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Thomas Circle Location
Discover the popular attractions near Residence Inn Washington, D.C. Downtown. Our hotel provides easy access to the White House, Verizon Center and the Washington Monument.
Residence Inn Washington, DC Downtown combines the historical character of the capitol with contemporary luxuries. With 202 suites and more than 2,000 square feet of meeting space, our extended-stay hotel in DC is perfect for business and leisure travelers alike.
Front Desk
Our 24 hour front desk staff is ready to welcome you to a comfortable and unique stay in Washington, DC. You'll love the historic charm of our hotel, thoughtfully maintained in structural elements throughout the building.
Located just five miles from Ronald Reagan Airport, our prime location near favorite Washington DC sites, Thomas Circle and Logan Circle, is ideal for business and pleasure travelers alike.
Foyer - Second Floor
Once DC's first luxury apartment building in the 1960s, the Residence Inn Washington, DC Downtown features historic charm incorporated into today's look.
Queen Studio Suite
Whether you're working, resting or relaxing, you'll love making yourself at home in spacious suites featuring smartly designed work spaces, fully equipped kitchens and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Queen Studio Suite with Sofabed
Boasting plenty of room to spread out and relax, our queen studio suites feature pull-out sofa beds so you can accommodate your entire family during your extended stay.
Queen/Queen Studio Suite
The ultra-modern Queen/Queen Studio Suites offer a great place to relax after visiting the monuments in DC. Prepare tasty meals in your suite's fully equipped kitchen and enjoy it in the separate living area.
One-Bedroom Queen/Queen Suite Bedroom
Our one-bedroom suites provide separate living and sleeping areas to maximize your comfort and privacy. Share photos of your time in Washington, D.C. using your room's free high-speed Wi-Fi.
One-Bedroom Queen/Queen Suite Living Area
Gather the family in your suite's living area and prepare for the day. The sofa and over sized chair face the flat-screen LCD TV where you'll find premium movie channels, CNN, ESPN and HBO.
Hospitality Suite Bedroom
The bedroom in this suite is a lesson in efficiency: a spacious seating area leading out to the balcony by day, and a Murphy bed for a comfortable space to recharge by night.
Hospitality Suite Boardroom
For a unique venue to host your next meeting in DC, reserve the Hospitality Suite. The boardroom offers maximum privacy, a full kitchen, bathroom, separate seating and a sleeping area.
Hospitality Suite Kitchen
The Hospitality Suite includes a kitchen complete with a full-size refrigerator, utensils, pots and pans – everything you need to whip up a meal. Even if it's just putting that take-out into proper serving dishes.
Prepare yourself a delicious meal using the amenities of your suite's kitchen such as a refrigerator, microwave, stovetop, oven, dishwasher and silverware.
Suite Bathroom
The bathrooms in our suites feature hair dryers and Paul Mitchell® bath products. We also provide plenty of counter space for your cosmetics and toiletries.
Suite Bathroom - Shower
Get ready for your night out in your room's spacious bathroom with either a shower/tub combination or walk-in shower. Save room when packing and take advantage of our free bath products.
Every guest suite has a spacious vanity with plenty of room to unpack for your extended trip. All our guest room bathrooms include hairdryers, coffeemakers and complimentary toiletries to meet your last minute needs.
Executive Suite Balcony
The balcony, with private access from our Executive Suites, provides space to make your next event a memorable one. The comfortable lounge and table seating make the balcony a unique space for your group to enjoy. Downtown scenery includes Thomas Circle Park and the National City Christian Church.
Business Center
Print out your boarding pass, surf the web or search for local attractions on the computers and printers in our 24-hour business center.
Media Pods & Dining Area
For comfort and privacy, guests can work or relax in one of our media pods, featuring free wireless high-speed Internet access, power outlets for cell phone chargers and laptops, and an HDTV with a personal remote control.
Dining Area
Guests at our extended-stay hotel are treated to a delicious free breakfast buffet every morning. Enjoy our hearty and healthy options and the ample amount of seating in our modern dining area.
Breakfast Buffet
Start every day off right with a complimentary hot breakfast buffet, served daily. There's something for everyone, including fresh fruit, cereal, waffles, eggs and yogurt.
Free Breakfast - Your Perfect Waffle
When it comes to waffles, the toppings make all the difference, from sweet with Nutella® or mango sauce to savory with peanut butter, sliced bananas and bacon. Offerings may vary by day and location.
Made Fresh All Morning
Enjoy a warm bowl of oatmeal in the morning? Choose your favorite mix-ins, including sliced almonds, brown sugar, cinnamon, dried cranberries or chocolate chips. Offerings may vary by day and location.
Free Breakfast - Yogurt, Topped Off
Enjoy Chobani® flavored Greek low-fat yogurt, Dannon Light & Fit® or Oikos® plain Greek yogurt. Add your signature with our delicious mix-ins like walnut pieces, granola, mango sauce or fresh fruit. Offerings may vary by day and location.
Complimentary Manager's Toast
Mix, mingle and grab a tasty bite, with our General Manager and hotel associates, at our complimentary evening Manager's Toast. Offerings may vary by day and location.
Fitness Center
Maintain your exercise routine when you stay at our downtown hotel. With modern cardio equipment and free weights, we make it easy to work on your fitness goals during your time away from home.
US Capitol
The United State Capitol building is within easy reach by foot, metro or taxi.
Smithsonian Museum
With no entry fees at the Smithsonian Museum in DC, the whole family may enjoy art, science, history and culture.
National Mall
Located just minutes from the National Mall, our hotel is within easy reach of the White House, United States Capitol building, monuments and museums.
Pre-Function Area
Our talented team can help bring your event to life! Our downtown D.C. hotel offers customizable catering menus, bar service, flexible room arrangements and audio/visual rentals.
Jefferson Meeting Room
The Jefferson meeting room can host up to 40 guests when organized in a banquet-style setup. Deliver a touching speech or show a sentimental slideshow using our AV equipment, available for rent.
Washington Meeting Room
Meeting planners have access to over 2,000 total square feet of event space at our Washington, D.C. hotel. The Washington meeting room, situated on the second floor offers 432 square feet with modern décor and fantastic natural light.
Lincoln Meeting Room – Boardroom Setup
Perfect for private business gatherings, the Lincoln meeting room offers 399 square feet of flexible event space as well as high-speed Wi-Fi and delicious catering options.
Event Catering
At the Residence Inn Washington, DC Downtown, our event specialist works closely with each planner to bring to life the event you envision. Delicious catering options and AV rentals are conveniently available to suit most any need.


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The holidays can get stressful, so why not give the gift of relaxation. With an Elements Massage gift card you can spread cheer to even the biggest Grinch. With 1 hour massage gift cards for $39 and 90 minute massage gift cards for just $59!
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subset: commoncrawl


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discharge monitoring Events
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Related terms for "discharge monitoring ": oil discharge monitoring equipment events , water discharge monitoring events , oil discharge monitoring events , mobile discharge monitoring events , river discharge monitoring events , discharge monitoring report events
The Korean National Chapter of the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH-KNC) looks forward to welcoming you at the 45th IAH Annual Congress in Daejeon, Korea, September 9th to 14th 2018. Nine technical sessions will provide a forum for original research related to the theme of the congress: "Groundwater and Life: Science and Technology into ...
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My father was in the diplomatic corps. We lived in Paris in the 1960s and my mother was very keen on a new, young designer who had started his own label called Yves Saint Laurent. I remember going to the opening of the Rive Gauche shop. I was about six. I would also occasionally be taken to Nato cocktail parties. I think that was my earliest fashion memory – I remember what the men wore and I remember how the women dressed. That was probably quite crucial when you consider what I later went on to do.
My school uniform was the most revolting shade of green I have ever seen. I still find green quite tricky even now.
The way I dress is due to necessity. I work most of the time in a white studio so I have to dress for that. And because of who I work with I have to be subtle in my approach to dressing. You wouldn't want to stand in front of John Galliano and try to out-dress him. Over the years I've worked out a set of clothes that work very well for me: a pair of strong black walking brogues, a pair of dark-blue or indigo Levi's 505s and a white shirt. There's an understated formality to them that I enjoy.
I always have performance anxiety. The uniform doesn't help with that, but it takes away a lot of decisions, so if I have to get up in the morning and go straight to the studio I'm not thinking, 'What am I going to wear?'
People used to cross the road so as not to engage with me. When I was a skinhead in the 1970s, I enjoyed the fact that people would treat me a certain way without knowing anything about me. It was somewhat in my nature to be provocative. The brogues [bespoke from Trickers] I wear now are the same brogues I would have worn as a skinhead. The shirts that I have made for me are based on the Ben Sherman shirts that I wore as a skinhead. I've found a set of values in this manner of dress that I keep enjoying.
As soon as I find anything I like, they stop making it. Whether it's a nailbrush or a shoelace or whatever. As soon as I think, 'This is the one for me, I can be assured I've got my perfect nailbrush,' it has been discontinued.
I tend to wear my jeans for a while and then throw them away. They are a Nick Knight version of vintage Levi's 505s, with a gold silk lining to the knee. They feel nice against your skin. I only wear them for the studio, not at any other time.
I find suits much more comfortable than anything else. I get mine from Kilgour on Savile Row. They've all been made for me so they've all been made to fit. I feel very happy and comfortable in my clothes. The amount of flamboyance and detail is up to me. Whether it's matching the cufflinks to the umbrella, or whatever, those are all games that I can play and nobody need know.
I don't surround myself with objects that will give me memories. I'm going through the process of getting rid of things, and not keeping them for the sake of it. My wardrobe is a set of suits, lots of white shirts in drawers. I would like to take it down to my seven most recent white shirts, three pairs of my most recent jeans. I'd like it to be more minimal.
I collect large chunks of minerals. It started when I got a beginner's pack of minerals for my son in California. I like them because they are untouched by man. I don't have any sort of man-created art; I don't hang paintings in the house. I like these brutal pieces of rock, whether it's a huge piece of rose quartz or whatever, because they're just gorgeous. Some of them look like crashing waves or cityscapes.
I began my career as a scientist in human biology. I know the names of all the bones and muscle groups, so when you actually start doing something like yoga or Pilates it's amazing. My posture is important to get right as I am often lugging around a 10x8 camera. It's not good for the muscles in the small of my back. I did a Pilates session this morning and thought to myself, 'This would make a great fashion picture.'


text: The first big Nor'easter of 2011 dumped more a foot of snow on the Addison County area on Jan. 12. Schools were closed and traffic was sparse along area byways. After a brief warm spell around New Year's day, temperatures returned to January levels. The mercury hovered dipped below zero earlier this week.


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A very stylish and comfortable waistcoat. Cut beautifully to ergonomically fit the body and is fastened by a front zip.
It is fully adjustable at the back, giving you more freedom in what you wear underneath. Features breathable mesh panels and two zipped hidden pockets at the front which are large enough for car keys, phone, money etc. It is fully washable on a 30 degree wash then hang to dry.
With the cleverly designed adjustable back, you can make the waistcoat larger for the winter or for body armour and more fitted for the summer.
A must have piece of Equine hi viz to have in your wardrobe. Passes EN1150. Colours: Yellow or Pink.


text: After Mosul, airstrikes against ISIS ebb slightly but remain high The number of weapons released against the Islamic State in July dropped slightly from the previous month's all-time record as the battle for Mosul, Iraq, drew to a close. The number of weapons released against the Islamic State in July dropped slightly from the previous month's all-time record as the battle for Mosul, Iraq, drew to a close. But the 4,313 weapons released by coalition aircraft in July was still the third-highest monthly total since the war against ISIS began, according to statistics posted online this week by U.S. Air Forces Central Command. The greatest number of weapons released as part of Operation Inherent Resolve came in June, when coalition aircraft dropped 4,848 bombs as the Mosul battle reached its final stage. The last pockets of ISIS fighters there were cleared out in the first few days of July, and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi officially declared victory in the city July 10. In the unclassified summary accompanying the statistics, AFCENT said that as the Mosul operations drew to a close, the coalition refocused its airpower efforts on the offensive to drive ISIS out of Raqqa, Syria. On July 3, AFCENT said, coalition planes breached Raqqa's ancient wall to allow Syrian Democratic Forces to enter the city. AFCENT said the planes used "well-planned, precision aistrikes to ... minimiz[e] damage to the historic structure." And as ground forces accelerated their drive to take back Raqqa between July 7 and 13, AFCENT said the coalition released 1,200 weapons that week — the highest weekly amount of the war so far. By the end of the month, AFCENT said the Syrian Democratic Forces controlled about 45 percent of Raqqa. The bombing campaign against ISIS is growing The U.S.-led coalition waging the air war against the Islamic State released 4,374 weapons in Iraq and Syria in May — by far the most of any month since the war began. By: Stephen Losey Coalition airstrikes also killed Abu Sulayman al-Iraqi and Bassam al-Jayfus last month, who AFCENT described as senior ISIS propagandists and facilitators. The pace of airstrikes has accelerated considerably throughout 2017, with 27,726 weapons released during the first seven months of the year. At this pace, by the end of August the number of weapons released will easily surpass the 28,696 bombs dropped in all of 2015 and the 30,743 weapons released throughout 2016. Coalition aircraft also released 350 weapons in Afghanistan in July, which was the third-highest tally so far this year. That included a July 11 MQ-9 Reaper strike that killed Abu Sayed, the emir of ISIS affiliate ISIS-Khorasan, in Kunar Province, at the terrorist group's headquarters. "Sayed is the third ISIS-K emir killed in the last year by a precision airstrike, sending a clear signal that there is no safe haven for ISIS-K in Afghanistan," AFCENT said. The statistics do not account for all aircraft flying in the area, or weapons released. AFCENT's statistics only include weapons released by aircraft under Combined Forces Air Component Commander, or CFACC, control, which includes aircraft from all U.S. military branches and coalition aircraft, but not all aircraft there fall under CFACC control. The statistics also do not include strikes conducted by attack helicopters and armed drones operated by the Army.


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Sugar Cosmetics Sweet Cheeks Baked Blush
Oooo look what I came across!
Since I've grown rather fond of bronzing powders this new compact from Sugar Cosmetics has caught my eye!
Sugar Cosmetics Sweet Cheeks Baked Blush is available in two shades Cupcake and Gingerbread for $24 USD each.
I'm wondering if these are those massive compacts that Sugar puts out! Know the ones?
I'm dead curious about how shimmery they are! Looks rather gorgeous from what I can see!
Cupcake seems more pinky while Gingerbread is a warmer shade!
I feel a strange lemming for both!
Anyone with me?
Almost Fall but the force is strong for these compacts! Expect some sort of review shortly I imagine!
Urban Decay Baked Bronzer Review
Napoleon Perdis The French Riviera Gift Set Review
Lancome Maharani Elephant Bronzer Review
Banila Co Sun Blessed Collection
Jelly Pong Pong Round Up Review Featuring a Review of Jelly Pong Pong Omnibronze


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Gujarat TET 2016,Gujarat tet admit card 2016,Gujarat tet Download admit card 2016,Gujarat tet exam 2016,Gujarat tet exam roll no wise 2016, Gujarat tet exam name wise admit card 2016
Gujarat TET 2016: The Gujarat State Examination Board (GSEB) is going to conduct the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for recruiting various vacant posts of Teacher in Gujarat State. Gujarat TET is for candidates aspiring to become teachers in primary classes (class I-V) and upper primary classes (class VI-VII) schools in state of Gujarat. TET is a compulsory examination for all the B.Ed. qualified candidates to be considered for teaching jobs in schools run by the government and private managements. All graduates including B.A., B.SC. And B.Com etc. are eligible to take this test. A candidates need to score over 60% to pass this examination and work as a teacher.
Gujarat TET Admit Card 2016
Every year large number of interested aspirants appears for this examination. Aspirants have already registered online for test now they are looking for Gujarat TET Admit Card 2016. According to the official notification of GSEB admit card will be soon available on the official website that is www.ojas.guj.nic.in so candidates can download it as soon it will be available. Candidates have to wait a little bit more as admit card will be available before days before examination on official website.
Download GSEB TET 2016 Admit Card
As we all know admit card is a mandatory document for candidate they must bought their Gujarat TET Admit Card 2016 on the time they go for examination. It will contain details like- your name, exam date and time, roll number, examination venue, etc. Gujarat State Examination Board (GSEB) will release Gujarat TET Admit Card 2016 for Gujarat TET exam very soon. . Aspirants can download it from the official website, i.e. www.ojas.guj.nic.in
Here we are providing few steps which candidates need to follow while downloading Gujarat TET Admit Card 20156as soon as it is released by the responsible authority:
- First visit their official website www.ojas.guj.nic.in
- After that search for Gujarat TET Admit Card 2016 link.
- Click on it.
- Now enter your confirmation number and Date of Birth.
- Click on submit button.
- Admit card will be displayed on your screen, download it.
- Take a print out of your admit card for future reference.
Gujarat TET Admit Card 2016: QUERIES
For any query regarding Gujarat TET Admit Card 2016 please visit their official website www.ojas.guj.nic.in Stay tuned with us for more updates. Aspirants can also leave their query as a comment here. Candidates are also advised to keep checking the official website of GSEB for more information regarding Gujarat TET Admit Card 2016.


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SMALL BOAT, BIG ADVENTURE: Pictured above day cruising in the Santa Barbara Harbor, Christian Beamish built his boat, the Cormorant, in his garage a few years back and sailed it solo down the coast of Baja, Mexico, looking for waves and a little reprieve from modern times. That journey is the centerpiece of his first book, The Voyage of the Cormorant.
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You can buy playstation 4 in Pakistan online from Daraz where there is a variety of range of console colors, game package with console and additional accessories. Based on Playstation 4 price at Daraz, it comes in various hard drive storage space for the option of saving games and is also available in a number of different playstation console region (Japan, UK, USA) so that people from all across the globe can opt for their suitable playstation. Playstation 4 price is Pakistan is quite affordable at Daraz so is available for a range of people.Features of Playstation 4
Playstation 4 provides the ultimate gaming experience with stunning graphics performance which gives a real life touch to the gamers. This gadget provides a number of cool features which are given below.Game saves and USB compatibility: If you don't want to spend money to buy the 'cloud-saving services' to save games you can simply put in a USB stick to save games via the settings menu. This would enable you to take your saved games to wherever you require. Video applications: PS4 can be used to access various video applications such as Netflix, YouTube, daily-motion etc. Additionally, these all present in one helpful menu on the home screen so that you don't need to waste time hunting for them. Standby Mode: Your console can go to standby mode by simply pressing the home button and selecting the option whenever you are updating your software or downloading a 25GB+ game. The system complies by showing an orange light to boot. Color-coding on controller: Dual Shock 4 controllers now have color-coding bars to match with in-game actions such as lighting up a torch in the game would make the color-coding go bright. Moreover, each individual player would have their own color on the controller to give them a feeling of individuality. PlayStation application: You can download the playstation app on your mobile devices to keep in touch with your friends for gaming purposes. This application directly connects to your ps4 account. This also provides ease of use as typing is much easier via a mobile device. Creating/playing your own soundtrack: You can create your own music theme by going onto Sony's music program and trying out various options to make a soundtrack. On top of this you can play music in the background when playing any game. Games for PS4
Initially PS4 relied on remastering the games from PS3 with the likes of God of War or The Last of Us, but slowly and surely came up with big budget games. With the technological innovation of Sony, playstation would soon be offering 4k games which would be an entirely new experience for the gaming world. From first person shooting like Black Ops III to third person action games such as Unchartered 4 playstation has always tried to please its gaming audience by providing variety of genres, gaming styles and single-player to multiplayer games. Moreover, becoming a member of the Playstation plus family would enable you to download two mind-blowing games for free every month as well as being able to play playstation 4 online.


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#14 Cleveland Browns
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2020 Cleveland Browns: Perfectly Mediocre
The GZL's Cleveland Browns appeared to be on a nice upward trajectory after Paul Willis arrived to his hometown team. While they did have a rocky finish as Willis transitioned midseason in 2018, 2019's team was one of the surprises of the league. Going 11-5, claiming their first ever AFC North championship and nearly defeating the Titans in the divisional playoffs had the front office thinking aggressively. They mortgaged the future in order to grab playmakers in HB Le'Veon Bell and WR Ulysses Moore from Miami in an unprecedented deal that saw the Browns give up basically every early pick they owned in the 2020 and 2021 drafts. On top of that, Willis doled out big money to veteran WR Demariyus Thomas and QB Howard Christensen in hopes of making a run through the playoffs en route to that elusive Super Bowl victory. Unfortunately things did not turn out as planned and the team got off to another terrible start. Unlike 2020, the furious finish to the season was not enough to send the Browns to the playoffs and Paul Willis finished his season as the "first team out" for the FOURTH time in his frustrating GZL career.
Howard Christensen surprised many by beating out Boston Mallett as the opening day starter despite a poor showing in the preseason. In week one against the eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers, Christensen seemed to justify that decision by throwing for a GZL record 601 yards. Four receivers topped 100 yards for the Browns on the game, but in what would become a trend on the season, they were not able to seal the deal and lost 36-35 on a last second field goal. Christensen went cold over the next 3 games and the Browns went from a hot Super Bowl pick to 0-4 just like that. Boston Mallett would regain his starting gig in week 5 and lead the Browns to a 2-1 record before getting pulled again in favor of Christensen due to an inability to take care of the football. Aside from an awful performance against the lowly Colts, Christensen was able to perform the game manager role up to the team's expectations on his second go round as starter and the team finished the season 7-2.
The inexplicable loss versus the Colts was frustrating, but the game that ultimately took the Browns out of the playoffs was a 38-34 defeat in Pittsburgh that saw the not so special teams unit give up two kickoff returns for touchdowns to Kenjon Barner. If either of these had been stopped, Cleveland likely would have taken the game and improved their final record to 10-6, which would have been good enough for the 6th seed and a second straight playoff appearance with the team playing as well as anyone in the league at the time. As it was, the team ended the season by winning 4 straight and 6 of their last 7.
Offensively, the quarterbacks were the problem yet again in Cleveland. Christensen finished the season with respectable numbers (52% completion, 7.93 YPA, 24 touchdowns) but his 17 interceptions typically came at the worst possible time, specifically early in the season. His counterpart Boston Mallett only started 3 games and won 2 of them. However, those who watched the games could easily tell you that Cleveland won in spite of Mallett, who finished the season with a 48% completion percentage and a paltry 5.48 yards per attempt. As of the time of this writing, Christensen has become a cap casualty despite the Browns' preference for him. Boston Mallett's contract is a handcuff the team has been eager to break since Willis arrived, but the team has at least one more season to invest in the giant with the big arm.
The Browns thought they had a new set of triplets when they acquired HB Le'Veon Bell and WR's Demariyus Thomas and Ulysses Moore. Bell struggled early while the team decided to let Howard Christensen try to throw for 600 yards every week unsuccessfully but eventually broke in to a rhythm and finished the season with 1649 yards at a 4.58 yard per carry clip. This was good enough to finish 6th in the league in yards but just 16th per attempt. While the offensive line is substandard, Cleveland was hoping that Bell would be able to elevate the play in the backfield despite not having the best 5 in the league in front of him like Trent Richardson had for Willis in Houston. Thomas and Moore both finished with over 1000 yards on the season and had 76 catches a piece. Unfortunately, they did not provide the explosiveness the team was hoping for and combined for 23 drops(15% of catchable targets were dropped). Thomas has lost a step but is still a viable starter in the league and the team expects a step up from Moore in 2021.
As many opportunities as the offense left on the field, they did still finish the season 3rd in total yardage and 7th in points scored. The defense was the unit that took a big step backwards in 2020. The D finished 14th in total defense and 18th in points allowed but perhaps the biggest disappointment was the inability to get to the quarterback and create turnovers. The surprise 2019 Browns made the playoffs in large part to a defense that led the league in sacks and turnovers. In 2020 the Browns finished 20th in sacks and 9th in turnovers. The unit did solidify in the back half of the season which was a huge reason for the 7-2 finish, at one point the Browns were last in the league in both sacks and turnovers. So what happened? The most obvious point was the drop off in production by defensive tackles Eddie Goldman and Malcom Brown, who combined for 18 sacks a season before but finished with just 7 in 2021. Cameron Jordan was an effective run stuffer at right end but fell short of his typical 7-8 sack performance and the linebacking corps completely vanished from the stat sheet with just 4 sacks as a unit (Ross Homan collected all four while subbing for the injured Zaviar Gooden). The good news is that Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 CB Emerson Dupree proved that he's not just a one year wonder by pulling down 5 interceptions. While it's not the 7 he had as a rookie and he gave up way too many catches, he still appears to be on track to be a mainstay for years and justify his draft position. Veteran safety Steve Griffin spent much of the season on the injured list and was only mediocre when he was in and will be allowed to walk in free agency.
Restricted Free Agency: No Point
Restriced free agency has always been a favorite of GM Paul Willis but this season was a definite exception. Previous Browns GM's left Willis with absolutely no one he felt was deserving of a tender on the current roster. The rest of the league had some intriguing players, but there were none with cheap tenders worth going after like in previous seasons.
Free Agency: I'm Broke
After going crazy a few seasons ago in free agency, Willis put himself in a position where free agency essentially had to be a hands off approach. With only 15 million or so earmarked after draft signings and the crazy amount of money getting thrown around, there was no way Cleveland could afford to take part in this exercise. The good news is the Browns felt pretty good about most of the team. They certainly would have liked to upgrade the offensive line, but ready made starters at those positions in particular were the ones receiving the most egregious deals this year. The Browns signed not a single player prior to the college entry draft.
Pre-Draft Trades: Pulled the Trigger
Well, it's almost like Cleveland took the offseason off, huh? Well after blowing their wad of cash in 2019 and blowing their wad of picks in 2020 there really wasn't much action to be had here. Aside from a very short conversation with Dallas revolving around a quarterback the Browns couldn't afford, the phones were extremely quiet all offseason long. Big contracts are keeping the team in check for the moment. Two of those, inherited from previous regimes, are particularly frustrating for Cleveland. QB Boston Mallett is as good of a quarterback prospect as you could ever ask for but for some reason he and Willis just cannot make the thing work. As much as Willis and Mallett would love to move on from each other, the once promising gunslinger would cost the team over 12 million in future cap penalties to move. Similarly, DE Cameron Jordan has been a mainstay in Cleveland for nearly the entire GZL era. He also has a giant contract and is over 10 YP so no one in the league is willing to pay anywhere near the value the club would need in order to eat his cap penalty. The final huge chunk of cash is self inflicted in the form of WR Demariyus Thomas, who regressed this offseason but still provides the team with a wily vet with the potential to put up Pro Bowl numbers. As it stands now, those 3 contracts make any significant moves very difficult.
The Draft: Searching for Gems
2.20 -- WR Josh Doctson - TCU -- After once again finishing the season in position to have the 20th pick in each round and having traded away their first to Miami a year before, the Browns felt lucky to find TCU's Josh Doctson available so late in the day. While he certainly isn't a ready made prospect, Doctson has good size and hands and with the right amount of attention he should be able to take over for Demariyus Thomas alongside Ulysses Moore next season if the Browns don't find a better option in the meantime. The team should have plenty of opportunities to devote training to him as the roster is nearly empty of any young talents that would normally take their attention away from an unfinished prospect like the former Horned Frog.
3.20 -- SS Sam Barbartsky - Rice -- There is nothing that stands out about Sam Barbartsky. He's got good speed, good hands, good agility, good acceleration and good awareness for a rookie safety. The Browns needed someone to take over for Steve Griffin and after passing on a safety in the second round in favor of Josh Doctson, were pleasantly surprised with Barbartsky as an option one round later. He will almost certainly start immediately for the safety needy Browns and, like Doctson, will benefit from the team's lack of progressable young players as competition. Eventually he could not only become a starter for the short term but a player who continues on in Cleveland for a decade.
4.20 -- QB Jacoby Brissett - North Carolina State -- Word is that the Browns were hopeful that Dak Prescott would be available at this selection. Unfortunately, despite the amount of talented signal callers in the GZL, there is still a market for a quarterback with potential in the draft and Prescott went much earlier than anticipated at 2.24. This didn't stop the Browns from taking one though. Brissett is a classic pocket passer which the Browns love, and while he doesn't have a cannon for an arm, he does have excellent starting accuracy and enough awareness to potentially start one day. It will take a Terence Bennett level investment, but the Browns may decide to begin grooming Brissett as the QB of the future now as they count down the clock on the Boston Mallett era.
5.20 -- LE Adam Kelly - Iowa -- The Browns needed a defensive end for depth and there's no cheaper way to do that than by drafting a guy late. Kelly has a good SPD/STR combo and if that was all that mattered he might see playing time one day. Unfortunately his acceleration is the poops and if he ever sets foot on the field Cleveland will be in trouble.
6.20 -- SS Marion Fournier - BYU -- Fournier is actually a pretty intriguing prospect this deep in the draft. Just an inch shorter than Barbartsky and certainly faster. The reason Fournier will not start is because his first step is so slow and he is a year or two behind with his hands and football IQ.
7.20 -- FS Russell Charboneau - Oregon -- Cleveland was still hoping to hit a homerun with a late round pick but Charboneau will only provide depth. Like Fournier he has a fancy sounding name and decent measurables, but also like Fournier, he has an extremely slow first step to the football and will not see the field very often barring injury.
7.27 -- DT Cepheus King - Miami -- The Browns had need of a defensive tackle to fill their roster. Defensive tackles are expensive to sign in free agency. Cepheus King's contract is not expensive. Now you know the reason Cepheus King is on the Browns roster.
Post Draft UFA: Bargain Bin
There really was only one goal in free agency this year: get a team on the field that would meet GZL's roster requirements. Out of this necessity Cleveland signed six players who they have no intention of ever seeing in uniform on an offensive or defensive snap. However, after all the mandatory signings were done the team was still left with a handful of cash to spend on someone who might prove useful. No starters were still around to be hired and none were really thought of as needed although the team did toy with the idea of making room to sign QB Howard Christensen for another season although that idea was quickly abandoned after looking back over his 2020 season stats.
TE Jordan Cameron is a player Willis has long admired from afar during his time with the Miami Dolphins. While the Browns are set with Lance Hendricks as their stud receiving tight end, they had absolutely nothing behind him worth mentioning. Cameron, although heavily regressed from his prime, is still a savvy vet with more athleticism than most who can also be a viable blocker in two tight end sets. Kendricks is no stranger to injury so this move could pay dividends not only in substitutions but if a more disastrous situation develops.
CB Leonard Johnson was a first round pick once upon a time by the Atlanta Falcons. While time has not been kind to that selection (most would call it a bust in production terms), that can't really be blamed on Johnson. He was as dumb as a box of rocks coming out of Iowa State and while he is still not ever going to be considered a field general, he has developed enough of a feel for the game to be a high quality backup. The Browns only had 4 cornerbacks on the roster prior to this pickup, so while not technically a requirement, it was considered a necessity by the front office.
Training Camp: Observations
Offensive linemen Burl Ragsdale and Octavius Warren have been challenging each other in the weight room. Both are converted college tight ends with tremendous athleticism but underwhelming power and technique. If one or both can develop a full game to go along with their outstanding quickness it would go a long way towards improving an already effective, if inconsistent offense.
Rookie CB Emerson DuPree is on a mission to become a better player than Buford McKay. While that is a tall order for the Oregon alum, he does seem a step quicker than he was in college, which was already very fast. He has taken his new partner in the secondary, Sam Barbartsky under his wing in an effort to get the third rounder ready to start alongside him on opening day.
WR Josh Doctson has a chip on his shoulder after being passed on until the second round of the draft. The 6'3" Doctson spent the summer at the home of fellow wideout Oliver Coleman and attended a speed camp with Ryan Swope.
Le'Veon Bell made it through the season but reports are that he was banged up nearly the entire campaign and pushed his way through it. He began an extensive routine with former injury prone halfback Fred Taylor during the offseason in an effort to mimic Taylor's transformation from an oft-injured talent in to one of the best backs in the late 90's/early 2000's.
Training Camp Battles: Fight For Your Right
Quarterback -- Jacoby Brissett vs. Cameron Green vs. Tony Bohannon
While Boston Mallett is still the defacto starting quarterback, the battle for the backup spot is up for grabs. Tony Bohannon was looked as a guy with some potential at the time of his drafting but has developed in to a wasted pick as he was released just prior to this posting. Jacoby Brissett is not game ready as of now, but could beat out Green based on his potential as the team sees him as a future starter if he gets opportunities. Knowing the Browns offensive line and Mallett's refusal to throw the god damn ball, it is likely whoever wins this battle will see plenty of time on the field in 2021.
Wide Receiver -- Ryan Swope vs. Oliver Coleman vs. Josh Doctson
Demariyus Thomas and Ulysses Moore have the top two starting slots locked up. WR3, which is traditionally a deep threat in Willis offenses, is up for grabs between two veteran speedsters and the young talent Doctson. Coleman is younger than Swope, but Swope is taller. Coleman is faster, Swope is stronger. Swope has better football instincts, but Coleman has better hands. Throw all that out the window because Doctson is taller and is the one who needs the reps the most? It's a very close race right now and most likely won't be settled until after the preseason. Look for each to get opportunities with the starting squad during the preseason.
2019 Cleveland Browns: New Era Truly Begins
There have been some questions this offseason about how much dedication Paul Willis has left to his "dream job". There were even rumblings earlier this season that he might head back to Houston when that opportunity arose. It just seems that for whatever reason, the passion to build a winner has gone out of the organization. That said, the team has 2 winning seasons in Willis' first 2 full campaigns in orange and brown so there should be reason for optimism despite Boston Mallett backing in to the starting quarterback role again. The positive outlook is that without Christensen looming the Browns will tailor an offense to suit Mallet's skills. He only had 3 games to figure out a rhythm with Demariyus Thomas and Ulysses Moore, and the offensive line should do a better job protecting him and opening holes for Le'Veon Bell.
Bell will be counted on again to be the focus for the offense whether or not Mallett gets his act together. If he can keep the momentum of a strong second half of the season rolling and produce a 5+ yard per carry total as the team envisions, it will be hard to fail. Even if he can come close, the team will feed him the ball enough to contend for a rushing title.
On the outside, one or both of Demariyus Thomas and Ulysses Moore must produce more. While both were solid a season ago, they didn't provide the fireworks that were expected and too often dropped big passes in crucial moments. With Josh Doctson joining to add more size in the depth and Oliver Coleman and Ryan Swope returning to reprise their roles as speedy deep threats and special teams aces, this group should be in good shape.
The offensive line is the biggest question mark outside of Mallett. Can the undersized but athletically gifted group create enough holes to propel Lev Bell to an MVP candidate while also keeping Boston Mallett protected long enough to have a halfway decent season? It may be a lot to ask as they are still very raw but it is certainly a possibility.
The defensive line returns in tact and should bounce back after the disappointment that was 2020. Free agent Cornelius Washington picked up his game late and finished with 11 sacks but he needs to be a more consistent force if he can be the Mario Williams mark II that he was imagined to be coming out of college. Aging vet Cameron Jordan is still a perfect fit at right end in this defensive system but he needs to produce more pressure on the quarterback. He was solid last season with double digit tackles for loss but his 4 sacks left something to be desired. The biggest piece of the puzzle is in the middle, where Eddie Goldman and Malcom Brown must prove that 2020 was a sophomore slump and not a sign of things to come. With the immense talent that both possess it is hard to imagine they finish 2021 as poorly as they did 2020.
The linebacking corps must stay healthy as there is basically no depth. Last season Zaviar Gooden's injury was softened by the presence of Ross Homan on the team. This year there is no one at that level who is ready to step in and take meaningful snaps. Shea McClellin had a career year a season ago and must prove capable of repeating that performance. His confidence should be at an all time high. On the outsides, Zaviar Gooden and Byron Pharr simply must produce more pressure from a 46 look. They combined for zero sacks in 2020, which hindered the defense's ability to get off the field too often, specifically late in games.
The secondary progressed well over the 2020 campaign but still needs to step to the next level to become elite. Emerson Dupree was a disappointment on draft day but he has been a sensation on the field. Another step up for him, along with a return to form for Pete Nickerson would go a long way towards a return to glory for this unit. Anthony Harris mans the free safety spot and is a cagey young veteran at this point in his career. He will be joined by rookie Sam Barbartsky, who will make mistakes early on but has the athleticism and hands to surprise with big plays.
The Browns are out of the conversation of playoff teams (once again left off the "Who's Next" list on the front page at GZL-Football.com) but the team knows they won the AFC North just two seasons ago and were merely a game away from returning to the playoffs a season ago. As always, the Browns will need to take care of business in the division first. If they can do that, the rest of the goal becomes much easier to define and tackle. It will all hinge on Boston Mallett returning to form so the Browns could finish anywhere from 3-13 to 13-3 in my opinion. Odds are, 8-8 and another disappointment.
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(by P_Willis on 07/21/2016)
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2020 Browns TC
2019 Cleveland Browns: Progress
The 2019 Cleveland Browns can easily be described as a pleasant surprise. After finishing the previous season at 4-12 while ushering in yet another new regime (this time led by lifelong fan and former Houston Texans boss Paul Willis), not much was expected from a Browns unit that lacked playmakers on offense or a dominant leader on defense. On top of that, Willis pulled a no show for the first four weeks of the season while working out a "personal situation". Despite being ruddlerless for the first quarter of the season, the Browns managed a 2-2 start that included a road victory over the eventual Super Bowl champion Washington Redskins. The team later dropped two in a row against division rivals Baltimore and Cincinnati after winning 5 of 6 and found themselves sitting at 6-5 with any potential tiebreaker against them. Despite all odds, the Browns ripped off five straight victories and got the self destructive assistance from the Bengals and Ravens that they needed in order to clinch the first AFC North title in franchise history.
Despite finishing 2-4 in the division the Browns managed to earn a home playoff game against the San Diego Chargers in the wild card round. The Browns secondary found themselves in unfamiliar territory when Blaine Gabbert started his day by shredding the defense through the air. Despite this, the defense managed to hold San Diego to field goals as opposed to touchdowns, and Gabbert was knocked out of the game for over 2 quarters by a violent sack from defensive rookie of the year candidate Eddie Goldman. In Gabbert's absense, 5th round rookie Kyle Washington proved less than up to the task. The Browns managed to amass a modest 13-6 lead by the time Gabbert returned late in the game. Picking up where he left off, Gabbert went on to lead a game tying drive late in regulation. Up to this point in the game, quarterback Boston Mallett was outperformed by even Kyle Washington. Fortunately for the home fans he chose the right time to get it straight and was able to lead the Browns down the field for a last minute game winning field goal that earned the team a trip to visit Tennessee in the divisional round.
Willis moved on in the playoffs to the matchup he both dreaded and embraced. Tim Nissen and the Titans were the arch rivals to Willis' Houston Texans for years and the two are not strangers to postseason battles. The first Nissen/Willis playoff encounter ended in a 3 point Titans victory and the rematch ended with the same result. Tennessee's defense completely smothered the Browns offense and although they kept the game close, the Cleveland defense just couldn't quite match the feat versus the Titan offense. Vince Rogers was held to just 24 yards on 14 carries but Christopher Henderson kept the offense on the field long enough to amass a 16-3 lead late in the 3rd quarter. Henderson's one big mistake was an ill advised throw over the middle that FS Anthony Harris snagged for a pick six and the only touchdown of the day for the visitors. The turnover made the score 16-13 but should have tied the game. On the prior drive the Browns managed to get as close as the Tennessee 1 yard line. On fourth and goal, rather than kicking a field goal to close to within 7 points, the team opted to run a toss that was easily stopped short of the end zone. The defense would give the offense one last chance at glory, but Boston Mallett finished out a horrendous day with a horrendous comeback attempt and the Browns went home deserving losers.
Despite the unceremonious exit from the playoffs the season can be considered nothing less than a rousing success on the whole, particularly for the defense. Cleveland finished 9th in yards allowed for the year but 1st in points allowed thanks to their league leading 54 sacks and 36 takeaways. Leading the charge up the middle was rookie 2nd round defensive tackle Eddie Goldman, who finished the season with 11 sacks in 11 starts. We can only wonder what kind of numbers Goldman would have finished with had the front office seen fit to put him in the starting lineup from the beginning of the year. As it is, Goldman is a legitimate defensive rookie of the year candidate, but will likely lose out to teammate Emerson Dupree. Rumors from Berea were that Cleveland was very disappointed they traded down from 1.5 and missed on the opportunity to take CB Buford McKay. Instead, Cleveland ended up with CB Emerson Dupree, the previously mentioned Goldman and OG Octavius Warren from the deal. In retrospect the Browns have to be delighted with the return they got for dropping five spots. Dupree broke the GZL rookie interception record with 7 and added 18 deflections to 34 catches allowed. While certainly not perfect, he showed the kind of promise that not even the most optimistic fan could have hoped for. Rounding out the defensive heroes was new MLB Shea McClellin, who was imported from Denver for former 3rd round pick FS Sully Santos. McClellin never managed more than 46 tackles as a Bronco and could be said to have been something of a bust. In his 7th season he energized his career by stepping in to a starting role and delivering with a 121 tackle, 18 deflection, 2 interception, 3 forced fumble season. The 6'3" 270 pounder has surprising speed for a man his size and appears to be a perfect fit for the defense. The best part of the deal is that he still has two years left on his contract.
Offensively, the Browns focused on playing it safe and chewing up the clock. Boston Mallett, who had the worst statistical season of his career the year before, bounced back with a respectable campaign. Despite the improvement, his 83.0 QB rating is as mediocre as it gets and Cleveland rarely put up big numbers through the air. The hero of the receiving corps was tight end Lance Kendricks, who had his best season since 2014, finishing 5th in the league among tight ends despite dropping 10 passes. Newcomers Ryan Swope and Oliver Coleman both had opportunities to start opposite veteran Carlton Mitchell but neither could provide the consistent deep threat the Browns were looking for.
Montee Ball was a priority free agent and was expected to contend for the rushing title by those within the building. Ball was underwhelming as the lead back over the first 6 weeks and was benched in favor of relative unknown T.J. Salaam in week 7. The 6' 242 pound Salaam is a former 3rd round pick of the Chargers and was signed as something of an afterthought after Ball was acquired but once given an opportunity he proved to be the better fit. Salaam finished the season with 1225 yards in 11 starts and was the only consistent offensive performer in the playoffs with 225 more yards.
Restricted Free Agency: Center of Attention
Restricted free agency is always a favorite of GM Paul Willis and this offseason was no different. The only target in 2020 was Buffalo center Demetrius Conway, who had the lowest tender applied and would cost nothing to sign but money. Conway lost his starting job 2 seasons ago and has struggled in limited opportunities since but is the kind of athlete that Willis covets and performed well enough as a rookie to give the Browns the confidence to allow Alex Mack to walk out of town.
Match-Eligible Free Agency: Lame
Paul Willis traditionally skips the match eligible free agency period but Cleveland had so much cap to burn this season that he went in on three players with what he thought were respectable offers. Unfortunately, the Rams matched on OT Ernie Bowman, the Packers matched on DE Bjoern Werner and the Bengals matched on CB Brent Parrish. The Browns did not exercise the match option on any of their own and this period ended with zero fanfare.
Pre-Draft Trades: Skip the Draft
The real story of Cleveland's offseason was a trade with the Miami Dolphins. Prior to that deal happening, the Browns were believed to be close to acquiring HB Gerard Campbell from Carolina but were eventually outbid by Denver and hesitated to make a better offer than 1.26 and Montee Ball. The team quietly shipped off OLB Sean Spence and a 6th round pick to New Orleans for their 3rd rounder and WR Norm Grace but the gamechanging deal happened just before draft day.
Willis was eager to acquire Miami WR Ulysses Moore after hearing Ben Harbinger was looking to move him but had committed their first round pick to Carolina as part of the Gerard Campbell deal that fell through. When it became apparent that Carolina was going with another offer Cleveland made its pitch but Miami was rethinking letting the athletic 6'4" wideout go. After scouting the draft class and coming away unimpressed, Willis countered with an offer that would send 1.26, 2.1, a future 1st and HB Montee Ball to Miami in return for Moore and HB Le'Veon Bell. After stewing on the offer for a few days, Harbinger and the Dolphins accepted. Bell, entering his sixth season, is an aging halfback on an expiring contract. This didn't stop the Browns, as he is still easily one of the most gifted backs in the league and the team had no players on the roster on the last year of their deal, so Bell will be back past this season. Cleveland is expecting very big things after the performance that T.J. Salaam, who some might call a poor man's Bell, was able to manage in 2019. Ulysses Moore is raw as they come but has the kind of athleticism that should allow him to flourish despite his lack of polish. After his offseason workouts with the team, scouts insist that there are only 6 players who match his combination of size, speed and acceleration. When you throw in his tremendous leaping ability, there's no one who compares to him.
Following the draft, the Browns were able to secure a bookend and mentor for the raw youngster in the form of Demaryius Thomas. The long time Bronco turned Seahawk was a cap casualty after just one season in Kansas City and is already showing signs of regression. That said, even at this stage in his career he is still an elite physical specimen and reminds the staff of Andre Johnson, who was around in the glory days when Willis' Texans were the top offense in the league. Cleveland is hoping the addition of 3 playmakers of the caliber of Thomas/Moore/Bell will help transform a bottom 12 offense in to a top 5 in an offseason's time.
The Draft: Skipped
2.26 -- CB Gabe Khristiansen -- The Browns debated between Khristiansen and QB Patrick Towles here. The corner was the pick largely because he can play a role early on in his career, whereas Towles might never start despite his great potential. Khristiansen compares favorably to 1.17 Kendall Fuller and will have the benefit of mentor Pete Nickerson. Likely a dimeback to start but could see nickel reps in the right matchups.
3.9 -- QB Tony Bohannon -- The Browns were disappointed but not completely surprised to find that Patrick Towles was taken at 2.30. The backup plan was Bohannon, who will serve as Boston Mallett's backup. Odds are Bohannon will not play any significant downs anytime soon barring injury or complete disaster and may never actually develop in to a viable starter in the league.
3.26 -- OLB Cody Dupont -- Dupont was drafted in large part due to his versatility, as he is large enough to switch to DE if the team so desires. After the signing of LE Cornelius Washington, it is much more likely that Dupont will be the primary backup across the linebacking corps.
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(by P_Willis on 01/08/2016)
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2019 Browns Training Camp
2018 Cleveland Browns: The More Things Change..
It feels like a long time ago that Brad Mallett's Browns hosted the AFC Championship game. That's probably because it has been. Since falling just short of that most elusive goal in 2014, the Browns have had just one winning season in 4 tries and that year ended in an embarrassing wild card defeat in Kansas City. Mallett and his star quarterback Boston Mallett were supposed to provide the long suffering town with the consistency they've never had since returning to pro football's ranks. Sadly, Mallett the general manager stepped away from the sport following the 2015 season. Jim Rose stayed for the whole of 2016 but won just 7 games before leaving the city in his dust. Former San Francisco GM Russell Warner took the club back to the playoffs in 2017 but abandoned the Browns early on in the 2018 season.
Houston general manager Paul Willis had long coveted the Browns job while Mallett held it, but turned down an offer from Cleveland following Mallett's departure in 2015 because he wanted to see the Texans through to a championship. After back to back 9-7 seasons and no playoff appearances the next two seasons, Willis' seat in Houston was growing hot. Despite a 3-2 start, unrest within the front office in Houston and an unexpected opening in Browns town was the perfect storm for a homecoming. The Browns managed to win just 3 games during the 11 games of the Willis era and claimed a top 5 draft pick. Despite the disappointing results on the field, the acquisition of Willis gives the franchise a proven commodity and all but guarantees the continuity this team has so desperately needed for the past 20 years.
In Houston, Willis struggled to develop former first overall pick Kendall Irving in to a superstar after his first season ended with the Rookie of the Year award. In Boston Mallett, Willis gets Irving on steroids. The 6'8", 261 pound Mallett has one of the strongest arms in the league but has had just one Pro Bowl caliber season in his past 4 years. 2018 was no different, as the former Golden Domer experienced a career low 6.74 yards per attempt and a 52.25% completion percentage, his lowest since his rookie season. Mallett will have to improve if the Browns are to step back in to the role of contenders.
The Browns running game used to be one name, Peyton Hillis. The years have not been as kind since Hillis' departure, and while Johnathan Franklin and Ace Kirkland make a nice team, they combined for just a pedestrian season and rarely took over games. Former first round pick Brad Edwards was supposed to become the Donnie Avery of the North in Cleveland. Instead, he became more of a bit player after just 1 season topping a thousand yards. He came close in 2018 but stalled at 850 yards as the leading receiver for an anemic pass offense.
Defensively, the Browns had trouble figuring out who they want to be. The team bounced between 4-3 and 3-4 sets throughout the season, never really finding one combination of scheme or depth chart that truly dominated. The defensive line, lead by Cameron Jordan, was pushed around often. Once the team transitioned to a 3-4 defense the hope was that Jordan could maintain a solid pass rush but he managed only 6 sacks from the left end position and made less impact plays overall than at any other time in his career. The switch to the 3-4 was a more positive experience for newcomer Byron Pharr and veteran Sean Spence, who both managed 5 sacks in limited opportunities. Jon Bostic has become a D'Qwell Jackson redux, simply gobbling up tackles without seeming to be a particularly outstanding player.
In the secondary the Browns were once again led by Pete Nickerson, who also had the worst season of his pro career in 2018. Nickerson's devolution, inexperienced safeties being forced in to action and a general dearth of talent at the cornerback position were just too much for the Browns to overcome and the pass defense was porous all season long. The unit may have set a new record in futility as the entire secondary managed just 5 interceptions over the course of the season. Middle linebacker Jon Bostic managed 4 on his own. Revamping this unit would become a major offseason priority.
Restricted Free Agency: Get Some Depth
Paul Willis always loves to look for bargains during the restricted free agency period. His first offseason in Cleveland was no exception as the Browns pursued and obtained two quality depth players who could compete for starting time in 2019. Seattle WR Oliver Coleman has speed for days but is very raw. A fourth round pick of the Seahawks in 2016, Coleman didn't catch a pass until 2017 when he hauled in just 4 but earned a larger role last season while grabbing 29 passes for just over 400 yards and 2 touchdowns. His 6 drops are a concern, but the Browns felt like the upside was more than worth giving up 4.5 for.
CB Quentin Hamilton was tagged with the lowest tender and thus cost the Browns nothing to obtain other than a contract. A former third round pick in San Diego, Hamilton didn't see the field at all as a rookie and was traded to the Eagles prior to the 2017 season. The 6'2" Hamilton has great size, hands and football IQ but is only an average athlete. Despite this and quite a few struggles during the time he's seen on the field, he will have an opportunity to start when the right matchup presents itself in Cleveland.
Free Agency: Filling Gaps
Willis allowed some big name players to leave in free agency, including starting HB Johnathan Franklin, WR Brad Edwards, MLB Jon Bostic and future Hall of Famer Joe Thomas. Cheaper alternatives to 3 of those players were obtained during this period of the offseason but that was all that was accomplished during pre-draft free agency.
To replace Franklin the Browns brought in former Colt Montee Ball and former Charger T.J. Salaam. Ball is a former first round pick with good, though not great, size and strong measurables. Despite all the things to like, he's managed just 1 season of 4 or more yards per carry. Willis showed confidence that Ball can succeed in the right system by offering a 3 year $14.31M deal. Ball's new mate in the backfield is former Charger T.J. Salaam. Salaam, a 3rd round pick in 2016, is a large man at 6', 242 pounds who has decent athleticism to go along with his massive size. He did will with limited opportunities as a rookie but was allowed to carry the ball only 9 times during his sophomore campaign before not earning a single carry in San Diego a year ago. The Browns hope the Chargers' trash can be their treasure.
WR Ryan Swope was a major target despite picking up Oliver Coleman in RFA. A busted 2nd round pick in Atlanta, Swope is another raw speedster and another player who just didn't earn an opportunity with his former employer. He will be expected to compete for a starting WR job and is an early favorite to handle kickoff returns.
Pre-Draft Trades: Pulled the Trigger
Willis started early, trading Russell Warner's first round pick DeVante Parker to the Chargers in return for a 2nd round pick and OLB Byron Pharr. Pharr showed flashes after finally getting a starting job and San Diego's 2 turned in to 2.14.
Another linebacker was acquired during the offseason, this time the Browns sent talented FS prospect Sully Santos to Denver to acquire veteran MLB Shea McClellin. McClellin is another talented athlete who has never gained the opportunity to start. 6'3", 270 pounds with speed intrigued Willis enough to deal Santos, who the team did like. McClellin will start in place of the athletically challenged but statistically golden Jon Bostic.
The biggest trade of the offseason turned out to be Willis' greatest regret (but we'll get to that later), as the Browns agreed to trade 1.5 to the Bears in return for 1.10, 2.10 and 2.29. The idea was that none of the Browns top targets would be around at 1.5, and there'd still be a solid option at 1.10 with a couple extra starters thrown in.
The Draft: Shouldn't Have Pulled the Trigger
1.10 -- CB Emerson DuPree -- Cleveland never dreamed that Buford McKay or Angel Rosario would be available at 1.5, this lack of faith led to the trade down with the Bears and the Browns grudgingly took DuPree here when they could've had the much superior McKay. Other than not being Buford McKay, DuPree actually is a solid prospect. With development, the 6 footer will be one of the most well rounded athletes at the position in the league and has very good football IQ and hands for a rookie. While he will always be compared to McKay in Cleveland, DuPree fills an important role as a legitimate starter opposite Pete Nickerson.
2.5 -- DT Malcom Brown -- Cleveland expected Brown to go in the mid to late first so were happy to take a flier here on the 6'2", 320 pounder. With speed to rush the passer and power to hold up against the run, there's nothing not to like about Brown. With the Browns expected to switch back to a 4-3, a player like this was exactly what the doctor ordered to go along with incumbent NT/DT Louis Nix...at least until...
2.10 -- DT Eddie Goldman -- Goldman is nearly a carbon copy of Brown, arguably better depending on what exactly you value the most. The Browns never thought both players would be around at this point and just couldn't resist the potentially elite middle that Goldman and Brown can provide together. With two versatile, dominant linemen lining up next to Cameron Jordan, Cleveland could now have one of the best defensive lines in the league.
2.14 -- OT Burl Ragsdale -- Ragsdale fits the Willis bill of extremely quick, though not necessarily the strongest, offensive linemen. Ragsdale has great football IQ but his technique needs a lot of work. Will be given every opportunity to beat out veteran plodder Jeff Otah at left tackle.
2.29 -- OG Octavius Warren -- Another very quick lineman with major technique issues. Cleveland will probably look to invest in a mentor or two in order to get the most out of Warren and Ragsdale, but don't be surprised to see both youngsters starting very early on in their careers.
3.5 -- OG John Filipovic -- Another lineman with athleticism, Filipovic has better technique than the two men drafted earlier but his football IQ is not considered very high. Will need development to see the field but could start at LG one day.
Post Draft UFA: TBD
Dating back to his Houston days, Paul Willis has long admired OLB Zaviar Gooden from his time in Philadelphia and San Diego. Gooden was a surprise cut, and Willis jumped on the opportunity to grab a studly linebacker to add to what is becoming the type of group that is required to run the 4-3 that can excel against the run and pass. The rest of the signings here were for depth purposes/mentorship purposes only.
Training Camp: Observations
Malcom Brown and Eddie Goldman became friends during the draft process and couldn't be happier to team up as professionals. Both men are extremely dedicated to their craft and have essentially lived in the training facility since rookie minicamp began.
Rookie CB Emerson DuPree is on a mission to become a better player than Buford McKay. While that is a tall order for the Oregon alum, he does seem a step quicker than he was in college, which was already very fast.
Rookie OG Octavius Warren has dedicated himself to improving his lower body strength at the behest of the training staff. Warren is very good at pulling but often has trouble on traditional power run blocking plays.
Pete Nickerson expects 2019 to be his breakout season and he's worked with team doctors and trainers all offseason to make sure he does everything in his power to avoid a potential injury that would derail his rise.
Training Camp Battles: WR Battle Heating Up
Outside Linebacker -- Zaviar Gooden vs. Sean Spence vs. Byron Pharr vs. Ross Homan
Essentially the Browns just have too much talent. With the switch back to the 4-3, there are 4 very talented players here and only 2 spots. Gooden and Pharr, both former Chargers, are the quickest of the bunch and Gooden particularly seems a lock for the starting ROLB spot. The left side is a little more up for grabs, but Pharr is the incumbent and proved his worth after coming over in the DeVante Parker trade last season. Spence and Homan could be put on the trade block, but will likely be kept around as very good depth.
Wide Receiver -- Ryan Swope vs. Oliver Coleman
Aging Carlton Mitchell still has gas left in the tank and is a lock to win the starting WR1 spot. WR2, which is traditionally a deep threat in Willis offenses, is up for grabs between two new acquisitions. Coleman is younger than Swope, but Swope is taller. Coleman is faster, Swope is stronger. Swope has better football instincts, but Coleman has better hands. It's a very close race right now and most likely won't be settled until after the preseason. Look for each to get 2 opportunities with the starting squad during the preseason and whichever looks better to get the gig, the loser will inherit the slot receiver role.
2019 Cleveland Browns: New Era Truly Begins
Paul Willis struggled after taking over the Houston Texans in the middle of the season in 2010. By 2011, he had a handle on his team and managed to win 9 games. The front office is hoping 2019 is similar for the Cleveland Browns. A lot of turnover has already happened as Willis has begun remodeling the franchise he grew up loving. The 2019 Browns will boast at least 13 new starters, but the most important one is still there.
Boston Mallett, much like Kendall Irving in Houston, must step up in order for this franchise to return to postseason play. The talent is proven, Mallett threw 38 touchdown passes during his sophomore season and bettered a 94 quarterback rating just 2 seasons ago. Mallett's best play came with Peyton Hillis on the roster, and while Montee Ball and T.J. Salaam may not equal a Hillis, the combo should be the best the Browns have had since his departure. The receiving corps is a major question mark with the exception of Carlton Mitchell and Lance Kendricks. If one or both of Oliver Coleman and Ryan Swope can break through and become a star, the Browns offense might really have a chance to do something in 2019.
The defense will have a totally new look with the upgrade in the middle of the line. Malcom Brown, Eddie Goldman and Cameron Jordan should thrive with the change back to the 4-3. All 3 men have the potential for double digit sacks, and while that will almost certainly not happen, if the pass rush improves drastically then the secondary that struggled so much in 2018 will benefit. A revamped linebacking corps with Shea McClellin at MLB and Zaviar Gooden at OLB will fly around the ball faster and stronger than the Browns have ever done in the front seven. Rookie Emerson DuPree will be challenged often and must avoid major rookie struggles as Pete Nickerson will be expected to step up and become the Pro Bowl caliber player Cleveland thought they drafted with the sixth overall pick in the draft 3 seasons ago.
If all goes well, the Browns are a playoff team. Willis' bad luck with rocket armed quarterbacks appears to be very difficult to break though and the offense is too new and too raw to be consistent this season. With a good defense and a good running game some of the time, the forecast for Cleveland is somewhere between 6-9 games, although 8-8 feels like right about where this Browns team stands right now. That kind of a confidence building year followed up with another positive offseason should have Cleveland back in to contention by 2020.
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text:
A small family farm
We produce naturally-grown heirloom vegetables, fruits, flowers and herbs, and raise heritage breed ducks, chickens and turkeys for eggs and meat. Our dairy goats provide milk and cheese. Pastured pigs live happy lives and then provide meat. We also keep bees to pollinate our crops, for honey, and to help increase their dwindling numbers.
You can find our products at our farmstand.
Naturally grown food
Our goal is to provide healthy food free of pesticides and antibiotics, and to practice sustainable farming techniques, which we define as:
"The art of raising food that is healthy, respects the environment, is humane for animals, provides a fair wage for the farmer, leaves resources for future generations, and supports the local community."
To this end, we don't use any synthetic inputs. Instead we utilize compost and cover cropping, and rotate our livestock and poultry to build soil fertility. We fight weeds and insect pests without spraying chemicals, which would impact the health of bees, our customers and ourselves.
We do not participate in the USDA Organic Certification program, which we believe has been diluted by industrial level agribusiness corporations. Instead we hold ourselves to what we believe is a higher standard. You can learn more about our farming philosophy here.
Barred Rock hen in nest
Argosy Farm • 300 Lake Orange Road • Hillsborough, NC • 919-732-4907
© 2018 Argosy Farm. All Rights Reserved.


text:
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — For most of Pakistan's history, the powerful military has held sway over elected officials or simply dumped them from power. Just ask Nawaz Sharif, who was ousted as prime minister in the last military coup, 15 years ago.
Lately, however, a new civilian government is pushing back — led by Sharif. Since he returned to office in June, his government has lodged a case against generals over the disappearance of imprisoned militants and engaged Pakistani Taliban insurgents in a controversial peace process against the army's wishes.
Most recently, Sharif has gone after the man who removed him from power in 1999, Pervez Musharraf. Last month the former military ruler was indicted on treason charges, the first time a serving or former army official of his rank has faced trial for abuse of power. The government and courts have denied the ailing Musharraf's appeals to seek medical treatment abroad.
The military, which has been trying to stay out of politics since Musharraf's rule ended in disaster in 2008, has nonetheless begun to chafe at the civilian government's assertiveness. Last week, army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif, who is not related to the prime minister, showed a flash of irritation during a visit to a military base, saying the army would "preserve its own dignity and institutional pride at all costs."
The comment by the normally taciturn general was the clearest signal yet of tension between the military and Sharif's government, which won a strong electoral mandate last year but is still widely seen as serving at the pleasure of the military establishment.
"The military leadership was under the impression that the civilian government and the judiciary would not cross red lines in Musharraf's case and that he would be allowed to travel abroad after his indictment," said a senior security official in Islamabad, the capital, who requested anonymity to discuss the generals' thinking.
"A pressure has developed within the institution that the army is being discredited by the civilian government."
The developments present a dilemma for the United States, which is eager to see Sharif's government implement democratic reforms, tackle withering economic and energy crises and improve relations with Pakistan's nuclear-armed rival, India.
At the same time, many in the Obama administration support the Pakistani army's desire to go after Islamist militants in the country's ungoverned tribal regions, particularly as the Pentagon prepares to withdraw most of its forces from neighboring Afghanistan by the end of the year.
U.S. military officials fear that the troop drawdown will give the Pakistani Taliban, known in Urdu as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, more freedom to move in and out of Afghanistan. The Pakistani military has occasionally signaled that it would launch an offensive, but Moeed Yusuf, director of South Asia programs at the United States Institute of Peace, a nonpartisan Washington think tank, said that wouldn't occur without the backing of civilian officials.
"If you ask Washington and others, they would say the focus needs to be developing a coherent strategy for targeting the TTP," Yusuf said. "But nobody would want the operation undertaken without civilian blessing and control. The Pakistani military won't do it; they want the political cover."
Musharraf, he added, is a "distraction at best." The 70-year-old former strongman, once a key ally in the George W. Bush administration's anti-terrorism efforts, returned from exile last year in a bid to restart his political career but immediately found himself facing charges stemming from the end of his nine-year rule, during which he imposed a state of emergency and removed senior judges.
An elected government led by Asif Ali Zardari, widower of slain former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, took power after Musharraf resigned in disgrace. When Sharif became prime minister in June, it marked the first stable transition between democratic governments in Pakistan's history.
"This is a unique phase in our country," said Amir Mateen, a political analyst in Islamabad. But he said Sharif needed to proceed more cautiously. "The changing equation in the civil-military relationship needs to be done in a very cordial way."
There are signs that Sharif's approach has limits, particularly as talks with militants have stalled. On the all-important issue of India, Sharif has deferred to the military, which is opposed to making swift concessions to its rival. Last month, Sharif's government called off a deal that would have normalized trade between the countries.
"Pakistan's approach to India, despite the initial declarations of Nawaz Sharif after his election victory last summer, remains essentially the same," said a senior Indian official who wasn't authorized to be quoted by name.
Civilian officials have often invoked the example of Turkey, where over the last decade a powerful army has ceded authority to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's democratically elected government. But military officials say that Erdogan, who took office in 2003, carried out the transition gradually and won confidence through his handling of economic and domestic affairs, qualities Pakistan's government has yet to show.
"Our ruling party has been trying to do in the first year of its term what Erdogan's government succeeded in doing after three terms," said Athar Abbas, a retired major general and former army spokesman.
"The army has been fighting the war of survival of this nation," he said. "It will react to any effort to corner it or discredit it."
Special correspondent Sahi reported from Islamabad and Times staff writer Bengali from New Delhi.


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O'Rahilly claims there are no special effects on this picture. It was taken with a 200mm lens from across the road. At the time O'Rahilly and other onlookers were stopped by police and firefighters from approaching the burning town hall. It was only after the image was developed that O'Rahilly saw the little girl. He immediately sent it to the Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena. They, in turn, sent the photo and the negative to Dr. Vernon Harrison, former president of the Royal Photographic Society. Dr. Harrison analysed both the photo and negative and reported that he was satisfied that the picture had not been doctored.
Originally posted by kerrichin
god i used to live up the road from there before moving in 2007, i remember the shropshire star (local paper) used to do articles on this all the time.
has anyone explained it yet?


text:
With shopping online being so easy and convenient, shopping for Christmas online is expected to significantly increase this year. We take a look at how to stay safe when shopping online.
Figures from the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG) forecast that UK shoppers are set to spend 16% more online this December than last.
So whether it be shopping for a gaming console such as a Playstation 3 or Xbox 360, some presents to pamper your loved ones or perhaps food for the festivities, with the help of The UK Cards Association and their Be Card Smart Online campaign, we look at some common sense advice to follow to stay safe online.
The Be Card Smart Online campaign provides a simple checklist that shoppers should follow:
- Keep your PC protected – ensure it's equipped with the latest operating system, browser and up-to-date anti-virus software
- Look for the padlock symbol – especially if you're buying from a website for the first time. It shows you are connecting with a secure server, the website page address you should start with 'https'
- Register your cards with Verified by Visa or MasterCard SecureCode when prompted – it's quick and easy and makes shopping online even safer
- Always log out after shopping online and save the confirmation e-mail as a record of your order.
As you shop be aware of the personal information you are giving out and be careful to help prevent against identity theft.
Make your gift buying online as stress-free as possible to. Consider
- Only deal with reputable sellers – use sites you can trust, perhaps those you know or ones that have been recommended to you. Be particularly wary when buying from overseas. If you have any concerns then try and address these by asking questions before buying.
- Be sure you know who you are dealing with – always access the website you are planning to buy from by typing the address into your web browser. Never go to a website from a link in an unsolicited email and then enter your personal details or PIN – the email could be a phishing scam.
- Trust your instincts – if an offer looks too good to believe then it most likely is!
- Check delivery timescales and keep records – print out your order and keep copies of the retailer's terms and conditions, returns policy, delivery conditions, postal address (not a post office box) and phone number (not a mobile number). Having this information will help if you subsequently encounter difficulties with your order.
- Section 75 protection – if you are buying something between £100 and £30,000 consider using a credit card, as you will then have extra protection through Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act – for transactions in the UK and abroad. Basically this says that if a problem subsequently arises, such as the company going out of business, you can claim your money back from your credit card company.
- Keep receipts and check these against your statement – if you spot a transaction you did not authorise speak to your card company immediately. If you are the innocent victim of any type of card fraud you will not suffer any financial loss.
By taking a few, simple steps it will help to ensure that your shopping online experience this Christmas truly is stress free and easy as well as safe.
And if you've found this useful, don't forget ….
Sign-up for our FREE weekly newsletter to keep up to date with all our latest personal finance money saving tips, news, reviews, offers and discounts.
Sign-up now and you get the chance to win a £100 Post Office gift card just in time for Christmas!


text:
Three bowls are better than one, especially when they come in different sizes and stack up snugly in the cupboard. Look for sets at housewares stores.
Why a Set?
A typical three-bowl set includes a 1 1/2-quart, 2 1/2-quart, and 4- or 5-quart bowl to cover a range of cooking tasks. Use the small bowl for beating eggs, the medium for whisking dry ingredients, and the large for whipping cream, mixing batters, and tossing salads. When not in use, the bowls nest inside one another for efficient storage. Look for deep, sturdy bowls with a flat base (for stability) and a curled rim or a lip (for drip-free pouring).
Why Metal?
Besides being unbreakable, noncorrosive, and dishwasher-safe, stainless steel is a good conductor of temperature: Chocolate melts quickly when heated over a pan of simmering water, and cream stays cold when whipped in a bowl that has been chilled in the freezer for a few minutes.


text: i was wondering some things about the brightness after you have flashed it. do you have all four brightness levels? i've heard of three levels too... but wich one is dissapearing then? the darkest? (my favorite, you never have to reload it haha ;P) i'm in a hurry and i didn't' find exaclty what i looked for while searching instantly so i felt that i could make a topic anyway... sorry if there is already is topics where my question is answeared, i can delete it later if/ when i get a answear


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It's unlikely that anyone will ever accuse the Bureau of Indian Affairs of acting in haste.
Just ask Bill Iyall, the chairman of the Cowlitz Tribe in Washington state: It took 26 years for the tribe to win federal recognition from the BIA, the first requirement for opening a casino. That happened in 2000. And after getting the Bureau of Indian Affairs to sign off on its purchase of 152 acres of new land – another requirement – the tribe is still fighting off opponents in federal court for the right to begin building its gambling empire near the town of La Center.
The Cowlitz Tribe's experience offers an obvious lesson: Even with the Obama administration moving to make it easier to open off-reservation casinos, tribes still face a long, long road, with many potential pitfalls.
Under the change announced in June 2011, Larry Echo Hawk, then head of the BIA, rescinded a 2008 Bush administration policy that banned off-reservation casinos if they were not within easy driving distance.
Echo Hawk, who resigned in April, said he was scrapping the so-called "commutable distance" rule because it had been adopted without any consultation with the tribes. The Bush administration's rule had essentially frozen attempts by tribes to open new casinos beyond their reservations.
While that roadblock has been removed, tribes still must show a historical or legal connection to any new land that they seek to place in trust. If that is not possible, tribes must satisfy the BIA's "two-part determination" in getting approval for an off-reservation casino.
Under that test, the secretary of the interior, who oversees the BIA, must consult with the tribe, neighboring tribes and state and local officials to assess whether the proposed casino is in the "best interests" of the community.
If the secretary decides that's the case, the governor of a state must then agree.
The new proposals are likely to force the BIA to tackle tougher cases, with more landless tribes eager to begin gambling ventures.
"All of the easy and clear-cut decisions with respect with tribes being able to engage in gaming have been answered," said Barry Brandon, former chief of staff for the National Indian Gaming Commission and now a New York-based consultant who works with tribes around the nation.
He predicted more applications from tribes "off the beaten track" that will assert that they have historical connections to land that might be more than 100 miles away from their headquarters.
Even if tribes can satisfy the BIA's requirement, they could run into more snags from both Congress and the courts.
In the Senate, John McCain of Arizona and Dianne Feinstein of California have introduced bills to make it harder for tribes to buy new land for casinos.
McCain wants to reinstate the commutable-distance standard. Feinstein wants to force tribes to show that their current members and ancestors have a link to the land, with a requirement that they prove both a "substantial direct modern connection" and a "substantial direct aboriginal connection."
Two court cases, one involving the Cowlitz casino and another involving the Gun Lake Casino in Michigan, could go a long way toward settling the issue. In both cases, opponents claim the casinos on newly acquired land should not be allowed because they violate a 2009 Supreme Court ruling that said tribes not under federal jurisdiction by 1934 could not take new land into trust.
The Cowlitz case is expected to go to trial later this year in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. And just two weeks ago, the Supreme Court said the Michigan case could go to trial as well, rejecting a request by the Obama administration to have the case dismissed. The administration argued unsuccessfully that it had sovereign immunity from lawsuits challenging its title to Indian trust lands.


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* DURAND MATTHIEU wrote: >when I check the following page: > http://www.klc.fr/FR/ACTUA/presse_FR.html >the validator find a broken link: > http://www.klc.fr/FR/ACTUA/XXX > >This is part of a comment and is not a valid link that >the user can find. > >is this issue normal (I shouldn't put code in comment) >or this is something to improve, This is probably caused by the use of "--" "in" the comment. Use of "--" "in" comments is best avoided, I suggest to replace it with e.g. "==" which should solve the problem. -- Björn Höhrmann · mailto:firstname.lastname@example.com · http://bjoern.hoehrmann.de Weinh. Str. 22 · Telefon: +49(0)621/4309674 · http://www.bjoernsworld.de 68309 Mannheim · PGP Pub. KeyID: 0xA4357E78 · http://www.websitedev.de/Received on Sunday, 10 July 2005 10:16:31 UTC
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.1 : Tuesday, 1 March 2016 14:17:46 UTC


text:
Blog Post: Roaming Growth Lies in Focusing on Retail, Wholesale and Quality
Real-time intelligence offers a crucial tool in enhancing roaming usage.Learn More
The revenue potential of the silent, inactive or low-spending roamer is significant. Juniper Research now estimates that as much as 70 percent of roamers turn data off or use alternative services when traveling abroad. But how can operators tap this substantial latent demand? The key lies in actionable, real-time information. This critical insight enables intelligent responses to the subscriber's context. The delivery of usage transparency and appealing offers can play a crucial role in driving up usage and increasing the volume of your roamers while improving overall customer satisfaction levels.
The roaming environment presents a succession of barriers that can make the adoption of services anything but seamless. Syniverse, however, has honed solutions proven to meet our customers' success criteria, and to make roaming effortless and instantaneous.
Using real-time data can establish a subscriber's context, enabling the following policy management interventions just when a decision about connectivity is about to be made:
Real-time intelligence offers a crucial tool in enhancing roaming usage.Learn More


text: 12 June 2012More than 22,000 people were reported to have tuned in live online to watch ex-England footballer Michael Gray undergo a hair transplant. The operation, which took approximately seven hours, was thought to be the first of its kind to be streamed to a live audience, and it attracted significant media attention as a result.Gray, 37, who now commentates on popular sport radio station TalkSport but who once played for Sunderland and other premiership teams, decided to have the operation after his hairline began to recede. The operation involved Dr Farjo taking hairs from the back and side of the head and implanting them into the front to restore his former hairline. Of the operation, Gray said: �I'm really happy with the way things have gone today and to have been part of this landmark project. �I never expected 22,000 would be watching me have a hair transplant, but hopefully it's given anyone else who is considering the surgery some insight into how it all works,� he added. See original story here: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5h45VOwEUr4yBGrTaUilInUwi1xbg?docId=N0188181339318861396A


text:
Football frenzy has gripped the area like never before.
Certainly there was a ripple of excitement – just a ripple – when Norm van Brocklin, Tommy McDonald, Pete Retzlaff and the 1960 Eagles defeated Vince Lombardi and the Green Bay Packers for the NFL Championship.
And the 1980 Super Bowl appearance by Coach Dick Vermeil and Ron Jaworski – in the only year all four major sports teams of a city reached the championship game in their respective sport – raised the excitement level.
The Buddy Ryan era for the Eagles, despite playoff failures, had an excitement all its own.
And the 2004 Super Bowl appearance by Coach Andy Reid, quarterback Donavan McNabb and an injured but gallant Terrell Owens had the city on the border of hysteria.
But even that trip to Jacksonville, which resulted in another Philly disappointment, isn't quite at the level experienced in recent weeks. The region has been All-Eagles, All-the-Time. Football has overtaken everyone and everything.
Well … maybe not everyone.
There are still a few who continue to boycott the NFL in the aftermath of the Colin Kaepernick controversy and the support of other players who refused to stand for the National Anthem.
And there are others who have been turned off by the seemingly endless string of childish histrionics of the players after almost every play in an NFL game.
But the surprising criticism of the sport comes from one of the most storied figures ever to don shoulder pads and a helmet.
Brett Favre is no longer a big fan of NFL football.
The former Green Bay Packer great and NFL Hall of Famer lent a surprising twist to a new documentary, "Shocked," which aired on WatchStadium.com. In advance of the documentary's release, Favre told CBS Sports that all of the recent information regarding concussions has dramatically changed the way he perceives the game.
New information on the long-term effects of concussions has hit home for Favre. When he looks at his three grandsons – an 8-year-old, a 3-year-old and a toddler of a few months – he doesn't see them as budding quarterbacks.
In fact, Favre was quoted in a story by Will Brinson that he is "not going to encourage them to play" football and, while he won't stop them from doing so, he would vastly prefer they play a "safer" sport like golf if they pursue athletics."
Contrast that with the fact that golf's greatest player, Jack Nicklaus, has 22 grandchildren. Amazingly, none of them play golf. But his grandson, Nick O'Leary, just completed his second season in the NFL as a tight end with the Buffalo Bills.
Different strokes for different folks.
"I have three grandsons – and people may wonder why a retired player would be so adamant about concussions and making the environment safer – I don't know if they'll play football."
But don't expect "Paw-Paw," as he is called, to be teaching any of them to throw a perfect spiral or how to roll out of the pocket.
"What little bit I know now – and it's more than when I played – concussions are not good," said Favre. "And definitely not for youth."
Asked specifically about how he would direct his grandsons, Favre said he wouldn't discourage his grandsons from pursuing football, but he would definitely prefer it if they decided to spend their time playing golf.
"If my grandsons were to say that they wanted to play golf instead of football, I would be much more happy, satisfied and excited by that, then by them playing football," Favre admitted.
"Every tackle I would be cringing, hoping they get up and not shaking their head and saying they got a headache. The likelihood of that happening by them playing football is very high. So I'd much rather them choose a safer route."
All of that from one of the toughest guys to ever play in the NFL.
If he looks at the sport with that kind of redirection, imagine how the rest of today's young parents feel.
Football is certainly still king in America … but how much longer before the king is dethroned?
Tony Leodora is president of TL Golf Services, host of the weekly GolfTalk Live radio show on WNTP 990-AM and host of the Traveling Golfer television show — as well as editor of GolfStyles magazine. He is former sports editor of The Times Herald. Send comments to email@example.com.