“TOPICS ON TABLE-THOUGHTS”

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PADRES..So nothing happened this year with the Padres, according to the world of GM-AJ Preller.  Nothing wrong with an (82-80) record?  Nothing subpar from 4-of your top 5-paid stars having substandard seasons?  No worry that two top pitchers, Darvish-Musgrove, are coming off arm problems?  Not to be concerned with what your staff looks like next year if you let Blake Snell-Josh Hader depart as free agents?  Not sure what the bigger problem that exists upstairs at Petco Park, the dysfunction we saw, the degrading of the talent level, or the denial from the General Manager?

DODGERS..First though I had watching Clayton Kershaw’s first inning meltdown against Arizona, more shoulder issues.  Worst start of his Hall of Fame career, all one-third of an inning of it, that resulted in a 6-run opening inning.  All this infront of fans at Chavez Ravine, and now the reality you need Bobby Miller and Lance Lynn to win their next two starts. And in the shadows, you wonder if pitching ace Julio Urias has any guilt for getting himself thrown off the roster-out of the clubhouse in the alledged domestic abuse case.

ANGELS..They need leadership, they need experience in the dugout.  They need to take a close look right now at proven star manager Buck Showalter, and then begin the process of fixing an oft-injured roster. And of-course, find a way to stay in the bidding for Shohei Ohtani.   Firing Phil Nevin as manager, least of the what’s wrong issues in Anaheim.

TAMPA BAY..99-win season, knocked out two straight  in the wildcard round, infront of two home crowds of 20-and-19,000, the two worst playoff attendances since 1919-the Reds-White Sox Black Sox Scandal series.

CHARGERS..Nice decision made by Brandon Staley, John Spanos, Tom Telesco, giving a (5Y-82M) free agent deal to secure Patriots CB-JC Jackson, only to find out he could not play press coverage, wasn’t a student of the game, and never took responsibility for bad play.  So the Bolts, who paid him 31M-to play 9-games, shipped him back to New England, paid virtually his entire salary, and got just a 6th round pick back.

RAMS…Don’t know how long Matthew Stafford can stay upright but his gunslinging has made LA a team to worry about.  RB-Kyron Williams, the ex-Notre Dame star, has had some impact, as has rookie Puka Nacua.  So far so good, but it is a 17-game season.

NEW ENGLAND..We looking at the end of the era of Bill Belichick, another blowout loss in a losing season in a (1-5) start.  Belichick is now (25-30) since Tom Brady left.  QB-Mac Jones has regressed, and there are no offensive playmakers that side of the ball.

STEELERS…Offense not producing at all.  Defense being asked to do too much.  Matt Canada under fire.  Best offensive coordinator out on the street, anyone have Greg Roman’s phone number?

HOT WATER WASHINGTON…Ron Rivera under fire for poor play.  QB-Sam Howell sacked 29-times already this year.

GIANTS GROUNDED..They snuck up on people last year-but have not done much since the mid season start.  QB-Daniel Jones took 11-sacks last week.  RB-Saquon Barkley is out again with injuries.  They have no WR-group.

RAIDERS..What to make of Coach Josh McDaniels.  Failed in Denver.  Looks like he is failing in Las Vegas.  Constant roster churn yearly, failed draft picks.  Do you think McDaniels is the right guy?  Has he ever done anything as a head coach?  Does Mark Davis know what he is doing-sure does not look like he inherited football genes from Al Davis.

CHIEFS…Not what they used to be in terms of explosiveness and Patrick Mahomes is carrying more of a workload.  They won’t say it, but maybe they miss Eric Bieniemy more than they let on, not just XOs, but how hard he coached the receivers in practices.  Sloppy routes, dropped passes are part of this year’s Chiefs offense.

EAGLES-NINERS..The two most complete teams in the NFL, offense-defense, personalities-coaches.  Don’t think you want to argue that.

TROJANS..Caleb Williams running for his life all night, made enough chunk plays to give USC a triple OT win over Arizona.  May be unbeaten but won’t finish this way and won’t survive the playoffs.  The offensive line leaks oil.  The defense cannot stop anyone, on the round or thru the air.  They gave up (506Y) to the Arizona Wildcasts.

BRUINS..Chip Kelly’s rep is offense, but his defense is carrying this team, as witnessed by the big win against Washington State.  Dante Moore continues to grow as a QB, but the Bruins defense is a big difference maker.

PAC 12…All these ranked teams in the polls, the Year of the QB in this league, and the terrible sadness this is the final fall of league play.  What a farewell tour we are watching from Oregon-to Washington-the Trojans-Bruins -Beavers-Cougars and all things Coach Prime in Boulder.

MOUNTAIN WEST…What a year, Air Force’s brand of tough guy football, Fresno State extending a 14-game winning streak, and the special season Wyoming is putting together in  Laramie.  More things to think about that the troubled Aztecs or the up and down season Boise State is having.

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