Category: NFL

Headline Sports with Tony Renteria: Will this be another series of LeBron versus four guys from the Warriors?

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Photo credit: @warriors

On Headline Sports with Tony Renteria:

The NBA Finals gets underway tonight at Oracle Arena in Oakland for Game 1 between Cleveland and Golden State. Same teams in the finals for the last four years. Will it be a series where LeBron has to depend on his teammates to get past the Warriors’ best of Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson?

The Philadelphia 76ers team president Bryan Colangelo. who opened five Twitter accounts only to criticize his own players, was found out. The worst of it was when he disclosed an Jahlil Okafar injury that was supposed to be private, but was made public on twitter by Colangelo.

Turning to football: The Oakland Raiders’ practice on Tuesday was obviously missing some key players wide receivers Jordy Nelson and Seth Roberts, safety Reggie Nelson, and defensive end Khalil Mack all are in contract discussions. Preseason starts in August so the Raiders would like to get them in camp soon.

Headline Sports with Tony Renteria is podcasted each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: NFL Owners Say Players Must Stand for National Anthem

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Photo credit: @theMMQB

By: Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said during a news conference that team owners unanimously agreed that the NFL can fine a team whose players protest on the sidelines during the National Anthem, but that each team will set its own rules regarding players who want to kneel. Players will not be fined individually by the league and will have the option to remain in the locker room while the anthem is played.

Hopefully, this is the end of a story that has nothing to do with touchdowns, tackles or field goals. However, it did started a conversation nationwide that still is going on and it even spilled to high school kids–many who can’t find Washington D.C. on a map–but who also took a knee in school.

The First Amendment should always be protected because it is indispensable in a free Republic like the United States of America. However, the NFL is a private business and owners handsomely pay their players to play what is today the most popular sport in America and they also have a right to demand the conduct of their players.

The NFL has been besieged with players in trouble with the law. It seems that in the MLB, it is the suspension for the use of illegal substances, one of their biggest problems, while in the NFL, it is tons of their players getting in trouble with the law on and off the football field. As I remember, the main reason for the protest was police brutality towards African-Americans. Although, this also changed later to other topics.

The NFL Players Association, which was not included in the talks with owners, said the union will review the new policy and challenge any aspect of it that is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement. Owners discussed the topic for two hours on Tuesday and one hour on Wednesday, according to Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam.

We can only hope that this controversy is settled once and for all. I remember when Hall of Fame manager Tony LaRussa opined on this matter, when it was happening and was a story all over the country.

LaRussa said: “I know that there’s a constitutional right to express yourself, but I think you have a right as an organization to have a certain philosophy about respecting, whether it’s our Constitution, whether it’s our country, whether its our soldiers…our flag.”

LaRussa added: “I would not, to the best of my ability, I would not sanction somebody taking a knee.”

LaRussa earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Florida State University College of Law in 1978. Although he never practiced law, he is one of only two managers in history, Sparky Anderson being the latter, to win World Series titles in each league.

Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria: NFL tells players no more kneeling–will players revolt?; Bucks’ Brown tased by Milwaukee cops; Knights– the impossible dream

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Photo credit @ABC: The Milwaukee Bucks Sterling Brown is detained by Milwaukee Police for a parking violation and later is tased from this body cam video furnished by police

On Headline Sports with Tony:

#1 The NFL has ordered all players to stand during the national anthem. They must stand at full attention respectfully, and if these orders are not followed, the NFL will fine the respective team. The NFL players’ union said they might consider appealing the new policy.

#2 Milwaukee Bucks player Sterling Brown was stopped by the Milwaukee Police for a parking violation. The police on video ordered Brown to back up the video showed Brown cooperating, but when other officers showed up the initial officer said that Brown got in his face–a lie, which was not in the video–and didn’t show Brown getting aggressive. Brown was then tased by the police as five to six other officers arrived. The Milwaukee police have disciplined the police officers who handled the incident. Tony answers the question had it not been for Brown being a player, would this had been a story?

#3 The Vegas Golden Knights now in the NHL Stanley Cup Finals, a first for any first-year expansion team in any sport. Tony answers how they’ll do against the Washington Capitals in the NHL Finals.

#4 San Francisco 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster’s charges have been dropped and will now be able to join the 49ers. Foster’s ex-girlfriend said there was no domestic abuse and that she had been in a fight with two other women the day before Foster was arrested. Foster has been charged by the Santa Clara DA’s office for possession of a illegal firearm dropped from a felony to a misdemeanor.

#5 The Golden State Warriors will face the Houston Rockets tonight in Game 5 in Houston. The series is tied 2-2. Tony answers the question if this series is unpredictable at this point.

Tony Renteria does Headline Sports each Thursday for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

New rule requires NFL players to stand for National Anthem

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Photo credit: @NBCNews

By Jeremy Kahn

In a unanimous vote by the 32 owners of the National Football League, there will be a different policy to the National Anthem.

Effective this season, the new policy will require players to stand if they are on the field during the playing of the National Anthem. This also will include kneeling and sitting, something many players have done since the 2016 season.

Since the 2016 season, dozens of players have protested the National Anthem due to racial inequality and police brutality around the United States.

Teams will have the option to fine any team personnel, including players if they protest the anthem.

“We want people to be respectful of the national anthem,” commissioner Roger Goodell said. “We want people to stand — that’s all personnel — and make sure they treat this moment in a respectful fashion. That’s something we think we owe. [But] we were also very sensitive to give players choices.”

All 32 teams approved the policy, that will become part of the NFL’s operations manual and will not be subject to collective bargaining. The National Football League Players Association will review the policy and will “challenge any aspect” that looks to be inconsistent with the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling for the National Anthem during the 2016 preseason, and continued it during the entire season. The league did not have a rule for players to kneel for the National Anthem, and the league was not able to stop him.

President Donald Trump criticized Kaepernick and other players for kneeling during the National Anthem, as did fans and owners of other teams, who thought that it was disrespectful to the United States.

Houston Texans owner Bob McNair, New York Jets owner Christopher Johnson and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wished to avoid having players protest against the anthem.

Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria: Green-Harden battle could just be the beginning of a physical series; Cano says he didn’t know he was taking steroids; Does Gruden know what he’s doing?

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Photo credit: @clevezirm

On the Headlines Sports podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 Tony will be looking back a bit on that first game with the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors when the Rockets’ James Harden and the Warriors’ Draymond Green got into a scrap in the first few minutes.

#2 The Seattle Mariners’ Robinson Can came clean admitting he took a substance Furosemide, a diuretic he told reporters that he was given the substance by a doctor in the Dominican Republic, but didn’t realize it was a banned substance. Cano was suspended by MLB for 80 games and is one of the highest-paid players in the MLB.

#3 Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden has been getting some criticism about the way he’s handled personnel so far. He’s let go of Michael Crabtree, punter Marquete King and now Kahlil Mack’s contract, whose contract is coming up could be leaving. The Raiders are looking for some cap room.

#4 In spite of the A’s having the usual arm problems their starters have been coming through with Sean Manaea helping Oakland get a one run 6-5 win and Tuesday night with pitcher Daniel Mengden improving his record to 3-4, going six innings, eight hits, two runs, and three strikeouts and two wins in the series against Boston.

#5 The Giants, after losing five straight all on the road, have now won three straight and are preparing for the Colorado Rockies starting on Thursday night. The Rockies, who are in second place in the NL West, will be a test for San Francisco at AT&T Park after success against a last-place Reds team.

Tony does Headline Sports each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sportstalk remote podcast from Hana Zen Japanese Cuisine at Pier 39 in San Francisco on Thursday, May 10, 2018

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yelp.com photo: Hana Zen at Pier 39 San Francisco by night fall and home of some of San Francisco’s best Japanese Cuisine

Cast: Michael Duca (host), Morris Phillips, Amaury Pi Gonzalez, Jeremy Kahn, and Lee Leonard (producer). Our thanks to Alvin and Angie Louie, the owners of Hana Zen Japanese Grill and Sushi Bar on Pier 39 at San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf, for hosting Sportstalk Radio. Tonight, we were treated to Hana Zen’s famous California Sushi Rolls, Ahi Tuna, Chicken Teriyaki, Calamari, and their wonderful miso soup.

Also, you can enjoy their sushi rolls, sashimi, and other Japanese favorites. Hana Zen also offers filet mignon, New York steak, and try their famous Lava Rock cooking right at your own table. In addition, you can enjoy some green tea ice cream at the end of your meal.

On the podcast, Sportstalk covered the Golden State Warriors and their second round playoff opponent, the New Orleans Pelicans. The San Francisco Giants and Oakland A’s both who lost in huge laughers on Monday night 11-0 for the Giants in Philadelphia and the A’s crushed in Oakland 16-1 by the World Champion Houston Astros. The cast explores what to expect from either team for May 2018.

 

Headline Sports podcast with Tony the Tiger Hayes: Caps’ Wilson suspended three games for head hitting; Could the Warriors sweep the Pelicans?; Gruden–Could he become CEO/GM too?

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Penguins forward Zach Aston-Reese suffered a broken jaw and concussion on a hit to the head from Washington’s Tom Wilson.(Photo: Gene J. Puskar, AP)

On the Headlines Sports podcast with Tony the Tiger Hayes:

#1 Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson was suspended three games in the playoffs for a hit to the head on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Zach Aston-Reese during Game 3, which says the NHL has zero tolerance of deliberate head injuries.

#2 The Golden State Warriors in the first two games of their playoffs with the New Orleans Pelicans have dominated particularly in Game 2 when Stephen Curry made his return on Tuesday night.

#3 Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden, who is signed up for $100 million, 10 years might also start earning more than his money’s worth according to Bleacher Report. Gruden could tabbed the team’s general manager and team CEO as well as head coach, which might send current GM Reggie McKenzie packing. It might be more than Gruden can bite off or can he handle it and make the Raiders a team of excellence again?

#4 During the NFL draft, the Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen got a little braggadocious after he was selected 10th in the draft, saying, “I was pretty pissed off as I saw teams passing on me there were nine mistakes ahead of me.” The Cardinals’ coaching staff is expected to put Rosen’s draft thought process into prospective, but soon.

#5 San Francisco Giants pitcher Johnny Cueto goes on the 10-day DL for an elbow injury as San Francisco’s injury list is swelling with Joe Panik out on the 10-day DL with a thumb injury, Madison Bumgarner has taken to the mound and is rehabbing, the Giants’ Mark Melancon out for the rest of the season and Jeff Samardjiza who came back from a pectoral injury is 1-1 with an ERA of 5.27.

Tony the Tiger filled in for Tony Renteria this week  Tony R does Headline Sports each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

49ers’ 2018 NFL Draft: Rounds 4-7

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Photo credit: @49ers

By: Ana Kieu

The 2018 NFL Draft came to an end Saturday night at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The location of the 2019 NFL Draft has yet to be announced.

Here are the selections the 49ers made from Rounds 4 to 7 Saturday.

Round 4
The 49ers selected defensive end Kentavius Street with the 128th overall pick in the fourth round. The 6-foot-2, 280 lb DE posted 120 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and eight sacks during his four-year career at North Carolina State. He has experience in both defensive tackle and defensive end, but he tore his ACL at a private workout during the pre-draft process, so let’s hope that he’ll have a fast and speedy recovery.

Round 5
The 49ers were back on the clock and selected defensive back D.J. Reed with the 142nd overall pick in the fifth round. The 5-foot-9, 188 lb DB initially chose to play college football at nearby Fresno State, where he reshirted as a true freshman in 2014, and transferred to Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif., where he recorded 42 tackles, three pass breakups, and two interceptions in 11 games played. He then transferred once again to Kansas State, where he played for two seasons and tallied 125 total tackles and seven interceptions. He led the Big 12 in 2016 with 19 passes defended and was subsequently named the conference’s newcomer of the year as a transfer. He was a First-Team All-Big-12 selection in 2017.

Round 6
The 49ers continued to build their defense when they selected safety Marcell Harris with the 184th overall pick in the sixth round. The 6-foot-1, 216 lb S spent three seasons at Florida, where he totaled a 102 tackles and two interceptions. Unfortunately, he missed the entire 2017 season due to a torn Achilles tendon. That being said, it was pretty obvious that San Francisco targeted him for his size.

Round 7
The 49ers added another defensive piece to the puzzle as they selected defensive tackle Jullian Taylor with the 223rd overall pick in the seventh round . The 6-foot-5, 280 lb DT went to Temple, where he had just one season as a starter for the Owls. He put up 41 tackles with 11 tackles for loss in 2017. Moreover, he displayed an impressive 4.83 40-yard dash and 31 bench press reps at his Pro Day.

The 49ers capped off their draft selections by using their 240th overall pick in the seventh round on wide receiver Richie James. The 5-foot-10, 183 lb WR spent three seasons at Middle Tennessee State, where he redshirted as a true freshman in 2014. He played in all 13 games as a redshirt freshman in 2015 and caught 108 passes for 1,346 yards and eight touchdowns. He also rushed for 146 yards and one touchdown on 12 attempts. He once again played in all 13 games in 2016, where he caught 105 passes for 1,625 yards, tallied 12 touchdowns and rushed for 339 yards and four touchdowns on 38 attempts. He was named to the 2016 C-USA All-Conference First Team. He became the school’s career leader in receiving yards (3,261) and receiving touchdowns (23) in 2017, despite his limited playing time of five games.

Notes
Trades
The 49ers acquired a 2018 third-round pick (95th overall) from the New England Patriots in exchange for tackle Trent Brown and a 2018 fifth-round pick (143rd overall).

The 49ers acquired a 2018 second-round pick (44th overall) and a 2018 fifth-round pick (142nd overall) in exchange for a 2018 second-round pick (59th overall) and a 2018 third-round pick (74th overall).

49ers’ 2018 NFL Draft: Rounds 2 and 3

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Photo credit: @49ers

By: Ana Kieu

The 2018 NFL Draft continued Friday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and Rounds 2 and 3 were carried out in red carpet fashion.

Let’s take a closer look at who John Lynch and the San Francisco 49ers selected in Rounds 2 and 3.

Round 2
The 49ers were on the clock. San Francisco traded up to No. 44 to select wide receiver Dante Pettis from the University of Washington. Pettis played college football for four seasons in the Emerald City, where he amassed 163 receptions for 2,256 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns. Pettis also set an NCAA record with nine career punt return touchdowns.

 

 

If used correctly, Pettis will be an offensive weapon for the 49ers.

Round 3
The 49ers were back on the clock. San Francisco selected Fred Warner, a linebacker who was a BYU product, with the No. 70 pick. Warner spent four seasons in Provo, Utah, where he accumulated 262 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and seven interceptions. According to Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, Warner’s versatility is one of his best traits.

 

 

 

Warner fits the mold in the San Francisco Bay Area because he has great speed and provides great coverage.

Round 2 of this year’s draft wasn’t quite done yet, but the night was over for the 49ers, who selected defensive back Tarvarius Moore with the No. 95 pick. Moore played college football at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he played for two seasons after transferring from Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, Miss. Moore excelled in his senior year as he became a starter and went on to lead the Lady Eagles in both tackles and interceptions.

 

 

The 49ers remain in contact with ex-safety Eric Reid and hasn’t closed the door on re-signing him yet. However, San Francisco has made the right choice in Moore as he will likely add some depth to their secondary due to his speed, size and versatility.

Notes
The 49ers traded tackle Trent Brown and their 2018 fifth-round (143rd overall) draft choice to the New England Patriots in exchange for the Patriots’ 2018 third-round (95th overall) draft choice.

The 49ers signed safety Jaquiski Tartt to a two-year contract extension through the 2020 season.

Raiders draft Miller and trade for Bryant in Round 1 of NFL Draft

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Photo credit: @RAIDERS

By Jeremy Kahn

When the Oakland Raiders and the San Francisco 49ers flipped coins to see who would draft nine or 10 at the upcoming draft, the Raiders lost the coin toss and were scheduled to pick 10th.

That all changed on Draft Night, as the Raiders traded their pick to the Arizona Cardinals for their pick in the first round at 15, a third and fifth round over the next two days.

With the pick at 15, the Raiders went Kolton Miller, a 6 foot 9 inch, 308-pound offensive lineman out of UCLA.

Miller, who grew up in Roseville, north of Sacramento; however, he was born in Redwood City and graduated from Roseville before heading down south to play for the Bruins.

While at the Combine in Indianapolis, Miller set the broad jump record for offensive lineman, as he jumped 10 feet one inch.

Miller is the second Bruins player in a row to be drafted by the Raiders, as last year, the Raiders drafted defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes.

“He was super stoked,” Miller said. “To be drafted on the same team as Eddie… Him being from Placer, too, just down the road from Roseville, that’s something pretty neat.”

During the draft, the Raiders made a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, as the Raiders received wide receiver Martavis Bryant, who caught 50 passes for 603 yards and three touchdowns during the 2017 season.

In exchange for Bryant, the Steelers will receive the third round (79thpick), the pick that the Raiders received in the trade with the Cardinals earlier in the draft.

“It’s like drafting a player,” said Reggie McKenzie. “I feel like we drafted Martavis Bryant.”

Bryant missed the 2016 season because of a suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

When it got to the third round, we felt it was something very interesting to us,” said Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert. “We wish Martavis nothing but the best.”

The 26-year old Bryant will enter his last year of his contract, as he joins Amari Cooper and recently signed Jordy Nelson to make a great trio of wide receivers for quarterback Derek Carr.