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    Victor Espinoza, Newgrange win the San Pasqual Stakes
    • January 28, 2024

    ARCADIA — Somewhat surprisingly, only eight horses have parlayed success in the 85 editions of the San Pasqual Stakes, the final major prep for the Santa Anita Handicap, into a trip to the winner’s circle on Big ‘Cap day.

    The last to do it was Express Train in 2022, four years after Accelerate turned the trick. Others to accomplish the San Pasqual-Big ‘Cap double include Farma Way (1991), Ack Ack (1971), Pretense (1967), Bobby Brocato (1956), Moonrush (1951) and Thumbs Up (1945).

    The Big ‘Cap, because of the advent of lucrative races like the $20 million Saudi Cup, $12 million Dubai World Cup and $3 million Pegasus World Cup, doesn’t attract the same type of standouts it once did when it was the first $100,000 race in North America and later offered a $1 million purse.

    Newgrange may get the opportunity to become the ninth horse to record the San Pasqual-Big ‘Cap double after veteran jockey Victor Espinoza guided the 5-year-old son of Violence to a gate-to-wire victory in the latest edition of the $200,000 Grade II San Pasqual at Santa Anita on Saturday.

    Espinoza, who’s ridden sparingly during Santa Anita’s Classic Meet, had won with only one of his 14 mounts heading into the San Pasqual. It was his first stakes victory of 2024 while riding for Philip D’Amato, a trainer he rarely works with. The San Pasqual was his only mount of the day.

    The winner, who surpassed the $1 million mark in earnings with the winner’s share of $120,000, loves Santa Anita. He’s won five of seven over the main track and has won two consecutive stakes, taking the Grade II San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita on opening day with Irad Ortiz, Jr. aboard.

    It’s tempting for the horse’s connections to come back in the Big ‘Cap, but D’Amato and the owners are looking at Dubai on March 30. A race worth $11.6 million more than the Big ‘Cap holds much appeal in the sport of kings.

    “It’s going to be even tougher there, but the money is incredible so we can do something like that,” D’Amato said. “We could stay home, but these guys (owners) in the winner’s circle, I think they are on board for Dubai.”

    Owners Rockingham Ranch, David Bernsen and Little Red Feather Racing had to be smiling while watching Espinoza ride Newgrange to perfection.

    “It was great,” the 51-year-old native of Mexico said. “I wanted to just bounce out of there and see what everyone wanted to do. I knew I had the best horse in the race … I was able to just bounce out of there, go to the lead and control the race and that was it.”

    Sent postward in the field of seven as the 2-1 second choice behind 8-5 favorite Newgate, Newgrange beat Newgate by one length while running the mile and an eighth in 1:49.26. Mixto, an 11-1 longshot, was three-quarters of a length farther back in third.

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    Newgrange set moderate fractions of 23.27, 47.55 and 1:12.10 while winning the San Pasqual for the second consecutive year. He came back to finish seventh in the Big ‘Cap last spring and D’Amato decided to freshen him. He’s won seven of 13 lifetime for earnings of $1,007,634.

    This year’s Big ‘Cap on March 2 has been slimmed down to $400,000. It’s still a Grade I race and a winner’s check for $240,000 is not too shabby, but horses the likes of Saturday’s Pegasus World Cup winner National Treasure and 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner White Abarrio will wait for the richer stakes races overseas in February and March.

    ​ Orange County Register 

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    Orange County girls basketball standings: Saturday, Jan. 27
    • January 28, 2024

    Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now

    Standings for the Orange County girls basketball leagues through Friday, Jan. 26.

    Trinity League
    League
    Overall

    Mater Dei
    7-0
    21-6

    Orange Lutheran
    5-2
    17-7

    Rosary Academy
    3-3
    17-7

    Santa Margarita
    1-5
    15-10

    JSerra
    0-6
    18-7

    South Coast League
    League
    Overall

    San Juan Hills
    6-0
    16-9

    San Clemente
    4-1
    18-7

    Trabuco Hills
    2-2
    10-11

    Aliso Niguel
    1-4
    6-14

    Tesoro
    0-6
    4-22

    Sea View League
    League
    Overall

    Dana Hills
    6-0
    21-3

    El Toro
    4-2
    16-8

    Mission Viejo
    2-4
    8-17

    Capistrano Valley
    0-6
    2-14

    Surf League
    League
    Overall

    Los Alamitos
    4-0
    21-5

    Corona del Mar
    3-1
    13-12

    Edison
    1-3
    7-19

    Fountain Valley
    0-4
    14-12

    Wave League
    League
    Overall

    Marina
    4-0
    18-8

    Huntington Beach
    3-1
    15-11

    Laguna Beach
    1-3
    7-18

    Newport Harbor
    0-4
    8-17

    San Joaquin League
    League
    Overall

    Orangewood Academy
    5-0
    17-6

    Fairmont Prep
    3-2
    19-7

    Pacifica Christian
    1-3
    18-7

    Capistrano Valley Christian
    0-4
    12-14

    Pacific Coast League
    League
    Overall

    Sage Hill
    4-0
    20-2

    Portola
    2-2
    20-5

    Woodbridge
    1-3
    18-8

    Northwood
    1-3
    8-12

    Pacific Hills
    League
    Overall

    Beckman
    4-0
    16-7

    Irvine
    3-1
    13-11

    University
    1-3
    9-16

    Laguna Hills
    0-4
    7-16

    Orange Coast League
    League
    Overall

    Calvary Chapel
    10-0
    17-9

    St. Margaret’s
    9-2
    21-6

    Estancia
    7-4
    17-10

    Santa Ana
    5-5
    12-13

    Costa Mesa
    3-7
    7-18

    Orange
    2-8
    10-13

    Saddleback
    0-10
    0-21

    Orange League
    League
    Overall

    Anaheim
    8-0
    24-1

    Savanna
    5-2
    18-6

    Western
    4-4
    5-11

    Magnolia
    3-4
    13-8

    Santa Ana Valley
    2-5
    9-13

    Century
    0-7
    3-11

    Crestview League
    League
    Overall

    Esperanza
    4-0
    20-4

    Brea Olinda
    3-2
    9-16

    El Dorado
    2-2
    17-8

    Foothill
    0-5
    5-19

    North Hills League
    League
    Overall

    Villa Park
    4-1
    15-10

    Canyon
    3-2
    15-10

    Yorba Linda
    3-2
    13-10

    El Modena
    0-5
    12-14

    Empire League
    League
    Overall

    Crean Lutheran
    8-0
    16-6

    Cypress
    5-2
    13-11

    Pacifica
    4-4
    20-6

    Valencia
    3-5
    13-13

    Tustin
    3-5
    14-11

    Kennedy
    0-7
    8-16

    Garden Grove League
    League
    Overall

    Loara
    8-0
    16-8

    Santiago
    6-1
    9-16

    La Quinta
    4-4
    12-14

    Los Amigos
    3-5
    8-13

    Rancho Alamitos
    2-6
    8-18

    Bolsa Grande
    0-7
    1-22

    Freeway League
    League
    Overall

    Buena Park
    8-0
    17-8

    Sunny Hills
    6-2
    16-10

    Sonora
    3-4
    12-13

    Troy
    3-5
    9-13

    La Habra
    3-5
    18-8

    Fullerton
    0-7
    13-12

    Golden West League
    League
    Overall

    Godinez
    8-0
    14-8

    Segerstrom
    6-2
    20-6

    Katella
    6-2
    15-7

    Westminster
    2-6
    4-18

    Ocean View
    1-7
    7-19

    Garden Grove
    1-7
    4-14

    Express League
    League
    Overall

    Samueli Academy
    7-1
    12-6

    Southlands Christian
    5-1
    11-3

    Magnolia Science Academy
    3-4
    4-7

    Bethel Baptist
    0-4
    0-6

    Vista Meridian
    0-5
    0-6

    ​ Orange County Register 

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    Santa Anita horse racing consensus picks for Sunday, January 28, 2024
    • January 28, 2024

    The consensus box of Santa Anita horse racing picks comes from handicappers Bob Mieszerski, Art Wilson, Terry Turrell and Eddie Wilson. Here are the picks for thoroughbred races on Sunday, January 28, 2024.

    Trouble viewing on mobile device? See consensus picks

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    ​ Orange County Register 

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    Lake Forest calls a snow day
    • January 28, 2024

    Lake Forest was a winter wonderland on Saturday despite the day’s vaguely summer-like weather.

    Snowfest has become a popular annual tradition in the town.

    Families played in snow throughout the day, sledding down Mount Pittsford.

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    Itxe2x80x99s smooth sailing for Tyra McDonald and her granddaughter, Kiyah, as they glide down the hill during Snowfest in Lake Forest on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Talon Youn, 8, makes faces at his mother, Aerie Youn, daring her to hit him with a snowball during Snowfest in Lake Forest on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. The event featured food, games and lots of artificial snow. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    The sun beats down on artificial snow making gloves unnecessary during Snowfest in Lake Forest on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Talon Youn, 8, throws snowballs at his mother, Aerie Youn, during Snowfest in Lake Forest on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. The event featured food, games and lots of artificial snow. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Fabio Lima lets his daughter Makayla, 4, hit him with a snowball while her mother watches during Snowfest in Lake Forest on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Ruthann Guidry goes down while having a snowball fight with family members during Lake Forestxe2x80x99s Snowfest on..Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Kirsten Davis and 7-year-old Ashley Espinosa, enjoy a bumpy ride during Snowfest in Lake Forest on..Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. The event featured food, games and lots of artificial snow. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Jaylene Garcia, 7, top, and Raegan Polizzi, 8, take a spill during Lake Forestxe2x80x99s Snowfest on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Carissa Hang and her 8-year-old daughter, Kiana, take a spill while sledding during Snowfest in Lake Forest on..Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. They were unhurt. The event featured food, games a snow pit, and a sledding hill. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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    ​ Orange County Register 

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    Kings keep searching for elusive answers as they face the Blues
    • January 28, 2024

    After a lopsided defeat in Colorado, the Kings’ outlook had become so bleak that even their beacon of positivity Phillip Danault –– “always progression, never regression” is his stated ethos –– remained at a loss for inspiration.

    “It’s getting hard to get our pace and our confidence going into the game. We have to get back to trusting each other, and, I don’t know, we’re running out of solutions,” Danault said.

    “I think the guys are working hard, I don’t know, it just doesn’t work,” he added.

    “It” may be construed to mean just about anything since apart from the Kings’ penalty kill, little has functioned since the close of 2023. When the Kings get a reprieve, the first month of 2024 will be over. In the month leading up to a showdown with the Blues in St. Louis, they’ve won just two games, the fewest in the NHL.

    They are hanging by a thread to a postseason berth and could be out of the picture heading into a pause that theoretically could help them get healthier –– physically in some cases and also mentally –– but could also see them return with an even more significant deficit in the standings behind the West’s top teams.

    On a positive note, Quinton Byfield, who missed Friday’s flop with an illness, was back on the ice at practice per Kings blogger Zach Dooley. He’s been remarkably consistent in terms of effort and production alike, drawing high praise during low moments from Coach Todd McLellan after a blown lead against Buffalo brought out the boo birds.

    There have been so many rapid recalculations as the Kings metamorphosize from lions into mice that it could even impact their late-season outlook. ESPN’s Greg Wyshinski reported that an Eastern Conference GM told him that this prolonged plummet for the Kings might “change the math” at the trade deadline.

    Math hasn’t been the Kings’ forte this season, as they’ve carried short rosters and even short lineups. That was even after scraping the barrel and skimping on their most blaring and glaring need, goaltending (all-star Cam Talbot’s numbers have ballooned of late), while eschewing depth, talent and favorable contracts to bring in Pierre-Luc Dubois at crippling costs. Dubois reprised his role as The Invisible Man on Friday, registering one shot on goal and a minus-one rating in a match where malaise reigned across the lines and pairings.

    Even Drew Doughty, whose surly remarks dominated the narrative after the loss to Buffalo, got in on the tragicomedy with a turnover that led to a goal. His pal Trevor Lewis has resembled a bald tire playing in place of the injured Blake Lizotte on an utterly inept fourth line that desperately misses the Kings’ smallest but most effortful player.

    There’s little that can be pointed to as going swimmingly for the Kings as even Danault’s second line has slipped, leaving what was once a four-line team predicated on depth and balance by the brass’s own admission to feed on whatever scraps its mostly healthy but still tattered lineup can provide each night.

    The recall of Alex Turcotte on Saturday might inject some new blood into the room, though it seems beyond unfair to expect greatness from a player with just 12 games of NHL experience who sustained two concussions and a multitude of maladies over the course of his brief career.

    He was to be the crown jewel in a draft that the Kings heralded. Turcotte was the fifth overall selection in 2019 and one of four picks the Kings’ had in Rounds 1 and 2 after finishing with the NHL’s second worst record. Of those four, Turcotte has lost significant development time to injuries; Tobias Bjornfot was waived and claimed by rival Vegas; Samuel Fagemo was waived, claimed and then returned to the Kings only to languish on the fourth line lately; and Arthur Kaliyev has found himself the subject of countless trade rumors amid inconsistent performance and deployment.

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    The Forum Report’s Jon Rosen reported that General Manager Rob Blake overruled his own scouting department to select Turcotte –– who was by most external measures a bankable pick with a high floor and a star’s ceiling –– and perhaps under the influence of former teammate Tony Granato (he coached Turcotte at the University of Wisconsin).

    This year in the minors, Turcotte has amassed 23 points in 28 games with a plus-8 rating.

    Assuming he draws in, Turcotte will make his NHL season debut against the Blues, who are led in scoring by Robert Thomas. They’re winners of four straight contests after sweeping a three-game Northwestern road trip. Since Drew Bannister took over coaching duties from 2019 Stanley Cup winner Craig Berube, the Blues have gone 12-6-1 following a tepid 13-14-2 start.

    ​ Orange County Register 

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    Orange County boys basketball standings: Saturday, Jan. 27
    • January 28, 2024

    Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now

    Standings for the Orange County boys basketball leagues through Friday, Jan. 26.

    Trinity League
    League
    Overall

    Mater Dei
    7-1
    23-2

    St. John Bosco
    7-1
    22-4

    JSerra
    5-3
    21-4

    Santa Margarita
    4-4
    17-8

    Orange Lutheran
    1-7
    9-14

    Servite
    0-8
    10-14

    South Coast League
    League
    Overall

    San Clemente
    6-0
    21-5

    San Juan Hills
    3-2
    15-9

    Trabuco Hills
    3-2
    18-7

    Tesoro
    1-5
    10-16

    Capistrano Valley
    1-5
    11-15

    Sea View League
    League
    Overall

    Dana Hills
    6-0
    21-4

    El Toro
    4-3
    9-16

    Aliso Niguel
    3-3
    18-6

    Mission Viejo
    0-7
    9-18

    Surf League
    League
    Overall

    Los Alamitos
    4-0
    21-4

    Fountain Valley
    2-2
    16-10

    Edison
    1-3
    19-7

    Newport Harbor
    1-3
    21-5

    Wave League
    League
    Overall

    Corona del Mar
    3-0
    20-5

    Marina
    3-1
    19-7

    Laguna Beach
    1-3
    12-14

    Huntington Beach
    0-3
    14-11

    Crestview League
    League
    Overall

    Foothill
    5-0
    18-7

    Canyon
    4-1
    20-6

    Villa Park
    1-4
    12-14

    Yorba Linda
    0-5
    14-11

    North Hills League
    League
    Overall

    El Dorado
    5-0
    17-9

    Esperanza
    2-2
    9-16

    Brea Olinda
    1-3
    8-14

    El Modena
    1-4
    10-15

    Freeway League
    League
    Overall

    La Habra
    8-0
    22-4

    Sonora
    5-2
    18-7

    Troy
    4-3
    17-9

    Sunny Hills
    3-5
    15-11

    Fullerton
    2-5
    10-15

    Buena Park
    0-7
    11-14

    Orange Coast League
    League
    Overall

    Costa Mesa
    9-1
    15-11

    Calvary Chapel
    7-2
    14-10

    St. Margaret’s
    6-3
    13-8

    Estancia
    7-4
    19-8

    Santa Ana
    3-6
    9-13

    Orange
    1-9
    2-22

    Saddleback
    1-9
    6-19

    San Joaquin League
    League
    Overall

    Pacifica Christian
    6-1
    17-10

    Fairmont Prep
    5-1
    17-8

    Orangewood Academy
    2-4
    10-14

    San Gabriel Academy
    2-4
    13-9

    Capistrano Valley Christian
    1-6
    11-14

    Empire League
    League
    Overall

    Cypress
    7-0
    19-5

    Crean Lutheran
    7-1
    14-12

    Tustin
    5-3
    16-10

    Pacifica
    3-5
    16-10

    Valencia
    1-7
    10-16

    Kennedy
    0-7
    8-16

    Pacific Coast League
    League
    Overall

    Sage Hill
    6-1
    13-12

    Northwood
    6-1
    19-6

    Woodbridge
    4-3
    15-9

    Irvine
    4-3
    13-12

    Beckman
    4-3
    13-12

    Portola
    3-4
    7-18

    University
    1-6
    7-17

    Laguna Hills
    0-7
    1-22

    Garden Grove League
    League
    Overall

    Los Amigos
    6-1
    16-7

    Santiago
    6-2
    13-13

    Rancho Alamitos
    5-3
    16-10

    Loara
    4-3
    16-9

    Bolsa Grande
    1-7
    4-15

    La Quinta
    1-7
    4-20

    Golden West League
    League
    Overall

    Godinez
    8-0
    20-6

    Westminster
    6-2
    13-9

    Segerstrom
    4-4
    8-17

    Ocean View
    2-6
    13-13

    Katella
    2-6
    7-16

    Garden Grove
    2-6
    10-16

    Orange League
    League
    Overall

    Savanna
    8-0
    15-9

    Western
    7-1
    13-13

    Anaheim
    3-4
    7-18

    Santa Ana Valley
    2-4
    11-11

    Magnolia
    2-5
    4-19

    Century
    0-8
    12-14

    Academy League
    League
    Overall

    Western Christian
    4-0
    17-6

    Tarbut V’ Torah
    2-2
    10-7

    Newport Christian
    2-3
    6-3

    The Webb Schools
    0-3
    7-11

    Western League
    League
    Overall

    Calvary Chapel/Downey
    4-0
    8-12

    Samueli Academy
    7-1
    16-8

    Vista Meridian
    3-4
    4-10

    Magnolia Science Academy
    3-5
    4-9

    Liberty Christian
    1-4
    3-5

    Orange County Christian
    0-4
    0-4

    Express League
    League
    Overall

    Avalon
    7-1
    8-14

    Acaciawood
    5-1
    7-11

    Anaheim Discovery Christian
    2-4
    4-5

    Southlands Christian
    1-2
    3-14

    Eastside Christian
    0-3
    1-12

    Bethel Baptist
    0-4
    0-4

     

    ​ Orange County Register 

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    How D’Anton Lynn and Eric Henderson will work together as co-DCs at USC
    • January 27, 2024

    LOS ANGELES – Loaf (verb): To idle away time. To lounge, or saunter, idly or lazily.

    It sounds cliche, ultimately, but the foundations of the Gus Bradley-era Los Angeles Chargers’ defense were simple: critique effort first. It was the coaches’ guiding star in 2017, Bradley’s first season as a part of Anthony Lynn’s staff. Every practice. Every game. And if players were caught on tape not sprinting to the ball, as then-defensive line coach Giff Smith recalled, they’d be marked down with a “loaf.”

    In meetings the next day, coaches would pull up a slide and read aloud the highest tallies. INSERT PLAYER had 12 “loafs,” for example.

    “And he’s getting embarrassed in front of his peers,” Smith recalled, of those days. “Anybody can run to the ball if you got any character to you. So, if you’re not running to the ball, you’re choosing to be selfish.”

    All the while, sharing time in meeting rooms, defensive assistants D’Anton Lynn and Eric Henderson quietly observed.

    “Critique effort first,” Smith said. “I’m sure they’re both still doin’ that.”

    This otherwise-innocuous season in Los Angeles football memory – 9-7, missing the playoffs, lost altogether to history – planted the seeds for the relationship between Lynn and Henderson, both serving secondary roles in the first few years of their coaching careers. Six years later, they’ve reunited on a Los Angeles staff, tabbed as co-coordinators by Lincoln Riley and taking on the challenge of completely rebuilding a struggling USC defense.

    It’s an interesting alignment, particularly in timing. Lynn was hired as USC’s newest defensive coordinator at the beginning of December, tabbed after a year at UCLA as the young savant who would remold the Trojans around the personnel he could attract, his defensive ideals quickly drawing a slew of transfers and recruits alike. Then USC announced the hire of Henderson, a big-time defensive line coach with the Rams who’d helped mold Aaron Donald, in mid-January – as a co-defensive coordinator. Suddenly, the program has two highly-regarded minds sharing one job.

    Thus, the Southern California News Group spoke with members of the 2017 Chargers’ staff – the lone year in which the two overlapped – for a picture of how Lynn and Henderson will work in tandem at USC. All remember the two as bright, inventive minds who routinely were trusted with more responsibility than their job titles entailed. And the key point: their philosophies and coaching strengths have always been complementing, not contrasting, two men with strong personalities who will challenge each other but do so without job-title conceit.

    “There is no ego with Eric Henderson,” Bradley, now the Colts’ defensive coordinator, told the SCNG. “And there’s no ego with D’Anton Lynn. So will it work? There’s not a doubt in my mind it will work.”

    ::

    Anthony Lynn knew D’Anton and Henderson were more than coworkers, he said, when his son invited Henderson to his wedding in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

    Still, it didn’t seem as though the young Lynn and Henderson were exactly the best of friends. They had separate, specific focuses on that staff: Henderson working on the defensive line under Smith, Lynn working more closely with linebackers coach Richard Smith (now working under Bradley with the Colts) as a quality control assistant. They were more close colleagues, perhaps, with a deep respect.

    “You could just tell, there’s a natural connection and a natural trust between the two,” Giff Smith said. “And you always felt like they would wind up on a staff together some way. I’m not claiming I would say I knew they were gonna be co-defensive coordinators together at USC, but I think we always thought they would be on a staff.”

    Everyone, of course, knew that Lynn was his father’s son. He never acted like it, though, keeping his head down and cards close to the vest. He’d started four years in the secondary at Penn State, and despite being all of three years into his coaching career, Bradley began consulting the young Lynn to evolve the Chargers’ defensive philosophy – formerly utilizing a great deal of Cover 1 or “single-high” coverages with just one safety, but Lynn suggesting more split-safety actions.

    And Henderson’s coaching timeline, too, sped up in just his first year of coaching at the NFL level. Before long, Giff Smith attested, he’d entrust Henderson to put together play-tape for technique sessions – sitting down with the likes of Pro Bowler Joey Bosa as a rookie NFL coach to critique his film. Normally, Bradley said, position coaches don’t split up any group responsibility with assistants; but Smith challenged Henderson to mold rookies and lower-level draft picks like Isaac Rochell, a seventh-round pick in 2017. Within one year, Henderson turned Rochell into a five-sack presence in his sophomore season.

    “What he has,” Smith said of Henderson, “is the unique ability to tap the inner part of a guy to make him work harder than he ever thought he could. And that’s a gift that only a few coaches have.”

    ::

    One man, in this alignment, will have the headset. Will be the one to call plays. Will be the mind ultimately controlling the show, even as the two split responsibilities.

    “I guarantee you it’s going to be D’Anton,” Richard Smith said, “the one making those calls on (Saturday).”

    But based on that year together with the Chargers, former mentors anticipate responsibility being shared simply by harmonious coaching styles. Lynn is described by everyone, from coaches to parents to his own family, as a poker-faced, calm, analytical mind who’ll rarely explode. Henderson coaches, as Richard Smith said, with a twinkle in his eye. A smile, too.

    “But he can get after your ass on the field, you know what I mean?” Smith said.

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    It’s a natural pairing: Lynn the analyst, Henderson the motivator. And both were prepared for this, too, by those shared meeting rooms back in 2017, where Bradley would mandate his entire defensive staff game-planned together – no separation between the front and secondary. Henderson is more than a defensive-line coach, Bradley said; he understands the back end. And Lynn, who has specialized in coaching secondaries throughout his NFL tenure before his year at UCLA, has come into USC with a clear vision for molding the Trojans up front.

    “I think they’re very much on the same page with that,” Giff Smith said. “I mean, D’Anton did a great job with the outside edge rushers at UCLA and creating pressure on the quarterback, and being creative on his different simulated pressures that he brought, and Eric did that under Raheem (Morris) a bunch too. So I just really think it’s an easy fit.”

    And there’s one sure thing, at least: there’ll be no loafs around Howard Jones Field come fall.

    “I find myself pulling for ‘em,” Bradley said, “because you feel like, ‘Gosh, this is how it’s supposed to work out.’”

    ​ Orange County Register 

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    Fullerton postal worker run over as mail theft suspects try to get away
    • January 27, 2024

    Three people were arrested after they were videotaped driving into a postal worker who was trying to thwart what police say was the theft of hundreds of pieces of mail from a Fullerton post office.

    Police were called to the post office at 1350 E. Chapman Ave. around 4:50 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23, Fullerton Sgt. Ryan O’Neil said Saturday. A caller said someone had taken a crate of mail off a loading dock and fled in a black sedan. As the sedan left the parking lot, a female employee stood in front of the car, was pushed backward and fell into the street. She quickly got up on her own.

    Cell phone footage captured the moment mail thieves ran over a mail lady after stealing mail from the Fullerton post office. The suspects walked into the facility targeting mail trays of checks before fleeing the location. #fullerton pic.twitter.com/0DLgspOqWg

    — OC Hoods (@ocxhoods) January 25, 2024

    About a mile south, at Orangethorpe and Raymond avenues near the 91 Freeway, an officer saw a car matching that description and pulled it over.

    “Luckily, officers were in the right place at the right time,” police said in a Facebook post. “Officers conducted a traffic stop, and what do you know, a USPS mail bin was inside the vehicle. Needless to say, all occupants were delivered to jail.”

    The three were arrested on suspicion of mail theft, robbery and assault with a deadly weapon — the car, O’Neil said.

    Police are trying to determine whether the suspects were responsible for other mail thefts and robberies.

    Federal officials say there has been a nationwide increase in such crimes.

    Stealing mail provides crooks with numerous opportunities to profit. In addition to acquiring anything inside that in itself is valuable, thieves can alter checks and cash them, and they can sell or trade Social Security numbers and other personal information discovered. Mail is often targeted by drug addicts who lack cash.

    It’s also less risky than robbing a bank because few mail thieves face federal charges that can result in longer sentences.

    These thefts are turning increasingly violent, according to the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General.

    In a September 2023 report, officials wrote the Postal Service said in May that robberies — theft by force or fear — of letter carriers are increasing.

    In a May 2023 news release cited by the Inspector General, postal authorities said 412 letter carriers were robbed during the 2022 fiscal year that ended in September 2022, and that 305 such crimes had been logged in the first half alone of fiscal year 2023 that ended in September 2023.

    Also, postal authorities reported an increase in high-volume thefts from blue collection boxes and other containers from 38,500 in fiscal 2022 to 25,000 in the first half of fiscal 2023.

    Thieves are particularly targeting arrow keys, which are skeleton keys that carriers use to open relay boxes, apartmentpanels, outdoor parcel lockers and neighborhood delivery and collection boxes. Those keys are used on more than 300,000 routes. The Inspector General report urged postmasters to improve the security of the keys.

    In June 2023, Irvine police arrested an Anaheim man and said he possessed thousands of pieces of stolen mail, credit cards, passports and keys that could be used to open mailboxes.

    U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) introduced legislation in 2023 that would allow the Postal Service to assign its police to the field. Currently, they are restricted to Postal Service property, Durbin told CBS Ch. 2 in Chicago in November.

    As a way to stay on top of when important letters and packages are going to arrive, consumers can sign up for Informed Delivery, a free service from the Postal Service that emails them images of incoming mail.

    ​ Orange County Register 

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