New football rule

Interference is one of those calls that drives me nuts. There seems to be no consistency to the call. I know it's difficult. We see replays in slow motion, and from different angles . . . it's a hard call. But . . .

I'm at a point where I want an unsportsman-like penalty called on any receiver, or quarterback, that motions for an interference penalty just because they want it called.

Packers 24 - Vikings 19

Are You Ready For Some Football!


First off . . .

BWAA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!

EAT CHEESE, PURPLE PISSHEADS!

(ahem)

Yes, I realize I often scold such behavior as childish, rude, and un-sportsman-like.

Tough. It's the trash talking, spend millions to beat the Packers, think they're just gonna walk in and beat us Viqueens.

OWNED! 0 and 5!

How many times did we hear Jared Allens name?

Zip. Nada. Zero. None. Not at all.

We blew a hole in their line so big, Michael Moore and Rosie O'Donnell could have run through it hand in hand.

OK. It was ugly. The penalties! Crimeny! Especially to have such a beautiful touchdown called back. Laps and push ups, guys. Laps and push ups.

While I thought McCarthy called a pretty good game over all, not throwing a pass on first down on their second to last possession was playing to lose. Also, if you're going to throw a quick out to a receiver, bring someone in motion to take the DB out!

Rodgers had a good game. 18/22 for 178 yards. No interceptions, a great toss for a touchdown, no sacks, and s few nice runs. He never once looked like a rookie. I thought he handled the game very well.

Barnett, Hawk, and Popinga. You're gonna hear a lot from these guys. Maybe the best linebacking trio in football.

Bigby. Go to the board and write: "I will not try and make a play when the game is won" 100,000 times.

Frost did a good job. a 50 yarder and one that landed inside the 20. Can't ask for much more.

Finally, no injuries. We live to play another game. Next up, we go to Detroilet to play the Lions.

Are You Ready For Some Football!

If there's a bright spot at all to the end of summer, it's the football season. Which officially kicks off this Thursday night. Anyway, for those of you who like picking contests, head over to Jimi the Geek and look for the link on the right side of the page that takes you to an online pick page. Fill it out, send it in, and I'll keep track of your scores. It's updated every week. You won't win anything as the site is primarily for my workplace. But, I'll keep track of everyone's score for bragging rights.

Brett Favre

I actually had a post ready to go on Favre's retirement. But, I got sick and couldn't even look at my computer. I know, I know! That's sick . . . in many ways. Anyway, like many, the original news seemed vague and talked about some possible miscommunication. So, my initial thought was, oh, really?

Well, as we know now, yes, really.

I watched the replay of his press conference. I gotta tell you, I was crying. I really felt for him. In as much as I thought he thought this was the right decision to make it still had to be one of the more difficult decisions he's ever made. He feels as though he can still play, and probably wants to, but just can't take on the enormous emotional and mental toll it takes. That's pretty honest. He had every opportunity to simply say he wants to be with his family, he's getting old, the injuries hurt too much, but he didn't. He told us from his heart. The same way he played the game.

Tom Pippins made a comment about his press conference. That he tossed the idea of a prepared speech for the one he gave. Tom felt Brett stayed true to himself right to the very end. A freelancer on the field, a freelancer at the press conference. I couldn't agree more.

After his statement Brett answered questions for a bit. I thought all of his answers were well stated. Humble and from the heart.

So, what now? Again, I think there's a lot to be hopeful for in Aaron Rogers. He's got quite an arm and may surprise us. As for Brett . . . tv analyst? I doubt it. Brett seems like he'll be happy spending this time with his family. Not that he couldn't do it. If such morons as Steve Young and Emmit Smith (with all due respect to their past professions) can get the gig, Brett certainly could. It takes a certain egomaniac to want to get in to that area of broadcast and while it fits most of who do it, it wouldn't fit Favre. I'm sure we'll see Warren Saap on ESPN soon.

Anyway, thank you Brett. For what you brought to football, the NFL, the Green Bay Packers, and to us fans. Take back and enjoy your life now. I wish you all the best.

Packers make some moves

The Packers released tight end Bubba Franks. He was a first round draft pick in 2000 and played well enough to earn a trip to the pro bowl. Never considered a "threat" he was none the less a good go to guy. Big, strong, and soft hands. He could catch anything you threw at him. He hit a slump a couple years back and was then injured. In the meantime Lee and Martin wee making strong headway. Particularly Lee who was much faster than Bubba. One area of the offense Bubba was very solid at was blocking. He was very good at both pass protection blocking and run blocking. Still, probably considered getting on a bit and with Lee playing so well, it comes as no surprise that he was released.

In another move they tacked the franchise player tag on Corey Williams, the only impact player who's to become a free agent this year. Probably a good move but can sometimes cause bad feelings. They did this to Bubba some years back and he held out that year until finally signing a contract. Hopefully with Williams they will come to an agreeable and quick resolution.

Beyond Williams, that's it for any impact player on the team as far as free agency goes. The Packers will come back intact this fall.

FINALLY!

Wisconsin doesn't get a lot of respect in hollywood. It's often regarded as a state with cows, cheese, hicks, and less than ideal weight residents. We're often the brunt of jokes. And babes? Forget it. If you're not from California or Florida you ain't no babe. You even have a better chance being from Nebraska!

Well no more. Thanks to the Wisconsin Bikini Girls. Two sisters and a cousin have been "exposing" themselves for some time. They finally got noticed. From JSonline:

The girls pick the coldest home game of the year, and they wear their bikini tops under heavy coats. From the waist down they're like any other fans in snow pants and long underwear.

During breaks in the action, time-outs and such, the girls whip off their coats and jump around with their sign, hoping to attract a TV camera or at least get on the Jumbotron. Fans in Section 126, especially guys, seem to go for it. Ashley said two "little ladies" in the seats behind them always hold their coats during the bikini outbursts.

The girls' seats are 10 rows behind the Packers bench. "A couple of them turn around and take notice. We wouldn't mind Brett Favre calling us up," Jen said.

Lambeau has always had its share of fans, especially drunk and big-bellied ones, who expose skin in frigid weather. The bikini girls have become their own franchise, and the beer-gut guys ask to pose with them for photos.

Pat, father to Jen and Ashley, goes along to the games. He remembers the first time the girls went wild.

"Jen said, 'Do you mind if we take our clothes off? We've got our bikinis underneath. Mom said it was OK.' "

They didn't want him to lose his four season tickets - two that he had inherited from his father, and two that he spent 32 years on the waiting list to get.

"They're just having fun," he said. "It's kind of a tradition."

As it was a nationally televised game, they were noticed by Maxim magazine and have a small spread in the current issue. Good for them and good for Wisconsin. Anyone who lives here knows there are plenty of babes and I would put up our girls against any anywhere else. I hope this helps break a bit of the stereotype we have here.

Ironically, Wendy over at Boots and Sabers has lamented that it's never the "hot" guys who take their shirts off during the games. Funny that it's the guys who get that wish first.

NFC North Champs

Sure, this was a game they were supposed to win. The Raiders ain't that good and the Packers were favored. But, this is an important game to have won. First, not only because they were supposed to, because it gave them the North title. Decisively. And with three games left! No waiting until the last game and hoping the Giants, Eagles, Minnesota, Rams, Seahawks, and Niners all lose so the Packers get a chance if they score more than 60 points in the game they're playing. This is nice. This is a luxury. They can virtually relax for the next few weeks knowing that they're already in. Now, I wouldn't sit anyone that isn't nursing an injury. But, I wouldn't play some players for the entire game either. Sure, there is a chance they could still get home field advantage. But, we're back to the old "they need certain things to happen" kind of situation. Plus, in the case of the Packers, I think home field advantage is a little over rated. Green Bay in January? Even many of the Packers don't necessarily want that.

Anyway, when you look at the likely playoff candidates, things look good for the Packers. Should the Cowboys finish as first seed and the Packers second, the Packers would get a first round bye, and wouldn't face the Cowboys again until the NFC championship. No one else looks to pose much of a threat. Of course, never say never.

Still, you can't help but be optimistic. Could they win the SuperBowl?

Remember . . . God is a Packer fan.

Packers and Cowpies

OK. If I'm going to claim to be a football guru then I should make a prediction about tonight's game. Truthfully? I'm nervous. Two things. One, we're a little banged up. KGB and Woodson may not play. I think we could survive without KGB, but not having Woodson might be a factor. Second, Texas Stadium. Bad karma for Brett. Weird field with it's arched surface. And if you've ever been to Dallas you'll know what I', talking about . . . the most rabid fans in football. Cheeseheads don't come close to comparing. Noise could be a factor.

Having said all that . . .

I've pointed out at a few other blogs that the Cowboys haven't defeated anyone of any real substance. Of the teams they've won against, only the Giants have a winning record. The Packers have fared against better teams over all. Plus, you can score on Dallas. They don't have a dominating defense like the Bears, Ravens . . . or even the Packers. I give the edge in defense to the Packers. Offensively, TO will be a concern. Witten will be a bigger concern. The girls don't have anything special as a running game so I don't see them "running" away with a victory. Which leaves Romo. Our front 4 has done a great job of providing pressure with no additional help.

For the Packers, I think the 5 receiver set will give the girls problems. The emergence of a running game could also prove to be beneficial as it's something a lot of teams didn't think they had to contend with. The edge in quarterbacks goes to the seasoned Favre.

So . . .

The Packers go with a ball control offense to take the field out of the equation. They hold TO in relative check and get three sacks on Romo. The 5 receiver set proves again to be a problem for the opposition. Grant will catch more passes and the Packer will win 31 - 24.

Football Guru

I run an office football pool at work. Actually, there's two. A weekly pick game, and a seaon long pick game. I've won the weekly game once so far, but I lead in the season long contest. Over at WISN's website, they run a pick contest. Since I run the pool at work, I'm often kidded that I must be cheating. I know it's all in good fun but I now have proof of my football picking prowess. Over at the WISN contest I am currently 13th among 717 players, or the 98% percentile. Have a look above.

In your face!

Favre, the greatest ever?

This was the topic of discussion on the radio this afternoon. I didn't hear the entire segment but what I did hear about 3 said "yes" and about 3 said "no". For various reasons. Of course, not only are the Packers 4 and 0, but Brett has broken a couple of long standing records and will surely set new ones that won't be broken anytime soon . . . if ever. So, is he the greatest quarterback of all time?

On the one hand, he has only one Superbowl win. Let's not forget how god awful he can look. Also, he's not that accurate. It's safe to say he's no Joe Montana.

But . . .

He absolutely personifies the game. He's quick to get on his receivers for blowing a route and quick to pat the helmet of whoever put a good hit on him. Everybody likes him. Everybody. He's well respected. While his numbers prove he's deserving of a place in football history and the Hall of Fame, it's his attitude and love of the game that truly defines him. When I think of the other great quarterbacks, Montana, Bradshaw, Fouts, Marino . . . I can't help but think that part of their greatness came from the rest of their team, their receivers, and running backs. Favre makes a team great all by himself. Like the others, he's best when he has a supporting cast. But he's great all by himself. If you look at his carreer with the Packers, I don't think you could say he's ever had a Rice, Winslow, Duper, or Swann equivalent on the team. I mean no disrespect. I just think that the Packer's success has been largely due to Brett Favre.

Because of that, yes. I think he's the greatest ever to play the position.

Packers Week 2 against the Giants

What a difference a week makes! While the running game needs some obvious improvement, the offense sure showed up in a big way. Must be nice to be Favre! The defense continues to be strong. Over all, an incredeble performance over another good NFC team. We're on top in the division.

10 - 6

That's my official Packer prediction. When I look at their schedule, I can see them winning ten games. They'd do better if they had a running game, but they don't. Which is too bad . . . and kind of aggrevating as they had/have money to spend. A good tight end would also be nice but if Bubba reclaims the hands he once had, we could be OK. Also, if they go to a primarily passing offense we'll be OK.

Our defense could rank in the top 5.

The other things in our favor is our weak division, and a not so terrible schedule. We could lose the first three games. I don't think we will, but we could. None the less, we end up 10 - 6. That will win us the division and, of course, get us in to the playoffs.

Superbowl?