Here are photos of the new eastern span from September after it opened as well as other photos from the same trip to SF.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Bay Bridge (Old and New)
This is a video clip of our last drive across the old eastern span of the Bay Bridge. Dorothy is the videographer. This was also taken the previous time that Obaachan visited us. She and the kids were all fast asleep on this drive.
Here are photos of the new eastern span from September after it opened as well as other photos from the same trip to SF.
Here are photos of the new eastern span from September after it opened as well as other photos from the same trip to SF.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Seahawks in a Romp?
Here's a Super Bowl prediction based on an outcome from the Madden video game that was made on December 12. This is the closest to the real outcome that we've seen.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Saturday, February 08, 2014
Super Bowl XLVIII Sights and Sounds
Thursday, February 06, 2014
2012 Seattle Seahawks Draft Rating
Here's what a few national columnists said about Seattle's 2012 NFL draft class:
2012 NFL Draft Grades: Full Draft Results Report Card
By Matt Miller , NFL Draft Lead Writer
Apr 28, 2012
Draft Picks Round 1: DE/OLB Bruce Irvin (West Virginia)
Round 2: ILB Bobby Wagner (Utah State)
Round 3: QB Russell Wilson (Wisconsin)
Round 4: RB Robert Turbin (Utah State), DT Jaye Howard (Florida)
Round 5: ILB Korey Toomer (Idaho) Round
6: CB Jeremy Lane (Northwestern State), DB Winston Guy (Kentucky) Round
7: DE J.R. Sweezy (North Carolina State), DE Greg Scruggs (Louisville)
Grade: D Summary
The Seahawks received our lowest Round 1 grade for their reach to grab Bruce Irvin at No. 15 overall. They messed up again in Round 3 with Russell Wilson after having signed Matt Flynn this offseason. Neither pick makes much sense to us. Bobby Wagner and Robert Turbin saved the Seattle draft, but two of its first three picks were just bad.
And here's another....
26. Seattle Seahawks: GM John Schneider has made an early living mining gold in the mid-to-late rounds and free agency, and his choice of RB Robert Turbin in Round 4 looks like a score. Yet Schneider's first three picks — Round 1 DE Bruce Irvin, Round 2 LB Bobby Wagner and Round QB Russell Wilson — have exposed him to immediate criticism .
And yet another...
Seattle Seahawks
Picks: OLB Bruce Irvin, ILB Bobby Wagner, QB Russell Wilson, RB Robert Turbin, DT Jaye Howard, LB Korey Toomer, CB Jeremy Lane, SS Winston Guy Jr., DT J.R. Sweezy, DE Greg Scruggs
Grade: D-
Analysis: I have a great deal of respect for the work of John Schneider, but I don't understand this draft. Of eight teams (five of which drafted after the Seahawks) that were surveyed, none graded Irvin as a first-round pick. Yes, he has talent, and he could become great. He also might be a guy who burns out in two years because there are plenty of people who question his dedication. After that, the Seahawks spent a third-round pick on Wilson even though the history of QBs under 6-foot is poor, to say the least. You don't spend a third-round pick on a guy who'll be lucky to be Seneca Wallace. You also don't do that after signing Matt Flynn as a free agent. The Seahawks are no closer to solving the QB situation now than they were before 2011.
Grade: C+
Seattle Seahawks
15. Bruce Irvin, defensive end, West Virginia.
47. Bobby Wagner, linebacker, Utah State.
75. Russell Wilson, quarterback, Wisconsin.
106. Robert Turbin, running back, Utah State.
114. Jaye Howard, defensive tackle, Florida.
154. Korey Toomer, linebacker, Idaho.
172. Jeremy Lane, cornerback, Northwestern State.
181. Winston Guy, safety, Kentucky.
225. J.R. Sweezy, guard, N.C. State.
232. Greg Scruggs, defensive end, Louisville.
Overview: It's popular to pan the Seahawks' draft. While we're not giving them an "A," the 2012 Seattle picks are largely understandable and hardly "mindboggling" as Mel Kiper's hair has claimed. No. 15 is early for a situational pass rusher, but no defender in this class has a quicker first step than Irvin. Wagner is a thumper and addresses a need. Wilson is going to make Tarvaris Jackson expendable. Turbin adds physicality to a backfield lacking it behind Marshawn Lynch. Howard, Toomer, and Guy can be year-one role players. Lane, Sweezy, and Scruggs are under-the-radar picks. Realistically, the Seahawks didn't overdraft anyone on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, and they consistently kept in mind need. It's a better group than people are saying.
Now we know why these Seahawks continue to play with a chip on their shoulders...
The following is an article summarizing grades from a wide variety of pundits. Out of 32 teams, the Seahawks got the 30th ranked grading when looking at all the grades. I'm guessing that many of these experts would be asking for a "re-do" now.
30. Seattle Seahawks
GPA: 1.89
Highest Grade: B (Czarnecki)
Lowest Grade: D- (Cole)
Comments: Although referring to the picks as shockers, Czarnecki didn’t have a problem with the Bruce Irvin/Bobby Wagner/Russell Wilson trifecta, as he sees talent in all of them. Cole was much less optimistic about Irvin and Wilson. He thinks Irvin, although having vast potential, is too much of a risk and was reached for too high in the draft, noting that several GMs didn’t have a first-round grade on him. As for Wilson, he essentially said he’ll be lucky to be Seneca Wallace. Enough said.
2012 NFL Draft Grades: Full Draft Results Report Card
By Matt Miller , NFL Draft Lead Writer
Apr 28, 2012
Draft Picks Round 1: DE/OLB Bruce Irvin (West Virginia)
Round 2: ILB Bobby Wagner (Utah State)
Round 3: QB Russell Wilson (Wisconsin)
Round 4: RB Robert Turbin (Utah State), DT Jaye Howard (Florida)
Round 5: ILB Korey Toomer (Idaho) Round
6: CB Jeremy Lane (Northwestern State), DB Winston Guy (Kentucky) Round
7: DE J.R. Sweezy (North Carolina State), DE Greg Scruggs (Louisville)
Grade: D Summary
The Seahawks received our lowest Round 1 grade for their reach to grab Bruce Irvin at No. 15 overall. They messed up again in Round 3 with Russell Wilson after having signed Matt Flynn this offseason. Neither pick makes much sense to us. Bobby Wagner and Robert Turbin saved the Seattle draft, but two of its first three picks were just bad.
And here's another....
Ranking NFL teams' 2012 drafts 1-32
26. Seattle Seahawks: GM John Schneider has made an early living mining gold in the mid-to-late rounds and free agency, and his choice of RB Robert Turbin in Round 4 looks like a score. Yet Schneider's first three picks — Round 1 DE Bruce Irvin, Round 2 LB Bobby Wagner and Round QB Russell Wilson — have exposed him to immediate criticism .
And yet another...
2012 NFC draft grades: Defensive-minded Eagles, Packers earn high marks
Seattle Seahawks
Picks: OLB Bruce Irvin, ILB Bobby Wagner, QB Russell Wilson, RB Robert Turbin, DT Jaye Howard, LB Korey Toomer, CB Jeremy Lane, SS Winston Guy Jr., DT J.R. Sweezy, DE Greg Scruggs
Grade: D-
Analysis: I have a great deal of respect for the work of John Schneider, but I don't understand this draft. Of eight teams (five of which drafted after the Seahawks) that were surveyed, none graded Irvin as a first-round pick. Yes, he has talent, and he could become great. He also might be a guy who burns out in two years because there are plenty of people who question his dedication. After that, the Seahawks spent a third-round pick on Wilson even though the history of QBs under 6-foot is poor, to say the least. You don't spend a third-round pick on a guy who'll be lucky to be Seneca Wallace. You also don't do that after signing Matt Flynn as a free agent. The Seahawks are no closer to solving the QB situation now than they were before 2011.
Shall I continue to pile on?????
NFL draft grades: Bengals, Cowboys immediate winners
PUBLISHED Saturday, Apr 28, 2012 at 10:52 pm EDT
Seattle Seahawks (D)
Key picks: DE Bruce Irvin, ILB Bobby Wagner.
Key picks: DE Bruce Irvin, ILB Bobby Wagner.
They went for defensive head-scratchers when more reliable prospects were on the board.
I especially like this next one because it refers to "hardly mindboggling as Mel Kiper's (ESPN's self professed draft expert) hair has claimed."
Draft 2012: NFC Grades
Sunday, April 29, 2012Grade: C+
Seattle Seahawks
15. Bruce Irvin, defensive end, West Virginia.
47. Bobby Wagner, linebacker, Utah State.
75. Russell Wilson, quarterback, Wisconsin.
106. Robert Turbin, running back, Utah State.
114. Jaye Howard, defensive tackle, Florida.
154. Korey Toomer, linebacker, Idaho.
172. Jeremy Lane, cornerback, Northwestern State.
181. Winston Guy, safety, Kentucky.
225. J.R. Sweezy, guard, N.C. State.
232. Greg Scruggs, defensive end, Louisville.
Overview: It's popular to pan the Seahawks' draft. While we're not giving them an "A," the 2012 Seattle picks are largely understandable and hardly "mindboggling" as Mel Kiper's hair has claimed. No. 15 is early for a situational pass rusher, but no defender in this class has a quicker first step than Irvin. Wagner is a thumper and addresses a need. Wilson is going to make Tarvaris Jackson expendable. Turbin adds physicality to a backfield lacking it behind Marshawn Lynch. Howard, Toomer, and Guy can be year-one role players. Lane, Sweezy, and Scruggs are under-the-radar picks. Realistically, the Seahawks didn't overdraft anyone on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, and they consistently kept in mind need. It's a better group than people are saying.
Now we know why these Seahawks continue to play with a chip on their shoulders...
The following is an article summarizing grades from a wide variety of pundits. Out of 32 teams, the Seahawks got the 30th ranked grading when looking at all the grades. I'm guessing that many of these experts would be asking for a "re-do" now.
02 May 2012
2012 NFL Draft Report Card Report
Guest column by Mike Ridley
Is there anything more enjoyable than assessing the folly of kneejerk reactions? The NFL draft concluded less than a week ago, yet the internet is already filled with draft report cards. As per tradition atFootball
Outsiders, we’ve gathered data from the most prestigious of those who dare to judge so quickly (Previous NFL Draft Report Card Reports may be viewed by clicking here: 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008,2007, 2006, 2005, and 2004.). We’ve compiled and analyzed this data to find out who passed (and failed) the eye test of those analysts, who will undoubtedly issue re-writes of their draft grades in the spring of 2015.
Outsiders, we’ve gathered data from the most prestigious of those who dare to judge so quickly (Previous NFL Draft Report Card Reports may be viewed by clicking here: 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008,2007, 2006, 2005, and 2004.). We’ve compiled and analyzed this data to find out who passed (and failed) the eye test of those analysts, who will undoubtedly issue re-writes of their draft grades in the spring of 2015.
For those looking for what Football Outsiders has to say about the draft, check back sometime in March, 2018. We believe that to accurately judge a draft class, six years of data needs to be in to assess things properly. To paraphrase Sports Illustrated’s Peter King, issuing verdicts this early would be like handing out grades on the first day of class.
, six years of data needs to be in to assess things properly. To paraphrase Sports Illustrated’s Peter King, issuing verdicts this early would be like handing out grades on the first day of class.
This year, we pulled the grades from nine NFL writers and draft analysts:
- Mel Kiper, ESPN Insider
- Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com (AFC) & (NFC)
- Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
- Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News
- John Czarnecki, Fox Sports
- Chris Wessling and Evan Silva, RotoWorld (AFC) & (NFC)
- Chris Burke, Sports Illustrated
- Jason Cole, Yahoo! Sports (AFC) & (NFC)
- Nate Davis, USA Today
Note that for Nate Davis’ "report card," he actually ranked the teams 1-32 rather than assigning letter grades (A, B, C, etc). To turn these rankings into letter grades for our exercise, I found the average of the eight other analysts total grades (approximately a "B-"), then found out what grades would make this average (10 of every grade "A+" through "D+" and two "D" grades), then assigned them to Davis’ rankings. Is this an imperfect science? Yes, but it should work for what we’re trying to accomplish.
30. Seattle Seahawks
GPA: 1.89
Highest Grade: B (Czarnecki)
Lowest Grade: D- (Cole)
Comments: Although referring to the picks as shockers, Czarnecki didn’t have a problem with the Bruce Irvin/Bobby Wagner/Russell Wilson trifecta, as he sees talent in all of them. Cole was much less optimistic about Irvin and Wilson. He thinks Irvin, although having vast potential, is too much of a risk and was reached for too high in the draft, noting that several GMs didn’t have a first-round grade on him. As for Wilson, he essentially said he’ll be lucky to be Seneca Wallace. Enough said.
The Ultimate "Cube-y" Photo Bomb!
While Bill Walton continues to talk some inane nonsense (probably) - I wasn't paying attention - Cal fan solves Rubik's cube in near record time.
Monday, February 03, 2014
Seahawks - Super Bowl Champions!!!!!
What a great weekend! The Cal Bears knock off the number ranked Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team and we are there to witness the game on Saturday. Then in the main event, the Seahawks run off with the Super Bowl. Of course, championships to Seattle fan are a new shiny toy. Do we run? Do we stop and wait for the WALK sign? Check out this video.
Although Malcolm Smith (7th round draft pick out of USC in 2011) won the MVP award, my MVP from the defensive side of the ball would've been Kam Chancellor (5th round pick out of Virginia Tech in 2010), he of the vicious intimidating hits throughout the game. I think his hits and play set the tone for the game and caused Denver to look shell shocked. If I were going to pick an offensive player for the MVP award, I would've gone with Russell Wilson or Percy Harvin.
Seahawks 43
Broncos 8
Finally, I got out my old Seahawks cap that I wore when I was in high school. Here is Ethan wearing the well-worn cap.
Finally, a tip of the old cap has to go to the 12th Man, aka Seahawk Fan. Who would've thought that the noise at MetLife Stadium (a supposedly neutral site) would've caused a miscue only 12 seconds into the game - turnover leading to a safety for the Seahawks. The Broncos were not prepared for the noise at the game. That initial miscue set the stage for the remainder of the game - the Broncos would not recover and the Seahawks' star would continue to rise.
Although Malcolm Smith (7th round draft pick out of USC in 2011) won the MVP award, my MVP from the defensive side of the ball would've been Kam Chancellor (5th round pick out of Virginia Tech in 2010), he of the vicious intimidating hits throughout the game. I think his hits and play set the tone for the game and caused Denver to look shell shocked. If I were going to pick an offensive player for the MVP award, I would've gone with Russell Wilson or Percy Harvin.
Seahawks 43
Broncos 8
Finally, I got out my old Seahawks cap that I wore when I was in high school. Here is Ethan wearing the well-worn cap.
Finally, a tip of the old cap has to go to the 12th Man, aka Seahawk Fan. Who would've thought that the noise at MetLife Stadium (a supposedly neutral site) would've caused a miscue only 12 seconds into the game - turnover leading to a safety for the Seahawks. The Broncos were not prepared for the noise at the game. That initial miscue set the stage for the remainder of the game - the Broncos would not recover and the Seahawks' star would continue to rise.
Sunday, February 02, 2014
Ethan, Happy Birthday and Go Bears!!
Ethan landed a sweet, late addition to his birthday gifts. Not only did he get to have six of his best friends over Friday night for a sleepover game night, he was also able to attend the history making Cal Bears game against the top ranked Arizona Wildcats that unfolded as a toe-to-toe basketball slugfest from beginning to end.
Arriving at the game, we found yellow T-shirts at our seats so we put them on and happily ate our sandwiches from Bongo Burger (a Berkeley institution for many Cal students that deserves a bow on the Food Networks' "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" show if not a higher level of recognition) and waited for the start of the game. Sightings at the game included Lute Olson (former Arizona coach and all-time Pac-12 winningest coach), the Pac-12 broadcast crew including Dan Belluomini (a familiar voice to die-hard Cal basketball fans), a stadium fully festooned in yellow with T-shirts at all seats in the Haas, Cal Bears jacked-up in warm-ups with Bears trying all kinds of crazy dunks, and although not spotted by us, others in attendance included Bob Melvin (former Cal Bear and current Oakland A's manager) and over 20 scouts from 14 NBA teams. The atmosphere was electric, quite appropriate for a Super Bowl weekend.
The game did not disappoint as the Cal and Arizona sections (yes, Arizona fans travel well and they were at the Haas in large number) went back and forth with full-throat cheers, jeers, chants and yelling. As soon as chants of "U of A" would go up, they would get swallowed up by chants of "Cal-i-fornia" or "Go Bears." And so the night would go on in this manner over the top of a well-played game.
At the time of the game, we did not realize how much the Bears relied on one player: Justin Cobbs. He apparently scored the final 12 points of the game for the Bears: with game at 48-42 Bears, Cobbs makes two free throws; with the game at 50-48 Bears, Cobbs makes two free throws again; with the score 52-50 Bears, Cobbs scores on a lay-up; with score 54-56 Arizona, Cobbs makes a jumper; with the sore 56-58 Arizona, Cobbs makes another pair on a one-and-one; and finally with the score netted at 58, Cobbs hits the game winner with 0.9 left on the clock to all but decide the game.
The end of the game was really chaotic. The student section stormed the court twice. The first time was when we all thought the game was over, but the refs apparently wanted to check to see if there was time left on the clock so they had stopped the game. Coach Montgomery had to take the court to try to help escort a few hundred delirious Cal fans off the court. Not an easy task, but somehow order was restored. After the video review, they put 0.9 seconds back on the clock and Arizona ran one final futile play after both sides were able to adjust and prepare for the play. Then the students got to storm the court for real. We stayed to soak up the atmosphere for a little bit. It was crazy. Richard Solomon was still walking around with the game ball in his mitts as if he were Smeagal clutching the ring.
The game was history making not because of what the announcer said at the end of the game: first time for a Cal team to knock off a number one ranked team. This actually was incorrect. This was the first time for a Cal team to knock off a number one ranked team at home at Haas. Cal has done this twice before. >br />
Here's Ethan at the game.
What's not to like about the usual serious Coach Monty doing the "Nae Nae." Check out the end of the video below. Although it's not easy to see the coach, you can see him in the middle of the Bears' mosh pit with arms flailing doing his version of the "Nae Nae."
Arriving at the game, we found yellow T-shirts at our seats so we put them on and happily ate our sandwiches from Bongo Burger (a Berkeley institution for many Cal students that deserves a bow on the Food Networks' "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" show if not a higher level of recognition) and waited for the start of the game. Sightings at the game included Lute Olson (former Arizona coach and all-time Pac-12 winningest coach), the Pac-12 broadcast crew including Dan Belluomini (a familiar voice to die-hard Cal basketball fans), a stadium fully festooned in yellow with T-shirts at all seats in the Haas, Cal Bears jacked-up in warm-ups with Bears trying all kinds of crazy dunks, and although not spotted by us, others in attendance included Bob Melvin (former Cal Bear and current Oakland A's manager) and over 20 scouts from 14 NBA teams. The atmosphere was electric, quite appropriate for a Super Bowl weekend.
The game did not disappoint as the Cal and Arizona sections (yes, Arizona fans travel well and they were at the Haas in large number) went back and forth with full-throat cheers, jeers, chants and yelling. As soon as chants of "U of A" would go up, they would get swallowed up by chants of "Cal-i-fornia" or "Go Bears." And so the night would go on in this manner over the top of a well-played game.
At the time of the game, we did not realize how much the Bears relied on one player: Justin Cobbs. He apparently scored the final 12 points of the game for the Bears: with game at 48-42 Bears, Cobbs makes two free throws; with the game at 50-48 Bears, Cobbs makes two free throws again; with the score 52-50 Bears, Cobbs scores on a lay-up; with score 54-56 Arizona, Cobbs makes a jumper; with the sore 56-58 Arizona, Cobbs makes another pair on a one-and-one; and finally with the score netted at 58, Cobbs hits the game winner with 0.9 left on the clock to all but decide the game.
The end of the game was really chaotic. The student section stormed the court twice. The first time was when we all thought the game was over, but the refs apparently wanted to check to see if there was time left on the clock so they had stopped the game. Coach Montgomery had to take the court to try to help escort a few hundred delirious Cal fans off the court. Not an easy task, but somehow order was restored. After the video review, they put 0.9 seconds back on the clock and Arizona ran one final futile play after both sides were able to adjust and prepare for the play. Then the students got to storm the court for real. We stayed to soak up the atmosphere for a little bit. It was crazy. Richard Solomon was still walking around with the game ball in his mitts as if he were Smeagal clutching the ring.
The game was history making not because of what the announcer said at the end of the game: first time for a Cal team to knock off a number one ranked team. This actually was incorrect. This was the first time for a Cal team to knock off a number one ranked team at home at Haas. Cal has done this twice before. >br />
Here's Ethan at the game.
What's not to like about the usual serious Coach Monty doing the "Nae Nae." Check out the end of the video below. Although it's not easy to see the coach, you can see him in the middle of the Bears' mosh pit with arms flailing doing his version of the "Nae Nae."
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