TEAMS COMPARISON: Sunday’s game features two top ten special teams units built with different philosophies. The Burrow Bengals have stitched it together with largely first and second-year players, such as rookie punter Brad Robbins, rookie personal protector Jordan Battle, rookie punt returner Charlie Jones, rookie gunner Andrei Iosivas and second-year long snapper Cal Adomitis. Although the two linchpins are vets, linebackers Akeem Davis-Gaither and Markus Bailey, Davis-Gaither just returned from a month-long knee injury. In his first year playing, safety Tycen Anderson was tied for the NFL lead in special teams tackles before suffering a season-ending ACL tear in the Oct. 29 win against the 49ers.

Meanwhile, the Texans with a quarterback on a rookie deal, have veterans such as nine-year linebacker Neville Hewitt and fifth-year cornerback Ka’dar Hollman who are in the NFL’s top 20 in special teams tackles, per PFF.

“They don’t give up anything,” said Simmons of a kick and punt defense that is both ranked third. “What they’re taking advantage of right now is they have not had a quarterback there in some time. And so they can pay the lower half of the roster higher than what the rest of the league can because they don’t have to pay the quarterback yet. They have a bunch of good veteran special teams players and they’re taking advantage of that.”

STATE OF TEAMS: Despite the loss of Anderson, Simmons is bullish on his young guys.

Robbins, he says, has bounced back from his nightmarish 10-punt opener in the rain and been solid. He particularly points to the last punt in San Francisco with 19 seconds left and a 14-point lead.

“It didn’t seem big to a lot of people, but it is to me, how we handled the situation at the end … We ran the play clock down. We called timeout. We talked about the rush. But then I told him, this punt has to be out of bounds,” Simmons said. “Because there’s going to come a time it’s a seven-point game, or it’s a three-point game with 20 seconds left where that ball’s got to be out of bounds. And he executed it perfectly, kicked it out of bounds.”

Translation: If the punt in the AFC title game with 30 seconds left had gone out of bounds, the Bengals could have been in the Super Bowl again. At the very least, overtime.

Simmons says one guy can’t replace Anderson because of his unique size and speed, but keep an eye on Battle. Battle, the third-round safety from Alabama, bowled over Simmons with his 18-minute interview at the NFL scouting combine that had Simmons drawing in his notes they had to have him. The only other guy he did that with this year is future Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs.

“Jordan’s in a bit more of a position where he can affect the game better or, or more. He’s in critical spots. He’s playing the old spots that Mike Thomas played,” Simmons said of his old captain still around on the practice squad.

“He’s an inside player on kickoff. He’s not had to change with the injury to Tyson … He’s trying to handle a lot right now in addition he’s got a role on defense, too. So there’s a lot going on for him. And I think he’s managed it pretty well for the most part. He’s a smart kid that you can tell has played a lot of football in his career and some things come naturally to him. Some things take work, but he’s willing to put the work in and do it.”

SLANTS AND SCREENS: The Bengals could use a fellow Buckeye to get Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud out of the pocket, but left end Sam Hubbard (ankle) didn’t work for the second straight day …

You know that false start called on Orlando Brown that turned Evan McPherson’s 55-yard field goal into a punt on Sunday night? Simmons is still shaking his head.

“They had a player right in front of Orlando that simulated the snap count. He yelled out,’ set.’ You can see his head move and see him do it to Orlando,” Simmons said. “I mean, the official that called the penalty, there’s no chance he saw Orlando move. Zero. Okay. I can barely see him move on video. Just look at the (video).” …

The post Ja’Marr Again To Transferring; Jonah Williams’ New Strategy And His Outdated Fan Orlando; Younger Bengals Specialists Offering Kick appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

NEW YORK — Celebrations mixed with demonstrations of resistance on Sunday, as LGBTQ+ pride parades filled the streets in some of the country’s largest cities and hosted annual events that were part party, part protest.

In New York, thousands marched cheering and waving rainbow flags down Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue to Greenwich Village to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall riot, when a police raid on a gay bar sparked days of protests and started a movement for LGBTQ+ rights shouted.

While some cheered jubilantly, many were aware of the growing conservative backlash to restricting rights, including by banning gender-affirming care for transgender children.

“I’m not trying not to be too political, but when it’s actually about my community, I’m very, very upset and very hurt,” said Ve Cinder, a 22-year-old transgender woman who traveled from Pennsylvania to celebrate the cause Attend the country’s largest Pride event.

“I’m just scared for my future and for my trans siblings. I’m afraid of how this country judges human rights, basic human rights,” she said. “It’s crazy.”

Parades in New York, Chicago and San Francisco are among the events being hosted by around 400 Pride organizations across the US this year, with many focusing specifically on transgender people’s rights.

On Sunday, people watch the Pride parade in New York.Eduardo Munoz Alvarez / AP

Entertainers and activists, drag performers and transgender advocates are among the parade grand marshals declaring a message of unity as several US states enact new laws targeting the LGBTQ+ community.

“The platform will be raised and we will see communities across the country show their unity and solidarity through these events,” said Ron deHarte, co-president of the US Association of Prides.

Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver and Seattle are scheduled to hold Pride parades on Sunday. More than 100 groups are expected to attend the parade in Toronto, Canada. In New York City, seven-time Grammy winner Christina Aguilera will headline a post-March concert in Brooklyn.

The annual observations have spread to other cities and are now also accessible to bisexual, transgender and queer people and other groups.

About a decade ago, when her 13-year-old child first wanted to be called a boy, Roz Gould sought Keith’s help. She found little to help her family navigate the transition. They attended a Pride march in the Detroit area, but saw few transgender representatives.

This year, she is heartened by the increased visibility of transgender people at marches and celebrations across the country this month.

“Ten years ago, when my son asked to go to Motor City Pride, there was nothing for the transgender community,” said Keith, founder and executive director of Stand with Trans, a group created to serve young transgender people and to support and strengthen their families.

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This year, she said, the event was “packed” with transgender people.

One of the great marshals of the New York City parade is non-binary activist AC Dumlao, chief of staff for Athlete Ally, a group that advocates for LGBTQ+ athletes.

“Promoting the trans community has always been at the core of our events and programs,” said Dan Dimant, a spokesperson for NYC Pride.

Many of this year’s parades called on LGBTQ+ communities to unite against dozens, if not hundreds, of bills currently under deliberation in state houses across the country.

Lawmakers in 20 states have decided to ban gender-based childcare and at least seven others are considering doing the same, adding urgency to the transgender community, their advocates say.

“We are under threat,” organizers of Pride events in New York, San Francisco and San Diego said in a statement, which was joined by about 50 other Pride organizations across the country. “The multiple dangers we face as the LGBTQ community and Pride organizers, while varying in nature and intensity, share a common trait: they are aimed at protecting our love, our identity, our freedom, our security and our undermining life.”

Some parades, including the Chicago event, were scheduled for heightened security in light of the unrest.

The Anti-Defamation League and GLAAD, a national LGBTQ+ organization, identified 101 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents in the first three weeks of this month, about double the number for the entire month of June last year.

Sarah Moore, who analyzes extremism for the two civil rights groups, said many of the June incidents coincided with Pride events.

The post Occasion and protest combine as LGBTQ+ delight parades kick off from New York to San Francisco appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

NEW YORK – Some of the world’s biggest celebrations of LGBTQ+ pride will begin on Sunday. Thousands are expected to march in New York, San Francisco and other North American cities in parades that will be part party, part protest.

Entertainers and activists, drag performers and transgender advocates are among the grand marshals at parades delivering a unity message this year as several US states enact new laws targeting the LGBTQ+ community.

The parades and marches are among a series of events being hosted by the approximately 400 Pride organizations across the US this year, with many programs specifically targeting transgender rights.

“The platform will be raised and we will see communities across the country show their unity and solidarity through these events,” said Ron deHarte, co-president of the US Association of Prides.

Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver and Seattle are all expected to hold their annual Pride parades on Sunday. More than 100 groups are expected to attend the parade in Toronto, Canada. In New York City, seven-time Grammy winner Christina Aguilera will headline a post-March concert in Brooklyn.

The New York march takes place on the last Sunday in June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City, when a police raid on a gay bar sparked days of protests.

Over the years, the annual observations have expanded to other cities and now include bisexual, transgender, queer and other groups.

About a decade ago, when her 13-year-old child first wanted to be called a boy, Roz Gould Keith sought help but could find little to help her family navigate their child’s transition. They attended a Pride march in the Detroit area, but saw few transgender representatives.

This year, she is heartened by the increased visibility of transgender people at marches and celebrations that have taken place across the country this month.

“Ten years ago, when my son asked to go to Motor City Pride, there was nothing for the transgender community,” said Keith, the founder and executive director of Stand with Trans, a group formed to empower young transgender people. Support people and their loved ones and strengthen families.

This year, she said, the event was “packed” with the portrayal of transgender people.

One of the big marshals of New York’s parade this year is non-binary activist AC Dumlao, chief of staff for Athlete Ally, a group that advocates for LGBTQ+ athletes.

“Promoting the trans community has always been at the core of our events and programs,” said Dan Dimant, a spokesperson for NYC Pride.

Many of this year’s parades served as a call to action for LGBTQ+ communities to unite against dozens, if not hundreds, of bills currently under consideration in state houses across the country.

Lawmakers in 20 states have decided to ban gender-based childcare and at least seven others are considering doing the same, making uniting in the transgender community even more urgent, advocates say.

“We are threatened. Prides are under threat,” said Pride organizers in New York, San Francisco and San Diego in a statement, joined by about 50 other Pride organizations across the country. “The multiple dangers we face as LGBTQ community and Pride organizers, while varying in nature and intensity, have one common trait: they are designed to undermine our love, our identity, our freedom, our security and our lives .”

Some parades, including the Chicago event, plan to increase security amid the unrest.

The Anti-Defamation League and GLAAD, a national LGBTQ+ organization, have identified 101 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents in the first three weeks of this month alone, about twice the number for the entire month of June last year.

Sarah Moore, who analyzes extremism for the two civil rights groups, said many of the June incidents coincided with Pride events.

___

AP contributors Geoff Mulvihill in Cherry Hill, New Jersey and Susan Haigh in Hartford, Connecticut contributed to this report.

The post Occasion and protest combine as LGBTQ+ pleasure parades kick off from New York to San Francisco appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

NEW YORK (AP) – Some of the world’s biggest celebrations of LGBTQ+ pride will begin on Sunday. Thousands are expected to march in New York, San Francisco and other North American cities in parades that will be part party, part protest.

Entertainers and activists, drag performers and transgender advocates are among the grand marshals at parades delivering a unity message this year as several US states enact new laws targeting the LGBTQ+ community.

The parades and marches are among a series of events being hosted by the approximately 400 Pride organizations across the US this year, with many programs specifically targeting transgender rights.

“The platform will be raised and we will see communities across the country show their unity and solidarity through these events,” said Ron deHarte, co-president of the US Association of Prides.

Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver and Seattle are all expected to hold their annual Pride parades on Sunday. More than 100 groups are expected to attend the parade in Toronto, Canada. In New York City, seven-time Grammy winner Christina Aguilera will headline a post-March concert in Brooklyn.

The New York march takes place on the last Sunday in June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City, when a police raid on a gay bar sparked days of protests.

Over the years, the annual observations have expanded to other cities and now include bisexual, transgender, queer and other groups.

About a decade ago, when her 13-year-old child first wanted to be called a boy, Roz Gould Keith sought help but could find little to help her family navigate their child’s transition. They attended a Pride march in the Detroit area, but saw few transgender representatives.

This year, she is heartened by the increased visibility of transgender people at marches and celebrations that have taken place across the country this month.

“Ten years ago, when my son asked to go to Motor City Pride, there was nothing for the transgender community,” said Keith, the founder and executive director of Stand with Trans, a group formed to empower young transgender people. Support people and their loved ones and strengthen families.

This year, she said, the event was “packed” with the portrayal of transgender people.

One of the big marshals of New York’s parade this year is non-binary activist AC Dumlao, chief of staff for Athlete Ally, a group that advocates for LGBTQ+ athletes.

“Promoting the trans community has always been at the core of our events and programs,” said Dan Dimant, a spokesperson for NYC Pride.

Many of this year’s parades served as a call to action for LGBTQ+ communities to unite against dozens, if not hundreds, of bills currently under consideration in state houses across the country.

Lawmakers in 20 states have decided to ban gender-based childcare and at least seven others are considering doing the same, making uniting in the transgender community even more urgent, advocates say.

“We are threatened. Prides are in jeopardy,” said Pride organizers in New York, San Francisco and San Diego in a statement, joined by about 50 other Pride organizations across the country. “The multiple dangers we face as the LGBTQ community and Pride organizers, while varying in nature and intensity, share a common trait: they are aimed at protecting our love, our identity, our freedom, our security and our undermining life.”

Some parades, including the Chicago event, plan to increase security amid the unrest.

The Anti-Defamation League and GLAAD, a national LGBTQ+ organization, have identified 101 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents in the first three weeks of this month alone, about twice the number for the entire month of June last year.

Sarah Moore, who analyzes extremism for the two civil rights groups, said many of the June incidents coincided with Pride events.

___

AP contributors Geoff Mulvihill in Cherry Hill, New Jersey and Susan Haigh in Hartford, Connecticut contributed to this report.

The post Get together and protest combine as LGBTQ+ satisfaction parades kick off from New York to San Francisco – MyStateline.com appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

NEW YORK (AP) – Some of the world’s biggest celebrations of LGBTQ+ pride will begin on Sunday. Thousands are expected to march in New York, San Francisco and other North American cities in parades that will be part party, part protest.

Entertainers and activists, drag performers and transgender advocates are among the grand marshals at parades delivering a unity message this year as several US states enact new laws targeting the LGBTQ+ community.

The parades and marches are among a series of events being hosted by the approximately 400 Pride organizations across the US this year, with many programs specifically targeting transgender rights.

“The platform will be raised and we will see communities across the country show their unity and solidarity through these events,” said Ron deHarte, co-president of the US Association of Prides.

Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver and Seattle are all expected to hold their annual Pride parades on Sunday. More than 100 groups are expected to attend the parade in Toronto, Canada. In New York City, seven-time Grammy winner Christina Aguilera will headline a post-March concert in Brooklyn.

The New York march takes place on the last Sunday in June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City, when a police raid on a gay bar sparked days of protests.

Over the years, the annual observations have expanded to other cities and now include bisexual, transgender, queer and other groups.

About a decade ago, when her 13-year-old child first wanted to be called a boy, Roz Gould Keith sought help but could find little to help her family navigate their child’s transition. They attended a Pride march in the Detroit area, but saw few transgender representatives.

This year, she is heartened by the increased visibility of transgender people at marches and celebrations that have taken place across the country this month.

“Ten years ago, when my son asked to go to Motor City Pride, there was nothing for the transgender community,” said Keith, the founder and executive director of Stand with Trans, a group formed to empower young transgender people. Support people and their loved ones and strengthen families.

This year, she said, the event was “packed” with the portrayal of transgender people.

One of the big marshals of New York’s parade this year is non-binary activist AC Dumlao, chief of staff for Athlete Ally, a group that advocates for LGBTQ+ athletes.

“Promoting the trans community has always been at the core of our events and programs,” said Dan Dimant, a spokesperson for NYC Pride.

Many of this year’s parades served as a call to action for LGBTQ+ communities to unite against dozens, if not hundreds, of bills currently under consideration in state houses across the country.

Lawmakers in 20 states have decided to ban gender-based childcare and at least seven others are considering doing the same, making uniting in the transgender community even more urgent, advocates say.

“We are threatened. Prides are in jeopardy,” said Pride organizers in New York, San Francisco and San Diego in a statement, joined by about 50 other Pride organizations across the country. “The multiple dangers we face as the LGBTQ community and Pride organizers, while varying in nature and intensity, share a common trait: they are aimed at protecting our love, our identity, our freedom, our security and our undermining life.”

Some parades, including the Chicago event, plan to increase security amid the unrest.

The Anti-Defamation League and GLAAD, a national LGBTQ+ organization, have identified 101 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents in the first three weeks of this month alone, about twice the number for the entire month of June last year.

Sarah Moore, who analyzes extremism for the two civil rights groups, said many of the June incidents coincided with Pride events.

___

AP contributors Geoff Mulvihill in Cherry Hill, New Jersey and Susan Haigh in Hartford, Connecticut contributed to this report.

The post Celebration and protest combine as LGBTQ+ delight parades kick off from New York to San Francisco appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.