Category: NFL

Must Win Game for 49ers Opener

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by Joe Lami

AP file photo: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert tunes up in San Diego pre game photo on Thu Sep 1. Gabbert gets the starting call Monday night against the Los Angeles Rams

SANTA CLARA–The regular season is upon us and for the first time since 1994, the Los Angeles Rams will travel to the Bay Area to take on the 49ers. Is it also a coincidence that 1994 was the last season the 49ers won the Super Bowl? Yes, yes it is.

After a 2-2 preseason, Blaine Gabbert’s 49ers will finally be able to show us what they can do. They get this opportunity on the grandest stage of Monday Night Football against LA, who finished 7-9 last season in St. Louis.

LA has decided to go with Case Keenum to start as their Quarterback, after taking former California star Jared Goff with the first overall pick. However, it isn’t the passing attack of the Rams that the 49ers should be worried about, it’s reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, running back Todd Gurley that will be carrying most of the weight for the Rams.

The front seven of the 49ers will have a lot of their plate trying to slow down Gurley, who is a pre-season favorite to be the top running back in the league for the 2016 season.

On the offensive side of the ball, the 49ers have a solid running back of their own in Carlos Hyde, who suffered a concussion in the third preseason game against Green Bay, but he is expected to be ready for Monday Night. “Teams are going to play to their strengths no matter what you have. You have two outstanding backs in Gurley and Hyde, but it’s not exclusive. You still have to defend everything, but obviously, we know we’re going to get a steady dose of Todd,” said 49ers coach Chip Kelly.

The passing attack for the Niners is something to worry about. It starts with questioning if Gabbert is an NFL starter and trickles down the arguably one of the worst receiving cores in the league. Expect Vance McDonald and other tight ends to get most of the targets from Gabbert on the season as he loves his tight ends.

There is a huge difference between this year’s 49ers and last year’s, and that’s Kelly, who is trying to recharge this offense. We saw flashes of brilliance in the pre-season from the up-tempo attack. However, the downside was inconsistency. The offense was either able to march right down the field and score or go on a quick three-and-out.

There wasn’t too much in between, making you realize that if this offense can get a drive going, they are going to be hard to stop. But, if they can’t, the defense will be in for a long day.

Monday’s game for San Francisco feels like a much win when you look down the schedule and see a hellish first month of football for the Niners. As they travel to Carolina and Seattle and host Dallas and Arizona all within the next month. If they can’t take care of the Rams in the opener, it won’t be difficult for a 0-5 start and for the season to be over before it even started.

Raiders kickoff the season in the Big Easy

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By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Radio Service Writer

AP file photo: You might see a lot of this more often Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) jumping for joy in this Aug 27th photo against the Tennessee Titans as they open up in New Orleans on Sunday

OAKLAND, Calif — With the preseason in the rear view window, the 2016 regular season begins for real for the Oakland Raiders as they open up on the road in New Orleans against the Saints in Week 1 action.

Kickoff is at 10:00 a.m. PT at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome where the Raiders are a 3-point favorite to notch their first win of what people are predicting will be a great year for the Silver & Black. The game can be seen locally on KTVU/FOX Channel 2, making breakfast and football a perfect match.

Sunday’s game will mark the first time Oakland has opened up against an NFC opponent on the road since 1999, where Oakland traveled to Green Bay to start that season.

This will also mark the first time that Oakland and New Orleans face each other in the regular season opener.

With the Raiders hosting the Atlanta Falcons next week in Oakland’s home opener, it will also mark the first time since 1999 that Oakland (who played the Packers and Vikings), will begin the season facing two NFC opponents in back-to-back weeks.

Quarterback Derek Carr leads a promising Raiders’ offense headlined by wide receivers Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper. In four preseason games, Crabtree and Cooper combined for 10 catches for 162 yards and a touchdown.

Crabtree and Cooper are primed to have huge seasons for Oakland, which is looking to end the team’s playoff drought, dating back to 2002, the team’s last playoff appearance.

Oakland is hoping with the additions of rookie running backs DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard added to the backfield with starter Latavius Murray can make the offense more diverse. Oakland was a pass-first, run-second team last season, even though Murray was one of only seven running backs in 2015 to rush for 1,000 yards (1,066 rushing yards to be exact).

Defensively, Oakland had trouble stopping the run in the preseason.The Raiders were getting gashed by beefy running backs like Green Bay’s Eddie Lacy, and Tennessee’s duo of DeMarco Murray and rookie Derrick Henry.

Oakland will be without defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr. for at least the first eight weeks of the season due to a hip injury. Edwards Jr., along with defensive tackles Dan Williams and Justin “Jelly” Ellis are so critical to the Raiders’ run defense.

New Orleans features former Heisman trophy winner Mark Ingram, Tim Hightower, and C.J. Spiller in the back field and each can run the ball well between the tackles, a weakness for Oakland.

The Raiders’ rebuilt secondary could be in for a long day when it faces one of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL in Drew Brees.

Brees, who enters his 16th year in the NFL, is coming off a season where he threw for a league-leading 4,870 yards in 2015. It was the seventh time in Brees’ career that he threw for over 4,500 yards in a season.

The future Hall of Fame quarterback continues to get better with time and still plays at a high level at age 38, as evident of the new deal he signed on Wednesday.

Details of Brees’ new deal, provided by Spotrac, Brees will pocket roughly $44 million in guaranteed money over the next two seasons, with $20 million coming in 2016 and only $17.25 million going towards the salary cap.

The deal will almost certain guarantee that Brees finishes his career in New Orleans, the franchise he led to a Super Bowl title in 2009.

Wide receiver Brandin Cooks leads a dangerous Saints’ passing attack. The third-year wide receiver from Oregon State, recorded his first career 1,000-yard receiving season finishing with 84 catches, 1,138 yards, and nine touchdowns, which Cooks led the team in all categories in 2015.

One Saints player to really keep an eye on is second-year wide receiver Willie Snead, who burst on to the scene last season for New Orleans recording 69 catches for 984 yards and three touchdowns.

Former Raiders head coach Dennis Allen enters his first full season as the Saints’ defensive coordinator. Allen, who has seven total seasons on New Orleans’ defensive staff, looks to improve a defense that ranked 31st last season in rushing yards per game allowed (129.8), passing yards per game allowed (284.0) and total yards per game allowed (413.8).

With the additions of veterans in defensive tackle Nick Fairley, linebacker James Laurinaitis, and defensive end Paul Kruger, to go along with mainstay in defensive end Cameron Jordan, the Saints are hoping to provide more pressure to the quarterback this season.

With both teams having suspect defenses heading into the match up, this game could be an offensive barrage by both teams and could come down to which team has the better, more confident quarterback in the fourth quarter.

Will it be Brees, who is one of the most accurate quarterbacks in NFL history and holds a 8-2 career record (19 touchdowns and four interceptions) against Oakland?

Or will it be Carr, who is 4-12 on the road in his young career, but has thrown 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions in those games?

Sunday is almost here.

Oakland Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon: Taiwan Jones fired up and ready to go for opener on Sunday in New Orleans

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AP photo: Oakland Raiders running back Taiwan Jones sprints in the second Raiders pre season game against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday August 18th at Lambeau Field

On the Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon, special kicking teams and back up running back Taiwan Jones wasn’t going to risk injury. Head coach Jack Del Rio sat Jones since the second game of  pre season but Jones worked hard in practice. Del Rio wanted to save Jones for the regular season and wanted to see what the younger players can do as the Raiders now get ready for opening day in New Orleans on Sunday at the Superdome.

Jones stated that he knows he’s good enough and smart enough to stay in the wings until called up for the season opener and has the experience to help first string running back Latavius Murray “I feel good, I am excited in the pre season they have to give the young cats a chance to see what they can bring to the table. I have definitely proven myself, to the point where (Del Rio) can put me on the shelf.” said Jones

 

 

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Will Kaepernick’s Star Spangled sit down and Miller’s double assault arrest be a huge distraction for the 49ers on Monday night?

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AP photo: Ex-San Francisco 49ers linebacker Bruce Miller’s booking shot at San Francisco Police Department. Miller was arrested early Sunday morning and booked on Monday for double assault charges

On the 49ers podcast with David, with all that’s happened on the 49ers leading up to opening night this Monday how much attention will be on quarterback Colin Kaepernick when he takes a knee on Monday Night Football against the Los Angeles Rams in Santa Clara. Also with the most recent incident regarding 49ers linebacker Bruce Miller’s double assault arrest. The team no doubt leading up to Monday’s game will be under a microscope and the question is will all of this be a distraction for the 49ers starting the season?

The 49ers Blaine Gabbert gets the call as starter and is going over the playbook with head coach Chip Kelly in preparation of the starting role. The 49ers putting in a lot of confidence in Gabbert as starter to carry the club in the NFC West. It’ll take some doing as the 49ers coming off last season’s tough go want some progress under Kelly’s leadership.

 

 

 

That’s Amaury’s Podcast, News and Commentary: Angels Shoemaker back home after comebacker to the head; 49ers Miller could plead insanity CTE related issues

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AP file photo: Los Angeles Angels pitcher Matt Shoemaker collapses after taking a line drive in the head hit by the Seattle Mariners Kyle Seager at Safeco Field in Seattle on Sunday

On That’s Amaury’s Podcast there’s been discussion amongst ranks in MLB regarding protection for the pitcher from come backers as a number of big league pitchers have been hit in the head from line drives the most recent being the Los Angeles Angels pitcher Matt Shoemaker who was hit by a come backer on Sunday. Shoemaker had to have emergency brain surgery after getting hit from a Seattle Mariners Kyle Seager come backer. Dr. Manuel Ferreria performed the surgery at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The Angels said Shoemaker will return home on Thursday to recover.

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Bruce Miller will be arraigned at the San Francisco Hall of Justice regarding his double assault charges stemming from hitting and fracturing the face of a 70 year man and also punching his 28 year son when he insisted that the father was occupying his room. There was talk that Miller could use the CTE excuse and said after a number of hits to the head in the NFL it caused him to lose his rational. That defense might not work as the man and his son said that Miller was drunk during the early Sunday morning attack.

There’s more on That’s Amaury’s Podcast, News and Commentary catch Amaury on the podcast here at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers report: Video still shows a bloody Miller at Marriott Fisherman’s Wharf lobby hallway

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by David Zizmor

larrybrownsports.com video still: A video still from a Marriott Fisherman’s Wharf camera shows San Francisco 49ers tight end Bruce Miller bloodied and walking down the hotel hallway after his assault on two hotel guests. From the video Miller also received some of the worst of it as well.

SANTA CLARA–The whole scenario regarding the recent arrest over the weekend of San Francisco 49ers tight end Bruce Miller after two guests at the San Francisco Marriott Fisherman’s Wharf said Miller assaulted them after they told Miller had the wrong room after knocking on their door at 2:45 AM early Sunday morning. Miller had tried to rent a room at the Marriott on Saturday night but the hotel was sold out. Miller returned at 2:45 AM reportedly intoxicated when a 28 year old guest heard knocking on his father’s door the son was a guest in the next room.

When Miller tried to enter the room of an elderly couple the son tried to explain to Miller that he had the wrong room that’s when Miller attacked the son and the 70 year old father tried to assist the son but was punched in the face so badly that he had fractures in his face. Both son and the father ended up going to the hospital. Judging from the photo of Miller walking down the hallway from a video camera at the hotel he apparently got a little roughed up on his end of that fight he was bloodied in forehead and face and looked a little shaken up.

According to San Francisco Sheriff’s records Miller was arrested at 11:25 AM on Monday morning and taken to San Francisco County Jail he is being held on $178,000 bail he was booked for possession of a deadly weapon (not a firearm), two counts of criminal threats, battery and elder abuse. What Miller was doing in San Francisco on a Saturday night trying to rent a room at the Marriott was not clear the 49ers play their next home game at Levis Stadium in Santa Clara on Monday September 12th hosting the Los Angeles Rams.

Miller has a prior from Santa Clara in March 2015 for spousal abuse, Miller had thrown the cell phone of his fiancé and smashing the phone  and shoved her. Miller plead no contest and was charged with a misdemeanor assault and had to attend 16 weeks of anti-domestic counseling. Miller was observed by the Marriott front desk staff bloodied, bleeding and vomiting when walking by the lobby. The front desk had put in a 911 call at that time. Judging from the video still that Miller was bloody in the head and face area he might have been having concussion like symptoms from the father and son fighting him off causing the vomiting.

Miller had come to the 49ers as a fullback from college and was valuable part of the three NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl in his first three years at the Niners over span of five years and 77 games Miller has 62 carries and 76 catches for 734 yards. It was speculated that Miller if he’s suffering from CTE could have his rational called into question due to the amount of hits a player takes in the NFL and while intoxicated it triggered him to believe he had a room at the Marriott and the guests were in his room. The 49ers released Miller from the team and a team statement read, “The San Francisco 49ers organization is aware of the media report regarding Bruce Miller. We are gathering all the relevant facts and will continue to monitor this situation.”

David Zizmor does the weekly podcasts covering the San Francisco 49ers at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Lami: Gabbert gets the call for opener; Kaepernick to back up Gabbert for now

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AP photo: San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick left and Blaine Gabbert right go over the plays during their game against the Green Bay Packers on Aug 26th at Levis Stadium

On the 49ers podcast with Joe, after much speculation quarterback Colin Kaepernick will be backing up opening night starter Blaine Gabbert. Kaepernick plans to donate $1 million toward charity that benefits victims of oppression by law enforcement officials particularly those who were shot while unarmed.

Meanwhile the 49ers will start Blaine Gabbert as the starting quarterback for the season opener on Mon Sep 12th vs. the Los Angeles Rams at Levis Stadium. Amongst the receivers to look for Torrey Smith, Aaron Burbridge, Clinton Patton, and Rod Streater. At running back the 49ers will have Carlos Hyde and Shaun Draughn and Joe will put it all together for you on the 49ers podcast.

Joe Lami does the 49ers podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Categories NFL

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Lami: Kap says he won’t stop Star Spangle sit downs Santa Clara Cops will vote with union on walk out

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AP photo: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick will be backing up starter Blaine Gabbert on Sept 12th at Levis Stadium and said he’ll be in down position for the anthem for opening night

On the 49ers podcast quarterback Colin Kaepernick has made it clear that he will not stop sitting down during the national anthem. Keapernick made it clear when addressing the media in San Diego after last Thursday’s exhibition game. Kaepernick also reiterated that he will follow through in spite of the proposal by the Santa Clara law enforcement community that they would walk out of working the 49ers home opener on Monday September 12th if Kaepernick does not apologize for his Star Spangle sit downs and retrack what he has said about police brutality.

This will turn out to be a stalemate, Kaepernick will take a seat or a knee on the 12th and not apologize for protesting the mistreatment of minorities by law enforcement and law enforcement in the South Bay could very well walk out per their union from covering the 49ers home game on the 12th and going forward.

Also catch Joe’s discussion tonight on who’s staying and whose going on the 49ers roster.

 

 

That’s Amaury’s Podcast, News and Commentary: Amaury humbled by selection to American Sportscasters Association

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snipeview.com: Amaury Pi Gonzalez center joined by his broadcast partners from the Oakland A’s Manolo Hernandez( left) and from the Los Angeles Angels TV Jose Mota (right)

On That’s Amaury’s podcast, Amaury is humbled by being selected for the American Sportscaster’s Association. San Francisco Giants broadcaster Jon Miller is vice president of the Association there are lot of heavy hitters Hall of Famers involved on the ASA advisory board, Bob Costas, Jim Nance, Dick Enberg, Jaime Jareem, also Fela Ramirez. Amaury said it was an honor for him to be named to such a postion with the ASA.

There’s a great group of guys who work in our industry and Amaury’s been a member of the Association a long time and some of the other guys like Jareem with the Los Angeles Dodgers who’ve been broadcasting for a long time and the Miami Marlins Fela Ramirez. Amaury said upon learning of the honor “I was humbled and very glad to be part of that great group out of New York.”

Also on That’s Amaury’s podcast: Will the Colin Kaepernick’s Star Spangled Sit Down take a life of it’s own, the Seattle Seahawks corner Jeremy Lane sat down for the anthem on Thursday night at the Oakland Coliseum in support of Kaepernick “I wasn’t trying to say anything, just standing behind Kaepernick” Lane who has never met Kaepernick respects his motives “No relationship I just like what he’s doing I just sat down showing support for Kaepernick” said Lane.

Los Angeles Angel Mike Trout is okay after his accident Trout driving on the 55 after Wednesday’s game and tried to avoid an accident that was ahead of him and diverted from his lane and hit the car driven by a young woman which caused her to get rescued from the jaws of life Trout was not injured. Trout was one of four vehicles trying to avoid hitting an original accident ahead of him.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish TV talent for the Angels, the Spanish radio talent for the A’s, newest member on the American Sportscaster’s Association advisory board and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland Raiders Thursday game wrap: Preseason ends with tough loss for Raiders; Seahawks with 23-21 win

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By Jeremy Kahn

AP photo: Quarterback Matt McGloin calls the signals for the Oakland Raiders offensive line at the Oakland Coliseum against the Seattle Seahawks in the final pre season game on Thursday night

OAKLAND- After seeing barely any scoring thru the first three quarters, the fourth quarter saw the scoreboard light up like a Christmas tree.

Both the Oakland Raiders and the Seattle Seahawks scored a combined 36 points in that final quarter, but in the end, it was the Seahawks who took the preseason finale by the final score of 23-21 over the Raiders before an announced crowd of 53,473 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

Derek Carr sat out the preseason finale, as he gets ready to be under center when the Raiders open the season against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 11.

Carr was one of 28 Raiders who did not see the field in the preseason finale, where the Raiders ended with a record of 1-3.

Matt McGloin played the first quarter, as he went 4-for-6 for 37 yards passing and carried the ball one time for 13 yards before giving way to rookie Connor Cook to begin the second quarter.

Cook went 15-for-30 for 145 yards and an interception.

Russell Wilson played the first series for the Seahawks, and threw just three passes, completing one for 23 yards to Luke Willson.

Boykin played the second quarter and fourth quarter, and went 7-for-15 for 72 yards. Boykin also carried the ball six times for 22 yards.

The Raiders got on the board in the second quarter, as Trevone Boykin threw an incomplete pass from the end zone with no one in the vicinity for a safety.

Sebastian Janikowski extended the Raiders lead up to 5-0 in the third quarter, as he kicked a 27-yard field goal.

On the Seahawks ensuing possession, Steven Hauschka kicked a 39-yard to narrow the Raiders lead down to just three.

The Seahawks received great field position that setup Hauschka’s field goal, as Janikowski’s kickoff was returned 60 yards by Troymaine Pope.

On the Raiders first possession of the fourth quarter, Janikowski extended the Raiders up to 8-3, as he kicked a 45-yard field goal.

George Atkinson III fumbled the ball on the Raiders next possession, and it was recovered by the Seahawks Kache Palacio.

Boykin then fumbled the ball, and it was recovered by Derrick Lott, but it would not be the Raiders ball for long.

On the first play after the Lott fumble recovery, Cook threw an interception that Ryan Robinson returned 42 yards to the end zone to give the Seahawks their first lead of the game with 10:29 remaining in the game.

After the Raiders were unable to move the ball on a sufficient drive to retake the lead, Marquette King was forced to punt the ball and the Seahawks took advantage of the King punt.

Boykin drove the Seahawks into the red zone for the first time on the evening, and it culminated, as Pope scored from five yards out to extend the Seahawks lead.

Atkinson III made up for his earlier fumble, as he scored from one yard out to cut the Seahawks lead down to just two with 2:17 remaining. Unfortunately, on the two-point conversion attempt, Cook was stopped short of the end zone.

The Seahawks got the ball back after the Janikowski onside kick was recovered by E.Z. Nwachukwu at the Raiders 48-yard line.

Alex Collins scored from one-yard out to give the Seahawks what looked like an insurmountable nine-point lead, but this is the NFL and nothing is safe.

Atkinson III returned the Hauschka kickoff 81 yards for a touchdown and with the Janikowski kick, the Raiders narrowed the lead down to just two; however the Seahawks recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock after two kneel downs.

Austin Howard was forced to leave the game after rolling his ankle, but according to head coach Jack Del Rio, there were no injuries to report.

Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane joined Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers by not standing for the National Anthem prior to the start of the game.

“I wasn’t trying to say anything, just standing behind (Colin) Kaepernick,” said Lane.

On whether the fact that he may receive some criticism over sitting, Lane said, “Yeah I am prepared for it, I don’t mean any disrespect to anybody. But I’m standing behind what I believe in.”

Kaepernick sat during the playing of the National Anthem against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium, as did teammate Eric Reid.

DID NOT PLAY LIST:
Carr, Michael Crabtree, Nate Allen, Sean Smith, Taiwan Jones, D.J. Hayden, Reggie Nelson, Latavius Murray, David Amerson, Marcel Reece, Jamize Olawale, Ben Heeney, Bruce Irvin, Khalil Mack, Malcolm Smith, Neiron Ball, Rodney Hudson, Gabe Jackson, Kelechi Osemele, Menelik Watson, Donald Penn, Jon Feliciano, Justin Ellis, Lee Smith, Clive Walford, Amari Cooper, Dan Williams and Mario Edwards, Jr.