In this special edition of the podcast, Liz Crowe discusses with Iain how we can find contentment, despite the relentless nature of COVID19 and the impending second wave. She gives practical, realistic advice that everyone can consider and encourages us all to be kind to ourselves in these strange and difficult times.
free download The Second Wave
A second wave occurs when previous high rates of infection are followed by a decline, which are then replaced by a further, sustained rise in infections. A new report from the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) warns that a second wave of COVID-19 in fall or winter could potentially be even more devastating than the first, partly because it will coincide with flu season.
Some countries, such as several in South America, are only now experiencing the heights of the first wave. Others which have seen rates increase after a period of decline, like Iran, are entering a second wave.
The first wave taught us all a lot of lessons around the importance of basic health and hygiene. With a second wave imminent, reinforcing the practices adopted when the virus first struck is critical.
Grading each move the Las Vegas Raiders made during wave two of free agency.\nIt was a wildly unexpected\u00a0first wave of free agency for the Las Vegas Raiders. Entering the off-season in desperate need of a wideout, the Silver and Black not only managed to get their hands on a legitimate wide receiver No.1 but snagged the best in the business at the position.\nIn just a handful of days, a rumor that circulated the building for years became a reality; Davante Adams became a Raider.\nAdams wasn\u2019t the only star-power Las Vegas acquired, either. The first big move of the Raiders\u2019 free agency was signing 2x All-Pro edge rusher, Chandler Jones, giving Las Vegas two All-Pro edge rushers; Something Raider Nation shouldn\u2019t take for granted, being no team had fewer sacks than the Raiders just three seasons ago.\nIn addition to these two superstars, the new front office in Las Vegas addressed both running-back and cornerback depth. Still, a lot of positions were left needing to be deeper at the end of wave one, most notably defensive tackle and linebacker. After all, there were only two players at both positions on the roster.\nWave one was all about bringing in high-tier talent, and the Raiders did about as well as Raider Nation could\u2019ve dreamed of. They signed the elite Chandler Jones, then traded Yannick Ngakoue for a corner that allowed an out of this world 26% of passes to be completed in man coverage last year. Davante Adams was next, and McDaniels even managed to bring in his favorite fullback.\nAfter setting the tone with an aggressive first wave, how did Las Vegas fair in the second? Let\u2019s dive into it, assessing each signing and discussing both what the Silver and Black did, and didn\u2019t do.\n\n \n Next:\u00a0Skill position grades\n \n"},"title":"Raiders: Grades for the second wave of 2022 free agency","permalink":"https:\/\/justblogbaby.com\/2022\/03\/31\/raiders-grades-second-wave-2022-free-agency\/2\/","shortCodeTitle":null,"content":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLAS VEGAS, NEVADA \u2013 NOVEMBER 14: Demarcus Robinson #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 14, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey\/Getty Images)\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\nRaiders: Grades for the second wave of 2022 free agency\nSkill Position players\nGarret Gilbert, QB\n\nGrade: C+\nContract: 1y, $1,070,000\n\nThe Raiders went into free agency with only Derek Carr in the quarterback room and picked up a backup who\u2019s familiar with head coach Josh McDaniels and his system.\nGilbert hasn\u2019t done much in the NFL, neither positive nor negative, but he was the best quarterback in the short-lived AAF. Before the league suspended operations, Gilbert led all quarterbacks in most statistical categories, including passing yards, completions, and passer rating.\nIt isn\u2019t clear if Gilbert will be Carr\u2019s immediate backup, or if there are other plans in that regard. At the end of the day, though, this is a very affordable quarterback who\u2019s familiar with the new scheme. He may not have a notable history in the NFL, but given these facts, it\u2019s hard to sink lower than a C+.\nDemarcus Robinson, WR\n\nGrade: B\nContract: 1y, $1,187,500\n\nAfter bringing in the top receiver the league has to offer, the Raiders went out and grabbed Robinson on a cheap, one-year deal.\nThere are a lot of positives with the former Chiefs wideout. He has big-play ability and can step up when Kansas City\u2019s no.1 receiver isn\u2019t available. There\u2019s a reason the team who\u2019s currently gone to four AFC Championship Games in a row has kept him around all this time, after all.\nRobinson was at his best when Tyreek Hill wasn\u2019t on the field. In the last three seasons, Hill has missed five games, and Robinson has had his best results during this time. In the \u201919 season, Hill missed four contests, where Robinson was able to average 70 yards through the air. In 2020, Hill missed another game, and Robinson tallied 58 yards with 6 catches, having just one incompletion thrown his way.\nThe isn\u2019t without faults, though. He\u2019s had some big drops, but for the most part, he can be trusted to make a play on the ball. The last time the Raiders signed a deep threat who\u2019s had some big drops to play with Derek Carr on a one-year prove-it deal, that receiver went on to sign a contract worth $11m per year. If history is on Las Vegas\u2019 side, this signing will be up there with the best of them.\nJacob Hollister, TE\n\nGrade: C+\nContract: 1y, $1,187,500\n\nLike quarterback Garrett Gilbert, Hollister is someone that has familiarity with Josh McDaniels\u2019 system. Unlike Gilbert, this is a player who\u2019s had success at the NFL level.\nWhile Hollister didn\u2019t do much as a Patriot, he started the second chapter of his career in Seattle in \u201919, where he made a name for himself. During his two years as a Seahawk, Hollister was able to compile 558 yards on his 66 receptions. In addition, he was able to find the end zone on three separate occasions each season.\nHollister saw time on the field in Jacksonville last year but wasn\u2019t able to do much, catching 9 passes for 55 yards and a score. Now, back with McDaniels, the 6\u20194 tight end will likely be used most in the Red Zone where he shines. This is especially helpful to Las Vegas, who ended the season with the fifth-worst conversion rate in the Red Zone.\n\n \n Next:\u00a0Offensive line grades\n \n","title":"Raiders: Grades for the second wave of 2022 free agency","permalink":"https:\/\/justblogbaby.com\/2022\/03\/31\/raiders-grades-second-wave-2022-free-agency\/3\/","shortCodeTitle":null,"content":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA \u2013 JANUARY 02: Jermaine Eluemunor #72 of the Las Vegas Raiders walks off the field after a win over the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 02, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline\/Getty Images)\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\nRaiders: Grades for the second wave of 2022 free agency\nOffensive Line\nJermain Eluemenor, OT\n\nGrade: C+\nContract: 1y, $1.25M\n\nThe Raiders made two moves to address the 28th ranked offensive line from a season ago, and they were both re-signings. One of those two retained players is Jermaine Eluemunor.\nOutside of Kolton Miller, the Raiders\u2019 \u201921 offensive line was nothing short of forgettable. Eluemunor was one of the better players, though. Derek Carr was sacked the fifth-most times in the league, with zero of Eluemunor\u2019s 266 snaps falling on his shoulders, per PFF\nNot only that, this is a player that offers great flexibility. He played guard last year, but he brings a ton of tackle experience as well. No one knows this better than Josh McDaniels, who coached him during the \u201919 and \u201920 seasons.\nEluemunor is cheap, versatile, and has familiarity with the new Raiders\u2019 head coach. Given all of these factors, the grade has to be at least a C+, even if he could\u2019ve played better last year. I would\u2019ve even felt comfortable bumping this up higher if another move was made that gave him competition, outside of this next one\nBrandon Parker, OT\n\nGrade: D-\nContract: 1y, $3.5M\n\nI have to be honest here; Out of all the moves the Raiders have made this off-season, this is the one that has me scratching my head.\nNot including the left tackle position, the Raiders\u2019 offensive line was disastrous last year. With 8 sacks given up and 9 penalties committed, Parker contributed his fair share to that disaster.\nBeing so adamant to bring Parker back is confusing in itself, but giving him this type of money indicates Las Vegas is pegging him as the early starter at right tackle for the 2022 season. If the sacks and penalties of last season, combined with the starter-like pay-day weren\u2019t enough, Pro Football Focus gave him a career-high grade of 55.8, suggesting Parker has never played better than he did in 2021.\nI could\u2019ve given this an F, and maybe I should\u2019ve. Parker did start to play better down the stretch, though, and that has to count for something.\n\n \n Next:\u00a0Linebacker grades\n \n","title":"Raiders: Grades for the second wave of 2022 free agency","permalink":"https:\/\/justblogbaby.com\/2022\/03\/31\/raiders-grades-second-wave-2022-free-agency\/4\/","shortCodeTitle":null,"content":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE \u2013 JANUARY 22: Jayon Brown #55 of the Tennessee Titans on the sidelines before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Nissan Stadium on January 22, 2022, in Nashville, Tennessee. The Bengals defeated the Titans 19-16. (Photo by Wesley Hitt\/Getty Images)\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\nRaiders: Grades for the second wave of 2022 free agency\nLinebacker Help\nJayon Brown ILB\n\nGrade: A-\nContract: 1y, 1.25M\n\nThis is the best move the Las Vegas Raiders have made in wave two of free agency.\nThe Raiders went into this wave with two linebackers on the roster, both of who are accustomed to 4-3 fronts. Now in a 3-4, it was important for Las Vegas to get a 3-4 inside linebacker or two, and they did just that.\nNot only is Brown a 3-4 inside linebacker, but he\u2019s a starting-caliber player who\u2019s started 39 contests in the last four seasons, totaling 333 tackles and 24 pass breakups in this timespan. Now, he plays for the Silver and Black, on a one-year deal that can only be described as dirt-cheap.\nBrown checks every box the Raiders needed, from linebacker to scheme fit. Although he\u2019s likely limited to the inside, this is still a player that gives you a little of everything. With 9.5 sacks, 4 interceptions, and 4 fumbles forced in his career, there isn\u2019t too much Brown can\u2019t do.\nMicah Kiser, ILB\n\nGrade: B\nContract: 1y, 1.065M\n\nKiser was the first of the two 3-4 inside linebackers signed, giving Las Vegas ample linebacker personnel to run Graham\u2019s 3-4 front.\nIn the 2020 season, Kiser was able to rack up 77 tackles and make sure 3 passes were broken up. 16 of these tackles came in a Week 2 performance, where Kiser also forced a fumble, earning him the honor of NFC defensive player of the week.\nThere wasn\u2019t too much action for him in 2021, but according to Pro Football Focus, Kiser was able to play some of his best football when he did see the field. For his efforts, he was given a grade of 78.7 on his 98 defensive snaps.\nKyler Fackrell, OLB\n\nGrade: B\nContract: $1,187,500\n\nAlthough the Raiders brought in an elite edge rusher in Chandler Jones, even elite players need to take a breather from time to time. Las Vegas parted ways with Carl Nassib, and I don\u2019t believe Clelin Ferrell can play OLB as effectively as he can play on the line.\nFackrell has everything that the Raiders needed. He\u2019s a solid edge rusher, recording 23.5 career sacks; This includes a 10.5 sack season in \u201918. He has years of experience in a 3-4 front, and he\u2019s even played with Patrick Graham during 2020.\nSimply put, this is a good depth signing that checks all boxes for Las Vegas.\n\n \n Next:\u00a0Other defensive player grades\n \n","title":"Raiders: Grades for the second wave of 2022 free agency","permalink":"https:\/\/justblogbaby.com\/2022\/03\/31\/raiders-grades-second-wave-2022-free-agency\/5\/","shortCodeTitle":null,"content":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tATLANTA, GEORGIA \u2013 OCTOBER 03: Duron Harmon #21 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts in the end zone during the game against the Washington Football Team at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 03, 2021, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox\/Getty Images)\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\nRaiders: Grades for the second wave of 2022 free agency\nOther Defensive position groups\nDuron Harmon, S\n\nGrade: B+\nContract: 1y, $1,272,500\n\nRaider Nation is probably not too thrilled about this signing, being it\u2019s another step further from the fan-favorite Tyrann Mathieu, but Harmon is a perfect fit for a much-needed role in this defense.\n \t\n \t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tgoogletag.cmd.push(function () \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tgoogletag.defineSlot(\"\/175840252\/fansided.com\/JustBlogBaby\/mpu\",[300, 250], \"minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet\")\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t.addService(googletag.pubads());\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tgoogletag.enableServices();\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tgoogletag.display(\"minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet\");\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t);\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\n \t\n \t\n \nLet me start off by saying this \u2013 Jonathan Abram has missed at least three contests each year in his young career, with 15 games being missed during his rookie season. Harmon, on the other hand, has missed one game in his entire career. To find that game, you\u2019d have to go all the way back to 2013; The very first week of his NFL career, where he was simply inactive.\nSince 2017, Harmon has recorded at least 2 interceptions each season, grabbing 14 total out of the sky in this five-year timespan. Why is this notable? The Las Vegas Raiders finished dead last in the NFL with interceptions recorded last season.\nThe versatility Graham likes so much is also there, being he\u2019s started at both safety positions in his career. Harmon is at his best in coverage, so being the third safety in 3-deep looks is a strength of his.\nFinally, Harmon reunites with some New England personnel, where he\u2019s played his best football. In his final two seasons as a Patriot, he allowed a 77.8 and 39.7 opposing quarterback rating respectively. I know I said Jayon Brown was the best signing Las Vegas made in wave two of free agency, but this is a close second.\nVernon Butler, DT\n\nGrade: B-\n1y, $1.25M\n\nThe Raiders love versatility, and that continues to show with the signing of Vernon Butler.\nNaturally a defensive tackle, Butler has experimented playing end, where he\u2019s found success with a career-high 6 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. He\u2019s played well at defensive tackle throughout his career, except for last year, which was his worst season as a pro.\nIn his last year in Buffalo, Butler played 285 snaps and earned an outright horrific PFF grade of 34.5. I do expect it to be nothing more than a down year, but being as 2021 was so unkind to him, it\u2019s hard to automatically write it off as nothing. Still, this is a versatile defensive lineman who\u2019s been successful in the NFL.\nButler is signed to a one-year deal, so if he doesn\u2019t bounce back from his \u201921 campaign, no harm is done at the end of the year moving forward.\nKyle Peko, DT\n\nGrade: C\nContract: 1y, 1.085M\n\nAfter spending three-and-a-half years in the AFC West, Peko makes his return. Last season, with the Titans, Peko saw his first season with 100+ snaps. As a result, he was able to get the first 2-sacks of his NFL career, along with 2 tackles in the backfield.\nPeko has spent the entirety of his career in a 3-4, which is something that helps Patrick Graham and the Raiders. Ultimately, this is a one-year prove-it deal, much like everyone else, and only positives can come from this.\n\n \n Next:\u00a0Wrapping it up\n \n","title":"Raiders: Grades for the second wave of 2022 free agency","permalink":"https:\/\/justblogbaby.com\/2022\/03\/31\/raiders-grades-second-wave-2022-free-agency\/6\/","shortCodeTitle":null,"content":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLAS VEGAS, NEVADA \u2013 DECEMBER 17: Helmets and other equipment on the Las Vegas Raiders sideline are shown during the Raiders\u2019 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on December 17, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chargers defeated the Raiders 30-27 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller\/Getty Images)\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\nRaiders: Grades for the second wave of 2022 free agency\nWrapping it up\nOverall Grade\n\nGrade: B\n\nMuch like wave one, there\u2019s a consistent theme here: One-year prove it deals.\nLas Vegas is taking no risk on most of these deals, while all have the chance to pay dividends. This type of deal only makes a player more hungry to prove his worth and get paid in the following season, so I applaud this tactic.\nMy one qualm, much like wave one, is the offensive line. This is the one spot where the Raiders could\u2019ve been better, but unfortunately, general manager Dave Ziegler claims there are no offensive linemen on the market they\u2019re interested in.\nNow, it\u2019s unfair to assume there are no plans to address the offensive line in the draft due to the disinterest in remaining free agents. Ziegler continues to express interest in trading up in the 2022 NFL draft, and perhaps that\u2019s the card Las Vegas intends on playing.\nRegardless, it would be a disappointment to continue onward with the offensive line as is. After all, this was a bottom-five ranked line last year, and the only two moves involve retaining players from last season.\n\n2022 NFL Draft: 3 possible draftees if the Raiders trade up\n\nIf the Raiders made an outside move in the offensive line department, this grade could\u2019ve gone higher. Still, depth was addressed for every unit, and it\u2019s hard to find a negative takeaway from that."],"useSlideSources":true,"themeType":"classic","prevPost":"https:\/\/justblogbaby.com\/2022\/03\/31\/raiders-new-rb-brandon-bolden-expecting-josh-josh-las-vegas\/","nextPost":"https:\/\/justblogbaby.com\/2022\/04\/01\/raiders-3-areas-concern-2022-calendar-turns-april\/","prevText":"Prev","nextText":"Next","buttonWidth":0,"buttonWidth_post":0,"postUrl":"https:\/\/justblogbaby.com\/2022\/03\/31\/raiders-grades-second-wave-2022-free-agency\/","postId":118126,"refreshAds":true,"refreshAdsEveryNSlides":1,"adRefreshingMechanism":"javascript","siteUrl":"https:\/\/justblogbaby.com","prevText_post":"Prev post","nextText_post":"Next post"}; (function ($) $(document).ready(function () try tpsInstance = new tps.createSlideshow(tpsOptions); catch(e) ); (jQuery)); (function () // create the elements and set all attributes:var conversationScript = document.createElement('script');conversationScript.setAttribute('async', 'true');conversationScript.setAttribute('src', ' _Z2HEm3ut');conversationScript.setAttribute('data-spotim-module', 'spotim-launcher');conversationScript.setAttribute('data-post-url', ' -grades-second-wave-2022-free-agency/');conversationScript.setAttribute('data-post-id', '50a635db90318d0fe2023d15646e4887');conversationScript.setAttribute('data-spotim-multi-instance', true);conversationScript.setAttribute('data-article-tags', 'free agency, grades, wave two');conversationScript.setAttribute('data-disqus-url', ' -grades-second-wave-2022-free-agency/#!');conversationScript.setAttribute('data-disqus-identifier', '118126 =118126');// append the elements to the container:var container = document.querySelector('#comments-wrapper-118126');container.appendChild(conversationScript);)(); Top StoriesJust Blog Baby 10 monthsRaiders 2022 free agency: Las Vegas in on Tyrann Mathieu sweepstakes
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