Raiders win defensive battle over Browns in winter weather, 16-6

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Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) watches the ball after kicking a 24-yard field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Cleveland. The Raiders won 16-6. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

By Shawn McCullough

Las Vegas has now experienced a typical cold November day in Cleveland.

In wind, rain, sleet and snow, the Raiders defense held the Cleveland Browns to just 223 total yards as Las Vegas escaped with a 16-6 win in Cleveland.

“We will take any win that we can get,” said head coach Jon Gruden.

Raiders’ kicker Daniel Carlson nailed three field goals from 29, 33 and 24 yards despite the bad weather.

“Probably the windiest game that I have ever played in,” said Carlson. “I had some good operation, good holds, good protection and got some points on the board the rest of the game.”

“Credit to Carlson for being able to kick the ball and make some field goals,” said Gruden. “It was a real obstacle for the kickers.”

The lone Raiders touchdown came on a four yard pass from quarterback Derek Carr to wide receiver Hunter Renfrow.

“I thought that I got my hands underneath it,” said Renfrow. “It turned a little bit at the end, but it was a touchdown and it was good times.”

Carr finished the game going 15 for 24 for 112 yards and one touchdown.

“Whenever you are able to do it the way we did it, everyone has to deal with the conditions, but a team that comes from Las Vegas, the desert, and gets a win, that’s a good feeling especially on the road,” said Carr.

Running back Josh Jacobs led the Raiders on the ground rushing 31 times for 128 yards.

With the win, the Raiders improved to 4-3 heading into their next game on Sunday in Los Angeles against the Chargers.

Game Notes:

  • The Raiders outgained the Browns in total yards, 309-223.
  • Tight end Darren Waller led the Raiders with only 28 yards receiving.
  • Nine different Raiders players caught at least one ball from QB Derek Carr.
  • The Raiders have now won two of their last three games.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: MLB Owners and Winter Meetings Cancelled

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Major League Baseball calling off it’s winter meetings is a cause for concern after losing over $3 billion in revenue will MLB open the season and stand to lose more revenue again for 2021? (file photo from CBS Sports)

By Amaury Pi-González

2020 Baseball season is over; the Los Angeles Dodgers were crowned World Series Champion during an unprecedented 60-game season and Playoffs. However, the pain inflicted by this 2020 in baseball is not over yet.

The league announced the cancellation of both the owners meetings in November and winter meetings in December. The agendas will be conducted virtually as needed, by the now very well-known Zoom meeting. Owners meeting: Owners, presidents, general managers and managers from the 30 teams talk about economics, on-field issues as well as trades and free agents.

Winters meeting: All Major League baseball teams and their minor league affiliates convene each December to discuss business and conduct the off-season trades and all transactions.

According to The Wall Street Journal the 30 teams lost an estimated of $3 billion. The biggest blow, no fans in the stands, no ticket sales no parking revenues, no food drink or souvenirs sold. And we must not forget that some businesses in the vicinity of many parks also suffered, even if they were open.

No surprise that most MLB teams have reduced their staffs, some more than others, its early October MLB released schedules for all 30 teams for the 2021 season, however, the Office of the Commissioner Rob Manfred has still two biggest fears for next season which are, (1)-Are we going to have a vaccine, and (2) – Are we past the Pandemic. If both answers are yes, things could begin to return with a sense of “normalcy” of some form.

Even if 2021 is played with a 162 game schedule, like for example (2019 when nobody could predict this Pandemic) and everything went ‘honky dory’ there is another problem in the horizon. After the conclusion of the 2021 season there is bitter labor-management negotiations looming. The Basic Agreement between Major League Baseball and the Players Association expires.

Baseball fans do not sweat it. The greatest Baseball philosopher Yogi Berra once said: “It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future”.

Stay well and stay tuned.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead Spanish radio announcer for Oakland A’s baseball on 1010 KIQI San Francisco and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Quakes canceled game with LAFC tonight no new rescheduled date yet; San Jose Earthquakes Fall Victim to Corona Virus

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Earthquakes Stadium in San Jose will remain empty today as the match between LAFC and the Quakes had been postponed for Sun Nov 1, 2020 match (photo from sjearthquakes.com)

By Barbara Mason

We are all aware of the protocols that sports teams across the country are taking to protect their franchises from this deadly virus.. Despite all of the precautions we have seen Covid 19 cases pop up in every sector from the NFL, MLB right down to colleges across the nation. Now despite great care being taken in Major League Soccer, the San Jose Earthquakes have now experienced the sting of a number of players testing positive.

The match between the Quakes and the Los Angeles Football club that was to take place on Sunday November 1 has been postponed. Earlier this week it was discovered that three of San Jose’s player group had tested positive. The team immediately jumped into action taking appropriate measures to ensure the safety of all involved team members. The good news for San Jose is that remaining players and staff have all tested negative and continue to test negative. Despite the continued negative tests from the team, Sundays game was postponed in a better safe than sorry scenario.

Now the question remains; can this game be rescheduled before Decision Day which takes place on November 8. The Quakes are not the only team to struggle from the disruption. Another Sunday game has also been cancelled due to outbreak. Sporting Kansas City and Minnesota United FC have also suffered from yet another cancellation. Several players on Minnesota tested positive and because of the lack of match dates available this game will not be rescheduled.

It was confirmed this week that a number of teams will not be able to finish the full 23 game season. Many of those scheduled matches were disrupted due to the Covid-19. Presently qualification for the Audi 2020 MLS Cup playoffs will be determined by a points per game average for those teams unable to finish the full season.

As we continue through what is left of the season the hopes are that most of these games are able to be played before the last day of the regular season known as Decision Day which falls on November 8th. November 20 the playoffs start and conclude with MLS Cup 2020 on December 12.

49ers activate Tevin Coleman and K’Waun Williams for Week 8 vs. Seattle; place Jeff Wilson Jr. on injured reserve

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The San Francisco 49ers Tevon Coleman tries to get around the Kansas City Chiefs Tyrann Mathieu during Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on Feb 2, 2020. Coleman is expected back Sun Nov 1st vs Seattle Seahawks (file photo from San Francisco Chronicle) 

By Joe Hawkes
Staff Writer

The San Francisco 49ers are getting some reinforcements just in time for Sunday’s pivotal matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. The team announced Saturday that they have activated running back Tevin Coleman and K’Waun Williams from injured reserve.

The 49ers also announced that they placed running back Jeff Wilson Jr. on injured reserve.

Wilson was named FedEx Ground Player of the Week for his huge performance against the New England Patriots in Week 7. The running back rushed for a career-high 112 yards and three touchdowns in the 49ers’ 33-6 win over the Patriots in Foxborough, MA. His three rushing scores were the most by a 49ers running back on the road since Roger Craig lit up the Los Angeles Rams with three rushing touchdowns in 1988.

Coleman has been out of action since Week 2 with a sprain knee. He joins Jerick McKinnon and JaMychal Hasty as the only healthy running backs on the roster for the 49ers. Along with Wilson, starter Raheem Mostert has been placed on IR.

Williams has been out since Week 4 with a sprained MCL. His return to the field will help bolster a 49ers’ secondary that will be tasked to slowing down wide receivers Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf. Lockett is coming off a 15-catch, 200-yard and three-touchdown performance in Seattle’s 37-34 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 7 in Glendale.

Operating primarily as the team’s top slot cornerback, Williams has played 55 and 67 percent of defensive snaps in each of the first four games this year. Fellow cornerbacks Emmanuel Moseley and Jason Verrett have formed a good tandem for a team that’s been without veteran Richard Sherman (calf) since Week 2.

San Francisco (4-3) currently sits in last place in a highly competitive NFC West. But a win against the Seahawks (5-1) in Week 8 would pull the 49ers within a half-game of first place Seattle, and keep pace with the surging Rams and Cardinals who are both 5-2 this season.

The 49ers are just a half-game behind the New Orleans Saints for the No. 7 seed in the NFC, though they have played one more game than the Saints, who have already taken its bye. The two teams hook up in Week 10 down in New Orleans, before the 49ers go on their bye in Week 11.

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Rich Perez for Jeremiah Salmonson: Regardless of the Seahawks struggling defense Garoppolo knows their reputation

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo throws against the New England Patriots in the first half of Sun Oct 25, 2020 at Foxboro the 49ers face the Seattle Seahawks on Sun Nov 1st (AP News photo)

On the 49ers podcast with Rich Perez for Jeremiah:

#1 San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo said that the Seattle Seahawks defense will be well prepared for Sunday despite allowing a league high for yardage.

#2 The Seahawks had a struggle with the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale last Sunday when they lost in overtime 37-34. Again Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and the offense provided enough points to win but the defense couldn’t keep the Cardinals out of the red zone for that overtime portion of Sunday Night Football.

#3 Garoppolo is not looking at all the yardage that the Seahawks gave up during the season but he’s looking at what this defense has had in it’s reputation is that something Garoppolo should be concerned about?

#4 In regards to the injuries Garoppolo said, “It’s not just smooth sailing like it was last year, win after win. We’ve had ups and downs and I think that’s kind of made us battle tested.”

#5 The contest is at Centurylink Field this Sunday and there will be no 12th man as that place can get very noisy but none the less it’s a place that has been challenging for the 49ers in the past.

Rich Perez filled Jeremiah for the 49ers podcasts Saturday nights at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez: Raiders prepare for an improved Cleveland Browns this Sunday

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derick Carr (4) at an indoor practice with the offense preparing for this weekend’s game in Cleveland. Carr trying to shake last Sunday’s loss to Tampa Bay and get back in the win column against the Browns. (reviewjournal.com photo) 

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez:

#1 Rich, talk about the breakdown in the Raiders defense that set the stage for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tom Brady who ended up scoring four touchdowns was this a matter of Brady being the tactician that he is or the Raiders defense just let down.

#2 The Raiders also struggled on offense as quarterback Derek Carr couldn’t get anything going Carr threw for 284 yards, two touchdowns and and two interceptions. Most afternoons that would be good enough to win a ball game but with the Buccaneers they piled up enough offense and scores that the Raiders couldn’t come close.

#3 The Raiders didn’t have much of a ground game they’re running backs Jalen Richard, Joshua Jacobs, and even Carr couldn’t score carrying the ball.

#4 In the air the Raiders were able to score twice with the help of wide receivers Nelson Agholor and Darren Waller although not enough at least it wasn’t a wash for the Raiders.

#5 The Cleveland Browns the Raiders next opponent on Sunday are 5-2 they just edged the Cincinnati Bengals 37-34 last Sunday and although they couldn’t handle the Pittsburgh Steelers 38-7 on Oct 18th previous to that game the Browns had won four straight. 

Join Rich for the Raiders podcasts each Saturday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Wondolowski’s key goals help Quakes get seventh seed in Western Conference

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The San Jose Earthquakes Chris Wondolowski celebrates a first half goal with teammate Cristian Espinoza (10) against Real Salt Lake FC on Wed Oct 28, 2020 at Earthquakes Stadium in San Jose (AP News photo)

On the SJ Earthquakes podcast with Marko:

#1 Marko talk about Chris Wondolowski’s two goals Wednesday night against Real Salt Lake in a 2-0 shutout win at Earthquakes Stadium.

#2 The win gave San Jose the seventh seed in the Western Conference with 27 points.

#3 The Quakes are ahead of the eighth place Vancouver Whitecaps who they lost two in their last match against them in Portland 2-1 so the win against Real Salt Lake was crucial.

#4 Wondolowski said the game against Real Salt Lake wasn’t the prettiest but the Quakes grinded it out for the 2-0 shutout.

#5 The Quakes next host LAFC (9-4-7) and hold the fifth seed in the Western Conference. The Quakes shutout LAFC in their last meeting 4-0. LAFC will be looking for some revenge, can the Quakes pull off another win against LAFC in this next match.

Join Marko for San Jose Earthquakes futbol podcasts each Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Hawkes: 49ers have multiple injuries but can they get by Seahawks struggling defense?

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The Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) looks for day light as he’s pursued by the Arizona Cardinals strong safety Bubba Baker (32) and outside linebacker Haason Reddick (43) during the second half of Sun Oct 25th’s game in Glendale (AP News photo)

On the 49ers podcast with J Hawkes:

#1 The San Francisco 49ers have three players on the injured reserve list tight end Jordan Reed, cornerback K’Waun Williams, and running back Tevin Coleman. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said they might not be playing in Seattle this Sunday as all three players have knee injuries.

#2 The 49ers have more injuries their dealing with wide receiver Jimmie Ward (quadriceps), Jaquiski Tartt (groin) didn’t practice on Wed, wide receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring), wide receiver Jeff Wilson (ankle) on IR, cornerback Jason Verrett (hamstring) didn’t practice Wed.

#3 Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll understood why the 49ers traded up six spots to get wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, Carroll said “he’s really good, a really good player” Aiyuk has 20 catches for 280 yards and a touchdown.

#4 Aiyuk had a season high of six catches, 115 yards against New England last Sunday so the Seahawks could be keying in on Aiyuk on Sunday.

#5 The 49ers are in Seattle this Sunday and face quarterback Russell Wilson who on Oct 11th at Centurylink threw a come back winning touchdown after being down 13-0 at the half. Wilson commandeered a 94 yard drive and with 15 second left in the game threw a game winning touchdown to defeat the Minnesota Vikings 27-26.

Join Joe Hawkes each Friday for the 49ers podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

49ers’ defense will have its hands full with Seahawks’ Russell Wilson in key NFC West showdown

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The Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) on the move to throw to a receiver during Oct 11, 2020 game against the Minnesota Vikings at Centurylink Field in Seattle in first half action (AP News photo)

By Joe Hawkes
Staff Writer

Its no big secret that the key for any team into stopping the Seattle Seahawks is to corral quarterback Russell Wilson.

Easier said than done.

Wilson’s uncanny ability to avoid would-be pass rushers and find an open DK Metcalf or Tyler Lockett downfield for big gains has become routine this season. You almost take him for granted because we expect him to turn a broken play into a great play.

Both Lockett (45 catches/542 yards/7 TD) and Metcalf (24 catches/519 yards/5 TD) have made huge plays for Wilson this year that has put Wilson in prime position to win his first MVP award.

Simply put, Wilson is amazing at playing quarterback in the NFL.

San Francisco’s defense will have its hands full with Wilson as the 49ers (4-3) travel to the Pacific Northwest for a pivotal NFC West matchup against the Seahawks (5-1) on Sunday afternoon from CenturyLink Field.

The last time the 49ers were in Seattle, Week 17 of last season, San Francisco prevailed 26-21 in a heart-wrenching game that was decided by a goal-line stop by then-rookie linebacker Dre Greenlaw on Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister. Greenlaw’s tackle wrapped up the NFC West title and the No. 1 seed for San Francisco in front a loud sellout crowd.

This time around, the division isn’t on the line and there won’t be any raucous fans at CenturyLink Field due to the pandemic. But a win for the 49ers would pull them within half-game of first-place Seattle, making for a tighter race with both the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams both at 5-2.

The same Arizona Cardinals that handed the Seahawks their first loss of the season last week, 37-34, in overtime in Phoenix on Sunday Night Football. In that game, Wilson completed 33 of 50 passes for 388 yards and three touchdowns, but tossed three costly interceptions in losing for the first time in his nine-year career when leading by four or more points at halftime.

He had been 59-0 in such situations according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Oh yeah, that same Arizona Cardinals team that shocked the 49ers 24-20 in Week 1 at Levi’s Stadium.

You don’t think the 49ers, the reigning NFC champions, wasn’t paying attention like the rest of America when Wilson looked mortal in game for once this season?

The answer would be a resounding yes.

Despite season-ending injuries to defensive end Nick Bosa (knee) and defensive tackle Solomon Thomas (knee), along with cornerback Richard Sherman (calf) and defensive end Dee Ford (back) both missing significant time this season, San Francisco’s defense has remained steady this season.

The unit ranks fifth in total defense this season allowing just 19.4 points per game, which includes the 43-17 home drubbing at the hands of the Miami Dolphins that left the 49ers at 2-3 and many declaring their season over.

Seattle’s offense ranks tops in the NFL in scoring, averaging 33.8 points per game. Wilson leads all quarterbacks in touchdowns (22) and passer rating (119.4) to go along with just six interceptions.

Last week, the San Francisco’s defense played without both starting safeties in Jaquiski Tartt (groin) and Jimmie Ward (quad) and limited the New England Patriots to just 241 yards of total offense in a 33-6 demolishing in an empty Gillette Stadium. The defense recorded four interceptions.

San Francisco must find a way to generate a consistent pass rush against Wilson, who is an escape artist when the pocket collapses. Tackling Wilson is harder than tackling a tadpole in shallow water.

Through seven games, the 49ers have sacked opposing quarterbacks 19 times this season, which is good for ninth in the NFL. Defensive end Kerry Hyder Jr. leads the 49ers with 3.5 sacks.

Fellow defensive end Arik Armstead has had some success at getting to Wilson in the past, registering 2.5 sacks in eight games.

Since the Seahawks drafted Wilson in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft, he’s 12-4 against the 49ers (the most wins against any team) with 3,347 yards, 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions with a 97.9 passer rating.

With injuries to Chris Carson (mid-foot sprain), Carlos Hyde (hamstring) and Travis Homer (knee), rookie DeeJay Dallas is the only healthy running back on Seattle’s roster, so the game could be in Wilson’s hands even more come Sunday.

The last three matchups against these two rivals have come down to the final possession. So we could very well see a replay Sunday of Week 17 where Wilson has the football in his hands and San Francisco’s defense will need a stop to walk away with a victory.

 

 

 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Tony LaRussa returns as Manager after Nine year Hiatus

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Tony LaRussa in 1979 in his first managing job with the Chicago White Sox (1979-1986) has come full circle after managing the Oakland A’s (1986-1995) and St Louis Cardinals(1996-2011) and after nine years (2020) LaRussa is back managing the White Sox once again (file photo from pinterest.com)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Tony LaRussa last managed in 2011 guiding the St Louis Cardinals to a World Series title. The Hall of Fame manager, now 76 is coming back as manager of the Chicago White Sox. During the wild card Series between the Oakland Athletics and the Chicago White Sox this past September, Tony was seated to my left a few booths away, by himself, taking notes.

I went over to say Hi. He has served in front office jobs for multiple teams since 2014. After the news of his hiring by the White Sox, he told ESPN “My heart was always in the dugout” He has always been a perfectionist who hates to lose a game, some might call him a “control freak”. During the recent national anthem protest he told ESPN Dan LeBatard Show, “I would not allow it on my team”, while he was the Chief Baseball Officer for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Tony LaRussa was one of the first managers to use everybody in his bullpen to win many games, with the likes of Gene Nelson, Rick Honeycutt and Hall of Fame close Dennis Eckersley. El Show de Tony LaRussa (about 5 minutes) was in Spanish preceding every A’s game during his years with the Athletics, he loved to talk about pitching and his great pitching coach Dave Duncan.

He was always talking baseball strategy and he loved each minute of it. The ultimate baseball professional. Many games he would ask a starter like Mike Moore to give him 5 1/3 innings and then he would turn it to the bullpen. Now that “style” is in vogue, but on steroids as in the recent World Series where there was more action in the bullpens than on the field.

When the White Sox parted ways with Rick Rentería after his White Sox were eliminated by the Athletics, they were looking for an experienced manager, with wisdom and success and the gravitas of Tony LaRussa. Tony is one of two managers in history to have won World Series with teams in both leagues, with the Oakland A’s in 1989 and with the St Louis Cardinals in 2006 and 2011. George (Sparky) Anderson with the Cincinnati Reds in 1975 and 1976 and then with the Detroit Tigers in 1984

Born in Tampa, Florida, Tony LaRussa will take over a young and very talented ball-club in the Chicago White Sox, who is loaded with young and established Latino stars and a team that could be very close to winning a World Series.

The White Sox hope Tony is “el hombre” to take them to the Promised Land, as he returns to the Windy City where he managed for the first time in the major leagues in 1979. Tony resides here in the Bay Area and is the founder of the Tony LaRussa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, a non-for-profit organization with offices in Walnut Creek.

Questions like: At 76, would he be able to relate to his young ballplayers? He has not managed for nine (9) years, how would he be received in their locker room and with the media in Chicago? And many others. It will be interesting to see how his first season develops.

In Major League history, these are the top three managers in wins. 1-Connie Mack 3,731 2-John McGraw 2,763 3-Tony LaRussa 2,728

As of today the two oldest managers in MLB: Tony LaRussa, 76 and Dusty Baker, 71.

Buena suerte Tony.

Stay well and stay tuned.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Museum and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com