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NFL Roster-Look Who’s Playing-Look Who’s Not?

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The clock keeps ticking.

NFL teams are fighting for their playoff lives.

Starting quarterbacks keep going down with injuries.

And Colin Kaeperneck remains unemployed.

It has been 2-plus years since the 49ers quarterback took a knee, refused to stand for the National Anthem, began a career long protest about inhuman treatment to minorities.

He hasn’t played in a game since the middle of the 2016-season, his career hampered by injuries, shoulder, knee, and the injury to the NFL-shield.

Some will say he lost his desire. Lost his strength when he became a vegan.

Others will say he is not a perfect fit for the NFL pro passing package.

The quiet conversation, behind the curtain, is that no one will touch him because of the PR firestorm it would cause to bring him onto a roster. The public backlash for signing someone who refused to stand for the flag.

In that span of time, 17-of the 32-teams in the NFL have lost their quarterbacks, with a wide variety of serious injuries.

Pick a team, and most have had something bad happen to them.

Washington, losing both starter Alex Smith, and backup Colt McCoy with broken legs.

Arizona’s Carson Palmer knocked into retirement with age and knee problems.

The Broncos two quarterbacks of a year ago, gone by injury and poor play, and yet no deal to replace Trevor Siemian nor Brock Osweiler, when Denver was desperate.

The Vikings lost both Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Bradford with year long knee issues.

The Bengals losing Andy Dalton to a thumb surgery.

Baltimore’s Joe Flacco out with hip problems.

Marcus Mariota, constantly hurt in Tennessee.

Miami’s Ryan Tannehill tearing his knee ligament twice.

Arizona losing Sam Bradford with knee problems.

The 49ers season surrendered when Jimmy Garoppolo got hurt early.

The Bills going thru 4-quarterbacks, because of injuries to Josh Allen.

Cleveland, forever looking for a QB, never called despite having to use 29-different quarterbacks, before throwing 1st round pick Baker Mayfield out onto the field.

The Colts going two full seasons without Andrew Luck, post shoulder surgery.

NFL teams have fed their fans a steady diet of Josh Johnson, Braden Weeden, Thad Lewis, Drew Stanton, Mark Sanchez, Matt Moore, Derek Anderson, and many more.

Kaeperneck’s success in San Francisco was decent, considering they were in rebuild mode when he finally went down. Decent numbers, over 12,000-yards passing, 300-rushing…72TDs-30 interceptions, and a 59% completion rate.

Maybe the rap he is a read option QB who doesn’t fit most systems has validity. Maybe lack of arm strength and loss of weight by virtue of his lifestyle, carries some credibility too.

But there’s more to Kaeperneck than kneeling down, and having players on every team (stand) next to him, by themselves kneeling, sitting, holding up fists, linking arms, or refusing to come out of the tunnel.

The courage Kaeperneck showed is amazing. But for him, it was never about the flag, It was about guns, killings, gangs, police shootings, inhumane treatment, and profiling. The NFL finally did react by meeting with players on all teams to try and develop programs to help their cities about social issues.

As he sat and watched games and seasons go by, Kaeperneck spent money. A 1-million dollar donation to school programs in both Oakland and San Francisco. Charity donations to program that mean something to his cause on injustice.
Funds for just released prison inmates to get them on their feet. Donations to wounded warriors. A huge donation to build a children’s hospital in Africa.

The fans, the media, may have reacted wrongly in how they portrayed Colin Kaeperneck.

NFL owners, you know the kind who hate negative PR, ran for cover when his name came up for a vacant roster slot, even with their team in trouble..

Isn’t it odd though, these are the same owners who’d sign an Adrian Peterson, Greg Hardy, Reuben Foster, Josh Gordon, some of the real NFL ilk, who’ve been suspended in the past, will be suspended in the future.

You tell me which is worse? What Kaeperneck did, kneeling for issues he felt America should stand up for, or what the Kareem Hunt-Reuben Foster have done recently?

NFL-Who Do You Believe, and Why Do You Believe Colin Kaeperneck, is without a job.? Give me an answer.

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“Aztecs-USD Basketball-Rivalry This Year”

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San Diego State is off to a rock-solid start, despite the blowouts in the Maui Clasic….they are on a roll. Next stop-USD on Wednesday night. Brian Dutcher’s team faces a USD’s been building for this. State is (5-2)…USD is (6-2). It’s been a series dominated by San Diego State, with the rare exception being the Toreros win at Petco Park.
Whereas the Aztecs have become an NCAA tourney team yearly, under Steve Fisher and now Brian Dutcher, there has been little success cross town. Brad Holland left after a couple of good seasons, Bill Grier came from Gonzaga and pulled off an NCAA tourney win with Holland’s players, then failed. Lamont Smith laid the ground work but self destructed with lifestyle decisions, getting fired. Sam Scholl inherited a lot and his team is playing very well. Only time tells if this is a 1-time good season there. Comments this week from the Aztecs basketball leaders.

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Devin Watson is hot-paired with fellow guard Jeremy Hemsley-both are excited. Both talked about where they are now

..Love the atmosphere at Viejas
..We needed the win at Illinois State to get back on track
..USD really playing well
..Leadershipi s what we want…help the young guys too
…
..I’m a senior..young guys come up to me asking about being a freshman and sophomore

..We are playing free out there…with a purpose-but now what we have to do
..We learned at Maui…not come out timid…come out aggressive.
..We don’t think about what we have to do…we do it.

——

Dutcher is seeing his young players step up, especially in the road win at Illinois State.

..We won in tough environment–tough travel
..We rebounded better…defended against fast break

..USD is playing well
..They have a lot of experience-one of oldest teams in country-4 seniors
..Lot of minutes together…4-veterans
..USD runs a Princeton type offense
..Isaiah Pinero-really strong-tough..averaging 21-a game
..Carter shoots at elite level
..They are playing amazing schedule…Colorado-Ole Miss-Washington
..We’ve both played tough teams to get ready

..We got quality minutes from all 3-of our young guys
..They are getting more comfortable out there
..Nathan Mensah played really well…rebounded-boxed out
..We’ve challenge him defensively-help on ball screens
..Need to rebound with 2-hands not one…21-rebounds last two games
..Shot blocking is important-he gives us more length.
..Player driven teams better than coach driven teams-vets helping kids
..We are growing as a team

..We don’t recruit the same type of kid as USD does
..I don’t think we have gone head to head against them

..Amazed at what Nevada has turned into
..Coach Mussleman-Big difference maker

..Challenge with Missouri Valley Conference
..Talking with Atlantic 10 about a different tourney
..We had 3-and-half hour fight and 2-hour bus ride-long trip….
..Alot of travel
..Would rather play at Pac 12-home and home

..Watson-Hemsleuy-leadership role-played massive minutes…got 40-points ISU
..I sleep well because I have senior guards-
..

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Aztecs Football-We Belong in This Bowl Game”

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A week removed from a lousy end to the football season, Rocky Long was ready to get back at it, at work, specifically, beginning prep for the Aztecs 9th straight post season bowl game, against Ohio University of the Mid American Conference.

He had plenty to say, about his team, the losing streak, and the last minute bowl game they were invited too, damn the naysayers too.

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Glad to have a bowl game
We have 10-players from Texas going home

Old School Coaches…Frank Solich oldest coach in country now
I’m right behind him in age-lots of experience

Next years team we have-extra practices help us
We are evaluating program…
Things we’ve had in past seasons-we don’t have right now
Week and a half of practice will help us

We deserved to be in a bowl despite finish to season
People recognize our program’s success 9-years in a row to a bowl

We are moved to at large spot because of wins and size of TV market
Conference did a good job getting all 6-of our teams into a bowl game

Spent a whole day watching Ohio on film
Stats show who they are …they pride themselves on running the ball
Their losses were 2-3-4 this year-impressive
They beat Buffalo-the MAC championship game

They are spread team that runs spread option
Big and strong upfront-block well
QB-Nathan Rourke has 1,000-yard rushing himself
Team has 3,000-yards plus running the ball
Their zone read play allows QB to give it to the right guy

We have experience defensing what Ohio’s running
Have not thought about our starting QB yet.
Our first week of bowl prep will be like spring practice

We have played a lot of MAC teams in the past…
No tricks-no sunrises-line up and play well
We have to be better than we were ..next week of practice

For the sake of players in our program-developing team-bowls are important
Nice pat on the back winning games
Yes-very disappointed in our season
Bowl game is 1-game season-that’s how we treat it

Early signing period right on top of bowl season
We play same day as signing period starts
We have 15-scholarships available
We think we will sign 7-to-9 in early period
We will get additional scholarships in February.

We will sign by position …may be transfers out there-don’t have room for them.

We had new coaches-takes time for transition for them to learn
Add on lots of really young players=takes time.
We have to get 100-players on the same page all the time-it’s a challenge.
Not going to talk about losing 4-of-last 5…zero in on Ohio game

Delicate balance between bowl prep-having a good time
Want them to have fun-win-develop the team for next year
We have an issue-players taking finals on week of bowl game
Need to limit the distractions and get it done.

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“Chargers Get Gifts-Earn Win”

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Christmas came early for the Chargers on Sunday in Pittsburgh.

Gifts fromt he NFL officials in the form of 2-badly blown calls on TD plays….a lucky bounce on a sure interception….and mistakes by the Steelers that gave them life.

Never-ever give Philip Rivers extra chances on offense. The Steelers learned that, and the Bolts earned that win, to take their record to (9-3).

The Chargers got a gift TD, a 46-yard catch and run by Travis Benjamin, after the officials failed to flag right tackle Sam Tavi who came up out of his stance at least 2-ticks before the ball was snapped. No flag-a gift TD.

Then in the second half, a 73-yard punt return by Desmond King, aided by an illegal block in the back by Michael Davis, in the open field. No call-TD-Bolts again.

Even when the Steelers made a play, a sure fire interception, it turned into a critical catch, when the pick became a double deflection and landed in Keenan Allen’s arms for a first down.

Then at the end of the game, with all the pressure on kicker Michael Badgley, the Steelers jumped offsides twice, negating a missed field goal, and a blocked field goal. Given a third chance, Pittsburgh jumped off side, this time Badgley hit the field goal.

It was a hard earned, and maybe tainted (33-30) win.

Luckily for the Bolts, there are two halves to NFL games. An awful first half, was replaced by a very productive second half.

Wideout Keenan Allen ran the Steelers secondary ragged, finishing with 14-catches and 148-yards of Heniz Field real estate. He outshone Antonio Brown’s 10-catch-154-yard night.

And a worthless running game, turned to fresh legs, rookie running back Justin Jackson of Northwestern in the second half. When he was done, he had runs of 9-10-17-18 plus a 19-yard reception. Huge contribution from out of nowhere.

How lopsided was it?

Ben Roethlisberger kept beating the Bolts in the first half, with big catches by Antonio Brown. All that went away in the 2nd half, when the Chargers decided to go zone, let Big Ben throw short and underneath, and challenged him to nickel and dime his way down the field. The rhythm was gone, and so were most of the scoring chances.

The Steelers QB threw a bad pick at the Chargers 10. He had a wide open Jalen Hunter in the end zone and overthrew him. Likely 14-points off the board in the opening half.

It could have been (37-7) at the half, if the right plays and right calls were made, but there was still a 3rd and 4th quarter left to play.

It wasn’t a perfect night. Desmond King gave up 7-completions. Michael Davis gave up a TD and took 2-pass interference calls. Jatavious Brown had a bad helmet hit. Casey Hayward got beat 3-times including an early TD.

Rivers gritted his way for (299Y) passing, and hung in there taking 8-hits. Big Ben had pressure around him all night, took one sack, but was relegated to a lot of short passes, and then got out of sync, in a strange (281Y) passing night.

The hero might have been the rookie running back; Jackson wound up (82) all purpose yards. Where’d he come from. Pittsburgh must be asking that.

The Chargers won where they hardly ever won. The Steelers took a big hit.

The Chargers beat up a pretty good team. Still ahead, road games in Denver and Kansas City, but it is now evident, they have earned some type of playoff game as a wildcard team, at home.

Gifts, Lady Luck and great plays gave them a chance. Rivers and his running mates took advantage of it all, and went out got the win.

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“Chargers-Steelers-Showdown Sunday”

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What’s happened in the past doesn’t really mean very much.

What happens Sunday will have real meaning for the Chargers, in their never-ending attempt to end the ugly playoff drought and post season history of failure.

The Chargers go to Pittsburgh in another installment of what has been as really lopsided rivalry.

The doesn’t matter to Philip Rivers. Doesn’t mean much to Ben Roethlisberger. It will mean a lot when Sunday night’s game is done.

A Chargers win puts them in the hunt to chase down 1st place Kansas City in the AFC-West. A Chargers loss is just another black mark in the book of a franchise that hasn’t done well against teams with winning records, this year, or last, in the Anthony Lynn regime.

Pittsburgh is the scene of the Chargers enormous 1995-win in the AFC title game, that sent them to the Super Bowl against the 49ers.

But good outings have been few and far between, whether the beatings took place at old Three Rivers Stadium, or the new Heinz Field.

The Bolts don’t care about the past, just what happens at 5:20pm on Sunday night.

But history has shown how hard it is to win for the Chargers in Blitzburgh. The Steelers lead the overall series (22-7).

And in Pittsburgh, the Chargers, from Dan Fouts-thru-Stan Humphries to Rivers, are just (3-15) all time where the Three Rivers come together.

The Chargers have played an easy schedule, getting their 8-wins against clubs with a combined record of (27-59-1). The Steelers, playing much better now, have put their 7-win season against teams that are (32-44-1).

Pittsburgh is all about Ben Roethlisberger and big plays, and at home, that quarterback is an amazing (77-26) playing infront of Black & Gold dressed fans. His coach, Mike Tomlin has led his team to a (68-25) home field advantage. It’s a tough place to play.

The matchup will be special on Sunday night.

There will be no Melvin Gordon at running back, and that’s some (1255Y) all purpose yards Rivers won’t have to rely on. Austin Ekeler has been a great change of pace player, catch and run. Whether he can be a 25-touch guys this weekend is doubtful.

Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Tyrell Williams will all need big play days to make up for what they won’t get with Gordon gone.

The Steelers counter with James Connor, who like Gordon, has over (1300) all purpose yards, though he has tailed off the last couple of week. They haven’t missed the holdout Le’Veon Bell yet, but you might want to be concerned if Connor has hit the ‘wall’ in terms of exhaustion.

Secondaries get exhausted chasing JuJu Smith, star in the making, and the star they have in Antonio Brown. Between them over 140-catches this year so far.

Roethlisberger throws picks, but he says so-what. He throws TDs, and wins, and that’s all that matters to him, especially again at home.

Unsung in all of Pittsburgh’s success this year, has been the defense. TJ Watt and a fierce pass rush have 39-sacks this season, added to a stingy defense, led by DE-Cam Hayward.

In the first five weeks of the season, the Steelers gave up an average (401YPG). The last five games, (259YPG). That’s big time improvement. They haven’t allowed a quarterback to throw for over 300-against them in the last seven games. Pretty impressive too.

Big plays have been part of both club’s arsenal’s this year. Pittsburgh has 25-passes of 25-yards or more. The Steelers have 16-runs of plus 15-yards, so they will gash you.

The Chargers keep hitting big plays too, including 150-plays of 10-yards or more….and 55-plays of 20-yards or more. Big chunks of real estate.. Aside from the numbers in neon lights, the Steelers (420YPG) and the Bolts (402YPG), Sunday will be about matchup.

And that’s what would be scary.

Without Brandon Mebane, out with personal problems, and without Corey Liuget-Denzel Perryman (injured), stopping the run will be tough.

And so will shutting down the passing game. Tight end Vance McDonald catches a lot of passes. Which linebacker, if any of them, can cover him? No one.

And though Desmond King and Derwin James have had good years, the trio of corners the Bolts have, have not, including hi priced veteran Casey Hayward. How are you going to cover Brown-Smith-Derrious Bay and the tight end?

Add in the lack of trust in the Chargers kicking game, and you have a problem.

Never doubt Rivers and all he can bring to the huddle and the line of scrimmage in the most important games he plays.

But never discount the raging fan base and how momentum in Pittsburgh can change in an instant.

It will be fun, Rivers vs Big Ben. All the big play wide receivers, and that kid running back., and the game of ‘where is TJ Watt lining up?’

But in the end, I just don’t think the Chargers can win very many matchups. Too many big Steeler plays in a shooting gallery game with the Bolts.

Until they show me they are a complete team, and can beat a quality team on the road, I will be a Charges doubter, beyond being a Dean Spanos hater.

And that’s why I think it will wind up being a Steelers-win on Sunday.

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