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“USC FOOTBALL…A NEW YEAR BEGINS”
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Out with the old.  In with the new.
A new year arrives for USC, before the new year actually arrives.

The Trojans put on a show that was vintage Holiday Bowl football, in their lopsided win (42-28) over the Louisville Cardinals.

Miller Moss, who never started in 3-years, replaced NFL-bound Caleb Williams, and went on a record setting throwing spree.

Resembling a ‘Mad Bomber’ Moss threw a record 6-TD passes, threw for (372Y) in all, guided a (443Y) explosion to rewrite the record books.  Goodbye Trojans TD passing record, the USC bowl passing record, Holiday Bowl passing record too.

Trojans coach Lincoln Riley saw his team skid to 5-losses in the final 6-weeks. A (6-0) start with a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback was wiped out by an incompetent defense, then injuries.

6-weeks ago, Riley walked off the field to boos, after UCLA blasted USC in their rivalry game.

Bad news piled up on bad news, with Willimas opting out of the Holiday Bowl; then the defections began.  19-Trojans filed to go into the Transfer portal.  Why?  What better place to play than for USC?  Then 11-other players either filed for the NFL draft, or faced season ending injury issues.

But in those six weeks, Riley recreated his offense with the next wave of young players.  It was like spring football at warped speed.

The end result of his work was on the field Wednesday night for the whole nation to see.

And now you look forward to the next group of transfers joining the USC program, with the knowledge Riley can reinvent everything with the quality of players he brings in.

And for football fans, what a night.  And for the Holiday Bowl, it continues the saga of how special this Bowl game is.

History writes about games with BYU’s lineage of quarterbacks, Jim McMahon, Steve Young, Robbie Bosco, Texas’ Major Applewhite, and the likes of Oklahoma State’s Barry Sanders and Penn State’s Blair Thomas.

This bowl game always puts on a show and this was no exception.

USC is back, though painfully headed to the Big 10 next year.

Who knows what teams will be in the Holiday Bowl a year from tonight.

But for a Wednesday night, it was a spectacular night, and for six hours you forgot about the pain of the death of the PAC 12, the transfer portal, and the NIL.

A new year has begun for USC, before the new year arrives, and that’s good for West Coast football.

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“PADRES VS MONEY”
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You have 27M-left in your checking account if you are the Padres.

You have critical needs for a 4th and 5th starting pitcher.
You have no quality player in left field or in center field.
You have virtually nothing you can call up at El Paso.

How are you going to spend the money, and who gets what in free agency.

A list of names you might want to consider, but then ask, at what price?

OF..Michael Brantley-ex Astros-Indians but history shoulder injuries
OF-DH..Adam Duvall-ex Braves-Reds power hitter
OF-DH-David Peralta..once strong hitting Diamondback-not do much in LA
OF-Tommy Pham..had a good season last year but erratic seasons before that
OF-JD Martinez..more DH than OF-but did hit at Dodgers Stadium
OF-Harrison Bader-adequate center fielder, though not prospect he was St L
OF-Keke Hernandez-more utilityman that a starter
OF-Wil Myers-has tailed off greatly then was released
OF-Randal Grichuk-some power hitter but has moved around a lot

P-Brandon Woodruff-ace of Brewers staff-open to 2Y-make good deal
P-Lucas Gialito-ex ace of What Sox-struggled last two years
P-Carlos Carrasco-health issues two years running Cleveland-Mets
P-Domingo German-power pitcher but off field issues-Yankees
P-Shoto Imanaga-Japanese starter yet to sign
P-Mike Clevinger-not what he was in Cleveland..Padres-Sox let him go
P-Frankie Montas-once hot prospect-coming off shoulder surgeries
P-Eric Lauer-ex Padres-then Brewers-but health issues now
P-Marcus Stroman-half a season of excellence with Cubs-then hurt
P-James Paxton-stretches of quality work Mariners-Red Sox-then injuries
P-Noah Syndegaard-has never recovered from injuries with Mets
P-Alex Wood-when healthy-helped Dodgers-Giants-Braves-but not healthy
P-Hyun Jin-Ryu-hurt with Blue Jays-rock solid before that with Dodgers
P-Trevor Bauer-All Star in Japan..self destructed with Dodgers but can pitch
P-Julio Urias-about to be reinstated by MLB-domestic abuse issues in LA
P-Aroldis Chapman-onced great closter-can still pitch
P-Tim Hill-can come back on lower contract
P-Brad Hand-once solid reliever-not setup guy at lower price

So here’s your 27M-go find the right players to fill this roster.
You always wanted to be a GM, here’s your chance to help AJ Preller
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“NFL-Holiday Notes”
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The NFL schedule this holiday weekend said lots of things about lots of teams.

Statement games.
Shabby performances.

Some teams gave their fans Christmas presents.  Other teams got lumps of coal.

49ERS-RAVENS…Baltimore blasted the Niners.  It was either a statement game by Baltimore, or just a bad outing by the Niners, who have been blasting people all year long.  It was Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense gashing San Francisco.  It was the Ravens defense crushing QB-Brock Purdy into 4-pass interceptions.  They might meet again in the Super Bowl, but two TDs in (:18) destroyed the SF persona they were invincible.

CHIEFS-RAIDERS…Who could see this coming?  The Chiefs on offense are not what they used to be.  The turnover at wide receiver has been bad.  The offensive line has not held up.  Patrick Mahomes is running for his life and turning the ball over-alot.  The Raiders play long on emotion, but short on talent, but interim coach Antonio Pearce has gotten them to playing on the edge.  Just think about it this way.  The Raiders QB-Aiden O’Connell did not complete a pass in the 2nd-3rd-4th quarters and yet the Raiders won.  The bigger problem is what Andy Reid’s team has become this year.

MIAMI-DALLAS…So which is the bigger question.  Dallas losing 2-in a row after a hot streak-are they in trouble?  Or is Miami’s offense unstoppable after what Tua-to-Tyreek did against the Cowboys defense?

EAGLES-GIANTS…The Philly losing streak is over, but the defense still does not look right at all.  They nearly let the talent-less Giants catch them.  But Jalen Hurts makes everything look right for the Green-White.

CHARGERS-BILLS…The Bolts played hard, but couldn’t hold a (10-0) lead and then the lead in the 4th quarter.  But that was against Josh Allen, who survived 3-turnovers and won.  It drives you crazy the Chargers could play Baltimore so tough 2-weeks ago, do the same against the talent-deep Bills, but play so poorly the rest of the year.

RAMS-SAINTS…What a coaching job by Sean McVay to get this team to (8-7) in what was supposed to be a rebuild year.  It’s Matthew Stafford, Kyran Williams, Puka Nacua catching passes.  It’s a young-improving offense line and a defensive back seven that plays hard.  The Rams are not where they will be in another year, but they are farther along than anyone thought possible.

PATRIOTS-BRONCOS…1-gritty win does not make up for a season of despair with New England’s offense.  Denver has dropped two in a row and early season problems have resurfaced again.

CHICAGO-ARIZONA…Somehow the Bears are playing better with Justin Fields, so much so they might save the coach’s job.  But this is misery in Phoenix for Kyler Murray and a rag-tag roster.

TAMPA BAY-JAGUARS…Baker Mayfield is pushing for a contract extension to stay in the Bay.  Jacksonville is faltering and QB-Trevor Lawrence has had 3-different injuries in 4-weeks.

CLEVELAND-HOUSTON..The amazing accomplishments of Joe Flacoo continue.  Guess having a veteran QB doing a good job behind a good offensive line helps alot.  Houston hopes to get CJ Strong back shortly to try and get a wildcard spot

GREEN BAY-CAROLINA…Jordan Love continues to put up good numbers.  The Panthers and Bryce Young are playing out the string without showing much that they have improved as the season has gone on.

JETS-WASHINGTON…Trevor Siemian-4th strong quarterback, wins a game for the Jets.  How bad are the Commanders?  Really bad.  It will cost Ron Rivera his job.

LIONS-VIKINGS..Detroit has 11-wins, some weeks with offense, sometimes with defense.  Minnesota loses close games, three times this season when they had a chance to win on the final drives, but did not.

SEATTLE-TITANS…What a lousy season for the once tough guy Titans.  Seattle just not a consistent team.

FALCONS-COLTS..Indy being (8-7) is an accomplishment.  Atlanta is trying to save Coach Arthur Smith’s head job.

STEELERS-BENGALS…Guess Jake Browning has come crashing back to earth with another turnover game..three more picks and lots of sacks.  Not sure what to make of 3rd stringer Mason Rudolph’s (299Y) passing outing but anything is better than what Pittsburgh fans have seen.

Two weeks to go, more big games coming, in what has been a wild football season.

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***Merry Christmas to All***

 

 

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3-Weeks left in the season, and what a traffic jam atop the standings.
..3-way tie for first place in AFC South
..7-teams fighting for wildcard spots in AFC-separated by just 1-game
..Dallas-Eagles-tied for top spot in NFC East
..Tampa Bay-Saints were tied for first in NFC South
..5-teams tied at (7-7) in NFC wildcard race

Here come all the games with tidbits about the key stories:

CHARGERS-BILLS..What kind of mental state will the Chargers be in, coming off the (63-21) battering the Raiders laid on them.  No Justin Herbert. No power run game.  Now no Keenan Allen.  And Josh Allen and that Buffalo offense is coming to town.  So what stat blows your mind?  Chargers defense #29 in yards allowed, #30 in passing.  The Bolts have allowed 34-sacks.  Defense has allowed 42-touchdowns.  The Bills (376YPG) when they have the ball.  Josh Allen (3,939APY)..RB-James Cook (5.2YPC-968R)..Stefon Diggs (91R).  How do you spell blowout, BUFFALO.

COWBOYS-MIAMI..What a QB showdown.  Dak Prescott (104QBR-28TD)..Tua Tagovailoa (3,921-25TD-106QBR).  Dallas needs to bounce back.  Miami needs  to prove they can beat a good team.

RAVENS-49ERS..The Ravens are #1 running the ball..#2-defense..QB-Lamar Jackson (3,846APY)..Baltimore’s defense (287Y)..50-sacks..21-takeaways….the Niners all world offense…(402YPG)..Brock Purdy with a wild (119QBR-29TD)..Christian McCaffrey (1,801APY) and every type of receiver possible.

RAIDERS-CHIEFS…Can Antonio Pearce crank this team up emotionally against Kansas City, to win another game and maybe cement his job…The Raiders have lost 3-of-4…the Chiefs have lost 3-of-5…The Raiders QBs have thrown 18-picks..Patrick Mahomes (3,703P-25TD) but has 15-turnovers.

GIANTS-EAGLES…Philly has lost 3-in a row..Pity NY-QB-Tommy DeVito this weekend.  Jalen Hurts has (3,877APY-33TD)..his offense is averaging (356) but the defense is giving up (349YPG)

BENGALS-STEELERS..Can you believe Jake Browning has a (107-QB rating)?  The Steelers are on their 3rd QB of the season.

COLTS-ATLANTA..The Falcons have benched QB-Des Ridder again.  Some gunslinger outings by an improving Gardner Minshew  in Indy with injured WRs and RBs

SEATTLE-TENNESSEE…Maybe Drew Lock is ready to replace Geno Smith, but Seattle has lost 5-of-7…Titans have an ailing QB-Will Levis.

LIONS-VIKINGS..Detroit goes its 11th win..the Vikings are running out of QBs

WASHINGTON-JETS..Big trouble, both coaches are in jeopardy.  QB-Sam Howell getting killed.  The Commanders have allowed 59-sacks and turned it over 24-times.  The Jets QBs have a rating of (70).

PACKERS-CAROLINA..Jordan Love has thrown for over (3,300) but he has virtually no run game…The Panthers have gone 4-weeks without Bryce Young throwing a TD pass.

CLEVELAND-HOUSTON…The Browns have won 5-come from behind games, and Joe Flacco continues to play like he’s been reborn.  Houston is without CJ Stroud-in concussion protocol for the 2nd week in a row

JAGUARS-TAMPA BAY…The Jags have lost 3-in a row and Trevor Lawrence is banged up..Some bounceback season for Baker Mayfield (24TD-8Int)

ARIZONA-CHICAGO…Is Justin Fields on borrow time with the Bears?  Kyler Murray, since returning from IR, (4TD-4Int-5 Fumbles-15 sacks).

PATRIOTS-DENVER..Broncos need a win to stay in the wildcard race-but Russell Wilson has now taken 40-sacks.  The Patriots (3-11) and their QBs have a collective rating (73).

RAMS-SAINTS…Matthew Stafford and the young guns around him (Williams-Tacua) put on a show smoking the Saints…Add Dennis Allen’s name on the coaching hot seat.

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