ttsather

I may have to check out Tap Tap Revenge. One thing that makes a big difference for me on the iPhone is the ability to get data all the time - either through the network or via wifi (when available). Unfortunately, few apps are self-contained in their usefulness. Games are a major exception.

TH's most recent blog mentions that Hoffman's agent said "He has friends on the team who have told him it's a great place to play." This could primarily be the type of PR statement you expect to see after a signing - reading into it a bit more, do you think this could refer to not only TGJ but also Mike Cameron? Purely speculative, but it'd be interesting if having Cameron on the team helped convince Hoffman to sign with Milwaukee.

I have an iPhone and regularly use: - UrbanSpoon (restaurants + reviews) - BigOven (recipe database) - Shazam - AOL Radio - Fring (IM meta-app) - FS5 Hockey - SportsTap (scores, stats) - Remote - Pandora - Backgrounds - Loopt - i.TV I also have a couple mobile page links as icons, but they aren't really apps.

Hoffman has a terms sheet. *fingers crossed*

It had never occured to me that the name of the "Shift" key dated to typewriters, but it makes perfect sense. *The More You Know . . .

Perhaps Melvin can sweeten the deal with a clause that guarantees TGJ will not be on the 25 man roster concurrently with Hoffman.

I was just thinking the same thing. Is he trying to press the issue through the media?

Yep, you've pretty much nailed the rationale behind Wisconsin's Implied Consent Laws (more info here). When you accept your license, you have consented to the test(s) and preemtively agreed to the consequences of your potential refusial. It's treated as a contract and/or breach thereof, essentially. There are plenty of requirements on the testing, so it'd be hard for me to say if (given a lot of resolve to try to get a charge tossed) you'd be better off taking the tests and challenging them or refusing and then challenging the consent itself. A person's first offense is civil, which is (I'm speculating here) likely how potential conflicts to representation and self-incrimination rights are resolved. After that, I'm not sure how the system functions other than the offenses do become criminal.

While I have always enjoyed Easterbrook's mockery of coach-protective strategies, using average gain per down to prove his point is oversimplified. One would have to analyze not only the probability of conversion by the offense and the subsequent increase in expected scoring, but the expected-points-allowed based on a turnover-on-downs in a given position on the field, and contrast that with expected-points-allowed of giving the ball away at some averaged distance down the field (however far your punter kicks). The coach in the article seems to recognize this, although he's using college stats and is guessing on his team's ability to convert. It can be assumed that expected-points-allowed increases on turnovers-on-downs as one is closer to one's own endzone (and probably sees a major jump inside some point because of average FG ranges). In addition, the increase in expected scoring of the offense should they convert on 4th down is less and less as you get closer to your own end zone (you have more field to go, and more potential 4th down situations). It would get particularly bad when your punter's dropback is shortened by being in the endzone. And this is all before taking into account the actual situation of the 4th down. (4th and 1? 4th and 10?) If you chose some arbitrary yardage, say 4th and 5 or less, you could in theory determine where on the field the threshold is for making it worth it to go on 4th down. This is pretty much what the HS coach in the article tries to establish. When comparing levels of competition, I would imagine that the threshold is closer to the end zone in HS and further away in the NFL mostly given quality of kickers and passing offenses. So, this at least nominally supports Easterbrook's using of the oversimplified theory at his lower level of competition. Anyway, the larger points are the ones that have already been made in this thread. Depends on the offense, depends on the defense, depends on the punter.

I recently applied for one, and I believe the image has to be approved before it gets sent to you. In reality, and far from the perception of the commercials, they make you choose from a few stock images when you first apply, then if you choose you can upload your own image to put on a card and have it sent to you as a replacement for the first one.

I've had good luck with ExchangeHut.com - pretty painless process, especially for the buyer (I've both bought and sold this way). It has about the same accessibility as Craigslist with a bit more transaction security. You do still need to meet the person to exchange. It is most often student tickets, though I cannot recall if you need to have a student ID to use it.

I gave my s/o a pendant necklace, a custom brewers jersey (for those curious, she has not yet picked who she wants), and my personal fave: two books on cake/dessert making that I'm going to read, cover to cover. She is a very talented cake decorator, but is not as fond of baking. She's prefer just to decorate. So, I'm going to become the baking "expert" to complement her decorating skillz. Dad got the Pop-Up Book of Phobias, Mom got homemade chocolates (confection studying already at work), sis got a Michael Kors belt. I love shopping for gifts. I really enjoy putting a lot of thought into it.

I love this signing for the Brewers. Thumbs up.

Is that stat a zero-sum sort of thing? For the Brewers to have "underpaid" pretty much across the board, did other teams have to "overpay" based on market value for wins? Not too surprising that J.J. has the highest value. Very interesting, though not extraordinary, that Fangraphs puts Braun and Cameron at nearly the same dollar value.

I am also at work, not letting down taxpayers (and voters, in my case). My office is nearly empty. I want some baseball transactions to go down today, so I have something to use my brain on.

Wow, outstanding news.

This popped into my head too, but if the contract has an opt out clause (say, after 3 years), I could still see it happening. EDIT: Or as a DH. Good point, Joe.

Another silver lining may be that this is one less team that Sheets can sign with. The Yankees are (disgustingly) maxed out on Type A free agents. EDIT: Especially considering the low compensation Sheets would've brought in if the Yanks signed him.

I guess I'm not heartbroken (Hart-broken?). Rosenthal's suggestion that there were discussions of moving Corey Hart to center makes me cringe. Also minimizes the comments about the Brewers seeing any immediate promise in Melky Cabrera, given that he would become a 4th OF (which seems much more appropriate).

Hmm, yes, odd. Maybe this phenomena is related to a similar one where a person stops at Target for a couple specific things - yesterday, it was granola bars and laundry sheets for me - and ends up going home with a cart load of stuff. Odd.

I've never thrown off a mound, though I'd be interested in trying it. On flat ground, my fastball grip produces quite a bit of movement, tailing away to lefties.

Solution: Vodka Martinis + Strips of Bacon Who needs infusion?

You meant to put that in blue, right? I'm starting to think we won't be able to make the Kenosha Christmas Eve. Whoops, yes I did. About the only redeeming factor of this weather is that in between the snow storms we're getting sunny days. May not seem like much, but it makes a huge difference in my sanity.

Looks like the bulk of the snow will be Wednesday, so it sounds like you'll be okay Tuesday based on the Madison forecast.

State Journal reporting 8-14 more inches for Madison on Tuesday-Wednesday. This just keeps getting better.