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A heartwarming sport's comeback story by Plain Dealer Columnist Bill Livingston....
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Bill Livingston
Plain Dealer Columnist
As a boy, LeCharles Bentley watched his hometown team win and lose epic games in a stadium that, like the team itself, would soon be gone.
He wasn't quite 10 when his favorite player, tailback Eric Metcalf, hopscotched through the Bengals' defense near their goal line on a Monday night, showing the nation moves it had not seen even from his father, ex-NFL star Terry Metcalf.
As a teenager, Bentley cheered as Metcalf ran back two punts for touchdowns in a game in 1993, leaving Steelers clutching and gasping in his wake.
Maybe Bentley still has a future with the Browns.
Maybe he has only his memories of when wearing the "orange hat" on the field in Cleveland was as good as it gets.
He took his team physical Monday, although the results were not disclosed.
Bentley has been working out with his own personal trainer in Arizona, which reflects the strained relationship between the offensive lineman and the Browns. He has spent the past two seasons unable to play. He tore his left patellar tendon on the first play of his first day at training camp on 2006, then battled complications from the surgery to fix it.
He has his signing bonus and his paychecks, amounting to $16 million in all from the Browns. He also has a shortened contract, which allows him to become a free agent after this season.
He has told friends he is ready to play. A center, he can also play guard. If healthy, he would not be a spare part so much as needed depth. Even if he plays, his season might amount to an audition for free-agent suitors. Many teams would love to have a former Pro Bowler who is adept at two positions.
The medical soap opera with Bentley involves two of Cleveland's most powerful institutions. The Browns and Cleveland Clinic are on one side, and on the other is a popular local player, the nation's top center when he was at Ohio State, a Pro Bowler in New Orleans, a man who came home to complete what is almost a holy trinity of Ohio football at St. Ignatius, OSU and the Browns.
Clearly, the Browns and their caregivers have tried hard to curb the staph infections that have stricken six Browns players in recent years. They want the players back, healthy, as soon as possible. Moreover, Bentley is still on the roster in part because his signing as a free agent was so popular with the fan base.
At the same time, any patient has the right to a second opinion, or in his case, a second surgical option. His fourth and final operation was done by a New York Giants doctor.
If healthy, Bentley would have to mesh with the current offensive line. Bolstered by the imposing talent of Joe Thomas, the line finally possesses the elusive ingredient called chemistry. It cannot be summoned at will, but must be built on repetitions, interdependence and trust. The Browns teams Bentley loved were greater than the sum of their parts precisely because of such chemistry.
Perhaps this will end in the old, cold mantra that football is a business. But it also is about the covenant among the Browns, their fans, and their hometown players.
Bentley's goal is to play in the opener against the Dallas Cowboys. It wouldn't be like Metcalf ducking peril 15 years ago. What is? But it would be close enough.
*Update:10:05AM: Phil Savage (Browns GM) told the media today that LeCharles Bentley will be practicing with the team starting today. Bentley passed both his physical and the standard run test that the administered by the team.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Bill Livingston
Plain Dealer Columnist
As a boy, LeCharles Bentley watched his hometown team win and lose epic games in a stadium that, like the team itself, would soon be gone.
He wasn't quite 10 when his favorite player, tailback Eric Metcalf, hopscotched through the Bengals' defense near their goal line on a Monday night, showing the nation moves it had not seen even from his father, ex-NFL star Terry Metcalf.
As a teenager, Bentley cheered as Metcalf ran back two punts for touchdowns in a game in 1993, leaving Steelers clutching and gasping in his wake.
Maybe Bentley still has a future with the Browns.
Maybe he has only his memories of when wearing the "orange hat" on the field in Cleveland was as good as it gets.
He took his team physical Monday, although the results were not disclosed.
Bentley has been working out with his own personal trainer in Arizona, which reflects the strained relationship between the offensive lineman and the Browns. He has spent the past two seasons unable to play. He tore his left patellar tendon on the first play of his first day at training camp on 2006, then battled complications from the surgery to fix it.
He has his signing bonus and his paychecks, amounting to $16 million in all from the Browns. He also has a shortened contract, which allows him to become a free agent after this season.
He has told friends he is ready to play. A center, he can also play guard. If healthy, he would not be a spare part so much as needed depth. Even if he plays, his season might amount to an audition for free-agent suitors. Many teams would love to have a former Pro Bowler who is adept at two positions.
The medical soap opera with Bentley involves two of Cleveland's most powerful institutions. The Browns and Cleveland Clinic are on one side, and on the other is a popular local player, the nation's top center when he was at Ohio State, a Pro Bowler in New Orleans, a man who came home to complete what is almost a holy trinity of Ohio football at St. Ignatius, OSU and the Browns.
Clearly, the Browns and their caregivers have tried hard to curb the staph infections that have stricken six Browns players in recent years. They want the players back, healthy, as soon as possible. Moreover, Bentley is still on the roster in part because his signing as a free agent was so popular with the fan base.
At the same time, any patient has the right to a second opinion, or in his case, a second surgical option. His fourth and final operation was done by a New York Giants doctor.
If healthy, Bentley would have to mesh with the current offensive line. Bolstered by the imposing talent of Joe Thomas, the line finally possesses the elusive ingredient called chemistry. It cannot be summoned at will, but must be built on repetitions, interdependence and trust. The Browns teams Bentley loved were greater than the sum of their parts precisely because of such chemistry.
Perhaps this will end in the old, cold mantra that football is a business. But it also is about the covenant among the Browns, their fans, and their hometown players.
Bentley's goal is to play in the opener against the Dallas Cowboys. It wouldn't be like Metcalf ducking peril 15 years ago. What is? But it would be close enough.
*Update:10:05AM: Phil Savage (Browns GM) told the media today that LeCharles Bentley will be practicing with the team starting today. Bentley passed both his physical and the standard run test that the administered by the team.
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According to The Plain Dealer, the Browns renegotiated Bentley's contract this year to $605,000, which is the league minimum. Bentley got paid between $15-$16 million for the two previous years that he was injured and never played a down. It's possible that LCB was pissed about the pay cut and the owner was pissed about not getting anything in return for his $16 million investment.
On another note, Browns beat reporter, Andre Knott reported that Bentley doesn't have a drivers license. So, on the day Bentley got released, his Mom picked him up! So the brat who didn't get what he wanted took his ball and went home and had his Mommy come get him!
On another note, Browns beat reporter, Andre Knott reported that Bentley doesn't have a drivers license. So, on the day Bentley got released, his Mom picked him up! So the brat who didn't get what he wanted took his ball and went home and had his Mommy come get him!
WTF?
How the hell do you know they weren't willing to let him compete for a starting position?
HE'S the one who asked for his release. Seems to me that he wasn't willing to let himself compete for the starting position.
As for your earlier comments about this "happening all the time," please show me an example of someone who made $16 million and didn't play once in two years?
I haven't posted in almost 17 years. Over the air, sat, offline, anything-but-the-internet is still one of my avid pursuits. Been playing with offline tv viewing and offline web browsing. I have great appreciations for this site still being here. It's so hard to find public communities that haven't sold out to social media company.
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Welcome back, as you can see we branched off into a bunch of things since Satellite is what it is now, so lots to talk about here. 
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Cutting Edge
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
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Why are ViP922s So rare? like its crazy how ebay has none, i checked everywhere, also, i got a ViP222k now, which is actually activated!
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I remember this in the news too...
www.nbcnews.com
$14,000 spent on rented rotary phone
A widow rented a rotary dial telephone for 42 years, paying what her family calculates as more than $14,000 for a now- outdated phone.
www.nbcnews.com
That is a misnomer. In the old days you subscribed to telephone service. That included the telephone line and one telephone. An extension cost $1 a month extra. So that $14,000 over 42 years was for the service not the leased telephone. There is no way they paid $28 a month for 42 years for a leased telephone.I remember this in the news too...
$14,000 spent on rented rotary phone
A widow rented a rotary dial telephone for 42 years, paying what her family calculates as more than $14,000 for a now- outdated phone.
Staff member
Pub Member / Supporter
Cutting Edge
The TPN Map Excel Presents all DIRECTV Channels:
Understanding the TPN Map
Making Sense of the TPN Map Display Conventions
National (50-States or wide/NAT+PR beams)
Local (Local-Into-Local or narrow/Spot beams)
Local (Local-Into-Local or narrow/Spot beams)
Additional tabs provide:
OTA the (Over-The-Air) Database
VOD (Video On_Demand) Records
Offline Records
Engr Records
Net Decoder a graphic presentation of all satellites and transponders
VOD (Video On_Demand) Records
Offline Records
Engr Records
Net Decoder a graphic presentation of all satellites and transponders
Domestic Satellites
@99W...... D11, D14
@101W.... D16
@103W.... D12, D15
@110W.... D5
@119W.... D8
@99W...... D11, D14
@101W.... D16
@103W.... D12, D15
@110W.... D5
@119W.... D8
Understanding the TPN Map
Making Sense of the TPN Map Display Conventions
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Staff member
Pub Member / Supporter
Cutting Edge
In order to participate in any Cutting Edge testing, you must sign a Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA). Attached are a .docx (Microsoft Word) and PDF version of the latest DirecTV NDA. I found it easiest to complete the .docx version then paste a photo or scan image of my signature, cropped closely to just the signature into it as a picture. Then set Word to wrap text around the picture so that the picture follows the text "Signature".
People who have better PDF tools than I do may prefer that version.
When you apply for any Cutting Edge testing, you will be told how to send the signed copy.
People who have better PDF tools than I do may prefer that version.
When you apply for any Cutting Edge testing, you will be told how to send the signed copy.
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Lifetime Supporter
This was actually one of the more disturbing videos I've seen on this channel. IF this guy hadn't been driving a Tesla which has 360 degree cams, he would probably become a felon and had his life ruined.....all because of a lying cop. The other officers in this video didn't impress me too much either, their whole mentality was how can we nail this guy.
This is a perfect example of why I'm always a bit nervous when I get below Perry, FL. There is a huge difference between north and south Florida and everyone who lives here knows this.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4Q8q0KQQ14
This is a perfect example of why I'm always a bit nervous when I get below Perry, FL. There is a huge difference between north and south Florida and everyone who lives here knows this.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4Q8q0KQQ14
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Supporting Founder
Lifetime Supporter
I was reading this article
thehill.com
That said this-
Last summer, for the first time, streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime claimed the largest share of the television viewing audience, surpassing both cable and broadcast TV. Streaming captured 34.8 percent of July viewers, according to Nielsen data, compared to 34.4 percent for cable and 21.6 percent for broadcast.
And then, sometime in the second half of 2022, cord-cutters became the majority. The share of cable and satellite television subscribers dipped to 48 percent, according to a report from Samba TV, a television technology company.
Now I do not consider those with YTTV and the likes, Cord Cutters, but they still do not have Traditional Cable/Satellite delivered Live TV, so I decided to do the math.
There are, now, 129 Million Households in the United States.
In 2015, there were 100 Million Cable/Sat Subscribers , no streaming Live TV Service.
Today, there are 66 Million Live TV subscribers, including Cable, Satellite and Streaming.
Roughly, Streaming Live TV has 14 Million subs including all of them.
So that means, Cable/Satellite now has, roughly, 51 Million Households
So in just 8 years, lost 49% of their subscribers and by the end of this year, expected sub count to be, roughly, 45 million households.
That means a total loss of 55% since 2015 at the end of 2023.
But out of 129 Million households, 45 million will mean only 35% will get Cable/Satellite Delivered Live TV by the end of 2023.
Imagine what 2024 will be like.
Cable TV ‘cord-cutters’ became the majority in 2022
The steady decline of cable and broadcast television, and the rise of streaming services, reached a sort of inflection point over the past year. Last summer, for the first time, streaming ser…
thehill.com
That said this-
Last summer, for the first time, streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime claimed the largest share of the television viewing audience, surpassing both cable and broadcast TV. Streaming captured 34.8 percent of July viewers, according to Nielsen data, compared to 34.4 percent for cable and 21.6 percent for broadcast.
And then, sometime in the second half of 2022, cord-cutters became the majority. The share of cable and satellite television subscribers dipped to 48 percent, according to a report from Samba TV, a television technology company.
Now I do not consider those with YTTV and the likes, Cord Cutters, but they still do not have Traditional Cable/Satellite delivered Live TV, so I decided to do the math.
There are, now, 129 Million Households in the United States.
In 2015, there were 100 Million Cable/Sat Subscribers , no streaming Live TV Service.
Today, there are 66 Million Live TV subscribers, including Cable, Satellite and Streaming.
Roughly, Streaming Live TV has 14 Million subs including all of them.
So that means, Cable/Satellite now has, roughly, 51 Million Households
So in just 8 years, lost 49% of their subscribers and by the end of this year, expected sub count to be, roughly, 45 million households.
That means a total loss of 55% since 2015 at the end of 2023.
But out of 129 Million households, 45 million will mean only 35% will get Cable/Satellite Delivered Live TV by the end of 2023.
Imagine what 2024 will be like.
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Supporting Founder
Lifetime Supporter
This is a thread that will keep you apprised of 4K events that will be showing on Dish channel 540. Keep looking here for information.
As of today, 9-27-17, there are no scheduled events posted for the next 2 weeks. That is subject to change on a daily basis.
As of today, 9-27-17, there are no scheduled events posted for the next 2 weeks. That is subject to change on a daily basis.
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Linus Tech Tips
Time for another AWESOME video from Linus Tech Tips!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/FtjH_HHTpeg
Direct YouTube Link - Guessing Costco Tech Prices
Linus on Facebook
The LTT Store
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/FtjH_HHTpeg
Direct YouTube Link - Guessing Costco Tech Prices
Linus on Facebook
The LTT Store
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13 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP8521ndPdA
Direct YouTube Link - This Week in Space 233
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP8521ndPdA
Direct YouTube Link - This Week in Space 233
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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8 views