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What Do You See in AFC-West”

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So we are two weeks into the NFL season and the AFC-West seems to be in a state of chaos in 3-of the 4-cities in the division.

CHARGERS…..Another week, another key player gone, with S-Adrian Phillips headed to the IR list with a broken forearm. You just cannot survive losing a quality player per week. They are running out of players on defense, down two safeties, with 2-injured cornerbacks, and 2-linebackers cannot stay healthy on the field. This week’s crisis now swirls around CFL-kicker Ty Long, who missed two field goals in Detroit, that definitely was a difference maker. The team seems committed to staying with young LT-Trent Scott, by helping him with tight ends on that side of the line of scrimmage. Impressed with RB-Aaron Keeler’s heart and his grit and his athletic ability but you wonder about wear and tear piling up on him as the Melvin Gordon holdout goes on and on. Sadly the loss of TE-Aaron Henry further reduces the weapons that QB-Philip Rivers has to use. I don’t think they targeted WR-Mike Williams enough as he wound up with 3-pretty impressive catches. Keenan Allen was targeted 15-times and caught 8-balls. Fatigue and defenses are about to set in, and it will get tougher going forward if other guys don’t start to contribute more. Houston brings a challenge to the defense this coming weekend, and of course they also bring JJ Watt and a fierce pass rush to Carson.

CHIEFS….Patrick Mahomes just keeps piling up big plays,even without WR-Tyreek Hill, out 4-more weeks with a shoulder joint injury. The 4-TD explosion in a 10-minute span in Oakland was stunning. KC then coasted the rest of the way while the Raiders struggled against a veteran defense. Unless the Chiefs lose some skill people on offense, they will continue to roll towards a spectacular statistical season. The defense is different from a year ago, and Mahomes is so dynamic, it feels and looks like they are unstoppable.

BRONCOS….Yes they have Joe Flacco, but there seems to be nothing else to rally around or excite you about the offense. Denver has very young wide receivers trying to find consistency. 1st round draft pick Noah Fant has not contributed as we thought he would coming off his first round draft pick. The offensive line seems in disarray, and young 1st round left tackle Grant Bolles has 5-holding penalties in 2-games. Yes Von Miller is still there but the defense doesn’t seem to fit together. Vic Fangio expected to come out of the gate quick but the gate is blocked.

RAIDERS…..Derek Carr cannot do this by himself. First Antonio Brown betrays them. Then as they try to rally the roster, they lost their first round draft pick, S-Jon Abram, with a torn labrum. To boot, Abram was fined 28,000- for a helmet hit on the play that injured his shoulder. That leaves a young defense with a guy they thought might be their playmaker on that side of the ball. Jon Gruden doesn’t have either of his two starting offensive guards with injuries. His young LT-Kolten Miller is still learning on the job too.
And Carr and Gruen still have 14-weeks left in the season. This might be a longer season than anyone expected.

Here comes Weekend 3-for the best and worst in the AFC-West.

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“Chargers-Ugly-Game-Loss-Roster”

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The Chargers, a team many thought could be an AFC-championship calibre team, turned in a bad performance against a perennially bad Detroit Lions team. This, a week after they beat an Indianapolis team, they should have lost to.

It was ugly, the game, the execution, the finish, the loss, this (13-10) setback at Ford Field, to a Lions team that played just as ugly football.

Philip Rivers, the architect of so many late game comebacks, threw a terrible pass into double coverage, that led to an interception with (:63) left, killing any chance of a win. Rivers spent the entire game heaving passes to star receiver Keenan Allen. Lions safety Darius Slay picked it off, earning Detroit a victory they probably didn’t deserve.

Rivers never saw WR-Mike Williams open in the center of the field, that would have been a walk-in TD for a walkoff win.

It was a bizarre game between what was supposed to be a good team, the Bolts, and the Lions, who don’t win much. Where do you start with all the problems.

The Chargers kicker, former CFL star Ty Long, missed 2-field goals from 40-and-42 yards, a reversal from last weeks first strong showing.

Their lead DB-corner Casey Hayward gave up a TD pass. Desmond King, their top nickel back, got beaten on a TD pass. Veteran linebacker Thomas Davis, gave up a big pass play and took a facemarks penalty.

Running back Austin Ekeler fumbled at the 2-yard line trying to go over the top for a TD, killing a drive. On that drive, the Chargers had 2-touchdown runs taken off the books by holding penalties, then had Detroit give them the ball on a pass interference call in the end zone, only to have Ekeler caugh it right up.

In one stretch, there were 5-penalties in a 9-play sequence.

In that second half, Rivers and friends had 5-possessions that ended up like this: Fumble-Missed field goal-Missed Field Goal-Interception. All this from a supposed AFC-power.

Oh there were bad stretches to of the Lions, a team that blew a big lead last week and wound up in a 27-27 tie with lowly Arizona. In this game, the Lions missed a field goal and a point after, their special teams took five penalties,, and their QB-Matthew Stafford threw picks at the Bolts 15 and in the end zone too.

Even coach Matt Patricia nearly snuffed out the win, not taking a timeout,when he had the chance to get the ball back, just before halftime, letting Rivers drive his team 75-yards for a score.

Yes it only counts as one loss, but considering the teeth of the schedule ahead for the Chargers, this one was one they should have had, and didn’t get.

The Bolts are beat up physically, Joey Bosa and Adrian Phillips got hurt in the fourth quarter. They were down 2-linebackeers, 2-corners, their star safety, the big tight end, and still don’t have holdout running back Melvin Gordon.

And to add insult to injury, as they flew home to their tiny soccer stadium home field for next weeks game with Houston, the Rams cross-town were playing infront of 70-plus thousand at the Coliseum, as LA’s real team beat the New Orlean Saints in a key NFC-showdown early season matchup.

All not well for the Bolts. Everything about them seems troubled right now, the team, the game in Detroit, and the atmosphere in Los Angeles. Ugly.

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“Chargers-Winning-But Losing Players’

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They head into Detroit for a Sunday game, but things are not right with the Chargers.

They could have, or maybe should have lost to the Indianapolis Colts last weekend at home.  Were it not for 3-missed kicks by Adam Vinatierri, or a questionable instant replay call denying the Colts a TD, that win could very well have been a loss.

Now they face a Jekyll-Hyde Lions team, that could blow you out with quarterback Matthew Stafford, but could also self-destruct, as they did last weekend, when they blew a big lead and wound up in a weird (27-27) tie with lowly Arizona.

The Chargers problems are more than just facing coach Matt Patricia’s team.  The problems involve a roster that is falling apart, fast, quickly and disappointingly.

Philip Rivers will be there, but lots of key people around him won’t, and that’s the issue, he cannot do this by himself.

A Bolt offense that does not have OT-Russell Okung (blood clot) and RB-Melvin Gordon (holdout) has now lost a very good TE-Hunter Henry.  (fractured kneecap).  It’s his 3rd major injury in 3-years with the team.

And now Mike Williams, the big play capable wide receiver, has missed the entire week of practice with a bruised knee, and might not be able to play.  He is the key number two guy behind Keenan Allen.  The drop-off talent wise is huge if Williams cannot play Sunday.

On defense, this will be half a season on the IR for do-everything safety Derwin James, but the team now has holes elsewhere..  Starting CB-Mike Davis went out with a hamstring early last week, and has not practiced.  His replacement Trevor Williams is gone for the year, on IR.

And the nagging injuries that have played LBs Jatavis Brown and Denzel Perryman, have reappeared.  Ankle-hamstring issues kept them limited or out of practice this week.  The LB corps without them looks thin and very young.

Even young prospect WRs Geremy Davis and Artavis Scott won’t be available because of nagging injuries that have taken them out of practice.

Kicker Michael Badgley remains out with a groin injury that showed up the Friday before the season started, though CFL free agent Ty Law handled all the kicking duties well.

The Chargers are asking a lot of the running back by committee, and didn’t really run the ball at all last weekend vs the Colts.  So we can’t really subscribe that Austin Ekeler-Justin Jackson combo are true and equal replacements to the holdout renegade Melvin Gordon.

And no one on the roster is equal to Henry’s big play productivity so there is a drop-off there.

The replacement for Okung, second year guy LT-Trent Scott, gave up 2-sacks, got beat four other times on rushes and committed a penalty, and he wasn’t going against a premier pass rusher.  Meet the ex-Patriot Trey Flowers, now on the Lions defensive front.

So come Sunday, Rivers figures to de down a bunch of bullets in his gun.  And his defense may have their hands full with Stafford, Danny Amendola, and the two tight ends he throws too.  Stafford thew for (385) last Sunday, so he has ability.

The Bolts won one they could have lost.  They’ll need luck, not to lose this weekend.

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“NFL Notes–Likes & Dislikes”

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NEW ENGLAND…anyone tired of the Antonio Brown soap opera? We’re surrounded by divas. If the entire Raiders saga was not the epitome of selfishness, now this rape investigation seems about ready to overwhelm his career.

NEW ENGLAND….Pity the media covering all things Bill Belichick, who shows his disdain for the people who have jobs to do. Week in-Week out, condescending non-answers about viable questions.

NEW ENGLAND…Just asking….months and months after Robert Kraft was arrested for soliciting prostitutes twice in Jupiter, Florida, nothing has happened in the case, and nothing has happened from NFL discipline measures either. Lawyers rule for rich people?

BROWNS……Ever seen such expectations on opening day go so flat as what we saw in Cleveland’s home opener, when Tennessee trashed them. Baker Mayfield got beat up. The Browns defense got mugged. And nice composure, those 18-Browns penalties for 182-yards.

GIANTS…Odell Beckham needs to wear an expensive wrist-watch while playing? Guess he needs to be dial up GPS to run his pass routes in games. The diva watch continues doesn’t it?.

MIAMI…..Nice home opener for the Dolphins, giving up over 600-yards and 59-points to the Baltimore Ravens. Nice franchise owner Steven Ross and President Tom Garfinkle have allowed to take the field.

PITTSBURGH….Life after Antonio Brown-Le’Veon Bell didn’t start too well when the Steelers got slammed (33-3) in New England, but it is a long season and Mike Tomlin teams have a history of improving.

RAIDERS…Some beat-down they handed the Broncos on Monday night, but it counts as only one, and the Raiders are taking hits. Losing Antonio Brown will be a big blow over the long haul. Now they lost 1st round pick S-Jon Abram with labrum surgery after one game.

BRONCOS…Denver got boat-raced bad in Oakland, a bit of a stinging loss for new coach Vic Fangio. Don’t know where defense was, but it did not show up in Black Hole. Young WRs hurt QB-Joe Flacco’s debut, but they will get better as they go.

CHARGERS….It was a win, but could have-should have been a loss. Now they lose TE-Hunter Henry with knee fracture, this on top of loss of OT-Russell Okung, S-Derwin James and the holdout of Melvin Gordon.

CHARGERS…The crowd was 50-50 in Carson, half wearing Colts colors, the other half showing support for the Bolts. Think about what is head…home games with Packers-Steelers-Raiders-Packers. That might have been best home crowd Philip Rivers and friends will see all year.

HOUSTON…Bill O’Brien calling all the shots on all these roster changes with the Texans, and his QB-Deshaun Watson taking 6-sacks and 11-other hits attempting to throw. Don’t think this is going to end well for the quarterback.

RAMS…Lost in the shuffle with start of the season…a judge has ruled the 1.6B-lawsuit over the move of the team to LA, will go to trial in St Louis. Will not be moved. Will not be an arbitration hearing either. Stan Kroenke has lost two other lawsuits over his PSL-ticket sales to the fans and businesses in St. Louis. This trial bears watching. Looking for the paper trail of evidence the NFL violated its bylaws involving franchise shifts when Kroenke refused to meet with the city-county-state after they acquired the land and the funding for a new Rams Stadium. Stay tuned.

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“Aztecs Football–Who Are These Guys”

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San Diego State is a strange (1-1) this season. A struggle to win over a lower level 1-aa team, Weber State, then the stunning dominance of UCLA in the Pac 12-Conference.

To look so bad opening night, and so dominant the next weekend was a surprise.

This week, back on the road, to play a struggling New Mexico State Aggies program. NMSU is trying to regroup after getting trashed in two payday games, blowout losses to Alabama and Washington State, (62-10)..(57-10)..

Coach Rocky Long has plenty to say about his (2-0) SDSU team.

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..Las Cruces is a tough place to get to, and to play at.
..On film, Aggies play hard and are better team than
..Watch Alabama beat NMSU-they do that to everyone
..WSU went up and down the field but Aggies moved the ball on them

..Aztecs players in past reached out to us after UCLA game

..Players prepared better…played better
..This wasn’t about the coaches, it was players intensity-execution
..We have to run ball better…have to block better at line of scrimmage
..We need to practice running the ball more…we’ve been throwing ball in practice
..We need to find better balance run and throw-it will come

..Ryan Agnew more comfortable-got better and better as game went on
..Agnew-ability to run and throw..buy time with feet..run ball if nothing is there..helps
..It was huge step forward for offense.
..Agnew-had a breakout game for him-but he has had outstanding games-one of his best…since last year.

..Kobe Smith-breakout game for him..got himself open…got yards after catch

..Defense tremendous on 3rd down…(9-30) conversion rate.

..New Mexico State job is very difficult job..staff done unbelievable job recruiting
..Aggies have players..will win some games
..Played them for the payday…Bama-WSU-Ole Miss…get 8M paydays
..You have to do that in places like New Mexico State…
..Longevity of coach not a good process….
..Aggies football is supporting entire Athletic Department-salute them.

..California vote to pay players…they are paid players-scholarships
..Governor will have to consider signing this bill for California schools
..Lots of changes coming at NCAA level-it’s not just a California schools issues
..If you pay players, big schools will have an advantage in California

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Quarterback Ryan Agnew

..We made plays against UCLA
..Coaches good job getting us ready
..Week one we did not have focus, intensity, did not make plays..Week two we did.
..Week 1-we were nervous-uptight before big crowd
..Week 2-we saw how good we could be…do your job-we did
..Lockeroom became much closer.
..I knew what UCLA was going go do to us..so I was ready to move pocket-run ball
..We were surprised with win…celebrated…happy…time to move
..Kobe Smith is a stud…not surprised to see him run routes..run sideline routes
..This is a young group and preparation took a jump between weeks 1-and-2
..Does not matter who we play on Saturday…we have same mentality..we can win
..We can play SDSU-tough football.and win…
..Not surprised in conference wins..what Hawaii-Wyoming-Boise State done two weeks
..This is a good conference-good offenses…we want entire conference successful

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