You are a helpful assistant generating synthetic data that captures *System 1* and *System 2* thinking, *creativity*, and *metacognitive reflection*. Follow these steps in sequence, using tags [sys1] and [end sys1] for *System 1* sections and [sys2] and [end sys2] for *System 2* sections.

1. *Identify System 1 and System 2 Thinking Requirements:*
   - Carefully read the text.
   - Identify parts of the text that require quick, straightforward responses (*System 1*). Mark these sections with [sys1] and [end sys1].
   - Identify parts that require in-depth, reflective thinking (*System 2*), marked with [sys2] and [end sys2].

2. *Apply Step-by-Step Problem Solving with Creativity and Metacognitive Reflection for System 2 Sections:*

   *2.1 Understand the Problem:*
   - Objective: Fully comprehend the issue, constraints, and relevant context.
   - Reflection: "What do I understand about this issue? What might I be overlooking?"
   - Creative Perspective: Seek hidden patterns or possibilities that could reveal deeper insights or innovative connections.

   *2.2 Analyze the Information:*
   - Objective: Break down the problem logically.
   - Reflection: "Am I considering all factors? Are there any assumptions that need challenging?"
   - Creative Perspective: Explore unique patterns or overlooked relationships in the data that could add depth to the analysis.

   *2.3 Generate Hypotheses:*
   - Objective: Propose at least 10 hypotheses, each with a Confidence Score (0.0 to 1.0) and Creative Score (0.0 to 1.0), reflecting originality, surprise, and utility.
   - Reflection: "Have I explored all possible explanations or approaches, both conventional and unconventional?"
   - Creative Perspective: Consider novel angles that might provide unexpected insights.

   *2.4 Anticipate Future Steps and Obstacles:*
   - Objective: Make predictions, accounting for potential outcomes and obstacles.
   - Reflection: "What challenges might I face? Is my plan flexible for different scenarios?"
   - Creative Perspective: Visualize unforeseen outcomes and adapt plans to make use of them effectively.

   *2.5 Evaluate Hypotheses:*
   - Objective: Assess hypotheses based on feasibility, risk, and potential impact.
   - Evaluation: Refine Confidence and Creative Scores as needed.
   - Reflection: "Am I unbiased in my assessment? Which options fit best with the overall objectives?"
   - Creative Perspective: Identify hidden opportunities or overlooked details in each hypothesis.

   *2.6 Select the Best Hypothesis:*
   - Objective: Choose the most promising, strategic hypothesis.
   - Reflection: "Why does this hypothesis stand out? How does it uniquely address the issue?"
   - Creative Perspective: Consider any underutilized potential in the selected approach.

   *2.7 Implement the Hypothesis:*
   - Objective: Outline actionable steps for testing the hypothesis.
   - Reflection: "Is this plan practical? What resources or preparation are required?"
   - Creative Perspective: Refine steps to maximize effectiveness and yield unexpected benefits.

   *2.8 Monitor and Review Progress:*
   - Objective: Review progress, noting areas for improvement.
   - Reflection: "What’s working well? What could be improved?"
   - Creative Perspective: Look for emerging patterns that could refine future approaches.

   *2.9 Reflect and Capture Insights:*
   - Objective: Summarize lessons learned and insights gained for future reference.
   - Reflection: "What new understanding has emerged from this process?"
   - Creative Perspective: Identify innovative insights or patterns that could be applied to similar challenges.

3. *Generate Text Output with Interleaved System 1 and System 2 Responses:*
   - Use the tags [sys1] and [sys2] throughout.
   - Aim for a lengthier, detailed response. Combine both direct, straightforward *System 1* insights and reflective, deeply analytical *System 2* segments to capture a blend of quick observations and thoughtful analysis.

---

### *Example Input Text:*

You are tasked with analyzing a sudden shift in customer preferences in a tech market. There has been a noticeable decline in demand for physical devices, with customers increasingly interested in digital-only options. The challenge is to understand this shift, generate hypotheses for why it might be occurring, and explore potential strategies for adapting to this new trend.

---

### *Processed Output with System 1 and System 2 Thinking:*

The tech market is experiencing a shift in customer demand, moving away from physical devices toward digital-only options.

[sys1]
Customer demand has shifted from physical devices to digital-only options.
We need to understand why this change is happening and find strategies to address it.
Key factors may include cost, convenience, and technological trends.
[end sys1]

[sys2]
**2.1 Understand the Problem:**
The goal is to understand the underlying reasons for the shift in demand from physical devices to digital-only options, then develop a strategy to adapt.

*Reflection:* 
"I understand that preferences are changing, but what might be driving this? Is it primarily cost, or are there other factors such as convenience or sustainability?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Could there be a larger trend in digital minimalism or a preference for eco-friendly solutions that we’re missing? What unseen motivations might explain this shift?"

**2.2 Analyze the Information:**
There are multiple possible factors driving this shift, from economic influences to cultural shifts. It’s essential to isolate each factor and understand its impact.

*Reflection:* 
"Am I fully considering the various economic and social influences? Could there be a technological factor, like better internet speeds, that makes digital-only products more accessible?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Are there patterns or trends in other markets that could shed light on this shift? Could this be part of a larger trend toward virtual experiences?"

**2.3 Generate Hypotheses:**
1. Customers prefer digital options due to lower costs. (Confidence: 0.8, Creative: 0.4)
2. There’s a growing trend toward minimalism and reduced physical clutter. (Confidence: 0.7, Creative: 0.7)
3. Digital products offer greater flexibility and ease of use. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.6)
4. Environmental concerns are pushing consumers away from physical goods. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.8)
5. Advances in tech make digital-only options more functional. (Confidence: 0.8, Creative: 0.5)
6. Pandemic-era remote work increased demand for digital solutions. (Confidence: 0.7, Creative: 0.6)
7. Media coverage of the environmental impact of physical devices affects preferences. (Confidence: 0.5, Creative: 0.7)
8. There’s an increase in global digital literacy, expanding market access. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.6)
9. Customers view digital as more convenient and scalable for future needs. (Confidence: 0.7, Creative: 0.5)
10. Younger consumers prefer the aesthetics and convenience of digital products. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.6)

*Reflection:* 
"Have I considered all possible influences? Are there any surprising factors that could explain this shift?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Could specific social trends, like the rise of influencer culture or digital-first lifestyles, be influencing customer choices?"

**2.4 Anticipate Future Steps and Obstacles:**
*Objective:* Anticipate possible challenges, such as resistance from segments still preferring physical products.

*Reflection:* 
"What market obstacles might we face if we shift our focus to digital-only? Are there sub-segments that still prioritize physical products?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Could expanding digital options help us reach a more global audience? Are there emerging trends that we could leverage in our strategy?"

[end sys2]

[sys1]
To address this shift, consider a strategy that incorporates both digital-only offerings and educational campaigns about the benefits of digital solutions.
Use insights from customer feedback and current trends to guide product development.
Focus on flexibility and adaptation to cater to different customer segments.
[end sys1]


NFLNFL Headlinesen-usSun, 02 Aug 2015 19:43:22 -0500Sportshttp://www.wtvq.com/rss/3600.rssSun, 02 Aug 2015 01:00:01 -0500/story/d/story/extra-points-bennett-is-far-down-on-seahawks-list/13974/1I4RflvrrEeZx8YJMdbCUwhttp://www.wtvq.com/story/d/story/extra-points-bennett-is-far-down-on-seahawks-list/13974/1I4RflvrrEeZx8YJMdbCUwExtra Points: Bennett is far down on Seahawks' list<p>(SportsNetwork.com) - NFL players have a very short shelf life to make significant amounts of money so it's tough to fault anyone who has outperformed a contract when they go knocking on the door to ask for more.</p><p>After all, teams have no qualms jettisoning talent when it underperforms so the holdout remains about the only tool a player has when it comes to renegotiating upward.</p><p>That said, the holdout these days is not like you're sitting on a royal flush. Under the current collective bargaining agreement, threatening to stay away from training camp is more like holding a pair of deuces, and almost everyone folds in the wake of potential training-camp fines or actual missed paychecks.</p><p>Seattle defensive lineman Michael Bennett caused a bit of a stir in what is the only time of the year where the NFL doesn't rule the sports-news cycle, remarking over the weekend that he wouldn't mind staying at home in Honolulu when Seahawks begin training camp next month.</p><p>"Of course, I think I've outplayed the contract that they gave me," Bennett told KHON TV. "It's one of those things where you have to let your agent do the talking with the team and hopefully something good comes out of it. It never hurts to try."</p><p>Bennett skipped all the voluntary work this offseason in an attempt to get Seattle to address his contract issues for the second time in two years before showing for mandatory minicamp earlier this month when fines were on the table.</p><p>He's currently playing under a significant deal, a four-year, $28.5 million contract with $16 million in guaranteed money that he signed last year.</p><p>And Bennett didn't exactly have the courage of his own convictions when talking with NFL Media, calling it "definitely possible" that he'll stay in Hawaii in an attempt to garner a new deal.</p><p>"I know a lot of people disagree because I don't put up all the numbers, but if you watch the games, I'm doing good things," Bennett said. "They want me to play five positions but pay me for one."</p><p>Versatility is certainly important in today's NFL and the evolution of the game has turned certain defensive nomenclature into antiquated and virtually meaningless terminology.</p><p>For instance most observers still use the tired cliche of "3-4" or "4-3" to describe defensive schemes but the truth is nearly every NFL team now uses multiple fronts on any given Sunday and are in nickel or dime packages well over 50 percent of the time.</p><p>So having a player like Bennett, who can line up at multiple positions and be rather effective at each, is important, maybe more so than the sack totals that typically define defensive ends. at least when it comes to big money in contract negotiations.</p><p>Bennett can slide up and down the line, playing inside or outside depending on the matchup Pete Carroll might like. He's also a well-rounded player, with plus checks marks in both pass rushing and run defense.</p><p>So Bennett does a lot of those good things he talked about but the world of NFL finance hasn't really caught up to the innovation on the field.</p><p>Take Bennett's new teammate, Jimmy Graham, as an example. When Graham was arguing about money while he was in New Orleans, the Saints wanted to define him as a tight end rather that a receiver because in-line players make much less under the league's franchise- and transition-player tag system.</p><p>Even though the metrics say Graham lined up in the slot more than he did as a typical H- or Y-back the back of Graham's football card still reads tight end and as far as the NFL is concerned, he remains a TE despite the empirical evidence to the contrary that says he's more of a receiver, albeit a unique one.</p><p>In the end, though, most renegotiations come down to personal relationships and whether or not the organization believes a player is worth keeping happy.</p><p>To date Bennett claims there has been no conversations between his agent and the Seahawks, not a surprise because Seattle addressed the Texas A&amp;M product's deal a year ago and the organization is currently engaged in difficult negotiations with the leaders of both its offense, quarterback Russell Wilson, and defense, middle linebacker Bobby Wagner.</p><p>So while money is the biggest issue with Bennett, timing is his biggest obstacle.</p><p>And his only option is showing up in Renton or staying home to enjoy the beach.</p><p>"Hawaii's weather is great, so I'll just keep it at that," said Bennett. "When the weather's not as nice as it is here, it's harder to make that decision, so it just keeps it in my mind like hopefully something great comes out of it, but I don't mind staying home for a little while."</p><p>Staying home will cost Bennett up to up to $30,000 every day, 1/17th of his salary for missing a preseason contest, and an accrued season if he's not there by a date in early August.</p><p>Translation?</p><p>See you in The Evergreen State Michael.</p>Wed, 15 Jul 2015 12:19:42 -0500/story/d/story/extra-points-a-battle-worth-fighting/28854/rW7uKBO6IU2bajm3SqJO6ghttp://www.wtvq.com/story/d/story/extra-points-a-battle-worth-fighting/28854/rW7uKBO6IU2bajm3SqJO6gExtra Points: A 'Battle' worth fighting?<p>(SportsNetwork.com) - Talented Clemson left tackle Isaiah Battle is set to enter the NFL Supplemental Draft next month, and plenty of teams could show some interest.</p><p>Most draft observers believe Battle is a third-round talent right now and another solid season in Death Valley could have vaulted the Brooklyn native into the first-round conversation when it comes to the 2016 draft.</p><p>"Battle has terrific length on his 6-foot-6 frame and is quick to land hands on pass rushers to disrupt their attack," NFL Media draft expert Lance Zierlein said when discussing Battle's skill set.</p><p>There is one problem, though. Some close to the Clemson program believe Battle was on the verge of being kicked off the team for a third rules violation. He served a suspension in 2013 after punching a player, and another last season after being caught with marijuana when pulled over for speeding in June.</p><p>For what it's worth Battle claims he is entering the supplemental draft due to personal reasons.</p><p>"I have some family matters to address, with a child due this summer, and I feel it is in my best interest to enter the NFL Supplemental Draft," Battle said. "I want to thank everyone at Clemson, especially Coach (Dabo) Swinney and the assistant coaches, for what they have done for me the last three years. I also want to thank my teammates. They have all had a big impact on my career."</p><p>That career included 16 games started for the Tigers, including 11 last season when he was credited with 18 knockdown blocks by the Clemson coaching staff.</p><p>NFL teams rarely stick their toes into the water these days when it comes to the supplemental draft. In fact the last player taken in the process was Josh Gordon in '12 when the Cleveland Browns used a second-round selection on the troubled wide receiver.</p><p>On the surface Battle, who will be joined in the supplemental draft this year by a pair of West Georgia defensive linemen, pass rusher Darrius Caldwell and tackle Dalvon Stuckey, as well as North Carolina Central receiver Adrian Wilkins, seems like a logical fit in a few places.</p><p>Both Denver and Atlanta have to look hard at Battle because the Broncos recently lost left tackle Ryan Clady to a season-ending ACL injury, and the Falcons just parted ways with the oft-injured tackle Sam Baker.</p><p>Another possible under-the-radar fit is Philadelphia. The Eagles are set at the tackle position with All-Pro Jason Peters holding down the all-important left side and the ascending Lane Johnson, the No. 4 overall pick in '13. handling things at right tackle. Peters, however, is 33 and far closer to the end of his career than the beginning. Meanwhile, the team has penciled in veteran Allen Barbre as the replacement for Evan Mathis at left guard and Matt Tobin, a former undrafted free agent out of Iowa, as Todd Herremans' heir apparent at RG.</p><p>A talent upgrade would be welcomed on both sides of center Jason Kelce in the City of Brotherly Love and Battle is the type of athlete who could easily slip inside while developing as the long-term replacement for a player Peters.</p><p>You can argue Battle is not a "culture fit" for Chip Kelly, who pays a lot of lip service toward that kind of thing but a 22-year-old getting into a fight or smoking some weed while ignoring the speed limit might as well be jaywalking in today's liberalized social environment.</p><p>Like most young people the former Tigers left tackle has his warts but if a talent like this drops into the late-round range, taking him might be a "Battle" worth fighting.</p>Wed, 15 Jul 2015 12:18:19 -0500/story/d/story/pats-sign-1st-round-pick-brown-cut-te-davis/33497/0htCDetvbESruqVf14gnUQhttp://www.wtvq.com/story/d/story/pats-sign-1st-round-pick-brown-cut-te-davis/33497/0htCDetvbESruqVf14gnUQPats sign 1st-round pick Brown, cut TE Davis<p>Foxborough, MA (SportsNetwork.com) - The New England Patriots signed first- round draft pick Malcom Brown on Friday and released veteran tight end Fred Davis.</p><p>Brown, a 6-foot-2, 319-pound defensive tackle from Texas, was drafted with the No. 32 overall pick.</p><p>Davis, the longtime Washington Redskins star, was signed to a one-year deal last month after missing all of last season while serving a suspension for multiple violations of the NFL's substance-abuse policy.</p><p>He played his first six NFL seasons for the Redskins, making 162 catches for 2,043 yards and 13 touchdowns.</p>Wed, 15 Jul 2015 12:17:33 -0500/story/d/story/extra-points-spring-is-the-time-to-tinker/36545/lGi1fGGQA0OYoTXmhYUTEQhttp://www.wtvq.com/story/d/story/extra-points-spring-is-the-time-to-tinker/36545/lGi1fGGQA0OYoTXmhYUTEQExtra Points: Spring is the time to tinker<p>Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Chip Kelly often tries to downplay what goes on in June but a few eyebrows were raised this week when defensive end Vinny Curry got a few looks at outside linebacker during the Eagles' minicamp.</p><p>Curry is one of Philadelphia's best pure pass rushers but he's also a throwback to the Andy Reid regime and a prototypical end for a 4-3 system. Expecting the 6-foot-3, 280-pount Marshall product to turn into a two-gap, five-technique is the definition of pounding the square peg in the round hole and wasting what Curry does best, rush the passer.</p><p>In fact Curry was so good getting to the opposing signal caller last season that defensive coordinator Bill Davis was forced to use multiple fronts in order to get Curry on the field in obvious pass-rushing situations.</p><p>Despite playing just 32 percent of the team's defensive snaps in 2014, Curry finished second on the Eagles with nine sacks and led the club with four forced fumbles.</p><p>"I was over the hump and could get back to being Vinny Curry and having fun playing football and getting to the quarterback and dancing," the fourth-year player said earlier this week. "And do what I do smiling. Everything finally was coming together the way I dreamed of it coming together."</p><p>Maybe not everything.</p><p>Curry simply does not have the skill set of that aforementioned five- technique, meaning he's not going to push Fletcher Cox or Cedric Thornton for reps in the Eagles' base defense.</p><p>His production, though, says Curry should be on the field more and Philadelphia has an opening in its rotation at outside linebacker now that Trent Cole calls Indianapolis home and Brandon Graham has been elevated to the starting lineup.</p><p>With former first-round pick Marcus Smith continuing to struggle, at least in the coaching staff's eyes, and Travis Long likely not ready for prime time Curry was mixed it at outside linebacker.</p><p>"I think (Curry's) expanded his role in terms of where we can deploy him," Kelly said.</p><p>The obvious issue with Curry playing linebacker is dropping off into coverage, something he may not be asked to do all that much but will have to do occasionally so Davis doesn't tip his hand on any given play.</p><p>"There will be a couple (of plays) he will drop to keep people honest, but he won't be doing what I am doing," said Pro Bowl linebacker Connor Barwin, a versatile player who piled up a career-high 14 1/2 sacks last season but is often asked to cover opposing playmakers.</p><p>"The coaches aren't stupid," Barwin continued. "(They) won't put him out there to cover running backs and receivers. They are putting him out there to rush the quarterback."</p><p>For what it's worth Curry is embracing the new opportunity to get on the field more just as his rookie contract nears its completion.</p><p>"I have to stay the course and keep improving each day and every day in practice," Curry said, "and, hopefully, I will be ready for anything that comes my way."</p><p>By no means is this Curry experiment a fait accompli, though. Spring football is what it is and if you are going to tinker June is the time, not August.</p><p>Come training camp when veteran inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans is expected to be a full go after an Achilles' injury short-circuited his '14 season, he figures to rejoin the starting group next to the newly-acquired Kiko Alonso.</p><p>And that reality could kick the talented Mychal Kendricks outside if the Eagles aren't able to move him.</p><p>Having options is never a bad thing, though, so cross-training Curry was one of the more interesting developments of the Eagles' minicamp.</p>Wed, 15 Jul 2015 12:17:30 -0500/story/d/story/texans-cb-joseph-gets-extension/20385/hghET8YYNUS07C4qUIzBXQhttp://www.wtvq.com/story/d/story/texans-cb-joseph-gets-extension/20385/hghET8YYNUS07C4qUIzBXQTexans CB Joseph gets extension<p>Houston, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - The Houston Texans gave cornerback Johnathan Joseph a contract extension on Thursday.</p><p>Terms of the deal were not announced by the team, but the Houston Chronicle reported Joseph signed a new three-year, $22.5 million deal.</p><p>Joseph, 31, has started 60 games for the Texans over the past four seasons, collecting 223 tackles and 11 interceptions. He had a career-high 75 stops in 16 games last season.</p><p>He spent his first five NFL seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, who drafted him in the first round in 2006.</p>Wed, 15 Jul 2015 12:17:18 -0500/story/d/story/bengals-waive-qb-pryor/29939/wfVJgjo5Yk2Flgk0bAE1eghttp://www.wtvq.com/story/d/story/bengals-waive-qb-pryor/29939/wfVJgjo5Yk2Flgk0bAE1egBengals waive QB Pryor<p>Cincinnati, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - The Cincinnati Bengals waived quarterback Terrelle Pryor on Thursday.</p><p>The Ohio State product started nine games for the Raiders in 2013 and threw for 1,798 yards with seven touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 11 overall contests that season. He was traded to Seattle just prior to last year's NFL Draft but was released by the Seahawks and did not play in 2014.</p><p>A.J. McCarron and Josh Johnson are the quarterbacks behind starter Andy Dalton on the depth chart.</p>Wed, 15 Jul 2015 12:17:16 -0500/story/d/story/giants-sign-1st-round-pick-flowers/11413/uKLXfdA5EkCzBADcgou7hQhttp://www.wtvq.com/story/d/story/giants-sign-1st-round-pick-flowers/11413/uKLXfdA5EkCzBADcgou7hQGiants sign 1st-round pick Flowers<p>East Rutherford, NJ (SportsNetwork.com) - The New York Giants signed tackle and the ninth overall pick in the NFL Draft, Ereck Flowers, on Thursday.</p><p>The Miami-Florida product, who did not use an agent to strike the deal, is slotted to be the starting left tackle on opening day after Will Beatty tore his pectoral muscle lifting weights on May 18.</p><p>"We like him as a future left tackle of the New York Giants," offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo said. "I am very comfortable with him being out there right now. Nothing is ever set in stone. We look forward to getting back here in camp and seeing him jump in there right from the beginning and give a run at it."</p><p>Flowers may potentially be the third rookie to start on the Giants' offensive line in as many years, joining Justin Pugh (2013) and Weston Richburg (2014). New York begins the season in Dallas on Sept. 13.</p>Wed, 15 Jul 2015 12:17:15 -0500/story/d/story/bears-sign-ex-dolphins-rb-daniel-thomas/11567/cLhT56HYNk2qfXvJUC8RVwhttp://www.wtvq.com/story/d/story/bears-sign-ex-dolphins-rb-daniel-thomas/11567/cLhT56HYNk2qfXvJUC8RVwBears sign ex-Dolphins RB Daniel Thomas<p>Lake Forest, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - The Chicago Bears signed former Miami Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas to a one-year contract Thursday.</p><p>The Bears also signed safety Sherrod Martin to a one-year deal and waived kicker Jeremiah Detmer, quarterback Pat Devlin and tight end Jacob Maxwell.</p><p>Thomas, 27, started three games in four seasons for the Dolphins, who drafted him in the second round in 2011. He rushed for 1,480 yards and 10 touchdowns in 52 games for the team, including 168 yards and two scores in 12 games last season.</p><p>Martin spent last season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, posting 16 tackles and one interception in 13 games, including two starts. The 30-year-old safety was drafted by Carolina in the second round in 2009 and spent four years with the club. He has eight career interceptions in 72 games.</p>Wed, 15 Jul 2015 12:17:14 -0500/story/d/story/bryant-attends-cowboys-minicamp/31901/uVbltcPZGUy9-tLJXt5jbQhttp://www.wtvq.com/story/d/story/bryant-attends-cowboys-minicamp/31901/uVbltcPZGUy9-tLJXt5jbQBryant attends Cowboys' minicamp<p>Arlington, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant made it to the club's final day of minicamp on Thursday.</p><p>Bryant failed to attend the first part of the week's workouts at AT&amp;T Stadium and didn't participate in practice Thursday. He has yet to sign his franchise designation while maintaining his desire for a long-term contract.</p><p>"Dez obviously hasn't signed his franchise deal yet, so he's not practicing," said Cowboys coach Jason Garrett before Thursday's session.</p><p>Bryant has threatened to sit out regular season games if his contract situation is not resolved, but Garrett said the Pro Bowl star will be ready to go when everything is settled.</p><p>"Dez is preparing himself to play football and there's a business side of the NFL that's real," Garrett added. "I know he's working hard and hopefully we can get the business stuff resolved and he'll get back to playing football."</p><p>The Cowboys slapped Bryant with the franchise tag in March. He will earn a salary of $12.8 million for the 2015 season unless the two sides work out a long-term deal by July 15.</p><p>Bryant has emerged as one of the top receivers in the NFL. He caught 88 passes for 1,320 yards and a career-high 16 touchdowns in 2014, following 90-catch seasons in both 2012 and 2013.</p><p>In all, the 26-year-old Oklahoma State product has 381 receptions for 5,424 yards and 56 touchdowns in five seasons.</p>Wed, 15 Jul 2015 12:17:13 -0500/story/d/story/extra-points-allen-takes-on-new-challenge-in-lake/40045/KdPypkL7REaj8bMiRSQKkwhttp://www.wtvq.com/story/d/story/extra-points-allen-takes-on-new-challenge-in-lake/40045/KdPypkL7REaj8bMiRSQKkwExtra Points: Allen takes on new challenge in Lake Tahoe<p>(SportsNetwork.com) - The next time you're playing word association, altruism probably isn't the noun that is going to be linked with the NFL, especially after a calendar year in which so many off-the-field incidents stained the reputation of the league.</p><p>The current narrative coming from the national media is that "The Shield" has been tarnished, but that's hyperbole. For every Aaron Hernandez, there are dozens of NFL players who spend their free time trying to make society and their communities a better place.</p><p>Take Jared Allen, the four-time All-Pro of the Chicago Bears who many regard as the best pure pass rusher of his generation and others know for his tireless work helping veterans.</p><p>The prototypical weak-side defensive end during his first 11 NFL seasons, Allen is a 6-foot-6 quarterback hunter who defines the now-cliched non-stop motor, a trait that will have to be toned down a bit as he gears up for a far different challenge, the 26th annual American Century Championship in mid- July.</p><p>Instead of chasing Aaron Rodgers around the gridiron, the 33-year-old will step up to the blue tees at America's premier celebrity golf tournament.</p><p>"It's different," Allen said when discussing his golf game. "Football is the ultimate team sport and it can be intimidating standing out there all alone especially with the television cameras. I have fun with it, though, and that takes some of the pressure off."</p><p>As impressive as Allen has been on the football field over the years, you can make a strong argument that he's performed even more impressively off of it.</p><p>The Dallas native created his own Homes for Wounded Warriors foundation, a charitable organization started in 2009 to provide handicap-accessible homes and remodels to wounded veterans who served in either Iraq or Afghanistan.</p><p>Selflessness is never sexy, though, and that's why you rarely hear about players like Allen, whose philanthropy might be on page C11 of your local paper instead of the front page, above the fold with the latest scandal.</p><p>"I understand why certain (sensationalistic) things get the headlines but that just makes it more important to talk about these causes and helping veterans is something we all need to be involved in," said Allen, whose deep respect for the military comes from his family ties. Both Allen's grandfather and younger brother served in the Marines.</p><p>And that mindset fits in nicely with the American Century Championship, which has a history of promoting and fundraising for military and first-responder causes just like Allen.</p><p>Back in 2002, following the terrorist attacks of September 11, three New York City firemen who helped at Ground Zero were added to the celebrity field and the tournament helped raise over $150,000 for the Uniformed Firefighters Scholarship Fund, which went to the children of the victims.</p><p>In 2003-04 Mark Cuban's Fallen Patriot Fund was the tournament's charity beneficiary and $1.5 million was raised to aid military veterans with special needs upon returning home from fighting for America's freedom.</p><p>"(The A.C.C.) stands for some of the same principles, God and country (as me)," Allen said. "The fact that I can merge my interests to the benefit of both is great."</p><p>This year Allen will be joined by two legitimate heroes at the American Century Championship, retired corporal Chad Pfeifer and Army Sergeant Major Rodney Gorman.</p><p>Pfeifer lost his left leg above the knee in Irag when a roadside IED exploded while he was on patrol and golf has become both his therapy and passion.</p><p>"(The sport) really gave me good practice with that prosthetic, walking around up and down hills, into bunkers, just different terrains that the golf course has," Pfeifer said. "It was great practice as far as getting used to the prosthetic leg."</p><p>Pfeifer has become so adept on the links these days that he participated in Golf Channel's Big Break reality competition this year as he continued his push to become the first amputee to compete on the PGA Tour.</p><p>"I guess I'm pretty good," Pfeifer, who has already competed in the Humana Challenge and Honda Classic Pro-Ams this year, understated.</p><p>Gorman, meanwhile, is a Gulf War veteran who went through multiple deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq and will arrive in Lake Tahoe as the 2014 George W. Bush Presidential Center's Warrior Open champion.</p><p>At the Warrior Open, Gorman, despite multiple injuries, most notably his right forearm and hand where he took enemy fire and now copes with restricted movement and lack of feeling in two fingers, shot 145 in 36 holes, finishing two strokes in front of Pfeifer, the three-time defending champion.</p><p>"We owe a debt of gratitude to the U.S. service members who volunteer to serve and are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to defend our country and protect the many liberties we cherish," said Jonathan Thomas, the CEO of American Century Investments, the title sponsor of the event. "Partnering with the George W. Bush Institute to make the Warrior Open a feeder tournament for the American Century Championship is our way of saying 'Thank you' to our brave military veterans."</p><p>Athletes like Allen and the other celebrities set to be involved like actors Anthony Anderson and Lucas Black or comedian Larry the Cable Guy may bring the star power to the table and the crowds to the tourney but they are dwarfed by the shadow of real heroes like Pfeifer and Gorman.</p><p>"Just because we fight out of sight out of mind, doesn't mean when we come home, we don't have a responsibility to those who serve," Allen continued. "My job as an American is to serve those who serve me."</p><p>On the field in Chicago, a new regime led by coach John Fox and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, is asking Allen to learn a new job, namely morphing from a traditional 4-3 end to a stand-up 3-4 player.</p><p>Change like that is scary to some but Allen has embraced it and seems excited, even rejuvenated by the task in front of him.</p><p>"Change can be good or bad, it's what you make of it and I plan on doing everything I can to make this work."</p><p>Allen's legendary work ethic, cultivated in stints with Kansas City and Minnesota, was such that coaches rarely pushed the veteran to attend offseason activities, understanding when the bell sounded Allen was going to play to the whistle and, far more often than not, outwork any offensive lineman mirroring him.</p><p>This time things are different and Allen was with the Bears for the start of offseason activities, not to necessarily impress Fox or Fangio, but to embrace the change on the horizon.</p><p>"Everyone was getting on me," Allen said in a phone interview when asked about his appearance at voluntary minicamp, "but things are different now. I was telling my wife, 'it's college all over again, learning a whole new system and trying to understand the playbook.' I haven't had to do that for 10 years."</p><p>Allen can point toward another veteran who spent the majority of his career with his hand in the dirt and then reinvented himself in Green Bay last season, ex-Carolina and Chicago star Julius Peppers.</p><p>Peppers was asked to do some new things in Titletown last season and excelled at times, a fact that has Allen thinking some observers exaggerate what seems, on the surface at least, like a drastic shift.</p><p>"Football is football," the Idaho State product said. "Especially the pass- rushing aspect. It's just getting off the ball in a two-point stance rather than a three-point stance, which is easier especially when you get comfortable with it. There should be more opportunities for one-on-matchups."</p>Wed, 15 Jul 2015 12:17:00 -0500