Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Nailing It Down

By Dave Murnen and Pat Beaty

Its one of the ickier household chores: Getting the dirt and dead flies out of your window tracks.

However, there is an easy way to thoroughly clean the tracks that is quicker and not as distasteful. We think its a great end-of-summer chore.

Giving windows a true cleanup

Before you thoroughly wash your windows for the season, we suggest cleaning up the window tracks so that your entire window will look like new!

Its not all about aesthetics: a scrubbed up, bug-free window track is also a sign that your window will work efficiently, allowing rainwater to drain properly through the irrigation channels hidden under the track to the outside.

Im sure you know what were talking about. The grime, dirt, specks of mold and families of flies that quickly accumulate in the tracks of your windows are simply gross.

Even if you are someone who is diligent about cleaning them, its typically hard to get them truly clean. Plus you may not have realized how much it can help to have the irrigation channel hidden under the window track clean. If it is clean, it will prevent moisture from seeping into your window frames and siding.

So, heres how you do it: First open your vinyl or aluminum openable window all the way. Then lift the moving portion of the window completely out. (Yes, you can do that!) Now you can take a putty knife and pop out the lower track so that it exposes the window frame. Yes, it does come out. Just lift the movable portion and clean. (Do take note of how it was sitting in the window frame first so youll know which end to put where.)

So then you clean the part you removed and also clean and dry the area underneath the track. When the underneath and the track itself are clean and bug free, just place the window track back in, followed by the window.

Now, that feels better, doesnt it!

While you are paying attention to your windows, take a good look at the caulking around them.

Caulking keeps moisture out

The UV light of the sun damages caulk. A good caulk job should be hidden from the sun and elements by paint or flashing whenever possible. So, if the caulk around windows and doors looks like its weathered, its time to start fresh. Of course the optimal time to do this is before you paint. But if your inspection shows that new caulk is needed, dont delay and then paint over it when cured.

For starters, take a sharp tool which will cut out the old caulk and remove it to sound wood or metal. Caulking over existing caulk not only doesnt look as nice but it can also inadvertently trap moisture behind it defeating the purpose of caulking to begin with!

Once the affected section of caulk is removed, carefully apply new caulk. Use a wet finger or smoothing tool to seal the edges in tightlyless is more and covered is best.

Check for Z flashings at window

While you are inspecting your windows, take a look from a different angle and go outside.

Most homes have something called Z flashings or head flash which is located on top of the trim board for your windows.

The Z flashing diverts water away from the top of your window. Yes, your windows still show raindrops; however with Z flashing the majority of the water is directed away from the top of your window. This helps prevent leaks and the trouble they create for siding, trim and window frames.

However, not all homes have Z flashing above their windows. The better older homes back in the day had a sloped head trim board to do this job. If this is your type, make sure the wood is sound, caulked and well painted.

If your windows are leaking and dont seem to have flashing, take a trip to your local hardware store and talk to the folks there about how to install some. Or, its a good project for a licensed professional to install them.

Reviewing last week

Now that you are on a roll, lets review some of the end-of- summer chores we mentioned in last weeks column.

We reiterated that there is likely still time to paint your house before the weather turns. In our climate, its ideal to paint a homes exterior every five to seven years.

A good paint job is important for your houses siding. It helps keep out the water, mold and mildew out!

However, even if you dont paint your house this year, a scrub with 30 Second cleaner and a good rinse will get the grime off and actually help your current paint job last.

We also stressed ladder safety in the same breath as what to do if you dont have gutter guards to keep out debris or your gutters themselves need to be secured tightly to your house, this is also a great time to take care of those issues.

Dont forget to use a ladder stand-off and be sure the ladder is on solid ground when you use it to wash the outside of your windows.

One more reminder: After the winds earlier this week, you may have become extra aware of trees that are near your house. In fact, any grass, tree or shrub that is touching the siding or roof of your house needs to be cut back so its at least one-foot from any structure.

And of course, if you see any dangerous limbs or unstable trees taking care of that now before the fall storms blow in.

Dave Murnen and Pat Beaty are construction specialists at NeighborWorks of Grays Harbor County, where Murnen is executive director. This is a nonprofit organization committed to creating safe and affordable housing opportunities for all residents of Grays Harbor County. For questions about the ductless heat pump program or home repair, housing counseling for renters and landlords, home buyer education and buying, call 360-533-7828, listen to the extension picks that will best help you and leave a callback name and number. Due to COVID-19, our office is not currently open for a visit, but we will call you back.

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A trick to banish flies from your window tracks - The Daily World

Ruth Bader Ginsburg feminist icon, legal giant, toast of pop culture left this statement with granddaughter Clara Spera as cancer closed in: "My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed."

The big picture: For all that the nation owes "Notorious RBG" the hip-hop-inspired nickname she enjoyed and embraced Republicans are planning to do their best to be sure her robe is quickly filled, despite that last wish, with her ideological polar opposite.

The Trump court, solidified with an astonishing third court pick in 3+ years is the more likely outcome.

Here's what we learned from both parties after the justice's death at 87, from metastatic pancreatic cancer, was announced about 7:30 p.m. ET:

Republicans familiar with the thinking at both ends of Capitol Hill say that every signal points to moving fast:

Jonathan Swan reported last year that when U.S. Appeals Court Judge Amy Coney Barrett of Chicago came up as Trump was picking a successor to Justice Anthony Kennedy, the president said: "I'm saving her for Ginsburg."

Look for Republicans to ignore the precedent they set when they stonewalled Merrick Garland, after he was nominated by President Obama in 2016.

Remember that the title of the wily McConnell's memoir is "The Long Game."

Politico's Tim Alberta author of "American Carnage," the best modern book on Republicans says in a smart piece:

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) told Sean Hannity on Fox News that it's "critical" a justice be confirmed before Nov. 3, in part because of the possibility of a "constitutional crisis" if there were a 4-4 split over a disputed election outcome.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, hoping that this election will make him Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, can be expected to fight ferociously against a rocket-docket confirmation.

Howard Wolfson, a Mike Bloomberg strategist who's a veteran of Senate campaigns, writes in his Daily Biscuit newsletter:

Reporting was contributed by Zachary Basu, Alexi McCammond, David Nather, Hans Nichols, Jonathan Swan and Alayna Treene.

Go deeper: Ginsburg's life ... What they're saying.

Continue reading here:
A court fight for the ages - Axios

The United States unilaterally proclaimed on Saturday that UN sanctions against Iran are back in force and promised to punish those who violate them, in a move that risks increasing Washington's isolation but also international tensions.

"Today, the United States welcomes the return of virtually all previously terminated UN sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.

According to him, the measures were "back in effect" from 8pm Washington time (0000 GMT Sunday).

The government of US President Donald Trump also promised to "impose consequences" on any UN member state that does not comply with the sanctions, even though it is one of the only countries in the world which believes they are in force.

Tehran's 'reaction has been largely restained' to new US sanction threats, FRANCE 24's Reza Sayah

The threat is formidable: those deemed to be in defiance by Washington will be denied access to the US financial system and markets.

"If UN member states fail to fulfiltheir obligations to implement these sanctions, the United States is prepared to use our domestic authorities to impose consequences for those failures and ensure that Iran does not reap the benefits of UN-prohibited activity," Pompeo stated.

He promised that measures would be announced in coming days against "violators".

Iran condemns US sanctions, calls on international community to 'stand against these wreckless actions'

'False claim'

With 45 days to go until the November 2 election, Trump could unveil those measures during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.

However Washington is almost alone on the issue: all the other great powers China, Russia and also the US'sown European allies have challenged the claim.

"Any decision or action taken with a view to re-installing [the sanctions] would be incapable of legal effect," France, Britain and Germany said in a joint letter sent Friday to the Security Council and of which AFP has obtained a copy.

The Russian foreign ministry on Sunday condemned the United States' unilateral declaration that UN sanctions on Iran are back in force, saying that Washington's statements lacked legal authority.

"The illegitimate initiatives and actions of the United States by definition cannot have international legal consequences for other countries," the foreign ministry said in statement.

Russia's deputy ambassador to the UN, Dmitry Polyanskiy, also lamented the decision.

"It's very painful to see how a great country humiliates itself like this, opposes in its obstinate delirium other members of UN Security Council," he tweeted.

"We all clearly said in August that US claims to trigger #snapback are illegitimate. Is Washington deaf?"

'America's maximum pressure has turned into America's maximum isolation'

Reacting to the US move, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said Sunday that Washington's "maximum pressure" campaign against Tehran had thrown the US into "maximum isolation". "America's maximum pressure against Iran, in its political and legal aspects, has turned into America's maximum isolation," Rouhani said during a televised cabinet meeting.

The Americans themselves realise the statement is a "false claim", Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif said Saturday.

How did the UN arrive at this spectacular stand-off between the leading superpower and the rest of the planet? To answer that, one has to go back at least one month.

In mid-August, Trump's administration suffered a resounding defeat at the UN Security Council when it tried to extend the embargo on conventional weapons being sent to Tehran, which was due to expire in October.

Pompeo made an unusually vehement attack on France, Britain and Germany, accusing them of "siding with Iran's ayatollahs", and on August 20 announced a controversial move known as the "snapback", which aimed to re-establish all sanctions against Tehran a month later.

The sanctions were lifted in 2015 when Iran signed on to an international agreement not to seek to build nuclear weapons.

But Trump said that the landmark accord, negotiated by his predecessor Barack Obama, was insufficient and withdrew the US from the agreement in 2018, then renewed and even strengthened Washington's bilateral sanctions.

Iranians react to US slapping new sanctions 'we need to find a solution'

Legal pirouette

At the moment, the US is insisting it is still a participant in the agreement that it stormed out of, but only so that it can activate the "snapback" option.

Virtually every other member of the Security Council disputes Washington's ability to execute this legal pirouette, and the council has not taken the measure any further.

But this dialogue of the deaf has gone on unabated: the Trump administration acts as if the international sanctions are in place, while the rest of the international community continues to act as if nothing has changed.

Washington is hammering home that the arms embargo has been extended "indefinitely" and that many activities related to Tehran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes are now subject to international sanctions.

But "I don't see anything happening", said one UN diplomat. "It would be just a statement. It's like pulling a trigger and no bullet coming out."

Another diplomat deplored the "unilateral" US act, saying that "Russia and China are sitting, happy, eating popcorn, watching" the "huge destabilising fallout" between Washington and its European partners.

But if the United States were to carry out the threat of secondary sanctions, tensions could continue to spiral.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

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US unilaterally declares UN sanctions on Iran are back in force - FRANCE 24 English

LEVITTOWN, PA Here are some of the past week's top news posts from the Levittown Patch site. You can scroll through the headlines below and click on the links

Share your local news, events and photographs by clicking "+" at the top of any page, or email Patch editor Doug Gross at doug.gross@patch.com.

Pedestrian Killed In Rt. 1 Hit-And-Run In Fairless Hills

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Drive-Thru Wawa In Falls Twp.: Groundbreaking Photos

Groundbreaking On Drive-Through Wawa In Falls Is Tuesday

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Pennsbury Superintendent Gretzula Announces Retirement

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The Supreme Court has decided ballots received up to three days after the election will be counted.

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Deadly Hit-And-Run | Drive-Thru Wawa: Levittown News - Levittown, PA Patch

The level of competition among the local HS football landscape has been steep when it comes to Staten Islands gridders, particularly over the past decade.

Now, were asking the readers who you think has been the BEST on the gridiron over the last ten years.

Ten nominees from four different schools - each of which either claimed the Al Fabbri or Fred Fugazzi award as the Islands top player - appear on the ballot.

Check out a brief description of each player with some noteworthy stats below before voting in the poll at the bottom of this story. You can vote as many times as you like.

Roland Dempster (Tottenville) -- The most recent Al Fabbri winner in 2019, Dempster rushed for 1,368 yards as a senior, to go along with 17 TDs.

Roland Dempster in action. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez)

Mike Jones (Tottenville) -- A teammate of Dempster in 2018, Jones was a dual threat as a receiver and out of the backfield -- hauling in 26 receptions for 654 yards, while adding 225 yards on the ground during his senior campaign. He tallied 10 scores.

Amad Anderson (Curtis) -- A co-winner of the 2017 Fabbri Award, Anderson racked up 833 receiving yards on just 27 receptions, while rushing for an additional 283 yards. AA tallied 15 total TDs that season.

Former Curtis star Amad Anderson Jr. now plays for Purdue. (Staten Island Advance/Shira Stoll)

Quincy Barnes (Curtis) -- Andersons QB and Fabbri co-winner threw for more than 2,000 yards and scampered for 395 while racking up 32 total TDs.

Curtis quarterback Quincy Barnes completed a whopping 63.8% (94 for 149) of his passes during his senior year in 2017. (Staten Island Advance)

Stephen Viegas (Monsignor Farrell) -- In 2016, Viegas ran for 1,376 yards and 13 TDs. He posted three 200+ yard efforts that season.

Stephen Viegas on his way to the house.

Jesse Bramble (Tottenville) -- A do-it-all threat, Bramble ran for 926 yards and 13 TDs in 2015, and he hauled in 16 passes for 414 yards and four more scores. He also returned four punts for touchdowns and three interceptions for scores.

Dawa Winn (New Dorp) -- In 2014, he ran for 1,226 yards and nine TDs.

James Munson (Tottenville) -- A hard-hitting safety with a nose for the football, Munson held down the secondary with a pair of interceptions, while he added 465 receiving yards and 11 TDs on offense in 2013.

Kevin Austin (Curtis) -- In 2012, he ran for 1,500 yards and 20 TDs.

Alvin Cornelius (Tottenville) -- A two-time Fabbri Award winner, Cornelius nabbed 26 receptions for 634 yards (21.7 yards per reception). He ran for an addition 272 yards and totaled 14 scores in 2011.

Alvin Cornelius takes one up the sideline.

The poll will remain open until Friday at noon, when the winner will be announced -- feel free to vote as often as youd like and be sure to check back in on the standings throughout the week!

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Poll: Who was Staten Islands best HS football player of the last decade? - SILive.com

Global warming has made forecasting weather a big gamble. Generally speaking, Hawaiis rainy season is usually November through April. The exception is Kona that has a summer rainy season with a dry winter. Other variables include elevation and the effect of moisture-bearing tradewinds. Thus mauka areas of the windward side may receive 200 or more inches of rain while coastal South Kohala may receive very little rain throughout the year. On the leeward side, coastal Kona may receive 30 inches of rain in the summer, but at 2,000 to 4,000 feet elevation, summer rainfall may be 60 to 100 inches. Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary at 3,000 feet in Kaloko Mauka has recorded no dry season for almost three years while the windward side has experienced unusually dry weather.

Wherever you live, the first plants to show water stress are those with shallow roots like grass and many groundcovers. These are good indicators as to when you need to irrigate. They are also likely to tell you when to fertilize if you are sensitive to your plants needs. You should apply plant nutrients when the soil is moist during rainy periods or when you can supplement water with irrigation.

Whether you have a home with a large yard or an apartment with a small lanai, plants create a more luxurious mood. Attractive trees, shrubs and lawns actually increase the value of a home. In fact, if you cut down that big shade tree in the front yard, you may actually be reducing the value of your property by thousands of dollars. Just think how much it would cost to have a landscape company replace it! When trees are destroyed, it affects the whole community.

The key to success is to put the right plants in the right place. Hot sunny areas of the islands require shady gardens to create a comfortable environment. Windbreaks are important to reduce excessive winds. Many tropical landscapes do not include grass. Examples may be found in books like Tropical Asia Style, Thai Garden Style, and several books featuring the Hawaiian landscape. The use of palms adds even more luxuriance to the design.

Besides trees, shrubs and bedding plants, one of the main elements of many landscapes is ground covers including grass. It might be Bermuda, buffalo, centipede, zoysia, seashore paspalum, or a mix. Whatever type lawn it is, green and healthy is the key. It is important to remember that lawns generally require more maintenance, fertilizer and water than more deeply rooted ground covers, shrubs and trees. Thus, many communities are minimizing turf except in parks and recreational areas like golf courses.

However, it is pleasing to see a healthy, well-maintained lawn. An expanse of green lawn can serve as the right setting for the homes they surround.

From a practical standpoint in the tropics, a lawn serves a number of ends. First, it reduces heat and glare as the sun beats down on the earth. Green is a soothing color. No doubt that is why there is so much of it in nature. Second, it controls mud and erosion. It definitely beats concrete and asphalt or gravel.

The chief value of a lawn over other kinds of ground covers is that it offers a pleasing place to walk and play, as well as being artistic. In a dry area, a grass such as Bermuda makes a successful path, or can be used for auto parking.

A well maintained grass cover also offers one of the easiest ways to control weeds. Just mow frequently and fertilize occasionally, making sure the grass cover has sufficient water to keep its green color.

Of course, if you want a perfect lawn that is a different proposition. Your idea may be just a green expanse to set off the surrounding landscape. Then it really does not matter of what the expanse consists. It may be a combination of grasses kept in check by frequent mowing.

Lawns are a garden heritage from Europe. They are not typical in Asia except through Western influence. Asian design uses moss, pebbles or sand for its plain element in landscaping. But in England, turf is key to the landscape and has become an essential part of the garden tradition. Mainland Americans have inherited this tradition. They generally consider a lawn a necessary part of the landscape. However, in the wet tropics, turf is generally not a part of the native picture, since meadows are infrequent. Here, it is a good idea to stop and consider whether or not a lawn is an essential part of your garden. In many parts of the mainland where water may be scarce and expensive, grass is fast disappearing as an aesthetic element.

Shady forest effects with paths and patios tend to relate to the tropics more than do extensive lawns. And yet even here, there is much use of the lawn in open expanses around a dwelling.

A perfect lawn in the tropics can be an expensive proposition. To keep it perfect requires constant attention to weeding, rolling, fertilizing, mowing, watering, and control of diseases. Just about the time you think you have everything under control, some new condition arises, and the lawn goes up in smoke.

Today there is a strong inclination to let the lawn be more informal along with the rest of the garden. Such a mixed green cover has its appeal, being more like a meadow than the monoculture lawn. A semi-natural lawn like this has its practical aspect also. It reduces maintenance by eliminating most of the weeding and also the struggle to make one kind of grass grow under the varying conditions of sun and shade which make up the average lawn area.

There is, no doubt, a legitimate reason for cultivating a green expanse around a dwelling even in the tropics. But lets not make such a burden out of it. When a weed pops up here and there, let it be. The secret is not in exterminating the weeds, but in keeping the area mowed so that the weeds cannot dominate and go to seed, keeping them from spreading too much.

Whatever type lawn you have, chances are it will require watering except the extremely rainy locations. Deep watering is preferred. Frequent shallow watering will encourage shallow rooting. It is best to water in the early morning. There is less waste of water through evaporation at that time.

Along with water, green growing things need fertilizer. This is especially true with the lawns. A fast growing grass like Bermuda may need fertilizer every month. On the other hand, Zoysia may be fertilized three to four times per year or less. A slow release fertilizer high in nitrogen is usually the best.

The important thing is to think green. We humans have created too much desert in the past. The old saying, Rain follows the forest, desert follows man does not need to apply to wise Hawaiian gardeners.

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Your lawn may be hungry and thirsty now - West Hawaii Today

Fall webworms are not tent caterpillars although, without fail, everyone thats asked has referred to them as such. Forest tent caterpillars dont construct webs. Eastern tent caterpillars do, but they hatch in the spring and early summer and make their nests, or tents, in the forks or tree-branch crotches of (mostly) apple, crabapple, and pin cherry trees.

Fall webworm caterpillars spin webs that envelop entire branches or groups of branches and feed on many varieties of deciduous trees. They feed inside their webs, completely consuming the foliage; leaving only the mid-veins. Skins cast off by the caterpillars when they molt, fecal pellets, and dead leaf debris accumulate within the web, giving it an even messier appearance.

Even when the caterpillars are present in numbers so great that they enshroud nearly every limb in nests and completely defoliate a host tree or shrub, the damage is, with few exceptions, a lot less-serious than it appears. The one exception to this may be in young trees that have yet to become established.

As summer winds down, plant growth slows. Trees are already preparing for winter dormancy and have stored up enough nutrient reserves to survive. Since the leaves have already performed their service, the loss of them generally has little effect on the health of the host. The empty webbing may persist well-into the winter before falling part however, which although unsightly, wont cause any further damage. Infestations tend to be episodic in nature, with back to back bad-webworm-infestation years rarely occurring.

The fall webworm is a native moth that occurs across almost all of the continental United States, southern Canada, and northern Mexico.They were accidently introduced into the former country of Yugoslavia in the 1940s, and since then have expanded their range to include most of Europe, as well as parts of China, North Korea, and Japan.

Given its wide geographical range, its not surprising that there is variability in the appearance of both the adults and the larvae, which are divided into two genotypes; each named for the color of their head capsules; black-headed or red-headed. Pure white adults and black-headed larvae predominate in northern regions, whereas spotted adults and red-headed larvae predominate in southern regions.

Although there may be two broods of fall webworms annually in some areas of New York State, and southern populations may complete as many as four generations in a single year, the insect has only one generation per year in our region.

The life cycle begins when the not-often-noticed white, adult female moths lay as many as 1,500 eggs in a single mass on the underside of a host plants foliage leaf. She will then cover the eggs with bristles from the underside of her abdomen to protect them. The eggs hatch into tiny larvae and immediately start building a web, which protects them from predators. At first, the web encircles only a few leaves at the growing tip of the limb. But as the caterpillars grow, they expand the web down the limb, covering more and more foliage and devouring more and more leaves.

Larvae stay in the colony until their last molt, after which they are about an inch and a half long. They then crawl down the tree trunk or descend to the ground on a strand of webbing and seek out a protected place to spin a somewhat-fragile cocoon and pupate in the debris at or just below the soil surface, where they will overwinter. They emerge as adult moths in the spring, mate, and the cycle begins again.

As with all pests, its easiest to get rid of fall webworm caterpillars when they first start appearing in your trees. So keep a close eye out starting in late summer. Webs are always on branch ends.

You can easily poke holes in the nests to break them apart using a long stick. Once the webs are broken open, the nests can be easily raided by predators.

Although fall webworm damage is rarely severe, keeping your trees healthy is always important. Water trees in your yard during dry periods, and avoid wounding trees or compacting the soil within the dripline. Maintaining tree health will help your trees recover from defoliation and other stresses and keep them looking good year-round.

Captions and credits are as follows:

1) Fall Webworm Larvae. Photo Credit:Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; Bugwood.org

2) Fall Webworm Infestation. Photo Credit:Natural Resources Canada

3) Fall Webworm Adult Female and Pupa. Photo Credit:Gerald J. Lenhard; Louisiana State University; Bugwood.org

Richard Gast is a retired Extension Program Educator and has been contracted by Cornell Cooperative Extension Franklin County to continue his informative and thought provoking articles.

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Webs in the Trees? They're Relatively Harmless - - Adirondack Almanack

Which new players across the AFC South landscape made the biggest impacts for their respective teams in NFL Week 1?

High draft pick? Big-name free agent? Trade acquisition? Under-the-radar guy? Our SI beat writers in the AFC South take a look at the newcomers who made themselves known in Week 1 - whether for positive or negative reasons.

Jacksonville

After the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted a franchise-record 12 rookies but only signed a handful of free agents, it was clear the Jaguars' most important new addition would be a rookie. This became even clearer after a Week 1 performance in which cornerback CJ Henderson, the No. 9 overall pick in April's draft, became the difference between a Jaguars win or loss.

Henderson was unsurprisingly thrust into a starting role early on as a rookie, but more importantly he faced a stiff test in his NFL debut. It's hard for most cornerbacks to stick with T.Y. Hilton for four quarters, let alone a rookie in his first-ever NFL game. But that's just what Henderson did in Sunday's 27-20 upset win, recording three pass breaking a (including the game-clinching one against Hilton on fourth down) and an interception.

Aside from Henderson's smoothness in coverage and several pass breakups, he also came up big on two tackles in space on separate third downs. He made big plays when Jacksonville's defense needed them the most, and frankly nobody really knew which defender would be providing those plays this year. Through one week, it has been Henderson.

Henderson's rookie year is obviously far from complete, but he got off to a fast start in Week 1. Without him, the Jaguars probably end up losing against the Colts. To be the deciding factor in your first NFL game is one thing, but to do it in the manner Henderson did is even more special.

-- John Shipley, JaguarReport

Tennessee

Stephen Gostkowskis debut with the Tennessee Titans certainly was a memorable one. Even if it was a night he would rather forget.

The four-time Pro Bowlers 25-yard field goal with 17 seconds to play was the 10th game-winning kick of his career, his first in 23 months.

It was the difference in the Titans 16-14 victory at Denver. It also came after he missed four times three field goals and an extra-point earlier in the contest. According to Next Gen Stats, the odds that he would miss the kicks he did in a single game were 1 in 1,804.

Gostkowski, who signed with the Titans just before the start of the regular season, was wide right from 47 yards in the first quarter, and Denver took a 7-0 lead on the ensuing possession. His 44-yard try in the final minute of the first half was blocked. His 42-yard kick missed left early in the third quarter. When his PAT early in the fourth quarter missed left, the Broncos scored on their next drive and took a 14-13 lead.

While it was an unprecedented performance for Gostkowski, the issues were nothing new for the Titans. They had four kickers combine to make eight of 18 field goal tries last season.

What is notable is that coach Mike Vrabel gave him the opportunity to attempt the last one with the game on the line. It speaks to the trust he has in his one-time teammate with the New England Patriots and prior to Monday, at least one of the NFLs five most accurate field goal kickers. At a point last year, Vrabel likely would have decided the only way to win that game was with a touchdown.

We'll get this stuff fixed, Vrabel said. We've got a lot of faith in our players.

-- David Boclair, AllTitans

Indianapolis

Rookie running back Jonathan Taylor didnt enter Sundays 27-20 opening loss at Jacksonville until the second quarter after Marlon Mack ruptured his right Achilles tendon, and because the Colts struggled to establish the run and relied on passing, the second-round selections rushing numbers of nine carries for 22 yards didnt impress.

But Taylor caught six passes for 67 yards, including a 35-yard screen in which he showed his speed to run away from two tacklers, then his power by pushing tacklers about 7 yards after contact at the end. It was a glimpse of what the Colts hope to see more of and will need, now that Mack has been placed on injured reserve and Taylor is the Week 2 starter.

Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and quarterback Philip Rivers were the splash offseason additions, and both had mixed results. As expected, Buckner saw a lot of double teams. He had six total tackles, one for a loss, but by his own All-Pro standards, Buckner conceded he needs to have more of an impact. Rivers passed for 363 yards, relying mostly on 17 completions to running backs, but he threw two bad interceptions that were reminiscent of many of his 20 picks with the L.A. Chargers last season.

Expect Buckner to be the No. 1 key addition to this team by seasons end, but after one game, Taylors importance has risen dramatically because of the loss of Mack. The Colts were seventh in rushing last season, but managed just 88 yards on 22 carries in Week 1. Head coach Frank Reich admitted that one of his mistakes was not calling more run plays and getting into a rushing rhythm. That means Taylor should get more carries on Sunday at home against Minnesota.

-- Phillip B. Wilson, AllColts

HOUSTON

Week one was a rough one for the Texans, facing the defending super bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night football. However, there were some bright spots for Houston, most notably in their latest Addition, David Johnson.

Johnson was a controversial addition to the roster, coming over from the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for fan-favorite wide receiver and future Hall of Famer, DeAndre Hopkins, along with a second-round and a fourth pick in 2021.

On paper, Johnson did fill a major hole for the Texans, who have struggled to run the ball for much of Bill OBriens tenure, though his injury issues were also well documented.

Through camp, he was also one of the team's most consistent performers, proving to the coaching staff that he was worth parting ways with a receiver of Hopkinss caliber.

Fast forward to the season opener, and Johnson was arguably the Texans best offensive performer, carrying the ball 11 times for 77 yards and one of the Texans two touchdowns in the loss. Johnson also had three catches for 32 yards in the game.

Was it the most explosive or eye-popping performance? Certainly not. But Johnson did provide one of the more consistent rushing attacks the Texans have seen in some time, which bodes well for the team heading into a brutal second week matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

-- Matthew Galatzan, Texans Daily

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Texans & AFC South: Who Are The Impact Newcomers? - State of The Texans

When the Big Ten announced in August that it would postpone the start of the 2020 college football season, the fear was that the NCAA would not be able to crown a true champion. One of the top conferences around the nation perhaps unable to take part in bowl season and the College Football Playoff would muddy the title scene.

That fear is now a thing of the past following the decision on Wednesday to start the season Oct. 24.

The Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors (COP/C) adopted significant medical protocols including daily antigen testing, enhanced cardiac screening and an enhanced data-driven approach when making decisions about practice/competition, the conference announced, via its official website. The COP/C voted unanimously to resume the football season starting the weekend of October 23-24, 2020. The decision was based on information presented by the Big Ten Return to Competition Task Force, a working group that was established by the COP/C and Commissioner Kevin Warren to ensure a collaborative and transparent process.

The plan is for each Big Ten team to play eight games in eight weeks, leaving no real wriggle room in case theres an outbreak of the COVID-19 virus within a program. Weve already seen some programs within the conference deal with outbreaks over the past few months.

Setting aside the rightful debate about whether it makes sense to resume a season at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is projected to hit the United States hard, this does indeed change the landscape of the college football season.

After the first two weeks of the college football season, the AP decided to remove teams playing in the Big Ten and Pac-12, among others, from its top 25. This made sense. There was no real reason to keep said programs in the rankings if they werent actually playing college football. The following teams were removed from the outlets preseason rankings:

Thats 40% of the preseason top 25 removed from the rankings in one fell swoop, including three legit title contenders. The assumption now is that six of those teams will be added to the ranking following this coming weekends action.

This does indeed change the landscape of the 2020 season early in the process. Once the Big Tens schedule is released later this week, well have a better understanding of how things might look. Once the initial College Football Playoff rankings are released, likely right after the Big Ten starts its season, that will be magnified even further.

We have no idea how the eight-game schedule for each team will look. Its highly likely that divisions will be thrown out the window. The Big Ten will want to see Wisconsin and Minnesota go up against the top dogs in the Eastern Division, Penn State and Ohio State included.

Its in this that a jam-packed two-month schedule within the conference will give us some top-flight games. In turn, that promises to shake up the college football season in a big way.

Even without the Pac-12 making a firm decision on its season, another Power Five conference playing a truncated slate adds to the intrigue of the 2020 college football season.

We will play eight games, plus one very unique champions week where the teams from the East and West will match up and play one another, two versus two, three versus three, four versus four, etc., with the championship game being played at the end of that week, Wisconsin Athletic Director Barry Alvarez said Wednesday.

That final week of action could very well help decide the College Football Playoffs four teams once bowl season comes calling. It will also make for an incredibly fun time around the college football world.

See the article here:
Big Ten's decision changes landscape of the 2020 college football season - Yardbarker

There are slew of games to pick from when making a list of the greatest Super Bowls of all-time. Will Brinson, a senior writer for CBS Sports, ultimately picked Super Bowl XLIX as the greatest Super Bowl ever in his annual list released prior to Super Bowl LIV.

While there have been several great ones over the years, it's hard argue with Brinson's pick. Simply put, Super Bowl XLIX had it all. On one side, you had the Seahawks trying to become the first team since the 2003-04 Patriots to win back-to-back Super Bowls. On the other side, you had the Patriots, led by Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, looking to reclaim their spot atop pro football's landscape after a decade-long hiatus. The result was a back-and-forth, roller-coaster affair that was not settled until Malcolm Butler's game-saving interception at the goal line with 20 seconds remaining.

The Patriots prevailed 28-24, and would go onto win two of the next four Super Bowls while cementing their place in NFL lore. Seattle, on the other hand, is still waiting for a return trip to the Super Bowl, a wait that could possibly come to an end this season. The Seahawks, fresh off of their impressive Week 1 win over Atlanta, will look to defeat Cam Newton and the Patriots at home this Sunday night.

Before the two teams meet on Sunday, here's a look at some of the heroes from their epic Super Bowl showdown, and where their careers have taken them in the years after that game.

Super Bowl XLIX stats: 3 tackles, 3 passes defensed, 1 interception

Butler was only on the field for 34% of the Patriots' defensive snaps, but he made the biggest play of the game when he stepped in front of Russell Wilson's pass to seal the Patriots' fourth Super Bowl win. An undrafted rookie in 2014, Butler earned his lone Pro Bowl selection in 2015 while becoming a full-time starter on the Patriots' defense. His career in New England ended unceremoniously, however, when Butler was benched for unexplained reasons during the Patriots' loss to the Eagles in Super Bowl LII. That offseason, Butler signed a five-year, $61 million contract with the Titans. Butler, who turned 30 years old this past offseason, recorded five interceptions and 21 passes defensed during his first two seasons in Nashville. He made three tackles in the team's season-opening win over the Broncos.

Super Bowl XLIX stats: 3 receptions, 59 yards

A backup receiver and special teams contributor on Seattle's 2013 championship team, Lockette caught 11 of 15 targets for a career-high 195 yards and two touchdowns during the 2014 season. Lockette was Wilson's intended receiver on the pass that Butler intercepted to seal the win for the Patriots.

Midway through the 2015 season, Lockette suffered a concussion while on special teams during a game against the Cowboys. Lockette sustained neck ligament damage that would require surgery and never played football again, as he announced his retirement in May of 2016. The 34-year-old is currently an advocate for spinal cord injury research with the Seattle Science Foundation.

Super Bowl XLIX stats: 12-of-21, 247 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception

Despite the Super Bowl setback, Wilson's career continued to ascend in the years following that game. He threw 34 touchdown passes in 2015 while helping Seattle advance to the divisional round of the playoffs. Two years later, he led the league in touchdown passes for the first time while helping the Seahawks return to the postseason after a one-year absence. During the previous two seasons, Wilson threw a combined 66 touchdown passes while leading the Seahawks to 22 wins despite playing in arguably the league's toughest division.

Wilson's success in 2019 kept him in the MVP conversation throughout the year before the award ultimately went toRavensquarterbackLamar Jackson. Wilson is again considered a top contender to win the award in 2020, along with Jackson andChiefsquarterbackPatrick Mahomes.

Super Bowl XLIX stats: 3 catches, 45 yards

With 1:14 remaining in Super Bowl XLIX, Kearse appeared to make the play that would go down in Super Bowl lore. After the pass was initially tipped by Butler, Kearse, who was falling to the ground, was able to re-locate Wilson's pass before corralling it into his body. The result was a 33-yard gain that gave Seattle the ball on New England's 5-yard-line. Two plays after Kearse's catch, however, Butler abruptly ended the Seahawk's hopes of back-to-back titles.

An undrafted rookie in 2012, Kearse would remain with Seattle for the next two seasons, setting then-career highs in catches (49), yards (685) and touchdowns (five) during the 2015 season. Kearse had a career day in Seattle's divisional round playoff loss to the Panthers, catching 11 passes for 110 yards in touchdowns.

In September of 2017, Kearse was traded to the Jets (along with a second-round pick) in exchange for defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson. He had a successful first season with the Jets, catching 65 passes for 810 yards and five touchdowns. But after a less than successful 2018, Kearse signed with the Lions during the 2019 offseason. He never played a regular season game with the Lions, however, as he was placed on injured reserve after breaking his leg in a preseason game against the Patriots. Kearse, who turned 30 earlier this year, is currently a free agent.

Super Bowl XLIX stats: 24 carries, 102 yards, 1 touchdown; 1 reception, 31 yards

Lynch, whose second-quarter touchdown got the Seahawks on the board, was in line to be named Super Bowl MVP if Seattle would have chosen to call his number instead of having Wilson try a slant to Lockette from the 1-yard-line. Instead of joining an esteemed list of running backs to win the Super Bowl MVP award, Lynch is instead one of just three running backs to lose in the Big Game despite rushing for over 100 yards.

A Pro Bowler each season from 2011-14, Lynch endured an injury-plagued 2015 season in Seattle before announcing his retirement via Twitter during the Broncos' win over the Panthers in Super Bowl 50. He made a comeback in 2017, joining his hometown Raiders for the next two seasons. Lynch rejoined the Seahawks after Seattle's backfield was decimated by injuries late in the 2019 season. He scored three touchdowns during the postseason while helping the Seahawks upset the Eagles in the wild card round. The 34-year-old Lynch is currently unsigned. He is currently 29th on the NFL's career rushing list and 16th in touchdown runs.

Super Bowl XLIX stats: 5 tackles, 3 solo stops

On the play following Kearse's catch, the Seahawks handed the ball to Lynch, who was stopped a yard short of the end zone by Hightower, setting the stage for Butler's pick on the ensuing play. If not for Hightower's tackle, the Patriots would likely have one less Lombardi Trophy to display at their team facility.

A 2012 first-round pick, Hightower's forced fumble of Matt Ryan helped spearhead the Patriots' historic comeback in Super Bowl LI. A Pro Bowler for the first time in 2016, Hightowerbriefly tested the open market in the spring of 2017 before re-signing with the Patriots. After an injury limited him to just five games in 2017, Hightower regained his starting status in 2018 while winning his third Super Bowl with the Patriots. The 30-year-old veteran earned his second Pro Bowl selection in 2019 before opting out of the 2020 season.

Super Bowl XLIX stats: 12 tackles, 10 solo stops, 1 interception, 1 pass defensed

Along with Lynch, Wagner also likely would have received MVP consideration had the Seahawks prevailed in Super Bowl XLIX. A Pro Bowler for the first time that season, Wagner led both teams in tackles. His third quarter interception set up Wilson's touchdown pass to Doug Baldwin that gave Seattle a 24-14 lead.

Wagner, who turned 30 in June, has earned five more Pro Bowl selections and four more All-Pro nods since Super Bowl XLIX. In 2019, Wagner led the NFL with 159 tackles while helping Seattle make the playoffs for the seventh time over the past eight years.

Super Bowl XLIX stats: 4 receptions, 109 yards, 1 touchdown

Matthews and Julian Edelman were the only receivers who eclipsed the 100-yard receiving barrier in Super Bowl XLIX. Matthews, a former undrafted rookie who toiled in the Arena Football League and the Canadian Football League before joining the Seahawks, spent most of the 2014 season on the practice squad before being added to the 53-man roster in December. He recovery of an onside kick late helped the Seahawks come from behind to defeat the Packers in the NFC title game.

Matthews' first NFL catch, a 45-yard pass from Wilson, set up the Seahawks' first touchdown. His first touchdown catch, an 11-yard reception, tied the game at intermission. Mathews, like Lynch and Wagner, would have received MVP consideration had the Seahawks prevailed.

Matthews was unable to parlay his Super Bowl success into a stable NFL career. After being released by Seattle midway through the 2015 season, Matthews spent two years with the Ravens before the team released him midway through the 2017 season. Matthews signed with the Canadian Football League's Calgary Stampeders in 2018, helping the team capture the Grey Cup that season. He started the 2019 season on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before ending the year with the Montreal Alouettes.

Super Bowl XLIX stats: 9 receptions, 109 yards, 1 touchdown

Trailing 24-14 in the fourth quarter, Edelman's 21-yard catch on third and 14 set up Tom Brady's touchdown pass to Danny Amendola. On New England's ensuing possession, Edelman's 3-yard touchdown reception gave the Patriots the lead for good.

While he has never made the Pro Bowl, the former college quarterback and seventh round pick has become one of the most prolific playoff receivers of all-time. The MVP of Super Bowl LIII, Edelman's 1,442 career receiving yards is the second highest total in NFL postseason history. His fingertip catch late in Super Bowl LI -- a catch that helped force the first overtime in Super Bowl history -- is regarded as one of the greatest catches in NFL history.

Super Bowl XLIX stats: 37-of-50, 324 yards, 4 touchdowns, 2 interceptions

Brady joined Joe Montana as the only player to earn three Super Bowl MVP awards following his performance in Super Bowl XLIX. Brady, who endured the "Deflategate" controversy in the weeks leading up to the game, has continued to add to his laundry list of achievements in the years following that game. From 2016-18, Brady led the Patriots to three more trips to the Big Game that included wins in Super Bowls LI and LIII. Brady, who won his fourth Super Bowl MVP after helping lead the Patriots' improbable comeback win over the Falcons, won his third league MVP award in 2017. He threw for a Super Bowl record 505 yards in New England's loss to Philadelphia in Super Bowl LII.

After 20 years in New England, Brady signed a two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason. The 43-year-old quarterback has been reunited in Tampa Bay with former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, who caught the second of Brady's four touchdown passes in Super Bowl XLIX.

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Patriots vs. Seahawks: Where Malcolm Butler and the rest the Super Bowl XLIX stars are six years later - CBS Sports