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“Names In The News”

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Lots of people making lots of news, some good, some bad, some really stupid.

Observations around the NFL.

ANTONIO BROWN…Congrats Oakland, he’s your problem Raiders. An interesting preseason camp so far, few practices, the frostbitten incident with his feet, and the war with the NFL over his helmets. Oh by the way, there is a season to be played coming up. Maybe he needs just 1-week of full practice, or just 1-game in preseason. He’s been ideal for ‘Hard Knocks’. Will he be ideal for the Raiders, stay tuned.

ODELL BECKHAM….The other diva wide receiver is having his mail sent to Cleveland now, and the new member of the Browns is dropping bombs on everybody he left behind when he parted ways with the New York Giants. So gifted, such a pain to deal with, this will be an interesting fall with the Browns.

BAKER MAYFIELD….He can play and he can talk, and for the first time since 1999, there is legitimate hope the Browns can be a playoff team. He has spent all of camp yapping about his teammates, his former coach, even the NY Giants lost round draft pick quarterback. He can back it up as a player, but sometimes he can wear you out with his mouth.

KYLER MURRAY…Arizona’s first round draft pick is getting a rude introduction to the NFL. He’s not playing on a good team, is getting knocked around, and is running for his life, and this is in preseason right now. Wait till he has to operate against a Pro Bowl pass rush, or throw into coverage where there are superstars in the secondary. He was the first pick, and he went to an awful team. It’s the way of the NFL world. He’s gifted but I think he will get beat up.

JADAVEON CLOWNEY…Last year we had Le’Veon Bell’s season long holdout. No it looks as if the Houston defensive end is about to do the same, though the Texans are trying to shop him now in a trade. Teams will like his pass rushing talent, and teams will likely pay the big money guarantees to get him signed. You wonder why the Texans won’t.

JAYLON SMITH..The Cowboys gave a payday to the young linebacker, a (6Y-54M) extension, even while the contract situations with Ezekiel Elliott-Dak Prescott-Amari Cooper go unresolved. If you saw the horrors of his knee injury in his final game at Notre Dame, you’d be amazed he is even walking much less playing at a high level in the NFL.

ANDREW LUCK….This is not good in Indianapolis. It has been 15-weeks since he got hurt in OTA workouts, a calf injury. He’s not practicing, and the club now says he has a second injury, some type of pain issue in the front part of his ankle, and the same leg where he has the calf issue. All this after spending a year and a half trying to rehab and get healthy from major shoulder surgery.

JIMMY GAROPPOLO….San Francisco-somebody should be concerned. Garoppolo comes off a major knee injury last year. Comes back to camp, and this past week threw 5-interceptions on 5-straight passes in practice, then goes (1-6) 0Y-Interception-in a preseason game. He doesn’t look right, doesn’t seem comfortable in the pocket, and doesn’t look like the same player who dazzled us two years ago. Luckily the Niners do have CJ Beathard-Nick Mullens, both who have had big games last year.

JOSH GORDON….The Patriots opened the doors, and his teammates welcomed him back with open arms, this after he was disciplined by the NFL for drug violations. He’s played 52-games, missed 53-games with suspensions. You hope the Patriots are embracing him to help him over all the hurdles of his past life, and not just doing that because he averages (17.4YPC) over th course of his streaky NFL career.

TRENT WILLIAMS…The veteran Redskins left tackle isn’t in camp, and wants to be dealt. It could be the past dealings with Redskins doctors over head surgery he wound up having. It could be his contract, that still has two years to run. It could be he’s tired of losing. History has shown quality, but unhappy left tackles, are still valuable, so Williams could wind up going somewhere, New England, Cleveland for a couple of draft picks.

EZEKIEL ELLIOTT….Still out of camp, forfeiting money, and believing he holds leverage. He does. If we get to opening day, and he’s not in camp, then Jerry Jones has made a terrible mistake. The Cowboys are not the same team if he’s not playing, and maybe not a playoff team either. He’s outplayed the contract. Dallas has made him a strong offer of a pay bump from 3.9M, but should bump him to 10M immediately, and increase it from there. He deserves it. They need him too.

MELVIN GORDON…..He has no leverage, and he’s getting bad advice, and he is forfeiting 330,000 per week in game checks. He needs to come to camp and have his agent continue the dialogue. Wrecking the Chargers season and losing all his money makes no sense.

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“:NBA–OKC–No Longer OK”

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Fame is fleeting int he NBA these days. Dynasties as we used to know them, are never likely to be part of the NBA landscape.

The Seattle Supersonics franchise was allowed to move by the NBA, to Oklahoma City. The team became the Thunder and started their first season like a big oak tree crashing down.

The Thunder went (3-29) out of the gate the first year. Oh it was awful.

But all that losing brought them high draft picks, and they hit the jackpot on talent

But they never got it done, and now it’s over.

The Thunder got to the NBA finals just once with a roster full of superb stars. They didn’t win because Miami had LeBron James-Dwayne Wade-Chris Bosh and Pat Riley running the show.

They reached the NBA West finals, four other times, but never moved on.

Think of the great group of players the Thunder drafted, acquired, played with, then lost.

James Harden, the Houston Rocket icon, came from Arizona State and was the first one.

Paul George became something very special out of Fresno State, coming in a trade from Indiana..

Russell Westbrook exited UCLA to become an exciting offensive talent.

Kevin Durant was spectacular every minute-every night.

And now they are all gone.

Harden went to Houston and has become a great scorer.

Westbrook has just been traded to the Rockets too.

Durant exited and was part of this just concluded tremendous run with Golden State, and is now a Brooklyn Net.

George was supposed to be a one year rental, who elected to stay, but a year later, forced a trade to the LA Clippers.

The group scored lots of points, won lots of games, galvanized the community, and became so tough to beat, especially in the OKC.

But it never turned out like everyone expected.

Egos clashed, the demand for top dollar took precedence, and the lure of big markets took the talent away.

They were electric to watch. They were eclectic as a unit. They were driven and dynamic.

But they never won a ring, and now they are all scattered to the wind.

Tanking and stockpiling draft picks has become a way of life around the NBA. Oklahoma City is no exception. The aftermath of the Paul George-Clippers trade wound up being a (9-for-1) transaction, with players and draft picks all mixed in the grab bag haul.

A long rebuild is likely. Who knows if the fans will stick by the team.

1-thing for sure, just because you have all this great talent, does not necessarily you can have a Michael Jordan-Larry Byrd or Magic Johnson run.

Sadly despite the great individual talent, history will write the Thunder did not get it done.

And now:

The NBA in OKC-No Longer OK.

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“Lakeers–Let Down Coming”

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The best laid plans don’t always work out, and now you wonder what happens next.

The Los Angeles Lakers got one deal done, didn’t get a second deal done, and now have had a big setback after thinking the third deal they made would make a difference.

For a team reeling under the weight of six straight non playoff seasons, and a team dragging around a history of ownership dysfunction, they don’t need more setbacks, and yet here they are again.

Yes owner Jeannie Buss cleaned house, running off her co-owner brother Jimmy. She dispatched longtime GM-Mitch Kupchack.

In came Magic Johnson with the hope his personality and experience would lead to better days.

LeBron James arrived, the opening night hoopla was exiting. So was the expectations. But all that ended in a siege of injuries. King James and the groin. Kyle Kozma and his back. Brandon Ingram and his shoulder. Lonzo Ball with three different injuries.

The Lakers tried desperately to do a trade deadline deal to bring in Anthony Davis, but the proposed trade ended in flames, with anger and reputations damaged.

It never ended, till the end of the season, when they ran out of games in the schedule. James disappeared at the end of the season. Johnson quit the night of the final game.

New leadership in LA, and a front office housecleaning in New Orleans allowed for the reopening of the trade talks, and the Pelicans dealt Davis to LA, in a blockbuster 7-for-1 trade.

But in the time it took for the deal to go thru, and for Davis, to waive a 4M-dollar trade cash payment clause, virtually all the marquee free agents, who could have come to LA, were gone off the market.

It was unsettling, in that the Lakers had to stand by and watch the cross-hallway Clippers make the deals to get Kawhi Leonard in free agency, and Paul George in a trade with Oklahoma City.

The Lakers took a gamble, convincing veteran NBA center DeMarcus Cousins to leave the Golden State Warriors to don Purple & Gold. The deal would give them a tough guy presence on defense and on the boards, to compliment King James and AD and Kuz..

And now this, another devastating injury for Cousins, a torn knee ligament, wiping out his coming season. This from a player who spent nearly a year recovering from the torn Achilles, and then another half season with a torn quad. If he didn’t have bad luck, he’d have no luck at all.

Now the Lakers have 3-starters, virtually no quality on the bench, and a real deficiency in size and toughness. Who’s going to guard all these bigs. Who’s going to do the dirty work that needs to be done in around the paint.

And as August is about to turn to September and training camps, the Lakers are in a tough place. Who do they go get at this late date to fill a critical part of the roster?

Dwight Howard, Mr. Mercenary, who has drifted from club to club over the last five years, is visiting with LA, but his career has become nothing more than that of an underachiever, who has spent more time on the injured list than making huge contributions to his teams. Atlanta, Washington, Houston, Memphis have all dispatched him.

Joakim Noah had a good run with the Chicago Bulls, went to the Knicks, and fell apart. Injuries and a bad relationship with coaches, led to his ouster. No one has signed him since.

Kenneth Faried came into the league with great credentials and had solid years with Denver, but is still out there, despite some strong numbers as a role player. He can contribute, but he’s not a difference maker.

Please don’t mention Carmelo Anthony either, unwanted and unsigned, whose reputation as a selfish player precedes him most everywhere now.

The Lakers entire season was to be built around an aging James, Davis, at the peak of his career with a year left on the contract he inherited, and Kozma. There’s nothing left out there, and what they have brought in won’t push them to the upper echelon of the NBA-Western conference race.

Journeyman part time center JaVale McGee, and a host of other veterans like ex Toronto guard Danny Green, Avery Bradley, Rajon Rondo, Jared Dudley and Kantavious Pope round out the roster. Green is the best. The rest are just guys.

They have 10-young players coming in to camp, none with NBA pedigree. Can you say NBA-G League?

Nowhere’s enough talent at key positions for new coach Frank Vogel, and no way to get more players because the Lakers traded the whole future away this summer to get Davis for a 1-year rental before he is eligible for a max contract next summer.

The Cousins devastating injury destroys what could have been, dominant success right now. And what if LeBron James wakes up an old man at age 37? And what if Davis decides he’d like to go to Boston or New York next summer?

The best laid plans have gone off track. The Lakers could be in for a real let-down season, something they had hoped they put in their rear-view mirror, after all these bad seasons in a row.

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“Chargers-On Track–Off Course”

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As good a team on paper as they have had since the (14-2) Marty Schottenheimer teams of over a decade ago.

On track for what could be a very good football season possibly.

On paper-that’s the way it looked as the team went to training camp.

Now two weeks before the NFL season is about to begin, the team has been knocked off course.

On the field injuries. Off the field contract issues. And the Bolts have not even played a game this season.

MELVIN GORDON…The holdout is now entering its 5th week. He has forfeited two game checks (660,000) and has rung up (69,000) in fines for missed workouts and practices. He’s facing a tough decision shortly. Come in and play out the final year of the contract and not miss any more paydays, or sit till week 10-forefeit all those game checks, come in to finish the year, get credit for the final year of the deal, and see what free agency brings. But he’d forefeit close to 4M of his salary by doing that, and he could still be franchise tagged for the 2020 season on another one year contract..

PHILIP RIVERS….He’s ended negotiations on a contract extension now, and will play this season and could become a free agent at the end of the season. He could be franchise tagged by the Bolts, but that would cost them some 25M next year on a 1-year deal. He likely wants a 3-year extension and retires. But he takes a risk playing this season without guarantees going forward. He could get hurt this year and have no job security. Or he could play this year, and retire, which seems to be an undercurrent of conversation now in his mindset at age (36).

DERWIN JAMES….This is a big setback in the secondary…the fractured foot and the surgery that will sideline him for at least 4-months. He was a table setter at safety, played 99% of the defensive snaps, had 105-tackles, 3-interceptions and was everywhere. Coach Anthony Lynn has echoed the sentiment ‘Next Man Up” but that rings empty, no body in that secondary was the playmaker James was. Luckily, Desmond King and Adrian Phillips have experience and will play, but neither is equal to #33.

RUSSELL OKUNG…Blood clots are not something to be taken lightly. Taking blood thinners is an issue too. He might be facing the end of his career, and that’s a blow because he has been rugged and more reliable a left tackle than the team has had in years, and he’s played much better than he ever played in Seattle before they let him go. This is not just a football issue, but a lifetime health issue.

KEENAN ALLEN…Will sit out rest of preseason camp and games with swelling on knee and an ankle injury. He is such a gamer, but this may be a wear-and-tear factor over his many years running routes, catching balls, taking hits. Hopefully this is not a season long-nagging injury issue.

JERRY TILLERY….The 1st round pick has been held out all spring into early camp as the rehab from shoulder surgery at Notre Dame continues. He can play. The question, will he hold up.

NASSIR ADDERLY…The 2nd round pick has not been in full practice mode since going out with a hamstring injury in the OTA’s, and that was 14-weeks ago. He is way behind now in playing time and game knowledge. He might not contribute for half the season.

The Bolts will not be the same team if they have to go extended time without Gordon, James, Okung. And you know there will be other injuries that will happen when they start playing for real.

On track for a really good season. Knocked off the course right now by these player issues.

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Aztecs–Opening Day Coming….Are They Ready”

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San Diego State is just two weeks away from the start of a ‘must-win’ football season, a year in which they have to rally back, and capture the imagination of a town and market they lost, after last season’s crash and burn finish to a (7-6) campaign.

Losing 5-of their last 6-games, getting whitewashed in a Bowl Game by Ohio, left a bitter taste in Coach Rocky Long’s mouth

He’s made 2-significant coaching staff changes, adding back Brady Hoke and hiring Ron Caregiver to handle key components of the offense and defense.

The off season program was a throwback to the era of very demanding 6am workouts, must more running, and a physicality that bordered on fanaticism.

Midway thru camp, Long talked about what he’s seen in camp.

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..15 practices so far-making progress-not as fast as I want.

..Defensive front-still have questions…influx of new guys including JUCO transfers
..JUCOs are struggling with system
..Pleasant surprises new nose tackle-Cam Thomas
..Keshawn Banks starting for us at DE as a sophomore
..Brady Hoke-best DL coach ever been around
..Coaching path-players know all about him.
..He teaches techniques…knows physical training…motivational

..K-Matt Araiza has redshirted last year-enormous talent-field goals=kickoffs

..At least 7-new freshmen seem ready to play at this level..real talent wise
..Most impressive crew of freshman athletes ever had
..Won’t play unless somebody gets hurt

..Jacob Capra alternating at starting RT
..Joe Jimenez is with 2nd unit as OG
..I want 10-offensive lineman who can play

..Backup QB-no one stepped forward..it is a day-to-day
..No difference between Marc Salazar-Jordan Brookshire
..1-day they’re good…next day they are not
..Brookshire not being because he was with us in spring-knows offense
..Mark Salazer better than last year-but still not consistent
..It’s a challenge…read defenses…progressions…accuaracy

..JUCO defensive lineman really challenged…have to line up different spots
..We don’t play the same defensive front snap to snap
..JUCO players who were not here in spring

..CBs-disappointed..thought they’d be better considering where they came from
..Eric Wilson-Sammy Morrison…Transfer CBs-struggling

..RB backup battle…Chase Jasman-high ankle sprain
..Chance Bell had concussion
..Kaegun Williams-most consistent as backup

..Spread offense installation..nothing different is the formation
..Blocking schemes are easier for our players.

..Saturday scrimmage-looking for young guys to step up and prove themselves
..Next week in practice-young guys will scrimmage-though won’t play vs Weber State

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QB-Ryan Agnew

..We are ready to hit-to play
..Feels different-every yer is new year…new guys to step
..Starting last year gave us great comfort zone
..My preparation isn’t any different…but I have leadership role
..Christian Chapm was my mentor…helped me grow
..Taking those experiences to pass them on to backup QBs
..We need to make chunk plays..convert in the rezone.
..We need WRs split wide to make plays…catch ball..get open..get on blocks
..WRs need to execute better every game.
..Ron Caregher’s package…definitely different…to change it my last year…
..Terminolgy is the same…but some calls different…
..My steps as QB are different…we need to adjust…
..We have a lot of plays in…
..In high school I was in shotgun..this is so different…speed..formations…

S-Taiq Thompson

..It takes time to learn his system and each position
..We had strong defense last year-lots of speed
..We must force turnovers…so we need better effort
..Trademark this year…get turnovers
..I feel like I must be a leader on this roster
..Brady Hoke arrival has changed things..tremendous help to DL
..Hoke-radiant personality

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