The 2009 Kansas City Chiefs will sport a completely new look from 2008 and those changes start at the top. Gone are Carl Peterson and Herman Edwards and in their place came former Patriot Scott Pioli and former Cardinal offensive coordinator turned head coach Todd Haley, respectively. Also, the Chiefs have a new starting quarterback in ex-patriot Matt Cassel and the three rookies will try to bring some excitement back to a franchise that has been the doormat for years. What impact will Cassel have on the rest of the Chiefs in terms of fantasy? Will Kassel have another successful season or will it be a flop? I examine these questions and more when I look at Kansas City’s fantasy potential heading into 2009.

Cassel was one of the biggest surprises of the 2008 NFL season as he replaced the injured Tom Brady and threw for 3,693 yards with 21 TDs and just 11 INTs. The numbers are all the more impressive when you consider that Cassel hadn’t started a game since high school when he found himself in the spotlight. Cassel’s performance down the stretch helped countless fantasy owners win titles by going for back-to-back 400-yard games during the fantasy playoffs. Also, Cassel almost killed me and barely got away in the championship round when he had 4 TD passes against the Raiders. Luckily, he had a complete enough team to get past him, but needless to say, he was a little worried seeing him play against my Raiders. Cassel played his heart out for Josh McDipshit last year, but now he comes to a team looking for an offensive identity. In terms of weapons, Cassel has some, but not in excess. WR Dwayne Bowe is entering his third year and should be a star. Bowe will unequivocally be Cassel’s number one target, especially after TE Tony Gonzalez’s departure to Atlanta. Gonzalez’s departure is a huge loss for the Chiefs and especially for Cassel, as the young quarterback certainly would have often been seen as a veteran. Cassel has Haley setting him up, but overall, I wouldn’t bet his fantasy teams’ chances on him this year. He’s a decent option for a No. 2 QB, but too many questions surround him to be considered a solid No. 1 fantasy QB on a week-to-week basis.

Historically, the Chiefs’ running game has been the team’s strength, as Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson have had monster seasons for the club. Holmes is long gone, Johnson seems to be back in 2009 but he will be 30 years old and seems to have had his prime. I know because I actually used my second pick on LJ thinking it was still a good value at the time. Things never worked out for him in 2009 due to several variables, including playing in a terrible offense and having numerous off-the-field issues that culminated in a suspension. Johnson finished the year rushing for 874 yards and 5 TDs. Johnson did show glimpses of his old self at times, namely the Week 4 game against Denver when he galloped for 198 yards and 2 touchdowns, but it was mostly a disappointment to the former Penn St. product and the owners who drafted him. . Johnson stated throughout the year and most of the offseason that he wanted out of KC, but he seemed to change his mind once Piloi and Haley came on board. Honestly, I really don’t know what to think of LJ heading into 2009. I don’t think he’s done yet, as he sat behind the aforementioned Holmes for several years before finally getting a chance at him. Plus, the Chiefs don’t really have many backups behind LJ in Jamal Charles and Kolby Smith, and none are going to strike fear into defenses. Right now, I see LJ as a good No. 3 RB or Flex option with the potential to move up to a No. 2 option. I think LJ has some edge this year, especially if you can get him in the 5-6 round range. , which is where it’s been predominantly going in the mock drafts I’ve been participating in. I think the off-the-field issues and resulting poor season humbled Johnson and I hope he bounces back a bit. Some people compare him to LT, but there is no comparison, as LT has had a lot more carries in his career than Johnson, and as such, he could be closer to the end. Just stay safe with LJ. Don’t reach too high for him and if you do, make sure you handcuff him to Charles with a late pick for insurance. Smith has no draft value at the time of publication.

WR Bowe appears poised for stardom in his junior year and could benefit greatly from Cassel’s presence at QB. Bowe caught 86 passes for 1,022 yards and 7 TDs, which was a slight improvement over his rookie season. There are some receivers that seem to have it and Bowe seems to be one of those receivers. The third-year pro from LSU is a great road runner, has great hands and appears to be a good-natured guy who is very capable of coaching. Plus, he’s 6’2″ 221, which gives him the ability to win jumps off defenders. I expect Bowe to have another solid season, as most NFL wide receivers seem to break out in their third year. Claim him as a number 2. option, but don’t be surprised if he performs better than that with Cassel and Haley now in Kansas City There’s not much else in the way of KC wide receivers in regards to fantasy potential As mentioned, the legendary Chief Gonzalez now he’s an Atlanta Falcon leaving KC with virtually no one at the TE position and Mark Bradley and Bobby Engram represent nothing more than emergency gap-stopping options for your fantasy squad In short, look for Bowe to break statistically under Haley but avoid all of Chief’s other receivers.

The Chiefs have been terrible the past few years on defense, but I think that should start to change this year, especially if Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson play the way they’re capable of. Picking Jackson over Aaron Curry is a stretch if you ask me, and the Chiefs made that selection based solely on the defensive scheme they play. Look for the Chiefs to improve defensively this year, but there are much better options available in terms of consistent DST production. Rookie Ryan Succop and Connor Barth will battle for the kicking spot during training camp. That concludes my examination of the Chiefs’ fantasy prospects heading into 2009. Next step: The San Diego Chargers.

Families traveling with children will find Amboseli National Park a safari destination like no other, with less tourist traffic, stunning open spaces, easy access from Nairobi, the list is endless.

Described by writers as ‘a home for the gods’, the park covers 150 square miles south of Nairobi and sits right at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain at 5,895m. The park is currently at the crossroads with the government and local communities claiming ownership, with the snow-capped peaks of Kilimanjaro dominating every aspect of this park and forming a stunning backdrop for the wildlife found here: elephant, lion, leopard, rhinoceros, buffalo. , cheetah and a host of game from the plains and their stunning beauty, the tag is well worth it!

The area is home to the Masai people, tall, colourful, proud nomadic warriors famous for their legendary prowess in battle and single-handed acts of bravery in fights with wild animals. Perhaps more than any other people they have learned to live in complete harmony with the wildlife around them, this knowledge they proudly shared with visitors and is well worth the time. Children will be able to get up close and personal and explore the simple yet fascinating houses, adults will also enjoy the cultural aspect of the lifestyle.

The Oltukai Lodge in Amboseli is one of the best places in the world where children can observe elephants and study their fascinating behavior in the wild. This is where you will find the largest concentration of elephants than anywhere else in Africa, they can be seen scattered across the savannah. forest, just remember to ask your driver-guide about how these intelligent mammals weep and pay the last respect to a dead limb or how they cross their tiny young in a fast-flowing river. .

Quietly hidden from view, the Kibo family’s villa squats undisturbed, an elegant three-bedroom log cabin built of stone and gum tree, in complete harmony with its surroundings. Own entrance, living room, fully equipped kitchen and barbecue area. Secluded by a grove of indigenous Acacia Tortilis trees and five acres of garden, Kibo Villa is peace and privacy done to perfection. Two or three small families traveling together love the self catering option, use of hostel facilities is welcome. Detailed attention is given to safety issues and a resident nurse is available on call.

Kids will love the lavish buffet breakfast or private family dinner, specially presented as a family package in a wonderful secluded spot amongst the tortilla trees, just a ring away from the resident elephant family who also enjoy of your own feast, breakfast works best.

The Selenkay conservation area is located to the east of Amboseli and is off the beaten track, never visited by tourists until now, the bird life is prolific, especially birds of prey. Porini 6-tent luxury camp sleeps 12 guests at a time, camp is on the lines of a traditional luxury family camp, comfortable family rooms in tents, private bathrooms, flush toilets, solar powered electric lighting and an amazing chef completes a safari family. shelter!

In Amboseli, locally trained Maasai naturalists or trekking guides will take the children out in the mornings in a small group of say 8 children for an adventurous nature exploration. In most cases, these walking trips to nearby sites will include lessons on Maasai hunting techniques, catching and naming butterflies, scavenger hunts, tree planting, hide-and-seek in animal camouflage clothing, and an engaging question-and-answer session. answers by answering every question they ever have. had on wildlife and tribal members.

The young ranger club is available for children aged 10-15, it could be a temporary or annual membership with letters, postcards and birthday cards sent to members around the world from deep in the wilds of Africa.

Many of you probably watched that amazing Texas Tech-Texas game on Saturday night like I did. The entertainment value of the game alone was worth the time investment, with Michael Crabtree scoring the game-winning touchdown on a thrilling play with just 1 second left on the clock. Mike Leach is a story unto himself, definitely a man who keeps to the beat of a different drummer. On the Texas side of the ball, athletes abound and Mack Brown is a true gentleman, a modern statesman of the game.

The youth soccer lesson in this

As youth soccer coaches, what can we learn from Coach Leach? First, let’s look at Coach Leach’s background for a moment. With the exception of one year when he sat on the bench for his high school football team when he was a junior, he never played organized football. He earned his bachelor’s degree from BYU and then his law degree from Pepperdine. At 25, married, with his second child on the way, he decides he wants to be a college football coach. Yes of course. After stops at College of the Desert, Cal Poly, Iowa Wesleyan, Valdosta State, Finland and Kentucky, he is now the head coach at Texas Tech. Not bad for a self-described “Christian with serious obedience issues.” He seems to look at things from a slightly different perspective, perhaps even an “outsiders” kind of point of view.

He has amassed a 74-37 record at a school that rarely, no, let’s rephrase that, never gets top-tier or even second-tier talent in the state of Texas. Those players are reserved for Texas, Oklahoma and Texas A&M. Those kids go to the big money, the big stadium, the big tradition schools, not Texas Tech and it’s a small 57,000 seat stadium with a masked pirate mascot Zorro. Just getting to Lubbock is a major undertaking, like something out of one of those “Dead Zone” commercials, the place none of the Big 12 Media teams like to go.

Leach does it with quarterbacks no one else wants, 6-foot kids with deals just for tech, and maybe a middle school. He has started several quarterbacks for just one season, many of whom are fifth-year seniors like BJ Symons, who passed for 52 touchdowns in his only year as a starter. The following season, Symons was replaced by another fifth-year senior, Sonny Cumbie, who threw for 4,742 yards, sixth-best in NCAA history. This season, Cody Hodges, a fifth-year student with four years of bench experience, leads Tech’s quest for its first Big 12 title and even a shot at the National Championship.

Now what does all this mean for us youth soccer coaches?

The leaching formula

Mike Leach saw when he came to Texas Tech, that there was no way he could keep up with Texas, Oklahoma, A&M and the greats by doing more than they were doing. He was always going to have to settle for second- and third-tier players. He focused on bringing in quick, smart kids who were maybe a little small or oddly shaped, kids who might not look like football players. Certainly, former quarterback Kliff Kingsbury fit that mold. He looked like he would need shoe weights to hold him up when strong West Texas winds blew around Lubbock. Included in 175 pounds, this weight number was as accurate as the weight listed on a 45-year-old woman’s driver’s license. Technical runner Taurean Henderson looked more like a skinny Wizard of Oz Munchkin with really bad hair than a Big 12 Running Back.

How do you win with talent like this? I’m sure that’s what Leach asked himself 10 years ago when he started at Tech,

This is what he did:

He widened the divisions of the offensive line, so his diminutive quarterbacks would have lanes they could see and pass, as well as making the edges so far out that his quarterbacks had more time against the incredible athleticism many of the 12 wingers have. big defenders. Over the course of a game, those long passes tire these monstrous defensive ends, so in the fourth quarter their quarterbacks have all day to throw. Offensive line splits vary dramatically from 3 to 9 feet. This also gave his smaller offensive linemen good angles for those big defensive linemen lining up in the gaps.

He was committed to passing the ball first, averaging more than 55 shots per game in most seasons.

He promised to launch the ball with just a few concepts, All Curl, 4 Verticals, Y-Stick, Shallow, Bubble Screens and Mesh. The laminated game card for his quarterback had only 26 offensive plays for the Texas Game. Coach Leach does NOT have a huge game card filled with hundreds of plays and range and distance material, he has a simple unlaminated piece of paper usually folded into quarters, sort of like a crumpled sheet, with about 30 plays on it. . If a work works, write an O next to it and run it again, if it fails, write an X next to it and don’t. In the Texas game, All Curl must have had an O next to him because he threw it at least 5 times.

He promised to execute those few concepts from many formations and looks. So while Leach can be called the “Mad Scientist,” his playbook is relatively simple. Those television experts have no idea.

Why does it work?

How and why does it work? The accuracy of your receiver routes is second to none. Look at them from time to time, you will not see anything like it anywhere. The moment, the execution in strange. There is nothing revolutionary about these soccer moves, what is flawless and revolutionary is the execution. Pass protection is just as impeccable, with quarterback Tech having been sacked just twice so far this season.

The equivalent of youth football

As a youth soccer coach, we have to look at what we have to work with and how it compares to our competition. Can we afford to run what everyone else in the league is running and hope the kids succeed? Should we run the exact same soccer plays and formations as our biggest and fastest competition and expect to compete? Or do we have to get creative and run something different? Tech decided to run something different.

Do we need 40-50-60 plays in our playbook? Tech did it on Saturday with 26 plays of football and Tech practices 6 days a week most of the year. They are masters of exhausted concepts of multiple formations.

Do we dump our chips with leach?

When you coach youth soccer, does this mean you have to commit to throwing the ball 60 times a game and widen your splits to 6-9 feet with your soccer team? Not at all. In youth soccer, we can’t practice 6 days a week most of the year or eliminate anyone (most teams), Texas Tech doesn’t have to worry about getting every player in the game, regardless of the circumstances of the game, or having teams sized 25 instead of 150. Your kids won’t be able to stretch the divisions to 9 feet, when you’re starting a future non-athletic computer nerd at one point on the offensive line and the future tuba on the sideline of music in another. Those kinds of kids can’t fill a 2 foot space let alone a 6-9 foot space. Most youth football teams aren’t going to have 2-3 good, well-trained backup quarterbacks waiting in the wings when the starter gets injured or sick. Even your best quarterback who attends every QB camp known to man isn’t going to throw to a streaking wide receiver and hit him with pinpoint accuracy on the outside tip of his lateral shoulder on a 25-yard lateral streak route like Tech does it constantly (impossible to defend). But what we youth soccer coaches can learn from Leach is to compete, you don’t have the biggest, most athletic team in your league, but you have to be different. You don’t have to have 60 football moves in your playbook, but what you do need are complementary plays that you execute to absolute perfection. That’s why my teams run the Single Wing offense and why we have a limited number of 100% complementary game series that we refine each season.

Tech still has a tough matchup with Oklahoma State, but it’s always fun to watch. Heck, if Tech hadn’t made 4 and 6 of his own 35 against Nebraska 2 weeks ago in a close win, we might not even be having this conversation. But Mike Leach thinks 4th and 6 is a doable try even from his own 35. When his “no play” failed, Crabtree delivered with a “broken play” 65-yard TD that made the difference in the game. . Mike Leach is an enigma.

#1 Free Basketball Pick

Spurs @ Hornets: The Hornets won the last time these two played in Oklahoma City. The Spurs beat the Hornets when they played in San Antonio, so both teams should have a decent plan on how to beat each other. It would definitely help the Hornets if JR Smith came back. Predicted Score: San Antonio wins on a buzzer beater but loses against the spread 98-96

Free Basketball Pick #2

Cavaliers @ Hawks: Call it a hunch, but I think this will be the first sellout of the year for the Hawks. And Cleveland, coming off a tough game with Indiana, might not be able to handle Atlanta. Will the Hawks focus entirely on LeBron or will they have no idea what to do? Predicted Score: Clevland wins 106-102 but loses against the spread in a tight. Take over in this game too.

Free Basketball Pick #3

Sonics @ Jazz: All the little things a team does (rebound, pass, play defense, etc.) don’t get used in Seattle. Utah plays so many pick-and-rolls you’d think Stockton and Malone were still there. Seattle will have a hard time keeping up with the Jazz. Predicted Score: Utah wins on a 95-80 road. Parlay the under with Utah against the spread at your favorite betting establishment.

Sports injuries are the most common type of injury that occur when one indulges in vigorous exercise or athletic activities. They are mainly due to poor training methods, weaknesses and anomalies in the structural framework, as well as risky training environments. Although many of these injuries are harmless and could be treated with rest and home remedies; some of them are serious and need professional help. In the following discussion, we will explore more about the types of sports injuries and how they can be prevented and cured.

More about sports injuries

1. Knee injuries are the most common among athletes. A variety of aches and pains in the patella may be collectively referred to as runner’s knee. People who participate in activities like cycling, swimming, and aerobics or in sports like basketball, soccer, and volleyball mostly suffer from these complicated problems. Athletes should change their shoes and inserts frequently. They should not train on hard surfaces and rest between exercise sessions. Apply ice and use anti-inflammatory ointments to treat these types of wounds.

2. Dislocations along with shoulder sprains and strains are common among athletes involved in basketball, volleyball, tennis, swimming, and weightlifting. These problems occur when the rotator cuff or the groups of tendons and muscles around the shoulders loosen, leading to stiffness, pain, slippage, and weakness of the shoulders. It is necessary to strengthen the muscles between training sessions. RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) treatment may be given at home. If this does not work, patients should consult any of the efficient sports orthopedic specialists.

3. Football, basketball, hockey, and volleyball players are all familiar with ankle sprains. The quick movements of jumping, turning, running can twist the ankle or even cause ligament and tendon tears. In case of these injuries, the RICE treatment helps. Massaging the ankles would prevent swelling.

4. Concussion is an injury that occurs due to a strong blow to the head. Dizziness, disorientation, amnesia, vision disturbance, and loss of balance are some of the common symptoms of this medical condition. Athletes who play sports like boxing, hockey, and soccer are mostly likely to get a concussion. Although some people return to normal work, multiple concussions can cause lasting damage. Rest is perhaps the only treatment for concussions; however, patients should seek help from medical professionals in severe cases.

5. Lack of flexibility and fatigue can cause pulled muscles in athletes. The hamstrings and calves are the most common type of pulled muscles. They could be extremely painful and could lead to bruising. The ideal way to prevent this condition is by stretching before exercises. RICE treatment and anti-inflammatory medications are helpful in cases of pulled muscles. In severe cases, patients might be taken to specialists in sports orthopedics.

The aforementioned discussion of the most common type of sports injuries and their prevention and treatment would certainly be of great help to many athletes.

The Detroit Lions team finally named its coaching and administrative staff after the 0-16 NFL season. According to Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew, James Harris has been hired as the new senior personnel executive who will be responsible for evaluating players and managing the personnel department. Although Mayhew was in Detroit as coach for less than a season, he has said that Harris has 20 years of experience that has earned him the respect of the National Football League. He spent the last 6 years in Jacksonville as president of the player staff.

Harris has a lot of experience, especially after working in Baltimore as director of professional personnel from 1997-2002 and even helped the Ravens win the 35th Super Bowl. He also has a history of working with the current Lions coach in 1997-1998.

Manager Mayhew is pleased with the new front office team which he says is made up of very young members, some old ones who have a lot of experience and a great attitude who are very excited to get started.

The coaching staff is made up of former staff members and their assistants who have good connections with Coach Schwartz, and Scott Linehan and Günter Cunningham, who are responsible for the offensive and defensive departments, respectively.

Those retained include Stan Kwan, special teams coordinator, Sam Gash, running backs, Shawn Jefferson, wide receivers manager, Bradford Banta, special teams assistant, Jason Arapoff, physical development coordinator and Malcolm Blacken, in charge of strength and conditioning.

Head Coach Schwartz also named nine new coaches Jeff Horton (QBs); Tim Lappano (tight ends); Bob Karmelowicz (defensive line); Kris Kocurek (assistant defensive line); Daron Roberts (secondary assistant); Tim Walton (secondary); George Yarno (offensive line); Matt Burke (linebackers); Todd Downing (offensive quality control).

The Detroit Lions have also waived some of their players in a move to add talent to the club. Most of those sent home participated in the first 0-16 NFL game. Among them were well-paid Leigh Bodden and Mike Furrey, guard Edwin Mulitalo, safety Dwight Smith, tight end Dan Campbell and offensive tackle Jon Dunn.

Bodden is leaving even before the end of his four-year contract with the Lions in which he had signed $27 million for the entire season. He allowed one pass for the Lions last season after having 11 interceptions in Cleveland the previous three years, including six in 2007.

Campbell could have been eliminated because last season he only played 3 games after suffering an injury. He initially played 23 games for the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants in the 2005-2006 seasons.

However, the Detroit Lions still have a long way to go to renew this season’s games after suffering a humiliating loss in the 0-16 season. The new team will have to test and implement their new winning strategies. However, the big decision still needs to be made at quarterback and for that to happen, work needs to start immediately.

Nessley: Negative Conditioning

Martin Nessley was a 7’2″, 280 lb. heavy mountain from Whitehall-Yearling High School in Columbus, Ohio. Along with his size, he brought impressive credentials such as McDonald’s All-American and Parade All-American. Can’t you like it? Coach K pursued him and got engaged to Duke in 1984. The coach probably believed he could get Martin to do weight training and conditioning and speed the guy up, give him a vertical jump of at least several inches.

Nessley was put on a strict diet. Alarie remembers that the guy barely ate anything besides maybe a salad at the training table. However, he couldn’t even lose a pound. Marty didn’t play much his first year, too slow. Then knee surgery limited him as a sophomore.

Sumner describes one night between 1:00 and 2:00 am Amaker, Nessley’s roommate, woke up to a knock on his door and then a muffled conversation. As Amaker tried to fall asleep, he heard movement from across the room. He turned on a lamp and found Nessley munching on a large pizza under his blanket. Surely Nessley had to know that the trainers at Duke would have satisfied that hunger with plenty of protein drinks and protein-packed low-fat meats. But maybe his drive to stand out wasn’t powerful enough.

Finally, in his senior year, Nessley played in every game, starting four and blocking 24 shots, not bad. The best game of his career was at Harvard with 25 points and 8 rebounds. But that was the extreme exception. It looks as if that 7-foot-2 frame of his could have accomplished so much more. He played small ball in the NBA for a year.

Randolph: bad breaks or bad attitude?

Shavlik Randolph became an instant star at Broughton High School in Raleigh, North Carolina. His record of 56 points in a game broke Pete Maravich’s record at the same school. With that kind of game, it shouldn’t be surprising that he was a McDonald’s All-American, a two-time Associated Press North Carolina Player of the Year and a two-time Parade All-American.

The kid got off to a terrific start at Duke with 23 points and a team-high 7 rebounds in Game 1 against Army. Two days later he had a double-double against Davidson. Then, suddenly, Shavlik was almost out of sight. He scored in double figures just five more games that season and struggled somewhat with injuries. Over the summer he had to rehab after successful hip surgery. As a sophomore, he played in all 37 games for Duke, averaging 7.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. He then seemed to come alive for the NCAA tournament, playing very well against Alabama State and UConn.

During his junior year, his averages were slightly lower than his sophomore stats, but he missed four games recovering from mononucleosis. Still, he averaged nearly 20 minutes of playing time per game. Then, inexplicably, after his lackluster junior year, Randolph decided to opt out his senior year and declare himself a candidate for the draft. Over the years, he has gone back and forth between brief stints with NBA teams followed by playing in European leagues.

Price: a fantastic year

Ricky Price played three years of high school basketball at St. Anthony’s and his senior year at Serra High School in Gardena, California. One thing that became apparent during Price’s high school career and later at Nike camps is that he was fully capable of taking charge of games and carrying a team on his back. A McDonalds All-American Slam Dunk Champion, he was unanimously named one of the top 5 players in the nation by USA Today/AP/Parade.

Price started 14 games as a rookie during that nightmare season without Coach K. He then had a breakout sophomore season making 29 starts in 31 games. He acted as the go-to man in close games and won several in the closing seconds. Against Virginia he went wild with 28 points. All was going well for Price until shortly before preseason his junior year when he broke his finger and began having trouble with his outside shot. He only started 11 games that year. Definitely a disappointment.

Then, as he entered his fourth year, this should have been his golden opportunity to top his stellar sophomore stats and make NBA scouts salivate. However, he was caught plagiarizing and declared academically ineligible after his third year. He had to sit out the fall semester as a senior. In December, when he was able to resume play, Coach K apparently wasn’t too impressed because he only had one start on senior day against UNC. Price ended up playing professionally abroad.

Pure talent is not enough

Nessley, Randolph and Price arrived at Duke with accolades and awards rivaling some of the greatest recruits of all time. Veteran scouts raved about them and they were voted high school All-Americans. His raw potential seemed almost limitless. Some may blame injuries, but many Duke players have battled through injuries and still had excellent careers at Duke. When the boys show up at Duke, success isn’t even close to being inevitable. They have to stretch par excellence, fight for minutes, be slaves to strength, speed and conditioning. They have to play for the team, learn from the coaches and outplay their opponents. Nothing is guaranteed in sports. That is why it is a fierce competition until the end.

There has never been a more inspiring marriage than the one that united the game of golf with the terrain of South West Ireland. Nowhere is this inspiration more evident than in a small County Kerry town nestled at the junction of the River Shannon and the Atlantic Ocean, where next to golf, seaweed baths are the biggest draw. Those seaweed baths, however, are a poor second in need.

Watching over this town from above, where it has stood as a sentinel since the 13th century and played a major role in the Norman conquest of Ireland, are the ruins of a castle. The image on that castle wall has gained new fame as a symbol of the city’s main attraction, its Golflinks.

The town, of course, is Ballybunion, and for a long time its golf courses were one of golf’s overlooked treasures. They might still be a secret, were it not for a visit from American golf champion Tom Watson, who in the early 1980s declared that the Ballybunion Golf Club course was one that many golf architects could learn a great deal about. art of golf course design. .

Ballybunion Golf Club has now become a favorite driving range for elite golfers who gather from around the world each July to compete in the British Open. The names of Nicklaus, Faldo and Woods are just three that have joined Tom Watson on the club’s register, which dates back to 1893.

However, the original Ballybunion Golf Club met an untimely demise and was almost a complete financial failure until its board of directors was changed in 1901. The Ballybunion links continued to develop as did The Golf Club’s reputation, and by 1927, it was a full 18-hole course. Six years later, it came to prominence as the site of the Irish Women’s Golf Championship, and in a further five years Ballybunion Golf Club hosted the Irish Men’s Amateur Championship.

Ballybunion Golf Club, however, did not achieve the recognition it deserved until 1957, when the Irish Professional Championship was played there. In the more than five decades since, Ballybunion has hosted hundreds of other major competitions and has consistently received high marks from players of all levels. The Old Course at Ballybunion tests every golfer’s skill pages against the Atlantic-driven winds, while also rewarding them with spectacular ocean views.

The 7th and 11th holes at Ballybunion, with over 400 yards each, offer everything that’s great about the game of golf. The course between them winds along the sea and between the dunes, allowing players to soak up the sensation of the salty air, see the seagrass bend in the breeze and feel the sand give way under their feet. The 9th hole at Ballybunion Old Course features a green that resulted from bisecting a sand dune, while the 17th hole requires the golfer to send their shot straight out to sea.

The amenities at Ballybunion Golf Club do justice to its extraordinary courses. The newly completed modern clubhouse features an upscale dining room, two bars, and several cozy relaxation rooms. Their Pro Golf Shop can cater to every conceivable golfing need, and for golfers waiting for tee time to arrive, Ballybunion Golf Club offers putting and chipping practice greens, a driving range and even a practice sand bunker. .

A golf vacation that includes a visit to County Kerry’s Ballybunion Golf Club will reward you with a naturally challenging course in a historic setting that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.

Airsoft is an active outdoor sport, played on private property or officially insured airsoft fields. The sport features matchups between players using replica firearms that fire small 6mm plastic pellets (BBs). The energy of a projectile is small, and special face protection is worn to prevent injury. These are not “soft air” rifles used to hunt small game!

Airsoft replicas come in many shapes and sizes, modeled after real firearms. This article is about electric airsoft guns, which are 1:1 scale replicas of real guns. The term “electric” comes from an electric motor that compresses a spring using a series of 4 gears. The spring, once released, drives a piston to create a blast of compressed air that propels the airsoft projectile.

This complicated assembly is called a “gearbox” because it contains 4 gears. This gearbox was originally developed by Tokyo Marui for use in their Glock 18c automatic pistol replica. Since then numerous manufacturers including Cyma, TSD, Well and Double Eagle have produced their own versions of the mini airsoft gearbox for use with stun guns.

There is a lot of confusion about what an Airsoft stun gun is and is not. Here is a summary:

Originally designed by Tokyo Marui, the airsoft electric gun (AEP):

• uses a subcompact version of the normal airsoft gearbox
• The gearbox is made of metal and offers excellent durability.
• It’s practically a mini automatic electric pistol (AEG) and shoots BBs at about 200 feet per second.
• All electric airsoft guns feature adjustable jump, about 0.20 grams BB
• The gun also comes with a 30-round metal magazine.
• The gun comes with a 7.2-volt rechargeable battery and charger.
• The slide of the pistol does not move when firing.
• It generally has 2 price ranges: 40-60$ for low-end models and 100-160$ for quality models

Often mistaken for an airsoft stun gun, the EBB uses an entirely different gearbox design and also features a blowback slide (hence the term “recoil”).

• Uses various proprietary plastic gearboxes
• Shoot about 160-200 fpm with 0.2 gram BBs
• May include a set of fixed jumps for 0.12 gram BBs
• It comes with a magazine of banana-shaped sticks.
• Usually runs on 4 x 6.0 volt Triple-A alkaline batteries
• The slide moves back when firing.
• It is usually priced in the range of 7-25$

The main difference between the two is durability. Many people are drawn to lower cost electric kickbacks as their first purchase because of the affordable price. However, the plastic nature of these weapons and the fact that they are most often used by teenagers makes these weapons break quite quickly. This often means that people think of airsoft as a cheap, dumb hobby.

An airsoft community in the United States is still quite young, so I encourage you to explore some of the most durable airsoft guns as your first purchase, and look forward to seeing you in the field!

One of your most prized collector’s items for generations, the brilliantly embellished and ornate German Beer Mug requires extreme care and skillful handling of the valuable piece. Let’s discuss the vitals of proper display and cleaning of these beautiful vanity items.

pitcher display

Display your beer mugs with the lids closed as they prevent the aging process and ongoing damage compared to displays with open lids. Closed lids prevent oxidation of the inner body of the jug and thus stop the process of irrevocable staining of the jugs.

Vacuum Sealed Container Storage

All pitchers are man-made and age over time; For a longer, scratch-free, and blemish-free life of your carafe, protect it in the best possible way in a vacuum-sealed cover, which protects it from the oxidation process and thus slows down the aging process.

Avoid drinking beer from German steins

Beer lovers love to display and enjoy drinking their beer in beer mugs. The only fret is to stain and damage the beautiful piece of stone. However, the worst can be when it gets damaged while cleaning the part.

Do not clean in dishwasher

First, refrain from using a dishwasher. These have a constant flow of heat which causes the pitcher to dry out and maybe split or have a small crack. This is very challenging because the pewter mug, glass beer mug, or stoneware mug all encompass a different factor of expansion and contraction. Therefore, it is best not to use any type of automatic dishwasher to clean or rinse the jars.

hand cleaning

• rubber coating

When cleaning pitchers in the sink, first place a thick rubber mat with a liner at the base of your sink or tub. Second, cover the sides of the wash area for added protection, to prevent jars from coming into contact with the hard wash surface while cleaning.

• Fill the liner with warm water.

Fill the rubber pleated container with warm mild water and mild detergent for cleaning. Never wash with hot water as there is a possibility of expansion of the internal substances that make up the jar.

• One at a time

Always clean one by one, as two jars together can damage each other with their hard outer surface coating.

• Use an extra sponge

Apply a soft sponge to clean the glass beer mug and a toothbrush for ceramic mugs. If deep cleaning is required, soak the pitchers in soapy water for 5 minutes, but refrain from harsh scrubbing to clean.

• Rinse with clean water

Once you have finished cleaning the pitcher, rinse it well under cold water. Once it’s clean, pat it dry with a soft cotton towel.

• air dry

Beer mugs should be air dried before closing the lid. This will prevent any fungal growth on the inner walls of the jars. The only exception to this procedure is wooden jugs, which should never be completely submerged in water.

A proper and well-designed cleaning, display and handling regimen for a German beer mug helps preserve your precious collectible artwork for future generations.