Throughout my life, i have experienced many changes during numerous global historical events whether it be ffamily academics, athletics, but also sinse from my chilshood to high school experiences from 1996-2012 always evolving as a person.
When i was born in 1996, I came in the world as the second child. I had already had a sister named amaya. It was just us three for about three years. My family has always been clise in my life, as time went by my brothers were bor. They are twins, my family begin to change. I't became bigger and my mom had gotten married. NOw in 2012 We are still together, growing up. My older sister is now moving own to her adult stage in her life as she is about to grafduate from college and most another step in life.
My academics has always been good. I started school when i was four years old. It was pre k, where they teach you basic things before you actually start real school. I had went to school for only a half day. As pre k was up i enetered a higher grade level, where we stayed in school a full day. It became more advance and i became more skillful and had moree knowledge. I reached a point in school where i had to start taking test to move me to the next grade level... As I passed the test i continued to progess in school and get promoted to the next grade level. It started in elementary and moved to middle school and now i am in high school. As I go own with school it is becomming more difficultand i am now focused on one goal, whiches is Trying to graduate to move to the collegent level.
I started playing sports when i was four. My mom and dad put me in soccer. I loved the sport so much i couldnt wait to play. I began to pick up the skills and game real well as i was learning how to play the game of soccer. Once i learned the game i was unstoppable no one could catch me and i was scoring all the goals. I started out playing rec ball. But as I began to grow up it became more of a profession, i began to compete against people that were around my talent level instead of people that were under me. It wasnt really difficult to me because i loved competion. I won lots of chamionships and games. Coimpetition wasnt going to stop me, it just made me try harder. Now that i am in high school, i am no longer playing soccer any more i am playing basketball. I regret quitting soccer because i made a choice and that choice was to quit something i love for something i like. I wish i would have thought things over, but its never too late to go back. I only been out for a year but i need to get my skills back how they were before i quit in order to succeed.
Throughout my life, i have experienced many changes during numerous global historical events whether it be ffamily academics, athletics, but also sinse from my chilshood to high school experiences from 1996-2012 always evolving as a person. As i you grow older you learned and reconize what are changing and what are staying the same through your life spand.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
System; Shooting "Avoidable"
System; Shooting "Avoidable"
UPDATE: The slow trickle of new info on the Trayvon Martin murder case turned into a flood Thursday afternoon when Florida prosecutors turned over a mountain of court documents, videos and photographs to media outlets large and small.
Those are the two early takeaways from hundreds of pages of evidence made public Thursday.
| Posted Thursday, May 17, 2012, at 5:36 PM ETUPDATE: The slow trickle of new info on the Trayvon Martin murder case turned into a flood Thursday afternoon when Florida prosecutors turned over a mountain of court documents, videos and photographs to media outlets large and small.
There are 67 CDs worth of evidence, including photos from the scene, so it will probably take some time for reporters to finish sorting through it all. But in the meantime, here are the early takeaways that will likely have people talking.
1) "Avoidable" - Local police believed that the encounter between George Zimmerman and Martin could have been avoided if the 28-year-old neighborhood watch volunteer would have heeded the 911 dispatcher's advice and stayed put, or simply identified himself to Martin at the outset.
NPR flags the section in question: "The encounter between George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin was ultimately avoidable by Zimmerman, if Zimmerman had remained in his vehicle and awaited the arrival of law enforcement, or conversely if he had identified himself to Martin as a concerned citizen and initiated dialog in an effort to dispel each party's concern," the investigators wrote. Read more over at NPR.
2) Drugs - Medical examiners discovered that Martin had drugs in his system at the time of the shooting. From ABC News: "The autopsy report shows traces of the drug THC, which is found in marijuana, in Martin's blood and urine." Read more over at ABC News, and check out a .pdf of the autopsy report here (via CNN).
3) Crime-scene photo - The trove of evidence includes a photo of Zimmerman with a bloody nose on the night that Martin was shot and killed. A report from emergency personnel also said that the 28-year-old had a 1-inch laceration on his head, along with an abrasion on his forehead. From the Associated Press: "'Bleeding tenderness to his nose, and a small laceration to the back of his head. All injuries have minor bleeding,' paramedic Michael Brandy wrote about Zimmerman’s injuries in the report."
4) What Martin had on him - From the Associated Press: "A police report says Martin had $40.15, Skittles candy, a red lighter, headphones and a photo pin in his pocket. He had been shot once in the chest and was pronounced dead at the scene." Read more over at the AP.
5) What's missing - The Miami Herald: "[I]ncluded are cell phone records for Zimmerman, Trayvon Martin, and the girl Trayvon chatted with in the moments before his death. ... Not included: [Zimmerman's] three statements to police or the video-taped reenactment he did for detectives the day after he killed Trayvon. Under Florida law, confessions are exempt from public records laws." Read more over at the Herald.
The documents were released as part of the discovery process, during which the state is required to turn over their evidence to the defense. They did that earlier in the week (which may account for at least some of the earlier leaks) and then on Thursday gave the media access through a secure online site.
Thursday, May 17: A single gunshot wound to the chest fired at "intermediate range" killed Trayvon Martin, according to an autopsy report submitted to the court.
NBC News reviewed the document on Wednesday. The medical examiner in Volusia County, Fla. also noted one small, fresh cut on Martin's left ring finger below the knuckle.
The report is apparently one of several documents leaking to the media from the pile of evidence related to the second-degree murder charges Zimmerman faces for Martin's shooting death. On Wednesday, a medical report prepared by Zimmerman's family doctor was reviewed by ABC News, indicating that Zimmerman had a broken nose, two black eyes, and cuts on the back of his head the day after he shot and killed Trayvon Martin.
The list of evidence was disclosed to the defense in a summary released Wednesday. According to NBC, the rest of the evidence is expected to go public soon.
Wednesday, May 16: George Zimmerman had a broken nose, two black eyes, and two cuts on the back of his head the day after he shot and killed Trayvon Martin, according to a medical report from his family doctor.
ABC News broke the news of the medical report Tuesday evening, shortly before the court made it public. According to the medical report, the 28-year-old neighborhood-watch volunteer also suffered bruising along his upper lip and cheek and reported lower back pain. One of the two cuts to the back of his head was nearly an inch long, while the other was about a quarter inch. In addition to the physical injuries, Zimmerman also complained of stress and "occasional nausea when thinking about violence."
The medical report also shows, however, that Zimmerman declined hospitalization the night of the shooting, which he maintains was in self-defense, and also did not follow a recommendation to make a follow-up appointment with an ear, nose, and throat doctor.
Zimmerman's doctor wrote that it was "imperative" that the 28-year-old see his psychologist following the incident. Prior to the Feb. 26 shooting, Zimmerman had been prescribed Adderall and Temazepam. As ABC news notes, those drugs can occasionally produce side effects that include agitation and mood swings (but only in fewer than 10 percent of patients).
The report boosts Zimmerman's claim that he was injured in an altercation with Martin, leading to the teenager's shooting death. But it does little to directly contradict the prosecution's assertion that Zimmerman initiated the confrontation after profiling the 17-year-old African-American.
Prosecutors released a summary of evidence on Tuesday, as CNN reports. The medical report is included in the documents eligible for the defense's use.
NAACP Board Votes in Support of Same-Sex Marriage
By MARISA TAYLOR
May 20, 2012
"The mission of the NAACP has always been to ensure the political, social and economic equality of all people," said Roslyn M. Brock, chairman of the NAACP's board of directors, in a statement. "We have and will oppose efforts to codify discrimination into law."
"The NAACP's support for marriage equality is deeply rooted in the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution and equal protection of all people," said Benjamin Todd Jealous, president and CEO of the NAACP, in a statement.
The announcement from the civil rights organization arrived on the heels of President Barack Obama's own recent statement in support of same-sex marriage in the United States.
The African-American community has been slow to warm to the idea of same-sex marriage, but the NAACP's statement on Saturday, when paired with recent endorsements by President Obama and rapper Jay-Z, could indicate that the tide in the black community is flowing in the direction of marriage equality.
David Guralnick, Detroit News/AP Photo
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder speaks at... View Full Size
In an ABC News/Washington Post poll following President Obama's announcement of his support for same-sex marriage, 54 percent of African-Americans agreed with him. But in similar polls in mid-2011 and early 2012, just 41 percent of African-Americans took the same stance.
NAACP made its proclamation from a Miami, Fla.-based gathering of its board of directors, where only two board members expressed opposition to same-sex marriage, according to a tweet from NAACP senior vice president for development Maxim Thorne.
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation issued a glowing statement following NAACP's announcement, saying, "We applaud President Ben Jealous and the NAACP Board of Directors for their leadership on this issue."
GLAAD President Herndon Graddick said in a statement: "Across races, faith traditions, and political persuasions, a majority of our culture recognizes that denying gay couples the chance at happiness that comes with being married is unfair and un-American."
Newark, N.J. Mayor Cory Booker also tweeted his support of the NAACP's position, writing, "'Arc of the universe is long but it bends toward justice' RT @dawnnozziwitter: It's on NAACP website under press release WOOHOO! About time!"
Quake in Italy Kills 4
May 20, 2012
A 6.0-magnitude earthquake has rattled northern Italy, killing at least four people, injuring dozens and damaging buildings.
The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake was centered about 35 kilometers north-northwest of the city of Bologna at a depth of 5 kilometers.
It struck about 4 a.m. local time Sunday, sending panic-stricken residents running into the streets.
Three people died when a ceramics factory collapsed in the town of Sant'Agostino. Another person died in Ponte Rodoni do Bondeno, just northwest of Ferrara.
The quake was followed by a series of aftershocks. The largest was a 5.1-magnitude aftershock about an hour later.
Streets were filled with debris and people in the early hours Sunday, as locals assessed the damage of their homes and businesses. Some old church steeples and towers had also collapsed
The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake was centered about 35 kilometers north-northwest of the city of Bologna at a depth of 5 kilometers.
It struck about 4 a.m. local time Sunday, sending panic-stricken residents running into the streets.
Three people died when a ceramics factory collapsed in the town of Sant'Agostino. Another person died in Ponte Rodoni do Bondeno, just northwest of Ferrara.
The quake was followed by a series of aftershocks. The largest was a 5.1-magnitude aftershock about an hour later.
Streets were filled with debris and people in the early hours Sunday, as locals assessed the damage of their homes and businesses. Some old church steeples and towers had also collapsed
Kobe Bryant Again Calls Out Pau Gasol Following Loss to Thunder
Kobe Bryant Again Calls Out Pau Gasol Following Loss to Thunder
Bryant has targeted Gasol with public criticism from time to time since the big man joined Los Angeles in 2008, so perhaps we shouldn't be too surprised to see it happen again following the Lakers' Game 4 loss to the Thunder on Saturday.
Gasol's turnover late in the fourth quarter resulted in Kevin Durant knocking down a game-winning 3-pointer with 13.7 seconds left to give the Thunder a 3-1 series edge. After the defeat, Bryant threw some blame in Gasol's direction.
"Pau's got to be more assertive," Bryant said. "He's the guy they're leaving [open]. When he's catching the ball, he's looking to pass. He's got to be aggressive. He's got to shoot the ball or drive the ball to the basket. He will be next game."
Bryant, who noted the turnover was a bad play on Gasol's part, also thought Gasol didn't attack the basket enough when Oklahoma City's Serge Ibaka wandered off him to help out against Andrew Bynum.
"He's looking to swing the ball too much," Bryant said. "He's got to take his shot."
Gasol has been inconsistent, but he's not ready to shoulder all of the blame, which was evident by his postgame comments.
"It's one play, one mistake," Gasol said of his turnover at the end of Game 4. "There were a lot of mistakes in that fourth quarter, a lot of mistakes throughout the game. So, obviously, if I could have gone back, maybe I could have shot it and I would have. It's one play, obviously, at a critical time, but I don't feel like we lost the game because of one turnover."
The Lakers are now one loss away from calling it a season. The Thunder will look to close them out in Oklahoma City on Monday.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Maufacturing, Transportation, communication
The impact of Technology changed numerous industries, while they continued to flourish in North America including manufacturing, communication, and transprtation from 1750-2000 improving the way of life.
Idustry the manufacturing industry the pre civil war ocurred and the slaves that were living in North America was a cheap labor source. The cotton gin The end of slavery brought about the need for the cotton gin and other machinery, but you cant compete with free labor. The cotton gin developed in 1793 marked a major turning point in the economic history of the Southern United States. Prior to this time, the major commodities produced and exported by the South were tobacco and rice. Only with the ability to quickly separate short-staple cotton fiber from its seed was the future of the Southern economy, and its use of slave labor, tied to cotton production. It made the poulation grow. The poulation is still growing from todays society and our income and finance and cost of living has gone up
Road transport was not suitable for heavy, bulky or fragile goods. A horse and cart could only transport around 1tonne along most of the roads and the ride was sometimes very difficult. In contrast, a horse could move 40tonnes of goods on a barge and the weight didn't really matter because of buoyancy. Around 1750, most businesses such as mines and potteries were considering building canals to carry their goods as it would be cheaper, not having to pay turnpike tolls. It started though with horse and buggies but the the time and distance depended on how slow it was. The indusrial revelution and imperialism made transportation more efficient. Labor and wages decressed though.
Technology is constantly altering the way we live our lives. From how we eat to how we travel and work to how we entertain ourselves, technology has become an integral part of our day. However, the aspect of our lives that has been most impacted is likely the way we communicate with one another. These changes have been for both better and worse, but have unequivocally impacted the way we interact with the people in our lives.Technology has changed how when contact each other, when, and where. With cell phone service being much more consistent than it was in the 1990s, and a growing market of smartphones with mobile internet and email access, messages can literally be transmitted anywhere at any time. It started with the telegraph and had a growth on the nation. Then the expaned their knowledge and made the telephone. You can also communicate through internet or web cams.
The impact of Technology changed numerous industries, while they continued to flourish in North America including manufacturing, communication, and transprtation from 1750-2000 improving the way of life.
Idustry the manufacturing industry the pre civil war ocurred and the slaves that were living in North America was a cheap labor source. The cotton gin The end of slavery brought about the need for the cotton gin and other machinery, but you cant compete with free labor. The cotton gin developed in 1793 marked a major turning point in the economic history of the Southern United States. Prior to this time, the major commodities produced and exported by the South were tobacco and rice. Only with the ability to quickly separate short-staple cotton fiber from its seed was the future of the Southern economy, and its use of slave labor, tied to cotton production. It made the poulation grow. The poulation is still growing from todays society and our income and finance and cost of living has gone up
Road transport was not suitable for heavy, bulky or fragile goods. A horse and cart could only transport around 1tonne along most of the roads and the ride was sometimes very difficult. In contrast, a horse could move 40tonnes of goods on a barge and the weight didn't really matter because of buoyancy. Around 1750, most businesses such as mines and potteries were considering building canals to carry their goods as it would be cheaper, not having to pay turnpike tolls. It started though with horse and buggies but the the time and distance depended on how slow it was. The indusrial revelution and imperialism made transportation more efficient. Labor and wages decressed though.
Technology is constantly altering the way we live our lives. From how we eat to how we travel and work to how we entertain ourselves, technology has become an integral part of our day. However, the aspect of our lives that has been most impacted is likely the way we communicate with one another. These changes have been for both better and worse, but have unequivocally impacted the way we interact with the people in our lives.Technology has changed how when contact each other, when, and where. With cell phone service being much more consistent than it was in the 1990s, and a growing market of smartphones with mobile internet and email access, messages can literally be transmitted anywhere at any time. It started with the telegraph and had a growth on the nation. Then the expaned their knowledge and made the telephone. You can also communicate through internet or web cams.
The impact of Technology changed numerous industries, while they continued to flourish in North America including manufacturing, communication, and transprtation from 1750-2000 improving the way of life.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Intruder lives like a rap star in Diddy's mansion
4/14/2012
Quamine Taylor, 30, was arrested for trespassing at the home of Sean “Diddy” Combs, where the intruder lived it up like a rap star, eating fancy food, raiding the bar, and even wearing Diddy’s clothes.
According to police, Taylor found an unlocked basement door and made himself at home for almost 24 hours in the hip-hop magnate’s East Hampton home while he was away.
But, surprisingly enough, this is not the first time that Taylor has committed this crime. “I’ve actually been going to the house from time to time since 2001,” Taylor told The New York Post at the Suffolk County Jail. After his first break-in, he was discovered intoxicated by Combs’ pool.
For this recent “vacation”, Taylor smooth talked the alarm company into believing he was part of Diddy’s entourage, managing to evade detection when he triggered the alarm on his March 31st visit to the Bad Boy Entertainment CEO’s mansion.
Taylor enjoyed a restful stay until 4 p.m. April 1st when a caretaker discovered him and called the cops.
“I really didn’t go to Diddy’s house because I’m a big fan of his. I just wanted to get out of the city for a while,” Taylor explained.
But, just like Kenny Chesney’s deranged intruder who suffered from severe alcoholism, there is a sad side to this entertaining tale.
“He grew up listening to [Diddy’s] music,” said Taylor’s concerned mother. “He has a long history of mental illness, and he has been off his meds for a while. We have been trying to get him some help.”
According to police, Taylor found an unlocked basement door and made himself at home for almost 24 hours in the hip-hop magnate’s East Hampton home while he was away.
But, surprisingly enough, this is not the first time that Taylor has committed this crime. “I’ve actually been going to the house from time to time since 2001,” Taylor told The New York Post at the Suffolk County Jail. After his first break-in, he was discovered intoxicated by Combs’ pool.
For this recent “vacation”, Taylor smooth talked the alarm company into believing he was part of Diddy’s entourage, managing to evade detection when he triggered the alarm on his March 31st visit to the Bad Boy Entertainment CEO’s mansion.
Taylor enjoyed a restful stay until 4 p.m. April 1st when a caretaker discovered him and called the cops.
“I really didn’t go to Diddy’s house because I’m a big fan of his. I just wanted to get out of the city for a while,” Taylor explained.
But, just like Kenny Chesney’s deranged intruder who suffered from severe alcoholism, there is a sad side to this entertaining tale.
“He grew up listening to [Diddy’s] music,” said Taylor’s concerned mother. “He has a long history of mental illness, and he has been off his meds for a while. We have been trying to get him some help.”
In North Korea, third Kim's bloodline all that matters
SEOUL |
(Reuters) - Smarting from a failed rocket launch, North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un has little choice but to stick to his father's playbook of milking an impoverished country to develop weapons and blackmail the international community for aid and recognition.
Far from fearing a coup or instability after Friday's public fiasco, the third of his line to rule North Korea will lead celebrations on Sunday to mark the centenary of the birth of his grandfather, the founder of the world's only Stalinist monarchy, "Eternal President" Kim Il-sung.
The state that Kim inherited in December after the death of his father Kim Jong-il boasts a 1.2 million-strong military, wants to possess a nuclear weapon and to develop the ability to hit the United States with it - the aim, critics say, of the failed rocket launch.
Behind those ambitions are 23 million people, many malnourished, in an economy whose output is worth just $40 billion annually in purchasing power parity terms, according to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, compared with South Korea's $1.5 trillion economy.
The puny size of the economy means development is not the answer, tying Kim into the "military first" policies of his late father Kim Jong-il who oversaw the development of the state's nuclear and missile ambitions.
"For Kim Jong-un, opening North Korea means the end of a system that his grandfather and father fostered," said Virginie Grzelczyk, a North Korea expert at Nottingham Trent University in Britain.
"Kim Jong-un is unlikely to be losing power over the launch, as the elite and the military need his legitimizing and mythical presence in order to pacify the North Korean population."
The small scale of the economy is matched by North Korea's limited diplomatic clout. It has few friends other than China, whose strategic interest is in keeping a buffer between it and South Korea which has U.S. military bases.
Even China sounded increasingly exasperated in the run-up to Friday's rocket launch as Pyongyang ignored its pleas for restraint, despite aid pumped in by Beijing, and its diplomatic protection at bodies like the United Nations.
Without real weight in the international arena, Pyongyang is forced to rely on periodic rocket launches, nuclear tests and attacks on South Korea, such as the one in 2010 when it shelled an island, to remind the world of its existence, analysts say.
That is likely to mean sticking to the same script as in 2009, when North Korea followed a failed attempt to put a satellite into orbit with a nuclear test.
Intelligence satellite images showing a tunnel being dug at the site of two previous tests imply that it either wishes to remind the world of the possibility, so as to prompt a return to aid for disarmament talks, or is actually preparing for one.
"Internationally, now they have to do a nuclear test, preferably using uranium, just in order to show that they should be taken seriously," said Andre Lankov, a North Korea expert at South Korea's Kookmin University.
SOME LIES ARE TOO BIG EVEN FOR PYONGYANG
Pyongyang did depart from its previous practise when it publicly admitted on state television that the Unha-3 rocket had failed to deliver its weather satellite into orbit in time for Kim Il-sung's birthday.
A 2009 launch that the international community said had failed was hailed as a success by North Korea, where the only news available to its people is from the state.
But to read into the announcement signs of new openness is to overstate the issue, most commentators on North Korea say. The presence of so many foreign journalists and the spread of cellphones, of which there are now more than a million, made it too risky.
"For all its habitual lying, the propaganda apparatus shies away from lies it can too easily be caught out on," said Brian Myers, a North Korea expert at Dongseo University in South Korea.
In parallel with the short announcement on the rocket's failure, North Korea continued to churn out reams of propaganda aimed at bolstering the legitimacy of Kim Jong-un and his claim to power based on his bloodline.
"The idea and feats Kim Il-sung performed in the 20th century have been fully carried forward and his glorious history continues uninterruptedly along with prospering Songun (military-first) Korea," state news agency KCNA reported on Friday.
The anniversary of Kim Il-sung's birth was supposed to usher in a "strong and prosperous" nation.
North Korea claimed that industrial output grew 2 percent last year, but according to United Nations data its economy is in fact the same size as it was 20 years ago after being devastated by a famine in the 1990s.
It appears to fund itself through exports of its mineral wealth to China, sales of weapons technology to states such as Syria and Iran as well as a variety of criminal enterprises such as narcotics and faking $100 bills.
Last June it was caught smuggling weapons to Myanmar, an income stream that has been cut off with that country's opening.
Periodically, it confiscates the wealth of its own citizens as it did in a 2009 revaluation of its currency and a crackdown on hoarding of foreign currency, something it may need to do more of as financial sanctions bite and old allies, like Myanmar, halt their purchases.
A defector, surnamed Ryu, who entered South Korea in 2011 and is now living in Seoul, said there was simply no choice but to comply with the forced confiscation.
"There were so many who were beaten," said Ryu, aged in his mid-40s, who declined to give his full name for fear of reprisals.
"People were at each other's throats; there was no telling who would rat on you for having a secret stash of foreign cash."
Chon Hyun-joon, an expert on North Korea at the state-run Korea Institute for National Unification in South Korea, estimates that as much as $2 billion to $3 billion could have been raised, although other experts say the figure was lower.
Whatever the state of the economy, missile and nuclear weapons development will take priority for North Korea, experts say. Figures published in South Korean media suggest that $3 billion has been spent on the nuclear and missile programme over the years.
"Even Kim Jong-il admitted that the first rocket launch required millions of dollars," said Kim Yeon-su, a professor at the National Defense University in Seoul.
"He said at the time the cost would be paid even at the expense of the North Korean people."
(Additional reporting by Ju-min Park and Jeremy Laurence; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Daniel Magnowski)
San Antonio winning with offense
Spurs could struggle in playoffs without trademark stifling D
By Neil Paine | Basketball Reference
With the San Antonio Spurs vaulting up the Western Conference standings over the past few months, you might be tempted to take a stroll down memory lane, reminiscing about those great championship Spurs teams of old. You know, the ones featuring the likes of David Robinson, Bruce Bowen and Robert Horry, with a suffocating defense led by Tim Duncan, owner of the sixth-most defensive win shares in NBA history.
It's true, the Spurs' title years are only matched by the 1950s/60s Celtics in the pantheon of all-time great defensive dynasties. In fact, they're the only two teams in the history of the NBA to sustain a defensive efficiency five points better than the league average over a 14-season span. For this reason alone, Duncan deserves to be mentioned in the same sentence as Bill Russell when it comes to anchoring the greatest multi-year defenses ever built.
From 1998-2008, the Spurs never finished outside the league's top three in defensive efficiency. On offense, San Antonio was regularly above-average, and only finished worse than 12th in offensive efficiency once between 1999 and 2007. But just the same, they were never an elite offensive team; 2007 was the only season during San Antonio's dynasty years that they ranked among the league's top five teams in points per possession. It's hard to find fault with this game plan of serviceable offense and elite defense -- after all, it resulted in four titles over a nine-season span.
However, the red-hot Spurs of 2012 bear little resemblance to those dynasty-era San Antonio teams. As Duncan has gotten longer in the tooth and defense-first role players like Bowen and Horry have retired, the Spurs have gradually shifted their focus away from a dominating D. This season, San Antonio ranks just 13th in defensive efficiency, their worst showing since 1997 (the year before Duncan's rookie campaign).
Instead, these Spurs are winning with offense -- which could lead to postseason disappointment in San Antonio for the second season in a row.
By Neil Paine | Basketball Reference
With the San Antonio Spurs vaulting up the Western Conference standings over the past few months, you might be tempted to take a stroll down memory lane, reminiscing about those great championship Spurs teams of old. You know, the ones featuring the likes of David Robinson, Bruce Bowen and Robert Horry, with a suffocating defense led by Tim Duncan, owner of the sixth-most defensive win shares in NBA history.
It's true, the Spurs' title years are only matched by the 1950s/60s Celtics in the pantheon of all-time great defensive dynasties. In fact, they're the only two teams in the history of the NBA to sustain a defensive efficiency five points better than the league average over a 14-season span. For this reason alone, Duncan deserves to be mentioned in the same sentence as Bill Russell when it comes to anchoring the greatest multi-year defenses ever built.
From 1998-2008, the Spurs never finished outside the league's top three in defensive efficiency. On offense, San Antonio was regularly above-average, and only finished worse than 12th in offensive efficiency once between 1999 and 2007. But just the same, they were never an elite offensive team; 2007 was the only season during San Antonio's dynasty years that they ranked among the league's top five teams in points per possession. It's hard to find fault with this game plan of serviceable offense and elite defense -- after all, it resulted in four titles over a nine-season span.
However, the red-hot Spurs of 2012 bear little resemblance to those dynasty-era San Antonio teams. As Duncan has gotten longer in the tooth and defense-first role players like Bowen and Horry have retired, the Spurs have gradually shifted their focus away from a dominating D. This season, San Antonio ranks just 13th in defensive efficiency, their worst showing since 1997 (the year before Duncan's rookie campaign).
Instead, these Spurs are winning with offense -- which could lead to postseason disappointment in San Antonio for the second season in a row.
Prosecutor's quandary: Zimmerman may be indicted, then acquitted
April 10, 2012|By Alan M. Dershowitz , Special to CNN
On the basis of the evidence currently in the public record, one likely outcome of the case against George Zimmerman is a mixed one: There may be sufficient evidence for a reasonable prosecutor to indict him for manslaughter, but there may also be doubt sufficient for a reasonable jury to acquit him.
Any such predictions should be accepted with an abundance of caution, however, because the evidence known to the special prosecutor, but not to the public, may paint a different picture. It may be stronger or weaker
On the basis of the evidence currently in the public record, one likely outcome of the case against George Zimmerman is a mixed one: There may be sufficient evidence for a reasonable prosecutor to indict him for manslaughter, but there may also be doubt sufficient for a reasonable jury to acquit him.
family history
My sister Ashley graduated fro Lincoln High school in Dallas, Tx. She graduated at the top of her class and moved to Univerisity of Texas at Austin. My sister is a great writer. She has written in the Dallas Morning news sports section for DISD and traveled to Spain with one of her school clubs. My sister is a loving, caring role model for me, and is good at math, and she teaches me the right way to do things and not the wrong way. My mama is a big part of my life she attended a private school called saint phillips catholic school for five years, and also s.s corner elementary. Then she moved on to W.H Gaston Middle School and she moved to Skyline High school for 4 years. After she graduated from high school, and moved on to college at East Field college and Texas Southern University in Houston, tx. And now, she is pursuing a nursing degree at remington College, she is a medical assistant and tech.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Compare and contrast two civilization
The treatment oftaken and held as or as if a prisoner of war ; the carelessness human life for monetary profits, and failure government with regards to the significant practice of slavery on society sociality, economically, and politically has globally impacted humanity for centuries.
The American Slavery was very cruel in the social society. People were racial and prejudices about color people. The slaves had to go to work with harsh labor. So that the slaves would run off and escape; their owners used their cruelty as concentration of their 1/2 slave foot. The muslim slavery was abit different in the social society. The slaves are honored second only to their owners; Muslims
not to be slaves. All the Muslims had traces of slaves blood but also all inhumane behavior is cotagorically forbidden. The American and Muslims were very much similar because they were based on on an attitude of either skin color or religion.
In the economic society American slavery had little value for human for profit, they also made their money off of cash crops, sugar, coffee, and tobacco. In the Muslim slavery the economic society had banned all slave trade toonly increase the value of the slave. The differences was slave trader must treat them with fatherly care and provide edequate supplies for journey.
In the political society the American slaves had an emancipation as early as 1794. Following after that in 1865 the USA post civil war begun. they also had cruel oppression. Muslims slavery was that Holy laws permitted slavery. The differences was that the emancipation of slaves in muslims regions in up into the 20th century.
The American Slavery was very cruel in the social society. People were racial and prejudices about color people. The slaves had to go to work with harsh labor. So that the slaves would run off and escape; their owners used their cruelty as concentration of their 1/2 slave foot. The muslim slavery was abit different in the social society. The slaves are honored second only to their owners; Muslims
not to be slaves. All the Muslims had traces of slaves blood but also all inhumane behavior is cotagorically forbidden. The American and Muslims were very much similar because they were based on on an attitude of either skin color or religion.
In the economic society American slavery had little value for human for profit, they also made their money off of cash crops, sugar, coffee, and tobacco. In the Muslim slavery the economic society had banned all slave trade toonly increase the value of the slave. The differences was slave trader must treat them with fatherly care and provide edequate supplies for journey.
In the political society the American slaves had an emancipation as early as 1794. Following after that in 1865 the USA post civil war begun. they also had cruel oppression. Muslims slavery was that Holy laws permitted slavery. The differences was that the emancipation of slaves in muslims regions in up into the 20th century.
Pres. Obama unleashes on Republican energy policy
Pres. Obama unleashes on Republican energy policy
By Mark Knoller Topics White House , Domestic
CORAL GABLES, Florida - With rising gasoline prices posing a threat to his bid for re-election, President Obama wants Americans to understand "there is no silver bullet" to quickly produce more gasoline and make it less costly at the pump - no matter what Republicans say.
"It's the easiest thing in the world make phony election-year promises about lower gas prices," said the president in a swipe at Republicans, including those seeking to unseat him in November.
Addressing a predominantly student audience at the University of Miami campus here, Mr. Obama cited a recent news report from Politico that portrayed Republicans as gleeful that gasoline prices are soaring 8 months before the presidential election.
"Gasoline prices are on the rise and Republicans are licking their chops. That's a quote," he said, quoting from the Politico story.
Clearly finding it easy to believe the report, President Obama said, "Only in politics do people root for bad news, do they greet bad news so enthusiastically."
He's said he's sure Republicans are "dusting off their 3-point plan for $2 gas."
Step one is to drill and step two is to drill," said the president, seeking to ridicule the GOP energy strategy. "And then step three is to keep drilling."
"Well, the American people aren't stupid," said Mr. Obama. "They know that's not a plan, especially since we're already drilling."
He called the drill, drill, drill approach nothing more than "a bumper sticker" and "not a strategy to solve our energy challenge."
He portrayed Republicans as adopting "a strategy to get politicians through an election."
"There are no quick fixes to this problem," the president said. "We can't just drill our way to lower gas prices."
Pres. Obama used his speech to reaffirm his commitment to what he calls his "all-of-the-above strategy" to develop every available source of American energy.
More production of oil and gas are part of his energy strategy, "but also wind and solar and nuclear and biofuels, and more," he said to an outburst of applause.
"We need to keep developing the technology that allows us to use less oil in our cars and trucks; in our buildings and plants. That's the strategy we're pursuing, and that's the only real solution to this challenge. "
The president is also demanding an end to the $4-billion a year government tax subsidies to the big oil companies.
"It's outrageous. It's inexcusable," he said. "And every politician who's been fighting to keep these subsidies in place should explain to the American people why the oil industry needs more of their money. Especially at a time like this. "
Finding it a worthwhile target, Mr. Obama said "it's time to end taxpayer giveaways to an industry that's never been more profitable, and double-down on a clean energy industry that's never been more promising. "
He again called on Congress to renew the clean energy tax credits that "will lead to more jobs and less dependence on foreign oil. "
But Republicans were quick to pounce back citing the doubling of gasoline prices over the past 3 years.
"From his drilling moratorium to his denial of the Keystone pipeline," said press secretary to Speaker John Boehner, Brandon Buck. "The President has time and again sided with his liberal base over American families."
President Obama didn't watch last night's GOP presidential candidates debate, though he sounded as though he wanted to have the last word today on energy policy.
By Mark Knoller Topics White House , Domestic
CORAL GABLES, Florida - With rising gasoline prices posing a threat to his bid for re-election, President Obama wants Americans to understand "there is no silver bullet" to quickly produce more gasoline and make it less costly at the pump - no matter what Republicans say.
"It's the easiest thing in the world make phony election-year promises about lower gas prices," said the president in a swipe at Republicans, including those seeking to unseat him in November.
Addressing a predominantly student audience at the University of Miami campus here, Mr. Obama cited a recent news report from Politico that portrayed Republicans as gleeful that gasoline prices are soaring 8 months before the presidential election.
"Gasoline prices are on the rise and Republicans are licking their chops. That's a quote," he said, quoting from the Politico story.
Clearly finding it easy to believe the report, President Obama said, "Only in politics do people root for bad news, do they greet bad news so enthusiastically."
He's said he's sure Republicans are "dusting off their 3-point plan for $2 gas."
Step one is to drill and step two is to drill," said the president, seeking to ridicule the GOP energy strategy. "And then step three is to keep drilling."
"Well, the American people aren't stupid," said Mr. Obama. "They know that's not a plan, especially since we're already drilling."
He called the drill, drill, drill approach nothing more than "a bumper sticker" and "not a strategy to solve our energy challenge."
He portrayed Republicans as adopting "a strategy to get politicians through an election."
"There are no quick fixes to this problem," the president said. "We can't just drill our way to lower gas prices."
Pres. Obama used his speech to reaffirm his commitment to what he calls his "all-of-the-above strategy" to develop every available source of American energy.
More production of oil and gas are part of his energy strategy, "but also wind and solar and nuclear and biofuels, and more," he said to an outburst of applause.
"We need to keep developing the technology that allows us to use less oil in our cars and trucks; in our buildings and plants. That's the strategy we're pursuing, and that's the only real solution to this challenge. "
The president is also demanding an end to the $4-billion a year government tax subsidies to the big oil companies.
"It's outrageous. It's inexcusable," he said. "And every politician who's been fighting to keep these subsidies in place should explain to the American people why the oil industry needs more of their money. Especially at a time like this. "
Finding it a worthwhile target, Mr. Obama said "it's time to end taxpayer giveaways to an industry that's never been more profitable, and double-down on a clean energy industry that's never been more promising. "
He again called on Congress to renew the clean energy tax credits that "will lead to more jobs and less dependence on foreign oil. "
But Republicans were quick to pounce back citing the doubling of gasoline prices over the past 3 years.
"From his drilling moratorium to his denial of the Keystone pipeline," said press secretary to Speaker John Boehner, Brandon Buck. "The President has time and again sided with his liberal base over American families."
President Obama didn't watch last night's GOP presidential candidates debate, though he sounded as though he wanted to have the last word today on energy policy.
Knicks-Heat Preview
The NBA's All-Star game may be looming, but the New York Knicks and Miami Heat may be delivering the marquee matchup of the season thus far.
In the toughest test yet for the phenomenon that is Jeremy Lin and the rest of the Knicks, they'll try to prove worthy of the astounding hype as they face LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and the Eastern Conference-leading Heat on Thursday night.
New York (17-17) has seen its season revived behind a complete unknown. Lin is averaging 23.9 points and 9.2 assists in helping the Knicks win nine of 11 while gaining global notoriety that's been dubbed "Linsanity."
"It's a great rags-to-riches story," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "That's the bigger story. And hopefully years from now it'll be about that, not about the ethnicity."
The hype has garnered some criticism, however, since Lin and the Knicks have played eight of those games against teams with current records at or below .500. However, they're 3-0 against teams with winning records following Wednesday's 99-82 victory over Atlanta, during which they led by as many 30 points.
Now, the stiffest challenge awaits New York before the All-Star break as it visits Miami (26-7), which enters as the NBA's hottest team with a seven-game win streak.
"It's going to be a high-energy game," Wade said. "The crowd is going to be into it. Fans around the world are going to watch the game, obviously, for many different reasons, so it'll be great."
The hype, as well as the Knicks' resurgence, has provided motivation for the Heat -- atop the East by percentage points over Chicago -- to prove Lin and the Knicks are just upstarts.
"It's the game right before All-Star," James said. "But it won't be like 'that' game before All-Star, like people are accustomed to. Everybody always says, you know, the game before All-Star, people are ready to get to All-Star weekend. I don't think so. Just knowing the rivalry, knowing the history between the Heat and Knicks. It could be one of the most watched games we've had in a long time, especially with what Jeremy Lin is doing."
While Lin's emergence has captivated the league, James and Wade are averaging 27.6 and 22.4 points, respectively.
The duo combined for a 59 points in a 99-89 win over the Knicks in Miami on Jan. 27, while Lin didn't get off the bench.
Wade is averaging 24.1 points while the Heat have gone 13-2 since, including 30 points and 10 assists in a 120-108 romp of Sacramento on Tuesday. James finished with 18 points and eight assists, as Miami's home winning streak reached eight games with a 14-2 record on the season.
The Heat aren't the only team swept up in the anticipation of this matchup.
"We're playing a great team, and it's going to be a good evaluation of where we're at," said Lin, who had 17 points and nine assists Wednesday. "So from that end obviously we're excited and ready for the challenge. But besides that, we're just going try to stay consistent."
Carmelo Anthony could help in that regard. The All-Star forward has totaled 26 points while making 11 of 27 shots from the floor over the last two games after sitting out seven with a groin injury.
He missed last month's meeting with the Heat due to wrist and ankle ailments, but he's averaged 26.0 points in 15 career games against them.
"It's going to be a lot of, a lot of anticipation about this game," Anthony said. "We're going down there to win. Miami is playing great basketball right now. One of the hottest teams, if not the hottest team in the NBA."
In the toughest test yet for the phenomenon that is Jeremy Lin and the rest of the Knicks, they'll try to prove worthy of the astounding hype as they face LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and the Eastern Conference-leading Heat on Thursday night.
New York (17-17) has seen its season revived behind a complete unknown. Lin is averaging 23.9 points and 9.2 assists in helping the Knicks win nine of 11 while gaining global notoriety that's been dubbed "Linsanity."
"It's a great rags-to-riches story," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "That's the bigger story. And hopefully years from now it'll be about that, not about the ethnicity."
The hype has garnered some criticism, however, since Lin and the Knicks have played eight of those games against teams with current records at or below .500. However, they're 3-0 against teams with winning records following Wednesday's 99-82 victory over Atlanta, during which they led by as many 30 points.
Now, the stiffest challenge awaits New York before the All-Star break as it visits Miami (26-7), which enters as the NBA's hottest team with a seven-game win streak.
"It's going to be a high-energy game," Wade said. "The crowd is going to be into it. Fans around the world are going to watch the game, obviously, for many different reasons, so it'll be great."
The hype, as well as the Knicks' resurgence, has provided motivation for the Heat -- atop the East by percentage points over Chicago -- to prove Lin and the Knicks are just upstarts.
"It's the game right before All-Star," James said. "But it won't be like 'that' game before All-Star, like people are accustomed to. Everybody always says, you know, the game before All-Star, people are ready to get to All-Star weekend. I don't think so. Just knowing the rivalry, knowing the history between the Heat and Knicks. It could be one of the most watched games we've had in a long time, especially with what Jeremy Lin is doing."
While Lin's emergence has captivated the league, James and Wade are averaging 27.6 and 22.4 points, respectively.
The duo combined for a 59 points in a 99-89 win over the Knicks in Miami on Jan. 27, while Lin didn't get off the bench.
Wade is averaging 24.1 points while the Heat have gone 13-2 since, including 30 points and 10 assists in a 120-108 romp of Sacramento on Tuesday. James finished with 18 points and eight assists, as Miami's home winning streak reached eight games with a 14-2 record on the season.
The Heat aren't the only team swept up in the anticipation of this matchup.
"We're playing a great team, and it's going to be a good evaluation of where we're at," said Lin, who had 17 points and nine assists Wednesday. "So from that end obviously we're excited and ready for the challenge. But besides that, we're just going try to stay consistent."
Carmelo Anthony could help in that regard. The All-Star forward has totaled 26 points while making 11 of 27 shots from the floor over the last two games after sitting out seven with a groin injury.
He missed last month's meeting with the Heat due to wrist and ankle ailments, but he's averaged 26.0 points in 15 career games against them.
"It's going to be a lot of, a lot of anticipation about this game," Anthony said. "We're going down there to win. Miami is playing great basketball right now. One of the hottest teams, if not the hottest team in the NBA."
Chris Brown collaboration is typical Rihanna
Chris Brown collaboration is typical Rihanna, analysts sayBy Stephanie Goldberg, CNN
updated 2:41 PM EST, Thu February 23, 2012
Rihanna and Chris Brown perform together in December 2008.STORY HIGHLIGHTS
The artists' remixes, "Birthday Cake" and "Turn Up the Music," hit the Web on Monday
Response to partnership has been negative, but remixes are doing well
Brown pleaded guilty in June 2009 to assaulting his then-girlfriend
(CNN) -- The public has been shaking its collective head since rumors of a Rihanna-Chris Brown collaboration began circulating on the Internet last week.
Once the artists' respective remixes, "Birthday Cake" and "Turn Up the Music," featuring each other, hit the Web on Monday, that head-shaking turned into full-blown opposition.
Some have questioned why Rihanna would musically reunite with her ex and whether their working together was a straight career move or a byproduct of her feelings for Brown. But based on the way the "We Found Love" singer markets herself, industry experts agree, her decision to collaborate with Brown is actually quite characteristic.
"So much of (Rihanna's) music is about being in control of herself," said Tamar Anitai, the managing editor of MTV Buzzworthy. "Some of her fans have been really surprised by (her working with Brown again), but a lot of her other fans are so used to her making these big, bold statements."
Should Chris Brown be forgiven?
Dr. Drew talks Rihanna, Chris Brown
Rihanna, Chris Brown collaborating Rihanna has been in the game for a long time, Anitai said, and she wants people to know that she makes her own decisions. "This is her way of saying, 'I've made peace with my past.' "
Since he pleaded guilty in June 2009 to assaulting his then-girlfriend on the eve of the 51st Grammy Awards, Brown's career has flourished -- as has Rihanna's.
Country singer Miranda Lambert and HLN's Dr. Drew are among those weighing in on Brown's successes in addition to his troubles, including outbursts on Twitter and a reported tantrum after an appearance on ABC's "Good Morning America" last year.
A firestorm erupted when many women tweeted after this year's Grammy Awards that they would let Brown beat them.
But while the response to the pair's partnership has been overwhelmingly negative, their remixes have actually been well-received, said Ian Drew, Us Weekly's senior editor for music.
"Say what you will about them ... but when they're on a track together, it sort of lights up and ignites," Drew said.
Referencing Rihanna's "S&M," which shocked listeners with talk of chains and whips, he said that "these two are all about pushing buttons."
What is boils down to, Drew added, is whether people have the ability to separate the artists' personal lives from their music.
It's unclear what effect their collaborations will have on their careers. But the critics seem to be out in full force.
A recent Newsday story titled "Rihanna and Chris Brown deserve each other" states, "Apparently, Rihanna wants to show her independence and Brown wants to show that he can beat a woman and still get her to be friends."
And AJ Reynolds, who hosts Canada's Top 20 Countdown, said that all tracks featuring Brown have been pulled from the radio show after numerous parents complained.
The backlash couldn't have come as a surprise to the two artists. Music producer The-Dream, who wrote "Birthday Cake" with Rihanna, told MTV it was actually her idea to feature Brown on the song's remix.
"When she raised the question to me, I know she's not crazy," he said. "So my thought was, 'you've been thinking about this; you've already thought it out, so evidently you know what reaction you gonna get.' "
Despite the fact that Rihanna typically embraces her sexuality in her music, "Turn Up the Music" (which features the lyrics, "So let's go tonight and do whatever it takes to make it right") and "Birthday Cake's" explicit nature are a bit jarring, given the pair's history, said Bill Werde, Billboard's editorial director.
Even so, Werde said, he can't see Rihanna's career being hurt by the collaboration.
"If Chris Brown can rebound from (the assault) ... please don't tell me that Rihanna can't rebound from what some are perceiving as a lapse in judgment," he added.
In the end, fans reserve the right to support the artists or not, but onlookers have to remember, this is still a real and tumultuous situation.
"People have the tendency to forget that maybe this isn't some kind of contrived career move or a staged opportunity for PR," Werde said. "This media-saturated world is trying to make sense of a very, very human decision.
"I would like to think she's thought through the consequences, but I don't think she's making this decision with an eye toward her career," Werde added. "She's probably just thinking with her heart."
updated 2:41 PM EST, Thu February 23, 2012
Rihanna and Chris Brown perform together in December 2008.STORY HIGHLIGHTS
The artists' remixes, "Birthday Cake" and "Turn Up the Music," hit the Web on Monday
Response to partnership has been negative, but remixes are doing well
Brown pleaded guilty in June 2009 to assaulting his then-girlfriend
(CNN) -- The public has been shaking its collective head since rumors of a Rihanna-Chris Brown collaboration began circulating on the Internet last week.
Once the artists' respective remixes, "Birthday Cake" and "Turn Up the Music," featuring each other, hit the Web on Monday, that head-shaking turned into full-blown opposition.
Some have questioned why Rihanna would musically reunite with her ex and whether their working together was a straight career move or a byproduct of her feelings for Brown. But based on the way the "We Found Love" singer markets herself, industry experts agree, her decision to collaborate with Brown is actually quite characteristic.
"So much of (Rihanna's) music is about being in control of herself," said Tamar Anitai, the managing editor of MTV Buzzworthy. "Some of her fans have been really surprised by (her working with Brown again), but a lot of her other fans are so used to her making these big, bold statements."
Should Chris Brown be forgiven?
Dr. Drew talks Rihanna, Chris Brown
Rihanna, Chris Brown collaborating Rihanna has been in the game for a long time, Anitai said, and she wants people to know that she makes her own decisions. "This is her way of saying, 'I've made peace with my past.' "
Since he pleaded guilty in June 2009 to assaulting his then-girlfriend on the eve of the 51st Grammy Awards, Brown's career has flourished -- as has Rihanna's.
Country singer Miranda Lambert and HLN's Dr. Drew are among those weighing in on Brown's successes in addition to his troubles, including outbursts on Twitter and a reported tantrum after an appearance on ABC's "Good Morning America" last year.
A firestorm erupted when many women tweeted after this year's Grammy Awards that they would let Brown beat them.
But while the response to the pair's partnership has been overwhelmingly negative, their remixes have actually been well-received, said Ian Drew, Us Weekly's senior editor for music.
"Say what you will about them ... but when they're on a track together, it sort of lights up and ignites," Drew said.
Referencing Rihanna's "S&M," which shocked listeners with talk of chains and whips, he said that "these two are all about pushing buttons."
What is boils down to, Drew added, is whether people have the ability to separate the artists' personal lives from their music.
It's unclear what effect their collaborations will have on their careers. But the critics seem to be out in full force.
A recent Newsday story titled "Rihanna and Chris Brown deserve each other" states, "Apparently, Rihanna wants to show her independence and Brown wants to show that he can beat a woman and still get her to be friends."
And AJ Reynolds, who hosts Canada's Top 20 Countdown, said that all tracks featuring Brown have been pulled from the radio show after numerous parents complained.
The backlash couldn't have come as a surprise to the two artists. Music producer The-Dream, who wrote "Birthday Cake" with Rihanna, told MTV it was actually her idea to feature Brown on the song's remix.
"When she raised the question to me, I know she's not crazy," he said. "So my thought was, 'you've been thinking about this; you've already thought it out, so evidently you know what reaction you gonna get.' "
Despite the fact that Rihanna typically embraces her sexuality in her music, "Turn Up the Music" (which features the lyrics, "So let's go tonight and do whatever it takes to make it right") and "Birthday Cake's" explicit nature are a bit jarring, given the pair's history, said Bill Werde, Billboard's editorial director.
Even so, Werde said, he can't see Rihanna's career being hurt by the collaboration.
"If Chris Brown can rebound from (the assault) ... please don't tell me that Rihanna can't rebound from what some are perceiving as a lapse in judgment," he added.
In the end, fans reserve the right to support the artists or not, but onlookers have to remember, this is still a real and tumultuous situation.
"People have the tendency to forget that maybe this isn't some kind of contrived career move or a staged opportunity for PR," Werde said. "This media-saturated world is trying to make sense of a very, very human decision.
"I would like to think she's thought through the consequences, but I don't think she's making this decision with an eye toward her career," Werde added. "She's probably just thinking with her heart."
Obama hits back at Republican criticism of high fuel prices
Obama hits back at Republican criticism of high fuel prices
* Obama blames high oil prices on Iran tensions
* Says speculators also driving prices higher
* Says Republicans making "phony" promises
By Laura MacInnis
MIAMI, Feb 23 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama hit back on Thursday at election-year Republican criticism of his energy policies, offering a staunch defense of his attempts to wean Americans off foreign oil and saying there is no "silver bullet" for high gasoline prices.
Obama sought to deflect growing Republican attacks over rising prices at the pump, blaming recent increases on a mix of factors beyond his control, including tensions with Iran, hot demand from China, India and other emerging economies, and Wall Street speculators taking advantage of the uncertainty.
U.S. gasoline prices have jumped nearly 9 cents in the past week to an average of $3.61 a gallon, and are expected to rise further toward the crucial $4 mark through the summer driving season and the approach of the Nov. 6 election..
In a visit to the University of Miami less than nine months before the presidential election in which he will seek a second term, Obama offered a modest series of proposals aimed at diversifying fuel supplies and increasing energy efficiency.
"It's the easiest thing in the world (to) make phony election-year promises about lower gas prices," Obama said, offering his most comprehensive rebuttal yet of the intensifying Republican criticism.
"What's harder is to make a serious, sustained commitment to tackle a problem that may not be solved in one year or one term or even one decade," he said.
Obama's speech was part of a broader White House strategy to try to regain the upper hand in the debate and deflect blame, but the president's arguments may fall on deaf ears if gas prices continue to rise and cause financial pain for voters.
Republicans have made rising gas prices one of their main attack lines against Obama, sensing an electoral vulnerability for the president. His re-election prospects depend in part on his ability to keep a fragile economic recovery afloat and to continue reducing high unemployment.
Republicans seeking to dislodge Obama from the White House are seeking to pin the higher prices on the president's tax and environmental policies they say have hindered domestic production and kept the United States at the mercy of imports.
They cite his decision to block the Keystone pipeline that would transport Canadian oil to refineries in Texas as proof he is beholden to environmentalists .
The Obama administration has delayed a final decision on Keystone until after the election, saying the proposed route could pose a danger to water supply in the nation's breadbasket.
Obama needs to win the war of words to gain an upper hand over Republicans in Western battleground states including Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico, where people drive a lot and feel the sting of rising prices acutely.
Gasoline prices have climbed alongside crude futures, the major component in determining the price of gasoline, due to concerns about a potential disruption of supplies from Iran, which is locked in a standoff with the West over Tehran's disputed nuclear program.
U.S. crude prices have jumped 9 percent this year, nearing $108 a barrel on Thursday, the highest level since May, 2011.
DRILL, DRILL, DRILL
As gasoline prices become an increasingly important election issue, Republicans are scrambling to prove they can offer relief. On Wednesday, Republican candidate Newt Gingrich, the former speaker of the House of Representatives, promised gasoline prices of $2.50 a gallon if he won the White House.
"You can bet that since it's an election year, they're already dusting off their three-point plans for $2 gas," Obama said. "I'll save you the suspense: Step one is drill, step two is drill and step three is keep drilling."
While Obama said he had asked officials to look for opportunities to help consumers in the short term - in areas such as permitting and delivery bottlenecks - he repeated there would be no "silver bullet" for America's energy crunch, and said real change would come only in the long run.
The trio of proposals announced in Miami included a $30 million competition in natural gas technologies and a $14 million program to development algae-based fuel.
Obama highlighted steps already taken to expand domestic production and improve fuel efficiency.
He also repeated calls to roll back tax incentives for the oil industry and urged renewal of a clean energy tax credit in Congress, where lawmakers are deeply divided and little legislative action is expected this year.
His remarks were met with disdain from top Republicans.
"Facing an election, the President would like everyone to forget that gas prices have doubled over the past three years while he consistently blocked and slowed the production of American-made energy," said Brendan Buck, a spokesman for John Boehner, the Republican speaker of the House of Representatives.
While Republicans blame high oil prices on actions such as Obama's Keystone pipeline decision, an oil boom led by North Dakota is expected to push U.S. crude output this year to its highest level since 1999.
Lawmakers from Obama's own party are asking him to take steps to ease the price pressure in the short term. Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday urged the White House to signal it is ready to tap the country's strategic petroleum reserve, which contains about 696 million barrels of oil.
Obama made no mention of taking that step in his speech.
* Obama blames high oil prices on Iran tensions
* Says speculators also driving prices higher
* Says Republicans making "phony" promises
By Laura MacInnis
MIAMI, Feb 23 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama hit back on Thursday at election-year Republican criticism of his energy policies, offering a staunch defense of his attempts to wean Americans off foreign oil and saying there is no "silver bullet" for high gasoline prices.
Obama sought to deflect growing Republican attacks over rising prices at the pump, blaming recent increases on a mix of factors beyond his control, including tensions with Iran, hot demand from China, India and other emerging economies, and Wall Street speculators taking advantage of the uncertainty.
U.S. gasoline prices have jumped nearly 9 cents in the past week to an average of $3.61 a gallon, and are expected to rise further toward the crucial $4 mark through the summer driving season and the approach of the Nov. 6 election..
In a visit to the University of Miami less than nine months before the presidential election in which he will seek a second term, Obama offered a modest series of proposals aimed at diversifying fuel supplies and increasing energy efficiency.
"It's the easiest thing in the world (to) make phony election-year promises about lower gas prices," Obama said, offering his most comprehensive rebuttal yet of the intensifying Republican criticism.
"What's harder is to make a serious, sustained commitment to tackle a problem that may not be solved in one year or one term or even one decade," he said.
Obama's speech was part of a broader White House strategy to try to regain the upper hand in the debate and deflect blame, but the president's arguments may fall on deaf ears if gas prices continue to rise and cause financial pain for voters.
Republicans have made rising gas prices one of their main attack lines against Obama, sensing an electoral vulnerability for the president. His re-election prospects depend in part on his ability to keep a fragile economic recovery afloat and to continue reducing high unemployment.
Republicans seeking to dislodge Obama from the White House are seeking to pin the higher prices on the president's tax and environmental policies they say have hindered domestic production and kept the United States at the mercy of imports.
They cite his decision to block the Keystone pipeline that would transport Canadian oil to refineries in Texas as proof he is beholden to environmentalists .
The Obama administration has delayed a final decision on Keystone until after the election, saying the proposed route could pose a danger to water supply in the nation's breadbasket.
Obama needs to win the war of words to gain an upper hand over Republicans in Western battleground states including Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico, where people drive a lot and feel the sting of rising prices acutely.
Gasoline prices have climbed alongside crude futures, the major component in determining the price of gasoline, due to concerns about a potential disruption of supplies from Iran, which is locked in a standoff with the West over Tehran's disputed nuclear program.
U.S. crude prices have jumped 9 percent this year, nearing $108 a barrel on Thursday, the highest level since May, 2011.
DRILL, DRILL, DRILL
As gasoline prices become an increasingly important election issue, Republicans are scrambling to prove they can offer relief. On Wednesday, Republican candidate Newt Gingrich, the former speaker of the House of Representatives, promised gasoline prices of $2.50 a gallon if he won the White House.
"You can bet that since it's an election year, they're already dusting off their three-point plans for $2 gas," Obama said. "I'll save you the suspense: Step one is drill, step two is drill and step three is keep drilling."
While Obama said he had asked officials to look for opportunities to help consumers in the short term - in areas such as permitting and delivery bottlenecks - he repeated there would be no "silver bullet" for America's energy crunch, and said real change would come only in the long run.
The trio of proposals announced in Miami included a $30 million competition in natural gas technologies and a $14 million program to development algae-based fuel.
Obama highlighted steps already taken to expand domestic production and improve fuel efficiency.
He also repeated calls to roll back tax incentives for the oil industry and urged renewal of a clean energy tax credit in Congress, where lawmakers are deeply divided and little legislative action is expected this year.
His remarks were met with disdain from top Republicans.
"Facing an election, the President would like everyone to forget that gas prices have doubled over the past three years while he consistently blocked and slowed the production of American-made energy," said Brendan Buck, a spokesman for John Boehner, the Republican speaker of the House of Representatives.
While Republicans blame high oil prices on actions such as Obama's Keystone pipeline decision, an oil boom led by North Dakota is expected to push U.S. crude output this year to its highest level since 1999.
Lawmakers from Obama's own party are asking him to take steps to ease the price pressure in the short term. Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday urged the White House to signal it is ready to tap the country's strategic petroleum reserve, which contains about 696 million barrels of oil.
Obama made no mention of taking that step in his speech.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
This six weeks
This six weeks has been tough for me. I have been in and out of school throughout this six weeks due to my injured knee. It has made this six weeks more stressful. I have learned stuff but not as much as i needed to know to help me on future test. Though i am struggling to catch back up on work, i will not give up. In Mr. Detrixhe class i have learned alot, at first i didn't understand what was going on but as time passed by it became more understanding. I needed those couple of class periods to get better view of the lessons that were taught. i see that the rest of the class is ahead of me. Just by missing at least a day of school can get you far behind.
What can help me on next six weeks is, Reviewing it helps you support what you've learned, so you need less time to study before a test. You'll also be ready if you get called on in class or have to take a pop quiz. Managing your time well is an important element of success — especially if you’re a student. If you set priorities that fit your needs and lifestyle, you'll have a better chance of achieving your goals. You can’t do everything at once. Establish the importance of each item. Then set realistic goals that are attainable. All these are ways to help me stay with or ahead and not get behind.
next six weeks will be better because i won't be missing school like i missed in the 3rd six weeks. I will be more focused and take my work more seriously so i can pass next six weeks with a a or a b. I would like to set my goals now so that they can already be in thought. I would also like to do well because its a new year and i new semester. You should start the new year off right in order for you to keep your success alive.
What can help me on next six weeks is, Reviewing it helps you support what you've learned, so you need less time to study before a test. You'll also be ready if you get called on in class or have to take a pop quiz. Managing your time well is an important element of success — especially if you’re a student. If you set priorities that fit your needs and lifestyle, you'll have a better chance of achieving your goals. You can’t do everything at once. Establish the importance of each item. Then set realistic goals that are attainable. All these are ways to help me stay with or ahead and not get behind.
next six weeks will be better because i won't be missing school like i missed in the 3rd six weeks. I will be more focused and take my work more seriously so i can pass next six weeks with a a or a b. I would like to set my goals now so that they can already be in thought. I would also like to do well because its a new year and i new semester. You should start the new year off right in order for you to keep your success alive.
Oregon Ducks win record-setting Rose Bowl 45-38
Greg Beacham, Associated Press
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Kenjon Barner (24) leads the charge as the Oregon Ducks celebrate their first Rose Bowl win since 1917.
The Oregon Ducks had waited 95 years to win another Rose Bowl, and the last few seconds stretched for an eternity. The players in mirrored helmets held each other back on the sideline, waiting on tiptoes for video review to confirm Wisconsin was out of time.
The call went Oregon's way. The Ducks stormed the hallowed field.
The most futuristic team in college football had buried another bit of history, and that revolutionary offense finally has a shiny trophy that will look right at home among those eye-catching uniforms.
Darron Thomas passed for three touchdowns, De'Anthony Thomas scored on runs of 91 and 64 yards, and the sixth-ranked Ducks earned their first bowl victory under head coach Chip Kelly, holding off the Badgers 45-38 Monday in the highest-scoring Rose Bowl ever played.
"We had no doubt this year that we were going to come out and do big things," said Darron Thomas, who passed for 268 yards. "It's a big statement for the Oregon program."
Indeed: The last time Oregon won the Rose Bowl, beating Penn 14-0 in 1917, the players wore leather helmets, not those shiny numbers that exemplify every innovation the Ducks have created during Kelly's three-year tenure.
Oregon (12-2) showed off that creativity with 621 total yards - second most in Rose Bowl history - against the Badgers, playing at its usual frantic pace until the final whistle. Lavasier Tuinei caught eight passes for 158 yards and two TDs for the Ducks.
"None of us were around 95 years ago, and we never talked about it," Kelly said. "We're a forward-thinking operation, and we're always looking ahead."
Maybe so, but it's unlikely anybody from Oregon will forget how this one ended.
With two long passes, Russell Wilson moved the Badgers to the Oregon 25, but with two seconds left and no timeouts.
After waiting for the ball to be set, he spiked it to set up a last-ditch heave to the end zone, but the clock hit zeros while he did it.
The Ducks were winners after video review, holding No. 9 Wisconsin scoreless in the fourth quarter.
Montee Ball rushed for 122 of his 164 yards in the first half for the Badgers (11-3), who lost the Rose Bowl for the second straight year despite managing 508 yards. Ball tied Barry Sanders' FBS record with his 39th touchdown of the season, but the Heisman Trophy finalist was held to three carries for no yards in the fourth quarter.
Wisconsin had two drives to tie it after Oregon kicked a field goal with 6:50 to play, but Jared Abbrederis fumbled near the Oregon sideline after making a long catch. The ball plopped onto the turf without even bouncing, and Oregon's Michael Clay jumped on it with 4:06 left.
That video review went the Ducks' way, too.
LaMichael James rushed for 159 yards and an early TD in his likely college finale for the Ducks, and Kenjon Barner caught a TD pass from Darron Thomas.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
The Oregon Ducks had waited 95 years to win another Rose Bowl, and the last few seconds stretched for an eternity. The players in mirrored helmets held each other back on the sideline, waiting on tiptoes for video review to confirm Wisconsin was out of time.
The call went Oregon's way. The Ducks stormed the hallowed field.
The most futuristic team in college football had buried another bit of history, and that revolutionary offense finally has a shiny trophy that will look right at home among those eye-catching uniforms.
Darron Thomas passed for three touchdowns, De'Anthony Thomas scored on runs of 91 and 64 yards, and the sixth-ranked Ducks earned their first bowl victory under head coach Chip Kelly, holding off the Badgers 45-38 Monday in the highest-scoring Rose Bowl ever played.
"We had no doubt this year that we were going to come out and do big things," said Darron Thomas, who passed for 268 yards. "It's a big statement for the Oregon program."
Indeed: The last time Oregon won the Rose Bowl, beating Penn 14-0 in 1917, the players wore leather helmets, not those shiny numbers that exemplify every innovation the Ducks have created during Kelly's three-year tenure.
Oregon (12-2) showed off that creativity with 621 total yards - second most in Rose Bowl history - against the Badgers, playing at its usual frantic pace until the final whistle. Lavasier Tuinei caught eight passes for 158 yards and two TDs for the Ducks.
"None of us were around 95 years ago, and we never talked about it," Kelly said. "We're a forward-thinking operation, and we're always looking ahead."
Maybe so, but it's unlikely anybody from Oregon will forget how this one ended.
With two long passes, Russell Wilson moved the Badgers to the Oregon 25, but with two seconds left and no timeouts.
After waiting for the ball to be set, he spiked it to set up a last-ditch heave to the end zone, but the clock hit zeros while he did it.
The Ducks were winners after video review, holding No. 9 Wisconsin scoreless in the fourth quarter.
Montee Ball rushed for 122 of his 164 yards in the first half for the Badgers (11-3), who lost the Rose Bowl for the second straight year despite managing 508 yards. Ball tied Barry Sanders' FBS record with his 39th touchdown of the season, but the Heisman Trophy finalist was held to three carries for no yards in the fourth quarter.
Wisconsin had two drives to tie it after Oregon kicked a field goal with 6:50 to play, but Jared Abbrederis fumbled near the Oregon sideline after making a long catch. The ball plopped onto the turf without even bouncing, and Oregon's Michael Clay jumped on it with 4:06 left.
That video review went the Ducks' way, too.
LaMichael James rushed for 159 yards and an early TD in his likely college finale for the Ducks, and Kenjon Barner caught a TD pass from Darron Thomas.
Scout's Eye: Cowboys-Giants review
By Bryan Broaddus
For the Dallas Cowboys, the season ended where it began several months ago -- at MetLife Stadium.
As poorly as Jason Garrett's squad had played this season, it still had a chance to win the NFC East and host a first-round playoff game if it could defeat the New York Giants on a chilly, rainy Sunday night. For the Cowboys, this game was going to come down to two issues: Could they control the Giants' wide receivers from making big plays, and could they block the front seven to allow Tony Romo and his receivers to attack the secondary?
On both fronts, the Cowboys failed, finishing 8-8 and out of the playoffs.
Newman struggles for all to see
Terence Newman's struggles were obvious to anyone who watched the game. Watching Newman, you saw someone who was playing with no confidence whatsoever. His technique was poor, and the harder he tried the worse he played.
Newman's downfall started even before the pass to Victor Cruz out of the slot on third-and-1. With the Giants facing a third-and-9 from their own 5, Eli Manning took the snap and began to scan downfield. Tight end Bear Pascoe delayed his route to help block DeMarcus Ware, then released up the field to the flat. Newman was in a zone drop to the outside and saw that Manning was going to check the ball down to Pascoe in the flat. Newman drove on the route but two yards away from Pascoe ducked his head and then lunged at the Giants tight end. On the same side of the field, Orlando Scandrick was shoved inside and out of position. Pascoe was in the open field with Newman then jumped over the cornerback, who was in no position to make a tackle and prevent a first down.
[+] Enlarge
William Perlman/The Star-Ledger/US Presswire
Victor Cruz was able to shake off Terence Newman before speeding down the sideline for the Giants' first strike.
On the pass rush on Manning, Jason Hatcher got free on a twist stunt but was a step late arriving on a potential sack. Gerald Sensabaugh and Abram Elam drove Pascoe out of bounds after he gained the first down. Two plays later with the Giants facing a third-and-1, Rob Ryan stayed with his base defense. The Giants would spread the Cowboys out. Tight end Travis Beckum was wide right and covered by Elam. Cruz was in the slot to the left side and covered by Newman. Hakeem Nicks was wide left, picked up by Mike Jenkins on the outside. Pascoe stayed on the left side to help block Ware, who was rushing to that side. At the snap, Beckum drove across the formation. Newman was lined up 2 yards off Cruz. Manning looked at Cruz all the way -- the receiver drove up the field at Newman and got him on one leg, then broke hard to the outside. Sensabaugh was in coverage on Pascoe but when he stayed in to block he turned his attention to the outside and started in the direction of Newman and Cruz. Cruz was now four yards up the field as he caught the ball from Manning. Newman and Sensabaugh were both in a trailing position on the outside. Jenkins, like Scandrick, was shoved to the inside by Nicks.
Cruz went up the sideline clear of Newman and Sensabaugh with both in chase. The receiver has too much speed, with the Cowboys unable to run him down as the Giants score the first touchdown of the day.
The Cowboys had fought their way back and were down only seven in the fourth quarter. The Giants had the ball on their own 28 with 9:45 left. Ryan went with the dime package to match the Giants and their three receivers. Scandrick was matched up with Cruz out of the left slot. Sensabaugh was the safety to that side of the field. At the snap, Sensabaugh began to work his way to the middle and was at a depth of 20 yards. The Cowboys used "Man Free" coverage -- man coverage with a single safety in the middle of the field.
Scandrick jumped to the outside, which allowed Cruz a free release to the inside and a vertical path down the field. Sensabaugh read Manning, saw him looking to his right and begins to work that way. On the rush, Jay Ratliff got a nice push up the field but his back was to Manning. Ratliff was unable to get his arms around Manning because he was rushing backward up the field. Manning felt Ratliff and spun to his left, where only Hatcher was rushing. Ratliff, Ware and Spencer were trapped to Manning's right. Hatcher couldn't react quickly enough as Manning fired downfield. Cruz was to the inside of Scandrick, who didn't find the ball until it was already in the receiver's hands. Sensabaugh was late arriving to the play as Cruz caught the ball with Scandrick on his back, killing any momentum that the Cowboys had on defense.
Romo slips up on interception
On offense, the numbers for Tony Romo indicated that he had a productive game, but it might have been one in which he struggled the most with eye level and finding receivers downfield.
One of Romo's strengths is his ability to see routes develop and make those throws to open targets. I really do not believe that Romo's bruised hand was a factor in the way he played, but I do think the rush made him check the ball down more than trying to make those throws downfield.
The one thing that Romo had been able to do is protect the ball and not turn it over with interceptions. In the third quarter with the Giants holding a 21-7 lead, Romo made a mistake when he didn't see safety Antrel Rolle in the middle of the field covering Jason Witten. On the play, Robinson lined up wide left and Austin was in the slot left. Witten was the tight end in line on the left. Romo was in the shotgun, with Felix Jones lined up to his right.
At the snap, Witten chipped on Jason Pierre-Paul as Doug Free fell down. Miles Austin ran the out and Robinson on the slant. Witten sat down in the middle. Romo's eyes were to the right looking at Bryant, who was open at the sticks on the curl. Witten worked back to the outside. Romo was still looking at Bryant but didn't make the throw. He came back to Witten but didn't see Rolle to the tight end's right. Romo fired toward Witten, but Rolle slid in front for the interception.
Cowboys give it one last shot
The Cowboys have struggled the most in protection when teams run twist stunts. In this game, the Giants were able to get two sacks on blitzes that the Eagles ran last week. On their second sack on a third-and-4 the Cowboys used an empty formation, and the Giants countered with man coverage. At the snap, Justin Tuck drove inside on Kyle Kosier to pick off Tyron Smith, who was knocked off his block. Osi Umenyiora came clean around Smith and Kosier was unable to adjust back to the inside to pick up Umenyiora, who lined up for a shot at Romo. Romo wants to throw the ball inside to Witten but has to pull it down and take the sack.
Again, it was a stunt run by the Eagles last week that the Giants studied and they got the same results.
Not all was bad for the Cowboys offensively. With the Giants up 21-7 and 10:32 remaining, the Cowboys drove to the Giants 5 facing a second down. Romo brought the offense to the line with Robinson wide left, Witten slot right with Austin outside of him and Bryant far to the right side. Jones was lined up left to Romo in the gun. In the pre-snap, Romo saw that he was going to get a blitz from his left side and no safety in the middle of the field. Romo walked forward behind Phil Costa and bent down to signal to Robinson to run the slant. At the snap, Robinson ran the perfect slant as Jones picked up the blitz inside, allowing Romo the time he needed to throw a strike to Robinson without any pressure and cutting the Giants' lead to just seven, but that would be the Cowboys' final score of 2011.
For the Dallas Cowboys, the season ended where it began several months ago -- at MetLife Stadium.
As poorly as Jason Garrett's squad had played this season, it still had a chance to win the NFC East and host a first-round playoff game if it could defeat the New York Giants on a chilly, rainy Sunday night. For the Cowboys, this game was going to come down to two issues: Could they control the Giants' wide receivers from making big plays, and could they block the front seven to allow Tony Romo and his receivers to attack the secondary?
On both fronts, the Cowboys failed, finishing 8-8 and out of the playoffs.
Newman struggles for all to see
Terence Newman's struggles were obvious to anyone who watched the game. Watching Newman, you saw someone who was playing with no confidence whatsoever. His technique was poor, and the harder he tried the worse he played.
Newman's downfall started even before the pass to Victor Cruz out of the slot on third-and-1. With the Giants facing a third-and-9 from their own 5, Eli Manning took the snap and began to scan downfield. Tight end Bear Pascoe delayed his route to help block DeMarcus Ware, then released up the field to the flat. Newman was in a zone drop to the outside and saw that Manning was going to check the ball down to Pascoe in the flat. Newman drove on the route but two yards away from Pascoe ducked his head and then lunged at the Giants tight end. On the same side of the field, Orlando Scandrick was shoved inside and out of position. Pascoe was in the open field with Newman then jumped over the cornerback, who was in no position to make a tackle and prevent a first down.
[+] Enlarge
William Perlman/The Star-Ledger/US Presswire
Victor Cruz was able to shake off Terence Newman before speeding down the sideline for the Giants' first strike.
On the pass rush on Manning, Jason Hatcher got free on a twist stunt but was a step late arriving on a potential sack. Gerald Sensabaugh and Abram Elam drove Pascoe out of bounds after he gained the first down. Two plays later with the Giants facing a third-and-1, Rob Ryan stayed with his base defense. The Giants would spread the Cowboys out. Tight end Travis Beckum was wide right and covered by Elam. Cruz was in the slot to the left side and covered by Newman. Hakeem Nicks was wide left, picked up by Mike Jenkins on the outside. Pascoe stayed on the left side to help block Ware, who was rushing to that side. At the snap, Beckum drove across the formation. Newman was lined up 2 yards off Cruz. Manning looked at Cruz all the way -- the receiver drove up the field at Newman and got him on one leg, then broke hard to the outside. Sensabaugh was in coverage on Pascoe but when he stayed in to block he turned his attention to the outside and started in the direction of Newman and Cruz. Cruz was now four yards up the field as he caught the ball from Manning. Newman and Sensabaugh were both in a trailing position on the outside. Jenkins, like Scandrick, was shoved to the inside by Nicks.
Cruz went up the sideline clear of Newman and Sensabaugh with both in chase. The receiver has too much speed, with the Cowboys unable to run him down as the Giants score the first touchdown of the day.
The Cowboys had fought their way back and were down only seven in the fourth quarter. The Giants had the ball on their own 28 with 9:45 left. Ryan went with the dime package to match the Giants and their three receivers. Scandrick was matched up with Cruz out of the left slot. Sensabaugh was the safety to that side of the field. At the snap, Sensabaugh began to work his way to the middle and was at a depth of 20 yards. The Cowboys used "Man Free" coverage -- man coverage with a single safety in the middle of the field.
Scandrick jumped to the outside, which allowed Cruz a free release to the inside and a vertical path down the field. Sensabaugh read Manning, saw him looking to his right and begins to work that way. On the rush, Jay Ratliff got a nice push up the field but his back was to Manning. Ratliff was unable to get his arms around Manning because he was rushing backward up the field. Manning felt Ratliff and spun to his left, where only Hatcher was rushing. Ratliff, Ware and Spencer were trapped to Manning's right. Hatcher couldn't react quickly enough as Manning fired downfield. Cruz was to the inside of Scandrick, who didn't find the ball until it was already in the receiver's hands. Sensabaugh was late arriving to the play as Cruz caught the ball with Scandrick on his back, killing any momentum that the Cowboys had on defense.
Romo slips up on interception
On offense, the numbers for Tony Romo indicated that he had a productive game, but it might have been one in which he struggled the most with eye level and finding receivers downfield.
One of Romo's strengths is his ability to see routes develop and make those throws to open targets. I really do not believe that Romo's bruised hand was a factor in the way he played, but I do think the rush made him check the ball down more than trying to make those throws downfield.
The one thing that Romo had been able to do is protect the ball and not turn it over with interceptions. In the third quarter with the Giants holding a 21-7 lead, Romo made a mistake when he didn't see safety Antrel Rolle in the middle of the field covering Jason Witten. On the play, Robinson lined up wide left and Austin was in the slot left. Witten was the tight end in line on the left. Romo was in the shotgun, with Felix Jones lined up to his right.
At the snap, Witten chipped on Jason Pierre-Paul as Doug Free fell down. Miles Austin ran the out and Robinson on the slant. Witten sat down in the middle. Romo's eyes were to the right looking at Bryant, who was open at the sticks on the curl. Witten worked back to the outside. Romo was still looking at Bryant but didn't make the throw. He came back to Witten but didn't see Rolle to the tight end's right. Romo fired toward Witten, but Rolle slid in front for the interception.
Cowboys give it one last shot
The Cowboys have struggled the most in protection when teams run twist stunts. In this game, the Giants were able to get two sacks on blitzes that the Eagles ran last week. On their second sack on a third-and-4 the Cowboys used an empty formation, and the Giants countered with man coverage. At the snap, Justin Tuck drove inside on Kyle Kosier to pick off Tyron Smith, who was knocked off his block. Osi Umenyiora came clean around Smith and Kosier was unable to adjust back to the inside to pick up Umenyiora, who lined up for a shot at Romo. Romo wants to throw the ball inside to Witten but has to pull it down and take the sack.
Again, it was a stunt run by the Eagles last week that the Giants studied and they got the same results.
Not all was bad for the Cowboys offensively. With the Giants up 21-7 and 10:32 remaining, the Cowboys drove to the Giants 5 facing a second down. Romo brought the offense to the line with Robinson wide left, Witten slot right with Austin outside of him and Bryant far to the right side. Jones was lined up left to Romo in the gun. In the pre-snap, Romo saw that he was going to get a blitz from his left side and no safety in the middle of the field. Romo walked forward behind Phil Costa and bent down to signal to Robinson to run the slant. At the snap, Robinson ran the perfect slant as Jones picked up the blitz inside, allowing Romo the time he needed to throw a strike to Robinson without any pressure and cutting the Giants' lead to just seven, but that would be the Cowboys' final score of 2011.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)