Saturday, March 6, 2010

“Redskins don't make usual free agency splash (AP via Yahoo! News)” plus 3 more

“Redskins don't make usual free agency splash (AP via Yahoo! News)” plus 3 more

Redskins don't make usual free agency splash (AP via Yahoo! News)

Posted: 05 Mar 2010 07:06 PM PST

ASHBURN, Va. – Washington Redskins fans woke up to a new routine on the first day of free agency. There was no dramatic overnight deal with a marquee name, the biggest indicator yet of a change of philosophy now that Mike Shanahan is in charge.

Instead of courting, say, Julius Peppers with an over-the-top offer, the Redskins pragmatically sought to solve their biggest problem Friday by courting veteran offensive linemen. The team also re-signed defensive lineman Phillip Daniels, versatile backup Lorenzo Alexander and offensive lineman Mike Williams.

By this time a year ago, the Redskins had lured Albert Haynesworth with an offer so large even he couldn't believe it, wrapping up a $100 million contract by 3:45 a.m. Such fast, aggressive deals had become the norm under owner Dan Snyder.

But Snyder yielded the reins to the new brain trust of coach Shanahan and general manager Bruce Allen after last year's 4-12 record.

Needing help at both tackle positions, the Redskins targeted Tony Pashos, who has played seven seasons with Baltimore, Jacksonville and San Francisco. Pashos played in only five games with the 49ers last year before breaking his left shoulder blade, but he could still represent an upgrade over Stephon Heyer at right tackle.

With six-time Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels retiring due to a neck injury, the Redskins invited 10-year veteran Chad Clifton for a visit, but Clifton reportedly re-signed with the Green Bay Packers late Friday.

The Redskins also need linebackers suited for their switch to a 3-4 defense. Larry Foote, who led the Detroit Lions in tackles last year despite missing two games with a foot injury, said he will visit the Redskins on Monday.

Daniels, who turned 37 on Thursday, was spared in the purge of veterans on the eve of free agency when the Redskins cut 10 players, including seven who are 30 or older. He made a successful return last season after missing all of 2008 with a knee injury and was rewarded with a two-year contract.

Alexander, who has played offensive line, defensive line and special teams, got a three-year deal and will learn yet another new position, working at linebacker in the 3-4 scheme.

Williams, a former No. 4 overall pick by the Buffalo Bills, made a comeback last season after three years away from the game. He made five starts at guard, three at tackle and could be in the running for the starting right guard position following the release of Randy Thomas on Thursday.

___

AP Sports Writer Larry Lage in Detroit contributed to this report.

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Redskins don't make usual free agency splash (AP via Yahoo! Sports)

Posted: 05 Mar 2010 07:03 PM PST

ASHBURN, Va. (AP)—Washington Redskins fans woke up to a new routine on the first day of free agency. There was no dramatic overnight deal with a marquee name, the biggest indicator yet of a change of philosophy now that Mike Shanahan is in charge.

Instead of courting, say, Julius Peppers(notes) with an over-the-top offer, the Redskins pragmatically sought to solve their biggest problem Friday by courting veteran offensive linemen. The team also re-signed defensive lineman Phillip Daniels(notes), versatile backup Lorenzo Alexander(notes) and offensive lineman Mike Williams.

By this time a year ago, the Redskins had lured Albert Haynesworth(notes) with an offer so large even he couldn't believe it, wrapping up a $100 million contract by 3:45 a.m. Such fast, aggressive deals had become the norm under owner Dan Snyder.

But Snyder yielded the reins to the new brain trust of coach Shanahan and general manager Bruce Allen after last year's 4-12 record.

Needing help at both tackle positions, the Redskins targeted Tony Pashos(notes), who has played seven seasons with Baltimore, Jacksonville and San Francisco. Pashos played in only five games with the 49ers last year before breaking his left shoulder blade, but he could still represent an upgrade over Stephon Heyer(notes) at right tackle.

With six-time Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels(notes) retiring due to a neck injury, the Redskins invited 10-year veteran Chad Clifton(notes) for a visit, but Clifton reportedly re-signed with the Green Bay Packers late Friday.

The Redskins also need linebackers suited for their switch to a 3-4 defense. Larry Foote(notes), who led the Detroit Lions in tackles last year despite missing two games with a foot injury, said he will visit the Redskins on Monday.

Daniels, who turned 37 on Thursday, was spared in the purge of veterans on the eve of free agency when the Redskins cut 10 players, including seven who are 30 or older. He made a successful return last season after missing all of 2008 with a knee injury and was rewarded with a two-year contract.

Alexander, who has played offensive line, defensive line and special teams, got a three-year deal and will learn yet another new position, working at linebacker in the 3-4 scheme.

Williams, a former No. 4 overall pick by the Buffalo Bills, made a comeback last season after three years away from the game. He made five starts at guard, three at tackle and could be in the running for the starting right guard position following the release of Randy Thomas(notes) on Thursday.

AP Sports Writer Larry Lage in Detroit contributed to this report.

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VANOC and partners donate $300,000 to Haiti under Olympic Truce philosophy (The Canadian Press via Yahoo! Canada News)

Posted: 05 Mar 2010 03:51 PM PST

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Whodunnit? WFSS philosophy students are on the case (The North Bay Nugget)

Posted: 04 Mar 2010 01:32 AM PST

Posted By BRANDI CRAMER The Nugget

Updated 1 day ago

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are dead.

But fear not, the West Ferris Secondary School Grade 12 university preparation philosophy class is on the case. 

Mark Robertson's 26 students came to class Tuesday with one thing in mind — investigate the deaths and come to a logical conclusion as to what happened.

"This is a murder mystery," said Robertson as his students worked tirelessly interviewing potential suspects.

Students were given a mock newspaper Monday which included a story about the "deaths" and details surrounding the crime.

The philosophy students were called upon to solve the crime.

Each student was given a character to play, a description of that character and an alibi, all with varying degrees of plausibility.

Role-playing aside, the students have to use their reasoning skills.

"Based on interviews, students have to build a case of who most logically can be proven the killer or killers," Robertson said.

Their conclusions will be submitted in a 1,000-word essay due Friday.

The point — the murderer could be anyone.

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"It all depends on how they present the evidence and how they demonstrate their knowledge of inductive and deductive reasoning," Robertson said. "The murder mystery is a vehicle for the students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding and application of critical thinking."

The philosophy course has gained a reputation for provoking thought and encouraging students to think critically.

"It's not something we study, it's something we engage in," Robertson said.

Prior to discussions of ethics, social and political philosophies and the meaning of life, students have to know how to argue correctly, Roberston said.

His class has spent the last two weeks studying the fallacy of argument.

"This course is crucial because no other course focuses in as much as we do on recognizing sound arguments," he said.

Jordan Andrews, 17, is glad he didn't believe everything he heard when he was in Grade 9.

"They tell you in Grade 9, that Grade 12 is straight-laced, but it's not," he said, sporting a fedora and suit.

His character, 41-year-old Sylvester Snyde, is a wanted criminal involved in numerous schemes and cons over the years.

Snyde is intelligent and has been rumoured to pay off police officers in the past to avoid prison. He is also skilled at making others look guilty of crimes he committed. His alibi: He was helping build an orphanage at the time of the murders, which is strange because the murders occurred late at night.

Craig Erven, 18, enjoyed the creative format in which inductive and deductive reasoning skills was presented. 

"I thought it was creative," Erven said.

Erven's character was the 104-year-old C. Montgomery Burns. 

Burns is the director of the Royal Constabulary for the British Naval Underwriting and Exchequer of the Fleet. He is liked by few people under his command and will pay Homer Whipershoneshire to make problems disappear. He recently learned Watson and Holmes were once again investigating him.

His alibi: He was having dinner with Whipershoneshire at a pub called The Honourable Wart at the time of the murders.

Erven's (or Burns's) theory is that Whipershoneshire did it.

"Whenever I don't like something I pay him and he makes it disappear," Erven said.

"No one could prove the two of us were where we were."

Andrews's (Snyde's) theory is much the same, except he believes Burns paid Whipershoneshire to do it.

In the end of it all, murder mystery or not, Erven appreciates the fact the philosophy class helps him think outside the box. 

Andrews agrees.

"Other courses like math, physics, this is the way it is. Philosophy lets us think about stuff."

bcramer@nugget.ca

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