mercurynews--2020-12-22--San Jose State: Brennan declines to speak about Arizona vacancy, focusing on Arizona Bowl

In front of a virtual audience filled with out-of-town reporters from Arizona ahead of next week ’ s Arizona Bowl , San Jose State football coach Brent Brennan once again sidestepped a question regarding the University of Arizona ’ s coaching vacancy on Monday .
Brennan , who led San Jose State to its first Mountain West title last weekend , was asked whether he had spoken to Arizona regarding its coaching vacancy .
Before a reporter could finish asking a question about the job , Brennan held up a miniature stop sign with his motto , “ Stop , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Anytime you win , there ’ s going to be those questions , ” Brennan said .
“ Those things are going to come up .
People in the athletics world , in the media world all want to try and find something to talk about or fill in the void with it .
“ I think when those conversations start , it ’ s really a reflection of what ’ s happening here at San Jose State .
It ’ s a reflection of what ’ s happening with our players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has just been , in my opinion , nothing short of exceptional.
” Brennan ’ s name has come up as a potential hire for the Arizona job since Kevin Sumlin was fired on Dec. 12 .
Aside from being one of college football ’ s hottest coaching commodities , Brennan has several ties to Arizona .
In 2000 , Brennan was a graduate assistant under Dick Tomey , one of the most influential coaches in Brennan ’ s life .
Brennan ’ s brother , Brad , was a receiver during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wildcats as well .
Additionally , Brennan was an assistant at Cal Poly for four seasons under Rich Ellerson , who was Arizona ’ s defensive coordinator when Brennan was a graduate assistant .
When asked last week about his name coming up in the Arizona coaching search , Brennan said his focus was on the upcoming Mountain West championship game , which San Jose State won by defeating Boise State 34-20 .
Last winter , Brennan signed a three-year , $ 2.55 million extension to keep him at San Jose State through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extension , Brennan said he wanted to spend the next 15 years in San Jose State , comments which he elaborated on last week .
• Column : College Football Playoff is repetitive enough without pushing Ohio State over the goal line • My AP top-25 basketball ballot : Gonzaga remains No .
1 as Iowa holds the second spot ( despite losing ) • Our Pac-12 postseason award winners : Colorado ’ s Karl Dorrell is the clear choice for Coach of the Year • San Jose State football team makes it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I grew up here , ” Brennan said .
“ My dad played here .
I went to these games as a young man .
As a kid , rolling down the hill before the stands were in the north end .
That ’ s been my whole life .
When I said that , that came from the heart .
I love this place .
I love what we ’ re doing .
I believe we can build a winning football program at San Jose State and I think we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The location of the Arizona Bowl , coincidentally enough , is Arizona Stadium in Tucson , on the Wildcats ’ campus .

In front of a virtual audience filled with out-of-town reporters from Arizona ahead of next week’s Arizona Bowl, San Jose State football coach Brent Brennan once again sidestepped a question regarding the University of Arizona’s coaching vacancy on Monday.
Brennan, who led San Jose State to its first Mountain West title last weekend, was asked whether he had spoken to Arizona regarding its coaching vacancy. Before a reporter could finish asking a question about the job, Brennan held up a miniature stop sign with his motto, “Stop, I’m climbing the mountain.”
“Anytime you win, there’s going to be those questions,” Brennan said. “Those things are going to come up. People in the athletics world, in the media world all want to try and find something to talk about or fill in the void with it.
“I think when those conversations start, it’s really a reflection of what’s happening here at San Jose State. It’s a reflection of what’s happening with our players and what this team has accomplished, which has just been, in my opinion, nothing short of exceptional.”
Brennan’s name has come up as a potential hire for the Arizona job since Kevin Sumlin was fired on Dec. 12.
Aside from being one of college football’s hottest coaching commodities, Brennan has several ties to Arizona.
In 2000, Brennan was a graduate assistant under Dick Tomey, one of the most influential coaches in Brennan’s life. Brennan’s brother, Brad, was a receiver during Brent’s one season with the Wildcats as well.
Additionally, Brennan was an assistant at Cal Poly for four seasons under Rich Ellerson, who was Arizona’s defensive coordinator when Brennan was a graduate assistant.
When asked last week about his name coming up in the Arizona coaching search, Brennan said his focus was on the upcoming Mountain West championship game, which San Jose State won by defeating Boise State 34-20.
Last winter, Brennan signed a three-year, $2.55 million extension to keep him at San Jose State through 2024. At the time of the extension, Brennan said he wanted to spend the next 15 years in San Jose State, comments which he elaborated on last week.
“I grew up here,” Brennan said. “My dad played here. I went to these games as a young man. As a kid, rolling down the hill before the stands were in the north end. That’s been my whole life. When I said that, that came from the heart. I love this place. I love what we’re doing. I believe we can build a winning football program at San Jose State and I think we’re into our process of demonstrating that.”
The location of the Arizona Bowl, coincidentally enough, is Arizona Stadium in Tucson, on the Wildcats’ campus.


mercurynews--2020-12-22--Trump meets with GOP allies to again push election claims

WASHINGTON – U.S. President Donald Trump met a group of Republican lawmakers on Monday in his thus-far fruitless bid to gain momentum for claims that the Nov. 3 presidential election won by Democrat Joe Biden was rigged .
Trump has been searching for ways to head off the certification of Biden ’ s victory by the U.S. Congress on Jan. 6 .
The win has already been certified by the Electoral College and Biden is getting ready to take office on Jan. 20 .
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows announced the meeting on Twitter .
“ Several members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Oval Office with President @ realDonaldTrump , preparing to fight back against mounting evidence of voter fraud .
Stay tuned , ” Meadows tweeted .
A source familiar with the meeting said the lawmakers attending were reliable Trump allies from the House of Representatives , including Representatives Matt Gaetz , Jim Jordan and Mo Brooks .
The White House declined to offer further comment on the meeting .
Trump has also been considering whether to name a U.S. special counsel to investigate his allegations of massive voter fraud , after his campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed in various courts , due largely to a lack of evidence .
A second source familiar with the situation said that Sidney Powell , a lawyer who pushes conspiracy theories , was at the White House for the third time in recent days on Monday .
Powell has been encouraging Trump to pursue the voter fraud claims .
Trump has been asking allies about whether he should pick Powell for the special counsel role , and many of them have urged him not to do so , the source said .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House for days , talking to advisers on how to fight the election results while the coronavirus pandemic rages .
He plans to leave Washington on Wednesday for his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach , Florida , for the rest of the year .

By Steve Holland | Reuters
WASHINGTON – U.S. President Donald Trump met a group of Republican lawmakers on Monday in his thus-far fruitless bid to gain momentum for claims that the Nov. 3 presidential election won by Democrat Joe Biden was rigged.
Trump has been searching for ways to head off the certification of Biden’s victory by the U.S. Congress on Jan. 6. The win has already been certified by the Electoral College and Biden is getting ready to take office on Jan. 20.
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows announced the meeting on Twitter.
“Several members of Congress just finished a meeting in the Oval Office with President @realDonaldTrump, preparing to fight back against mounting evidence of voter fraud. Stay tuned,” Meadows tweeted.
A source familiar with the meeting said the lawmakers attending were reliable Trump allies from the House of Representatives, including Representatives Matt Gaetz, Jim Jordan and Mo Brooks. The White House declined to offer further comment on the meeting.
Trump has also been considering whether to name a U.S. special counsel to investigate his allegations of massive voter fraud, after his campaign’s attempts to press such claims failed in various courts, due largely to a lack of evidence.
A second source familiar with the situation said that Sidney Powell, a lawyer who pushes conspiracy theories, was at the White House for the third time in recent days on Monday. Powell has been encouraging Trump to pursue the voter fraud claims.
Trump has been asking allies about whether he should pick Powell for the special counsel role, and many of them have urged him not to do so, the source said.
Trump has been hunkered down in the White House for days, talking to advisers on how to fight the election results while the coronavirus pandemic rages.
He plans to leave Washington on Wednesday for his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, for the rest of the year.


mercurynews--2020-12-22--Morgan Hill: 61-year-old man killed in crash on Highway 101

MORGAN HILL – A 61-year-old man was killed in a rollover crash Monday in Morgan Hill , authorities said .
@ @ @ @ @ about 12:25 p.m. on southbound Highway 101 at Coyote Creek Golf Drive , the California @ @ @ @ @ news release .
The CHP said the man was driving a 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe at @ @ @ @ @ unknown lane when he veered off the roadway and into a ditch in the center @ @ @ @ @ , hit a metal guardrail and came to a rest on its wheels .
The @ @ @ @ @ the scene , the CHP said .
The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner ’ s @ @ @ @ @ once it has been confirmed and his next of kin is notified .
The CHP @ @ @ @ @ drugs or alcohol played a role in the collision .
Anyone with information about the @ @ @ @ @ Walizer at 408-848-2324 .

MORGAN HILL – A 61-year-old man was killed in a rollover crash Monday in Morgan Hill, authorities said.
The solo-vehicle collision was reported about 12:25 p.m. on southbound Highway 101 at Coyote Creek Golf Drive, the California Highway Patrol said in a news release.
The CHP said the man was driving a 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe at an undetermined speed in an unknown lane when he veered off the roadway and into a ditch in the center median. The SUV overturned, hit a metal guardrail and came to a rest on its wheels.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene, the CHP said. The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office will release his identity once it has been confirmed and his next of kin is notified.
The CHP said it was investigating whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the collision.
Anyone with information about the crash can contact Officer Thomas Walizer at 408-848-2324.


mercurynews--2020-12-22--San Jose Sharks’ season opener next month will have fans in attendance

Turns out there will be spectators in attendance for the San Jose Sharks regular season opener next month .
Arizona Coyotes ’ president Xavier A. Gutierrez said Monday the team will be opening the regular season Jan. 14 against the Sharks with a limited amount of fans allowed inside Gila River Arena in Glendale , Ariz. Gutierrez , a San Jose native , said the Coyotes have worked with local , state and federal officials , and the NHL , about its plan to host fans for its games , adding that it is subject to further review from health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t specifically know how many people will be allowed to attend games .
Gila River Arena has a seating capacity of 17,125 for hockey .
“ We ’ re excited , ” Gutierrez said .
“ We think that we will be announcing some very innovative and tech-enabled services to ensure the health and safety of or fans.
” The Coyotes ’ announcement comes a day after Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said the team would be relocating its training camp from San Jose to Scottsdale , Ariz. because of COVID-19-related restrictions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverage follow us on Flipboard .
The Sharks still do not know where they will be playing games as the home team at the start of the season .
Santa Clara County has banned contact sports until at least Jan. 8 and has imposed a 10-day quarantine for anyone traveling to the county from more than 150 miles away .
SAP Center in San Jose has not hosted any events since March .
“ If games can ’ t be played in Santa Clara , there ’ s a couple of potential options @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just like we were exploring sites for training camp , ” Wilson said .
“ It could be a hub city , it could be us playing another NHL city for a while .
Until we see our schedule , I don ’ t think we ’ ll know which and how many games will be affected.
” The NHL is expected to release its regular season schedule in the next day or two .
The Sharks and Coyotes are in the West Division with Los Angeles , Anaheim , Vegas , Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team will play each other eight times for a 56-game regular season .
• Coronavirus : Doug Wilson says some San Jose Sharks players who were overseas tested positive • San Jose Sharks officially relocating to Arizona for training camp , and possibly longer • Drop the puck : NHL finalizes agreement with players to play 56-game season • Gary Bettman hints at what may be in store for San Jose Sharks Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong said the NHL ’ s schedule will feature teams playing each other twice in a row @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If that ’ s the case , the Sharks and Coyotes will play each other again a day or two after after the Jan. 14 opener .

Turns out there will be spectators in attendance for the San Jose Sharks regular season opener next month.
Arizona Coyotes’ president Xavier A. Gutierrez said Monday the team will be opening the regular season Jan. 14 against the Sharks with a limited amount of fans allowed inside Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz.
Gutierrez, a San Jose native, said the Coyotes have worked with local, state and federal officials, and the NHL, about its plan to host fans for its games, adding that it is subject to further review from health authorities.
Gutierrez said he didn’t specifically know how many people will be allowed to attend games. Gila River Arena has a seating capacity of 17,125 for hockey.
“We’re excited,” Gutierrez said. “We think that we will be announcing some very innovative and tech-enabled services to ensure the health and safety of or fans.”
The Coyotes’ announcement comes a day after Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said the team would be relocating its training camp from San Jose to Scottsdale, Ariz. because of COVID-19-related restrictions in Santa Clara County.
For complete Sharks coverage
follow us on Flipboard.
The Sharks still do not know where they will be playing games as the home team at the start of the season. Santa Clara County has banned contact sports until at least Jan. 8 and has imposed a 10-day quarantine for anyone traveling to the county from more than 150 miles away. SAP Center in San Jose has not hosted any events since March.
“If games can’t be played in Santa Clara, there’s a couple of potential options that we’ve been exploring, just like we were exploring sites for training camp,” Wilson said. “It could be a hub city, it could be us playing another NHL city for a while. Until we see our schedule, I don’t think we’ll know which and how many games will be affected.”
Like our Sharks Facebook page for more San Jose Sharks news, commentary and conversation.
The NHL is expected to release its regular season schedule in the next day or two. The Sharks and Coyotes are in the West Division with Los Angeles, Anaheim, Vegas, Colorado, Minnesota and St. Louis. Each team will play each other eight times for a 56-game regular season.
Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong said the NHL’s schedule will feature teams playing each other twice in a row to reduce travel and limit exposure. If that’s the case, the Sharks and Coyotes will play each other again a day or two after after the Jan. 14 opener.


mercurynews--2020-12-22--Warriors’ Steph Curry says he looks forward to playing Nets’ Kevin Durant in season opener

When Stephen Curry sees Kevin Durant make his regular-season debut for the Brooklyn Nets Tuesday night , he doesn ’ t anticipate a rush of adrenaline because he will be playing his former Warriors teammate .
“ At the end of the day , it ’ s just another game , ” Curry said Monday .
“ It ’ s our first regular-season game , so there ’ s ( already ) a lot of excitement .
It ’ ll be cool to see him out there , and all those pleasantries , and then get to just competing.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State from 2016 to 2019 , the Warriors never missed the Finals — pushing their total to five straight Finals appearances .
In 2019 ’ s series , though , Durant tore his Achilles tendon as the Warriors lost to the Raptors .
Less than a month later , Durant signed as a free agent with the Nets .
But like he sought to join a championship-caliber team in the Warriors in 2016 , Durant said Monday he viewed joining the Nets as a similar opportunity — not as him leaving to build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to make myself bigger than the group , ” Durant told reporters .
“ But I know what I add to a basketball club and I felt that way with the Warriors .
So it wasn ’ t about me going to the Nets to try to prove that I can make my own thing.
” The final season of the partnership was filled with tension .
Media prodded Durant with questions about his future , championship-or-bust expectations weighed heavily on the team and the yelling match between Durant and Draymond Green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game with a foot injury ) in an overtime loss to the Clippers in the first month of the season was treated as public evidence that the era was coming to an end .
Despite that tension , Kerr said the Warriors and Durant avoided an awkward reunion because of how much time that has gone by since Durant ’ s decision to leave .
“ If he hadn ’ t been injured and he had left in free agency and we were playing against him three months later , ” Kerr said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weird.
” Now , as the Warriors work to complete a rebuild and Durant returns from his injury , all involved look back on the experience with appreciation .
“ I miss my guys man , I can ’ t lie , ” Durant told reporters of his former teammates .
Added Curry : “ Amazing three years that we ’ ll remember for a lifetime.
” • National NBA media believe Warriors will be in new play-in tournament • Warriors aren ’ t getting much respect from Vegas , online gambling sites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other takeaways from Tuesday ’ s preseason loss to Kings Kerr recalled the now-legendary shooting drills that doubled as unofficial duals between Curry and Durant .
At the end of practice , both would take 25 shots — five shots from five spots — and the best score won .
Often between the two all-time scorers , it took a perfect score to best the other .
This came to represent the competitive spirit of the two former MVPs .
In a teaching moment , Kerr would often have his younger players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Durant finish their shooting drills .
“ There ’ s a passion and a work-ethic that ’ s mesmerizing when you combine that with their routine , ” Kerr said .
It ’ s that work-ethic that has Curry and Durant positioned to face off Tuesday night , with Curry returning from a broken hand and Durant set to play in his first meaningful game since June , 2019 .
Last week , Durant helped the Nets complete a 2-0 preseason , including a 113-89 route over the contending Boston Celtics in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting , six rebounds , three blocks and two assists in 27 minutes .
Kerr was watching .
“ Which was kind of scary for the rest of the league , ” Kerr said .
“ Brooklyn really showed the potential that they have .
And more than anything , I was thrilled to see Kevin look exactly the same.
” Meanwhile , the Warriors went 2-1 in their own preseason games , with Curry scoring 29 points in 29 minutes in their final win against the Kings .
Unlike the Nets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Instead , they are rebuilding in the wake of Durant ’ s departure , hoping to return to the playoffs after stumbling to a 15-50 record last season .
“ We ’ re so young , but we have a good mix of veterans who complement each other , ” Kerr said .
“ I think we ’ re going to be way better a month from now than we are today .
”

When Stephen Curry sees Kevin Durant make his regular-season debut for the Brooklyn Nets Tuesday night, he doesn’t anticipate a rush of adrenaline because he will be playing his former Warriors teammate.
“At the end of the day, it’s just another game,” Curry said Monday. “It’s our first regular-season game, so there’s (already) a lot of excitement. It’ll be cool to see him out there, and all those pleasantries, and then get to just competing.”
During Durant’s tenure in Golden State from 2016 to 2019, the Warriors never missed the Finals — pushing their total to five straight Finals appearances. In 2019’s series, though, Durant tore his Achilles tendon as the Warriors lost to the Raptors. Less than a month later, Durant signed as a free agent with the Nets.
But like he sought to join a championship-caliber team in the Warriors in 2016, Durant said Monday he viewed joining the Nets as a similar opportunity — not as him leaving to build his own team.
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) pulls down a rebound ahead of Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams (12) during the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game, Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant handles the ball during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) dunks during the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) drives past Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) and forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game, Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant (35) goes up for a lay up past Houston Rockets' Iman Shumpert (1) during the second half of Game 3 of their NBA second round playoff series at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas on Saturday, May 4, 2019. The Houston Rockets defeated the Golden State Warriors 126-121 in overtime. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant (35) holds the NBA trophy following their 108-85 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, on Friday, June 8, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group Archives
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 30: Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant (35) talks with Stephen Curry (30) against the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter of Game 2 of their NBA second round playoff series at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant (35) gets high-fives from fans after their 115-109 win against the Houston Rockets in Game 2 of their NBA second round playoff series at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 24: Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant (35) reacts to his dunk towards the Warriors bench during their game against the Los Angeles Clippers in the fourth quarter of Game 5 of their NBA first round playoff series at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant (35) stands during the national anthem before the start of their NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif. on Friday, Dec. 22, 2017. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 10: Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant (35) sits on the floor after injuring his ankle during their game against the Toronto Raptors in the second quarter of Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Monday, June 10, 2019. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant (35) sits on the court after sustaining an injury during the second quarter of Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario on Monday, June 10, 2019. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 10: Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant (35) is helped off the floor after injuring his ankle during their game against the Toronto Raptors in the second quarter of Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Monday, June 10, 2019. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
(Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant (35) is photographed during the Golden State Warriors Media Day at Rakuten Performance Center in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 24, 2018. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant (35) blocks a shot by San Antonio Spurs' Dejounte Murray (5) during the first half of Game 2 of their NBA first-round playoff series at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, April 16, 2018. The Golden State Warriors defeated the San Antonio Spurs 116-101. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson (11), Draymond Green (23), Kevin Durant (35) and Stephen Curry (30) were presented their NBA All-Star jerseys before their NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
After completing a four-game sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers to win the 2018 NBA Championship, Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant, Draymond Green and Stephen Curry exit their plane as they arrive back in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, June 9, 2018. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group Archives
“I try not to make myself bigger than the group,” Durant told reporters. “But I know what I add to a basketball club and I felt that way with the Warriors. So it wasn’t about me going to the Nets to try to prove that I can make my own thing.”
The final season of the partnership was filled with tension. Media prodded Durant with questions about his future, championship-or-bust expectations weighed heavily on the team and the yelling match between Durant and Draymond Green (ruled out for Tuesday’s game with a foot injury) in an overtime loss to the Clippers in the first month of the season was treated as public evidence that the era was coming to an end.
Despite that tension, Kerr said the Warriors and Durant avoided an awkward reunion because of how much time that has gone by since Durant’s decision to leave.
“If he hadn’t been injured and he had left in free agency and we were playing against him three months later,” Kerr said, “that would have been really weird.”
Now, as the Warriors work to complete a rebuild and Durant returns from his injury, all involved look back on the experience with appreciation.
“I miss my guys man, I can’t lie,” Durant told reporters of his former teammates.
Added Curry: “Amazing three years that we’ll remember for a lifetime.”
Kerr recalled the now-legendary shooting drills that doubled as unofficial duals between Curry and Durant. At the end of practice, both would take 25 shots — five shots from five spots — and the best score won. Often between the two all-time scorers, it took a perfect score to best the other.
This came to represent the competitive spirit of the two former MVPs. In a teaching moment, Kerr would often have his younger players stay long after practice to watch Curry and Durant finish their shooting drills.
“There’s a passion and a work-ethic that’s mesmerizing when you combine that with their routine,” Kerr said.
It’s that work-ethic that has Curry and Durant positioned to face off Tuesday night, with Curry returning from a broken hand and Durant set to play in his first meaningful game since June, 2019. Last week, Durant helped the Nets complete a 2-0 preseason, including a 113-89 route over the contending Boston Celtics in which Durant poured 25 points on 9-of-16 shooting, six rebounds, three blocks and two assists in 27 minutes. Kerr was watching.
“Which was kind of scary for the rest of the league,” Kerr said. “Brooklyn really showed the potential that they have. And more than anything, I was thrilled to see Kevin look exactly the same.”
Meanwhile, the Warriors went 2-1 in their own preseason games, with Curry scoring 29 points in 29 minutes in their final win against the Kings. Unlike the Nets, the Warriors are not widely-considered title contenders. Instead, they are rebuilding in the wake of Durant’s departure, hoping to return to the playoffs after stumbling to a 15-50 record last season.
“We’re so young, but we have a good mix of veterans who complement each other,” Kerr said. “I think we’re going to be way better a month from now than we are today.”


mercurynews--2020-12-22--GOP lawmakers who downplayed virus slammed for getting shot

A slate of GOP lawmakers who downplayed different concerns about the coronavirus pandemic or ignored public health advice are now facing a wave of backlash for being among the first to receive a vaccine .
With only limited doses available across the US , members of Congress have been prioritized for inoculation in an effort to maintain governmental continuity on Capitol Hill .
But some GOP lawmakers who have publicized their shots — something public health experts have recommended to advertise the vaccine ’ s safety — are fielding fierce disapproval given their past comments downplaying or misrepresenting the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Joni Ernst , who tweeted Sunday that she had “ received the first dose of the # COVID19 vaccine ” at the recommendation of the Office of the Attending Physician .
“ I encourage all Iowans and Americans to do the same when their time comes , ” she said .
“ Thanks to # OperationWarpSpeed and the tireless work of Americans across the country , we are one step closer to defeating this virus.
” But her early vaccination drew swift condemnation on social media , with many pointing to comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ successful reelection campaign suggesting that health care workers were inflating Covid-19 death numbers for profit .
One viral tweet from Sawyer Hackett , a senior adviser to former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro , placed Ernst ’ s false comments under the caption “ How it started ” alongside her photo receiving the vaccine under the caption “ how it ’ s going.
” The backlash underscores a larger rift unfolding in Congress about when to receive the vaccine .
Some lawmakers in recent days have vowed to wait to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a chance to get vaccinated as well .
Hawaii Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard tweeted earlier Monday , “ I had planned to get the vaccine but will now stand in solidarity with our seniors by not doing so until THEY can .
I urge my colleagues who are under 65 and healthy to join me.
” She joins Reps. Brian Mast ( R-Fla. ) , Ilhan Omar ( D-Minn. ) and Rep.-elect Nancy Mace ( R-S.C. ) , who have all said they are waiting to get vaccinated until other essential Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memo from the Capitol attending physician that said there was a “ small vaccine supply ” available to Congress .
“ Once we have completed the vaccination of the Members , we will follow a process to identify the continuity-essential staff members in the various divisions of the Capitol community in the coming weeks , ” the memo said .
“ The appointing process will then continue until the small vaccine supply is exhausted .
A second dose scheduling process will then begin later.
” Some public health experts have stressed the importance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a way to relay its safety to the American people .
High-profile lawmakers in both parties , like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-N.Y. ) , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) , have all received the vaccine in recent days while advertising it as a safe way to help end the pandemic .
And many in Congress are considered vulnerable for Covid-19 complications because of their advanced ages .
Most Americans , however , won ’ t have access for months .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has granted emergency use authorization to two vaccines , it ’ s clear there will not be enough for everyone who wants a vaccination right away .
Vaccine advisers have already broken down priority groups into subgroups , and have designated only the very , very first people to get vaccines .
Those in this 1a group designated by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices include front-line health care workers and people in long-term care homes .
The limited supply for those priority groups has helped fuel the scrutiny aimed at some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine .
Like Ernst , Sen. Lindsey Graham — a close ally of President Donald Trump who has often echoed the President ’ s misleading coronavirus messages — has faced considerable condemnation .
“ Thank God for nurses who help people in need and know how to use a needle , ” the South Carolina Republican tweeted on Saturday alongside a photo of himself receiving the vaccine .
“ Thank God for those who produced these vaccines , ” he continued .
“ If enough of us take it , we will get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the way.
” Graham has consistently defended Trump ’ s coronavirus response and a South Carolina US Senate debate in October was forced to change formats after Graham rejected his opponent ’ s request to take an additional Covid-19 test after he had attended a hearing with a lawmaker who later tested positive .
As a result , news of his vaccination garnered thousands of critical responses , many from people who say they work in health care and haven ’ t been able to get a vaccine yet .
Sen. Marco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a photo of himself getting the vaccine and noting that he is “ so confident ” in it that he “ decided to take it myself.
” The Florida Republican , who is 49 years old , spoke at a largely maskless rally for the Georgia US Senate contests last month .
CNN political commentator Ana Navarro took particular issue with Rubio joking on Twitter that he “ looked away from the needle ” and knows that he needs “ a tan.
” “ Something that really pissed me off — triggered me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know , he started by making a joke about how he looked away from the needle and how he needed a tan in his arm .
You ’ ve got privilege that others don ’ t .
You are getting a precious vaccine that millions are waiting for , ” she told CNN ’ s Brooke Baldwin on “ Newsroom.
” “ There ’ s people risking their lives on a daily basis that are not getting that vaccine yet , and you crack a joke about your pasty white arm ?
Really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Ernst , Graham and Rubio for comment .
President-elect Joe Biden received his first dose of the Pfizer and BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on live television Monday afternoon and reassured Americans of the vaccine ’ s safety .
“ We owe these folks an awful lot , ” Biden said , thanking those involved in the vaccine ’ s development and distribution and front-line health care workers .
While Vice President Mike Pence also publicly received the vaccine , a White House official told CNN earlier this month that it won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s recommended by the White House medical team .
The official said Trump is still receiving the benefits of the monoclonal antibody cocktail he was given during his recovery from Covid-19 in the fall .

By Paul LeBlanc | CNN
A slate of GOP lawmakers who downplayed different concerns about the coronavirus pandemic or ignored public health advice are now facing a wave of backlash for being among the first to receive a vaccine.
With only limited doses available across the US, members of Congress have been prioritized for inoculation in an effort to maintain governmental continuity on Capitol Hill. But some GOP lawmakers who have publicized their shots — something public health experts have recommended to advertise the vaccine’s safety — are fielding fierce disapproval given their past comments downplaying or misrepresenting the virus earlier this year.
This includes Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, who tweeted Sunday that she had “received the first dose of the #COVID19 vaccine” at the recommendation of the Office of the Attending Physician.
“I encourage all Iowans and Americans to do the same when their time comes,” she said. “Thanks to #OperationWarpSpeed and the tireless work of Americans across the country, we are one step closer to defeating this virus.”
But her early vaccination drew swift condemnation on social media, with many pointing to comments she had made in September during her successful reelection campaign suggesting that health care workers were inflating Covid-19 death numbers for profit.
One viral tweet from Sawyer Hackett, a senior adviser to former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro, placed Ernst’s false comments under the caption “How it started” alongside her photo receiving the vaccine under the caption “how it’s going.”
The backlash underscores a larger rift unfolding in Congress about when to receive the vaccine. Some lawmakers in recent days have vowed to wait to get vaccinated until vulnerable groups in the US have a chance to get vaccinated as well.
Hawaii Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard tweeted earlier Monday, “I had planned to get the vaccine but will now stand in solidarity with our seniors by not doing so until THEY can. I urge my colleagues who are under 65 and healthy to join me.”
She joins Reps. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Rep.-elect Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), who have all said they are waiting to get vaccinated until other essential Americans have access.
Their message follows a memo from the Capitol attending physician that said there was a “small vaccine supply” available to Congress.
“Once we have completed the vaccination of the Members, we will follow a process to identify the continuity-essential staff members in the various divisions of the Capitol community in the coming weeks,” the memo said. “The appointing process will then continue until the small vaccine supply is exhausted. A second dose scheduling process will then begin later.”
Some public health experts have stressed the importance of top elected officials receiving the vaccine as a way to relay its safety to the American people. High-profile lawmakers in both parties, like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), have all received the vaccine in recent days while advertising it as a safe way to help end the pandemic.
And many in Congress are considered vulnerable for Covid-19 complications because of their advanced ages.
Most Americans, however, won’t have access for months. While the US Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency use authorization to two vaccines, it’s clear there will not be enough for everyone who wants a vaccination right away.
Vaccine advisers have already broken down priority groups into subgroups, and have designated only the very, very first people to get vaccines. Those in this 1a group designated by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices include front-line health care workers and people in long-term care homes.
The limited supply for those priority groups has helped fuel the scrutiny aimed at some of the GOP lawmakers who have received the vaccine.
Like Ernst, Sen. Lindsey Graham — a close ally of President Donald Trump who has often echoed the President’s misleading coronavirus messages — has faced considerable condemnation.
“Thank God for nurses who help people in need and know how to use a needle,” the South Carolina Republican tweeted on Saturday alongside a photo of himself receiving the vaccine.
“Thank God for those who produced these vaccines,” he continued. “If enough of us take it, we will get back to normal lives. Help is on the way.”
Graham has consistently defended Trump’s coronavirus response and a South Carolina US Senate debate in October was forced to change formats after Graham rejected his opponent’s request to take an additional Covid-19 test after he had attended a hearing with a lawmaker who later tested positive.
As a result, news of his vaccination garnered thousands of critical responses, many from people who say they work in health care and haven’t been able to get a vaccine yet.
Sen. Marco Rubio fielded particularly sharp rebukes after tweeting a photo of himself getting the vaccine and noting that he is “so confident” in it that he “decided to take it myself.” The Florida Republican, who is 49 years old, spoke at a largely maskless rally for the Georgia US Senate contests last month.
CNN political commentator Ana Navarro took particular issue with Rubio joking on Twitter that he “looked away from the needle” and knows that he needs “a tan.”
“Something that really pissed me off — triggered me of that post, was, you know, he started by making a joke about how he looked away from the needle and how he needed a tan in his arm. You’ve got privilege that others don’t. You are getting a precious vaccine that millions are waiting for,” she told CNN’s Brooke Baldwin on “Newsroom.”
“There’s people risking their lives on a daily basis that are not getting that vaccine yet, and you crack a joke about your pasty white arm? Really?”
CNN has contacted the offices of Ernst, Graham and Rubio for comment.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms National Politics | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge President-elect Joe Biden received his first dose of the Pfizer and BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on live television Monday afternoon and reassured Americans of the vaccine’s safety.
“We owe these folks an awful lot,” Biden said, thanking those involved in the vaccine’s development and distribution and front-line health care workers.
While Vice President Mike Pence also publicly received the vaccine, a White House official told CNN earlier this month that it won’t be administered to Trump until it’s recommended by the White House medical team.
The official said Trump is still receiving the benefits of the monoclonal antibody cocktail he was given during his recovery from Covid-19 in the fall.


mercurynews--2020-12-22--2 passengers open Delta flight cabin door and slide out of moving plane with a dog at LaGuardia

Two passengers aboard a Delta flight bound for Atlanta opened a cabin door and activated the slide to exit the @ @ @ @ @ out to a runway at New York ’ s LaGuardia Airport Monday morning , Delta @ @ @ @ @ .
The New York Times reported the two passengers involved are in custody and that @ @ @ @ @ deplaned with them .
After they exited the plane , the aircraft returned to the @ @ @ @ @ , Durrant said .
• Passenger who died on United flight diverted to LA may @ @ @ @ @ airline says • Holiday travel : Will Californians heed the warnings and stay home ?
@ @ @ @ @ was able to accommodate the remaining passengers on alternate flights .
“ Maintenance technicians have @ @ @ @ @ scheduled to return to service this evening , ” Durrant said .
CNN has reached @ @ @ @ @ of New York and New Jersey for more information .

Two passengers aboard a Delta flight bound for Atlanta opened a cabin door and activated the slide to exit the plane while it was taxiing out to a runway at New York’s LaGuardia Airport Monday morning, Delta spokesman Morgan Durrant told CNN.
The New York Times reported the two passengers involved are in custody and that a large service dog also deplaned with them.
After they exited the plane, the aircraft returned to the gate and deplaned customers normally, Durrant said.
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“Maintenance technicians have evaluated the aircraft and is scheduled to return to service this evening,” Durrant said.
CNN has reached out to The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for more information.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.


mercurynews--2020-12-22--Two San Francisco homicides: in North Beach apartment, on Highway 101

Two homicides have been reported in San Francisco : a woman found dead in a North Beach apartment and a @ @ @ @ @ Highway 101 .
The woman ’ s body was found around 11:30 a.m. Friday by @ @ @ @ @ report of a domestic assault at an apartment building in the 1800 block of Powell @ @ @ @ @ .
After the death was ruled a homicide , officers arrested Zu Xiao , 67 @ @ @ @ @ on suspicion of murder .
• Mother thanks Vallejo police for catching her son ’ @ @ @ @ @ Quentin inmate from Contra Costa dies naturally after 37 years on death row In the @ @ @ @ @ investigation was launched after a shooting around 9:30 p.m. Monday on Highway 101 near Cesar @ @ @ @ @ officials said .
One person was killed and a second was wounded by gunfire , @ @ @ @ @ .
No further details were given .

Two homicides have been reported in San Francisco: a woman found dead in a North Beach apartment and a person killed by gunfire on Highway 101.
The body of Zhao Yu, 68, was found around 11:30 a.m. Friday by police officers responding to a report of a domestic assault at an apartment building in the 1800 block of Powell Street, near Washington Square.
After the death was ruled a homicide, officers arrested Zu Xiao, 67, of San Francisco, on suspicion of murder.
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Bryan Kelley, 30, was killed and his brother was wounded by gunfire, CHP Officer Jonathan Franzen said. No further details were given.
Related article: Bay Area homicides 2020: Map and details


mercurynews--2020-12-22--Senior: Maybe Congress needs more people from the college of hard knocks

Over the last few decades , Congress has diversified in important ways .
It has gotten less white , less male , less straight — all positive developments .
But as I was staring at one of the many recent Senate hearings , filled with the usual magisterial blustering and self-important yada yada , it dawned on me that there ’ s a way that Congress has moved in a wrong direction , and become quite brazenly unrepresentative .
No , it ’ s not that the place seethes with millionaires , though there ’ s that problem too .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are credentialed out the wazoo .
An astonishing number have a small kite of extra initials fluttering after their names .
According to the Congressional Research Service , more than one third of the House and more than half the Senate have law degrees .
Roughly a fifth of senators and representatives have their master ’ s .
Four senators and 21 House members have MDs , and an identical number in each body ( four , twenty-one ) have some kind of doctoral degree , whether it ’ s a Ph.D. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a D. Min .
But perhaps most fundamentally , 95 % of today ’ s House members have a bachelor ’ s degree , as does every member of the Senate .
Yet just a bit more than one-third of Americans do .
“ This means that the credentialed few govern the uncredentialed many , ” writes the political philosopher Michael J. Sandel in “ The Tyranny of Merit , ” published this fall .
There ’ s an argument to be made that we should want our representatives to be a highly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made it , as far back as Plato .
Five years ago , Nicholas Carnes , a political scientist at Duke , tried to measure whether more formal education made political leaders better at their jobs .
After conducting a sweeping review of 228 countries between the years 1875 and 2004 , he and a colleague concluded : No .
It did not .
A college education did not mean less inequality , a greater GDP , fewer labor strikes , lower unemployment or less military conflict .
It was Democrats , Sandel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virtues of the meritocracy , arguing that college would be the road to prosperity for the struggling .
And it ’ s a fine idea , well-intentioned , idealistic at its core .
But implicit in it is also a punishing notion : If you don ’ t succeed , you have only yourself to blame .
Which President Donald Trump spotted in a trice .
“ Unlike Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton , who spoke constantly of ‘ opportunity ’ ” Sandel wrote , “ Trump scarcely mentioned the word .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ winners and losers.
” Trump was equally blunt after winning the Nevada Republican caucuses in 2016 .
“ I love the poorly educated !
” he shouted .
Would it make any difference if Congress better reflected the United States and had more members without college degrees ?
Would it meaningfully alter policy at all ?
It would likely depend on where they came from .
I keep thinking of what Rep. Al Green , D-Texas , told me .
His father was a mechanic ’ s assistant in the segregated South .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ called him “ The Secretary ” because he could neither read nor write .
“ So if my father had been elected ?
You ’ d have a different Congress , ” Green said .
“ But if it ’ d been the people who he served — the mechanics who gave him a pejorative moniker ?
We ’ d probably have the Congress we have now.
” It ’ s hard to say whether more socioeconomic diversity would guarantee differences in policy or efficiency .
But it could do something more subtle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are people who look at Congress and see the political class as a closed system , ” Carnes told me .
“ My guess is that if Congress looked more like people do as a whole , the cynical view — Oh , they ’ re all in their ivory tower , they don ’ t care about us — would get less oxygen .
”

Over the last few decades, Congress has diversified in important ways. It has gotten less white, less male, less straight — all positive developments. But as I was staring at one of the many recent Senate hearings, filled with the usual magisterial blustering and self-important yada yada, it dawned on me that there’s a way that Congress has moved in a wrong direction, and become quite brazenly unrepresentative.
No, it’s not that the place seethes with millionaires, though there’s that problem too.
It’s that members of Congress are credentialed out the wazoo. An astonishing number have a small kite of extra initials fluttering after their names.
According to the Congressional Research Service, more than one third of the House and more than half the Senate have law degrees. Roughly a fifth of senators and representatives have their master’s. Four senators and 21 House members have MDs, and an identical number in each body (four, twenty-one) have some kind of doctoral degree, whether it’s a Ph.D., a D.Phil., an Ed.D., or a D. Min.
But perhaps most fundamentally, 95% of today’s House members have a bachelor’s degree, as does every member of the Senate. Yet just a bit more than one-third of Americans do.
“This means that the credentialed few govern the uncredentialed many,” writes the political philosopher Michael J. Sandel in “The Tyranny of Merit,” published this fall.
There’s an argument to be made that we should want our representatives to be a highly lettered lot. Lots of people have made it, as far back as Plato.
Five years ago, Nicholas Carnes, a political scientist at Duke, tried to measure whether more formal education made political leaders better at their jobs. After conducting a sweeping review of 228 countries between the years 1875 and 2004, he and a colleague concluded: No. It did not. A college education did not mean less inequality, a greater GDP, fewer labor strikes, lower unemployment or less military conflict.
It was Democrats, Sandel wrote, who seemed especially bullish on the virtues of the meritocracy, arguing that college would be the road to prosperity for the struggling. And it’s a fine idea, well-intentioned, idealistic at its core. But implicit in it is also a punishing notion: If you don’t succeed, you have only yourself to blame. Which President Donald Trump spotted in a trice.
“Unlike Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, who spoke constantly of ‘opportunity’” Sandel wrote, “Trump scarcely mentioned the word. Instead, he offered blunt talk of winners and losers.”
Trump was equally blunt after winning the Nevada Republican caucuses in 2016. “I love the poorly educated!” he shouted.
Would it make any difference if Congress better reflected the United States and had more members without college degrees? Would it meaningfully alter policy at all?
It would likely depend on where they came from. I keep thinking of what Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, told me. His father was a mechanic’s assistant in the segregated South. The white men he worked for cruelly called him “The Secretary” because he could neither read nor write. “So if my father had been elected? You’d have a different Congress,” Green said. “But if it’d been the people who he served — the mechanics who gave him a pejorative moniker? We’d probably have the Congress we have now.”
It’s hard to say whether more socioeconomic diversity would guarantee differences in policy or efficiency. But it could do something more subtle: Rebuild public trust.
“There are people who look at Congress and see the political class as a closed system,” Carnes told me. “My guess is that if Congress looked more like people do as a whole, the cynical view — Oh, they’re all in their ivory tower, they don’t care about us — would get less oxygen.”
Jennifer Senior is a New York Times columnist.


mercurynews--2020-12-22--Walters: California’s 21st century witch hunts

Nearly 70 years ago , Arthur Miller wrote “ The Crucible , ” a play ostensibly about the 17th century Salem witchcraft trials , in which about 25 people , mostly women , were accused of consorting with the devil and suffered horrible deaths .
There ’ s no doubt , however , that Miller ’ s play was an allegorical denunciation of persecuting Americans suspected of harboring communist beliefs , particularly hearings by Wisconsin Sen. Joseph McCarthy .
In fact , after writing the play Miller was convicted of contempt of Congress for refusing to identify others with whom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Salem trials and the McCarthy hearings generated two enduring terms — witch hunt and McCarthyism — to describe intolerance for those who don ’ t conform to current religious or political dogma .
They could also describe the 21st century phenomenon , dubbed “ cancel culture , ” of erasing names of historic or even current figures from public places , if they have deviated from contemporary ideology .
The earliest cancel culture targets were low-hanging fruit — men who had rebelled against the nation and instigated a bloody civil war to maintain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ E. Lee .
Soon , however , the cancel culture movement expanded to those whose sins could not , in the eyes of their accusers , be offset by their virtues .
Thus , George Washington , the single most important figure in the nation ’ s founding , and other giants of the era , such as Thomas Jefferson , would be condemned for being slaveowners .
California , not surprisingly , has been a fertile ground for cancel culture , targeting such historic figures as priest Junipero Serra and pioneer John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The cutting edge of cultural cancellation is found in San Francisco .
Just the other day , the city ’ s governing Board of Supervisors voted 10-1 to condemn the 2015 naming of its public hospital for Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife , Dr. Priscilla Chan , after the couple gave $ 75 million toward a new acute care and trauma center .
Why ?
Basically , the city ’ s leaders just don ’ t like Facebook .
The nonbinding resolution ’ s sponsor , Supervisor Gordon Mar , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should not be named for someone whose social media corporation spreads misinformation and violates privacy .
Facebook is taking heat from those on both ends of the political spectrum .
However , it ’ s ironic that San Francisco ’ s left-leaning city supervisors would single out Zuckerberg and Chan when they have been , if anything , supportive of leftish causes , such as contributing $ 10-plus million to the campaign for Proposition 15 , a ballot measure that would have raised taxes on commercial property .
Even more inexplicable is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system to strip names of ideological sinners from 44 schools .
They include slaveowning presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe , Spanish conquistador Vasco Nunez Balboa and — very oddly — U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein , whose alleged sin is that as mayor she once replaced a Confederate flag in front of city hall that had been vandalized .
The most puzzling target is Abraham Lincoln , an historic hero for resisting the Southern states ’ rebellion and issuing a proclamation to free their slaves .
Despite those actions , Lincoln should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was insufficiently supportive of Native Americans in their struggles with white settlers .
“ Uprooting the problematic names and symbols that currently clutter buildings , streets , throughout the city is a worthy endeavor , ” said Jeremiah Jeffries , a teacher who chairs the renaming committee .
“ Only good can come from the public being reflective and intentional about the power of our words , names and rhetoric within our public institutions.
” “ Uprooting ” would seem to be the current term for witch hunting .

Nearly 70 years ago, Arthur Miller wrote “The Crucible,” a play ostensibly about the 17th century Salem witchcraft trials, in which about 25 people, mostly women, were accused of consorting with the devil and suffered horrible deaths.
There’s no doubt, however, that Miller’s play was an allegorical denunciation of persecuting Americans suspected of harboring communist beliefs, particularly hearings by Wisconsin Sen. Joseph McCarthy. In fact, after writing the play Miller was convicted of contempt of Congress for refusing to identify others with whom he had attended certain meetings.
The Salem trials and the McCarthy hearings generated two enduring terms — witch hunt and McCarthyism — to describe intolerance for those who don’t conform to current religious or political dogma.
They could also describe the 21st century phenomenon, dubbed “cancel culture,” of erasing names of historic or even current figures from public places, if they have deviated from contemporary ideology.
The earliest cancel culture targets were low-hanging fruit — men who had rebelled against the nation and instigated a bloody civil war to maintain slavery, such as Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
Soon, however, the cancel culture movement expanded to those whose sins could not, in the eyes of their accusers, be offset by their virtues. Thus, George Washington, the single most important figure in the nation’s founding, and other giants of the era, such as Thomas Jefferson, would be condemned for being slaveowners.
California, not surprisingly, has been a fertile ground for cancel culture, targeting such historic figures as priest Junipero Serra and pioneer John Sutter for their sins against Native Americans.
The cutting edge of cultural cancellation is found in San Francisco. Just the other day, the city’s governing Board of Supervisors voted 10-1 to condemn the 2015 naming of its public hospital for Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Dr. Priscilla Chan, after the couple gave $75 million toward a new acute care and trauma center.
Why? Basically, the city’s leaders just don’t like Facebook.
The nonbinding resolution’s sponsor, Supervisor Gordon Mar, said a hospital that serves the poor should not be named for someone whose social media corporation spreads misinformation and violates privacy.
Facebook is taking heat from those on both ends of the political spectrum. However, it’s ironic that San Francisco’s left-leaning city supervisors would single out Zuckerberg and Chan when they have been, if anything, supportive of leftish causes, such as contributing $10-plus million to the campaign for Proposition 15, a ballot measure that would have raised taxes on commercial property.
Even more inexplicable is an effort in San Francisco’s school system to strip names of ideological sinners from 44 schools.
They include slaveowning presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe, Spanish conquistador Vasco Nunez Balboa and — very oddly — U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, whose alleged sin is that as mayor she once replaced a Confederate flag in front of city hall that had been vandalized.
The most puzzling target is Abraham Lincoln, an historic hero for resisting the Southern states’ rebellion and issuing a proclamation to free their slaves.
Despite those actions, Lincoln should be dishonored, the committee says, because he was insufficiently supportive of Native Americans in their struggles with white settlers.
“Uprooting the problematic names and symbols that currently clutter buildings, streets, throughout the city is a worthy endeavor,” said Jeremiah Jeffries, a teacher who chairs the renaming committee. “Only good can come from the public being reflective and intentional about the power of our words, names and rhetoric within our public institutions.”
“Uprooting” would seem to be the current term for witch hunting.
Dan Walters is CalMatters columnist.


mercurynews--2020-12-22--Raiders mailbag, Part II: Patience is wearing thin among the fan base, and with good reason

Having fielded questions about Raiders ’ management and coaching in Part I of the mailbag , it ’ s on to Part II regarding personnel and the roster .
Questions are edited for content and decorum : Q : Are you noticing a change in the fan base ?
It seems to me they are no longer OK with years or mediocrity and their patience has worn thin .
Feels different than it has in a long time .
Wonder if you ’ re seeing a historic shift in sentiment ?
— @ TravisBrown100 The fan base has gradually become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see why .
Back in the day when my dad has Raiders season tickets , the team was perennially one of the best in the NFL .
For the better part of the last 20 years , it ’ s been one of the worst .
Calling it mediocrity in many cases is being kind .
Back to back mediocrity in 2019-20 is , sadly , almost an upgrade to what we ’ ve seen some years .
And being a Raider fan means taking a ton of abuse and not having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not like you can throw Ken Stabler , Art Shell , Ted Hendricks , Fred Biletnikoff , etc .
in someone ’ s face any more .
Was really curious to see the fan makeup in Las Vegas in the stadium and it didn ’ t happen , unfortunately .
Q : When will Trayvon Mullen be benched ?
— Travis Brown ( email ) And replace him with who ?
Coming off a bad game , but he ’ s looked at as part of the solution , not part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of the player and fan interaction on Twitter , should Jon Gruden step in and either limit social media or have a players discussion about fan interaction especially with the late season collapse ?
.
— James Mangolia ( email ) I guess I haven ’ t seen as much of the player reaction on Twitter as you have .
Surprised when any player takes the bait when “ fans ” are obviously trolling .
They get lectures on stuff like that every year from the player engagement department and shouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the head coach .
Q : When is anybody gon na talk about how Maxx Crosby ’ s poor play ?
@ DonCorleone792 Gruden addressed it the other day and it ’ s been a topic a few times when Paul Guenther is around .
The Raiders haven ’ t had much of an interior pass rush to free up the outside and Crosby is getting more attention than any other Raiders D-lineman after a 10-sack year .
You can look at those as excuses but it also happens to be true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a year ago .
I ’ m sure he expected more and there ’ s no reason to think he ’ s not someone to build around .
Q : If Marcus Mariota plays well next two games , do you think it ’ s possible Jon Gruden trades Derek Carr for some high draft picks to improve the defense ?
— Todd Newell ( email ) Makes some sense in theory , but a funny thing happens when teams get wind someone who makes big money might be traded .
They wait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anticipating a possible release and not having to give up anything at all .
It would be interesting to find out what other teams really think of Carr and what they would offer to get them .
I think he ’ ll still be the Raiders ’ quarterback next year .
Q : What can seriously be done to address all of the “ missed and no calls ” by the zebras against LA ?
Too many and too obvious to ignore , and definitely impacted the outcome of the game .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the least .
Raider Nation is fed up !
— @ KaleiKahalewai Raider Nation has been fed up with the officiating for a long time , and sometimes justifiably so .
I think most of the Raiders problems this season , including the loss to the Chargers , were of their own doing .
Who do you think will be up for the Raiders DC job ?
My high hope is Marvin Lewis .
But I would strongly consider Kris Richard , a solid coordinator , or Dan Quinn ?
All good options @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will the DC be next season and who are top targets for defensive free agency ?
— @ mrcdrum Wrote this story on prospective candidates and didn ’ t include Kris Richard , who sat out this year rather than take a position coach job .
I should have included him .
As for free agency , I like it less and less every year for team-building .
More often than not , it ’ s overpaying for players their current team has let walk .
That said , some of the names @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of either new contracts or the franchise tag include Vikings safety Anthony Harris , Broncos safety Justin Simmons , Bucs ’ edge rusher Shaquil Barrett , Jets safety Marcus Maye and Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams .
Oh , and Jadeveon Clowney .
Again .
( And he ’ s hurt .
Again ) .
Q : Would you trade Derek Carr if Marcus Mariota can put up points on two top defenses the next two weeks ?
Listen to Gruden ’ s draft day analysis of the guy , you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you look at Rich Gannon ’ s rushing yards in 2000 – 529 yards in 89 rushes – Carr has 633 yards in his career — @ FlyerAaron Gruden ’ s draft day analysis was five years ago .
He ’ ll make his assessment based on what he sees now .
And assuming Carr doesn ’ t play this week , I ’ m really curious to see how Mariota does against a team that is prepared to face him .
As for Gannon ’ s rushing totals , most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game , not planned runs .
I ’ m not sure planned runs for the quarterback will ever be a big part of Gruden ’ s offense .
Carr has actually been much better in creating with his feet this year .
Better than I thought he ’ d be , actually .
Q : Pretend for a second you were Mike Mayock what are the first two picks in the draft by position ?
— @ RaiderJay10 First I ’ m going to go out and buy something nice for myself — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paradise perhaps — because suddenly I ’ m making a lot more money as Mike Mayock .
Seriously , assuming the players grade out about the same , I want an edge rusher and a safety .
And not just any safety , a big safety who can cover , rush the passer , be a nickel linebacker , etc .
Your yearly reminder — Mayock has a say in who gets picked .
Gruden is the decider .
Q : Going into the last 2-3 seasons there has been controversy over Derek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think going into next season there will be much speculation about Carr being the starting quarterback for the 2021 Season ?
— omunoz ( email ) There ’ s a segment of the fan base that doesn ’ t like him and will never like him until he wins a Super Bowl .
Then he ’ ll simply be tolerated .
If your last name ’ s not Stabler , Raiders fans can be brutal when it comes to quarterbacks .
Then there ’ s another faction that ’ s in his corner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the quietest offseason regarding Carr in awhile based on how he ’ s played until Mariota played so well against the Chargers .
Still think it ’ ll be Carr , though .
Biggest problem this year is the 15 turnovers ( seven interceptions , eight lost fumbles ) .
Some were unavoidable , but some weren ’ t .
Q : With the Raiders first pick what position are you going ?
I personally feel best defensive line prospect would be the best option , interior or edge , doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prefer edge since it ’ s been a problem for so long , and as well as a versatile safety .
Q : Thoughts on how and if Takk McKinley and Vic Beasley will make an impact on the defensive line in the next two games — @ redjayallday Both were castoffs by their original teams ( Beasley twice ) .
Beasley ’ s been pretty quiet so far .
McKinley may be available Saturday .
It ’ s worth a shot and anything you get in a positive way is a bonus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the bigger money contracts on defense haven ’ t equaled production .
Does this hamper the quest for a defensive coordinator , because they have to work with the pieces already there , or are the Raiders willing to eat contacts to get the right players for a new scheme ?
— @ PolotheCholo Eating contracts is complicated .
Players such as Cory Littleton and Carl Nassib are tough to cut because of cap acceleration which will make it more difficult to bring in new players .
In Littleton ’ s case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stays .
Part of any sell job from a new DC to Gruden will be his plans on getting Littleton and others in gear .
Q : With a huge price tag and injury history , do you think the Raiders bring Trent Brown back ?
— Ronald Ferrell ( email ) Brown is due $ 14 million next year — down from what he ’ s been paid previously — and he can be released with no acceleration .
It ’ s free and clear money against the cap .
If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ availability ” standard , he ’ s been a big disappointment through no fault of his own .
Q : With the economic landscape changing next year and as a result there being some decent players available in free agency .
Do you think it is likely that the Raiders could possibly land J.J. Watt or Von Miller ?
— @ bob80160831 The landscape includes the Raiders being over the cap , although there are some obvious sore thumb contracts which could be disposed of to create room .
Both men are due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and each is in the final year of his contract .
Both are 31 and with a recent history of injury .
I don ’ t think the Raiders would be interested in tying themselves to either player longterm but they ’ d be tempted if released and the price was right for a year .
Q : Why does it feel like it ’ s the same ( stuff ) every year ?
Penalties , beating ourselves , dumb mistakes , strange injuries .
Sometimes feels like there is something bigger going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think teams such as Buffalo ( until the last two years ) , Cleveland ( until this year ) , Jacksonville , Cincinnati and the Jets feel the same way .
Losing stinks .
Protracted losing stinks even worse .
Raiders have proven they can beat the best this year .
So strange that what they still need to prove is they can beat the worst .
Q : My question is for your opinion about the running game/o-line issues thanks — @ gcraiders Q : What happened to the running game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gruden and the Raiders have almost the entire starting offensive line playing , with the exception of Incognito , and can ’ t seem to get it going like they want to .
— Gregafor ( email ) I think Josh Jacobs may need a little more help in terms of a secondary back .
Devontae Booker provided that for awhile , but not of late .
There ’ s more than one factor involved .
First , the line isn ’ t playing as well as it was .
Second , teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downs .
Third , because of all the turnovers , the Raiders have less possessions and less opportunity to run .
Fewer “ at-bats , ” as Gruden puts it .
If you ’ ve built your personality on being hard-noised and getting tough yards , the entire personality of the team changes if you can ’ t deliver .
Q : Why don ’ t they use Henry Ruggs III on jet sweeps to the open side of the field ?
I have only seen it done once or twice all season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that with a combined bubble screen at least four to five times would open up the middle for Jacobs more — @ bszeto77 In the games where Ruggs was healthy , they should have gotten the ball in his hands more by scheme if he ’ s not getting open deep .
That ’ s on the head coach .
Q : Does anyone think that Cory Littleton has looked lost all season ?
He looks like a tweener .
Somewhere between a linebacker and safety .
Not sure where there is place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Me ( email ) Let ’ s just say some in the building think they way overpaid for a nickel linebacker .
Keep in mind the first year of free agency is the worst year .
New team , new system , new teammates , new home .
Former G.M .
Bill Polian has called it a “ throwaway ” year and it was one of the reasons he didn ’ t like free agency .
Littleton should be better in 2021 .
Enough to justify what the Raiders paid ?
Maybe not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s fault .
A player is worth whatever a team is willing to pay .
• Who will be the Raiders defensive coordinator in 2021 ?
An early look at possible candidates • Raiders hope to get healthy in time for miracle finish — Derek Carr ’ s status uncertain • Raiders can still make playoffs but require an extreme amount of AFC mess Q : Question for Gruden : With Marcus Mariota becoming more healthy and recognizing his unique skill set compared to Derek Carr…would you consider bringing him in on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more wrinkles to the offense ?
— Vic Paternosh ( email ) Q : Don ’ t know if Mariota is the answer at QB .
In my opinion Carr is too soft and panics when pressured .
— David McKinney ( email ) Gruden was asked that question Friday about utilizing Mariota in conjunction with Carr and declined to answer .
And why would he ?
No need to telegraph your intentions .
With the way Mariota ran the ball , it would make sense to have some creative plays to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or on the field at the same time .
As for Carr being “ soft ” I personally don ’ t think it ’ s a label that applies to any player in the NFL .
I ’ ve been on a sideline during a game .
You can ’ t imagine what it ’ s like .
Carr missed two games in seven years .
One because of a broken back , one because of a broken leg .
As for being panicked under pressure , I ’ d suggest most any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when 275-pound men are inches away with bad intentions .

Having fielded questions about the Raiders’ management and coaching in Part I of the mailbag, it’s on to Part II regarding personnel and the roster.
Questions are edited for content and decorum:
Q: Are you noticing a change in the fan base? It seems to me they are no longer OK with years or mediocrity and their patience has worn thin. Feels different than it has in a long time. Wonder if you’re seeing a historic shift in sentiment? — @TravisBrown100
The fan base has gradually become more angry and it’s easy to see why. Back in the day when my dad has Raiders season tickets, the team was perennially one of the best in the NFL. For the better part of the last 20 years, it’s been one of the worst. Calling it mediocrity in many cases is being kind. Back to back mediocrity in 2019-20 is, sadly, almost an upgrade to what we’ve seen some years. And being a Raider fan means taking a ton of abuse and not having much to say in retort. It’s not like you can throw Ken Stabler, Art Shell, Ted Hendricks, Fred Biletnikoff, etc. in someone’s face anymore. Was really curious to see the fan makeup in Las Vegas in the stadium and it didn’t happen, unfortunately.
Q: When will Trayvon Mullen be benched? — Travis Brown (email)
And replaced with who? Coming off a bad game, but he’s viewed as part of the solution, not part of the problem.
Q: With all of the player and fan interaction on Twitter, should Jon Gruden step in and either limit social media or have a players discussion about fan interaction especially with the late season collapse?. — James Mangolia (email)
I guess I haven’t seen as much of the player reaction on Twitter as you have. Surprised when any player takes the bait when “fans” are obviously trolling. They get lectures on stuff like that every year from the player engagement department and shouldn’t need to hear something so obvious from the head coach.
Q: When is anybody gonna talk about how Maxx Crosby’s poor play? @DonCorleone792
Gruden addressed it the other day and it’s been a topic a few times when Paul Guenther was around. The Raiders haven’t had much of an interior pass rush to free up the outside and Crosby is getting more attention than any other Raiders defensive lineman after a 10-sack year. You can look at those as excuses but they also happen to be true. Crosby was a fourth-round draft pick a year ago. I’m sure he expected more and there’s no reason to think he’s not someone to build around.
Q: If Marcus Mariota plays well next two games, do you think it’s possible Jon Gruden trades Derek Carr for some high draft picks to improve the defense? — Todd Newell (email)
Makes some sense in theory, but a funny thing happens when teams get wind someone who makes big money might be traded. They wait it out in terms of compensation, anticipating a possible release and not having to give up anything at all. It would be interesting to find out what other teams really think of Carr and what they would offer to get them. I think he’ll still be the Raiders’ quarterback next year.
Q: What can seriously be done to address all of the “missed and no calls” by the zebras against LA? Too many and too obvious to ignore, and definitely impacted the outcome of the game. That officiating crew should be reprimanded to say the least. Raider Nation is fed up! — @KaleiKahalewai
Raider Nation has been fed up with the officiating for a long time, and sometimes justifiably so. I think most of the Raiders’ problems this season, including last Thursday’s loss to the Chargers, were of their own doing.
Who do you think will be up for the Raiders DC job? My high hope is Marvin Lewis. But I would strongly consider Kris Richard, a solid coordinator, or Dan Quinn? All good options. — @ErikNFL
Q: Who will the DC be next season and who are top targets for defensive free agency? — @mrcdrum
Wrote this story on prospective candidates and didn’t include Kris Richard, who sat out this year rather than take a position coach job. I should have included him. As for free agency, I like it less and less every year for team-building. More often than not, it’s overpaying for players their current team has let walk. That said, some of the names that may or may not be available because of either new contracts or the franchise tag include Vikings safety Anthony Harris, Broncos safety Justin Simmons, Bucs’ edge rusher Shaquil Barrett, Jets safety Marcus Maye and Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams. Oh, and Jadeveon Clowney. Again. (And he’s hurt. Again.)
Q: Would you trade Derek Carr if Marcus Mariota can put up points on two top defenses the next two weeks? Listen to Gruden’s draft day analysis of the guy, you can design a spread offense around him, if you look at Rich Gannon’s rushing yards in 2000 – 529 yards in 89 rushes – Carr has 633 yards in his career — @FlyerAaron
Gruden’s draft day analysis was five years ago. He’ll make his assessment based on what he sees now. And assuming Carr doesn’t play this week, I’m really curious to see how Mariota does against a team that is prepared to face him. As for Gannon’s rushing totals, most of those were creative plays in the passing game, not planned runs. I’m not sure planned runs for the quarterback will ever be a big part of Gruden’s offense. Carr has actually been much better in creating with his feet this year. Better than I thought he’d be, actually.
Q: Pretend for a second you were Mike Mayock what are the first two picks in the draft by position? — @RaiderJay10
First I’m going to go out and buy something nice for myself — a new car, a backyard barbecue paradise perhaps — because suddenly I’m making a lot more money as Mike Mayock. Seriously, assuming the players grade out about the same, I want an edge rusher and a safety. And not just any safety, a big safety who can cover, rush the passer, be a nickel linebacker, etc. Your yearly reminder — Mayock has a say in who gets picked. Gruden is the decider.
Q: Going into the last 2-3 seasons there has been controversy over Derek Carr being the QB. Do you think going into next season there will be much speculation about Carr being the starting quarterback for the 2021 Season? — omunoz (email)
There’s a segment of the fan base that doesn’t like him and will never like him until he wins a Super Bowl. Then he’ll simply be tolerated. If your last name’s not Stabler, Raiders fans can be brutal when it comes to quarterbacks. Then there’s another faction that’s in his corner. I would have said this would be the quietest offseason regarding Carr in a while based on how he’s played until Mariota played so well against the Chargers. Still think it’ll be Carr, though. Biggest problem this year is the 15 turnovers (seven interceptions, eight lost fumbles). Some were unavoidable, but some weren’t.
Q: With the Raiders first pick what position are you going? I personally feel best defensive line prospect would be the best option, interior or edge, doesn’t matter. — @autumnwind1216
Would prefer edge since it’s been a problem for so long, and as well as a versatile safety.
Q: Thoughts on how and if Takk McKinley and Vic Beasley will make an impact on the defensive line in the next two games — @redjayallday
Both were castoffs by their original teams (Beasley twice). Beasley’s been pretty quiet so far. McKinley may be available Saturday. It’s worth a shot and anything you get in a positive way is a bonus.
Q: It seems a few of the bigger money contracts on defense haven’t equaled production. Does this hamper the quest for a defensive coordinator, because they have to work with the pieces already there, or are the Raiders willing to eat contacts to get the right players for a new scheme? — @PolotheCholo
Eating contracts is complicated. Players such as Cory Littleton and Carl Nassib are tough to cut because of cap acceleration which will make it more difficult to bring in new players. In Littleton’s case, it’s impossible. He stays. Part of any sell job from a new DC to Gruden will be his plans on getting Littleton and others in gear.
Q: With a huge price tag and injury history, do you think the Raiders bring Trent Brown back? — Ronald Ferrell (email)
Brown is due $14 million next year — down from what he’s been paid previously — and he can be released with no acceleration. It’s free and clear money against the cap. If you go with the “best ability is availability” standard, he’s been a big disappointment through no fault of his own.
Q: With the economic landscape changing next year and as a result there being some decent players available in free agency. Do you think it is likely that the Raiders could possibly land J.J. Watt or Von Miller? — @bob80160831
The landscape includes the Raiders being over the cap, although there are some obvious sore thumb contracts which could be disposed of to create room. Both men are due $17.5 million in salary in 2021 and each is in the final year of his contract. Both are 31 and with a recent history of injury. I don’t think the Raiders would be interested in tying themselves to either player long-term but they’d be tempted if released and the price was right for a year.
Q: Why does it feel like it’s the same (stuff) every year? Penalties, beating ourselves, dumb mistakes, strange injuries. Sometimes feels like there is something bigger going on ya know? — @McDiddle
I think teams such as Buffalo (until the last two years), Cleveland (until this year), Jacksonville, Cincinnati and the Jets feel the same way. Losing stinks. Protracted losing stinks even worse. The Raiders have proven they can beat the best this year. So strange that what they still need to prove is they can beat the worst.
Q: My question is for your opinion about the running game/o-line issues thanks — @gcraiders
Q: What happened to the running game? It’s a priority for Gruden and the Raiders have almost the entire starting offensive line playing, with the exception of Incognito, and can’t seem to get it going like they want to. — Gregafor (email)
I think Josh Jacobs may need a little more help in terms of a secondary back. Devontae Booker provided that for a while, but not of late. There’s more than one factor involved. First, the line isn’t playing as well as it was. Second, teams are defending the Raiders better on early downs. Third, because of all the turnovers, the Raiders have fewer possessions and less opportunity to run. Fewer “at-bats,” as Gruden puts it. If you’ve built your personality on being hard-nosed and getting tough yards, the entire personality of the team changes if you can’t deliver.
Q: Why don’t they use Henry Ruggs III on jet sweeps to the open side of the field? I have only seen it done once or twice all season. It seems that if they did that with a combined bubble screen at least four to five times would open up the middle for Jacobs more — @bszeto77
In the games where Ruggs was healthy, they should have gotten the ball in his hands more by scheme if he’s not getting open deep. That’s on the head coach.
Q: Does anyone think that Cory Littleton has looked lost all season? He looks like a tweener. Somewhere between a linebacker and safety. Not sure where there is place for him. BUST? — Just Me (email)
Let’s just say some in the building think they overpaid for a nickel linebacker, by a lot. Keep in mind the first year of free agency is the worst year. New team, new system, new teammates, new home. Former GM Bill Polian has called it a “throwaway” year and it was one of the reasons he didn’t like free agency. Littleton should be better in 2021. Enough to justify what the Raiders paid? Maybe not, but that’s not Littleton’s fault. A player is worth whatever a team is willing to pay.
Q: Question for Gruden: With Marcus Mariota becoming more healthy and recognizing his unique skill set compared to Derek Carr…would you consider bringing him in on certain areas of the game to add more wrinkles to the offense? — Vic Paternosh (email)
Q: Don’t know if Mariota is the answer at QB. In my opinion Carr is too soft and panics when pressured. — David McKinney (email)
Gruden was asked that question Friday about utilizing Mariota in conjunction with Carr and declined to answer. And why would he? No need to telegraph your intentions. With the way Mariota ran the ball, it would make sense to have some creative plays to use his mobility — either subbing for Carr or on the field at the same time. As for Carr being “soft” I personally don’t think it’s a label that applies to any player in the NFL. I’ve been on a sideline during a game. You can’t imagine what it’s like. Carr missed two games in seven years. One because of a broken back, one because of a broken leg. As for being panicked under pressure, I’d suggest most any quarterback in the NFL is less effective when 275-pound men are inches away with bad intentions.


mercurynews--2020-12-22--CHP investigating I-80 vehicle pursuit; three seriously injured in crash

California Highway Patrol-Solano investigators are seeking answers to what prompted the driver of a stolen car on eastbound Interstate 80 to lead officers on a high-speed pursuit early Monday from Fairfield to Vacaville , where the car crashed into a concrete median barrier , seriously injuring three of four of the vehicle ’ s occupants .
In a CHP-Solano social media post on Monday , the author indicated that , at 2:35 a.m. , area patrol units were notified of a stolen gray 2004 Honda Accord traveling eastbound on I-80 .
Sgt .
Langford located the Honda west of Airbase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers attempted to stop the vehicle , but , a pursuit ensued with speeds reaching 130 mph , according to the post .
The Honda exited I-80 at the Leisure Town Road off-ramp in Vacaville at a high rate of speed and collided with a concrete median barrier .
Officers stopped and immediately began rendering medical aid to the driver and three other occupants .
• Trump meets with GOP allies to again push election claims • GOP lawmakers who downplayed virus slammed for getting shot The driver , the left rear passenger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unspecified “ major injuries , ” while the right front passenger received minor injuries .
While being treated for injuries , a loaded handgun was allegedly located on the driver of the Honda .
The handgun was taken and booked as evidence .
The investigation continues , and the post indicated felony charges will be filed with the Solano County District Attorney ’ s Office in Fairfield .

California Highway Patrol-Solano investigators are seeking answers to what prompted the driver of a stolen car on eastbound Interstate 80 to lead officers on a high-speed pursuit early Monday from Fairfield to Vacaville, where the car crashed into a concrete median barrier, seriously injuring three of four of the vehicle’s occupants.
In a CHP-Solano social media post on Monday, the author indicated that, at 2:35 a.m., area patrol units were notified of a stolen gray 2004 Honda Accord traveling eastbound on I-80.
Sgt. Langford located the Honda west of Airbase Parkway, in Fairfield, where CHP officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but, a pursuit ensued with speeds reaching 130 mph, according to the post.
The Honda exited I-80 at the Leisure Town Road off-ramp in Vacaville at a high rate of speed and collided with a concrete median barrier.
Officers stopped and immediately began rendering medical aid to the driver and three other occupants.
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While being treated for injuries, a loaded handgun was allegedly located on the driver of the Honda. The handgun was taken and booked as evidence.
The investigation continues, and the post indicated felony charges will be filed with the Solano County District Attorney’s Office in Fairfield.