The Edmond Sun

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Joey

STILLWATER — Whether doing their homework on the computer, playing a video game or watching television, children are spending more time in front of a screen than ever before. However, moderating childrens’ screen time can have positive effects on their physical, mental and emotional well-being. It is estimated that children spend an average of 4-6 hours sitting and viewing some type of screen. Watching television can be educational — preschoolers can learn the alphabet and older children can keep up with current events or watch historical documentaries. But, hours of unrestricted screen time can translate into long periods of physical inactivity, less time spent interacting with others and increased exposure to advertising for high calorie, less nutritious foods. Since language skills are developed through reading and conversation, extended daily screen time can affect children’s ability to learn how to positively interact with others. Research also indicates that children who watch less television do better on standardized tests, while children who watch more television tend to be heavier. “Taking even small steps toward limiting your kids’ time in front of the television can have big impacts on their overall health, and the well-being of the entire family,” said Deana Hildebrand, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension nutrition specialist. One effective strategy for limiting screen time is to plan how much time will be devoted on a daily or weekly basis to activities such as watching television, online surfing, playing video games and viewing DVDs. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no television for children under the age of 2, and older children should be limited to no more than 1 to 2 hours of screen media time per day. Developing a chart is a visual way of tracking how much time is spent on various activities, including screen time. Each family member should be involved in creating the chart. That way, said Hildebrand, everyone has an opportunity for input, which encourages commitment to the plan. “Hang the chart near the television or some other place where it can be seen by everyone,” she said. “This helps hold each person accountable and gives parents and older siblings a chance to model positive behavior by managing their own viewing habits.” Identifying specific television shows to view also can help cut down on the time children spent in front of a screen. Committing to a viewing plan gives families the added advantage of knowing exactly when the television can be turned on and when it should be turned off. Having a television and other related technology in the bedroom increases the likelihood of children watching more television while unsupervised, Hildebrand said. Consequently, relocating televisions, gaming systems and computers to common areas of the house translates into greater control over how much screen time children log on a daily basis. “You can choose not to keep the television on all the time,” said Hildebrand, who suggested establishing media-free periods such as while children are doing their homework or at meal times. “Turning off the televisions, cell phones, pagers, MP3 players and DVD players at certain times of the day means increased quality time with other family members and helps minimize distractions while your children are studying.” Compiling a list of activities to do instead of sitting in front of the television or computer or playing video games can help families curb screen time. “It could be anything — taking walks, enjoying a family a game night, visiting a museum or organizing a game of volleyball in the yard,” said Hildebrand. Similarly, efforts to reduce screen time represent opportunities to encourage childrens’ interest in reading. Visiting the library, setting aside time for everyone in the family to read together and having older and younger siblings taking turns reading to each other are all easy ways of promoting and reinforcing the importance of reading. “You can even get creative. Role play scenes from favorite books. Pick a book the whole family can read together, and once you all finish it, create a storytelling time. Start your own book club with your family members,” said Hildebrand, who suggested checking the National Education Association website at nea.org for ideas, tips and resources related children and reading. When children do watch television or go online, it is a good idea for parents to watch with them or closely monitor the websites they visit. Parents should discuss the television programs and online content their children view. These conversations are good opportunities to help children learn to be media savvy and critically evaluate marketing and advertising campaigns targeting them. “Television and screen time in moderation can be a good thing,” Hildebrand said. “Maintaining a balance and establishing positive viewing habits are two extremely important things you can do for your family.”

PlayStation 3 Review: Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Joey

The 21st century is a wonderful time to be a gamer. Online gaming has become standard with console releases; Japanese titles that would have once been deemed culturally untranslatable now routinely make their way to our shores. This latter is arguably a mixed blessing, however.

I’ve previously covered two games from NIS America (the acronym standing for Nippon Ichi Software), both sequels. Prinny 2 I found to be old-school platforming fun, and the story and humour, while very Japanese, also very funny. Cladun X2 was dungeon-crawlling fun — to a point. Both had an exceptionally high learning curve, which I was willing to persevere against in Prinny but not in Cladun.

Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2 is also a sequel, also from NIS America, also full of Japanese gaming/manga/anime tropes and general weirdness. The title sequence has still hand-drawn images of all of the main characters in magical girl poses that are bizarrely at odds with the revealing outfits they are wearing (black leather bikinis and other lingerie). These outfits thankfully don’t feature very much in the actual game.

It does feature the girls, though. In fact, there are no male characters in the game whatsoever, excepting sexually indeterminate dragons, rats, and other monsters. Our heroes are mostly CPU candidates, living in a world called Gamindustri and featuring magical guardian “mascots” that look like game discs.

The world is divided into nations that are essentially stand-ins for Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft’s current-generation consoles (plus one for the never-produced Sega Neptune). A clever conceit and probably the most interesting thing about the game, though there’s not much satire of the real-life corporate entities, or if there was, it went over my head.

I wondered whether NIS’ inability to take themselves seriously might be a problem with an RPG, where story matters. But of course, their wildly successful Disgaea series has already shown that RPGs don’t actually have to be sombre and serious. Of course, they do have to be entertaining, which requires a certain degree of sense and witty dialogue.

Where to draw this line is at least somewhat a matter of personal taste. The fact that the first game was popular enough to merit a sequel, and the existence of a limited edition version of this game which runs for several hundred dollars may answer that question, at least for a certain contingent of hard-core fans.

So why not get right to the gameplay?

Besides the usual HP (hit points), registering the health of a character, action in battle is determined by AP and SP. AP is used up each turn for attacking, using items, special moves, and simply moving. SP is used up in special moves and in regular attacks (which involve three different types of button combinations), but only when a combo is initiated. Attacking enemies will slowly build SP back up, while AP is only refreshed after time has passed.

College Football Capsules: OSU works out in full pads in spring drill

Posted on March 17, 2012 by Joey

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma State players have gotten in their first work in pads of the spring practice season. The Cowboys spent just over two hours working out Thursday at Boone Pickens Stadium.

Cornerback and kick returner Justin Gilbert says he learned a lot the last two seasons competing against Justin Blackmon. He says the role will switch, with receivers seeing him as a threat in the defensive backfield.

Gilbert says playing cornerback is his primary role and he wants to make his name at the position. He says he returns kicks to help the team.

Major College News & Notes

North Carolina opens spring practice under Fedora

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — New North Carolina coach Larry Fedora got the first look at his team as the Tar Heels started spring practice Wednesday. It was also the first time the players took the field knowing they won’t go to a bowl game this fall no matter how many games they win.

The practice came two days after the NCAA hit UNC with a one-year postseason ban, a reduction of 15 scholarships and three years of probation following its investigation into improper benefits and academic misconduct within the program. The upperclassmen on the roster have spent the past two seasons playing amid the uncertainty of the probe, but Wednesday was the first time the Tar Heels could resume work knowing it was finally over.

“It takes a lot of stress off some people,” senior linebacker Kevin Reddick said. “I know it kind of hurt some of the coaches just now coming in, but some of the guys like me … it’s a little relief off our shoulders — a lot of stress off.”

Fedora arrived in January from Southern Mississippi as the permanent replacement for Butch Davis, who was fired before training camp last year amid the probe. He has a seven-year contract with the Tar Heels, with two extra years to compensate for the school’s original plan to impose its own two-year probation in September.

“The best thing for these guys is that (the NCAA ruling) is out, and it’s done,” Fedora said. “And now they know they can move forward. Nobody has to dwell on it anymore. They know what it is. They know we’re not going to play in a bowl, but they know they can still win a Coastal Division championship (in the Atlantic Coast Conference). There’s still plenty of goals out there ahead of us and I don’t think every college athlete plays football just to play in a bowl game.”

There were plenty of changes at Wednesday’s practice, the most obvious being the music blaring over speakers through the drills. Fedora said the players were allowed to choose the music, which included songs by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foster the People, Rihanna and Bob Marley.

They’re still working that part out, though. A player apparently chose a slower-paced song that played on the speakers, prompting assistant video coordinator Darryl Sanders to radio to a staffer, “Can you speed that up?”

“They enjoy the practice a little bit more,” Fedora said. “It’s a lot more fun but they can still focus and concentrate on what’s going on. At the same time for me, it’s noise. It’s creating noise for them and having to watch them focus during that noise. It’s the same thing as a football game, whether it’s music or a crowd.”

Fedora is bringing a fast offense that runs largely without a huddle to squeeze every play possible into the game. That means running faster drills in practice and wearing out the players trying to adjust.

Offensive tackle James Hurst said the Southern Miss offense typically tried to get a snap every 12 to 14 seconds. Fedora said the team moved about half the speed Wednesday that he would like normally, and he’s hoping to get about 70 percent of the playbook and schemes installed this spring.

“It’s very different,” Hurst said. “Getting in a huddle, you get to breathe and process the play before you even step to the line of scrimmage. Now you’re sitting at the line of scrimmage waiting for the play to come to you. You process that as fast as possible, then you have to think about technique and everything with the small differences we have now.”

Regardless of the learning curve, it sure beats waiting for the NCAA storm to pass.

“It’s loomed over us almost (two) years now,” senior offensive guard Jonathan Cooper said. “I guess we’re very relieved it’s over with. Now we can just play football. We can truly play football.”

Clemson raises football season ticket prices

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Clemson fans will have to pay more to watch their Atlantic Coast Conference champions try to repeat that feat in 2012.

The university said Thursday it was raising season-ticket prices by $11 from a year ago to $320 for its seven-game schedule at Death Valley next fall. It is the second time in three years the school has increased prices on season tickets, both price increases coming after an ACC milestone.

The school raised the price of 2010 season tickets by $10 to $309 after the Tigers won the ACC’s Atlantic Division and played in the conference title game.

This latest increase follows a 10-4 season that included a 38-10 victory over Virginia Tech in the ACC championship game last December.

The priciest single-game ticket is $75 for the season finale with rival South Carolina on Nov. 24, although the school said that’s only available in a package with the Sept. 8 home opener against Ball State. The package will cost $80.

Tickets for the Virginia Tech game on Oct. 20 are $65. Georgia Tech game tickets on Oct. 6 are $55, while tickets for the remaining ACC homes games with Maryland on Nov. 10 and North Carolina State on Nov. 17 are $50.

Individual tickets for Clemson’s first two home games against Ball State and Furman on Sept. 15 are $35.

Clemson held ticket prices steady at $299 for five straight seasons before the 2010 increase, which followed the school’s first divisional title.

While fans are paying more for Clemson tickets, the Tigers also made a significant financial commitment to keep their coaching staff intact.

Offensive coordinator Chad Morris signed a six-year contract that raises his compensation from $450,000 last season to $1.3 million this fall. The Tigers let go of defensive coordinator Kevin Steele and replaced him with Oklahoma’s Brent Venables, who will earn $800,000 a year — an increase from Steele’s salary of $675,000.

The school’s Compensation Committee of the Board of Trustees recently approved raises totaling $450,000 for the Tigers other football assistants, meaning Clemson’s staff will earn about $4.2 million this fall. The school said that ranks the staff about 12th to 15th nationally.

The ACC title also means more money for head coach Dabo Swinney, whose salary package will rise to $1.9 million next season, which places him 46th among the country’s Football Bowl Subdivision coaches.

RB Carlisle eligible at Notre Dame

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Running back Amir Carlisle, who transferred from Southern California to Notre Dame, will be eligible to play for the Irish in 2012.

Notre Dame announced Thursday that the NCAA had approved Carlisle’s waiver request and he won’t have to sit out the upcoming season. Carlisle, from Santa Clara, Calif., played in eight games as a freshman for the Trojans last season while battling injuries. He carried 19 times for 118 yards and caught seven passes, scoring one touchdown.

Notre Dame also said that freshman defensive back Tee Shepard was no longer enrolled and had returned home to Fresno, Calif.

Elsewhere

Wyoming beings spring football practice next week

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming begins spring football drills next Wednesday with the first of 15 practices. The Cowboys have scheduled three scrimmages — April 4 at 3:30 p.m.; April 11 at 3:30 p.m.; and the spring game on April 21 at 2:00 p.m. All of the scrimmages will be open to the public. However, all other spring practices will be closed.

Next fall the Cowboys will return six individuals who earned All-Conference honors last season, including Mountain West freshman of the year Brett Smith at quarterback. Head coach Dave Christensen is entering his fourth season as head coach. He was named Mountain West Conference coach of the year in 2011. Wyoming finished 2011 with an 8-5 record, a third-place finish in the Mountain West and an appearance in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl.

Coaching legend Paterno dies at 85

Posted on January 22, 2012 by Joey

Home » News» Deaths Loading… Published: 1/22/2012 – Updated: 13 minutes ago ASSOCIATED PRESS

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Joe Paterno, the longtime Penn State coach who won more games than anyone in major college football but was fired amid a child sex abuse scandal that scarred his reputation for winning with integrity, died Sunday. He was 85.

His family released a statement Sunday morning to announce his death.

“He died as he lived,” the statement said. “He fought hard until the end, stayed positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of how blessed his life had been. His ambitions were far reaching, but he never believed he had to leave this Happy Valley to achieve them. He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players and his community.”

Paterno built his program on the credo “Success with Honor,” and he found both. The man known as “JoePa” won 409 games and took the Nittany Lions to 37 bowl games and two national championships. More than 250 of the players he coached went on to the NFL.

Gallery: Joe Paterno: A look back

“He will go down as the greatest football coach in the history of the game,” Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said after his former team, the Florida Gators, beat Penn State 37-24 in the 2011 Outback Bowl.

Paterno’s son Scott said on Nov. 18 that his father was being treated for lung cancer. The cancer was diagnosed during a follow-up visit for a bronchial illness. A few weeks after that revelation, Paterno also broke his pelvis after a fall but did not need surgery.

Paterno had been in the hospital since Jan. 13 for observation for what his family had called minor complications from his cancer treatments. Not long before that, he conducted his only interview since losing his job, with The Washington Post. Paterno was described as frail then, speaking mostly in a whisper and wearing a wig. The second half of the two-day interview was conducted at his bedside.

“As the last 61 years have shown, Joe made an incredible impact,” said the statement from the family. “That impact has been felt and appreciated by our family in the form of thousands of letters and well wishes along with countless acts of kindness from people whose lives he touched. It is evident also in the thousands of successful student athletes who have gone on to multiply that impact as they spread out across the country.”

The final days of Paterno’s Penn State career were easily the toughest in his 61 years with the university and 46 seasons as head football coach.

It was because Paterno was a such a sainted figure — more memorable than any of his players and one of the best-known coaches in all of sports — that his downfall was so startling. During one breathtaking week in early November, Paterno was engulfed by a scandal and forced from his job, because he failed to go to the police in 2002 when told a young boy was molested inside the football complex.

“I didn’t know which way to go … and rather than get in there and make a mistake,” he said in the Post interview.

Jerry Sandusky, the former defensive coordinator expected to succeed Paterno before retiring in 1999, was charged with sexually assaulting 10 boys over 15 years. Two university officials stepped down after they were charged with perjury following a grand jury investigation of Sandusky. But attention quickly focused on an alleged rape that took place in a shower in the football building, witnessed by Mike McQueary, a graduate assistant at the time.

McQueary testified that he had seen Sandusky attacking the child and that he had told Paterno, who waited a day before alerting school authorities. Police were never called and the state’s top cop later said Paterno failed to execute his moral responsibility by not contacting police.

“You know, (McQueary) didn’t want to get specific,” Paterno said in the Post interview. “And to be frank with you I don’t know that it would have done any good, because I never heard of, of, rape and a man. So I just did what I thought was best. I talked to people that I thought would be, if there was a problem, that would be following up on it.”

On the morning of Nov. 9, Paterno said he would retire following the 2011 season. He also said he was “absolutely devastated” by the abuse case.

“This is a tragedy,” the coach said. “It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more.”

But the university trustees faced a crisis, and in an emergency meeting that night, they fired Paterno, effective immediately. Graham Spanier, one of the longest-serving university presidents in the nation, also was dismissed.

According to Lanny Davis, an attorney retained by the trustees as an adviser, board vice chairman John Surma regretted having to tell Paterno the decision over the phone.

The university handed the football team to one of Paterno’s assistants, Tom Bradley, who said Paterno “will go down in history as one of the greatest men, who maybe most of you know as a great football coach.”

Thick, smoky-lens glasses, rolled up khakis, jet-black sneakers, blue windbreaker — Paterno was easy to spot on the sidelines. His teams were just as easy to spot on the field; their white helmets and classic blue and white uniforms had the same old-school look as the coach.

Paterno believed success was not measured entirely on the field. From his idealistic early days, he had implemented what he called a “grand experiment” — to graduate more players while maintaining success on the field.

He was a frequent speaker on ethics in sports, a conscience for a world often infiltrated by scandal and shady characters.

His teams consistently ranked among the best in the Big Ten for graduating players. As of 2011, it had 49 academic All-Americans, the third-highest among schools in the Football Bowl Subdivision. All but two played under Paterno.

“He teaches us about really just growing up and being a man,” former linebacker Paul Posluszny, now with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, once said. “Besides the football, he’s preparing us to be good men in life.”

Paterno certainly had detractors, as well. One former Penn State professor called his high-minded words on academics a farce. He was criticized for making broad critiques about the wrongs in college football without providing specifics. A former administrator said his players often got special treatment compared to non-athletes. His coaching style often was considered too conservative. Some thought he held on to his job too long. There was a push to move him out in 2004 but it failed.

But the critics were in the minority, and his program was never cited for major NCAA violations. However, the child sexual abuse scandal prompted separate investigations by the U.S. Department of Education and the NCAA into the school’s handling.

Paterno played quarterback and cornerback for Brown University and set a defensive record with 14 career interceptions, a distinction he boasted about to his teams all the way into his 80s. He graduated in 1950 with plans to go to law school. He said his father hoped he would someday be president.

When he was 23, a former coach at Brown was moving to Penn State to become the head coach and persuaded Paterno to come with him as an assistant.

“I had no intention to coach when I got out of Brown,” Paterno said in 2007 at Beaver Stadium in an interview before being inducted into the Hall of Fame. “Come to this hick town? From Brooklyn?”

In 1963, he was offered a job by the late Al Davis — $18,000, triple his salary at Penn State, plus a car to become general manager and coach of the AFL’s Oakland Raiders. He said no. Rip Engle retired as Penn State head coach three years later, and Paterno took over.

At the time, the Lions were considered “Eastern football” — inferior — and Paterno courted newspaper coverage to raise the team’s profile. In 1967, PSU began a 30-0-1 streak.

But Penn State couldn’t get to the top of the polls. The Lions finished second in 1968 and 1969 despite perfect records. They went 12-0 in 1973 and finished fifth. Texas edged them in 1969 after President Richard Nixon, impressed with the Longhorns’ bowl performance, declared them No. 1.

“I’d like to know,” Paterno said later, “how could the president know so little about Watergate in 1973, and so much about college football in 1969?”

A national title finally came in 1982, in a 27-23 win over Georgia at the Sugar Bowl. Penn State won another in 1986 after the Lions picked off Vinny Testaverde five times and beat Miami 14-10 in the Fiesta Bowl.

They have made several title runs since then, including a 2005 run to the Orange Bowl and an 11-1 campaign in 2008 that earned them a berth in the Rose Bowl, where they lost 37-23 to Southern California.

In his later years, physical ailments wore the old coach down. Paterno was run over on the sideline during a game at Wisconsin in November 2006 and underwent knee surgery. He hurt his hip in 2008 demonstrating an onside kick.

An intestinal illness and a bad reaction to antibiotics prescribed for dental work slowed him for most of the 2010 season. Paterno began scaling back his speaking engagements that year, ending his summer caravan of speeches to alumni across the state.

Then a receiver bowled over Paterno at practice in August, sending him to the hospital with shoulder and pelvis injuries and consigning him to coach much of the season from the press box.

“The fact that we’ve won a lot of games is that the good Lord kept me healthy, not because I’m better than anybody else,” Paterno said two days before he won his 409th game and passed Eddie Robinson of Grambling State for the most in Division I. “It’s because I’ve been around a lot longer than anybody else.”

Paterno could be conservative on the field, especially in big games, relying on the tried-and-true formula of defense, the running game and field position.

“They’ve been playing great defense for 45 years,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said in November.

Paterno and his wife, Sue, raised five children in State College. Anybody could telephone him at his modest ranch home — the same one he appeared in front of on the night he was fired — by looking up “Paterno, Joseph V.” in the phone book.

He walked to home games and was greeted and wished good luck by fans on the street. Former players paraded through his living room for the chance to say hello. But for the most part, he stayed out of the spotlight.

Paterno did have a knack for joke. He referred to Twitter, the social media, as “Twittle-do, Twittle-dee.”

He also could be abrasive and stubborn, and had his share of run-ins with his bosses or administrators. And as his legend grew, so did the attention to his on-field decisions, and the questions about when he would retire.

Calls for his retirement reached a crescendo in 2004. The next year, Penn State went 11-1 and won the Big Ten. In the Orange Bowl, PSU beat Florida State, whose coach, Bobby Bowden, left the Seminoles after the 2009 season after 34 years and 389 wins.

Like many others, he was outlasted by “JoePa.”

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DALY: NFL coaching pool seems to have dried up

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Joey

ANALYSIS/OPINION:

The Oakland Raiders fired their coach Tuesday — a brave move, to say the least. After all, when you get rid of your coach, it means you have to find another, and the supermarket shelves aren’t exactly overflowing with quality candidates.

In fact, you could make the case that at the very top of the NFL’s list of concerns, right up there with concussions and the length of Rob Ryan’s hair, is the head coach shortage. It’s almost gotten to the point where owners are telling their general managers: “Get me a Harbaugh. Any Harbaugh. I don’t care if he’s still in high school.”

It’s a desert out there, folks. For every oasis, every proven winner like Jeff Fisher, there are a dozen prospects who do virtually nothing to excite the fan base. Consider: The same day the Raiders told Hue Jackson to hand in his playbook, the Jacksonville Jaguars hired Mike Mularkey to lead them into the future. And who is Mularkey? Answer: The guy who drew up that wonderful offensive game plan for the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the playoffs, the one that produced zero points. (Only a safety kept the Falcons from being shut out by the New York Giants.)

That’s not to say Mularkey, who coached Buffalo to a 14-18 record a few years ago before getting caught up in a regime change, won’t do a better job the second time around. There are certainly examples of that — New England’s Bill Belichick, first and foremost. But it just shows you how bearish the coaching market is when the Jaguars roll the dice with somebody like him.

These poor teams. I mean, it’s not like they can ask eHarmony to find them a partner. Instead, they have to sift through the resumes (some of them dotted with previous head coaching failure), go through the mating dance, throw a bunch of money at somebody and, in the end, hope they get lucky. What a nightmare.

People — especially people in Washington — wonder how Norv Turner can stay employed in San Diego after another playoff-less season. It’s not that complicated, really. Turner is able to keep his job because in 2011, only 12 of the 32 teams finished with winning records. In that context, an 8-8 mark isn’t all that terrible. (Indeed, only a tiebreaker kept the Chargers from winning their division.)

Turner is also able to keep his job because his owner realizes that, while Norv may not be the second coming of Vince Lombardi, San Diego can do worse for a coach — and plenty of clubs do. It’s just the way things are these days. You don’t want to dump a coach unless you’re reasonably certain you can bring in somebody better; and how many of these potential replacements can you be reasonably certain about? Denny Green, who went to the playoff eight times in 10 years in Minnesota, was a disaster in Arizona, I’ll just remind you, and Mike Shanahan, for all his Super Bowl rings, has yet to gain much traction here.

Beyond that, most of the coaches who would be the surest bets — Bill Cowher, Tony Dungy, Jon Gruden — don’t seem all that interested in returning to the NFL fray. They’ve moved on to television and have found, if not happiness there, at least contentment, perhaps even a semblance of sanity. That’s the strangest part of this whole situation. Have there ever, in all of league history, been three title-winning coaches, still in their primes, willingly staying off the sideline?

You get the sense these head coaching positions aren’t quite as desirable as they used to be — that they’re invitations to burnout, as much as anything, and aren’t necessarily worth the bother, despite the attractive compensation and general ego boost.

Look at how Nick Saban, Steve Spurrier and Bobby Petrino tested the pro waters and skedaddled right back to college ball. Why deal with the uncertainty of the NFL when you can be lord of the castle in the Southeastern Conference?

In recent years, such coaches as Jackson, Todd Haley, Josh McDaniel, Eric Mangini, Jim Mora Jr., Jim Zorn, Scott Linehan and Rod Marinelli have all washed out in fewer than three seasons. It’s scary how little rope coaches are given nowadays. The league is almost becoming like hockey that way.

Want to hear something that’s truly mind-blowing? All 12 of the coaches who made the playoffs this season are connected — either closely or remotely — to Bill Walsh or Bill Parcells. (That is, they’re located somewhere in Walsh’s or Parcells‘ coaching trees, even if they’re just a twig.)

Nobody should be too surprised, then, that Romeo Crennel, a former Parcells assistant, was named to follow Haley in Kansas City, or that Fisher, San Francisco’s secondary coach under George Seifert (Walsh’s successor), has been in such demand. So it goes in the NFL, where coaching searches have become a risky — and expensive — version of blind man’s bluff.

Ovens, video games targeted in nine weekend break-ins

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Joey

Monday, January 09, 2012 12:00 AM | Printer friendly version | E-mail to a friend |

SALISBURY — Thieves took everything from ovens to rolled coins this weekend in a rash of burglaries that police say appear to be unrelated.

Nine burglaries were reported between Friday evening and Sunday night, according to Salisbury Police reports.

Spokeswoman Shelia Lingle said the circumstances around each break-in seem different, leading investigators to believe the burglaries were not committed the same group.

“We go by MOs,” Lingle said, “the time of day, what they’re taking, how it happens.”

Investigators said some of the burglars entered the homes through doors, others through the windows.

“There are several groups, it appears, because they are all a little different,” Lingle said.

To avoid becoming a victim, Lingle said, residents traveling out of town are advised to have trusted neighbors, family or friends keep an eye on unattended homes.

Police also said that multiple newspapers or mail can notify crooks that no one is home.

Here is the list of break-ins:

• A 30-year-old man reported on Saturday that his Patriot Circle home was broken into that afternoon.

The man told officers that his oven, valued at $400, was taken.

• On Saturday afternoon, a South Caldwell Street woman reported that her oven had also been taken from her home sometime in the last 24 hours.

An additional $250 in piping had also been taken from the home.

• A 25-year-old woman told Salisbury Police about 2:30 a.m. that more than $1,600 in video games and jewelry had been taken from her Lincolnton Road home.

The report listed 15 video games, two video game consoles, six earrings, a bracelet and nearly $100 in cash was stolen.

• A Salisbury man told officers Sunday night that his North Jackson Street home had been robbed.

The 46-year-old reported that $20 in cash and another $25 in coins was taken from the home.

• Nothing was reported missing from a South Railroad Street home Sunday night, but officers said the building had been broken into. The shattered windows were estimated at $200.

• Thieves stole $5,370 in goods from a 26-year-old man’s West Henderson Street home, the report said.

Investigators listed $1,500 in video games, $400 in cash, a flat screen television, guitar and guitar case, Nikon camera, two giftcards and an Apple MacBook were stolen.

• A Salisbury man reported Sunday evening that thieves had broken two screens and the door to his Edzell Drive home. Nothing was reported taken from the residence.

• A 21-year-old woman called the authorities after finding that her Partee Street apartment was broken into.

Police said a television, Xbox 360, microwave, space heater and about 200 movies were taken.

• A Salisbury woman reported to police Friday evening that her storm door had been damaged and about $200 in electronics taken from the home.

Police said two DVDs, a telephone and two DVD players were stolen.

Anyone with information about the robberies is asked to call Salisbury Police at 704-638-5333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

View Break-ins in a larger map

Massive tech gift guide for the holidays

Posted on December 24, 2011 by Joey

12.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor; Capture Full HD 1080p video in stereo sound;2.7-inch wide Vari-Angle LCD enables easy viewing from any angle.Visit usa.canon.com for more information.T-MOBILEValue plansAvailable with a two-year agreement for both new and existing customers, the Value Plans offer single-line and multiple line options with the ability to choose from a range of minute allotments, texting options and unlimited data with 2GB, 5GB or 10GB of high-speed data. With a Value Plan, customers can choose a plan that works with their needs starting price point of only $49.99 — without the worry of data overages.HTC Amaze 4GAimed at smartphone enthusiasts looking for a high-end, premium device, Sporty design with a sleek look and feel. Very fast 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, can access T-Mobile’s faster 4G (HSPA+ 42) network technology. Android 2.3; HTC Sense user interface, 8-megapixel camera and 1080p HD video recorder.The HTC Amaze 4G is available for $259.99 after a $50 mail-in-rebate card with a two-year service agreement and qualifying Classic voice and data plant.Samsung Galaxy S IIFast entertainment experience. Powered by Android 2.3 and a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, and featuring a 4.52-inch Super AMOLED Plus touch screen. T-Mobile customers will be able to enjoy live or on-demand mobile entertainment.With DLNA compatibility and HDMI out, this phone offers the ability to view content on a compatible HDTV. The Samsung Galaxy S II is $229.99 after a $50 mail-in-rebate card with a two-year service agreement and qualifying Classic voice and data plan.Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1Weighing just 1.24 lbs. and featuring a 10.1-inch HD display, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 from T-Mobile is one of the thinnest and lightest 10-inch tablets on the market. With access to T-Mobile’s 4G network, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 from T-Mobile offers a high-end mobile entertainment experience. 1 GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual-core processo; Android 3.2 (Honeycomb);The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is available for $399.99 net down payment after $50 mail-in rebate card, with a T-Mobile Value Mobile Broadband plan, two year service agreement.HTC Radar 4GHTC Radar 4G is T-Mobile’s first 4G device running the Windows Phone operating system. Featuring a sleek design with metal unibody construction, the handset has a white finish and a 3.8-inch touch screen display. Running the newest version of Windows Phone and powered by a 1 GHz processor paired with T-Mobile’s 4G network, the handset is designed to provide customers with an intuitive user experience. The smartphone will support fully integrated Exchange e-mail and calendar so customers can stay productive while on-the-go throughout the busy holiday season. Making a great travel companion, the Windows Phone will also come equipped with turn-by-turn navigation and an advanced 5-megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash. The HTC Radar 4G is $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate card with a two-year service agreement and qualifying T-Mobile Classic voice and data plan.LG DoublePlay: Stand out with a distinct design with this new LG smartphone – the newest 4G smartphone to join T-Mobile’s growing lineup of Android™ phones. The LG DoublePlay is targeted at multitasking and messaging. The unique design features dual touch screen displays to perform two functions at the same time, as well as a full, slide-out QWERTY keyboard.DoublePlay is powered by a 1 GHz processor and comes equipped with a 5-megapixel camera and 720p HD video recorder for capturing and sharing memories on the go. Available for $99.99 after a $50 mail-in-rebate with a qualifying Classic plan and two-year service agreement.For more information on all these products, visit t-mobile.com.MICROSOFTXbox 360 “Gears of War 3” Special Edition Bundle: Designed by Microsoft and Epic Games, this bundle features two custom-designed Xbox 360 wireless controllers, a 320GB hard drive, a built-in Wi-Fi connection for easier connection to the world of entertainment on Xbox LIVE and custom “Gears of War” console sound effects. The package also includes a standard edition copy of “Gears of War 3” plus bonus digital content.Price: $399.99Microsoft Office Home and Business 2010Including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook, Microsoft Office Home and Business 2010 offers the latest essentials to help families stay on top of everything — from organizing meals, and budget tracking to travel planning and calendar coordination. Price: $199Arc Touch MouseThe Arc Touch Mouse is the first mouse designed to flatten for portability and pop up for comfort, featuring a touch scroll strip to swiftly navigate your PC. You can use it on almost any surface, even your jeans.Price: $59.95LifeCam StudioMicrosoft LifeCam Studio delivers superior sharpness and excellent image quality as Microsoft’s first webcam with a True 1080p HD sensor. When people can’t attend an important life moment in person, LifeCam Studio delivers the closest thing to being there.Price: $99.99Visit microsoft.com for more information.BOSEBose SoundLink Wireless Mobile speaker — The SoundLink Wireless Mobile speaker is a portable speaker that connects wirelessly to any Bluetooth enabled device. Now, the music from a smartphone or tablet can be streamed at the touch of a button and played out loud anywhere — on a quality Bose speaker. Price starts at $299.95.Bose OE2 and OE2i audio headphonesBose has introduced its next-generation of on-ear headphones: the OE2 and OE2i audio headphones. The OE2 and OE2i headphones deliver demonstrably better audio performance than their predecessors, and feature an updated look and design. Music is reproduced with improved depth and clarity, and the new contoured styling creates a closer, more comfortable fit. The OE2i headphones come with an inline remote and microphone that lets owners interact with select Apple products, including the latest iPhone, iPod, iPad, MacBook, and MacBook Pro models. They are available from Bose for $149.95 and $179.95, respectively.Bose Bluetooth headset Series 2The new Bose Bluetooth headset Series 2 debuts new Bose technologies and claims to offer an experience unrivaled in the vast marketplace of Bluetooth headsets: conversations remain clear and natural — even in challenging environments, or when surrounding noise levels change suddenly. The Bose Bluetooth headset Series 2 integrates Bose full-range audio and A2DP, and comes in right- and left-ear versions. It is available from Bose for $149.95.Visit bose.com for more information.HPHP Mini 210 matching mice and sleevesThese mini mice and sleeves are perfect gifts for the many Secret Santa exchanges in the months to come. All mice and mini sleeves start under $20.HP Wi-Fi Mobile MouseNo more dealing with tangled cords! The HP Wi-Fi Mobile Mouse is the first mouse that connects to a computer without any pesky USB dongle. It stays connected up to 30 feet away from your PC. Starts at $49.99.HP Mini 210Aimed at people on the go. Small enough to fit in a purse or bag and offered in a variety of fun colors, this slim PC keeps you connected in style. The Mini 210 comes with Beats Audio for superior audio quality on the go, a comfortable near-full size keyboard and QuickWeb for connecting to the Web, Facebook or Skype within seconds of powering up. The HP Mini 210 starts at $299.99.HP TouchSmart 320HP TouchSmart 320 is an all-in-one PC that provides a free-standing, tilt-enabled 20-inch touch display for interactive viewing and play. Families will experience endless entertainment with the TouchSmart 320’s range of built-for-touch apps, TV tuner and Beats Audio. Starts at $599.99.HP Pavilion dv6 with Beats AudioPlanning on rocking out to Jingle Bells this holiday season? Kick your audio up a notch with the HP Pavilion dv6 featuring Beats Audio. The dv6 also features a sleek umber metal finish, HD TrueVision webcam and HP CoolSense Technology. Starts at $599.99. Available at HPDirect.com.HP ENVY 173DFor those seeking the ultimate multimedia experience, the HP ENVY 17 3D offers the best 3D visual experience in a notebook PC. In addition to sporting six powerful speakers, a subwoofer and Beats Audio for premium audio, the ENVY 17 3D provides the industry’s largest full 3D Radiance display, 100 percent brighter than standard and 1080p full HD viewing. Starts at $1,599.99Note, for last-minute shoppers, gifts can be purchased and delivered overnight with HP’s quick ship option available on hpdirect.com.KodakKodak HERO 7.1 All-in-One Printer ($179.99): turn the images on your camera or smartphone into quality prints that will last a lifetime. This season, with Kodak’s new Google Cloud Print and Kodak Email Print capabilities (each printer comes with its own unique email address); send a picture of the family on Christmas morning directly from your smartphone to Grandpa’s printer! He will be able to share in the moment almost instantly.Kodak PlayFull Waterproof Video Camera ($99.95): PlayFull Waterproof gives you full 720p HD video in a small, affordable package. About the size of a credit card, it fits easily in a pocket or purse. Kodak’s exclusive Share Button and pop-out USB arm make it simple to email videos directly to friends or upload to your favorite sharing sites.Kodak EasyShare Touch Camera ($159.95): a 16 MP digital camera with a 3-inch capacitive touchscreen lets you shoot and share photos and video with ease and style. The EasyShare Touch also has Kodak’s exclusive Share Button, so sharing with social media networks is easyKodak Gallery iPhone Cases (starting at $34.99): your iPhone will stay safe in a photo case that is shatter-proof, scratch-resistant, and attractive. You’ll be able to recognize your iPhone instantly with your personal photo embedded directly onto the case.Visit kodak.comDELLDell XPS 14z:World’s thinnest, fully featured laptop with a built-in DVD player. Packs 2nd Gen Intel Core processors into a 13” body. Up to 6 hours 42 minutes of battery life. Roomy 14” HD display with edge-to-edge glass and an ultra-thin frame. And it all comes in a compact form roughly the size of a 13” laptop. Anodized aluminum body.Starts at $999Dell XPS 15z:One of the thinnest 15” laptops on the planet; 2nd Gen Intel Core processors; Powerful NVIDIA graphics and super bright display options;Starts at $899Inspiron One 2320:The Inspiron One 2320 all-in-one desktop, with its 23” HD touch-screen, HD Webcam, sleek, space-saving design and superior audio quality, allows families to stay connected in the home. A wireless keyboard and just one power cord creates a clean, clutter-free area allowing for the desktop to double as a home entertainment center and as a central computing hub.Starts at $599Alienware M14x:The M14x lets you power through hard-core games and intense applications. Featuring NVIDIA Optimus technology and weighing less than 7lbs.Starts at $1,099Alienware M17x:Alienware’s first 3D capable gaming laptop, the M17x will make your 3D games and Blu-ray content look incredibly real.Optional 17”, full high-definition (HD) 1080p display.Starts at $1,499Visit dell.com for more information.LIVIO RADIOFerndale, Michigan-based Livio Radio has been one of the leading innovators for several years now in the area of Internet Radio, . A new Livio product in this area takes us to the automobile, where its new Bluetooth Internet Radio Car Kit (aka “The Kit”) acts as a connector between your smartphone and your car stereo, using Bluetooth A2DP technology. So basically, the music from your phone streams to the car’s stereo.Visit livioradio.com for more information about The Kit.TOSHIBAToshiba Thrive TabletSimilarly sized by lower priced than most of its tablet competitors, the Thrive offers an option for people who are willing to go without a data contract and just use Wi-Fi on their tablet.Powered by Android 3.1 Honeycomb, the Thrive Tablet offers a convenientway to connect, browse and enjoy videos, movies, games, photos, books and more. 10.1-inch diagonal high-resolution (1280×800); multi-touch LED backlit widescreen display. USB 2.0 ports, HDMI port and an SD Card slot, give consumers the ability to easily sync and share their content with other devices. User-replaceable backplate and batteryVisit toshiba.comPrice: $379-$479Toshiba Portégé Z835 UltrabookThe consumer counterpart to the Portégé Z830, the Portégé Z835 features a 0.6-inch profile and weighs less than 2.5 pounds and offers consumers intelligent features and superior craftsmanship at an equally attractive price point. Built with a spill-resistant backlit keyboard and with the USB Sleep & Charge and Sleep & Music features.Key Features: 13.3-inch widescreen HD LED-backlit display (1366×768 resolution); Hi-Speed Start Technology; 128GB Solid State Drive.Toshiba TL515 3D LED HDTV3D performance, sophisticated styling and affordability. Toshiba’s TL515 delivers eye-popping movies and games in 3D, plus brilliant full 1080p HD imagery in 2D. Equipped with Gaming Mode to reduce controller delay, makes this offering perfect for gaming enthusiasts.Key Features: 1080p Resolution; Available in 32-inch, 42-inch, 47-inch and 55-inch screen sizes; Built-in Wi-Fi and NetTV with Yahoo! widgetsPrice: $849-$1799There is, or course, much more, but these are a lot of the highlights in the tech world. Keep it in mind as you are out hunting for your holiday tech goodies. Do you research; as a gift is forever.Matt Myftiu can be reached at or 1-248-745-4617. Follow him on Twitter @MattMyftiu or become a fan of the Facebook page “OPTechTime” to see the latest technology news and reviews. Also, check out his Tech Time blog at realtechtime.blogspot.com.

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The New Xbox 360 – What’s The Difference?

Okay, let's take a look at some of the facts of the new Xbox 360 and the changes made before you make a decision. Every...

Raleigh Christmas Parade draws thousands

Posted on December 18, 2011 by Joey

Raleigh, N.C. — Thanks to great weather and the presence of “American Idol” Scotty McCreery, the 2011 WRAL-TV Raleigh Christmas Parade drew thousands to downtown Raleigh Saturday morning.

More Info Send us your parade photos

The parade, in its 67th year, featured more than 110 entries, including bands, floats, super-sized balloons, marchers, twirlers, entertainers and a special surprise North Pole visitor.

McCreery, who served as the grand marshal for this year’s parade, said he could have never dreamed that he would be the main attraction — aside from Santa Claus — at the event he came to every year as a child.

“It’s incredible, I came out here many times growing up and to be the Grand Marshal and see all the support I receive is amazing,” he said. “You never think any of this can happen. I’m just blessed to be here and I’m having a great time.”

WRAL-TV morning news anchors Bill Leslie and Kelcey Carlson hosted the festivities, and Brian Shrader served as a street-side reporter.

“Kids love these events, it’s so exciting for them,” Carlson said. “They were lining the streets this morning as early as 8:30 getting ready for all the characters they would see.”

Beginning just before 10 a.m. on a chilly morning, the parade snaked its way from the intersection of Hillsborough and St. Mary’s streets onto Salisbury Street and Morgan Street, finishing near the grandstand on Fayetteville Street.

This was the 38th consecutive year that the event was broadcasted on WRAL-TV. Replays will be broadcast during the month of December on WRAL.2 and MeTV 50.2, plus a special holiday presentation on WRAL-TV at 12 p.m. on Christmas Day.

The parade was presented by the Greater Raleigh Merchants’ Association, a non-profit organization which aims to promote an environment of communication, cooperation and support for local businesses.

Read below for highlights from this morning’s parade. For parade coverage and photos on Twitter, just search hashtag #WRALParade.

9:30: Kelcey and Bill are already tweeting pictures as crowds gather downtown. The parade begins in 30 minutes.

9:45: Bill says that as many as 75,000 people are expected for today’s festivities. The parade begins in less than 15 minutes on WRAL-TV and on WRAL.com.

9:52: Just got word that the parade has started. Coverage begins on WRAL-TV and online at WRAL.com at 10 a.m.

9:58: Our live stream of the parade is up and running.

10:05: The weather for today’s parade is perfect. Temperatures in the low to mid 40s right now and should warm up into the mid 50s by the time the parade ends at noon.

10:11: Broughton High School’s marching band passes by the grandstand, decked out in purple and white and playing God Bless America.

10:13: Brian Shrader takes a quick ride on the WRAL float, talking about the Coats for the Children campaign, WRAL’s annual effort to help collect coats for needy children.

10:20: Brian Shrader talks with Mayor-elect Nancy McFarlane about her Christmas parade memories. She says her favorite one was also her coldest one.

10:31: CC & Company Dance Complex dancers make their way by the grandstand.

10:34: The Piedmont Classic Chevy club rolls by. It’s 85 members say the only requirement is to love old Chevy cars.

10:42: For all you Star Wars fans out there, the Carolina Garrison of the 501st StormTrooper League might be for you.

10:43: The Cary YMCA Super Skippers jump past the grandstand. Good thing they are moving around, it’s chilly out there!

10:48: Wake Forest-Rolesville’s band, 75 members strong, comes by, playing a little traditional Christmas music.

10:53: Grand Marshal Scotty McCreery’s float has reached Fayetteville Street. He’ll talk with Bill and Kelcey shortly and introduce the Garner High School band.

10:56: Brian Shrader checks in with Scotty McCreery aboard his Grand Marshal float. McCreery says it’s incredible to be the Grand Marshal. “Never in my wildest dreams,” McCreery said.

11:00: Stampede of Love, a group of miniature horses, trots by the grandstand. The horses visit children in hospitals around the country.

11:08: Here’s proof that Brian Shrader wasn’t thrown off Scotty McCreery’s float. The “American Idol” will catch up with Bill and Kelcey soon to introduce the Garner High School band.

11:10: The first three parts of the parade are available now on WRAL.com. We’ll continue to post videos throughout the remainder of the parade.

11:13: The Timer Warner Cable float, featuring Scooby-Doo and Fred Flinstone, makes its way past the grandstand.

11:16: Scotty McCreery joins Bill and Kelcey.

11:17: McCreery said Garner’s win Friday night over Leesville Road might have done a little damage to his voice. He also mentioned that he’s thankful that his classmates treat him “like he never left” even though his life had changed dramatically since winning “American Idol.”

11:25: McCreery talks with Bill and Kelcey about how he got his start singing at his church in Garner. Scotty says the butterflies he gets come before performances and not while he’s actually on stage.

11:27: A viewer submitted photo of Scotty McCreery on set with Bill Leslie and Kelcey Carlson.

11:30: Employees of Raleigh’s Joel Lane House make their way by the grandstand. The Joel Lane House is the oldest dwelling in Raleigh and contains collections of 18th century artifacts and period furnishings. The museum grounds include a detached kitchen, formal city garden, and period herb garden.

11:34: Bill says it’s warming up as the parade enters its final half hour. Temperatures started in the 40s this morning but have climbed into the 50s throughout the parade.

11:39: A quick reminder to send us your photos from the WRAL Raleigh Christmas Parade. We’ll include them in slideshows that get posted later today.

11:42: Dancers from the Premier School of Dance in Cary stroll by Kelcey’s broadcast position.

11:47: Kelcey and Bill are talking about holiday decorations, which provides a great chance to remind everyone about the 52nd annual Tower Lighting celebration on Dec. 1 at WRAL. It will begin during the 5 p.m. news.

11:49: We’ve entered the last few minutes of the 2011 WRAL Raleigh Christmas Parade. You know what the means! Santa Claus is just around the corner.

11:53: The band from the Helping Hand Mission, always a crowd favorite at the WRAL Raleigh Christmas Parade, just made its way past the grandstand.

11:54: The Department of Public Utilties float is rather ironic, to say the least.

11:55: The Nutcracker balloon is huge! We’ve gotten several great photos of it so far.

11:58: Santa is coming up!

11:59: Santa Claus puts a perfect exclamation point on the 67th edition of the Raleigh Christmas Parade. Remember to submit your photos.

High Score Is The Reality Show for Classic Arcade Games

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Joey

If you’re lucky or just old, you can remember the classic stand-up arcade era, where Pac-Man machines stood next to Defender and/or Donkey Kong and people lined up for the chance to play. Those same machines have become collector’s items now and there’s money—and stories—attached to each one.

That premise is what drives High Score, an in-development reality show that focuses on TNT Amusements, a Pennsylvania showroom that specializes in the acquisition, restoration and sale of old, coin-operated video game machines. The video above is a sizzle reel to help the show find a home on a television network. There’s clearly a reality show template at work here, like American Pickers or American Retsoration: find person who has/wants thing, find or make desired things, have staff do their crafty things to desired thing, deliver finished desired thing. Still, the most fascinating part of the clip above is watching TNT’s staff crack open the coin-ops of yesteryear and seeing how they restore the machines to their optimal states. Or, they’ll just shove them off the roof. Painful. Come, cable networks: if we can get hour after hour of z-list celebrities doing stupid crap, then surely High Score can get on the air, no?

High Score Sizzle Reel [The Hollywood Reporter]

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