“Teams & Topics”

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PADRES…The rock star GM has become Captain Queeg.  AJ Preller’s shakeup of his front office continued following the firing of Farm Director Sam Geaney.  Scouting Director Mark Connor has been removed.  International Scouting Director Chris Kemp is changing jobs.  Ryan Westhan takes over as Farm Director.  Last I checked none of those front office execs traded all the prospects away, or gave away huge amounts of money to sign free agents or to dump bad contracts they had acquired.  Captain Queeg has not been penalized for what he has done.

DODGERS…They have all the money in the world, draw 4M a year, go over the Luxury tax threshold, developed good young talent.  Manager Dave Roberts has won 5-Division titles in a row.  His composite record since taking over the Dodgers dugout (571-354), 3-World Series appearances and 1-World Series ring.

ANGELS…Careening towards a horrible finish to the season, with tons of injuries and very little pitching.  Hard to believe Owner Arte Moreno’s team has fallen on such hard times, year after year after year.

CHARGERS…Justin Herbert is dynamic and throws a tremendous deep ball.  The Bolt passing offense is superb, #1 in yards (337Y)…#1 in offense (413Y) number 1-in third down conversions (61%).  But they are 30th in Red Zone success.  3TDs in 10-trips and #32 in porductivity…42-snaps inside the 20-yard line only 3TDs in two weeks

RAMS…So gifted on offense but very thin on defense and now getting gashed because of injured players that side of the ball.  Experienced depth is an issue.  Still awaiting a way for DeSean Jackson to be added to the big play wide receiving group headed by Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp.

AZTECS…An impressive defense, sacks, tackles for losses, interceptions.  So athletic, so gifted, so furious the way San Diego State plays.  But then this.  So poor at quarterback.  Two of the three games they have won were because of their deep run game and the defensive side of the football.  Modern day success at quarterback remains a rumor at SDSU.  One QB was (2-11) in his first start.  Last week’s starter threw for (47Y).  Kevin O’Connell and Ryan Lindley were a long time ago.

USC…Some two weeks at Heritage Hall.  They fire coach Clay Helton.  QB-Kedon Slovis, who has 50-career TDs, gets hurt.  Jaxson Dart comes off the bench and the freshman throws for over 300 and 4-scores in his first outing.

UCLA..Quick start, then a stunning loss for the Bruins.  Losing to Fresno State, getting torched by QB-Jake Haener.  As ugly a loss as last years mugging at the hands of San Diego State.  Chip Kelly (12-22) as head coach.

SOCCER…Big following for the sport in San Diego and now a chance to see special games closeup.  MLS and Liga Mx are signing a deal to stage a 47-team knockout tournament in 2023, matching each team in MLS against each team in Liga Mx in a World Cup format.  All the games would be played in a 1-month time frame on the calendar in 2023, with games to played around the country, San Diego included.  Can you say Chivas Guadalajara vs FC Los Angeles, or the Galaxy-vs-Tijuana XOLOs…What a great way to grow the sport.

JIMMIE JOHNSON…The NASCAR icon, now going thru his learning curve season in Indy car, had his best finish of the season (17th) in the Leguna Seca Grand Prix.  That came after his 19th place finish the week prior, his two best runs of his first Indy car season.  And a week ago, Johnson, prepping to race in the Indy 500-next year, ran an amazing series of 214mph laps while testing on the Texas Motor Speedway big oval.

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