Predictions Week 2: Scaling Up the Competition

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by Bill Klein

Richard - Thanks for the callout to the Norsemen 3688. You ran a stellar event.

Thank you for the kind words. I certainly agree St. Joe was a stellar event; however, I did not run it. That credit goes to our ridiculously overworked event coordinator Brett and volunteer coordinator Carrie, to Judge Advisor Tim, to FTAs Oliver and Ellen, to field supervisor Eddie, to Head Referee Greg, and to LRI Tearesa. And to a large number of folks in white Stronghold shirts, and quite a number (N) of Average Joes. [N is getting larger all the time.]

[TheBoulderite]

Originally Posted by Looking Forward

We felt that the AZ North regional had some exceptional depth and variety of teams. It could very well be this years' surprise powerhouse event, similar to Utah last year.

I feel like it was. Some of the quarters and semis at AZN got really intense.

[Citrus Dad]

Originally Posted by PayneTrain

If you are really offended that a faceless textbox did not do enough ego stroking, might I suggest wrapping yourself up in the comfort of 3 divisional banners and one world champion banner? Not a lot of us can.

I'll leave this point, but this attack is completely misses my point. The depth of CVR needed particular attention. Note that I also called attention to LA which had even more quality on the field--we were not there. I won't call attention to Sac (where we are playing) because it doesn't have the same depth. So do not take this as some self serving statement. I saw a missed opportunity to highlight CALIFORNIA teams and made a statement about this.

[GDB]

A lot of teams from the AZN regional had rocker bogie drive trains, including our own team Plasma Robotics.

It was a really interesting regional and one of the more exciting ones I have been actually a part of.

[RonAyyyyyyyy]

Originally Posted by Citrus Dad

I'll leave this point, but this attack is completely misses my point. The depth of CVR needed particular attention. Note that I also called attention to LA which had even more quality on the field--we were not there. I won't call attention to Sac (where we are playing) because it doesn't have the same depth. So do not take this as some self serving statement. I saw a missed opportunity to highlight CALIFORNIA teams and made a statement about this.

Ah, yes, because California teams never get highlights, it's always those darn Arizona, Georgia, & Kansas City teams

[XaulZan11]

Originally Posted by RonAyyyyyyyy

Ah, yes, because California teams never get highlights, it's always those darn Arizona, Georgia, & Kansas City teams

And those teams 4 teams mentioned in Mexico!

[PayneTrain]

Originally Posted by Citrus Dad

I'll leave this point, but this attack is completely misses my point. The depth of CVR needed particular attention. Note that I also called attention to LA which had even more quality on the field--we were not there. I won't call attention to Sac (where we are playing) because it doesn't have the same depth. So do not take this as some self serving statement. I saw a missed opportunity to highlight CALIFORNIA teams and made a statement about this.

You have every right to highlight California teams whenever you see fit, as does Looking Forward.

You have the right to advocate for your team and your region as you see fit, as do I.

I have the right to provide some obviously needed perspective when myself and a significant number of people think you're neck deep in your own kool-aid, as you have the right to belabor your point over and over and over in hopes that what you obviously perceive to be a earth-shattering injustice be corrected. That doesn't mean either of us come out of that smelling like roses.

No one has any lack of respect for 254, 1678, 1323, 701, 1671, some good rookie and second year teams, etc. But come on, it's probably not getting any more interesting in Texas this year. It's probably not getting any more interesting in Toronto this year. GKC and AZN each are part of an underrepresented part of FIRST. The ever pervasive and eternally strange fanboyism over the traditional and rising powerhouses is not being affected by Looking Forward. It's at best a service to shifting regions and places to watch interesting storylines, at worst the jerkfest that you seem to crave, but mostly just a place for a bunch of nerds to shoot the breeze before they head off to events. It's not life or death and not worthy of a lot more time.

[Boltman]

Originally Posted by PayneTrain

You have every right to highlight California teams whenever you see fit, as does Looking Forward.

You have the right to advocate for your team and your region as you see fit, as do I.

I have the right to provide some obviously needed perspective when myself and a significant number of people think you're neck deep in your own kool-aid, as you have the right to belabor your point over and over and over in hopes that what you obviously perceive to be a earth-shattering injustice be corrected. That doesn't mean either of us come out of that smelling like roses.

No one has any lack of respect for 254, 1678, 1323, 701, 1671, some good rookie and second year teams, etc. But come on, it's probably not getting any more interesting in Texas this year. It's probably not getting any more interesting in Toronto this year. GKC and AZN each are part of an underrepresented part of FIRST. The ever pervasive and eternally strange fanboyism over the traditional and rising powerhouses is not being affected by Looking Forward. It's at best a service to shifting regions and places to watch interesting storylines, at worst the jerkfest that you seem to crave, but mostly just a place for a bunch of nerds to shoot the breeze before they head off to events. It's not life or death and not worthy of a lot more time.

I think there is an east coast bias in some coverage though not only in FRC... for instance in GameSense not one mention of San Diego Regional week 1 were we as member of #8 took down #1 in QF two games.... that almost never happens in FRC and was noteworthy so is a rookie ranking #1 there over 399. But hey we are used to it, they had nothing to say when we were alliance captain 2 either in CVR after leading the pack at end of Day 1.

I agree with Citrus Dad CVR should have been highlighted more in this weeks preview with FOUR WC teams facing off rather than also-ran. That is what top 25 is a joke no one knows what is going on everywhere everyone is in their own little niche FRC world. That is why I think 'preview' or 're-cap' coverage should reflect all regions equally. In GameSense if you were not a district event you did not rate.

I'm pretty sure we played with some of the best bots the world has this weekend in CVR and would put them up in a heartbeat against Texas. Ridiculously talented top talent on display.

[Kevin Leonard]

Originally Posted by Citrus Dad

I'll leave this point, but this attack is completely misses my point. The depth of CVR needed particular attention. Note that I also called attention to LA which had even more quality on the field--we were not there. I won't call attention to Sac (where we are playing) because it doesn't have the same depth. So do not take this as some self serving statement. I saw a missed opportunity to highlight CALIFORNIA teams and made a statement about this.

The difference is almost everyone knew what was going to happen at CVR.

Not to put any of the other amazing teams there down- we all know that 1323, 701, 1671, 5137, 5817 have very good machines, and everyone was already going to watch that event just to see those amazing matches.

LF can't cover every event. LF selects a few events that are stronger than usual with perhaps a less-than-certain outcome to highlight, because it makes sense to bring attention to those events.

[wilsonmw04]

Originally Posted by Boltman

I agree with Citrus Dad CVR should have been highlighted more with FOUR WC teams facing off rather than also-ran.

"also-ran" is such a harsh term. Especially to the members of those teams who have worked so hard to get a robot out on the field to compete against and with those World Champions. You know you could cover that regional yourself and send it in. But that would require more work than complaining about it.

[Rangel]

Originally Posted by Boltman

I think there is an east coast bias in some coverage though not only in FRC... for instance in GameSense not one mention of San Diego Regional week 1 were we as member of #8 took down #1 in QF two games.... that almost never happens in FRC and was noteworthy so is a rookie ranking #1 there over 399. But hey we are used to it, they had nothing to say when we were alliance captain 2 either in CVR after leading the pack at end of Day 1.

I agree with Citrus Dad CVR should have been highlighted more with FOUR WC teams facing off rather than also-ran. That is what top 25 is a joke no one knows what is going on everywhere everyone is in their own little niche FRC world. That is why I think coverage should reflect all regions equally. In GameSense if you were not a district event you did not rate.

I'm pretty sure we played with some of the best bots the world has this weekend in CVR and would put them up in a heartbeat against Texas. Ridiculously talented top talent on display.

Nothing is stopping you from analyzing this week's 21 events while being very careful to not put too much attention at any one event for fear of teams calling you biased.

[TDav540]

Originally Posted by Boltman

I'm pretty sure we played with some of the best bots the world has this weekend in CVR and would put them up in a heartbeat against Texas. Ridiculously talented top talent on display.

Tournament of regions at IRI?

[Jay O'Donnell]

If you don't like how Looking Forward writes their posts, than don't read them.

I can't believe we have to have a discussion about people not liking how LF does things. I don't see anyone else making write ups of every single event that makes everyone happy. LF can do what they want, if you'd rather your region or another specific region was highlighted why don't you do it? NE Forecast is a brand new account that I've found to be very knowledgable about New England, which I like.

Personally, I liked reading more about Arizona. I knew who to watch at CVR and LA. I know nothing about Arizona. I've come out learning more.

[Boltman]

Originally Posted by Rangel(kf7fdb)

Nothing is stopping you from analyzing this week's 21 events while being very careful to not put too much attention at any one event for fear of teams calling you biased.

I am biased I like the all the California teams and a handful of others

Love 179 and the Texas powerhouse teams, The High rollers too... wish I knew more about Michigan and some of the others
around the country and world. I just happened to watch a lot of Florida and Texas past two seasons in scouting.

Us west coasters are used to the bias its all good. BTW thanks for this OP each week its cool to read about teams I do not know.

[Boltman]

Originally Posted by Kevin Leonard

The difference is almost everyone knew what was going to happen at CVR.

Not to put any of the other amazing teams there down- we all know that 1323, 701, 1671, 5137, 5817 have very good machines, and everyone was already going to watch that event just to see those amazing matches.

LF can't cover every event. LF selects a few events that are stronger than usual with perhaps a less-than-certain outcome to highlight, because it makes sense to bring attention to those events.

So EVERYONE must have had us pegged at #1 Sat night and as Alliance captain #2 in CVR then OOPs you actually listed us wow thanks (that is weird to see) . I don't think we were amazing but very good sure, we became very consistent. The others in that very good list ARE amazing in my eyes except for 701 when they are upside down then they are just another upside down Tortuga.