newyorkpost--2020-12-13--Two shot outside corner bodega in Brooklyn

Two men were shot outside a corner bodega in Brooklyn on Saturday night , leaving the sidewalk littered with shell casings .
The bullets flew at 11:20 p.m. at Stanley Avenue and Crescent Street in East New York .
The two men who were shot — one aged 39 and the other aged 35 — were able to hobble off to the nearby Pink Houses project , even though the older victim had a graze wound to his right leg and the younger one took a bullet to his right hip , police said .
Both were taken to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early Sunday .
At least seven shell casings were left scattered outside the Deli & Grill bodega .
“ A customer came up to the window to buy rolling papers , ” said a clerk , 66 , who declined to give his name .
“ He pays .
He was walking away .
Then I hear shots .
He starts running .
I was in the back at the time .
I didn ’ t come out , ” he added .
“ Of course , I was scared .
Those were @ @ @ @ @ @

Two men were shot outside a corner bodega in Brooklyn on Saturday night, leaving the sidewalk littered with shell casings — and workers and residents terrified.
The bullets flew at 11:20 p.m. at Stanley Avenue and Crescent Street in East New York, shortly after the 99 Gourmet Deli & Grill shut its doors and continued serving customers on the sidewalk with a spin-around plexiglass window, which is not bulletproof.
The two men who were shot — one age 39 and the other age 35 — were able to hobble off to the nearby Louis H. Pink Houses project, even though the older victim had a graze wound to his right leg and the younger one took a bullet to his right hip, police said.
Both were taken to the hospital. Police had no suspect information early Sunday.
At least seven shell casings were left scattered outside the bodega.
“A customer came up to the window to buy rolling papers,” said a clerk, 66, who declined to give his name.
“He pays. He was walking away. Then I hear shots. He starts running. I was in the back at the time. I didn’t come out,” he added.
“Of course, I was scared. Those were bullets, not blanks.”
A 62-year-old local resident who only gave her first name, Lurlene, also heard the shooting and then saw reflections from police sirens light up her room in the Pink Houses.
“I was trying to go to sleep,” the former security guard told The Post.
“First of all, I heard an argument. It sounded like two men arguing. I hear it all the time, so I didn’t pay it any attention. Then I heard at least five or six shots. It was like, ‘Pow! Pow! Pow!’ Then it stopped and started again — ‘Pow! Pow! Pow!’ They were fast.”
A short time later, the area was flooded with ambulances, fire trucks and police vehicles.
“It looked like [cops] were looking for something,” Lurlene said. “They had their flashlights out and were looking around my building. I saw them bringing someone out the back of my building on a stretcher.”
A second store worker, 33, said, “This is the third shooting this year close to the store.
“Sometimes you have to wonder if you are even going to be safe at work.
“Sometimes I am afraid,” the worker said. “I got kids in the neighborhood that look up to me. They have no one to go to. I mentor them — talk to them, make sure they go to school. There is nothing like a life. You gotta protect them.
“That’s why I stay,” the worker added.
But Lurlene said she is having second thoughts about remaining in the neighborhood.
“It makes me afraid. I used to work nights,” she said. “I was scared to walk at the corner. Once night falls, I try not to get out.
“I’ve lived here for four years. I don’t like New York. I am going back to Mississippi,” she said.


newyorkpost--2020-12-13--Man arrested after climbing on wing of airplane at Las Vegas airport

A man was arrested after climbing onto the wing of a plane that was ready to take off from Las @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday , authorities said .
The Alaska Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Portland @ @ @ @ @ leave the runway when the pilot noticed a man approaching the Boeing 737 and alerted @ @ @ @ @ 2 p.m. , the airline told CNN .
Las Vegas police and airport officials immediately @ @ @ @ @ , who had climbed onto the left wing .
Video taken by a passenger shows @ @ @ @ @ wing , at one point taking off his shoes and socks .
Authorities believe the @ @ @ @ @ t been identified , suffers from mental illness , the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported .

A man was arrested after climbing onto the wing of a plane that was ready to take off from Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport on Saturday, authorities said.
The Alaska Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Portland, Oregon was preparing to leave the runway when the pilot noticed a man approaching the Boeing 737 and alerted the control tower at around 2 p.m., the airline told CNN.
Las Vegas police and airport officials immediately responded to arrest the man, who had climbed onto the left wing.
Video taken by a passenger shows the man walking on the wing, at one point taking off his shoes and socks.
Authorities believe the man, who hasn’t been identified, suffers from mental illness, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.


newyorkpost--2020-12-13--Tennessee inmates escape, kidnap Kentucky county employee

Authorities are searching for two armed and dangerous Tennessee inmates who escaped from prison and have kidnapped and bound two @ @ @ @ @ Robert Brown , 36 , and Christopher Osteen , 34 , fled the Northwest Correctional @ @ @ @ @ morning , according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation .
Later that day , the @ @ @ @ @ Kentucky Highway Department employee from a boat ramp on the Mississippi River , the Henry @ @ @ @ @ in Tennessee said in a statement .
Deputies found the employee blindfolded in his department @ @ @ @ @ Henry County .
in Tennessee .
On Saturday , authorities found a Henry County resident @ @ @ @ @ in his home by the inmates .
The man ’ s red 2009 Chevrolet Silverado @ @ @ @ @ t been found , the sheriff ’ s office said .
Brown was in prison @ @ @ @ @ for burglary , authorities said .
They are both wanted for aggravated burglary , aggravated @ @ @ @

Authorities are searching for two armed and dangerous Tennessee inmates who escaped from prison and have kidnapped and bound two victims while at large.
Robert Brown, 36, and Christopher Osteen, 34, fled the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville on Friday morning, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Later that day, the fugitives kidnapped a Fulton County Kentucky Highway Department employee from a boat ramp on the Mississippi River, the Henry County Sherriff’s Office in Tennessee said in a statement.
Deputies found the employee blindfolded in his department truck along a road in Henry County. in Tennessee.
On Saturday, authorities found a Henry County resident who had been tied up in his home by the inmates.
The man’s red 2009 Chevrolet Silverado was stolen and hasn’t been found, the sheriff’s office said.
Brown was in prison for aggravated rape and Osteen for burglary, authorities said.
They are both wanted for aggravated burglary, aggravated kidnapping and theft.


newyorkpost--2020-12-13--Giants will see plenty of familiar faces against Cardinals

The Cardinals arrive Sunday at MetLife Stadium with three former Giants players , one of whom — outside linebacker Markus Golden — was with the Giants earlier this season .
Golden was traded Oct. 23 back to Arizona , where he started his NFL career , the Giants getting back a 2021 sixth-round draft pick .
Golden had 1.5 sacks in seven games for the Giants , but he was used infrequently on defense , often getting just one-third of the snaps .
He has one sack in five games for the Cardinals and has played 75 percent of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side linebacker Devon Kennard , a Giants fifth-round pick in 2014 , starts for the Cardinals and has 11 tackles and two sacks .
Justin Pugh , the Giants ’ first-round pick in 2013 , is the Cardinals ’ starting left guard .
“ They ’ ve been awesome , ’ ’ Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said .
“ All three are leaders on this team , high character guys , bring it every day at work , couldn ’ t be more impressed by what they brought .
Just getting Markus here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up , as you all know he ’ s high energy , loves to play ball , and so he ’ s brought a lot of juice to that defense .
And then Pugh ’ s been one of our steadiest players since I got here , does a tremendous job leading that offensive line group .
DK being with us has been great .
First-class guys all the way around.
’ ’ It is rare to rotate offensive linemen in a game , but the Giants and Cardinals have adopted that unusual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usually subs in at right tackle for veteran Cam Fleming and veteran Will Hernandez , an erstwhile starter , gets a few series at left guard in place of rookie Shane Lemieux .
“ I think the old-school school of thought is you want to have five guys operating as one unit on the offensive line , whereas the defensive line you ’ re trying to keep guys fresh , ’ ’ coach Joe Judge said .
“ We ’ re rotating a lot of our offensive linemen right now .
We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No .
1 , developing as many players as we can .
No .
2 , keeping guys as fresh as we can so that throughout the course of the game , we feel that we ’ re better prepared .
I don ’ t know if that ’ s their reason for it .
It ’ s working for them , they ’ re doing a good job , they ’ re developing a lot of players , and they ’ ve been effective .
These guys protect the quarterback as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Giants last week in Seattle broke a seven-game losing streak when trailing at halftime .
They were down 5-0 to the Seahawks after two quarters .
… The streak is up to 16 consecutive games , dating back to last season , with at least one sack for the Giants .
That is the NFL ’ s fourth-longest active streak .
… CB Jarren Williams , rookie from the University at Albany , will be elevated to the active roster from the practice squad as a replacement for Madre Harper , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The Cardinals arrive Sunday at MetLife Stadium with three former Giants players, one of whom — outside linebacker Markus Golden — was with the Giants earlier this season.
Golden was traded Oct. 23 back to Arizona, where he started his NFL career, the Giants getting back a 2021 sixth-round draft pick. Golden had 1.5 sacks in seven games for the Giants, but he was used infrequently on defense, often getting just one-third of the snaps. He has one sack in five games for the Cardinals and has played 75 percent of the snaps the past four games.
Strong side linebacker Devon Kennard, a Giants fifth-round pick in 2014, starts for the Cardinals and has 11 tackles and two sacks. Justin Pugh, the Giants’ first-round pick in 2013, is the Cardinals’ starting left guard.
“They’ve been awesome,’’ Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said. “All three are leaders on this team, high character guys, bring it every day at work, couldn’t be more impressed by what they brought. Just getting Markus here a couple weeks ago, he showed up, as you all know he’s high energy, loves to play ball, and so he’s brought a lot of juice to that defense. And then Pugh’s been one of our steadiest players since I got here, does a tremendous job leading that offensive line group. DK being with us has been great. First-class guys all the way around.’’
It is rare to rotate offensive linemen in a game, but the Giants and Cardinals have adopted that unusual course of action. Rookie Matt Peart usually subs in at right tackle for veteran Cam Fleming and veteran Will Hernandez, an erstwhile starter, gets a few series at left guard in place of rookie Shane Lemieux.
“I think the old-school school of thought is you want to have five guys operating as one unit on the offensive line, whereas the defensive line you’re trying to keep guys fresh,’’ coach Joe Judge said. “We’re rotating a lot of our offensive linemen right now. We’ve taken that approach in terms of No. 1, developing as many players as we can. No. 2, keeping guys as fresh as we can so that throughout the course of the game, we feel that we’re better prepared. I don’t know if that’s their reason for it. It’s working for them, they’re doing a good job, they’re developing a lot of players, and they’ve been effective. These guys protect the quarterback as well as anybody in the league.’’
The Giants last week in Seattle broke a seven-game losing streak when trailing at halftime. They were down 5-0 to the Seahawks after two quarters. … The streak is up to 16 consecutive games, dating back to last season, with at least one sack for the Giants. That is the NFL’s fourth-longest active streak. … CB Jarren Williams, rookie from the University at Albany, will be elevated to the active roster from the practice squad as a replacement for Madre Harper, who went on injured reserve this week.


newyorkpost--2020-12-13--Steelers in tough spot ahead of big Bills clash

Some of these names you will recognize , others maybe you ...

The Steelers’ perfect season died with Monday’s lackluster 23-17 home loss to Washington.
The question now is whether their momentum heading toward the postseason is dead, too.
We’ll know a lot more about how strong the Steelers’ pulse is on Sunday when they play at Buffalo.
The Bills (9-3) are riding high off of their win over the 49ers last week, have a one-game lead over the Dolphins in the AFC East and are 5-1 at home. The Steelers (11-1) will be playing their third game in 12 days. So, this will be a tough spot for the Steelers.
The Steelers have rushed for just 285 yards in their past five games, including a season-low 21 yards on 14 carries against Washington. Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has thrown 105 passes in the past two games — including 53 against Washington, seven of which were dropped by his receivers.
Through 12 games, he has attempted a league-high 484 passes and is on pace for 645 attempts, which would be the second-most in his career.
The Steelers hope to get their top running back James Conner back. He was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday after missing the past two games. They, too, hope for the return of Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey, who missed the past two games on the COVID list and also was activated Friday. The return of those two players would immediately help the sagging running game, which ranks 29th in the NFL.
As much as the lack of rushing production, the drops also have been a concern. The Steelers’ receivers have 13 dropped passes in the past two games, prompting Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin to rant that if his guys aren’t going to catch the “makeable, catchable’’ passes, he’ll replace them with some “who can catch it.’’
The Bills face the Steelers today. Getty Images
The primary culprits have been receiver Diontae Johnson (five drops) and tight end Eric Ebron (four).
Roethlisberger this week took some blame for the drops.
“I think I need to give them more catchable balls, put them in position to catch balls where they’re not going to get hit,” he said.
The Steelers’ biggest challenge on the other side of the ball, which happens to be their strength, will be Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen — who ranks fourth in the league in completion percentage (69.9), fifth in passing yards (3,403), is tied for sixth in touchdown passes (26), seventh in passer rating (105.9) and tied for 15th in interceptions (eight).
“Josh Allen is a big-time challenge because of his throwing ability, his ability to extend plays and to scramble,’’ Tomlin told reporters.
Allen will be a facing a Steelers defense that’s ranked first in the NFL in fewest points allowed, yielding an average of 17.6 per game, and second in pass defense, allowing 199.8 passing yards per game. The Steelers, too, are first in the NFL with 44 sacks and with 16 interceptions.
“They’ve got a very stout front,” Allen said. “They’re able to get to the quarterback. They like to pressure early downs. As long as we can have some first-down success against that, maybe try to get them out of their game early, that’s going to be big for us.”
Allen’s top target, Stefon Diggs, who had 10 catches for 92 yards on Monday night, now has 90 receptions for 1,037 receiving yards through 12 games, his third consecutive season with at least 1,000 receiving yards.
The perfect complement to Diggs is Bills slot receiver Cole Beasley, who had seven catches for 122 yards last week. Beasley leads the NFL with 778 receiving yards from the slot this season. He also became the NFL’s all-time leader in TD receptions by a player 5-foot-8 or shorter, with 33.
This game could deliver a signature win for the Bills, who are looking to solidify their hold on the AFC East, or a big bounce-back victory for the Steelers, who are trying to regain their mojo.
“I’m excited about facing the adversity of losing with this group, man, smiling in the face of it, preparing, getting ready for our next challenge,” Tomlin told reporters after the loss to Washington. “Different points along the journey you get a chance to learn about yourself, who you are, what you’re made of individually and collectively. It takes the journey to reveal that.’’


newyorkpost--2020-12-13--Nets’ grand Kevin Durant-Kyrie Irving reveal will be weird

Nets coach Steve Nash has not talked to Kyrie Irving ...

Steve Nash is anxious to get to his first game as a coach. The Nets are anxious to see Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving back from injury and out on the court.
And they’re all excited to see how it all looks in Sunday’s preseason opener against the Wizards, in empty Barclays Center.
“We had 11 and 7 [Irving and Durant] sitting out for a lot of these games last year, and finally to have them back we’re ready to do big things with them, and we’re all excited,” Jarrett Allen said via Zoom.
“Two All-Stars, two most likely going to be Hall of Famers and watching them growing up, playing against them, playing with them and finally going to be on an actual NBA court it’s going to be an experience. I never thought I’d be in this position, but I’m ready to take advantage of it and soak it all in.”
There will be an actual Hall of Famer on the bench, with Nash making his coaching debut.
“I’m excited,” Nash said. “It’s a great experience for me to get my feet wet and understand the rhythm of coaching. It’s going to be a process for me, obviously, to be totally comfortable over there. So, it’s great to get one out of the way.”
It’s going to feel weird to many to be playing in cavernous arenas with no fans.
Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant Anthony J. Causi
“That’s going to take an adjustment,” Allen admitted. “We’ve seen what the bubble looked like: We had four walls around us on every side, we felt enclosed, like we’re in a smaller practice gym. But going into one of those big arenas where you’re used to looking up and seeing people yelling and families having a good time, it’s going to be an adjustment.”
Albeit an easier adjustment for those who’ve spent time toiling in the G-League.
“If you’ve ever played in the G-League, you’ll be fine. There’s not many fans in those types of situations either,” said Taurean Prince, who spent five games at that level in the 2016-17 season. “That won’t really be a situation where we’re surprised. Think it’s going to be more like an open gym feel. Just being able to be locked-in and still focus on what needs to be done.”
During the preseason, the Nets need to shore up their defense, something Nash considers priority No. 1. They’ll also go with an extended rotation, limiting minutes and experimenting with myriad combinations.
“I don’t think we’ll keep it tight. We’ll try to get a lot of guys looks,” said Nash. “Maybe on the high end we’ll have some guys play 20-25 minutes, but we’ll try to spread it around, get everyone some looks, get people a chance to get comfortable, get acclimated to real basketball again.”
Because the Nets will play just two preseason tilts (four are allowed), Nash admitted they’ll still be in preseason mode “four or five games” into the regular season. That’s likely to include rotations, in which the Nets’ versatility is going to lead to different looks, including Durant handling the ball on pick-and-rolls.
“We’ve tried out so many different lineups, different people,” Prince said. “It can open up for us Kevin playing at the 1, 1-through-5, me 2, 3, 4, Joe [Harris] 2, 3, Kyrie 1-through-3, Caris [LeVert] 2-through-3, Jeff [Green] 3, 4.There’s a lot of versatility in this team. It gives us a lot of options.”
Nash agreed, saying Durant could pop up anywhere on the court in the Nets’ system.
“Kevin will offensively play all five positions,” Nash said. “I don’t know that we’ll see a ton of time with him at the 1, but he’s definitely a ballhandler, playmaker and can thrive in pick-and-roll situations. So he’ll play the 1 at times.
“We’re trending toward positionless basketball.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-13--Nerlens Noel helps Mitchell Robinson despite Knicks battle

It ’ s one preseason game against a projected bottom-feeder , an extremely ...

Nerlens Noel is in a competition with Mitchell Robinson for the Knicks’ starting center spot. He’s also serving as a role model for his 22-year-old teammate.
The 26-year-old Noel insists that while helping Robinson and competing with him are very different, they won’t interfere with one another.
“It is awkward? No, it’s not awkward at all,” Noel said after practice on Saturday. “Me and him are both competitive players that want to be in a competitive game. But, regardless, I’m going to teach him and help him nurture himself into [becoming] a complete player.”
Noel got the start Friday night against the Pistons in the Knicks’ preseason opener, though the two saw similar minutes. Noel had 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots in 25 minutes while Robinson had two points, seven rebounds, four steals and two blocks in 22 minutes. On Friday, coach Tom Thibodeau said he wasn’t sure who would start, but plans to use both.
Nerlens Noel Getty Images
“[Robinson’s] only 22, so he’s got a lot of time on his side,” Noel said. “Myself being 26, I’ve just seen a little more than he has. Experience is everything, and if you can have it told to you, as opposed to going through it yourself, that’s only [helping him].
“I’m going to give all my knowledge to him and try to help him further himself while trying to help this team win games.”
Thibodeau said he plans to use different combinations in Sunday’s rematch at Detroit but said he was unsure exactly what those would be. He was noncommittal about using the same starting five, which included one surprise with newcomer Alec Burks at shooting guard and RJ Barrett moving to small forward. Thibodeau said he would like to see more of Julius Randle and rookie Obi Toppin playing together.
“It’s really the first two teams, mixing and matching with the guys,” he said. “Who we start with might be more different than who we finish with.”
The Knicks announced the signing of forward Andrew White III on Saturday in a procedural move that will net him $50,000. He averaged 11.9 points and 4.1 rebounds in 41 games with the G-League Westchester Knicks last year. White will be playing for Westchester again.


newyorkpost--2020-12-13--Proud Boys surround man with knife at violent DC Trump rally

The Raiders sent the Jets sprawling to the mat last ...

Violence erupted in Washington, D.C., on Saturday night as Proud Boys and Antifa clashed after a day of pro-Trump demonstrations, leaving a female cop injured and at least four people stabbed — including in this dramatic, caught-on-video knife-fight.
The video shows a lone African American counter-protester, dressed all in black, as he is surrounded outside Harry’s Bar at 11th and F streets NW by a group of shouting white men.
Many in the crowd are wearing “America Strong” hats and the gold, laurel wreath insignia associated with the far-right, white nationalist Proud Boys.
At first, the surrounding group just taunts the black-clad counter-protester, telling him to leave.
He indeed begins to walk off, glaring at the taunting group over his shoulder.
“Get out! Get the f— outta here!” they shout at him. “Go that way!”
But when he’s shoved from behind, the lone counter-protester pulls what appears to be a gravity knife from his right coat pocket.
He flicks it open and holds it down at his side as he continues trying to walk off — and the group surrounding him bursts into screams and shouts, some among them moving still closer to him.
“He’s got a knife!” they shout. Others in the crowd shout, “Get back! Get back!”
Women can be heard shrieking. One woman is seen in the video grabbing and pulling at the counter-protester’s balaclava-style ski hat, which covers most of his head and face.
The counter-protester appears to be swinging his knife and running away as some in the crowd then give chase and tackle him.
“Get his ass!” someone in the crowd yells.
“Stop guys stop — please stop” police can then be heard shouting as they break up the scrum, into which the knife-wielding counter-protester has disappeared.
The clip ends with the crowd clearing the way for multiple D.C. police officers who have rushed quickly to the scene, breaking up the scrum and taking control of the now cowering counter-protester, who has curled up into a ball on the sidewalk.
A separate video of the same incident, tweeted by @mauricioxgomez, shows others in the crowd surrounding and trying to help a male victim with a bleeding stab wound to his stomach.
“He got stabbed!” someone shouts. “Medic! Medic! Medic!”
“There was a lot of alcohol — it was a charged atmosphere,” videographer James Keivom told The Post of the scene outside Harry’s.
At least four stabbing victims were hospitalized, and some suffered life-threatening injuries, D.C. fire spokesman Doug Buchanan told the Washington Post.
One police officer was also injured, the paper said.
ABC 7 tweeted footage of the injured cop as she limped away from the scene, supported on both sides by her fellow officers.
“The officer appeared to have tears in her eyes,” the tweet noted.
The Metropolitan Police Department told WRC-TV that 23 people were arrested.


newyorkpost--2020-12-13--Jets trying to move on from epic heartbreak

How much more can this Jets team endure before it ...

The Raiders sent the Jets sprawling to the mat last week with a heartbreaking, last-second, 31-28 loss. Now, the Jets must get up off the mat and face the Seahawks (8-4) in Seattle.
It feels like Mission: Impossible for the Jets (0-12).
They had the game against the Raiders won until Derek Carr found Henry Ruggs III for a 46-yard touchdown with 5 seconds left. The loss sent the team into a tailspin and resulted in the firing of defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who had called an all-out blitz on that final play.
The Jets returned to work on Wednesday, trying to shake off their latest loss.
“I thought the guys did a hell of a job,” coach Adam Gase said. “I mean they came out there, good energy, practiced hard, made mistakes, but [were] aware and we corrected some stuff. I thought the energy that the players brought was phenomenal. I was thinking the same thing of, ‘Man, this has got to be hard, and it can’t be easy,’ but these guys are doing a good job turning the page, figuring out a way to when they step on the field going, ‘New week, new opponent, let’s go figure out how to win a game.’ ”
Figuring out how to win a game is something the Jets have not been able to do this season. Their 12-game losing streak is tied for the longest in franchise history. Their 0-12 start is the worst in franchise history. A loss Sunday would make them just the ninth team since the NFL-AFL merger to start a season 0-13.
Players and coaches keep saying the right things, and they have played closer games in the last month than they had played earlier in the season. But you have to wonder how much more this team can take.
“The way we practice definitely doesn’t reflect our record by any means,” center Connor McGovern said. “I’ve been on teams with better records that don’t practice this hard with this much enthusiasm and energy. I think that’s why we’ve gotten better every game this year. We’re improving.”
Seattle is coming off an upset loss to the Giants and figures to be focused and not overlooking the dismal Jets.
It should be apparent early whether the Jets were able to shake off the loss to the Raiders or are still feeling the effects of it.


newyorkpost--2020-12-13--One dead, three injured in Long Island bodega shooting

A bodega owner is dead and three others have been injured — one critically — after a shooting Saturday night in Suffolk County , according to reports .
The gunfire broke out at 6:10 p.m. at the La Vaquita Corp. deli on Great Neck Road in Copiague , Newsday reported .
The three victims were taken to local hospitals ; the shooter was being sought .
The bodega owner ’ s son told CBS2 that he was in the basement when he heard gunfire ; he soon learned that one of the bullets had claimed his father ’ s life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on arrival , ” Lt. Kevin Beyer told the station .
“ Three other persons were shot .
They were taken to area hospitals .
One is in serious condition .
Two are in critical condition.
” The bodega owner , whose name was not immediately confirmed , was well-liked , neighbor Raymond Pena told the station .
“ The whole town will be crying , ” Pena said .
“ They ’ re going to be very upset because he ’ s so good for everybody .
When he knows you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ‘ Come on , come on , what can I give you ?
What can I do for you ?
’ Give it for free , give the food for free to anybody because he ’ s so good , ” Pena said .
“ He ’ s like a little kid , the owner .
The best guy in the town.
” Suffolk County police were requesting that anyone with information call Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS ; callers will remain anonymous .

A Long Island bodega shooting left one man dead and three others seriously injured Saturday night, cops say.
The gunfire broke out at 6:10 p.m. at the La Vaquita Corp. deli on Great Neck Road in Copiague in Suffolk County, police said.
The owner of the deli, Bolivar Rodriguez, 61, of Amityville, as well as Juan Ramone Avilla Roque, 30, of North Amityville and Daniel E. Acosta, 40, of Copiague were taken to the hospital in serious condition.
Police have not released the identity of the slain man, and the shooter remains at large. Detectives are asking anyone with information on the shooting to call the Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential.


newyorkpost--2020-12-13--LSU stuns Florida after crazy shoe-toss fiasco

GAINESVILLE , Fla. — Kyle Trask and No .
6 Florida look nowhere near ready for top-ranked Alabama .
Max Johnson threw three touchdown passes in his first college start , Cade York kicked a 57-yard field goal with 23 seconds remaining and reigning national champion LSU stunned the Gators 37-34 on a cool and foggy Saturday night in the Swamp .
York drilled his kick through the dense fog and the uprights after an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Florida senior Marco Wilson , who threw an opponent ’ s shoe .
Wilson tossed it after a third-down stop that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instead , the Tigers got a first down and then moved into York ’ s range .
The Gators ( 8-2 ) had a final shot , and Trask got them in position to tie .
But Evan McPherson was wide left from 51 yards on the final play .
LSU ( 4-5 ) celebrated wildly all over the field .
“ We had an easier one than they did .
We just missed it , ” Florida coach Dan Mullen said .
Johnson had a lot to do with the outcome .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brad Johnson repeatedly torched Florida ’ s beleaguered defense .
He threw for 239 yards , nearly half of them ( 108 ) to Kayshon Boutte , and ran for 52 more .
“ Boy , his confidence was incredible , ” LSU coach Ed Orgeron said .
“ I think Max is going to be a championship quarterback .
… Also proud of our young football team.
” Johnson got a hug and a kiss on top of his head from his father , who walked down to the first row and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son .
Teammates were still dancing and screaming all around .
“ So proud , man , ” Orgeron said .
“ They fought .
They gave everything .
We said last night , ‘ We ’ re going to give everything we possibly can for the LSU Tigers.
’ I ’ m so proud of this team , the players and the coaching staff.
” Florida didn ’ t help itself with three turnovers in the first half that led to 10 points and a 24-17 deficit at the break .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we did tonight , no matter what ’ s going on and who you ’ re playing , ” Mullen said .
“ Minus-three turnover ratio , we don ’ t score touchdowns in the red zone , we can ’ t make key stops when we need to defensively and we lose the special teams part of the game.
” Trask accounted for four touchdowns and three turnovers , first putting his teammates in a hole and then helping them climb out of it .
But he was unable to rally the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for two touchdowns and threw for two more , including his record-setting 40th of the season .
He passed 1996 Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel for the most in a single season in school history .
For most of the game , though , Trask looked nothing like the Heisman Trophy front-runner .
The Gators looked even less like a team capable of upsetting the Crimson Tide next week in Atlanta in the Southeastern Conference title game with a College Football Playoff spot at stake .
Barely able to field a team because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and contract tracing , the Tigers forced Trask into a fumble and two interceptions in the first half — including one of the wackiest picks ever — that morphed what was supposed to be a tune-up into a meltdown .
The Gators had offensive lulls , defensive lapses and little to no edge on Senior Night .
Trask and his fellow seniors helped Florida make a successful transition from coach Jim McElwain ’ s underwhelming tenure to coach Dan Mullen ’ s championship-centered regime .
But winning a league or national title seem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s debacle against the Tigers .
The Gators were 23-point favorites at kickoff .
But LSU covering the spread was never in doubt after the opening 30 minutes and a 24-17 lead at the break .
Trask ’ s turnovers were the difference .
He fumbled trying to scramble with 10 seconds to play in the half , essentially handing LSU a field goal .
He also had an interception returned for a touchdown .
The third one didn ’ t lead to points for LSU points , but it surely cost the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the LSU 15-yard line when Trask tried to connect with Kadarius Toney near the sideline .
Toney tipped the ball with his right hand .
It ricocheted off Dwight McGlothern ’ s facemask right before he stepped out of bounds .
And then Jay Ward was aware enough to get his hands back inbounds and catch the ball while on his knees .
It contributed to Florida ’ s worst quarter , worst half and worst loss of the season .

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Kyle Trask and No. 6 Florida look nowhere near ready for top-ranked Alabama.
Max Johnson threw three touchdown passes in his first college start, Cade York kicked a 57-yard field goal with 23 seconds remaining and reigning national champion LSU stunned the Gators 37-34 on a cool and foggy Saturday night in the Swamp.
York drilled his kick through the dense fog and the uprights after an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Florida senior Marco Wilson, who threw an opponent’s shoe. Wilson tossed it after a third-down stop that would have forced LSU to punt. Instead, the Tigers got a first down and then moved into York’s range.
The Gators (8-2) had a final shot, and Trask got them in position to tie. But Evan McPherson was wide left from 51 yards on the final play. LSU (4-5) celebrated wildly all over the field.
“We had an easier one than they did. We just missed it,” Florida coach Dan Mullen said.
Johnson had a lot to do with the outcome. The son of former Super Bowl champion Brad Johnson repeatedly torched Florida’s beleaguered defense. He threw for 239 yards, nearly half of them (108) to Kayshon Boutte, and ran for 52 more.
“Boy, his confidence was incredible,” LSU coach Ed Orgeron said. “I think Max is going to be a championship quarterback. … Also proud of our young football team.”
Johnson got a hug and a kiss on top of his head from his father, who walked down to the first row and leaned over the wall to reach his son. Teammates were still dancing and screaming all around.
“So proud, man,” Orgeron said. “They fought. They gave everything. We said last night, ‘We’re going to give everything we possibly can for the LSU Tigers.’ I’m so proud of this team, the players and the coaching staff.”
Florida didn’t help itself with three turnovers in the first half that led to 10 points and a 24-17 deficit at the break.
“You can’t win doing what we did tonight, no matter what’s going on and who you’re playing,” Mullen said. “Minus-three turnover ratio, we don’t score touchdowns in the red zone, we can’t make key stops when we need to defensively and we lose the special teams part of the game.”
Trask accounted for four touchdowns and three turnovers, first putting his teammates in a hole and then helping them climb out of it. But he was unable to rally the Gators when it mattered.
Trask ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more, including his record-setting 40th of the season. He passed 1996 Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel for the most in a single season in school history.
For most of the game, though, Trask looked nothing like the Heisman Trophy front-runner. The Gators looked even less like a team capable of upsetting the Crimson Tide next week in Atlanta in the Southeastern Conference title game with a College Football Playoff spot at stake.
Barely able to field a team because of injuries, opt-outs and COVID-19 testing and contract tracing, the Tigers forced Trask into a fumble and two interceptions in the first half — including one of the wackiest picks ever — that morphed what was supposed to be a tune-up into a meltdown.
The Gators had offensive lulls, defensive lapses and little to no edge on Senior Night.
Trask and his fellow seniors helped Florida make a successful transition from coach Jim McElwain’s underwhelming tenure to coach Dan Mullen’s championship-centered regime. But winning a league or national title seem like a pipe dream after Saturday’s debacle against the Tigers.
The Gators were 23-point favorites at kickoff. But LSU covering the spread was never in doubt after the opening 30 minutes and a 24-17 lead at the break.
Trask’s turnovers were the difference. He fumbled trying to scramble with 10 seconds to play in the half, essentially handing LSU a field goal. He also had an interception returned for a touchdown.
The third one didn’t lead to points for LSU points, but it surely cost the Gators some. Florida had first-and-10 at the LSU 15-yard line when Trask tried to connect with Kadarius Toney near the sideline.
Toney tipped the ball with his right hand. It ricocheted off Dwight McGlothern’s facemask right before he stepped out of bounds. And then Jay Ward was aware enough to get his hands back inbounds and catch the ball while on his knees.
It contributed to Florida’s worst quarter, worst half and worst loss of the season.


newyorkpost--2020-12-13--Giants in serious trouble after NFC East nightmare

There were no regrets from Joe Judge about rushing Daniel ...

The wounds from the Giants’ ugly showing Sunday only gaped deeper after the Washington Football Team bumped them from first place in the NFC East with a defensively-fueled 23-15 win over San Francisco.
No. 2 overall pick Chase Young scooped up a strip-sack fumble for a 47-yard touchdown in the second quarter and Kamren Curl added a 76-yard interception return in the third in Washington’s fourth straight win to improve to 6-7, one game ahead of the Giants with three games remaining.
The victory may have been costly for Washington, however, as veteran quarterback Alex Smith injured his right leg late in the second quarter — the same leg that kept him out of the NFL for nearly two years before he returned to the lineup in October.
Dwayne Haskins, Washington’s 2019 first-round pick, played the final two quarters for Ron Rivera’s surging team, which faces Seattle at home next week.
Washington’s win on Sunday moved then into first place over the Giants. Getty Images (2)
Hurts, So Good
Rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts helped the Eagles (4-8-1) earn their first win since Nov. 1 in his first NFL start in place of benched Carson Wentz, adding his first career touchdown pass and 109 rushing yards in Philadelphia’s 24-21 win over New Orleans.
The second-round pick out of Oklahoma flipped a fourth-down touchdown to Alshon Jeffery in the second quarter.
Miles Sanders also became the first player to rush for over 100 yards against the Saints (115) since November of 2017, a stretch of 56 games.
Taysom Hill (291 passing yards, two touchdowns) lost for the first time in four starts in place of Drew Brees as the Saints (10-3) squandered their first chance to clinch the NFC South.
Stop the Steel
Pittsburgh suddenly has dropped consecutive games following an 11-0 start, as Ben Roethlisberger was intercepted twice in a 26-15 loss Sunday night in Buffalo.
Taron Johnson’s pick-six just before halftime put the Bills (10-3) ahead, and Josh Allen connected for scoring plays with Stefon Diggs (130 receiving yards) and Gabriel Davis in the third quarter.
Buffalo, seeking its first AFC East title since 1995, opened a two-game lead over Miami with three games to play. The Patriots (6-7) officially have been eliminated from finishing in first place, ending their 11-year run atop the division.
Living on the air in Cincy
The Cowboys also somehow remain barely alive in the NFC East, improving to 4-9 with a 30-7 win in quarterback Andy Dalton’s return to Cincinnati (2-10-1).
Dalton connected with Amari Cooper and Tony Pollard for aerial touchdowns as Dallas (4-9) stayed within two games of Washington in the division race with three games remaining.
“This one was special,” said Dalton, who played for the Bengals from 2011-19. “A lot of range of emotions, from being back in the city, being in the stadium, being on the other side, all that stuff. And good to have the emotion at the end of being very happy we got this win.”
The Bengals lost fumbles on three straight possessions in the first half, leading to 17 points for the Cowboys, who entered with only 11 takeaways in their first 12 games.
How the West was won
Patrick Mahomes was picked off three times for the first time since November of 2018, but the Chiefs (12-1) still clinched their fifth consecutive AFC West title with a 33-27 win over Miami (8-5) at Hard Rock Stadium.
“Obviously, we won the Super Bowl here [in February] and we just clinched the AFC West,” Mahomes said. “So it seems like every time we leave this system we have a hat for some type of thing we’ve accomplished. But the hate part, is I feel like I have half my interceptions, it seems like, at this stadium. … It’s just ironic that it happened at this stadium.”
Tyreek Hill scored on a 32-yard end around and a 44-yard TD grab, and Mecole Hardman returned a punt 67 yards for another score for the Chiefs.
Mahomes, who entered with only two interceptions in Kansas City’s first 12 games, finished with 393 passing yards, to go over 4,000 passing yards for the season (4,208) for the third straight year.
Kings of the North
With Minnesota’s 26-14 loss to Tampa Bay, the Packers (10-3) clinched their second straight NFC North title — and moved ahead of New Orleans into the coveted No. 1 spot in the conference — with a 31-24 win over Detroit (5-8).
Aaron Rodgers completed 26 of 33 passes for 290 yards, with touchdowns to Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Robert Tonyan. The 37-year-old Rodgers has a league-high 39 TDs against just four interceptions through 13 games.
Mason Crosby celebrates making a field goal in the fourth quarter. Getty Images
Bad Beat
Backers of the Dolphins (+7) earned a backdoor cover with a 44-yard field goal from Jason Sanders with 16 seconds remaining against the Chiefs. Miami trailed 30-10 through three quarters, but Tua Tagovailoa (career-high 316 passing yard) and the Dolphins outscored the defending Super Bowl champions 17-3 in the fourth.
The Hurt Locker
In addition to Smith’s injury, quarterback Brandon Allen left Cincinnati’s loss to Dallas in the fourth quarter with a leg issue and did not return. Ryan Finley finished the game for the Bengals, who already are without 2020 No. 1 overall draft pick Joe Burrow.
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford also suffered a rib injury and was replaced by Chase Daniel late in the fourth quarter.
Other injuries: 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring), Dolphins receiver DeVante Parker (leg) and tight end Mike Gesicki (shoulder), Cowboys cornerback Saivion Smith (hand), Broncos cornerback Duke Dawson (knee), Panthers tackle Russell Okung (calf), Titans linebacker Tuzar Skipper (elbow), Jaguars safety Josh James (shoulder), Chiefs tackle Mike Remmers (back), Vikings tackle Brian O’Neal (eye) and cornerback Kris Boyd (shoulder), Seahawks tackle Brandon Shell (ankle), Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson (shoulder), Texans safety Justin Reid (hand) and defensive tackle Brandon Dunn (hip).
Post Patterns
Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady tossed touchdown passes to Scotty Miller and Rob Gronkowski as Tampa Bay (8-5) bounced back from a 1-3 stretch with a 26-14 win over Minnesota. … Dan Bailey missed three field-goal attempts and an extra point as the Vikings (6-7) fell out of a playoff position in the NFC. … Titans running back Derrick Henry upped his NFL rushing lead to 1,532 with a season-best 215 and scored twice as AFC South-leading Tennessee (9-4) cruised to a 31-10 win over Jacksonville (1-12). … Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew replaced Mike Glennon in the second half, his first appearance since Oct. 25. … Colts rookie running back Jonathan Taylor ran for a career-high 150 yards and two scores, including a 62-yarder in the third quarter as Indianapolis (9-4) kept pace with Tennessee with a 44-27 win over Las Vegas (7-6). … Bears running back David Montgomery busted an 80-yard scoring run on the first play from scrimmage for Chicago (6-7) and Mitchell Trubisky tossed three TD passes in the first half of a 36-7 blowout of Houston (4-9). … Broncos receiver Diontae Spencer scored on an 83-yard punt return, and two of Drew Lock’s four TD throws went to K.J. Hamler as Denver (5-8) won, 32-27, at Carolina (4-9). … Chargers kicker Michael Badgley nailed a 43-yard field goal as time expired as the Chargers (4-9) pulled out a 20-17 win over Atlanta (4-9). Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was intercepted by Michael Davis at the Chargers’ 33-yard-line with 36 seconds left.
Three Stars
Derrick Henry, Titans RB
The NFL’s rushing leader ripped off a season-high 215 yards on the ground and scored twice in Tennessee’s 31-10 win over Jacksonville.
Haason Reddick, Cardinals LB
The New Jersey native and Temple product recorded five of Arizona’s eight sacks and forced three fumbles in a 26-7 rout of the Giants.
Jalen Hurts, Eagles QB
In his first NFL start, the rookie ran 18 times for 106 yards and threw for 167 with no interceptions in Philadelphia’s 24-21 win over New Orleans.
Fantasy Insanity
Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki was finally starting to produce at the level many had envisioned back on draft day. He has scored 23-plus in PPR formats two straight weeks — including five catches for 65 yards and two touchdowns Sunday. But he left late with a shoulder injury. No immediate word on the seriousness, but the Madman suggests being ready to explore possible replacements.
One of the worst forms of fantasy scoring assigns individual points for special teams scores — like Mecole Hardman’s punt return TD Sunday. Despite just three catches for 40 yards and a fumble, he scored 17 points in ESPN formats, which award for individual DST scores. But if you use a DST (defense/special teams), that unit should receive the points, not individual players. There should be a universal, distinct difference between DST and DEF (just straight defense), but there isn’t.
Broncos’ wide receiver KJ Hamler had a nice fantasy day, with 86 receiving yards and two TDs. However, he scored them on just two catches and just three targets. That kind of efficiency is not sustainable. Don’t rush to grab him on waivers.
— Drew Loftis
He Said What?
“At this point, we’re not really worried about feelings anymore. But if you guys want me to fire guys for making a mistake here or there, we wouldn’t have any players. Let’s not put this all on Dan Bailey.”
— Vikings coach Mike Zimmer after kicker Dan Bailey missed all four kicks he attempted — three field goals and one PAT — in a 26-14 loss to Tampa Bay.


newyorkpost--2020-12-13--The Giants crashed back to reality

The Giants crashed back to reality

Anyone wondering what this new-and-improved version of the Giants would look like coming off a rousing upset victory can stop wondering and start worrying about the new-and-improved part.
“I don’t think we had any kind of a hangover from going out to Seattle last week,’’ head coach Joe Judge said. “I don’t think that’s the cause of it right here. We simply didn’t come out and coach well enough and we didn’t play well enough. That’s the hard truth of it.’’
The truth hurts.
Nothing lasts forever, but the Giants did not even come close to extending their four-game winning streak on a balmy December Sunday at MetLife Stadium. And now they add a new problem to their stretch run: Will Daniel Jones be healthy enough to be counted on?
A wholly ineffective offense, with the return of Jones a complete dud, left the defense in terrible trouble during the first half. It was too much to overcome as the Giants went down meekly, 26-7, dominated by the visiting Cardinals.
After all the excitement the Giants generated the past month, this was a severe downer. After all those close games this season, this was a one-sided affair. After slaying the Seahawks last week with Colt McCoy subbing for Jones, the Giants crashed back to reality. Jones labored with his strained right hamstring, looking like a statue, and the Giants often looking like stiffs.
Evan Engram walks off the field after the Giants’ loss to the Cardinals. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
“I don’t think it was overconfidence,’’ linebacker Blake Martinez said. “We did not play collectively as a team and when you don’t do that, it’s hard to win.’’
It was a black Sunday for the Giants (5-8) as they lost early and the rest of their NFC East rivals won. Washington (6-7) took over first place the division with a 23-15 win over the 49ers. The Eagles also got a win behind rookie Jalen Hurts, shocking the Saints, 24-21 to improve to 4-8-1, and the Cowboys beat the Bengals, 30-7 to impove to 4-9 and stay in the hunt.
This likely makes it imperative they come up with a way to upset the Browns or Ravens in the coming weeks in order to make their regular-season finale against the Cowboys a meaningful experience, as far as postseason aspirations.
If Jones’ clearly not-yet-healed strained right hamstring does not dramatically improve, soon, the Giants will be hard-pressed to beat anyone.
“No, I have no regrets playing him — we made a calculated decision based on what we thought he could do as a player,’’ Judge said.
“No, I don’t regret it,’’ Jones said. “I felt good enough to play and felt I could do everything I needed to do and I did throughout the game.’’
Two weeks after hurting his hamstring in Cincinnati, Jones was back at it, and it was an ugly return. He did not run with the ball even once, a first in his career, robbing the Giants of a key part of their offensive arsenal. Jones (11 of 21, 127 yards) came in with 10 consecutive quarters without a turnover, but lost a fumble in the first quarter on a sack by former teammate Markus Golden. Jones finished with three fumbles (he lost one of them).
Jones was sacked six times and was pulled with 2:34 remaining, replaced by McCoy, who was sacked on his first play. The Giants allowed eight sacks and rushed for only 78 yards. They set offensive football back with only 10 first downs and 159 total yards. They were decimated in time of possession (37:52 to 22:08).
“I think I wasn’t able to run like I normally am, but I felt good during the game,’’ Jones said. “I’m not sure it hampered too much.’’
Jones looked to be limping badly late in the fourth quarter, perhaps favoring his left leg. He said he did not re-injure himself.
“I got to do a good job of healing it up, dealing with the hammy and general bumps and bruises from playing the game,’’ Jones said.
Judge admitted he thought earlier in the game about benching Jones, not based on injury concern but to add a spark to the offense.
Kenyan Drake reaches over for a touchdown. Getty Images
The Cardinals (7-6) came in on a three-game losing streak and put the hammer down on their opening series of the second half, moving 77 yards on 11 plays, fueled by a 36-yard run by Kenyan Drake. When Drake leaped in for a touchdown from one yard out, it was 20-0 and the Giants were in serious trouble.
Cardinals linebacker Haason Reddick was a one-man wrecking crew with five sacks and three forced fumbles, dominating rookie left tackle Andrew Thomas.
Down by 20, the Giants finally broke through in the third quarter. Jones hit leaping Golden Tate for 39 yards, setting up Dion Lewis’ 1-yard touchdown run to make it 20-7. That was it, though.
The defense suing the offense for lack of support was warranted. Throw in another lawsuit against the special teams. The Cardinals in the first half started their offensive possessions on the Giants’ 9-yard line, the Giants’ 36, the Cardinals’ 8, the Cardinals’ 47, the Giants’ 21 and the Cardinals’ 20. It was as if the field was tilted.
The Cardinals got 10 points on two Giants turnovers — including their first touchdown after Lewis fumbled on a kickoff return.
“It’s extremely disappointing for all of us,’’ Jones said, “to play like that.’’


newyorkpost--2020-12-13--Dramatic photo shows couple hiding from gunman outside NYC church

New coordinator , more problems for the Jets defense .
In their ...

Dramatic new photos show a couple hiding and police taking cover Sunday afternoon as a crazed gunman — who was later shot dead by cops — opened fire outside an Upper Manhattan cathedral.
The couple can be seen consoling each other next to a tree near Morningside Heights’ Cathedral of St. John the Divine as a 52-year-old man fired into the air from the top step of the famous church.
The photos, captured by a Reuters photographer, also show police cautiously approach the scene, some crouching behind garbage pails during the 3:45 p.m. chaos that unfolded just after an outdoor choir performance at the church.
One witness who attended the Christmas show, Jessica Mates, chief of staff to Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, said roughly 30 people sought shelter inside the church when the shooting began.
“We heard one gunshot, people started running to the door to go in the church,” Mates said. “We heard more [shots] … you’re picturing the worst and don’t know what’s going on.”
Mates said she was inside the church for at least 20 minutes. “I have to say once they closed the church doors behind us, we felt safer,” she said.
Once they were let out, “We had to file out with our hands up in the air, quite a production. It’s scary,” Mates said.
Related Video Shocking video captures moment NYPD cops shoot gunman outside NYC church
Police did not immediately identify the gunman, who they said had a “lengthy criminal history.”
Two handguns were recovered at the scene and the gunman was also carrying a full can of gasoline, multiple knives, a Bible, rope and wire, Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said at a press briefing.


newyorkpost--2020-12-13--Jets’ defense looks even worse without Gregg Williams

On a day the Seahawks punched the Jets in the ...

New coordinator, more problems for the Jets defense.
In their first game under interim defensive coordinator Frank Bush, after Gregg Williams was fired on Monday, the Jets were gashed by the Seahawks in a 40-3 loss Sunday at Lumen Field.
Russell Wilson and company piled up 410 total yards of offense and cut through the Jets defense with ease to turn the game into a blowout by the third quarter, with Seahawks coach Pete Carroll even giving Wilson the fourth quarter off in favor of former Jets quarterback Geno Smith.
The Jets’ run defense was especially porous. The unit entered the game 11th in the league in stopping the run, giving up an average of 107.8 yards per game. But there were plenty of big holes to run through on Sunday, with Chris Carson taking 12 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown and Carlos Hyde adding 15 carries for 66 yards. The Seahawks finished with 174 rushing yards on 36 carries — the second-most yards allowed by the Jets this season, behind only the 182 yards they gave up to the 49ers in Week 2.
The Jets fell to the Seahawks on Sunday. Getty Images
“I wish I had a good answer for you,” coach Adam Gase said, when asked about the defense’s struggle against the run. “It’s hard to tell without watching the film. … There were a couple times they saw what front we were in, and seeing where they ran the ball, it wasn’t really correlating. I have a feeling I know what happened as far as, a couple guys were doing some things they probably shouldn’t have been doing. All it takes is one guy to break down, and you’re in trouble.”
Gase said he didn’t think the change in coordinators hurt the defense.
“I just feel like when we finally settled down, it was, the offensive side of the ball wasn’t really doing anything,” Gase said. “We started going three-and-out. We weren’t getting anything going. It just got away from us.”
Wilson picked apart the Jets’ young secondary, completing 21 of 27 passes for 206 yards and four touchdowns. The lone blemish on his stat line was an interception by Marcus Maye, who tipped it to himself in the end zone while defending DK Metcalf.
“Once they got rolling, we had a tough time stopping them, within the run game and the pass game,” Maye said. “Just gotta find a way to get off the field on third downs and slow their momentum down.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-13--Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving’s first Nets game couldn’t have gone better

Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were back and healthy .
And they both looked like themselves .
Sure , it was a tougher-than-it-should-have-been 119-114 preseason nailbiter on Sunday against Washington at an empty Barclays Center that won ’ t count in the standings .
And yes , it was against a threadbare Wizards team that didn ’ t have either Bradley Beal or newly-acquired Russell Westbrook .
And no , Nets fans won ’ t care .
Nor should they .
The blown 26-point lead wasn ’ t what mattered .
What mattered was that 552 days after Durant ruptured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State in the 2019 NBA Finals , he was back on an NBA court making his debut for the Nets .
Durant had 15 points , three rebounds , three assists and even added two blocks in 23:43 .
And Irving — who hadn ’ t played since February due to shoulder surgery — had a team-high 18 points and four assists on 7-of-9 shooting in 17:08 .
Now rookie coach Steve Nash has to figure out rotations , and patch together a defense .
Do that , and he has a contender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Irving fit .
“ We ’ re a team that ’ d like to contend for a championship .
And the way to do that is to be healthy at the end of the year .
So in order to physically be able to sustain the rigors of the season , that became the priority .
This is a work in progress , ” said Steve Nash , who made his debut as coach .
“ We haven ’ t implemented the majority of what we ’ re going to implement .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ First thing ’ s first is to get off to a healthy and competitive start , rather than overloading them with the tactical elements of the game that takes away from their physical preparation [ and ] puts us at more risk of injury .
That ’ s how we decided to approach this.
” Durant looked healthy , passing the eye test .
He scored the Nets ’ first bucket of the preseason — and his first in a Brooklyn uniform — on a baseline jam off a kick-out from Spencer Dinwiddie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dunk on the next play .
The Nets ran out to a 38-20 cushion after the first quarter on white-hot 13-of-17 shooting , including a missed heave at the buzzer .
Durant and Irving were each plus-12 , with a combined 23 points on 8-of-9 from the floor .
And while Durant cooled off — following an 11-point , 3-for-3 opening quarter with a four-point , 2-for-5 second — he looked back mentally as well , with no fear .
Not only did he drive with no hesitation , initiating contact with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave up his body to take a charge on Rui Hachimura with 3:23 left in the half .
If there had been fans in Barclays Center , the collective gasps would ’ ve surely been audible — and unnecessary .
Durant popped back up .
Dinwiddie hit Taurean Prince for a 3-pointer and 61-35 cushion with 4:26 in the half .
The importance of keeping Durant healthy was underscored by the fact they blew that lead with him sitting in the second half .
The Nets were outscored 34-22 in the third quarter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six on back-to-back 3s by Hachimura and rookie Deni Avdija .
It got within 70-65 on a Hachimura and-one with 8:56 left in the third , showing the defensive frailties that will concern Nash and be a point of emphasis as this team gets built .
Hachimura ’ s 3-pointer cut the lead to 79-75 with just over five minutes in the third , and Cassius Winston erased it altogether with a pull up that knotted it at 79-all .
The fourth was tooth and nail , with Durant and Irving sitting and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with three minutes left , the Nets went ahead on Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot ’ s free throws .
A Rodions Kurucs layup pushed it to three with 2 ½ to play , and Chris Chiozza ’ s 3-pointer in the final half-minute iced it at 118-114 .
“ We ’ d like to get up to 20 or so if we can , ” Nash said of Durant and Irving ’ s minutes .
“ But that ’ s easy to say before the game starts .
But we ’ ll see how it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games , it ’ d be ideal to get them north of 20 minutes or up to 20 minutes if we can .
So we ’ ll see how it goes .
“ You don ’ t want to obviously overexpose them in this first scenario , so we have to play it by ear .
But that ’ d be ideal to get 20 or 20-something minutes in their legs before the next exhibition game , and then obviously one more dress rehearsal hopefully will allow them to play somewhat more towards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in that first game against the Warriors .
”

After 552 days, Kevin Durant was finally back on the court. In a Nets uniform.
And looked damn good.
The rest is gravy.
Sure, it was a tougher-than-it-should have been 119-114 preseason nailbiter against the Wizards at an empty Barclays Center. And yes, it was against a Wizards team without Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook.
But it was a start. And an encouraging one.
Kyrie Irving — who again declined interview requests — returned from shoulder surgery and was stellar in his first game since Feb. 1 with a team-high 18 points in 17 minutes, 8 seconds of action. Durant had been out even longer, sidelined 18 months after rupturing his Achilles playing in the 2019 NBA Finals. Even he had no idea how he would look.
“Hell yeah, I was anxious. And nervous,” Durant said. “I visualized this moment for so long, you know? Nine, 10 months just thinking about how it would be this next phase of my career. So I felt like I was just champing at the bit.
“Especially once COVID hit, I was just so frustrated because I didn’t see an end. I mean, I didn’t see the future, where the season was going to start in the future, so I was just so … I was going through it. So to go through this felt solid, and I’ve just got to keep building on it.”
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are all smiled during their first game together as Nets. Corey Sipkin
Durant had 15 points, three assists and clicked with Irving offensively. He added three boards, two blocks and a charge taken in 23:43 to show he was mentally ready to take contact as well.
“It’s amazing. This is an injury that very few people conquer, so to speak,” Steve Nash said after making his coaching debut. “He brings a joy, a child-like joy, and a love for the game every day when he comes to work. So it’s beautiful to see him back out on the court.
“That’s the reason he’s out there after this devastating injury is because he does have such a passion to play.”
Durant showed his brilliance in helping Brooklyn build a 26-point lead, Spencer Dinwiddie hitting Taurean Prince for a 3 and 61-35 cushion with 4:26 left in the first half. Then the four-time scoring champ showed that passion when he took a full-speed charge from Rui Hachimura 3:23 before the break.
If there had been fans in Barclays Center, the collective gasps would’ve surely been audible.
“I’m surprised he doesn’t have a hole in his chest,” Landry Shamet said.
“Man, Rui came down with a full head of steam. I was like, ooooh,” Dinwiddie said. “I’m totally messing around: KD’s fine, he’s going to be fine. Don’t worry about it, don’t think too much into it: MVP form coming soon.”
Kevin Durant drives to the basket. Corey Sipkin
Maybe, but Durant admits that’s a ways off.
After coming out hot with an 11-point, 3-of-3 opening period, he had four points in a 2-of-4 second and scoreless 0-for-4 third, when the Nets got outscored 34-22. He sat out the fourth, and Irving rested the entire second half.
Down 112-111 with 2:56 to play, Brooklyn went ahead for good on Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot’s free throws. A Rodions Kurucs layup pushed it to three with 2:32 remaining, and Chris Chiozza’s 3 in the final half-minute iced it at 118-114.
“I didn’t think I played great. I had some solid moments, but for the most part just getting my feet wet playing against somebody like Hachimura. I took that charge earlier and I’m definitely feeling it right now. So it’s good to get back in the flow of things and it definitely gave me some confidence,” Durant said.
“I can’t tell from one preseason game. I felt good [but] I want to play at the highest level of basketball. That’s the highest intensity of basketball, and it’s not in preseason. It’s a good first step. I want to play at an elite level late in the season and playoffs. That’s when I want to play my best basketball, so I’m working towards that point.”
That point will be pretty impressive.
“I knew they both looked really good,” said Shamet. “You know that whatever percentage of Kevin Durant you saw is better than a lot of guys in the NBA.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-13--Cleveland Indians dropping controversial team name

The Cleveland Indians are dropping their controversial nickname , according to a report .
Following in the footsteps of the @ @ @ @ @ will remove the “ Indians ” moniker many consider racist , the New York Times @ @ @ @ @ has long-drawn ire from Native American groups and fans , and that only grew with @ @ @ @ @ of a reckoning on racism and social injustice .
During the summer , the Washington @ @ @ @ @ , the Redskins , after facing pressure from sponsors and similar protests .
Before last @ @ @ @ @ the logos and imagery of the cartoon mascot Chief Wahoo , the Times reported .
@ @ @ @ @ the Cleveland team will refer to itself moving forward .

The Cleveland Indians will soon be no more.
Following the path of the Washington Football Team, Cleveland has decided to remove its name, which many consider racist and insensitive, the New York Times reported Sunday.
An official announcement could come as soon as this week, according to the outlet.
The 105-year-old “Indians” moniker has for decades drawn ire from Native American groups, and those frustrations became more prevalent with the US in the midst of a reckoning on racism and social injustice following police shootings involving unarmed black men and women.
Two months after the May death of George Floyd, Cleveland joined the Washington Football Team in saying it would consider changing the name.
“We are committed to making a positive impact in our community and embrace our responsibility to advance social justice and equality,” the team said in July regarding the possibility of the name change. “Our organization fully recognizes our team name is among the most visible ways in which we connect with the community.”
Just over a week after Cleveland’s announcement, the Washington Football Team retired its use of the name “Redskins,” following pressure from sponsors.
The football team has not yet selected a replacement name because it didn’t have enough time to rebrand the franchise before the season began in September.
The baseball team’s plans moving forward were not immediately clear. The season begins in April.
While the ongoing social unrest sped up the process, it seemed to be a matter of time before the American League team dropped the name.
In the beginning of the 2019 season, the team began phasing out its “Chief Wahoo” mascot, a caricature that had long been criticized. The emblem was replaced by a block “C,” but calls to change the name continued.
Other North American professional sports teams, including the Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Blackhawks, have recently said they don’t plan on changing their names, which some also consider insensitive.
In August, though, the Chiefs banned its fans from wearing Native American headdresses and face paint.
Cleveland adopted its controversial name in 1915, having previously been named the Bluebirds, Broncos and Naps.


newyorkpost--2020-12-13--Georgia mother accused of fatally stabbing two young children

A Georgia mother is accused of fatally stabbing her two young children before seriously injuring herself with a knife on @ @ @ @ @ Berenice Jaramillo-Hernandez , 26 , is facing two counts of murder for the alleged afternoon @ @ @ @ @ and 6-year-old daughter at their home outside Gainesville , the Hall County Sheriff ’ s @ @ @ @ @ — Mateo Miranda Jaramillo and Katherine Miranda Jaramillo — were found dead at the scene @ @ @ @ @ her stabbing wounds and will be charged when she is released , authorities said .
@ @ @ @ @ charged with aggravated assault , the sheriff ’ s office said .

A Georgia mother is accused of fatally stabbing her two young children before seriously injuring herself with a knife on Friday, authorities said.
Berenice Jaramillo-Hernandez, 26, is facing two counts of murder for the alleged afternoon attack on her 5-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter at their home outside Gainesville, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office announced.
The children — Mateo Miranda Jaramillo and Katherine Miranda Jaramillo — were found dead at the scene.
Jaramillo-Hernandez was hospitalized from her stabbing wounds and will be charged when she is released, authorities said.
The mother will also be charged with aggravated assault, the sheriff’s office said.


newyorkpost--2020-12-13--Jill Biden throws shade on Wall Street Journal editorial

First Lady-elect Jill Biden on Sunday night responded to the controversy surrounding a recent Wall Street Journal editorial that argued she should refrain from using the title of “ Dr. ” before her name .
“ Together , we will build a world where the accomplishments of our daughters will be celebrated , rather than diminished , ” Biden wrote on Twitter .
The editorial , written by Joseph Epstein , said that it “ feels fraudulent , not to say a touch comic ” for the title to be used by Jill Biden , who has a doctorate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ A wise man once said that no one should call himself ‘ Dr. ’ unless he has delivered a child , ” Epstein wrote .
He also referred to the First Lady-elect as “ kiddo ” in the first sentence .
The editorial had received backlash from many including the Biden transition team , who called the piece “ sexist.
” ″You and the @ WSJ should be embarrassed to print the disgusting and sexist attack on @ DrBiden running on the @ WSJopinion page , ” Biden ’ s spokesman Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ James Taranto .
“ If you had any respect for women at all you would remove this repugnant display of chauvinism from your paper and apologize to her.
” Northwestern University , where Epstein had been listed as an “ emeritus lecturer of English , ” distanced themselves from the author on Sunday .
“ Northwestern is firmly committed to equity , diversity and inclusion , and strongly disagrees with Mr. Epstein ’ s misogynistic views , ” said the university , the Daily Northwestern reported .
The school also removed Epstein from @ @ @

First lady-elect Jill Biden on Sunday night responded to the controversy surrounding a recent Wall Street Journal editorial that argued she should refrain from using the title “Dr.” before her name.
“Together, we will build a world where the accomplishments of our daughters will be celebrated, rather than diminished,” Biden wrote on Twitter.
The editorial, written by Joseph Epstein, said it “feels fraudulent, not to say a touch comic” for the title to be used by Jill Biden, who has a doctorate in education from the University of Delaware.
“A wise man once said that no one should call himself ‘Dr.’ unless he has delivered a child,” Epstein wrote.
He also referred to the first lady-elect as “kiddo” in the first sentence.
The editorial had received backlash from many including the Biden transition team, who called the piece “sexist.”
″You and the @WSJ should be embarrassed to print the disgusting and sexist attack on @DrBiden running on the @WSJopinion page,” Biden spokesman Michael LaRosa tweeted at WSJ editorial features editor James Taranto.
“If you had any respect for women at all you would remove this repugnant display of chauvinism from your paper and apologize to her.”
Northwestern University, where Epstein had been listed as an “emeritus lecturer of English,” distanced itself from the author on Sunday.
“Northwestern is firmly committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and strongly disagrees with Mr. Epstein’s misogynistic views,” said the university, the Daily Northwestern reported.
The school also removed Epstein from its website.
A separate editorial penned by the Wall Street Journal’s editorial page editor, Paul A. Gigot, on Sunday claimed that the Biden team and the media were playing the “gender card to stifle criticism.”
“Why go to such lengths to highlight a single op-ed on a relatively minor issue?” he wrote.
“My guess is that the Biden team concluded it was a chance to use the big gun of identity politics to send a message to critics as it prepares to take power.”
OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images
Gigot also argued that Northwestern’s reaction in removing Epstein from its list of former lecturers is “how cancel culture works.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-13--Daniel Jones gamble gave Giants no chance to win

Grading the Giants after Sunday ’ s 26-7 loss to the Cardinals ... .

There were no regrets from Joe Judge about rushing Daniel Jones back and there were no regrets from Daniel Jones about rushing back to lead the Giants’ playoff charge.
But that was a hamstrung young quarterback, compromised by his own limitations, who gave his team no chance to win.
Judge took his best calculated gamble that a Daniel Jones further hamstrung by a game plan that precluded him from using his legs on RPOs or anything else was a better alternative than Colt McCoy. And after Cardinals 26, Giants 7, he finds himself at the mercy of Monday morning quarterbacks one and all.
It was a regrettable performance that saw the Giants outcoached and outplayed, most decisively at the quarterback position against a mobile Kyler Murray.
Hammy Jones (11 for 21, 127 yards, zero rushing attempts) was limping in the fourth quarter following his fifth of six sacks, but by then the game was over, and Colt McCoy was the quarterback with 2:34 left.
That was no first-place team and that is no playoff team with this kind of quarterback play and this kind of anemic offense.
“I’m not sure it hampered [me] too much, I was able to move around in the pocket and do what I needed to do throwing the ball,” Jones said.
Wrong.
Daniel Jones stands on the sidelines during the Giants’ loss to the Cardinals. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
He was inaccurate. He didn’t see a wide-open Dion Lewis in the left flat in the first half. He overthrew Wayne Gallman. He held the ball too long too often. His pocket awareness was lacking.
And his old ball security bugaboo (three fumbles, one lost) reared its ugly head again.
“I thought he was able to protect himself in the pocket, which is the main concern in terms of can he step up, can he move it?” Judge said.
You won’t beat a contender with the bar lowered to your quarterback’s ability to protect himself in the pocket.
He in effect was Eli Manning functioning behind that old Ereck Flowers offensive line.
Judge contemplated yanking Hammy Jones in the third quarter when it was 20-0 before his hamstrung quarterback responded with a 39-yard bomb to Golden Tate to the 1 that set up the lone Giants touchdown.
“We made the decision that it was best to stick with what we were doing,” Judge said.
Wrong.
Jones on his next possession throwing incomplete deep down the right sideline for Sterling Shepard on third-and-1 at his 16 was not what anyone would call a high-percentage throw. Shepard dove for the overthrow. Get the damn first down.
“Just saw a matchup there, and gotta give him a better chance to make that play,” Jones said.
The Cardinals not having to worry about Jones’ legs helped them stifle Gallman and the ground game (17-78). Haason Reddick had five of the Cardinals’ eight sacks, two of which came against McCoy. In other words, a good day for Marc Colombo. And only Marc Colombo.
“I gotta do a better job getting the ball out of my hand and find the open guy, I was holding the ball a little bit and put a lot of pressure on those guys up front,” Jones said.
For too much of the game, Shepard and Evan Engram were afterthoughts with Jones targeting Darius Slayton (3-31) eight times. A true No. 1 receiver is desperately needed.
Daniel Jones is sacked during a loss to Arizona. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Judge says no, but call it a post-Seattle hangover or a reality check all you want. Special teams endured a third consecutive nightmare. Big Blue staged an early goal-line stand following Jones’ lost fumble to Markus Golden and was the sole reason why the game wasn’t over by halftime. But there was no complementary football to be found after intermission. And never forget that in a quarterback-driven league, it is the quarterback who needs to do the driving on days like this. And the quarterback was hamstrung all day.
“I don’t regret it,” Jones said. “I felt good enough to play, I felt like I could do everything I needed to do, and I did throughout the game,” Jones said.
Judge: “I have no regrets on playing him. We made a calculated decision based on what we thought he could do as a player.”
Regrettable.


newyorkpost--2020-12-13--Mets’ new GM has hands full with Trevor Bauer, George Springer

In the wake of the Mets ’ selection of Jared Porter ...

The Mets have a new owner, a new team president and a new catcher.
On Sunday, they officially added a new general manager, as the Mets announced the hiring of Jared Porter, who will work under Sandy Alderson. Porter will be introduced as GM in a Zoom call on Monday.
It comes on the heels of the team signing free-agent catcher James McCann, as well as right-handed reliever Trevor May.
But there is still much to be done during a slow-moving offseason in which the biggest targets — including George Springer, Trevor Bauer and DJ LeMahieu — are all available and would fill needs for the Mets.
According to industry sources, the 41-year-old Porter signed a four-year deal to come to Queens after spending the past four years with the Diamondbacks. He also worked for Theo Epstein in Boston and with the Cubs, winning World Series titles with both organizations. He was selected over another finalist, Zack Scott, who has worked for the Red Sox for the past 17 years.
“I’m excited to join the community, get to work, and help build a collaborative and sustainable baseball operation and culture for the New York Mets,” Porter said in a statement.
Alderson originally intended to bring in a team president, but that plan was foiled when the Mets were unable to get permission to interview their desired candidates for the position.
Mets’ new GM Jared Porter Rob Schumacher/The Republic/Imagn
Instead, Alderson will fill the role, at least for this season, with Porter as his GM.
“Jared has proven himself at every level and in every position he has held, earning respect from his peers throughout baseball,” Alderson said in a statement. “He is deeply knowledgeable in all aspects of the game and has worked with several accomplished baseball executives. Jared is prepared for this next challenge.”
That includes perhaps adding to a rotation that has Jacob deGrom and Marcus Stroman, as well as Noah Syndergaard rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.
Jake Odorizzi is on their radar, as is Bauer, who won the NL Cy Young award last season with the Reds.
Springer would be another top prize, as the Mets could plug him in at center and keep Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo in the corners. The 31-year-old Springer was a consistent threat in Houston’s lineup the past seven years.
With the loss of Robinson Cano for the season due to a PED suspension, LeMahieu would fit at second base.
But Bauer and Springer are the clear top difference-makers, along with J.T. Realmuto, who the Mets considered before pivoting to the less expensive McCann.
Alderson has already said he would rather sign free agents than trade from their limited depth. With owner Steve Cohen’s billions, Alderson and Porter should have plenty left to spend this offseason, if they choose to go that route.
They hired Dave Jauss to be manager Luis Rojas’ bench coach and still have some other coaches to hire, with pitching coach Jeremy Hefner expected to return.
After Alderson fired former GM Brodie Van Wagenen, as well as assistant GMs Allard Baird, Adam Guttridge and Omar Minaya, the Mets also must fill some front office roles to work alongside Porter and holdover John Ricco.
With the catching spot settled, the bullpen fortified and the front office coming together, the new-look Mets figure to add more pieces as 2021 approaches.


newyorkpost--2020-12-13--Jets show why they’re the worst in embarrassing loss to Seahawks

On a day the Seahawks punched the Jets in the mouth , it was only appropriate that Seattle put Geno Smith into the game to finish off the Jets .
The ghost of Jets quarterbacks past got to play in part Sunday because the present quarterback Sam Darnold could not find the end zone and now Jets fans can only dream about the future quarterback .
Trevor Lawrence can ’ t get here fast enough .
The Jets gave everyone a reminder in Seattle why they are the worst team in the NFL and why they almost certainly will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ draft and the opportunity to draft the Clemson star .
The Jets made mistake after mistake and helped a Seahawks team that really did not need any help to a 40-3 victory at Lumen Field .
The loss drops the Jets to 0-13 , the worst record and longest losing streak in franchise history .
They are the ninth team since the 1970 merger to start 0-13 .
Games against the Rams , Browns and Patriots are all that remains between them and Lawrence .
If they lose out , the pick is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to pray for a Jaguars win .
Watching the Jets on Sunday , it is hard to imagine them being able to beat nearby Madison High School , never mind an NFL team .
A week after losing in heartbreaking fashion in the final seconds to the Raiders , the Jets lost in butt-kicked fashion in a game that was over early .
The defensive coordinator switch from Gregg Williams to Frank Bush had no effect on slowing down the Seahawks ( 9-4 ) , who racked up 410 yards .
Former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the game , but got the last laugh with his new team cruising to an easy win and moving closer to the playoffs .
Sam Darnold threw three near interceptions , including one by Adams .
Darnold was under siege by an aggressive , blitzing Seattle defense .
He was sacked twice and constantly rushed .
Darnold finished 14 of 26 , passing for 132 yards .
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson had an easy day at the office .
The Jets defense barely breathed on him and he completed 21 of 27 passing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one interception .
Seattle ran for 174 yards against a leaky Jets defense .
The game was so lopsided that Smith , the former starting quarterback of the Jets , saw his first playing time in two years , entering the game near the end of the third quarter .
In the first half , the Jets had three missed field goals , a fumble , a bad timeout as the play clock expired and could not capitalize on a takeaway or a long kickoff return .
The Jets scored on their first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a franchise record .
Sergio Castillo kicked a 45-yard field goal to end a nine-play , 48-yard drive .
It was Castillo ’ s last good moment .
He missed his next three field goal attempts .
The Seahawks answered with a touchdown drive that looked too easy .
They went 75 yards in six plays and capped it off with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Freddie Swain , who found a hole in the Jets zone between Arthur Maulet and Javelin Guidry .
Marcus Maye made a nice interception to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaping and tipping the ball to himself in the end zone on a pass intended for DK Metcalf .
The Jets failed to do anything with the takeaway , though , going four plays and out .
Wilson connected with Metcalf at the beginning of the second quarter for a 5-yard touchdown .
The Seahawks added another touchdown from Chris Carson and a Jason Myers field goal to take a 23-3 halftime lead .
Frank Gore returned after suffering a concussion last week , but he fumbled to set up the Myers field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Jet Damon Harrison .
Adams , the former Jet who got all the headlines this week , dropped an interception but was in on the tackle when Gore fumbled and was credited with a sack when Darnold ran out of bounds behind the line of scrimmage .
That gave Adams 8.5 sacks , an NFL record for a defensive back .
The Jets were hanging around in the first half , but were killed by Castillo .
He missed field goals from 37 , 41 and 43 yards .
The final miss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their final timeout because they were unable to get a play off in time .
The Seahawks continued to make the Jets look like the JV to start the second half .
They mounted an 11-play , 75-play drive that ate up almost half of the third quarter .
The drive was helped by a Maye penalty for illegal contact that wiped out a third-down sack of Wilson by John Franklin-Myers and Neville Hewitt .
Wilson threw his third and fourth touchdown passes in the third quarter , which led to Smith entering @ @ @

On a day the Seahawks punched the Jets in the mouth, it was only appropriate that Seattle put Geno Smith into the game to finish off the Jets.
The ghost of Jets quarterbacks past got to play Sunday in part because the present quarterback Sam Darnold could not find the end zone and now Jets fans can only dream about the future quarterback.
Trevor Lawrence can’t get here fast enough.
The Jets gave everyone a reminder in Seattle why they are the worst team in the NFL and why they almost certainly will have the No. 1 pick in the draft and the opportunity to draft the Clemson star.
The Jets made mistake after mistake and helped a Seahawks team that really did not need any help to a 40-3 victory at Lumen Field.
“This got away from us very quickly,” coach Adam Gase said. “When you have chances against a team like this, you better take advantage of them or this is what the outcome is going to be.”
The loss drops the Jets to 0-13, the worst record and longest losing streak in franchise history. They are the ninth team since the 1970 merger to start 0-13. Games against the Rams, Browns and Patriots are all that remains between them and Lawrence. If they lose out, the pick is theirs. If they win, they need to pray for a Jaguars win.
Sam Darnold AP
Watching the Jets on Sunday, it is hard to imagine them being able to beat nearby Madison High School, never mind an NFL team.
A week after losing to the Raiders in heartbreaking fashion in the final seconds, the Jets lost in butt-kicked fashion in a game that was over early. The defensive coordinator switch from Gregg Williams to Frank Bush had no effect on slowing down the Seahawks (9-4), who racked up 410 yards.
Former Jet Jamal Adams did not blow up the game, but got the last laugh with his new team cruising to an easy win and moving closer to the playoffs.
Sam Darnold threw three near interceptions, including one by Adams. Darnold was under siege by an aggressive, blitzing Seattle defense. He was sacked twice and constantly rushed. Darnold finished 14-of-26 passing for 132 yards against a Seattle pass defense ranked 32nd in the NFL entering the game.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson had an easy day at the office. The Jets defense barely breathed on him and he completed 21-of-27 passing for 206 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Seattle ran for 174 yards against a leaky Jets defense.
The game was so lopsided that Smith, the former starting quarterback of the Jets, saw his first playing time in two years, entering the game near the end of the third quarter.
In the first half, the Jets had three missed field goals, a fumble, a bad timeout as the play clock expired and could not capitalize on a takeaway or a long kickoff return.
“We’ve got to capitalize when opportunities are there,” Darnold said. “I think that’s the thing that’s been holding us back all year, just capitalizing when the opportunity is there for us to take advantage of it.”
The Jets scored on their first possession for the seventh consecutive game, a franchise record. Sergio Castillo kicked a 45-yard field goal to end a nine-play, 48-yard drive. It was Castillo’s last good moment. He missed his next three field goal attempts.
The Seahawks answered with a touchdown drive that looked too easy. They went 75 yards in six plays and capped it off with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Freddie Swain, who found a hole in the Jets zone between Arthur Maulet and Javelin Guidry.
Marcus Maye made a nice interception to end the Seahawks’ next drive, leaping and tipping the ball to himself in the end zone on a pass intended for DK Metcalf. The Jets failed to do anything with the takeaway, though, going four plays and out.
Wilson connected with Metcalf at the beginning of the second quarter for a 5-yard touchdown. The Seahawks added another touchdown from Chris Carson and a Jason Myers field goal to take a 23-3 halftime lead.
Frank Gore returned after suffering a concussion last week, but he fumbled to set up the Myers field goal. The fumble was forced by former Jet Damon Harrison.
Adams, the former Jet who got all the headlines this week, dropped an interception but was in on the tackle when Gore fumbled and was credited with a sack when Darnold ran out of bounds behind the line of scrimmage. That gave Adams 8 ½ sacks, an NFL record for a defensive back.
The Jets were hanging around in the first half, but were killed by Castillo. He missed field goals from 37, 41 and 43 yards. The final miss came after the Jets had to waste their final timeout because they were unable to get a play off in time.
“I screwed that up,” Gase said of the wasted timeout. “That was on me. I screwed our guys up by trying to get too cute on the play-call. That was my fault.”
Seattle scored two more touchdowns on Wilson passes to Will Dissly and David Moore in the third quarter to put the game away and lead to Geno Time.
The Jets have become experts at losing. Unlike last week, this one was never close.
“Last week was probably the one that felt a little different as far as the hurt,” Gase said. “They all make you feel like s–t.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-13--Queens biz owners haunted by Amazon loss amid pandemic

President Trump and other top White House officials will be ...

The area in Long Island City where Amazon would’ve built the new headquarters.
In Long Island City, it’s the scar that won’t heal.
Almost two years after Amazon pulled out from a proposal to build a massive headquarters along the Queens waterfront, the site is a vacant eyesore — and, to many locals, the squandered economic opportunity is even more painful amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“The site just sits there empty. It’s terrible,” said Donna Drimer, owner of the Matted LIC art gallery and gift store. “We’re in the middle of a pandemic. People say, ‘If we only had Amazon.’ We got nothing.”
The world’s largest e-tailer abruptly canceled its projected 25,000 job-producing campus in February 2019 after being taken aback by ferocious opposition from local pols — including Democratic socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and state Sen. Mike Gianaris.
Nearly two years later, the massive site remains a desolate reminder of wasted potential, while COVID-19 has ravaged the city’s economy, including the LIC-western Queens area that would have benefited from the influx of potential customers into the area.
Seething local merchants and residents grappling to survive during the pandemic told The Post the loss of Amazon haunts the community even more now.
“It’s really crazy what’s going on. The city has no solutions. We have a do-nothing mayor,” fumed Eric Benaim, CEO of Modern Spaces realty, who resides in the neighborhood and whose office is near the fallow site.
Previous 1 of 3 Next Advertisement Donna Drimer, owner of Matted LIC Arts and Gift shop in Long Island City Daniel William McKnight Eric Benaim, CEO of Modern Spaces Realty in Long Island City. Daniel William McKnight Advertisement
“I’m watching AOC selling ‘Tax the rich’ T-shirts for $58 while businesses are leaving New York. That’s AOC’s solution. Who is going to pay $58 for a T-shirt when you’re out of a job?” Benaim said.
An alternative project called “Your LIC” that included residential-commercial towers at the site was also recently shot down amid not-in-my-back-yard opposition and lack of support from City Hall. The plan claimed it would create 26,000 jobs, open space and cultural amenities.
The Your LIC consortium included manufacturer Plaxall, the major property owner on the waterfront site along with the City of New York.
It wasn’t to be.
“Their plans weren’t going to offer enough benefits to the community, and we’re not going to let private developers ignore their obligations to New Yorkers,” said Mitchell Schwartz, a spokesman for Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Drimer directed her fury at the local pols for letting down the neighborhood.
“AOC, Giannaris, [local Councilman Jimmy] Van Bramer — wake up!” she said. “People are leaving. Businesses are closing.”
Gianna Cerbone, owner of Manducatis Rustica restaurant, whose family has deep roots in LIC, said “delusional” Democratic socialists and anti-gentrifiers have hijacked western Queens — and not for the better.
“I’m angry at the stupidity. Everybody fears AOC, who has no idea what she’s doing. Opposing Amazon benefited other communities. Imagine if AOC did something positive with her big mouth,” Cerbone said.
She said Gianaris, whom she’s known for years, was the most surprising betrayal.
“I believed in Gianaris. Mike believed in the community until he went so far up AOC’s ass she couldn’t s–t him out,” the salty restaurateur said.
Bishop Mitchell Taylor, pastor of the Center of Hope International Church near the Queensbridge Houses, said the Amazon debacle followed by the pandemic is a double whammy for LIC’s poorest residents.
“It’s like we’re living in the 1970s. Things are worse for poor people now,” Taylor said.
“The Amazon project provided a ray of hope to a lot of people. We didn’t want a handout. The largest public housing project in the country wanted the opportunity to do business with the largest retailer in the country,” he said.
Previous 1 of 3 Next Advertisement Gianna Cerbone, owner of Manducatis Rustica in Long Island City Daniel William McKnight Bishop Mitchell Taylor of Center of Hope International Church in Long Island City Daniel William McKnight Advertisement
The head of the neighborhood’s business group said it’s time to develop the waterfront site.
“Coming out of COVID-19, it’s going to be more important than ever to activate this area to help the surrounding community. Because of the scale, you could really create significant new opportunities for jobs, housing, culture and open space, and link the whole western Queens waterfront, bringing all of our neighbors closer together as a community,” said Elizabeth Lusskin, president of the Long Island City Partnership.
The biggest complaints about the Amazon project among critics was that it was hatched in secret with Gov. Andrew Cuomo and de Blasio, that it offered $3 billion in tax breaks and other subsidies to the wealthiest company on the planet while claiming the campus would have priced people out of the neighborhood.
Gianaris, the state Senate deputy majority leader who used his power in Albany to help scuttle the deal in his district, and Ocasio-Cortez — who New Yorkers said outmaneuvered Cuomo — stood by their opposition.
Gianaris said he’s been vindicated — alluding to Amazon leasing space in Hudson Yards and acquiring the Lord & Taylor building in Midtown to create city jobs — after withdrawing its planned headquarters in LIC.
“In the last two years, Amazon has already added and announced more white-collar jobs in New York City than were called for in the HQ2 plan, all without massive public subsidy,” the senator said.
He also claimed there are “several good proposals” being discussed for the waterfront site that the city should consider, including the shelved Your LIC plan.
AOC spokeswoman Lauren Hitt said, “Both our primary and general election challengers ran multimillion campaigns largely on this issue, in the middle of the pandemic, and both lost decisively.”
The Amazon project “would have given [residents] their hard-earned tax dollars to one of the wealthiest men in the world, in exchange for a campus that made no promises about hiring local residents or contracting with local businesses,” the spokesperson said.
The congresswoman also claimed housing costs have increased in the DC area where Amazon located a new campus and slammed the company’s labor and safety record during the pandemic.
The aborted Amazon deal remains a divisive issue — even among merchants in the LIC neighborhood. Not all were on board with the project.
Shawn Dixon, owner of Otis & Finn barbershop on 44th Road near the waterfront site, said he opposed the Amazon project because he leases his space and feared getting priced out when his lease was up for renewal.
“We could have had the double whammy of COVID and market speculation,” Dixon said.
The barber also said infrastructure improvements haven’t kept pace with development in LIC and asserted that issue wasn’t adequately addressed in the Amazon plan.
Dixon had his own idea: “Why doesn’t Gov. Cuomo offer merchants a tax holiday to get through the winter?”