thedenverpost--2020-11-29--Zeke Nnaji knows his Nuggets role: “I want to be a lockdown defender”

Joe Abunassar doesn ’ t want to get your hopes up .
He also digs Zeke Nnaji too much to drop a baby grand onto the kid ’ s shoulders .
Or set expectations that the Nuggets ’ first-round draft pick is going to have to lug around for the next 15 years like a dead weight .
“ One of the general managers came in and talked about him , ” offered Abunassar , the founder of Impact Basketball and star trainer to the NBA elite .
“ And ( the GM ) said , ‘ The worst he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t say it that way , ‘ is , OK , Channing Frye.
’ Who had a great career.
” His roster of alumni clientele includes Chauncey Billups , Kevin Garnett , Dwight Howard , Chris Bosh and Paul Pierce .
He took Nnaji under his wing in Las Vegas for roughly five months and change earlier this year , helping the teen put on 15 pounds of muscle — on a vegan diet , no less — while shaving the rough edges off of footwork and shooting form .
“ Look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ At 19 years old , he has the tools .
I believe ( Nnaji ) is going to be a long-time starter in this league .
And I think what makes him really great for Denver is that he can play for Denver right now — guarding , rebounding and taking shots.
” It ’ s the former that worries you .
Especially given that the Nuggets no longer have the services of two of their best and most versatile wing defenders , Jerami Grant and Torrey Craig — rangy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four spots on the floor , and even smaller fives , if push came to shove .
“ I told him ( last week ) , ‘ There are two guys on the Denver team with the names of ( Nikola ) Jokic and ( Jamal ) Murray who shoot a lot of basketballs , ’ ” Abunassar laughed .
“ ‘ You ’ re not there to lead the team in scoring , brother .
You get to guard big men and you get to guard ( small forwards ) .
’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great about Zeke , is that he can guard multiple positions .
While that offensive ( side ) is something he ’ ll grow into , absolutely.
” “ Go go against the best ” Zeke Nnaji doesn ’ t want to get your hopes up .
But when Tim Connelly , the Nuggets ’ president of basketball operations , and Calvin Booth , the team ’ s GM , sketched out their master plan for his role , the dude couldn ’ t stop grinning .
“ They said they really want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through fives , and I think I ’ ll be able to do that , ” the 6-foot-11 forward told The Post last week .
“ My ultimate goal is to be able to guard one through five consistently .
I want to be a lockdown defender no matter who I ’ m guarding .
But the biggest thing right now is working on that three through five and just being versatile , no matter what role I ’ m playing.
” It ’ s not fair to expect a 19-year-old to walk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and keep everybody from Donovan Mitchell to Anthony Davis in check , let alone in front of them .
But Nnaji also knows the A-list assignments — eventually — are part of the job description , whether he likes it not .
Especially in a Western Conference stacked with stars .
“ Oh , yeah , we talked about ( big names ) a little bit , ” the reigning Pac-12 Freshman of the Year said .
“ But I feel like I ’ m not someone who shies away from the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go against the best and try to outplay them .
And beat them .
“ I think that ’ s really just my competitive side .
I don ’ t like to lose .
I want to win and dominate everything.
” The Twin Cities native has been taking careful notes when it comes to the Nuggets ’ recent roster makeover , too .
Nnaji is eager to prove he ’ s worthy of that trust — that defensive trust , especially — sooner rather than later .
“ I ’ ve been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Nnaji said .
“ If I have to guard the other team ’ s best player , you know what ?
I ’ m going to do that .
And I ’ m going to do it to the best of my ability .
I ’ m going to be working on that at practice a lot , doing whatever I can do to improve , so I can be that lockdown defender.
” Jeremy Miller doesn ’ t want to get your hopes up .
But Miller , Nnaji ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ ll be surprised at the dude ’ s handles .
And that the bulk of the Nuggets locker room , grizzled playoff veterans now , are going to fall head over heels for the new guy .
“ No one ’ s going to outwork him , ” Miller said .
“ The veterans on ( the Nuggets ) are going to love him because he ’ s going to be a guy that ’ s not caught up in all the glitz and glamor .
“ He ’ s very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be happy that this 19-year-old is going to work as hard as them .
He ’ s not a hey-look-at-me kid .
His parents are phenomenal people and they just really grounded him … he was raised as a renaissance man , in a lot of ways .
He just has really high character.
” Nnaji was raised in a home of musicians , athletes and disciplinarians .
He didn ’ t have a cellular phone until his junior year of high school .
His happy place off the court isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s composing songs on the keyboard , learning new instruments , and expanding on a Spotify library that bounces from Ray Charles to Coldplay , Stevie Wonder to Frank Sinatra , Fleetwood Mac to Bob Marley .
“ The two instruments I ’ m learning right now are harmonica and Spanish guitar , ” said Nnaji , a multi-sport , multi-instrumental prodigy who ’ s been playing the piano since he was in first grade .
“ There ’ s this one song , ‘ Piano Man ’ by Billy Joel — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harmonica and piano at the same time , so I ’ ve got a little neck brace that goes around me.
” Miller plays you a memory , this one from Indianapolis a few years back .
Nnaji was playing behind forward Matthew Hurt at D1 , who would eventually sign with Duke .
But it didn ’ t take long for him to start turning heads as a Euro-style big with reach and range , a hidden gem who just needed to bulk up .
“ Brian Snow , an analyst at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was like , ‘ You didn ’ t tell me you had another pro on your team , ’ ” Miller recalled with a chuckle .
“ We tell our big guys to push it .
We tell them to shoot 3s .
We tell them to step out of that traditional big guy role .
And ( Nnaji ) just blossomed playing with other really high-level players.
” We don ’ t want to get your hopes up .
But if the floor is Frye , the Nuggets could be staring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the pro compared to Nnaji made the NBA first-team All-Rookie squad as a center with the Knicks back in 2006 .
Frye was a double-digit scorer , on average , five times over his first eight seasons .
And an eventual NBA champion , at age 33 , as a role guy with LeBron ’ s Cavs .
If that ’ s the floor … what ’ s the ceiling ?
“ The ceiling is very high , ” said Abunassar , who worked Zeke out five-and-a-half days a week , five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him shoot from every conceivable angle .
“ The one thing you can not teach , and I ’ ve been doing this for 25 years , is his athleticism .
We did a good job expanding upon it .
But this kid is a physical specimen .
”

Joe Abunassar doesn’t want to get your hopes up. He also digs Zeke Nnaji too much to drop a baby grand onto the kid’s shoulders. Or set expectations that the Nuggets’ first-round draft pick is going to have to lug around for the next 15 years like a dead weight.
“One of the general managers came in and talked about him,” offered Abunassar, the founder of Impact Basketball and star trainer to the NBA elite. “And (the GM) said, ‘The worst he can be,’ although he didn’t say it that way, ‘is, OK, Channing Frye.’ Who had a great career.”
Abunassar knows careers. And stars.
His roster of alumni clientele includes Chauncey Billups, Kevin Garnett, Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh and Paul Pierce. He took Nnaji under his wing in Las Vegas for roughly five months and change earlier this year, helping the teen put on 15 pounds of muscle — on a vegan diet, no less — while shaving the rough edges off of footwork and shooting form.
“Look, I trained KG,” Abunassar said. “At 19 years old, he has the tools. I believe (Nnaji) is going to be a long-time starter in this league. And I think what makes him really great for Denver is that he can play for Denver right now — guarding, rebounding and taking shots.”
It’s the former that worries you. Especially given that the Nuggets no longer have the services of two of their best and most versatile wing defenders, Jerami Grant and Torrey Craig — rangy types who could guard the two through four spots on the floor, and even smaller fives, if push came to shove.
“I told him (last week), ‘There are two guys on the Denver team with the names of (Nikola) Jokic and (Jamal) Murray who shoot a lot of basketballs,’” Abunassar laughed. “‘You’re not there to lead the team in scoring, brother. You get to guard big men and you get to guard (small forwards).’
“That’s what’s great about Zeke, is that he can guard multiple positions. While that offensive (side) is something he’ll grow into, absolutely.”
“Go go against the best”
Zeke Nnaji doesn’t want to get your hopes up. But when Tim Connelly, the Nuggets’ president of basketball operations, and Calvin Booth, the team’s GM, sketched out their master plan for his role, the dude couldn’t stop grinning.
“They said they really want me to be able to guard threes through fives, and I think I’ll be able to do that,” the 6-foot-11 forward told The Post last week.
“My ultimate goal is to be able to guard one through five consistently. I want to be a lockdown defender no matter who I’m guarding. But the biggest thing right now is working on that three through five and just being versatile, no matter what role I’m playing.”
It’s not fair to expect a 19-year-old to walk in here, as a rookie, and keep everybody from Donovan Mitchell to Anthony Davis in check, let alone in front of them. But Nnaji also knows the A-list assignments — eventually — are part of the job description, whether he likes it not. Especially in a Western Conference stacked with stars.
“Oh, yeah, we talked about (big names) a little bit,” the reigning Pac-12 Freshman of the Year said. “But I feel like I’m not someone who shies away from the best. I feel like I want to go against the best and try to outplay them. And beat them.
“I think that’s really just my competitive side. I don’t like to lose. I want to win and dominate everything.”
The Twin Cities native has been taking careful notes when it comes to the Nuggets’ recent roster makeover, too. Nnaji is eager to prove he’s worthy of that trust — that defensive trust, especially — sooner rather than later.
“I’ve been preparing for this my whole life,” Nnaji said. “If I have to guard the other team’s best player, you know what? I’m going to do that. And I’m going to do it to the best of my ability. I’m going to be working on that at practice a lot, doing whatever I can do to improve, so I can be that lockdown defender.”
“No one’s going to outwork him”
Jeremy Miller doesn’t want to get your hopes up. But Miller, Nnaji’s AAU coach at D1 Minnesota, thinks you’ll be surprised at the dude’s handles. And that the bulk of the Nuggets locker room, grizzled playoff veterans now, are going to fall head over heels for the new guy.
“No one’s going to outwork him,” Miller said. “The veterans on (the Nuggets) are going to love him because he’s going to be a guy that’s not caught up in all the glitz and glamor.
“He’s very grounded. They’re going to be happy that this 19-year-old is going to work as hard as them. He’s not a hey-look-at-me kid. His parents are phenomenal people and they just really grounded him … he was raised as a renaissance man, in a lot of ways. He just has really high character.”
Nnaji was raised in a home of musicians, athletes and disciplinarians. He didn’t have a cellular phone until his junior year of high school. His happy place off the court isn’t scrolling through Instagram or TikTok. It’s composing songs on the keyboard, learning new instruments, and expanding on a Spotify library that bounces from Ray Charles to Coldplay, Stevie Wonder to Frank Sinatra, Fleetwood Mac to Bob Marley.
“The two instruments I’m learning right now are harmonica and Spanish guitar,” said Nnaji, a multi-sport, multi-instrumental prodigy who’s been playing the piano since he was in first grade.
“There’s this one song, ‘Piano Man’ by Billy Joel — I (want to) play the harmonica and piano at the same time, so I’ve got a little neck brace that goes around me.”
Miller plays you a memory, this one from Indianapolis a few years back. Nnaji was playing behind forward Matthew Hurt at D1, who would eventually sign with Duke. But it didn’t take long for him to start turning heads as a Euro-style big with reach and range, a hidden gem who just needed to bulk up.
“Brian Snow, an analyst at 247Sports, he came to watch us and was like, ‘You didn’t tell me you had another pro on your team,’” Miller recalled with a chuckle.
“We tell our big guys to push it. We tell them to shoot 3s. We tell them to step out of that traditional big guy role. And (Nnaji) just blossomed playing with other really high-level players.”
“A physical specimen”
We don’t want to get your hopes up. But if the floor is Frye, the Nuggets could be staring at a potential skyscraper.
After all, the pro compared to Nnaji made the NBA first-team All-Rookie squad as a center with the Knicks back in 2006. Frye was a double-digit scorer, on average, five times over his first eight seasons. And an eventual NBA champion, at age 33, as a role guy with LeBron’s Cavs.
If that’s the floor … what’s the ceiling?
“The ceiling is very high,” said Abunassar, who worked Zeke out five-and-a-half days a week, five to six hours per day, having him shoot from every conceivable angle.
“The one thing you cannot teach, and I’ve been doing this for 25 years, is his athleticism. We did a good job expanding upon it. But this kid is a physical specimen.”


thedenverpost--2020-11-29--Chambers: Former DU coach becomes second “Newsy” Lalonde to hoist Stanley Cup

Former University of Denver assistant coach Derek “ Newsy ” Lalonde , now a Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning , gained his nickname from 1950 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Édward Lalonde ( no relation ) .
Edward became “ Newsy ” Lalonde during the turn of the 20th century while working in a newsprint plant in Cornwall , Ontario .
The late Newsy ( 1897-1970 ) won the Stanley Cup as a star center with the Montreal Canadians in 1916 .
He almost won a second Cup in 1919 before the Spanish flu outbreak canceled the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NHL Canadians stood 2-2-1 against the Pacific Coast Hockey Association champion Seattle Metropolitans .
Newsy Lalonde , the namesake , won his second Stanley Cup on Sept. 28 in the Edmonton “ bubble ” during COVID-19 — the worst global pandemic since the Spanish flu , according to Dr. Anthony Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases .
Derek Lalonde , who runs the forwards for Lightning head coach Jon Cooper , has become a popular hockey figure — particularly in Denver .
He checked his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sept. 29 upon returning to Tampa only to find more than 900 text messages from friends and family .
That included a few folks from Denver who had made plans to travel to Tampa and join in the celebration .
“ A ton of people reached out — a ton of Denver people , ” Lalonde said .
“ Jay Erickson , one of my best friends ( from Denver ) , ends up coming out and experiencing the Stanley Cup parade with me .
It was so surreal and I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ league .
Best job in the world was being an assistant at Denver and now I ’ m working in the National Hockey League .
I pinch myself .
Hopefully , this is just getting started in my career.
” Lalonde , 48 , was a 5-foot-9 goalie from Brasher Falls , N.Y. , where he has tentative plans to bring the Cup for a day on Dec. 23 .
He was hired by then-DU coach George Gwozdecky in 2006 , beginning a five-year tenure , before becoming a head coach for three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latter two with the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League .
Cooper hired Lalonde at the beginning of the 2018-19 season , and the Lightning went on to win the President ’ s Trophy with 62 wins — 12 more than any other team .
Then the roof caved in .
Against the No .
8 seed Columbus Blue Jackets , Tampa Bay became the first President ’ s Trophy winner to get swept in the first round of the playoffs .
Lalonde said the Lightning felt the weight of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that same weight will be felt by the Avalanche and a few other select teams next season .
Many predicted the Avs and Bolts would face off in the Stanley Cup Final , but injury-plagued Colorado lost a Game 7 conference semifinal series for the second straight year .
“ As I watch this offseason transpire , I ’ m feeling it for certain teams , ” Lalonde said of the Stanley Cup “ window.
” “ I look at a team like the Avalanche and a team like Vegas , everybody has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re going to win it.
’ We ’ ve been that team for a couple years .
I think it ’ s unfair but it ’ s a reality .
It ’ s one thing to be a good team , it ’ s another thing in this day and age with social media to be expected to win the Stanley Cup.
” Lalonde ’ s advice for the Avs is what the Lightning used for itself .
“ We have to stop protecting something we never won , ” he said of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re battling this pressure , we ’ re battling ourselves , we ’ re trying to protect something that we ’ ve never won .
Just go play , go attack it .
“ It ’ s real pressure .
I appreciate the fact that our group handled it , and handled it well and got above that hump and got it done .
It ’ s hard .
You ’ re going to find out , following the Avs , it ’ s a different pressure .
It ’ s going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lalonde felt them in a team meeting before the Stanley Cup Final against the Dallas Stars .
The Lightning rolled out a video of superstar Wayne Gretzky and other members of the 1982-83 Edmonton Oilers , who were swept in the ’ 83 Final by the New York Islanders .
In walking to the bus outside Nassau Coliseum , Gretzky looked inside the Islanders ’ locker room and didn ’ t anticipate what he saw for a team that had just won the Cup .
“ Gretzky peeked into the room and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exhausted .
They had ice bags .
They were injured and mentally exhausted , ” Lalonde said .
“ And then he said , ‘ We didn ’ t feel like that.
’ “ That ’ s when it hits home , and given where the Avs are at , it ’ s worth Googling .
It got me excited .
I got goosebumps watching it , let alone our guys going into the Stanley Cup Final.
” Edmonton went on to win the Stanley Cup in 1984 , 1985 , 1987 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who coached beside Lalonde is bound to learn from his experience .

Former University of Denver assistant coach Derek “Newsy” Lalonde, now a Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning, gained his nickname from 1950 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Édward Lalonde (no relation). Edward became “Newsy” Lalonde during the turn of the 20th century while working in a newsprint plant in Cornwall, Ontario.
The late Newsy (1897-1970) won the Stanley Cup as a star center with the Montreal Canadians in 1916. He almost won a second Cup in 1919 before the Spanish flu outbreak canceled the Stanley Cup Final after five games when the NHL Canadians stood 2-2-1 against the Pacific Coast Hockey Association champion Seattle Metropolitans.
Newsy Lalonde, the namesake, won his second Stanley Cup on Sept. 28 in the Edmonton “bubble” during COVID-19 — the worst global pandemic since the Spanish flu, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Derek Lalonde, who runs the forwards for Lightning head coach Jon Cooper, has become a popular hockey figure — particularly in Denver. He checked his cell phone in the early hours of Sept. 29 upon returning to Tampa only to find more than 900 text messages from friends and family. That included a few folks from Denver who had made plans to travel to Tampa and join in the celebration.
“A ton of people reached out — a ton of Denver people,” Lalonde said. “Jay Erickson, one of my best friends (from Denver), ends up coming out and experiencing the Stanley Cup parade with me. It was so surreal and I’m just grateful to be coaching in this league. Best job in the world was being an assistant at Denver and now I’m working in the National Hockey League. I pinch myself. Hopefully, this is just getting started in my career.”
Newsy matters.
Lalonde, 48, was a 5-foot-9 goalie from Brasher Falls, N.Y., where he has tentative plans to bring the Cup for a day on Dec. 23. He was hired by then-DU coach George Gwozdecky in 2006, beginning a five-year tenure, before becoming a head coach for three teams over the next seven years, the latter two with the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League.
Cooper hired Lalonde at the beginning of the 2018-19 season, and the Lightning went on to win the President’s Trophy with 62 wins — 12 more than any other team. Then the roof caved in. Against the No. 8 seed Columbus Blue Jackets, Tampa Bay became the first President’s Trophy winner to get swept in the first round of the playoffs.
Lalonde said the Lightning felt the weight of the hockey world this past season, and that same weight will be felt by the Avalanche and a few other select teams next season. Many predicted the Avs and Bolts would face off in the Stanley Cup Final, but injury-plagued Colorado lost a Game 7 conference semifinal series for the second straight year.
“As I watch this offseason transpire, I’m feeling it for certain teams,” Lalonde said of the Stanley Cup “window.” “I look at a team like the Avalanche and a team like Vegas, everybody has them pinned as, ‘They’re going to win it.’ We’ve been that team for a couple years. I think it’s unfair but it’s a reality. It’s one thing to be a good team, it’s another thing in this day and age with social media to be expected to win the Stanley Cup.”
Lalonde’s advice for the Avs is what the Lightning used for itself.
“We have to stop protecting something we never won,” he said of Tampa’s motto. “We’re battling this pressure, we’re battling ourselves, we’re trying to protect something that we’ve never won. Just go play, go attack it.
“It’s real pressure. I appreciate the fact that our group handled it, and handled it well and got above that hump and got it done. It’s hard. You’re going to find out, following the Avs, it’s a different pressure. It’s going to be hard.”
Goosebumps might help. Lalonde felt them in a team meeting before the Stanley Cup Final against the Dallas Stars. The Lightning rolled out a video of superstar Wayne Gretzky and other members of the 1982-83 Edmonton Oilers, who were swept in the ’83 Final by the New York Islanders.
In walking to the bus outside Nassau Coliseum, Gretzky looked inside the Islanders’ locker room and didn’t anticipate what he saw for a team that had just won the Cup.
“Gretzky peeked into the room and said, ‘The Islanders were physically exhausted. They had ice bags. They were injured and mentally exhausted,” Lalonde said. “And then he said, ‘We didn’t feel like that.’
“That’s when it hits home, and given where the Avs are at, it’s worth Googling. It got me excited. I got goosebumps watching it, let alone our guys going into the Stanley Cup Final.”
Edmonton went on to win the Stanley Cup in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1990.
It seems everyone who coached beside Lalonde is bound to learn from his experience.
Newsy matters.


thedenverpost--2020-11-29--Ask Amy: Friend favors exclusive group over friendships

Dear Amy : After over 30 years of friendship , my dear friend is now shunning me .
This full-stop disconnection is unexpected , perplexing and hurtful .
I blame the fact that she is a longtime member of an organization within her Christian church , a significant financial contributor , and a supernumerary .
I think she ’ s ended her nonreligious connections to old friends altogether , to “ go to the next level ” in the organization .
She retired two months ago , and cut off communication with me .
The group advocates self-denial and encourages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends .
Nonreceptive friends are discouraged .
A year ago , my friend began closing herself off from other unaffiliated friends , but we talked daily , and she still initiated frequent contact .
I hung in there .
We ’ re old ladies ; I was expecting to spend my retirement years relying on this friendship for consolation and companionship .
I think I was a good friend , a loyal confident , and positive counsel .
But this group is cult-like in its devotees ’ self-isolation and distancing from friends and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not interested in joining , but wasn ’ t judgmental .
I think her religious counselors finally told her to curtail our friendship , because I ’ m not a receptive candidate for recruitment .
Do I let the friendship go ?
Dear Bereft : If you are an agnostic , then you are not a likely candidate for recruitment into this Christian group .
As much as this withdrawal hurts , I don ’ t think you should necessarily assign this reason , although the fact that you don ’ t , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t belong means that your friendship is ending , because your friend has turned toward something , and she has been taught to believe that her choice necessitates that she turn away from you .
Any group requiring absolute exclusivity is not a group I ’ d ever want to be a part of , but this is not up to me , or you .
Unfortunately , you don ’ t seem to have a choice but to let the friendship go .
Friendships wax , wane , and end for all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ painful after such a long history , and at your age , because you understand how rare intimate friendships are , and how irreplaceable people are .
I ’ m very sorry you are experiencing this loss .
Her choice is not an indictment of you or your qualities as a friend ; as hard as this is , you should not take this as a personal rejection .
Dear Amy : When my husband and I first met , he confided that he was infertile .
He wanted to be transparent about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at that time I could take it or leave it when it came to having children .
However , a year and a half ago I got pregnant ( no I wasn ’ t cheating ) .
We actually got pregnant !
We were both surprised and excited .
That experience was really difficult , emotionally , physically , and mentally .
Since then , I can ’ t help but think about getting pregnant again .
I want to have a family now and we ’ re both taking steps to try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : What if it doesn ’ t work ?
Then I get saddened by the thought .
We don ’ t have tons of money to put toward IVF or adoption , and we are at a loss about what to do .
Dear Changed : You don ’ t mention you or your husband receiving medical advice about his — and your — fertility .
Before you panic , he should see a urologist who specializes in male fertility .
Knowledge is power , and you should approach this as a team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including fostering a child and/or adopting a child through the foster care system .
Adoptuskids.org is a clearinghouse for information concerning adopting children from the foster care system .
The website offers state-by-state guidelines and reports that there are usually no or low fees associated with adopting ( aside from perhaps hiring your own attorney ) , and that in some cases , financial assistance is available .
Specialists are available to answer your questions through info @ adoptuskids.org or by calling 888-200-4005 .
Dear Amy : Regarding your answer to “ Catholic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
OK , don ’ t baptize the baby , but if you don ’ t value baptism , then don ’ t create a naming rite meant to substitute for a church sacrament .
This is about the soul , not a party .
What ’ s next ?
A bread-baking brunch that substitutes for First Communion ?
Dear Sad : Your response exactly mirrors how I predicted “ Catholic Guilt ’ s ” parents would respond to a naming rite versus baptism .
But I ’ d be in favor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to wait for a special occasion .

Dear Amy: After over 30 years of friendship, my dear friend is now shunning me.
This full-stop disconnection is unexpected, perplexing and hurtful. I blame the fact that she is a longtime member of an organization within her Christian church, a significant financial contributor, and a supernumerary.
I think she’s ended her nonreligious connections to old friends altogether, to “go to the next level” in the organization.
She retired two months ago, and cut off communication with me.
The group advocates self-denial and encourages supernumeraries to recruit new members amongst receptive friends. Nonreceptive friends are discouraged.
A year ago, my friend began closing herself off from other unaffiliated friends, but we talked daily, and she still initiated frequent contact.
I hung in there. We’re old ladies; I was expecting to spend my retirement years relying on this friendship for consolation and companionship.
I think I was a good friend, a loyal confident, and positive counsel. But this group is cult-like in its devotees’ self-isolation and distancing from friends and family.
I’m agnostic, not interested in joining, but wasn’t judgmental.
I think her religious counselors finally told her to curtail our friendship, because I’m not a receptive candidate for recruitment.
Do I let the friendship go?
— Bereft
Dear Bereft: If you are an agnostic, then you are not a likely candidate for recruitment into this Christian group. As much as this withdrawal hurts, I don’t think you should necessarily assign this reason, although the fact that you don’t, won’t, and can’t belong means that your friendship is ending, because your friend has turned toward something, and she has been taught to believe that her choice necessitates that she turn away from you.
Any group requiring absolute exclusivity is not a group I’d ever want to be a part of, but this is not up to me, or you.
Unfortunately, you don’t seem to have a choice but to let the friendship go. Friendships wax, wane, and end for all sorts of reasons. This is especially painful after such a long history, and at your age, because you understand how rare intimate friendships are, and how irreplaceable people are.
I’m very sorry you are experiencing this loss. Her choice is not an indictment of you or your qualities as a friend; as hard as this is, you should not take this as a personal rejection.
Dear Amy: When my husband and I first met, he confided that he was infertile. He wanted to be transparent about it.
I appreciated the honesty and at that time I could take it or leave it when it came to having children.
However, a year and a half ago I got pregnant (no I wasn’t cheating). We actually got pregnant! We were both surprised and excited.
Unfortunately, I had a miscarriage.
That experience was really difficult, emotionally, physically, and mentally.
Since then, I can’t help but think about getting pregnant again.
I want to have a family now and we’re both taking steps to try to conceive.
I find myself wondering: What if it doesn’t work? Then I get saddened by the thought.
We don’t have tons of money to put toward IVF or adoption, and we are at a loss about what to do.
— Changed my Mind
Dear Changed: You don’t mention you or your husband receiving medical advice about his — and your — fertility. Before you panic, he should see a urologist who specializes in male fertility.
Knowledge is power, and you should approach this as a team. Explore all of your options, including fostering a child and/or adopting a child through the foster care system.
Adoptuskids.org is a clearinghouse for information concerning adopting children from the foster care system. The website offers state-by-state guidelines and reports that there are usually no or low fees associated with adopting (aside from perhaps hiring your own attorney), and that in some cases, financial assistance is available. Specialists are available to answer your questions through info@adoptuskids.org or by calling 888-200-4005.
Dear Amy: Regarding your answer to “Catholic Guilt,” talk about offensive advice!
OK, don’t baptize the baby, but if you don’t value baptism, then don’t create a naming rite meant to substitute for a church sacrament.
This is about the soul, not a party. What’s next? A bread-baking brunch that substitutes for First Communion?
— Sad
Dear Sad: Your response exactly mirrors how I predicted “Catholic Guilt’s” parents would respond to a naming rite versus baptism.
But I’d be in favor of a bread-baking brunch any time; no need to wait for a special occasion.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-11-29--Mike Tyson returns to ring, draws in exhibition with Roy Jones Jr.

LOS ANGELES — Mike Tyson showed glimpses of his destructive prime Saturday night during the 54-year-old boxing icon ’ s return to the ring for a lively exhibition bout with 51-year-old Roy Jones Jr .
Both fighters had impressive moments during a fight that was unofficially ruled a draw by the WBC judges at ringside .
Tyson and Jones fought eight two-minute rounds , and both emerged smiling and apparently healthy from a highly unusual event at Staples Center .
“ This is better than fighting for championships , ” Tyson said of the heavyweight exhibition , which raised money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re humanitarians now .
We can do something good for the world .
We ’ ve got to do this again.
” The former heavyweight champion of the world ’ s return to the ring after a 15-year absence attracted international attention , and Iron Mike did his best to show the form that made him a legend to a generation of boxing fans .
Tyson tagged Jones with body shots and a handful of head punches during a bout that was required to be a fairly safe glorious sparring session by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body shots definitely took a toll , ” said Jones , the former four-division world champion widely considered the most skilled boxer of his generation .
“ It ’ s something to take the punches that Mike throws .
I ’ m cool with a draw .
Maybe we can do it again.
” Jones walked to the ring with gloves and trunks honoring Lakers legend Kobe Bryant , while Tyson wore his signature all-black trunks .
After the traditional pre-fight pomp and an introduction by Michael Buffer , the 50-something champions both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their glorious primes .
They also tied up frequently on the inside , and their occasionally labored breathing could be heard on the microphones in the empty arena .
Hip hop star Snoop Dogg ’ s witty television commentary was among the loudest noises inside Staples , and he had a handful of zingers : “ This is like two of my uncles fighting at the barbecue !
” Tyson and Jones were the headliners in the most improbable pay-per-view boxing event in years , engineered by social networking app Triller and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an empty arena .
The event was derided as an anti-sporting spectacle by some critics , yet both Tyson and Jones appeared to handle themselves capably and safely .
Fans were clearly enamored , with the show getting enormous traction on social media .
“ I hit you with some good shots , and you took it , ” Tyson said .
“ I respect that.
” In the co-main event , YouTube star Jake Paul knocked out former NBA player Nate Robinson , stopped in the second round of Robinson ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his second pro fight , recorded three knockdowns against Robinson , the three-time NBA Slam Dunk contest champion , before an overhand right put Robinson flat on his face and apparently unconscious .
Tyson retired from boxing in 2005 , saying he longer had “ the fighting guts or the heart ” after he quit in a dismal loss to journeyman Peter McBride .
Finally free of his sport ’ s relentless pressure , Tyson gradually straightened out his life , kicking a self-described drug addiction and eventually succeeding in acting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marijuana cultivation while settling into comfortable family life in Las Vegas with his third wife and their children .
• Pick 6 : Odds Nate Robinson beats Jake Paul in boxing , Nuggets ’ R.J. Hampton wins rookie of the year The idea of a boxing comeback seemed preposterous , but Tyson started toward this unlikely fight when he started doing 15 daily minutes on a treadmill a few years ago at his wife ’ s urging in a bid to lose 100 pounds .
The workouts soon became multi-hour affairs encompassing biking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regained a measure of his athletic prime through discipline and a vegan diet .
Tyson posted a video of himself hitting pads on social media early in the coronavirus pandemic , and the overwhelming public response led to several lucrative offers for a ring comeback .
With the chance to make money for himself and for charity , Tyson eventually agreed — but he had to find an opponent .
Jones fought steadily into his late 40s , but thought he was done with the sport after winning his last bout in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance to take on Tyson after the greats never met during their first professional careers because Tyson was a heavyweight and Jones mostly was a light heavyweight ( 178 pounds ) .
Tyson and Jones negotiated with the California commission over the limitations of their bout , eventually arriving at eight two-minute rounds of hard sparring with only ceremonial judging and no official winner .
The WBC still stepped in to award a ceremonial “ Frontline Battle Belt ” to both fighters .

LOS ANGELES — Mike Tyson showed glimpses of his destructive prime Saturday night during the 54-year-old boxing icon’s return to the ring for a lively exhibition bout with 51-year-old Roy Jones Jr.
Both fighters had impressive moments during a fight that was unofficially ruled a draw by the WBC judges at ringside. Tyson and Jones fought eight two-minute rounds, and both emerged smiling and apparently healthy from a highly unusual event at Staples Center.
“This is better than fighting for championships,” Tyson said of the heavyweight exhibition, which raised money for various charities. “We’re humanitarians now. We can do something good for the world. We’ve got to do this again.”
The former heavyweight champion of the world’s return to the ring after a 15-year absence attracted international attention, and Iron Mike did his best to show the form that made him a legend to a generation of boxing fans. Tyson tagged Jones with body shots and a handful of head punches during a bout that was required to be a fairly safe glorious sparring session by the California State Athletic Commission.
“The body shots definitely took a toll,” said Jones, the former four-division world champion widely considered the most skilled boxer of his generation. “It’s something to take the punches that Mike throws. I’m cool with a draw. Maybe we can do it again.”
Jones walked to the ring with gloves and trunks honoring Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, while Tyson wore his signature all-black trunks. After the traditional pre-fight pomp and an introduction by Michael Buffer, the 50-something champions both came out throwing punches that evoked echoes of their glorious primes.
They also tied up frequently on the inside, and their occasionally labored breathing could be heard on the microphones in the empty arena.
Hip hop star Snoop Dogg’s witty television commentary was among the loudest noises inside Staples, and he had a handful of zingers: “This is like two of my uncles fighting at the barbecue!”
Tyson and Jones were the headliners in the most improbable pay-per-view boxing event in years, engineered by social networking app Triller and featuring fights interspersed with hip hop performances in an empty arena.
The event was derided as an anti-sporting spectacle by some critics, yet both Tyson and Jones appeared to handle themselves capably and safely. Fans were clearly enamored, with the show getting enormous traction on social media.
“I hit you with some good shots, and you took it,” Tyson said. “I respect that.”
In the co-main event, YouTube star Jake Paul knocked out former NBA player Nate Robinson, stopped in the second round of Robinson’s pro boxing debut. Paul, in his second pro fight, recorded three knockdowns against Robinson, the three-time NBA Slam Dunk contest champion, before an overhand right put Robinson flat on his face and apparently unconscious.
Tyson retired from boxing in 2005, saying he longer had “the fighting guts or the heart” after he quit in a dismal loss to journeyman Peter McBride. Finally free of his sport’s relentless pressure, Tyson gradually straightened out his life, kicking a self-described drug addiction and eventually succeeding in acting, stage performance, charity work and even marijuana cultivation while settling into comfortable family life in Las Vegas with his third wife and their children.
The idea of a boxing comeback seemed preposterous, but Tyson started toward this unlikely fight when he started doing 15 daily minutes on a treadmill a few years ago at his wife’s urging in a bid to lose 100 pounds. The workouts soon became multi-hour affairs encompassing biking, running and finally punching as he regained a measure of his athletic prime through discipline and a vegan diet.
Tyson posted a video of himself hitting pads on social media early in the coronavirus pandemic, and the overwhelming public response led to several lucrative offers for a ring comeback. With the chance to make money for himself and for charity, Tyson eventually agreed — but he had to find an opponent.
Jones fought steadily into his late 40s, but thought he was done with the sport after winning his last bout in 2018. He couldn’t resist the chance to take on Tyson after the greats never met during their first professional careers because Tyson was a heavyweight and Jones mostly was a light heavyweight (178 pounds).
Tyson and Jones negotiated with the California commission over the limitations of their bout, eventually arriving at eight two-minute rounds of hard sparring with only ceremonial judging and no official winner. The WBC still stepped in to award a ceremonial “Frontline Battle Belt” to both fighters.


thedenverpost--2020-11-30--Saints coach Sean Payton doesn’t have much sympathy for Vic Fangio. Or for the Broncos.

Did you have some sympathy for Broncos coach Vic Fangio , Sean Payton ?
Any sympathy at all , given that the guy was forced to trot out an offense , in an NFL game , without the services of an NFL quarterback ?
“ Yeah , look , I think it ’ s tough for all the ( teams ) , ” the Saints coach replied .
“ Look , this is a challenging year .
I felt bad for the cardboard fans .
But it is what it is.
” So in other words … nope .
Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weren ’ t apologizing for dancing on the grave the Broncos ’ offense dug for itself .
Or , if you like , the grave the NFL dug instead , given that New Orleans ’ 31-3 rout at Empower Field went on as scheduled despite the home team having no healthy , active quarterbacks available .
Jeff Driskel tested positive for the coronavirus this past Thursday , and the prior contact of starter Drew Lock and backups Brett Rypien and Blake Bortles to Driskel earlier in the week also rendered them ineligible to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protocols , a decision that came down Saturday afternoon .
“ It was a little weird , ” Saints tailback Alvin Kamara said of the Broncos ’ plight .
“ It was a weird day , a weird vibe to the game .
But a win is a win.
” The closest thing to sympathy for the hosts came from Saints ’ tailback Latavius Murray , who rambled for 124 yards .
Murray after the game tipped his cap to Broncos emergency quarterback Kendall Hinton , a practice squad wide receiver and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I gave them a lot of credit to even have the confidence to step on the field and do what ( Hinton ) did , ” Murray said of the Broncos wideout , who completed one pass in nine attempts and was picked off twice .
“ I know it was tough for him .
But I have a lot of respect for them .
But it ’ s the kind of season that it ’ s been.
” The NFL ’ s decision not to delay the game didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong way .
A gift-wrapped win for the Saints tightened New Orleans ’ grip on the No .
1 seed in the NFC playoffs , a scenario that irked fans of the Packers , Seahawks and Rams , all battling New Orleans for the top spot .
“ Yeah , I don ’ t think ‘ weird ’ is the right word , ” Payton said .
“ Look , everything about this season is unique .
So we kind of tune out the things we can ’ t control.
” New Orleans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being a former college quarterback himself at BYU before taking snaps at tailback , wideout , tight end and on special teams as a pro .
Hill , who was making only his second NFL start behind center , said his directive from Payton “ drastically changed ” on Saturday when the Saints coaching staff found out the Broncos were going to have to field an offense without a natural quarterback .
“ I think , going into the game , there was so much uncertainty ; ( we ) didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , ” said Hill , who threw for 78 yards and ran for 44 with two touchdowns on the ground .
“ Offensively , I ’ m not surprised that ’ s the way ( the ) game went.
” A stingy Saints defense that came in ranked fourth among NFL defenses in sack percentage and ninth in opponent scoring was going to prove a challenge , regardless of whether or not Lock was in the fold .
But it was clear from the outset that New Orleans intended to crowd the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Broncos to try and throw .
Knowing darn well that they couldn ’ t .
“ It was kind of crazy , ” said Saints linebacker Kwon Alexander , whose recovery of a fumbled exchange between wildcat quarterback Phillip Lindsay and center Lloyd Cushenberry late in the second quarter broke a weird contest wide open .
“ ( We ) knew they couldn ’ t do too much , especially ( with Hinton ) being a quarterback for just a game .
”

Did you have some sympathy for Broncos coach Vic Fangio, Sean Payton?
Any sympathy at all, given that the guy was forced to trot out an offense, in an NFL game, without the services of an NFL quarterback?
“Yeah, look, I think it’s tough for all the (teams),” the Saints coach replied. “Look, this is a challenging year. I felt bad for the cardboard fans. But it is what it is.”
So in other words … nope. Not much.
The Saints (9-2) weren’t apologizing for dancing on the grave the Broncos’ offense dug for itself. Or, if you like, the grave the NFL dug instead, given that New Orleans’ 31-3 rout at Empower Field went on as scheduled despite the home team having no healthy, active quarterbacks available.
Jeff Driskel tested positive for the coronavirus this past Thursday, and the prior contact of starter Drew Lock and backups Brett Rypien and Blake Bortles to Driskel earlier in the week also rendered them ineligible to play under the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols. The decision came down Saturday afternoon.
“It was a little weird,” Saints tailback Alvin Kamara said of the Broncos’ plight. “It was a weird day, a weird vibe to the game. But a win is a win.”
The closest thing to sympathy for the hosts came from Saints’ tailback Latavius Murray, who rambled for 124 yards. Murray after the game tipped his cap to Broncos emergency quarterback Kendall Hinton, a practice squad wide receiver and a former college quarterback at Wake Forest.
“I gave them a lot of credit to even have the confidence to step on the field and do what (Hinton) did,” Murray said of the Broncos wideout, who completed one pass in nine attempts and was picked off twice.
“I know it was tough for him. But I have a lot of respect for them. But it’s the kind of season that it’s been.”
The NFL’s decision not to delay the game didn’t just rub the Broncos’ faithful the wrong way. A gift-wrapped win for the Saints tightened New Orleans’ grip on the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs, a scenario that irked fans of the Packers, Seahawks and Rams, all battling New Orleans for the top spot.
“Yeah, I don’t think ‘weird’ is the right word,” Payton said. “Look, everything about this season is unique. So we kind of tune out the things we can’t control.”
New Orleans quarterback Taysom Hill proved more empathetic, being a former college quarterback himself at BYU before taking snaps at tailback, wideout, tight end and on special teams as a pro.
Hill, who was making only his second NFL start behind center, said his directive from Payton “drastically changed” on Saturday when the Saints coaching staff found out the Broncos were going to have to field an offense without a natural quarterback.
“I think, going into the game, there was so much uncertainty; (we) didn’t know how this was going to play out,” said Hill, who threw for 78 yards and ran for 44 with two touchdowns on the ground. “Offensively, I’m not surprised that’s the way (the) game went.”
A stingy Saints defense that came in ranked fourth among NFL defenses in sack percentage and ninth in opponent scoring was going to prove a challenge, regardless of whether or not Lock was in the fold. But it was clear from the outset that New Orleans intended to crowd the box and dare somebody — anybody — from the Broncos to try and throw.
Knowing darn well that they couldn’t.
“It was kind of crazy,” said Saints linebacker Kwon Alexander, whose recovery of a fumbled exchange between wildcat quarterback Phillip Lindsay and center Lloyd Cushenberry late in the second quarter broke a weird contest wide open. “(We) knew they couldn’t do too much, especially (with Hinton) being a quarterback for just a game.”


thedenverpost--2020-11-30--Quarterback-less Broncos no match for New Orleans: “We weren’t given a chance”

The final result — New Orleans 31 , Broncos 3 — will be a footnote next week when Drew Lock and Co. return from NFL ineligibility , next year when hopefully things like masks and protocols are no longer necessary and way in the future when Kendall Hinton reflects on going from practice squad receiver to quarterback in a span of 24 hours .
Hinton will remember Sunday at empty Mile High even if he completed more passes to the Saints ( two ) than his teammates ( one ) .
But everything else should be forgotten .
All of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Kansas City .
The 112 yards of offense , six first downs and three turnovers ?
Forget it .
The defense finally wilting after a strong first quarter and allowing 229 rushing yards ?
Old news .
And the Broncos losing a third game this year by at least 25 points ?
Doesn ’ t matter .
The Broncos had no shot at beating New Orleans after the NFL benched quarterbacks Drew Lock , Brett Rypien and Blake Bortles for violating mask-wearing and social-distancing protocols .
Already minus Jeff Driskel , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Broncos on short notice turned to Hinton and running backs Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman to catch/receive center Lloyd Cushenberry ’ s snaps .
“ For me , I ’ m not really disappointed in the quarterbacks , ” safety Kareem Jackson said after the Broncos fell to 4-7 .
“ I know the protocols have picked up a little bit and wearing that mask in a meeting room on a day-to-day basis definitely becomes irritating .
But you have to do what you have to do .
I just felt like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t given a chance.
” And for that , the Broncos should blame the league , who wanted to make an example out of the quarterbacks .
They should certainly hold the quarterbacks accountable , but the punishment didn ’ t fit the crime .
Jackson took the league to task for not being open to moving the game .
The close-contact rule is five days of isolation , but his point is well taken about playing Monday or Tuesday because it would have allowed the coaches and players valuable time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to continue to play this game and not be given the chance to figure things out with our quarterback situation , that was definitely disappointing , ” he said .
Definitely disappointing , definitely unfortunate and definitely pathetic .
• Kendall Hinton , Broncos find silver linings in rookie WR ’ s debut as NFL quarterback : “ I never thought I ’ d be back taking the reins ” • Broncos Report Card : No surprises as shorthanded offense struggles in loss to Saints • Broncos game balls and gassers : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while offensive line couldn ’ t pick up the slack • Kendall Hinton makes NFL debut with Broncos : How the sports world reacted on social media • Broncos up-down drill : Highs and lows for Denver against the Saints The seeds of Saturday ’ s madness were planted last Tuesday .
The Broncos were off , but the quarterbacks went to the facility on their off-day to watch video .
“ They got lax with their masks , I guess , and got lax with their distancing from each other , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Just before Saturday ’ s 1 p.m. practice , the quarterbacks were told to scram .
“ I was the last one out of the locker room and Drew came back in and told me the deal and that they possibly wouldn ’ t be able to play , ” Jackson said .
The league made their decision — it still hasn ’ t made a public announcement , selecting their supportive media voices to carry out its words — after a conference call with a group that included Broncos president/CEO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Asked if he was surprised and/or disappointed with the NFL ’ s decision , Fangio veered in an unexpected direction .
“ I was disappointed on a couple of levels in that our quarterbacks put us in this position , our quarterbacks put the league in that position , ” Fangio said .
“ We count on them to be the leaders of this team and leaders of the offense and those guys made a mistake and that ’ s disappointing.
” Whoa .
We didn ’ t expect Fangio to apply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would get him fined … and he was docked $ 100,000 early this season for not regularly wearing his mask .
But it was unexpected for him to put the blame entirely on the quarterbacks and then himself .
“ Obviously , I haven ’ t done a good enough job of selling the protocols to them when they ’ re on their own , ” he said .
“ Part of that can fall on me .
I thought I was.
” Fangio was diplomatic and Jackson matter-of-fact .
The Broncos have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they lost their bye week in October when New England had two positive tests .
That game was moved a week .
Sunday ’ s show went on as scheduled .
The Broncos faced the Saints while knowing Baltimore had its Thanksgiving Night game at Pittsburgh moved to Tuesday because of myriad coronavirus cases .
What was the difference ?
According to a league source , the findings by the league and players ’ union so far have led them to believe a Broncos ’ spread was contained .
Lock , Rypien and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is why they were placed on the COVID-19/reserve list Sunday morning .
Baltimore had its game moved because the virus is not yet considered contained because positives were contracted outside the building .
The NFL investigates every team that has alleged COVID protocol violations .
The NFLPA works with the league to control the spread of the virus , following a review of the facts and then the NFL office considers discipline for violations .
The Broncos should expect to be fined , especially if the league deems them repeat offenders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( the team was fined $ 500,000 ) .
Before the game , Lock tweeted a statement and said , “ in a controlled and socially-distance area , we let our masking slip for a limited amount of time .
An honest mistake , but one I will own .
… I sincerely apologize and I fully understand why these safety precautions are so important .
Doing the right thing for a majority of the time is not good enough.
” Lock ’ s apology is noble and probably warranted , but what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the game being compromised ?
Don ’ t expect the NFL to issue one .
Also don ’ t expect the Saints to decline the win .
New Orleans took advantage of the Broncos ’ situation , grinding out a dominant win after a slow start .
The Saints opened the scoring with a 13-play drive aided by defensive end Dre ’ Mont Jones ’ fourth-and-1 neutral zone penalty and capped by quarterback Taysom Hill ’ s one-yard touchdown .
The Broncos ’ chances at an improbable win — or making things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the final three minutes of the first half when the Saints turned a Lindsay fumble ( bad snap by Cushenberry ) and a Hinton interception into 10 points and a 17-0 lead .
The Broncos ’ 112 yards were their fifth-fewest , their six first downs third-fewest , 12 net passing yards seventh-fewest and one completion the fewest in team history .
Fangio , who is hopeful to have his regular quarterbacks back at the facility early this week , saluted the effort of his available players .
“ I have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players , ” he said .
“ I know the score is what it is , but they played hard , they played physical and I love them and respect them even more .
“ In the final analysis , it was just too big of an ask.
” The Broncos had three players ( Royce Freeman , Kendall Hinton and Phillip Lindsay ) take snaps in Sunday ’ s bizarre 31-3 loss to the Saints .
A look at how the offense fared with each : The Broncos set a franchise record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with Kendall Hinton connecting on just 1-of-9 passes for 13 yards .
Denver completed two passes in a game three separate times , including a 17-10 win over Kansas City on Nov. 13 , 2011 , that saw Tim Tebow complete 2-of-8 for 68 yards .
Still , Sunday ’ s loss wasn ’ t the worst day Broncos fans have seen in terms of passing yardage thanks to a few games where Denver QBs couldn ’ t stop getting sacked : It took until the final drive of the game , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 total yards Sunday against New Orleans .
As bad as things were , Denver has actually had worse offensive performances .

The final result — New Orleans 31, Broncos 3 — will be a footnote next week when Drew Lock and Co. return from NFL ineligibility, next year when hopefully things like masks and protocols are no longer necessary and way in the future when Kendall Hinton reflects on going from practice squad receiver to quarterback in a span of 24 hours.
Hinton will remember Sunday at empty Mile High even if he completed more passes to the Saints (two) than his teammates (one).
But everything else should be forgotten. All of it. Move on. Start thinking about Kansas City.
The 112 yards of offense, six first downs and three turnovers? Forget it. The defense finally wilting after a strong first quarter and allowing 229 rushing yards? Old news. And the Broncos losing a third game this year by at least 25 points? Doesn’t matter.
The Broncos had no shot at beating New Orleans after the NFL benched quarterbacks Drew Lock, Brett Rypien and Blake Bortles for violating mask-wearing and social-distancing protocols. Already minus Jeff Driskel, who tested positive for COVID-19 last Wednesday, the Broncos on short notice turned to Hinton and running backs Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman to catch/receive center Lloyd Cushenberry’s snaps.
“For me, I’m not really disappointed in the quarterbacks,” safety Kareem Jackson said after the Broncos fell to 4-7. “I know the protocols have picked up a little bit and wearing that mask in a meeting room on a day-to-day basis definitely becomes irritating. But you have to do what you have to do. I just felt like going into the game, we weren’t given a chance.”
And for that, the Broncos should blame the league, who wanted to make an example out of the quarterbacks. They should certainly hold the quarterbacks accountable, but the punishment didn’t fit the crime.
Jackson took the league to task for not being open to moving the game. The close-contact rule is five days of isolation, but his point is well taken about playing Monday or Tuesday because it would have allowed the coaches and players valuable time to develop a game plan.
“To have to continue to play this game and not be given the chance to figure things out with our quarterback situation, that was definitely disappointing,” he said.
Definitely disappointing, definitely unfortunate and definitely pathetic.
The seeds of Saturday’s madness were planted last Tuesday. The Broncos were off, but the quarterbacks went to the facility on their off-day to watch video.
“They got lax with their masks, I guess, and got lax with their distancing from each other, I guess,” coach Vic Fangio said.
Just before Saturday’s 1 p.m. practice, the quarterbacks were told to scram.
“I was the last one out of the locker room and Drew came back in and told me the deal and that they possibly wouldn’t be able to play,” Jackson said.
The league made their decision — it still hasn’t made a public announcement, selecting their supportive media voices to carry out its words — after a conference call with a group that included Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis and general manager John Elway.
Asked if he was surprised and/or disappointed with the NFL’s decision, Fangio veered in an unexpected direction.
“I was disappointed on a couple of levels in that our quarterbacks put us in this position, our quarterbacks put the league in that position,” Fangio said. “We count on them to be the leaders of this team and leaders of the offense and those guys made a mistake and that’s disappointing.”
Whoa. We didn’t expect Fangio to apply a flame-thrower to the league because that would get him fined … and he was docked $100,000 early this season for not regularly wearing his mask. But it was unexpected for him to put the blame entirely on the quarterbacks and then himself.
“Obviously, I haven’t done a good enough job of selling the protocols to them when they’re on their own,” he said. “Part of that can fall on me. I thought I was.”
Fangio was diplomatic and Jackson matter-of-fact. The Broncos have a reason to feel picked on because they lost their bye week in October when New England had two positive tests. That game was moved a week. Sunday’s show went on as scheduled.
The Broncos faced the Saints while knowing Baltimore had its Thanksgiving Night game at Pittsburgh moved to Tuesday because of myriad coronavirus cases.
What was the difference? According to a league source, the findings by the league and players’ union so far have led them to believe a Broncos’ spread was contained. Lock, Rypien and Bortles were found to be close contacts, which is why they were placed on the COVID-19/reserve list Sunday morning. Baltimore had its game moved because the virus is not yet considered contained because positives were contracted outside the building.
The NFL investigates every team that has alleged COVID protocol violations. The NFLPA works with the league to control the spread of the virus, following a review of the facts and then the NFL office considers discipline for violations. The Broncos should expect to be fined, especially if the league deems them repeat offenders because of Fangio’s early-season fine (the team was fined $500,000).
Before the game, Lock tweeted a statement and said, “in a controlled and socially-distance area, we let our masking slip for a limited amount of time. An honest mistake, but one I will own. … I sincerely apologize and I fully understand why these safety precautions are so important. Doing the right thing for a majority of the time is not good enough.”
Lock’s apology is noble and probably warranted, but what about an apology for the competitive integrity of the game being compromised? Don’t expect the NFL to issue one.
Also don’t expect the Saints to decline the win. New Orleans took advantage of the Broncos’ situation, grinding out a dominant win after a slow start. The Saints opened the scoring with a 13-play drive aided by defensive end Dre’Mont Jones’ fourth-and-1 neutral zone penalty and capped by quarterback Taysom Hill’s one-yard touchdown.
The Broncos’ chances at an improbable win — or making things interesting in the second half — disappeared in the final three minutes of the first half when the Saints turned a Lindsay fumble (bad snap by Cushenberry) and a Hinton interception into 10 points and a 17-0 lead.
The Broncos’ 112 yards were their fifth-fewest, their six first downs third-fewest, 12 net passing yards seventh-fewest and one completion the fewest in team history.
Fangio, who is hopeful to have his regular quarterbacks back at the facility early this week, saluted the effort of his available players.
“I have a lot of love and respect for our players,” he said. “I know the score is what it is, but they played hard, they played physical and I love them and respect them even more.
“In the final analysis, it was just too big of an ask.”
Three-headed monster (OR) Snap decision
The Broncos had three players (Royce Freeman, Kendall Hinton and Phillip Lindsay) take snaps in Sunday’s bizarre 31-3 loss to the Saints. A look at how the offense fared with each:
Snaps Runs Passes (C-A) Yards Turnovers Royce Freeman 10 10 0 47 0 Kendall Hinton 24 15 9 (1-9) 36 2 interceptions Phillip Lindsay 9 9 0 29 1 fumbled snap Total 43 34 9 (1-9) 112 3
Err it out
The Broncos set a franchise record for fewest completions in a game Sunday, with Kendall Hinton connecting on just 1-of-9 passes for 13 yards. Denver completed two passes in a game three separate times, including a 17-10 win over Kansas City on Nov. 13, 2011, that saw Tim Tebow complete 2-of-8 for 68 yards. Still, Sunday’s loss wasn’t the worst day Broncos fans have seen in terms of passing yardage thanks to a few games where Denver QBs couldn’t stop getting sacked:
Date Opponent C-A-I Yards Rating Result Sept. 10, 1967 at Oakland 2-16-1 -53 13.5 Loss, 51-0 Sept. 3, 1966 at Houston 2-20-0 -7 39.6 Loss, 45-7 Sept. 4, 1983 at Pittsburgh 5-16-1 1 35.7 Win, 14-10 Nov. 15, 1964 N.Y. Jets 7-21-2 6 18.7 Win, 20-16 Sept. 3, 1978 Oakland 5-13-1 8 40.2 Win, 14-6 Nov. 30, 1975 San Diego 8-20-6 8 25.0 Win, 13-10 (OT) Nov. 29, 2020 New Orleans 1-9-2 13 0.0 Loss, 31-3
Top five worst yardage totals
It took until the final drive of the game, but the Broncos were able to eclipse 100 total yards Sunday against New Orleans. As bad as things were, Denver has actually had worse offensive performances.


thedenverpost--2020-11-30--Kendall Hinton, Broncos find silver linings in rookie WR’s debut as NFL quarterback: “I never though

Kendall Hinton, Broncos find silver linings in rookie WR’s debut as NFL quarterback: “I never thought I’d be back taking the reins”

In “ the most eventful 24 hours ” of Kendall Hinton ’ s life , the rookie wideout went from the practice squad to the Broncos ’ starting quarterback for Sunday ’ s Week 12 home game against New Orleans .
The result was Hinton throwing two interceptions and completing just one pass in Denver ’ s 31-3 pummeling by New Orleans at Empower Field .
But , it also provided a lasting memory for the undrafted rookie who admitted , “ I never thought I ’ d be back taking the reins.
” “ When I got the call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hinton said .
“ Of course , there was nerves and disbelief , but the encouragement I got from my team , and the guys keeping me up ( in the huddle ) , made it easier for me.
” The 23-year-old saw his first NFL snap on the fifth play of the game , when he rolled out on 3rd-and-3 and was forced to throw the ball away under pressure .
Two of his first four passes were dropped potential interceptions by the New Orleans secondary , and Hinton entered the half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his first NFL pass on Denver ’ s opening drive of the third quarter , a 13-yard screen to tight end Noah Fant .
But that would be Hinton ’ s lone highlight .
Two plays later , he was picked off again , this time on an overthrow downfield as he was pressured while running right .
“ ( I ) would not say this is how I planned out ( an NFL debut ) in my dreams , ” he said .
Probably far from it , especially for a receiver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denver ’ s fourth starting quarterback this season after the Broncos ’ four QBs on the roster were all sidelined with COVID-related issues .
Jeff Driskel tested positive earlier in the week , and then starter Drew Lock and backups Brett Rypien and Blake Bortles were all deemed ineligible to play by the NFL due to high-risk contract tracing .
Lock apologized in a pregame Twitter statement for “ ( letting ) our masking slip for a limited amount of time ” — an error in protocol that cleared the way for Hinton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , N.C. , native became the NFL ’ s first starting non-quarterback at the position since Dec. 18 , 1965 , when running back Tom Matte started for the Baltimore Colts .
Hinton estimated the Broncos had about a tenth of their playbook available , which was heavily modified to incorporate the “ wildcat ” formation and only featured about “ 20-30 ” different plays .
He also acknowledged “ a day or two of practice would ’ ve definitely helped ” and “ ( Monday ) morning probably won ’ t be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at full-speed for the first time in about a year .
But it sure beats the path he was on just a month ago .
After signing with the Broncos on April 26 , Hinton was waived following training camp .
He found himself looking for work before he was brought back to the practice squad Nov. 4 .
“ I was selling fundraising and trying to scrap up what ( money ) I could , stay in shape , figure out what was next , ” said Hinton , who converted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Wake Forest .
“ I always kept that positive attitude about what was next when it came to football , but it reality did hit , and I kind of started having to be an adult.
” Fairy-tale fast track to an NFL debut aside , the reality of a lack of preparation hit Hinton on Sunday , as he finished with a 0.0 quarterback rating .
Broncos ’ coach Vic Fangio said Hinton “ did everything he could ” given that he had only a handful of hours — and no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end , it was “ a big , big ask , and it just didn ’ t work out.
” Still , those who know Hinton best , such as cornerback Essany Bassey , left “ proud ” of what Hinton did despite the lopsided score .
Bassey , Hinton ’ s college teammate at Wake Forest , described Hinton as “ like a brother to me.
” “ I know his focus going into games and the type of player and person he is , ” said Bassey , who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ There was a lot of pressure on him , in short notice , and he handled it unlike anybody I ’ ve ever seen .
He was calm , he was focused like he always has been.
” Next up for Hinton ?
Probably back to the practice squad , should Lock , Rypien and Bortles get cleared for Denver ’ s Week 13 road test in Kansas City .
But he relished the brief opportunity he had .
“ Coming in we knew it ’ d be a tough situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ That was a challenge that I wanted to take on .
”

In “the most eventful 24 hours” of Kendall Hinton’s life, the rookie wideout went from the practice squad to the Broncos’ starting quarterback for Sunday’s Week 12 home game against New Orleans.
The result was Hinton throwing two interceptions and completing just one pass in Denver’s 31-3 pummeling by New Orleans at Empower Field. But, it also provided a lasting memory for the undrafted rookie who admitted, “I never thought I’d be back taking the reins.”
“When I got the call, it was pure excitement,” Hinton said. “Of course, there was nerves and disbelief, but the encouragement I got from my team, and the guys keeping me up (in the huddle), made it easier for me.”
The 23-year-old saw his first NFL snap on the fifth play of the game, when he rolled out on 3rd-and-3 and was forced to throw the ball away under pressure. Two of his first four passes were dropped potential interceptions by the New Orleans secondary, and Hinton entered the half 0-for-7 with a pick.
Hinton completed his first NFL pass on Denver’s opening drive of the third quarter, a 13-yard screen to tight end Noah Fant. But that would be Hinton’s lone highlight. Two plays later, he was picked off again, this time on an overthrow downfield as he was pressured while running right.
“(I) would not say this is how I planned out (an NFL debut) in my dreams,” he said.
Probably far from it, especially for a receiver who was thrust into the spotlight as Denver’s fourth starting quarterback this season after the Broncos’ four QBs on the roster were all sidelined with COVID-related issues. Jeff Driskel tested positive earlier in the week, and then starter Drew Lock and backups Brett Rypien and Blake Bortles were all deemed ineligible to play by the NFL due to high-risk contract tracing.
Lock apologized in a pregame Twitter statement for “(letting) our masking slip for a limited amount of time” — an error in protocol that cleared the way for Hinton’s unlikely debut. The Durham, N.C., native became the NFL’s first starting non-quarterback at the position since Dec. 18, 1965, when running back Tom Matte started for the Baltimore Colts.
Hinton estimated the Broncos had about a tenth of their playbook available, which was heavily modified to incorporate the “wildcat” formation and only featured about “20-30” different plays. He also acknowledged “a day or two of practice would’ve definitely helped” and “(Monday) morning probably won’t be fun” after getting tackled and hit at full-speed for the first time in about a year.
But it sure beats the path he was on just a month ago. After signing with the Broncos on April 26, Hinton was waived following training camp. He found himself looking for work before he was brought back to the practice squad Nov. 4.
“I was selling fundraising and trying to scrap up what (money) I could, stay in shape, figure out what was next,” said Hinton, who converted to wideout from quarterback for his last season at Wake Forest. “I always kept that positive attitude about what was next when it came to football, but it reality did hit, and I kind of started having to be an adult.”
Fairy-tale fast track to an NFL debut aside, the reality of a lack of preparation hit Hinton on Sunday, as he finished with a 0.0 quarterback rating. Broncos’ coach Vic Fangio said Hinton “did everything he could” given that he had only a handful of hours — and no practices — to get ready. In the end, it was “a big, big ask, and it just didn’t work out.”
Still, those who know Hinton best, such as cornerback Essany Bassey, left “proud” of what Hinton did despite the lopsided score. Bassey, Hinton’s college teammate at Wake Forest, described Hinton as “like a brother to me.”
“I know his focus going into games and the type of player and person he is,” said Bassey, who had his first career interception in the loss. “There was a lot of pressure on him, in short notice, and he handled it unlike anybody I’ve ever seen. He was calm, he was focused like he always has been.”
Next up for Hinton? Probably back to the practice squad, should Lock, Rypien and Bortles get cleared for Denver’s Week 13 road test in Kansas City. But he relished the brief opportunity he had.
“Coming in we knew it’d be a tough situation, for sure,” Hinton said. “That was a challenge that I wanted to take on.”


thedenverpost--2020-11-30--Dave Prowse, actor who played Darth Vader, dies at 85

LONDON — Dave Prowse , the British weightlifter-turned-actor who was the body , though not the voice , of arch-villain Darth Vader in the original “ Star Wars ” trilogy , has died .
He was 85 .
Prowse died Saturday after a short illness , his agent Thomas Bowington said Sunday .
Born in Bristol , southwest England , in 1935 , Prowse was a three-time British weightlifting champion and represented England in weightlifting at the 1962 Commonwealth Games before breaking into movies with roles that emphasized his commanding size , including Frankenstein ’ s monster in a pair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George Lucas saw Prowse in a small part in “ A Clockwork Orange ” and asked the 6-foot-6-inch ( almost 2-meter ) actor to audition for the villainous Vader or the Wookie Chewbacca in “ Star Wars.
” Prowse later told the BBC he chose Darth Vader because “ you always remember the bad guys.
” Physically , Prowse was perfect for the part .
Yet his lilting English West Country accent was considered less than ideal and his lines were dubbed by James Earl Jones .
Prowse donned Darth Vader ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wars ” ( 1977 ) , “ The Empire Strikes Back ” ( 1980 ) and “ Return of the Jedi ” ( 1983 ) .
He expressed some regret that , thanks to Vader ’ s mask , “ I can walk around with complete anonymity.
” “ All actors crave recognition and I ’ d like to have some like Luke Skywalker and Han Solo , ” he told The Associated Press in 1980 .
“ Fortune tends to follow fame.
” Lucas said Prowse “ brought a physicality to Darth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ He made Vader leap off the page and on to the big screen , with an imposing stature and movement performance to match the intensity and undercurrent of Vader ’ s presence , ” the director said in a statement on the official “ Star Wars ” website .
“ David was up for anything and contributed to the success of what would become a memorable , tragic figure .
May he rest in peace.
” Prowse also worked as a trainer for other actors , helping Christopher Reeve prepare to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1978 film “ Superman.
” Prowse was also known to a generation of British children as the Green Cross Code Man , a superhero in road safety advertisements during the 1970s and ’ 80s .
Prowse suffered from arthritis for many years and campaigned to raise money for research into disease .
In 1999 he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to charity and road safety .
He was a regular at “ Star Wars ” fan events but was banned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the pair fell out .
Mark Hamill , who played Luke Skywalker in the “ Star Wars ” films , tweeted that Prowse was “ a kind man & much more than Darth Vader.
” Hamill said the actor “ loved his fans as much as they loved him .
# RIP.
” “ Ant-Man ” director Edgar Wright also paid tribute to Prowse on Twitter .
“ As a kid , Dave Prowse couldn ’ t be more famous to me ; stalking along corridors as evil incarnate in the part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generation of kiddies from being mown down in street as the Green Cross Code man , ” he wrote .
“ Rest in Peace , Bristol ’ s finest.
” Prowse is survived by his wife Norma and their three children .

LONDON — Dave Prowse, the British weightlifter-turned-actor who was the body, though not the voice, of arch-villain Darth Vader in the original “Star Wars” trilogy, has died. He was 85.
Prowse died Saturday after a short illness, his agent Thomas Bowington said Sunday.
Born in Bristol, southwest England, in 1935, Prowse was a three-time British weightlifting champion and represented England in weightlifting at the 1962 Commonwealth Games before breaking into movies with roles that emphasized his commanding size, including Frankenstein’s monster in a pair of Hammer Studios horror films.
Director George Lucas saw Prowse in a small part in “A Clockwork Orange” and asked the 6-foot-6-inch (almost 2-meter) actor to audition for the villainous Vader or the Wookie Chewbacca in “Star Wars.”
Prowse later told the BBC he chose Darth Vader because “you always remember the bad guys.”
Physically, Prowse was perfect for the part. Yet his lilting English West Country accent was considered less than ideal and his lines were dubbed by James Earl Jones.
Prowse donned Darth Vader’s black armor and helmet for “Star Wars” (1977), “The Empire Strikes Back” (1980) and “Return of the Jedi” (1983).
He expressed some regret that, thanks to Vader’s mask, “I can walk around with complete anonymity.”
“All actors crave recognition and I’d like to have some like Luke Skywalker and Han Solo,” he told The Associated Press in 1980. “Fortune tends to follow fame.”
Lucas said Prowse “brought a physicality to Darth Vader that was essential for the character.”
“He made Vader leap off the page and on to the big screen, with an imposing stature and movement performance to match the intensity and undercurrent of Vader’s presence,” the director said in a statement on the official “Star Wars” website.
“David was up for anything and contributed to the success of what would become a memorable, tragic figure. May he rest in peace.”
Prowse also worked as a trainer for other actors, helping Christopher Reeve prepare to be the Man of Steel in hit 1978 film “Superman.”
Prowse was also known to a generation of British children as the Green Cross Code Man, a superhero in road safety advertisements during the 1970s and ’80s.
Prowse suffered from arthritis for many years and campaigned to raise money for research into disease. In 1999 he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to charity and road safety.
He was a regular at “Star Wars” fan events but was banned from official conventions by Lucas in 2010 after the pair fell out.
Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in the “Star Wars” films, tweeted that Prowse was “a kind man & much more than Darth Vader.” Hamill said the actor “loved his fans as much as they loved him. #RIP.”
“Ant-Man” director Edgar Wright also paid tribute to Prowse on Twitter.
“As a kid, Dave Prowse couldn’t be more famous to me; stalking along corridors as evil incarnate in the part of Darth Vader & stopping a whole generation of kiddies from being mown down in street as the Green Cross Code man,” he wrote. “Rest in Peace, Bristol’s finest.”
Prowse is survived by his wife Norma and their three children.


thedenverpost--2020-11-30--Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill have huge day, Chiefs hold off Buccaneers in Week 12

TAMPA , Fla. — Patrick Mahomes threw for 462 yards and three touchdowns to outplay Tom Brady and lead the Kansas City Chiefs to a 27-24 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday .
Tyreek Hill scored on receptions of 75 , 44 and 20 yards , backflipping into the end zone on his second TD , and finishing with 13 catches for 269 yards — the last an 8-yard catch on third-and-7 to give Mahomes an opportunity to run out the clock .
The Chiefs ( 10-1 ) won their sixth straight game and clinched their seventh 10-win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reid .
The reigning Super Bowl champions improved to 6-0 on the road and have won nine straight away from home going back to last year .
Brady was 27 of 41 for 345 yards , three touchdowns and a pair of second-half interceptions in falling to 2-2 in four career meetings against Mahomes , who built an early 17-0 lead and also had the Chiefs up by 17 entering the fourth quarter .
The Bucs made it close , with Brady throwing TD passes of 31 and 7 yards to Mike Evans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s deficit to 27-24 with 4:10 remaining .
The Bucs never got the ball back .
The Chiefs led 20-7 at halftime , with Hill having seven catches for 203 yards in the first quarter alone .
The Bucs were fortunate they weren ’ t in a bigger hole at the break .
Kansas City ran 42 plays to Tampa Bay ’ s 22 in the first two quarters , outgaining the Bucs 377 yards to 131 with Mahomes throwing for 359 yards and Brady 117 .
Three drives inside the Bucs 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of short field goals .
Shaquil Barrett sacked Mahomes , forcing a fumble that William Gholston recovered at the 14 with the Chiefs looking to build on a 17-0 lead .
Bashaud Breeland and Tyrann Mathieu had Kansas City ’ s interceptions off Brady .
The Chiefs hurt themselves with a pair of roughing the passer penalties on the 10-play , 73-yard drive the six-time Super Bowl champion put together to close the gap to three points .
The Chiefs beat Tampa Bay for the first time since Sept. 5 , 1993 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 27-3 victory .
The Bucs had won five straight in a series the Chiefs lead 8-5 .
Chiefs : WR Sammy Watkins returned after being sidelined since Week 5 with a hamstring injury .
He had four receptions for 38 yards .
… LB Dorian O ’ Daniel suffered a right ankle injury in the first quarter and did not return .
Buccaneers : LG Ali Marpet returned to the lineup after missing three games because of a concussion .
LT Donovan Smith was active after not practicing all week and being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffered last week against the Los Angeles Rams .
Chiefs : Denver next Sunday night , the lone home game during a stretch that ’ ll see Kansas City play four of five on the road .

TAMPA, Fla. — Patrick Mahomes threw for 462 yards and three touchdowns to outplay Tom Brady and lead the Kansas City Chiefs to a 27-24 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
Tyreek Hill scored on receptions of 75, 44 and 20 yards, backflipping into the end zone on his second TD, and finishing with 13 catches for 269 yards — the last an 8-yard catch on third-and-7 to give Mahomes an opportunity to run out the clock.
The Chiefs (10-1) won their sixth straight game and clinched their seventh 10-win season in eight years under coach Andy Reid.
The reigning Super Bowl champions improved to 6-0 on the road and have won nine straight away from home going back to last year.
Brady was 27 of 41 for 345 yards, three touchdowns and a pair of second-half interceptions in falling to 2-2 in four career meetings against Mahomes, who built an early 17-0 lead and also had the Chiefs up by 17 entering the fourth quarter.
The Bucs made it close, with Brady throwing TD passes of 31 and 7 yards to Mike Evans, the latter trimming Tampa Bay’s deficit to 27-24 with 4:10 remaining.
The Bucs never got the ball back.
The Chiefs led 20-7 at halftime, with Hill having seven catches for 203 yards in the first quarter alone. The Bucs were fortunate they weren’t in a bigger hole at the break.
Kansas City ran 42 plays to Tampa Bay’s 22 in the first two quarters, outgaining the Bucs 377 yards to 131 with Mahomes throwing for 359 yards and Brady 117.
Three drives inside the Bucs 20, however, only netted a pair of short field goals. Shaquil Barrett sacked Mahomes, forcing a fumble that William Gholston recovered at the 14 with the Chiefs looking to build on a 17-0 lead.
Bashaud Breeland and Tyrann Mathieu had Kansas City’s interceptions off Brady. The Chiefs hurt themselves with a pair of roughing the passer penalties on the 10-play, 73-yard drive the six-time Super Bowl champion put together to close the gap to three points.
LONG DROUGHT
The Chiefs beat Tampa Bay for the first time since Sept. 5, 1993, when Joe Montana led Kansas City to a 27-3 victory. The Bucs had won five straight in a series the Chiefs lead 8-5.
INJURIES
Chiefs: WR Sammy Watkins returned after being sidelined since Week 5 with a hamstring injury. He had four receptions for 38 yards. … LB Dorian O’Daniel suffered a right ankle injury in the first quarter and did not return.
Buccaneers: LG Ali Marpet returned to the lineup after missing three games because of a concussion. LT Donovan Smith was active after not practicing all week and being listed as questionable with an ankle injury suffered last week against the Los Angeles Rams.
UP NEXT
Chiefs: Denver next Sunday night, the lone home game during a stretch that’ll see Kansas City play four of five on the road.
Buccaneers: Bye week.


thedenverpost--2020-11-30--Broncos Report Card: No surprises as shorthanded offense struggles in loss to Saints

How do you grade an offense that didn ’ t have a true quarterback available and then lost running back Phillip Lindsay ( knee ) ?
You don ’ t , so we won ’ t .
The Broncos punted on their first five possessions , finished with one completion ( out of nine attempts ) , committed three turnovers , were 1-of-10 on third down and averaged 2.6 yards per snap .
Practice squad receiver Kendall Hinton tried hard , but he was too raw and the Saints defense too good to give him any breathing room .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Royce Freeman didn ’ t do much .
Elijah Wilkinson replaced Demar Dotson at right tackle to start the second half .
The best play was a tight end screen pass to Noah Fant that gained 13 yards .
The margin for error was basically zero for the Broncos ’ defense and they held tough , but finally succumbed to the Saints ’ ball-control offense ( 44 carries-229 yards-four touchdowns ) .
Taysom Hill was 9-of-16 passing and was intercepted by rookie cornerback Essang Bassey , which led to the Broncos ’ only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to spring a leak on New Orleans ’ first touchdown drive ( capped by 10 consecutive rushes , aided by a fourth-and-1 neutral zone penalty. )
.
The Saints led 17-0 at the half thanks to two short drives ( 13 and 19 yards ) off takeaways .
When the score got out of hand , the pass rush , which produced two first-quarter sacks , was negated .
New Orleans held possession for 35 minutes , 46 seconds , and did what it should have done against an opponent that didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clock ) .
Cornerback Bryce Callahan ( foot ) didn ’ t play the second half .
Kicker Brandon McManus ’ 58-yard field goal represented the Broncos ’ only points , was his career long and allowed him to set a single-season team record with seven field goals of at least 50 yards .
McManus was the first of the Broncos this year to sign a contract extension ( nose tackle Mike Purcell and left tackle Garett Bolles followed with new deals ) and he ’ s responded with a fine season .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven attempts , including punts of 53 , 55 and 53 yards in the first quarter alone .
None of his final five punts were returned .
Minus returner Diontae Spencer , the Broncos used Callahan and receiver KJ Hamler for five fair catches .
Tyrie Cleveland drew the kick return assignment but Wil Lutz had was 5-for-5 on touchbacks .
Well , it could have been worse , right ?
It was 0-0 after the first quarter .
It was 7-0 with four minutes left in the first half .
And then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur to devise a workable game plan with less than 24 hours notice .
The Broncos eased Hinton into the game , giving Lindsay and Freeman early-down direct-snap work .
Hinton said he had to learn 20-30 plays ( which he had on his wrist-band ) .
We get not using him on more quarterback keepers since if he got hurt , the Broncos were in even deeper trouble .
Even with an intact offense , the sledding was going to be difficult against New Orleans .

Offense — Inc.
How do you grade an offense that didn’t have a true quarterback available and then lost running back Phillip Lindsay (knee)? You don’t, so we won’t. The Broncos punted on their first five possessions, finished with one completion (out of nine attempts), committed three turnovers, were 1-of-10 on third down and averaged 2.6 yards per snap. Practice squad receiver Kendall Hinton tried hard, but he was too raw and the Saints defense too good to give him any breathing room. The direct snaps to Lindsay and running back Royce Freeman didn’t do much. Elijah Wilkinson replaced Demar Dotson at right tackle to start the second half. The best play was a tight end screen pass to Noah Fant that gained 13 yards.
Defense — C
The margin for error was basically zero for the Broncos’ defense and they held tough, but finally succumbed to the Saints’ ball-control offense (44 carries-229 yards-four touchdowns). Taysom Hill was 9-of-16 passing and was intercepted by rookie cornerback Essang Bassey, which led to the Broncos’ only three points. The run defense began to spring a leak on New Orleans’ first touchdown drive (capped by 10 consecutive rushes, aided by a fourth-and-1 neutral zone penalty.). The Saints led 17-0 at the half thanks to two short drives (13 and 19 yards) off takeaways. When the score got out of hand, the pass rush, which produced two first-quarter sacks, was negated. New Orleans held possession for 35 minutes, 46 seconds, and did what it should have done against an opponent that didn’t have a quarterback (control the clock). Cornerback Bryce Callahan (foot) didn’t play the second half.
Special teams — A
Kicker Brandon McManus’ 58-yard field goal represented the Broncos’ only points, was his career long and allowed him to set a single-season team record with seven field goals of at least 50 yards. McManus was the first of the Broncos this year to sign a contract extension (nose tackle Mike Purcell and left tackle Garett Bolles followed with new deals) and he’s responded with a fine season. Sam Martin averaged 41.9 yards net on seven attempts, including punts of 53, 55 and 53 yards in the first quarter alone. None of his final five punts were returned. Minus returner Diontae Spencer, the Broncos used Callahan and receiver KJ Hamler for five fair catches. Tyrie Cleveland drew the kick return assignment but Wil Lutz had was 5-for-5 on touchbacks.
Coaching — B
Well, it could have been worse, right? It was 0-0 after the first quarter. It was 7-0 with four minutes left in the first half. And then the floodgates opened. A near-impossible task for offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur to devise a workable game plan with less than 24 hours notice. The Broncos eased Hinton into the game, giving Lindsay and Freeman early-down direct-snap work. Hinton said he had to learn 20-30 plays (which he had on his wrist-band). We get not using him on more quarterback keepers since if he got hurt, the Broncos were in even deeper trouble. Even with an intact offense, the sledding was going to be difficult against New Orleans.


thedenverpost--2020-11-30--Broncos game balls and gassers: Quarterbacks set Denver up to get pummeled, while offensive line cou

Broncos game balls and gassers: Quarterbacks set Denver up to get pummeled, while offensive line couldn’t pick up the slack

Analysis from the Broncos ’ 31-3 loss to the Saints on Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High .
Brandon McManus — McManus was the Broncos ’ lone offensive bright spot with his 58-yard field goal in the third quarter .
Amid a Pro Bowl-worthy season that ’ s seen him surpass Matt Prater for the team ’ s all-time field goal percentage , the kick was McManus ’ career long .
It also gave McManus a Broncos single-season record for field goals made from 50-plus yards , with seven .
Dre ’ Mont Jones — Jones was flagged for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Orleans ’ third drive , which led to a touchdown for an early 7-0 Saints ’ lead .
But Jones led Denver with nine tackles , including a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit .
The third-round pick from last year continues to prove himself as an every-down player .
Broncos secondary — Essang Bassey recorded his first career interception with his third-quarter pick of Taysom Hill , but that wasn ’ t the only high point for the Denver secondary .
The Saints were held to 63 yards passing , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deep balls .
Bassey and fellow rookie Michael Ojemudia each had a pass defensed , while A.J .
Bouye had two and the unit didn ’ t fold after Bryce Callahan was pulled in the second half with a foot injury .
Broncos quarterbacks — Drew Lock issued a statement before the loss to the Saints , saying that “ in a controlled and socially distanced area , ( Broncos quarterbacks ) let our masking slip for a limited amount of time .
An honest mistake , but one I will own.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were all ruled ineligible by the NFL because they didn ’ t wear masks in a quarterback meeting , and thus were deemed high-risk COVID contacts following Jeff Driskel ’ s positive test .
Coach Vic Fangio laid the blame at the quarterbacks ’ feet after the game .
Broncos offensive line — Denver posted 100 yards rushing but that was not nearly enough against a Saints ’ defense that stacked the box with virtually no threat of passing from practice squad wideout-turned-starting quarterback Kendall Hinton .
The only way the Broncos were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run the rock , and run it consistently .
The odds were stacked against them .
Pat Shurmur — It ’ s a tough day for any offensive coordinator when you have no bonafide quarterback to work with and the playbook is cut down to a fraction of its usual size , but the Broncos ’ play-calling lacked ingenuity , even given the unusual circumstances .
When it was clear Hinton wasn ’ t finding any rhythm , going 0-for-7 passing with an interception in the first half , Shurmur should ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more ( before he exited due to a knee injury ) and Shurmur should ’ ve let Royce Freeman hurl a pass or two in the second half .
What could it have hurt ?

Analysis from the Broncos’ 31-3 loss to the Saints on Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High.
Game Balls
Brandon McManus — McManus was the Broncos’ lone offensive bright spot with his 58-yard field goal in the third quarter. Amid a Pro Bowl-worthy season that’s seen him surpass Matt Prater for the team’s all-time field goal percentage, the kick was McManus’ career long. It also gave McManus a Broncos single-season record for field goals made from 50-plus yards, with seven.
Dre’Mont Jones — Jones was flagged for a neutral zone infraction that extended New Orleans’ third drive, which led to a touchdown for an early 7-0 Saints’ lead. But Jones led Denver with nine tackles, including a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit. The third-round pick from last year continues to prove himself as an every-down player.
Broncos secondary — Essang Bassey recorded his first career interception with his third-quarter pick of Taysom Hill, but that wasn’t the only high point for the Denver secondary. The Saints were held to 63 yards passing, and Denver didn’t give up any deep balls. Bassey and fellow rookie Michael Ojemudia each had a pass defensed, while A.J. Bouye had two and the unit didn’t fold after Bryce Callahan was pulled in the second half with a foot injury.
Gassers
Broncos quarterbacks — Drew Lock issued a statement before the loss to the Saints, saying that “in a controlled and socially distanced area, (Broncos quarterbacks) let our masking slip for a limited amount of time. An honest mistake, but one I will own.” Lock, Brett Rypien and Blake Bortles were all ruled ineligible by the NFL because they didn’t wear masks in a quarterback meeting, and thus were deemed high-risk COVID contacts following Jeff Driskel’s positive test. Coach Vic Fangio laid the blame at the quarterbacks’ feet after the game.
Broncos offensive line — Denver posted 100 yards rushing but that was not nearly enough against a Saints’ defense that stacked the box with virtually no threat of passing from practice squad wideout-turned-starting quarterback Kendall Hinton. The only way the Broncos were going to be competitive Sunday was to run the rock, and run it consistently. The odds were stacked against them.
Pat Shurmur — It’s a tough day for any offensive coordinator when you have no bonafide quarterback to work with and the playbook is cut down to a fraction of its usual size, but the Broncos’ play-calling lacked ingenuity, even given the unusual circumstances. When it was clear Hinton wasn’t finding any rhythm, going 0-for-7 passing with an interception in the first half, Shurmur should’ve called Phillip Lindsay’s number much more (before he exited due to a knee injury) and Shurmur should’ve let Royce Freeman hurl a pass or two in the second half. What could it have hurt?