Lee Hacksaw Hamilton – Friday January 30th, 2015

Friday January 30th, 2015

New England-Seattle..Final heavy practice day leading to Sunday’s game…Key matchups in the game will be fascinating.

Defense-

Seahawks…Legion of Doom defense-Can S-Kam Chancellor cover TE-Rob Gronkowski..Does CB-Richard Sherman lineup against Julian Edelman…Can the pass rush of DEs-Cliff Avil-Michael Bennett beat the Patriots OTs…Seahawks defense given up just 6-touchdowns in last 8-games.

Patriots…Will Bill Belicheck spy LB-Rob Ninkovich to stop the Seattle read-option QB-Russell Wilson…Will the Patriots commit extra people in the box to put a fence around Marshawn Lynch…Will CBs-Darrelle Revis-Brandon Browner hold up in single coverage against the Seahawks speed WRs.

Offense-

Seahawks..Will Russell Wilson move the pocket to find open zones in Patriot defense….Can Marshawn Lynch get to the second level running the football.
Patriots..Will Tom Brady go no huddle-put WRs in motion to wear out Seattle defense…Will Brady get ball out of pocket before Seahawks pass rushers get him.

Marshawn Lynch…Speaks to media for first time…not interested in answering any questions..I feel comfortable with my family and friends-not media..doesn’t care about media..you report stories you want to report..sticking microphones-cameras in my face…gave shoutout to his family, Oakland, and Real Africans..

NFL..League office puts out memo that refs have right to step into line of scrimmage-delay snap-identify ineligible OL if Patriots change formations.
NFL..Says it will be another 3-weeks before finalizing probe of “Deflate Gate”.
NFL..Surprise HGH testing yesterday of Seahawks players-S-Earl Thomas critical of league for testing this week.
Ticket Brokers..Say prices for tickets have skyrocketed-cheapest tickets now on Stub-Hub (8,000).
Hall of Fame…Committee meets to vote on ballot..Junior Seau-called most ‘passionate player’ ever saw by Bill Belicheck-likely lst round nominee…Legendary Chargers coach Don Coryell not likely to be voted in.

NFL..Injury report for 2014-Concussions decrease from 261-to-202…Helmet to Helmet Concussions down 43% over 2-years…MCL-Knee injuries increase 136-138…Racial slur penalties decrease 29-to-6.

Aaron Hernandez…Murder Trial opens in Boston..Opening statements..Prosecution says ex-Patriot orchestrated gangland execution-6-shots killed Odin Lloyd in gang retaliation incident…Hernandez DNA on marijuana joint found next to body…Hernandez shoe print found next to body…Defense says no weapon-no witnesses.

San Diego..Mayor Kevin Faulconer to name Task Force Committee today to study Stadium feasibility-cost in Gaslamp District and Petco Park.
Chargers..Hire Mike Nolan-Atlanta-as LB coach..Had been Def Coor-Falcons.
Rams..Interview Frank Cignetti-QB coach for vacant Off Coor job.
49ers..Hire Tom Gamble-Eagles for front office job…Legendary coach Dick Vermeil rips Niners poor management for running off coach Jim Harbaugh.
Jets..Hire Jimmie Johnson-TE-Viking…Daylon McCurtcheon-DB-Arizona

Cleveland..WR-Josh Gibson writes letter of apology for positive alcohol test that could lead to another suspension…says he had 4-drinks on cross-country flight..did not know that alcohol ban included off season…violated probation again..facing 3rd NFL suspension.
Bears..K-Jay Feeley says team lacks leadership from QB-Jay Cutler..said Coach Marc Trestman could not communicate with players.
Arizona..RB-Jon Dwyer sentenced 18-months probation-domestic abuse cases-released by Cardinals last fall-after arrests.

Padres…Assistant GM-Omar Minaya leaves organization to go to work for MLB Union Chief Tony Clark.
Phillies..Sign FA-P-Chad Billingsley-Dodgers-has missed 2-years with elbow surgeries.
Braves..Sign FA-P-Eric Stults-Padres…went (8-17) last year.
Blue Jays..Sign FA-IF-C-Ramon Santiago-Reds.
Red Sox..Sign FA-1B-Brian LeHair-ex Cub-played in Japan.
Blue Jays..Sign FA-P-Ron Belesario-ex White Sox-Dodgers.

Lakers-W-Chicago (123-118) 2OT…Jordan Hill (26P-12R)..Wayne Ellington (23P)…Lakers snap 9-game losing streak..Jumped to 13P lead in lst half..watched Bulls score 9-points in final (:83) regulation force overtimes…Lakers scored 50-baskets-26FT.

Lakers..GM Mitch Kupchack says he does not believe Kobe Bryant is considering retirement.
Houston..Rockets center Dwight Howard-injury plagued season-has developed fluid on the knee.

USD-W-Santa Clara..Toreros (11-11) won 2-in a row including huge upset win over BYU…

American Hockey League..Comes to San Diego..Anaheim Ducks announce AHL team moves here from Norfolk…Ari Segal-named President of Team…Bob Ferguson-General Manager..Ducks say they will renovate dressing rooms and buy new boards and Plexiglas…Average AHL attendance is 5,877.

Ducks-L-San Jose (6-3)…Sharks explode 5G in 2nd period..snap Anaheim won 6–win streak…Ducks still (32-11-6).

Australian Open..Andy Murray wins trash-talking-taunting match with Tomas Berdych to advance to finals against Novak Djokovic….Serena Williams-Maria Sharapova advance to finals…Sharapova has lost 15-matches in row to Williams.

Phoenix Open..Tiger Woods terrible start in 2015 debut..2-bogeys-double bogey first 4-holes..finished with (73)…9-strokes back…Ryan Palmer (64)..Keegan Bradley-Bubba Watson (65)….Zach Johnson (66)…Phil Mickleson (69)
Dubai Classic..Bern Wiesberger (64) leads….Rory McIlroy (66) in opening round.