San Antonio Sport News

Project 70 1/1

Mon, 04/29/2024 - 20:53

New to this sub. Looking to complete Topps 70s sets, and Topps Heritage of the 70s. I got into the Topps Project 2020 and Project 70 mostly to collect Tony Gwynn and Tatis (lifelong Padres fan).
First favorite player was Winfield, and love that this was my first 1/1. I know many here are dismissive of the Topps Project cards, but I'm proud of this one!

submitted by /u/Hoot1969 to r/baseballcards
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Raiders: UDFA signings (Dane Brugler: THE BEAST 2024)

Mon, 04/29/2024 - 20:46
QB15. CARTER BRADLEY | South Alabama 6031 | 213 lbs. | 6SR Jacksonville, Fla. (Providence) 3/9/2000 (age 24.13)

SUMMARY: A two-year starter at South Alabama, Bradley had things click after transferring to coach Major Applewhite’s version of the Air Raid. Despite spending only two seasons with the program, he made his mark by setting more than a dozen South Alabama records, including touchdown passes in a game (four), season (28) and career (47). A rhythm-based passer, Bradley keeps his eyes up and his feet active to scan and deliver with quality decision-making. However, he isn’t much of a creator when things fall apart, and mechanical inconsistencies and accuracy issues downfield will likely follow him to the next level. Overall, Bradley has NFL pedigree with the base traits needed for the pro game, but his tape is wildly inconsistent, as he looks like an NFL starter on some throws and a JV passer on others. He will get a chance once in camp.

GRADE: Priority Free Agent

WR35. TULU GRIFFIN | Mississippi St. 5100 | 181 lbs. | 4SR Philadelphia, Miss. (Philadelphia) 1/23/2001 (age 23.26)

SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Mississippi State, Griffin was the H (slot) receiver in former offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay’s scheme with 90.6 percent of his 2023 snaps coming inside (although, he was primarily an outside receiver as an underclassman). He finished his college career with only one career 100-yard receiving performance, but he made it count (a school-record 256 yards vs. South Carolina in 2023), and he led the Bulldogs in receiving as a senior. Griffin, who received his “Tulu” nickname growing up because he was “too loose” in sports, is a speedy athlete and can get coverage leaning or create plays as a return man (his career 30.4 kick-return average is second best in SEC history). Mostly an underneath receiver (80 percent of his catches in 2023 came within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage), he has a smaller catch radius and is just as likely to have a frustrating drop as he is to make a difficult grab away from his body. Overall, Griffin lacks polish as a route runner, but he can be dangerous with the ball in his hands, and his return talent is a strong selling point. He projects as a bottom-of-the-roster receiver or a practice-squad candidate with return upside.

GRADE: 7th Round

WR50. RAMEL KEYTON | Tennessee 6023 | 191 lbs. | 5SR Marietta, Ga. (Marietta) 9/14/2000 (age 23.61)

SUMMARY: Ramel Keyton grew up in Marietta and prepped at Marietta High. He finished his career with 184 catches for 3,353 yards and 33 touchdowns. A four-star recruit, he was a top-15 receiver in the class and committed to Tennessee over Alabama, Georgia and others. He produced career bests in 2023 (18.3 yards per catch ranked third in the SEC). Keyton is a long, lithe athlete who sells double moves well and does a nice job with hesitation on his vertical stems. He is a legitimate deepball threat but runs hot and cold tracking the ball and appears awkward at times making adjustments (especially in crowded catch points). Overall, Keyton is a “flash” receiver with the acceleration to be a weapon, but he lacks polish in the quick game and didn’t play a ton on special teams, which could limit his landing spots.

GRADE: Priority Free Agent

OT25. ANDREW COKER | TCU 6067 | 315 lbs. | 5SR Katy, Texas (James E. Taylor) 3/23/2001 (age 23.09)

SUMMARY: A four-year starter at TCU, Coker was a mainstay at right tackle in offensive coordinator Kendal Briles’ zone-based scheme. He was predominantly a right tackle in high school and his first four seasons in Fort Worth before starting the first five games of 2023 at left tackle because of injuries (he returned to right tackle for the second half of the season). Coker is alert and active in pass protection, and his hand strikes are punctual and pierc ing, which helps him stay between the defender and the football. However, his feet are heavy, and his poor redirect and recovery makes it tough for him to sustain blocks, often leaving him overextended and compromised. Overall, Coker is an experienced, wide-bodied blocker with the base fundamentals and toughness to survive in the NFL, but his margin of error will be very small against NFL speed and power. He projects as a depth piece at both tackle and guard.

GRADE: 7th Round-Priority Free Agent

DE32. RON STONE JR. | Washington State 6031 | 247 lbs. | 6SR San Jose, Calif. (Valley Christian) 5/26/2000 (age 23.91)

SUMMARY: Ron Stone Jr. grew up in a football family. His father (Ron) was a fourth-round pick (No. 96) in the 1993 NFL Draft and won two Super Bowls at guard with the Dallas Cowboys. His two older sisters (Ronna and Ronika) were college athletes at Oregon. Stonewas an All-League pass rusher as a senior at Valley Christian. A three-star recruit, he had multiple Pac-12 offers and signed with Washington State. He earned All-Pac-12 honors in each of his final three seasons. Stone is undersized and can get out of control in his attack, but multiple offensive linemen have said he was their toughest opponent, because of his violent hands and ability to work in different moves. He is relentless versus the run and tackles like he is in a bad mood. He projects as a SAM backer, although he is unproven in reverse. Overall, Stone is missing a distinguishing trait that will separate him on an NFL depth chart, but he has a worker-bee attitude and will make it tough for a coach to cut him.

GRADE: Priority Free Agent

CB43. JA’QUAN SHEPPARD | Maryland 6016 | 199 lbs. | 5SR Zephyrhills, Fla. (Zephyrhills) 4/12/2001 (age 23.04)

SUMMARY: Ja’Quan Sheppard started playing football as an eighth grader in Zephyrhills. He moved to wide receiver in high school (30 catches as a senior), while also playing defensive back (four interceptions). A three-star recruit, he committed to Cincinnati over Kentucky and moved to defense. He had his breakout showing in 2022, leading the team in passes defended, and he entered the portal after Luke Fickell left Cincinnati for Wisconsin. Sheppard transferred to Maryland, where he earned All-Big Ten honors in 2023. He is a good-sized athlete who can jam and make receivers feel uncomfortable, early or late in the rep. He is quick-footed, although he does labor a bit when opening up, and his taller pad level can create a brief delay. He plays through hands well but also didn’t have an interception in college. Overall, Sheppard needs to better balance his aggression with added discipline, but his coverage mentality and back-end versatility should translate well.

GRADE: Priority Free Agent

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I’m The Music Fan Man • Infotainer’s Introduction

Sat, 04/27/2024 - 22:19
I’m The Music Fan Man Infotainer’s Introduction

2021 12-28

Who I Am

Hi. I am The Music Fan Man. At the Music Or Lose It channel, I make various videos: commentaries; interviews; and reviews of songs.

It is my pleasure to be acquainted with you online. Feel free to ask me questions in the comments section.

What Sets Me Apart

I review songs from the perspective of an ordinary music fan. When I was getting into music as a teenager in the late 90s, I’d buy music magazines. I felt the reviewers wrote about music in a way I could not at all relate to. When I created Music Or Lose It in 2022, my goal was to discuss music in a manner I feel is utmost connecting. Rather than get into the technical details of a song I’m reviewing, I prefer to discuss how it connects with me personally. If a song reminds me of something personal, I can share that. For example, when I reviewed the song “The Actor” by Alt-J, I began crying while thinking about how drugs had impacted my life as someone who’s always been sober and drug free yet significantly impacted by family members’ addictions. Only I have my specific life experience that’s going to impact how I connect with a song.

First Music Memories

I remember having a cassette player and cassette tapes as a little kid. I had a Jackson 5 album. I’m unsure which one. I also remember having the 1984 album “Stay Hungry” by Twisted Sister with their song “We're Not Gonna Take It.” I must have been around 4 years old still living in southern California where I was born.

By the time I was of preschool or kindergarten age in the 80’s, my family had moved to northern California. We initially lived in a small town named Sutter. In either preschool or kindergarten, at school we sang a song as a group. The boys, in masculine kid’s voice, sang “Abraham Lincoln” and the girls would follow with “Gerrrrrrrrroge Washington.” Doing an online search I’m unable to figure out what that song was.

I remember being exposed to a physical record of children singing "On Top of Spaghetti." Doing research for this post, it appears to have been from the album “On Top Of Spaghetti” by Tom Glazer And The Do-Re-Mi Children's Chorus. I am concluding this because the Discogs website entry for this album shows a version of “Puff (The Magic Dragon)” was included in that album. At around that age, I remember hearing that song too. I feel like my parents must have gotten me a record player and that album. Then again, maybe it was just available at school.

When I Became A Fan Of Music

As a teen living in the Yuba-Sutter region, I remember my mother listened to a lot of FM radio. She also seemed to turn on cable channels VH1 and CMT which primarily aired music videos back in the 90s. There was a weekly show called VH1 Top 21. Click here to see a clip appearing to be from a 1994 episode. I must have started intentionally paying attention to music in 1991. I remember the eventfulness of the music videos for the album “Dangerous” by Michael Jackson. I also remember the 1991 video “I Can't Dance” by Genesis in which Phil Collins does parody of Michael Jackson dancing.

First Music I Bought Myself

The first music I bought myself was probably in cassette singles form, spending allowance money given to me from my parents. I was around age 12 or 13. Any one of the following 1993 songs could have been the first single I bought: "Another Sad Love Song" by Toni Braxton; "All That She Wants" by Ace Of Base; or "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)" by Meat Loaf. I also remember owning the above-mentioned 1991 “Dangerous” album by Michael Jackson. I can’t remember if I bought “Dangerous” or if it was a gift to me.

I kept wanting a CD player so badly. Before my parents bought me a CD player, I bought myself my first CD. It was the 1993 self-titled album from a band named Dig. I eagerly wanted to own the album’s song “Believe.” I remember going to the mall at Yuba-City and buying it at the music store. It was the only song I enjoyed of the 12 songs from that album. “Believe” wasn’t very popular. By then I was watching MTV and they didn’t play it often. I especially wanted to own the song so that I could listen to it whenever I wanted to. It wasn’t until much later that I finally got a CD player sometime in 1994 or 1995. I was so happy!

Music Influences

Sometime around 1994 or 1995, I began listening to FM radio. I can’t remember my hometown’s local FM station call letters. I think it was nicknamed “Cool 104.” It appears not to exist anymore. The station played VH1-type pop music. I could also access Sacramento’s very popular KSFM 102.5FM which played rap, hip hop, and R&B. Most of all, I listened to Sacramento-based alternative rock station KWOD 106.5FM and their Shawn & Jeff Morning Show.

I started writing my own Top 20 Songs Of The Week countdown around this time. It was written on paper that I kept mostly for myself. I did this because too often I disagreed with the MTV, VH1, and CMT top 20 countdown selections. I also usually disagreed with the Billboard Hot 100 chart posted at the local music store. I am an only-child. I was a closeted-gay teen at a time when American society was still mostly unaccepting of homosexuality. I was awkward in junior high. That is when and where I awkwardly met a girl my same age. She became my greatest friend. We bonded over sharing music together. We became nearly inseparable. Despite having told her my secret of being gay during our teen years, we were both in denial. She became my wife at the age of 20 in 2000.

From 1994-1998 I made my own fictitious music awards show. It was hosted by me in 1994; my childhood friend Jeremy in 1995; a high school classmate named Angie in 1996; a coworker named Robert from my first job at Montgomery Wards (I unloaded trucks) in 1997; and lastly my parents in 1998. I initially used a broken, handheld cassette player. I’d watch all of the music award shows on TV and recorded the acceptance speeches onto blank tape. If any of the award shows’ winners matched my winners, I’d use those acceptance speeches. If not, the host of my award show would say something to the effect of, “They’re not here. I’ll accept the award on their behalf.” I also recorded live music performances from MTV and VH1 to use for my fictitious awards show. Later when I got my CD player, it also played cassettes and had a radio built in. Around 1996 I somehow figured out that my home’s cable could connect to the back of the CD player enabling me to record onto blank cassettes directly from MTV and VH1 broadcasts. Yet those recordings were staticky. I didn’t even own my first computer at this time. Recording the fictitious awards show was simply a hobby for my own enjoyment.

For a 1996 high school economics class group project, we had to make a commercial for a fictitious business. I led the group. We made a commercial for our store “Music World.” In the video I explained, “…when you go to Music World, you’re not gonna say ‘Can I find The Presidents of the United States of America CD?’ and they’re gonna tell you to go register to vote somewhere else.” Sometime in either 1996 or 1997, I discovered one of my school’s staff members had an unofficial class teaching students how to play music on a large speaker-system. He had some type of promotional CDs with all current songs available. If I passed his quiz regarding how to use the equipment, I was told I’d be allowed to play music for the school in the social areas during lunch. I passed the quiz yet somehow - I can’t remember why - the Lindhurst High School officials decided against allowing lunchtime music.

In 1998, for a required “senior project” research presentation class, I learned about publishing songs. I wrote a song with my later-to-be-wife. I was aided by a music teaching mentor. She was the wife of a science teacher from my high school yet she didn’t teach a class there. The song was titled “I Used To Be Insane.” It seems I no longer have a copy. Nothing ever became of it. I did however pass the class. California standards being as low as they are, despite mostly getting Cs and Ds, I graduated class of 1998. Regarding college, I only took one class in 2000. It was a public speaking class. I got an A.

The Music Fan Man In 1998

The Music Fan Man In 1998

I wanted to become a DJ on the radio at the local Cool 104 station or at Sacramento’s KWOD 106.5. Yet somehow I let the dream die. I became employed as security guard and never found the time to pursue my goal of being a radio DJ. In 2023 I made a radio newscaster demo. I intended to use the demo to apply to be a news reader or DJ for local station 1600 KUBA AM. I don’t remember if I ever followed through or not.

In July 2023 life took me in an entirely different direction. By then I had come out of the closet. On 07/05/03, I started the first LGBT group in the Yuba-Sutter region. By October, my marriage was over. I led the group until the end of 2007. In 2008 I became employed with the “NO on 8” campaign attempting to preserve the freedom to marry for Californian same-gender couples. This remains one of the largest political campaigns in United States history. This took me out of my hometown for the first time. I worked at the “NO on 8” headquarters at the Castro in San Francisco. Being from the small town Yuba-Sutter area, it was surreal to find myself working for such a high-stakes political campaign in a massive city. In October of 2008 I moved to the campaign’s Sacramento office. Prop 8 passed unfortunately. The good news is marriage equality eventually prevailed due to a 2015 Supreme Court ruling.

The Music Fan Man In 2008

In 2010 I made the bold decision to buy an SUV and live out of that. This was years before vanlife became trendy. I was renting a room in Concord, CA, while employed as a security guard. I was scheduled full time hours making decent money. Yet despite living modestly I was never able to save up money. Before moving into the SUV, I decided in the future I would live minimalist. Therefore I needed to transform my papers, photos, and home movies into digital files. I bought a cord to connect my VCR to my computer. The connection enabled me to transfer VHS-C home movies into MP4 files. The cord was part of a package that included a video editing program. This changed my life. I learned how to edit videos. In 2010 I began making political videos from the perspective of an independent. By 2011 I created my first channel on YouTube. Initially I was uploading political interviews and also vlogs about living out of my SUV. I kept up at it and ended up interviewing numerous famous people. Click here to see some screenshots of my celebrity interviews. Videos I made were featured by Huffington Post, The Advocate, and Good Day Sacramento.

The Music Fan Man’s Celebrity Interviews During The 10’s

By the end of 2017, I was in Los Angeles. I had been living out of my SUV on and off. My already-substantial medical conditions worsened. I had also become burned out covering politics. I then took a long hiatus for several years living very reclusively. During this time, I changed my political channel to Roadside Resident in anticipation of buying a van to live out of. Thereafter I made only a few videos updating my subscribers of my intent to upgrade from living out of a SUV to living out of a van.

When I Decided To Try Making A Living Enjoying Music

Around 2019 or 2020 (I guesstimate), I discovered music commentary channels Grady Smith and Professor of Rock. The more I watched their videos, the more I realized I wanted to make videos discussing music. The long-dormant wannabe radio DJ within me awakened.

Challenges

In the fall of 2020, I finally bought a van to live out of. I sometimes rented a room and I sometimes lived out of the van full time. In July 2022, I relocated the seldom active Roadside Resident channel to its own separate, new channel on YouTube – remodeling the existing channel with the premiere of Music Or Lose It. To summarize, my original channel from January 2011 showcasing my political interviews was briefly renamed Roadside Resident probably in 2019 (the exact date is uncertain). Then in July 2022 the channel was given a third embodiment: Music Or Lose It. Only time with tell if transforming my channel twice was a bad or good idea. In any case, it was such a joyous occasion to finally unleash the inner DJ inside of me in the form of a commentator, interviewer, and reviewer. Unfortunately, medical conditions hindered me from making videos on a consistently frequent basis. By February 2024, ailments necessitated returning to housing again.

My Music Or Lose It channel on YouTube struggled to get views after the July 2022 launch. In contrast, when I uploaded to my political channel back in 2011, my videos would automatically get lots of views. Back then I had a steady flow of new subscribers. YouTube then changed drastically becoming mostly corporatized. YouTube’s leadership seems intent on looping viewers to already-famous celebrities and “YouTubers” who built up their audience before the corporatization. I’ve watched tons of “how to succeed on YouTube” videos. Citing vague gibberish regarding algorithms, those videos are almost always unhelpful. There’s no meritocracy when audience reach is dictated by algorithms. The tools to build an audience as a no-name in a bedroom seem to have removed by big tech venues. At least my videos at the Music Or Lose It channels on Rumble and TikTok get a few thousand views.

What Keeps Me Going

I am encouraged to keep trying to succeed despite seemingly impossible odds. I see a vision of what Music Or Lose It can become and I love what I see. I visualize connecting music fans discussing wonderful new songs together. As I build up my success, I see an opportunity to uplift a lot of neglected music creators making human-uplifting, soul-moving music.

Moving Forward

I am presently seeking a standalone house to rent in Las Vegas. After moving in, I will get set up to film and podcast. Until day 1 of recording begins, I won’t get too excited. I don’t celebrate prematurely. If I can stay steady living where all my filming equipment is at one place, I feel hopeful I can regularly make Music Or Lose It videos.

What’s more, I have a bold idea to unite creators struggling to attain decent amounts of views/listens. After I get settled in the Vegas house, I will unveil the idea. In an era where big tech does so little to help lesser known creators, uniting into groups with a plan to attain success seems to be the way of the future.

The Music Or Lose It subreddit community was created in January 2022 and was dormant until October that year. This online community significantly expanded in 2024, hitting both the first 1k members milestone in January and then the first 2k members milestone in March. Also in March, just for fun, I began organizing a community vote for the Best Song Of The Month contest open to lesser known music creators. It is indeed a lot of fun. The subreddit community motivates me to keep going with my overall Music Or Lose It goals. I am tremendously motivated by the talented music creators who kindly share their personal art. I am especially inspired by the community’s thoughtful music fans who share their interesting perspectives in the comments section. I am a believer in "a rising tide lifts all boats" philosophy. In anticipation of a return to making Music Or Lose It videos, I am imagining how I can merge the subreddit community into my world of videomaking. I must figure out how to increase my viewership. I am confident I can do it. Videos about music superstars like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Kanye West will get more views than a video about a lesser-known creator. That’s reality. Yet it’s my goal to figure out how to merge my video discussions about the superstars with discussions about the amazingly-talented yet lesser known creators I’m meeting at this musicorloseittv community.

The Wildest Dream

My goal is to earn a living making my Music Or Lose It videos. I want my music discussion channel to be as successful as Professor of Rock and Not For Radio Podcast. I hope to eventually have 1-2 cohosts. I want it to be a go-to venue for music entertainers when they're promoting new projects.

I grew up experiencing poverty more often than not when I was younger. I remember the monotony of eating rice and beans for dinner night after night for a long time. Around my teen years, my parents became more equipped to treat me to allowance. This enabled me to buy cassettes and CDs. Their generosity enabled me to become a music fan. Yet a clear path how to succeed was not provided to me. I graduated from high school with only Cs and Ds. Into adulthood, despite living out of a sports utility vehicle with serious medical conditions, I taught myself how to edit videos. I ended up interviewing very famous celebrities. At my best, despite being a no-name from a small northern California town, I was gaining notable media attention momentum. Despite so many odds being against me, I have persevered.

I am determined to keep persevering. I will do everything within my power pursuing the success I envision for myself. Just as I gave my all to unite people by creating community when I led the first LGBT group in my hometown, I will give my all to uniting lesser known creators chasing our dreams together.

Thank you for reading.

Favorites

• Song: Dirty Vegas - Human Love

2004, Lyrics

• Music Video: Airship - Algebra

2010, Lyrics

Social Media

Music Or Lose It Email List https://musicorloseittv.wixsite.com/home

Also

END

submitted by /u/themusicfanman to r/musicorloseittv
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What job/career can I get into with my area and experience?

Sat, 04/27/2024 - 22:00

This’ll probably be a bit of a longer post, thank you in advance for anyone who helps!

I’m a 20 year old guy, I have a high school diploma. I’m moving from NW San Antonio to Galveston ish area In a few months to be closer to my ladies family and to put her through school.

I own and operate a exterior cleaning business. It’s what I’ve done since my junior year of high school. Pressure washing, window cleaning, softwashing, etc.

I also have experience with landscaping, lawn maintenance, sand blasting and powder coating.

I’ve stopped advertising my business because I’m too busy for one person so I’m only taking care of my repeat customers and anyone they refer me to. Once I move I’ll be coming down on weekends to do any jobs for my business and working weekdays at the new area.

Yes as I get settled in here I’ll be more picky with the jobs I’m doing back at San Antonio so I’m not worried about overworking myself.

Here’s my issue; I’m looking for a decent paying job, hopefully 16$/hr+ IF possible.

I want something that I can hopefully scale into a full career since I will be up here for several years. However I’m not sure of some good job ideas and that’s where I need help;

Yes I could move my business up here but i want income stability up here. Yes I could stay down there and run my business and come visit my girlfriend but I’m a family guy and I love with her. We’ll also be married soon (shh, she doesn’t know yet)

I’d prefer not to be behind a cash register. I’d rather be outside doing anything, although I’m not necessarily apposed to it, I’d like to keep that kind of stuff as a last option.

A couple ideas I’ve thought of are working for another wash company up here because I have loads of experience in that ally. Possibly working on a tuna fishing boat or something similar. Working at the plants in the area but I’ve heard it’s very hard to get a job there especially without any schooling.

I like the following; working outside, the water, helping others, working out, washing just about anything from houses to RV’s. Things of that nature.

Thank you!

submitted by /u/pigmaster753 to r/careerguidance
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The 2nd round will feature the first direct playoff matchup between the MVP and the DPOY since 1995

Sat, 04/27/2024 - 21:02

This is of course assuming that Denver and Minnesota close out their series leads and move on to face each other.

What I mean by this is that we haven't seen the MVP and DPOY winners both be the same position, play against each other in the playoffs, and actually guard each other since obviously they play the same position. Under the assumption that Nikola Jokic wins league MVP and Rudy Gobert wins DPOY (which both feel like a forgone conclusions), this very scenario will happen in the 2nd round.

The last time this occured was in 1995, when MVP David Robinson and his Spurs faced off against DPOY Dikembe Mutombo and his Nuggets. San Antonio would end up sweeping Denver 3-0, but Robinson himself did play pretty pedestrian, only averaging 19 PPG on 43% shooting.

submitted by /u/Camctrail to r/NBATalk
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