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Brady vs Belichick the Mac Jones update

Posted: November 29, 2021 by datechguy in Uncategorized

A while back I wrote about the relative measures of success for Brady and Belichick in their new positions. As Brady has already won a superbowl we can safely state that he has met the goals without re-iterating them.

As for the Patriots and Belichick I graded the Pats on the following scale based on the pre-Brady years:

Any year that the New England Patriots post Brady:

  • Have a winning record: should be considered OK
  • Win 11 games: should be considered a success
  • Win their division: should be considered a big success
  • Make the playoffs: should considered a huge success.
  • Win a playoff game: should be considered an spectacular success
  • Go to the Superbowl: should be considered an extraordinary success
  • Win a Superbowl: should be considered a Miracle

Now there are those who consider that a fair amount of Tom Brady’s success in general and the Patriots success in particular should be given to Coach Bill Belichick who some consider the greatest coach in Football history. For those of you who consider this the case let’s make a slight adjustment.

Any year the New England Patriots Under Belichick post Brady

  • Win a Superbowl, it’s an extraordinary success
  • Go to the Superbowl it’s a spectacular success
  • Win a playoff game it’s a Huge success
  • Make the playoffs, it’s a big success
  • Win their division, it’s a success
  • Win at least 11 games, it’s an OK season
  • Win less than 11 games…fire the bum!

These are reasonable expectations. I suspect that Patriots fans after two decades of winning will not be as generous as me with their expectations.

with the disastrous Cam Newton season I wrote this about Belichick:

This makes the Bill Belichick Era going into today’s game a 24-34 as the coach of the New England Patriots in games not started by Tom Brady and in the three seasons that he coached the team sans Brady he made the playoffs….nearly once.

My expectations scale was “fire the bum” if he failed to win at least 11 but given the Covid situation that while effecting all teams hit his team hard I’d give him another season’s leeway, particularly if he can manage to make .500. If not I think we can safely say that the question of Bill vs Tom in terms of credit has been answered conclusively.

Well the Patriots are now 8-4 , in first place in their division and while not a lock for the playoffs yet looking pretty good with Rookie Mac Jones at the helm. Under standard Patriots scale it’s already an OK season and the Pats only have to go 3-2 the rest of the way to qualify for OK status under my Belichick scale.

Belichick has done this with a Rookie QB who had four other QB’s picked ahead of him.

It may be early to say this but I think we must conclude that Brady + Belichick were the perfect storm of the best in their professions coming together and that neither one negates the greatness of the other.

But there are still a few games to play so let’s see…

A 1969 League rules Reminder UPDATE: Waivers list and Keeper rules for next years draft

Posted: November 28, 2021 by datechguy in Dynasty, gaming
Tags: ,

There have been some issues with games missed against opponents so I thought I should republish the rules on playing (particularly since the old blog is having issues)

Playing games and rescheduling

Real life always takes precedence over games and on occasion players will miss games or might be in a situation where they have to leave the league either temporarily or permanently

If the scheduled game time comes and your opponent is not there you are encouraged to give him 5 or 10 minutes to show up. If he does not show up or contact you by the 2nd 5 min wait period it is acceptable for you to being play

If a player is unable to play a series at the allotted date and time he is encouraged to contact his opponent & reschedule before the scheduled game time. If it is not possible to reschedule said player should put his team on auto for that series so his opponent can get the games in so as not to force an autoplay with the system taking both teams.

If due to illness or some other cause a player has to leave the league for a few weeks he is encouraged to find a replacement player to take over on a temp basis, if that is not possible he should put the team on autoplay until such time as he recovers.

If a player has to permanently leave the league and does not provide a replacement his team will go on autoplay and I will attempt to find a replacement manager.

REMEMBER IF YOUR TEAM IS ON AUTOPLAY AND YOUR OPPONENT REQUESTS A RESCHEDULE THE RESCHEDULE WILL AUTOMATICALLY TAKE PLACE AND IF SAID RESCHEDULE REQUEST IS FOR “NOW” THE GAME WILL BE PLAYED.

Also be aware that unlike the pervious version of the game if you are playing against the computer it does not say “computer manager” it has the name of the owner of the team so your opponent might not know you aren’t there. (some folks just don’t like to use the chat).

Auto Settings

If your team is on Auto Pilot that means that if a game is played the computer will take over as manager.

Be aware that you can set auto pilot for a single series so if you have to be away, or if work is particularly busy or even if you just don’t like the guy you are supposed to play that week you can check off the box and once the series is complete auto pilot will shut off.

On your team’s screen there is a Manager settings page that allows you to set how the pc manages when you are on Autoplay. You can set a default lineup vs lefties and righties, set up a rotation (and decide if a pitcher can go on short rest, when relievers come in. who your closers and setup people are, how aggressive to steal or run or take a base, pinch hitting and the lot.

You can set as little or as much as you want to set.

Even if like me you don’t plan on playing any auto games, things happen so if you want your team run the way you want it, make sure you check these settings.

Waivers

Here is the current waivers list:

Batters:

  • Aaron Tommie Taken Montreal Early Waivers Round 2 Pick 2
  • Adair Jerry Taken Chicago White Sox Early Waivers Round 2 pick 1
  • Alvis Max
  • Amaro Ruben
  • Baker Frank
  • Barry Rich
  • Barton Bob
  • Bateman John
  • Beauchamp Jim
  • Billings Dick
  • Blefray Curt Taken NY Mets Early waivers round 1
  • Bobb Randy
  • Boehmer Len
  • Bosch Don
  • Bowens Sam
  • Boyer Ken
  • Breeden Danny
  • Brinkman Chuck
  • Brooks Bobby
  • Brown Gates
  • Brown Larry
  • Browne Byron
  • Bryant Don
  • Burda Bob
  • Campanis Jim
  • Campbell Dave
  • Cannizzaro Chris Taken by Washington Early waivers round 1
  • Chaney Darrel
  • Charles Ed
  • Christian Bob
  • Clark Ron
  • Collins Kevin
  • Corrales Pat
  • coulter Chip
  • DaVanon Jerry
  • Davis Bill
  • Davis Ron
  • Dean Thomas
  • Donaldson John
  • Duncan Dave
  • Ellis John
  • Etheridge Bobby
  • Fairey Jim (Claimed by White Sox pending till 12/1/21 at 1 AM)
  • Floyd Bobby
  • Gabrielson Len (Taken Pittsburgh early waivers round 2)
  • Gamble Oscar
  • Geiger Gary
  • Gil Bus
  • Gosger Jim
  • Gutierrez Cesar
  • Hague Joe
  • Hall Jimmie
  • Haney Larry
  • Harrell John
  • Harrison Chuck
  • Healy Fran
  • Heath Bill
  • Hermoso Remy
  • Hershberger Mike
  • Hicks Jim
  • Hinton Chuck
  • Holman Gary
  • Hriniak Walt
  • Hutton Tom (Claimed by Pittsburgh acquired by Chicago by counter claim)
  • Jackson Sonny
  • Jeter Johnny (Claimed by New York Yankees / Highlanders)
  • Johnson Lou
  • Jones Dalton
  • Kelly Van
  • Kendall Fred
  • Keough Joe
  • Kolb Gary
  • Krug Chris
  • Lahoud Joe
  • Lee Leron
  • Llenas Winston
  • Lock Don
  • Lyttle Jim
  • Manuel Charlie
  • Martin JC
  • Matchick Tommy
  • May Dave
  • McGraw Tommy
  • McDonald Dave
  • McFadden Leon
  • McNulty Bill
  • Miller John
  • Morales Jerry
  • Nagelson Russ
  • Nelson Dave
  • Northey Scott
  • Oliver Gene
  • Oliver Nate
  • Oyler Ray (PIcked Round 3 Cincinnati early waivers)
  • Paepke Dennis
  • Pagliaroni
  • Peterson Cap
  • Phillips Adolfo
  • Qualls Jim
  • Quilici Frank
  • Ranew Merritt
  • Reid Scott
  • Renick Rick
  • Repoz Roger
  • Ricketts Dave
  • Rico Fred
  • Rios Juan
  • Robinson Bill
  • Robles Rafael
  • Rogers Buck
  • Rollins Rich
  • Roznovsky Rick
  • Ruberto Sonny
  • Rudolph Ken
  • Satriano Tom
  • Scheinblum Richie
  • Shannon Mike (picked round 4 early waivers SF Giants)
  • Shopay Tom
  • Simpson Dick
  • Sipin John
  • Slocum Ron
  • Smith Dick
  • Snyder Russ
  • Spangler Al
  • Spence Bob
  • Spriggs George
  • Stahl Larry
  • Stanley Fred
  • Stephenson John
  • Stewart Jimmy
  • Stinson Bob
  • Stone Gene
  • Stone Ron
  • Stuart Dick
  • Tartabull Jose
  • Tatum Javis
  • Tepedino Frank
  • Tischinski Tom
  • Torres Hector
  • Valdespino Sandy
  • Velazquez Freddie
  • Vidal Jose
  • Ward Pete
  • Watkins Dave
  • Webster Ramon
  • White Bill
  • Whitfield Fred
  • Wicker Floyd
  • Williams Jim
  • Woods Ron

Pitchers

  • Allen Lloyd
  • Arlin Steve
  • Baldschun Jack
  • Baney Dick
  • Barber Steve (Taken Chicago W Sox early waivers wk 1 1st pick)
  • Belinsky Bo
  • Bell Gary
  • Bertaina Frank
  • Boozer John
  • Boyd Gary
  • Brandon Bucky
  • Buchart Larry
  • George Brunet LHP SEA (Released by NYY to make room for Johnny Jeter)
  • Carlos Cisco
  • Champion Bill
  • Clark Rickey
  • Corkins Mike
  • Crider Jerry
  • Culver George
  • Dukes Tom
  • Ellis Sammy
  • Everitt Leon
  • Farrell Turk
  • Fisher Jack
  • Fitzmorris Al
  • Foster Alan
  • Fuentes Miguel
  • Garman Mike
  • Geishert Vern
  • Guinn Skip
  • Hamilton Jack
  • Jackson Al
  • James Jeff
  • Jaster Larry
  • Jones Steve
  • Kealey Steve
  • Kline Ron
  • Koonce Cal
  • Kroll Gary
  • Lamb Ray
  • Law Ron
  • Lazar Danny
  • Lersch Barry
  • McBean Al
  • Miles Jim
  • Morehead Dave
  • Morris John
  • Nottebart Don
  • Nye Rich
  • O’Riley Don
  • Palmer Lowell
  • Pascual Camilo
  • Pina Horacio
  • Priddy Bob
  • Purdin John
  • Raffo Al
  • Ramos Pedro
  • Rath Fred
  • Raymond Claude
  • Ribant Dennis
  • Robertson Rich
  • Roggenburk Garry
  • Ross Gary (Taken Pittsburgh early waivers round 3)
  • Sembera Carroll (Taken White Sox Early Waives Round 4)
  • Severinsen Al (Picked White Sox Early Wavers round 3 pick 1)
  • Shaw Don
  • Shea Steve
  • Short Chris
  • Sisk Tommie
  • Spama Joe
  • Sprague Ed
  • Talbot Fred (Taken NY Mets early waivers round 3)
  • Taylor Gary
  • Wagner Gary
  • Washburn Greg
  • Wsahbum Greg
  • Watkins Bob
  • Wynne Billy (Taken NY Mets early waivers round 2)
  • Zachary Chris

Update: Was asked about the keeper rules so here is an update on that which I sent out by email to the person who asked:

Here is the system fyi number of keepers is in addition to any rookies who are having their 1st dynasty card in 1970 with your franchise:

  • World series winner 4 players
  • World series runner up 5 players
  • non-world series Division winners 6 players
  • Non division winning teams with the best & 2nd best record 7 players
  • Non division winning teams with the 3rd and 4th best records 8 players
  • Non division winning teams with the 5th and 6th best records 9 players
  • Non division winning teams with the 7th and 8th best record 10 players
  • Teams with the 3rd and 4th worst records 11 players
  • Teams with the worst and 2nd worst record 12  players

Note 1: this is the max not counting rookies that a team can keep a team may voluntarily keep less.

Note 2:  This is after any expansion draft.  If there is an expansion draft said draft takes place before rosters are reduced by these figures

Note 3:  Rookies who have new cards in 1970 are automatically protected from an expansion draft.

The Nirvana of Nothing

Posted: November 27, 2021 by datechguy in Uncategorized

Today is day two of seven straight days where I’m working during our busy season which begins Black Friday.

In the morning I figured I’d take a look at Amazon for things to pick up and asked the wife about a few things and it suddenly hit me.

I’ve reached the age where I need nothing.

I’ve got my home, I’ve got may family. I keep up with my bills as best I can, but there really isn’t anything that I’ve got to have.

Yeah occasionally I pick up a movie on Amazon when it drops to $5 (the latest being the Ghost and Mrs. Muir) and yeah I like my Dynasty baseball but when it comes down to it, there is no thing I really am dying to have and if I need something I just pick it up.

Do I have as much as a lot of others? No. Am I likely going to be a lot more than what I am? Unlikely. But I’ve got my wife, my sons and God willing there will be grandchildren before I die.

All those things I don’t have don’t matter, I’m content, where I am.

It strikes me that this is a state that people have wished to reach for all of the time they have existed.

I’m really lucky

Sports Thoughts Under the Fedora: Sad Lions, Empty Halls, LeBron, Mac and Peng

Posted: November 26, 2021 by datechguy in Sports

You have to feel a bit bad for the Detroit Lions. They always play on Thanksgiving and they always lose on Thanksgiving and this year they lead for the entire 4th quarter until the final second of the game.

How does a team stay that bad for that long?

The Baseball hall of fame didn’t vote anyone in. Bonds and Clements lost out because of steroids’ and Curt Schilling the top vote getter lost out for being conservative.

The irony of course is that both Bonds and Clemens had HOF careers before the allegedly started juicing. As for Curt is is the type of pitcher that wins you championships but sports writers are notoriously on the left so they’ll leave him out without a question.

I have two simple Hall of Fame tests either one in my opinion qualifies or disqualifies a person, when they conflict I can go either way.

  1. If you have to think if a person belongs in the Hall of Fame, then they don’t belong.
  2. The single best test if a person belongs in the HOF is if you were afraid of (vs your team) or wanted him there(when on your team)at bat, pitching or fielding with the game on the line.

By rule two all of them belong in, by rule on Bonds and Clemens certainly do

Was talking to a friend who hates the Lebron stuff. He no longer follows basketball and blames it’s fall not on LeBron but on Jordan.

He says that Jordan changed the game to the degree that everyone wants to be him but they don’t seem to have his nature. It’s all about themselves.

Basketball has become a most selfish sport.

Here in New England there is a serious case of Big Mac fever. The Patriots’ five game winning streak has gone to people’s heads. It’s easy to forget that all five games where against weaker teams, in fact on one station five weeks ago one of the hosts specifically noted that these last five weeks were a chance for the team to climb back into the mix.

Now people are seriously talking superbowl again.

The NFL would love it but I wouldn’t put a whole lot of money on that myself.

Finally I’ve very proud of the international Tennis organization who is not standing still when it comes to Peng Shuai and China.

Many other organizations, such as the NBA and the IOC would have folded, they did not.

Cowardice is contagious but so is courage. That’s what they’re so afraid of.

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