Category: Oakland Raiders

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Barry Zito’s last game in the Major Leagues

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By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

photo credit google images Barry Zito A’s pitcher

ANAHEIM–September 30,2015. This is the day Barry Zito came to the mound, for what was probably his very last start, as a 37 year old left hander facing the Los Angeles Angels .As the game began the Angels had won 7 games in a row and were the hottest team in baseball, during the home-stretch last week of the season.

Zito did well. He went four innings, gave up four hits and two runs, both via Homerun, in the third Mike Trout’s #41 and in the fourth David Freese #14. In his previous start only went a couple of innings against his ex-team, the Giants,as he faced his old teammate with the A’s Tim Hudson,(who also came to the mound and lasted a cup of coffee) but today Zito doubled his previous start work as he completed four frames.

The Athletics beat the Angels 8-7, stopping the seven game winning streak by Angels manager Mike Scioscia’s team, who as of today with four games left at Texas to end the season could still be in the division or make it as a wild card. Barry Zito did not get a decision but his farewell was very good. After the game, he said he was “content”with his outing.

He once had a seven year deal with the San Francisco Giants, worth $126 million dollars. Today, it is considered one of the worst contracts ever in Major League Baseball. Well, not bad for him, but bad for the team. So bad that in 2010 when the Giants won their second of three World Series during the last five years, he was left out of the postseason; but he showed a lot of class, saying then he didn’t deserved to be on the roster, because he didn’t pitched well.

Barry Zito sat 2014. In 2015 got a contract with the Athletics and pitched at AAA Nashville, came up in September, with so many injuries on the A’s pitching staff and got a shot to pitch at Oakland Coliseum against the other team he pitched for during his career.

Barry Zito’s best season was in 2002(the year the Athletics won 20 consecutive games, an American League record)with a 23-5 and 2.75 ERA and won the Cy Young Award although he had some decent years with the A’s after that, nothing came close to that 2002 season. He pitched for the A’S from 2000 to 2006, then the Giants signed him for a 7-year contract from 2007 to 2013, he won 63 and lost 80 for the Giants, his best season for the Orange and Black was in 2012; 15-8 and a 4.15 ERA

He was controversial especially during his time with the Giants, because he never lived up to his expectations. In the end, I believe Barry Zito showed a lot of class and professionalism.

I called his last game on the mound.

I hope he enjoys his retirement.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio voice for the A’s, the Spanish TV voice for the Angels and does News and Commentary for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Raiders look to continue winning ways in Chicago Sunday

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By Joe Hawkes-Beamon

OAKLAND — Sitting at 2-1 and riding a two-game winning streak, the Raiders try to keep the winning vibes going as they head to the Windy City to take on the 0-3 Bears Sunday at 10:00 a.m. PT in a Week 4 match up. This will be the first encounter between the two teams since 2011, a 25-20 victory for the Silver & Black. Oakland hasn’t traveled to Chicago since 2003.

The Raiders’ offense was red-hot in last week’s 27-20 road victory over the Cleveland Browns.

Starting quarterback Derek Carr registered a passer rating of 115.9, completing 20-of-32 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns. For the season, Carr is in the top-10 in the league in passer rating (102.4), touchdown passes (five), and top-15 in passing yards (726).

Rookie wide receiver Amari Cooper recorded his second consecutive 100-yard receiving game, finishing with eight catches and 134 yards. According to ESPN Stats Info, Cooper’s 290 yards receiving are the third most by an NFL rookie through his first three games only behind Louis Lipps’ 337 receiving yards in 1984, and Anquan Boldin’s 378 receiving yards in 2003.

Running back Latavius Murray had a career day, racking up a career-high 139 rushing yards on 26 carries and one touchdown. Murray, the key to Oakland’s running game, was struggling coming into Week 3 versus Cleveland with just 109 rushing yards total.

As much as the offense was a huge factor for three quarters, it was the Raiders’ 32nd ranked defense that really was the difference. Oakland’s defense sacked Cleveland starting quarterback Josh McCown five times, twice by defensive end Khalil Mack. Mack also added a forced fumble.

Entering the game, Oakland didn’t have any sacks and just had two hits (both by linebacker Aldon Smith) on opposing quarterbacks. The former San Francisco 49er linebacker could be in for a big day against the Bears come Sunday.

People can’t forget the performance that Smith put on  as a 49er on Monday Night Football on Nov. 12, 2012 against the Bears, where he registered the most sacks (5.5) in a game on the iconic program according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Smith also added two fumbles. Chicago has a very shaky offensive line and has trouble with pass protection.

Linebacker Malcolm Smith led the team with eight tackles (seven solo), and a sack, but it was Charles Woodson’s interception in the final minute of the game that sealed the win for Oakland. With the interception, Woodson joins former Washington Hall of Fame cornerback Darrell Green to record an interception in 18 straight seasons according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Green played 19 seasons and the way Woodson stays in phenomenal shape (even though he’s playing through a dislocated shoulder), could tie Green for the all-time record next season should Woodson return.

Chicago is downright a dumpster fire right now.

Starting quarterback Jay Cutler (who Bears’ fans don’t want nothing to do with, but his massive contract says otherwise) is out with a hamstring injury and the team is leaning on back up quarterback Jimmy Clausen.

Clausen, the sixth-year pro from Norte Dame, completed just 9-of-17 passes for 63 yards with an interception in Chicago’s 26-0 loss in Seattle last Sunday.

Chicago just traded away defensive end Jared Allen to the Carolina Panthers because Allen wasn’t a fit in new head coach’s John Fox’s 3-4 defense, and linebacker Jon Bostic to the New England Patriots this week.

The Bears’ defense has a whole, has given up an average of 35 points per game, a far cry from the days when Chicago put out tough defenses year-in-and-year out.

The Bears’ wide receivers can’t stay off the training table, and running back Matt Forte’s prime years are being wasted wallowing behind a shaky offensive line that can’t protect the quarterback or open running lanes for the running backs.

With the Bears almost throwing up the white flag on the season with the recent moves and anemic football on the field, this is a game that Oakland should win. It’s a game that Oakland must win to further cement that the winds of change have blown through Oakland and the Raiders aren’t perennial bottom-feeders, especially with arch rival and the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos (3-0) heading into Oakland for a Week 5 showdown on Oct. 11.

Oakland can’t overlook the Bears with Denver on the horizon and must take care of business in Chicago by leaving with a win, or be left scuffling for answers with a loss.

The Raiders have had trouble covering tight ends over the middle of the field by giving up huge plays so far this season, and Bears’ tight end Martellus Bennett is one of the league’s  premier tight ends who can cause difficulties for the Raiders’ linebackers in pass coverage.

Bennett has just 13 catches for 118 yards and one touchdown this season after coming off a career-high 90 catches for 916 yards and six touchdown catches.

Oakland has given up four touchdown catches, while surrendering an average of 84 yards receiving per game to tight ends this season.

NFL Podcast with Tony Renteria: Will Vick be the Steelers answer for Big Ben; Brady can only dream of breaking Farve’s record; Raiders get ready in Chicago

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by Tony Renteria

photo credit google images of Michael Vick QB Steelers

On the podcast today, Michael Vick will replace injured starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who is out with injured knees. Can Vick bring back his old magic and keep things moving for the Steelers?

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has his records for passing yards and touchdowns but the one record that Brady covets the most is Brett Farve’s all time consecutive game record for a quarterback at 297. Brady has a long way to go with 110 consecutive games.

Ex-Florida governor and presidential hopeful Jeb Bush said he didn’t find the word “Redskin” offensive, that the team shouldn’t have to change it’s name, and that American tribes don’t find it offensive.

Join Tony for all these discussions and more on the podcast below today. Tony Renteria does the NFL podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Raiders wins 27-20 in Cleveland, improve to 2-1 behind Carr and the defense

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By Joe Hawkes-Beamon

CLEVELAND — Raiders starting quarterback Derek Carr completed 20-of-32 passes for 314 yards (his third 300-yard passing day for his career) and two touchdowns as Oakland dominated Cleveland for three quarters, before holding off a late Browns’ rally for a 27-20 victory Sunday in Cleveland. With the win, Oakland (2-1) picked up their first road win since Nov. 17, 2013 in Houston.

It was also Oakland’s first win in the Eastern time zone for the first time since 2009, snapping a 16-game losing streak (11-game road losing streak overall), and helping the Silver & Black establish a winning record for the first time since they were 7-6 late in the 2011 season.

Carr hooked up with wide receivers Andre Holmes and Seth Roberts for both of his touchdowns in the first half. Amari Cooper racked up 134 receiving yards on eight catches for his second career 100-yard receiving game.

Running back Latavius Murray, who was a forgotten man for the first two weeks of the season with just 109 rushing yards in the first two weeks, exploded for 139 rushing yards on 26 carries and a touchdown.

Oakland appeared to be heading to a resounding win, holding a 27-10 lead early in the fourth quarter before Cleveland scored 10 unanswered points following a Cooper fumble in Raiders’ territory that the Browns recovered at the Oakland 44-yard line. Cooper finished with two punt returns for nine yards.

After Oakland went three and out on their next drive, the Raiders got a gift from Cleveland after Travis Benjamin muffed a punt after calling for a fair catch. Oakland couldn’t take advantage of Cleveland’s misfortune and quickly went three-and-out.

Marquette King’s punt pinned the Browns at the Cleveland 2-yard line with 2:26 left to play, but Browns’ quarterback Josh McCown marched the Browns to the Oakland 29-yard line before safety Charles Woodson’s interception on McCown’s deep pass intended for Benjamin.

Oakland’s defense still had problems defending the tight end over the middle of the field, as evident of Cleveland’s tight end Gary Barnridge’s six catches for 106 yards and one touchdown, but did create havoc at times on McCown.

Defensive end Khalil Mack recorded two of Oakland’s four sacks in the game, while linebackers Ray-Ray Armstrong and Malcolm Smith each had a sack. Armstrong holds the distinction of collecting Oakland’s first sack on the season after taking down McCown in the second quarter.

Carr and the Raiders travel to Chicago to face the Bears next Sunday at Soldier Field.

Raiders face Cleveland in first road test; Glued to the Tube Games for Week 3

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OAKLAND — The Raiders tour of the AFC North continues, this time on the road in Cleveland taking on taking on the Browns Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium with a 10:00 a.m. PT kickoff. Oakland (1-1) is coming off a gritty, 37-33 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2 at O.co Coliseum. Cleveland (1-1) defeated the visiting Tennessee Titans, 28-14 last week in the Browns’ home opener.

Second-year starting quarterback Derek Carr performed like a 10-year veteran against Baltimore, completing 30-of-46 passes for a career-high 351 and three touchdowns (one interception) to go along with a 100.9 passer rating for the game. With Oakland trailing by three with 2:10 remaining in the fourth quarter, Carr marched the Raiders 80 yards in 12 plays, culminating in a 12-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Seth Roberts with :26 seconds remaining.

Carr found 10 different receivers, but it was the work of the starting wide receiver duo of rookie Amari Cooper and veteran Michael Crabtree. Cooper and Crabtree combined for 16 catches for 220 yards and two touchdowns. Cooper scored on his first career touchdown, a 68-yard score in the first quarter on Oakland’s first drive of the game.

The Silver & Black rank 13th overall in total offense this season behind Carr’s four touchdowns, two interceptions, 64 percent completion percentage and 95 quarterback rating

Oakland’s 32nd ranked defense has given up 33 points in both games this season, and will need to bring the score down a bit if Oakland expects to win on the road for the first time since Nov. 17, 2013 against the Houston Texans in a 28-23 victory in Week 11.

Offensively for Cleveland, Josh McCown, not Johnny Manziel, will be under center for the Browns Sunday against the Raiders. McCown was cleared from the league’s concussion protocol after sustaining the injury against the Jets back in Cleveland’s Week 1 loss in New York.

Manziel had a game against Tennessee, completing 8-of-15 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns in only his third career start, leading the Browns to their first win of the season.

Browns’ wide receiver Travis Benjamin has been read-hot to start the season and appears to be the Browns’ deep threat. Benjamin just has six catches on the season, but three of them have gone for touchdowns (second behind New England tight end Rob Gronkowski’s four touchdowns), and is fourth in the NFL with 204 receiving yards.

Benjamin is also a dangerous return man on special teams, as evidence of 78-yard punt return for a touchdown in the second quarter against Tennessee.

Cleveland’s defense is littered with talent, with linebackers Karlos Dansby and Paul Kruger, cornerback Joe Haden, and safety Donte Whitner.

Cleveland has won two of the last three meetings against Oakland, including last year’s 23-13 victory in Cleveland last season in Week 8.

Glued to the Tube: The Four Must See Games for Week 3 by #TheFootballJunkie

Atlanta at Dallas – 10:00 a.m. PT, FOX

Two undefeated teams, but no Romo, Bryant, makes this a tough game for Dallas (2-0), especially with Brandon Weeden starting. But Dallas has one of the top defensive units in the league so things could be tricky for Falcons’ (2-0) starting quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receiver Julio Jones.

If Dallas can contain Jones (tied for NFL-high 22 catches, and second in receiving yards with 276) and get adequate play from Weeden, Dallas has a shot to remain undefeated.

Atlanta 21 Dallas 24

San Francisco at Arizona – 1:05 p.m. PT, FOX

San Francisco (1-1) is coming off a thumping in Pittsburgh and catch a Cardinals team that is 14-3 at home with Carson Palmer under center. Arizona (2-0) has a bevy of wide receivers headlined by future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald, and San Francisco was torched by Steelers’ wide receiver Antonio Bryant for nine catches for 195 yards and a touchdown.

If San Francisco is going to have a chance to go into first place in the NFC West with a victory over the Cardinals, it will hinge on better play from cornerbacks Tremaine Brock and Kenneth Acker, who gave up some deep passes against the Steelers.

It’ll be a close one between the two, but it’s hard not to pick the Cardinals, who still like to blitz the quarterback and 49ers starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick is just an average passer against the blitz, completing just 50 percent of his passes according to ESPN Stats.

San Francisco 24 Arizona 29

Chicago at Seattle – 1:25 p.m. PT, FOX

Two winless teams, but this is the week that Seattle (0-2) breaks through with a victory. With the return of strong safety Kam Chancellor to Seattle’s defense and this being Seattle’s first home game, the Seahawks are going to roll over a Bears (0-2) team that may be without starting quarterback Jay Cutler, who is dealing with a hamstring injury.

If Cutler doesn’t play, look for backup Jimmy Clausen to start in his place.

Chicago 12 Seattle 24

Buffalo at Miami – 1:25 p.m. PT, CBS

In a match up of two teams that are playing second fiddle to the New England Patriots (2-0) and the New York Jets (2-0) in the AFC East, Buffalo (1-1) and Miami (1-1) both know how important this game is to both teams early in the season.

Ryan Tannehill for Miami and Tyrod Taylor for Buffalo are two quarterbacks worth watching, but this game will be all about the defenses.

Buffalo 16 Miami 13

NFL Podcast with Tony Renteria: McCown get set to face former team Raiders

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by Tony Renteria & Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–The Raiders are in Cleveland and no they won’t be playing Johnny Football on Sunday they’ll face their old teammate quarterback Josh McCown who will be starting for the Cleveland Browns. Johnny Manziel has been put back to the bench after filling in for McCown during week one due to a concussion. It will be interesting to see how the Raiders come into this game coming off that big thrill of a win last Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.

A little bit more on the defensive side of the ball a little bit more pressure and it would be nice if the Raiders would throw in a blitz every now and then as the Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith and Khalil Mack combo hasn’t been able to give a lot of pressure to the quarterback.

Head coaches are always going to minimize what history is going to be there always going to be aware of what players are on the front seat and their going to put the coaches on the front seat. The secondary is etched right now and limping through the game the only way to help them out is to put more pressure on the quarterback. and the only way to put more pressure on the quarterback is to put more guys up on the line with more blitzing.

McCown is cleared from his concussion and he is not suffering at all from his concussion and McCown is going to drop back and he’s going to try and get back deep with the safety help that’s been happening in the last couple of weeks. The first game did not have Carr in the second half and the Raiders did score two touchdowns.

It might be like pre season hangover you have gone from playing pre season football for two and half quarters against the Cardinals and Carr sat out that last pre season game. for Carr and its like coming from playing pre season football and then coming in to throw in the regular season. Carr was not rusty maybe just not totally up to speed with the timing with the tight ends it just seemed like he lost his timing missing the receivers.

Tony Renteria does the NFL podcast for http://www.sportsrasdioservice.com each week listen to the podcast below

Oakland Raiders podcast with Jeremy Kahn: Carr forming that old Raider magic as team gets set for Johnny Football and Browns

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by Jeremy Kahn

photo credit google images Neiko Thorpe

OAKLAND–There was no doubt that the Raiders who saw the Baltimore Ravens close in on their ten point lead last Sunday that they would keep it going. The Raiders played with so much pizazz and confidence and they came back and got that ten point 30-20 lead in the fourth quarter.

Baltimore scored and also went ahead, then Raiders quarterback Derek Carr drove them down the field and then magic. Carr is already getting that magic that former Raider Ken Stabler had and it’s amazing to see that kind of play. Then there’s the Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco who got the ball back but the Raiders corner Nieko Thorpe catches the pass to clinch the game.

Plus dedication to Raiders executive assistant Al LoCosale after 34 years with the Raiders between 1969-2003 retired in 2003 and left a legendary legacy as executive assistant and media relations manager with the Oakland Raiders. LoCosale passed away on Sunday as announced by the team he was 82.

Listen to the rest of the podcast on the Oakland Raiders with Jeremy Kahn below at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Three Takeaways from Ravens/Raiders; Glued to the Tube Roundup for Week 2

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By Joe Hawkes-Beamon

OAKLAND — You never want to say the second game of the NFL season is a must win, but when you enter Week 2 winless like the Raiders at (0-1), this was a must win game, and Oakland did just that with a epic 37-33 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, who drop to (0-2).

Here are my three takeaways from Oakland’s impressive win Sunday in front of Raider Nation at O.co Coliseum:

  1. Derek Carr grew up today in front of our very eyes. After throwing an interception late in the fourth quarter that led to the Ravens’ go-ahead field goal by Justin Tucker from 31 yards out with 2:10 left, Carr stepped up when it counted the most. The Raiders’ young signal-caller completed 7-of-9 passes for 65 yards passing, culminating in a 12-yard touchdown pass to backup wide receiver Seth Roberts with 26 seconds to go. If it weren’t for a holding penalty by safety Will Hill III that was negated before the touchdown, Carr and the Raiders would’ve lost after squandering a 30-20 lead in the fourth quarter. Carr, who connected with 10 different receivers, completed 30-of-46 passes for 351 yards, three touchdowns (all on 80-yard plus drives) and the lone interception. Carr, along with head coach Jack Del Rio, received game balls.
  2. Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper balled out. After just catching 10 passes for 84 yards receiving and no touchdowns in their debuts in the Raiders’ 33-13 loss to Cincinnati in Week 1, Crabtree and Cooper took advantage of Baltimore’s cornerbacks, combining for 16 catches for 220 yards receiving and two touchdowns. Cooper hauled in seven catches for 109 yards, including a 68-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter on the Raiders’ opening drive of the game. Crabtree finished with nine catches for 111 yards, and a 29-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
  3. Oakland’s pass defense still has some holes, but made plays when it counted. Defensive coordinator Ken Norton and his guys are still giving up big plays down the middle of the field. Baltimore starting quarterback Joe Flacco threw for 384 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception on 32-of-45 passing. Ravens’ wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. caught 10 passes for 150 yards receiving, wide receiver Kamar Aiken finished with five catches and 89 yards receiving, and tight end Crockett Gillmore had five catches and 88 yards and two touchdowns. Oakland did force two Baltimore turnovers (a fumble), including the game-sealing interception by safety Neiko Thorpe in the fourth quarter.

Who’s next: Cleveland (1-1) at FirstEnergy Stadium, Sunday, 10:00 a.m. PT, CBS

If you started Browns’ wide receiver Travis Benjamin in your fantasy football league today, odds are you had (depending on if you got players starting in the Jets/Colts game on Monday Night Football), a very good day in your match up.

Benjamin scored on the Browns’ second play from scrimmage in the first quarter when starting quarterback Johnny Manziel  connected with the the fourth-year wide receiver from Miami for a 60-yard touchdown. Benjamin was dangerous on special teams too, returning a punt 78 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter.

Benjamin, who finished with three catches for 115 yards receiving (and 29 fantasy points according to ESPN Fantasy Football) in Cleveland’s home opener Sunday, caught a 50-yard touchdown with 2:52 left in the fourth quarter for his second touchdown of the day, giving Cleveland a 28-14 victory over the visiting Tennessee Titans.

In two games this season, Benjamin may just have six catches, but three of them have gone for touchdowns (second behind New England tight end Rob Gronkowski’s four touchdowns), and is fourth in the NFL with 204 receiving yards.

Manziel, who started for the injured Josh McCown, completed 8-of-15 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Manziel is expected to remain the Browns’ backup once McCown is healthy to play. McCown suffered a concussion in Cleveland’s 31-10 Week 1 loss to the Jets in New York.

But after Manziel’s performance where he didn’t throw an interception, how does Browns’ head coach Mike Pettine not start Manziel again in front of the home crowd even if McCown is healthy next week against visiting Oakland?

Cleveland’s defense had a monster day against Tennessee, sacking Titans’ rookie starting quarterback Marcus Mariota 6.5 times, and forcing four fumbles (three by Mariota, and one by running back Terrance West), recovering three fumbles.

Glued to the Tube Roundup for Week 2: The Four Must See Games for Week 2 by #TheFootballJunkie

Another 2-2 record for the #TheFootballJunkie (thanks to wins by the Patriots and Packers, but loses by the Chiefs and Eagles), pushing my overall season record to (4-4).

Manning, Broncos hold court over Chiefs with late charge, win 31-24 Thursday night

Broncos’ starting quarterback Peyton Manning, who was being sent to the glue factory by just about everyone in the media (me not included), reminded naysayers that he is still one of the greatest regular season quarterbacks of all time, throwing for 256 yards passing, three touchdowns and an interception against Kansas City.

Manning, who completed 26-of-45 passes, threw a game-tying 19-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders with 36 seconds left. Manning improved to 7-0 as the starting quarterback for Denver (2-0), who sit atop the AFC West early in the season after their Thursday night victory at Arrowhead Stadium.

But it was cornerback Bradley Roby who had the biggest play of the game, recovering Chiefs’ running back Jamaal Charles’ second fumble of the game and scampering 21 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. Charles rushed for 125 yards on 21 carries and a touchdown, but his two fumbles were costly.

So too were Kansas City (1-1) starting quarterback Alex Smith’s two interceptions. Smith finished 16-of-25 for 191 yards passing, but was mainly ineffective all night after throwing three touchdowns in Kansas City’s 27-20 Week 1 win at Houston.

Denver’s defense as a whole, forced five Chiefs’ turnovers.

Brady’s big day helps Patriots defeat upstart Bills, 40-32

New England (2-0) starting quarterback Tom Brady destroyed the Bills through the air, throwing for 466 yards (his second-most in game for his career), and three touchdowns leading the visiting Patriots past a vaunted Buffalo defense, 40-32, Sunday in an unexpected high scoring affair for first place in the AFC East.

Brady, who completed 38-of-59 passes, tossed two touchdowns to wide receiver Julian Edelman in the first and third quarters, and one to tight end Rob Gronkowski in the second quarter.

Edelman finished with 11 catches for 97 yards, while Gronkowski caught seven passes for 113 yards.

Bills (1-1) starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor held his own versus the reigning Super Bowl Champions, completing 23-of-30 passes for 242 yards, three touchdowns, but also threw three interceptions.

With the win, Brady improves to 24-3 against the Bills in which he threw for the most yards in any game against Buffalo. New England has won 27 of their last 30 games against the Bills.

Cowboys stave off Eagles, 20-10, but lose Romo for 8 weeks with fractured collarbone

The NFC East-leading Dallas Cowboys (2-0) are looking more like a walking M.A.S.H. unit than a team that is in first place.

First, wide receiver Dez Bryant is gone for 10-12 weeks (even though Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett believes that to be a stretch) after having successful foot surgery.

Now starting quarterback Tony Romo will be lost for upwards of 8 weeks after suffering a broken left collarbone in Dallas’ 20-10 victory over the Eagles in Philadelphia Sunday. Romo suffered a similar injury in Week 7 in 2010 and missed the rest of the season.

Backup quarterback Brandon Weeden threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Terrance Williams in the fourth quarter to help Dallas overcome a franchise-record 18 penalties for 142 yards.

It was Dallas’ 10th straight road victory.

Former Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray managed just two yards on 13 carries in his first game against his former team. The reigning NFL rushing champion has rushed for just 11 yards on 21 carries (0.5 rushing yards per attempt) in two games with Philadelphia (0-2).

At this point last season, Murray rushed for 285 yards on 51 carries and two touchdowns (5.5 rushing yards per attempt) with Dallas.

Rodgers, Packers get the best of Wilson and Seahawks, 27-17

Packers starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 25-of-33 passes for 249 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, helping the Packers enact some revenge on Seattle 27-17 on Sunday Night Football at Lambeau Field.

Rodgers, found tight end Richard Rodgers (no relation) for the go-ahead, five-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. The touchdown capped off a 10-play, 80-yard drive in 6:16. Rodgers also caught a 2-point conversion that gave Green Bay (2-0) a 24-17 lead with 9:28 left in the fourth quarter.

Seattle starting quarterback Russell Wilson finished 19-of-30 passes for two touchdowns, help erase a 13-3 Packers’ lead, but threw an interception to defensive end Jayrone Elliot (who snagged Wilson’s pass with one hand), with 6:50 left in the fourth quarter to essentially ice the game for Green Bay.

At (0-2), Seattle sits in the basement of the NFC West, the division that they’ve won the past two seasons.

Joe Hawkes-Beamon is a columnist for Sports Radio Service. Follow him on Twitter @JLHB510 and Facebook #TheFootballJunkie

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Local Bay Area Radio icons make it to Hall of Fame

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by Amaury Pi Gonzalez

photo of Terry McGovern courtesy google images

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO–On Saturday Bay Area radio personalities were introduced at the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame by former great DJ formerly with KSAN and KSFO Terry McGovern the former morning personality and voice actor. McGovern served as this year’s master of ceremonies and introductions at the BARHOF. McGovern a well known film actor, television broadcaster, radio personality, voice over specialist, and acting instructor.

The Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame, the California Historical Society and Broadcast Legends inducted nine of their own to the Hall of Fame. In the Sports Category former Raiders head coach, television analyst, and KCBS Sports personality John Madden started his introduction on former morning personality from the former flagship station of the A’s and Giants KSFO 560 Gene Nelson (BARHOF 2006).

Then Madden switched his attention and introduced former morning personality from KNBR Frank Dill (BARHOF 2006) who called it a day in 1988, coach Madden also worked with former news anchor at KCBS Al Hart (BARHOF 2006) and current KCBS morning anchor Stan Bunger (BARHOF 2010). Madden who was not there to present but he sent his most heartfelt thanks via video to introduce the personalities.

News Categories: Former KFRC and KCBS newsman from the South Bay Bureau Mike Colgan was introduced by former KGO ABC 7 reporter from the South Bay Bureau Rigo Chacon who is now retired. Colgan has been on the Bay Area radio news scene now for over 40 years. Colgan was part of that legendary 610 KFRC, the Big 610, 20/20 news team, and part of those Billboard Station Of The Year Award years when KFRC won consecutive Billboard awards in the 70s.

Colgan also worked at KPEN Los Altos before working at KCBS in 1988. Colgan’s current assignment is with the KCBS South Bay Bureau. I have personally known Rigo for along time, he does a lot of stuff for the community and told me his dad used to love to listen to me when I first started doing the A’s on the radio in the mid 70s.

Former KYUU great Gil Haar was brought in from Denver to work at KOBY as a DJ in 1958, then Haar worked at KYA and KEWB then moved to KMJ Fresno for five years, and came back to the Bay Area in 1966. He spent the next ten years as news director at KNEW. For those of you who knew him from his work in the 80s he worked with Don Bleu morning disc jockey, Vicky Jenkins news anchor, Whitey Gleason Sports Director at the formerly NBC owned 99.7 KYUU. Haar was famous for ending his news casts by saying “so now you know” he was also there to accept his Hall of Fame induction.

Pioneer: Elma Greer from KSFO radio which was called for many years “the world’s greatest radio station” where Greer was music director who started her 28 year tenure in 1961. Greer won numerous awards during her career as music director. Kathy Antsey Elma’s daughter accepted on behalf of Elma.

Engineering and Education: Ken Nielson a true radio and TV pioneer. He came to the Bay Area from Denver in 1941 and convinced the San Francisco United School District to apply for an FM license and purchase an RCA demonstration FM transmitter used in the 1939 Treasure Island Expo. The end result was that of KALW radio which became the first FM station on the West Coast. Later Ken convinced the school district to purchase TV cameras and related equipment for classes. The equipment was used after school hours to help start KQED TV. Yes, same KQED 9 as we well know it today.

Specialty: Peter Scott came to KSFO after several years at KSJO in San Jose. Peter worked his way up from production coordinator to assistant program director and then onto program director in the mid 70s. After his KSFO days he owned his own recording studio in San Francisco and did voice overs until his passing in 2008. McGovern inducted Scott with the Hall of Fame award.

Personality: Dusty Street got her start in Bay Area radio as one of the fabled “chick engineers” at KMPX in 1967. Street later became a DJ when she moved over to KSAN after the KMPX strike. Street later moved to the LA market from 1979-1995. She spent the last ten years at Sirius XM radio as radio host of classic vinyl.

Program host: Lisa Kreisler started his career at KLOK in the news department after graduation from San Jose State. When her station switched formats she jumped over to KBAY doing news before becoming co host of the morning show with fellow BARHOF 2015 and former K101 disc jockey Sam Van Zandt. The Lissa-Sam show put KBAY on top of the San Jose ratings. Van Zandt presented Lissa with the plaque.

Executive Harvey Stone originally from Cleveland served 33 years as General Manager/President of KBLX “The Quiet Storm”. He guided “The Quiet Storm” against the giant corporate stations to be rated in the top three on a consistent basis through the 1990s. Harvey is also the CHRS godfather. In 2003 he invited and allowed CHRS to use the historic KRE building in Berkeley as the first home of the CHRS Radio Museum.

Priceless stories about radio, when radio was really radio, when station had news, sports and weather staffs along with their music and program directors. I’m proud to be a part of the BARHOF (2010) preserving history of radio in the Bay Area, mixing with some of these people I have know for years and some that I used to listen to when I first arrived from New York City to San Francisco in 1969 it is always a thrill and a privilege.

A great afternoon was had by all and lunch at the Basque Cultural Center in South San Francisco with an attendance of 140 people on Saturday. For more information please visit http://www.broadcastlegends.com.

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

Carr expected to be ready for Baltimore; Glued to the Tube Games for Week 2

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By Joe Hawkes-Beamon

OAKLAND – Raiders starting quarterback Derek Carr and his sore thumb, are expected to be ready to go when the Baltimore Ravens visit O.co Coliseum Sunday at 1:05 p.m. PT, according to head coach Jack Del Rio.

“We anticipate that he’ll be ready to go,” Del Rio said after Wednesday’s according to CSNCalifornia.com Raiders Insider Scott Bair.

Carr has never missed a game at any level and questions have been mounting whether or not Carr will play in Week 2, but Carr sounded like someone who will be under center against Baltimore.

“I don’t play on it,” Carr said.

“It isn’t 100 percent, but it’s pretty close,” Carr said. “I’m not going to hurt our team and I’m not going to hurt myself further when it’s only the (second) week and go out there and make it worse. We all felt it was good enough; the coaches, training staff, the doctors, that I could go out there today.

“I went out there and took 99 percent of the reps. I think the one percent that I didn’t was just for them to be cautious and see how it reacted. It’s all fine. It felt good.”

Oakland (0-1) should look into adding another quarterback, behind Carr and backup, Matt McGloin. The Raiders are greatly fortunate that Carr’s injury isn’t serious enough to add another quarterback but, the pickings are slim. The team flirted with the idea of bringing back Christian Ponder, who was in training camp, but only if Carr was out for any extended period of time.

But Carr’s injury is just one of numerous injuries and issues facing Oakland as Baltimore (1-0) comes to town.

Both starting safeties Charles Woodson (shoulder) and Nate Allen (MCL) are hurt. Allen will be loss for the next eight weeks, while Woodson, who was originally slated to miss significant time, is holding out hope to play Sunday. Back up Larry Asante will most likely start in place of Allen.

“He’s a competitive guy,” Del Rio said of the 18-year safety. “You don’t play as long as he has with out being prideful and very competitive.”

“Guys can play with shoulder (issues), depending on the severity of it,” Del Rio said. “We’ll see how the week progress and whether or not he’ll be ready to go on Sunday.”

If Woodson doesn’t play, look for Oakland to start Taylor Mays, who was re-signed by the team on Monday. Mays was in training camp with Oakland.

Carr and the offense needs to put up a better effort than it did during their 33-13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1 at O.co Coliseum. Oakland managed just 246 yards total offensively and didn’t advance the ball past midfield until the fourth quarter when the game was out of reach.

Baltimore limited Denver to just 219 yards total offensively in the Broncos’ 19-13 Week 1 victory at Sports Authority Field over the Ravens.

Defensively? Oakland needs to generate more pressure on the quarterback.

Bengals starting quarterback Andy Dalton had all day to survey the field and throw the football. Dalton threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns as no one in a Silver & Black uniform barley got a hand on him the entire game.

That means linebackers Khalil Mack and recently signed Aldon Smith need to make more of an impact than their total four tackles (three by Mack) produced against Cincinnati.

The Ravens are going to look to get starting quarterback Joe Flacco (18-of-32, 117 passing yards, 2 INTs against Denver) back on track and Oakland’s suspect secondary could be what helps Flacco and his wide receivers. No Ravens wide receiver had more than 25 yards receiving against Denver.

Glued to the Tube: The Four Must See Games for Week 2 by #TheFootballJunkie

Denver at Kansas City – 5:25 p.m. PT, CBS/NFL Network  – Week 2 kicks off with a dandy between two bitter AFC West rivals in the Broncos and the Chiefs.

And of course, first place is on the line.

All the talk about the dramatic decline of Broncos (1-0) quarterback Peyton Manning  (last seven games have been dreadful, with averages of 6.45 yards per attempt, 59.8 completion rate, 6:7 TD-to-INT ratio and 75.0 passer rating), by far the worse stretch of Manning’s career. Manning is 6-0 against Kansas City while under center for Denver.

But the real talk has got to be Denver’s defense. With a slew of pass rushers in DeMarcus Ware, Von Miller, Danny Trevathan and Brandon Marshall, to go along with cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Chris Harris, Denver can make life difficult for Kansas City starting quarterback, Alex Smith and Co.

Talib won AFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 1 with his unbelievable play, particularly on Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith. Smith was held to just two catches for thirteen yards, but it was the pick-six for Talib that was the difference maker for Denver in their home opener.

Kansas City (1-0) are coming off a 27-20 Week 1 victory at Houston. Smith threw for 243 yards and three touchdowns (two to tight end Travis Kelce). Kelcie finished with six catches for 106 yards receiving.

Kansas City has not thrown a touchdown to a wide receiver in 20 straight games.

Could Thursday night be different?

Broncos 23 Chiefs 27

New England at Buffalo – 10:00 a.m. PT, CBS – Both teams just don’t like each other.

Rex Ryan has re-energized the fan base in Buffalo and the Bills think this could be the year that they end New England’s dominance on the AFC East.

Buffalo’s (1-0) defensive line suffocated the Colts’ running game, holding starting running back Frank Gore to just 31 rushing yards on eight carries. Buffalo sacked and intercepted Indy’s starting quarterback Andrew Luck twice.

Bills starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor played really well, completing 14-of-19 passes for for 195 yards including a 51-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Percy Harvin in the first quarter of Buffalo’s 27-14 victory in Week 1.

The outcome of the game may come down to the play of Buffalo linebackers Nigel Bradham and Ronald Darby, particularly in matching up with New England tight end Rob Gronkowski. Gronkowski is a match up nightmare for defensive coordinators and Bills defensive coordinator Dennis Thurmond is going to have his hands full.

Gronkowski hauled in three of starting quarterback Tom Brady’s four touchdown passes in New England’s 28-21 victory last Thursday night over the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was the 23rd game with four or more touchdowns, third all-time behind Brett Favre according to Elias Sports Bureau.

“Gronk”  finished with five catches for 95 yards, while Brady set a franchise record with 19 straight completions.

Patriots 24 Bills 17

Dallas at Philadelphia – 1:25 p.m. PT, FOX – The Cowboys (1-0) took out the New York Giants 27-26 on Sunday Night Football in Week 1, thanks to Cowboys starting quarterback Tony Romo’s game-winning touchdown to tight end Jason Witten but Dallas suffered a devastating blow when star wide receiver Dez Bryant broke a small bone in his foot.

Bryant, who signed a five-year, $70 million contract in the offseason, is vital for Dallas’ quest of hoisting a sixth Lombardi trophy, so the Cowboys are hoping that Bryant does return within the 4-6 weeks timetable, but reports are saying that Bryant could miss up to 10 weeks with the injury.

With Bryant down, Witten and wide receiver Terrance Williams will be the two pass catchers that Romo will lean heavily on. Dallas traded a sixth round pick to Oakland for wide receiver Brice Butler this week to add depth to the wide receiver position.

In 25 games with Oakland, Butler had 30 catches for 383 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Philadelphia (0-1) lost a heart breaker in Atlanta on Monday Night Football, 26-24 where Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones ran a clinic in the art of route-running. Jones finished with nine catches for 141 receiving yards and two touchdowns as Atlanta picked on Philadelphia’s cornerbacks, most notably Byron Maxwell.

Philadelphia did force two Matt Ryan interceptions, but could’ve had four if the aforementioned Maxwell didn’t drop two potential interceptions. Maxwell finished with a team-high seven tackles against Atlanta.

Eagles starting quarterback Sam Bradford and the offense will need to get off to a better start against their NFC East rival. Against Atlanta, Philadelphia found themselves down 20-3 at half time before scoring 14 unanswered points to pull to 20-17.

Bradford completed 36-of-52 for 336 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in his first game in 19 months. Former Dallas running back DeMarco Murray , who signed five-year $40 million contract with Philadelphia, had a rough debut mustering just nine yards on eight carries, which included an 8-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

Expect Murray to be involved more in the offense when Dallas invades Lincoln Financial Field Sunday.

Cowboys 23 Eagles 31

Seattle at Green Bay – 5:25 p.m. PT, NBC – Seattle is traveling to Green Bay in a NFC title game rematch on Sunday Night Football.

The Seahawks (0-1) came up short in St. Louis, 34-31, in overtime in Week 1 and knows that if they go down 0-2 with a loss in Green Bay, it will set the Pacific Northwest into a frenzy. Russell Wilson was sacked six times by a vastly improved Rams defense, and running back Marshawn Lynch was stopped on 4th-and-1 at the Rams’ 42 yard line to preserve the win.

But the No. 31 should be on the minds of Seattle. Not just because its the jersey number belonging to safety Kam Chancellor, but 31 was the number of points the Packers scored in their 31-23 victory over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, and it was the the total points Seattle scored against St. Louis.

The Packers, who squandered a 16-0 lead in their 28-22 NFC title game loss in overtime at Seattle, have been waiting to get their hands on Seattle since that disappointing Sunday in January.

Green Bay (1-0), who are playing without star wide receiver Jordy Nelson (ACL), saw starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers throw three touchdowns (two to wide receiver James Jones), while running back Eddie Lacy ran for 85 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown against Chicago.

Seahawks 17 Packers 27