Decimated 49ers hope to get win before bye

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Photo credit: @49ers

By Jeremy Harness

Things only seem to get worse for the 49ers with each passing week.

At what is now the start of the rebuilding process under first-year head coach Kyle Shanahan as well as fellow rookie general manager John Lynch, the losses were expected to happen. But it seemed reasonable that the team would finish the season somewhat healthy.

That has not happened, not by a longshot.

As the losses continue to pile up for the 49ers, so do the season-ending injuries. Joining a list of players who are out for the rest of the year are safety Jaquiski Tartt, who suffered a broken forearm in last Sunday’s loss at home to the Arizona Cardinals, as well as receiver Pierre Garcon.

The 49ers currently have 18 players who are currently on IR, and some of the other notables on this list right now are defensive ends Arik Armstead and Tank Carradine as well as linebacker Malcolm Smith, who was lost for the season with a pectoral injury back in training camp.

If there is any good news to come out of team headquarters, it’s that tackle Joe Staley returned to practice Wednesday. The 49ers will need all the bodies they can get this week, as they face the mightily-struggling New York Giants on Sunday.

Furthermore, linebacker Reuben Foster was a full participant in practice after being limited for the past several weeks, meaning that he is getting much closer to full strength. Meanehile, fullback Kyle Juszczyk was limited in practice Wednesday while nursing a neck injury while tight end George Kittle did not practice at all with his ankle injury and is not expected to play Sunday.

Meanwhile, for the 1-7 Giants, there has been some significant injury issues, as star receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. was lost for the season early on in the year, and they have struggled to find a rhythm ever since.

This may be the best chance for the 49ers to get a win, and after this game, they will go into their bye week before facing the Seattle Seahawks at home. They will then take on the Chicago Bears, Houston Texas, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Rams to close out the season.

San Jose Barracuda Podcast with Ana Kieu: Cuda set for this weekend back to back games with Manitoba starting Saturday

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San Jose Barracuda photo: defenceman Julius Bergman (63) left, defenceman Cavan Fitzgerald (67) center, and forward Filip Sandberg (43) gather round in Nov 5th game versus Texas at SAP Center

On the SJ Barracuda podcast with Ana:

1. The Barracuda finished a five game road trip with a game against the Reign in Ontario. A look at an in-depth breakdown of the game.

2. Ana predicted the Barracuda were going to defeat the Reign 3-2 in overtime. What went wrong for the Barracuda in this rivalry matchup?

3. Barracuda broadcaster Nick Nollenberger answered some fan-submitted questions on his broadcast blog last Thursday. 1 of those questions was “What was your best Christmas party ever?” He responded with the Christmas party he had in Odessa, Texas. Now, what was your favorite Christmas party ever?

4. The Barracuda reassigned goaltender Stephon Williams to the Americans last Friday. Tell me more about Williams.

5. The Barracuda play seven games for the month of November. They’re offering $10 parking all month long and free parking for parties of four or more. Do you think this is going to increase the overall attendance at the games?

6. The Barracuda returned home for an opener against the Texas Stars to kick off a five game homestand. What were your three takeaways from this tilt?

7. The Barracuda host the Moose twice this weekend. What are your three keys for San Jose for the back-to-back set?

8. As a whole, what’s your prediction on this upcoming homestand?

Ana Kieu does the San Jose Barracuda Podcasts each week and Alexandra Evans and Marko Ukalovic have the Barracuda game recaps home and away at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s Podcast, News and Commentary: NFL TV ratings slip to a new low a 12 share in week eight of the season

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Cleveland Browns v Minnesota Vikings, NFL Week 8, Twickenham Stadium, London, UK – 29 Oct 2017 (Rex Features via AP Images)

On Amaury’s Podcast:

1 NFL telecasts for this season dropped to a 14 share after having numbers in the past with an 18 share in 2015, then a drop in 2016 a 15 share, this was being blamed on ex 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick taking a knee during the national anthem, but now it’s been further explored with the younger demographic not watching the entire game, fans eating healthier and less to purchase Papa John’s leading to a drop in product sales, and the players being used at the cost of concussions.

2 Because of the TV shares dropping in what is the richest sports league in the country could there be a threshold at some point that the league could face a point of no return and lose their audience that would take years to comeback

3 Week #8 last Sunday was the lowest share for the NFL with a drop to a 12 share, NFL Commissioner and the owners are concerned that the ratings could very well drop to a 10 share which would be a marketing killer for the league and asks the question how is the NFL going to get those fans back?

4 The NFL got bad recommendations from Pres Trump over the players taking a knee and the league has got a ton of complaints from the fans about Kaepernick. For certain it’s looks like Kaepernick who filed a grievance against the league for collusion will never get another chance to work in the NFL which is causing controversy for the players who support him and the owners are keeping quiet about the matter with the media

5 When the World Series was played in Los Angeles in games six and seven it’s been a who’s who of Hollywood stars who came out to see the ball game which included Madonna, Seinfeld, Lady Gaga, and of course Dodgers team president Magic Johnson who waved to a few fans calling his name. One thing for sure the World Series always brings out the rich and famous.

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

Cal Bears Basketball Podcast with Morris Phillips: Jones using up tempo game, full court press, and good defense; Opens season at home with UC Riverside

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collegebasketball.ap.org: photo: Cal Bears head coach Wyking Jones show speaking with the media opens the regular season Friday night against UC Riverside at Haas Pavilion

Cal Bears BB Podcast with Morris Phillips:

1 Size and athleticism was what the Cal Bears brought into Haas Pavillion on Monday night against Providence in their pre season game win 81-52 and the Bears had the game in hand from the start

2 The Bears Kingsley Okoroh has a good game Monday night with a triple double performance and 14 points, ten rebounds, ten blocks, and a good way to start 2017

3 The other part of Cal’s one two punch from Monday was Marcus Lee who transferred to Cal from Kentucky and had 17 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks

4 Wyking Jones Cal’s head coach and a former assistant coach to ex head coach Cuonzo Martin called for up temp play, a full court press, and a defense that held Providence to 22 percent in shooting in the first half

5 The Bears open the regular season against UC Riverside at 9PM on Friday night at Haas Pavilion as always a big crowd expected for opening night

Morris Phillips covers Cal Mens basketball and does the podcast each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

San Jose Sharks Podcast with Mary Lisa Walsh: Sharks face a hot Stamkos and Kucherov with Lighting tonight at SAP Center

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AP File photo: Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) shoots the puck past Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, of Russia, (72) for a goal in a shootout of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in Tampa, Fla. The Lightning won the game 5-4. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

On the San Jose Sharks Podcast with Mary Lisa Walsh:

1 The Sharks got by the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday 2-1. The Sharks Joel Ward got a late game third period goal to tie the game and force a shootout

2 The Sharks got the tie breaker in the shootout when Joonas Donskoi found the back end of the game winner

3 Anaheim Ducks goalie Ryan Miller was great on defense despite the loss and stopping 44 shots

4  Sharks goalie Martin Jones stopped 25 of 26 shots and had a great night in net

5 The Sharks missed two of their key players Saturday night Paul Martin and Marc Edouard Vlasic but younger players Dylan DeMelo, Tim Heed, and Joakim Ryan filled in and held off the Ducks

6 The Sharks host the hottest team in the NHL the Tampa Bay Lighting tonight at SAP Center. The Lighting in first place in the Atlantic Division 11-2-2 have some offense led by Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov both are one and two in scoring with 25 and 23 in the NHL

Mary Lisa Walsh does the Sharks podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Kings storm back to beat the Thunder for their second win of the season, 94-86

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AP17312214510217
Sacramento Kings forward Zach Randolph, second from left, goes to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Andre Roberson, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. The Kings won 94-86. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

By Morris Phillips

SACRAMENTO–The Kings’ desperately sought second win of the season came Tuesday night– 18 long days after the first–at Golden One Center against Western Conference heavyweight Oklahoma City. That’s the headline. But to be fair, the subtext would have to be how poorly the star-laden Thunder played–and how disinterested they looked after tripling up Sacramento in an impressive, first quarter start.

The Kings would have preferred it be about them, but it wasn’t.  At least it wasn’t after the first 12 minutes. After scoring just 10 points in the opening period–and trailing by as many as 17 points–the Kings responded, gaining the lead before halftime, and maintaining it throughout the second half in a 94-86 win.

“We beat a good team with good players, good coaching and a great front office and everybody had a part in it,” Coach Dave Joerger said. “I’d love to give a bunch of `Atta boys’ out but that was a total team effort.”

Zach Randolph led the Kings with all 18 of his points coming after the half, as Sacramento built on its slim, one point-lead at the break. Randolph’s willingness to play center in a smaller lineup keyed the resurgence as the team’s ball movement improved, and the shots began to drop.

“I’m drawing so much attention from the defense, so somebody’s open,” Randolph said. “There’s always a double team, always a man coming over so I can move the ball and get that open shot for my teammate.”

 

 

San Francisco 49ers Podcast with David Zizmor: For Garoppolo a contrast in working with Patriots to 49ers but may not play a down this season

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

On the 49ers podcast with Dave:

1 The 49ers loss to the Arizona Cardinals 20-10 last Sunday at Levis Stadium continued the winless streak to nine for the Niners. The defense couldn’t stop Arizona quarterback Drew Stanton who was replacing starter Carson Palmer who broke his arm in week seven. Stanton threw for 15-30 and 201 yards.

2 Every week same thing different story in the game last Sunday and the week before in Philadelphia the 49ers met some tougher opponents but still haven’t found a way to the win column

3 The 49ers host the New York Giants (1-7) Sunday at Levis in what could be the 49ers best chance to win a game this season. It’s however very unlikely that quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will get a series in the game although he’s on the sidelines studying the 49ers plays and playbook

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

 

Cal speeds up the pace in exhibition win over University of Providence

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Photo credit: @CalMBBall

By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA — Size and athleticism were in abundant display for the Cal Bears in their exhibition debut victory over University of Providence.

Kingsley Okoroh, one of the few familiar faces in the Cal lineup, led the way with a triple-double (14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 blocks). Kentucky transfer Marcus Lee joined Okoroh in the team’s twin towers starting lineup and contributed 17 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks.

Returning guard Don Coleman led Cal in scoring with 20 points.

New coach Wyking Jones, an assistant under former head coach Cuonzo Martin had the Bears playing a more uptempo style including a frequent, full court press. The Bears held the Argonauts to just 22 percent shooting in the first half in which they established a 44-24 halftime lead.

Providence’s shooting picked up slightly in the second half and the Bears cruised to a 81-52 victory. Deontae Woodbridge led Providence with 13 points but missed eight of his 12 shots from the field.

The Bears were picked to finish 11th in a Pac-12 pre-season poll, a nod to all the personnel and coaching changes on a team that has seven freshmen and a junior transfer, Jacob Orender.

The Bears official season opener comes on Friday night against UC Riverside at 9pm at Haas Pavilion.

Barracuda Right Winger Filip Sandberg – Profile

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Photo credit: San Jose Barracuda

By Alexandra Evans

SAN JOSE — “It’s been hockey since I grew up,” Barracuda right winger Filip Sandberg said after practice at Solar4America Ice on Friday, November 2.

Beginning in his early youth, Sandberg watched his older brother, AIK veteran Christian Sandberg, on the ice and picked up the sport, practically, in no time.

At age 15, Sandberg relocated from Stockholm to Jonkoping, where he played for HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League from 2012 to 2017. Last season, Sandberg was listed at sixth on the team in points, third in assists, fifth in hits (a total of 44), and third among team forwards with 24 blocked shots.

Sandberg completed the 2016-17 playoffs with 14 points, ranking T-3rd in the league. These points were comprised of six goals and eight assists, for which he ranked T-5th (in goals) and T-6th (in assists). He led his team in postseason points and assists, and to a gold medal win.

In 204 SHL career games, Sandberg has attained 25 goals and 46 assists for a total of 71 points, along with a plus-eight rating. In 2013, he was appointed “Best Forward” in the U20 league.

Sandberg’s strength has translated well from the SHL to the AHL. One of the first things he noted was that the ice rinks in America are much smaller than those in Sweden, so one must think faster when moving the puck and attempting to score. The five-foot-eight, 190 pound left winger has scored four goals so far this season and is very well-coordinated, strong on skates, and getting faster game by game–a goal he set for himself when he first came to play in North America.

“You play against such great players. You don’t have time to think, ‘Where should I go now?’ You need to prepare all the time, then you take some feedback from the coaches and stuff like that. I think it is going to work out,” Sandberg said of the “smaller” ice in North America.

Sandberg is thrilled to be playing in San Jose. He described his contract signing as a dream come true. It will be exciting to watch him grow and progress this season. The NHL just might be in his foreseeable future.

Warriors don’t score 100 points but are able to grind out a win over Miami 97-80

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Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant celebrates after hitting a three-point basket against the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in Denver. (Photo by Jack Dempsey)

by Jerry Feitelberg

Oakland — The Warriors won their seventh game in their last eight starts. It was not easy or pretty, but they still prevailed over the Miami Heat, 97-80. The Heat, coached by Erik Spoelstra, played tough defense and did their best to keep the Warriors from running the court. The Heat loves to play a grind-it-out style of play similar to the one used by the Memphis Grizzlies. They do not run the fast break. They use up as much of the 34-second clock as possible before taking a shot and make the opposition work hard to take a three-point shot.

The Warriors were hoping to get off to a fast start in the first quarter. Miami had other ideas as neither team to get any offense going. The defense was a strong suit for both clubs as the game was tied at 15 late in the quarter. Miami went on a 6-0 run to take a 21-15 lead, but the Warriors came back to finish the first 12 minutes of play with a 7-0 run and ended with the lead 22-21. Miami continued to use the clock and brought the game to a crawl The Dubs led 36-34 with 3:17 left in the first half. It was at this point that the Warriors put it together and went on a 14-2 run to take a 50-37 advantage at the end of the first half. Kevin Durant and Draymond Green led the Warriors in scoring with 14 for KD and 13 for Green. The Heat held Steph Curry to four and Klay Thompson to seven.  Goran Dragovic and James Johnson each had 10 for Miami.

The second half was more of the same. The Heat continued to slow the game down, but the Warriors were able to meet the challenge. They increased the lead to 60-40. Curry and Thompson each knocked down a three-point shot and the Warriors were able to finish the third quarter with an 18-point lead, 75-57.  The Heat went on a 9-2 run to begin the fourth quarter as they reduced the lead to 12. Durant and Curry took over, and the Warrior defense held the Heat offense at bay as they won 97-80

Game notes and stats — Steve Kerr gave David West the night off, and Jordan Bell and Kevon Looney took up the slack and played very well, especially on defense. Green had this to say about the Heat: “They’re gonna drive, they’re gonna hold. It wasn’t pretty. We couldn’t make shots.” Steve Kerr said this: ” I thought it was our best defensive effort of the year…We made really good decisions out there. I liked the way we stayed with it against a good team…It was a grind out game.” The Warriors were very good, indeed, on defense. They outrebounded the Heat, 51-44. They had 12 steals and 19 blocks.  The Warriors’ offense recorded just 20 assists as the Heat really smothered the Warriors’ offense for most of the game.

Leading scorers for the Warriors were Durant with 21. Green knocked down 18. Curry had 16 and Thompson finished with 13. On defense, Durant And Kevon Looney each blocked three shots and Thompson had two. Dragovic tallied 19 for Miami and James Johnson, coming off the bench, poured in 21. The only other Heat player in double figures was Kelly Olynyk with 10.

The Warriors improve to 8-3, and the Heat drops to 4-6.

The Warriors meet the Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday night at Oracle Arena. Game time is at 7:30 pm.