newyorkpost--2020-12-31--Red Sox hiring Bianca Smith as first Black female pro baseball coach

The Red Sox are hiring Smith as a minor league coach , according to the Boston Globe .
MLB confirmed to the Globe that Smith will be the first black woman ever to coach baseball at the professional level .
Smith , who most recently was an assistant baseball coach and hitting coordinator at Carroll University ( Wisc.
, ) will primarily work with infielders at the Red Sox ’ s minor league facility in Fort Meyers , Fla. “ She was a great candidate coming in , ” Red Sox vice president of player development Ben Crockett told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some really interesting experiences and has been passionate about growing her skill set and development herself.
” Smith has interned in the baseball operations departments of the Texas Rangers and Cincinnati Reds and worked in amateur administration for MLB .
She played softball at Dartmouth from 2010-12 before working as director of baseball operations at Case Western Reserve University from 2013-17 and as an assistant coach with University of Dallas in 2018 , according to the Globe .
“ It ’ s a meaningful , meaningful thing for the organization , ” Crockett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giants made Alyssa Nakken baseball ’ s first full-time female major league coach earlier this year , promoting her to assistant coach .
She became the first woman to coach on-field in an MLB game in July , coaching first base during an exhibition game .
Last year , the Yankees hired Rachel Balkovec as a full-time minor league hitting coach .
Rachel Folden is a minor league coach for the Cubs and Christina Whitlock is a minor league coach for the Cardinals .

Bianca Smith is making baseball history.
The Red Sox are hiring Smith as a minor league coach, according to the Boston Globe. MLB confirmed to the Globe that Smith will be the first black woman ever to coach baseball at the professional level.
Smith, who most recently was an assistant baseball coach and hitting coordinator at Carroll University (Wisc.,) will primarily work with infielders at the Red Sox’s minor league facility in Fort Meyers, Fla.
“She was a great candidate coming in,” Red Sox vice president of player development Ben Crockett told the Globe. “She’s had some really interesting experiences and has been passionate about growing her skill set and development herself.”
Smith has interned in the baseball operations departments of the Texas Rangers and Cincinnati Reds and worked in amateur administration for MLB. She played softball at Dartmouth from 2010-12 before working as director of baseball operations at Case Western Reserve University from 2013-17 and as an assistant coach with University of Dallas in 2018, according to the Globe.
Smith’s hiring is a barrier-breaker.
“It’s a meaningful, meaningful thing for the organization,” Crockett told the Globe.
The San Francisco Giants made Alyssa Nakken baseball’s first full-time female major league coach earlier this year, promoting her to assistant coach. She became the first woman to coach on-field in an MLB game in July, coaching first base during an exhibition game. Last year, the Yankees hired Rachel Balkovec as a full-time minor league hitting coach. Rachel Folden is a minor league coach for the Cubs and Christina Whitlock is a minor league coach for the Cardinals.


newyorkpost--2020-12-31--New York has administered less than a third of COVID vaccine it has

One million New York City residents will receive the coronavirus ...

Bernadette Hogan, Carl Campanile, Tamar Lapin

New York has administered less than a third of the coronavirus vaccine doses it has on hand so far — even as Mayor de Blasio boldly claimed Thursday he’d have a million city residents inoculated within a month.
Around 630,000 vaccine doses have been sent to the Empire State, but just 203,000 doses had actually made their way into New Yorkers’ arms as of Wednesday, state data shows.
The figure, around 32 percent, is slightly higher than the national rate, with around 22.5 percent of the 12.4 million doses distributed being administered as of Wednesday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In New York City, some 88,000 people have received a first dose over the last three weeks, as the vaccine began being administered to health care workers and nursing home residents.
“We are far, far behind where we need to be,” said Councilman Mark Levine, chairman of the New York City Health Committee.
Levine noted that the Big Apple has 500,000 health care workers alone in the high-risk category.
“We should be vaccinating 400,000 people a week,” he told The Post, calling the inoculation effort “the biggest, highest-stake challenge of the pandemic.”
De Blasio on Thursday vowed that far more people would get the shot next month.
“We’re going to vaccinate 1 million New Yorkers in January,” de Blasio told CNN.
“More and more people want to get the vaccine and we’re going to do that,” he said, calling the campaign a “call to arms.”
However, the city had only received 347,525 doses as of Thursday.
In order to achieve the mayor’s stated goal, officials will need to come up with a well-coordinated planning and mobilization effort, said Ayman el-Mohandes, dean of the CUNY School of Public Health.
“It’s doable but it will require a lot of organization,” el-Mohandes said.
Getting the 500,000 health care workers and the city’s other first responders vaccinated is “the easiest part,” el-Mohandes added — because they’re captive audiences you can sign up at work.
But moving on to having the elderly and other private citizens vaccinated will be more challenging.
“Everyone of the stages depends on human behavior,” el-Mohandes said. “How are you going to reach these people?”
Even among health care facilities, there seem to have been some snags in getting staffers vaccinated.
Brahim Ardolic, the CEO of Staten Island University Hospital said Thursday that out of 6,500 workers at the hospital, just under 2,000 have been vaccinated.
“We would love to get more doses” from the state, Ardolic said. “I have people who want to get vaccinated.”
“I would love to get 6,500 does on my doorstep, but I’m not expecting it.”
New York state reps said they have been receiving weekly shipments of vaccines from the feds, and expect to have enough for those who’ve received their first dose to have their second after the three-to-four week period needed between the two shots.
Officials noted that around 221,000 of the 630,000 doses were sent to CVS and Walgreens by the feds for the federally-run program to inoculate nursing home residents — and argued that the state-run effort is moving much faster.
“New York has had one of the most successful vaccine rollouts compared to other states,” said Gov. Cuomo senior advisor Rich Azzopardi.
“The goal is to make sure nothing sits on the shelf.”
Trump administration health officials in recent weeks discussed a goal of sending out enough doses to vaccinate 20 million Americans by the end of 2020.
But as of Wednesday, only around 2.8 million first doses had been administered nationwide, according to the CDC — though officials said there is a lag in reporting for some states.
“We agree that that number is lower than what we hoped for,” Moncef Slaoui, one of the heads of Operation Warp Speed, said at a press conference Wednesday.
“We know that it should be better, and we’re working hard to make it better.”
Additional reporting by Kate Sheehy and Lia Eustachewich


newyorkpost--2020-12-31--Gregory Speck hopes to add large gator to 400-strong taxidermy hoard

Ringo Starr says he wanted to give the gift of ...

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Journalist Gregory Speck — whose NYC home of 200 taxidermied beasts made headlines when it sold to Kimberly Guilfoyle in 2015 — is expanding his mega menagerie with hopefully the addition of a nearly nine-foot stuffed alligator.
Socialite Speck currently has 400 members in his collection of mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles at his Shenandoah Valley estate, called El Dorado, in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
We’re told the writer bought five animals through a virtual auction and drove 1,000 miles the day after Christmas to pick up his goods in West Palm Beach.
“He was able to fit four of the African antelope shoulder mounts into his Lincoln, including a large oryx, a big nyala, a prize lechwe, and a smaller puku,” says the insider. “The fifth, an enormous sable, [went] into the back seat.”
We hear Speck inquired about other mounts up for grabs and he was offered an 8 1/2 foot stuffed alligator that was sold several years ago but never picked up by the buyer.
“Negotiations are already underway as to how this trophy could make his way 1,000 miles north to El Dorado,” says the source.
El Dorado is comprised of three manses — the Guest House, the Main House, the Animal House — and a barn, with the entire property placed into a Living Trust as The Gregory Speck House Museum of History, Natural History, and Culture.
All 400 taxidermy mounts are on permanent display inside Animal House.
Speck, who is not a hunter, previously told the NY Times that he once dreamed of owning a zoo and considers his collection “an educational zoological display.”
Guilfoyle paid $3.4 million for Speck’s place at the Beresford in 2015, and dramatically transformed the place from its former taxidermy glory.


newyorkpost--2020-12-31--Damon Harrison could quickly make Packers debut after Seahawks grant his wish

“ Snacks ” got what he wanted , and now he might be back on an NFL field as soon as Sunday .
After requesting and being granted his release from the Seattle Seahawks , defensive tackle Damon Harrison could make his Packers debut on Sunday against the Chicago Bears after Green Bay claimed him off waivers on Wednesday .
The former Jets and Giants star was expected to practice Thursday .
“ He will potentially be suiting up Sunday .
We ’ ll see how the week goes , ” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ask of somebody .
But then again , you ’ re dealing with a true pro , a vet that ’ s been around and seen a lot .
It ’ s just how fast can we get him acclimated to what we ’ re trying to do and what we ’ re asking him to do .
But like I said , we ’ re just really happy to have him in the building.
” Harrison , 32 , joined the Seahawks ’ practice squad in October and was signed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked to be cut loose after learning he ’ d be inactive for the team ’ s game against the Rams last Sunday .
“ I came here to help and I ’ ve done that and now it ’ s time to move on , ” Harrison tweeted Sunday .
“ I came back this year to play and that ’ s all I want .
Team is back healthy and playing well .
It ’ s my time to head out .
Still all love and respect for the Hawks !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jets before signing a five-year , $ 46.25 million contract with the Giants in 2016 .
The Giants traded Harrison to the Detroit Lions during the 2018 season .

“Snacks” got what he wanted, and now he might be back on an NFL field as soon as Sunday.
After requesting and being granted his release from the Seattle Seahawks, defensive tackle Damon Harrison could make his Packers debut on Sunday against the Chicago Bears after Green Bay claimed him off waivers on Wednesday. The former Jets and Giants star was expected to practice Thursday.
“He will potentially be suiting up Sunday. We’ll see how the week goes,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters. “I think that’s always hard to ask of somebody. But then again, you’re dealing with a true pro, a vet that’s been around and seen a lot. It’s just how fast can we get him acclimated to what we’re trying to do and what we’re asking him to do. But like I said, we’re just really happy to have him in the building.”
Harrison, 32, joined the Seahawks’ practice squad in October and was signed to their active roster in November. He asked to be cut loose after learning he’d be inactive for the team’s game against the Rams last Sunday.
Damon Harrison AP
“I came here to help and I’ve done that and now it’s time to move on,” Harrison tweeted Sunday. “I came back this year to play and that’s all I want. Team is back healthy and playing well. It’s my time to head out. Still all love and respect for the Hawks!”
Harrison played four seasons with the Jets before signing a five-year, $46.25 million contract with the Giants in 2016. The Giants traded Harrison to the Detroit Lions during the 2018 season.


newyorkpost--2020-12-31--Notre Dame out to finally break through in College Football Playoff

The winningest quarterback in Notre Dame history spent his first ...

There was Bob Davie. There was Tyrone Willingham. There was Charlie Weis.
Before Brian Kelly, there were two decades separating Notre Dame from national championship contention.
Since 2012, the Fighting Irish have had three perfect regular seasons. The past four years (43-8) are as good as any such stretch the storied program has produced in six decades. They are one of five teams to make multiple appearances in the College Football Playoff.
Under Kelly, Notre Dame is the best team in the country — unless it is playing the top teams in the country.
“We’re knocking at the door every year,” Kelly said. “I don’t know why this narrative continues to pop up when we’re always in the game. No, we haven’t won a national championship. That’s correct. I’m not changing the record. But we are there every single year and we are grinding it out just like everybody else. And only one team gets to celebrate at the end of the year.”
That hasn’t been Notre Dame since 1988.
Under Kelly, the Fighting Irish have gone 1-6 against top-five opponents. Even the program’s lone such victory — a double-overtime home win over Clemson this season — was essentially negated when Trevor Lawrence returned for the rematch and led a blowout win over Notre Dame in the ACC Championship.
When No. 4 Notre Dame (10-1) arrives to the relocated Rose Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, it returns to the scene of its 30-3 playoff loss to Clemson two years ago. When the Fighting Irish line up on the field, they will see No. 1 Alabama (11-0) and Nick Saban, who embarrassed Kelly with a 42-14 national title game beatdown in their most recent encounter in 2013.
Notre Dame and head coach Brian Kelly will try to finally get to a College Football Playoff championship game. AP
“Even after going undefeated that year, we lost in the national championship game, and we were looked at as not a very good football team,” Kelly said.
The same legacy could attach itself to Kelly’s current team, which is the biggest underdog (20 points) of the playoff era.
After building a dynasty with defense — and missing the playoff for the first time last year — Saban now has the most explosive offense of his career. The Crimson Tide have Heisman finalists in quarterback Mac Jones and wide receiver DeVonta Smith, as well as fifth-place finisher Najee Harris at running back.
They average nearly 50 points per game. They win by an average of more than 30 points per game. They score before they enter the stadium.
“It’s almost like you’re not really playing the guys that Alabama has. It’s almost like you’re playing a franchise,” said Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame’s All-American linebacker. “You want to face the team that’s the best. If you say you’re the best, you want to go against the best.
“I think the number one thing is when you are getting ready for a game like this is to not focus on Alabama. You watch too much film, you’re like, ‘Hey, these dudes are amazing.’ ”
Chasing a record-setting seventh national title, Saban’s greatest concern is that his players think the same thing.
“I always tell our players that they really shouldn’t listen to what people say externally and really stay focused on what you have to do internally to be able to play your best football,” Saban said Thursday. “What other people think and say really doesn’t have anything to do with the outcome of the game. So we want to stay focused on the things that we have to do to get the proper outcome for our team, but with great respect for the team that we have to play.
“What you’ve done in the past doesn’t have anything to do with what’s going to happen in the future.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-31--Pennsylvania troopers shoot and kill suicidal man on highway bridge

Pennsylvania state troopers shot and killed a suicidal man who refused to let go of his gun while standing on @ @ @ @ @ Troopers responded to the Route 33 South overpass bridge in Monroe County and found 19-year-old @ @ @ @ @ gun , according to Pennsylvania State Police .
Trooper tried to get Hall to drop @ @ @ @ @ .
He then became uncooperative and began walking towards the troopers while pointing at them @ @ @ @ @ police said .
Hall was shot by troopers and taken into custody .
He was @ @ @ @ @ Center in East Stroudsburg where he died .

Pennsylvania state troopers shot and killed a suicidal man who refused to let go of his gun while standing on a highway bridge Wednesday.
Troopers responded to the Route 33 South overpass bridge in Monroe County and found 19-year-old Christian Hall armed with a gun, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
Trooper tried to get Hall to drop his weapon and he complied. He then became uncooperative and began walking toward the troopers while pointing the gun at them, state police said.
Hall was shot by troopers and taken into custody. He was rushed to Pocono Medical Center in East Stroudsburg, where he died.
Police continue to investigate the incident.


newyorkpost--2020-12-31--NY top judge plans to clear COVID-induced backlog of criminal cases

The state ’ s top judge wants to reduce a huge , pandemic-related backlog of criminal cases across the city — leading cops to fear that cut-rate justice will embolden criminals , The Post has learned .
The unprecedented plan would bring to the Big Apple a concept known as the “ rocket docket , ” in which felony cases get quickly resolved without first being presented to a grand jury for indictment .
Chief Judge Janet DiFiore held a conference in mid-December with all five of the Big Apple ’ s district attorneys to discuss the 16,000 indictments that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not being convened due to the coronavirus crisis , a spokesman for the state court system said .
The staggering number is twice the 8,000 cases that were pending at the same time last year .
The group decided to have Bronx Criminal Court Supervising Judge George Grasso oversee the creation of special courts to “ focus on resolving as many of these pending cases as possible but not in any particular way , ” spokesman Lucian Chalfen said .
Plans call for two of the special courts — or “ parts ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which will have only one , Chalfen said As many as 1,000 cases in each borough will be docketed for court conferences beginning Jan. 11 , Chalfen said .
A former city judge told The Post that the inevitable outcome would be that defendants “ are going to be getting sweetheart deals.
” “ Right now , you can not threaten that we ’ re sending this out to trial , ” the ex-jurist said .
“ That ’ s when people usually cave , but they can ’ t threaten that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to give away the courthouse.
” NYPD sources blasted the plan , with some worried that prosecutors will resort to offering no-jail plea bargains and conditional discharges — or just simply drop some cases .
“ If they dismiss hundreds of these cases , we might as well do a remake of the movie ‘ Escape from New York , ’ ” one cop said .
Another cop predicted that prosecutors “ will probably throw out all those commercial burglaries during the early June riots in Manhattan that caused millions of dollars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people who did these crimes from doing them again ?
” the cop said .
“ The streets will be full of criminals who should not only be in jail but who never even went to trial.
” Spokespeople for the DA ’ s offices didn ’ t return requests for comment on Thursday .

Larry Celona, Rebecca Rosenberg, Bruce Golding

The state’s top judge wants to reduce a huge, pandemic-related backlog of criminal cases across the city — leading cops to fear that cut-rate justice will embolden criminals, The Post has learned.
The unprecedented plan would bring to the Big Apple a concept known as the “rocket docket,” in which felony cases get quickly resolved without first being presented to a grand jury for indictment.
Chief Judge Janet DiFiore held a conference in mid-December with all five of the Big Apple’s district attorneys to discuss the 16,000 indictments that are on hold because grand juries are not being convened due to the coronavirus crisis, a spokesman for the state court system said.
The staggering number is twice the 8,000 cases that were pending at the same time last year.
The group decided to have Bronx Criminal Court Supervising Judge George Grasso oversee the creation of special courts to “focus on resolving as many of these pending cases as possible but not in any particular way,” spokesman Lucian Chalfen said.
Plans call for two of the special courts — or “parts” — in each borough except Staten Island, which will have only one, Chalfen said
As many as 1,000 cases in each borough will be docketed for court conferences beginning Jan. 11, Chalfen said.
A former city judge told The Post that the inevitable outcome would be that defendants “are going to be getting sweetheart deals.”
“Right now, you cannot threaten that we’re sending this out to trial,” the ex-jurist said. “That’s when people usually cave, but they can’t threaten that anymore. They’re going to have to give away the courthouse.”
NYPD sources blasted the plan, with some worried that prosecutors will resort to offering no-jail plea bargains and conditional discharges — or just simply drop some cases.
“If they dismiss hundreds of these cases, we might as well do a remake of the movie ‘Escape from New York,’ ” one cop said.
Another cop predicted that prosecutors “will probably throw out all those commercial burglaries during the early June riots in Manhattan that caused millions of dollars in damage.”
“What will prevent the people who did these crimes from doing them again?” the cop said. “The streets will be full of criminals who should not only be in jail but who never even went to trial.”
Spokespeople for the DA’s offices didn’t return requests for comment on Thursday.


newyorkpost--2020-12-31--Ringo Starr drops New Year’s video for new Diane Warren-penned tune

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Ringo Starr says he wanted to give the gift of a little joy at the end of 2020 .
The former Beatle released the video to his latest song , “ Here ’ s To The Nights ” — penned by writer Diane Warren — along with a message to fans .
“ When Diane presented this song to me I loved the sentiment of it .
This is the kind of song we all want to sing along to , and it was so great how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said , “ I wanted it out in time for New Year ’ s because it feels like a good song to end a tough year on .
So here ’ s to the nights we won ’ t remember and the friends we won ’ t forget — and I am wishing everyone peace and love for 2021.
” Starr enlisted some starry pals including Paul McCartney , Corinne Bailey Rae , Sheryl Crow , Dave Grohl and Lenny Kravitz to sing on the track .
The song is the lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” which we ’ re told he will release in March .

Ringo Starr says he wanted to give the gift of a little joy at the end of 2020.
The former Beatle released the video to his latest song, “Here’s To The Nights” — penned by writer Diane Warren — along with a message to fans.
“When Diane presented this song to me I loved the sentiment of it. This is the kind of song we all want to sing along to, and it was so great how many wonderful musicians joined in,” he said, “I wanted it out in time for New Year’s because it feels like a good song to end a tough year on. So here’s to the nights we won’t remember and the friends we won’t forget — and I am wishing everyone peace and love for 2021.”
Starr enlisted some starry pals including Paul McCartney, Corinne Bailey Rae, Sheryl Crow, Dave Grohl and Lenny Kravitz to sing on the track.
The song is the lead single from his EP “Zoom In,” which we’re told he will release in March.


newyorkpost--2020-12-31--Wisc. pharmacist who admitted to ruining coronavirus vaccine arrested

A Wisconsin hospital pharmacist was fired for intentionally spoiling hundreds of doses of the coronavirus vaccine by removing them from refrigeration overnight was arrested on Thursday .
Police in Grafton , Wisc .
— about 25 miles north of Milwaukee — confirmed the arrest , but did not immediately disclose the suspect ’ s name , as he is yet to be formally charged .
The suspect was arrested on suspicion of reckless endangerment , adulterating a prescription drug and criminal damage to property .
Aurora Medical Center had previously fired the pharmacist on Wednesday after he admitted to deliberately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a hospital refrigerator last week .
Each vial contains about 10 doses of the vaccine .
It remains unclear what motivated the man to ruin the long-awaited vaccine .
Advocate Aurora Health Care Chief Medical Group Officer Jeff Bahr said during a Thursday press call that the pharmacist took the vials out of cold storage overnight Dec. 24 into Dec. 25 , replaced them , then again left them out overnight from Dec. 25 into Dec. 26 .
When a colleague discovered the vials sitting out , the pharmacist initially played it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he removed them from the refrigerator to access something else then forgot to put them back .
Upon further questioning , the pharmacist admitted that he removed the vaccines intentionally , hospital officials have said .

A Wisconsin hospital pharmacist who was fired for intentionally spoiling hundreds of doses of the coronavirus vaccine by removing them from refrigeration overnight was arrested Thursday.
Police in Grafton, Wis., about 25 miles north of Milwaukee, confirmed the arrest, but did not immediately disclose the suspect’s name, as he has yet to be formally charged.
The suspect was arrested on suspicion of reckless endangerment, adulterating a prescription drug and criminal damage to property.
Aurora Medical Center had fired the pharmacist Wednesday after he admitted to deliberately removing 57 vials of the Moderna vaccine from a hospital refrigerator last week.
Each vial contains about 10 doses of the vaccine.
It remains unclear what motivated the man to ruin the long-awaited vaccine.
Advocate Aurora Health Care chief medical group officer Jeff Bahr said during a Thursday press call that the pharmacist took the vials out of cold storage overnight Dec. 24 into Dec. 25, replaced them, then left them out overnight again from Dec. 25 into Dec. 26.
When a colleague discovered the vials sitting out, the pharmacist initially played it down as an accident, saying he removed them from the refrigerator to access something else, then forgot to put them back.
Upon further questioning, the pharmacist admitted that he removed the vaccines intentionally, hospital officials have said.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-12-31--Tamron Hall says goodbye to her chihuahua

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens @ @ @ @ @ to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Talk show host Tamron Hall @ @ @ @ @ furry companion , May Luv , on Tuesday .
Hall honored the chihuahua in an @ @ @ @ @ “ we said goodbye to my LOVE , May Luv .
Thank you Comforted Companions @ @ @ @ @ there for our girl and for our family .
All dogs go to heaven and @ @ @ @ @ she did here , my heart is broken but she is at peace.
” The @ @ @ @ @ and video in remembrance of May Luv .
“ Leading me for 13 blessed years @ @ @ @ @ unconditional love every mile every minute .
My girl , ” she wrote .

Talk show host Tamron Hall said goodbye to her longtime furry companion, May Luv, on Tuesday.
Hall honored the chihuahua in an Instagram post, writing, “we said goodbye to my LOVE, May Luv. Thank you Comforted Companions and Dr. Alexis for being there for our girl and for our family. All dogs go to heaven and the diva will rule as she did here, my heart is broken but she is at peace.”
The dog mom posted several pictures and video in remembrance of May Luv.
“Leading me for 13 blessed years. Thank you May Luv unconditional love every mile every minute. My girl,” she wrote.


newyorkpost--2020-12-31--Joe Judge not happy with Daniel Jones’ ‘forthcoming’ health update

Take all the new analytics and toss them to the ...

There’s no less likely Giants player than Daniel Jones to catch Joe Judge’s wrath for revealing state secrets.
But the normally tight-lipped quarterback let it slip Wednesday that he isn’t the rushing threat he wants to be as he recovers from a right hamstring strain. Oops!
“I’ve played from the pocket the past couple of weeks,” Jones said, “and I expect to continue to do that until I’m healthy.”
It’s nothing that isn’t obvious to opposing coaches watching the tape — Jones has one rushing attempt in his last two starts when his single-game season-low prior to injury was two rushes — but still a rare bit of transparency from Jones. And it probably won’t happen again given Judge’s reaction.
“I read Daniel’s comments,” Judge said. “Probably a little more forthcoming than I would have been with it right there.”
Judge had the unmistakable tone of a parent scolding a child for doing something surprising when assumed to know better.
“We’ll do whatever it takes to win the game,” Judge said. “I can’t turn around and ‘take the gloves off.’ When the gloves come off and you expose someone to long-term injury, that’s not always the most opportune thing. We’re going to make sure that we always put our players in a position of strength, and that includes their health.”
Daniel Jones (r.) talking to Joe Judge during today’s Giants practice. N.Y. Post: Charles Wenzelberg
As he learned from his time under Bill Belichick with the Patriots, Judge asks his players not to discuss injuries with the media. Tight end Evan Engram says “we’re not allowed to talk about the details” of injuries.
Judge will be the Giants coach in 2021.
Dave Gettleman’s future as general manager is murkier. Retired, replaced and retained all seem like viable outcomes headed into Sunday’s season finale, with playoff hopes hanging in the balance.
Judge and Gettleman had no relationship prior to this year, but there are no indications that the ownership-arranged partnership did not work out — as was the case with the Panthers, where first-year coach Matt Rhule outlasted fired general manager Marty Hurney.
“I’d say the entire building since I’ve been here has really had one vision going forward,” Judge said. “I’ve enjoyed working with Dave the entire year. We’ve done a lot of good things together. Everyone’s doing a good job right now, in terms of just understanding where we want to go and pushing in that direction. There’s been a lot of really good communication.”
The Giants’ overachieving defense is made up almost entirely of new faces, and Judge credited by name assistant general manager Kevin Abrams, director of player personnel Mark Koncz, assistant director of player personnel Tim McDonnell and director of college scouting Chris Pettit for identifying free agents and draft picks who “helped lay a foundation for this team.”
Engram, a Pro Bowl selection, is one game away from shaking his “injury-prone” label to play in all 16 games for the first time in his four-year career. However, he is a limited participant in practice because of an ankle “tweak” suffered in the fourth quarter last Sunday.
“I’m making progress and doing everything I can with the trainers and on the field,” Engram said. “Me playing 16 [games] is not really on my mind. I’m just focused on trying to win this game.”
WR Golden Tate (calf) and FB Eli Penny (illness) did not practice. S Jabrill Peppers (ankle) and WR Sterling Shepard (rib) joined Engram as limited. QB Jones was a full participant for the second straight day.


newyorkpost--2020-12-31--Will Joe Biden take on our alarming China problem?

China 's New York consulate is being used as a major ...

America has a China problem. And so do the Democrats and President-elect Joe Biden.
While everyone worried about the Kremlin the past several years, Beijing ran wild. And it still is. Will the Biden administration do anything about it? Or will it be OK with Chinese influence?
Back in 2015, China was behind a massive hack of records in the Office of Personnel Management, an attack so far-reaching and damaging, experts dubbed it a “Cyber Pearl Harbor.” In addition to federal personnel records — a gold mine for blackmailers and identity thieves — the hackers also stole even more valuable military and intelligence records.
The forms stolen were Standard Form 86, in which employees in sensitive positions list their weaknesses: past arrests, bankruptcies, drug and alcohol problems and the like. The 120-plus pages of questions also include civil lawsuits, divorce information, Social Security numbers and information on friends, roommates, spouses and relatives. Yet the Obama-Biden administration did little.
In 2018, Politico reported on extensive Chinese influence operations throughout the United States, and especially in California, where the Chinese Ministry of State Security has a special dedicated unit. When Free Tibet and Falun Gong protesters staged a march in San Francisco, the Beijing regime mobilized thousands of Chinese students in America — with threats of withdrawn grant funding if they didn’t cooperate — to stage a counterprotest. There were even box lunches provided.
And The Daily Beast reported about the same time on Chinese influence operations in America, quoting a former CIA official to the effect that Beijing’s goal was to “turn Americans against their own government’s interests and their society’s interest.”
Since then, we’ve seen one arrest after another involving US professors in the pay of the Chinese government. In 2020, 14 academics were arrested for alleged illegal Chinese ties — at places ranging from Harvard to UCLA to Emory to the University of Kansas.
Many universities receive substantial funding via Chinese grants or via Chinese students enrolled at full tuition at Chinese government expense.
Then there are the controversial Confucius Institutes that spread Chinese influence on campuses where they operate. And many university administrators sound like Chinese spokespeople themselves, as when Columbia President Lee Bollinger called on the incoming Biden administration to end surveillance of Chinese nationals, even as Columbia reportedly failed to disclose $1 million in funding received via its Confucius Institute (the university insists it complied with disclosure requirements).
Beijing abuses its diplomatic presence here, as well. The State Department ordered the Chinese government’s Houston consulate closed on grounds of spying and theft of intellectual property; there were also unconfirmed reports that it was involved in promoting domestic unrest in American cities.
Meanwhile, senior officials have Chinese ties: Hunter Biden’s work for Chinese interests formed the basis of a pre-election scandal, hushed up by mainstream media and Big Tech firms after it was first exposed in this newspaper. And more recently, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) has been implicated in a relationship with Chinese operative Christine Fang, while a company belonging to Georgia Senate candidate Jon Ossoff, a Democrat, has received payments from a Chinese-linked company, PCCW Media, which is partly owned by Chinese state-run telecom company Unicom. And, of course, Sen. Dianne Feinstein was for years served by a driver who turned out to be a Chinese spy.
US media companies are also prey to Chinese influence: Most major media news operations are controlled by mammoth entertainment companies that now depend on revenues from Chinese markets and have no desire to offend the Communist regime.
The Trump administration’s tougher line on China has found resonance with the American public and, indeed, with many other countries that have come to regard the Chinese as bullies and a threat to freedom. Will the Biden administration give the Chinese a pass, or will it address this threat? Keep a close eye on this question.
Glenn Harlan Reynolds is a professor of law at the University of Tennessee and founder of the InstaPundit.com blog.


newyorkpost--2020-01-31--Majestic-looking penguin accidentally poops on pal

What a crappy way to start the day .
A gentoo penguin in Antarctica was caught on camera shooting dookie @ @ @ @ @ pal .
Projectile poop is common among penguins as a way to avoid leaving the @ @ @ @ @ animal moment here .

What a crappy way to start the day. A gentoo penguin in Antarctica was caught on camera shooting dookie all over an unsuspecting penguin pal. Projectile poop is common among penguins as a way to avoid leaving the nest. Watch the awkward animal moment here.
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newyorkpost--2020-01-31--Hall of Famer Jimmy Johnson in a ‘quandary’ over Super Bowl pick

Newly elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and a three-time Super Bowl champion , longtime Fox analyst Jimmy Johnson gives his thoughts on the Super Bowl .
As told to The Post ’ s Andrew Marchand .
MIAMI — Pat Mahomes is like no one I have ever seen before .
He is better than anyone I have ever seen .
He is the most talented quarterback I have ever seen .
Comparing guys is not my speciality , but I don ’ t even know who is No .
2 .
Mahomes is that special .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is going to win — the Super Bowl or any game — the first thing I say is : Who has the best defense ?
So you would say , the 49ers .
The next thing I look at : Who has the best quarterback ?
Jimmy Garoppolo is talented , but , hands down , Kansas City has someone who is different .
I think Mahomes is so good he could override the 49ers defense .
So who do I like ?
I ’ m in a quandary making the pick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mahomes .
He ’ s that good .
He is so talented , even if he makes a few mistakes , he might be good enough to overcome them .
He is mobile .
He has a great arm .
He is savvy .
He makes great decisions .
Tell me something he doesn ’ t do great ?
The No .
1 thing in trying to stop Mahomes is you have to put pressure on him and make sure he can ’ t scramble around and make the big play .
Do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ball down the field .
Kansas City is as wide-open as any offense in the league .
They like to go deep .
San Francisco will try to take that away .
Sign up here for our exclusive Super Bowl 2020 Preview conference call Of course , there is a way to negate Mahomes somewhat and the 49ers offense can help to stop him .
The Niners have a great running game , so they can keep Mahomes off the field and eat up the clock and give him as few opportunities as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guy on the other side is no slouch .
Garoppolo is an outstanding quarterback in a good system and he has a great supporting cast .
He hasn ’ t done a lot in the playoffs because the 49ers haven ’ t needed to use him to win games .
But he has great talent and I have confidence in him .
The 49ers defense is better , but Kansas City ’ s defense has played extremely well through the last month or so .
It ’ s a long two weeks leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me , coaching in the Super Bowl , I did most of my preparation throughout the two weeks .
When it became game time , I didn ’ t need to say a whole lot to the players other than , “ Let ’ s get on the field and win the game.
” There ’ s nothing like winning the Super Bowl .
It ’ s a team thing and that is what I was all about .
Going to the Hall of Fame is an individual award and I never cared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But after 40 years of coaching , it is nice to be recognized .
Still , it is so special to win a Super Bowl because it is a team accomplishment .
As for my prediction , I told you I ’ m going back-and-forth .
You are going to have to tune into “ Fox NFL Sunday ” for that .
For more on the Giants , listen to this episode of the “ Blue Rush ” podcast :

Newly elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and a two-time Super Bowl champion, longtime Fox analyst Jimmy Johnson gives his thoughts on the Super Bowl. As told to The Post’s Andrew Marchand.
MIAMI — Pat Mahomes is like no one I have ever seen before. He is better than anyone I have ever seen. He is the most talented quarterback I have ever seen.
Comparing guys is not my speciality, but I don’t even know who is No. 2. Mahomes is that special.
When I look at games and think about who is going to win — the Super Bowl or any game — the first thing I say is: Who has the best defense? So you would say, the 49ers.
The next thing I look at: Who has the best quarterback? Jimmy Garoppolo is talented, but, hands down, Kansas City has someone who is different. I think Mahomes is so good he could override the 49ers defense.
So who do I like? I’m in a quandary making the pick.
It is hard to go against Mahomes. He’s that good. He is so talented, even if he makes a few mistakes, he might be good enough to overcome them.
He is mobile. He has a great arm. He is savvy. He makes great decisions. Tell me something he doesn’t do great?
The No. 1 thing in trying to stop Mahomes is you have to put pressure on him and make sure he can’t scramble around and make the big play. Do not give him time to throw the ball down the field.
Kansas City is as wide-open as any offense in the league. They like to go deep. San Francisco will try to take that away.
Sign up here for our exclusive Super Bowl 2020 Preview conference call
Of course, there is a way to negate Mahomes somewhat and the 49ers offense can help to stop him. The Niners have a great running game, so they can keep Mahomes off the field and eat up the clock and give him as few opportunities as possible.
Let’s remember the guy on the other side is no slouch. Garoppolo is an outstanding quarterback in a good system and he has a great supporting cast. He hasn’t done a lot in the playoffs because the 49ers haven’t needed to use him to win games. But he has great talent and I have confidence in him.
The 49ers defense is better, but Kansas City’s defense has played extremely well through the last month or so.
It’s a long two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl. For me, coaching in the Super Bowl, I did most of my preparation throughout the two weeks. When it became game time, I didn’t need to say a whole lot to the players other than, “Let’s get on the field and win the game.”
There’s nothing like winning the Super Bowl. It’s a team thing and that is what I was all about. Going to the Hall of Fame is an individual award and I never cared a whole lot about individual awards. But after 40 years of coaching, it is nice to be recognized. Still, it is so special to win a Super Bowl because it is a team accomplishment.
As for my prediction, I told you I’m going back-and-forth. You are going to have to tune into “Fox NFL Sunday” for that.
For more on the Giants, listen to this episode of the “Blue Rush” podcast:


newyorkpost--2020-01-31--How Kobe Bryant tragedy has brought the Nets closer

The Nets have seen this before with Caris LeVert .
Lengthy ...

Sometimes, it’s after a horrible loss that something is found in the grieving and healing process. Beefs are squashed. Families are hugged. Bonds and brotherhoods are strengthened.
In the aftermath of the death of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others Sunday, their families suffered a tragic loss. But after losing a member of its extended family, much of the NBA is going through that painful process.
The Nets — preparing to host to the Bulls on Friday — are no different, with Kyrie Irving having been exceptionally close with Bryant.
“It’s heartbreaking for all of us. But I’m not the only one dealing with something. The most beautiful thing is that it’s connecting all of us. And his seeds that he’s planted in all of us can continue to grow and his legacy is going to continue to live on forever,” Irving said Wednesday.
“For me, it’s a lot of grieving going on. I’m just paying my respects. I know in the next coming days it will be some more news and things that are going to be done to commemorate the lives lost.”
Like in a tribute to Bryant being added to the All-Star Game. Like a movement to change the NBA logo to his image, and the WNBA logo to Gianna’s. The NBA petition had over 2.9 million signatures on change.org as of Thursday afternoon.
Those might not be temporary, but they’re temporal. In many cases, the impact of the tragic helicopter crash might be emotional, prompting players to find their best selves.
Like Kendrick Perkins squashing his beef with Nets star Kevin Durant upon hearing of Bryant’s death. Or Spencer Dinwiddie — who’d already developed a friendship with Irving — reaching out to his teammate and consoling him with a hug after Wednesday’s emotional game.
“It’s a brotherhood. It’s a fraternity in the NBA as a whole, but it’s a brotherhood in this locker room,” said Dinwiddie, who is coming off a 28-point game against the Pistons.
“Any time of hardship tends to do that for a group, and the magnitude of the hardship tends to drive you that much closer together.”
It echoed coach Kenny Atkinson’s original message to his Nets when they initially heard the news about Bryant’s sudden passing. Though Atkinson has opted to keep the message in-house, it was essentially: Go home and embrace those close to you, and value your time with them.
“Kenny reiterated to us make sure you go home, spend time mentally recuperating, reach out to the people that you love. Those are the things that are important,” Joe Harris said.
The most literal example was probably Garrett Temple.
By chance, the Nets guard proposed to his girlfriend Sunday night, after the news broke and after Brooklyn had lost to the Knicks.
For the record, he’d already planned to propose that day. And she said yes.
“My brother was in town, so we got the ring and I came down running downstairs and got dressed quick,” Temple said. “I hadn’t looked at my phone before I left the house, so I got in the car with the engagement ring, then my brother told me. And honestly, if he’d have told me before, I wouldn’t have brought the ring because for two reasons:
“I probably wouldn’t have remembered it, and I wouldn’t have even thought to get it out, [thinking] today’s not the day. But on the other hand, it just shows you how fleeting life is, and I thought it was still the time to do it. A lot of people have told me it’s happiness at the end of a real tragic day. So I’m definitely glad I went through with it.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-31--Raptors’ Kyle Lowry gets pushed by a fan for second time

CLEVELAND — Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry said he was pushed by a fan when he dove into the stands going after a loose ball during Thursday night ’ s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers .
The play occurred late in the fourth quarter of Toronto ’ s 115-109 win .
Lowry retrieved a missed shot by teammate Pascal Siakam that was headed out of bounds .
Video showed Lowry landed on two fans in the first row of seats and one appeared to press his hand on the six-time All-Star ’ s back as he returned to the floor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fan as play continued .
“ I got pushed , and that ’ s the second time it ’ s happened to me , ” Lowry said .
“ The next time it happens , I don ’ t know if I ’ ll be able to control myself .
Fans like that shouldn ’ t be able to lay any hands on you and shouldn ’ t be a part of our game.
” The Cleveland Cavaliers are aware of the incident , and are looking into it before deciding on discipline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushed by Mark Stevens — a minority owner of the Golden State Warriors during last season ’ s NBA Finals — when he dove into the stands going after a loose ball under similar circumstances .
The NBA and the Warriors slapped Stevens with a yearlong ban from all NBA games and Warriors team activities , in addition to a $ 500,000 fine .
This time , Lowry saved the possession for the Raptors and Serge Ibaka hit a 3-pointer that gave Toronto a 105-101 lead .
Lowry , selected to next month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , went up court on defense after the basket .

CLEVELAND — Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry said he was pushed by a fan when he dove into the stands going after a loose ball during Thursday night’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The play occurred late in the fourth quarter of Toronto’s 115-109 win. Lowry retrieved a missed shot by teammate Pascal Siakam that was headed out of bounds.
Video showed Lowry landed on two fans in the first row of seats and one appeared to press his hand on the six-time All-Star’s back as he returned to the floor. Lowry turned and looked at the fan as play continued.
“I got pushed, and that’s the second time it’s happened to me,” Lowry said. “The next time it happens, I don’t know if I’ll be able to control myself. Fans like that shouldn’t be able to lay any hands on you and shouldn’t be a part of our game.”
The Cleveland Cavaliers are aware of the incident, and are looking into it before deciding on discipline, according to cleveland.com.
Lowry was pushed by Mark Stevens — a minority owner of the Golden State Warriors during last season’s NBA Finals — when he dove into the stands going after a loose ball under similar circumstances. The NBA and the Warriors slapped Stevens with a yearlong ban from all NBA games and Warriors team activities, in addition to a $500,000 fine.
This time, Lowry saved the possession for the Raptors and Serge Ibaka hit a 3-pointer that gave Toronto a 105-101 lead. Lowry, selected to next month’s All-Star Game earlier in the day, went up court on defense after the basket.


newyorkpost--2020-01-31--49ers GM John Lynch on decision that changed the franchise

MIAMI — There was a pre-draft workout in Evanston , Ill ... .

MIAMI — This was not a youngster he studied in the draft, brought to the team facility for an interview, went to dinner with to unwind. No, this was something else. This was even more of a gamble.
John Lynch, nine months on the job as 49ers general manager, engineered the trade in late October 2017 to acquire Jimmy Garoppolo from the Patriots. Looking back, Lynch could crow about this, stating he saw something in Tom Brady’s backup that convinced him this was all possible, that Garoppolo would lead the 49ers to a Super Bowl and turn around the fortunes of a franchise this quickly.
Lynch could pound his chest, but instead he scratches his head while admitting sometimes good fortune plays a part in all this. Lynch was not sure Jimmy G would turn out like this.
“No, because we just didn’t know,’’ Lynch said this week at the 49ers’ hotel for Super Bowl LIV. “I didn’t think he didn’t have that in him, I just didn’t know.
“We felt it was a reasonable cost, albeit a high one, a second-round pick, to have an opportunity to find your franchise quarterback. Our conversations with Bill Belichick, when I talked to him, when [coach] Kyle [Shanahan] talked to him, it was, ‘You’re gonna love this kid, his teammates love him.’ And Bill doesn’t, he’s not prone to hyperbole, he doesn’t say things just to say it. If he says something he means it. That stuck with me.’’
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There is the unknown of the unknown when someone’s entire environment is uprooted. The cocoon of Garoppolo’s NFL world suddenly opened and no one was sure how he would react to the metamorphosis.
“I felt just about every emotion you could feel,’’ Garoppolo said. “When you’re going into a new situation like that you don’t know what to expect. I was so used to everything in New England. To come out here, I couldn’t wish for anything better. It’s been awesome, the people, the area, I love Northern California. It grew on me very quickly.’’
There are tangibles you can see and hear, the way a quarterback looks in the pocket, the sight of the ball coming out of his hand and the sound of the ball spinning off his fingers. Lynch studied all that. It wasn’t until he got to know the product of Eastern Illinois that the realization sunk in that Garoppolo’s demeanor and personality are made of the right stuff.
“Just to watch him,’’ Lynch said. “He’s playing a position, we pull off a trade and he’s just as liable today to be sitting with a practice-squad player. I think his Midwest roots are really evident and the fact he has a great family and he was probably humbled by older brothers and put in his place a few times.
“He’s a joy to be around. We’ve got a coach who’s extremely demanding and expects a high standard of play out of him and Jimmy’s awesome at that. I think that’s where the linebacker in him helps. He started out as a linebacker so he’s not sensitive. He understands Kyle’s sole purpose is to try to get the most out of him. Kyle can be very demanding and some guys don’t have the personality for that. I think it’s a perfect mix because Jimmy almost gets better when Kyles chewing him out. I just say ‘Keep chewing.’ ”
For more on Super Bowl 2020, listen to the latest episode of the “Gang’s All Here” podcast:


newyorkpost--2020-01-31--Jonah Hill shares heartbreaking post about his late brother, Kobe Bryant

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) A post shared by Jonah Hill ( @ jonahhill ) on Jan 29 , 2020 at 10:59am PST Jonah Hill ‘ s connection to Lakers legend Kobe Bryant involves an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The “ Superbad ” actor posted a pair of heartbreaking photos on his Instagram Thursday showing him and his brother , Jordan Feldstein , sitting courtside at a Lakers game next to Kobe Bryant .
Hill recalled how he and his brother were “ buzzing with excitement to meet our hero.
” “ I ’ m sitting next to my brother and he ’ s taking this .
It was the night we both met Kobe and he was so nice to us , ” Hill writes of the moment inside Staples Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and so kind ( in the middle of a game ! )
.
My brother and I grew up worshiping the Lakers and because of my job we got to sit next to Kobe and the whole team !
I have lived a privileged life .
Truly.
” Seated in between Bryant and Jordan in the photo , Hill notes that both men have now passed away .
Bryant died last Sunday , along with his daughter Gianna Bryant and seven others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas , Calif. Jordan , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died in 2017 from a heart attack .
The 36-year-old actor called the moment his “ favorite memory with my brother ” before urging everyone to “ take care of each and love each other.
” “ But I don ’ t think Kobe or my brother are resting , ” Hill added .
“ I think they ’ re hustling up there .
”

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Jonah Hill‘s connection to Lakers legend Kobe Bryant involves an intimate memory with his late brother.
The “Superbad” actor posted a pair of heartbreaking photos on his Instagram Thursday showing him and his brother, Jordan Feldstein, sitting courtside at a Lakers game next to Kobe Bryant.
Hill recalled how he and his brother were “buzzing with excitement to meet our hero.”
“I’m sitting next to my brother and he’s taking this. It was the night we both met Kobe and he was so nice to us,” Hill writes of the moment inside Staples Center.
“So funny, so amazing and so kind (in the middle of a game!). My brother and I grew up worshiping the Lakers and because of my job we got to sit next to Kobe and the whole team! I have lived a privileged life. Truly.”
Seated in between Bryant and Jordan in the photo, Hill notes that both men have now passed away.
Bryant died last Sunday, along with his daughter Gianna Bryant and seven others, in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif. Jordan, who was the manager for Maroon 5, died in 2017 from a heart attack.
The 36-year-old actor called the moment his “favorite memory with my brother” before urging everyone to “take care of each and love each other.”
“But I don’t think Kobe or my brother are resting,” Hill added. “I think they’re hustling up there.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-31--Dre Greenlaw beat the odds to put 49ers on Super Bowl path

MIAMI — No one from the 49ers cares to play the “what if?’’ game, because they don’t have to.
After all, what’s done is done, right?
But what would have happened if 49ers rookie linebacker Dre Greenlaw doesn’t stop Seattle tight end Jacob Hollister an inch or two short of the end zone on fourth-and-goal last month with the purest, most technically sound tackle you’ve ever seen to clinch a San Francisco win and — most importantly — the No. 1 overall NFC seed in the playoffs?
If Greenlaw hadn’t followed the instruction of linebacker coach DeMeco Ryans from just days before that game in practice, San Francisco doesn’t get home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, doesn’t get to suffocate the Vikings in the divisional round and overwhelm the Packers in the NFC title game at Levi’s Stadium.
If Greenlaw went low on Hollister instead of high and allowed him to fall forward across the goal line with the winning touchdown, the 49ers would have entered the playoffs as a wild-card entrant, as the fifth seed, having to win three road playoff games to get Miami this week.
If Greenlaw doesn’t stone Hollister at the goal line, there’s a good chance the 49ers aren’t playing the Chiefs on Sunday in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium.
This, of course, is a hypothetical the 49ers have little interest in analyzing. They prefer to believe that they’re a team of destiny, that they were a good road team in 2019 (7-1) and that they’d be here anyway.
They can think whatever they want, but Greenlaw, the 148th overall pick last spring, saved their season with that tackle, the play of the year in the NFL.
Greenlaw’s play quite possibly changed the course of history for the 49ers, who are trying to win their first Super Bowl since the 1994 season.
“It’s gotten brought up quite a few times this week,’’ Greenlaw told The Post with a smile. “And I’m more than comfortable talking about it.’’
Why shouldn’t he be?
“It was one of the greatest plays I’ve ever seen being made live,’’ 49ers defensive tackle DeForest Buckner said.
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“Probably one of biggest plays of our season,’’ 49ers linebacker Fred Warner said.
Should the 49ers beat the Chiefs, you can make the argument that was one of the biggest plays in 49ers history.
Here’s how it went down:
On Dec. 29 in Seattle, the Seahawks trailed the 49ers, 26-21, in the final seconds and, on a fourth-and-goal from the San Francisco 6-yard line, Russell Wilson completed a pass to Hollister, who was met almost instantly by Greenlaw, effectively ending the game with nine seconds remaining and beginning the 49ers’ home ride through the playoffs to Miami.
“I had my eyes looking back on the quarterback for anything that might come into my area,’’ Greenlaw recalled. “We’d practiced a play similar to that where they were trying to push me outside and [Ryans] said, ‘Look back at the quarterback and read the quarterback’s eyes.’ ’’
He did.
“I remember rushing and turning around once the ball left Russ’ hand and Dre was at the goal line and delivered a hit and I saw the guy go down, but I didn’t see where the ball stretched and my heart kind of sank,’’ Buckner said.
“I just remember a hard hit … and the sound, a loud noise,’’ 49ers safety Jimmie Ward said.
Two weeks earlier, Ward was on the wrong end of a similar play when he went low on Falcons receiver Julio Jones, who fell forward into the end zone to score the winning touchdown with five seconds remaining in what ended up being a 29-22 Atlanta win on Dec. 13.
That was the last time the 49ers lost.
“Football is about learning,’’ Ward said. “Dre took the coaching from watching the film of what I did and he aimed a little higher and he made a great play.’’
No one was prouder than Greenlaw’s position coach.
“A perfect-form tackle at the perfect time,’’ Ryans said.
Making the story as perfect as that tackle is Greenlaw’s success story — a 22-year-old who was shuffled through six different shelters and foster homes as a youth in Arkansas before finally being adopted when he was in the ninth grade.
“I went through a lot of stuff that kids who grow up in poverty go through — but maybe a little worse, not having my mom or dad around and going through foster care and living shelter to shelter in different group homes,’’ Greenlaw said.
Football turned his life around.
“When I got to a group home and I started playing football, I realized in order for me to play football I can’t screw up and get in trouble or there would be no football,’’ Greenlaw said. “Now I’m in the Super Bowl. It gives you a different perspective on life. I don’t take things for granted.
“It’s a crazy story.’’
Much like that 49ers result in Seattle, a story riddled with “what ifs?’’
For more on Super Bowl 2020, listen to the latest episode of the “Gang’s All Here” podcast:


newyorkpost--2020-01-31--How Fox’s Curt Menefee is preparing for unique Super Bowl show

Super Sunday won ’ t produce the best Fox NFL studio moment of the season , at least not for those involved .
That came in the divisional round , when analyst and two-time Super Bowl coach Jimmy Johnson was surprised with the news he would be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame later this year .
“ Best moment I ’ ve ever done .
Of the 300-plus shows nothing comes close to it , ” host Curt Menefee said from Radio Row , days before Super Bowl LIV .
“ I hope people can see the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the bond that we have .
Jimmy was being emotional .
Everyone sees him as this gruff , tough , hard-ass coach .
That ’ s not who he is.
” Menefee , Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks and coordinating producer Bill Richards were the only Fox people who knew that moment was coming at halftime of the Seahawks-Packers game .
The planning is much more intricate for this Sunday in Miami .
For Menefee and the analysts — Johnson , Howie Long , Terry Bradshaw , Michael Strahan and Tony Gonzalez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Miami before the season for promo shoots and will continue right up until they hit the air at 2 p.m. for the 4 ¹/₂-hour lead-in before the Chiefs and 49ers showdown .
“ Keeping your energy is the most challenging part , ” Menefee , 54 , said .
“ Our show is normally 80 percent ad-libbed .
It will probably be less than that this week with the show being the Super Bowl .
A lot of it is free-flowing , and it ’ s easier to keep it going for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ … When you have 4 ¹/₂ hours , you have to pace yourself — you don ’ t want to burn out in the first hour .
“ Then the last hour right before kickoff is the most important , the most furious .
You don ’ t want to be drained .
I shut it down from Wednesday on … making sure I am not worn out because I ’ ve been going to the parties or doing interviews all week.
” Menefee has become a jack of all sports in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hosted soccer matches , UFC events and U.S .
Opens .
He is now hosting a new show , “ Top Dog ” on A & E , which Menefee describes as an “ American Ninja Warrior ” for dogs .
Next week , he will become Fox ’ s primary play-by-play man when the XFL launches .
He insists this big stage — it ’ s his fifth time as the studio host for the Super Bowl — does not affect his nerves .
Sign up here for our exclusive Super Bowl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career , starting as a 19-year-old in Cedar Rapids , Iowa , I ’ ve treated every broadcast like it represents me , my family and my name , ” Menefee said .
“ Especially when you are young and starting out , there may be three people watching you on TV .
If one of them is working in the next market you apply for a job at [ it matters ] .
Mentally , I try to treat this like any other week.
” Menefee touched down in South Florida last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the lengthy broadcast with Richards .
He hosted Opening Night on FS1 , was part of Fox ’ s media availability on Tuesday and has spent the rest of the week going over final details and observing team practices .
There is one particular part of the pregame show he is excited about .
Andy Reid sits down with Johnson and gives the backstory behind the famous Punt , Pass & Kick competition when the future Chiefs coach dwarfed his fellow teen competitors .
“ He does a really good of explaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Menefee said .
“ And it ’ s not as obvious as you think .
There ’ s a good explanation around it .
There ’ s a really deep , surprising background behind it.
” For more on Super Bowl 2020 , listen to the latest episode of the “ Gang ’ s All Here ” podcast :

Super Sunday won’t produce the best Fox NFL studio moment of the season, at least not for those involved.
That came in the divisional round, when analyst and two-time Super Bowl coach Jimmy Johnson was surprised with the news he would be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame later this year.
“Best moment I’ve ever done. Of the 300-plus shows nothing comes close to it,” host Curt Menefee said from Radio Row, days before Super Bowl LIV.
“I hope people can see the love and emotion we all share, and the bond that we have. Jimmy was being emotional. Everyone sees him as this gruff, tough, hard-ass coach. That’s not who he is.”
Menefee, Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks and coordinating producer Bill Richards were the only Fox people who knew that moment was coming at halftime of the Seahawks-Packers game. The planning is much more intricate for this Sunday in Miami.
For Menefee and the analysts — Johnson, Howie Long, Terry Bradshaw, Michael Strahan and Tony Gonzalez — the preparation began with a trip to Miami before the season for promo shoots and will continue right up until they hit the air at 2 p.m. for the 4 ¹/₂-hour lead-in before the Chiefs and 49ers showdown.
“Keeping your energy is the most challenging part,” Menefee, 54, said. “Our show is normally 80 percent ad-libbed. It will probably be less than that this week with the show being the Super Bowl. A lot of it is free-flowing, and it’s easier to keep it going for one hour on a Sunday morning. … When you have 4 ¹/₂ hours, you have to pace yourself — you don’t want to burn out in the first hour.
“Then the last hour right before kickoff is the most important, the most furious. You don’t want to be drained. I shut it down from Wednesday on … making sure I am not worn out because I’ve been going to the parties or doing interviews all week.”
Menefee has become a jack of all sports in his two-plus decades for Fox. He has hosted soccer matches, UFC events and U.S. Opens. He is now hosting a new show, “Top Dog” on A&E, which Menefee describes as an “American Ninja Warrior” for dogs. Next week, he will become Fox’s primary play-by-play man when the XFL launches.
He insists this big stage — it’s his fifth time as the studio host for the Super Bowl — does not affect his nerves.
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“My whole career, starting as a 19-year-old in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, I’ve treated every broadcast like it represents me, my family and my name,” Menefee said. “Especially when you are young and starting out, there may be three people watching you on TV. If one of them is working in the next market you apply for a job at [it matters]. Mentally, I try to treat this like any other week.”
Menefee touched down in South Florida last Sunday and went over the extensive plans for the lengthy broadcast with Richards. He hosted Opening Night on FS1, was part of Fox’s media availability on Tuesday and has spent the rest of the week going over final details and observing team practices.
There is one particular part of the pregame show he is excited about. Andy Reid sits down with Johnson and gives the backstory behind the famous Punt, Pass & Kick competition when the future Chiefs coach dwarfed his fellow teen competitors.
“He does a really good of explaining why he was the biggest kid there,” Menefee said. “And it’s not as obvious as you think. There’s a good explanation around it. There’s a really deep, surprising background behind it.”
For more on Super Bowl 2020, listen to the latest episode of the “Gang’s All Here” podcast:


newyorkpost--2020-01-31--NYC dad charged for allegedly smothering newborn to death with a pillow

The father of a 1-month old boy who was found unresponsive in his Bronx home was charged with his son ’ s murder , cops said .
Teshawn Watkins , 27 , allegedly killed the baby boy , who was found dead in his bassinet when his father called police early Wednesday morning , authorities said .
Watkins had smothered the child with a pillow , WABC-TV reported .
Medics rushed the boy to Montefiore Medical Center , where he was pronounced dead .
Watkins was arrested on charges of murder , manslaughter , reckless endangerment on Thursday night .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a history with the city ’ s Administration for Children ’ s Services .
Two sons , now ages 3 and 4 , were temporarily taken away from the family by ACS when they were just a few months old , but the agency gave the boys back to the family , sources have told The Post .
“ There appears to be some evidence that the father has been physical with the children , ” a source told The Post before the charges were filed .
ACS would not confirm whether or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family .
“ Our top priority is protecting the safety and wellbeing of all children in New York City , ” ACS spokeswoman Chanel Caraway said .

The father of a 1-month old boy who was found unresponsive in his Bronx home was charged with his son’s murder, cops said.
Teshawn Watkins, 27, allegedly killed the baby boy, who was found dead in his bassinet when his father called police early Wednesday morning, authorities said.
Watkins had smothered the child with a pillow, WABC-TV reported.
Medics rushed the boy to Montefiore Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Watkins was arrested on charges of murder, manslaughter, reckless endangerment on Thursday night.
According to sources, the family has a history with the city’s Administration for Children’s Services.
Two sons, now ages 3 and 4, were temporarily taken away from the family by ACS when they were just a few months old, but the agency gave the boys back to the family, sources have told The Post.
“There appears to be some evidence that the father has been physical with the children,” a source told The Post before the charges were filed.
ACS would not confirm whether or not it had previous dealings with the family.
“Our top priority is protecting the safety and wellbeing of all children in New York City,” ACS spokeswoman Chanel Caraway said.


newyorkpost--2020-01-31--Paighton Houston died of accidental drug overdose: toxicology

The woman whose body was found buried in a shallow grave near a house in Alabama died of an accidental @ @ @ @ @ reported Thursday .
A toxicology report for 29-year-old Paighton Houston had been pending since her @ @ @ @ @ grave in Hueytown , near Birmingham , on Jan. 3 .
Houston was last seen @ @ @ @ @ , leaving the Tin Roof bar in Birmingham with two men she didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ Convicted rapist Fredrick Hampton , 50 , was arrested earlier this week in Ohio and @ @ @ @ @ corpse for disposing of her body in the grave .
Authorities said they have evidence @ @ @ @ @ night of Dec. 20 , but stopped short of identifying him as one of the @ @ @ @ @ the bar with .
He was initially taken into custody Dec. 28 but was released @ @ @ @ @ said they didn ’ t have enough evidence to charge him with a crime .

The woman whose body was found buried in a shallow grave near a house in Alabama died of an accidental drug overdose, NBC News reported Thursday.
A toxicology report for 29-year-old Paighton Houston had been pending since her body was discovered in the grave in Hueytown, near Birmingham, on Jan. 3.
Houston was last seen the night of Dec. 20, leaving the Tin Roof bar in Birmingham with two men she didn’t know, authorities said.
Convicted rapist Fredrick Hampton, 50, was arrested earlier this week in Ohio and charged with abuse of a corpse for disposing of her body in the grave.
Authorities said they have evidence Hampton was with Houston the night of Dec. 20, but stopped short of identifying him as one of the men she’d left the bar with.
He was initially taken into custody Dec. 28 but was released two days later because investigators said they didn’t have enough evidence to charge him with a crime.


newyorkpost--2020-01-31--Brady Quinn only sees one post-Patriots Tom Brady landing spot

SiriusXM host and former NFL quarterback Brady Quinn talks with The Post ’ s Justin Terranova about boy-band run-ins , his big Jimmy Garoppolo concern , a Patrick Mahomes myth and a Tom Brady landing spot .
Q : What is your most interesting experience on Radio Row ?
A : Last year , I had to hustle from the CBS HQ to SiriusXM setups and there was a huge crowd in the middle .
I am keeping my head down , trying to cut through people .
There was a smaller gentleman , I literally picked him up and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Sorry I have to jump on the radio.
” And it was one of the Backstreet Boys .
It made sense because so many people were taking pictures .
Q : What is the excitement level for this matchup ?
A : You got two new teams in it .
It ’ s not your typical AFC team , whether it be [ Tom ] Brady , [ Ben ] Roethlisberger or [ Peyton ] Manning .
You ’ ve got Patrick Mahomes , and it feels like a changing-of-the-guard moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a team coming off a 4-12 season and there ’ s this dominant defense .
Jimmy Garoppolo makes plays in spots when he needs to .
There ’ s a freshness to this matchup .
Sign up here for our exclusive Super Bowl 2020 Preview conference call Q : What have you seen from Garoppolo ’ s growth this season ?
A : First off , he gets tagged as this game manager because of the small sample size from the postseason , but he threw 30 passes a game in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back and watch where he beat New Orleans and Drew Brees in a shootout .
He made the clutch plays in that game .
He ’ s very capable of doing the things he needs to do .
The biggest area he needs to grow is cutting down on mistakes .
When you get some pressure on him , and it ’ s early , he starts to become — I hate the term happy feet — but you do get the sense of him being tense and forcing things .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Q : How different will it be for Mahomes , going up against a 49ers defense with its ability to get pressure ?
A : It ’ s not just getting pressure , it ’ s getting him down .
Here ’ s the thing : When you get him out of the pocket , he only gets more special .
So , you can ’ t just say “ get pressure ” — they have to get hits on him .
They need to have him play a lot of second-and-10s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England , where could he go ?
A : The last time we ’ ve seen anything like this was with Peyton Manning going to the Broncos .
A lot of the stuff that plays into that decision — they had a solid supporting cast with a running game and good wide receivers and a really good defense .
The only team that would make sense from that perspective is the Chargers .
For more on Super Bowl 2020 , listen to the latest episode of the “ Blue Rush ” podcast :

SiriusXM host and former NFL quarterback Brady Quinn talks with The Post’s Justin Terranova about boy-band run-ins, his big Jimmy Garoppolo concern, a Patrick Mahomes myth and a Tom Brady landing spot.
Q: What is your most interesting experience on Radio Row?
A: Last year, I had to hustle from the CBS HQ to SiriusXM setups and there was a huge crowd in the middle. I am keeping my head down, trying to cut through people. There was a smaller gentleman, I literally picked him up and moved him. And I was like, “Sorry I have to jump on the radio.” And it was one of the Backstreet Boys. It made sense because so many people were taking pictures.
Q: What is the excitement level for this matchup?
A: You got two new teams in it. It’s not your typical AFC team, whether it be [Tom] Brady, [Ben] Roethlisberger or [Peyton] Manning. You’ve got Patrick Mahomes, and it feels like a changing-of-the-guard moment. In the NFC, it’s a team coming off a 4-12 season and there’s this dominant defense. Jimmy Garoppolo makes plays in spots when he needs to. There’s a freshness to this matchup.
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Q: What have you seen from Garoppolo’s growth this season?
A: First off, he gets tagged as this game manager because of the small sample size from the postseason, but he threw 30 passes a game in the regular (season). You go back and watch where he beat New Orleans and Drew Brees in a shootout. He made the clutch plays in that game. He’s very capable of doing the things he needs to do. The biggest area he needs to grow is cutting down on mistakes. When you get some pressure on him, and it’s early, he starts to become — I hate the term happy feet — but you do get the sense of him being tense and forcing things. It’s such a stark contrast to Mahomes.
Q: How different will it be for Mahomes, going up against a 49ers defense with its ability to get pressure?
A: It’s not just getting pressure, it’s getting him down. Here’s the thing: When you get him out of the pocket, he only gets more special. So, you can’t just say “get pressure” — they have to get hits on him. They need to have him play a lot of second-and-10s.
Q: If Brady leaves New England, where could he go?
A: The last time we’ve seen anything like this was with Peyton Manning going to the Broncos. A lot of the stuff that plays into that decision — they had a solid supporting cast with a running game and good wide receivers and a really good defense. The only team that would make sense from that perspective is the Chargers.
For more on Super Bowl 2020, listen to the latest episode of the “Blue Rush” podcast:


newyorkpost--2020-01-31--Veteran running back Bilal Powell is hoping to ‘retire a Jet’

MIAMI — It took Bilal Powell nine NFL seasons to make it to a Super Bowl .
The 31-year-old running back was walking Radio Row on Thursday .
His real wish ?
“ I would like to play in one , ” Powell said .
Powell has been the one constant in the Jets ’ locker room during the past nine playoff-less seasons .
He has played for three head coaches under four general managers since he was drafted by Terry Bradway in 2011 , just a few months after Rex Ryan ’ s team was in its second consecutive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free agency , Powell could choose to chase his Super Bowl dream elsewhere .
Or … “ I want to retire a Jet , ” Powell said .
“ I ’ ve been there nine years now , and I ’ d like to finish out my career there .
My family and I are real familiar with the area .
I would love to retire a Jet.
” Powell was a free agent until June last season , after his three-year , $ 11.25 million contract expired while recovering from a neck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Is there mutual interest in a reunion this year ?
“ I got positive feedback , ” Powell said of his exit meetings , “ but I like to keep everything in-house.
” Powell suffered a neck injury in Week 7 of the 2018 season but returned last season to carry 59 times for 229 yards in 13 games behind Le ’ Veon Bell .
“ I would ’ ve liked to play a little more , but Le ’ Veon is a great running back and I came off a serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One of my biggest goals was to show some production with my time .
I came out healthy , so I ’ m just looking forward to 2020.
” Sign up here for our exclusive Super Bowl 2020 Preview conference call In a way , just being on the field was a win , but he also leapfrogged Ty Montgomery to be the primary backup .
“ When you get comfortable with certain things , ” Powell said , “ I think the injury really allowed me to appreciate every moment you walk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job to do , something you ’ ve been doing all your life.
” Powell made it this long with the seemingly always in-flux Jets by blocking out distractions .
“ I just kept my head down and I worked , ” Powell said .
“ I blocked out all the negative things around me and I didn ’ t let any criticism define who I was as a person.
” The Jets finished 7-9 after winning six of their final eight games in coach Adam Gase ’ s first season .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few games and you ’ d like to have the couple plays back that defined those losses , ” Powell said , “ but I think it ’ s a good momentum swing for the organization.
” Powell would like to be around when the Jets finally turn the corner with quarterback Sam Darnold .
“ It ’ s set up perfectly , ” Powell said .
“ Adam ’ s offense fits Sam .
You are going to see a big jump this year to next year with Sam being in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ ll be a lot more comfortable .
”

MIAMI — It took Bilal Powell nine NFL seasons to make it to a Super Bowl.
The 31-year-old running back was walking Radio Row on Thursday. His real wish?
“I would like to play in one,” Powell said.
Powell has been the one constant in the Jets’ locker room during the past nine playoff-less seasons. He has played for three head coaches under four general managers since he was drafted by Terry Bradway in 2011, just a few months after Rex Ryan’s team was in its second consecutive AFC Championship game.
As he nears free agency, Powell could choose to chase his Super Bowl dream elsewhere. Or …
“I want to retire a Jet,” Powell said. “I’ve been there nine years now, and I’d like to finish out my career there. My family and I are real familiar with the area. I would love to retire a Jet.”
Powell was a free agent until June last season, after his three-year, $11.25 million contract expired while recovering from a neck injury once feared to be career ending. Is there mutual interest in a reunion this year?
“I got positive feedback,” Powell said of his exit meetings, “but I like to keep everything in-house.”
Powell suffered a neck injury in Week 7 of the 2018 season but returned last season to carry 59 times for 229 yards in 13 games behind Le’Veon Bell.
“I would’ve liked to play a little more, but Le’Veon is a great running back and I came off a serious injury,” Powell said. “One of my biggest goals was to show some production with my time. I came out healthy, so I’m just looking forward to 2020.”
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In a way, just being on the field was a win, but he also leapfrogged Ty Montgomery to be the primary backup.
“When you get comfortable with certain things,” Powell said, “I think the injury really allowed me to appreciate every moment you walk through the facility doors and have a job to do, something you’ve been doing all your life.”
Powell made it this long with the seemingly always in-flux Jets by blocking out distractions.
“I just kept my head down and I worked,” Powell said. “I blocked out all the negative things around me and I didn’t let any criticism define who I was as a person.”
The Jets finished 7-9 after winning six of their final eight games in coach Adam Gase’s first season.
“Unfortunately we missed the playoffs by a few games and you’d like to have the couple plays back that defined those losses,” Powell said, “but I think it’s a good momentum swing for the organization.”
Powell would like to be around when the Jets finally turn the corner with quarterback Sam Darnold.
“It’s set up perfectly,” Powell said. “Adam’s offense fits Sam. You are going to see a big jump this year to next year with Sam being in the offense for two years. I think he’ll be a lot more comfortable.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-31--Chicago parents charged after one-year-old shot during struggle over gun

CHICAGO — The parents of a 1-year-old boy who was shot in the head as his parents struggled over a gun inside a Chicago home were each ordered held on Thursday in lieu of $ 10,000 bond .
Travis McCoy , 26 , is charged with felony false alarm to 911 and misdemeanor child endangerment .
Adriana Smith , 28 , is charged with felony obstruction of justice and misdemeanor child endangerment .
Cook County prosecutors say the two were arguing over finding another place to live when the gun went off .
The bullet ricocheted and hit the boy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McCoy was arrested Monday after bringing the child to the hospital for treatment .
The father told authorities that a gunman had shot the boy on a street nearby .
However , police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said investigators couldn ’ t find a crime scene .
Detectives later determined no shooting occurred at the location McCoy pointed out to police and that the boy was wounded in a struggle in a home a half-block away .
Guglielmi said the bullet didn ’ t penetrate the boy ’ s skull .
Doctors said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lurie Children ’ s Hospital this week .

CHICAGO — The parents of a 1-year-old boy who was shot in the head as his parents struggled over a gun inside a Chicago home were each ordered held on Thursday in lieu of $10,000 bond.
Travis McCoy, 26, is charged with felony false alarm to 911 and misdemeanor child endangerment. Adriana Smith, 28, is charged with felony obstruction of justice and misdemeanor child endangerment. Cook County prosecutors say the two were arguing over finding another place to live when the gun went off. The bullet ricocheted and hit the boy in the side of the head.
McCoy was arrested Monday after bringing the child to the hospital for treatment. The father told authorities that a gunman had shot the boy on a street nearby. However, police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said investigators couldn’t find a crime scene.
Detectives later determined no shooting occurred at the location McCoy pointed out to police and that the boy was wounded in a struggle in a home a half-block away. Guglielmi said the bullet didn’t penetrate the boy’s skull.
Doctors said the boy was expected to be released from Lurie Children’s Hospital this week.
Defense attorney Emily Bock called the shooting an “unimaginable accident.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-31--Henrik Lundqvist felt strong Kobe Bryant connection: ‘Competitor’

David Quinn is making a pretty significant change when the ...

Henrik Lundqvist never met Kobe Bryant, but the 37-year-old Swedish netminder told The Post he was still feeling the effects on Thursday of the 41-year-old Lakers legend’s death in Sunday’s helicopter crash in Los Angeles that claimed nine lives.
“I can’t tell you exactly why. I was trying to figure that out myself when I was talking to a friend of mine about that this morning,” said Lundqvist, who posted a tweet in Bryant’s honor shortly after the news broke on Sunday. “I think the answer is that I see the qualities in him as a competitor and his work ethic that I identify with, and I think a lot of professional athletes feel that way.”
“I can count on one hand the players in other sports I’ve made a point to watch from afar over the last 10 or 15 years, and Kobe is one of them. It was him as a competitor, the way he carried himself and obviously what he accomplished. I admired that.
“I’m not a huge basketball fan, but he had so much impact away from the court in so many different areas. You can see how much he meant to so many people and how much this has affected people. He was special.”
Lundqvist, meanwhile, will start Saturday’s game in Detroit after Igor Shesterkin gets the call for Friday’s Garden opener of the home-and-home against the Red Wings. It will mark the Swede’s first start since Jan. 11 and second since Jan. 2. Shesterkin played a pair of games for the AHL Wolf Pack last weekend while the Blueshirts were on their extended hiatus. Alex Georgiev won’t dress Friday and will likely be the backup on Saturday.
“With the break and sitting out a few [before that], of course I’m looking forward to this,” Lundqvist said. “You miss the action. You miss being out there. I’m going to try to be at the top of my game.”
There is still no grand design as how the Rangers are going to approach this three-goaltender monte leading up to the Feb. 24 trade deadline (if not beyond). But coach David Quinn, who said he’s going with this opening rotation because “I could go with the goalie who played two games or the goalie who was on the beach for nine days,” talked about the “constant open dialogue” with the netminding trio.
“Obviously it’s not an ideal situation for the goalies, the coach or anybody, really, but I think they’ve all done a great job handling it. They all want to play, I want them all to want to play, I want them to be pissed off when they’re not in there, but they don’t let it get in the way of their work ethic and they don’t let it get in the way of what goes on in that locker room.”
Lundqvist said that the three goaltenders have been “supportive of one another.”
“We’re making the best out of it,” said the King. “It’s day by day. The big picture, we’ll see what happens.”
Artemi Panarin, who missed the final game before the break tending to an upper-body issue, was unencumbered at practice and will be in the lineup against the Wings.
“You never know, but we were confident that he was going to come back 100 percent,” Quinn said.
Ryan Strome, Panarin’s center, left midway through practice with an apparent touch of the flu but is expected to play Friday, according to Quinn.
Pavel Buchnevich skated on the right with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, who said the speed-skating event in the All-Star skills competition in which he placed third, “was daunting.”
Jesper Fast was on the right with Panarin and Strome, while Filip Chytil skated between Brendan Lemieux and Kaapo Kakko, and Brett Howden joined the fourth line with Greg McKegg and Brendan Smith.
For more on the Rangers, listen to the latest episode of the “Up In The Blue Seats” podcast:


newyorkpost--2020-01-31--Helicopter charter company suspends flights after crash that killed Kobe Bryant

The charter company that owns the helicopter Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna were traveling in when it crashed , killing all nine people on board , suspended all of their services after the accident .
The company , Island Express Helicopter , announced they had grounded all of their flights in a statement posted to their website on Thursday .
“ All services ( regular and charter ) were immediately suspended following the tragic accident on Sunday , January 26 , ” they wrote .
“ The shock of the accident affected all staff , and management decided that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as it was deemed appropriate for staff and customers , ” they added in the statement .
After the crash , the company said in another statement that they ’ re working with the NTSB to investigate the cause of the crash , which killed their chief pilot .
“ We are deeply saddened by this tragedy .
Our top priority is providing assistance to the families of the passengers and the pilot , ” the company wrote in the statement .
“ We hope that you will respect their privacy at this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were killed in the crash on Sunday near Calabasas , Calif. when the chopper they were riding in smashed into the side of a mountain .

The charter company that owns the helicopter Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna were traveling in when it crashed, killing all nine people on board, suspended all its services after the accident.
The company, Island Express Helicopter, announced it had grounded all its flights in a statement posted to its website Thursday.
“All services (regular and charter) were immediately suspended following the tragic accident on Sunday, January 26,” the company wrote.
“The shock of the accident affected all staff, and management decided that service would be suspended until such time as it was deemed appropriate for staff and customers,” the statement added.
After the crash, the company said in another statement that it’s working with the NTSB to investigate the cause of the crash, which killed its chief pilot.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragedy. Our top priority is providing assistance to the families of the passengers and the pilot,” the company wrote in the statement.
“We hope that you will respect their privacy at this extremely difficult time.”
Bryant and Gianna were killed in the crash Sunday near Calabasas, Calif., when the chopper they were riding in smashed into the side of a mountain.


newyorkpost--2020-01-30--Hakeem Jeffries: Steele dossier wasn’t foreign interference because it was ‘purchased’

New York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries argued at President Trump ’ s impeachment trial on Thursday that the Steele dossier did not constitute foreign meddling in an election because it was “ purchased.
” Jeffries , a Democratic impeachment manager , was responding to a question posed by Sen. Richard Burr , who noted Hillary Clinton ’ s campaign hired Christopher Steele — a former British spy — to work with contacts abroad and compile the salacious dossier .
“ The analogy is not applicable to the present situation because first , to the extent that opposition research was obtained , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Jeffries responded to the question .
He then accused the president and Republican senators of pushing conspiracy theories and the “ avoidance of facts.
” President Trump ’ s lawyer Jay Sekulow responded by saying the Democrats approve of foreign interference in the elections if it is bought .
“ I guess you could buy a foreign interference .
If you purchase it , if you purchase their opposition research than it ’ s ok , ” he said .
He added the FBI used the faulty dossier to obtain a @ @ @ @ @ @ @

New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries argued at President Trump’s impeachment trial Thursday that the Steele dossier did not constitute foreign meddling in an election because it was “purchased.”
Jeffries, a Democratic impeachment manager, was responding to a question posed by Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), who noted Hillary Clinton’s campaign hired Christopher Steele — a former British spy — to work with contacts abroad and compile the salacious dossier.
“The analogy is not applicable to the present situation because first, to the extent that opposition research was obtained, it was opposition research that was purchased,” Jeffries responded to the question.
He then accused the president and Republican senators of pushing conspiracy theories and the “avoidance of facts.”
Trump’s lawyer Jay Sekulow responded by saying the Democrats approve of foreign interference in the elections if it is bought.
“I guess you could buy a foreign interference. If you purchase it, if you purchase their opposition research, then it’s OK,” he said.
He added the FBI used the faulty dossier to obtain a surveillance order on a US citizen.


newyorkpost--2020-01-30--Video shows crook swiping $20 from 84-year-old inside Bronx bodega

A heartless crook swiped a $ 20 bill from an 84-year-old woman inside of a Bronx bodega last Friday , police said .
The suspect was caught on surveillance camera committing the brazen act inside the store on Saint Ann ’ s Avenue near Linda Ballou Way in Mott Haven about 10:10 a.m. Friday , cops said .
The victim , Shirley Weston , was standing at the counter , holding the bill in her right hand , when the suspect walked in and snatched it , according to ABC 7 NY .
Weston , who was with her daughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , thinking the suspect “ knows both of us ” or “ was playing around.
” But the bill-snatcher , according to Weston , barked , “ ’ This is my money , ' ” and “ ‘ I ain ’ t giving nothing back . '
” Weston ’ s daughter , Deborah , then confronted the woman , the report said .
“ She put the money in my hand , ” the daughter told the network , “ and when I looked , it was a dollar.
” Realizing it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 bill , Deborah chased after the woman , and engaged in a brief scuffle before the suspect fled , the report said .
The suspect was still at large on Thursday night .

A heartless crook swiped a $20 bill from an 84-year-old woman inside of a Bronx bodega last Friday, police said.
The suspect was caught on surveillance camera committing the brazen act inside the store on Saint Ann’s Avenue near Linda Ballou Way in Mott Haven about 10:10 a.m. Friday, cops said.
The victim, Shirley Weston, was standing at the counter, holding the bill in her right hand, when the suspect walked in and snatched it, according to ABC 7 NY.
Weston, who was with her daughter, told the outlet she was confused, thinking the suspect “knows both of us” or “was playing around.”
But the bill-snatcher, according to Weston, barked, “’This is my money,'” and “‘I ain’t giving nothing back.'”
Weston’s daughter, Deborah, then confronted the woman, the report said.
“She put the money in my hand,” the daughter told the network, “and when I looked, it was a dollar.”
Realizing it was not her mother’s $20 bill, Deborah chased after the woman, and engaged in a brief scuffle before the suspect fled, the report said.
The suspect was still at large on Thursday night.