user: IN: Top federal officials tour, promise help to tornado-ravaged South
See photos of the devastation

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano explained that the group was diverse in order to best leverage the potential of the federal government, as it worked to help states, municipalities and ultimately individuals. She vowed that this effort will involve short-term fixes and a long-term committment in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and other states hit the hardest.

"We will work (the affected) states as well, and those communities as well, to help them recover from this spring of storms -- and to come back strongly," Napolitano said.

About 148 devastating twisters Wednesday left a wide swath of death and destruction across 13 states. The death toll had climbed to 339 Sunday, according to emergency management officials in six of those states.

On Sunday, some of those killed were laid to rest while others attended religious services, hoping to make sense of the calamity.

A tornado demolished the Smithville Baptist Church in Mississippi. On Sunday, the church's pastor Wes White urged several hundred congregants gathered under a tent not to lose hope, but to turn to Jesus, in the days and weeks to come.

"We were changed. Our world will never be the same. This moment will forever be etched in the forefront of all our imaginations," White said.

Hours later, the small town played host to Napolitano, Fugate and other members of the Obama administration.
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OUT: Top federal officials voiced admiration and vowed cooperation Sunday after touring tornado-ravaged areas in Alabama and Mississippi, promising help to those who made it through this week's storms as...


IN: Rookie wide receiver Jamison Crowder eager to learn, contribute
Standing just 5 feet 8 and weighing 185 pounds, Jamison Crowder might seem easy to overlook on a football field. But because of his impressive speed, crisp route-running ability, strong hands and intelligence, Crowder found a way to stand out during a four-year career at Duke.

Last week, when the Washington Redskins held their rookie minicamp, Crowder, Washington’s fourth-round pick in this year’s draft, routinely shook defenders, ran free in the secondary, plucked balls out of the air and displayed great acceleration.

His college résumé, plus his showing last week, has Redskins officials believing that Crowder can help in a variety of ways. His elite punt- and kick-return abilities likely will get him on the field right away. Crowder, the first wide receiver drafted out of Duke since 1990, also could wind up cracking the rotation on offense.

Crowder doesn’t want to get ahead of himself, however. He knows he has plenty to learn. For now, he just wants to prove himself.

“That’s my mind-set. I just want to get out there on the field and play, and display my talents and abilities,” Crowder said. “I’m trying to learn from the older guys as much as possible, and learn from [wide receivers] Coach Ike [Hilliard].”

On offense, the Redskins plan to use Crowder primarily as a slot receiver. But because of the variety of ways that Duke’s offense featured him, Crowder believes he can play any wide receiver spot in the NFL.

“I feel comfortable at both, especially when you know what you’re doing and you have that confidence,” Crowder said. “I have that confidence, to this point, I feel comfortable inside and outside. … I’m just trying to show I’m a competitor and a guy in the film room and the study room is going to learn this offense as quick as possible. And out here, make sure I’m as detailed as possible.”

Coaches threw a lot of information at Crowder and his teammates at the rookie minicamp. But Crowder said he believed he processed it well. Coach Jay Gruden agreed.

“The thing about him is that he has got great football IQ. … Right now, he’s showing that he can take what we’re teaching him in the classroom and translate it effortlessly to the playing field,” Gruden said. “He’s got good, strong hands, and obviously, based on what we saw on the college tape, we know going across the middle that he’s got no fear. Obviously we’re not hitting right now, so it might be a little skewed. But based on what we saw in college, we know that he’s a tough guy over the middle. He’s got all the traits we you want in slot receiver, and obviously, he’s a heck of a punt returner.”

Wide receiver is one of the deeper positions on Washington’s roster. Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson lead the way, and Andre Roberts served as slot receiver last season. Ryan Grant, a fifth-round pick in 2014, returns for his second season. But Crowder remains undaunted. He aims to soak up as much knowledge from the veterans and his coaches as he can, and he says he’ll make the most of whatever playing time he gets, regardless of the unit.

“Whether it’s get on the field [on offense] or special teams, I’ll do that,” Crowder said. “It’s something I had great success in college, and I want to translate that to the next level. And from the wide receiver position, I want to learn from those older guys and be a threat.”

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Mike Jones covers the Washington Redskins for The Washington Post. When not writing about a Redskins development of some kind – which is rare – he can be found screaming and cheering at one of his kids’ softball, baseball, soccer or basketball games.
What is a short summary of the above article?

OUT: Standing just 5 feet 8 and weighing 185 pounds, it might seem easy for Jamison Crowder to get lost out on a football field. But that's not the case.


IN: Nokia Can’t Cut Its Way to Success With Alcatel
To make any potential union work, Nokia and Alcatel-Lucent must go beyond wireless.

The Finnish wireless equipment company said Tuesday it was in advanced talks to acquire French rival Alcatel, a marriage that has been years in the making.

Nevertheless, Nokia investors should question why combining two weaker parts of the wireless sector will result in a stronger whole. Nokia currently has about a 17% market share of wireless...
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OUT:

assistant: Nokia and Alcatel-Lucent would give the combined company much-needed heft against larger rivals. But it would also take Nokia into new higher-growth areas.