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Michigan Wolverines: Brady Hoke
Michigan's uncertainty impacting recruiting
Michigan coach Brady Hoke said in a news conference on Monday he doesn't expect to talk to his bosses about his job until the end of the season. That could pose a problem for recruiting as prospects are left wondering what the future holds for the Wolverines now sitting with a 3-5 record on the season.
Picks to Click: Week 9
A win against in-state rival Michigan State would bring the Wolverines to 4-4 on the season and perhaps turn the tide of negativity surrounding Hoke and his program. A performance like last year's, when the Spartans held Michigan to minus-48 yards rushing, might prove to be a Rubicon crossing for Hoke's chances to keep his job. Here are a few players that can play key roles in avoiding a repeat in East Lansing.
Junior WR Devin Funchess: During its bye week, Michigan went back to the drawing board to try to find ways to create more explosive plays. Quarterback Devin Gardner hasn't been shy about feeding Funchess whenever possible. They connected for a 43-yard touchdown pass -- the team's longest completion of the season -- in Michigan's recent win over Penn State. The Spartans defense has been susceptible to big plays this season, and Michigan will need a few of them to keep pace with the country's third-best scoring offense.
Junior RB Justice Hayes: Michigan's running backs had 19 carries in the win over Penn State, and nine of those came in the fourth quarter. The Wolverines aren't likely to find any more consistency in the run game against a fast and physical Michigan State front seven.
Hayes, though, can play a crucial role in the passing game. He's the Wolverines' best pass-protection back and can help buy time against Michigan State's pass rush (which is averaging 3.71 sacks per game). He can also keep the blitzing Spartan linebackers honest by slipping into the passing attack as a receiver at times. The Wolverines gave up seven sacks a year ago in this rivalry. They won't survive with a similar showing on Saturday.
Junior S Jarrod Wilson: Michigan State's offense has found ways to pick apart just about every defense its played this season. Whether it's Big Ten-leading receiver Tony Lippett, emerging tight end Josiah Price or one of the Spartans' talented running backs, Wilson has a chance to slow down Michigan State's weapon du jour. The junior made eight tackles in the win over Penn State. He'll need to have a big day against quarterback Connor Cook to keep the score manageable for Michigan's offense.
Big Ten Wednesday mailbag
Josh Moyer: Hmmm ... it's a bit tricky this week since only three of 14 games don't feature huge double-digit favorites (Rutgers-Washington State, UCF-Penn State, Wisconsin-LSU). Out of those three, though, I like Wisconsin the most as an upset pick. LSU has a new quarterback and running back and its run defense shows a few cracks. The Tigers ranked 94th in the nation last season in stopping ball carriers behind the line and were No. 35 in run defense. And you know what happens when Melvin Gordon finds room on the outside (hint: touchdown). Wisconsin has fared well against better run defenses, so they should be able to keep the ball moving Saturday. We'll see if that's enough.
@ESPNJoshMoyer upset alert week 1 in the big ten?— Matt Finnigan (@Finnarious) August 26, 2014
Josh Moyer: After a sub-par freshman campaign, it sure looks as if Derrick Green is on pace to be Michigan's feature back. Brady Hoke named him the starter, although he added that De'Veon Smith will be "1A." But if you look at how Doug Nussmeier and Brady Hoke have approached running backs since 2010, the top guy has always received at least twice as many carries as the backup. (One exception: Alabama's Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon split carries in 2012 but combined for 66.5 percent of team carries.) Green had 27 percent body fat last year and naturally looked sluggish; he's at 9 percent right now. He'll be better. As for Jabrill Peppers, count me among the believers. Devin Gardner said recently that Peppers and Devin Funchess are the best athletes on the team. That's big praise. So sure, Peppers has generated a lot of hype -- but I think he'll live up to it.
@ESPN_BigTen @ESPNJoshMoyer (1) Who is Michigan's feature back, or will it be by-committee? (2) Jabril Peppers - phenom or flop?— Michael Blount (@MichaelBlount1) August 27, 2014
Josh Moyer: In our season predictions this morning, I was the only Big Ten reporter to pick Minnesota to win fewer than six games. Everyone else said six or seven. I'll admit I waffled slightly between choosing five and six wins, but the Minnesota passing game -- or lack thereof -- really concerns me. The Gophers ranked No. 105 in the nation last season in total offense and, without a playmaker like Ra'Shede Hageman on defense, I'm not yet sold on the defense being as good as last year. In some ways, last season's 8-5 record was a best-case scenario -- especially with surprising wins against Penn State and Nebraska, and close wins against Norhtwestern and Indiana. When I look at this season's schedule, I see seven losses: at TCU, at Michigan, Northwestern, Iowa, Ohio State, at Nebraska, and at Wisconsin. Northwestern was the toss-up for me but, as it stands, I see the Wildcats winning a close one.
@ESPNJoshMoyer why so down on the Gophers? 5-7 (2-6) seems low. Not saying they are winning 9+, but no bowl? Really?— Darren Michael (@HaloKitty343) August 27, 2014
Josh Moyer: It's the biggest question mark on the team, and I think it's going to be the determining factor in whether Penn State finds success. I picked the Nittany Lions to win seven games and, honestly, I think that's even slightly optimistic with this line. (Two players who were defensive tackles in February are now starting inside as offensive guards, and absent is basically any quality depth.) This offense has for which to be excited: Christian Hackenberg, two terrific running backs, my pick for B1G tight end of the year and a plethora of talented young wideouts. The only thing that's missing is a solid O-line -- and all the talent in the world doesn't mean anything if Hackenberg and Co. can't find time. If last season's O-line returned, I might even pick Penn State to win 10 games. The potential is there, but the offensive line is going to act as the cap.
@ESPNJoshMoyer How big of a concern is the Penn State O-line?— Sean Banks (@seanbanks3) August 27, 2014
B1G media days: Best of Day 1
Coaches are talking about the importance of taking it one game at a time while chasing a conference title. Players have busted out their finest suits and are raving about how difficult the offseason conditioning program was at their schools. And the media grabbed some free food between interviews.
There is one more day to go before the circus leaves Chicago, but before we get to that, the Big Ten blog is handing out some awards to put a bow on the opening day.
Best-dressed player: Michigan State safety Kurtis Drummond. The honors could just as easily have gone to teammates Shilique Calhoun or Connor Cook, the former for his bow tie and the latter for his accessorizing with his enormous championship ring. But Drummond stole the show as the sharpest of the Spartans, who clearly looked the part of returning conference champs.
I think the Best Dressed award has been locked up today. Kurtis Drummond, folks. pic.twitter.com/XAnHXjJWKP— Austin Ward (@AWardESPN) July 28, 2014
Most fun-loving players: The bright spotlight and huge crowd around him might have kept Ohio State coach Urban Meyer a bit guarded, but his players certainly welcomed the attention and weren't afraid of being playful with the media. Tight end Jeff Heuerman loosened things up by locking quarterback Braxton Miller in a headlock, and after that, both decided to moonlight as media members by sneaking over to ask Meyer a few questions toward the end of a session -- a rare glimpse at the personalities off the field of two of the league's best talents on it.
Ohio State's Jeff Heuerman and Braxton Miller decided to join the media today and interview Urban Meyer. pic.twitter.com/scWhYDZRNs— Austin Ward (@AWardESPN) July 28, 2014
Biggest missed opportunity: The Wisconsin-LSU matchup to open the season is appealing enough at a neutral site. But the Badgers and Tigers could have taken the intrigue to another level by hosting those games at two of the loudest, most hostile stadiums in the country -- if only Gary Andersen had been around a couple of years earlier. The Badgers' coach said he "would have said yes" to a home-and-home series at Camp Randall and in Death Valley, a tantalizing what-might-have-been if the Tigers might have been as willing as Andersen.
Most appropriate Twitter handle: Nebraska's Kenny Bell (@AFRO_THUNDER80). The 6-foot-1 receiver was probably the easiest player to pick out of a crowd, as his puffy afro towered over opposing players. Bell's play didn't earn him an award last season -- he was honorable mention on the All-Big Ten team -- but we just couldn't go one more day without recognizing that 'fro.
The instantly recognizable @AFRO_THUNDER80 pic.twitter.com/OJMwHynz40— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) July 28, 2014
Best-dressed coach: Penn State's James Franklin. Every day, the head coach spends 22 minutes to shave his head in every direction and trim that goatee ... so it seems slightly surprising that he is probably the coach who spends the most time on his head, considering he's bald. But, hey, it takes time to pull that look off -- and he was also looking dapper with that Penn State lapel, blue tie and matching pocket square. Franklin often jokes that he doesn't need to sleep, so maybe he uses some of that extra time to pick out the right clothes.
James Franklin and our Josh Moyer are sharing head shaving techniques. Seriously. pic.twitter.com/S7iVnnNvo9— Brian Bennett (@BennettESPN) July 28, 2014
Quote of the day: Penn State linebacker Mike Hull has learned under three head coaches -- Joe Paterno, Bill O'Brien and Franklin -- during his career, and their personalities really couldn't have been any different. Hull laughed while providing their takes on social media as an example.
"Yeah, I've seen the whole evolution," he said. "Joe didn't know what Facebook was, O'Brien called Facebook 'Spacebook' and, now, Coach Franklin probably has every social media there is to have. It's crazy."
Most Big Ten quote: "How are you going to approach the Rose Bowl?" -- Michigan coach Brady Hoke, lamenting some aspects of the College Football Playoff in years, like this season, when the Granddaddy of Them All is to serve as a national semifinal game. Hoke suggested that some of the pageantry associated with the game -- for instance, the Beef Bowl team competition at Lawry's, a prime rib restaurant in Beverly Hills -- will be eliminated because of the high stakes and need for a regular game-week regimen. Of the traditional Rose Bowl, Hoke added: "It's the greatest experience in America for kids."
Most Iowa quote (maybe ever): "Sometimes, old school is a good school." -- Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz on his program's resistance to some of the offensive innovation that has swept college football.
Best quote about a player not in attendance: "I don't like standing too close to him because it seems like the wind is always blowing through his hair. When he smiles, this little thing comes off his tooth like in the toothpaste commercial." -- Penn State coach James Franklin on sophomore quarterback Christian Hackenberg.
Big Ten lunch links
- Former Indiana QB Tre Roberson addresses his transfer and believes both he and Nate Sudfeld can benefit from it. USA Today previews the Hoosiers and believes a best-case scenario sees them finish 8-4.
- Brady Hoke stresses that there's still a Michigan quarterback competition -- and that a starter likely won't emerge until early in fall camp.
- Maryland blogger Pete Volk discusses the Terps' chances this season in a Q&A.
- Penn State's new athletic director will be James Franklin's fifth in four years. Breaking down the Nittany Lions' running backs.
- Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen is looking to work multiple summer camps outside of Madison, including in Minnesota and possibly Illinois, starting in 2015.
- Nebraska officials are looking into whether it's time for the school to revamp its gameday presentation. NFL.com ranks the top college players of the 1990s, with half of the list from Big Ten schools, including the No. 1 selection.
- The "Larry Johnson impact" is apparent in the Buckeyes' recruitment of at least one four-star Maryland prospect.
- Iowa's facility upgrades show that it's thinking big.
- BTN lists the "All-Legends Defensive Team," with the top players from 2011-2013.
- Michigan State is counting on developing the natural ability of its newest commit, DE Justice Alexander.
Key stretch: Michigan
Next up is Michigan, a team trying to rebound after seeing its win total decline in each of the past two seasons.
Key stretch: Penn State on Oct. 11, at Michigan State on Oct. 25, Indiana on Nov. 1, at Northwestern on Nov. 8
Breakdown: Michigan's three biggest games are road contests against rivals that are nicely spread out -- Notre Dame (Sept. 6), Michigan State (Oct. 25) and Ohio State (Nov. 29) -- so it's a little tougher to identify a key stretch. But the Wolverines have an opportunity to rack up some wins after the Notre Dame contest, as they should be heavily favored against Miami (Ohio), Utah and Rutgers, and they always seems to have Minnesota's number. The key stretch begins with a home night game against Penn State, which stunned Michigan under the lights last year at Beaver Stadium. Like the Wolverines, the Nittany Lions are somewhat of a mystery team, but they have a quarterback (Christian Hackenberg) who gives them a chance.
The open week seems to fall at a good time before Michigan travels to Michigan State for the second consecutive season. Michigan's 29-6 loss last November wasn't nearly as close as the score indicated, as the Wolverines finished with minus-48 rush yards, the lowest single-game total in team history. This year's contest is a huge game for the embattled offensive line and new coordinator Doug Nussmeier.
Michigan can't look past Indiana, which racked up 47 points and 572 yards last year at the Big House. The Northwestern trip also should be tricky as the Wildcats had Michigan beat in each of the last two seasons, only to let the Wolverines off the hook.
Prediction: Michigan is one of the tougher Big Ten teams to gauge, which makes this exercise even more difficult. If the offensive issues stabilize and Michigan has an effective run game to complement Devin Gardner, it could sweep this stretch and challenge for the East Division title. But it's asking a lot for the Wolverines to win in East Lansing, as Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio has been Jim Tressel-like in how he approaches the Michigan rivalry. Michigan has been much better at home than on the road under Brady Hoke. It's 3-1 vs. 2-2 for me, and I'm leaning toward 2-2 for this stretch.
Asking the B1G's top freshmen, Part 2
You can read the first installment here. To recap, the participants included Northwestern QB Clayton Thorson, ranked No. 157 in the 2014 class; Penn State WR Chris Godwin, one of the top 25 receivers in the class; Michigan LB Jared Wangler, one of 11 linebackers invited to the UA Game; Iowa WR Jay Scheel, one of two four-star players in the Hawkeyes' class; and Maryland LB Jesse Aniebonam, the second-best prospect in the state behind OL Damian Prince.
Here's what the freshmen had to say:
Outside of your team, what B1G freshmen are you most looking forward to watching and/or playing against?
Thorson: Hmmm. Trying to think. So there's obviously Raekwon McMillan at Ohio State. I know we don't play them this season, but I heard he's a great player, so it'll be fun going against him in future years. And it's just guys like Zack Darlington; he's at Nebraska at quarterback and I've gotten to know him over the past the few months, so it'll be cool to go against him. And, at Michigan State, Madre London and I played at the Semper Fi [All-American] Bowl together, and he's a great athlete.
Wangler: I want to watch Byron Bullough for Michigan State. We played in this Michigan all-star game ['Border Classic' on June 14], and we got along pretty good. So I'm excited to see how he does. I know he's got a good history -- his father and brother were successful for Michigan State -- so I feel like Byron is going to be successful, too.
Aniebonam: Big Ten-wise, that one guy -- Peppers, Jabrill Peppers -- he's a solid athlete. I want to see how he does. He was in the Under Armour Game; we watched it right before our game [U.S. Army All-American Bowl] and he did pretty well. So, let's see how he does at Michigan.
Why did you decide to commit to your school, and what do you think separates it from others in the conference?
Thorson: I always knew I wanted to play in the Big Ten. My family is from Ohio and Illinois, so I always just wanted to be around them so they could see me play – so that's kind of how I narrowed it down. And then visiting different schools like Penn State, Illinois, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Iowa – after looking at all those schools, I decided Northwestern was the best fit for me. I jelled with the guys on the team, and the coaching staff is just awesome. I thought that was the best fit for me both academically and athletically.
Godwin: I chose Penn State because I felt really comfortable on campus and with the team. It was also the right fit for me academically and socially, and I think the tradition and fan base really separate it from other teams in the conference.
Wangler: Michigan has always been my dream school to go to, and there aren't many universities out there that offer such a great degree and a great football experience. Plus, I feel really comfortable with Coach [Brady] Hoke and Coach [Greg] Mattison. It's a great fit. It's close to home, my dad played there. ... It's almost too good to be true.
Scheel: Well, personally, it's just been a dream to play there. So, really, any other school that decided it was going to offer me was nice, but it was always my dream to go to Iowa. I've only heard good things about them. Playing for Iowa is really an honor. And what makes them different is they're not known for getting big recruits -- I know that -- but they take two- and three-star recruits and turn them into NFL players.
Aniebonam: Maryland just really stood out to me. Not just because it's my hometown team and all my friends and family will be around me, but every time I went to the campus I was just pulled in and attracted to it more and more. If you asked me in the beginning of my junior season if I wanted to go to Maryland, I would've said, 'Heck no.' But it just grew on me; it just felt right. … [What separates Maryland] is they're well-known -- but still underdogs. I think it's a team that is going to be really watched because people want to know what happens here.
What are your expectations for this season -- and your career?
Thorson: The coaches always say to prepare each week as if you're going to start the game, so I'm going to do that every week. I just want to get better at leading the team and knowing the playbook and everything. The Lord has a plan for me and, whether that's starting this year or next year, whatever happens happens. I'm just really looking forward to getting on campus and playing with these guys.
Godwin: I would consider them goals more than expectations because I haven't done anything yet. But, this season, my goal is to earn a starting spot by UCF then continually improve as a player and a teammate and, hopefully, be Big Ten freshman of the year. As a team, a goal of mine is to go undefeated, but who doesn't want that, right?
Wangler: I expect to win. I think this next season we have a lot of people coming back and, after having kind of a mediocre season last year, I think we're going to come out with a lot of hunger and the team is going to do a lot better. I think that's going to set the pace for the four years after that. I feel like I'm going to have a successful career at Michigan.
Scheel: Personally, going in, I just want to get to know the playbook better and get to know the offense as soon as I can. I pretty much think I'm going to redshirt because starting right away might be difficult. If it does work, that'd be great. But I'm just trying to do my best. With my career, I'm trying to make a big impact on Iowa football, and I just want to have fun and get on the field.
Aniebonam: I just want to make a name for myself early. I want to get myself out there and really, really put my stamp on the school and into the minds of the coaches as early as I can. … Hopefully, that'll come quick, but nothing is ever promised. You have to work.
Big Ten lunch links
- A basic Big Ten question appears on "Jeopardy," but stumps all the contestants.
- BTN's Tom Dienhart ranks all of the Big Ten games, from week to week, from best to worst.
- Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen recently spoke about quality teams in the West Division -- and omitted both Northwestern and Illinois.
- Iowa DT Carl Davis said he wants the Hawkeyes to field the best defensive line in the country.
- Purdue coach Darrell Hazell favors an early signing period. So does Wisconsin's Andersen.
- Bo Pelini and his staff are benefiting from NCAA rule changes that allow more summer interaction, writes Steven M. Sipple.
- Incoming freshman Jabrill Peppers is "going to get his feet wet" as a returner, according to Michigan coach Brady Hoke.
- Penn State announced several themes to its games this season, including a "White Out" against Ohio State and honoring the undefeated 1994 team in the home opener.
- Ohio State's newest commit could be faster than Dontre Wilson: "I'll have to race him."
- The son of former All-Big Ten Michigan State safety John Miller, Grayson Miller, committed to the Spartans on Thursday and said, "It's been my dream to play here."
Big Ten lunch links
- Sports Illustrated's Stewart Mandel has a comprehensive look at the Big Ten's polarizing East Coast push.
- Retiring Penn State athletic director Dave Joyner responded to some of his critics in this video interview. Joyner leaves a complicated legacy. Some more reaction to Joyner's announcement.
- Michigan State quarterback Damion Terry is recovering from surgery on his non-throwing shoulder and is expected to be ready for the start of the season. Junior Brandon Clemons plans to fight for playing time at defensive tackle against the Spartans' heralded recruits.
- What's next for Ross-Ade Stadium's south end zone after Purdue removed the bleachers there?
- If Ty Isaac crowds Michigan's backfield, so be it. Brady Hoke says the best running back will play.
- Ohio State picked up its seventh commitment for 2015 with an in-state linebacker. Another Buckeyes commit flashed the 'Block O' while at Michigan.
- Illinois running back signee Matt Domer was denied admission to the school, leaving the Illini thin at the position.
- The latest "On Iowa" podcast tackles the Hawkeyes' schedule and other matters.
- Faith and perseverance paid off for Rutgers freshman QB Giovanni Rescigno.
- The Big Ten Network highlights the best of Week 13.
Big Ten lunch links
- Jim Delany told CBS Sports that NCAA enforcement is overmatched and there's a need for change "because nobody is comfortable with some of the tactics, aggressive tactics."
- Maryland coach Randy Edsall doesn't seem concerned about the words of James Franklin, or any other coach for that matter, and said Monday that, "Talk is cheap."
- Nebraska's 1995 team is the greatest of all-time, according to NFL.com. And the pro football website also lists four B1G players as Heisman candidates.
- Mark Dantonio has some holes to fill and starters to replace from last season, but he's confident Michigan State will be just fine in time for the opener.
- A lot of hype will be following Jabrill Peppers when he reports to Michigan this weekend, and Brady Hoke stressed letting the rookie simply be a freshman.
- Rutgers' CB Ian Thomas has left the team -- for the second time in eight months. 2015 OT Manny Taylor is more known for basketball, but committed to the Knights' football team recently.
- Replacing Illinois' Nathan Scheelhaase at quarterback could prove more problematic than some anticipate.
- BTN's Tom Dienhart takes a look at the top conference matchup in Week 12.
- Purdue tailback Raheem Mostert was named one of Purdue's athletes of the year.
- Penn State players send their well wishes to longtime equipment manager Brad "Spider" Caldwell, who's leaving the university after 31 years.
Key stretch: Michigan
The Michigan Wolverines are on the board today.
Key stretch: Penn State (Oct. 11), at Michigan State (Oct. 25), Indiana (Nov. 1), at Northwestern (Nov. 8)
Breakdown: If Michigan can find a way to win at Notre Dame in Week 2, it doesn't take much of a stretch to imagine the Wolverines sitting at 6-0 midway through the season. Their only other road game before Oct. 25 is at Rutgers. Of course, Brady Hoke's team will have to play with a lot more consistency than it showed last year for that to become even remotely possible and its chances in the East Division race probably will be decided in the first two games of this key stretch. Penn State beat Michigan in a four-overtime thriller in State College last year and enters the season with many of the same questions (offensive line, inexperienced receivers) as the Wolverines. The big showdown, of course, is the trip to East Lansing to take on a Spartans team that has won the Paul Bunyan Trophy in five of the past six years. The game against Indiana doesn't loom quite as large, though the Hoosiers showed last year that they can pile up points and yards in Ann Arbor (while giving up even more). The stretch concludes with a road game at Northwestern, a team that has taken Michigan to the absolute brink the past two seasons.
Prediction: The schedule sets up pretty well for Michigan, which gets a week off between the Penn State game and the crucial matchup with Michigan State. The Wolverines could be favored in three of these games, and a 3-1 record or better would keep them in the thick of the East Division chase. We have to favor the Spartans both because of the recent history and the home-field advantage. The games against the Nittany Lions and Wildcats look like toss-ups, while Indiana has upset potential. Given the up-and-down nature of this program the past couple of seasons, we'll go the safe route and predict a 2-2 mark for Michigan in this stretch. Anything better probably signals a bounce-back year for Hoke's crew.
Big Ten lunch links
- With Father's Day approaching, Michigan coach Brady Hoke reflected -- sometimes with tears -- about his biggest fan and toughest critic, John Hoke, who passed away in 2012.
- James Franklin and the rest of the Penn State staff spent Wednesday at a satellite camp in Florida, and the move seemed to be a "win-win" for both the Nittany Lions and Stetson.
- Doug Lesmerises continues his series on Ohio State NCAA issues by speaking with Chris Cicero, the lawyer who first warned Jim Tressel about the tattoo scandal. Also, Buckeyes assistant Luke Fickell is apparently quite the threat at dodgeball.
- Athlon offers an overview on the Big Ten, from predictions and projections to their all-conference team.
- Iowa DB Nico Law announced he's leaving the Hawkeyes football program, just a few days after being charged with disorderly conduct.
- Wisconsin's official Twitter account released some photos of alternative uniforms, including an all-red getup.
- Maryland is hosting quite a few events in celebration of officially joining the B1G on July 1, including a block party, giveaways on Mitchell Field and the release of new Terps apparel.
- Rutgers AD Julie Hermann said she believes football is key to the athletic department's success.
- BTN takes a look at the top matchup in Week 9 of the conference season.
- Minnesota safety Cedric Thompson received the Wilma Rudolph national achievement award for overcoming the odds to achieve success.
Big Ten Wednesday mailbag
Rob NitLion from Morristown, N.J., writes: Brian, this whole scheduling FCS teams issue REALLY makes me upset as a fan and a season ticket holder. I think it's really quite ridiculous that the Power 5 conferences want to play by their own set of rules, but also schedule games against teams that are already at a competitive disadvantage. Why is it that no one in the media is questioning the logic behind, as you said in your most recent article "with power teams needing seven home games to make budget", how does this make sense when schools are bringing in tens of millions of dollars more in media contracts now than they were 10 years ago? It seems the Power 5 conferences want to play by their own rules and act autonomously, but yet refuse to work together on scheduling partnerships to ease the process for nonconference scheduling. I'm also sick of the excuse that the B1G needs to consider scheduling FCS schools to maximize potential to get into the new "Playoff." I think the selection committee should ignore any game played against an FCS school when identifying the best teams for the playoff.
Brian Bennett: Some very good points, Rob, and you and I appear to be in total agreement that these FCS games should be eliminated. I didn't even mention ticket prices in my post, but the rising costs of attending games is yet another reason why these games are abhorrent. And I also agree that the seven home games argument is a bit odd given the massive amount of money flowing into Power 5 conference teams. It has been projected that the Big Ten could distribute $45 million to each of its member schools after the league's new TV contract is negotiated. Surely some of this can help make up for a lack of a seventh home game in some seasons, no? Or do schools need to continue to raise coaches' salaries and build even more spectacular facilities with that cash?
I also love your last point about the selection committee ignoring wins over FCS opponents. So if, say, an ACC team is 11-1 but has a win over an FCS team, it should be considered 10-1. That might make a big difference when comparing it to an 11-1 team from another conference that has 11 wins over actual FBS teams. I think that would change some schools' willingness to schedule FCS opponents very quickly.
Brian Bennett: Dave, while I agree with you on an eight-team playoff, which in my view would be the perfect setup, we need to be happy that we at long last have some sort of a playoff system. And it will eventually expand, I believe. I also don't think the FCS mandate will have much impact on the Playoff in terms of wins or losses. Let's face it: Any team that loses to an FCS or lower-level FBS team is not going to make the four-team Playoff field anyway. What not scheduling FCS opponents does for the Big Ten is raise its overall strength-of-schedule component, which could be key for selection purposes.
Brian Bennett: I don't believe I ever said that schools like Indiana should schedule FCS schools. However, I do believe a team like the Hoosiers should dumb down its schedule if it needs to get over the hump and into a bowl game. Last year, Indiana played Navy, Missouri and Bowling Green in the nonconference schedule, which seemed to me a bit too ambitious for a program looking for its second bowl appearance since 1993 and first in six years. There are plenty of easier games against lower-level FBS schools to be had, even if it means a home-and-home series to reduce costs.
Brian Bennett: Great question, Josh, and it's something that needs to happen, not just for Michigan but to strengthen the entire Big Ten. Michigan has every possible resource you would need, including the nation's largest stadium and huge revenue streams. Brady Hoke's staff has recruited highly ranked classes. So there's really nothing that should be keeping this program down. Either Hoke will get it there in the next couple of years, or someone else will get a chance to try.
Brian Bennett: Shameful? Really? I have "actually looked" at the Buckeyes' line and have seen them in practice. That line includes left tackle Taylor Decker, who started last year and who Urban Meyer said was playing as well as any Ohio State lineman at the end of 2013. It includes Chad Lindsay, who transferred from Alabama after starting several games there at center. It also includes Pat Elflein, who filled in for Marcus Hall very well last year. Fourth-year junior Antonio Underwood and fifth-year senior Darryl Baldwin ran with the first team most of the spring. There are a lot of younger players behind them pushing for time.
Meyer wasn't satisfied with his line play this spring, but to say the group lacks talent is disingenuous. Remember there were many questions about the line before 2012, and Ed Warriner quickly shaped that group into one of the country's strongest units. Warriner is one of the best in the business, and while this year's O-line likely won't be as good as the 2013 version, he'll get it figured out.
Big Ten lunch links
- Minnesota defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys opened his own restaurant in his hometown this offseason and hopes to cook up something special with the Gophers' D this fall.
- James Franklin is what you'd call an innovator when it comes to camping, and he hopes to hold some youth camps in the future.
- The son of a former Hawkeye (named, awesomely enough, Richard Pryor) is on Iowa's recruiting radar.
- Brady Hoke's wife, Laura, helps assistant coaches' families bond and cope with tough times. Hoke still plans to ease Jabrill Peppers into things.
- Darqueze Dennard is bringing maturity and character to the Cincinnati Bengals.
- What do the preseason mags say about Nebraska?
- A long snapper committed to Ohio State. Spending 48 hours with Tyler Green, who went from Buckeyes camper to a Buckeyes commit in a weekend.
- Purdue running back Raheem Mostert is ready to roll at the NCAA track and field championships.
- Former Rutgers quarterback Blake Rankin has landed at Delaware.
- Highlighting the best of Week 8 in the Big Ten season.
Big Ten Friday mailblog
Inbox time ...
Kyle from Dayton, Ohio, writes: If you could arrange the B1G divisions and crossover games, what would your B1G look like?
Adam Rittenberg: Kyle, my opinion has changed since this post, and I actually liked the original division setup, based on competitive balance, despite the geographical challenges. I wouldn't put Ohio State, Michigan, MSU and PSU in the same division. I'd likely move MSU to the West and Purdue to the East to create more balance. I would have just one permanent crossover game -- Michigan-Michigan State -- as I don't like these games in general because they reduce overall schedule rotation and defeat the purpose of a league. I would like to see the historically better teams in each division play one another more often than not, but I would not create any more permanent crossovers as Purdue and Indiana would be in the same division.
Adam Rittenberg: The NCAA seemingly has been more lenient in granting hardship waivers. Transfers such as Michigan State's DeAnthony Arnett and Northwestern's Kyle Prater received them and avoided sitting out a year. One difference is that both Arnett and Prater selected schools very close to their homes, while Michigan is about 250 miles from Isaac's home in Shorewood, Ill. So we'll see how it goes. Coach Brady Hoke told me Michigan likely will sign 15 or 16 players in the 2015 class, but I don't think Isaac changes the scholarship breakdown, especially after Damien Harris decommitted in January.
Russ from New Orleans writes: Adam, I'm looking over Athlon's predictions for the B1G next year, and I really have to question their decisions to put Penn State at 10-2. I have zero doubt that Hackenberg is the real deal, and they've got a decent stable of running backs, but who does Hackenberg have to throw to now that [Allen] Robinson is gone? Moreover, their O-Line is decimated and an injury or two away from utter disaster. Not to mention that it seems like the defense doesn't have anyone that truly wows you. But what are your thoughts? I'm sure James Franklin is a good coach, but 10-2? I think somewhere between 7-8 wins is far more reasonable.
Adam Rittenberg: I agree completely, Russ. While it's possible Penn State reaches 10-2 with a mostly favorable schedule, almost everything would need to go right, especially on the health front. Penn State can't afford many or any injuries on the offensive line or at linebacker, and if Christian Hackenberg misses any extended time, the Lions are in major trouble. Penn State enters the season as an underdog in at least two games: Ohio State and Michigan State, which are both at home but will be tough. The Lions also face Michigan on the road at night -- hardly an obvious win -- plus a good UCF team in Ireland. Penn State can't look past opponents like Northwestern (home) and Rutgers (road). I don't see 10-2 with the potential problems. An 8-win season seems more reasonable.
Adam Rittenberg: Some good points here, Brian. The Soldier Field playing surface is a major drawback and must be addressed before the Big Ten considers moving its title game there. I don't think the outdoor factor is as big as some make it seem. Sure, an early December game could be cold, but it also could be a lot like the final few Saturdays of the regular season. Big Ten teams have played in those conditions forever.
Indy is a great site and makes it easy on the fans that go, but it's not a major event there like it would be in Chicago. The Big Ten basketball tournament draws way better there and it truly is the nerve center for Big Ten fans. I live here and meet Big Ten fans pretty much everywhere I go. I'm not saying the event should be in Chicago every year, but once every four years would be fun. Attendance wouldn't be a concern and it would be more of a major event than it has been in Indy.
Wallace from Cincinnati writes: I completely agree that official visits should be moved up to help the teams in the North. What my question is do you think it could get passed if only B1G teams are the ones pushing for it? What if the B1G schools get with other Northern school from other conferences -- say, Boston College, Oregon, Oregon State, Washington, Kansas State -- and try and get the backing from multiple schools? Would that be enough to get rules changed?
Adam Rittenberg: It's not a bad idea, Wallace. Several Big Ten coaches we talked to expressed concern about the challenge of pushing for such a big change to the recruiting calendar. Indiana coach Kevin Wilson said, "If that thing ever goes to a vote, everybody is going to say is that the Big Ten is just complaining. They'll keep rallying their troops." Well, if the Big Ten has more troops to rally -- teams from other conferences experiencing similar recruiting disadvantages because of their locations -- it has a better chance of fostering change. But the first step in my view is for the Big Ten coaches to take a united position on earlier official visits. Other leagues have done so and the Big Ten should follow.
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A recent state requirement now matters to students at Elizabethtown High School more than ever.
The Elizabethtown Independent Schools board voted Monday night to change the grading policy for end-of-course exams at the high school. The tests will count for 15 percent of final grades for students, instead of the previous 10 percent.
The exams now are required by the state in sophomore English, Algebra II, biology and U.S. history classes. Along with counting toward the students' grades, the exams are part of annual state assessments.
The Elizabethtown Independent Schools budget shows declines in funding, but a strong savings is making up for the weak areas.
The EIS board approved its working budget Monday night, the final step in the budgetary process. The budget showed mostly small differences from the tentative budget, which was approved in May by the board.
The marching band at LaRue County High School has a lot of new faces, but new members are working to blend in with veterans.
The Band of Hawks competed Saturday at Russellville's Show of Bands at Russellville High School. The band worked this summer to prepare many of its members for their first high school competition.
Two Hardin County preschool classes were honored Thursday as Classrooms of Excellence by the Kentucky Department of Education.
G.C. Burkhead and Lincoln Trail elementary schools gathered students and staff at each of their schools to celebrate the honor.
Representatives from Hardin County Schools and Gov. Steve Beshear's office spoke at each school.
Superintendent Nannette Johnston said the distinction is hard to earn and goes to few classrooms in the state.
Isaiah Alonso has been gone from the hallways of Radcliff Elementary School for two years, but his influence on the school remains strong.
The new Isaiah's Adventureland of Fun playground was unveiled Monday at Radcliff Elementary. The playground is the product of fundraising done by Isaiah's parents. Monday was the second anniversary of Isaiah's death at age 6.
A local private school has received national recognition for student performance.
St. James Catholic Regional School in Elizabethtown on Friday was named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. The award is given to schools with high-level student performance or where significant gains have been made in student achievement. St. James is one of five private schools in Kentucky to be selected and one of 50 nationwide. A total of 269 schools in the U.S. were selected, according to an education department news release.
J.T. Alton Middle School in Vine Grove is one step closer to launching a new science and math program.
Science Applications International Corp. announced a gift of $23,800 to J.T. Alton on Thursday in the school's library. The money will help start a Project Lead the Way program, an engineering curriculum for middle and high school students.
SAIC is a scientific, engineering and technology applications company, and it gave a $27,000 grant to North Hardin High School in 2010 for the same program.
Hardin County Schools is finalizing its purchase of land in Cecilia where the district plans to locate the replacement for Howevalley Elementary School. School district representatives and landowner Bill Cecil are closing the sale today at the law office of Skeeters, Wilson, Bennett and Pike in Radcliff, according to Cecil and attorney Don Skeeters.
The site is being purchased for $450,000, according to a construction document for the new school.
Copyright © 2014
The News-Enterprise is your source for local news, sports, events and information in Elizabethtown, KY, Hardin County and the surrounding area.

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Check my Facebook page:
Shooting it: Mixing color filters at night
For this strobist article I will be showing how to get some colorful stuff with a really dark and far background that at first glance doesn't look to be easily modified by strobes! But it is interesting
Silhouette Photography
I mostly post articles in which different type of lighting is involved, but in this article I will just upload some silhouette photos and no complicated lighting systems, well, not too many!
Gear: Canon EF 135mm f/2.0 L USM
I often advice other photographers to get just one lens, and spend some time with it until you really master it, without even touching a different lens for a while! This time I will be talking about
Shooting it: Hairmake shoot at Mayakan
Another strobist shot from the cool abandoned hotel located in Kobe, called Mayakan! It's one of the locations I've been no idea how many times, and I still enjoy going for a photoshoot! For this
Gear: Light Blaster
So this time I would like to write about a piece that is an important part of my bag recently, it is the Light Blaster! What is it doing? You need a strobe and a lens and it turns into a projector
Before & After of 15 of my photographs – Vol.2
The first article from this the Before & After series was viewed quite many times, so here is Vol.2! Many times I've been asked to show how I edit my photos! Well, in this article I will show exactly
BTS Video – Flower & Body Art Shoot
Here is a long version of a making BTS video for some of the articles I have uploaded recently! You can check them in the thumbs below the video! この前あげた三つの記事のロングバージョン
Before & After of 15 of my photographs - Vol.1
Here is the first Before & After article I do! Many times I've been asked to show how I edit my photos! Well, in this article I will show exactly how they look straight out of the camera, an
Shooting it: Using Light Blaster for Flower & Body Art Shoot
This time I will be uploading a series of 3 articles This is the last set from that day, I will be using the Light Blaster to create my backgrounds here! Check out the 3 articles too!
Shooting it: Color Shift in WB (Body & Flower Art)
What would happen if you lit something with for example RED LIGHT, but try to tell your camera that this is actually white, by fixing it with Custom White Balance? And would it return to
Shooting it: Body Paint & Flower Art shoot
This time I will be uploading a series of 3 different articles, well actually all of them were taken at the same day, using the Nissin Japan company studio, and they were kind enough to
Locations: Osaka Sky Building Escalator
So the first location I want to show you is this escalator, it is in the Osaka Sky Building, close to Umeda, and this is the escalator leading to the top of the building, where you can even see
Shooting it: Asuka at Amagasaki (One Softbox)
I've already posted as a separate strobist article some other photographs from the same shooting day, and now I have another setup from that photoshoot! It is a photoshoot of Asuka
Shooting it: Using Profoto B1 in Nakatsu
In this photoshoot I will be using some big softboxes with Profoto lights to shape the light on the model! I've always wanted to shoot with some Octabox but for some reason I never
Shooting it: Zampa Misaki, Okinawa Shoot
For this photosession I'm using only one light for all the photos, and it is the same modifier for all of them - a 40 cm Beauty Dish which is quite handy to have on location! Take a look and
Shooting it: Cherry Blossoms Wedding
This time it will be a wedding photoshoot with very simple lighting setup, one I've been using on locations quite a lot, and still am when I am! For this shot I'm using only one shoot-
Shooting it: Haunted Tunnel (Light Blaster)
I've really been having lots of fun with the Light Blaster recently! Here is another series of photos taken using it for background modifier! Last month I had some really big strobist
Shooting it: Mayakan photoshoot
Now I will be posting an article from one of my favorite locations in Kobe area, the abandoned Maya Hotel, it is a massive construction on the mountain next to the city and I like visiting
Shooting it: Stroboscopic manual shoot
Shooting with stroboscopic photos can be quite easy if your strobes actually have Multi mode, but what if they do not support it, and they are just some manual flashes? This is what I wanted
Shooting it: Light Blaster for the Background
In this article you can see some new interesting way to modify your backgrounds, using the Light Blaster! It is a tool that can torn your strobes into a projector to make interesting stuff!
Shooting it: Night shoot (Using ROGUE gear)
Another night shot taken around my neighborhood industrial area which I love shooting at! This time I'm using some new gear that I started using recently, the ROGUE accessories, and
Shooting it: Stroboscopic Shoot (1)
Here is something I haven't been uploading on my page by now! It is a photograph for which I'm using stroboscopic effect, which is quite interesting for shooting moving objects
Shooting it: Rainy Blossoms
For this article I'm using what I would usually use if I go somewhere with only one modifier and I need to be quick in the setup – a shoot-through umbrella! I am preparing another
Shooting it: Lighting the tunnel with gels
This is a set of shots for which I'm using color filters to paint the background in some interesting way! Playing with lighting filters is I may say one of my signature techniques since
Shooting it: Photoshoot in the Rain
Since typhoon is happening again in Japan now, time to write this article that I've been canceling for long time already, it is a photoshoot in the hard rain and wind form last year, a really
Shooting it: Beast in Me
One of the fun things for me to do since I started photography a few years ago is to just get my gear, go out in the middle of the night, and shoot myself… alone in weird situations
Shooting it: Textile Design by Arina
Here are couple of shots from a project I was a part of recently! Basically we have been using some really nice Jacquard fabric textile, that was a subject of an exhibition, and we
Shooting it: Dreaming of Something Nice
In this post I will be very short, because it's a simple one light, shoot-through umbrella shot! And that was actually the time when I had my first touch to the lens I started loving later
Shooting it: Married in Kobe
Another engagement shoot article, this time I will be writing about 2 shots of a night photoshoot I did in Kobe recently! I am shooting in the night, and as a location I decided to choose
Shooting it: Autumn Wedding & Bokeh Panorama
This article is about an engagement shoot I did some time ago in the autumn! The autumn in Japan is so beautiful, but unfortunately so short, so you have to be very tricky to get the best


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Boogiezone & Jayvee Dance Center's 2011 Jingle Jam Workshop starts tomorrow at 10am.
Check the complete schedule at http://www.jayveedancecenter.com/jingle-jam-2011
We're so excited! What a great way to start the holiday season =)
Jingle Jam Workshop is next week! What a wonderful way to start off your Winter Vacay! Check out the complete schedule for the 2011 2-day dance intensive.
SAVE when you register online!
The complete JINGLE JAM schedule is here!
http://www.jayveedancecenter.com/jingle-jam-2011SAVE when you register online.
Jingle Jam 2-Day Intensive
December 19 & 20 from 10am - 3pm
Jayvee Dance Center - 216 E. Main St Alhambra, CA
SAVE when you register online! http://fla.vor.us/1111842-Jingle-Jam-Workshop-2011-tickets/Jingle-Jam-Workshop-2011-Alhambra-Jayvee-Dance-Center-December-19-2011.html
Jayvee Dance Center
Your Move
Your community's #1 choice for Professional Dance Training!
Paper Stacks, a collaboration by FiftyThree and ALLDAYEVERYDAY.


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Posts from Knives & Cutlery
Essential Tools: Do You Really Need Kitchen Shears?
Kitchen shears can be a very handy tool to have around the kitchen. We can use them for everything from separating a chicken to snipping pita triangles. But is it really necessary to go out and buy a special pair? We wonder because for years we've gotten by just fine using something else...
The Classic Wave Knife from Wüsthof
Product Reviews
A few weeks ago we admitted to a crush on this new knife from Wüsthof. Well, since then they gave us a chance to try it out, and now we have to say we're fully in love.
5 Ways to Use a Serrated Knife...Other Than Cutting Bread!
Green On the Go: Top Ten Reusable Utensil Sets
After years of thinking it would be a good idea, we finally got our act together and purchased some lightweight, easily packable utensil sets. We're carrying them around everywhere to use at lunches, picnics, and restaurants with disposable cutlery. It's such a simple yet beneficial action. Here are ten of the best utensil sets we found – well-designed, handy, portable, and reusable.
Colorful Knives! Pure Komachi 2 Knife Set
Current Knife Crush: The Wüsthof Wave Knife
We get a lot of questions about knives. What knife should I buy? Help me find an affordable chef's knife! Should I buy this knife set? Etcetera. We invariably recommend one good chef's knife and a paring knife or two. But we also have one specialty knife in our drawer: the bread knife. We don't use it for much else, though, and we wish it was more multi-use.
Well, this new Classic Wave Knife from Wüsthof may replace your bread knife, and do a lot more besides.
Hot or Not? Slicing Guide
This slicing guide is a product that we instinctively feel like we should ridicule. What a unitasker! And yet we are so uncoordinated that our tomato slices often come out either wispy or chunky — and don't even talk about our bread slicing clumsiness. Precise slicing is definitely an area of growth for our knife skills. So perhaps this has some guilty merit. But then again, maybe you could hack this with a large carving fork? What do you think?
Multi-Use Tools: The Do It All Knife
We're really fascinated by this concept for a set of multi-use knives. It made the blog rounds a little while ago, and we have been looking back at it and thinking about what makes a good multi-use tool. We often praise multi-use kitchen tools that cram many functions into one, but what makes a truly useful tool? Do you want a grater and a knife in one?
Leaving Town? Drop Off Your Knives to be Sharpened
Yesterday Sara Kate posted a great how-to on sharpening your knives at home. If you have the tools, it's easy to do. But just like there are people who prefer to buy pizza dough rather than make it from scratch, there are some of us who prefer to leave our knife sharpening to the pros. The only problem is that we miss them while they're gone. Here's one solution—plus a slew of sources...
How To Sharpen a Knife
Taking part in the Kitchen Cure? This would be a great week to learn how to sharpen your knives, especially given all the cooking you'll be doing in the final three weeks. Even if you're not one of the 800 plus Cure-takers, my guess is your knives haven't been sharpened lately, if ever.
First a quick survey, then click through for a great how-to video on knife sharpening.


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Re: 'Could this be the end of ICE holds in Philadelphia?'
Being a lifelong U.S. citizen, I know full well that America is a country based on "rule of law" and political checks and balances. Reading your article causes me to ponder a trait President Obama and Mayor Nutter have in common: When faced with a law they apparently don't like, they've been known to sign an "executive order" that shapes the law to their liking! Yet while in public, both men spew rhetoric lamenting lawlessness. What would living in the U.S. be like if the citizens circumvented the laws they don't like? Isn't there enough criminal non-compliance already? Politicians governing via fiat upset the political checks and balances inherent in our political system.
John Stasnek, via e-mail
Mayor Nutter has signed an executive order against Immigrations and Customs Enforcement detainer holds. Now comes the next step: BRING THE DEPORTEES HOME! This is their victory, too. They deserve to share that victory with their loved ones here in Philadelphia. This executive order would be a shallow victory if Mayor Nutter does not bring them home.
Charles Ramirez, Philly


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"It about put me to sleep"
I rely heavily on reviews from other readers before I make a purchase. I can't believe that this book has such a high rating. I about fell asleep, it is dreadfully dull.
I have no idea how this book rated 4.25 stars. I purchased this book because of the high rating. I just couldn't get into this book or the characters.
I did not find it nearly as engaging as some of the other reviews.
"Very enjoyable"
I thought that the voice of Chris made the book much more interesting. I am going to listen to it a second time. One of my favorite books.
"Skipping Christmas"
Very fun and entertaining.
Report Inappropriate Content
If you find this review inappropriate and think it should be removed from our site, let us know. This report will be reviewed by Audible and we will take appropriate action.


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Warsaw Uprising Remembrance Day.Posted: July 31, 2012
On August 1st, 2012, Warsaw, capital and the largest city in Poland will come to a complete stop for one minute in remembrance of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising. On August 1st, 1944 Warsaw attempted to liberate itself from Nazi Germany, after 63 days of battle and losing 200,000 citizens Warsaw surrendered. Tomorrow everyone in the city will have a moment of silence for all those lost in the 1944 Warsaw Uprising. The Holocaust Remembrance Day Siren in Israel is similar, Israeli's take a moment to pay their respect to the victims of the Holocaust.
Holocaust Remembrance Day
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HoopsHype Brook Lopez rumors
Stefan Bondy: Confirming report that Brook Lopez broke his foot and is out for the season. Twitter @NYDNInterNets
Rod Boone: Can confirm report that Brook Lopez broke his foot and is likely done for the season. Another rough blow for #Nets. Twitter @rodboone
Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez broke his right foot in Friday night's loss to the Philadelphia 76ers and is expected to miss the rest of the season, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The Nets are still awaiting more information, but that is the diagnosis from initial medical reports. This will mark the fourth time Lopez has suffered a setback with this foot, as he has had surgery on it three times in the past two years. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the diagnosis had not yet been announced. USA Today Sports
Marcin Gortat: Get better BLopez!!! Stay strong brother...... Twitter @MGortat
Tim Bontemps: Brook Lopez didn't even have a brace on his left ankle post-game. However, I will still be surprised if he plays. Twitter @TimBontemps
Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez re-sprained his left ankle late in the third quarter of Thursday night's 102-93 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Lopez plans to travel to Detroit for Friday night's game, and wants to play, but is uncertain if he will, saying it will be up to trainer Tim Walsh. "I just sprained it a little. It'll be all right," Lopez said. ESPN.com
Brook Lopez now is second in the NBA player efficiency ratings and it's clear Kidd wants to take advantage of that and work within the bounds of his mostly unathletic and aging roster. "Yeah, we are going to slow it down,'' Kidd said Saturday. "We are going to try to get the ball inside, work in and out. When you have that opportunity, and have a player like Brook, or Joe also, command double-teams, you are going to have some [open] shots that we made [Saturday]. We are not a team that's going to try to zoom up and try to score 110 points.'' NetsDaily
Yes, Lopez has seen a lot so far. But he admits he hasn't seen anything like this current Nets campaign. "I thought I got the craziness out of the way early, I thought I'd be done with it," said Lopez, pointing back to the nightmare of his second season, the nauseating 12-70 record in 2009-10 when the Nets were a mere 29 games out of the playoffs. "This is definitely more bizarre than that, though." New York Post
Howard isn't the only center that he's swatted a bunch of times. There are two other centers who have fallen victim at least five times over their careers. When asked for their names, Wade immediately got the first one. "Brook Lopez has to be one of them." Yup. The other? "I have no idea." Pau Gasol. "Pau! I was gonna say Pau!" Sure, sure. That's the thing about Wade. He's not picking on the smaller players. ESPN.com
Nineteen sounds like a disgraceful margin. But at the half, the Nets were on pace to lose by 52. It was 66-40, and Kidd had seen enough. He announced the starters for the second half. Only one of them, Brook Lopez, had started the game. To the other starters, he offered warm-up suits and a cool, cold assurance. "We'll see how it goes." The view was only slightly better, but at least everyone in black broke a sweat. That's a start. It's pathetic, sure. But it is a start. "A lot of guys are frustrated," said Andray Blatche, one of the exiled. "A lot of guys are embarrassed." New York Post
Eric Koreen: Via @Andy Vasquez, officially no D-Will or Bropez for the Nets against the Division Leading Toronto Raptors tomorrow. Twitter @ekoreen
Tim Bontemps: With Brook Lopez not practicing, it's hard to see him playing in Toronto tomorrow. And then it's a question of when he'll be able to return. Twitter @TimBontemps
Nets center Brook Lopez will sit out his third straight game Wednesday night against the Bobcats. Lopez hasn't played since spraining his left ankle in Friday's 100-98 overtime win over the Suns in Phoenix. Nets coach Jason Kidd had said following Tuesday's practice Lopez's status would be determined following Wednesday's morning shootaround. New York Post
Alex Raskin: Lopez (ankle) and Kirilenko (back) are both making the trip but neither knows when they'll play. AK said he might be 4 days off. #nets Twitter @alexraskinNYC
Sam Amico: Deron Williams, Brook Lopez out for #Nets vs. #Blazers; Kevin Garnett probable; Paul Pierce game-time decision. Twitter @SamAmicoFSO
Any rumor missing? E-mail us at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Tonga chalked up their first win of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand on Wednesday.
The Pacific islanders beat the brave blossoms of Japan 31-18 in a thrilling encounter in Whangarei.
Tonga flyhalf Kurth Morath making the difference with his boot scoring 16 points after both teams scored three tries.
Tonga move up to third in pool A behind France and New Zealand who lock horns on Saturday at Eden Park in Auckland in a game that should decide who goes through to the quarter finals as pool winner.
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15 October 2014
The latest Annual Report is out
The 2013-2014 Annual Report for Corrections is now available.
09 October 2014
Media release: Prisoners prescribed books to improve their wellbeing
Prisoners at Invercargill Prison and Otago Corrections Facility are being prescribed books for their mental health and wellbeing as part of a programme called Books On Prescription.
29 September 2014
Media release: Corrections signs with new EM provider
3M has signed a contract to become the sole provider of electronic monitoring services for Corrections.
24 September 2014
Media release: Woollen wonders benefit Hawke's Bay community
Hawke's Bay Regional Prison volunteer Coralie Curtis didn't think prisoners would stick with knitting, however more than a year after showing them how to cast on, she's pleased she's been proved wrong.


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Nike Basketball Camps welcome Derek Washington, founder of Next Level Basketball Corp, to our Nike Camp family. Coach Washington is excited for a week of complete skills basketball camp for young players looking to refine their skills over the summer. Camp will be held in the Grantham-Griffing Field House of the Bennett Athletic Center at the Casady School in Oklahoma City from July 21-23, 2014.
Coach Washington and his staff will challenge campers to reach their full potential and become more confident players. After playing college ball, Washington went on to fulfill his goal of starting a non-profit basketball corporation. Next Level Basketball Corp (NLBC) is committed to providing positive opportunities for basketball players and showing young players how to utilize basketball as a tool to be empowered.
Throughout the week players will get practice in all areas of the game. Focus will placed on offensive and defensive skills, shooting, team play, rebounding, footwork, and more. With individual instruction from our coaching staff and team play, campers will get exposure to new coaching and playing strategies to help broaden their game and development as a young player. All abilites are welcome and encouraged to attend. Coach Washington will help any enthusiastic player reach new heights and improve his or her basketball game.
Casady School - Bennett Athletic Center: 500 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Oklahoma City , Ok 73120.
After adapting to the tough and aggressive attitude of New York City and JuCo basketball, he went from being a projected 3rd string point guard to starting every game his Freshman Year. During his year at FIT, his tough work ethic allowed him to be ranked top 10 in the nation for steals and assists in DIII junior college basketball. In the fall of 2005, he was forced to sit out due to financial difficulties and had to put his dreams of being a successful college player on hold. During the following summer, he was given an opportunity to attend Saint Gregory's University on a scholarship and played 3 yrs of NAIA basketball as the starting point guard. During those 3 years, he was named to the Academic All-Conference team twice, showing his versatility as a hard worker on the court and off the court.
His drive to be successful was displayed even off of the basketball as he became active in nonathletic organizations and even became president of at Students in Free Enterprise at the University.
Throughout all of his years playing basketball, Derek has always been in a leadership position. As a point guard, it's always been a natural responsibility to motivate others. His personal experiences have also allowed him help others overcome adversity, as he did in his career.
In 2011, Derek Washington and Jade Carter formed Next Level Basketball Corporation (NLBC), a not-for-profit corporation. NLBC is committed to providing positive opportunities for basketball players.Their goal is to show the youth how to utilize basketball as a tool to be empowered for a better tomorrow.
Unfortunately, after a year of redshirting, he was not given the opportunity to succeed as a basketball player while attending Redlands and was cut. Jade refused to stop perusing his dreams of being a college basketball and after much hard work and many college tryouts, he was recruited by St. Gregory's University, where his basketball abilities were allowed to be demonstrated.
He thrived on the opportunities that was presented to him, and went on to average double figures both years and also received All Conference his Senior season.After completing four seasons of basketball at the collegiate level in 2010, he transferred to the University of Central Oklahoma to finish his last year of college, and officially graduated from college with a General Psychology Degree in May of 2011.
After concluding his college career, he began working as the Unit Director for the Salvation Army Boy's and Girl's Club in El Reno. Working for the Boy's and Girl's Club gave him great satisfaction in having the ability to give back to the small town that played a big part in making him the person that he is today. His goal is to positively influence a number of people's lives through positive guidance and build character. This inspired him to join with Derek and Form Next Level Basketball Corporation.
2015 camp dates and prices coming soon. Subscribe now to receive camp updates or call 1-800-645-3226.


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Bellingham Condo Rental Photos and Description
Condo, 2 Bedrooms, 1 Bath, (Sleeps 2-4)
This adorable getaway is perfect for anyone who wants to be close to everything! It is located one mile from Bellingham's downtown and famous Farmer's Market; it is 1/3 mile from a gym, bike/hike trails, a bus line, restaurants, and stores; and it is a 5 to 10 minute drive to historic Fairhaven, Western Washington University, and waterfront parks. Mallard's Ice Cream Store, a 5 minute drive downtown, was rated by USA Today as the best ice cream store in Washington! Our place is perfect for WWU parents who want to be comfortable in Bellingham and cook a meal and have private time with their WWU student.
Freeway access from I5 easy. If you want to explore Bellingham, visit your WWU student, or enjoy the area's many outdoor or cultural activities; our lovely two bedroom place may be for you. It may also be ideal for an executive stay if you have business at the university or the medical centers.
The master bedroom features a queen size bed with dual side tables and lamps, chester drawers, mirror, and closet. All beds (master and second BR) are outfitted with fine linens and Pottery Barn bedcovers. The morning sun enhances this room when the shades are up.
The guest room features a full bed with a side table and lamp and shelf storage in the closet. This room includes a comfortable corner desk with Wifi reception. A full window offers nice sun with shades up.
The Fully Furnished Kitchen is equipped with full sized refrigerator, oven, microwave, dishwasher, coffee maker, garbage disposal, and toaster. It has a full service of attractive dishes, glasses, and stemware. For cooking, you will find a new set of Cuisinart pots and pans, cooking utensils, and bowls. Our table sits under an attractive ceiling fan and in a kitchen nook with two windows to give good light. Our guests have commented how much they like our kitchen.
The living room has been furnished with Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel leather, wood, and fabric furniture. We have beautiful artwork framed professionally. Our flat screen TV with DVD player and well lit room will be very comfortable for your relaxation. The slider door goes out to the lovely yard.
The yard is fenced and expertly landscaped. There is a bench and chairs for your enjoyment of the patio.
^ 9 ft. ceilings
^ ground level, one floor living
^ off-street parking
^ bus line on street
^ right off Lakeway Drive
^ one block from Fred Meyer and restaurants
In addition to being the home of a major university and medical center, Bellingham hosts numerous outdoor, educational, and cultural activities. It is located one hour from Mt. Baker ski slope, one hour from Vancouver, B.C. (home of the next Olympics), and one and one-half hour from Seattle.
The Alaska State Ferry leaves the continental US from Bellingham's port, while the airport is 15 minutes away. Anyone will be very entertained in this city!!
We have contracted with a nearby property management company to make your stay easier. Please contact us first, but if you have trouble reaching us, you may call Bayview Property Management.
Keywords: Condominium
- Suitability:
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters
- children welcome
- non smoking only
- pets not allowed
- wheelchair accessible
About Sally
We live in Tacoma, WA, two hours away from Bellingham. Our oldest daughter went to Western Washington University in Bellingham. Now both our daughters and our four grandchildren live in Bellingham and we wanted to be able to visit them and enjoy the beauties and activities of Bellingham. Since we are not able to be there all the time, we want to be able to share our lovely property with others.
Sally purchased this condo in 2007
Why Sally chose Bellingham
We chose this location because it is CLOSE to everything, including our two daughters! We can walk one mile to downtown and Farmer's Market. We can get on a bike trail, walk to a gym, go to stores and restaurants, and visit the Visitor's Center in 1/2 mile. In other words, it is a perfect location!
What makes this condo unique
Past guests seem to love our property. They find it so convenient and like a home away from home. They love our fenced-in yard, off-street and well-lit parking, beautiful interior design, and lovely kitchen. And they can drive in a few minutes to anywhere they want!
Guestbook comments from the owner
This was a perfect home away from home with our 2 young children (3-1/2 & 1-1/2). Everything was comfortable and clean. I read through your guest book when we arrived and saw a note about Fairhaven Farmers' Market, which we immediately went to and loved! Also, Bloedel Donovan playground was perfect for the kids---and close by. We enjoyed the sand, water, and play structure. Overall, this was a wonderful stay while we traveled for a wedding up in Birch Bay. Thanks so much!


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Markel Starks
Feb. 20, 2014
WASHINGTON - Georgetown rallied from a halftime deficit to pull within three points early in the second half, but it wasn't enough as Seton Hall's Fuquan Edwin scored 21 points and the Pirates hit 57 percent of their field goals en route to a 82-67 win over the Hoyas at Prudential Center Thursday night.
It was the second-straight loss for the Hoyas, who fall to 15-11 overall and 6-8 in the BIG EAST Conference, while Seton Hall improves to 14-12 overall and 5-8 in league play.
Sophomore guard D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central/Oak Hill) scored a team-high 20 points and had three assists, while and junior forward Jabril Trawick (Philadelphia, Pa./Abington Friends) finished with 11 points and five rebounds. Senior guard Markel Starks (Accokeek, Md./Georgetown Prep) added 11 points, two rebounds and two assists and senior guard Aaron Bowen (Jacksonville, Fla./QEA [N.C.]) added seven points and five rebounds off the bench.
Georgetown trailed by nine points at the break and after free throws and a layup from Trawick, a layup from Starks cut the margin to three points, 37-34. Seton Hall, however, responded with a 12-2 run and took a 49-36 lead on a basket from Fuquan Edwin with 14:31 to play in the game. A three-pointer from Jared Sina pushed the lead to 54-38, but back-to-back three-pointers from Smith-Rivera and freshman forward Reggie Cameron (Hackensack, N.J./Hudson Catholic) pulled GU to within 54-44 with 12:14 left in the game.
Seton Hall responded with a 9-2 run and extended their lead to 17 points, 63-46, on a layup from Aaron Geramipoor with 8:40 left in the game. The Hoyas pulled within 11 points on two occasions, first on a layup and free throw from Smith-Rivera (63-52, 7:00) and then on a jumper from Bowen (65-54, 6:38), but would get no closer.
Georgetown fell behind at the half by nine points, 37-28, after Seton Hall connected on 53.6 percent of its field goals and used an 8-4 run over the final 4:03 after the Hoyas had closed to within five points, 29-24, on a jumper from Smith-Rivera.
The Hoyas were slow starting, falling behind by four points in the opening four minutes but a pair of three-pointers from `Smith-Rivera pulled GU to within one. Trailing 15-13 after a jumper from Smith-Rivera at 12:37, the Pirates used 10-2 run and took a 25-15 lead on a Sterling Gibbs layup.
The Blue & Gray used a 9-4 run to pull to within five points, 29-24, on a Smith-Rivera jumper with 5:30 to play, but GU was out-scored 8-4 over the final 4:03 and took a 37-28 lead at the break.
The Hoyas have a short turnaround, returning home to play on Saturday, Feb. 22 against BIG EAST Conference rival Xavier. Tip-off at Verizon Center is slated for 11:30 a.m. The game will be shown live on Fox Sports 1 with Justin Kutcher and Stu Jackson calling all of the action and it can be heard locally on ESPN 980 AM.
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Standing on the site where a building will be built bearing his name, former Georgetown...
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Happy Birds Performing Parrots at the Atherton Library
Original post made by Maeve Visser Knoth, Atherton: other, on Dec 22, 2008
The performance will take place on Monday, January 12, 2009 at 4:00 P.M. Attendance is free. The library is located at 2 Dinkelspiel Station Lane in Atherton.
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With Nasty Lick 62, we explore the mixing of two great patterns:the double stroke roll (as 32nd notes) and the "Foot-Right-Left" Triplet (as 16th note triplets).
As it turns out, they work really well together and offer many interesting possibilities. I really like the flowing sound that these combinations, when played well, create.
What do I mean by played well?
The doubles need to be very clean and quiet. The triplets should have power and all the notes need to be even. The most common mistake drummers made when they play hand foot combinations is to play the bass drum notes too loud relative to the hand notes. If the triplet combos are smooth and even in volume, and the double strokes are flowing and quiet relative to the triplets, the result will be a really beautiful Elvin-ish idea.
The sticking of these combinations is such that you should be able to come up with countless other variations on what I've presented here. So have at it.
Here is the PDF to take into the practice room: Nasty Lick 62
A simple idea, just placing one bass drum note before two paradiddles.
But from that idea comes "Nasty Lick #61."
Here is the PDF for you to take into the practice room: nasty lick 61
Here, with Nasty Lick #60, are some great sounding applications of the six stroke roll on the drum set.
If you're not familiar with this pattern, the six stroke roll, in it's most useful forms, is as follows:
1) Right Hand Lead
2) Left Hand Lead ("Backward")
As shown in both 1 and 2 above, a common way to play the six stroke roll is as triplets and with accents on the first and last notes of each group of six. Many players, (myself included) find this to be the most useful version of the rudiment.
If you haven't spent time with the six stroke roll, here is a PDF so you can shed it in the practice room: The Six Stroke Roll.
I've discovered that the "backward" or left hand leading version of the six stroke roll is very useful. The reason? It allows the playing of the upbeat ("let") accents with the right hand. When playing the six stroke roll this way, those accents, which are arguably more interesting sounding because of their placement rhythmically, are easily played almost anywhere on the drum kit (left handed accents limit you to the left side of the kit).
I've found that idea extremely appealing because of the way it sounds. The "5 Variations" that follow will show you what I mean.
The illustration above will give you a taste of what I'm talking about. Nasty Lick #60 involves mixing the backward six stroke roll with a version that substitutes two bass drum notes and moves the accented right hand stroke to the toms.
The "5 Variations" include different phrasings and metrics: sixteenth notes, sixteenth note triplets and thirty second notes.
You'll find the PDF here: Nasty Lick 60.
Nasty Lick #59 explores a simple paradiddle idea that has interesting and powerful results.
Recently, I've been experimenting with different ways to play 32nd notes on the drum kit. I want to play them with interesting phrasing and dynamics. Incorporating double strokes and/or paradiddles into such ideas can be an important way to accomplish this.
Paradiddles, when played well, are interesting drumming "words" that have dynamics built in. Playing paradiddles well means that the chosen accented notes are loud and the unaccented notes are quiet—almost ghosted.
But just playing single paradiddles as 32nd notes doesn't do the trick. If I start with two paradiddles and then add two bass drum notes, also as 32nd notes, the resulting ten note lick, when repeated, will move the accents around the bar line a bit. A-ha! Now we have something.
Frankly, I did not dream this up while sitting at home on the couch. Rather, like most of this stuff, I stumbled upon the phrase while working on something else in the practice room.
The result is a lick that I think has real potential to be a keeper. That is why I am happy to present it to you, my fellow drummers, as Nasty Lick #59.
The worksheet included here has 9 exercises: three versions of the lick as one bar ideas, two versions as two bar ideas, and four examples as two beat ideas. The two beat ideas deviate from the "formula" a bit (including paradiddle-diddles), but I think the results are useful.
Here is the PDF for you to download:
I don't usually use the BANG! Drumming Blog to make announcements but we're growing and we're looking for teachers. I am happy to have some of the best drummers in NYC helping us and I have my eye out for a few more. I've been meeting with people over the past few weeks, and would like to continue the process. We're looking for people who are amazing drummers. All of our teachers live, eat and breath drumming. They are also fantastic teachers and they've got significant experience as both teachers and players. Most of our teachers have been educated at the world's top music institutions.
Beyond that, the BANG! attitude is extremely important.
The BANG! The Drum School attitude is one of openness, honesty, integrity, excitement, enthusiasm, gentle confidence and extreme patience. BANG! teachers are ego-less in their work with students. That is part of our credo. No attitudes, arrogance or egos. Just a simple confident joy for drumming and a desire and ability to impart that joy to others so they can experience it.
The BANG! teacher must also be outgoing, energetic and extremely organized and responsible. A knack for sales is important too.
If you are interested, or know someone who may be interested, please let them know.
Potential candidates should not email or call; the process is to send a resume and hand written cover letter via regular mail to:
Mark Feldman, PO Box #475, 223 West 38th Street, NYC, NY 10018-9998
Please note: This is NOT our studio's address. It's just our Post Office Box for business correspondence.
We began the exploration of this shifting cymbal rhythm with a previous post: Dotted Eighth Cymbal Independence Part One.
After practicing that worksheet, and finding that it did indeed help me develop the desired independence, I decided it was time for more. In Part Two, we continue with common rock beats based on eighth notes, and start moving the snare drum part around just a bit.
Enjoy. I am going to.
Here's the PDF: dotted eighth independence two
I recently began reading "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less" by Greg Mckeown.
Although I'm only a bit more than a third of the way through it, the concepts have already profoundly changed my thinking about certain issues.
I've already been a fan of the ideas here. For a long time I've been preaching to my drum students that they should be focused on practicing only a few things but absolutely CRUSH them.
But as I read "Essentialism," I began to realize that in some ways, I was not really practicing this idea. At least not in all the parts of my life where I could benefit from the notion of doing less things but doing them all BETTER. In fact, I realized that in some parts of my life, I am definitely doing too many things. And in those parts of my life, certain goals are not being reached.
In the world we live in these days, it is easy to be distracted. There are messages coming at you from all sides, all the time. Phone calls, emails, texts, social media messages, and more. The problem is saying "no."
It is too easy to say "yes" to things that others ask of you. I have been guilty of this myself lately and I am now taking steps to change that, partly because of the thinking I've been doing as a result of reading this book.
We should each have goals of our own. With those goals in mind, you ask, does saying "yes" to this request do anything to meet my goals?
If the answer is "no," why are you doing it?
Perhaps you are helping a friend or a family member or your partner. That's a good reason. You're developing and deepening that relationship by tending to it. It's someone you care about. That makes it important.
But if that is not the case, you should ask yourself if it is essential to spend time on the question or request that is in front of you.
Essentialism is about only doing what is important to reach your goals. It's about being true to yourself. It's about doing less things and doing them better. It's about giving yourself time to think and dream and play and only do what you need to do. There are lots of things you wind up doing that you don't really want to do, right?
Well, a lot of those things you can eliminate.
And when you do, you'll have more time to spend on what is really important to you.
Very simple idea. Not so simple to actually implement.
I am diligently working on this myself, and I suggest you consider doing so as well.
Read this book. It will definitely make you think.
Here's a new combination: two bass drum notes, followed by six notes on the toms as singles (low to high, three on the floor tom and three on the high tom–a Max Roach idea) and finally followed by a paradiddle-diddle on the snare.
The pattern is 14 notes long and when it repeats as 32nd notes, the phrasing sounds interesting and different.
Here is a worksheet with a 6 different phrasings of the idea (the illustration above shows the lick over two measures, and is #4 on the worksheet).
Have at it!
The PDF: nasty lick 58
After playing a lot of shows with a lot of artists around NYC, I started thinking about what works and what doesn't. Why do some musicians get called for gigs and why don't others? Perhaps the hardest thing is number 11….in the world of people playing for free, making sure you get paid is tough. Hopefully these thoughts will be helpful.
These are not necessarily in order of importance, with the exception of number one.
1) Crush The Material
First and foremost, your job is to play the material to the artist's liking. That means you must know the material. For me, knowing the material means that I can either blow through the chart or have the songs memorized to the point where I don't have to think about arrangements. Being on autopilot with arrangements means that you can play with more emotion, and that's where you want to be.
2) Don't Be A Pain In The Ass
If you are difficult, awkward, annoying or otherwise a pain in the ass, you won't last long. Some examples of "pain in the ass-ery" are being defensive when being asked to change a part or adjust your playing, talking too much, or complaining a lot (about anything).
3) Have Your Transportation Together
Particularly if you are a drummer and you want to be a side person, you probably need a car that is reliable. I can't imagine how I would function around NYC without one. If an artist has the choice of hiring a drummer who gets to the gig on their own or one who needs help or a ride for every gig, why would they pick they latter?
4) Have Your Gear and Sound Together
One of the things that will make you stand out from the pack is having your sound together. That implies that you have your equipment scenario figured out. Top notch gear, in the right hands, means a high level and pleasing sound. Give this a lot of thought and attention.
5) Embrace Direction and Ask Questions
Being a side person means giving the boss what they want. If you can't take direction, you should just start your own band and forget being a side person. You should also make sure you ask whatever questions you need to ask if you don't understand something in the music or need some clarity.
6) Be a Great Hang
It's just a fact that your playing is only half of the picture. If you are no fun to be around, you're toast. Do you have good social skills? Do you know when to shut up and when to contribute to the conversation? Can you read people socially so you know how to behave to make them like you? You must figure this out to be successful.
7) Be Early
Being early means you have more time to get your gear set up, read the situation you're walking into and generally be comfortable. Being late can cause all kinds of problems for your leader, and therefore for you, so take this seriously.
8) Play Within Your Abilities
When you're first asked to do a gig, consider whether or not the music is "in your wheel house." Can you play the style convincingly and do you have the vocabulary for the music you're being asked to play? Every genre has it's own set of grooves and vocabulary, so make sure you can really play that style before saying "yes."
9) Play Appropriately for the Song
Don't overplay.
10) Exude Quiet Confidence
You want the artist who hires you to feel comfortable that the music is going to sound great and that everything will go well in the heat of the moment. If you don't act confidently (this doesn't mean arrogant), the artist won't feel comfortable and relaxed. Your quiet, ego-less confidence will make other people in the band feel more comfortable and relaxed. That's what you want.
11) Get Paid
If you are doing this for a living, or you are working towards doing this for a living, you have to get paid. And if you really live up to everything on this list, you SHOULD get paid. You're worth it. So don't sell yourself short out of insecurity. I understand that it's not so easy, and I do believe there are certain situations where you trade favors. But at the end of the day, requiring a certain price will get you more respect and bolster your reputation. Anyone who wants a "pro level" player but says they don't want a "hired gun" is full of crap. You get a pro level player by paying for one.
Here's a new spin on independence. The idea is to develop the same type of facility against a steady eighth note cymbal pattern that a jazz drummer has playing with the ride cymbal's jazz pattern. Jazz drummers create conversations between their left hand and feet while playing the "classic" jazz cymbal pattern. I want to be able to do the same thing in a pop and rock context (ie eighth notes).
It's a modern take on independence. The classic books on modern pop and rock independence, even the revered classic "The New Breed," all focus on the left hand playing backbeats. In today's ever progressing world of music, it's my feeling that backbeats are not enough. Sure, you must have the ability to play them with freedom while you layer various bass drum ideas below or around them, but the freedom to create more complex ideas while maintaining eighth notes with the cymbal hand will give you even more possibilities for expression.
I've been pondering this a lot and experimenting with it. This worksheet begins the foundation of interplay between the hands and feet in the context of 16th notes.
These should start to grease the wheels and give you some facility in this area.
Some thought on practicing: try the eighth note pattern with 1) no accents, 2) accents on the downbeats and 3) accents on the upbeats.
Think of these like a jazz drummer would; there's no need to crush the snare drum notes. Playing the snare drum softly and smoothly will help you stay loose.
If you feel like it, experiment with double bass drums. I have found that playing two notes in a row using double bass allows me to go much faster and achieve a very even sound on each of the two bass drum notes.
This is the beginning of a new era in independence and I'm excited to delve into it further. I hope you'll join me.
Here's the PDF of the worksheet for you to take into the practice room: The New Indpendence Sixteenths hand foot combos part one


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I got this from watching Tyler Florence on "The Tony Danza Show". I'm a college student, so you know that it's cheap to make! But my little cousins all go crazy over these.
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