Month: March 2018

Categories
GOLF Uncategorized

Looking ahead to The Masters – Part 1

There’s always something special

Whether you are a fan of golf or not?  The One event that everyone knows about is The Masters.  It’s one of those iconic events like the Superbowl, Daytona 500, or World Cup.  Everyone is aware that it’s happening.  There’s always something special about it, and this year is no different.  This Masters has the potential to be the most watched Golfing event in years.  Along with the usual suspects, there are a number of Players that are playing some great golf right now that are sure to attract even the most pedestrian of golfing fans.  Unless you have been living under a rock this year the most obvious attraction to this year’s Masters is…

Tiger Woods

That’s right Tiger is back, and what’s more important is that he’s been competitive.  With two Top 10 finishes including a second at Valspar.  Tiger looks poised to raise a Championship trophy soon.  Why shouldn’t that first win of his comeback happen at Augusta where he’s hoisted the Masters trophy four times before?  Some of the betting lines in Vegas have him as the odds on favourite.  Now I would assume that the odds have been reduced to balance out the expected amount of casual bets they expect to receive.  Still it would be wrong of you to discount Woods as a possible contender.  Another Player who should be seen as a fan favourite that’s been playing his best golf in years is…

Phil Mickelson

It took four years and seven months for Phil to end his winless drought.  With the quality of golf he has been playing this season it was definitely coming to an end.  Only Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler are posting Rounds of Golf below par at a higher percentage than Phil.  If you are a fan of Phil.  You know that his typical Round of Golf includes a few birdies, some bogeys, possibly a hole out eagle, and at least one double or triple Bogey.  At the end of it all he usually finishes a couple shots under Par, or even Par.  It’s a rollercoaster affair with just as many wayward Tee shots, as incredible flop shots.  If you hadn’t seen him play before it might look like luck to you.  It isn’t.  ItsI just the all or nothing, go for broke style of golf that he plays.  Love him or hate him.  It makes for interesting viewing.  Speaking of love him or hate him.  Another polarizing figure in the world of golf has found his swing is the very unique…

Bubba Watson

Relatively soft spoken, reserved, and so unlike the majority of his compatriots.  Bubba Watson isn’t what you would expect a Champion Golfer to be.  Totally self taught, he has one of the most unique swings on the PGA tour.  Most aspiring golfers spend years attempting to develop a swing that will allow them to hit the ball straight.  Bubba Watson did the opposite.  Learning to shape his shots left and right so that he could follow the exact contours of a golf course.  When he is on his game he makes shots that other PGA Players can only imagine making.  He recently won the WGC Match play in impressive fashion.  The combination of impressive shot shaping, and massive distance off the Tee was too much to overcome.  He is ready to unleash his skills on Augusta where he has already won twice before.

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GAMING Uncategorized

End the isolation with A Way Out – The Gamer in me GL-27

The return of Couch Co-op

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I remember a time when the most popular video games were all shared screen, or split screen.  Whether competitive or co-operative they all shared one thing in common.  They were enjoyed as a group.  Everyone found a spot on the couch, or floor and prepared themselves for hours of video game domination.  I’ll never forget the ridiculous four port splitters required to play four player dungeon crawlers.  There were wires absolutely everywhere.  The graphics weren’t great, and the more players that played increased the likelihood of frame rate issues.  Games would freeze, or totally crash two hours in when the game consoles got too hot.  To prevent it from happening I purchased one of those external fans that clipped to the back of the game system.  Even with all those issues we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  What made it special was the shared experience.

Developed by Hazelight, and produced by Electronic Arts – A Way Out is banking on the appeal of those classic Co-operative games.  They believe that the shared experience is what makes a game special.  Even if it has a few flaws.

Buy 1 get 1 free

Something that’s totally unique about how A Way Out is being sold.  A Way Out cannot be played solo.  It requires a second player.  Now you might have assumed that it was a crafty sales trick to get somebody who purchases the game to talk their friends into buying it as well.  Well that’s not the case.  When you purchase a copy it includes a fully playable download that you can give to your gaming partner.  It allows them to play the game as the other character online with you.  Of course you can always play couch co-op split screen.  I haven’t played the entire game, but ivI’ heard that it takes roughly 8 hours to complete.  So playing online might be the best way for many to complete the game easily.  Providing the additional download wasn’t necessary.  Electronic Arts could have just forced everyone to buy a copy.  I see this as a very smart marketing move though.  As a video game enthusiast and blogger I keep up on what’s new.  When I mentioned the upcoming release of A Way Out to some of my friends.  Not all of them were aware of it.  Those that were aware, were split between those that were buying it, and those that weren’t.  By providing the free playable download, Electronic Arts will effectively double the number of Players.  If the game is even moderately successful.  The next co-operative game they release will have a larger audience.  They have turned their customers into salespeople.  And who’s more passionate about the games they create than the people that play them?

Attractive Pricing

As a Canadian I’m getting accustomed to paying upwards of $80 for a single video game.  Feels like highway robbery to me.  I’m sure many of you feel the same way.  It takes a lot of hype, great reviews, and an interesting type of game to encourage me to buy it on Day one.  Well at only $40 for A Way Out the choice to purchase it was far easier.  Especially when it includes a partner copy.  Even if it ends up being a bit of a flop.  It becomes a little easier to stomach when it’s only half the price of most new releases.  Lets be honest, there haven’t been many marquee releases yet this year.  While you are waiting for something like the sequel to your favourite franchise to come out.  Why not give A Way Out a try.  It isn’t an exceptionally long game, and one of your friends will owe you one to boot.

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FANTASY Uncategorized

Free Agent Fantasy Fallout – Sports Fanatics play Fantasy SF-40

My how things have changed

Quite a few Players have found themselves in new surroundings.  Some will become Fantasy Football relevant, while others… Well I’ll let you decide.

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Arizona Cardinals –  

Sam Bradford:  I see the addition of Sam Bradford as a good one.  Still this is first and foremost David Johnson’s team.  I wouldn’t draft Sam Bradford.

Baltimore Ravens – 

Michael Crabtree: he should establish himself as the true #1 Wide Receiver.  I would definitely draft him.

John Brown: should see an increase in targets, but still remain the third option in Baltimore. I wouldn’t draft him.

Buffalo Bills –

A.J. McCarron: totally unproven as a starter.  Minimal weapons available to him in Buffalo.  I wouldn’t draft him. Worth keeping an eye on if Buffalo picks up some targets in the draft.

Chris Ivory: just acquired to be McCoy’s backup.  Do not draft him.

Carolina Panthers – 

Torrey Smith: should be a more featured part of the offense in Carolina.  If Cam connects with him in the offseason I’d draft him.

Chicago Bears – 

Allen Robinson: could have a breakout Season as the new #1 Receiver in Chicago.  Underutilized in 2017 could have him fall in drafts.  I’d draft him if he falls to me after the 50th pick.

Taylor Gabriel: speedster that can keep defences honest.  Potential big play ability, but I see him as more of a decoy. I won’t be drafting him.

Trey Burton: sure to become Mitchell Trubisky’s safety net.  Potentially great in PPR formats.  I will take a late Round flyer on him.

Cleveland Browns – 

Tyrod Taylor: Cleveland is where many Quarterbacks have gone to die.  Not Tyrod Taylor though.  I think Tyrod can have his best Fantasy Season yet.  He could become a sneaky good Top 10 QB this Season.  I’m drafting him as a capable backup QB with upside.

Carlos Hyde: veteran leadership with 3 down ability.  Duke Johnson is still there so he won’t be asked to carry the load by himself.  Still Hyde will get plenty of opportunity to shine in Cleveland.  I expect him to have a decent Season but see him as a mid Round pick.

Jarvis Landry: if you play in a PPR league then you know what Landry is capable of.  His targets could actually increase in Cleveland. Draft him in PPR before someone else does.

Denver Broncos –

Case Keenum: the Broncos could have picked up any of the available QBs in free agency and upgraded at the position.  Case Keenum goes from one great situation to another one.  To me though Denver is still a Defence first team.  Keenum won’t be asked to put up huge numbers.  I won’t be drafting him.

Detroit Lions –

LeGarrette Blount: the move to Detroit isn’t an advantageous one.  The Running game hasn’t been anything to brag about since Barry Sanders retired.  Blount should end up being their short yardage back, and that’s about it.  I won’t draft him.

Green Bay – 

Jimmy Graham: I love Jimmy Graham’s ability.  I don’t like the move to Green Bay though.  Most QBs look for their Tight Ends or Running Backs when they are forced to scramble.  Aaron Rodgers actually prefers to look downfield for his Wide Receivers.  Jimmy Graham will still be a Top Tight End, but I wouldn’t draft him before Gronkowski, Kelce, Ertz, or Kyle Rudolph.

Jacksonville Jaguars –

Donte Moncrief: if Moncrief can adjust to the Jacksonville system quickly enough.  He should see an increased workload, and produce solid numbers.  Still there are many Wide Receivers in better situations.  I won’t be drafting him.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins: Seferian-Jenkins could be the surprise pick of your draft next Season.  Exactly the kind of target Blake Bortles needs to get back to the playoffs.  While other fantasy Managers burn early Round picks on Gronkowski, Ertz, and Graham.  You can wait and grab Seferian-Jenkins a couple Rounds later.  You can thank me after.

Kansas City Chiefs –

Sammy Watkins: everyone expects Watkins to be a Top tier talent year after year.  While the move to Kansas City has improved his situation.  He still shouldn’t be seen as a WR1.  I do see him as a solid WR2, and I’ll draft him as such.

Miami Dolphins – 

Danny Amendola: don’t expect him to repeat the Season he had last year.  Honestly I don’t expect him to play a full Season.  Somebody will draft him but it won’t be me.

Albert Wilson: looks like the Dolphins intend to copy their division rivals, and create a quick strike offence.  I just don’t see it happening right away.  As such I won’t be drafting any of them.

Minnesota Vikings – 

Kirk Cousins: the big offseason acquisition goes to Minnesota.  By all accounts his situation has improved with the move.  Cousins will have a better group of Wide Receivers to throw to.  An improvement at Running Back.  Plus the Vikings Defence should have him playing with a lead quite often.  I would be surprised if he didn’t finish the Season as a Top 5 QB.  I’ll definitely draft him.

New York Giants – 

Jonathon Stewart: Stewart is still a decent short yardage Running Back.  I see him as more of a complimentary Back to whomever the Giants draft this year.  I wouldn’t waste a draft pick on him.

New York Jets –

Teddy Bridgewater: Teddy will battle Josh for the starting job.  Until we know who will start I wouldn’t advise drafting either.

Isaiah Crowell: it seems like every year the Jets bring in another RB to replace Bilal Powell.  I wouldn’t be surprised if they end up in a timeshare.  I wouldn’t draft either of them.

Oakland Raiders – 

Doug Martin: with the addition of Doug Martin the Raiders could wear down defences by splitting carries with Beast mode.  I expect that will be the case.  Both backs should have Fantasy value as RB2s.  That’s where I will draft them.

Jordy Nelson: would you trade Aaron Rodgers for Derek Carr?  I wouldn’t.  If Jordy had a choice he probably wouldn’t either.  Nelson is no longer a WR1 in my books. I’d still draft him as a low end WR2 with upside though.

San Francisco 49ers –

Jerick McKinnon: for the first time in his career McKinnon should begin the Season as his team’s #1 Running Back.  He deserves the position, and touches that go along with it.  San Francisco is on the rise, and so is McKinnon.  I see him as a low end RB1. I would definitely draft him.

Seattle Seahawks –

Jaron Brown: overlooked in Arizona, Jaron Brown will have the opportunity to shine in Seattle.  A great route runner with impressive physical ability.  Brown should be a great replacement for Richardson.  I expect decent WR2 numbers.

Ed Dickson: I don’t see Dickson as a replacement for the departure of Jimmy Graham.  I believe that Seattle will use him as more of a blocking Tight End.  I wouldn’t even remotely consider drafting him.

Tennessee Titans – 

Dion Lewis: it’s hard not to expect an increase in touches as a Running Back leaving New England.  Lewis has the kind of game that makes PPR managers smile.  I know I am.  He has high end RB2, maybe even borderline RB1 potential. I will definitely draft him.

Washington Redskins –

Alex Smith: Alex won’t have the all star cast he got used to in Kansas City.  Still Alex is a veteran that knows how to win.  He will probably put up decent QB numbers in Washington.  Definitely worth drafting as a backup.

Paul Richardson: Paul had a handful of highlight reel plays in Seattle.  The move to Washington could provide him with the opportunity to become their #1 Wide Receiver.  If he wins the job it would be a mistake not to draft him.  Keep a close eye on him during the offseason.

can’t say I didn’t tell you

If your favourite team isn’t in my Recap.  It’s because they haven’t made a significant Fantasy relevant acquisition yet this offseason.  Now for those of you that like to draft a Defence before the last 3 Rounds of a draft.  Don’t be afraid to spend that mid Round pick on the L. A. Rams, or Jacksonville Jaguars.  Good luck in 2018.

Categories
GOLF Uncategorized

Developing that one swing – Beginner’s Guide to Golf

Why Not?

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I’m sure every golfer has gone through it.  Maybe some of you like me are still going through it.  What is it you ask?  It’s the inability to have one swing work in a Simulator, at the Range, and on the course.  Last Season I got in the habit of visiting the Range a couple days before playing a Round.  If the weather turned bad I’d spend an hour in a Simulator.  I’d get my swing dialed in.  By the time my practice was done I’d leave the Range, or Simulator feeling totally confident.  I was going to play the best Round of my life in a couple days.  The course isn’t ready for what’s coming.  My playing partners will be talking about this Round for the rest of the year.  Never have I ever been this focused, ready, and confident.  Two days later…

I shit the bed

I battle to make proper contact all day.  When I don’t totally chunk it, I catch it thin.  When I finally do make decent contact I slice the ball into oblivion.  My distances are so inconsistent that club selection becomes a total gamble.  Eventually I just choose the club that I happened to get a halfway decent shot with earlier.  Long Par 5, think I’ll tee off with my 4 Hybrid because I hit it relatively straight two holes ago.  390 yards left to the hole, 4 Hybrid seems like a good choice. Only hit it 150 yards leaving 240.  That’s OK the 4 Hybrid will work.  Still 80 yards remaining.  Normally that would be a smooth 52 degree Wedge.  Unfortunately nothing I’ve hit has been smooth today so I’ll club up to a Pitching Wedge in case I chunk it.  End up blading the ball into oblivion.  Damn it!  I should have just played a bump and run with the 4 Hybrid.  Have you ever had those days?  Sounds like an exaggeration but it isn’t.  I have had those days.  What could have happened to my swing between Thursday and Saturday?

Absolutely nothing!

The truth is that your swing didn’t suddenly disintegrate.  It was as ready as you had imagined.  You were ready to have the Round of your life.  The problem wasn’t your swing.  The problem was where you chose to use it.  There are specific differences between each place you practice your swing.  Some of these differences are extremely subtle, but can have a profound effect on your game.  The first of which is barely noticeable to golf beginners.  It wasn’t noticeable to me for a full two seasons.  I struggled, and doubted myself every time I played.  Wondering if I would ever be able to reproduce the success I was having at the Range on a course.  One of the most important Golf Beginner tips I can give you is to always begin your setup by properly setting the…

Lie Angle

I used to believe that the key to Golf was to develop a smooth repeatable swing.  I had the right idea, but I missed one necessary ingredient.  Golf is a game of minor adjustments.  One of the most important of those relates to lie angle.  Something I failed to realize when I practiced my swing at the local range, was that the old hitting mats they provide have become significantly worn in the contact zone.  So where the ball sits is slightly lower than the area around it.  In order to make proper contact you would have to adjust the lie angle of your swing to be slightly toe up.  Of course the Beginner Golfer isn’t actually aware that over the course of adjusting their swing ball after ball until they consistently make good contact.  That swing is counterproductive to when they step on to a course and the ball is on even ground, or even worse a slight downhill lie.  More often than not that’s how thin shots happen.  It might sound like I’m suggesting that you stop going to the Range.  I’m not.  I’m telling you to be very aware of the lie angle of your club when you place it behind the ball at setup. The sole of your club needs to be as flat against the ground as possible.  The lie angle determines how far you should be from the ball.  I used to believe that my club choice determined that.  It does if you take every shot from the exact same spot at the Range, or in a Simulator.  On a course things become very different because the ground level is constantly changing.  That brings me to the next factor that can cause fits…

Surface hardness

Something that never changes in a Simulator or hitting off a mat at the Range is the surface you are hitting off of.  I actually have preferred Simulator Practice locations because the surface you hit off of has a softer underlayer that provides more give.  If you are having trouble understanding my meaning.  Imagine hitting your longest Iron off of a sidewalk.  There’s a very good chance that the fear of contacting the concrete would have you end up blading the ball.  Any swing that came in too steep would bounce so hard it would totally sap your strike of distance.  A hitting surface with more give or depth to it allows you to come in steep or shallow, and still make decent contact.  That felt much better to me.  It feels far better to everyone that plays golf no matter what your skill level may be.  Does it help you improve your swing though?  Of course it does.  All practice helps you improve.  In this case though the firmer surface helps you even more.  The reason for this is because of it’s affect on the proper utilization of each clubs lie Angle.  The softer the surface, the more incorrect your lie angle can be, and still allow for decent contact.  If the heel, or toe would hit first the surface gives way just enough to limit the affect on the swing.  A rigid surface forces you to bring the club head perfectly square through the impact zone or suffer the consequences.  Learn to make clean contact in a Simulator, or on a mat at the Range with a hard surface, and your swing will be pure.  Sounds like that’s the ticket to improving your swing, and lowering your scores on the course then.  I really wish it was.  Course conditions can change from very hard surfaces to extremely soft.  Especially when you live in Canada like I do.  Practicing off of a hard surface can end up creating a swing that’s robotic.  It becomes difficult to make those small adjustments that are required during a Round of Golf.  What if you have to hit out of the Rough, or out of a bunker?  What if the ball is above or below your feet?  Once again the most important thing that you can focus on is the lie angle of the club.

Pre-shot Routine

Everyone should develop a pre-shot routine.  It gets you prepared to make the shot, settles the nerves, and helps you properly set yourself.  Everyone has their own unique way of doing it.  Whatever yours is, make sure that it includes aligning the club’s lie angle so that it’s level with the surface you are hitting off of.  If your routine doesn’t include this one crucial step yet?  Then that could be why you have had those days on the course that made you wonder what happened to my swing?

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Categories
GAMING Uncategorized

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided – The Gamer in me GL-26

Act fast 

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This is the final day for PS Plus members to download Deus Ex: Mankind Divided.  Every month that passes with uninspiring releases has me looking to see what’s available for free through my PS Plus membership.  For February of 2018 the marquee title for download was Deus Ex: Mankind Divided.  If you are like me, and very selective about the games you purchase.  Then there’s a very good chance that you took a pass on Deus Ex: Mankind Divided when it first released in 2016.  Unless of course you were a dedicated fan of the Deus Ex franchise.  I played the original Deus Ex on PC many many years ago, and loved it.  Unfortunately the first Deus Ex release on Consoles flopped.  Poor reviews due to frame rate issues, confusing controls, and average graphic capabilities had me decide against giving it a try.  A few follow up releases came out over the years, and by the time Mankind Divided dropped in 2016 the reviews were glowing.  Everyone seemed impressed by Deus Ex: Mankind Divided.  Still I wasn’t invested in the franchise, and there were titles releasing around the same time that really had my interest.

Time to take a second look

Thanks to my PS Plus membership I’ve finally taken the opportunity to give Deus Ex: Mankind Divided a chance.  I’m so happy i did.  Keep in mind that I have played only about three hours of Deus Ex: Mankind Divided.  In those three hours I’ve realized that for a story driven game designed to lead you from mission to mission.  Deus Ex: Mankind Divided doesn’t feel linear at all.  The freedom you are given to decide how you intend to reach each objective.  The number of side missions that aren’t just mild distractions, and can actually effect your chances of success in story missions.  How each cybernetic upgrade can lead to an increase in what’s possible with the surrounding environment.  You can’t help but feel like you are always in total control of your fate.  Something that’s sorely lacking in most mission based “open world” games.

Prague never looked so cool

The version of Prague that’s been successfully created by Square Enix can best be described as a Cyberpunk Gothic supercity.  It looks fantastic on a big screen TV.  It would be a great injustice to play Deus Ex: Mankind Divided on a small monitor.  Special attention has obviously been placed on surround sound quality as well.  I felt truly immersed in everything happening around me because of the attention to detail.  Although it could become a little overwhelming to the more obsessively compulsive gamers.  The Prague that Square Enix has created has an endless number of places that can be explored.  Every sewer grate that can be lifted. Every window that can be unlocked.  Every pole or drainage pipe that can be climbed.  Moving from street, to balconies, to rooftops where additional areas can be found to explore.  If you are the type of Gamer that needs to find absolutely everything?  Well it’s going to be a long tedious process.  Play Resident Evil if that’s your thing.  A game that actually rewards you for doing it all.  Deus Ex: Mankind Divided doesn’t care what you do, or how you do it.  All of those aforementioned options are there to provide you with choices for how you would like to accomplish a particular objective.  See them as such, and you will enjoy the game that much more.

Quiet Chaos

One of the primary reasons that I am enjoying Deus Ex: Mankind Divided so much is of course the gameplay.  I’ve never been the type of Gamer that enjoys high intensity shooters.  Running from cover to cover while strafing, and performing super jumps is definitely not my thing.  Tom Clancy’s The Division with small unit coordinated attacks? YES. Halo in jumpsuits in close quarters maps? NO.  Deus Ex: Mankind Divided where stealth and misdirection are as important as the occasional gunfight?  HELL YEAH!  Now I’m not saying that you can’t succeed by shooting first, and asking questions later.  You can do that, if that’s your thing, and that’s the beauty of it.  Deus Ex: Mankind Divided allows you to play the game however you like to play it.  I wish more games were designed the same way.

Do yourself a favour and take the opportunity to download this game.  Trust me you won’t be disappointed!

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