I like to think that I cook well and that the food I create for friends and family is enjoyed and remembered. I spend time planning menus, challenging my skills and creating meals that are unusual and a talking point. Why is it then, that my most talked about and asked for recipe is made from stale bread and vinegar?
A couple of years ago I watched Yotam Ottolenghi travel around the Mediterranean, sharing stories and recipes. In one episode, he visited the grandmothers of Crete who showed him how to make Dakos, a traditional Cretan dish using stale, rusk like bread. Yotam gave his inevitable Middle Eastern twist to it. It looked so good that after the episode, I rushed straight into the kitchen to give it a go and thus, a Sunday night staple was borne. The perfect way to use stale bread from the week's baking.
I decided to make two huge trays of Dakos for a party we hosted as it could be made ahead of time and quietly bake in the oven whilst the champagne corks were popping. To say it was a hit was an understatement. People were asking me for the recipe, wanting to know what the secret ingredient was, checking to see if I had more in the oven. Once the trays were empty, my brother led the charge to scrape off the last delicious morsels of crisp baked bread from the base of the dishes, doling them out to the masses who were hovering like a bunch of seagulls. For days afterwards, people messaged me to ask about the dish. The perfect combination of bread, oil, vinegar and tomato won the Dakos and I many fans that evening.
Over time, I have altered the recipe to suit what I have in the cupboard but at its heart, it remains baked stale bread. It may not look like much on the plate but I guarantee that this dead simple Dakos recipe will become one of the most popular dishes in your repertoire. It's the perfect comfort food with a combination of baked bread that is both squishy underneath from the oil but also crisp on top where it's been exposed to the heat. Combined with the tang of the vinegar, the earthy chickpeas and the creamy feta, it is a winning combination. Whilst I make this in a smaller quantity using the leftover sourdough, I have provided a recipe that uses a shop loaf that you can buy and allow to go stale. Buy bread that is sturdy and robust, to ensure it doesn't melt into the tomatoes and marinade. You can nip down the shop this morning and make it tonight.
Break bread into medium chunks (about the size of a matchbox) and set aside to allow to go stale over a number of hours or overnight.
Drain and rinse chickpeas (save acquafaba liquid for another recipe).
Heat 4 tablespoons of oil in a large saucepan on a medium heat. Add cumin, cinnamon, paprika, tumeric and 1 teaspoon of salt to the pan and add chickpeas. Toss to coat the chickpeas in the spices, stirring and gently pressing some of the chickpeas to crush them slightly. Cook for 5 – 10 minutes, remove from heat and set aside.
Grate one-third (1/3) or the tomatoes into a bowl and discard the skins (I have also done this in the food processor).
Chop the remaining tomatoes into a small 1cm dice and add to grated tomato.
Add chopped onion, crushed garlic, 3 tablespoons (the rest) of oil and seasoning and set aside.
Mix marinade of 200 ml olive oil and 100 ml vinegar in a jug with seasoning and set aside.
Spread the stale bread chunks out in a baking dish (approx 30 – 40cm) so they fit snugly but are not overcrowded.
Drizzle half the marinade over the bread, spoon over half the spiced chickpeas and then the chopped tomato and onion mix.
Spoon on the rest of the spiced chickpeas, the rest of the marinade and then top with chunks of feta, tucked down into bread and tomato mix.
Bake in an oven pre-heated to 185c for 30 minutes until feta starts to brown.
Remove from oven and serve hot or warm as a side or, as a main with a side salad.
Will you give this dish a go? Were you at my party squawking like a seagull over the last morsels? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think.
I can do it with my eye's closed these days.
Ah, but now when we drain the chick peas, we shall be whipping the aquafaba and making meringues.
Yes, indeed, your dish was a great success and hugely popular. Remind me to tell you of a dish I used to make in the 60s and beyond to accompany a roast dinner – very similar but without the chick peas and the feta.
Yes, I can't imagine there were too many chickpeas around in the 1960's.
This sounds fab Fiona. I love chickpeas and fetta. I really must dig into ottolenghis recipes. I did like his tv show and his cute accent.
I'm sure this is in one of his books but I only have a couple of them so was glad to watch this series on SBS.
Yes, I have 'Plenty' also. I have made a couple of dishes but probably more from Jerusalem (though this is not in either). Oh to have the time to read all of those cookbooks!
I turn most of my left over sourdough into breadcrumbs, but will have to give this a try when we have nice tomatoes again!
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Q: TIBCO EMS max connection error - too many open connections : url that returned this exception I am using the shared EMS server in the organization. For my application max EMS connection configured are 512.
This has been working fine for more than two years. Recently since last 1 month, very frequently getting error -
TIBCO.EMS.ResourceAllocationException: Failed to connect to any server at
"too many open connections : url that returned this exception tcp://ems.server.url"
I check the internal EMS dashboard to trackdown the number of open connections for this server from different host.
Connections - 62
Topics - 63
Queues - 84
Sessions - 66
Producers - 180
Consumers 188
As you can see above, there are only 62 connections open, but still I am failing to create new connection saying max connection limit has been reached.

A: Check the configuration files  if you have a topic to multiple queue bridge configured. Find out which queue or topic is generating such problem:
"test.scott.3" is bridged from AIM.DEV.CORE.EVENT.TOPIC.V1 had 4101 Pending Messages of size 25.0 MB
You have to increased the maxbytes to higher value and hence the error is gone.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


PATRICK is an adorable youngster who is very playful and full of energy. Its go go PATRICK, watch him GO GO GO. PATRICK is very athletic and acrobatic (agility maybe??). He can run, bounce and jump with the best of 'em but has shown zero inclination to jump the fence, probably because he knows he gets three squares and a warm place to sleep. Yes, I said three squares. PATRICK came to us a bit thin so we are putting some extra meat on his bones. PATRICK loves to eat and is up to about 27 lbs. He will probably top out at 30 – 32 lbs.
PATRICK is smart. He has learned sit, is learning down and has decent recall. He will respond to a call or to a whistle. PATRICK is both food and praise motivated and really tries hard to please. He enjoys learning & having fun which is a great combination for positive results. He is working at potty & crate training. He has not had an accident in his crate in a couple weeks, and accidents in the house are becoming much less frequent. He is quiet at night in his crate but is an early riser. If there is activity around him he wants to be out and about.
Good times for PATRICK are any times he is getting attention and he will seek out that attention. In fact he can be very vocal about it. Be it from people in the form of activities, petting and giving kisses, to being out with the other dogs, he LOVES attention. Being with others makes him happy. He loves bones and dog toys, and has learned from Sissy and Newt that chase and retrieve of tennis balls can be fun too. He loves to come up and put his head on your lap and give kisses. Belly rubs are another favorite activity for our boy. Because of his tendency to jump, along with his herding instinct, he may be a little much around small children. He is cat interested and will probably chase if outside.
PATRICK is micro-chipped, neutered, heart worm negative and on preventative, and up to date on vaccinations. If you have an approved Northern California Border Collie Rescue & Adoptions Application and wish to enquire about PATRICK please email us at Adoptions@norcalbcrescue.org. If you have an approved adoption application with Border Collie Rescue of Northern California let us know and we will request it be forwarded to us for consideration. PATRICK is being fostered in Cool in El Dorado County, California.


Annotation: The work of the prison guard is changing; the potential for achieving justice-as-fairness for the prison guard in three areas is discussed: the standards and accreditation movement, centralized training, and the prison guard union movement.
Abstract: Although the job of the prison guard (maintaining custody and control) has remained essentially unchanged for the past 150 years, the ways of performing that role have undergone considerable change. The civil rights movement, the union movement in the private and public sectors, the growth of bureaucratic systems in government and industry, and the related need for sophisticated human resources and technical training have permeated the corrections world at all levels. As officers observed inmates achieving greater civil rights within the prison, along with more programs and services, resettlement followed. The emergence of the bureaucratic prison system requires a reassessment of the internal support systems to maintain the guarding function. Three important factors that can provide the needed support necessary for correctional guards are the standards and accreditation process for corrections, centralized training, and the union movement. Through union representation, prison guards are achieving access to management to ensure justice in terms of job expectations. Through centralized training, the administration has authority to instruct and expect accountability to ensure justice for inmates and as much efficiency as possible in operations and management. The formulation of standards and an accreditation process provides an external constituency for the prison guard and inmate in the form of a complementary support system. With the emergence of a correction academy, the heretofore parochial nature of training inherent in most prison systems can be lessened. Finally, recognition of prison guards as an employee group with particular needs has made considerable progress in the 1970's. Twelve footnotes and eight references are supplied.


text:
Iran FM visit to Baku promises success of government's strategic policy – Tehran Times
Upon arrival at Baku International Airport, Amir Abdollahian was warmly welcomed by the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Iranian ambassador and diplomats in Baku.
"I have various ideas for further expansion of cooperation with the Republic of Azerbaijan," he said in an interview with IRNA on Wednesday.
"I have had three meetings with my counterpart in New York, Ashgabat and Islamabad, and we have discussed the framework for developing cooperation."
During two rounds of talks with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, which lasted 3.5 hours – and this is unprecedented in the previous meetings of the President of Azerbaijan with foreign officials in Baku – the foreign minister discussed the latest situation regarding regional issues and international cooperation between the two countries.
Referring to the important and cordial meeting of the presidents of Iran and Azerbaijan in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, and the elimination of misunderstandings through continuous consultations between the foreign ministers and the embassies of the two countries, Amir Abdollahian described development of cooperation in political, economic, cultural and defense sectors as "very good" and said that the President Aliyev's instructions would be very effective in opening relations between the two countries, especially completing joint projects and developing new cooperation projects.
Referring to his cordial meeting with Iranian President Ayatollah Raisi, President Ilham Aliyev mentioned the importance of the Islamic Republic as a friend, brother and neighbor for the Republic of Azerbaijan. Some of the achievements of this constructive meeting are:
The possibility of the presence of Iranian companies in the process of reconstruction of the liberated areas;
resumption of direct flights between Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan;
beginning of the process of release and transfer of some Iranian citizens imprisoned in the Republic of Azerbaijan;
participation of Iranian military experts in the demining process of the occupied territories, given that these areas are currently one of the most densely mined areas in the world;
attracting Iranian companies to operate in the Aras Free Trade and Industrial Zone on the border with Iran and producing Iranian products in this region and exporting to the commonwealth countries, where the Republic of Azerbaijan enjoys some trade and customs benefits and exemptions;
additional negotiations for the Rasht-Astara railway project along the North-South corridor and the existing freight terminal project in Astara and the construction of a car bridge over the Astarachai River;
increasing the export of electricity from the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Islamic Republic of Iran and connecting the Iran-Azerbaijan-Russia electricity network;
holding the Iran-Azerbaijan-Russia summit and proposing the four-nation summit of Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia and Turkey;
And follow-up negotiations on joint oil blocks in the Caspian Sea.
Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian also met with Ms. Sahebeh Ghaffarova, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Azerbaijan, thanking her for attending the inauguration ceremony of the Iranian president in August and spoke about the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in advancing the foreign policy of the two countries.
The speaker of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan also called the Parliament of her country a supporter of relations with Iran and renewed her invitation to Dr. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the Iranian Parliament Speaker, to visit the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The meeting also addressed the activation of parliamentary friendship groups between the two countries in order to increase the parliamentary relations between the two countries.
At the end of his working day in Baku, Amir Abdollahian was the guest of his Azerbaijani counterpart at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and agreed on ongoing meetings and consultations at the level of deputy foreign ministers and regional directors to follow up on the meetings and agreements reached between the two foreign ministers.
The two ministers also emphasized the active continuation of the work of the Joint Media Cooperation Committee of the two countries. The foreign ministers positively assessed the cooperation between the two countries in international and regional forums and organizations and agreed to increase this cooperation.
Discussions on the latest developments in the South Caucasus, the talks between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia, the latest situation in Afghanistan and the Iran nuclear talks in Vienna were another part of the detailed talks between the two foreign ministers.
After a dinner hosted by Jeyhun Bayramov, Amir Abdollahian addressed a gathering of Iranians living in Baku to discuss the Raisi government's efforts to pass a comprehensive law to protect Iranians around the world. He then sat down with Iranian residents in Baku until midnight and responded to their questions and requests.
The brief but fruitful visit of the foreign minister to Baku, which is the first official visit of a high-ranking official of the government of Raisi to the Republic of Azerbaijan, promises the success of the strategic policy of the new Iranian government in prioritizing ties with neighbors.
Mojtaba Rouzbahani is the foreign media director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Original News : https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/468479/Iran-FM-visit-to-Baku-promises-success-of-government-s-strategic
Tags: Politics
Previous Artificial deadlines hamper progress at Vienna talks
Next Iran Air Forces will respond devastatingly to any threat: senior general
Tehran, Baghdad discuss obstacles in way of expanding trade
Former Iran volleyball federation president Yazdani Khorram laid to rest
COVID-19 kills 20 more Iranians over past 24 hours
Over 8.8m tons of basic goods transported in nearly 10 months
WB sees Iranian economy expanding 2.4% in 2022
Belgian companies eager to take part in Iran's housing projects
Iran to pilot national cryptocurrency soon
Industry ministry to pay special attention to guilds
World Bank predicts 2.6% economic growth in Raisi administration

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Secret tips and recipes from a former bath bomb manufacturer.
Bubble Bar Recipe Master – Easy bubble bars at home!
This bubble bar recipe is the secret to soft bubble bars that foam and bubble on contact with water! They are the coolest, cutest bars because they crumble easily and make mountains of long-lasting, creamy bubbles. .
This master formula took over a year to perfect and was a top seller at FizzButter.
With this Bubble Bar Recipe you can do designs like this three layer bar. It has two rose pink gradients and the top layer is white with pink epsom salt. Use your imagination!
Watch what makes this Bubble Bar extra special: it foams and bubbles on contact with water.
Two layer Bubble Bar with Pink and Yellow. Think about what your colors will look like combined in the water, too. Pink and yellow = peach!
SLSA is a powder made from coconuts and is gentle to the skin. It makes long lasting, creamy bubbles. Always buy coarse SLSA.
Please note, fine SLSA is horrible to work with and it results in a hard, brick-like bars that do not dissolve well. In addition, fine SLSA makes a big mess. It is never worth it so don't even think about it. Always buy coarse SLSA!
NOTE: INGREDIENT NAMES LINKED TO AMAZON FOR EASY PURCHASE.
Put the dry ingredients in a medium bowl in this order: a) slsa, b) tartaric acid, and b) baking soda.
Next, add the wet ingredients in this order (on top of the dry ingredients): a) glycerine, b) fragrance and c) CocoBetaine.
Mix together all ingredients (but color).
You should end up with a soft, cookie dough consistency.
If your mixture is still powdery and not holding together, add a small amount of vegetable glycerine. If your mix is extremely dense and brick-like, add another drop of coco betaine.
Add color to you white base. You can divide the white base and add different colors for different layers.
Micas and shimmers can also be used in this base.
Line each loaf pan with wax paper. Put a strip on the narrow side and the wide side.
Pack your colored mixture into your lined loaf pans.
Let these sit in the loaf pans for 2-4 hours before you slice them. Some bubble bars will rise more than others. That's okay, just check them periodically and flatten the loaf back down in the pan. Don't try to cut the bubble bars while they are still in the 'rising' phase.
Unmold the loaf on a sheet of wax paper. Use the sides of the wax paper to make the final shape of your loaf. You can still shape it at this point before you slice it. It should be firm, but not hard.
Let them cure for two days before packaging. Store bubble bars out of sunlight! The sun can degrade the color and fragrance.
Have I added enough glycerine?
If your mix is still powdery and does not hold together like a soft cookie dough, it needs more glycerine.
Have I used too much or too little coco betaine?
Even though just a few drops of this go into a bubble bar, it can make a HUGE difference. In addition, it will vary with different fragrances. Example: Eucalyptus essential oil will cause the bubble bar to rise less vs. almost any other fragrance oil.
Don't leave out the Coco Betaine!
Unfortunately, if you leave out the coco betaine, you will get a dense, brick-like bubble bar that it hard to crumble. It is like making bread without the yeast.
Don't do it. Whereas, if you add too much coco betaine, your molded mixture will rise and spill over the sides of the pan. Don't worry. If this happens, just wait to cut your loaf after it completely relaxes.
NOTE: Now that you have coco betaine and SLSA on hand, you can also make our Floating Bath Bombs.
Have I undermixed my wet/dry mix?
If you mix it right, you will have a soft cookie dough consistency and the color is evenly distributed and not speckly.
So easy to make! I gave them as gifts to the women at my book club. Everyone loved them!
I loved these from FizzButter!!!! A-may-zing! Thanks for sharing.
These were very easy to make and they worked great. Thanks for linking to exactly the items that I need!
These are the best thing that ever happened to my wine and bath night.
Do you have bubble bar making questions?
Use the comment button below to post any questions you have. I will respond to all questions!
Do you have bath bomb making questions?
Post a comment on any recipe and it will be answered.
What is our favorite Citric Acid?
Milliard has a fine grain which will give you a smoother, harder product.
It is non-GMO and made in the USA.
Get it FAST, for a great price at Amazon.
What fragrance do I buy?
Buy 10ml or larger bottles.
Amazon has affordable kits here.
Get it FAST from Amazon.
Get more tips as they are posted.


Today is going to be a quick write up as I'm barley staying awake. I've had a cold for the past week and I'm pretty sure it's taking a turn for the worse. Wheezy breathing, heavy head, awful balance etc.
I think spring has well and truly set it, we have had some wonderful days as of late and I couldn't resist fully committing to spring with a cute daisy dungaree from Motel and t-bar Mary Janes from Top Shop. Not to mention the cute little frilly socks. I balanced out the girl vibes with my bowler hat and brief case style bag and toped it off with my Lennon Ray Bans. My pasty white freakly skin is in full force in these pictures but I just don't see the point in fake tan or even a real tan these days.
LOve the way you have put that outfit together!


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Cardiologist: Breast implants skew heart attack test
Date Sat 15 July 2017 Tags breast implants / breast augmentation / surgery
Breast implants make it trickier to run tests that can help spot a possible heart attack, a cardiologist has said.
Dr Sok-Sithikun Bun, from Monaco, did a small trial, with 48 women, and found electrocardiogram (ECG) tests, which measure the electrical activity of the heart, were often unreliable because the …
Charing Cross GRS Waiting Lists - 2015
Date Sat 23 January 2016 Tags CX / GIC / surgery / Charing Cross
Updated information about the waiting lists for genital surgery at Charing Cross have been published. Please note that this is statistics for the surgical team at Charing Cross, regardless of which GIC the patient has been referred from. Also it is not currently possible to get information about waiting …
New Surgeon at Charing Cross Hospital
Date Mon 18 January 2016 Tags surgery / CX / Charing Cross
Published - 2015-12-08
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (who provide vaginoplasty, vulvoplasty and related GRS at Charing Cross hospital) have confirmed a new surgeon, Roland Moorley, will begin seeing patients later this month. They have also confirmed that they will shortly be transferring additional patients to Parkside Hospital. These changes are …
Silicone Breast Implant Safety and Efficacy
Date Thu 19 November 2015 Series Part 4 of Breast Implants Tags surgery / breast implants
A great deal of safety research combined with more than 40 years of clinical experience has proven the efficacy and relative safety of silicone gel breast implants. Aside from the unique adverse effect of capsular contracture, the complication rate of silicone implant surgery approaches that of any clean elective …
Silicone Breast Implants Still Lack Proof of Safety
Date Tue 10 November 2015 Series Part 3 of Breast Implants Tags surgery / breast implants
Good evidence on the safety of silicone gel breast implants is still lacking almost 10 years after they were reintroduced to the U.S. market, researchers reported November 9 online in Annals of Internal Medicine.
"Owing to the flaws and inconsistencies among the studies reviewed, further investigation is required to …
Charing Cross surgery figures for August 2015
Date Thu 27 August 2015 Tags Charing Cross / GIC / surgery
We will update our FAQs monthly in order to provide you with the most up-to-date information about our gender reassignment service and its performance.
As of the end of July 2015:
There are 377 people on our waiting list.
17 people have been approved for their operation …
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust's male to female gender reassignment service: updated information for our patients
Date Fri 21 August 2015 Tags surgery
Sharon says - All of this is very good news, but their figures seem very low, I suspect that there are more than they are saying! The original document is dated 30 June 2014
We are very proud of the quality of care we provide to our gender reassignment patients and …
NHS trust confirms plan to replace surgeon responsible for majority of UK gender reassignment work
Date Sun 02 February 2014 Tags Charing Cross / GIC / surgery
The NHS Trust at which the surgeon responsible for the bulk of male-female gender reassignment surgeries in the UK is based, has confirmed that he will be replaced after resigning.
PinkNews received calls from concerned readers at the announcement by James Bellringer, who currently takes on the majority of vaginoplasty …
Vaginoplasty - SRS/GRS
Date Mon 23 December 2013 Tags SRS / surgery
What is Vaginoplasty?
Vaginoplasty is a major surgical procedure used to create a (neo-)vagina where either one didn't exist before (such as in the case of male to female (MTF) sexual or gender reassignment patients) or, when absolutely necessary as an adjunct to vaginal agenesis or vaginal stenosis therapy …
A follow-up study for estimating the effectiveness of a cross-gender hormone substitution therapy on transsexual patients
Date Sun 03 April 2005 Tags breast cancer / regimes / surgery
© Archives of Sexual Behavior : 10/1998
Authors - Schlatterer, Kathrin; Yassouridis, Alexander; Werder, Klaus von; Poland, Dorette; Kemper, Johannes; Stalla, Gunter K.
Gender dysphoric disorders have been known from antiquity onward across national and cultural boundaries. They have been described in classic literature from Heroditus to Shakespeare (Pauly, 1965; Green …
Ensuring that having a vasectomy is an informed decision
Date Sun 03 April 2005 Tags post-op / surgery / Vasectomy
Vasectomy or male sterilisation is the surgical operation of severing or electrocoagulation (Marie Stopes method) of the two ducts (vas deferens) that connect the testes to the seminal vesicles and urethra. The operation can be performed under either a local or a general anaesthetic. The procedure is quick and easy …
Zen And The Art Of Post-Operative Maintenance
Date Sun 03 April 2005 Tags post-op / regimes / surgery
So, you are planning your surgery. You have your reservations, your tickets, your suitcase, etc, etc. But what about when you get home? This information was gathered primarily to help get you through the rough times after surgery. What you are going through will not be easy, but you have …
How a Wife fixed up the first sex change
Date Sun 03 April 2005 Tags post-op / surgery
It was a marriage with three people in it. A wife, her husband and his female alter ego. In 1930 the Danish artist Einar Wegener became the first man to have a sex-change operation, after he had been married for 15 years to Gerda, another painter. With her support and …
Date Sun 03 April 2005 Tags hormones / surgery
Hysterectomy simply means the surgical removal of the uterus. Having a hysterectomy can be devastating for some women, especially those who find difficulty in accepting an end to their fertility. For others, however, it is seen as offering a welcome relief from pain or discomfort, or debilitating heavy blood …
Hysterectomy: Nursing the Physical and Emotional Wounds
Date Sun 03 April 2005 Tags surgery
During 1997-98, over 55,000 hysterectomies were performed in England on the NHS. One in five women aged 20 - 80 years faces a hysterectomy: in the UK it is the fifth most common operation. Most hysterectomies are performed on women aged 35 - 45.
Hysterectomy means the removal of the uterus …
Pre-operative fasting: putting research into practice
Date Sun 03 April 2005 Series Part 2 of Fasting Tags pre-op fasting / surgery
In this article Rebecca Jester and Suzanna Williams describe an action research project that led to a marked reduction in the fasting times of pre-operative orthopaedic patients.
Rebecca Jester BSc(Hons), RGN, ONC, DPSN, is a lecture practitioner, University of Birmingham and Birmingham Orthopaedic Hospital, and Suzanna Williams …
Psychiatric Aspects of Sex Reassignment Surgery
Date Sun 03 April 2005 Tags psychiatry / SRS / surgery
Sex reassignment surgery is perhaps the most controversial issue in psychiatry today. Clinicians involved in the treatment of transsexualism have been accused of "playing God" or colluding with the patient's psychopathology. This paper reviews the literature and argues for a systematic approach to the treatment of transsexualism.
The first medical …
Preoperative fasting: we need a new consensus
Date Sun 03 April 2005 Series Part 1 of Fasting Tags pre-op fasting / regimes / surgery
Fasting before surgery is necessary to avoid the risk of regurgitation and vomiting; it is also a legal requirement. But the current practice of fasting overnight or up to eight hours before surgery can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, malnutrition and general malaise. Evidence shows that patients can benefit from …
Statement on the Safety of Trilucent Breast Implants in the UK
Date Sun 03 April 2005 Series Part 2 of Breast Implants Tags breast augmentation / breast implants / post-op / surgery
In May 2000, the Medical Devices Agency (MDA) convened an Advisory Group (consisting of toxicologists, plastic surgeons and a lay representative) to consider new data on the safety of Trilucent breast implants. The Group considered the available scientific evidence, made an assessment of the risk to patients and, based on …
Understanding the benefits and risks of breast augmentation
Date Fri 31 December 2004 Series Part 1 of Breast Implants Tags breast augmentation / surgery
Hall, A. (2004) Understanding the benefits and risks of breast augmentation. Nursing Times; 100: 2, 30-33.
There are a number of reasons a woman might consider breast augmentation, including cosmetic improvement, reconstruction after a mastectomy, or to address a congenital or developmental abnormality. Nurses should ensure that patients considering …


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Q: get node name from namespace this is my xml
<soapenv:Envelope xmlns:soapenv="http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/envelope/" xmlns:end="http://endpoint.ggg.com/">

   <soapenv:Header/>
   <soapenv:Body>
      <end:onlineExpressRemit>
      <channelCode>NBPS</channelCode>
      </end:onlineExpressRemit>
   </soapenv:Body>
    </soapenv:Envelope>

and this is my xslt
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<xsl:stylesheet version="1.0" xmlns:soapenv="http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/envelope/"
xmlns:xsl="http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Transform"
xmlns:end="http://endpoint.ggg.com/" >

    <xsl:template match="/">
<xsl:value-of name="ggg2" select="/soapenv:Envelope/soapenv:Body/*[namespace-uri()]"/>
    </xsl:template>
</xsl:stylesheet>

my expected output is display only
onlineExpressRemit

i am very new for xslt, i try name(), local-name() alot others method, however no luck, i cant retrieve only node-name, any help will do, thank you!

A: You can try using local-name(soapenv:Envelope/soapenv:Body/*), for example, the following XSL transformation :
<xsl:stylesheet version="1.0" xmlns:soapenv="http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/envelope/"
    xmlns:xsl="http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Transform"
    xmlns:end="http://endpoint.ggg.com/" >

    <xsl:output method="text" omit-xml-declaration="yes"/>

    <xsl:template match="/">
        <xsl:element name="root">
            <xsl:value-of select="local-name(soapenv:Envelope/soapenv:Body/*)"/>
        </xsl:element>
    </xsl:template>
</xsl:stylesheet>

when applied to your XML sample, yield the following output :
<root>onlineExpressRemit</root>

Note: I added <root> element just because in online XSLT processor I used for testing, there was error when root element is absent. Usually, setting <xsl:output> is enough to be able to output a non-XML result : XSLT: Transforming into non-xml content?


Choose Underground Lighting for buying premium-quality automotive lighting products at affordable price. Whether you need to buy HID bulbs for the headlights or you require a complete LED conversion kit, we are here for you. The online automotive lighting store has the widest collection of LED bulbs, HID bulbs & ballasts, strobe lights, truck lights, off-road lighting options and more. We ship across the world! So, no matter where you are, we will help you in illuminating your car the way you want. Free shipping available for orders over $99.


There will be stiffer competition than ever for jobs next year. What's your strategy?
In case you haven't noticed, the world economy is stuffed and Australia is not exempt from the impact. The global financial crisis has now hit Wayne's world — the Treasurer Wayne Swan's announcement that he can't deliver his promised surplus because of reduced tax receipts (as people and companies are earning less) is the latest reminder that Australia isn't isolated from the rest of the world.
Whilst Australia's unemployment rate has sat at around 5.3 percent over the last year, the participation rate has slipped — more people have opted-out of looking for work. Those who are looking for work face a lot of competition. Seek's iPhone app is an indication of this. It was released last April and has already had more than a million downloads, which is surprising when you consider that there's only 15 million people of working age in the country.
Therefore, given a tough year ahead, what's your job strategy? One tactic would be to switch industries. Go and work for Gina. Work harder and get paid less, preferably in a tax-free haven in the Kimberley. Or, you could take a good look at yourself and say, "I work in the very industry that will get the world out of this mess."
Every company in every sector needs an online strategy, better communications, more efficient mobile-centric work processes, and business intelligence driven by big data. Not to put too fine a point on it, the whole world is dependent on ICT. Even though the job market might be tight, it's much better to have a technology background than, for example, being in car manufacturing. Or blacksmithery.
While being in IT is a good move, the shape of ICT is changing and you will need to adapt. Jobs are being outsourced more regularly, and offshoring is a trend that won't stop. As the graph below shows, job advertisements of all types have dropped significantly in the ICT sector over the last five years, according to data gathered by the Department of Education, Employment, and Workplace Relations. And it's been a steady trend downwards, indicating that it's a lot more to do with structural shift than the vagaries of the economy. According to Hays, a third of Australian employers see temporary workers as a strategic solution for the long term, given the flexibility and specialist expertise they can provide. The figure could be much higher in the short term, as companies use short-term hires as a way to get round headcount restrictions.
This all seems to point to the need for specialist expertise. Whilst companies will still want generalists in-house, they will diminish in number. Instead, they'll want to buy-in expertise. For that, increasingly, you'll be competing against lower salaried workers overseas. The only way round this is to offer something different — a very specific skill and an understanding of how it can be applied in the Australian workplace. Being available and on-site is also a big bonus — it's a difficult commute for a programmer based in Bangalore.
Skilling-up means that you are positioning yourself for a perceived gap in the market. Despite the massive slide in job advertisements, recruiters are often complaining that they can't find the right skill set for the vacancies that do exist. The Hays Global Skills Index indicates that this is a bigger issue in Australia than in many other parts of the world.
Establishing your own company to contract out your services is a challenge that many ex-corporate types will have to face. The art of running the business will be an entire new skill set. The ABS's counts of Australia Businesses shows that in NSW, Victoria, and Queensland there were 26,500 single-person management advice and related consultancies at the start of the 2012 financial year, 1.4 percent up on the year before. In computer system design and related services the total was around 20,300, with 1.3 percent growth. The slow growth figures hide the attrition rate. For every 100 new single person business that is started in these two categories, 94 will close. That attrition rate is almost halved for businesses employing up to 19 people — there's safety in numbers.
The summer break is an opportunity to ask yourself a few soul-searching questions. Do I need to go out on my own? What is my specialist expertise that makes me unique? How can I skill-up to make myself more in demand? How confident am I about running my own business?
There's no denying that the demand is there, but the industry structure is changing quickly. Now we know that the Mayans were wrong and the world is still here, it's time to plan your own personal strategy for capitalising on the world's demand for ICT expertise.


Tribal Mountain™ Luxurious Merino and Wensleydale curly sheep locks. These gorgeous curly locks were hand spun by me, then carefully felt-weaved by hand into a shimmering golden halo hat & scarf. You'll be delighted.


As part of a larger project for the NASA-sponsored Classroom of the Future™ to benchmark the effectiveness of educational technologies, researchers used multiple data sources to develop a list of exemplars and delineate common design features. The exemplars included promising educational technologies, tools, Web sites, resources, software, and hardware. Each exemplar was placed into one of six categories: knowledge and comprehension tools, interactive technologies and problem-solving tools, product-creation tools, efficiency and productivity tools, communication and collaboration tools, and technology tutors. The features of each exemplar were described, and a set of common design principles for that category was developed.


Luxury View Homes for sale in Prescott Highlands in Prescott, AZ.
The most up-to-date real estate information on homes and land, prices and market value, in Prescott Highlands for . Prescott Highlands is a perfectly situated community in central Prescott . Most homes have fantastic views of Granite Dells and/or the golf course at Prescott Lakes. A well manicured community with parks and no HOA. Because of its central location, Prescott Highlands has easy access to both highway 89, and Willow Creek Road. You'll never be more than a few minutes away from shopping, restaurants, or golfing! See Prescott Highlands on a subdivision map here.
Prescott Highlands is a hilltop, Prescott-based, view community. Prescott Highlands also offers many features home buyers and builders can appreciate. As of , prices in Prescott Highlands are averaging $569,240.If you're interested in building your own dream house in Prescott Highlands, click here for a list of vacant lots currently for sale.
Prescott Highlands residents love the proximity and views of the Prescott Lakes golf course and Granite Dells beyond. Many home-owners also enjoy views of the San Francisco Peaks and Mingus Mountain. Those living on the opposite side of the subdivision enjoy views of Thumb Butte and Granite Mountain. The wide streets and minimal fencing lend to the open-feel of the community.
Prescott Highlands is a fabulous choice for home buyers and builders. No HOA in Prescott Highlands makes it a great choice for anyone wishing to live close to town, have spectacular views, and not have the hassle of dealing with an HOA. However, because there are no HOA fees, there is also no community amenities like a pool or clubhouse. If you're missing the social vibe, check Prescott Lake's social membership offering just next door.
Are there single family homes for sale near Prescott Highlands? Yes, only site-built homes are permitted in Prescott Highlands.
Do Prescott Highlands residents have access to shopping? Yes, Prescott Highlands has great access to Willow Creek Road. Going either direction will have residents at The Village At The Boulders, or the Fry's shopping district in Sandretto Hills. There are also several conveinence stores and restaurants along the way.
How far away from downtown Prescott is Prescott Highlands? About 4.5 miles depending if one takes the highway into town or Willow Creek Road.
Is there a golf course with 18 holes near Prescott Highlands? Yes, Prescott Lakes Golf Club is visible from many balconies in Prescott Highlands. In fact, some homes sit on the edge of the golf course.
Is Prescott Highlands family friendly? Of course!


Wow what a week away! Hello everyone *waves lots!* Needless to say, there was plenty of indulging while away on my holibobs but those are stories for another day 😉 Halloween is in full swing inworld and with a huuuge range of events this month, we shoppers are spoiled for choice. So, enough talking….let's dive straight in!
Skin: Pink Fuel / Adeline <Brulee> Catwa Applier (Body Appliers: TMP, Belleza, Maitreya, Omega, Slink, System inc) / *new release* – Brulee tone is on special offer!
A little while ago I chatted about how I felt I was a princess, rather than a kitten. This outfit screams princess to me. In fact, the only thing that would make me even more princess would be some bubblegum popping! Funnily enough, the Boss recently told me that he never saw me as a princess, more a Queen. I like that it means my crown gets to be bigger, although I'm a little uncertain about the added responsibility.


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Goodbye to the hello girls: automating the telephone exchange
You are reading in Goodbye to the hello girls: automating the telephone exchange
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What is a telephone exchange?
Who were the 'Hello Girls'?
How did the technology develop—and why did it need to?
How did automatic dialling work?
The first automatic telephone exchange in the UK
How did the system go digital?
What is the legacy of these breakthroughs today?
More Information Age stories
The rapid expansion of the telephone network in the late 19th and early 20th centuries led to a booming workforce of 'hello girls', who connected calls at central telephone exchanges.
But the introduction of automatic telephone exchanges allowed callers to dial numbers themselves, leading to the disappearance of one of Britain's first female workforces.
How did this technology work, and how has it shaped the way we communicate today?
In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell had patented his telephone, allowing conversations to be held over long distances. The technology took off and telephone networks expanded rapidly—but they could not offer dedicated lines between one user and any other.
Instead, the heart of the network was the exchange, or switchboard, where operators manually routed incoming calls to their destinations.
Telephone users would pick up the phone, connecting immediately to the switchboard. "Number, please?", the operator would ask, and then "Hold the line please" as she expertly removed and inserted jack plugs to connect the call.
If the number was on the operator's switchboard, they would connect the call by plugging the ringing cable into the relevant jack. If not, they would transfer the call to the correct exchange, where another operator would be able to connect the caller.
The job of a switchboard operator took concentration, good interpersonal skills and quick hands.
The Post Office, which ran the telephone service in the UK, soon realised that women and girls were much more skilled and reliable than the messenger boys who had first taken on the job.
Science Museum Group collection
Switchboard operators at Enfield telephone exchange, 1960
As the network expanded, suddenly there was a new employment opportunity for women: one that gave them some economic independence and an identity outside the home.
Meet Rose, a former telephone exchange operator
Hundreds of operators worked on each switchboard in towns and cities, and the service was efficient and largely confidential.
In smaller neighbourhoods, the switchboard might be operated by a single individual. The village postmistress's ability to listen in on private conversations (strictly forbidden but difficult to prevent) soon taught phone users to be careful what they said.
Portrait of Strowger from around 1885
The rapid increase in demand for telephones and reliable connections posed a problem for the telephone companies. More lines meant more switchboard operators—an expense they were keen to control.
And fast as they worked, operators could be overwhelmed by the volume of calls at busy times, leaving callers queuing for a line.
Many inventors began to put their minds to automatic methods of handling switching, so that customers could dial each other directly.
The most successful was not a telephone industry professional, but a funeral director: Almon B Strowger of Kansas City, USA. Strowger apparently suspected that a telephone operator was diverting requests for his services to a rival firm of undertakers.
He set out to establish what he called the 'girl-less, cuss-less telephone', using machinery to automate the process of connecting telephone callers.
Almon Strowger's design of 1889, widely adopted in its developed form in both Britain and the USA, became known as 'step-by-step'. the name derived from the way selectors 'stepped up' from one line to another until they successfully found a route through the exchange.
The key component of the system was a telephone with a rotary dial. Just like a modern keypad, the dial had 10 positions numbered from 1 to 0. The caller would place a finger in the hole over the number required, and rotate the dial to its stopping point.
As the dial rotated back to its starting position, it sent electrical signals down the line. This controlled the stepping of the selectors.
Strowger automatic telephone, 1901–1910
Science Museum Group Collection More information
Strowger step-by-step automatic telephone exchange switch, 1897–1898.
The Post Office opened the first automatic exchange on the public network at Epsom in Surrey in May 1912. This was the same year it had obtained a near-monopoly on the provision of the country's telephone service.
It took decades for automatic dialling to roll out across the country. Installing an automatic exchange was expensive, and while savings were made by making operators redundant, it took time for this to generate cash. The two world wars also had a depressing effect on investment.
One of the last manual switchboards in the UK—and the last to run in London—was at Enfield, north London. It switched to automatic connection at 13.30 on Wednesday 5 October 1960.
The telephone exchange at Enfield, north London—One day it was a busy switchboard, operated round the clock by dozens of women. The next it was a museum piece.
Sections of the switchboard had already been earmarked to go to the Science Museum, to stand as reminders of an age when connecting a call required human intervention.
In the early days of automation, there were no area codes. In order to automate large cities such as London, the GPO introduced three-letter exchange codes (such as WIM for Wimbledon) at the beginning of each seven-digit number.
Special selector equipment 'directed' each call to the desired exchange and number.
The Strowger system and its successors were all electromechanical devices, involving physical moving parts. In 1937 the British telephone engineer Alec Reeves proposed pulse code modulation (PCM), the basis of digital electronics, as a means of switching calls.
His idea took off in the 1940s with the development of the transistor, which made it possible to build smaller and lighter electronic devices. In September 1968, the Post Office opened the world's first all-digital PCM telephone exchange, Empress, in west London.
Rack of equipment from Empress (West Kensington) PCM tandem exchange, 1968
Telephone systems worldwide have since adopted digital technology. The now-familiar keypad has replaced the rotary dial, as exchanges no longer need sequential electrical pulses to drive machinery.
The London region's last manual exchange, at Upminster in Essex, finally converted in 1970. The last manual exchange in mainland UK, at Abingdon, closed in 1975.
Like computers and other modern digital technologies, today's electronic exchanges occupy far less space and have many times the capacity of the earlier manual exchanges. But the operator is not entirely extinct. If you're having trouble making a call, you can still dial 100 and ask a human being for help.
Life on the exchange: Stories from the Hello Girls (Science Museum blog)
Long before Siri, there was Emma Nutt (Smithsonian)
A rare look inside a telephone exchange (Ars Technica)
A history of the telephone (BBC Newsround)
Operator! Historic images of telephone operators (BT)
How perseverance laid the first transatlantic telegraph cable
In 1858 a new transatlantic telegraph cable shrank the world, dramatically changing the way we communicate.
Robeson sings: the first transatlantic telephone cable
Discover how a concert by singer Paul Robeson tested the possibilities of the new transatlantic telephone cable.
From the first crackly telephone call to the 'smart' devices, how technology affects the ways we interact.
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EMERY COUNTY, Utah, Nov. 8, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — Three fugitives from Colorado were arrested after a high-speed chase from Emery County to Salina County Wednesday afternoon.
Eric Robert Somerville, 22, of Littleton, and Sean Anthony Estrada, 31, of Westminster, were both taken to the Sevier County Jail where they are being held pending further investigation. A juvenile female was taken to the detention center in Richfield. She is also listed as a runaway out of Colorado.
The three subjects are suspects in several felonies in Colorado and Wyoming and the Salina City Police Department will be working with authorities from both of those areas during the investigation.
A news release from Salina City Police said Wednesday at approximately 12:45 p.m. a Utah Highway Patrol trooper attempted to stop a dark grey Infiniti with Colorado tags on I-70 near mile marker 126 in Emery County. The vehicle took off and fled westbound on I-70 and the trooper pursued it where it reached speeds of up to 120 mph.
The vehicle was able to elude the trooper near the area of Highway 10 but was later located as it continued west on I-70 near the Gooseberry exit. Salina City Police Chief Al Taylor responded to the Salina exit to assist with the pursuit.
Taylor located one of the suspects behind a local convenience store and was able to safely take him in to custody.
A third suspect was able to run away immediately after the suspects jumped out of the car and a search was begun by Salina Police Department, UHP troopers, Sevier County deputies and AP&P officers. The local schools were also placed on lockdown while officers searched for the third suspect. The suspect was located within about 30 minutes in the lobby of a local motel after citizens reported seeing him there.


Bangalore houses a plethora of startups along with a large number of immigrant population. The Silicon Valley of India is also home to a number of co-working spaces which provide the required infrastructure for entrepreneurs to set up their nimble workstations.
However, due to increasing commercial real estate prices, a co-working set up has become an ideal destination for larger corporates, consultants and sizeable SMEs, who prefer them over taking up a seperate property.
Bengaluru-based CoLife wants to provide co-working and living space to the floating population of the city – who basically need a small, affordable workspace and accommodation. CoLife is a network of shared living & work spaces which was launched in March 2016.
CoLife currently operates across 12 different locations in Bangalore which includes a community management office in each location and manned by a dedicated community manager.
Founder Suresh Rangarajan, a chartered accountant by profession, was previously in the real estate and property business. Hence Suresh, who is also a Yale Alumni, understands the nuances of this industry and the requirements of the millennial generation.
In an interview with Entreprenuer Media , Suresh said that the IT parks in Bengaluru don't serve the requirements of a small corporate setup. These are small branch offices, lawyers, consultants and SMEs who need two cabins and are okay with sharing a boardroom, washrooms and other amenities.
While the regular co-working spaces for startups also help them engage with investors and the community, CoLife is purely infrastructure as a service model. "If you are a small company with less than 10 people, having an office boy is a crime to your cost structure. Not using him all the time, but you still need him... Also things like courier services, receptionist, tech support person always come as a huge cost liability for a small setup," Suresh said.
The requirement for a client of CoLife is based on the number of cabins required, workstations required, services required and the flexibility to expand if requires, are some of the key requisites of CoLife's customers. Suresh said that the co-working space market has never looked at the needs of SMEs, MMEs, CAs and lawyers who require smaller and well-equipped office space.
CoLive.in currently, operates 3 lakh sq feet across 300 apartments in the city and is looking to expand by another 12 lakh sq ft in the coming months.


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Tag Archives: reggie hodges
FR: Preseason injuries
Each year, the preseason is full of injuries big and small. In this post, we seek to compare the importance of injuries that will sideline players for the entire season. We're focusing only on injuries that happened in the preseason and in training camps. We will update this post through the fourth preseason game, both with new injuries and with official news that hurt players will miss the season.
Ryan Williams, via revengeofthebirds.com
10 – CB Terrell Thomas, Giants – Thomas had a breakout season last year, his second as a starter. He had five interceptions, a whopping 21 passes defensed, and four forced fumbles. He had emerged as a top-tier starting cornerback, and was preparing to cash in on the free agent market after the season. But then he suffered a torn ACL in the second preseason game against the Bears. Losing Thomas is a huge blow to the Giants – especially since rookie corner Prince Amakamura has missed most of camp because of injury. The Giants are now thin at a key position, and they'll be playing without the best playmaker in their defensive back seven.
10 (con't) – Browns OLG Eric Steinbach – Steinbach, a long-time starter for both Ohio teams, suffered a back injury that he couldn't come back from. That's a blow for the Browns, who don't have a ton of veteran leadership anywhere – or a solid option to replace Steinbach.
10 (con't) – TE Tony Moeaki, Chiefs -Moeaki, who had a strong rookie season for the Chiefs, suffered a knee injury in the preseason finale and landed on injured reserve. It's a huge loss for the Chiefs, who relied on Moeaki as a consistent receiving threat last season. There's no one on the roster with anywhere near the level of skill Moeaki had.
9 – Redskins DE Jarvis Jenkins – Jenkins, a second-round pick this year, had earned a starting job on Washington's rebuilt defensive line at left end. But his strong rookie push ended in the third preseason game against the Ravens when he tore his ACL. Jenkins will miss the season. It's a huge blow to Washington, which doesn't have a ton of depth at defensive end and certainly doesn't have a player to step in and make the impact Jenkins was starting to make.
9 (con't) – TE John Carlson, Seahawks – Carlson is a solid starter at tight end, but a shoulder injury will shelve him for the season. It's a blow for the Seahawks, but they signed Zach Miller in the offseason, who is an upgrade over Carlson. Still, it's a blow for a productive youngster approaching free agency to miss an entire season.
9 (con't) – MLB Jonathan Goff, Giants – Goff emerged as a starter at middle linebacker in his third season in 2010 and had a solid year. That led some observers to expect a breakout contract year in 2011. Instead, like fellow free-agent-to-be Terrell Thomas, Goff will miss the entire season after an ACL injury suffered in practice leading up to Week 1. It's a another body blow to a Giants defense that has sustained too many this offseason.
8 – Cardinals RB Ryan Williams – Williams, the Cardinals' second-round pick, looked to be a challenger to Beanie Wells' starting job. But in the second preseason game against the Packers, Williams ruptured his patella tendon. He will miss the season.
8 (con't) – Lions RB Mikel Leshoure – Leshoure, the Lions' second-round pick, was expected to be the inside threat to pair with Jahvid Best. But Leshoure tore his Achilles in training camp and will miss the season. That's a huge blow for the Lions, who have playoff aspirations after years of struggles but who don't have a ton of depth – especially at running back.
7 – Panthers DT Ron Edwards – A couple of days after we discussed how important Edwards was to the Panthers, he suffered a torn triceps that will cost him the season. It's a big blow to the Panthers, who were counting on Edwards to upgrade a thin position.
7 (con't) – Panthers OG Geoff Schwartz – Schwartz, expected to be a starter this year at right guard, has a hip problem that will cost him the season. That's a blow for a Panthers team that looked to have some offensive line continuity this year after missing Jeff Otah all last season.
7 (con't) – Chiefs ILB Brandon Siler – Siler tore his Achilles in practice after the second preseason game, and will miss the season. He was signed from San Diego to be a starter and key player against the run, so his injury is a big blow to the Chiefs.
6 – Panthers WR David Gettis – Gettis, a second-year player who was on pace to start across from Steve Smith for the Panthers, tore his ACL and will miss the season. Gettis had a surprising rookie season with 37 catches for 508 yards and three TDs, so he will be missed. Now the Panthers need signee Legedu Naanee to emerge as a starter.
6 (con't) – Cardinals CB Greg Toler – Toler, a third-year player, started 13 games for Arizona last year and was holding off Patrick Peterson for a starting job this year. But a torn left ACL suffered in the third preseason game will take Toler off the field this season. Now Peterson must be ready to start from Day 1, and the Cardinals also need to find some cornerback depth.
6 (con't) – Jaguars RB Rashad Jennings – Jennings has proven to be a solid backup for Maurice Jones-Drew in Jacksonville, and Jones-Drew's injury problems last year gave Jennings more of a role. But a knee injury will sideline Jennings for the year, leaving Deji Karim as the backup in Jacksonville.
5- Browns P Reggie Hodges – Hodges, who finally seized a full-time job in Cleveland last year (anda former Crazy Kicker of the Week), suffered a torn Achilles during camp and will miss the season. The Browns brought in Richard McGee to fill in, but they'll undoubtedly be checking the waiver wire to see if a veteran punter they like shakes free.
5 (con't) – Giants DT Marvin Austin – Austin, a first-round level talent whom the Giants took in the second round after he missed the 2010 season due to NCAA rule violations, suffered a torn left pec and will miss the season. It's a blow to the Giants, and now Austin will try to return from two years off the field – which won't be an easy task.
5 (con't) – Bills ILB Reggie Torbor – Torbor, who started seven games for the Bills last year, suffered a shoulder injury that will cost him the season. As a result, he'll miss the season. The Bills signed Kirk Morrison to replace Torbor, which should be an upgrade, at least on running downs.
5 (con't) – Browns RB Brandon Jackson – Jackson was one of Cleveland's few free-agent signings this offseason. He was going to be a third-down back with receiving skills to supplement Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty. But a toe injury will cost the former Packer the season.
4 – Titans CB Ryan Mouton – Mouton, who has played cornerback and been a key special teams player, suffered a torn Achilles early in camp and will be out for the year. The 2009 third-round pick lost his returner job after several fumbles in 2009, but he was growing into a solid extra corner.
4 (con't) – Steelers QB Byron Leftwich – Leftwich was in the running for the Steelers' backup QB job, but he broke his left arm against the Falcons in the third preseason game and will miss the season. It's not a huge blow for the Steelers, who still have Dennis Dixon and Charlie Batch in reserve.
4 (con't) – Panthers OG Garry Williams – Williams had a chance to emerge as a starter at right guard for the Panthers after Geoff Schwartz's injury, but he suffered a broken leg against the Steelers in the preseason finale and will miss the season. Williams was on the way to a roster spot, and losing him at a position of need was a big blow for the Panthers.
4 (con't) – Giants OLB Clint Sintim – Sintim, a former second-round pick, was trying to come back from an ACL injury last season. But he tore the patella tendon in the same right knee he injured last year in the preseason finale, and will miss the year. Sintim was Mathias Kiwanuka's backup and a versatile player, so losing him is certainly a blow to Big Blue.
4 (con't) – Bengals TE Bo Scaife – Scaife, a free-agent signee this year, was supposed to be a versatile companion to Jermaine Gresham at tight end. Scaife's a better blocker than Gresham while still being an effective receiver, but the Bengals' WR depth should allow them to work around Scaife's season-ending shoulder injury.
4 (con't) – Seahawks DT Jimmy Wilkerson – Wilkerson, who has bounced around the league, suffered a knee injury in the final preseason game. He will miss the season. Seattle claimed Landon Cohen (fellow Spartanburg High School alum!) to replace Wilkerson.
3 – Giants CB Brian Witherspoon – Witherspoon, a backup corner, was the third Giants corner (after Terrell Thomas and Bruce Johnson) to be lost for the season. The ex-Jaguar and Lion, who played one game last season, was having a good camp and had a good chance to not only make the team but contribute until he, like Thomas, tore his ACL against the Bears. It's another loss at a position getting deeper and deeper each day.
3 (con't) – Broncos TE Richard Quinn – Quinn, a second-round pick in Josh McDaniels' first draft in Denver, suffered an MCL injury early in the season, and Denver decided to put him on injured reserve. Quinn is a blocking tight end, but he looks to be getting caught up in the transition from McDaniels' regime to the John Elway/John Fox group. Still, he once was a prospect, and losing his talent hurts.
3 (con't) – Cardinals QB Max Hall – Hall, whom the Cardinals viewed as a potential future starter last year when he was an undrafted rookie, was waived injured after suffering a second injury to his non-throwing shoulder. After adding Kevin Kolb, the Cards only want to develop one young backup, and John Skelton is going to be the guy. Hall landed on injured reserve.
3 (con't) – Broncos CB Syd'Quan Thompson – Thompson, a reserve cornerback for the Broncos, suffered a torn Achilles in the final preseason game. He will miss the season, taking away some of the Broncos' secondary depth.
3 (con't) Jets QB Greg McElroy – McElroy, a rookie, had played well as a No. 3 developmental quarterback until a thumb injury in the preseason finale shelved him. He'll miss the season and more importantly the development he could have had as a rookie.
2 – Eagles DE Victor Abiamiri – Abiamiri suffered a ruptured Achilles and will miss the season. It's the second straight season he'll miss, after microfracture surgery on his knee sidelined him in 2010. Abiamiri, a 2007 second-round pick, had grown into a solid defensive end backup before his 2010 injury, but now his career has to be in question.
2 (con't) – Steelers RB Baron Batch – Batch, a seventh-round rookie out of Texas Tech, was making a strong case for a roster spot before he tore his ACL in training camp. Now, he will miss the season.
2 (con't) – Giants CB Bruce Johnson – Johnson, a third-year pro, suffered a torn Achilles early in camp and will miss the season. A knee injury cost him most of the 2010 season, but he had shown in 2009 that he's a decent rotation cornerback. So it's a loss for the Giants.
2 (con't) – Vikings OG Scott Kooistra – Kooistra, a journeyman vet who was trying to win a job with Minnesota, suffered a serious neck injury in the second preseason game against the Seahawks. The injury could be career-ending.
1- 49ers TE Nate Byham – Byham, who developed immediately into a solid blocking tight end as a rookie last year, suffered a torn ACL early in camp and will miss the season. Byham was a sixth-round pick in 2010.
1 (con't) – Saints OT Alex Barron – Barron, a first-round bust who was trying to win a job with the Saints, injured his knee in the preseason and will miss the season.
1 (con't) – Bengals LB Roddrick Muckleroy – Muckelroy suffered a torn Achilles in the first week of Bengals camp and will miss the season. The 2010 fourth-round pick played 14 games as a rookie, mostly on special teams.
1 (con't) – Panthers OG Zack Williams – Williams, a sixth-round pick, suffered a torn ACL and will miss his rookie season.
1 (con't) – 49ers CB Curtis Holcomb – Holcomb, a seventh-round pick, suffered a torn Achilles early in training camp and will miss the season.
1 (con't) – 49ers WR Dontavia Bogan – Bogan, an undrafted rookie, tore his ACL early in training camp.
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Crazy Kicker of Week 7
Reggie Hodges rumbles on a fake punt vs. the Saints. Photo from espn.com
After a distressing lack of shenanigans for most of the season, the Cleveland Browns provided a truly crazy kicker play in Week 7. Leading 10-3 in the second quarter, the Browns faced fourth and eight from their own 23. But instead of punting, Reggie Hodges took off running up the middle as the seas parted at the snap, and by the time he was tackled he had lumbered 68 yards to the Saints' 9-yard-line. The play set up a Browns field goal, and the Browns went on to win 30-17. For his epic run, Reggie Hodges is our crazy kicker of the week.
Tagged as cleveland browns, Football Relativity, new orleans saints, reggie hodges
Jersey Numbers: Punters and Kickers
We started this project with wide receivers in this post and then with tight ends in this post and quarterbacks in this post and running backs in this post and offensive linemen in this post. Now we move to kickers and punters, who wear numbers between 1 and 19, although the vast majority sport single numbers.
1 – PK Neil Rackers, Cardinals – Rackers hasn't shown off the big leg he featured earlier in his career, but he has developed into a consistent threat on field goals. He gets the nod over Dallas' Mat McBriar, a supersolid punter. Other notable 1s: Pat McAfee, Colts; Matt Turk, Texans
2 – P Dustin Colquitt, Chiefs – He doesn't get much credit, but Colquitt may be the NFL's best punter not named Shane Lechler. With 31 punts inside the 20 vs. just four touchbacks, and with an incredibly low average return rate of just 5.2 yards, it's no wonder that Colquitt is second in the NFL in net punting with a 41.9-yard average. We give him the nod over good placekickers like David Akers of Philly, Mason Crosby of Green Bay, and Rob Bironas of Tennessee. Other notable 2s: Brandon Fields, Dolphins; Nick Harris, Lions; Reggie Hodges, Browns
3 – PK Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots – Gostkowski has developed into a solid clutch field goal kicker as well as a strong kickoff specialist. It's rare to find a single kicker who does both jobs so well. Other notable 3s: Kris Brown, Texans; Josh Brown, Rams; John Carney, Saints; Jeff Reed, Steelers; Jay Feely, Jets; Matt Stover, Colts; Adam Podlesh, Jaguars; Hunter Smith, Redskins; Matt Bryant, Falcons
4 – P Andy Lee, 49ers – Lee is another underrated punter with terrific averages both gross and net. He gets the nod over long-time placekickers Jason Hanson of Detroit, John Kasay of Carolina, and Adam Vinatieri of Indianapolis, who has missed much of the season. Other notable 4s: Sam Koch, Ravens; Brad Maynard, Bears; Phil Dawson, Browns
5 – P Mike Scifres, Chargers – Scifres' numbers don't completely reflect it, but he can be a game-changing punter, as he showed in San Diego's playoff win over Indianapolis last season. Other notable 5s: Dan Carpenter, Dolphins; Garrett Hartley, Saints; Rhys Lloyd, Panthers; Matt Prater, Broncos; Ben Graham, Cardinals; Donnie Jones, Rams; Chris Kluwe, Vikings
6 – PK Joe Nedney, 49ers – There aren't dominant kickers or punters at this number, so we'll give the nod to Nedney, who has long been a solid kicker with a big leg. The fact that he's about the funniest kicker I ever interviewed doesn't hurt either. Other notable 6s: Nick Folk, Cowboys; Ryan Succop, Chiefs; Shaun Suisham, Redskins; Chris Hanson, Patriots; Brett Kern, Titans; Thomas Morstead, Saints; Sav Rocca, Eagles
7 – P Jason Baker, Panthers – Few kickers wear this number, so Baker, who isn't having his best season but has been solid in his time in Carolina, gets the nod. Other notable 7s: Jeremy Kapinos, Packers; Billy Cundiff, Ravens
8 – PK Ryan Longwell, Vikings – Longwell has long been one of the NFL's most reliable kickers, and he's 18-for-19 on field goals this year, including 2-of-2 from 50-plus. That gives him a slight nod over Buffalo P Brian Moorman. Other notable 8: Dirk Johnson, Buccaneers
9 – P Shane Lechler, Raiders – Lechler is on his way to a record-setting season. As Bill Simmons pointed out on Friday, Lechler has a chance to break the single-season record of 51.4 yards per punt (held by Hall of Fame QB Slingin' Sammy Baugh). Lechler is currently averaging 51.7, and his net average of 44.7 yards is nearly three yards better than the single-season record, which Lechler already holds. He's the best punter in the league and might be the best punter ever. Other notable 9s: Josh Bidwell, Buccaneers; Michael Koenen, Falcons; Jon Ryan, Seahawks; Daniel Sepulveda, Steelers; Steven Weatherford, Jets; Robbie Gould, Bears; Rian Lindell, Bills; Lawrence Tynes, Giants
10 – PK Nate Kaeding, Chargers – Kaeding has had his playoff problems, but he's been a reliable regular-season producer. That gives him the nod over Seattle's Olindo Mare, who is having a good season but has been inconsistent in recent years. Other notable 10s: Connor Barth, Buccaneers; Josh Scobee, Jaguars; Kevin Huber, Bengals
11 – PK Sebastian Janikowski, Raiders – The kicker also known as Sea Bass (think Dumb and Dumber) has a powerful leg and has the distinction of being one of the very few kickers to be a first-round pick in the NFL draft.
15 – P Craig Hentrich, Titans – Hentrich hasn't played this season, but we'll recognize his strong career as a punter in Green Bay and Tennessee here. Other notable 15: Dave Zastudil, Browns
17 – PK Shayne Graham, Bengals – Graham has developed into one of the most solid kickers around. Although his consistency this season has been lacking, Graham remains a good threat for Cincy. Other notable 17: Mitch Berger, Broncos
18 – P Jeff Feagles, Giants – Feagles has been punting in the NFL forever, but he still has a roster spot. He's one of the few practicioners of the art of directional punting left in the league as well. Other notable 18: David Buehler, Cowboys
Filed under Jersey Numbers, Local Knowledge
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Week 7 moves
We do a weekly update on major NFL transactions. We include signings, releases, and also players who are put on injured reserve, because they are lost for the year. You can check out the Week 6 transactions here and work your way back through the season.
Broncos (add P Mitch Berger) – The Broncos made their first roster move of the regular season by cutting Brett Kern and replacing him with Berger, a veteran who is better at directional kicking than the strong-legged Kern was. Berger filled in for the Steelers last year and got a Super Bowl ring out of the deal, so he's trying to cherry-pick again with a contender.
Titans (claim P Brett Kern off waivers from Denver, sign RB Alvin Pearman) – Kern wasn't out of work long. He landed with the Titans, who dropped Reggie Hodges. Hodges had been brought in to replace the injured Craig Hentrich, but his gross average of 39.5 yards and his net average of 31.8 were both at the bottom of the league. Kern's strong leg will be an upgrade, even if he's not great directionally. Pearman's signing was special-teams related as well. He'll replace return specialist Mark Jones, who was placed on injured reserve after suffering a hamstring injury that would have sidelined him a month or more. Jones was brought in a few weeks back to stabilize the Titans' return game after some costly fumbles, and Tennessee must hope Pearman can do the same. The Titans really miss Chris Carr, who left via free agency after last season to sign with Baltimore.
Subtractions
Jets (put RB Leon Washington on injured reserve) – Washington was a key part of the Jets' attack as a returner, receiver, and runner, although his performance in '09 didn't match the standard he set in '08. But Washington suffered a broken leg that will end his season. Rookie Shonn Greene replaces Washington on offense, and the Jets brought back CB Justin Miller to take Washington's role as a returner. Miller, most recently with the Raiders, had some good moments in that role with the Jets especially in 2005 and 2006.
Dolphins (put CB Will Allen on injured reserve) – Allen suffered a torn ACL last week, and it will end his season. Now the Dolphins must rely on rookies Vontae Davis and Sean Smith to perform at cornerback if they are to have a solid pass defense.
Seahawks (put OT Walter Jones and LB Lofa Tatupu on injured reserve) – Jones hasn't played this year because of a lingering knee injury, and the Seahawks finally gave up the ghost and put him on injured reserve. While the 2009 impact of this transaction isn't significant, it is important because it could mark the end of a Hall of Fame career for Jones. Tatupu's season-ending pectoral injury is far more important to the '09 Seahawks. He is the playmaker and signal caller in the middle of the defense, and he's now falling apart. With Tatupu and Leroy Hill out, the Seahawks LB corps has been gutted to the point that rookie Aaron Curry must become a big-time playmaker. This may speed Curry's development a bit, but it won't help the Hawks win this year.
49ers (put OT Tony Pashos on injured reserve) – Pashos joined the 49ers from Jacksonville in the offseason and became the team's starting right tackle. But he suffered a fractured scapula and will have to miss the rest of the season. The 49ers can use Barry Sims to replace Pashos, or they can shuffle the line to move someone outside. They signed Chris Patrick off the Chiefs' practice squad to take Pashos' roster spot. The Niners also cut LB Marques Harris and promoted training-camp phenom Diyral Biggs from the practice squad.
Falcons (put rookie S William Moore on injured reserve) – Moore, the Falcons' second-round pick, played in only two games before a hamstring injury ended his season. The Falcons' top two draft picks, Moore and DT Peria Jerry, are now out for the season, limiting their development along with their ability to help a defense that was rebuilding. To replace Moore on the roster, Atlanta signed veteran RB Aaron Stecker, who will help provide depth with Jerious Norwood and Jason Snelling both banged up.
Eagles (put LB Omar Gaither on injured reserve) – Gaither started three games at middle linebacker for the Eagles early this season, but he got hurt two weeks ago vs. Oakland with a listfranc foot injury that will end his season. Will Witherspoon replaced him last week, and this week the Eagles put Gaither on IR. To replace Gaither on the roster, Philly signed RB P.J. Hill off the Saints' practice squad as insurance against Brian Westbrook's injury.
Saints (put FB Heath Evans on injured reserve) – Evans was a role player on the Saints' offense at fullback, and he had three touchdowns in the first six games of the season. But a torn right ACL ends his season. To replace him, the Saints added journeyman fullback Kyle Eckel.
Buccaneers (cut OG Marcus Johnson) – Johnson, a backup guard for the Bucs, was released Tuesday after being arrested on charges of driving under the influence.
Filed under Football Relativity, NFL Free Agency, NFL Injuries
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We do a weekly update on major NFL transactions. We'll include signings, releases, and also players who are put on injured reserve, because they are lost for the year. You can check out the Week 1 transactions here.
Chargers (add DT Alfonso Boone) – Boone comes in to help the effort to replace NT Jamal Williams, who was put on IR after Week 1. He played for current Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera in Chicago, so Rivera knows Boone's strengths and weaknesses enough to put him in a role he can succeed in.
Ravens (add TE Tony Curtis) – Baltimore added Curtis, who showed a few flashes of potential in Philly, as a backup tight end. Curtis will help fill in for his ex-Eagle teammate L.J. Smith, who just can't seem to stay healthy.
Browns (add TE Greg Estandia) – The Browns gave up on '08 fourth-rounder Martin Rucker (whom they traded an '09 third-rounder to draft) and picked up Estandia, who was released in Jacksonville to make way for rookie Zach Miller. Estandia, a third-year player, is 6-foot-8 and has 19 catches over the past two years, so he brings some more veteran experience behind Steve Heiden and Robert Royal.
Panthers (add DT Antwan Burton) – Carolina, which had already lost starting DT Maake Kemeoatu in the offseason, lost replacement Louis Leonard to a broken ankle in Week 2 vs. Atlanta. Leonard is now on IR. To fill his roster spot, Carolina added Burton, who was with St. Louis and Kansas City last season and who last played for Denver in '07. The Panthers will need Burton to at least play in a rotation, but expecting him to do more than fill space is unrealistic.
Packers (add S Matt Giordano) – Giordano, a four-year pro, replaces Aaron Rouse, who started against Cincinnati in Week 2 as a fill-in but was just a backup. With Nick Collins banged up and Atari Bigby out for a few weeks, the Packers will need Giordano to step in and play right away at least in a role.
Patriots (trade for OLB Prescott Burgess) – The Patriots traded a seventh-round pick to add Burgess, who has played in Baltimore the last two years. Burgess has played primarily on special teams in his three-year career but could help fill in with a Patriots LB corps that's thinner with the departures of Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel and the injury to Jerod Mayo. That's worth the shot of a seventh-round pick to New England.
Texans (add S Bernard Pollard) – Pollard started in Kansas City last year, but he was caught up in the Chiefs' roster turnover this season. Now he moves to Houston to play for his former Chiefs' secondary coach. Pollard is a physical player who can definitely help on special teams if not in the secondary.
Buccaneers (add S Corey Lynch and CB Marcus Hamilton) – With its secondary in flux after the injury to Jermaine Phillips and the suspension of Tanard Jackson, Tampa Bay brought in reinforcements. Lynch and Hamilton don't have big resumes, but they at least add depth.
Titans (add P Reggie Hodges) – With veteran Craig Hentrich hurting, Tennessee needed a fill-in punter. Hodges punted for the Jets last year. He's not great, but he's OK in the short term.
Falcons (put DT Peria Jerry on IR) – Jerry, the Falcons' first-round pick out of Ole Miss, suffered a knee injury against Carolina that will cost him the rest of the season. That's a big blow to the Falcons, who don't have great D-line depth. Atlanta promoted Vance Walker off the practice squad to take Jerry's roster spot, but Walker (a local product out of Georgia Tech) can't fill Jerry's shoes.
Jaguars (put WR Troy Williamson on IR, demote WR Nate Hughes to practice squad) – Williamson, a former first-round bust in Minnesota, had a solid preseason and had earned a role in the Jags' WR rotation, but a torn labrum against Arizona ended his season. The Jags also demoted Hughes, who dropped two passes in the end zone against the Cardinals, and signed Tiquan Underwood for depth. The changes mean that rookies Jarrett Dillard and Mike Thomas will have to step up and play behind Torry Holt and Mike Sims-Walker.
Buccaneers (put S Jermaine Phillips on IR) – Phillips suffered a broken thumb, and instead of waiting 6-8 weeks for his return, the Bucs shelved him for the season. That's a big blow for a team that's already missing starting safety Tanard Jackson with a league suspension and that has looked simply awful in pass coverage through two games this season.
Bills (put TE Derek Schouman and ORT Brad Butler on IR) – Butler, the Bills' starting right tackle, suffered a knee injury that will cost him the rest of the season. That's a big deal because Butler was one of just two OL starters in Buffalo with game experience prior to 2009. The Bills did add Jamon Meredith off the Packers' practice squad to take Butler's roster spot. Schouman, the team's No. 2 tight end, also suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Redskins (put OG Randy Thomas on IR) – Thomas, the Redskins' starter at right guard, suffered a right triceps injury and will miss the season. That's a huge blow for the Redskins, because none of Washington's backup offensive linemen played even a snap in 2008. It'll be hard for the Redskins to replace Thomas' solid run-blocking presence on the interior of their O-line.
Texans (put OG Chester Pitts on IR) – Pitts has been a dependable blocker for Houston, starting 114 consecutive games – which is every game in team history. The Texans have been working on improving their offensive line, which was abysmal early in their history, but depth is still a concern.
Giants (put S Kenny Phillips on IR) – Phillips, a former first-round pick who was emerging as an impact guy in his second season, intercepted two passes vs. Dallas in Week 2, returning one for a touchdown. But he also has been fighting a balky knee that will now shelve him for the year. That's a big blow for the Giants' young and talented secondary. To replace Phillips, the Giants claimed Aaron Rouse off waivers from Green Bay. Rouse started in Week 2 against Cincinnati but struggled. Still, he adds depth for the Giants.
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FR: Summer signings
As we've done throughout the offseason, in this post we're going to compare the recent free-agent signings in the NFL to each other. (If you want to see previous posts, check out the post-draft signings post and follow the links back from there.)
This post will compare signings from June 1 to July 17 to each other. 10 is the team that made the most impactful additions; 1 is teams that are merely worth a mention.
10 – Raiders (add DE Greg Ellis and QB Charlie Frye) – Ellis spent 11 years in Dallas before being released this offseason. He had been unhappy about his role and/or his contract for several years, and he did seem miscast as a 3-4 outside linebacker, even though he had one really good season in that role. He lands in Dallas where he will play in a more traditional 4-3. Ellis is big enough to be stout against the run in that role, and with 77 career sacks, he should bring some pass-rush presence too. His addition may allow the Raiders to trade Derrick Burgess (perhaps to New England), as has been rumored. In any case, Ellis will definitely find a role with the Raiders. It's weird for the Raiders, who have Jeff Garcia, Andrew Walter, and Bruce Gradowski as backup quarterbacks, to bring Frye in. He's probably the best No. 3 quarterback option they have, but to expect more from Frye at this point would be foolhardy. So Frye is an addition that seems unnecessary.
8 – Chiefs (add S Mike Brown) – Brown was a former Pro Bowler who was a key cog in the very good Bears' defenses of the middle of this decade. Consistent injury problems, though, have limited Brown's ability to contribute over the past several years. That's why the Bears were willing to let him walk via free agency even though he managed to start 15 games in '08. While it would be unwise for any team to count on Brown, adding him in a spot where he can beat out holdover safeties if he's healthy is worth a shot. At his best, Brown (who has 30 career interceptions) is more of a playmaker than either Bernard Pollard or Jarrad Page. Brown can also join Mike Vrabel and Zach Thomas in bringing a veteran presence to a Chiefs' defense that needs the massive overhaul it is getting. In that effort, this is a reasonable risk to take.
7 – Broncos (add WR Brandon Lloyd) – Lloyd has talent, but he's bounced from Washington to San Francisco to Chicago and now to Denver without putting it all together. He was a decent target for Orton with the Bears last year, which is a plus, and his size would be a good contrast to Eddie Royal were Brandon Marshall to be unavailable. If the Broncos have designs on Lloyd replacing Marshall, they'll quickly and painfully discover that not all Brandons are created equal.
6 – Falcons (add OL Jeremy Newberry) – Newberry is a versatile guy who was a Pro Bowler twice for the 49ers and has been a solid contributor for the Chargers and the Raiders over the last two years. He can play across the line, and he'll provide a veteran influence for a line that's lost experience with the retirement of Todd Weiner this offseason.
5 – Jaguars (add S Marlon McCree) – McCree, who was a Jag from 2001 to 2003, has 91 career starts with five teams. He's a big hitter who's OK but not great as a starter, which makes him the ultimate one-year stopgap. But for a team like Jacksonville that finds itself needing secondary help, McCree can step in and play strong safety.
4 – Texans (add QB Rex Grossman) – Grossman, who started a Super Bowl but was wildly inconsistent in Chicago, stayed on the free-agent market for a long time. He finally landed in Houston, where he looks to be a No. 3 quarterback behind starter Matt Schaub and Dan Orlovsky, who signed a multi-year deal to be the backup this offseason after the team dealt Sage Rosenfels. Grossman, who got a one-year deal at the minimum, has more experience than Orlovsky and probably more potential too, so don't be surprised if he beats the ex-Lion out to back up Schaub. And with as many injuries as Schaub has traditionally had, winning the backup job would mean winning a few games to show his stuff again.
3 – Browns (add OT George Foster) – Foster, a former first-round pick in Denver, was the odd man out in Detroit after the Lions added Jon Jansen. Foster has good size, but he's never lived up to his potential. But that potential is still at least a teeny bit tantalizing, which makes Foster worth a flier for the Browns.
2 – Saints (add LS Jason Kyle) – Kyle, a 14-year vet who spent the last 8 years in Carolina, is a pro's pro at long snapper, but his veteran status priced him out with the Panthers, who are pinching every penny in order to pay Julius Peppers' massive one-year contract. The Saints viewed Kyle as an upgrade over their long-time long-snapper Kevin Houser and made the switch.
1 – Jets (add P Reggie Hodges and TE Richard Owens) – The Jets are unsettled at punter, and so they brought back Hodges, who averaged a so-so 42.8 yards per punt with them last year. He'll have to compete, but at this moment Hodges may well be the best option the Jets have. Owens, a block-first tight end, replaces the released Bubba Franks.
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