LouisEly

Just went through two months of renovation to repair water damage to my living room and when I reconnected the cable box there was no signal. Cable box works in the bedrooms but not in the living room. Xfinity was here for 1.5 hours, tested everything. I had a weak signal before but Xfinity gave me a signal booster and that worked but now it doesn't work anymore, signal not strong enough. They think it's the coax cable going into the living room, or a splitter/connecter somewhere along the line. But the problem is that my condo is long and narrow - the incoming cable is in the closet in my master bedroom which is on the south end of the condo, and my living room is on the north end with about 80 feet in between. What the heck do I do... and how much is it going to cost? How in the world would I replace that? The LAST thing I want is for my house to be tore up AGAIN. And I would think that in today's world there would be some wireless way of doing it... or is coax cable not quite ready for wireless?

There is a new pitching coach. Is this an adjustment period to a new philosophy/approach?

I'll bet you've seen more than one.

OK, I'll slow down the hype train. While he threw three innings today, he only threw 35 pitches. I'd be willing to bet that he's starting now because he's on a pitch count and he can come into the game completely and easily warmed up and go until he reaches his pitch limit. The list of guys who have had TJ twice and returned to become an effective starter isn't a long list. I'm going to wait until he's up over 60 pitches to get real excited. He could be a real weapon out of the pen, even a long reliever/Hader-lite. But recovery-wise, he isn't out of the woods yet.

The problem has been the fastball. -9.3 runs above average. If you normalize it and assume an even number of pitches per pitch, it's the same as the curve and the change.

Someone managed to sneak a brief edit into the Cardinals wikipedia page to list the owner of the Cardinals as Christian Yelich. Need a screenshot of that.

Car insurance companies - and vehicle financing companies - now ask if the vehicle will be used for commercial/ride-sharing purposes. If the driver says it isn't, then they are committing fraud. If the driver says it is, they will pay appropriate insurance rates and be covered.

The highest that the Packers have drafted anybody they have brought in for a visit this decade was Oren Burks last year (3rd round). They've never brought in a 1st or 2nd round pick for a visit. Their M.O. is that the top picks they bring in are either as backup plans in case the guys they really want are gone, or are smokescreens. Might be enticing someone to trade up ahead of them, either at #12 or #30, to increase the chances that the guy(s) they really want fall to them. Lots of OTs brought in for visits, but Risner is conspicuously not one of them.

Anderson has a very good changeup and was better vs. lefties than righties last year, thus why he was brought in to face Wong.

Joey also enrolled early for the spring semester last year, which used up his redshirt. So not only sitting out a year, but he only gets to play two. Really bad look. Have to think Wojo is out if he can't win in the tournament next year, or at least make it and put together a heck of a recruiting class. I really can't get excited for MUBB anymore. You sure that's how that works? Yes, that is how it works. He enrolled early so he had to be either eligible or redshirted the spring semester, and he redshirted. Technically he only redshirted one semester, but what's the point of playing just the fall semester of your fourth year of eligibility? I think the Hausers are kind of full of themselves and want to go somewhere they can be the #1 and #2 guys and put up 20ppg. Wasn't going to happen at Marquette. If Joey wants to be a #1 and put up 20ppg, he needs to improve on his 16" vertical.

Up yours, Goldschmidt!

Jeez, drop the puck

How the hell does Goldschmidt only have a .907 OPS? What the hell are other teams doing to get him out??

Made a couple of changes to the mock. With Cole Madison reporting, I took Ben Powers out of the 5th round and replaced him with Josh Oliver, TE, San Jose St. It had been bugging me that I didn't have Oliver somewhere in there. Also put Ka'Dar Hollman in the 7th. I hadn't seen Toledo's pro day results, but Hollman supposedly ran a sub-4.40 with a 38.5" vertical and he has the desired length/size (6'0", 196) the Packers look for in a corner.

As of this morning, Baltimore has a better record than Boston. That should tell us everything about the conclusions that we should be drawing at this point in the season.

Not being condescending - who are the comps that you are using? 2018: Albies: .261/.305/.452, .757 OPS Most of the guys who have signed big extensions have much better numbers than that, and have much more established track records than one year in the majors. For a .757 OPS 2B, I don't think his deal is terrible.

I'd be all for that. The QB class next year should be stronger with Tua, Fromm, Herbert, and Eason possible entrants. I'm not sure if #44 is high enough in the 2nd to get a 1st next year; typically those have to be in the 30's because of the risk of a disastrous year injury-wise turning that 1st round pick into a top-12 pick. GB might have to include another mid-round pick this year or a conditional pick next year.

My bedroom patio door doesn't have a good seal in the middle between the two doors. It isn't so much the cold air that it's letting in, it's the noise that it's letting in (live in Chicago just off of a fairly busy street). Anyone know of ways I can make the patio door more soundproof? Any type of material I could put in the middle between the two doors... and if so, how?

Of course, right after I publish this the Packers bring in a couple of guys I had been looking at but didn't make the final cut. DT Trysten Hill had a really good combine and I wanted to squeeze him into one of their 4th round spots but went with Samia. Had I known that Madison reported I may have taken Samia out and put Hill in. DT is so deep this year that a good player will slip into round 3 or 4 and if so I wouldn't be surprised to see the Packers grab one there even if they go DT at #12. They also brought in Tulane CB Donnie Lewis. I was looking at him before the Shrine game, but he got hurt in the Shrine game practices and fell off the radar. Lewis was tied for 4th in the nation in passes defensed and has good size at a listed 6'0", 195. I don't think the Packers draft a CB this year, but I think they bring in a couple of priority UDFAs. Randle is a smaller guy (5'10", 186) but ran a 4.28 with a 41" vertical at his pro day. Moore missed most of the year with injury but was a starter last year as a junior, has decent size (5'11", 196) and ran a 4.41 with a 37" vertical on their pro day.

This x 1.7 bazillion Better yet, having to listen to the stupid prompts to make your selection(s). Build the options into the app and let people select what they are calling about before dialing the phone.

Oliver destroyed his pro day. Ran a 4.73 and his 3-cone time of 7.15 was the same as what Josh Allen did at the combine and would have been top 10 for running backs at the combine. He looked like a LB in drills, and some teams actually have him as either a DL or a LB and think that if he got down to 265 or less would be a ridiculous OLB in a 3-4. I don't see Oliver getting past the Lions at #8, or the Bills at #9, especially considering that they have Rodgers and Brady in their respective divisions.

This is going to be an interesting draft. Will Gutes continue TT’s tendencies (valuing triangle numbers over football intelligence) or carve a different path? I think the first pick is going to generate some discussion... 1st (#12): Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson – Disruptive interior presence with positional versatility, Wilkins owned Alabama’s OL in the national championship game. Has short area quickness and agility like a linebacker and he’s very active in pass rush, allowing him to be a true three-down DL. On top of that Wilkins has elite intelligence, leadership, and character, having graduated in just 2.5 years. The Packers need leadership, especially with Mike Daniels set to become a free agent after 2019, and Wilkins has the leadership and personality to be a face of the franchise type. His upside is higher than many think, and he also has perhaps the highest floor of anyone in the draft. The Packers haven’t shown much willingness to extend guys past 30 (Rodgers the obvious exception), and Daniels will be 30 next year. (Replaces Muhammad Wilkerson) If he’s still available: Montez Sweat, Edge, Mississippi State – Sweat displayed his elite athleticism at the combine after displaying his pass rushing skills at the Senior Bowl. Sweat gets comped to Danielle Hunter due to his long frame and athleticism. He would have been long gone by this time if it were not for the heart condition he was diagnosed with. With pass rushing a premium, he may be too talented to pass up here. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Devin White, ILB, LSU – Former running back who is still learning the position, White has play speed that just can’t be taught. His work ethic and competitiveness are off the charts, as is his ability to close. Scary to think he could get better with even more experience, White could be an All-Pro caliber LB for a long time. Pairing White with Martinez would give the Packers the best ILB pair in the NFL, and Martinez will be a FA after the season. 1st (#30): Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas State – a 2nd-team AP All-American, Risner gets comps to Bryan Bulaga and was PFF’s 2nd highest graded OT behind only Cole Van Lanen… and slightly ahead of Jonah Williams. He has more than enough pass blocking ability, as he won almost every battle when he squared off against Montez Sweat; Sweat got a sack, but only because their QB left the pocket and moved towards Sweat who Risner was running up the field. Risner is a mauler in the run game as well, has long arms and vice-like grip with his hands, has light feet and good lateral quickness, and his floor is a nasty Pro Bowl caliber guard. (Replaces Alex Light) If he’s still available: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa – I don’t think that Hockenson will go as high as some think. He’s a good athlete, not elite like Fant, but he’s an elite blocking and a true complete TE. Also an excellent route runner with a nose for finding the seam, he can adequately stretch the field. Hockenson could be a target if the Packers trade down from #12 to the late teens/early 20's. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa – one of the best pure athletes at TE in years, Fant has wide receiver speed and acceleration in a 6’4”, 250 lb body that can create matchup problems all over the field. His initial burst easily creates separation, and he’s a weapon in the red zone averaging one TD every four catches. Considering the lousy QBs and offensive scheme he was in at Iowa, putting him in a legitimate passing offense with an All-Pro QB could create one of the most lethal offensive weapons in the game. 2nd: N’Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State – eerily similar to Davante Adams, not only in size, play style, competitiveness, and alpha swagger, he also had almost identical combine numbers as Adams. Like Adams, Harry’s signatures are owning the back-shoulder throw and contested catch opportunities. Harry also relishes run blocking and has excellent play strength, having put up 28 reps on the bench at the combine; teams are going to have a really hard time jamming him at the line. There are questions about his ability to separate, but this is the NFL – nobody gets separation. It’s all about the ability to use your body for route leverage and having strong hands, and Harry excels at that just like Adams. Gutes personally attended ASU’s pro day, and I don’t think it was to watch Rennell Wren. (Replaces Randall Cobb/Trevor Davis) If he’s still available: A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss – excellent route runner and super productive slot bully whose low center of gravity allows him to change directions on a dime. Big, strong hands, shields defenders from the ball with his body, and a more than willing blocker in the run game. Has the size to run plays out of the backfield like the Packers did with Cobb. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Kaleb McGary, OT, Washington – three year starter at RT who came to Washington as a TE, for a guy as tall as he is he showed very good athleticism and change of direction at the combine. Diagnosed with a heart arrythmia, and his father with MS, he’s a bit of a medical concern but he’s as mentally tough and resilient as they come. Packers brought him in for a visit, but they usually do that for guys who are backup plans for the guys they want so he may be their 2nd choice. 3rd: Taylor Rapp, S, Washington – true junior and three-year starter who coaches have said is the smartest football player they’ve ever been around, and if there is anything the Packers need at safety it is football intelligence. Super active with positional versatility, he was used all over the field from free safety to nickel corner to linebacker hybrid but is best in the box to maximize his strengths in short-area quickness, run support, and open field tackling and minimize his weakness in long speed. Rapp has elite leadership and character, and pairing Rapp with Wilkins will provide much needed leadership, especially should they let Daniels leave. While his 40 time at their pro day left a little to be desired, he had some of the top 3-cone and short shuttle times at the combine. Vontaze Burfict ran a 5.00 at the combine, and he’s been a 7-year starter in the league. Intelligence and play recognition trumps long speed in the box. (Replaces Kentrell Brice) If he’s still available: Amani Hooker, S, Iowa – with Amos in the fold the need is more for a hybrid/big nickel safety and Hooker fits that bill. He has an excellent feel for the play and quickly recognizes where the ball is going. His height and short arms could make him a liability for TE coverage, but he’s a very smart football player with great instincts and awareness, just what the Packers need. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Isaiah Johnson, CB, Houston – Johnson played WR his first two years at Houston before switching to CB, so he’s fairly raw and that shows in the consistency of his play. But he has big upside as he’s an imposing 6’2”, 208, and ran a 4.40 40 at the combine with top-6 3-cone and short shuttle times. He’s going to have some growing pains early on, but you can’t teach those triangle numbers and with some coaching and patience he could be a very disruptive press corner with the speed to chase. Weak year for corners which may push him up. 4th (own): Jace Sternberger, TE, Texas A&M – excellent route runner and ball skills, Sternberger is a great receiving TE who put up big production for the Aggies. Keeps the same energy in and out of breaks and has the ability to get open on the 2nd and 3rd level. Not a great blocker, but a willing blocker who will put in the effort. (Replaces Lance Kendricks) If he’s still available: Justin Hollins, OLB, Oregon – a bit of a poor-man’s Montez Sweat, Hollins has length (6’5”) and athleticism (4.50 40) as well as versatile production (14.5 TFL, 6.5 sacks, 7 pass breakups). What Hollins excels at perhaps the most is generating turnovers – he was 2nd in the nation with five forced fumbles and is known for going for the football and mastering the strip sack. Going into the season Jelks was the bigger name at Oregon, but Hollins far outplayed him. If they haven’t drafted a tackle yet: Chuma Edoga, OT, USC – naturally gifted athlete with great foot quickness, Edoga can fire out of his stance and get in position as fast as anyone. A little unorthodox in his technique, but always seems to get the job done. A little small – which was the same knock on Bakhtiari coming out – but has very long arms which can allow him to stay at tackle and is very smart and understands what he needs to do to get the job done. 4th (Redskins): Blake Cashman, ILB, Minnesota – Cashman answered any questions about his athletic ability at the combine after running a 4.50 40 and posting top 3-cone and short shuttle times. Former walk on who lives for football on the field and in the film room, he was super productive (104 tackles, 15 TFL) but his short arms may limit his ability to cover taller TEs and make him subject to good stiff-arms. The last athletic ILB they drafted in the 4th round named Blake worked out really well. (Replaces Jake Ryan/Antonio Morrison) If he’s still available: Dru Samia, G/T, Oklahoma – vocal leader more than full of aggression and attitude, Samia has a big level of nastiness to his game. Athletic, and experienced at RT, he could be the next Braden Smith who played inside in college but moves out to RT. The Packers could use some of his attitude on the field. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Stanley Morgan, Jr., WR, Nebraska – super productive WR despite mediocre at best QBs throwing to him, Morgan is a complete WR. He put up some of the top 3-cone and short shuttle times at the combine and could be a great slot WR. Professional, excellent route runner, with kick and punt return experience, he could be a great replacement for Cobb without having to spend a day one or two pick. 5th: Malik Carney, OLB, North Carolina – at first glance his production (6 sacks, 12 TFL, 60 tackles) seems nothing special, but then realize he did that in only eight games. Suspended for four games due to selling shoes (sound familiar?), Carney also in only eight games finished second in the nation in forced fumbles with five and rakes at the ball like he’s starting a lawnmower. (Replaces Nick Perry) If he’s still available: Josh Oliver, TE, San Jose St. - excellent route runner who used a fully-formed route tree, Oliver has huge hands (10 3/4") and plus ball skills. Showed above average athleticism at the combine, running a 4.63 40, but had average 3-cone and short shuttle times. Not a good blocker, but a willing blocker. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Armon Watts, DT, Arkansas – ideal five technique who despite playing for the worst team in the SEC still put up impressive numbers for a DT in the SEC accounting for 7 sacks, 8.5 TFL, and three forced fumbles. Watts excels at anchoring against double teams and defeating single blocks and was impressive in practice at the Shrine game and in their game against Alabama. 6th (own): Darrin Hall, RB, Pittsburgh – spent most of his career behind Qadree Ollison and James Connor but is by far the most athletic of the three and when Ollison went down he shined. A classic one-cut runner, Hall averaged 7.5 yards per carry last year racking up over 1000 yards. He blew up his pro day, running a 4.42 40 and a 3-cone time that would have been best at the combine. (Replaces 3rd string RB revolving door) If he’s still available: Ryan Connelly, ILB, Wisconsin – instinctive LB with an ability to diagnose plays and shoot the gap resulting in a TFL, as almost 12% of his tackles in his career were for losses. Good in zone coverage, Connelly can be an excellent special teamer while being a solid backup if not adequate starter. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Donovan Wilson, S, Texas A&M – hard hitting safety who is also a team leader off and on the field. Smart, picked up a complicated defense quickly, helped get his team lined up on the field, and has long arms and adequate athleticism. Won’t turn down the chance to lay the lumber, but it cost him a few targeting penalties in the process. 6th (from Seattle): Nick Scott, S, Penn State – Scott came to Penn State as a RB, but stuck behind Saquan Barkley and Miles Sanders they needed a way to get his athleticism on the field. He switched to CB as a sophomore before moving to safety as a junior. Still learning the position, Scott has excellent athleticism and showed it at their pro day running a 4.43 40 with a 41” vertical. He had good production as a senior notching three interceptions. With experience returning kicks, Scott can be a special teams ace while learning the safety position. (Replaces Greene/Campbell/Pleasant) If he’s still available: Devine Ozigbo, RB, Nebraska – finally put it all together as a senior, rushing for over 1000 yards and an impressive 7 yards per carry. Big, bruising back who keeps a low pad level, he also can hold his own in the passing game, having caught 39 passes between his junior and senior year. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Kyle Shurmur, QB, Vanderbilt – doesn’t have elite arm strength, but he’s a very smart QB who can make rhythm throws in a west coast offense and has the accuracy to fit the ball into tight windows on short and medium throws. Put up a very respectable 50 TDs vs 16 INTs over his two years as a starter against tough SEC defenses. He may not be good enough to single-handedly win games, but he is smart and effective enough to not lose them. Son of NFL coach Pat Shurmur, and it shows. 7th: Jordan Kunaszyk, ILB, Cal – not only was he a tackling machine having made 143 this past year, he also was a turnover machine generating six forced fumbles and three interceptions over his junior and senior year. With Martinez a FA after next season, I wouldn’t be surprised if GB double-dips at ILB with a late pick. (Competes with James Crawford for roster spot) If he’s still available: Gardner Minshew, QB, Washington State – the Packers need a backup QB who can pass, and that’s what he can do. The “athletes who can’t pass” haven’t been cutting it. Not elite arm strength, but he works through his progressions very quickly and gives safeties very little time to react. Could have great moustache contests with Rodgers. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Ka'Dar Hollman, CB, Toledo – three year starter with desired size (6'0", 190) at corner, Hollman supposedly ran a sub-4.40 at Toledo's pro day. PFF has Hollman allowing a completion % of only 42% and a passer rating of 70. Average ball skills, having only two interceptions in 39 career games, but the Packers will take flyers late on guys with ideal triangle numbers. UDFAs (* indicates priority or possible late round pick): Eric Dungy, QB, Syracuse Darmarea Crockett, RB, Missouri* Johnathan Thomas, RB, Penn State James O’Hagan, C, Buffalo Wes Martin, G, Indiana* Cody Conway, OT, Syracuse Jeff Smith, WR, Boston College* Andrew Beck, TE, Texas* Curtis Bolton, S/LB, Oklahoma Micah Abernathy, S, Tennessee* Ryan Bee, DE, Marshall Cole Holcomb, ILB, North Carolina* C.J. Moore, CB, Mississippi* Rodney Randle, CB, Lamar* Randy Ramsey, OLB, Arkansas Jordan Thompson, DT, Northwestern Spenser Thompson-Meyers, K, St. Norbert My thoughts on a few guys who have been prominently mentioned: Jonathan Abram, S, Miss St – He’s a good big nickel/LB hybrid, but poor in coverage. Doesn’t have anticipation or ball skills and gets caught looking in the backfield. Got burned horribly in their bowl game. I think he’s Josh Jones 2.0. Nasir Adderly, S, Delaware – some teams are excited about him because they think he has the length and skills to move to corner, but his safety play was inconsistent at best – not good recognition and response. We’ve seen how well the transition from safety to corner can go. Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama – good player, but I just can’t see using the #12 overall pick on a RT. Maybe if they trade down to the late teens/early 20’s.

Allen Webster and Kyle Ryan appear to the be the replacements. I'm not sure I wouldn't have kept Edwards and a hurt Montgomery. In four appearances this year Edwards has given up 6 ER and 5 BB in 1.2 innings. A small sample, but far from the almost unhittable pitcher he was two years ago - looked like he was in line for the closers role.

And make them get home late too!

This comment actually did age well.