Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Quakes-LAFC rescheduled match tonight after Covid outbreak; How injured 49ers can prepare for Thursday Night Football; plus more

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The San Jose Earthquakes Chris Wondolowski scored two goals against Real Salt Lake on Wed Oct 28th, 2020 at Earthquakes Stadium in San Jose (@ SJEarthquakes)

On Headline Sports podcast with London:

#1 The San Jose Earthquakes and LAFC match was scratched last Sunday due to a Covid-19 outbreak where three unnamed players were positive putting the breaks on the Quakes trying to improve on their 7-6-8 record. Quakes face LAFC in Los Angeles tonight at 8:00pm in the rescheduled match.

#2 London how do you see the outbreak impacting the Quakes chances to make post season they really needed that game against LAFC now that’s in the rearview mirror the Quakes host the Seattle Sounders on Saturday night and hold the last and final playoff spot eighth place in the MLS Western Conference.

#3 Turning to the NFL: The San Francisco 49ers are coming off a 37-27 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The 49ers have lost three of their last five games and after Sunday’s loss in Seattle have a short turnaround and host the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football.

#4 The Las Vegas Raiders (4-3) had their defense capitalize on the Cleveland Browns (5-3) Sunday when the Raiders shut the Browns out in the first and fourth quarters and the Browns only got two field goals in the second and third quarters. The Raiders who got ten points in the fourth quarter saw quarterback Derek Carr throw to wide receiver Hunter Renfrow for the game’s only touchdown in the 16-6 win.

#5 London, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is pushing the urgency to get the NBA season started in December with a 72 game schedule stating that the league stands to lose over $1 billion if they start later than that. The players have responded saying the season should start mid January. The owners have said they might go for a 50 game regular season, the owners have expressed their concern for revenue loss with no fans and to make that up with limited fans, sports betting, casinos, and hard alcohol. The owners would hope such an introduction would increase league revenue between $80 to $100 million.

Join London for Headline Sports each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Betts could be best Bet for NL MVP; How soon will the A’s see a front office shake up; plus more

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Mookie Betts is one of the odds on favorites to win the National League MVP for 2020 (@ Dodgers image)

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Los Angeles Dodger Mookie Betts has been named a candidate for National League MVP. Betts hit .292, 64 hits, 19 HRS, 39 RBIs for the 2020 regular season and was a standout during post season.

#2 Amaury the Oakland A’s front office is on the cusp of seeing a shake up with A’s vice president Billy Beane considering being a partner with owner John Henry at the Boston Red Sox, A’s assistant general manager Billy Owens would welcome an interview for the LA Angels general manager job, and A’s general manager David Forst has had some big league clubs express interest in his handy work.

#3 This week in the NFL: The San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo reinjured his high ankle sprain in the game in Seattle against the Seahawks and is expected to out six weeks and the 49ers George Kittle is expected to be out eight weeks this is a big hit for the San Francisco offense as they prepare to host for Thursday Night Football this week.

#4 The Las Vegas Raiders got by the Cleveland Browns for a road win for the Silver and Black. The Raiders held Cleveland to just two field goals in the 16-6 win. Raider quarterback Derek Carr threw for 112 yards and one touchdown.

#5 Finally the NBA might be close on negotiating a salary cap but the owners and players are asking for two different things to get the season started. The Players are asking for a January start. The owners want to get the season started in December with a 70 game schedule and they might play as little as just 50 games for the new season with no fan or very limited amount of fans.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Barbara Mason: Raiders beat a good team in the Browns now face Chargers in LA Sunday

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The Cleveland Browns Olivier Vernon (54) gets a sack on Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) last Sun Oct 25, 2020 in Cleveland (USA Today photo)

On the Raiders podcast with Barbara:

#1 The Las Vegas Raiders (4-3) beat a very good team in the Cleveland Browns (5-3) on Sunday 16-6 the score was a lot closer than that thanks to the Raiders defense.

#2 The Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield tried to score while inside the red zone but the Raiders did a good job forcing the Browns to have to kick field goals in the second and third quarters for their only scores.

#3 But on the Browns behalf their defense did a good job shutting out the Raiders in the first and third quarters.

#4 The Raiders who went into the fourth quarter tied 6-6 with Derek Carr throwing to wide receiver Hunter Renfrow that pretty much put Vegas over the top.

#5 Next Sunday it’s back to a former stomping ground where the Raiders used to call home and that’s Los Angeles where they’ll face the Los Angeles Chargers (2-5). The Chargers just lost a close game to the Denver Broncos Sunday 31-30. The Chargers are struggling they lost four of their last five games as they prepare for the Raiders Sunday.

Join Barbara for the Raiders podcasts each Tuesday morning at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

San Francisco 49ers week 9 preview: Will Garoppolo and Kittle injuries put Niners behind eight ball for Thursday Night Football?

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San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) who gets away from the New England Patriots defensive back JC Jackson (27) on Sun Oct 25, 2020 in New England will be out a reported eight weeks due to a fractured foot (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

The San Francisco 49ers season feels about over. Since the game on Sunday, a lot has changed for the 49ers. First, let’s talk about the loss on Sunday. The 49ers held their own most of the game against the Seattle Seahawks, their division rival. However, in the end, my prediction didn’t come true. The 49ers lost to the Seahawks by a final of 37-27 but felt like 37-14.

In the loss, injuries befell the 49ers once again. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo left the game early in the loss suffering more discomfort in his ankle. The team is calling it a high ankle sprain and Jimmy will seek multiple opinions.

Also going down for the 49ers once again is star tight end, George Kittle. George, it was revealed after the game, has a small break in his foot and will miss extended time. Most likely this will mark the end of the season for Kittle as well as Jimmy Garoppolo, but it is more likely Jimmy returns this season than George.

The 49ers also made a move on Monday trading LB Kwon Alexander to the New Orleans Saints for LB Kiko Alonso and a 2021 5th round pick.

It has been a rough year for 49ers fans after losing a heart wrenching super bowl to now the season realistically being over for the team.

This week the task doesn’t get any easier for the 49ers as they face the Green Bay Packers. The Packers look ready to the 49ers below .500 again as Nick Mullens looks to kindle some resurgence from the battered 49ers squad. Look for star quarterback to come out early against the 49ers as he will try to put them away early.

The 49ers play on Thursday Night Football at 5:20 PST on Thursday night.

Sources: San Francisco 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo, TE George Kittle out indefinitely with injuries

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Photo credit: nfl.com

By Joe Hawkes
Staff Writer

SANTA CLARA, Calif — It seems like after every game this season, the San Francisco 49ers lose players to injuries. On Monday, the 49ers were hit with two-punch combo as starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and tight end George Kittle will miss multiple weeks with injuries a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

For Garoppolo, he aggravated his high right ankle sprain during San Francisco’s 37-27 loss to the Seattle Seahawks and is expected to be sidelined for six weeks or longer if the ankle requires surgery is the source told Schefter.

Garoppolo played poorly against Seattle, completing 11 of 16 passes for 84 yards with no touchdowns and one interception before leaving the game in the second half with San Francisco trailing 30-7. He was replaced by backup quarterback Nick Mullens, who finished the game completing 18 of 25 passes for 238 yards with two touchdowns and a passer rating of 128.4. With Garoppolo out for the foreseeable future, Mullens will return back to the starting lineup, a role he held when Garoppolo missed two games earlier his season with the same injury.

Mullens told reporters Sunday that he would be prepared to step in for Garoppolo if needed.

“Anytime you can get out there and bounce back from from my last start, it’s definitely going to create some confidence,” Mullens said. “The biggest thing I’ve learned just going through it all is that the NFL is tough. It’s all about what you do next. That’s why I tell myself pretty much every day, ‘It’s all about you do next.’ No matter if its good or bad, it’s all about what you do next.”

C.J. Beathard will serve as Mullens’ backup when the 49ers (4-4) host the Green Bay Packers (5-2) this Thursday night at Levi’s Stadium.

The 49ers were optimistic that Kittle’s foot injury wasn’t serious after initial testing, but further evaluation revealed a broken bone that will sideline the All-Pro tight end eight weeks, a source said. With the 49ers at 4-4 and eight weeks left in the season, Kittle’s season is likely over.

Kittle’s injury happened two minutes after Garoppolo limped back to the locker room after he leaped to bring in a 25-yard pass from Mullens. Kittle hauled in the catch, but landed awkwardly and limped to the sideline immediately. A short time later, Kittle headed to the locker room.

Kittle, who signed a five-year $75 million contract extension during training camp, missed two games this season with MCL sprain in his left knee he suffered in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals.

Backup tight end Ross Dwelley is expected to take Kittle’s place in the lineup. Dwelley caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Mullens against the Seahawks, but the 49ers are hopeful that tight end Jordan Reed can return soon to help replace Kittle’s production. Reed has been out of action since Week 3 with a sprained knee.

The loss of Kittle is huge. Not only is he the team’s best offensive player, but vital to the 49ers’ running game. Without Kittle, San Francisco’s offense will be severely hindered.

Entering Sunday’s game, the 49ers had the highest salary cap value of players on injured reserve this season at $54.2 million according to Spotrac. With Garoppolo and Kittle likely heading to IR and join the likes of defensive end Nick Bosa (torn ACL), running back Raheem Mostert (high ankle sprain), wide receiver Deebo Samuel (strained hamstring) and cornerback Richard Sherman (strained calf), that value will increase.

In eight games this year, San Francisco has three different leading passers, four different leading rushers and for different leading receivers.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: NBA Starting Date–Up In the Air–

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NBAPA Executive Director Michele Roberts says the players and owners are close on a salary cap agreement but are apart on whether to start in December with a 72 game schedule or in mid January (file photo from clutchpoints.com)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

NBA owners and players are not on the same page when it comes to Opening Day for the 2020-2021 season. It is all about revenue. The league wants a 72-game schedule beginning around Christmas, the players want something around mid-January 2021.

There is also a possibility the the NBA would offer players a short 50-game regular season that could begin in January. According to the NBA they believe that starting in January, however, could cost $1 Billion in losses.

The NBA Finals ended on October 11, as the LA Lakers won the title in six (6) games over the Miami Heat. If the season starts around Christmas some believe that veterans players of teams who went deep into the Postseason might not be ready, that they need more rest.

Obviously, the Pandemic figures big in the equation. If the NBA has no guarantee that games will be again played in empty-arenas. That is what the owners are saying when they prefer to begin the season in December instead of January.

This looks like ‘Groundhog Day” in comparison to what Major League Baseball went through recently and could be up for again next season.. The CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) also figures here. Depending what happens, players salaries could drop big time between the CBA 50-50 split between the NBA and the Players Union.

Some kind of agreement or decision on when to have the Tip Off for the season should be made soon.

Stay well and stay tuned.

Amaury does News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal/Stanford Football podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal to open up season at home against Washington; Stanford at Oregon this Saturday

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Cal Bears head coach Justin Wilcox has been preparing the Golden Bears for the 2020 season which opens up against the Washington Huskies on Sat Nov 7th at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley (file photo mercurynews.com)

On the Cal/Stanford football podcast with Morris:

#1 The Cal Bears got a workout Saturday at the Berkeley campus after taking Friday off from practice. The Bears are preparing for the Washington Huskies for this Saturday’s game at Memorial Stadium a game that head coach Justin Wilcox is looking forward to after a later than normal start.

#2 Morris the Pac 12 has emphasized on the safety protocols but with travel and everything that is involved with it is the protocols more tighter per say than the NFL’s because the NFL has had some positive tests during this regular season?

#3 Morris for Saturday’s game at Cal how important is it for the Bears to put pressure on Washington quarterback and to keep control of the Huskies offense?

#4 Turning to Stanford football quarterback David Mills whose entering his senior year has a career 1960 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. The five interceptions over the last three years tells you how much he’s been careful with the football.

#5 Oregon’s quarterback Tyler Shough is the probable starter against the Cardinal Saturday. Shough who was a red shirt is said to be in the lead for the starting quarterback job while Anthony Brown who was at Boston College transferred over to the Ducks is also competing for the quarterback job.

Morris does the Cal/Stanford football podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

The 49ers lose to the Seahawks, 37-27, in Seattle as injuries continue to mount for San Francisco

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DK Metcalf (44) of the Seattle Seahawks sees lots of daylight on this 46 yard carry in the first quarter as the San Francisco 49ers cornerback Emmanuel Mosley (41) gives chase at Centuylink Field in Seattle on Sun Nov 1st (seattletimes.com photo)

By Joe Hawkes
Staff Writer

If the San Francisco 49ers had any aspirations of winning back-to-back division titles, those dreams were dashed as the Seattle Seahawks showed why they are the best team in the NFC West with a 37-27 victory in Week 8 at an empty CenturyLink Field on Sunday afternoon.

With the win, the Seahawks improve to 6-1 on the year and remain atop of the NFC West standings and keep the 49ers in the basement with a 4-4 record.

Injuries continue to snake decimate the 49ers, who saw starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and all-world tight end George Kittle leave the game late in the fourth quarter with ankle and foot injuries. Both players’ status for Thursday night’s game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium is uncertain according to head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Both Garoppolo and Kittle are expected to undergo further treatment on Monday.

The injuries occurred within minutes of each other early in the fourth quarter and both players retreated to the locker room for further examination. Both were listed as questionable to return to the game, but neither saw the field again for the 49ers.

When you watched Garoppolo against Seattle, he just didn’t play well. Garoppolo had trouble getting the football out of his hands quickly amid constant pressure from the Seahawks. He struggled to find the NFL’s best tight end in Kittle, who had just one catch for 14 yards as Seattle built a 27-7 lead.

For the game, Kittle finished with just two catches for 39 yards.

Garoppolo completed 11 of 16 passes for just 84 yards with no touchdowns and one interception before exiting the game in the second half with the same aggravated ankle injury that kept him out for two games. He was replaced by backup Nick Mullens.

Mullens seemed comfortable coming into the game, leading the 49ers on three touchdown drives after San Francisco was trailing 30-7. On his first drive, Mullens engineered an 11-play, 79-yard drive that was capped off by Jerick McKinnon’s 1-yard touchdown run to cut Seattle’s lead to 30-14.

On the 49ers’ next possession, Mullens finished off a six-play, 80-yard drive with a 16-yard touchdown toss to backup tight end Ross Dwelley to bring the score to 30-20. The 49ers decided to go for two to make it a one-score game, but couldn’t convert the two-point conversion.

Seattle put the game away after rookie running back DeeJay Dallas’ 1-yard touchdown run put the Seahawks up 37-20 with 3:33 left in the game.

San Francisco added a three-yard score from Mullens to rookie wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to make the score 37-27 with 1:52 left in the game. Aiyuk finished tied with fellow wide receiver Kendrick Bourne with eight catches for 91 yards. Bourne registered 81 yards in the contest.

Too little, too late for the 49ers.

The real story of the game was the performances of quarterback Russell Wilson and wide receiver DK Metcalf.

Following an uncharacteristic game in which he threw three interceptions in a 37-34 loss in overtime to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 7 on the road, Wilson bounced back in major way completing 27 of 37 passes for 261 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Wilson, who is a heavy favorite to win the Most Valuable Player award this year, leads the NFL with 26 touchdown passes through eight weeks.

The 49ers had no answer for Metcalf the entire game.

Metcalf gave Seattle a 6-0 lead in the first quarter on a 46-yard touchdown catch-and-run where he went nearly untouched by San Francisco’s fifth ranked defense.

Following rookie running back JaMychal Hasty’s first-career rushing touchdown to put the 49ers up 7-6, Metcalf added his second score of the day from two-yards out to extend Seattle’s lead to 13-7.

Metcalf bounced back in Week 8 after having just two catches for 23 yards against the Cardinals, Metcalf had himself a career-day against the 49ers. The second-year wide receiver set career-highs in catches (12) and yards (161) to go along with two scores.

Defensively, Seattle’s much maligned defense had its best performance of the year in the victory over the 49ers.

The Seahawks limited the 49ers’ offense to 116 yards and had two takeaways in the first half, including an interception of Garopolo by nickelback D.J. Reed Jr. to set up Seattle’s first score. Reed Jr., who was waved by the 49ers in August, was making his Seattle debut after being activated off the non-football injury list on Saturday.

San Francisco did finish with 351 yards of total offense, but most of that came in the fourth quarter with Seattle in control of the game.

Bobby Wagner, Seattle’s All-Pro middle linebacker, continued to be the gold standard at the position with a vintage performance. Wagner was all over the field, finishing with 11 tackles and two of Seattle’s three sacks on the day.

Seattle and San Francisco will meet again in Week 17 at Levi’s Stadium to close out the 2020 season.

NCAA Football podcast with Michelle Richardson: Clawing out a win Clemson gets by BC; No Mercy rule in Bama win; Buckeyes get a win over Penn

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Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei (5) runs a keeper against the Boston College defense in the Tigers 34-28 win at Clemson S.C. on Sat Oct 31, 2020 (AP News photo)

On the NCAA Football podcast with Michelle:

#1 The Clemson Tigers (7-0) got by the Boston College Eagles (4-3) 34-28 on Saturday. The Tigers rallied in the fourth quarter with a touchdown and conversion for all the scoring the quarter good for the win.

#2 The Alabama Crimson Tide (5-0) obviously doesn’t believe in the mercy rule crushed Mississippi State (1-4) 41-0. The Crimson Tide offense ran through Miss State’s defense all night long with the Tide ending the first half with a 27-0 score and getting the huge shutout win in the end.

#3 The Ohio State Buckeyes (2-0) picked up their second win of the second win this week beating the Penn State Nittany Lions (1-1) 38-25. Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields threw for 147 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Michelle’s Final Thoughts

Join Michelle each Sunday night for the NCAA podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Headline Sports with Daniel Dullum: For Rays sabermetrics over rated; LaRussa back with Chisox; Coyotes have bullying issues; plus more

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In the much talked about game six of the 2020 World Series Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said starter Blake Snell had hit his pitch limit. It was a move that was second guessed by many critics as the Los Angeles Dodgers came back and won the World Series (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports with Daniel:

1 World Series – Rays take sabermetrics a step too far – Blake Snell pulled after 73 pitches

2 Tony LaRussa accepts White Sox managerial gig – at 76

3 Coyotes renounce first round draft choice – bullying issues

4 Wisconsin has 3 more positive Covid-19 tests, holds off practice until at least Nov. 4; Clemson QB had ‘mild Covid symptoms’; ESPN’s Desmond Howard tests positive for Covid-19

5 Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit cancelled for this season; so is the East-West Shrine Game, the Holiday Bowl, the Redbox Bowl and the inaugural Fenway Bowl

6 Ontario Hockey League bans bodychecking this season to fight coronavirus spread

Join Daniel each Sunday for Headlines podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com