Paul Thompson
Shared posts
K-Rod, bullpen fuel win, recent Brewers' run
Gary Payton -- STEPHEN CURRY ISN'T ON MY LEVEL!!!
Tours: Trophy Lungs (US/Canada)
Trophy Lungs announced earlier this week that they will be going on tour for some dates in April and May. The April dates will be supported by The New Warden and in May they'll be performing at Pouzza Fest.
Intel Expands Thunderbolt Networking with PC Support for Ultra-Fast Connections [Mac Blog]
Drivers in Mavericks have allowed two Macs to connect via Thunderbolt since the operating system was released in 2013, but now a Mac can also be paired with a PC or two PCs can be paired with one another.
Thunderbolt Networking, emulating an Ethernet connection environment, provides 10GbE throughput between two computers. Already released on the Mac with OS X Mavericks*, a PC driver will soon be available to connect two PCs together or a PC to a Mac, adding a new level of workflow flexibility for media professionals. By offering simple and fast file sharing, Thunderbolt Networking enables backup or upgrade across two computers like never before, using existing cables and connectors.Connecting two computers via Thunderbolt is similar to connecting them via standard Ethernet, but the file transfer speeds are far faster with the former. Intel is currently demoing Thunderbolt Networking at NAB 2014 and expects to release the PC driver soon.
Team USA Olympians -- GIRL-ON-GIRL FREAK DANCING ... On White House Lawn
OS X Mavericks Adoption Pushing Toward 50%
Analytics firm Chitika is out with a new report today showing Mavericks usage at 40 percent of page impressions in the United States and Canada over the week of March 17-23. Apple's three previous operating system versions split almost all of the remaining 60 percent of the Mac user base nearly evenly.
Almost exactly five months following Mavericks’ release, the operating system’s users are generating 40% of U.S and Canadian Mac OS X-based Web traffic, a figure that dramatically outpaces Mavericks’ predecessor, OS X Mountain Lion. At 40%, the share of OS X Web traffic generated by Mavericks users is approximately six percentage points higher than what OS X Mountain Lion achieved nearly 14 months following its public debut, and 13 percentage points higher [than] what was recorded at the seven-month mark.The report notes that while Mavericks is seeing strong upgrade rates relatively to previous versions of OS X, Mac adoption rates are much slower than seen for iOS, where 85 percent of devices are now running iOS 7. This disparity is likely due to a number of factors, including longer lifespans for Macs that may leave a higher percentage of machines ineligible for the latest OS version, as well as a more varied user base than may not be as tech savvy as mobile users and thus less likely to upgrade.
Chitika is not the only analytics company tracking OS X usage, as GoSquared continues to maintain its tracker offering a real-time look at the distribution of OS X versions appearing on its network of sites. GoSquared is seeing an even higher rate of adoption for Mavericks of around 48 percent, with a similar even split of the three previous versions all around 15-16 percent.
Net Applications is yet another analytics firm with a significant user base to measure data from, and that firm saw Mavericks with a 45 percent share of the OS X base in its February data.
    
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Nikon creates Nikkor 1 AW 10mm f/2.8 and 11-27.5mm f/3.5-5.6 lenses
As part of its 'AW' launches, Nikon has announced the Nikkor 1 AW 10mm f/2.8 and 1 AW 11-27.5mm f/3.5-5.6 lenses. Both lenses are existing designs built into waterproof, shockproof housings and are only compatible with the Nikon 1 AW1 body. The 1 AW 10mm f/2.8 offers a 27mm equivalent field-of-view and will be sold separately for around $200/£300/€319. The Nikkor 1 AW 11-27.5mm zoom offers a rather limited 30-74mm equivalent range and will only be available as part of a kit with the camera - meaning there are no image-stabilized AW lenses yet.
Apple Approves Game With iOS 7 Controller Support [iOS Blog]
I really hate that we're reduced to this level of Apple tea leaf reading, but, here we are. If you're among the boatload of our readers who are totally excited for iOS 7 game controllers, here's some good evidence that they might be coming sooner rather than later: Apple is now approving game updates that specifically support controllers. AVP: Evolution is the first one that has popped up on our radar.Apple first introduced its MFi "Made for iPhone" iOS 7 API during June's Worldwide Developers Conference, suggesting that the company was allowing third-party manufacturers to develop dedicated iOS gaming peripherals. News soon followed that Apple was working with Logitech and MOGA to produce controllers, and a loose fall launch date was indicated.
While it is unclear exactly when MFi controllers might hit the market, the imminent public debut of iOS 7 and support for the API suggest a release could come at any time, possibly at Apple's rumored October iPad-centric event.
iOS 7 will officially launch on Wednesday, September 18 for the iPhone 4 and later, the iPad 2 and later, the iPad mini, and the fifth-generation iPod touch.
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Washington Redskins Wary of Green Bay Packers Running Game
The Washington Redskins are aware that the Green Bay Packers have the potential to explode with their running game. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports photograph
The Washington Redskins have most of their attention focused on Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers today and for good reason.
However, that does not mean that they have totally forgotten that occasionally Green Bay will call a running play. Washington DE Kedric Golston when discussing the Packers’ offense said:
“We know what they’re good at. They drafted back in the second round because they wanted to improve their running game. We know from watching film, first and second down, Aaron Rodgers and the head coach are really smart in the sense of if the pass isn’t there, they’re going to run the football and they count on their running game as a big part of it. So we obviously understand the challenges there and we don’t want them to be two dimensional. We want to stop them no matter what they do, but at the same token I think people contribute the Packers to being a passing team and they do it really well, but they really crease people in the running game.”
Washington should be concerned about running back Eddie Lacy and company since they gave up a chunk of yardage to Eagles running LeSean McCoy.
But let us remember that Lacy is not McCoy – yet.
Washington Redskins Wary of Green Bay Packers Running Game - Lombardi Ave - Lombardi Ave - A Green Bay Packers Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.
Display Panel Shipment Projections Suggest iPhone 5c May Be More Popular Than iPhone 5s [iOS Blog]
In addition to Sharp, LG Display and Japan Display are expected to pick up the rest of the orders, making the three companies the main panel suppliers for the iPhone 5s, the sources said.The report also states that display panel orders for the lower-cost iPhone 5c are expected to reach 30 million units in the fourth quarter, with analysts suggesting that the high volume of panel shipments for the iPhone 5c may signal an expectation set by Apple for the mid-range device to do well in the region.
Additionally, more than 20 million panels for the device are expected to be shipped in the fourth quarter of 2013, the sources said.
Market observers added that panel shipments for the iPhone 5c are expected to surpass those of the iPhone 5s, showing that Apple is more optimistic about growth in the mid-range handset segment in markets such as China.Previously, it was reported that iPhone 5s production would be limited to 3-4 million units in Q3 2013 due to shortages of the device's fingerprint sensor, which Apple is touting as a key feature. Additionally, a report earlier this year stated that Apple had sent orders for LCD panels for the iPhone 5S to all three companies in June, with Japan Display gearing up production levels as of last month.
The iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c will go on sale in nine countries on September 20, with the iPhone 5c available for pre-order on September 13. Apple is not accepting pre-orders for the iPhone 5s.
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Floyd Mayweather Jr. -- Sued Over Game 7 Courtside Seats ... Tickets Were $25K Each!
Lamar Odom's 'Roommate' -- Khloe Charged at Me Like an 'Uncaged Animal'
Did Clay Matthews’ Frustration Get the Best of Him in Packers’ Loss to 49ers?
Maybe he was just that fired up, but Green Bay Packers linebacker had a couple of brain farts on the field on Sunday as his team fell for the third consecutive time to the San Francisco 49ers, 34-28.
Were they acts of intimidation? Or just frustration?
Clay Matthews (52) faces San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) after the sack during the third quarter at Candlestick Park. Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports photograph
The obvious one was the “tackle” of 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick out of bounds in the second quarter; and I put quotation marks around the word “tackle” because it was very nearly a clothesline and was very clearly unnecessary. It was third and six deep in Packers territory, and Kaepernick had stepped out of bounds a yard short of the first down. Matthews needed to give him a push, if anything, and move on to the next play.
It’s quite possible there was a tie-breaking field goal attempt in the offing had Matthews not set off a scrum that (wrongly) resulted in the 49ers getting another crack at third down. The game was locked at 7-7 at that point, and the Packers had apparently held, setting up a fourth and 1 until the officials gave San Francisco a freebie.
On the do-over, Kaepernick found Anquan Boldin for an easy 10-yard touchdown, helping to seal the Packers’ fate. Instead, Matthews opted for what arguably was a cheap shot.
Later in the game, Matthews made an impressive play to sack Kaepernick for a seven-yard loss, after which Matthews got in the quarterback’s face and did a bit of “celebrating.” Kaepernick appeared to mostly laugh off Matthews’ antics, but this was at the end of the third quarter, the Packers desperately needed to force a field goal attempt rather than give up another touchdown, and Matthews had already gotten the officials’ attention with the hit out of bounds.
What if they flag Matthews for unsportsmanlike conduct for getting in Kaepernick’s face after that play? The score was tied at 21 at that point, and the Packers would ultimately hold the home team to a field goal, but that looked a terrible risk to take in such an important situation. Do your sack dance away from the quarterback per usual, but don’t get in the quarterback’s face.
And Kaepernick clearly wasn’t impressed anyway, delivering this gem of a quote after the game: “If intimidation is your game plan, I hope you have a better one.”
Ouch.
Now, that said, Matthews had an otherwise strong game, with seven solo tackles, the sack, two other tackles for loss and two quarterback hits. He was flying around the field like a madman the entire game, in typical Matthews fashion.
And Matthews did admit after the game that the hit on Kaepernick in the second quarter wasn’t his best moment.
“First off, it wasn’t a very smart play,” he told ESPN. “I’d already committed to hitting the quarterback. I guess I should’ve figured he was going to step out of bounds. But it’s nothing personal. I went up to him later and was joking around with him.”
Perhaps Matthews felt he had to follow up on what he said about getting some hits on Kaepernick during the lead-up to the game. Perhaps he really just was feeling the intensity – and the frustration of dealing with a team the Packers just can’t seem to beat – so strongly that his judgment lapsed a time or two.
The positive takeaway was that he certainly proved worth the contract extension he received during the off-season – at least from the standpoint of effort and intensity. But let’s hope he tones down the extra-curricular activity when the Packers take on the Washington Redskins this coming weekend.
Did Clay Matthews’ Frustration Get the Best of Him in Packers’ Loss to 49ers? - Lombardi Ave - Lombardi Ave - A Green Bay Packers Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.
Brewers take series behind Gallardo's quality outing
Adobe Offering Photoshop CC and Lightroom for $9.99/Month to Current Photoshop Owners [Mac Blog]
The $9.99 per month price is available to current owners of Photoshop CS3 or higher who sign up by the end of 2013.
Since introducing Photoshop CC, we’ve listened to feedback from a spectrum of our customers, from advanced professionals to casual enthusiasts. One common request was a solution specifically tailored for photographers. We listened, and at Photoshop World we’re announcing a special offer for our loyal Photoshop customers. Beginning today, customers who own Photoshop CS3 or higher are eligible for a special Creative Cloud membership offer that includes all of the following for just $9.99/month:The Photoshop Photography Program is not currently live, but should launch in a few weeks.
- Photoshop CC
- Lightroom 5
- 20 GB of online storage
- Behance ProSite
- Access to Creative Cloud Learn’s training resources
- Ongoing upgrades and updates
The standard Photoshop Creative Cloud membership for new users is $19.99 per month, and does not include Lightroom.
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'Parallels Access' Launches in App Store, Bringing Mac and Windows Access to the iPad [iOS Blog]
With Parallels Access you can increase your productivity by accessing your computers and desktop applications from anywhere. You are able to access your professional business applications and get all your entertainment such as streaming video from your Mac or PC onto your iPad. And do it as though all your Windows and Mac applications were designed for your iPad.The app allows users to interact with their desktop apps in the same way they would interact with their iPad apps, with the full range of iPad gestures available for compatible apps. Parallels Access translates what would usually be mouse clicks and movements into iPad-friendly alternatives.
Users must download the free Parallels Access Desktop app to their computer of choice in addition to the app on the iPad. They can then access their desktop apps via the Sprinboard-like App Launcher and switch between apps in the iOS-like App Switcher. The apps are only available to use on the iPad in "full screen" mode.
The app, though free, requires a subscription service and costs $79.99 a year per computer running a registered client. Parallels offers a free 14-day trial that allows users to test the app before purchasing.
Parallels Access is available for free for the iPad and iPad mini [Direct Link]
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LeBron James -- Police Escort to Jay Z Concert No Big Deal
Wacom Announces Pressure-Sensitive Intuos Creative Stylus for iPad [iOS Blog]
The pen comes in blue or black brushed aluminum with a case, extra nibs, and a replacement AAA battery. It is compatible with the third generation iPad, the fourth generation iPad, and the iPad mini. While it is meant to work with the company's Bamboo Paper app, it will apparently be compatible with other apps as well, including SketchBook Pro, ArtRage, and ProCreate.
Providing the power to produce professional results on an iPad, the Intuos Creative Stylus's advanced technology comes in form of a best-in-class pen experience and pressure sensitivity of 2048 pressure levels. This means that it can reproduce the feel and artistic control of traditional brushes and markers, so it's ideal for sketching, illustrating and image editing. It is also highly responsive, even reacting to light strokes, while rejecting unintentional touches when used with compatible creative apps that integrate Wacom's industry-leading technology.In addition to announcing the stylus, Wacom has released a new version of its Bamboo Paper app. Version 2.0 of the app includes Tumblr and Dropbox sharing, along with premium notebooks, improved palm rejection software, new color palettes, and new tools.
Wacom's Intuos Creative Stylus will be available in Best Buy Stores for $99 beginning in October.
Bamboo Paper is an iPad app that can be downloaded for free from the App Store. [Direct Link]
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The Histomap
John B. Sparks' 1931 Histomap charted 4,000 years of human civilization with beautiful, reductive clarity. Here's John Brownlee, at Fast Company:
From a modern perspective, Sparks’ Histomap will raise a few eyebrows. For one, it subscribes to an outdated (but, at the time, quite in vogue) idea about how different cultures throughout history could be grouped into various "peoples." The chart also underestimates or omits certain cultures that historians at the time didn’t truly appreciate the importance of. The chart is also more Eurocentric than it would be if it were created today, with little space devoted to African civilizations or even American civilizations before Europeans settled the New World in the 15th century.
It seems hard to find in print form at a reasonable price (Amazon has it for $150). I've embedded an enormous 2MB image below.
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Four Packers Veterans who Could be Surprise Cuts this Year
The Green Bay Packers gather prior to the Family Night scrimmage at Lambeau Field. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports photograph
The Green Bay Packers roster will take shape by the end of the month.
Their 53-man cut day is Aug. 31, just two days after the team’s final preseason game against the Chiefs. That means in roughly the next three weeks the Packers’ roster will be reduced from 89 players to 53, leaving 36 players currently on the roster out of work.
It is a brutal business.
Every year there are young, unproven players who surprise everyone in camp and make the final roster. These are feel-good stories that grace the month of August, but the other side of that coin is the players who were expected to make the final roster but fail to do so.
Every training camp, a few veteran players find themselves on the chopping block on cut day. Because their respected positions become overcrowded with young and promising talent, these long-time staples in Green Bay get pushed out of a job and are forced to find work elsewhere.
So who are these players on the Packers’ roster?
We already know that veterans Mason Crosby, Graham Harrell, James Starks, and Alex Green are being pushed by younger talent at their positions and are in danger of being cut. But what about players who are performing well, but still fall victim to the numbers game?
Currently, I see four veteran players that could be surprise roster cuts this year.
John Kuhn. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports photograph
Kuhn has been a dependable player out of the backfield for the Packers for a long time now. He doesn’t excel at any one thing, but does a lot of things well. This has sort of been his M.O. He’s a multi-purpose player, but for the first time in recent memory, it appears he’s expendable this season.
Kuhn is an average run blocker for a fullback, and in many sets, Green Bay has been using tight ends D.J. Williams and Matthew Mulligan in the backfield (H-back) to clear the way for the running game. When Andrew Quarless is healthy, he can also constitute this role. Coach McCarthy likes his tight ends, so they may just keep an extra tight end on the roster and use him as a fullback in certain sets instead of having a full-time fullback on the roster.
Kuhn’s other duties for the past few years — third-down back, short-yardage back, and special teams — are currently being fazed out by younger talent. Kuhn is still a very dependable pass protector out of the backfield, but rookie back Johnathan Franklin is being groomed in camp to take over the third-down back role. Franklin is good at blitz pick-up and offers more in the passing game. Green can also fill in on third downs as well.
Eddie Lacy has the power and size to take over the short-yardage situations, and Jeremy Ross has been working in Kuhn’s old spot on the first team punt coverage as the punter’s protector.
So does this all mean Kuhn won’t be on the team this year? I’m not sure. I believe he still has something to offer as a player, but his salary is right around $2 million a year and I’m just not sure what his value on the team is anymore.
The Packers are crowded at running back and tight end, and dropping the fullback from the roster would open up an extra roster spot for the team to keep an extra player at one of these positions.
D.J. Williams. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports photograph
Williams has been underwhelming in his two years with Green Bay. He’s had some nice preseason performances, but has proven to be a non-factor during the regular season. Williams is a small tight end (6-2, 240) who is a decent run blocker and offers something in the passing game. However, this camp could be make-or-break one for the third-year tight end.
The Packers have a lot of depth at tight end. Beyond Jermichael Finley, they have Quarless returning from a severe knee injury, and he offers the same skill set as Williams but in a larger frame (6-4, 252). Free agent acquisition Matthew Mulligan appears to be the Packers best run-blocking tight end and will probably make the team with a specific role in the run game. Third-year man Ryan Taylor is one of the Packers best special teams players and has some potential in the passing game.
Even “longshots” Brandon Bostick and Jake Stoneburner appear to be better receiving threats than Williams. Bostick has quietly been having a really good camp and his reps on the team have increased as of late with Quarless and Taylor out with injury.
Williams made a really nice third down catch in the preseason opener, but he also had two drops and was absent the rest of the game. The problem with Williams is that he’s failed to carve out a specific niche on the team like the other tight ends have up to this point. This means Williams could be expendable. With Finley, Quarless, Mulligan, and Taylor good bets to make the roster, that leaves just one roster spot between Williams, Bostick, and Stoneburner if the Packers were to keep five tight ends again this year. My guess is that Bostick may beat out Williams for the final roster spot. Williams best bet to make the team may be if Quarless can’t get healthy and return to the field before preseason ends.
Jarrett Bush. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports photograph
Cornerback is another position on the roster with a lot of young talent. Bush will have a hard time beating out the top five corners: Tramon Williams, Sam Shields, Casey Hayward, Davon House, and Micah Hyde. So will the Packers keep six cornerbacks this year, and if they do, will that sixth corner be Bush?
That’s the dilemma Bush faces this year. He’s a great special teams ace and leader and he works fine as a reserve defensive back, but Bush has never been a great cover corner and young corners James Nixon, Brandon Smith, and Loyce Means are all close on his heels for a roster spot.
Bush played well in the preseason opener. He had three pass breakups in the game and outplayed the younger corners on the roster. However, Bush enters 2013 set to make just under $1.5 million and will be the fourth highest paid player in the Packers secondary. Green Bay may decide to go with a cheaper player who shows more potential in coverage, like Nixon, with the sixth cornerback spot.
Mike Neal. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports photograph
Neal is a bit of a mystery at this point. He has sat out most of camp with an abdominal injury, so his potential impact on the team is still undetermined at this point. Neal offered some pass rush from the defensive line last year with 4.5 sacks, and with Capers experimenting with Neal at outside linebacker this offseason, I thought the fourth-year defensive end was a lock to make the team.
But does the Neal experiment at linebacker mean the team values his skillset and wants to utilize him on the field as much as they can, or does this position switch mean the Packers can’t quite figure him out as a player?
The Packers have some good depth at defensive line this year, and at only 275 pounds this year, Neal might be too undersized to offer anything more than being a situational pass rusher.
At this point, it appears B.J. Raji, Ryan Pickett, Datone Jones, Mike Daniels, and C.J. Wilson are all good bets to make the roster. Green Bay has typically entered the season with six defensive linemen, so that would only leave one roster spot between Neal, Johnny Jolly, Jordan Miller, Gilbert Pena, and rookie Josh Boyd.
The problem here is that Raji, Jones, and Daniels are already good nickel rushers and have the size to hold up better in the base than Neal. The Packers might want to use the sixth defensive line roster spot on another big body that can hold up against the run, like Jolly, Boyd, or Miller.
Neal’s pass rush ability might be enough to keep him on the team, but he has a lot of ground to make up in the next three preseason games to prove his worth on the team.
A visit to Lambeau Field and the Packers Hall of Fame
Author Darryl Krejci pays a visit to Lambeau Field and the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.
Darryl Krejci photograph
Just recently I took a Saturday and traveled to Green Bay in order to take in the Lambeau Field Tour and the Packer Hall of Fame.
For any Packers fan or even a football fan, I would say this is a must-see and do. Not because I bleed green and gold, but because the tour and the Hall of Fame are experiences that one will not soon forget.
I learned things about Lambeau Field that I never knew. For example, because you cannot go on the actual field, the Atrium floor was designed to match the field. That way when you cross the goal line in the Atrium, it is the same as crossing the goal line on the field.
My favorite part of the tour was going through the tunnel and out into the stadium as crowd noise was pumped through speakers. The feeling was amazing.
The Hall of Fame is by far one of the richest museums I have ever gone through with all the splendor and history of the Packers. From the early beginnings, to the Lambeau Leap (which yes I did attempt successfully) and finally to the present, everything you can think of is there.
Words alone cannot do the trip justice. So enjoy the photos of the trip and I also want to recognize the Abrehart family who traveled all the way from Melbourne, Australia, to take in Lambeau Field and the Packer Hall of Fame. Some families go to Disney, but Packers families, we go to Lambeau.
GO! PACK! GO!
Minnesota operation lets customers play with construction equipment — and destroy a few things along the way
Apple Seeds iOS 7 Beta 5 to Developers
The new beta arrives as build 11A4449a, and comes just over a week after the previous beta 4. Apple has also released a new version of its Apple TV beta, version 4, which can be downloaded here by registered members of Apple's paid developer program:
- Apple TV Software beta (3rd generation Rev A)
- Apple TV Software beta (3rd generation)
- Apple TV Software beta (2nd generation)
iOS 7 is scheduled for release in the fall of this year, with updates to Apple’s iPhone and iPad lineups expected around the same time. If past history is any indication, iOS 7 should be made available to the public just a few days before the launch of the next-generation iPhone.
Direct iOS 7 beta 5 links for paid members of Apple's iOS developer program:
- iPad (4th generation Model A1458)
- iPad (4th generation Model A1459)
- iPad (4th generation Model A1460)
- iPad mini (Model A1432)
- iPad mini (Model A1454)
- iPad mini (Model A1455)
- iPad Wi-Fi (3rd generation)
- iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular (model for ATT)
- iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular (model for Verizon)
- iPad 2 Wi-Fi (Rev A)
- iPad 2 Wi-Fi
- iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G (GSM)
- iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G (CDMA)
- iPhone 5 (Model A1428)
- iPhone 5 (Model A1429)
- iPhone 4S
- iPhone 4 (GSM Rev A)
- iPhone 4 (GSM)
- iPhone 4 (CDMA)
- iPod touch (5th generation)
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Readdle Offering Up to 70% Discount Off iOS Apps [iOS Blog]
The price drops are valid for the next 48 hours, after which all the applications will revert back to their normal prices. Readdle apps on sale include:
- Scanner Pro: $1.99, down from $6.99 [Direct Link]
- PDF Expert for iPhone and iPad: : $4.99, down from $9.99 [Direct Links: iPhone/iPad]
- Printer Pro for iPhone and iPad: $1.99, down from $6.99 [Direct Links: iPhone/iPad]
- Calendars+: $1.99, down from $6.99 [Direct Link]
- PDF Converter: $1.99, down from $6.99 [Direct Link]
- Remarks, $1.99, down from $4.99 [Direct Link]
- Shakespeare Pro: $1.99, down from $9.99 [Direct Link]
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Return of Davon House strengthens Packers D-backfield
Davon House plays with an aggressiveness that should add to the Packers defensive sense of urgency that seems to be permeating the team in the early days of Training Camp. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports photograph
Davon House had a rough start to training camp and you can probably bet he’s going to be staying away from salmon for some time.
The third-year Green Bay Packers cornerback lost around 10 pounds this past week after suffering through a bout with food poisoning after eating tainted fish just prior to the start of camp last week.
After regaining some strength the past few days, House was back on the field the past two days, helping to strengthen the depth of the team’s defensive backfield.
He and Casey Hayward, as well as Tramon Williams, have been sitting out at the start of camp – Hayward is still sitting, but is expected back on the field within a week or so. Williams, who is suffering from a knee injury is expected back sometime soon and the injury isn’t as serious as originally thought.
Needless to say, sitting doesn’t help these three players who were expected to be fighting for a starting job.
Davon House
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports photograph
House wasted little time the past couple of days of making up for lost time and letting his presence be known. Today, especially, his number was called at least a couple of times when he contested and broke up pass plays.
Here’s what Mike McCarthy said about House during his post-practice press conference:
“House looks good. He’s in excellent shape. He’s rusty. He’s coming on. Plays with whole new attitude and temperament.”
And with the rest of the defense stepping up and showing a new-found aggressiveness and perceived relentlessness, House’s play today fits right in with that mindset.
With an already deep cornerback position featuring the likes of House, Tramon Williams, Sam Shields, Jarrett Bush and Hayward (when he gets back), the Packers should be well positioned to battle some of the better wide receivers in the NFC North – the likes of Calvin Johnson and Brandon Marshall, while not forgetting even Minnesota’s Greg Jennings.
It’s great to see House contributing.
Now all we have to do is keeping him away from the seafood section.
Could injuries at wide receiver hamstring the Packers?
Randall Cobb was a player who helped ignite the Packers offense last season.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph
The Green Bay Packers head into training camp next week primed at receiver – especially with their top three, Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson and James Jones, who should all be healthy and ready to pick up where they left off last season.
Cobb and Jones were the standouts in 2012. Jones led the league in wide receiver touchdowns with 14 and Cobb led the Packers with 80 catches for 954 yards. They were stellar the entire season.
Nelson was on track to repeat his 2011 performance when he rolled up more than 1,200 yards receiving. But then he got hurt, and hurt again. He never got back to the Jordy Nelson that Packers fans have come to know and love. What helped the Packers when Nelson went down was that Greg Jennings came back after being out most of the year to pick up the slack that the loss of Nelson brought about.
Jordy Nelson and Aaron Rodgers are due to get back into the groove in 2013.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph
This year, there is no Greg Jennings and though Donald Driver didn’t play much at all in his final year with the Packers, he did provide a veteran presence.
So, the question must be asked: Should the Packers suffer injuries among their big three – Cobb, Nelson, and Jones – will the team be deep enough to battle through without a drop-off in talent?
Beyond the big three, the Packers are unproven, though talented. The first man up would be Jarrett Boykin, a young player with size and the hands that coaches really like. He does have some experience, having appeared in 10 games last season, catching five passes for 27 yards. He will unquestionably get a lot of playing time in training camp and in the preseason games as coaches have to get him ready to play in the event that one of the big three go down.
Next in line, as far as the depth chart goes, is Jeremy Ross, the dynamic returner who turned a few heads last season when he filled in for Randall Cobb on the return teams. A big receiver with an uncanny knack for hitting holes and finding seams on the returns last season, the coaching staff is also impressed with his receiving skills. He could take over for Cobb on special teams and will certainly get a good look from the coaching staff. His value would soar if he could take over for Cobb, and he would also be in line for playing time as a receiver if called upon.
Bringing up the rear of the receiving depth chart are two rookies drafted in the later rounds of this past spring’s NFL Draft – Charles Johnson and Kevin Dorsey - as well as four undrafted receivers in Sederrik Cunningham, Alex Gillett, Tyrone Walker and Myles White.
Not a lot is known about any of these receivers, but it is the two drafted rookies who will most likely get the longest looks during training camp. My guess is that unless Johnson and Dorsey burn up the field, one of them may make the team while the other may be tucked away on the practice squad.
James Jones
Raymond T. Rivard photograph
On the other hand, the Packers are known for finding golden nuggets among undrafted free agents. Many have already been impressed with the skillset White brings to the table. If there is any undrafted player who could make the team it might be White.
So, as we look beyond the top three receivers, the Packers have players with potential, but nobody who could be looked at as an immediate contributor. Should the Packers suffer injuries early on to their top receivers, the backups are going to have to learn in a hurry.
We can only hope that the injury bug stays away from the receivers and that the top three stay healthy, while the others have the time to develop.
Chrome for iOS Updated with Improved Google App Interoperability, Fullscreen iPad Support [iOS Blog]
Google has updated its Chrome app to version 28, adding improved "interoperability with other Google Apps," which means links to YouTube, Maps, Google+, and Drive can now be opened in their respective apps rather than in the browser. According to Google, additional app integration will be added in the near future. With version 28 of Chrome, Google introduces a new feature that is designed to speed up page load times and reduce overall data usage, which is being sent out to users on a rolling basis.
The update also includes improvements to voice search, fullscreen capabilities on the iPad, access to browser history, and bug fixes.
What's New in Version 28.0.1500.12Chrome is a free app that can be downloaded from the App Store. [Direct Link]
- Interoperability with other Google Apps. Option to open links for YouTube, Maps, G+ and Drive in the app instead of the browser.
- Enhancements to voice search. Text-to-speech for all variations of English, Spanish, German, Italian, French, Japanese, and Korean. Toolbar controls are always available when using voice search.
- Fullscreen on iPad.
- Data cost savings: Reduce data usage and speed up page load times. View data savings in Bandwidth Management settings. This feature is being rolled out and will be available to all users over time.
- Access to browser history.
- Stability / security improvements and bug fixes.
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