At some point, the entries on my Facebook wall went up exponentially; it seems that all the things I listed as things I liked were automatically put on as 'likes' on their corresponding fan pages. I've recently gotten wall posts about 'Heart', 'Crowded House', 'Mad Men' - many more.
The most pleasant surprise lately was hearing from Anna Nalick. You see, it was maybe two years ago that I finally discovered her for myself on YouTube. I happened to click on the video for her song 'Breathe (2 am)' and I remembered hearing it on the radio. I learned that it had really gained in popularity when it was used on the TV show 'Grey's Anatomy.' It's easy to imagine that song being used in a scene from that show.
So I was quite excited seeking out what information I could about her. I spent hours on YouTube finding more I could listen to (back when I could access YouTube without locking up my browser - I seriously need to upgrade). One of my favorite performances was her singing 'Breathe' live with just a single acoustic guitar (played by her band's guitarist) for accompaniment. A gorgeous song, and it doesn't hurt that Anna is mighty fetching herself!
I also managed to find a website where she frequently updated an online journal, documenting her thoughts about the tour she was on back then. But my timing was terrible, because just when I was getting into her, her entries stopped and it seemed that she had disappeared from the music scene entirely, with just one formal studio album release 'Wreck of the Day' and an EP called 'Shine.'
Well, just as quickly as she disappeared (and I couldn't ever figure out where she went), she's started making music again! She's scheduling performances, updating her Facebook fans about where she'll be performing. If I should ever see her live, I hope she sings one of my favorite songs of hers, 'Home.' To my knowledge, it isn't available as a studio recording and I've only found a couple of live performances that were posted on YouTube. And not only do I hope she includes it in concert, but I hope she records it in the studio. It's one of those songs I could listen to over and over again. Although I would find myself pretending she's singing it about me, it seems that she's really singing about her cat. Oh well...
Friday, August 20, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
another hazard for catchers
Watching the Giants game last night, I saw a potentially horrific thing happen: the Phillies batter utilized the frightful technique of letting the bat go with one hand in his follow-through after swinging at a pitch, which enabled the bat to hit new star catcher Buster Posey smack in the back of the head, if not the back of his neck. I hate whenever I see that happen; perhaps I should be happy it doesn't happen more often. Posey went down for awhile, and although he stayed in the game, I have to think he played the rest of the game with a major headache. I don't know what can be done to prevent this from happening in the future, as nothing is being done now. As if playing catcher isn't hazardous enough as it is. Thank goodness they wear lots of protection to protect their heads, front and back. Maybe they need to wear more.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Nos. 21, 33, and now, 20
Wow, I write about a bunch of stuff in yesterday's entry and lo and behold, yet another bit of big news happens that same afternoon with the Niners: the signing of running back Brian Westbrook (who will wear No. 20)! I've only associated him with playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, and had to read about why he was even available to sign. He was released by the Eagles earlier this year to make room for a 'youth movement' with the team - Westbrook will turn 31 in a couple of weeks. Plus he was hampered by injuries last season. Should he remain healthy for the 49ers, he is a stellar pick up for the team. With his versatility, he may even work out better than had Glen Coffee not retired; it will also allow Anthony Dixon (No. 33) to develop under another talented and experienced veteran besides Frank Gore (No. 21).
Another encouraging sign is Westbrook chose to sign with the 49ers over several other teams, who ostensibly offered more money. From watching him being interviewed yesterday, one of the reasons is because of the opportunity to play for Coach Singletary. It was great hearing him say that!
Another encouraging sign is Westbrook chose to sign with the 49ers over several other teams, who ostensibly offered more money. From watching him being interviewed yesterday, one of the reasons is because of the opportunity to play for Coach Singletary. It was great hearing him say that!
Monday, August 16, 2010
preseason game - 49ers vs. Colts
So much to talk about! I suppose that is true with any team; however with the 49ers this year, it's been a particularly unusual training camp and preseason: one former first-round pick stopped showing up for practice (it's now being reported that the 49ers have traded Kentwan Balmer to the NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks for a sixth-round pick in next year's draft... from the first-round down to the sixth-round... talk about a loss in investment!); and just recently, last year's third-round pick, Glen Coffee, has up and retired from the league already. And that's aside from the injuries, which do in fact affect every team.
I've been reading different opinions about these events and yesterday's game too. Even as a fan, I try not to get too high while at the same time not get too low with my emotions. I'm always trying to avoid any 'knee-jerk' reactions! But here are some thoughts:
One thing I'd like to see is some way of comparing the 'success rates' of all 32 NFL teams regarding the draft. A lot of fans are coming down on the 49ers for their draft picks, particularly the higher ones. Shouldn't they have 'vetted' each of their picks better? Well, as we all know, it's a lot easier to do now in hindsight. I figure the 49ers would grade out well relative to most other teams. Some hits and some misses. And they seem to be balancing themselves out well with their lower round picks.
I'm a big fan of Coach Singletary. I believe that he brings out the best in his players, both in the way they play football and also their character as men. That Balmer decided he needed a change of atmosphere and Coffee decided to pursue the ministry instead of playing anymore are exceptions - I trust that Singletary is a great, inspiring leader. That is why I am perfectly comfortable with whomever they draft, even the ones that are considered to be 'character risks.' I'll always remember his edict: "I want winners! I want people that want to win."
Although reading too much into preseason games is pure folly, I really like this Anthony Dixon kid! The 49ers have gotten good performances from different running backs in preseason games before, but Dixon has an extra something or two that is cause for real optimism. He's a big back, yet runs with light feet (and a powerful stiff-arm). In other words, he's built like a fullback, but runs like a halfback. He's got good instincts to be elusive from would-be tackers, as opposed to always trying to run over people. I've read that all he needs to do now is improve at picking up blitzes and blocking to protect his quarterback. But running with the ball... check!
Speaking of quarterback, it's a touchy subject. I'm a supporter of Alex Smith and this is the year we've been waiting for. He's had a chance to soak up the same playbook over the course of two seasons, he's healthy, and he's got a heck of a supporting cast around him. This is his time to shine. But watching yesterday's game brought up some of my old worries about his ability: his passes tend to be high, thus setting up his receivers to be vulnerable to big hits and the ball being tipped; and how naturally can he lead his receivers with his throws, particularly on short passes? What I noticed when his backups David Carr and Nate Davis were playing is that they lead their receivers naturally where they don't have to break stride to catch the ball. At the pro level, I would expect this ability to be fundamental. I'm reminded of a former player for the Los Angeles Dodgers named Steve Sax. Here was a professional athlete, a major league second basemen, and he went through a phase of not being able to make the short throw to first base accurately after fielding a routine ground ball. It's like a mental block. Hitting the outlet receiver in stride should be automatic for any NFL quarterback. I hope Smith alleviates my concern about making such a throw.
I've been reading different opinions about these events and yesterday's game too. Even as a fan, I try not to get too high while at the same time not get too low with my emotions. I'm always trying to avoid any 'knee-jerk' reactions! But here are some thoughts:
One thing I'd like to see is some way of comparing the 'success rates' of all 32 NFL teams regarding the draft. A lot of fans are coming down on the 49ers for their draft picks, particularly the higher ones. Shouldn't they have 'vetted' each of their picks better? Well, as we all know, it's a lot easier to do now in hindsight. I figure the 49ers would grade out well relative to most other teams. Some hits and some misses. And they seem to be balancing themselves out well with their lower round picks.
I'm a big fan of Coach Singletary. I believe that he brings out the best in his players, both in the way they play football and also their character as men. That Balmer decided he needed a change of atmosphere and Coffee decided to pursue the ministry instead of playing anymore are exceptions - I trust that Singletary is a great, inspiring leader. That is why I am perfectly comfortable with whomever they draft, even the ones that are considered to be 'character risks.' I'll always remember his edict: "I want winners! I want people that want to win."
Although reading too much into preseason games is pure folly, I really like this Anthony Dixon kid! The 49ers have gotten good performances from different running backs in preseason games before, but Dixon has an extra something or two that is cause for real optimism. He's a big back, yet runs with light feet (and a powerful stiff-arm). In other words, he's built like a fullback, but runs like a halfback. He's got good instincts to be elusive from would-be tackers, as opposed to always trying to run over people. I've read that all he needs to do now is improve at picking up blitzes and blocking to protect his quarterback. But running with the ball... check!
Speaking of quarterback, it's a touchy subject. I'm a supporter of Alex Smith and this is the year we've been waiting for. He's had a chance to soak up the same playbook over the course of two seasons, he's healthy, and he's got a heck of a supporting cast around him. This is his time to shine. But watching yesterday's game brought up some of my old worries about his ability: his passes tend to be high, thus setting up his receivers to be vulnerable to big hits and the ball being tipped; and how naturally can he lead his receivers with his throws, particularly on short passes? What I noticed when his backups David Carr and Nate Davis were playing is that they lead their receivers naturally where they don't have to break stride to catch the ball. At the pro level, I would expect this ability to be fundamental. I'm reminded of a former player for the Los Angeles Dodgers named Steve Sax. Here was a professional athlete, a major league second basemen, and he went through a phase of not being able to make the short throw to first base accurately after fielding a routine ground ball. It's like a mental block. Hitting the outlet receiver in stride should be automatic for any NFL quarterback. I hope Smith alleviates my concern about making such a throw.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
retiring so young
Running back Glen Coffee yesterday shocked the 49ers organization and its fans by retiring from professional football... at age 23. This was only going to be his 2nd season in the NFL, playing backup to featured back Frank Gore.
Coffee's average yard per carry wasn't too impressive last year, and led many people to comment that he was a disappointment - yet from what I observed from the 49ers running game last season, there were few yards to be gained by anybody with the lack of space to run. It's a team game after all, and improvements to the offensive line were aggressively addressed this past draft with choices to offensive tackle and offensive guard with the 49ers' two first round picks.
An improved passing game would also help the running game as opposing teams aren't be able to 'stack the box'; honoring the threat of a viable passing game opens up opportunities to run the ball. And I have to believe that the 49ers passing game will be much, much improved this coming season.
Over the weeks I'd been tempted to remark about this on a discussion board: improvements to the blocking and passing games would lead to improvements by our running backs, including Glen Coffee. But for Coffee at least, it's a moot point now.
I wish him the best.
Coffee's average yard per carry wasn't too impressive last year, and led many people to comment that he was a disappointment - yet from what I observed from the 49ers running game last season, there were few yards to be gained by anybody with the lack of space to run. It's a team game after all, and improvements to the offensive line were aggressively addressed this past draft with choices to offensive tackle and offensive guard with the 49ers' two first round picks.
An improved passing game would also help the running game as opposing teams aren't be able to 'stack the box'; honoring the threat of a viable passing game opens up opportunities to run the ball. And I have to believe that the 49ers passing game will be much, much improved this coming season.
Over the weeks I'd been tempted to remark about this on a discussion board: improvements to the blocking and passing games would lead to improvements by our running backs, including Glen Coffee. But for Coffee at least, it's a moot point now.
I wish him the best.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
G.O.A.T. - HOF - Flash 80
Tomorrow, Jerry Rice is being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Obviously, it's well deserved. There is even talk that not only was he the greatest wide receiver to ever play the game, but that he was the greatest football player ever, period. Not a bad case for that argument...
It's been a joy over the past week watching the coverage that this has been getting, including Jerry being interviewed sitting next to his presenter, Eddie DeBartolo, Jr. outside the Hall of Fame building. Oh what a happy time it was for us 49er fans watching him play!
Here's something to look forward to during the ceremonies that has been hinted at: the late, great Bill Walsh is reputed to have filmed something with the anticipation of Jerry's induction into the Hall. Coach Walsh was already aware of his impending death, yet also knew that Jerry would absolutely have his day in the sun... so Coach wanted to help honor Jerry. What I learned from the interview with Jerry and Mr. DeBartolo was that the presenters have already pre-taped their induction speeches; if a tape of Coach Walsh does indeed exist for this momentous occasion, I am guessing that it will be made a part of Mr. DeBartolo's filmed tribute. I can't wait!
And Jerry admitted that if Coach Walsh is a part of the ceremony and shares some kind words about him, he will lose it. If this rumor is true, I'm sure that many of us will be bawling too!
It's been a joy over the past week watching the coverage that this has been getting, including Jerry being interviewed sitting next to his presenter, Eddie DeBartolo, Jr. outside the Hall of Fame building. Oh what a happy time it was for us 49er fans watching him play!
Here's something to look forward to during the ceremonies that has been hinted at: the late, great Bill Walsh is reputed to have filmed something with the anticipation of Jerry's induction into the Hall. Coach Walsh was already aware of his impending death, yet also knew that Jerry would absolutely have his day in the sun... so Coach wanted to help honor Jerry. What I learned from the interview with Jerry and Mr. DeBartolo was that the presenters have already pre-taped their induction speeches; if a tape of Coach Walsh does indeed exist for this momentous occasion, I am guessing that it will be made a part of Mr. DeBartolo's filmed tribute. I can't wait!
And Jerry admitted that if Coach Walsh is a part of the ceremony and shares some kind words about him, he will lose it. If this rumor is true, I'm sure that many of us will be bawling too!
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