Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Return of Yanks Severino; MLB Players prepared to sue MLB over shortened 2020 season; Packers Rogers calls out Pat McAfee show over work ethic remarks, plus more

New York Yankees pitcher Luis Severino returned to the pitcher’s mound Tue Sep 21, 2021 as he has recovered from Tommy John surgery and could be a big push in the Yankees bid to make the post season. Severino watches the Yankees from the dugout on Jun 20, 2021 and was activated on Mon Sep 20, 2021 (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports with Jessica:

#1 The Major League Players Union are prepared to sue MLB over the 2020 season shortened season due to the Coronavirus epidemic that the 60 game schedule was too short. Martin F Scheinman an arbitrator will hear grievance proceedings as the Players are seeking hundreds of millions of dollars for losing out on some 102 regular season games.

#2 The entire 2020 regular season was played in front of no fans, limited amounts of media, front office employees and player personal were allowed during the 60 game season. The loss hit the players in 2019 that went from $3.99 billion to $1.54 billion in 2020. This could be a stigma in negotiations in the Collective Bargaining Agreement which expires Dec 1st as the 2022 season could face a lock out.

#3 The New York Yankees on Monday who are a 1/2 game back in the AL Wild Card race were glad to announce the return of pitcher Luis Severino who made his first appearance in two years after having Tommy John surgery on Tuesday . Yanks manager Aaron Boone says he’ll be using Severino out of the bullpen. Severino signed a four year $40 million deal before 2019 campaign. He also could make appearances in the post season.

#4 After the Las Vegas Raiders came calling to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers the Steelers came away with multiple injuries which included quarterback Joe Roethlisberger who is suffering a left pectoral injury. The Steelers don’t know when in the game Sunday that Roethlisberger got the injury.

#5 Despite the Green Bay Packers win over the Detroit Lions Sunday 35-17 critics on the Pat McAfee show are questioning Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers his performance, work skills, mental make up and are questioning Rogers work habits. Rogers in return called out BS in his response to the McAfee show saying, “”It’s absolute (expletive) to give people a platform who have no idea what they’re talking about as far as my mental state and my focus, my work habits – people who are not in my life or I’ve not had communication with them or not in the locker room,” Rodgers said. “That’s just (expletive). It’s so ridiculous that people can get a platform to do this.” 

Join Jessica for Headline Sports every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Injuries pile up for Steelers; Raiders Carr throws for two touchdowns in 26-17 win

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker TJ Watt (90) gets the swoop down on Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) Watt would later leave the game with a injury and watch from the sidelines in the second half at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh on Sun Sep 19, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Rich Perez

The Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) couldn’t withstand the injuries and fell to the Las Vegas Raiders (2-0) 26-17 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. One of the key injuries of the game was when outside linebacker TJ Watt left in the first half and it felt like one of the wheels fell off for the Steelers.

Watt was seen on television standing on the sidelines in the second half with uniform off wearing Steelers cap and garb colecting his thoughts. Watt suffered a groin injury and you could feel the tension at Heinz Field which you could cut the Steel Curtain with a butter knife as any adrenaline the Steelers had left them.

The Steelers were coming off a 26-17 opening week win from last Sun Sep 12th in Buffalo but all that was for not as they couldn’t muster any defense against the Raiders. The Raiders had a 9-6 lead after the first half and outscored the Steelers in the second half 17-10 the Steelers offense just fell flat.

Raider quarterback Derek Carr threw 28-37 for 382 yards and two touchdowns and key for Carr he never threw an interception he got protection all day from his offensive line. Other Steelers injuries cornerback Joe Haden and inside linebacker Devin Bush were inactive also suffering from groin injuries.

Steelers defensive tackle Tyson Alualu is out for the season with a fractured ankle and that didn’t take long as the injury happened during the Raiders first possession. Carr threw for a 61 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Henry Ruggs. The offensive line protected Carr so well that he had time to drop back and throw to Ruggs at 50 yards for the score.

Carr dropped back to pass 42 times in the game a lot of opportunities and was sacked twice. Watt got to strip sack Carr in the first half before he left with his injury. The Steelers Melvin Ingram also got the other sack. Carr made it look easy in the second half and had no struggles with the Steeler secondary. After suffering multiple injuries the Steelers looked as if all the wind had been taken out of their sails.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said the team needs time to grow and next Sunday comes fast after playing a game like they did on Sunday, “Win or lose, we’ve got to grow. We’ve got too many young people, new people in significant roles. They’ve just got to grow in terms of understanding those roles, the details required to win, the skills relative to their position to execute in those critical moments.”

The Raiders will entertain the Miami Dolphins (1-1) who were shut out Sunday by the Buffalo Bills (1-1) 35-0 on their home field in Miami. Kick off at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sun Sep 26th is at 1:05 pm.

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez: Incognito out of the line up for Sunday; Raiders focus on shutting down Steelers Roethlisberger

Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Richie Incognito in drills back on Wed May 26, 2021 will not be in Sunday’s line up against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh (AP News photo)

On Las Vegas Raiders podcast:

#1 Rich, offensive lineman Richie Incognito will not be in the line up Sunday and Denzelle Good is out for the season the pressure to hold the Steel Curtain Sunday will be on John Simpson like last week against the Ravens. Simpson will have to be on his A game against the Steelers defense Sunday.

#2 Rich, talk about the front seven and how difficult it will be for Raiders center Andre James and the offensive line against the Pittsburgh Steelers front seven Sunday at Heinz Field.

#3 Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs impressed the coaching staff in camp and in practices to earn the job at starting nickel back. The coaches after the Baltimore game said Hobbs hasn’t seen competition until he faces the Steelers Sunday.

#4 Rich, Hunter Renfrow had himself a game the coaches say he was a huge part of the receiving core last Monday night with six catches for 70 yards and of those 59 yards came from catching them in the slot.

#5 The Raiders defense will try and read the Steelers offense all game long Sunday. The Steelers handled the Buffalo Bills in their last win last week 23-16. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was 18-32 for 188 yards and threw for one touchdown. How do you see the Raiders defense attempting to shut down Roethlisberger’s game down Sunday?

Join Rich for the Raiders podcasts each Sunday morning at http://www.sportsradioservice.com



Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Bills going into playoffs red hot who can stop them?; Don’t count out Wilson and the Seahawks; plus more

Buffalo Bills wide receiver John Brown (15) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass thrown by quarterback Josh Allen (17) in the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/John Munson)

On Headline Sports with Jessica:

#1 Jessica were going to take a look at the NFL Playoffs games for this Saturday and Sunday and we’ll start with the red hot Buffalo Bills (13-3) who will be hosting the Indianapolis Colts (11-5). The Bills used two quarterbacks in their last game against Miami Dolphins with Bills starting quarterback Josh Allen 224 yards passing and three touchdowns. Allen should be a force against the Colts this Saturday.

#2 The Seattle Seahawks (12-4) are coming off a win against the San Francisco 49ers 26-23 in Arizona. The Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson threw for 181 yards, two touchdowns against the 49ers. The Seahawks host the Los Angeles Rams (10-6) for this Saturday’s playoff game.

#3 Jessica in the third playoff game scheduled for this Saturday the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5) are in Washington to face Team Washington (7-9). In the Bucs last game they handled the Atlanta Falcons (4-12) with a 44-27 win. How do you see them matching up against Washington as they come in favored.

#4 Sunday playoff games start with Baltimore Ravens (11-5) at the Tennessee Titans (11-5). The Ravens quarterback LeMar Jackson threw for 118 yards and three touchdowns against the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday 38-3 and the Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill who help defeat the Houston Texans 41-38 threw for 216 yards and one touchdown.

#5 The Chicago Bears (8-8) will visit the New Orleans Saints (12-4) this Sunday at the Superdome. The Saints made easy work of the Carolina Panthers (5-11) to close out their regular season 33-7 in last Sunday’s game. Quarterback Drew Brees who came off rib injuries threw for 201 yards and three touchdowns. Talk about who you like in the Bears and Saints match up.

#6 To close out the playoff schedule on Sunday Night Football playoffs the Cleveland Browns (11-5) who defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) last Sunday 24-22. Frustrations got so heated that the Steelers had some pushing and shoving among teammates. The Steelers who didn’t have starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the line up started Mason Rudolph 315 yards and two touchdowns and Joshua Dobbs came in and threw for two yards. Jessica how do you see the Browns-Steelers this Sunday as they match up for the second consecutive week.

Jessica Kwong does Headline Sports podcasts every other Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong Thu Jan 7, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: NFL cheerleader wage exploitation documentary; Bills finish season big against Dolphins; plus more

Former Buffalo Bills cheerleader Maria Pinzone (left) director/producer for the film “Women’s work” Yu Gu (center) and former Oakland Raiders cheerleader Lacy Thibodeaux-Fields  (right) are all are working on the film documentary about NFL cheerleader wage exploitation (photo from sports.yahoo.com)

On Headline Sports with London:

#1 In a NFL cheerleading documentary featuring wage exploitation against former NFL cheerleaders, former Buffalo Bills Cheerleader Maria Pinzone who is the lead plaintiff in the case against the NFL and former cheerleader Oakland Raiders cheerleader Lacy Thibodeaux-Fields is working with Yu Gu director/producer for the documentary  “Women’s Work” which shows how the NFL underpaid it’s cheerleaders for many unpaid hours of work.

#2 The Buffalo Bills (13-3) made easy work of the Miami Dolphins(10-6)  56-26. Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw for 224 yards and three touchdowns. Bills back up quarterback Matt Barkley also threw for 164 yards and one touchdown. The Bills will host the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday for the first round of the playoffs.

#3 The Baltimore Ravens (11-5) got a rather convincing win over the Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1) 38-3. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson threw for 183 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Jackson has had quite a season for the Ravens. The Ravens play in Tennessee this Sunday.

#4 Cleveland Browns (11-5) got a two point win over the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-22. The Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield threw for 196 yards and a touchdown. The Steelers finished their season at 12-4 how much have they’ve missed starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The two teams meet again in Pittsburgh for a special edition of Sunday Night Football playoffs.

#5 London talk about Minnesota Vikings (7-9) quarterback Kirk Cousins afternoon against the Detroit Lions (5-11) with a close 37-35 win. Cousins threw for 405 yards and three touchdowns he had to be that good to get by the Lions last Sunday.

Join London for exciting Sports Headlines each Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq Wed Jan 6, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

 

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: 49ers look ahead to Browns on Monday Night Football

Photo credit: nbcsports.com

On the 49ers podcast with David:

#1 The 49ers are coming off a big win over the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-20 at Levi’s Stadium after having a bye last Sunday. How convincing was the win to say that this team can go out and win most of the remainder of their schedule? They have a challenging Cleveland Browns team on Monday Night Football.

#2 San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw 23-32 for 277 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions of those numbers. What sticks out most for Jimmy G?

David Zizmor does the 49ers podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Niners Improve to 3-0 with 24-20 Victory, Despite Five Turnovers

photo from sfgate.com: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Levi’s Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California

By Joe Lami

SANTA CLARA — For the first time since 1998, the San Francisco 49ers have started a season 3-0. In a wild home opener Sunday, the Niners outlasted the Big Ben-less Steelers in a 24-20 win.

Despite turning the ball over five times, including three times in the red zone, the Niners were able to hold off Pittsburgh thanks to a last-minute touchdown throw from Jimmy Garoppolo to Dante Pettis.

It would be Garoppolo’s only TD pass of the game, but it came at the perfect time to overcome the sloppy first half and secure the victory. Garoppolo finished the game 22 of 32 for 277 yards, the touchdown, and two interceptions.

Garoppolo threw picks to TJ Watt and newly acquired Minkah Fitzpatrick in 49ers territory in the first half. The Steelers starting positions were the 33 and 24-yard lines, but San Francisco’s defense showed the bend, don’t break style we’ve seen through the first two weeks to force field goals, holding Pittsburgh to just six points.

Despite going into intermission with a -4 turnover differential, the Niners only trailed 6-3 at halftime, giving the offense new life and confidence.

The Niners came out to score the game’s first touchdown on their opening drive on the second half. Jeff Wilson Jr. ran in his first of two scores from one-yard out, bringing his season total to four since coming off the practice squad.

The Steelers offense was held to 239 total yards, with 76 of them coming on one play in the third quarter. Mason Rudolph, making his first career start, connected with JuJu Smith-Schuster for the Steeler’s first TD of the day. Smith-Schuster beat Ahkello Witherspoon over the top and on a crossing route and carried it the rest of the way to make it 13-10 at the time.

The Niners answered right back on their next drive, going 75 yards in ten plays setting up Wilson Jr.’s second rushing score of the game to re-take the lead 17-10.

The Steelers didn’t go down quietly. After Witherspoon went down with a foot injury in the fourth quarter, Rudolph attacked his replacement Jason Verrett on consecutive plays. Verrett first took a pass interference penalty that cost the Niners 32 yards and then was beat on a 39-yard pass to Diontae Johnson for the rookie’s first career touchdown.

Rudolph played decent in his first start, passing 14 of 27 for 174 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception from K’Waun Williams. The Niners front seven did a great job slowing down the Steelers’ run, holding James Conner to just 43 yards on 13 carries.

The Steelers held the 20-17 late into the fourth quarter when the 49ers were driving. With the ball at the PIT 11-yard line, San Francisco’s turnover bug hit again, and a wonky snap went off the motion man for the Niner’s fifth turnover.

But once again, the defense didn’t let that bother them, buckling down for a huge forced turnover. Just a minute later, Arik Armstead forced James Conner fumble that was recovered by DeForest Buckner. The turnover allowed the 49ers to set up at the Steelers’ 24-yard line, setting up the game-winning score.

San Francisco’s defense has been the revelation in this young season. The newly acquired defensive line is doing precisely what Robert Saleh’s scheme is meant to do. Creating havoc and causing turnovers, the Niners have already matched 2018’s turnover total of seven in just the first three games.

Side Notes:

Justin Skule played excellent, protecting Garoppolo’s blind side in his rookie debut. The Vandy sixth-round product did take three bad penalties late in the third that luckily didn’t cost San Francisco. “Those were costly penalties at pretty bad times. I had a couple of good things, but I am going to learn from it all from the tape and move on,” Skule said.

Skule and company have a couple of weeks before their next action. Heading into the early week four bye, the Niners return to action October 7th on Monday night at home against the Browns.

When asked about heading into a bye with a 3-0 record, everyone had the same generic answer. They aren’t thrilled having a bye week this early and with the potential of having it kill momentum but see the value in getting healthy and more bodies back before the second quarter of the season.

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Roethlisberger heartbroken over season-ending injury; Brees seeks second opinion on torn thumb; plus more

Photo credit: cbssports.com

On Headline Sports podcast with London:

#1 Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger injured his right elbow and will need surgery and said after last Sunday’s game that it was heartbreaking to be out on an injury. The injury knocked Roethlisberger out for the rest of the season and Roethlisberger said he looks forward to coming back next season.

#2 New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees torn thumb will need surgery. Brees sought a second opinion in Houston, and after being looked at in Los Angeles, Brees will miss six to eight weeks of the football season, which would put him at Week 10 at the latest that he can return.

#3 The Oakland A’s continue to believe in miracles. They got a huge win past the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night. The A’s, who lost the first game of the series Monday night to the Royals 6-5, who came back on them, came back on the Royals on Tuesday night after being down 1-0 scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning for the 2-1 win. The A’s lead second place Tampa Bay by two games.

#4 What happen to the Raiders after having a 10-0 lead on Sunday? The visiting Kansas City Chiefs took over in the second quarter scoring four touchdowns and won it 28-10 and the Raiders couldn’t score in the second half.

#5 The San Jose Earthquakes, who have lost three of their last five games battled against one of the MLS’ best NYC FC, on Saturday losing 2-1. The Quakes’ Chris Wondolowski continues to find the back of the net with the Quakes’ only goal — his 14th of the season.

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

Niners look to stay unbeaten vs. shorthanded Steelers

Photo credit: ninersnation.com

By Jeremy Harness

The 49ers are in a position that they have not been in since their Super Bowl year of 2012, as they are 2-0 and have a great chance to extend that win streak as they get ready to take on their rivals in the NFC West.

And they’ll have a reeling, hurting Pittsburgh Steelers team traveling across the country to face them at Levi’s Stadium Sunday.

However, just a note here: Pittsburgh has ended a 49ers winning streak before. The Niners won their first six games of the 1984 season until the Steelers pulled off a 20-17 upset win at Candlestick Park.

The 49ers did not lose another game that year, which culminated with the second Super Bowl victory in franchise history, a 38-16 win over the Miami Dolphins.

However, they do have some injury concerns going into Sunday.

Defensive end Dee Ford is listed as day-to-day with a quad injury, and he did not practice Wednesday. Among the others who were sidelined for Wednesday’s practice were receivers Trent Taylor (foot) and Jalen Hurd (back), starting back Tevin Coleman and safety Jaquiski Tartt (toe), who is listed as day-to-day but is expected to play against the Steelers.

Tackle Joe Staley suffered a broken tibia during Sunday’s game, and he is expected to be out for several weeks.

However serious the 49ers’ injury situation currently is, it pales in comparison to what’s going on in Pittsburgh. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger injured his elbow in Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks and has been forced to have season-ending surgery on his throwing elbow.

Mason Rudolph took over for Roethlisberger following the injury, and he is expected to be under center Sunday. The Steelers selected Rudolph in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft and was the third quarterback that season before being elevated to the backup job before the start of this season.

Meanwhile, cornerback Joe Haden, whom the Steelers recently signed to a multi-year extension, did not practice Wednesday as he recovers from a shoulder ailment. Meanwhile, former 49ers tight end Vance McDonald was limited in practice Wednesday with a back injury.

Starting running back James Conner was held out of practice Wednesday while nursing a knee injury, but the team fully expects him, as well as Haden, to start against the 49ers.

49ers Win Huge 41-17; Start Season with Perfect Road Trip

photo from sfgate.com: Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers runs for a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

By Joe Lami

After not winning a single road game last year, the 49ers are off to a perfect start to their 2019 season. On Sunday, they impressively manhandled the Cincinnati Bengals 41-17 in their largest offensive road output since 2014 marking a complete 2-0 road trip.

The onslaught started early, as the defense quickly forced a three-and-out, giving the offense great starting field position on the first drive. The Niners easily capitalized as Jimmy Garoppolo found Marquise Goodwin wide open for a 38-yard score.

Garoppolo flashed what excited the faithful in late 2017 in a dominant performance, throwing three touchdowns on 17 of 25 passing for 297 yards. The Bengals challenged Jimmy G by trying to shut down his top target, George Kittle, but he spread the ball around incredibly well, finding three different receivers for scores and eight different pass catchers for receptions.

Rookie Debo Samuel led the way with five catches for 87 yards and his first career touchdown. Goodwin finished with three catches for 77 yards and a score, while Mostert got four balls out of the backfield for 68 yards and a score. Kittled finished with three catches on three targets for 54 yards.

Garoppolo had one throw he’d like back, throwing a terrible interception while targeting Richie James Jr. in triple coverage.

The passing attack was set up all by the rush, as the 49ers had their best rushing game under Kyle Shanahan, totaling 259 yards. Matt Breida was a monster, rushing for 121 yards on 12 carries, including one rush that reminisced Barry Sanders. Raheem Mostert carried 13 times for 83 yards, while Jeff Wilson Jr. came off the practice squad for ten carries, 34 yards, and two touchdowns.

On defense, the front seven was all over Andy Dalton, sacking him four times, while Kwon Alexander picked up his first interception as a Niner. They held Dalton to 311 yards, on 26 of 42 passes for two touchdowns. Dalton depended upon Tyler Boyd and John Ross as his two main targets, as both combined for 14 catches, 234 yards, and a score.

However, the Niners did lose Joe Staley with a broken left fibula in the win. He’s expected to miss six to eight weeks, and it remains to be seen on whether or not he’ll be placed on the IR. After losing swing tackle Shon Coleman in the pre-season, the Niners may seek free agency or a trade to replace their all-pro left tackle.

At 2-0, the Niners now return home to host the 0-2 Steelers in their home opener. The Steelers lost 28-26 to Seattle on Sunday, very similar to Seattle’s 21-20 win over the Bengals in week one.

Join Joe for 49ers coverage each week and podcast commentary each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com