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sportsleague365 · 4 years

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TORONTO — Sports as a whole are always driven by debate. With the current world situation, fans have a chance to interact with one another and bicker over who their favourite players are and what their lasting legacies are in the Canadian Football League. Earlier this week, Donnovan Bennett asked CFL fans who they’d have on their list as the best CFL quarterbacks of all time. It garnered a number of responses, so why not see how a pair of CFL pundits would rank the greatest signal-callers across the history of the league. On the latest episode of The Waggle presented by Sport Clips, Davis Sanchez and Bennett chatted with CFL.ca’s Marshall Ferguson, and the trio gave their respective top five pivot lists. Episode 205: Trusting the Tape w/ Marshall Ferguson EPISODE OVERVIEW:Davis returns with news of his happy and healthy second child while Marshall Ferguson joins us to explain his toughest assignment to date: formulating a mock draft without a combine. Later, Donnovan stirs up the classic top 5 QBs of all-time debate. Does Bo belong in that conversation? Listen to find out. EPISODE RUNDOWN:Marshall Ferguson on formulating a Mock Draft (5:29); How will no Combine alter players w/ injury histories (16:16); Mechanics of social distancing on Draft night (20:00); Territorial picks and Ottawa’s options (25:17); Debating the Top 5 QBs of all-time (33:00); Will Bo Levi MItchell enter the Top 5 while playing (47:44); Binge-watching suggestions (53:10). “But I think one two and three, I think if you have a get those ones wrong or you’re different than mine you’re just out to lunch,” Sanchez said. “I’m gonna go with Doug Flutie at number one. Warren Moon, I go number two, and the great Damon Allen is number three.” Flutie was a lock across the board. The Boston College product came into the league in 1990 after spending his first five seasons as a professional in the USFL and NFL. He started out with the BC Lions and also made stops with the Calgary Stampeders and Toronto Argonauts. Over eight seasons north of the border, the Manchester, Maryland native completed over 60 percent of his passes for 41,355 yards and 270 touchdowns while adding 4,660 yards and an additional 66 majors on the ground. He holds the record for most passing yards in a single season (6,619) as well as the most passing yards per game over a career (306.3). “Doug Flutie is the best quarterback, period,” Bennett said. “He was the first guy that I ever saw where the most athletic person on the field was a quarterback — something that we take for granted now.” Moon turned to the CFL in 1978 after going undrafted. In his first season with the Eskimos, Moon helped start an unprecedented run of success, with the team winning five consecutive Grey Cups from 1978-82. His success up north wouldn’t go unnoticed, as the Houston Oilers came calling, and the rest is history. Over six seasons, Moon threw for 21,228 yards and 144 touchdowns in 94 games. He also added 14 rushing touchdowns and 1,706 yards. Along with his championship run, he also was named the league’s Most Outstanding Player in 1983 and was a two-time Grey Cup Most Valuable Player (1980, 1982). Allen played for seven different franchises over his 23 seasons in the league. He started out with the Esks before moving on the play for the Rough Riders, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the expansion Memphis Mad Dogs — there was also another two-year stint with Edmonton sandwiched in between those stops. Arguably his most memorable tenures would come at the end of his career, during his seven-year-long stint with the BC Lions before joining the Double Blue to finish off his illustrious career. Over 370 career games, Allen posted 72,381 yards and 394 touchdowns while also adding 11,920 yards and 93 rushing scores. He’s a four-time Grey Cup champion (1987, 1993, 2000, 2004) and also has league MOP (2005) and Grey Cup MVP (1987, 1993, 2004) to his name. As for the fourth and fifth positions, those are up for debate. There are several quarterbacks who could be in the conversation, as the likes of Anthony Calvillo,Henry Burris,Ricky Rayand Matt Dunigan are all strong options to round out the list. Ferguson did have another nomination for his list, as he looked to a McMaster and Ottawa Rough Rider legend as one of the greatest pivots of all time. “To me, Russ Jackson is like the grandfather of Canadian quarterbacking and he is the golden standard,” Ferguson said. “I know that his name comes up a lot as this ghost of the past but I’m telling you, when I watch Russ Jackson and games that he played in, I’m stunned because yeah, the game has changed and the footballs have evolved and the conditions and the equipment, I understand it’s a completely different time. “But I watch Russ Jackson make throws when I’m watching old games in the CFL, and I’m like, ‘That dude … if he would have grown up in the evolved modern offensive systems today, it would have been insane to watch.” Calgary Stampeders QB Bo Levi Mitchell runs out of the tunnel ahead of the team’s Labour Day game against the Edmonton Eskimos Photo: Johany Jutras (CFL.CA) So where do today’s signal-callers factor into this conversation? Names likeTrevor Harris,Mike ReillyandBo Levi Mitchellare undoubted superstars in the CFL, but do any of them have a stake as a top-five quarterback of all-time at this point? Mitchell seems to be the most obvious candidate out of the trio at the moment. At just 30 years old, he’s done just about all there is to do in the CFL. He’s a two-time Grey Cup champion — winning MVP in both wins — while also being a three-time Divisional All-Star and a two-time league All-Star. “I wonder at what point an activeBo Levi Mitchellgets included in this conversation because he’s on the edge,” Ferguson said. “It’s not just Stampeders fans that are doing. Looking through some replies to the original tweet, there are a lot of people who kind of tossed him in as well you know maybe or you know he’s fringe guy. “If he ends up being able to win one or two over the next three or four years, I think you’re gonna see the conversation shift to where he’s gonna start to bump some of the names we’ve been talking about.” It’ll be extremely interesting to see if the current crop of pivots can ultimately push for a bigger spot in the conversation. The most interesting part of this debate is that two people will more than likely have different top fives when it comes to the most important position in the league. There have been so many legendary names to grace the position and there will be more to cement their legacies in the coming years. The post Discussing the Top Five CFL quarterbacks of all time appeared first on American Football International. #AnthonyCalvillo #DamonAllen #DougFlutie

#AnthonyCalvillo #DamonAllen #DougFlutie

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norburymedia-blog · 7 years

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Evaluation (RESUBMISSION)

Before going through with my project, I made an individual proposal to bring together my ideas and round up what I was planning to do. This made it somewhat easier when it came to production, as I had a solid plan and idea instead of throwing myself into the project without a structure. It took a substantial amount of planning to, ultimately, make the interview live up to our expectations.

The production was supported by numerous team meetings; helping us as a group to share our ideas and understand the brief thoroughly. Sean O’Hare (our project client) came in various times throughout the course of a month to discuss the project and what he expected from our interviews. In my opinion, I worked to my full potential in order to impress Sean - especially because I knew he was a professional and expected a high standard from me and my peers. Each team meeting and discussion with Sean enabled us to progress with the project and expand our knowledge upon the final result.

Before we could commence with the production, we needed to get in touch with our interviewee - David James. Initially, we had some trouble contacting him; holding my group back from the rest of the class. When it finally got sorted, we organised a date, time and location as to where we were going to meet him. To prepare, we commenced with the group meetings to negotiate how we were going to go about production.

DAY OF THE SHOOT

Luckily for our group, the weather during filming was perfect - with continuous blue skies throughout the day. David James was also a lovely interviewee, and very easy to work with, further helping us out by giving us a guided tour of the Saltscape trail. The only downside to the day was the lack of cutaways we got. This was due to the fact our camera ran out of battery fairly early into the session. This didn't hold us back, and we concluded that it wasn’t going to affect our overall production (especially because now we knew where all the good locations were for the cutaways). We re-scheduled to go out and film, though unfortunately I fell ill on the day we’d organised - leaving just Sam and Toya to do the job.

After collecting our footage, I went on to complete the initial draft. First of all, I had a few concerns regard the exportation of what I had; further holding us back from our peers. We worked for hours to try and figure out how to solve the problem, but it was only until Carlos assisted us that we finally got it sorted. It came to our knowledge that the reason exporting was taking us so long, was due to the fact our new editing software was too advanced for our camera equipment. This problem has now been resolved, with the college supplying us with new cameras and apparatus.

After a few days, we’d completed a ‘rough’ draft of the edit; however, when Sean viewed it, he felt we needed to take some footage out. The overall edit lived up to his expectations, though a small amount of information that David was discussing seemed irrelevant to him. Regardless, Sean gave us loads of helpful and positive feedback, claiming the interview ‘ran seamlessly’ and really fit the context. Multiple members of the class stated that the cutaways fit perfectly with the information given and really helped them engage.

In regards to finance, we didn’t really need to spend money on the production or travel. Free taxi’s to our location and back really helped us out, especially considering the amount of equipment we had to shift. We went through all hazard assessment sheets before we filmed, so we knew exactly what we had to be wary of and what to avoid. Luckily, we got through the entirety of the production without any disasters or downfalls.

Sean’s Feedback

Following the completion of our project, we showed our peers and got some constructive criticism. Out of 3, six people rated us a 2, three people rated us a 3, and one person a 1. They gave us knowledge upon what we could have done better and what we did well. It was stated that the cutaways could have had some more variation, as they appeared to get slightly boring throughout the interview. The cutaways also could have been made more relevant to suit what our interviewee is discussing. One peers thought our still cut-away of Fiona was too quick and didn’t really fit into the interview.

On the upside, my classmates thought the information being addressed was relevant and interesting, and they didn’t get bored at any point throughout the video. The movement in the background behind David James worked well, too, as my peers claimed it would have got slightly boring without it.

Overall, Sean said he was really impressed with our finished draft; claiming we proved capable of working to a professional standard. The only downside was that our audio went out of balance every now and again, though I feel this is linked to exporting.

Conclusion

My group and I throughly believe we exceeded everyone’s expectations - completing a professional, clean-cut piece of work. If I were to start again and have the opportunity to change anything, I’d make sure the management and organisation was more up to standard. Our timekeeping could have also been improved, as we weren’t entirely organised towards the start of the project. This could’ve been changed via thorough team meetings and in-depth discussions during pre-production. Arguably, it didn’t particularly help that we had struggles with importing our footage at the beginning of the project. We allowed too much time when it came to our initial problems that it distributed the pace of the project. I also feel as though communication within the group could have been improved. The tight timescale seemed to have put pressure on me and my peers in my opinion.

Regardless of this, we managed to quickly catch up and create a great piece of work. I feel like our video has really created impact for Saltscape and their campaign; enlightening our audience upon the intentions and plans for the future.

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dinas-y-cerrig · 4 years

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Chapter I (rough draft, 1846 timeline) ~7 pages

After nearly a month of perfect service, the trains were running late once more. Today, of all days. Margot was half-convinced that those idyllic three weeks of flawless service had simply been to lull her into a false sense of security, just so that life in its unceasing cruelty might extend a leg to bring her future crashing down. Not content only with its vicious jape with the trains, but at her transfer station she had forgotten her coinpurse behind at the coffee stand when her connecting train had arrived earlier than expected. She had been forced to make a mad dash through the commuter crowd, both purse and tepid station coffee left on the booth's sill.

Now, pressed up against a fogged window and squeezed tight between a man who reeked of sick and sweat and another who smelled arguably worse of oversaturated cologne, Margot lamented. Her bleary, frazzled mind could not decide which she regretted abandoning more, the purse or the coffee. As the man to her left let out a noise somewhere in between a belch and wet vomit, Margot firmly decided that at least the coffee might have given her the mental clarity to have wedged herself elsewhere.

(etc etc trains suck, margot's thoughts wander along the lines of “didn't they just finish two months' worth of renovations holy fucking shit fuck!!!” eventually gets off at her stop and wanders around slushy icy gross as shit winter and winding streets of city central aka what is fondly & accurately referred to as “tangled sheep's entrails” until she finally arrives at the address given. Front of the building is a great façade of veined marble in a state of obvious neglect, goes in, sits and waits to be seen)

When the second hour had come and gone, Margot despaired again at the thought of her lost coffee and purse. Certainly, Captain Eirwel must be a busy man, but could he not have notified her of the delay, or at least have an aide sent out to let her know how much longer she might be waiting? She put her watch away and stared gloomily at her boots.

"It's been a while, May."

The chipper voice shook Margot out of her reverie. She looked up to see a tall man with a clipboard and shining hazel eyes. He wore the black uniform of the brigade with its owl insignia. His hair was brown, yet despite his young age there was a considerable amount of grey peppered in. While his long face had a comely cast to it, his nose had a noticeable kink in it, turning slightly to the right. Margot stood and reached out to shake his hand, but stopped short as she noticed it was occupied by a mug. The man laughed and lifted it slightly towards her.

"Actually, this is for you. It's coffee, although if you'd prefer I can get you tea instead."

"No, please--I mean, thank you. Coffee would be lovely," Margot said. She accepted the mug with eager hands and took a sip of the still-hot brew. "Thank you, Mr., ah..."

The man blinked a few times, and then a strangely familiar, lopsided smile came over his face. All at once Margot put the pieces together. She had been so out of it that the nickname he had called her by had gone in one ear and out the other, but as he gave a self deprecating chuckle it clicked in her head. The embarrassment of it all turned her face red to her ears.

"Fritz!?"

"That is indeed me."

Margot took another look. It had been so many years since she had seen her cousin, and despite the letters they exchanged she had been taken by surprise. The last she had seen him, she had been twelve and her cousin had been about sixteen, short for his age and still padded by baby fat. Now he had to be easily over six foot, slim and fit. The greying hair had not helped.

"Though, er, most everyone just uses my middle name these days. I have the captain to thank for thank," he added with a sheepish grin. "Ah, and speaking of the captain, as much as I'd love to catch up, he's expecting us. If you'll just follow me, and do feel free to bring the coffee with you."

Margot nodded appreciatively, although her face still burned. While Fritz--Lucian, she made a mental correction--did not seem terribly bothered, it had to be an incredible oversight to not even recognize one's own family, no matter how long it had been. His transformation was quite something. She wondered at the late bloomer.

As they walked down the narrow hall with its creaking floorboards, Margot glanced about at the sparse furnishings. There were a number of branching hallways off of the main one; obviously the spacious interior of the church had been converted into some ramshackle interior. They passed outdated portraits of the late Emperor Friedrich III, as well as of the imperial twins Rudolf and Claudia--albeit as toddlers. Other than that, the hallway was quite bare. Even the carpet was faded and well-worn, mimicking the look of decrepit grandeur that hung over the ancient church. However, she did not have long to dwell over what she saw, and her attention was drawn back to Lucian as he spoke up.

"I'm really quite sorry about the delay. The captain had some, er, sudden visitors he had to attend to."

"Oh, it was no bother at all," Margot lied. "The trains were delayed this morning, so I arrived a bit late anyway. Honestly peaking, I was worried that perhaps I'd missed my chance and he'd decided not to see me."

"Ah yes, the good old city rail, eh? You'd think that after all of the money that's been put into renovating it they would at least be able to run on time." Lucian sighed, obviously another victim of the horrors of public transportation. "Well do I remember those thankless morning commutes!"

Margot nodded in agreement. A question that she had pondered when first her cousin had sent her notice of this job popped into her head.

"So what exactly do they have you doing here? You weren't very clear in the letters. I get that this is some kind of specialized police force, but..."

"Well, I am supposed to be a lieutenant, however the captain seems to think that means 'secretary'. We've been trying to fill the position, but every new hire seems to leave after no time at all. Not that I blame them..." Lucian caught himself, putting a hand over his mouth. "Ah, please disregard what I just said. Just a silly joke."

He coughed slightly and continued.

"As for what we do, well, it's not something I can exactly discuss with you just yet. I'll let the captain explain, as we've arrived."

They had stopped in front of a pair of ornate wooden doors framed on either side by tapestries of the von Rosenbaum family crest and the Arthasian flag. As Lucian knocked thrice upon the carved mahogany, a wave of anxiety pricked at the back of Margot's head. She took a deep breath as Lucian opened the doors, giving herself one last pat down and hoping that she did not look too haggard.

She couldn't help but gasp as she stepped in.

The room was, to put it gently, a wreck. Papers littered the floor and were piled up among hazardous towers of books and folders. Margot was so mesmerized by the utter chaos that it took her a second to notice the man seated behind the desk in the center of the room. He was framed on either side by more haphazard constructions of books and paper, and his appearance reflected the disorder that plagued the office. His black hair was a mess of tangles and loose strands, and it looked as though it had not seen a comb in months. He had his head bent over a sheaf of paper and one finger tapped out a staccato rhythm against the cover of a thick tome beside him.

It was Lucian's voice that broke through Margot's baffled yet rapt concentration.

"Sir, your appointment is here," he said with a salute. Margot waited next to him in silence, but the captain showed no sign that he had heard, instead jotting something down as he ran his other hand through the rat's nest disguised as hair. Lucian cleared his throat and repeated himself, albeit, Margot noticed, considerably louder and with a slight edge.

"Your interview, sir?"

Captain Eirwel's eyes flashed up and fixed first Lucian, then Margot, with an icy stare. Margot couldn't help but notice, even in the dim light, just how intensely blue those eyes were. His mouth curled downward, and he waved his hand.

"Yes, yes of course," he said with something of a huff. "Dismissed, Lieutenant."

"Sir."

Lucian saluted and stepped back, closing the doors behind him. Margot was left in this stuffy warzone with the man who was supposed to be the captain of this police force. She marveled at just how little Captain Eirwel fit the idea she had had in her head. Her cousin had mentioned that his childhood friend turned captain did not quite fit into the noble society around him, his letters had obviously diminished the extremity of Eirwel's image. There had been a time many years ago that her parents had gone to Brynwal when a young Kain Eirwel had had a particularly bad fever and a snowstorm had trapped them there. She wracked her brain, trying to remember what he had been like at the time, but it had been so long ago that she could not picture it. She was certain, however, that he had grown into quite the unique adult. As he was the bastard child of the previous emperor, an honor student of Lindenburg, and the captain of a specialized police force, she had imagined someone with regal bearing and an intimidating air. However, the only thing intimidating her just then was how someone could manage to make such a complete mess of a room. Indeed, it must take a spectacular talent, she concluded.

As she was taking in the scene around her, the captain narrowed his eyes and gestured to a chair near the desk. It was, like every other surface in the room, stacked with so many books and boxes that Margot wondered at the ability this man had for keeping them from toppling over.

"You can just set those wherever," Eirwel said with a dry voice, not budging from his own seat. Suppressing a sigh, Margot carefully removed the clutter and set it aside; the floor was almost completely hidden, so she settled for simply adding the objects to other towers. After a minute of rearranging, she brought the chair forward and sat. She was about to speak, but Eirwel had disappeared behind the mountains of papers on his desk. Margot waited awkwardly until he straightened back up, a torn and crumpled sheet in his hand.

"Quite the impressive resume you have here. It says you graduated the Royal Medical School with honors, and a year early on top of that," Eirwel said in a disinterested voice. "All of your references check out, and your experience is laudable for someone so young."

When she had realized that what he held in his hand was her letter of introduction, Margot had been unable to stop herself from flinching. She supposed she should count herself lucky that the captain had it at all, but never had she seen someone so totally disregard basic etiquette. As well, despite his apparent praise, Eirwel's voice seemed bored and condescending. He was only a few years older than her, yet it was as though he were speaking to a child. Margot grit her teeth and bit back the many things on the tip of her tongue. Eirwel did not seem to notice her tension and continued.

"Well, it's good enough for me. When can you start?"

His comment caught Margot completely off guard. She had been practicing possible interview questions and responses for the last few weeks with her cat, Pisica, and even had her friend Rufus help her prepare. For her references she had even gone out of her way to visit them personally to receive documentation of her work experience, going so far as Bridgetown at the outskirts of Mercia. She sat speechless; she knew she should be overjoyed, yet she felt like the rug had been swept out from under her feet. Eirwel leaned his cheek against one hand and looked at her expectantly.

"Your answer?"

"Sir, I am flattered, but... is there nothing you wish to ask of me? Or check, or..." Margot fumbled for words.

"To be completely honest, I don't really care. Everything here looks fine, so why not?" Eirwel said, slapping at the ratty missive. "So are you going to accept the job, or have you come here just to waste my time?"

Despite his scathing and hypocritical comment, Margot could not work up the energy to get mad. Well, it pays well, and it's quite the position, she thought in resignation. She nodded curtly.

"My apologies sir. I would be honored to accept. I can begin immediately."

The captain leaned back in his chair and nodded.

"Welcome to the Strigoi, Miss Merryweather."

After everything that had happened, Margot did not even have the energy to correct the captain on her name.

Captain Eirwel had taken Margot's offer of immediate work quite literally. He sent her out to fetch him some documents from the storeroom, where she met a tall, spindly woman named Cosmina Belu. From the few things Lucian had told her about the Strigoi, she knew that their ranks were a bit unusual in comparison to the City Watch. Indeed, she had seen a number of women around, and more than a few people of different nationalities and backgrounds. Belu was evidently the manager of the archives, and her image fit exactly what one might expect of someone in that position. She had horn rimmed glasses and her black hair was pulled tight in a bun. Her outfit was black as well and cut much like the robes of a librarian. She gave off every impression of severity, however when she spoke her voice was surprisingly warm and friendly.

Unlike the captain's room, the archives were notably clean and well organized. Catching Margot's surprise, Belu smirked.

"We make it a rule to ban the captain from so much as setting foot in here. I'm sure you can see why."

Although Margot could agree wholeheartedly with that decision, she was a bit shocked at the casual comment berating Eirwel. As her surname suggested, Belu was of a common background, and to hear her openly chide a noble--even a noble such as Captain Eirwel--was something Margot did not expect.

Margot left the storeroom with the materials requested and returned to the captain's office, where Eirwel just shuffled her off once more, this time to deliver the folders to a certain Corporal Tahoma Niyaani. With Lucian's help, she found him in the large, open room full of desks where most of the force were.

Corporal Niyaani was a large, muscular man with short cropped hair and a large tattoo down one side of his face. His brow was furrowed and his dark brown eyes focused intensely on a set of blueprints before him. However, despite his imposing appearance, when Margot cleared her throat and presented the materials Eirwel had sent with her, Niyaani's face broke into a friendly smile.

"Just what I am waiting for," he said with a heavy SaaLyni accent. "You are the new one? I am Corporal Niyaani, the masochist."

Margot stared at him, not sure if she had heard him correctly.

"It's machinist, Niyaani. How many times do I have to tell you," a man at the desk across from Niyaani said with a wide grin. Niyaani's eyebrows knit together.

"This is what I said, Maddox."

The other man, a tan and wiry man with curly black hair, just gave an exaggerated sigh and dramatic shrug.

"Please do forgive our good man. He's only been in the Empire for five damn years now."

Niyaani frowned and waved Maddox away.

"It is not being five years here, only one, before I am in Lidia. You are knowing this, Maddox."

Maddox stood up and slapped Niyaani on the back. They seemed to be good friends, despite the verbal sparring.

"It's good to meet ya," Maddox said as he turned to Margot. "I'm Corporal Parsifal Maddox, and this big lug, despite his appearance, is our very talented machinist and tinkerer. You wouldn't think it to look at those bear paws he calls hands, but he's got the dexterity of a fox."

"Pleased to meet you as well," Margot said, accepting Maddox's outstretched hand. "I'm Margot Mayweather."

"The captain sure is a slave driver, huh? I'd heard there was a new interview for secretary today, but to think he'd have you running hither thither already."

"Ah, no, I think you're mistaken. I'm here as a division medic," Margot corrected him with a gentle smile, but something about his comment sent a needle of doubt through her head. Maddox and Niyaani looked at each other, then to Margot, and that needle became a sharp blade.

"No, really, the captain was just saying that our new hire was the secretary. He even let Gartner do his actual damn job."

The smile on Margot's face stiffened, and a vein stood out at her neck as she clenched her jaw hard.

"If you will please excuse me."

She left the two bewildered men and walked with brisk purpose back out into the hallway. As she increased her pace she nearly bowled over Lucian as he passed her, but she did not so much as slow down. Reaching the large doors to the captain's office, she slammed them open without warning and stormed up to his desk. Before Eirwel could utter a single complaint, Margot slammed her hands as hard as she could against the mahogany, sending a small hurricane of papers flying. The captain opened his mouth with a scowl but Margot cut him off.

"Your fucking secretary? Are you kidding me? What in the nine hells is this? I waited for over two hours this morning, I spent weeks gathering references, I have bent over backwards for this damned job, and you have me as a secretary?" she shouted, unable to stop herself. "Is this some kind of joke? Is this your idea of humor? Because let me tell you, it is in very fucking poor taste. Do you have any idea how hard I have worked to get here? And you're just treating me as some errand girl?"

Her loud voice had brought Lucian into the room, his face concerned. As Margot took a deep breath to continue, however, Lucian placed a hand on her shoulder.

"May, please, what is--"

"Don't you dare talk to me like some kind of child!" she snapped at him, swiping his hand away. "I may be a woman, but I am not here to just run around playing secretary."

When she saw Lucian's confusion, she finally relented. Her cousin suddenly shot a look at Captain Eirwel, and his face turned stern.

"Captain, is what she's saying true?" he said in a low voice. "Please forgive me for speaking out of turn, but this is just cruel, deceiving someone this way..."

Margot was surprised by the disappointment in Lucian's voice. She turned her gaze toward the captain. Once again he had a bored look on his face, and she felt the rage bubbling up again when he finally spoke.

"Just what exactly is the issue here?"

That was the last straw.

"I answered a call for a doctor, sir, not a secretary. As you yourself said, I graduated with honors, I have field work, I have worked through blood, sweat, and fucking tears to get to where I am today, and you expect me to accept a job with the salary of a simple clerk?"

"Well, yes, a simple clerk wouldn't receive the same pay of a skilled worker. That stands to reason. But why does that bother you? You're to be paid half again as much."

"Why does that bother me?" Margot's voice lowered but the poison in it grew only more toxic. "Great, so I can get paid what is still a fraction of what I'd get just working at a bloody medical outpost? Oh, how very gracious of you. But I am a doctor, and I plan to work as such."

Captain Eirwel's eyes clouded over, and he furrowed his brow.

"What do you mean? Of course you're working as such. When did I ever say you weren't?"

Both Lucian and Margot stared at the captain, mouths open. When the silence stretched on, Eirwel ran one hand through his unruly hair and leaned back.

"Then what was all this about a secretary?" Margot finally managed.

"Well, it's not as though you're going to be setting bones or stitching wounds or whatever all the time. Wouldn't you rather get some extra pay to assist with clerical duties in the downtime?" Eirwel's voice was exasperated. "You'll get half again what your salary would be otherwise. It's a considerable amount just for some light clerical work. I'd say that's a pretty damn good deal."

The wind went out of Margot's sails with such rapidity that she felt herself deflate. This man who sat before her was, quite possibly, one of the most frustrating people she had ever met, or indeed ever would meet. There were a number of choice words that came to mind, but all of today's mental gymnastics left her drained and finished. She was sure that she had managed now to lose the job she had started that very day, yet she felt no remorse over her actions. This all could have been avoided had this dense man just spoken directly. Ah, four hours. That must be a world record for getting let go from a job, she thought bitterly.

"If that'll be all," Captain Eirwel said, returning to his papers. "Then you may return to work."

Margot's head snapped up. Just when she thought this day could get no more convoluted, another twist had been tacked on. She felt a hand on her shoulder, and this time did not smack it away. Lucian gave her a smile that spoke of heartfelt apology and led her back out.

"Ah... I'm really sorry about him. He's, uhm, how should I put it." Lucian stared at the ceiling as he searched for the proper words. "Well, let's just say that our captain may be very capable at his job, but when it comes to speaking to people he sometimes doesn't quite get his point across."

"You don't say," Margot replied wearily. She had no more energy to spare for Captain Eirwel.

"Head on home for today, May," Lucian suggested kindly. "I promise you he really isn't always quite so difficult."

Something in Lucian's voice made Margot suspect that he was not being entirely truthful, but she decided to take him up on his suggestion and head home. She needed to give some serious thought to what she had just gotten involved in.

And Pisica was probably hungry, anyway.

After seeing May off, Lucian turned and headed back to the captain's office. He knocked and entered without waiting for a response, careful to shut the door completely behind him. Behind the desk, Kain Eirwel shrunk back ever so slightly, glowering warily at his lieutenant.

"Look, it's not my fault that she didn't--"

"Don't even try to excuse yourself here, Kain," Lucian said. "You can't take out your anger from this morning on everyone around you. I understand that the Minister's hound threw you off today, but we desperately need trained medical staff. After what happened last week... Petrescu would still be alive if you hadn't put this off. And now you want to drive away the one doctor willing to work here despite the reputation we have? She may be my cousin, but I will not force her to stay if she decides she's had enough of your childishness."

It was rare indeed for Lucian to speak so harshly toward the captain. They had known each other since childhood, but it still took Kain off guard when his mild friend lost his temper, and the mention of poor Officer Petrescu sent a sharp twist of shame through Kain's chest. The boy, barely even twenty, had joined only weeks earlier, but he had been stabbed while out on patrol, and in the time it took them to locate him and then find a clinic with any staff around at that late hour he had died of his injuries. The nature of their jobs meant late nights, and it had become obvious that they needed proper medical staff on call. Due to the negative reputation of the Strigoi, though, they had had a difficult time finding anyone. Even one person was better than none, and someone with the qualifications that Margot had was rare to come by.

Kain looked away, his face flushed as he realized that he had indeed crossed a line. However, his pride did not let him simply apologize and move forward.

"Well, you were the one complaining about being treated like a secretary," Kain said peevishly. "It was giving me a headache. In fact, you should be thanking me for being so resourceful!"

The deadpan stare Lucian directed at Kain shut him up. He sighed heavily and threw up his arms.

"Fine. Fine. I promise to apologize to her tomorrow."

"For your own sake, I pray that you do."

#aelmidean #kain #margot #lucian #strigoi #kain u fuckn idiot trashfire bad man #writing #wip #SUPER ROUGH LOL #i never write

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radarbrow2-blog · 5 years

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The Linc - Eli Manning could be staying in the NFC East for “years” to come

Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles links ...

Pat Shurmur still thinks Eli Manning has years left as a quarterback - Big Blue View Shurmur was asked if, as he indicated when he was first hired, he believes Manning still has “years” of productive play left. His answer? “Yes, I do.” Finally, Shurmur was asked why he believes that. His answer? “Because I’ve seen him play good football, and I’ve seen how when we have a coordinated effort of protecting him, running the football effectively, and being able to run the ball throughout the game, it helps us. We threw the ball more than I would have liked to in the game that was really one score, but seven of those throws were two-minute before the half, and then there were 15 in the fourth quarter when we were down by 17. That skews the numbers. The important thing about yesterday in our coordinated effort was we didn’t get enough out of the runs when we chose to run the ball.” All of that certainly sounds like a coach willing to cast his lot with Manning again next season.

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10 thoughts on the Eagles’ huge win over the Rams - BGN The Eagles don’t have a quarterback controversy. Carson Wentz is still very much the Eagles’ franchise quarterback. He’s the long-term answer at the position. Go back and watch his 2017 tape if you need to remember why that’s the case. In the short-term, though, Foles should probably continue to start for the Eagles. If Wentz was healthy, he should be the one starting. The problem is he’s not healthy right now. Wentz’s back fracture requires three months to heal, according to Pederson. The Eagles should just rest him and roll with Foles.

At the Podium #15: A “Complete Team Game” - BGN Radio A new voice graces the At the Podium series with new starting quarterback Nick Foles in the rotation. He and Doug Pederson both talk about the Eagles playing a complete team game for 60 minutes in their upset of the Rams. In total 3 pressers included: Doug after the game, Foles after the game, and Pederson the next morning. FLY EAGLES FLY! Powered by SB Nation and Bleeding Green Nation.

Handing out 10 awards from the Eagles-Rams game - PhillyVoice Jim Schwartz has been out-coached a few times this season, but on Sunday night he had Sean McVay’s number. He dialed up blitzes at the perfect moments, and helped fluster and confuse Goff all game long. McVay, the (cough) 2017 NFL Coach of the Year, had some questionable moments. To begin, he messed up clock management late in the fourth quarter. And worse, he didn’t go for two with the Rams down eight after they scored a touchdown to draw within one score. Earlier in the season, Doug Pederson was in the same situation, and he explained the bulletproof logic in going for two in that scenario.

There is Hope - Iggles Blitz The Eagles have now won three out of their last four games. The only loss was at Dallas and we know that game could have been very different if the officials gave the Eagles the ball at the 16-yard line after the opening kickoff. That didn’t happen and the Eagles never could completely get their feet under them in that game. Injuries have significantly hurt this team and the Eagles aren’t going to play at the same level as last year. We can talk about Next Man Up and toughness and chemistry, but at a certain point you just don’t have enough talented players. Getting Avonte Maddox back made a real difference in the secondary. That gave the Eagles a competent CB. If the Eagles could get back Jordan Hicks, Tim Jernigan and Sidney Jones, the defense could take another step forward.

Explaining The QB Picture; Leftover Notes From Sunday - PE.com While Wentz remains the starting quarterback here – and there is no gray area at all in Pederson’s mind – the short term (meaning Sunday against Houston) belongs to Foles. The Texans are powerful up front defensively with J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney on the edges, so Foles and the offense will see a whole new set of challenges against a 10-4 team. The long term belongs to Wentz – if the Eagles make the playoffs and Wentz is healthy, he likely starts, and he’s certainly the starter in 2019 and for many years after that.

Avonte Maddox: A Skeleton Key For Eagles Defense - The Draft Network What is Avonte Maddox in the healthy Philadelphia Eagle secondary? I’m not too sure, but I do know this: it’s not your average rookie, who can start at three different alignments (two of which he didn’t even dabble in in college) and provide quality reps from each position. Your average rookie corner doesn’t even hold his water against the Rams if he A) has been starting on the outside all season and B) was drafted in the early rounds! Maddox has been an absolute gem for Philadelphia — arguably the highest-impact draft pick they’ve had since Carson Wentz back in the 2016 class. He has more than earned a starting role somewhere next season — I’d imagine at nickel corner — but more than that, he has held this threadbare defense together long enough, well enough, and just strongly enough the Eagles playoff hopes are still alive.

The NFL’s biggest surprises, and who could copy them in 2019 - ESPN The Eagles have a 28.8 percent chance of making the postseason, and while they’re left with a pair of winnable games against Houston and Washington, I’m not sure that the formula we saw Sunday is something Philly could sustain into a long playoff run. They were able to hold a frustrated Sean McVay to 23 points on five red zone trips, as Jared Goff struggled to hit open receivers and made naive decisions with the ball. They won the turnover battle 3-1, which is going to be tough to do week after week with Nick Foles at quarterback. Pederson seemed to struggle to get the aggressiveness balance right yet again, but the Eagles managed to pull out the game when the Rams lost one possession on a fumbled punt and were stopped in the red zone on their subsequent try.

The Winners and Losers of NFL Week 15 - The Ringer “They’ve got Nick Foles” shouldn’t be a good thing. We saw him struggle in September. There are full years of evidence that Foles isn’t that good at playing quarterback, and just a few odd wins in December, January, and February to support the notion that Foles is an unstoppable clutch god. But it’s December. The mild-mannered backup quarterback just went into the phone booth, and he came out wearing a Super Bowl MVP’s clothes. It’s Nick Foles season.

How a Players-Only Meeting Sparked the Colts’ Recent Turnaround - MMQB While we’re there, a key number from that Eagles win: 30. That’s how many times Philly ran the ball, even with Josh Adams and Wendell Smallwood doing the heavy lifting, and it sure seemed to change the offense’s dynamic. I had a coach who’d played the Eagles a few weeks ago mention to me how hard the running back injuries seemed to be hitting them. What they needed, it seems, was more balance. Sunday night’s performance (31 passes, 30 rushes) went a long way to getting the efficient effort they did from Nick Foles.

Fletcher Cox battles through injury to ruin Jared Goff’s night - NBCSP “Nothing was going to stop me from finishing that game,” Cox said after the game like it was obvious. Nothing. Not only did Cox return to the game, on his first series back in the second quarter, but he also made a huge play. In a contest that featured some of the best pass rushers in the league, including the NFL’s sack leader on the other sideline, Cox in the second quarter picked up the only sack for either team on Sunday night.

Needy Camden families receive holiday baskets from Eagles player foundation - Courier Post A foundation headed by Philadelphia Eagles safety and Super Bowl champ Malcolm Jenkins gives away holiday food baskets and toys in several cities, but on Monday he expanded the program to Camden and with an unexpected personal visit. Fresh off the Eagles plane that landed Monday morning in Philadelphia following a 30-23 win over the Los Angeles Rams just before midnight Sunday, Jenkins arrived by 10 a.m. at the Antioch Baptist Church on Ferry Avenue in Centerville. There he helped wrap food and toy gifts for nearly 140 needy Camden families, working alongside approximately 100 volunteers from city churches, the local government and other organizations.

What kind of person wears a Kenjon Barner jersey? Stories behind the 10 oddest jersey choices at Eagles-Rams - The Athletic “I’m a Chargers fan. I was kind of butt-hurt when the whole thing went down with L.A. and them moving. My roommate at the time was an Eagle fan. He gave me the jersey. I got rid of all my (Chargers) shit. Before they won the Super Bowl, so I’m not a bandwagon jumper! And, it was a free jersey, that’s why I took it.” — Karl

A tradition unlike any other: The Cowboys falling apart down the stretch - Yahoo! Sports OK. How about this for a reality check: These Dallas Cowboys – despite digging themselves out of a hole and smoothing out some rough edges during a five-game winning streak – still look like the same, old franchise that finds a way to fall apart when everything is supposed to be coming together. You can call that a coaching problem. You can blame some talent holes. You can curse the decades of Jerry Jones failures. But whatever you do, don’t call this team anything different than so many others that have teased the fanbase and then collapsed when it mattered most. That’s the reality, and here is the check: Until Dallas proves it’s capable of something different than the decades of frustration we’ve come to know, assume this kind of loss. Where the only silver lining is reaching for a suggestion that getting beaten down on the road against a good (but not great) team is somehow precisely what the franchise needed.

Looks Like Someone Has a Sixpack of the Mondays - Hogs Haven Before we talk about that potential victory, let’s give Josh Johnson some love. The 32-year old (because apparently the Redskins aren’t allowed to have quarterbacks younger than 32) played well enough to help the team get a win. What he lacks in “established success” and “pedigree,” he makes up for with effort and passion. Because of the money wrapped up in Alex Smith, and because Colt McCoy is likely to be the projected starter in September 2019, the Redskins are in need of a cheap option to consider going into camp next summer. Someone was/is going to be able to play their way into at least those plans. If Josh Johnson manages to helm this Redskins team to an unexpected playoff appearance, he will have earned the right to come back next summer and compete for a spot. While I am not saying this is the case now, he could even give the team an excuse to not draft a quarterback early in the draft. Maybe...maaaaaaaaayyyyyyybe. The Jaguars defense has not been the top-ranked unit we have seen in recent seasons, but it still has a load of talent and Johnson deserves some love for keeping the offense in the game.

Should Los Angeles Rams fans be hitting the panic button? - Turf Show Times The Rams are 11-3 and I believe, despite what I’ve said up to this, that they have as good a shot as any other team to win the Super Bowl this year. This isn’t the same kind of frustration I’ve felt during the Jeff Fisher, Steve Spagnuolo, Jim Haslett or Scott Linehan eras. This isn’t the hopeless feeling of rooting for a team destined to finish 4-12. This is the fear of watching what is probably the most talented roster in the NFL get dropped in the divisional round. Swept away and forgotten by everyone but us Rams fans. And all we’d be left with is a series of “what-ifs.”

The Cowboys should fire offensive coordinator Scott Linehan while it still matters - SB Nation The Dallas Cowboys were shut out Sunday for the first time since 2003. The 23-0 loss to the Indianapolis Colts took the wind out of the sails of a team that entered Week 15 on a five-game winning streak and comfortably ahead in the NFC East. It’s not panic time, though. The Cowboys are still ahead of Washington and Philadelphia, and finish the year with winnable games against the 5-9 Buccaneers and 5-9 Giants. Winning just one of those games would be enough to lock up the division crown. But some urgency to fix a clear problem is warranted — especially if the Cowboys hope to win in January. It’s time for the Cowboys to fire Scott Linehan. Or rather, it’s long overdue.

...

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Source: https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2018/12/18/18145955/eagles-news-eli-manning-could-staying-nfc-east-years-giants-philadelphia-quarterback-nfl-new-york

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buddyrabrahams · 7 years

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10 NFL Draft late-round sleepers to watch for on Day 3

The first two days of the 2017 NFL Draft are in the books and 107 players have been taken. Even though many of the best players from the college ranks are already gone, that doesn’t mean there isn’t talent left on Day 3. Teams will be picking during the 4th-7th rounds looking to hit a home run. Some of these guys could step in and start for their teams, and a few might even develop into Pro Bowlers.

The draft becomes a bit of a crap-shoot at a certain point, but there are definitely sleepers littered throughout. We will do our best to identify them.

Here’s a look at 10 late-round sleepers.

10. Joe Williams (Running Back, Utah)

Joe Williams could have been a much bigger name in the 2017 NFL Draft had he not been kicked out of the UConn program for using a stolen credit card and later abruptly retired from the Utah program. At the time of his “retirement,” Williams cited stress from his sister’s passing and the physical workload as his reasons for walking away, but made a complete 180 only two weeks later.

After returning to the field, Williams gained 1,407 yards on 210 carries (6.7 yards per carry) and added 107 yards receiving and 10 total touchdowns during his senior season. He later posted an impressive 4.41 40-yard dash.

Understandably, the concern with Williams is going to be his passion for the game. Does he truly have the passion and will he stick it out in the NFL, which is far more stressful and physically demanding than college football?

If teams are willing to sign off on those concerns, Williams represents a potential diamond in the rough late in the draft.

9. Lorenzo Jerome (Safety, St. Francis)

Being from a small school almost always means a player is destined to be a late-round target, and such is the case for St. Francis safety Lorenzo Jerome.

Although Jerome had a strong college career, including 18 career interceptions, many will undoubtedly scoff at his production because he played in the FCS. But to Jerome’s credit, he carried that success over into the Senior Bowl where he recorded two interceptions and forced a fumble against some of the best talent Division I had to offer.

At 5-foot-10 and 204 pounds, Jerome may be slightly undersized, but there’s no denying the skill he displays on tape. And for a team looking deep in the draft for some quality at the free safety position, they need look no further.

Someone is going to take a well-deserved flier on Jerome.

8. Kyle Kalis (Guard, Michigan)

The stock for offensive linemen was way down as the first three rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft closed. Only two offensive linemen went in the first round. Only three were taken in the first 60 picks. That might be good news for potential late-round prospects like Michigan’s Kyle Kalis.

At 6-foot-4 and 308 pounds, Kalis isn’t exactly the sort of power guard teams are looking for, but his fundamentals, footwork and technique are ahead of the game due to the tutelage of Jim Harbaugh. As you might expect, that also means he comes complete with a tough-as-nails, no-nonsense attitude that will serve him well in the NFL.

Kalis is unlikely to assume a starting job out of the gate, but his willingness to be coached and his pro-readiness will interest someone looking for developmental depth. And after a few years in the NFL’s strength and conditioning program, he’ll undoubtedly provide some real value.

7. Fish Smithson (Safety, Kansas)

Someone is eventually going to go fishing, and if they can land themselves Kansas safety Fish Smithson late, then it should be considered a solid haul.

In 2015, Smithson led the nation with an average of 7.9 solo tackles per game, finishing the season with 111 stops, 87 total solo tackles, five passes defensed, two interceptions and one forced fumble.

Then, in 2016, Smithson took things to a whole new level, recording 93 tackles, seven passes defensed, four interceptions and two forced fumbles.

Smithson possess solid football instincts, can be physical at the line of scrimmage and is a gutsy player. His tape over the previous few seasons has been quite impressive and he appears to have a good head on his shoulders.

However, the one major knock on Smithson — the reason he’s a late-round sleeper — is due to his lack of size. At 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, it’s understandable why some teams are a little reluctant to invest a high pick in him.

6. Ishmael Zamora (Wide Receiver, Baylor)

The 2017 NFL Draft is rich with wide receiver talent, but Baylor’s Ishmael Zamora could have very well been considered among the best. However, a disturbing animal abuse video surfaced prior to the start of last season and his stock took a tremendous tumble as a result.

In addition to the animal abuse video, Zamora has dealt with other questions about his character — legitimate questions, and legitimate concerns. And even beyond that, his development has been stunted due to suspensions.

While none of those things should be overlooked or dismissed, it’s clear that NFL teams — at least some of them — are willing to give the benefit of the doubt to questionable players. We’ve seen that in Dalvin Cook, Joe Mixon and a handful of others.

From a sheer talent perspective, the 6-foot-4, 216-pound Zamora has what it takes to be successful at the professional level. He’s drawn the attention of the Oakland Raiders and a few other teams, and will likely be provided an opportunity to right his wrongs and set his life on a more positive path.

5. Austin Carr (Wide Receiver, Northwestern)

In a draft class that featured names like Mike Williams, Corey Davis and John Ross, it’s no real surprise that a slot receiver from Northwestern isn’t getting a ton of attention. But that doesn’t mean Austin Carr brings nothing to the table, because he most certainly does.

In his senior season at Northwestern, Carr hauled in 90 receptions for 1,247 yards and 12 touchdowns. It was a true breakout season for a receiver who had a combined 23 receptions for 402 yards and two touchdowns in the three previous seasons.

Carr didn’t just put himself on the map in the Big Ten, but also on a national stage. His 1,247 yards were fourth-most by a slot receiver in the nation, and his 12 touchdowns were good for third-best by a slot receiver.

There’s obviously still some development left to take place for Carr, but he has tremendous upside. Someone is going to take a flier on him late in the draft, and it could pay off in a big way.

4. Brandon Barnes (Tight End, Alabama State)

If you watched the HBCU Spirit of America Bowl All-Star Game in January, you might be somewhat familiar with Brandon Barnes. He didn’t exactly light up the box score with his receiving prowess, although he did haul in a pair of passes, but he certainly put himself on the map thanks in large part to his blocking ability.

That’s not to say Barnes isn’t a talented receiver, however. His career numbers may not be overly impressive, but the film doesn’t lie. In addition to his very valued blocking ability, Barnes is a solid seam receiver who is capable of going up and getting the ball using his 6-foot-4, 250-pound frame.

The problem for Barnes is that he doesn’t really have a set position. He could play tight end in the NFL or he could convert to wide receiver. He could also play the h-back role similar to what Rhett Ellison has done throughout his career.

Barnes has met with quite a few teams and is bound to get a call from one of them in the mid-to-late rounds of the draft.

3. Jeremy Clark (Cornerback, Michigan)

Jeremy Clark would be a much hotter name headed into the 2017 NFL Draft if a shoulder injury didn’t limit him early in his college career and a torn ACL didn’t cut his senior season short. But that’s the hand Clark has been dealt, and that’s the hand he continues to play.

Despite his injuries and the concerns that come along with them, Clark has put some good tape together when healthy. He’s a lengthy press corner who doesn’t shy away from physical receivers, and has added 15 pounds so far this offseason.

At the next level, Clark could be seen as either a cornerback or safety, but that versatility only adds to his potential mid- to late-round value. And if his medical check comes back clean, there will undoubtedly be a team or two willing to take a chance on him in the mid-rounds.

2. Jeremiah Ledbetter (Defensive Tackle, Arkansas)

After an impressive week of practice leading up to the Shrine Game, Jeremiah Ledbetter caught the attention of quite a few NFL teams, even earning private visits with a handful.

The 6-foot-3, 280-pound Ledbetter also excelled during his senior season, leading Arkansas with 5.5 sacks. Only adding to his value, Ledbetter has demonstrated the ability to play both the three- and five-technique.

However, despite a relatively impressive resume and solid game tape, there are some concerns about Ledbetter’s size and how that will impact him at the next level. Some experts question whether he’s better suited for the 3-4 or the 4-3, while others feel he can play in either system.

Ledbetter will be an interesting prospect to watch during the NFL Draft. He could go as high as Round 4 or as late as Round 6.

1. Alek Torgersen (Quarterback, Penn)

Arguably, this spot could have been reserved for Tennessee’s Josh Dobbs or Ole Miss’ Chad Kelly, but are they really “sleepers”? Both have received a significant amount of attention for various reasons are expected to be mid- to late-round draft picks. However, the same can not be said for Alek Torgersen.

Although Torgersen has generated some interest from NFL teams, he wasn’t invited to the combine in Indianapolis and is widely considered a development prospect. Despite that, there’s a certain level of intrigue with his dual-threat ability and strong arm.

The two-time first-team all-Ivy League quarterback also comes with a few added bonuses: intelligence and a great character. He’s as hard a worker in the classroom as he is the film room, and there are several NFL teams that will put an emphasis on that.

For all those reasons, Torgersen should absolutely be considered a late-round sleeper.

from Larry Brown Sports http://ift.tt/2peZAK9

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