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“AZTECS BASKETBALL–ALOT OF EXPECTATIONS
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San Diego State  is ready for preseason fall workouts.
The fans are ready for the start of the season.

Hard to say ‘curb your enthusiasm’ when you look at the roster.
But you can get enthused with the release of the SDSU schedule.

I might say ‘Wow’ about the roster potential.
I will say ‘Wow’ about what lies ahead.

Coach Brian Dutcher’s comments heading to preseason:
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Excited at this schedule..full of challenges

Goal is make tourney
Schedule super games in November
Our goal make NCAA tourney with November schedule

Michigan-Oregon-Arizona will be a challenge
Build our reputation in November
17-home games this year
People do not want to play us in Viejas
Always look for home and home with big time teams

UCLA exhibition game helps us build NIL budget too-fill Viejas
20-game Mountain West schedule is out
Yes will be travel issues
Final trips thru MWC..
Won’t miss Laramie-Albuquerque-Colorado Springs

Exciting to have Grand Canyon on schedule
2-more quality games to build our resume

Resume..need to build non conference
Seeding comes from NCAA based on strength on non-league

Do not want to travel 3-time zones to play home and homes
Searching for schedule like we had with Gonzaga

MWC-PAC 12..acrimony-not much conversation about it
Transfer portal has changed entire rosters in MWC

Roster-very deep roster..great for coaches-not fair to players
When Gwath-Byrd went into portal-we had to get players if they left
We needed depth-losing Gwath for 7-games last year proved that

Think this is the deepest roster I have had at SDSU..Individual talent-now have to put the team together.

Magoon Gwath-version-coming off knee issues
Ahead of schedule in rehab
7′-shooting threes-handling the ball..has an NBA future
Back in practice in October

This freshman class is very good..Tae Simmons is coming off hamstring..Elzie Harrington is quite the playmaker

Thokbor Majak- learning curve..has healthy ankle..redshirt freshman…looks like he good be good-but has to learn physical part of game..young bigs have to learn to handle physicality

Miles Byrd-is a different player now-aftermath of NBA camps..Bigger-confident-mature.

Sean Newman is a pass first point guard who can get ball to guards who can score

Jeremiah Owen from Wyoming brings great experience.
Latrelle Davis will be a scorer off the bench

Reese Waters is back after a year layoff..his timing is getting better

Our program is based on high school kids-so you build a culture.  Want players who spend 4-5 years in the program.  We will take transfers to fill out the roster.  High school kids want to play right away.  Bigs understand they may take a red year shirt.

I would be shocked if we did not have the lowest transfer rate in the country.  We have usually lost just the 5th year seniors-guys went for the money..now control rules money changes taking place.

Our move to Pac 12-will create more revenue…but revenue is not there right now.  We are still raising money at SDSU-not like Big 10.  Every dollar counts for this program this year…Money raised in UCLA game goes to Aztecs program.

Divorce with MWC…conference keeps Aztecs NCAA-Units from tourney as part of exit fee from conference…Our parting gift-want a thank you note.
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“AZTECS FOOTBALL-NOW WHAT”
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Win one..get blown out of the other.

San Diego State football is still a great iunknown as to how much progress they are making under coach Sean Lewis.

They beat a 1AA-team opening day last year, did the same this year, but that was followed by beatings.  It ended with a 6-game losing streak last fall.  This past weekend, they got pounded by lowly Pac 12-rival Washington State.

The offense, Lewis’ calling card, continues to struggle.  In defense, for his second year in a row, he is teaching a new QB on the fly, and the learning curve for QB-Jayden Denegal is a painful experience.

The third down failures are a problem.  The long droughts of series without a first down are alarming.  The chunk plays are few and far between.

More was expected, alot less has been delivered, both last year and now again this year.

A bye week awaits, then Cal, then the Mountain West Conference schedule.

Work in progress-yes.  No white flag yet.  But, they need to make progress.

Coach Sean Lewis press conference:
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Bad night in Pullman..play better..coach better
Bright spots in flashes on defense and kicking game
Good look in players eyes..
Got 14-days with poor taste in our mouth

Fix the team..what we sign up for
It is a journey-who we are to become
Tape does not lie
We have done it right..have to do it right
Good teams do not make mistakes we made
No egos here-no titles..opportunity exists

Special penalty set WSU off and ignited
Too many three and outs on offense
My play calls were not good
Defense out on the field too much
Learn cope with adversity

Jayden Denegal-patience..game reps have to be accumulated
Just noise-criticism from outside-ignore it
Sweet in week one..Sour in week two..we move on
His decision making is sound…continue to refine him
Master situation that comes iup..will learn from the opportunities
4th down play throw rather than run..he got greedy-he is young
Safety hurt team-not his fault…our line call was wrong-not on player

Believe in these guys…say it…live it…be aggressive with our play calls
Default aggressive is who we are..it takes time..we will get there
There is risk in play-calls, but do not want to be conservative

I do not feel pressure..Pressure when you are not prepared
I know why we broke down on all those 3-and-outs
Not going to throw out the plans we made..just execute it better
Efficiency and consistency need to get better
That’s what we will work on over 14-days
We are not going to abandon the game plan

Message to fans-continue support-we will continue to work to get better
This is a good team that had a bad night

NCAA transfer portal…1-window..10-days..bring stability to the chaos
It helps coaching, admissions, get players in right situation at their schools
I always wanted just December or January..just one window..I will take it
January 2nd-10th is the right window-I want it that way.
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‘WHAT I SAW-WHAT I THINK”
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CHARGERS-CHIEFS…The era appears over in Kansas City.  Justin Herbert made all the plays Patrick Mahomes used to make.  The Chiefs QB can be dazzling and showed toughness, trying to ignite some passion in his team’s play, but he did not get much help.

Herbert went (20-24), hit big pass plays to everyone, and broke critical runs including the back-breaking 19-yard scamper, in his (318) 3-TD passing night

Quentin Johnston ran precise routes, caught 2-TD passes, and looked hard to cover, but again, knowing his history, it was just 1-game’s output.

The route runners, Ladd McConkey-Keenan Allen combined for 13-catches, though there were not alot of yards after catch at least on Thursday.

Rookie running back Omarion Hampton runs north-south, showed toughness and balance, though there no chunk plays on the ground

But the Bolts offense was down the field all night, torching KC’s defense all evening long, as they piled up (394Y) in that outing.  How about this stat-the Bolts hit the Chiefs with 17-‘chunk’ plays of 10-yards or more…and 4-plays of plus 20-yards.

LT-Joe Alt made DT-Chris Jones disappear.  The formations and motions got guys open all night-KC was a step slow in coverage.  Guys were running open all evening.

The Bolts were luck Teair Tart did not get ejected for his punch-slap on Travis Kelce.  Tart used his hands too, deflecting 3-passes during the game.

Statement night for sure for the Chargers.  As for Kansas City-signs of trouble.

Not sure why Travis Kelce was targeted so few times in the first half.  No doubt the loss of WR-Xavier Worthy-hit by friendly on what looked like an illegal pick play was a big blow.  They surely will miss Rashee Rice over the next five weeks.

Not much of a Chief run game.

The KC pass rush disappeared in the second half, and the coverage fell apart as the game wore on.

Why Jawaan Taylor is still in the starting lineup after 4-more penalties this year after a flag marred career is stunning.  The rookie Josh Simmons held up well at left tackle.

It was a pretty glum look on Andy Reid’s face much of the night.  And tink about this, he has the Eagles-Lions-Ravens dead ahead on the schedule.  Can you say big trouble ahead?

Kansas City is no longer what they were once upon a time.  They got bounced in the Super Bowl.  They look even less this year.

It only counted as one game in Brazil, but it is a sign of the changing of the guard in the AFC-West.
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“NFL-OPENING WEEKEND-PICK EM PAL”
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CHARGERS-CHIEFS..it’s more than Justin Herbert-vs-Patrick Mahomes…more like Herbert vs Steve Spagnuolo-the KC defensive coordinator…It might be Mahomes-vs-the Chargers pass rush…but really it’s rookie LT-Josh Simmons against Jess Minter’s blitz scheme..it will also be a big brutish KC defensive front vs a Chargers OL that will be missing LT-Rashawn Slater….Herbert is (2-8) vs the Chiefs…Mahomes is (10-2) vs the Bolts…KC has won 7-in a row against the Chargers…6-of the Bolts losses have been by a TD or less.

RAIDERS-PATRIOTS…Fascinating to see the Pete Carroll-Mike Vrabel matchup…Lots of questions though…Will Ashton Jeanty have any room to run behind a questionable OL…How does Drake Maye holdup against Maxx Crosby and that pass rush..Will rookie Tra’Veon Henderson make a difference for the Pats?

RAMS-HOUSTON..Matthew Stafford’s health will be a key item, especially against a Will Anderson Texans-led pass rush…Houston spent the off year changing its offensive line-so now they get tested by Verse-Fiske and the Rams blitz scheme.

RAVENS-BILLS…What a showdown..Josh Allen-vs-Lamar Jackson…all things Harbaugh vs all things McDermott..Derek Henry and his 2,000-yard style vs the Bills front

PACKERS-LIONS…Enter Micah Parsons to all the things Green Bay does on defense…Jordan Love has become a big time thrower…Detroit looks finally healthy after a season of damaging defensive injuries…You wonder about the brain drain losses to Dan Campbell’s assistant staff.

TAMPA BAY-ATLANTA…Baker Mayfield is the catalyst for the Bucs…We wait to see if the defensive coordinators have gathered enough tape to slow down Falcons QB-Michael Penix.

CLEVELAND-CINCINNATI…Joe Burrow-vs-Myles Garrett…Joe Flacco-vs-a very poor Bengals defense.

COLTS-MIAMI..Can Daniel Jones stabilize the Indy offense…can Tau-Tyreek carry an otherwise very thing Dolphins offense.

ARIZONA-NEW ORLEANS..A long season awaits new coach Kelvin Moore, whose talent level is really down on the Bayou…The Cardinals should take another step forward under Jon Gannon.

STEELERS-JETS..This is more than Aaron Rodgers-Justin Fields changing jersey’s helmets…Could be a war of attrition with both defenses..The Steelers are loaded on defense and Aaron Rodgers will make plays other QBs have not made.

GIANTS-WASHINGTON..Great NY defense and think Russell Wilson will make the Giants more competitive, but Washington and Jayden Daniels were so explosive last year and now they add Deebo Samuel.

CAROLINA-JACKSONVILLE..Waiting to see the influence new coach Liam Coen and his playbook have on Trevor Lawrence and waiting to see if Bryce Young builds on the strong second half he had end of last year.

TITANS-DENVER…Cam Ward will get a rude welcome to the NFL against that Orange Crush defense…and the Broncos have given Bo Nix more firepower on offense.

SEATTLE-49ERS…Can Sam Darnold do this year what he did last year in Minnesota…can the 49ers survive the loss of so much roster talent to injuries and salary cap decisions?

VIKINGS-BEARS..JJ McCarthy makes his debut in Minnesota, and he has lots offensive talent around him…Interesting to see how the Ben Johnson playbook fits the style of Caleb Williams.

Go enjoy it-going to be fun first weekend

============

Hacksaw’s NFL Preview-Thursday Podcast-1:30pm
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AFC EAST:

BUFFALO..Win by default..Josh Allen, James Cook, young wide receivers and proven tight ends.  But it’s not an NFL high ranked defense there any longer.  Drafted 5-on defense but Max Hairston won’t be ready to start the season…Add on WR-Josh Palmer and Elijah Moore should help.

NEW ENGLAND..Mike Vrable changes the culture and changed alot of the roster.  But he has Drake Maye as his big time QB, a load of free agents to fill holes on defense, but a real need for the right skill people to put around the quarterback.  Keep an eye on RB-Tre’Veyon Henderson….9-veteran free agents coming in will start and 3-high picks will be starters.  Big jump coming.

MIAMI..Something seems very wrong in South Florida.  Quality players leaving.  A troubled player staying.  And the annual keep-Tua-healthy debate.  All their DBs are gone from a year ago.  The young running back always seems hurt.  Tyreek Hill does not seem to be the same player any longer. DT-Kenneth Grant will help the front but they look think at skill spots… Mike McDaniel is on the hot seat.

NY JETS…Aaron Glenn faces a big challenge to turn this around, and he is trusting journeyman QB-Justin Fields and a rebuilt defense.  But the talent level is way down.  Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner need more help.  The depth chart on offense looks like a grab-bag of roster pickups.

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AFC NORTH::

BALTIMORE…Lamar Jackson has done everything but win on Super Bowl Sunday.  The front office has done everything to put the right players around the quarterback, from Derrick Henry to receivers and tight ends.  And the defense is loaded.  Malachi Starks-Mike Green are Ravens type players.  The time is right.

PITTSBURGH..They have what they have not had in recent years, a difference maker at quarterback, and they do, now Aaron Rodgers.  The defense is typical Steel-tough.  DK Metcalf arrives to compliment the receivers and tight ends.  It looks like a complete team, and Mike Tomlin needs something he has not had in a long time, a playoff win.  Getting Jalen Ramsey and draft pick Derek Harmon are huge pickups.

CINCINNATI..The firepower is fabulous, Joe Burrow and his receivers.  The defense seems deficient, again and again.  They need to be in the playoffs.  I fear they are wasting the quarterback’s career.  Why draft a #1 pick who had 1-sack last year?  Can you protect the QB?  Who will stand out on defense?

CLEVELAND..Big paydays for pass rusher Myles Garrett, but not big time players on offense.  Lots of talent on defense, but a history of injury issues on the offensive line and at running back.  Is there a quarterback for the future there?  They seem stuck with the Deshaun Watson mistake?  Like drafting the DT-LB early but the health issues still loom.  Kevin Stefanski’s job seems impossible.

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AFC SOUTH:

HOUSTON..A super job of roster building by the front office and coaching by DeMico Ryans.  And yet an overhaul of the offensive front to better protect CJ Stroud. Pass rushers Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter are outfront and dangerous..Key is getting veteran RBs healthy and on the field, and making sure the new OTs can hold up.

JACKSONVILLE..Liam Coen takes over as coach, brings a dynamic playbook, and has a mandate to make QB-Trevor Lawrence dangerous.  Fun to see how they deploy Travis Hunter.  Important they stay healthy.  Are these the right RBs on the roster?  But it is a weak division.

INDIANAPOLIS..Daniel Jones takes over after the franchise gave up on Anthony Richardson.  Do they have enough skill people?  Getting TE-do everything Ty Warren is an upgrade.  Can they keep the defense healthy?  A likely long season.

TENNESSEE..Cam Ward takes over and it will be a long learning curve season.  This is a major rebuild.  Love the Jeffrey Simmons-built defense, but they cannot be on the field 60-minutes per Sunday. .

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AFC WEST:

KANSAS CITY..The season turns on what happens at LT-RT and if the Chiefs get yes answers to better protect Patrick Mahomes.  They want to be explosive, and think the combo of receivers and tight ends, with Mahomes hitting explosive plays, means KC is an elite team again.  The defense is big-physical but needs more help for Chris Jones.  Losing Rashee Rice for critical games against the Chargers-Ravens-Lions-Eagles during that 6-week vacation will be challenging.

DENVER..Sean Payton-Bo Nix, a pretty good combo.  Now they add JK Dobbins, Evan Engram and some skill draft picks.  Oh by the way the defense is loaded, healthy, and dynamic at all three levels.  Keep an eye for names like Barron–Greenlaw–Tufnaga.  Big upgrades.

CHARGERs…GM-Joe Horwitz has packaged back-to-back deep drafts.  It means they are young around QB-Justin Herbert.  If Najee Harris can be a trust worthy tough guy running back, if Omani Hampton is the real deal.  If Quentin Johnston arrives as a consistent receiver, then this will be a dangerous offense.  But the loss of a LT, a knee ailment to his new RG, and the fact they lost 3-veteran defensive lineman, worries me.

RAIDERS..A new era, with a proven leader, Pete Carroll, a big play QB-Geno Smith, and the arrival of Ashton Jeanty brings explosiveness to Las Vegas.  But there are holes everywhere on defense, the loss of DT-Christian Wilkens and alot of veterans on the back seven.  They will be fun to watch, but they don’t have enough people.  They need name tags for the back seven on defense.  Need to patch all the holes on OL.

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NFC EAST:

PHILADELPHIA…They won the ring with every type of talent Howie Roseman could stockpile.  But this has been a strange off season.  A number of young players on defense left as free agents.  His RT-has injury issues.  His RG-left as a free agent.  They are good, the best in the division, but might not be the same team.  The spent their top five picks on defense.

WASHINGTON..What a surprise team last year.  Can Jayden Daniels repeat it?  Can Deebo Samuels add something alongside Terry McLaurin.  The defense is grossly under-rated.

DALLAS..Jerry Jones makes changes, but are they for the best?  Last year was a wreckage of injuries, and now Micah Parsons is gone.  They are young and athletic on defense , but do they have enough to work with Dak Prescott.  Can George Pickens match the dangerous Cee Dee Lamb?  Is there really a heavy duty running back there?.

NEW YORK GIANTS…A very different type team.  Very good defense, and you add Abdul Carter.  Russell Wilson will run the offense with Jaxson Dart waiting in the wings.  The wildcard will be keeping Malik Nabers healthy…Love the front seven

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NFC NORTH:

GREEN BAY…Big play offense with Jordan Love and a staff of young wide receivers, and add on Matt Golden,  and a strong run game.  Now you add Micah Parsons to a fierce pass rush.  QBs on other teams are headed for nightmare games.

DETROIT..Dan Campbell has built some tremendous rosters, but now two years in a row, injuries have torn apart key parts of his roster, across both lines.  Jared Goff -Jamhyr Gibbs lead an offense that  will remain dangerous.  Can the defense get healthy-stay healthy?  5-key guys missed last year that side of the ball, and they are back led by Aiden Hutchinson.

MINNESOTA..A great mystery despite the success of coach Kevin O’Connell.  A 3rd different starting QB in 3-years, and this is an untested JJ McCarthy.  A load of pass catchers and a pair of running backs, plus a fierce pass rush in a rebuilt defense.  Can a green QB drive the Purple to a great season?

CHICAGO..New coach Ben Johnson, young QB-Caleb Williams and a flurry of young wideouts, plus a TE-Courtland Loveland,  means the offense will be fun to watch.  They have added to the defense too, but look at the division they are in.

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NFC SOUTH:

TAMPA BAY..Baker Mayfield has arrived as a star, and the catalyst of all things the Bucs represent.  Need to keep the WR group healthy.  Do they have a legitimate big time back.  No doubt the defense is fierce, including that front seven..

ATLANTA..Michael Penix, it’s your team.  If not a pretty good insurance policy backup Kirk Cousins takes over.  Like the TE-WR-combo. They are ailing in the OL.   Wonder if they have enough defense, though they drafted pass rusheers.?

CAROLINA..Big year coming for Bryce Young, forced fed as a top draft pick, then came back strong after last year’s benching.  Now you give him Teta McMillon and Xavier Legette in the last two drafts, could be better on offense.  Defense-I don’t know.

NEW ORLEANS..Team in trouble despite having Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara on the roster.  Who’s your QB?  Can you protect him?  Do you have enough people to defend? .

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NFC WEST:

LA RAMS..Came within a snowball throw of getting to the Super Bowl last year.  Now a very young defense, a developing OL, and a cross section of talent around Matthew Stafford, means this could be a complete-deep-dangerous team.  Keeping Stafford healthy will be huge.

SEATTLE..Is Sam Darold the real deal after that great Vikings season?  Will they miss DK Metcalf?  Can they keep their running backs healthy?  How much gas does Dooper Kupp have left.  How deep is the defense beyond that front?

ARIZONA..Jon Gannon preaches-teaches defense and is pretty good.  Now you have Kyler Murray and a better receiving corps go to go with veteran running backs, maybe it is a break thru season.  Do like adding DE-Josh Sweat and drafting Walter Nolen.

SAN FRANCISCO…Last year was awful, this year might be as bad.  Yes Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey lead the offense, and you add RB-Brian Robiinson, but the receiver corps has been wiped out by injuries.  Add in salary cap losses and veterans departing.  They spent 5-draft picks on defense. It might worse than last year’s (6-11) campaign.

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