Candidate Trump's most frequent, and least probable, promise, was the rekindling of the coal industry. President Trump is undermining the miners. Relaxing and removing regulations, jeopardizes their well being, without increasing employment.
Trump's drill baby, drill policy is the baby driver speeding up the inevitable reduction of coal jobs in the United States. The LA Times recently outlined the rise of natural gas at the expense of coal. https://www.pressreader.com/usa/los-angeles-times/20180122/281616715788761 In 2016 natural gas supplanted coal as the primary source of electric power generation. Although coal has other uses, electric generation has 10 times the usage of steel production, the next largest coal dependent industry.
Natural gas is abundant, cheap, and has a smaller carbon footprint than coal. Because of extraction methods, and a still existent climate impact, natural gas is not the friend of environmentalists. But, coal wears the black hat.
Coal mining is a tough, dirty job. The president should not make it worse with dirty lies.
Monday, January 22, 2018
Friday, January 12, 2018
Trump is a Racist
You can only judge a man by what he says and does. From rental policies, to birtherism, to Charlottesville, to "shithole countries", Trump Is a Racist.
The secret is out. He cannot even visit our closest ally without London bridges falling down.
The secret is out. He cannot even visit our closest ally without London bridges falling down.
Monday, January 8, 2018
Caps Off to the Rams
No, this is not a congratulatory note for the Rams turn around, although it is certainly deserved. Rather it is about the off season moves they will need to sustain their momentum.
The Rams have roughly 50 million in cap space for 2018 and nearly 100 million in 2019. That is not enough. They will either have to lose some key players to free agency or create more cap space.
Most important, is retaining Aaron Donald. Although he has a year left on his contract, the Rams know they need to get a deal done. In order of importance here are key Rams who become free agents in 2018: Lamarcus Joyner, Trumaine Johnson, John Sullivan, Nickell Robley-Coleman, Sammy Watkins, Conner Baldwin, Matt Longacre and Cody Davis.
Joyner rates out as one of the top safeties in the league, but should cost much less to sign than Trumaine Johnson. The Rams will sign him, but the cost will be in the 7 to 9 million a year range. The Rams would love to keep Trumaine, but my guess is they will not go much over 10 million a year. If they lose him, the plus side is than he will garner a big enough contract to net the Rams a 3rd round compensatory pick in the 2018 draft. The same applies to Sammy Watkins. He did not have a great year. But he stretches the field, and if in better sync with Goff could have an impressive 2018. On a number of occasions, Goff under threw him on long passes, including against Atlanta. The Rams will probably sign him if 5-7 million a year works. If he wants more, the Rams will take the draft choice. Because of limited cap space in 2018, I challenge those who suggest that Watkins will get a franchise tag.
John Sullivan literally centered the Rams offensive line, and most importantly, stayed healthy. Hopefully they can sign him for 3 years at about 4-5 million a year. Particularly if they lose Trumaine, the Rams need to sign Nickell, their nickel back. Conner Baldwin is worth keeping at a reasonable price, particularly if the Rams let Robert Quinn go. With holes in the secondary, the Rams will keep Cody Davis, at a nominal cost. He is an exclusive rights free agent. The same should be true of Matt Longacre, a restricted rights free agent.
How do the Rams add to their cap space.? The obvious, but wrong, answer is Tavon Austin. He was grossly overpaid in 2017, given his limited contribution. Dumping Austin saves the Rams nearly 10 million in 2019 and 2020, but only 3 million in 2018. In 2018 Austin counts for 5 million on his prorated bonus which is dead money if he is dropped or traded. His salary is only 3 million in 2018. So at a cost of 3 million Austin may be worth keeping, or tradable.
The odd man out is almost certainly Robert Quinn. Dropping him saves the Rams 10 million this year, and nearly 12 million in 2019. He is still good, but not that good.
The success in free agency will determine the Rams' draft priorities. Certainly they will look to add to their secondary. Even if the Rams retain John Sullivan, they need help on the offensive line. The Rams were the only team in the NFL to have the same 5 starters for the whole season. Big holes for Gurley, and a clean pocket for Goff, were the result. The Rams need a versatile backup, and will most likely spend at least a 3rd round draft choice to do it.
To remain a contender the Rams need a 2018 offseason as strong as their 2017 regular season.
The Rams have roughly 50 million in cap space for 2018 and nearly 100 million in 2019. That is not enough. They will either have to lose some key players to free agency or create more cap space.
Most important, is retaining Aaron Donald. Although he has a year left on his contract, the Rams know they need to get a deal done. In order of importance here are key Rams who become free agents in 2018: Lamarcus Joyner, Trumaine Johnson, John Sullivan, Nickell Robley-Coleman, Sammy Watkins, Conner Baldwin, Matt Longacre and Cody Davis.
Joyner rates out as one of the top safeties in the league, but should cost much less to sign than Trumaine Johnson. The Rams will sign him, but the cost will be in the 7 to 9 million a year range. The Rams would love to keep Trumaine, but my guess is they will not go much over 10 million a year. If they lose him, the plus side is than he will garner a big enough contract to net the Rams a 3rd round compensatory pick in the 2018 draft. The same applies to Sammy Watkins. He did not have a great year. But he stretches the field, and if in better sync with Goff could have an impressive 2018. On a number of occasions, Goff under threw him on long passes, including against Atlanta. The Rams will probably sign him if 5-7 million a year works. If he wants more, the Rams will take the draft choice. Because of limited cap space in 2018, I challenge those who suggest that Watkins will get a franchise tag.
John Sullivan literally centered the Rams offensive line, and most importantly, stayed healthy. Hopefully they can sign him for 3 years at about 4-5 million a year. Particularly if they lose Trumaine, the Rams need to sign Nickell, their nickel back. Conner Baldwin is worth keeping at a reasonable price, particularly if the Rams let Robert Quinn go. With holes in the secondary, the Rams will keep Cody Davis, at a nominal cost. He is an exclusive rights free agent. The same should be true of Matt Longacre, a restricted rights free agent.
How do the Rams add to their cap space.? The obvious, but wrong, answer is Tavon Austin. He was grossly overpaid in 2017, given his limited contribution. Dumping Austin saves the Rams nearly 10 million in 2019 and 2020, but only 3 million in 2018. In 2018 Austin counts for 5 million on his prorated bonus which is dead money if he is dropped or traded. His salary is only 3 million in 2018. So at a cost of 3 million Austin may be worth keeping, or tradable.
The odd man out is almost certainly Robert Quinn. Dropping him saves the Rams 10 million this year, and nearly 12 million in 2019. He is still good, but not that good.
The success in free agency will determine the Rams' draft priorities. Certainly they will look to add to their secondary. Even if the Rams retain John Sullivan, they need help on the offensive line. The Rams were the only team in the NFL to have the same 5 starters for the whole season. Big holes for Gurley, and a clean pocket for Goff, were the result. The Rams need a versatile backup, and will most likely spend at least a 3rd round draft choice to do it.
To remain a contender the Rams need a 2018 offseason as strong as their 2017 regular season.
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