#William Vacchiano

[jazzdailyblog]

Wynton Marsalis: The Trumpet Maestro Shaping the Future of Jazz

Introduction: Wynton Marsalis is a titan of the jazz world, a prolific composer, a master trumpet player, and an enthusiastic teacher. His decades-long contributions to the music industry have had a profound impact on the genre. This blog post will explore Wynton Marsalis’s life, music, and influence, honoring his incredible musical journey and his ongoing effect on the jazz community. Early…

[newsfact]

Fantasy Injury Updates: Latest news on Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, James Robinson, more affecting Week 9 start ’em, sit ’em calls

Things aren’t looking good for running backs Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, James Robinson, and Latavius Murray heading into Week 9, and plenty of fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em decisions hang in the balance. We’ve seen RB injuries come in bunches, so hopefully you have the necessary backups, handcuffs, and sleepers on your roster, but either way, you need to know the latest injury updates.

For updates on Dak Prescott and Kyler Murray, go here; for the latest on ailing pass-catchers Davante Adams, Julio Jones, Noah Fant, Calvin Ridley, and DeAndre Hopkins, click here; for news on banged-up RBs. For all the latest fantasy news, follow us on Twitter @SN_Fantasy.

WEEK 9 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts | Start ’em, sit ’em

Saquon Barkley injury update

We’re all well aware Barkley (ankle) has been banged up all year, but after being placed on the reserve/COVID list, the prospects for a Week 9 return are even slimmer. After Adam Schefter reported Barkley turned in a negative test after his initial positive test, SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano reported he tested positive a second time. Barkley will have to test negative on two occasions, 24 hours apart, so it’s tough to tell whether that will happen. Even if it does, he’s still at risk to miss due to the ankle injury he suffered in Week 5. All in all, it sure doesn’t seem like he’ll be suiting up Sunday, but it’s not out of the question, yet.

If he does play, we can view him as a mid-tier RB1, but let’s face it, there’s always a risk he aggravates an injury or is on a snap count. If he’s out, it’s the Devontae Booker show once again. New York plays Las Vegas in Week 9, who gives up the 10th-most fantasy points to RBs, so Booker looks like a safe RB2.

WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS: Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

Christian McCaffrey injury update

McCaffrey (hamstring) has been designated to return from injured reserve, but he was “pretty limited” in Wednesday’s practice according to Matt Rhule. Right now, the thinking is Chuba Hubbard will start one more game, but McCaffrey will be ready to go for Week 10. Of course, things can change, so it’s best to keep up with his status all the way to Sunday.

New England is statistically a middle-of-the-pack unit against RBs, but Austin Ekeler, Alvin Kamara, and Ezekiel Elliott are really the only RBs to have a major success. Against other RBs, they’ve been stout except for in garbage time. That said, don’t expect a monster performance from Hubbard unless he gets a ton of passing work or sneaks in a touchdown. We rank him as the RB18 in PPR and RB22 in standard leagues. His floor could be much lower if Ameer Abdullah takes a ton of touches from him again, though.

WEEK 9 STANDARD RANKINGS: Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

James Robinson injury update

Robinson (heel) didn’t practice Wednesday, but we don’t know much about his situation beyond that. Thursday and Friday practice reports will tell us more about his Week 9 availability, so we’ll have to wait and see. This isn’t a serious injury, but one that could certainly sideline him for a game. Carlos Hyde (if healthy) should take on the primary back role and dominate touches if Robinson is out.

If he does play, we rank him as the RB12 in standard and RB9 in PPR leagues. That may seem high against a strong Buffalo defense, but with all the RB injuries around the league, he’s one of the few true workhorse backs in the league at this moment.

WEEK 9 DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings | Yahoo

Latavius Murray injury update

Murray (ankle) did not practice Wednesday, and he’s another guy who bears watching. The Week 8 bye evidently wasn’t enough time for him to heal up, so he’s in danger of missing another game. Murray seems to be the only Ravens’ RB who could assume a workhorse role, but in his absence, it’ll be another pure committee approach with Devonta Freeman, Le’Veon Bell, and Ty’son Williams. We rank those guys in the order they are mentioned.

If Murray does play, we view him as the RB36 in standard and RB37 in PPR. Minnesota is a top-12 team against fantasy RBs, and even if Murray returns, this should be a committee approach once again.

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[sonyclasica]

FRITZ REINER

THE COMPLETE COLUMBIA ALBUM COLLECTION

Sony Classical reúne la discografía completa de Fritz Reiner en Pittsburgh y Nueva York en 14 CD. A la venta el 11 de septiembre.

Cuando, a los 50 años, Fritz Reiner fue nombrado director de la Orquesta Sinfónica de Pittsburgh en 1938, todavía era relativamente desconocido en Estados Unidos. Este alumno de Bartók en la Academia de Música de su Budapest natal, ex director de la Ópera Real de Dresde, donde trabajó con Richard Strauss, y durante los últimos 16 años, el director musical de la Orquesta Sinfónica de Cincinnati, rara vez era mencionado en la prensa estadounidense, aunque en realidad había hecho algunos discos en 1938 con la Filarmónica de Nueva York, que fueron emitidos de forma anónima.

Todo cambió para Reiner cuando su mudanza a Pittsburgh llevó a casi una década de grabaciones fundamentales para la Columbia Americana. Sony Classical ahora se complace en presentar una nueva caja de 14 CD que recoge toda la discografía de la Sinfónica de Pittsburgh de Reiner, junto con las grabaciones de Columbia que hizo después de mudarse a Nueva York en 1948, para convertirse en director principal de la Metropolitan Opera.

Reiner ya era un experimentado director de Wagner cuando llegó a Pittsburgh y, como era de esperar, sus primeras sesiones en febrero y marzo de 1940 incluyeron, entre otras selecciones populares, la Cabalgata de las valquirias. Esta es la grabación más antigua del nuevo set y el primer registro comercial acreditado de Reiner. Desafortunadamente, los problemas eléctricos arruinaron los masters de Wagner restantes de 1940, por lo que esas obras tuvieron que volver a grabarse en 1941, Otros que datan de antes de la guerra incluyen el Don Juan de Strauss (de enero de 1941) y Don Quijote, con el violonchelista Gregor Piatigorsky (noviembre de 1941), así como Iberia de Debussy (también de noviembre de 1941).

Tras la prohibición nacional de grabación en tiempos de guerra, Reiner y la orquesta regresaron a la Mezquita de Siria en marzo de 1945 para establecer algunos ejemplos principales del repertorio muy variado del director: la Sexta Sinfonía de Shostakovich; la grabación principal de la suite de Robert Russell Bennett de Porgy and Bess de Gershwin, encargada por Reiner; Divertimento No.1 de su amigo húngaro Léo Weiner; las Danzas de Galánta de otro compatriota, Zoltán Kodály; y la Segunda Sinfonía de Beethoven.

Algunas de sus grabaciones más memorables de Pittsburgh se hicieron en febrero de 1946: la primera producción en estudio del Concierto para orquesta de su antiguo maestro Bartók; Danzas húngaras de Brahms y el primer concierto para piano con Rudolf Serkin; El amor brujo de Falla, un perenne favorito de Reiner, con la excelente mezzo solista Carol Brice, que también grabó Lieder de Mahler eines fahrenden Gesellen durante esas sesiones; y la suite de Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme de Strauss, que Reiner había presentado en los Estados Unidos en Cincinnati. Ninguno de estos, excepto el concierto de Brahms y el Strauss, había aparecido en CD en Sony Classical.

Reiner realizó su última grabación en Pittsburgh, Ein Heldenleben de Strauss, en noviembre de 1947. Dos años más tarde, sus primeras sesiones de Nueva York para Columbia tuvieron lugar en el 30th Street Studio, produciendo un conjunto completo notablemente elegante de los Conciertos de Brandenburgo de Bach. También lanzado por Sony Classical en CD por primera vez, presenta nombres tan ilustres como los clavecistas Sylvia Marlowe y Fernando Valente, el flautista Julius Baker, el trompetista William Vacchiano, el oboista Robert Bloom, el violista William Lincer y el violonchelista Leonard Rose. Unos meses antes, Fritz Reiner hizo una de sus grabaciones más famosas de todas. Estuvo en el Metropolitan dirigiendo el Salomé de Strauss con el mejor exponente del papel principal, Ljuba Welitsch, haciendo su debut en la casa. En medio de la carrera en marzo, en el 30th Street Studio, Columbia capturó la escena final en el disco, una grabación que ha conservado su estado de referencia.

En 1953, el capítulo final de la larga carrera de Fritz Reiner comenzó cuando se convirtió en director musical de la Orquesta Sinfónica de Chicago y comenzó una famosa serie de grabaciones estéreo para RCA Victor. Pero cualquier apreciación completa del legado de este legendario director de orquesta debe incluir sus logros anteriores para Columbia Records en Pittsburgh y Nueva York. Para todos los innumerables aficionados de Reiner en todo el mundo, la nueva caja de 14 CD de Sony Classical será una escucha esencial.

Fritz Reiner – The Complete Columbia Album Collection

DISC 1:

Ravel: La Valse, M. 72 (Remastered)

Debussy: Images, L. 122: Ibéria (Remastered)

Berlioz: La damnation de Faust, H. 111: Marche hongroise (Remastered)

Debussy (orch. Ravel): Danse "Tarantelle styrienne", L. 69 (Remastered)

DISC 2:

Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, WWV 96: Prelude to Act I (Remastered)

Wagner: Siegfried, WWV 86C: Waldweben (Remastered)

Wagner: Lohengrin, WWV 75: Prelude to Act I (Remastered)

Wagner: Lohengrin, WWV 75: Prelude to Act III (Remastered)

Wagner: Die Walküre, WWV 86B: Walkürenritt (Remastered)

Wagner: Tannhäuser, WWV 70, Act I: Bacchanale and Venusberg Music (Remastered)

Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, WWV 96, Act III: Vorspiel (Remastered)

Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, WWV 96, Act III: Tanz der Lehrbuben (Dance of the apprentices) (Remastered)

Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, WWV 96, Act III: Aufzug der Meister (Entrance of the Meistersingers) (Remastered)

DISC 3:

Beethoven: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 36

Mussorgsky: A Night on Bald Mountain, IMM 43 (Remastered)

Gershwin (arr. Bennett): Porgy and Bess "A Symphonic Picture"

DISC 4:

Brahms: Concerto No. 1 in D Minor for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 15

DISC 5:

Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra, Sz. 116 (Remastered)

Glinka: Kamarinskaja "Wedding Song and Dance Song"

Rossini: Il signor Bruschino, IGR 64: Overture (Remastered)

DISC 6:

Mahler: Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (Remastered)

Bach: Magnificat in D Major, BWV 243, No. 2: Et exultavit (Remastered)

Bach: Magnificat in D Major, BWV 243, No. 9: Esurientes implevit bonis (Remastered)

Bach: Mass in B Minor, BWV 232, Part I, No. 10: Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris (Remastered)

Bach: Mass in B Minor, BWV 232, Part IV, No. 26: Agnus Dei (Remastered)

Falla: El amor brujo "Ballet-pantomime" (Remastered)

DISC 7:

Brahms: 21 Hungarian Dances, WoO 1: No. 5 in G Minor (Orch. Parlow) (Remastered)

Brahms: 21 Hungarian Dances, WoO 1: No. 7 in F Major (Orch. Schmeling) (Remastered)

Brahms: 21 Hungarian Dances, WoO 1: No. 12 in D Minor (Orch. Parlow) (Remastered)

Brahms: 21 Hungarian Dances, WoO 1: No. 13 in D Major (Orch. Parlow) (Remastered)

Brahms: 21 Hungarian Dances, WoO 1: No. 6 in D Major (Orch. Parlow) (Remastered)

Brahms: 21 Hungarian Dances, WoO 1: No. 21 in E Minor (Orch. Dvorák) (Remastered)

Brahms: 21 Hungarian Dances, WoO 1: No. 19 in B Minor (Orch. Dvorák) (Remastered)

Brahms: 21 Hungarian Dances, WoO 1: No. 1 in G Minor (Orch. Brahms) (Remastered)

Strauß, J. II: Rosen aus dem Süden, Op. 388 (Remastered)

Strauß, J. II: Schatz-Walzer, Op. 418 (Remastered)

Strauß, J. II: Wiener Blut, Op. 354 (Remastered)

Rodgers (arr. Don Walker): The Carousel Waltz (From "Carousel") (Remastered)

DISC 8:

Strauss, R.: Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40

Strauss, R.: Le bourgeois gentilhomme, Op. 60

DISC 9:

Mozart: Symphony No. 35 in D Major, KV. 385 "Haffner"

Bach, J. S.: Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B Minor, BWV 1067 (Remastered)

Bach, J.S. (arr. Lucien Cailliet): Little Fugue in G Minor, BWV 578 (Remastered)

Mozart: Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, KV. 550

DISC 10:

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 54

Kabalewksy: Colas Breugnon, Op. 24: Overture

Kodály: Dances of Galánta (Galántai Táncok)

Weiner: Divertimento No. 1 for String Orchestra, Op. 20 "Nach alten ungarischen Tänzen"

Tchaikovsky: Suite No. 1 in D Major, Op. 43: V. Marche Miniature

Bartók: Hungarian Pictures, Sz. 97

DISC 11:

Bach, J.S.: Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F Major, BWV 1046 (Remastered)

Bach, J.S.: Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F Major, BWV 1047 (Remastered)

Bach, J.S.: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1048 (Remastered)

DISC 12:

Bach, J.S.: Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G Major, BWV 1049 (Remastered)

Bach, J.S.: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major, BWV 1050 (Remastered)

DISC 13:

Mozart: Don Giovanni, K. 527, Act I: "Don Ottavio! son morta!" (Recit.), "Or sai, chi l'onore" (Aria)

Mozart: Don Giovanni, K. 527, Act II: "Crudele! Crudele?..." (Recit.), "Non mi dir, bell'idol mio" (Aria)" (Voice)

Dargomizhsky: Songs and Romances, Volume I: 36. Mne grustno

Dargomizhsky: Songs and Romances, Volume I: 46. Melnik

Mussorgsky: Rustic Song in F Minor "Where are You Little Star"

Marx: Hat dich die Liebe berührt, IJM 11

Marx: Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21: 5. Valse de Chopin

Strauss, R.: 8 Gedichte aus 'Letzte Blätter', Op. 10: 3. Die Nacht

Strauss, R.: 4 Lieder, Op. 27: 2. Cäcilie

Strauss, R.: Salome, Op. 54: Final Scene

DISC 14:

Strauss, R.: Don Quixote, Op. 35 (Remastered)

Strauss, R.: Don Juan, Op. 20

Honegger: Concertino for Piano and Orchestra, H. 55 (Remastered)

[i-news-day]

Giants have these 4 options in trying to sign Leonard Williams before free agency

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive. Dave Gettleman has steadfastly stood by the most controversial trade of his reign, insisting that sending two draft picks to the Jets for a two-month rental of Leonard Williams was smart because "the juice was ... source https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=https://www.sny.tv/giants/news/giants-have-these-4-options-in-trying-to-sign-leonard-williams-before-free-agency/312742564&ct=ga&cd=CAIyHzhmNjA0ZmY0ZDA2NmEyMjM6Y29tLmJyOmVuOlVTOlI&usg=AFQjCNFjotZBL4C9JXbsNJhtfFwS8s2Gkg via Blogger https://ift.tt/2wd4cX3

[eagles]

Report: Jets listening to offers for Leonard Williams

The Jets are getting calls about a potential trade for defensive lineman Leonard Williams, and they are listening, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY reports. Williams is in the final year of his rookie contract and likely headed for a big pay day as an unrestricted free agent in March. The Jets drafted defensive lineman Quinnen Williams [more] from Philadelphia Eagles – ProFootballTalk https://ift.tt/365XBew via IFTTT

[junker-town]

10 best bets for over and under Vegas NFL win totals in 2019

It’s win total time! Our experts offer up their favorite overs and unders for 2019.

The NFL has wrapped up offseason workout programs, which means we are now awaiting training camp and the start of the road to Super Bowl 54.

The close of spring workouts means we know what rosters will mostly look like heading into training camp, what major injuries teams are dealing with before they put on pads, and how new additions are fitting in. Plenty will change in August, but for the time being, we have a good baseline to figure out which teams might be better than expected and which teams might be worse than expected.

With that in mind, it’s time to assess Vegas win totals for 2019. Oddsmakers set a number that is not about projecting how many games a team will win. Rather, they want a number that will get as close to even money bet on each side of the number. This puts them in a position to profit rather than sweat out an excessive liability.

We’ve posted the full list of Vegas win totals at the bottom, courtesy of the Westgate Superbook. The positive and negative numbers in parenthesis after the win total represent the cost to bet the over and under. For example, the Cardinals win total is five. The -130 represents the over (bet $130 to win $100) and the +100 represents the under (bet $100 to win $110). In this case, the over is favored. In comparison, the Ravens win total is set at 8.5 with the over at +105 and the under at -125. In this case, the under is favored.

SB Nation’s NFL staff have taken some time to run through the list and offer up their favorite over bet and their favorite under bet. Which over and under wagers do you like?

David Fucillo

Favorite over: Seahawks (8.5 wins)

How can you bet against Russell Wilson in his prime? In seven seasons, Wilson has led the Seahawks to double-digit wins six times, and nine wins in the other season. Past performance is not indicative of future returns, but whether backed by the Legion of Boom or dealing with a transition defense, Wilson has done everything asked of him to boost this Seahawks team.

Wilson has done this in spite of consistently lackluster offensive line play. We finally saw improvement from the line last season after Tom Cable was let go following the 2017 season. If the line continues to improve in 2019, this offense could provide considerable balance in the run and pass game.

The Seahawks’ defense is in transition following the departure of Earl Thomas and the trade of Frank Clark. The Seahawks are counting on big things from Tre Flowers and Shaquem Griffin, and will hope pass rusher Ezekiel Ansah can remain healthy. It’s not a great situation, but the defense should be able to at least avoid taking on water. And with Wilson at quarterback, that is enough to keep this team above .500.

The Raiders over six wins is intriguing as they move from completely ugly rebuild to roster infused with talent. They’re not a strong playoff contender by any means, but seven wins is very possible. The Texans over 8.5 wins is another interesting one. That offensive line has serious questions and they lost some key cogs on defense, but even with a regression from 11 wins, there’s some value at +130.

Favorite under: Saints (10.5 wins)

Drew Brees could easily turn this thing on its ear, but I’m not high on Brees in 2019. I think he’ll start out fine, but last season’s second-half struggles are not an anomaly. I suspect he hits the wall this year and things go worse in the second half than they did last year.

Brees will not be helped by the departures of Max Unger (retirement) and Mark Ingram (free agency). Second-round pick Erik McCoy should plug in at starting center, but if he struggles his rookie year, the Saints’ offensive line could be in trouble. Even with a stacked defense, this offense has a lot of question marks.

The Saints open the season at home against the Texans, on the road against the Rams and Seahawks, and then at home against the Cowboys. 1-3 out of the gate is not entirely out of the question. 10.5 wins provides a nice cushion because ten wins would not be a surprise for this team, but they have enough hurdles that any higher just seems like too much.

The Rams are another team at 10.5 wins that I’m inclined to bet the under. They’re a solid team and will probably win the NFC West, but regression to a 10-win season makes a lot of sense.

Christian D’Andrea

Favorite over: Raiders (6 wins)

Last year’s Oakland team was in the middle of a rebuild. The Raiders had a historically inept pass rush, a porous offensive line that allowed Derek Carr to be sacked 20 more times in a season that he ever had before, and their top wide receivers were a 33-year-old Jordy Nelson and Seth Roberts.

That team still won four games.

This past offseason, Jon Gruden put together one of the league’s biggest hauls. He got defensive help through his war chest of draft picks with Clelin Ferrell, Jonathan Abrams, and Trayvon Mullen, and in free agency by adding LaMarcus Joyner, Nevin Lawson, and Vontaze Burfict — the last of whom is somehow only 28 years old. He beefed up his blocking by making Trent Brown the highest-paid right tackle the world has ever seen. He made his receiving corps one of the best in the league, headlined by Antonio Brown.

And yet the over/under fulcrum for the club is only six wins. Yes, the AFC West brings a brutal schedule and there’s always the chance Gruden’s return to the sideline fails spectacularly, but this is a team that’s improved its station in the league by more than just two wins.

The Buffalo Bills, who surrounded Josh Allen with talent this offseason, could also be a solid over at seven wins. And the Panthers, who do great things in odd-numbered years and terrible things in even ones, seem low at 7.5 as well.

Favorite under: Giants (6 wins)

Last year’s Giants team won five games, then traded away Odell Beckham and Olivier Vernon while burning a top-six draft pick on lesser Eli clone Daniel Jones.

Now that Pat Shurmur has opened the door, does Daniel Jones really have a shot to beat out Eli Manning for the Giants QB job this summer? Here's what has to happen: https://t.co/ww86iz4K5O pic.twitter.com/JNoBcpa5Gm

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) June 13, 2019

There’s a solid chance Jones, a zero-time All-ACC passer who averaged 6.2 yards per attempt as a college quarterback, plays significant snaps as a rookie against actual NFL defenses. Bless you, Saquon Barkley, but this team isn’t getting any better in 2019.

I could also be swayed on an aging Joe Flacco and the rising tide of the AFC West keeping the Broncos from hitting their seven-win push. And the Saints at 10.5 wins after Drew Brees’ iffy finish to what started as an MVP-caliber 2018 season also presents some room for concern.

Charles McDonald

Favorite over: Panthers (7.5 wins)

A lot of this hinges on the health of Cam Newton, but the Panthers sneakily might have a top 10 defense this year.

Luke Kuechly, Kawann Short, and Shaq Thompson were already a formidable front seven trio. Then they added Brian Burns in the draft and recently signed Gerald McCoy, which should give them tons of room to be creative on defense. If James Bradberry and Donte Jackson continue to progress, they’ll have a fantastic cornerback duo to pair with that stacked front.

Their offense has a handful of young players that are poised to take a step as well. Christian McCaffrey has already established himself as one of the best running backs in the league. Curtis Samuel and D.J. Moore can be a lethal, young wide receiver duo as well.

Their offensive line has a few questions, but they were able to sustain a good offense last year with that unit before Cam Newton started struggling with his shoulder injury.

If Newton can stay healthy, this is a team that has a legitimate chance to win the NFC South with the additions they’ve made on defense. That’s a huge variable, but I’m comfortable hitting the over on 7.5 wins for the Panthers squad.

Favorite under: Raiders (6 wins)

Yes, the Raiders offense is improved this year. Adding Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams will help Derek Carr and Jon Gruden in a big way, but I’m still down on the Raiders for two reasons this year.

Their defense and their schedule.

After the Raiders season opener against the Broncos, they play the Chiefs, the Vikings, the Bears in London, and the Colts before their bye. Then they head to Green Bay and Houston in Weeks 7 and 8. To close the season, they travel to Kansas City, play the Titans and Jaguars at home, and then play the Chargers in Week 16.

PHEW.

Their offense might be equipped to battle with those teams now, but their defense is still far away from being a real contender. They had the worst defense in the league last year and now they’re relying on a lot of young guys to step up and be legitimate contributors for them.

If — and it’s a big if — they nailed their 2019 draft class and get meaningful contributions from Clelin Ferrell, Johnathan Abram, and Maxx Crosby they have a chance to field an average defense.

They’re just too far away on defense with a grueling schedule for me to really believe in them.

Adam Stites

Favorite over: Lions (6.5 wins)

Year one of the Matt Patricia era was pretty underwhelming for the Lions. The offense regressed from No. 7 in points scored in 2017 to No. 25 a year later. That negated improvement by the Detroit defense and the team finished last in the NFC North at 6-10.

To cash in on the over, the Lions only need to win one more game in 2019. So the question to ask is “Did the Lions got better at all during the offseason?” I’d posit that, yes, they did.

First and foremost, Matthew Stafford will presumably be playing without the back fractures that caused him issues in 2018. After three straight seasons with a passer rating over 90, Stafford came in just under that mark in 2018, despite the NFL average passer rating climbing from 86.9 to 92.9. If he’s healthy and playing more like his usual self, Stafford should put up much better numbers -- especially now that he has top 10 draft pick T.J. Hockenson at tight end.

If the defense is still above average under Patricia’s coaching — which should only be helped by the addition of Trey Flowers — there seems a solid chance the Lions improve by at least one win.

Favorite under: Rams (10.5 wins)

Eleven wins is a lot of wins. So even if the Rams are good — and they probably will be — they could have a winning season and still come up short of the oddsmakers’ win total.

Last year, Los Angeles was an offensive juggernaut and rode 32.9 points per game to a spot in the Super Bowl. That’ll be a hard standard to replicate in 2019 — especially when the offseason was mostly about mitigating losses.

Ndamukong Suh, Lamarcus Joyner, Rodger Saffold, C.J. Anderson, and Mark Barron all left in free agency. A couple spots on the defense were filled by the additions of Eric Weddle and Clay Matthews, but both are in the twilight of their career. The 2019 NFL Draft didn’t give the Rams much either, because the team’s first pick didn’t happen until No. 61 overall.

There’s also a lengthy history of teams that lose in the Super Bowl struggling to recreate their success a year later. A recent example was the Carolina Panthers who had a 15-1 season that ended with a loss in Super Bowl 50 in February 2016. In the following season, the Panthers finished 6-10.

The Rams might be ripe for at least a little regression.

James Brady

Favorite over: Bengals (6 wins)

Despite replacing Marvin Lewis as head coach, the Bengals aren’t in rebuilding mode. They still believe that they have the pieces to win football games, and I’m right there with them. I think Andy Dalton is good enough to actually do damage in the playoffs and think his supporting cast is good enough to eclipse six wins.

Personally, I don’t think the AFC North is going to be all that impressive this season. The Browns could come out and do some serious damage as many think they might, but I see the Ravens being a very inconsistent team and the Steelers are very good at being completely unpredictable. The Bengals should win at least three of those divisional games, perhaps more.

Dalton, A.J. Green, Tyler Eifert, and Joe Mixon will win six games, at least.

Favorite under: Colts (10 wins)

In that same vein, I don’t think the Colts are going to be as good as advertised. It seems like Andrew Luck is fully back and for that I think they’ll be a good team, but other than the addition of Justin Houston, I just don’t see a roster that’s going to put up 10 wins. The draft class didn’t do much for me.

Their lone saving grace, other than a generally decent roster, is that they play in a pretty spotty division overall. Perhaps this will be my one pick that gets “exposed” later on — I’m just not a believer in what the Colts got going on.

Here’s where each team’s win total stands right:

Arizona Cardinals: 5 (-130, +110) Atlanta Falcons: 8.5 (-130, +110) Baltimore Ravens: 8.5 (+105, -125) Buffalo Bills: 7 (-130, +110) Carolina Panthers: 7.5 (-135, +115) Chicago Bears: 9 (-130, +110) Cincinnati Bengals: 6 (-120, Even) Cleveland Browns: 9 (-130, +110) Dallas Cowboys: 9 (Even, -120) Denver Broncos: 7 (-120, Even) Detroit Lions: 6.5 (-140, +120) Green Bay Packers: 9 (-120, Even) Houston Texans: 8.5 (+130, -150) Indianapolis Colts: 10 (+130, -150) Jacksonville Jaguars: 8 (+115, -135) Kansas City Chiefs: 10.5 (+130, -150) Los Angeles Chargers: 9.5 (-140, +120) Los Angeles Rams: 10.5 (+120, -140) Miami Dolphins: 5 (Even, -120) Minnesota Vikings: 9 (-110, -110) New England Patriots: 11 (-140, +120) New Orleans Saints: 10.5 (+120, -140) New York Giants: 6 (+110, -130) New York Jets: 7.5 (-110, -110) Oakland Raiders: 6 (-130, +110) Philadelphia Eagles: 10 (+105, -125) Pittsburgh Steelers: 9 (-125, +105) San Francisco 49ers: 8 (-110, -110) Seattle Seahawks: 8.5 (-140, +120) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6.5 (Even, -120) Tennessee Titans: 8 (+110, -130) Washington: 6.5 (+120, -140)

For a more in-depth look, check out out breakdowns by division:

AFC East AFC North AFC South AFC West NFC East NFC North NFC South NFC West

[primascriptura]

SNY's Ralph Vacchiano reports impending free agent DL Leonard Williams is seeking $15 million annually.

[jazzworldquest-blog]

USA: 1 of 148 Trumpeter/Vocalist Bob Merrill's "Tell Me Your Troubles: Songs by Joe Bushkin, Vol. 1" Set for May 19 Release by Accurate Records

Trumpeter/Vocalist Bob Merrill Celebrates the Musical Legacy of Pianist/Songwriter Joe Bushkin with "Tell Me Your Troubles: Songs by Joe Bushkin, Vol. 1," Set for May 19 Release by Accurate Records

   First Volume of Two-Album Tribute Project Features Rhythm Section of Howard Alden, Nicki Parrott, & Steve Johns Plus Guest Appearances by Singer Eric Comstock, Bucky Pizzarelli, Harry Allen, Wycliffe Gordon, & Virtuoso Vocal Accompanists Laurence Hobgood & John Colianni at the Piano

Merrill to Serve as Musical Director For Bushkin Centennial Concert At BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center, NYC, Thursday, May 4

     April 24, 2017

Coinciding with the centennial of pianist/composer Joe Bushkin's birth, the release on May 19 by trumpeter and singer Bob Merrill of Tell Me Your Troubles: Songs by Joe Bushkin, Vol. 1 (Accurate Records) celebrates the musical legacy of a man who was revered by many of America's foremost entertainers for his wizardry at the keyboard and skills as a tunesmith. He also happened to be Merrill's father-in-law.

Bushkin penned songs with his longtime lyricist John DeVries or the great Johnny Burke in the repertoires of the likes of Sinatra (Joe's "Oh! Look at Me Now" was Frank's first hit), Bing Crosby, Nat "King" Cole, Benny Goodman, Louis Jordan, and countless others. This first volume of a planned two-album commemorative project pays reverential tribute to Bushkin's oeuvre and its special blend of mood and merriment on contemporary interpretations of 10 songs ranging from the popular to the obscure. The album opens and closes with archival spoken word salutes to Bushkin by Sinatra and comedian Red Buttons.

Cut from the same engaging entertainer's cloth as Bushkin -- not to mention trumpeter-singers like Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Prima, and Chet Baker -- Merrill was already performing crowd-pleasers like "Oh! Look at Me Now" and "Boogie Woogie Blue Plate" (a 1947 hit for Louis Jordan and his Tympani Five) before he met his future wife Christina and bonded with her gregarious father. "These songs have such a timeless, universal appeal," says Merrill. "I really hope the album exposes them to a new generation. Maybe Harry Connick, Diana Krall, Michael Bublé, or even Lady Gaga will give them new life."

Tell Me Your Troubles is full of classic tunes and rediscoveries, charismatic vocals, swinging solos, and sparkling arrangements and presents Merrill at his elegant best, whether showcasing his brass palette of trumpet, cornet, and flugelhorn or his smooth Tormé-like vocals, easy articulation, and natural enthusiasm. In addition to the A-List rhythm section of guitarist Howard Alden, bassist Nicki Parrott, and drummer Steve Johns, the album features an illustrious list of guest artists including saxophonist Harry Allen, trombonist/singer Wycliffe Gordon, cabaret star Eric Comstock, guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, and pianist Laurence Hobgood.

A previously unreleased performance of "Oh! Look at Me Now!," from Bushkin's final recording session in 2003 with Merrill, Howard Alden, and drummer Duffy Jackson, is one of the album's standouts. "Joe's tempo for the song had increased over the years," says Merrill, "but I suggested we slow it down to the tempo of Sinatra's later version, from the 1957 album Swingin' Affair on Capitol." (Pictured at left: Bushkin and Merrill, 2003.) 

"I got to spend a lot of time with Joe, always looking over his shoulder, absorbing stuff by osmosis," recalls Merrill, who coaxed Bushkin out of retirement in the early 1990s and performed with him at festivals and clubs such as New York's Tavern on the Green and L.A.'s Jazz Bakery until his passing in 2004 at age 87. He also produced and wrote liner notes for CD reissues of four Bushkin albums, including last fall's release of Live at the Embers (Dot Time Legends) from 1952.

Born in Manhattan in 1958, Bob Merrill traces his early interest in jazz to the fact that Benny Goodman lived in the penthouse of the building he grew up in on the Upper East Side. After his father took him to a Tonight Show taping where he heard Doc Severinsen, Merrill devoted himself to the trumpet (Bushkin's second instrument). He studied with William Vacchiano, first trumpet of the New York Philharmonic, and received improv tips as a teen from Red Rodney. Merrill attended both the New England Conservatory of Music (studying with Jaki Byard, in whose Apollo Stompers he played) and Harvard, where he co-founded a jazz concert series at the Hasty Pudding Club and led a house band for such visiting artists as Illinois Jacquet, George Coleman, Lee Konitz, and Warne Marsh.

Merrill released his first album as a leader, Catch as Catch Can, in 1997, the same year he was featured on American Movie Classics leading the AMC Orchestra on the series Gotta Dance! His second album, Got a Bran' New Suit, featured pianist Bill Charlap among others. It was followed by Christmastime at the Adirondack Grill, and then the wildly eclectic Cheerin' Up the Universe (2015), which featured pianist John Medeski and trombonist Roswell Rudd.

On Thursday May 4, Merrill will preside over a Joe Bushkin Centennial concert at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center (199 Chambers Street, Manhattan), part of Jack Kleinsinger's Highlights in Jazz series. Featured performers include several from the new CD's cast (Wycliffe Gordon, Eric Comstock, Nicki Parrott, John Colianni, Harry Allen) as well as pianists Ted Rosenthal and Spike Wilner.  

Photography: Pam Setchell

Web Sites: bobmerrill.net / accuraterecords.com 

     Media Contact:

Terri Hinte hudba@sbcglobal.net 510-234-8781

via Blogger http://ift.tt/2oGLQZP

[almostvicepresidentsarahpalin]

When Miles Davis was taking lessons from me at Juilliard he had never had to study transposition before. In the first lessons I was trying to teach the basic methodology and said, "You've got a B-flat trumpet, the music has three flats, and the part says 'Trumpet in E.' Where does that put your trumpet [What key are you playing in now]?" Davis looked at me confidently and said, "As far as I'm concerned, right back in the case!"

William Vacchiano

[oswaldgrouse]

[primascriptura]

SNY's Ralph Vacchiano reports the Giants want to re-sign impending free agent DL Leonard Williams.

[junker-town]

Jets won't discipline Darron Lee, but NFL is investigating heated altercation

Leonard Williams had to intervene and remove Lee from an argument with a woman on Saturday.

New York Jets defensive tackle Leonard Williams intervened in an altercation between his teammate, Darron Lee, and a woman at the Governors Ball Festival in New York City on Saturday. The NFL is investigating the incident, according to Lindsay Jones of USA Today Sports.

Head coach Todd Bowles said Tuesday that the Lee will not face discipline from the Jets:

Meanwhile ... Todd Bowles said he won't discipline LB Darron Lee over what he said was "an argument with his girlfriend" in weekend video.

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) June 6, 2017

Based on an eyewitness account, Lee and an unknown woman, identified as Lee’s girlfriend by Bowles, were arguing. The eyewitness said that Lee was shouting at the woman, and then he “started to manhandle her and call her names.” Several people tried to intervene, but it was Williams who did it successfully.

The argument between Lee and the woman was not caught on video, but Williams’ intervention was.

Part 1/2 http://pic.twitter.com/Mvrk1FxIcE

— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) June 4, 2017

Part 2/2 man getting picked up like a bag of groceries http://pic.twitter.com/Io7HGBS3Mr

— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) June 4, 2017

No arrests were made, and he won’t receive any punishment from the Jets. But Lee may still face league discipline for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

[junker-town]

2017 NFL mock draft database: Which player is each team projected to pick?

Rounding up and compiling mock drafts to predict the 2017 NFL Draft.

Now that the 2016 NFL season is over, all eyes turn to the 2017 offseason. The big event is the NFL draft, scheduled for April 27-29 in Philadelphia.

The Cleveland Browns are at the top of the draft order following their 1-15 season, but they also have the No. 12 selection thanks to a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016. While there’s still time for players to climb up or slide down boards, Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett is the near consensus choice to be Cleveland’s No. 1 pick.

By surveying as many mock drafts as possible, we can get a good idea of the directions experts expect most teams to go.

A few notes:

This will be updated consistently until draft day.

Players selected less than five percent of the time fall in the "others" category.

Mock drafts that include trades are not included.

With a lot of similar colors, I know some of the slices can be hard to tell apart (sorry, Raiders fans). Hover over or click on the chart and it'll show the numbers and name for each individual slice. It also can be read like a clock with the names on the right representing the slices clockwise around the chart.

All the mock drafts used are listed at the bottom.

No. 1 Cleveland Browns

Most popular selection: Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett

No. 2 San Francisco 49ers

Most popular selection: Stanford DE Solomon Thomas

No. 3 Chicago Bears

Most popular selection: LSU S Jamal Adams

No. 4 Jacksonville Jaguars

Most popular selection: LSU RB Leonard Fournette

No. 5 Tennessee Titans (via Rams)

Most popular selection: Ohio State CB Marshon Lattimore

No. 6 New York Jets

Most popular selection: North Carolina QB Mitchell Trubisky

No. 7 Los Angeles Chargers

Most popular selection: Ohio State S Malik Hooker

No. 8 Carolina Panthers

Most popular selection: LSU RB Leonard Fournette

No. 9 Cincinnati Bengals

Most popular selection: Alabama LB Reuben Foster

No. 10 Buffalo Bills

Most popular selection: Clemson WR Mike Williams

No. 11 New Orleans Saints

Most popular selection: Tennessee DE Derek Barnett

No. 12 Cleveland Browns (via Eagles)

Most popular selection: North Carolina QB Mitchell Trubisky

No. 13 Arizona Cardinals

Most popular selection: Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes II

No. 14 Philadelphia Eagles (via Vikings)

Most popular selection: Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey

No. 15 Indianapolis Colts

Most popular selection: Temple LB Haason Reddick

No. 16 Baltimore Ravens

Most popular selection: Western Michigan WR Corey Davis

No. 17 Washington

Most popular selection: Temple LB Haason Reddick

No. 18 Tennessee Titans

Most popular selection: Washington WR John Ross

No. 19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Most popular selection: FSU RB Dalvin Cook

No. 20 Denver Broncos

Most popular selection: Wisconsin OT Ryan Ramczyk

No. 21 Detroit Lions

Most popular selection: Missouri DE Charles Harris

No. 22 Miami Dolphins

Most popular selection: Western Kentucky OL Forrest Lamp

No. 23 New York Giants

Most popular selection: Alabama OT Cam Robinson

No. 24 Oakland Raiders

Most popular selection: Florida LB Jarrad Davis

No. 25 Houston Texans

Most popular selection: Clemson QB Deshaun Watson

No. 26 Seattle Seahawks

Most popular selection: Washington CB Kevin King

No. 27 Kansas City Chiefs

Most popular selection: Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes

No. 28 Dallas Cowboys

Most popular selection: Missouri DE Charles Harris

No. 29 Green Bay Packers

Most popular selection: Wisconsin OLB T.J. Watt

No. 30 Pittsburgh Steelers

Most popular selection: Michigan S Jabrill Peppers

No. 31 Atlanta Falcons

Most popular selection: Missouri DE Charles Harris

No. 32 New Orleans Saints (via Patriots)

Most popular selection: LSU CB Tre’Davious White

Mock drafts (83)

Dan Kadar — SB Nation — April 24

Jim Thomas — St. Louis Post-Dispatch — April 24

Brennan Smith — Salt Lake Tribune — April 24

Tony Grossi — ESPN Cleveland — April 24

Rob Rang — CBS Sports — April 24

Dave Zangaro — CSN Philly — April 24

Nick Klopsis — Newsday — April 24

Walter Cherepinksy — Walter Football — April 24

Charlie Campbell — Walter Football — April 24

Sal Capaccio — WGR 550 — April 23

Nate Geary — WGR 550 — April 23

Derek Kramer — WGR 550 — April 23

Dave Birkett — Detroit Free Press — April 22

Gregg Bell — Tacoma News Tribune — April 22

Aaron Wilson — Houston Chronicle — April 22

John McClain — Houston Chronicle — April 22

Chad Reuter — NFL.com — April 21

Maurice Jones-Drew — NFL.com — April 21

Evan Silva — Rotoworld — April 21

Brad Biggs — Chicago Tribune — April 21

Terez Paylor — Kansas City Star — April 21

Omar Kelly — Orlando Sun-Sentinel — April 21

Joe Schad — Palm Beach Post — April 21

Matt Lombardo — NJ Advance Media — April 21

Adam Stites — SB Nation — April 20

Chris Burke — Sports Illustrated — April 20

Dieter Kurtenbach — Fox Sports — April 20

Steve Serby — New York Post — April 20

Jourdan Rodrigue — Charlotte Observer — April 20

Gentry Estes — Courier-Journal (Louisville) — April 20

Mark Eckel — NJ Advance Media — April 20

Jason Lieser — Palm Beach Post — April 20

Vinnie Iyer — Sporting News — April 20

Lou Pickney — Draft King — April 20

Draft Tek — April 20

Mel Kiper Jr. — ESPN — April 19

D. Orlando Ledbetter — Atlanta Journal-Constitution — April 19

Ryan Wilson — CBS Sports — April 19

Hub Arkush — Pro Football Weekly — April 19

Eddie Brown — San Diego Union-Tribune — April 19

Ralph Vacchiano — SportsNet New York — April 19

Lance Zierlein — NFL.com — April 18

Ben Burrows — The Independent — April 18

John Oehser — Jaguars.com — April 18

Ron Clements — Sporting News — April 17

Eliot Shorr-Parks — NJ Advance Media — April 17

Dane Brugler — CBS Sports — April 17

Jared Dubin — CBS Sports — April 17

Pete Prisco — CBS Sports — April 17

Will Brinson — CBS Sports — April 17

Luke Easterling — The Draft Wire — April 17

Arthur Arkush — Pro Football Weekly — April 17

Jon Machota — The Dallas Morning News — April 16

Scott Petrak — Elyria Chronicle-Telegram — April 16

Charean Williams — Fort Worth Star-Telegram — April 14

Matt Miller — Bleacher Report — April 14

Greg Gabriel — Pro Football Weekly — April 14

Chris Fedor — Cleveland Plain-Dealer — April 13

Dan Duggan — NJ Advance Media — April 13

Dale Lolley — Washington (Pa.) Observer-Reporter — April 13

Todd McShay — ESPN — April 12

Bob McManaman — Arizona Republic — April 12

Sports Illustrated (Staff) — April 12

Steven Ruiz — FTW (USA Today) — April 12

Bucky Brooks — NFL.com — April 11

Ed Malyon — The Independent — April 11

Danny Kelly — The Ringer — April 11

Paul Hudrick — CSN Philly — April 11

Darryl Slater — NJ Advance Media — April 10

Cory Bonini — The Huddle — April 10

Brian Mazique — Forbes — April 9

Jeff Schudel — Lake County (Ohio) News-Herald — April 7

Jonah Tuls — Draft Breakdown — April 7

Nate Davis — USA Today — April 6

Connor Hughes — NJ Advance Media — April 6

Adam Gorney — Rivals — April 6

Mike Farrell — Rivals — April 6

Dan Bilicki — Toronto Sun — April 4

Daniel Jeremiah — NFL.com — April 4

Andrew Gribble — ClevelandBrowns.com — April 4

Patrick Maks — ClevelandBrowns.com — April 4

Josh Norris — Rotoworld — April 3

J.C. Talon — Pro Football Weekly — April 3

How the NFL Draft became such a big deal