Sunday at the Post

QUOTE/STORY OF THE WEEK...

“He often quoted from Robert Frost -- and said it applied to himself -- but we could apply it to the Democratic party and to all of us as individuals: The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep. And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.” -- Robert F. Kennedy, tribute to John F. Kennedy, Democratic National Convention, Atlantic City, N.J., Aug. 27, 1964

These words were spoken by Robert F. Kennedy to describe his brother some 45 years ago this weekend. Ironically, on Saturday they were also used to describe Ted Kennedy, who passed away last week. The convention in Atlantic City took place less than a year after President Kennedy's assassination. On the last day of the convention, then-Attorney General Robert Kennedy introduced a short film in honor of his brother's memory. Appearing on the convention floor, Kennedy received 22 minutes of uninterrupted applause, causing him to nearly break into tears.

“When you’re out on the ocean,” Ted Kennedy was once asked, “do you ever see your brothers?”

“Sure,” he answered, his voice a few decibels above a whisper. “All the time, all the time. There’s not a day I don’t think of them. This is where we all grew up. There have been some joyous times here. Difficult times, too.”

APTed Kennedy (center) with brothers John (right) and Bobby.

A wonderful article from Mike Barnicle about Ted Kennedy. Written by a man who was his friend and saw his strengths, saw his weaknesses and saw him change his life over the years. Below is an excerpt:

“At 77, Edward Moore Kennedy was a man who learned to live with his flaws, his failures and a prematurely ordained future that never was and, after 1969, could never be.

“He was the most Irish of four brothers, had the loudest laugh and the biggest voice. He was familiar with pain, emotional and physical. He was sentimental, given to song, poetry and painting. His own hand-painted watercolors adorn the walls of his house.

“He suffered greatly from self-inflicted wounds -- Chappaquiddick, an affinity for alcohol -- as well as the weight of constant expectation that he would, could, might rise and eventually take the White House.

“But disruptions caused by the hand of two different gunmen in two different American cities altered him forever, detoured him from the family dream, pushed him to live without a calendar, measuring his days and hours by the whim of a fate he knew he could never truly control.”

RIP Ted Kennedy.

THINGS I HEARD AROUND THE NFL LAST WEEK...

“Everyone sooner or later sits down to a banquet of consequences.” -- Robert Lewis Stevenson

1. Most teams in the NFL expect the Raiders to release defensive tackle Terdell Sands, even though he received a $1-million roster bonus this year. Sands didn’t even play in Saturday’s game against the Saints as the Raiders allowed 344 yards at the half.

2. Many people feel the Eagles will deal A.J. Feeley, in large part because he’s due to make $1.3 million and Michael Vick $1.6 million. Two backup quarterbacks getting $2.9 million along with a second-round draft pick is a large investment. There’s no need to carry two high-priced backup QBs as long as Kevin Kolb is healthy.

APShawn Andrews is back at practice.

3. The Eagles activated Shawn Andrews off their PUP list, which means he has passed their physical and is able to resume practicing. It will be interesting to see if he plays in the fourth preseason game.

4. The news of unsettled rumblings in the Minnesota locker room regarding Brett Favre was not a surprise. As he’s gotten older, Favre has expected to be left alone and doesn’t always bond in the locker room. If you have doubts about this, ask any player on the Jets. Remember what Thomas Jones said?

5. The Buffalo Bills had better start fast on offense this year because, from what I hear, the patience level is not very high for offensive coordinator Turk Schonert. Shut out in the first half in Pittsburgh and totaling four first downs going into the fourth quarter is not going to make people feel confident about the offense.

6. The Jets have a huge problem with Vernon Gholston. The people I’ve spoken with know the term “bust” is in order, but because of his contract, he can’t be cut, or even traded. The Jets guaranteed him $17.4 million if he doesn’t play in 45 percent of the plays in any of the first four years. That numbers grows to more than $21 million if he does. He played in 16 percent last year. What would you do? The more he plays, the more he earns. Ouch. I can’t imagine the Jets starting him in place of suspended Calvin Pace. Our Aaron Wilson touched on this yesterday in his report.

APSuspended for the rest of the preseason, Marshall continues to look bad.

7. Brandon Marshall is hurting no one other than himself. The general managers I talked to last week don’t want to deal with his immaturity despite his immense talent. No team wants the Broncos’ problem to become their problem. His antics once again are causing him to lose money. This hurt him coming out of high school and college, and now it’s hurting him in the pros. The people I’ve talked to still don’t believe Josh McDaniels wants to trade him. But on Monday, he will no longer be a blue. I’ve had enough of his antics. Blues don’t behave in this manner.

8. The Lions and Browns are looking for some safety help. Expect them to claim one this week.

MY VIEW OF THE GAMES...

“I dream my painting, then I paint my dream.” -- Vincent van Gogh

1. Tackle Jermon Bushrod of the Saints has filled in very well for Jamal Brown at left tackle and looks like he’ll help the Saints. Mike Bell will also help with his power and tough running style.

2. The Dolphins’ defensive front is strong, young and powerful. I think they’re going to be much improved this season, and even though the schedule might be tougher, the Fins look like they’ll be tough to beat in spite of the bad outing the other night in Tampa.

APLeftwich has officially been named the starter in Tampa.

3. It doesn’t surprise me that Byron Leftwich is the starter in Tampa. He was signed because the new staff was not enamored with Luke McCown after the first minicamp.

4. Matthew Stafford looked to me like the starter in Detroit. He made some great throws against the Colts, and the team looks much sharper and quicker with him under center. Running back Kevin Smith really is playing well.

5. The Bills’ offensive line is in transition, and it will be hard to run a no-huddle offense with two rookies starting on the line and a left tackle in Langston Walker who looks a little heavy.

6. I like Atlanta on offense, but their defense is suspect. They had a hard time tackling and making plays in space. When they don’t get a rush, this defense is very average. Remember, they were 2-4 last season in games in which John Abraham did not gain a sack.

7. Tyler Thigpen trade talks might have to be put on hold until the Chiefs learn about the injury status of quarterback Matt Cassel, injured Saturday against the Seahawks. There are many teams doing their homework on Thigpen.

APQuinn looked good last night.

8. Brady Quinn’s 9-for-11 night and one touchdown should win him the starting job in Cleveland. Not sure it will matter who starts. The Browns need help on defense; they still lack speed to make plays on critical downs.

9. The 49ers have to find a way to make plays in the passing game. Shaun Hill had 79 yards on 16 attempts against the Cowboys. Five yards per attempt is not going to help them to win many games. Looks like another year of not having a passing game awaits the 49ers.

10. The only concern I have with the Baltimore Ravens is who will be their kicker. Steven.Hauschka made a 38-yarder last night but missed a 27-yarder.

MATT BOWEN’S BOAST....

“Never grow accustomed to the emotions of continuous defeat.” -- Branch Rickey

I’m worried, Matt, very worried for you. Have you booked my room in Amsterdam yet?

I watched your Texans play last week on tape against the Saints and they didn’t look good on defense. They looked confused pre-snap and never seemed able to get lined up as the Saints worked on their slot formation offense. The Texans struggled to handle the run, and their defensive tackles looked soft, especially Amobi Okoye. Okoye didn’t show any quickness or burst coming off blocks and, right now he looks like a first-round bust.

What was most disturbing was the fact Mike Bell gained the majority of his yards against the Texans’ eight-man front, which, in theory, should prevent teams from being able to run the ball. Opponents will be able to attack the Texans inside if they don’t get more production from their tackles. Frank Okam, whom I wanted to watch, appeared too slow to gain control of the line of scrimmage and needs to have a better outing Monday night against the Vikings.

APRookie Connor Barwin

On a bright note, second-round pick Connor Barwin looks like he can help the Texans’ pass rush. The defensive end shows great quickness and an ability to burst and close off the block. He was impressive against the Saints.

The Texans looked as good as usual on offense, and second-year left tackle Duane Brown appears to have taken a huge step in his development. He’s playing with more power and anchor.

Follow Matt on Twitter:  @MattBowen41

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

“The future does not belong to those who are content with today, apathetic toward common problems and their fellow man alike, timid and fearful in the face of new ideas and bold projects. Rather it will belong to those who can blend vision, reason and courage in a personal commitment to the ideals and great enterprises of American Society.” – Edward M. Kennedy, June 8, 1968, St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York

Ted Kennedy’s son Teddy eulogizes his father

Patrick Kennedy eulogizes his father

BOOK OF THE WEEK...

“Don’t bother about genius. Don’t worry about being clever. Trust to hard work, perseverance and determination. And the best motto for the long march is: Don’t grumble. Plug on.” -- Sir Fredrick Treves, English surgeon

Not a book, but a long article in the New Yorker. This is a mandatory read. Malcolm Gladwell writes about being overconfident, which teams must prepare for if they’ve played well this preseason.

Cocksure: Banks, battles, and the psychology of overconfidence

TIPPER OF THE WEEK....FANTASY STYLE... FROM JOE “THE TIPPER” FORTENBAUGH:

“The smart ones ask when they don’t know. And sometimes when they do.” -- Malcolm Forbes

I decided to change it up this week and throw you guys a name you may not be familiar with but definitely should be looking for. Meet tight end, John Carlson, one of the best value picks of 2009.

John Carlson     Seattle Seahawks     Age: 25     Height: 6-5     Weight: 251     Bye: 7

Why We Like Him: Carlson has a world of potential. He’s an athletic, sure-handed tight end who fits perfectly in Seattle’s west coast offense, a system that features the tight end position. As a rookie in 2008, Carlson was the seventh-ranked fantasy tight end, hauling in 55 receptions (ninth), 627 yards (ninth), five touchdowns (seventh) and 80 targets (11th).

APCarlson could give you big numbers for a small price.

What’s amazing about those numbers is that he accomplished them in only 9 starts AND without starting quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who missed nine games because of injury. Think of it like this: If Carlson could put up reliable numbers as a rookie with Seneca Wallace at quarterback, what can he produce with a Pro Bowler like Hasselbeck throwing him the football?

Why We Don’t Like Him: The concern here would be the health of Hasselbeck, who has missed games in three of the past five seasons. However, Carlson showed fantasy owners last year that he can still get the job done, even with a backup like Seneca Wallace running the offense.

Now that the Seahawks have finally upgraded their receiving unit by signing free agent receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, there’s always a chance he could see fewer targets, but we aren’t worried about that. The success of the west coast offense is dependent on several factors, one of which is production from the tight end position.

Fantasy Outlook: Carlson could be poised for a breakout season, so be sure to keep your eye on him come draft day. He plays in the perfect offensive scheme and demonstrated an ability to put up numbers despite having less-than-stellar talent around him. With bigger names on the board at the tight end position, he’s sure to fall to the later rounds, so feel free to take a shot on him. He could very well turn out to be one of the best value picks of 2009.

Hit me up on Twitter: @JoeFortenbaugh

LEADERSHIP IMPROVEMENT IDEA...

“To the person who does not know where he wants to go there is no favorable wind.” -- Seneca

One of the key areas of leadership requires speaking to a group of people in a concise manner. Also, to be inspirational with your message, along with being able to communicate in a different manner and style. Here are seven tips to help you improve your public speaking skills, provided by Steve Olson.

1. Don’t begin preparing for a presentation by building Power Point slides

Begin with note cards or a legal pad. Most corporate presenters build their Power Point presentations and then read the slides verbatim to an audience with a few anecdotes sprinkled in for filler. This practice has damaged public speaking. At best, Power Point has become a crutch for people that are capable of more; at worst, it has become a hammock for the lazy. The core problem with being overly Power Point centric is that you will focus too much on fluff and too little on substance. Remember YOU are the communicator, not the slides. For now, close Power Point.

2. Preparation

Now, if you happen to have the gift of quick wit, winging a speech or presentation on improvisation alone may be adequate. But if you are like me and have no such gift, “winging it” leads to disaster. In toastmasters and formal speech training, I bombed the improv stuff every time. While you can learn improvisational skill with practice, becoming great at improv is unlikely unless you have a natural gift for wit.

In contrast, I believe anybody – including you – can become a great public speaker through good preparation and practice. I’ve found that quality prep and practice are the best antidotes to fear.

3. Write a basic outline including a thesis and at least three main points

This post is not about writing outlines. You can find that info here, here and here. Outline writing rarely works for essays and blogging, but it works for speaking. I can’t explain why, but that’s my personal experience. I need to just start writing to create a post, but I can’t just start speaking to create a speech.

4. Memorize your outline

Memorize your outline in its entirety. Memorize it so thoroughly that you can repeat it to yourself effortlessly.

5. The secret that works for me

Practice your presentation at least a dozen times. But don’t imagine yourself in front of a large audience.

As you practice, imagine yourself talking to a friend – having a private personal conversation.

When you practice, never try to sound impressive or like an authority. Speak like you are speaking to an old trusted friend. You aren’t trying to impress him. You are just trying to help him understand the material. Focus on your friend, not yourself.

Perform each practice without notes or Power Point slides – drawing your content from your memorized outline and your experience.

Time the speech during your practices.

6. Do not write out the speech verbatim

If you understand your subject, memorize your outline, and practice the speech – you shouldn’t need it written verbatim. Unless you are a skilled actor, writing it out verbatim may cause you to sound unnatural and awkward. So resist the temptation.

If your outline point reads – My Favorite Wordpress Plugins – and you’ve installed and used them (they are your favorites, right?), why should you have your content written out verbatim? Trust yourself - and you’ll have no problem talking about them.

Having it all written down on a notecard or a Power Point slide – just in case you forget something – puts you in danger of reading a list of plugins and sounding plastic. I’d rather sound natural and forget a plugin, than sound plastic and remember them all. Most of the time you will remember them all. But if you don’t, it isn’t a big deal. No one will know.

7. Build your Power Point presentation last

Power Point presentations are required in today’s business environment, so build one and use it, but make it secondary to your personal communication. Build your Power Point presentation to complement your speech, not your speech to complement your Power Point presentation. You are the communicator! So communicate.

SUNDAY MOVIE JOLT FROM RAY….

“Always forgive your enemies, nothing annoys them so much.” -- Oscar Wilde

COLD SOULS

APPaul Giamatti

Late summer is supposed to be a dry season for interesting movies, but don’t tell that to Paul Giamatti, an actor incapable of giving a boring performance. In the new movie “Cold Souls,” Giamatti plays a fictionalized version of himself, struggling as he prepares to star in a production of Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya.” Panicked, he turns to Dr. Flinstein (David Strathairn, at his reedy best), the latest in the long line of movie doctors with questionable specialties. Flinstein’s area of expertise is the soul, specifically its removal. He tells Giamatti he can put his soul in cold storage just as long as he would like, a proposition the actor agrees to, perhaps a bit too quickly for a man who performs in movies where such bargains rarely turn out well for those involved. What follows is both scary and funny, like the best “Twilight Zone” episode never made. This is the perfect blast of icy spookiness to end your summer with.

ARTICLES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED THAT AREN’T WORTH MISSING...

The Lessons of 38 Candy Bars…Career advice from Gary McCullough

As we get ready for the season, here are the top 50 high school Parade All-Americans. Check it out…

COMMENT OF THE WEEK FROM THE POST...

"Kinda hoping his next trick is holding his breath until he passes out. Maybe he and Crabtree can have a contest."

From "Lance" on the story "Broncos do the right thing" by Matt Bowen, regarding the Brandon Marshall suspension.

STORIES TO SHARE....

“Be courageous and bold. When you look back on your life, you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the ones you did.” -- Erma Bombeck

Most parents are sending their kids off to college this weekend. I thought this story put it all in perspective.

The Price of Children

The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with $160,140 for a middle-income family. Talk about sticker shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition. But $160,140 isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates into:

• $8,896.66 a year.
• $741.3 a month, or * $171.08 a week.
• That's a mere $24.24 a day!
• Just over a dollar an hour.

Still, you might think the best financial advice is don't have children if you want to be “rich.” Actually, it is just the opposite.

What do you get for your $160,140?

Naming rights. First, middle and last!
Glimpses of God every day.
Giggles under the covers every night.
More love than your heart can hold.
Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.
Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds and warm cookies.
A hand to hold, usually covered with jelly or chocolate.
A partner for blowing bubbles, flying kites.
Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.

For $160,140, you never have to grow up. You get to:

Finger-paint.
Carve pumpkins.
Play hide-and-seek.
Catch lightning bugs.
And never stop believing in Santa Claus. You have an excuse to:
Keep reading the “Adventures of Piglet and Pooh.”
Watch Saturday morning cartoons.
Go to Disney movies.
Wish on stars.
You get to frame rainbows, hearts and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray-painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay for Mother's Day and cards with backward letters for Father's Day.

For $160,140, there is no greater bang for your buck. You get to be a hero just for:

Retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof.
Taking the training wheels off a bike.
Removing a splinter.
Filling a wading pool.
Coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs and coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.

You get a front row seat to history to witness the:

• First step.
• First word.
• First bra.
• First date.
• And first time behind the wheel.

You get to be immortal. You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren and great grandchildren. You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications and human sexuality that no college can match.

In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever and love them without limits.

So one day they will like you, love without counting the cost. That is quite a deal for the price!!!!!!!

Good luck in college, Matt, I’m always a text or call away…we will miss you!!! Go, Blue Hens…

Follow me on Twitter: michaelombardi

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