After Hours Spy Saloon

[GolfSpy_KFT]

1 hour ago, chisag said:

... If I am the GM in the April draft I will pick Maye #1 and if Joe Alt is still available at #9 it couldn't work out better. Considering Poles is an ex Olineman there is a good chance this will be his pick. 



 

SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS

Boasts a prototypical blindside protector build, marrying a towering and long frame

Exhibits former tight end-like athleticism with explosive first-step quickness, closing on defenders rapidly and mirroring edge rushers with ease.

Utilizes his wingspan and snap quickness to deliver jarring punches, displacing rushers with hip-generated torque and maintaining leverage against power moves.

Combines rare bend with his size and excellent pad level to dominate the point of attack, sustaining blocks with an ironclad base and active feet.

Employs a refined hand-fighting arsenal—successive punches and resets—to consistently gain the upper hand in trench skirmishes.

Adeptly picks up stunts and blitzes and shows an advanced understanding of pass-pro sets

Dominates in the run game with a mauler mentality, leveraging defenders’ momentum to wash them out and create alleys for ball carriers.

Dominating pass protector, showcasing a balanced set and a strong anchor, with the lateral agility to wall off speed and bull-rushers alike.

Sam, I see that da Bears are keeping Eberflus and sending Getsy packing (writing on the wall was clearly there). Were you expecting/wanting/not wanting Eberflus to go? I feel like it was 50/50 with most Bears fans I talked to around here.

[funkyjudge]

2 hours ago, chisag said:

 

... Yup. Many actors don't work a ton of days, but when they do work it can be grueling under brutal conditions. Quite often 12-18 hr days and the crew works even longer. I think they certainly deserve any awards they are eligible to receive. I have no problem with "self congratulatory" because, well, it is. but "phony' is pretty off base. And like anything else in life it may not be for you, so that's cool too. 

I apologize for using the term “phony”, and obviously there was nothing personal intended there!  It’s just that the whole atmosphere at those awards shows has a distinct air of artificial sweetness to it.

I guess I just went a bit too far with the “phony” bit, ‘eh?

[JohnSmalls]

Alright salooners, any of you guys coffee lovers?

[GolfSpy_BEN]

2 minutes ago, JohnSmalls said:

Alright salooners, any of you guys coffee lovers?

Go on…

[Josh Parker]

4 minutes ago, JohnSmalls said:

Alright salooners, any of you guys coffee lovers?

Of course. 

[JohnSmalls]

2 minutes ago, GolfSpy_BEN said:

Go on…

Picked up a four cup moka pot for Christmas, have been experimenting.  What is your favorite brewing method?

[GolfSpy_BEN]

1 minute ago, JohnSmalls said:

Picked up a four cup moka pot for Christmas, have been experimenting.  What is your favorite brewing method?

As I am the only coffee drinker in the house, most mornings it is a death wish dark roast k-cup in the Kuerig. On the weekends, when time is a bit more elastic I will use this:

 

[JohnSmalls]

3 minutes ago, GolfSpy_BEN said:

As I am the only coffee drinker in the house, most mornings it is a death wish dark roast k-cup in the Kuerig. On the weekends, when time is a bit more elastic I will use this:

 

My usual cup is a pour over.  Are you grinding your own beans for the weekend pours?

[GolfSpy_BEN]

1 minute ago, JohnSmalls said:

My usual cup is a pour over.  Are you grinding your own beans for the weekend pours?

I have a grinder, so when the situation dictates, I can. For good coffee, a grinder is almost a must have

[Josh Parker]

38 minutes ago, JohnSmalls said:

Picked up a four cup moka pot for Christmas, have been experimenting.  What is your favorite brewing method?

We have a couple different options but our normal is just a 12 cup coffee maker that we grind the beans for.  We have an expresso maker and french press but don't pull those out very often.  

Our go to coffee is Ruta Maya Dark Roast

[GolfSpy_BEN]

3 minutes ago, Josh Parker said:

We have a couple different options but our normal is just a 12 cup coffee maker that we grind the beans for.  We have an expresso maker and french press but don't pull those out very often.  

Our go to coffee is Ruta Maya Dark Roast

Having experienced good dark roast, I can’t go back…

[Josh Parker]

6 minutes ago, GolfSpy_BEN said:

Having experienced good dark roast, I can’t go back…

So many jokes.... hahaha

 

Their expresso beans are good as well.  They are an Austin based company and I have tried quite a few other brands and keep ending up back with them.  

[EasyPutter]

26 minutes ago, GolfSpy_BEN said:

Having experienced good dark roast, I can’t go back…

Sumatra and Columbian blends especially.

18 minutes ago, Josh Parker said:

So many jokes.... hahaha

Their expresso beans are good as well.  They are an Austin based company and I have tried quite a few other brands and keep ending up back with them.  

Yes so many jokes but as you know, all humor is rooted in fact 

[JohnSmalls]

In my moka experiments, I've branched out and tried different grind levels; water temps, and gone so far as to making lattes.  I've discovered that starting with warm water takes a lot of bitterness out of the brew; and dark roasts are much needed for a proper latte.  

On the pour over side of things, I like a medium-dark.  Ethiopia single origins are some of my favorites, I'm enjoying a single origin from Bones Coffee right now.  A new roaster that I found out of Black Mtn, NC (Dynamite Roasting) has a Mexico Chiapas that is phenomenal. 

[chisag]

... I am a light roast guy. Many think dark roast is the strongest coffee and many don't know the more you roast your beans the more caffeine they lose. So light roast has more caffeine than dark roast. I use organic cream in my coffee that I get from Verve from CA and Inteligentsia from Chicago. I try new coffee all the time but these two are the best I have found, especially Verve. 

... My favorite brewing method is French Press or pour over but I am too impatient for either. I found a Ratio 6 that comes very close to a pour over and much more convenient. Expensive but worth it for me. I use an Encore Grinder just before brewing. I only have coffee in the morning when I wake up but really savor the experience. 



 

 

[tdroma98]

2 hours ago, JohnSmalls said:

Alright salooners, any of you guys coffee lovers?

Love coffee, especially espresso. 
Have my mom's old stainless steel 4 cup espresso pot! Plus have a 1 cup espresso pot.  Love the 4 Cup Pot with Pilon or Cafe Bustelo. 
Plus have a Nespresso and enjoy their coffee, Intenso 7.77oz size

 

[JohnSmalls]

14 minutes ago, chisag said:

... I am a light roast guy. Many think dark roast is the strongest coffee and many don't know the more you roast your beans the more caffeine they lose. So light roast has more caffeine than dark roast. I use organic cream in my coffee that I get from Verve from CA and Inteligentsia from Chicago. I try new coffee all the time but these two are the best I have found, especially Verve. 

... My favorite brewing method is French Press or pour over but I am too impatient for either. I found a Ratio 6 that comes very close to a pour over and much more convenient. Expensive but worth it for me. I use an Encore Grinder just before brewing. I only have coffee in the morning when I wake up but really savor the experience. 



 

 


 

Sam, you're bringing us into the 21st century.  I have been using a cuisinart grinder for years but just switched to a 1 zpresso hand grinder.  A little extra effort but the quality of the grind is so much better; especially when it comes to getting the grind size just right for my Bialetti Moka.

Edited January 11 by JohnSmalls

[chisag]

5 minutes ago, JohnSmalls said:

Sam, you're bringing us into the 21st century.  I have been using a cuisinart grinder for years but just switched to a 1 zpresso hand grinder.  A little extra effort but the quality of the grind is so much better.

 

... My Man! That sounds awesome! Who doesn't love a good hand grinder?

Edited January 11 by chisag

[JohnSmalls]

Just now, chisag said:

 

... My Man!B That sounds awesome! Who doesn't love a good hand grinder?

 

[KC Golf]

It will be interesting to see what Chicago can get in the open market for Fields…

[chisag]

1 hour ago, KC Golf said:

It will be interesting to see what Chicago can get in the open market for Fields…

 

... Very interesting. If someone thinks they can utilize his off the charts running ability and teach him how to play from the pocket and get rid of the ball in under 2.8 seconds and both pre read a defense and adjust post snap and teach him to go through progressions very quickly and throw open a WR ... I think we know someone will, he could be worth a first round pick. But nothing less than a 2nd round with some later rounds in following years. As I have said before, he seems like an outstanding young man and a hard worker so I wish him success wherever he ends up, just out of Chicago. 

[CFreddie]

Belichick out in NE - current better odds put the Falcons at the top of list of destinations 

Do we pair him with a veteran (Cousins?) or try to move up for the top QB?  @chisag - lets make a deal! 

[StrokerAce]

good article in The Athletic about Belichick/Pats; not sure if you need a sub to read it.
https://theathletic.com/5180457/2024/01/11/bill-belichick-legacy-patriots/

Some highlights I found interesting...

Belichick long thought he could win with simply average quarterback play, even after working with Brady for so long. If the QB avoided major mistakes, Belichick figured the team would be good enough on defense and special teams to contend.

Belichick is notoriously faint with praise. He grew up in a military environment and gives orders, not explanations. Recognition comes via a paycheck, not a shout-out or a pat on the back. It also didn’t help that with each passing year, there were fewer connections in the locker room to the Super Bowl-winning teams, which meant fewer players to vouch for the fact that all the tough moments with Belichick would be worth it.

Most inside the Patriots organization believe the game has not passed Belichick by. He still knows how to coach, still loves to teach and still knows how to build a game plan as well as anyone. It’s that the organizational structure, his roster construction and his leadership methods are outdated and have allowed the rest of the league to overtake the Patriots. Belichick was always willing to change on the football field, trying different schemes and styles. But he hasn’t changed who he is or how he functions.

[chisag]

1 hour ago, CFreddie said:

Belichick out in NE - current better odds put the Falcons at the top of list of destinations 

Do we pair him with a veteran (Cousins?) or try to move up for the top QB?  @chisag - lets make a deal! 

 

... Ole Bill would be much more comfortable with Cousins than Fields. Tom was one of the best ever reading a defense, trusted his pocket, got rid of the ball quickly and threw opens WR more often than not. And while he could move around in the pocket by instinct to avoid a sack, he wasn't running anywhere. Fields of course is the opposite of all that. 

[CFreddie]

1 hour ago, chisag said:

 

... Ole Bill would be much more comfortable with Cousins than Fields. Tom was one of the best ever reading a defense, trusted his pocket, got rid of the ball quickly and threw opens WR more often than not. And while he could move around in the pocket by instinct to avoid a sack, he wasn't running anywhere. Fields of course is the opposite of all that. 

I meant more for a deal for your #1 pick

[chisag]

11 minutes ago, CFreddie said:

I meant more for a deal for your #1 pick

 

... Haha you are a year late. With Maye and Williams available the Bears have an opportunity to finally acquire a true potential franchise QB and as much as they have screwed it up in the past, I don't think they can get it wrong this year. The ONLY trade I could see is if the Commanders wanted Williams bad enough to trade up to #1 from #2 the Bears would be crazy not to accept that one, especially of they have Maye graded higher or equal. 

... But Ridder will be much better next season, right? 

[chisag]

21 hours ago, JohnSmalls said:

Sam, you're bringing us into the 21st century.

 

... I forgot to mention a must for coffee lovers. A vacuum canister for your beans! Beans start degrading as soon as they hit oxygen and this keeps them much fresher. It really is a game changer. My son and I did an experiment with beans left in the bag compared to those stored in the vacuum. At the end of the bag the difference was pretty obvious. Several companies make these and you might find one cheaper. 

"Oxygen makes coffee stale and robs your brew of its full potential. Atmos banishes air, moisture, and odors to stop your beans from aging out before you’ve enjoyed the whole bag.

Twisting the lid back and forth sucks air out to prevent oxidation and extends coffee’s shelf life up to 50%.

The canister is made of stainless steel with a durable matte black finish applied. It will hold up to 1 pound of coffee beans (1.2 liter size)".

https://ratiocoffee.com/collections/accessories/products/ratio-x-fellow-atmos-coffee-canister

[JohnSmalls]

22 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

... I forgot to mention a must for coffee lovers. A vacuum canister for your beans! Beans start degrading as soon as they hit oxygen and this keeps them much fresher. It really is a game changer. My son and I did an experiment with beans left in the bag compared to those stored in the vacuum. At the end of the bag the difference was pretty obvious. Several companies make these and you might find one cheaper. 

"Oxygen makes coffee stale and robs your brew of its full potential. Atmos banishes air, moisture, and odors to stop your beans from aging out before you’ve enjoyed the whole bag.

Twisting the lid back and forth sucks air out to prevent oxidation and extends coffee’s shelf life up to 50%.

The canister is made of stainless steel with a durable matte black finish applied. It will hold up to 1 pound of coffee beans (1.2 liter size)".

https://ratiocoffee.com/collections/accessories/products/ratio-x-fellow-atmos-coffee-canister

That is awesome! Thanks, Sam!   I've been using a glass jar with that seals with a rubber gasket but with no vacuum.  I'll have to check those out. 

[StrokerAce]

whew! now that's going to be cold... esp coming from Miami. Losing to the Bills *really* cost them.

[CFreddie]

On 1/11/2024 at 12:48 PM, chisag said:

 

... Haha you are a year late. With Maye and Williams available the Bears have an opportunity to finally acquire a true potential franchise QB and as much as they have screwed it up in the past, I don't think they can get it wrong this year. The ONLY trade I could see is if the Commanders wanted Williams bad enough to trade up to #1 from #2 the Bears would be crazy not to accept that one, especially of they have Maye graded higher or equal. 

... But Ridder will be much better next season, right? 

Oooof....