The Recycle Bin

I can never say enough good things about the Hardball Times. The website is fantastic, and their yearly annual is always a great read. I just found their trade review of Andy Marte and Edgar Renteria, which provides an interesting read.

The Braves are the unequivocal winners from this swap of talent despite what the doomsayers were claiming at the time of the original Marte/Renteria transaction.

John Schuerholz and the Braves have an uncanny knack for jettisoning seemingly high-ceiling young talent in trades yet always landing on the good side of the deal. Many thought this particular deal would prove Schuerholz’s comeuppance—they were wrong.

This is my biggest problem with OOTPB; I always over value prospects. Anyway, if you are a Braves, Red Sox, or Indians fan (or just a baseball fan looking for a good analysis of a past trade), check out the article.

I do not know enough about Mike Smith to have an opinion, but it is obvious that opinions vary. First, from espn.com we get the “good Smith”

“Although the group that Jack Del Rio assembled in Jacksonville featured five former NFL or college head coaches, Smith was arguably the staffer most responsible for the franchise’s success over the past half-decade.”

Next the Macon Telegraph gives us the “bad Smith”

“Leftwich said Smith would never receive enough credit in Jacksonville because many assumed Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio, a former defensive coordinator, was the real mastermind of the defense.

Jaguars defensive end Marcellus Wiley confirmed that opinion when he said on ESPN Wednesday, “Jack Del Rio was the defensive coordinator, and if it wasn’t him, it was (linebacker) Mike Peterson.”

After the Bobby Petrino disaster (3-10 and out), new GM Thomas Dimitroff cannot do any worse with Mike Smith than the 2007 Petrino train wreck. The Falcons are assembling an interesting staff. First you have a defensive head coach, and “I am a college guy” Brian VanGorder is back with the Falcons’s as defensive coordinator after a month sabbatical with the Gamecocks. New offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey looks to be a good hire. He had good success as Pittsburgh’s a few years ago, and he brings head coaching experience to the staff.

I hope what appears to be a somewhat conservative staff, brings a conservative draft. Going after a QB with in the first round is not what this team needs. The Falcons have gaping holes on the offensive line, they need a bruising running back that can pound the ball, they could use more depth on the defensive line, and the secondary is a little suspect. Unless the Falcons are sure to get a sure fire Hall of Fame QB with the first pick, there is no need to take a chance on the QB position early in the draft. They should look towards the second, third, or fourth rounds for a QB. Should be interesting to see how it plays out.

I received my gun back from Crosman today, which is a nice three week turn around.  The repair order said “new screws and loctite” so I guess the original screws were lose or stripped out.  Maybe it is that 1000 fps working the action lose from the stock.

Crosman was also kind enough to include a can of wadcutter pellets.  A freebie is a freebie, and it just shows that Crosman has good customer service.

It is too cold today to take the gun for a test, and I am still doing lots of kid duty, so I will wait until later to post an update on the gun post repair.

When it is all said and done, I may try to sale this gun to help fund another purchase.  The Sierra Pro has been a good first purchase, but I am not sure how much time it will see because my Beeman R7 is more suited for my backyard needs.  Still, I may “discover” that another Crosman is in my future.

This weekend kicks off 28 days of worthwhile sporting events; February is huge! It is almost time for

• 2008 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona (Jan 26)
• Super Bowl XLII (Feb 3)
• Spring Training; Atlanta Braves pitchers and catchers to report (Feb 15)
• 50th Running of the Daytona 500 (Feb 17)
• UGA baseball is upon us (at Arizona Feb 22).

There is a little something for everyone. I just wish SPEED TV did not plan on having an 8 hour gap from 10PM to 6AM in their 24 Hours of Daytona coverage. I need something to watch in the early morning hours.

I am not sure if yesterday’s title mishap (of course last night was Sunday NOT Saturday) was a result of:

1. Three day weekend; must have thought it was still Saturday night.
2. Sleep deprivation; I am up with the baby, writing this at 3AM, which has been the norm over the last two weeks.
3. One two many glasses of wine.
4. I am only human, born to make mistakes (with apologies to Distinct Nature).
5. All of the above.
6. None of the above.

I started to update the title, and figured, what the heck, may as well play along. It gives me something to do in the middle of the night.

So, happy Monday to you!

Today I actually broke out the PS3 for something other than Blu-ray deliciousness, spending some quality time with Super Stardust HD.  Hard to believe that with the PS3 price point, a fairly cheap PSN game gets the majority of my attention.  Oh well.  Maybe the PS3 groove will make it back at some point.  I did download a few demos to try out tomorrow, but for now I do not have an inclination to throw $60 at a new PS3 game.

Speaking of PS3 games, I just dumped NCAA Football 2008 on eBay for $29; not bad considering that it is now $39.99 new at most retail stores.  The game was fun for a few weeks, but ultimately it was fairly forgettable.  Maybe 2009 will be the “it” game for me.

While I was messing around the PS3, I noticed that the newest version of Folding@Home allows you to play your own music, and more importantly, it will power off your PS3 when it finishes its current protein.  I may do a few more folds knowing that my PS3 will not run all night (or day).  “Set it and forget it” mode was a pretty smart addition.

The Wii has been a huge hit with the kids, especially my oldest son.  Lots of Madden 2008, Wii Sports, Wii Play, and Mario Galaxy.  Since the Wii is setup in the kids’ room, I have not had must time with some of the games.  It is kind of hard to get any gaming in when I have free time because the kids are fast asleep.

I have played a little Madden with the advance controls, and honestly, it is pretty fun.  I thought it would be more of a gimmick, but most of the motion invoked moves are fairly natural (or at least easy to execute).  A few years ago I would have kept a close watch on the game’s statistical engine, but I really have not played enough to comment.  I will say that my oldest son took the Falcons to a perfect season using the Family control mode, gradually increasing the difficulty settings from rookie to pro to all-pro.  My son is certainly not a student of the game, so going undefeated with the Falcons should tell you all you need to know about the simulation aspects of the game.

The funny thing about the Wii is that my 70 something year old step father spent a few minutes with Wii Sports playing bowling and baseball and decided he wants a Wii.  Seriously.  My wife also wants me to pick up a couple of extra controllers so the whole family can play.  Score a huge victory for Nintendo.

I have to admit that there is something gratifying about hitting home runs, bowling strikes, and hooking fish (Wii Play).  It really is good stuff.  Sure Wii Sports and Wii Play are not very deep, but they provide gratifying, addictive pick up and play experiences.  I wish I had more time to dive into some of the games.  It is probably a good thing that I decided to put the Wii far away from the living room.

No real updates on the PSP.  I should probably sale it and move on to something else.  Maybe a DS or a good book.

Now that Chris’ IOSBL is defunct, I have not put in any time with OOTPB 2007.  I understand that 2008 is out, but I do not want to just join any random league.  If you enjoy online leagues, you will appreciate that it is hard to find a like minded group of mature baseball enthusiasts.

I am also not sure why I keep giving my money to Blizzard.  I only play WoW a couple of hours a month, which is pretty much a waste of money.  Same song and dance.  I either need to play or cancel my subscription.

All for tonight.

Amazon has been running some really nice Blu-ray sales. Disney 50% off sales, buy two get one free (forget the studio, but obviously not Universal or Paramount), and last week up to 53% off of 200+ different Blu-ray movies.

I used this as an opportunity to pick up a few different movies that I have wanted to add to my small Blu-ray collection.

• Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. Disney was nice enough to include the bonus content from the DVD release, which is one of my biggest rants with Blu-ray releases. They often do not include all the extras released on DVD. I can only assume that this is for a chance to double-dip with another release at a later date. No doubt that there will be an Ultimate Pirates Collector Edition of some sort. Maybe not this year, but everyone knows it is coming in the not too distance future. I digress. I have not seen any of the Pirates movies; having been waiting to get all three so I can watch them back-to-back-to-back. Picked it up for $19.99.
• Kingdom of Heaven: Director’s Cut. Great example of a Blu-ray release that does not include the DVD bonus content. I only picked this up because Ridley Scott is a phenomenal directory. Another decent deal at $19.49. If it stinks or is not worth keeping for a second viewing, hopefully I can pull in $15 or so on eBay or use it for a decent trade.
• Casino Royale. Everyone says that this is a great way to show off an HDTV. Besides it is Bond. James Bond. Been waiting to get this one at the right price for a long time; $19.49 was the right price.
• Spider-Man: The High Definition Trilogy. This one includes some Spider-Man 2.1 DVD bonus content, but nothing from the Spider-Man Deluxe DVD edition. What gives with the lack of extras? I expect my high def releases to contain the most amazing video and audio quality available, along with all the features money can buy. After all, compared to DVD releases, Blu-ray disks have more storage capacity and they cost more. For $43.49 I expect to receive all the features and extras available on the various DVD editions of the movies.
• Blade Runner (5-Disc Complete Collector’s Edition). I did not pick this one up as part of any of the sales, but how can you go wrong for $27.95? In fact, this one was the first movie I watched; incredible after 20+ years.

In other Blu-ray news, my replacement Pirates COTBP disk has some issues when I hit the 1:26:05 mark in the movie. The disk refuses to properly play, view, or otherwise skip through the next 2 or so minutes of the movie. I did not have this problem with the original “bad frame” version of the movie. I contacted Disney to see next steps; will report later. I have not had any issues with my other Blu-ray movies, so I assume (and hope) this is just an issue with this individual disk.

Keep it Blu!

The last couple of weeks have been a lot of fun for me (not really), but it is not so much about me as it is about my wife; she had a new ACL inserted in her left knee January 8.  For her, all I can say is ouch.  I think she is on the mend.  Me?  I can not tell which direction I am going.

I always appreciated my wife, and what she does, but until actually trying to fill in for her the last couple of weeks, I had no idea how much she really does.   I think going to the office all day is a better deal for me than staying home with three rowdy boys.

This experience has taught me a couple of things.  First, I have no idea how single parents keep up with work and family life.  Second, I know why a lot of moms choose to go back to work instead of staying at home with the kids.  Financial considerations not withstanding, working outside the home is much easier than raising kids.

Check out Kevin Mosley’s new Middle Aged Gamer site. I would do a better introduction, but it is late, I am tired, and trying to get the baby back to sleep. Besides, Kevin’s work does not really need an extra push form me.

Kevin, congratulations on the new site!

After responding to a post on the “Yellow Forum” I realized that I had not written much about my Beeman R7. Here is my attempt at a review.

The R7 is perfect for the backyard. It is quiet, it is unbelievably accurate, and extremely easy too shot. It probably does not make the neighbors very comfortable, but I think rifles with scopes have that effect on folks.

The R7 has enough power to get the job done for me – I have taken several squirrels, plinking, and paper punching. I put a Leapers 6×32 Bug Buster 2 scope on the gun, which is perfect for my backyard. I typically shoot at 15-20 yards, but the squirrels in the pecan tree can easily put the shots at 25 or so yards.

I have tried 10-12 different pellet types, but the R7 seems to do OK with pretty much everything I shoot. If I had to pick some favorites, Gamo Hunters (8.4 gr), Beeman H&N Match wadcutter (8.09 gr), and Beeman Trophy Lightweight Round Nose (7.88 gr) work well.

Before I got the R7, I remember seeing posts about this or that grouping. I did not understand what everyone was talking about until I started seeing my own results. I am not saying that my shooting is very good, but I can put a pellet where I aim my R7, which is simply amazing and very rewarding.

In short, I think you will not regret an R7 for backyard shooting. I cannot speak for tuning, or other guns similar to the R7, but I can speak for fun, which the R7 delivers. Sorry for all the gushing, but I guess I recommend the R7 based on my experiences.

I mounted my Leapers scope with 1″ B-Square (25020) see-thru high rings after reading a post on the Pyramyd Air Blog that this combination of scope and mount would work great with the R7. I assumed that I would be able to use the iron sights or the scope, but mounting the scope pretty much renders the sights useless. I will write about the solution in a future post.

There seems to be a lot of debate about using the R7 for “humane” hunting, with an equal number of opinions that the gun is not powerful enough to take down critters in a humane manner, and just as many opinions that the gun has the accuracy to get the job done. If I do my part right, I have found that my R7 takes down squirrels at about 20 yards with very little dancing. The Bug Buster allows me to zoom in to make the perfect kill zone shot (heart, neck, and head area). If there are any concerns, it is the lack of take down power allows little room for mistakes. I know I have “missed” a couple of targets, which is to say that I had hits, but not in the kill zone. With the R7 I have learned that I have to only take shots when I am sure I can reach the kill zone.

As far as plinking goes, I can blow out the end of a beer can at 20 yards. From about 30-35 yards, I can still hit the end of the cans, but it is hit or miss on landing a puncture. Paper punching is equally as gratifying. I immensely enjoy trying different positions (not those kind silly) and different pellets to see what sort of results I can produce.

For those of you just getting in the adult airgun hobby, the Beeman R7 may seem a bit pricy (mine was $325.99; add the scope for $59.99 and scope mount for another $15.99), but I think it is the perfect gun my purposes. In short, I would be hard pressed to not recommend an R7 for backyard shooting – it is accurate, easy to shoot, fun for plinking and paper punching, and it is a good squirrel deterrent (if you are competent enough for well placed shots).

Georgia ends the year #2 in the AP, while Texas makes it up to #10. Great for both programs. Bring on 2008!

The SEC had 9 Bowl teams, and posted a respectable 7-2 record (.777%). The Big Ten? 8 teams, with a 3-5 record (.375%). Do we finally get to put the “Big Ten is better than the SEC” or “SEC is over rated” crap to rest? Everyone should be scared if the SEC had a down year.

How does Goose Gossage get better each year? Or more specifically, how does Gossage pick up more votes each year? I read on espn.com that in 2000, the first time Gossage was on the Hall of Fame ballot, he received only 33.3 percent of the vote. Each year he has picked up a little more steam. Last year he fell 21 votes short. This year he picks up 85.8% of the votes. Why? Is he better now that he was seven or eight years ago?

Next year, Jim Rice needs 16 more votes to make it into the Hall. Does he make it next year because the voters have made him wait long enough? Seems rather ridiculous to me.

The Atlanta Falcons are going to get a pretty good pick, but how good? According to the Falcons’ website, they will get pick number three, four, or five.

“In short, the Falcons could pick as high as third or as low as fifth. According to rule, the teams will rotate through the third, fourth and fifth positions in subsequent rounds of the draft.”

I like Glenn Dorsey (LSU) and Darren McFadden (Arkansas), but both of those guys are going to be gone by the time the Falcons pick. I know a lot of mock drafts are going to show the Falcons going with a QB, but I do not think any of the guys this year are sure bets. In fact, I would say that the Falcons have so many holes to fill that there is no point picking up a QB in the first round. I say trade down and try to pick up depth and value. Atlanta is going to suck next year too, so they can take a chance on a QB in the 2009 draft.

It only took a little over 57 minutes for the 2008 Ohio State pimping to begin. With 1:36 left in the fourth quarter, and LSU kicking the shit out of OSU (LSU 38 – Ohio St. 17) the FOX announcers started talking about how Ohio St. was a year early. Next year is going to be their year. Give me a f’ing break.

As I mentioned below, there is always some excuse for Ohio State, but it is never “we got beat by the better team.”

I just do not get all the love for Ohio St. and the Big Ten. The media seems to love both, and as far as I can tell, there was no clear logical reason why Ohio St. all of a sudden was the team everyone was picking to win. The so called pundits said the SEC was down. Not down, just damn competitive. Let’s be clear; it is damn near impossible to run the table in the SEC, which is a concept the media has a hard time grasping.

This Ohio St. team would not have beaten Georgia or USC, which makes the (former) number one team no better than fourth in the country, but they take a top ranking in the BCS because of media bias. Like it or not, the SEC is better than the Big Ten, and LSU is clearly better than Ohio St. Wait until next year? Sure. For another SEC Championship.

Final 2007 Bowl predictions: 24 – 8.

So here we go. #2 LSU (11-2, 6-2 SEC) vs. #1 Ohio St (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten). SEC vs. Big Ten. I guess this is the one we have waited, and waited, and waited to arrive. I freely admit that I am an SEC homer, but this one has LSU written all over it. Why?

LSU lost its two games in triple overtime. The SEC is better (top to bottom) than the Big Ten. Ohio St. made the game by not playing in a league championship game.

Historically Ohio St. does not beat the SEC in Bowl games. [Source AP]

• 1978 Sugar Bowl: Alabama 35, Ohio St. 6
• 1990 Hall of Fame Bowl: Auburn 31, Ohio St. 14
• 1993 Citrus Bowl: Georgia 21, Ohio St. 14
• 1995 Florida Citrus Bowl: Alabama 24, Ohio St. 17
• 1996 Florida Citrus Bowl: Tennessee 20, Ohio St. 14
• 2001 Outback Bowl: South Carolina 24, Ohio St. 7
• 2002 Outback Bowl: South Carolina 31, Ohio St. 28
• 2007 BCS National Championship: Florida 41, Ohio St. 14

So let’s say that history is own Ohio State’s side; I mean they have to win one against the SEC at some point, right?

How about this excuse from last year?

“Some of the holdovers say last year’s team grew fat and happy during the 51-day layoff leading up to the national championship game. Some say their teammates didn’t work out as hard as before and that the team’s focus drifted among all the distractions and hype.” [Source AP]

I guess Florida was not the better team last year. I wonder what the excuse is going to be this year?

2007 Bowl predictions: 23 – 8

While we are waiting for the National Championship Game, this GMAC Bowl thing just sort of came out of nowhere.  Bowling Green (8-4, 6-2 MAC) vs. Tulsa (9-4, 6-2 C-USA).  Who cares?  Let’s go with the Golden Hurricane.

2007 Bowl predictions:  22 – 8.

Yesterday at Dick’s Sporting Goods I picked up a sampler pack of Gamo pellets for $8.99. [linked to Pyramyd Air’s site because DSG does not show this set online]

The set contains 4 tins of 250 pellets:

• Magnum (8.3 grains)
• Hunter (8.4 grains)
• Master Point (7.8 grains)
• Match (7.6 grains)

I shot a few rounds of each type of pellet in my R7, and came away thinking that the Hunter pellets were awesome – extremely accurate, grouping very well at around 18 yards. The Match pellets also performed well. Punching paper, the Master Point and Magnum did not seem to perform as well. They were not bad, but they were not as close to center as the Hunter and Match pellets.

I have not written too much about my R7, but after trying about 10 different types of pellets, I do not think it is pellet sensitive. Some pellets do shoot better, case in point he Gamo Hunter and Gamo Match pellets, but for the most part, the R7 seems very easy to please.

At less than a penny a pellet, this sampler is a great value. I will probably pick up some more because the price is better than online, and it would run me about $7.50 at Pyramyd Air for a tin of the Hunter and Match pellets.