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“CHARGERS-VIKINGS—COACHES”
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1-team won despite its head coach.
The other team lost because of its coaches.

The outcome of the Chargers win in Minnesota, in a bizarre afternoon.

Brandon Staley going for it and failing on a 4th and 1-at his own 25-yard line, rather than punting the ball deep into Minnesota territory, where the Vikings would have to start a drive near Duluth with no timeouts left and little time left.

Kevin O’Connell with poor clock management, failing to use a lst down to spike the ball that would have given him 3-snaps from the Chargers goaline even with no time outs left.

And then there was Vikes defensive coordinator Brian Flores, devising a game plan to let the Chargers throw underneath all day, moved up and down the field, and eventually get the ball into the end zone.

It was a bizarre day across the NFL, and never so more in the Twins Cities.

The Bolts get a win they had to have, but are (1-2).  Minnesota in a deep crater at (0-3)

Salute Justin Herbert, playing pitching and catch with open wideouts all day.  He finished (40-of-47) for 405Y-3-TD.  He threw it and Keenan Allen caught it, 18-receptions for (215Y).  Add in Mike Williams (7R-121Y) and it was an up and down the field day for the Bolts, in a game they could have lost.

McConnell’s QB-Kirk Cousins had a wild day, yes (367Y-3TD) passing and his star in the making Justin Jefferson went off for (7R-149), but the play calls all day were strange.  Pounding the ball all day with Alex Mattison, then stopping the run to expose an immobile Cousins to a pass rush.

4-sacks and 7-hits later, I bet the Minesota coach will get sick looking at the film.  They really never protected the QB, and why not shorten the game and keep Herbert off the field.

Minnesota kept messing up all day.  They stalled on downs at the Bolts one.  They fumbled at the Bolts 25.  They had the end zone interception on the final snap, when they could have had maybe 3-more plays than one rushed play.  Cousins had two receivers open for TDs, and overthrew one, had another tip off a receivers hand.

They played so poorly, they deserved to lose, and those fans wearing purple had every right to boo.  Poor star Justin Jefferson, you catch passes of 22-25-33-52-yards and your team loses.

There were some good outings and some bad days too.

Rookie DE-Tui Tuipulotu 2-Pressures..2-QB hits..QB sack.  The USC kid-has it.
LB-Kenneth Murray Interceptions-tackle for loss..4-receptions allowed
CB-Asante Samuel allowed 5-receptions and TD
CB-Mike Davis 2-penalties-4 receptions allowed and a TD
S-Alois Gilman..fumble recovery..forced fumble..TD allowed
DT-Sebastian Joseph Day..pressure-sack..tackle for loss
DT-Morgan Fox..Pressure and QB sack

The Bolts never let CB-JC Jackson on the field-sure does not look like they have confidence in him any longer.\

Of course there is no Austin Ekeler and add on the knee injury-what looked to be a hyperextension to Mike Williams  and Derwin James-hamstring, there were losses despite the win.

So the Chargers come home still suspect in lots of the areas of their game.  The Vikings leadership, coach and QB, look messy right now.

Just a day in the life of an NFL team..  1-in real trouble, the other not looking like they are a playoff contender yet.

You can thank Brandon Staley and Kevin O’Connell for those storylines.
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“NFL MUST WIN WEEKEND”

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It’s only Week 3-of the NFL season and the season could be over soon if they get to Sunday night with an (0-3) record.

A few thoughts about alot of games:

CHARGERS-VIKINGS…Both are winless.  Asking where is the down the field attack in the Chargers passing attack under Kellen Moore.  It becomes more important now without RB-Austin Ekeler and his ankle issues.  The second key question is whether this pass defense can stop anybody, after allowing 28-first downs in passing in the first two weeks.  Some of this may be because of a poor pass rush, and some of that has to do with Joey Bosa-Eric Kendricks being hurt.  And here comes Kirk Cousins, WR-Justin Jefferson and the running back tandem of Alex Maddison-Cam Akers.  And by the way, Minnesota has three TEs who catch passes, and who is going to cover them?

RAMS-BENGALS…Joe Burrow’s calf is acting up again and Cincinnati has lots of issues.  They cannot protect the QB with a leaky offensive line.  Their defense has not been able to shut people down.  They could be (0-3)

PATRIOTS-JETS…First time since 2001-a Belichick team has opened (0-2).  The defense plays hard and has alot of young players.  The Mac Jones-Bill O’Brien combo of play calling and big plays has not yet clicked in.  Bigger picture, if the Jets were to win this game, how hot would Belichick’s seat be with owner Robert Kraft if this turns out to be another non playoff team.

MIAMI-DENVER…Most would be surprised if this Broncos team is (0-3) by Sunday night.  Not only is Sean Payton losing games, he has lost alot of players with major injuries.  It’s convenient to bash Russell Wilson, but he cannot do this alone on offense and that’s what he is being asked to do.

CHIEFS-BEARS…Not enough players and not enough coaches.  The Bears lose Def Coor-Alan Williams, who quits with personal problems.  Rumors will not go away about an FBI raid on his home.  His lawyer says it is a health issue.  No other details are out there yet.  What is known, Bears QB-Justin Fields is still turning it over at an alarming rate and Chicago does not have enought players.  Not good.

ARIZONA-DALLAS…What a lopsided game this turns out to be.  Lifetime backup Josh Dobbs is being asked to fill in and make the Cardinals competitive.  Just not enough talent around a backup QB.  This will be a messy season.

CAROLINA-SEATTLE…Not going to get easier.  Now Bryce Young is out with an ankle injury, two weeks into his career.

COLTS-RAVENS…Rookie QB-Anthony Richardson is out with a concussion, just 5-quarters into his career.  He can play.  But can he stay healthy enough to win games for the Colts?  This could be ugly Sunday

Hope you enjoy the NFL weekend.  A bunch of teams won’t by Sunday nightfall.

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“PADRES WIN–SO WHAT”
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Thank God, the Oakland Athletics and Colorado Rockies were on the Padres schedule at this time of the year.

Xander Bogaerts, who has been red-hot, stated it best in the clubhouse at 4pm on Wednesday…”Really sad-Really sucks”.

The Padres have a 7-game winning streak, finally, but it doesn’t mean anything.

The Padres now have a massive credibility problem within their clubhouse, the aftermath of two scathing articles, quoting a combined 32-current players, former players, ex staffers, and involving anonymous executives, condemning the culture in that clubhouse at Petco Park.  This week showed the value of true sports journalism, in the UT and on the Athletic Website.

Clubhouse culture-missing.  That’s the sum total of what was written.  The sub headline should read ‘I got your money-you get yours’, the conversation from rich-underachieving players with San Diego on their uniform, and lots of money in their bank accounts.

Bottom line, it’s across the board condemnation of the style of General Manager AJ Preller and his methodology of signing and overpaying for most every player he has acquired.

Whether that is trades, draft picks, or in the international free agent market.

So now Preller’s 253M-payroll will be like you and me, watching the playoffs and the World Series on TV, viewers not participants.

The depths of the criticism is staggering, involving the GM, his staffs, his manager, and the rich players in the clubhouse.

With apologies to Padres broadcasters, Don Orsillo, Mark Grant, Jess Agler and Tony Gwynn-Junior, please stop making these recent wins sound like something special.  They didn’t win bleep.  They built this against the teams with the worst records in the  American and National Leagues. A 7-game winning streak against two teams that combined to lose 106-and-96 games respectively.

Added to the equation now is the illness problems that have returned to owner Peter Seidler, facing health issues, and now how to handle the dysfunction that has taken his team from fan’s favorite to fan’s disenchantment.

The substandard Cardinals close out the home schedule starting Friday, then a 6-game road trip to face the losing White Sox and the fading Giants.

And just ahead, decisions on struggling slugger Juan Soto, impending free agents Blake Snell and Josh Hader, the status of potential opt-out pitchers Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo.  All that plus the reality they have to deal with the ever demanding agent  Scott Boras.

Sorry, the winning streak doesn’t mean anything.  So stop cheering this team.  It’s really a shame when the best part of Padres baseball are the broadcasts from Don and Mud, or Jess-Junior.

This sucks, this really sucks.  The Padres need to own this, and apologize to the fans about this.

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‘AZTECS–MWC TIME’
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Time for San Diego State football to hit the ‘Reset’ button.
Time to open play in the Mountain West Conference

An Aztecs team that has gone (2-2).  Beat Ohio in a complete game..struggled with Idaho State..got mauled-mashed-bulldozed by UCLA-Oregon State.

Tough to gauge how complete a team Brady Hoke has now.

His QB has shown great guts.  Not much from the WR group.  The TEs are part of this offense.  The OL seems work in progress.  No pass rush.  A bunch of takeaways from the back 7…and LB’s who are playing well.

Big issues, lack of plays down the field?  Should they be more run rather than pass?  Where is the defense after having given up a combined (1,025Y) to the Bruins and Beavers in those last two losses.

Now they move into the heart of the Mountain West Conference with key games against Boise State then Air Force.  2-weeks from now, they will either be atop the standings or likely out of the race with a bowl berth in jeopardy.

Coach Brady Hoke’s comments:
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We played hard vs UCLA…need to play smarter
Only 1-penalty-that is a plus
We controlled the ball and tempo for awhile
Gave up some big plays…made some big plays
Need everybody to step in to protect the QB
Everyone’s fault when Jaylen Maden is on his back

Boise State..early week game for both teams
They had challenges at Washington..gotten better and betteer

Maden’s compete level is exceptional
He played ‘in the game on defense’ last year
His compete level sticks out
Needs to get out of the picket a bit sooner

We were pretty good between the 35s…we struggled in red zone

Last year Boise got out to 35-0 lead-we didn’t play much defense
Ton of difference this year Boise offense..more experience

QB-Talen Green (6’6) runs the ball well..we need to stop that
Green is only sophomore…throws deep ball well…and the screen game
Cannot allow him to create ‘jail break plays’
WR-McAllister…we have big and long corners to match up with his length

I like this team and will get better
Brionne Penny played his best game..earning more snaps each day
Penny has developed trust with Moose
Mark Redmon-stick his nose in and block and route running..he is a mismatch

I like most about our team..growing up daily game to game
We must continue to improve to get very excited about this team
Zyrus-Moon at LB…arrived as starters..played good football..physical at point
They send a message with the way they play

Moving into MWC…damn good conference we’re in..
Boise is like us..how we play..reputation..going to be fun
Go play-fast and physical…just do it

MWC coaches zoom call…we all use the transfer portal…NIL-we talked to the commissioner…you have to adapt because it’s not going away…we have to work thru it….in the era that we are in

Colorado-Transfer portal…bringing in some players…a few schools have done that-not just Colorado….you use portal based on needs.
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Dez Malone-Brendan Crenshaw-Dixon

We have had good opportunites to make plays..haven’t done it
Last year-we have to finish…they scored 35-on us last year
We took that personally
Penalties-we can control some..offsides etc…playing hard
Boise has pretty good team…we match up well with them
Taylen Green good with his feet
Bad taste in our mouth from a year..really good rivalry
This a very important game for all of us in conference
There is urgency playing Boise-Air Force
Last two games-even with losses-have gotten us ready

Offensive line-young upfront..we are 100%-getting better
Not much difference..protect blind side
Maden is a real leader..need to take less hits
We need to protect him
Not much of a difference playing Pac 5-or-Group of 5
We know cadence-snap counts…stop procedure
Last year was difficult…changed playbook..went thru 5-QBs
Holani-Geanty really power runners
Christian Jones-came in and played LT-he has talked from day one
He is so young..we bring him to help him
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“STONE COLD COMMENTS ON HOT STORIES”
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PADRES….It should be of concern to you…I will ask you to join me in prayers, for Padres owner Peter Seidler, with the revelation he has undergone another surgery for his on going health issues.  A two time survivor of cancer treatments.  He has announced he will not return to see any home games the rest of this season, and will not be in the office for the time being.  A prayer for a good outcome for a good man.

PADRES-SO WHAT…Thank goodness the A’s-Rockies are on the schedule for the end of the season.  The ever disappointing Friars actually have a chance to finish .500 this year.  Sorry 81-81 is no accomplishment with the talent level on this roster.  There must be accountability at the end of the year.

PADRES-UT…Your newspaper should be the watchdog of the community covering the teams in town, so the Kevin Acee-authored article was well done, quoting 8-players (anonymously) about the shortcomings in team chemistry in that clubhouse.  It was not a ‘hit job’ on Manny Machado.  It was a critique of the failures of the roster full of big money players.  Was it a cheapshot column?  No, Acee has a right to write about what we all saw in that clubhouse.  A roster full on ‘independent contractors’.  No cheering for a .500-season.  No criticism for a journalist doing what should be done, reporting on what he has seen.  Would be nice if sports-talk radio and the TV anchors invoked the word ‘accountability’ in their coveRage.

RAMS-LET IT RIP….They won their first game up in Seattle, a real surprise.  They scared the 49ers into the 3rd quarter before running out of gas.  Quick start by QB-Matthew Stafford.  What a story by rookie wideout Pacu Nacku, coming off a (15-catch) games against the Niners.

RAMS-TIME TO PART WAYS….For such a high draft pick, Cam Akers stay in LA has been really disappointing and now they are ready to get rid of the high draft pick from Florida State.  A bad injury, a questionable work ethic, a solid start last season on the road back.  And now this continued dialogue problem with Coach Sean McVay and Aker’s chronic unhappiness.

CHARGERS..What a lousy start and now Brandon Staley sniping at the media for the tone of questions asked after the terrible home loss to Miami and the bad loss to a substandard team, Tennessee.  Scoreboard does not lie.  Staley is (19-19) as head coach.  No playoff wins.  5-times the Bolts have blown leads of 10-points or more and lost those games.  Ande these stats after two games this year:
..Opponents have 28-plays of Plus 10-Yards
..Opponents have 13-plays of Plus 20-Yards
..Bolt DBs have given up Pass Plays of 34-35-40-47-49-75-76

And we’re not supposed to ask questions about this type of defense.

AZTECS…A (2-0) start has been followed by 2-beatdowns at the hands of UCLA-Oregon State.  SDSU has not answered questions that needed to be answered.  QB-Jaylen Maden is still erratic throwing deep.  The offensive line still leaks oil in protection.  The run game has only shown glimpses of consistency.  The defense has been torched  the last two weeks for (550-463) yards the last two weeks.  That being said, they move into Mountain West Conference play with Boise State-Air Force.  Know one thing; Maden deserves a Purple Heart for the pounding he has taken in the pocket.  Ryan Lindley’s game plan has gotten guys open, they just have not hit on as many big plays that were there to be taken.  And the defense won’t face the firepower that UCLA-Oregon State had coming off the line of scrimmage.  SDSU has a chance to compete beginning Friday night with Boise and the following week at Air Force.  Still think they have enough talent to be a top team in the MWC.

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