blog statement...

my first year as a shareholder/owner,of the Packers was very fun,and i was elated to watch the shareholders' meeting,on July 24th,2012,via internet,and simply next year,i plan on being there for the shareholder meeting,next July,in person... even though i can not afford a ticket to a game,i will revel in being in Lambeau Field,looking at the "frozen tundra"... you will never know how special that will be for me...

blog statement...

my New Year's resolution is to be healthy,and simply hope that the people have enjoyed this blog,in 2012,and there is more,coming in 2013...

blog statement....

as it being the last day of 2012,let us hope that 2013 is much better for everyone...

NFC North divisional coach firing...

for a guy,who said that his number one priority,"was to beat the Packers",Lovie Smith was fired by the Chicago Bears... he lost his last six games,against the Packers(including the 2010 NFC Championship game,in Chicago),and what could have gotten him fired was the Bears missing the playoffs,five of the last six years... nice going,and way to go,Lovie!!!!!!!

commentary...

everybody is saying that Minnesota Vikings' running back Adrian Peterson(Peterson had 199 yards rushing,on 34 carries,with a long run of 28 yards)was the main difference in the game,between the Packers,and the Vikings,yesterday,and on the final drive for the Vikings,he was,period... however there is another person that the Packers' defense did not stop:one Christian Ponder,who threw for 234 yards,and the big number for him was that he had three touchdown passes,in his sixteen completions(16 for 28),which was key to the win,for the Vikings... except for the 31-3 win,in 2010(Brett Favre's last game against the Packers,as Vikings' quarterback),for the Packers,Peterson has averaged over 130 yards rushing/per game,against the Packers,so you knew that he was motivated to go all-out,yesterday,and he did,no doubt... in the first quarter,the Packers had exactly six plays,on offense(two three and out drives),so the Vikings got off to a 13-0,and 20-7,and 27-17 leads,in the game,and the Packers still came back to tie game twice,at 27,and 34... Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 365 yards,with four touchdown passes,so you can not blame the Packers' offense,period,but on the other hand,the Packers' defense played like warm curdled milk,all game... in the first half,they could not stop the Vikings,and could not get them off the field on third down,and their secondary looked like broken glass all day... the Packers' defense did not tackle anybody all day,including Peterson,and did not hit anyone,either... even though,the New York Giants kicked their butts,38-10,this season,this game was the most disappointing of this season,for the Packers,because even one stop early,or even late,would have made the difference... in other words,the Packers' defense got manhandled,and simply flunked the test,all day... what a stinker for the Packers' defense!!! if i was among the defensive players for the Packers,i would be very pissed,and they only have a week to correct the major flaws on the defense,but again the fact that it was a division rival,means that both teams will be motivated:the Packers to prove that it was not the Packers' defense that normally shows up,last game,except for containing,or trying to contain Adrian Peterson,which is impossible,at times,the Vikings:to prove that the game was not a fluke(it was not),and that they could do it,again(they can)... interesting game,Sunday....

Packers' game score...

Minnesota Vikings 37,Packers 34... Vikings-Packers,at Lambeau Field,next week.... commentary,later tonight,or tomorrow morning...

commentary...

this is the last week of the 2012-2013 NFL season,and even though the Packers are in the playoffs,there is only one team that has their seeding sewed up,in the NFC:the Atlanta Falcons,the other teams are scrambling for their slots(seedings)... with bad luck today,the Packers could only get one home game,and no rest... with a loss,by the San Francisco 49ers,and Packers,the Seattle Seahawks could get the second seed,with a win,over the St. Louis Rams,because of the controversial 14-12 win,over the Packers,in Seattle... unlikely,but could happen... the Cowboys,Redskins,Vikings,Bears,and even the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants could sneak into the playoffs,with things falling into the right slots for those teams... the Dallas Cowboys play the Washington Redskins,tonight,for the NFC East division crown... the Cowboys,and Vikings have to win their games to get into playoffs... the easiest way for the Vikings to make playoffs is to beat the Packers,and if they do not do that,the crazy season starts,shortly,with tiebreakers,involved... the other teams mentioned need help to make the playoffs,including Washington,if they do not beat Dallas,tonight... The AFC has all six teams already into the playoffs,but the top four teams could shift positions,including the top seed,if things go wacky,today,so most of the attention will be on the NFC,today,because there will be a mad dash for the seedings,including the sixth seed,in the playoffs...

commentary,and Vikings-Packers trivia...

every pundit believes that Minnesota Vikings' running back Adrian Peterson is going to break Hall of Fame member Eric Dickerson's 2,105 rushing yards season record,set,in 1984(he needs 208 yards to break it),which would be good for the pundits,but they are disrespecting the Packers' defense,which is dead wrong... they are stating it as fact,which is good for hyping the game,but it is tough sledding to go for 200+ yards,a second time,against the same team,in the same season... you tend to forget that Peterson did rush for 210 yards,in 21 carries,which is true,but he had three carries for 153 yards(a 82 yard run for a touchdown,a 48 yard run,and a 23 yard run),and the other 18 carries,went for 57 yards... the fact is that the Packers have to stop Peterson,but the Vikings have to out-score Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers,and the Packers' offense that scored 55 points,in week sixteen,against the Tennessee Titans,which was overmatched in the game,i have to admit,but again 55 points,folks... Packers' wide receiver Jordy Nelson is listed as probable,to play in the game,and Packers' linebacker Clay Matthews,i believe,did not play in the last game,in week thirteen,so both the Packers' offense and defense are getting healthy... Packers' head coach Mike McCarthy needs to stress tackling Peterson,if possible,but the Vikings need to out-score the Packers overall,which means Peterson would need to score more than one touchdown,and Vikings' quarterback Christian Ponder needs to light up the Packers' defense... stats for the season:the Vikings' offense,overall this season,has scored 342 points(22.8 points/per game),to the Packers' offense,overall this season,has scored 399 points this season(26.6 points/per game),and the Vikings,as a team,has given up 314 points(20.9 points/per game),while the Packers,as a team,has given up 299 points(19.9 points/per game)... so i expect a dogfight,in Minnesota,and if the Packers lose,a rematch,next week,at Lambeau,because a Packers' loss means the third seed(if things go as expected),and the Vikings get into the playoffs,as the sixth seed,and the third seed,plays the sixth seed,in opening weekend of the NFL playoffs... the Packers have won twelve division games(last loss,7-3,at Detroit,in 2010),in a row... the last time the Packers lost their last game of the season,was in 2002(winning nine in a row-franchise record-and longest current streak in the NFL)... if the Packers win,Sunday,against the Vikings,they will be the first team to go undefeated,in back to back seasons,in their division,since divisional realignment,in 1967*... *Elias Sports Bureau...

NFL news...

suspended New Orleans Saints' head coach Sean Payton,and the Saints have agreed to a five year contract extension... NFL has to approve contract...

NFL news...

Seattle Seahawks' cornerback Richard Sherman won his appeal over his four game performance enhancement drugs(PEDS) suspension,because of bad collection procedures,and chain of custody issues...

commentary...

this is for all the whining players,who have had,"old running mouth",this season:i am very tired of all the trash talk,because if you need to motivate yourself,by badmouthing your opponent,you must not be much of a player,because men play football,not whining wimpy morons... if,on the field,you trash talk,then you have to back up your words,which is fine,because football is played between the lines,in the locker room,and the coaches' offices,not in the newspaper,tabloids,or even NFL Network,but if you do not respect your opponents,then the other players know that,and that is not right,because to be in the NFL,you must be talented,and a player,but to "college cheer"(badmouth) your opponents is not necessary,because football is a man's game,period... grow up people,play football,and let play on the field settle things...

commentary,and trivia...

before we seriously talk about the Packers-Minnesota Vikings game,Sunday,let us go back to the last game between these two teams:Vikings' running back Adrian Peterson ran for 210 yards,on 21 carries(all in first 3 quarters),and before you blame Peterson for the loss(you can not,period),you must think of the fourth quarter,in Green Bay... quarterback Aaron Rodgers,and the Packers had an eleven minute scoring drive,to start the fourth quarter(ended by a Mason Crosby field goal)and a nine point lead,for the Packers,that took a great rushing day from Peterson,out of the Vikings' hands,and forced a sub-par Christian Ponder to pass,and made the Vikings one dimensional,in last four minutes... the Vikings' win,against the Chicago Bears,last weekend,showed me something about the overall health of the Vikings' offense... the Bears stopped Peterson for around 85 yards,all day,but Ponder showed up,and did in the Bears' "vaunted" defense,which has not shown up the last half,of this season(more on that later)... the somewhat still banged up Packers decimated the Tennessee Titans,55-7,but honestly,before we talk about the devastation of the Titans(game was a simple beatdown),the Packers' defense was simply the best that i have seen all year,against Tennessee,and the high-powered Packers' offense finally showed up,big time,but honestly,i still saw cracks in the offensive game plan(not many,but a few),the Packers' entire team is getting healthy,at the right time of the season,which is very bad news,for the rest of the NFC,and NFL,going into the playoffs... reminders of the 2010 Super Bowl XLV-winning teams abounds,in the team's overall numbers,between the two Packers' teams... can Adrian Peterson repeat the 210 yards rushing(history note:he needs 208 yards,to break Eric Dickerson's NFL season record,of 2,105 yards,rushing,set in 1984),but honestly the real key person in this game,is not Peterson,but quarterback Christian Ponder,and how he does in the game,because an one-dimensional Vikings' team will not beat the Packers,Sunday,unless Peterson goes off on a historical run at Eric Dickerson,and shatter the record with many long runs,and about 250 yards,rushing... now about the Bears:there has been fifty two teams,starting,7-1,in NFL history,and only the 1996 Washington Redskins,of that group did not make the playoffs,and funny thing is that the Bears have to beat the Detroit Lions,and then root for their most despised rivals(the Packers),to beat the Vikings,to sneak into the playoffs(possible),because even though the Packers are in the playoffs,they are not resting many players,because they are playing for the second seed in the NFC playoffs,and a first round bye,which the Packers really do need,this season,because more injuries to key players have occurred,and a rest may be preferable,for those players,but honestly unlike last year,the Packers are more determined,and overall more ready,for the playoffs,and probably the most dangerous,and underrated team,going into the playoffs,this season... it will be a most interesting Sunday,to say the least...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!

NFL news...

Packers play the Minnesota Vikings,Sunday.. if they win,they are the second seed,in the NFC playoffs...

Packers' game score,and commentary...

Packers 55,Titans 7... seven sacks,and two interceptions,by the Packers' defense,and Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers was 27 completions in 38 attempts,for 342 yards,and three touchdown passes... the Packers' running game ran for 117 yards,including Ryan Grant,who ran for 80 yards,in 20 carries,and two touchdowns,along with a Rodgers six yard rushing touchdown... the Packers had four rushing touchdowns,but i have to give a game ball to an outstanding effort,for the Packers' defense,who harassed Titans' quarterback Jake Locker,all day... even Mason Crosby had two field goals,and seven PAT's...

beatdown of the week...

Packers 55,Tennessee Titans 7...

commentary...

the Packers are in the playoffs,but honestly the fact is that they have to play much better going into the playoffs than they did last year... i said earlier this season that i thought they were a better overall team than last season,when they were 15-1? how could that be? the defense is much better,except for that game,against the Minnesota Vikings,and running back Adrian Peterson(he has had a great year,period,against everybody)... in fact,if you look at the overall offensive numbers,they are very similar to 2010,when they won Super Bowl XLV... quarterback Aaron Rodgers is being talked about collecting his second MVP award,even though he has said that he would trade his NFL MVP award,from last season,for another Lombardi Trophy... i honestly believe that the Packers are being ignored by the pundits,and in that way,being underrated... the pundits are talking about the Houston Texans,New England Patriots,Atlanta Falcons,San Francisco 49ers,and even the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants,who,except for the game against a really banged up Green Bay Packers' team(won 38-10),have played like pretenders most of the season,more than the Packers this season,which is just fine,right now,in Green Bay... i believe last season's playoff stinker,against the Giants is motivating the Packers to be ready for the playoffs,and not take anybody lightly,this season... most of the games that the Packers have won this season,have been of the ugly variety,this season,unlike last season,in which they blew out most teams,and simply thought that they were better than they were,period... so,if the pundits believe that the Packers will not be ready for the playoffs,and not play their best,even if they do not win Super Bowl XLVII,the pundits will be mistaken....

NFL news...

Baltimore Ravens' linebacker Ray Lewis likely out,until the playoffs,because of a torn triceps muscle... he wanted to play in the regular season... Packers bench center Jeff Saturday,and promote Evan Dietrich-Smith...

good news...

after three rounds of chemo,Indianapolis Colts' head coach Chuck Pagano has been cleared to coach the Colts' last game,of the season,by the doctors... way to go,Chuck....

Titans-Packers trivia...

the Tennessee Titans and the Green Bay Packers have played only ten times,in Titans'/Oilers' franchise history... the Titans/Oilers hold a 6-4 series history lead,with four of the six wins,coming at Lambeau Field... they have not played at Lambeau Field,since October 11,2004,when the Titans won 48-27... they last played on November 2,2008,in Nashville,when the Titans won 19-16(overtime)... however,the Packers have won nineteen of last twenty regular season games(.950),and twenty five,of last twenty seven games(.926),overall,at Lambeau Field... since 1992,the Packers have won their last home game of the season,every year,but 2004...

historical trivia...

what date did the Green Bay Press-Gazette first mentioned the team,as the Packers,in their newspaper? answer:August 15,1919...

a letter to Lance Briggs...

i guess that the Bears' players do not like to get booed by their fans... yesterday,it was Brian Urlacher... today,it is Lance Briggs... hey,Lance,and Brian,grow up!!!!!!! fans boo,because the Bears have sucked,losing five of last six games... for the second year in a row,the Bears have swooned(last year:7-3,final result:8-8,and this season:7-1,and so far,this year:8-6)... if you want to be cheered,play better... if i was a Bears' fan,i would boo,and do it every chance that i could get,because the Bears' offense,and defense(in fourth quarter,and in overtime),have really given up too many yards,and points(case in point:against the Seattle Seahawks:a ninety seven yard drive,in fourth quarter,and an eighty yard drive,in overtime,to lose,at home)... who,honestly,cares about your hurt feelings???

a letter to Brian Urlacher...

hey,Brian,you were hurt by the Bears' fans booing,and the media questioning you,at Soldier Field,last Sunday... who honestly cares about your feelings??? try playing in Philadelphia,whose fans booed Santa Claus,one year,and even cheered,when Dallas Cowboys' Hall of Fame member Michael Irvin got hurt,at the Vet(Veterans Memorial Stadium),which was a real dump of a stadium,in the later years... if,honestly,the Packers played as bad,as the Bears have done this season,i would even boo at Lambeau Field... the Bears stunk up Soldier Field,Sunday,when your team had two opportunities to score touchdowns from the five yard line,and from the fifteen yard line,and only kicked two field goals... if you want to blame someone:try your pathetic offense,especially quarterback Jay Cutler,and wide receiver Alshon Jeffery,who had three offensive pass interference penalties,one which wiped out a touchdown... to badmouth the fans,and the media,for your pathetic team play,recently,really lowers my respect for you,because if your team does not want to hear boos from the crowd,play better,and do me a favor:shut your mouth,and i really hope the fans boo lustfully,at the Bears' next game,because the Bears have really sucked the last half of this season,and the fans deserve to boo your team,so live with it!!!!!!!

pitiful teams...

as i watched the New York Jets lose to the Tennessee Titans,14-10,last night,i just laughed,and thought to myself,"what a pathetic team!!!!!" there are four teams that i find disappointing:the Jets,the Kansas City Chiefs,and both the Chicago Bears,and the Detroit Lions... all four teams were supposed to fight for a playoff spot,and only one team mentioned(the Bears)have a shot at the playoffs,but need major help... every team mentioned have a sub-par player,or a stinkbomb waiting to happen(like Jets' quarterback Mark Sanchez,right?),at quarterback... after last weekend,i added Bears' quarterback Jay Cutler to that list,after he stunk up Soldier Field,in Chicago,against the Packers,not because of his talent,but because of his attitude,and sub-par overall play... the Lions,Chiefs,Jets,and Bears were so bad that one team had one highlight,in receiving(Calvin Johnson),one team got shut out(15-0,to the Oakland Raiders),one team had five turnovers,including a fumbled/kicked low snap on the Titans' 25 yard line,in last minute of play,and that was after a shanked 19 yard punt,by the Titans,and one team scored only six points after halftime,and the Packers muffed/fumbled a punt/pass play,that would have made the Keystone Kops cringe,and the Bears still could not put the football into the end zone,after that,from the Packers' 15 yard line... what a collection of inept teams...

i am taking day off from my blogs,because i do not feel well...

opinion of mine...

to Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback Michael Vick,and San Francisco 49ers' quarterback Alex Smith,both of you have to be admired for being quiet,about being demoted... you may believe that it is unfair(in case of Smith,he did say that he thought that it was unfair),but both of you are teammates,not me-first people,just football players,who want the best for your teams... in the era of me-first people,that should be admired...

commentary...

even though i do not like the Bears,i have to admire,and empathize with Bears' wide receiver Brandon Marshall... he literally broke down,without tears,stopped talking to media,and walked away... he seemed very frustrated with the Bears' losing their fifth game,in last six games... honestly,the Bears seemed disinterested after getting down,to the Packers,and they made too many mistakes,at critical times,and yet,lost interest,in their pathetic offensive game plan,late in game,and players frustrated(quarterback Jay Cutler even waved away the coaches,after a Packers' interception,late in first half,that led a 14-7 Packers' lead,at halftime)... if the Bears had the true passion that Marshall showed,in the media room,they would be much better,but some of the Bears' players seemed to be really disinterested,in the playing of the game,and that is really too bad... i am really happy that the Packers beat the Bears,but you have to understand,and empathize with Marshall...

beatdowns of the week...

Atlanta Falcons 34,New York Giants 0... New Orleans Saints 41,Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0... the Giants,and Buccaneers took a nap today,even though they both played a game...

Green Bay Packers clinch NFC North Division,for second year in a row...

Packers' game score,and commentary

Packers 21,Bears 13... Packers' defense played very good(Clay Matthews sacked Bears' quarterback Jay Cutler,twice),and quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw three touchdown passes to James Jones... however,special teams,except for punter Tim Masthay,really sucked,with two missed field goals,by Packers' kicker Mason Crosby,and a muffed lateral,on a punt,by the Packers,that almost cost the team at the end,but a great punt,by Masthay,downed,at the Bears' three yard line,with less than a minute left,sealed win,for the Packers... Bears' offense imploded with three critical pass inference penalties,by Bears' wide receiver Alshon Jeffery that wiped out one touchdown,and absolutely did nothing on offense,after scoring opening touchdown,to go up,7-0,but only got six measly points,aided by the Packers' horrible special teams,today... in fact,the only Bears' touchdown came after Mason Crosby missed his first of two field goals(the second miss hit the left upright),so besides that,the Bears did absolutely squat,all day...

commentary...

as a shareholder/owner of the Packers,i am looking forward to tomorrow's Bears-Packers' game... everyone has said their piece on this rivalry,but me... it is my turn... this game goes back to 1921,and even though,i do ultimately respect the Bears,as a team,i truly hope the Packers decimate the Bears tomorrow,sack Bears' quarterback Jay Cutler six times,intercept him four times,ground Bears' running game,to a halt,and have Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers pass for 400 yards plus,with four or more,touchdown passes,and have the Packers' committee of running backs run for 150+ yards,and win 45-3... honestly,that would be the my ultimate fantasy,for this game.. however,i truly expect a nasty ugly dogfight of a game,because true Packers do not like the Bears... you can count me on that!!!!!!!!!

odd Packers' knowledge...

if you noticed something strange on Sunday night,when they showed Lambeau Field,you were right,besides it snowing,the stadium clock on the outside of the stadium was set fifteen minutes ahead... it is,and was,Lombardi Time... there is a well known story of a Packers' player being drafted,by Lombardi,and missing his plane to Green Bay,because of weather,and so the airport manager knowing of Lombardi Time,and knowing of how Lombardi prized being ahead of time,he actually drove the player to Lambeau Field,and the Packers' offices... so,the Packers run on Lombardi Time...

comic relief...

Chris Johnson,running back of the Tennessee Titans,actually wore his helmet with tinted visor,while talking to the media,saying that was an one-time fashion statement,and that two teammates had bothered him all season,to do it,as a joke,once this season,so he showed up in the media room,in helmet,today...

Bears-Packers hostility,and game plan to win game,for both teams...

Bears' wide receiver Brandon Marshall wishes that the Packers' defense would play him man to man... he said that yesterday... well,Packers' wide receiver Greg Jennings wishes that the Bears' defense would do the same,for him... both players have said that both teams do not like the other team... my opinion:if both get their wishes,it will be a dogfight,but only because of overall talent,and depth,of the Packers' wide receivers,and receiving corps,the Packers would have the edge,but to tell you the truth,the Bears have a better running back tandem than the Packers,but if the Packers does contain the Bears' running game,and force Bears' quarterback Jay Cutler into an overall passing game,late in the game,and the Bears stop their running attack,the Packers will have a good chance to beat the Bears... if the Bears have a balanced game plan,they will have a good chance to beat the Packers... if it is a shootout,the Packers have the edge,and if it is a slugfest(close defensive game,and/or close at end of game),between the teams,the Bears will have a chance to steal a win,and beat the Packers... i can not wait for the game...

commentary...

Packers' tight end Jermichael Finley commented,yesterday,that the Bears' defense would be better,without the injured Brian Urlacher,this week... well,Bears' linebacker Lance Briggs just called Finley an idiot,among other things... simply,for the Packers,this week:win,and the NFC North division crown is theirs... however,THIS IS BEARS-PACKERS WEEK!!!!!!! people talk about the Baltimore Ravens-Pittsburgh Steelers rivalry,but the nastiest rivalry,in NFL history is the Bears-Packers rivalry... in the early 20's,a Bears' player SUCKER-PUNCHED A Packers' player,and broke the guy's nose... when current Bears' head coach Lovie Smith was introduced,as Bears' head coach,his first comment to the media was,"he was there to beat the (Green Bay)Packers",before making the playoffs,or winning the Super Bowl... no matter what records are between the rivals,season after season,the Bears' games are nastier than most,and i am,in no way,putting the Detroit Lions,or the Minnesota Vikings down,but the rivalry with the Bears has a special nasty edge to it,and in 91 years,that has not changed,one iota...

courtroom news...

Jonathan Vilma put in the proper paperwork required to continue his defamation suit,against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell,in front of U.S. Second District(of Louisiana)Court Judge Helen G. Berrigan,today...

a letter to Drew Brees...

hey,Drew:you do think that suspended Saints' head coach Sean Payton,Saints' general manager Mickey Loomis,and Saints' interim head coach Joe Vitt basically got the shaft,in NFL-mandated suspensions... Loomis and Vitt have served their suspensions,and you are still very upset over Payton's season long suspension,and the fact that the Saints' season has been sub-par,and lately your overall personal play has simply been horrible lately(remember:five interceptions,with no touchdown passes,against Atlanta)... the Saints' defense has been on the decline,over the past couple of years,and especially,this season,when the Saints can not stop anyone on the ground,and the Saints' secondary has been exposed,and that pisses you off... without major help(teams losing games),the Saints are not making the playoffs,and that pisses you off... i am tired of your rants about the unfair treatment of the NFL hierarchy towards the Saints,and yet,the four players involved got only a slap on the wrist,but the opinion of former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagiabue did say the Saints' organization,and coaches ran a "pay to injure"(bounty) program,from 2009-2011,and that Will Smith,free agent Anthony Hargrove(in lying about the program),and Jonathan Vilma took part in that program,and you forget that the suspended Saints' defensive coordinator Gregg Williams,in testimony,said that he did offer a $5,000 "bounty",on then-Vikings' quarterback Brett Favre,in same defensive team meeting that Vilma,allegedly,put a $10,000 "bounty" on Favre... you call the witnesses "liars",as some players have,but many unbiased people have looked at the evidence,and you even endorsed Tagiabue's opinion,but Drew,did you read it in totality??? you have your opinion,and i would back you up,as a American,in saying that,but do me a favor,Drew... JUST PLAY FOOTBALL,and if you want to vent your anger,even get mad at the Saints' organization,because if it is true that they ran a "pay to injure"(bounty) program,from 2009-2011,as the NFL states,then you should be ashamed,period...

Packers-Bears trivia,and injury report...

six of the last nine games,between the Packers and Bears(including postseason) have been decided by seven points,or less... in seven of last nine years,Packers and the Bears have played,in December,or January... the Bears lead all-time series,92-87-6,including 1-1,in postseason,but the Packers have won five straight games,and seven of the last eight games,against the Bears... my opinion:expect a dogfight in Chicago,Sunday... Brandon Marshall,wide receiver of the Bears just badmouthed the Packers' secondary,so expect the Packers,and Bears to give it their all,Sunday... like it said,it is Bears-Packers week... it looks like that Packers' linebacker Clay Matthews(hamstring)will play,but cornerback/safety Charles Woodson(broken collarbone)has been ruled out of game,by the Packers... even though,Woodson is frustrated with the decision,by the team,and doctors,i honestly believe that the Packers want Woodson for a long playoff run,not just for one game,and a correct decision...

odd trivia...

in Wisconsin,12-12-12,is actually Aaron Rodgers Day,in honor of the Packers' quarterback...

commentary...

even though,former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagiabue vacated the suspensions of the four players involved in the Saints' "bounty" scandal,he did affirm NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's factual findings that Will Smith,Jonathan Vilma,and Anthony Hargrove did have conduct detrimental to the NFL... in the case of free agent Anthony Hargrove,he was pressured by the Saints' organization to lie to the NFL investigators,about the existence of the Saints' "bounty" scandal,and in the case of Smith,he took part in the "bounty" program,and in the case of Vilma,he found in the evidence that he did offer a $10,000 bounty to any player to put then-Vikings' quarterback Brett Favre out of the 2009 NFC Championship game,although it is sharply disputed,but the evidence(through testimony of suspended Saints',and St. Louis Rams' defensive coordinator Gregg Williams)that in the same defensive team meeting that,allegedly,Vilma offered the $10,000 "bounty",on Favre,Williams himself offered his own $5,000 "bounty",on Favre... Tagiabue basically shifted the blame to the Saints' organization,for the "bounty" scandal,from the players... folks,the Saints' "bounty" scandal is the blackest eye,for the NFL,and Smith,Hargrove,and Vilma should be ashamed,for their conduct detrimental,and they were not innocent of what NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said they did,they only got a slap on the wrist,ultimately... my opinion:that is really stinks,period...

opinions of mine...

my choice for NFL Most Valuable Player:1)Adrian Peterson,Minnesota Vikings;2)Peyton Manning,Denver Broncos,and 3) Tom Brady,New England Patriots... however,expect Manning to win it....

clarification of post...

in previous post,i had to correct,and clarify what punishment that Scott Fujita had incurred... he was cleared of conduct detrimental,to the NFL,in the Saints' "bounty" scandal...

"bounty" scandal suspensions vacated...

in a surprise,former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagiabue vacated the Saints' "bounty" scandal suspensions of Jonathan Vilma,Will Smith,Scott Fujita,and Anthony Hargrove... in the finding,Tagiabue found that the Saints' organization did run a "pay for injure"("bounty")program in the three years of the NFL investigation,and that the players,except Fujita,did have conduct detrimental to the NFL,during that time,but should have been fined,not suspended... Fujita was cleared of conduct detrimental in this case,the finding said... Vilma will still pursue a defamation lawsuit,against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell,"to reclaim his reputation"... my opinion:i honestly did not expect this outcome,but i am not surprised,because the NFL,i guess,wanted this circus to end...

commentary...

in week nine,the Chicago Bears were 7-1(their bye week),had a two game lead on the Green Bay Packers,and were breezing toward the playoffs,but now have lost four of the last five games... since week six,the Packers have won seven of the last eight games,have been banged up(injured throughout),but except for a 38-10 dismantling,by the New York Giants,but i contend that if the Packers were healthier,the game would be more interesting,but i do admit that no matter what the Packers did that horrible Sunday night,that the Giants were the better team,and i hate to admit that no end... now in week fourteen,the Packers have an one game lead,on Chicago,and if they beat Chicago next weekend,the Packers will win the NFC North(not a certainty only weeks ago),and yet both teams need a win,and both teams are banged up,with Bears' linebacker Brian Urlacher,out until the playoffs,if they make it,and Tim Jennings,who leads the NFL,in interceptions,questionable with an injury,for next week... the Packers have been banged up most of this season,but it does look like Packers' linebacker Clay Matthews,and Packers' cornerback/safety Charles Woodson will play,next week... both teams have to keep their quarterbacks upright,but both offensive lines have been horrid,most of the year,but the Bears' offensive line have been a sieve the last six weeks,and even though Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers have been sacked a lot,most of the sacks have been coverage sacks,and except for the Giants' game,they have held up most of the last eight games,and the Bears' offensive line have allowed Bears' quarterback Jay Cutler,to miss a game,with a concussion,and yesterday,he went out of the game late,with a neck injury... i am not saying that both offensive lines are,"the seven pillars of granite"(a reference to the Fordham Rams),in which Packers' legendary head coach Vince Lombardi were a member of,while he was in college,but,at least,Rodgers have not missed a game,but the "Monsters of the Midway",the Bears' defense have not been the last five games,especially allowing the Seattle Seahawks' offense a 97 yard drive,to go ahead late in the fourth quarter,and a 80 yard drive,in overtime,to win game,in Chicago,and even though the Packers' defense allowed 78 yards rushing,in the first quarter,against the Lions,last night,they only allowed the Lions 57 yards rushing,in the last three quarters,and only 18 yards rushing,in the second half... last week,even though the Packers' defense allowed 210 yards,on 21 carries,to the Vikings' running back Adrian Peterson,Peterson did not have a carry in the fourth quarter,and the Packers had an eleven minute scoring(a field goal,to ice game)drive,in the fourth quarter,against the Vikings... both teams need a win,and it is a divisional game,so it will be a dogfight,like always,no matter what the records are,period... THIS IS BEARS-PACKERS WEEK... they do not like each other... NEVER HAVE... NEVER WILL...

Packers' game score,and commentary...

Green Bay Packers 27,Detroit Lions 20... for the Lions,they lose game,after going up 14-0,for their twenty second straight loss in Wisconsin,going back to 1991(a playoff game is included,in the streak)... Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers had a 27 yard touchdown run,but did not throw a touchdown pass... the Lions had 117 rushing yards,in first half,but was shut down,and the Lions' defensive line lost their roar,because the Packers' ground game lit them up,in the second half,for 139 yards,as a group,most of it in second half... time-wise,the Lions had the edge,and yet they stopped running,and started dropping critical passes,and Lions' quarterback Matthew Stafford threw interceptions,and dropped the football,late in first half,that resulted in a Packers' return for a touchdown,and gave momentum to a sluggish Packers' offense,and from that moment on,the Packers made adjustments,at halftime,and then made it difficult for Stafford to throw it deep,for big plays,and stopped the Lions' running game to a crawl... after the Lions scored touchdowns,on first two offensive drives(a 80 yard drive,and a 79 yard drive,after a Rodgers fumble),they only scored a measly six points,after that,and one of those field goals,from Lions' field goal kicker,Jason Hanson,came with twelve seconds left in the game...

beatdown of the week...

Seattle Seahawks 58,Arizona Cardinals 0... fifty eight points by the Seahawks,and eight turnovers for the Cardinals,as the Seahawks devastate the Cardinals... enough said...

NFC North division game...

Minnesota Vikings 21,Chicago Bears 14...

facts,and trivia...

if it snows in Green Bay,tonight,it will be the first game(a "white out" game),in Green Bay,since the 2007 divisional playoff game,against the Seattle Seahawks... in the last "white out" game,Packers' running back Ryan Grant rushed for 201 yards... as noted earlier,Ryan Grant was signed as an injury replacement,for the Packers...

now,for the legal stuff...

i broke the previous post into two parts... Josh Brent,of the Dallas Cowboys,was arrested,and charged with intoxication manslaughter,a second degree felony,punishable with a term of 2 to 20 years in prison,and a fine of $20,000,in the unfortunate death of Dallas Cowboys' practice squad player,Jerry Brown,Jr......

sad news in Dallas...

Dallas Cowboys' practice squad player Jerry Brown,Jr was killed in a single car accident,Saturday morning... car was driven by Cowboys' teammate Josh Brent,when car hit curb,flipped onto roof,and onto a service road... prayers to his family...

weather forecast,for Sunday night...

the National Weather Service predicts snow for Sunday night,for the Green Bay Packers-Detroit Lions game... Winter Wonderland,in Green Bay!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!

day of infamy...

seventy one years ago today,2,402 were killed,along with 1,282 were wounded,when the Imperial Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor... to those killed,and wounded,may we never forget!!!!!!!!!

a new dad and mom....

New England Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady,and his wife,Gisele Bundchen had a baby girl,named Vivian... congrats,Tom and Gisele... by the way,hope Tom gets enough sleep(laughing)...

clarification of post...

to clarify something,the Packers used to play games,until 1994,in Milwaukee... i corrected the previous post,and had to clarify the post...

commentary...

this game is number 166 in the Packers-Lions series,dating back to a 47-13 Packers' victory,in 1930,when the Lions were known as the Portsmouth(Ohio) Spartans,and no other NFL teams have a longer annual rivalry,than these two teams,dating back to 1932... the Lions have lost twenty straight road games,in Wisconsin(twenty one,if you count 1994 playoff game)... that streak is the longest in NFL history... Packers' head coach Mike McCarthy is 12-1,against the Lions(the only loss was in Detroit,in 2010(Packers lost 7-3),when Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers was knocked out of the game,with a concussion,that sidelined him,for the next game,too(a 31-27 loss to the New England Patriots,which happened to be the Packers' last loss of 2010)... this a divisional game,so basically,you can throw all those numbers out the window,because no matter what i think of the Lions,personally,they have a team that could surprise the Packers,this week... my opinion:i have the ultimate respect for every NFC North division opponent,because when you stop having respect for a team,that is when they may surprise you,and they will beat you...

NFL news...

Minnesota Vikings place wide receiver Percy Harvin,on season ending injured reserve list... reports say that he suffered a ligament tear,in one of his ankles,in week nine...

NFL news...

Seattle Seahawks' defensive back Brandon Browner will serve his four game suspension,for taking Adderall,which is not allowed,in the NFL,without a prescription... Richard Sherman,another Seattle Seahawks' defensive back has his appeal hearing,on December 14th,for taking the same drug,supposedly,from drinking from a teammate's water bottle,who had the prescription medication crushed into water... hey,Brandon,and Richard,to quote Sherman,"you mad,Bro?"

injury replacements for teams...

to bolster an ailing running game,with James Starks on injured/reserve list,out for rest of season,the Packers sign running back Ryan Grant,as an injury replacement... the Packers simply did not want to sign Grant,in the off-season,as he was a Packers' free agent,because,i guess,he wanted too much money... Baltimore Ravens report that linebacker Ray Lewis(torn triceps)has returned to practice...

injury updates...

there is a report out of Chicago that Bears' linebacker Brian Urlacher has a grade two hamstring strain,and could miss up to four weeks,and there is a report out of Green Bay that Packers' cornerback/safety Charles Woodson(out for most of season,with a collarbone problem/broken collarbone)expects to play against Chicago,in two weeks...

commentary...

the losses last weekend by the Chicago Bears,San Francisco 49ers,and of course,the New York Giants really did help the Packers,in the NFL playoff seedings... even though the Packers are banged up,because of injury,and the fact that they gave up 210 yards,on 21 carries,to Minnesota Vikings' running back Adrian Peterson,they gave up zero points to the Vikings,in the second half,and made the Vikings' quarterback Christian Ponder try to beat them passing,because of having the football,for about 38 minutes,in the entire game,and the Packers having the lead in the game,the Packers actually allowed their defense to shut down the Vikings' running game,even though Adrian Peterson ran for 210 yards,which was not pretty for the Packers' defense to give up(they gave up 153 yards to Peterson,on only three of those carries),but the Packers' running game(152 yards,on 36 carries,as a group)basically neutralized Peterson,by keeping him on the bench,in the second half... the Bears losing in overtime,to the Seattle Seahawks,in a game that the Bears' defense looked like swiss cheese,in the fourth quarter,and in overtime actually helped the Packers in the NFC North division,by giving the Packers the momentum to try to win the division... the 49ers' offensive implosion,late in the second half,and their erratic field goal kicking in overtime,in losing to the St. Louis Rams,helped the Packers,in the overall playoff seedings... did the 49ers' coach Jim Harbaugh outthink himself,in starting the inexperienced Colin Kaepernick,at quarterback,and looking at the last three minutes plus,and overtime,it looks like that he has,period... the Giants' loss to the Washington Redskins basically gave the Packers a soothing feeling for the stomping they endured(losing 38-10,in their eleventh game in their season,to the Giants),and also did help the team,in the overall playoff seedings... the $64,000 question is:can the Packers take advantage of their good fortune,last weekend,and go deep into this year's playoffs...

commentary...

even though,running back Adrian Peterson ran for an outstanding 210 yards,on 21 carries(and he was outstanding),the fact is that the rest of the Minnesota Vikings' offense was horrendous... quarterback Christian Ponder had only twelve completions,in the entire game,and Peterson,who had 126 yards rushing,in the first half,had only two big runs,after halftime,and the Vikings could not move the football,at all,in the second half(they had no points in second half),and the Packers,to start the fourth quarter,had an eighteen play,seventy three yard drive,for an astounding eleven minutes(time-wise,was the longest time-consuming drive,in the NFL,this season),which put the Vikings with very few minutes to come back to win,which they did not win game... when you are one dimensional on offense,basically you have to be near-perfect,to win a game,and the Vikings were just terrible,besides Peterson,so the Packers ground out a win... game was not pretty for the defense,with Peterson rushing for 210 yards,but they made the plays(two big interceptions,by Morgan Burnett),to win the game,when Minnesota imploded,in the second half...

Happy Birthday,Aaron...

Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers turns 29,today...

upset of the week....

St. Louis Rams 16,San Francisco 49ers 13,overtime... Rams scored twice in last 3:04 of regulation,including once,from the two yard line,when down 10-2,when Colin Kaepernick tossed a errant pitch over the head of the running back,to no one,and recovered by the Rams,and David Akers barely missed a 51 yard field goal,with 4:11,left in overtime,but the Rams' kicker Greg Zuerlein kicked a 54 yard field goal,with 26 seconds left in overtime,to win game for the Rams...

Karma bites everyone in NFC North,but Packers,today...

Seattle Seahawks 23,Chicago Bears 17,overtime loss;Indianapolis Colts 35,Detroit Lions 33... Lions lose,as time expired...

game score,and commentary...

Packers 23,Vikings 14... Vikings' running back Adrian Peterson did rush for 210 yards,on 21 carries,but on drives that featured his 48 yard and 23 yard runs,they ended on Packers' interceptions,by Morgan Burnett;one of those interceptions was in the Packers' end zone,resulting in a touchback... Peterson did have a 82 yard touchdown run,in the first half,but Packers dominated control of the football,by having a long drive that took eleven minutes off the clock in the fourth quarter... Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers was 27 completions,in 35 attempts,for 286 yards,with a touchdown pass and an interception... Packers also ran for 152 yards,as a group,so they ran out basically the clock on the Vikings,in fourth quarter...

breakdown of Packers-Vikings game...

the Packers-Vikings game today will be a shootout depending on how both offenses operate??? will the Packers wake up and deliver a big blow to the Vikings' chances for the playoffs? the Packers have their season in their own hands,being unbeaten in the NFC North,as i type... they play Detroit,and then Chicago,in next three weeks,along with the Vikings,today,so if they win all three,they will be in major control of the NFC North... Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers rarely has two bad games in a row,as the Giants' game stunk up the joint... the defensive pass rush,defensive backfield,and the offensive line will be the major factors,on how the Packers play,today... the Vikings' pass rush is a strong point,but the defensive backfield can be had deep... the offensive key for the Vikings will be running back Adrian Peterson,and how many big plays,and yards on the ground that he can collect.... keep him in check,and a struggling Vikings' quarterback Christian Ponder will be easy pickings,because he will be forced to throw more often,and wide receiver Percy Harvin will not play for the Vikings,and the offense for the Vikings is keyed more for a running offense,with Peterson,as its focus... the absence of Clay Matthews,sweeping off the end of the defensive line,hurts the Packers more than they will ever say,and the defense for the Packers has started at least six rookies,most of the year,because of injury,on the defensive side of ball,but honestly,the re-emergence of Greg Jennings may settle down Aaron Rodgers,because not all the sacks that he has suffered,is not because of the injured offensive line,but is because of the fact that he has held onto the football too long,and the sack is recorded,as a coverage sack,but honestly,Rodgers seems to not want many turnovers(interceptions),but he has dropped(fumbled) the football too many times this season... this is a division game,and very critical for both teams,but the Packers are at Lambeau Field,where they have won seventeen of the last eighteen regular season games that they played...

sympathy in Kansas City...

to Kasandra Perkins' family,i give my most heartfelt condolences,on her shooting death,early this morning,and to the family of Jovan Belcher,who killed her,and then shot himself,at the Kansas City Chiefs' offices,i give also my deepest condolences... both families do not deserve what happened... this is the only time that i will mention Belcher,period... to the families,i pray for comfort,for every family member...

ranking of worst Commissioner...

this is my listing for worst Commissioner in professional sports:1)NBA Commissioner David Stern-shows favoritism to big market teams,1a)NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman-four lockouts,or strikes,in his 20 year reign,and shafting Winnipeg,out of a team,the first time,when the franchise moved to Phoenix,and now the real mess of lack of private ownership there now,1b)MLB Commissioner "Bud" Selig-cancelled 1994 World Series,and stood by a 7-7 All-Star game tie,in 2002,which happened to be in Milwaukee,which at one time,he owned the Brewers-stunk to high heaven,and still does... 4)NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell-the Saints' "bounty" scandal still is going on,and the players involved,believe that he is biased towards them... my opinion:Goodell has some major goofups,like the 2010-2011 mini-NFL lockout(lockout during training camp,and pre-season)... the other three are much worse in my opinion,because they simply do not care for the fans,period...

Saints' "bounty" scandal appeal hearings update...

the Saints' "bounty" scandal appeal hearings have started... on first day,lawyers for the players involved,cross-examined former suspended Saints' defensive coordinator Gregg Williams,and others involved in the NFL investigation,as part of the players' defense,in front of former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagiabue,and New Orleans Saints' defensive players,Jonathan Vilma,and Will Smith...

Packers' news...

Packers report that running back Cedric Benson has been placed on injured reserve,ending his season,and had surgery,on his foot,that has a dislocation of a metatarsal bone,known as a Lisfranc injury...

Christmas spirit came early...

NYPD Officer Lawrence DePrimo got into the Christmas spirit,by asking a barefoot homeless man his shoe size,walked into a Sketchers store,bought him socks,and a size twelve pair of winter boots,and shoe store owner even gave the officer a discount on the boots... way to go,Officer DePrimo!!!!!!! may Christmas be blessed for him,and his family...

trivia,and comments...

the Packers have won seventeen,of the last eighteen regular season games(.944),at Lambeau Field,and twenty three of the last twenty five regular season games(.920),at Lambeau Field,so to beat the Packers,at least,in the regular season,at home,is very tough... my opinion:the weaknesses of the Packers is in their offensive line,running game,and in their pass rush,which most of the major injuries have been in those areas of the team,throughout the season,so the team can be beat,over the next five weeks,but they do have the talent,and the coaching staff,to beat every team that they need to beat,but honestly,it is not going to be too easy to do that,period... i will stock up on TUMS,folks(laughing)....

trivia...

expect a shootout,Sunday,when the Minnesota Vikings play the Packers,because,believe this or not,fifteen of the last nineteen games between the teams have been decided by seven points,or less...

reminder of better times...

before Packers' fans go off the cliff,in despair,over the game,against the Giants,remember the last time that the Packers lost by 28 points(December 23,2007,against Chicago,35-7),the Packers went 13-3,in the regular season,and went to NFC Championship,that year...

commentary...

even though the Packers got thumped,by the New York Giants,guess what team has their destiny on their own hands??? as i type,the Packers are unbeaten in their division,and have four divisional games,in the last five games... they play Minnesota(twice),including this weekend,Chicago,and Detroit,along with the Tennessee Titans... they win out,and they capture the NFC North crown... typing this,it seems easy,but they looked like a passionless bunch of men,Sunday,against the Giants,but their destiny in their hands,and they better understand that... they are a very banged up team,and looked that way,Sunday... they were prepared for battle,but their hearts were not into the game,and they absolutely stunk the joint up,on national television... i could detail what happened,but that would make no sense... it was only one of sixteen games,this season,and everybody lays a egg,once in a while... people may believe that the Packers may not be a Super Bowl contender,after seeing that stinker,Sunday,but they are a better team than that game,and they better show the mettle of this team,and understand that little fact,because they have no room for error,going into their last five games... as of right now,in the playoff seeding,there would be a rematch with the Giants,again in New York,opening playoff weekend,and at the present time,i have to admit that would be an ugly game... however,winning,the NFC North crown,and getting healthy,that game would be very interesting,if it occurred,because a healthy Packers' team is a match for any team in the NFL... to be brutally honest,the next five weeks will tell how the season will unfold for the Packers... like i said,the math looks easy,win all five games,and go into the playoffs winning ten of eleven games,and be a favorite to win it all... to take it down a notch,or two,the next five games will be brutal to play,and better stock up on TUMS...

surprise in Baltimore...

Baltimore Ravens' linebacker Ray Lewis,a certain Hall of Fame member,when he retires,tore his triceps muscle,and placed on injured reserve,but he was put on the list for return(one player per team can be put on that list).... no one really expected him to return to the active roster,maybe for the Super Bowl,the team,hopefully,said... well,Lewis is going through some platelet rich plasma treatment for his injury,and according to many sources,could return December 16th,at home,against the Denver Broncos....

commentary...

i was just reminded of something odd that happened last night,besides the Packers getting blown out,which in itself is odd... the coaching staff seemed to be waving the white flag,even in second quarter,when the Packers still had a chance(i admit,a slim chance),but Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers had only thrown twenty five passes,which is not odd,in itself,but,at least,twice,they handed the ball off to a running back,with the down being second and 20... both times,they got less than three yards... why put the Packers in third down and seventeen,or more,not once,but twice,and with Rodgers,still in the game??? i know earlier in the day,that the Baltimore Ravens converted a 4th down,and 29,on their last drive,in regulation(against San Diego,leading to a 16-13 Ravens' overtime win)... by the way,what a play!!!!!!! back to the Packers,for a moment,the coaching staff,especially head coach Mike McCarthy,seemed to have their heads somewhere else other than in the game... just very odd play calling,indeed... the fact remains:no matter what the Packers did last night,the Giants had the answer,so i applaud them on their gameplan,no matter how much it does hurt...

to true fans...

this to all true fans of the sports that you love:remember when it was the game that matters,because it is only a game,and the violence that has plagued major sports this year is not necessary,folks,because it is only a game,be it baseball,football hockey,or any other sport that you play... be proud of what team you root for,but anything else is not necessary,at all,because it takes away from the enjoyment of playing,or watching the game... people may be die-hards for their teams,like i am,but i was reminded by someone once that it is only a game,so throw a football,bounce a basketball,or shoot a puck(in case of puck,not at anyone,unless person is padded,like a goaltender,and do not aim too high),but have fun,and remember that it is only a game,because that is most important,folks...

small correction...

i corrected a few things in the previous post:putting a "q",instead of a "g",in plaque,for example....

ode to my mother...

i am thinking about my late dearly departed mother,and she was definitely one of a kind person... she was a self made person,not rich in monetary terms,but she was definitely a very rich lady,in terms of:if you knew her,you would never forget her... she was a self taught lady,knowing things that people would die for in knowing,and had a sweet but wicked sense of humor,but yet,she worked at so many jobs that to count them would make me be here for days... she was the smartest person that i ever knew in my life,because she was a vacuum,in terms of knowledge... when she ran for city council,in the small town where she lived,she walked to every house,every hill,and talked to everyone in town,and then when she ran for mayor(she lost,barely),she repeated the feat,and actually read the ordinances that came before the city council,no matter how long they happen to be,so to argue with her,in front of the public,in private,or in chambers,you better know what you had to know,because it was a challenge to do it... i have her councilmember plaque on this desk,behind this computer,as a reminder of her... when we talked at night,she would say that,"she needed her harassment",from me,and even at times,she would come downstairs,and knock on my apartment door,and have a pouting look on the face,and say the same thing to me,when we missed that time between us,for a few days... she had a baby grand piano upstairs,and the funny thing is that,when she played the piano,i would sit on my toilet,because of the acoustics in the room were great,for listening... another funny thing is that she may have been a classical pianist,but i best remember her,when i listen to country music,i guess,because she was so down to earth... i miss her most on her birthday,and in the holiday season,because she was a very good cook,and i remember one year,she got tired of the usual Christmas tree,and actually brought in a live manzanita bush,and decorated it up with ornaments... i never told her that it was the most beautiful "tree",that we ever had,growing up,and one year,she was a vegetarian,so we had "vegaturk"(as she called it)... what holidays that we had!!!!!!!! in her later years,she would celebrate Chanukkah,and Christmas,because she converted to Judaism,and in fact,if i can find candles to fit her small menorah that i have,i would light all nine candles,next year... my memory of her is so fresh,because i lived under her apartment in a duplex,for her last seven years of life,and she is still so alive to me,even though,that it has been almost five years that she passed away... sometimes,i need my "harassment",Mom... you are always in my heart... your son...

game score,and commentary...

Giants 38,Packers 10... when you score five touchdowns in six attempts(went for it on 4th and goal,at Packers' 2,but missed),you deserve to win... it is the worst Packers' loss,since week sixteen of the 2007 NFL season,when,in Chicago,the Packers lost to the Bears,35-7... it was even tied,at one point,at seven,but after Mason Crosby missed a 55 yard field goal,it was a bulldozing of the Packers... when nobody deserved mention,as a highlight,you are embarrassed,period... swiss cheese would have been better,as a defense,tonight,for the Packers... as a shareholder/owner of the Packers,you can tell that i am a real fan,because i watched the entire miserable game,and even though,it was the ugliest game that i have seen in some time,it was only one game,of a sixteen game season... i would be very depressed,if it was the end of the season,but i will tell you i would not like to be in the film room,tomorrow,when the Packers go through their mistakes.. my opinion:the Packers must improve,period... i can rip the Packers apart for their non-existent effort,but that would simply depress me no end,and they all know that they got their helmets handed to them all night,and to tell you the truth,it will be ugly,in Green Bay,this week... the really good teams absolutely know that sometimes nothing goes your way,no matter what they do... the $64,000 question:will the Packers be the team,who make this debacle work for them,by remembering it,and play the rest of the season with inspiration,and an edge... the 1976 Oakland Raiders should be their example... they lost to the New England Patriots,48-17,in Boston,in week four,but did not lose another game,and they beat the Minnesota Vikings,32-14,in Super Bowl XI,in Pasadena,at the Rose Bowl...

beatdown of the week...

Cincinnati Bengals 34,Oakland Raiders 10... when your punter had six punts,and put three punts,inside the 20 yard line,is also considered best player on your team,and your offense does absolutely nothing for three quarters,out of four quarters,and your starting quarterback threw for 146 yards,you deserve the dishonor of the beatdown of the week...

upset of the week...

Cleveland Browns 20,Pittsburgh Steelers 14... with eight turnovers,including one on final play,the Steelers' offense implode,in Cleveland... the game was only the third win,for Cleveland in over 20+ games,against Pittsburgh...

commentary...

the Packers play the New York Giants,tonight... it will be a dogfight,and most likely a shootout,and i am looking forward to it,because i am very tired and rather disgusted with the trash talk between the teams... honestly,the Packers want to show that they can beat the Giants,and the Giants want "so-called" respect from the Packers,by putting a stamp on last year's 37-20 stomping of the Packers,but honestly,this is a regular season game between the teams,and as the Packers,and Giants know that there may be another playoff matchup,and that is more important... the Packers want to get rid of a bitter taste in their mouths,in beating the Giants now(they did not play well,in their 37-20 loss,to the Giants,in last year's playoffs),so they go into the playoffs with some big momentum,and finish this season on a high note...

correction...

i corrected previous post in adding the two words,"appeal hearings",to the post in clarification,of what former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagiabue is going to do this upcoming week,with the Saints' "bounty" scandal...

Saints' "bounty" scandal update...

the Saints' "bounty" scandal,for Jonathan Vilma,Scott Fujita,Will Smith,and free agent Anthony Hargrove may have been pushed into the background,by the NFL season,but folks,it is not over,yet,but the "bounty" scandal appeal hearings initiated by former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagiabue will start this week and go through December 4th,2012,and by the word of Tagiabue,he will shall rule shortly after that date,but folks,there is still a wrench,or two,in the machinery,in the form of many lawsuits,in front of U.S. Second District(of Louisiana)Helen G. Berrigan,who could rule on the fairness of Tagiabue,in this matter,which is at the heart of one of the lawsuits pending in front of her bench,this week,before the "bounty" scandal appeal hearings start... my opinion:this is far from over,folks... a bumpy ride is still in store for the fans of the Saints,and the NFL... what a total circus...

mind-blowing trivia....

in the last five games,Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers has thrown seventeen touchdowns,and has been intercepted only twice... in the last five games,Giants' quarterback Eli Manning has thrown two touchdowns,and been intercepted six times... Packers are 5-0,in those five games,and Giants are 3-2 in those five games....

commentary,and Packers-Giants trivia...

i know that the Packers are playing the New York Giants,this Sunday night... here is some trivia:Packers are,over the last sixteen games on the road,they are 13-3(.813),have won ten of the last thirteen games,on the road(.769),and have beaten the Giants seven of the last ten regular season meetings,including a 38-35 nailbiter win in New York,last season... Packers and Giants have met in five NFL Championship games,New York won the first game,in 1938,but Green Bay won the other four games,in 1939,1944,1961,and 1962,including a 37-0 smackdown,in 1961,which,i believe,is the second largest shutout,in NFL history... as you know,the Giants beat the Packers,37-20,in the divisional round of last year's playoffs,in probably the worst game played,by the Packers,in years,period... that day,everything that could go wrong,went wrong(a fumble on a kickoff,four sacks of quarterback Aaron Rodgers,a fumble by Rodgers,on a beautiful ball stripping play by the Giants,just as the Packers' receiver was getting clear for a long pass play,and,of course,the infamous "Hail Mary" play,for a touchdown,by the Giants,at the end of the first half)... if you do not think that both teams will not be ready,for the game,you are mistaken,period... expect a shootout,and a real dogfight,because both teams have a lot to prove,and without a question,i have the ultimate respect for the Giants,but do i like them??? an emphatic NO,NO,AND NO!!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING...

commentary...

to those people who have said two halves,of football,separate the Packers from being 9-1,i basically say that you are dreaming... watching the Packers all season does not tell me that at all,because,even though the defense has played better,the offense,at times,has played like they were sleepwalking through games(examples:against the San Francisco 49ers,for three quarters plus,against the Seattle Seahawks,for first half,against the Arizona Cardinals,most of that game,and,of course,against the Indianapolis Colts for that really miserable second half,and even against the New Orleans Saints,in spots,during that game)... as a Packers' shareholder/owner,i have to be real and say that the Packers are one of the best teams in the NFL,but they do have flaws... being over the top,with that dream,makes the season unbearable,when the Packers fall short of expectations(i am not saying that the Packers do not have a shot at winning the Super Bowl,but i am trying to be realistic in my expectations of the team)... being 7-3 at this time of the season is,no way,bad for this team,because they have fought through injuries,and they are a battle tested group of Packers... last season was great,but honestly,this team has the grit,guts,and pedigree to go deep into the playoffs,for a run at another Lombardi Trophy,and people,that is the ultimate goal,is it not???

more strangeness out of Chicago...

well,the Chicago Bears' offensive line just got worse... one player:guard,Chilo Rachal,got demoted,by the team,and then he abruptly quit the team... he was placed on the reserve/left squad list.... my opinion:now the Bears' offensive line is more of a sieve... it lost a player... way to go,Bears!!!!!! i must say this to Rachal:demotions do not mean that you are off team,but what you did was childish,and stupid... pout all you want,but take your lumps,go back,and apologize to your teammates... in other words,GROW UP!!!!!!!!!!

commentary...

the Packers and New York Giants play Sunday night in New York... honestly,people do believe that it is a rematch of last year's playoff game between the two teams,and the resulting debacle,for the Packers... however,there are subtle differences in the games... last playoff season,the Giants got every imaginable break in that game,and deserved to win,and went on to win Super Bowl XLVI,over the New England Patriots... both defenses are much different:the Packers have an improved overall defense,and the Giants have a defense,who simply has not played up to last year's standard,all year... both offenses have been very different:the Packers' offense has been very streaky,and spotty,playing at times like they have been dysfunctional,but have won five straight games,and they have played "next man up" football,most of the year,because of injuries,and played it very well... the Giants' offense has been very odd this year:playing at times like Super Bowl Champions,in destroying the San Francisco 49ers,26-3,but also losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers.24-20,on a day that Pittsburgh,literally,had to fly into the New York area,the morning of the game,and the Steelers still won the game... earlier in the season,there was a lot of trash talk,by the Giants,about the "so-called" disrespect that the Packers had shown the Giants,and Justin Tuck simply said that the Packers were the inferior team(paraphrasing it,of course),but Tuck,and company,have not said anything since then... hey boys,it is now time to put up,or shut up!!!!!!! your team has lost two in a row,and what happened to your offense?... your offense has averaged thirteen points,in losing to the Steelers(one touchdown was a pick six,by defense),and losing to the Cincinnati Bengals,31-13,in your last two games... i know that the game is in Met Life Stadium,but if your offense does not show up,any better than the last two weeks,you are in deep trouble,period... however,i have the ultimate respect for your team,period,and Giants' quarterback Eli Manning is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL,so it should be a dogfight,and a much better game than the last time that the two teams played... unfortunately,you again face Aaron Rodgers,and a potent Packers' offense that does have a big chip on their collective shoulders,and i would not expect either team to play the same type of game,period... boys,buckle up,it is time to put your money where your mouth has been,and be prepared to play 60+(if necessary)minutes,of tough football,because i guarantee that the Packers will be ready to play,period....

memories of Thanksgiving Day...

i know that the Detroit Lions play the Houston Texans,this Thanksgiving,but i have to remind football fans of a Thanksgiving Day game,in 1962,between the Packers and Detroit Lions... on November 23,1962,the Packers played the Lions,in Detroit... many people consider the 1962 Packers the best team that Packers' head coach Vince Lombardi ever coached,and one of the best teams in NFL history,period... they went into Detroit that day undefeated,10-0,and the Lions wanted payback,for a 9-7 Lions' loss,in 1961,in which the Packers intercepted Lions' quarterback Milt Plum,to set up the winning field goal,for the Packers,and after the game,they tore up their locker room,so badly that noise could be heard in the Packers' locker room... so the Lions smoked the Packers that day,26-14,in which the Lions shut out the Packers,23-0,in the first half,sacked Packers' quarterback Bart Starr eleven times,for 110 yards,and basically destroyed the Packers that Thanksgiving Day,50 years ago... that game was the only loss that year,for the Packers,who won the 1962 NFL Championship,over the New York Giants,16-7... one game,in 1962,they beat the Philadelphia Eagles,49-0,in which the Packers offense gained 628 yards,to Philadelphia's 54 yards... that was just mentioned to remind the folks how powerful the Packers were that year...

NFL news...

on appeal,Baltimore Ravens' defensive back Ed Reed has had his one game suspension for repeated violation of NFL player safety rules lifted... he will be fined $50,000,instead....

commentary...

some player on the Chicago Bears called the 32-7 shellacking of the Bears,by the San Francisco 49ers,a "wakeup" call... HEY,CHICAGO,if you need a "wakeup" call,after week eleven of the 2012-2013 NFL season,you are in very serious trouble... you are in two game losing tailspin,and yet,you are a good team,but with the sieve of that pathetic offensive line,your quarterbacks are on "life support"(getting smashed week after week),and if you can not keep your quarterbacks upright,you are in deep manure,because there will fewer passes to the receivers,and your running game has stalled the last two weeks... you have said that you have played very good defenses,in the Houston Texans,and the San Francisco 49ers,which is true,but again,you play the Minnesota Vikings two of the next three weeks,with last year's NFL's sack leader(Jared Allen),so the games get tougher,and yet,your offensive line gets worse,with every week's games... good luck,Bears...

commentary...

as for a division leader,the Bears never showed up tonight,in getting their hats handed to them,by the 49ers,who also started their backup quarterback,so they can not use that lame excuse... they have scored only 13 points in last two games... i can understand scoring only six points,against the Houston Texans,on a rainy,windy,and muddy day,in Soldier Field,but not even to show up,in San Francisco,to score only seven points,and do it,when down,27-0,in a 32-7 shellacking by the 49ers,would be an embarrassment to any Bears' fan,let alone the players,coaches,and the owners,of the storied franchise,and if they are not embarrassed by this really pathetic effort,they are not a NFL team... the problem with the Bears is that they have depended on a defense that is very good,and lately,their offense has gone dormant,and that has nothing with the concussion of quarterback Jay Cutler,but it has to do with the mentality of the team that depends on the defense to help to shorten the field,with turnovers,but there are teams that are very good,in not giving up turnovers,and as the season goes on,they are going to run into teams that are not going to give up the football that easily,and it is not too easy to score points that count,with long drives,over and over... the Bears need to realize that maybe a very good defense can help championships,but you need to score points to win games,and not every defense is going to score twenty-one points/per game,to help a pathetic offense,and the Bears' offense has been anything but firing on all cylinders,lately... they better understand that little fact quickly,before this season goes poof...

NFL news...

Baltimore Ravens' defensive back Ed Reed has been suspended one game,without pay,for repeated violations of NFL player safety rules...

commentary...

i forgot to mention the New England Patriots' 59-24 stomping,of the Indianapolis Colts,as my beatdown of the week,but i looked at the game this way... everything for the Colts fell apart in a way that it was more of an implosion of the offense,and special teams,of the Colts,than a beatdown:game at one time was 24-17,in third period,and with Andrew Luck throwing two interceptions returned for touchdown(59 yards-Aqib Talib,in first half,and the game breaker-a 87 yard return for Alfonso Dennard,in fourth quarter),along with a 68 yard punt return by Julian Edelman doomed Andrew Luck and the Colts to a blowout... i looked at both quarterbacks,and their stats,and except for those two pick sixes,and that punt return by Edelman,Luck played well,at times,and his numbers were not as bad,as the score indicates... i have to rank the Cincinnati Bengals' stomping of the Kansas City Chiefs ahead of this game,but i would be derelict on my blog,if i did not mention the Patriots- Colts implosion,yesterday...

beatdown of the week...

Cincinnati Bengals 28,Kansas City Chiefs 6... Bengals basically mowed down the woeful "Chefs"(Chiefs),who replaced quarterback Matt Cassel,with Brady Quinn(neither of them threw for 100 yards),and the only bright spot for the Chiefs was running back Jamaal Charles,who ran for 87 yards... Bengals' quarterback Andy Dalton threw two touchdown passes,230 yards,and ran for a third,and the Bengals gained 189 yards on the ground,so they ran the Chiefs' fans out of Arrowhead Stadium(what fans???),as the Chiefs fell to 1-9,this year....

game score,and commentary...

Packers 24,Lions 20... Packers win fifth straight game... in not their prettiest game of the Packers' season,the Packers' defense ran an interception back,off Lions' quarterback Matthew Stafford,72 yards,for a touchdown(M.D. Jennings),and Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdown passes,and was spotty most of the game,but the(almost)goat,for the Packers was kicker Mason Crosby,who missed not one,not two,but three field goals(one field goal was nixed by a Lions' timeout)... Crosby finally made the insurance field goal,with sixteen seconds to play,in game... if he would have missed that last field goal,i would have smothered him with BBQ sauce,and "roasted" him,on this blog,this whole week... bet on that(laughing)!!!!!!

commentary...

if the Packers win Sunday,against the Detroit Lions,in Detroit,and the Chicago Bears lose to the San Francisco 49ers,Monday night,in San Francisco,the Packers will be in first place,with a 2-0 divisional record,for,at least one week,and if the Bears,and Packers are tied,after week twelve,it will be a dogfight for the NFC North,and maybe the Packers will shut up the pundits,who believe that the Bears are the better team... however,that may not be true,folks...

commentary...

Ndamukong Suh and Detroit Lions' defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham appear to be ticked off at the suggestion of an unnamed NFC scout,who believes that Suh is being coddled by the Lions' coaching staff,and that his work ethic is not up to snuff... first of all,Gunther and Ndamukong,you seem to be thin skinned,and everything that is said to both of you is an insult,in accordance to the matters of the Detroit Lions... as a NFL football fan,i believe that the unnamed NFC scout has the right to his opinion,but you seem to believe that everybody should be out in the open with their opinions,but both of you can not take any criticism,from anyone,let alone a scout,who believes that Suh needs to ramp up his game,instead of stomping players,and getting mad at opinions... both of you need to grow a thick skin,because not everybody may believe that Suh is the second coming of Hall of Fame member Dick Butkis... my opinion:you,Ndamukong,are a very talented player,but you have one major problem:you have a thin skin,in terms of criticism directed at you,and your anger,and arrogance get you into trouble... Ndamukong,i just think that you should play football,and be like a duck,and the criticism be like the water,and let it flow off your back... as for Gunther,you may believe that the criticism may be unfair,and you need to back up your players,but Gunther,it is only an opinion,so grow up,coach football,and stop whining...

odd NFL historical trivia...

what team missed the NFL playoffs,despite an 11-5 record,in the regular season??? answer:the 2008 New England Patriots...

correction...

i corrected the previous post:i mentioned that the Packers will play the Lions,again,in three weeks,but stupid me,accidently put the word years,in post,instead of weeks... i had brainfreeze over that... sorry,folks...

Packers-Lions trivia...

the Packers are,overall,37-40-3,in Detroit,all-time,but have won seven of ten games,at Ford Field... Head Coach Mike McCarthy have beaten the Detroit Lions eleven times,losing only once,7-3,when Aaron Rodgers was lost,because of a concussion,at Ford Field,in 2010(a very ugly game,by both teams,that day)... the Packers have won twelve,of the last thirteen games,in the series... my opinion:expect a shootout,in Detroit(last games:Packers 45,Lions 41,and in Detroit,Packers 27,Detroit 15,Thanksgiving Day),so expect no difference,Sunday... Sunday will mark game number 166,in the rivalry(Packers lead series,91-65-7,with a 2-0 record,in the playoffs,against Detroit),and will play each other,again,in three weeks... even though the Packers beat the Chicago Bears,23-10,in week two,this is the latest that the Packers have started the bulk of their divisional work,since 1967...

a letter to Calvin Johnson...

dear Calvin:your opinion does matter,but no one is listening,when you have close to 1,000 yards receiving(974 yards,going into game with Packers,this Sunday)... you,in my opinion,are one of the best wide receivers,in the NFL,but you have said that every receiver on the Detroit Lions' roster should have 100 yards receiving every game,and you should break Jerry Rice's NFL record 1,848 yards receiving,for the San Francisco 49ers,in 1995,this season... Calvin,you have a shot at that record,but where are the touchdown catches???(you have only two touchdown catches,only one,by Matthew Stafford,and your long gain of a pass is only 51 yards,and you have never had 100 catches,in a NFL season,best season:96 catches,for 1,681 yards,last season)... great numbers,last season,but your yards per catch is down,over a yard,from last season,this season(17.5 yards per catch,last season,to 16.2 yards per catch,this season)... as for the other receivers,Brandon Pettigrew,Titus Young,Jr.,and Nate Burleson,they are not playing up to snuff... they have very good talent,but the Lions have focused too much on you,Calvin,and they do not throw too much to the others,but Pettigrew,and Young drop too many passes,and are too inconsistent,so far,and Burleson is still recovering from a broken leg,and is not the same player that he has been,period,and Matthew Stafford,and the entire Lions' offense,and defense have been very spotty,all season... even though,you are playing the Packers this Sunday,the Packers' defense are not the same defense,as last season(last in NFL,in yards allowed,last season,to 12th overall,this season),and you are being double teamed,most of the season,but honestly the Lions' entire team have been very inconsistent,as in my opinion,the Lions' weaknesses are the defensive backfield,and a lack of a running game,overall,and i hate to remind you,and your team,that you are facing Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers,and a Packers' running game that gained 176 yards on the ground,in their last game,so GOOD LUCK(?),Calvin...

blog statement...

i am back from vacation;had to cut it short,because a cold front would have snowed me in Reno over the weekend... so blog will be back up tomorrow...

i am taking a vacation until next weekend... however,if something important comes up,i will update blog,ASAP,throughout the week... it is the bye week for the Packers,and i will update the NFC North division,sometime during the week,if i can,folks...

classy tribute,to a legend...

as a tribute to the late legendary Texas Longhorns' Darrell Royal,the Longhorns' first play from scrimmage,against Iowa State,was from the wishbone formation:however the play was a trick play for 47 yards,and was a pitch,from quarterback David Ash,to running back Jason Shipley,who threw football back to Ash,who then tossed football to tight end Greg Daniels,for 47 yards... what a cool play...

very sad news,and life is fleeting...

Tyson Williams,son,of the Oakland Raiders' defensive line coach Terrell Williams,has died shortly after his fourth birthday,of an undisclosed illness... he was in a hospital,for about a week... the most sincere condolences to Terrell,and Tifini Williams,on their most tragic loss... my opinion:life is most fleeting,and my deepest prayers go out the Williams' family...

Packers' interesting trivia,and fact...

besides the Atlanta Falcons,who have not lost,just yet,the two other teams(the Houston Texans,and the Chicago Bears),who are 7-1,this season,what team beat them both??? answer:the Green Bay Packers,who beat the Houston Texans,42-24,and the Bears,23-10... interesting factoid: last year,the Packers were last in the NFL,in yards allowed,on defense... right now,they are 12th,in yards allowed,in the NFL,even though they have four starters out(Desmond Bishop,D.J. Smith,Nick Perry,on injured reserve,and Charles Woodson,out until,perhaps,the game with the New York Giants,on November 25th)...

commentary...

the Packers are 6-3,and on their bye week,and that is good,because they are very banged up,as a team,going into their divisional work,of the 2011-2012 NFL season... they are second in the division,behind only the Chicago Bears,but the only loss that Chicago has suffered was at the hands of the Packers,in week two(23-10),at Lambeau Field... defensively,the Bears have been very impressive,period,comparing favorably numbers-wise,in some respects,to the 1985 Bears' team that won Super Bowl XX... the Bears' defense have scored seven touchdowns,in last six games... that is very impressive... the four NFC North teams will beat up on each other,over the next seven games,of their schedules,and as the NFL noted earlier,they voted the NFL North(strength of schedule)the toughest division,by a hair over the NFC West,so they will be battle tested... all four NFC North division teams have shown promise in beating some teams that are very good(examples:the Minnesota Vikings beating the San Francisco 49ers,24-13,earlier in the season,the Packers beating the Bears,23-10,in week two,the Bears beating the Dallas Cowboys,34-18,in Dallas,and the Detroit Lions beating the Seattle Seahawks,28-24)... it will be a wild free for all,in the NFC North,for the division title... with Chicago playing the Houston Texans,this Sunday,and with the Packers playing the the New York Giants,on November 25th,along the three other teams in the NFC North,anything can happen... it is SHOWTIME,boys!!!!!!

funny trivia...

the NFL players voted for the dirtiest players in the game... here they are number one through five:1)Detroit Lions' Ndamukong Suh,2)Miami Dolphins' Richie Incognito,3)St. Louis Rams' Cortland Finnegan,4)Pittsburgh Steelers' James Harrison,and 5)Tennessee Titans' David Stewart... three defensive players:Suh,Finnegan,and Harrison,and two offensive lineman:Incognito,and Stewart...

NFL news,and comments...

for what this is worth,(being cynical)the NFL announced that the Sunday Night Football game,between the Packers,and the New York Giants,on November 25th,will remain on Sunday night... the NFL has flex scheduling after week ten,so they could have moved game,to earlier time slot,or even Monday night,but honestly having Aaron Rodgers,and Eli Manning on Sunday night,after last season 38-35 barnburner,of a Packers' win,in New York,was actually a no-brainer... game is at Met Life Stadium...

blog statement...

i love the Green Bay Packers,as i am a shareholder/owner,but some days i look at both at the team's webpage,and the NFL's webpage,and i just feel that is nothing to really talk about,and i do not want to rehash the same old stuff,so i take some days off... i need a brain recharge,because i am just very tired of the same old,same old,so folks,i will be back tomorrow... nice day out,and time for a walk,and fun...

NFL news,and comments...

the NFL voided suspended New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton's contract extension,signed in 2011,over contract language... Payton had a a year left on his current contract,when suspended... NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has power over current coaches',and players' contracts,in current collective bargaining agreement(CBA)... when players usually get suspended, their contract get pushed back the number of games... it is called,"tolled"... so Payton will probably coach next year,but if the Commissioner does not push back the contract,he could become a coaching free agent next year... my opinion:who knows,and who cares???

comments...

the Packers have a bye week,next week,so over the next week or so,i will take a look at the other NFC North Division teams in play next weekend... the Packers play the Detroit Lions on November 18th,2012,then the New York Giants,in New York,on November 25th,2012... besides the Giants,the only non-division team they will play,after the bye week,is the Tennessee Titans,so,to me,this is the toughest part of the Packers' schedule...

correction...

the touchdown that Tennessee Titans' running back Chris Johnson scored was from eighty yards,not eight yards... it was to close out scoring in a 51-20 pasting of the Tennessee Titans by the Chicago Bears... i made the correction on original post... sorry,folks...

beatdown commentary...

when your team is up,28-2(a Bears' franchise record),after one quarter,and your team blocks punt for a touchdown,and runs an interception,by linebacker Brian Urlacher all the way back to the house(from 46 yards),and your team does both of those things,in the first period,you are going to decimate your opponent... defensive back Charles Tillman forced four fumbles,and the Titans had six fumbles(recovered two of them)and five turnovers,overall,and for the Bears:wide receiver Brandon Marshall caught three touchdown passes,while running back Matt Forte,ran for 103 yards... the only bright spot for the Titans:Chris Johnson who ran for 141 yards,on 16 carries,including an eighty yard touchdown run to close out the scoring for the day... it was a total tidal wave,of Titans' mistakes,and it got so bad that there were chants of,"Let's Go Bears",and boos from everything that the Packers did that showed on the video board,in Nashville...

commentary...

in a game that the Packers won,31-17,now the good points:Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw four touchdown passes(on only 14 completions),in 30 attempts,for only 218 yards,but the Packers' running game came to life,with 176 yards on the ground,on 39 carries(most since the Packers ran for 202 yards,against the Cleveland Browns,on October 25,2009)... now the bad points,in terms of injuries:Bryan Bulaga(hip),Jordy Nelson(ankle)and Clay Matthews(hamstring)... i do not know the extent of the injuries,but from i can gather,Nelson's ankle injury is the worst of the three players(do not quote me on that,just yet)... Luckily,the Packers are 6-3,and have a bye week next week,so they will have two weeks to heal up... Aaron Rodgers did have a off week,yardage-wise,and accuracy suffered,but the last touchdown scored by the Packers was a 72 yard pass and run,thrown to Tom Crabtree,as time expired,in third quarter,so there are signs of an offense that is coming on... wide receiver Randall Cobb caught two touchdown passes(one from 13 yards,and another from 21 yards),and wide receiver James Jones caught a 28 yard touchdown pass... the defense played very good,except for the fact that Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald,Andre Roberts,and Michael Floyd all had around 80 yards receiving,with only Fitzgerald having a touchdown catch(a simply spectacular pass,and run that went through,and over,nearly the entire Packers' defensive backfield)... LaRod Stephens-Howling had only 51 yards rushing,with an one yard touchdown run around the right side of their offensive line(a race to the corner of the pylon),and the Cardinals' quarterback John Skelton passed for 306 yards,but critical drops by their receivers kept the Cardinals at bay most of the day,and neither team scored in the fourth quarter,as both teams suffered,from short-circuited offenses,and with a fourteen point lead,the Packers cruised to a easy,but still ugly win,and unfortunately limping into their bye week...

beatdown of the week...

Chicago Bears 51,Tennessee Titans 20... comments on game later tonight...

game score...

Packers 31,Cardinals 17... commentary later tonight...

questions in Atlanta...

why are the 7-0 Atlanta Falcons,in one word,"overlooked"??? why are the New York Giants,Chicago Bears,San Francisco 49ers,Houston Texans,and even the New England Patriots talked about more,and in the case of the Giants,Bears,49ers,and Texans,they are mentioned as the best teams in the NFL,by some pundits??? simply because the Falcons have won some games very ugly,in the last minute,or in overtime,to some very,very bad teams,in the Oakland Raiders(even though the Raiders have improved lately:at the time,the Raiders were bad record-wise),and the Carolina Panthers... the Falcons have failed miserably in the playoffs in recent team history... in the Matt Ryan era,the Falcons are 0-3,in the playoffs,so pundits are waiting for the collapse,or the playoff failure,maybe,but honestly,the Falcons are a very,very good team this year,but honestly,for Atlanta,it is all about the playoff run,and nothing less matters... getting beat last playoff season,24-2,by the Giants does not help,and i believe,they may have a huge chip on the shoulder,and they may feel slighted,but honestly,nobody is overlooking the Falcons,but i guess the pundits are waiting for,"a statement game"(a blowout win against another very good team),to really mention the Falcons into that group of "best teams",of the NFL...

Cardinals' personnel,and team...

the Arizona Cardinals have only scored thirteen touchdowns overall,and twelve of them on offense,nine of them passing,and only three rushing touchdowns... Kevin Kolb,and John Skelton have been sacked a total of thirty nine times(Kolb:twenty seven times,and Skelton:twelve times)... both quarterbacks have a quarterback rating of an average of 75.3(Kolb:86.1,and Skelton:64.5)... Kolb has thrown eight of the nine touchdown passes,as a team... they do not have much of a running game,because their main stud,Beanie Wells,out of Ohio State,is out,because of an injury,but LaRod Stephens-Howling,who is a speedburner,of a back,is capable... since the NFL says that the teams can put one player on injured reserve with a chance to return,that player for the Cardinals is Beanie Wells,who is scheduled for return,in three weeks,with "turf toe"... Larry Fitzgerald,Andre Roberts,and Early Doucet have caught the vast majority of passes(100 passes:Fitzgerald,45,Roberts,36,and Doucet,19 passes),and Fitzgerald leads team with 511 yards receiving... John Skelton will start game,because Kevin Kolb is out,with an injury... the defense has only allowed fourteen touchdowns,overall,this season,and the defensive backfield is very good but inexperienced,with Patrick Peterson,their stud,in their defensive backfield,who,by the way,is very good on punt,and kickoff returns...

blog statement...

i am doing something slightly different on both of my blogs... i will be giving info on both teams,instead of just one,giving you a little more opinion,and a little more information,on overall NFL issues,instead of just headlines,if at all possible...

comment,and correction...

prayers,and sympathy go out to victims of Hurricane Sandy,throughout the Northeastern U.S. by the way,Breezy Point,where 80+ houses were destroyed in a fire,is located in the borough of Queens... sorry,folks!!!!

Breaking news...

as of fifteen minutes ago,the 2012 New York Marathon has been canceled,in aftermath of Hurricane Sandy...

commentary...

this is a commentary about this year's New York City Marathon... i would be conflicted about running the race,on Sunday,if i was in town to run it... having run marathons in my life gives me an unique twist on the ongoing controversy brewing in NYC... with runners donating money($26.20-a dollar for every mile of the race),that is a good thing,but on the reverse side of the controversy,there is major damage throughout the big city,from fires destroying houses,on Breezy Point(i believe,that is in Long Island City),including an U.S. congressman's house,to flooded roadways,and the NYC Subway... in every borough of the city,especially in Staten Island,where,by the way,the race starts,and nineteen people died,there has been near chaos,and destruction,in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy... i know that Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to put a good face on NYC,but honestly,the esteemed Mayor should postpone the race... there will be close to 40,000 runners in this race,but is this the time for the race,Your Honor???

commentary...

the Packers play the Arizona Cardinals,Sunday,at Lambeau Field... the last time these teams played each other,they scored 96 points,combined,in the highest scoring playoff game,in NFL history(Cardinals won,51-45,in overtime)... game ended,when Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers fumbled,while being sacked,and the Cardinals ran fumble back all the way into end zone,for winning score,but honestly,referees missed the facemask penalty,on Arizona,when a linebacker,basically twisted Rodgers' head almost off his shoulders... Green Bay went home,and Arizona lost to New Orleans,45-14,the next week,in 2009... this week,the Cardinals do not have Kurt Warner,at quarterback,but they have a quarterback duo,in John Skelton,and Kevin Kolb,who has run for their lives,because the Cardinals' offensive line is not that good,but if they have time,they do have Larry Fitzgerald,at wide receiver,who is a real stud,along with some very good receivers(Early Doucet,being one),and a very young,but very good,defensive backfield,that includes Patrick Peterson,who,by the way,got torched for two touchdown catches thrown to his side,last week... the Packers have their receiving corps depleted with injury,and the offensive line will have their hands full,keeping Rodgers upright,because even though the Cardinals may be offensively challenged,they have a very,very good defensive pass rush,overall,similar to the San Francisco 49ers... the Packers' defense has improved,and the offense,even though they have sputtered,most of the year,has shown signs of last year's offensive firepower,the last few weeks... it should be entertaining,to say the least... question:can Arizona outscore the Packers,and can both defenses play well enough to make it interesting??? my opinion:if Arizona can stay around,near the end of game,they have a chance,and are they the team that was 4-0,or are they the team that has lost four straight,and are two games behind the 49ers,and got outscored 81-36,in their last four games,including a 24-3 pasting,by the 49ers,last week...

sad milestone...

the Kansas City Chiefs are 1-6,but beside an overtime win,they have not led at any point in any game,in regulation,matching the 1929 Buffalo Bisons,for futility... The Bisons folded after the 1929 season... the Chiefs play the San Diego Chargers,tonight...

a letter to Cam Newton...

dear Cam:you are one of the most talented players in the NFL,no doubt,but you have had a miserable season on a team that should have been better,but honestly,it has stunk in Carolina,being one and six,and you have been distracted,depressed,testy,grumpy,and irritable on the sideline,and in front of the media,which is understandable,but honestly to be a very good quarterback,you need to realize that sometimes bad things happen to good people,and sometimes things happen in a season that simply suck... great players go through droughts and bad times,but they realize that they keep their emotions,and chins up,instead of on the floor... please keep your emotions in check,and in the locker room,because if you are doing it in front of the media,it undermines the chemistry,and makes you look like a spoiled rotten kid of a person,and makes teams that play the Panthers feel that they can get under your skin,by just beating your team,because they know that you will do what you have been doing,and your immense talent will be not the only thing that you will be remembered for in your career,and that is the most important thing to remember,is that right,dear Cam...

commentary...

going into the bye week,after the game against the Arizona Cardinals this week,the Packers need to analyze what may be wrong with the team... most of the season,the offense has sputtered,and looked not like last season's team that averaged 35 points/a game,but injuries to their receiving corps,especially Greg Jennings,and their running back Cedric Benson,has slowed down the offense... Jennings should be back for the playoff run... the defense has really improved,especially,against Jacksonville,when the Jaguars could not get even a sniff of the end zone,in the second half,when they scored only three points,after half time,and the only touchdown the Jaguars did score,was because of a sack of Aaron Rodgers,and he fumbled,at the Packers' fifteen yard line,with less than a minute left,in the first half,and you can not blame the defense so much for that mistake... if the defense improves,like in the game,against Jacksonville,they will be tough to beat,but before you believe that i am going all-in for the defense,i have to remind you that they are thin at linebacker,with injuries to Desmond Bishop,D.J. Smith(both out for the season),B.J. Raji,and Jerel Worthy(concussion-do not know his condition),and Charles Woodson(broken collarbone),so they have to play "next man up",on defense,but with the bye week coming up next week,they will get be healthier,after the bye week,when they really start division play,and they play the New York Giants,in New York,too... Raji should,and could,play against Arizona,but should play,after the bye week... Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers is having a very good year,not as good as last year,but his play is very good,and the offensive line is getting better,but honestly has given up way too many sacks of Rodgers,overall,so if i have to give weaknesses of the team,it would be the offensive line,linebacking corps,and with Woodson,out for weeks,not the season,the defensive backfield is very inexperienced,but still very good... they are a team with much talent,and will be dangerous to play later in the season,and into the playoffs... with that much talent,on offense,and an improving defense,they will be tough to beat,but are they a Super Bowl contender,right now... in my opinion,they are in a scrum of teams that could win the Super Bowl,or get there in the NFC... as i type this critique,of the team,they are the sixth seed,in the NFC playoff picture,even with a not so good start,and two major factors should determine their season:their division play,and their conference play,overall(for strength of schedule),and they are 1-0,in their division,so far,(beating the Chicago Bears,23-10,in week two)... as a reminder,they play Detroit twice,Minnesota twice,and Chicago once more... tough sledding,folks,so buckle up,for a tough ride,on a bucking horse...

sorry,folks... i have felt rather strange today... i am fighting a sinus infection,and my head feels like i am a little woozy,so i took day off... be back tomorrow... right now,i am just fine,but had to take day off...

trivia...

amazingly,when the Packers blocked that punt that resulted in a touchdown,on Sunday,one player was still talking to his position coach on the sidelines,so the Packers blocked that punt with only ten men on the football field in punt formation...

note to Tom Coughlin...

note to New York Giants' head coach Tom Coughlin:you won game!!!!!!! to complain about clock management,at Cowboys Stadium,against Dallas is rather whiny,and childish... to get three plays off in ten seconds is uncommon,but Tom,you beat the Cowboys,29-24!!!!!!! GROW UP,stop whining,and tell your team to show class,because you are not being disrespected,and finally,you won the game,Tom...

commentary...

the Packers' defense played very well,and the special teams had a highlight,in blocking a punt(first one since 2003,against Chicago),but the field goal kicker(Mason Crosby)clanked a football off the right goalpost,even though Jacksonville had more yardage than the Packers,they basically imploded in the red zone,because the Packers' defense blanketed them all over inside the 20 yard line... the one touchdown the Jaguars scored was simply because Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers fumbled,at the Packers' 15 yard line,with less than a minute left in the first half,and the Jaguars pounced on the chance to score,and that was all for the Jaguars the rest of the game,in terms of getting a sniff at paydirt... the Packers' offense sputtered all day,and honestly,i give the game ball to the defense,because simply they played a great game,and held Jacksonville at bay,most of the game... defense:A-,special teams:B+(including field goal kicking,and punting),and offense:C-...