The Minnesota Vikings 2014 Free Agent Signings Analysis

The Minnesota Vikings analysis of the free agents signed and players lost for the 2014 NFL season and where they will fit in on the roster. Will these additions help The Minnesota Vikings improve their defense and get them to the NFL playoffs in 2014?

 

The Minnesota Vikings finished a dreadful, 4-12 ending a miserable 2013 NFL season. Nothing seemed to work except Adrian Peterson like that is a surprise. The Vikings have long been a inferior team in the NFC North and General Manager Rick Spielman has only made things worse as seen by he constant upheaval at the all important QB position. I have a feeling if the Vikings don't improve to a minimum 8-8, Spielman will be headed back to ESPN where they found him in mothballs after two other stints before as a GM. The 2014 NFL Draft gave me hope that Spielman finally figured out what were the true needs and drafted accordingly. I'm a big fan of the draft day the Vikings had and when you look at the additions and subtractions on the roster, it looks like the Vikings are trending upward. My draft board was a bit different than Spielman's but I like how their day went. Read my article, 2014 Minnesota Vikings NFL Draft Report Card and Player Analysis to see how I thought their day went.

Players lost in the off season to other teams

• Jared Allen, DE--10th season signed with The Chicago Bears


• John Carlson, TE--6th season signed with The Arizona Cardinals


• Chris Cook, CB--4th season signed with The San Francisco 49ers


• Josh Freeman, QB--5th season signed with The New York Giants


• Toby Gerhart, RB--4th season signed with The Jacksonville Jaguars


• Letroy Guion, DT--6th season signed with The Green Bay Packers


• J'Marcus Webb, OT--4th season signed with The Kansas City Chiefs


• Joe Webb, QB--4th season signed with The Carolina Panthers

Players signed in free agency from other teams

• Jasper Brinkley, ILB--5th season signed from The Arizona Cardinals


• Kurt Coleman, FS--4th season signed from The Philadelphia Eagles


• Derek Cox, CB--5th season signed from The San Diego Chargers


• Vladimir Ducasse, G--4th season signed from The New York Jets


• Lestar Jean WR--3rd season signed from The Houston Texans


• Tom Johnson, DT--3rd season signed from The New Orleans Saints


• Linval Joseph, DT--4th season signed from The New York Giants


• Terrell Manning, LB--2nd season signed from The San Diego Chargers


• Captain Munnerlyn, CB--5th season signed from The Carolina Panthers


• Corey Wootton, DT--4th season signed from The Chicago Bears

2014 Signings that will instantly upgrade the Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings were in desperate need of help in the secondary. They were ranked 28^th in defending the pass and ranked 31^st in opponent Quarterback QBR. Miserable rankings and no team can win in a pass oriented evolving league. The additions of CBs Captain Munnerlyn and Derek Cox hope to add depth and stop the bleeding in the secondary. Minnesota Vikings decided to let Jared Allen walk and that could be a huge regret because there was no sign of him slowing down and he brought the heat on every play. The Vikings also added a starter a FT Linval Joseph and also added depth and we may see a lot of different defensive schemes on the field now. Losing RB Toby Gerhart I think was a mistake with Adrian Peterson having a lot of mileage on his wheels and could easily get hurt and then what will be the move.

Outlook for the 2014 Minnesota Vikings season

With the drafting of future franchise QB Teddy Bridgewater, I think the Vikings are bad on track to have a better year. Will they make the 2014 Playoffs. No, they won't and that is almost a lock considering how competitive the NFC North is and the fact that the Packers and Bears are way ahead of them in talent. Fear not, the NFL is a place where teams take time to build and it doesn't happen in an off season. The Minnesota Vikings now have a base to build on and I think they can move the win/loss record to the .500 mark.

The New Orleans Saints 2014 Free Agent Signings Analysis

Did The New Orleans Saints do enough in the off season to win the NFC South?  The New Orleans Saints in-depth analysis of the free agents signed and players lost for the 2014 NFL season. Will these additions help The New Orleans Saints build on their 2013 season and win the NFC South in 2014?

 

The New Orleans Saints finished the 2013 season with an 11-5 record, beating The Carolina Panthers in the wild card game and losing subsequently to the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional game of the 2013 NFL playoffs. Big turnaround in their defense with the hiring of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and the return of Sean Payton from the season long 2012 “Bountygate” scandal. The New Orleans Saints had a good draft, jumping ahead of The Green Bay Packers and nabbing WR Brandin Cooks. They also added an instant playmaker in their secondary by drafting CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste who will match up well with division rivals WRs; Atlanta Falcon's Julio Jones, Carolina Panther's Kelvin Benjamin, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mike Evans. Read in my article, 2014 New Orleans Saints NFL Draft Report Card and Player Analysis why I think the New Orleans had a great draft day. Along with CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste, New Orleans signed CB Champ Bailey and SS Jarius Byrd to make up for the loss of SS Roman Harper and FS Malcolm Jenkins. Only position really unsettled is still the Center position but I am sure Coach Payton has a plan. The Saints let FB Jed Collins walk in free agency but signed FB Erik Lorig which I think is an upgrade. Losing RB Darren Sproles will definitely impact the Saints immediately but I don't think enough to change the win/loss record negatively alone.

Players lost in the off season to other teams

• Charles Brown, T--4th season, signed by The New York Giants


• Jed Collins, FB--3rd season, signed by The Detroit Lions


• Brian De La Puente, C--3rd season, signed by The Chicago Bears


• Roman Harper, SS--8th season, signed by The Carolina Panthers


• Malcolm Jenkins, FS--5th season, signed by The Philadelphia Eagles


• Tom Johnson, DT--3rd season, signed by The Minnesota Vikings


• Lance Moore, WR--8th season, signed by The Pittsburgh Steelers


• Will Smith, DE--10th season, signed by The New England Patriots


• Eddie Whitley, DB--Rookie season, signed by The Arizona Cardinals


• Darren Sproles, RB--10th season, traded to The Philadelphia Eagles

Players signed in free agency from other teams

• Champ Bailey, CB--15th season, signed from The New Orleans Saints


• Jairus Byrd, FS--5th season, signed from The Buffalo Bills


• Erik Lorig, FB--4th season, signed from The Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Can The New Orleans Saints make it to the playoffs in 2014?

The New Orleans Saints are in a competitive division and will need to maintain their defensive re-emergence to contend again. They lost a lot more players in free agency than they signed and they had a pedestrian draft adding little to the depth chart because of their slim six draft picks. WR Brandin Cooks will be an immediate upgrade for QB Drew Brees and should be in the running immediately for Rookie Offensive Player of the Year. Tampa Bay is a “new team” this year with a new coach, QB, and an upgraded receiving corps. Carolina Panthers aim to be a defensive giant again and the Atlanta Falcons will struggle to find footing in the division. I don't see New Orleans making the playoffs this year. I don't see the proof that New Orleans got stronger in a year that saw a deep NFL rookie class and a huge expansion in salary cap dollars per team. I do see a new sheriff in town and fully expect The Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win the NFC South. I expect the Saints to regress and finish 8-8. Sorry New Orleans fans.

 

The Seattle Seahawks 2014 Free Agent Signings Analysis

The Seattle Seahawks do enough in the off season to win the NFC West?  The Seattle Seahawks in-depth analysis of the free agents signed and players lost for the 2014 NFL season. Will these additions help The Seattle Seahawks repeat as Super Bowl Champs in 2014?

 

The Seattle Seahawks obviously had the best 2013 but they will need some tweaking if they expect to defend their Lombardi trophy and revisit the Super Bowl. They finished 13-3 in the regular season and Pete Carroll has to be thinking about a 16-0 year. The Seattle Seahawks will have to find a way of losing star players as happens most times after getting to the pinnacle. I know with their own players contacts needing attention, they needed to make sure they have the money to sign QB Russell Wilson so I get why they were pedestrian in the free agency market and understand why they traded down in the draft. I do wonder why they didn't draft OG Xavier Su'a-Filo in the first round. He would have definitely been a great anchor for the interior which has always been a problem for the Seahawks. Read my article, 2014 Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Report Card and Player Analysis and see why I think the Seahawks had an amazing 2014 draft day. They lost 11 players and only bagged 4 free agent signings but their draft and ability to develop talent will make up for the unbalanced free agency.

Players lost in the off season to other teams

• Brandon Browner, CB--3rd season, signed by The New England Patriots


• Red Bryant, DE--6th season, signed by The Jacksonville Jaguars


• Chris Clemons, DE--10th season, signed by The Jacksonville Jaguars


• Kellen Davis, TE--6th season, signed by The New York Giants


• Breno Giacomini, T--6th season, signed by The New York Jets


• Chris Maragos, FS--4th season, signed by The Philadelphia Eagles


• Clinton McDonald, DT--5th season, signed by The Tampa Bay Buccaneers


• Paul McQuistan, T--8th season, signed by The Cleveland Browns


• Golden Tate, WR--4th season, signed by The Detroit Lions


• Walter Thurmond, CB--4th season, signed by The New York Giants


• Carson Wiggs, K--Rookie, signed by The Indianapolis Colts

Players signed in free agency from other teams

• Phillip Adams, CB--4th season, signed from The Oakland Raiders


• Taylor Price, WR--4th season, signed from The Jacksonville Jaguars


• Stephen Schilling, G--3rd season, signed from The San Diego Chargers


• Greg Van Roten, G--2nd season, signed from The Green Bay Packers

Can The Seattle Seahawks make it to the playoffs in 2014?

I don't see the Seahawks making it back to the Super Bowl. I don't think they will overcome the free agent losses and don't see them beating the San Francisco 49ers in the Playoffs. Only three teams in the last 20 have repeated winning the Super Bowl and only 8 since the game was introduced in 1967. I see the Seahawks finishing 10-6. They have a tough three game opener and a tough three game finish against 3 NFC West rivals. The opener at home against Green Bay, the next at San Diego and back home to replay the Super Bowl against Denver pose some serious issues. If they get off on the wrong foot, they easily could be staring at a 0-3 start, putting massive pressure on the middle of the schedule games. Their whole season rests on the first three games and that's where their free agent losses will be felt the most. Seattle is going to be in serious need of their 12^th man against the Packers and the Broncos. Could be a long season for Seahawks fans. Before all the Seahawk fans get all crazy, understand this, Seattle is not even a .500 team over their entire franchise life, so the odds of them joining some of the true dynasties in a parity league is defying the odds massively.

The Dallas Cowboys 2014 Free Agent Signings Analysis

The Dallas Cowboys do enough in the off season to win the NFC East?  The Dallas Cowboys in-depth analysis of the free agents signed and players lost for the 2014 NFL season. Will these additions help The Dallas Cowboys improve on their 2013 season and get them to the NFL playoffs in 2014?

 

The Dallas Cowboys finished the 2013 season with an 8-8 record. Tony Romo was injured a few games and the Dallas offense stalled at the most inopportune times. Hopefully with the additions in free agency they will be able to find the needed players to break the .500 mark and make the NFL playoffs in 2014. The Dallas Cowboys had a good draft as I reported in my article, 2014 Dallas Cowboys NFL Draft Report Card and Player Analysis. The Cowboys lost and signed seven free agents in the 2014 off season. The big names lost were DeMarcus Ware, Jarius Wynn and Jason Hatcher. The Dallas Cowboys were extremely restricted in signing their own players because of years past poor salary cap management. Hopefully their signings and draft can make up for what was lost.

Players lost in the off season to other teams

• Anthony Armstrong, WR--signed 4th season WR by The Cleveland Browns


• Marvin Austin, DT--signed 4th season DT by The Denver Broncos


• Phil Costa, C--signed 4th season C by The Indianapolis Colts


• Jason Hatcher, DT--signed 8th season DT by The Dallas Cowboys by The Washington Redskins


• Danny McCray, SS--signed 4th season SS by The Chicago Bears


• DeMarcus Ware, DE--signed 9th season DE by The Denver Broncos


• Jarius Wynn, DE--signed 5th season DE by The Buffalo Bills

Players signed in free agency by The Dallas Cowboys

• LaRon Byrd, WR--signed 2nd season WR from The Arizona Cardinals


• Caleb Hanie, QB--signed 6th season QB from The Cleveland Browns


• Terrell McClain, DT--signed 3rd season DT from The Houston Texans


• Henry Melton, DT--signed 5th season DT from The Chicago Bears


• Jeremy Mincey, DE--signed 6th season DE from The Denver Broncos


• Brandon Weeden, QB--signed 2nd season QB from The Cleveland Browns


• Ryan Williams, RB--signed 3rd season RB from The Arizona Cardinals

2014 season outlook for The Dallas Cowboys

I think the Cowboys will need another year to put the pieces together to make a run at a playoff berth. The defensive players lost are a lot to overcome and they didn't make any tangible upgrades to their team in general. Jerry Jones moved up to draft DE DeMarcus Lawrence but I just don't see him making a huge impact his rookie year. Tony Romo gets another year older and I think he is on the downside of his career. Time for the Cowboys to start thinking about a new QB. WR Devin Street will give Romo more targets down the middle of the field and that should help but it's not enough. OT Zack Martin will anchor the interior and should make for better pocket protection and open some more holes for RB DeMarco Murray to run the A and B gap. OLB Anthony Hitchens will definitely bring a versatility on the defensive side of the ball with his ability to do it all. The Dallas Cowboys unfortunately will have a pedestrian year and with a week 11 bye, the season could be over by then. They need to come out firing and need to split their first six games. They face the 49ers in the home opener and then have the Titans and the Rams on the road. They return home to face the Saints and then the Texans and then travel to Seattle to face the Super Bowl Champs. One misstep here and hey could easily be 0-6. I don't expect Romo to last the entire season so we should get a chance to watch Brandon Weeden and he may be more viable than people think as a future starter. Romo got his chance because of QB injury so it would be appropriate for this to happen again.

Denise Needs the Human Touch; Donate to Her Gofundme!

Follow the link to go to Denise Beckel's GoFundMe page.  

Denise has struggled with life threatening illness since 1995. If the disease doesn't kill her, the financial impact will kill her and her family. Read about Denise Beckel, Please reach into your pocket. Vote with your feet by donating to the Beckels.

 

When you peruse the listings on GoFundMe, you must be aware of scam postings and the genuine ones. It's easy to by-pass the campaigns that ask for others to pay for their luxuries, like getting married in Hawaii. No way that person deserves a dollar much less the $50,000 asked for in the campaign. It is a great use of some discretionary money when you find the genuine “need” campaign. Whether it be for an injured dog rescued from a pit-bull fighting ring or to help defray the costs of a funeral and burial. The campaigns that really need help are the ones where catastrophic events happened in a person's life or to help with medical bills of the under insured.

A Touching Campaign

I was perusing the campaigns as I have a couple of spare dollars and I like the feeling of helping someone when they need help. I came across a person with a medical condition for the last decade. I did some background on the campaign since I am a journalist and was touched by the story.

Denise Beckel

Denise Beckel is a 43 year old mother of a girl and a boy; Taylor 16, and Ryan 14. Married to Eric, a Sergeant in the NYPD assigned to the Narcotics unit in the Bronx for almost 20 years. Denise was a nurse before she was unable to continue working due to her health issue. Her health issues started in 1995 with that feeling that something was just not right. Respecting her privacy, I will cut to the chase, doctors realized she had a failing liver and without a transplant she would die. Denise waited seven long arduous years for a healthy donor Liver. During that time, she “lived” in doctor's waiting and treatment rooms and she raised her family from young children to teenagers. Denise took a handful of pills, all sizes and shapes, everyday to try and prolong the inevitable visit from the grim reaper when her liver one day would decide not to function properly anymore.

Post Op Liver recipient

Denise got her liver seven years after waiting on the donor list. Her strength and her support system of love from her family, her aunts and uncles, and nieces and nephews gave her the strength to preserve. The strength to not give up and to raise her children. Talking to her extended family, they had little knowledge that anything was wrong, because Denise was all about, how everyone else was doing and deflected any talk about her burden. The operation went well. Her body didn't reject the organ and everything looked like they were over the hump. Unfortunately she developed a very common disease associated with liver transplants, its called Cytomegalovirus(CMV).

Cytomegalovirus

I'm not a doctor and really can't explain the disease so I enclosed a link, just click the name. What I did learn was that 48% of the transplant patients that contracted CMV would die in the first 5 years. That's a coin toss folks. Put 2 people in a room and 1 won't be there in a year. This is serious. This is life and death. This is not being around to see your son and daughter graduate college, get married, meet your grandchildren. This is tragic. All CMV patients are put on a daily cocktail of pills to take. Without them the prognosis is inevitable death. This is non-negotiable and here is the problem, the cost.  The main one is Valcyte, the most expensive drug at $5500 for a one month supply. Without the medications, the prognosis is inevitable, Death. These pill cocktails are non-negotiable and here is the problem, the cost.

Cost of the drugs to treat Cytomegalovirus

The cost to take the medication is $2500 for a 14 day supply. That's a cost of $178.00 per day. Or a cost of $5535.00 per month. Remember there are 4.3 weeks in a month so that's 3 extra days of $178.00. Eric, her husband being a NYPD police Sergeant has Blue Cross/Blue Shield GHI as their health care provider and they only cover half the cost of the drugs. So, every month, they have to find $2750 net dollars to pay for the prescriptions. According to the NYPD website a NYPD sergeant tops out at 98k per year gross and they pay into their own pensions. After that deduction and the government getting their share of federal tax, state tax, city tax, and FICO, let's say there is 60% left, that leaves $44,000 a year. Divide that by 12 months is $3660. net. Now they pay the prescription and that is $3600-$2750 leaves $916.00 to pay the mortgage, food, utilities etc. Now that is depressing and the numbers don't work. Numbers don't lie. They will eventually go bankrupt and won't be able to live. If this isn't a clear case of the community needing to come together and help, really, what is?

GoFundMe for Denise Beckel

Follow the link to go to Denise Beckel's GoFundMe page. Her Aunt and former Emergency room nurse at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx started the GoFundMe page for Denise. You can read their story there. Denise's Mom, Theresa, Step-dad Ronnie, hate that term step-dad, he is more of a father than the real guy, so I will just call him Dad out of respect, and her brother Rich continue to support their beloved Denise. Rich is a detective in the NYPD Bomb Squad. Rich is a helluva guy and both he and Eric were at the WTC and helped at ground zero. Rich and his wife, Police Officer Diana Henderson, saw the family being swallowed by the medical bills, they tapped into their pension funds and took out money to prevent the Beckel's from going under financially. This can't go on indefinitely, there is only so much money, only so much “blood can you squeeze from a stone.” This is where we come in, the community.

When in need of help, we call

When you need help, you call 911. Two people in blue uniforms arrive and no matter what time of day, the weather, pr if it is a holiday, they will be at your door within minutes of being notified a member of the community needs help. They will run into a dark alley outnumbered 100 to 1 ready to give up their life to protect someone in their community. They will die to protect a stranger. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13.

It's our turn to answer the call to help.

It is our turn. The GoFundMe posting is the Beckel family calling 911. Will we answer the call? We better because this is the way we say thank you. This is what we should do. This is the right thing to do. Let's make that commitment and take the stand that Denise doesn't belong just to the Beckel family but is a valuable member of mankind., of our family They say a village is needed to raise a child; a community is needed to heal it's sick. If we all decide to give some money, together we can make their life a happy place without financial disaster waiting them. Do it because that could be your daughter, your wife, your mother in that bed staring death in the face. Just Do It. If Everyone gave as little as $20, it will help to defray their cost. What do you say. 20 bucks a reader and let's make Denise a honorary member of our family. Makes sure you put Yahoo in the donate note section and I will personally list your name in a future article to thank you personally. Thanks and God Bless Denise and he family. All proceeds from this article will be remitted to the Beckels. Please share it so more people know about this worthy endeavor. Denise Beckel GoFundMe Page.

***For the residents of New York city. There is a 10-13 fundraiser sponsored by the NYC Detectives Endowment Association on June 26^th at 7PM at St. Vartan Cathedral, 630 Second Avenue, Between East 34th & 35th Streets in Manhattan. The cost is $20 per person to benefit Denise. Please RSVP at 10-13 FOR DENISE BECKEL, WIFE OF SGT. ERIC BECKEL

GoFundMe is the Most Popular, Easiest to Use Crowdfunding Site

Need Help with Medical Bills or an Emergency?  GoFundMe has raised $290 million dollars to date. GoFundMe enables people to ask friends, family and strangers for financial assistance throughout various times of their lives when they need help with medical bills, burial assistance, or college tuition.

 

GoFundMe is a great website. It is a crowdfunding fundraising site. GoFundMe was started in 2010 and over $290 Million dollars has been raised to date. GoFundMe is filled with financial requests from people who want help with tuition bills, to third party requests to help cover the expenses of a medical crisis or to bury a loved one. Some of the stories will make you cry and other requests will make you want to reach through the computer screen and strangle the person wanting $50k to have a lavish wedding in Hawaii. Looking past the obvious "idiots of the internet," there are an amazing amount of genuine requests from regular people in dire need.

 

How I found about GO Fund Me?

I think most people encounter the site for the first time because they saw it on their facebook page as a request for financial need from one of their social network friends. This is the most common way for people to get out the message. Some people find it uncomfortable asking for financial assistance and this takes some of the sting out of it. It also allows people that don't want to or don't have that flexibility in their budget to not participate and still save "face."

 

How it works?

It's a simple process. People sign up for a free account. They build a page with an easy to navigate dashboard that tells the story of what the financial request is all about. Once the page is built, they link it to their social media sites like Facebook or Google+. They can then Tweet the sites link and in general promote it with any tool at their disposal. That's it. Now the money comes in and it will be available as it rolls in, not waiting for a goal amount to be reached. When you withdraw the money it can be directly transferred to a bank account or a check request can be submitted. There is a 5-7 day processing period for either withdrawal.

 

What does it cost?

For the people donating, it costs nothing. For the hosts of the event, Go Fund Me does take 5% of each donation to run the overhead cost of maintaining servers and hiring employees. They also retain 3% when making a withdrawal, so 8% will come off the top. I do recommend if someone wants to make a large donation. Different arrangements should be made to avoid that 8% fee. The site is really about collecting the smaller amounts from many people. You will be surprised at how quick some $20 bills add up.

 

 

How long are the campaigns?

You set the duration of a campaign. You will continue to have a "live" page till you turn it off. Most people have a financial goal in mind and easily readable stats on how well, the campaign is doing in comparison to the goal. Most people never take down the page in testament to the generous donors. The actual goal will never come into play in a real world scenario. No matter the goal, every penny collected will go to the recipient of the campaign.

 

Does it have to be a public campaign?

It doesn't have to be a public campaign and you don't have to promote it on any social media site. You can build the page and hand out the link independently to whom you like. Keep in mind, Go Fund Me success happens when lots of people know about it. People you know and strangers can all be potential donors. So it is in your campaign's interest to get the word out and keep the site public. There is nothing wrong to ask for a hand up when you need one legitimately.

 

Type of campaigns

There are many categories on the site and you have a wide range of what is socially acceptable and even what isn't that is on the site. Some examples of some categories are:

• Accidents and Emergencies


• Babies, kids, and families


• Business and Entrepreneurs


• Celebrations and special events


• Community and Neighbors


• Medical, Illness and healing


• Funerals, Memorials and Tributes

Beware of the Net

Everyone should beware of course of con men. This isn't Disney and there are a lot of predators with no morals in the world. So, do your due diligence before you donate. See, if there are links maybe showing an article on what the campaign is about. If the campaign is requesting money because a woman had a birth of 12 kids and she needs the assistance then I am sure there is some news about her. Don't be gullible. Remember to check authenticity. There is nothing wrong with being guarded but don't let that prevent you from being generous either.

 

Feels good giving someone a hand up

We need to remember our humanity. We need to be thankful for what we have and also remember some people have a real tough road in life. They may at times need the community to help them overcome a burden. Not everyone is financially solvent to handle every emergency that life throws at them. It is said, it takes a village to raise a child and it takes a community to support it's needy. Give what you can and the smallest contribution is a more than welcomed and appreciated and as you hit the donate button, say a quick prayer that you or a love one won't be building a GoFundMe page in the future because of some unexpected life catastrophe.

2014 Kansas City Chiefs NFL Draft Report Card and Player Analysis

The Kansas City Chiefs need to get a #1 Wide receiver the draft and replace free agents lost in the off season, did they get their top guy? Can The Kansas City Chiefs draft their way back to the playoffs and improve their 11-5 2013 season?

 

The Kansas City Chiefs needed huge help at the wide receiver position especially after losing Hybrid special team specialist, RB, and WR Dexter McCluster to free agency. The Chiefs are up against the salary cap and couldn't afford to keep Pro Bowl OT Branden Albert from departing and also will feel the loss of offensive guards, Jon Asamoah and Geoff Schwartz. Kansas City has more needs than they have draft picks so it will be interesting to see if they filled the positions or went with the best player on the draft board. Either way, they will have to do some free agent hunting before August, so it should be interesting to watch their season unfold.

 

 

2014 NFL DRAFT PICK RECAP AND ANALYSIS

 

Dee Ford DE, Auburn Round 1 Pick #23

Am I the only one confused here. They really didn't need Ford and at best Ford on my board was a 2^nd round pick. I had the Chiefs taking Marqise Lee, WR Southern California in my 2014 NFL Mock Draft. He would have helped an anemic receiver corps and made life for Alex Smith a little better. This move confuses me and I give it a Grade D since the Chiefs already had two stud pass rushers in Tamba Hali and Justin Houston. Marqise Lee was on the board and even if they didn't draft him, they should have drafted an offensive lineman at the very least. Really bad move here that will bite them every week.

 

Phillip Gaines CB, Rice Round 3 Pick #23

At best an average skill player with blazing speed. Too small to be a press corner and for now only has value s a cover 2 corner. No real upside and probably couldn't even play special teams. So far, I am sitting here wondering what The Chiefs are doing. Passed on Donte Moncrief so this makes this a record breaking terrible pick.

 

De'Anthony Thomas RB, Oregon Round 4 Pick #24

Extremely fast RB that has amazing agility and can get around the outside. Big play ability if he breaks one but he spends more time going laterally he will face a huge wake up call when he is staring at a sealed edge and a hungry OLB and DE bearing down. KC has arguably the best back in the league and what, they are gonna give Thomas the ball and not Charles, give me a break. Another head scratching pick that does nothing to improve this team.

 

Aaron Murray QB, Georgia Round 5 Pick #23

Projected 6^th or 7^th round and the Chiefs reach to get Murray. Small size QB with a low release spells lots of swatted passes in the age of the big NFL. Coming off a torn ACL, the Chiefs pull another bonehead move taking a project QB.

 

Zach Fulton OG, Tennessee Round 6 Pick #17

Possible starter at RG but will struggle early against blitzing linebackers stunting the inside. A competent pass blocker but has a long ways to go before Alex Smith will feel pocket comfortable. Needs work on his feet and technique. Will be put in a starting role earlier than he should be. A definite throwing to the wolves scenario coming up for him.

 

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif T, McGill Round 6 Pick #24

Decent player but more interested in becoming a doctor than an NFL player. Will need to pack on 30 to 40 pounds to play in the NFL. I see him busting out of the NFL and becoming a doctor. Poor Pick.

 

Analysis and overall draft grade

Could this draft be any worse. I doubt it. I want to believe they know what they are doing, I just don't see it. Hey don't upgrade their receivers and had two opportunities to do it. They use their 1^st round pick on a redundant player that won't even start. They take a CB when they should have been hunting for lineman. I don't have a clue if they were drinking spiked rum punch or pulling names from a hat.

 

Draft Grade: An F , D minus

I have never given an F grade in a draft and I wanted to hang one so bad here. No way the Chiefs come close to their record last year and I feel so sorry for Alex Smith and Jamaal Charles. I am gonna bet against them all year and make a fortune.

2014 Hot Summer Trends Here to Stay Past 2015

Google Glass, Samsung, and '80s rockers are the hot trends for 2014.  Each summer we welcome new trends in fashion and technology. This year we have two products undergoing technological and style redesigns. We also welcome back the rockers from the '80s which has been a hot trend the last few summers.

 

We are surrounded by trends. We have trends in the stock market, we have fashion trends and we have trends for each season. Some trends last longer than others but they are all trends cause one thing that has been proven everything has a shelf life and an expiration date. Will narrow or wide lapel suits be trending? Will Capri's make a comeback? Will Spandex find a new fan base? Most trends are greeted with a look of disdain and most trends like plaid pants and polka dot shirts need to remain in our collective pasts. But some trends, I look forward to and they have nothing to do with clothing. They are accessories. Things that go with outfits and in some cases accessories in life like what choice of music goes with what type of party. Whether we realize it or not, music is an accessory of life.

2014 Summer Trends

The Google Glass New Frames

No one knows what they will look like and they are answer to Google's problem that most wearers of the Glass hate the way they look and don't offer any personal choices in style. So, Google answered that problem by hiring, Ivy Ross. Ivy is a top name in the design meets marketing world having done time at Mattel, Coach, Swatch, Bausch and Lomb and the gap as reported by Motley Fool in the article, “Will World-Class Designer Ivy Ross Save Google Glass?”. Google is reportedly going to try and make a fashion change to their notorious $1500 pair of “smart glasses” by the end of summer. This trend to keep up-to-date on style by Google will be a constant evolution so look for that to continue every year as style comes in and style goes out. Soon I imagine we will see inter-changeable frames to color coordinate the outfit or car you drive. One pair of Google Glass in Mauve, please.

Samsung's new smart wristwatch phone

Samsung will be rolling out their 5^th generation of smart wristwatch phone this July 2014. This one is going to really technological cause finally it won't need a cell phone to function. It will be able to do everything on it's own. Now that to me makes this wristwatch that may be worth investing in. Not to worry about misplacing my phone will be a huge burden. Not walking out of the house will save me countless trips back to retrieve my phone. According to Venturebeat article, “No phone required: Samsung’s next smartwatch may make & take calls on it own,” the new phone will have GPS, Bluetooth, heart monitor, and be able to make you a ham and cheese sandwich. Okay I lied, it can't make that sandwich, but give it time(no pun intended). Just checking to make sure you are paying attention.

The Rockers of the '80s

Something that is becoming a phenomena is the trending of '80s bands lately and the popularity that amazes me. People are reliving their younger years in their 50s. We have a great many trending rockers to choose from this summer of 2014. Some on the summer list of tickets still available at smaller venues and more affordable pricing including many double feature acts. Some are:

• Rick Springfield and Pat Benatar


• Pat Benatar and Cher


• The Go-Gos and Patty Smyth


• The Romantics


• Rick Springfield, Loverboy & Eddie Money


• Huey Lewis and The News


• Styx & Foreigner


• Journey & Cheap Trick


• Journey & Steve Miller Band

These are amazing shows and these rockers still have it. Tickets can go as cheap as $18.00 a seat to floor seats for a reasonable $75.00 a ticket. Artists like Rick Springfield offer VIP tickets where you can meet him and watch the band do a soundcheck and he will spend some time with each person, take a photo and sign memorabilia. This is like a mini personal concert and packages for VIP events are $300 to $525 a person, includes everything I mentioned and a special Rick Springfield logo guitar that he will personally autograph at the soundcheck event. This is a once in a lifetime experience and affords the die hard fan a way to meet their idol. You can get information on the VIP packages here.

Trends come and go

the trends I wrote about are seasonal trends but they have a shelf life. Both smart glasses and smart watches are in their infancy or development and the '80s rockers are like a fine wine that has aged well. Both will trend every summer so jot it down on your calendar and no what was hot last summer will be repackaged and advancements made to again top the list of trendy items for the summer of 2015.

The Art of Recreation

Recreation is my favorite pastime, from watching NFL football to going to shows on the Las Vegas Strip to attending concerts, this is my passion. Recreation is the building blocks of memories from picnics with the family to outings at the ballpark.

 

Living in Las Vegas makes it easy for me to think of things to do. Recreation is the heart of the city. People come here to unwind and have fun. Recreation can be a sport, dining at a restaurant, gambling, skydiving, shopping, drinking, playing golf, and many other interests. The definition from Merriam Webster; Recreation: Something people do to relax or have fun : activities done for enjoyment.


Some things I like to do

I have a few things that I like to do, my recreations. I like playing poker, Omaha 8 is my game. I love watching and betting on football during the NFL season. I love Boxing and MMA matches. I follow both sports closely, successfully acquiring comp UFC fight tickets most weekends when the UFC is in town; Thanks Dana White. I don't write about the UFC because I am friends with a lot of the fighters and the easiest way to ruin a friendship is having them square off in the ring, and I have to pick the winner, no thank you, I pass. Obviously, I like to write as well. Both for recreation and as a second career in life. I use that money to re-create more recreation, it's a vicious cycle.


My Passions

The other passion of mine is shows and concerts. Lately, my tastes have been regressing as far as when that particular music was at it's peak. I'm talking about Frankie Valli in the Jersey Boys, The Beatles which is a Cirque de Soleil show, LOVE, here at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. And lately I been turned on to two '80s rock bands, Rick Springfield and Journey, as well as local bands.


Upcoming Shows I will be attending

Rick Springfield

Next month, I will be going to Primm Nevada on the California state line to watch my first Rick Springfield concert. I re-found Rick because of a movie called “An Affair of the Heart: Rick Sprinfield Documentary,” and the June 14^th show at Buffalo Bill's Arena in the Desert is something I can't wait to see. I get a chance to revisit a '80s legend and start to make up for all the time wasted blowing him off for the last 30 years because I drank the kool-aid and didn't recognize his genius. Read about what turned me into a Rick fan again at "Rick Springfield..'80s Rocker to Spiritual Leader of Rock and Roll." Also, looking forward to meeting all the “Rick Heads” I met since doing the article, that has been a ride all unto itself. Don't worry I will be posting a review of that show and that weekend will be a busy one for me as I am also at Phoenix Comicon.


Local Las Vegas acts no one should miss

Scotty Alexander Band

I also like seeing the Scotty Alexander Band a local Country band that plays at Gilleys and other venues in Las Vegas and Nashville. He is the former musical director for Wayne Newton that headlines his own very successful band. If you get a chance to see him you won't be disappointed. Check out his Website or Facebook and you can get a taste for his music. Scotty is on the verge of stardom so it is in your best interests to see him before that happens. Make sure you tell him I sent ya.


Joey Fulco and Family

I know Joey for over 20 years when he was headlining “Joy Fulco and the Subway Gunmen” band in the 1990s when he lived in New York and before he was married. The Joey Fulco and the Subway Gunmen Band was a huge band in Europe back then as evidenced by this clip of them with Prince Albert of Monaco. Years ago, Joey moved to Las Vegas and got married and had kids. Now they all have the “music DNA” and Joey being the guy he is and not wanting to miss out on any time with his family, decided to start the Joey Fulco Family Band. I don't want to say it is a reincarnated Partridge Band, That is just not the case. It is just a parallel that people think of when they think of a family performing together. Joey Fulco and his family play all over the country but their home base is Las Vegas. When in town, check out their schedule and catch a show. Their website is Meet the Fulcos. Joey is the musical director and Dad. His wife, Vanessa is on keyboards, writes the music and is the Mom for this brood. Joey and Vanessa have beautiful and talented children, 17 year old, beauty queen, actress, musician daughter, Joei on guitar, piano and vocals. Teen girls will flip over his 15 year old son, Jesse on guitar, bass, drums and vocals. 10 year old cutie, Stevie is the singer and she wants to be an actress one day. And finally, drummer protege, Tyler, 8 years old and plays the drums like Neil Peart from Rush. I'm not kidding, go see some of the videos and tell me that in 10 years this kid isn't a rock superstar. So, like I said, If in town, Check out Joey Fulco and Family. Joey Fulco and the Subway Gunmen still tour and you can catch up with them on Facebook.


Plate is full

Sometimes, I wonder how I find the time to relax and pursue my passions as I am always begging for a few more hours at the end of my day. If the day had 30 hours in it I would be set. Now, you know where to find me and what I will be up to. During the football season, you will find me in a sports book watching the games, and during the other parts of the year, I fill my recreation needs with shows and concerts and also good dining since Las Vegas is one of the best places to live for a foodie.

Rick Springfield..'80s Rocker to Spiritual Leader of Rock and Roll

Dealing with Lifelong Depression, Rick Springfield Heals Himself and His Loyal Fans.  Rick Springfield, the 1980s Pop Icon Rocker/Actor, has a loyal fan base that travels thousands of miles a year to see his shows. This isn't your typical Rocker/fan relationship. This is a friendship and a spiritual healing and a mutual devotion.

 

Rick Springfield broke onto the Pop scene in the 1980s. and he has had 14 top 40 hits throughout his career, some landing at the #1 spot. He was also an actor on the General Hospital soap. His signature song, "Jessie's Girl" is his most popular song but others that still play on the radio and bring back memories for me are: What Kind of Fool Am I?, Love Somebody, Don't Talk to Strangers, Human Touch, Affair of the Heart, I Get Excited, and the tribute to his dad dying, My Father's Chair.

Why Am I writing about a Pop Star from the 1980s?

I saw this new movie on Netflix recently, "Affair of the Heart," It was about Rick Springfield's life. It was a docudrama-historical-bio, actually, I haven't a clue what genre it belongs but it was really powerful. I walked away from the TV in awe of Rick Springfield's talent, struggles, and perseverance. I totally admire the way he endears himself to fans and how genuine he is. His sincerity is almost disarming to the point of, "Wait, this is a really good looking guy who is a rock star, etc," Where did this humanity come from? He is supposed to be a jerk. This must be a scam. But It isn't. Rick is Real. Rick is flawed. Rick is fragile. Rick is tortured. Rick is genius. Rick is a prick. Rick is Rick.

Rick Springfield's journey

Rick has had anything but a smooth road in his 64 years on Earth. His life has been a roller coaster ride of ultimate highs and depressing lows. Some of his problems were self-inflicted, others part of his mental make-up and some caused by excess of drugs, alcohol, and sex. He also got screwed by the world. Being a stereotypical "pretty boy rock-star," has worked against him more than it has helped him. If ever anyone's good looks were a negative, this is the prime example. No one took his music seriously, no one took his acting seriously, and no one even gave him credit when he reached millions with his music, they just classified it as "Pop junk." All because he was the "pretty boy" from Australia on the latest issue of Tiger Beat magazine . What a shame and a tragedy that we all missed out on a body of work that is genius has lasted almost 40 years.

Rick and his demons

I think what makes Rick so humble is the fact that he has hit rock bottom so many times from his first suicide attempt at age 17 all the way through his 60s. Rick has some issues with the dark side of his soul, which he has referred to as "The Darkness," which in his world is more than a feeling, it is a physical presence, a passenger, that shares his space and torments him daily. It also was the reason he "dropped out" of life for a decade. As he has said many times, "I'm a one-man wrecking crew"…"I Hate Myself " as sung by him on his titled song that gives us a glimpse into his own perception of self. Rick has had some legal issues with alcohol being a major contributor and some marital issues concerning infidelity. No shock there as I said he is flawed but that's what makes him an amazing artist and probably the reason why he commands a legion of devoted fans. He is human just like them.

Shock/Denial/Anger/Acceptance

His 2004 album, "Shock/Denial/Anger/Acceptance" is his healing album. He finally comes to terms with "The Darkness" and you can hear it in his music. The anger that comes out on the album is painful to hear. He is stripping away everything that is Rick Springfield and it shows. He is letting us all in to his inner closet where most of us hide our short comings. He is letting us use him to heal ourselves through his music. I listened to this album and found my own demons being slaughtered by his anger. What a ride! If an artist ever connected with an audience, this is the album. If you haven't heard it, buy it. Listen particularly to "My Depression," it is his wake-up call. The life that controlled him for a long time and the demons that he still deals with today. He has found a way to live with "The Darkness."

The 64 year old rocker

Rick plays over 100 shows a year all over the world. He goes on cruises with his fans. He hosts a Club Med in Port St Lucie in 2015. What other rocker can you go on vacation with? What other rocker can you have a drink with or crowd around a piano and sing a song together. None I know of. This is the Rick all should get to know. His legions of fans are to some a cult. That's a cruel word to describe loyal, loving people and I hate it. They aren't his groupies either. They are his friends and he is their friend. He has connected with them on a level that no other band will ever get to, no matter how many #1 hits they have, how much money they make or how many asses they put in the seats. Rick will always be the Rocker who connected. His song, "Don't talk to Strangers," is exactly the advice he has ignored. Not only has he talked to them, he loves them and they love him.

How lucky I am

How lucky I am that I was surfing Netflix bored one day and watched "Affairs of the Heart." I would have never found out who Rick Springfield really is. As soon as the movie ended, I found out that Rick is playing in Primm, Nevada at the Star of the Desert Arena on June 14^th. I had plans to go to Phoenix Comicon to review the convention that weekend. I immediately bought tickets to my first Rick Springfield concert and decided to do both. I will attend Phoenix Comicon Thursday to Saturday and then drive straight to my first Rick Springfield concert. I can't wait and I promise myself, I will make up for the time I missed out on Rick Springfield. I am 50 years old and going to my first Rick Springfield show and I don't feel weird. Welcome me to the party Rick, I'm coming buddy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Understanding the Process and What Options You Have.  Let a former member of the U.S. Air Force you making the right decisions on which branch of the military is right for you. Find out now what enlistment bonuses you can qualify for. Don't sell your future to low. Get the right job that fits your future.

 

After I got out of high school, I enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. I got lucky. I scored high on the the Armed Services Verbal Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and pretty much qualified for every job offered to an enlisted person. I scored particularly high in one part of the ASVAB that determined a person's ability to learn a foreign language. After the ASVAB, my recruiter told me that they would like to do some more testing and I would be taking the Defensive Language Aptitude Battery (DLAP). Everything is an acronym in the military. So, I took the test and became a Russian Voice Intercept Operator. But this isn't about me. For me, the process was simple cause I qualified for anything in the military and most people today won't be as fortunate so here are some tips to get yourself the best deal in the recruiter's office and get a good start to transitioning to your military career.

 

Recruitment Office 101

Military recruiters have good duty. It is also a duty that is extremely stressful and has long days. Recruiters not only talk with prospects in their office but visit schools, job fairs and do a lot of shuttling of prospects to the different military facilities that do the testing for entry. They are also the negotiators for the government and have the power to bestow financial incentives, advanced rank upon completion of Basic Military Training, or affectionately known as "boot-camp" and they are the ones that try to make the right fit for the prospect and the needs of the service. They are not your advocate, in most cases and could care less about little else than you signing on the dotted line and getting to boot camp. That happens and they get credit for one enlisted person. Now they may have a 10 person quota a month and this recruiting gig won't last long if they don't perform. The recruiter is the “used car salesperson” of the military.

 

So, You want to join the military

Better have a reason better than “because,” If you haven't dreamed of serving your country for many years and know for certain this is the life you want. You need to seriously reconsider your choices and how it will affect you, your future and if married or a parent, your child's future. There are no holidays in the military, the word “NO” doesn't exist. If you are okay with taking orders and a regimented physical lifestyle that for some will be days of not knowing if you lice or die. That's out of the way and the committed are still reading so we shall proceed.

 

Picking an MOS or AFSC

Let us assume you scored great on the ASVAB and all opportunities are available to you from being a cook to a crew chief on a B1B Bomber. Now it is time to pick your job in the military. The U.S. Air Force calls their jobs, AFSC, which is Air Force Specialty Code. It is an alphanumeric code for what your specialty is in the Air Force. Mine was 1N5X3. That was an Airborne Russian Cytological Voice Intercept Operator, vernacular would be person who monitored radio frequencies and translated and decoded intercepts. The rest of the branches use the same, MOS as their designation. MOS means Military Occupational Specialty. It is the same as the Air Force leaning heavily on letters more than numbers. Don't ask me why the U.S. Air Force gets their own acronym, I haven't a clue.

 

Negotiating with the recruiter

If you got qualified for the real terrible jobs in the service, don't expect to be in much position to negotiate. If you have a GED rather than a high school diploma, again you won't have much room to negotiate. If you graduated high school, maybe even have some college and scored high on the ASVAB, you are in the catbird seat and you hold all the cards. You are in such good position. You can go to all 5 branches, don't forget the Coast Guard is a branch of the military, and negotiate deals. Recruiters have a tough time filling certain jobs and a candidate that qualifies for one may count as 10, rather than 1 person. So, these recruiters can offer you Cash enlistment bonuses, extra rank upon graduating boot camp, and in some cases, BOPs, which are Base of Preference. BOPs are awesome because if you want to be stationed in Hawaii and that branch has a need for your specialty in Hawaii, they have no issue stationing you there. So make sure you are negotiating if you feel your ability requires the government to make you feel special. Don't be afraid to tell the U.S Air Force recruiter that you feel the package is a low offer and you will go talk to the NAVY recruiter before making a decision. If he hasn't thrown everything on the table at that point, he will before you leave that office.

 

Delayed Entry Program

So, you got your job and negotiated your deal, now you go to Delayed Entry Program. 99% of recruits spend some time in the DEP before they enter boot camp. It is basically a period where you committed to the military and they committed to you. Mind you, you can be forced to go, but it has never been done, so between the time you sign and enter the DEP, there is still a way to get out. So if you are a rock star and your band gets a gig in Europe, you can get out of the deal. I spent 6 months on the DEP waiting for a slot top open up at the Defense Language Institute as they wanted me to roll right out of Basic training to Language school. I did basic training at Lackland AFB in July and August, brutal time to be in Texas. That is another story altogether.

 

Make your time spent on the DEP work in your favor

If you aren't physically fit. You have the time you will be spending on the DEP to get in shape. Do yourself a favor and change your life the minute you sign the deal and make that commitment to getting ready to begin your new life. If you arrive at Basic training in shape, you have one less worry. If the military requires you to do 5 pullups, run 3 miles in 20 minutes and do 50 situps, make sure you can do 3x the amount of the requirement. Each branch is different with the Marines being the hardest and the U.S. Air Force being the easiest. Makes sense because the U.S. Air Force is a tactical support branch of the military where as the Marines are the guys who get in done. They will be the ones dodging bullets and Semper Fi to all the Marines out there.

 

What to expect at Boot Camp

I personally had no issues at Basic training. As a matter of fact I didn't mind it at all. Made some good friends, had fun on the one day pass in San Antonio, Texas and actually missed the regimentation at times later in my life. Basic training is a mind game if you are physically fit when you arrive. If you aren't in shape, you will be in the torture zone the entire time you are there. Drill Instructors don't coddle people and their job is to separate the weak and train the strong. Your day starts at 05:00 and ends at 22:00 hours, lights out. From morning PT to lights out, it is one regimented dance. The first few days are a trip. Those are the transition days and you will hear lots of crying when the lights go out. Don't be surprised if you see some empty bunks the first few days, those are the weak that left. When you go home after basic training, you will see them at the local McDs, say hello. The days are filled with physical training, classroom instruction, military decorum like how to salute and understanding rank and jargon. And there is some time for religious service and of course meals. The meals were my favorite time of the day, just learn to eat REALLY fast.

 

Summary

The military is a commitment and it is a good calling and a great career. It isn't a job. There are no 40 hour weeks, no holidays, no weekends, and no time and a half. If you think it is for you, well go down to your recruiter and find out your options. Take your time making a decision and before you decide on joining the Marine Corps, make sure it is more about what you want and nit to impress your friends or the girl you are in love with in school. The Corps doesn't just hand out Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblems to anyone, you will earn it. Good Luck and God Speed.

 

 

 

 

 

What Does Our Social Security Number Mean?

An Origin of the SSN and Detailed Explanation on Every Digit.

 

What does our Social Security Number (SSN) mean? It is one of the few constants in life. It never changes unless you enter the witness protection program, victim of domestic violence, or been a victim of identity theft. Those are some of the legal ways, a person will change their SSN. Sometimes people try and “disappear” into society for various reasons and they buy a new social security number on the black market. Or they scour a cemetery, steal that dead person's identity and then apply for a duplicate SSN card. The SSN is one number that all of us know by heart. We need it on a daily basis to prove our identity. Banks require it to open an account. DMV wants one before it will issue a driver's license. Doctors and hospitals need it for billing. Try to live one week without it, I bet you, you can't.

Origin of the Social Security Number

The United States government started issuing SSNs in 1936 for the sole purpose of archiving worker's lifetime earnings as reported by the Social Security Administration (SSA) article, “The Story of the Social Security Number.” The worker's contributions into the Social Security system were tracked so future benefits could be issued. Since it's inception, 450 million SSNs have been issued and as of 2008, virtually every legal resident of the USA possessed one. No one thinks about the beginning of something, but this issuance in 1936 was a major project. No computers around, not everyone was literate or even spoke English. The results of the campaign to register everyone was truly astounding. Even using today's technology it would require coordination and billions of dollars and millions of labor hours. We can't even get a health care system in place, imagine today's bureaucracy trying to start a Social Security Program, never would happen. The issuance and compliance project was so successful that they registered 35 million people in the first eight months.

Social Security Number decoder

Every group of digits has a meaning. Each SSN is 9 digits in length. It is a XXX-XX-XXXX configuration.

• The first three digits are the area number.


• The next two digits are the group number.


• The final four digits are the serial number.

**The SSA has two sets of rules regarding the SSN issuance rules, before 1972 and after, so bear with me if you see redundancies as I want to be clear for the older people in the audience.

Area Number

This is the geographical area where the application was made to get a social security number. You must remember that back in the day, there wasn't a standardized zip code for each city. The zip code only came out in 1963, before that time, postal zone numbers were used. Prior to 1972, the Area Number was the State you physically resided or worked, since the SSA handed specific sets of numbers to state field offices for distribution. So, prior to 1972, those numbers signified that state. Since 1972, the SSA has issued the Area Number by the mailing adrress of the applicant even if it differed from the residence. Those Area Numbers assigned were assigned with the lowest to the highest starting in the Northeast and going West. So, people who live on the East Coast will have the lowest area numbers and people who live on The West Coast will have the highest area numbers.

Group Number

These Group Numbers a way to categorize the Area Numbers into smaller blocks for administrative and filing purposes. It increases the amount of people that can have the 123 Area Number to 10,000 without duplicating it. “00” is the only two digit group number not used. The others are assigned by a odd/even alternating rotation, group numbers issued first consist of the odd numbers from 01 through 09, and then even numbers from 10 through 98.

Serial Number

Now that we have been identified by the state or region, the Serial Number is the actual person. This number is issued sequentially and runs consecutively from 0001 to 9999.

Steve Morse Social Security Number Decoder

There is a SSN decoder program that allows you to pick the Area Numbers and the Group Numbers and it will tell you when the SSSN was issued and in what state. It is domained by Steve Morse and you can find it here at SteveMorse.com. It works great, I put mine in and boom, right on the money. So I decided to try another. Any guess whose I tried?

Is that really Barack Obama's SSN?

Name – OBAMA, BARACK

Gender – Male

Street Address – 5046 S GREENWOOD AVE

City, State, Zip – CHICAGO IL 60615-2806

Probable Current Address – Yes

Social Security – 042-68-xxxx

Date Record Verified – Jun 05 – Nov 05

This is public knowledge from his own autobiography so don't get crazy here. That's a verification from the Social Security Administration that President Obama used to refute the allegation that he wasn't a U.S. Citizen.

Little problem with this information

The Social security number was issued in Connecticut in 1976-1977. Put it into the decoder and see for yourself. He said he was born in Hawaii and lived in Chicago. I'm confused, why would he have a SSN from Connecticut? At that time, and since 1972, the SSA used mailing addresses to issue the SSN Area Numbers but the question remains, since President Obama has zero connection to the State of Connecticut, why was a mailing address from Connecticut used? Only explanation I can think of that could be a contributing factor would be Yale University and the infamous “Skull and Bones.” Now that is a serious topic for another article and must leave you dangling from the cliff. I will NEVER write about them for fear of retaliation and to be honest I really don't care about the New World Order. I'm an existentialist. If you are brave or suicidal, it could make for a great book.

Will Danny Garcia Fight Floyd “Pretty Boy” Mayweather in September 2014?

Who Will Floyd Mayweather Fight September 2014?

Will Floyd “Pretty Boy Money Mayweather duck Marcos Maidana in September 2014 for a rematch. It won't be news to anyone as I predicted this last month as Mayweather's face was healing from the beating it at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 3, 2014. Floyd has been ducking more outside the ring than in it lately. He ducks Pacquiao on a regular basis and anyone else who is actually a threat in the ring. I don't blame him when he is making $50 million a fight. I'd look for guys who are odds-on-dogs winning unless a miracle happened and he mans up for this rematch with Maidana.

 

Amir Khan

He was the logical next opponent if this was about who deserved a shot. Khan has dispatched anyone he has faced with sheer brutality unlike Mayweather who hasn't knocked anyone out in 7 years, that last victim being Ricky Hatton. Amir Khan can't fight in September as it is Ramadan and he is a Muslim from Pakistan and that would be like a Catholic fighting on Christmas. All Mayweather and Showtime would have to do is delay the fight for 30 days. Not a big deal really but Floyd likes fighting around the Mexican holiday in September so Amir Khan will have to wait.

 

Set Up City

Who is the next set-up match for a weary and old Mayweather. This fight is all about the money. Has nothing to do with the sport and that's why boxing has lost so many fans to UFC and Dana White. Imagine if the best team in football could pick their opponent in the Super Bowl? Would the Jacksonville Jaguars please stand up. The Seattle Seahawks want to bust you up and get paid $50 million dollars to do it. And all the sheep would still buy the pay-per-view to see the destruction. Might as well send a WWE wrestler to fight Jon Jones but Dana White and Joe Silva has too much respect for his sport to debase and besides, Dana White and Joe are fans and wouldn't want to see that fight. That;s the best thing about the UFC, Dana is a fan.

 

Danny Garcia

Danny Garcia is the perfect fight for fans but not so perfect for Floyd Mayweather or his promoter Golden Boy Productions CEO, Rich Schaefer. Showtime of course would love it since they have a contract but Floyd and his crew of puppet masters have final say over who he fights or ducks. Garcia record is 28-0 with 16 TKOs. His last fight in March 2014, against Mauricio Herrera was supposed to be an easy match for Garcia. Because of Herrera's unorthodox style, the fight went the distance and Garcia won with two judges scoring it 116-112 and the third judge had it tied 114-114 to successfully defend his title for the 5^th time. I can see this fight happening if Floyd and Schaefer decide that Garcia will not be as fast coming up in weight, otherwise, it is a guessing game who they choose.

 

 

 

V.I.N. Helped the FBI Solve the Terrorist Bombing of Oklahoma City

Everything You Wanted to Know About the Vehicle Identification Number.

 

The Vehicle Identification Number is the Social Security number of the car. It is a 17 character alphanumeric code. Each letter and each number stands for something. The VIN is stamped on many different parts of a car such as: engine, hood, door jambs, dashboard, etc. No one knows for sure where very VIN is stamped. At least six VINs are etched in hidden places only known to the FBI. Some of these places are so hard to find as a piece of metal must be removed and then a mirror on a telescoping rod is used to see the hidden VIN.

VIN helps FBI solve the Oklahoma City Bombing

The most famous use of a VIN number to aid law enforcement in solving a crime was the Oklahoma City bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal building by Timothy McVeigh and cohorts. They detonated a fertilizer bomb in the back of a rental truck. The FBI identified the VIN from the rear axle of that truck and was able to determine the origination of the rental that lead to the apprehension of the domestic terrorists.

Origin of the VIN

The VIN etching originally started in 1954 by the auto manufacturers and by 1981, the Federal government passed law that all over-the-road vehicles must have a 17 digit VIN number. The government was only 27 years behind corporate America, amazing. There are roughly 250 million cars on the road today and about 750,000 a year get stolen, according to the FBI Uniform Crime Reports on Motor Vehicle Theft. In the past ten years auto theft has been cut in half due to most new vehicles being sold with standard anti-theft devices, visible VINs, and GPS devices in cars. The VIN has taken the ability away from most criminals to profit from the stolen parts market and made it very hard to get the car past Customs at the ports for export.

What do all the numbers and letter of a VIN mean?

Each letter and number means something. The last 6 digits are the sequence numbers to the car. There are 17 digits all together and we will break down each one and tell you what it means. At the end, you will be able to look at your VIN and know everything about your car.

Let's use a fictitious example of a VIN: 1ZVBP8CF5B5161451. Just need the VIN chart to decode it.

VIN: 1ZVBP8CF5B5161451

• 1^st Three digits “1ZV” is the country of origin, make, and body style... United States, Ford, Coupe.

• 4^th digit “B” is Restraint System Type, Brake Type and GVWR Class...Category B is 3,000 to 4,000 lbs,Standard, Dual Air Bags Front and Sides/Active Belts .

• 5^th digit is “P” is Vehicle Line...Mustang.

• 6^th digit “8” is Series...GT .

• 7^th digit “C” is Vehicle Type....Passenger Car.

• 8^th digit “F” is Engine, Cylinders, Fuel, Engine Manufacturer...5.0L, 8, Gasoline, Ford.

• 9^th digit “5” is Check Digit to make sure the VIN is a real VIN. It is a complicated mathematical formula that validates all the other digits are true. For more info on the math, go to Shay History.

• 10^th digit “B” is The Model Year...2011.

• 11^th digit “5” is Assembly Plant...Flat Rock Michigan.

• 12^th digit to 17^th digit is the car's sequence number “161451”...161,451 Mustang built.

There you have it. Get yourself a manual and you can manually check your car's VIN or you could just use a VIN decoder on the internet like this one VIN Decoder. The VIN is so specific, auto dealerships and locksmiths can cut ignition and door keys from the VIN alone. But, remember the dealership and locksmith will want proof of ownership, like a title, before they will do it for obvious liability issues.

Summary

The next time your insurance agent asks for the VIN number and you go to tell him the type of car, save your breath the VIN number will tell him everything including whether the car has a turbo engine, anti-restraint devices so he will remember to give you the associated discounts or penalize you for their absence. Now You also know, why the insurance agent takes a picture of your VIN tag on the door jamb when you have to get pictures taken before the comprehensive and collision parts of your coverage are valid. Those pictures tell everyone everything just like our D.O.B. and Social Security number identifies us. I bet you didn’t know that our social security numbers are our VIN number and have meaning as well. Next article I will breakdown a social security number meaning.