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Hacksaw’s Monday Bonus Podcast…1:30pm
You Tube-Lee Hacksaw Hamilton
Hot Topcs-Stay for Fans Forum
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“GOOD GAMES-BAD FOOTBALL-MUST SEE TV”
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CHARGERS…Quality leadership on display, with Justin Herbert playing with an injured left index finger, made enough throws, and his running backs stepped up with some big runs, and his defense added 5-sacks to their total, as the Bolts beat the Raiders.  That is their final easy game-with the final groupings including Dallas-Philadelphia-Kansas City-Denver-Houston.  You will have to argue alot infront of me the Bolts are an elite team in the AFC-especially since their QB keeps taking big hits, and who they have to play

RAIDERS..As I sat here in the middle of the 4th quarter-Las Vegas had (110Y) in total offense…Geno Smith had no clean pockets to throw out of…the defense could not cover…and the talent level around Maxx Crosby, Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers is terribly deficient.  This is an embarrassment to the NFL.

CHIEFS..Hard to believe Kansas City might miss the playoffs, but they are (6-6) and despite the brilliance of Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid’s roster are missing quality offensive tackle play and a physical running game.  5-weeks to find a way to play some games in mid-January.

EAGLES…Something missing in Philadelphia with these last two losses..probably a healthy offensive line.

DENVER…Bo Nix keeps doing dynamic things, not every down, but enough to win games, and the Broncos’ defense is so fired up, they are dangerous…Nix outdueled Marcus Mariota-who nearly destroyed the Denver defense that was on the field for 84-plays-Sunday night..Nix (321Y) passing…Mariota (354-APY) in the loss

DETROIT..Not saying it’s over, but they have been beaten and likely are a wildcard team on the road this year…Looks like the NFL has caught up to Dan Campbell.

DALLAS…Can’t wait to see the next Cowboys game, what Dak-CD-Pickens do-no one can shut them down, and that defensive front getting tougher and tougher.

RAVENS..That run looks over, primarily because Lmar Jackson is no longer Lamar Jackson if he cannot move the pocket because he’s hurt.

CHICAGO..Guess we don’t have to ask about how this Caleb Williams-Ben Johnson relationship would work on offense-wow, a 9-win team.

49ERS…What a coaching job done by Kyle Shanahan, nine wins with all those injuries, even with a wild-armed Brock Purdy.

JAGUARS..Not impressive on the stat sheet, but Trevor Lawrence has this group at (8-4)

HOUSTON..What a streak at midseason, this 7-win Texans season because of their defense.

COLTS..Be concerned, QB-Daniel Jones is hurt, and they have lost 3-of-4.

ARIZONA…Cannot win any close games even with Jacoby Brissett throwing for a ton of yards each Sunday.

RAMS..Guess they are human, they lost, maybe a 1-off, with Matthew Stafford’s 3-turnover game

SEATTLE..Yes a good season by Sam Darnold, impressive season by this defense too.

MINNESOTA…What a QB mess, and Kevin O’Connell has a crisis on his hands.  Had to start rooke Max Brosmer because of injuries, and he threw 4-picks and lost a fumble in a bad loss.

BILLS..This week good, after some bad weeks, but Josh Allen keeps walking on water on most Sundays.

STEELERS..This is miserable, 5-losses in last-7-weeks.  Mike Tomlin has lost the town.  Wonder if he will lose his job

PATRIOTS…Is there a 10th win in a row coming..Drake Maye keeps making big plays every Sunday

CLEVELAND..Shedeur Sanders makes some plays, does not make the next play, but the defense always plays hard.

5-weeks to go, going to be wild.
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“FOOTBALL FRIDAY-WOW”
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Can you top what we saw on Thanksgiving Day in the NFL?  Well maybe on Friday and Saturday with the college menu upon us.

Rivalry weekend in college football:

OHIO STATE…Renew their ancient rivalry dating to Woody-vs-Bo, the Buckeyes face Michigan in a battle of bright young QBs, Jaylin Sayin-vs-Bryce Underwood.  A Buckeyes win, would snap a 4-game losing streak to the team up North, and send them to the Big 10 title game.

INDIANA…They have a walkover game against Purdue and that leads them to the Big 10-title game.  If this happens, the Hoosiers and Buckeyes would be both (12-0).  Egad-it feels like a national championship game next weekend doesn’t it.

TEXAS AM..Renews a bitter rivalry with Texas, which has lost 3-games.  Arch Manning is coming off big Saturdays and would love to knock the Aggies from the ranks of the unbeaten.

GEORGIA…The Bulldogs meet arch rival Georgia Tech in a matchup of quality QBs, Gunnar Stockton vs Haynes King.

OREGON..Renews its old Pac 12-hate with Washington, with QBs Dante Moore-Demond Williams throwing against each other.

OLE MISS…About to complete a great season, but the real story with the Rebels is what happens after the game, does Lane Kiffen stay as head coach or jump to LSU or Florida?

TEXAS TECH..The Red Raiders are finishing a fabulous season, but have to avoid an ambush on the road at West Virginia.

ALABAMA..ends its season with old in state rival Auburn in what has turned out to be a really great bounceback Tide season under  QB-Tyler Simpson

AZTECS…Play at New Mexico with the chance to win the regular season football race, and host the Mountain West Championship game.  What a season for the Aztecs defense.  What a season New Mexico has had, which includes a huge win over UCLA.  SDSU has to get rid of the ghosts of bad road losses this season at Washington State and Hawaii…A win makes them 10-2 with a home, what a turnaround season.

So much on the horizon in the next couple of hours.  Enjoy it.  I will.
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HAPPY THANKSGIVING…PODCAST ON HOLIDAY-RETURN MONDAY-1:30pm
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“TURKEY & FOOTBALL”
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Fun day around the NFL as you sit around the NFL table on Thanksgiving Day.

LIONS-PACKERS…What a war in the NFC-North this could be.  But the Packers are really banged up, down a tight end and 3-wide receivers.  It puts enormous pressure on Jordan Love (15TD-3Int).  The Micah Parsons-led defense has (29-sacks) and is giving up just (278YPG).  But the Green Bay schedule is tough, facing the Lions-Broncos-Ravens here at the end of the schedule.  The Lions have a tough run just ahead, in addition to the Packers, still to come Dallas-Rams.  That Lions offense has (40TD) this year, and Jared Goff has a (108-QBR).

CHIEFS-COWBOYS…KC is America’s team…Dallas-was America’s team…What a matchup…Patrick Mahomes has been relentless (3200APY-22TD) and chunk plays have returned  to their offense.  The (6-5) record is deceiving-they are dangerous.  But they finish the season with Dallas-Houston-Chargers-Denver…Dallas is explosive on offense and all the trades they have made, especially the Kenny Clarke-Quinnen Williams trades  have changed the defensive personality…They have cut 38-yards per game off their defense..though the secondary still looks leaky..Prescott’s offense (387YPG)..and Cee Dee Lamb-George Pickens have combined for (111R) and (15YPC)…But that pass defense has given up 24TDs this year….Just ahead for the Cowboys in addition to the Chiefs-they face the Lions and Chargers.

BENGALS-RAVENS…Things have changed alot….Joe Burrow has been gone but will come back, but Cincinnati has lost 8-of-9…Aside from the big play passing game-they are weak everywhere else because of a defense that has given up (415YPG-43TD)…Losers of 8-of-9, it will get worse-still to come, they play the Bills and then Baltimore again over the last 4-weeks….Baltimore’s defense is getting better, and Lamar Jackson is back-but not as explosive as he was…Lamar has a (111-QBR) and Derrick Henry is looking older and older…On defense-they have given up just 67-points in their last 5-wins, and they are storming to the top in a now weak AFC-North.

Enjoy Thanksgiving and your Football Thursday
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HAPPY THANKSGIVING…Podcast on Holiday..Will Return Monday..1:30
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…(Basketball)…

Aztecs-L-Baylor (91-81)…Shootout in first half…grind of game in 2nd half..
..10-lead changes in opening half…SDSU ran out of gas in 2nd half
..Aztecs had (10-0) run early…Bears came back with (9-0) and (7-0) bursts
..Baylor led (40-36) at half…
..Bears had 16-2 run to blow game open..Aztecs went scoreless 6-minutes
..Baylor  put 4-in double figures..hit 9-3’s in win
..Magoon Gwath-Miles Heide had no points and foul trouble
..SDSU comes home (3-3) after losing two of three game…Played 3G in 3-nights.

Michigan-W-Gonzaga (101-61)…Won the Players Festival..Wolverines won their 3-games by 40-30-40.

UCLA..coach Mick Cronin continues criticism of his team…’We are not tough-we have a glass jaw’.

Lakers-Clippers…off for Thanksgiving holiday

Clippers..F-Kawhi Leonard upset at (5-13) season..’We need better talent…We need get a better lineup’.

Lakers..Now (13-4)…Luka Doncic averaging (35P-8R-9A) in blazing start

Oklahoma City. goes to (18-1) with 4th quarter spurt vs Minnesota…Shai Gilegous-Alexander erupts for (40P) in win..

Detroit..Pistons winning streak  snapped at 13-row-vs-Boston..Jaylen Brown-Derrick White combined for (60P)..outgunning Detroit’s Cade Cunningham (42P)

Orlando..G-Jalen Suggs faces suspension-3-shoving incidents vs 76ers

Toronto..G-RJ Barrett-strained knee-out 2W
Boston..C-Neemias Queta-sprained ankle
Miami..F-Norm Powell-groin issue
Knicks..G-Landry Shamet-out 4W-sprained shoulder
Sixers..F-Trenton Watford-groin issue
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…(Baseball)…

Padres…Former manager Mike Shildt hired as Baltimore Orioles Consultant-Minor League Development…was (183-141) when he quit as manager 6-weeks ago.

Angels…Want to buyout contract of 3B-Anthony Rendon..owed (38M) on final year of contract…Has played only 257-games in 6-years…Missed 715-games with Halos.

Dodgers…Set up Zoom interview with Japanese FA-P-Tatsuya Imai…has also had meetings with Mets-Yankees-Toronto-Red Sox-Giants
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(Roster Moves)

Toronto…Stun baseball world…sign Padres FA-P-Dylan Cease to a (7Y-210M) package-outbidding the Cubs-Astros-Braves….Deal includes significant deferred payments…Cease was (22-23) with Padres (3.98-ERA)…Career record (65-58)…Known for durability…Never been on disabled list-has averaged (32) starts a year…Had a bloated (4.55-ERA) last year with Friars

Toronto Star..Reports Blue Jays have entered bidding for FA-OF-Kyle Tucker.
Mets-Blue Jays..Make contract offers to FA-Framber Valdez.
Arizona..Open trade talks with Blue Jays-Phillies for 2B-Ketel Marte
Pirates..Open contract talks with Ryan O’Hearn-ex Padres..Japan FA-3B-Kaz Okamoto

Kenta Maeda..Signs with Rakuten Eagles..ex Dodgers-Tigers-Twins (68-56) career
Dez Cameron..FA-2B-signs with Doosan Bears-Korea

Texas..Sign FA-2B-Jonah Bride-ex Miami
Mets..Sign FA-P-Robert Stock-ex Cubs
A’s..Sign FA-P-Wander Suero-ex Mets
Colorado..Sign FA-P-Parker Mushinski-ex Cleveland
Toronto..Release P-Easton Lucas
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(MLB Notes)

Tampa Bay..Open talks with Brandon Hyde-ex Orioles..about front office job
Houston..Hire Ethan Katz-pitching coach-ex White Sox
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…(Football)….

(NFL Schedule)-Thursday

Lions-Packers..QB-Jordan Love (15TD-3Int)..Jared Goff (108QBR)

Chiefs-Cowboys..QB-Patrick Mahomes (3200APY-22TD)..Dak Prescott-Offense (387Y)..Chiefs (6-5)…Dallas (5-5-1)

 

Ravens-Bengals..Baltimore won 5-in a row-Defense given up (67P)-5-games..Joe Burrow starts for Cinn-Lost 8-of-9
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(Injuries)

Colts..QB-Daniel Jones-admits he has bruised shin
Patriots..IR-OT-Will Campbell-sprained knee
Chiefs..TE-Jonah Gray-concussion
Carolina..CB-Corey Thornton-broken fibula
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(Roster Moves)

Lions..Sign FA-OC-Frank Detrow-comes out of retirement
Carolina..Sign FA-CB-Robert Rochelle-ex Dallas
Titans..Sign FA-S-Kaiir Elam-ex Cowboys
Seattle..Sign FA-RB-Cam Akers-ex Vikings-Saints
49ers..Sign FA-LB-Eric Kendricks-ex Vikings-Chargers-Cowboys
Patriots..Sign FA-OT-Thayer Munford-ex-Raiders-Cleveland
Raiders..Sign FA-DE-Boogie Bersham-ex Giants
Bills..Release WR-Elijah Moore
Seattle..Release Derion Kendricks
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(NFL Notes)

Chargers…Off Coord Greg Roman-under fire for poor protection problems with QB-Justin Herbert…”You can chip block-but you rob Peter to pay Paul-you cannot do it all the time”.

Raiders..Criticism that Tom Brady pushed hard for hiring of Chip Kelly.
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(College Football)

Arkansas …Hires Alex Golesh-head coach South Florida
Colorado State..Hires Jim Mora..ex UCLA-U Conn…(73-53) in career
USC..Coach Lincoln Riley denies-‘No interest in any job’..is (36-16) Trojans

Oregon State..Loses hot candidate when Brett Vigen elects to stay at Montana State..Last night Beavers lost Jim Mora-who took job  at Colorado State….New candidate surfaces-Alabama assistant JaMarcus Shepard.

Oklahoma State…Given permission to talk to North Texas State-QB-Drew Mestemaker (3469Y-26TD)

U-Mass…Criticism of school for going Division1-football..Team is (26-134) since 2012
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…(Hockey)…

San Diego Gulls-W-Tucson Roadrunners (5-3)….Gulls big road win…Score 2-goals in (1:23) span at end of 3rd period..Sam Colangelo scores 3rd goal in a week…G-Vya Buteyets 39-saves…Tucson had 42-shots on goal…Wednesday-AHL action

Anaheim Ducks-L-Vancouver Canucks (5-3)…Canucks score 2-goals in 3-minutes late in 3rd period for win…Ducks outshot Vancouver (41-28)… …Wednesday game

Ducks..Callup G-Ville Husso from San Diego Gulls
Ducks..G-Lukas Dostal-out with minor injury

Colorado Avalanche…Avs won 10th in row with 6-0 shutout of San Jose

Montreal-Nashville..Trade talks-Habs want C-Ryan O’Reilly.
Colorado..Callup F-Ivan Ivan from AHL-Colorado Eagles
Florida..Signs FA-G-Louis Dominguez-started season in KHL-Russia
Las Vegas..Will call up G-Carter Hall from AHL-was out 2-years on rape trial

Calgary…President Don Maloney denies team will hold firesale of veterans Nadri Kazim-Blake Coleman-Rasmus Anderson.
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“THINKING OUT LOUD”
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SAN DIEGO…Should we consider a name change, from America’s Finest City to ‘Soccer City’…What a phenomenal year we have experienced with the explosive arrival of the MLS-expansion SDFC (Azul & Chrome), to the past success of the San Diego Wave, and the perennial NCAA tourney team USD has become…Yes ‘Soccer City’ seems to fit.

AZTECS..I appreciate what Sean Lewis has done even if the Aztecs-4-Life fans (frauds) don’t…On the brink of going (10-2), he took a (3-9) team, ravaged by the transfer portal two years in a row, and flipped it.  Hope he does not get hired away by someone else, but when you turn around two bad teams (Kent State-SDSU) in short order, your playbook-gameplan-blueprint, how to run a program, should be noticed.  Too bad the Aztecs-4-Life Alums (frauds) have failed to  show up for home games, to see how he has willed SDSU back to life.

SDSU HOOPS…It was like a tidal wave of talent…The guards destroyed Oregon on Tuesday night.  Sizzling shooting from everyone.  Outside shooting from BJ Davis, Reese Dixon-Waters and Elzie Harrington.  Talk about a torch job burning the Ducks to the ground, it was an i mpreesive win.  And I did not even mention the diverse play of Magoon Gwath and we know Miles Byrd has talent too.  All this hours after they got beat by 40-by Michigan in the lst round game.  And the whole nation probably saw this win.  So that erases the ugliness of the home loss to Troy State.  What a statement game.  Just ask the Ducks how it frelt.

TOREROS…The other school on the hill deserves some credit, because USD sports operates in the shadow of everything in this town…Sadly it feels like everything is a club sport over there…But tip of the hat to Brandon Moore (8-4) in football, what Steve Lavin is doing in basketball, what Brian Quinn has accomplished in soccer, and what baseball has become up on Alcala Way.

PADRES…Sitting and waiting for the deals to come via AJ Preller’s shopping spree at Dollar General (aisle 1)..Limited budget-trust he will find some starting pitching and will find something of a power bat to compliment his lineup…Like the rumor he is interested in ex Texas power hitter Adolis Garcia and dabbling with the idea of Japanese starting P-Tatsuya Imai or Blue Jays P-Chris Bassitt…More names will come out soon I trust.

CUBS-MARLINS-BRAVES..Say goodbye to starter Michael King,headed off for a payday to the Cubs or Marlins, and Dylan Cease-who could possibly be Braves bound-heading home to pitch where he grew up in Georgia…No risk in either, just beyond Padres checking account if King’s deal is beyond 15M, and Cease gets to 20M a year on a 3-4-5 year deal.

DODGERS..Next shopping spree will likely include OF-Steven Kwan via a trade with Cleveland and it appears they will look hard at SS-Bo Bichette of Toronto (big price) and ex Padres closer Robert Suarez (3-year deal).

ANGELS..Big time trade to get Orioles P-Grayson Rodgriguez, coming off bone spur surgery, but already throwing in Florida…Next up, possibly Japanese P-Tatsuya Imai…They already have a gem of a pitching coach in Mike Maddux-just need to get him more arms and Yusei Kikuch to talk to Imai about coming to Anaheim.

RAMS..Have surely won the battle of LA and the hearts of the fans, with Matthew Stafford (30TD-2Int) and that fierce defense,  putting them in the conversation of ‘Super Bowl’ type team.

CHARGERS..Just awful the injury siege that has torn up GM-Joe Hortiz blueprint for success…It’s just not the 35-sacks and 9-picks Justin Herbert has had to endure, it’s the fact they will be on their 5th different starting left tackle to go with 4-different starting right tackles, and the fact they have gone thru 4-different running backs this season, and the teeth of the schedule is still to be played.

LAKERS..Looking for points off the bench, they sign ex Gonzaga star Drew Timmie, whom last place Brooklyn let go…He averaged 12P a game at the tail end of the season with the Nets after scoring (25P) a night in the NBA-G League..Worth a look because the kid is a gamer.

CLIPPERS..Do not like what I see here, an aging team with ill fitting parts…I thought the one year rentals of Brad Beal, John Collins, Chris Paul, Brook Lopez would really add depth to the James Harden-Ivica Zubac-Kawhil Leonard lineup…It is a disaster with injuries, lack of team speed, and bad chemistry leading to this (5-13) start of the season.

HOCKEY..Nothing wrong with your eyesight if you open up the paper or check the website…The Kings and Ducks fighting for first place at times in the Pacific Division-both off to good starts….And the Gulls have already had crowds of 9-10-11,000 plus at home for a team that has goal scoring kids, an NHL ready made goalie and lots of promotions.

Thinking out loud about things here in America’s Finest City-Soccer City.
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