text:
Harris takes his rushing accomplishments in stride
(College Sports ~ 12/01/10)
There have been other humble football players at Southeast Missouri State. But when it comes to combined talent and humility, senior tailback Henry Harris, who has put together one of the best individual seasons in the program's 104-year history, has few peers...
Single-car accident sends Sedgewickville man to the hospital
(Local News ~ 12/01/10)
A Sedgewickville man is in serious condition following a Tuesday accident. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the 2008 Nissan driven by David C. Hyche, 39, traveled off the road and struck two trees at 4:20 p.m. on Highway 72, three miles west of Millersville...
Benton woman ejected from vehicle during Tuesday accident
(Local News ~ 12/01/10)
A Benton, Mo., woman is in moderate condition following a Tuesday evening accident. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the 1999 Chevrolet 1500 driven by Jodie L. McCoy, 44, ran off the road and struck a tree on County Road 247, two miles north of Benton at 6:20 p.m. She was ejected from the vehicle...
Truck crash closes Ohio River bridge at Cairo
(Local News ~ 12/01/10)
CAIRO, Ill. -- A crash involving two trucks has closed the Ohio River bridge at Cairo, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet reported. Just after 5 p.m. a news release indicated the bridge would likely be closed for two hours. According to the release, reports indicate two trucks collided. One made it across the bridge into Illinois, and the other may be partially overturned at the bridge approach on the Kentucky side...
Gov. Nixon announces support for pseudoephedrine prescription at Cape Girardeau stop
(Local News ~ 12/01/10)
A system tracking pseudoephedrine purchases at pharmacies around Missouri isn't enough to curb the state's methamphetamine problem, Gov. Jay Nixon and Attorney General Chris Koster said Tuesday at the Cape Girardeau Police Department, where they announced they'd like the state to become the third in the nation to require a doctor's prescription to purchase cold medication with pseudoephedrine...
Cape Girardeau smoking ban could be on Cape Girardeau ballot
(Local News ~ 12/01/10)
Breathe Easy of Cape Girardeau has a sufficient number of signatures to put a smoking ban on the ballot, Cape Girardeau city clerk Gayle Conrad confirmed Tuesday. Cape Girardeau County Clerk Kara Clark verified 2,571 of the collected 2,678 signatures...
(Submitted Story ~ 12/01/10)
When the Girl Scout Cadettes in Girl Scout Troop 50088 heard that there would be girls living in the new Habitat for Humanity home in Marble Hill, they knew they wanted to do something special for those girls. They saved $250 from troop fundraisers to support their service project idea. ...
Getting ready to be attacked by the cat.
(Submitted Photo ~ 12/01/10)
Our dog when he was a puppy, I believe he was trying to sneak up on the cat, but little does he know a cat will jump about 6 ft. into the air if startled.
Public hearing on peripheral zoning draws overflow crowd at Osage Community Centre
(Local News ~ 12/01/10)
At a standing-room-only public hearing Tuesday night, no resident in attendance spoke in favor of peripheral zoning. Cape Girardeau City Council member Mark Lanzotti was the strongest voice in support of the plan, telling the crowd of almost 400 at the Osage Community Centre that without the protections offered through peripheral zoning, it was entirely possible for a strip club or adult novelty shop to open across the road from homes and farms...
Bel Air Grill, downtown spark most discussion at meeting on noise ordinance
(Local News ~ 12/01/10)
The Cape Girardeau Noise Disturbance Committee seeking public input on what to change or leave the same in the city's current noise ordinance heard more residents' concerns than their suggestions Tuesday at a one-hour hearing at the Osage Community Centre...
Sen. Crowell Sponsors MoDOT's Bridge Competition
(Submitted Story ~ 12/01/10)
JEFFERSON CITY -- For the fourth consecutive year, Senator Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, sponsored the top prizes for Missouri Department of Transportation Southeast District's seventh-annual bridge building competition. "This competition is a great way to spark student interests in civil engineering" said Sen. Crowell. "The experience encourages students to call upon their creativity and mathematical knowledge to craft a bridge that will withstand the toughest of tests."...
my christmas wish
(Submitted Story ~ 12/01/10)
My Uncle Matt Hix is a Marine and over seas in Afghanistan right now, My Christmas Wish is to have my Uncle to come home for Christmas,it would make everyone happy, my Grandma Hix is very sad and says its not Christmas without Uncle Matt. All i want for Christmas is for my Uncle to be able to come home...
Original Stone Sour drummer to preform at Pitters!
(Submitted Story ~ 12/01/10)
Original Stone Sour drummer Joel Ekman to preform at Pitter's with his new band Isaac James. On January 22 2011 PITTERS CAFE & LOUNGE will host a show from The Isaac James band. Featuring Joel Ekman former drummer for the grammy nominated band Stone Sour,...
Raggae returns to Cape for 3 shows! We jammin man!
(Submitted Story ~ 12/01/10)
St. Louis Raggae and Blues act Aaron Kamm & The One Drops bring the jam back to Cape for 3 big shows. Pitter's Cafe & Lounge will host the act on December 17, January 15, and again Feburary 12. Aaron Kamm is one of St. louis' best Raggae acts and Pitter's gives you a rare change to see this gem in Cape. Club owner Glinda "Pitter" Seabaugh says "She is delighted to have this very talented band return to Pitter's by popular demand."...
Reality TV star Jeff Lewis leaves his touch on Cape Girardeau home
(Local News ~ 12/01/10)
Celebrity designer Jeff Lewis of Bravo TV's "Flipping Out" hopes his appearance to support the Lutheran Family and Children's Services Holiday Home Tour will make people flip open their wallets to support the local charity. Lewis, who designed the home of Angie and Shannon Davis on Fox Hollow off Lexington Avenue, will be in town for a VIP exclusive event Friday featuring appetizers, cocktails and a private tour of the home...
Pentagon study dismisses risks of openly gay troops
(National News ~ 12/01/10)
WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon's study on gays in the military has determined that overturning the "don't ask, don't tell" ban on serving openly might cause some disruption at first but would not create widespread or long-lasting problems. The study provides ammunition to congressional Democrats struggling to overturn the law. ...
Clerk foils robbery with package of Mexican pastries
(National News ~ 12/01/10)
DEMING, N.M. -- Robbers, beware of clerks wielding pastries. Police in Deming, said a clerk foiled a robbery last week when she hit the culprit on the back of the head with a package of empanadas, a type of Latin American pastry. Police say the masked man had grabbed the cash register at Amigo's Mexican Food and tried to flee...
Mexican leader: Move on from climate blame game
(International News ~ 12/01/10)
CANCUN, Mexico -- Stuck in a blame game led by "big players" U.S. and China, the rest of the world should take on the climate crisis more aggressively "with or without them," said Mexican President Felipe Calderon. That example -- through such basic steps as switching out Mexico's light bulbs -- will rally public opinion and bring political pressure on the biggest contributors to global warming, Calderon said...
Leaked memos block Korean talks
(International News ~ 12/01/10)
SEOUL, South Korea -- A top South Korean official dismisses China's nuclear negotiator as "incompetent." A Chinese envoy mocks North Korea as a "spoiled child." After a major escalation of sporadic skirmishes between the rival Koreas, an international effort is trying to rein in rising tensions. But U.S. diplomatic memos leaked this week call into question whether regional powers -- most notably China -- have any insight into or influence over enigmatic and defiant North Korea...
Egypt's ruling party wins most seats in first round
(International News ~ 12/01/10)
CAIRO -- President Hosni Mubarak's ruling party has captured nearly all the parliament seats that were decided in a first round of voting, according to results announced Tuesday from elections that Egypt's opposition has decried as riddled with violations...
U.S. severs access to classified files; Interpol seeks WikiLeaks head
(National News ~ 12/01/10)
WASHINGTON -- The government scrambled Tuesday to prevent future spills of U.S. secrets like the embarrassing WikiLeaks' disclosures, while officials pondered possible criminal prosecutions and Interpol in Europe sent out a "red notice" for nations to be on the lookout for the website's founder...
Clinton begins 4-nation tour in Kazakhstan
(International News ~ 12/01/10)
ASTANA, Kazakhstan -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Tuesday kicked off a four-nation diplomatic tour dogged by the WikiLeaks disclosure of U.S. diplomatic cables, an act she called an assault on the international community. WikiLeaks' release of more than a quarter million diplomatic files came up as Clinton fielded questions from an audience of students and civic leaders at Eurasian University after meeting privately with several Kazakh women's rights and political leaders on her first visit to the nation.. ...
Speak Out 12/1/10
(Speak Out ~ 12/01/10)
THANK you to the nice person who recently turned in my two glasses at Bob Evans. I really appreciate your honesty. Thank you very much. EVERYBODY complains about government intrusion in our lives. One area we can directly address this intrusion is in the proposed smoking ban in businesses. Let business owners decide whether they want to allow smoking in their business...
Police report 12/1/10
(Police/Fire Report ~ 12/01/10)
The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests...
The Smarts
(Editorial ~ 12/01/10)
Cape Girardeau has many assets. Topping the list are the talented people who live and work in our community. Jack and Beverly Smart are two such individuals. Jack Smart has worked at Teen Challenge for nearly 31 years, 20 of those years as the organization's executive director. His strong leadership abilities and heart for the organization has led to his promotion with Teen Challenge USA in Ozark, Mo...
Fire report 12/1/10
(Police/Fire Report ~ 12/01/10)
Firefighters responded to the following calls Monday:...
Births 12/1/10
(Births ~ 12/01/10)
Daughter to Adonis Lamarr Davis and Victoria Lynn Clark of Cape Girardeau, Saint Francis Medical Center, 5:02 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15, 2010. Name, A'Kiyah Nevaeh. Weight, 4 pounds, 1 ounce. Ms. Clark is the daughter of Vickey Clark of Cape Girardeau. She is employed at National Asset Recovery Services. Davis is the son of Aaron Davis of Cape Girardeau and Mary Morris of East Prairie, Mo. He is employed at Havco Wood Products Inc...
Wilma Pfeffer
(Obituary ~ 12/01/10)
ADVANCE, Mo. -- Wilma Kathleen Pfeffer, 83, of Advance passed away Monday, Nov. 29, 2010, at Advance Nursing Center. She was born Jan. 10, 1927, at Risco, Mo., daughter of Dennis and Nora Glass Cecil. Wilma was a member of the Church of Christ...
Patients beware
(Column ~ 12/01/10)
Dr. Eric Morton I'm concerned about the state of health care in Southeast Missouri. As a resident of this area for nearly 10 years, I think Southeast Missouri has some of the best health care in the U.S. for a town of its size. I have lived many places around the country, and I have been involved in the health care system since the early 1990s. Cape Girardeau's two hospital systems are what drove me back to this area, and I plan on staying here for the rest of my career...
Out of the past 12/1/10
(Out of the Past ~ 12/01/10)
The first Sunday of Advent is noted at churches in Cape Girardeau; at St. Mark Lutheran Church, the first of four Advent candles on a wreath prepared by the altar committee is lit; serving on the committee are chairman Carl Train, Juanita Aukeman, Dessie Poe, Audrey Wooldridge and Adrianne Powers...
Prayer 12/1/10
(Prayer ~ 12/01/10)
O Lord, we thank you that your love endures for ever. Amen.
Sikeston woman injured in accident
(Local News ~ 12/01/10)
SIKESTON, Mo. -- A Sikeston woman received moderate injuries following a Monday night accident. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Alexa C. Barnes, 21, lost control of her 2007 Toyota and struck an embankment on U.S. 61, five miles north of Sikeston...
Piedmont, Mo., man sentenced, released from jail on bomb threat conviction
(Local News ~ 12/01/10)
A federal judge ordered a Piedmont, Mo., man to be released Monday afternoon following his sentencing for calling in a bomb threat at a Piedmont factory. Marty Allen Shriver, 27, of the 600 block of Dryden got "time served," which in this case was about 11 months, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Sorrell. Shriver had been in federal custody since his December 2009 arrest on one felony count of using a telephone to make a false bomb threat...
Kinder appearance Fox News' 'On the Record' rescheduled
(Local News ~ 12/01/10)
Republican Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder's appearance on Fox News has been rescheduled, according to a news release from his office. Kinder will appear on Greta Van Susteren's talk show "On the Record." at 9 p.m. Wednesday. Kinder's director of communications, Gary McElyea, said the lieutenant governor will be discussing his lawsuit challenging the federal health care law and developments in some of the other lawsuits across the country. ...
European Union launches antitrust probe into Google
(National News ~ 12/01/10)
BRUSSELS -- European Union regulators will investigate whether Google Inc. has abused its dominant position in the online search market by deliberately lowering links to smaller rivals' sites in its search results. The European Commission's move, announced Tuesday, is the first formal investigation by a major regulatory agency into whether Google has been manipulating its search engine to stifle competition and funnel more traffic to its own services...
Ending jobless aid would hurt economic growth
(National News ~ 12/01/10)
WASHINGTON -- If Congress lets unemployment benefits expire this week for the long-term unemployed, they won't be the only ones to feel the pain. The overall economy would suffer, too. Unemployment benefits help drive the economy because the jobless tend to spend every dollar they get, pumping cash into businesses. A cutoff of aid for millions of people unemployed for more than six months could squeeze a fragile economy, analysts say. Among the consequences they envision over the next year:...
Sikeston City Council takes first step to annex new TRCC property
(Local News ~ 12/01/10)
SIKESTON, Mo. -- The annexation of land into Sikeston's city limits for a new Three Rivers Community College campus has moved another step forward. The Sikeston City Council accepted a petition of annexation during its special meeting Monday morning...
Blackhawks defuse Blues' rally, win 7-5
(Professional Sports ~ 12/01/10)
CHICAGO -- Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews each scored his second goal of the game late in the third period Tuesday night to shut off a St. Louis Blues rally and send the Chicago Blackhawks to a 7-5 victory. Kane scored on a rebound off a shot by Viktor Stalberg with 6 minutes, 18 seconds left to put the Blackhawks up 6-4 after they nearly let a 5-1 lead slip away in their first home game since going 4-2 on a road swing out West...
Southeast's playoff game to be aired on local TV
(College Sports ~ 12/01/10)
Southeast Missouri State football fans will be able to watch the first playoff game in the program's 104-year history without making the long trip to Cheney, Wash. It was announced Tuesday that Saturday's contest at Eastern Washington will be televised live on WQWQ, the Heartland's CW, which is channel 12 on Charter Cable. Kickoff is set for 3:05 p.m. local time...
Zalma bounces back from loss
(High School Sports ~ 12/01/10)
The Zalma boys basketball team rebounded from a heartbreaking one-point loss to Meadow Heights on Monday to defeat Woodland 77-47 on Tuesday night at the Woodland tournament. The Bulldogs advanced to the consolation final at 5 p.m. Friday with the victory. Their opponent has not been determined...
Keep the warmth in: Tips to get your home ready for winter
(Community ~ 12/01/10)
Southeast Missourians have started to dig out their heavy coats and sweaters to stay warm, but what can be done to keep their houses warm this winter? When the weather cools off, drafts in the home become much more noticeable and costly. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, drafts can waste 5 to 30 percent of the energy a household uses...
Recipes for life: Cookbook raises money for charity
(Column ~ 12/01/10)
If you are looking for Christmas gift ideas, look no further than the cookbook rack at the book store or, in this case, at Capaha Bank locations. The new "Friends For All" Relay For Life Team cookbook is available at the bank's branches. Already in its second printing, the book offers a variety of recipes in 150 pages. ...
Oak Ridge uses late rally to beat Delta at Woodland tournament
(High School Sports ~ 12/01/10)
The Blue Jays reached the semifinals with a 75-71 victory
Festive, flavorful dip fit for the holidays
(Community ~ 12/01/10)
If your holiday parties seem like seas of hummus and sour cream-based dips, consider changing it up with a festive and flavorful tapenade made from canned beets. Not only is this bright red spread a beautiful addition to a holiday buffet, it also comes together quickly and is low in fat and calories. Serve it with toasted baguette rounds, bread sticks or pretzels...
Sophisticated breakfast for dinner
(Community ~ 12/01/10)
There are those nights when breakfast is the only way dinner is going to get on the table. But that doesn't doom you to a bowl of cold cereal in front of the television. There are plenty of easy ways to add a dinner-like sophistication -- or at least satisfaction -- to your breakfast staples. And that was the inspiration for this rich and cheesy take on eggs and toast...
High school roundup: Chaffee boys win season opener
(High School Sports ~ 12/01/10)
All the area high school events reported Tuesday to the Southeast Missourian.
Cardinals trade Hawksworth for Dodgers infielder Theriot
(Professional Sports ~ 12/01/10)
ST. LOUIS -- Faced with a surplus of infielders, the Los Angeles Dodgers traded Ryan Theriot to the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday for pitcher Blake Hawksworth. The Dodgers made the move while also announcing they had signed free agent infielder Juan Uribe to a three-year contract...
Depp says Disney hated his Captain Sparrow
(Entertainment ~ 12/01/10)
NEW YORK -- Johnny Depp's flamboyant portrayal of Jack Sparrow in "Pirates of the Caribbean" was good enough for an Oscar nomination, but the actor says Disney was less than thrilled. Depp talked about it in an interview with rocker Patti Smith for the January edition of Vanity Fair magazine...
Depression study
(Column ~ 12/01/10)
One in five Americans suffers from a mental illness. Or at least that's the finding from a recently-released report from government researchers. Now over the years, I have grown increasingly wary of "government studies" because I suspect that too often the studies simply reflect the thinking of the researchers. But that's an opinion, not necessarily a fact...
Jackson police 12/1/2010
(Police/Fire Report ~ 12/01/10)
The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Thefts...
Commission suggests eliminating many Missouri tax credit programs
(Local News ~ 12/01/10)
Eliminating nearly half of Missouri's tax credit programs and changes to most others are suggestions in a report released today by the Missouri Tax Credit Review Commission. In July, Gov. Jay Nixon appointed 27 people to the tax credit review commission to evaluate the state's 61 tax credit programs...
Southeast Missourian Player of the Week: Justin Stotts
(High School Sports ~ 12/01/10)
Stotts, a 5-foot-11 guard and forward, averaged more than 23 points a game as a junior, but he exceeded that total in each of his team's first three games.
Stories from Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Browse other days

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Jeff Otah
|No. 79
|Offensive tackle
|Personal information
|Date of birth:
|June 17, 1986
|Place of birth:
|6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
|330 lb (150 kg)
|Career information
|High school:
|New Castle (DE) William Penn
|NFL Draft:
|2008 / Round: 1 / Pick: 19
|Career history
|Career highlights and awards
|Career NFL statistics as of Week 13, 2011
Jeffrey C. Otah (born June 17, 1986) is a Nigerian American former American football offensive tackle. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Pittsburgh.
Early years
He moved to The Bronx at the age of seven, then moved to New Castle, Delaware at the age of thirteen.[1] He played high school football at William Penn High School in New Castle, Delaware.
Professional career
2008 NFL Draft
Coming in the 2008 NFL Draft Otah was considered by many scouts to be a top tackle prospect. The Carolina Panthers were reportedly very interested in him, evident by them sending head coach John Fox and General Manager Marty Hurney to his pro-day.[2]
Carolina Panthers
Reports of the Panthers being interested in Otah proved to be well founded after the team made a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles to trade up and to select him.[3] He was selected with the 19th pick in the first round. Jeff became an immediate starter at right tackle early in training camp. He started in 12 of the possible 16 games his first season missing 4 due to injury.
Otah started the 2010 season recovering from what was then thought to be relatively minor knee surgery performed in mid-August. But on 9 November, the Panthers placed Otah on injured reserve, ending his season without him ever taking the field.[4][5]
Otah's knee problems persisted into the 2011 season, and he was placed on injured reserve again on 19 October 2011, after missing two of six games.[6]
Otah was traded to the New York Jets for an undisclosed draft pick on July 23, 2012 contingent on his passing a physical for the team.[7] After failing the initial test, the Jets placed Otah on the PUP/Active list on July 25. He had seven days to pass the test again or the trade would be nullified.[8] On July 31, Otah failed his second physical thus voiding the trade and returning him to the Panthers.[9] Otah was released by the Panthers two days later.[10]
- ↑ "Jeff Otah Q&A". Panthers.com. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
- ↑ "Otah pleased with Pro Day performance | TribLIVE". Pittsburghlive.com. 2008-04-10. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
- ↑ "Carolina Panthers "trade up with Philadelphia Eagles, take Pittsburgh T Jeff Otah"". Realfootball365.com. 2008-04-26. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
- ↑ "Jeff Otah heads to injured reserve | ProFootballTalk". Profootballtalk.nbcsports.com. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
- ↑ Nov. 9, 2010 - 5:15 PM ET (2010-11-09). "Panthers RT Otah (knee) done for the season - NFL- NBC Sports". Nbcsports.msnbc.com. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
- ↑
- ↑ Vrentas, Jenny (23 July 2012). "Jets trade for offensive tackle Jeff Otah". The Star-Ledger. Archived from the original on 23 July 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
- ↑ Cimini, Rich (25 July 2012). "Jeff Otah trade now on hold". ESPN New York. Archived from the original on 31 July 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
- ↑ Vrentas, Jenny (31 July 2012). "Jets parting ways with injured Jeff Otah a week after trade". The Star-Ledger. Archived from the original on 31 July 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
- ↑ Strickland, Bryan (2 August 2012). "Camp notes: Panthers release Otah". Carolina Panthers. Archived from the original on 2 August 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2012.


text:
Holly Pond High School, Cullman Middle School each advance from 2012 North Alabama BEST Robotics Competition
in Headlines
CONTACT: Russell Moore, Communications and Marketing, Wallace State Community College, 256.352.8443, email@example.com
Cullman Middle School students celebrate after the event.
HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Holly Pond High School and Cullman Middle School achieved the top distinctions at the 2012 North Alabama BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology) Robotics Competition held Oct. 26 at Wallace State Community College's Tom Drake Coliseum.
Holly Pond finished first in the overall BEST Award and Cullman Middle was first in the BEST game competition, garnering both schools an opportunity to compete in the South's BEST Regional competition at Auburn University on Dec. 1 and 2. The event will feature 56 teams from eight states.
The North Alabama BEST competition was another successful, pressure-filled, enthusiastic event as eight schools from three different counties displayed their talent in engineering, science, technology and math through participating in a sports-like science and engineering-based robotics competition.
This year's BEST theme was "WARP XX," and students had six weeks to create a robot as a "space elevator," which could move vertically and deliver objects from the ground into a container atop 10-foot pole. According to the guidelines, students were to be able to "transport supplies to and from the International Space Station via a space elevator."
Team members were also required to prepare engineering notebooks about their robot, display a team booth honoring the theme on the day of the competition, market the product and show strong enthusiasm and sportsmanship during the process.
Participating teams were highlight Cullman High, J.B. Pennington, Cullman Middle School, Fairview High, Good Hope High, Hartselle Junior High, Holly Pond and Blount County Career Technical.
Each school did its part in making Tom Drake Coliseum a boisterous, lively location, with pep bands, cheerleaders and mascots accompanying their robotics teams, and with great support from fellow students and parents.
Holly Pond won first place in the BEST Award, the honor bestowed upon the school which succeeded the most in all aspects–on the game floor during competition, through creative execution of a professional looking exhibit booth, and in the presentation given by the product's marketing team and student CEO.
Fairview won second in the BEST Award category and Hartselle Junior High was third.
Cullman Middle earned its ticket to the regional event in Auburn by performing well in BEST game play, finishing first on the coliseum floor with its robot named FAL-CON. Fairview finished second in BEST game play with its robot Tom Servo and Good Hope's robot Armstrong finished third.
Holly Pond also took home a plethora of trophies for BEST marketing presentation, team exhibit, spirit and sportsmanship, T-shirt.
Fairview won the BEST mascot award with its aggie. Cullman Middle was the rookie team of the year. Cullman High won BEST pep band. J.B. Pennington won the Blood, Sweat and Duct Tape Award.
To learn more about competing in next year's BEST event, contact Wallace State's BEST coordinator Kelley Jones at 256.352.8077 or email@example.com.
For more information about Wallace State, visit www.wallacestate.edu.
Fairview High's Nathan Milburn surveys the team's robot, Tom Servo, during a floor competition.
Good Hope High's cheerleaders, band members and students dance along to "YMCA" during the event.
Cullman High's Stephen McNeal operates the team's robot, Pillar of Autumn, during the North Alabama BEST Robotics competition.
Wallace State Precision Machining Instructor Gary McMinn, left, converses with Cullman High competitor Stephen McNeal.
Cullman Middle School's Colby Hutson instructs directions to his teammate during a floor round.
Various "Warp XX" robots climb the elevator during the floor finals of the North Alabama BEST Robotics competition.
Fairview's robot, Tom Servo, descends down during the competition.
Good Hope's Tim Darnell operates and watches the team's robot during the North Alabama BEST Robotics competition.
Cullman Middle School science teacher and team sponsor Lucas McCollum cheers on his team during the final round of the North Alabama BEST Robotics competition.
Kristen Holmes
Director, Communications & Marketing
Wallace State Community College
P.O. Box 2000, Hanceville, AL 35077
1-866-350-9722 256-352-8118 direct
256-352-8314 fax 256-339-2519 cell
Visit us online at www.wallacestate.edu


text:
The weather wasn't too cold that December morning, so Councilwoman Rochelle "Rikki" Spector put on a light jacket as she headed for her gold Buick.
Two teenage boys from Southwest Baltimore were in her Inner Harbor parking garage, cutting school and looking for cars to steal. They fixed their eyes on the 80-year-old Spector.
The attack was quick and it was violent.
As Spector got in her vehicle, the 13-year-old blocked her door from closing. The 15-year-old hit her in the face, hard.
"I was mad as hell," Spector recalled recently. "They said, 'You white bitch, give me your car.' They punched me in the face. Threw me into a concrete pillar. I was screaming like crazy."
Word of the attack and the subsequent arrests of the boys made evening newscasts and morning newspapers, and fueled more local anxiety. In a city besieged by violence, it seemed to show that no one, not even an octogenarian city official, was safe.
What's less well known is this: Instead of seeking vengeance, Spector quietly decided to become the boys' advocate.
She and a team of nonprofit workers, mentors, cooks and coaches, a group Spector has dubbed the "Good Samaritans," have been working with the boys for months — during and after their time on house arrest — and say their grades, school attendance and attitude have shown marked improvements.
Though the boys are still works in progress, their supporters say, the teens are now emerging as leaders in the neighborhood, trying to teach others to stay out of trouble.
Last month, around the one-year anniversary of the December 2016 attack, Spector joined the older teen in front of a large audience at her Park Heights synagogue, where leaders from across the city presented him with an award for his progress.
The boy who had once punched Spector in the face now shyly tried to hide behind her from the view of the crowd.
"He was so overwhelmed, if he didn't hold on to me, he was going to collapse," Spector said.
"I felt scared on the inside," the teenager said. "It was a lot of people and I thought they were going to be ashamed of my actions. But a lot of people started shaking my hand and said they were proud of me."
A week later, Spector presented another award to the younger boy, who hugged her, called her "ma'am" and said, "I messed up."
The Baltimore Sun is not identifying either teen because they were charged as juveniles.
The relationship likely would never have developed if not for UEmpower of Maryland. The nonprofit provides a range of services, including teaching youths how to become chefs.
Shortly after the carjacking, Spector attended a court hearing for the boys.
Michelle Suazo, UEmpower's cofounder and vice president, pulled Spector aside and talked to her about the boys' situation. Despite the crime, Suazo told Spector, she believed the boys had a lot of promise.
"We invited her to come to the neighborhood and see how much is needed here," Suazo said. "We had kept on saying we need something here. We need something. And nobody was listening."
The median household income in their Carrollton Ridge neighborhood is less than $25,000. Nearly half of families live below the poverty line. Lead paint violations are more than three times the city average, and youths are nearly twice as likely to be murdered as elsewhere in Baltimore. The younger boy lived in a home where the electricity had been shut off, and seldom attended school.
"We went to court not to say they shouldn't be punished, but to see if there was some way we could find a solution," Suazo says. "They need to stay busy. They need to stay engaged. Our goal was to be louder than the streets. If you're not there every day the streets just call the kids in at a very early age."
It would have been easy for Spector to stay angry at the teens. She could have asked the judges to jail them for years.
Spector says she drew on her Jewish faith, and chose to forgive them.
"The Talmud says you first have to have empathy," she said. "You have to do acts of love and kindness."
That day in court, Spector — sporting a big swollen black eye — approached the older boy and started talking. She told him, "Kids don't hit grown-ups."
"He burst out crying, and he hugged me," Spector says. "That was in the courtroom. I knew I was hooked. I was going to be there."
The boy recalls being overcome with emotion.
"We spoke. We hugged," he recalls. "She gave me a kiss on my cheek. It made me feel happy. I started feeling sad for what we did to her."
"I was so sad, what we did to her, especially when I seen her face," he said. "I was like we couldn't have done this. Not this bad. But it turns out we did. It just broke my heart. Every time she seen me, she kept giving me kisses on my cheek. I kept giving her big hugs."
Suazo asked the older teen: "What is it that I can do for you? He said, 'Miss Michelle I want a job.'
Since then, she says, "I've been non-stop trying to find a solution. He is going to be my partner in this effort to bring good things to the neighborhood."
The boys were placed under house arrest, meaning they had to wear monitoring devices and couldn't leave the house without permission. The younger teen spent two months in a juvenile rehabilitation facility in Montgomery County. They are required to continue to report to the Department of Juvenile Services for supervision and drug testing.
Suazo wanted to make sure they were engaged in positive activities during their house arrest. She intervened with the courts to make sure they could attend catering and cooking jobs with UEmpower. She lined up a tutor for the younger boy who was no longer enrolled in school.
"I asked the judge if they could participate in the cooking and he said yes," she said.
So at one event, the teens made food for Spector.
"I didn't think she was going to take it," the older boy said. "When she tasted it, I felt good in myself."
All the while, he was trying to do better.
"After this incident happened, and they put me on house arrest," he said, "I just started busting my school work out. My grades started going up and up and up. I don't hang around the people I was doing that dumb stuff with. I hang around with whole new people who don't even live on this side of town. So my life, it just turned around."
One day while on a catering job, Suazo noticed some of the boys' old friends hanging out on a corner.
"I thought, 'Wow, he chose to go to the catering job with us,'" she said. She said she later learned one of the youths on the corner was shot and killed. "I just think about that every day. Every choice is a life or death choice."
UEmpower has helped organize a team of workers who are bringing services — including food and mentoring — to Southwest Baltimore. They worked out of other locations in the past, but are setting up shop at the Samuel F.B. Morse recreation center, which they fought to keep open.
Melvin Willingham, founder of the Makings of a Man mentorship program, mentors the boys and other youths in the neighborhood.
Robert Stewart, "Chef Stew" of the Transition Kitchen, provides culinary training and creates catering jobs.
Coach Derwin Hannah runs youth football, basketball and baseball teams in the neighborhood.
Donor Rosanne Skirble created a healthy snack company called SeedyNutty that she is giving to the youths for an entrepreneurship opportunity. UEmpower is seeking $24,000 to get the company up and running in what is now a food desert.
While not in a leadership role with the nonprofit, Spector helped the organization get access to the rec center and adjacent school. She regularly attends the group's functions.
On a recent Wednesday night, Willingham spoke to a group of youths about visualizing their future, setting goals and taking the steps needed to achieve them.
"We need to look in the mirror and define ourselves with what? Integrity," Willingham said. "We need to define ourselves with integrity."
Hannah, the football coach, said he visited the teens after he learned of the attack.
"They've changed," he said. "It still takes a lot of work, but we're still holding fast and hoping for the best."
Suazo says the rec center now functions as a sort of ground zero for the range of services UEmpower provides. Next month, she hopes to open a kitchen at the school as a permanent site to feed people in the neighborhood.
"This is a safe zone. If you take this away, there's nothing," she says.
She says the boys are constantly reminded of the dangers of the streets. One summer day while walking to a cookout, youths passed the body of a young man who'd been shot to death.
The mother of the older boy in the carjacking says she's noticed a large improvement.
"He's more focused on what he wants to do in life. He's trying to finish school and he's trying to be a role model for kids in the neighborhood, but also his little brothers," Lakeisha Jones said. "He helps more around the house.
"I've seen a whole 360 on him. He was rebelling but he came back. That's the change I've seen. I've seen growth. … He talks about Ms. Spector a lot. He appreciates her. He was really sorry."
She said she thinks the arrest helped scare him straight.
"He was actually very scared. He was terrified. He said he won't ever go back. He said, 'This is not where I'm supposed to be.'"
Mayor Catherine Pugh was at the synagogue to present the award to the boys.
"Rikki has been very benevolent, very caring," she said. "Taking these young men under her arms and mentoring them to a better lifestyle. Their families are grateful. I know they are. I think they are feeling they've had a second chance and that's what she's given them."
The older boy says he's most attracted to the cooking skills he's learning from UEmpower. He said he believes it's a way for kids in the neighborhood to stay busy.
"It will get younger and older kids out of trouble. It will keep us away from the streets. And it will keep us from doing bad stuff in the streets. Instead of us being outside, we'll be in here," he said.
He says he doesn't feel safe in his neighborhood.
"I've got to watch my back in the streets, because I don't know what people are trying to do to me," he said. He says he tries to spend time in other parts of the city. "I don't like being scared. Why should I be scared of where I'm from?"
The most important lesson he learned is to be careful about the people you surround yourself with.
"I'm trying to teach [younger kids] not to hang around people they know are going to do bad stuff and to choose the right people to hang around. When it's time to leave and when it's time to stay."
When he attacked Spector, he said, "I wasn't thinking. I was trying to be a cool kid and do the stuff they do. And not thinking about my actions. Trying to be along with the team."
He sees a future for himself. He'd like to make it as a pro athlete — he's known for a strong throwing arm in football — but if that doesn't work out, he thinks he will become a veterinarian. He collects fish, turtles, iguanas, snakes and bearded dragons.
Spector "gave me a chance," he said. "I took that chance as an advantage and did what I had to do in school, outside of school, and stayed away from trouble. Period."
Suazo says Spector has become an important advocate for the boys.
"She's tiny but she's powerful," she said. "She has so much energy. Now the boys have a huge advocate in their corner with Rikki. She wants to see them succeed as much as we all do."
Spector says she's dedicating the rest of her life to reforming the juvenile justice system.
"They're our children," she said. "They walk where we walk. If they're going to do bad, they're going to be doing bad where we are. I'm going to spend my next 40 years fixing the juvenile justice system."


text:
One of the things that I really miss most about the legacy BlackBerry OS is the ability to have themes for my device. Not long after the release of BlackBerry 10, the folks over at S4BB launched Theme, which allows you to do create themes for your phone. Today, Theme for BlackBerry 10 received a rather nice update that adds to the selection of themes, as well as a host of other features.
Here's a quick rundown of the newest features in Theme for BlackBerry 1o:
- Customize one's homescreen with:
- 80+ themes (50 free themes & 30 premium themes)
- 40+ pre-loaded wallpapers
- NEW: 15 new wallpapers added through the update
- own pictures
- NEW: App size reduced by 90%
- NEW: Screen usage at wallpaper and theme selection maximized to 100%
- NEW: Optimized & streamlined theme creation process
- NEW: Update section to show future themes that will be released
Download Theme from BlackBerry World today for free!


text:
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MemberPLUS helps you meet or exceed your financial goals. In addition to free upgrades, this program offers you important financial incentives over and above those offered by our standard membership, including free checking and a rate bonus on Certificates of Deposit.1 These are tangible monetary benefits that can give your financial well-being a boost.
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1 New memberships must process through one repricing cycle before they are eligible for the CD Rate Bonus.
2 To qualify for MemberPLUS level; the individual must be in good standing with the Credit Union AND receive aggregate direct deposits of $1,000 per month OR maintain $10,000 in combined deposit balances OR have an active loan with the Credit Union which may include open VISA credit cards (VISA credit cards only qualify the primary borrower, not co-borrowers or authorized users). Qualification is based on previous month's data. Loyalty credit for direct deposit applies to primary owner of receiving account.
3 Any members who are ages 24 and under automatically qualify for all benefits of MemberPLUS with the exception of the bonus CD rate. If they otherwise meet the MemberPLUS criteria, they are eligible for all benefits.
4 Your account will be charged for the transaction. For MemberPLUS accounts, overdraft fees will be refunded to the savings account on the next business day.


text:
Hello to all GiLoCatur's Blog visitors,
Today is Saturday, 14th May 2016. It is about one week short of the 8th anniversary of this blog. GiLoCatur created this blog in May 2008, on 22nd exactly. The first entry is not about chess but about Chelsea and Moscow.
Chelsea is the EPL club that GiLoCatur likes and supports. Does GiLoCatur still like and support Chelsea. The answer is yes, but it is not the same level as used to be. What GiLoCatur likes the most about Chelsea? The first time GiLoCatur likes Chelsea is during the era of Giafranco Zola as a player. He is one of GiLoCatur's most favourite football players. He is small physically or diminutive but very skillful and lethal forward. He had won Chelsea's Player of the Year twice - 1999 and 2003.
Another factor is Jose Mourinho and Didier Drogba. The former is the head coach for Chelsea twice - 2004 - 2007 and 2013 - 2015. Several championships have been won when Mourinho was Chelsea's head coach especially during his first term. While the latter is one of Chelsea's greatest players where he won the club's Player of the Year once in 2010.
Enough with Chelsea.
Regarding Moscow. Moscow is the capital city of Russia. And Chess is a national pastime in Russia since long time ago. GiLoCatur had a chance of visiting Moscow more than a decade ago. Unfortunately, GiLoCatur has yet active in chess during the visit. Had GiLoCatur active in chess during then, for sure GiLoCatur would visit chess book shops and stores looking for interesting chess books and items to buy.
|GiLoCatur at Red Square Moscow
Enough with Moscow.
Let's take a look at the number of entries GiLoCatur wrote for this blog.
|Number of Blog Entries Statistic
During the period of nearly eight years (22/5/2008 - 14/5/2016), the number of entries for this blog is 1,276. Obviously as in the above statistic tabular, GiLoCatur wrote the most blog entries in year 2010 with 357 entries. Obviously also, GiLoCatur is a very active blogger from year 2009 until 2011.
Many factors have contributed to the less active blogging for GiLoCatur. One of them is the change of job. Hopefully, GiLoCatur will continue blogging because GiLoCatur loves writing.


text:
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text:
David Lloyd, August 2012.
It was the middle of December, and Jess hadnÔÇÖt yet grown tired of exploring her new home. She hadnÔÇÖt been able to make use of the roof terrace as yet, due to autumn being particularly harsh, and she wasnÔÇÖt allowed to use the sauna unless in the company of either Jenny or Eddie, due to the increased risk of dehydration in the young. She had, however, mastered the programming of the houseÔÇÖs logic controller, and had created settings that played her favourite wake up music in her bedroom whilst slowly raising the light level and opening the blinds, at a set time.
Christmas was approaching, and Jess was looking forward to going Christmas shopping with Chloe and Scott, as she did last year. This year, however, there was Stuart. Jess stretched out on her bed and closed her eyes to relive the last time Stuart had her in his embrace, skin to skin, warmth to warmth.
JessÔÇÖs music choice faded, replaced by an urgent pulsing sound. This was her hurry-up signal. It was a school day, Tuesday in fact, and she had to get a move on. Jess went to her wardrobe, selected fresh items of uniform, and laid them out on her bed. She would only dress when she returned from breakfast, immediately before exiting the house.
The morning school assemblies were held by year group on Tuesdays, with year ten occupying the sports hall. Gone were the days of religious themes, replaced by a more secular program with meaningful stories, followed by announcements and updates. When assembly was over, the members of year ten formed a single line and began to file out of the sports hall doors. Just before Jess reached the doors, she was pulled aside by Miss Grundy, the Sports Mistress, who wanted a word with her. Scott and Chloe were together, further down the file, and each shot Jess a questioning look as they passed by. Jess returned one of her own, to indicated that she didnÔÇÖt know what it was about.
Chloe was well on with setting out her materials in art class when Jess returned, with an impish grin on her face.
ÔÇ£Well?ÔÇØ questioned Chloe.
ÔÇ£Oh, Miss Grundy wanted to give me advice about the dangers of using a sunbed. I told her that I was insulted, and that my tan was entirely natural.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£And then?ÔÇØ Chloe pried further.
ÔÇ£By the time sheÔÇÖd stopped choking and had cleaned the coffee off her laptop I was late for class, so asked to be excused.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£You are wicked, you know! What if that backfires? I donÔÇÖt want this affecting Robert in the way Anne's blabbing caused Scott's troubles."
ÔÇ£DonÔÇÖt worry, sheÔÇÖs a teacher. WhoÔÇÖs she going to tell?ÔÇØ
As it was, Miss Grundy caught up with Jess at break time, and made it clear that she wasnÔÇÖt shocked by JessÔÇÖs admission that she tanned ÔÇÿau naturelÔÇÖ, just surprised at the frankness of her statement. What had prompted Miss Grundy to be concerned was that the difference in JessÔÇÖs tan across the summer break was quite distinctive, and she wanted to warn Jess of the health implications if Jess was to try to keep it topped up on a sunbed over winter. Jess thanked Miss Grundy for her concern, but stated that she had been allowed to tan practically all her life and had not once been allowed to burn. She then confirmed that she would be letting the tan fade until the sun returned. Satisfied with that, Miss Grundy let it rest.
Scott was quite amused when he heard the whole story at lunch time. He could just imagine Jess waiting until Miss Grundy had a mouthful of coffee before bluntly announcing that she sunbathed nude. Although he had never used one, Scott wasnÔÇÖt so negative about sunbeds. He thought that they required just about as much care as tanning naturally, and that anyone who didnÔÇÖt take the care needed was just asking for trouble.
ÔÇ£Oh, classic!ÔÇØ said Stuart, on hearing JessÔÇÖs story.
Scott, Chloe and Jess had met in Edenfield, and then taken the bus down into Bury on Saturday morning, to rendezvous with Stuart at the caf├® on the indoor plaza of the main shopping centre. Chloe and Scott werenÔÇÖt as taken with the cappuccinos at this caf├® as they were with the ones at their favourite coffee stop, but it was too cold to sit outside and there wasnÔÇÖt enough indoor space there. Besides, there was compensation; the cake selection here was to die for. Scott recommended the tiramisu.
After they finished their drinks, the four toured the main shopping centre and then headed to The Rock, where the larger chain stores were located. The talk wasnÔÇÖt of Christmas shopping, but of the swim that evening. StuartÔÇÖs family hadnÔÇÖt attended up to that point, since Max was still uneasy about being nude when in larger groups. However, Max was back on the oil rig until just before Christmas, and Stuart wanted to expand his social experience of naturism so had persuaded his mother to take him and Ben along that evening.
Chloe and Jess had split from the boys after an hour of window shopping, so they could browse more discretely, but after another hour of fruitless searching on their own they grew tired, and agreed to take a break at the Costa Coffee in The Rock. It was crowded inside, but Chloe spotted a table being vacated, so directed Jess to occupy it before someone else did, whilst she went to buy the drinks.
They hadnÔÇÖt been sitting very long, chatting over what they were going to buy, when they were rudely interrupted. ÔÇ£Hey, you two!ÔÇØ commanded a bleached blonde of approximately their age. ÔÇ£YouÔÇÖre Stuart ClayÔÇÖs and Scott LowryÔÇÖs girlfriends arenÔÇÖt you?ÔÇØ
Chloe regarded the girl for a moment, sizing her up. She had badly applied makeup, a fake tan and a pair of heels in which she didnÔÇÖt even know how to stand. Chloe couldnÔÇÖt place her, but she knew the girl that was stood behind her; it was Nicola Kersey, a mousey girl from JessÔÇÖs form at school.
ÔÇ£Chloe, remember when we first went out with Stuart and Scott together?ÔÇØ Jess cut in.
ÔÇ£Oh yes,ÔÇØ said Chloe, returning to the girl, ÔÇ£the cinema. Scott said your name. Now, what was it? Deborah? No, Donna. But Scott just said that you werenÔÇÖt worth bothering with.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£That queer! Why should anybody listen to his opinion?ÔÇØ
Chloe remained calm, but stood and pulled herself up to her full height, a clear four centimetres taller than Donna, despite the heels, and starred down at her opponent. ÔÇ£YouÔÇÖve already conceded the point that IÔÇÖm his girlfriend, so you know youÔÇÖre way off target with that one. Perhaps IÔÇÖm closer to the mark when I say that he wouldnÔÇÖt give you a second glance. You are a fake, trying so hard to be what you are not, from your bottle blonde hair right down to those high heels in which youÔÇÖre having trouble walking. And yes, I do know a fake tan when I see one. You are obvious, and Scott doesnÔÇÖt go for obvious. He likes subtle and deep. YouÔÇÖre so shallow that a wet dishcloth looks deep by comparison.ÔÇØ
Donna was left speechless for a second, but then she gathered herself for another onslaught. ÔÇ£Why would I want a pervert who prances around with his thing hanging out to give me a second glance? I bet youÔÇÖre one of those nudists too. And what about darkie over there, do you two get naked together? I bet youÔÇÖre a couple of sluts who donÔÇÖt care who sees them naked.ÔÇØ
Chloe was primed to land a slap across DonnaÔÇÖs face, but just as she was about to let fly, a restraining hand captured hers, and another wrapped gently around her waist. It was Scott. Stuart had also arrived, giving Jess a warm hug and kiss.
ÔÇ£So Donna,ÔÇØ said Stuart, ÔÇ£did I just hear you correctly? Did I just hear you calling our girlfriends sluts? If you need to see a slut then you should look in the mirror.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£What do you know? YouÔÇÖre just pissed that I wouldnÔÇÖt go out with you.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£I suppose I have to thank you for turning me down. As to what I know, just what were you doing in our shower room with Graham on the school holiday to Germany in year seven? No, donÔÇÖt answer that, because Graham told everyone, and I do mean everyone. He keeps a role of honour taped inside his locker of lads who put in a realistic claim of having had you. It covers an A4 sheet.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£Oh let me guess whoÔÇÖs on it,ÔÇØ Scott jumped in, ÔÇ£Abdul Haleem?ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£No, his religion wonÔÇÖt let him touch pork.ÔÇØ
Donna turned and ran out of the coffee house as fast as her heels could carry her. Nicola, who had stood there quietly all along, bit her lip in an attempt to hide a wide grin, but her laughing eyes gave her away.
Jess only remembered DonnaÔÇÖs surname because she was with Nicola. She turned to Nicola. ÔÇ£IÔÇÖm guessing that Donna is your cousin?ÔÇØ
Nicola nodded.
ÔÇ£Go after her, and make sure she doesnÔÇÖt do anything stupid. A revelation like that can do real harm to someone who relies on her popularity.ÔÇØ
Nicola nodded and turned to go.
ÔÇ£Oh, and Nicola,ÔÇØ added Chloe, ÔÇ£weÔÇÖll need to talk on Monday too.ÔÇØ
Nicola nodded again, in a more considered manner, and made her exit in the direction of a swiftly retreating Donna.
ÔÇ£Stuart,ÔÇØ began Jess, ÔÇ£I know I have no right to ask you this, but did you really ask her out?ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£Yeah. It was a couple of months into year eight. Scott and I always used to watch the girls go by. Donna was always flirty, but Scott saw right through her and told me I could do better. I regretted asking immediately, not because she turned me down, but because I knew Scott was right, ÔÇÿcause I knew what kind of girl she was already. I suppose I got hooked by her flirting. I know I wasnÔÇÖt ready to date, but there was just so much pressure after Scott disappeared. ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£I donÔÇÖt know about anyone else, but I need a drink,ÔÇØ said Scott, ÔÇ£and you ladies look like you need fresh ones.ÔÇØ Scott and Stuart joined the queue as Chloe and Jess returned to their seats.
ÔÇ£When we get back home, remind me to bring my manicure kit over,ÔÇØ Jess said to Chloe. ÔÇ£After the scratching you gave Donna, your claws will need a good polishing.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£Meow,ÔÇØ laughed Chloe, making a scratching gesture towards Jess.
ÔÇ£Come on Stuart, you can do this.ÔÇØ Stuart said to himself.
But what if this is one of ScottÔÇÖs practical jokes, and he went out there nude only to find everyone else in swimming costumes? He told himself not to be stupid. He knew Scott, the girls and their families, and had been nude with them. HeÔÇÖd also spotted some people stripping off in the open.
Okay now, time to exit. One, two, threefour.
Stuart stepped out of the cubicle and, to his relief, found everything as it should have been. Breathing easily, he wondered what he had been worried about. Perhaps it was being nude in front of this number of complete strangers. He tapped on the doors of his motherÔÇÖs and brotherÔÇÖs cubicles, and they both emerged, nude, and evidently with the same trepidation that he had faced just a second or two ago. Stuart and Ben looked at each other and then dived in. Louise spotted Beth up at the shallow end, so walked the length of the pool and descended the steps into the water.
Ben followed his brother towards Scott, Chloe and Jess who were just treading water in the deep end, but peeled off to join Robert who was heading to join another family with younger kids, who were playing catch with a beach ball down the shallow end. Stuart and Jess began to swim lengths together, chatting as they did so. Stuart agreed that, although he liked the Jacuzzi at ChloeÔÇÖs place, swimming freely like this was a whole world better, with the best part being that he was swimming with her. Jess smiled at the cheeky charmer.
As the evening progressed, more adults took to the Turkish suite, so StuartÔÇÖs group joined in the game of catch as it expanded to the width of the pool, and played until it was time to go. Louise had spent most of the evening in the Turkish suite with Beth, Mike, Jenny and Eddie, since Susan and Mark had offered to stay in the pool to keep an eye on all the kids. As they were all packing up to go, Louise was singing the praises of the Turkish suite, saying it was the most relaxing thing she had ever experienced.
As cold as the air had been over the weekend, it was nothing compared to the biting cold of Monday morning. Instead of being kept out in the playground until just before registration, the kids at ChloeÔÇÖs school were immediately let into the form rooms. Since there was plenty of time before registration, and since what needed to be said was urgent, Chloe had Scott go with her to the 10H form room to meet Jess, in order to collar Nicola Kersey.
ÔÇ£Hi Nicola,ÔÇØ began Chloe, ÔÇ£we need to have that talk. Would you like to join us in the common room down stairs?ÔÇØ
NicolaÔÇÖs slight frame couldnÔÇÖt hide the apprehension that she was feeling, but she nodded and followed the three others downstairs.
There was a group of six chairs around a table that were unoccupied. Jess ushered Nicola ahead, then she, Chloe and Scott filled the first seats of the group so as to dissuade anyone else from joining them.
Chloe began in a low voice. ÔÇ£There were a few things said on Saturday that we would rather not go any further. One was a baseless accusation put about by bullies, the other, although true, being something that can be harmful when misrepresented by bigots. Do you understand?ÔÇØ
Nicola thought for a moment, and then replied in her usual, shy voice. ÔÇ£Yes, I understand. I mean, I know that no way is Scott gay, but although IÔÇÖve seen yours and JessÔÇÖs beautiful suntans in the showers after games, and guessed that you sunbathe nude, I donÔÇÖt understand what Donna meant by calling you nudists.ÔÇØ
Jess took this one. ÔÇ£Imagine your best friend sharing a secret with you. We are told itÔÇÖs a shameful secret, one that can never be shared with anyone. In everyday life itÔÇÖs like we hide ourselves behind clothes, as if we are hiding a secret. Well, the three of us have been brought up differently; weÔÇÖve been shown that our bodies are not a shameful secret. But we also know that there are people who we canÔÇÖt trust and who will do us harm because they can only see nudity as being sexual. Contrary to what Donna said, we do care very much who sees us nude. We are only ever freely nude with those we love or our very best friends. If we are in a situation like on a beach or at a naturist swimming session where there are strangers or lesser acquaintances, then we will be accompanied by our parents. I personally prefer the term ÔÇÿnaturistÔÇÖ to ÔÇÿnudistÔÇÖ, but they both refer to someone who, given the proper circumstances, would prefer to be without the shield that is clothes.ÔÇØ
II dont think I have a friend like that, said Nicola. I mean someone who I can share such a secret with.
ÔÇ£Nicola, it doesnÔÇÖt really matter what we are or what we are not,ÔÇØ Scott said. ÔÇ£The problem is that there are people out there that want to climb the pecking order by picking on any little difference. They will magnify it, twist it and tell outright lies to build their standing at the expense of others. IÔÇÖm sure that Chloe, Jess and I can withstand anything that is thrown at us, since we have each other. But there are others that could be harmed if things turned nasty. I am feeling doubtful, since you were with Donna, but I need to know that this will go no further.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£About Donna and me; we used to be really close up to the age of ten, but then she started to be really horrid to me. Our parents keep putting us together; she even stays at my place on most weekends. They say that I could do with learning her self-confidence, but sheÔÇÖs the one undermining me all the time. When you all tore into her the other day and she crumbled, I was like ÔÇÿYESSSS!ÔÇÖ I donÔÇÖt know you, Chloe, or you, Scott, very well, but Jess has always been kind and friendly to me. If only to avoid being bad to Jess, I promise never to let anything from Saturday or now get out. IÔÇÖve not told anyone what I thought about your suntans, and that was from September.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£I donÔÇÖt know about you two,ÔÇØ said Chloe, turning to Jess and Scott, ÔÇ£but I think Nicola is good confidant making material.ÔÇØ
Jess stood and opened her arms to Nicola, wrapping her in a hug, ÔÇ£You know, if you do need a friend to talk to, youÔÇÖve got one now.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£Two,ÔÇØ cut in Chloe.
ÔÇ£Come on, weÔÇÖd better get back to registration or they will mark us as absent,ÔÇØ called Scott, ÔÇ£but I think we need to discuss any implications for Stuart at lunchtime.ÔÇØ
The group rose, exited the common room and hurried back to their respective form rooms.
Chloe, Jess and Scott were all in higher sets than Nicola, for all subjects, and since Nicola was in Kay House, rather than Peel or Grant, she was assigned to a different dining hall than the others. This meant that the four of them didnÔÇÖt get back together until after lunch was served. The air was still biting cold, but it had also begun to hail, resulting in outdoor time being cancelled. Everywhere was crowded, making a private conversation difficult, but Scott pointed out that they didnÔÇÖt need to talk in detail, so they found a table in the 10D form room and gathered to one end.
ÔÇ£How was Donna when you got back home?ÔÇØ Jess asked Nicola.
ÔÇ£In pieces,ÔÇØ replied Nicola, ÔÇ£she wouldnÔÇÖt come out of my room nor allow anyone in until my Aunt and Uncle were ready to take her home. She missed tea and the repeat of her favourite T.V. show, and thatÔÇÖs something that never happens.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£I think we need to check in with Stuart. A wounded animal like Donna is likely to be dangerous.ÔÇØ
Scott fetched out his mobile phone and selected Stuart from his list of contacts. There were about ten rings before Stuart picked up.
ÔÇ£Hang on a second. I have Chloe, Jess and Nicola here. IÔÇÖll just put you on speaker phone. There! How are things today?ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£ItÔÇÖs cold, wet and dull. Why?ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£I mean on the Donna front.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£Oh, itÔÇÖs quiet. She didnÔÇÖt turn up today. That little reality check on Saturday probably knocked her for six.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£We were worried that sheÔÇÖd come back at you for bursting her bubble. Say, that list, is it for real?ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£Sure. IÔÇÖve seen it myself, but I wouldnÔÇÖt believe that any of them got lucky, even if they put their names down. I donÔÇÖt even believe Graham, and it was me that nearly caught them.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£ItÔÇÖs funny how a lie can be allowed to ruin someoneÔÇÖs life.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£Hi Sweet,ÔÇØ called Jess. ÔÇ£IÔÇÖm wondering, just how is it for Donna at your school? Does she have any real friends?ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£Hi Hon,ÔÇØ Stuart replied. ÔÇ£She has a clique. They are all the same drama queens, but they would knife each other given the opportunity.ÔÇØ
Scott nodded, remembering how it was.
ÔÇ£With friends like that you donÔÇÖt need enemies,ÔÇØ said Chloe.
Jess turned to Nicola. ÔÇ£Do you have DonnaÔÇÖs mobile number?ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£Yeah, I sure do.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£Good. Would you send her a text message and see how she is?ÔÇØ
Jess then turned back to the phone to speak to the group as a whole, ÔÇ£Like it or not, weÔÇÖre probably the best friends that Donna has right now. I think we should offer her an olive branch. If it goes right, we should reduce the risk of Donna wanting to get back at Stuart.ÔÇØ
The others grudgingly agreed to hear Jess out.
ÔÇ£Firstly, we should draft a message to Donna, purportedly from Stuart, to call an end to hostilities. Although Stuart had told her about the list, itÔÇÖs this Graham and his cronies that needed to be taken down for creating it. We should express our doubts about the veracity about the claims on the list, and promise not to let it go any further. Secondly, Nicola would send the message to DonnaÔÇÖs e-mail account, since I doubt Stuart would want Donna to have his e-mail address, in case things went pear shaped. Thirdly, Stuart has to be the one to blow the whistle to the school over the list, but only with DonnaÔÇÖs say so.ÔÇØ
Scott terminated the call to Stuart so that he, Chloe, Jess and Nicola could go down to the computer room. They quickly composed the message and phoned Stuart back for final approval on the wording. Nicola composed a header note, explaining how it came about that she was forwarding the message, cut and pasted the message text into place and sent it to her cousinÔÇÖs e-mail address. Nicola hadnÔÇÖt received a reply to her first text message, so she sent another simply directing Donna to pick up her e-mail. Jess gave Nicola her e-mail address so that Nicola could contact her if there were any developments.
It was Tuesday morning, before registration. Stuart, Malc and Connor were having a kick about in the playground at their school in Heywood. Suddenly Malc stopped, looking back over StuartÔÇÖs shoulder.
Stuart turned. It was Donna.
ÔÇ£LetÔÇÖs do this!ÔÇØ Donna said.
ÔÇ£Now?ÔÇØ asked Stuart, in amazement.
ÔÇ£Yes, now. No time like the present. LetÔÇÖs get it over and done with, and then I can get on with my life.ÔÇØ
Stuart tossed the ball back to Malc and Connor, and waved Donna towards the school offices.
ÔÇ£Leave the first part to me,ÔÇØ Stuart told Donna as they strode towards the main entrance. ÔÇ£They will probably send me away before they talk in detail with you. Perhaps I should go in first, alone, so as not to embarrass you any further.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£Yes, thanks.ÔÇØ
Stuart knocked on the hatch door of the secretaryÔÇÖs office and waited a brief moment for it to be opened. ÔÇ£We need to speak with Mrs. Mathers please, itÔÇÖs important.ÔÇØ
The secretary dialled the Deputy Head MistressÔÇÖs extension, spoke briefly, then directed Stuart and Donna to take a seat down the teachersÔÇÖ corridor. Mrs. Mathers had only been at the school a year, having been hired in to improve pastoral care after the failure over ScottÔÇÖs case. Her door opened and Stuart rose to meet her. Mrs. Mathers looked back to Donna, quizzically.
ÔÇ£We decided that I should go first, so as not to embarrass Donna more than necessary,ÔÇØ Stuart explained.
Donna waited, worrying that she had put her faith in the hands of her worst enemy. No, he wasnÔÇÖt her worst enemy; that was Graham. Stuart had only ever tried to be nice to her, even after she had turned on his best friend. She knew Scott never liked her, and maybe thatÔÇÖs why she had turned on him. No, she only joined the name calling at the prompting of John Maitland, and he turned out to be only interested in one thing. Donna remembered actually being horrified when news broke of the assault on Scott.
The door opened. ÔÇ£Thank you, Stuart. IÔÇÖll call you again if I need anything more. Donna, come in dear.ÔÇØ
Donna rose and headed towards Mrs. MathersÔÇÖ office.
ÔÇ£Be brave,ÔÇØ said Stuart to Donna. He then headed off to registration.
There were few witnesses to what happened over the first period that morning. There was Mrs. Mathers and two police officers. Graham Stott was hauled out of lessons to open his locker; one police officer standing by with a set of bolt-cutters in case he refused. There were few who observed the steady stream of boys, deprived of their mobile phones, being escorted out to the offices adjoining the sports hall, throughout the day. The number of parents who came to remove their boys from school also went unnoticed.
It felt like it had been a long day, and Stuart was ready for home. He was just about to retrieve his football from his locker when Mr. Dawson, his form tutor caught up with him. He was wanted in Mrs. MathersÔÇÖ office, and Mr. Dawson was to escort him there. Stuart put his ball away again, hung up his jacket, closed the door and snapped the padlock closed. It was a bit of a trek from the year ten locker room to the front offices, and, even though Stuart knew he had done nothing wrong, the time taken to get there just increased his anxiety. Mr. Dawson showed Stuart straight in and left. Mrs. Mathers was there, accompanied by two plain clothes police detectives. It was made clear that he wasnÔÇÖt being cautioned, he could have legal representation if he wished, but Mrs. Mathers would act as an appropriate adult if he didnÔÇÖt want a lawyer. For a second the thought of asking for JessÔÇÖs dad flashed across his mind, but it occurred to him that the time taken to get him would be time wasted, and he had nothing to hide anyway. Stuart agreed to let Mrs. Mathers stand in. The detectives wanted to know what Stuart had seen in Germany. It was Donna that had told them about that episode, going back further than Stuart had anticipated, and had already made it clear that Stuart was not involved in the incident. What Stuart remembered was not to be repeated to anyone.
Friday morning came and Nicola burst into 10DÔÇÖs form room before morning registration, with Jess in tow. She had news. ÔÇ£Donna wants to meet with you, to make peace. She says she has a lot to get off her chest. Please say youÔÇÖll meet with her.ÔÇØ
Scott looked at Chloe and Jess, trying to gauge their feelings. ÔÇ£Two oÔÇÖclock tomorrow, the same place?ÔÇØ
Chloe and Jess just nodded.
ÔÇ£So we have a time and a place, IÔÇÖll see if Stuart is available.ÔÇØ
Scott, Chloe and Jess made Saturday morning another attempt at Christmas shopping, with Stuart joining them just before two. Scott and Stuart bought the usual coffees for themselves and the two girls. Chloe and Jess found a low table surrounded by two armchairs and two two-seater sofas, and then they all waited. Shortly after two Nicola entered, followed by a small girl, with mid-brown hair, cut in a short, stepped style, wearing no makeup. Jess and Chloe recognised Donna first, despite their relative lack of familiarity with her. Donna approached the friends at their table whilst Nicola went to buy the drinks.
ÔÇ£Hello,ÔÇØ said Donna, nervously. ÔÇ£Thank you for coming.ÔÇØ She installed herself in one seat of the vacant sofa.
ÔÇ£I like your new hair style. It suits you,ÔÇØ said Chloe.
Donna searched ChloeÔÇÖs face for signs of sarcasm, but found no trace. ÔÇ£Thank you. I wanted a new look. What Stuart said, about the list, brought it home to me as to how I was really seen, and the old look was part of it. I looked cheap. Those boys made me feel cheap.ÔÇØ
Stuart sighed and started slowly. So the listI take it Mrs. Mathers ran through it with you?
ÔÇ£Yes,ÔÇØ said Donna, with an audible sob. Jess retrieved a tissue from her purse, and swapped sofas to sit next to Donna, handing Donna the tissue. ÔÇ£There were so many names, and the comments. All lies!ÔÇØ Donna dissolved, with her face in her hands to hide her shame.
Jess placed her hand on DonnaÔÇÖs shoulder, and spoke. ÔÇ£Not long back, someone tried to make me feel cheap. I only got through it because I had friends who I knew loved me. Stuart said that your school friends are not like that.ÔÇØ
Donna lifted her head and wiped her eyes. ÔÇ£No, I think we are as bad as each other; always trying to out-do each other on the boyfriend stakes. My God! It was like an arms race. The lad with the car, he was sweet at first, but I could see where it was leading, so I suppose I should thank you, Scott, for inadvertently saving me. Yes, I was angry, especially when it got round school that IÔÇÖd been dumped.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£Yeah, about that,ÔÇØ said Scott, ÔÇ£sorry, that was my idea. I wanted to exact a bit more revenge. It was unworthy of me.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£Hey, IÔÇÖm the one who came to apologise. I was so hung up on John Maitland that IÔÇÖd do anything he said, and the name calling was his idea. When I found out that they actually attacked you, I was sickened, and dumped Maitland immediately.ÔÇØ
Nicola arrived with drinks for her and Donna. Donna wrapped both hands around her tall latte, and took a big gulp.
ÔÇ£So, what about last week? You werenÔÇÖt under anyoneÔÇÖs control then, were you?ÔÇØ snapped Chloe.
ÔÇ£I was still simmering about news of me getting dumped. When I recognised you, I felt embarrassed, and I flipped.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£Hang on,ÔÇØ said Stuart, ÔÇ£I donÔÇÖt get the point of all this. I can see why you might want to smooth things over with me. But to go to this length to apologise to people who you wonÔÇÖt have to deal with again? ThereÔÇÖs something youÔÇÖre not telling us.ÔÇØ
II was getting to that. Donna nervously took another sip of her coffee. After my parents talked with Mrs. Mathers, it was concluded that the lies and my reputation meant that I couldnt stay at that school. My parents wanted to move us, since we live so close to school, but our house is worth less than what they owe on it, so were trapped. The only solution that school and my parents could come up with was for me to go and live with relatives. I wont go and live with the family of my mothers brother, so Im going to live with Nicolas parents.
But that means Scott stalled, and then sprang to his feet with anger burning in his eyes. No. No, No, NO! No freaking way! That is not going to happen.
Chloe rose, and joined Scott, and they wrapped their arms around one another.
I cantI cant do this, whispered Scott to Chloe.
ÔÇ£Scott, please give me a chance,ÔÇØ pleaded Donna. ÔÇ£I really have got no other choice. I canÔÇÖt go back there; there are too many lies flying around. This is the only possible solution for me. Nicola has told me what you made her promise. I will promise the same.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£Look, Scott,ÔÇØ whispered Chloe. ÔÇ£You told Nicola that you, Jess and I could withstand anything because we have each other. Without us, sheÔÇÖll only have Nicola, and thatÔÇÖs a relationship that needs some repair work. She needs help to stay away from the wrong crowd. We extended the olive branch; please donÔÇÖt let it drop now. I actually donÔÇÖt think weÔÇÖve got a say in the matter, but IÔÇÖd prefer that we have an understanding with Donna than not.
Scott held Chloe for a moment or two longer, considering his position, and then turned to Donna, ÔÇ£When do you start?ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£Monday,ÔÇØ replied Donna.
ÔÇ£At the first opportunity, you and I, together with Chloe and Jess, pay a visit to our Deputy Head in charge of pastoral care. We lay out all our history, including the name calling, the attack, the fact that Chloe, Jess and I are naturists, and the promises that weÔÇÖll be making to each other. Is that agreed?ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£ThatÔÇÖs agreed.ÔÇØ
Scott presented Donna with his hand, to shake. ÔÇ£Truce,ÔÇØ he said.
Donna stood, grasped the offered hand and shook, ÔÇ£Truce.ÔÇØ


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Universal Audio Apollo Twin MkII Duo Thunderbolt InterfaceApollo Twin MkII is a ground-up redesign of the world s most popular professional desktop recording interface for Mac and Windows delivering enhanced audio conversion with the tone, feel, and flow o
Apollo Twin MkII is a ground-up redesign of the world's most popular professional desktop recording interface for Mac and Windows — delivering enhanced audio conversion with the tone, feel, and flow of analog recording.
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text:
Star Blog
3 Ways the Cowboys Offense Could Be Better in 2018
Truth be told, Dallas Cowboys fans have plenty of reasons to be upset about the very disappointing 2017 season. But one of the things that undoubtedly made it even a tougher campaign to get through was the offensive performance. After Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott took the league by storm in their rookie seasons, everyone (including non-Cowboys fans) had big-time expectations for America's Team.
Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. Now, let's not try to find who is to blame, we could spend all the offseason arguing whether it was Dez or Dak's fault, coaching, Zeke's suspension or other key injuries like Tyron Smith's.
Don't forget for a second how talented this offense actually is. Sure, last season the wide receivers had anything but an impressive year and Dak could've played better at times, but that doesn't mean he's a bad quarterback at all.
If struggles continue to be there next season, then let's have a conversation about Prescott. Not now, though. He's still the guy this franchise should be betting on, without a single doubt. Add to that what still is among the NFL's finest offensive lines with a top running back in Ezekiel Elliott.
This is an offense that'll win games next season, despite having a rough year in 2017. Here are three ways it could be even more dominant.
Unleash 10 Personnel
We've wanted this for a long time now. Dak Prescott is a guy who can pass the ball or tuck and run with it when needed. Ezekiel Elliott is one of the NFL's best runners and a true three-down back. Cole Beasley is one of the best slot receivers in the sport. Dez Bryant, though unproductive the last few years, is still a very talented player. Allen Hurns will be a big upgrade at WR2. And hey, maybe put Ryan Switzer in the mix.
It's hard to imagine defenses stopping such a loaded offense in the red zone or anywhere on the field for that matter. The Cowboys should seriously consider playing from 10 personnel a lot more than they do.
Feed Zeke in the Passing Game
This is one of the things I fail to understand from the Cowboys' coaching staff. Ezekiel Elliott has reliable hands and as a very dangerous player in the open field, I don't comprehend why he isn't used a lot when it comes to the passing game.
He might not be able to make the damage that Le'Veon Bell is able to as a receiving RB, but I'm sure Elliott would thrive if given more opportunities. We've seen some explosive screen plays from him, let's hope Dallas looks to turn him into an even more dangerous offensive piece.
Use a Younger Tight End
Fellow writer Brian Martin wrote about how the Cowboys should follow the Charger's blueprints when handling Antonio Gate's situation. I love Jason Witten, he's my favorite Cowboy of all time. But we simply can't (or at least, shouldn't) pretend he's the same guy as before.
The Cowboys should be looking for a future tight end in this Draft, even if we're talking about the later rounds.
I would love to see them taking someone (or who knows, maybe the Rico Gathers fantasy comes true) who could harm opponent defenses by doing stuff Gold Jacket Witt can't. I don't want to see Witten gone by any means, simply because I'm not sure anyone can fill his shoes for the moment.
But adding a younger tight end to split the playing time and try some new stuff with the TE position would be huge for Dak's offense.
I can't wait to see this offense back at it next season. It's easy to get pessimism get to you after a disappointing season, but the team has talent. Now, don't get me wrong, this team has a lot of issues it should solve. The team needs are plenty.
But I do believe this team will be winning football games this year.
Star Blog
Travis Frederick's Return Named Cowboys Biggest Reason For Excitement
Overall, Cowboys Nation feels to be in a positive mood during this year's offseason. Despite early angst over lack of action at the start of free agency, and concern over the Cowboys' draft strategy, most within the fan base seem to have high, yet realistic, hopes for the 2019 season.
Most seem to believe the NFC East will be a two team race, with the last two champions battling for the crown once again down the stretch of the season. Others can see the potential for a dark-horse candidate in Washington, but still believe the Cowboys roster has the edge.
So while Cowboys fans may not think they need a singular reason to look forward to the Fall of 2019, Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski gave them one this week.
Every NFL Team's Biggest Reason to Look Forward to 2019 Season
NFL Brent Sobleski @@brentsobleski Twitter Logo NFL Analyst The offseason can be as thrilling for NFL fans as the regular season. Player movement constantly refreshes rosters-whether through free agency, the draft or trades. Significant changes inject excitement into franchises, personnel and fanbases. A one-time league doormat can become the league's "it' team simply through a string of acquisitions.
Brent identified the biggest reason for each team to look forward to 2019, with the return of center Travis Frederick being the Cowboys' submission. There's no question that when healthy, Frederick is one of the best centers in the game, and anchors an offensive line many still consider to be at the top of the league.
"A full year with wide receiver Amari Cooper and re-signing Demarcus Lawrence to a long-term deal are both reasons for the Dallas Cowboys to be excited. However, the return of Travis Frederick to man the middle of the offensive line is far more pertinent."
Frederick missed all of the 2018 season after being diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare disease that I am not nearly qualified enough to discuss. What I do know is that it can be very serious, and it kept Frederick out for the entire year.
The Cowboys offensive line suffered during the early part of 2018, largely due in part to Travis Frederick's absence. Yes, Joe Looney filled in and played as well as anyone could have hoped for, but the disconnect in communication across the offensive line was clear without their usual center. Especially during the first couple months of the season.
If Frederick is fully back and healthy, his presence alone will take the Cowboys offensive line back towards their peak. Combine his comeback with a healthy Zack Martin, and a now bulked up Connor Williams, and the interior of this line has the chance to be special.
Star Blog
3 Dallas Cowboys Who Could Make Pro Bowl Debuts this Season
Every year, the Dallas Cowboys send quite a few players to the Pro Bowl. This year, the Cowboys sent eight players to the Pro Bowl with Leighton Vander Esch and Byron Jones being selected to their first Pro Bowl squad.
There is a lot of talent on this year's roster and the Cowboys will likely send someone to the annual all-star game that hasn't been there before. Here are three I think will make a push for Pro Bowl recognition in 2019.
Chidobe Awuzie, Cornerback
In the first half of the season, Chidobe Awuzie got picked on a bit. His coverage was always pretty good, but he allowed a ton of receptions. Awuzie allowed the ninth highest passer rating in coverage, the 12th most receptions, the 10th most yards, and tied for the sixth most touchdowns allowed weeks 1-9 of 2018.
In the second half, including the playoffs, Awuzie was much better and showed a higher level of comfort. His passer rating allowed dropped 50 points and was the 17th lowest in the league among corners who played at least 197 coverage snaps. He allowed fewer receptions, yards, and touchdowns in the 10 games over the second half than he allowed in the first eight games of the season.
Awuzie is one of the tougher players on the team. He plays with a similar edge that DeMarcus Lawrence does on the defensive line.
After spending part of his rookie season injured and rotating in, Awuzie found his stride in the second half of 2018 and was one of the Cowboys better cover players. Going into his third season in the NFL, the Cowboys 2017 second round pick looks to be an ascending player that could make some noise for postseason awards.
Tony Pollard, Running Back/Kick Returner
The Dallas Cowboys went into the 2019 NFL Draft looking to find a gadget player they could use on offense, but just as important, they wanted a player who could contribute in the return game. They got him in Rookie Tony Pollard.
Over the course of three seasons and 87 returns, Pollard averaged 30 yards per kick return and returned seven kickoffs for scores. In 2017, Pollard averaged an insane 40 yards per return. He's an incredibly dynamic player with the ball in his hands and though he wasn't used much on punt returns, shows an ability to make people miss and read his blockers.
As Stephen Jones said, "he's got a little Alvin Kamara to him." As a ball carrier, Pollard averaged 7.7 and 7.1 yards per carry over his final two seasons at Memphis. He was dynamic as a receiver as well averaging more than 12.4 yards per reception over three seasons in college.
With Ezekiel Elliott, the Dallas Cowboys may not give Pollard enough snaps and touches to have an Alvin Kamara like rookie campaign (120 carries for 728 yards, 8 touchdowns and 81 receptions for 826 yards and 5 touchdowns), but if he's given half that workload, plus what he could do on returns, he'll make noise for Pro Bowl consideration.
Jaylon Smith, Linebacker
It was a bit surprising to go back and look at which linebackers made the Pro Bowl and not see Jaylon Smith's name. As good as Rookie Leighton Vander Esch was, Jaylon Smith might have been better. By standard metrics -- tackles, interceptions, tackles for loss -- Vander Esch totaled more. Advanced metrics like defensive EPA (expected points added) and playmaking EPA, favored Jaylon Smith's season.
Cowboys Stats & Graphics on Twitter
Overall playmaking EPA rank among all NFL defenders: 5. DeMarcus Lawrence 7. Jaylon Smith 58. Leighton Vander Esch
Jaylon Smith didn't rack up the tackles like Vander Esch, but he was far more impactful over the course of the season. That's not to diminish Vander Esch's contribution to the Cowboys success in 2018. It's important to show Jaylon Smith his due, though.
Smith recorded four sacks, two forced fumbles, four passes defended to go along with his 120 combined tackles in 2018. And that was just his second full season back from the devastating knee injury he suffered in college.
Another season removed from the injury should make Jaylon Smith more confident and more explosive in 2019, which should lead to another outstanding season for the Dallas Cowboys Middle Linebacker.
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Don't let anyone tell you that Pro Bowls don't matter. They do. Sure, All-Pro awards are the more highly coveted recognition, but to the players and to their agents, Pro Bowl selections matter. It's not as exclusive, but in a league with 1,696 players being one of 88 is still a really nice honor. To be a Pro Bowl player mean's you're in the top 5% of NFL players.
Obviously, we'd all prefer none of the Dallas Cowboys play in the Pro Bowl. Because that would mean they'd be preparing to play for that elusive sixth Lombardi Trophy. The Cowboys have always provided quite a few participants to the Pro Bowl game, but if the participation was zero in 2020, it wouldn't be all bad.
Star Blog
Will "Rumored" Position Change Help Keep LB Sean Lee Healthy?
Rumors and speculation. That's the point of the offseason we have reached with the Dallas Cowboys and the rest of the NFL. That's not necessarily a bad thing because it means players are staying out of trouble, but it's still a slow time nonetheless.
Today, I'd like to dive into some of the rumors and speculation surrounding the Dallas Cowboys right now. I thought I'd start off with Linebacker Sean Lee, and his "rumored" position change heading into the 2019 season. I think it's something worth discussing, as it is just about anything involving General Lee.
If rumors are correct, the Dallas Cowboys are considering a position change for Sean Lee in 2019. He's been their starting weak side linebacker (WILL) pretty much ever since they went to a 4-3 defense, but could be making a move to the strong side (SAM) to replace Damien Wilson. If true, this is interesting on so many different levels.
Sean Lee was initially moved to WILL in the Cowboys 4-3 defense years ago in order to hopefully protect him from the reoccurring injuries he was sustaining year after year. The thought was he would be better protected by not having to fight through so much trash or take on as much contact on the weak side. This was true to some degree, but unfortunately the injury bug continued to bite.
With that in mind, it seems strange the Cowboys are considering moving Sean Lee to SAM since it's considered to be a more physical position to play than he's use to. There is a lot more physicality and contact involved playing on the strong side, which you would think would make him more susceptible to the problem that's plagued his entire career, injuries.
The thought process of having Sean Lee switch to a more physical position seems like a strange one on the surface. A player who has struggled to remain healthy his entire career moving to play a more physically demanding position seems odd, but not if you were to look beyond the obvious.
Yes, the SAM LB position is more physically demanding, but doesn't receive a lot of playing time in the Cowboys 4-3 defense. Damien Wilson only played 30.72% of the defensive snaps in 2017 and 27.93% in 2018. Playing less snaps could actually play in Sean Lee's favor and potentially keep him healthy. That would make the move a win-win for No. 50 and the Cowboys.
A healthy Sean Lee playing SAM would be an upgrade over Damien Wilson. It would also give the Dallas Cowboys arguably the best starting 4-3 linebackers in the entire NFL. You may disagree, but I challenge you to find a better starting trio. I don't think it's possible.
Of course, all of this is just a rumor we are forced to speculate about right now, but it's still interesting to discuss nonetheless. I don't know how all of this will play out in the end, but I can't really think of any reason why Sean Lee shouldn't get the first crack at replacing Damien Wilson as the strong side linebacker in 2019.
Maybe, just maybe this will be the move that will finally keep him healthy.
What do you think? Do you like the idea of Sean Lee making a position change?
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