Converting brand excitement into sales: building your business through employee advocacy

Who speaks for you in the marketplace? If it’s your ad agency, you’re at least getting the word out. But you can go much further by getting the people who work for you to carry that same message, only in a less scripted way your current and potential customers will instantly find more authentic.

Imagine for a minute that your sales team had the ability to exponentially amplify visibility for case studies, whitepapers, blogs and other strategic content with prospects and partners through a simple click of their mouse?

That is the power of employee advocacy programs that make it easy and rewarding for people to share brand-approved messaging and content on social media, which, per an Inc. article, results in a 5x increase in web traffic and 25% more leads.

That might sound like a point of debate, until you consider this: Only 15 percent of people trust recommendations from brands, while a whopping 84 percent trust recommendations from people they know, and sales representatives using social media outsell 78% (Continue reading…)

 

The post Converting brand excitement into sales: building your business through employee advocacy appeared first on Baltimore Tech.

from http://baltimoretech.org/news/converting-brand-excitement-into-sales-building-your-business-through-employee-advocacy/

Maryland tourism increases to more than 42 million visitors in 2016

Visitors to Maryland spent $17.3 billion on travel expenses in 2016, up 2.7 percent from the previous year, according to a report released today by the Maryland Office of Tourism Development, an agency of the Maryland Department of Commerce. In addition, Maryland welcomed more than 42 million visitors in 2016, a four percent increase from 2015 which also outpaced the growth of national visitation of 2.6 percent in 2016.

“Maryland’s tourism industry continues to be a powerful economic driver for our Maryland, proving good jobs for tens of thousands of our citizens and billions in revenue for our state,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “Our continued investment in tourism will ensure we are able to provide a great experience to our visitors, as well as valuable returns for many communities across the state.”

According to the report, more than 62 percent of visitor spending focused on three areas: food and beverage, lodging, and transportation. This spending has generated $2.35 billion in state and local tax revenues. More than 146,000 Marylanders were directly employed in the tourism industry in 2016, making it the 10th largest private sector employer in the state. The industry supported a payroll of $6 billion, which is an increase of 5.2 percent from 2015.

“The state’s vibrant tourism economy demonstrates what we are doing well,” said Rick Howarth, chairman of Maryland’s Tourism Development Board and park president of Six Flags America. “From new restaurants, hotels, and art galleries to historical sites, outdoor recreation, and our beloved Chesapeake Bay, the state and its partners continue to enhance visitor experiences, while increasing Maryland’s product offerings.”

The Economic Impact of Tourism in Maryland – Calendar Year 2016 Tourism Satellite Account was conducted by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics Company. While the results of this report are only available on an annual retrospective basis, many performance metrics, including the Tourism Promotion Act sales tax codes, are available on a more frequent and timely basis. The visitor numbers were collected by DK Shifflet.

The post Maryland tourism increases to more than 42 million visitors in 2016 appeared first on MDBIZNews.

from https://mdbiznews.commerce.maryland.gov/2017/08/maryland-tourism-increases-to-more-than-42-million-visitors-in-2016/

Wolverine Wednesday: Did You Get The New Phone Book?

How is the phone book industry doing these days?  Can you remember the last time you used one?  I sure can't. 


There has been a lot of chatter over the Michigan Football Phone Book or what us fans like to call the roster.  A media member in NJ even played the Freedom of Information Act card to try to get it out of Jimmy and the Michigan Program.   I'm not sure what the big deal is on either side of this argument, take last years roster remove the seniors, add the freshman, and your going to be pretty close to accurate.   Maybe everyone wants to know who the walk-ons are that made the team?


Jimmy released the phone book today and feel free to talk a peek with a magnifying glass.

Proud to announce the 2017 Michigan Football roster. pic.twitter.com/zc3VejbU1R

4— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) August 30, 2017

• There is plenty of buzz that Nolan Ulizio has won the opening day starter at RT.  I hope that is good news.

• Some position changes on the Roster:  Nate Johnson is now a DB, James Hudson is confirmed a offensive lineman and Jared Wrangler has moved from LB to FB.    The other changes we knew about:  Drake Harris WR to DB, Ben Mason from LB to FB and Brad Hawkins from WR to S.

• The Jordan Brand reached out to me yesterday and they would like me to remind you the Michigan Flyknit Trainers 2 and the Maize Jerseys the players are wearing on Saturday, drop this morning.  

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/08/wolverine-wednesday-did-you-get-new.html

Lanco Dairy Farm expands, plans to add new jobs

Lanco Dairy Farms has expanded its presence in Maryland and established a cheese-making operation in Washington County, where it plans to add 15 new jobs over the next two years.

The company invested more than $24 million to acquire and refurbish the former Saputo Inc. cheese facility, located on Warfordsburg Road in Hancock. Lanco currently has 74 employees, including some workers who were displaced when the Saputo facility closed in 2014. The company has submitted a notice of intent and is among the first to start the application process under the More Jobs for Marylanders Act, the centerpiece of Governor Larry Hogan’s 2017 Maryland Jobs Initiative, which provides tax incentives to new and existing manufacturers in the state that create jobs.

“Our administration is committed to growing manufacturing jobs in Maryland, and we are thrilled to see great companies like Lanco Dairy Farms already taking advantage of our More Jobs for Marylanders Act to hire more workers,” said Governor Hogan. “As the now-largest employer in Hancock, this expansion will provide new opportunities for local dairy farmers, benefiting Western Maryland and the entire state.”

Lanco Dairy Farms is also known as Lanco-Pennland, a marketing cooperative that was founded in Lancaster County, Pa. in 1998. Today, Lanco-Pennland has an office in Hagerstown and is known as a leader in marketing milk on the East Coast. The co-op strives to help its farmers achieve the highest possible price for their product, while serving the dairy industry with integrity, transparency, and quality. Lanco also focuses on leading the industry by example by providing education and information to its members before issues arise.

Lanco began making cheese in order to maximize the value of its 650 member dairy co-op. Currently, the company produces more than 2 million pounds of cheese per month. Approximately 30 percent of that total consists of Parmesan, making Lanco the first company to ever produce the hard cheese in Maryland. As an environmental partner, Lanco is recycling approximately 60,000 gallons of usable water per day. This water is extracted from the milk used in cheese production and is used in various applications throughout the facility.

“Lanco-Pennland has shown a significant commitment to the county with their financial investment,” stated Board of County Commissioner President Terry L. Baker. “In return, we are showing our commitment by assisting them in bringing new jobs to our county.”

READ MORE.

The post Lanco Dairy Farm expands, plans to add new jobs appeared first on MDBIZNews.

from https://mdbiznews.commerce.maryland.gov/2017/08/lanco-dairy-farm-expands-plans-to-add-new-jobs/

Michigan Tuesday: Get Used To The Maize For Saturday

I'm a guy that likes tradition and really don't see a reason to change uniforms, etc.   I know its a big trend and the players and recruits like it.  


I think the below looks like a Halloween costume that really doesn't understand Michigan's colors.  The Blue looks off to me as well.   My son, (whose birthday is today!)  said these are, "Fire". Ok, I will now officially stop being the "get off my lawn!" guy.  

• Matt Godin suffered a torn ACL in a preseason game for Houston last weekend.   That is really bad news as we get close to cut down day.

• Jimmy tweaked Florida during his game week presser by saying he hasn't got anything from Florida on which QB they are starting either.   Florida did release a depth chart today and Michigan's is expected on Wednesday.

• Former MSU Basketball Coach Jud Heathcote has passed.

• Myles Sims is still '100' percent to Michigan but will take other visits.

• These Michigan Jordan Trainers 2 are releasing tomorrow.

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/08/michigan-tuesday-get-used-to-maize-for.html

Sykesville brings past and present together

Guest feature: Lindsay Renner is the public relations writer for the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Follow along with DHCD on Facebook and Twitter.

Sykesville might not be Maryland’s biggest town, but it’s one of the most distinctive. In fact, in 2016, the small Carroll County town, separated from neighboring Howard County by just a length of historic railroad, was named America’s Coolest Small Town by Budget Travel.

Since becoming a Main Street Maryland community in 2011, the town has used associated funds from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development to keep improving. Most recently, in FY17 the Main Street Association was the recipient of a $2,000 Keep Maryland Beautiful Clean Up & Green Up grant for expansion of a community garden.

In FY16, the town used $50,000 in Community Legacy funds for façade improvements along Main Street. Another $7,500 from the Main Street Improvement Program was used for historic exhibits outside the Town House, which serves as Sykesville’s Town Hall, and Baldwin’s Station, a restaurant located inside the town’s former train station.

For Julie Della-Maria, the Sykesville Main Street Economic Director, one of the best things about the town is its sense of community. A mix of businesses and nonprofit organizations have come together and make the town unique. “They can relate to what we’re doing. They feel that sense of community, and there’s pride in it,” she said. According to Della-Maria, the camaraderie among Sykesville’s residents is evident in the makeup of the people who run its Main Street program. With herself as the only exception, it is entirely volunteer-run.

Sykesville is a town rich in history, which attracts many of its visitors. Baldwin’s Station was a stop on the B&O Railroad’s Old Main Line, the country’s oldest railway. Festivals are also a big draw for the town. In November, the town will host the Sykesville Craft Beer festival. A similar event last year had 34 breweries on site, and it is expected to draw even more this year. These events give residents “a chance to meet their neighbors and establish new connections,” said Della-Maria. Main Street is also home to a diverse selection of businesses, ranging from the recently opened Patapsco Distilling Company to antique stores, restaurants, and even a country-western store.

Read more.

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from https://mdbiznews.commerce.maryland.gov/2017/08/sykesville-brings-past-and-present-together/

Michigan Monday: It's GAME WEEK!

To my fellow Big House Blog inmates, this has been the week we have been waiting for after a non-Peppers team lost the Orange Bowl to an athletic FSU team.   Michigan has had a successful summer and a very strong recruiting class coming in to plug a few holes.  Here is a quick look at the game this Saturday:


#17 Florida vs. #11 Michigan in Dallas at ATT Stadium


Time and TV: 3:30 EST on ABC


Biggest Question Marks Coming into the Game:


U of M:
-Offensive Line (RT)
-Freshman WR's
-Defensive Backs


Florida:
-3 QB's could play
-Can they move the ball through the air
-Will the player suspensions hurt the Gators in this game?


Both teams lost players on defense but have quality replacements.  Florida's Offense has struggled and it seems they can't decide on a QB.   Which might be good for a very young defensive backfield for the Wolverines.  Look for a physical, low scoring defensive battle.


Can't wait for kickoff!

• Mike McCray and Mason Cole voted team captains.

• Please send all Glasgow's to Ann Arbor.  Walk-on Jordan Glasgow joined his brothers with this honor and received/earned a scholarship this weekend.

• Speaking of the game on Saturday, there is a strong rumor floating around that the Wolverines might wear all Maize.  It seems they will go with the Maize jersey for sure and the pants are still a question mark.  I wouldn't be surprised if Jimmy changed his mind during the week as well.

@gavinrodes7 and HT to Mgoblog

• Peppers had a pick and Taco had another sack in pre-season NFL action.

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/08/michigan-monday-its-game-week.html

Michigan Friday: Coach B is Squeaky Clean

Michigan Basketball coach has been voted the cleanest coach in college basketball in a survey of his peers by CBS Sports.   In the fact, the vote wasn't even close, Coach B got over 26% of the votes and #2 was ND Coach Mike Brey who got 10.5% of the vote. 


I know we all have had some complaints about Coach B and not recruiting the top guys but he plays by the rules and does it the right away.   That is what we expect from the CEO of Michigan Basketball.  Here is what one coach said,   John Beilein is a by-the-book, letter-of-the-law guy. LETTER-OF-THE-LAW. ... You get two hours to work out guys for the week. If he works out a kid and, say, they go one hour and one minute, he's going to start the next time with 59 minutes on the clock and go 59 minutes. That's the truth."

• A Michigan Insider UMBig11 is saying on Touch the Banner that the QB race is over and Wilton won the job.  O'Korn is #2 and Peters is #3.  It seems Peters has dropped way off and McCaffrey would be #3 if not for his redshirt.   Let the transfer rumors begin!   

• There have been a few articles in the past week about PJ Fleck being the next Jim Harbaugh.   I like PJ a lot and think this was a great hire for Golden Gophers, but lets slow the train on the PJ - Jimmy comparisons quite yet.   The best comparison I can see at this point, is they both coach in the Big Ten and both seem to have unlimited energy and drive.

• This is the final weekend for the Michigan's Fall Camp.  Monday starts Game Week, even though I'm sure they have been preparing for Florida for the past 3 weeks or so.

• Speaking of Florida, their newest QB Malik Zaire doesn't seem to be a fan of the 3 QB system: “Obviously it’s not ideal,” Zaire said, per Thompson. “I don’t think anybody in the quarterback room wants that. But at the end of the day, you just gotta do what coach wants. I feel like coach should be confident enough to stick with a guy and be able to roll with that guy because that’s best for the team. When you have all these quarterbacks, you still have none at the end of the day.”

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/08/michigan-friday-coach-b-is-squeaky-clean.html

Inc. 5000 names Maryland’s fastest growing companies in 2017

More than 100 of the fastest-growing companies in the country are based right here in Maryland, according to the latest Inc. 5000 rankings.

The recent announcement names 120 Maryland companies in the rankings, including six businesses among the top 500 in the nation. Click here to read the full list of Maryland companies.

“I couldn’t be happier to learn that more than 100 Maryland businesses are included in this year’s Inc. 5000 compilation,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Mike Gill. “We are dedicated to fostering a business-friendly environment and seeing these rankings climb year after year proves that we really are open for business.”

Topping the charts for Maryland is Baltimore City-based RightDirection Technology Solutions, ranking 70th with more than 5,100 percent growth over the last three years. The veteran-owned business provides innovative solutions and world-class IT services to its customers, including the Department of Defense and a number of other federal government agencies.

Other companies included in the Inc. 5000 are WeddingWire (1956), an online marketplace for event vendors and planners that announced 200 new jobs in Chevy Chase last year; United Solutions (2027) and Orbit Logic (2224), that have both taken advantage of our ExportMD program to expand to international markets; and Dataprise (4432), an IT service company that has been honored by Inc. an impressive 12 times.

Top Fastest Growing Companies in Maryland 2017
Rank	Company	Industry	Growth	County
70	RightDirection Technology Solutions	Government Services	5142%	Baltimore City
137	The Bizzell Group	Government Services	2829%	Prince George’s
239	n2grate	Government Services	1796%	Prince George’s
265	Trinity Technology Partners	IT Services	1645%	Prince George’s
357	BarnAllen Technologies	IT Services	1230%	Montgomery
423	B&D Consulting	IT Services	1041%	Washington
529	ArcSource Group	IT Services	842%	Howard
555	B’more Organic	Food & Beverage	810%	Baltimore City
588	VOR Technology	Government Services	767%	Howard
595	Ripple Effect Communications	Government Services	760%	Montgomery
629	CallTrackingMetrics	Software	716%	Anne Arundel
693	Arch Systems	Government Services	654%	Baltimore City
703	Concepts Beyond	Engineering	646%	Prince George’s
740	Delmarva Veteran Builders	Construction	620%	Wicomico
817	CMT Services	Government Services	553%	Prince George’s
917	Full Circle Research	Business Products & Services	481%	Montgomery
931	Strong Smiles Dental Care	Health	471%	Anne Arundel
951	Stratus Solutions	IT Services	462%	Howard
952	AltaVista Strategic Partners	Advertising & Marketing	462%	Anne Arundel
956	SoundWay	Government Services	458%	Montgomery
957	Easy Payment Solutions	Financial Services	456%	Montgomery

 

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000.

The post Inc. 5000 names Maryland’s fastest growing companies in 2017 appeared first on MDBIZNews.

from https://mdbiznews.commerce.maryland.gov/2017/08/inc-5000-names-marylands-fastest-growing-companies-2017/

Michigan Thursday: More Bullet Points - Really?

• Former Michigan pitcher Rich Hill lost a perfect game in the 9th due to an error and then lost his no hitter and the game in a walk off home run in the 10th.  

• Naked Shark Loving coach says, they might play 3 QB's against Michigan, haven't started preparing for the Wolverines yet, and hasn't seen a Michigan roster.   Any question on which team has the better coaching staff? 

• Minnesota and MSU are possible night games this year.   I guess TV has the final call.  

• Chad Henne is starting for Jacksonville again. 

• Ohio State back-up QB Joe Burrow has a broken hand.  It will be replaced by a bionic one and he will be ready for the trip to Ann Arbor I'm sure.

• This is the year for former 5 star RB Ty Isaac, sounds like he has had a good camp:  “I feel like I have been more consistent, but other than that I don’t thing too much has changed from the spring,” Isaac said. “I think that’s the biggest thing, coming in day in and day out and doing the same things.” 
  What’s changed for Isaac? Well, he noted a lot of different aspects in his game, but staying “consistent” is his primary term for his fall camp progress.
  “Just everything,” Isaac said. “Playing more physical, blocking, catching the ball, running well, the game as a whole. I think that’s part of consistent; you can’t do one thing good one day and one thing good the next day.”

• Ben Bredeson, on if he is ready to play the Gators:  “We’re ready to go, we’re definitely ready,” Bredeson said. “We’ve been counting down since the Orange Bowl when the next game is going to be. So we’re definitely ready to go. We can’t wait to get this thing going.”
  When he finally straps it up against UF, Bredeson says he’ll be well versed in Florida’s tactics, admitting he’s watched film on them all summer long.
  “They’re a good team,” he said. “It’s the Florida Gators. It’s the SEC. So it’s not going to be a rollover game here. We’re going to be ready to go, they’re going to be ready to go. I think it’s going to be a hell of game down in Dallas.”

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/08/michigan-thursday-more-bullet-points.html

Wolveine Wednesday: Loves Bullet Points

• Great to see Grant Newsome running again.  Jimmy showed a video of him running on his twitter account.   What a story from getting injured, to the Michigan team doctors finding something serious in the locker room, to almost losing his leg, to getting him to the hospital quick enough so that didn't happen and now he is running and probably will play again.   That is the Michigan Difference!

• There has been some camp buzz that James Hudson has been doing some work at Offensive Tackle.  If you remember, James is a true freshman that was recruited to play DE.  This could be some tinkering or nothing at all.   If your going to beat an OT as a DE, its also good to understand the OT position.  For future NFL earnings, both positions pay well and are in high demand!    Jimmy has already moved true freshman LB Ben Mason to FB (though that was probably the plan day 1).

• Jimmy has been getting some heat from the media and other opponents about not releasing a two deep or a roster.   He will release the fall roster in a week on 8/30.

• Lots of camp buzz with Khaleke Hudson playing Peppers Viper role.  Sounds like he is ready for Dallas:  “My second year I feel that I’m going to the ball faster,” Hudson said. “I’m moving faster because I know everything. I just feel like I am moving faster and I know the defense a lot more, I’m able to move fast and react to things faster.” 

• Jon Jr. talks about playing at Michigan in the shadow of his famous father:  "My dad was one of the [greatest] offensive linemen to come out of the University of Michigan so I kind of feel that pressure walking past his face on the All-American wall every day," Runyan said. "I can just feel it every time I walk past it. There is some pressure but I try not to pay too much attention to it."

• Gary made the second team pre-season All American Team.

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/08/wolveine-wednesday-loves-bullet-points.html

Stanley Black & Decker Opens New Makerspace

Stanley Black & Decker has established itself as one of Maryland’s economic heavyweights, investing approximately $60 million in facility upgrades and employing thousands of residents in the area. Now, the company is raising the bar on its commitment to the state by announcing the grand opening of its new makerspace in Towson.

The 4,500 square-foot workshop is designed to help Stanley Black & Decker employees create and innovate through state-of-the-art technology and equipment. The space will also serve as a resource for the Greater Baltimore community to craft ideas into reality.

Jeff Ansell, president of Global Tools & Storage for Stanley Black & Decker, says the space will be a launch pad for future products.

“At Stanley Black & Decker, we are a company of innovators, makers and creators, and this new space will give our employees an environment where they can focus on turning their ideas into real working prototypes that will become the products of the future,” said Ansell. “By opening a new makerspace right here in Maryland, we are rededicated to not only inventing, but also making innovations that will change the way we live tomorrow.”

The company currently employees more than 2,100 people in the region and expects to add 400 new jobs focusing on innovation and engineering. Stanley Black & Decker has started partnering with local universities to develop the framework for future makerspaces and to utilize the Towson location for students and faculty research. The company plans to expand to a public-facing maker program in 2018.

Governor Larry Hogan also praised the company’s investment.

“Maryland’s economy continues to be driven by innovation, and having cutting-edge workshops like this one is critical to growing jobs, spurring new advances, and helping our communities thrive,” said Governor Hogan.

For more information about Stanley Black & Decker visit stanleyblackanddecker.com.

The post Stanley Black & Decker Opens New Makerspace appeared first on MDBIZNews.

from https://mdbiznews.commerce.maryland.gov/2017/08/stanley-black-decker-opens-new-makerspace/

Michigan Tuesday: Mr. Washington Goes Elsewhere

I have always been pulling for Keith Washington.   He was one of Jimmy's first recruits and a guy out of Alabama.  I remember a story that Jimmy visited his school and asked him if he was really was that fast as his 40 time stated?  Keith responded, I am coach and will run it right now in the parking lot if you like.   I'm sure Jimmy loved that and Keith signed with the Wolverines as a CB.  


Keith has made it known he intends to transfer from Michigan.  I thought he had a great chance to play this fall and also looked good in the Spring Game.    The CB positon is still up for grabs and their position coach Mike Zordich seems a bit worried: 


How are those young corners coming along?
“Not fast enough.” [/laughs] “Not fast enough. They show flashes. I’ll say this: Lavert has, since his injury, he’s been pretty consistent and you can see him increasing every day and getting better. The other guys, they’ve shown flashes. They just need to grab it. Somebody’s got to grab it and run with it and take it. It’s just not happening. Hopefully somebody will in the next five to seven days because we’ve got to get ready for a game in less than two weeks.”


Is anyone closer? Do you feel like anyone’s making more flashes than someone else?
“No.”


He even mentions Keith:


Is Keith [Washington] still working just at corner?
“He’s been corner, playing corner mostly, but in other packages you could see him in different spots.”


I wonder if the "other packages" were the ones that pushed Keith to transfer. 


The timing on this transfer seems a bit off.  We are less then two weeks from start of the season and the CB situation seems fluid at best.   I think Keith would of gotten some playing time and could even had been a starter in a couple games.   Even though Michigan has a ton of young corners, this has to be seen has a hit to the depth chart.   I saw Keith at CB, Nickel or maybe even Safety in a year or two.  Jimmy's first two recruits from Alabama have transferred out of the program in less then two years (Kingston Davis and Keith Washington).

• Jean Delance who announced he was transferring from Texas earlier this month, will play at Florida for the rest of the college career.  Jean was down to Michigan and Texas out of high school.

• Peppers played well in the return game last night in Cleveland.  Seems like he is a lock to start the year at safety and do punt and kick off returns.

• Michigan is ranked #11 in the preseason AP poll.

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/08/michigan-tuesday-mr-washington-goes.html

Premier Rides celebrates new coaster in Finland

Michigan Monday: McElwain Talks Trash and Some Camp Notes

The reason Florida is a scary team is because they have athletes at every position.  It was a little like Michigan playing FSU in the Orange Bowl last year.   FSU won by one point and the reason was the athletes on the field. 


I can tell you one thing, Michigan has a better coaching staff then Florida's.  Jimmy proved that in the Citrus Bowl a couple years ago.   Florida might have had the better team that day but those players weren't interested in being there and got beat 41-7.  Jim McElwain is no Jim Harbaugh and we know too well about Florida's OC in Doug Nussmeier.   With that said, McElwain gave the Wolverines some mid-August motivation this weekend when he was addressing a group of students:  “And you know what, we’re heading to Dallas here in a couple weeks to go beat the heck out of Michigan and then come back to you guys.”   Sounds like McElwain will have his team ready to play in two weeks. 


Camp Notes from Sam Webb free update: Highlights below:


-Khaleke Hudson and Josh Metellus practice hype.
-Brandon Watson is making a move at CB.  He has the most game experience.  (some of it pretty bad)
-Nolan Ulizio has been getting some 1st team reps on the OL.
-More buzz about Ty Isaac (I'm ready for Ty to have a break out year)
-Michigan is working on both Wilton Speight and John O’Korn working outside the pocket.

• RR is taking MSU transfer Thiyo Lukusa.

• Mike Riley (Nebraska head coach) sent his entire team to a Kendrick Lamar concert this weekend.

• The Rise of Coach James Franklin at Penn State.   After Penn State left Ann Arbor last year there was talk Franklin might be fired that week.   His in game coaching for many was not poor it was terrible.   Then they go on a win streak, beat Ohio State on a blocked field goal, win the Big Ten, and end up in the Rose Bowl.   This weekend he signed a new 6 year contract.   I will just list these here for reference from last year:

Lost 39-42 to Pitt
Win 34-27 to Temple
Lost 10-49 to Michigan
Win  29-26 to Minnesota in OT


I tip my hate to Penn State last year, they got very hot, got into the Big Championship game and ended up losing a close game in the Rose Bowl.   If I'm on the Penn State leadership team, I would wait at least one more season before signing up a guy you were close to firing last season.   On a side note, ND just stopped paying Charlie Weis. 


from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/08/michigan-monday-mcelwain-talks-trash.html

Michigan Friday: A Strange Week 1 For Some Big Ten Teams

I know we are a couple weeks from the season starting and I was starting to look at the week 1 games and the Big Ten has some strange match-ups.    Usually, you will see the Big Ten play a ton of MAC schools.  There is some of that but there are also some really strange games.  Let's take a look:


This is Weird?


Michigan vs. Florida in Dallas.   I continue to think this is a strange game.  Would rather see the Wolverines play in the Swamp or Gators in the Big House.


Washington at Rutgers:  A playoff team is opening their season at Rutgers?  This might not be good for Rutgers.


Maryland at Texas:  That is a strange week 1 match up.  This will be Tom Herman's first game as head coach of the Longhorns. 


Louisville at Purdue:  At least the Purdue fans will get to see what a Heisman Trophy winner looks like.


Ohio State at Indiana:  OSU is opening their Big Ten season in week 1.   The Buckeyes OC is the former head coach at IU.

• Michigan got a QB PWO for the 2018 class in Kyle Grady.  He is not related to the Grady brothers that played at Michigan.   Kyle is 6'3 and 185 pounds and is from San Diego.  With this walk-on commitment and Joe Milton already in the fold, I doubt Michigan will add another QB in this class.

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/08/michigan-friday-strange-week-1-for-some.html

Solar Eclipse 2017: Maryland Viewing Areas

The most anticipated event of the month is quickly approaching.

On August 21st, a total solar eclipse will cross over the United States, giving Maryland a great vantage point of the celestial event.

The line of totality – where the moon completely blocks the face of the sun – is positioned through South Carolina, placing Maryland and Washington, D.C. in the 80 percent range for maximum eclipse viewing.

The eclipse will first begin in Western Maryland around 1:12 pm, and end along the coastline around 4:05 pm, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The peak of the event is expected shortly after 2:30 pm for the majority of Maryland.

There are a number of places to view the astronomical occurrence around the state, including a few events hosted by the Maryland Park Service. Here are a few of our favorites.

Head out to Western Maryland and join Deep Creek Lake State Park as it monitors the eclipse at its Discovery Center. Protective glasses will be on hand for visitors.

Get a once-in-a-lifetime viewing spot from ‘Zip the Eclipse’ as you zip line through the forest in Montgomery County. Equally entertaining, set sail in Annapolis and enjoy a specialty eclipse cocktail and cupcake while wearing your solar viewing glasses. Learn more on VisitMaryland.org.

The Maryland Science Center will be in its element as its hosts a watch party in Baltimore from 12 – 4 pm. Regular admission tickets are required to enter the facility.

Grab a blanket and claim your seat on the beach. Assateague State Park will also have viewing glasses available for visitors while supplies last.

Please remember to protect your eyes from the eclipse. Do not look directly at the event without using a filter, such as a hand-held solar viewer or eclipse glasses, or you may cause severe eye damage. Only use items that are recommended by NASA and compliant with the international safety standard. Learn more at eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety.

The post Solar Eclipse 2017: Maryland Viewing Areas appeared first on MDBIZNews.

from https://mdbiznews.commerce.maryland.gov/2017/08/solar-eclipse-2017-maryland-viewing-areas/

Michigan Thursday: 2 Fab 5 Members Attend Football Practice

Jimmy is not afraid to invite anyone to practice that can share an experience or advice with his young team.   We have seen former NFL Wide Receiver Chad Johnson and now Fab 5 members Juan Howard and Jimmy King, who visited with the players on Wednesday.


Howard and King met with the team after practice Wednesday. Speight said they told the players “to be comfortable being uncomfortable.”


“It was really cool,” Speight said. “That’s what blew me away. We grew up watching those guys and they’re legends around here, and Juwan came up to me and was like, ‘Can I get a picture with you? My son’s going to love this.' I said, ‘Yeah absolutely,’ but I didn’t want to act too shocked. That’s the Fab Five, you know. That was a cool moment.”


On a side note, a friend of the program and Pro Wrestling legend Rick Flair is in a serious medical condition in an Atlanta hospital.   We hope Rick continues to get better and is back on his feet soon.

• Speaking of the Fab 5.  The special Fab 5 Jordan's that were released awhile ago are selling for $20,000 on eBay.  If anyone wants to send me a pair for my birthday, please feel free to!  :-)

• CBS announced its pre-season All American team- Michigan didn't have any players on the list.  Florida has three 2nd teamers:  Martez Ivey-OL, Duke Dawson - CB, and Eddy Pineiro - Kicker.

   





from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/08/michigan-thursday-2-fab-5-members.html

Wolverine Wednesday: Spending a Year With Jimmy

Could you imagine trying to keep up with Jim Harbaugh for a year?  The recruiting trips, satellite camps, strategy sessions, 3 hour practices, etc.    Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer David Turnley did just that and ESPN yesterday shared a few pictures from the book David and Jim published.  


Its a short read and one I recommend checking out.   This is a heart breaking photo that David took after Jeremy Clarks injury.

David Turnley

• Former Michigan recruit Jean Delance a 4 star offensive lineman from the 2016 class is transferring from Texas.  He was very high on the Wolverines and I believe picked Texas because it was closer to home.  No word yet if the Wolverines are interested in picking him up.  He played in a couple games as a freshman and would have to sit out a year before being eligible.

This surprised me a bit as I seem to remember him struggling with the deep ball, maybe those were Rudock flash backs.





from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/08/wolverine-wednesday-spending-year-with.html

Hagerstown Airport infuses millions into economy

Guest feature: James Jenkins is the public relations and community affairs manager for Washington County Government. Follow Washington County on Facebook and Twitter.

Hagerstown Regional Airport has announced the findings of its recently completed impact study. The study was conducted by Martin Associates and focused on the important role HGR plays in stimulating the local economy.

Hagerstown Regional is a financially self-supporting airport complex managed by Washington County Government. The study shows that the airport continues to have a significant impact on the local economy. Some of the study’s highlights are as follows:

• HGR supports 1,624 jobs – 826 direct jobs, 409 induced jobs and 389 indirect jobs
• Generates nearly $98 million in salary and wages
• Over $10 million in state and local taxes are generated annually
• Local businesses receive nearly $136 million in sales revenue via provided airport services and passenger activity

“This study reaffirms that HGR is a key asset to economic development in the county,” stated Phil Ridenour, airport director. “This study will play a vital role in helping to attract both new air service and new aviation related businesses.”

HGR includes more than 14 aviation-related businesses. These businesses provide numerous services including aircraft rental, heated hangars, computerized weather, aircraft inspections and aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul. Two flight schools offer discovery flights, pilot ground school and flight training.

The post Hagerstown Airport infuses millions into economy appeared first on MDBIZNews.

from https://mdbiznews.commerce.maryland.gov/2017/08/hagerstown-airport-infuses-millions-economy/

Michigan Tuesday: Backups on the DLine Could Be Starters on other Teams

Chase, Rashan, Mo, and Bryan are locked into starting roles on Michigan's defensive line.   Those are the best of the best and the only time that's important is on the depth chart.   Defensive Line coach Greg Mattison is known for his rotation of a number of players on the defensive line and the starters and the backups will get a ton of snaps each game.   This is the best way to keep players fresh and put consistent pressure on the QB and the running game of the other team.


Since we know who the starters are, who are guys that will be in the rotation?  Coach Mattison mentioned a guy we really haven't heard about in a few years:  “I hate saying this because you jinx them sometimes… I've been waiting for this for three years… Lawrence Marshall has had a very, very good camp. He's up to about 290-pounds, he worked really hard in the weight program, and he's a young man that I think will be able to play some 3-technique and be able to give Mo some work. He's done well. There's two things that are different… he's a lot stronger, his weight is up where it should be to play in there, and I think he's bought totally in. Let's be real honest… he's always been a guy that has played a little bit, and now I think he's bought in. I think he really wants to contribute to this front and he showed it. Like I said, I don't want to jinx him but every practice he's looked better that way."


Other guys that coach mentions is Carlo Kemp and Mike Dwumfour.  Carlo has been getting a lot of buzz since Spring Practice and if you saw the BTN camp update, had a huge wrap on his hand.   He is expected to be 100% healthy for the Florida game.  Mike had a shoulder injury from high school that he decided to get surgery on last year.  He has had to work hard to get the strength back in that arm and he should be ready to play a lot of snaps this year.  


We haven't even gotten to true freshman like 5 star Aubrey Solomon, DIB, Kwity Paye, Donovan Jeter or Luiji Vilain yet.   That is going to be a deep rotation!

• Josh Jackson the son of Fred Jackson was named the starting QB for Virginia Tech.  He is a red shirt freshman and if you ask Fred, Josh has the release of Marino, the smarts of Brady, the body of Cam Newton, the deep ball of Rodgers and the speed of Denard.  :)

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/08/michigan-tuesday-backups-on-dline-could.html

Michigan Monday: The Gators Suspend 7 Players

Head coach Jim McElwain (who may or may not have hugged a shark naked) suspended 7 players this weekend including Florida's top playmaker WR Antonio Callaway.  The official stance is they made some extremely disappointing decisions.   The rumor mill is saying it was some type of credit card scam.


The only other player of the 7 that might have seen the field in Dallas is DE Keivonnis Davis who is primarily a back up.




Jimmy had a camp presser on Friday and said a few interesting things.

• QB seems like a two horse race between Wilton and John O'Korn.

• My favorite line from the presser:  Jimmy is talking about emerging freshman that could make a difference this year like Chris Evans did last year:  “And James Ross is really playing well.”
  Josh Ross?
  “Josh Ross. I call him James half the time to his face.” :-)

• Michigan is still in the top 3 for 2018 WR Jahan Dotson.

• Grant Perry has been reinstated to "full participation" to the football team.  He was suspended for the last two games last year and from team activities for most of the off season.  

• Taco got his first pre-season sack against the Rams this weekend.

• Jake Rudock completed 13-of-21 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns yesterday against Indy.

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/08/michigan-monday-gators-suspend-7-players.html

Historic Princess Anne inn receives preservation award

For more than 270 years, the Washington Inn and Tavern has served as a headquarters for the Princess Anne community on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It was only fitting that when a prospective owner decided to revitalize the vacant historic structure to its former glory, he took on the immense task as a collaborative effort with the surrounding neighborhood.

A partnership with the Town of Princess Anne and Somerset County, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Maryland Department of Commerce gave Ian Fleming the support that was needed to be able to restore every facet of the structure from mechanical systems to floor joists to windows.

“In all honesty, no single investor/developer/operator would take on this project on their own,” Fleming said. “The economy is struggling in this area but there is great potential with its unique proximity to Salisbury and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. The persuasion to take the project on came out of a plan developed by many different parties who understood the charm and sense of history that the Inn provided the community.”

Through investors and matching Community Legacy grants, the Inn reopened its doors last September, offering visitors a unique combination of history, meeting space, and locally-sourced food. This summer, the Somerset County Historical Trust presented a preservation award to the public-private partnerships that made the Inn’s restoration possible.

From left: Somerset County Economic Development Director Danny Thompson, Les Hall of Maryland Department of Commerce, Inn owner Ian Fleming, Inn Partner Kathy Washburn, contractor John Nicholson, former Town Manager Brenda Benton, Inn partner Charlotte Sharf, Town Commissioner Garland Hayward, Inn partner Jim Sharf, and Inn investors Beth and Albert Modiano

“The town could see this project as the cornerstone of main street economic regeneration,” Fleming said. “An enormous amount of time and energy was put in by commissioners, managers, and staff to move this complex project forward and ensuring grant conditions were met and goals achieved.”

The Washington Inn and Tavern is now hosting various community functions including wine nights, gourmet dinners, and select live music with the goal of reintroducing itself as a cornerstone to the community once again. For more information about the inn’s history and to make a reservation, visit washingtoninnandtavern.com.

The post Historic Princess Anne inn receives preservation award appeared first on MDBIZNews.

from https://mdbiznews.commerce.maryland.gov/2017/08/historic-princess-anne-inn-receives-preservation-award/

Top Trends That Will Redefine the Future of iOS App Development

Apple has been constantly improving and enhancing its platform for the app development with the latest technologies. The year 2017 has bought the mind-blowing transformation with the update of iOS 11, advances towards Augmented Reality, the introduction of Swift 3.0 and much more. Most of the iOS developers who build apps focus on targeting audience with great purchasing power and those who are loyal to the platform. To retain the loyal customers, Apple must fulfill all their demands by delivering an exceptional user experience.

To survive the competitive app marketplace and to engage more customers, developers need to be aware of all the latest trends for developing successful iOS apps. Let’s find out all the top trends that every iPhone App Development Company must follow:

• Swift 3.0

Since the introduction of Swift platform two years back, Objective C has been overshadowed. With the latest release of Swift 3 in Xcode 8, the app developers had to deal with migration needs for changes such as new API design guidelines, consistent naming conventions, etc. Most importantly, APIs have got smarter & app development process has become much faster.

• Augmented Reality

With the utilization of GPS technology, Augmented Reality has taken the mobile app industry by storm allowing iOS developers to integrate AR for developing 3D gaming apps. The usage of AR in iOS apps has made the user experience more engaging. Along with that, Virtual Reality is expected to grow more in the years to come.

• GPS & iBeacon Technology

The location-based tracking system incorporated with GPS & iBeacon technology has enabled iOS app developers to serve customers better as per their location preferences. As iBeacon works more accurate than GPS and inside buildings, it helps in sending highly targeted marketing messages like offers, coupons, etc. to customers as they walk nearby.

• IoT

As IoT enables you to control electrical appliances from iOS devices, it opens great opportunities for the app developers. A home automation platform called HomeKit has been introduced by Apple that not only allows device integration from multiple vendors into a single IoT ecosystem but also enable iPhone or Apple watch to control them.

• Security

The most important concern of developing iOS apps is to maintain the security standards as more users store personal data on their smartphones. Though several technological developments like AR, IoT, iBeacon, VR etc. has contributed towards the growth of apps, the iOS developers of every Mobile App Development Company need to address the challenging app security concerns.

• Apps for wearables

Though the main purpose of wearables like Apple watch is to track activity, it can control HomeKit devices, make payments through apps or even call emergency services. Along with integration of more iOS apps, the latest version of Apple watch OS 4 brings more intelligence & personalized fitness features with proactive Siri watch face displaying all the information user needs throughout the day.

All the above-stated technology trends should be followed by all the iOS app developers as early as possible to grab the competitive advantage in the apps market. Though these trends might sound a little challenging for the new developers, it will surely help in achieving the success and make your brand stand out. If you are planning to build an iOS app, make sure that you choose the right developer who has deep knowledge on all the above tech trends.

The post Top Trends That Will Redefine the Future of iOS App Development appeared first on Baltimore Tech.

from http://baltimoretech.org/news/top-trends-that-will-redefine-the-future-of-ios-app-development/

Michigan Friday: Time To Spend Some Mone

maizenbrew.com

Michigan had one of the best defensive lines in the country last season.   Taco, Glasgow, and Worm are in the NFL now and it's time for Mo Hurst and Rashan Gary to set up.     Michigan also has a fast DE in Chase Winovich that will get plenty of sacks and TFL's.  


A guy that could really stand out this year is Bryan Mone.  We have been waiting for Bryan to become an all Big Ten/All American type of player.   When Jimmy took over the job he called out Bryan as being one of the best players on the team.   Injuries have really killed Bryan's last two years and the Michigan faithful is waiting to see that player.  


Sam Webb has a free practice report up and J.T. Rogan, Michigan Director of Communications and Operations for Football had some interesting things to say about Mone:  "I've just seen a lot of really great things out of Bryan Mone. I've seen power, I've seen quickness, and I've seen speed. I think I have seen what Michigan fans had hoped to see for a couple of years now. There's a lot of optimism about him on the defense."


There are going to be a lot of good Dlines this year.  Ohio State will have one, FSU another, Florida, and Alabama will have dominating defensive lines.   You can add Michigan to that list and if Mone becomes the player we think he is, they could be right at the top.

• Michigan is in the Top 5 for 2018 TX 4 Star TE Mustapha Muhammad.   Most expect the Wolverines to lead for the talented TE.

• Wisconsin LB Jack Cichy is out for the season after tearing his ACL in practice.   He might have been the #1 LB in the Big Ten.

• There are reports that Nike will release the Michigan Jordan 13's later this month.   Below is a PE (player edition) that was released to players earlier this year.   These will be expensive and in high demand.

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/08/michigan-friday-time-to-spend-some-mone.html

Michigan Thursday: The New Nike Michigan Trainer

These were actually released last week to the media and I missed it.   This is Nike's latest Michigan Trainer, each Nike school will have this shoes with their specific team colors. 



Nike Free Trainer V7 Week Zero.  They will be released for sale on Monday.   Price is $110.

• Logan Tuley-Tillman will play is final college season in El Paso at UTEP.

• Jimmy was rated as the Most Over Rated Head Coach in college football by a coaches survey from CBS Sports.  #Jealous

• Pep had some good things to say about Michigan's new true freshman QB Dylan McCaffrey:  "Oh wow -- he's a smart kid, smart kid," Hamilton said on Wednesday. "His football IQ is off the chart, which is what you would really expect from a kid that grew up in a football family. And he's been very impressive up until this point."

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/08/michigan-thursday-new-nike-michigan.html

Wolverine Wednesday: Wonders What Is Going On in Belleville?

For those of you that don't know the metro Ann Arbor area, Belleville is about a half an hour or less away from the Big House.   When it comes to recruiting that is pretty much the Wolverines backyard.  


Belleville in the 2019 class has two big time prospects. 


Devontae Dobbs is a 5 star prospect (24/7 composite) and some have him rated as the top OT in the 2019 class.   He has offers from the likes of Alabama, LSU, PSU, Florida, Georgia, OSU, Wisconsin, MSU, etc.   Michigan also has offered but the coaches are not in regular contact with Devontae.


Julian Barnett is a top 100 4 star WR/CB and a teammate of Dobbs.   He has offers from the likes of Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Georgia, MSU, Notre Dame and others.   Barnett is 6'2 and 180 pounds and doesn't carry a Michigan offer.  


Michigan is currently killing it with 2019 recruits and already has two 5 stars and two more 4 stars.    We know Don Brown likes tall corners and 5 star OT's just don't grow on tree's in your backyard.  So what's the deal?


I don't have an answer for you.   Of course, we always trust the coaches in these matters, but this is a bit of a head scratcher.  Mgoblog reports the Michigan coaches wanted Barnett to camp in Ann Arbor so they could evaluate him.  He declined.   Reports are he likes ND, OSU (who also hasn't offered) and MSU.


Here is a quote from Dobbs from Scouts$:


“Lately I’ve been talking to Penn State, Michigan State, Ohio State, Auburn, Alabama, and Georgia,” Dobbs said.


One prominent school missing from Dobbs’ list is Michigan, as he explains his interest in the Wolverines is trending in the wrong direction.


“If they show interest then I’ll show interest back,” Dobbs said. “I’ll still consider them, but right now at the moment there is no communication between us.”




We still have a long way to go for the 2019 class, but this seems like a strange situation. 



from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/08/wolverine-wednesday-wonders-what-is.html

Celebrate National Farmers Market Week in Maryland

Guest feature: Julie Oberg is the Communications Director for the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Follow along with MDA @MdAgDept and Maryland’s Best @MdsBest.

Governor Larry Hogan has declared August 6-12 as Farmers Market Week in Maryland to coincide with National Farmers Market Week. The Maryland Department of Agriculture encourages citizens to celebrate the week by visiting farmers markets and buying local products. Search for a farmers market near you by visiting the Maryland’s Best website.

“Farmers Market Week is a great opportunity for Marylanders to get a taste of fresh, nutritious food grown right here in the state,” said Governor Hogan. “Buying local is a great way to support our state’s agriculture industry and promote sustainability. I encourage all Marylanders to celebrate this week with a visit to their local farmers market.”

The growing consumer demand for locally-grown products is evident at both the state and national level. The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service began the National Farmers Market Directory in 1994. Since then, the number of markets voluntarily listed has grown from 1,755 to more than 8,500 across the country.

There are currently more than 140 farmers markets in Maryland—including at least one in each county and Baltimore City. These markets are important economic drivers for the state’s agriculture industry. Maryland farmers markets generated $53 million dollars in total sales, with more than 2.3 million consumers visiting the markets in 2016, according to a 2016 survey by the Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Maryland Farmers Market Association.

READ MORE.

The post Celebrate National Farmers Market Week in Maryland appeared first on MDBIZNews.

from https://mdbiznews.commerce.maryland.gov/2017/08/celebrate-national-farmers-market-week-maryland-2/

Michigan Tuesday: Some BBall News and More Fall Camp Tidbits

Michigan Basketball 2018 recruiting continues to play out for Coach B and new staff.  The latest news is the recruitment of two players. 


First is a brand new offer for 2018 PG  Duane Washington Jr. out of Grand Rapids (MI) Christian.   Duane is 6'3 and averaged 15 points per game in the Nike EYBL circuit this summer.  DW is considered a 3 star prospect.  (he is also a Junior - Michigan's last two 2019 football commits are also Jr.'s  who are also going into their Junior year of high school - we might need an investigative report here!  :-)


Second, is a recent offer for Wing Justin Ahrens who averaged 13.8 points per game with C2K Elite in Under Armour Association league this summer.   Justin is from Ohio and de-committed from Ohio State in June.   He was offered by Coach B on a visit this past weekend and some insiders believe he is leaning towards the Maize and Blue.   His offer list includes the likes of NC State, Virginia Tech, Vanderbilt, Missouri, Texas A&M, Ohio State, Xavier, Duquesne and Dayton.   He is also considered a 3 star prospect.  Please note he is not a Jr. :-(

• Instate prospect from Grand Rapids and top 100 2019 OT Logan Brown, is starting to trend towards Michigan.  He visited for the 4th time at the BBQ and it seems Michigan is gaining ground on Wisconsin.   His offer list is an impressive one which includes Alabama, Penn State, Wisconsin, MSU, North Carolina and others.

• You could write the same bullet point (from above) for 2019 Top100 offensive lineman Trevor Keegan.   Trevor actually is from Illinois but his trip to Ann Arbor for the BBQ was his second and he is also leaning towards the Wolverines.   Highlights from his offer list includes:  Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, IU, Penn State, TCU, MSU, Northwestern and others.

More camp buzz:


WR Starters right now:  Crawford, Slot- Perry, Black then DPJ and Collins.
Ruiz is a close second at Center and Right Guard.
Hill and Long both have a slight lead at CB.
Nate Johnson seems like he is going to be a return specialist.   McDoom has been losing some WR ground to the talented freshman.


Furbush and Woods are not in starting slots but will play a ton. 





from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/08/michigan-tuesday-some-bball-news-and.html

Michigan Monday: Camp Rumblings and A Family of 5 Stars

First things first: We are less then a month away from the start of the college football season and Michigan is playing in one of the great match-ups of the year in week one.   The #9 ranked Wolverines will take on #16 Florida Gators in Dallas.  


Fall camp started a week ago today and we want need camp updates.   Confirmed Michigan Insider UMBIG11 who contributes to Mgoblog and Touch the Banner gave us a little taste of what is going on in the Submarine.   I have given you a few highlights here:

• Wilton is clearly the #1 QB.  #2 is still up for grabs.  
• Higdon and Evans are competing for the #1 RB job, Isaac is also looking good.
• Starting WR's won't be decided until closer to the game.
• Kugler seems to be the starter at center
• Michigan is working on the 4 wide, quick drop and pass offense during this camp.  (My guess is Pep is leading this offensive tweak)
• Kemp is standing out on defense
• LB's are good and athletic, Hudson is standing out.
• Metellus and Kinnel are locks at safety.
• CB's is still very competitive.

I love this kind of stuff!  :)




A Family of 5 Stars:


If you haven't gotten this feeling yet, you should:  Michigan's 2019 class might be one of the best recruiting classes in the country! 


Michigan already has two 4 stars and now two 5 stars already committed.   The latest news came on Saturday night when Chris Hinton Jr. the #9 ranked player in the country (to 24/7 composite) committed to the Wolverines.


Chris's father is a 7 time NFL pro bowler Chris Hinton Sr. played on the offensive line with Jimmy in Indy.  Chris Jr. is a 2019 DE/OT 5 star prospect just committed to the Wolverines over the weekend and his brother Myles Hinton in a 2020 OT prospect who many expect to also be a 5 star.   That is one talented family and goes to Jimmy's deep relationships he has from his playing days. 


Did I mention that the Hinton's live in Georgia?  A state that historically hasn't been good to U of M but under Jimmy has been a nice pipeline (7 players). 


Michigan was Chris Jr.'s first and favorite offer.  He starting showing his dominance in camps over a year ago and the Wolverines quickly offered.   Then the likes of #everyone offered including:  Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Stanford, Tennessee, USC, Duke, Maryland, Miami, Michigan State, Mississippi State, UNC, Northwestern, Ole Miss, Rutgers, South Carolina, and Virginia Tech.  He is a 5 star to both Rivals and Scouts.  ESPN hasn't rated any 2019 guys yet and 24/7 has him as a high 4 star and a top 100 player.


Chris is 6'4 and 265 and still has two years of high school football to play before he gets to Ann Arbor.  He is already a monster on the defensive line but many expect his position at the next level is at offensive tackle like his talented father.  We are still two plus years away of needing to make that decision.


What would Fred Jackson say:  Chris like is father is destined to play on Sunday's and will be a super star in Ann Arbor under Greg Mattison and Don Brown if the Wolverines elect to play him on defense.   He reminds me of a former 5 star that we messed up in Big Will Campbell who could of played on either side of the ball and spent way too much time on the defensive line then the offensive line in Ann Arbor.   Chris will have a better career in Ann Arbor as the coaching is light years better then what Will had.







from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/08/michigan-monday-camp-rumblings-and.html

Next generation of aviation mechanics prepares to take flight

Michigan Friday: Wants Drake Harris to See The Field

Drake Harris came to Ann Arbor as an athlete that could make an instant impact.   Not too many kids can pick between playing Big Time D1 Basketball or Football.    This was the type of athlete Michigan needed and fans wanted.  


The issue is, Drake has spent 3 injury plagued years in the program and with a boat load of talented WR's coming into the program, he has changed positions and will line up as a CB this year.   We know he is athletic enough to play the position, but does he have the experience?


Experience is the issue for the Michigan secondary this year.  The safeties seem to be locked down with Tyree Kinnel and Josh Metellus both have seen a little bit of game action.   The CB positions are up for grabs with the likes of Watson, Washington, Hill, Long, Harris and St-Juste.  Watson has experience but I'm concerned with this speed and coverage skills.  Washington looked good in the spring and Hill and Long are highly touted.  We know Ben St-Juste is a true freshman. 


The opportunity for Harris is there, lets hope it all comes together for him.  Per Don Brown:


"I think every position there's battles going on, but I think the corner thing is paramount in our thinking," Brown said. "Coach Zordich -- I have tremendous confidence in his abilities to analyze, provide technique and concept. And I love those guys. All of those guys have a chance to be good.
"And coach gave me an early birthday present or something, but Drake Harris had a nice
interception yesterday. I love those guys, when they put their hands out, and they're nice and long, and then he goes up and high-points the ball -- it's fun to see. Hopefully he'll continue to take steps, move forward, learn the concept and play fast -- because that's the biggest piece.

• Frank Clark punched a player at Seahawks practice. 

• Taco played in his first pre-season NFL game last night.  Lewis stayed home with a hamstring injury.  Taco was in for 16 snaps and didn't have a QB pressure. 

• Aidan Hutchinson has been invited to the Army All-American Bowl.

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/08/michigan-friday-wants-drake-harris-to.html

Big Data Trends that will shape the Future of Data-Driven Business

Big Data become very popular is the year 2016 with several business owners demanding the need for managing their large volumes of data to make the best business decisions. As we move ahead towards 2017, we can see that Big Data is only getting bigger and it is here to stay for quite a long time. Big Data Analytics is the technology that analyzes data to uncover concealed patterns and make informed decisions for the business growth. Here are some of the interesting trends of Big Data and Analytics Solutions on how they will transform the future of data-driven businesses:

• Hadoop Still On Demand

Hadoop is undoubtedly the most popular software frameworks for storage & processing of Big Data. The improvements in the speed of Hadoop’s data exploration will accelerate processing, storage & retrieval, which are the keys to continued success. Report by Allied Market Research predicts that Hadoop will reach global revenue of $84.6 billion by the year 2021.

• Rise of IoT

As IoT is capable of collecting & exchanging data between multiple sources, a huge amount of data will be the generated in the years to come. This growth in IoT demands real-time analytics that will help in making sense out of all that data and companies need to address the challenges that IoT presents to data governance & security.

• Cognitive Computing

With the motive to enable interaction between machines and humans, Cognitive computing has come into existence relying on technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning or Natural Language Processing. As the area of Cognitive Computing advances, more & more non-techies will be able to analyze data by interacting with application similar to human. IDC forecasts that half of business analytics software will rely on cognitive computing by 2020.

• Collaboration with Cloud

Big Data & cloud will be still together in the future as most of the major brands migrate their data warehouses into the cloud. There are lots of services that are based on cloud computing like Amazon Redshift, Google BigQuery & Microsoft’s Azure SQL data warehouse, which allow customers to vary the amount of storage or processing for which they rely on the data warehouse.

• NoSQL Technology

The NoSQL is becoming as one of the best alternate tools to the conventional SQL Tools as well as for specific types of analytics applications. The shift to NoSQL database will be quite useful for the enterprise IT landscape as it offers the benefits of a schema-less database. It is also useful for the applications such as usage of sensors on retail store shelves that helps in understanding the behavior of the purchasers.

Big Data is definitely going to stay and it will have the potential impact on the agility and performance of the business. As per the research, Gartner believes that by the year 2020, Big Data & IoT will be transforming or eliminating almost 80% of business processes. Be aware of all these hottest trends of Big Data to drive more innovation & discovery for your business. Along with Big Data, implementing an ideal CMS system is a wise choice, as it allows you to manage your data content proficiently. Choose the company that offers the wide range of Kentico Development services to avail all the benefits of the CMS now.

The post Big Data Trends that will shape the Future of Data-Driven Business appeared first on Baltimore Tech.

from http://baltimoretech.org/news/big-data-trends-that-will-shape-the-future-of-data-driven-business/

Michigan Thursday: TB is 40 Today and Michigan Picks Up a Safety

Happy 40th Birthday Tom Brady!  Can he win a Super Bowl at this advanced age?  I wouldn't bet against it!


Michigan got it's 4th commitment from the BBQ yesterday afternoon when 2018 Florida Safety Sammy Faustin picked the Wolverines.   Sammy is a 3 star prospect across the board, minus ESPN which didn't rank him.   He fits the Don Brown mold and is 6'2 170 pounds coming into his senior year of high school. 


Sammy was late to get offers but now has over 20.  His top offers were from:  Arizona, Ole Miss, Maryland, Nebraska, NC State, Kentucky, Virginia, Iowa State and others.


This is a clear Don Brown recruit, Sammy plays CB in high school and Don projects him to Safety at Michigan.   It will take a few years for him to learn the position, so I expect him to red shirt and see time on special teams early in his career.  Welcome Sammy!


Sammy is the 13th 2018 commit in a class I expect to be around 20 players.

• Chad Johnson showed up at practice yesterday and even got some time in working with the young WR's. I guess he was at EMU with his daughter for a track event.

They really hooked him up with some Jordan gear!

• BTN will visit Camp Harbaugh on 8/12.
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from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/08/michigan-thursday-tb-is-40-today-and.html

Wolverine Wednesday: Official Offers Went Out Yesterday

There are way too many verbal agreements in college football recruiting.   Schools verbally offer kids and the kids verbally commit to their favorite school.  Both sides can change their minds at anytime and many times they do. 


On August 1st every year, college programs send their official offer letters to recruits.  The verbal offer from the school becomes a bit more solid.   Here is an example of what Michigan sent recruits.

It's official, I will be signing on December21st 〽️📝 #BlueBloods18 pic.twitter.com/chY7xAxzv3

— SPIDER (@simsmyles) August 1, 2017

Please note the 3 bullet points on the offer.   These are clear ways a program can back away from a player that might have issues in the classroom or issues on or off the field.


What is new about this years offers is, kids can use the early signing period to stop the recruiting process from other programs even if they are not enrolling in January.  Myles Sims who received the above letter will officially sign on December 21st.


Side Note:  ECU sent out pirate scrolls, which is a pretty cool idea.

• The NCAA made a UCF kicker pick between his YouTube channel where he makes money or playing college football.  He picked the YouTube channel and the NCAA made him ineligible.   The NCAA will need to wake up because this issue is not going away and will only get larger.

• Every year they have this article where Big 10 coaches speak anonymously about other programs.  This was the time when former Purdue head coach Joe Tiller would make some stupid comments about Michigan (please note, we only assume it was Joe making those comments).  This year it seems Michigan got a couple good remarks.   This is my favorite as it goes to the strong off the field staff that Jimmy has hired:  "They’re scouting opponents better than anyone in our league. They’re at Alabama’s level of prep and analysis, and as they’ve started to fit talent you’re seeing the effects. It’s hard to surprise them."  When Jimmy can rely on his staff to scout and help game plan for opponents, he and his on field coaching staff can spend more time developing the Wolverine players.

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/08/wolverine-wednesday-offical-offers-went.html

Michigan Tuesday: Day 1 Video and Welcomes Cam McGrone Properly

Michigan Football is up to 3 commits from the BBQ this past weekend.   That makes the cost of those hot dogs, burgers and chicken worth it.   The latest commit is a guy that will be on campus the soonest with 2018 LB Cameron McGrone.   Cam is 6'2 and 215 pounds and ran a 4.67 at the Opening.


Cameron McGrone has been a bit under the radar for the recruiting services if a Nike Opening invite can be.   Scout has him #330 player, Rivals doesn't have him in the top 250, ESPN doesn't have him in their top 300 and 24/7 just move him up 92 spots and have him ranked #40 in the country.   He is a 4 star to all the services and I expect him to move up in the overall player rankings on Scouts, Rivals and ESPN.


Cam tore his ACL in his last game of his junior year and was a bit late on the camp circuit.  He responded/healed very quickly from his injury and attended the Nike Opening regional and got an invite to the Opening finals.   McGrone participated in Nike's Opening early in July and it was clear he was one of the top LB's in the country.


The one group that wasn't under evaluating Cam was college programs.   Cam had 21 offers which included the likes of:  Iowa, Louisville, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Cincinnati, Duke, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Northwestern, Purdue, and Syracuse.  His final two were Michigan and ND. 


I have a new feature with commitments I would like to add.  It's called: what would Fred Jackson say?  Fred was the long time RB coach at Michigan and was famous for overstating a players ability.   For example, he would say Player X is like Barry Sanders but fast. 


What would Fred Jackson say:   Cam is a lighting bolt as an inside linebacker, he can sack the QB off the edge or stop at RB at the line of scrimmage.  He reminds me of Jets/NE LB David Harris but lighter. 


Welcome Cam!

• Here are some highlights from Practice #1.  I loved the final footage of Jimmy working with brand new QB Dylan McCaffrey on foot work.  Looks like the submarine might be docked right now.

Yup, we're back. #GoBlue 〽️🏈 pic.twitter.com/WC413otsJu

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) August 1, 2017

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2017/08/michigan-tuesday-day-1-video-and.html