hosting on Monday announced the availability of cloud migrations to its hybrid cloud platform.
The migrations are complimentary and Rackspace Senior Product Marketing Manager Tarun Bhatti called them "Hassle-free" via a company blog post.
"Now you can move to the Rackspace Hybrid Cloud with ease with our complimentary Cloud Migration Service. We can help you move to the Rackspace Hybrid Cloud to experience the benefit of a cloud that is not one-size-fits-all, but a cloud that is the best fit for your application," commented Bhatti.
Meanwhile, Rackspace suggested factors like ease of use, complimentary assessment and migration, security, downtime, consistency and the ability to migrate from any platform as reasons to use the service.
|$$$ Become a Web Host $$$ Host unlimited sites!
Reseller Hosting >> Unlimited Domains >> 99.9% Uptime >> NO Contracts >> CPANEL/WHM>> Private Label>> Create your own Plans and >>Prices >> Fantastico>> Multi Language Control Panel>> FREE SETUP >> Free Whmautopilot Billing Manager >>Free Merchant Account
Related posts:
- Fpweb.net Unveils Free SharePoint Migrations
- VPS.NET Offers Site Migrations for Clients
- CenturyLink Pushes Private Cloud AppGrid
- Lenovo Pushes Private Cloud for SMBs
- Rackspace Building New Cloud Network


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Training Arrangements for all 1st & 2nd XV Players until futher notice
By User 117177, 31st Oct 2012
Training on Tuesdays will be at the club as normal with a 7pm start. Training on Thursdays will be at Turnbull High School on the 3G park with a 6.30pm (sharp) start. Changing facilities are available at Turnbull High School.


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LittleBigPlanet Vita
- Genre:
- Adventure
- Publisher:
- Sony Computer Entertainment
- Developer:
- Media Molecule
Should you Sackboy up and get LBP on the Vita?
Views: 64,057 | Posted: 09/24/2012
Bring your own arcade with you wherever you go as LittleBigPlanet heads to the Vita!
Views: 2,994 | Posted: 09/18/2012
Sackboy embarks on a brand new adventure with more ways to play than ever on the PlayStation Vita.
Views: 1,706 | Posted: 08/14/2012
We watch a cut scene and then fall on a bunch of spikes in this gameplay from LittleBigPlanet Vita.
Views: 5,588 | Posted: 06/07/2012
New gameplay for Little Big Planet Vita is revealed at E3!
Views: 7,549 | Posted: 06/05/2012
Sackboy returns in his LittleBiggest adventure yet!
Views: 4,895 | Posted: 06/05/2012
Play, share, and create like never before with LittleBigPlanet Vita!
Views: 5,130 | Posted: 06/05/2012
New story mode, new art, new features and new tools await in LittleBigPlanet Vita.
Views: 5,573 | Posted: 05/25/2012
See how the puppet circus works in this piece of gameplay action on the PS Vita.
Views: 6,159 | Posted: 01/20/2012
Little Big Planet comes to the PS Vita! Check out this quick clip of gameplay action.
Views: 9,440 | Posted: 01/20/2012
Time Magazine has announced its choices for the best video games of 2012, and...
Posted: Sep 17, 2012
Posted: Aug 2, 2012


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King Christian Hotel, Christiansted
This Christiansted, St. Croix harborfront hotel occupies a 200-year-old building adjacent to the Christiansted National Historic Site and steps from a boardwalk. A beach is five minutes away by ferry.
Hotel Features.
A freshwater pool and furnished sundeck are enclosed in a landscaped courtyard. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available in the courtyard and the lobby. The casual Avocado Pitt restaurant offers harborview seating on a covered sidewalk. During the winter season, a continental breakfast is served daily. An air-conditioned fitness center also faces the harbor. An independent water-sports center in the King Christian Hotel offers glass-bottom boat rides and snorkeling excursions to Buck Island Reef National Monument.
This Christiansted, St. Croix hotel has 40 guestrooms, located on the top two stories of a three-story building. Ceiling fans supplement air conditioning. All rooms include complimentary high-speed (wired) Internet access; a few provide complimentary wireless Internet access. TVs come with premium cable channels. Other amenities include in-room safes, compact refrigerators, and voice mail. Decor includes wicker furniture, pastel walls, and floral fabrics. Bathrooms have stall showers (no tubs).
Very good, great view to the harbor, great night life on boardwalk.
I read a few bad reviews that worried me before my stay but I didn't have a bad…
Enter dates to check prices
Hotel Info: 866-539-8117from $131
- Superior Room
- Standard Room
- Suite
- Deluxe Suite, 1 King Bed
- Superior Room, 2 Double Beds
- Standard Room, 2 Single Beds
- Deluxe Room
Recommended hotels
At a glance
Key facts
Hotel size
- This hotel has 40 rooms
- Check-in time starts at 3 PM
Required at check in
- Credit card or cash deposit required
- Government-issued photo ID required
Travelling with others
- Pets not allowed
Extra people
- Roll-away beds available, charges may apply*
- Free WiFi in public areas
Nearby Two Star Christiansted hotels
In the hotel
- Restaurant
- Bar/lounge
- Room service (during limited hours)
- Fitness facilities
- Scuba diving nearby
- Snorkeling nearby
- Conference space
- Meeting rooms
- Front desk (limited hours)
- Concierge services
- ATM/banking
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
In the room
- Climate control
- Air conditioning
- Ceiling fan
- Iron/ironing board
- Shower only
- Free toiletries
- Hair dryer (on request)
- Premium TV channels
- Desk
- Phone
- Refrigerator
- Daily housekeeping
- In-room safe


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18476 US Route 11
Watertown, NY 13601
Use the latest specials coupons at Fx Caprara Chrysler Jeep Dodge to save on the next purchase of a used car at our Watertown, New York dealership. In addition to serving Watetown, we have many customers visit us from the neighboring Oswego, Lowville, and Fort Drum areas to shop at our dealership.
* The advertised price does not include sales tax, vehicle registration fees, other fees required by law, finance charges and any documentation charges.
* Images, pricing and options shown are examples, only, and may not reflect exact vehicle color, trim, options, pricing or other specifications.
Fx Caprara Chrysler Jeep Dodge
18476 US Route 11
Watertown, NY 13601
Enter your registered email address to request a password reset link.


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Best Chicken Wings in the U.S.
F&W's Mad Genius Tips and More Featured Video
Editors' Favorite Slideshows
CommentsAdd A Comment
Add a Comment
Belly Shack; Chicago
Red Curry Chicken Wings
Every Sunday during football season, chef Bill Kim serves these supercrispy jumbo chicken wings that are first coated in rice flour, then deep-fried and tossed in a spicy barbecue sauce made with red curry paste, garlic, ginger and lemongrass. The wings are served with homemade jalapeño-cheddar cornbread and warm potato salad with bacon and scallions. bellyshack.com


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this one is in a pot, did a bunch of cuttings for next spring.
Mine is finishing blooming, too. It's time to drag it in.
What is it please?
Is that a tibochina? I can't spell it either!
Yes, it is, Wanda. I can't seem to grow it here, I think we stay to warm for too long. I've tried it several times. It's a shame too as I love it.


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Assocomaplast, the Italian association for plastic and rubber processing machinery, has issued a preliminary statement on the sector's struggling performance in 2013. The organization said it expects the value of production at Italy's plastic and rubber machinery companies to be just under 4 billion euros in 2013, close to the value in 2012, but it expects growth in 2014.
North America represents about 30 percent of the global consumption of flexible packaging. Annual growth in this region is forecast at 4 percent during the next 5 years.
For more insight on growth opportunities, drivers of growth and the outlook for 2015, download this report.
This report is a review and analysis of the North American Plastics Recycling Industry, including key trends and statistics based on 2013 performance. We examine market environment factors, regulatory issues, industry challenges, key drivers and emerging trends in post-consumer and post-industrial recycling.Learn more
This report analyzes the $20 billion plastics industry in Mexico including sales of machinery & equipment, resins and finished products.
Our analysts provide insight on business trends, foreign investment, top end markets and plastics processing activity. The report also provides important data on exports, production, employment and value of plastics products manufactured.
June 2, 2015 - June 3, 2015Plastics Financial Summit - Chicago 2015
September 16, 2015 - September 18, 2015Plastics Caps & Closures - September 2015More Events


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OP Senior Member
Thanks Meter: 58
711 posts
Join Date:Joined: Jan 2010
But launcherpro fixes the banding problems on widgets But on some gingerbread roms it does not.
I have not made this fix. But I have tested it on some roms. Im am just sharing this. credit goes to Tytung who took his time and fixed this in his latest 2.5 rom and GPC + other developers that may have found this already.
I have tried it on Tyweens cm7 rom, Tytungs rom and some other. But it "maybe" works on others to? Like gpc's one?
= When using launcher pro with this fix. The launcher will have no banding problems on widgets and on the homescreen. But other banding problems will still be there like it was before.
So without fix ,the clock widget will look like crap in launcher pro in tyweens cm7 rom. But with the fix it will look smooth.
The zip changes the libsurfaceflinger.so.
Flash in cwm.
Last edited by hg3atintin; 29th March 2011 at 07:20 AM.


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Like it a lot. This year acquisition
And it's even better at clump strength, so in a couple years you will probably like it even more. :-)
carefulllll, strawberry candy is what got many of us started and now we have more we can count.
I still don't have it! When I visit a nearby AHS display garden with about 2000 cultivars, I always stop and admire STRAWBERRY CANDY. But if I got every one I admired, I'd have...more than 2000 cultivars. :)
Strawberry Candy looks very pretty. I don't have that one, but have some of the other candies. You can develop quite a sweet tooth for all of them, and before you know it.....you're out of room. :-)
That one is a great rebloomer! I hope it does well for you.
Pretty bloom too.


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The Berkeley County School District practiced its emergency response to a simulated tornado crisis at the Cainhoy Elementary and Middle School on …
For now, you won't hear the word championship in the Wando lacrosse locker room.
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley has proclaimed March 2015 Prescribed Fire Awareness Month in South Carolina.
South Carolina BLUESM retail centers in Columbia, Greenville and Mount Pleasant are scheduling free classes in April, including retirement planning, health insurance basics, new member workshops, yoga, Zumba and the always popular healthy cooking.
MUSC scientists to use compound library to search for new treatments
Eugenie Bouchard will return to Charleston for the 43rd Family Circle Cup, April 4 – 12 on Daniel Island.
The City of North Charleston has plans to bring an aquatic center to Fort Dorchester High School.
By Linda Page
Mount Pleasant MayorTuesday, March 31, 2015 10:59 a.m.
Members of Mount Pleasant Town Council and I introduced the framework for a new Town Growth Management Plan last week, one that we believe can help …
Colorful modern hybrid teas, old garden roses and many others blooms will be on display during the 23rd Annual Charleston Rose Show on April 25 in the Heritage Museum at Cypress Gardens. New this year is a Rose Photography contest by the society members.
During the months of April and May a panel exhibit of South Carolina's role in the American Revolutionary War will be on display at the Old Santee Canal Park in Moncks Corner.
2015 Bridge Run photos by Sparky Witte
By Rick Benthall
Special to the Moultrie NewsTuesday, March 31, 2015 11:00 a.m.
Boone Hall owner Willie McRae has been in awe of Boone Hall Plantation ever since he was a little boy – its history, its beauty, its grace. …
The sixth annual "Out of Their Hands" spring "blitz" that helps focus attention on the dangers of underage alcohol use will run April 1-30 throughout South Carolina. Coordinated by the S.C. Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS), the state's Alcohol Enforcement Teams (AETs) and their partners …
Larry Kobrovsky and the Moultrie News have joined once again for this year's essay contest. The Moultrie News will once again sponsor an essay …
Charges of third degree arson have been filed against a pair of juveniles responsible for setting a fire that caused approximately $50,000 in damages …
Summerville Police arrested a North Charleston woman for allegedly shooting at a local cop and his wife at their Summerville residence on Saturday, …
Kwame Williams is the new Manager of the Charleston South Carolina Social Security Office.
Charleston County Parks offering training clinics for the Charleston Sprint Triathlon Series
Boone Hall Plantation - Then and now
SC 4-H Youth Development Programs have a new short-term project for youth who are interested in gardening.
South Carolina United – Mount Pleasant 02 Boys Elite won the U13 division of the SCUMP Spring Shootout last weekend in Charleston.
Chris Candor's to-do list has been like a piece of parchment that seems to grows longer every time he marks something off.
Me and my teeth operate under an armed truce. I don't like them, but I need them.
Sampling International Wines Amid the Beauty of America's Oldest Landscaped Gardens
Technology and Entrepreneurship Day Camp at Lowcountry Tech Academy, July 13-16
Me and my teeth operate under an armed truce. I don't like them, but I need them.
On March 27 the Charleston County Sheriff's Office responded to Sullivan Island to investigate the discovery of a deceased body of a white female that apparently washed up on shore, according to Major Eric Watson, Public Information Officer with the County Sheriff's Office. The body was later identified by the Charleston County …
Renita "Jeannie" Black McIntyre of Germantown, KY passed away Saturday, March 21, 2015 after a brave fight with cancer, surrounded by …
Wando and Bishop England soccer hosted teams from Alabama and Georgia in a two-day series last weekend in East Cooper.
© 2015 The Journal Scene an Evening Post Industries company. All Rights Reserved.
Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Parental Consent Form.


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Latest Stories »
Decal Works Presents Monday Gate Drop Part 2
Hello and welcome to what I'll call Tuesday Gate Drop, or Gate Drop Part 2. After reading the thread last night on Mxforum.com regarding the safety of our sport, I began to do someRead More »
Check out Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing's Blake Baggett and his team as well as catch up with James Stewart at the 13th round of the 2015 AMA/FIM Supercross Championships in St. Louis,Read More »
Tune into Wednesday's Canadian Moto Show With Brent Worrall
The Canadian Moto Show is set for the upcoming outdoor motocross season and this week on the show we will talk to many of the players involved. The show goes on the air 'Live' at 6:00 pmRead More »
MXGP Highlights From Argentina
Watch all the race highlights from MXGP of Patagonia ArgentinaRead More »
Pirelli SCORPION™ MX monopolizes the podium of both classes at 2015 Motocross Grand Prix of Argentina
Villa La Angostura (Argentina), March 30, 2015 – After twenty years the FIM Motocross World Championship returned to Argentina. The third round of 2015 was held in Villa La Angostura, Patagonia, in the areaRead More »
Decal Works Presents The Monday Gate Drop
As always this week's Monday Gate Drop is brought to you by one of the coolest companies in motocross, Decal Works. With the 2015 riding season just days away, now is the perfect timeRead More »
Kyle Regal Earns Fifth Overall Victory of AMSOIL Arenacross Season
AUSTIN, Texas (March 28, 2015) – The second round of the playoff-inspired, season-ending Race to the Championship on Saturday night produced some of the wildest action of the season as AMSOIL Arenacross, featuring RickyRead More »


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Featured Articles
This issue of the Quarterly Voice presents three reflections, each by a person intimately engaged with the transgender community.
Hilary Howes, the author of To Be or Not to Be: A Catholic Transsexual Speaks, served on the strategy group that formed Equally Blessed.
"Sister Monica" (a pseudonym) has been a Catholic sister for 53 years and has been ministering among the transgender community since 1999.
Mateo Williamson is a microbiologist from Arizona who identifies as an openly Catholic, transgender male. This year, he has been working at a shelter for homeless youth in New Jersey.
Highlights of DignityUSA's History
Word of the new ministry spreads first by word of mouth and later Father Pat places advertisements in the Los Angeles Free Press asking people to contact him in San Diego for discussion and possible meetings. Since he doesn't want religious fanatics or homophobics to disrupt or dominate meetings, he requires the return of a completed application form (and when in doubt a personal interview). He charges $5 a year for participation and requires that all be 21 years of age and have a membership card, which he issues. The monthly gatherings are closed to anyone else.


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Real news. Real funny.
Real news. Real funny.
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Besides all of the great educational sessions at the CEO Summit June 14-15 at Camden on the Lake, attendees will have numerous opportunities to network with their peers and enjoy the resort. Don't miss out on this top-level conference.
Candid conversations will drive the topics of this year's CEO Summit June 14-15 at Camden on the Lake. Event facilitators will guide credit union presidents and CEOs through tough issues facing the industry and help participants collaboratively find solutions. These conversations with be sparked by tracking individual opinions using an audience response application. Bring your iPad, smartphone or laptop to steer the agenda in your direction. If you don't have one, please contact Liz Adams.
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About MCUA
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GOP Can Help With Petition Names
Feehan also says if you feel someone wrote your name on a recall petition people you stop into the Republican Headquarters at 58 Copeland Avenue and fill out a form saying that they don't want to have their name appear on the petition.
Here Comes A Winter Blast
(AP) A strong snow storm is poised to dump several inches of snow on Iowa and other parts of the upper Midwest in what for some will be the first real blast of winter. The National Weather Service in Des Moines is predicting up to 7 inches of snow in northern and eastern Iowa on Friday. It comes after several weeks of unusually warm and dry weather. Forecaster Kevin Skow says the ``bulls-eye'' of the storm will likely be in northeast Iowa, from Waterloo up to Decorah, where higher amounts of dry, fluffy snow could fall. Several inches of snow also are forecast in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois as the storm moves east. Lesser amounts are expected in central and southern Iowa, with 2 inches in the Des Moines area.
Minnesota Unemployment Goes Down
(AP) Minnesota's unemployment rate continued to move downward in December to a rate of 5.7 percent. State officials say it's now lower than at any time since the September 2008 financial collapse. The state Department of Employment and Economic Development released its monthly jobs report on Thursday. The December unemployment rate declined two-tenths of a percent from a 5.9 percent rate in November. The state's unemployment rate declined a total of 1.5 percent since August. That's the biggest decrease over a four-month period dating back to 1976.
Minnesota gained 7,900 jobs in December and 25,300 jobs for all of 2012. Department official Steve Hine says economic indicators are positive, but that a full economic recovery is still a ways off with numerous potential hazards that could throw it off track.
Judge To Hear Voter ID Arguments
(AP) A Wisconsin judge is set to hear arguments in a lawsuit against the state's controversial new voter identification law. Judge Richard Niess will hear oral arguments Thursday against the law from the League of Women Voters in Dane County Circuit Court. Niess will decide if the case should proceed. The lawsuit names Gov. Scott Walker and members of the Government Accountability Board. Attorneys for the defendants want the case dismissed. The League of Women Voters say the law disenfranchises eligible voters. But supporters of the law say it helps prevent fraud. The American Civil Liberties Union and the NAACP's Milwaukee chapter have also filed lawsuits against the law. Those suits are still pending. The law is scheduled to be in effect for the state's spring primary in February.
GAB Live Online
If you would like to see what's going inside the offices of the Government Accountability Board as they scan recall petitions.....here's the link. Maybe you can recognize Mitch Reynolds "Stars of the GAB". http://mirrors.5nines.com/stream/


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HAVE: Leeks - Ready to plant out
I have a huge row of leeks I have just thinned out, and have lots that are ready to trade or for postage. I would rather have a trade.
I don't remember planting the seeds, but this row has been there for a couple of years now, and it's quite big.
Thought it was just garlic so never bothered with it. Once
I started pulling it out, knew right away it wasn't garlic.
Had it 99% identified through our county extension agent, and also through a man at umext.umass.edu If you want pictures, just email me, I will send them on as I don't know how to post pictures here.
I would want potato onions, walking onions, garlic,(not Elephant) Perennials, hosta's, would rather not have seeds, just plants.
These are ready to plant, so these trades need to be made, but if your part is not ready to ship, I will trust you to send your part when they are.
I can ship a box full for the $4.95 price and would want an equal trade in return.
Email me at email@example.com as I might not look here on the forum for a couple of days.
Did you ever get your walking onions? I have a lot if you did not get them. I have plants that were given to me, they said they were leeks. Does not look like the leek in the stores though. Has a big flower head on it, with small bulbs on the bottom that get offshoots. Does not smell like garlic. I have used some for cooking, so it is a food of some sort.
Let me know if you want some walking onions. I generally grow them in 2 nice pots, just as ornamentals.


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Place the blackcurrants, granulated sugar, lemon rind and juice in a saucepan and cook gently for 5 minutes.
Cool slightly, then puree in an electric blender or rub through a sieve.
Stir in the sherry.
Place the cream, caster sugar and half the blackcurrant puree in a bowl and whisk until the mixture forms soft peaks.
Spoon the remaining puree into the base of 2 glasses and top with the cream mixture.


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The case that comes with the handset gives it a more rubber feel.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
ATT phones dont come with a case
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
Att is always ****ting us on accessories. If i remember correctly the M7 didnt even come with headphones...
XDA Developers was founded by developers, for developers. It is now a valuable resource for people who want to make the most of their mobile devices, from customizing the look and feel to adding new functionality.
Are you a developer?
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image taken just 2 weeks apart
Taken memorial day weekend
Taken yesterday June 16
Here's another photo taken June 26. I already have harvested a full bed of Daikon radishes that were planted on the end of May, leaving only the cherry tomatoes that I planted in the same bed. Today June 28, the tomatoes are reaching the tops of the cages. Where the Daikons used to be we have planted beans. There were more than 20 pounds of daikons harvested.
Behind that is Shanghai bai tsai (bok choy) and in front are some other Chinese cabbages. Way in the back you can see beds of Mizuna (Japanese mustard) and Asian cucumbers growing up the trellis.
I feed the garden with Espoma Garden Tone a mostly organic fertilizer. Since I irrigate with soaker hoses, I also feed the plants with Miracle Grow at 1/6 the normal concentration and give it to them every 1 or 2 days through the soaker hoses.
Here's another shot. The crop that is growing in the same bed as the tomatoes are a Chinese vegetable called spoon vegetable because when you pick them the end of the stalk is shaped like a spoon.
There are a lot more photos of the garden at my web site the link is here:
Here is a link that might be useful: My garden albums