TUESDAY OCTOBER 18:

GUESTS:

CHIP KELLY 5 PM

-PLAYING 4 QTRS
-KAP
-HYDE IN A SLING


TONY LARUSSA 4 PM

LELAND FAUST


TOPICS:

DOES THE NFL HAVE A PROBLEM -

THE POPULAR THEORIES: 

-Too much of it (Thursday, Sunday, Monday plus all the college games)
-Product not as good
-Bad prime time games
-An election year
-Kap kneeling
-Streaming options for younger demo

Still, even within that it’s-all-gravy context, what’s happened to the NFL’s ratings in 2016 has been stunning. The Wall Street Journal once dubbed the NFL “The League That Runs TV” — and executives enjoyed that label so much that there are framed copies of the print version in offices around the league. In the fall of 2014, 28 of the top 30 programs on television were NFL games. During the entire 2015 season, the NFL owned the top 25 programs and 46 of the top 50. For years, when the NFL was on, it was virtually the only thing Americans watched en masse.

Now? Sunday night’s Colts-Texans game drew just 12.9 million viewers, a 38 percent drop from last year’s Week 6 Sunday night contest between the Patriots and Colts and a low enough mark to make it the least-watchedSunday Night Football game since 2011. But this isn’t a one-off concern; it’s becoming commonplace. Some of the dips are understandable and may have even been unavoidable: On September 26, for example, the Falcons-SaintsMonday Night Football matchup aired opposite the first presidential debate and drew just 8 million people. October 10’s Bucs-Panthers game, however, wasn’t up against any debate, yet it was the worst-ever Week 5 Monday-night game airing on ESPN.

Be it Thursday, Sunday, or Monday, every prime-time window is down double-digit percentage points on average this season compared with last year. Declining ratings have become such an unignorable story line that Monday Night Football broadcaster Sean McDonough mentioned them while criticizing officials for throwing too many flags during this Monday’s Jets-Cardinals game. “If we’re looking for reasons why TV ratings for the NFL are down all over the place, this doesn’t help,” McDonough said. “The way this game has been officiated is not something anybody wants to watch.”

Other excuses abound: “This election is unprecedented,” said Amy Trask, former Raiders CEO and current analyst at CBS Sports, offering up what’s become a common explanation. But the election, while undeniably relevant and forceful, can’t explain away the entire dip. Technology and viewer habits have also changed, with 1.4 million people ditching cable from 2015 to 2016as streaming services like Netflix, which added 3.6 million subscriptions last quarter, steal eyes and the younger generation grows increasinglyuninterested in traditional television. Yet, believe it or not, the baseball playoffs are up. The NFL’s real culprit may be oversaturation: Amid the league’s budding ratings crisis, it’s possible that there’s just too much football on TV.

Asany football viewer or fantasy-lineup-setter knows, the NFL week is divided into distinct windows: Multiple games (distributed to specific regions) air simultaneously in the 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. ET slates, while Thursday, Sunday, and Monday evenings each house one national game.

In recent years, the NFL has introduced a regular Thursday broadcast as a way to boost the profitability of the NFL Network (2006); instituted a doubleheader on the first Monday night of the season (2006); and added a few early-morning games per season in London to build the international audience (first introducing the games in 2007, then shifting to the 9:30 EST broadcast in 2014), leading to an explosion of instances in which just one game is on at a time.

49ERS:

-TOMSULA'S 49ERS HAD A BETTER RECORD THROUGH 6 GAMES...EHY BEAT BALTIMORE TO GO TO 2-4...



DAMING QUOTES ABOUT KAEPERNICK:

“We wanted to do everything we could to make him throw the ball,” Gilmore said. “I mean, he’s an athlete. You can’t take that from him. But when it comes to passing the ball, he can’t really throw. We took advantage of that.”

“We wanted to make him beat us with his arm, and he couldn’t do that,” Gilmore said. “He hasn’t played in a year-and-a-half. So we wanted to make him do something he wasn’t comfortable with.”


49ers need skill guys - Trent can't pick the right skill guys: 

2012:

Jenkins (30) - WRs after: Alshon Jeffery 45, Mohamad Sanu 83, TY Hilton 92 , Travis Benjamin 100, Marvin Jones 166,

2015: DeAndre Smelter Wr Ga. Tech 132 - Stephon Diggs 146 Maryland

2014: Bruce Ellinton 4-106, Martavius Bryant 4-118,

Skill guys since 2011:

QB (3) Kaepernick, BJ Daniels, Jeff Driskell
RB (7) Kendall Hunter , Anthony Dixon, LaMichael James, Marcus Lattimore, Carlos Hyde, Mike Davis, Kelvin Taylor
WR  (5) Ronald Johnson , AJ Jenkins, Quinton Patton, Bruce Ellington, DeAndre Smelter

TOTAL: (15)

*14 DBS
*13 OL
*10 DL


-Will Redmond activated, DeAndre Smelter added to PS - knee injury guys 

-Carlos Hyde (shoulder) & Rashard Robinson (concussion) not practicing; Will Redmond, Jimmie Ward are wp.me/p7ShJJ-h4AE

RAIDERS:

Las Vegas is ready for this. Nevada is ready for this,” said Sandoval. “The best brand on the planet is coming together with one of the best brands in professional sports. It is truly one of those situations where 1+1=3.”

However, even after Nevada cleared a substantial financial hurdle, Raiders owner Mark Davis’ battle with the NFL and his fellow owners isn’t close to its conclusion. NFL ownership sources continue to maintain Davis might not have enough support to reach the 24-vote plateau required for a relocation, as Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported yesterday.

That vote could is likely to take place within the next six-to-nine months, sources tell Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, who hears that the chances of the Raiders getting the okay to move to Las Vegas are more positive (PFT pegs the odds of a “yes” at 75%). Of course, some owners could have voice concern with the potential move, especially given the prevalence of gambling activity in Las Vegas. But as Florio notes, any such questions raise could merely be a ploy to raise the Raiders’ relocation fee.

NFL:

Belichick slams tablets:

As you probably noticed, I’m done with the tablets," Belichick said in a lengthy answer during his Tuesday conference call. "I’ve given them as much time as I can give them. They’re just too undependable for me. I’m going to stick with pictures as several of our other coaches do as well, because there just isn’t enough consistency in the performance of the tablets. I just can’t take it anymore."

From the NFL: "Since Microsoft has been a partner of the NFL and implemented their technology on our sidelines, the efficiency and speed of communication between coaches has greatly increased. As with any technology, there are multiple factors that can cause issues within our sideline communications system, either related to or outside of Microsoft’s technology. We continue to work with all of our partners to ensure the best systems are in place to give our clubs the greatest chance for success on a weekly basis."


-Is the NFL falling off ? Monday Night game unwatchable .....
-Numbers down...
-Look at prime time games - How many have been must see?

MLB:

-Which of the 3 closers would you want for the Giants: Chapman doesn't look as good as Jansen and you take him from the Dodgers

-Indians lead Jays 3-0 -Andrew Miller MVP - Where would Giants be with this guy?

-Cubs @ Dodgers 1-1

NBA:

DOES BARKLEY EVEN WATCH - MOST TEAMS ARE JUMP SHOOITNG TEAMS
Barkley again decalres jump shooting Warriors can't win title - Has he been watching the league at all? (Did Kyrie win with jumper? How did Cleevaland win? Warriors? Spurs? Jordan's Bulls?


NBA SURVEY: WARRIORS DOMINATE:

Which team will win the 2017 NBA Finals?
1. Golden State – 69.0%
2. Cleveland – 31.0%
Last year: Cleveland – 53.6%

Rank the top four teams in the Western Conference.

Last year: 51.7 percent picked Golden State to win the West. Order after the Warriors was San Antonio, Oklahoma City, L.A. Clippers, Houston and Memphis.

Who will win the 2016-17 MVP?
1. LeBron James, Cleveland – 46.7%
2. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City – 23.3%
3. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 10.0%
    James Harden, Houston – 10.0%
5. Kevin Durant, Golden State – 6.7%
6. Paul George, Indiana – 3.3%
Last year: LeBron James – 39.3%

If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the NBA, who would it be?
1. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota – 48.3%
2. Kevin Durant, Golden State – 20.7%
3. LeBron James, Cleveland – 17.2%
Also receiving votes: Stephen Curry, Golden State; Anthony Davis, New Orleans; Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio; Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City
Last year: Anthony Davis – 86.2%

Which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments?
1. LeBron James, Cleveland – 75.0%
2. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 21.4%
3. Draymond Green, Golden State – 3.6%
Last year: LeBron James – 62.1%

Who is the best point guard in the NBA?
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 63.3%
2. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers – 20.0%
3. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City – 10.0%
4. Kyrie Irving, Cleveland – 6.7%
Last year: Stephen Curry – 55.2%

Who is the best shooting guard in the NBA?
1. James Harden, Houston – 56.7%
2. Klay Thompson, Golden State – 40.0%
3. Dwyane Wade, Chicago – 3.3%
Last year: James Harden – 79.3%

Who is the best small forward in the NBA?
1. LeBron James, Cleveland – 76.8%
2. Kevin Durant, Golden State – 23.2%
Last year: LeBron James – 89.3%

Who is the best power forward in the NBA?
1. Anthony Davis, New Orleans – 29.0%
2. LeBron James, Cleveland – 19.4%
3. Draymond Green, Golden State – 16.1%     
4. LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio – 12.9%
    Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers – 12.9%
6. Kevin Durant, Golden State – 9.7%
Last year: Anthony Davis – 82.1%

Who is the best center in the NBA?
1. DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers – 33.3%
2. DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento – 26.7%
3. Anthony Davis, New Orleans – 16.7%
4. Marc Gasol, Memphis – 13.3%
5. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota – 6.7%
6. Draymond Green, Golden State – 3.3%
Last year: Marc Gasol – 65.5%

OFFSEASON MOVES

Which team made the best overall moves this offseason?
1. Golden State – 83.3%
2. Indiana – 6.7%
    Utah – 6.7%
4. Boston – 3.3%
Last year: San Antonio – 79.3%

Which one-player acquisition will make the biggest impact?
1. Kevin Durant, Golden State – 80.0%
2. Al Horford, Boston – 13.3%
Also receiving votes: George Hill, Utah; Derrick Rose, New York
Last year: LaMarcus Aldridge – 79.3%

Which rookie was the biggest steal at where he was selected in the Draft?
1. Dejounte Murray (29), San Antonio – 23.3%
2. Kris Dunn (5), Minnesota – 16.7%
3. Patrick McCaw (38), Golden State – 13.3%
4. Henry Ellenson (18), Detroit – 10.0%
5. Marquese Chris (8), Phoenix – 6.7%
    Skal Labissiere (28), Sacramento – 6.7%
    Denzel Valentine (14), Chicago – 6.7%

Who is the best interior defender in the NBA?
1. DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers – 50.0%
2. Rudy Gobert, Utah – 16.7%
3. Draymond Green, Golden State – 10.0%
4. Marc Gasol, Memphis – 6.7%     
    Dwight Howard, Atlanta – 6.7%

Who is the best head coach in the NBA?
1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio – 83.3%
2. Rick Carlisle, Dallas – 13.3%
3. Brad Stevens, Boston – 3.3%
Last year: Gregg Popovich – 93.1%

Which head coach is the best manager/motivator of people?
1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio – 66.7%
2. Steve Kerr, Golden State – 16.7%
3. Brad Stevens, Boston – 6.7%
Also receiving votes: Rick Carlisle, Dallas; Steve Clifford, Charlotte; Doc Rivers, L.A. Clippers
Last year: Gregg Popovich – 48.3%

Which head coach makes the best in-game adjustments?
1. Rick Carlisle, Dallas – 41.4%
2. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio – 31.0%
3. Brad Stevens, Boston – 13.8%
Also receiving votes: Mike Budenholzer, Atlanta; Doc Rivers, L.A. Clippers; Erik Spoelstra, Miami; Stan Van Gundy, Detroit
Last year: Gregg Popovich – 37.9%

Which head coach runs the best offense?
1. Steve Kerr, Golden State – 63.3%
2. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio – 16.7%
3. Rick Carlisle, Dallas – 6.7%
    Mike D'Antoni, Houston – 6.7%
Also receiving votes: Brad Stevens, Boston; Terry Stotts, Portland
Last year: Steve Kerr – 58.6%

Which head coach has the best defensive schemes?
1. Tom Thibodeau, Minnesota – 60.0%
2. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio – 33.3%
Also receiving votes: Brad Stevens, Boston; Stan Van Gundy, Detroit
Last year: Gregg Popovich – 31.0%

Who is the best assistant coach in the NBA?
1. Ron Adams, Golden State – 37.9%
2. Stephen Silas, Charlotte – 10.3%
3. James Borrego, San Antonio – 6.9%
    Dan Burke, Indiana – 6.9%
Also receiving votes: J.B. Bickerstaff, Memphis; Larry Drew, Cleveland; Chip Engelland, San Antonio; Darren Erman, New Orleans; Tim Grgurich; Adrian Griffin, Oklahoma City; Ettore Messina, San Antonio; Nick Nurse, Toronto; Brian Shaw, L.A. Lakers; David Vanterpool, Portland; Mike Woodson, L.A. Clippers
Last year: Ron Adams – 24.1%

What rule (regarding play, Draft/Lottery, playoff format, etc.) most needs to change?
1. Change Draft Lottery odds/system – 30.0%
2. Reduce number of timeouts – 20.0%
3. Intentional fouling – 10.0%
4. Adopt FIBA goaltending/basket interference rules – 6.7%
    Change/stretch the schedule – 6.7%
Also receiving votes: Add a fourth official; Advance-the-ball rule; Remove inactive list; Jump-ball/possession arrow; Max contracts; Playoff seeding (1-16); Shot clock to 14 on offensive rebound.
Last year: Change Draft Lottery odds/system – 24.0%

NHL:

OTHER:

AUDIO: WSU'S MARK'S CALLS UCLA DOUCHEY