Packers punter Derrick Frost gets the boot. Too bad crazy Canadian punter Jon Ryan (who did fail to live up to expectations during his time in Green Bay and did help kill the Packers in the December debacle at Soldier Field last year) has been signed by the Seahawks and is apparently doing quite well.
Funny aside-- watching the game yesterday and complaining about how poor Frost was punting led my wife to ask "why can't they have Crosby also do punts?" I couldn't reasonably explain why in less than five or six sentences, which probably means there is no good reason, right? Hell, Mason might have done better than Frost yesterday.
Monday, December 01, 2008
UW- Va Tech Basketball Tonight!
Well, it's time to try getting over the whole "the Packers are playing for pride for the rest of the season" thing, and there should be some decent tonic this very evening. The University of Wisconsin men's basketball team plays at Virginia Tech in the first game of the Big Ten-ACC Beatdown, strike that, Challenge. This will be UW's first true road game this season, and Va Tech has made two straight appearances in the tournament, and has a bunch of starters returning. Should make for an exciting game. It airs on ESPN2 at 6 pm Central.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Defeat Snatched from Jaws of Victory
That was an awful, awful ending. Terms like "grimtrillescent" come to mind. Seriously, are you kidding me? Fighting that hard and playing that well to get back into the game and take the lead, and then every facet of your team lets you down, just at the wrong time. Ugh. The Packers are now 5-7. The season is essentially over, sad to say, as either the Bears or the Vikings will be 7-5 (barring a tie) in about seven hours, and there will definitely not be any wild card berths earned in the NFC North this year. Random scattershot thoughts---
- I like what Brandon Jackson did today. But I don't know about no Ryan Grant for the entire second half, unless he was hurt. Everybody needs a blow sometimes.
- Obviously, the game went South as soon as the Packers got that last first and goal at the 10. Delay of game penalty (two delays of game?), then Rodgers tattooed out of bounds, first down at the seven. That would be fine usually, but McCarthy seemed afraid to pass after Rodgers took that hit. Jackson makes a nice run to the one. Then two straight runs for nothing, or slight losses, where the Panthers were stacking the box chock full. Field goal, another embarrassing return, the bomb to Smith, the one yard run, game over. UGH.
- I wonder if McCarthy thought about using Grant down at the goal line. Probably not.
- I wonder if McCarthy thought about squib kicking that last kickoff? No offense, but that seems like it would have been a pretty good idea-- all of the Panthers' big returns came from that direction. I bet he would have done it for sure had the Packers scored a touchdown on the previous drive.
- Is anyone else just depressed by this loss? I mean, I know the Packers weren't likely doing anything this year. Winning the division would have probably led to a first-round or divisional round playoff loss, likely a sound beating. But still. The team displayed so much of the good and the bad in this game. The ability and then the boneheadedness-- like Driver's great snag compared with Wells' completely unclutch snap over Rodgers' head. The team really plays like its age. Maybe that's it. Maybe there are too many guys who are fading, mixed with too many young guys who are still figuring it out. I mean, I'm hard pressed to think of more than one important player on the Packers who is "in his prime" right now. (Only Aaron Kampman comes to mind. Jenkins and Barnett would have too, but they're both injured. Donald Lee, maybe?) So the squad plays like a team full of aging but crafty veterans, and talented but inconsistent youngsters-- it sputters. Sometimes the veterans get beat physically, sometimes the young guys make execution errors (or they're just not good enough and get beat physically too).
- I guess I feel especially nervous about (and sad for) the aging veterans who are having renaissance seasons. Charles Woodson has played like the effing man this season. And Driver is simply a fine receiver. Both of them are on the verge though. The river flows faster as it gets close to the water fall.
- And what's scary is that the creaky veterans man important positions-- namely both CBs and both OTs. Ignoring Trammon Williams' unclutchness and penalties today, I feel okay about the replacements at corner. But I have no idea who might replace Clifton (Colledge? The mind reels), and Tauscher's potential replacement (the Brazillian kid from Louisville who was drafted this year) has yet to play a real down. This is all well known, I guess. Sigh. Who knows what the future holds. It's been a tantalizing, but ulitimately disappointing season.
- I like what Brandon Jackson did today. But I don't know about no Ryan Grant for the entire second half, unless he was hurt. Everybody needs a blow sometimes.
- Obviously, the game went South as soon as the Packers got that last first and goal at the 10. Delay of game penalty (two delays of game?), then Rodgers tattooed out of bounds, first down at the seven. That would be fine usually, but McCarthy seemed afraid to pass after Rodgers took that hit. Jackson makes a nice run to the one. Then two straight runs for nothing, or slight losses, where the Panthers were stacking the box chock full. Field goal, another embarrassing return, the bomb to Smith, the one yard run, game over. UGH.
- I wonder if McCarthy thought about using Grant down at the goal line. Probably not.
- I wonder if McCarthy thought about squib kicking that last kickoff? No offense, but that seems like it would have been a pretty good idea-- all of the Panthers' big returns came from that direction. I bet he would have done it for sure had the Packers scored a touchdown on the previous drive.
- Is anyone else just depressed by this loss? I mean, I know the Packers weren't likely doing anything this year. Winning the division would have probably led to a first-round or divisional round playoff loss, likely a sound beating. But still. The team displayed so much of the good and the bad in this game. The ability and then the boneheadedness-- like Driver's great snag compared with Wells' completely unclutch snap over Rodgers' head. The team really plays like its age. Maybe that's it. Maybe there are too many guys who are fading, mixed with too many young guys who are still figuring it out. I mean, I'm hard pressed to think of more than one important player on the Packers who is "in his prime" right now. (Only Aaron Kampman comes to mind. Jenkins and Barnett would have too, but they're both injured. Donald Lee, maybe?) So the squad plays like a team full of aging but crafty veterans, and talented but inconsistent youngsters-- it sputters. Sometimes the veterans get beat physically, sometimes the young guys make execution errors (or they're just not good enough and get beat physically too).
- I guess I feel especially nervous about (and sad for) the aging veterans who are having renaissance seasons. Charles Woodson has played like the effing man this season. And Driver is simply a fine receiver. Both of them are on the verge though. The river flows faster as it gets close to the water fall.
- And what's scary is that the creaky veterans man important positions-- namely both CBs and both OTs. Ignoring Trammon Williams' unclutchness and penalties today, I feel okay about the replacements at corner. But I have no idea who might replace Clifton (Colledge? The mind reels), and Tauscher's potential replacement (the Brazillian kid from Louisville who was drafted this year) has yet to play a real down. This is all well known, I guess. Sigh. Who knows what the future holds. It's been a tantalizing, but ulitimately disappointing season.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Wrong, Wrong, and Wrong
I completely and totally agree with Sal's post below, stringently criticizing Wisconsin State Journal columnist Tom Oates for his typically lazy, ill-thought out, and poorly reasoned piece claiming the Packers would have been better off this season had they welcomed Favre back. I had to mute the ridiculous Tony Kornheiser comments at the end of the Monday night game, where he started making the same point, under the pathetic guise that "this is what people around the country are going to be saying." You're a coward, Kornheiser. If "what people are going to be saying" isn't accurate, and it isn't in this case, then don't bring it up, you superficial sellout. As you can tell, this whole argument really pisses me off.
Favre did not cause Ryan Grant or Atari Bigby to pull their hamstrings and become ineffective for weeks and weeks. He did not cause Clifton and Tauscher to start showing their age. He didn't tear the knee ligaments of James Jones and Josh Sitton. He did not rip Cullen Jenkins' pectoral muscle off of his sternum, get Johnny Jolly arrested for codeine possession, pull Justin Thompson's groin, cause KGB to never recover from a knee injury, or slip Justin Harrell's vertebrae. He did not repeatedly pull AJ Hawk's various muscles, or change the terms of a trade for Tony Gonzalez at the last minute, or lacerate Al Harris's spleen. He didn't cause McCarthy to remarry and opt to have a newborn baby during the middle of the season. He didn't make the Packers' linebackers incapable of blitzing effectively (excepting Brandon Chillar) and turn Bob Sanders into an exceedingly one-dimensional defensive coordinator. In short, Favre's absence didn't suddenly make the Packers' pass rush ineffective. The "leadership void" left by Brett didn't make the run defense disappear. He didn't cause the running game to start and stop like a rusted jalopy.
Here's what Favre did do. His retirement gave the Packers lots of money they could have used in free agency to chase some defensive linemen (maybe Kris Jenkins, who's playing great for the Jets this season), and/or franchise Corey Williams and play him this season. They should have done one or the other. That was Thompson's error. Favre's retirement also egged the team into drafting Brian Brohm, at a point in the draft where they could have grabbed one of several pass rushing prospects. So if Favre had never retired, maybe they draft a d-linemen there, who might be helping put some heat on the quarterback right now. That's the only conceivable argument I can think of that the team would be better off with Favre at the helm. But, of course, the writers are criticizing the Packers for not taking him back from his unretirement, when it was too late to undo the Brohm pick. It's an absurd argument, and so stupidly shortsighted. How about next year, or the year after that? Who "wins the trade" then? How about when the Jets crash out in the playoffs this season? What a bunch of desperately-seeking-a-lede jackasses.
And what's really sad is that I'm not upset that Favre's team is doing well. I wish him success (especially because it will improve the Packers' compensation). But all of this ridiculous back-biting by bored, uncreative journalists is making me want to see the Jets fail, not to spite Brett or Mangenius or long suffering Jets fans, but just to make these stupid hacks shut the hell up.
Favre did not cause Ryan Grant or Atari Bigby to pull their hamstrings and become ineffective for weeks and weeks. He did not cause Clifton and Tauscher to start showing their age. He didn't tear the knee ligaments of James Jones and Josh Sitton. He did not rip Cullen Jenkins' pectoral muscle off of his sternum, get Johnny Jolly arrested for codeine possession, pull Justin Thompson's groin, cause KGB to never recover from a knee injury, or slip Justin Harrell's vertebrae. He did not repeatedly pull AJ Hawk's various muscles, or change the terms of a trade for Tony Gonzalez at the last minute, or lacerate Al Harris's spleen. He didn't cause McCarthy to remarry and opt to have a newborn baby during the middle of the season. He didn't make the Packers' linebackers incapable of blitzing effectively (excepting Brandon Chillar) and turn Bob Sanders into an exceedingly one-dimensional defensive coordinator. In short, Favre's absence didn't suddenly make the Packers' pass rush ineffective. The "leadership void" left by Brett didn't make the run defense disappear. He didn't cause the running game to start and stop like a rusted jalopy.
Here's what Favre did do. His retirement gave the Packers lots of money they could have used in free agency to chase some defensive linemen (maybe Kris Jenkins, who's playing great for the Jets this season), and/or franchise Corey Williams and play him this season. They should have done one or the other. That was Thompson's error. Favre's retirement also egged the team into drafting Brian Brohm, at a point in the draft where they could have grabbed one of several pass rushing prospects. So if Favre had never retired, maybe they draft a d-linemen there, who might be helping put some heat on the quarterback right now. That's the only conceivable argument I can think of that the team would be better off with Favre at the helm. But, of course, the writers are criticizing the Packers for not taking him back from his unretirement, when it was too late to undo the Brohm pick. It's an absurd argument, and so stupidly shortsighted. How about next year, or the year after that? Who "wins the trade" then? How about when the Jets crash out in the playoffs this season? What a bunch of desperately-seeking-a-lede jackasses.
And what's really sad is that I'm not upset that Favre's team is doing well. I wish him success (especially because it will improve the Packers' compensation). But all of this ridiculous back-biting by bored, uncreative journalists is making me want to see the Jets fail, not to spite Brett or Mangenius or long suffering Jets fans, but just to make these stupid hacks shut the hell up.
Oates is wrong.
Tom Oates is an excellent writer, but I disagree with his assessment of the Packers season and decision on the Favre/Rodgers decision: http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/sports/packers/316019
The Pack's problems start with defense, and are followed by inconsistent running. In many ways, A Rodg is the bright spot in this season. This team would not have a better record with Favre at QB. It would have a better record if the defense from the beginning of last year were still playing.
The Pack's problems start with defense, and are followed by inconsistent running. In many ways, A Rodg is the bright spot in this season. This team would not have a better record with Favre at QB. It would have a better record if the defense from the beginning of last year were still playing.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Not your Father's Superdome
What the hell was that?! I'm left to believe that our defensive signal caller and defensive coordinator are not on the same page and that our fill-in linebackers are only good enough to tie their shoes. And then get them untied. And left in a puddle of they're own superdome GBP-Hurricane Katrina memorial piss.Bigby sucked. Hawk sucked. Even Woodson sucked. The only players that played half way adequately were 79 & 97. Our D-line as a whole looked like they were ready to go. And the best secondary in GBP history decided that today was Lance Moore day.
If Favre and the Jets go to the Superbowl I'm gonna puke in my own mouth and swallow it.
On the other hand, I've never felt so good about a 19 point ass-kicking ass I do about the one handed down to us by the great Huskies of UCONN ("tucky?" the girl I guzzled Sopporos next to, so West Coastally inquired). Nope.
UCONN has 4 lottery picks in its starting line-up, and 1 on its bench. They are incredible ball-handlers and shooters. They out shot us %52 to %37, and out rebounded us 31-25. They had us in the bonus with nine and a half minutes left in the 2nd half, and we could not get any momentum going after that. I have no problem losing to them by 30. Much different then last years Duke game. Duke sucked. This UCONN team is nastay. We fouled them 22 times to their 14, but they were bigger and faster and getting position. So that's what happened.
Jarmusczsh is great. Everyone is great. As long as they don't have to get the ball over half court, they're ooooookay. Loo-er is a monkey. TAKE IT TO THE RACK, MONKEY!
Monday, November 24, 2008
UConn-UW AND Packers-Saints
What a night, huh? Two seriously meaningful games for two of this blog's three teams, both coming against high quality opponents.
If you had to set the Tivo on one though, I think it'd have to be the Wisconsin men's basketball team's match-up against UConn. It should be a fascinating match-up, as UConn has a 7' 3" center who's actually pretty skilled and athletic, and a bunch of other guys who are potential pro prospects. It's one of those contests where the other team has "more talent" on paper, so Wisconsin will likely have to outexecute them. Anyhow, I don't expect them to win, largely because this team still seems to developing its own identity, but I hope they keep it close. Also, a loss wouldn't be earth-shattering, as I highly doubt they'll go undefeated this season, and it's really early still. A loss to a very highly touted squad (UConn is currently ranked 2nd), would be absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.
In contrast, the Packers game is more important as far as the season's prospects go. Both the Vikings and the Bears won yesterday. To keep pace in the division, Green Bay must beat the New Orleans Saints, who are also desperately fighting for the playoffs. Like the Pack, the Saints are also 5-5, but have gone 4 and 1 in the Superdome. So it's going to be a tough environment. Plus, Drew Brees is the leading passer in the league (yardage wise), and New Orleans has some top-notch talent at key positions, like Reggie Busch (who's questionable) and Deuce McCallister in the backfield, Marques Colston at wideout, and Will Smith at defensive end. As far as the intelligent stats go, the Saints have the third best offense in the league. (See here for Football Outsiders' current batch.) But they're also saddled with a pretty mediocre defense, ranking twenty-sixth in the league. So you'd expect it to be a bit of a shoot-out. Interestingly, it's also something of a homecoming for McCarthy, as he was the offensive coordinator in the Big Easy for a few seasons. He's done pretty well in his "homecoming" games so far (as the Pack won at SF two seasons ago, and won at KC last fall).
Unfortunately, the Packers are a bit unlucky in the timing of this game. Smith and McCallister both tested positive for a naughty supplement (a substance that can help mask the presence of steroids), but their suspensions have yet to be handed down. I guess the NFLPA negotiated some extraordinarily timestaking appeals process for this positive tests. Anyhow, those guys will be on the field tonight, but the Bears will likely get to play the Saints without seeing these two. Argh. (The Bears may also get to play Minnesota with both of the Williams brothers suspended. No way the Packers lose in the triple H Dome two weeks ago if those two monstrosities are sitting on the sidelines.)
Anyhow, enterainment abounds this evening. Get the tivos set and get the "jump" button primed! Go Badgers and go Packers!
If you had to set the Tivo on one though, I think it'd have to be the Wisconsin men's basketball team's match-up against UConn. It should be a fascinating match-up, as UConn has a 7' 3" center who's actually pretty skilled and athletic, and a bunch of other guys who are potential pro prospects. It's one of those contests where the other team has "more talent" on paper, so Wisconsin will likely have to outexecute them. Anyhow, I don't expect them to win, largely because this team still seems to developing its own identity, but I hope they keep it close. Also, a loss wouldn't be earth-shattering, as I highly doubt they'll go undefeated this season, and it's really early still. A loss to a very highly touted squad (UConn is currently ranked 2nd), would be absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.
In contrast, the Packers game is more important as far as the season's prospects go. Both the Vikings and the Bears won yesterday. To keep pace in the division, Green Bay must beat the New Orleans Saints, who are also desperately fighting for the playoffs. Like the Pack, the Saints are also 5-5, but have gone 4 and 1 in the Superdome. So it's going to be a tough environment. Plus, Drew Brees is the leading passer in the league (yardage wise), and New Orleans has some top-notch talent at key positions, like Reggie Busch (who's questionable) and Deuce McCallister in the backfield, Marques Colston at wideout, and Will Smith at defensive end. As far as the intelligent stats go, the Saints have the third best offense in the league. (See here for Football Outsiders' current batch.) But they're also saddled with a pretty mediocre defense, ranking twenty-sixth in the league. So you'd expect it to be a bit of a shoot-out. Interestingly, it's also something of a homecoming for McCarthy, as he was the offensive coordinator in the Big Easy for a few seasons. He's done pretty well in his "homecoming" games so far (as the Pack won at SF two seasons ago, and won at KC last fall).
Unfortunately, the Packers are a bit unlucky in the timing of this game. Smith and McCallister both tested positive for a naughty supplement (a substance that can help mask the presence of steroids), but their suspensions have yet to be handed down. I guess the NFLPA negotiated some extraordinarily timestaking appeals process for this positive tests. Anyhow, those guys will be on the field tonight, but the Bears will likely get to play the Saints without seeing these two. Argh. (The Bears may also get to play Minnesota with both of the Williams brothers suspended. No way the Packers lose in the triple H Dome two weeks ago if those two monstrosities are sitting on the sidelines.)
Anyhow, enterainment abounds this evening. Get the tivos set and get the "jump" button primed! Go Badgers and go Packers!
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