Knoxville 9:00 a.m. ET June 4, 2017

PetSmart will host a cat and kitten adoption event on June 10 and 11.(Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

MUSIC

Woodpickers' Appalachian and Celtic music program:7 p.m. Friday, June 9,at the gazebo next to Seymour Library, 137 West Macon Lane, Seymour. Homemade desserts, beverages and used books will be on sale. Proceeds benefit Friends of Seymour Library's building fund. Bring your own chair or blanket. If there is bad weather, the program will be held inside the library. Info:573-0728.

THEATER

Sleeping Beauty & the Seven Sisters: Friday, June 9- Sunday, June 25 at Knoxville Children's Theatre,109 E. Churchwell Ave. Performances7 p.m. Thursdays and Friday, 1 and 5 p.m. Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets $12 a person or $10 each for adult and child coming to playtogether. Info: 865-208-3677 orhttp://knoxvillechildrenstheatre.com/

BOOKS/WRITERS

Blount County Friends of the Library Pre-Owned Book Sale:9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, June 9, and Saturday, June 10, at the library, 508 N. Cusick St., Maryville. More than 40,000 organized-by-genrehardbacks and paperbacks, collectibles, intact puzzles, CDs, DVDs and more. Info: 865-982-0981.

Blount County Public Library'sFamily/Team LEGO Building Challenge:6:30 p.m. Monday, June 5, at the library, 508 N. Cusick St., Maryville.Open to teams and family members of all ages, participants will be challenged to build replicas of famous and important historical buildings.The LEGO Challenge will introduce this years Summer Reading Program theme, Build a Better World. Info: 865-982-0981.

Clinton Public Library Summer Reading Club'sRetirement By Design Program:6 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, at the library,118 S. Hicks St.,Clinton. ByMichael Ousley from Edward Jones. Info:http://clintonpubliclibrary.org/.

LECTURES/DISCUSSIONS

Spirit and Truth Fellowship of Knoxville Solar-EclipseScience Cafe:5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 8, atIjams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave. ByMark Littmann, Ph.D., a professor at the University of Tennessee.RSVP by sending an e-mail message to rsvp@knoxsciencecafe.org. Includehow many adults and children (with ages) are in your group. Children are welcome to attend any of the Science Caf meetings with their parents.For ages 5-12, aKid's Caf program is heldin a nearby area with a science lesson and activities. Info:http://www.spirit-and-truth.net/sciencecafe/.

CLASSES/WORKSHOPS

Summer Pruning Gardening Workshop:10:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 10, atCedar Bluff Branch Library, 9045 Cross Park Drive. Join Master Gardener John Payne to learn when and how to properly prune those bushes, shrubs and small trees that are planted in your lawn and around your house.Free. Open to public. Info: 865-470-7033.

HEALTH

Concord Adult Day Enrichment Services Caregiver Support Group: 10 a.m.-noon Tuesday, June 6,Concord United Methodist Church, 11020 Roane Drive, Room E224 (front covered East 1 entrance. Dr. Noi Nuyen and nurse practitioner Jamie Nuyen, his wife, to discuss what to look for when considering residential care. Info: 865-675-2835.

Utilizing Integrative Medicine for Maximum Healing: 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, Cancer Support Community, 2230 Sutherland Ave. Dr. Clayton Bell, University of Tennessee Medical Center Cancer Institute, to discuss how to maximize your treatment through building health and vitality with diet, exercise, stress reduction and energy medicines. Light meal provided. Free to those affected by cancer. Register: 865-546-4661.

Getting Your House in Order: End-of-life planning seminar, 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, June 7, Newport Medical Center, third-floor conference room, 435 Second St., Newport. Covers how to leave an organized estate, from practical matters to making ones final wishes known; includes House in Order workbook that provides guidance on items to consider gathering. Register by June 6: 1-855-TENNOVA (836-6682); Tennova.com.

Prostate Cancer Networker: 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 10, Cancer Support Community, 2230 Sutherland Ave. Info: 865-546-4661.

MISC.

Art Guild at Fairfield Glade'sArt in the Park: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.Saturday, June 10, and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, June 11, at thePlateau Creative Arts Center,451 Lakeview Drive,Fairfield Glade. Free. Open to the public. With artists in booths offering paintings, photography, jewelry and creations in wood, pottery, and basket weaving. Info:http://artguildfairfieldglade.net/index.html.

Historic Rugby Classic Car Show and Street Fair:The car show will go from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, June 10, and the street fair will go from 9 a.m-5 p.m. Saturday, June 10, and Sunday, June 11, in Historic Rugby.Car owners can pre-register their vehicles for the show by calling 423-628-2441. Owners not already registered can do so for a $10 fee the morning of the show, space permitting. Spectators get in free. Info:http://www.historicrugby.org/.

Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer's Center of Excellence, Lenoir City's Sweetie Pie Dance:5-7 p.m. Thursday, June 8, at155 Morning Pointe Drive,Lenoir City. With dancing and desserts. Info: 865-271-9966.

Virginia College Bring a Friend Event:1-3 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, at the college,5003 N. Broadway St. Free. Will feature refreshments, campus tours, program demonstrations, career planning sessions, a career development presentation, raffles anda meet-and-greet reception. Preregistration is required. Info and registration:865-745-4500.

Wears Valley Ranch Artisan Craft Sale:9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, June 10, at the ranch,3601 Lyon Springs Road. With food, vintage items, crafts, jewelry, live music, pottery and more. Free.Info:https://wvr.org/artisan-craft-sale/.

National Cancer Survivors Day Event with Jody Sims: 3-5 p.m. Sunday, June 4, at Sanctuary Vegan Cafe, 151 N Seven Oaks Drive. Free. Includes music by W. James Taylor and Sims' art exhibit "Compassion Makes Life Beautiful."

CLUBS

Authors Guild of Tennessee Meeting:6 p.m. Thursday, June 8,at the Farragut Library,417 N. Campbell Station Road.The guest speaker is Stephen Lyn Bales, award-winning author, photographer and senior naturalist at Ijams Nature Center. Published authors are invited to attend. Info: authorsguildoftn.org.

"Decorating Our Lives With Changes" Luncheon with the Knoxville Christian Women's Connection:10:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Thursday, June 8, atBuddy's Bearden Banquet Hall,5806 Kingston Pike. Cost:$15.KCWC's special programming will be decor ideas from Diane at Bliss Home, music by Justin Terryandinspirational speakerLinda Cowan who will share how her life left her challenged to be different.Reservations can be made by phone or text to the reservations line 865-315-8182 or email Knoxvillechristianwomen@gmail.com.

Knoxville Philatelic Society Monthly Meeting:7 p.m. Tuesday, June 6,at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, 2931 Kingston Pike. Active postage stamp collectors and those wanting to learn about postage stamp collecting are invited to attend. Info: Jim Pettway, jim.stampmail62@yahoo.com or 865-470-9967.

Knoxville Porcelain Artists will host theEast District Meeting of TPA: 11 a.m.on Thursday, June 8,at Puleo's Grill, 260 N. Peters Road.Painter Cathy Teller will bethe demonstrator.Contact Ruth Widener for more information 865-693-0865. Time to pay dues for 2017-2019.

Longstreet-Zollicoffer Camp 87, Sons of Confederate Veterans Business Meeting: 2 p.m. Sunday, June 11, atthe East Tennessee Historical Society, 601 S. Gay St.Prior to the meeting, Ron Jones will present a program on Robert E. Lee and the Battle of Gettysburg.Program is free and is open to the public.

Smoky Mountain Hiking Club Hikes:Brady Mountain/Grassy Cove of the Cumberland Trail Hike:Meet at Lowes, 1800 Roane St. Highway, Harriman, at 8 a.m. Wednesday, June 7.Hike: 8 miles, rated moderate. Recommend wearing convertible or lightweight long pants due to brushy trail. Info:Leader: Diane Petrilla, petrillad@gmail.com. Sugar Run at Cumberland Gap Hike:Meet in the parking lot of Outback Steak House, 314 Merchants Drive, at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, June 10.Hike: about 8.5 miles, rated moderate. Info:Leader: Lori Hill, LLH4@rocketmail.com.

Smoky Mountain Quilters Meeting:6:30 p.m. social time, 7 p.m. meeting Tuesday, June 6, atat Messiah Lutheran Church, Kingston Pike at Golf Club Road.Members will displaysmall quilts and other quilted items donated to be sold at the SMQ quilt show. Also, SMQ will discuss final preparations for the quilt show fromJune 16-17 at the Knoxville Expo Center, 5441 Clinton Highway.Note that the July meeting will be on the second Tuesday, July 10, because of the July 4 holiday.

Tennessee Valley Exotic Bird Club Meeting:2-4 p.m. Sunday, June 4, in theUT School of Veterinary Medicine'sSequoyah Room 203. No birds are allowed. Attendees are asked to bring snacks.

Tennessee Valley Machine Knitters Club Meeting:10 a.m. Tuesday, June 6, in the Alcoa First United Methodist Church. Visitors are welcome.The program will be on knitting techniques. Info:Marie Hickson,865-4570960.

Welcome Wagon Meeting:11:45 a.m. Wednesday, June 7, atBearden Banquet Hall, 5806 Kingston Pike.Lunch will becatered byBuddy's Bar-B-Q. The program will be presented by Nancy Howard, VP of Patient services at Provision Center for proton therapy.Cost $13. Reservations and payment required by Monday, June 5.For reservations, call248-444-6560.

Wine Society of East Tennessee "Flag Day" Event:6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, at Calhoun's on the River,400 Neyland Drive. Seating limited to 50 people. Cost: $65 for members, $65 for one guest, $70 for nonmembers and $70 for additional guests. RSVP by Saturday, June 10, athttp://www.ws4et.com/.

GARDEN CLUBS

Arissa Garden Club Meeting:10 a.m. Tuesday, June 6, at Ivan Racheff House and Gardens, 1943 Tennessee Ave. Joint meeting with Noweta Garden Club, "New Plants for Spring," by Lisa Stanley, member of Chapman Highway Garden Club and owner of Stanley's Greenhouse at 3029 Davenport Road. Info: Vicky Richards, 865-388-1671 or Cathy Waitinas, 865-435-4856.

Noweta Garden Club Meeting:10 a.m. Tuesday, June 6, at Ivan Racheff House & Gardens, 1943 Tennessee Ave. Marianne Wilson from Stanley's Greenhouse will be the featured speaker. Members should bring their own lunches and are encouraged toto visit the gardens to see additions and changes at the Headquarters of Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs.

West Hills 10 O'Clock Gardeners Meeting:9:30 a.m. social hour, 10 a.m. meeting Thursday, June 8, atChurch of the Nazarene, 583 Vanosdale Drive. Program: "Everything Mushrooms" by Candace Hess.

AARP DRIVERS SAFETY

Class:9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday, June 9, atHarrogate Senior Center, 310 Londonberry Road, Harrogate. Info: Instructor Carolyn Rambo, 423-869-8080.

ANIMAL RESCUES

Cat and Kitten Pet Adoption Event:11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, June 10, and 12-5 p.m. Sunday, June 11, atPetSmart Turkey Creek, 11134 Parkside Drive.With cats and kittens that arespayed/neutered, combo tested-negative, vaccinated, microchipped, litter box trainedand more. Cost: $40. Adopt and take home same day. Bring a carrier. Info:Monroe County Animal Shelter, 423-442-1015.

Read or Share this story: http://knoxne.ws/2ssnUYq

Excerpt from:
Go Knoxville's things-to-do calendar through June 11 - Knoxville News Sentinel

Bottles move on the bottling line for packaging at New Belgium Brewing on Wednesday, May 31, 2017.(Photo: Austin Humphreys/The Coloradoan)

FORT COLLINS, Colo. Fat Tiremade it tothe backwoodsof Mainethis spring.

The arrival officially brought New Belgium Brewingto all 50 states.

Nationwide distribution is the latestaccomplishment in the company's26-year journey from a Fort Collins basementto its current status as the country's fourth largest craft brewery that sells nearly 1 million barrels a year.

New Belgium stafftoasted the national conquest at its recently renovated Fort Collins headquarters, which overlooksa grassy beer garden often filled with patrons playing yard games.

"For many of us older employees,it was an incredible experienceto take a relatively small brewery with a limited (beer lineup)nationwide," said outgoing brewmaster Peter Bouckaert, who joined New Belgium in 1996.

Beer Man: Barrel aging works well in new Goose Island brew

Beer Man: Yozu fruit brings dull flavors

The national footprint isa result ofnearly a decade of planning by theemployee-owned company. New Belgium, which currently employs784 people,has expanded far beyond Belgian-style beers, updated its packaging, andlaunched an Asheville, N.C.,brewery to more efficiently serve Eastern states.

The brewery's emergenceas a national company has contributed to a local culture shift as well.

"Thefurther away from home you get, the harder you have to work to make your brand relevant," said Bart Watson, the chief economist for the Brewers Association.

Alonzo Chunn loads trucks with completed beer orders at New Belgium Brewing on Wednesday, May 31, 2017.(Photo: Austin Humphreys/The Coloradoan)

While New Belgium dominates area liquor store sales,some locals prefer to drinkat the nearby Odell Brewing taproom. Odell, the country's 27th largest craft brewer, distributes to 14 states.

"It feels more local (at Odell)," said longtime resident and brewery patron Steve Foreman, while wearing a New Belgium hat. "New Belgium makes great beer, but theywent across the country first. Odell stayed local longer."

New Belgium redesigned its beer lineup in 2017 to solidify its national standing. They introduced arebrandedhoppy beerline and a new golden alestocked next to Mexican imports. A second Fat Tire flavor is due this summer. Other major additions are promised soon.

All organizations evolve just like biological systems evolve, said co-founder Kim Jordan, who serves as executive chair of the board of directors.

And New Belgium must move forward without two key people.

Bouckaertwill exitat the end of the yearafter 21 years as brewmaster. Former CEO Christine Perichstepped down in November 2016after 17 years with the company.

Both are pursuing new beverage ventures.Bouckaert is set to launch a smaller Fort Collins brewery and Perich is now the CEO of Denverscold-pressed watermelon juice company with ties to Beyonce called WTRMLN WTR.

"The hardest thing is leaving the passion at New Belgium," Bouckaert said. "Im really looking forward to the simplicity of (the new venture). Brewing on a small system ... and making beers that you dont have to reproduce.

For all of its national focus, New Belgium has also invested more than $10 million into Fort Collins projects the past two years.

There's thenew beer garden, offices anda doctor's office for free employee use.There will be a New Belgium porchat the Colorado State University on-campus football stadium that opens this fall. And the brewery haspartnered with CSUto create a lager beer.

The brewery's Fort Collins location has emerged as a regional tourist destination, hosting about 200,000 people on tours a year. Fort Collins gets New Belgium beers first and the breweryhas taproom exclusives.

"Healthy competition raises the bar, and it has pushed New Belgium to be innovative and adapt," said Mat Dinsmore, who has run Wilbur's Total Beverage in Fort Collins since 2000. "Not only have (New Belgium)beers changed, but the company has itself."

Breaking from Belgium influences

A Belgian biking trip first inspired the concept of New Belgium.

Jordan started the brewery withthen-husband Jeff Lebesch as a side job in 1991 Jordan was a social worker and Lebesch an electrical engineer.

Belgian-style beers were rare in the U.S. at the time.The industry had almost-exclusively German and English influences. And U.S. craft brewers were making a combined 330,000 barrels a year in 1991.

New Belgium's initial plan was to serve liquor stores with 22-ounce glassbottlessince Fort Collins' other craft breweries at the time Old Colorado Brewing, CooperSmith's Brewing and Odell Brewing were exclusively supplying restaurants and bars.

New Belgium debuted with Fat Tire and Abbey, both still flagship beerstoday.

"We were babies when it came to understanding what would happen next," Jordan said.

The brewery reported $150,000 in revenue during its first year. New Belgium moved out of the basement after 14 months, selling the original brewing equipment for cash.

They ventured into other states, but initiallypulled back from some locations around 1995.

"There was no strategy other than that we were asked," Jordan said. "Pretty soon we rethought about how we were doing things."

New Belgiumintroduced Belgian-style sour beers to Americain 2000.Then the brewery broke from its exclusive Belgian guidelineswith the release of Ranger IPA in 2010.

The decision took some soul searching to be sure, Jordan said. Every craft brewer is always trying to figure out the optimal portfolio configuration.

Empty cans await their turn on the canning line at New Belgium Brewing on Wednesday, May 31, 2017.(Photo: Austin Humphreys/The Coloradoan)

The brewery updated its packaging with a more national approach in 2014 ditching hand paintings by Jordans old Fort Collins neighbor Ann Fitch for logos created by San Francisco firmHatch Design.

The decision to expand beyond the Belgian sphere was critical to the brewery's national expansion.IPA beers, including New Belgium's 2016 release Citradelic along with the new Voodoo Ranger series, now represent the companys largest sales growth.

Forbes estimated New Belgium's annual revenue wasaround $225 million in 2016.

"It is cool to see them grow and do more types of beer," saidTodd Gates, a longtime patron of area craft breweries. "But there's also drawbacks, like if you want to go out and grab a beer at the brewery on a Friday night."

New Belgium's next wave

Maine welcomed New Belgium in April with 32 launch events. Vermont, New Hampshire and Oklahoma welcomed the brewery in similar fashion earlier in the year.

People already knew about a lot of their beers, said Josh Blackdar of Maine's National DistributorsInc. There was a lot of anticipation, even though it had never been here before.

New Belgiumjoins Longmonts Oskar Blues, Boston Beer Co.s Sam Adams, Californias Sierra Nevada and Oregons Rogue ales among a handful ofcraft brands that have gone completely national with distribution.

New Belgium's seasonal Pumpkick beer is served in the Fort Collins tasting room in 2016.(Photo: Coloradoan library)

A fewothers among the more than 5,000 U.S. breweries areinching closer to national distinction. But Watsonsaid some major craft breweries are taking the opposite approach pulling back frommarkets to focus on regional efforts.

"New Belgium has beers that play in every arena," Blackdar said. "As a distributor, you are always looking to add a brand with their portfolio and reputation."

For example, Dayblazer Easygoing Ale launched this year. It's stocked in liquor stores next to major Mexican imports. Developing Dayblazer went through 39 names and 16 package designs because of trademark and marketing challenges. Lighter, sessionbeers have recently trended throughout the craft beer industry.

Theres also a rebranded Voodoo Ranger hoppy beer line thats up 48 percent in sales compared to its predecessors last year.

A Colorado-only golden lagercalled Old Aggie will debut in July in partnership with CSU.

We had gaps in our portfolio, said Ruairi Twomey, New Belgiums vice president of marketingwho was hired away from the Guinness and Smirnoff Ice parent company by Perich last year.

A second Fat Tire flavor is due in August aBelgian White wheat beer with Seville orange peel. The beer style is similar to popular brandsBlue Moon and Shock Top.

The best brands always go back and recruit the next generation, Twomey said. Fat Tire was a true icon of craft beer. But todays 24-year-old might not know that.

Twomey also promises two more big beerswill be addednext year.

We are only getting warmed up, he said.

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

New beer flavors give New Belgium a better arsenal against stiffnational competition. Of the country's five largest craft brewers, New Belgium was the only one to increase sales last year.

Along with a rapidly growing American beer scene, Budweiser parent company Anheuser-Busch InBev is investing millions into its acquired craft breweries. AB InBev, the worlds largest brewer, also has distinct advantages since it owns multiple distribution channels throughout the country.

Spreading resources and production to an Asheville brewery wasessential to New Belgiums nationwide viability. Sierra Nevada and Oskar Blues are other western-based brewers thathave addedeastern breweries.

Last year, Asheville produced about 20 percent of New Belgiums total beer. The brewery has increased production each month since opening and currently makes six beers that are currently in the market they are made with the same recipes but more air conditioning is required at theAsheville facility because of higher humidity.

New Belgium has about 130 Asheville employeeswho regularly video conference with Fort Collins staff.

The number of surprises we face out here are going down, said Asheville general manager Jay Richardson, a longtime New Belgium employee who moved from Fort Collins for the job.

(The culture) feels like its own thing, but also feels like Fort Collins at the same time.

Asheville hosted its first Tour de Fat in May a costumed bike parade hosted by the brewery first made famous in Fort Collins.

"They didn't dress up as much as we see in Fort Collins," Jordan said. "But they will get the hang of it."

New Belgium is now addingnew traditions to old ones. The brewery's next evolution will include a new CEO and brewmaster.

Follow Jacob Laxenon Twitter: @jacoblaxen

Read or Share this story: https://usat.ly/2rUQgxC

Go here to read the rest:
New Belgium confronts culture shift as brewery goes national - USA TODAY

ENCINITAS A Superior Court judge has ruled against a residents group that challenged the citys approval of a second-story addition to a duplex on Rosebay Drive in 2016.

The group, which called itself Friends to Preserve Encinitas Beauty, sued Encinitas residents Gina Merchant and Derek Bradley in March 2016, challenging the addition of a 649-square-foot second story to their 863-square-foot duplex.

The group claimed the home remodel would block public and private views, would violate the citys parking requirements, that it didnt follow the citys Design Review Guidelines and that it should have been subject to extensive review under the California Environmental Quality Act.

The group also claimed approval would prompt others to build additions which would block the view of neighbors above.

Superior Court Judge Earl Maas on May 10 ruled against the group on all counts. Merchant expressed relief in the ruling.

My husband and I are so relieved to have put this to rest as the weight of the lawsuit has been bearing down on us for 12 long months, Merchant said. We were shocked and disheartened that these people took it this far given that we worked carefully with the city of Encinitas to design a second story that would be considerate of our neighbors and community, and their arguments were completely baseless.

They were just determined to try to bully us with their money. We hope our success will discourage similar NIMBY attacks elsewhere in our community, and empower people to fight for their right to improve their homes, Merchant said.

Everett Delano, the groups attorney, said the group hadnt decided if they would appeal the ruling.

Delano acknowledged that winning the lawsuit was not going to be easy, given they would have to prove the slippery slope the approval would create.

I think it was important to set a precedent that we simply cant sit back and allow this to happen, Delano said. Its not about Derek and Gina, its the concern that if you keep building up, everyone else will build up.

Marco Gonzalez, who represented Merchant and Bradley, called the suit frivolous. Suits like these only serve to fuel the perception that our environmental laws are ineffective and frequently abused, Gonzalez said. I really wish some attorneys would consider the negative consequences to the environmental movement when they bring these types of clearly bogus suits.

Visit link:
Judge rules against citizens group in duplex suit The Coast News ... - Coast News

Kevin Guhl, NRT Communications 12:30 a.m. ET June 4, 2017

Find things to do, places to eat, happy hours to hit and so much more. We even have you covered on rainy days! Ryan Ross

This Jockey Hollow equestrian estate has a fenced pasture and riding ring, a fish pond with waterfall, and an historic four-bedroom house with an updated kitchen.(Photo: ~Courtesy of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage)

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, N.J. (May 31, 2017) This four-bedroom country home blends historic charm, modern amenities and serene surroundings, all just minutes from Morristown. Located in one of Morris Townships most historic areas, this five-acre property features a fish pond with cascading waterfall, a shady grape arbor surrounded by colorful perennials, a fully fenced pasture and riding ring, a three-stall barn and tack room, a two-car garage and an oversized shed. For nonequestrians, the barn is ideal for a home office, family entertainment space, art or exercise studio. The flat pasture and riding ring could make ideal gardens, sport courts, a soccer field or baseball diamond. Beyond the arbor, theres also plenty of room for a private pool.

The current owner has lovingly maintained the property and all additions and renovations have respected the historic integrity of the house. Built in 1877, the 2,562 square-foot clapboard home offers 12 rooms, including four bedrooms, three full baths, two stairways, a screened-in porch and a second-floor laundry.

From the expansive driveway, brick pavers and a split-rail fence lead to the welcoming back door entrance. The back foyer features a large coat closet and full bath. Original wood floors lead to the sunny living room with one of two wood-burning stoves. Many of the windows contain original glass. The holiday-size dining room hosts a wood-burning fireplace and warm pumpkin pine floors.

From the dining room, an original Dutch door opens to the eat-in kitchen where custom barn-sided cabinets juxtapose todays modern conveniences, including the Bosch stove, electric double oven, large dishwasher, stainless double-door refrigerator and granite countertops. Here, there is an additional wood-burning stove. The kitchen opens to a spacious family room with a wood-burning fireplace and views of the grape arbor through the bow picture window. French doors lead to the screened-in porch that looks out onto the arbor, gardens and pasture.

the back staircase is the master suite featuring built-in book cases and views of the arbor, woods and wildlife. The master bath includes a sitting area with custom closets and a built-in chest of drawers, a linen closet, and double sinks. Down the hall is the laundry room and another full bath with new tiled floors, tub and shower. Three more bedrooms, one with built-in bookshelves and currently used as an office, complete the second floor.

The home features central air, steam radiators and electric heat. Fuel is currently oil, however there is gas in the street. Utilities are propane gas and electric. The septic is four-bedroom town-certified, and the home is served by a well.

564 Jockey Hollow is located just one minute from the historic Jockey Hollow area of the Morristown National Historical Park, featuring miles of hiking trails, historic sites and guided ranger programs. This country home is also located just 2.6 miles from downtown Morristown with a multitude of shopping, restaurant and entertainment venues, plus train service to New York City. In addition to highly rated public schools, local private school options include the Morristown Beard School, Delbarton, The Peck School, Villa Walsh Academy, and Academy of Saint Elizabeth.

The home is offered at $779,000 through affiliated Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage sales agents Sueanne Sylvester at 973-219-8845 and Denise Flanagan at 973-420-4590. Additional listing information and photos can be found at http://www.564jockeyhollow.com.

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in New Jersey and Rockland County, New York, a leading residential real estate brokerage company, operates 52 offices with approximately 3,000 affiliated sales associates serving all communities from Rockland County, N.Y. to Monmouth County, N.J. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in New Jersey and Rockland County, N.Y. is part of NRT LLC, the nations largest residential real estate brokerage company. Visit http://www.ColdwellBankerHomes.com for more information.

Read or Share this story: http://dailyre.co/2srjFfw

More:
Five minutes from Morristown: 5-acre country retreat - Daily Record

'); //-->

BATAVIA Walking the hallways of the new Student Success Center, Genesee Community College officials wore bright yellow helmets.

The floors they walked on were carpeted the colleges gold and blue colors, leading through a wing of offices that serves as the home for a new success coaching model currently empty except for boxes of early-arriving furniture. Theyll be outfitted over the coming weeks, with dozens of college staff moving in by the end of June.

With the 2016-17 term less than two weeks past, and another academic year starting in August, there is both of a sense of tasks to complete and certainty of readiness as the colleges summer break continues with sounds of construction.

Weve always been on a time frame to have it up and running for students by July 3, said GCC Vice President of Finance and Operations Kevin Hamilton, noting that schedule has largely held. The nature of the college as a truly community school made it necessary.

We start earlier than most colleges, Hamilton said. Being a community school, students are coming in to pay their bills and bringing in their residency forms. Were helping them to finding a better schedule for their courses, the right campuses for them ... it really starts to pick up in a big way in the first week of August.

The first group of Japanese students joining GCC this year arrived Thursday, passing by the Student Success Center on a tour of the campus. Next year, it will the first stop.

A second-story presentation room was unadorned Thursday, but the wide-open view it offered of the nearby quad, theater and the rest of campus provides an obvious appeal.

Its designed to attract students into here, Hamilton said. Our real goal was to have it be a beacon of sorts. It was developed with these big windows, to be very apparent to students that this is where to go.

The new addition off the colleges main building, along with the Richard C. Call Arena, are very much still under construction, but the facilities have already transformed the look of the Batavia campus.

The wellness and events center stands alone across a field of pavement. Inside, the windowed-ceiling of the central fieldhouse looms over a floor of half-laid turf. Other than that project, its ready for equipment, students and events.

Were all very excited, but its the community thats been contacting us, said Marketing Communications Associate Director Donna Rae Sutherland, noting the college is already lining up a packed schedule. The Chamber is figuring how this space will be used, that one is beyond us.

Convocation will be held in the arena Sept. 12, a week after the donors that helped launch the $25 million capital project with more than $5 million in local support get their own tour. Homecoming weekend will be centered at the arena Sept. 22 and 23, with guest speakers being lined up along with conventions and sports tournaments.

For GCCs lacrosse teams, who traveled to Elma for indoor practice space, Hamilton said the arenas growth was watched intently.

This is a legit athletics facility, he said, and removes a weak point of the program. A vast weight room adds another space thats pulling excitement.

Inside the Success Center, the interest has been more internalized.

Staff members have filtered through a second-story enclosed walkway to inspect their future offices. A crew of seven success coaches, who have been building their program over the last semester, will be stationed along the far wall of offices, with advisors serving specialized departments located around a corner.

As they move into the new building, those of us who are staying are peeking around, Sutherland said. We can see where we are going to change existing spaces into new classrooms and labs, where we are going to develop new areas. Purposeful Additions

They key word, the key phrase, is student success.

Director of Development and External Affairs Richard Ensman sees the name of the new facility as both clear and important.

The role of the college of any college is to be committed to students. Very few, he said, have attempted to take it to this level.

Walking into a foyer that on Thursday had the outline of a lounge and a staircase rising with temporary boards as bannisters, students will be greeted by a five-station hub customer service desk.

You come into college and potentially, depending on your needs, you may have 75 to 80 different tasks or activities that you are responsible for, Ensman said. The traditional model of higher education has been to have departments and units that are each responsible for managing a specific functional area or service.

The college expects many students to only need to talk with their success coach a few times per semester, but those with a pile of questions or inhibiting circumstances it will be a building block.

Our coaches will be able to do all (the academic advisor roles), and provide basic financial aid and career resources. Theyll have a variety of things a student needs to be successful here.

Somewhere in the building, probably many places inside it, will be written Genesees slogan Beyond Expectations. Ensman said thats embodied by these projects, and these coaches.

As the building enters the final weeks of construction, at least the physical expectations are being met.

The hard hats are collected, the noise continues. Its summer at the college, and its time to work.

Read the original:
No summer break: Construction nears completion at GCC - The Daily News Online

BOX SCORE

Ben Lively had to wait a tantalizingly long time to make his major-league debut. He was called from Triple A briefly in April and did not pitch. He came back for two games in early May and did not pitch. Lively's time to shine finally arrived Saturday and he did just that. He shined. The 25-year-old right-hander, one of the early additions to the Phillies' rebuild, pitched seven innings of one-run ball and earned the victory in a 5-3 win over the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park (see Instant Replay). Not a bad major-league debut. "I can't even explain it," Lively said. "It's awesome." Manager Pete Mackanin, shellshocked after watching his team lose 26 of its previous 32 games and his starting pitchers go more than six innings just 10 times in the first 52 games of the season, wanted to kiss Lively when it was over. "Needless to say, Lively is my favorite pitcher," Mackanin cracked. "He did a heck of a good job. The thing that impressed me the most is he showed no fear. From the first pitch on, he pitched like he belonged here."

Lively came to the Phillies shortly after the team announced its rebuild after the 2014 season. The Phils acquired him from Cincinnati for Marlon Byrd. Lively won 18 games in the minors last year and six more this year before coming up from Triple A to replace struggling Zach Eflin.

The only run that Lively gave up Saturday came in the second inning and it might never have happened if third baseman Maikel Franco could have made the play on a Buster Posey ground ball that was ruled a hit. Posey eventually scored on a sacrifice fly after a balk and a hit batsman by Lively. Those were really the only two times that Lively looked like a rookie making his debut. Otherwise "He was cool, calm and collected," Mackanin said. "It was really fun watching him pitch. When he went back out for that last inning, I went up to him before the inning and I said, Are you OK to go back out there?' He said, Yeah, Im good. " Lively scattered four hits and walked three. He made his big-league debut, got his first big-league hit and pitching win all on the same day, but his first big-league strikeout will have to wait. He did not strike out a batter. "I couldnt even strike out my sister tonight," he said. "But, they were swinging, putting the ball on the ground, and if they were going to keep doing that, Ill keep rolling with it. "My fastball command and just getting ahead was the key."

The Phillies turned three double plays behind Lively. After being shut out, 10-0, by the Giants Friday night, the Phillies' offense put up another string of zeroes through five innings. The drought ended with two outs in the sixth when Tommy Joseph jumped on a full-count changeup from Johnny Cueto and sent it over the wall in left to tie the game. The homer traveled 447 (longest of the season by a Phillie) and came off the bat at 111 mph. An inning later, the Phillies put the first three men on base, went ahead on a hit by Freddy Galvis and took a commanding lead on a three-run double by Odubel Herrera. Pat Neshek protected a four-run lead in the eighth he's allowed just two runs in 20 1/3 innings but Hector Neris struggled in the ninth and needed an assist from Jeanmar Gomez to nail down the win. Lively's win. "That was definitely exciting to see," Lively said of the Phillies' four-run seventh. "No matter what level youre at, you always want to be winning ballgames. Winning is fun." Lively's mother, Ginny, made the trip up from Pensacola, Florida, for her son's big-league debut. His sister and grandmother were also on hand. Lively's dad, Ed, could not make the trip. He runs a charter fishing boat service back on the Gulf Coast and, well, Saturdays are pretty busy. "My dad has to go catch fish," the pitcher said. Ed Lively's boat was back at the marina by first pitch and he got to watch the game on television. So he saw his son reel in his first big-league win.

Phillies (18-35) vs. Giants (23-34) 1:35 p.m. on CSN; streaming live on CSNPhilly.com and the NBC Sports App

The Phillies ended their losing streak at five Saturday with a strong outing from rookie Ben Lively and some clutch hits against Johnny Cueto and Giants' bullpen in a 5-3 win. They have a chance to end a string of 10 consecutive series losses with a winSunday. Jeremy Hellickson takes the hill in opposition of lefty Matt Moore for the Giants.

Here are five things to know for the series finale,

1. Signs of hope When the Phillies fell 18 games under .500 Friday, there was little, if anything, positive to take away from the game. They were shutout by a rookie starter and Jerad Eickhoff failed to get out of the third inning.

Saturday was much more uplifting for the Phils.

The main takeaway is that Ben Lively can hang in the rotation for a little while. The 25-year-old rookie held his own for seven innings despite not striking out a batter. A few timely double plays helped as he gave up just one run. What a wonder keeping the ball in the park can do for a team. He faces the Braves his next time out, so he gets an opportunity against another sub-par offense before he receives a big challenge.

But it wasn't just Lively coming up big for the Phils on Saturday. Maikel Franco had the Phillies' first hit a double and led off the seventh inning with a single before coming around to score the go-ahead run. Later in that same inning, the similarly maligned Odubel Herrera lined a three-run double his second two-bagger of the game with another bat flip to boot to provide a four-run lead. The Phillies need those two going if they're going to reverse course this month.

Pat Neshek was solid again but the Phils got a bad outing from Hector Neris. However, Jeanmar Gomez seems to have earned himself some trust and clinched the save, getting the final out. If Gomez can become reliable again, that would help make up for Joaquin Benoit's absence in the short term, giving the team a better back-end moving forward.

2. Turning to Hellickson Hellickson could use some signs of hope after a lackluster May.

Granted, it wasn't a bad month compared to the rest of the team, but it was a struggle nonetheless. He had a 7.04 ERA in six starts and had a 1.533 WHIP in 30 2/3 innings. He gave up nine home runs and walked 12 while striking out just 13 batters.

And that follows the trend of his year as a whole. He's given up home runs at a higher rate than last season while striking out less than half as many per nine innings. Therefore, he's at the mercy of balls in play and he hasn't induced as much weak contact in his recent starts, including a 4-1 loss to the Marlins last Monday.

It's becoming harder and harder to see Hellickson as someone worth giving an offer large enough that would put the Phillies in line for draft pick compensation if he leaves in the offseason. Therefore, the team could make a larger effort to trade him at the deadline, which is also made tougher by his recent results.

He's 2-2 with 2.86 ERA over 22 innings vs. Giants in hiscareer. Last season, he threw six innings of one-run ball last season to earn a victory in San Francisco, outdueling Madison Bumgarner.

Among Giants batters, Brandon Crawford is 4 for 10 against him while Aaron Hill is 3 for 9 with a walk. Brandon Belt is 3 for 6.

3. Moore pitches, Moore problems Last year, the Giants acquired the 27-year-old lefty at the deadline and they haven't gotten the performance they were looking for from Moore this season.

The southpaw is just 2-6 with 4.98 ERA over 11 starts and 65 innings. Like Hellickson, he has struggled with home runs, surrendering 11. Walks and control have been an issue his entire career (he once led the American League in wild pitches) and that's no different this year. However, he was an All-Star pitcher with so-so control in 2013, but that was pre-arm surgery.

Moore underwent Tommy John surgery in 2014, a year after his best season, and he hasn't quite been the same since. He hasn't had a season with an above-average ERA since beforesurgery.

The lefty lives in the low 90s with a four-seam fastball and mixes in an 89 mph cutter. He has a knuckle curve and a changeup in the low 80s to change speeds.

He's 0-1 with 5.06 ERA in two starts against the Phillies. Last season, he gave up two runs in six innings while walking six batters. Howie Kendrick is 7 for 20 with a double, two walks and an HBP against Moore. Cesar Hernandez is 2 for 5 with a double and triple and Michael Saunders is 3 for 8 with a home run.

4. Players to watch Phillies: Franco had his first two-hit game with an extra-base hit since May 4 on Saturday. The double was his first extra-base hit since May 21.

Giants: First basemanBelt has always had a good eye and has drawn 34 walks this year, but he's also seen an uptick in home runs with 10 already. His career-high is 18, which came in 2015.

5. This and that The Phillies haven't won a series since April 26-27, when they swept two games against the Marlins

They've lost 26 of their last 33 and had lost 15 of 18 before Saturday's win. The Phils haven't been swept at home in a three-game series since April 10-12 vs. the Mets.

The Phillies are 25th in baseball with a .395 team slugging percentage. The good news? The Giants are last with a .352 mark. In second to last is the team that the Giants beat in the 2014 World Series: The Royals.

Maybe this was the game that will get Odubel Herrera going.

"Hopefully it's going to start something good," the Phillies centerfielder said after hitting the ball hard several times in a 5-3 win over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday (see game story).

Herrera doubled twice and smoked a long fly ball out to center field. He did not play Friday night the Phillies' first game in June after hitting .183 (20 for 109) with a .190 on-base percentage and a .257 slugging percentage in May.

The Phillies tied Saturday's game at 1-1 on a homer by Tommy Joseph in the sixth. They took the lead on a hit by Freddy Galvis in the seventh and tagged on three more on a booming bases-loaded double by Herrera. The three RBIs matched Herrera's total from his previous 23 games.

"I keep making adjustments," said Herrera, who is still looking for consistency.

What Herrera is not looking for is a way to punctuate occasions of good contact at the plate. His big-air bat flip is in mid-season form. The hang time would make Ray Guy proud. (Kids, look him up.)

Herrera flipped his bat on a long fly out in the first inning. He did it again emphatically on his three-run double to center in the seventh.

"The best!" Herrera said with a big smile when asked where the bat flip ranked on his personal list.

Herrera's three-run double came against Giants reliever Hunter Strickland, who was in the news earlier in the week for plunking and brawling with Washington's Bryce Harper. The seeds of that incident were planted in 2014 when Harper took Strickland deep twice in the playoffs and did a little too much admiring of his work for Strickland's liking.

Herrera did not realize that Strickland was the same guy that hit Harper until he got back to the dugout and was told by Andres Blanco.

"I guess he was looking out for me," Herrera said of Blanco.

Herrera said his bat flips are not meant to show up the pitcher.

"Im sure that some pitchers may find it offensive, but Im not trying to offend anyone," he said with the assistance of Diego Ettedgui, the team's Spanish language interpreter. "Thats just the way I am and thats the way Im going to play."

Someday, Herrera may run into a pitcher that not only finds his antics offensive but who also does something about it, as well.

Fastball, meet ribs.

That's just the reality of it all.

So, in a way, Herrera risks injury when he flips the bat.

But he's unafraid of that. And he's going to continue to do it.

"Of course, it worries me a little bit," he said. "I dont want to get drilled.

"But Im not going to change the way I play. If I get hit, Im just going to have to rub it."

Here is the original post:
Ben Lively reels in his 1st big-league win, a much-needed one for Phillies - Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia

Forbes

Tekken 7 Vs. Injustice 2: Here's The One You Should Buy Forbes Injustice 2. On one hand, the Fighting Game Community should be celebrating two major additions, but on the other, this could also create a conundrum. If you could only get one, which one should you buy? ... Watch a demo or a YouTube video of the game ... and more »

See more here:
Tekken 7 Vs. Injustice 2: Here's The One You Should Buy - Forbes

Now that we've had time to digest Kansas City's Friday evening release of Jeremy Maclin, it's time to project where the veteran could be headed.

At 29 years old, one would think he's got at least a couple more years of effective football left in him. As we detailed Friday, his stats did see a dropoff in 2016, but Maclin missed four games and was battling for targets with teammates Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill and Chris Conley. Kelce led the Chiefs with 116 targets, with Hill finishing second with 83, Maclin third with 76 and Conley fourth with 69, according to Next Gen Stats. It's not outrageous to expect his numbers to rise in 2017, given he's placed in the right situation.

Which teams offer the best fit? Let's take a look below.

It might require some cap finesse and a hard sell, but this is the pairing that makes the most sense. Baltimore has made a living off adding veteran pass-catchers for much of the last two decades (Shannon Sharpe, Anquan Boldin, Steve Smith, etc.) and would be wise to add Maclin to a group that includes Mike Wallace and Breshad Perriman. Maclin has big-play ability, but when paired with two burners like Wallace and Perriman, Baltimore's receiving corps could become that much more dynamic with a reliable target like Maclin. Add in the significant hip injury to Dennis Pitta, and Baltimore could use a veteran target now more than ever.

The Bears watched Alshon Jeffery walk to Philadelphia and have no real indication of what they have in Kevin White. Their most inspiring returning receiver is Cameron Meredith (keep your "but what about Markus Wheaton?!" retorts to yourselves). Maclin would bring a veteran presence that this corps sorely needs and a highly dependable target for new arrival Mike Glennon and future franchise quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.

Let's just start this point by saying this one isn't happening, but we have to list it, because on paper, the Browns still show a need at receiver. But the Maclin/Cleveland union won't happen, because the Browns treat anyone near 30 like they've just become eligible for an AARP card (or, for Ohioans, the Golden Buckeye card). Maclin is 29. Cleveland isn't a veteran wideout away from contention, so it would be more worthwhile to get its quartet of second-year wideouts (Corey Coleman, Rashard Higgins, Jordan Payton, Ricardo Louis) some valuable playing time.

The Rams drafted Cooper Kupp and practically threw a parade for the homecoming of Robert Woods, but Maclin would be an upgrade over both. With Tavon Austin being the lone notable name not previously mentioned, and the Rams coming off a season that included Kenny Britt and Brian Quick as two of their most reliable targets, Maclin would be a major boost for second-year quarterback Jared Goff. The Rams are another team, though, that would need some cap magic to work this potential signing.

Michael Floyd's departure created a void in the receiving corps that is going overlooked this offseason. Currently, the Cardinals have future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown (who may or may not be back to old form this season) and then a sharp dropoff in J.J. Nelson, Brittan Golden and Jaron Brown. Maclin might fit better here than almost anywhere else (other than Baltimore) opposite Fitzgerald. With a quarterback like Carson Palmer running the offense, this could be one of the more enticing destinations for the veteran, if he wants to compete for a division title immediately.

If the Bills want to be taken seriously at all in the passing game, they need more targets for Tyrod Taylor. Buffalo attempted to address the massive hole at receiver by drafting East Carolina product Zay Jones with the 37th-overall pick, but the 6-foot-2 receiver is obviously unproven. Sammy Watkins' foot has been as fickle as they come, and additions of Corey "Philly" Brown and Andre Holmes are less than inspiring. Maclin would be an immediate boost to the position group and also a veteran presence that the Bills have sorely lacked in their receiving corps for quite some time.

The Jets dumped their veteran receiver (Brandon Marshall) to go younger, but if they truly don't want to endure another painful season, adding Maclin to the corps would make sense. As it stands, Eric Decker, Quincy Enunwa and Robby Anderson are the top three options, with Jalin Marshall and Charone Peake looming (though Marshall is facing a suspension for PEDs). A reliable target for Josh McCown/Bryce Petty/Christian Hackenberg/Random Quarterback X would only help, if the Jets want such assistance. It just depends on whether they want to commit to a full rebuild.

It seems the Niners are in the business of signing everyone with a pulse, so why not make a run at Maclin? Their depth chart includes new arrivals Pierre Garcon, Marquise Goodwin, Aldrick Robinson and 2016's lone pass-catching inspiration Jeremy Kerley. They seem destined for another season of struggles, especially after addressing other needs ahead of receiver via the draft. If Maclin doesn't want to chase a ring, Santa Clara could be a viable destination.

Visit link:
Potential landing spots for Jeremy Maclin - NFL.com

Former NFL player and scout Bucky Brooks knows the ins and outs of this league, providing keen insight in his notebook. The topics of this edition include:

Morris Claiborne thinks he's one of the NFL's top corners -- is the Jets new CB1 crazy?

How a fourth-round pick might signal a scary evolution in Dallas' offensive attack.

But first, a look at two free-agent additions who could transform the Packers ...

*****

Mike McCarthy is unquestionably one of the brightest offensive minds in football, but the Green Bay Packers' attack had grown a little stale in recent years. Despite relying on a creative wide receiver corps that featured "matchup" players at every position, the unit has missed the presence of a dominant tight end over the middle of the field. (Yes, Jared Cook came on in the second half of last season, but I'm talking about a consistent force.) Better yet, the offense missed the presence of multiple tight ends with the capacity to create mismatches all over the field.

During my playing days with the Packers in the mid-1990s, it was common to see the team trot a pair of dynamic tight ends as part of a "Tiger" package that featured Mark Chmura and Keith Jackson at the "Y" (traditional tight end) and "U" (flex or move tight end) positions, respectively. These two not only helped the Packers win Super Bowl XXXI with their complementary games, but they helped Brett Favre play at an MVP level by controlling the middle of the field.

With Aaron Rodgers performing at a high level -- but lacking big-bodied playmakers between the hashes -- the Packers deviated from their "draft and develop" philosophy to sign a pair of free-agent tight ends with a combination of size, skill and versatility. This will allow the two-time MVP QB to greatly expand his game from the pocket. Not to mention, the arrival of Martellus Bennett and Lance Kendricks will enable McCarthy to get back to basics on offense.

While we've grown accustomed to seeing the Packers operate from a variety of "10" (one running back and four receivers) and "11" (one back, one tight end and three receivers) personnel packages using a no-huddle tempo, the team's base offensive scheme is deeply rooted in two-back formations and heavy one-back sets. Ideally, the Packers would like to use an old-school version of the West Coast offense that places the burden on the defense to constantly match up with a diverse set of personnel groupings shuttled in and out on every play. The idea is to create and take advantage of matchup advantages on the perimeter through creative game planning and substitution patterns.

Last year, McCarthy attempted to get back to this card-game approach in the middle of the season, when he moved away from the frenetic tempo attack to a more deliberate plan that emphasized a constant change in personnel groupings. Although McCarthy would've preferred to feature multiple tight ends prominently in his offense, he simply lacked the personnel to get it done and it resulted in Green Bay finishing tied with Denver for the second-fewest snaps with multiple tight end (112). For comparison's sake, the Titans led the NFL with 409 snaps featuring multiple tight ends. Not that anyone should be surprised that the Packers ranked near the bottom of the league in this area -- they've finished in the bottom five in each of the past four years. In fact, the Packers haven't ranked among the top 12 teams in multiple-TE plays since 2009, when Jermichael Finley and Donald Lee served as the team's "U" and "Y" tight ends, respectively.

With that being said, I expect the Packers to not only rank in the top half of the league in multiple-TE snaps this fall, but I see this offense truly featuring the position, with Bennett and Kendricks joining Richard Rodgers to load up the group.

Bennett, entering his 10th NFL season, has eclipsed 50 catches in each of the past five seasons. Last year with the Pats, he hauled in 55 balls for 701 yards and a career-high seven touchdowns. Checking in at 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds, Bennett is a big-bodied pass catcher with the size to post up defenders in the middle of the field. In addition, he flashes the speed to get down the seam or boundary when aligned in a slot or out wide. Despite his success as a flex player in New England, Chicago and New York, Bennett will be returning to more of a "Y" role in Green Bay.

"I'm looking forward to playing more with the tight end on the line of scrimmage," McCarthy said at the Annual League Meeting in March. "That's definitely something that will be different this year than we've done in the past.

"We need to do a better job playing to the specifics and details of our offensive scheme."

When McCarthy refers to playing to the specifics of the scheme, he is signaling to a return to the pure version of the West Coast Offense that featured the tight end prominently over the middle of the field. With Bennett playing at the "Y", the Packers can lean on the versatile specimen to anchor a power-based running game or act as a big-play threat between the hashes.

Kendricks, a seventh-year pro, is likely slated to play as the flex tight end or the "U" in multiple-TE sets. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound pass catcher could align as a big receiver in the slot or on the outside to take advantage of linebackers in space. With Rodgers also capable of aligning as a "Y", "U" or "H", the Packers can throw a variety of multipl-TE looks at the defense to keep the opposing play caller from honing in on their keys.

Looking at the Packers' current roster and how they might evolve this fall, McCarthy could pose serious problems for opposing defenses by mixing up his receiver and tight end combinations with Ty Montgomery on the field as the running back. For instance, the Packers could use a "12" personnel package (one running back, two tight ends and two wide receivers) with Montgomery (RB), Kendricks (TE), Bennett (TE), Jordy Nelson (WR) and Devante Adams/Randall Cobb (WR) on the field at the same time to dictate the terms to the defense. McCarthy would be able to spread the field in a traditional 2x2 or 3x1 formation with Montgomery in the backfield to take advantage of a "big" defensive package or condense the formation into a power-heavy double-tight end look to attack a "small" defensive unit with the run.

In addition, the Packers could go empty in any personnel grouping to exploit a lumbering linebacker or safety in space with an assortment of quick-rhythm throws designed to get the ball into the hands of a nimble playmaker on the move.

With the team also adding an accomplished power runner in the draft (BYU's Jamaal Williams), McCarthy has an exhaustive number of personnel combinations and formations to throw at the defense.

Considering how many teams have struggled in defending the Packers over the last few seasons without having to worry about multiple weapons at tight end, Green Bay's offseason additions at "Y" and "U" could take the attack to an even higher level in 2017.

Morris Claiborne raised more than a few eyebrows last week with a bold declaration:

"I feel like I can be the No. 1 corner in this league if I'm healthy ... when I'm healthy," Claiborne told The New York Post this week. "When I'm out there playing and I'm healthy and I'm on my game, I don't feel like there is anybody better than me."

While we've grown accustomed to hearing cornerbacks proclaim their greatness, it was surprising to hear the Jets' new CB1 boast about his skills after a disappointing five-year tenure in Dallas that failed to live up to the expectations that accompanied his arrival as the sixth overall pick in the 2012 draft.

Granted, injuries played a huge part in Claiborne's inability to play at a high level with the Cowboys. He missed 33 of 80 regular-season games in five seasons due to an assortment of injuries that robbed him of the fluid athleticism and explosive quickness that made many scouts tout him as a potential premier playmaker at the position when he entered the league.

Remember, Claiborne was not only a consensus top-10 prospect in the 2012 class, but he was viewed as a special talent at the position with the size, athleticism and ball skills to handle the responsibilities associated with being a No. 1 corner. The Cowboys certainly felt that way when they moved up eight spots in the draft (giving up a second-round pick in the process) to grab the athletic corner. While injuries routinely sidelined the LSU product, Claiborne did show glimpses of his lockdown potential in 2016, when he allowed a 64.1 passer rating in coverage, which ranked eighth in the league.

While that stat won't impress the skeptics who question Claiborne's ultimate potential, I had a conversation with a scout early in the 2016 season that makes me believe that the Jets' CB1 might not be that far off with his self-assessment.

"If he is healthy, he can play with anyone," an NFC pro personnel assistant told me. "He is a guy who needs practice reps to play well in games. Injuries kept him from practicing consistently and that showed up in games. When he has been healthy and available to practice, he plays at a high level.

"Reps really matter for him."

Studying the All-22 Coaches Film of Claiborne's game, I was pleasantly surprised with how well he has played over the past two seasons. The 5-11, 192-pound corner did a great job of staying in his assigned receiver's hip pocket, particularly when instructed to play press-man coverage on the outside. Despite his checkered injury history, Claiborne flashes enough quickness to shadow receivers at the line, while also showing enough burst and acceleration to stay connected to his assigned man on vertical routes. Most importantly, he made receivers work for every completion and earn every yard on the perimeter. Elite corners are capable of making life tough on premier pass catchers -- Claiborne's sticky cover skills certainly make him an intriguing option as a CB1 when he is healthy.

For the Jets, Claiborne's skills as a press corner are an ideal match for the team's system. Todd Bowles and Kacy Rodgers want to challenge opponents with tight man coverage to force quarterbacks to throw into small windows while also preventing receivers from having free access to their routes. When executed properly, the scheme makes life miserable for the offense and disrupts the rhythm of the passing game. With Claiborne showing effective skills in press coverage as a collegian and pro, the marriage should work well in New York.

"I remember when he came out in the (2012) draft and we saw him as a press-man corner, and we were really high on him," Rodgers said, via ESPN, shortly after Claiborne's signing. "With more of a press scheme, we thought he'd fit well in our scheme with his press-man tools."

Claiborne doesn't rank as one of the premier cornerbacks in the league right now, but he certainly is the best corner on the Jets' roster. He should slide into the CB1 role immediately and his natural talent could make him a star in a scheme that plays to his strengths. If he stays healthy and is available for practices and games, Claiborne could make a strong case for being included in the conversation as a top-notch cover corner.

The Dallas Cowboys' selection of Ryan Switzer with the 133rd overall pick barely registered a blip on the radar over draft weekend, but the 5-foot-8, 181-pound pass catcher could be the final piece to the team's championship puzzle.

Now, I know the thought of a No. 4 receiver playing a pivotal role on an offense that already features the NFL's best offensive line, the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year (Dak Prescott), the league's rushing leader (Ezekiel Elliott) and one of the premier pass catchers in the game (Dez Bryant) seems like crazy talk, but if reports coming out of Big D are correct, the Cowboys' fourth-round selection is well on his way to adding a dynamic dimension to offense that could make the unit unstoppable in 2017.

According to those who cover the team, Switzer has been nothing short of sensational during OTAs, exhibiting the same combination of quickness, route-running ability and ball skills that made him the all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards at North Carolina.

He has capably filled in for Dallas' spectacular slot receiver Cole Beasley with the first-team, and his success in workouts has already prompted the coaches to consider putting both diminutive playmakers on the field at the same time.

"[Switzer is] a classic slot receiver," Cowboys' offensive coordinator Scott Linehan told the Dallas Morning News following a recent practice." He has a similar game (to Cole Beasley), but he has his own things. We would really like those two guys to complement each other and run real similar route trees."

Naturally, whenever you think about a team maximizing the slot position to create an offense that drives defensive coordinators crazy, the New England Patriots come to mind. Bill Belichick has used the likes of Troy Brown, Deion Branch, Wes Welker, Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola to create mismatches. As catch-and-run specialists in the Patriots' "dink and dunk" offense, the slot receivers are asked to run a variety of routes within 12 yards of the line of scrimmage. These routes (pivot, jerk, option and short crossers) are designed to get the receivers the ball on the run and take advantage of their dynamic running skills in the open field. (It is not a coincidence that each of the Patriots' slot receivers have been experienced punt returners with exceptional stop-start quickness and running skills.) With linebackers and safeties unable to corral the jitterbugs in space, New England has been able to build an offensive juggernaut that relies on shifty playmakers gobbling up yards on low-risk throws.

In Dallas, the combination of Switzer and Beasley will give the Cowboys the opportunity to play more small ball with four wideouts on the field, including a pair of slot receivers with identical games.

"He's another weapon," Prescott said last month, via the Dallas Morning News. "He reminds me of Beasley and the things that he can do. Playing in the slot, he had a lot of production at North Carolina.

"I know he's going to add another dynamic to this offense."

While the thought of taking Jason Witten off the field will make some long-time Cowboys' fans cringe, a four-receiver offense could help the 15th-year veteran have a greater impact down the stretch, due to a reduction in snaps during the regular season. Not to mention, subbing Switzer in for Witten would give the Cowboys more speed and quickness over the middle of the field.

"I love Witten, but he doesn't scare defenses any more," a former NFL defensive coordinator told me. "If they went to more four-receiver stuff with Switzer and Beasley on the field, it would cause more problems for defenses from a matchup standpoint."

Conceivably, Dallas could roll out a package with Bryant and Terrance Williams on the outside and the diminutive duo (Switzer and Beasley) on the inside. This lineup would allow the Cowboys to work a variety of combination routes between the hashes to take advantage of their ultra-quick slot receivers, while also giving Bryant a chance to win on isolated routes outside the numbers. If the Cowboys elected to move Bryant to a slot position, with Switzer or Beasley playing on the outside, opponents could watch the beastly receiver have his way with nickel corners and safeties over the middle of the field. Look at how other big-bodied receivers like Larry Fitzgerald have terrorized opponents while working in the slot.

While Dallas' desire to create mismatches in the passing game is one of the reasons why Switzer is pegged to have a "significant" role on offense, I believe the Cowboys might have a bigger vision for their offense with the four-receiver lineup playing a more prominent role in the game plan. I have a sneaky suspicion that Linehan might be creating a modernized version of the run-and-shoot that allows Ezekiel Elliott to play the role of Barry Sanders behind a powerful offensive line in a spread offense that creates natural running lanes between the tackles.

Before you call me crazy, I want you to think about how every defensive coordinator slated to face the Cowboys will make a concerted effort to stop the reigning rushing king. Defensive play callers spent the offseason crafting a variety of "plus one" fronts (eight-man fronts against two-back formations; seven-man fronts against one-back sets) designed to plug holes at the line of scrimmage to prevent the Cowboys' RB1 from controlling the game as a grinder. If the Cowboys move away from their traditional lineups to feature more "10" personnel package (one running back and four receivers), defensive coordinators will suddenly encounter a different dilemma when coming up with a plan to defend the offense. I'm not alone in this line of thinking, either.

"If the Cowboys use more four-receiver sets, you have to decide whether you want to play 'big' or 'small' to match up with them," the former NFL defensive coordinator told me. "You also have to decide whether you want to load the box with an extra run defender to stop Zeke or keep another safety deep to keep Bryant in check. Plus, you also have to have a plan to slow down Beasley and Switzer if they are wearing out your nickel and dime defenders over the middle.

"This is same problem the Detroit Lions used to give defensive coordinators in the 1990s with Sanders, but their offensive line wasn't nearly as good. With the Cowboys' personnel up front, they are nearly impossible to defend when they spread you out."

Scary, huh?

But that's not the end of it. The move to more spread formations with "10" personnel on the field could also help Prescott settle in as a second-year starter. The 2016 Offensive Rookie of the Year shined running an offense that wasn't necessarily built for him. Sure, he was effective and efficient directing an attack that was ideally suited for Tony Romo, but imagine how good he could be if the offense was specifically designed to fit his strengths as a player. Remember, Prescott played in a spread offense at Mississippi State that routinely opened up the formation to make it easier for the QB to read coverage at the line and find passing lanes down the field. The Cowboys used a lot of empty formations a season ago to create similar advantages, but they could certainly enhance their offense with four-receiver personnel packages that provide more formation flexibility for the young passer.

With Switzer in line to play a key role on a Cowboys offense that could spark a Super Bowl run, it looks like Jerry Jones might've stumbled upon a missing piece to the championship puzzle on Day 3 of the draft for the second year in a row.

Follow Bucky Brooks on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.

See more here:
Packers' offensive infusion; sleeper pick could transform Dallas - NFL.com

Lions linebacker Antwione Williams 6-foot-3 frame and versatility will likely keep him in the mix.(Photo: Daniel Mears / Detroit News)

Allen Park With all the significant moves the Detroit Lions have made at linebacker this offseason, Antwione Williams has become something of a forgotten man.

The team began overhauling the position group in March, unexpectedly parting ways with talented, but oft-injured star DeAndre Levy. The additions began in free agency, when Paul Worrilow was inked to a one-year deal. A former undrafted free agent, he averaged 120 tackles per season from 2013-15 before losing his starting job in Atlanta.

The upgrades kicked into high gear during the draft, when the Lions selected Floridas Jarrad Davis in the first round and Tennessees Jalen Reeves-Maybin in the fourth. And in recent weeks, the conversation has been centered around what Davis being pegged for the middle linebacker job means for Tahir Whitehead, the teams leading tackler from 2016.

Then theres Williams, who in January and February was being highlighted by coach Jim Caldwell and general manager Bob Quinn as a potential breakout candidate. But with all the new faces in the linebacker room, what does it mean for the 2015 fifth-round pick who played a little more than 200 snaps in 14 games as a rookie.

Well, even though the spotlight isnt as bright as it might have been earlier in the offseason, expectations are still there for the young linebacker.

Hes got size and bulk and speed and hes getting better in terms of understanding conceptually what were trying to get done from a defensive standpoint, Caldwell said. The arrow is pointing up for him, but the good thing about it is we have really good competition at that position. I think thats what makes for better opportunity for us to get the best possible people we can playing there on a consistent basis for us. Hes one of those guys and thus far hes doing all right.

That size is something that plays in Williams favor as he aims to carve a role out on defense. As noted, Davis is penciled in at middle linebacker, and Caldwell said earlier this week Whitehead is going to man the weak side. That leaves the strongside job up for grabs, where the 6-foot-3, 240-pound Williams has the frame to handle the role.

Williams played all three linebacking spots in college, and was cross-trained during his rookie year with the Lions, but has been honing in on the strongside during the early stages of the offseason program.

Yeah, Im definitely trying to lock into (the strongside) this spring, Williams said. Last year, I wasnt really able to do that, I was experiencing everything. This year, Ive got more time and experience and feel Im playing better at the Sam spot.

While the jump from college to the pros is never an easy one, Williams was making a bigger jump in competition than most coming from Georgia Southern. Hell tell you he didnt feel he was at any more of a disadvantage than other first-year players, including teammate AShawn Robinson a star at Alabama -- when it came to the overwhelming amount of information that needed to be processed.

Entering his second year, Williams is feeling far more comfortable.

Last year was big picture, Williams said. Getting lined up correctly was the hardest thing. Now, Im beyond that. Its not what Im doing, its how I can do it better. Thats my focus this year is how I can do each play better.

In his limited playing time, Williams flashed his potential. He tallied 27 tackles, including two behind the line. He also recovered a fumble in a victory over Jacksonville.

So while eyes will be understandably focused on Davis, the natural intrigue that comes with being a first-round pick, dont forget Williams, who also has the potential to carve out a significant role at linebacker for the Lions, this year and beyond.

Go here to see the original:
Antwione Williams won't get lost in Lions' LB shuffle - The Detroit News