The Alaskan sea monster sighted

Are you skeptical that sea monsters, such as Loch Ness of Scotland, still lurk in the oceans? They say cameras don't lie, video camcorders included, of course. One or rather a school of them sea monsters were spotted at Bristol Bay as posted by TIME.com last month.

TIME.com: It has a horse-like head at the end of a long neck, with big eyes and humps on its back. It undulates above the surface for just a moment before diving back underwater -- leaving even the most seasoned sailors scratching their heads.

It sounds like any of the thousands of sea serpent stories, from Scotland's Loch Ness Monster to Lake Champlain's Champ. But this time there's video.

Seeing is believing..



More at TIME.com

Get your First audition through TalentJUG.com

Now here is an exciting site, that is if you are an actor, a singer, a musician, a dancer or a model or if you are someone aspiring to be one of these.

TalentJUG.com is a casting call resource site which offers daily casting calls and auditions, talent profiles, and other member resources. Their goal is to help talented people pursue their dreams by connecting them with casting professionals, and opportunities.

If you are attending acting classes and are ready to show off your acting skills or you think you are ready to take on the world with your singing, sign up and open a profile with TalentJUG and start being noticed and get that first open casting call. TalentJUG has 1500 casting call directors!

Signing up for membership is easy. Being a member, you will have your own Personalized Profile Pages of up to 50 images which would make up your pictorial portfolio. There is also the facility for you to upload videos to further exhibit your skills and talents. If you are a singer, you can upload audio to your profile. When you become a member, you are able to access TalentJUG's Resource Directory. All information you need will be at just a few mouse-clicks away. Why wait, sign up now and have access to thousands of Nationwide (U.S.) and Worldwide Casting Calls. To give you an idea on the scope of opportunities available, here is a screenshot of the Casting Call Resources available on TalentJUG.com.

If you have been wanting to be a model or one on a part-time basis and have no idea of any casting agency, you have one now, sort of. Though TalentJUG is not a casting agency and does not schedule any audition, they are there to provide the resources in which you get connected to people who make casting calls be it film directors, musical directors, advertisers, artists and painters, record labels, talent scouts, the options are tremendous. And they to you. Don't wait! Open a Profile today! Who knows, you may get your very first audition through TalentJUG.com!

Speculative High Income Stocks

If you were to find a stock that has been around since 1898, pays a yield of 5.8%, has paid dividends quarterly since 1995, has increased its dividend in six out of the last sixteen years, trades at 10.5 times earnings, and just reported a 4.8% increase in revenues, you might think that this is one of the blue chip large cap stocks that is a member of the S&P 500. You would be wrong.



The company is not a large cap, nor even a mid cap stock. This stock is selling within a couple dollars per share of its 52 week low at less than ten dollars a share, closing at 9.44 on Friday. So what is this company? It is the Minnesota based company Hickory Tech Corp. (HTCO). The company is in the business of providing integrated data services, such as fiber, data and Internet, voice and voice over Internet protocol, along with distribution of telecommunications and data processing equipment. It also offers local telephone, long distance, and directory assistance services. The company has regional fiber network spanning more than 2,750 route miles serving Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Net debt position improved $5 million for the quarter and $15 million year-to-date. Equipment and broadband revenue increased 12 percent.



Amazingly, there are lots of low priced stocks with upside potential that pay dividends, and many have fairly decent yields ranging from 3% to 6%. I gave a presentation at the MoneyShow a few weeks ago about high dividend stocks, and included a discussion of speculative income stocks. Here are a few more.



Psychemedics (PMD) is an interesting company that pays a yield of 6.1% based on its current price of 7.94. It is a provider of testing services for the detection of abused substances using analysis of samples of hair. The company's services are offered to employers, law enforcement agencies, schools, and nosy parents.



This Massachusetts company was founded in 1985 and has paid quarterly dividends since 1997. The stock trades at 13 times earnings and reported quarterly income growth of 25.2% on a 14.9% rise in revenues. The company is debt free and has $4.6 million in cash.



Lincoln Educational Services (LINC) is in the private education business and owns the Lincoln Technical Institute, Lincoln College of Technology, Lincoln College of New England, Nashville Auto-Diesel College, Southwestern College, Clemens College, and Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts and Sciences. The stock yields 10.5% based on its current closing price of 9.55. The company just started paying quarterly dividends in 2010. This company has suffered along with all the other private college businesses due to government crackdown on promises made to potential students and related issues. The company reported a 62.6% drop in quarterly earnings. The company was founded in 1946 and is based in New Jersey.



Tal International (TAL), founded in 1963, is in the business of leasing intermodal containers, and yields 7.7% based on the current stock price of 28.37. Dividends have increased every quarter for the last six quarters. The stock trades at a price to earnings ratio of 8.7. Earnings for the latest quarter increased 398% (albeit from a very low amount last year) on an earnings increase of 37.6%.



Have you seen those guys that advertise on TV telling you that you can have $2500 in your checking account tomorrow? QC Holdings (QCCO) is one of the companies involved in payday loans. The stock, which closed at 3.88 on Friday, yields 5%, and has been paying quarterly dividends for five years. The stock trades at 6.6 times earnings. Latest quarterly earnings were down substantially, over 98%.



For free lists of other high yield stocks, check out WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.



Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.



By Stockerblog.com

Stocks Going Ex Dividend the First Week of September

Here is our latest update on the stock trading technique called 'Buying Dividends'. This is the process of buying stocks before the ex dividend date and selling the stock shortly after the ex date at about the same price, yet still being entitled to the dividend. This technique generally works only in bull markets. In flat or choppy markets, you have to be extremely careful.



In order to be entitled to the dividend, you have to buy the stock before the ex-dividend date, and you can't sell the stock until after the ex date. The actual dividend may not be paid for another few weeks. WallStreetNewsNetwork.com has compiled a downloadable and sortable list of the stocks going ex dividend during the next week or two. The list contains many dividend paying companies, all with market caps over $500 million, and yields over 2%. Here are a few examples showing the stock symbol, the market capitalization, the ex-dividend date and the yield.



Hancock Holding Company (HBHC) market cap: $2.3B ex div date: 9/1/2011 yield: 3.6%



NV Energy, Inc. (NVE) market cap: $3.4B ex div date: 9/1/2011 yield: 3.3%



Avery Dennison Corporation (AVY) market cap: $2.8B ex div date: 9/2/2011 yield: 3.8%



Greenhill & Co., Inc. (GHL) market cap: $1.0B ex div date: 9/2/2011 yield: 5.2%



Harris Corporation (HRS) market cap: $4.4B ex div date: 9/2/2011 yield: 3.2%



The additional ex-dividend stocks can be found at wsnn.com. (If you have been to the website before, and the latest link doesn't show up, you may have to empty your cache.) If you like dividend stocks, you should check out the high yield utility stocks and the Monthly Dividend Stocks at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com or WSNN.com.



Dividend definitions:



Declaration date: the day that the company declares that there is going to be an upcoming dividend.



Ex-dividend date: the day on which if you buy the stock, you would not be entitled to that particular dividend; or the first day on which a shareholder can sell the shares and still be entitled to the dividend.



Record date: the day when you must be on the company's books as a shareholder to receive the dividend. The ex-dividend date is normally set for stocks two business days before the record date.



Payment date: the day on which the dividend payment is actually made, which can be as long at two months after the ex date.



Don't forget to reconfirm the ex-dividend date with the company before implementing this technique.



Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.



By Stockerblog.com

Fall Camp Wrap-up Report and Season Preview: Offense

The Texas Aggies wrapped up the 17th day of the 2011 Fall Camp early Friday morning, ending preseason preparation and entering their first game week of the season against SMU. 

The Aggies opened up camp with many questions surrounding the inside linebacker core, the depth at the nose guard position, and the quality of special teams.  Some of those questions were answered during the three week period, while others will have to wait to be answered when the lights come on at Kyle and the season is kicked off.

Let's go position by position to give you a preview of where the Aggies stand:

Quarterback 

The Aggies have an unquestioned leader at the position in senior Ryan Tannehill (Ryan, along with S Trent Hunter, was in fact named a team captain on Wednesday night).  Even though Ryan has only started 6 games at the position (and was 5-1 in those games with the only loss coming to LSU in the Cotton Bowl), he brings a unique experience to not only playing the quarterback position, but also experiencing the offense on the other end of the completion as a top pass catcher in the Big XII.  For most accounts, Ryan has been a little inconsistent during stretches of camp, stringing together several days of camp that were claimed to be his best work while at Texas A&M and then others were he threw a few interceptions.  But it's a 17 day camp with even more practices.  Those types of off days or practices are expected to happen, especially when you face the Wrecking Crew every single day.  What's most important is Ryan has had this entire camp to be the number one guy at the position leading his team every single day.  And he did that.  Combined with no injuries, Ryan is poised to have the best senior year for an A&M signal caller in recent memory.  *Knock on wood*

Behind Ryan, things remain a little more cloudy.  At the end of camp, Coach Sherman was not committed to naming a backup quarterback and told the media they would be informed of a decision on Sunday.  Anybody that has watched the quarterback situation at A&M in the past knows that is very unlike Coach Sherman to wait this long to make a decision on his signal callers, of course those previous decisions involved starters.  Sherman usually makes up his mind 10 days into camp.  No matter who is labeled #2 behind Tannehill (either Showers, Joeckel, or Manziel) I expect both of the redshirt freshman Showers and Joeckel to see playing time this fall when that situation presents itself.  Showers came into fall with the slight edge with his arm, while Joeckel started to make a strong push in the middle of camp with his accuracy.  Both young players have pros and cons to their game.  The main thing is both young gun slingers have a full season to learn how to become a starting quarterback from Ryan Tannehill.  They have also been given a front row seat on how to lead a team not only when the coaches are watching, but in the summer when that responsibility to lead voluntary summer workouts falls on them.  I'm convinced that next spring and fall when the competition for the starting quarterback becomes wide open, it will be the young player that holds the leadership intangibles that will earn the starting nod.  However, don't forget about Johnny Manziel, who I expect to redshirt this season.  He brings flash to the football field and continued the "Johnny Football Show" this fall.  If QB Coach Tom Rossley can continue to work with him on fundamentals such as mechanics and footwork, he could be very productive in Sherman's West Coast offense.  After all, both coaches have worked with Brett Favre before.

Running Backs 

Texas A&M enters the 2011 season with arguably the best two running backs in the Big XII on their roster.  Cyrus Gray is coming off a string of seven straight 100+ yard rushing games to close out the 2010 season and Christine Michael returns from a broken leg.  Both future NFL running backs were sidelined at some point for an extended period of time during camp -- Gray at the beginning resting a hamstring injury and Michael who was sick last weekend.  However, both backs will be at full strength heading into the SMU game.  To observers, Gray appears quicker than ever and his late season success hasn't stopped his drive from becoming the best football player and best person that he can be.  Michael has bulked up to over 220 pounds, and running backs coach Randy Jordan was quoted as saying he wouldn't want to tackle the ball carrier.  This 1-2 punch of thunder and lightening, behind the best offensive line A&M has seen in a decade, could be as successful and as effective as the 2009 combination of Alabama running backs Trent Richardson and Heisman winner Mark Ingram.  They will be a great complement to each other, and the most important feature of the duo?  They are the biggest fan of the other when they aren't getting the ball.

An important question will be how do you use both backs effectively?  Do you split the carriers evenly?  Who do you use in not only different locations on the field but at different points in the ball game?  There are several key points to remember when answering this question.  First is that coach Randy Jordan has been and will continue to be the one that will make the determination of which back is in the ball game.  Another is that Christine Michael is still recovering and coming off a leg injury.  And finally, not only is Cyrus Gray the better pass catcher of the two, but he is also the better pass blocker in the backfield.  We expect that Cyrus should see a slight majority of the carriers early in the season.  However, as both the season and game wears on, Michael will at least split the carriers.  When the Aggie offense is going no-huddle and switching between multiple formations and play types, it is Gray who is the do-it-all ball carrier: running the zone with his ability to decelerate and cut on a dime, line up as a wide receiver and catch a pass in the flat or over the middle as a 5th receiver, and then block and release on a third down.  Where Christine Michael will be most effective for this offense is in short yardage situations under 5 yards to power through the middle, inside each 20 yard line, and in the late 3rd to 4th quarters against a gassed defense that has already played 80+ snaps against the Aggies.  The most important point to remember is this offense wants to average 90-100 snaps a game with a 1:1 ratio between passing and running plays, meaning there will be plenty of carriers to go around for both.

Behind the two backs lies the battle for the third running back between Ben Malena and Mister Jones.  Coach Sherman announced at the conclusion of camp on Friday that Malena had won the job because he was able to keep the ball off the ground more.  However, Jones has also made an impression to be a factor in the rushing game.  He has shown the ability to turn a play that wasn't developing from a short yardage gain or loss into a thirty yard sprint against the defense.  That kind of ability will get you increased touches in practice and late game situations were substitutes are being used.  For this running back, at least he is proving to the coaching staff and fans he can at least play the position effectively and shouldn't be sent off to practice with Coach Nguyen yet.  As for Malena, I think he is best in a shotgun formation, running draws and zone reads with the quarterback.  He is starting to show flashes of his electric self when he played ball at Cedar Hill, and will have to show he is capable of doing the little things -- catching the ball out of the backfield, chipping ends on pass plays -- before extended snaps and carries.  He will get a few touches a game, but most of this work, along with Jones, will most likely be on special teams.

Two of the biggest surprises at the position has come from freshman.  Little known back Will Randolph has amazed some with his speed and quickness, possessing some of the same characteristics as Cyrus Gray, enabling him to make quick cutbacks to be effective in this zone running scheme.  And maybe the most unexpected is freshman Howard Mathews getting extended looks as a short yardage running back, especially in goalline situations.  I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Mathews get touches early in those situations and score a couple of touchdowns.  Coach Sherman has proved with his playing of young freshman before that if you can help the team in any capacity, then you'll play.  Mathews has shown the coaching staff he deserves more than just an experimental look.


Wide Receiver

Texas A&M returns all of its pass catchers from 2010 except for Terrance McCoy.  Most importantly, senior Jeff Fuller returns after flirting with the idea to join the NFL and being drafted with Von Miller.  While Fuller most likely isn't the most electric WR in the Big XII (that designation falls to either Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles or Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon), he may be the most effective at what he is asked to do.  That is using his size in one on one matchups to snatch the ball from out of the air over a helpless corner either in the endzone or down the sideline for a big gain, and also block for the running game.  This season, the coaching staff will most likely expand Jeff's role in this offense, lining him up in different positions such as the slot and bring him over the middle more to sit in a zone or beat a saftey or lineback one on one.  Defenses in the Big XII definitely know who Jeff Fuller is by now and will scheme to take the offense's #1 pass catcher out of the game and limit his production from large chunks to small, minimal gains.  The best thing about A&M's offense is they can use their no-huddle and multiple formation attack to hide Jeff at times in the game.  Even though the defense will scheme all week to slow him down, moving him around on the field in different formations can confuse a defense and with the quickness at which the ball is snapped, defenders may not even be able to react to where he is positioned.

What could help Fuller out even more is a strong season from Uzoma Nwachukwu, returning to his freshman break-out form.  EZ was slowed down most of last year by an ankle injury, but is completely healthy with more motivation entering in 2011.  What I love about Nwachukwu is that he has learned to be a professional and doesn't take any snap for granted now.  There is no more stars in his eyes.  During the spring, I remember a play I was watching on the sidelines as EZ was running a deep post route.  Terrence Frederick was covering him man on man, and Ryan overthrew the ball and there was literally no chance he was going to be able to catch the ball near the sideline.  However, you could literally hear Nwachukwu exhaling strongly to try to accelerate and run all out full speed to make an attempt to catch the ball.  He accelerated to the point where he became separated from Frederick.  The ball hit the ground incomplete with EZ still needing a couple of yards to catch it.  Frustrated with himself, he jogged back to the huddle after just going all out for the next play.  He wasn't going to catch that ball and could have easily slowed up and let it fall next to the sideline and walked back for the next one; but EZ went all out anyway to run his route, separate from the defender, and at least give him a chance to make the play.  I'm not sure if the sophomore Uzoma Nwachukwu does that.  That is the kind of professionalism and determination EZ is bringing with him now to improve himself everyday.  He is once again motivated to be the best WR in the Big XII, and if his mind continues to be right he could be.  Don't let his size fool you -- when the ball is in the air it's hard to beat him for the catch.

This fall three other wide receivers came onto the scene and will be fighting for depth and playing time behind the regulars.  The talented Nate Askew, who was the talk of the summer workouts, carried over his performance into the fall and is working like a future star that will have the opportunity and ability to replace Jeff Fuller.  Another tall receiver option is true freshman Mike Evans.  Mike only played one season of football for Galveston Ball, spending most of his time on the court, not the field.  But you couldn't tell that watching practice.  Evans is a true competitor and shines when the pressure is on, making his biggest plays during the Aggies three scrimmages.  While he doesn't have straight speed, the skills he used as a basketball guard has transitioned onto the field which allows him to gain separation and play a little smaller than his frame.  Finally Malcolm Kennedy is showing flashes and is one of the fastest at the position.  Coming from a 1A high school program, his talent and athleticism was off the charts but actually getting fundamentals and technique down -- the small things -- has slowed him down but is finally coming around.  One more season and spring and he could become a real highlight maker.  He'll make contributions on special teams this fall.

Three other receivers make up the core of the position.  We haven't heard much about leading pass catcher Ryan Swope, and you don't expect to because he handles his business and you know he will get 7-10 touches per game.  Last year the bubble screen became a big part of the offense, using it as an extension of the running game.  I would expect the Aggies to again become creative this year adding new wrinkles that involve Ryan being more of a running back than wide receiver.  Maybe some fly sweeps when Ryan comes in motion into the backfield from the slot, a few designed double screen plays and maybe even a receiver option play here and there.  Ryan is the type of player you can definitely be creative with and expand your playbook.  Kenric McNeal was a receiver that made progress towards the end of the season and you could see him become more involved in the passing game as a true option.  His athleticism and quickness gives him a unique skill set to become a pass catching option out of the slot, or from time to time beating a corner down the field.  Brandal Jackson is also another pass catcher who may not possess the flash as the others, but every now and then you have a day like Friday where he really stands out.

Finally, a new development in the passing game is corner Dustin Harris getting the opportunity to play the position.  In this talented and deep position you wouldn't expect the need for Dustin to come over and take some snaps, but the fact is that Dustin may be one of the fastest players on the team.  If there is one thing this receiving group is missing is a guy with pure speed to take the top off the defense at times to open up the running game and underneath routes.  That kind of guy could have really been used in games against Nebraska and LSU.  You don't have to teach Dustin the playbook, just ask him to run down the field and beat the corner or safety that is covering him.  He can do that.  And if he can get a 40+ yard catch, now the safeties have to move a couple of yards back to cover deep and the corners have to play off the line, allowing a Swope underneath or Nwachukwu to come off freely in his route.  That opens up the whole offense.  It's the missing link to this passing game. 

Tight Ends and Fullbacks

This is a very unique position for Aggie Football because there are 6 current players at the position and all have different qualities to contribute.  Three of the players everyone knows -- Michael Lamothe is the real fullback you can put in the backfield and ask him to block in an I formation or in play action run to the flats and catch a pass.  He may be the most versatile guy who can lineup in the backfield on one play and then play at the line as a tight end on the next in A&M's no huddle, multiple formation scheme.  However if you are looking for the best blocker at the line, that guy is Hutson Prioleau.  He has really made improvements in his game from the spring to become a reliable guy on the edge.  The one player who is the best combination of pass catcher and blocker, a true tight end, is Nehemiah Hicks.  However, the sophomore has had injury concerns this fall and has slid back a little in terms of productivity.  He has the most talent and potential out of any at the position to become a complete player.


You will see three other players at the position seeing the field at Kyle.  Tommy Dorman works hard every day and makes the most of his opportunities.  Andrew Wolridge has moved back again to the position from the defensive line and is lining up at fullback during short yardage and goalline situations.  Maybe the most surprising player at the fullback position is ILB JUCO transfer Steven Jenkins.  Jenkins has been used as a fullback during short yardage and goalline formations to punch the ball into the endzone with Howard Mathews behind him.  Steven is a quick cat and wants to put somebody on their butt, and that is exactly what is needed at the position.  Just asking him to lineup and hit somebody is what he does best; he deserves to be on the field to do that job.  It's another example of the coaching staff putting their best 11 on the field, no matter where they came from or what level their experience is.

For the Aggie offense to take the next step in 2011, it's this group of players that is going to have to respond and play strong.  At times early in 2010, not having anybody to block on the edge greatly reduced the effectiveness of the running game.  However, with athletic tackles Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews now manning and in control of those positions, the position does become less of a factor.  But an offense is only as strong as their weakest link, and when you are asked to play multiple roles in succession in a drive, its hard to sub guys to fill a specific role in and out and snap the ball at top speed.  It's going to take guys like Michael Lamothe, Hutson Prioleau and most importantly Nehemiah Hicks to become complete and reliable players for the offense to truly click without limitations.


Offensive Line

If there is one position that gets the "most stable" award during the preseason, it's Coach Turner's offensive line.  It was the first offseason where no major questions surrounded who would play tackle, who would snap the ball, and just how much depth there was.  Maybe the only question, and something I was really interested in watching, was whether Patrick Lewis could continue to play the center position at a high level.  It became very clear that he could.  Also, Shep Klinke was a surprise to some to be the starting right guard leaving spring camp.  But during the fall, he was sound at the position and never faltered.  The biggest vote of confidence received by the group in my opinion was the fact that both Coach Turner and Coach Sherman never elected to tinker with the lineup.  Not even for one day.  Usually there is a couple of days or practices in fall camp where a Jerome Harrison is inserted to give him a chance to run with the first team or maybe a Patrick Lewis is given a day off to simulate an injury and players are moved around, such as Brian Thomas then playing center to see if that lineup could work in an in-game situation.  Not even that occurred.  That to me speaks volumes on several levels.  Not only is the first group solid including the interior of the line in Thomas-Lewis-Klinke, but their backups are also solid to the point where no shifting along the line would occur.  It would just be a simple plug and chug.

The group up front will be the best group A&M has seen in the trenches in a decade.  Both Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews finally stabilize the tackle position, a place where Sherman couldn't find a (healthy) body in his first two years.  And both are learning and growing exponentially.  Luke Joeckel has become an all-conference player in just a year and Jake Mathews was quoted as saying he finally "got" how to play the position in last year's Texas game in Austin.  With learning how to play the position down, they are allowed to get bigger and more explosive in the weight room with Coach Kennedy and fine tune their technique.  With improved performance on the edge, it opens up the running game to attack all gaps, it allows more unique plays such as roll-outs, deeper play action routes, and more lanes on zone plays.  It also allows more options in the passing game as tight ends don't have to be kept in as a 6th blocker.  Running backs can enter into the flat quicker without having to chip the ends and possibly be taken out of the play.  It's a big development in not having to hinder an offense and open up options, and more people to cover for a defense.

What makes this group so special is not only the starters, but the quality of players behind him.  Before this season, there was always the fear among A&M fans that if a starter went down, there would be nobody to replace him.  That is not so this season.  Cedric Ogbuehi at tackle is the type of talented redshirt freshman that could start for a few teams in the Big XII.  He would most likely be inserted at either left or right tackle if the need arises.  Jarvis Harrison at guard is just oozing with talent.  The 330 pound guard probably lacks a quickness or burst off the line at this stage of his career that keeps him for claiming a starter position.  But he certainly doesn't lack athleticism at his size once he gets off the line and working with Coach Kennedy in the offseason he can acquire that trait to make him a complete player.  Evan Eike is a 5th year senior at the position and along with Brian Thomas may be one of the hardest workers in the group.  With his previous experience as a starter, there would be no fear to slide him into one of the guard positions.  Along with Eike, Danny Baker is another senior who has worked with Turner and Sherman during the offensive line overhaul and knows the ends and outs of the position.  He could play either right tackle, guard, or center if Patrick Lewis comes out for a short period as freshman center Ben Compton redshirts.  That means the group goes at least nine deep with players able to play multiple positions.  Last year at this time you only had 4 quality starters.  That is a tremendous jump with young freshman Ben Compton and Joseph Cheek just entering the fold. 


Kicking and Returning 

Special teams have always been of interest during Sherman's three year tenure, and this year looks to be no different.  However, there seems to be some stabilizing at certain aspects, for instance kick returner.  For instance Coryell Judie became a household Aggie name for his kick returns against Oklahoma and Baylor.  Kenric McNeal also eased some heart attacks catching the ball at punt returner.  Those groups became a weapon instead of a liability for the Aggies in 2010.  Even though both returners are back in 2011, that doesn't mean improvements and changes can't be made.  With Judie's shoulder concerns, a new name has emerged at kick returner in the electric Steven Campbell.  Campbell is such a dynamic player he might find a nice home at the position, but only if he continues to have excellent health and doesn't take him away from the defensive secondary.  Also, there is always Ryan Swope, Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael to catch a ball every now and then to see if they can create anything.  Another possibility is Nate Askew getting a chance with Kenric at punt returner, but he would have to be well prepared and coach Toth be confident in him to take on that role.

At kicker, Randy Bullock is completely healthy, which he wasn't at the beginning of 2010.  He has probably had his strongest camp in an A&M uniform.  However, the problem with the kicking game isn't on the leg of Bullock, but instead on the protection and snapping/holding.  It is up to deep snapper Ben Bredthauer to get the ball back to the holder, and with Ryan Tannehill the full-time QB, a new holder has to also emerge.  The Aggies have to also protect the ends better as several field goals were blocked in practice off the edge.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 2 of our Wrap-up Report and Season Preview will feature the defense and coverage teams.  Also, be on the lookout for our Game Week Preview of SMU Mustangs, as well as our Around the League look at the Big XII in Week 1 of the College Football season that is just days away from kickoff. 

Hurricane Irene making landfall in North Carolina

Update on Hurricane Irene.. here's CNN Live on the situation. Hurricane Irene has made landfall at North Carolina dumping heavy rain resulting in floods.




Related post:
How to prepare for a hurricane (or other emergencies)

Top Yielding Ethanol Stocks

Republican U.S. presidential candidate Michele Bachmann said that gas prices would drop below $2 per gallon if she she is elected. If that happens, there isn't much hope for ethanol as a substitute fuel. The price of crude oil has been trading around $85 a barrel for the last few days. However, with the tragedy of Hurricane Irene, concerns abound about oil production being affected causing rising prices. This could lead to an increase in the interest in and use of ethanol. Fortunately there are over 20 ethanol related stocks with more than a dozen paying dividends according to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.



The number one ethanol stock that comes to most investors' minds is Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), which has a corn processing division that produces ethanol from corn. The stock trades at 8.2 times forward earnings and provides investors with a yield of 2.3%. Revenues were up a strong 46.6% for the latest quarter year-over-year, however earnings were down 14.6%.



The Andersons (ANDE), an Ohio based company, is involved in the management of ethanol production facilities and grain and ethanol trading. The stock has a forward price to earnings ratio of 8.9 and a yield of 1.2%. Earnings for the latest quarter were up an incredible 79.7% on a 65% rise in revenues.



Bunge Ltd. (BG) is a White Plains, New York company founded in 1818 that produces ethanol from sugarcane. The stock has a forward P/E of 9 and a yield of 1.7%. Revenues for the latest quarter were up 32% but earnings were down 82%.



A free list of stocks related to ethanol in some way, which can be downloaded, updated and sorted, can be found at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.



Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.



By Stockerblog.com