tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13997813451387172632024-03-18T22:02:52.692-07:00Sambo's MusingsFiring the ole blog back up - Sports, Pop culture, cooking, etc - and probably some rantingsTHE Sam Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06756446804263411094noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399781345138717263.post-39346729716667983752016-06-07T20:48:00.000-07:002016-06-07T20:48:34.852-07:00What we Learned: Game of Thrones 6.6-6.7 Blood of My Blood & The Broken Man <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; clear: right; float: right; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; clear: right; float: right; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; clear: right; float: right; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; clear: right; float: right; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; clear: right; float: right; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; clear: right; float: right; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; clear: right; float: right; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="line-height: 16.4667px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">1. Never trust ANYTHING that happens off camera.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">This might seem
to be a silly rule, especially in the world like Game of Thrones where, things like
the Blackfish taking over Riverrun NEED to happen off camera for the show to
progress. But here we got some interesting twists. First, in last week's episodes,
it seems like the leap from Margeary struggling against the faith to new bright
eyed bushy tailed believer seemed like a large leap, and this week we realize
she is playing the game and knows where she comes from when she hands Lady
Olenna a drawing of a Rose and decides to show her true self in her eyes if
only for a moment. Also, I guess, the Hound and Benjen are alive, no big deal. But the Hound is angry -
hopefully he isn't coming for me leaving him off the top ten fighters of GoT! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">By the way, one
other thing I no longer trust - people bragging about how fierce their warriors
are. Every house seems to think they fight with the strength of 10 men and are
the greatest warriors in the land. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2. Jaime needs to follow Tyrion's lead. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">It is amazing
how much a character has changed from one season to the next. When introduced,
by the end of season one I HATED Jaime Lannister. I would have easily referred
to him as the Kingslayer. But as we learn, he actually is quite principled, and
his season 1 offer to fight Robb Stark to end the war wasn't all bravado - he
actually cares about saving the lives of innocents, a rare commodity in
Westeros these days. So after being in the Kingsgaurd for, frankly, a handful
of awful kings, he is off to siege a castle of someone he probably respects. He
offers peace, hoping to save the lives of "hundreds." He really
doesn't seem too keen on the whole idea - why not jsut hatch a plan with the
blackfish, kill all the Freys and ride North to help the Starks? It wont
happen, but next week looks like we'll be getting a big siege! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">3. Arya is in the fight of her life <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://assets.viewers-guide.hbo.com/xlarge5750475f6d310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://assets.viewers-guide.hbo.com/xlarge5750475f6d310.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I was quite skeptical
of Arya's allegiance to the House of the Faceless men all along - and was glad
to finally see her split. She has the ninja training she needs, time to sail
for Westros. Except that jealous BITCH waif from blind stick fighting class shows
up and ruins her plans. I think Arya is going to miss her ship, but the Waif
wont be having that smug look on her face for much longer. Speaking of Arya's
big scene, I can't help but think the line "The Iron Born are in slaver's
bay." couldn't just be a throwaway line. Could Arya be reunited with Theon
and hitch a ride back to Westeros with the Mother of Dragons? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">4. Iron Born are biters </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">So as I'd hoped,
Theon and Yara sail for Mereen to steal their Uncle's idea. I honestly don't
know what Uncle traitor thinks he is going to do. It seems they sailed off with
a TON of ships. I can't imagine that he can build enough ships in time to do anything
other than maybe have a big battle at sea. I wonder how their ships will fair
against dragons... Yahoo to Yara for snapping Theon out of that funk - he seemed
like he came into his own at the Kings moot, but he still has a little Ramsey
PTSD. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">5. The North Remembers but... <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Army Recruiting
is not going well - and something I thought was telegraphed from Sansa's big
scene with Baelish, it appears his loyalty to her will be tested. She wrote a
scroll to be raven'd off somewhere, and one can't help it is for Baelish and
the knights of the Vale. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Speaking of the
North - what racists! Wildlings were just born on the wrong side of the Wall!
It's almost like George RR was trying to make these an allegory for something...
oh well, maybe I'm over thinking it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">More Questions than Answers:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">1. Will the Knights of the
Vale show up in time to support Jon, or will the show try and act like Jon is
going to lose and then they ride in at the last moment? And can we please see
Wun Wun eat Ramsey like a corn on the cobb? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">2.No update from Bran - it is
always hard to understand the timing of travel in this show. It seems like it
took Bran and Company an entire season to get from the Wall to the tree of the
3-eyed Raven. But Jon caught up to them quickly, and now Bran has a horse, so
perhaps his trip south should reach the wall before season's end - now it just
depends on when they show us. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">3. Shouldn't Jon be telling
all the Northerners - "Oh, even if you hate me, please send all your
Valyrian Steel and Dragons Glass north to the Wall so we don't all die?
Thanks."? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">4. I asked if the Lord of
Light good - well the Brotherhood
without Banners fights for him, and murders those poor peaceful people the Hound is
hanging out with. Hmm, maybe George RR is purposely not having a
"good" religion for a reason? ALLEGORIES! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">5. How bad is sweet Tommen's
death going tobe? I know Cersie needs to see it, so he will perish before her. This
is the second wise leader of a proud House advising her to flee King's Landing-
imagine how different the show would have been had she taken her children and
run? Speaking of that - where is Robert's bastard, last seen paddling south for
King's Landing? We sure spent alot of time for him to just disappear and not
matter. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">6. Why isn't Sansa trusting
Jon with this Baelish nonsense? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"> </span></b><b><u><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">GoT Warrior Power
Rankings</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1. Jon Snow:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> He marches on Winterfell with about 2300 men. Lets
hoe the Vale has a large contingent. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. </span></b><b><span style="color: #232323; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Brienne of Tarth:</span></b><b><span style="color: #232323; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><span style="color: #232323; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It appears she will be reuniting with Jaime next week - let's hope it isn't
to kill him. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3. Tormund Giantsbane:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> He rallied the troops, but only
2000 of them. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4. </span></b><b><span style="color: #232323; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Daario Naharis: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">DNP, Coaches decision. Whats that big
bag on the roof that Tyrion is looking at next week. Could it be the return of
the Queen? </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b style="line-height: 12.35pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5. The Mountain:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 12.35pt;"> Menacing as usual, it looks </span><span style="font-size: 12.6667px; line-height: 16.4667px;">like</span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 12.35pt;"> next week we are finally going to see him in action. He needs a tune up fight
for the Clegane Bowl. </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 12.35pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6. Ser Bronn of the Blackwater:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> He's back and
quipful as ever! </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7. The Blackfish: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Good news
hearing that while taking that piss, the Blackfish DID survive the Red Wedding.
He has taken back Riverrun and </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8. The Hound:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> He is back, and he
has an ax, and he is pissed. I am not sure where he is headed, but if it for
the faith of Kings Landing, here comes the Clegane Bowl. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9. Yara Greyjoy:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> It has been hard
to get much fluctuations in the power rankings this season, but I am throwing
Yara into the mix for checking Theon, heading for Mereen and for her
appreciation of a good ass. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">10. The Waif:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Ok, I am adding
her for getting first blood, but her ass appears to be grass once Arya comes
out from hiding in the shadows. I wonder if this is some weird Faceless men
"final test" thing. Probably not, but I can't see the death of
another Stark - unless it's like Rickon, or Benjen or something. Hopefully next
week we can take her off the list. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Retired: Wun Wun:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> "Snow!" Give him a
line every episode. I figure We can go
ahead and retire <b>Benjen Stark</b> as
well, since he is like half undead White Walker or something. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Quoted
Quotables: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #282828; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Jaime: A Lannister always..."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #282828; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Bronn: "Don't say it - Don't fucking say it." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #282828; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Bronn: "Good thing we're friends, or we'd be fucking you in the
ass right now." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #282828; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Yara: "Now, since it's my last night on shore for awhile, I'm
gonna go fuck the tits off this one."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vM3OiR42tOGlo9RLqy1S9A1-cyk=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/6601425/axe.0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt=" " border="0" height="179" src="https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vM3OiR42tOGlo9RLqy1S9A1-cyk=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/6601425/axe.0.jpg" style="background-color: transparent;" width="320" /></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #282828; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Tormund: "The crows killed him because he spoke for the free folk
when no other southerner would. He died for us. If we aren't willing to do the
same for him, we're cowards."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #282828; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Tormund: "Were not clever like you southerners. When we say we'll
do something, we do it." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #282828; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Lady Olenna: "I wonder if you're the worst person I've
ever met." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #282828; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Lady Olenna: "You've lost Cerise. It's the only joy I
can find in all this misery." </span></div>
THE Sam Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06756446804263411094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399781345138717263.post-40905677440593491122016-05-22T21:59:00.004-07:002016-05-27T22:36:13.967-07:00What we Learned: Game of Thrones 6.5 Home<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. White Walker Army - Still terrifying!</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, way to go
Bran. Uncle three eyed Raven ASKED you not to play with the tree while he was
taking a nap, and look what happened. I know zombie purists like the slow
moving brain chompers, but that hallway scene of them coming from every angle
was haunting. I was pacing around the living room wondering how they might get
out of it! And Bran's party took some major hits. Poor Summer. Our second
Direwolf of the year is gone, leaving only Ghost and the hope that Nymeria is
out causing trouble. and Hodor. Poor, poor Hodor. We showed us his wiener in
season 1 and won our hearts, Telling us what his purpose in the show was all
along. Hold the Door. It was so heartbreaking watching him torn to shreds while
he held back the army of the dead. I just hope he held on long enough. RIP
Hodor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. Are we really going to drag out Arya's
plotline? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The way Arya's
scenes are going, I feel like we will mostly see her Jedi Ninja training until
the end of the show. I almost feel like she will graduate, disappear for a half
a season, and then pop up at a critical moment to kill someone for the many
faced god, that will be critical to saving our heroes. But speaking of
heartbreaking, it was sad watching Arya's face going from laughter when
watching the actor's depiction of King Robert, to sadness when seeing how her
family was portrayed. It also reminded me something I love about this show -
how news actually travels. I am not entirely sure, but I felt like Arya found out about Sansa's marriage to Tyrion
from the play - it wouldn't be an episode of Thrones without some Sad Stark
Music. It was also telling that this is how the people of Braavos see the war
of Westeros, as a bunch of fools fighting each other, also showing that
historical records are quite biased, and very dependent on who wrote them. But
Arya is so clearly a Stark, can she serve a house of assassins? That last line
where she is told servanmts don't ask questions, it seems like she might have
trouble killing innocents. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. Well, that was a short Kingsmoot<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was told book
readers were quite excited about this scene. Seems like Euron Greyjoy took a
page out of Dany's playbook - kill the leader, and the others will follow. I am
glad this moved along quickly, as I do not care about the Iron-Born, until the
idea was raised that they will be escorting the <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #282828;">Daenerys<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span>across
the Narrow Sea to Westeros to take the Iron Thrones. Was I the only one who
thought for a second that Euron died when they let him drowned during that
ceremony? That would have been pretty funny.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4. We now know Jon's plan<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It sounds while
Jon is leaving the Night's Watch, but not forgetting it. He is worried about
the Boltons and the Walkers in their strategy meeting. Take Winterfell, fortify
the North, and ready for the <i>real</i> war
to come. I enjoyed every aspect of that strategy meeting - Daavos reminding
them that while oaths are great, real men fight for a cause they believe wont
get their entire families murdered. It seems like a strong brain trust, with
differing opinions to balance each other out, and Melissandre shutting the H up
until someone asks her to do some magic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>5. <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Daenerys<span class="apple-converted-space"> is readying for her big stage. </span></span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not a lot
happens - she finally forgive Jorah the Andal, and commands him to find the
cure to Grey Scale. It is a touching scene to see his redemption, and admit his
love for her. I now put Jorah in the "Dissappear and reappear at a super
convenient time" bin.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #181818; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #181818; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">More Questions than Answers:</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #181818; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #181818; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. How the hell are Bran and Meera
going to escape the army of the dead? While it seems impossible, it also seems
liek it MUST happen since Bran is probably the only one who can learn the truth
about Jon's mother and other Westerosi secrets. I know that Meera isn't
dragging him to the wall before the army. Plus they also need to report....<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #181818; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #181818; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. THIRD WHITE WALKER DEATH
ALERT - OK, whew, take a breat.... We knew about the Dragon glass and the
Valyrian steel, but we saw Meera take down a walker with some sort of wooden
spear. Was it made of the holy Weirwood tree? Could perhaps spears and arrows
made of these trees could be the weapons needed to take down the White Walkers?
Again, this information HAS to reach our main players. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #181818; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #181818; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">3. Is the Lord of Light good?
I was always sure he was evil as the Red Priestess burned men and, sniff,
Shireen alive. But now he has brought back Jon and pledged allegiance to </span></b><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #282828; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Daenerys<span class="apple-converted-space"> . Maybe the lesson is that good vs. evil
depends on what side you are on. But the priestess in Mereen seems even more
powerful than </span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissandre.
I've never seen Varys so terrified.</span></b> <b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #181818; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #181818; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4. I am a little confused- How
was Bran warging into Hodor to get them out of there AND watching him in the
past? And why didn't young Wylis drop and lose his mind as soon as Bran warged
into him? Or - did Bran Warg Wylis young brain into Old Hodor to keep him
holding the door? Either way, bummer.. maybe even Bran doesn't understand
exactly what he did with his new Three Eyed Raven powers. I wonder what other
past events he'll have an inflence on. </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #181818; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #181818; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5. I feel like this week puts
an end to the "Umbers are triple
stamping a double cross" speculation, although I can't understand
why Sansa doesn't tell Jon about the knights of the Vale. They are a great
house to have in their corner, I feel while you wouldn't want to trust Baelish,
he is in it for himself. If he can help Sansa re-take the North, it just makes
him stronger, although it appears he knew that Ramsey was not some proud little
Lordling after all. Maybe he hoped for the best, but I actually believe him
when he apologizes to Sansa and says he didn't know these things would happen
to her.</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 12.35pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #181818; font-size: 9.5pt;"> </span></b><b><u><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 9.5pt;">GoT Warrior Power
Rankings</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 9.5pt;">1. Jon Snow:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 9.5pt;"> He hasn't had to do much fighting, but needed a few
verbal lashings from his sister and others to move on from his death. But he is
on to take Winterfell, I hope he hands Sansa Ramsey's head. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 9.5pt;">2. </span></b><b><span style="color: #232323; font-size: 9.5pt;">Brienne of Tarth:</span></b><b><span style="color: #232323; font-size: 9.5pt;"> </span></b><span style="color: #232323; font-size: 9.5pt;">She remains savvy counsel for Sansa, and ready to cut down Lord Baelish
at the first moment of disrespect. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 9.5pt;">3. Tormund Giantsbane:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 9.5pt;"> I am thinking that mating
rituals for the Northerners is a little different, but Big T needs to work on his game. I don't think
Brienne is feeling him just yet. Maybe a good sword fight will get these two
love birds together! </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 9.5pt;">4. </span></b><b><span style="color: #232323; font-size: 9.5pt;">Daario Naharis: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 9.5pt;">He doesn't do much this week, save
for looking a little hurt by Dany's acceptance of Jorah's love. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 12.35pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 9.5pt;">5. Jorah Mormont:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 12.35pt;"> Lets hope he finds a cure!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 9.5pt;">6. The Mountain:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 9.5pt;"> Waiting for something big... </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 9.5pt;">7. Ser Bronn of the Blackwater:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 9.5pt;"> Conspicuously
absent, perhaps for payroll reasons. I wonder when well see him again. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 9.5pt;">8. Grey Worm: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 9.5pt;">He also appears to be a better fighter
than politician... </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 9.5pt;">9. Tyrion Lannister: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 9.5pt;">I wonder how the Mother of Dragons
will take his politicking. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 9.5pt;">10. The Blackfish: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 9.5pt;">Good news
hearing that while taking that piss, the Blackfish DID survive the Red Wedding.
He has taken back Riverrun and </span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 9.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 9.5pt;">Retired: Wun Wun:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 9.5pt;"> OKWhile he is one of my
favorite characters, it feels unfair to rank him against mere mortals. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">Quoted
Quotables: </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #282828;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jaqen: "A servant does not ask questions."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #282828;"><span style="background-color: white;">Euron: “Where are my niece and nephew? Let’s go murder them.”</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #282828;">Tyrion: "My friend has a healthy skepticism of religion "</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #282828;">Dany to Jorah: “I command you to heal yourself and then
return to me. When I take the Seven Kingdoms I need you by my side.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #282828;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #282828;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hodor: "Hodor" </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
THE Sam Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06756446804263411094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399781345138717263.post-9951351232312086342016-05-12T17:04:00.000-07:002016-05-12T17:04:05.105-07:00What we Learned: Game of Thrones 6.1-6.2: The Red Woman & Home<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>1. Magic is real </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The big reveal from episode 1 was that Melissandre is
actually quite old, and not nearly as hot as HBO wanted us to think! But it is
really "Home" that reminds us the world we are in. We get a Giant crashing
down the walls at Castle Black and delightfully smashing a guy's face against
the wall. We get Tyrion interacting with Dragons, sharing a cute story from his
childhood, all while adding fuel to that ever burning "Tyrion
Targarean" Theory. And then we get that grasp for breath we've been
waiting ten months for - They tried to make us think it wouldn't work, but
finally, Jon Snow is back! After a few season of not caring about the Wall,
"Heartholm" reminded us that's where the real danger lies - ad we are
the closest to a Stark reunion we've ever been! Magic! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>2. Ramsey - Still the worst. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yep, Ramsey gets a scene each episode, both showing what a
piece of shit he is. Honestly, knowing how he is literally THE WORST, and how
valuable screen time is, maybe we could have done without his week one check
in, but it does give a little more weight to his total commitment to Patricide.
Sure, he has the support of the Karstarks, but he thinks he is going to send a
small crew up against Jon Snow - I hope my new homie Wun Wun <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tears him in half while Jon Snow thanks him
for fixing up Winterfell. It was nice to see Roose Bolton get betrayed, but it
was almost as if he was warning Ramsey of his future.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>3. An Oath is Finally Kept </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was really nice seeing someone finally keep an oath they
swore, and Brienne of Tarth is 2 for 2<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-
she struck down "Stannis the Mannis" for killing her King, and she
saved Sansa from the Boltons and is escorting her to safety - considering she
saved Arya form the Hound, she is just crushing it right now - and will be a
welcome ally in the wars to come up North. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">More Questions than Answers:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">1. Are we going to spend all
season with Bran checking out Flashbacks? I enjoyed our first flashback, and
from the "Next Week On" segement, it looks like we are getting more.
I like where this is going, but also would be really hot and bothered by the
thought of a Northern Stark Army led by Jon the Immortal, Sansa the Beautfiul,
Arya the Ninja and Bran the All-Seeing Warg! </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">2. Willis!?!? Will we see
what made Hodor turn into HODOR? I have a sad vision of a young Hodor somehow
injuring his brain. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">3. We finally heard a
Northern House of great interest to me name checked - the Umbers. As you MIGHT
remember from season 3, Rickon Stark was headed to the Umbers with Shaggydog
and Osha. While they are mentioned as potential allies fo the Bolton cause, it
made me wonder - did Rickon make it? Are they hiding him? </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">4. Do we care about the
Lannisters anymore? Their power seems to be dwindling - their gold mines have
dried up, the crown is in debt, and they are being told where they can and can't
go in the city. It seems like a matter of time before things completely go
south for them. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><b><u><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">GoT Warrior Power
Rankings</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1. Jon Snow:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> He's so bad, death can't keep him down. Let's hope
he knows what to do with a second cahnce. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. </span></b><b><span style="color: #232323; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Brienne of Tarth:</span></b><b><span style="color: #232323; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><span style="color: #232323; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She totally saved the day - who says this show doesn't have positive
female storylines? She baiscally killed 6 men, althoug hshe got an assist from
Podrick (Who appears to have been training) and Theon. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3. Tormund Giantsbane:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I asked, and GoT DELIVERED:
Last Post: "Avenge your ally, Tormund. Bring Wun Wun." <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This Northern Army is shaping up quite nicely,
! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4. </span></b><b><span style="color: #232323; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Daario Naharis: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hasn't done much to speak of yet,
besides chat wit hJorah. Here's hoping they can get . </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5. Jorah Mormont:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> He sure is cocky for a guy who
nearly died last week - what's his problem with Tyrion?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6. Wun Wun:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> OK, he didn't eat Ser Allister
Thorne, but he was definitely awesome as usual. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7. The Mountain:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> He's back!!!! We haven't seen him
fight, but we've seen dead men can fight jsut as viciously as the living </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8. Ser Bronn of the Blackwater:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Conspicuously
absent, perhaps for payroll reasons. I wonder when well see him again. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9. Grey Worm: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He appears to be a better fighter
than a detective. . </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">10. Tyrion Lannister: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Although he hasn't fought anyone, he
did win the courage test of "when people are running away from something,
which way do YOU run"? test wehn the fleet is destroyed, and he bravely
uncages the Dragons.8<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span> That
scene was expertly crafted. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">11. Jaime Lannister: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jaime seems like he is going to be the last Lannister going down fighting
- here is to hoping that he escapes King's Landing in time to join up with his
baby brother.<b> </b></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Quoted
Quotables: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tyrion: "If I
lost my cock, I'd drink all the time." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I'm here to
help. Don't eat the help. "</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tyrion: "When I was
a child, an ucle asked, what gift I wanted for my name day. I begged him for
one of you. 'It wouldn't even have to be a big dragon,' I told him, it could be
little, like me.' Everyone laughed, liek it was the funniest thing they'd ever
heard. And then my father told me the last dragon ahd died over a century ago.
I cried myself to sleep that night. But here you are."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Faceless Man: Leave it. A girl is
not a beggar anymore."</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bolton: "Murder
the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch? You'd unit all the houses in the North
against us." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bolton: "If you
acquire a reputation as a mad dog you'll be treated as a mad dog. taken out
back and slaughtered for pig feed."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ramsey " I look forward to
meeting my new brother." </span></div>
THE Sam Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06756446804263411094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399781345138717263.post-52699840877117520662015-06-15T22:19:00.003-07:002015-06-15T22:19:38.381-07:00What We Learned: Game of Thrones 5.10: Mother's Mercy<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">1. Starkin'
aint easy<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">If GoT had a hashtag, I have been #TeamStark since day one.
I learned about this world with the Starks, I learned what to meant to be good in
this world with eeh Starks, and after watching their family torn apart, I have
been rooting for their children to exact their revenge ever since Ned's head
was chopped off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">But then Theon betrayed Rob, and torched Winterfell,
basically opening the door for the Boltons to seize the North. And then the Red
Wedding broke all of our hearts, taking away Rob, Catelyn, and most of the
Stark army. Last season we got a glimmer of hope - Arya was off for super
secret Braavosi Ninja training, Sansa was safe in the Eyrie, Jon was becoming a
leader at the Wall and Bran was ready for who knows what. Well good bye
optimism, as Sansa will be falling off a castle wall in my mind for the next
ten months, Arya is blind and Jon Snow lays bleeding out in the snow. ARRRGHHH
- HULK SMASH!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Sorry - you wouldn't like me when I am angry.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">If next season doesn't find that Sansa landed in a big pile
of snow and ran away, Arya has become the GoT universe version of Daredevil,
and Jon has been brought back to life by Melisandre (using the same magic we've
seen <span style="background: white; color: #262626;">Thoros of Myr use to
resurrect Beric Dondarrion</span>), then I won't be a happy camper. But then
again, Game of Thrones really is not in the business of sunshine and rainbows. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">2. The
Most Honorable characters means a terrible fate. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">I am still viscerally upset after last night's episode. But
I feel like George RR Martin had a very specific message in mind when crafting
these stories, and it is this: Life is not fair, and it REALLY wasn't fair when
all someone needed was a sword in their hand to make all the decisions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Let's take a look at the show's most honorable men and
women, and their eventual fate: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">- Ned
Stark:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> Known as one of the most honorable men in Westeros, raised
his children the same way. When discovering the Lannister's secret, he tried to
show them mercy. In the end, he confessed to treason he didn't commit to save
his family and avert a war, and he lost his head over it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">- Jon
Snow:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">
Has emerged as one of the great leaders in the show, has a grasp on th bigger
picture: He chooses life over death. But when he makes the most obvious
decision ever: Have the Wildlings join in the fight against the White Walkers
and the army of the dead, he is stabbed to death over his foresight. At this
point most of the brother's of the Night's Watch complaining about the
Wildlings might as well be rednecks from the South complaining about Europeans
- they aren't that different than you or I - they were just born on a different
side of the Wall... <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">-
Brienne of Tarth:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> Accused of killing her king, denied a chance at
love due to cruel young lords, and forced to watch the only man she ever loved
die in her arms. She at least is still alive, but has been unable to convince
the Stark children to let her protect them. She did get a bit of revenge
finally, executing Stannis for using black magic to kill his own brother. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">- Maester
Aemon Targaryen:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> A
maester of the Night's Watch, he was a million miles away when the ravens
arrived telling him that his entire family had been slaughtered, and despite
being next in line to be King, he was old, blind, and too honorable to leave
his post. He died knowing his only living relative was alone on the other side
of the world, surrounded by strangers and that there was nothing he could do to
help her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">- Ser
Barristan Selmy:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> An honorable man of the King's guard, angered
when he was dismissed by royal pain in the ass Joffrey, travelled far and wide
to find Daenerys and be in her Queen's Guard. He was killed in an alley by
slavery fanatics. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">- Jeor
Mormont:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> Admired by both Jon and Tyrion, he did his best to lead the
Watch, but was betrayed by his own men. Lord Commander of the Night's Watch
might be the most dangerous job in the Seven Kingdoms. As Tyrion told Jorah:
"We shall never see his like again." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">- Ser
Daavos Seaworth: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Sure he once was a smuggler, but he has been the
one man trying to lead Stannis towards a just conclusion. Stannis ignored all
his advice, which led to his defeat. Now Daavos finds himself at Castl Black,
surrounded by traitors and ihs least favorite person in the world, the Red
Priestess. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">- Jaime
Lannister:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> WHAT you say? The
Kingslayer, HONORABLE? if we are going based on the cocky asshole from season
one, you would never put him on this list. Well let's think about it: after
being raised by his hard-ass Father, he became the youngest ever member of the
Kingsguard. Yes hs killed the king - but only after the Mad King had ordered
that King's Landing be burnt down, along with his father's army. When confronted by Catelyn about breaking his
vows, he gave this great quote: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">"So many vows...they make you swear and
swear. Defend the king. Obey the king. Obey your father. Protect the innocent.
Defend the weak. But what if your father despises the King? What if the king
massacres the innocent? It's too much. No matter what you do, you're forsaking
one vow or the other.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">So he is known for his
biggest mistake - which was probably the right decision. But he went on
protecting the King for years, until the War against the North broke out. When
captured, he offered to put his life on the line to end the war - him vs. Rob,
for all the marbles. He saved Brienne twice, once from being raped, once from
being killed. What did he get for his trouble? His sword hand chopped off,
taking away his identity as a warrior. He returned home, maimed, shunned by his
true love, embarrassed by his father. He also saved his brother from being
falsely executed, and for his troubles he was allowed to watch two of his
children die in his arms. No wonder he doesn't fear death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">More Questions than Answers: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">1. Is Melisandre a liar? Or
does she have bad reception on hire fire visions? AND WHEN IS SHE GOING TO
RESSURECT JON? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">2. How is Stannis such a great
tactician? Every decision he made was a mistake - and he single handedly
destroyed his entire bloodline. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">3. So I guess it is up to
Rickon to become the next great Stark Warrior? Unless Bran "learning to
fly" becomes something much more bad ass than we can imagine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">4. I guess after getting
together her Dream Team, we needed to find a way to Keep Dany from going to
Westeros? This damn show can be so frustrating! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">5. </span><span style="background: white; color: #232323; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Is Jaqen H'ghar even a person? Or just a mask
that Arya recognizes?</span><span style="color: #232323; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #232323; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #232323; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6. Now that Cersei has been publicly humiliated and has a
second dead child, how destructive will her wraith be? I don't think she found
religion. Stop trying to make me feel bad for her! </span><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">GoT Warrior Power
Rankings</span></u></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1. Jon Snow:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I told you to watch your back!!! Asshole Thorne - I
guess Stannis was right to suggest sending him away. Stay with us Jon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. </span></b><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #232323; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Brienne of Tarth:</span></b><b><span style="color: #232323; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><span style="color: #232323; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At least she got to lay out justice for Renly's murder - now here is hoping
she runs into Reek and Sansa</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3. Tormund Giantsbane:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Avenge your ally, Tormund.
Bring Wun Wun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4. </span></b><b><span style="color: #232323; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Daario Naharis: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He moves up a spot for keeping his
cool - Jorah was ready to fight everyone, while he wisely set up Mereen to be ruled
while they search for Daenerys. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5. Jorah Mormont:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> He sure is cocky for a guy who
nearly died last week - what's his problem with Tyrion?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6. Wun Wun:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I hope he eats Ser Allister. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7. The Mountain:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> He's back!!!! We
haven't seen him fight, but we've seen dead men can fight jsut as viciously as
the living<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8. Ser Bronn of the Blackwater:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> He's got
game! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9. Grey Worm: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Glad to see him back. It was smart
for him to stay back in Mereen and keep the peace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">10. Tyrion Lannister: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The foremost killer of Lannisters
finds himself ruling a new city. Although he did get punked by Daario, it was
only after he pissed off him and Jorah by informing them what they already
knew: Neither were a proper love match for a highborn Queen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.35pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">11. Jaime Lannister: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Poor Jaime - is he
going to turn the ship around? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Quoted
Quotables: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Jon Snow: "I'm glad the end of the world is working out
for someone." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Brienne: "In the Name of Renly of the House Baratheon, I
Brienne of Tarth sentence you to die. Do you have any last words?"
Stannis: "Go on, do your duty."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Arya: "Do you know who I am? I can't hear you. you know
who I am - I'm Arya Stark. Do you know who you are? You're no one. You're
nothing." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Jaime, to Bronn: "Whenever you're ready, My Lord."
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Myrcella: "I think I always knew. And I am glad - glad
that you are my father." Hope you enjoyed that 10 seconds of happiness,
Jaime. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Daario: "Does he always talk so much?" "Good
fortune my friends. Mereen is ancient and glorious. Try not to ruin her." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Varys: "Information is the key. You need to learn your
enemies strengths and strategies, you
need to learn which of your friends are NOT your friends." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
THE Sam Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06756446804263411094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399781345138717263.post-71490403045460888912015-06-07T23:39:00.000-07:002015-06-07T23:39:16.601-07:00What we learned: Game of Thrones: 5.9 The Dance of Dragons <div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1.
The Trip to Dorne has been worthless <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While it is always cool to see different cities on
the map and how they relate to the bigger picture, I feel like the trip to
Dorne has been a bit of fluff to fill some time this season. I've had it in the
back of my mind all season that it has been foretold that all of Cersei's
children will die before her, perhaps sending Jaime to Dorne and her King's
Landing mistakes are what fulfills the prophecy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2.
Fuck Stannis <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Most people who talk to me about GoT know that I
will be forever team Stark. So this season I have been rooting for Stannis to
take Winterfell and save Sansa, and restore order to the North. All I've wanted
since Theon took Winterfell is a Stark ruling Wintefell again, not being its
prisoner as Bran and Rickon were and Sansa is now. And now we have to choose
between the asshole who burnt his daughter alive and the Boltons. Great choice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">3.
Jorah Mormont IS crazy - LIKE A FOX <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I knew Jorah would be happy just to see his Queen
again. He was the one fighter who said he would be proud to die for his queen
and meant it. The heartbreak in BOTH of their eyes was obvious - even Daenerys
face showed how much it hurt her to watch this man who has protected her get
slashed over and over again. And then WOOSH - with a flick of the wrist, he
fired a spear into the crowd and saved Daenerys life. Everyone was asleep at
the wheel (probably watching HIM fight), and luckily he, Daario and Tyrion were
able to hold off the Sons of the Harpy until Drogon showed up! I never saw a
scenario where Jorah would be able to earn his way back into the fold, but here
it is. Who would have thought Daario was right when he suggested rounding up
all the great houses and having her dragons kill each one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">4.
Dragons gonna Dragon <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Drogon saves the day! We have been waiting for the
Mother of Dragons to get some control of her children, and we finally saw it. I
thought this wouldn't be the case until someone (Varys?) brought her a book called
"How to train your Dragon". But it turns out she needed to embrace
her inner feelings the same way she did when she entered the fire pit with her
dragon eggs, and the same way Bran did to warg into his direwolf. Now it is
time to let the other two out of their cage and get to Westeros. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">5.
Arya will never let go of her past. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial Narrow, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I have been a bit bored by Arya's ninja training
this season, and tonight was no different - instead of killing her supposed
target, she goes off following one of the names on her list - Ser Meryn Trant. We
get to follow him around for a few minutes until he takes up at a brothel - and
shocker, to make an </span><span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px; line-height: 15.3333320617676px;">unlikable</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> character MORE </span><span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px; line-height: 15.3333320617676px;">unlikable</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">, he needs little girls
delivered to him. Let's hope Arya kills someone in her full season of training
with the Faceless Men-hopefully someone on her list. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">More
Questions than Answers: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1. Did anyone else think when Dany closed her eyes
she was about to Warg into her dragon? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2. What exactly will burning his Daughter earn
Stannis? Why not just keep banging out shadow monsters from the red priestess?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">3. Is Jon Snow safer with the Wildlings? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">4. Was this the weakest of the episode 9 surprises(The
episode title TOLD us a dragon would be in the mix)? Or are they just keeping
us off balance so we don't know what to expect? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">GoT Warrior Power
Rankings</span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">1</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">. Jon Snow:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> Honorable men seem to suffer the
worst fates in Westeros, and the feeling at </span><span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">Castle</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> Black couldn't be more
ominous. Watch your back, Jon Snow. </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">2. </span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #232323; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Brienne of Tarth:</span></b><b><span style="color: #232323; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><span style="background: white; color: #232323; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No
sight this week - she awaits Sansa's signal still. And before you argue
with me on this, remember she once fought a bear with a wooden sword in a
dress! </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">3. Tormund Giantsbane:</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> It appears that
Wildling "elder" from last week was Tormund's wife - he mentioned his
daughters, and he is seen escorting the two girls from last week's episode.
This seems high for him, but he has battled the army of the dead, as well as
taken down Ser Allister Thorne in the battle at the wall. </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">4.Jorah Mormont:</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> We got to see Jorah
in action - and his best was saved for last. He barely survived his fighting in
the pits, but once his queen was in danger, it was like someone gave him a
power up! </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">5. </span></b><b><span style="color: #232323; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Daario Naharis: </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">He gave
us a reminder of his skills protecting Daenerys this week. For his bravery, he
moves up a few spots - but still is behind Jorah for failing to protect his
queen despite being directly behind her. </span><b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">6. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wun Wun:</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> I probably
should have him first - who could defeat him one on one? </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">7. Ser Bronn of the Blackwater:</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Bronn
survives! He might not be eating any solid food for awhile, but at least he
will return to King's Landing with a much improved status thanks to Jaime. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">8. </span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #232323; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jaqen H’ghar:</span></b><span style="color: #232323; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span style="background: white;">He remains patient with Arya, but I can see it wearing
thin if she shirks her duties to follow Meryn again. </span> </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">9. Tyrion Lannister: </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I
considered adding him to the list last week based on his leadership at the Blackwater,
as well as him beating a man who had him in chains. This week he reminded
everyone he is a dangerous man, getting in enough throat rips to make MacGruber
jealous. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">10. Grey Worm: </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">A no-show this week, apparently
still convalescing. Hopefully the Sons of the Harpy did not visit him in him
chambers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">11. Jaime Lannister: </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">His sword might be dull,
but his tongue is sharp as ever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">12. </span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #232323; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Loras Tyrell:</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #232323; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
Still in jail, dreaming of Renly. Perhaps they will be together soon! </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Outside looking In:</b> Ser Allister Thorne, Arya
Stark, The Mountain (What is under the blanket, Qyburn?!?), Stannis Baratheon,
Ramsay Bolton, Beric Dondarrion<o:p></o:p></span></div>
THE Sam Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06756446804263411094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399781345138717263.post-74285789986941852122015-06-07T16:18:00.003-07:002015-06-07T16:29:59.915-07:00What we learned: Game of Thrones: 5.8 HardHome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<b style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">1. ALOT about the White Walkers - Including they
have Swagger!</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The White Walkers have been mostly a teach in Game
of Thrones - we have had 3 on screen appearances, and all of them brief. This
was the first time we really get to see them in action. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">First, we learned fire has no affect on them. The
first Walker that appeared to fight the Wildling Then and Jon Snow in the barn
- as he enters the bar, the flames around him. Next, not only does Dragonglass
kill them, but so does Valyrian Steel. We have only seen a handful of Valyrian
steel swords (Longclaw [Jon Snow], Oathkeeper [Brienne], the dagger used in the
attempt on Bran Stark's life and Widow's Wail [Tommen] are the only Valyrian steel swords that have appeared in the show. Let's hope the Brothers of the Night's watch
didn't lose all their dragon glass in the Battle at Hardhome - or that Stannis
has some glass being delivered form Dragonstone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Second - who know the Walkers were show offs?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.geeksofdoom.com/GoD/img/2015/05/game-of-thrones-night-king-white-walker.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.geeksofdoom.com/GoD/img/2015/05/game-of-thrones-night-king-white-walker.png" height="213" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>2. Cersi's latest power grab was her undoing. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I mean honestly - what would someone with as many
skeletons in her closet give power to religious fanatics? As the wise philosopher
50 Cent once said, "don't throw stones when you live in a glass house."
What did she think Lancel was going to do after he got his head tattoo,
continue lying to protect her? Cersi was put in her place by a few too many
people in the last two seasons, and in an effort to stay on top, she has people
in jail, her son wasting away in his room crying to Ser Pounce, and her entire
house about to crumble. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>3. Jorah Mormont is on a suicide mission. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Many people have said he has gone crazy. While
close, he has been banished from his homeland, then was banished from his true
love. He thought he had a way to get back into her good graces, but for all his
efforts he was infected with Greyscale and sent packing AGAIN. Considering
we've only seen one character in the show who has survived Greyscale, Jorah
knows he will be dying soon, so he is going to do whatever he can for the
Mother of Dragons - even if that means just killing slaves in the fighting
pits, he wants to die fighting for his queen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>4. Slavery is still alive and well in Slaver's Bay</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">OK, I'm cheating a little bit here using details
from "The Gift", but for someone who thinks she has ended slavery,
she isn't doing a great job. Jorah and Tyrion were enslaved, bought and sold,
and forced to fight in the pits. When Tyrion suggested they fight as free men, the
master gave him a quick punch in the jaw, flipped him a coin, and said that
those wages would last the rest of his life. The Masters have found a loophole
to exploit; When Daenerys allowed slaves to sell them back to their masters for
a period of no more than one year, she gave them all they needed to keep
slavery alive and well. And not every slave is as well educated as Tyrion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>More Questions than Answers:</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">1. How many Wildlings did Jon bring back? I have re-watched last week's episode many times, and it appears most of the Wildlings were on the WRONG side of the wall when the army of the dead attacked - meaning the Walkers MIGHT have the largest army in the world. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2. Will Stannis realize the most important battle lies to the North and not in Winterfell? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial Narrow, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">3. Will episode 9 have the </span><span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px; line-height: 15.3333320617676px;">surprises</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> we've come to expect from GoT, or did they give us that an episode early this season? </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial Narrow, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">GoT Warrior Power
Rankings</span></u></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">1</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">. Jon Snow:</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Once a whiny little
"lord" he has gone full bad ass, punishing the mutineers, defeating
the wildlings, recruiting them, and then killing a White Walker. Sure, Sam
killed one, on accident - Jon stared one in the eye and took it down. I can't
think of anyone with a better kill on their resume. I would mark him down for
being such a clean, pretty fighter, he has proved himself time and time again.</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/229/files/2015/05/Game-of-Thrones-Hardhome-Jon-Snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/229/files/2015/05/Game-of-Thrones-Hardhome-Jon-Snow.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">2. </span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #232323; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Brienne of Tarth:</span></b><b><span style="color: #232323; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><span style="background: white; color: #232323; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
might seem a little high, but that is mainly because we have seen some great
fighters go down lately, one of which was taken down by Brienne: The Hound.
Brienne has also been seen defeating Loras Tyrell in combat, and easily
dispatching a chained, malnurished Jaime Lannister. She waits and watches for a
signal from Sansa, and I am sure everyone in the Thrones community would liek
to see her cut through Roose Bolton's men. </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">3. Tormund Giantsbane:</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> We've seen him cut
down over a dozen men of the Night's Watch, and do the same to the army of the
dead. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">4. Jorah Mormont:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> While it has been
awhile, Jorah has reminded us this season he is a bad ass. He killed a handfull
of Stone Men while protecting Tyrion in Old Valyria, he made quick work of slaves in
the fighting pits, but we've also been reminded he took down on of Kal Drogo's </span><span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">blood-riders</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> with relative ease while protecting Daenerys. He may be long in the tooth, but he continues to prove to be one of the best fighters in the show. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">5. Wun Wun:</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> He's a fucking Giant. He was
crushing the army of the dead like ants. Unfortunately, I think the White
Walkers can turn him into shattered ice just like everyone else.</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">6. Ser Bronn of the Blackwater:</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Bronn
carried Jaime on his back on their trip to Dorne - he took on all four Dornish
guards, leaving Jaime one injured one to deal with while he killed the other
three single-handed. While he is currently stuck in a cell, his voice is
so pretty it makes HBO decide to give us some of that sweet, sweet
gratuitous nudity! Rawwr, Sandsnakes!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">7. </span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #232323; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jaqen H’ghar:</span></b><span style="color: #232323; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span style="background: white;">Though we don't know if this is the same man who
helped Arya and her friends escape the Lannisters, we know one thing: he knows
how to kill. So much so, he teaches a class.</span> </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">8. </span><b><span style="color: #232323; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Daario Naharis: </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">He is a tougher nut to
crack. Most of his fighting has been done in the shadows. He remains a
dangerous man, but we haven't seen him battle any great warriors - yet.
Although he did take down Mereen's champion with a single blow, and led the
secret invasion of Yunkai. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">9. Grey Worm: </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Currently laying in bed
recovering from an ambush, only alive because of the heroic effort of Barriston
Selmy, he becomes the best fighters in Daenerys corner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">10. Jaime Lannister: </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">It's a shame we didn't get
to see more of him in his prime. We saw him battle Ned Stark in the streets of
King's Landing, but that was basically a draw until one of his men injured Ned
and ruined the fight. Since he lost his hand, he has been a shell of his former
self - barely able to beat an injured guard from Dorne. He had his HAND full
(see what I did there?) with the Sand Snakes, he should probably learn from his
younger brother and stick to politics. But he is getting better - perhaps he
will learn to use his golden hand as a weapon as opposed to a handicap. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">11. </span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #232323; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Loras Tyrell:</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #232323; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
We've heard tales of the Knight of Flowers being a great warrior - but he
appears to be more of tournament fighter than one in real life. He was defeated
by Brienne in season 2, and barely put up a fight when he was arrested by the
Faith. But for now, he sits in a cell, likely waiting his fate to be decided by
trial. </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
THE Sam Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06756446804263411094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399781345138717263.post-64956356444784876072015-03-02T12:16:00.001-08:002015-03-02T14:46:57.717-08:00Giants Blueprint - built to win now, later, and some other time I forgot <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It has been funny reading the articles during this Giants
team semi-Dynasty run. Everyone wants to know how the Giants do it, and what is
their blue print that has allowed them to win 3 in 5 years. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">From a local perspective, it is easy to see. Brian Sabean
has had a way of building teams, a style he has remained consistent to, and
over time its become obvious. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPG6SjHNxHF2FyLJZJSbNnlPniRRrh79WxVIGPg6raqp2LlYeRv7K4aO0lfM1OwHXnwJpl4V3xyqCGf21Ri_rUV-LXtigyBT3vhAICrNEtSeIOcVG8C3OZYQncWQ70H_B_lcZwqp5Wepo/s1600/brian-sabean1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPG6SjHNxHF2FyLJZJSbNnlPniRRrh79WxVIGPg6raqp2LlYeRv7K4aO0lfM1OwHXnwJpl4V3xyqCGf21Ri_rUV-LXtigyBT3vhAICrNEtSeIOcVG8C3OZYQncWQ70H_B_lcZwqp5Wepo/s1600/brian-sabean1.jpg" height="290" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">First: - he never left defense behind. Giants fans have been
maddened by the hitters he has passed by because they weren't up to snuff
defensively. And it has shown in the playoffs. The Giants have routinely taken
advantage of an error, and consistently seen offensive juggernauts slain by the
Giants boring plan of not making mistakes. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2nd - They keep their money in house. You wouldn't know it
based on the complaints about this off-season, but the Giants were 6th in
payroll last year. this year, they are 4th, with only the Dodgers, Yankees and Red
Sox behind them. But How? Because they don't let their key players leave, they
spend the money to keep them, Pablo Sandoval aside. Look at all the double
digit Millionaires they have: Buster Posey makes $16.5 million this year (9/167
extension), Matt Cain is making 20, Tim Lincecum 18, Hunter Pence 18.5, Tim Hudson 12, Angel Pagan 9,
Marco Scutaro 7, Jake Peavy 11, and they gave Madison Bumgarner an extension years ago so that he
is only making 6.5 this year. Considering they legitimately offered Pablo
Sandoval 20 million a year, how many 15+ million dollar a year position players
can one team have? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">3rd - The Giants find undervalued players. It has been their
most consistent trait. Sure, Billy Beane seems to do it better than anyone
else, but look at some of the most KEY players in the Giants recent World
Series Runs: Aubrey Huff, Juan Uribe, Marco Scutaro, Gregor Blanco, Travis
Ishikawa, Ryan Vogelsong, Jake Peavy - none of these players were very highly
regarded as players when the Giants acquired them. But each one of them made
key contributions in the playoffs that brought home a championship. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This is no overnight Success. Sabean has been the head of
the Giants for 18 years, and in that times has seen a lot of ways to build
teams. And he has seen the flaws in his early playoff teams. In this era of
pitching, you can never have enough - that's why the Giants go into this season
with 7 starters. They took undervalued players to fill holes in Left field and
Third Base. And they go into 2015 ready to compete, entertain the Bay Area, and
if they are close at the deadline, make a move to try for their first ever back
to back championship. And if all else fails, they have nearly 50 million in
payroll coming off the books next off-season (Lincecum, Hudson, Vogelsong, Scutaro,
Affeldt, Mcgee and Aoiki. With their track record of winning with pitching, I
am sure they will be tossing their hats in the ring to the either improve offensive
shortcomings (Juston Upton, David Freese, Yoenis Cespedes) or further
strengthen the starting rotations (David Price, Jeff
Samardzija, Jordan Zimmerman)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Even in an odd year, its still good to be a Giants fan. </span></div>
THE Sam Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06756446804263411094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399781345138717263.post-86637588311993015532015-02-23T20:34:00.000-08:002015-03-02T14:49:51.273-08:00NFL - The cruel mistressWhen people ask me why I am not a big college sports fan, I usually reply that it is too hard to keep up with the turnover. You watch a player grow for four years (if lucky) and when they get really good - they are gone.<br />
<br />
Well I guess pro sports isn't any different. Look at the team that Jim Harbaugh went 13-3 with in 2011<br />
<br />
QB - Alex Smith LE - Justin Smith<br />
RB - Frank Gore NT - Isaac Sopoaga<br />
FB - Bruce Miller RE - Ray McDonald<br />
WR - Micheal Crabtree OLB - Aldon Smith<br />
WR - Tedd Ginn MLB - Patrick Willis<br />
TE - Vernon Davis MLB - Navarro Bowman<br />
LT - Joe Staley OLB - Ahmed Brooks<br />
LG - Mike Iupati CB - Carlos Rogers<br />
C - Jonathon Goodwin CB - Tarrell Brown / Chris Culliver<br />
RG - Alex Bone FS - Dashon Goldsen<br />
RT - Anthony Davis SS - Donte Whitner<br />
<br />
This was a young team! On the cusp of a championship, and really, better than the Giants that year - it seemed like we were about to enter a 5-10 year championship window with play-makers on defense and a great offensive line. Flash Forward to this off season. 4 years later. Reports are the 49ers are anywhere from 4-8 million dollars over the cap. Even after cutting Ahmed Brooks, the Niners are about even on the cap. Assuming most of their high profile Free Agents leave and Justin Smith retires, look at what we may be rooting for next season:<br />
<br />
QB - Colin Kapernik LE - Tony Jerrod-Eddie<br />
RB - Carlos Hyde NT - Ian Williams/Glenn Dorsey<br />
FB - Bruce Miller RE - Tank Carradine<br />
WR - Anquan Bolden OLB - Aldon Smith<br />
WR - Stevie Johnson MLB - Patrick Willis<br />
TE - Vernon Davis MLB - Navarro Bowman / Chris Borland<br />
LT - Joe Staley OLB - Aaron Lynch<br />
LG - Brandon Thomas CB - Tramaine Brock<br />
C - Marcus Martin CB - Dontae Johnson<br />
RG - Alex Bone FS - Eric Reid<br />
RT - Anthony Davis SS - Antione Bethea<br />
<br />
What happened? How is this roster taking up the cap?? I am sure some players will be approached to restructure - Kap, Johnson, Davis, Willis all feel like candidates for restructuring their contracts to free up some space - but even if everyone is ready and willing, this likely means just freeing up enough money to perhaps bring back Frank Gore or one of our other free agents.<br />
<br />
Jim Tomsula said he wont try and talk Justin Smith out of retirement - well fans should hope he does, because without him that defensive front looks a little light. Despite the draft picks spent in recent years, it seems like another large DE to eventually replace Smith should be a 2nd-3rd round focus. Every team has a blue print, and Trent Baalke's seems to be that pass rush can eliminate the need for a ten million dollar corner-back - so With Chris Culliver <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/23/chris-culliver-somehow-emerges-as-a-top-potential-free-agent-cornerback/" target="_blank">set to get paid </a>and Perrish Cox also coming off a strong year, the 49ers will need to revamp the pass rush and their corner depth.<br />
<br />
I look at that roster and think it is still a talented team, but it will take one hell of a draft for us to match up with the top teams in the league. The team is also a year away from discussing getting rid of Bowman or Willis for cap reasons and to let Borland play. Veron Davis is coming off a down yer and is a year away from free agency. The NFL is a cruel Mistress - I miss the days where you saw a great unit of players play together for the majority of their careers. I might as well just get into college - I know I'll get to watch those players for at least 3 years.<br />
<br />
Thank god I am not an A's fan!THE Sam Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06756446804263411094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399781345138717263.post-15054255471954467222013-04-08T21:22:00.000-07:002013-04-08T21:22:00.254-07:00Breakfast BurgerI remember the first time I saw egg on a cheeseburger I thought someone had gone crazy. One day my little brother ordered it and I finally tried it... Now it is one of my favorite burger toppings. So of course, loving breakfast, I wanted to make my own version of a Breakfast burger.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaTMFpReppM_UBIgXkY3ClxPjMB6PPM1zb_vyW4QNDmGQhlBLz8KFJtlY5poCwaJzv7Py9MPpcUC2NcV5mprIbvUAI1YTGPA-NX2Jt0kTeWqmpdUeyLVbp-YJO0PLtFOrDmiokIVOActl/s1600/IMG_1602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaTMFpReppM_UBIgXkY3ClxPjMB6PPM1zb_vyW4QNDmGQhlBLz8KFJtlY5poCwaJzv7Py9MPpcUC2NcV5mprIbvUAI1YTGPA-NX2Jt0kTeWqmpdUeyLVbp-YJO0PLtFOrDmiokIVOActl/s320/IMG_1602.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The hamburger patty I use is pretty small - its bigger around than the English muffin but is really tihng, probably only 2-3 ounces. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AAbkCZwWYoOuqInSgzOJfuMYOUoMNg0zMG-8zwQq4fHBI6uk7Vm6TUqJLZR6b26ZF9nAp4YahK1O5dhU8q-9AjDhB5PY4k9azrBtPSybdANriCsTT9sdESqL0SUwnXkL4a1yHljZ7Qsz/s1600/IMG_1605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AAbkCZwWYoOuqInSgzOJfuMYOUoMNg0zMG-8zwQq4fHBI6uk7Vm6TUqJLZR6b26ZF9nAp4YahK1O5dhU8q-9AjDhB5PY4k9azrBtPSybdANriCsTT9sdESqL0SUwnXkL4a1yHljZ7Qsz/s320/IMG_1605.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
So, cook your bacon til crispy and set aside. Oops, I made too much... Toast the English muffin long enough to toast it, but time it so it can cool a smidge before you start plating.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCMyyR9nug8LWJvKzwT-nCBALTJOjMQYwqKLst0TRXiXdHNtxMEAEO22SsWP2euuO_dAYvjXoOo9eYWGgaMSp0mjhbLIWuPtwgGkYOGE7RoUycKiGHQApmMX4ls0itzXX5J5G7YtUCejq/s1600/IMG_1604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCMyyR9nug8LWJvKzwT-nCBALTJOjMQYwqKLst0TRXiXdHNtxMEAEO22SsWP2euuO_dAYvjXoOo9eYWGgaMSp0mjhbLIWuPtwgGkYOGE7RoUycKiGHQApmMX4ls0itzXX5J5G7YtUCejq/s320/IMG_1604.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
While the bacon is getting healthy under some paper towels, push the muffin down and start cooking your burger to a perfect medium rare, and coer with cheese - the cheese doesn't have to totally melt.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-V9prIeaZO2LQ-Sgy1GgUblGVp2-Fs3nThTfQd3xEzI8eAWvQJ1hfXRXFwwh4gH6Dn2opnzLwGreiIntj4dDo7W9-AqZAPGCuQs0zNfEmjyVJ5Q5Tp86KEcpGfceqbqOLXG4hTbAFhNzz/s1600/IMG_1606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-V9prIeaZO2LQ-Sgy1GgUblGVp2-Fs3nThTfQd3xEzI8eAWvQJ1hfXRXFwwh4gH6Dn2opnzLwGreiIntj4dDo7W9-AqZAPGCuQs0zNfEmjyVJ5Q5Tp86KEcpGfceqbqOLXG4hTbAFhNzz/s320/IMG_1606.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvI9Qs2eZrwa1pLW1H5ibkYGvBTylignpqqJwwnveNV7IXBIYHiZcPMQEB4PMoLxuXha7HksNteApbXObWoELCI78Fe3pVnOmVnu2J045Qkzns0XaYEPjSO7-obKi1WAVHuqfLfBHMo0L/s1600/IMG_1609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvI9Qs2eZrwa1pLW1H5ibkYGvBTylignpqqJwwnveNV7IXBIYHiZcPMQEB4PMoLxuXha7HksNteApbXObWoELCI78Fe3pVnOmVnu2J045Qkzns0XaYEPjSO7-obKi1WAVHuqfLfBHMo0L/s320/IMG_1609.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Take out the muffin, place the burger on top.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3fPD7b41gO-AoK4WchnMriv2JFn1F3B82LZ_DTLLYfYczK69kcwW5gIdiCk0KZQXRjyKDbcSZRSVUAy6HPAG3vVx_s77GTX84ND4-IWigbOviXqzOkqeF2JrzXFnbeIAa8z6dGqCDQS9/s1600/IMG_1611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3fPD7b41gO-AoK4WchnMriv2JFn1F3B82LZ_DTLLYfYczK69kcwW5gIdiCk0KZQXRjyKDbcSZRSVUAy6HPAG3vVx_s77GTX84ND4-IWigbOviXqzOkqeF2JrzXFnbeIAa8z6dGqCDQS9/s320/IMG_1611.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyYxU9r-Z26_1gzx7QgyxqTQT8dEnR6aCz8SIJbVqijItBb7I9MWeoYOKGgqL3utHNa-CkymgR06KL3fqTN_yqOYRw9ePQB0-nqhVbYwIkjGbeDvefkKSMzmRxjvW4QtYR_5SeQ5-3wss/s1600/IMG_1613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVN0FFNwAKxX01CBRG8uNX-kQ-ADxyYLu4dBahFk9sj6STODZ2Pj1vAqjUVeEqdf7vOTU7T4QSyOKTbJjCtpvMubiUM1xCKPrerZ-Qp85g9n0UK0z7P_s5n9C0b49m9tPxDv6V_915Eoc/s1600/IMG_1612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVN0FFNwAKxX01CBRG8uNX-kQ-ADxyYLu4dBahFk9sj6STODZ2Pj1vAqjUVeEqdf7vOTU7T4QSyOKTbJjCtpvMubiUM1xCKPrerZ-Qp85g9n0UK0z7P_s5n9C0b49m9tPxDv6V_915Eoc/s320/IMG_1612.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Last - crack the egg - I wanted to make a fried egg, but when I cracked it I knicked the yoke and it became a little more scrambled. The end result is delicious mess - that should have been served with tater tots...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9n7oFbpzQF9EJAjpoMUFwAAUR48JpJ7oJqMbXa1VzFkyqjRl5xNlnmmMWn_xEh9cWtjWtuWmp0w8F5tfNSDaeXD8wmg5QULcjyGPO5oWj2MadLSwpXeYRf51xLzqimWUx9qkQJCxeMeIF/s1600/IMG_1614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9n7oFbpzQF9EJAjpoMUFwAAUR48JpJ7oJqMbXa1VzFkyqjRl5xNlnmmMWn_xEh9cWtjWtuWmp0w8F5tfNSDaeXD8wmg5QULcjyGPO5oWj2MadLSwpXeYRf51xLzqimWUx9qkQJCxeMeIF/s320/IMG_1614.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyYxU9r-Z26_1gzx7QgyxqTQT8dEnR6aCz8SIJbVqijItBb7I9MWeoYOKGgqL3utHNa-CkymgR06KL3fqTN_yqOYRw9ePQB0-nqhVbYwIkjGbeDvefkKSMzmRxjvW4QtYR_5SeQ5-3wss/s1600/IMG_1613.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyYxU9r-Z26_1gzx7QgyxqTQT8dEnR6aCz8SIJbVqijItBb7I9MWeoYOKGgqL3utHNa-CkymgR06KL3fqTN_yqOYRw9ePQB0-nqhVbYwIkjGbeDvefkKSMzmRxjvW4QtYR_5SeQ5-3wss/s320/IMG_1613.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4WEQs9etyMiVpIcF4lQCSqzxj7R4BfU2N15snfB6uyHnnyXLwUxBqvxKv6SMSgQ4ft43tj2b7Szuv8Ms6B2pNUJeY6C4tv-p1krnZk4n4Ng6HkcqrRk5ZoZG1GxRp6ZafqlKu5G9b9hN/s1600/IMG_1615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4WEQs9etyMiVpIcF4lQCSqzxj7R4BfU2N15snfB6uyHnnyXLwUxBqvxKv6SMSgQ4ft43tj2b7Szuv8Ms6B2pNUJeY6C4tv-p1krnZk4n4Ng6HkcqrRk5ZoZG1GxRp6ZafqlKu5G9b9hN/s320/IMG_1615.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17U9aMjVfZ3z7noisWKCR1aqaW4ALNHP6nKarvf6Hkgvamyy4aSUeIzrqUY8p8Pa4EV2uHTM3CnJ5rZSWDDvx3jLnCCmppURjCOVM4Sp2b63hlL9C5PWTOYVz031myWX8sZgag7eS-Kdb/s1600/IMG_1617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17U9aMjVfZ3z7noisWKCR1aqaW4ALNHP6nKarvf6Hkgvamyy4aSUeIzrqUY8p8Pa4EV2uHTM3CnJ5rZSWDDvx3jLnCCmppURjCOVM4Sp2b63hlL9C5PWTOYVz031myWX8sZgag7eS-Kdb/s200/IMG_1617.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4nOObAdUEqhPADhRcZE1V2Y4NYmeLonlj8jnZbvTDHTTiNRHcIZKE8s5uXONExNXrS5vWH3GnKsNA72P65t0A6m_q8hXbm1LaARfojB999sI5orYApzGsTS3Zfm4gReJ5uNfJGpBz7ml/s1600/IMG_1618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4nOObAdUEqhPADhRcZE1V2Y4NYmeLonlj8jnZbvTDHTTiNRHcIZKE8s5uXONExNXrS5vWH3GnKsNA72P65t0A6m_q8hXbm1LaARfojB999sI5orYApzGsTS3Zfm4gReJ5uNfJGpBz7ml/s400/IMG_1618.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />THE Sam Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06756446804263411094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399781345138717263.post-26001677651613550012013-04-08T21:06:00.003-07:002013-04-08T21:06:51.858-07:00Tortilla Pizza Now I wont lie - I am no master chef - most of my recipe's are stolen, or adapted, from someone else's... But who DOESN'T do that. Any ways, when its a hand me down from your parents, even better.<br />
<br />
My parents used to make tortilla pizza when I was a kid, but they always fried them - Well, cooked them in a frying pan, almost like you would a quesadilla. Well, I took that idea and put the thing in an Oven, the way a pizza was MEANT to be cooked.<br />
<br />
I cooked these ones with <a href="http://smashedpeasandcarrots.blogspot.com/2011/01/easy-pizza-sauce-simple-recipe.html" target="_blank">home made pizza sauce</a>, mozzarella(I shredded it myself - don't but that pre-shredded crap, its got some chemical spray on it so the cheese doesn't melt right). <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5I_-LF3I8s1F55x8x_RjeB5pvdp0NCa8mcbcTaELKTlhgNeD5nnHUIxW2DZhVAtMcGYPyyDB2Iwi7Eq58NffEWxPqxGzRExzSUKfCkDQrxhEsl-7eWFX1phC6jBNbYUsgFYPo3uaMWSPM/s1600/IMG_1625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5I_-LF3I8s1F55x8x_RjeB5pvdp0NCa8mcbcTaELKTlhgNeD5nnHUIxW2DZhVAtMcGYPyyDB2Iwi7Eq58NffEWxPqxGzRExzSUKfCkDQrxhEsl-7eWFX1phC6jBNbYUsgFYPo3uaMWSPM/s400/IMG_1625.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Spread a thin layer of sauce on the tortilla, the spread a thing amounf of cheese - you do't want to over do it with either, this is a very light snack, great for when you are craving pizza but don't want to blow your diet, or to serve as an appetizer for friends.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SsTzoF5t2_t0cSq1gqosh0m6SXsTUDD7PlYh4uC41gE97nM0RAX_mnrSir-7Lc06b8lf-rEUQWwA90MyhoibilXVFACpAL40VaJljgGFs7WOh56RiC7ZzQOilhWr9TPnH0xb8zpckNqA/s1600/IMG_1626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SsTzoF5t2_t0cSq1gqosh0m6SXsTUDD7PlYh4uC41gE97nM0RAX_mnrSir-7Lc06b8lf-rEUQWwA90MyhoibilXVFACpAL40VaJljgGFs7WOh56RiC7ZzQOilhWr9TPnH0xb8zpckNqA/s320/IMG_1626.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I decided to make one salami as well, to show these will crisp enough to hold some toppings. Remember, you don't want to pack it, but light toppings like salami, pepperoni, or anything sliced thin shold be fine.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEja6CslK_Qf4a9zKMjibRBCTFy6Dh9tPK7k2J-GjV25W6JE2xeC22Nfio5EmZYvG0_6c6rTYmSkpdHc5M0YLSSrbj5wjkH9X1LcNwJuqJgIjecu9Yh4-qVUWZ7M4m687qO2lgZzZMzew/s1600/IMG_1627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEja6CslK_Qf4a9zKMjibRBCTFy6Dh9tPK7k2J-GjV25W6JE2xeC22Nfio5EmZYvG0_6c6rTYmSkpdHc5M0YLSSrbj5wjkH9X1LcNwJuqJgIjecu9Yh4-qVUWZ7M4m687qO2lgZzZMzew/s320/IMG_1627.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I actually place these directly on the stove racks - I bet you could very easily BBQ them - but the over crisps it pretty good. You could probably do it in a pan, but I don't think the tortilla would crisp fast enough.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXUYCClNoB7onpC-xF5WSZLfoI6eJxiRj2pTYZX5d6qqdBebgmtAR5rr7OaNA9NqodXelfnH2Pe5tyYv9CVfTzMaYy0lNmWMdco6xgybMDh7VIyTxY5_OIT6ijqAfo7wzL07m6OtfgFId1/s1600/IMG_1628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXUYCClNoB7onpC-xF5WSZLfoI6eJxiRj2pTYZX5d6qqdBebgmtAR5rr7OaNA9NqodXelfnH2Pe5tyYv9CVfTzMaYy0lNmWMdco6xgybMDh7VIyTxY5_OIT6ijqAfo7wzL07m6OtfgFId1/s320/IMG_1628.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GNPVYz_y4PtwjWFYr4AmG8byhd0b9PuTPYQaVBHOQTr4RcCLEyeQsQM3w7Zj8TBIQ71tN_LR68jmo7ZakvxxxD2kfmCgMud3XPZ5D9512O-AKfr0rGpRPl6CPdQbExPfDwTrAhnbEnY4/s1600/IMG_1629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GNPVYz_y4PtwjWFYr4AmG8byhd0b9PuTPYQaVBHOQTr4RcCLEyeQsQM3w7Zj8TBIQ71tN_LR68jmo7ZakvxxxD2kfmCgMud3XPZ5D9512O-AKfr0rGpRPl6CPdQbExPfDwTrAhnbEnY4/s320/IMG_1629.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Take them out once the cheese is melted and starts to brown and the tortilla edges get crispy - it doesn't take long, maybe only 10 minutes. But keep an eye on them - they can burn easily if you aren't careful.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTX8q8N-ffeg3CchQi4Q11cOtadlcECsCe1hGhhMVlJ97WZWJViEco5k0UFw4-MvkopbYTBP-wFBad54jdnMr9koWmfs0vfZiPedov8PAzaxeWrfHUndSaTaVob5vWbOfYgvndWGnPCGH/s1600/IMG_1630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTX8q8N-ffeg3CchQi4Q11cOtadlcECsCe1hGhhMVlJ97WZWJViEco5k0UFw4-MvkopbYTBP-wFBad54jdnMr9koWmfs0vfZiPedov8PAzaxeWrfHUndSaTaVob5vWbOfYgvndWGnPCGH/s640/IMG_1630.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7wVblrv9cW5D6JIoVWywvlq9a8cJCIElPCFrLBzsJY441jpH1zJO3h9EwtksB63E9w-nb1hg9aBgJ1ZD_5p5lWtB-Y2YT8JfcTMnc6Oh5I9N1QAXWaK_wofjrmIR1Iaxno0Wj9aAFuqI/s1600/IMG_1631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7wVblrv9cW5D6JIoVWywvlq9a8cJCIElPCFrLBzsJY441jpH1zJO3h9EwtksB63E9w-nb1hg9aBgJ1ZD_5p5lWtB-Y2YT8JfcTMnc6Oh5I9N1QAXWaK_wofjrmIR1Iaxno0Wj9aAFuqI/s320/IMG_1631.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I cooked mine at 400 degrees, but I think hotter is better - max it out to 500 for a crispier tortilla, but you see from the pictures it holds the toppings pretty sturdily. And it isn't greasy at all. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3yFx3d3QPrHQzThrffRI3uuVA9CWF1paKRxiLbMcxqgDBGCKlzDGNRQYWBULZyDJDKN7rD7VOykX7sA0JPqvBEB-6bk3xZ6YsYGhI2Ec3sbsy4-7goJ6wQi4VKVL22uib8Bgbh9uWK3D/s1600/IMG_1632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3yFx3d3QPrHQzThrffRI3uuVA9CWF1paKRxiLbMcxqgDBGCKlzDGNRQYWBULZyDJDKN7rD7VOykX7sA0JPqvBEB-6bk3xZ6YsYGhI2Ec3sbsy4-7goJ6wQi4VKVL22uib8Bgbh9uWK3D/s400/IMG_1632.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />THE Sam Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06756446804263411094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399781345138717263.post-51257297363477847652012-02-14T12:39:00.000-08:002012-02-14T12:42:55.618-08:0049ers - why I refuse to be bitter<div style="text-align: justify;">I was there - We all thought the same thing - Ball hits ground, nothing but white jerseys near it, season over.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The NFC championship game was a tough pill to swallow. As I have told people the experience from my POV, when my voice returned a week later, that there wasn't a point in the game I didn't think "We've got this, we are going to the Super Bowl" right up until <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/13488/kyle-williams" target="_blank">Kyle Williams </a>second fumble.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj752iIL_nc-WgRINKc2jkRrEpt2XqxKtBHVLqD-APkK6YFNkVYt1g6YCP4XR3PrM1ZuruMGII1wkiFVyGUzI6uxB3srnBeeq_PPManbo-9SUUBWBtvTD7OagVOg3338rvuDNL87hvLepYM/s1600/KW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj752iIL_nc-WgRINKc2jkRrEpt2XqxKtBHVLqD-APkK6YFNkVYt1g6YCP4XR3PrM1ZuruMGII1wkiFVyGUzI6uxB3srnBeeq_PPManbo-9SUUBWBtvTD7OagVOg3338rvuDNL87hvLepYM/s320/KW.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(How I looked on the drive home)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But I am not trying to dwell on fumbles blown dead, or 3rd and long TDs, or poor kick returning. No, that's for Raiders fans to do. I prefer to think about how bright the future is for our beloved 49ers, and how things that looked so bleak one year ago have totally turned around.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The coaching is in place. Its obvious from a 13-3 record, AP Coach of the year, and the fact a lot of the assistants were interviewed for head coaching positions. The front Office is in place - this is the most talented the roster has been in years, the <a href="http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2012/02/10/baalke-signed-to-3-year-extension-through-2016/" target="_blank">GM was just signed to an extension</a>, and they have 30 million in cap space for 2012. Oh, and Mount Singletary has been torn down to make way for our brand new, state-of-the-art stadium. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The one thing that worried me was the amount of free agents the team has. <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/8416/alex-smith" target="_blank">Alex Smith</a>, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/10453/ted-ginn" target="_blank">Ted Ginn</a>, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/11408/josh-morgan" target="_blank">Josh Morgan</a>, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/8508/adam-snyder" target="_blank">Adam Snyder</a>, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/8424/carlos-rogers" target="_blank">Carlos Rodgers</a>, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/10138/ahmad-brooks" target="_blank">Ahmad Brooks</a>, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/10569/dashon-goldson" target="_blank">Dashon Goldson</a>, to name the starters. But again, nothing but roses, as <a href="http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2012/02/10/49ers-free-agent-strategy/" target="_blank">Goldsen has said he doesn't expect to leave</a>, the GM showed last season to be very savvy when navigating the Free Agency market. Also, with the amount of cap space, <a href="http://www.csnbayarea.com/blog/niners-talk/post/49ers-Mailbag-II-Is-30-million-in-cap-sp?blockID=650518&feedID=5884" target="_blank">pundits seem to think keeping most of their key free agents</a> shouldn't be an issue.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The biggest two wild cards I see are Rodgers and Brooks. Football is a funny game, where you can be cut at a moments notice, so you REALLY can't blame a player for chasing the money. I hope they both stay and continue to build on the best D in the league, but you are held as accountable as the dumbest team in the league, so who is to say what they will do.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Assuming the key free agents are retained, it is time to go shopping.We saw how good the offense and special teams were, its time to beef up the offense. I expect some turnover with WR, but think Crabtree, Williams, Morgan and maybe even Ginn will all be back. So there is room for a draftee and a FA to push these guys.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">the draft isn't nearly as predictable, but the FA market is. DeSean Jackson, a player they SHOULD have draft, will likely be franchised. As will <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/10467/dwayne-bowe" target="_blank">Dwayne Bowe</a>. But there are still some very interesting players who could push everyone down a post on the depth chart and make each WR much better with a lesser workload.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/8475/vincent-jackson" target="_blank">Vincent Jackson</a> - I am always weary of players like Jackson, who seem to have 3-5 monster game a year and disappear in others(Evidenced by his 6 games with 2 or less catches, and 4 more games with only 3 catches). True #1 WRs show up week in and week out, and with his recent hold outs, I wonder how much of a team guy he truly is. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xaXRkIiKplE" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/2578/reggie-wayne" target="_blank">Reggie Wayne</a> - the most established, but also oldest, WR of the crop. He still had almost 1000 yards despite Peyton not being there. Good hands, solid WR, but more of a possession WR coming to a team needing explosiveness, and he might not make the impact the team needs for the money it would spend. That being said, look at the type of boost Isaac Bruce, far past his prime, did for the offense in his one productive season here. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3. <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/9838/marques-colston" target="_blank">Marquis Colston</a> - He is my personal favorite. Talks of Drew Brees having contract difficulties likely takes any chance of him being franchised away. He makes big plays, gets first downs, moves the chains, is big (6'4) and would be the best fit. Despite missing 2+ games, he still had 80 receptions, 1100+ yards and 8 TDs.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9bjh4i_FB-4" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The secondary market isn't very promising, plus, we have plenty of secondary WRs - we need a primary, to open things up for everyone else. Its amazing how much a year changes things, btu taht is really all taht is on the shopping list. If Rodgers or Snyder or Brooks departs, we could be in the market for an OLB, CB or G, but they have all indicated they would like to come back. And the same way Baalke was able to pluck Rodgers, Jonothan Goodwin and Donte Whitner off of last years market, I feel confident he could replace a few starters without seeing a significant drop off.</div>THE Sam Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06756446804263411094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399781345138717263.post-73987250593935818342012-01-26T09:12:00.000-08:002012-01-26T10:09:10.603-08:00BBQ'd Taco's - Delicious<div style="text-align: justify;">So - I was always a little bit ahead of the curve with guys my age when it came to cooking. Granted, I hung out with a lot of non-cooking mofos, but I am no culinary genius, just a little more handy than most.<br />
<br />
So I wanted to start blogging again, I will continue the sports coverage, and I can't wait to write about my beloved 49ers, but I also want to start blogging some Sam specific recipes. Granted, the first one is one I've stolen from my dad, but I believe I've perfected it (of course).<br />
<br />
So... BBQ TACOS! I love telling people I am making these without explaining, they usually look confused. Hell, even explaining it usually confuses people, its not til they see how its done do they understand. So first, the Ingredients list.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXshG3K024wL71qJDgYVBmbBjfYEexeyzHivLUBgkhqJGfzy5J7nmjqpTAye0O72PInpa0FXYG8g5iVwMPmsVGYLav-954qIQVqFOE_5Ys2_XxMR41x2Y6duqDqQsmD7n7eiLJro_zMjm/s1600/1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701992624080138434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXshG3K024wL71qJDgYVBmbBjfYEexeyzHivLUBgkhqJGfzy5J7nmjqpTAye0O72PInpa0FXYG8g5iVwMPmsVGYLav-954qIQVqFOE_5Ys2_XxMR41x2Y6duqDqQsmD7n7eiLJro_zMjm/s400/1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ingrediants:<br />
<br />
Hamburger<br />
Garlic Salt<br />
Cayenne Pepper<br />
Corn Tortilla (Smaller ones)<br />
Black Beans<br />
Cheese<br />
Salsa<br />
Sour Cream<br />
Lettuce<br />
ETC<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
This originally was a fried taco, that while delicious, my dad only made once or twice a year, because we'd always eat 1-2 more than necessary, then feel bad about ourselves for a week. He came up with the BBQ version that, has the same great taste, still super crispy, but without that greasy feeling.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCy6izpMdQJ1XtNKq_gWFuWQugaFVB_XfubtXe9znmG8NE5l7GSW5HTMgjhFW5LDbZtSIDkE8nq0U4lPFLq-x42uQlKgCqGFzhnG0jWJqbQI3NR6kZQmQt9GP9QJ4dWz2WeR0MFzn8LoE/s1600/2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701992549604175170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCy6izpMdQJ1XtNKq_gWFuWQugaFVB_XfubtXe9znmG8NE5l7GSW5HTMgjhFW5LDbZtSIDkE8nq0U4lPFLq-x42uQlKgCqGFzhnG0jWJqbQI3NR6kZQmQt9GP9QJ4dWz2WeR0MFzn8LoE/s400/2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So first we are going to take a small amount of Hamburger and put it on the tortilla. You want just enough to cover just about half the tortilla - Don't worry, the meat shrinks when cooking, so it wont stay at the edges, but be careful not to make them super thick - you want room for your toppings, and you don't want a thick patty.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPioVAeU2qN-bZBCEhyK01ckvGAmYgkAVBMrOWhOS-A_B5gjpLPfj4CzDz7I_w420r_zXnB1G3WQRcmUe8HpgZtmO6t0XHwJwoRbWf6EUCVL51TDbUYrivUJWdM4U5BPBlri5Teu6uALU2/s1600/3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701992495991614930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPioVAeU2qN-bZBCEhyK01ckvGAmYgkAVBMrOWhOS-A_B5gjpLPfj4CzDz7I_w420r_zXnB1G3WQRcmUe8HpgZtmO6t0XHwJwoRbWf6EUCVL51TDbUYrivUJWdM4U5BPBlri5Teu6uALU2/s400/3.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>Next - seasoning. I put Garlic Salt and a small sprinkle of Cayenne Pepper. You can add more cayenne but be careful, its spicy. If you want, you can use a Mexican spice blend.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj477K9o5GfyWmOWFIc1lBJGdDTyyGtUoKCPspOfGZs9w5MT4cweLdDMTDZEHXRT7URHmS-A_KtNzHHkGx_HlCGejeMGECzPb6SaiRfAP80cO9SQl6c1cYgcygOgmB4qvp3bDI0BV1AyS-a/s1600/4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701992408033593490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj477K9o5GfyWmOWFIc1lBJGdDTyyGtUoKCPspOfGZs9w5MT4cweLdDMTDZEHXRT7URHmS-A_KtNzHHkGx_HlCGejeMGECzPb6SaiRfAP80cO9SQl6c1cYgcygOgmB4qvp3bDI0BV1AyS-a/s400/4.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEt8BXmYziYvrqW4rZW6zlpsBjm0rWcTtrCuAURXAmZRLTZPgAHAs1E7TQZU5xO89w16Y0R8nD6V2O23sfc2ixOSJyOGjxE8ubDkE_G6IiaW0-lZoR9oVyC5k65Vy6_Vs6KU0C9vdke0Y/s1600/6.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701991813587701074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEt8BXmYziYvrqW4rZW6zlpsBjm0rWcTtrCuAURXAmZRLTZPgAHAs1E7TQZU5xO89w16Y0R8nD6V2O23sfc2ixOSJyOGjxE8ubDkE_G6IiaW0-lZoR9oVyC5k65Vy6_Vs6KU0C9vdke0Y/s400/6.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Next, you give the meat side of the taco a quick spray of Pam - this helps get the tortilla crispy - not much, just a bit.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_ixHuvr_nmUMr9Kupo6Na8XKKGaNJwxSfzjzGmI90eAMXgqPJBZgTvugtdRmF7gBMk32EaaYiK2K2qW14dvqJptyko2QR3PasQe69v8QQu1Swz0ndhw9cIH6qO4W0uVcAemI7jsfIMDg/s1600/5.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701992259174367314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_ixHuvr_nmUMr9Kupo6Na8XKKGaNJwxSfzjzGmI90eAMXgqPJBZgTvugtdRmF7gBMk32EaaYiK2K2qW14dvqJptyko2QR3PasQe69v8QQu1Swz0ndhw9cIH6qO4W0uVcAemI7jsfIMDg/s400/5.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Next - you put the tacos face down on a hot grill - you want the heat at Medium-High heat.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcyNQX64vK9HClRa2k9pUa7CIlZOdSZ73FsuG40GcVsbnMDetM4w6pBKAtiWpvRb65TA6zIovAu04f_U5vJXTG3-uGuxENvvjPrLoid6Nf7I_AzHS3FzW-su5PVWZkGHQjPuIDNoEdo9I/s1600/7.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701991232918571762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcyNQX64vK9HClRa2k9pUa7CIlZOdSZ73FsuG40GcVsbnMDetM4w6pBKAtiWpvRb65TA6zIovAu04f_U5vJXTG3-uGuxENvvjPrLoid6Nf7I_AzHS3FzW-su5PVWZkGHQjPuIDNoEdo9I/s400/7.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlSvy2rI8DDPKlp7pByhqR7W12WSH0_J7Z1IgQpJ3Qx8oQIzBkUex7fcDcJvzaHhZHpDfacDDDyQU3QzrPuLR9FCVU1qdX5-9EShRrsi6p41qxsZ4e1CLsKeUcAcsrXvNDXG_vPxopJm_/s1600/8.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701991104154180754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlSvy2rI8DDPKlp7pByhqR7W12WSH0_J7Z1IgQpJ3Qx8oQIzBkUex7fcDcJvzaHhZHpDfacDDDyQU3QzrPuLR9FCVU1qdX5-9EShRrsi6p41qxsZ4e1CLsKeUcAcsrXvNDXG_vPxopJm_/s400/8.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Once the tacos are down, give a spray of Pam to the back of the tacos.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXYroCGL90MG84stOVWRqH-oCTaYZOGuiEjsz03uOXyXtV595Rl-81S6LKtJ_ypYMeJqPFavm0JsXsFCBEyNa0ePBHl-6QOV4raXXbzSbP7nfkbqNtQ0RThO8yzVwdqyJFBwUhWOqiZzo/s1600/9.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701990997594807346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXYroCGL90MG84stOVWRqH-oCTaYZOGuiEjsz03uOXyXtV595Rl-81S6LKtJ_ypYMeJqPFavm0JsXsFCBEyNa0ePBHl-6QOV4raXXbzSbP7nfkbqNtQ0RThO8yzVwdqyJFBwUhWOqiZzo/s400/9.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Once the meat is mostly cooked, flip the tacos to the tortilla side to crisp up the outsides.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTa09dLO_sms4bPKIUpnPCxsyu2NeFsO_Kn-p5eLqKYFcuzEc9bdo4GeXbDVjCjwAlb5nlmJiFgJDl8iRyHbIQIC0u4U2rsROJBNTPIC07jp9rIpL94WAPSyXl8s18jguBVfK00KP6VJ6G/s1600/10.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701993417963787682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTa09dLO_sms4bPKIUpnPCxsyu2NeFsO_Kn-p5eLqKYFcuzEc9bdo4GeXbDVjCjwAlb5nlmJiFgJDl8iRyHbIQIC0u4U2rsROJBNTPIC07jp9rIpL94WAPSyXl8s18jguBVfK00KP6VJ6G/s400/10.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>IMMEDIATELY put on the cheese, because the tortillas will not take long to crisp.<br />
And because of the origin of the taco, we will be using American cheese, seeing as this recipe was once a home made version of jack in the box tacos. That being said, any cheese you like works, I've made this same thing with a Mexican shredded mix many a time.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_P4qM2QuFdSUlR8JpPMTr-nJVBm_kZJEuCtpkvtU13WrYPQCo_ndyXyXjq2vgzfO7xJdmkCDQbTQsblreguzRdt9Naydo7nNU0qoVcCUnlgXWzyfVnUPLWmTBOuRL99oTPnRfIr76QroJ/s1600/11.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701993666209181490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_P4qM2QuFdSUlR8JpPMTr-nJVBm_kZJEuCtpkvtU13WrYPQCo_ndyXyXjq2vgzfO7xJdmkCDQbTQsblreguzRdt9Naydo7nNU0qoVcCUnlgXWzyfVnUPLWmTBOuRL99oTPnRfIr76QroJ/s400/11.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Once the tortillas are almost done, fold the tortilla before it becomes to hard to close. you can continue cooking the outside until preferred crispness.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXLYJ9bNuhTXIYX8MPMl-GJkBu4O0TjpArP0nBYt4qkoyHilmWspjOwgt7Cq5WogusZxesF_ZsSH1t0ItiS2asR1s_XP5QUneHZzW9TopaY8gbK2M9GsXCZgNFZKB7T5fxZyZ_F1q39l-/s1600/12.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701993875482137202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXLYJ9bNuhTXIYX8MPMl-GJkBu4O0TjpArP0nBYt4qkoyHilmWspjOwgt7Cq5WogusZxesF_ZsSH1t0ItiS2asR1s_XP5QUneHZzW9TopaY8gbK2M9GsXCZgNFZKB7T5fxZyZ_F1q39l-/s400/12.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQAa6glIi00UCibIbym-fzgnnX9xDs1myG4DgvnpSo6kuYySBho4i9i3sbkV6js-oKIj4WN3-hQ1npHps5SJw_K0D8MkJs1eEdf0gGLxa73jdRt3lNg65fudXFWBFzxXPs-JvcdYpoXG6/s1600/13.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701994207680131138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQAa6glIi00UCibIbym-fzgnnX9xDs1myG4DgvnpSo6kuYySBho4i9i3sbkV6js-oKIj4WN3-hQ1npHps5SJw_K0D8MkJs1eEdf0gGLxa73jdRt3lNg65fudXFWBFzxXPs-JvcdYpoXG6/s400/13.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Next - add your fixings. I used avocado, black beans, hot sauce, lettuce, and sour cream. You can use whatever toppings you like - sliced tomatoes, salsa, re-fried beans, etc. Or you can go pure tack in the box taco style and just load it up with hot sauce and lettuce. Any way, they are delicious, and make for a fun snack at your next BBQ - or for Super Bowl Sunday.</div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZSV4P7FOkEgZVsMFZnGtaeGSB_FE6qmSl2Iy9qkyelzS0ZE-GLWQdTVy3fm7JtjqBgX8m0LlDhFLDD7jGmS4iPxKdGKI78FJ8Er-3ZaOzOtbTNoRkEgejEoGNG2BnGBkoLvNMpbGP5cx/s1600/15.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701994925706743410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZSV4P7FOkEgZVsMFZnGtaeGSB_FE6qmSl2Iy9qkyelzS0ZE-GLWQdTVy3fm7JtjqBgX8m0LlDhFLDD7jGmS4iPxKdGKI78FJ8Er-3ZaOzOtbTNoRkEgejEoGNG2BnGBkoLvNMpbGP5cx/s400/15.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxj0b2rJrawhh5QmQoQLpF3q62K2FhRGyadIlJ1KJ43y18myJcyZ7S1hFGgN1DRGkkpNHr718AmDVq3kj7-_AWgLd19qdgQA9AtbyVtRuS4iqiZFbIff5nSWTLQfPt7PCOGEyJa23sF8UR/s1600/16.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701995130253645106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxj0b2rJrawhh5QmQoQLpF3q62K2FhRGyadIlJ1KJ43y18myJcyZ7S1hFGgN1DRGkkpNHr718AmDVq3kj7-_AWgLd19qdgQA9AtbyVtRuS4iqiZFbIff5nSWTLQfPt7PCOGEyJa23sF8UR/s400/16.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwdkOG1OmCC778W8AWfZqhKFsQbkOstVTetx43zRqLnTjFcQBzHeahA_IdDnVRmOVrusQnR6Z6H1XYGCGnWxBz_MTbQgfiJylQ-YT1RVRcCRONbvncwjFqdlNcbPgRMzoLnZzm0342xjr/s1600/17.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701995212016331090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwdkOG1OmCC778W8AWfZqhKFsQbkOstVTetx43zRqLnTjFcQBzHeahA_IdDnVRmOVrusQnR6Z6H1XYGCGnWxBz_MTbQgfiJylQ-YT1RVRcCRONbvncwjFqdlNcbPgRMzoLnZzm0342xjr/s400/17.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmLTBENtzEi0qrJ-ZaDCCzFDbYC2cUWim-RQYg2PQ_tVNlH4Jy5s_uWgDrVAc0PutKqIEXemxcE6FhWXQ3TNN76W_1A4xtYNqkn1deeTotwqiXOViPU9GRYJ2U4_GjTMxf4jJN1Q65L07/s1600/19.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701995494454918818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmLTBENtzEi0qrJ-ZaDCCzFDbYC2cUWim-RQYg2PQ_tVNlH4Jy5s_uWgDrVAc0PutKqIEXemxcE6FhWXQ3TNN76W_1A4xtYNqkn1deeTotwqiXOViPU9GRYJ2U4_GjTMxf4jJN1Q65L07/s400/19.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIggCDwiOzo4e2NurOD2AYILgqfhYlMDS8vWfOpivMCkq9gK02NFgDLfS3VYD5h4hfKk0hyphenhyphen3gDgbFkOQE_vKvIUlbAt5dXTjOUXxh-4J1QlDNgjfzAjamqsmgJVex8iP_-PBvzQvBJSnX/s1600/18.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701995332233582050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIggCDwiOzo4e2NurOD2AYILgqfhYlMDS8vWfOpivMCkq9gK02NFgDLfS3VYD5h4hfKk0hyphenhyphen3gDgbFkOQE_vKvIUlbAt5dXTjOUXxh-4J1QlDNgjfzAjamqsmgJVex8iP_-PBvzQvBJSnX/s400/18.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
Enjoy!THE Sam Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06756446804263411094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399781345138717263.post-86158475537581839992011-08-20T09:06:00.000-07:002015-02-23T21:26:22.342-08:00Giants - Go Young my friendsThis Giants season has been maddening - at times looking like the best team in the league, and finally, after roster crippling injuries, have show their true colors - an offense that cannot sustain having two of its best hitters out of the year, as well as losing -um, everyone not named Aubrey Huff.
<br />
<br />
They performed admirably despite these losses, and had hoped the Keppinger and Beltran additions would reinvigorate their postseason run, but with them being hurt, and their few remaining position players being run into the ground, it is time to go young
<br />
<br />
Hector Sanchez is already up. Brandon Crawford, Emmanuel Burris and Brett Pill should be up here, playing. As should Brandon Belt. The vets are tired, beat up, and not hitting. It is time to infuse a little youth, speed, and possibly - POWER! Belt is their most powerful bat outside of Pablo Sandoval, yet Bruce Bochy just wont trust him. Since being sent down, both Crawford and Burris have hit over .300. Pill, probably the best bat in the minors but with no position, can play first and second.
<br />
<br />
This isn't just about playing young guys to get them ready for roles next year, its about this year too. I can only see so many combinations of .240 hitters disguised as lead off and clean-up hitters. Wouldn't this be a refreshing line up on September first:
<br />
<br />
1. Torres - CF
<br />
2. Keppinger 2b
<br />
3. Panda - 3b
<br />
4. Beltran - RF
<br />
5. Schierholtz - LF
<br />
6. Belt - 1b
<br />
7. Crawford - SS
<br />
8. Sanchez - C
<br />
<br />
Its gotta be better than what we are trotting out there now... Until then, play some young guys - they actually have a chance to improve
THE Sam Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06756446804263411094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399781345138717263.post-20368308542727249382011-08-20T08:36:00.000-07:002012-01-26T12:45:48.137-08:0049ers - Big testI re-watched most of the 49ers first preseason game last night and came away much more positive than most of the fan base did. <br />
<br />
Sure - the results were disastrous, but the little details are what caught my eye. I saw a coach who changed up his play calling to match the strengths of the players he had on the field, very un-Singletary like. <br />
<br />
Positives <br />
<br />
- The schemes. From Nolan to Singletary, the team's play calling has been transparent. Seeing us run out of the shotgun, throw more, and have multiple formations is a big step in the right direction. Now a result of this big fancy playbook coming into town - alot of the pressure you saw was due to missed assignments, not getting overpowered [Well, that and the Saints trying to prove something, blitzing the house all game for preseason game #1]. <br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
- The Running Game. Frank Gore, if he stays healthy, might have a career year - because he finally has a coach that knows HOW to use him, not knows just TO use him. Last few years its been watching him slam into a wall of blockers and tacklers hoping he popped out of the other side of the pile. This game he had running room, and runs to the outside, something missing from the 49ers game the past few years, actually seemed to work. <br />
<br />
- Defense. The first team Defense was without either of its starting corners and still held Drew Brees in check. Donte Whitner made an excellent pass break up [Even if 49ers hater/Raiders fan Mr. G was complaining it should have been an easy pick] and showed dividends already. Having a stable safety that allows Goldsen to be more of a ballhawk should open up for more turnovers. <br />
<br />
- the Rookies. I liked the flashes I saw out of all the rookies. Aldon Smith should take Harlson's spot soon, but not soon enough! Kaepernik looked like a rookie, but he made some nice plays with his legs and a couple of nice throws. Kendall Hunter had a few nice runs - shows he knows how to find open space. Converted fullback Bruce Miller saw alot of action - and will hopefully be booting Moran Norris soon. This could be a good class - too soon to tell, but a nice first step <br />
<br />
Tonight will be a big test against the Raiders. If this season is to be a success, there will be much needed improvements shown. The line will have to do a better job keeping Smith on his feet, and Smith needs to make a few crisp throws and score some first team points. We shall see <br />
<br />
[I know I am a bit rusty, I'm sure this will start getting better - first one back ]THE Sam Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06756446804263411094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399781345138717263.post-81185130580505597092011-07-18T13:38:00.000-07:002011-07-18T13:39:36.024-07:00I'm backSchool is over, and I am getting more and more of a hankering to do some writing, and Yelp just isn't quite doing the trick.<br /><br />More to come soon...THE Sam Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06756446804263411094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399781345138717263.post-40509711965113725172010-11-29T14:50:00.000-08:002010-11-29T14:52:51.863-08:00UUUUUUUUUSay it aint so, Juan!<br /><br />One of my favorite players to root for, Juan Uribe, has become a Dodger<br /><br />He might be the first Dodger I cannot Boo - after what he brought this team the past two years, he practically deserves a statue<br /><br />BUT - I agree with Sabean for not re-signing him. Sabean kept the more popular player who had the better year - I would be willing to bet, if the Dodger are intending on Uribe starting 140+ games, they will be regretting that contract. As its been since the start of last off season, Sabean gets another A+ for this non moveTHE Sam Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06756446804263411094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399781345138717263.post-16607830019989485072009-12-22T20:29:00.000-08:002012-01-26T12:45:25.653-08:00ARE THEY who we thought they were?<div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, the 49<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ers</span> have been eliminated from the playoffs. After hopes of a ten win season and a playoff game, they go into the final two weeks playing for their first non-losing season since <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Mariucci</span> was the head coach. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now the question is – was this season another wasted year? </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not so fast. Sure, I, among other people, am disappointed. They let very winnable game<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JNwnfa073dXnXVqTF4KHnnHXrA_uR7uIFUZQBMlDRXkrN9oWWEQxxnmr37lgbl5KRj73WgC5ytYM6jYtgGOu7xjzfQ-rrouFxRnJ83Z-8Iwo_ebm1YsPtt4hBWwG_lKuFymgU9cUjG1h/s1600-h/untitled.bmp"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418322158444303410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JNwnfa073dXnXVqTF4KHnnHXrA_uR7uIFUZQBMlDRXkrN9oWWEQxxnmr37lgbl5KRj73WgC5ytYM6jYtgGOu7xjzfQ-rrouFxRnJ83Z-8Iwo_ebm1YsPtt4hBWwG_lKuFymgU9cUjG1h/s200/untitled.bmp" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 136px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a>s slip through their hands against the Vikings, Texans, Titans, Colts and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Seahawks</span>, losing those 5 games by an average of 4.2 points a game. Even if they pull out 2 of those 5 games, they stand at 8-6 and just 1 game behind the Cardinals and tied with the Giants for the final wild card spot. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But they <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">didn</span>’t and they <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">aren</span>’t, so now all we can hope for is an 8-8 season and two first round draft picks. But this season, the team has improved quite a bit. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Under the Nolan era, there were some 7-9 seasons, but those teams were not nearly as competitive as this ‘09 version. A great indicator is the points scored vs. points allowed stat. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The team has also taken steps forward in many areas this season. The defense has played the best it has in years, shown by our ability to stay in tight games. This defense held Peyton Manning to 18 points, including a trick play to score their only TD. They have scored more points in 14 games this year than they have in 2 of the past 4, and will easily pass their 2006 number of 298. And the first time since the team went into the tank, they have a plus in the point differential column, scoring 13 more points than they’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ve</span> allowed. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The past 4 years? Try negative 42, -145, -114, and -189. They have only given up 269 points this year, or just over 19 points a game, down over 5 points a game from the past 4 years average. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another positive from 2009 was the development of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">playmakers</span>. We all knew Frank Gore was a solid back and that Patrick Willis could tackle anything, but going into this year that was about all the team had. This year, the team finally got returns from sixth overall pick Vernon Davis. </span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">- </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Davis, once whispered as a bust, has burst onto the scene, tying the NFL lead with 11 TD receptions and third in yardage among Tight Ends. </span></div><div align="justify">- <span style="font-family: Calibri;">Michael <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Crabtree</span>, despite a depressing holdout that lasted deep into the season, has stepped on the field and shown a lot of promise. I can only imagine what a full <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">offseason</span> of training camp and a strong understanding of the playbook could do for his production. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418321452786057970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0cZm2o2c6lQHZfhySKxuzIlTbv4G1Z5rPL9mZuZeb0Jz8rvph96gKdKkw66l8m6Itw_CZaew7OqeuLCWtBXncJF051tyVEwREnCmlIPLi-0c4fdNRfAUtfHAN_eWeJDAVQzDtEPCbbaa/s200/9e0d040d-72b7-4b89-b419-9582afff97fb.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 174px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div align="justify">- <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Dashon</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Goldson</span>, while inconsistent, has shown he can hit, is rangy and might be a strong addition to the safety position, even though he might be ticketed for strong safety once the team finally decides signing Michael Lewis <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">wasn</span>’t the best decision given his inability to cover speedy receivers over the top, something of an important skill for a SAFETY. </span></div><div align="justify">- <span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ahmad Brooks has shown an ability to get after the quarterback, adding a little pass rush to a unit that sorely needs it.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Aubrayo</span> Franklin has anchored down the defensive line, which after years of drafting and free agency signings, has become a strength of the team.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last, the team has gotten the best quarterback play it has seen since Jeff Garcia was under center. There has been a lot of controversy about Alex Smith, but this is the best he has played his entire career. While he has had some up and down games, at this nine game stretch was played out over 16 games, he’d be around 28 touchdowns for the year – a far cry from Smith’s career high of 16. If he remains the starter in 2010, he will get the second year in an offensive system, something he has never had. He will enter the year with the most weapons he’s ever had on offense, and in the last year of a contract in which he’ll want to prove his worth. He’ll have a full training camp with these young players, and it also allows the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Niners</span>, who will have 3 picks in the first 45(or so) in this year’s draft, will be able to focus on getting speedier in the secondary, getting another pass rusher, and strengthening an offensive line that needs at least two starters. </span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The best part about 2010 will <a href="http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers/2009/12/tear-it-down-no-continuity-is-the-answer.html">be continuity</a>. The staff should remain intact, and this can only help the players refine their skills, rather than learn yet another system. And I am not the only one who thinks this <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/ninerinsider/index?blogid=45">is a good thing</a>. </span></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So I would say, in all, this team took leaps and bounds this year. There is still work to be done – the team needs to be more disciplined when it comes to penalties, and needs more focus on completing third downs. But with a solid draft, maybe a couple smart free agency signings and this team could be knocking the Cardinals off for a 2010 NFC West crown. </span></div>THE Sam Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06756446804263411094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399781345138717263.post-22768195992494174312009-11-11T22:04:00.001-08:002012-01-26T12:46:19.943-08:00It’s the most, wonderful time, of the year…<div align="justify">It’s here, and it’s heating up – BASEBALL’S HOT STOVE.<br />
<br />
I haven’t posted a blog since the Giants traded for Ryan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Garko</span>, and I decided that since I don’t have a job, it’s really silly I haven’t been able to sharpen my pencil and post a blog topic.<br />
<br />
While disappointing we <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">didn</span>’t get to see <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28705">Tim <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Lincecum</span></a>, <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6202">Matt Cain </a>and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4233">Barry <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Zito</span> </a>in a short series was a disappointment, he 2009 season was a huge success – the team remained competitive until the final weeks, the team identified <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=29212">Pablo Sandoval </a>as building block for the offense, and the team was able to watch some of its young players take steps in the right direction.</div><div align="justify"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403109610757058114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBL-Oe8Pkmlx6RFk6s24dUuTC-lXwO6-eH8QZ7JrTo49KGyDnbyomb7sWIcewSecKH9_6c81usaG-WrZUpvLGovjvNl4XjirDyY_p7DmjctcyMYSFsYH_3wdg_ESeALYY3Wu-qvzfvt9S/s320/pablospread1-575x383.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 213px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> Now it’s the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">off season</span>, that short few months between the last out of the World Series and pitchers and catchers reporting in February where teams scurry frantically to improve, pay too much for free agents and feel free to make trades. </div><div align="justify"></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div align="justify">Here, after careful thought, is what I think the Giants should do heading into the 2010 season:<br />
At first look, I thought the team was going to be able to be major players in free agency – they had 31 million dollars come off the books with <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3865"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Bengie</span> Molina</a>, <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5779">Noah <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Lowry</span></a>, Dave Roberts, <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3837">Randy Winn</a>, <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3875">Bob <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Howry</span></a>, <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3362">Rich Aurilia</a>, <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4657">Juan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Uribe</span></a>, and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=2131">Randy Johnson </a>coming off the books. But it’s time to pay some of the youngsters. </div><div align="justify">The team has 57 million committed to the 2010 payroll next year, and with an estimated 15 million going to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Lincecum</span> and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6521">Brian Wilson</a> being arbitration eligible. Add in all those 400k players and the team already has around 80 million committed to the 2010 roster. </div><div align="justify">The hot rumors are that the team will be in on <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5496">Jason Bay </a>and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5940">Matt <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Holliday</span></a>, but I just don’t see it. They only have ten million to play with, and would like to find at least two bats with that, plus have two bad contracts already in <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4233">Barry <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Zito</span> </a>and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4745">Aaron <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Rowand</span> </a>that would restrict them from signing a big free agent </div><div align="justify">With that in mind, this is how I would proceed: </div><div align="justify">1. Let Molina walk. He is a type-A free agent and would net two draft picks if he left. Offer him arbitration, get more draft picks to stock the minor league system and replace him with a cheaper option. I think <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=30112">Buster <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Posey</span> </a>is close to ready, but pairing him with a catcher who can take on more of the load is wise in case he struggles. I suggest signing <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4568"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Yorvit</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Torrealba</span> </a>to a two year deal; he provides excellent defense, a solid bat and can help mentor <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Posey</span> along the way. </div><div align="justify">2. Let most of their free agents walk. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Lowry</span>, Winn, Aurilia, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Howry</span> can all walk. The only one I offer arbitration to is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Howry</span>, because he is a type B free agent, can net the team an additional draft pick and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">wouldn</span>’t hamper the team if he decided to accept and come back.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QvzRjHo4hJdM0VDkd9xe6MkfyzP79mrxEmkcfBU9Wq9yLQlAw2I81Ub7p9SXKzQ-McZSPaWDymtYE8PZcteyMjSe-F8em-Jr8K9fMWUIY4K_I2QDjVfXdarYQfafGQV1aSYUlhOpNTrA/s1600-h/milton_bradley-290x300.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403110209370522882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QvzRjHo4hJdM0VDkd9xe6MkfyzP79mrxEmkcfBU9Wq9yLQlAw2I81Ub7p9SXKzQ-McZSPaWDymtYE8PZcteyMjSe-F8em-Jr8K9fMWUIY4K_I2QDjVfXdarYQfafGQV1aSYUlhOpNTrA/s200/milton_bradley-290x300.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 193px;" /></a><br />
</div><div align="justify">3. Trade <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Rowand</span> and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28574">Fred Lewis </a>to the Cubs for <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4245">Milton Bradley</a>. This works on multiple fronts. One – it improves the offense – in 100 less at bats, Bradley nearly matches <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Rowand</span>’s numbers, plus got on base at a much higher clip. Bradley is only signed for two more years where <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Rowand</span> has three years left, which frees up cash down the line for raises to Cain, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Lincecum</span> and Sandoval in two years. This allows the cubs to get rid of a headache and pick up some leadership they <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">lost</span> when Mark <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">DeRosa</span> left town. </div><div align="justify">4. Trade <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28472">Jonathan Sanchez </a>and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=29106">Emmanuel <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Burriss</span></a> to the Florida Marlins for <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6462">D</a><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6462">an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Uggla</span></a>. Wherever <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Uggla</span> ends up playing – Third, First, Second – he represents an upgrade<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDX8utMXK6w2irUZwx2ocTy-bGP-iJBn5x8oIQoqldsBKBq78aoplWeWpAbM36sF-jMyH_Y325Pofem6K2oFsfN0t1wSs384ixLwJAnZNukdT6TC5k3bgP-RuFRVkIvF2aX1ktn2xLRQ5j/s1600-h/t1_dan-uggla.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403109262986838226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDX8utMXK6w2irUZwx2ocTy-bGP-iJBn5x8oIQoqldsBKBq78aoplWeWpAbM36sF-jMyH_Y325Pofem6K2oFsfN0t1wSs384ixLwJAnZNukdT6TC5k3bgP-RuFRVkIvF2aX1ktn2xLRQ5j/s200/t1_dan-uggla.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 165px;" /></a> in the offense. He’s averaged 30 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">homeruns</span> and 90 RBIs over the past 4 seasons playing in a ballpark where <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">homeruns</span> are tough to come by. His average <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">isn</span>’t very high, but his on base percentage is, something this team sorely needs to upgrade. This allows the Marlins to shed some payroll, get an electric arm in return for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">Uggla</span>. Plus, this allows the Giants to capitalize on Sanchez while he still has value. I think he has great stuff, but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">ala</span> Shawn Estes – will most likely never put it together for a full season. Trade him while people can still remember his no hitter.<br />
<br />
- 4b. If unable to make a deal for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">Uggla</span>, sign <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3727">Miguel <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Tejada</span> </a>to play third. Shift Pablo over to first and let <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Tejada</span> play third. He can play a little shortstop if <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">Renteria</span> falters like he did in ’09.<br />
<br />
5. Resign <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4115">Brad Penny </a>and Juan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">Uribe</span>. Both of these players injected life into the team when they played – since Sanchez will be gone, Penny slides into the 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">th</span> starter position and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">Uribe</span> returns to be the super sub and, in my opinion, eventual replacement for when shortstop <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3441">Edgar <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">Renteria</span> </a>struggles.<br />
<br />
6. Sign Free Agent Outfielder <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4564">Xavier Nady </a>to a two year contract with an option for a third. He made 6.55 million last year, but missed the year with a season ending injury, so he <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">shouldn</span>’t be too pricey. He hails from California, so this may be a nice destination for him – plus he has been a player who has gotten better with age – in 2006 he hit .280 with 17 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">homeruns</span> and 63 RBIs for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">Mets</span> and Pirates, in 2007 he hit .278 with 20 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">homeruns</span> and 72 RBIs, and in his last full year in 2008 he hit .305 with 25 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">homeruns</span> and 97 RBIs with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">Pittsburg</span> and the Yankees. He could play left – and maybe a little first base – and not cost the team the price Bay or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">Holliday</span> would, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50">doesn</span>’t have the potential for a steep drop off in play that the team might face with a Jermaine Dye or Vladimir Guerrero. </div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403109814865613874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBphziLkzw8uNpKaQhloMjrIDTem9rxMCSCxDw3FlT4oiE6M2faroPGCk3RlpD7t5dm_19mrSHD_wgvgnD19pIw48NFrYb5hDk49vT2FkpfSnIzFBcIzILsmgl1e8sNM98NOCjcUccx_Zw/s200/nady-x-get-090404-306.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 117px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /> 7. Explore signing Matt Cain to an extension. He is sign for two more years, and the team will surely want to hold onto him and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51">Lincecum</span> past when <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_52">Zito</span> comes off the books. In <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_53">Zito</span>’s last year this may require spending nearly 60 million just on the rotation, but will be offset by some of the team’s younger starters (<a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=29949">Madison <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_54">Bumgarner</span></a>, <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=30295">Henry Sosa</a>, etc) filling out the rotation cheaply in those years. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_55">Lincecum</span> has gladly stated he will use his arbitration years, so Cain is the more likely to sign an extension sooner. He had a minor break out season this year, and he has the build to continue pitching strongly – signing him past <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_56">Zito</span>’s current deal allows the team to focus on retaining <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_57">Lincecum</span> once his last arbitration eligible year is here.<br />
<br />
8. Let some of the kids play. Sure, I have the team acquiring three solid veteran players. But this leaves right field open for <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28815">Nate <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_58">Schierholtz</span> </a>to play every day. Bruce <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_59">Bochy</span> was infuriating with ramming Randy Winn down our throats when <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_60">Schierholtz</span> had more power, a higher batting average and a stronger arm. If Nate is allowed to<br />
<br />
9. Look out for bargains. Last year one of Brian <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_61">Sabean</span>’s best moves was signing Juan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_62">Uribe</span> to a minor league deal. Another solid scrap heap deal was the Angels picking up Bobby <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_63">Abreu</span> when no one wanted him – he ended up being their third place hitter. Players that might go under the radar and be available to short term/minor league deals: Chad Tracy, Gary Sheffield, Hank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_64">Blalock</span>, Rick <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_65">Ankiel</span>, Scott <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_66">Potsednik</span>, Ivan Rodriguez, Brian Schneider, etc.<br />
<br />
- Lineup:<br />
1. Bradley - CF<br />
2. Sanchez – 2B<br />
3. Sandoval – 3B<br />
4. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_67">Uggla</span> – 1B<br />
5. Nady – <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_68">LF</span><br />
6. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_69">Schierholtz</span> - RF<br />
7. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_70">Torrealba</span>/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_71">Posey</span> - C<br />
8. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_72">Renteria</span> – SS<br />
<br />
- Rotation:<br />
1. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_73">Lincecum</span><br />
2. Cain<br />
3. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_74">Zito</span><br />
4. Penny<br />
5. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_75">Bumgarner</span>/Kevin <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_76">Pucetas</span>/Henry Sosa/ Free agent<br />
<br />
- Bench:<br />
<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_77">Util</span> Inf – <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_78">Uribe</span><br />
<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_79">Util</span> Inf/OF – <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28901">Eugenio Velez</a><br />
C – <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_80">Posey</span><br />
Of – <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5089">Andres Torres</a><br />
1b – <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6509">Travis <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_81">Ishikawa</span><br />
</a><br />
-Bullpen<br />
<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_82">Rhp</span> - <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6324">Brandon <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_83">Medders</span></a><br />
<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_84">Rhp</span> - <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=30294"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_85">Waldis</span> Joaquin<br />
</a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_86">Lhp</span> - <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=30375">Dan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_87">Runzler</span><br />
</a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_88">Lhp</span> - <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5061">Jeremy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_89">Affeldt</span><br />
</a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_90">Rhp</span> - <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=29168">Sergio <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_91">Romo</span><br />
</a>Closer – Wilson<br />
<br />
Is this a lot of moves in one <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_92">off season</span>? Yes. Is it probably this all happens? NO. Heck, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_93">Sabean</span> has already said <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-11-cubs-bits-chicago-nov11,0,2469967.story">he <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_94">isn</span>’t interested in Bradley</a>. But if I were running the show, this is what I would do, and I think it would make for an exciting team-and probably would win the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_95">NL</span> West.THE Sam Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06756446804263411094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399781345138717263.post-49582943044416797462009-07-28T15:57:00.000-07:002009-07-28T15:58:46.411-07:00Giants trade for Ryan GarkoWho could have seen that coming?<br /><br />I knew I started this blog for a reason...<br /><br />Now all we need is a second baseman who isn't an automatic out.THE Sam Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06756446804263411094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399781345138717263.post-8097525232094314032009-07-27T13:57:00.001-07:002009-07-27T14:05:23.392-07:00Just to show I'm not crazy...Here is a <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/07/27/SPG418VCME.DTL#ixzz0MSotrJQl">link to the rumor mill </a>showing the Giants are looking into trades with the Indians - more likely for Ryan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Garko</span>, more <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">preferably</span> for Victor Martinez.<br /><br />Henry <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Schulman</span> also throws out my man <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Scutaro</span> as a possibility.<br /><br />Andrew <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Baggarly</span> also throws <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Garko's</span> name out there, to go along with names we've heard <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">a lot</span> the past month - <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/giants/ci_12919156?nclick_check=1">Nick Johnson and Freddie Sanchez</a>.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Sabean</span> also took his young players to task for not producing more, including Kevin <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Frandsen</span>.<br /><br />Looking at the trade landscape, it seems the best the Giants will do is picking up a second baseman, maybe a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">first baseman</span>, and hoping that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Rowand</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Schierholtz</span> and Winn can round out the outfield and be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">enough</span> to make the playoffs.THE Sam Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06756446804263411094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399781345138717263.post-10068017018162708742009-07-27T10:52:00.000-07:002009-07-27T11:19:42.606-07:00Judd Apatow - love him or love to hate himWhichever category you fall in - you can't deny the dude knows funny.<br /><br />I just got finished reading a<a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/07/24/PK0C18P56V.DTL&type=movies"> cool interview of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Apatow</span> </a>from the SF Chronicle - a good read.<br /><br />I didn't realize how many movies he's had a stake in - all of them pretty funny.<br /><br />Sure, he may have overexposed Seth <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Rogan</span> - but you can't fault the guy for being loyal...THE Sam Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06756446804263411094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399781345138717263.post-33116040345831130332009-07-24T15:56:00.000-07:002009-07-24T16:24:09.341-07:00Sam's potential trade targetsThere are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">a lot</span> of names being throw out there - here are some bats I think the Giants should target to improve this offense - it <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">wouldn'</span>t take <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">a lot</span> to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">just</span> get it near average.<br /><br /><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5217">Marco <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Scutaro</span></a> - he is having one of his best seasons, has always been a clutch hitter and good defender. He could <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">play</span> second and hit second and provide a nice boost to the line up, offensively and defensively.<br /><br /><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3507">Scott <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Rolen</span></a> - If the Blue Jays are serious about becoming sellers, he becomes a target - he is is paid handsomely, signed through next year, and a premium glove. While I am not crazy about Big Panda's glove at first, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Rolen</span> hitting behind him would be a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">definite</span> upgrade.<br /><br /><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6210">Ryan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Garko</span></a> - the Indians first baseman is a right handed hitter with good power - he could share time with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Ishikawa</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">wouldn'</span>t cost too much, and again, represent an upgrade to the line up with a little more pop.<br /><br /><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6011">Mark <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Teahen</span></a> - a cheap option to upgrade second base, with the ability to flip him out to right, left, first and third, if needed.<br /><br /><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28585">Kevin <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Kouzmanoff</span></a> - He has good power numbers, would <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">likely</span> be available since the Padres are nowhere near competition.<br /><br />There aren't <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">a lot</span> of available bats this year - probably because so many teams are in it - but hopefully <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">something</span> gets done - that actually helps the team score!THE Sam Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06756446804263411094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399781345138717263.post-13573934536007390432009-07-24T13:55:00.000-07:002009-07-24T15:55:48.157-07:00Trade deadline watch...<div align="justify">Well, things are heating up</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">The A's apparently have <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4353256">gotten things started</a>, trading <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5940">Matt <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Holliday</span></span> </a>for a top flight third base prospect. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">This shouldn't be the end for the A's - they still have some valuable trading chips. I mean, face it A's fans - the A's are atrocious - why hold out hope that <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4609">Jack <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Cust</span> </a>will turn this team into a winner? </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">I say they slang <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Cust</span>, <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3739">Orlando Cabrera</a>, maybe even <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4157">Adam Kennedy </a>or <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3226">Jason <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Giambi</span></a>, and try to restock the farm system as much as possible. With the current Economics the A's have, they should trim their major league payroll as much as possible - then add payroll when they think they <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">just</span> need to add a few pieces to their core.. OR, shocker, actually keep a young player they develop, for a nice change of pace. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=law_keith">Keith Law seems to think </a>the A's made a good deal... </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">The Giants on the other hand - seems like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">alls</span> quiet on the western front. The only recent news is that the Nationals (aka <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Nubinals</span>) are <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/giants/detail?&entry_id=44124">scouting the Giants AA team</a>, according to Henry <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Schulman</span>... </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Found it interesting the Giants<a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/athletics/detail?blogid=21&entry_id=44224"> never called on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Holliday</span></a>, according to Susan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Slusser</span>. Perhaps they watched him play <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">against</span> the Giants and look <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">almost</span> as bad as Jack <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Cust</span> in the field. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">But <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Schulman</span> is pretty sure the Giants <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/giants/detail?blogid=22&entry_id=44233">will make a deal </a>before the deadline. Right now, the question is who? As long as it improves the team and doesn't <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">donk</span> off one of their top prospects, I'm all for it. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Only time will tell - I'll try and monitor the rumor mill as best I can until then... </div>THE Sam Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06756446804263411094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399781345138717263.post-64345882760704934792009-07-14T15:04:00.000-07:002009-07-14T15:52:09.847-07:00GM-ing thoughts...<div align="justify">When I first started this blog, I thought it would mainly be me <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">critiquing</span> front office moves and signings, etc. While it has turned into a blog about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">anything</span> I think <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">passionately</span></span> about, I do have some thoughts on recent ramblings throughout the NFL... </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">1. The Ravens need a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">receiver</span>, especially now that Derick Mason is <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/07/13/is-retirement-derrick-masons-final-answer/">making noise about retirement</a>. Fabian Washington is <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/07/14/fabian-washington-not-happy-that-mason-is-retiring/">NOT happy</a>, and I don't blame him. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Think they had trouble passing before? Imagine a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">WR</span></span> core of Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams. So what should they do? </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Well, there are rumors that Brandon Marshall wants out of Denver, but he would cost at least a first rounder, probably more, then a big contract extension. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Why not make a play for Marvin Harrison? His agent says he still wants to play, and he could be a stabilizing force for that crew. Sure, he is no longer a #1 <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">receiver</span>, but neither is Isaac Bruce, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">sometimes</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">just</span> getting a guy who has good hands, runs precise routes and takes pressure off the younger guys can be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">just</span> what the doctor ordered. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">There are some that argue Harrison <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/07/02/toomer-ahead-of-harrison-on-watch-lists/">might be done</a> - so then there is also <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Amani</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Toomer</span></span>. Again, not a #1, but someone who can fill the void left by Mason. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">#2. Raiders - thanks for continually being a joke. The team cut rookie 6<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span></span> rounder <a href="http://www.raiders.com/Team/PlayerBio.aspx?id=62992"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Stryker</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Sulak</span></span></a> without giving him a contract! </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Granted, sixth round picks don't make <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">a lot</span> of impact. But to cut a 6<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">th</span></span> rounder defensive end just because you signed Greg Ellis? You haven't even seen how he looks in pads! What a joke... </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Here are the defensive ends on the Raiders roster: Ellis, <a href="http://www.raiders.com/Team/PlayerBio.aspx?id=388">Derrick Burgess</a>, <a href="http://www.raiders.com/Team/PlayerBio.aspx?id=44048">Derrick Gray</a>, <a href="http://www.raiders.com/Team/PlayerBio.aspx?id=43686"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Greyson</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Gunheim</span></span></a>, <a href="http://www.raiders.com/Team/PlayerBio.aspx?id=20888">Jay Richardson</a>, <a href="http://www.raiders.com/Team/PlayerBio.aspx?id=62990">Matt <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Shaughnessy</span></span></a>, <a href="http://www.raiders.com/Team/PlayerBio.aspx?id=43494">Trevor Scott</a>, and <a href="http://www.raiders.com/Team/PlayerBio.aspx?id=62972">Desmond Bryant</a>. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Other than Burgess and Ellis, I don't see one <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">unexpendable</span></span> guy on that list <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">that</span> isn't at least worth giving the rookie a deal to try out during training camp. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Sulak</span></span> had 10.5 sacks last year - <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">here's</span> to hoping someone picks him up and he sacks <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Jamaracus</span></span> Russel three <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">times</span>, if Russell is still in the starting line up by the time they play. Honestly, this is probably the best thing that could have happened to the kid - good luck! </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Lost in all of this, is my third point: </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">3. Is the <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/07/14/two-prior-rookies-were-cut-before-they-signed/">Eagles 2002 draft </a>maybe the best draft of the 2000's? <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">PFT</span> posted it last night, and I was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">surprised</span> just how productive it was! </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Here is the rundown: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Lito</span> Sheppard (first round), safety Michael Lewis (second round), <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">cornerback</span> Sheldon Brown (second round), running back Brian Westbrook (third round), center Scott Peters (fourth round), receiver Freddie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Milons</span> (fifth round), linebacker <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Tyreo</span> Harrison (sixth round), and defensive end <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Raheem</span> Brock (seventh round). </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Now the Eagles made the mistake of letting Brock go, who has since become a productive player for the Colts. But that draft netted them two starting <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">cornerbacks</span> (one pro-bowler), a Pro Bowl Safety, Pro-Bowler/Offensive machine Brian Westbrook, and a starting defensive end (that ended up playing for someone else). </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Can anyone come up with a better draft in the 2000's for me? I'd be hard pressed to come up with one... </div>THE Sam Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06756446804263411094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399781345138717263.post-46681435684713572022009-07-14T14:59:00.000-07:002009-07-14T15:04:50.897-07:00I love technologyWho doesn't love technology - think about it - without the advances we have come to know <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">and</span> love, we couldn't text a person who talks too much on the phone and we <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">couldn'</span>t avoid calls by seeing who is calling - among millions of other convenient little things we've come to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">know</span> and love.<br /><br />Well, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">UFL</span> is trying <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">something</span> new, and it could forever change the art of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">quarterbacking</span>. A Miami based company has <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/football/story/1137836.html">developed a wristband </a>that can display the plays to a quarterback on a small flexible screen implanted in the wristband. Think about it - mixed up players can take a look to see what route they are running, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">QBs</span> would have a much easier time grasping the plays.<br /><br />This looks pretty cool, and if they <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">develop</span> it right, it could be the single greatest invention football has seen since the sideline headset or the TV first down marker. I hope they get it right!THE Sam Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06756446804263411094noreply@blogger.com0