“Bay fits Seattle manager’s philosophy - WEEI” plus 4 more |
- Bay fits Seattle manager’s philosophy - WEEI
- The philosophy of financial regulation - CNN Money
- Arsenal Analysis: Arshavin Typifies Willingness To Buy Into Wenger's ... - goal.com
- Young Jewish leaders address changing philosophy - Courier-Post
- Alex Smith, Frank Gore, and the 49ers offensive philosophy - Niners Nation
| Bay fits Seattle manager’s philosophy - WEEI Posted: 07 Dec 2009 01:19 PM PST This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
| The philosophy of financial regulation - CNN Money Posted: 07 Dec 2009 11:32 AM PST How Markets Fail How Markets Fail: The Logic of Economic Calamities also addresses the recent crisis, but John Cassidy's learned yet readable volume is basically an intellectual history of competing ideas about how much oversight financial institutions require -- and what happens when ideology trumps common sense. The reader gets the impression that Cassidy doesn't much like capitalism. And while he's relentlessly fair-minded in making the case for more financial regulation, his faith in the powers of government is probably excessive. Cassidy's judicious account of recent events shows that under Alan Greenspan the Fed kept interest rates too low for too long while failing to adequately supervise an overheated financial system. This is to say nothing of government's disastrous role in the creation and inadequate regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. That said, Cassidy has given us a very good book, one that belongs alongside such classics as Robert Heilbroner's The Worldly Philosophers and Jerry Muller's The Mind and the Market. Maybe if enough people read such books, next time really will be different. But don't bet on it. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
| Arsenal Analysis: Arshavin Typifies Willingness To Buy Into Wenger's ... - goal.com Posted: 07 Dec 2009 02:52 PM PST Another Monday, another long list of injured players. For Arsenal and Arsene Wenger, the problems mount. On Wednesday, in Athens, he will field a team of youngsters and reserves in a UEFA Champions League visit to Olympiakos and on Sunday, at Liverpool, he will check on his walking wounded before a clash that could be a very important indicator of who qualifies for Europe again next season.
Thankfully, beneath the surface, Arsenal is a club of obdurate spirit, considerable stoicism and many traditions. The family fabric rises to supply the strength when it is needed, too, as the players demonstrated in Saturday's 2-0 victory over Stoke City - a game that, Wenger conceded, "we had to win." He was pleased, also, with a rare clean sheet and, the performance and result apart, the togetherness of his squad at the end of a fortnight of strain. Significantly, the goals came from two influential players, men of unquestionable ambition and positive attitudes - Andrey Arshavin and Aaron Ramsey. Cesc Fabregas may be the captain, but he is not the only Gunner who can fire inspiration in the team with his example on and off the pitch. Arshavin did not want to play centre-forward and was talked into it by Wenger. Ramsey came off the bench, for a fixture that he might have expected to start. Yet both men performed without complaint, scored excellent goals and played with a perfect mixture of intelligence and industry to ensure their team-mates had a platform to work from. That spirit, the belief in the collective, is essentially the most vital part of the Arsenal philosophy under Wenger. Individualism, in certain areas of the pitch, is welcome, but only in the subordinated service to the team; as a way to unlock a defence or escape a tight situation; otherwise, always, always, always, it is all about passing the ball early and cleverly, moving intelligently and reading the shape of the team on the pitch at all times. Technical? Yes; but always for the collective, too.
That is why Arshavin, Fabregas, Nasri and the rest look so well suited to the team and to the style. They know it is not down to them, as individuals, to do it all themselves - but they know also that their individual roles, the lustre of their skills, will shine out in the polished perfection of this Arsenal team flowing fluently in its best form. And in this subjugation of their wonderful technical qualities to the team ethic, they are also giving everything to their manager and his judgement. In other words, if Wenger, restricted by injuries, picks the wrong team, or takes a calculated risk that fails, it is his fault - not the players'. For example, if Arshavin had looked lost, positioned himself too close to the big Stoke defence and been crushed in a physical battle, the cry for Carlos Vela would have echoed around Ashburton Grove. But, between them, Arshavin and Wenger got it right and made it work - the clever Russian adopting a role once almost patented by Alfredo di Stefano at Real Madrid by dropping deep, leading his markers astray and finding space in the inside-forward channels as all around him his team-mates made the most of the extra room to play. Credit therefore for the win that put Arsenal back on the road must go to both men and, also, to Ramsey who is a dependable student and an industrious technician whenever and wherever he is asked to perform. Indeed his goal was almost as sumptuous as that of Arshavin who, Wenger said, could have had three or four. It was an afternoon of great credit to them all, but hugely to Arshavin for his dazzling intelligence as a footballer - one who can play wide, or play deep, or scheme, or finish, or provide a lead to an attacking line. Those who may have held concerns about his occasional reluctance to chase back and dive into last-ditch tackles, or sometimes look a little tired and distracted by events, should monitor his movement. The off-the-ball space he makes for himself and others is a clear signal of an exceptional football brain at work and he has the sleight of foot and intuition to take his opportunities when they fall his way. Four goals at Anfield in one night last season marked him out as a great player. Alas, for Wenger, as he has to prepare for another visit to Liverpool via an irksome chore in Greece, where his 'Carling Cup team' will be in action, there may be too many significant absentees to suggest a repeat performance by Arshavin this time. He may not even be picked at centre-forward again, but if he is, and he sees enough of the ball, it is not without reason to think that some Liverpool fans will be remembering a certain Kenny Dalglish, another supreme technician with body strength, who could beguile defenders from deep positions and punish them with alacrity. So congratulations are due to Wenger, and Arshavin, as they ponder the week gone by and the week ahead, as well the mounting injuries, at London Colney. One took a risk in his team selection, but had calculated well and won. The other adapted his game to the collective cause to demonstrate that even for a 'new boy' the spirit of playing for Arsenal - particularly Wenger's Arsenal - runs deep. Tim Collings, Goal.com UK
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| Young Jewish leaders address changing philosophy - Courier-Post Posted: 07 Dec 2009 10:49 AM PST CHERRY HILL — Who better to address a changing philosophy than the leaders of tomorrow? That was the theory that drove the founding of the Young Leaders Institute at the International Biennial Convention of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, which is meeting at the Crowne Plaza this week. "We want to invigorate our young leaders, make sure they are aware of each other," said Rabbi Charlie Savenor, executive director for the New York Region and one of the leaders of the institute. "This institute is not for everyone because, though we want an integrated dialogue to talk, but we also recognize that leaders in similar places can learn from each other." Some of the young leaders, who were all under the age of 45, said that the Conservative movement is suffering from a connection issue. Though young people are raised and nurtured in the temple through camps and youth groups, they fall away as young adults because of an aging vision. "When I came to the convention two years ago, I could count out the number of people under the age of 45," said Hayim Weiss, 37, of Congregation Beth Shalom in Wilmington, Del. Weiss said that while he holds leadership positions at his temple, he is often still viewed as a "kid" by some of the older congregants. Lee Epstein, who at 23 is one of the youngest attending the convention, said that a lot of his friends raised in the Conservative Jewish tradition are either becoming culturally and not religiously Jewish or attending other synagogues. "After graduating from the institution (of youth groups), they are not finding a compelling connection," said Epstein, who works in music and education at Shelter Rock Jewish Center in Long Island. Epstein said that for some Jews his age, the Conservative service often seems more "geared towards the grandparents," he said. The Conservative Jewish movement is "deliberately centrist," said Rabbi Paul Drazen, chairman of this year's convention. "It tries to balance modernity while preserving tradition." Drazen said the "We Are Family" theme this year speaks to how the Conservative Jewish movement is like a family -- with the same fighting, changes and love for each other. Many of the convention's programs deal with strategic planning, developing community leaders and creating a spiritual community. Savenor said the challenges he hopes the convention and the young leaders can talk about are sharpening the focus of the organization in face of economic challenges, answering the challenge to being an organized religion in America as a whole and addressing the changing of the guard in the Conservative movement and making sure all arms are working together as a whole. "Business as usual isn't working, turf wars won't help us move forward," Savenor said. "We need to engage our young leaders." Reach Shruti Mathur Desai at (856) 317-7828 or smathur@camden.gannett.com This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
| Alex Smith, Frank Gore, and the 49ers offensive philosophy - Niners Nation Posted: 07 Dec 2009 06:53 AM PST We all agree that yesterday's loss was about as brutal as they come. Throw in a Cardinals win to push us to the precipice of playoff elimination, and the time is fast approaching for us to start Accordingly even I am willing to look ahead to the offseason and to the 2010 season. This is particularly true when discussion the quarterback position, and its relationship to the 49ers offensive philosophy. We all know the offensive line has been a major issue this season, and will hopefully be addressed in a big way this offseason (pun partially intended). Even with potential additions to the offensive line, the team's offensive philosophy remains a question mark. I know we can't resolve the entire issue at this point, but it'd be nice to "explore the studio space" as we start looking to next season. In order to have this discussion, we first have to address the position of quarterback. Alex Smith had one of his best games ever as a pro yesterday. While he was not able to drive down the field for the win at the end, he continued to show some of the skills people have been waiting on for five years. Given how awful the field position was for the 49ers for most of the day, he managed to make things happen. He's improved in a variety of areas, even if the team's record (I refuse to say his record when it's a team stat) does not reflect Smith's improvement. There are still four games to go, and with two coming against potential playoff teams (Arizona, Philly), there is still a lot of value to be had in this remaining quarter of the season. If the season ended today, I'd be willing to wager that Alex Smith would be the starting QB at the start of the 2010 training camp. He's not perfect as a QB (that last drive shows that), but I can accept that he's shown enough improvement to warrant being the starting QB in 2010 (even if the team drafts another QB). Obviously this could change, but we'll just have to work with what we know for now. I figure we'll have enough time during the dog days of the offseason to debate this issue once more information (e.g. Weeks 14-17) becomes available. I've thrown up a poll just to see what people are thinking, even though we've got an important month of games left in the Alex Smith evaluation process. After the jump, we apply the above information to the 49ers offensive philosophy going forward... So, let's assume Alex Smith is the starting QB in 2010. Whether this is what you're hoping for or not, I think at this point it's safe to say it's going to happen (barring injury). People talk about his greater ability in the proverbial Raye-gun offense (courtesy of Matt Barrows). I'm wondering a couple things as it relates to that offensive style. First off, if the 49ers actually put out an improved offensive line that could get push in the rushing game and provide real protection in the passing game, is the shotgun a necessity? Is Alex Smith's success in the shotgun a matter of him simply needing the time it might give him to pass the ball, or does it drastically affect his ability to view the field? I ask this because it brings us to the second issue of Frank Gore's role going forward. Through 12 games, Gore has rushed for 643 yards on 128 carries (5.0 ypc). The problem with that total is that 223 of those yards came on 3 carries, which leaves Gore with 420 yards on 125 carries (3.36 ypc). At the beginning of this season, Mike Singletary spoke of wanting a smash-mouth offense. As the season developed though, it became clear the passing attack was carrying the team. Now, I'm not advocating trading Frank Gore. Not even remotely. Gore is one of their biggest receiving threats (#2 in receptions) and has improved his breakaway ability, as opposed to being dragged down from behind as happened so often in the past. The question is how the team can reconcile Frank Gore with the offense in place. Frank Gore seemingly rushes better out of the I-formation with a lead fullback. If the team decides they're going to stick with the shotgun, what comes of the running game. On the one hand I find myself optimistic about the future of this team. I think Alex Smith is showing actual development and I think he can guide this team to the playoffs in 2010 with the right personnel. However, personnel are only part of the equation. The team needs to figure out a complete offensive identity. Bignerd made a good point yesterday:
This team needs to figure out its offensive identity heading into 2010. I realize a lot of folks are down on Jimmy Raye, but I actually think what bignerd mentioned is one reason to keep Raye. Raye has shown a willingness to adapt his play-calling, even if it's been from one extreme to the next. I know I can't be the only person curious to see what would happen with a full offseason of having the same offensive coordinator and the same starting QB. Furthermore, with Alex Smith in particular, one would hope this kind of continuity would be an even bigger deal. Maybe I'm over-emphasizing the value of this, but it's still something that has to be factored into the offense's development beyond just adding offensive linemen. The offense has developed over the course of the season, even if it's been in fits at times and has been rather herky-jerky. It seems to me to be a sign that it's not just a stagnant offense going nowhere. Now, whether that means it develops into a consistent play-making offense next season? Lord only knows. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
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