Kent Somers Arizona Republic Published 9:08 PM EST Dec 8, 2018 If anyone has a more difficult job now than romaine-lettuce growers, it's NFL defensive coordinators. It’s not just that offenses are throwing for more yards and touchdowns than ever. Or that there has been an infusion of young, talented quarterbacks that likely will keep that trend going. Or that owners would rather pass a kidney stone than a rule designed to decrease scoring. It’s also that all the above are likely to make it harder than ever for a defensive coordinator to be hired as an NFL head coach. Owners tend not to be free thinkers, one reason why the NFL has been called a copycat league. And the cats likely to be copied this offseason are the teams with young, offensive-minded head coaches. Owners are going to direct their general managers to find the next Sean McVay, the 32-year-old who turned the Rams around. Or the next Matt Nagy, the 40-year-old who has the Bears atop the NFC … [Read more...] about NFL owners will make mistakes searching for the next Sean McVay
Sean chandler
How NY Giants rookie Sean Chandler has defied the odds in NFL journey
Art Stapleton NFL writer Published 9:02 PM EST Nov 9, 2018 EAST RUTHERFORD - The sun had barely risen and Sean Chandler was already there in the bleachers on those chilly April mornings four years ago. On the first day of spring practice, then-Temple University and now-Baylor University football coach Matt Rhule will never forget the sight of Chandler in the stands at Camden High School, nor what his presence told everyone about his commitment to the game and his team from that moment forward. Chandler had signed a letter of intent weeks earlier to attend Temple, where he would play for Rhule, yet at that time, he was still a senior at Camden two months from his high school graduation. But at 6 a.m., with Temple having to use the Camden High practice field as its own underwent renovations, there was Chandler doing some scouting for himself from the stands. Looking for an edge, the precocious teenager also left an indelible impression. "Every morning, he … [Read more...] about How NY Giants rookie Sean Chandler has defied the odds in NFL journey
LA Opera inspires with ‘Satyagraha’ at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
By Jim Farber | PUBLISHED: November 2, 2018 at 5:02 pm | UPDATED: November 2, 2018 at 5:02 pm In 1976 Hans de Roo, the director of Netherlands Opera, suggested to Philip Glass that he follow up the revolutionary (though not particularly monetary) success of his 5-hour-long abstract music drama, “Einstein on the Beach,” with “a real opera.” Glass, who had been forced to return to his previous profession, driving a cab in New York City, was more than happy to accept the commission, but skeptical about what Roo considered “a real opera.” The result was “Satyagraha.” For its subject Glass chose the early political life of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in South Africa between 1893-1914. But Glass, as in his previous collaboration with director/designer Robert Wilson, was not interested in composing a musical documentary, i.e. “Gandhi: The Opera.” Instead, Glass and his librettist Constance de Jong would tell their story in a way that … [Read more...] about LA Opera inspires with ‘Satyagraha’ at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
Saints and Sean Payton follow Andy Reid’s blueprint for post-bye success
He is not sure of the year, maybe 2007 or 2008, but New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton sought some advice from then-Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid. Here was the issue: Payton's first three New Orleans teams each lost when coming out of a bye week. The Saints were 5-1 when they headed into the bye in 2006, Payton's first season. They trailed the Ravens 28-7 at halftime in their first game after the bye, eventually losing that game 35-22. A John Kasay kick split the uprights as time expired to hand the Saints a loss following their 2007 bye, a game in which New Orleans did not score a touchdown against the division rival Panthers. The Saints had a chance to make a game of it late the next year at Atlanta, but two Drew Brees passes were intercepted near the Falcons goal line in the fourth quarter (one of which was returned for a 95-yard score) and they lost 34-20. Whatever Payton was doing did not appear to be working, so he turned to Reid for some advice. "He's someone that I … [Read more...] about Saints and Sean Payton follow Andy Reid’s blueprint for post-bye success
‘Teddy Bear Drive’ aims to help Chandler police soothe kids in crisis
Angela Forburger Arizona Republic Published 6:35 p.m. UTC Aug 22, 2018 For a frightened child, one small gesture — or a new stuffed friend — can make all the difference. On Thursday, one group is holding its second annual "Teddy Bear Drive," benefiting the Chandler Police Department. A group of licensed realtors from the East Valley, known as the A. Tom Wood Team, is looking to collect at least 150 new teddy bears — with tags attached — for the Chandler Police Department's Victim Services Unit to help children in crisis. Tom Wood, the founder of the realty group, said he worked to start the drive because of his own personal experience. "When my son was 3 years old, he wandered off on his big wheel outside the cul-de-sac area and got lost heading to Taco Bell with a nickel in his pocket," Wood said. "Luckily for me and my family, a nearby neighbor intercepted him, but not before panic and fear had overtaken us … [Read more...] about ‘Teddy Bear Drive’ aims to help Chandler police soothe kids in crisis