Must win game for the Green Bay Packers on Sunday as they take on the New York Giants. If the Packers win, their playoff hopes remain alive. They lose, they are out.
Green Bay got a boost, im sure, with the news of quarterback Aaron Rodgers being cleared to play after coming off his second concussion of the season against the Lions. If that boost that Rodgers brings by returning will be enough, or even if Aaron Rodgers playing in itself will be enough still remains to be seen.
All things would appear to be stacked against the green and gold this Sunday. One of the biggest variables that really hasn't been discussed is the weather conditions. Everyone assumes, "late december game, it is going to be freezing out in Lambeau." Not so fast, the forcast calls for a high of 27 degrees in Green Bay for Sunday. Should be comfortable throwing conditions for a pass happy offense and Aaron Rodgers to throw as many times as Mike McCarthy's little heart desires. Wind between 8 and 10 MPH isn't bad either.
Still problems pop up for the Packers. How will they control the ball? Can they win the battle in the trenches? Can they stop the Giants two-tierd run game? How about stopping their defensive line?
When it comes down to it, as almost always, I assume this game will come down to how good of a game Dom Capers has on the defensive side of the ball.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Derek Anderson
By now I'm sure everyone has seen the Derek Anderson "blow up" on a reporter after the Cardinals 27-6 loss on national TV to the 49ers. If not I will link it to the bottom of the blog.
Its a tough issue, because it is hard to say if anyone is wrong. Both sides of the argument can be correct. The reporter's job is to ask the questions(no matter what they may be) so that reporter has the right to ask whatever he or she wants to ask. At the same time, the player has the right to answer that question in the way they see fit.
I will state my position on this issue right off the bat. I am 100% behind Derek Anderson and completely sympathize with him. Lets make this clear first and foremost. Anderson answered the original question that was asked to him. (See Video) He didn't blow up right then and there, it wasn't until the reporter continued to badger him on the issue. Watch the video and if you see things how I see them, the reporter in question seemed to be scolding Anderson for laughing on the sideline rather than asking a legitimate question about it. However; the fact that Derek answered the original question should have him off the hook right then and there.
Lets take it a step further.. What is the problem with laughing on the sideline? Even when being blown out. Your out on the field for what, 5 hours? (pre game-end of game). Do you really think not one funny thing will be said? Who are YOU to say "so and so should not be laughing!" ? Might I suggest being an athlete before you criticize them?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jErsW7rgHBs
Its a tough issue, because it is hard to say if anyone is wrong. Both sides of the argument can be correct. The reporter's job is to ask the questions(no matter what they may be) so that reporter has the right to ask whatever he or she wants to ask. At the same time, the player has the right to answer that question in the way they see fit.
I will state my position on this issue right off the bat. I am 100% behind Derek Anderson and completely sympathize with him. Lets make this clear first and foremost. Anderson answered the original question that was asked to him. (See Video) He didn't blow up right then and there, it wasn't until the reporter continued to badger him on the issue. Watch the video and if you see things how I see them, the reporter in question seemed to be scolding Anderson for laughing on the sideline rather than asking a legitimate question about it. However; the fact that Derek answered the original question should have him off the hook right then and there.
Lets take it a step further.. What is the problem with laughing on the sideline? Even when being blown out. Your out on the field for what, 5 hours? (pre game-end of game). Do you really think not one funny thing will be said? Who are YOU to say "so and so should not be laughing!" ? Might I suggest being an athlete before you criticize them?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jErsW7rgHBs
Monday, November 22, 2010
Brad Childress Move Bad For Packers
When the news that Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress was fired came out a sense of satisfaction was felt around Packer Nation. There is no doubt about the sense of accomplishment felt by Packer fans everywhere, after being the final nail in the coffin of Wade Phillips in Dallas and now Childress. On the surface it looks good.
Think about the situation a little longer and you may come to realize that the move to fire the troubled head coach could be a negative.
I understand the excitement of seeing a bitter rival in turmoil, but let us not forget what was at the source of that turmoil. The list was large for Brad Childress and the mistakes he made. You can start by looking at the loyalty factor when it came to the players on his roster. Year one with Brett Favre, you leave your teams practice to personally go pick Brett Favre up from the Airport, year two, you get down on your hands and knees and beg the man to come back. If I was a player that would not sit right...And by reports that have came out with players voicing their displeasure with the coach that point is confirmed.
Moving on...Go get Randy Moss, keep him for a month and then release him. But not just release him, go ahead and do it behind the back of everyone including the owner.
Those are two obvious examples of problems with the former Viking head coach. add on to that, not taking a stand against Brett Favre, not getting along with Brett, or other players, and being stubborn you have a bad combination.
Now the root of the problem is gone in Minneapolis, and there is no where to go but up. The Packers have faced the Vikings for their two times this season and won't have to worry about them for another year. However, in all honesty, when you look across the sidelines as a Packer fan next season....Who would you rather see, besides Brad Childress?
Think about the situation a little longer and you may come to realize that the move to fire the troubled head coach could be a negative.
I understand the excitement of seeing a bitter rival in turmoil, but let us not forget what was at the source of that turmoil. The list was large for Brad Childress and the mistakes he made. You can start by looking at the loyalty factor when it came to the players on his roster. Year one with Brett Favre, you leave your teams practice to personally go pick Brett Favre up from the Airport, year two, you get down on your hands and knees and beg the man to come back. If I was a player that would not sit right...And by reports that have came out with players voicing their displeasure with the coach that point is confirmed.
Moving on...Go get Randy Moss, keep him for a month and then release him. But not just release him, go ahead and do it behind the back of everyone including the owner.
Those are two obvious examples of problems with the former Viking head coach. add on to that, not taking a stand against Brett Favre, not getting along with Brett, or other players, and being stubborn you have a bad combination.
Now the root of the problem is gone in Minneapolis, and there is no where to go but up. The Packers have faced the Vikings for their two times this season and won't have to worry about them for another year. However, in all honesty, when you look across the sidelines as a Packer fan next season....Who would you rather see, besides Brad Childress?
Thursday, November 11, 2010
What to do in a bye week...
Week 10 of the regular season in the NFL is upon us. Unfortunately no Green Bay Packer football. HOWEVER, I have some suggestions on what to do, in a week where there is no Packer news.
10. Go out and do some early shopping for Thanksgiving. Nothing better than beating the crowd.
9. Spend the weekend (especially Sunday) with your girl. (hopefully she's clueless to there being no game)
8. Take a day to not read ANYTHING Packer related. Your mind needs a break from a stressful season too
7. Sit back and watch the soap opera that is the Minnesota Vikings. (entertainment almost as good as watching the Pack)
6. Shop and restock your fridge full of beer for next weekend.
5. Watch the first Thursday night game of the year. (or call & complain to cable provider for not having NFLN)
4. Watch this commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJqnitjqpuM
3. Go to Lambeau and walk through the Packers HOF. Maybe take a tour of the stadium. (Always good for the kids!)
2. Pray hard, every night, that the Packers get healthy during the bye
1. Watch the Vikings and Bears beat on each other!
Enjoy your bye week :)
10. Go out and do some early shopping for Thanksgiving. Nothing better than beating the crowd.
9. Spend the weekend (especially Sunday) with your girl. (hopefully she's clueless to there being no game)
8. Take a day to not read ANYTHING Packer related. Your mind needs a break from a stressful season too
7. Sit back and watch the soap opera that is the Minnesota Vikings. (entertainment almost as good as watching the Pack)
6. Shop and restock your fridge full of beer for next weekend.
5. Watch the first Thursday night game of the year. (or call & complain to cable provider for not having NFLN)
4. Watch this commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJqnitjqpuM
3. Go to Lambeau and walk through the Packers HOF. Maybe take a tour of the stadium. (Always good for the kids!)
2. Pray hard, every night, that the Packers get healthy during the bye
1. Watch the Vikings and Bears beat on each other!
Enjoy your bye week :)
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Brett Favre Hated, But Respected
I don't know that any one player meant as much to an organization as Brett Favre meant to the Green Bay Packers. To the fans & to the front office. So it comes as no surprise that when Brett Favre CHOOSES to go to the Vikings, Packer fans are up in arms.
I for one am willing to lead the way with Brett Favre bashing....I do find it interesting however, that the SAME reason Brett Favre went to Minnesota, is much of the same reason as to why Packer fans loved him for so many years. No one is going to tell the guy "no" or "you can't do this" or "cant do that". He will not have any of it. My point being, love him yet, or hate him...You have to respect the guy and his attitude. At least I do.
Brett Favre is by far and away (if not thee biggest) one of the biggest competitors that has ever stepped onto a field. You can not deny what he does and how he approaches the game. He is all or nothing. He will throw a touchdown pass last second to win the game, he will throw an INT last second to lose it. He will play with a broken thumb on his throwing hand, two broken bones in his ankle AND tendentious in his throwing arm...Or maybe have a career day after the passing of his father....Maybe even throw a TD pass right after a major concussion.
When it comes down to it, love him, hate him.....You should respect the man.
I for one am willing to lead the way with Brett Favre bashing....I do find it interesting however, that the SAME reason Brett Favre went to Minnesota, is much of the same reason as to why Packer fans loved him for so many years. No one is going to tell the guy "no" or "you can't do this" or "cant do that". He will not have any of it. My point being, love him yet, or hate him...You have to respect the guy and his attitude. At least I do.
Brett Favre is by far and away (if not thee biggest) one of the biggest competitors that has ever stepped onto a field. You can not deny what he does and how he approaches the game. He is all or nothing. He will throw a touchdown pass last second to win the game, he will throw an INT last second to lose it. He will play with a broken thumb on his throwing hand, two broken bones in his ankle AND tendentious in his throwing arm...Or maybe have a career day after the passing of his father....Maybe even throw a TD pass right after a major concussion.
When it comes down to it, love him, hate him.....You should respect the man.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Problems Continue For Pack
Despite getting a 28-26 win over the lowly Detroit Lions there is not a whole lot of positives the Packers can take out of their week 4 match up. Despite what Mike McCarthy thinks, problems still flow rapidly from Packer Land.
The Packers would have to be pleased about "cleaning up" their penalty issue for the time being...(We will know for sure once it becomes a weekly thing).
Special teams continue to be a glaring weakness for this team. Tim Masthay's opening kick off (a 21 yarder) was just the beginning of the Packers special team struggles for the second week in a row. Jordy Nelson, who was benched at the end of last season fumbled twice on kickoff returns. Both of which were recovered by the opposition.
Ever sense Mike McCarthy has gotten to Green Bay he has preached accountability and availability. At some point (sooner than later would be great!) Shawn Sloccum, the Packers special teams coach needs to be held accountable. Waves of players have come and gone in McCarthy's tenure as head coach, and yet the same results. New punters, new kick/punt returners, new blocking schemes...The works. It has all been changed up. At some point it NEEDS to be recognized as a "coaching issue" and not a "player issue"
So how about it, coach? How about we clean that area up.
The Packers would have to be pleased about "cleaning up" their penalty issue for the time being...(We will know for sure once it becomes a weekly thing).
Special teams continue to be a glaring weakness for this team. Tim Masthay's opening kick off (a 21 yarder) was just the beginning of the Packers special team struggles for the second week in a row. Jordy Nelson, who was benched at the end of last season fumbled twice on kickoff returns. Both of which were recovered by the opposition.
Ever sense Mike McCarthy has gotten to Green Bay he has preached accountability and availability. At some point (sooner than later would be great!) Shawn Sloccum, the Packers special teams coach needs to be held accountable. Waves of players have come and gone in McCarthy's tenure as head coach, and yet the same results. New punters, new kick/punt returners, new blocking schemes...The works. It has all been changed up. At some point it NEEDS to be recognized as a "coaching issue" and not a "player issue"
So how about it, coach? How about we clean that area up.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Derek Jeter
Okay, well, ESPN just EXPLODED today with Derek Jeter talk. So if you have been away for a few days he had a pitch come inside, go off the handle of his bat and faked getting hit by the ball... The umps bought it and he took first base. In the end the Rays ended up beating the Yankees ANYWAY. So I don't see what the big deal is.
Number one, this type of thing happens all the time. On all levels...High school, college, minors pros. Not only does this happen in baseball, but it happens in every single sport (just in its own way). Its all about getting an edge over your opponent. Not a big deal. They are playing within the rules of the game. The rules state that if a player is hit by a pitch he takes his base. Who determines if a batter was hit by a pitch? The umpire. The umpire in this case said "yes Derek Jeter got hit" So he takes his base. So don't blame Derek Jeter. What do you want him to do?.... "Uh...Mr. umpire...I did NOT in fact get hit by that pitch, I should not be rewarded with first base." Sorry...Those words will never come out of a pro athletes mouth. If they ever did, the guy wouldn't make it to the pro level. He wouldn't have a competitive enough mindset.
But back to the umpire for a minute. If you want to blame someone blame the umps. They are the ones that blew it. And just because Derek Jeter acted like he got hit, does not mean the ump says "oh ok well i guess he got hit, take your base." Not how it works. EXAMPLE:
There you have it. Umps don't go with what the player says. This kind of thing happens all the time and it is just an example of ESPN turning a non story and something that doesn't matter into something that resembles WWII to them. Its rediculious.
The next time I hear someone say "that is cheating" or "that just sets a awful example to kids" I say...Good for you Derek Jeter.
Number one, this type of thing happens all the time. On all levels...High school, college, minors pros. Not only does this happen in baseball, but it happens in every single sport (just in its own way). Its all about getting an edge over your opponent. Not a big deal. They are playing within the rules of the game. The rules state that if a player is hit by a pitch he takes his base. Who determines if a batter was hit by a pitch? The umpire. The umpire in this case said "yes Derek Jeter got hit" So he takes his base. So don't blame Derek Jeter. What do you want him to do?.... "Uh...Mr. umpire...I did NOT in fact get hit by that pitch, I should not be rewarded with first base." Sorry...Those words will never come out of a pro athletes mouth. If they ever did, the guy wouldn't make it to the pro level. He wouldn't have a competitive enough mindset.
But back to the umpire for a minute. If you want to blame someone blame the umps. They are the ones that blew it. And just because Derek Jeter acted like he got hit, does not mean the ump says "oh ok well i guess he got hit, take your base." Not how it works. EXAMPLE:
There you have it. Umps don't go with what the player says. This kind of thing happens all the time and it is just an example of ESPN turning a non story and something that doesn't matter into something that resembles WWII to them. Its rediculious.
The next time I hear someone say "that is cheating" or "that just sets a awful example to kids" I say...Good for you Derek Jeter.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Week 1 of the NFL
Finally week 1 of the NFL has arrived. No more "meaningless" preseason games. No more games that don't count, no more waiting! The NFC Championship rematch tonight between the Vikings and Saints promises to be a good one. Last year of course the Vikings were knocked out of the playoffs by the Saints, who then went on to be "America's Team" and win the Superbowl. Of course the big victom of that game was Brett Favre who threw the interception that ended up losing the game for the Vikes.
I gotta believe that when Brett Favre hits the field against the defending Superbowl champs, he is going to be out for revenge. Thats the way Brett Favre works. He is extremely competitive(about the only reason I have left for liking him) and he is not going to be told by ANYONE or any team that he "cant do it". Therefore he will be out to prove the naysayers wrong AND to get the Vikings off to a 1-0 start.
On the other side of the ball, the Saints...They had (in other peoples words not mine) a "magical" year last year. I have a feeling the Saints will be a pretty rough opponent for whoever they play, but hey...Its almost impossible to repeat as champs.
Tonights game though will go in favor of the home team. They are still the defending superbowl champs, and they have the passion and energy on their side. Being in the Super Dome, I gotta imagine there will be an awful lot of buzz. One, because its opening day and from Jacksonville to Green Bay who ISN'T excited! Two, because fans are looking for the Saints to get after Mr. Favre. And three, the city was so happy for them to get the Superbowl Victory, and I would have to imagine that will have a carry over effect into week one...Espicially considering their opponent.
When push comes to shove, regardless of how the matchup of Brett Favre VS Drew Brees pans out. The Super Dome is going to be one tough place to play.
Prediction: SAINTS: 27 VIKINGS:17
I gotta believe that when Brett Favre hits the field against the defending Superbowl champs, he is going to be out for revenge. Thats the way Brett Favre works. He is extremely competitive(about the only reason I have left for liking him) and he is not going to be told by ANYONE or any team that he "cant do it". Therefore he will be out to prove the naysayers wrong AND to get the Vikings off to a 1-0 start.
On the other side of the ball, the Saints...They had (in other peoples words not mine) a "magical" year last year. I have a feeling the Saints will be a pretty rough opponent for whoever they play, but hey...Its almost impossible to repeat as champs.
Tonights game though will go in favor of the home team. They are still the defending superbowl champs, and they have the passion and energy on their side. Being in the Super Dome, I gotta imagine there will be an awful lot of buzz. One, because its opening day and from Jacksonville to Green Bay who ISN'T excited! Two, because fans are looking for the Saints to get after Mr. Favre. And three, the city was so happy for them to get the Superbowl Victory, and I would have to imagine that will have a carry over effect into week one...Espicially considering their opponent.
When push comes to shove, regardless of how the matchup of Brett Favre VS Drew Brees pans out. The Super Dome is going to be one tough place to play.
Prediction: SAINTS: 27 VIKINGS:17
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