golf1804

Sometimes I just don't get it !!!

As offensive coordinator for the san Francisco 49ers last year, Mike McCarthy's offense finished 32nd and dead last in the nfl. How bad was it ??? That offense finished 32nd in passing, 22nd in rushing, and was 30th overal in points going eight games of a sixteen game schedule without an offensive touchdown.

As quarterback coach of the Packers during Ray Rhodes short-lived and ill-fated 1999 regime, McCarthy guided Bret Favre to his second worst season as a professional with the future HOFer throwing 24 pics to just 23 touchdowns. Favre's 74.7 QB rating was was only supraceeded by his 1993 sopomore season rating of 72.2 and this year's train-wreck of 70.9 yet this week Mike McCarthy was brought back to green Bay and hired as the 14th Head Coach in arguably the most storied franchise in nfl history.

The Packers had to know that this was a controversial hire as the McCarthy news conference seemed to be more of a damage control preemptive rather than a celebration of the man that was going to restore tarnished lustre and return green Bay to the promised land.

McCarthy was lauded for his past accomplishments, particularly his work with the Saints spanning 2000-2004. During that time, the Saints established 25 team and 10 individual marks. Joe horn who caught 437 passes for 6289 yards and 45 TD's during McCarthy's tenure. New Orleans led the nfl in points (432) and toucdowns (49) during the 2002 season.

McCarthy's prior work with the Kansas City was also cited. As quarterback coach of the Chiefs between '95-'98, the combo of Gannon, Grbac, and Bono threw an AFC low 52 interceptions over that four year period. Huh ??? Whupdidoo !!!

In his year with Favre, Bret did throw for 4,091 yards but the Packers were just seventh in passing and ninth overall in total offense.

At the press conference it was also brought up that McCarthy had spent most of last year mentoring the leagues first overall draft pick, Alex smith - possibly an inference that Aaron Rodgers would be in good hands if Favre decides to call it a career.

Alex Smith's season by any standards was an unmitigated disaster! Smith's numbers were horrific - 84-165 (50.9%) for 875 yards and a 1/11 TD/INT ratio. Granted, smith had little to work but based on his freshman year, he's well on his way to becoming a bust in the proportions of tony Mandrich and Ryan Leaf.

McCarthy becomes the youngest coach in the nfl, three months younger than john Gruden. He inherits a a young (26.04 years at season end, 3d in NFL) team that is filled with uncertainties like the health of Javon Walker and Ahman green and the return of Brett Favre.

Mike McCarthy was a surprisingly desperate hire from a surprisingly desperate franchise. The Packers had been to the playoffs five of the six years under Mike Sherman and while the talent level of the team has fallen appreciably due primarily to poor drafts, the whole Packer post-season shakeup wreaks of panic!

McCarthy's coaching background:

1987-88, fort Hays State - Graduate Assistant
1989-91, Univ. of Pittsburgh - Quarterbacks
1992, Univ. of Pittsburgh - Wide Receivers
1993-94, Kansas City Chiefs - offensive Assistant/Quality Control
1995-98, Kansas City Chiefs - Quarterbacks
1999, green Bay Packers - Quarterbacks
2000-04, New Orleans Saints - offensive Coordinator
2005, san Francisco 49ers - offensive Coordinator
2006, green Bay Packers - Head Coach

# posted by 26146 : 9:32 PM  0 comments

A good golf swing takes numbers off your handicap. If youre like many golfers, your quest for the perfect golf swing is a never-ending endeavour.

Did you know you can greatly improve your golf swing by holding your clubs tightly? And by tightly, I mean tightly. Not so tight, however, that your back, neck and shoulder muscles bunch up when you make the swing.

Far too many golfers believe that they must hold the club loosely when making their golf swing. They believe that their swing will be stiff and unyielding if they hold the club tightly. This faulty belief contributes to a less than ideal swing.

No golfer has ever developed a bad golf swing from holding the club too tightly, but many have done so by holding it too loosely. This loose grip causes errors that you can avoid by gripping the club tightly. The loose grip results in the hands opening at the top, over swinging, collapse of the left wrist and numerous others. If you are accustomed to a loose grip, the tight grip may feel awkward at first, but it is worth the effort. Your golf swing will improve and you will carry through with the swinging motion more effectively.

When you take hold of the club, remember that Tight is Right.

To hold the club properly, you are going for a tight, two-knuckle overlap. In other words, your fingers should be tight enough that almost all fingers are grasping the club. Right handed golfers should ensure that fingers three, four and five of the left hand, and fingers one, two and three of the right hand are on the club, with the forefinger of your right hand connecting with the tip of your left thumb. This prevents the club from dropping into the v-space between your thumb and forefinger at the top of your golf swing and causing a lack of control that you will have regain as your golf club swings downward. Obviously, if you are a left handed golfer, you will reverse this positioning for your golf swing.

Your stance is also important. It helps to remember a couple of points when you are positioning yourself for your golf swing.

Now, this is the correct way to how to stand up to the ball so you get a good golf swing. Its not difficult, but there are a couple of things to remember.

stand far enough away from the ball that you have enough room to swing the club back freely and to gracefully arc the golf downwards towards your feet during the downswing. You should divide your weight evenly on your feet, and flex the knees. If youre not sure how much to flex, err on the side of too much flex rather than too little. Bend forward from the waist so your shoulders are rounded. The right shoulder should be lower than the left shoulder, since your right hand reaches further down the clubs shaft than the left hand. The opposite is true if you are a left handed golfer.

Now make your golf swing! Keep these golf tips in mind and youll be on your way to paring the course!

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# posted by 26146 : 2:45 PM  0 comments

When it comes to holidays for kids its always a difficult choice. How do you find a destination that will keep the kids entertained for the full two weeks and still make it enjoyable for the adults? The Nickelodeon family suites in orlando, florida have mastered it.

The hotel features themed suites based on Nickelodeon characters, from SpongeBob SquarePants to Dora the explorer. The characters are always out and about at the resort to, so your kids can have breakfast with their favourite Nick stars at the restaurant.

The 24-acre resort has a water park and each day offers a host of different attractions including the opportunity for the kids to slime the parents (not great for the parents, but lots of fun for the kids). There are also live Nickelodeon shows which your little ones can take part in.

The hotel features a mini-golf course and a basketball court along with a mall with a 3,000 square foot arcade. And for little girls who are already keen on a spot of pampering theres the Kids Spa.

inside the Mall there is a food court where kids under twelve eat free. Theres also the chance to visit studio Nick, which offers interactive entertainment every night.

And if you feel like having some grown up fun you can use the Nick after Dark programme - a kids club from 5pm-12pm each night giving the parents the chance to escape. The Nick @ Nite Lounge features live entertainment shows so the adults can chill out with a cocktail while their kids are being looked after.

family holidays neednt be difficult. The Nickelodeon family suites offer a fun packed holiday for children and adults alike.

Russ Pooley writes for Drake & Cavendish who provide a luxury hotel research directory featuring over 5,000 luxury hotels in over 700 resort locations around the world. As a content provider we are committed to developing entertaining and informative travel related information. You can read further articles and details at http://www.drakeandcavendish.com/luxury_hotels/usa/florida/orlando_and_walt_disney_world/

# posted by 26146 : 8:03 AM  0 comments