tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358833652024-03-07T19:02:20.144-06:00Camp LambeauA blog featuring Praise, Commentary, News, Silliness and Resentment regarding the Green Bay Packers and the University of Wisconsin Football and Men's Basketball Teams. Plus, musings on sports generally.
You have been warned.Mr.Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640299265197754525noreply@blogger.comBlogger624125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35883365.post-37477455277452453842011-08-19T12:10:00.002-05:002011-08-19T12:14:20.331-05:00Our manNeat <a href="http://host.madison.com/sports/college/football/article_f4576ec4-ca74-11e0-a1da-001cc4c03286.html">update</a> on Bart. But seriously, who pays for my favorite CA high school football team to fly to Fort Lauderdale?
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<br />U-65 Since 1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/01543924853957413242noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35883365.post-87669066237243044902011-02-20T02:11:00.013-06:002011-02-20T16:13:30.960-06:00GOD'S TEAM... INTO THE SUNSET.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTf6CMxMxmc1h151z_KlQRucKm3CxEBMyB2cFoN4YZuNKlcOqGXrfPep7fqUOoskHKG2oFchfrEozlVfQxn7biLzE2_ETSEWeSWdthA5uwBBaI_jz8cHg1JpCnbN7ee5LaYJs2/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTf6CMxMxmc1h151z_KlQRucKm3CxEBMyB2cFoN4YZuNKlcOqGXrfPep7fqUOoskHKG2oFchfrEozlVfQxn7biLzE2_ETSEWeSWdthA5uwBBaI_jz8cHg1JpCnbN7ee5LaYJs2/s400/images.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575689243557503954" /></a><br />Well this is fun. Living in California, if I even see someone with a green shirt on I throw up a high 5. Yesterday one of the Mexicans waiting for work outside home depot was wearing a packer hat and I went in for a bear hug. He's my pool guy now. I don't have a pool. My Mom bought championship gear. It's on the way. I've watched every video on NFL.com from the start of the playoffs until Matthews went on ELLEN at least 5 times. Some well over 20. I haven't spoken to anyone I know from Chicago and I think its well clear that I wont until after Labor Day. I just learned all the names on the Badger Basketball team. I've had season tickets since I was eleven. I know that the Badger Hockey team tied Minnesota tonight.<br />The Superbowl was fun. Rooting for Rodgers in that game was what I always imagined it would be like to root for Tom "sugar gumdrops" Brady. He wasn't losing. Either was I. I hit my halftime square and my Game square. I won 3 $20 bets on the game and I gave up the 3 points quickly. I won marijuana from a cook at work. I won 2 $5 bets on the color of the gatorade they dumped on Mccarthy. I lost on how long Christina Aguliera would hold "Brave" for in the Anthem. The over/under was 6.8 seconds. I went under like a complete tourist. I was paying excruciatingly close attention to the Anthem and neither I nor anyone in the room full of people I was watching with had any idea that she messed it up. USA.<br />I can't wait for next season. We're loaded. Greg Jennings just guaranteed that we are gonna go to Indianapolis next year on the NFL network just after he'd said that the Lions needed to draft defensive backs 'badly' in the "NFC North draft preview", with Solomon Wilcots and Warren (Met Simeon Rice once and asked him who the best athlete he ever played with was and he said Warren Sapp without hesitation) Sapp. Yyyyikes. Tone it down, Greg. But we are, and they do. Sapp said we needed a running back. Way off. No we don't. We're strong at running back. It's going to hurt to lose B. Jackson, which we will. Also, I think we'll probably lose James Jones. Those might be our biggest loses. Also AJ Hawk if he doesn't restructure. But no one we can't replace.<br />Im not going to pretend to know who'll be available for us at 32, but I've seen as many as 5 tackles predicted to go in the first round and in a year where we seemingly have depth and and players getting healthy at almost every position, I'd be in favor of grabbing another O-Tackle. Especially if theres quality at the top. Which it sounds like there is. Unfortunately the Bears need O-lineman and they'll be poaching right before us. Oh well.<br />Can we get Casey Matthews? How about that? Lets get these Matthew boys some walkie Talkies and hand grenades.Randy Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421135033947520128noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35883365.post-90202797924241137072011-02-05T00:48:00.009-06:002011-02-06T05:31:22.841-06:00SUPERBOWL, EXTRA LOVE<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8lHcrx7mfn3TtcLX0hWzY-NwJyICIzusnH6qaxYx4CDZ_gbt4QE-StVIE6oWLLp1CnCkvP3rp7MknPmCxg3Ra2zGsC_NC_eri4MaLiK9DWm74bA0n2uG8SOIIm4hyphenhyphen6KqUGFX/s1600/AP11012614652--nfl_thumb_128_83.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 128px; height: 83px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8lHcrx7mfn3TtcLX0hWzY-NwJyICIzusnH6qaxYx4CDZ_gbt4QE-StVIE6oWLLp1CnCkvP3rp7MknPmCxg3Ra2zGsC_NC_eri4MaLiK9DWm74bA0n2uG8SOIIm4hyphenhyphen6KqUGFX/s400/AP11012614652--nfl_thumb_128_83.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570107680349710290" /></a><br />As the regular season progressed and we ran low on ways to make the playoffs, I felt like if the Packers were somehow able to make it to the postseason and get Rodgers his first playoff win, the season would be salvaged. Then we could lose and regroup with Jermichael and his twitter account*. With so many injuries, I was certain that we didn't have the horses to make a run like this. <br />Then the Giants imploded, Jay Cutler retired, Cullen Jenkins got healthy, We hurt Desean Jackson, Matt "Ice Man" Ryan Leaf shit his pants, Dom Capers proved to have effectively maintained a rock solid Defensive scheme able to adapt to role players in places while being anchored by stars everywhere, Sam Shields and Tramon Williams took control of the matrix and started seeing the world in green numbers, and Aaron Rodgers established himself as one of the very few quarterbacks in the league with such a rare combination of athleticism and robot like attention to detail. <br />Also the bears, in typical bear fashion, made it to the NFC championship game with an atrocious offense. I predicted if we could make it passed Julius Peppers, AKA Da bridge troll, we'd win the Superbowl. I still feel that way. The Steelers might be mean and fast and have rings, but they do not have the longest strongest fastest best athlete in the league. Which is exactly what Peppers is. And in that NFC title game he executed, to perfection, what I can only describe as an all out assassination attempt. The lick he put directly on Aaron Rodgers chin was beautiful. If I was a Bear fan I would have loved it. It was exactly what they needed. They needed to take out Rodgers. And they tried. But what did Aaron Rodgers do? He stood up immediately and proceeded to win Poppa Bear's trophy at soldier fucking field. <br />Forgive me if I'm confident in the Packers going into this Superbowl. It'll be our first non-road game in 4 weeks. Rodgers wont have to contend with a hostile crowd. The stadium wont even be half filled with Steeler fans. I look forward to watching Rodgers shout and move guys around as much as he wants without worrying about crowd noise.<br />Also, people just accept that the Packers wont be able to run the ball on Pittsburgh. Why? We did on the Bears and I would argue that the Bears have a better front 7 than the Steelers. Statistically I think Chicago would have been the top team against the run if they hadn't gone up against 4 3rd string QB's (ie running teams). And we ran on the Bears. James Starks is a stud. He will start for us next year. He's got great instincts, incredible hands and he rarely, if ever, falls down in the back field (one of Ryan Grants slight flaws). I re-watched the NFC championship, and aside from that gorgeous opening drive, the thing that stood out the most was the play of James Starks. He had 22 carries for 74 yards and a td, with a long of 16. And he had a couple big runs called back on holding penalties. He'll be fine on Sunday and will also benefit from a less noisy environment. If we can loosen up those safeties, I don't think we'll be running all over them, but it wouldn't surprise me to see Starks go for 70 or 80 yards. <br />Finally, BJ is gonna destroy this back-up rookie center. Rapelesburger is fixin to get chased and pounded. I think they'll get deep on us once or twice. And if Mcarthy decides to take a knee with 5 minutes left we could get stung, but as superbowl champion Drew Brees put it, "if Green Bay plays their best game, and the Steelers play their best game, Green Bay wins." Sounds right. I'm glad I don't have money to bet or I'd jinx the shit out of the Packers this Sunday. <br /><br />*On Jan. 19th @JermichaelF88 tweeted "I got alittle break so im going head to get a pedicure, to get these toes right.." So perhaps the twitter hubub might could may be unnecessary? Anyway, get y'all's toes right. IT'S THE DAMN SUPERBOWL!!Randy Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421135033947520128noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35883365.post-3000264715885796192010-11-28T15:52:00.005-06:002010-11-29T08:49:41.276-06:00Memo to McCarthy: Apologize for this LossIn many ways, the Packers' loss this afternoon to the Atlanta Falcons had the makings of a moral victory. The Packers were on the road against an excellent team, gave up 100 yards rushing, failed to force a turnover, failed on a fourth down conversion, fumbled the ball at the goalline, got nothing from their star defensive players, and reverted to their penalty-prone ways, but still had a chance to win the game. This demonstrates that they can, indeed, compete with anyone in the league on any given day. What held them back today? Coaching, specifically McCarthy's boneheaded clock management decisions. <br /><br />At the end of the first half, Atlanta had a first and goal with roughly 80 seconds left on the clock. The Packers had two timeouts remaining. But as the last minute of the half ticked away, McCarthy chose to use neither of his timeouts, and the Falcons went on to score a touchdown with 8 only seconds left. Why, in God's name, would McCarthy not call timeout in that situation? The Packers had moved the ball in the first half. You know Atlanta is either going to kick a field goal, turn the ball over, or score a touchdown. If you use your timeouts, you give Rodgers and company a minute on the clock and see if they can get somewhere close to field goal range. And Atlanta had all three timeouts left. You know they're not going to run out of clock, even if you stop them on third down. So there was ABSOLUTELY no reason not to use your timeouts. Terrible, terrible mismanagement of the clock. And three points (what Crosby could have gotten at the end of the first half) turned out to be the margin of victory. <br /><br />Then, at the end of the game. Unless Rodgers is constantly audibling into passes, the Packers' failure to call at least one run play during the goal-to-goal series was inexcusable. Have confidence that you're going to score. Think ahead, milk the clock, and make sure that Atlanta does NOT have enough time to march down and kick a field goal. By not running at least once on those four downs, McCarthy essentially lost the game. He gave Atlanta, with a great quarterback, and an excellent offense, playing at home, in a dome, more than a minute to march down and at least attempt a makeable field goal. Of course, Wilhem (who should be booted off the team for his double-penalty performance today) and the special teams made it easier. But the Packers have done this before in recent years--- they don't pay attention to the clock and end up shooting themselves in the foot, undermining what are often heroic offensive performances. <br /><br />The NFL is a highly competitive league. Any offense in it has the ability to move the ball forty yards in a minute and kick a field goal. Every week games are decided by who has the ball last with some time to move down the field. And so, so often, McCarthy has ignored this fact. He's been a head coach for over five years now. He needs to learn. If he doesn't, the Packers' terrible record in close games (in his tenure) will only continue. <br /><br />McCarthy should man up, learn from his mistakes, and apologize to the team for this loss. It's on him.Mr.Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640299265197754525noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35883365.post-67659381769678792552010-11-01T23:05:00.003-05:002010-11-01T23:41:05.935-05:00What makes a good College Head Coach?The last time the Badgers beat a #1 team, the U-65 crew came home and engraved our boathouse with the date and score. The boat is gone, but the message remains. Badger Football can elate.<div><br /></div><div>That was a long time ago, but it is dear to my heart. Sometimes in life you hear stories so often, or are reminded of an event so often, that it becomes a memory for you even if you were too young to have lucent recollections of the event. I told the old man before the OSU game that I was looking forward to a new engraving to match the old one. (and since the DNR disallows new boathouses, I doubt any future owners of my homestead will be tearing it down any time in the next century, so let the sun shine upon it)</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks to the 2010 Badgers, I won't have to recall the 80s to cherish a great Badger victory over #1. </div><div><br /></div><div>After the greatest televised Badger week ever (ESPNU weeklong special, GameDay, The Van Pelt Declaration), the Badgers then went to Kinnick stadium and gutted out a victory against an able Hawkeye team which fights with long nails and almost never loses at home. Greatest back-to-back victories in quite some time.</div><div><br /></div><div>So how did we get here? Only weeks ago, I had to hear from alumni complaining about Bret Bielema. Now, I hear Rose Bowl chants. So why the variation? People don't like hearing opposing opinions, so they didn't want to hear about what a coach does. But let's review.</div><div><br /></div><div>A successful coach at Wisconsin must:</div><div><br /></div><div>1) Impress boosters (the life blood of major college athletics)</div><div>2) Get along with the AD</div><div>3) Appease the chancellor (grades, behavior)</div><div>4) Manage a staff</div><div>5) Manage the media</div><div>6) Lead young men</div><div>7) Excite recruits</div><div>8) 93 other things</div><div>101) Always make the right play call</div><div><br /></div><div>When I hear people wanting to oust Bielema for a bad play call, I consider them to be children. How little they understand of the enterprise of running a college football program. </div><div><br /></div><div>(This is much different than the NFL where the Head Coach is mostly responsible for play-calling and game management, with all other duties delegated. So feel free to continue to hate McCarthy for being a moron.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Since the day that I met Beets, I have been impressed. Boosters like being around him. He's engaging. When he speaks at a podium, you want the speech to run long. He listens to Barry. He's excitable. He gets it. When you chat him up about football, you feel as though he is recruiting you, and you want to sign. He addresses weaknesses. He sees the big picture.</div><div><br /></div><div>Granted, I may be the biggest Wisconsin football homer on the planet, but I am not playing around when I talk about our coaching and our administration. Our HC is getting the right kids. We are recruiting the hell out of south Florida. We have kept a fence around Wisconsin and have annexed Minnesota. Watch how our players respond to him on the field. </div><div><br /></div><div>The back-to-back nationally televised big wins are great for Wisconsin, great for fans, and great for recruiting. However, they are not a surprise in Section U. We have a solid foundation, and we will continue to build. </div><div><br /></div><div>On Wisconsin!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>U-65 Since 1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/01543924853957413242noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35883365.post-71670695079604138782010-09-27T22:54:00.003-05:002010-09-27T23:03:20.952-05:00The Packers will never win the Super Bowl under McCarthy because he is too STUPIDWhy in god's name did the Packers not let the Bears score a touchdown with 1:40 left? What are the better odds-- that you can match the Bears with a touchdown in a minute and a half or that Robbie Gould misses what is essentially an extra point? What a fucking joke. McCarthy is a coward and a loser.<br /><br />The penalties need no commentary. Atrocious. Tauscher in particular is washed up. TJ Lang and Bulaga at tackle, and keep looking for a Colledge replacement. And Al and Atari can't get healthy soon enough.Mr.Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640299265197754525noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35883365.post-24752713916119190542010-07-15T14:54:00.001-05:002010-07-15T14:59:52.658-05:00To all those needing to get psyched for Badger football season<object style="background-image:url(http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/dV8Os_c6Te8/hqdefault.jpg)" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dV8Os_c6Te8&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dV8Os_c6Te8&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="425" height="344" allowScriptAccess="never" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Mr.Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640299265197754525noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35883365.post-86877037685811094972010-06-18T21:04:00.001-05:002010-06-18T21:07:22.592-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmItFCc6yfukwwgwWMVInnOgFrzg6eCgSf-ZJy_tIHfkuWydEsPzdoNgbV28b5W1x88awBXFUaEWtny-G0uKZk7QO6xsMCmAG_l-Y0GZcRdPTMCoHlx9E3pJZaVdCoELiQr59zA/s1600/Red+Sandals.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmItFCc6yfukwwgwWMVInnOgFrzg6eCgSf-ZJy_tIHfkuWydEsPzdoNgbV28b5W1x88awBXFUaEWtny-G0uKZk7QO6xsMCmAG_l-Y0GZcRdPTMCoHlx9E3pJZaVdCoELiQr59zA/s400/Red+Sandals.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484300551565976434" /></a>Mr.Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640299265197754525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35883365.post-6520919230716718812010-06-03T14:49:00.001-05:002010-06-03T14:51:30.676-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifX7ufYqAjNtQtRdmwt3rlh7xHTlfLl0d0hH4ROyuAI7sCFUUfuNoVU9E9C2vyb_oAfZ7GTqh9Ce2t5p3uJ0F6tjqPHUGBghVRDOQ43gYP3-JtFIeEyT5gBvF2NbfuGlZccdujpA/s1600/enhanced-buzz-29230-1275423624-6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 375px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifX7ufYqAjNtQtRdmwt3rlh7xHTlfLl0d0hH4ROyuAI7sCFUUfuNoVU9E9C2vyb_oAfZ7GTqh9Ce2t5p3uJ0F6tjqPHUGBghVRDOQ43gYP3-JtFIeEyT5gBvF2NbfuGlZccdujpA/s400/enhanced-buzz-29230-1275423624-6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478637104798103442" border="0" /></a>Mr.Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640299265197754525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35883365.post-976216221558367002010-03-19T16:53:00.003-05:002010-03-19T17:07:29.451-05:00Yeah, that was terrifyingSo I'm in midst of a year of semi-Southern exile/sabbatical, and thus missed out on witnessing actual, video evidence of the vast majority of Wisconsin's rubbing-one's-rabbit's-foot victory over Wofford in the first round of the NCAAs today. But I saw the last three minutes. And I've looked over the box score. And thus I can provide some analysis:<br /><br />(1) Wisconsin continued (continuing from the Illinois Big Ten tourney debacle) to shoot poorly. This was in all phases of shooting-- from the floor, from the line, from the three-point line especially, where they were 1 of 8.<br /><br />(2) Wisconsin did not do their usual yeoman's work on the offensive glass. Wofford is an average offensive rebounding team. UW is a superlative defensive rebounding team. Given these facts, UW let Wofford grab <span style="font-style: italic;">way </span>too many offensive boards. I'm guessing these led to several easy put-backs for the Terriers.<br /><br />(3) Thank goodness for Wofford's late carelessness with the ball and its lousy 2nd half free throw shooting. Otherwise, UW is going home early.<br /><br />(4) Also, thank goodness for UW's carefulness with the ball. The Badgers coughed the ball up only 4 times. A few more traveling calls, or loose passes, and the season would have been over.<br /><br />Looking forward, Cornell is a far superior offensive team to Wofford. And goodness knows, after dismantling Temple and enjoying a well-earned and gleeful shower and fresh change of clothes, the Big Red (but with a bear as a mascot-- like the Alabama Crimson Tide with an elephant mascot) were sitting in the stands watching this game snorting at the general ineptitude of the two teams. But Cornell is also, at least statistically, a worse defensive team than Wofford. (Although they certainly didn't look like a mediocre defensive squad today. They flustered Temple all game long. ) Needless to say, UW will have to keep on doing the good things it did today (taking care of the ball) and cease and desist doing the bad (missing shots, giving up too many offensive boards) in order to get past the hot-shooting denizens of Ithaca. But the Badgers live to fight another day. Phew.Mr.Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640299265197754525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35883365.post-42657450839350990682010-01-31T06:38:00.006-06:002010-01-31T06:52:10.375-06:00Tim Jarmusz so far this seasonGP 21<br /><br />MIN. 24.1 <br /><br />PTS/G 2.8<br /><br />REB/G 3.5<br /><br />AST/G 0.8<br /><br />FG % 30.6<br /><br />as happy as ive been with the team and the coaching staff this year, this is undeniable. what the hell is going on with this guy? hes not a stopper. our 2nd leading scorer is out. he starts. what gives? there are 4 better options sitting on the bench.Randy Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421135033947520128noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35883365.post-19249298554583992422010-01-25T12:24:00.004-06:002010-01-25T12:55:16.007-06:00Ask, and ye shall receiveObservations from a thoroughly entertaining NFC Championship Game:<br /><ul><li>I had found my animosity towards Brent fading over the course of the season, but that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pre</span>-game interview with Pam Oliver put me back over the edge. If you missed it I will summarize: This is my best season ever, this is the best team I have ever been a part of, all I care about is winning, I don't try to force things anymore, this is the most fun I have ever had. Translation: "My one year with MN is better and more fun than 16 years with the Packers. Eat it Green Bay." What an ass.</li><li>I said out loud that I hoped they broke his leg, when I thought it happened for real I realized I didn't mean it. I enjoyed every single time the hit him though.</li><li>When my wife told me it was my fault that he got hurt, because I wished it upon him, I didn't feel guilty. Not even a little.</li><li>When he was able to hobble off the field, I knew he would be back for the next series. He may be an arrogant <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">narcissist</span>, but he's the biggest <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">bad-ass</span> in football.</li><li>I was prepared to be devastated when the Saints punted with 2:30 left in the game, prepared for the old Brett to be gone for real. And then the true Brett magically reappeared.</li><li>It was a perfect ending. Sporting justice at it's best. Vikings fans wanted Brett so bad, they loved him this year like we used to, but they got all of the good Brett and none of the bad. It was too good to be true. If you want Brett you deserve all of him, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">heartbreaking</span> playoff picks and all.</li></ul><p>If Brett comes back next year, it will be curious to see if he still gets the same love from Minnie. It won't be the same as this year. He will be trying to prove something again, forcing throws, ignoring his coach. Minnie fans are much more fickle (almost had a blacked out play-off game last year). Maybe he will stall long enough to let the Vikings think he will come back, and then actually retire and they are stuck with Tavaris Jackson again. That would be perfect.</p>Papa Salhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15318911019097406306noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35883365.post-64096230270612632122010-01-11T15:15:00.002-06:002010-01-11T15:19:21.880-06:00OoofOh boy. Just when you thought, with the Packers' loss, you could sit back and enjoy Badger basketball season. <a href="http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/81142192.html">This happens</a>. Leuer is out indefinitely. Probably for the remainder of the regular season (my prediction). Balls.Mr.Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640299265197754525noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35883365.post-80742817578630620992010-01-11T09:46:00.002-06:002010-01-11T11:29:36.565-06:00Well!It's been a while, and that's because life's been moving pretty fast over here, to reference Ferris Bueller. Life was moving pretty fast last night though, no? What a crazy flippin' game.<br /><br />We're all going to remember the sudden, anti-climactic last play for a long, long time. (More on that play in a moment.) But it's worth noting the heroic effort of the offense, and the huge doses of good luck, that got the Packers back into the game in the first place. That ridiculous bomb to Finley where he just jumped over an interfering defensive back that had him smothered. The perfectly executed and recovered onsides kick (Underwood jumping on the ball just two yards past the forty). Warner inexplicably throwing to a well-covered Fitzgerald on one of the Cardinal few third downs, leading to the lone punt of the game. And, of course, the utterly makeable, but missed field goal by the Cards in the closing seconds of the game. <br /><br />The Packers' offense, after the first five minutes, generally played magnificently in facing a very aggressive, experienced, and talented (Rogers-Cromartie, Wilson (who looks and plays like a modern-day gladiator), Dockett, Berry, two two ex-Michigan DTs) Cardinals defense. But boy, in contrast, didn't it seem like Rodgers and the Packers had to work a lot harder for their points than the Kurt Warner and the Cardinals? How many wide open receivers did Warner hit? Heck, how many tough throws did the Packers force? (Three maybe?) How many times were they really in his face? How many times did he have to wait more than four seconds to throw the ball because people were covered? As my official little brother put it, it seems like the Packers--with the safety shuffle with Anthony Smith (cut), then Derrick Martin (generally ineffective in the defensive backfield), and injured for this game), then cutting Aaron Rouse, and Bigby getting injured yesterday and playing poorly before that, and with the mounting injuries at corner with Lee being presumptively placed on IR, and Blackmon, and then Al--- had a "war of attrition" in the secondary. And the Pittsburgh game and this then game demonstrated that they had lost that war. Especially with the pass rush, outside of Clay Matthews the XLVII (my wife likes to call him "Barbie"), generally being iffy. (Maybe a healthy Kampman coming off the other side on passing downs would have helped?) <br /><br />But who could have predicted a defensive outing this abysmal. Think of it. One forced turnover on Woodson's karate chop. One forced punt when Warner chose to risk a deep throw to a covered receiver on third down. That was it. Every other Cardinal drive ended in points (except for the missed short field goal, of course). I think it's safe to say, this was the worst defensive performance in the playoffs in the team's history. Warner had more touchdowns than incompletions, folks. This against a team that, while explosive and excellently quarterbacked, was starting a journeyman at left tackle and was missing its third-best offensive player (Boldin). I can't explain what happened. Certainly, whatever blitzes that were brought were ineffective. (I remember many inside linebacker blitzes being picked up well by the Cards.) But the culprit seemed to be the secondary, and our players' inability to cover every man coming out of a bunch formation. It would be fascinating to hear or read a long interview with Capers about his tactics and decision-making during the game, and why he chose to do what he did. (That's never going to happen, of course. At least you could see that he was mad, on one of the camera cuts to Capers in the booth.) Part of it, no doubt, was lack of depth. But part of it must have been schematic or lack of preparation. That stings, and hopefully will drive the defensive coaching staff to improve and reevaluate during the offseason. <br /><br />And, of course, here's hoping that Woodson remains an excellent player next season, that Lee and Blackmon recover and become solid contributors, that Underwood turns into a decent nickle back, and that we draft a capable safety to work into the mix. And, of course, that we draft someone to put some pressure opposite Barbie. My personal candidate would be Wisconsin's O'Brien Schofield, who looks tailor-made to be a 3-4 outside linebacker-- 6'2", 250, explosive, instinctive, great at shedding blocks, a leader, a fine tackler, never gives up on a play. Here's hoping he's available in the second round. <br /><br />Back to the last possession of the game. First off, that missed deep throw. Wow. How different things could have been had Rodgers read where Jennings was going just a little bit better. Then, who else thought we were sunk when Colledge (who I unfanned on Facebook in October) got called for holding on that nice pass to Grant? Especially when the replay showed that Rodgers got nailed with a helmet-to-helmet on the same play, and that there should have been offsetting penalties? Plus, although that was a hold, it wasn't the most blatant you've ever seen. Worse stuff goes uncalled pretty often. Maybe it was Colledge's god-awful arm tatoos. In any event, good pass play to Jones to make it a reasonable third down, and then the final play.<br /><br />It was an empty backfield, and Mike Adams, the whipping boy for the Packers all day (he had what, four penalties called on him?) and the previous week, comes off on a corner blitz from the right side. First off, this was a great call by the Cardinals. As Football Outsiders has demonstrated, when an offense empties the backfield teams should blitz, and blitz heavily. <span style="font-style: italic;">Statistics show that empty backfields fair poorly against the blitz. </span>Blitzes against empty backfields force quick throws by the quarterback, and if the rest of the defense plays press man, the throw is often rushed and the pass is contested. Usually, unless you have a great receiver who can easily beat press coverage, any completed pass results in an immediate tackle. So on third and decent distances, blizting an empty backfield is a smart strategy. <br /><br />For an offense to even get close to winning the down, the quarterback needs to recognize and respond to the blitz. Rodgers, sadly, appeared to fail on this initial step. Maybe Adams was too small for him to notice (he's only 5'8"), maybe Tauscher blotted him out, but Rodgers never looks in his direction. Rodgers needs to see Adams coming, go to his hot read, get the ball out, and hope his receiver can make a play for the first down. In this situation, with an unblocked man coming at you, your hand is forced. But none of these things happen. Rodgers fails to see him, though he's not coming from his blind side. Aaron does some sort of a pump fake, or a double-clutch. Adams jars the ball loose, and Karlos Dansby, who had been behind every other one of the Cardinals turnover plays, is in the right spot once again. Game over, season over. Even the post-fumble facemask that Adams pulls on Rodgers (had it been called) wouldn't have made a difference. What a game.Mr.Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640299265197754525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35883365.post-21846982640238125312009-11-24T09:01:00.002-06:002009-11-24T09:13:21.795-06:00This Totally RulesSeriously, <a href="http://www.playoffpac.com/">this is awesome</a>. If you're tired of seeing Ohio State blow it in the BCS year and year, throw some spare change in this group's direction. <br /><br />Also, the Sporting News is reporting that the BCS has hired Ari Fleischer to defend its image, apparently predicting that there'll be an uproar after Iowa and Oklahoma State are picked to play in the BCS over an undefeated Boise State. Hey, BCS, the only reason anyone thinks Fleischer is competent is because he was followed in his job by Scott McClellan. I think 90% of the world's employees would look extra-competent in hindsight if they were replaced by Scott McClellan. Also, Fleischer was the guy the Packers hired to "manage" the Favre retirement/unretirement debacle 16 months ago. How'd the Packers look coming out of that one? Hmmm, not a ringing endorsement. Seriously, how does this guy keep getting work. <br /><br />Predictably, Fleischer's first comments on behalf of the BCS didn't defend the current ridiculous system, but rather criticized playoff proponents for not having a coherent alternative. Hey Fleischer, the fact that there are a bunch of good playoff options doesn't mean that the BCS doesn't suck. Continuing your dishonest BS, even off the White House podium. Booo Bush apparatchiks.Mr.Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640299265197754525noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35883365.post-8529983777272686852009-11-04T21:24:00.017-06:002009-11-05T09:22:49.879-06:00FARVPOCALYPSE<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nGnoO-9eNlN74DyapfI4g-lpRHCN7O56teNYOZz1-NlqhNtzyJj_68eqdnUXGZfeJqmxAQfVg8Aeo1YPBkcmCy_mT8mrEguC2_SgMcqvqvs8wGGiYPOZ9GPCwJk2YcJiAwgH/s1600-h/images-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 117px; height: 117px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nGnoO-9eNlN74DyapfI4g-lpRHCN7O56teNYOZz1-NlqhNtzyJj_68eqdnUXGZfeJqmxAQfVg8Aeo1YPBkcmCy_mT8mrEguC2_SgMcqvqvs8wGGiYPOZ9GPCwJk2YcJiAwgH/s400/images-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400516353583004338" border="0" /></a>Favre can play for whoever he wants. But I don't have to like it. And if I had been there last Sunday I would have boo'd loudly. He gets to have fun playing, and I get to have fun rooting. And accepting him in a vikings helmet is not fun for me. So, eat shit hillbilly. We can talk about what you did for Wisconsin after you're finished undoing it. We are talking about the vikings. I have rules.<br />One thing was very apparent to me on Sunday afternoon; Brett Favre could not be happier playing for the vikings. He hasn't been this focused since the 90's (except for the 4-12 season when he was trying to get Antonio Chatman to the probowl). He's found Jesus. Purple Jesus. He wants to win. Maybe he even pays attention watching film this year. Or maybe it just looks like that because he's not throwing up interceptions like they're punts. You don't have to when you aren't your teams best player. He's enjoying himself and trying, <span style="font-weight: bold;">at the same time</span>. Too bad he had to play us to do that. <br />He sure is enjoying making us watch it though; waving off the incompletion that Greg Jennings barely got one hand on; saying that this 7-1 viking team (that needed a missed field goal and a hail mary to win two home games) is more talented than the 96-97 Packers; it's all a bit enthusiastic. Especially the comments about the Reggie White-led World Champion 1997 Green Bay Packers. It sounds needy. Favre trying to pump his teammates up at the expense of the one team too good to let him lose. Be quiet. <br />The media here in LA hammered Packer fans for booing. "Classless". Which is rich, coming from grown men that scream about college football 80% of the time. They love to talk about what Favre did for the Packers. So do I. They don't talk about what the Packers did for Brett Favre. First, Ron Wolf got him out of Jerry Glanville's basement. He was a drunk punk hick and the Packers gave him the softest landing in the league. Then they had a hall of fame receiver carry him for four years; then they kept him well protected the whole time he was a Packer; and somewhere in there they signed Reggie White to help him win a Superbowl, but of course,<span style="font-style: italic;"> he</span> wouldn't start for these 09' Vikings.<br />Maybe this is revenge for the yahoos that crashed his dad's funeral like it was a tailgate party. Maybe he was put out playing for the Packers. <br />This is bullshit. <br />I didn't realize until Sunday, that Favre really did want out of Green Bay. He definitely wanted to play for the Vikings, and what really bothers me is how he's pretending like he had no choice. He retired before the draft. That was his decision; let the Packers draft knowing that he would come back and they would have to cut him loose. Then it could be Thompson's fault that he had to go play for the Vikings so that when he fails, he can come crawling back to his championship legacy without having to admit that he really cared way more about winning a championship than alienating the people that supported him through alcohol, vicodin, life, death, playoff disasters, and the most interceptions in the history of the league. What competitor wouldn't?<br />Only, Thompson stuck him with the Jets for a year. Thank god. And he stuck us with Aaron Rodgers. Who currently has 16 tds and 2 interceptions (!). And a rushing touchdown. Last year he threw 12 interceptions. Favre did that in 2 playoff games. I totally understand him wanting to beat us, but he could've toned it down a bit. And I wont listen to any asshole tell me that I shouldn't hate watching it. We have rivals to hate them. It's almost as fun hating them as it is rooting for our team. He can never take my hatred away. Fuck that. He'll never be that good. Ever.<br />I was totally ok with Favre going to the Vikings. I kind of wanted it. Just for the spectacle of it. And I also felt that Favre had earned the right to get paid 12 million dollars to do what he loves to do. Wherever he wanted. Honestly I didn't think he would sweep us. I thought we'd be better than this.<br />If he wins a Superbowl with the Vikings, he's dead to me.Randy Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421135033947520128noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35883365.post-2264194159894765292009-11-02T11:05:00.006-06:002009-11-02T13:55:14.716-06:00It's the Players, StupidLet's be frank. Childress may have some awful personal grooming, and definitely needs someone to take him aside and tell him not to wear polo shirts that highlight his man-boobs. (McCarthy, whose own rack is likely far more prodigious, has the good sense to wear nylon jackets.) But for all the fun that's been made of Childress, the coaching between the two teams is basically a draw, even with Capers at the defensive helm. Childress may not take advantage of the most obvious gimmie in football (Peterson on short-distances behind Hutchinson and McKinnie) as often as he should, but McCarthy keeps letting Rodgers take 7-step drops with two neophyte tackles and has allowed his team to become utterly penalty-ridden. Who's dumber? I can't tell.<br /><br />Given the draw in equally-dunderheaded coaches, the difference between the Vikings and the Packers is personnel. Namely, the Vikings are on a ridiculous hot streak in player acquisition, especially compared to the Packers.<br /><br />Consider the Vikings' hit list. First, the draftees: Harvin (1st rd. 2009), Loadholt (2nd rd. 2009), J. Allen (acquired for 2008's 1 and 2), Peterson (1st rd. 2007), Rice (2nd rd. 2007), Greenway (1st rd. 2006). Peterson is a superstar, maybe the best player in the league, certainly the best back. Favre has turned Rice into an All-Pro wideout. Harvin may be the best returner in the game. Loadholt stoned Aaron Kampman twice now, as a rookie. Greenway is a well-above average starter. Jared Allen is simply a great pass rushing right end and is in the prime of his career. He's at a much higher level than Kampman. And even the year they traded for Allen, they found two other starters in late rounds that year. They haven't had a "bad draft" since 2005.<br /><br />And in the years' prior to current GM Rick Spielman (Chris's brother) taking over, the Vikings made some excellent free agent signings-- notably Pat Williams and Antonio Winfield, and, of course, Steve Hutchinson, who even though he's fading this season, is still the best guard in the division, at the least.<br /><br />Plus, they've held onto prior draft hits, like E.J. Henderson, Bryant McKinnie, and Kevin Williams, and managed to get some adequate starters out of random picks, like starting safety Tyrell Johnson, and starting center John Sullivan (who has replaced former Pro Bowl Center Matt Birk without a hitch). And, of course, getting Favre at no cost took their offense to an entirely higher level.<br /><br />Now compare the Packers. No impact free agents since Woodson and Pickett several years ago. Chillar is pretty good, but not great. So the drafts have needed to produce excellent players. But, until Matthews this season, Thompson's five drafts have produced exactly two above-average players-- Rodgers and Jennings. Take a look at the other high picks: 2006-- Hawk, Colledge; 2007-- Justin Harrell, Brandon Jackson; 2008-- Jordy Nelson, Brian Brohm, and Pat Lee. Ooof. Not one even one "solid starter" in that bunch. The Vikings kicked the Packers' asses in those drafts.<br /><br />This is why you saw what you did on the field last night. The Vikings are simply, top to bottom, a better team. Favre is the cherry on top of the sundae. Thompson's been excellent at improving the team's depth, no doubt, and a disproportionate number of discarded Thompson draft picks have found places in the league (like Hunter Hillenmeyer, Aaron Rouse, David Clowney, Tony Moll, and Dave Tollefson). But he just hasn't found many top of the line players. He needs to do better.Mr.Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640299265197754525noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35883365.post-1088919146612778512009-10-29T03:40:00.010-05:002009-10-29T05:26:42.384-05:00D Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECSw0QkRUbC75svmsoyXrDCDvoPpNwNOHYN9kVLET6rNasRCVQtqs58hgxTg0Qzahq5P-TJjldRr0TuTBGgj-JTmRYzKGxSWypbdBk-kE_LAVz38QyEzUQsnEwQfrPIFKctGQ/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 100px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECSw0QkRUbC75svmsoyXrDCDvoPpNwNOHYN9kVLET6rNasRCVQtqs58hgxTg0Qzahq5P-TJjldRr0TuTBGgj-JTmRYzKGxSWypbdBk-kE_LAVz38QyEzUQsnEwQfrPIFKctGQ/s400/images.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397948529499268962" /></a><br />The one decision Ted Thompson made that I still can't get over was the one to not give up a 3rd round draft choice for Randy Moss. We would have won a superbowl. Certainly. That is a serious black eye on his record, due to the way Randy Moss has continued to "tear up the N F L" since then. In Thompson's defense, Moss was awful for the Raiders with recurring hamstring issues, and Greg Jennings emerged the following season as an absolute star receiver. But it would have been glorious. I would have bought a jersey.<br />As far as Thompson's decision to transition to Aaron Rodgers following Favre's retirement and unretirement, he has my unending support and gratitude. Aaron Rodgers is playing unbelievable football right now. In the last three games he's completed 70 of 94 passes for 9 tds and 2 ints. And he gets the crap beat out of him. I could not be more excited to watch this guy run our offense for the next 10 years. Favre is my favorite player ever, but in all honesty, who's to say he'd have anywhere near this level of desire and passion if TT had just left him in there to go through the motions with the Packers. For everyone who says the Packers abandoned him, may I suggest that he was kind of done with the Packers. Would you imagine he would've made it through last year healthy with us? Either way he would have retired. Hurt or healthy. Him being 'wronged' by management is exactly what had to happen. In his mind, I'm sure its the reason he got hurt, and all the justification he needs to come back from the injury to play for the vikings. If he hadn't been treated so poorly by the Packers he wouldn't have gotten hurt and he wouldn't have had to play for the vikings. I'm sure. I guarantee he fantasized about handing the ball off to Adrian Peterson before he retired. Sometime right around when he lost the feeling in his face as he realized it was on him to win the NFC championship and take the Packers back to the superbowl.<br />Fine. Good for him. But all this talk about who was at fault is ridiculous. The way it went down was a gift to both sides. And by both sides I mean just Brett Favre. Favre needed this. If TT hadn't locked the door behind him, Brett wouldn't be 6-1 right now. He wouldn't still be being the ultimate legend's legend. He'd be rehabbing from shoulder surgery and we'd be blaming our offensive lines terrible play on the inexperienced Aaron Rodgers. <br />I'll feel good if the crowd cheers him on sunday. I'll also feel good if they boo him mercilessly. He brought a lot of money into the state. That's kind of a bottom line deal. You have to applaud that and you have to applaud his dependability and level of play. It's undeniably legendary. But if he gets to have fun playing, then I get to have fun rooting. That's what it's all about right? It's why we love to watch right? Well right now I'm having alot of fun hating Brett Favre. And I will continue to hate him until he stops wearing that awful uniform. I hated the vikings long before I idolized Brett Favre. So get body-slammed on your hillbilly face, old man. I'm sure you understand. Love ya'.<br />As far as the actual game goes on sunday, our defense looks to finally be in place. I think its good. Really good. And not just because they put up consistent fantasy points (sacks/turnovers/touchdowns). But it helps. <br />I think Clay Matthews is a stud. He also happens to have been chosen with the pick we traded the pick we traded Brett Favre for if I'm not correct. Our line play is solid (Johnny Jolly is having a probowl season) and our secondary sits and waits. Patient. Calm. honestly I'm anticipating a season defining performance out of a talented, well coached, well built defense. They've looked good against awful teams, but the defense has been new. The last 2 weeks they've given up 3 points. Its the NFL. Sooo. I understand it was cleveland and detroit, but I'm still excited. I think we win and I think our defense wins it for us. 2 picks, 3 sacks, 20 points. Pack wins. And covers. 27-20.Randy Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421135033947520128noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35883365.post-65990071725398048222009-10-10T11:03:00.003-05:002009-10-10T11:11:26.991-05:0017 Point DogsBBBWWWHHAAAT?<div><br /></div><div>I am appalled and dismayed. It's not that Vegas knows anything, its that Nobody is betting the Badgers at +15. This is unbelievable. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've been all over the internets this week, gathering reports. The main theme is that the Badgers are a running team and the Buckeyes are great at stopping the run. I'm happy about this. They don't believe we can throw. Let's go to the air early.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's have our Defense get after them. We rotate 5 ends and 4 DTs. Then we can bring Borland as a rush end late. Hopefully we can contain the running Terrelle Pryor.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's go get this Big Ten.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>U-65 Since 1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/01543924853957413242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35883365.post-85735218504513292372009-10-07T15:37:00.003-05:002009-10-07T15:42:11.035-05:00Bruising the BuckeyesThe Badgers are a physical group, and the coaching staff continues to bring in big, strong athletic players. Anybody else get the feeling that Wisconsin plays some serious ball upfront? <a href="http://www.buckeyextra.com/live/content/sports/stories/2009/10/07/osufb_10-7.ART_ART_10-07-09_C1_CLFA5D8.html?sid=101">The Buckeyes sure do</a>. Apparently, from their point of view we gave them there most intense physical battle last year. Expect more of the same on Saturday.<div><br /></div><div>Also, note the goodies at the end. The Buckeyes might be down a few big uglies this weekend, including at the LT and DT spots. </div>U-65 Since 1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/01543924853957413242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35883365.post-45834262286587132302009-10-07T09:57:00.002-05:002009-10-07T10:20:18.625-05:00Bucky Heads to the HorseshoeSo the Badgers are 5-0. They are heading into a battle against Ohio State for a game, which (collect yourself) is for the lead in the BigTen. If the Badgers win this game, they are well-positioned to LEAD the BigTen. <div><br /></div><div>The best part is, this Ohio State team is beatable. We can matchup with this version of the Ohio State EchoChamberHeads. </div><div><br /></div><div>Our D-line is coming together and we have a rotation. A D-line rotation. It's so nice to have one of those. By now, Badger fans are on to JJ Watt, and they should be recognizing the standout year from O'Brien Schofield. But how about Nzegwu? That kid can run, and he looks like a DE. </div><div><br /></div><div>Our O-line appeared to come together running the ball. This could be due to some continuity forming, but it could also be that we just know how to put the Gophers in the mindtrap and run all over them. I LOVE to see us run the ball so forcefully. We run 6 plays in a row, and then all of a sudden guys on the other team don't wanna get up from the turf and its injury timeout time. Old school Badgers bodying people. </div><div><br /></div><div>This leads us to the RB position. Clay needs to get worked into a game. He gets stronger as the game goes on. SO we obviuosly need a #2. Zach Brown has been a disappointment, and his terrible fumble PLUS his terrible "challenge that! I was down!" when he was clearly lying. I didn't need to see the replay to know he was lying. I knew when they showed the replay it would show a fumble and it did. Not even that close. Bottom line, when you fumble in a huge situation you take ownership of it, you don't act like a child. Zach acted poorly and I am convinced it impacted his oncoming demotion. </div><div><br /></div><div>So this leads us to the enjoyably named Montee Ball. Montee will get his shot on the BIG stage this Saturday. Hopefully he can relax on his way to the hole, allowing him to use his gifts on the way out of the hole. In his few carries against Minny, he was nervous and it shrunk his vision. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope we continue to throw it around in the first quarter. I love throwing early and pounding them late. Also, Ohio State does not fuck around with the schemes. They have routinely challenged us with 8 and 9 in the box. After 5 games of film on us, maybe they believe in our passing attack, but probably not. Let's throw it early and run it late. We can push them around man on man, I have seen it before. </div><div><br /></div><div>McFadden and St. Jean are not great tacklers, its noticeable. We Need them to tackle better against Terrelle Pryor. If we can contain Pryor on 3rd down, I like our chances on defense. </div><div><br /></div><div>So the BigTen title is on the line on Saturday. Get your game face on Badger fans! Let's Go!</div>U-65 Since 1978http://www.blogger.com/profile/01543924853957413242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35883365.post-7219434091861323452009-10-06T08:50:00.004-05:002009-10-06T13:20:12.912-05:00After 10 hours of reflection- Favre is a self-obsessed douche. Even NPR gave him a twenty-second quote, in which he rhapsodized about how he went to church and prayed before the game. Now, after years of philandering, boozing, drugging, and being a spoiled ass, he's found God. Give me a flippin' break.<br /><br />- Vikings fans-- I highly doubt he'll last the season, although Sage Jacksonfelds would have looked great with that much protection.<br /><br />- If the teams' switch offensive lines, the Packers dominate that game.<br /><br />- The Vikings have a top-ten left tackle in McKinnie, and a top-five left guard in Hutchinson. All of their other guys are either rookies or replacement level guys. But the Packers couldn't get any pressure, even when operating against the weak side of the Vikings' line. This shows that coaching matters. Maybe if you just switched the teams' offensive line coaches, the Packers win. The Vikings have Jim Hueber, who was Wisconsin's offensive line coach for a decade, from 1995 to 2005. Think of all the great linemen he produced. At least three first-round draft picks (Gibson, McIntosh, Thomas). Hueber has almost 40 years of coaching experience. Compare that to James Campen, who was a solid player, but has very little experience, and was coaching at a high school four years ago. Ridiculous. (Hat tip-- Bob McGinn in a recent Packer Insider article.)<br /><br />- As Randy mentioned, Rodgers held onto the ball far too long, far too many times. He should have run more. He generally seems to be holding the ball too long when the Packers are running limited patterns and holding guys back to pass protect. Thus, there aren't a lot of options down the field, and he waits, hoping someone's going to get open. Just run for a few yards or throw the ball away. (I wonder if after last game, McCarthy tried to talk him out of running so much.) He needs to get a clock in his head.<br /><br />- I think Rodgers has been sacked more in the past four games than Favre was for the entirety of the 2007 season. What's the NFL record for sacks allowed through four games? Seriously, the Packers have got to be close.<br /><br />- Rushing the passer, for both sides, that's what it came down to. Favre was able to convert a ton of third downs because he had <span style="font-style: italic;">all day</span>. The offense was in fits and starts because Rodgers either had no time or nobody open. Ugh. Thank goodness the bye is here.Mr.Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640299265197754525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35883365.post-89199297730446206892009-10-05T22:57:00.003-05:002009-10-05T23:04:48.661-05:00Quick Post-Debacle Thoughts- Sorry, James Campen. You need to be fired. Like three weeks ago.<br /><br />- Generally excellent run defense. But where the hell did the blitzes go? When they were called they went nowhere.<br /><br />- Nick Barnett is awful on essentially every pass play.<br /><br />- I predict Colledge will be okay. Just looked like a bad banging of the knee.<br /><br />- However, I predict Will Blackmon is done for the year.<br /><br />- Will Blackmon's injury problems are actually a good example of the problem of overrelying on young players-- you don't know which ones are durable enough to make it in the league. Blackmon has proven that he isn't. I think this may be a career-ender for him. Sad, because he was a fine punt-returner.<br /><br />- Woodson was robbed. If that play stands, how much different is the game? If the Packers convert from the 1, how much different is the game?<br /><br />- With the penalties (esp. Woodson's and Kuhn's non-existent hold) didn't it feel like the fix was in?<br /><br />- Muffed punt aside, Jordy Nelson looks good. Jermichael is jerkick-ass.<br /><br />- Clifton will come back after the bye. I predict Colledge will as well. I hope James Campen doesn't come with them.<br /><br />- Now I know why every other NFL fan hates Favre. I am no longer apathetic. Boo forever until he apologizes for not retiring.Mr.Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640299265197754525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35883365.post-50306569296419816842009-10-05T19:32:00.022-05:002009-10-05T22:50:05.170-05:00US AGAINST THE WORLD running commentaryPREGAME: Steve Young picked us. Only clown on the countdown. Much better that way.<br /><br /> Also, love the state by state percentage map of where thinks who's gonna win. <br /> Wisconsin was the only red state. We were the only republicans. Call me John Boehner.<br /><br />side note - we're all for pink, but does it have to be hot pink? yes. I think it does. Nice shoes.<br /><br />FIRST TURNOVER: <br />Colledge made a half an effort. I suppose the play call was a quick pass and Rodge didn't like what he saw. Too bad. We might not move the ball like that again. Looked good early.<br /><br />DEANNA FAVRE: <br />I've never said this, but your forehead is enormous.<br /><br />GET JER POPCORN READY<br />Its a Jermichael party up in here. Say it Loud!<br /><br />GOPHERS NEW STADIUM:<br />Is perfect for outdoor hockey. Awful for football. Perfect for outdoor hockey.<br /><br />ANOTHER 3RD DOWN FOR THE VIKES. GOOD SIGN.<br /><br />JOHNNY JOLLY;<br />Is playing probowl football. Every week.<br /><br />ANOTHER 3RD DOWN CONVERSION:<br />We spoke too soon. 3 in a row ending in a touchdown. Yikes. That's not beatable.<br /><br />CLAY MATTHEWS:<br />Is making plays whenever I see him. Huge heady play. 14 is alot of points. We continue to be in a position to win this game.<br />3rd down conversions are still a problem. Favre is focused.<br /><br /><br />2ND HALF<br /><br /><br />SOOOOO...<br />Favre wants it. And I still don't know exactly why we cut Aaron Rouse.<br /><br />KICKOFF AFTER VIKING TD<br />Holding penalty. Didn't get to see it, but the Packers continue to be highly penalized. The PI on Woodson earlier was gross. And you can't call taunting in this game.<br /><br />NOTHING WORSE THAN:<br />John Gruden Fellating Jared Allen.<br /><br />4TH DOWN FIELD GOAL DECISION @ THE 1:<br />Please kick the field goal. Our defense is scoring points. Give Favre a reason to choke. KEEP HOPE ALIVE !!!!<br /><br />AARON RODGERS:<br />Has got to THROW. THE. BALL. AWAY. At this point he has to start taking as much credit as the offensive line for sacks. They aren't giving him much time, but the time they are giving him is consistent. He is showing very poor awareness.<br /><br />THEY:<br />Dusted of the Viking fight song. Didn't know there was one. Cheerleaders in the endzone. This is a victory party viking parade and brett Faver is the drum major. Its gonna be hard to forget this.<br /><br />DRIVE:<br />We went 95 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Take more care of the ball and score when you get the cance. This game is dead even. Adrian Peterson has 55 yards with 3:10 left in the game. COME ON COACHING STAFF!! I MEAN GOOD WORK COACHING STAFF!!<br /><br />8 Sacks. WTF. I thought we had paid professionals on our team.<br /><br />Stuart Scott. Which eye is glass? <br /><br />1 Score game. 1 minute to go. Get u this ONSIDERandy Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10421135033947520128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35883365.post-73521473407166192362009-10-01T13:42:00.002-05:002009-10-01T14:09:40.594-05:00Imagine if...So this weekend is the Minnesota-Wisconsin football showdown on both the amateur and professional levels. In both instances, the games occur on the Western side of the Mississippi. In both instances, the home teams are breaking out a shiny new bauble that they are certain will propel them to victory over their hated rivals. In the Gophers' case, it's their brand new (minature) stadium. And maybe those repellent all golden uniforms that show the sweat stains so nicely. In the Queens' case, well, it's the tarnished, dated, but still shiny penny that is Brett Favre (pronounced like Ben Stiller says it in "There's Something About Mary"). Vegas certainly values these new playthings, as it favors the home teams by about the same margin (Vikings by 3.5 and Gophers by 3).<br /><br />The blunt truth is, that's probably right. A neutral third-party would likely say that the Gophers rely on their passing game (and the crotch-puncher) to win a close one in an emotional game to take back the axe for the first time in several years. That same "reasonable man" would note that the Packers haven't played a complete game this season, can't really run the ball or pass protect, are missing their left tackle, and made Cedric Benson look like a superstar two weeks ago in concluding that the Vikes will likely take this round. Maybe by more than the line.<br /><br />Knowing this, let's approach this football weekend (that includes Monday night) with an open mind. If the Wisconsin teams lose, really, so what, it's expected. The tide is turning on the Northeastern prairie. The past is prolouge and all that. This is what Minnesota is telling itself. So if they sweep, expect some crowing come Tuesday, but don't be downtrodden. A sweep is what the genius odds-makers are predicting. <br /><br />For now, instead, think about the other option. Given these shiny new toys that have finally addressed each team's most deep-seeded excuses, imagine if <span style="font-style: italic;">they fail</span>. Oh boy. If the long-sought, on-campus, outdoor, non-Metrodome stadium <span style="font-style: italic;">doesn't</span> lead to axe reclamation. If the HOF-bound, grizzly-bear quarterback <span style="font-style: italic;">doesn't</span> cure all your football team's ills. A reverse sweep. A Minnesota flop of epic proportions. That idea is just so delicious, I could chew on it all day. Of course, it probably won't come to fruition, but it is a tasty treat to imagine while we wait out the next 45 hours. Hoooo, nelly.Mr.Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640299265197754525noreply@blogger.com1