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Jets Back Up the Talk Against the Patriots
Jets Back Up the Talk Against the Patriots
By Jack Lee Hoover
To some, Rex Ryan hasn't put himself in a very positive light with his personalization of the last couple games... calling out Colts quarterback, Peyton Manning, and later Patriots coach, Bill Bilichik. That in itself seemed ridiculous to many, since Manning is simply doing what he gets paid millions of dollars to do: win games....and he does it well. Unless there was a behind-closed-doors incident between the two, it's doubtful Manning ever felt anything personal toward an apposing team's coach. At least, not until that game
Feeling like that against another coach is a little more understandable, especially since Ryan and Bilichik know each other well. But his comments were not without respect. He made it clear that he recognizes the achievements of those he's speaking of, and especially Belichik, who he described as possibly the greatest NFL coach of all time. Ryan just aimed to be the best coach that day.
The words of Antonio Cromartie may have been more heartfelt, dropping the f-bomb along with more colorful language in regard to Tom Brady. Of course, Cromartie plays directly against Brady, and personal feelings between them would be understandable as well, and the trash talk between players is common. Ryan, however, didn't back away from Cromartie's words, and actually supported them... reiterating that you're not supposed to like your opponents, especially this time of year.Bilichik
The Patriots, have certainly caused many personal feelings for many NFL fans. But fans are not the coaches of other NFL teams that are about to play the Patriots in the second round of the playoffs, and making those feelings public.
Then I began to consider that maybe Rex Ryan isn't quite as crazy as he appears to be by picking fights with a few of the greatest the NFL has had at what they do. It could simply be a more aggressive method of motivation for his young quarterback and the rest of his team. An athlete rarely plays harder than when personal feelings are involved. The Jets players absolutely love their coach, which is even better than his players simply respecting him. He's taken many bullets for his players, and is the perfect example of the "player's-coach." If it's personal to Rex Ryan, it will be personal to his team. Besides, although Mark Sanchez is only a second year quarterback, he has already beaten the Patriots before.
In the beginning, it almost appeared that the Jets were handing this game to the Patriots with a bow on it. They shot themselves in the foot the whole way during their second drive of the game. Sanchez tripping Shonn Green after the handoff on first down; LaDainian Tomlinson being blocked by his own lineman; and then, after salvaging the drive, Nick Folk missed the 14 yard kick that would have put them up three points. Still, the Jets defense maintained their resolve, handing Brady his first interception in nearly four hundred games, and later forcing the Patriots to settle for only a field goal.
The Jets' defense continued to play havoc with Tom Brady, and after forcing another punt with under thirteen minutes left in the second quarter, the Jets' offense began getting comfortable. After a short TD toss to Tomlinson to go up 7-3 at the 10:30 mark, they forced another couple Patriot punts to get the ball back again with two minutes to go in the half. With 33 seconds left, Sanchez converted one of the biggest third-down plays in his career for a touchdown pass to Braylon Edwards.
Up 14 to 3, they still had to give the ball back to The Patriots for 33 seconds. But then, Brady has to deal with that defense again. No problem.... The Jets' defense held the Patriots deep in their own territory, with frustration beginning to mount as lineman Logan Mankings got flagged for unnecessary roughness with 18 seconds to go. Brady put his knee down on third and five to settle for those three points going into halftime.
Holding the Patriot's Welker to a single catch, holding the Patriots to those three points was an achievement in itself, but maintaining that momentum against that team in the second half would be even tougher... especially against Tom Brady... right?
Not so fast... Once again, the Jets forced the Patriots' to punt on their opening drive, as the Jets also had to do on their subsequent drive. With nine minutes left in the third quarter, the defense came up huge with another near turnover from Brady, resulting in what was tantamount to a twelve-yard sack when it appeared that the Patriots' offense was starting to click.
Still, it really was only a matter of time before Brady would find a way to get it in the end zone. With thirteen seconds left in the third, he threw to Alge Crumpler for a touchdown. Then, Sammy Morris jumped in front of Brady to take the snap on a two-point conversion and run through the line into the end zone. That got The Patriots in range to tie with a field goal, if not take a four-point lead, requiring the Jets to score a touchdown to get the lead back.
Another blockbuster play to begin the fourth quarter occurred on second down when Sanchez dumped the ball to Jerricho Cotchery, who ran it to a 58 yard gain, hurdling defenders along the w
That drive ended with Sanchez passing to Santonio Holmes, who hauled in an unbelievable catch diving out of the end zone for a touchdown. The lead went up to ten points... 21 - 11. Could this controversial method of motivation be working? Against the Patriots? In New England??
The defense continued to play well, causing a few misfires, but the Patriots offense was moving. With runs and outside screen passes, they worked their way into Jet territory with less than seven minutes left. Normally, this is the point in a close game when Brady really lights it up, but with a sack and perfect coverage causing an incompletion on the next play, they found themselves in another fourth down situation, which they failed to convert.
But he Patriots' defense came to play as well, causing the Jets to have to punt the ball back to Brady with over three minutes to go, ten points down. A tall task for most, to be sure, but how many hearts has Brady ripped out under these circumstances?
The Jets' defense found themselves at their own 18-yard line, but managed to hold the Patriots to a field goal. The Jets got the ball back with two minutes to go, up seven points, against the Patriots in New England.
An on-side kick, however, did not work out very well for the Patriots. After the ball squirted out of a pile of blue and white jerseys, Antonio Cromartie scooped the ball up and ran it back to the Patriot 25 yard line, with another five tacked on for an encroachment call on Patriot lineman, Dane Fletcher. Two plays later, Green ran it into the end zone to effectively put the game away. This was followed by a 50-yard run by Rex Ryan himself, who didn't even seem to care that Green was flagged for excessive celebration, using the ball as a pillow and mockingly taking a nap in the end zone
A minute-long drive, which resulted in a touchdown, made the score a bit closer for the Patriots, but Eric Smith of the Jets, sealing the game, recovered the on-side kick that followed.
In the end, Rex Ryan showed that it wasn't quite as personal as he made it out to be, admitting that he felt Bilichik won the coaching battle, and handed all the credit to his players. A few days ago, I was almost feeling sorry for Ryan, wondering how the coach of a professional football team could possibly last very long by taking an already-stressful job so personally. Today, I'm applauding his genius in coming up with what I now think was a calculated method of motivation to push his team over the top, possibly to a Super Bowl.
There may have even been a certain level of understanding between Ryan and Bilichik, and possibly even Manning last week that he was going to be running his mouth, and not to take it personally. Judging by the embrace between the two coaches at midfield at the end of the game, it obviously was not.
To continue with the theme of The New York Post, Obi Wan Ryan and the young Jedi Sanchez went into the Death Star and handed Darth Vader a devastating playoff loss. Now it's off to yet another tough task: taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh for the right to go to the Super Bowl.
Does he have any personal feelings toward Steelers coach, Mike Tomlin? Or quarterback, Ben Rothlisberger? We will soon find out...
Jack Hoover
Jack Hoover is a freelance writer working toward a BA in Journalism with an emphasis on sports. He is also an accomplished guitarist and martial artist.
Jack recently moved to Costa Mesa, California after growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. He has traveled extensively as a touring musician and has a particular affection for Sweden. Among his goals is to take advantage of the nearby beaches and learn how to surf.
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jack_Lee_Hoover/872851
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Grammy Categories and Nominations
Grammy Categories and Nominations
By Andy McCarthy
The Grammy Awards began with only 28 categories, but today, the Grammys honor winners in 110 awards categories, including some honoring rock n' roll genres which they introduced in 1962. Only the awards carrying the greatest popular appeal - such as Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist - are distributed during the live broadcast, among live musical performances that round out the live telecast. Other Grammy awards categories honor genre-specific performance and production, as well as video and artistic contributions.
Additional Grammys are awarded in recognition of significant activities and contributions of recording industry professionals, with such honors as:
� The Lifetime Achievement Award, added in 1962, is awarded to musical performers who have stood out as outstanding and significant artists in their creative contributions to the music industry. Among recipients are Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, Billie Holiday, B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash, Simon and Garfunkel, Led Zepplin, and Michael Jackson.
� The Trustee's Award, added in 1967, is awarded to non-performers (as of 1983) who have made outstanding and significant contributions to the music industry during their careers. Among recipients since the award has been limited to non-performers are: George & Ira Gershwin, Walt Disney, Quincy Jones, Dick Clark, Sam Phillips, Norman Granz, Clive Davis, Phil Ramone, and Don Cornelius.
� The Technical Grammy Award is awarded to individuals or entities who have made outstanding technical contributions to the recording music industry.
� The Grammy Legend Award/Grammy Living Legend Award, added in 1990, is awarded to artists who have continually demonstrated significant impact and outstanding contributions and influence within the recording industry. Among recipients are Liza Minelli, Smokey Robinson, Elton John, the Bee Gees, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, and Quincy Jones.
� The Grammy Hall of Fame Award, added in 1973, honors recordings that have been around for at least twenty-five years and have stood the test of time by demonstrating significance in terms of either quality or history. Among recipients are: Fats Waller's Ain't Misbehavin', The Dixie Hummingbirds' Amazing Grace, the Andrews Sisters' Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Van Morrison's Brown Eyed Girl, Nat King Cole's The Christmas Song, Peggy Lee's Fever, Ray Charles' Georgia on My Mind, and The Rolling Stones' (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction.
To be nominated to go home with the famous gramophone trophy on Grammy night, artists and their record companies must officially enter online and submit physical copies of their recordings to the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, which has 150 music industry experts conduct reviewing sessions to determine eligibility for various categories. The list they come up with is submitted to all members of the NARAS, who vote to determine nominations for the Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist, and a maximum of nine other fields on their ballots. The five options (or more, in the case of a tie) in each category that receive the most votes become that year's official Grammy nominees.
Next, the final ballots are distributed to NARAS members, who now vote for Record, Album, and Song of the Year, Best New Artist, and a maximum of eight more categories - preferably sticking to those genres and categories that fall within the realm of their professional expertise. Voters are to uphold the integrity of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences by refraining from accepting any gifts and by basing their votes on quality above all else, ignoring factors like sales, music charts, and personal, regional, or company loyalties. After votes have been placed, the ballots go to Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, an accounting firm, which tallies the votes and keeps the winners secret until their announcement at the Grammy Awards ceremony.
Trophies and crystal awards similar to the Grammy trophy are available for direct sale online.
The author of this article is 10 year veteran in the crystal awards and recognition gifts industry.
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Andy_McCarthy/677619
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Oscar Nominated Movie the Visitor Takes Djembe Mainstream
Oscar Nominated Movie the Visitor Takes Djembe Mainstream
By Caitlin McGuire
The Visitor, the Oscar-nominated film released in 2008, tells the story of an elderly Economics professor from Connecticut who returns to his New York apartment to find that in his absence a pair of djembe-playing illegal immigrants have moved in.
He had been trying to learn the piano in order to reconcile his grief with the passing of his wife, a concert pianist, but due to age and lack of skill, he had gotten nowhere. However, through his friendship with Tarek, one of the Syrian squatters who have taken up residence in his apartment, and his djembe, a rhythmic West African drum, Walter (Richard Jenkins, nominated for an Oscar for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role) rediscovers passion.
Walter is a lonely man, silent and average. Tarek is full of passion and excitement for life. After an initial uncomfortable situation, Walter opens his home to the couple and becomes immersed in their energy, healing the lonely wound of his wife who had long passed. In a way, Walter is reborn, through his friendships, and his new love for music. The soundtrack was inspired by Fela Kuti, a Nigerian artist, and incorporates an African beat into jazz and funk.
The juxtaposition of instruments between the piano and the djembe demonstrates the biggest draw of the drum. Walter fails time and time again at learning the piano, in an attempt to bring his wife's memory closer to him. However, he easily picks up the djembe, and in no time, is joining drum circles in Central Park with men dressed in traditional African clothing, loosening his tie, and getting involved.
Tarek's pedagogical style of teaching is the opposite of Walter's piano teacher. Rather than tell him that he's not capable, Tarek reminds Walter to tap into his emotions, because "thinking just screws it up." Walter relearns everything he thought he knew about music, like tempo, and finds that he loves to play. This personal discovery sets Walter free.
This is the most important lesson of The Visitor. The Visitor teaches us that djembe music is therapeutic, emotional, and without an accepted style. Djembe music is about passion, not about control. For seniors trying to become more musical, the djembe is the perfect instrument, because it engages your emotions, not your skill.
The Visitor also teaches viewers about the need for cultural expression.
Walter's willingness to learn about and engage in West African culture shows viewers that the djembe is a vehicle of globalization. The same effect could be carried by a cajon or a bongo, instruments that take little skill but lots of emotion to play. Drumming lets you step our of your culture, allowing you to express freely and explore new paths without the stress of being technically correct note for note.
X8 Drums is your destination for all things Djembe, Cajon, Didgeridoos, African Drums and tons of instructional material.
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Caitlin_McGuire/369403
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Crazy Heart Earns Top Oscar Nominations
By [https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Joe_Hansen/466845]Joe Hansen
"Crazy Heart," the drama starring Jeff Bridges and Maggie Gyllenhaal earned top nominations at the recent announcement of nominees for the 82nd Academy Awards. The movie received three Oscar nods including no less than a Best Actor nomination for Jeff Bridges, Best Supporting Actress for Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Best Original Song for "The Weary Kind," which was co-written by T Bone Burnett and Ryan Bingham.
Since its release last year, the movie has already sent the country music blog universe abuzz with its country music theme and of course, Bridges' performance as Bad Blake, a country music songwriter singing self-penned country songs. In the movie, Blake is down and out and already way past his prime but decides to turn his life around when he meets Jean, a young journalist played by Gyllenhaal. The screenplay was written and directed by Scott Cooper, based on the novel of the same name written by Thomas Cobb.
Aside from the lead actors' stellar performance, the movie has also gained the admiration of country music fans for its authenticity and in fact, this is what drew Bridges to the project. Bridges admits he felt right at home while doing the movie. According to him, "Music's been a big part of my life for years. Did a record a while back. I really dig country music." Anybody who has seen the movie will also agree, and in fact this is the general consensus in the top country music blogs, that Bridges did play the role to a T. In fact, he enjoyed singing the country songs in the movie's soundtrack. "They were all damn good tunes, and damn fun to play. That 'Hold on You,' I just loved that. I loved that 'Fallin' and Flyin'' song, a Stephen Burton song. And Ryan Bingham wrote one called 'The Weary Kind' that sticks with me, too."
When asked from whom he drew the inspiration to play the lead part, Bridges said, "Kris Kristofferson was one of the fellows I thought about for looking at how to play Bad Blake [his character in the film]. But my biggest role model was a fellow named Stephen Bruton, played with Kristofferson for years. He was a songwriter out of Austin, a guitar player who made these wonderful, sparse albums with Kris. He was my right-hand man, with me every step of the way, teaching me the songs. The movie is dedicated to him. We had a wonderful time, the last few months of his life, working on this together."
With his recent nomination, Bridges seem to be enjoying this unexpected bit of news. After hearing of the nomination, he said, "I'm so grateful to have the honor of a fifth Oscar nomination, but to share this with my Crazy Heart colleagues T Bone and Ryan and my amazing co-star Maggie is truly special - this film is near and dear to my heart and theirs. I want to thank the Academy for being so kind to me for the past 40 years, and I want to thank my director Scott Cooper for helping bring Bad Blake to life, and to my wonderful wife Sue for being there for me the past 33 years. Today is filled with blessings."
The country music blog community, the music fans and, and the whole community will surely be rooting for this film come Oscar night.
The full list of nominees can be seen here: http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/82/nominees.html
Joe Hansen is a music expert, specialized in country songs reviews.
For more tips and information about country music blog [http://www.countrymusicblog.org], please visit country songs [http://www.countrymusicblog.org].
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Crazy-Heart-Earns-Top-Oscar-Nominations&id=3731043] Crazy Heart Earns Top Oscar Nominations