Main hub thread with the full 131 rankings
Ball State comes in at one spot above in-state foe Indiana. and is the 3rd best program in the state behind Notre Dame and Purdue. Moving up to the FBS in 1975, Ball State’s had an underrated tenure, going 269-279-4 with 6 conference championships, 9 bowl appearances, and 11 weeks in the AP Top 25.

Best Seasons and Highlights

1. 2020: 10. Ball State: 7-1 (29.151) 2. 2008: 23. Ball State: 12-2 (19.624) 3. 2013: 43. Ball State: 10-3 (7.413) 4. 1988: 32. Ball State: 8-3 (7.382) 5. 2012: 41. Ball State: 9-4 (5.166) 6. 1989: 36. Ball State: 7-3-2 (4.173) 7. 1996: 36. Ball State: 8-4 (-0.777) 8. 1995: 47. Ball State: 7-4 (-1.286) 9. 1993: 35. Ball State: 8-3-1 (-1.292) 10. 1990: 51. Ball State: 7-4 (-5.881) 11. 1994: 59. Ball State: 5-5-1 (-11.641) 12. 2007: 67. Ball State: 7-6 (-11.913) 13. 1991: 58. Ball State: 6-5 (-12.407) 14. 1986: 67. Ball State: 6-5 (-15.698) 15. 1983: 69. Ball State: 6-5 (-18.520) 16. 1997: 71. Ball State: 5-6 (-19.737) 17. 2011: 81. Ball State: 6-6 (-19.965) 18. 2001: 78. Ball State: 5-6 (-20.533) 19. 1992: 75. Ball State: 5-6 (-20.690) 20. 2021: 87. Ball State: 6-7 (-21.746) 21. 2002: 72. Ball State: 6-6 (-21.776) 22. 2019: 87. Ball State: 5-7 (-22.103) 23. 2006: 76. Ball State: 5-7 (-22.140) 24. 2014: 90. Ball State: 5-7 (-24.446) 25. 2022: 98. Ball State: 5-7 (-25.017) 26. 2000: 81. Ball State: 5-6 (-25.264) 27. 1987: 80. Ball State: 4-7 (-27.212) 28. 2005: 97. Ball State: 4-7 (-30.054) 29. 2003: 91. Ball State: 4-8 (-32.432) 30. 1985: 86. Ball State: 4-7 (-33.751) 31. 2016: 102. Ball State: 4-8 (-35.128) 32. 2010: 104. Ball State: 4-8 (-40.296) 33. 2018: 108. Ball State: 4-8 (-40.344) 34. 1984: 91. Ball State: 3-8 (-40.722) 35. 2015: 111. Ball State: 3-9 (-45.086) 36. 2009: 109. Ball State: 2-10 (-48.654) 37. 2004: 110. Ball State: 2-9 (-50.524) 38. 1998: 109. Ball State: 1-10 (-59.094) 39. 2017: 127. Ball State: 2-10 (-62.173) 40. 1999: 113. Ball State: 0-11 (-70.806) Overall Score: 8230 (89th) 

• 212-248-4 record
• 4 conference titles
• 1-8 bowl record
• 2 consensus All-Americans
• 13 NFL players drafted

Ball State has been pretty consistent, with 26 of their 40 seasons since 1983 having 5+ wins. 4 conference titles is also not bad—3 came between 1989-96, arguably Ball State’s peak with 7 of those 8 years falling into the top 13 seasons in the chart above. It took them 46 years to win their first bowl game, failing on the first 7 tries before finally winning in 2020! Ball State’s 2 consensus All-Americans? 1 person—Brad Maynard, punter. Maynard averaged 46.5 and 45.8 yards per punt in 1995 and 1996, respectively. He was drafted in the 3rd round of the 1997 NFL Draft, and would go on to be the Bears’ punter from 2001-10.

Top 5 Seasons

Worst Season: 1999 (0-11 overall, 0-8 MAC)
While the world worried about the Y2K meltdown, Ball State worried about their program melting down. Going just 1-21 from 1998-99, 2 of their 3 worst seasons on this list, the program reached lows it had never seen. Coach Bill Lynch was an Indiana die-hard—he was born in Indianapolis, went to Butler, and since starting his coaching career in 1977, has only spent 2 years coaching outside the state of Indiana. This was Lynch’s 5th season with Ball State. While they weren’t getting manhandled (only one 30+ point loss) like some winless teams have, they weren’t particularly close to getting a win either (only 1 one-possession loss). They averaged 14.3 PPG while giving up 32.8 PPG, and were my 2nd worst team in the nation. Kicker Thomas Pucke was impressively inept, hitting just 2 of 8 FGs. He managed to hang around for 2 more years and convert 6 of 15 for a 4 year total of 12/31 on FGs for a 38.7 FG%.
5. 2012 (9-4 overall, 6-2 MAC)
The Ball State Football youtube channel put out a fantastic 15 minute recap of the 2012 season. Coming off a 6-6 year, there was momentum heading into 2012, but uncertainty with losing their top 2 WRs and an unproven defense. The year started with a bang, recording a school record 36 first downs against Eastern Michigan in a season-opening 37-26 win. Indiana took a 39-38 lead with 50 seconds to go in week 3—just enough time for QB Keith Wenning and kicker Steven Schott, who hit a 42 yard FG as time expired for the 41-39 Ball State win. Ball State got their second win over a Power 6 opponent the following week, beating South Florida 31-27 on another late win, this time Wenning to WR Willie Snead. After going back and forth with MAC competition, 6-3 Ball State headed to the Glass Bowl on election night to face #23 Toledo. Ball State rose to the occasion with another last minute TD to win 34-27. A 52-27 win over formerly-ranked Ohio, who had beaten Penn State to start the year, proved even more impressive. Ball State finished the regular season 9-3, with a loss to C-USA runner-up Blake Bortles and UCF in the bowl.
Ball State led the MAC with 15 all-conference selections. QB Keith Wenning threw for 3095 yards, with 24 TD and 10 INT, earning 2nd Team All-MAC. RB Jahwan Edwards had a monster year with 1410 rushing yards and 14 TD on 6.1 YPC, but only made 3rd team in a stacked MAC RB class. WRs Willie Snead, Jamill Smith, and TE Zane Fakes were all 1st Team MAC. Kicker Steven Schott was a Lou Groza Award semifinalist, going 25/32 on FGs, and punter Scott Kovanda was a Ray Guy Award finalist.
4. 1988 (8-3 overall, 5-3 MAC)
While 2012 was an offensive explosion, 1988 was about defense, boasting one of the best in the country. 1988 Ball State gave up just 15.5 PPG, while scoring 26.0 PPG. After a 7-1 (5-1 MAC) start, Ball State played Western Michigan (7-1, 5-0) for first place in the conference. Western Michigan took it in a 16-13 dogfight, and it wouldn’t matter much anyway, as Ball State dropped their last conference game 25-27 to Ohio. Back then, Ball State had an annual rivalry against Indiana State for the Blue Key Victory Bell, and the Cardinals got revenge for ISU’s 24-23 upset the year prior, winning 24-10. The most points Ball State gave up all season was just 27, and held opponents to 20 or less in every other game.
3. 2013 (10-3 overall, 7-1 MAC)
Picking up where we left off in 2012, Ball State returned Wenning, Edwards, Snead, Fakes, so this team had a lot of potential. Early wins included 31-24 over traditional MAC power Toledo, and 48-27 over Virginia, who had given up just 16 points or less in 3 of their first 4 games. Ball State lived up to the hype—and then some. Blowout wins over Western Michigan, Akron, and Central Michigan took them all the way to 8-1, setting up a matchup with 9-0 #20 Northern Illinois in the premier MAC game of the season. The winner would clinch a spot in the MAC title game, Ball State looking for their first title in 17 years. They went back and forth—deadlocked at 27-27 with 6 minutes left, NIU QB Jordan Lynch fired a 36 yard TD to take the lead, and a few garbage time scores gave NIU a nice looking 48-27 victory that was much closer than the score suggested. Ball State took out their anger on a hapless 0-11 Miami (OH) team to end the year, winning 55-14. Still looking for their first bowl win ever, they came as close as they’ve ever come, giving up a TD with 30 seconds left to lose 23-20 to Arkansas State. Still—an insane year for Ball State, winning 10+ games for just the 3rd time in school history. QB Keith Wenning threw for 4148 yards 35 TD 7 INT, ranking 6th in the nation in passing yards and TDs. RB Jahwan Edwards had his 2nd of 3 1000+ yard seasons, going for 1110 and 14 TD. He’d finish his career as Ball State’s all-time leading rusher a year later with 4558 yards and 51 TD. WR Willie Snead had the capstone of his college career with 106 catches for 1516 yards and 15 TD, ranking 3rd in the NCAA in receiving yards and TD. The 6’3 228 lb Jordan Williams proved to be a very good WR2 with 1000+ receiving yards, and would go on to have 200 catches for 2723 yards and 23 TD in his career, top 6 in school history in all of those categories. Wenning was a 6th round NFL Draft selection, and Snead went on to have a solid NFL career.
2. 2008 (12-2 overall, 8-0 MAC)
The 2008 team took the nation by storm. Ball State returned their all-conference QB, WR, TE, and 8 starters on defense from a 7 win team the previous season. Right away, with a week 2 35-23 win over Navy, they proved the prevous season’s win over them wasn’t a fluke. 2 weeks later, they’d make history, beating Indiana 42-20 in the program’s first ever win over a BCS team. Did they stop there? Nope. 3 weeks later they were 7-0, and #22 in the country. This was a great year for non-BCS teams, with Boise State and Utah also going unbeaten in the regular season. The beatings continued, as Ball State kept surprising everyone—38-16 over Eastern Michigan, 45-14 over NIU. Late in the year, #16 9-0 Ball State faced their toughest test of the season, heading north to play 8-2 preseason conference favorite Central Michigan. Down 7 points in the 4th quarter, QB Nate Davis guided the Cardinals back to a 31-24 lead, and a late interception sealed the deal. Ball State still hadn’t secured the MAC title game until the final week, where they beat 9-2 Western Michigan 45-22. Into the MAC championship we go. #12 Ball State was an overwhelming 15 point favorite over 7-5 Buffalo, who was just happy to be there. Ball State’s dream matchup quickly turned into a nightmare. Buffalo had 92 and 74 yard fumble returns for TDs, cruising to a 42-24 upset victory in which they were outgained by 200+ yards. Brady Hoke took the job at San Diego State, and a dejected interim-coached team got blown out 45-14 by Tulsa in the bowl.
QB Nate Davis, the original 2-gloved QB before Teddy “2 glove” Bridgewater was a thing, completed his illustrious college career, throwing for 3591 yards 26 TD 8 INT, leading the MAC in passer rating for the 3rd straight year, and winning 2008 MAC OPOTY. The 5’6 184 lb RB MiQuale Lewis was pound-for-pound one of the best players in college football, rushing for 1736 yards and 22 TD on 5.4 YPC, also racking up 325 receiving yards, ranking 2nd in the nation in yards from scrimmage and 1st in TDs. TE Darius Hill completed his career as one of the best TEs in MAC history, catching 40 passes for 670 yards and 7 TD to finish his career with 2473 yards and 31 TD. Unfortunately, WR Dante Love’s career came to an end 4 games into the season, one of Ball State’s best ever wideouts who caught 100 passes for 1398 yards and 10 TD in 2007. It was an amazing year for Ball State—but no hardware to show for it.
1. 2020 (7-1 overall, 5-1 MAC)
2008, or 2020 Ball State, who was better? The Ball State youtube channel(s) seriously make some of the best season recap videos of any school. After an opening 31-38 loss at Miami (OH), they were perfect the rest of the way. A 1-yard rushing TD with 6 seconds left secured a 38-31 win over Eastern Michigan to improve to 1-1. 2 weeks later, a 27-24 upset over Toledo improved them to 3-1. It was still a long season ahead with just a MAC schedule in a covid-shortened season, with the toughest games yet to come. A 45-20 road win over 3-1 Central Michigan thanks to 5 TD from QB Drew Plitt improved Ball State to 4-1, with 1 regular season game to go. This is where the 2020 team separated themselves from all other Ball State teams. Facing 4-1 Western Michigan with the winner going to the MAC championship game, Ball State was down 27-13 at the start of the 4th. After a 17-0 point 4th quarter, they had the lead with just seconds to go. Western Michigan tossing laterals around…OH THE ENTIRE BALL STATE TEAM IS ON THE FIELD!! And Western Michigan scores for the win!! Unbelievable!! It turns out though, one of the laterals was forward, and the refs award Ball State the victory. They go to the MAC championship game at 5-1!
Remember how 2008 Ball State came into the game 15 point favorites against Buffalo and lost? This time, the roles were reversed. Ball State came into the 2020 championship as 13 point underdogs to 5-0 Buffalo. And just like 2008, David slaid Goliath. Ball State took the MAC Championship 38-28, their first since 1996. But still, people hadn’t caught on. Ball State entered the Arizona Bowl as 6.5 point underdogs to #23 San Jose State. 35 minutes of game time later, and Ball State was up 34-0. When the final whistle sounded on a 34-13 bowl victory, it was the FIRST BOWL WIN IN BALL STATE HISTORY! While 2008 was a great year, 2020 takes the cake because they completed the quest of winning a conference title and bowl game. LB Brandon Martin was the MAC DPOTY, leading the conference in tackles with 90.

5th Quarter

Agree with Ball State’s ranking, ahead of in-state rival Indiana? What do you think of their program? Do you remember their 2008 and 2020 seasons?
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I am at my wits end right now. During the pandemic I foolishly drove myself into the ground trying to restart my failing self employed business, leading to 33k in personal debt and 55k in business debt. I never carried credit card debt ever in my life until the pandemic. I'm not a crazy frivolous spender. But during the pandemic I really was in denial that I had to fold my business and get a job.
I finally woke up and got a decent paying job, but living in California is making it SO HARD to get ahead of this stuff.
I still have a bit of my side hustle going - but the income JUST makes the minimum payments from the business credit cards, so it's stable at the moment but not changing anytime soon. At any moment my one client could discontinue my monthly service and I wouldn't be able to meet the business card minimums.
My take home from my 9-5 is about $4200
I am going to have to move out of my current cheap place and minimum rents in my area are like $1400 for a ROOM in a shared house (San Diego), and that doesn't include utilities. So say it's going to be around $1500 at least.
Life expenses are like another
Rent/Living: 1500 Car: gas (250 bc $4.60 a gallon), maintenance (20), insurance (64): $350 Groceries: $500 Restaurants: $150 Peloton (MY ONLY FORM OF SANITY): $90 Streaming/entertainment: $110 (Could def cut this by some) Pet insurance (92) + Food + Vet e-fund: $182 Starbucks (Flame away but can't drink drip coffee): $150 Credit Card Minimums: $1030
That leaves me with like ZERO room. In the past few months I had my car completely die on me which cost several thousand, and an ER visit for palpitations (probably because I'm so stressed!). Every month it seems like there's a new disaster putting me more and more behind. I had skin cancer earlier last year as well (gone now thankfully).
Even if I lived like a monk, I would be really behind. And I'd have to live like a monk for a very long time.
I considered Door Dash but as a female and everyone getting shot these days for going to the wrong door, I'm very hesitant.
I don't want to drop my dog's health insurance, I'm single and he's one of the only sources of joy in my life at the moment.
The peloton is important to me as it keeps my depression and anxiety at bay and is good for my overall health. I use it REGULARLY. I'm obsessed with it.
I could axe starbucks but it's the only thing getting me out of bed in the am because my life feels a bit hopeless right now. And I'm in such a hole, axing it seems like it would be a drop in an ocean.
I really have NO assets. I live fairly simply, hardly ever buy myself fancy things, haven't bought clothes in like a year, stopped going out except once a week with friends and sticking to my $150 going out budget, but I have no retirement savings. Credit Card debt and minimums have me in quicksand, and the California cost of living is ridiculous.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Solution I am considering: I have the opportunity to move home. My parents are truly very supportive, I have a decent relationship with them, and I used to go home to visit for a few months out of the year throughout my 20's and 30's until I wasn't making enough money to travel a lot (and got a dog making long term visits not feasible). Additionally, I'm blessed in that my parents live in a nice vacation area.
Another chapter to the story: My parents have put our family home on the market. They aren't selling it to sell it, they're selling it to get the price they want, and listing it with an exclusive agency (it won't appear on Zillow, etc). They've told me they will help me with the debt if it sells. But, it's not a guarantee.
So, to be honest, unless my parents do something crazy I'll have a decent inheritance to fall back on for retirement.
HOWEVER: My main goal right now is to right my own ship, and that may mean moving across the country and moving home at age 39. I am single and life is just NOT stacking up very well for me at the moment, and I've been pretty despressed about it. I've considered bankruptcy, but if I move home, I can pay off my personal debt in a year (according the Dave's snowball calculator). I'm not sure what to do about the business debt.
Also, if I need to live like a monk to get out of this hole and totally stop going out with friends etc, might as well live like a monk where I don't have to pay rent. I'm getting really tired of constantly declining invites from my friends to concerts, vacations, even cheap things like baseball games because it would blow my budget.
Tips? Flames?

I've seen a few posts on here now with incorrect information. So I decided I'd make a post of where things really stand as of today before the May 31 hearing. Note I am not a legal expert and neither do I play one on TV, but I have read all the redacted filings in this case posted in the public docket for this bankruptcy case. There are only 4 teams Diamond missed payments to involved in the hearing on May 31 and those are Diamondbacks, Rangers, Twins and Guardians. The MLB is also involved in the hearing on May 31 in support of the 4 teams. No other teams will be affected by any rulings in this case. The teams are asking the court to either a) compel Diamond to make payments and assume or reject the telecast rights agreements or b) lift the bankruptcy automatic stay so teams can seek payment and terminate the agreements themselves. In response Diamond is arguing a) that the agreements entitled them to DTC steaming rights with permission of the MLB, but the MLB will not not give it to them, so they feel their agreements are overvalued; and b) that what they are paying is not fair market value due to changing conditions of the cable market. In response the MLB and Teams are arguing that a) Diamond has vMVPD steaming rights that they are not making good use of as they have been dropped by vMVPD providers including YouTube TV, HULU Live TV, and Sling TV and the company has been mismanaged by Sinclair; b) the part in the contract about DTC steaming rights starts with a "if" and requires certain conditions including a separate agreement with the MLB that would have a separate value and be paid for separately. Yesterday Diamond filed its expert valuation of fair market value and in response MLB and Teams filed an emergency motion to exclude it from the hearing arguing that their "“reasonable current value” analysis is neither reasonable nor a measure of value." With multiple reasons to back up their argument that is mostly redacted in document that is publicly available in the docket.
Also, separate from the bankruptcy case, Diamond missed payments to San Diego Padres (who own 20% of Bally Sports San Diego) and have a grace period that expires on May 30. Unlike the other teams, Padres own 20% of Bally Sports San Diego, so it was not included in the bankruptcy. Since it was not included in the bankruptcy, Padres can terminate the agreement if they are not paid by May 30 without having to go through the bankruptcy court like the other teams do.

I have started a new garden this year in raised beds, filling the beds entirely with compost (OMRI organic, from 2 sources; just over 7 cubic yards total). I have some notes about transplant dates and pictures that show progress, but regrettably very little (won't make that mistake again). I'm not sure which beds had more or less of the 2 different sources of compost (another mistake I won't make again).
My garden as a whole currently contains peas, cabbage, purple broccoli, green beans (3 variants), tomatoes (4 San Marzano, 6 different cherry tomatoes, 1 brandywine, and 1 recently transplanted Cherokee Purple) with radishes, beets, and onions interplanted between tomatoes, peppers, and a few different winter and summer squash variants.
I happened to notice a post on here recently about herbicide damage which prompted me to check my tomato plants (~May 24th) where I noticed some were curling in and cupping, but not as significantly as the post I had seen where others suggested herbicide damage. I did notice my pepper plants had significant curling on the leaves (transplanted 5/13 I think). These included 2 serrano, 6 jalepeno, 1 chile red, and 1 bell pepper plant.
Ever since then, I've noticed the tomatoes get more severe curling and cupping, with some being worse than others (blueberry tomato being the worst, and tropical sunset being a close second worst). I have a third blueberry tomato plant in my daughters bed which doesn't show much cupping/curling yet (but it's not pictured here). I did find a couple pictures of the tomatoes from 5/18 which I think showed relatively healthy tomato plants. The caveat is that the brandywine has never looked as healthy as the others, but it also seems to get bombarded by aphids more than the others which is what I had been attributing that to.
My gardening season as a whole has gone reasonably well up until now. This is the first year I've started my own seeds, so the majority of everything in them so far is my own transplants and direct sown plants. I have had some weird issues early on where I transplanted some radishes (and direct sowed some), direct sowed some beets, and transplanted some kale and they were all stunted (in a single bed). I also directly sowed carrots March 24th which seem to be stunted (shown in pictures). But in my tomato bed, I had radishes (direct), beets (direct), and tomatoes take off. For the most part, all other beds have really grown well.
My biggest concern is herbicide contaminated compost because it was pretty expensive to fill those beds, and it also took a lot of effort and time (borrowed trailer, loaded and unloaded twice, plus 2 trips just to fill the truck bed and unload those).
My second biggest concern is herbicide overspray. My neighbor directly beside me has a lawn that he puts a lot of effort into the grass. I'm not sure what all he has done to the grass, but he does have a lawn company come out and do stuff to it a couple times a year. I also have a field behind my backyard where I just noticed the owner this week harvesting grass into bales, then yesterday was spreading something out with his tractor and a spreader.
The fact that the tomato plants looked fine on May 18th and now don't make me think the compost isn't contaminated and points more towards either herbicide overspray or some disease. I did water everything every other day, so to rule out overwatering I stopped watering for 3 full days (but today and days to come we're getting heavy rains). As of today they're still looking rough.
I have noticed mushrooms regularly growing overnight in every raised bed since I've filled them, so that makes me think each bed has good nutrition in them.
I'm hoping someone here more experienced than I am can look through these pictures and help advise on what I might need to do to salvage this gardening year. I'm nervous to even eat anything out of my garden at this point such as collards, peas, or radishes since I'm uncertain if my compost is contaminated. Thanks in advance for the help!
https://imgur.com/a/s2p4jFZ

ALL TIMES EASTERN
CONFERENCE WINNERS (so far)
America East Tournament -- #1 Maine
Atlantic 10 Tournament -- #6 George Mason
Big East Tournament -- #2 Xavier
Big South Tournament -- #1 Campbell
Big West Conference -- Reg Season Champion > UC San Diego; auto-bid > CS Fullerton
Horizon Tournament -- #1 Wright State
Ivy League Tournament -- Pennsylvania
MAAC Tournament -- #2 Rider
Mid-American Tournament -- #3 Ball State
Missouri Valley Tournament -- #1 Indiana State
Ohio Valley Tournament -- #5 Eastern Illinois
PAC-12 Tournament -- #6 Oregon
Patriot League Championship -- #1 Army West Point
Southern Tournament -- #1 Samford
Southland Tournament -- #1 Nicholls
Summit Tournament -- #1 Oral Roberts
WAC Tournament -- #2 Sam Houston
WCC Tournament -- #3 Santa Clara
CONFERENCE TOURNAMENTS - FINAL DAY
AAC Tournament
12:00 PM Championship Game: #7 Tulane vs. #1 East Carolina, ESPNews & espn+
ACC Tournament
12:00 PM Championship Game: #4 Miami vs #3 Clemson, ESPN2
ASUN Tournament
1:00 PM Championship Game: #7 Jax State vs. #1 Lipscomb, espn+
Big10 Tournament
3:00 PM Championship Game:: #3 Iowa vs. #1 Maryland, BTN
Big 12 Tournament
6:00 PM Championship Game: #2 Oklahoma State vs #4 TCU ESPNU & espn+
Colonial Athletic Tournament
1:00 PM Game 9: #2 Elon vs. #3 Northeastern (Elimination Game) FloBaseball ($)
5:00 PM Championship Game: #1 UNCW vs. Winner GM9 FloBaseball ($)
Conference USA Tournament
2:00 PM Championship Game: (3) Charlotte vs. (1) Dallas Baptist, CBSSN
Mountain West Tournament
4:00 PM Game 7: Championship Game #3 Air Force vs. #1 San José State MW Network
Northeast Tournament
12:00 PM Game 11: Championship Game: #2 Wagner vs #1 CCSU espn3 & NEC Front Row
SEC Tournament
3:00 PM ET Championship Game: #10 Texas A&M vs. #4 Vanderbilt ESPN2
Sunbelt Tournament
2:00 PM ET Championship Game: #4 Louisiana vs. #2 Southern Miss, espn+
SWAC Tournament
1:00 PM ET Championship Game: (E3) Florida A&M vs. (E2) Bethune-Cookman, espn3
MONDAY 5/29
~
12:00 PM ET DI SELECTION SHOW ESPN2
Not sure if PPL will post today, so I am posting this in place of the usual format.
This is the one I use on my site and wanted to get it to you fans asap. Cheers.
~
Live Crowdsourced Scoreboard ~by u/CTIDmississippi

This is the best tl;dr I could make, original reduced by 97%. (I'm a bot)

The driver reportedly didn't know the owner of the timber, but told police the timber had come from as far as Stung Treng province in Cambodia's northeast - where deputy prison director Meuk Saphannareth's logging network was found to operate - and was bound for a village some 5 km from the prison.
"I'm not sure how many trucks transporting timber go to the prison each week but they travel at night and usually, they drop it off just outside the prison gates, in the marshlands," said Serey*, a restaurant owner in Prek Svay village.
Further adding to the weight of Hong's claims are the contractors that both Pros and Koh Kong prison chief Kry Buntha confirmed work in the prison timber yard.
Following his boss's lead, when Pros was contacted in July 2022, he said the prison could only collect logs smaller than 40 centimeters in diameter, and then hung up when told of photographic evidence that showed significantly larger logs being transported to the prison.
Local media reported that the provincial prison in Battambang province, in Cambodia's northwest, also ran a furniture-making business back in 2014 that similarly relied on exploiting prison labor to produce an array of items out of luxury wood.
Forestry Administration officials, she added, had been dropping timber off at the prison - something she said she heard from the residents of Stung Veng commune who had worked for the prison as loggers.

Summary Source FAQ Feedback Top keywords: prison^#1 timber^#2 dam^#3 log^#4 KOH^#5
Post found in /worldnews.
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Padres @ Yankees - Sun, May 28

Game Status: In Progress - Score: 7-3 Yankees

Bottom of the 3rd, 2 outs, runner on first, 2-2 count with Drew Carlton pitching and Kyle Higashioka batting. Anthony Volpe is on deck, and Gleyber Torres is in the hole.

Links & Info

• Current conditions at Yankee Stadium: 76°F - Sunny - Wind 7 mph, In From RF
• TV: Padres: Bally Sports San Diego, Yankees: YES
• Radio: Padres: XEMO 860 (es), KWFN 97.3, Yankees: WADO 1280 (es), WFAN 660/101.9 FM
• MLB Gameday
• Game Graphs
• Savant Gamefeed

	Padres Batters	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	LOB	AVG	OBP	SLG
1	Tatis Jr. - RF	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	.250	.293	.479
2	Cronenworth - 1B	2	1	1	1	0	1	0	.217	.338	.394
3	Bogaerts - SS	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	.255	.348	.401
4	Carpenter - DH	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.178	.302	.355
5	Odor - 2B	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.205	.287	.385
6	Kim, Ha - 3B	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	.239	.324	.381
7	Grisham - CF	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.184	.304	.350
8	Azocar - LF	1	1	1	1	0	0	0	.244	.261	.289
9	Nola, Au - C	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.133	.254	.184
	Totals	11	3	2	2	1	5	1

Padres
BATTING: HR: Cronenworth (6, 1st inning off Cole, 0 on, 1 out). TB: Azocar; Cronenworth 4. RBI: Azocar (2); Cronenworth (19). 2-out RBI: Azocar. Team RISP: 1-for-2.

	Yankees Batters	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	LOB	AVG	OBP	SLG
1	Torres - 2B	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	.265	.347	.454
2	Judge - RF	2	2	2	2	0	0	0	.295	.402	.641
3	Rizzo - 1B	2	0	1	1	0	1	0	.305	.377	.507
4	LeMahieu - 3B	2	0	0	0	0	1	2	.254	.323	.422
5	Bader - CF	2	1	0	1	0	0	1	.244	.275	.465
6	Calhoun, W - DH	2	1	1	1	0	0	0	.236	.317	.382
7	Kiner-Falefa - LF	2	0	1	1	0	0	0	.212	.264	.354
8	Higashioka - C	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	.184	.244	.355
9	Volpe - SS	1	1	1	1	0	0	0	.201	.283	.360
	Totals	16	7	8	7	0	2	3

Yankees
BATTING: 2B: Higashioka (4, Darvish); Calhoun, W (4, Darvish). HR: Judge (15, 1st inning off Darvish, 0 on, 1 out). TB: Calhoun, W 2; Higashioka 2; Judge 5; Kiner-Falefa; Rizzo; Torres; Volpe. RBI: Bader (18); Calhoun, W (10); Judge 2 (35); Kiner-Falefa (8); Rizzo (32); Volpe (21). 2-out RBI: Calhoun, W; Kiner-Falefa. Team RISP: 6-for-8.
FIELDING: E: Bader (2, throw); Higashioka (4, throw).

Padres Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	P-S	ERA
Darvish	2.2	7	7	7	0	2	1	63-42	4.61
Carlton	0.0	1	0	0	0	0	0	7-5	0.00
Totals	2.2	8	7	7	0	2	1

Yankees Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	P-S	ERA
Cole	3.0	2	3	2	1	5	1	48-31	2.67
Totals	3.0	2	3	2	1	5	1

Inning	Scoring Play	Score
Top 1	Jake Cronenworth homers (6) on a fly ball to right center field.	1-0 SD
Bottom 1	Aaron Judge homers (15) on a fly ball to left center field.	1-1
Top 2	Jose Azocar singles on a line drive to center fielder Harrison Bader. Ha-Seong Kim scores. Jose Azocar scores. Throwing error by center fielder Harrison Bader. Throwing error by catcher Kyle Higashioka.	3-1 SD
Bottom 3	Anthony Volpe singles on a ground ball to center fielder Trent Grisham. Kyle Higashioka scores. Anthony Volpe to 2nd.	3-2 SD
Bottom 3	Aaron Judge singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jose Azocar. Anthony Volpe scores. Gleyber Torres to 2nd.	3-3
Bottom 3	Anthony Rizzo singles on a sharp line drive to right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. Gleyber Torres scores. Aaron Judge to 2nd.	4-3 NYY
Bottom 3	Harrison Bader grounds into a force out, shortstop Xander Bogaerts to second baseman Rougned Odor. Aaron Judge scores. Anthony Rizzo out at 2nd. Harrison Bader to 1st.	5-3 NYY
Bottom 3	Willie Calhoun doubles (4) on a line drive to center fielder Trent Grisham. Harrison Bader scores.	6-3 NYY
Bottom 3	Isiah Kiner-Falefa singles on a line drive to left fielder Jose Azocar. Willie Calhoun scores.	7-3 NYY

Team	Highlight
NYY	Bullpen availability for New York, May 28 vs Padres (00:00:07)
SD	Bullpen availability for San Diego, May 28 vs Yankees (00:00:07)
NYY	Starting lineups for Padres at Yankees - May 28, 2023 (00:00:09)
SD	Fielding alignment for San Diego, May 28 vs Yankees (00:00:11)
NYY	A deep dive into Aaron Judge's home run (00:00:09)
SD	Cronenworth's solo home run (6) (00:00:28)
NYY	Aaron Judge's solo home run (15) (00:00:31)
SD	Azocar's Little League homer (00:00:48)
NYY	Judge takes away a home run (00:00:24)
NYY	Anthony Volpe's RBI single (00:00:36)
NYY	Aaron Judge's RBI single (00:00:19)
NYY	Anthony Rizzo's RBI single (00:00:23)
NYY	Judge scores on fielder's choice (00:00:24)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E	LOB
Padres	1	2	0								3	2	0	0
Yankees	1	0	6								7	8	2	0

Division Scoreboard

LAD 10 @ TB 11 - Final
TEX 0 @ BAL 2 - Top 5, 2 Outs
TOR 0 @ MIN 0 - Top 2, 2 Outs
BOS @ AZ 04:10 PM EDT
^{Last Updated: 05/28/2023 02:41:32 PM EDT}

Hello everyone! I have an offer from UC San Diego for Economics and Mathematics. Wondering what the courses are like (instruction, private tutor hours etc) - I can't find a lot of info on the structures and quality of instruction, and I don't know much by word of mouth as I am an international student. Would also love to know what life on the UCSD campus is like! What do you find most interesting about college, and what do you dislike most?

Started this on RCDLC.com and will continue on here with the academy updates monthly. Remember that San Tirso is also part of the club in the Cadete and Infantil Divisions to play in the top division alongside the older Deportivo group Their Juvenil group is still in Liga Gallega, one division below Juvenil B.
Juvenil A (U19), Juvenil B (U17) Cadete A (U16) San Tirso Cadete (U15) Infantil A (U14) San Tirso Infantil (U13)
SUMMARY
Abegondo has never been in a better place with Fran leading the way. Multiple champions, national team call-ups, and big clubs scouting and poaching players. It is up to the first team this next month to do right by these youngsters and get us promoted back into professional football, where players then see a pathway to the elite. I'll post every few weeks who resigned from the academy as many Cadete A players will sign professional deals in the coming weeks (whether it is here or elsewhere). So far...
Hugo Rios (GK)-renewed until 2025
Dani Barcia (CB)-renewed until 2024 w/ a first-team spot (and in talks to renew until 2026)
Fabril- The team dominated the division and is now awaiting the start of the 2RFEF season. Many decisions will be delayed as the club awaits to see what happens to the first team. A team led by RDLB in 1RFEF will probably feature a few of these players, whereas a team in Segunda may lead to a few loans to 1RFEF teams. Mella debuted with the 1st team this past month, while Barcia and Diego Gomez also completed some training. I’m excited to see this group in 2RFEF against professional teams. This is an excellent league for Fabril to stay in (less travel-cheaper budget, still competitive with “bigger” regional clubs). Chasing promotion would be a massive mistake (especially financially with the travel and salary minimums of 1RFEF), and the goal should be to finish mid-table while having 3-4 of its players debut with the 1st team. Look for most bench players to move to other 3RFEF teams in the area while the core group of Rios, Puerto, Val, Jairo, Ruben, Najera, Diego, and Ochoa stay together in 2RFEF.
Juvenil A- Finished in 2nd behind a strong Celta team. Kevin and Manu were called into YNT camps and should be starters with Fabril in 2RFEF next season. Strong rumors exist that Damian, the top GK in the Division with Sporting, will join this summer and become the starter. With a solid finish to the Juvenil B season, I’d expect Juvenil A to be the Championship favorites and make a run at Copa de Campeones (assuming the leading players from Juvenil B/Cadete A stay). There was a big dropoff after the Starting XI, and I’d expect 8-10 players to leave the club on June 30, finding their way onto other local clubs in 3RFEF or heading to the USA to play at a university. There’s already confirmation that Hugo Baldomar will be the first to head to another 3RFEF and Noah.
Juvenil B- A miraculous turnaround after an awful start to the season. Juvenil B won Liga Nacional and used many Cadete A players at the end of the year. This group will see some reinforcements come this summer. Players from Cadete A that resign with the club on professional deals (hopefully Ruben, Jose Rey, Samu, Pablo, Lucas) will most likely do training camp with Juvenil A or Fabril and have those 2-3 weeks to cement their place in that higher age group.
Cadete A- Easily the most impressive season in the academy. Over 105 pts, a goal differential of +150, and only 1 loss to San Tirso, that was done to ensure the affiliate U13s stayed in Division de Honor for next year. I can’t think of many age groups that have had this much talent, and it is imperative that we sign 5-6 of these boys to professional deals as soon as possible that hopefully keep them at the club until 2025 and beyond.
Cadete ST- In what I thought would be a relegation battle until the end, San Tirso turned it around at the end and finished the league comfortably in 8th. With another year of growth and the addition of 1-2 players, look for this group to once again finish at the top of the league next season in their return to Cadete A. Miguel De Labra scored 20 goals with Cadete ST and could make a run to chase Ruben's tally of this year (38 goals in 35 games)
Infantil A- The team finished 2nd, 13 pts behind Celta, but ended up winning the Infantil Playoff after defeating Celta. Some potential here, but the club will bring in a few new faces as this group heads back to San Tirso to start their Cadete careers. Look for Samba Wade and Adrian Bernandez to stay in Abegondo and play with Cadete A next year.
Infantil ST- At the bottom of the table, our U12s at San Tirso finished 8th in the league and will return to Abegondo to put on the blue and white stripes again as Infantil A players.

San Diego Padres (24-28) @ New York Yankees (31-23) Sunday May, 28 10:35 AM

Pick-The-Stick Top 10

Sign up at Pick-The-Stick.com. Be sure to get your picks in before the first pitch.

Rank	User	Points	Total Picks	Position Change
1	bbatardo	176	51	0
2	Nandobatflips	166	48	0
2	ritchrock	166	48	+2
4	Hammond89	163	52	-1
5	Yungbillcosbii	161	52	0
6	ChipsB	161	50	+1
7	jrobertson2204	159	46	-1
8	Dull_send	151	47	+2
9	Lingererrrrrrr	150	51	+3
10	camarobh	150	50	+3

Team	TV	Radio
SD	Bally Sports San Diego	KWFN 97.3,XEMO 860 (es)
NYY	YES	WFAN 660/101.9 FM,WADO 1280 (es)

Starting Pitchers

Team	Pitcher	Record	ERA	IP	H	ER	BB	SO	WHIP
	Yu Darvish	3-3	3.67	54.0	44	22	17	57	1.13
	Gerrit Cole	5-0	2.53	67.2	54	19	23	70	1.14

Starting Lineups - Season Stats

#	Player	Pos.	Avg	AB	H	2B	HR	RBI		#	Player	Pos.	Avg	AB	H	2B	HR	RBI
1	Fernando Tatis	RF	.254	138	35	5	9	18		1	Gleyber Torres	2B	.263	194	51	8	9	25
2	Jake Cronenworth	1B	.213	178	38	8	5	18		2	Aaron Judge	RF	.286	154	44	9	14	33
3	Juan Soto	LF	.263	179	47	14	10	24		3	Anthony Rizzo	1B	.303	201	61	8	11	31
4	Xander Bogaerts	SS	.258	190	49	7	7	19		4	DJ LeMahieu	3B	.257	171	44	9	6	21
5	Matt Carpenter	DH	.179	106	19	7	4	21		5	Harrison Bader	CF	.250	84	21	0	5	17
6	Rougned Odor	2B	.208	77	16	5	3	15		6	Willie Calhoun	DH	.230	87	20	3	3	9
7	Ha-Seong Kim	3B	.239	155	37	7	5	17		7	Isiah Kiner-Falefa	LF	.206	97	20	3	3	7
8	Trent Grisham	CF	.185	162	30	12	5	14		8	Kyle Higashioka	C	.173	75	13	3	3	11
9	Austin Nola	C	.134	97	13	2	1	7		9	Anthony Volpe	SS	.197	188	37	5	7	20

Line Score

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Padres	1	2	0							3	2	0
Yankees	1	0	5							6	7	2

Box Score

Padres Batters	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	LOB	AVG	OPS		Yankees Batters	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	LOB	AVG	OPS
1 Tatis Jr. RF	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	.250	.772		1 Torres 2B	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	.265	.801
2 Cronenworth 1B	2	1	1	1	0	1	0	.217	.732		2 Judge RF	2	2	2	2	0	0	0	.295	1.043
3 Bogaerts SS	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	.255	.749		3 Rizzo 1B	2	0	1	1	0	1	0	.305	.884
4 Carpenter DH	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.178	.657		4 LeMahieu 3B	2	0	0	0	0	1	2	.254	.745
5 Odor 2B	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.205	.672		5 Bader CF	2	1	0	1	0	0	1	.244	.740
6 Kim, Ha 3B	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	.239	.705		6 Calhoun, W DH	2	0	1	1	0	0	0	.236	.699
7 Grisham CF	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.184	.654		7 Kiner-Falefa LF	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.204	.604
8 Azocar LF	1	1	1	1	0	0	0	.244	.550		8 Higashioka C	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	.184	.599
9 Nola, Au C	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.133	.438		9 Volpe SS	1	1	1	1	0	0	0	.201	.643
Totals	11	3	2	2	1	5	1				Totals	15	6	7	6	0	2	3

BATTING		BATTING
HR: Cronenworth (6, 1st inning off Cole, 0 on, 1 out).		2B: Higashioka (4, Darvish); Calhoun, W (4, Darvish).
TB: Azocar; Cronenworth 4.		HR: Judge (15, 1st inning off Darvish, 0 on, 1 out).
RBI: Azocar (2); Cronenworth (19).		TB: Calhoun, W 2; Higashioka 2; Judge 5; Rizzo; Torres; Volpe.
2-out RBI: Azocar.		RBI: Bader (18); Calhoun, W (10); Judge 2 (35); Rizzo (32); Volpe (21).
Team RISP: 1-for-2.		2-out RBI: Calhoun, W.
		Team RISP: 5-for-7.
	FIELDING
	E: Bader (2, throw); Higashioka (4, throw).

Padres Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	ERA		Yankees Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	ERA
Darvish	2.2	7	6	6	0	2	1	4.45		Cole	3.0	2	3	2	1	5	1	2.67
Carlton	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
Totals	2.2	7	6	6	0	2	1			Totals	3.0	2	3	2	1	5	1

Scoring Plays

Team	Inning	Play	SD	NYY
SD	▲ 1	Jake Cronenworth homers (6) on a fly ball to right center field.	1	0
NYY	▼ 1	Aaron Judge homers (15) on a fly ball to left center field.	1	1
SD	▲ 2	Jose Azocar singles on a line drive to center fielder Harrison Bader. Ha-Seong Kim scores. Jose Azocar scores. Throwing error by center fielder Harrison Bader. Throwing error by catcher Kyle Higashioka.	3	1
NYY	▼ 3	Anthony Volpe singles on a ground ball to center fielder Trent Grisham. Kyle Higashioka scores. Anthony Volpe to 2nd.	3	2
NYY	▼ 3	Aaron Judge singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jose Azocar. Anthony Volpe scores. Gleyber Torres to 2nd.	3	3
NYY	▼ 3	Anthony Rizzo singles on a sharp line drive to right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. Gleyber Torres scores. Aaron Judge to 2nd.	3	4
NYY	▼ 3	Harrison Bader grounds into a force out, shortstop Xander Bogaerts to second baseman Rougned Odor. Aaron Judge scores. Anthony Rizzo out at 2nd. Harrison Bader to 1st.	3	5
NYY	▼ 3	Willie Calhoun doubles (4) on a line drive to center fielder Trent Grisham. Harrison Bader scores.	3	6

Highlights

Highlight	Duration
Jake Cronenworth drills a solo home run to right	00:28
Aaron Judge cracks a solo homer to left-center	00:31
Aaron Judge takes away a home run	00:24

It's time for another episode discussion! Provide your thoughts on this episode in the comments, and come back tomorrow to discuss the next episode: You're So Vain, You Probably Think This Zit is About You!
Season 1 Episode 12: On the Road Again?
Aired: July 28, 2006
Description: When Hannah Montana stays at the Tipton Hotel in Boston, she befriends the candy counter girl Maddie Fitzpatrick who is a big fan of Robby Ray, the "Honkytonk Heartthrob." When Maddie talks to Hannah about his career, Miley begins to believe that her father gave up his career so that she could pursue her own. She recruits his former manager to get him back on the road, and Robby goes to San Diego while Roxy takes care of Miley and Jackson at home. Unfortunately, Roxy is very overprotective and will not let them out of her sight. Jackson gets fed up with this and goes to San Diego, followed by Miley and Roxy. Upon seeing his father perform and his opportunity to go on tour, Jackson changes his mind; however, Robby Ray also changes his mind because he doesn't want to leave his kids again. In the end, Robby explains to Miley that, in the beginning, he didn't give up his dream because he had to – he did it because he wanted to. At the end of the episode, Robby and Miley perform an encore of "I Want My Mullet Back" complete with mullet wigs and Jackson, also wearing a mullet, doing the underarm trumpet. Maddie also shows up as a crazed Robby Ray fan but is chased away by Roxy.

Just back from a glorious 9 days in Rome. There's no other place like it and I felt so lucky to be able to go, My three initial aims in this trip were: (a) see my hometown hero Bruce Springsteen amongst my ancestral people (they literally sing along to not just the lyrics but the guitar riffs etc too) as well as (b) sink or swim as I continue to practice my Italian language skills (I've been taking lessons with a tutor for 2 years but there's nothing like just being thrown into the world of the language to sharpen up and get very comfortable conversing) and (c) do hours upon hours of photo walks (I ended up averaging 30k steps a day every day aside from the two sick days).
In brief, I split the trip up into two halves: the first half I stayed up on Avantino hill (it's very close to the Circo Massimo, so it was an easy spot for the concert) and the second half in a quiet pocket of Trastevere a block or two west of the river south of Ponte Paladino.My Avantino air bnb host gave me some great neighborhood places in nearby Testaccio (another wonderful neighborhood that tourists don't seem to wander into very much), and I found a fantastic and slightly quirky place for espresso also in Testaccio (I'm an espresso fiend).If you haven't been to Avantino, it almost reminded me of the Italian Beacon Hill (for those familiar with Boston).
It had the feeling of a Tuscan village that just happened to be somehow in the middle of Rome. It's where the famous key hole is that frames St. Peters, as well as the Giardino degli Aranci and Santa Sabina's, which is a gorgeous church from 422 AD. Staying here felt very relaxing and peaceful and even though some tourists did make their way to the keyhole every day, it had a very tranquil vibe, despite the fact that Circo Massimo was 5 minutes north and Testaccio was 5 minutes south.
Given that my favorite thing to do on vacation is just wander around with my Ricoh GR, I would begin every day in Avantino thusly:Get up, have an espresso at Tram Depot (always at the bar), walk around for a few hours and just see what I can find. Maybe I'd get a quick breakfast bite at the outstanding Casa Manco in the Testaccio market.
Then I'd go to for a big lunch at the wonderful Pecorino (also in Testaccio). This lunch would usually last an hour or two. It's a very cozy restaurant and the waiters are all very nice and so I'd often bring a book along with me or a notebook or I'd transfer pictures from my camera to my phone for editing in between courses. Lunch was often my largest meal of the day and sometimes my only "meal" of the day. (In normal life I train for marathons and am in the gym often and I'm super on top of my macros and making sure I get X amount of protein etc...on this trip, this was not the case.)
If I couldn't get into Pecorino for lunch or didn't end up in that area for lunch time, I'd either go there for dinner when they opened, or another excellent Testaccio spot called Perilli's. (There's also Piato Romano, which had excellent food but not quite the same cozy ambience as Pecorino.) I pretty much mainlined Amatriciana and Carbonara along with involtini, braised oxtail, and as much tiramisu as I could politely hurl into my maw. I like establishing some routines or rituals when I travel, especially when I travel solo, to help give the trip some grounding. It's also nice when you are far from home to be able to walk into a place where people begin to recognize you and accept you into their little circle, even if it is temporary.
For the second half of the trip in Trastevere...I got COVID! Sort of. The day after the concert, I noticed a heavy feeling in my upper airway/chest, but I figured it must have been all the second hand smoke I inhaled during the concert (from my observations, Romans thoroughly enjoy cigarettes). I wear an oura ring and while my HRV was low, nothing else stood out. That night though I developed a fever and spent the entire next day in bed. I was bummed, but frankly, after 5 nights in a row of being out from 8am to midnight, I needed a rest day anyway, so it wasn't bad timing. (How's that for spin?)
Not sure what my actual temperature was, but my oura ring said I was 4.3 degrees above my nightly average baseline, so I'm guessing my temperature was around 100-101 as my normal temperature on a thermometer seems to be around 96.6. I spent a good chunk of the next day in bed also, just napping (which was fairly pleasant as the cool breeze came in through the window, carrying the sounds of the three churches on Avantino, not to mention the bird calls and the pleasing sounds of people enjoying their meals on the street below). My baseline temp deviation was only +2 degrees the second night and by the end of the day, I felt good enough to have an appetite, but not quite good enough to stand upright, so I ordered some Trapizzino on uber eats (the polpetti/sugo and the melanzane were both glorious) and that revived me. By the next morning I was better!(In the end, I think this was covid because while I only had the fever for the two sick days, I lost most of my sense of smell sometime Thursday afternoon despite feeling fine. So maybe Covid? In the end, I missed out on a trip to Ostia Antica and a food tour, but the trip still felt extremely full of experiences.)
The rest of my time in Trastevere was great. Just wandering all around those crazy little winding streets, snapping away, always fueled by a caffè from the gruff but character-rich Bar San Calisto or the one across from my apartment, which was called "404 Name Not Found." I did eat lunch one day at Da Enzo which was good but not sure it's worth the hype given how much excellent food I had at restaurants with very little fanfare.
Da Enzo ended up being a great experience though because when they asked me how many and I said, "da solo," they asked if I would share the table if there was another single. I said sure, and ended up being paired up with a fellow endurance athlete, this one from France. Just one of the many fanciful moments that can happen when you travel solo. We also hung out again the next day for most of the morning and afternoon, and this was a sort of theme for my trip: running into people left and right, connecting, and making fast friends.
This is how I found myself getting invited to a Roman birthday party at the Piazza Testaccio one night for what felt like my 10th "out past midnight" night of the trip (again, a far cry from my normal life of "in bed at 9").In the end, what I will take away from this trip are a few things:
-the magic of learning a second language, and noticing your skills improving with every chat. Just the pleasure of hearing the Italian language and getting to practice it all day, every day (while making many mistakes). If you're going to Rome or Italy in general, I highly recommend you try and get yourself up to A2 in Italian. It's such a pleasurable language to speak and embrace, even if it's just at a beginner's level.
-the many conversations I had with shop owners or fellow bar patrons and the high-five I would give myself in my head when they would ask "if you're American, how come your accent is so good?" (Again, I'm a B1 speaker on my best day, but the compliment would always make my day given my beginner's nervousness at the start of the trip). A few times, people even just began talking to me, assuming I was Italian. (I am Italian-American, but having a Roman just start talking to you as one of their own meant a lot to the part of me that loves being Italian and feels a strong connection to the country, even from afar.)
-The Italian crowd at the Bruce show. Just a blast to sing along with them into the Roman sky, surrounded by ruins.-Mornings in Avantino spent in quiet contemplation in Santa Sabina or St Anselmo. A few times, the respective organists were practicing and I got my own concert.-After my two days sick in bed, when I returned to the Tram Depot and Casa Manco for sustenance, the proprietors both asked me one version or another or "tutto bene?" (as if to say, where ya been?). The man at Casa Manco blurted out "buon tornato!" when he saw me approach. Very warm-hearted people and they made me feel at home (along with the Pecorino staff, who were very kind to me and likely a little amused, wondering, why is this random American dude here every day eating for 2 hours?)
-A basic observation: I appreciated how people across seemingly different walks of life all talk to each other as equals. I saw street sweepers chatting with businessmen in the street in a way that would seem less likely in America. Maybe this is a class thing? Perhaps the gap in salaries is not so large like it is in America, and therefore people feel like one giant middle class together? Related: many younger Italians I spoke to told me how hard it was to live in Rome as a young person, as salaries were not very good, and unless you had 1-2 roommates or parents who could pay your rent, you would most likely have a longer commute coming into the city every day.
-The fact that behind every nook and cranny and around every corner, there is something spectacular to see. Whether it's the ruins that stand adjacent to the jewish ghetto in a reminder of the layers upon layers of civilizations that once existed in this city, or just the way the morning light creates a shaft down some medieval cobblestone street, it is a magical place to walk around. By the end of each very long day, my mind was just fried, both from working overtime with trying to speak Italian and from the sheer overstimulation of seeing so much beauty.
Anyway, this was not my first trip to Rome, but it was my first trip in MANY years, and it was precisely the life affirming and humanity affirming trip I needed this year after a rough and precarious start to 2023. Next trip, I will likely fly into Rome, spend 3-ish days there, and then head somewhere to the southern coast. As much as I love Roman food, it would be nice to be inundated with fresh sardines the same way this trip found me OD'ing on carbonara.
To me, this trip really captured the beauty of solo travel: I had plenty of experiences to enjoy my own company, but in my efforts to engage with the language and culture, I was eager to seek out interactions, and many of those interactions lead to further interactions. Whether it was helping an older Italian woman find the church she was looking for and the ensuing 20 minute conversation in Italian as we navigated, or wandering into a green juice place in Rome and expressing my shock and appreciation at the sight of vegetables to the owner that lead into a conversation about my union's current strike or finding an amazing children's book store while searching for a gift for my nephew and talking to the owner of the shop about books for an hour, just seeking ways to meaningfully engage and having a curiosity about the people and places I encountered really made for an enriching solo travel experience, because as Rolf Potts points out, had I been with a friend on this trip, we would have created our own bubble, and this bubble would have kept others out.
This being a solo travel sub, I will say that there's always that early part of the trip where you feel alone and disoriented after arriving in a new place after flying all night, like, "ah maybe I should have broken the trip up, or not made for such a long stay, etc" but whenever I felt that way in the early day and a half, I would just force myself to engage more fully with the world around me. Remember, the satisfaction of this kind of travel comes in the context of being outside your comfort zone, and the area outside that zone can be a little uncomfortable! But by the end, I didn't want to leave. And that's for me where the real magic of travel is.
Anyway, thank you to Rome and it's people for one of the best times in my 39 years.(If anyone is curious, I'll be posting many photos from this trip at my IG@ rovinglumix.

No one can ever predict a Bill Belichick draft.
When people start assuming he’ll act based on his stereotypes (first-round trade down, OL early, no early WRs, all Alabama players or small school guys or guys from Rutgers), he’ll do the opposite. When the consensus is that he’ll shift away from those stereotypes, he’ll lean right into them.
So in observing mock drafts, both full and team-centric, there was a lot of accord that he would follow those stereotypes. (Adam Korsak, both a punter and from Rutgers, was EVERYWHERE.)
But then the end of April came.
Before then, New England had suffered a 2022 season full of embarrassment, from Matt Patricia and Joe Judge’s ineptitude at running the offense to a team that seemed to find new ways to lose in humiliating fashion (a certain ill-fated lateral sequence peak among them). The Patriots went from their dynastic reign as a team which would trounce their opponents in laughers to the team that everyone pointed and laughed at. Mac Jones’ Patricia- and Judge-sparked regression along with impressive cameo appearances by ‘22 rookie Bailey Zappe split the fanbase into Mac and Zappe camps, with sports media fueling the flame by spreading or outright fabricating rumors of Belichick shopping Mac, rumors which lasted through the first day of the draft. It was an ugly season and an uglier start to the offseason.
The franchise clearly needed to make changes in 2023, and changes started near the top. Patricia and Judge lost their roles, the former joining the Eagles coaching staff and the latter moving to lead special teams, a necessary move as this Belichick-led squad had plummeted to the lowest-ranked third unit. (More on that later.) Patricia had filled the dual roles of de facto offensive coordinator and facto offensive line coach, and filled both roles with the acumen of me designing plays in Backyard Football 2002, except I could actually design plays that resulted in touchdowns. Judge had manned the quarterbacks room, and given that Daniel Jones finally broke out for the Giants once Judge had been booted from mentoring him, you can guess how that went for Mac and the Pats. In his new role in charge of special teams, he has already cost the team two OTAs and Bill Belichick $50,000 for an offseason meetings violation, and has elevated his 2022 title of Co-Most Hated Man in Foxboro to Single Most Hated Man in Foxboro.
Anyway, New England needed to fill their old roles, and brought in:
Bill O’Brien, Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Coach A long-time friend of Belichick’s, O’Brien returns for his second stint as Pats OC, having dictated the offense in Rob Gronkowski’s record-setting 2011 season. Additionally, O’Brien comes by way of running the offense and the QB room at the University of Alabama, which spawned Mac Jones. Mac regressed in 2022 after an impressive 2021, but recall that 2022 was under the abysmal leadership of Patricia (calling his plays) and Judge (his direct coach), a situation in which no one could develop. By bringing in his old OC and QB coach, Mac has been put in the best possible position to develop in ‘23, a position which will much more clearly give fans a vision of his future as an NFL quarterback. (And the playcalling will be legitimate! It’s been but a year and we have already forgotten what creativity, route concepts, and misdirection have looked like!)
Adrian Klemm, Offensive Line Coach Belichick’s first draft pick after taking the helm in New England in 2000, Klemm has joined the team after coaching at Oregon last year. He comes with a strong reputation at that coaching position, having headed a Ducks O-line that allowed just five sacks in 2022. Last season, the Patriots saw a regression from their veterans on the line, most notably in Trent Brown’s newfound flag-happiness, and first-round rookie guard Cole Strange put forth a mixed performance. Bringing in an actual offensive line coach gives the team the best chance to fix any issues that showed in ‘22 and to develop their young linemen.
Of course, coaching was not the only issue last season, as New England was criticized for their lack of talent on the roster. Of New England’s high-cash free agent class of 2021, only edge rusher Matthew Judon shined in both his seasons in Foxboro: neither tight end Jonnu Smith nor wideout Nelson Agholor ever got off the ground, tight end Hunter Henry regressed after a solid ‘21, and wideout Kendrick Bourne found himself suddenly in Patricia’s doghouse and off the field. Moves needed to be made as the calendar turned to free agency.
Notable Departures
S Devin McCourty (retired) The most prominent departure from the ‘22 squad, McCourty is one of many who can be termed a quintessential Patriot. A first-round cornerback out of Rutgers in 2010, D-Mac made the switch to safety in 2012 and locked down the position for the next decade. When he was on the verge of leaving the team in free agency in 2015, even reaching out to Belichick to say goodbye, Belichick signed him to a top-valued safety contract and kept him in red, white, and blue. His leadership and personality made him a joy to watch on the field and off, his personality showing itself especially well recently through interactions with his twin brother Jason, who played alongside him for the Patriots from 2018 to ‘20. Statistically, D-Mac ends his career with 35 interceptions, one shy of the franchise record, and 4 touchdowns (two picks, a kickoff return, and a blocked field goal return). We miss him already.
P Jake Bailey (released; signed with Miami) What a drop. After an All-Pro season in 2020, Bailey signed a four-year extension in 2022 only to become the worst statistical punter in the league. After he was injured, the Patriots brought in Michael Palardy, who managed to be even worse (personally, I blame the team’s curse that comes with the jersey number 17). Neither punter remains with the team, Bailey joining an AFC East rival in the Dolphins and Palardy currently unsigned.
TE Jonnu Smith (traded to Atlanta) There is a strong case to be made that Smith is the worst free agency signing Belichick has made as Pats GM. In the two years since inking a 4-year, $50 million deal, Smith totaled just 55 catches for 539 yards and one touchdown, and a ‘22 restructure of his contract meant that Smith appeared to be a monetary albatross the Patriots would not be able to shake loose. What led to Atlanta agreeing to take on his whole contract, sending New England a seventh-round pick to get the player, I have no idea, but I think every Pats fan would agree that Smith didn’t work out in the least and a change was best for all sides.
WR Jakobi Meyers (signed with Las Vegas) Meyers’ departure was somewhat shocking, as the 2019 UDFA had worked his way up to the top of the Patriots’ wide receiver depth chart. More of a big slot guy than an outside #1, Meyers had a minor role in his rookie season and started 2020 at the bottom of the depth chart, but injuries to the players above him got him onto the field, and a 12-catch, 169-yard performance against the Jets that November meant he wasn’t leaving it anytime soon. While not possessing top-tier speed or explosiveness, Meyers was the team’s best route runner and separator, and his departure left another void that needed to be filled.
QB Brian Hoyer (released, signed with Las Vegas) Hoyer was third on the depth chart, Zappe having shown enough to take the #2 spot. While a fine veteran mentor, the Patriots chose to go a different direction with that third QB role.
WR Nelson Agholor (signed with Baltimore) Agholor was given a two-year contract in 2021 with the anticipation of his being the #1 receiver, something which did not happen due to his unreliable hands and separation abilities. For those two years and $22 million, Agholor produced 68 catches, 835 yards, and five touchdowns. Not worth it.
RB Damien Harris (signed with Buffalo) By far the most productive member of the Patriots’ atrocious 2019 draft class, Harris was good in New England but had been passed on the depth chart by sophomore Rhamondre Stevenson midway through 2022. Couple that with Belichick’s predilection to let running backs walk instead of giving them second contracts, sprinkle in a dash of two ‘22 draft picks (Pierre Strong Jr. and Kevin Harris) who will get more opportunities in 2023, top it off with the return of Ty Montgomery II from injured reserve, and it’s no surprise that Harris is no longer a Patriot.
T Isaiah Wynn (signed with Miami) Another former first-round pick, Wynn was all right as a left tackle though was criticized for frequent injury problems; with his fifth-year option picked up for ‘22, he was inexplicably switched to right tackle, where he was very bad. He never really earned the role of franchise tackle, so it was expected that the Patriots would let him walk.
But on the upside, the team now has:
Additions
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (via Kansas City) After Meyers signed with the Raiders, the Patriots worked quickly to bring in his replacement in the slot. Smith-Schuster revived his career in Kansas City and is now in position to be a primary target for Mac for the next three seasons, possessing more explosiveness and speed than his predecessor. The biggest concern with JuJu is his durability, but I believe the Patriots have made preparations in the draft (spoiler) in case that becomes a significant problem. The fanbase is excited for Smith-Schuster on the field in Foxboro, and deservedly so.
RB James Robinson (via New York (the green side)) A one-time breakout UDFA in Jacksonville, Robinson’s role diminished with the rise of Travis Etienne Jr.; after being traded to the Jets, Robinson never got settled into a role. In New England, Robinson is likely first in line for the #2 RB spot behind Stevenson, an important role given that Stevenson’s overwork saw his productivity decline as last season came to an end. Robinson also possesses the pass-catching versatility that Belichick loves, a role Harris was never used in but Stevenson is, further suggesting he can have a significant spot on the field for the Pats.
TE Mike Gesicki (via Miami) As Smith never worked out as the co-#1 TE, here comes Gesicki. A pure pass catcher at the position, Gesicki has the size and hands to be a reliable target in the red zone, and should pair nicely with Henry for a potential TE-heavy formation as the team approaches the goal line.
T Riley Reiff (via Chicago) T Calvin Anderson (via Denver) While neither comes with the contract expectation of being a long-term solution at either tackle spot, the hope is that Reiff (expected to start at RT) will be an upgrade over Wynn, while Anderson serves as a reliable swing tackle who can start if needed.
LB Chris Board Jr. (via Detroit) Remember that awful special teams unit? Board is one of the NFL’s top special teamers, a player Belichick singled out when New England faced the Lions last year. It’s unsurprising he brought in such a veteran to help solidify the unit after… just all of last year.
QB Trace McSorley (via Arizona) By bringing in McSorley in Hoyer’s stead, the team is showing a bit of a shift in philosophy with how it is using its backup QB spots. Both Mac and Zappe are pocket passers; McSorley does most of his work outside the pocket and can run with regularity, a trend more common among top-level quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. At minimum, he’s worth a camp spot, and that’s fine.
P Corliss Waitman (via Denver) Following the implosion of Bailey and Palardy at punter, the Patriots were on the verge of entering the draft with none on the roster. Waitman is a veteran addition there, but pretty much everyone expected New England to add a punter either as a draft pick or UDFA. (Another spoiler – my bad.)
After this free agency, many saw the Patriots as still having holes at the top of their depth chart at wideout, tackle, and cornerback. Tight end was also considered a need as New England, despite adding Gesicki to pair with Henry, does not have a tight end signed beyond 2023, entering the draft with only Matt Sokol and Scotty Washington behind their name duo.
Then they went on the clock, entering the draft with:
1-14 2-46 3-76 4-107 4-117 4-135 6-184 6-187 6-192 6-210 7-245
Here’s how it all went down.
Draft Picks
TRADE: 1-14 to PIT for 1-17 and 4-120 Although this trade was criticized for receiving too little back from Pittsburgh, it was not a major loss in capital according to the Rich Hill value chart (325 points to PIT, 320 to NE), and it came with enough high-level talent on the board that the Patriots were sure to get one of their targets. The way the board fell, fans most wanted Christian Gonzalez, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Zay Flowers, or Broderick Jones; when the Steelers took Jones, it became clear that the Patriots were not interested in him (reports came out that the Patriots had not been interested in Jones at all due to coachability concerns), but they were sure to land an exciting player after moving down only three spots rather than the seven-plus many mockers had predicted. Additionally, the Steelers landing Jones appeared to knock the Jets’ war room for a loop (though later video has shown that the Jets were expecting the trade), and the only thing New England fans love more than a victory is an opportunity to screw over the Jets.
1-17: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon The Patriots’ selection of Gonzalez received universal acclaim, and it’s easy to see why. Despite having strong CB depth, the Patriots lacked a true #1 corner; Gonzalez has the ability, length, and athleticism to be that from Day One. The first-round pick via Colorado and Oregon was widely projected as a top-10 selection, so for New England to land him at 17 is a tremendous coup. From his interviews and his play style, Gonzalez seems like a quiet guy off the field who wants to shut the opponent down when on the turf. He’ll be fun to watch.
2-46: Keion White, ED, Georgia Tech White is another player falling under the new Patriots draft umbrella under Belichick and Matt Groh: as athletic as can be. While he is raw, White has the athleticism to play three downs along the defensive line and the versatility to move inside when the situation calls for it. The Patriots thought so highly of him that he was a player they were considering drafting in the first round, even considering a move back into the last picks of the round to snag him, but landed him at 46 anyway. How much he will play as a rookie is uncertain as New England has a very good edge duo in Matthew Judon and Josh Uche, but even if White has to take a year to get acclimated to the NFL, that’s not unheard of in Foxboro and has produced success for highly-touted picks: neither Nate Solder (first round) nor Trey Flowers (fourth round) took on long-term starting roles as rookies (though Solder filled in at right tackle plenty), but were established starters in their second years. Similarly, Uche (second round) started off as an occasionally-used part of a pass rushing rotation before hitting double-digit sacks last year, his third season in the league. And if White earns significant playing time in 2023, all the better.
3-76: Marte Mapu, LB, Sacramento State Here’s that small-school selection that detractors tend to point at regarding Belichick, but Mapu has elite potential. I got tipped off to Mapu late in the pre-draft cycle, and watching film of him I was reminded a lot of Kyle Dugger, another small-school Day 2 player who has turned into an excellent Patriot. Mapu is going to play linebacker, likely his best position, and fill the role of coverage ‘backer that New England has lacked for several seasons. He’s also athletic and scheme-versatile, having spent time at safety and linebacker while at Sacramento State, so he will be able to move around the defensive formation if the situation calls for it. Add to that his tackling, his closing speed, and his containment, and you’ve got yourself a potential stud.
4-107: Jake Andrews, C, Troy The Patriots need their future long-term center with David Andrews now 31 and having an injury history, and Jake Andrews (unrelated) is set up perfectly to be that guy. Andrews the Younger is built in the same mold as Andrews the Elder: both exited college as smaller in stature than other centers but able to get a push on defensive linemen from below, meaning Jake can easily learn specific bits of technique from David. While not expected to play the role immediately, [anagram: Ned Was a Jerk] is now in position to spend time behind [anagram: Swan Diver Dad], preparing himself to take over at center in the near future.
TRADE: 4-120 and 6-184 to NYJ for 4-112 4-112: Chad Ryland, K, Maryland This is not the first time Belichick has selected a kicker in the fourth round, selecting Stephen Gostkowski with pick 118 in 2006; with the Patriots in desperate need for a strong player at the position, moving up to make sure they could land him makes sense (especially with Jake Moody being selected by the 49ers at 3-99). And Ryland is what Nick Folk is not: a big-legged kicker with kickoff ability. Folk has been appreciated in New England for his accuracy, but his distance and accuracy notably declined in 2022, and when forced to kick off, his lack of touchback distance led to trouble, the Patriots surrendering a league-high three kick return touchdowns (including two in the season finale). It’s clear an upgrade at kicker was a requirement this offseason; with Moody gone, giving up a sixth to move up eight spots is absolutely fine. In doing so, New England has hopefully landed their kicker for the next decade.
4-117: Sidy Sow, G, Eastern Michigan At this point, it may be considered confusing for the Patriots to have drafted a left guard in Sow when last year’s first-round pick Cole Strange is entrenched there and Mike Onwenu mans right guard at an elite level, but Groh’s post-draft comments indicated the team would give Sow opportunities at left tackle as well. And not only does Sow have experience at left tackle, he has the size at 6’5” and 326 pounds. New England’s projected starting tackles are veterans Trent Brown and Riley Reiff, both of whom are over 30 and are in contract years; if Sow returns to the position, the former mauling EMU Eagle (heh, two birds) offensive lineman could ease the need at tackle for next offseason.
TRADE: 4-135 to LV for 5-144 and 6-214 5-144: Atonio Mafi, G, UCLA Another interior lineman? Yes. Mafi is a guard whom the Patriots worked with at the Shrine Bowl, and has the versatility to move between left and right guard. As the aforementioned Onwenu is in a contract year, Mafi has a clear path to a potential starting job in 2024, and the most important thing right now for the development of Mac Jones is keeping him upright. By selecting three offensive linemen – using a quarter of their 12 selections on the offensive trench – Belichick and Groh have signaled their intent to do just that. From all accounts, Mafi, who met with New England in a pre-draft visit, is thrilled to join the team; now it’s about proving it on the field.
6-187: Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU Boutte is the epitome of a boom-or-bust prospect, his elite 2020 and ‘21 being overshadowed by a disappointing 2022 that dropped him from clear first-rounder to a middle-of-Day-3 selection. As a freshman and sophomore, Boutte looked to follow in the footsteps of highly-drafted LSU wideouts such as Odell Beckham Jr., Justin Jefferson, and JaMarr Chase, showing a complete package of agility, speed, and route running. Unfortunately, an injury plus conflicts with his new coach Brian Kelly led to underperformance, and a poor combine performance cemented his draft stock as having drastically fallen. But if he can get back to his earlier form, where his talent and athleticism led to a combined 83 receptions, 1244 yards, and 14 touchdowns in his first two college seasons, Boutte could become the steal of the draft.
6-192: Bryce Baringer, P, Michigan State While New England had signed Corliss Waitman so as to have a punter on the roster heading into the draft, none assumed he was the long-term answer; when the Patriots made Baringer the first punter taken in the 2023 draft, it became clear who was. A walk-on turned cut turned best punter in college football, Baringer has a booming leg that showed itself in an average punt length of 49.0 yards in ‘22; he also holds the Michigan State record for career punting average at 46.0 yards. As a bonus, he worked with Ryland at the Senior Bowl, so the two have already begun to develop chemistry in the holding game. As another bonus, he wore No. 99 in college, and that is awesome.
6-210: Demario Douglas, WR, Liberty When one imagines a typical Patriots slot receiver – small, shifty, and explosive with the ball in his hands – one might well be imagining Douglas. The five-foot-eight Liberty product can absolutely fly, moving all around the formation and catching balls at all levels of the field. New Englanders got a preview of what Douglas’ game might look like when rookie cornerback Marcus Jones began to take snaps on offense last year; Jones was often put in motion before the snap, worked out of the backfield, and assigned touches where his elusiveness was the spark to gain yards. Douglas has said he models his game after Jones, a claim that demonstrates itself when one views his collegiate tape. I had a third-round grade on Douglas, so the Patriots landing him at 210 is a thrill. (Even though the Giants took one of my draft crushes in Tre Hawkins III the pick before, for which I’m still irked.)
6-214: Ameer Speed, CB, Michigan State The unknown about Speed is whether he will develop on defense; that is not his skill at the moment. There are three things known: his size (6’3”, 210 lbs.), his speed (4.34s 40), and his special teams prowess. With longtime special teams captain Matthew Slater likely entering his last year, the Patriots need to develop a new crop of special teams standouts, long a hallmark of Belichick’s Patriots from the time of Larry Izzo. Last year’s UDFA Brenden Schooler looks like one of those players already; Speed will certainly be given every chance possible to be another.
7-245: Isaiah Bolden, CB, Jackson State More tall athletic cornerbacks! The only HBCU selection in the 2023 draft, Bolden is an incredible athlete who likely earned his way to a draft selection by lighting up his Pro Day. Though just a role player on defense, Bolden has developmental traits that any defensive coach would love, and has also been a top collegiate kick returner, leading all of college football in 2021 with a 36.9-yard average on kickoff returns. I don’t see the two late-round cornerback selections as “throw players on the field and see who sticks” à la the ill-fated dual tight end picks of Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene in 2020’s third round, but selecting players who might have longer chances to succeed, but if they do succeed can truly shine.
Though Bolden was the last of the Patriots’ 2023 draft picks, that did not conclude their rookie class as the period of UDFA signings immediately began. The Patriots have had an undrafted rookie make the Week 1 roster every year since 2004; with just a four-man class this season, chances are slim. They’re not impossible – their only 2021 UDFA, kicker Quinn Nordin, made it – but they’re definitely slimmer. Here are the four who can continue that streak.
Undrafted Rookies
Malik Cunningham, QB, Louisville The most expensive ($200,000) and well-known of the quartet, Cunningham’s slight build and arm as a quarterback led to piles of speculation of his switching positions. However, he has started off his Patriots tenure as a quarterback in rookie minicamp, so he remains a quarterback until further notice. Throughout college, Cunningham’s most intriguing asset has been his supreme athleticism at the position, something which showed up in testing, and it remains to be seen how the Patriots will use that athleticism to help the team. (It may be a good while until outside sources get a look, as minicamp and OTAs have thus far been closed off to the media.)
Johnny Lumpkin, TE, Louisiana-Lafayette After foregoing using a selection on a tight end in a deep draft class (another Belichick trend), New England instead brought in Lumpkin, who projects as a blocking tight end in the NFL. This offsets the biggest negative, his age (he’ll be 26 to start the season), as the Patriots lack a true blocker at the position. Whether Lumpkin can take advantage of this path to a roster spot remains to be seen, but his road to making the team as an undrafted rookie seems easiest at the moment.
Jourdan Heilig, LB, Appalachian State Like Board and Speed, Heilig joins the Patriots as a special teams standout, playing minimal defense as a Mountaineer (three snaps in 2022) but standing out in college on the third unit (210 snaps in 2022). He’ll have a chance to follow in the path of Schooler as a UDFA who makes his mark as a core special teamer.
Justus Tavai, DL, San Diego State The middle of the Tavai brothers (older brother Jahlani is a Patriots linebacker, younger brother Jonah signed with Seattle as a UDFA), Justus played alongside Jonah on the Aztec defensive line in 2022. While Jonah put up eye-popping numbers with double-digit sacks, Justus was a steady contributor as well, putting up 3.5 sacks and intercepting a pass. Tavai is the ninth man on the Patriots’ defensive line right now, so he has a difficult path if he wants to make the team.
He’s not an undrafted rookie, but the Patriots have also brought in veteran free agent Anthony Firsker, TE to compete with Lumpkin, Sokol, and Washington for the third tight end spot, the roster spot opened with their losing reserve Raekwon McMillan, LB to a partially torn Achilles tendon.
Projected Offseason Depth Chart (italics = rookie, (in parentheses = exclusively or primarily a special teamer)) (Note: the Patriots assign temporary jersey numbers in the offseason starting with 50 based mainly on draft position.)
QB 10 Mac Jones 4 Bailey Zappe 19 Trace McSorley 64 Malik Cunningham
RB 38 Rhamondre Stevenson 3 James Robinson 14 Ty Montgomery II 35 Pierre Strong Jr. 36 Kevin Harris 42 J.J. Taylor
WR 1 DeVante Parker 7 JuJu Smith-Schuster 84 Kendrick Bourne 11 Tyquan Thornton 58 Kayshon Boutte 60 Demario Douglas 82 Tre Nixon (44 Raleigh Webb) (18 Matthew Slater)
TE 85 Hunter Henry 88 Mike Gesicki 86 Anthony Firsker 87 Matt Sokol 17 Scotty Washington 65 Johnny Lumpkin
T 77 Trent Brown 74 Riley Reiff 76 Calvin Anderson 75 Conor McDermott 64 Andrew Stueber
G 71 Mike Onwenu 69 Cole Strange 54 Sidy Sow 55 Atonio Mafi 63 Chasen Hines 62 Bill Murray
C 60 David Andrews 53 Jake Andrews 65 James Ferentz 66 Kody Russey
DL 90 Christian Barmore 92 Davon Godchaux 91 Deatrich Wise Jr. 93 Lawrence Guy Sr. 95 Daniel Ekuale 98 Carl Davis Jr. 96 Sam Roberts 70 Jeremiah Pharms Jr. 67 Justus Tavai
ED 9 Matthew Judon 55 Josh Uche 51 Keion White 58 Anfernee Jennings (97 DaMarcus Mitchell) 51 Ronnie Perkins
LB 8 Ja’Whaun Bentley 48 Jahlani Tavai 52 Marte Mapu 30 Mack Wilson Sr. (45 Chris Board Jr.) 43 Calvin Munson 59 Terez Hall 47 Olakunle Fatukasi (66 Jourdan Heilig)
CB 50 Christian Gonzalez 31 Jonathan Jones 13 Jack Jones 25 Marcus Jones 27 Myles Bryant (61 Ameer Speed) 63 Isaiah Bolden 37 Tae Hayes 26 Shaun Wade 34 Quandre Mosely 39 Rodney Randle Jr.
S 23 Kyle Dugger 5 Jabrill Peppers 2 Jalen Mills 21 Adrian Phillips 24 Joshuah Bledsoe (41 Brenden Schooler) (22 Cody Davis) 29 Brad Hawkins
K 62 Chad Ryland 6 Nick Folk
P 59 Bryce Baringer 15 Corliss Waitman
LS 49 Joe Cardona 46 Tucker Addington
Conclusion Is this a perfect Patriots team? No. There are still long-term holes at offensive tackle and tight end, and there is a question mark as to who can be that pass catcher whom defensive coordinators have to plan for, a player the team has lacked for several seasons.
But is this an exciting Patriots roster, a team who has a chance to exceed their middling projections and expectations, a team worth watching and cheering for? Absolutely. Belichick and company have stabilized the coaching staff; added explosive, athletic players at nearly every position; brought in a new crew of players to take over special teams; and begun their draft with three players who could not only start in the NFL but have the potential to star. I fully believe that this is not an 8-9 caliber team, even in an AFC East with three other teams that have added big name after big name.
As Bill Belichick might say, we’re on to 2023.
We’re on to victory.

We just got back, Italy is magical. Only been to Rome once before as part of Europe hopping trip about 10 years ago. Some thoughts and tricks on our 10 nights, hope it's helpful for others:
Weather: Don't stress too much on forecasts even a week out. Check before leaving and adjust wardrobe or add a light rain jacket if needed. Originally our entire trip showed rain the whole time. Realistically there was a 1 drizzly day in Venice and 2 hour of rain (ominous with thunder) in Florence. The rest of the time was cloudy or beautiful and clear. Cinque Terre was absolutely clear and 70, but dang that sun when hiking was brutally hot. App: Il Meteo
Download WhatsApp - everyone including hotels, restaurants, business, taxi driver (see below) uses it.
Esim: Airalo worked well for us Samsung S22 and Pixel 6. Did have to reboot my S22, but worked really well and between the 2 of us used about 5GB so couldn't gone with less data. One phone did the Europe regional and another the Italy Mamma Mia one. Some restaurants do have dead zones, some have Wifi, another was like these signs on the wall are your wifi....
Driving: You definitely need a car for Tuscany if you want to be on your own timetable, we rented out of Florence and returned in La Spezia. Beware some of the routes on Google Maps, although reliable there were 2 instances we went off roading when an asphalt road was right there. Then we needed to u-turn on the outskirts of Pisa and it was trying to get us to make this impossible stone walled turn and the locals were like yeah Google Maps has people do this and no one has made that so just turn back around. Also lesson learned for us - just do the rental company insurance, event though my credit card offers primary, we got a larger mid size SUV vs Fiat 500 and with the narrow streets, for me the reduced stress would've been worth it when we had to wiggle the car out some spots - but we came out scratch free. On a side note, we got a Lynk & Co car, which was neat and loved Android Auto as we use it at home. Rented thru Hertz. If you use the toll roads (which can make your life a lot faster sometime), make sure you grab a ticket coming in, we didn't get one for 1 segment, luckily getting off of it, the remote attendant spoke english, a little annoyed, but let us pay the fare from where we came from.
Parking: The meters we encountered in Montepulciano, Siena, Pisa seemed straight forward but sometimes card wouldn't work, the english translation was bad and cancelled out transaction multiple times. Just download EasyPark which seems to work everywhere, GPS your zone, link to GooglePay or credit card, license and boom, spin the clock - small fee less than 10%, but damn was it easy and you can add time or end early....
Trains: Download Trenitalia app, book any train instantly, get train status (where is the train currently), and see any station's timetable. Our Venice to Florence train did get delayed and stopped here and there in Bologna one weekend due to the flood damage, luckily our train wasn't cancelled. 5 days later, all trains seems to be back on track. Missed the big 5/26 strike by one day but I was seeing some trains via the app still scheduled. Basically be mentally prepared for any issues, booked an InterCity (assigned seats) from La Spezia to Pisa ahead of time but day of just waited to see when to schedule the regional from Pisa to Florence, so easy via app and you can see how often they run (30 mins for this route) and buy on demand as your schedule permits.
Booking museums/sights: It can be very tricky to google and find official booking sites as there are a lot of 3rd parties who want to get you a "front of the line pass" with a tour for a large markup. So I tried to book thru official sites as much as I can, for the life of us we couldn't get the Doges official to go through so did get those from Get the Guide for less than 5 euro markup for 2. If you are flexible and go off hours, you can do standby and avoid the nominal online booking fee and time spot, we only did these for some, not all. Maybe don't listen to me during summer months. But we did very little waiting - see below
Food: Note that I found classic italian cooking is much more simple, subtle and just pure flavors. Stuff was beautiful but by California standards, a tad underseasoned although some places did put out salt and pepper (default not request) for some dishes like a burrata. This is also coming from here in SoCal where birria is not enough it's birria ramen and hot cheetos encrusted this or that and 5 different types of toppings for mac and cheese - you know stuff for Instagram.... But I totally appreciated the approach and loved it.
Cities - we tend to do a lot on vacation, it may have been a touch quick but it was so fun, we did get a bit sick just with all the weather and change but nothing serious but was glad to get the downtime in Tuscany, we hit it hard first 2 places Venice and Florence. You may vacation differently, this was also our first trip abroad in 7 or so years so wanted to see ALLTHETHINGS.
Accommodations - We did mostly Airbnb which in Europe requires a meetup vs self check in. Did an incredible bed and breakfast (see Montepulciano) and finally a hotel in Florence for last night which I highly recommend for location and service - Arte Boutique (they helped me track down a lost backpack in a taxi, see below).
Safety - felt pretty safe and not scammy in all of our cities our Airbnb host in Florence said Italy overall is safe but he did confirm Rome you need to be more aware. Honestly we only carried 350 euro with us from US bank and that was plenty, near the end we were needing to use it up as everyone takes card, tap to pay, ApplePay and GooglePay freely. Taxi drivers do prefer cash
Staying calm story - we were ending our trip from Florence to airport in in my rush I left my backpack in backseat of taxi, it was gone before I realized we had our rollers and his backpack and duffel but not mine. Luckily my husband was like ok we will call the hotel (the only one we happened to book) who arranged the taxi, and luckily they tracked him down and he came back due to us allotting tons of time before departure. I had to pay the fare again for the backpack fare but was so relieved. We corresponded via WhatsApp after making the initial call to hotel.
Venice: 2 nights
- Sights: Doges (booked via Get the Guide) was cool, not the biggest museum person. Walk over Bridge of Sighs was uneventful from inside. St Mark Basilica had no advance tickets, but did standby for 3 eupp about 20 min before opening and got in within 10 mins, then hopped over to Campanile Tower w/o tickets, no line around 9-9:30 AM - great views.
- Eat: Faves were the quick bites chichetti (All'Arco, Cantina Do Spade), coffee and pastries and gelato (loved Suso). Our sit downs were not bad, just not mind blowing at Ai Mercanti and Imprompta (although seafood good). Also there's a small bar inside Cafe Florian if you want a macchiato for under 5 euro vs sitting down for a 12 euro cappucino and want a mini experience w/o wait.
It can be crowded mid-day but will calm down, very cool to walk or take vaparetto around and get lost, oops this alley dumps into a canal....
Florence: 2 nights
- Sights: Prebooked Galleria Accademia (a must, always a line), good museum experience if you don't necessarily need hours, so neat to see David here. Because not huge museum people, passed on the Uffuzi. Someone at lunch said hey Medici is cool, so did that on a whim w/o any wait and very cool, glad we did it on the fly. Prebooked Boboli Gardens, kinda tired by the time we got here and it had been drizzly and a bit humid, but nice to stroll. The larger fountain area you can't walk through anymore (Ocean fountain?). Also Piazza Michaelangelo for the Florence city center view. Lots of great shopping here, suggest start at Vale for a leather shop.
- Food: Ok so All Antico Vinaio although touristy is legit sandwich, very good and worth it. Tip: go to San Marco location, smaller wait by Galleria Accademia. GustaPizza was legit and very reasonable 7 euro for Margherita?! Fave gelato was Gelato Dei Neri and My Sugar. Mercato Centrale super cool to walk, shop for products, eat if you like. Trattoria Mario, email ahead for reservations - 1.1 kg florentine steak with small sides and salami/cheese plate all for under $70. Dall'Oste was good florentine but much pricier and touristy but had a good Montalcino wine there, book on website for discount for seatings outside of peak times, our 6 PM had 15% discount on food.
Tuscany: 2 nights Montepulciano, 1 night Siena
So beautiful, just the drive through Val D'Orcia. We stopped by San Gimignano and did the tower with no wait (150 stairs), Gelateria Donderia is overrated but fine, GO GO GO to Da'A'Mariani for sandwich here, sweet sweet man and just off the main street - recommended by Pasticcheria Il Criollo which was fabulous just outside city wall.
Stayed in Montepulciano, which was SO fabulous. Our true bed and breakfast was only 3 suites run on a property by 2 americans who moved to Italy - true hospitality and modern yet italian suite. They are booked solid this year, but it was sooo special. Huge breakfast spread every morning. It was true paradise there and the owners are gems - made awesome restaurant recommendations and reservations, driving route, etc. DM me if you want the name but don't bet on getting in for 2023. Restaurants in Montepulciano were Osteria Porto Di Baccio - great antipasto meat/cheese and pici, great typical osteria in wine cave then Le Logge Vignola which was very creative for a very reasonable price - you definitely need reservations for both maybe a few days ahead as both are fully booked by dinner. Gelato recc here would be Scarbia.
Siena - had the Siena OPA Si pass which I recommend, everything except the roof tour. Cathedral inside is a sight to see and includes works by Michaelangelo and Dontatello - ask worker where they are at, definitely do panaroma. This was helpful https://www.earthtrekkers.com/how-to-visit-the-siena-cathedral/ Walk to PastaZuf down the way from Piazza Campo for legit casual takeway pasta for 5-6 euro
Cinque Terre: 2 nights Riomaggiore
Yup, did Pisa as a quick stop on way to drop off car, it's neat and lots of parking (EasyPark app) to get in/out.
Stayed in Riomaggiore, CT is definitely touristy during the day but quiets down. Rick Steves was right, not overhyped. Every city is absolutely gorgeous. Did the hike from Monterosso-Vernazza-Corniglia - yes the HARD way with those stairs first leg but it was very rewarding and fun, can be tight in spots, started at 8 AM and ended in Corniglia around 11:15, start early as you can for less crowds. Train makes it easy to hop towns. Dinners included Rio Bistrot in Riomaggiore (checked in at lunch for dinner reservation same night) and Ristorante Belforte - both great views and suprisingly great food! Tasting menu is way to go at Rio Bistrot. Quick bites include fried seafood, so good. Be prepared for all the elevation/stairs/walking.
Edits: Add safety section, accommodations, and staying calm story.

We are less than a week away from kick off, and I thought to be a good idea that we ,as a fans, could share in this fantastic community our views of the teams we support. Rather than an expert breaking down all ELF rosters for us, we could break down and analyze the team we support for the others in this community to have a different view of ELF teams than those published in the "official/expert" websites.
I will start myself with Barcelona Dragons. Please join me and share in this thread the roster breakdown of the team you support.
BARCELONA DRAGONS
*COACHES
HC: 🇲🇽 Gabriel "Black" Sanchez
OC: 🇲🇽 Miguel Angel "Micky" Romero
DC: 🇲🇽 Gabriel "Black" Sanchez
🇲🇽 Coach Black is promoted to HC/DC from last year's DC duties. He brings along quite a few countrymen to take on key coaching positions this year. The likes of 🇲🇽 Coach Micky Romero to lead the offense, 🇲🇽 Eduardo Yagues to develope the Offensive Line or 🇲🇽 Genaro Alfonsin, former CFL player, as DB coach. Some familiar faces are back for another run too like 🇺🇸 Chase Baker, former NFL player, as a Defensive Line coach or 🇪🇸 Victor Martin to take again on WRs. 🇺🇸 Alexander Durazo signs this year to take the lead of special teams & LBs unit.
Dragons fans are very excited with coach Black promotion to HC position while keeping DC duties. Coach Black made an amazing job last year by unexpectedly building a proficient defensive unit at ELF level. Arguably, one of the best defenses in the league. His comeback has also been cheered by the players themselves who talk wonderful things of his leadership, football knowledge, passion and coaching style. The franchise has heavily invested in the coaching staff this season. Special mention to coach Eduardo Yagues. Over two decades coaching OL players at City College of San Francisco, brings over his knowledge to make the OL to grow and perform at its best. It is well known that Spanish football is not overloaded with homegrown talent and the departures of key Spanish players to other ELF teams added salt to the injury. Therefore, it was time for an audacious approach: Develope better and faster the rich young but somehow raw talent available in the country. Conclusion is that some of the biggest Dragons signings this Offseason are not in the field but by the sidelines. Be ready, dear readers, for a "spicy" Mexican branch of American Football.
*IMPORTS
🇺🇸 Imports: QB-WR-DL-S
🇪🇺 Imports: OL-OL-WR-WR-DL-S
*OFFENSE
Quarterback: Big change of style in this position. Dragons move from the athletic and open play specialist in Zach Edwards to a more classic pocket QB in 🇺🇸 Connor Miller. It is well known the capacity of Zach in extending broken plays and run for his life when necessary. Instead, Connor will most likely provide a different approach to the offense, exploiting multiple reads within the security of the pocket. Unlike Zach, Connor has proved in his successful career in Europe to be a vocal leader that has the ability to gather individuals towards a common objective. Dragons fans are willing and excited to embrace this shift of paradigm in the most important position in football, QB.
Wide Receivers: This unit has been almost entirely revamped. Only young local star and fan favorite 🇪🇸 Jordi Torrededia comes back to the team to continue his solid progression in his 3rd season in the league. Kyle Sweet is a sensible lost for Dragons. To fill this shoes comes 🇺🇸 Josh Johnston right off from Denver Broncos mini-camp. Johnston finished his college career this last season with Colorado School of Mines (NCAA D-2) where he posted top stats and earned multiple awards. 🇸🇪 Theodor Landstrom and 🇫🇷 Melvin Palin complete the poker of aces to follow in this unit. Palin has a long experience playing college football in Canada. Last year he moved to GFL to play with Dusseldorf Panthers. Landstrom comes from Telfs Patriots (AFL) where he posted 55 rec for 888 yds and 9 TD in 12 games.
Tight Ends: Big hopes and excitement around newly signed 🇪🇸 Raul Cernuda from Badalona Dracs (LNFA). A top Spanish player who finally makes the move and joins Dragons to showcase his skills at ELF level. Very good hands adds to his big size and body frame. Disciplined and good blocker, stands out for his goods hands to catch any pass coming his way. On the cons...lacks speed. Youngster 🇪🇸 Elias Rodriguez moves from 3rd string RB to TE in his 3rd season with the team.
Running Backs: 3rd year veteran 🇪🇸 Toni Monton returns to the team. Elusive once he gets his wheels spinning, brings good hands to the mix too. New signing 🇪🇸 Eduard Molina will be Toni's partner in crime in this unit. Eduard comes from having a monster season with Badalona Dracs (LNFA) this last year. Very good stats with 1121 run yds and 13 TD in 8 games.
Offensive Line: Most likely the line most affected by departures of homegrowns players this offseason. The losses of last year starters Eduardo Sanchez and Celestin Ngimbi to Musketeers and Gabriel Rodriguez to Guards called for bold action from the franchise. Last year's starters 🇪🇸 Elvys Núñez who most likely will take on C duties and 🇪🇸 Jose Ariza return to the team. Rotation player 🇪🇸 Mikel Gómez will be promoted to the starting unit as per sources. After that, new faces all over. 🇳🇴 Jonas Hagerup has already 2 years experience in the league after stints in Leipzig Kings (2021) and Wroclaw Panthers (2022) and 🇬🇧 Ben Dixon comes from Hamburg Huskies (GFL2). Youngsters 🇪🇸 David Culebras and 🇪🇸 Diego Varela from reigning Spanish Champs Las Rozas Black Demons should add depth to the line. 🇪🇸 Enzo Biasizzo from Dragons Academy (LNFA Jr) could be an unexpected surprise as season moves along. Nonetheless, the biggest signing this Offseason in this unit is coach Yagues. He has been given the mission of crafting the interesting material he has been given into a proficient unit at ELF level.
OFFENSE FINAL COMMENTS: Many new faces in this side of the ball. Only 6 players returning from last year's roster. The capacity of coaches Black, Micky and Yagues to swiftly develope chemistry and glue this unit will determine Dragons fate this season. We can expect Dragons to remain pass focused but we also expect to be far more unpredictable than previous years by moving away from the one-dimensional, Zach to Sweet/Constant, approach of previous coaches. Coaching staff is fully determined to implement a much richer offensive approach and get more players involved in offense. Overall, good vibes coming from training camp...
*DEFENSE
Defensive Line: One of the units where Dragons fans are more eager to see on the field. Although the key losses of homegrowns Alejandro Fernandez to Fire and Yago Rivero to Potsdam Royals (GFL) plus Michael Sam retirement from football, big things are expected from the DL. Key DTs 🇪🇸 Sebastian Bowen and 🇪🇸 Daniel Franco are back for another season. DE/rusher 🇺🇸 Darius Slade has impressed in training camp with his technique, athletics and implication with the team. Experienced 🇸🇪🇺🇸 Benjamin Egbudiwe brings more fire power to the line. Newly signed youngsters 🇪🇸 Mamadou Ka Thiobane from Terrassa Reds (LNFA), 🇪🇸 Diego Paz from Las Rozas Black Demons (LNFA) and 🇪🇸 Leo Rovesti from Alcobendas Cavaliers (LNFA) have already made some eyebrows rise in training camp. Other signings in 🇪🇸 Francisco Olivas from Mallorca Voltors (LNFA) and 🇪🇸 Rodrigo Sanz from Osos Rivas (LNFA) seems to point towards a deep and exciting DL for Dragons this season.
Linebackers: Good news here too. The LBs Corp are back almost in full for another season. 🇪🇸 Cesare Brugnani, 🇪🇸 Alex "Posito", 🇪🇸 Victor Albarracin and 🇪🇸 Sebastian Castañer, not only they proved to fully belong to this league last season but actually shine. To add more gun power, Dragons signs experienced LB 🇪🇸 Manuel Fernandez from Ravensburg Razorbacks (GFL)
Safeties: Another unit ready to brightly shine this season. 🇺🇸 Luke Glenna comes right off the University of St Thomas Minnesota (NCAA D-1) where he earned All American team and All Conference first team honors in 2022. Fan favorite 🇦🇷 Lautaro Frecha comes back for his 3rd season with the team and 🇪🇸 Jorge Félix Velasco is back too to complete the transition to S from LB that coach Black already envisioned last season. 🇪🇸 Hugo Minguez from Las Rozas Black Demons (LNFA) is another addition that might surprise as the season evolves.
Cornerbacks: Good talent in this unit but it might be the thiner unit in defense at this moment. Team captain 🇪🇸 Jordi Brugnani and 🇪🇸 Lucas Masero return to lead this unit for a 3rd season in a row. Experienced DB 🇪🇸 Julio Aguado from Las Rozas Black Demons (LNFA) and young but very promising prospect 🇪🇸🇩🇪 Pascal Sendelbach from Dragons Academy (LNFA Jr) will need to adjust quickly to the league and step up to help consolidate this unit.
DEFENSE FINAL COMMENTS: Defense has been reloaded and ready to go again after an already good performance last year. Defense will need to take the lead early in the season so that the offense earns time to get fully oiled in the first games of the season. Many team veterans are back, key import signings are giving out good vibes in training camp and a loaded promotion of promising young players seems a good receipt for success. And above all, defensive mastermind in coach Black ruling them all.
*SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker: 🇪🇸 Luis Cereceda. After year and a half under Giorgio Tavecchio wings as a mentor, he is now ready to take charge of this position.
Punter: 🇦🇺 Sam Higgins. Former Australian rules player, took on football by joining Badalona Dracs (LNFA) a couple of years ago. Joins Dragons this season.
Long Snapper: 🇪🇸 Pep Tricas comes back for his 3rd season as long snapper specialist.

I am not gonna be here for the entire summer break at San Diego, therefore trying to find people to live in my apartment. La Regencia, it is a 2b2b you can rent the entire unit or one bedroom. Time: from June 22th to 9.19th.
Basic info: equipped with furniture and things you might need like sofa and TV... cookware and everything. The apartment has in unit laundry and dishwasher. the area around is super convenient: Vons, tapioca express, UPS store... if you walk 3 mins there is 202 and 201 station which you can directly go to UCSD in around 15mins. The price is gonna be 2750 per month if you rent the whole 2b2b, if you rent the master room only: 1475, and the other bedroom for 1375.
Contact me if you want to rent : [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
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[WP] A ghost has been terrorizing a home for over 300 years, and as he creeps out of the underside of the bed to horrify the new homeowners, he is calmly handed a swiffer duster and told to "clean under there while you're at it,". He retreats back under the bed, appalled and confused.
Inspired by the Canterville Ghost's plot, but modernized.
After months of searching and putting in offers unsuccessfully I found the perfect home. It was an older Victorian era home. Think Addams family but neglected for 50 years. It needed quite of bit of fixing up but was so cheap I would have quite a bit leftover to do renovations. It even had some old furniture which was in great shape still except for the layer of dust. It was also very old looking but it was all solid wood framed with very intricate decorative work. With a fresh coat of varnish and some new upholstery they would be perfect. When I asked the realtor why such a beautiful home was left in such disrepair and so cheap in such a hot market I just received a cryptic answer of " you'll see". That was it, no explanation otherwise. Despite the fact the house checked almost every horror movie haunted house red flag I wasn't going to pass up the one chance I was probably going to get to own a house. I had always dreamed of being a home owner and I didn't care if it was going to be a creepy old delapited and possibly haunted Victorian home.
My offer was excepted almost immediately and I was moving my stuff in a couple months later. As I walked through the house I could smell the age and history. It smelled a lot like dust and must. I envisioned the potential it had and couldn't wait to began renovations. That was a tomorrow job though; right now I needed sleep. It was a struggle to get moved in. Even the big burly movers were reluctant to deliver my things into the house. Other than the biggest and heaviest items I had to move a majority of my belongings in by myself from the lawn where the movers chucked them. They gave me a bit of discount because of their haste to leave. I climbed the spiraling staircase to the second floor where I had my bedroom. The floors and stairs creaked and groaned as I dragged myself towards my bedroom. I climbed into bed fascinated that I was now officially a homeowner. I easily drifted off to sleep.
I awoke with a sudden jolt. The air felt cold and heavy. I had this uneasy feeling like I was being watched. Then it appeared before me. An apparition of some sort. A young woman, jaw misshapen and hanging loosely. Half of her skull appeared caved in and her limbs were at strange angles. She was dressed in a dress that looked like something my great grandmother would have worn.
"Alright ghost lady what do you want?" I asked calmly
"Not much; just your life! Or leave here and never come back!" The apparition shouted with her jaw moving in a creepy inhuman way.
"Yeah I think not. Being a millennial this is the only opportunity I'll have to own a home so I'm not leaving which leaves option 2. What was that? You'd take my life? Go for it. I've worked a soul less office job for a decade, have crippling mental health issues and a caffeine addiction. Frankly I think you'd be doing me a favor. So either kill me or we can try a third option."
"A third option? What do you mean a third option?" The figure was clearly confused and taken off guard by my candor.
"I've lived with enough free loading roommates and I'm feed up with it. You can either get out or start pulling your weight around here."
"What do you mean 'pull my weight'?"
"Well for starters if you're going to be my roommaye you can get the cobwebs around this room. They're disgusting and hard to reach for me. After that you can get to dusting. And if chores aren't your thing I will assume you know where the door is."
"Hold on; you have no problem with my being a ghost and this house being haunted. Instead you want me to be a 'roommate'?" The figure was no longer floating but standing on the floor and few feet from the foot of my bed. She looked puzzled and deep in thought. Her face and limbs no longer disfigured but back to normal.
"Well yeah, I've lived with far worse roommates. I don't see you being too loud or throwing rambunctious parties. I doubt you'll drink my booze or steal my food from the fridge. So I figure if you can help ne fix this place up and keep it clean it will benefit us both. You get a much nicer place to live and a friend to talk to."
"I think I would like that a lot." The girl said with a smile on her face. "You can call me eden. What is your name?"
"My name is Luna. Its a pleased to meet you Eden. Now of you don't mind I'd like to get some rest."
"Good night Luna," Eden said as she vanished.
I quickly drifted back to sleep thinking of the new friendship I had formed. I couldn't wait to see what adventures it would bring.

I got stopped by the BP on my way into Mexico last night. They arrested me on suspicion of DUI. They booked me and waited for the CHP to arrive and administer my sobriety test and breathalyzer. The officer never read me my Miranda rights. I completed the tests and blew a 0.09 in the breathalyzer. They arrested me for DUI and booked me in San Diego County. Is there anything I can do to beat this case? Please feel free to ask any questions so that you could formulate a better answer for me. Thanks in advance for your time and advice.