20 Oct 2023

The Loop NFL Picks: Week 7

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49ers at Vikings (+7½)

Kirk Cousins raised eyebrows last Sunday by giving partial credit for the Vikings’ victory in Chicago on their pregame locker-room blaring of the 1990s metal band mediocrities Creed. Minnesotans have not had so much collective embarrassment for a local figure since watching Jesse Ventura play governor.
Pick: 49ers by 3

Former pro wrestler Jesse Ventura pauses while speaking about his book “They Killed Our President” October 4, 2013 in Washington, DC. Ventura, who is considering a long-shot independent run for the White House, said he would immediately clear the intelligence leakers Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden if elected. Ventura, who served as governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003 and is an avid proponent of conspiracy theories, said it was “wonderful” for individuals within government to expose abuses. Ventura’s book “They Killed Our President,” alleges that the 1963 Kennedy assassination was a conspiracy in reaction to his efforts to reduce war. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Packers at Broncos (+1½)

A published report says former Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers is being paid in excess of $1 million for his weekly appearances on Pat McAfee’s ESPN show. That sum is almost as comically ridiculous as the $85 million ESPN is paying Pat McAfee.
Pick: Packers by 7

NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 06: Pat McAfee attends SiriusXM’s “Busted Open” celebrating 10th Anniversary In New York City on the eve of WrestleMania 35 on April 6, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

Bills at Patriots (+8½)

ESPN analyst Rex Ryan took a shot at Bill Belichick’s Patriots after their latest loss by exclaiming “this team sucks!” The former Bills and Jets coach is quite an expert on sucking, particularly toes.
Pick: Bills by 14

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JULY 26: Former NFL coach & ESPN analyst Rex Ryan of ‘ESPN’s Sunday’s NFL Countdown’ speaks onstage during the ESPN portion of the 2017 Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 26, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Chargers at Chiefs (-5½)

Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce and his new pal, Taylor Swift, made a cameo appearance on last week’s episode of “Saturday Night Live.” It was an electric moment for the dozen or so folks that still regularly watch “Saturday Night Live.”
Pick: Chiefs by 3

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 24: Donna Kelce and Taylor Swift are seen during the first half of a game between the Chicago Bears and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jason Hanna/Getty Images)

Lions at Ravens (-3½)

Baltimore won last week in London thanks to Justin Tucker making six field goals to beat Tennessee. British observers noted the kicker’s heroics produced the loudest cheers heard in England since Harry and Meghan fled to America.
Pick: Lions by 3

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry pose for pictures after visiting the observatory in One World Trade in New York, Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex got a hawk’s-eye view of New York City with a visit to the rebuilt World Trade Center’s signature tower. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Raiders at Bears (+3½)

Former Raiders backup running back Rashad Jennings had egg on his face on “Wheel of Fortune” when he was unable to solve a puzzle missing only one letter. It goes to show that there was something Jennings was even less skilled at than playing football.
Pick: Raiders by 7

Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt McGloin, left, hands off to running back Rashad Jennings during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

Dolphins at Eagles (-1½)

New York coach Robert Saleh, in a bragging mood after the upset of the unbeaten Eagles, claimed his Jets have embarrassed every QB they have faced. Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts would no doubt concur, as there’s nothing on Earth more embarrassing than losing to the New York Jets.
Pick: Eagles by 3

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 15: Breece Hall #20 of the New York Jets celebrates a touchdown during the fourth quarter in the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on October 15, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Commanders at Giants (+1½)

New York frittered away its chance at a huge Sunday night upset in Buffalo by blowing goal-line scoring chances at the end of each half. Backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor obviously struggled because he’s not used to having the ball in his hands near the goal line.
Pick: Commanders by 3

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: Tyrod Taylor #2 of the New York Giants recovers his own fumble in the third quarter of a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)

Browns at Colts (+2½):

Indianapolis owner Jim Irsay caused a stir by passing out cash at the Colts’ hotel before their blowout loss in Jacksonville. The randy Irsay had plenty of cash to spread, we’re guessing, because he bet on the Jaguars and laid the 3½ points.
Pick: Browns by 3

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Jim Irsay (2nd L) and Stephen Stills attend the Reception Celebrating the 100th Birthday Of Late Literary Pioneer Jack Kerouac hosted by Owner/CEO Of The Indianapolis Colts Jim Irsay at The Beverly Hills Hotel on March 12, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by JC Olivera/Getty Images)

Steelers at Rams (-3½)

Los Angeles will be going deep into its bench without its top two injured running backs, Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers. The Rams might have almost as much trouble running the ball upfield than Pittsburgh’s Najee Harris.
Pick: Rams by 7

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 08: Kyle Hamilton #14 of the Baltimore Ravens and Patrick Queen #6 of the Baltimore Ravens tackle Najee Harris #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

OTHER GAMES

Falcons at Buccaneers (-2½):
Pick: Falcons by 3

Cardinals at Seahawks (-7½):
Pick: Seahawks by 13

TAMPA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 15: Jack Campbell #46 of the Detroit Lions celebrates an interception during the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

BYE WEEK

Panthers, Bengals, Cowboys, Texans, Jets, Titans

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 16: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys sacks Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium on October 16, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

RECORD

Week 6
9-6 straight up
7-8 vs. spread

Season
57-36 straight up (.613)
49-44 vs. spread (.527)

You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on Twitter — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.

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20 Oct 2023

Kenneth Chesebro, an architect of Trump’s fake elector scheme, pleads guilty in Georgia

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Kenneth Chesebro, the attorney who helped orchestrate Donald Trump’s effort to recruit false electors to subvert the 2020 election, pleaded guilty Friday in a Georgia court to his role in the scheme.

Chesebro’s plea, to a single felony count of conspiring to file false documents, is the first criminal consequence for any of the figures most closely associated with Trump’s bid to upend Congress’ proceedings on Jan. 6, 2021, in part by transmitting the false electors to then-Vice President Mike Pence.

Chesebro’s guilty plea comes a day after another former Trump attorney, Sidney Powell, pleaded guilty to six misdemeanors. Before their plea deals, Chesebro and Powell had been set to go to trial next week — a trial that would have forced prosecutors in Fulton County, Ga., to lay out much of their evidence against Trump.

Now, they won’t have to and instead will be aided by promises of cooperation from Chesebro and Powell.

No trial date has been set yet for Trump and 16 other defendants in the case.

Under the deal, Chesebro will avoid jail time and instead serve a sentence of five years probation, pay $5,000 in restitution and perform 100 hours of community service. He will also be required to testify against co-defendants at any future trial and he has written a letter of apology to the people of Georgia, the judge said.

20 Oct 2023

Patriots need to find Demario Douglas more snaps coming off of injury

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FOXBORO — There’s one clear and obvious way the Patriots can potentially improve their league-worst offense: Get rookie wide receiver Demario Douglas on the field more.

Extenuating circumstances have kept Douglas from receiving a full slate of snaps six weeks into the season. He fumbled in Week 2 and was benched for the remainder of the Patriots’ Week 2 loss to the Dolphins. Then he was working his way back into earning trust in the offense before leaving the team’s Week 5 loss to the Saints early with a concussion. Douglas missed Week 6 but has returned to practice ahead of the team’s Week 7 matchup against the Bills.

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Patriots’ Jabrill Peppers received special attention from Bill Belichick this week

“I think he has a very important role,” Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne said this week. “Pop is great in man-to-man. You don’t really know the threat he brings I feel like for opposing defenses. He can do a lot of things that — I think people doubt him, being an underdog in a sense, small guy. He just needs to keep doing that, making those big plays. He’s very explosive. I think he can be great. He just has to keep working and doing it and want it every day. For all of us.”

Douglas has been praised for his ability to get open in man coverage. Head coach Bill Belichick was asked how he’s seen the 2023 sixth-round pick improve against zone.

“Yeah, Demario’s a smart player,” Belichick said Friday morning. “He’s not a huge target, but he’s fast, he’s quick, got good receiving skills. Yeah, he can get open.”

Douglas has 10 catches on 17 targets for 143 yards so far this season with 67 of his 81 snaps coming out of the slot. The Liberty product is probably the Patriots’ most effective weapon getting open against man coverage, but he’s also proven to be an effective deep target despite his 5-foot-8, 192-pound frame. Quarterback Mac Jones has completed 3-of-6 deep passes to Douglas for 89 yards and is 2-of-18 targeting his other pass catchers on passes of 20-plus yards.

Veteran wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has been the Patriots’ primary slot receiver this season but has struggled in five games, catching just 14 passes on 25 targets for 86 yards. He also missed Week 7 with a concussion.

With a 1-5 record and facing a juggernaut in the Bills this weekend, now would be a good time to see if a full share of snaps from Douglas could add a jolt to the offense.

Douglas ranks 17th among 95 qualified wide receivers with 2.27 yards per route run. Smith-Schuster is 77th at 0.89 yards per route run.

20 Oct 2023

Lawyer Kenneth Chesebro pleads guilty over efforts to overturn Trump’s 2020 loss in Georgia

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By KATE BRUMBACK (Associated Press)

ATLANTA (AP) — Lawyer Kenneth Chesebro pleaded guilty to a felony on Friday just as jury selection was getting underway in his trial on charges accusing him of participating in efforts to overturn Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 election in Georgia.

Chesebro, who was charged alongside Trump and 17 others with violating the state’s anti-racketeering law, pleaded guilty to one felony charge of conspiracy to commit filing false documents in a last-minute deal. His plea came a day after fellow attorney Sidney Powell, who had been scheduled to go to trial alongside him, entered her own guilty plea to six misdemeanor counts.

In Chesebro’s case, he was sentenced to five years’ probation and 100 hours of community service and was ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution, write an apology letter to Georgia’s residents and testify truthfully at any related future trial.

The two guilty pleas — along with a third for a bail bondsman last month — are major victories for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who obtained the indictment in August. They allow her to avoid a lengthy trial of just two defendants — which would have given those remaining a peek at her trial strategy — and to whittle down an unwieldy pool of defendants.

Chesebro, who lives in Puerto Rico, was initially charged with felony racketeering and six other counts as part of a wide-ranging scheme to keep the Republican president in power after he lost the 2020 election to Democrat Joe Biden. The indictment alleges Chesebro coordinated and executed a plan to have 16 Georgia Republicans sign a certificate declaring falsely that Trump won the state and declaring themselves the state’s “duly elected and qualified” electors.

For prosecutors, the plea deal assures that Chesebro publicly accepts responsibility for his conduct in the case and removes the uncertainty of a trial by a jury of his peers. It also compels him to testify about communications he had with Trump’s campaign lawyers and close associates, including co-defendant Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor and a Trump attorney.

Jury selection had been set to start Friday for the trial of Powell and Chesebro after each filed a demand for a speedy trial. Once Powell pleaded guilty, Chesebro had been set to continue to trial on his own.

As part of Powell’s deal, she will serve six years of probation, will be fined $6,000 and will have to write an apology letter to Georgia and its residents. She also recorded a statement for prosecutors and agreed to testify truthfully against her co-defendants at future trials.

A lower-profile defendant in the case, bail bondsman Scott Graham Hall, pleaded guilty last month to five misdemeanor charges. He was sentenced to five years of probation and agreed to testify in further proceedings.

All of the other defendants, including Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, have pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors allege that Chesebro unlawfully conspired with Trump and lawyers associated with his campaign to have the group of Georgia Republicans sign the false elector certificate and to submit it to various federal authorities. He also communicated with Trump campaign lawyers and Republican leaders in other swing states won by Biden to get those states to submit false slates of electors as well, prosecutors alleged.

That included writing memos advocating for Republicans in those states to meet and cast electoral votes for Trump and providing detailed instructions for how the process should be carried out. In an email to Giuliani, he outlined strategies to disrupt and delay the joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, 2021, during which electoral votes were to be certified. He wrote that those strategies were “preferable to allowing the Electoral Count Act to operate by its terms.”