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...