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Arnold was also a first team All-Sun Belt selection while teammate Aaron Barkley was named a second team all-league honoree.

Little Rock senior Hayden Arnold has been named the Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year, announced today for the league office. Arnold was also a first team All-Sun Belt selection while teammate Aaron Barkley was named a second team all-league honoree.

Arnold was a force throughout the season in Sun Belt games, boasting a league-best 1.54 ERA in conference games while pitching 52.2 innings, the most of any pitcher in the league. Arnold ranked third in conference games in strikeouts (54) and wins (five) and fifth in opposing batting average (.191). He allowed just nine earned runs in eight starts, walking nine to give him a 6:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a 9.23 strikeout-per-nine tally.

The Rison, Arkansas native has been solid all season for the Trojans, going 7-3 on the year with a 2.85 ERA over 82.0 innings pitched with 80 strikeouts. Among the overall Sun Belt leaders, he is tied for second in wins, third in innings pitched, fourth in ERA, tied for seventh in strikeouts and 10th in opposing batting average (.226).

In his 13 starts in 2021, Arnold has logged a quality start in eight of them, allowing three or less runs on 12 occasions. He has continued to move up the Little Rock all-time career leaders, ranking third in winning percentage (.609), tied for sixth in career wins (14), seventh in both strikeouts (225) and innings pitched (216.0), eighth in strikeouts per nine (9.38), ninth in career ERA (3.46) and 10th in appearances (60).

Barkley has been a key addition to the Trojan bullpen in 2021, coming in in a variety of situations and providing the spark Little Rock has need. In Sun Belt games, the graduate student is first in appearances (14), tied for first in games finished (11), tied for second in saves (six), third in earned runs allowed (seven), fourth in ERA (1.97) and sixth in opponent batting average (.207).

The El Cajon, California native has been among the league leaders throughout the season, ranking second among all Sun Belt pitchers in overall ERA at 2.03 while sitting fourth in opponent batting average (.203), fifth in saves (seven) and appearances (23) and third in games finished (17). Barkley ranks 19th nationally in ERA (2.03), 20th in WHIP (0.92) and 49th in saves (seven), holding a 4.25 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a 7.96 strikeout per nine mark.

Hayden Arnold becomes the first Trojan in program history to be named the Sun Belts Pitcher of the Year and the sixth to earn a major conference award, the first since Ryan Scott was tabbed the Sun Belts Player of the Year in 2016. Arnold and Barkley become the 41st and 42nd players in program history to earn All-Sun Belt honors with 22 first team honorees.

Arnold, Barkley and the rest of the Trojans are in Montgomery, Alabama, preparing for the 2021 Sun Belt Tournament, set to get underway Tuesday morning. The Trojans are the number four seed in the West Division and were slotted in Pool A, opening up the tournament with a 9 a.m. first pitch Tuesday morning against Coastal Carolina, the number six seed in the East. Little Rock will then face East Division champion South Alabama at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 27, with the pool winner advancing to bracket play on Saturday, May 29.

2021 All-Sun Belt Conference Teams

SP Conner Cooke, Louisiana

SP Hayden Arnold, Little Rock

SP Carlos Tavera, UT Arlington

RP Nick Jones, Georgia Southern

C Drake Osborn, Louisiana

1B Robbie Young, App State

2B Luke Drumheller, App State

SS Drew Frederic, Troy

3B Ben Klutts, Arkansas State

OF Mason McWhorter, Georgia Southern

OF Ethan Wilson, South Alabama

UT Cameron Jones, Georgia Southern

DH Ben Fitzgerald, Louisiana

SP JoJo Booker, South Alabama

SP Tyler Tuthill, App State

SP Jeremy Lee, South Alabama

RP Aaron Barkley, Little Rock

C BT Riopelle, Coastal Carolina

1B Dylan Paul, UT Arlington

2B Travis Washburn, ULM

SS Eric Brown, Coastal Carolina

OF Tyler Duncan, Arkansas State

OF Parker Chavers, Coastal Carolina

OF Josh Smith, Georgia State

UT Andrew Miller, UT Arlington

DH Noah Ledford, Georgia Southern

Player of the Year: Mason McWhorter, Georgia Southern

Pitcher of the Year: Hayden Arnold, Little Rock

Freshman of the Year:Garrett Gainous, Troy

Newcomer of the Year:Drake Osborn, Louisiana

Coach of the Year:Mark Calvi, South Alabama

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Little Rock's Hayden Arnold Tabbed Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year - THV11.com KTHV

Spider-Man actress Angourie Rice and This is Us star Justin Hartley will appear opposite Rebel Wilson in her upcoming high school comedy Senior Year.

Their casting was announced by Deadline, with additional names such as Sam Richardson (Veep), Zo Chao (Living with Yourself), Mary Holland (Hoops) and Chris Parnell (30 Rock) all joining the project too.

Paul R. GiuntaGetty Images

Related: Rebel Wilson nearly played a different role in Bridesmaids

As for what it's all about, Senior Year centres on a cheerleader "who wakes up after a 20-year coma and returns to high school to try to regain her status and claim the prom queen crown that eluded her".

Parks and Recreation director Alex Hardcastle is onboard to call 'ACTION!' from a script penned by Brandon Scott Jones.

Steve GranitzGetty Images

Related: Spider-Man 3: Cast, release date and everything you need to know about No Way Home

In other news related to Wilson, the Australian star previously revealed that she was "paid money to be bigger" by various movie studio heads.

"Weirdly this year was always going to be the year of health. I've been naming my years now, and, that's kind of having these resolutions but for the whole year," she explained back in 2020.

"I turned 40 as well in March and so I thought, this is gonna be it. This is going to be the year for me to just concentrate on the health benefits. It's not like I want to lose weight and get to around a certain number.

"It's more than that, it's about dealing mentally with with why I was overeating and I had a job where I was paid a lot of money to be bigger, at times which kind of can mess with your head a bit."

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Spider-Man and This Us Us stars join Rebel Wilson's new comedy - Digital Spy

The deep snows of Stockholm have thankfully retreated.

You can go outside now without so many layers, into the lengthening days, and wander beside the Baltic Sea in one of Scandinavias most beautiful cities.

Stockholm is somewhere between the megalopolis of London and the New Zealand outdoor vibe, says The Datsuns lead singer and bassist Dolf de Borst, who has lived in Sweden for the past 10 years.

My wife was born in Sweden. We were living in London for a long while then suddenly got a bit overwhelmed. Actually, underwhelmed. So we came here.

Supplied

The Datsuns are a long way away from their beginnings in Cambridge.

Its a long way from the self-anointed Town of Trees and Champions- Cambridge, Waikato, population 20,500 where de Borst grew up.

Colin Meads. Kylie Bax. Billy T. James. Joel Tobeck. Sir Mark Todd. To the list of famous past or present residents of the region we must add de Borst and three 15-year-old schoolmates who used to convene in a disused movie theatre above Cambridge Town Hall and make an unholy ruckus that went on to conquer the world.

Ha! Yes, that old rehearsal space only cost $60 a month, split between three bands, and (lead guitarist) Christian (Livingstone) was always, like - when are you guys gonna give me the money? We could never quite get it together, even though coming up with $60 between so many people should have been easy.

Twenty-something years later, The Datsuns are about to release their seventh album, Eye To Eye. It has had a difficult gestation: the tyranny of distance and all that jazz, plus Covid, and other aspects of members personal lives young kids, other jobs getting in the way.

Initial sessions took place at Aucklands Roundhead Studios way back in 2016, then they scattered to the four winds. Now you have de Borst in Sweden, Livingstone in London, second guitarist Phil Somervell in Thames and Ben Cole their drummer since 2006 in Wellington.

Its been a frustrating way to make a record, admits de Borst. You need to be in the same room and the same headspace to make this kind of music. But we managed it somehow, adding ideas and sounds to those initial recordings over many years from our own home studios.

Mixed and mastered by the end of 2019, the finished album was then further delayed by matters both joyous (the birth of de Borsts second child) and grim (the global pandemic).

I am so happy its finally gonna get out into the world. People sometimes suggest The Datsuns are still making the same music we were making 20 years ago, but Eye To Eye proves thats simply not true.

Their earliest records were fast and wild, he says, to emulate their hectic live sound.

But we use the studio differently now, with more background harmonies and experimental structures, and more mid-tempo songs that get different moods going on.

Those fast and wild early records made quite an impact overseas.

British music critic John Mulvey attended a London showcase gig in 2002, describing The Datsuns as four stick-thin, long-haired, fresh-faced, sinful-souled boys from Cambridge, New Zealand, and the latest genius rock n roll band to swarm on London in this astonishing year for music.

Everyone in possession of a cheque-book in the British music industry is clustered round the front of the stage, drooling, Mulvey wrote. One major label boss has just flown in from New York on Concord to check out the action.

Soon after the release of the bands self-titled 2002 debut album, The Datsuns appeared on the front cover of New Musical Express, the feature story a froth of superlatives, the lead singer rendered thus: Knicker-wettingly good-looking, lithe like a young sapling, and crowned with a mane of arrow-straight jet-black hair, Dolf de Datsun sets a new standard in cool.

In the years that followed, The Datsuns toured the US supporting the White Stripes and The Pixies, recorded a John Peel session for the BBC, opened shows for Metallica, rampaged through Europe and Japan. They were proclaimed the greatest live band in the world in Kerrang! Magazine. Their second album was produced by John Paul Jones from Led freakin Zeppelin.

But the British music press is notoriously fickle. First you are lauded as The Next Big Thing, then youre disparaged as The Last Old Thing.

I talked to de Borst about this in 2006, when he was in Amsterdam on tour. Magazines that love you one day will decide youre crap overnight, he told me at the time. Sometimes they only loved you in the first place because your music happened to go well with someones haircut and their shoes, you know?.

These days, The Datsuns feel the glow of the media spotlight less often, but de Borst seems happy with that.

Weve always just made music we love, music that excites us. And that music grew directly from the records we thrashed growing up in the mid-90s in small-town New Zealand.

Dark, po-faced, self-consciously maladjusted, Grunge was in full swing at that time. Fun was shunned. It was very uncool to appear energetic on stage.

Thats why earlier hard rock really appealed, because those bands went wild when they played live. We were like - Yeah! We wanna do that! We checked out classic rock, British glam, Devo anything decent that had sold enough copies to turn up in a small-town record store. We would have discovered key bands like The Stooges or The Dead Boys years earlier if wed lived up in Auckland.

Raw 60s garage and psych-rock singles, late 70s punk, New Wave keyboards, souped-up 70s hard rock- all of these musical strands still twine through the new Eye To Eye album.

Lawrence Smith/Stuff

Weve always just made music we love, music that excites us. And that music grew directly from the records we thrashed growing up in the mid-90s in small-town New Zealand, said de Borst.

Its a scream. There are big hairy scuzz-rock riffs and sci-fi synths bolted to machine-gun snare rolls, the whole shebang then strafed with squiggles of lead-guitar squeal. There are songs that sound like Hawkwind playing Deep Purple covers, or Kiss jamming with Motorhead. Hats are doffed to The Ramones, MC5, David Bowie, The Who. The pachouli-scented spirit of T. Rexs Marc Bolan hovers over one mutant electric-boogie shuffle.

But there are also slightly less manic tempos now, richer textures and darker lyrics, the latter partly due to de Borst reading a lot of weird dystopian science fiction, finding strong parallels with whats happening now, both in wider society and in peoples personal relationships.

(Recent single) Brain to Brain is about trying to avoid being so voyeuristic of other people's dramas, which social media technology really encourages. And Suspicion is about post-truth conspiracy theorising, which sounds very topical even though I wrote it five years ago. I guess some themes just reflect human nature, so they never get old.

Elsewhere, de Borst particularly loves Brainwaves, due to the mad push and pull between the two guitarists.

Christian is all over the fretboard like Jimmy Page, while Phil's more unorthodox and comes up weirder and wilder stuff. Im lucky to be in a band with such great players, and to have known those guys since we were just kids.

Back here in New Zealand, Windmill Phil Somervell is also thankful that the bands early teenage bond still endures.

Yeah, we couldn't be closer, even though we all live so far apart these days, he tells me from his home in Thames. Me and Dolf started an earlier band when we were 14, then Christian came along a couple of years later. Weve been through a hell of a lot since then.

Somervell has had two kids since 2014s Deep Sleep album. In those intervening years, different members had totally given up on this new record ever getting finished. He seems amazed its finally here despite the odds, soon to be blowing minds and speakers around the globe.

And like de Borst, Somervell reckons Eye To Eye has taken The Datsuns somewhere new, while still pledging allegiance to the bands they once listened to as spotty adolescents, learning their chops in Cambridge.

Deep Purple, AC/DC, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin theyre just huge fun, you know? Youve got mighty riffs, big warm grooves, cool lead breaks and lyrics with some twisted wit. Its music that makes you want to laugh and dance at the same time.

Dad rock? Perhaps, but in the best possible way. Several songs on Eye To Eye revolve around demo instrumentals Somervell cobbled together as a new father in Thames when his kids were really young.

I didn't have much time to just sit around playing guitar, so I would blast out a few ideas then go back to looking after my little ones again. But Id be writing songs in my head the whole time, you know? I'd be running around trying to get my kids to sleep and thered be this Da-Da-Dah- DAARGHGGG! riff going around and around in my brain until I got another 10 minutes to pick up the guitar again.

The Datsuns seventh album Eye To Eye is released on Friday, May 28.

Read more from the original source:

The Datsuns on their seventh album: 'This has been a frustrating record to make' - Stuff.co.nz

The Liverpool FC Womens team completed their first season in the FA Womens Championship by finishing a disappointing third place. Last week we took a look at some of the major story lines from the tumultuous season, as well as some of the standout performers from the year. This week, we will review the goalkeepers and defensive units, as well as look ahead to next season.

All together, the goalkeepers and defenders were solid. Liverpool were tied for the least goals allowed in the league, conceding just 15 goals in 20 matches. They didnt give up more than two goals in a game all season.

Rachael Laws joined Liverpool over the summer from Reading after former number one keeper Anke Preu left the team. Laws stepped into the starting spot and was a rock all season long. She was very good in 1v1 situations, and was aggressive dealing with crosses and corners.

While Laws was the goalkeeper for the present, Rylee Foster looks to be a talent for the very near future. The back up keeper, only 22 years of age, grew up as a Liverpool fan, and has Youll Never Walk Alone tattooed on her bicep. The Canadian got to show her stuff in cup matches, and then took the starting gloves for a couple games at the end of the season. Forster was very impressive with her shot stopping, and even saved a penalty and the follow up (taking a knee to the head for her efforts) to preserve a win against Sheffield United.

Looking ahead to next year, it seems likely that both keepers return. Its unclear how much longer Rachael Laws has on her contract, but most players seem to be on two year contracts for the most part. Rylee Foster signed a new long term contract in March, and will be around for a while. The big question is if Foster will be able to beat out Laws for the top spot between the posts.

Liverpools defensive unit proved to be a consistent strength for the Reds despite limited depth and changes to personnel. Niamh Fahey was the anchor of the defense, serving as the team captain in place of Sophie Bradley-Auckland, who opted to sit the season out to help with her families home care facility amid the covid pandemic (respect). The 33 year old Fahey displayed a no-nonsense style, allowing only one of the ball or the player to get by her, but not both. She also chipped in with three goals for the season.

Leighanne Robe started the season alongside Fahey in the center of defense, but was eventually overtaken by new signing Meikayla Moore. Robe also spent some time playing as a fullback, and stepped back into a center back role when Fahey was deployed as a holding midfielder the last games of the season.

Moore, for her part, initially saw playing time in a holding midfield role after Jade Bailey went down. She eventually took over the starting center back role during the winter, and never relinquished her grip on the position. Moore scored two goals to help contribute on the offensive end.

Taylor Hinds, another new signing during the summer, locked down the left outside back position, proving to be a great two-way player. She was calm under pressure all year long, and was smooth on the ball.

On the other flank, Becky Jane and Razza Roberts split time early on. Roberts eventually became the regular right back as Becky Jane was deployed higher up the field to great effect by Amber Whiteley. Roberts had a great grittiness to her game, always happy to get stuck into a tackle, or run through a player to get to the ball. Razza provided several assists later in the season as well, showing she was no slouch on the attacking end.

The only other player to register minutes in the defense was youngster Lucy Parry. She became the youngest ever player to step in the field for the Liverpool Women at just 16 years and 150 days.

If this unit can stay together and add some depth, they should again provide a formidable backbone to the team as they hope for a promotion push next season. They managed to avoid any major injuries this season, but there is very little margin for error.

Razza Roberts just signed a new deal, and will definitely be around for next season. It still hasnt been announced whether Sophie Bradley-Auckland will return, but she would be a welcome addition in the center of defense. The biggest question marks in my mind Leighanne Robe and Taylor Hinds.

Robe signed a new deal last summer, but lost her regular starting spot. Still, with a new manager coming in, it would seem like all spots are up for grabs.

As for Taylor Hinds, she proved to be a stellar signing last summer. She impressed enough that she may be on the wish list for some WSL clubs. She is still young at just 22 years old, and has room to grow her game to new levels.

No matter what happens with outgoing players, Liverpool definitely need more depth in the defense. They had quite a few games where they couldnt fill out their bench, that included having young Lucy Parry on the bench.

How did you feel the goalkeepers and defense performed last season? Do you think the units will stay together, or will there be another exodus this season?

Read more:

Liverpool FC Women Season In Review: Goalkeepers And Defense - The Liverpool Offside

CROWLEY After 13 innings of futility at the plate between Fridays 9-4 loss and six innings of Saturdays second game against No. 9-seed Holy Savior Menard, it turned out all No. 1-seed Notre Dame needed was its back against the wall.

Maybe it was the pressure of potentially sweeping Division IIIs top-seed. Maybe the well of grit ran deeper for the Pios.

Maybe it was divine intervention due to an unlikely heros morning plans.

Whatever it was, Notre Dame used a three-run top of the seventh inning to steal victory from defeats clutches in a 3-2 win over Menard in game two, and used that momentum to run-rule the Eagles 10-0 in five innings of the rubber match to advance to this weeks state tournament at McMurry Park in Sulphur.

They will play No. 4-seed St. Thomas Aquinas at 10 a.m. Wednesday on Field 41 in the Division III semifinals.

Were going to get some rest (the next couple of days), and then weve gotta come out on fire, Notre Dame head coach Chris Stephens said. Because we cant play six (bad) innings against STA and expect to come out on top. Were going to try to put some pressure on them early and do what we like to do.

Notre Dame found itself flummoxed through most of the first game by Menard starter Cooper Scott, whod limited the Pios to three hits heading into the seventh inning.

When the seventh inning was led off by pinch hitter Austin Doucets single, it came after an extended break for Doucet and, strangely enough, his making Confirmation in the Roman Catholic Church.

(Doucet) got confirmed this morning and hadnt hit in maybe three weeks, and we thought he was a small target to (pitch) to, Stephens said. He got out there, got two strikes and did what we wanted him to do. He gets the hit to start the rally. I cant tell you how proud I am for all of that.

Doucets hit was followed by two Menard errors before senior Dom Thibodeauxs 2-RBI double put the Pios over the top to take the win.

Hes been our rock all year long, Stephens said of Thibodeaux.

The late game two rally was the springboard for the run-rule win in the deciding game.

In the third game, the Pios rode a seven-run second inning to take early control.

The Pios sent 13 batters to the plate, pounded out six hits and forced two Menard errors in that inning alone and never looked back.

Things just started going, Stephens said. The starter was missing inside a little and our guys arent going to move. Well take the hit by pitch all day long.

Those runs provided plenty insurance for senior starter Ethan Menard, who allowed only three hits in the game three win.

Hed struggled some in the middle of the season, Stephens said. We started stretching him out last week to four-inning work. He came out and pitched a great game today. I thought we threw well all weekend, despite the mistakes that caused (Fridays) loss.

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Notre Dame rises up just in time to avoid being swept and advance to semifinals - The Advocate

Riddle me this: How can a team thats won a grand total of 12 games in the last two seasons (none of which were playoff games, by the way), and possesses the 9th and 35th pick in the NFL Draft, not come away with a rookie whos already penciled in to start Week 1?

I, for one, am not quite sure how, but thats exactly what happened in Denver over a three-day stretch that many Broncos fans would prefer to forget.

Lets be clear though: George Patons first draft as the general manager of the Denver Broncos was not a bad one. In his first draft on the job, Paton most definitely landed talented players. Fans, for the most part, didnt have any issues with the players Denver did take; the issues festered from the ones Paton didnt take. It just wasnt the draft that Broncos fans wanted. It could also be said that its not the draft the Broncos needed.

The players headed to Denver, particularly the first two taken Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II and North Carolina running back Javonte Williams should prove to be excellent players. Both talented. Both tough. Both rated highly by plenty of draft experts.

Neither, however, are instantly penciled in as starters as of today. Thats not because they couldnt start for plenty of teams they could. Its only that the Broncos have quality veterans already occupying their positions (at least for 2021).

Then theres the elephant in the room; not addressing the quarterback situation is atop the list of frustrations in Denver. There was the pre-draft excitement that future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers could be secured through a trade with Green Bay. It didnt happen (for anyone) ,but wen Ohio States Justin Fields miraculously fell to No. 9 right in Patons lap the former Viking executive said, Thanks but no thanks. More on that later.

Inside linebacker might be the only position that could stop the Broncos defense from being truly special this season, as the team hasnt had a sideline-to-sideline ILB since Danny Trevathan circa 2015. Penn States Micah Parsons, who many believed could put an end to that streak, was there at No. 9, too. But Parsons was also passed up in favor of Surtain II. Thats not to say Parsons is better or worse than Surtain both should be special but the Broncos had already spent the bulk of free agency shoring up the defensive back depth, so adding yet another seems head-scratching if not unnecessary. Ironically, Parsons is already the odds-on favorite to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Preseason awards arent worth anything, so thats not to say someone else maybe even Surtain II couldnt win it, but it perhaps indicates how most might evaluate the Broncos pick. There was a feeling that perhaps Notre Dame inside linebacker Jeramiah Owusu-Koramoah could be the target in Round 2 (or later), but clearly the Broncos had been eyeing Williams, as evidenced by their move up to get him.

Meanwhile, Melvin Gordon still resides in the Broncos backfield and Josey Jewell is currently the teams starting middle linebacker.

Middle linebacker was finally addressed with the final pick of the third round, as Paton grabbed Ohio States Baron Browning. Of all the Broncos picks, Browning might have the best shot to begin the season on top of the depth chart. But thats not a sure thing by any means.

We like his speed, like his athleticism, Fangio said of his rookie inside linebacker. We think he will be a major contributor on special teams and compete for one of the linebacker spots.

Browning could ultimately be phenomenal, but major contributor on special teams doesnt exactly instill confidence that the problem has been solved.

In short, with his first draft as the Broncos GM, Paton had the chance to win our hearts (Fields), warm our hearts (by filling an undeniable need with Parsons or Owusu-Koramoah), but instead left our hearts feeling empty. As good as Surtain, Williams and perhaps even Browning might be, none of them will be the difference between the Broncos going to the Super Bowl or not.

Whether Paton broke our hearts remains to be seen.

If Justin Fields turns out to be great. If Mac Jones turns out to be great. If Micah Parsons wins Defensive Rookie of the Year.

But those things are out of Patons control.

What remains in his control, however, is how hard he chooses to pursue Aaron Rodgers.

With Justin Fields, there was a chance (however major or minor youd like to believe) that the Broncos could have had their franchise quarterback a necessity in seriously contending for a Super Bowl. With Rodgers, theres a good chance the Broncos could compete for a fourth world championship this season.

General Paton might very well know talent. In fact, his choices of both Surtain II and Williams serve as evidence of that. But heres what Minnesota didnt teach him: Here, in Denver, Colorado, we dont win Super Bowls without a Hall of Fame quarterback. Thats just a fact. Thats a truth weve come to know and understand very well.

Funny thing, the closest that lesson ever came to being recently learned in Minnesota was in 2007 Patons first year with the Vikings when none other than Hall-of-Famer Brett Favre slung the rock all the way to the NFC Championship Game (a game they should have won, in fact). And while the Vikings had a few nice years after that including another trip to the conference finals in 2017 courtesy of one of the luckiest, flukiest touchdown catches in the history of football there were no championship parades in or around the Mall of the Americas. Ironically, the only times the Vikings have ever reached the Super Bowl, they did so behind you guessed it a Hall of Fame quarterback (Fran Tarkenton).

So here we sit, a mile high but feeling lower than low.

Why?

Well, we know better. We know that no matter how good our new cornerback or running back might be, were not going to the Super Bowl this year or any year soon.

Champ Bailey was one of the greatest cornerbacks to ever play the game, and it took a Hall of Fame quarterback to get him to his first and only Super Bowl.

In the 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 seasons, the Denver Broncos finished third or higher in the AFC in team rushing yards. They were good very good but never went to a Super Bowl. Why? The only answer we can come up with is that they didnt have a Hall of Fame quarterback. Thats all we know here in Denver.

Whether George Patons first draft with the Broncos was good, great or mediocre (thats not the point here), this team is going nowhere soon. At least nowhere important.

Unless, one of two things happen:

Drew Lock becomes the next Josh Allen and then some

Or, Aaron Rodgers becomes the next future Hall-of-Famer to call himself a Denver Bronco.

Super Bowls are what matter around here. Luckily, we have a decent idea of whats required to win one. And while George Paton has a six-year deal, the natives are getting restless. That might not be fair to him, but thats the way it is Denver. Above all, we need hope, but the 2021 NFL Draft didnt deliver any of that.

Aaron Rodgers will.

Mr. Paton, if its not too much to ask

Original post:

The Big BandAid: Aaron Rodgers is the only thing that can heal the hurt from Denvers downer of a draft - Mile High Sports

Toronto-based rocker Phil Naro has passed away following a long battle with cancer. Bruce Pilato, President/CEO at Pilato Entertainment Marketing & Media LLC, broke the news this morning, sharing the following statement from Phil's family:

"It is with great sadness that we must announce the passing of our son, father, friend and musician Phillip Sampognaro, known professionally as Phil Naro. Phil fought a valiant battle against cancer over the last few years but left this earth last night surrounded by his family and closest friends.

A citizen of both The United States and Canada, he died at his home in Rochester. Funeral arrangements and tributes will be announced shortly. He is survived by sons James and John; brother Joseph; and his mother, Maria, who he loved dearly.

Phil was one of those rare individuals known as a singers singer. A staple of both the Canadian and US music scene, Phil had become a mainstay in venues ranging from clubs to large performing arts centers and massive arenas. He had just completed the debut album from the band Lips Turn Blue (formerly D Drive) which had secured a worldwide record deal, and a reunion album with Billy Sheehan & Talas, of which he was a member in the 1980s.

Phil had successfully balanced an in-demand solo career with a number of high-profile projects with other superstar musicians from bands such as The Rascals, Vanilla Fudge, Whitesnake, Yes, ASIA, and guitarist Ron Thal (ex-Guns N Roses) as a member of The Platinum Rock All Stars. Phil was capable of an extraordinary number of music styles all built around his unmistakably powerful voice. Fortunately, Phil left us with an extraordinary amount of recorded music, which will allow his artistic legacy to live on forever."Billy Sheehan took to social media to pay tribute to Phil Naro, stating: "Phil Naro. One of the finest human beings I have ever known. Im deeply saddened to report his passing. He fought a valiant battle till the end, and inspired all who knew him to stay positive and keep going against all odds. A dear friend, spectacular singer and performer, songwriter, and lead singer in the version 2 Talas - actually version 7 or 8as we were just completing a new record together, we found out the situation. Phil fought like a champion and brilliantly performed and completed vocals for the album, in spite of shouldering the knowledge that he was in a serious health situation. On behalf of myself and all who were lucky enough to know him, I wish him peace for all eternity, and thank him for sharing his life, love, friendship and talent with the world. God bless you, Phil. Rest in peace dear friend. We will meet again. My deepest condolences to his wonderful family, his dear sweet Mom, and his two sons."An excerpt from Phil's bio from the Pilato Entertainment Marketing & Media LLC page follows:

Born and raised in Rochester, NY, Naro moved to Toronto nearly three decades ago, where he raised his family and set up his base for a thriving music career. Recently he moved closer to the Buffalo/ Canada border and performs frequently in both Canada and the United States.

I moved to Canada because my first wife was from there, said Naro. Soon after I moved there, I began working on the vibrant Toronto music scene. It didnt take long before I realized it was a great place to be based; I could work in a major music market and still be close to my family in Rochester.

After finishing school, Naro made the brave decision to only work as a full-time musician. He played in both cover and original bands before landing the gig singing with Talas. While in Talas during the 1980s, Phil enjoyed great success performing with many of the 80s top hard rock attractions including Yngwie Malmsteen, Anthrax, White Lion, Quiet Riot, and Iron Maiden. When Talas broke up after Sheehan formed Mr. Big, Naro began a successful career as singer/guitarist both as a solo act and in a duo named The Phil & John Show.

It wasnt long before Phil Naro became the go-to-guy for a number of highly successful tribute shows including Classic Albums Live, and bands performing the music of Led Zeppelin, Yes, and ELO. Said Naro: Some people in the industry wondered why I chose to work in tribute projects when I already had a career as a national artist doing original material. The reason was simple: it kept me working six nights a week in markets like Toronto and other major cities. That was the best exercise I could give my voice. I knew years ago, if you dont use it; you lose it.

After working with KISS founding member Peter Criss and Canadian rockers Coney Hatch, Naro lent his powerful voice to a number of modern-day prog rock bands. He co-wrote and recorded several tracks with guitarist and founding member of The Rascals, Gene Cornish. Of those, A Thousand Times, appears on the new A Life In Song album.

The constant work and great reviews got Naro noticed by other music celebrities who soon wanted to work with him. In 2016, Naro helped form The Platinum Rock All-Stars, a supergroup that features drummer Vanilla Fudge/ Cactus/ Jeff Beck drummer Carmine Appice; Sons Of Apollo, ASIA, ex-Guns N Roses guitarist Ron Bumblefoot Thal; bassist Tony Franklin (ex-Whitesnake, The Firm); and YES / ASIA/ Buggles keyboardist Geoff Downes. We have only played a handful of shows together because of everyones hectic schedule, said Naro, but I really love working in the All Stars. Collectively the members have sold something like 130 million records, and we play all the hits of the groups that they came from. On stage, we have a blast and so does the audience.

Read more here:

Veteran Rocker PHIL NARO Loses Cancer Battle; "One Of The Finest Human Beings I Have Ever Known," Says BILLY SHEEHAN - bravewords.com

Fortitude, the new album from metal quartet Gojira, was written and recorded before March 2020. Not that youd know, listening to it between lyrics pining for Another World, the invigorating riffs and the sense of unity communicated, it seems tailor-made as an antidote to pandemic exhaustion.

A year ago, it was already a little trite to begin an interview with COVID-19-based scene-setting. Heading into May 2021, it feels redundant, like establishing the interview took place on Earth. But Gojiras music has always been about cultivating inner strength in the face of a seemingly doomed state of affairs. The band have spent their discography articulating a response to the destruction of our planets environment and wildlife, the consumerism that feeds it and the authorities that arent doing enough to stop it. Its a frustration that weve become all too familiar with over the last year, compounded by the isolation of pandemic travel restrictions.

Musicians, in particular, are of course, massively affected by the latter. Fortitude marks the first time Gojira arent celebrating an album release while the band is on the road. Thats how albums come alive, Joe Duplantier tells us, as we catch up with him at the tail end of Fortitudes press cycle. Hes clearly a little tired of working remotely: gearing up for an album release over phone calls and Zoom meetings places a huge gulf in between the hard work and its results.

Normally, were somewhere in Europe between two gigs and the album comes out. The band and crew are on the bus, were celebrating together. But for Fortitude, the mixed-up schedule means seeing fan reactions through a screen, rather than through the faces of the front row. When thats not happening, its just like were dropping an album and thats it.

Across Gojira albums old and new, all four members stay completely locked together as they traverse ever-shifting time signatures and lightning-paced riffs. Its perhaps unsurprising, then, that a familial connection forms their sounds central pillar Joe Duplantier is joined by his brother Mario on drums, alongside guitarist Christian Andreu and bassist Jean-Michel Labadie. Following the pandemic hitting the US, the Duplantier brothers returned to their family home in south-west France.

Not touring is a major pain, but its a great opportunity for us to be home with our families and you know, find out what it is to have not a normal life, but a little more normal, Joe says. If it was a normal life, I guess we would go to work every morning and do something other than, you know, do interviews

The family presence in Gojira was put in a new light on their previous album, Magma. Its writing and recording was overshadowed by the death of the Duplantier brothers mother early into its making. While the resulting album allowed an expression of grief, the songs within became tied to a particularly painful moment for the pair. They wanted to move on. In deliberate contrast, as the band started writing Fortitude in 2018, they committed to one thing: to have fun this time. It sounds like they did, as Gojiras signature sound is bolstered by some surprising additions: Theres more clean singing, some massive, triumphant group vocals, and even some bona-fide rock guitar solos.

I had a blast! Joe exclaims, before recalling: Back in 2000, we [the Duplantier brothers] had a band with high school friends, we were doing a mix of a lot of things. A bit of Red Hot Chilli Peppers, System Of A Down, Death, even pop. I was doing solos at the time, but I was almost pretending to do them I never had the inclination to be a shredder.

If there are solos in Gojira, theyve been mainly textural up until Fortitude doing a similar job as a new riff or an effects-laden ambient passage. But if you put a few notes together, you immediately have thatfeeling of playing a solo, Joe says. Im discovering now that I enjoy doing this, actually. I take it seriously but Im aware that my language and my skills are very limited. I play with what I have, theres a few tricks I can do with the high notes and Im enjoying doing them! he says, and air-guitars away on an invisible 22nd fret.

Really, the expanded tonal palette of Fortitude shouldnt be too surprising, even if some moments make you check youre still listening to the same band. Gojira have introduced at least one curveball on every album. Synthesizers, samples, strange vocal processing, raw acoustic recording a tendency to curve away from typical metal production has always been there, but never in such sharp focus as on Fortitude.

What you see of Gojira on an album is just the tip of the iceberg: our musical realm is much, much larger than just death metal, Joe explains. And we sprinkle every album with a little bit of it, you know, a bit of tribal music, or some weird singing in a transition.

Even on 2005s From Mars To Sirius, there are drums that sound almost like hip hop, and then theres whales on top. Its been always present in our discography. But for the first time, I think we embraced that. Instead of limiting it to just little transitions, we started to put these things into more epic songs. More melodic. Were exploring a little bit of our secret realm that we have. Joe laughs and says: Its like we have tools and weapons hidden, and were going to start pulling them out one by one as we record albums.

Intense music can attract intense people, and so watching a metal band embrace the melodic and joyous side of things can be like watching someone play pinata with a wasps nest. But death metal purists have never gotten under Duplantiers skin: he references Carcass Swansong, a blisteringly fun record that embraces rock n roll alongside melodic death metal. It was a change in sound which stirred up controversy even before online comments sections made that easy. Many people didnt understand it, because it was full of rock. All of a sudden, they went from these dissonant sounds and gory lyrics to something that sounded more like an anthem

And I really loved that album. I was a bit intrigued. A bit disturbed, even. But it was a good thing for my development as a person to hear Carcass playing rock. Its fun!

People take themselves too seriously. They take the whole metal thing too seriously. I think were here to have fun, you know. Were born. And then we do a few things. And then we die. Why not have fun? Instead of trying to fit in little boxes.

Joe brushes the purists off once more: I like to think the album is going to make a lot of people happy. But of course we have the haters, you know. Zero haters on an album means your album has gone completely unnoticed

Joe Duplantier of Gojira. Image: Suzi Pratt / Getty Images

The typical process of tracking guitar for a metal album normally involves recording a direct signal alongside a placeholder guitar tone. After editing together a perfect performance and beginning the mixing process, you can throw that in a different amp and re-record it, Duplantier explains. Its magic. It was absolutely incredible when that happened in the music industry.

It was a big thing for guitarists to know that if theyre not satisfied with their sound when they mix, it can change it. But what I learned with years of experience is theres a moment for everything. When it comes to mixing, theres a world of problems to tackle.

Youre doing very specific work to balance volumes and frequencies. Theyre battling each other. Its very complicated. Its usually towards the end of the process, theres a deadline coming. So the momentum is not great to reamp. Its time-consuming. And its nerve-wracking, especially closer to a deadline.

Instead, the band mixed as they went first establishing a drum sound, and obsessing over the details as they recorded. That allowed us to see where the guitars would need to stand in the mix. If we had some very messy drums with all the frequencies, it would be a world of low end, you know, like a soup. When you mix as you record, then you know a little more what you want from every instrument.

One benefit of this approach was the absence of a well fix it later attitude the connection to the songs was much more immediate, closer to playing live. When I track a guitar with drums that sound already super roomy and punchy, it makes me want to play a certain way, it gives me more energy while I track. Its a pretty horrible feeling when you track an album and everything sounds terrible. But you have to imagine that its going to sound good at mixing, I didnt have to do that this time. It was very inspiring to see the songs building with already good sounds, the sounds that we wanted, pretty much.

It also made the mixing process much easier on legendary recording engineer Andy Wallacem who took on mixing duties for Fortitude. We only had to fine tune a little bit, each one at mixing. I was on the phone with him because the pandemic was happening when the mix started and he said, oh my god, it looks like its already mixed. We almost reversed the way we did things before. And I cannot go back now.

Image: FilmMagic / Getty Images

While most Gojiras albums grapple heavily with spiritual and environmental themes, there was never really an explicit decision to make that the case. When I start singing, I have little control over whats going to come out of my mouth, Joe explains. Im a very emotional person.

When Im singing, theres something in me so strong that when it comes out I have little time to control it. And I like to keep it this way. Since day one, when we started to jam, it was immediately about things that were fascinating me, or things that I felt like there was an emergency about or my views on the world.

As we try to probe deeper into the background of Fortitudes themes, Joe deflects and instead hopes that the album can stand on its own. Talking about songs its like talking about a painting. When you do a painting its because you have no words. So you do it, you make a painting, and then people need to put words on it. But the person whos done it doesnt necessarily have the words.

The whole interview exercise is very interesting, because its sort of forcing me to put words on what we do. Of course, sometimes theres nothing to add, Im just filling the blanks, and I end up saying bullshit.

One thing that Joe does add is that for him, rock acts are intrinsically linked to themes of activism. Rock is the music of rebellion, it has all the components. Its got to have something that will make you think, something that will activate you. If it doesnt, the words that come out, the music that comes out, its just a noise.

And we are a product of this society. We are a product of the images we saw on TV when we were kids or we see all around us we travel the world. We played in India, we played in South America, we played in Japan, we go everywhere, and we see how people live and how people think and how people are. It creates a feeling, it grows and then it comes out when we make a song in a certain way.

We ask if we shouldnt overthink these things. Joe says: Sometimes. Its good to think too, you know. Sometimes I consider myself an activist because I really want to participate in this world and be part of a solution, instead of being part of the problem.

A standout in this regard is of course Amazonia, which doesnt stop at lyrics condemning the fact that The greatest miracle / Is burning to the ground. The single was launched alongside Project Amazonia, a fundraising campaign in aid of the Articulation Of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil. So far, over a quarter of a million dollars has been raised for the charity, which advocates for the rights of those most affected by the Amazons destruction, with fans bidding on instruments and memorabilia donated from around the world of heavy music.

It enlightened me a little bit, Joe says. I realised that it is possible. Its something that Im preaching, you know, in Magmaand Silvera: When you change yourself / You change the world its something like a mantra.

Im trying to educate myself with this thought, this mantra, to not despair. Its also a conclusion. A spiritual journey brought me to this conclusion that yes, we have power over this world.

We can have a beautiful outlook on life because we decide to, You could wake up one morning and decide that today youre going to do good around you. We have so much power, and we tend to forget about it because we feel overwhelmed by governments and establishments.

That was all that was behind Project Amazonia. I just gave a few phone calls. And next thing you know, I was talking to leaders of tribes in the Amazon. Then after that I started to call people that could help, and it all came together.

This is one of the highlights of my life, this project. I would like to add that this operation is not over. And help is needed, money is needed. The situation with the Amazon forest deserves to be understood in and taken care of, by the world.

Image: Xavi Torrent / Getty Images

Joe acknowledges that not everyone can pull strings to get instruments donated by a host of high-profile musicians: Of course, Im in a position where I can do this, but it doesnt need to be that special. It could be within your community, you can make a tremendous difference around you.

Duplantier gives another example of this mantra, a more personal one, and one thats a little more accessible than starting a massive charity auction. The number one thing we can do to help the planet is to go vegan, he says. Because the meat industry is on top of being a really really, really cruel business based on suffering, pain and killing also incredibly demanding for our environment. It needs a lot of resources. The Amazon forest is directly linked to the meat industry, maybe 80 per cent of the problem is the meat the cattle, the soybeans to feed the cattle, and so on.

Duplantier clearly has conviction in the belief that If you change yourself, you change the world. Project Amazonia is just Gojiras latest link to an activism cause, as anyone whos noticed the Sea Shepherd stand at a Gojira gig will know, but at the same time: Were just a freaking rock band, Joe says. We want people to smile and bang their heads and be happy. Youve got to think of that too.

Fortitude is out now.

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Gojira frontman Joe Duplantier on activism, metal purists and sweating the small stuff - Guitar.com

Joe Perry is taking part in a three-day conference about COVID-19 and other health issues at the Vatican which will also feature Pope Francis and Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Per theAssociated Press (AP),the conference begins today (May 6) and will run through Saturday, May 8. This conference was originally planned to take place in May 2020 but was postponed due to the pandemic. The topics that will be covered have since evolved from the conferences original plans, but the overarching theme of how science, solidarity and spirituality can help address various global health threats remains.

So, what exactly is Perry doing at the conference that will also feature video remarks from the Pope and Dr. Fauci? The AP notes, A Harvard neuroscientist is leading a conversation about brain health and rock stars with Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry.

Perry isnt the only celebrity appearing at the conference. The AP also added, Soprano [Renee] Fleming is participating in a panel discussion on the role of music in treating cardiac patients. Supermodel Cindy Crawford has a slot to talk about beauty from the inside out, and Chelsea Clinton is teaming up with an Italian public health official to promote equal access to health care.

COVID-19, of course, will be the big health topic of this conference. The AP also reports, Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel is speaking about the mRNA technology behind Modernas coronavirus vaccine, while his counterpart at Pfizer, Albert Bourla, is heading up a discussion on preparedness for future global health crises.

Erica Banas is a rock/classic rock news blogger who's well versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice.

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Joe Perry Taking Part in 3-Day COVID-19 Conference at the Vatican - WROR

Frontline workers in the New Westminster Police Department are relieved theyre finally getting their COVID-19 jabs.

While frontline workers in many neighbouring communities had been receiving their vaccinations in recent weeks, New West police, firefighters and teachers only started getting their shots this week. Frustration and anger among local police came to a head last weekend after several officers were in contact with a suspect who had tested positive for COVID-19.

Seriously unhappy to learn up to 6 @NewWestPD members have to self-isolate now after finding out a prisoner they dealt with is Covid+. It is quite frustrating our staff still have not been scheduled for vaccination under the @Fraserhealth first responder priority program while most surrounding jurisdictions have, Deputy Chief Const. Paul Hyland said in a comment posted on Twitter. Our members are literally putting themselves in harms way each shift and often don't control the circumstances in which they interact with public. Really hoping we can make this happen soon!

Chief Const. Dave Jansen said the New Westminster Police Department had been working on the issue for a while behind the scenes with the provinces police services branch and Fraser Health, but Hylands tweet drew media attention to the issue.

Jansen said he completely agreed elderly folks and people with medical conditions should have been prioritized for vaccinations, but frustration began to mount as frontline workers in the Vancouver Coastal Health region and in hotspots across Fraser Health started were deemed priority groups and getting their shots and New Westminster police, fire and education officials had received no firm timeline for their vaccinations.

Then whats happening is we are seeing everybody has gotten vaccinated, from what I could tell, from Whistler out to Chilliwack. So you name it Maple Ridge, Port Moody, White Rock. All these areas had been vaccinated or had been given the go-ahead to be vaccinated, and we still hadnt got a firm date for New Westminster, he told the Record. It just became very frustrating to try and understand.

In an email to the Record, one local cop stated officers do their best to socially distance, wear a mask and sanitize and wash their hands frequently, but they have to enter several houses on each shift places where they could potentially be exposed to people who have COVID-19, including people from cities in the region considered to be hotspots. In addition to concerns about their own safety, police officers were concerned about the risk of getting the virus and spreading it to their families and other community members including people at Royal Columbian Hospital.

Royal Columbian is a major trauma centre for the region. We are there all the time, Jansen said. Even the nursing staff were surprised that we were not vaccinated because we are in and out of that hospital all the time. And the risk that brings not only to us but also to them as we are coming in there. It just seemed odd.

After last weekends media coverage, action started happening on the vaccination front much to the relief of local cops.

According to Jansen, Vancouver Coastal was able to provide some AstraZeneca shots for some NWPD members and Fraser Healths vaccination clinic at Anvil Centre had about 10 or 12 extra doses available last Sunday.

I went down there to talk to some of our members who were going down there. There was complete relief, he said. Then on Monday, we got the call from Fraser Health that they were rolling out the program for all frontline staff. Not all of our staff get it, but the ones that have interaction with the public are eligible to go get it now. So thats good.

Jansen said he isnt angry at Fraser Health, as he can only imagine what its going through with the rollout of vaccinations across such a vast region, adding that the situation was difficult to understand because so little information was being provided.

I am very thankful that Fraser Health listened and they were able to ramp it up by a week or two and that all our teachers and firefighters and police officers get vaccinated, he said. I think thats the best thing for the safety of our community.

On the frontlines

The New West police officers who came into contact with a COVID-positive man have all been cleared to return to work, Jansen said.

None of them caught COVID from the interaction, he said. I was confident that was probably the case because they were wearing appropriate PPE, but it just was one of those things that highlighted the risks that frontline personnel face.

Along with the physical toll associated with COVID, Jansen said frontline officers have had to deal with the stress of reporting to duty and dealing with members of the public who may potentially have the virus. He experienced that firsthand recently, when the NWPDs management went out on the road for a shift, and a call went out about a man walking down the street with a machete.

Just pure luck, we happened to be right there, and the individual is coming walking down the sidewalk. So I am wearing a mask, but you dont have time to get your gloves and get your visor. Youve got to hop up and get engaged right away, he said. So its a real reminder, a lot of times, and Im sure the firefighters are in similar situations, where you just dont have that time to get as geared up as youd want to. It was just an added level of stress that I didnt think they needed to have to deal with.

While some older members of the NWPD, including Jansen, are in age groups that have been able to get their COVID-19 vaccinations, that wasnt the case for younger members who didnt qualify for the AstraZeneca rollout.

We had a lot of staff that are just too young, especially on our frontlines, he said. When you get hired as a police officer, the first place you go for a good five-plus years, usually is you go to patrol, and you are the frontline responders. But they are usually going to be those 22- to 27-year-olds. Most of our staff on the frontlines are under 30 years of age.

Jansen estimated seven to 10 NWPD employees, including police officers and civilian staff, have had coronavirus in the past year.

I think we still have one individual who is still experiencing the effects of it. Everyone else has returned to work, he said. At one stage we did have three members of our traffic section, all at one time, out. That was pretty significant for us. I dont know how that compares to other police departments around, but for us it is impactful. It wasnt something that we couldnt continue on operations, but it certainly is something that is impactful.

Follow Theresa McManus on Twitter@TheresaMcManusEmailtmcmanus@newwestrecord.ca

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New West police relieved theyre now getting COVID-19 vaccinations - The Record (New Westminster)