Author: gshorkeyblt2

Speed in becoming a subject matter specialist is as essential a writing quality as creative production, so the combination of interviewing skills, research ability, and client input to produce the voice, length, or look of desired projects begins Day One. CDTalent Enterprises is a contract resource featuring informational blogging, SEO and feature length content writing, and editorial support functions. Client-facing verbal skills are at core of effective-successful group interactions and one-one situations. Variety of projects accomplished means writing-wise, I'm confident about 'smarter than the average bear' who only does one thing well.
Political, Sports

Panthers, Politics, Olympics – to Love or Appreciate mid-August?

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on Panthers, Politics, Olympics – to Love or Appreciate mid-August?
Okay, the All Blacks weren’t represented in Paris, but USA’s Ilona Maher’s bludgeoning of would-be tacklers , unreal speed, and 5’10”, 200 lb. presence in the Rugby 7s was awesome enough.

From start to finale, it would take a superior supply of imagination to outshine the most dynamic Olympic experience this sportswriter can remember (I went to ’76 Olympics in Montreal). Hyperbole? Naah, massive joy at continuous athletic achievement worked out great.

Damn fine crowds have flocked to Harris-Walz campaign stops in battleground states, for anyone parsing the truthfulness of my going to ’76 Olympics, I meant as a tourist. If nobody seems to be sweating HC Dave Canales holding Bryce Young and about 30 players out of 17-3 pre-season loss against Patriots, that wasn’t loveable.

While bulleting is rarely the writing methodology I choose, like USA Basketball Head Coach Steve Kerr, the decision is made, let the chips fall where they may, and goodness, there’s a ton of chips to consider.

Paris Olympics were peaceful, satisfying

  • Tri-athletes had a lot more to complain about than the accommodations in Olympic village. Despite whatever ‘cleaning up’ might have been done, the water quality sucked, so the prospect of diving in the Seine must have been a daunting choice. Every athlete recognizes the Olympics is an every four years event vs. any year’s NCAA or world championships, so opting out of swimming aspect – like air quality concerns of marathoners in Beijing Olympics, or the politics of US boycotting in1980 after Russian tanks rolled into Afghanistan, and Russians doing same for 1984 LA Olympics – becomes a life experience gone.

Winners: Alex Yee (mens, Great Britian) https://apnews.com/article/olympics-2024-paris-triathlon-1cf86375ad666e7c5d222279f33ca31e and Cassandre Beaugrand (womens, France) took the plunge, and biking on rainy roads was doubling down on an extremely stressful event.

  • If USWNT and new coach Emma Hayes having reinstituted US dominance is still not a lock, their taking the gold with 1-0 win over Brazil just hours before the men’s https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5692015/2024/08/10/uswnt-brazil-olympic-gold-medal-takeaways/ basketball 98-87 victory against host nation France – was an epic afternoon. USA hoops team rode Stef (the Chef) Curry’s zeroed in 3-point shooting – 17 treys between 95-91 semi-final win over Serbia and finale vs. France. Team USA’s Women also beat the host nation for gold, 67-66, after France’s Gabby Williams toe was on 3-point line for final basket vs. extending game to OT.
  • Beyond the men’s 4x100m relay going down in DQ flames (again), Cole Hocker was huge https://www.nbcolympics.com/videos/cole-hockers-epic-final-stretch-seals-olympic-gold in 1500m win; Sweden’s Mondo Duplantis going Olympic record-world record (6.25m) in last two pole vault attempts was superb. Gabby Thomas, with her neurobiology-global health degree while running track at Harvard University and three golds (200m, two relays) in Paris, and Ilona Maher (7s rugby, bronze) putting her 5’10”, 200 lb. physique out there in a teeny red bikini for social media, awed many with her bruising play, were all super memorable.
  • Katie Ledecky in the pool is a national treasure, the Chinese national team raked in as much gold as better chemistry is capable of, and Dutch track star Femke Bol was outstanding at ripping the souls out of competitors with super just-before-the-line finishes. The French pole vaulter whose ‘package’ got rapped on cross bar will only hear about it daily for a long, long time. https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/a8232f165ebea14b0b3de76b267b07d0

Overall medal count was 40 gold (tie with China), 44 silver, 42 bronze, and stating the women’s share of that haul is easily recognized, is Truth. That several nations with small contingents pulled in first ever medals, not a problem. Sorry, I didn’t catch any wrestling or rhythmic gymnastics.

Panthers-Jets tomorrow moves regular season another day closer

  • Nobody is really going to know how much Panthers have improved from 2-15 team of 2023 until we see how long it takes to win two this year, but sure, finding out if DC Ejiro Evero’s defense can slow down Aaron Rodgers will produce a quantity of information that can’t be gained any other way. If Rodgers slays the secondary in the few series after sitting out all but the first few ticks of last season, Charlotte fans will probably feel like the Democrats did *before* Pres. Biden ended his presidential campaign – oh man! There’s no lusted-for Stephon Gilmore in coverage, but he hasn’t signed anywhere else either.
  • How Derrick Brown and the crew of free agents (Clowney!) the Panthers brought in to replace losing most of their linebacking crew (Yo, Shaq! Glad you’re still around) will be watched closely.
  • The same is true for Bryce Young’s offensive line, #1 draft pick Xavier Leggette (lee-gett) from USC (East), and TE Ja’Tavian Sanders. Panthers spent the big bucks on guards after a 62 sack campaign was the Heisman winner’s first year experience. Yes, Ikem Ekwonu better strap it on tight, HC Canales and OC Brad Idzik plan to run the ball lots. #2 pick (Texas) RB Jonathan Brooks is still almost two months from actually contributing as he recovers from November ACL surgery. XL is being handled *very* carefully, second year man Jonathan Mingo can’t afford to let down on the good vibes so many have gotten from watching this training camp. (Thanks in advance, Steven Smith, Sr.)

POLITICS

  • Refugee Team breaker Manizha Talash was disqualified from the first ever Olympic breaking competition for wearing a cape that said “Free Afghan Women.” Sha’Carri Richardson (USA) staring over at two competitors while blowing past-anchoring the 4×100 relay was personal, not political.
  • Frequent use of phrase, ‘The worst three weeks of trump’s life’ has been bandied regularly on air and headlines, with a direct contrast to the enthusiastic crowds who have greeted Harris-Walz rallies in a tour of battleground states. The Democratic Convention is next week, and Dems aren’t paying much attention to former First Lady Michelle Obama’s mantra – “When they go low, we go high.”
  • trump’s VP candidate JD Vance is on bigly wrong side of favorability surveys, and Dems Walz has been consistently beating the drum about his ‘couch ethics’ from his literary contribution to the world, Hillbilly Elegy. Its not a straight up biography, but its played well every time so far…
  • Although its still a close election scenario, fact the Harris campaign brought in $300M+ almost immediately, along with 130,000 (so they say) volunteers, a raft of Hollywood types, and support from groups like ‘Republicans for Harris’ et al puts even more positive spin on the political future than #MrTeppers$ staying quiet has about Charlotte Panthers football operations. Just sayin.’
  • Eighty-two days to elections! Like many who have been inspired (or fearful) about another Must Win election against trump, doing any small part to keep it real is legitimate for me. The training for Precinct Judge (D) in September will be a first time in almost 40 years I’m going deeper than simply voting. Last exposure was doing PR for a mayoral race in upstate NY, working for the Republican candidate because he was willing to pay for the help, against the Democrat I’m done similar work for the previous time around.

LOVE vs. APPRECIATION

Some use those terms interchangeably, with my proof regarding Olympics watching consisting of three extra pounds on scale and an ugh! number of Fosters cans for recycling. Yes, more than appreciated it, plunking myself in front of a big screen for, uhhhh, hours, was not a source of heavy guilt as much as loving the constant, often razor thin difference, between medals and nothing more substantial than knowing you’ve done the best you can.

Yes, as an ex-rugger, I ‘loved’ seeing Maher whack potential tacklers with a stiff arm in the neck, then being soooo cool (a vision in black, spaghetti strap dress) on late night TV, https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/sports/2024/08/13/ilona-maher-guest-nbcs-late-night-with-seth-meyers-paris-olympics-bronze-jason-kelce/74779533007/ letting Myers know she told everyone at Final Ceremonies, “It’s my birthday, so cheer your asses off” attitude.

Could ‘appreciation’ actually be gratitude for an undeniably safe and peaceful two weeks for a world that had every reason to think Paris could become another Munich (1972) disaster, with death and destruction blowing away all ancient, cherished Olympic standards of peace? Yep.

Would I appreciate the local Panthers being better (and bettable) in 2024? Hell yes.

Would I love to have a ‘Good Person’ continue to lead this country as a *democracy* vs. the specter of Project 2025 becoming part of my American lifestyle at 67? That would be a golden ideal, especially if we don’t wind up litigating the ever lovin’ snot out of any dispute like 2020 elections that gets a gnarlier as the back-forth on a bronze medal in floor exercise between a Romanian and USA’s Jordan Chiles over .1 in scoring, and four seconds of timing.

Business, Panther Football

For what its worth, Panthers pre-season is here, Young being held out

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on For what its worth, Panthers pre-season is here, Young being held out
What’s in the cards for 2024 Carolina Panthers? Not all answers will be made clear after a pre-season game, but count on them being more watch- and bettable. Willing to reinvest more of my NY casino winnings, what’s over-under on TE Sanders for TDs?

Enormous rain in Charlotte from Debby is no problem, game in New England will be closely watched by all. (Well, depending on Olympic schedule; US-Brazil women’s VB figures to be killer.) Holding out Young so maybe he doesn’t get broken ‘for nothing’ doesn’t sound right; give HC Canales extra rope on who-what-when at this point. Start the season clock, big Nexts will be 53-man roster (Aug. 27th) and opener vs. Saints (Sept. 8).

When assessing the Panthers brain trust during free agency and draft, the poker axiom ‘You can’t win everything in first couple pots, but you CAN lose it that quick,’ is still legitimate now that first preseason game is here. Head Coach Dave Canales knows as well as anyone that proving definite operational changes are as positive as his outlook is constantly described, will count. Nothing could say Tah-dah! better than Young going vertical and tagging one, or several, of those new receivers. But not this week.

Can Panthers run the ball?

While Young’s development will always be front and center consideration, Canales stated offensive plans revolve around running the ball effectively. “Every team I’ve been on, we used all of our running backs at different points because it’s such a violent position,” states the case, and he’ll have full tight end (9) and WR rooms (9) with 90 bodies in camp.

#2 pick Brooks isn’t expected to be available for another two months (post-Achilles surgery). Yes, surgery was reason the Texas product was available. Leave CMC out of any discussions on injury front, when Brooks is ready, we’ll know about it.

The new guard tandem of Robert Hunt-Damian Lewis and center Austin Corbett can’t be one-dimensional QB protectors, seeing Ikem Ekwonu put 3-4 people on their keesters would be uplifting, nothing better than Chuba Hubbard getting thirty-five yards on a half-dozen carries (2023 avg. 3.9/carry) out of the gate tonight. If Sanders put four good carries together, people would be less inclined to point at his $25.4M contract (in Year 2 of 4).

Playing many of the lesser names (Canales eventually held out about 30 players) is 99% the rationale for pre-season, and ‘Lets see what we’ve got’ has to include those here for last year’s 2-15. A lot of personnel is being re-evaluated, Legette (foot concern) and Brooks, like Young, are being handled carefully. GM Morgan has a plethora of Others to dial up immediately, but there will be now be film to watch and names to forget-replace at a steady clip.

RBs – Hubbard (4), Brooks, Sanders (6), Blackshear (3), D. Johnson, Jaden Shirden, Mike Boone (7)

TEs – Franks (4), Hodges, Hollister (7), Horsted (5), Matthews (8), Sanders, Sullivan (3), Thomas (7!), Tremble (4)

WRs – Diontae Johnson (6), Legette, Marshall (4), Mingo (2), Moore (6), Smith-Marsette (4), M. Strachan (4), Thielen (11), Thompkins (3)

Defense will have opportunities

Patriots were a decently strong defense up front last year, and they’ve given safety Jabril Peppers a 3 yr./$24M contract based on last years strong work. Panthers should be motivated to physically move people every chance they get, pre-season doesn’t earn a participation trophy. ‘Coach wants ground game, we do ground game!’ is order of the day. HC Canales has made it clear the lack of pre-snap discipline at FanFest at Clemson last week can’t/better not be best he gets.

Both offenses will be looking to prove they can run against the other, and Panther fans will be looking for Jadeveon Clowney to become enough of the ‘generational talent’ he was drafted as out of South Carolina. Its Year 11 on his physical clock, and he’s always been more of a beast against the run than truly overwhelming pass rusher. None of that changes with a pre-season game appearance (or not).

We’ll see how DC Evero uses his very different personnel in 2024, but Derrick Brown HAS to duplicate his feats of last year (57 solo tackles, 103 overall, 2 sacks) to move the Panthers defense up the overall rankings – they got scored on a lot without giving up sustained drives for a #3 rating.

Nobody can predict whether betting on Jaycee Horn will become a consistent terror in coverage or guy (still) walking the bench area during games is good idea. Just sayin’.

America is set to bet

Would I bet on this game (+5)? Sure, and a lot sooner than I would have bet that Swedish pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis (via LSU, Mom’s heritage) https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10130873-swedens-mondo-duplantis-sets-pole-vaulting-world-record-at-2024-olympics-wows-fans would go Olympic record (6.1m), world record (6.25m) with last two tries, after already nailing his second gold medal (Tokyo, 2021).

Even Canales would be hard pressed to out-positive that.

Results $$ during March Madness were good on FanDuel, I’d invested a lot of time on Big East watching (beyond UConn). I’m going to be an expert on understanding-writing Panthers season, and hugely talented Olympic athletes aside, football, including college, is where the meat is for sports books. Yes, I’ve got early $50 on Panthers (+800 consensus over several sites) for the NFC South.

#leadership thought, Panther Football

This ex-Yankee sharpens 2024 production – Panthers, politics, Red Silk Boxers

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on This ex-Yankee sharpens 2024 production – Panthers, politics, Red Silk Boxers
Talk about a classic shot: December game at Clemson, 1995. Sam Mills is going to try and stop Steve Young sneaking in from the one. 31-10 was final.

I bought tickets for Knights game on 17th, expect to ride bike downtown and see how close to Panthers practice fields I can get this week. The names of those who won’t be playing football in Charlotte long will be, well, long, starting soon. Lots of people to not learn about.

My red silk boxers picture, from just before moving to Charlotte in 1995, was about elementary personal positivity I’d like to revisit in 2024. That feeling a rising tide lifts all boats, the sunshine-y promise over four days that April for folks anniversary, became Go! action 38 days later. I was never a Giants or Jets fan.

I attended my first Panthers game, against the Steve Young-Jerry Rice 49ers, at Clemson. Panthers made it to NFC championship in Year 2, lost 32-29 to Patriots in their first win (2004) of Super Bowl run, and Broncos in 2016.

The franchises overall record is 223-260-1, 31-68 since #MrTeppers$ bought the team. Its not all his fault, but…Without 15-1 record in Super Bowl season, Rivera wouldn’t be nearly their winningest coach. I lucked into Panthers-Cowboys playoff tickets on Christmas Eve.

I’ve seen the depths three times, but just about every righteous button has been pressed by Panthers GM Dan Morgan in 2024, starting with extending stud defensive tackle Derrick Brown. https://www.nfl.com/news/panthers-dt-derrick-brown-agrees-to-four-year-96m-contract-extension While extensive coverage went to Brian Burns struggles with getting paid, Brown’s stats became a profound statement of his value to this organization – any upgrading of talent or regard for its #3 yardage defense ranking last year is based on his effectiveness.

The free agent elements brought in to mitigate the wiping out of Panthers linebacking corps, the newbies, and names in/out/remaining in the pot, they know THE PADS ARE ON NOW.

–8/1/24, GShork – Yes, Carolina, the Panthers will be bettable this year – points will be scored. No, its not just Canales positive smoke, its a brighter operational day. #MrTeppers$ should just ride the wave, maybe talk about stadium $$$ after they beat 5.5 win projection.

Not Cam Newton’s RPO

Its not necessary to visit any Panthers practices to know run-pass options won’t be in Head Coach Dave Canales playbook, even though he speaks regularly about running the ball offensively. Defensive coordinators figured out long ago that whacking the QBs *on*every*play* was a definite way to slow an RPO offense down, and yes, ‘6’5″, 250 and runs like a deer’ description of early Newton’s physicality is 180 degrees different from Bryce Young’s much slighter frame.

Otherwise, yes, there will be a real quantity of head banging for Panthers O-line in 2024.

If even TWO of the reports that Young is throwing it accurately to Everyone, Everywhere, All the time is true, *that* is still what most sports pundits consider a major criteria for Good Quarterback. The only time Cam hit a receiver on ‘up’ throw in red zone, Devin Funchess reached OVER a Redskin defender from behind to pluck what would have been an easy INT free. https://www.panthers.com/news/devin-funchess-becomes-first-nfl-player-to-sign-professional-basketball-contract (Who knew he was this good an athlete?)

Chuba Hubbard is the stalking horse for Panthers running game – at least right now. He’s been a grinder (3.9/carry) and scored 12 TDs for Panthers, five in ’21 when McCaffrey was the lead back and got traded, five last year (238 carries/902 yds) when there was NOT a great O-line in big picture. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/4241416/chuba-hubbard

If only thing that’s come out of camp about Miles Sanders is he’s lost some weight, Canales still likes crowds in RB and TE rooms.

Sizeable IFs

Austin Corbett’s move to center (post-knee surgery) and early addition of free agent guards Hunt, Lewis to run with the extremely solid Taylor Moton at right tackle, and betting on a better, remotivated Ikem Ekwonu on the left, is highly anticipated. Corbett has never played center as a professional, Ekwonu’s rep took a righteous dinging in a sophomore season full of penalties and shredding by blitzers that ruined Young’s first season.

Brady Christiansen will be backing up most line positions, but people will be leaving camp sooner vs. later if results are lacking. Morgan replaced Rashaad Penny’s retirement in less than a day. There’s already position competition gents… Cade Mays (3 yrs.)? Stephenson, excuse me, Steven Sullivan?

Solid Credit for upgrades to receiving corps

Best news for WR room is (seriously) that Jonathan Mingo spent time with Panthers great Steven Smith, Sr. during off-season. Mingo has all the physical tools, as does Terrance Marshall, and by all accounts, Ian Thomas has shown something under Canales early coaching. Keep the standard of ‘Whatever improves the competitive outlook of team’ in mind. Football Operations is getting great PR for consistent moves, and yes, it still seems #MrTeppers$ is being invested appropriately and without any hoo-ha.

When talking best moves on upgrading front, getting All Pro who runs great patterns Diontae Johnson as WR1 for CB Donte Jackson, who was about to become an economic cut ($14.5M), tops the trade list. A close #2, because Charlotte has gotten some quality personnel on the roster vs. shunned as ungood place to be, is Xavier Leggette (lee-get), the first round pick Panthers didn’t have going into draft. He’s a rookie most likely to earn a nickname and too modest to accept it. An inch shorter and a ripped 221 lbs., he’s Mushin Muhammad size with serious giddyap, and he’ll be a party to watch happen.

Canales-OC Brad Idzik won’t take as long to get production from him at WR2 as Panthers waited for Ohio St. blur Curtis Samuel to succeed (and then go free agent).

Canales-OC Brad Idzik won’t take as long to get production from him at WR2 as Panthers waited for Ohio St. blur Curtis Samuel to succeed (and then go free agent). Mushin is a franchise great, will be inducted into Ring of Honor with Julius Peppers during Week 8 game vs. Houston Texans.

Ja’Tavian Sanders out of Texas has got to be a prayer answered at tight end. My credo is use that weapon until a defense proves they can stop him, don’t sweat his blocking. Pavoratti didn’t sing the praises of Buicks or Golden Corral, right? Has it only been since 2020 that Olsen has been gone? 15.3yds./catch at Texas and almost elite speed, check, so maybe, please, show us how touches can (always?) equal catches.

Because I like the prospect of calling an obvious event early, mark Sanders down for a red zone TD catch early in season; he’ll filter outside on a goal line defense, be an unstoppable 1-1 cover. You might call it ‘best practices.’

–GShork says, 8/1/24

No pressure on Brooks cutting things up too soon, adding catch-run yardage out of backfield? Noooo, zero expectations…

Hey, WR room still has Adam Thielen, won’t get 1,000 again as primary, but he keeps getting open, so Young has the safety blanket tosses. He’ll earn his check and be a great teammate too. If part of what’s being rebuilt in Panthers organization is culture, with dawgs and foxhole guys in the mix, Thielen deserves to run some routes with daylight between catches and getting thumped by OLBs on a bad team at ending of solid career.

Health care, Political, Sports, Thought Leadership

Social Goodness mission in NY, Gratitude for casino results, Olympic stuck-the-landing drive

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on Social Goodness mission in NY, Gratitude for casino results, Olympic stuck-the-landing drive
Driving five miles for coffee was rewarded (twice) by having better than regular java at FoCastle Farms with refills and super-cinnamon soft cake cider donuts.

Enjoyed nephew’s Raleigh wedding and family time to the max Friday and Saturday, then high speed, point-to-point, 700+ miles Sunday in 100 degree heat driving north was affirming. Ten ‘As I Damn Well Please’ days of max mental health in NY, then 829 miles in 12 hours to stick the proverbial landing in Charlotte Thursday was Mission Accomplished stuff.

I made two timely decisions to stop for directions, then relied on incredible 35.4 mpg in my silver Sonata, Bullitt2, and dead reckoning navigation skills. #BoomerwithAttitude in 2024 is Eye-it and-fly-it.

Having promised myself nine holes of good swings (screw scoring), and played two balls all the way (from whites, several 440-plus) in breezy 86 degree sunshine, yay! for 5 wood and wedge work. Wouldn’t have tried playing in 97 heat in Charlotte. Saturday at racetrack was a qualified economic loss, but looking good every bit of the day-night, checking my casino luck-skill (+1200 last year) was a classic Yes! on skills.

Greatest unexpected positive was whacking tennis balls with brother David, now 64, in light sprinkle and fading light. Only hit a dozen or so, but seemed to have that nasty break on his serve right out of the closet. Can you believe it, a doctor suggested stressing his leg could help some necessary rebuilding of bone issue. It doesn’t get much better than that for a birthday gift, right?

Why should anyone care about my road trip? Personal JOY and mental health were the prime consideration, because there might be tense times in near future. I’m taking responsibility for my actions in pursuit of that joy, infringing on nobody else. I tipped one dealer $25 – a decent sharing if there’s rent and groceries, I’m just enjoying a little Life rush. My cards – tarot reading is hook to my books – indicated a Good Woman is supposed to be appearing, I’d appreciate that more than boxing a trifecta in next part of 2024.

Social Goodness plans for playing more tennis, that begins immediately. I’ll let you know about the serving part, my shoulder still sounds funny from bike accident in 2020.

Wednesday was definitely casino time

Even after hitting with David until 8:30 in the gloaming and sprinkle, Wednesday was definitely last casino time, went with a seersucker pearl-blue jacket, gray slacks, Bugachi blue-blue shirt, had same felt hat with $200 budget each time. Wound up driving to Schenectady three times, doubling my $$$ the last two. That’s not quite Olympian determination or success, but I appreciated having discipline to say, ‘$200 up, take the traveling cash and I quit’ after just 45 minutes.

Yeah, a bathroom selfie instead of red silk boxers on a Texan with cigar, but I was glad to uphold Saratoga tradition-rep of looking good.

Filling up my Social Goodness tank, bro and I enjoyed Wheatfields 1 lb. Lasagna and bright lights on Broadway post-races that Saturday. Hitting an exacta ($66) with favorite as #2 worked great for bankroll early, freed up betting through featured 11th, a $500k Grade 1 race. Losing voucher slip ($55) at end of day was one of few negatives on two week odyssey-road trip.

I never made it to Siro’s this year, always give it homage in my books. With all the fast driving, I smooshed a cone to avoid a collision at a rotary, so panel awry and $200 parking ticket at downtown location for wedding welcome night, I’d feel okay wishing anyone such a trouble free vacation.

Okay, the water pressure at Dave’s wasn’t that hot, but neither were daily temps, 10-12 degrees less than Charlotte and breezy, high 50s at night, windows open!

Picture of guy in red silk boxers, cowboy hat, cigar

A historic picture of LeSharque (checking as Romance writer name?) in red silk boxers and bow tie is now part of GShork’s Attitude 2024. Just FYI, the classy tuxedoed gent I’m referencing was supposed to be an artsy classic https://artincontext.org/roy-lichtenstein/ The ‘voice bubble’ over the cowboy hat, taped to some coat hanger and anchored with an ace bandage wrap, specifically addressing the red silk boxers, says “I’m so gal-durn rich, I bet nobody notices I’m wearing red silk boxers outside like I’m freaking Madonna.”

That’s some of the Attitude I’m copping at this point. I will not be cowering from any whoa-ho! post-Biden announcement fears after return from Saratoga. How I continue to keep an Etsy microeconomy and personal momentum going into Fall of ’24 is my short term focus. I got official notice about responsibility, and will train as first-time election precinct official (after 40 years as a voter), beginning in August. I’m refreshed and ready for this run to November.

Not sure how The Great Recession, COVID Pandemic, and now resisting *another* round of trump negatives will stack up with Brokaw’s ‘Greatest Generation’ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Greatest_Generation_(book) but there’s a magnitude of something coming next four months. If my post-Biden analogy-prediction of bloody heads popping in profusion in trump world like Season 3-4 of The Boys holds up, let Miller be in that scene. Just sayin’.

We’ll see how the Olympics roll for USA

The first election I voted was 1976, post Watergate. I always gave those Repubs who went to Nixon and said, “Nuh-uh, you can’t stay,” credit for reality and pride, doing right by the country and office. Nixon wouldn’t do about 10,000 of the things trump et al minions continue doing in service of The Big Huge Lie. These last two SCOTUS verdicts, wow! but Uncle Joe stepping down for the good of party and country, Legendary is the best word.

I’m chuckling out loud at Pubs demanding Speaker Johnson investigate whether the President lied about his cognitive powers after this. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/can-t-tell-the-truth-mike-johnson-caught-in-lie-about-joe-biden-s-health/ar-BB1qf0f5?ocid=BingNewsSerp Will the Olympics take all the air out of Repubs and news cycle, until they LEAVE EARLY, with a withering amount of financial bills to fix? Will that give Harris (+$200M raised in short period after change, direct link to Women’s support) an opportunity to showcase her leadership more than LeBron against South Sudan, or on boat for opening ceremonies?

Every group will get air time at convention, Biden’s age is no longer a question. Let’s admit, for several cycles the Dem’s haven’t been guilty of circular firing squads. Open convention or aligned on committed delegates is solid, the business-task at hand 100% known. Bigger deal than Olympics? Yeah, second won’t really count.

Like the US Men’s Olympic Super Team of NBA stars https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/wnba/us-mens-basketball-team-rolls-past-serbia-110-84-in-opening-game-at-the-paris-olympics/ar-BB1qMhIf?ocid=BingNewsSerp (oh my! KD 21 pts. on 8/8 shooting in first half), Biden, and now Harris, must continue proving *this* 2024 version of USA democracy is worthy of the hype and expectations, even after nailing an overall Greater Good promise, saving things that we’ve come to think of as New Normal in post-pandemic, not-elected trump world.

Ms. Biles is beyond spectacularly back, the USWNT put two excellent games together in soccer competition behind a new coach https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/lifestyle-buzz/the-story-behind-uswnt-s-coach-at-the-olympics-emma-hayes/ar-BB1qC4dK?ocid=BingNewsVerp, and Katie Ledecky is still Katie Ledecky, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XIC6O9P4WE with a 1:53.6 leg in 4x200m freestyle, but lots of medal-level activity in Paris won’t change immediate political challenges at home.

For the female boxer who quit her match with a ‘questionably gendered/previously suspended’ fighter whose punch was ‘far, far more painful than anything she had ever experienced,’ yes, you need to pick another sport.

POV - Content Creation, Sports

Final ‘Blue’ of Year Resonates as America! New Normal Summer includes WWC, a wedding, Saratoga races

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on Final ‘Blue’ of Year Resonates as America! New Normal Summer includes WWC, a wedding, Saratoga races
No problem using a favorite picture in Saratoga instead of geared up as Blue. NY vacation to include Yankee Stadium trip? Never been!

Saturday will be my final umpiring gig of the season, and I should have started in late March instead of May. Its been very satisfying-affirming again, even that wicked foul tip to forearm bone that I thought might have broken it first weekend back. I can still take getting drilled, #BoomerwithAttitude, y’know.

This is commitment time for baseball families, when All-Star teams start traveling in the winnowing process to Little League World Series, whole communities raising $$$ as their local heroes advance.

I’ll be plate umpire ($60) for a 9:30 scrimmage between two local teams, less than five miles from home, be done about 11:30. A beer and maybe whacking tennis balls down at Freedom Park with Josh, yep, that and Carolina blue sky qualifies as A-1 Social Goodness-New Normal lifestyle.

People easily understand my saying, “If you hear the ball crack! into something, that’s not a problem. If you don’t hear it, it got meat.” –With Sincere thanks to guy with ice pack after foul tip injury.

Its factually True, if not an actual umpiring credo: Don’t reward stupid. (You’re out!) “Don’t pose like I missed the pitch,” is a one-time warning.

Actual calling of balls, strikes, out-safe, has to be consistent, and yes, between inning chats that let people know about catchers moving the ball is legitimate. ‘Whose kid is the one who just nailed the runner at third with that BIG throw?’ will always be a Mom-pleaser comment.

Looks good from here, Blue!

I’ve never offered my clicker and face mask to anyone shouting that common comment, but I’m still the authority figure for this situation. Two sides of coaches-players: When you tell a player to move away from a potential situation, the correct Next is act of moving, never “I’m not in the way.” Coaches usually get that straightened out without extra hoo-ha.

“Why was that last pitch not a strike?” by the catcher clarified a long-running situation, where coaches had questioned *every*single*call* for two games as they came back through Losers bracket. “You need to turn around, and Coach,” I signaled, “you need to come here, because ten year olds wouldn’t have the stones to question an umpire about a pitch if you coaches hadn’t been d*cks for two games.

“Get all the coaches and buckets back in the dugout (they had 4-5), and if I hear anything more about X, you can watch this game from the parking lot,” was gist of my instructions. Getting specific about catchers trying to get sucker swings by setting up on outside corner – “It crosses the batters box line, I don’t care how good a catcher is about bringing it back, its NEVER going to be a strike,” is my mantra.

Not all catchers relate that fact to pitchers, who get frustrated post-move, seeing catchers glove in strike zone. Many pick up sand on low throws or even jump, then position glove dead center.

When I plant my foot so I can see plate and batters location to it, as catcher, you WILL need to set up closer. I’m grateful for shorter spaces between plate and backstop many places, too many passed balls with run-run-run scoring isn’t cool.

Coaching and Other Stuff

The coach who used ’22 years pitching in big leagues’ as credibility might be counting minor leagues too, but thinking he’s getting better pitching from a 10 year old arm by nibbling outside vs. getting it over plate so kids learn what strikes really look like, is flat wrong. Its also contrary to ‘get them to swing’ by calling strikes attitude we’re told to use. If a batter couldn’t reach it with a pole, I’m not calling your kid out.

Special bats – You hear an obvious difference in a sturdy ten year old’s PING! of 200-plus feet into trees and whatever is brought to the plate in less competitive leagues. If a kid ‘got all of it’ putting it over an outfielders head, thats not a Drop 5 level bat.

Curve balls – If you KNOW your pitcher’s got one, and you try telling him not to use it a lot because it WILL hurt young arms, that’s not going to work when he keeps getting people out with it. When a pitcher smiles and fiddles in their glove, you know their Special Pitch is coming.

On Fathers Day: More power to millions of Dad-coaches, who often started because of their kids, but keep things going over ten or twenty years. I smile every time I hear one say, “If there’s a passed ball, you should be here!”

Admitting I have NO respect for the coach who left his pitcher in for *8* runs in top of first (eventually 12-0 hole), actually saying, “Don’t look at me, I’m not taking you out.” What could possibly be on his mind? when they lost 15-11, humiliating a kid who couldn’t find the plate with Google Maps?

Its said the only person you can rely on is one dressed like you, but when every parent at a recreation league game thanks you for being there, man, that’s affirming! As long as little sisters have enough snacks, the American Family Experience that is Little League carries forward. For anyone who offers me a Gatorade on a 95 degree day like today, yay you!

After last years success at the Saratoga track and casino, my Blue paychecks are mad money for NY vacation in July, New Normal at its finest.

Business, POV - Content Creation, Sports

‘Blue’ for American Family baseball, Panthers May is New Normal, Year 30 starts in Charlotte

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on ‘Blue’ for American Family baseball, Panthers May is New Normal, Year 30 starts in Charlotte

Earning over $1100 in last ten days, even having four rainouts, makes umpiring a favored evenings/weekends gig. Seeing terrific glovework, the JOY of tough catches, winning, and hell yes! 10 year olds going yard, is worth an occasional mask-adjusting foul tip. My new product on Etsy – entrepreneur again! online gig, being ‘Blue,’ a girlfriend? my recent New Normal is all positive.

A week after opening OTAs, business is like Carolina Panthers handle on 2024 – Back-glancing isn’t necessary, fans are interested.

Arrived in Charlotte 1995, same as Panthers

Making a case for kinship-history with a football team’s hopeful resurrrection feels legitimate. I use ‘Year 30 starts’ as a personal marker, Memorial Day being my landing date in the Queen City. Having come down from NY for my folks 40th anniversary (up from Tampa), I enjoyed Chamber of Commerce weather in mid-April, 38 days later, I was here. I was never a Giants or Jets fan, so when Panthers threw down that 12-4, NFC championship game second year, I was an easy convert. And hey, the weather is still terrific.

I’ve only been to two Hornets games at Spectrum Center, good thoughts sent to them for new owners efforts to turn that franchise around too. Charlotte doesn’t want to become (stay?) Loserville. It definitely looks like a time to change almost any-everything after Bridges, Miller, Grant and Mark Williams, plus the upcoming high draft pick. Since huge extension contract $$$ is kicking in, maybe keep that LaMelo dude healthy.

The first Super Bowl https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK_2j0CDNFo was exactly what fans remember forever. Conversely, I’m chuckling at the offer of tickets for a rain-soaked final game of 1-15 train wreck under George Seifert in 2001. “No, thanks, hopefully there’s another game on TV,” was reasonable response to going just to support in very yucky weather. I’ve done the pilgrimage to Wofford twice, and the 95 degree heat (plus index) as ‘a cauldron to test players in’ is Truth; I sweated lots just standing in the minimal shade. I maintain such efforts are still a marking point for fandom.

Highs and lows happen. I tried going to the Cowboys game last year, thought fan interest was about zero, and found out scalpers were having a good day. Cowboys fans travel well, tickets were over $150 in three tries – my expectation had been $30-50.

Brother Steve gave me tickets to the 29-10 stomping of Cowboys in 2003 playoffs, I scalped the second ticket for $50, only took one try, and nobody ever showed up next to me. I still have an over-priced, large plastic beer mug, and a #34 DeAngelo Williams jersey was a good Belks discount rack purchase.

You see how out of control things are in Detroit after finally winning a division (and maybe choking vs. 49ers)? They gave Goff HOW MUCH $$$? New Normal won’t be like that in Charlotte.

If the Panthers are .500 at Thanksgiving, Tepper *will* get more than adequate good press. An $800M re-do on stadium? Oh man…!

It Won’t be like that in Charlotte

Still not sure why nobody has given #MrTeppers$ even back-handed kudos for what certainly ACTS like a Football Operations Team that has produced positive, substantial changes in the roster already, without any stated output about approval or expectations by him regarding any of it.

While I’m still a little amazed that Ian Thomas isn’t one of those constantly tabbed to be gone players from last year, Tommy Tremble sounds positive about the tight end room, including that #101 pick https://www.nfl.com/players/ja-tavion-sanders/ from Texas. Every analysis of Panthers TE position always ends ‘since Olsen left,’ drafting a REAL pass-catcher sounded like an excellent decision.

Let Canales and Offensive Coordinator Brad Idzik earn their paychecks. Yes, put people in positions where they’ll use their talents well/better. Tillis and Morgan ripped off the $46M bandaid of bad contracts/salary cap situation, tomorrow (2025) is a better day, but nobody is liking idea of Tampa Bay and Mayfield ruling the NFC South in 2024 either.

The operating theory is that WAY too many disparate opinions about the Panther offense, combined with a dearth of talent at skill positions, put Bryce Young into a horrific situation, which he survived, if not as admirably as some expected. Its been pronounced from the rooftops that Panthers GM Dan Morgan and Head Coach Dave Canales have got better players for sure after free agency and draft.

Has Bryce put on same couple pounds of muscle McCaffrey did after a year with the big boys? not a bad idea at all. In fact, nobody *wondered* if C-MC bulked up a little – he had GUNS to show for it. Young does look like he’s a little firmer topside though.

Putting a number on how much better outlook could be, is according for several, not all that decisive a change, like 5.5 victories. I won’t ask Charles Barkley for his opinion, but getting maybe $20 ($50?) worth of whatever those odds (about +2500 for playoffs) may be is reasonable. I tend to concur with The Athletic analysis, “It is safe to say that the Panthers won’t be an out-right elite team in 2024, but it could be a feisty team that odds-makers are a bit too low on.”

That could be a great take on New Normal compared to last season’s pounding. Feisty and under-appreciated bets-wise, I like the idea.

Business-like plan, No panic

The sense of business as usual seems legitimate at this stage, the operation has even sorted through personnel at the office level, and there is a steady stream of whose status is better or worse in 2024 to read online. Given the emphasis on positivity Canales has engendered, is Young truly catching on to the methods, philosophy, progression, footwork Canales brings to the QB Whisperer function?

There’s no reason to believe otherwise. If the worst thing you’ve heard is Panthers stretched on some picks, well, Ejiro Evero’s defense is still being assembled. Nobody is forgetting that Luvu and Burns were A-level talents now playing elsewhere, and Gross-Matos is in San Francisco. On a team that either stopped people (#4 in yardage) or very definitely *didn’t* stop them (29th of 32 teams in ppg given up), a decent amount of attention has been paid to the secondary. The verdict is still out on getting Clowney’s HS buddy, Stephon Gilmore – late of Dallas and Buffalo – to Charlotte again, but additional names and bodies (and economics) will be checking in-out of here consistently.

Whether there’s any hyping of possibilities, the player shuffle now seems regular and well-documented. Some experts are coming around to the idea Panther draft picks as reasonable choices instead of ‘flyers,’ those never-as-good-as-we-thought selections that happen less in good organizations, because they don’t need Magic.

If the Panthers finally discover they can move the chains with throws to a tight end not named Olsen, that would be a good thing, and if Brooks breaks a 60 yard run before November, that would count plenty for sure.

Other people will have to produce besides Bryce Young. Former Panther Head Coach Ron Rivera often said, “Things change when the pads go on.” Mandatory minicamp is June 11-13.

Panther Football

Panthers building a roster, not a Dynasty, Coloring Outside Lines is OK

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on Panthers building a roster, not a Dynasty, Coloring Outside Lines is OK

Training camp doesn’t start until July 26th, C-MC winning a Super Bowl before Panthers organization is a legitimate fact, all else is negotiable. Player skills will be delineated, displayed, discussed, eventually becoming a 53-man roster.

No hard core trips to Wofford for practices, but keep that roasted alive feeling, the effort of being a fan.

Great Panther Debate Topics

For the first time in 28 years, the Carolina Panthers won’t start that process with training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, but with a downtown Charlotte practice field near their stadium. If you’ve ever attended a practice in the cauldron that is South Carolina in mid-July, keep that memory as a standard of team support. Cam won’t be around, a LOT of new faces will be.

Football Operations-wise, with a documented, valid free agent group signed and draft completed, there’s no reason for early May naysaying by NFL ‘expert wannabes.‘

The emphasis is on getting righter-better personnel – and Panthers ripped off the proverbial cap hit bandaid by losing most of their linebacker experience (except Shaq Thompson), who got big money elsewhere. Anyone who expects ends Clowney, DJ Wonnum, Josey Jewell et al to do better than replace 18 of a paltry 27 sacks in 2023, that’s both legitimate and necessary.

Dave Canales supposedly radiates positivity – #1 FACT is still turning around Geno Smith to Comeback Player of Year for Seattle, and Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay last year. *WE saw* Baker in Charlotte, possibly the wrongest thing I’ve ever written (https://cdtalententerprises.com/2022/03/25/panthers-6-pick-cant-fill-two-major-needs-so-7-ideas-for-gm-fitterer-to-consider-along-the-way/ (Nine wins for Rhule to keep his job, what was I thinking?) Canales as OC and Idzik did that much with him, you *GOTTA* give them some love up front when working with an advertised brainiac like Bryce Young.

Accept that Morgan knows how to spot talent. Forget ‘Prove you’re not a robot’ for every player now because of that rosy 2023 bs. Rhule and Fitterer shouldn’t be invoked further regarding roster building, where every ex-Temple or Baylor person available seemed the answer.

GM Morgan – Stretch picks?

Lots of online ink being spilt about the turning-building of the Panthers roster. I wasn’t there for the expansion Tampa Bay Buccanners, who went 0-26 before finally breaking through to win a game, but sportswriting in ’80s, we often talked about Suckaneers. Asked about how he felt regarding his teams execution, original Bucs Head Coach, the emminently quotable John McKay said, “I’d be in favor of it.” (rimshot)

Things aren’t really like that in Charlotte. Those recently signed free agents Morgan has coming in, that level of talent wasn’t how it rolled when Bucs joined (1974) and played first game in 1976. It was 90% castoffs, economic hits, or problems. Charlotte was 12-4 and went to the NFC title game in Year 2.

Morgan clearly knows how to get together better talent, a skill proven for years in Buffalo and elsewhere before coming back to Charlotte. He worked with Canales in Seattle. If he hasn’t gotten enough props for making a deal during draft that gives Panthers a #2 next year, its a legitimate part of doing things right on the way back.

Many asked, ‘Why not wait one pick for USC’s Legette, instead of making a trade with Buffalo?’ 1) There was a mid-round run on all those receivers teams wanted, and Buffalo *actually*needed*one*, but they traded with Panthers, who got Xavier Legette, a player they seriously wanted. 2) The 5th year option is much better for budgets with #1s who flourish, than guaranteed $$ for same person at front of contract. 3) Organizational and personal pride is allowed here – GM Morgan wasn’t slated for a 1st round pick, and deserves taking a Big Boy Bow for first step in a place where smart hasn’t always flourished.

Morgan wasn’t fishing

Morgan wasn’t just fishing around, didn’t expect anyone special to jump in the boat – he landed those talents the brain trust agreed they wanted and actively kept up with, especially South Carolina star Legette. In a solid example of ‘Why this instead of that?’ at #101, Panthers selection in 4th round was a praise-worthy (and rated much higher) pass-catching tight end in Ja’Tavion Sanders, and first complaint on several sites is, he’s apparently not much of a blocker. Geeez!

A nerdie numbers guy might say, ‘He looks like a bazinga! guy in red zone situations!’ and ‘Damn straight about getting better targets for Bryce Young, throw it near those 10.5″ mitts!’ His speed is rated as just below Elite. He should be Greg Olsen’s first guest of the year, and if Steve Smith likes (Lee-gette) anywhere near as much as he did DJ Moore, that’s good by me.

Head Coach Dave Canales

Morgan-Canales-Tillis are building from rubble, not nursing a Dynasty. At some point, Tepper has to get some attaboys! for personal silence part nobody expected he’d accept. Would anyone have given Baker Mayfield a 3 year/$100M/$50M guaranteed contract without the (4,044 yds/28 TDs/10 INTs) stats he put up in 2023? No, and HC Canales is the Whisperer that made that happen, and he’s working HERE now, not Tampa.

Panthers added some heft to go with Mr. Brown on defensive line, we’ve seen the $$$ tags attached to the O-linemen they brought in early, a best possible signal about fixing a considerable problem for Panthers, 62 sacks of their rookie QB. Could there still be injuries…? Hushhhhh…

Third-rounder, Trevin Wallace – maybe a hitting machine, but wasn’t rated as going that early – let’s call that ‘coloring outside the lines,’ compared to last year’s ALL IN! on Bryce Young. Losing top three linebackers, DC Ejiro Evero needed a weapon to improve defense’s Top 5 yardage given up-Bottom 5 in points scored efforts. Why select Brooks as a running back, six months after ACL surgery? Compared to 4 yr./$180M contract Atlanta gave to 35 year old QB Kirk Cousins, also for ACL surgery, Panthers believe he’s right where supposed to be. Yes, we’ll see about his versatility.

Canales says having several running backs (5) and three QBs was how he wanted to roll, but on a team that might consider using a top running back on the bomb squad, thats taxi squad talk, not 53-man roster.

Lacking few transformational opportunities for credibility over the next two months, my Little League umpire, mid-May POV is essential response Morgan and Canales should give any fannie – We’ve got a way better look at the situation than anyone else, and your opinion about too many running backs is (meh) noted.

Business, Panther Football

Panthers have more good players than before, In Football & Poker, You can’t win it all first few hands

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on Panthers have more good players than before, In Football & Poker, You can’t win it all first few hands

May 17th is old group’s first poker gathering in years, but post-draft, the Carolina Panthers brain trust has put check marks next to what makes a better hand in 2024. Don’t mention that – whatever number this dawg was called at – Trevin Wallace might hit like a young Dan Morgan.

Rating it a C+ draft as one industry name did, doesn’t seem very accurate, especially when top-end producing receiver, 90%-studly linebacker, and versatile running back all got checked off Must Have list. Those naysayers who point to lack of career production vs. comeback quality in newbies back stories, Panthers organizational zen is tight with Canales and Morgan – its about dawgs and guys you’d want in proverbial fox hole.

Needed: WR1 type, a burner with size, worthy of organizational approval as exceptional person. People know about Xavier Legette’s injury, I’m trusting nobody is hiding shaky info otherwise, so 71 catches for 1,255 yards and seven TDs, CHECK. You can’t fault the PR value of Morgan making that ever so humbly great step of selecting in 1st round, so extra CHECK.

It was stated throughout pre-draft period Panthers wouldn’t have a first round pick, so for Panthers GM *and* that young man, already a local kids dream fulfilled, motivation! There’s no denying (Lee-gette’s) physical tools and attitude, quantifying the fight in dog thing, really, no reason to consider the resumes of Panther selections as puffed up. Small trade to gain 5th year option on rookie $$ scale, that’s better thinking than last year.

Charlotte fans not ‘believing’ until meaningful games ending with Ws happen, gotcha. Snarky about everything being hype, nah. Be a better fan.

Not an A, But Lots of Checks

So having second documented good WR1 to Dionte J. seems like a no-brainer Goodness, and same with Jonathan Brooks. Plans were for another running back and a 3rd QB, thats how HC Canales wants to operate. Chuba Hubbard had 902 yds. last year, good overall, so stated goal of adding depth at all positions, CHECK.

Brooks late injury, after TX back was behind Bijan Robinson (now ATL Falcon) is supposedly a legitimate bonus, two less seasons of getting whacked a lot, which can’t really be a flaw. Of course he got downgraded as light on numbers, this isn’t a baby-bathwater deal though – he’s less dinged, not less valuable. Nobody is expecting the second coming of McCaffrey, just versatile. Its not humanity, its competition.

Okay, Trevin Wallace is going to get some play about Morgan self-image or whatever, but reading elements under ‘Weakness’ in scouting profile reveals nothing close to fatal. ‘Over-pursues, and doesn’t read trick plays great?’ Hmmm… ‘You know when he’s hit you.’ What, we have to choose between those attributes? Its called coaching. Here you go Ejiro Evero, a really good weapon.

Numbers-wise, Burns sack totals are mostly a wash with Clowney acquisition, and FA pickups are balance. Getting off the field on third down means knocking people down for real, nothing says knocking down can’t be learned better by a rookie banger. A personality trait and physicality – why should that be any reason to DQ a guy based on where others thought they should land?

Morgan may have been dancing around with picks, but its no small thing he got back a #2 for next year out of his activity.

#4 pick J’Tavion Sanders

Was pass-catching tight end on the Get List? Hell yes, has been for years. Report said his speed is *just short of elite,* his strength on contested catches has real red zone value (!!!) a super run after catch (RAC) guy. Tough guy, could have been a linebacker out of high school if he wanted? Noooo, Panthers don’t need anyone like THAT, 10″-plus hands, touch it-count it reception guy with wheels?

There’s any question of how 6’3″ 245 and 15.2 yards a catch could affect TE room with Panthers? Ian Thomas is still on the roster? #4 pick J’Tavion Sanders, the TE from TX, sounds good to me. Put twenty pounds on him as a pro and see how he still runs and does some blocking. If teams know he’s the receiving guy who gets eight yards and first down AND/OR gashes you for thirty-five on a seam route, let them stop it.

Noooo, Panthers don’t need anyone like THAT, 10″-plus hands, touch it-count it reception guy with wheels? We’ve already got the Ninja, Olsen. Oh, right, we don’t, or had anything that looks close to that Legend since forever.

–GShorkey, 4/27/24 Post first draft, no way a C+.

Dismissing team evaluation process is beyond silly, ‘They got their guys’ with #1 Legette, Sanders.

There’s a DT pick but no nose guy, and I know there’s a Michigan LB, Michael Barrett, at the end too. Why kick about a guy until you see how things look on the field – that Michigan defense played pretty well all year to NCAA championship. Did Harbaugh drafting a major slab of beef for Chargers #1 shake anyone’s confidence?

Panthers #5 Chau Smith-Wade, D-back with some attitude? Pretty sure that was on the list. Pet peeve with supposed fast-fast Jackson was whacking people after they already made catch instead of tipping it away. A dude about my size gets territorial about giving up catches, nothing wrong with cheering for that picture. Explosive recovery y’say? Difference maker in secondary? We’ll see.

Again, peanut gallery agreeing with every pick and priority is like my Little League umpiring, where periodically reminding people how much better view, and opinion that counts, is from here. Tell me you knew jack about where Smith-Wade played… (Washington St.) If they actually get (soon to be 34, but maybe still a player) Stephon Gilmore signed as a leader, things will work better. No, he’s a DB, not the center you think they could’ve maybe gotten, but nobody should say Smith-Wade didn’t fit the Get List.

Leave #MrTeppers$ Alone

Recognizing Panthers 2023 draft Reality was rosy glasses and BS if not lies, doesn’t mean we automatically assume 2024 crew would be presenting over-pretty backup info about picks, or injuries plus-minus situations with documentation not up to snuff. Panther Head Coach Dave Canales has only ONE YEAR as an Offensive Coordinator before gig in Charlotte, and same is true about Idzik getting OC post. Nobody in Panther org questions their cred, nor should Others concern themselves with Morgan’s eye for talent.

After free agency and draft, Phase Three is the blending part, and if the cash pile available for more signings gets smaller, Fortune (still) favors the bold. I haven’t looked at a price-odds for Division Title bet, but maybe I’ll cash the big payoff at upcoming poker game, putting my version of Big Boy Chips on the table like Dan Morgan on a roll, striking for a WR1 with a first round pick he wasn’t supposed to have. (I can hope, because good cards don’t always show up as needed.)

Without going for any wholesale Homer Attitude, picks #1-5 were definitely above average. Everyone knows Panthers had a lot of holes to check off, so filling many of those, I wouldn’t think less than a B. Certainly no guarantees expected on Legette or my bluffing a flush, but if Steve Smith has an opinion about Legette, I’m willing to hear it.

Mom wasn’t much of a football picker, but she would’ve agreed with letting Dan Morgan doing the selecting, and naysayers should hush up.

Business, Sports, Thought Leadership

No Fear in Panthers Draft After Well-Done Free Agency, Hornets Making Big Moves Too?

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on No Fear in Panthers Draft After Well-Done Free Agency, Hornets Making Big Moves Too?

Panthers GM Dan Morgan traded up to a #1 pick for USC star wide receiver Xavier Legette, Charlotte makes headway vs. Loserville tag. Belief will still take Ws by Canales, and Brandon Miller, JJ Redick are Hornets longshots.

I’m going to do Little League umpiring again in May-June. At 67, I consider it a privilege to have even this much input on youth sports, and appreciate the parents who spend all weekend there – as long as little sisters have enough snacks, all is well. Loved this sign.

Nice try, Hornets

There’s been deserved interest in JJ Redick getting his name tossed into consideration for the Charlotte Hornets head coaching spot, and the notion Brandon Miller might grab some Rookie of the Year votes from Wemby’s huge campaign is nice – he rated ‘best’ three months this year, and 17.3 ppg/4.3 reb/2.4 asst/44% shooting was solid. Wembanyama’s defensive presence is immediately huge in voting, his offensive upside from 21.4 ppg/10.6 rebs means ‘It’s nice to be considered’ time for Miller.

Hornets having a 13.3% chance of getting #1 pick in NBA draft is almost Holy Grail territory for them, haven’t been close to a franchise player in forever. Even a Top Three would mean a very sound additional piece for a new coach to work with, as Steve Clifford moves to another role in the organization.

JJ Redick has no experience at any coaching level, and whether he’s as smart and capable of making changes that a similarly undocumented commentator cum Legend, Pat Riley, accomplished in turning the Los Angeles Lakers into the Showtime! Lakers of the ’80s, you’ll be reading that option more than once before any actual decision gets made.

There’s a decent list of candidates without Redick’s ACC (2x POY) and 15 year pro career resume. Most have the previous assistant experience that Dave Cowens (San Antonio) had when taking reins to 1996-1997 team that swapped out essentially an entire starting team.

’96-’97 Cowens team came from Everywhere

Listening from next table to owner George Shinn and Charlotte magazine editor, who confessed she didn’t have a sports writer that Press Day, became my first sportswriting gig in Charlotte, and honestly, soooo dead on the money. New HC Dave Cowens was spread across a couple folding chairs, he shrugged when I confessed being a Knick fan who hated his guts while he played for Celtics. Yeah yeah, two million and eight…

Dell Curry was still hoisting treys, so was Tom Chambers, Matt Geiger turned out to be a terrific ‘other’ 7-footer, who played to Cowens defense- oriented POV, 6’8″ Glen Rice from the Heat, swooping in from the wings (27 ppg), good-passing center Vlade Divac from Lakers for rights to Kobe, and NBA 6th Man Anthony Mason in trade for Larry Johnson’s absurd contract, it really did have personnel. With tighter defense down to league average, nobody just cha-chaing through the lane, and improved scoring, 52-30 was right on my preseason projection.

Not everybody shot threes either. Geiger wasn’t shy about contact, lots of post fouls to give with 7′ Zidek. Burrell was a physical specimen who didn’t get regular time because of injury, Mugsy was around. ‘Not enough dough, so Zo go’ was start of when Shinn got stupid, he didn’t reward Cowens after two good years either, started making noise about leaving if he didn’t get better stadium deal.

Hornets had been THE Team attendance since the beginning, but when Bob Johnson wondered why he hadn’t gotten the $$$ support from community he’d been lead to consider his due, the fact was, many people still cared more about their college teams, and could watch them for FREE, two or three times a week. The NBA product suffered – HOF Coach Larry Brown once said, “I got 12 guys with guaranteed contracts, and I don’t want any of them!” and there were a significant number of years when the Bugs weren’t hardly significant at all.

In 1999, Dawn Staley, one of the most decorated players https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawn_Staley in women’s basketball history, was selected #9 by the WNBA Charlotte Sting, leading them to the Finals in 2001.

The last season Hornets made the playoffs (48-34) was 2016, with Clifford as coach. Miller’s chances for ROY in Year One of Wemby has a ring of truth, there’s a question of Bridges status (although its an economic wash), and there’s really only one major contract (Bertans, $16M) for consideration. Redick’s ‘Old Man and the Three’ podcast and a strategy podcast with LeBron ‘Mind the Game,’ might be upgrades from Riley’s rep-duties as sidekick to Chick Hearn way back then, so JJ Redick might be a popular mention here, but the new owners have CPA firm seriousness beyond paying $3B to get team from Mike, y’know?

If ever there was an example of ripping off the Band Aid, it was Panthers losing Burns AND Luvu AND Grosse-Matos. If you read the microeconomy of cap finances, top two would’ve sucked a lot of whatever $$ from the room, so management took the hit now. You can’t bedgrudge the Hornets clearing house as well, bringing in 8-9 new guys is a real possibility. Why should it be otherwise?

Back to Panthers and #1 Pick

Time to put away the negative vibes about Fitterer, and lets be satisfied with how Mr. Tepper has handled, or more accurately *not* had any hands seen, in free agent period. I repeat, its time to lay Fitterer years to rest, NOBODY is going to have to sweat Xavier Legett as Panthers initial #1 of Canales-Morgan-Tilis brain trust as flawed.

No predictions on W-L in NFC South either, but yoiks! on Falcons picking 24-year old Penix after they spent $100M on post-Achilles surgery Cousins is a head scratcher. We’ll also see if Tampa Bay replaces the offensive coordination that Canales and Idzik represented with Bucs last year, now working in Charlotte, maybe how well Baker Mayfield does, dragging a big ol’ contract behind him…

Admitting I considered Fitterer had done as requested by bringing in whatever quarterbacks he did, ‘just dropping in a QB’ was never an operational fact. Yes, everyone thought the 2022 rushing attack would make life easy for Young, even if Panthers gave away only deep threat (Moore) to Bears. That deal is also a dead and gone fact, Caleb Williams was indeed the name Chicago used for overall #1, and the gift-wrapped bonus of Moore produced an exceptional year (96 rec./1,364 yds/8 TDs) for the receiver we appreciated while here.

Taking Moore on your fantasy team is fine, just recognize he isn’t going to be All That for us again. XL, that’s a lot of hope.

No doubts isn’t True

It took until the Panthers went 11-0 by thumping the Cowboys in Dallas on Thanksgiving that Carolina fans started believing a Super Bowl was possible. Its a time-tested standard that still works. Newton isn’t that 2016 quarterback, Young and Canales won’t be the 2016 team, or 2023 version either.

–Glenn S., 4/26/24 Plenty of leeway between 15-1 and 2-15, right?

So, something a bit higher up the scale from golf applause for the Hornets on a sports weekend that feels pretty decent. I’m going to the Checkers playoff hockey game Saturday afternoon. https://charlottecheckers.com/articles/will-lockwood-scores-late-shorthanded-goal-to-give-checkers-game-1-win-over-hartford I might even put a couple FanDuel bucks on OKC, https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/40020191 but backing LeBron’s Lakers (or a sucker bet on which team might select Bronny in order to gain his favor) ain’t happening.