$12 Million Down The Drain?

When the Eagles signed TE James Casey in free agency, they assured fans that Chip Kelly would use multiple tight ends and use Casey as an Aaron Hernandez-type match-up nightmare. So much for that.

The Eagles operated primarily out of one tight end sets against the Redskins, and when they did sub a second one in, it was rookie Zach Ertz, not Casey. In fact, Casey only logged two snaps on Monday night, and both of those came on Michael Vick’s knees to close out the game. Brent Celek played 68 of the team’s 83 offensive snaps while Ertz logged 26. At this point, it’s fair to question why Kelly lobbied the Eagles to hand Casey $8 million guaranteed over a three-year-contract.

At the time of Casey’s signing, Ertz wasn’t on the roster and the Eagles weren’t actively looking for a third tight end, but even so, Casey was always behind Brent Celek on the depth chart. Casey is too small to be an in-line blocker, and Kelly is not employing a second tight end in space the way that many thought he would. Of course, the way the Eagles run their offense in week 1 may be very different from the way they run it in week 10 or 15, but it’s still puzzling to see such a big investment sitting on the sideline. It would be one thing if Jeremy Maclin were in the fold, making wide receiver a strength of the roster. However, the likes of Jeff Maehl and Damaris Johnson ran more pass routes than Casey, proving that he can’t be high on the list of offensive priorities.

After such an impressive and energizing victory over Washington, it’s not easy to take anything away from Kelly. He will try a lot of quirky, unconventional things, and he deserves several mulligans because not everything pans out in the NFL. But any way you slice it, paying a third string tight end $12 million is a mistake.

View the original article here

Christie pledges $15 million in aid to boardwalk business owners

The iconic Funtown Pier sign remained as of Friday afternoon. (Justin Auciello/NewsWorks Photo)

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie pledged $15 million in state aid Saturday for businesses impacted by the massive boardwalk fire that ripped through a four-block stretch in Seaside Park and Seaside Heights. 

Christie met privately with 30 of the more than 50 business owners who suffered losses in Thursday's fire in Seaside Park and Seaside Heights Saturday, promising an aggressive response to haul away rubble from the fire and help them rebuild again.

"We had two days to feel sad about this, and it is legitimately a sad thing. But we've got work to do now. A couple days to mourn, now we've got to move on and get back to work," Christie said.

Christie's office said the New Jersey Economic Development Authority board plans to extend an initial $15 million from programs offered to help in the recovery from Sandy. Those funds would be made available whether or not the fire-damaged businesses were affected by Sandy, according to the Christie administration.

"It was critical that we move quickly to aid the Seaside business community, which was still struggling to recover from Superstorm Sandy," said Michele Brown, CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, which is expected to formally take action at a meeting Wednesday.

The wind-whipped fire destroyed dozens of ocean-front businesses, including bars, pizza places and T-shirt shops and shot flames 50 feet into the air. Public works crews had to rip up part of the boardwalk to create a makeshift fire break, robbing the advancing flames of fuel. The crews piled sand in the breech creating dunes to hold back fire rather than water.

During his visit Saturday, Christie also greeted residents, many of whom thanked the governor for coming to the shore town that was still recovering from Sandy when disaster struck again.

"I wouldn't be anyplace else," Christie said, having canceled a weekend getaway to Florida to celebrate his wife's birthday. "When a crisis happens you have to be here to help organize things, to lend encouragement and deliver help."

The good news, if there is any, Christie said, is that the fire was contained before it engulfed the entire boardwalk.

"This could have been significantly worse. We have about four blocks that were taken out, and for those people on those four blocks, it's awful. But, we could have lost all of this," he said, gesturing to a portion of the boardwalk untouched by the flames.

But some Jersey Shore Hurricane News commenters were not pleased with the money coming from a Sandy recovery program.

"What happened is very sad, however, Gov. Christie, how about helping the many, many people who lost their homes which are not yet rebuilt and the many who can't afford to rebuild their homes due to all the FEMA regulations. So many finally had to throw up their hands and give up. Now the same people are dealing with outrageously high rental prices. The homeless should take precedence," says Patricia White Bittner. "Those funds were allocated for Hurricane Sandy victims! This has nothing to do with the hurricane. How can he get away with this?" 

However, Rae Gerold-Smith comments that all should receive assistance.

"We're all responsible for helping others in a disaster!" she says.

----

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

View the original article here

Jennifer Lopez signs $15 million deal with American Idol

Jennifer Lopez will return to 'American Idol' for a reported $15 million.
The 'Jenny from Block' singer has allegedly sealed a deal with network Fox which will make her one of the highest paid judges in reality TV.
The 44-year-old singer - who hasn't appeared on the show since 2011 - has negotiated a spot on the judging panel for series 13 after sitting out last season.
The singer's fee matches the amount Britney Spears received from Simon Cowell to appear on the US 'X Factor' in 2012, but is two million short of what Mariah Carey is thought to have been paid to replace her last year.
J-Lo's fee is now five million short of the $20 million she received for the 2011 series on the judge's panel, but it's still an impressive pay rise from the $12 million she earned for her debut during season 10.
It's believed the star approached Fox about a return as she wants to be based in Los Angeles so she can have a settled life with her five-year-old twins, Max and Emme, as they prepare to go to start school.
A source told RadarOnline.com: 'Idol allowed her to do that, the twins will enter kindergarten soon and stability is important for them ­ and Jennifer­ at this time. She's looking for possible schools for the kids in Los Angeles at the moment. Plus, if she's living there full-time she will be able to focus on her film career and other ventures, including her fashion business.'
The pop star's return is to be announced in the coming weeks, while the show is set to return to the original three-member judging panel as seen in 2002, which then featured Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.
Country music star Keith Urban, is believed to be returning to the show while a third member is yet to signed, with will.i.am tipped to take the third position.

View the original article here

Two rare Ferraris sold at over $8 million apiece

Two Ferrari 250 GT sports cars were auctioned off and sold for over $8 million apiece last Friday.

First, a red 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione earned a winning bid of $8.14 million at an RM Auctions event. It sports a 280-horsepower V12 engine.

Later, a blue 1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider was sold for $8.25 million by Gooding & Company.

Other highlights from these events include a 1967 Shelby 427 Semi-Competition Cobra ($2 million), a 1938 Delahaye 135 MS Coupe ($1.54 million), and a 1954 Ferrari 250 Europa Coupe ($1.02 million).

All prices are in USD.

Source: The New York Times

June 15, 2013

by Guillaume Rivard

May 09, 2013

by Auto123.com

April 29, 2013

by Auto123.com

blog comments powered by

View the original article here

Ferrari auction raises 1.8 million euros

On May 31st, we previewed an online auction organized by Ferrari to raise money to help victims of the Italian earthquakes. This very auction helped raise 2.3 million dollars (1.8 million euros), which will be sent to the families in need.

Ferrari 599XX Evo (Photo: Ferrari)
Among the items sold, featured a very special Ferrari 599XX that went to an American customer for a whopping 1.4 million euros. It is a unique piece signed by Luca di Montezemolo himself, as well a F1 drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa. As a matter of fact, the car will be delivered to the new owner by the two Scuderia drivers during the Grand Prix of Italy.

Another item, an F2008 engine went to a Briton who paid 80,000 euros ($103,500) for it. The proceeds going to the Italian families also include online donations. One Russian customer generously gave out 100,000 euros.

June 15, 2013

by Guillaume Rivard

May 09, 2013

by Auto123.com

April 29, 2013

by Auto123.com

blog comments powered by

View the original article here