Category: NFL

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Lami: Will the 49ers get a read on the Panthers plays like in the LA game?

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AP file photo: San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly got the jump during Monday Night Football on Sep 12th with play calling against the Los Angeles Rams in shutout at Levis Stadium on opening night

On the 49ers podcast with Joe, the 49ers knew what was coming concerning the Los Angeles Rams plays, alignment, and motions in the backfield which guided them to throw a shutout on Monday night. The Rams offense struggled with ten first downs, 185 yards, and head coach Jeff Fisher just couldn’t get quarterback Case Keenum to even move the ball anywhere close to the end zone.

Will the 49ers be able to get a read on their next opponent the Carolina Panthers. Their defense will be facing a very potent Panthers quarterback in Cam Newton an expert in keeping the ball and a quarterback who led the Panthers to the Super Bowl last season. Also the Panthers are ready for the pass rush so knowing the plays and a blitz package on Newton will be a true test for this first regular season road trip this Sunday for San Francisco.

 

Oakland Raiders-Atlanta Falcons preview: Raiders look for first 2-0 start since ’02; host Falcons in Week 2

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By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Radio Service Writer

AP file photo: Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks for some daylight as he’s pass rushed by the New Orleans Saints Paul Kruger (99) during last Sunday’s game at the Superdome in New Orleans

OAKLAND, Calif — The Raiders opened up the NFL season in dramatic fashion, knocking off the Saints 35-34 in New Orleans last Sunday and have been one of the trendiest sports topics for the week, thanks in large part to the two-point conversion that head coach Jack Del Rio dialed up for quarterback Derek Carr and wide receiver Michael Crabtree.

But the NFL is a week-to-week league and Oakland (1-0) will face another NFC South opponent when they host the Atlanta Falcons (0-1) at Oakland Coliseum Sunday in what should be a sellout for Raider Nation.

Kickoff is at 1:25 p.m. PDT.

Carr finished the game 24 of 38 for 319 yards passing and one touchdown, including the two-point conversion to Crabtree with 52 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Carr’s clutch throw to Crabtree  earned Carr the Castrol Edge Clutch Performer of the Week, for Week 1 as announced by the NFL Friday.

“Everyone on this team is so confident in what we can do,” Carr said after practice Wednesday at the team’s training facility in Alameda. “It’s not arrogant, it’s not that we think we’re better than anybody. We respect every team that we play. At the same time, we know the work we’ve put in. We know how to compete.”

Carr drove the Raiders 75 yards in 11 plays, capping off the game-winning drive with a 10-yard touchdown to wide receiver Seth Roberts.

Crabtree finished with seven catches for 87 yards, while his fellow wide receiver Amari Cooper finished with six catches and led the team with 137 yards receiving.

Oakland’s running game was in good hands with starting running back Latavius Murray (14 carries, 59 yards, one touchdown) and rookies DeAndre Washington (five carries and 14 yards), and Jalen Richard (three carries and 84 yards).

Richard’s 75-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter was a huge turning point for Oakland in the game.

Oakland’s defense seemed to be  heading in the right direction in the first quarter, when newly signed outside linebacker Bruce Irvin sacked Saints quarterback Drew Brees forcing a fumble that was recovered by rookie defensive tackle Jihad Ward inside Saints’ territory.

The Raiders converted that turnover into a Sebastian Janikowski 47-yard field goal, but that was the only pressure that Brees felt all day from an absent pass rush that saw star defensive end Khalil Mack facing countless double-teams and chip blocks from tight ends and running backs.

But the secondary took a beating from Drew Brees and Co., giving up a total of 507 yards of offense. Brees completed 28 of 42 passes for 423 yards and four touchdowns.

High-priced free agent cornerback Sean Smith had a day that he wanted to forget, giving up huge plays in the passing game, most notably the 98-yard touchdown pass that speedy wide receiver Brandin Cooks caught that gave New Orleans a 24-10 lead in the third quarter.

Smith was benched in favor of former first-round draft pick D.J. Hayden after giving up the touchdown to Cooks.

Cooks finished the game with six catches for 143 yards and two touchdowns, but fellow wide receiver Willie Sneed gave Oakland fits also, burning the Raiders for 172 yards on nine catches and one touchdown.

Defensive coordinator Ken Norton and the defense are going to face another high passing attack in the Falcons, led by quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receiver Julio Jones and Mohammed Sanu. Atlanta’s passing offense can feast on a Raiders’ secondary if they miss assignments.

Atlanta is traveling to the West Coast after dropping their home opener last week to Tampa Bay, 31-24.

Ryan finished 27 of 39 for 334 yards and two touchdowns, while Sanu finished with five catches for 80 yards and a touchdown, and Jones hauled in four catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.

Jones has been dealing with an ankle injury and has been limited in practice for much of the week, but should be ready to go Sunday.

The six-year wide receiver from Alabama finished in 2015 tied with Pittsburgh wide receiver Antonio Brown for the league lead in receptions (136) and edged Brown for the league lead in receiving yards (1,871 to Brown’s 1,834) is still one of the premier wide receivers in the league even at less than 100%.

“I’ve played through things,” Jones said earlier in the week via CBS Sports. “It’s nothing that’s going to hold me back from going out there and producing or doing what I do.”

Atlanta’s running game has the potential to have a big day against Oakland, after just rushing for 52 yards Sunday against Tampa Bay, 10 by Ryan.

Starting running back Devonta Freeman (11 carries and 20 yards) and fellow running buddy Tevin Coleman (eight carries and 22 yards) are looking for bounce back games after facing a stingy Buccaneers defense that yielded  just three yards per carry to Atlanta.

Atlanta is looking to avoid an 0-2 hole after starting last season 6-1, before derailing to an 8-8 finish and missing the playoffs for the third straight season.

The Falcons defeated Oakland 23-20 in the last meeting between the two teams on Oct. 14, 2012 behind a Matt Bryant 55-yard field goal with one second left in the fourth quarter.

Starting off the season 2-0 for the Raiders would be a confidence booster for a team that hasn’t seen a 2-0 start since 2002, the year the team reached the Super Bowl.

Winning exudes confidence and with Carr, who finished with 3,987 yards passing and 32 touchdowns in 2015 already off to a promising start to 2016, the Raiders may have the makings of a special team.

 

San Francisco 49ers-Carolina Panthers preview: 1-0 49ers Get Their First Real Test in Carolina

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By: Joe Lami

AP file photo: Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton(1) makes a mad dash for it against the Denver Broncos linebacker DeMarcus Ware (94)  during the second half of Thursday Night Football on Sept 8th

After Monday night’s 28-0 shutout of the LA Rams, the 49ers’ will be flying to the East Coast on a high note. The defending NFC Champion, Carolina Panthers, will be their opponent. Carolina lost their opening week contest to the Broncos and will want some revenge for their home opener.

Cam Newton, of course, will be the player to look out for on the Panters. Although, he may still be battered up and bruised from what Denver’s front seven was able to do to him. Newton will be a great test for the 49ers’ defense, who played phenomenally against the Case Keenum and the Rams.

“We’re playing this week against league MVP, defending NFC champions. You know, they were in the Super Bowl last year for a reason. They’re a very good offense. So, it’ll be a big test for us defensively,” said Jim O’Neil, San Francisco’s defensive coordinator.

The secondary was batting down balls left and right against Keenum, but Newton will be a much tougher assignment with better receivers as well. The 49ers defense definitely will have it’s hands full against the Panthers looking for their first win.

On the offensive side of the ball, it will be no surprise that the run game will once again be leaned on. Carlos Hyde, who finished last week with 88 yards and two touchdowns is expected to be the workhorse once again. Carolina will also need to do a better job of spying Blaine Gabbert, who rushed for 43 yards and really opened up the read-option for Chip Kelly.

The surprise of last week was Jeremy Kerley, who came to San Francisco during a pre-season trade. While still learning the system, Kearley was a target early and often, catching seven of the eleven thrown his way for 61 yards. With his breakout performance, it’s going to be evident that Carolina will work on shutting him down. Another 49ers’ receiver will have to make up for it, and it could be a good chance for Torrey Smith to breakout for the first time this season.

While the 49ers’ record reads 1-0, Sunday’s matchup will show us all where the really are by going up against the top-class in the NFC.

Oakland Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon: Irvin and Mack want to notch up the sack total in Atlanta this Sunday

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AP file photo: Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates with Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) after the Raiders win over the New Orleans Saints at in New Orleans last Sunday

On the Raiders podcast with Joe, the Raiders linebacker Bruce Irvin who had the only sack for Oakland last Sunday in New Orleans called into question his concerns about how the Raiders are going to deal with the pass rush. Irvin’s concern was also shared by defensive end Khalil Mack who said they needed some help at getting to the quarterback. Mack and Irvin say it’ll be crucial to get to their next opponents quarterback Atlanta Falcons Matt Ryan as the Raiders set out to play in Atlanta this coming Sunday.

The Saints executed using their offensive weapons to stop Irvin and Mack in their own right to protect quarterback Drew Brees. Irvin and Mack got a dose of blocks from rushing by the Saints tight ends, running backs, and even wide receivers. So reflecting on Irvin’s only sack for the Raiders in the very first minute of the game he said the Saints keyed in on him all day and couldn’t even get a hand on Brees after that very first minute.

Joe takes a look at the Raiders every week on the Oakland Raiders podcast each week. Also catch Jeremy Kahn for complete game day coverage of the Raiders at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: The rare accomplishment of a shutout in the NFL; plus a look at trip to Carolina

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AP file photo: San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) who scored twice on Monday night gets tackled by the Los Angeles Rams at Levis Stadium

On the 49ers podcast with Dave, Anytime you get a shutout which is the first the 49ers had been able to accomplish in Monday’s 28-0 blanking of the Los Angeles Rams in their long history on opening day. Any shutout whether it’s opening day or the last day of the season it’s surprising as shutouts are really difficult in the NFL. Even more difficult with 49ers defense and it wasn’t just that they got a shutout the Rams didn’t even have anything thrown in the end zone

The Rams had a missed field goal and they didn’t even make a field goal attempt. The Niners defense kept the Rams out of he red zone and any part of the field that would have led to a score. It was a very impressive performance and it’s always a surprise when an NFL team left alone the 49ers get the shutout it’s really tough to do. You don’t see it too often only a handful of times so for the 49ers to pull that off it’s great for them.

David Zizmor does the 49ers podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s Podcast, News and Commentary: Orioles Adam Jones says in baseball he or anyone can’t protest the anthem like in football

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AP photo: Baltimore Orioles Adam Jones signs autographs for fans before playing the Detroit Tigers last Friday night at Comerica Park

On That’s Amaury’s Podcast, unlike in Major League Baseball the NFL has the most African American players out there and the Baltimore Orioles Adam Jones had his right whatever he wants to do it’s his right as an American. I said in previous editorials and it’s my point of view you can demonstrate in this country and you could disagree. Some people say it’s going to rain today and some people say it’s going to be sunny.

You can disagree on anything but there are two things in this country we should respect the national anthem and the flag. If we cannot respect those things then were in bad shape. Because we have all the rights in the world. These athletes they have the podium, they have the fame and they have a news conference and they say their taking up this cause for this and that. Jones has his right to express his feelings.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the TV talent for the Angels, the Radio talent for the A’s Spanish broadcasts and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

O’Neil schemed defense outshines Chip Kelly’s offense in season-opening shutout of the Rams

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By Morris Phillips

SANTA CLARA–Los Angeles’ professional football renaissance–23 years in the making–will have to wait one more week.  The 49ers saw to that.

A stifling defense effort, packed with strategical wrinkles courtesy of new defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil, kept quarterback Case Keenum and dynamic running threat Todd Gurley under wraps for 60 minutes in the 49ers 28-0 victory.

The Rams, bereft of points, had to settle for first downs instead, managing just 10 of those on the night.  Keenum failed to keep his offense on the field, throwing for just 130 yards and converting 3 of 15 third down opportunities.  Forced to beat the 49ers through the air with Gurley (17 carries, 47 yards) bottled up, Keenum failed miserably. Afterwards, the veteran quarterback tabbed by coach Jeff Fisher over Sean Mannion and No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff, credited the 49ers and their crafty looks.

“Especially on third down, a lot of looks we hadn’t seen before,” Keenum said.

Maybe the most effective of those looks schemed by O’Neil had safety Eric Reid crashing the line of scrimmage in search of Gurley and others. While credited with only three tackles, Reid was a focal point, along with linebacker NaVorro Bowman, for a defense that swarmed to the ball and was rarely caught out of position.

“He is physical and he is fast,” O’Neil said of Reid.  “He did a good job of timing it up. We tell our guys that we are only going to blitz the guys that are going to win.  Eric is a guy that can go win.”

While Reid starred along with Bowman, the San Francisco defensive line with emerging stars  Arik Armstead and Quinton Dial did the dirty work, staying in their lanes to combat Gurley, and getting enough penetration to bother Keenum. Armstead was declared a guy to watch early on in training camp, but rarely played in the pre-season because of a shoulder injury.  On Monday, O’Neil deployed his 6’7″ disrupter sparingly, but effectively.

“We had a game plan for how to use me in the game,” Armstead said.  “I  played a lot of passing situations and I rotated in there on first and second downs, too.”

Dial played directly in front of Bowman and kept him “clean” as radio color man Tim Ryan described.  But Dial did even more, deftly splitting double-teaming linemen in run situations.  First round draft pick DeForest Buckner rotated with college teammate Armstead, giving the 49ers an edge in combating the Rams’ top offensive tackle Rodger Saffold.

“I think that’s a good thing about the players we have on our team.  We can give you different personnel and give you different looks.  Guys can play their positions well.  It’s definitely going to pay dividends for us in helping us disguise our looks for opposing quarterbacks,” safety Antoine Bethea said.

The shutout was the team’s first since 2012, and they protected it fiercely as the satisfied Levi’s Stadium crowd headed for the exits in the fourth quarter.  The Rams longest drive of the night–11 plays–brought them to the 49ers 24-yard line.  But with no interest in a face-saving field goal attempt, Keenum was flushed and scrambled unsuccessfully on 4th-and-10 with 2:41 remaining.

For O’Neil, it had to be a redemptive moment.  Picked after several higher profile coordinators rejected the 49ers, the former Browns OC accepted the unenviable task of working opposite Kelly’s high octane offense that frequently leaves its defense fatigued from too many stints on the field.  But on Monday, the mix was just right as Kelly was politely upstaged in his debut.

On Sunday, the 49ers travel to Carolina with, for now, the NFL’s top-ranked defense for a more telling meeting with Cam Newton and the reigning NFC champion Panthers.

 

 

Del Rio’s gamble gives Raiders win

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By Jeremy Kahn

AP photo: Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) shouts from the mountain tops after scoring a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints Sunday at the Superdome

Jack Del Rio went for it all in the first game of the season, and his gamble succeeded and on the road no less.

Derek Carr found Seth Roberts from 10 yards out with 47 seconds remaining in the game to bring the Oakland Raiders within one, and instead of sending Sebastian Janikowski for tie, Del Rio went for two and the lead. Del Rio’s hunch was right, as Carr found Michael Crabtree in the end zone and the Raiders defeated the New Orleans Saints 35-34 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

The Raiders trailed the Saints by as many as 14 points in the second half and saw Drew Brees shred their defense for 424 yards and four touchdowns.

Brees drove the Saints down the field to give rookie Wil Lutz a chance to win the game from 61 yards out.

Lutz’s chance at giving the Saints a thrilling victory, but his kick went just wide left to give the Raiders a one-point victory.

Jalen Richard made a great impression in his NFL debut, as on his first ever carry in the NFL, Richard took the handoff from Carr and broke thru the defense for a 75-yard touchdown run to bring the Raiders within two. Carr then threw to Amari Cooper for the two-point conversion and the tie.

Following the touchdown and subsequent two-point conversion, Brees found Willie Snead for a 57-yard completion and Snead fumbled the ball; however Michael Thomas recovered the ball and advanced to the Raiders two-yard line. Brees then found Travaris Cadet from two yards out to give the Saints a seven-point lead.

It looked like the Saints were going to escape with a victory, but Craig Robertson was flagged for pass interference on fourth down giving the Raiders new life.

The 424 yards passing by Brees gave him 14 career 400 yard games, tying Peyton Manning for the most in NFL history.

Brees set a team record that stood for nearly 17 years, as he found Brandin Cooks for a 98-yard touchdown pass. The touchdown pass broke a record that stood since October 10, 1999, when Bobby Hebert found Eddie Kennison from 90 yards out.

Carr threw for 319 yards and one touchdown, while the Raiders gained 167 yards rushing against the defense coached by former Raiders head coach Dennis Allen, who was the coach of the Raiders when Carr was drafted out of Fresno State in the 2014 Draft.

Asides from Richard’s 75-yard touchdown run, the Raiders also got touchdown runs from Latavius Murray from six yards out, then Jamize Olawale from two yards out.

Raiders’ Instant Report Card: Carr delivers for Oakland in stunning win over Saints

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By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Radio Service Writer

AP photo: New Orleans Saints kicker Will Lutz (3) gets sympathy from holder Thomas Morestead after missing a 61 yard field goal attempt which would have won it for the Saints as the Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Darius Latham (75) and strong safety TJ Carrie (38) celebrate a one point victory on Sunday at the Superdome in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS, La — The Raiders, who many have picked to be one of the more dominate teams heading into the 2016 season, proved that the hype around the team is real by pulling out a thrilling, 35-34 road win against the Saints in both team’s season opener.

New Orleans’ rookie kicker Will Lutz missed a 61-yard field goal wide left as time expired.

Checkout each unit’s grade from Oakland’s (1-0) big win in New Orleans Sunday below:

Quarterback (A) – Raiders’ quarterback Derek Carr continues to grow as an NFL quarterback, leading Oakland back from a two-touchdown deficit in the second half. Carr completed 24-of-38 passes for 319 yards and one touchdown, a 10-yard dart to slot receiver Seth Roberts with 47 seconds left in the game that pulled Oakland within an point of New Orleans, 34-33.

You’d expect the Raiders to kick the extra point and force overtime, right?

Nope.

Carr looked to the sideline and both he and head coach Jack Del Rio agreed to roll the dice and go for two, which Carr found wide receiver Michael Crabtree for the go-ahead conversion.

At one point, Oakland’s offense stalled going scoreless on six offensive drives.

Running Back (B+) – Latavius Murray scored Oakland’s first touchdown of the season, a 6-yard run that gave Oakland a 10-3 lead in the first quarter. Murray finished the game with 14 carries for 59 yards and one touchdown, but Jalen Richard was the story for me.

Richard, the rookie from Southern Miss. and Louisiana native, only had three carries, but it was the 75-yard run up the middle of the soft Saints’ defense while eluding would-be tacklers in the fourth quarter with Oakland trailing 27-19 was what ignited the Raider comeback.

It was Richard’s first-career touchdown run.

Richard finished with 84 yards and a touchdown, while fellow rookie DeAndre Washington carried the ball five times for 14 yards.

Offensive line (B) – The key for Oakland’s offensive line was to protect their signal-caller and establish the run and stay healthy.

They were 50/50.

Even though Carr wasn’t sacked and Oakland’s ground game racked up 167 yards, the Raiders lost two offensive linemen when Menelik Watson (groin) and Matt McCants (knee) left the game.

Oakland’s offensive line is regarded as one of the best as a group coming into this season because of its depth, was tested Sunday.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends (A-) Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree combined for 225 receiving yards and 13 receptions (on 20 targets).

Cooper (6 catches, 137 yards, 11 targets), had no trouble getting open hauling passes of 34, 43, and 45 yards through a suspect Saints’ secondary.

Crabtree overcame a slow start (1 catch for 8 yards in the first half), to finish with seven catches for 87 yards on eight targets.

Clive Wafford caught three passes for 25 yards on five targets to lead the tight ends.

Defensive line/front seven (C+) – Bruce Irvin’s strip-sack (fumble recovered by rookie defensive tackle Jihad Ward)  on Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees on New Orleans’ first drive of the game was one of the lone bright spots for a unit that hadn’t done a much in the game.

Khalil Mack was relatively unheard of for the game, as he fought through countless chip blocks and double teams.

Linebackers Ben Heeney and Malcolm Smith combined for seven tackles (six assisted).

Secondary (D) – Brees and the Saints passing attack carved up Oakland’s revamped secondary for 423 yards passing and four touchdowns on 28-of-42 passing. Brees tied Peyton Manning for the most 400-yard passing games in NFL with 14.

Oakland’s high-priced cornerback tandem of Sean Smith and David Amerson were abused by New Orleans wide receivers Willie Snead (9 catches, 172 yards, 1 TD, 9 targets), and Brandin Cooks (6 catches, 143 yards, 1 TD, 9 targets).

With Oakland trailing 17-10 midway through the third quarter, Cooks ran right by Smith, who was playing man-to-man, and free safety Reggie Nelson, for a 98-yard touchdown catch that gave New Orleans a 24-10 lead. The scoring play established a new franchise record for the longest score for the Saints, and it was also the longest play in Brees’ career.

After that play, Smith was benched for the remainder of the game and was replaced by former first rounder, D.J. Hayden.

Overall, the defense gave up 507 totals yards to the Saints.

Special Teams (B+) – Kicker Sebastian Janikowski converted both of his field goals (31 and 47-yarders), while punter Marquette King booted four punts (42.0 yard average).

Up next: Oakland returns home to prepare for their own opener when the visiting Atlanta Falcons travel to the Bay Area next Sunday.

 

 

 

 

 

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Lami: After Rams on Monday night schedule gets tougher for Niners

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AP file photo: San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly shows the team how to sling a football in camp on July 31st photo as he and the Niners gets set to meet the Los Angeles Rams for the first time since 1994 the Rams play as a team from L.A.

On the podcast with Joe, the Los Angeles Rams who open the season with the San Francisco 49ers are two point favorites which is a little bit unusual for a home opener for a team whose been struggling but it kind of shows where people think the Niners are this season. The 49ers schedule does not get any easier after Monday Night’s opener.

After the Rams they have the Carolina Panthers defending NFC Champs, the Seattle Seahawks, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Dallas Cowboys. This is pretty much a must win game for the 49ers on Monday night for the 49ers if they don’t want their season to go to hell right off the bat.

Join Joe for all the latest on the 49ers podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com