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-...

GIANTS WIN!!!!!!!!!

San Francisco Giants swept the Detroit Tigers to win their second World Series,in three years... childhood dreams come true,again...

game score,and commentary...

Packers 24,Jaguars 15... ugly game... history of note:Packers recovered punt block for touchdown,for first time,since game,against Minnesota,in 1990... win is a win,so i am happy,but what a real dog of a game... Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers had 22 completions in 35 attempts,for only 186 yards,with two short(for him)touchdown passes,fumbled once,on a sack,and Packers' kicker Mason Crosby plucked one off the right goalpost,so no one had a great game,but like i said,earlier,a win is a win... an ugly win,but still a win...

beatdown of the week...

New England Patriots 45,St. Louis Rams 7... after Rams scored opening touchdown,to go up 7-0,they got mowed down by the Patriots,with 45 unanswered points... game was in London,UK...

simple beauty...

the American flag on the top of the new scoreboard,at Lambeau Field,looks beautiful...

Packers' news...

it appears that Derek Sherrod,Packers' 2011 first round pick,will miss the entire 2012 NFL season... he had a gruesome leg injury,suffered in last game of 2011,against the Detroit Lions,breaking both his tibia and fibula... the Packers just do not want to rush him back... he should be back for next season...

NFL news...

NFL postpones Saints' "bounty" scandal appeal hearings,from October 30th,2012,to a date to be determined... my opinion:it is to settle ongoing motion,to replace former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagiabue,with a neutral arbitrator(NFLPA's viewpoint),or have him do the appeal hearings(NFL's viewpoint),in front of U.S. Second District Judge Helen G. Berrigan,it looks like,folks...

commentary...

the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 36-17 win last night,over the Minnesota Vikings helped the Green Bay Packers' chances to climb over the Vikings to get to second place in the NFL North,because the Vikings are 5-3,in the division,and if the Packers win Sunday,against the Jacksonville Jaguars,they will also be 5-3 in the NFL North,and depending on tiebreakers,will be ahead of Minnesota,but honestly,the Vikings,and Packers have no leeway in going into division play,and will fight for playoff seeding,over the last half of the season...

motivation for Aaron...

an unknown professor at the University of California gave Aaron Rodgers a "F",on a paper,and then refused to let him re-write the paper.. so,during her office hours,he asked her why,and she ripped into him,about players wanting everything handed to them,and then asked him what he wanted to do,and he said that he wanted to play in the NFL,and she laughed in his face,saying that he was not going to make it,and would need his education... well,he dropped out,after his junior year,became the 24th draft pick in 2005,of the Packers,and won Super Bowl XLV,and was NFL MVP,in 2011... his comment to the unknown professor,today,"thank you for adding to that chip on my shoulder,and i hope you are a fan"... revenge is best served cold,i guess... do not doubt Rodgers... he will remember...

Packers' news...

Packers' wide receiver Greg Jennings has opted for surgery on his torn groin,and even though there is no timetable for his return,he has said that he shall return this season,(possibly in the playoff run)*... *my opinion...

update...

the team says that Packers' wide receiver Greg Jennings is considering many options for his groin injury,including surgery,which means he should be back for the playoff run,if he has surgery...

me...

this is about me:my life has been very tough at times,being handicapped within first two months of being born,because of a car accident... going to school,already knowing how to read,by age four,thanks to my oddball(not at the time)sister... not able to walk without braces on legs,for a while... having four major operations,by age ten... having a body cast,and literally walking in it one time to use the bathroom(what a story!!!)... having trouble speaking,with a speech impediment,still hard... my family was there every step of the way,and being a Life Scout for eight years,falling to a count every summer(was,and am a klutz still),at Scout Camp... in last two years,of high school,ran 10-15 miles a day,ran four marathons,and ran with the Olympic Torch,in 1984,lighting hair on fire,at same time(human torch,oh my!!)... i was depressed,for a decade,and then homeless for another,and traveled across the country,too many times to count(i admit,it was my choice),but it toughened me up no end... motto i lived by,and still do,was,"do not take any manure from anyone,period"...i am a tough person,because i did not live hard,but my family(mother,father,brother,and other members) refused,simply refused to really coddle me in so many ways than i can not tell anybody,even though i was naive,also,in so many ways... fell in love only once,and she taught me so many things that i can not count,but we both had difficult times,in the years that we were together,more than you will ever know,or even want to know... i miss her to this day... when she died,a piece of me died... my other rock died in early 2008,my dearly departed mother... she taught me things like true compassion,and love,loving music,and taught me to appreciate people,and precious things... she is still with me as i type,because i have her gift of writing... my father is the rock of the family,and toughest person that i will ever know... a crackerjack sense of humor,and a heart that is too precious,and special to even go into detail... my "other" mother(married him too many years to count ago,and how she puts up with him is the biggest mystery,in family history(laughing)is the real heart of the family... a real tough person,but with a heart that is a pure diamond,if you really want to know... my brother is just like my father,in so many ways that it is eerie,but like me,is a real chip of the old block(a little more block,than chip(laughing)... one of the nicest people you will ever meet,but like all of us,will stick up for each of us,like our entire family... a real close knit rock hard family,with a precious heart...

a letter to Richard Sherman,with note to Pete Carroll...

dear Richard:you badmouth Tom Brady(three time winner of a Super Bowl,and a sure Hall of Fame member,when he retires),and now you call your college coach(San Francisco 49ers' head coach Jim Harbaugh,formerly of Stanford)a "bully",for complaining to the NFL,about your physical play... so what,Richard!!!!!! you are a second year player in the NFL,and you need to shut up your yap,mouth,and chatterbox,because you think you are all that,and you have a big mouth... this game of football does humble a person over the years,and you need to realize that,because someone,like "Megatron" Calvin Johnson,who may be the best wide receiver in the NFL,may light you up this Sunday... if not,maybe the Packers' Jordy Nelson,or Greg Jennings will light you up,and humble you,when,and if the Packers meet the Seahawks,again,in the playoffs... i can not wait to see you eat humble pie,and crow,because you may be talented,but Richard,you are not the best defensive back,in the NFL... NOT EVEN CLOSE... note to your coach,Pete Carroll:you are a cocky person who thinks that physical play will help your team... however,you have a less than .500 record,as a head coach in the NFL(51-52),so Pete,how does that feel???

pink penalty flags...

an eleven year kid(Dante Cano),in Marlboro,New Jersey,wrote a letter to the NFL,about using pink penalty flags,during October,to raise breast cancer awareness... so,in the New York Jets/Miami Dolphins game,on Sunday,the referees will throw pink penalty flags...

NFL news...

one of the players involved in the Saints' "bounty" scandal,Scott Fujita,will be placed on injured reserve,by the Cleveland Browns... he suffered a severe neck injury,against the New York Giants,and some say that the injury could be career threatening... even though,i have my differences with him,my prayers go out to him...

Packers' news...

Packers' wide receiver Greg Jennings has seen a specialist for his groin injury,and is scheduled to practice on Thursday,and Friday(to test his groin),or at least,practicing Thursday(i will wait,with fingers crossed,to see if he plays this week,against the Jacksonville Jaguars,at Lambeau Field(home sweet home,laughing),finally,after three games on the road... they finish season with three home games,in last five games... Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers commented on some pundits' criticism saying that the offensive team's chemistry was not that good,by saying he felt comfortable with the offensive team's chemistry,and that is what it counts...

NFL news...

NFL approves funding request for the Green Bay Packers to help renovate Lambeau Field... they will receive $58 million from a stadium construction program,created by the current collective bargaining agreement(CBA)...

Saints' "bounty" scandal,in courtroom,update...

the NFLPA wants former Commissioner Paul Tagiabue to recuse himself from the Saints' "bounty" scandal appeal hearings,because of three factors:one:on his biography page,at his law firm,he is listed as a business consultant for the NFL,two:he is a partner at Covington,and Burling,who is representing the NFL,in the players' lawsuits,and three:it is against the ethics regulations,in the District of Columbia,citing Rule 2.4,which states that you can not an arbitrator,if you are associated with one of the parties involved... U.S. Second District Judge Helen G. Berrigan wants everyone(NFL/NFLPA),to submit legal briefs,by Friday(October 26th,2012)... Berrigan has said the if she could rule on the merits,then she would rule in(Vilma's/the players)favor,because the NFL's case is "vague"... she is ruling in part on Vilma's defamation suit,against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell,and parts of the players lawsuits,against the NFL,and their appeal of their various lengths of suspensions... my opinion:the union wants an arbitrator to basically overturn the players' suspensions(therefore:gutting the Commissioner of his power to discipline players,under Article 46,and the "conduct detrimental" clause),and the judge wants to overturn the suspensions,which means the union will not accept a neutral arbitrator,no matter what,because they simply want to gut the Commissioner's power,given to him in the current collective bargaining agreement,signed,before the 2010-2011 NFL season... so the circus goes on...

sad news,in Titletown...

it looks like next man up,for the Packers,as in 2010,as NFL.com reports that Packers' cornerback/safety Charles Woodson is out six weeks,with a broken collarbone... he will miss five games,(including the bye week)...

commentary...

Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 30 passes,in 37 attempts,for 342 yards,with three touchdown passes(that is 680 yards,with nine touchdown passes,and no interceptions,in last two games,against Houston Texans,and St. Louis Rams)... i am not saying that the Packers are going to win anything,but if they keep up scoring 30-35 points a game,and the defense keeps improving,they will be tough to beat... NFL.com has them,in their playoff picture feature,the sixth seed in the NFC playoff picture,right now... i have to admit that means very little,in first seven weeks,but they are coming on... the Chicago Bears,and Minnesota Vikings are also in the NFC playoff picture,right now,as they are first and second,respectively,in the NFC North division,as i type,but the division is going to settled,after each team's bye week,so records do matter now,but it will change when all the teams start beating up on each other,in the division... if i was in Detroit,Chicago,and Minnesota,i would hate to face the Packers,at that time,because the Packers' offense is heating up,and the Packers' defense is improving,and i have to admit that no team in the NFC North is a pushover this season,but the Lions may be choking on their press clippings,over the off-season,because their record is not what it should be,but i never overestimate the Bears,Lions,or Vikings,because the records do not matter,when they play each other,along with the Packers,because the teams do not like each other,at all... Chicago,and Minnesota may be in first,and second place,respectively,but the big shadow of the Packers,who have won eleven of thirteen division games,over the last two plus seasons,lingers,and even though Chicago,and Minnesota are improved,still the big dog,in the NFC North,are the Green Bay Packers,and,by the way,the only loss that Chicago has,this season,is to the Packers(a 23-10 drubbing,in week two)... the Packers may be in third place,in the NFL North division,but they will be a dangerous team to play,and after the bye week,it will be "the weekly beatdown",in the NFC North(five of the Packers' six division games come after their bye),along with a game with the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants,in New York,so it will be a fun,and hot,time,in the old town,then,folks,and as a Packers' shareholder/owner,i am looking forward to that... you better believe that...

ugly game of week...

Minnesota Vikings 21,Arizona Cardinals 14... how in the world does a team's quarterback(Christian Ponder)have only eight completions,in seventeen attempts,for only fifty eight yards,with one touchdown,and two interceptions,in entire game,and still win the game??? answer:Adrian Peterson rushed 23 times for 153 yards,and one touchdown... UGLY!!!!!!!!!

beatdown of the week...

Houston Texans 43,Baltimore Ravens 13... Texans stomp Ravens into dead raven meal... Ravens held to less than 200 total yards...

Packers' game score...

Green Bay Packers 30,St. Louis Rams 20... commentary later tonight...

life is fleeting...

Former 1972 Democratic Party Presidential Candidate,and U.S. Senator(D-South Dakota)George McGovern has died,at age 90... prayers go out to his family...

life goes on...

Cleveland Browns' starting left guard Jason Pinkston is being treated for blood clots(was caught early),in his lungs,and will be out of football,for a while,and he says,"that he is grateful to be alive"... prayers go out to him...

NFL news,and commentary...

because of his appeal of his year long suspension,Jonathan Vilma will play about twenty,or so,"snaps",against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers... he will come off the physically unable to perform(PUP)list,by four pm. East Coast Time(one pm, Pacific Coast Time),today to play tomorrow... players can play during their appeal of any suspension,as Vilma will do,this weekend... by the way,the four players(Will Smith,and Vilma,of the Saints,Scott Fujita*,of the Cleveland Browns,and free agent Anthony Hargrove)involved,in the Saints' "bounty" scandal will have their appeals heard,on October 30th,2012,by former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagiabue(appointed by current Commissioner Roger Goodell,when he recused himself,earlier this week)... *Fujita has a severe neck injury,as of this last week...

circus is still going on...

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has recused himself from further Saints' "bounty" scandal appeals processes,and appointed former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagiabue to hear further appeals,and says that Tagiabue "has full authority to mete out punishment",and Tagiabue has also said he will rule shortly after the appeals hearing for all four players,on October 30th,2012... my opinion:anything can now happen,so do not be surprised,if the players get out of the suspensions...

commentary...

CBS Sports' analyst,and Hall of Fame member Shannon Sharpe blasted Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers,after commenting on the overall state of the Packers(lack of a running game,and taking too many sacks by Rodgers,which is understandable),then he got personal on Rodgers,saying that,"i do not know Aaron Rodgers;have not been around him,but he strikes me as a guy that it's someone else's fault,than his own... i'm not so sure,i'm not so sure that down deep how well his receiving corps really likes Aaron Rodgers"(exact quote)... my opinion:simply shut up,Shannon Sharpe,because you are a real contentious jerk,whose big mouth is well known,and like Aaron said,and i will concur,that your criticism was "stupid,and uninformed"...

NFL,and Packers' news...

Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers was named NFC Offensive Player of the week,for his 24 completions,in 37 passes,for 338 yards,with six touchdowns,and no interceptions...

NFL news,and comments...

the Baltimore Ravens received some good news this week,finally,after learning that Ray Lewis is out for the season,with a torn triceps muscle... Terrell Suggs(torn Achilles tendon)will be back at practice this week,and should play sometime in November... it will be a morale boost more than anything,for now,but if Suggs can play down the homestretch of the season,for the Ravens,that will be very good for the Ravens...

NFL games in London,next season...

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Minnesota Vikings;September 29,2013... San Francisco 49ers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars;October 27,2013...

"bounty" scandal update...

Magistrate Darrell Knowles has asked to see the Saints' "bounty" scandal evidence,in the defamation case,filed by suspended New Orleans Saints' linebacker Jonathan Vilma,against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell,to determine whether or not,to have any more discovery process... the NFL gave him a fraction of the evidence,saying basically that it would compromise the NFL's power to discipline players,if more was released,so he compromised the order,to allowing only the court,not Vilma,to see the evidence(reports,and statements,from witnesses),and still allowing the magistrate time to determine if there was any more discovery process,going forth,from this time forward...

NFL news...

Cleveland Browns' team president Mike Holmgren is out,at end of the 2012-2013 NFL season,in lieu of the new owner,Jimmy Haslam III,approved by the NFL,today...

NFL news,and comments...

Baltimore Ravens' linebacker Ray Lewis is out for the season with a torn triceps muscle... my opinion:Lewis is one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history,and i truly admire,and respect him,no end... i hope he comes back next season,stronger than ever... prayers to him,for his recovery...

NFL news,and comments...

suspended New Orleans Saints' linebacker Jonathan Vilma has filed a motion,in U.S Second District Court(i guess,in front of Judge Helen G.Berrigan,it does not say who,but since everything filed in this bizarre circus of a case,has been in front of Judge Berrigan,it is a good guess),to vacate his year-long suspension,re-imposed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell,earlier last week... Vilma said that he plans to play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,next weekend,after the Saints' bye week... note to Vilma:do not count your chickens,before they hatch... second note to Vilma:you are really arrogant,and a real piece of work,period...

game score,and commentary...

Packers 42,Texans 24... score does not indicate how badly the Texans got stomped... for example,Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers was 24 completions,in 37 passes,for 338 yards,with six touchdowns,and no interceptions... the Packers' defense intercepted both Houston quarterbacks,with three interceptions(two by Casey Hayward)... it was the best game for the Packers,since the game with the Chicago Bears,and perhaps the best game overall,this year... the only drawback,for the Packers,was a blocked punt,by the Texans,to end the scoring,for the night... fans were leaving shortly for the exits,after the Packers scored twice,in two minutes and thirty four seconds,to begin the fourth quarter,to go up 42-17...

human history...

Felix Baumgartner skydived from 128,120 feet(close to 24 miles),and reached a speed of Mach 1.24(833.9 mph),being the first human being to break the sound barrier,without being inside an aircraft...

upset of the week...

Cleveland Browns 34,Cincinnati Bengals 24... Browns win their first game of the season...

beatdowns of the week...

New York Jets 35,Indianapolis Colts 9... Tampa Bay Buccaneers 38,Kansas City Chiefs 10... both games were simple routs...

NFL record-tying return...

Baltimore Ravens' Jacoby Jones ran back a NFL record-tying 108 yard kickoff return,for a touchdown,against the Dallas Cowboys...

commentary...

New Orleans Saints' quarterback Drew Brees just does not know when to shut up and just play football... hey,Drew,what is the record of your beloved Saints??? one win and four losses... is that true??? your defense really sucks... does it??? yes,it does,period... you are not having a bulletin board type year-gaudy numbers... you have great talent,but you,and your current,and former teammates have really big mouths... i know and expect you to defend your current,and former teammates,but can you just shut up,because your team sucks,right now,and you just think that people should listen to your criticism,of the NFL's hierarchy... i have to admit that i respect your talent,but you are becoming a laughingstock,with what you are saying,not in content,but in quantity,quality,and volume... i turn around,and every other day,you are talking like you are someone important,but Drew,you are only one of the NFL's players,and you are respected,in the NFL,because you are a very talented player,but do everybody a favor,Drew,okay??? do your job,as Saints' quarterback,and just play football... you are wearing your mouth out,and it is getting very old,and i am beginning to lose respect for you,because you must love to hear yourself talk,yap,and blab on,and i do not care what you are saying,not because of what you say,but how you say it... endlessly!!!!!!!

trivia...

one simple fact about Sunday night games,and the Packers:they have won eighteen of twenty three games on Sunday night,a percentage of.783,and it is the best winning percentage,on Sunday night,in NFL history...

commentary...

simply said,the Packers are really pressing too hard to be like last year's squad,especially on offense,when they led NFL,in team scoring,at 35 points per game(second in NFL history,behind the 2007 New England Patriots),but honestly,last year was last year... the offense is averaging about twelve points less per game,but the defense is actually improving... however,the offense is putting the defense in actually bad spots,not allowing the defense to calm down,and put the hammer down on opponents,by being dysfunctional,at times(the average on completing third downs,to make first downs,is way down),and receivers dropping passes does not help,at critical times,in games... the coaching staff seems befuddled,by the short circuit of the offense,but my opinion is that the entire team needs to relax,and calm down and play a good Packers' game of football... one fact is that the Packers' offense has had only one forty yard pass play,this season... everyone on the Packers' offense is griping,including quarterback Aaron Rodgers,and Jermichael Finley... CALM DOWN,EVERYONE... just play Packers' football,play solid football,and wins will come...

class act in Chicago...

a Chicago Bears fan went down,one Chris Pettry,to Jacksonville,to see the Bears play the Jaguars,and the night before the game,he got murdered... very sad,indeed... prayers go out to his wife and family... a couple of players put together fundraisers to help the family... one player,Brandon Marshall,said this,"She was concerned about not having a job... i told her to take her time,and get through this... Use the people around her... Use us to breathe,and take the time she needs,and be there for her children... don't worry about any of that,because we got her"... a total class act,indeed...

NFL news...

all four players involved the Saints' "bounty" scandal have appealed their various NFL suspensions... Jonathan Vilma,and Will Smith of the New Orleans Saints,along with Scott Fujita,of the Cleveland Browns,and free agent Anthony Hargrove are the four players involved...

"bounty" scandal news...

suspended New Orleans Saints' linebacker Jonathan Vilma has appealed his one year NFL suspension,and asked that NFL Commissioner recuse himself,because of his "so-called" prejudgment of Vilma,and his NFL punishment...

NFL news...

Ben Roethlisberger passed Hall of Fame member Terry Bradshaw as Pittsburgh Steelers' all time leader in passing yards...

sad news...

Minnesota Vikings' defensive end Everson Griffen is taking an indefinite leave from the team,because,unfortunately,of his mother's death... prayers go out to him...

NFL news...

NFL fined New York Jets' left guard Matt Slauson $10,000,for his egregious chop block,on Houston Texans' linebacker Brian Cushing...

commentary...

New Orleans Saints' quarterback Drew Brees,and Cleveland Browns' linebacker Scott Fujita ripped NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell over the re-imposition of the Saints' "bounty" scandal suspensions,yet again... well,Drew and Scott,you have every right to rip Commissioner Goodell,but let me have a shot at ripping both of you,and remind both of you of one fact that you two never have brought up at any time,at least,in public,and that is there is a signed affidavit,by suspended former Saints',and Rams' defensive coordinator Gregg Williams,saying that there was a "bounty" program,for the Saints' team,from 2009-2011,saying that players(Jonathan Vilma-$10,000 "bounty",on Favre)put bounties on then-Minnesota Vikings' quarterback Brett Favre,and then-Arizona Cardinals' quarterback Kurt Warner,during the 2009 NFL playoffs(the Saints beat Arizona 45-14,and Minnesota 31-28,in overtime,that year)... you can rip Commissioner Goodell all you want,but to say that there was a pay for performance,and not a pay to injure program,after knowing that Williams said that there was one,along with other evidence,strains overall credibility... to back up your former,and current teammates is expected,but outside of WHO DAT Nation,very few people believe that your position holds any water,because of the mounting evidence,against the players,and the Saints' organization,because Drew,and Scott,two more questions:why did head coach Sean Payton,general manager Mickey Loomis,defensive coordinator Gregg Williams just meekly accept their suspensions,and why did the Saints lose draft picks,and get fined,if there was not a "bounty" program,during 2009-2011... by the way,you ripped Commissioner Goodell over his power to discipline players,given to him by the current collective bargaining agreement(CBA),which is understandable,but you forget the simple fact that the NFLPA caved into giving the Commissioner vast power to discipline players,under Article 46,"Commissioner discipline",and the "conduct detrimental" clause,of the CBA,and now,the NFLPA,and the players involved,in the "bounty" scandal,are trying to take away much of that power,through the players' appeals processes,and federal lawsuits,which is expected,but honestly,Drew and Scott,you may want the evidence out in a public forum(Vilma's attorney,Peter Ginsburg,has implied that many times),but honestly,Drew and Scott,maybe that smelly can of worms,if opened,is not what you players wished for,because there is much more evidence in that can than you can really stomach,in public... finally,one more question,can you stomach the results of that smelly can of worms,if opened???

commentary...

in the book,"Instant Replay",Jerry Kramer wrote that the Packers never lost a game,they just ran out of time,on the clock,meaning that the Packers,under legendary head coach Vince Lombardi,always thought they had time to win the game... the heart of a champion on display!!!!!!!!

commentary...

it is time to step up,boys!!!!!!!!! the undefeated Houston Texans are waiting for you,Sunday night,in Houston... you have played like a team,who has not had anything to prove,to anyone... HOW ABOUT PROVING THAT YOU ARE A GOOD TEAM TO YOURSELVES... how about showing your public ownership,and fan base some guts??? if you do that,win or lose,at least,you played a great game,and you left it all out on the football field... are you a team,with guts,grit,and desire??? or are you a team,who only plays football for the money,and you believe all your press clippings??? you have played like a team who is fat and happy,and not a team who is lean,mean,hungry,with desire,and an edge??? you have the talent to be a very good team,but boys,so does everybody else,and you have forgotten that... forget what the pundits,and the fans say,and think,only prove it to yourselves that you are a team with desire to play out the season,beat some teams,and let the chips fall where they may... you have three losses,so far,and two of those losses are heartbreaking,and demoralizing... that happens,but the heart of a champion comes out,in the tough times,and it is the team,not the pundits,public ownership,or the fan base that really matters,it is only the fifty three players,and the coaching staff that really matters... is it time for the heart of a champion to come out,or is it time to pack your tails between your legs,and start playing softer,and feeling sorry for yourselves??? i bet that you fifty three players,and coaches,believe that it is time for the heart of a champion to come out,and if it does,no matter what happens,you will be champions in your own minds,and people will not like to play you at any time,during this season... let me say this:no one fears you right now... MAKE THEM FEAR YOU... say to your opponents:you may beat us,but we will scare the pants off of you,by playing 60+ minutes(if needed)of Packers' football,every single week,and if you beat us,we will shake hands,but we will not back down,budge one inch,of playing good solid football... it is time to step up,boys!!!!!!!!!!

trivia...

it had been 55 years(in 1957)that the Packers blew a 18,or more,point lead,at halftime,to lose a game,before Sunday,...

"bounty" suspensions re-imposed...

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell re-imposed the suspensions of the four players,involved in the Saints' "bounty" scandal:Jonathan Vilma(season),Will Smith(four games),Cleveland Browns' Scott Fujita(one game,down from three games)and free agent Anthony Hargrove(seven games,down from eight games,but credited with five games,while being a free agent)and a two game suspension,when signed by another team... Vilma can keep salary,while on physically unable to perform(PUP)list... the players have seventy two hours to appeal suspensions,if they want to appeal... it looks like it is like it is going back to federal court... if federal court issues injunction is granted,the suspensions would be lifted,as long as the court case goes on....

commentary...

Houston Texans' linebacker Brian Cushing may be out for the season,because of an egregious chop block,by New York Jets' left guard Matt Slauson,and one Green Bay Packers' player,and old USC buddy,Clay Matthews is not happy about it,because he noted the double standard,about player safety,and protecting skill players(quarterback,etc),and not protecting the defensive players the same way... i agree with Clay Matthews,and i hope the NFL fines Slauson heavily for the really cheap shot,period...

Packers' news...

Packers' running back Cedric Benson is out,at least,eight weeks,with a Lisfranc injury(dislocation,or displacing of the metatarsal bones from the tarsus)in the foot...

commentary...

injuries to major players for the Packers,and etc.... Jermichael Finley out,Greg Jennings out,Cedric Benson out,B.J. Raji out... offensive line in tatters,giving up sacks like a grocery store,and just a very porous pass defense... had an eighteen point lead,at half,and they get football at beginning of second half... it was time to put the hammer down on the Colts,and Packers imploded,with everyone sucking rock,including their mostly reliable field goal kicker... in the first five weeks of the 2012-2013 NFL season,the Packers have played like they should just show up and simply be handed a win... you can gripe about the bad call in Seattle,but the first three plus quarters,against San Francisco,and now the entire second half,against a very young talented,and inspired team,in Indianapolis(what happened???),the Packers have simply imploded,like a cheap suit... they are who they are,as of this week,a sub-.500 team,who simply can not put together 60 minutes of really good football,which really sucks,because they seem to be reading their own press clippings(of being the best team in the NFL),and it has gone to their heads,including their head coach,Mike McCarthy... being a Packers' shareholder,and fan,i was simply embarrassed by their overall effort,yesterday,and over the entire season,that i went to bed,at 6pm,pacific coast time,yesterday,and did not get out of bed,until after 2 am... the entire team should be embarrassed by their overall effort,period,because they are not even close to being a good team... talent-wise,they have a shot,but right now,they need to get their heads out of their collective rear-ends,and really be embarrassed,for who they are,because they have played like simple manure,most of this pathetic season... the offense has sputtered to a grinding halt,and the defense,on the account of the last five games,especially the entire second half,of a pathetic loss to the Colts,needs to realize that their overall team effort has been lacking,and if they want to salvage something of this(so far) pathetic season,they need to feel to be really embarrassed,because maybe then they will get their heads out of their backsides,and simply play a game of good football... come on,Aaron(Rodgers),Clay(Matthews)Charles(Woodson),and Mike(McCarthy)how does it feel to be a pathetic team,right now??? embarrassed,yet,team???

correction...

i forgot to mention Reggie Wayne,who caught 13 passes,for 212 yards,in the Colts' 30-27 win over the Packers,in last two posts... i corrected both posts... sorry,folks... not a good day for me(laughing)...

commentary...

the only Packers' player who had a good day was Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers,but when you have three injuries to major starters(Jermichael Finley-shoulder,Cedric Benson-ankle,and B.J. Raji-ankle)to deplete your team,and your defense allows 362 passing yards,to Colts' quarterback Andrew Luck,and 212 yards,on 13 catches,to Reggie Wayne,and a great touchdown lean,to get winning points,and your field goal kicker(Mason Crosby) misses two field goal attempts-the final one with eight seconds left,from 51 yards out,that was a cringe worthy duck hook so bad that even a duffer would cringe,and be embarrassed,period... when i said that it was an ugly loss,i meant it...

showing class...

even though i am a Packers' shareholder,and disappointed,i have to give much credit to Andrew Luck,Reggie Wayne,who caught some great catches on final drive,against the Packers' defense,and the depleted(injuries),but stout Colts' defense,which basically shut down the Packers' offense,which shot themselves in the foot throughout the second half,but the defensive play of the Colts allowed the Colts' offense to simply out-play the Packers,in the second half... hat tip to the Colts,period...

beatdown of the week...

New York Giants 41,Cleveland Browns 27... score does not indicate how badly the Giants stomped the Browns... down 14-0,the Giants scored forty-one,of next forty-seven points,in game... Cleveland scored a garbage touchdown to make score respectable,on scoreboard,late in fourth quarter...

comments...

Packers took Colts lightly,played a terrible second half,and simply deserved to lose game... simply put,they stunk up the joint,in every area of the game...

game score...

Colts 30,Packers 27... ugly loss...

Happy Birthday,Charles...

Happy Birthday,Charles Woodson... he turns 36,today...

class act...

before he was signed as an unrestricted free agent by Green Bay(from Indianapolis),center Jeff Saturday was offered an unique job,by Colts' owner Jim Irsay-a front office job,for the Colts,and accordingly to Irsay,the offer still stands... Saturday has started 193(of 201) games of his NFL career,only four(as of today),for the Packers(he will start for the Packers today,so make it 202 games)... he must be loved in Indianapolis,to be offered a front office job...

commentary...

the Colts have just enough firepower,and defense to give the Packers real trouble,if the Packers do not play their best game,offensively,and defensively,because Colts' quarterback Andrew Luck has put the Colts on his back... the weaknesses for the Colts are two-fold:their overall receiving corps,not saying that they can not catch a football,i am just saying that they have very young,and just not too many(as in number),receivers... they have a no name defensive backfield,and good,but very inexperienced,defenders... their strength is their front seven(very,very good),but with Dwight Freeney,being questionable,with a high ankle sprain,for the game,Aaron Rodgers will catch a break,from being chased all around Lucas Oil Stadium,by Freeney... the Packers played their best overall game last week,and with Luck(who reminds me of a younger Drew Brees)throwing the football around the stadium,the Packers' defense have to be stout,and starting hitting Luck,and the receivers,very early,rattling Luck into turnovers,which will give the Packers a short field,on offense,and maybe even an interception return for a touchdown... Aaron Rodgers has been inconsistent,on offense(having receivers dropping passes does not help),but last week,he showed signs of not being rusty,and getting back to his reigning MVP form,and if the Packers return to scoring points,in bunches,the Colts are in for a very long day,because it will take out their running game,and Luck will not keep up with Aaron Rodgers... even with Greg Jennings out with a problematic groin injury,the Packers' receiving corps,will be affected,but will have to step up,and catch Rodgers' passes... Rodgers has had only three interceptions,this season,but has been sacked a bunch of times,this season... keep him upright,and protected,and Rodgers will dissect the Colts' defense,most of the day... put him on his back,then you have a chance to beat the Packers...

trivia...

the Packers have the ninth ranked overall defense,this season,and sixth in pass defense(through game four)... Donald Driver will play his 197th game,as a Packer,passing Hall of Fame member Bart Starr,for second on games played list,behind only Brett Favre and his 255 games started,as a Packer...

game score,and comment...

St Louis Rams 17,Arizona Cardinals 3... Rams' defense pound Cardinals' quarterback Kevin Kolb,with nine sacks...

commentary...

for the first time,i will respond to my own father about what is wrong with sports,today... in football,there has been two lockouts(players,and referees),in last two years,and in hockey there have strikes,and lockouts,since the early 1990's,including a lockout that scrapped an entire season,in 2004-2005.... i am not including the scrapping of the 1994 World Series,by Major League Baseball,which included Donald Fehr,then head of MLBPA,and now head of the NHLPA... he actually gave the same speech,in 1994,as he did in 2012,in explaining the NHLPA's part of the lockout... basically,the fans do not matter,at all,because if they did,the fans would be watching baseball,football,and in the recent case,hockey,instead of being frustrated,and angry... the owners do not care,and plead financial hardship,and the players plead financial hardship,and want more money...... there are some clubs that are small market,and do not make as much money,as others,in all three sports,but with rising costs(greedy players,and owners),and rising ticket costs for the fans,the fans lose more than paying outrageous ticket prices,because their love for the beautiful game that they root for ebbs away... simply said,what a real waste of talent,time,and all for the almighty dollar!!!!!!! makes me want to vomit...

comments...

the replacement referee crew that called the Seattle Seahawks/Green Bay Packers game has been torched by NFL fans,including me,at first... well one of the referees finally spoke out,and basically said that his crew screwed up the call,and said that the referees' locker room "was like a loser's locker room"... well,Packers' head coach Mike McCarthy called one of of the referees at home,which is surprisingly in itself,and said that the referees handled it(the game,and the aftermath),with class,even though he disagreed with the call... i have to say,to all the replacement referees,"thank you",for their work...

NFL news...

as New Orleans Saints' quarterback Drew Brees tries to break Hall of Fame member Johnny Unitas' 47 game consecutive touchdown pass record,suspended Saints' head coach Sean Payton had received permission from the NFL,to be at the game,and watch Brees try to break the record,against the San Diego Chargers,Sunday night...

Thursday Night Football...

week five starts tonight... Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams,tonight...

a baseball rarity...

i have to post a rare baseball post:for the first time in 45 years,there is a Triple Crown Winner... Miguel Cabrera hit.330,hit 44 home runs,and had 139 runs batted in(RBI),for the Detroit Tigers.... way to go,Miguel....

very strange Packers-Colts trivia...

the Packers play the Indianapolis Colts,in Indianapolis,for only the fourth time,since the Colts moved to Indianapolis,from Baltimore,in 1984,on Sunday... the last road victory for the Packers,against the Colts,believe this,or not,was on September 22nd,1974,when the Packers beat the Colts,20-13,in Memorial Stadium,in Baltimore... Packers lead all-time series,21-20-1,including the Packers' very first sudden-death overtime game-a 13-10 win,on December 26,1965,in that year's Western Conference Championship game...

commentary...

Chicago Bears' quarterback Jay Cutler is simply a diva,and he has talent to be a NFL quarterback,but his on the sideline demeanor is one of,"i am the man,and who cares about you"... he may be a team leader,but he has a lot of maturing to do,because he seems not to like the press,which is understandable,at times... simply said,you,Jay,are a disagreeable person,who can not take any amount of criticism,from anyone... i respect Brian Urlacher,your teammate,for many reasons,one being:giving his all on the football field,but you honestly give me the impression that you simply do not care about other people's opinions,which is fine,and if you do not like my opinion:it is my opinion... i respect your talent,no doubt,but personally you are a real piece of work,and a diva... simply said,grow up,Jay!!!!!!!

prayers for Chuck...

Indianapolis Colts' head coach Chuck Pagano has been told that he has leukemia... prayers go out to him...

commentary...

i do not feel sorry for the New Orleans Saints... i honestly got very sick,and tired of hearing that the Saints' organization were victims of the Saints' "bounty" scandal,over this past off-season... the Saints are in a hole that only one team,since 1970 AFL/NFL merger(the 1992 San Diego Chargers),to make the playoffs,winless in four games(0-4),and they are four games,behind the Atlanta Falcons,which is tougher to overcome,because the Saints would have to sweep every other team in their division(NFC South),to make it interesting in that division(they did lose to Carolina,earlier)... they would have to sweep the rest of this season,and when your team defense gives up close to thirty-five points,per game,that is not very likely... the problems for the Saints is on defense,and i did notice that even today,against the Green Bay Packers,the team,especially the defense,was very chippy,and Drew Brees said in a media session,after the game,that the Saints were "close",in turning things around... no,Drew,you are 0-4,this season,so far...