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Safety Kareem Jackson’s return from four-game suspension forces Broncos to make tough decisions

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Safety Kareem Jackson’s return from four-game suspension forces Broncos to make tough decisions


Surrounded by reporters in front of his locker room on Thursday afternoon, Broncos safety Kareem Jackson expressed happiness for being back on the practice field after serving a four-game suspension.

At the same time, Jackson understands his reality is a bit different compared to when he returned from a two-game suspension earlier in the season.

While Jackson was sidelined, safety P.J. Locke was inserted into the starting lineup and became an impactful player. He totaled 26 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles while thriving in a starting role.

Jackson said he was happy to see Locke step up to the plate in his absence and knows it’s up to the coaching staff to decide what his role will be moving forward.

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“(Locke) got the opportunity and he took advantage of it. That’s how guys in the league get paid,” Jackson said. “At the end of the day, it’s all about getting wins no matter who is out there.”

Jackson hasn’t played in a month since his hit on Vikings quarterback Josh Dobbs drew his second suspension this season. As eager as he might be to play Sunday against the Patriots, there’s a chance he’ll have to wait another week to get back on the field.

The Broncos have the option to hold him out with a one-game exemption in order to get him back in shape prior to Week 17’s matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. The team has yet to indicate how it will proceed.

“It’s (Jackson’s) first week back, so it takes some time to get his body in shape, making calls and playing football,” defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said. “Right now, we are still working through those issues with (Jackson), so we’ll see how it goes on Sunday.”

Locke’s play in recent weeks likely solidified a spot for him in the starting lineup. But if the Broncos are serious about making a run for the postseason, they could use Jackson’s support. The veteran defensive back has played well whenever he’s been on the field and should provide depth in the secondary.

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Jackson’s return could also force the Broncos to make some tough decisions in order to create room for him on the roster. Are the Broncos willing to roll the dice and place a player like safety J.L. Skinner or outside linebacker Thomas Incoom, who has rarely played this season, on waivers and hope nobody picks them up? Are they willing to shake up their special teams unit, which has been one of the best in the league this season?

“We’ve got a strong nucleus and I think that, being one of the top units in the league when you look at it across the board, that’s been an element to it,” Broncos special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica said. “We have had a couple guys in and out and I think that what’s really neat is those new guys that are in those roles, whether it’s like a Ben Niemann or (Nate) Adkins was rotating in there, the guys that are the core guys accept them (and) help them.”

Whatever decision the team makes, Jackson said the bond among Denver’s defensive backs will remain strong.

“Our relationship with these guys will always be bigger than the game,” Jackson said. “Once we are all done in this locker room, these are guys I still plan to have a relationship with and hang out with their families. That’s special to me and I always want to see these guys excel in this league.”

Jackson’s first suspension came after a hit on Green Bay tight end Luke Musgrave on Oct. 22 that resulted in an immediate ejection. He appealed that suspension, which was shortened from four games to two, and returned to the field against Minnesota only to find himself back in trouble just three plays into the game.

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Jackson said he is unsure of what he can do to avoid future punishment.

“Maybe I’ll just start ankle biting (and) that would keep me out of trouble,” he said.

When Jackson returned for his first suspension, head coach Sean Payton had a simple message: “We’re on a little bit of a roll and don’t mess anything up now.”

What’s Payton’s message to him this time around? Jackson said he hasn’t received one.

“I don’t know if that’s a good thing or bad thing,” he said.

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Denver, CO

Denver police host

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Denver police host


It’s no shock the COVID-19 pandemic caused a major shock to Colorado’s job market. In the last four years there have been a lot of workforce changes, including an ever-changing unemployment rate. Whether you’re looking for a new job now or hoping to hire, one thing that’s never changed is how first impressions make a big difference. That’s why Denver police teamed up with the community to help job hunters “dress for success” over the weekend.

Earlier in the week, CBS Colorado’s Jasmine Arenas had a conversation with Denver police Chief Ron Thomas where he emphasized the importance of regaining the public’s trust and being in the community. On Saturday morning, he put words into action with the department’s second Dress for Success event.

From blazers to shoes, women of all shapes and sizes enjoyed a free shopping spree. Some were even able to get a makeover. It’s all courtesy of Denver police and community partnerships.

Sgt. Christopher Baird with Denver Police said this event was especially for those looking to look sharp while on the hunt for a job.

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“Maybe it’s something that’ll help them with a job interview or just something that’ll make them feel good about themselves,” said Baird.

It was an important event because a big part of landing the job has a lot to do with how someone presents themselves.

Nicole Desich with the Other Side Academy, a training school in which students learn pro-social, vocational and life skills, echoes this sentiment.

“A lot of times when you go in for a job you have the self-confidence if you have the clothes, you feel confident in, then you also can feel confident getting the job,” said Desich.

Police said before the doors even opened at least 60 people were waiting in line to get in.

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“It’s a shopping experience without the financial burden,” said recruit officer, Milliner with the Denver Police Academy.       

With no limit on what one can take, some left with a handful of bags filled with new looks.

“As a female myself it’s empowering to be able to come in here and build these relationships,” said Milliner.

The purpose of these events is to help those who want a job get one and stay employed. This is all part of Thomas’s mission of being in the community.

“We just want to fill that gap where we recognize there is one,” said Thomas.

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Denver police look to continue to effort similar events and help the community feel supported.

“I think there are other service needs that community has and providing clothes, providing food, shelter… I think those are all needs that we can also provide to our community,” said Thomas.

In April a similar event was held for men, where more than 80 participants left with hundreds of items.



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Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves Game 4 odds, picks and predictions

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Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves Game 4 odds, picks and predictions


The Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves meet Sunday in Game 4 of a best-of-7 Western Conference, 2nd-round series. The Timberwolves lead the series 2-1. Tip-off from Target Center is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (TNT). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Nuggets vs. Timberwolves odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

The Nuggets are starting to show signs of life in this series after a 117-90 road victory in Game 3 Friday. Denver won straight up as a 3.5-point underdog and did most of the heavy lifting to help the Over (205.5) hit.

C Nikola Jokic and G Jamal Murray each had 24 points for the Nuggets, who can regain home-court advantage with a victory Sunday.

Minnesota’s 90 points in Friday’s loss was its lowest scoring output since an 89-88 setback against the LA Clippers March 3. The Over/Under for points scored by G Anthony Edwards was set at 27.5, and he finished with 19 after taking just 15 shots (8 for 15).

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The Timberwolves covered and the Under hit in the 1st 2 games of this series.

Nuggets at Timberwolves odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:01 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Nuggets +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Timberwolves -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Nuggets +2.5 (-105) | Timberwolves -2.5 (-115)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 204.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Nuggets at Timberwolves key injuries

Nuggets

  • Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (abdominal) questionable
  • Reggie Jackson (calf) questionable
  • Jamal Murray (calf) questionable

Timberwolves

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Nuggets at Timberwolves picks and predictions

Prediction

Nuggets 100, Timberwolves 99

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Moneyline

While I like the Nuggets (+125) at these odds, it’s tough to fade the Timberwolves (-150) in back-to-back home games. What we do know is that Minnesota’s No. 1-ranked defense should bounce back after getting blown out, and in a close, low-scoring game, this may just come down to which team gets the final possession.

PASS. Bet the spread and/or total instead.

Against the spread

The defending NBA champs were grossly undervalued by the market heading into Friday. They went from 7.5-point favorites in Game 2 to 3.5-point underdogs in Game 3. That 11-point swing was way too drastic, even when accounting for change of venue.

The Nuggets have barely been upgraded since Friday’s win, and I believe that’s a mistake.

Minnesota is a young team, and its best player, Edwards, is just 22 years old. The Timberwolves faced zero adversity in a 4-game sweep of the Phoenix Suns in the 1st round. They now have to deal with the pressure of potentially giving home-court advantage back to the defending champs.

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I’ll put my money on the veterans who have proven that they can win multiple playoff series.

BET NUGGETS +2.5 (-105).

Over/Under

The Under has hit in 2 of the 3 games this series, and Minnesota’s NBA-best defense should look much better after allowing 117 points in Game 3.

This is a pivotal game in the sense that a Timberwolves victory would put them just 1 win away from the conference finals and a Nuggets upset would give them back home court. Look for both teams to play conservatively and slow down the pace.

BET UNDER 204.5 (-110).

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Ask Amy: Mother of gay son not ready for the pride parade

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Ask Amy: Mother of gay son not ready for the pride parade


Dear Amy: My son “Jack” is 26 years old. Five years ago, he came out to me as gay. While this didn’t fully surprise me, it saddened me. I wanted Jack to have a traditional life. I wanted to have grandchildren.

Despite these feelings, I told him I accepted him.

Jack has lived on his own for the past several years. Recently he told me that he has been in a relationship with “Samuel” for six months. He also asked if I would be OK with him bringing Samuel home to a family function. Not knowing how to respond, I said it was fine.

While Samuel seemed nice enough, I was not prepared for the feelings that seeing them dance together and be affectionate would bring up in me.

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I thought about what others were thinking. I wondered what I may have done that contributed to him being this way. I felt anger at Jack’s father for never being a positive male role model or steady presence in his life. I thought about his safety with STDs that run rampant in the gay community as well as violence toward gay men that seem to happen regularly.

I tried to play the role of the accepting mom at the party. I’m embarrassed to talk to anyone in the family about this. My daughter seems completely fine with it. I just will never be the totally accepting mom who goes to gay pride parades with her son. Will it ever get easier?

— Prideless Mom

Dear Prideless: Yes, this will get easier. One way to make things easier would be for you to stop thinking of your son’s sexuality as “it,” and start thinking of his sexuality as “Jack.”

My point is that you can’t separate a person’s identity from the person.

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Many of your concerns are actually distortions. Jack can have what you refer to as a “traditional life,” with marriage and children. His choice to bring his boyfriend home to meet the family is the essence of “traditional.”

Any sexually active adult (including you) can get an STD. And if you are truly worried about violence against gay people, then be the change you want to see in the world and confront your own homophobia.

The way to make things easier would be for you to increase your exposure to the experience that frightens you.

You should spend more time with Jack and Samuel. Continue to “play the role of the accepting mom.” See how it feels and how others respond to you. Ask Jack if there are ways you could be a more supportive mom to him.

PFLAG.org is a national organization offering support for parents and family members. Their motto is “You are not alone.” You can learn more about sexuality, have your fears addressed and questions answered, and learn from other parents.

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Dear Amy: All of the kids in our family were brought up with religion not being a part of our lives.

We are all over 60 now and recently my wife and I were invited over for Easter dinner at my sister’s place.

Suddenly, my brother-in-law starts saying grace.

It’s not important to me, so I just sat there.

After dinner was over, my sister said to me, “You could at least have bowed your head.”

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Religion was never a part of our family and I felt it wrong for her to all of a sudden expect me to have to bend to their new beliefs.

I don’t care if they say grace, it’s just not my thing.

Your thoughts?

— No Grace for Me

Dear No Grace: Ironic, isn’t it — that you were guests at this house for Easter dinner, which — last time I checked — is a Christian holiday.

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It’s simple good manners to respect other people’s faith practices, especially while in their homes. In my opinion, this respect can be demonstrated by sitting quietly while they say a blessing, and not judging them afterward.

I don’t think it is necessary to bow your head, but would you bow your head if a blessing was being said at a sports stadium? If so, then you should do so at someone’s table.

Dear Amy: I’m just offering an “atta girl” for offering my family so many years of great conversations. We often read your column at the dinner table and then try to guess your response.

— Old Fan

Dear Old Fan: Thank you so much. I love the idea that this column inspires conversations around the kitchen table and in the office breakroom.

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(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)

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