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infradapt · 2 years ago

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Can Technology Bring You Joy?

The world has become reliant on technology for countless tasks, even to the point where businesses and individuals alike depend on technology just to go about their daily tasks. The big question, though, is whether people are happier with all this technology in their lives. Let’s go over how technology has impacted society as a whole in relation to people’s feelings.

Technology Is, and Always Has Been, Present In Some Capacity

When discussing technology, it’s critical that we frame the term correctly. Technology includes far more than just circuits and motherboards; it also includes such rudimentary (and revolutionary) tools such as the spoon and the wheel. Technology, in its most basic sense, is the result of innovation and progress, and without such discoveries and creations as modern electricity, microprocessors, and networking, society would not be where it is today.

But Does This Technology Create Happiness?

The answer to this question is not clear, but what is clear is that the Internet has made people quite happy. Around 90% of respondents to a survey found that their lives were made better due to the Internet. We’re not surprised; people depend on it to look up information, stay connected with others, and run their businesses and livelihoods. In fact, the Internet has made it so that people can live their lives without leaving their homes, if they so choose.

While the answer to the above question is impossible to find, we can look at various parts of someone’s life and look at how technology has impacted it. Let’s examine work, leisure, relationships, and other social interactions.

Work

Most people use technology to do their jobs, but some jobs wouldn’t even exist without technology. Employees entering the workforce want to know that their employers are committed to embracing new technologies, but for some older folks who are not quite as willing to embrace change, this adoption is a challenge to the status quo. There is a learning curve, and it can be frustrating for a seasoned veteran to have their world turned upside-down by a new technology because it’s supposed to make things better for everyone. Furthermore, technology has blurred the lines of work-life balance. Technology is not without its cons, but it has made most workers’ lives happier, or at least better.

Leisure

Technology has changed the way people spend their leisure time. Activities like going to the park, going to the mall, or taking a drive are still present, but not to the extent they once were. There are countless pieces of technology to distract us at any given time, and with technology, there is usually some sort of end goal in mind, whether it’s getting to the end of a level in a video game or making it through the end credits of your favorite movie. Technology has, simply put, taken the leisure out of leisure time, and with benchmarks to meet whenever it is used, it can lead to a certain amount of monotony.

Relationships

Technology and its impact on relationships is a topic that we could cover for ages, but one of the better ways to look at it is how it has affected personal relationships. For example, users who grew up with technology might suffer from what psychologists call “technoference,” or technology interfering with a user’s ability to communicate. Young people these days always have their phones on them with their notifications on so they don’t miss a beat. Young people also aren’t terribly bothered when someone pulls out their phone in the middle of a conversation. Older folks might consider both of the above rude, and it could put a strain on their relationships accordingly. In comparison, however, relationships are more accessible, as people can communicate better and engage with each other much more easily than they could have in the past.

Social Interactions

The most notable impact that technology has had is most certainly on the social aspect of life. Social media has completely changed the way people interact with each other, whether it’s friends in a friend group, local businesses trying to sell products or services, or communities trying to deliver information to their residents in an effective way. Sure, you get the crazies out there who take social media way too far, but most people are not in that category. On the downside, social media can cause people to compare themselves to others, and you know what they say; comparison is the thief of joy.

https://www.infradapt.com/news/can-technology-bring-you-joy/

#Computers #Happiness #Innovation #Remote Work #Technology #Work #Work-life balance

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katyatalks · 5 years ago

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PASH! February 2019 - Itou Setsuo & Sakurai Takahiro [Mob & Reigen] - Interview Translation

Here’s Itou Setsuo & Sakurai Takahiro’s [Mob & Reigen] special interview from PASH! February 2019. In semi-summary style, includes who the two would choose to be a part of their family from Mob Psycho 100, Itou’s initial difficulty getting back into character as Mob, Director Tachikawa’s more hands-on approach with season 2, and more!

They’re asked how they felt when season 2 was confirmed.

Itou; “I think I knew clearly it was going to happen when we were recording for the season 1 OVA?”

Sakurai; “It was kinda a rumour. ‘Looks like… we’re doing season 2?’. Ever since the latter half of season 1, we’ve all been wanting the anime to continue.”

Itou; “Truth is, when I was shown the final episode of season 1, Bones’ president Minami-san said ‘we’re doing season 2!’ pretty casually to me. But, honestly, I didn’t believe him. But I’d wanted to do season 2 since then.[...]”

They’re asked about their motivation in the lead up to season 2, to which Itou mentions that he forgot how to perform as Mob. “But in the wait for season 2 we had the season 1 OVA, so when I got to perform as him again for that I knew it’d be okay.”

Sakurai; “I didn’t really have that with Reigen. Reigen… his behaviour is conman-like, and he’s an interesting character with how he conducts himself in a pretty aloof way. [...] Getting into character as him isn’t a stiff thing; rather, I’m able to play off the energy that’s present when we all record together.”

They’re asked how they feel now, now that season 2 has started. Itou mentions his love for the first episode with the letter, and the desire he always had to see it animated. “The relationship between Mob and Shishou, and those of Mob and the people who surround him, they’re all nicely depicted. When I performed episode 1, I kinda felt nostalgic; ‘We’re back with Mob’s daily life.’”

Sakurai; “Season 2 has a graceful opening. Sure, it’s the first episode of season 2, but it feels more like season 1 episode 13. Powers are at the base of Mob Psycho 100. In season 1, Mob always has ‘I don’t want powers, I want to be normal’ on his mind, and then his powers are made to explode. But in season 2 episode 1, Mob says, without hesitation, ‘I’m an esper’ - like he’s come to recognise that his powers aren’t anything special, but just another characteristic, as it were. That’s amazing.”

Q: “How about Reigen in season 2?”

Sakurai; “He’s a step behind Mob, isn’t he. I think Reigen has come to a stand-still, in a sense. But when he looks at Mob, who he’s always treated like a child, calling him his ‘deshi’... Reigen looks at him changing in front of his eyes, and various opportunities for he himself to change inside appear before him. We get a good few monologues from Reigen in which he talks about what is happening inside his heart. Please enjoy the unexpected nature of Reigen’s true heart, which he hasn’t shown us before.”

They’re asked how Reigen and Mob’s relationship has changed since season 1.

Sakurai; “Kinda gets awkward, doesn’t it.”

Itou; “Mob doesn’t really realise that he’s changed himself. It’s just, Mob is growing as a person with each passing day, so with the start of season 2 we see that the two of them don’t exactly mesh as well as they once did. The way their strained relationship changes is a huge highlight of season 2.”

***

Q: “If a character from Mob Psycho 100 was to become a part of your family, who would you want?”

Itou; “Tome-san as my big sister. That came to mind straight away.”

Sakurai; “For me, Teru as my little brother.”

Itou; “As your little brother?! I think Tome-san and I would have fun together. I think she’d say some crazy stuff like, ‘Let’s go UFO hunting!’, and take me to a bunch of places with her. I actually do have an older sister, but I think it’d be nice if I had an older sister that’s active like Tome-san is.”

Sakurai; “I also actually have a little brother (laughs). I’ve always liked Teru. He’s a really good kid, isn’t he - he was born with powers and as a result has been stagnant his whole life, but upon coming into contact with Mob, who has powers so much greater than his own, he reforms. Anyway… it’s difficult to choose who you’d want as parents from the Mob Psycho 100 cast.”

Itou; “Well, Tsuchiya from Claw is pretty motherly, isn’t she? She’s always looking out for Mukai. She seems very caring.”

Sakurai; “I suppose Gouda is also pretty motherly. The training he offers might be tough, but he’s tolerant - I’d say that’s more the nature of a mother than a father!”

***

Itou having performed in the stage play is brought up, and he is asked if he was able to get properly back into character as the anime’s Mob for season 2.

Itou; “Truth is, I went a bit overboard at first. Stage acting differs to voice acting; you perform using your body, too. I tried to pull back a little when I first started recording for season 2, but regardless I was told plenty of times to tone it down.”

Sakurai; “Performing on stage where you use your whole body, and performing using just your voice for an anime… they do differ.”

Itou; “They do! Even though the anime’s Mob-kun and the stage play’s Mob-kun are fundamentally the same character...”

Itou is asked if he was able to feed his stage play experience into his season 2 performance. Itou; “I came to be able to see the relationships Mob-kun has with the characters surrounding him more clearly. With season 1, I only really thought, ‘I have to be gentle when I talk to Ritsu-kun’, but with season 2 I wanted to perform in different clean-cut ways depending on whether Mob-kun was talking to Reigen-shishou, or Dimple, or...”

Sakurai; “I think Itou-kun has changed as a result of his stage play experience. When we started recording for season 2, it was the first time I’d seen him in a while… how do I put it; his face had truly become that of a man's (laughs).”

They’re asked if they became aware of any difference in their performances from season 1.

Sakurai; “Nope! Same old Reigen.”

Itou; “I rewatched season 1 a good amount of times to try and get back the vibe I had when I performed as Mob-kun back then.”

They’re asked how the atmosphere is when recording for season 2.

Sakurai; “Unchanged from season 1; high spirits and fun all around!”

Itou; “That’s thanks to Dimple’s VA, Akio-san. (laughs)”

Sakurai; “That’s true… Akio-san is the mood maker when we record for Mob Psycho 100.”

Itou; “There’s a lot of veterans involved with Mob Psycho 100, so I get nervous, but Akio-san calms me down.”

Sakurai; “Akio-san’s stories and the way he reacts are all amusing - it’s as if he’s truly become Dimple (laughs).”

Itou; “Gouda’s VA, Seki-san, also looks out for me. He’s like Gouda himself - how should I put it... he’s like a kind older brother.”

Sakurai mentions how season 2 has a lot of characters, and there have been days in which there have been more than 30 people in the studio at one time - Itou mentions how they only have 4 microphones, despite this.

They’re asked about any back and forths they may have had with the director when recording, to which Sakurai says this time around Director Tachikawa ordered a good amount of retakes. Itou mentions again how he found it difficult to perform as Mob like he used to at first, but now he’s gotten back into it. “I worried over whether I could perform Mob in a way that suited the image that Director Tachikawa has in his mind.”

Finally, they’re asked what highlights there are for the rest of season 2.

Sakurai; “Naturally, Mob’s growth and the way Reigen changes.”

Itou; “Season 2 has a lot of powerful enemies! For me personally, I find you /have/ to pay attention to Reigen-shishou.”

---

Twitter crosspost here.

#mp100 #mob psycho 100 #reigen arataka #kageyama shigeo #sakurai takahiro #itou setsuo #my stuff #interview #february 2019

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borderlandscast · 5 years ago

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so i’m sitting here, typing up a post

and realise said post comparing all the rythians in their aus is longer than i thought it’d be, and realise star wars rythian is the cause. it’ll probably get its own post.

i have four different rythians for aus and they’re all slightly different in some way, whether it’s in interests, background or personality quirks.

common factors:

they’re all massive nerds, and have a specific interest that often drives them. it’s usually knowledge or book related.

tall. they have to be the tallest in the au, or one of them.

they’re all adventurers in their own way, but like having a place to put their feet up and rest.

borderlandscast:

the saddest and gayest one of them all. goes through the toughest and soul crushing experiences.

also has the highest alcohol tolerance of them all thanks to his on and off alcoholism.

is the most cynical out of all of them, but also had some wild optimism in there? he can be very tenacious, and vicious when pushed. also one of the nicer vault hunters around.

in essence, can be considered a true vault hunter, since he’s willing to die for a vault.

tough as nails. his third skill tree ‘timeless’ essentially lets him ascend if he exceeds critical damage. it also stalls bleeding and wounds acquired, but he goes into a berserker state (rythian isn’t sure if he’ll ever gain enough control over it) that causes potentially life threatening mental and physical strain upon cooldown. however, he can cross dimensions, barriers and ignore all and any damage taken while ‘phasewalking’.

also unlocked a passive skill that’s a part of the ‘timeless’ tree: royal blood. the joke here is that purple used to be considered a royal color, and he’s from a highborn fami- anyway, rythian’s eridium tainted blood possesses an even more potent nature than raw eridium, could prove intoxicating to sirens, or serve as a substitute to eridium in extentuating circumstances (like opening eridium dependent vaults, cough). it also drives lalnable nuts for a different reason since he can’t do proper blood tests.

afflicted with lactose intolerance, as if his life wasn’t bad enough. enjoys cheese. forgot it existed while on pandora. likes chocolate.

estranged from family. doesn’t consider himself to be a stellar example of said family (which is explored in star wars au).

hates public speaking, never gets used to delivering seminars, or becoming an esteemed guest to conferences. as a result, a lot of megacorporations have their eye on him and his activities.

has the most number of scars. not particularly concerned with how people view said collection, but he has an ambivalent view towards his own, damaged body. he’s on the path to healing and having a better relationship with his body (which is also helped along in part by ravs).

discworld:

the youngest rythian! he’s in his late twenties.

he hasn’t got that much practical experience as a wizard, and specialises in studying and assessing materials that have magic potential. he could be classed as a ‘thaumaturgist’ (i think that’s the actual title of his job, noted somewhere in one of discworld books) that’s before he got distracted in updating the compendium of magic styles.

that said, he’s got fairly extensive knowledge in wizarding theory. you could probably call him that one student who puts their hand up to sidetrack the professor/lecturer by asking insightful but hard questions. all the other students actually prefer this since they can escape learning.

branded as an oddity amongst his peers by being wiling to mix and match casting styles and schools. wizards are all about formulas, flair, tradition and pomp. rythian cares more about the result than how he got there and how he looks while doing it. he’s not inattentive as how to how he casts magic though.

born as the eighth and youngest child of a book doctor (someone who repairs books and texts) and tanner. grew up used to the smell of paper, glues and dyes. got sent to wizarding school as a favor since his parents are used to the weirdness of repairing magic books. they’re also the only people in the business within anhk-morpork since everyone else doesn’t want to deal with that weirdness.

all his other siblings help out with the family business. he’s not particularly close with any of them who are a lot more dedicated to their jobs while rythian would rather read the book he’s assigned to repair, and he hates dealing with dead animals so he never got any tanner jobs as a kid.

so, known as the wizard in the family, he can do whatever he wants. his family consults him from time to time on strange books, and how to troubleshoot if a book happens to react badly to being fixed.

can navigate library space like a seasoned veteran. he has a unique knack to it; he jokes about ‘talking to the books’...which may or may not be true.

he favors practical, small scale magic, like making a fire, getting a good tail wind, or removing old tea stains from lace.

a little absent minded when he’s deep in thought, and can read while walking, eating or doing something else. he has no preferences about reading material. once, he had a romance novel; his siblings thought he had someone. they were wrong, he just picked it up on recommendation.

due to his wizarding background, sometimes he completely misses obvious solutions or meanings since he’s used to less straightfoward terms and inquiries. i.e., lomadia wants him to teach a chicken a lesson? okay, instead of decapitating said naughty chicken, rythian will educate the chicken on the basic differences on good and bad, and proceed to accidentally give said chicken higher sentience.

athiest, as far as religion goes. he’s aware of higher beings, he just doesn’t feel the overwhelming need to make them his greater calling in life, or ask for any favors.

personality wise, he’s fairly mellow, polite and well-meaning, knowledgable and for a wizard, surprisingly street smart. he can be judgemental and set in his ways about how people treat books and wizards, and easily defensive about said teachings.

he grew up on anhk-morpork cuisine, home cooking and street food, so his tastes heavily lean towards greasy but/and filling. he has a ridiculous metabolism since his brain is so active.

asexual, biromantic; this may change later on. has no romantic experience. is baffled by people’s fixations on sex. knows what sex is, though, and embarrassed.

his dark materials:

roughly the same age as borderlandscast rythian. i.e, early thirties.

orientations undecided.

will get to his daemon in another post!

scholar, particularly interested in the studies of forbidden magic and the origin of daemon development (especially mythical or legendary forms). officially, he’s his own scholar and one of the curators of sweden’s university library. he assists other scholars in finding and examining texts and delivering them. he’s also tasked with retrieval of texts if needed, from other archives and by extension, other countries.

he actually has a fairly neat collection of ‘destroyed’ texts. these are papers about the nature of dust, rebuttals, banned authors and such. he hates getting ‘please destroy’ letters from the church.

he passes his daemon off as an unusual variant of thorny devil, provided ender keeps their wings tucked in tight and hidden.

rythian’s magic is fairly weak in this au; he rarely finds time to nurture his magic, nor has the slightest idea of the best way to do so. he can tap into basic elemental manipulation, but that’s about it. he’s convinced it’s tied to his daemon’s form.

he’s tasked with finding any existing volumes of althiometer readings and symbols from oxford for sweden’s own archives; rythian takes this opportunity to leave sweden and undertake his biggest and secret goal yet.

brown haired and blue eyed; missing the pale stripe from his hair in this au.

speaks english, latin and swedish. knows a handful of useful phrases in other languages. can read and write a couple of other languages. not sure what ones yet.

knows his ways around the social politics of the scholars that visit; doesn’t actively partake in rivalries, spats or dealings, generally keeps his head down and just does his job.

well educated, spoken and mannered. rythian rarely loses his composure unless he’s surprised, angered or excited. it usually takes a lot to get him to break his straight face.

did consider applying to become a missionary to travel widely but realised he had little interest in preaching since he doesn’t have that much faith in god to begin with. plus, his daemon is proof of his deviance from the norm, or so he rationalises. he can understand the dedication of worship but he views himself and ender exempt from the doors of the church. yeah, he has mixed feelings about religion. i don’t know if i’ll explore this since it’s a topic i’m not equipped to handle.

#borderlandscast: extras #borderlandscast: his dark materials #borderlandscast: discworld

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iloveyoupittsburghpirates-blog · 6 years ago

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We Have Reached A Crossroads, Pittsburgh Pirates

My Dearest Pittsburgh Pirates,

It was the biggest week of the season and when it was all said and done you basically ended up right back where you started. Your eleven-game winning streak ended on Wednesday against a first place team, the Cleveland Indians, and then you split four games with a last place team, the New York Mets, which led you to a 4-3 week. That leaves you six games out of first place and four games out of the final Wildcard spot. Today is July 30th which means tomorrow is the trade deadline. With no game today, that means when the deadline hits on Tuesday, the most you could be out of the final Wildcard spot could be 4 ½ games. That puts you in a very interesting position. Milwaukee has the first Wildcard spot sitting 1 ½ games ahead of Arizona, who currently has the second Wildcard spot. Colorado is 3 ½ games ahead of you, Atlanta is 2 ½, and you’re the third team out of the Wildcard. You’re very much on the outside looking in as far as the playoffs go, but you are absolutely in it, so you need to act like it. Splitting a four-game series with the last place Mets at home didn’t exactly leave me with the highest vote of confidence but taking two out of three in Cleveland was rather impressive. These next two days will be very interesting and could in a lot of ways help shape the next three to four years of the franchise.

This week didn’t go quite as planned and that might mostly be because of the onslaught of injuries to your best hitters. In the midst of your lineup being the hottest in baseball, three of your four best players got hurt this week. The scariest, and what turned out to be the least severe, happened when Starling Marte took a pitch off his hand in the first inning on Wednesday. Initially the fear was it could be broken, but it fortunately turned out to be just a contusion. Marte missed the rest of that game plus two more. You lost two out of those three games. Before that, Corey Dickerson pulled his hamstring running to first base on Tuesday. You tried to wait out the injury but you finally put him on the DL on Saturday retroactive to July 25th. That means he should be available to return on August 4th. Then when it seemed like it couldn’t get worse, Josh Bell felt discomfort in his side running to first base on Friday. That turned out to be an oblique strain that landed him on the DL. Polanco has been on absolute fire, even through the Mets’ series, but your next three best hitters are Dickerson, Marte, and Bell. Marte returned Saturday, but not having Bell and Dickerson was probably a big reason for the brutal 1-0 loss yesterday. These injuries couldn’t have come at a more inopportune time but if you can survive this week then you might have your full squad back to make another run next week.

The trade deadline has basically arrived and it seems like one thing is very clear: you can't sell. It seemed like a foregone conclusion a couple weeks ago that you would trade Nova, Cervelli, Freese, Mercer, JHay, and Dickerson, but it doesn’t make as much sense especially given that you couldn’t get any value back except maybe for Dickerson and Nova. Now that you have won 15 of 19 games, it seems to change the whole opinion of this team, not just this year but moving forward. The two positions that are most of need are starting pitching and another reliever. Any trades you make shouldn’t focus on rentals, meaning someone who will be a free agent at the end of this year. There’s enough doubt that exists that it doesn’t make sense to go all in this year. Trading away prospects for two months of a player doesn’t make any sense right now. Controllable starters like Kevin Gausman and Chris Archer have come up in conversation but neither of those seem very realistic as of now. The most likely scenario seems to be adding a relief pitcher, which would still be worthwhile. With the emergence of Santana, Rich Rod, and Crick mixed in with the dominance of Vasquez, adding another upper level arm to that bullpen could make it one of the better ones in baseball. That could be essential for a team that can’t afford to pay top-tier free agents which means relying on winning close games. Your close enough that selling doesn’t make sense and doing nothing feels equally as apathetic. You have two days to figure it out and I will be extremely disappointed if you stand pat.

I think the main take away from getting back into this Wildcard race is that you might be a contender sooner than you think. On top of that, you might actually have a window that is closing. The dominance of Polanco, Marte, and Bell over the last month has been a revelation. The rotation has been better especially with Taillon pitching extremely well over that time and you have a dominant back-end of your bullpen. In the NL where there’s seemingly only two dominant teams right now (Cubs and Dodgers), it makes it seem believable you could be competitive between now and the end of 2021, when Marte will be gone. That’s why adding controllable players to this roster before the deadline makes so much sense because they could help you next year or in the years to come. That’s also why extending Corey Dickerson and trying to trade Austin Meadows for pitching makes sense because you need to be in the win-now mindset. I’m also not terribly high on Meadows at this point (.712 OPS in Triple-A this year), so I think selling high on him before his value sinks too low makes a lot of sense. The depth in your minor leagues has disappeared and now you are a top-heavy organization without many elite prospects coming in the future. There doesn’t appear to be anyone of the caliber of Cutch, Polanco, Marte, Bell, or even Taillon in your entire organization except maybe for Mitch Keller and Ke’Bryan Hayes. They are two of your four top 100 prospects and the other two are your first round picks last year (Shane Baz) and this year (Travis Swaggerty). They’ve proved nothing and they don’t even rank in the top 75 prospects according to most publications. You have the youngest staff in baseball and if you add to it, it could be good. You have a potentially really good offense if Marte, Polanco, Bell, and Dickerson continue at this level. You potentially have an elite bullpen especially if you add to it. The one thing this winning streak has taught me the most is that you have a three to four year window now. You need to take advantage of that like you didn’t the 2013-2015 window.

Things are about to get much more difficult. You have had a hell of a run, but the month of August has the potential to be brutal. This week is light as far as games but not as far as importance. After a day off on Monday, the Cubs comes to Pittsburgh for a rare two-game series. You face Jon Lester and newly acquired Cole Hamels, two lefties, which makes Dickerson and Bell’s absence a little more digestible especially when you consider you have another day off on Thursday. The St. Louis Cardinals come to town for the weekend, who are a game behind you in the Wildcard. As a matter of fact, with the Cubs and Cards on the docket this week, that means 28 of your next 30 games are against teams that are either ahead of you or are within two games of you in the playoff picture. The bad news is these are good teams, but the good news is that you have a chance to overtake some of these teams if you can beat them head-to-head. This run of games will be very telling as to the legitimate chances you have this season. If it’s not realistic, it does seem like there is a formidable team that’s a couple pieces away from potentially being a force. I hope that this streak showed you what’s possible. There is some legitimate talent on your team and there is no guarantee when players of that caliber will come along again. Do what needs to be done, whether that’s now or this offseason. Five huge games this week. Let’s see what you are made of. Good luck!

Looking Forward To The Future,

Brad

P.S. stands for Pretty Standard which describes the clutchness of David Freese in his career. Freese single-handedly won a huge game on Friday night driving in all five runs in a 5-4 victory including a walkoff single in the bottom of the 9th. Freese has been on fire the last month and it makes you wonder if you should pick up his six million dollar option and keep him around next year. With this team showing they might be able to compete, doing something like starting rookies Kevin Kramer and Kevin Newman up the middle next year seems crazy. Maybe you pick up Freese’s option to give you depth at third and right handed option at first. Maybe you pick up JHay’s option or resign Mercer so that you’re not starting all rookies and then you rotate Newman, Kramer, and Kang at the other position depending on who is healthy and hitting. With this surge, it just seems like losing all of your veteran experience is now a really bad idea and David Freese provides veteran leadership as well as anyone.

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highbuttonsports · 4 years ago

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Teoscar Hernandez(timeincapp.com)

The Cavalry’s Coming

The injury bug that has hit the Toronto Blue Jays in 2021 is well documented. It’s a rash of injuries that has infected the team since Spring Training and been a major contributor to their underwhelming start. Frankly, I am getting tired of writing about it myself. Hope is on the horizon though, over the next week the long list in the infirmary should be cut in half. At one point a week ago, there were 11 regulars on the shelf that had immediately tested the depth of the roster in all areas. Out of the lineup was George Springer (yet to play) and Teoscar Hernandez (out since April 9th with COVID). Out of the starting rotation was Nate Pearson (yet to play), T.J. Zeuch (IL on April 20th), and Ross Stripling (IL on April 15th). And out of the bullpen was Kirby Yates (will miss all of 2021), Jordan Romano (IL on April 15th, but returned on April 25th), Julian Merryweather (IL on April 14th), David Phelps (IL on April 14th, but returned April 21st), Tyler Chatwood (IL on April 9th, but returned April 23rd), and Thomas Hatch (yet to play). That’s quite the formidable list and a good chunk of impact players to have out at the same time. Injures and how they are managed are a big part of every team’s success level. Every team is going to go through them at one point or another during the season. For the Jays though, this amount of injures so early in the year seems to have been a little extra. It really makes how they have fared record wise (11-12) pretty remarkable. To be a game below .500, tied for 2nd in the division, and in a 3-way tie for 8th in the American League, with all the injures they have had bodes very well for what’s to come.

The mass exodus off the injured list started a week ago with the return of middle reliever David Phelps. He has been extremely valuable so far sporting an ERA of 1.08 in 8.1 innings with 10 K’s while providing a veteran presence in a bullpen that is laden with younger, inexperienced arms. Another of the experienced arms returned a couple days later in Tyler Chatwood. Even though he has been a starter for the most part of his career, he has been great out of the pen. He has yet to allow a run this season in 6.1 innings with 9 K’s. Through attrition he may see a start or 2 down the road, but his transition to full time reliever has been seamless. It’s good to have that fall back option should the rotation really get decimated down the road. The last of the key relievers to return was Jordan Romano. Although he has had a rough season so far (4.91 ERA and 2.25 WHIP), he is viewed as a critical late inning arm. He was given the chance to take the closer’s job when Yates was ruled our for the year, but with an ailing elbow and inconsistent control he was passed first by Julien Merryweather then Rafael Dolis. With both he and Julien on the IL, Dolis has taken hold of the closer’s job and as long as he keeps nailing them down, he is likely to hold it for the foreseeable future. Getting those 3 back has been much needed for a bullpen that has seen more work than hoped in the early going, though they have performed better than expected as the best pen in the MLB. They have pitched the 6th most innings at 92.1, but have a miniscule 2.24 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, while holding the opposition to a .205 BAA. Unfortunately, with Merryweather and Hatch, they are both not expected to return soon. Especially tough is being without early season revelation Merryweather. He had looked every part a closer, but with an oblique injury chances are he wont return to late May/early June. Aside from his, hopefully this number 1 group can stay healthy and this effective as the season moves forward because there is no doubt their greatness has been the biggest factor the team being able to hold up like they have.

As much relief that has been given to the bullpen, the starting rotation will have to persevere that much more. Not only are Pearson, Zeuch, and Stripling expected to miss more time, but now ace, Hyun Jin Ryu, left his last start with a glute strain. The hope was he wouldn’t miss a start, but yesterday he was placed on the 10-day IL which guarantees he will miss at least 1 start. The hopes are he will be good to go for the series in Oakland starting on Monday. That is a big ol’ pain in the butt to an already banged up staff. There is no way to replace an elite starter like Ryu. With neither Pearson, Zeuch, or Stripling ready to take Hyun Jin’s turn it will be interesting to see how the Jays manage their pitchers. Maybe they will be forced into more opener scenarios or maybe they give one of their young prospects like Alek Manoah an early season look. The minor league season is still a week away from starting so it could be a good opportunity to get his feet wet. Neither of those is a long-term solution this season. That comes in the closest of the 3 arms that is expected to return in Pearson. He has been throwing simulated games at the training facility as he tries to build up the arm strength to throw 5 plus innings. Optimistically, he will return in a week or so and can hold up from here on out. That would be a massive boost as Nate possesses top of the rotation potential and stuff. The only thing holding him back to this point in his young career is health. His hasn’t pitched much the past couple seasons so his workload and performance will be monitored closely. Adding his right arm to an all-lefty trio of Ryu, Matz, and Ray will make those 3 even tougher as it will give opposing teams a much different look in a series. Then the further those 4 can push the Blue Jays into contention the more likely GM Ross Atkins will be compelled to add another big arm through trade (Max Scherzer anyone?).

The most exciting and impactful returns definitely come in the starting lineup. As in Toronto’s big off season free agent signing George Springer. He finally made his long-awaited debut atop the Jays batting order last night. This was extremely surprising considering it was reported he was feeling a bit sore after playing back-to-back 9 inning games for the first time Sunday and Monday. He is going to start out as DH and most likely get some rest days along the way as he gets eased into full time duty. Having Springer in the lead off spot gives the order a whole new dynamic. We are talking about a career .270 BAA hitter who as recent as the last full season in 2019 put up monster numbers. Springer crushed 39 homeruns with 96 RBI’s and Runs respectively. Last night he went 0 for 4, but looked comfortable and showed no ill effects from his previous injuries. With Teoscar, his return should be right around the corner. With an off day today, before beginning a 3-game series against Atlanta, it would not be shocking to see him return on Friday. At this point, it’s simply a matter of Hernandez saying he feels recovered energy wise and ready to go. It cannot be overstated how important those 2 are to the ability of Toronto to take that next step into serious contender. They will add dangerous depth to the batting order while playing solid (Teoscar), if not great (George,) defence to the outfield. Between those 2, Lourdes Gurriel, and Randal Grichuk the Jays have a group of outfielders rival anyone’s when it comes to depth. In Springer’s absence all Grichuk has done is provide great defence and a productive bat in the middle of the order. Randal is hitting .289 with 4 homeruns, and 16 RBI’s in 22 games. It’s hard to say what the exact plan will be for the outfield when Springer returns, but no doubt Manager Charlie Montoyo will be finding ways to get Grich in the lineup as much as possible. Perhaps given how Lourdes has struggled to begin the season, Teoscar will see time in left with Randall sliding over to right. Regardless of how it shakes out, the batting order will finally be complete and for the first time we will get a look at the formidable lineup that was envisioned the day George Springer’s name was put to paper.

Having added the bullpen arms back that they have, and with the pending returns to their rotation and lineup, the Toronto Blue Jays will finally have as close to the Opening Day roster that was projected back in the Spring. It’s a roster that has the ability to compete with any team in baseball. Whether that comes to fruition or not depends on how long they can all stay together on the field. To this point they have proven their resilience, now it’s time to show everyone how serious they are. Time to show the league just how good they really are!

*stats courtesy of MLB.com and Sportsnet.ca

By: Jaymee Kitchenham

#major league baseball #baseball #toronto blue jays #blue jays #toronto

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talkcarol17-blog · 6 years ago

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AL Central offseason preview: Will Indians actually trade Kluber?

With free agency underway, the offseason is going to pick up steam. What are the big questions facing all 30 teams? Today we look at how baseball's weakest division, the AL Central, might try to get a little tougher.

2018 record: 91-71 2019 World Series odds: 10-1

The Indians are aiming for a fourth straight division title, but they might try to do it without two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber as they reportedly will listen to offers for one of their starters. The emergence of Trevor Bauer into an ace-level starter and Mike Clevinger into a 200-inning workhorse -- plus a solid rookie season from Shane Bieber and the pending arrival of top prospect Triston McKenzie -- would allow the Indians to deal from strength.

Always Late with Katie Nolan is a late-night sports comedy show covering the big (and small) stories of the week. Watch on ESPN+

Kluber will be 33, but he's a Cy Young finalist after going 20-7 with a 2.89 ERA in 2018. He's signed through 2021 (including club options for 2020 and 2021) at below-market rates for a pitcher of his caliber, so he's an attractive trade target. The Indians also might need to trim payroll after increasing it about $50 million since 2016. They'll be looking for outfield help and some bullpen arms to replace free agents Andrew Miller and Cody Allen. Even with Michael Brantley, who is a free agent, their outfield ranked 21st in the majors in wOBA in 2018. -- David Schoenfield

Minnesota Twins: Will they be players in free agency?

2018 record: 78-84 2019 World Series odds: 60-1

Joe Mauer's $23 million salary is off the books. Brian Dozier was traded. Ervin Santana's option wasn't picked up. Last year's free agents -- Logan Morrison, Lance Lynn, Fernando Rodney -- are gone. Their current estimated payroll is about $70 million -- or about $60 million less than 2018.

Depending on what they do with Miguel Sano -- he's currently listed at first base on the team's depth chart -- they'll have openings at second base and third base, and maybe first. They need help in the bullpen and another proven starter to line up with Jose Berrios, Kyle Gibson and Jake Odorizzi would be nice. The free-agent market is loaded with second and third basemen, so the Twins are in good shape to find help at those positions. The big question: Will they go big and use their payroll flexibility to make a run at Manny Machado, Bryce Harper or Patrick Corbin? -- Schoenfield

2018 record: 64-98 2019 World Series odds: 200-1

The Tigers went 64-98, a .395 winning percentage, for the second straight season. It doesn't seem there will be much better results in 2019, but there are still plenty of things for the Tigers to mull over in the offseason.

The Indians are open to trade offers -- even for their ace. Adding Kluber to one of these clubs could help shift the balance of power in 2019 and beyond.

Bryce Harper and Manny Machado clearly are at the head of the class, but there are plenty of big names available beyond the star duo.

From the free agents set to cash in to the big-name stars sure to come up in trade rumors all winter long, keep up with all of the latest action.

2 Related

One of the biggest questions the team faces in planning for 2019 and beyond is what can be expected out of Miguel Cabrera. The slugger is signed through at least 2023, with a potential buyout for 2024 and 2025. Cabrera had two separate DL stints in 2018, first for a right hamstring strain in May, then for a ruptured biceps tendon, which ended his season in mid-June, just about two weeks after he returned from the first injury. He played in a career-low 38 games.

It's a very small sample size, but Cabrera's .448 slugging percentage would have been the second lowest of his career, behind his .399 slugging percentage in 130 games in 2017. Cabrera received MVP votes as recently as 2016, when he hit .316 with a .956 OPS, 38 home runs and 108 RBIs. But it has been a steep descent since then. In 2017 and '18 combined, Cabrera hit .260 with a .754 OPS, including a .410 slugging percentage.

In that small sample in 2018, Cabrera did have a 94.4 mph average exit velocity according to Statcast, which would have been his highest in the four years Statcast has tracked the number. But with that based on only 108 batted balls, it's hard to know if that would've stood up for a full season. -- Sarah Langs

Chicago White Sox: Is the timing right for a big splash?

2018 record: 61-100 2019 World Series odds: 60-1

There are different components to any good rebuilding plan. One that is too often overlooked is the cleansing of the payroll. The ideal for a team such as the White Sox is not just to acquire enough prospects to fill out a future roster, because that almost never happens. The miss rate on prospects is simply too high. That's why it's also crucial to clear away onerous salary commitments, leaving flexibility to fill in the gaps around the waves of talent you hope will hit the big league roster.

The White Sox are still waiting for those waves to crash to shore, but the payroll cleanse is all but complete. That means Chicago can go heavy on any premier free agents it sees as being a fit for the long term. That puts a special premium on pre-peak free agents who hit the majors at a tender age, which is why there is so much curiosity about whether the White Sox will emerge as a fit for Bryce Harper, Manny Machado or both.

The possibilities are tantalizing. If Chicago were to land both, as early as the latter part of next season they could field a lineup almost entirely of position players in their early to mid-20s -- plus Silver Slugger first baseman/DH Jose Abreu -- with plenty of organizational depth behind them. Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada and Eloy Jimenez would be the start, augmented over the next couple of years by other high-grade prospects such as Zack Collins, Jake Burger, Luis Robert, Nick Madrigal, Micker Adolfo and Blake Rutherford.

There is lots of starting pitching in the pipeline as well, and GM Rick Hahn has proved to be pretty adept at finding bullpen solutions. But that position player group -- with Harper and Machado in the middle of it -- looks amazing. Will the representatives of those premier free agents agree? Mr. Boras? -- Bradford Doolittle

2018 record: 58-104 2019 World Series odds: 200-1

The Royals' first rebuilding "process," as it was sometimes sarcastically referred to, was a painstaking endeavor that unfolded over about eight years from the time that Dayton Moore took over as Kansas City's general manager in 2006. With his team plummeting to 104 losses last season, Moore might seem to find himself back at square one.

As the offseason gets rolling, we're taking a look at the biggest question facing every team. AL East | NL East | AL West NL West | AL Central | NL Central

However, this time around, Moore is seeking to shorten the "process" considerably. His recent trades have tended to target big-league-ready prospects and young veterans, rather than high-upside, high-risk teenagers. In the draft, he went big on college pitching. He went huge on college pitching, in fact, taking five college starters among the first 58 picks of the 2018 draft.

The difference between the first-half and the second-half Royals last season was immense. The first-half version went 27-68, with a .667 team OPS and a 5.40 ERA. The second-half version was 31-36 with a .740 OPS and a 4.30 ERA. Shortstop Adalberto Mondesi emerged as a potential star. Righty Brad Keller emerged as one of the top rookie pitchers of the season. In both innings pitched and plate appearances, the turnover in personnel between halves was about a third of the roster.

It's only a start and ultimately, the success of the Royals' scheme will depend on the success of all those advanced arms from the 2018 draft. It will depend on the premium picks K.C. will have this June, including the No. 2 overall selection. But for the time being, it seems possible that the long dark age in Royals baseball that looked as if it were inevitable might be illuminated faster than anyone thought. -- Doolittle

Source: http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25194056/al-central-offseason-preview-cleveland-indians-trade-corey-kluber

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spicynbachili1 · 6 years ago

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Mikal Bridges, the rookie who needs more love

The Phoenix Suns are rightfully enthusiastic about star Devin Booker and rookie phenom Deandre Ayton, however Mikal Bridges would possibly spherical out their Large Three.

The Phoenix Suns desperately wanted a win Sunday evening to snap their seven-game skid, and as has normally been the case since he first joined the franchise, it was Devin Booker who carried them house.

Scoring 14 of his team-high 25 factors within the fourth quarter, Booker’s late rally helped the Suns climb again from a 12-point deficit within the closing body, enhancing the staff’s file to a nonetheless ugly 2-7 total.

It’s been a tough begin for Igor Kokoskov’s squad, which has been attempting to implement a model new system below a first-year head coach with a bunch of recent veterans, no starting-caliber level guard, a banged up star participant and a 36-year-old Tyson Chandler, who simply bought purchased out.

Even so, with all of the transferring items and continually shifting lineups, it was encouraging to see Booker ship for the Suns within the clutch, placing them up two factors with a big-time bucket late within the recreation, after which responding with the game-winner after Mike Conley had tied it up:

Nonetheless, as a lot as Devin Booker was the person of the hour, and as a lot as Deandre Ayton‘s eye-popping numbers have probably the most optimistic of followers dreaming of “Kobe and Shaq 2.zero” and probably the most pessimistic ones anticipating at the very least a Rookie of the 12 months marketing campaign, there’s one other Suns teen who deserves a excessive quantity of consideration transferring ahead.

That rookie is Mikal Bridges, the considerably neglected, different top-10 choose Phoenix added in the latest NBA Draft.

Though he’s solely averaging 7.2 factors, 1.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 17.2 minutes per recreation, Bridges’ early affect extends past the stat sheet. Outdoors of Trevor Ariza, he might already be this staff’s finest small ahead.

“Loads of issues that Mikal is doing for us you’ll be able to’t put within the stats,” Kokoskov stated. “When he makes photographs it’s apparent, however he’s a really dependable participant. He’s very stable and really mature for his age. Not simply in relation to the sport plan and execution, however total, in relation to the professionalism and the whole lot else.”

Sunday evening, Bridges had the perfect efficiency of his younger profession, tallying 14 factors (two off his profession excessive) and two steals, marking the fifth recreation this season he’s completed with two steals. He was extraordinarily environment friendly too, making 5 of six photographs total and canning 4 of his 5 Three-pointers.

Even higher, three of these triples got here within the fourth quarter, along with his closing Three-pointer tying the sport at 98 with 2:27 to go. He didn’t even appear to note the 2 defenders that got here flying at him to contest the shot.

“Nah, not likely,” he stated. “I used to be able to shoot it, my eyes have been already locked on the rim earlier than the ball even got here to me, so I used to be all able to shoot it.”

Bridges’ two-way play and talent to unfold the ground — his future calling card with this staff — is what earned him late-game minutes over Josh Jackson, and no one appeared to have missed it.

“It’s actually massive, to be taking part in crunch-time minutes like that your rookie season and performing, it’s actually particular,” Booker stated. “I used to be saying it postgame, I like being on the ground with him. He does the whole lot it takes to win. He areas the ground, he defends, he’s lengthy and lanky and has actually good instincts that not quite a lot of different folks have. He was well-coached at Villanova and so they know how one can win.”

Booker was proper to note Bridges’ crunch-time affect. With Phoenix trailing 89-77 with eight:50 left within the recreation, the Suns had but to attain a single level within the body. From there, solely three Suns contributed to the staff’s 25 factors within the fourth: Ayton with two factors, Ebook with 14 … and Bridges with 9.

Essentially the most frequent offensive play sort for Bridges has been spot-up at a 38.6% frequency. He’s producing 1.136 PPP (68th percentile) in these sequences.

Bridges’ accuracy has been stable on this space and he has proven indicators of his potential each as a shooter and on drives. pic.twitter.com/JM3GDdjrQQ

— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) November 5, 2018

“He’s a younger participant who we felt snug taking part in crunch time,” Kokoskov stated. “We had little doubt that he must be on the court docket when the sport was on the road.”

The arrogance in Bridges is putting, contemplating it was solely two weeks ago Kokoskov was limiting his minutes in concern that he’d be placing an excessive amount of strain on the rookie, considering he wouldn’t be capable of change the course of those video games.

The Suns are rapidly singing a special tune, which is sensible when one realizes he’s bought a plus/minus of +1.9 (no small feat on a staff with a 2-7 file and a -12.2 level differential), and that Phoenix has been a +17 in his 155 minutes on the ground.

The Booker/Ayton/Bridges trio performed 13 minutes collectively tonight. They completed with an impressive +28.5 NetRtg.

The 4 highest Three-man lineup mixtures all featured Bridges, too.

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) November 5, 2018

Capturing a tidy 50 p.c from the ground, 41.7 p.c from Three-point vary and 81.eight p.c from the foul line, Mikal Bridges is already too good to be left on the bench, particularly with each Josh Jackson and Ryan Anderson struggling within the early going.

When requested if Bridges’ rookie scenario of “too good to be sitting” reminded him of anybody, Devin Booker may solely smirk whereas answering.

“If you’re that proficient and also you’re that good of a participant, it’s exhausting to maintain you off the court docket,” he stated. “So yeah, I’ve seen it earlier than. He has what it takes and I maintain speaking about his will to win and simply doing the little stuff on the market that doesn’t present up on the stat sheet. Clearly the massive photographs are a giant assist too, however he’s simply all the time in tune to the sport.”

Although his Three-point capturing might be instrumental for the staff’s spacing sooner or later and his ceiling as a scorer stays untapped within the early levels, each Bridges and Kokoskov agree his focus should stay on the defensive facet of the ball.

For a Suns staff ranked 28th in defensive ranking with two stars who usually are not precisely identified for his or her prowess on that finish, specializing in protection is sensible.

“He’s bought to be a greater defender and take that problem to comprise the ball higher, to protect,” Kokoskov stated. “And he’ll, as a result of he’s powerful on himself.”

“It means rather a lot,” Bridges stated of his crunch-time minutes. “I work exhausting, and to be on the market and simply maintain me on the market, I’m attempting to defend as exhausting as I can. That’s why I need to be on the market: to defend and attempt to lock up.”

Subsequent: Week four NBA Energy Rankings

9 video games is a tiny pattern, and as Mikal Bridges’ minutes enhance, his plus/minus and Internet Rankings will inevitably take successful on a dropping staff. Nonetheless, because the Suns look to construct round their franchise pillars in Booker and Ayton, it’s changing into clear this Three-and-D wing may rapidly turn out to be a vital a part of the equation … and perhaps even spherical out their Large Three when all is alleged and finished.

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from SpicyNBAChili.com http://spicymoviechili.spicynbachili.com/mikal-bridges-the-rookie-who-needs-more-love/

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cover32-yahoopartner-blog · 8 years ago

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First offseason moves will reveal immediate future of the Philadelphia Eagles

Defeating the rival Cowboys yesterday, the Philadelphia Eagles begin the year 2017 with some momentum. Earning back-to-back wins over the Giants and Cowboys to end their 2016 campaign sends this team into the offseason with a bunch of questions surrounding it. Thanks to these wins though, some goodwill from the fans may be in order.

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However, that goodwill will not last forever. Given the overall poor play of the Philadelphia Eagles this season, the fans will want to see some serious shuffling go on during this offseason. Thanks to some poor play from both the offensive and defensive units this season, the team has a lot of players that could be on the way out.

With very few players at the end of their current contracts, look for some cap cutting to be had shortly. With Doug Pederson about to enter his first full offseason with Philly, the table already is stacked against him. While Chip Kelly was with the team, the deals he continuously gave out will hurt this team into next season and beyond.

Even with some talented deal making to free up cap space, don’t look for the Eagles to make a big splash in free agency. The one player that could become the team’s marquee signing is DeSean Jackson. Other than that, look for some veteran players to come in later during free agency on cheap, one year contracts.

The biggest thing to keep your eye on this year will be the 2017 NFL Draft. Thanks to the Minnesota Vikings win over Chicago, the Eagles will now be making their first round pick at number 14. With many areas of need, will Philadelphia go with true talent or team need? While this is a simple question, it’s answer will likely determine the immediate future of the Eagles.

Should the team just add talent during the draft, the Eagles long term outlook would rise. However, given the holes across the roster the short term outlook would likely remain the same. Nearing .500 and always outside the playoff picture. Given the want for playoff football, this move would almost certainly put a strain on the relationship of the fans and head coach Doug Pederson.

Depending on the moves hear at the beginning of the offseason, we will see how the 2017 campaign is likely to shape up.

READ MORE: Eagles end season on high with win over Dallas

The post First offseason moves will reveal immediate future of the Philadelphia Eagles appeared first on Cover32.

#_author:Robert Molnar #_uuid:506368cf-a2e9-36c1-b54f-10c776892dee #_lmsid:a0Vd000000DIJnLEAX #_revsp:cover32_362

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startegypt49-blog · 6 years ago

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Chuck's Daily Check In - 03.12.19

GAME NIGHT FROM THE UNITED CENTER: Los Angeles Lakers (30-36, 12-20 on the road) at Bulls: (19-49, 8-26 at home)

TV: NBC Sports Chicago: Neil Funk and Stacey King: 7PM tip.

RADIO: 670 The Score: Chuck Swirsky, Bill Wennington and Steve Kashul: 6:45 CT pre.

LEADING SCORERS: Bulls: LaVine: 23ppg. Lakers: James: 27ppg. LEADING REBOUNDERS: Bulls: Markkanen: 9 per. Lakers: James: 8 per. LEADING ASSISTS: Bulls: Dunn: 6 per. Lakers: James: 8 per.

SEASON SERIES: Lakers 1-0

The Bulls are back home briefly for one game before embarking on a three game road trip. The Bulls have lost four of the last five games; the Lakers have dropped seven of eight.

The Bulls have struggled of late giving up big scoring quarters to opponents. Head Coach Jim Boylen continues to stress for consistency and productive play from his bench. But with Denzel Valentine, Chandler Hutchison and Wendell Carter Jr. sidelined with injuries it’s very difficult to establish bench performance on a nightly basis.

Zach LaVine is listed as doubtful with a patellar tendon strain.

LeBron James first tour of duty with a Western Conference team has been a rocky road. He missed seventeen games with a groin injury and was in the center of a storm that focused on the possibility of Anthony Davis joining him in LA. There have been several published stories quoting “NBA sources” that James is unhappy with Head Coach Luke Walton. The Lakers are scaling back James’ minutes so how much we see of him depends on whether it’s competitive game. He’s having an outstanding season of 27-8-8 but at 34, the grind of playing 1,191 regular season games, 239 playoff games and Olympic ball is starting to take a toll. He’s been called out for his lack of energy on the defensive side of the ball. He’s not the only player that doesn’t run back on defense but James at times looks disengaged from his team; a team that James had a hand in putting together.

Brandon Ingram is sidelined for the rest of the season and his health is first and foremost the concern of the organization as Ingram is dealing with a blood clot in his arm. Lonzo Ball,according to several reports is sidelined for the rest of the season with a bone bruise related to a sprained ankle. Kyle Kuzma is dealing with an ankle issue. Lance Stephenson has a toe injury and is questionable. Tyson Chandler missed Saturday’s game with a neck injury and is questionable.

33 year old Andre Ingram who played the last two games of the season a year ago was recalled by the Lakers. He is an 11 year G-League veteran who is the league’s all time leading three point scorer.

Los Angeles Clippers 140, Boston 115. Lou Williams scored 34 points and passed Dell Curry to become the career leader in points off the bench. Jayson Tatum did not play due to right shoulder soreness.

Oklahoma City 98, Utah 89. Russell Westbrook got into a disturbing verbal altercation early in the second quarter and it overshadowed the game itself.

Cleveland 126, Toronto 101. Marquese Chriss and Serge Ibaka got in to it. Both were ejected for throwing punches. Every Cavs starter scored in double figures. Kevin Love with a 16-18 game. The Cavs improved to 17-50.

Brooklyn 103, Detroit 75. The Pistons 27.8 FG% was the lowest by any team in a game since Memphis shot 27.1% at Golden State on 11/2/15. After two impressive outings against the Bulls, Blake Griffin went 1-10 from the field and post a - 20. The Nets have won four straight. The Pistons had their five game win streak come to an end. Brooklyn departs for seven straight on the road.

Houston 118, Charlotte 106. Kemba Walker was a stat stuffer: 40-10-7 but his Hornets fell to 30-37 as Houston won its ninth straight.

Washington 121, Sacramento 115. Bobby Portis scored 17 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Bradley Beal 27-9-9. Sacramento’s Marvin Bagley remains sidelined with a left knee sprain.

Thanks for reading CCI. Reach out: [email protected] or Twitter: @ctsbulls. Always a pleasure!

Source: https://www.nba.com/bulls/news/chucks-daily-check-031219

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spicynbachili3 · 6 years ago

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Fantasy fallout: Why Patriots’ Gronk, Gordon and Edelman can break out together – NFL Nation

Can you actually purchase low on three New England Patriots pass-catchers without delay?

Certain you’ll be able to, says ESPN Patriots reporter Mike Reiss, who sees higher fantasy manufacturing forward for tight finish Rob Gronkowski, receiver Josh Gordon and receiver Julian Edelman — even when they’re technically competing for targets in a suddenly-crowded offense.

“I all the time begin with the snaps,” mentioned Reiss, who identified that Gronkowski remains to be mainly an “every-snap man” who simply performed 77 of 78 snaps in Sunday evening’s 43-40 thriller over the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, which included the massive man rumbling downfield for positive aspects of 42 and 39 yards within the fourth quarter.

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Then there’s Gordon, whose snap rely vaulted from 18 in every of his first two video games with the Patriots to 63 this previous Sunday — which Reiss referred to as “a reasonably sturdy assertion that he has made a giant breakthrough” along with his new workforce.

Not solely has Gordon healed from a hamstring harm, however extra importantly he has earned the belief of Tom Brady.

“Brady actually feels strongly about him,” Reiss mentioned of Gordon, who led New England with 9 targets final week. “That is a key factor with the Patriots. When Brady seems like he can belief you, you are in. And Gordon’s in.”

Final however not least is Brady’s longtime go-to man, Edelman, whose snap rely elevated from 48 in his first recreation again from a four-week suspension in Week 5 to 71 in Week 6.

Reiss mentioned he would begin Edelman “decisively” in fantasy soccer leagues. And he’s leaning towards placing Gordon in that very same class as nicely if he sees one other week with related taking part in time.

The problem for fantasy house owners, Reiss mentioned, is making an attempt to establish which of New England’s pass-catchers might need greater video games or quieter video games based mostly on how a selected protection would possibly assault them (in that sense, it sounds just like the previous drawback of making an attempt to determine which New England operating again might be featured in a selected week).

Opponents have put the strain on Rob Gronkowski because the Patriots tight finish has one landing by six video games. Adam Glanzman/Getty Pictures

But it surely’s just a little totally different with pass-catchers, the place they’ll open issues up for each other. And the presence of Gordon and Edelman ought to truly assist Gronkowski, who has been noticeably double-teamed for a lot of this season.

“He is getting punt-viced on a few of his routes — actually simply operating into two our bodies,” Brady advised WEEI radio. “They make it powerful for him.”

Reiss mentioned the defensive protection might be about 90 % of the explanation why Gronkowski is within the midst of the longest drought of his profession and not using a landing catch (5 straight video games). The opposite 10 % could possibly be age and injury-related, since Gronkowski has been listed on the harm report with an ankle harm this season.

However, as Reiss mentioned, “he’ll nonetheless present you flashes of classic Gronk” like he did within the fourth quarter Sunday.

And as Brady mentioned after the sport, “I will preserve throwing it to him within the greatest moments.”

On the flip aspect, the emergence of Edelman and Gordon because the Patriots’ prime two receivers clearly hurts the worth of different receivers corresponding to Chris Hogan and Phillip Dorsett, who confirmed promise early this season. Hogan hasn’t fully evaporated from the Patriots’ offense, however he performed simply 47 snaps on offense Sunday whereas his special-teams position has elevated.

Fast hits

Atlanta Falcons: One other have a look at the snap counts exhibits Falcons operating again Tevin Coleman performed 38 final week, whereas rookie Ito Smith performed 31 in Atlanta’s Week 6 recreation. On Tuesday, beginning RB Devonta Freeman was positioned on injured reserve. ESPN Falcons reporter Vaughn McClure mentioned the elevated snap counts looks like a superb indication the Falcons are comfy with Smith sharing the load with Coleman going ahead. Plus, McClure mentioned, Smith has confirmed himself to be dependable within the purple zone whereas scoring in every of the previous three video games.

Smith is ambitiously hoping to ignite the Falcons’ run recreation, as McClure wrote. “I feel we could be method higher, man. I would like us to get 200 yards speeding,” the fourth-round choose from Southern Mississippi mentioned. “Y’all have not even seen the floor but out of the operating backs or out of the entire offense. We have not performed an awesome recreation but.”

McClure additionally wrote about how these subsequent three months may assist the Falcons make some powerful selections on the RB place, the place Freeman is signed by 2022 and Coleman is scheduled to be a free agent after this season.

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Stephania Bell and Matthew Berry make their instances for Tevin Coleman and Ito Smith versus the Giants.

New Orleans Saints: Nobody has ever carried out a RB timeshare higher than the Saints did it final season, when Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara turned the primary duo ever to each surpass 1,500 yards from scrimmage in the identical season whereas each scoring a minimum of 12 touchdowns. These numbers are virtually actually unsustainable — however it’s a superb instance of what the Saints will try for now that Ingram is again from his four-game suspension.

As I broke down this week as ESPN’s Saints reporter, Kamara’s fantasy house owners need not panic after he had simply 9 touches in Week 5 when Ingram got here again (that was principally a fluke for the reason that Saints obtained forward by so many factors so early, and it was additionally an opportunity to ease up on Kamara’s workload). No, Kamara will not common 23 touches per recreation anymore like he did in September. However I count on him to be a slight “1A” to Ingram’s “1B,” like they had been down the stretch final season.

As for the Saints’ broad receiver corps now that starter Ted Ginn Jr. has been positioned on injured reserve with a knee harm, I feel each backups Tre’Quan Smith and Cameron Meredith are price selecting up and probably utilizing as bye-week fill-ins if wanted. Neither is a sure-thing fantasy starter, although, since they will in all probability break up the manufacturing.

We noticed how the Saints are doubtless to make use of them when Ginn was out in Week 5. Smith, who ought to run extra of Ginn’s deep routes, caught three passes for 111 yards and two deep TDs. Meredith, who may see extra quantity as each an inside and outdoors receiver, caught a season-high 5 passes for 71 yards.

Pittsburgh Steelers: It certain looks like we’ll see some kind of RB timeshare in Pittsburgh, as nicely, with Le’Veon Bell anticipated to return from his contract holdout after the Steelers’ Week 7 bye. As ESPN Steelers reporter Jeremy Fowler has reported, Ben Roethlisberger and different teammates have continued to marketing campaign for incumbent RB James Conner to maintain a big position even when Bell returns. And it obtained to the purpose the place Roethlisberger even made a sarcastic joke about it after Conner ran for 111 yards and two TDs on Sunday.

“What an awesome recreation, however I do know it is his final recreation for us, as a result of Le’Veon’s coming again,” Roethlisberger cracked.

Whereas Conner has been superior, we now have but to see any indicators of breakout from Steelers rookie receiver James Washington. Fowler additionally wrote this week about what has stored that from taking place up to now.

Dallas Cowboys: Veteran Cole Beasley had his second breakout efficiency of the season with 9 catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday in opposition to the vaunted Jacksonville Jaguars’ protection — and Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones referred to as it “Witten stuff … No. 1-ish stuff.”

ESPN Cowboys reporter Todd Archer mentioned it is onerous to count on that sort of involvement from Beasley on a weekly foundation and it in all probability had extra to do with the particular recreation plan in opposition to a man-to-man protection workforce. However Archer did level out Beasley has 39 catches for 415 yards and two TDs in his profession in opposition to this week’s opponent, the Washington Redskins.

Inexperienced Bay Packers: ESPN Packers reporter Rob Demovsky wrote about how each Aaron Rodgers and Inexperienced Bay’s offense may look totally different after the Week 7 bye. Rodgers is hoping to shed the restrictive brace from his knee. However the Packers total are hoping to cease counting on his arm a lot after he has thrown a minimum of 40 occasions in 5 straight video games.

Indianapolis Colts: Indy will give Marlon Mack each probability to be the main man of their backfield after he ran for 89 yards on 12 carries, in accordance with Colts reporter Mike Wells. Wells mentioned Nyheim Hines ought to get some work, too, however a few of that could possibly be as a receiver — which is the place he started his faculty profession at NC State. Additionally, Wells wrote in regards to the Colts’ alarming price of dropped passes, together with 13 over the previous three weeks.

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1:50

Discipline Yates and Stephania Bell clarify whether or not or not they’re trusting Albert Wilson after the broad receiver’s big Week 6.

Miami Dolphins: Dolphins receiver Albert Wilson continues to be one in every of this season’s most electrifying playmakers — and recently he has been doing it in additional of a full-time position as an alternative of only a handful of performs. The self-described “finest YAC receiver” within the league had 138 of his 155 receiving yards after the catch on Sunday, together with two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Wilson made six defenders miss on a type of TDs, in accordance with Dolphins reporter Cameron Wolfe, who wrote that Wilson’s 14.57 yards after the catch this season are by far probably the most within the NFL.

Chicago Bears: Second-year quarterback Mitchell Trubisky continued his latest uptick with a scorching second half in opposition to these Dolphins final week, as Bears reporter Jeff Dickerson wrote.

Philadelphia Eagles: Eagles reporter Tim McManus steered Zach Ertz could be the league’s prime tight finish proper now. Ertz leads all tight ends with 480 receiving yards, and he ranks second behind solely Minnesota’s Adam Thielen amongst all NFL pass-catchers with 48 receptions. He’s on tempo for 128 catches, which might shatter Jason Witten’s file of 110 by a good finish in a single season.

By way of six weeks, he leads all tight ends in targets (66) and receiving yards (480) and is second within the NFL in receptions (48) behind solely Thielen. His 48 receptions are probably the most by a good finish by six video games since 1999. He is on tempo for 128 catches, which might shatter Witten’s file of 110 for many catches in a single season by a good finish.

Minnesota Vikings: In the meantime, Vikings reporter Courtney Cronin wrote about how Kirk Cousins and Thielen have emerged because the NFL’s prime QB-WR duo.

Detroit Lions: Yet one more superlative — Lions reporter Michael Rothstein mentioned Golden Tate, Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. are making a case because the league’s finest receiver trio.

Carolina Panthers: Panthers reporter David Newton wrote about how Carolina is relying on rookie receiver DJ Moore to shrug off his “welcome to the NFL” expertise when he misplaced two fumbles final Sunday.

• Revisiting Panthers’ darkest hour • Gurley cheering for the Dodgers • How Steelers use gaming to get edge • Why does Cousins fumble a lot? • The tough lifetime of an NFL backup • Chiefs hanging on defensively

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bucs reporter Jenna Laine wrote that one month in the past veteran receiver DeSean Jackson was the most popular factor within the NFL subsequent to “Fitzmagic.” However now he has to discover a related rhythm with QB Jameis Winston that they have not fairly developed but, relationship again to final season.

San Francisco 49ers: After battling nagging accidents earlier this season — and a significant one to his beginning quarterback — Marquise Goodwin lastly had a breakout efficiency with 4 catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns on Monday evening, as 49ers reporter Nick Wagoner wrote.

Tennessee Titans: Is Marcus Mariota responsible for Tennessee’s offensive woes? Titans reporter Turron Davenport mentioned it is a truthful query with no simple solutions.

Oakland Raiders: Raiders reporter Paul Gutierrez requested, “Wait, wasn’t Derek Carr alleged to thrive below Jon Gruden?”

Los Angeles Chargers: On the flip aspect is Philip Rivers, who’s having the most effective seasons of his 15-year profession due to his give attention to accuracy, in accordance with Chargers reporter Eric D. Williams.

Good factor, too, since I’ve Rivers as my QB in two leagues for what feels just like the 15th straight 12 months.

from SpicyNBAChili.com http://spicynflchili.spicynbachili.com/fantasy-fallout-why-patriots-gronk-gordon-and-edelman-can-break-out-together-nfl-nation/

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auburnfamilynews · 6 years ago

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Every now and then, J.B. Grimes experiences deja vu while out on the practice field.

The veteran offensive line coach, who also spent the 2013-15 seasons at Auburn, will turn to director of football operations Brett Whiteside with a strange yet familiar feeling.

"This is weird, man," Grimes will say. "It's like I never left."

Following two seasons away from Auburn, first at Cincinnati in 2016 and then at UConn last season, Grimes is back on the Plains to once again coach Auburn's offensive line. It's a group that Grimes is plenty familiar with. He coached a handful of them -- including projected starters Marquel Harrell, Mike Horton and Kaleb Kim -- during his first stint with the program, and he helped recruit all but a few of the Tigers' current linemen, with Nick Brahms, Prince Michael Sammons, Kameron Stutts and Jalil Irvin as the exceptions.

For as much as things seem the same for Grimes now that he's back at Auburn, the 41-year coaching veteran enjoyed his two years away, the first of which included coaching with his son Nick in Cincinnati. The adage goes, "you can't teach an old dog new tricks," but during those two seasons away from Auburn, Grimes learned three valuable lessons that he has brought back with him to the Plains.

The first one has as much to do with coaching as it does with communicating.

"I think one of the things that's really, really, really important, and as I've gotten older had become even more prevalent and paramount in my thinking, and that's in dealing with young men, dealing with a different generation of guys," Grimes said. "They don't always trust like I was raised. I was raised to trust people until they prove to me I couldn't trust them. That's not necessarily true in today's world, so what I have to do is not only drive and strain the guys that I'm coaching, but they have to trust me as well.

"It's a fine line between, hey, being that taskmaster that you have to be to be an SEC line-of-scrimmage guy and being a figure that these kids can go to and cry on your shoulder because you've got that and you're dealing with 18-year-old kids that have problems."

Why J.B. Grimes returned to Auburn

That line at times became blurred for Grimes as he tried to balance the two, but his year with the Bearcats was particularly helpful in learning to better deal with the newest generation of players. A lot of that was thanks to his son, Nick, who served as Cincinnati's tight ends/H-backs coach that season.

Prior to arriving in Cincinnati, Grimes hadn't lived in the same state, let alone the same city as his son in 13 years. It was a refreshing change that Grimes cherished for their year back together. During that time, Grimes got to experience the birth of his second grandchild. He and his son worked side by side every Monday to develop a run game plan, and Nick often kept his more experienced father in check, so to speak, when that aforementioned line became difficult to distinguish.

"Every once in a while, he'll tell me, 'Hey, old man, tap the brakes,' and that's OK," Grimes said. "That's OK. I can handle that. That's OK. That part of that was really good. I enjoyed that."

Although Grimes learned to sometimes "pump the brakes," there were certain things he wouldn't concede -- and still won't. That's all part of establishing that line of demarcation with his players and making sure they understand what his expectations are.

"The other thing is letting your guys know exactly what's negotiable and what's nonnegotiable," Grimes said. "Then when they know that there's certain things that, hey, I'm not changing them so don't try to change me, I'm not changing; I'm telling you that up front. I think as I've gotten older, if I were to give a young coach advice, it would be that: Find out as early as you possibly can as a young coach, you as a young reporter, find out what you will not bend on, and then let everybody know that this isn't going to change, and if you try to negotiate something that is nonnegotiable, it is not going to go well for you.

"Straight up. The more that you can be straight up with guys and let them know that, the more you can get accomplished."

Auburn's linemen quickly learned that lesson in the spring shortly after Grimes returned. During the team's first scrimmage of spring practices, the offensive line had what Grimes described as 38 "loafs" on 85 snaps -- an unacceptable number for Grimes. That's when Grimes, regarded as a technically sound line coach, realized he had to redefine his players' fundamentals and that, while there was ample talent up front, there was also a lot of work to be done.

The biggest difference between J.B. Grimes and Herb Hand lies in the details

"That cost everybody in the room immensely," he said. "Ask them. It did not go well for them, but that's part of that non-negotiation that I'm talking about. We've got to get these guys back to playing with an edge, with a physical, nasty effort, edge and don't -- you don't have to take anything from anybody. Last time I checked, you're an SEC football player too, and you got to start acting like it. That's the attitude I want them to take, and that's the attitude we're going to take."

That has begun to stick with Auburn's linemen, who quickly learned the standard their new position coach is holding them to.

"He makes you understand the importance of details, and we do little things every day," Horton said. "It's like certain steps we have to do, and we do that every day. We really see how important that is in everything, in all aspects of the game."

There is one other lesson Grimes learned during his two seasons away from Auburn -- one that ensures that the other two aspects will be effective. For as serious and hard-nosed as Grimes can be, he understands the value of levity when dealing with his players.

"Don't be afraid to laugh," Grimes said. "There's great power in laughter, and having a room where you're sitting there and there's no levity in the room, that ain't going to work. You've got to have laughter. I know my job depends on, and how I feed my family depends on me putting a product out there, but these are still 18-year-old kids. So, you got to have the right amount of taskmaster and levity, in my opinion."

Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.

from Auburn Sports Impact http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2018/08/the_most_valuable_lessons_jb_g.html

#IFTTT #Blogger #auburn #auburn fast #wareagle #AuburnFamilyNews #war eagle #sec #football news #aubu

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marc19herman-blog · 7 years ago

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11 Common Mistakes We Percieve Digital Promoting Institutions Make

It helps firms of all sizes, from veteran groups aiming to range their book affiliated with company to 1-person bands constructing a PPC giving through the beginning . Thus, we is subjected to excellent mind and also the productive AdWords, Facebook or twitter, and Msn credit accounts they take care of any instant on the workweek. Certainly , they also notice their share of tomfoolery, which has a tendency to come coming from a several combined overzealous oversight with an uncomplicated deficiency of Pay per click miami seo expert learning.

Immediately after chatting with WordStream' s best and most brilliant following Slack and in between bites associated with microwaved lunches, I' ve attracted together a long list of 11 prevalent errors we notice companies make daily. Some may sound ludicrous for you, other individuals could be more like light bulbs taking on on top of the head.

Whatever, don' t be embarrassed to throw open your MCC or Company Administrator and discover should you come across many of the conditions that adhere to. Doing this is a fantastic technique to discover speedy victories for your own existing buyers allowing you to spend your time pitching completely new models.

#1: A number of Buyers from the Very same AdWords Balances

Controlling a number of shoppers through the identical account- regardless of the selected system- is ill-well-advised. You don' t plan to be over the connect made for prepaying ad expend and expecting reimbursement: clawing that dollars back again might be a agony and the type scales horrendously. The fact is that, a great deal of fledgling firms get this to oversight.

They accept the allergy of local business owners, develop strategies in a single AdWords are the reason for the specific sake of " ease, " then start off going towards a mil difficulties. Accounts-point issues and advertising extensions ended up awry. Billing conundrums. Dayparting catastrophes. And The lord prohibit one of the customers receives hit using a revocation and also it usually takes the whole balances from percentage to get a Miami SEO Expert

May well avoid the pain: Employ a MCC (quick for " My Prospect Facility " ) profile to make certain each and every customer you control has their particular advertising campaign membership. And if you' re handling bank accounts across several stations only for a number of consumers, you can use a 3 rd-special event resource like, oh yeah, say, ours . The WordStream Consultant Buyer Heart permits you to keep an eye on consumer spend and KPIs within aggregate, removing individual-accounts snafus as well as so that it is effortless to record financial budgets from degree.

#2: A very good Unprofitable Rates System

Possessing a that isn't rewarding is a large issue, especially for providers pivoting toward paid out research and social from one more field. Website development and also Search engine optimization campaigns are time-rigorous. On these niches, billable a long time or simply a flat rate make plenty of feel.

For Pay-per-click, not as significantly.

The fact is , over the lengthy-haul, you can finish up making a lot of cheddar for the dining room table in the event you demand with the hour for AdWords, Fb, and Bing membership operations. The task is significantly frontloaded, plus an substantial number of tinkering- working to make an income when you' re settled via the hour or so- may also container efficiency, specifically in relation to paid for researching. You might also fee using a final results-dependent style and design, which includes the possible to cover dividends or even, you realize, zilch.

As opposed to exchanging your workdays for bucks or assuming unreasonable chance, you should think of charging your clients a share of the ad devote.

This product incentivizes shopper expansion: a lot more productive you can create the client' s consideration, the greater number of they' ll shell out, the more they' lmost all make, the more anyone make. As you giving far more appeal to the consumer, the portion-of-expend product pretty tends to make up you though guaranteeing good Return for your them. A literal succeed.

Don' t not profits as soon as your customers are given it just takes you 20 min per week going to their set goals.

#3: Too Much Effort Confirming, Insufficient Optimizing

Some firms shell out boatloads of time producing delicate studies, as much as possible the detriment of bank account productivity. Actually , according to HubSpot, " company staffers devote all around three or several hours every customer each month revealing with digital. " This matter is amplified since your purchasers grow their advertising hard work on new stations, where exactly KPI go together with each other like lamb and tuna fish species of fish.

This isn' t to say that will reporting is inherently awful.

Good revealing that naturally conveys pacing on the way to your clients' concentrates on is vital to giving your influence on their enterprises and, hence , your individual importance. But you can make this happen by way of a number of way of measuring automation without having throwing away a large number of your Monday a . m . adjusting affected Shine formulas. That' s time period you might be paying being able to help somebody grow their enterprise (or, you recognize, broadening your individual).

When a gyrating phrase cloud may be all the rage in some groups, I' ve by no means accomplished a client who necessary a heat range chart of these CTR segmented just by 60 minutes of day time and barometric strain much more than they wanted two or three dozen extra sales. If you locate verifying as being a important hurdle in your workweek, look into our .

#4: Bypassing all the Hunt Question Article

Keyword phrases are definitely the foundation of any sort of AdWords membership, but what about all the questions that induce them?

Lots of miami website seo pro speak with diligently search through their clients' crucial terms, adjusting estimates generally and synthesizing Search engine optimisation researching and active credit accounts info to find new possibilities throughout Pay-per-click. This is usually a superb utilization of period of time, but shouldn' t arise on the fee for diving within the Keyphrases Report at least once weekly .

The Search Terms Statement is a resource from the Vital key phrases tab in the new AdWords URINARY INCONTINENCE. It lets you get an notion concerning the varieties of lookup issues that happen to be triggering your keywords and comprehend which fit types are triggered by talked about issues (especially vital if you' re using a tiered setting up a quote design). In addition, it allows you to increase damaging keyword phrases for the offer team or even strategy level, or build entries of negatives which could be added to your whole consideration.

Don' to stop reviewing search phrases in favor of panning for ludicrous browse inquiries as a way to Slack towards your compatriots: collapse the actual Search Phrase tab inside your schedule bank accounts care to get a stopper throughout inefficiencies and expose new prospects for your purchasers.

#5: Using the services of WAY Too Earlier

We have requests every month by organizations who say: " We' re accepting ever more bank account. It should take time in AdWords to deal with them all. We' re going to employ the Pay-per-click coordinator. " And in some cases, this is certainly completely the best shift.

For almost all though, it' s all the powder keg for any fusillade associated with headaches and time squandered. That' s why our agency group of people takes take great pride in in aiding you do not retain the services of additional staffers.

Think about it: Staff suggest over head.

Tally up the prices of compensation, health-related health insurance coverage, compensated-time away from, 401(k), and many others . That' s even before you begin to component in instruction them and ramp-up time period and the opportunity of ridiculous problems that might price tag your clients (a severely put damaging on this page, an overeager quote modification there).

" But I' ll seek the services of anyone seasoned, another person autonomous. " Good idea, even so the loaves of bread you reduce instructing will return to chew you within just earnings demands. Let alone the belief that it' s shockingly challenging to use top-quality Pay-per-click skills, even during a township like Boston (if you are the needle within a haystack, nevertheless, drop our Looked after Expert services team the line).

Don' huge t take time away from your clientele to receive assistance till you totally ought to. App is a bit more very affordable compared to a heated entire body and often will make bank account supervision more effective without having putting headcount to the class.

#6: Missing Vast Go with Modified

Hurling a wide web definitely dredges upward a bunch of junk.

This specific doesn' t make accomplishing this un-precious; it simply normally takes some hedging. About the Research Group, broad match keyword phrases is the large world wide web, and negatives are frequently one particular way to mitigate the spent devote they get. Frequent extensive match up keyword phrases would be the AdWords normal (mainly because, you understand, Yahoo is undoubtedly an advertising organization).

Regrettably, if you' re not carefully reviewing your personal clients' Keyphrases assessments (which, after i described earlier, comes about), you will discover your self hemorrhaging spending budget on irrelevant tips for touch. Wide match up improved keywords and phrases, having said that , supply the identical grab-all energy without all the misuse by affording an individual some modicum of management.

To work with BMM, basically generate a plus sign ( ) in front of several words and phrases in a broad go with crucial expression. The words that will be forwent using a ( ) signal must can be found in the user' s keyword key phrase correctly or like a shut alternative .

So , should you have a customer who carries durable, manly residence slippers, putting in a bid on mens slippers rather than mens slippers helps ensure really their prices are definitely used on relevant research concerns (the second would also match up so as to lookups for slippers for ladies and puggles and whatnot). Along with conserving their selected dollars for high-volume level, related(-ish) queries, BMM key phrases take care of your ability to prospective customer for new opportunities . Usually, these opps. get the variety oflong-tail keyword phrases.

#7: A Lack of Lengthy-Tail Keyword phrases

Did you just scratch your skin and ask your own self " what' ersus a lengthy-tail keyword"?

You' re not the only person!

Lots of the AdWords and Msn balances we study are often made from largely small-tail key words, individuals with a restrained range of words and high research quantity . This unique means they highly-priced. Absolutely everyone within your client' s marketplace is putting in a bid with these terms and conditions and most of the time, they will likely aren' t converting that has a considerable amount frequency; that' s because they short key phrases don' t tend to transmission significantly business oriented motive. Opposition, price, deficiency of conversion process? Not really method to realize your goals.

Very long-tail keywords, nevertheless , are classified as the backbone of every terrific paid off browse bank account.

These are typically keywords- often identified by evaluating hunt concerns or by making use of sources similar to the WordStream No cost Key concept Instrument - made up of quite a few words, often conveying some slice of purpose. This allows you to active a different give dependant on precisely what the searcher is looking for, raising the probability of transformation inside of your client' s bank account. And also since they have an inclination to obtain a lesser amount of volume level and competition, super-related lengthy-tail search phrases can cost less in the for each-press structure than much less-relevant small-tail search phrases.

Even though uncovering and enhancing for long-tail keywords and phrases takes a affordable small bit of elbow grease (much more gekörnt offer categories, far more specific advertising replicate, issue fishin' ), the comes back they produce are way too fantastic to up.

#8: Stress and anxiety regarding the F-Phrase

Fb is definitely not like AdWords, but it' s not really in particular terrifying position sometimes.

This will depend on market description instead of search goal and also the advertising are definitely prettier , nevertheless fundamentally it' s nonetheless just a means through which to pack in addition cultivate a income funnel towards a much more effective way than can be done in addition to counter commercials and brand name toothpicks. Generally If I planned to goal you, as an example , I may build viewers designed to appearance something such as this:

Bought ‘ em.

That being said, numerous providers- specifically those with a obvious expertise in compensated lookup- are hesitant to expand their selected professional services to sociable. That is outrageous simply because offering Fb advert supervision opens additional opportunities that you bolster expend below administration without the need of undertaking new clients.

If you' ve gathered a hankering to incorporate Fb marketing and advertising in your repertoire, here' s several light-weight reading through to help you the golf baseball moving:

#9: Backfilling In lieu of Rising

Having said that, most devout providers among us, the real specialized mavens, can discover our selves blinded because of the appeal of biz dev. Naturally, pitching business is a helluva speed.

Unfortunately, it could be all too an easy task to completely focus too much on acquiring new company and forget your current client base . This stalls improvement solely, and you find yourself burning off web links with people that need to or else end up your miami seo expert agency' s most effective evangelists.

How do you make sure that your customers are fulfilled as you run after as well as transform potential customers?

You sense more effective at undertaking both.

Using the potency of the Pareto basic principle ( the actual 80/20 rule of thumb that governs our personalized 20-Minute Work 7-day period ) to absolutely nothing in around the workouts that represent the most price to your clientele and doing them with haste- and accuracy and reliability- allows you to clear up satisfactory a chance to researching and practice great new prospects without having to sacrifice the people you' ve secured.

#10: Awful Advertising Inventive

Not everyone who could system a spreadsheet or maybe keep track of celebration-centered conversion rates is really a fashion wizard.

The fact is that, consumers don' t buy that like a possible factor to stay away from the sale-producing worth of Facebook plus the GDN. At some time, you' ll should develop amazing appearance-dependent innovative that people truly wish to simply click.

Now, you can depend on resources like Fiverr or maybe a doe-eyed intern on the summer months bust, yet people will surely take you up to now. You might also work with the impression-advertising creation system in the AdWords UI; while unit made a great progress way considering the fact that its formation, it still sacrifices panache while using purpose of simplicity.

WordStream' s Intelligent Commercials technologies, on the flip side, uses appliance-understanding how to improve your clients' latest web-site images into attention-getting Fb, Instagram, and GDN-set advertising. By simply acknowledging and zeroing in in excess of the point of interest of image- the smiling parent, a burning up home, a inflamed 401k, and so on . - Smart Advertising can assist you make persuasive photo-centric offer articles for each of the buyers: at degree.

#11: A Superior Shortage of Stickiness

The ultimate issue most of us notice amongst internet advertising companies will noise counterintuitive: they reduce organization by undertaking a fantastic job.

In a specified issue, some customers choose that they may take over their particular bank accounts operations (generally following performance levels and plateaus for an lengthy phase). You obliterate CPA targets, take out inefficiencies, and exhaust suggestions to that your particular Miami SEO Expert

Can grant. Your client decides they might manage adjusting offers and including downsides, in order that they sever ties.

Basically: you mailed on your message, you produced mounds of cash for your purchaser, however, you didn' t make your own self irreplaceable.

The most effective way to start to be stickier- the one thing that produces equipment like Salesforce so crucial- is always to prepare yourself in the very cloth of your own customer's business structure. You need to prevent controlling stand-alone promoting stations and begin creating additionally carrying out on cohesive, cross-system development practices.

What this means is ingesting the things you learn about in AdWords to tell Twitter audience creation, using RLSA to reach surface of funnel potential prospects initial highlighted Instagram later inside the gross sales period: Essentially, aligning aims involving browse and societal by comprehending the association amongst market place and intent for every single from your customers.

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ynsespoir · 7 years ago

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The Shocking Truth about the Nursing Shortage in the United States

It’s no secret that nurses work hard. The layperson would shudder at the long shifts most medical staff experience, but nurses take it on without blinking. They continually administer medications, check in with families, advocate for their patients, and work with a medical team for the best results possible within a convoluted medical system.

In stories from across the country, nurses share days where they don’t get a lunch break, have patients on gurneys in hallways, and are jumping from department to department to make up for staffing shortages.

The United States has a massive nursing shortage, and the problem is only set to grow. Due to an influx of patients into our health system, the retirement of baby boomers, and educational bottlenecks, nursing positions aren’t being filled fast enough to keep up with demand.

While on the surface it may seem like a simple supply-and-demand equation, the actual cause and projected effect is much more complicated. WIthout intervention on multiple levels, the problem will not go away.

Who Is the Nursing Shortage Impacting?

Obviously, the burden of a nursing shortage impacts those nurses who are working in the field. As more nurses retire or change careers and fewer nurses enter the field, the work is piled higher on those left working.

When the Affordable Care Act was passed, it gave more Americans access to healthcare services and consequently increased the number of patients seeking care. According to Bradley University, 92 percent of emergency rooms report patient overcrowding. That translates to increased wait times for patients, but it also means more evaluations for nurses and higher pressure to treat patients efficiently.

Short-handed nurses under pressure are at a higher risk for making mistakes. A study performed in Denmark found that readmission rates rose as nursing staff diminished, indicating that patients were discharged prematurely or not treated entirely before being sent home. The study further noted that patients in nursing homes, where the draw of nursing employment is not as strong as in hospitals or clinics, saw an astonishing 13 percent increase in the mortality rate of older patients.

Patients obviously suffer when nurses feel the time-constraining effects of understaffing. As our population continues to age, the prognosis looks grim: more than 80 percent of adults over 65 have at least one chronic condition. More than 65 percent have two. With baby boomers continuing to age, the percent of the population requiring regular care will continue to put pressure on healthcare practitioners.

Doctors are seeing the strain as well. Insurance companies and hospitals create an impossible equilibrium where doctors must decrease the amount of time they spend with patients in order to maintain a profitable bottom line. Nurses feel the strain as more of the workload is transferred to them, as well as picking up any pertinent missing pieces of patient health history that may not have been disclosed to the doctor.

The nursing shortage also has financial impacts for healthcare institutions. Nurses salaries must be competitive to attract applicants. As the shortage fuels burnout and frustration among nurses, turnover rates increase, reportedly costing the healthcare industry at least $4.2 million a year.

Why Is There a Nursing Shortage?

While practitioners, patients, and institutions illustrate that there is an undoubted need for nurses, it’s not for lack of interest. Prospective nurses looking to enter the field encounter a gauntlet of obstacles that make filling the healthcare need that much more difficult.

Educational Obstacles

Students appear to have a high level of interest in nursing careers. They pay well, have strong projected job security, and allow practitioners to do meaningful work — all qualities that millennials have expressed are important.

However, as hopeful applicants send in their transcripts, many are turned away or wait-listed. Some schools have even done away with waitlisting due to excessive demand that has students waiting years before their enrollment.

One of the major limiting factors in nursing education is low faculty numbers — there simply aren’t enough teachers to educate the would-be nurses. Not only that, but the current faculty’s median age is in the 50s, meaning that many of them will be looking to retire not long from now.

It’s difficult to draw more faculty to schools, as taking a teaching position requires a nurse to have a higher level of education, be an expert in their field, and often, be willing to take a pay cut. For some of the larger schools, providing enough financial incentive to leave a clinical position and move to teaching may be feasible, but for smaller, private, or rural institutions, the financial burden may be too much. Without nurse educators in rural or underserved areas, we are further limiting the accessibility of nursing school to potential students.

Another issue contributing to the bottleneck in nursing education is the lack of clinical sites available. Without hands-on experience, nurses are entering the field lacking a critical understanding of what running codes and assessing patients is like. Hypotheticals cannot replace the stress of how life-and-death decisions feel in real time. Without more clinical learning positions available, nursing programs will not be able to increase the number of applicants they accept.

Financial Obstacles

For those who are accepted into nursing programs, there’s something more to contend with: the cost of schooling. Whether trying to attain a nursing license through an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s program, the costs add up. And on top of it all, those pursuing a specialty have to be prepared to devote years to their professional development. RNs pursuing an oncology specialty, for example, not only have to earn the degree, they also have to invest years of time and money into board certifications and clinical practice hours. It all adds up.

Grants and scholarships like the RN to BSN/MSN Challenge can help with this burden, but unfortunately, there just aren’t enough to go around. Title VIII of the Public Health and Service Act is a federal program that awards grant money to nurses working in underserved regions.

Peter McMenamin, a former American Nurses Association representative, stated to Healthline that, “There’s a direct correlation between Title VIII funding and new nurses.” The article continues on to discuss a bill that would extend grant and loan funding through 2020. Unfortunately, that bill was introduced in 2015 and was passed by the House of Representatives, but not by the Senate.

A similar bill, H.R. 959, was introduced to the House on February 10, 2017 and would extend federal funding through 2022. The bill has not yet gone to vote. If it passes the House and the Senate, federal funding will be extended and enrollment in nursing programs will hopefully see an uptick.

While fingers get crossed for the extension of funding, two other bills stand to undermine some of the financial cushioning for nursing school graduates.

The new tax bill still needs to be reconciled between the versions the House and the Senate each passed, but depending on which way the hand of fate swings, public service loan forgiveness may be eliminated. If the House tax plan is honored, graduate students face higher interest rates and an elimination of student loan interest deductions. Employer-provided tuition assistance would become a taxable benefit, placing an additional burden on employees seeking higher education.

The PROSPER Act (Promoting Real Opportunity, Success and Prosperity Through Education Reform) was proposed in early December and has yet to go to vote, but it has serious implications for those with student loans. Most notably for nurses, Public Service Loan Forgiveness would be eliminated. For those who carry substantial debt, loan forgiveness might be the only light at the end of a 10-year tunnel. Moving forward, repayment options would shrink from eight separate plans to two, severely limiting the options of borrowers.

Workplace Obstacles

Part of paying back loans, especially if a nurse is attempting to be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, is maintaining employment. With the nursing shortage, it shouldn’t seem like a problem. However, while there may be a plethora of positions available, that doesn’t mean all the positions are optimized for retention.

Some things are basic: paying nurses enough and making sure they have the tools to do their job. While many programs are offering signing bonuses and generous salaries to increase hiring during the shortage, the effects of fewer staff members are felt throughout hospitals and clinics.

Fewer nurses means that the ones who are employed experience a higher workload, and often have to cover shifts or work overtime to keep patients covered. The combination of higher pressure and more hours worked can lead to staff burnout, both emotionally and physically.

Compassion fatigue can affect caregivers who aren’t able to take time for themselves or who are too stressed in their work environment. Minimal sleep from picking up extra shifts, combined with the emotional energy required to care for additional patients, can contribute to burnout and inadvertently cause the quality of patient care to decline.

Quality of patient care is also impacted by the experience of the nurses — seasoned veterans of the career will be calmer during codes, understand procedure better, and have a more developed sense of what patients need. While experienced nurses are able to pass along some of this knowledge, more baby boomer nurses are retiring than ever.

AMN Healthcare’s survey found that 73 percent of older nurses intend to retire in the next 3 years. That leaves patients with a much younger, less experienced staff who are seeking mentorship as they get their feet under them. The high retirement number not only contributes to the nursing shortage, but also to the stress and working conditions of those left in the workforce. Those who don’t intend to retire immediately face the daunting task of bringing new nurses up to speed on how individual programs run and giving them the day-to-day tips and tricks to make it as a nurse.

Despite being new to the field, nurses may change career paths within a few years, citing workplace bullying or other stressful conditions as their reason. In some cases, nurses are faced with ethical dilemmas or matters of practitioner autonomy that they feel inhibit their ability to treat within the best interest of their patients — 75 percent of nurses report feeling like they don’t have enough authority. When situations like this arise and are not addressed satisfactorily, nurses may leave programs feeling like they are unable to fulfill their duties.

Minimizing the Nurse Shortage

There’s a lot of work to be done if the U.S. is to effectively mitigate the nursing shortage. Policy, both at the federal and institutional level, stands to play a large role in the change. In some cases, attitude or expectation shifts may be necessary.

Program Growth

Primarily, the US needs to increase the number of potential nurses in educational programs, as this will directly impact the number of nurses available to enter the workforce. It is estimated that by 2025, the workforce will need more than half a million new nurses, which in turn means that programs need to provide openings for as many applicants.

Educational opportunities will only grow with the addition of funding and faculty, though the first does impact the second. Universities need to reassess their programs and see where they can afford to increase salaries in order to attract faculty. Non-monetary incentives, such as access to campus resources or publishing connections, will also be necessary to retain top teaching staff.

From a federal perspective, the government needs to increase Title VIII funding and retain the possibility of Public Service Loan Forgiveness. The elimination of either program will hamstring an already struggling effort and create an even larger practitioner deficit. Making grants and funding available to those from impoverished or rural areas will create a larger pool of talent to draw from.

Hands-On Training

Before entering the field, nurses need experience making stressful decisions in real time. Many teaching hospitals and healthcare education programs are turning to technology for answers. Using simulation mannequins, computer programs, or virtual reality situations allows educators to put nurses in controlled situations to test their knowledge under pressure.

Simulation technology may be the best answer to creating more opportunities for field training new nurses without taking time or energy from practicing nurses. Virtual situations allow nurses to make mistakes without the high-stakes environment of having a patient’s health in their hands.

Where possible, the availability of clinical rotations needs to increase. Hands-on training is essential for up-and-coming nurses, and the current number of opportunities is far too low. Care facilities will need to update programs to allow for shadowing and teaching.

Experienced nurses may find the addition of observers to be a hindrance to their daily tasks, but until more nurses are trained in a hands-on way, there will not be more competent, comfortable nurses coming to lighten the load. In conjunction with asking experienced nurses to devote even more time and energy to their professions, facilities need to improve the quality of life available to their staff.

Quality of Life Improvements

While many articles remind nurses of how to cope with stress and fatigue using healthy strategies, advice like “get adequate sleep” and “take breaks while at work” can be frustrating if schedules don’t allow for it. Rather than asking nurses to do what feels impossible within their circumstances, employers need to accommodate their nurses’ basic needs and listen to their feedback.

Several programs across the country provide examples of doing just that. Funded by grant money, nursing programs are turning inward to invest in their nurses and find out what needs to happen to reduce turnover and keep a happier staff. In one instance, a program retained 95 percent of the charge nurses who participated in a program to help develop their own resources.

Competitive pay, flexible schedules, and plentiful training resources will aid programs in retaining and developing their nursing staff, as well as drawing new hires. As retention increases, facilities will lose less money through turnover and be able to focus their financial resources in other areas that need improvement.

Immigrant Nurses

As a temporary solution, the United State may look towards hiring nurses from other countries. Currently, foreign nurses make up approximately 15 percent of the workforce. While foreign nurses may dull the growing pains in the short term, it’s only a temporary fix — the United States will still be responsible for systemic overhauls to internally mitigate the situation.

Nurses attempting to work in the US may be frustrated by the visa process, as H1-B visas can be complicated to obtain. Working with the government to ensure the success of their prospective employees can cost facilities time and money. During this time, immigrants may opt to settle in a different country with a simpler process.

Once set to work, American hospitals still have to contend with quality of life and retention issues among their foreign hires. Many nurses are still unhappy with the working conditions in the United States and will make attempts to leave before their contract is up.

Looking Forward

Clearly, neither the blame nor the burden of repair lies in any one place. In order to combat the effects of the United State’s nursing shortage, healthcare facilities will need to work with newcomer and veteran nurses to develop effective training solutions. Combined with supportive government measures and funding, the future of patient care faces a reduced mortality rate and a happier workforce.

The post The Shocking Truth about the Nursing Shortage in the United States appeared first on ReferralMD.

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giantsfootball0 · 7 years ago

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2017 NFL – Biggest injury questions for all 32 teams in Week 3

NFL Nation reporters assess the biggest injuries across the league for Week 3.

AFC EAST

After entering Week 2 healthy, the Bills enter Week 3 with three starters potentially in jeopardy of playing Sunday against Denver: defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (sprained ankle), left tackle Cordy Glenn (foot) and defensive end Shaq Lawson (nerve contusion in leg). Coach Sean McDermott said Wednesday he was concerned about Dareus’ availability for Sunday. Glenn also left last Sunday’s loss to Carolina and did not return. If neither can play, expect the Bills to start rookie Dion Dawkins at left tackle and Adolphus Washington at defensive tackle. — Mike Rodak

Wide receiver Jarvis Landry tweaked his knee in practice late last week but was able to play through it and led the team with 13 receptions. Landry missed Wednesday’s practice and probably will have to manage the injury the next few weeks, but he’s not expected to miss time. — James Walker

Can the Chargers find their first win of 2017 against the Chiefs? Which top fantasy wide receiver should you bench? Which 2-0 team is most at risk of not making the playoffs? Our experts weigh in.

Can you count on Martavis Bryant? Will J.J. Nelson have more big games? NFL Nation reporters assess Week 3 fantasy values for every team.

1 Related

Tight end Rob Gronkowski’s injured groin could limit his availability, or even take him out of the mix entirely for Sunday’s home game against the Texans. Though Gronkowski said it’s “nothing serious,” and he was present at the start of practice Wednesday, the Patriots probably will be cautious this early in the season because they often operate with the big picture in mind. Dwayne Allen and undrafted rookie Jacob Hollister are next on the depth chart. — Mike Reiss

Right guard Brian Winters couldn’t finish last week’s game because of an abdominal strain, and that will be a problem for the Jets if he can’t play Sunday against the Dolphins because defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh usually lines up over the right guard. Winters’ replacement probably would be Dakota Dozier, a third-year player with only two career starts. Winters brings an element of toughness that would be sorely missed if he can’t play. — Rich Cimini

AFC NORTH

Running back Terrance West didn’t practice Wednesday because of a calf injury. He’s in a running back-by committee situation in Baltimore, and the Ravens would continue to split the carries between Buck Allen and Alex Collins if West is sidelined Sunday in London. Collins, in particular, could assume West’s role in the red zone because of his physical running style. — Jamison Hensley

Tight end Tyler Eifert missed practice on Wednesday with a back injury. Eifert is coming off offseason back surgery, and also had some tendonitis in his knee this summer that caused him to miss a preseason game. Whether Eifert will be available will likely depend on the severity of his back problem, but considering his back impacted him for most of last year, this could definitely put his status into question for Sunday. — Katherine Terrell

Defensive end Myles Garrett was out of the walking boot, but did not practice on Wednesday. It’s now two weeks since the first overall pick in the 2017 draft sprained his ankle in practice, and coach Hue Jackson said Garrett has made significant progress. But his availability for Sunday remains seriously in doubt. — Pat McManamon

Outside linebacker T.J. Watt (groin) is determined not to miss time, even if playing through soreness is the reality. But the Steelers will likely need him to undergo a full practice session before clearing him for Sunday’s game in Chicago. The Steelers are relieved Watt — who has two sacks, an interception and a pass deflection — has a minor injury. Defensive end Stephon Tuitt (bicep) and right tackle Marcus Gilbert (hamstring) also are questionable this week. — Jeremy Fowler

AFC SOUTH

Texans wide receiver Will Fuller, who broke his collarbone during training camp, returned to practice on Monday. His original timeline had him out until Week 4 or 5, and although he practiced this week, head coach Bill O’Brien said the young receiver would not be back for Sunday’s game in New England. The Texans don’t have much depth at receiver after cutting Jaelen Strong on Monday, so having the speedy Fuller back on the field will take some attention away from star receiver DeAndre Hopkins when Fuller does return. Deshaun Watson will get some help at tight end, as Ryan Griffin has cleared the concussion protocol and O’Brien is hopeful that Stephen Anderson will as well in time for Sunday’s game. — Sarah Barshop

Cornerback Vontae Davis, who has been out since the third preseason game with a hamstring injury, took part in individual drills and was expected to participate in limited amount of team reps in practice Wednesday. The Colts are going to see how he responds from the workload before determining if their top cornerback will make his season debut against the Browns on Sunday. — Mike Wells

Center Brandon Linder is battling a knee injury and missed practice on Wednesday. This would be a significant loss against Baltimore and massive defensive tackle Brandon Williams. Linder is the Jaguars’ best lineman and they will struggle to run the ball without him. Tyler Shatley would play in place of him. — Mike DiRocco

Receiver Corey Davis is out Sunday against the Seahawks with a hamstring injury. This means an uptick in reps for Eric Decker and speedy rookie wide out Taywan Taylor. Running back DeMarco Murray didn’t practice Wednesday and is considered day-to-day with his own hamstring injury. Titans coach Mike Mularkey said he was “hopeful” to have Murray for Sunday. He noted Murray will have to prove he can be “effective runner” by Friday to play. If Murray is unable to play, Derrick Henry will be the man to carry the full load. David Fluellen would spell him. Even if Murray plays Sunday, there should be a heavier than usual load for Henry. Safety Johnathan Cyprien is also out for the second straight week with a hamstring injury. — Cameron Wolfe

AFC WEST

The question is not whether left tackle Garett Bolles will miss time — he will likely miss several weeks with a bone bruise in his lower left leg he suffered in the win over Dallas last week — it’s what the Broncos will do to replace him. Donald Stephenson finished out the touchdown drive after Bolles suffered the injury in the third quarter, but it was Allen Barbre who finished out the game after that. Stephenson has struggled at times at left tackle and the Broncos traded Ty Sambrailo, the only other player they worked the most at the position in training camp, when it was clear Bolles was going to be the starter. It would seem Barbre would be the pick, but he’s also been in a rotation at left guard. No matter, the Broncos will likely have to consider more two-back and two tight end looks against the Bills’ pass rush. — Jeff Legwold

Zach Fulton will step in for the injured Mitch Morse at center for Sunday’s game against the Chargers. Fulton is a former starter at guard and the Chiefs have also used him at center and right tackle, making him a valuable reserve. Fulton replaced Morse after he left last week’s game with a sprained foot. “We have full trust in him at, really, all the spots,” coach Andy Reid said of Fulton. “He is a good one to have on our team.” — Adam Teicher

For a second straight week the Chargers will likely be without the team’s top cornerback in Jason Verrett. Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn said that an MRI last week revealed no new damage to Verrett’s surgically repaired left knee. However, Verrett remains week-to-week and Lynn does not want the TCU product back on the field until he’s fully healthy. Second-year pro Trevor Williams played solid in place of Verrett against the Miami Dolphins last week, finishing with five tackles and two pass breakups. — Eric D. Williams

Fullback Jamize Olawale pulled up with a tight left quad after a long gain at Dallas in the third preseason game back on Aug. 26 and has not suited up for a game since. But on Wednesday, Olawale — a matchup problem for defenses with his speed and pass-catching ability — appeared on track to make his 2017 season debut at Washington. He is not your prototypical blocking back, but he is more accustomed to the role than, say, backup center Jon Feliciano, who served as the fullback on a goal line situation against the Jets last week, with no success. Also, keep an eye on veteran cornerback Sean Smith, who missed the Jets game with a neck injury. If he is able to play against Washington, that would only solidify the secondary’s depth with rookie Gareon Conley playing well in his debut last week. — Paul Gutierrez

NFC EAST

Starting cornerback Orlando Scandrick will return to action Monday against Arizona after a one-game absence because of a broken left hand. Scandrick did not play against Denver for fear of infection less than a week after having surgery to stabilize a broken third metacarpal. His return will help with Nolan Carroll potentially out of the game with a concussion and Chidobe Awuzie working through a hamstring strain. — Todd Archer

Pro Bowl cornerback Janoris Jenkins is likely to be a game-day decision with an ankle injury. Jenkins didn’t participate Wednesday after missing Monday night’s game against the Lions. The defense held up reasonably well without him against the pass, but they missed his physicality on the edges against the run. Jenkins’ physicality would be useful Sunday as well against Eagles top receiver Alshon Jefferey. — Jordan Raanan

The Eagles’ secondary is ailing heading into the matchup against Odell Beckham, Jr. and the Giants. Already down cornerback Ronald Darby (ankle), fellow corner Jaylen Watkins and safety Rodney McLeod missed practice Wednesday with hamstring injuries. Coach Doug Pederson is describing both players as day-to-day, but their status for Sunday is very much in doubt. — Tim McManus

Tight end Jordan Reed did not practice Wednesday because of a rib and shoulder injury and he remained inside the facility when practice was open to the media. Coach Jay Gruden wasn’t yet sure of his status for Sunday, but Reed is considered day-to-day. Also, running back Rob Kelley (ribs) said he’ll play and wear a protective pad. He called the pain a “10” after he was first hurt, but it’s down to a “five” now. Corner Josh Norman, like Kelley, was limited in practice but said he’ll play despite a sprained shoulder. — John Keim

NFC NORTH

Bears guard Kyle Long (ankle) and wide receiver Markus Wheaton (finger) are both good bets to return Week 3 against the Steelers. “It’s going to be a great opportunity this week to see where I’m at,” Long said in open locker room. As for Wheaton, the veteran receiver told reporters on Wednesday that his surgically repaired finger “feels good enough.” There’s no as much optimism about cornerback Prince Amukamara’s (ankle) chances of playing on Sunday. Also, Guard Josh Sitton missed practice on Wednesday with a rib injury. — Jeff Dickerson

The Lions have two key defensive starters who are going to be worth watching, from an injury perspective, throughout the short week after Monday night’s game. Starting middle linebacker Jarrad Davis is in concussion protocol with an unknown timetable. If he can’t go, it’s likely Tahir Whitehead will take his spot in the middle and either Jalen Reeves-Maybin or Paul Worrilow will be the second linebacker in nickel. Safety Tavon Wilson missed Wednesday’s practice with a shoulder injury. If he can’t play, Miles Killebrew will take his spot in the lineup. Also watch Dwayne Washington’s status throughout the week. If he’s unable to go, figure Zach Zenner or Tion Green will end up playing as the No. 3 running back against Atlanta. Another concern is center Travis Swanson. He suffered an ankle injury last week, didn’t practice Wednesday and would be a big loss if he couldn’t play against Atlanta. — Michael Rothstein

Eight players sat out of practice on Wednesday, but Jordy Nelson wasn’t one of them. That could be huge for the Packers, who lost their No. 1 receiver to a quad injury on the first drive of Sunday’s loss at Atlanta. If Nelson can return, the offense should have some semblance of a deep threat — something they lost when Nelson and Randall Cobb (shoulder) dropped out against the Falcons. Cobb wasn’t able to practice on Wednesday. Neither were other key starters: Left tackle David Bakhtiari (hamstring), defensive tackle Mike Daniels (hamstring) and cornerback Davon House (quad). — Rob Demovsky

Here’s what we know about Sam Bradford’s knee injury: It was not caused by contact, he’s received a clear diagnosis for what it is and the particular issue is one he’s not sure he’s dealt with before, even after the ACL tears he sustained in 2013 and 2014. What’s not clear is when Bradford will know if he’s able to start against the Bucs on Sunday. He practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday and is hoping his knee will improve to where he’s not dealing with the swelling and other symptoms that kept him out in Week 2. Bottom line: A lot is unknown despite Bradford being labeled as “day to day.” Based on how his knee responds in practice, the quarterback might not know until later in the week, or even on Sunday, if he’s able to play. Should Bradford sit out again, Case Keenum will start. — Courtney Cronin

NFC SOUTH

Falcons right tackle Ryan Schraeder is going through the concussion protocol and didn’t practice Wednesday. He suffered the injury blocking during last Sunday’s win over Green Bay. The Falcons are preparing former Bronco Ty Sambrailo to step in for Schraeder, like Sambrailo did for 49 snaps against the Packers. But the Lions’ flurry of pass-rushers, led by Ziggy Ansah, is sure to be quite the challenge for a new starter such as Sambrailo, as well as established left tackle Jake Matthews. — Vaughn McClure

Pro Bowl center Ryan Kalil was a last-second scratch on Sunday with what coach Ron Rivera called a “crick” in his neck. He was available, but the Panthers held him out in favor of Tyler Larsen. Larsen played well, but quarterback Cam Newton says Kalil is a calming influence on him. Kalil’s status is something to keep an eye on. — David Newton

The Saints’ injury report isn’t very long, but it couldn’t be much more frightening. Their top cornerback, rookie Marshon Lattimore, missed Wednesday’s practice with a concussion. And veteran backup cornerback Sterling Moore missed Wednesday’s practice with a chest injury. That’s obviously bad news for the 32nd-ranked passing defense in the NFL (which has already allowed an astounding opponents’ passer rating of 141.4). They’re already playing without veteran starting cornerback Delvin Breaux for the first half of this season because of a broken fibula. If Lattimore and Moore can’t go, the Saints will have to rely on young corners P.J. Williams, De’Vante Harris and Ken Crawley (and hope). — Mike Triplett

Two key members of the Bucs defense didn’t practice Wednesday. Five-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy missed it with an ankle injury and middle linebacker and captain Kwon Alexander has a hamstring injury. Alexander left last Sunday’s game with the injury and was replaced by rookie Kendell Beckwith, who did a pretty admirable job, but is still inexperienced. Replacing McCoy is much, much harder. He’s the motor on defense. Alexander said after the game Sunday that he’d be fine, but given how fickle hamstring injuries can be, that’s no guarantee he’ll play this week. Ankle injuries can also be particularly tough for defensive linemen. If he can’t go, Clinton McDonald could slide over and play three-technique. — Jenna Laine

NFC WEST

It’s still wide receiver John Brown, who’s still out with a quad injury. When will he return? It’s anybody’s guess, but coach Bruce Arians didn’t sound optimistic it would be this week when Arizona faces the Cowboys on Monday night. Arians was asked if he was “more encouraged” about the possibility of Brown playing this week. His response: “No, not really. I have to see him run before I can get encouraged.” An injury report won’t come out until Thursday because of the longer week. — Josh Weinfuss

Cornerback Kayvon Webster (shoulder) and tight end Gerald Everett (thigh) are both questionable for Thursday’s game against the 49ers, which could be big for the Rams. Webster, who also missed last week’s game against the Redskins, starts on the outside, opposite Trumaine Johnson. If he can’t go, the Rams will have to turn to Nickell Robey-Coleman, who defensive coordinator Wade Phillips admitted is “not very big.” Robey-Coleman could have issues lined up on the outside against bigger receivers, especially in a Phillips system that requires so much man coverage. Everett is the No. 2 tight end, behind Tyler Higbee, but has already shown his athleticism with big plays, especially a 69-yard catch and run on Sunday. Everett’s absence could keep Sean McVay from utilizing two-tight-end sets. — Alden Gonzalez

Forget injury concerns about one player, the 49ers have to be worried about an entire position group heading into Thursday night’s game against the Rams. That position is safety where Eric Reid (knee) has already been ruled out, Jaquiski Tartt is dealing with a neck injury that has coach Kyle Shanahan labeling him questionable and Jimmie Ward just returned from a hamstring injury but played more snaps than the Niners wanted him to in his first game back. If Tartt can’t play, the Niners will have to do some mixing and matching at strong safety and hope Ward holds up at free. The only other options are rookies Lorenzo Jerome and Adrian Colbert. — Nick Wagoner

Tight end Jimmy Graham briefly left Seattle’s win over San Francisco after his ankle got caught underneath him. He later returned and finished the game, but coach Pete Carroll said Monday that Graham’s status for this week is uncertain as his ankle remains sore. Graham has only four catches for nine yards (with two drops) so far, so an injury is the last thing he needs to be dealing with as he tries to get things going. Carroll was optimistic that wide receiver Paul Richardson, who caught the winning touchdown against the 49ers, will be able to play this week despite dislocating a finger earlier in the San Francisco game. — Brady Henderson

The post 2017 NFL – Biggest injury questions for all 32 teams in Week 3 appeared first on Daily Star Sports.

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mrdanielblack · 7 years ago

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Tips To Buy A Home In Your 20s, 30s, And 40s

What you need as a 20-something homebuyer doesn't always match up when you're in your 30s or 40s. Find out what you need to know at each stage with this expert guidance.

What you need from your home will change as your life changes. While no one can predict life’s curveballs, you can get great advice from veterans of the real estate industry. To find out how your real estate and mortgage considerations should change in your 20s, 30s, and 40s, we went straight to the source. These expert tips can help you make informed decisions, whether you’re a first-time buyer or ready for something different.

Real estate advice for 20-something

Make a broad plan. “My advice: Pay yourself first, then pay your bills, then you can have what’s left over for fun. If you have nothing left over for fun, then cut your bills or find a way to earn more money,” says Clark Bowman of Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate in Sarasota, FL. “Save at least $5,000 to $10,000, then stop renting and buy your first house. Take out an FHA loan with 3.5% down or a conventional loan with 5% down. Look for a foreclosure or short sale that has some equity built in already. Then find a real estate agent who knows how to get you into the home of your dreams.”

Conquer the mortgage monster early, and choose your weapon wisely. “As a first-time buyer, it’s important to complete a preapproval early to determine what types of loans are available to you,” says Jason Knee, senior loan officer at Citizens Bank in Marlton, NJ. “It often makes sense to evaluate a few loan options, while considering the length of time you are likely to own the home. Fixed rates are the most popular, but if you plan to keep the home for less than 10 years, it may make sense to consider an adjustable-rate mortgage.”

Check your credit report. “One of the most important things you should do months ahead of home-buying season is to check your credit reports at Annualcreditreport.com. There, you can obtain your Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion credit reports for free,” says SaraEllen Hutchison, an attorney in Seattle, WA. Hutchison represents individuals with legal claims under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a consumer protection measure. “It’s awful to find out right when you’re trying to buy your dream home that someone else’s collection accounts and bad debts are littered all over your credit report. This is often the result of a ‘mixed credit file,’ where the credit-reporting agency mixes up your credit file with someone else’s credit file in their big databases. Many younger and first-time homebuyers mistakenly believe that they should go to a credit-repair company and pay hundreds of dollars or more to ‘repair’ their credit in this situation. That’s the last place you should go if you have good credit but someone else is the problem.”

Consider a new-construction home. New homes need much less maintenance and should not need any major improvements for years to come. They also are more energy-efficient and save on your energy costs. Plus, many builders offer help with closing costs and have different financing options with their preferred lenders. But there are other benefits too. Your homeowners insurance could be cheaper as well.

Make sure you have a financial cushion for unexpected costs. In your 20s, saving your down payment can be a strain. But you’ll also have the additional costs of homeownership: furnishing your home, buying lawn equipment, maintenance, and more. It’s important to understand these potential costs and plan for them. One option? Ask the sellers to include a home warranty — even if you’re buying new construction. “For a financially stretched first-time homebuyer, it’s important to know that a home warranty covers what homeowners insurance doesn’t: the repair and replacement of home systems and appliances,” says Dave Quandt, vice president of field operations at American Home Shield, a warranty provider.

Think long term. “Ask yourself: ‘How long do I plan on staying in this home?’” suggests Joan Kagan, sales manager at TripleMint Real Estate in New York, NY. “With closing costs, broker fees, and changing market conditions, you may not make a profit if you sell again after just a few years.” Most experts suggest buyers stay put for at least five years. That lets you build equity and gives your real estate investment time to increase in value.

In your 30s? Consider your lifestyle

Reevaluate your priorities. Upgrading to a larger home is often a priority for 30-something homebuyers. But don’t just think about how much space you’ll need. “Consider school district, quality of life, and access to major routes of transportation and amenities,” says Michael Kelczewski, a real estate agent with Brandywine Fine Properties Sotheby’s International Realty in Wilmington, DE. “Use caution when buying bigger,” agrees Dan Garrison, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker in Charleston, SC. “Just because you may be able to afford more now doesn’t always make it the correct decision for your budget.”

Don’t overimprove your home. “When purchasing a home in need of upgrades, be careful not to overimprove for the neighborhood,” says Emily Restifo, a real estate agent in New Canaan, CT. “While buyers may appreciate the nickel faucets and the high-end finishes, they will not pay for them beyond the value of the area.”

Time your home sale with your next home purchase. “Buying and selling a home at the same time can be a scary task,” says Jason Knee. “Timing is important, and having a seasoned real estate agent will prove to be valuable here. Often, they will negotiate on your behalf to give you time to vacate your home after selling. This certainly makes the moving process a little easier.”

Your 40s: Reassess your needs

Focus on your lifestyle, not your age. “Buyers in their 40s have tough decisions depending on where they are in their stage of life,” says Garrison. “I have worked with 41-year-old buyers who have a 3-year-old at home, and 49-year-old buyers that have a teenager ready to start searching for colleges. Both have drastically different current and future budgets for home buying.” Bottom line? Your real estate decisions in your 40s should reflect your needs right now. But if you have teenagers, suggests Garrison, “Consider a smaller property, as you may be an empty nester sooner than you think.”

Don’t assume it’s too early to downsize. If you have young children, this might not resonate with you, but for many 40-somethings, the empty-nest phase is right around the corner. “A lot of people this age are busy, enjoy traveling, and don’t want to be consumed with a lot of home and yard maintenance,” says Lisa Sinn, a real estate agent with Keller Williams in San Antonio, TX. “Generally, when people downsize, their mortgage payments are lower and so are their monthly expenses. That frees up money for lifestyle upgrades, traveling, saving for retirement, etc.”

Get serious about paying off that mortgage. “Shorter-term loans tend to be more appropriate for those in their 40s and beyond,” says Knee. “If most of the major life expenses are behind you, it may make sense to start paying your home off sooner.” Knee urges not to forget that having a mortgage does provide tax benefits, though. Be sure to speak with a financial adviser to find out the implications of early payoff. “In some cases, paying your loan off too soon might not be the right fit for you,” he says.

Consider investing in real estate. If you can afford to buy a second home in a resort area, renting it out can generate additional income and an opportunity to enjoy the property yourself. With apps, websites, and social media, managing and marketing vacation properties is easier than ever, says Kelczewski. But don’t take on a second property if it means putting less cash toward retirement.

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Related article: Buying your first house? Here is a step-by-step guide to get you on the right track.

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