The BulleTin • Tuesday, May 4, 2021 A7
NFL | ANALYSIS
DEAR ABBY
Write to Dear Abby online at dearabby.com
or by mail at P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Dear Abby: We get our
children and grandchildren
together twice a year. Our
oldest daughter is divorced
and, unfortunately, has a sig-
nificant other the rest of our
family cannot stand. He’s an
arrogant, competitive know-
it-all.
We have been around him
only twice — the last two
times the family got together.
The second time was a disas-
ter for the rest of us. Should
we tell her we don’t want to
invite him this year, and how
do we say it? Or should we
not tell her?
— Tentative in Florida
Dear Tentative: Talk to
your daughter about this.
When you do, have handy a
list of the ways he offended
your family members at the
gathering. Her significant
other may be so self-centered
he doesn’t realize he’s being
obnoxious.
Ask her to ask him to dial
back his need to compete,
impress, cover for his own in-
security — whatever drives
him. Then give him one more
chance. If that fails, do not
invite him again, and tell her
why. You can always see your
daughter separately, I assume,
and so can her siblings.
Dear Abby: I had a rela-
tionship with a wonderful
woman for almost six years.
During the course of our rela-
tionship, I purchased a rather
expensive precious stone —
exactly what she wanted —
with the intent of giving it to
her as a promise ring. (Nei-
ther of us are fans of the insti-
tution of marriage.) We have
since gone our separate ways,
but we still communicate.
Because it was purchased
for her, I am tempted to give
her the stone. At the same
time, I have entertained the
notion of keeping it and giv-
ing it to my future life part-
ner, should I meet someone
I care for that deeply. Your
guidance would be greatly ap-
preciated.
— Romancing the Stone
Dear Romancing: Promise
rings symbolize the prom-
ise of a proposal of marriage.
In the case of your former
girlfriend, it didn’t pan out.
Because the two of you still
communicate, why not men-
tion to her that you have the
stone and ask if she would
like to have it. If she says no,
you can always offer it to
someone else, although I can’t
promise the lady will be ea-
ger to receive a souvenir of a
failed relationship.
Dear Abby: A friend of
mine has a 70-pound dog
that behaves badly. When
I visit her, it sprints out of
the front door, barking, and
jumps on my car. It has left 3
1/2-inch-long deep scratches
on two of my vehicles. She
yells at it, and eventually the
dog stops, but not before
jumping on me and leaving
me muddied and snagged.
This friend is due to have
a baby, and I am sure she will
be inviting me over to meet
the baby soon. How can I
avoid further damage to my
car and clothing without
damaging my friendship?
— Assaulted in Austin
Dear Assaulted: The ob-
vious answer is to find the
courage to tell your friend
you are willing to visit only
if she confines her dog so it
won’t cause further damage to
you and your property. And
while you are at it, mention
that you are concerned about
her baby’s safety. Her dog’s
lack of discipline poses a dis-
tinct danger to her defense-
less and vulnerable little one.
YOUR HOROSCOPE
By Madalyn Aslan
After draft, some obstacles ahead
BY BARRY WILNER
AP Pro Football Writer
W
ith a successful in-person draft
in Cleveland behind it, the NFL
inexorably moves on.
What’s ahead might not go so smoothly
as the selection process did on the shore of
Lake Erie.
For one, the league and the players’
union likely will be hassling over offseason
programs for, well, the rest of the offseason.
For another, while Commissioner Roger
Goodell and the 32 team owners rather
loudly are embracing the idea of full stands
come the regular season, there are far too
many uncertainties with the COVID-19
pandemic that are still a significant factor.
As for major storylines for the teams, no
need to look beyond Green Bay up north
and Houston down south.
Offseason programs
This one could get ugly, and relatively
soon.
Although the NFL pushed back in-per-
son attendance for meetings and OTAs,
which are optional anyway, until later this
month, the NFL Players Association wants
to do something virtually no else does:
Go back to 2020. At least when it comes
to mandatory events, particularly mini-
camps.
Last year, the offseason programs were
all done virtually and training camp was
pushed back because of the pandemic.
This year, organized team activities can be-
gin May 24 for 10 sessions, and minicamps
can be held until June 18.
NFLPA President JC Tretter, a cen-
ter with the Browns, has campaigned for
eliminating all of that.
Seahawks
Continued from A5
“Just extremely explosive.
Can really throttle his speed,”
Schneider told reporters Satur-
day. “We’re getting a guy that
can play a number of different
positions.”
The Seahawks added to their
offensive line by selecting For-
sythe with a sixth-round pick
(No. 208) out of the University
of Florida. Forsythe is a massive
Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini
A Browns fan wearing a pumpkin mask takes
a selfie with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell
during the NFL Draft on Friday in Cleveland.
“The good news for our sport is that
while the NFL season looked and felt no-
ticeably different from previous years,”
Tretter has written on the NFLPA website,
“we learned that the game of football did
not suffer at the expense of protecting its
players more than ever before.
“Our process is to follow the science on
what is safest for our guys, and many of the
changes this past year — like no in-per-
son offseason workouts/practices, the ex-
tended acclimation period before training
camp and no preseason games — gave us a
year of data that demonstrates maintaining
some of these changes long term is in the
best interest of the game.”
The battle lines could be drawn for
June’s minicamps. The union could advise
its members not to attend, but the teams
can hand down hefty fines to those players
who, basically, opt out.
Preseason games
The owners make too much money off
these exhibition games to totally eliminate
them. Getting them to drop from four
to three per team (not counting the Hall
of Fame game) took adding a 17th regu-
lar-season game.
Coaches want them to help set their ros-
ters and find their starters. Rookies need
them to become acclimated to the pros
before the real stuff kicks off. Free agents
joining new teams are helped in their ad-
justments by preseason matches.
At least that’s what we are told.
If the union is to make a stand about
the work schedule, minicamps are more
likely to be the focal point than boycot-
ting preseason games. Revenues from pre-
season games are factored into the salary
cap, so fewer games means less revenue all
around.
Attendance
Goodell and the league’s medical staff
wisely and repeatedly make their decisions
regarding practice facilities, stadiums and
games based on the latest medical science
and municipality health rules. His bosses
— that would be the team owners — can
be more pushy as far as getting people in
the stands.
It’s unlikely that the commissioner
would back down in this area, even if a
franchise in a “more open” state such as
Texas or Florida, pushed for attendance
beyond what the league itself deems ap-
propriate and safe.
Citing Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief
medical officer, and his staff, Goodell of-
ten refers back to their work in getting the
2020 schedule and postseason completed
on time. Don’t look for him to abandon
that approach regardless of the potential
pushback from one or several clubs.
guy — 6-foot-8, 308 pounds
with 34 3/8-inch arms and size
10 hands. The Seahawks traded
up from their seventh-round
position to select Forsythe.
“He’s had over 1,000 pass
rushes against him in the SEC,
his numbers are really good.
His stats are really good in pass
protection,” Seattle head coach
Pete Carroll told reporters Sat-
urday. “He can come off the
football, he runs pretty well. He
runs well for a big guy. So, he
moves all right. We just have to
get him where he’s coming off
the football the way we want to.”
Adding Forsythe marks the
continuation of the Seahawks’
effort to improve their offensive
line, three months after Wilson
expressed frustration in Febru-
ary about getting hit too often.
The Seahawks traded for
guard Gabe Jackson and re-
signed center Ethan Pocic in
March. Jackson is expected to
play at right guard and Damien
Lewis will move from right
to left guard. Veteran Duane
Brown will return at left tackle
and Brandon Shell and Cedric
Ogbuehi will compete at right
tackle. Pocic and Kyle Fuller
will also do battle in camp.
“We are pleased with where
we are,” Carroll told reporters.
“In particular with the depth
and the competition.”
Wilson has expressed his ap-
proval of the additions in a se-
ries of posts on social media.
years. Katie and Brian did a
great job representing us and
our vision and enhanced our
vision for five. And so I will
find two more that will cer-
tainly help me continue that
process.”
Rueck admits it was tough to
see Goforth and Samuel leave
after just one year. But that
seems to be the norm across
the women’s college basketball
landscape, especially after the
past year dealing with the pan-
demic.
Still, Rueck said he wants to
learn from every situation and
find ways to make sure play-
ers feel like Oregon State is the
right fit.
“I love that Sasha was here
for a year, I love that Savannah
was here for a year,” Rueck said.
“I love those people, I think
they are great. I thought we
were a great fit, of course. I love
that we had Jaz for three years.
“It was their choice in their
time to move on, and I’m not
going to question it, that’s not
my job or my role. My role is
to be a mentor as best I can, if
they want me to give advice,
help them as much as I can,
surround them with great peo-
ple, but then if they need to
move on, they need to move
on.
“I’m sad, certainly, that goes
against the vision I had for
both of them. I mean, I pic-
tured them as seniors on senior
day in front of a crazy Beaver
Nation going nuts like Beaver
Nation does, and I want that
for everybody I recruit. So
there’s some mourning, I’ll tell
you that, there’s some mourn-
ing to get over because the vi-
sion I had for them is over. But
I don’t think anybody really
cares about that but me and
so I just say thank you. I loved
having them here, and I wish
them the best.”
While Rueck has just begun
the search for new coaches, he
has already added two players
to replace the three that left
early.
The Beavers signed San Di-
ego State grad transfer Téa Ad-
ams and incoming freshman
AJ Marrotte, who was origi-
nally committed to Washing-
ton but changed her mind after
the coaching change.
While it is not official, the
Beavers reportedly will add
Saint Mary’s grad transfer Em-
ily Codding for next season.
All three would fill the
guard/wing position.
Those additions and some of
the verbal commits they have
for the 2022 class — coaches
are not permitted to discuss
any players who have yet to
sign with a program — has
Rueck feeling excited and en-
couraged.
“I don’t know how I could
feel a whole lot better about
our scenario,” Rueck said. “I
love who we have, I love who
we’re adding, I feel like we’ve
been led to perfect comple-
ments to go with the group
that we have returning. Just
amazing people fill this roster.
It’s hard to keep my enthusi-
asm down, actually, because I
just love working with them.
I know who’s coming and I
think we’re going to be really,
really good.”
Stars show the kind of day you’ll have
DYNAMIC | POSITIVE | AVERAGE | SO-SO | DIFFICULT
MOON ALERT: Avoid shopping or making important decisions from
8 p.m. to 10:20 p.m. EDT today (5 p.m. to 7:20 p.m. PDT). After that, the Moon
moves from Aquarius into Pisces.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2021: You are a cool,
confident perfectionist. You are also mild-mannered, ambitious and hard-
working. As your new year begins, you are entering a time of change in your
life. Get ready to pivot in a major way. Welcome this, because it presents ex-
citing opportunities for you to explore new ideas and ways of doing things.
As you navigate these changes, your personal independence will be tested.
ARIES (March 21-April 19)
Today you feel optimistic about your future. You’re happier when
dealing with others, especially friends and members of groups and organi-
zations. You also feel generous to others. (This is a good thing, because what
goes around, comes around.)
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
Whereas yesterday was a testy day with authority figures, today is
different! Now parents, teachers and people in authority will sing your prais-
es (“Moi?” “Yes, you.”) One of the reasons you look so good to others is that
you are confident, and you are kind.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20)
Today you will do whatever is within your power to expand your
experience of the world! Ideally, you want to travel. But if you can’t physically
travel, then you will travel through film, books, the media and talking to peo-
ple from other backgrounds. It’s a great day to study or finish an important
paper or manuscript. Yes!
CANCER (June 21-July 22)
Financial discussions will definitely benefit you today. Oh yeah,
you’ll be laughing all the way to the bank. However, avoid important finan-
cial discussions during the Moon Alert (see above.) This is easy to do. Looking
swell!
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
This is fantastic day to enjoy the company of partners and close
friends. (We’re talking spouses as well as professional contacts.) Because you
are confident and you feel that you have nothing to fear, your good feelings
will rub off onto others as well. Everyone will be happy to see you!
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
This is a good day for work-related travel. It’s also an excellent day
for any kind of group activities, Zoom meetings or interactions with others
that are work-related or not. You will do well dealing with the public in large
numbers. Trust your intuition!
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Lucky you! This is a fun-loving, playful, lighthearted day! Enjoy
talking to your kids, romantic partners and anyone related to sports events,
the entertainment world or the hospitality industry. You feel happy because
you know you’re in the groove. Yeah!
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Family discussions will go well today because people are happy to
share their ideas and be in each other’s company. In fact, you might decide to
tackle a major renovation or an ambitious project that relates to home and
family. Good luck!
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
When we change the way we see things, the things we see change.
Today is a fantastic example of this. Because you are in a happier frame of
mind, suddenly everything looks better. Enjoy short trips and dealings with
siblings, neighbors and relatives.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
It’s a money day! (Music to your ears.) Look for ways to boost your
earnings, because this is possible. You might find a better paying job. You
might see ways to make money on the side. Dealings with distant or foreign
interests are likely. Ka-ching!
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
It doesn’t get much better than this. Today the Moon is in your sign
lined up with moneybags lucky Jupiter. (“We like!”) You will enjoy the compa-
ny of others, and you will get what you give in terms of kindness, assistance
and generosity to others. Cool!
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)
You are a sensitive sign, and today your concerns for the welfare of
others, especially those who are less fortunate, are genuine. This could lead
to metaphysical or spiritual insights on your part. You will find it rewarding if
you can build a strong rapport with people who need your help.
Beavers
Continued from A5
“In anything you realize that
change is inevitable,” Rueck
said last week. “... It’s part of
the deal. It’s part of what we do
and it’s part of life, and I always
put relationships over circum-
stances and so while certainly
you’re sad to see people go if it’s
before you hoped or whatever
my own personal vision of it
was, it’s not about that, it’s just
the reality.
“And so it creates opportu-
nity. And so I’m grateful for the
time I have with everybody I
get to work with and coach and
I’m excited about the possibil-
ities that those opportunities
create.”
Both Holsinger and Faulk-
ner spent the past five seasons
on the staff. Holsinger took
over as the head coach at Mon-
tana while Faulkner joined
new Washington coach Tina
Langley as an assistant.
Rueck said he is happy
for both of his now former
coaches but it’s never easy to
see people you work with day
in and day out move on.
“It’s just like a senior gradu-
ating,” Rueck said. “You’re just
so thankful for the time and
you hope they loved every sec-
ond of it. And here they go off
onto the next adventure.”
It’s been five years since
Rueck went searching for a
new member of the staff. It’s a
bit of new territory but he said
he knows the right people are
out there and whoever comes
in will bring plenty of value to
the program in their own way.
“Here’s an opportunity to
find the perfect people to come
in and fit into the puzzle now
where I’m hoping that they will
add new, maybe different, but
they’ll add to our program in
different ways than anybody’s
done before, which is exciting
to me,” Rueck said.
One attribute that Rueck
says he has and will always
put the most stock into when
it comes to finding coaches is
their passion to be relational.
“People who will help me
continue to build upon the vi-
sion of this program,” he said.
“Jonas (Chatterton) has done
a great job of that for seven
Attention Parents of 2021 Grads!
Help make some
memories!
The Bulletin is publishing a special
Class of 2021 Graduation section
on May 30 to celebrate graduating
Central Oregon high school students.
Enter a congratulatory message or a short biography
along with a photo for just $25. Your messages will be
grouped together by school and published in full color.
Call The Bulletin Advertising Dept. for more information.
541-385-5809
Advertising deadline: Monday, May 17