Hawksbill asked if I could post a list of the games that are unplayed as of yet. This way everyone can take a look at what each game is about and maybe read up on the rules ahead of the game nights. I'm going to list the games by light, medium, and heavy with links to the BGG entry. I'm also going to list some intro level wargames that Paul, and I are trying to generate some interest in. So here goes.
Light weight multiplayer games
St. Petersburg
Mystery of the Abbey
Settlers of Nuremberg
Wings of War: Watch Your Back
Amazonas
Medium weight multiplayer games
New England
Oasis
Amun Re
Samurai
Vegas Showdown
Rheinlander
Tongiaki
Oriente
And there is also one medium weight 2 player game that I would like to push.
Kahuna
Heavy weight multiplayer games
Friedrich
Age of Steam
Ys
Imperial
Die Macher
A Game of Thrones
Intro wargames
We the People
Twilight Struggle
Hammer of the Scots
Combat Commander
Napoleon
Hannibal Rome Vs. Carthage Paul and I are both getting a copy of the reprint which is due in June.
War of 1812
So there is the list for now. So just let me know on here or by email if you look at any of these and think you want to push for it. That way we can have a little discussion going on about what we like and don't like, and it may help us get the games we want to play in at the retreat. I will be back on here shortly with a list of stuff I'm thinking about getting before the retreat.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Monday, March 5, 2007
Why you don't want to be drafted by the Lions
If I'm a college football prospect who's looking to make his way to fame and fortune in NFL, I'm hoping the Lions don't draft me. As an organization the Lions have had a terrible time making good choices in the draft for a few years now. If they wanted me, I would really start to think about whether I was doomed or not. The reason I bring this up is because with the Dre' Bly trade to Denver the Lions picked up RB Tatum Bell, and today I read they are talking to RB T.J. Duckett, who would make a fine goal line back to compliment Tatum Bell. The thing about all of this, what does this all mean for the Lions' 2004 first round draft pick Kevin Jones?It can't bode well that's for sure. And, if they do cut or trade Kevin Jones, what does it say about the Lions scouting that so many of their picks fall apart.
Lets look at the Lions' first round draft picks over the last 6 seasons;
2000- Stockar Mcdougal- Not a bad right tackle, he played all 16 games in 2004 for the Lions and helped Kevin Jones get over 1,000 yards rushing, a feet Jones would not come near repeating. But he missed all of his first season and most of his second due to injury.
2001- Jeff Backus- A fine pick, he's a solid tackle and he's from right here in Michigan, Midland to be exact.
2002- Joey Harrington- Here is where the trouble starts, Joey seemed like the real deal, his numbers were fairly sound, and he seemed to improve over a few seasons. It was his ability to somehow not be outraged at losing that I think finally ran him out of town. He just didn't really seem to have any drive to win, and never really seemed to mind losing. Man I hated when he was the Lions' QB.
2003- Charles Rogers- You'll notice that there is nothing linked to his name, well that's because he is no longer in the NFL. He had a series of drug related problems, no real ambition to workout, no desire to improve the skills he had, and was cut by the Lions at the start of last season, and was crappy that no other team cared to pick him up, not even for their practice squad. He was also plagued by injuries. He never played more than 9 games in any one season he was in the league, and that was in 2005 and in those 9 games he only managed to catch 14 passes for 197 yards. A true first round bust.
2004- Roy Williams- A good pick after a 2 really crappy years, a good pick. Roy has been a solid receiver, he's been up toward the high end of yards gained for a couple seasons now. All in all a serviceable WR.
Also first round 2004- Kevin Jones- He was going to be the Lions' answer to the RB problem they've had since the early retirement of Barry Sanders. He never really elevated to the level he was built up to. Now after a another mediocre season that was cut short by an injury it looks like he might be on the way out.
2005- Mike Williams- Had a decent first season, 29 catches for 350 yards and 1 TD. Then he was cut from the team prior to the 2006 season for being overweight, the Lions then resign him half way through the season. And, with the Lions looking to add another WR from free agency to complement Roy Williams and Mike Furrey, most likely Kevin Curtis from Tampa Bay, his future with the team is also in question.
2006- Ernie Sims- Outside Linebacker out of Florida State. He had a good first season tallying 125 tackles in 16 games 82 of those were solo tackles. It's too early in his career to tell whether he will pan out or not though.
So really as I look at this list it seems like where the Lions have trouble in making picks is with skill post ions. They can't seem to pick the right wide receivers, running backs, and quarter backs. 5 of those 8 picks were skill players and of those 5 only one of them is worth anything. If Mike Williams, and Kevin Jones get cut or traded 3 of them won't even be on the team. So let's hope that when the Lions use their 2nd pick overall to trade down in the draft this year to get MSU QB Drew Stanton that the scouting staff has done a little more research than they have done in the past.
Lets look at the Lions' first round draft picks over the last 6 seasons;
2000- Stockar Mcdougal- Not a bad right tackle, he played all 16 games in 2004 for the Lions and helped Kevin Jones get over 1,000 yards rushing, a feet Jones would not come near repeating. But he missed all of his first season and most of his second due to injury.
2001- Jeff Backus- A fine pick, he's a solid tackle and he's from right here in Michigan, Midland to be exact.
2002- Joey Harrington- Here is where the trouble starts, Joey seemed like the real deal, his numbers were fairly sound, and he seemed to improve over a few seasons. It was his ability to somehow not be outraged at losing that I think finally ran him out of town. He just didn't really seem to have any drive to win, and never really seemed to mind losing. Man I hated when he was the Lions' QB.
2003- Charles Rogers- You'll notice that there is nothing linked to his name, well that's because he is no longer in the NFL. He had a series of drug related problems, no real ambition to workout, no desire to improve the skills he had, and was cut by the Lions at the start of last season, and was crappy that no other team cared to pick him up, not even for their practice squad. He was also plagued by injuries. He never played more than 9 games in any one season he was in the league, and that was in 2005 and in those 9 games he only managed to catch 14 passes for 197 yards. A true first round bust.
2004- Roy Williams- A good pick after a 2 really crappy years, a good pick. Roy has been a solid receiver, he's been up toward the high end of yards gained for a couple seasons now. All in all a serviceable WR.
Also first round 2004- Kevin Jones- He was going to be the Lions' answer to the RB problem they've had since the early retirement of Barry Sanders. He never really elevated to the level he was built up to. Now after a another mediocre season that was cut short by an injury it looks like he might be on the way out.
2005- Mike Williams- Had a decent first season, 29 catches for 350 yards and 1 TD. Then he was cut from the team prior to the 2006 season for being overweight, the Lions then resign him half way through the season. And, with the Lions looking to add another WR from free agency to complement Roy Williams and Mike Furrey, most likely Kevin Curtis from Tampa Bay, his future with the team is also in question.
2006- Ernie Sims- Outside Linebacker out of Florida State. He had a good first season tallying 125 tackles in 16 games 82 of those were solo tackles. It's too early in his career to tell whether he will pan out or not though.
So really as I look at this list it seems like where the Lions have trouble in making picks is with skill post ions. They can't seem to pick the right wide receivers, running backs, and quarter backs. 5 of those 8 picks were skill players and of those 5 only one of them is worth anything. If Mike Williams, and Kevin Jones get cut or traded 3 of them won't even be on the team. So let's hope that when the Lions use their 2nd pick overall to trade down in the draft this year to get MSU QB Drew Stanton that the scouting staff has done a little more research than they have done in the past.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Saturday Gaming at Hawksbill's
The basic core of the Foot Foot Gamers got together last night over at Hawksbill's house. There are so many new games that we need to get to the table. Our friend Paul has about 6 games from an order he placed about 7 months ago, most of them are still in shrink wrap. Then the 2 of us placed another order in February for a bunch more games, and I've also come across 4 or 5 more games that were just discounted too deeply to not buy them. So we had to play something new last night.
I showed everybody Niagara and there was a pretty good amount of interest. The premise of the game is that you have a team of 2 canoes that you are trying to paddle up and down the Niagara river to collect gems. The really cool part about the game is that the game board really moves, after everyone has taken a movement action for the turn the plastic discs that form the game board slide closer to the waterfall with your canoes on them, and possibly sending your canoe over the fall. If this happens you have spend one of your gems to get it back, which are victory points. I rather liked this a game, it was quick to teach and to play, there was some fairly tough little math choices to make but for the most part you didn't stare at the board and agonize over what it was you were going to do. It has a really cool gimmick with the moving board and all. I gave it an 8 out of 10 on BGG. We ended up playing 2 games of it one with Paul, Hawksbill, Jake and, myself. The other with Paul, Hawksbill, Wedgehead and, myself. I won the first game by collecting a full set of all 5 gems, and Hawksbill won the second one by doing the same.
Then we played a game of Rat A Tat Cat, this a fairly chaotic little card game that is marketed mostly as a game for adults to play with children, but it also plays pretty well with all adults too, especially if there is alcohol involved because some of the cards in your hand are secret, and some you get to look at only once. So the more you drink the harder it is to remember what the cards are that you looked at. It was nice little filler type game that kept us occupied till Wedgehead got there at about 8:30. Paul said that this game felt more like a pastime than a game, I kinda agree, you don't have to think much about what you're doing and if you lose you fell like it really wasn't your fault mostly because of the chaotic nature of the game.
Then we played Taj Mahal, this is a game that I've been wanting for quite some time. I had to stop myself several times in the past from spending tons of money on the Alea version. I couldn't wait to play it, that feeling of excitement went away pretty fast though. I spent way too many cards during a battle in the 5th visit that I ended up losing anyway, after that I never really hand enough cards in hand to compete for anything for the rest of the game and ended losing by about 15 points. Paul ended up winning and Hawksbill was 1 point behind him with Jake being 1 point behind Hawksbill and think Wedgehead was only 2 points behind Jake. So pretty much everyone was able the wrap their heads around the game but me. I certainly learned a thing or two about the game though and expect to do better the next time we play.
All in all it was a good night of gaming, we played a nice variety of games and I think everybody had a good time. There was much talk about the August gaming retreat, I think people are already getting pumped up for it. As crazy as it sounds I have a list of games that I feel our group needs before the retreat comes around. I think that's going to be my next post. We need to play all the games that Paul and I have bought before I can buy anymore though. So we need more gaming and a new game needs to hit the table every time we play. I hope to place a nice size order a week or two before the retreat though.
I showed everybody Niagara and there was a pretty good amount of interest. The premise of the game is that you have a team of 2 canoes that you are trying to paddle up and down the Niagara river to collect gems. The really cool part about the game is that the game board really moves, after everyone has taken a movement action for the turn the plastic discs that form the game board slide closer to the waterfall with your canoes on them, and possibly sending your canoe over the fall. If this happens you have spend one of your gems to get it back, which are victory points. I rather liked this a game, it was quick to teach and to play, there was some fairly tough little math choices to make but for the most part you didn't stare at the board and agonize over what it was you were going to do. It has a really cool gimmick with the moving board and all. I gave it an 8 out of 10 on BGG. We ended up playing 2 games of it one with Paul, Hawksbill, Jake and, myself. The other with Paul, Hawksbill, Wedgehead and, myself. I won the first game by collecting a full set of all 5 gems, and Hawksbill won the second one by doing the same.
Then we played a game of Rat A Tat Cat, this a fairly chaotic little card game that is marketed mostly as a game for adults to play with children, but it also plays pretty well with all adults too, especially if there is alcohol involved because some of the cards in your hand are secret, and some you get to look at only once. So the more you drink the harder it is to remember what the cards are that you looked at. It was nice little filler type game that kept us occupied till Wedgehead got there at about 8:30. Paul said that this game felt more like a pastime than a game, I kinda agree, you don't have to think much about what you're doing and if you lose you fell like it really wasn't your fault mostly because of the chaotic nature of the game.
Then we played Taj Mahal, this is a game that I've been wanting for quite some time. I had to stop myself several times in the past from spending tons of money on the Alea version. I couldn't wait to play it, that feeling of excitement went away pretty fast though. I spent way too many cards during a battle in the 5th visit that I ended up losing anyway, after that I never really hand enough cards in hand to compete for anything for the rest of the game and ended losing by about 15 points. Paul ended up winning and Hawksbill was 1 point behind him with Jake being 1 point behind Hawksbill and think Wedgehead was only 2 points behind Jake. So pretty much everyone was able the wrap their heads around the game but me. I certainly learned a thing or two about the game though and expect to do better the next time we play.
All in all it was a good night of gaming, we played a nice variety of games and I think everybody had a good time. There was much talk about the August gaming retreat, I think people are already getting pumped up for it. As crazy as it sounds I have a list of games that I feel our group needs before the retreat comes around. I think that's going to be my next post. We need to play all the games that Paul and I have bought before I can buy anymore though. So we need more gaming and a new game needs to hit the table every time we play. I hope to place a nice size order a week or two before the retreat though.
Friday, March 2, 2007
VietNam
No this post is not about the war, or the current political climate of the country, it's about a band, named VietNam. These guys seem to be popping up everywhere right now, and they are a getting a good amount of positive buzz. So I thought I should give 'em a listen, critics are saying things like, there is no one on the scene that sounds like them right now. I can't really say all that, it's fairly good stuff. They have a bit of a southern rock sound to them, a little rootsy, with Dylanesque stream of consciousness lyrics. Very indie rock, and bet Magnet will think they are the cat's. I would put them in the same camp with a bunch of other bands of this type, Jayhawks, Guided By Voices, Thee Geraldine Fibbers, all these bands are technically great, very good musicianship, very solid song writing. But, none of the bands that I have listed really does anything amazing, or fresh, or unexpected. I feel the same way about Modest Mouse, and Weezer, sure they are good music makers, and they rarely disappoint their loyal fan base, but they just don't do anything that blows your head off.
The Dre' Bly trade
I withheld my intial reaction to the Lions moving Bly to Denver. My first thoughts were mixed, Bly has always been solid for us, but never really great. Tatum Bell ran up some good yardage totals in Denver last year, but didn't seem to be their goal line back of choice. Kevin Jones' rehab isn't going well though. So a good RB that can get you 1,000+ yards is a good choice right now. The lions also shore up their right tackle spot with the move by picking up George Foster, who was a first round pick in 2003(20th overall). The Lions also wrangled a 5th round pick in this year's draft from Denver.
The more I mull this trade over, the more I like it. And, the biggest reason why I like it is not because of who or what the Lions get in exchange for Bly, but more for what it will allow the Lions to do on draft day. Now that they don't need to worry about Wisconsin OT Joe Thomas, who the Lions didn't really want to take with the #2 pick anyway they can deal that pick away and trade down in the draft. Detroit could swap with Arizona who could use a guy like Joe Thomas till bolster their offensive line. It looks like the Lions are trying to make a move for MSU QB Drew Stanton, so they may try to use the #2 overall pick to get back in the draft late in the first round and grab Stanton, and drafting down to 5th overall may help them do that. The chances are good though that Stanton will still be there in the second round where Detroit gets 2nd pick again.
I think all of this looks good, almost like the front office has some sort of a plan on a way to make the team younger. Lets hope they really do this time. Because simply picking the best WR on paper every year in the draft hasn't gotten us anywhere.
The more I mull this trade over, the more I like it. And, the biggest reason why I like it is not because of who or what the Lions get in exchange for Bly, but more for what it will allow the Lions to do on draft day. Now that they don't need to worry about Wisconsin OT Joe Thomas, who the Lions didn't really want to take with the #2 pick anyway they can deal that pick away and trade down in the draft. Detroit could swap with Arizona who could use a guy like Joe Thomas till bolster their offensive line. It looks like the Lions are trying to make a move for MSU QB Drew Stanton, so they may try to use the #2 overall pick to get back in the draft late in the first round and grab Stanton, and drafting down to 5th overall may help them do that. The chances are good though that Stanton will still be there in the second round where Detroit gets 2nd pick again.
I think all of this looks good, almost like the front office has some sort of a plan on a way to make the team younger. Lets hope they really do this time. Because simply picking the best WR on paper every year in the draft hasn't gotten us anywhere.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Spring training
Well the Tigers kicked off Spring Training games today against the Phillies. They won 9-7. Mike Maroth had a strong start, throwing 2 shutout innings. He said that he doesn't even remember the surgery and wants to be the ace of the staff. That's quite a tall order in this staff but i like his drive. Sheffield had a 3rd inning 3 run homer though, so that's a nice start, seeing as he said yesterday was the first day he had picked up a bat since October. It looks like, based on the box score, Leyland got all the starters at least a few at bats. So we have our first look at the possible lineup for your 2007 Detroit Tigers, and it looks like this.
1. I. Rodriguez
2. P. Polanco
3. G. Sheffield
4. C. Guillen
5. M. Ordonez
6. S. Casey
7. C. Monroe
8. C. Granderson
9. O. Infante
Now mind you it looks like Inge didn't bat, so that number 9 spot would be where he would be. Leyland has said he is going to try many different lineups, but just looking at this one it's very easy to tell that pitching staffs are going to have their work cut out for them when they play the Tigers this year. I don't see a hole there. I like how Leyland seems to have moved his swing away hitters to the bottom of the lineup a bit. I think that makes since, keep your solid on base guys at the top, and give the swing away guys a chance to make something happen in the 3rd or 4th inning. I can't wait for baseball this year! Here's to a 100 win season! Go Tigers!!!!
1. I. Rodriguez
2. P. Polanco
3. G. Sheffield
4. C. Guillen
5. M. Ordonez
6. S. Casey
7. C. Monroe
8. C. Granderson
9. O. Infante
Now mind you it looks like Inge didn't bat, so that number 9 spot would be where he would be. Leyland has said he is going to try many different lineups, but just looking at this one it's very easy to tell that pitching staffs are going to have their work cut out for them when they play the Tigers this year. I don't see a hole there. I like how Leyland seems to have moved his swing away hitters to the bottom of the lineup a bit. I think that makes since, keep your solid on base guys at the top, and give the swing away guys a chance to make something happen in the 3rd or 4th inning. I can't wait for baseball this year! Here's to a 100 win season! Go Tigers!!!!
NBA age limits and gettin' while the gettin' is good
Something horrible happened to Shaun Livingston Tuesday night. His knee pretty much ripped in half. He is only 21 years old and has been in the NBA since the 2004-2005 season, and ever since he joined the LA Clippers he has been very injury prone. Now the weird thing is that his knee injury which pretty much tore every ligament that attaches to your knee, happened during a routine layup. He didn't make a fancy move, he didn't have to go through a defender, his knee just kinda blew up on it's own, almost like it would have happened anywhere he was playing.
When he was 18 Shaun was offered a scholarship to Duke, he turned it down to enter the NBA early, signing with the LA Clippers for $10 million, and a very lucrative endorsement deal with Reebok. If he would have taken the scholarship with Duke and blown his knee up in college, he would not have been drafted in the first round, he would not have been given $10 million dollars, he would not have landed an endorsement deal with Reebok. By taking the money when the taking was good, or in this case was possible, he has changed the financial situation for himself and his family. College will always be there, and they don't really care about your lateral speed, or how high you can jump.
So what does this say about the ridiculous NBA age limits that David Stern is trying to set? What does this say about those who are pushing for getting kids out of the NBA? I think it speaks volumes, I think anytime an institution imposes limits on people's choices it's bad. If these kids want to go into the NBA after high school, and they have the talent to do it, let them do it. I went straight from high school to the work force, there wasn't anyone screaming about, he's to young to be working at a car dealership, he can't handle the pressure, he needs to get his education while he can. I say take the millions while you can, you can always go to college. There are many, many people out there everyday that go back to college, and without the benefit of millions in the bank.
I just can't really wrap my head around why David Stern is doing this, forcing a kid to be 20 years old before he enters the draft. I think it might have something to do with the fact that when a kid is playing college ball, he is gaining star power for free. He doesn't get paid anything, he can't sign promo deals, and the NBA owners get a product that has a little less risk attached. But as far as high school kids not being ready for the "big leagues" you just need to look at the last few kids that have come into the league. LeBron James is doing just fine with the Cavs, Amare Stoudemire is an all star, Tracy McGrady is doing quite well for himself in Houston, and we all know how well Kevin Garnett has carried himself in the NBA.
So David Stern will get his way I'm sure, the NBA will get their age limit and finally put an end to all this youth exploitation that the has been running rampant in the NBA all these years, I just feel bad for the Shaun Livingstons of the world, who will take a scholarship with Duke, or Kansas, or MSU when they could have taken the millions in draft day money, and injure themselves in their first season, spend the next season in rehab for said injury, put up weak numbers in their senior year and don't get drafted at all. But at least they'll have received that all important education, and refinement that only college can bring.
When he was 18 Shaun was offered a scholarship to Duke, he turned it down to enter the NBA early, signing with the LA Clippers for $10 million, and a very lucrative endorsement deal with Reebok. If he would have taken the scholarship with Duke and blown his knee up in college, he would not have been drafted in the first round, he would not have been given $10 million dollars, he would not have landed an endorsement deal with Reebok. By taking the money when the taking was good, or in this case was possible, he has changed the financial situation for himself and his family. College will always be there, and they don't really care about your lateral speed, or how high you can jump.
So what does this say about the ridiculous NBA age limits that David Stern is trying to set? What does this say about those who are pushing for getting kids out of the NBA? I think it speaks volumes, I think anytime an institution imposes limits on people's choices it's bad. If these kids want to go into the NBA after high school, and they have the talent to do it, let them do it. I went straight from high school to the work force, there wasn't anyone screaming about, he's to young to be working at a car dealership, he can't handle the pressure, he needs to get his education while he can. I say take the millions while you can, you can always go to college. There are many, many people out there everyday that go back to college, and without the benefit of millions in the bank.
I just can't really wrap my head around why David Stern is doing this, forcing a kid to be 20 years old before he enters the draft. I think it might have something to do with the fact that when a kid is playing college ball, he is gaining star power for free. He doesn't get paid anything, he can't sign promo deals, and the NBA owners get a product that has a little less risk attached. But as far as high school kids not being ready for the "big leagues" you just need to look at the last few kids that have come into the league. LeBron James is doing just fine with the Cavs, Amare Stoudemire is an all star, Tracy McGrady is doing quite well for himself in Houston, and we all know how well Kevin Garnett has carried himself in the NBA.
So David Stern will get his way I'm sure, the NBA will get their age limit and finally put an end to all this youth exploitation that the has been running rampant in the NBA all these years, I just feel bad for the Shaun Livingstons of the world, who will take a scholarship with Duke, or Kansas, or MSU when they could have taken the millions in draft day money, and injure themselves in their first season, spend the next season in rehab for said injury, put up weak numbers in their senior year and don't get drafted at all. But at least they'll have received that all important education, and refinement that only college can bring.
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