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The Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank hosts an annual look at world agriculture and this year the theme was, "The Shifting Nexus of Global Agriculture."
The event is aimed primarily at investment banks and attendance is heavy with people you'll never see at the teller's window of your friendly neighborhood bank, unless you're dropping by a very specialized branch office that specializes in wealth management. You'll have the address memorized, of course, when you need advice on where to invest that seven figure trust fund your daddy left you a few months ago.
It's too bad more farmers and ranchers don't attend. The information would do a body good, especially if you're trying to make some long-term decisions about the size of your herd or the amount of corn, soybeans or wheat you need to plant a few years from now. Leasing a few hundred expensive acres to bring in more corn in 2015 might not make sense if the price of a bushel is going to drop by 50%.
According to the prognosticators, that's exactly what's happening. Those near $8.00 bushels of a few years ago will drop to around $4.50; great news for cattle feeders, bad news for corn growers fond of the glory days created by the ethanol mandate.
Grant Aldonas, founder of Split Rock International, a Washington, D.C.-based trade and investment advisory firm, took one of the hardest looks at that 'shifting nexus.' He suggested a significantly larger share of farm profits would come from international trade, a statement that should raise some concern following an earlier claim that our trade policies are about 5 years out of date.
Still, the USDA projects record exports this year, surpassing $143 billion, driven by higher foreign demand from emerging Asian markets and an increase in exports of value-added products. Go ahead and define "emerging Asian markets" as code for China, reportedly now the world's second largest economy and growing at 7.5% or more in a punk worldwide economy.
"Value-added" means grains are falling out of favor while prepared products are the new kid on the block. Think of Shuanghui's recent bid to buy Smithfield. The company wasn't after another supplier of hogs. They grow far more than Smithfield ever could, no help needed there, thank you. They want an assured supply of Smithfield's branded products to feed their very large and fast growing middle class.
The U.S. can keep our hogs. Shipping higher profit hams, bacon and sausage to Shuanghui for sale to millions of hungry, pork-loving Chinese makes a lot more business sense.
Aldonas suggested three reasons for driving export demand; (1) population growth, (2) high economic growth, and (3) urbanization. He forecast a world population of at least 9.1 billion by mid-century and a 5.2% annual growth in average income. Add that to his prediction that the world will be 70% urbanized by 2050 compared to 49% today - a huge number of people who can no longer grow all or a significant portion of their own food - and his ideas are suddenly sensible.
So what will be the long term effect on global agriculture? Aldonas says the rise of global agrifood/agribusiness value chains are the future. So, you think the Monsanto's of the world are behemoths? Today, yes. Tomorrow, companies of that size and scope might be seen as quaint. Pulling together a profitable, vertically integrated ag business that will necessarily have to span the world while spreading the risk of doing business in agriculturally viable but politically unstable regions means access to staggering amounts of capital to develop the rich black dirt of South America's Amazon basin, the Black Sea region and the southern cone of Africa.
Does this mean the end of that small family farm so many urbanites say is necessary to their health and well-being? It will undoubtedly mean a serious contraction of those plots. They might become as rare and nostalgic as today's Amish farms, which are still worked by horse and hand, supplying the family and selling their small surplus at local farmer's markets. Big 'factory farms' - those tens of thousands of acre businesses often worked by a family unit which has incorporated for tax purposes - are much more efficient at growing crops or raising livestock.
Welcome to the new world agriculture, one driven not by local but by international demand. You shouldn't be surprised, though. The trend line has been there for over a century and the prices your cattle and crops can demand today are tied to what the Asian and Pacific rim nations are willing to pay.
The opinions expressed in this column are solely those of Chuck Jolley, a veteran food industry journalist and columnist.
Source: agprofessional.com


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The Chattanooga area is blessed with so many options for outdoors enthusiasts, most within a short drive of downtown.
The Tennessee River flowing through the city brings water sports and flat-water kayaking, and there are plenty of options for hiking, rock climbing, whitewater kayaking and canoeing all easily accessible.
The abundance of outdoor options led readers of Outdoor Magazine to select Chattanooga as the best outdoor city in the United States for 2011.
Getting involved is easy, with several clubs and organizations devoted to outdoor pursuits and willing to help newcomers learn the ropes.
The best place to start is Outdoor Chattanooga, a city-funded organization dedicated to promoting outdoor recreation and helping residents and visitors get involved.
Outdoor Chattanooga has offices at Coolidge Park staffed by friendly people who can help you begin your outdoor adventure in the Scenic City.
Chattanooga Nature Center: The nature center, at 400 Garden Road, has trails for hikers of all levels, allowing for a tour of the center's wetlands and creek. One five-mile trail leads to Sunset Rock on Lookout Mountain.
Cloudland Canyon State Park in Rising Fawn, Ga.: Check out the waterfalls on the varied trail, on the western edge of Lookout Mountain, about an hour from downtown Chattanooga.
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.: The battlefield features an eight-mile trail loop leading through historic Civil War monuments.
Cumberland Trail on Signal Mountain: Challenging trails for the moderate to expert hiker. According to Outdoor Chattanooga, 160 miles of the 303-mile Cumberland Trail are within 75 miles of Chattanooga.
Laurel Snow Pocket Wilderness in Rhea County, Tenn.: Laurel Snow includes waterfalls and steep ascents in the 710-acre wilderness area. Camping and climbing available.
Raccoon Mountain Caverns: Call 821-9403 or visit wildcave.com to schedule a walking tour or an overnight "muddy tour" of the 5.5 miles of caves on the mountain.
The Lost Sea in Sweetwater, Tenn., offers overnight trips and hour-long excursions to the country's largest underground lake, 140 feet below ground level.
The Adventure Guild leads caving tours at undisclosed locations. Call 423-266-5709.
Disclaimer: Many area caves are closed to prevent the spread of white-nose syndrome, a fungus that has killed more than 1 million bats in North America. Some caves on privately owned land are still open. Visit Chattanooga Grotto at ChattanoogaGrotto.org for information on becoming a member, cave preservation and white-nose syndrome.
Little Rock City, aka Stone Fort, at Montlake Golf Course in Soddy-Daisy; $3 per climber day pass; no dogs allowed. One of the most concentrated and varied boulder fields in the country, for climbers of all skill levels.
Sunset Rock on Lookout Mountain: Rope climbing.
Foster Falls in Jasper, Tenn.: Rope climbing, leave time for a dip in the water afterward.
Tennessee Wall: Traditional, or "trad," climbing using placed gear, for experienced climbers. 20-minute hike to reach wall. Located in Dayton, Tenn., in the Prentice Cooper Wildlife Management Area.
Tennessee Bouldering Authority, in St. Elmo. Call 822-6800 or visit tbagym.com.
Urban Rocks, off Amnicola Highway. Call 475-6578 or visit urbanrocksgym.com.
Visit the local climbing gyms or visit the Southeastern Climbers Coalition at seclimbers.org for more information on recommended climbing locations, climber etiquette and land stewardship.
Hiwassee River in Reliance, Tenn.: Great for beginners. The dam-controlled river has Class I and II whitewater rapids. Family-friendly river is great for kayaking, rafting, tubing or other watercraft. For kayaking, "If you have never done it before, make sure you go with someone who is experienced," said Ruth Thompson of Outdoor Chattanooga.
Cartecay River in Ellijay, Ga.: Class I to Class II-plus.
Ocoee River: For intermediate-level kayakers, the middle Ocoee is Class III-plus. For experts, the Upper Ocoee is a Class-V river and was the site of the 1996 Olympic whitewater events.
Lower Tellico River: Class II stream that is not dam-controlled.
Upper Tellico River: Class IV river for experienced kayakers. Stream levels vary widely.
For canoeing on the Chickamauga reservoir, above the Chickamauga Dam:
• Harrison Bay State Park
• Booker T. Washington State Park
• Chester Frost State Park
Greenway Farms in Hixson: Canoe along the North Chickamauga Creek.
South Chickamauga Creek: Launch from Sterchi Farm on Old Harrison Pike.
Lookout Creek in the Chattanooga Nature Center: Call 423-821-1160. The nature center offers boat rentals.
Nickajack Lake near Jasper, Tenn.: Shellmound Recreation Area. TVA facility. In the winter months when the water level is low, gravestones peek out from the water's surface, relics from an underwater cemetery.

subset: commoncrawl


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By John D. Aguon @lttlgnt
So much has happened.
SO much has happened since my last entry.
I've been on crazy whirlwind, riding up and down life's proverbial roller coaster. I love it though. I owe a lot to the masses. Seeing all of your updates. Sally got a new job. Bob got married. There are People moving on up, even some of you to the east side. Seriously though, I owe a lot to the lives people broadcast online. For some reason I tune in. I see all of your success whether it is exaggerated or not. It fuels my gas guzzling fire! Well, I've been on the opposite side of the spectrum. John can't afford rent. John needs a job. John could be a massive failure.
It was a dark place.
Very dark and I owe it to the Internet.
What are we doing? Sometimes I wonder what my life would be without the World Wide Web, constantly updating my every move. Trying to live up to the Facebook standard of living. Don't get me wrong; I'm the first to admit that I LOVE broadcasting my whereabouts. The Burger joint I claimed to have found. The hike or if you're going up Runyon, the gradual uphill walk I conquered. You can't forget the infamous " I took a picture with a celebrity, and we're now best friends" Photo.
But, the other day I realized something. I was having just a normal bad day, with a normal headache with a side of normal laziness, when I pulled out my iPhone and started scrolling through my photos. I found a sick picture from a few weeks back, of an awesome time I had with some friends, and of course with a flattering angle (you know high angle make you look skinnier). I filtered the picture, typed in some positive caption and went on to live my normal bad day.
Soon enough.
Blah blah blah, "likes your photo."
So and so, "likes your photo."
Finally, I realized. No one REALLY knew how I was living my life. No one knew that I lost my apartment, I lost my job, and I lost my dignity.
Once again, I owe that to the Internet.
But, it's not all a shit storm. It propelled me to actually living the life I project for everyone to see. I hit the pavement. I got on my feet again and found an incredible apartment and I'm now working for a place where I can say my career can finally grow.
I have to say; there is a light that Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites shines. Seriously though, throughout my life I've met some interesting people and rather than drifting apart through the distance and the years, Its pretty awesome to know that there's a place where I can see little glimpses of your daily lives, triumphs, and families.
I appreciate you all.
I owe it to the Internet.


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Tuesday, October 26, 2004
NVIDIA DVD Decoder Available
NVIDIA Corporation , the worldwide leader in visual processing solutions, today announced the immediate availability of the NVIDIA DVD Decoder. Designed to take advantage of NVIDIA graphics processing units (GPUs), the NVIDIA DVD Decoder enables the highest-quality DVD and MPEG-2 playback with unmatched colour fidelity and ultra-smooth performance. The NVIDIA DVD Decoder can be purchased online at http://www.nvidia.co.uk/object/dvd_decoder.html.
Featuring Dolby Digital surround sound audio and hardware acceleration for compatible graphics processors, the NVIDIA DVD Decoder also delivers features and capabilities found only in expensive, high-end consumer electronics devices, including adaptive de-interlacing and high quality filtering.
Technical Specifications


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LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Kentucky women's basketball team will be a part of postseason play for a school-record third consecutive season as it was selected to participate in the Women's National Invitation Tournament. The Wildcats will meet the Oakland Golden Grizzlies located in Rochester, Mich., Thursday, March 15. Game times and ticket information will be announced Tuesday, March 13.
"I'm disappointed we didn't make the NCAA Tournament," fourth-year Coach Mickie DeMoss said. "We had our sights set on that, but we still have an opportunity to do something special and advance in the WNIT. We're still building and growing, and things don't always go in a straight line when you're trying to get to the top. Last year, we kind of exceeded some expectations and this year we kind of took a little dip, but we still have an opportunity to do something special and advance in the WNIT."
The appearance marks Kentucky's fourth all-time in the WNIT and its second in three years. The Wildcats, who have never participated in three consecutive postseason tournaments in the NCAA era, have an 8-2 record all-time in the postseason event and claimed the title in 1990. The Cats last competed in the WNIT in 2005 when they advanced to the semifinal round before falling to West Virginia in double overtime.
Oakland, a member of the Mid-Continent Conference, finished the regular season with a 19-12 overall record and 12-2 mark in league play. The Golden Grizzlies fell in the Mid-Con Tournament championship game to Oral Roberts, 72-55. OU went 0-1 vs. the SEC this season, falling at Auburn, 74-55.
Kentucky and Oakland meet for the first time in school history. The Wildcats are 4-0 all-time vs. members in the current alignment of the Mid-Continent Conference and last faced a member of that league last season when they hosted IUPUI last season.
Kentucky (18-13) has won 18 games for the third consecutive season and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Southeastern Conference Tournament. The Wildcats finished the league with a 6-8 mark and at one point during the non-conference schedule boasted an eight-game winning streak.
Junior All-SEC second team center Sarah Elliott (McKee, Ky.) leads the Wildcats in scoring, averaging 13.5 ppg, while fellow junior and All-SEC second team selection Samantha Mahoney (Detroit) follows with 12.2 ppg. Senior forward/center Jennifer Humphrey (Memphis, Tenn.) is the squad's leading rebounder with a 10.4 rpg average, while Elliott follows with 7.2 rpg.
The WNIT field includes 48 teams this season for the first time in the history of the event. Thirty-one teams receive automatic bids from their conferences. The automatic bid goes to the highest-finishing team in the conference's regular-season standings that does not advance to the NCAA Tournament. The other 17 selections are granted on an at-large basis. All games in the single-elimination format are played at the home facilities of participating schools.
Four teams that UK faced this season are part of this season's WNIT field, including three SEC squads. Auburn, Indiana, Mississippi State and South Carolina all are participating in the postseason event.
Should UK advance, it would face Ball State. Date and location for that contest are to be determined.


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Should We 'Shame' Parents Who Leave Their Kids Alone In Cars?
The Summer heat is winding down a bit and we haven't heard about a child or pet death in a hot car for a while - which is great news. But that doesn't mean we are in the clear because the moment we let our guard down it cold happen again.


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Chris Wesseling and I teamed up to break down the 2012 free agency and trade markets at wide receiver, and Pat Daugherty will end our offense series with a look at the tight ends later this week. Click the following links for Wesseling's Quarterback Market column and my take on the Running Back Market.Wide Receivers Expected to be Franchise Tagged1. Wes Welker, PatriotsOverview: The Pats have discussed a long-term deal with Welker's camp, but the sides don't seem likely to find common ground by early March. Welker is seeking a top receiver contract after a career year. New England is predictably loath to hand over a mega contract to a skill-position player on the wrong side of the age-30 barrier. National as well as local writers fully expect the Patriots to apply the franchise tag by the March 5 deadline.Overview: Patriots on a one-year, $9.6 million contract. 2. Dwayne Bowe, ChiefsOverview: The Stanford Routt signing paves the way for Brandon Carr's exit, leaving Bowe as the obvious candidate for the Chiefs' franchise tag. GM Scott Pioli confirmed as much Tuesday morning, stating "one way or another" Bowe would be back in Kansas City in 2012. While Bowe's numbers were down across the board versus a tougher schedule last season, he continued to show game-breaking ability by leading the NFL in receiving broken tackles. Overview: Chiefs on a one-year, $9.6 million contract. 3. DeSean Jackson, EaglesOverview: Though the Eagles have been tight-lipped about their plans for Jackson, the Philadelphia Inquirer has twice reported that he will be tagged in lieu of a long-term contract. GM Howie Roseman won't lose one of the game's most dangerous vertical threats with nothing in return, but he will entertain trade offers over the next few weeks. Should Jackson show increased commitment and a willingness to make tough catches in traffic next season, the Eagles will be more inclined to meet his asking price of more than $10 million per year. Overview: Eagles on a one-year, $9.6 million contract. Wide Receiver Free Agents1. Vincent Jackson, ChargersScouting Report: Jackson is seen as a high-risk signing in some circles due to his pair of DUIs and subsequent three-game suspension to open the 2010 season. While coaches have praised Jackson's work ethic and football IQ, the one hole in his game is a lack of game-to-game consistency a true No. 1 receiver must possess. On the flip side, Jackson is one of the NFL's elite downfield playmakers, a dangerous red-zone threat, and a first-down machine. Still in his prime at age 29, Jackson has averaged more than 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns in his last three full seasons. Availability: The Bolts will reportedly "do everything in their power" to re-sign their top receiver, and there appears to be mutual interest on Jackson's end. The franchise tag is prohibitive, however, as Jackson would collect 120 percent ($13.7 million) of his $11.4 million 2011 salary. GM A.J. Smith will make a competitive offer, but there will be at least one desperate team with the cash flow to overpay. The Rams, Bucs, Redskins and Vikings should be among Jackson's most ardent suitors. Prediction: Buccaneers on a five-year, $56 million contract. 2. Brandon Lloyd, RamsScouting Report: A boundary receiver and downfield threat, Lloyd succeeds with fluid long strides, outstanding leaping ability, and acrobatic body control at the point of the catch despite mediocre speed. After a career year in 2010 due in large part to Josh McDaniels' creative play-calling and scheming to create advantageous matchups, Lloyd's production dipped in two of the NFL's weaker passing attacks last season. Bright yet complicated and opinionated, Lloyd seems to have worn out his welcome in several locker rooms over his nine-year career. Availability: Lloyd's age (31 in July) and checkered history would seem to make him an ideal candidate for the franchise tag, but the Rams reportedly have no interest in going that route. Acknowledging McDaniels' role in his late-career renaissance, Lloyd has made it clear that reuniting with the Patriots' new coordinator is a high priority. He's also open to returning to St. Louis, though it's clear that the team won't break the bank to bring him back. Prediction: Patriots on a two-year, $15 million contract. 3. Marques Colston, SaintsScouting Report: A picture of consistency despite persistent injuries, Colston excels in traffic by "high-pointing" the football with one of the most wide-spanning catch radiuses the NFL has seen. As a solid all-around receiver, Colston has long been an asset in the red zone, down the field, and as a go-to option on third downs. After a half-decade as Drew Brees' favorite target, Colston fell behind explosive matchup nightmares Darren Sproles and Jimmy Graham in 2011 while remaining highly productive in his own right. Availability: Saints GM Mickey Loomis has a history of managing the salary cap to keep home-grown talent, especially those offensive weapons for whom Brees has gone to bat. Brees can substantially increase the odds of Colston returning to the Big Easy by agreeing to a long-term deal of his own, freeing up the franchise tag. Should Colston hit the open market, teams in need of a big, physical receiver such as the Bears, Raiders, Vikings, and Redskins are potential suitors. Prediction: Saints on a four-year, $36 million contract. 4. Stevie Johnson, BillsScouting Report: While Johnson has been the primary beneficiary of coach Chan Gailey's shotgun-heavy, short-passing based offense, he's also showcased physicality, separation skills, and red-zone chops the past two seasons. Among his primary concerns are a handful of high-profile drops, a penchant for juvenile back-breaking penalties, and an inability to consistently beat double coverage. As a result, Johnson falls just shy of the top tier of free agent receivers. Availability: Johnson's preference is to stay in Buffalo, as he's not guaranteed to be featured heavily outside of Gailey's scheme. While the two sides have exchanged proposals, they haven't had luck finding common ground. Much like the Chargers with Vincent Jackson, the Bills aren't currently inclined to franchise Johnson but could reverse course over the next few weeks. Prediction: Bills on a five-year, $33 million contract. 5. Reggie Wayne, ColtsScouting Report: Wayne reversed a five-year decline in yards per reception last season, but his production predictably declined across the board without Peyton Manning under center. Wayne no longer separates from quality cornerbacks and didn't give consistent effort in a lost year. Entering his age-34 season, Wayne's ideal fit is as a possession receiver for a veteran quarterback on a playoff team. Availability: Displeased with his contract the past two offseasons, Wayne is likely to flee the rebuilding Colts for a contender. Clearly on the decline, Wayne is headed for disappointment in a buyer's market at wide receiver. Although there's been talk of a package deal with Peyton Manning, the quarterback may not sign with a team until April or May.
Prediction: Cardinals on a three-year, $16 million contract. 6. Robert Meachem, SaintsScouting Report: Although he possesses ideal size and legit downfield playmaking ability, Meachem's career has been filled with stops and starts due to injuries, questionable commitment, and the Saints' mix-and-match approach at receiver. Meachem has sat between 40-45 receptions and 620-720 yards in each of the past the past three years, but he's had 22 games of fewer than 30 yards compared to just eight games over 75 yards during that span. Availability: With Drew Brees, Marques Colston, and Carl Nicks as GM Mickey Loomis' top priorities, Meachem figures to be the odd man out in the Big Easy. The 49ers, Bengals, Bears, Raiders, and Redskins should be interested in the services of a physically gifted 27-year-old receiver. Prediction: 49ers on a three-year, $13 million contract.7. Mario Manningham, GiantsScouting Report: Manningham ran in the 4.6s coming out of Michigan, but his bread and butter is the vertical passing game. An impressive 38 of his 160 career receptions have gone for 20 yards or longer, and Manningham's ability to make difficult over-the-shoulder catches showed up on the biggest play of Super Bowl XLVI. Manningham is not a physical wide receiver, however, and plays smaller than his size (6'0/185). While he consistently creates separation downfield, Manningham isn't going to make any plays over the middle or in double coverage. He needs to be a No. 2 or 3 receiver and would be stretched as more. Availability: After Victor Cruz's franchise record-breaking year, Manningham's time in New York is up at age 26. The Giants won't engage in a bidding war for a player no higher than third on the depth chart at receiver. Although SI.com's Peter King has predicted Manningham will collect at least $7 million per season on the open market, we see that as highly optimistic. Prediction: Bears on a four-year, $22 million contract. 8. Pierre Garcon, ColtsScouting Report: An inconsistent deep threat with a penchant for taking advantage of suspect secondaries, Garcon bounced back from a drop-plagued 2010 season to mirror Reggie Wayne's production. Digging deeper, though, all six of his touchdowns and nearly half (44.5 percent) of Garcon's 947 receiving yards came in three games versus the Bucs, Chiefs, and Pats due in large part to broken coverage, poor tackling, and garbage-time defensive effort. The talent is there, but the production is spotty. Availability: Owner Jim Irsay has claimed Garcon and pass rusher Robert Mathis as his two highest priorities in free agency, though Garcon is expected to explore his market before deciding whether to return to Indy. Turning 26 in August, Garcon seems likely to team with Austin Collie as Andrew Luck's top two receivers.Prediction: Colts on a four-year, $19 million contract. 9. Laurent Robinson, CowboysScouting Report: A lean, long-armed wideout with 4.38 wheels coming out of Illinois State, Robinson appeared poised for an impressive career after catching 37 passes for 437 yards in only six starts as a rookie. Injuries and inconsistency plagued Robinson for the next three years, but he rehabbed his stock with career highs in receptions (54), yards (858), and touchdowns (11) in Dallas last season. Robinson abused single coverage while Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, and Jason Witten drew the vast majority of defense's attention. While Robinson has some good-looking tools, the sudden breakout as a fifth-year player is concerning. He's been incredibly brittle, and Robinson's track record inspires no confidence that he wouldn't be a free agent bust. Availability: Robinson has made it clear that staying in Dallas is his first choice and money won't be the driving factor in his decision. His player rep, on the other hand, expects Robinson to attract plenty of interest as a 27-year-old coming off a career year. Owner/GM Jerry Jones has said re-signing Robinson will be a top priority. That sentiment will be tested if the injury-prone red-zone threat lands an offer with high-dollar guarantees. We suspect he won't. Prediction: Cowboys on a two-year, $8 million contract. 10. Braylon Edwards, 49ersScouting Report: When healthy, Edwards is a smooth deep threat with a knack for creating separation downfield. He is 6-foot-3, 214 and ran 4.45 coming out of Michigan. Edwards is also an underrated run blocker. Off-field issues crushed his 2011 market value, however, and medical woes may do the same this spring. Edwards pleaded guilty to DUI in 2010 and was fined for violating the league's substance abuse policy in September. Another infraction could result in suspension. Edwards tore his right meniscus in Week 2 with the 49ers and missed the next five weeks. He separated his right shoulder almost immediately after returning and was completely ineffective down the stretch. Edwards was cut on December 27. No team put in a waiver claim. Availability: As a suspension risk, Edwards could only manage a one-year, $1 million offer from the 49ers last summer. After bombing spectacularly in San Francisco, Edwards received no interest upon being waived in late December. Jets coach Rex Ryan hinted that Edwards would be welcomed back with open arms. Bengals owner/GM Mike Brown has a history of collecting name players on the cheap once their value has reached its nadir. Prediction: Bengals on a one-year, $3 million contract. 11. Early Doucet, CardinalsScouting Report: With a 4.56 forty time and 34.5-inch vertical, Doucet is an average athlete lacking downfield playmaking ability. He's spent his first four NFL seasons rotating in the slot for Arizona, playing behind Steve Breaston, Jerheme Urban, and Andre Roberts. Though known as a tough receiver, the 26-year-old has battled a laundry list of injuries, most notably fractured ribs, sports hernia surgery, recurring hamstring woes, and an abdominal strain. Doucet did seem to take a step forward in 2011, setting career highs in receptions (54), yards (689), and touchdowns (5) while making it through the first 16-game season of his career. Availability: The Cardinals are expected to let Doucet hit the open market on March 13. The Arizona coaching staff appears to have determined that Doucet is a slot receiver only and a replaceable player. Doucet has some history with new Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley, who ran Arizona's offense during Doucet's rookie year. Chiefs assistant head coach Maurice Carthon was also a position coach on the Cardinals' staff when Doucet entered the NFL. Prediction: Steelers on a one-year, $1.5 million contract. 12. Randy Moss, "Retirement"Scouting Report: Contrary to popular belief, Moss' decline didn't happen suddenly in 2010. Moss' numbers began hitting the skids around midseason in 2009, as he averaged under 53 yards per game in the final eight weeks, including the playoffs. His career spiral became more obvious the following year, when three teams essentially gave up on Moss during a three-month span. Moss sat out the 2011 season, allegedly in "retirement," and later cited off-field issues for his decision not to play. Now 35, Moss can likely still run fast in a straight line, stands 6-foot-4, and has some of the softest hands on the planet. At the very least, Moss could make for an effective clear-out route runner, draw some double coverage and make the players around him better. But is he willing to fight for tough catches in traffic, or to accept a diminished role as a No. 2 receiver? The feeling here is that if Moss is to make a successful comeback, it will be mostly up to him. Availability: The Jets preferred Moss over Plaxico Burress last year, but word on the street had the future Hall of Famer only willing to return to New England. While many teams will be wary of the potential headache, the Jets are both needy at receiver and willing to take calculated risks. Moss will come cheap, and he's not going to command much guaranteed money. Prediction: Jets on a one-year, $2.5 million contract. Other Wide Receiver Free Agents: Ted Ginn, Plaxico Burress, Roscoe Parrish, Jerome Simpson, Jerricho Cotchery, Eddie Royal, Steve Smith, Mark Clayton, Harry Douglas, Andre Caldwell, Josh Morgan, Donte' Stallworth, Legedu Naanee, Eric Weems, Terrell Owens, Deion Branch, Chaz Schilens, Devin Aromashodu, Mike Sims-Walker, Derek Hagan, Patrick Crayton.
Restricted Free Agent Wide Receivers1. Mike Wallace, SteelersScouting Report: A third-round steal in the 2009 draft, Wallace quickly passed Limas Sweed to be Pittsburgh's No. 3 receiver as a rookie. The Steelers felt comfortable trading Santonio Holmes during the 2010 offseason, primarily because of Wallace's emergence, and he's led the team in receiving two straight years. While Wallace is sometimes billed as a straight-line speedster, his ability to take the top off a defense opens things up for other players. Wallace has been durable for his size (6'0/199) and has yet to miss a game due to injury. He's averaging 18.7 yards per career reception with 24 TDs. In 34 starts, Wallace has averaged 78 yards per game. Only eight NFL wide receivers had more first-down catches in 2011. Wallace ran a 4.33 forty time at the 2009 Combine, also demonstrating explosion with a vertical leap of 40 inches and 10-foot, 9-inch broad jump. Not yet 26 years old, Wallace is the most dynamic deep threat in the AFC. Availability: The new CBA prevents restricted free agents from receiving the old first- and third-round tender, a once-prohibitive tag for interested teams. The highest tender is now a first-round only designation, requiring clubs in pursuit to surrender a top-32 draft pick if they propose an offer sheet the restricted free agent's current team cannot match. In other words, Wallace can be acquired for a first-round pick and contract the Steelers decline to pay. Pittsburgh is strapped for salary cap space and may balk at any contract proposal that contains a large first-year roster bonus. As a top-ten NFL receiver, Wallace is well worth the money and draft choice. Prediction: Ravens on a five-year, $47.5 million contract. 2. Danny Amendola, RamsScouting Report: Undrafted out of Texas Tech in 2008, Amendola spent time on the Cowboys and Eagles' practice squads before securing a spot on the Rams' 53-man roster in September of 2009. He earned St. Louis' full-time slot receiver job a month later, also returning punts. Amendola led the Rams in receiving in 2010, but was lost for the year in Week 1 of 2011 with a dislocated left elbow. A torn triceps was discovered in the same arm and Amendola had surgery. A quicker-than-fast slot receiver, Amendola is an efficient pass catcher with nine career drops among 133 receptions. He averages only 8.0 yards per career catch, however, and runs in the 4.6 range at 5-foot-10, 186. Amendola lacks versatility to play the outside receiver positions. Availability: Short on playmaking ability, Amendola will generate little to no interest on the restricted free agent market. If the new Rams front office wants to retain Amendola, they can safely do so with a second-round tender. The round-two tag is valued at just over $1.9 million. Prediction: Rams on a one-year, $1.927 million contract.Wide Receiver Trade Candidates1. James Jones, PackersOverview: Essentially black-balled on the free agent market after two unforgettable playoff drops, Jones settled for a three-year, $9.4 million contract to stay in Green Bay last July. The deal was incredibly affordable for a durable, 27-year-old playmaking wide receiver. While drops are an ongoing issue, Jones has averaged 14.5 yards per career reception and scored 17 touchdowns over the past three seasons despite making just six starts. Jones, who packs 208 pounds onto his 6-foot-1 frame, is a physical possession receiver willing to make tough grabs in traffic. His bread and butter is run-after-catch. Jones is a backup in Green Bay, and 2011 second-round pick Randall Cobb will have a bigger role on offense in 2012. While staying with the Pack is Jones' most likely scenario, he could be an interesting trade target for receiver-needy clubs during training camp. His salary is a reasonable $2.3 million, and Jones could start for at least ten teams. Prediction: Stays with Packers. 2. Arrelious Benn, BucsOverview: The 39th pick in the 2010 draft, Benn slumped through a pedestrian first season (25/395/2) before tearing his left ACL in late December. While Benn recovered quickly enough to start the Buccaneers' 2011 opener, he was part of the problem in a receiver corps that created little separation from defensive backs all season long. Benn shared time with Dezmon Briscoe for most of the year, breaking 75 yards once in 14 appearances and averaging 13.5 yards in his final four games. Benn figures to be stronger and faster a full year removed from the ACL tear, but he hasn't proven much better than Briscoe, and Tampa Bay is starved for a vertical field-stretcher to book end Mike Williams. Benn, when healthy, is much more of a possession threat. The odds are ultimately against GM Mark Dominik giving up on Benn after two seasons, but he's a tradable commodity with a cheap salary ($490K) and not an especially good fit for the offense. Prediction: Stays with Buccaneers. 3. Louis Murphy, RaidersOverview: Murphy led Raiders wideouts in catches (41) and yards (609) in 2010, but fell behind Jacoby Ford, rookie Denarius Moore, and an emerging Darrius Heyward-Bey last season. Behind the eight ball after August hernia surgery, Murphy returned as a fourth receiver at midseason and experienced more groin tightness late in the year. Murphy goes 6-foot-3, 205 and ran a 4.43 forty coming out of Florida in 2009. He's in the last year of his rookie deal, and that's when teams often begin looking to unload players for trade. It seems unlikely that the Raiders would be willing to extend Murphy's deal. The 25-year-old has history with new Bengals assistant Hue Jackson, Jets wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal, and Seahawks assistant head coach Tom Cable.Prediction: Traded to Jets for seventh-round pick.Other Wide Receiver Trade Candidates: Mohamed Massaquoi, Brian Hartline, Ramses Barden, Riley Cooper, Brandon Gibson. Wide Receiver Release Candidates1. Santana Moss, RedskinsOverview: The Redskins' split end in two-wideout sets and slot receiver in three-wide packages, Moss started the 2011 season hot with at least 70 yards and/or a touchdown in each of the team's first four games. Moss fractured a bone in his left hand in Week 7, however, and missed the next four weeks before finishing the season slowly. He failed to clear 50 yards in five of the final six games. Moss still handles himself well on underneath patterns, but he's no longer a vertical threat. The Redskins are unlikely to release Moss because doing so would cause a salary cap hit. Going on age 33, however, this will likely be Moss' last year in D.C. Prediction: Stays with Redskins. 2. Nate Burleson, LionsOverview: A veteran slot receiver with limited playmaking ability, Burleson struggled through an error-prone second season in Detroit. His nine drops led the Lions and tied Burleson for seventh in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus. Burleson also ranked seventh in penalties among wideouts while averaging a career-low 10.4 yards per catch. Burleson has entered the non-guaranteed portion of his contract, and is owed a $4 million salary in 2012. GM Martin Mayhew stated in January that Burleson is not a candidate for offseason release, but he may have to restructure to stay on. Set to turn 31 before the season, Burleson is expected to be the No. 4 option in Detroit's passing game, behind Calvin Johnson, Brandon Pettigrew, and Titus Young. Prediction: Stays with Lions after pay cut. 3. Chad Ochocinco, PatriotsOverview: Acquired last July for a 2012 fifth-round pick and sixth-rounder in 2013, Ochocinco was painfully slow to pick up the Patriots' offense and failed to capitalize on increased playing time when Aaron Hernandez missed two early-season games with a knee injury. As of mid-October, teammates were still telling Ochocinco where to line up for certain offensive plays. Ocho fell behind Tiquan Underwood and Julian Edelman on the depth chart in December, and finished the regular season with 276 yards on 15 receptions in 15 appearances. He was a healthy scratch for the AFC Championship Game. At age 34, Ochocinco's separation skills have declined sharply and he is mentally unreliable. Ochocinco is due $4.6 million in 2012 salary and bonuses.Prediction: Released by April. 4. Lee Evans, RavensOverview: Attempting to address their need for perimeter speed, the Ravens sent a 2012 fourth-round pick to Buffalo in exchange for Evans on August 12. After racking up 128 yards and a touchdown on six catches in two preseason games, Evans suffered a high left ankle sprain and was totally ineffective while attempting to play through the injury in September. The Ravens shut Evans down for all of October and most of November. He returned for the stretch run but could not get open, finishing the regular season with four catches for 74 yards in nine games (two starts). In the AFC Championship Game, Evans had a critical would-be touchdown catch stripped from his hands by Patriots CB Sterling Moore. Now 31, Evans is due a $1 million roster bonus on March 18 in addition to a $3.275 million base salary. His cap number is $5.61 million.Prediction: Released before the bonus due date. 5. Hines Ward, SteelersOverview: Ward was listed as a "starter" in eight of the Steelers' 2011 regular season gamebooks, but five of his starts occurred in the first five games and he was demoted to fifth receiver at midseason, falling behind Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown, Jerricho Cotchery, and Emmanuel Sanders. Ward averaged 14 snaps played in Pittsburgh's final nine games, including the playoffs. His 8.3 yards-per-reception average was easily a career low, and Ward's 381 receiving yards were his fewest since 1998, Ward's rookie season. Turning 36 in March, Ward has deteriorated into a slow-moving slot receiver who struggles mightily to get open and is easily taken out of plays by physical press coverage. In late January, Ward underwent surgery to remove loose bone fragments from his right ankle. He has a $4 million base salary for 2012. Prediction: Released in early March. Other Wide Receiver Release Candidates: Anquan Boldin (if Ravens pursue Wallace), Mike Williams (Seattle), Devery Henderson, Donald Driver, Jacoby Jones, Michael Jenkins, Ben Obomanu.


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Browse by Medical Category
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Roehrig with students at Mbili Primary School
Excerpt from July 8, 2012
This time the drive was rather short, and we made it to the only hospital in Sagam in a short 20 minutes. Dr. Burke had promised us a chaotic scene, but had not prepared us for the sight that awaited us as we pulled into the parking lot. There on the lawn, sprawled for dozens of yards in every direction, were over 500 children and parents. They had heard the hospital was offering free services for the day, and the announcement had drawn crowds. The doctors of our faculty split up and got straight to work seeing patients. The students wasted no time in finding ways to make themselves useful. I shadowed Dr. Burke for the majority of the time, assisting in the gathering of medical history from patients, organizing and recording clinical notes, and helping patients into and out of the waiting rooms. I took temperatures of a few dozen children, ages anywhere from six months to 10 years. I also watched Dr. Burke's interaction with the children and parents. He was tirelessly happy. Watching him work made me realize the incredible compassion it takes to work with patients day in and day out. Screaming children, parents who could barely speak English, and the sheer number of patients was enough to make many doctors from the United States run for the hills. But Dr. Burke kept his smile alive for all four hours we were there. In that time period we saw almost 50 patients.
A few memorable cases stand out. I watched a six-year-old boy seize due to his epilepsy, and felt powerless when Dr. Burke told the family they would have to travel to Nairobi to get the required brain scans for the epilepsy drug prescription to be filled. I knew his family will never make it to Nairobi, and the little boy will probably die due to his condition. Another seven-year-old girl presented with an advanced staph infection that Dr. Burke guessed was drug-resistant. She will probably be a chronic carrier of the bacteria, prone to breakouts that turn into painful sores all over her legs. Yet another girl presented with moderate malnutrition, her arms no bigger around than a cardboard tube for paper towels. She was also suffering from sickle-cell anemia, a common occurrence in East Africa. Finally, a girl presented with mild fever and diarrhea, and who we later discovered had recently lost both her parents. The doctor treating her stopped writing on his pad and held her in his arms for a few minutes while she silently cried into his shoulder.
I'm guessing a lot of people might be put off by what I have just written about, but what I saw was compassion for human life at its greatest. This is what I think being a doctor is all about. And honestly, I couldn't have solidified that statement until I was looking into the face of that girl. Practicing medicine isn't about procedures, drugs, prescriptions or scans, it's about making someone who is at their most vulnerable a more whole being. Sometimes those material things are necessary to accomplish this, but there are no prescriptions for hugs or someone who says he cares.
Again, for those of you reading this, do not be saddened by what I've described. Instead, try to understand what is happening around you and do your best to ease the life and suffering of those around you, especially those you have never met, for that is what I have learned today.
If you would like to read more entries from Andrew, please visit his blog. More information on the Mass General Emergency Department's Divsion of Global Health and Human Rights.
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Donna Karan Fall 2012 Ready-to-Wear Collection
Donna Karan is undeniably a veteran, high in the rankings with Miuccia Prada, Carolina Herrera, and Rei Kawakubo. In the world of womanswear it's almost too easy to neglect the plight and consistent success of female designers, but Karan and her peers have made it their business—pun intended—to create beautiful clothes for incredibly strong women.
This time around Karan tapped into old Hollywood's androgynous icon, Marlene Dietrich. Designers walk tight ropes when choosing iconic figures as inspiration for their collections. But Karan steered clear of clichés, removing the focus from Dietrich's celebrity and placing it on her own craftsmanship and gift for tailoring the feminine silhouette. I loved the deconstructed shirt collars around the necks and seductively draped faux wrap dresses. The pride and joy of this collection was definitely Karan's well-constructed jumpsuits, cinched at the waist with double-wide belts that sat just below the perfect cleavage-framing lapels. It was the perfect blend of sex and power.
Jumpsuits are a tough trend to pull off, but Karan was smart enough to stay far from clingy silks. Instead she opted for menswear suiting fabrics like stretchy gabardines and wools to frame the female body instead of adhere to it.
Color was also important to this collection. An earthy palette of black, chalk-stripe grays, and mossy greens was periodically interrupted with a much needed jolt of crimson, which emphasized the sexy center of this impressively strong collection.