Beer will help power Alaska brewery

In this photo taken Jan 23, 2013, in Juneau, Alaska, Brandon Smith, the Alaskan Brewing Co.'s brewing operations and engineering manager, speaks to reporters about the company's new boiler system. The brewery has installed a unique boiler system that burns the company's spent grain the accumulated waste from the brewing process into steam which powers the majority of the plant's operations. (AP Photo/Joshua Berlinger)

In this photo taken Jan 23, 2013, in Juneau, Alaska, Brandon Smith, the Alaskan Brewing Co.'s brewing operations and engineering manager, speaks to reporters about the company's new boiler system. The brewery has installed a unique boiler system that burns the company's spent grain the accumulated waste from the brewing process into steam which powers the majority of the plant's operations. (AP Photo/Joshua Berlinger)

In this photo taken Jan 23, 2013, in Juneau, Alaska, is the outside of the Alaskan Brewing Co. The brewery has installed a unique boiler system that burns the company's dried, spent grain or waste accumulated by the brewing process into steam which powers the majority of the plant's operations. (AP Photo/Joshua Berlinger)

In this photo taken Jan 23, 2013, in Juneau, Alaska, are six-packs of beer displayed at the Alaskan Brewing Co. The brewery has installed a unique boiler system that burns the company's spent grain the accumulated waste from the brewing process into steam which powers the majority of the plant's operations. (AP Photo/Joshua Berlinger)

In this photo taken Jan 23, 2013, in Juneau, Alaska, steam billows from boilers at the Alaskan Brewing Co. The brewery has installed a unique boiler system that burns the company's spent grain the accumulated waste from the brewing process into steam which powers the majority of the brewery's operations. (AP Photo/Joshua Berlinger)

This photo taken Jan 23, 2013, in Juneau, Alaska, shows the bottling line inside the Alaskan Brewing Co. The brewery has installed a unique boiler system that burns the company's dried, spent grain or waste accumulated by the brewing process into steam which powers the majority of the plant's operations. (AP Photo/Joshua Berlinger)

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) ? The Alaskan Brewing Co. is going green, but instead of looking to solar and wind energy, it has turned to a very familiar source: beer.

The Juneau-based beer maker has installed a unique boiler system in order to cut its fuel costs. It purchased a $1.8 million furnace that burns the company's spent grain ? the waste accumulated from the brewing process ? into steam which powers the majority of the brewery's operations.

Company officials now joke they are now serving "beer-powered beer."

What to do with spent grain was seemingly solved decades ago by breweries operating in the Lower 48. Most send the used grain, a good source of protein, to nearby farms and ranches to be used as animal feed.

But there are only 37 farms in southeast Alaska and 680 in the entire state as of 2011, and the problem of what to do with the excess spent grain ? made up of the residual malt and barley ? became more problematic after the brewery expanded in 1995.

The Alaskan Brewing Co. had to resort to shipping its spent grain to buyers in the Lower 48. Shipping costs for Juneau businesses are especially high because there are no roads leading in or out of the city; everything has to be flown or shipped in. However, the grain is a relatively wet byproduct of the brewing process, so it needs to be dried before it is shipped -- another heat intensive and expensive process.

"We had to be a little more innovative just so that we could do what we love to do, but do it where we're located," Alaskan Brewing co-founder Geoff Larson said.

But the company was barely turning a profit by selling its spent grain. Alaskan Brewery gets $60 for every ton of it sent to farms in the Lower 48, but it costs them $30 to ship each ton.

So four years ago, officials at the Alaskan Brewing Co. started looking at whether it could use spent grain as an in-house, renewable energy source and reduce costs at the same time.

While breweries around the world use spent grain as a co-fuel in energy recovery systems, "nobody was burning spent grain as a sole fuel source for an energy recovery system, for a steam boiler," says Brandon Smith, the company's brewing operations and engineering manager.

It contracted with a North Dakota company to build the special boiler system after the project was awarded nearly $500,000 in a grant from the federal Rural Energy for America Program.

The craft brewery is expecting big savings once the system is fully operational in about a month's time. Smith estimates that the spent grain steam boiler will offset the company's yearly energy costs by 70 percent, which amounts to about $450,000 a year.

Alaskan Brewing Co. makes about 150,000 barrels of beer a year. The beer is distributed in 14 states after recent entries into the Texas, Wisconsin and Minnesota markets. It brews several varieties of beer, but is best-known for its Alaskan Amber, an alt-style beer. The company is also known for its distinctive beer labels, including featuring a polar bear on its Alaskan White Belgian-style ale.

When asked which beer's spent grain burns the best Smith joked "we're still trying to figure that out. We have our suspicions."

Smith said he hasn't been contacted by other breweries regarding implementing the project, but "absolutely" believes the system could be applied at other, bigger breweries that dry their spent grain.

Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world's largest brewer, has been repurposing its spent grain for the past century, selling it to local farmers.

Mike Beck, director of utilities support at Anheuser-Busch InBev, told The Associated Press in an email that spent grains are not currently a viable energy source for its breweries. However, Beck noted that the company regularly investigates new technologies to see if they could be applicable to its operations.

Anheuser-Busch InBev does employ bio-energy recovery systems, which turn wastewater into biogas, in most of its U.S. breweries. That provides up to 9 percent of the fuel needed in its boilers, he said.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2013-02-04-Beer-Powered%20Beer/id-3949b00ddce64d79999e4d3a79e9650b

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Own Physical Gold & Silver As Currency Wars Will Destroy Our Money

This article is based on a Q&A with Andy Hoffman, marketing director at Miles Franklin, the largest bullion dealer in the US.

The general macro economic outlook of Andy Hoffman is based on the expectation we will see ?more of the same,? including more money printing, weaker economies, higher unemployment, social unrest ? and importantly weaker currencies. With the Dow Jones index almost at all-time highs (14,009 closing price on February 1st) and the VIX indicator close to all time lows (12.90 on February 1st), weakness is not reflected in equity prices.

Markets are not real; they no longer exist. Every market is manipulated to levels we have never seen before. Governments have always been buying bonds. Now they admit that they are buying stocks as well; they use the exchange stabilization fund to manipulate currencies. They have so thoroughly taken over the market that they have literally destroyed volatility. That is why the metals are the safest place to be.

This is clearly an artificial situation and cannot go on forever. These conditions have continued for much longer than expected. Andy Hoffman can hardly believe the slow motion pace at which conditions are deteriorating, saying ?this will continue until it stops.? Case in point is the debt situation which went from arithmetic to parabolic growth. Somewhere it will stop; the point is nobody knows when and how exactly. The first signs of higher interest rates are there in the US and Japan, with the 10 year Treasury yield moving to 2% very recently. Governments will react with even more monetary easing (QE). Japan has just announced QE11.

Similarly, for gold and silver, the key question is for how long paper gold and silver (in the form of futures and ETF?s) can control the price. It will be possible until physical demand will take over. Nobody knows how long exactly when it will happen and what the (final) trigger will be. However, one thing is clear: the longer this game goes on, the stronger the reaction afterwards.

There you have one of the key reasons to own physical gold and silver.

The danger of today?s fiat (promise) based currencies

Miles Franklin believes people should prepare for the worst case scenario when it comes to their financial assets (money in the first place). Recent research has shown that 600 paper based currencies in recorded history have ALL failed, for different reasons. Physical gold and silver exist for 5,000 years and have preserved their purchasing power.

The above chart tells us that gold has preserved historically well the purchasing power of people. More importantly perhaps, in times of financial instability like today, it increases our purchasing power. The gain in purchasing power comes from the loss in value of the currency in which gold is denominated. In fact, the gold price increase is simply the RESULT of the decrease in value of the currency in which gold is denominated.

Miles Franklin sees an increasing number of people who realize they better convert their money into gold and silver. Note the difference between converting money or investing money. It could seem a subtle difference, but it is a fundamental one: gold and silver are not an investment; it is another way of saving. Andy Hoffman points to the fact that people do not say they invested their money when putting it on their bank account. Likewise, converting money into gold and silver is not an investment, it is one of the ways to hold money. It is everyone?s choice to save in real money.

The global economic scene is focused on additional monetary easing and continuing currency debasement in order to inflate their debts away. Consequently gold is set to rise higher. Precious metals owners should be rewarded with much more than only preservation of purchasing power, assuming the continuation of the current trend. The US is the most indebted nation, worldwide and historically, with declining manufacturing and labor participation rates. The only thing that makes the US strong today is that the fact that so many nations own the dollar. Today?s monetary system is historically unique given that it is backed by nothing but a promise to pay the holders of banknotes back. That is what ?fiat currencies? are: promise based currency backed by nothing tangible. This is the only time in history where ALL countries globally are living on a paper based (fiat based) currency system. What we know from history is that every single fiat currency in history has collapsed. Ultimately, all these fiat currencies disappear, each in its own way. Some people believe that the Yen is going to collapse and the US dollar will be fine. Andy Hoffman classifies this as a myth, being convinced that the dollar will collapse as well.

The underlying belief at Miles Franklin is that today?s gold bull market is much stronger than the one in the 70?s. In particular, the scale today is much bigger. Andy Hoffman points to some obvious differences:

• The 70?s gold bull market was primarily based on US centric issues. Today?s scale is global; international trades are huge between the US, China, Japan, Europe.
• The past decade marked an explosion in derivatives which resulted in an extreme leverage in the economy.
• The world came off a gold standard in 1971. There was almost no debt in the 70?s compared to today, neither in the US nor in Europe. So when inflation hit in the late 70?s it was possible to raise interest rates. Today, with 16 trillion dollars in outstanding official debt and some 70 trillion in unfunded liabilities, each percent rise in interest rates results in an additional 160 billion dollars cost of debt servicing. With all this ?good economic news? coming out, QE is not really decreasing, making it impossible to move interest rates go up.
• Debt based currencies are simply a Ponzi scheme: the only way to keep it going is to make it bigger. That ?game? goes on until confidence is lost. We are 40 now years after the start of this big Ponzi scheme.

The global currency war is starting a historic break out

Miles Franklin?s blog reports on a daily basis how the economic situation is evolving. The blog posts are accessible. With trustful news and global events as the underlying source of information, one of the latest blog posts ?The final currency war? is a must read. It shows how the global currency war has taken off more or less openly and officially. Japan?s latest announcement to increase their monetary stimuli and their commitment to debase their currency is potentially that last trigger for the global currency war to break out.

Andy Hoffman points to the suppression techniques of central banks to massively attack gold and silver, aiming to hide the underlying state of the economy. Suppression is extremely obvious and happens in full daylight. When QE3 and QE4 were announced in the US, dollar gold surged but was hit substantially almost immediately. Andy says: ?They are so terrified. Gold and silver are not allowed to break out. Still the metals are up 12 years in a row. An increasing number of people know what is going on. Since December 13^th, the day QE4 was announced, Miles Franklin had extremely busy weeks; sales were literally on fire. So, the price drops should act to slow down or stop the massive buying. As a bullion dealer, we can only confirm the huge disconnect between the paper and the physical market.?

Source: http://goldsilverworlds.com/gold-silver-insights/own-physical-gold-silver-as-currency-wars-will-destroy-our-money/

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Silva: What all 32 NFL teams need for next season

The 2012-2013 NFL season is officially in the books, and the Scouting Combine is less than a month away. Free agency opens on March 12. With coaching staffs settled, impending free agents identified, and salary cap situations beginning to clarify, here is a look at the four most glaring positional needs for every club entering the 2013 offseason.

Teams are ranked in order of roster quality.

1. San Francisco 49ers

K: You're in pretty good shape when your most glaring offseason need is a kicker. David Akers is likely to be released after turning in a league-worst season with a $3 million non-guaranteed salary. The draft's top placekicker is expected to be Dustin Hopkins out of Florida State.

WR: The Niners will expect bigger things from 2012 first-rounder A.J. Jenkins, but only he and Michael Crabtree return as probable 2013 receiver contributors. Randy Moss is a free agent, and Mario Manningham figures to be a cap casualty owed $3.95 million coming off two torn knee ligaments. To maximize Colin Kaepernick's cannon arm, the 49ers need another field stretcher.

LB: This isn't quite a pressing need -- Parys Haralson's return should add depth behind starters Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks -- but even great teams know they can never have too many pass rushers. San Francisco's 2012 pass rush was exposed as a bit one-dimensional down the stretch when Smith wasn't harassing quarterbacks. This year's draft is rich at the position.

DT: Starting nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga's contract is up and he's going on age 32. Top reserve Ricky Jean-Francois is undersized and best suited for a utility role. This is a position on which San Francisco may very well spend its top draft pick. Alabama's Jesse Williams, Georgia's John Jenkins, and Missouri Southern's Brandon Williams could be late first-round options for the 49ers.

2. Denver Broncos

DT: Mitch Unrein, Malik Jackson, and Sealver Siliga are Denver's only defensive tackles signed for 2013. Justin Bannan, Kevin Vickerson, and Ty Warren are all free agents. The Broncos defended the run surprisingly well in 2012 despite fielding a rag-tag group on the interior, but they could really use a difference-making, building-block type. Expect this to be a focus in the draft.

LB: While Wesley Woodyard and Von Miller are obviously entrenched on the outside, middle linebacker is a question mark for Denver's 2013 defense. Injured Joe Mays could be a salary cap casualty after losing his starting job to Keith Brooking, the latter of whom is a free agent. The top in-house candidate to take over would be Nate Irving, who's been a special teamer to this point.

OG: Left tackle Ryan Clady will likely return on the franchise tag, and right tackle Orlando Franklin is signed through 2014. Center J.D. Walton returns from an ankle fracture. Left guard Zane Beadles is a stud, but right guard Chris Kuper is owed a $4.5 million base salary after two major ankle surgeries in as many years. The Broncos need to start contemplating Kuper's heir apparent.

WR: This isn't a position of pressing need, but it could be soon with Brandon Stokley headed for free agency and Eric Decker entering a contract year. No. 4 wideout Andre Caldwell is more of a special teamer. The Broncos will probably address wide receiver in the late rounds of April's draft.

3. Green Bay Packers

RB: DuJuan Harris, James Starks, and Alex Green are role-player backs. All have been given opportunities to run with Green Bay's feature back job, but only Harris has somewhat consistently produced and he is viewed internally as a scatback. It's time for GM Ted Thompson to take this position seriously. Thompson is a longtime admirer of Steven Jackson, who may hit free agency.

OT: Bryan Bulaga's return should fortify right tackle for Green Bay, but maddeningly inconsistent left tackle Marshall Newhouse needs to be on the hotseat. While 2011 first-round pick Derek Sherrod is due back from a broken leg, he projected to right tackle or guard before the injury. The Packers are on the verge of committing a boatload of money to quarterback Aaron Rodgers. In order to make good on that investment, they'll need improved blind-side protection.

S: Charles Woodson is owed $10 million in 2013 and will likely be a cap casualty. Free safety Morgan Burnett enters the final year of his rookie deal. While M.D. Jennings and Jerron McMillian both flashed promise in 2012, it's unclear if Thompson views either as a candidate to start.

QB: The Packers luckily made it through 2012 without an injury to Rodgers, despite the pass-protection woes. Had Rodgers been hurt, incumbent backup Graham Harrell may have torpedoed Green Bay's season. Thompson needs to prioritize a competent No. 2 signal caller this spring.

4. New England Patriots

WR: The Pats risk losing Wes Welker and Julian Edelman to free agency, leaving Brandon Lloyd and special teamer Matt Slater as New England's only remaining receivers to have caught an NFL pass. Welker's subtraction can be minimized if Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez stay healthy, but another explosive outside receiver would add a new dimension to Josh McDaniels' attack. I have a gut feeling McDaniels and Bill Belichick are going to love Tennessee?s Cordarrelle Patterson.

CB: The Patriots gambled by sending the Buccaneers a fourth-round pick for Aqib Talib before the trade deadline without a contract extension in place. So he could conceivably be one-and-done in Foxboro. While New England did well to unearth seventh-round gem Alfonzo Dennard, Talib and slot guy Kyle Arrington's free agency leave the depth chart dangerously thin at cornerback.

OT: Talib and right tackle Sebastian Vollmer are the Pats' two prime franchise tag candidates. Retaining Vollmer would turn tackle back from a potential weakness into a strength. The franchise number for offensive linemen is $9.66 million. The cornerback franchise number is $10.67 million.

S: Devin McCourty is shaping up as New England's long-term answer at free safety, flourishing there after an early-season conversion from cornerback. Strong safety is more up in the air after impending free agent Pat Chung fell out of favor in 2012. Steve Gregory would ideally be a third safety and special teamer. Last year's second-rounder Tavon Wilson was an obvious draft reach.

5. Seattle Seahawks

DE: Coach Pete Carroll has pinpointed defensive end as Seattle's biggest offseason need, which especially makes sense after Chris Clemons' ACL and meniscus tears. 2012 first-rounder Bruce Irvin is an explosive nickel rusher, not a viable starter. Red Bryant will return as the Seahawks' run-stopping left end, but he isn't a pocket pusher and Seattle covets another one of those.

WR: While Sidney Rice, Golden Tate, and Doug Baldwin make up a formidable three-receiver set, the latter two are entering contract seasons and depth is a concern. If the Seahawks are going to open up the passing game in Russell Wilson's second season, they'll need a true vertical weapon.

OT: Russell Okung has panned out as a top-ten left tackle, but the right side could use an influx of competition after Breno Giacomini's poor year. While Giacomini holds his own as a run blocker, he struggles mightily with speed off the edge. The Seahawks have settled on 2011 first-rounder James Carpenter as a long-term guard. Line coach Tom Cable's zone-blocking scheme should allow Seattle to address right tackle affordably in free agency or in the middle rounds of the draft.

LB: The Seahawks need to move on from weak-side 'backer Leroy Hill following his latest off-field incident. Hill is a free agent and likely facing a multi-game suspension. Seattle is strong at middle linebacker (Bobby Wagner) and on the strong side (K.J. Wright), but thin on the weak side.

6. New York Giants

OL: Left and right tackles Will Beatty and Sean Locklear are free agents. 32-year-old David Diehl's effectiveness has evaporated and he's a surefire cap casualty on a $4.475 million base salary. Center David Baas is entering his age-32 season, right guard Chris Snee is coming off hip surgery, and left guard Kevin Boothe's contract is up. GM Jerry Reese has compiled intriguing young front-five depth in the draft, but there will likely be major changes on an aging Giants line.

CB: Sagging pass rush contributed to the 2012 secondary deficiencies, but cornerback was still a huge weakness. Oft-burned supposed top corner Corey Webster is a release candidate on a $7 million salary. Rookie slot man Jayron Hosley was up and down in his first season. Likely to cut Webster, the G-Men need to find at least one starting cornerback via free agency or the draft.

LB: Strong-side maven Mathias Kiwanuka is the Giants' only surefire linebacker starter for 2013. Weak-side incumbent Michael Boley is expected to be cut, and pedestrian middle man Chase Blackburn has run his course. In-house options include Mark Herzlich and Jacquian Williams.

TE: Reese is high on 2012 fourth-round pick Adrien Robinson, but he was drafted as a height-weight-speed project and played three snaps as a rookie. The Giants can feel good at tight end if they keep free agent Martellus Bennett and use 2013 as another development year for Robinson.

7. Houston Texans

WR: Much like the Panthers with Steve Smith, the Texans should feel lucky Andre Johnson is still going strong. They've done literally nothing to help him in terms of complementary wideouts. Kevin Walter is an offseason release candidate, and 2012 third-rounder DeVier Posey tore his Achilles' in the playoffs. Lestar Jean has starred in preseason, then vanished in real games.

OT: Duane Brown remains among the league's elite left tackles, but the Texans put too much faith in their scheme in 2012 after releasing stalwart right tackle Eric Winston. Derek Newton was an abject failure in the role, getting knocked around in the run game and racking up penalties. If Houston doesn't find a wide receiver it deems worthy of the 27th overall pick, a tackle should do.

S: Stud free safety Danieal Manning is signed through 2014, but underrated strong safety Glover Quin's contract has run out. The Texans do not have a viable in-house alternative. Quin is a top-notch run-support safety and often matches up with opposing tight ends. He'd be tough to replace.

NT: Incumbent starter Shaun Cody is entering free agency, and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has never felt comfortable playing undersized Earl Mitchell full time despite annual glowing offseason reports. If the Cowboys release Jay Ratliff, he'd make sense in a reunion with Phillips. In addition to safety and nose, the Texans' defensive is needy at inside linebacker next to Brian Cushing.

8. Atlanta Falcons

OT: Atlanta is solid at right tackle with steady veteran Tyson Clabo, but left tackle Sam Baker and top reserve Will Svitek are both free agents. The Falcons have become a pass-first team under second-year offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, so protecting quarterback Matt Ryan is critical. Atlanta is also expected to break the bank on a contract extension for Ryan this offseason.

DE: John Abraham probably has one year left as an impact pass rusher and Kroy Biermann was an important movable chess piece in defensive coordinator Mike Nolan's first season. Abraham is going on 35, however, and he?s still Atlanta's only legitimate down-to-down sack threat. If the Falcons can come up with enough salary cap space, Cliff Avril would look awfully good in Red and Black.

RB: Owed an impractical $6.9 million base salary, declining 31-year-old feature back Michael Turner is likely to be an offseason cap casualty. Diminutive scatback Jacquizz Rodgers averages under 4.0 yards per carry and isn't the answer for Atlanta's run game woes. The Falcons have the 30th overall pick and should seriously consider Alabama's Eddy Lacy if he's still on the board.

TE: GM Thomas Dimitroff and Roddy White are lobbying Tony Gonzalez to opt against retirement, but the future Hall of Famer's mind seemed made up late in the year. Chase Coffman, Michael Palmer, and Tommy Gallarda round out the depth chart. The Falcons field arguably the NFL's premier wideout duo in White and Julio Jones, but replacing Gonzo's production underneath would be an almost impossible task.

The 2012-2013 NFL season is officially in the books, and the Scouting Combine is less than a month away. Free agency opens on March 12. With coaching staffs settled, impending free agents identified, and salary cap situations beginning to clarify, here is a look at the four most glaring positional needs for every club entering the 2013 offseason.

Teams are ranked in order of roster quality.

1. San Francisco 49ers

K: You're in pretty good shape when your most glaring offseason need is a kicker. David Akers is likely to be released after turning in a league-worst season with a $3 million non-guaranteed salary. The draft's top placekicker is expected to be Dustin Hopkins out of Florida State.

WR: The Niners will expect bigger things from 2012 first-rounder A.J. Jenkins, but only he and Michael Crabtree return as probable 2013 receiver contributors. Randy Moss is a free agent, and Mario Manningham figures to be a cap casualty owed $3.95 million coming off two torn knee ligaments. To maximize Colin Kaepernick's cannon arm, the 49ers need another field stretcher.

LB: This isn't quite a pressing need -- Parys Haralson's return should add depth behind starters Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks -- but even great teams know they can never have too many pass rushers. San Francisco's 2012 pass rush was exposed as a bit one-dimensional down the stretch when Smith wasn't harassing quarterbacks. This year's draft is rich at the position.

DT: Starting nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga's contract is up and he's going on age 32. Top reserve Ricky Jean-Francois is undersized and best suited for a utility role. This is a position on which San Francisco may very well spend its top draft pick. Alabama's Jesse Williams, Georgia's John Jenkins, and Missouri Southern's Brandon Williams could be late first-round options for the 49ers.

2. Denver Broncos

DT: Mitch Unrein, Malik Jackson, and Sealver Siliga are Denver's only defensive tackles signed for 2013. Justin Bannan, Kevin Vickerson, and Ty Warren are all free agents. The Broncos defended the run surprisingly well in 2012 despite fielding a rag-tag group on the interior, but they could really use a difference-making, building-block type. Expect this to be a focus in the draft.

LB: While Wesley Woodyard and Von Miller are obviously entrenched on the outside, middle linebacker is a question mark for Denver's 2013 defense. Injured Joe Mays could be a salary cap casualty after losing his starting job to Keith Brooking, the latter of whom is a free agent. The top in-house candidate to take over would be Nate Irving, who's been a special teamer to this point.

OG: Left tackle Ryan Clady will likely return on the franchise tag, and right tackle Orlando Franklin is signed through 2014. Center J.D. Walton returns from an ankle fracture. Left guard Zane Beadles is a stud, but right guard Chris Kuper is owed a $4.5 million base salary after two major ankle surgeries in as many years. The Broncos need to start contemplating Kuper's heir apparent.

WR: This isn't a position of pressing need, but it could be soon with Brandon Stokley headed for free agency and Eric Decker entering a contract year. No. 4 wideout Andre Caldwell is more of a special teamer. The Broncos will probably address wide receiver in the late rounds of April's draft.

3. Green Bay Packers

RB: DuJuan Harris, James Starks, and Alex Green are role-player backs. All have been given opportunities to run with Green Bay's feature back job, but only Harris has somewhat consistently produced and he is viewed internally as a scatback. It's time for GM Ted Thompson to take this position seriously. Thompson is a longtime admirer of Steven Jackson, who may hit free agency.

OT: Bryan Bulaga's return should fortify right tackle for Green Bay, but maddeningly inconsistent left tackle Marshall Newhouse needs to be on the hotseat. While 2011 first-round pick Derek Sherrod is due back from a broken leg, he projected to right tackle or guard before the injury. The Packers are on the verge of committing a boatload of money to quarterback Aaron Rodgers. In order to make good on that investment, they'll need improved blind-side protection.

S: Charles Woodson is owed $10 million in 2013 and will likely be a cap casualty. Free safety Morgan Burnett enters the final year of his rookie deal. While M.D. Jennings and Jerron McMillian both flashed promise in 2012, it's unclear if Thompson views either as a candidate to start.

QB: The Packers luckily made it through 2012 without an injury to Rodgers, despite the pass-protection woes. Had Rodgers been hurt, incumbent backup Graham Harrell may have torpedoed Green Bay's season. Thompson needs to prioritize a competent No. 2 signal caller this spring.

4. New England Patriots

WR: The Pats risk losing Wes Welker and Julian Edelman to free agency, leaving Brandon Lloyd and special teamer Matt Slater as New England's only remaining receivers to have caught an NFL pass. Welker's subtraction can be minimized if Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez stay healthy, but another explosive outside receiver would add a new dimension to Josh McDaniels' attack. I have a gut feeling McDaniels and Bill Belichick are going to love Tennessee?s Cordarrelle Patterson.

CB: The Patriots gambled by sending the Buccaneers a fourth-round pick for Aqib Talib before the trade deadline without a contract extension in place. So he could conceivably be one-and-done in Foxboro. While New England did well to unearth seventh-round gem Alfonzo Dennard, Talib and slot guy Kyle Arrington's free agency leave the depth chart dangerously thin at cornerback.

OT: Talib and right tackle Sebastian Vollmer are the Pats' two prime franchise tag candidates. Retaining Vollmer would turn tackle back from a potential weakness into a strength. The franchise number for offensive linemen is $9.66 million. The cornerback franchise number is $10.67 million.

S: Devin McCourty is shaping up as New England's long-term answer at free safety, flourishing there after an early-season conversion from cornerback. Strong safety is more up in the air after impending free agent Pat Chung fell out of favor in 2012. Steve Gregory would ideally be a third safety and special teamer. Last year's second-rounder Tavon Wilson was an obvious draft reach.

5. Seattle Seahawks

DE: Coach Pete Carroll has pinpointed defensive end as Seattle's biggest offseason need, which especially makes sense after Chris Clemons' ACL and meniscus tears. 2012 first-rounder Bruce Irvin is an explosive nickel rusher, not a viable starter. Red Bryant will return as the Seahawks' run-stopping left end, but he isn't a pocket pusher and Seattle covets another one of those.

WR: While Sidney Rice, Golden Tate, and Doug Baldwin make up a formidable three-receiver set, the latter two are entering contract seasons and depth is a concern. If the Seahawks are going to open up the passing game in Russell Wilson's second season, they'll need a true vertical weapon.

OT: Russell Okung has panned out as a top-ten left tackle, but the right side could use an influx of competition after Breno Giacomini's poor year. While Giacomini holds his own as a run blocker, he struggles mightily with speed off the edge. The Seahawks have settled on 2011 first-rounder James Carpenter as a long-term guard. Line coach Tom Cable's zone-blocking scheme should allow Seattle to address right tackle affordably in free agency or in the middle rounds of the draft.

LB: The Seahawks need to move on from weak-side 'backer Leroy Hill following his latest off-field incident. Hill is a free agent and likely facing a multi-game suspension. Seattle is strong at middle linebacker (Bobby Wagner) and on the strong side (K.J. Wright), but thin on the weak side.

6. New York Giants

OL: Left and right tackles Will Beatty and Sean Locklear are free agents. 32-year-old David Diehl's effectiveness has evaporated and he's a surefire cap casualty on a $4.475 million base salary. Center David Baas is entering his age-32 season, right guard Chris Snee is coming off hip surgery, and left guard Kevin Boothe's contract is up. GM Jerry Reese has compiled intriguing young front-five depth in the draft, but there will likely be major changes on an aging Giants line.

CB: Sagging pass rush contributed to the 2012 secondary deficiencies, but cornerback was still a huge weakness. Oft-burned supposed top corner Corey Webster is a release candidate on a $7 million salary. Rookie slot man Jayron Hosley was up and down in his first season. Likely to cut Webster, the G-Men need to find at least one starting cornerback via free agency or the draft.

LB: Strong-side maven Mathias Kiwanuka is the Giants' only surefire linebacker starter for 2013. Weak-side incumbent Michael Boley is expected to be cut, and pedestrian middle man Chase Blackburn has run his course. In-house options include Mark Herzlich and Jacquian Williams.

TE: Reese is high on 2012 fourth-round pick Adrien Robinson, but he was drafted as a height-weight-speed project and played three snaps as a rookie. The Giants can feel good at tight end if they keep free agent Martellus Bennett and use 2013 as another development year for Robinson.

7. Houston Texans

WR: Much like the Panthers with Steve Smith, the Texans should feel lucky Andre Johnson is still going strong. They've done literally nothing to help him in terms of complementary wideouts. Kevin Walter is an offseason release candidate, and 2012 third-rounder DeVier Posey tore his Achilles' in the playoffs. Lestar Jean has starred in preseason, then vanished in real games.

OT: Duane Brown remains among the league's elite left tackles, but the Texans put too much faith in their scheme in 2012 after releasing stalwart right tackle Eric Winston. Derek Newton was an abject failure in the role, getting knocked around in the run game and racking up penalties. If Houston doesn't find a wide receiver it deems worthy of the 27th overall pick, a tackle should do.

S: Stud free safety Danieal Manning is signed through 2014, but underrated strong safety Glover Quin's contract has run out. The Texans do not have a viable in-house alternative. Quin is a top-notch run-support safety and often matches up with opposing tight ends. He'd be tough to replace.

NT: Incumbent starter Shaun Cody is entering free agency, and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has never felt comfortable playing undersized Earl Mitchell full time despite annual glowing offseason reports. If the Cowboys release Jay Ratliff, he'd make sense in a reunion with Phillips. In addition to safety and nose, the Texans' defensive is needy at inside linebacker next to Brian Cushing.

8. Atlanta Falcons

OT: Atlanta is solid at right tackle with steady veteran Tyson Clabo, but left tackle Sam Baker and top reserve Will Svitek are both free agents. The Falcons have become a pass-first team under second-year offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, so protecting quarterback Matt Ryan is critical. Atlanta is also expected to break the bank on a contract extension for Ryan this offseason.

DE: John Abraham probably has one year left as an impact pass rusher and Kroy Biermann was an important movable chess piece in defensive coordinator Mike Nolan's first season. Abraham is going on 35, however, and he?s still Atlanta's only legitimate down-to-down sack threat. If the Falcons can come up with enough salary cap space, Cliff Avril would look awfully good in Red and Black.

RB: Owed an impractical $6.9 million base salary, declining 31-year-old feature back Michael Turner is likely to be an offseason cap casualty. Diminutive scatback Jacquizz Rodgers averages under 4.0 yards per carry and isn't the answer for Atlanta's run game woes. The Falcons have the 30th overall pick and should seriously consider Alabama's Eddy Lacy if he's still on the board.

TE: GM Thomas Dimitroff and Roddy White are lobbying Tony Gonzalez to opt against retirement, but the future Hall of Famer's mind seemed made up late in the year. Chase Coffman, Michael Palmer, and Tommy Gallarda round out the depth chart. The Falcons field arguably the NFL's premier wideout duo in White and Julio Jones, but replacing Gonzo's production underneath would be an almost impossible task.

9. Baltimore Ravens

OT: Baltimore got a major late-season boost when an in-shape Bryant McKinnie emerged as the team's starting left tackle. 33-year-old McKinnie is headed for free agency, however, and may not be in GM Ozzie Newsome's plans. It's clear by now that Michael Oher's best position is right tackle. Finding a long-term blind-side protector for Joe Flacco should be Newsome's top priority.

LB: Ray Lewis' Last Ride is over, and every-down inside 'backer Dannell Ellerbe's contract is up. Jameel McClain's healthy return should give this unit some credibility, but it could quickly turn from a strength into a weakness. The cap-strapped Ravens also may not be able to afford free agent rush linebacker Paul Kruger. At least they can turn to 2012 second-rounder Courtney Upshaw.

WR: Salary cap woes may force Newsome to part with Anquan Boldin ($6 million salary) and Jacoby Jones ($4 million in salary and bonus), depleting a receiver depth chart that would be down to Torrey Smith, Tandon Doss, and developmental project Tommy Streeter. In the Ravens' vertical-oriented pass offense, wideouts who can create separation are an absolute must.

S: Lardarius Webb's return will shore up Baltimore's cornerback position, but stalwart free safety Ed Reed is expected to leave in free agency. Unless they know something we don't about 2012 fourth-round pick Christian Thompson, the Ravens are devoid of in-house replacement options.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers

RB: Top returning backs Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman are restricted free agents. Longtime feature runner Rashard Mendenhall is an unrestricted free agent and not expected to return. In his season-ending press conference, GM Kevin Colbert conceded that Pittsburgh's talent level at running back has not been up to par. The Steelers figure to add multiple new faces this offseason.

TE: Pro Bowl-caliber starter Heath Miller shredded his right knee in late December, tearing the ACL, PCL, and MCL. He's a candidate to open next season on PUP. The Steelers feel good internally about 2012 seventh-round pick David Paulson, but he'd be a big downgrade from Miller.

DL: Franchise staple Casey Hampton will walk in free agency, leaving a 330-plus-pound hole at nose tackle. Perhaps Pittsburgh can paper over the position with Steve McLendon, Ziggy Hood, and Alameda Ta'amu, but none of the three looks like a long-term solution. The nose is a critical component of coordinator Dick LeBeau's 3-4 defense, which has long been stout versus the run.

WR: The Steelers have turned the page on deep threat Mike Wallace, leaving Antonio Brown, restricted free agent Emmanuel Sanders, and pedestrian veteran Jerricho Cotchery as their top three receivers. Sans Wallace, there isn't a vertical playmaker remaining in the group. Pittsburgh is apparently set to downgrade from a top-five pass-catching corps into the depths of mediocrity.

11. Washington Redskins

OL: Left tackle Trent Williams, center Will Montgomery, and right guard Chris Chester are all signed long term and make up the core of Washington's zone-blocking offensive line. The unit's two 2012 weak links -- left guard Kory Lichtensteiger and right tackle Tyler Polumbus -- are both headed for free agency. Last year's third-rounder Josh LeRibeus might be able to handle left guard moving forward, but Washington does not have a viable in-house right tackle replacement.

CB: DeAngelo Hall's openness to a contract restructure helps matters, but there is next to no depth behind him and fellow starter Josh Wilson. Nickel back Cedric Griffin's contract is up, and seventh-rounder Richard Crawford was the only other Washington corner to play significant 2012 snaps. The Redskins shouldn't feel truly comfortable at any of their four defensive back positions.

LB: Brian Orakpo's return helps this unit on paper, but it's fair to wonder if he's become unreliable physically. Orakpo has twice torn his left pectoral muscle and didn't recover fully the first time. Ryan Kerrigan remains a stud bookend, but 2012 Orakpo replacement Rob Jackson's contract is up and there is no remaining depth. Washington needs to continue to prioritize pass rushers.

TE: The Redskins can make this position better if free agent Fred Davis is re-signed and recovers smoothly from Achilles' surgery, but it's a concern at the moment. Logan Paulsen is a high-effort player short on skill. Converted wide receiver Niles Paul is a situational tight end only. Chris Cooley is a free agent, and he may begin his broadcasting career as soon as this offseason.

12. Chicago Bears

OL: The Bears don't just need a tackle, guard, or center. They need help at every line position. 2011 first-round pick Gabe Carimi is looking like a bust at right tackle, and J'Marcus Webb has been inconsistent at best on the left side. Guards Lance Louis, Chris Spencer, and Chilo Rachal are all free agents. 34-year-old center Roberto Garza has fallen off a cliff. It's time for an overhaul.

LB: New Bears coach Marc Trestman doesn't seem inclined to bring back free agent middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, not that he should. Going on 35 with bad knees, Urlacher is a shell of his old self. Strong-side starter Nick Roach's contract is also up, giving Chicago two spots to fill.

TE: Perhaps the worst move of GM Phil Emery's tenure so far was to re-sign Kellen Davis last offseason. Davis flopped as the Bears' starting tight end and will likely be released. 2012 fourth-rounder Evan Rodriguez is an intriguing prospect, but doesn't profile as an every-down tight end.

DT: This position can remain a strength if the Bears re-sign free agent Henry Melton. After back-to-back productive seasons at "three technique," however, he won't be cheap. Stephen Paea is a solid run stuffer and Nate Collins is a quality reserve, but Chicago needs a pocket pusher inside.

13. Dallas Cowboys

DT: The Cowboys are switching from a 3-4 to 4-3 defense under new coordinator Monte Kiffin, meaning the complexion of their front seven will change. Nose tackle Jay Ratliff is in danger of being released, which would add yet another question mark to Dallas' defensive line. Jason Hatcher is a probable starter, but two quality interior linemen are required in the four-man front.

DE: DeMarcus Ware should transition smoothly from linebacker to weak-side end, and the Cowboys want to re-sign Anthony Spencer to continue manning the position across from him. Spencer wants big money and is uncertain to return. 2012 third-rounder Tyrone Crawford may be an option at left defensive end, although Crawford wasn't a big-time pass rusher at Boise State.

OG: The Cowboys seem to believe they have several viable guard options in Nate Livings, Ronald Leary, and Mackenzy Bernadeau, but of them only left guard Livings was a capable 2012 starter. Center Phil Costa is a restricted free agent coming off foot surgery. Even if Dallas appears to have numbers at guard and center, its interior run blocking was a huge problem area last season.

RB: Starter DeMarco Murray has missed nine games through two seasons, and top backup Felix Jones is headed to free agency. Lance Dunbar and Phillip Tanner are borderline NFL players. The Cowboys could use a durable backup for Murray who would also function in a change-of-pace role off the bench. Expect Dallas to target this position in the middle rounds of April's draft.

14. Minnesota Vikings

WR: The fact that Minnesota has never given Christian Ponder a legitimate outside receiver makes his early-career performance a blurry evaluation. Percy Harvin is a beast in the slot, but Jerome Simpson, Michael Jenkins, and Devin Aromashodu have served to hold back the offense rather than further it. The Vikings need to be in the market for a field stretcher like Mike Wallace to ease the burden on Harvin and Adrian Peterson, who operate around the line of scrimmage.

S: Vikings 2012 first-round pick Harrison Smith paid immediate dividends with playmaking ability and coverage skills in the deep half. Running mate Mistral Raymond, however, was a liability across from him. Raymond would stick to special teams in an ideal world, and the Vikings would pair Smith with a safety offering better talent. Pat Chung would be an interesting free-agent target.

LB: The Vikings enter 2013 feeling good about only one of their linebacker positions. Strong-side starter Chad Greenway is a Pro Bowl-caliber performer, but middle man Jasper Brinkley and weak-side 'backer Erin Henderson are both free agents. Brinkley is the guy they need to replace.

QB: The jury remains out on Ponder after two NFL seasons. In 2012, he went through long stretches looking like a top-12 draft bust, and Ponder has also been prone to injury. Joe Webb clearly isn't a viable competitor, so the Vikings may tap the free-agent market for an upgrade at backup quarterback. Veteran Matt Moore would probably be GM Rick Spielman's best target.

15. New Orleans Saints

LB: Back from suspension, coach Sean Payton is hellbent on turning his defense into a 3-4. Perhaps the most critical 3-4 component is outside-edge rushers capable of harassing the quarterback from a two-point stance. Junior Galette and Martez Wilson are in-house options, but neither has experience at the position. Look for the Saints to draft two rush 'backers in April. The Saints should be fine at inside linebacker with thumpers Curtis Lofton and David Hawthorne back.

DT: Cameron Jordan and Akiem Hicks are ready-made 3-4 defensive ends; they both spent time there in college. At 6-foot-2, 306, incumbent 4-3 nose tackle Brodrick Bunkley is undersized to play the position in a 3-4. New Orleans got kicked in the mouth in the running game in 2012, so acquiring a lane clogger might be GM Mickey Loomis' top priority from a pure need standpoint.

OT: This wouldn't be a need if left tackle Jermon Bushrod were under contract for 2013. Bushrod is indeed a free agent, however, and Loomis is unlikely to break the bank to retain him. Charles Brown might be an in-house replacement if he could stay healthy. So far in his career, he can't.

DB: While the lack of pass rush made the entire unit appear worse than it really is, the Saints' defensive backfield didn't hold up its end of the 2012 bargain. Patrick Robinson was a frequent burn victim, and safeties Malcolm Jenkins and Roman Harper turned in career-worst years. The Saints need to add competition in the secondary. These guys seem to be getting complacent.

16. Cincinnati Bengals

RB: Plodding early-down pounder BenJarvus Green-Ellis and 2012 practice squad member Dan Herron are Cincinnati's only two backs under contract for 2013. The Bengals need more "juice" at this position. UNC's Giovani Bernard -- profiled here -- would be a sensible target in the draft's second round.

DE: Both of the Bengals' 2012 starters at defensive end have expiring contracts. Carlos Dunlap can take left end Robert Geathers' place, but Cincinnati may have to use the franchise tag to retain right end Michael Johnson. Even if Johnson returns, an explosive nickel rusher would be a welcomed addition to coordinator Mike Zimmer's defense. Depth is a concern either way.

S: Zimmer played musical chairs at the safety spot opposite Reggie Nelson last season. When Nelson missed two games with a hamstring injury, the position turned into a disaster. Perhaps 2012 fifth-round pick George Iloka will get a longer look in training camp, but he won't be handed first-team snaps. Incumbent free safeties Nate Clements and Chris Crocker's contracts are up. The Bengals could also afford to address outside linebacker with Vontaze Burfict?moving from weak side to the middle.

QB: After back-to-back late-season collapses, there should be questions within the organization about whether Andy Dalton is the long-term answer. He didn't get better in his second year. At the very least, Cincinnati will be on the lookout for a backup upgrade on free agent Bruce Gradkowski.

17. Detroit Lions

CB: Cornerback has seemingly been a trouble spot in Detroit forever. Top corner Chris Houston is a free agent and the Lions were torched opposite him for most of last season. 2012 draft picks Bill Bentley, Jonte Green, and Chris Greenwood are all talented prospects, but it's unclear if any of them is ready to start in 2013. Alabama's Dee Milliner is already a popular mock pick at No. 5.

DE: Left end Cliff Avril's contract is up and right end Kyle Vanden Bosch's career is nearing its end. What was recently one of the league's most loaded defensive end depth charts has fast become among the thinnest. Only KVB, Willie Young, and Ronnell Lewis are signed for 2013.

WR: Safety, interior offensive line, and linebacker are also needy positions for the Lions, but wide receiver is most pressing for the NFL's pass-heaviest team. Only Calvin Johnson can be counted on for 2013 production. Nate Burleson would have to accept a salary slash to return, and Ryan Broyles is coming off a second ACL tear. Titus Young has practically begged for his release.

RB: While Mikel Leshoure and Joique Bell didn't embarrass themselves as a 2012 tandem attack, the Lions are looking to replace the homerun-hitting ability Jahvid Best left behind. Reggie Bush would be a sensible target in free agency, assuming he's willing to sign at an affordable rate.

18. Carolina Panthers

CB: Salary cap problems will likely force the Panthers to release top cornerback Chris Gamble, and fellow starter Captain Munnerlyn is a free agent. Forced to start as a rookie, 2012 fifth-round pick Josh Norman was burned relentlessly in coverage. This is easily Carolina's weakest position.

OT: Ryan Kalil's return will fortify center, while left tackle Jordan Gross, left guard Amini Silatolu, and right guard Garry Williams figure to return as Carolina's other three offensive line starters. Byron Bell has been a major liability at right tackle, however, and must be replaced. The Panthers haven't had effective right-tackle play since Jeff Otah stopped trying. That happened back in 2009.

WR: The Panthers are lucky to have gotten as many quality seasons out of Steve Smith as they have. He's still going strong, but turns 34 in May and is Carolina's only dangerous wideout. Brandon LaFell disappointed in his 2012 opportunity to start, and once-promising David Gettis was a non-factor. The Panthers need to consider drafting a receiver in the first or second round.

DT: Carolina doesn't have a single effective defensive tackle signed for 2013. Dwan Edwards is a free agent, and Ron Edwards is a likely cap casualty after getting pushed around in the run game last season. Blowing up this position to start from scratch wouldn't be a bad idea for the Panthers.

19. Indianapolis Colts

OL: Right tackle and both guard positions could use offseason upgrades after the Colts overcame the AFC's worst line play to win 11 games. Despite elite pocket awareness and mobility, Andrew Luck absorbed 41 sacks -- the NFL's fourth highest total. New playcaller Pep Hamilton is a smash-mouth offensive mind, so look for Indianapolis to pursue maulers in the running game.

CB: GM Ryan Grigson's trade for Vontae Davis paid dividends down the stretch, but the Colts were sorely lacking at slot and left corner. Jerraud Powers was benched for Darius Butler, and both of them are offseason free agents. Grigson is a lock to address cornerback in April's draft.

LB: The Colts go three deep at inside linebacker with Pat Angerer behind Jerrell Freeman and Kavell Conner, but outside linebacker is a different story. While Robert Mathis can still get after the quarterback, he's 32 and battled back injuries in 2012. Dwight Freeney is a free agent, and Jerry Hughes is a mediocre situational player. Indianapolis needs a new franchise pass rusher.

DE: Ends in Chuck Pagano's 3-4 scheme are supposed to be immovable gap pluggers. 32-year-old Cory Redding struggled to duplicate his Baltimore success last season, and Ricardo Mathews would be a wave player on a good defense. The Colts have been gashed by the run for far too long. Grigson should target five-technique defensive ends in the draft's early to middle rounds.

20. Miami Dolphins

WR: Despite impressive individual play by rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill, the Dolphins' 2012 offense was held hostage by their receivers' inability to separate. The Fins lacked playmakers out wide. Leading receiver Brian Hartline is now entering free agency, and Miami is left paper thin. The Dolphins have a ton of cap space and could pursue Greg Jennings, Mike Wallace,?and/or Dwayne Bowe.

OT: The Dolphins are not expected to re-sign free agent left tackle Jake Long because his salary demands are too rich for their taste. 2012 second-rounder Jonathan Martin got blown up in pass protection as a rookie, so he'd be difficult to justify as a viable alternative. Miami must acquire at least one starting offensive tackle. Martin's year-one performance suggests they may need two.

CB: GM Jeff Ireland's 2012 trade of top cornerback Vontae Davis looks foolish in hindsight. Sean Smith took over as Miami's answer for No. 1 receivers and held up well, but is now a free agent. Offseason pickup Richard Marshall struggled in coverage before rupturing two discs in his back. Ireland's tendency to trade solid starters without a long-term replacement plan is head scratching. See also, Brandon Marshall.

S: Strong safety Reshad Jones has quietly emerged as one of the league's premier players at his position, but free safety Chris Clemons is a free agent and backup Jonathon Amaya strictly plays on special teams. The Dolphins could also afford to add talent at running back and defensive end.

21. San Diego Chargers

OT: Want a quick explanation for San Diego's 2012 offensive collapse? (The Chargers led the NFL in total offense as recently as 2010.) It all starts up front. $25 million left tackle Jared Gaither refused to play through pain, and when he wasn't in the lineup starting tackles Mike Harris and Jeromey Clary were turnstiles in pass protection. Philip Rivers began seeing ghosts in the pocket, sensing pass rush that wasn't there. San Diego needs to clean house at this position.

CB: Starters Quentin Jammer and Antoine Cason's contracts have both expired, leaving San Diego with only Marcus Gilchrist, Shareece Wright, and practice squad-type Greg Gatson under contract at corner. The Chargers need speed in the secondary after Jammer and Cason were all too often exposed deep. New coach Mike McCoy has ties to likely Panthers cap casualty Chris Gamble, while assistant Ken Whisenhunt knows free agent Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie well.

RB: Perhaps McCoy and Whisenhunt will feel differently, but outgoing coach Norv Turner had decided that 2010 first-round pick Ryan Mathews was not the solution as a foundation back. Mathews proceeded to justify Turner's opinion in 2012, fracturing his collarbone twice and running tentatively when healthy. Backups Ronnie Brown and Jackie Battle are both free agents, which means the Bolts will at the very least pursue a No. 2 back and possibly Mathews' replacement.

QB: While Rivers gets something of a pass because ex-GM A.J. Smith did such an abominable job of compiling receivers and offensive linemen, it's fair to wonder how many quality years -- if any -- San Diego's quarterback has left. Going on 32, Rivers' arm strength has eroded and he's become increasingly turnover prone. A developmental prospect capable of at least pushing underwhelming backup Charlie Whitehurst would be a nice addition for Whisenhunt to groom.

22. Philadelphia Eagles

QB: Owed a $15.5 million salary, Michael Vick is tentatively expected to be released sometime in March. 2012 third-round pick Nick Foles possesses some intriguing tools, but lacks the athleticism rookie coach Chip Kelly typically seeks in a signal caller. The Eagles are expected to sign Ravens practice squad quarterback Dennis Dixon in the coming days, but Dixon probably isn't a viable candidate to start. Kelly would likely love to get his hands on West Virginia's Geno Smith.

CB: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is a free agent, and the Eagles will likely part with declining running mate Nnamdi Asomugha. Of Philadelphia's top three 2012 corners, only slot guy Brandon Boykin's roster spot is assured. Curtis Marsh and Brandon Hughes each have some potential, but lack starting experience. The Eagles need to add competition at both outside cornerback spots.

DT: Kelly is installing a 3-4 scheme, a major departure from Philly's defenses of seasons past. While Trent Cole and Brandon Graham should hold their own as stand-up rush 'backers, the Eagles lack a double team-commanding nose tackle to anchor. The Eagles should feel okay at end (Cullen Jenkins, Fletcher Cox) and inside linebacker (DeMeco Ryans, Mychal Kendricks).

S: Kurt Coleman would be covering punts on a team with a good secondary, and Nate Allen hasn't been the same since rupturing his patellar tendon in 2010. At the very least, the Eagles need one new starting safety. Kenny Phillips and Louis Delmas would be attractive free agent additions.

23. Buffalo Bills

QB: Incumbent starter Ryan Fitzpatrick will be released before his $3 million roster bonus comes due on March 13. New coach Doug Marrone subscribes to a run-first philosophy, which should theoretically allow Buffalo to ease in a rookie signal caller. The obvious pre-draft connection is Ryan Nassib, whom Marrone and first-year coordinator Nathaniel Hackett developed at Syracuse.

WR: "We want a guy who can go up and snatch the ball, that he?s open when he?s covered,? GM Buddy Nix explained after the season. ?Go up and high point the ball and get it." The Bills envision $36 million receiver Stevie Johnson's future in the slot, and were involved in the Vincent Jackson bidding even after re-signing Johnson last offseason. Nix would probably love a Dwayne Bowe.

OG: The Bills could solidify this position for the long term by re-signing guard Andy Levitre, but he won't come cheap and intends to shop his wares. Top reserve Chad Rinehart is also a free agent. With Cordy Glenn and Chris Hairston at tackle, Eric Wood at center, and Kraig Urbik locked in at right guard, Levitre's left guard position is Buffalo's only real question mark on the line.

LB: GM Nix wants "a guy who can run and cover and can match up against a slot or a tight end" to play between Nick Barnett and Nigel Bradham. Buffalo has soured on 2011 third-rounder Kelvin Sheppard and is in the market for a middle linebacker. Free agency is bone dry at this position.

24. Cleveland Browns

LB: Phil Taylor, Billy Winn, Ahtyba Rubin, and John Hughes give new defensive coordinator Ray Horton intriguing options on the line. D'Qwell Jackson and James-Michael Johnson could be a formidable inside linebacker duo. Outside rush 'backers are essential in Horton's 3-4, however, and would-be defensive end convert Jabaal Sheard is the Browns' only realistic option there.

CB: Joe Haden is among the league's best cover guys at left corner, but 34-year-old right corner Sheldon Brown is a free agent and isn't expected back. The depth chart is rounded out by Buster Skrine, Trevin Wade, and Johnson Bademosi, none of whose performances will endear themselves to the new-look Browns on 2012 game tape. Horton likes big, physical press corners.

QB: By now, it's no secret that new Browns personnel boss Mike Lombardi is not a fan of 2012 first-round pick Brandon Weeden. Coming off a 14-touchdown, 17-pick rookie season, Weeden didn't do enough to enter camp locked in as the starter. Lombardi has long been a fan of Patriots backup Ryan Mallett, who is expected to be available for offseason trade. Perhaps Lombardi will dangle this year's 68th overall pick and a future second-rounder to acquire big-armed Mallett.

TE: It remains to be seen how new coach Rob Chudzinski and offensive coordinator Norv Turner view Jordan Cameron. Ben Watson and Alex Smith are free agents, leaving athletic specimen Cameron -- an ex-basketball player -- atop Cleveland's tight end depth chart. Tight ends have consistently been an integral part of both Chudzinski and Turner's offenses through the years.

25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

DE: Top defensive end Michael Bennett is scheduled for free agency, and would-be bookend Adrian Clayborn is coming off a torn ACL. 2011 second-round pick Da'Quan Bowers has yet to establish himself as a capable starter. The Bucs finished the season last in the NFC in sacks, exacerbating deficiencies in the back end. They must find a core pass rusher this offseason.

CB: A combination of no pass rush and utter lack of reliable cover men can quickly torpedo any pass defense. So it isn't surprising that the Bucs surrendered the most passing yards in the league in 2012. Top corner E.J. Biggers is up for free agency, and Eric Wright is expected to be released. Tampa Bay currently does not have a cornerback it can count on to be a 2013 starter.

QB: After a 2012 season that wasn't nearly as good as his stats suggest, Josh Freeman will enter a contract year without any plans from the Bucs to give him an extension. Freeman still struggles with accuracy and when surrounded by bodies, even if his vertical-passing arm is among the league's elite. GM Mark Dominik plans to upgrade the backup quarterback spot on Dan Orlovsky.

DT: Gerald McCoy is a difference-making three-technique tackle, but nose guard Roy Miller is an unrestricted free agent and defensive tackle already had depth concerns. Even if Miller re-signs, the Bucs could use a third interior lineman to bolster the rotation and provide productive snaps.

26. St. Louis Rams

OL: St. Louis fielded the most rag-tag offensive line in football last season and remains desperate for reliable, effective blockers. There isn't a position on the front five that couldn't use an upgrade. Only right guard Harvey Dahl and left tackle Rodger Saffold can be considered quality starters, and the latter is entering a contract year. Pricey center Scott Wells' right knee may be shot.

S: The Rams will need two new starting safeties if they release Quintin Mikell, which is expected. They'll happily let free agent free safety Craig Dahl walk. St. Louis has built one of the NFL's more promising cornerback depth charts, but the secondary has a ways to go before it's solidified.

LB: Middle man James Laurinaitis is St. Louis' only worthwhile every-down linebacker. Weak-side starter Jo-Lonn Dunbar was exposed as a 2012 pass defender, and strong-side 'backer Rocky McIntosh's contract has run out. Both outside positions should be open to competition in 2013.

WR: Seemingly an annual offseason need for the Rams, receiver is slowly getting better but not quite there yet. While 2012 fourth-round pick Chris Givens flashed big-play ability and separation skills, fellow rookie Brian Quick was slow to develop. Top receiver Danny Amendola is a free agent. If the Rams re-sign Amendola, it's still possible that they'll continue to build this position from within. They've certainly not yet soured on Quick, who was last year's 33rd overall pick.

27. Tennessee Titans

OL: Tennessee's tackle spots remain strong with Michael Roos on the left side and David Stewart on the right, but all three interior line positions have question marks. 35-year-old left guard Steve Hutchinson is a retirement candidate after knee surgery. Center Fernando Velasco is a restricted free agent, and right guard involved musical chairs in 2012 with Deuce Lutui and Leroy Harris both noticeably struggling. Interior penetration by defenses was a problem throughout the year.

S: The Titans' safety play was among the league's poorest last season. Free safety Michael Griffin's five-year, $35 million deal is looking regrettable in hindsight, and strong safety was a revolving door of Jordan Babineaux, Robert Johnson, and Al Afalava. Tennessee must fortify the latter position in particular, allowing Griffin to focus on covering centerfield. He is an awful tackler.

QB: It's fair to wonder if Jake Locker is the long-term quarterback answer in Nashville after he made no noticeable 2012 strides. If anything, Locker may have taken a step back. His accuracy hasn't improved since the University of Washington, and Locker will miss a chunk of offseason work while recovering from left (non-throwing) shoulder surgery. Backup Matt Hasselbeck, going on 38, has nothing left in his arm and probably will be cut due to a prohibitive $5.5 million salary.

RB: Chris Johnson is expected to return despite a whopping $10 million base salary, but the Titans have zero depth behind him. Javon Ringer is a free agent, and Jamie Harper is an upright plodder. Ideally, Tennessee would find a power back to complement finesse runner Johnson.

28. Kansas City Chiefs

QB: Matt Cassel won't see a penny of his $7.5 million salary. He'll likely be cut in February. Since the end of the regular season, a number of signs have pointed to Alex Smith being atop new coach Andy Reid's wish list. Smith -- or Kevin Kolb, if released by Arizona -- could serve as the Chiefs' band-aid quarterback as Reid develops a younger player with franchise-caliber potential.

CB: The Chiefs knew quickly that 2012 free-agent signing Stanford Routt was a bust. They cut him in early November, and usual slot corner Javier Arenas was stretched as Routt's replacement in the starting lineup. Top cornerback Brandon Flowers is signed through 2016, but Kansas City must find a capable starter opposite him. Jalil Brown is an underwhelming in-house candidate.

DE: Reid is keeping the 3-4 in place, but he'll have to renovate Kansas City's defensive line. Right end Glenn Dorsey is a free agent, and left end Tyson Jackson is a likely cap casualty due to a massive $14.72 million base salary. The Chiefs were consistently moved in the run game in 2012.

WR: The Chiefs can solidify receiver by re-signing Dwayne Bowe. Left tackle is another need area, but can be fortified if free agent Branden Albert returns healthy. Albert battled chronic back injuries last season. If those two players leave, tackle and wideout suddenly move near the top of Kansas City's team needs. 2011 first-round receiver Jon Baldwin has been a bust thus far, and there isn't another viable starting wideout on the roster. Likewise, there is no Albert replacement.

29. Arizona Cardinals

QB: A misfit for new coach Bruce Arians' vertical attack, Kevin Kolb figures to be cut ahead of his $2 million March 15 roster bonus. John Skelton isn't getting better, and Ryan Lindley is a long-term project. Among draft-eligible quarterbacks, big-armed Mike Glennon of N.C. State would best fit Arians' system. The Cardinals still must upgrade their line before installing a rookie QB.

OT: The Cards can get by with Lyle Sendlein, Daryn Colledge, and Nate Potter on the interior, but tackle is a major issue. Bobby Massie wasn't remotely ready to play as a rookie, and Levi Brown -- back from injury -- belongs at right tackle or guard. If Arizona doesn't deem a quarterback worthy of the No. 7 overall pick, Central Michigan's Eric Fisher would be quite nice as a fallback plan.

LB: New Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles' background is in the 4-3. Arizona currently has 3-4 personnel. If Bowles plans on changing the scheme, the Cards will need a weak-side end to rush opposite Calais Campbell, and at least one 4-3 outside 'backer. For the 4-3, Bowles might consider keeping Stewart Bradley to man the middle, with Daryl Washington on the weak side.

CB: With only right cornerback Patrick Peterson entrenched as a starter, Arizona has holes at left and slot corner. Incumbent starter William Gay is a prime release candidate, Michael Adams and Greg Toler are free agents, and 2012 third-rounder Jamell Fleming didn't show much as a rookie.

30. Jacksonville Jaguars

QB: The Jags finally have a pair of competent receivers in Cecil Shorts and Justin Blackmon, but they lack someone capable of consistently getting them the ball. Blaine Gabbert is a bust. Chad Henne is a career backup. Jacksonville will draft second overall in late April, and West Virginia's Geno Smith would be an awfully nice fit for new coordinator Jedd Fisch's West Coast offense.

CB: The Jaguars are headed for a makeover in the backend. Top corner Derek Cox and nickel back Rashean Mathis are both free agents, while Aaron Ross is a candidate to be released. New Jags coach Gus Bradley has a history of success with big, physical press-man cornerbacks who don't necessarily cost a lot of money or high picks. Bradley's corners need to be route disruptors.

LB: Jacksonville's defense got rag-dolled in the run game last season. Many of the failures can be attributed to poor play up front, but there are more holes to fill at linebacker. Stalwart strong-side 'backer Daryl Smith is a free agent after an injury-ruined season. Weak-side starter Russell Allen fared better in a utilityman role. The Jaguars need to find at least one new starting linebacker.

RB: Maurice Jones-Drew suffered a Lisfranc fracture early in the 2012 season. Backup Rashad Jennings flopped in the feature back role, before getting injured himself. Jennings is now a free agent and unlikely to be retained. Jones-Drew has a ton of wear on his tires and is coming off a serious injury. Jacksonville needs to begin thinking about MJD's long-term replacement.

31. New York Jets

QB: Where to begin. The Jets' roster disintegrated under since-fired GM Mike Tannenbaum to the point that it's arguably the worst collection of talent in football. Although Mark Sanchez is certain to return because Tannenbaum guaranteed his $8.25 million salary, the Jets would be better off never putting Sanchez on the field again. Due to cap concerns, New York will likely have to go cheap on a quarterback competitor, drafting one or scooping up a veteran off the scrap heap.

RB: Impending free agent Shonn Greene head-scratchingly set a career high for carries in 2012 despite rushing for a career-worst yards per attempt. He's not expected back, leaving fellow plodder Bilal Powell atop the depth chart. The Jets are desperate for an injection of burst and explosion in the backfield. They've twiddled their thumbs with faux "power backs" for far too long.

TE: Free agent Dustin Keller has all but begged out of New York and will likely depart for greener pastures. Backup Jeff Cumberland is a stiff-moving, upright tight end lacking field-stretching ability. The Jets need an athletic tight end and another wide receiver for their next quarterback.

OL: While center Nick Mangold, left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, and right guard Brandon Moore are still going strong, right tackle and left guard are needy positions on the line. We didn't even get to defense, where New York is desperate for an edge rusher. Calvin Pace will almost certainly be cut. Safety is yet another problem area as starters LaRon Landry and Yeremiah Bell head to free agency. As alluded to previously, this Jets roster is a complete and utter mess.

32. Oakland Raiders

OL: Khalif Barnes and Willie Smith are turnstiles at right tackle. Right guard Mike Brisiel was signed for ex-offensive coordinator Greg Knapp's zone-blocking scheme, which has since been scrapped. Left guard Cooper Carlisle is going on age 36 and entering free agency. After the Raiders couldn't clear a running lane without a holding penalty in 2012, left tackle Jared Veldheer and center Stefen Wisniewski may be the only salvageable parts on this putrid offensive line.

CB: The Raiders got so desperate last year that they converted safety Michael Huff to cornerback during the season. Huff is moving back to safety, and Oakland doesn't have a single solid starting corner left on the roster. They?ll have to address this position in both free agency and the draft.

DE: Three Oakland defensive ends -- Lamarr Houston, Matt Shaughnessy, and Andre Carter -- played 300 or more snaps in 2012. The first is entering a contract year, and the latter two are offseason free agents. Lacking talent both at pass rusher and cornerback, the Raiders' pass defense is headed for another very long year. GM Reggie McKenzie will have to get creative.

LB: Strong-si

Source: http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/42452/59/team-needs--and--roster-rankings

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Your history may define your future: Tell your doctor

Feb. 4, 2013 ? Your family history is important, not just because it shaped you into who you are today, but it also impacts your risk for developing cancer and other chronic diseases. For example, if one of your family members had cancer, your primary care doctor needs to know. Being able to identify individuals at increased risk can help reduce mortality. In a study published this week in the online version of the Journal of General Internal Medicine, researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) found that patients who use a web-based risk appraisal tool are more likely to have important family history documented.

"Primary care clinicians can play a critical role in documenting a patient's family history and assessing the patient's risk factors for diseases like cancer," explained Heather Baer, ScD, an associate epidemiologist and assistant professor in the Division of General Medicine and Primary Care at BWH. "However, most clinicians see a large number of patients, have limited time during patient visits and may lack adequate systems for collecting and synthesizing this information."

The research team, lead by Baer, set out to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of using a web-based risk appraisal tool in a primary care setting. Researchers asked patients who had new patient visits or annual exams, throughout three primary care practices, to fill out the web-based risk appraisal tool on a laptop computer in the waiting room immediately before their visit. Two other primary care practices, where patients did not use the tool, were used for comparison.

A total of 996 patients filled out the tool while waiting for their appointment. The tool asked patients about their family history of cancer as well as lifestyle factors such as diet, physical activity and smoking. At the end of the questionnaire, patients received a report summarizing their risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Information on family history of cancer was sent to their electronic health record (EHR) for clinicians to view; if accepted by the clinician, it went into coded fields and could trigger reminders for the clinician about colon and breast cancer screening. The researchers measured whether or not new documentation of a positive of family history of cancer was added to the EHR.

"We found that 10.6 percent of patients who used the tool had new information on family history of cancer entered in the EHR within 30 days after their visit, compared to less than one percent of control patients," explained Baer. "This type of risk assessment tool may be useful for collecting information on family history and lifestyle factors and may also help increase communication between physicians and patients about their risk."

One of the limitations of the study was that only a small percentage of eligible patients filled out the tool because of time constraints before their visit. Also, some of the family history information that patients filled in using the tool was not accepted into the EHR by their clinician. Researchers say further research is needed to determine how risk appraisal tools can be integrated with workflow at primary care practices and how they affect screening and health behaviors among patients.

This research is supported by grants from the CRICO/Risk Management Foundation of the Harvard Medical Institutions and from the National Human Genome Research Institute (1RC1HG005331). Dr. Baer is supported by a Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (K01HS019789)..

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. Heather J. Baer, Louise I. Schneider, Graham A. Colditz, Hank Dart, Analisa Andry, Deborah H. Williams, E. John Orav, Jennifer S. Haas, George Getty, Elizabeth Whittemore, David W. Bates. Use of a Web-based Risk Appraisal Tool for Assessing Family History and Lifestyle Factors in Primary Care. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2013; DOI: 10.1007/s11606-013-2338-z

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zXlQHdNHS9g/130204095938.htm

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Disappeared Under Yemen's Saleh, Activist Found Alive Decades ...

When Mathar al-Iriani was disappeared in the 1980s under the rule of former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh, it would not have been a stretch to assume that he had been tortured and left for dead. Yet just last month, Iriani was found alive, partially paralyzed and stricken with amnesia, living in a retirement home close to his family?s residence.

Hodeidah ? In 1982, leftist activist and member of the Revolutionary Democratic Party of Yemen Mathar al-Iriani was arrested by intelligence agencies operating under the rule of former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Iriani?s family spent three decades looking for him. As they awaited his return, they had no idea that he was living only a few hundred meters away from their home.

In December 2012, the activist was found in a retirement home in the western Yemeni city of Hodeidah suffering from amnesia and hemiplegia as a result of the torture he endured post-disappearance. Tariq al-Iriani, a son-in-law of Mathar al-Iriani, related the details to Al-Akhbar.

Iriani?s family reinvigorated the search for Mathar in December 2012 after receiving a phone call from a political activist in Sanaa involved in ?The Walls Remember their Faces? campaign. The effort is dedicated to remembering those disappeared in Yemen?s history and the group requested a photo of Mathar to add to a mural.

Tariq gestured to a picture of Mathar that was taken before his forced disappearance in 1982. ?I took it to the Dar al-Salam Center for Mental and Psychological Illness in Hodeidah and showed it to the staff there. One person said that the man in the photo resembled a person who lived in a nearby retirement home,? he said.

In the retirement home, Tariq found an old man suffering from amnesia and right hemiplegia, but who resembled his father-in-law. He snapped a photo with his cell phone and showed his wife who also saw the resemblance. ?When they saw him, they were sure it was their father. Worried about him, they took him home. For them it was a done deal,? he said.

Of all those responsible for his tragedy, the central target of his cursing is Colonel Ali Abdullah Saleh. It?s a name he yells often.When Al-Akhbar visited the family home a few days ago, Iriani was lying down, partially paralyzed. ?No one knows the kind of torture he underwent,? Tariq said, adding that a medical brain scan revealed that Mathar, now nearing 70, had suffered severe injuries due to blows to the head. It was likely that he had suffered a stroke that left him paralyzed.

Mathar?s official papers indicate that he was transferred in 1994 from a hospital in the nearby city of Taiz to the retirement home in Hodeidah. A decade later, he was taken to the Dar al-Salam Center for Mental and Psychological Illness where he spent eight years. In 2012, he was returned to the retirement home located near his family?s place of residence.

Iriani is beset with fits of screaming, interspersed with insults directed at an imaginary person in front of him whom he often calls ?dog.? Of all those responsible for his tragedy, the central target of his cursing is Colonel Ali Abdullah Saleh. It?s a name he yells often, emphasizing the military rank that the former president carried when Iriani was disappeared in the early 1980s.

Iriani also mentioned someone named Colonel al-Halali. He?s thought to be the former director of security in Hodeidah.

The aging activist is a living testimony to the gruesome ways of Saleh?s regime. Saleh disappeared many of his opponents, many of whom, it would seem, lost their minds and memories. It appears that destroying the minds and memories of the disappeared was part of a systematic process of erasure aimed at replacing their true identities with fabricated ones.

Iriani was found under the name Taha al-Tahiri. According to his son-in-law, the old man responds to Taha, Mathar, and Tariq. The latter name, the son-in-law explained, is a product of his father-in-law?s belief that he is Tariq ibn Ziad, the Muslim general who led the Islamic conquest of Spain.

Iriani?s case reinforces the claim that Saleh?s regime aimed to erase the identities of opponents whom he disappeared. The son-in-law pulled out a small photo that he said was in ?Taha al-Tahiri?s? file. It?s of a young man whose features differ greatly from Mathar?s features. Tariq wondered: ?Do you think this picture is of this person??

It appears that destroying the minds and memories of the disappeared was part of a systematic process of erasure aimed at replacing their true identities with fabricated ones.Today, the family seems certain that this person is Mathar al-Iriani. Other than the physical resemblance, he is able to recall the names of family members and places where he lived. ?There are a lot of indicators and evidence that confirm his identity,? said Tariq.

But he does not remember basic things like his own name and the names of his four daughters. ?I am sure it is him,? said Tariq. ?But we will wait for the DNA test results just to avoid any mistakes.?

Iriani was not the only disappeared person found at a retirement home. It appears that security forces would take whomever they suspected were disappeared people and drop them off at retirement homes under the pretext that they were insane or suffering from amnesia.

Many suspect that another sufferer of amnesia is a leftist activist named Ali Khan who was disappeared in 1978, the year Saleh assumed power in North Yemen. Yet there is uncertainty in this case. At the retirement home, this man is known as Ali Mahdi al-Rimi.

This article is an edited translation from the Arabic Edition.

Source: http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/disappeared-under-yemen%E2%80%99s-saleh-activist-found-alive-decades-later

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Syrian media: Former lawmaker killed near Aleppo

BEIRUT (AP) ? Syria's official news agency says a former member of parliament and three members of his family have been killed in a rebel-held area the near the northern city of Aleppo.

SANA said Sunday that "terrorists" fired at Ibrahim Azzouz's car in Sheik Said neighborhood near the city's airport, killing him along with his wife and their two daughters.

Rebels captured the strategic Sheik Said neighborhood, southeast of Aleppo on Saturday. It was a significant blow to regime forces because the area includes the road the army has used to supply troops.

The Syrian government refers to rebels as "terrorists."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/syrian-media-former-lawmaker-killed-near-aleppo-124722900.html

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S. Brent Plate: Religion at the Academy Awards

As we bow to the golden statue called Oscar, devoting ourselves to the saintly thespians, joining in rituals of exaltation, and reading our sacred gossip columns, we might stop to ponder the continuing place of religious themes, topics, and tropes in the year's top movies. We see it from bullet-riddled, bible-thumping slavers to chaos monsters at the depths of the bayou, from young boys mixing and merging South Asian rituals to moral compunctions about torture. This year's Oscar line-up is once again rife with religious references, and the entertainment industry may be overtaking religious institutions as the prime mythmakers and ritual producers in a society where the "nones" are on the rise.

The desire for some kind of redemption pulses through human life, while belief in the vehicles of that redemption -- grace, karma, or hard work -- is heavily exploited in Hollywood. The really bad guys deserve their place in the pit, but most wretches can still be saved. Commenting on his novel, "Les Miserables," Victor Hugo noted how the plot moves from "evil to good . . . from nothingness to God." But apparently the simplicity of that narrative arc is not enough to get contemporary audiences through the journey, so via Broadway, Hollywood adds music. Some show tunes and a few pretty faces help make the widows, orphans, and thieves bearable, paving our redemptive route.

But if the bad guys are ugly, in face and spirit, we might delight in a harsher justice. "Django Unchained" was, according to one prominent reviewer, a "narcotic and delirious pleasure." Quentin Tarantino's Blaxploitation-meets-spaghetti-western raises questions about the role of violence, and the place of religion in the creation of this nation. (For that matter, so did Lincoln.) Two scenes bring this into the religious realm. One occurs early on when a slaver carries around a Bible and a whip, misquoting some choice passages about God's justice. Several pages of a Bible are stuck to his body when Django (Jamie Foxx) shoots him. The page over his heart, a "breastplate of righteousness" (see Isaiah 59.17), becomes a target for a bullet.

The corollary scene comes toward the end, when Django begins some serious retribution. Cued up is John Legend's neo-soul song, "Who did that to you?" As Django prepares to unload bullets into slavers' bodies, Legend's lyrics remind us that vengeance is the Lord's but "I'ma do it first," since "my judgment's divine." The implications are clear: Django embodies God's vengeance. And as the Brittle brothers topple, Django proclaims, "I like the way you die, boy," a statement that becomes the narcotic, delirious cry of the audience as well.

Django's revenge is not far from the historical Christian abolitionist John Brown, who took up arms at the same point in history in which Django Unchained was set, on the eve of the Civil War. Brown stated "I pity the poor in bondage that have none to help them: that is why I am here; not to gratify any personal animosity, revenge, or vindictive spirit." After a failed military attempt to steal guns from the armory at Harper's Ferry, Victor Hugo himself published a letter seeking Brown's pardon. Christian charity, attitudes toward the oppressed, and violence, are entangled in ways difficult to unwind.

T.S. Eliot once poeticized about the power of the "strange, brown god" that is a river, and how we moderns forget about this power when we build bridges over it. Until it rages, rises, and destroys. Water may cleanse, but in religious myth after myth (not just the one about Noah) water brings death. Floods represent chaos erupting from the depths, overtaking the cosmic order of the land of the living. Both Beasts of the Southern Wild and Life of Pi tap into this ancient story source, bringing us back to the primal, destructive, and ultimately re-creative power of water.

The great deity Vishnu tamed the chaos of the infinite sea and reclined on the back of the sea snake Shesha. An image and telling of that myth is shown toward the beginning of the Ang Lee-directed "Life of Pi," a story that unfolds through the young protagonist Piscine Molitor, AKA "Pi" (Suraj Sharma), aboard a lifeboat with a slightly-tamed tiger. The waters have raged and killed his family, and Pi survives a hero's journey across an ocean of sharks, carnivorous islands, and, oh yeah, that tiger. He is drawn to ritual and tradition, and gleefully syncretizes elements of Hindu, Muslim, and Christian practices. What sticks in his throat most is the absence of ritual, the hindrances to the ceremonies of drawing things to a close and allowing a little cosmos in the face of chaos. When left without the institutions and communities that help foster such activities, meaning is lost.

"Beasts" (dir. Behn Zeitlin) also finds a young protagonist on a hero's journey, fighting the threats of chaos, of waters that rise to overtake her community's way of life. The floods come, as well as the eponymous beasts, and threaten the order of things, like the Hebrew Bible's Behemoth. Until young Hushpuppy (Quvenzhan? Wallis) can come to some point of resolve in her life, some acceptance of death and change, the beasts threaten. She tells her stories through pictures on the insides of boxes, like the Stone Age humans who left the marks of their beasts in the caves of Lascaux.

More than any other film last year, "The Master" tells the story of our contemporary spirituality, the background to our current, collectively recited creed, "I'm spiritual not religious." A cryptically historical account of the rise of Scientology, Paul Thomas Anderson's film embarks on a project of mythologizing about the American Century. Firmly set at the start of the Baby Boomer generation, "The Master" is Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman) who through hypnosis uncovers personal stories for clients/adherents/customers (and it's never clear which). Psychotherapy mixes with self-seeking, and a cosmic structure is set in place, pointing toward a more pure, perfect, and pleasant tomorrow. Mythologies are no longer stuck in a distant past, but our very selves are firmly placed within mythical history.

In an age of "nones," and a general a movement away from organized religion, sacred traces yet abound. One wonders if the religious dimensions of life can ever really be excised, as ancient myths and rituals and symbols form a backbone of cultural productions. Perhaps, as Eliot put it, "The river is within us, the sea is all about us."

Plate's Picks for Religious Oscars 2012

Best Creation of Mythology: (tie) "Beasts of the Southern Wild" and "Cloud Atlas"

Best Re-use of Ritual: "The Sessions"

Best Iconography: "Samsara"

Best Ethical Compunction: "Zero Dark Thirty"

Best Sense of the Sacred in the Everyday: "Amour"

Best Hero's Journey: "Brave"

Best Warning about the Excesses of Religion: "The Master"

S. Brent Plate is Visiting Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Hamilton College. His books include "Religion and Film: Cinema and the Re-Creation of the World" and "Blasphemy: Art that Offends." He is currently writing "A History of Religion in 5 ? Objects" with Beacon Press.

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/s-brent-plate/religion-at-the-academy-awards_b_2529352.html

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