We have three quarterbacks who should be able to pick right up from Jacoby Brisset (who was most of our offense last year). Receivers are a little thin. Our running game could be awesome with 4 excellent running backs - IF - our offensive line can open some holes. Overall, our offensive talent should be utilized better with a new Offensive Coordinator. Defense should be darn good too. The kicking game can't do much else but improve over last year.
However, with all the improvement - the schedule gets a lot harder.
Our schedule trades average VT for Miami; a warm up cupcake team for Notre Dame; and another warm up cupcake team for EZU.
According to ESPN's pre-season football rankings - State will play 3 top 10 teams (#2 Clemson, #4 Florida State, #9 Notre Dame) and 3 top 25 teams (#19 UNCheats, #24 Louisville, #25 Miami).
State will have to win all our other games to have a 6 - 6 record. We can't overlook anybody (EZU, Syracuse, BC - even Wake Forest) - the margins are way too thin.
We have three quarterbacks who should be able to pick right up from Jacoby Brisset (who was most of our offense last year). Receivers are a little thin. Our running game could be awesome with 4 excellent running backs - IF - our offensive line can open some holes. Overall, our offensive talent should be utilized better with a new Offensive Coordinator. Defense should be darn good too. The kicking game can't do much else but improve over last year.
However, with all the improvement - the schedule gets a lot harder.
Our schedule trades average VT for Miami; a warm up cupcake team for Notre Dame; and another warm up cupcake team for EZU.
According to ESPN's pre-season football rankings - State will play 3 top 10 teams (#2 Clemson, #4 Florida State, #9 Notre Dame) and 3 top 25 teams (#19 UNCheats, #24 Louisville, #25 Miami).
State will have to win all our other games to have a 6 - 6 record. We can't overlook anybody (EZU, Syracuse, BC - even Wake Forest) - the margins are way too thin.
For those fortunate enough to not 'get' the reference - Bevis and Butthead was a really, really awful cartoon from a couple decades ago. I thought it was stupid and not funny at all. Who knew it would come in handy someday? LOL
Can we just skip NC State football this year and go straight to Basketball?
Football
Now is the time of year I usually start getting excited about football. Not so much this year.
Going back to last season - there were all sorts of low key but persistent talk about it being State's breakout year. Seven and five would be the absolute minimum. Even 8 - 4, 9 - 3 or better was talked about as an expectation - by the players no less. Football teams (kids) don't talk that kind of talk unless they get it from their coaches.
Winning the first four cupcake games by A LOT only fueled expectations.
I drank the Kool Aid.
We ended up 7 - 5; barely. And lost (deservedly) our bowl game. Overall record: 7 - 6.
This year, we trade two cupcake games for EZU and Notre Dame. Also, we exchange a weak ACC team for Miami.
We'll have an improved team over last year - but we should expect a 6 - 6 hard won record. Any misstep like a road game loss to EZU or Syracuse - and we're having a losing season.
Still a young team - but getting better.
Playing Clemson, Florida State and Notre Dame who are solidly in the elite realm - and UNCheats, Miami and Louisville - solidly in the very, very good category - we'd have to upset someone to do better than break even.
It's a numbers game. You have to have a bunch of 3, 4 and 5 star recruits to get even with the Cheats and Louisville. It takes dozens of star recruits to get to the Clemson, FSU, Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State level.
A lot of goodwill in the Wolfpack Club got burned up last year with all the over optimistic talk and expectations.
Coach Doeren has his work cut out for him.
Basketball
Man - what a roller coaster with NC State's Basketball team this spring.
State had a disappointing year. We finished 16 - 17. First losing season for Coach Gott.
Our star transfer guard had a season ending injury in the first half of the very first game. That put all the work on Cat Barber. Malik-Abu stepped up and started becoming the power forward he always had the chance to be.
All the other players worked hard and put their hearts into every game.
Actually - I had a ton of fun watching our 'Fair to OK to Good' players go toe to toe with Dook and UNCheats and Louisville and Virginia. We were always out-matched - but never outplayed.
Basketball Coaches
Assistant Coach Rob Moxley had 3 strokes and went into cardiac arrest. He's moved to an administrative job - Director of Player Personnel. Butch Pierrre is Moxley's replacement.
First among equals Assistant Coach Bobby Lutz was also moved out and over to an administrative job. Still don't know why. Heath Schroyer is his replacement.
Of Gott's initial hires - Orlando Earley is now considered to be the first among three equal Assistant Coaches.
The Director of Strength and Conditioning was fired and replaced. Again - no one knows why exactly. Maybe he let BeeJay keep sneaking back into the buffet line?
Basketball Players
Cat Barber turned pro as expected.
Totally unexpected were the Martin Twins transferring (to Nevada). Coach Gott was clearly surprised.
Then Malik-Abu decided to test the NBA waters. While unexpected - that was really a smart move. He leaned what the pros think he needs to work on to play his way into the NBA draft - this year or next.
BeeJay did likewise. LOL
BJ needs to set his sights on playing some European ball (after he graduates) and then look for a coaching career. Then again - who knows what's possible? Dream the Dream BJ - Dream the Dream.
We had one - ONE - solid recruit. Point guard Dennis Smith. Albeit a top 10 recruit.
And that was it.
With all the coaching changes and sudden transfers - in April it looked like the wheels were coming off the bus.
And now, not quite three short months later, it's June -
Somehow, someway - Coach Gott must know what he's doing.
The new Assistant Coaches (and Gott) hit the ground running. As of Friday - NC State has 5 multi-star rated recruits coming in this year. (Two likely 'one and done' NBA draft picks)
In one fell swoop - we will have gone from a team with one Superstar Player (Cat), a developing GOOD player (Malik-Abu) the rest of the OK starters and NO bench to a team with all five projected starters being highly recruited Superstar Players - plus Abu. Heck, a couple of our highly rated recruits are going to be on the bench.
This kind of thing is normal for places like Dook, Carolina, Kentucky, Michigan State, Louisville and so on.
It's going to be a first for NC State.
Every year Coach Gott has always had several highly rated players considering State - but they always end up somewhere else, except for the occasional Cat Barber.
This year - the recruits decided to come to State. We even got a late 'ranked' recruit out of nowhere just Friday (yesterday). WTF?
So - we know Coach Gott can get average to good players to play their hearts out. Can Gott be a Coach K and get a team full of egos to play together?
And watch the videos - really. (If nothing else - please watch the Ohio State video)
Workplace Training
I work at the NC Department of Administration.
We have mandatory Violence in the Workplace Training. Workplace safety used to be avoiding slips (water on hard surfaces), falls (watch out using stairs, look out for uneven floors) and don't run with scissors. Times have changed.
Over the past couple of years - Active Shooter training has been introduced. I'm going to give you the bottom line from a full day's training.
RUN HIDE FIGHT
RUN
The first, and best (no ifs ands or buts) thing to do is RUN. RUN NOW. Don't hesitate; don't ask questions (Is this real? Are those really gunshots?) - Don't fuck around - RUN. RUN for your life.
Don't collect your iPad or purse or jacket - leave it. Just RUN. And don't stop running until you're far, far away - and are sure you're out of danger. (Do take your phone - but not if you have to look for it).
Don't go back to help others - that's a noble sentiment - but DON'T. They should be running too.
Even if the shooter is nearby - say, he's burst into the restaurant and starts firing - Running decreases your chance of getting shot. Shooters aren’t trained. They may have spent a lot of time practicing target shooting – but hitting a moving target? Not easily done.
RUN Forrest RUN.
HIDE (then FIGHT)
If you have no escape – nowhere to run - the second thing to do is hide.
Get behind a lockable door. No lock? Barricade it. Use your belt to secure the door handles or to secure the overhead closing mechanism (watch the videos to see how it’s done).
Keep quiet, turn the cell phone ringer off, turn off the lights. No screaming, no wailing, no loud crying. Control yourself. You have things to do.
Now here is where my instructor differs from the videos – She pointed out that shooters hunt for hiding people. After the initial frenzy of running and escaping, the shooter has to hunt for people to shoot.
Here’s the thing about hiding – you really aren’t in a secure hiding place. You might slow him down with temporary barricades - but eventually – he can get to you.
If you stop at HIDE – and the shooter finds you – and at that point if all you can do is beg for your life or just tremble and pray – he’s going to shoot you.
So – per my instructor – don’t just passively HIDE. Prepare to FIGHT.
The shooter is looking for you. Given enough time – he will find you. You need to get ready.
Use this brief chance to (quietly as possible) find a weapon(s) and position yourself to ambush him when he enters.
More than just you hiding in the room? Great - the more people ready to fight back the merrier. Everyone - grab a weapon.
To summarize what my instructor emphasized. RUN, RUN, RUN. But if you can’t run away – HIDE and get ready to FIGHT. If you can't escape - it’s likely to come down to a fight if you want to survive.
FIGHT
If you couldn't escape – and the shooter is getting past your temporary barricade - then youhave to FIGHT.
This is where we spent a lot of time in training.
People don't naturally fight. Running and hiding - natural instinct. Fighting? Not so much.
We try to be nice. We try to defuse the situation. We try to reason with the other person. Well kids, in this case - forgetaboutit. You have to go totally against your natural instincts - Youhaveto FIGHT.
Here's the logic - Obviously, if he (or she - but odds are you’re going to be fighting a him) is going to shoot you - Go down fighting. But the reason we're now taught to FIGHT is much, much more logical.
You actually change the balance of power by attacking the shooter.
These guys are usually crazy. They are playing out some sort of fantasy in their mind of hunting down their prey and killing them (us).
But - they aren't hunters. They aren't trained soldiers. They aren't fighters. They are cowards. If you don't play by their rules (being easy prey) - then suddenly - you've evened up the odds considerably.
Consider typical (non-trained) human reaction –
Let's say you're in the aisle at Harris-Teeter looking for those artichoke hearts. Suddenly, some nut job starts running down the aisle towards you. All the while screaming his head off (ARRRRRRGH). You're natural reaction is to stop dead in your tracks, your jaw drops and you go "WTF?"
That's what will happen to the cowardly shooter.
Run towards the shooter, screaming and yelling, and the experts tell us there's a good chance he'll be surprised and won't react. Or he’ll have a delayed reaction.
(Experts differ - some advise yelling to startle him - some say yelling will focus him on you as a target)
Tackle him - full speed. Then FIGHT.
FIGHT DIRTY.
Kick him in the genitals (works for her too), punch his throat (very, very effective), punch his nose (very, very sensitive), use your fingers to gouge his eyes - don't be nice about it - try to blind him. Stick your fingers in his nose and rip. Use your teeth - ears are sensitive, bite his nose or lips, get his hand and try and bit his fingers off. Not love nibbles - bite HARD. Go Mike Tyson on him.
Use a weapon. A pen or pencil jabbed into his eyes are guaranteed to stop him (yes - try to blind him - it's the least he deserves). Or stick him in the throat. Or stab him pretty much anywhere with the pen or pencil - itwillhurt him. From now on - keep that letter opener or pair of scissors handy.
Use that heavy Swingline stapler to hit him in the nose or throat or head. That light weight wood in / out box on your desk? Hit him on the head with the corners - or use it to jab his eyes.
Seeing a pattern here? Go for the eyes! If you can hurt his eyes - YOU WILL WIN!
And yeah - hitting people over the head with a laptop isn't just a management strategy.
Go completely crazy - no, make that - go freaking berserk!
Summon up as much anger as you can – get mad – and take it out on him.
Speed Surprise Violence of Action – take the fight to the coward.
Believe it or not – when you fight – survival odds go way up in your favor.
Don’t forget – FIGHT DIRTY
Use anything - anything! Paperweights, glass sculptures / awards sitting on the shelf. Grab the heavy plaque off the wall and hit him. Got photos or art on the wall? Preferably with glass? Over his head - and hope the shards cut him.
If there's more than one of you - Don't fuck around wondering if you should 'try to rush him'. JUST DO IT. Studies have shown if you start - others will likely follow. Peoplewillsurprise you - in a good way.
And when you get him down (and you WILL take him down) - make SURE he's down. You don't want him to get up again. Stomp on his legs - break 'em. Makesurehe's down.
RUN HIDE FIGHT
The bottom line is - we're now taught that if you can run away - that's 100% survival.
Hiding – yeah, you should hide. But if your only plan is to passively wait for rescue - your odds of survival drop off tremendously.
This change in being taught to fight back goes along with police response. They used to hold back and hope to negotiate. But they've found that just gives the shooter more time to kill. Nowadays - police bring in SWAT and attack (often officers go in before SWAT arrives).
You have to do the same.
It’s going to take a little time for law enforcement to arrive. They are on the way. As fast as they can. But - until they get there – you have to take care of yourself.
You are going to hear RUN HIDE FIGHT more and more. Middle and high schools are beginning to teach this. Even elementary schools are starting. Colleges have taken the lead.
My guess - in another 10 years - RUN HIDE FIGHT will be pretty much like the old "duck and cover" that I learned in elementary school.
Oh, and about going for the eyes - Don't worry about blinding him.
In prison - he won't be looking at who's having sex with him anyway.
Videos
The Ohio State University video is excellent. If you don't watch anything else - watch this one. (But watch the other ones too).
The elementary school and middle – high school videos are age appropriate.
The LA County Sheriff video is realistic and drives the point home. It’s a bit much on planning with too many variables and what if’s. Having said that – watch the LA video. There’s really good stuff in it.
Movies
I've watched some excellent movies lately.
The Big Short - should be required viewing. And funny. Went out and got the book - reading it now.
45 Years - different and unexpected plot.
Deadpool - Yep, the Marvel Comics X-men movie Deadpool. Only if you're not easily offended. I laughed so hard my side hurt. Watch for the "My Little Pony" plush toy sight gag - two actually.
Notes
RUN HIDE FIGHT is a registered trademark of the City of Houston.
Permissions? We ain't got no permissions. We don't need no permissions. I don't have to show you any stinkin' permissions.
No college basketball; no college football. Thus starts the Summer of Our Discontent.
I have tried to like baseball - it just doesn't do anything for me. Like going to the games though. Nice to be able to socialize with friends without actually having to concentrate on what's going on.
Work - about the same. Busy.
Movies
About the only thing I watch on TV is sports or nature and science shows. Instead, I watch a lot of movies on Netflix.
Here's what I've watched over the past couple months -
The Hateful Eight - Very disappointing. Ejected the DVD with over an hour to go.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford - Better than I expected it would be.
Straight Outta Compton - Above average. I quit watching about 2/3 the way through because I got tired of hearing M-F this, M-F that, N***** this, N***** that - and so on. It got really tiresome. I'd hate to be around people who actually speak like that. BTW - the whole Academy Awards controversy about it being overlooked for nominations - well, it's above average - but NOT Oscar worthy. Including the acting.
Unbroken - Meh. I know it's supposed to be an inspiring true story - but it was just boring.
Spectre - Ignore the plot holes - Embrace the silly; sit back and enjoy the chase scenes.
Leviathan - Russian movie. Well above average.
Spotlight - Excellent.
Black Mass - Very, very good.
Bridge of Spies - Excellent.
Cloud Atlas - Confusing. May read the book though.
The Darkest Hour - Silly fun movie.
The Martian - Pretty good. To much has been made of the 'accurate science' in the movie - ahhh - no.
I'll See You In My Dreams - Average. OK to spend a couple hours on.
CITIZEN FOUR - Let me be clear - I think he's a traitor. The movie - while helping me understand his motives better - did not change my mind. I still think he's a self-absorbed snotty traitor. That said - this film is excellent and should be watched by anyone interested in the electronic footprints we all leave.
Calvary - Above average.
Birdman - Very good. But I think a bit overrated.
Sean The Sheep - Excellent. Lot's of dry humor for the adults and straight up comedy for the kids.
