mercurynews--2020-04-20--California pastor set to plead guilty to more than $33 million fraud

The pastor of a Westminster-based church accused of swindling more than $ 33 million from investors has agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges , according to the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office .
Kent R.E .
Whitney , 38 , of Newport Beach is expected to admit to federal counts of mail fraud and filing a false federal income tax return , court filings show .
Prosecutors allege that Whitney ran the Church of the Healthy Self – along with a related investment arm known as CHS Trust – out of a strip mall in Westminster .
Whitney directed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at live seminars – appearances that were recorded and frequently uploaded on YouTube – in order to solicit investments .
Among the false and misleading claims prosecutors allege were presented to investors were promises of a 12 % rate of return , a guaranteed return of principal with no risk due to federal insurance and a claim the organization was audited by an accounting firm .
In reality , prosecutors say , little investor money went into trading accounts , and fake monthly statements purporting to outline nonexistent investment returns were prepared for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported an income of $ 17,539 in the 2018 tax year , far less than the $ 452,872 he is believed to have earned that year .
Of that , prosecutors believe $ 435,333 came from the alleged fraud scheme .
Previous court filings tied to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigation alleged that investor funds were used to purchase Rolex watches , a Bentley automobile , Gucci apparel and guns , as well as on rent for various Newport Beach properties .
That filing also alleged that Whitney founded the church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 44-month prison sentence for a commodities scam .

The pastor of a Westminster-based church accused of swindling more than $33 million from investors has agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Kent R.E. Whitney, 38, of Newport Beach is expected to admit to federal counts of mail fraud and filing a false federal income tax return, court filings show.
Prosecutors allege that Whitney ran the Church of the Healthy Self – along with a related investment arm known as CHS Trust – out of a strip mall in Westminster.
Whitney directed church representatives to appear on television and at live seminars – appearances that were recorded and frequently uploaded on YouTube – in order to solicit investments. Among the false and misleading claims prosecutors allege were presented to investors were promises of a 12% rate of return, a guaranteed return of principal with no risk due to federal insurance and a claim the organization was audited by an accounting firm.
In reality, prosecutors say, little investor money went into trading accounts, and fake monthly statements purporting to outline nonexistent investment returns were prepared for investors.
Prosecutors also allege that Whitney reported an income of $17,539 in the 2018 tax year, far less than the $452,872 he is believed to have earned that year. Of that, prosecutors believe $435,333 came from the alleged fraud scheme.
Previous court filings tied to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigation alleged that investor funds were used to purchase Rolex watches, a Bentley automobile, Gucci apparel and guns, as well as on rent for various Newport Beach properties. That filing also alleged that Whitney founded the church in 2014, three months after completing a 44-month prison sentence for a commodities scam.


mercurynews--2020-04-20--Raiders mailbag: Ravens a potential partner in trade-back scenario

Lots of mailbag questions with the NFL draft approaching Thursday , Friday and Saturday .
Let ’ s get right to it .
.
.
Q : Will the Raiders be trading back with the Ravens ?
( @ PhilRobinsonIII ) Raiders G.M .
Mike Mayock said that as a general rule , he likes picks 20 through 60 .
As it stands , after the Raiders pick at No .
19 , they don ’ t have another pick until No .
80 .
Baltimore has two picks in each of the second , third and fourth rounds .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nos .
55 and 60 .
So yes , it wouldn ’ t surprise me at all if the Raiders move back from 12 or 19 and end up with a second-round round pick ( it went to the Bears in the Khalil Mack deal ) .
I can see G.M .
Mike Mayock getting on the silver and black courtesy draft phone for coach Jon Gruden to make that deal .
Q : What are the chances of Raiders going best defensive player available at 12 ?
I ’ m thinking either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kinlaw or Kenneth Murray .
( @ Moorejack23 ) If Brown fell to No .
12 , they ’ d have to think about it .
It would make for a crowded interior defensive line with Johnathan Hankins , Maliek Collins and Maurice Hurst , but Gruden is a big believer in pressure up the middle .
Kinlaw too , although not to the same degree .
With the Raiders signing Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski , I ’ m not feeling the Murray love .
They signed two three-down lineabckers in free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Jerry Jeudy , Henry Ruggs , and C.J , .
Henderson are all still on the board at 12 , and Atlanta calls and offers you a third to trade up , what do you think the Raiders should do ?
What would they do ?
( @ giantsfathom ) Let ’ s see .
That would bump the Raiders to No .
16 ( Atlanta ’ s pick ) to go along with No .
19 and also give them No .
78 in the third to go along with 80 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have little problem trading into the second with four third-round picks .
And it ’ s conceivable a couple of the players you mentioned will be available at No .
16 .
I make the deal .
Q : All things considered , which of Lamb/Jeudy/Ruggs is the best fit for Gruden ’ s scheme ?
( @ KevinVa4439699 ) Jeudy is supposed to be the most polished of the three in terms of route-running and the like .
I think he ’ d be of more help quickly .
Lamb , having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and also operated against shaky Big 12 competition .
I ’ d say Jeudy .
Q : On the clock : Surprise pick comes in at # 12 , who do you think it would be and can it be justified why ?
( @ gregnumba2 ) Just about anything can be justified by the Raiders , and they ’ re all that matters .
They don ’ t have to justify anything to the fan base .
But here ’ s a thought — let ’ s say Mekhi Becton plummets as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report at the combine .
Even though you ’ ve already got two starting tackles , can you pass him up ?
He ’ s a massive , impressive off-the-bus people mover — exactly what they love .
Q : Is Paul Guenther in over his head ?
?
( @ chappy23us ) Given the amount of help the Raiders gave their defensive coordinator in free agency , it ’ s time to start stopping some people .
Especially if they land a corner that can play .
No excuses .
Q : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be covering the draft ?
( @ tonyjobs ) In my home office , right where I ’ ve been for a few weeks now .
Going to miss the draft day food spread .
The Raiders do it up right .
Q : Any chance the Raiders trade up from 12 and down from 19 ?
( @ RobBatt80 ) I think there ’ s a better likelihood of moving down than moving up .
Mayock is a guy who likes a lot of picks and he ’ ll try and push @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only like to get into the second round , but also the sixth and seventh .
Q : Fans including myself want a wide receiver at 12 but with the drop off at cornerback after the top two , what are chances we go corner over receiver at 12 ?
( @ montesd187 ) You make a good point .
But keep in mind what all the draft analysts have isn ’ t necessarily what the Raiders have on their board .
But if they see a receiver they really like they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the first round , they could take a corner they really like at 12 .
C.J .
Henderson ( Florida ) or A.J .
Terrell ( Clemson ) perhaps .
Q : Jerry we ’ re still waiting on a update on Foster Moreau ?
( @ Ackeem63595859 ) Mayock said in a conference call that the second-year tight end has been working out in Baton Rouge and is “ ahead of schedule.
” Later , he said that it ’ s good to have Jason Witten around if Moreau isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll have to wait and see .
Q : Why do we need 50 tight ends and 20 quarterbacks ?
( @ BaronWise3 ) Exaggerating to make a point .
A popular writer ’ s ploy .
Does it really matter on the 90-man roster ?
If they take five tight ends and four quarterbacks on their final 53 , then I ’ ll be concerned .
Q : Johnathan Abram is essentially our third first round pick this year at a position of need on a bad defense .
Gruden and/or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared to be sending a message to him through the media that he better be prepared once the season starts .
Was this standard off season coach/GM speak or is there more to this ?
( Domingo Basilio email ) Since both Gruden and Mayock both playfully alluded to Abram ’ s interviews , it ’ s clear they were attepting to send a subtle message .
Abram ’ s representation set up some interviews outside of the club .
The Raiders would prefer to control that stuff .
It ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t think the Herbert will fall to No .
12 .
And even if he did , I think the Raiders would be more likely to trade out of the pick and get a second-rounder than take a quarterback .
Q : How do you think the Raiders QB situation shakes out this season ?
( @ MrMcmurder ) I ’ ve been pretty consistent in my belief Derek Carr is the quarterback .
Even more so if there ’ s no off-season and training camp .
Marcus Mariota could be an interesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go well .
You could even see him in some running/passing situations in place of Carr depending on the situation .
As for Nathan Peterman and/or DeShone Kizer at No .
3 , does it really matter ?
Q : Based on the current roster what is your best guess on the front four during passing downs ?
( @ Oneida415 ) Maxx Crosby , Maliek Collins , Maurice Hurst , Carl Nassib .
With Clelin Ferrell taking a swing now and then .
Q : Will Raiders add a vet corner in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Plenty good serviceable ones still available ( @ Jroden5 ) When the price comes to their liking , it ’ s possible .
and that includes Daryl Worley .
But keep in mind they ’ ll be at discounted rates .
Q : Does Gruden take a defensive tackle like Derrick Brown or Javon Kinlaw if there instead of WR/ CB at 12 ?
( @ Jack97041358 ) I think he ’ d have to be sold on the idea by Mayock that he can get a wide receiver that can help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Other than Jeff Okudah , there is a school of thought that any corner in the draft would be over-drafted at 12 .
Q : Who would be a good backup running back for Josh Jacobs in the draft ?
We need a power back who can take some hits and keep chugging along .
( @ papertiger418 ) A.J .
Dillon of Boston College weighs 247 pounds , averaged 5.3 yards per carry and gained 1,685 yards last season .
There are enough questions about his game that he could last until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case with everyone on Day 3 .
Q : Any chance we trade Gabe Jackson for Odell Beckham Jr. ?
( @ DondiRaider ) Doubtful the Browns are in the market for a guard making $ 9.6 million this season and trading their most explosive receiver to do it .
And Beckham ’ s histrionics aside , the Raiders want no part of his contract either .
Q : What is the outside fascination with Gruden crafting a first round QB when his history shows that it ’ s not a likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re preaching to the choir .
It could happen at some point , but don ’ t see it happening this year .
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• Raiders draft preview : Has Gruden fallen in love with Love ?
Q : How much has the absence of Mayock ’ s work being publicized the last two years affected the overall boards ?
( @ Zymurge13 ) If you mean the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s no way to know who was moving their players up and down based on what Mayock said leading up to the draft .
If you mean the boards of other draft analysts , I ’ m sure everyone checked out what Mike had to say .
But that ’ s true with most of the analysts that have good reputations .
They want to know what others think .
Q ; If Tua Tagovaiola falls to No .
12 and the top three wide receivers are still on the board , what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Please say Jeudy… ( @ brwong24 ) OK .
.
.
unless a team that really wants Tua offers a big enough package .
.
.
like say picks in the second , sixth and seventh rounds .
Q : Daniel Carlson faded in the second half of the season and missed some crucial kicks .
Should Raiders look for a kicker late in draft ?
( @ willieg21 ) I doubt it .
More likely it will be a kicker presently on the open market that could legitimately compete for the job @

Lots of mailbag questions with the NFL draft approaching Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Let’s get right to it . . .
Q: Will the Raiders be trading back with the Ravens? (@PhilRobinsonIII)
Raiders G.M. Mike Mayock said that as a general rule, he likes picks 20 through 60. As it stands, after the Raiders pick at No. 19, they don’t have another pick until No. 80. Baltimore has two picks in each of the second, third and fourth rounds. The Ravens’ second round picks are Nos. 55 and 60. So yes, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if the Raiders move back from 12 or 19 and end up with a second-round round pick (it went to the Bears in the Khalil Mack deal). I can see G.M. Mike Mayock getting on the silver and black courtesy draft phone for coach Jon Gruden to make that deal.
Q: What are the chances of Raiders going best defensive player available at 12? I’m thinking either Derrick Brown if he falls, Javon Kinlaw or Kenneth Murray. (@Moorejack23)
If Brown fell to No. 12, they’d have to think about it. It would make for a crowded interior defensive line with Johnathan Hankins, Maliek Collins and Maurice Hurst, but Gruden is a big believer in pressure up the middle. Kinlaw too, although not to the same degree. With the Raiders signing Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski, I’m not feeling the Murray love. They signed two three-down lineabckers in free agency.
Q: If CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs, and C.J,. Henderson are all still on the board at 12, and Atlanta calls and offers you a third to trade up, what do you think the Raiders should do? What would they do? (@giantsfathom)
Let’s see. That would bump the Raiders to No. 16 (Atlanta’s pick) to go along with No. 19 and also give them No. 78 in the third to go along with 80, 81 and 91. You would have little problem trading into the second with four third-round picks. And it’s conceivable a couple of the players you mentioned will be available at No. 16. I make the deal.
Q: All things considered, which of Lamb/Jeudy/Ruggs is the best fit for Gruden’s scheme? (@KevinVa4439699)
Jeudy is supposed to be the most polished of the three in terms of route-running and the like. I think he’d be of more help quickly. Lamb, having played exclusively no-huddle, is more route-challenged and also operated against shaky Big 12 competition. I’d say Jeudy.
Q: On the clock: Surprise pick comes in at #12, who do you think it would be and can it be justified why? (@gregnumba2)
Just about anything can be justified by the Raiders, and they’re all that matters. They don’t have to justify anything to the fan base. But here’s a thought — let’s say Mekhi Becton plummets as a result of the failed drug test report at the combine. Even though you’ve already got two starting tackles, can you pass him up? He’s a massive, impressive off-the-bus people mover — exactly what they love.
Q: Is Paul Guenther in over his head?? (@chappy23us)
Given the amount of help the Raiders gave their defensive coordinator in free agency, it’s time to start stopping some people. Especially if they land a corner that can play. No excuses.
Q: Where and how are you gonna be covering the draft? (@tonyjobs)
In my home office, right where I’ve been for a few weeks now. Going to miss the draft day food spread. The Raiders do it up right.
Q: Any chance the Raiders trade up from 12 and down from 19? (@RobBatt80)
I think there’s a better likelihood of moving down than moving up. Mayock is a guy who likes a lot of picks and he’ll try and push Gruden that way. He’d not only like to get into the second round, but also the sixth and seventh.
Q: Fans including myself want a wide receiver at 12 but with the drop off at cornerback after the top two, what are chances we go corner over receiver at 12? (@montesd187)
You make a good point. But keep in mind what all the draft analysts have isn’t necessarily what the Raiders have on their board. But if they see a receiver they really like they’re convinced will still be around after the first round, they could take a corner they really like at 12. C.J. Henderson (Florida) or A.J. Terrell (Clemson) perhaps.
Q: Jerry we’re still waiting on a update on Foster Moreau? (@Ackeem63595859)
Mayock said in a conference call that the second-year tight end has been working out in Baton Rouge and is “ahead of schedule.” Later, he said that it’s good to have Jason Witten around if Moreau isn’t ready right away. So we’ll have to wait and see.
Q: Why do we need 50 tight ends and 20 quarterbacks? (@BaronWise3)
Exaggerating to make a point. A popular writer’s ploy. Does it really matter on the 90-man roster? If they take five tight ends and four quarterbacks on their final 53, then I’ll be concerned.
Q: Johnathan Abram is essentially our third first round pick this year at a position of need on a bad defense. Gruden and/or Mayock made some comments awhile back that appeared to be sending a message to him through the media that he better be prepared once the season starts. Was this standard off season coach/GM speak or is there more to this? (Domingo Basilio email)
Since both Gruden and Mayock both playfully alluded to Abram’s interviews, it’s clear they were attepting to send a subtle message. Abram’s representation set up some interviews outside of the club. The Raiders would prefer to control that stuff. It’s not a big deal.
Q: Justin Herbert, really an option? (@Elfer4ever)
I don’t think the Herbert will fall to No. 12. And even if he did, I think the Raiders would be more likely to trade out of the pick and get a second-rounder than take a quarterback.
Q: How do you think the Raiders QB situation shakes out this season? (@MrMcmurder)
I’ve been pretty consistent in my belief Derek Carr is the quarterback. Even more so if there’s no off-season and training camp. Marcus Mariota could be an interesting in-season option if things don’t go well. You could even see him in some running/passing situations in place of Carr depending on the situation. As for Nathan Peterman and/or DeShone Kizer at No. 3, does it really matter?
Q: Based on the current roster what is your best guess on the front four during passing downs? (@Oneida415)
Maxx Crosby, Maliek Collins, Maurice Hurst, Carl Nassib. With Clelin Ferrell taking a swing now and then.
Q: Will Raiders add a vet corner in free agency or has that ship sailed? Plenty good serviceable ones still available (@Jroden5)
When the price comes to their liking, it’s possible. and that includes Daryl Worley. But keep in mind they’ll be at discounted rates.
Q: Does Gruden take a defensive tackle like Derrick Brown or Javon Kinlaw if there instead of WR/ CB at 12? (@Jack97041358)
I think he’d have to be sold on the idea by Mayock that he can get a wide receiver that can help instantly at either 19 or later. Other than Jeff Okudah, there is a school of thought that any corner in the draft would be over-drafted at 12.
Q: Who would be a good backup running back for Josh Jacobs in the draft? We need a power back who can take some hits and keep chugging along. (@papertiger418)
A.J. Dillon of Boston College weighs 247 pounds, averaged 5.3 yards per carry and gained 1,685 yards last season. There are enough questions about his game that he could last until Day 3. But that’s the case with everyone on Day 3.
Q: Any chance we trade Gabe Jackson for Odell Beckham Jr.? (@DondiRaider)
Doubtful the Browns are in the market for a guard making $9.6 million this season and trading their most explosive receiver to do it. And Beckham’s histrionics aside, the Raiders want no part of his contract either.
Q: What is the outside fascination with Gruden crafting a first round QB when his history shows that it’s not a likely scenario? (@Raiderfan9909)
You’re preaching to the choir. It could happen at some point, but don’t see it happening this year.
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49ers-Raiders practice: ‘Bang-bang’ defense takes out Davante Adams Raiders | Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers get sentimental at Vegas reunion — to an extent Q: How much has the absence of Mayock’s work being publicized the last two years affected the overall boards? (@Zymurge13)
If you mean the boards of other teams, there’s no way to know who was moving their players up and down based on what Mayock said leading up to the draft. If you mean the boards of other draft analysts, I’m sure everyone checked out what Mike had to say. But that’s true with most of the analysts that have good reputations. They want to know what others think.
Q; If Tua Tagovaiola falls to No. 12 and the top three wide receivers are still on the board, what do you think the Raiders do? Please say Jeudy… (@brwong24)
OK . . . unless a team that really wants Tua offers a big enough package . . . like say picks in the second, sixth and seventh rounds.
Q: Daniel Carlson faded in the second half of the season and missed some crucial kicks. Should Raiders look for a kicker late in draft? (@willieg21)
I doubt it. More likely it will be a kicker presently on the open market that could legitimately compete for the job.


mercurynews--2020-04-20--More than 100 people died of coronavirus in Los Angeles County this weekend

Los Angeles County health officials reported Sunday that another 24 people had died from the novel coronavirus , marking more than 100 people who have lost their lives because of the virus over the weekend .
Among those who deaths were reported Sunday , 16 were over the age of 65 , all but three of whom had underlying health conditions .
Four people who died were between the ages 41 and 65 .
All but one had pre-existing conditions .
And three people were between 18 to 40 died , all of whom had underlying health problems .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Long Beach .
Sunday ’ s tally did not include an additional death reported in Long Beach that afternoon , bringing that city ’ s total number of deaths to 22 .
The second death of an inmate at the Terminal Island Federal Correctional Institute was also reported Sunday though it was unclear whether that death was included in the county total .
Roughly 89 % of all those who have died from the virus in LA County had underlying health conditions .
The total number of deaths from COVID-19 , the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than doubled over the past week to 600 .
On Saturday , 81 people were reported to have died , the highest number since the outbreak began .
Deaths related to COVID-19 reported throughout the week ranged from a low of 25 on Monday to a high of 55 on Thursday until this weekend ’ s tally .
“ Though there are promising signs that collective efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 are working , we are sad to report today that more Angelenos have lost their love to COVID-19 , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they mourn , ” said Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer .
Also on Sunday , the health department reported an additional 334 new confirmed cases , bringing the county ’ s total number of cases now to 12,341 .
Many of those people have recovered ; On Monday , officials are expected to unveil additional data .
Roughly 27 % of people with confirmed cases have needed hospitalization at some point during their illness .
As of Sunday , 3,387 had visited a hospital , though roughly half that were currently hospitalized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 79,000 individuals as of Sunday , a rate that still does not reach 10,000 people per day as officials set as a goal earlier this month .
Race and ethnicity data now available in 94 % of all fatal cases show that African Americans are disproportionately affected .
Latinos represented 36 % of the county ’ s death toll , whites 29 % , Asians 17 % , African American 16 % and 2 % identifying with other races .
African Americans represent roughly 9 % of LA County ’ s population and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bay ’ s Specialized Bicycles uses business contacts to help deliver masks during pandemic • Photos : Sons of Liberty ’ s South Bay “ Freedom Rally ” against the coronavirus shelter-in-place orders • Coronavirus : Contra Costa County reports seven new cases , one death On Saturday , the California Department of Public Health reported that 148 skilled nursing facilities in the state had reported coronavirus cases among residents and staff .
The list did not include assisted living facilities and other residential care settings previously identified by the Los Angeles County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ferrer said that 1,963 cases had been confirmed at 209 institutional settings , which included skilled nursing homes , assisted living facilities , treatment centers and correctional institutions .
Los Angeles County health officials confirmed on Friday there were 77 cases of COVID-19 in the county ’ s jail system , the majority of them staff members .
The LA County Sheriff ’ s Department has reported at least 13 inmates tested positive for COVID-19 with more than 900 inmates quarantined , as of Thursday .
At least 50 cases were at state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff member had died .

Los Angeles County health officials reported Sunday that another 24 people had died from the novel coronavirus, marking more than 100 people who have lost their lives because of the virus over the weekend.
Among those who deaths were reported Sunday, 16 were over the age of 65, all but three of whom had underlying health conditions. Four people who died were between the ages 41 and 65. All but one had pre-existing conditions. And three people were between 18 to 40 died, all of whom had underlying health problems. One death was reported by the city of Long Beach.
Sunday’s tally did not include an additional death reported in Long Beach that afternoon, bringing that city’s total number of deaths to 22.
The second death of an inmate at the Terminal Island Federal Correctional Institute was also reported Sunday though it was unclear whether that death was included in the county total.
Roughly 89% of all those who have died from the virus in LA County had underlying health conditions. The total number of deaths from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, has more than doubled over the past week to 600.
On Saturday, 81 people were reported to have died, the highest number since the outbreak began. Deaths related to COVID-19 reported throughout the week ranged from a low of 25 on Monday to a high of 55 on Thursday until this weekend’s tally.
“Though there are promising signs that collective efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 are working, we are sad to report today that more Angelenos have lost their love to COVID-19, and their loved one are in our hearts as they mourn,” said Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer.
Also on Sunday, the health department reported an additional 334 new confirmed cases, bringing the county’s total number of cases now to 12,341. Many of those people have recovered; On Monday, officials are expected to unveil additional data.
Roughly 27% of people with confirmed cases have needed hospitalization at some point during their illness. As of Sunday, 3,387 had visited a hospital, though roughly half that were currently hospitalized. The county had tested more than 79,000 individuals as of Sunday, a rate that still does not reach 10,000 people per day as officials set as a goal earlier this month.
Race and ethnicity data now available in 94% of all fatal cases show that African Americans are disproportionately affected. Latinos represented 36% of the county’s death toll, whites 29%, Asians 17%, African American 16% and 2% identifying with other races. African Americans represent roughly 9% of LA County’s population and Asians about 14%.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge On Saturday, the California Department of Public Health reported that 148 skilled nursing facilities in the state had reported coronavirus cases among residents and staff. The list did not include assisted living facilities and other residential care settings previously identified by the Los Angeles County Public Health Department. On Thursday, Ferrer said that 1,963 cases had been confirmed at 209 institutional settings, which included skilled nursing homes, assisted living facilities, treatment centers and correctional institutions.
Los Angeles County health officials confirmed on Friday there were 77 cases of COVID-19 in the county’s jail system, the majority of them staff members. The LA County Sheriff’s Department has reported at least 13 inmates tested positive for COVID-19 with more than 900 inmates quarantined, as of Thursday. At least 50 cases were at state prisons in LA County, where one staff member had died.


mercurynews--2020-04-20--Horoscopes April 20, 2020: Jessica Lange, consider how to use your time and space wisely.

Happy Birthday : Making changes that aren ’ t necessary will set you back .
Consider how to use your time and space wisely .
Consumerism isn ’ t the road to happiness .
Decluttering , spending quality time with people who bring out the best in you and aiming for a stress-free life will bring you peace and joy .
Personal growth and a healthy attitude will encourage better relationships .
Your numbers are 6 , 13 , 19 , 24 , 31 , 38 , 45 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : Your relentless courage and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attention .
Someone you interest will encourage you to expand your goals .
Personal gain is apparent , and time spent on self-improvements will pay off .
Romance is in the stars .
3 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : You may feel overwhelmed by what you have to achieve , but once you start , you ’ ll discover a way to keep the momentum going until you finish what you set out to do .
Preparation and organization will help you stay on track .
3 stars GEMINI ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t trust what someone tells you .
Get the facts before you indulge in something that could turn in to a personal loss .
Information is power , and using your intelligence to get ahead will make a difference to the outcome of a pending issue .
4 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Get things done on time .
Look for alternative ways to streamline your plans .
A modest approach to whatever you do will help ward off any opposition .
Don ’ t let a change someone makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means .
2 stars LEO ( July 23-Aug. 22 ) : Staying power will be required if you want to finish what you start .
Refuse to let anyone talk you in to something you don ’ t have the time or money to explore .
Put your energy into self-improvement , education and spending time with someone special .
5 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : Someone you encounter will change the way you think or do things .
Make sure the motives behind whatever offer you receive are legitimate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strict budget in mind .
Patience will be required .
3 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : A quiet , observant approach to whatever you encounter today will pay off .
Don ’ t let your emotions be manipulated by someone who is out for his or her own benefit .
Do your own thing to avoid conflict .
3 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : Take a different route , or engage in something new and exciting .
The experience will help you achieve success .
Anger is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t bring you closer to your objective .
Look for the positive in everything and everyone .
3 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : Stick close to home and to those you know and trust .
Refuse to let someone interfere in your affairs or persuade you to take part in something unfamiliar to you .
Focus on personal gains , not losses .
5 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : Not everyone will share your goals or your beliefs .
Do yourself a favor and keep your plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to warrant presenting your intentions .
Check out an unusual offer with skepticism before you commit .
4 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Take pride in what you do , and present what you want to happen earnestly .
A positive change at home will put your mind at ease and help you prepare for something you ’ ve wanted to do for a long time .
3 stars PISCES ( Feb. 19-March 20 ) : Take a moment to verify the information you receive before you start something new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but if you promise more than you can deliver , it will make you look bad .
Don ’ t take a risk or jeopardize your financial future .
3 stars Birthday Baby : You are forceful , unpredictable and entertaining .
You are innovative and protective .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Joey Lawrence, 44; Carmen Electra, 48; Jessica Lange, 71; Ryan O’Neal, 79.
Happy Birthday: Making changes that aren’t necessary will set you back. Consider how to use your time and space wisely. Consumerism isn’t the road to happiness. Decluttering, spending quality time with people who bring out the best in you and aiming for a stress-free life will bring you peace and joy. Personal growth and a healthy attitude will encourage better relationships. Your numbers are 6, 13, 19, 24, 31, 38, 45.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Your relentless courage and determination to get things done will attract attention. Someone you interest will encourage you to expand your goals. Personal gain is apparent, and time spent on self-improvements will pay off. Romance is in the stars. 3 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You may feel overwhelmed by what you have to achieve, but once you start, you’ll discover a way to keep the momentum going until you finish what you set out to do. Preparation and organization will help you stay on track. 3 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Don’t trust what someone tells you. Get the facts before you indulge in something that could turn in to a personal loss. Information is power, and using your intelligence to get ahead will make a difference to the outcome of a pending issue. 4 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Get things done on time. Look for alternative ways to streamline your plans. A modest approach to whatever you do will help ward off any opposition. Don’t let a change someone makes disrupt your plans. Live within your means. 2 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Staying power will be required if you want to finish what you start. Refuse to let anyone talk you in to something you don’t have the time or money to explore. Put your energy into self-improvement, education and spending time with someone special. 5 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Someone you encounter will change the way you think or do things. Make sure the motives behind whatever offer you receive are legitimate. Keep a clear head and a strict budget in mind. Patience will be required. 3 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): A quiet, observant approach to whatever you encounter today will pay off. Don’t let your emotions be manipulated by someone who is out for his or her own benefit. Do your own thing to avoid conflict. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Take a different route, or engage in something new and exciting. The experience will help you achieve success. Anger is a waste of time and won’t bring you closer to your objective. Look for the positive in everything and everyone. 3 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Stick close to home and to those you know and trust. Refuse to let someone interfere in your affairs or persuade you to take part in something unfamiliar to you. Focus on personal gains, not losses. 5 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Not everyone will share your goals or your beliefs. Do yourself a favor and keep your plans a secret until you have enough information to warrant presenting your intentions. Check out an unusual offer with skepticism before you commit. 4 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Take pride in what you do, and present what you want to happen earnestly. A positive change at home will put your mind at ease and help you prepare for something you’ve wanted to do for a long time. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Take a moment to verify the information you receive before you start something new. You may have good intentions, but if you promise more than you can deliver, it will make you look bad. Don’t take a risk or jeopardize your financial future. 3 stars
Birthday Baby: You are forceful, unpredictable and entertaining. You are innovative and protective.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


mercurynews--2020-04-20--Bridge: April 20, 2019

Bridge: April 20, 2019

Cy the Cynic says that to err is human ; to blame it on somebody else shows management potential .
Bridge engages a player ’ s ego , and if something goes wrong , he may feel the need to salve his ego by blaming it all on his partner .
In today ’ s deal , West led the king of hearts against four spades : nine , deuce , three .
He continued with the ace of hearts and then led a club .
South won , forced out West ’ s ace of trumps , won the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ If you start with three rounds of hearts , ” East observed , “ you can lead a fourth round when you take the ace of trumps .
I uppercut with my ten of trumps , and you get a second trump trick.
” “ Signal with the ten of hearts at Trick One to help me , ” he growled .
“ It ’ s not as if you want me to shift to anything.
” I think West should find the best defense in any case .
South is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bidding , so winning a second trump is West ’ s only chance .
You hold : S A 9 8 H A K 7 6 4 D 10 5 4 C 8 7 .
Your partner opens one diamond , you respond one heart and he bids one spade .
What do you say ?
ANSWER : You have the strength to invite game but no good call .
A jump to three hearts would promise better hearts .
A jump to three diamonds would suggest better diamonds .
Some players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of two clubs .
I would choose a heavy raise to two spades , which should at least preserve a plus score .

Cy the Cynic says that to err is human; to blame it on somebody else shows management potential. Bridge engages a player’s ego, and if something goes wrong, he may feel the need to salve his ego by blaming it all on his partner.
In today’s deal, West led the king of hearts against four spades: nine, deuce, three. He continued with the ace of hearts and then led a club. South won, forced out West’s ace of trumps, won the next club, drew trumps and claimed.
TRUMP TRICK
“If you start with three rounds of hearts,” East observed, “you can lead a fourth round when you take the ace of trumps. I uppercut with my ten of trumps, and you get a second trump trick.”
West hastened to blame his partner.
“Signal with the ten of hearts at Trick One to help me,” he growled. “It’s not as if you want me to shift to anything.”
I think West should find the best defense in any case. South is marked with the missing high cards on the bidding, so winning a second trump is West’s only chance.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S A 9 8 H A K 7 6 4 D 10 5 4 C 8 7. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one heart and he bids one spade. What do you say?
ANSWER: You have the strength to invite game but no good call. A jump to three hearts would promise better hearts. A jump to three diamonds would suggest better diamonds. Some players might try a “fourth-suit” bid of two clubs. I would choose a heavy raise to two spades, which should at least preserve a plus score.
North dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S 6 5 3
H Q J 9
D A K Q 9
C K Q 5
WEST
S A 9 8
H A K 7 6 4
D 10 5 4
C 8 7
EAST
S 10 2
H 10 8 2
D 8 7 2
C J 9 6 3 2
SOUTH
S K Q J 7 4
H 5 3
D J 6 3
C A 10 4
North East South West
1 NT Pass 3 S Pass
4 S All Pass
Opening lead — H K
(C)2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-04-20--Word Game: April 20, 2020

Word Game: April 20, 2020

Can you find 17 or more words in MUNDANE ?
The list will be published tomorrow .
SATURDAY ’ S WORD — CYNOSURE censor cero cone coney core corn corny cosy course coyer crone crony cruse cure curse yore your yours noes nose nosey nurse once onus ounce ours scone score scorn scour senor snore sore sour source suer sure user rose rosy roue rouse rune ruse ecru euro To purchase the Word Game book , visit WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for just $ 5 while supplies last !
1 .
Words must be of four or more letters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letters by the addition of “ s , ” such as “ bats ” or “ dies , ” are not allowed .
3 .
Additional words made by adding a “ d ” or an “ s ” may not be used .
For example , if “ bake ” is used , “ baked ” or “ bakes ” are not allowed , but “ bake ” and “ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper nouns , slang words , or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed @

TODAY’S WORD — MUNDANE (MUNDANE: mun-DANE: Commonplace; ordinary.)
Average mark 13 words
Time limit 20 minutes
Can you find 17 or more words in MUNDANE? The list will be published tomorrow.
SATURDAY’S WORD — CYNOSURE censor cero cone coney core corn corny cosy
course coyer crone crony cruse cure curse yore your yours noes nose nosey nurse
once onus ounce ours scone score scorn scour senor snore sore sour source suer
sure user rose rosy roue rouse rune ruse ecru euro
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.


mercurynews--2020-04-21--North Korea denies that Kim sent Trump a ‘nice note’

SEOUL , South Korea — North Korea on Sunday dismissed as “ ungrounded ” President Donald Trump ’ s comment that he recently received “ a nice note ” from the North ’ s leader , Kim Jong Un .
Trump said during a press briefing on the coronavirus pandemic Saturday that “ I received a nice note from him recently .
It was a nice note .
I think we ’ re doing fine.
” Trump also defended now-stalled nuclear diplomacy with Kim , saying the U.S. would have been at war with North Korea if he had not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Ministry said in a statement that there was no letter addressed to Trump recently by “ the supreme leadership , ” a reference to Kim .
It said it would examine why the U.S. leadership released “ the ungrounded story ” to the media .
“ The relations between the top leaders of ( North Korea ) and the U.S. are not an issue to be taken up just for diversion nor it should be misused for meeting selfish purposes , ” the statement said .
Kim and Trump have met three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many occasions since 2018 , when they began talks on North Korea ’ s nuclear weapons program .
The two leaders have built some personal relationships , and Trump once said that he and Kim “ fell in love.
” The nuclear diplomacy has made little headway since the breakdown of their second summit in Vietnam in early 2019 , when Trump rebuffed Kim ’ s calls for sweeping sanctions relief in return for a partial denuclearization step .
In March , North Korea said Trump sent a personal letter to Kim , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cooperation in fighting the coronavirus pandemic .
At the time , Kim ’ s sister and senior official , Kim Yo Jong , said that Trump ’ s letter showed how special the relationship between the two leaders was , but that it wasn ’ t a good idea to be optimistic about the prospects for bilateral relations between their countries .
A senior Trump administration official confirmed that Trump sent a letter to Kim , saying it was consistent with Trump ’ s efforts to engage world leaders during the pandemic .

By Hyung-jin Kim | Associated Press
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea on Sunday dismissed as “ungrounded” President Donald Trump’s comment that he recently received “a nice note” from the North’s leader, Kim Jong Un.
Trump said during a press briefing on the coronavirus pandemic Saturday that “I received a nice note from him recently. It was a nice note. I think we’re doing fine.” Trump also defended now-stalled nuclear diplomacy with Kim, saying the U.S. would have been at war with North Korea if he had not been elected.
North Korea’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that there was no letter addressed to Trump recently by “the supreme leadership,” a reference to Kim.
It said it would examine why the U.S. leadership released “the ungrounded story” to the media.
“The relations between the top leaders of (North Korea) and the U.S. are not an issue to be taken up just for diversion nor it should be misused for meeting selfish purposes,” the statement said.
Kim and Trump have met three times and exchanged letters and envoys on many occasions since 2018, when they began talks on North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. The two leaders have built some personal relationships, and Trump once said that he and Kim “fell in love.”
The nuclear diplomacy has made little headway since the breakdown of their second summit in Vietnam in early 2019, when Trump rebuffed Kim’s calls for sweeping sanctions relief in return for a partial denuclearization step.
In March, North Korea said Trump sent a personal letter to Kim, seeking to maintain good relations and offer cooperation in fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
At the time, Kim’s sister and senior official, Kim Yo Jong, said that Trump’s letter showed how special the relationship between the two leaders was, but that it wasn’t a good idea to be optimistic about the prospects for bilateral relations between their countries. A senior Trump administration official confirmed that Trump sent a letter to Kim, saying it was consistent with Trump’s efforts to engage world leaders during the pandemic.


mercurynews--2020-04-21--One killed in rollover crash on Highway 101 in Palo Alto

PALO ALTO – The California Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal roll-over crash on Highway 101 in Palo Alto .
@ @ @ @ @ 4:20 p.m. in northbound lanes near Embarcadero Road , said CHP Officer Pablo Rios .
@ @ @ @ @ an “ unsafe turning movement ” in an attempt to avoid two other vehicles that @ @ @ @ @ their vehicle to roll over .
A person – it was not immediately clear if @ @ @ @ @ was ejected and died of their injuries at the scene .
At least one person @ @ @ @ @ crash appeared to have minor injuries , Rios said .
Rios said the left three @ @ @ @ @ closed for an investigation .
There is no estimated time to reopen the lanes .

PALO ALTO – A 46-year-old Fresno woman was killed in a rollover crash on Highway 101 in Palo Alto on Monday afternoon, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The crash was reported about 4:20 p.m. in northbound lanes south of Embarcadero Road, said CHP Officer Pablo Rios.
Rios said the woman rolled her tan Chevrolet Tahoe at least twice when she made an “evasive maneuver” to avoid a Toyota Prius and a Ford Mustang that had just collided. She was not wearing a seatbelt and was thrown from the Chevrolet, said Rios, adding that she died of her injuries at the scene.
The woman’s 14-year-old daughter, who was wearing a seatbelt, suffered minor injuries, Rios said.
Rios said no one was hurt in the initial two-car crash.
Alcohol and drugs are not suspected as factors in the rollover crash, but Rios said investigators believe the woman was speeding.
The left three lanes of northbound Highway 101 were closed for an investigation until just before 7 p.m.
Check back for updates.


mercurynews--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: Police order 275 people off Pacifica beach, San Mateo County sheriffs issue 650 warning

Coronavirus: Police order 275 people off Pacifica beach, San Mateo County sheriffs issue 650 warnings

San Mateo County is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Bay Area , but it also has the strictest shelter-in-place order in the region .
When the weather warmed up and people began flocking to the coast this weekend , police officers and sheriffs assigned to patrol the coast were suddenly very busy .
According to separate releases provided by the Pacifica Police Department and the San Mateo County Sheriff ’ s Department , 275 people were ordered off Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica and 650 people along the coastline were issued warnings for violating the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer Dr. Scott Morrow issued an order March 31 requiring people who recreate outside to do so within five miles of their residence .
Morrow ’ s order is the only one of its kind in the Bay Area that places a maximum distance for people leaving their homes and over the weekend , violators kept officers patrolling the coast occupied .
The Pacific Police Department said that of the 408 people contacted by officers on Linda Mar Beach from April 17-19 , 275 were told to leave after informing police they lived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Police chief Daniel Steidle also noted that over the same three-day period , “ roughly 45 % of the vehicles counted were from outside of five miles from where they are registered.
” “ The data we ’ ve collected and the enforcement we ’ ve had to take suggests many are not taking these orders seriously , ” Pacifica mayor Deirdre Martin said in a statement .
“ This is alarming because unsafe conditions are occurring and , as a result , the City , in coordination with the State , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to close the beaches entirely to everyone unless conditions improve.
” The San Mateo County Sheriff ’ s Department said it issued 250 verbal warnings Saturday and 400 on Sunday to those found violating the shelter-in-place order .
Nearly 200 people –including 131 along the north coast of the county– were given written warnings on Saturday with more than 100 receiving written warnings on Sunday .
The Sheriff ’ s Department issued four formal citations over the weekend , with three in Half Moon Bay and one in El Granada .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and practically anywhere they could find a place to sit along the coast line , ” Lt. Stephanie Josephson said in a written statement .
“ Most families encountered had packed their family vehicle with bags of toys , food and items for a full day at the beach .
Most people seemed to be aware of the health orders but decided to take the chance in coming out to the beaches and complied with the verbal warnings.
” CalTrans , SMCO County Roads and Half Moon Bay have placed “ No parking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Santa Cruz County border , but the sheriff ’ s department said “ there continues to be extensive disregard for the signs.
” From Saturday to Sunday , 301 parking citations were issued along the coast .
San Mateo County wasn ’ t the only part of the Bay Area where people violated shelter-in-place orders this weekend .
Police in Clayton issued 32 parking citations over the weekend for visitors accessing an unsupervised entrance into Mount Diablo State Park .

San Mateo County is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Bay Area, but it also has the strictest shelter-in-place order in the region.
When the weather warmed up and people began flocking to the coast this weekend, police officers and sheriffs assigned to patrol the coast were suddenly very busy.
According to separate releases provided by the Pacifica Police Department and the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Department, 275 people were ordered off Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica and 650 people along the coastline were issued warnings for violating the shelter-in-place order.
San Mateo County health officer Dr. Scott Morrow issued an order March 31 requiring people who recreate outside to do so within five miles of their residence. Morrow’s order is the only one of its kind in the Bay Area that places a maximum distance for people leaving their homes and over the weekend, violators kept officers patrolling the coast occupied.
The Pacific Police Department said that of the 408 people contacted by officers on Linda Mar Beach from April 17-19, 275 were told to leave after informing police they lived more than five miles from the beach.
Police chief Daniel Steidle also noted that over the same three-day period, “roughly 45% of the vehicles counted were from outside of five miles from where they are registered.”
“The data we’ve collected and the enforcement we’ve had to take suggests many are not taking these orders seriously,” Pacifica mayor Deirdre Martin said in a statement. “This is alarming because unsafe conditions are occurring and, as a result, the City, in coordination with the State, may be left with no choice but to close the beaches entirely to everyone unless conditions improve.”
The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Department said it issued 250 verbal warnings Saturday and 400 on Sunday to those found violating the shelter-in-place order. Nearly 200 people –including 131 along the north coast of the county– were given written warnings on Saturday with more than 100 receiving written warnings on Sunday.
The Sheriff’s Department issued four formal citations over the weekend, with three in Half Moon Bay and one in El Granada.
“We had hundreds of people on the beach and practically anywhere they could find a place to sit along the coast line,” Lt. Stephanie Josephson said in a written statement. “Most families encountered had packed their family vehicle with bags of toys, food and items for a full day at the beach. Most people seemed to be aware of the health orders but decided to take the chance in coming out to the beaches and complied with the verbal warnings.”
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge CalTrans, SMCO County Roads and Half Moon Bay have placed “No parking” signs from Lantos Tunnel near Pacifica to the Santa Cruz County border, but the sheriff’s department said “there continues to be extensive disregard for the signs.”
From Saturday to Sunday, 301 parking citations were issued along the coast.
San Mateo County wasn’t the only part of the Bay Area where people violated shelter-in-place orders this weekend. Police in Clayton issued 32 parking citations over the weekend for visitors accessing an unsupervised entrance into Mount Diablo State Park.


mercurynews--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: Emeryville temporarily closes part of Doyle Street to vehicles

EMERYVILLE — Emeryville has begun temporarily closing part of Doyle Street to vehicular traffic to give residents another option for @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic , the city announced on its website .
The city ’ s aim @ @ @ @ @ for pedestrians and bicyclists to engage in safe social distancing , according to a news @ @ @ @ @ will be : • Doyle Street from 59th and 61st streets , restricted to one-way @ @ @ @ @ Street from 61st to 62nd streets , closed to vehicular traffic ; • Doyle Street @ @ @ @ @ , restricted to one-way vehicular traffic ; and • Doyle Street from 64th to Ocean @ @ @ @ @ traffic .

EMERYVILLE — Emeryville has begun temporarily closing part of Doyle Street to vehicular traffic to give residents another option for where to exercise during the coronavirus pandemic, the city announced on its website.
The city’s aim is to free up streets for pedestrians and bicyclists to engage in safe social distancing, according to a news release.
The temporary closures will be:


mercurynews--2020-04-20--Mexican leader tells gangs to stop donating food, reform instead

MEXICO CITY – Mexico ’ s president chastised drug gangs on Monday , telling them to end violence instead of distributing food , after several reports across the country in recent days showed armed narcos handing out care packages stamped with cartel logos .
Imploring criminals to behave better , President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador declared that the care packages filled with basic foodstuffs and cleaning supplies are not helpful .
“ These criminal organizations that have been seen distributing the packages , this isn ’ t helpful .
What helps is them stopping their bad deeds , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The leftist president , who has advocated a less confrontational approach than his predecessors to taming raging cartel violence , said gang members should refrain from harming others and instead think of the suffering they cause to their own families and the mothers of their victims .
Mexico notched a homicide record of 34,582 dead during Lopez Obrador ’ s first full year in office in 2019 , as the president advocated for more social spending to address the root causes of crime .
Last week , reports first circulated of several Mexican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ packages to help cash-strapped residents ride out the coronavirus pandemic .
A daughter of jailed drug lord Joaquin “ El Chapo ” Guzman was among those spotted handing out the packages stamped with her own company ’ s “ El Chapo 701 ” logo , which includes the image of her infamous father .
The boxes included cooking oil , rice , sugar and other items were distributed in Guadalajara , Mexico ’ s second-biggest city .
Beyond the Guzman-linked Sinaloa Cartel , other gangs have similarly courted publicity with care packages for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Generation and Los Durango cartels .
Photos posted on social media on Monday showed heavily armed members from both handing out packages including toilet paper and shampoo .
Lopez Obrador , meanwhile , has come under sharp criticism for not advocating more financial support for companies or jobless workers .
Over the past month , the country ’ s economy has dramatically slowed due to coronavirus containment measures .
To date , there are more than 8,000 confirmed coronavirus cases as well as nearly 700 deaths attributed to COVID-19 , the respiratory @ @ @ @ @ @

By Raul Cortes Fernandez and Daina Beth Soloman | Reuters
MEXICO CITY – Mexico’s president chastised drug gangs on Monday, telling them to end violence instead of distributing food, after several reports across the country in recent days showed armed narcos handing out care packages stamped with cartel logos.
Imploring criminals to behave better, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador declared that the care packages filled with basic foodstuffs and cleaning supplies are not helpful.
“These criminal organizations that have been seen distributing the packages, this isn’t helpful. What helps is them stopping their bad deeds,” he told reporters at a news conference.
The leftist president, who has advocated a less confrontational approach than his predecessors to taming raging cartel violence, said gang members should refrain from harming others and instead think of the suffering they cause to their own families and the mothers of their victims.
Mexico notched a homicide record of 34,582 dead during Lopez Obrador’s first full year in office in 2019, as the president advocated for more social spending to address the root causes of crime.
Last week, reports first circulated of several Mexican cartels deploying members to dole out aid packages to help cash-strapped residents ride out the coronavirus pandemic.
A daughter of jailed drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman was among those spotted handing out the packages stamped with her own company’s “El Chapo 701” logo, which includes the image of her infamous father.
The boxes included cooking oil, rice, sugar and other items were distributed in Guadalajara, Mexico’s second-biggest city.
Beyond the Guzman-linked Sinaloa Cartel, other gangs have similarly courted publicity with care packages for mostly poor residents, including the Jalisco New Generation and Los Durango cartels. Photos posted on social media on Monday showed heavily armed members from both handing out packages including toilet paper and shampoo.
Lopez Obrador, meanwhile, has come under sharp criticism for not advocating more financial support for companies or jobless workers.
Over the past month, the country’s economy has dramatically slowed due to coronavirus containment measures.
To date, there are more than 8,000 confirmed coronavirus cases as well as nearly 700 deaths attributed to COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus.


mercurynews--2020-04-20--49ers NFL Draft Cheat Sheet: What the Niners really want in a WR

Shanahan ’ s Prototype : All-around athleticism , toughness ( blocking , running over the middle ) , sure hands Kyle Shanahan has been blessed with two Hall of Fame X-receivers in his career as an NFL play-caller .
Unfortunately for him , no one in this NFL Draft class — the best I ’ ve ever evaluated — fits the prototype of Julio Jones or Andre Johnson .
That said , Shanahan has been successful with lesser receivers ( which is hardly a knock on them ) .
Pierre Garcon and Emmanuel Sanders both fit the prototype of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But , as Shanahan has lamented time and time again , it ’ s hard to evaluate college receivers when they play so much zone .
Dante Pettis was supposed to be the Niners ’ X receiver in 2019 , but his blocking and ability over the middle of the field were so lacking that the Niners had to move a draft pick to acquire Sanders .
In an offense where the main ingredient is intermediate dig routes , and with Sanders now in New Orleans , the Niners need to find a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And while versatility is always valued , slot receivers may not apply for the role .
So who fits the bill ?
Let ’ s go over the viable options for the Niners with both of their first-round draft picks , on day two of the draft should they trade for picks , and in the later rounds : Ruggs is superhuman .
He might only be 5-foot-11 and 188 pounds , but his testing numbers at the NFL Scouting Combine were flabbergasting .
He ran a 4.27 40-yard dash , posted a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 131 inches .
Ruggs should be No .
1 on the 49ers ’ list of receivers for merely his game-breaking ability — he ’ s everything that Marquise Goodwin was supposed to be and more .
With sure hands , a surprisingly wide catch radius , tantalizing after-the-catch ability , and the toughness that you ’ d expect coming out of a program like Alabama , Ruggs can be the 49ers ’ Tyreek Hill .
The only knocks on him : a lack of production in college and a lack of “ wow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But you should ignore both .
Ruggs was sharing the field with three other first-round receivers and had a backup quarterback at the helm in the latter part of last season .
The lack of wow at the line of scrimmage could be a coaching thing — it also doesn ’ t matter much when you ’ re as fast as Ruggs .
He has more than a bit of room for error .
Speed is the name of the game in the modern NFL .
Ruggs has more than he knows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Niners are lucky enough to see the Alabama product at No .
13 , they need to select him with the same kind of quickness he ’ ll display on Sundays .
Unfortunately for them , that likelihood seems less and less likely by the day .
Lamb ’ s best is better than anyone ’ s in this draft .
He has the nuances of the position down pat — he has all the makings of a receiver that can be immediately prolific in the NFL .
Lamb a YAC beast — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the open field as him — and he showed , time and time again , a near preternatural ability to catch even the most difficult passes .
He ’ s a tactician with sure hands who was tremendously productive in all three seasons with the Sooners .
It ’ s easy to see how Shanahan could fall for him .
In fact , Lamb is such a strong prospect that , frankly , you need to nitpick to question the Niners selecting him at No .
13 , should he be available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : he played in the Big XII .
With small-school players , it ’ s fair to wonder about the level of competition .
For offensive players in the Big XII , I think the same questions are fair .
Lamb showed a solid ability against press coverage in college , but those clips are few and far between because the vast majority of his snaps at Oklahoma came with a cornerback — playing Cover-4 , quarters coverage — giving him a massive gap at the line of scrimmage .
Yes , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out — we see Big XII-style games more frequently now — but that kind of free release is not something he will see but for late-game-and-trailing situations in the league .
He effectively played a different sport in college , and while you can look at his tape and think he ’ ll be able to adjust , it is fair to wonder if the transition will be easy .
Jeudy ’ s tape is fun to watch .
He ’ s as clean a route runner as I can recall watching at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Alabama .
It ’ d be easy to watch that film and say that he ’ s the best receiver in this draft .
But remember he prototype : the Niners are looking for someone with sure hands and elite athleticism .
I have watched more Jeudy tape than any other player in this draft , and the more I watched , the more I considered leaving him off this list and moving him down to the players with pick No .
31 — the class of receivers that have tremendous upside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( to whatever degree one can be a sure thing as an NFL Draft prospect . )
Drops were a big problem at Alabama and , contrary to initial viewings of his film , his athleticism is lacking compared to his peers at the top of this wide receiver class .
It was also telling that when Alabama faced surefire press-coverage situations , Jeudy was almost always in the slot .
That ’ s not a coincidence , and it doesn ’ t inspire confidence that he ’ ll be able to handle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Remember , the Niners ’ X receiver will need to perform against the Seahawks secondary ( which added Quinton Dunbar ) , the Rams ’ Jalen Ramsey , and Arizona ’ s Patrick Peterson six times a year .
Even if the NFL no longer demands physicality , athleticism , or , ideally , the combination of both at the line of scrimmage , the NFC West does .
Add in a lanky frame that raises questions bout going over the middle of the field and I don ’ t find it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some serious bust potential with taking Jeudy at No .
13 .
Chris Simms might have been on to something .
But then we come back to the route running .
Jeudy made playing receiver look effortless at the college level .
Can that directly translate to the NFL level ?
If it can , all the other issues are significantly mitigated .
If not , it ’ ll be tough for him to play anywhere other than the slot .
Let ’ s be clear : Jeudy ’ s quickness and deceptiveness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best in this class by a significant margin .
His 10-yard split was five one-hundreds of a second slower than Ruggs and his moves off the snap are elite .
He knows how to attack cornerbacks in ways other receivers in this draft can ’ t even imagine .
And while he had a terrible 20-yard shuttle ( 6th percentile ) at the combine , that doesn ’ t show up on tape .
It ’ s a tape vs. combine conundrum .
Given the 49ers ’ track record under Shanahan , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll go with the combine numbers and pass on Jeudy .
He ’ s mocked as a Day Two pick because his athleticism doesn ’ t jump off the screen when watching tape or when looking at his raw testing numbers — but a deeper evaluation told me that he ’ s arguably the best fit for the 49ers in this draft .
They would be fools to risk losing him by trading down and hoping he ’ s on the board on Friday .
Pittman is big , physical , and with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perfect possession-type receiver prospect .
That ’ s what the Niners need , right ?
And I think Pittman ’ s athleticism — while lacking compared to many of his peers — is more than worthy of a first-round selection .
At 223 pounds , Pittman ran the first 10 yards of his 40-yard dash in 1.51 seconds — that ’ s an elite number , without taking into account his weight .
( It ’ s a better number than the twitchy 5-foot-11 TCU receiver Jalen Reagor , who didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands . )
Shanahan can scheme open someone with that kind of get-off , a rock-solid 20-yard shuttle ( 78th percentile ) , and vertical jump ( 71st percentile ) .
No problem .
If the Niners really crave and after-the-catch star , Pittman isn ’ t the man .
But if they want an X-receiver who is going to catch nearly everything that ’ s thrown his way — a viable Sanders replacement who makes up what he lacks in athleticism with size and physicality — then they ’ d be hard-pressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Sun Devil bursts off the line of scrimmage , having posted 90th percentile scores in the 10-yard split , broad jump , and vertical jump at the combine .
He ’ s also one of the best receivers in this class at changing direction — he ’ s in full control of his body in a way collegiate receivers rarely are .
His balance is such that even a small shoulder fake can spin around good cornerbacks .
And while he showed the requisite toughness to be a Shanahan receiver at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his hands — he lets the ball come to his body .
Then again , receivers are so open in Shanahan ’ s offense that it might not be an issue .
If the Niners agree with that assessment – or think that they can coach him to attack the ball the same way he attacks opposing cornerbacks — they could have a tailor-made Sanders replacement .
Higgins both looked and played the part of an elite receiver in college , finding success against all sorts of coverage and using a variety of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make plays time and time again for one of the best programs in the country .
He was arguably the most productive receiver in the country in college , and he played big in big games .
At 6-foot-4 and pushing 215 pounds , there won ’ t be an issue with him being moved off the line of scrimmage at the NFL level , but his athleticism — particularly his line-of-scrimmage get-off and open-field running — stands toe-to-toe with the “ joystick ” slot receivers in this class .
His catch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a throw-it-up kind of receiver , the kind the Niners have been missing .
Ok , ok , here are the knocks : he can become a bit of a galloper along the sidelines and his physicality waned in games .
But frankly , in any other year , Higgins would likely be the No .
1 receiver on every team ’ s board .
In this class , he ’ ll probably be the fourth or fifth .
Bad luck for him , great luck for the team that drafts him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ seemed to put all together at the collegiate level .
But he ’ s 6-foot-2 , 215 pounds , and he has a 44.5-inch vertical leap and broad jumped… get this… 139 inches .
Those are stupid numbers .
He ’ d be a man amongst men from the moment that he steps into the league .
And he played in an offense in college that was… let ’ s call it underwhelming , as to not be cruel .
It ’ s easy to think that the best of DPJ is yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so many of the characteristics the Niners would be looking for in an X receiver — sure hands , a tremendous catch radius , strong burst off the line of scrimmage , plus athleticism — with only one clear issue : he was a slot receiver in college .
More concerning : Jefferson has been a split end before , but he wasn ’ t able to do much as an outside receiver for LSU .
Simply , he couldn ’ t beat top cornerbacks off the line .
The move to slot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
1 overall pick in the draft , Joe Burrow ) brought about the breakout .
The Niners move receivers around , but that lack of production outside has to be concerning .
Much like with Jeudy , the question is if Shanahan ’ s scheme can mitigate these shortcomings , though there ’ s significantly less risk at this juncture in the draft .
Hill seems like he ’ s already been with the Niners for a few years .
He ’ s not an all-around stud , but there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s dependable in catching the ball and runs crisp short and intermediate routes .
It ’ s easy to see how Shanahan would like that .
He ’ s not big , but he showed a professional demeanor at Ohio State .
He ’ s not a game-breaking player in the open field , but he ’ s not unathletic , though testing was lacking .
He ’ s a high-floor prospect , the kind the 49ers have not taken in the past , but might be inclined to grab given that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or perhaps even Day 3 .
On Day Three , you ’ re conceding something when you draft — character , collegiate performance , or athletic ability .
Sometimes , you ’ re conceding in multiple categories .
With Cephus , there ’ s no wiggle , but he ’ s strong ( 23 bench press reps at the combine ) and was outstanding against press coverage at Wisconsin ( turn on the Ohio State film , where he burned Damon Arnette off the line of scrimmage multiple times ) .
The downside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him from ever separating .
The upside is that in a well-schemed system like the 49ers ’ , he could be a nice depth receiver who can work over the middle of the field with sure hands .
Bowden is a gadget player , but we know that Shanahan loves guys like that .
The Wildcat was a slot receiver but then moved to quarterback — the position he played in high school — to end the season .
He wasn ’ t all that good at it , but that versatility mixed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pounds — and his ability in the open field make him a fun toy for a coach that can scheme fun plays like Shanahan .
Wideout , running back , quarterback — Bowden could be the Niners ’ Taysom Hill , without the massive contract .
Don ’ t forget — Shanahan likes a receiver who can throw , as we saw last year in the classic against the Saints .
The lanky Bronco bursts off the line of scrimmage , having posted a 1.49 second 10-yard split at the combine — one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Strong broad and vertical jump numbers will also draw the Niners ’ interest , and he showed a toughness ( despite his size ) and willingness to block in college .
The concerns are that he ’ s probably too small to play outside but he also didn ’ t show the change-of-direction athleticism to be a slot receiver .
The Niners would be trusting that his straight-line speed and big hands translate to the NFL level , where he would a slightly slower , but more well-rounded receiver than Goodwin , whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defense was theoretically missed by the Niners late last year .
Rodgers is 6-foot-4 , 210 pounds , and ran a 10-yard split of 1.48 .
( Goodwin , an Olympian , ran a 1.43 at his combine ) .
That ’ s a wild number , and it alone is going to get him an NFL job .
That ’ s good , because his game tape would not — he had a total lack of production in college and unimpressive “ wiggle ” .
But for a flyer pick or an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to make something happen .
You can ’ t teach speed , but you can coach it to be lethal .
A former high school quarterback , Jennings has the smarts , size , and toughness to be an outside receiver in a Shanahan system .
He also has an uncanny ability to stop and find the ball in the open field , after which he ’ s nearly impossible to bring down .
That said he ’ s slow and is getting by on one trick .
Jennings would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would likely spend time on the practice squad in Year One .
He might be a good tight end option if he can put on weight .
The Niners like guys like that .
Now , San Francisco usually goes for athleticism in late rounds — better to go for the big prize when you ’ re buying a lottery ticket — but there ’ s something about Jennings that makes me think he ’ d stand out if he came in as a Training Camp body .
Never underestimate game smarts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best hands in this draft .
It ’ s not even particularly close .
He also had to show off those hands at Oregon State time and time again because he proved incapable of separating from cornerbacks .
Hodgins is the ultimate boom or bust prospect .
In Shanahan ’ s scheme , he might stand a chance .
He might be a nice option in the red zone , as well .
Or , an NFL team could try to bulk him up to play tight end , where his ball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also never see the field at the next level .
Like with Jennings , might the Niners eschew previous protocol — which helped them reach the Super Bowl last season — and go for the tactician over trying to teach a super athlete to play in the NFL ?
Denzel Mims – Baylor : Elite athlete , but dropped far too many passes and had no polish as a receiver — marginally competent defensive backs had their way with him , despite his massive size advantage .
A late Day Two pick that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stay away .
Jalen Reagor – TCU : A slot receiver who posted three-cone and 20-yard shuttle times that were in the bottom 10 percent of all wide receivers .
Laviska Shenault – Colorado : Is a running back… one that the Niners wouldn ’ t be particularly interested in given his slow 10-yard split .

Need: X receiver. Aka split end, No. 1
Shanahan’s Prototype: All-around athleticism, toughness (blocking, running over the middle), sure hands
Kyle Shanahan has been blessed with two Hall of Fame X-receivers in his career as an NFL play-caller. Unfortunately for him, no one in this NFL Draft class — the best I’ve ever evaluated — fits the prototype of Julio Jones or Andre Johnson.
That said, Shanahan has been successful with lesser receivers (which is hardly a knock on them). Pierre Garcon and Emmanuel Sanders both fit the prototype of what Shanahan wants in a split end.
But, as Shanahan has lamented time and time again, it’s hard to evaluate college receivers when they play so much zone. Dante Pettis was supposed to be the Niners’ X receiver in 2019, but his blocking and ability over the middle of the field were so lacking that the Niners had to move a draft pick to acquire Sanders.
In an offense where the main ingredient is intermediate dig routes, and with Sanders now in New Orleans, the Niners need to find a replacement at X-receiver in the draft. And while versatility is always valued, slot receivers may not apply for the role.
So who fits the bill? Let’s go over the viable options for the Niners with both of their first-round draft picks, on day two of the draft should they trade for picks, and in the later rounds:
Pick No. 13
Henry Ruggs – Alabama
Ruggs is superhuman. He might only be 5-foot-11 and 188 pounds, but his testing numbers at the NFL Scouting Combine were flabbergasting. He ran a 4.27 40-yard dash, posted a 42-inch vertical jump, and broad jumped 131 inches.
Ruggs should be No. 1 on the 49ers’ list of receivers for merely his game-breaking ability — he’s everything that Marquise Goodwin was supposed to be and more. With sure hands, a surprisingly wide catch radius, tantalizing after-the-catch ability, and the toughness that you’d expect coming out of a program like Alabama, Ruggs can be the 49ers’ Tyreek Hill.
The only knocks on him: a lack of production in college and a lack of “wow” coming off the line of scrimmage.
But you should ignore both. Ruggs was sharing the field with three other first-round receivers and had a backup quarterback at the helm in the latter part of last season. The lack of wow at the line of scrimmage could be a coaching thing — it also doesn’t matter much when you’re as fast as Ruggs. He has more than a bit of room for error.
Speed is the name of the game in the modern NFL. Ruggs has more than he knows what to do with. If the Niners are lucky enough to see the Alabama product at No. 13, they need to select him with the same kind of quickness he’ll display on Sundays.
Unfortunately for them, that likelihood seems less and less likely by the day.
Ceedee Lamb – Oklahoma
Lamb’s best is better than anyone’s in this draft. He has the nuances of the position down pat — he has all the makings of a receiver that can immediately be prolific in the NFL.
Lamb’s a YAC beast — few players were as fun to watch in the open field as him — and he showed, time and time again, a near preternatural ability to catch even the most difficult passes. He’s a tactician with sure hands who was tremendously productive in all three seasons with the Sooners.
It’s easy to see how Shanahan could fall for him.
In fact, Lamb is such a strong prospect that, frankly, you need to nitpick to question the Niners selecting him at No. 13, should he be available.
So here’s the knock: he played in the Big XII.
With small-school players, it’s fair to wonder about the level of competition. For offensive players in the Big XII, I think the same questions are fair. Lamb showed a solid ability against press coverage in college, but those clips are few and far between because the vast majority of his snaps at Oklahoma came with a cornerback — playing Cover-4, quarters coverage — giving him a massive gap at the line of scrimmage.
Yes, the NFL is becoming more and more spread out — we see Big XII-style games more frequently now — but that kind of free release is not something he will see but for late-game-and-trailing situations in the league. He effectively played a different sport in college, and while you can look at his tape and think he’ll be able to adjust, it is fair to wonder if the transition will be easy.
Jerry Jeudy – Alabama
Jeudy’s tape is fun to watch. He’s as clean a route runner as I can recall watching at the collegiate level and he rightfully dominated at Alabama.
It’d be easy to watch that film and say that he’s the best receiver in this draft.
But remember he prototype: the Niners are looking for someone with sure hands and elite athleticism.
Jeudy isn’t that guy.
I have watched more Jeudy tape than any other player in this draft, and the more I watched, the more I considered leaving him off this list and moving him down to the players with pick No. 31 — the class of receivers that have tremendous upside but don’t qualify as sure-things (to whatever degree one can be a sure thing as an NFL Draft prospect.)
Drops were a big problem at Alabama and, contrary to initial viewings of his film, his athleticism is lacking compared to his peers at the top of this wide receiver class. It was also telling that when Alabama faced surefire press-coverage situations, Jeudy was almost always in the slot. That’s not a coincidence, and it doesn’t inspire confidence that he’ll be able to handle physical cornerbacks outside at the NFL level.
Remember, the Niners’ X receiver will need to perform against the Seahawks secondary (which added Quinton Dunbar), the Rams’ Jalen Ramsey, and Arizona’s Patrick Peterson six times a year. Even if the NFL no longer demands physicality, athleticism, or, ideally, the combination of both at the line of scrimmage, the NFC West does.
Add in a lanky frame that raises questions bout going over the middle of the field and I don’t find it outlandish to say that there’s some serious bust potential with taking Jeudy at No. 13. Chris Simms might have been on to something.
But then we come back to the route running. Jeudy made playing receiver look effortless at the college level. Can that directly translate to the NFL level? If it can, all the other issues are significantly mitigated. If not, it’ll be tough for him to play anywhere other than the slot.
Let’s be clear: Jeudy’s quickness and deceptiveness at the line of scrimmage is the best in this class by a significant margin. His 10-yard split was five one-hundreds of a second slower than Ruggs and his moves off the snap are elite. He knows how to attack cornerbacks in ways other receivers in this draft can’t even imagine. And while he had a terrible 20-yard shuttle (6th percentile) at the combine, that doesn’t show up on tape.
It’s a tape vs. combine conundrum. Given the 49ers’ track record under Shanahan, I’d venture to say they’ll go with the combine numbers and pass on Jeudy.
Pick No. 31
Michael Pittman – USC
He’s mocked as a Day Two pick because his athleticism doesn’t jump off the screen when watching tape or when looking at his raw testing numbers — but a deeper evaluation told me that he’s arguably the best fit for the 49ers in this draft. They would be fools to risk losing him by trading down and hoping he’s on the board on Friday.
Pittman is big, physical, and with sure hands. He’s a perfect possession-type receiver prospect. That’s what the Niners need, right?
And I think Pittman’s athleticism — while lacking compared to many of his peers — is more than worthy of a first-round selection.
At 223 pounds, Pittman ran the first 10 yards of his 40-yard dash in 1.51 seconds — that’s an elite number, without taking into account his weight. (It’s a better number than the twitchy 5-foot-11 TCU receiver Jalen Reagor, who didn’t make this list because of his questionable hands.)
Shanahan can scheme open someone with that kind of get-off, a rock-solid 20-yard shuttle (78th percentile), and vertical jump (71st percentile). No problem.
If the Niners really crave and after-the-catch star, Pittman isn’t the man. But if they want an X-receiver who is going to catch nearly everything that’s thrown his way — a viable Sanders replacement who makes up what he lacks in athleticism with size and physicality — then they’d be hard-pressed to select a better player than Pittman.
Brandon Aiyuk – Arizona State
The Sun Devil bursts off the line of scrimmage, having posted 90th percentile scores in the 10-yard split, broad jump, and vertical jump at the combine.
He’s also one of the best receivers in this class at changing direction — he’s in full control of his body in a way collegiate receivers rarely are. His balance is such that even a small shoulder fake can spin around good cornerbacks.
And while he showed the requisite toughness to be a Shanahan receiver at Arizona State, there are questions about his hands — he lets the ball come to his body.
Then again, receivers are so open in Shanahan’s offense that it might not be an issue.
If the Niners agree with that assessment – or think that they can coach him to attack the ball the same way he attacks opposing cornerbacks — they could have a tailor-made Sanders replacement.
Tee Higgins – Clemson
Higgins both looked and played the part of an elite receiver in college, finding success against all sorts of coverage and using a variety of skills — and his physical blessings — to make plays time and time again for one of the best programs in the country. He was arguably the most productive receiver in the country in college, and he played big in big games.
At 6-foot-4 and pushing 215 pounds, there won’t be an issue with him being moved off the line of scrimmage at the NFL level, but his athleticism — particularly his line-of-scrimmage get-off and open-field running — stands toe-to-toe with the “joystick” slot receivers in this class. His catch radius is ridiculous. He’s a throw-it-up kind of receiver, the kind the Niners have been missing.
Ok, ok, here are the knocks: he can become a bit of a galloper along the sidelines and his physicality waned in games.
But frankly, in any other year, Higgins would likely be the No. 1 receiver on every team’s board. In this class, he’ll probably be the fourth or fifth. Bad luck for him, great luck for the team that drafts him.
Day 2:
Donovan Peoples-Jones – Michigan
Peoples-Jones is a super athlete who never seemed to put all together at the collegiate level.
But he’s 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, and he has a 44.5-inch vertical leap and broad jumped… get this… 139 inches. Those are stupid numbers. He’d be a man amongst men from the moment that he steps into the league. And he played in an offense in college that was… let’s call it underwhelming, as to not be cruel.
It’s easy to think that the best of DPJ is yet to come.
Justin Jefferson – LSU
The champion receiver has so many of the characteristics the Niners would be looking for in an X receiver — sure hands, a tremendous catch radius, strong burst off the line of scrimmage, plus athleticism — with only one clear issue: he was a slot receiver in college.
More concerning: Jefferson has been a split end before, but he wasn’t able to do much as an outside receiver for LSU. Simply, he couldn’t beat top cornerbacks off the line. The move to slot (and the emergence of the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, Joe Burrow) brought about the breakout.
The Niners move receivers around, but that lack of production outside has to be concerning.
Much like with Jeudy, the question is if Shanahan’s scheme can mitigate these shortcomings, though there’s significantly less risk at this juncture in the draft.
KJ Hill – Ohio State
Hill seems like he’s already been with the Niners for a few years. He’s not an all-around stud, but there’s polish to his game. He’s dependable in catching the ball and runs crisp short and intermediate routes. It’s easy to see how Shanahan would like that.
He’s not big, but he showed a professional demeanor at Ohio State. He’s not a game-breaking player in the open field, but he’s not unathletic, though testing was lacking. He’s a high-floor prospect, the kind the 49ers have not taken in the past, but might be inclined to grab given that he could be drafted late on Day 2 or perhaps even Day 3.
Day 3
Quintez Cephus – Wisconsin
On Day Three, you’re conceding something when you draft — character, collegiate performance, or athletic ability. Sometimes, you’re conceding in multiple categories. With Cephus, there’s no wiggle, but he’s strong (23 bench press reps at the combine) and was outstanding against press coverage at Wisconsin (turn on the Ohio State film, where he burned Damon Arnette off the line of scrimmage multiple times). The downside is that the athletic limitations will prevent him from ever separating. The upside is that in a well-schemed system like the 49ers’, he could be a nice depth receiver who can work over the middle of the field with sure hands.
Lynn Bowden – Kentucky
Bowden is a gadget player, but we know that Shanahan loves guys like that. The Wildcat was a slot receiver but then moved to quarterback — the position he played in high school — to end the season. He wasn’t all that good at it, but that versatility mixed with his size — 5-foot-11, 205 pounds — and his ability in the open field make him a fun toy for a coach that can scheme fun plays like Shanahan. Wideout, running back, quarterback — Bowden could be the Niners’ Taysom Hill, without the massive contract. Don’t forget — Shanahan likes a receiver who can throw, as we saw last year in the classic against the Saints.
John Hightower – Boise State
The lanky Bronco bursts off the line of scrimmage, having posted a 1.49 second 10-yard split at the combine — one of the best numbers in Indianapolis. Strong broad and vertical jump numbers will also draw the Niners’ interest, and he showed a toughness (despite his size) and willingness to block in college. The concerns are that he’s probably too small to play outside but he also didn’t show the change-of-direction athleticism to be a slot receiver. The Niners would be trusting that his straight-line speed and big hands translate to the NFL level, where he would a slightly slower, but more well-rounded receiver than Goodwin, whose ability to take the top off a defense was theoretically missed by the Niners late last year.
Kendrick Rodgers – Texas A&M
Rodgers is 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, and ran a 10-yard split of 1.48. (Goodwin, an Olympian, ran a 1.43 at his combine). That’s a wild number, and it alone is going to get him an NFL job. That’s good, because his game tape would not — he had a total lack of production in college and unimpressive “wiggle”. But for a flyer pick or an undrafted free agent, the Niners might be able to make something happen. You can’t teach speed, but you can coach it to be lethal.
Jauan Jennings – Tennessee
A former high school quarterback, Jennings has the smarts, size, and toughness to be an outside receiver in a Shanahan system. He also has an uncanny ability to stop and find the ball in the open field, after which he’s nearly impossible to bring down. That said he’s slow and is getting by on one trick. Jennings would be a seventh-round or undrafted free agent project that would likely spend time on the practice squad in Year One. He might be a good tight end option if he can put on weight. The Niners like guys like that.
Now, San Francisco usually goes for athleticism in late rounds — better to go for the big prize when you’re buying a lottery ticket — but there’s something about Jennings that makes me think he’d stand out if he came in as a Training Camp body. Never underestimate game smarts and toughness.
Isaiah Hodgins – Oregon State
The California native has the best hands in this draft. It’s not even particularly close.
He also had to show off those hands at Oregon State time and time again because he proved incapable of separating from cornerbacks.
Hodgins is the ultimate boom or bust prospect. In Shanahan’s scheme, he might stand a chance. He might be a nice option in the red zone, as well. Or, an NFL team could try to bulk him up to play tight end, where his ball skills would immediately play.
He might also never see the field at the next level.
Like with Jennings, might the Niners eschew previous protocol — which helped them reach the Super Bowl last season — and go for the tactician over trying to teach a super athlete to play in the NFL?
Notable exceptions
Denzel Mims – Baylor: Elite athlete, but dropped far too many passes and had no polish as a receiver — marginally competent defensive backs had their way with him, despite his massive size advantage. A late Day Two pick that will go in the top 50. Stay away.
Jalen Reagor – TCU: A slot receiver who posted three-cone and 20-yard shuttle times that were in the bottom 10 percent of all wide receivers.
Laviska Shenault – Colorado: Is a running back… one that the Niners wouldn’t be particularly interested in given his slow 10-yard split.
Chase Claypool – Notre Dame: Is a tight end.