Sports Night: 49ers’ quarterly report card – overall ‘D’
49ers: Week 1 victory only bright spot so far
Through a quarter of the NFL season, the 49ers earn a “D” grade from The Bee’s Matt Barrows. It’s the kind of report card that could get most kids grounded. Missing pieces on defense and an offense that is in freefall contribute to the below-average mark.
▪ Surveying the defense, which is struggling from the line to the secondary
▪ Surveying the offense, which can’t get its passing game going
▪ 49ers acquire Vikings linebacker Hodges in trade
▪ Leading Off: Hear those losses coming? It’s not the Folsom Prison Blues; it’s the Levi’s Blues
▪ High five: Surprises from the NFL season’s first quarter
Ailene Voisin: Karl not buying into hype about hiring woman – that’s progress
Kings coach George Karl doesn’t see his team’s hiring of Nancy Lieberman as an assistant coach, or that of Becky Hammon by the Spurs, as a big deal. Which is definitely a sign of progress. “I don’t want to overstate anything,” Karl says. “Nancy’s a basketball coach. All that hype about hiring a woman? All we care about is getting better as a team.”
Kings: Collison feels as good as he plays
Back in February, Darren Collison was suffering discomfort linked to a core muscle injury that required surgery, and he missed the rest of the season. Now the point guard feels like a new man and showed it in Monday’s preseason opener, a 109-105 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Collison had 22 points and 10 assists – and believes he’s ready for a big season.
A.L. wild-card game: Astros 3, Yankees 0
Dallas Keuchel pitches three-hit ball for six innings, Colby Rasmus and Carlos Gomez each homer, and the Houston Astros beat the New York Yankees 3-0 in the American League wild-card game. The Astros advance to the American League Division Series, where they will face the defending A.L. champion Kansas City Royals. Game 1 is Thursday night. Keuchel worked 16 scoreless innings against the Yankees in the regular season, and the bearded 20-game winner was just as tough pitching on three days’ rest for the first time in his career.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL LINKS
▪ Updated: How to find baseball box scores at sacbee.com
River Cats: New alternative uni for 2016
After one season as the Giants’ top minor-league affiliate, the River Cats will go a little orange next season with a new alternative uniform. Want a hint? Think “Sactown.” Not enough of a hint? Click this link to see the new uniform top and hat.
Prep football: Vote for the Player of the Week
Look, if you don’t vote you can’t complain. So earn that right to complain – or celebrate – the latest Prep Football Player of the Week. Voting ends Thursday at noon. Remember when that seemed so far away?
▪ High school sports at sacbee.com
Stats: Guide to Sacbee.com’s numbers makeover
Stats, scores and schedules are now easier to find and richer than before at sacbee.com/sports. While browsing stories about your favorite teams and sports, you’ll have access to the latest results and can dive deeper into the numbers, a couple clicks away.
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This story was originally published October 6, 2015 at 10:03 PM with the headline "Sports Night: 49ers’ quarterly report card – overall ‘D’."