commentary...

going into tomorrow's game against the Detroit Lions,Packers' defense may be 31st in yards allowed,but 12th in points allowed,yet they are number one in NFL,in interceptions,and number two in overall takeaways(forced fumbles,and interceptions)... the Packers' defense have been maligned all year,in giving up yards,but except for that really meaningless stat,they are very tough to score touchdowns on,period... ask the Chiefs,who should have blown the Packers out,and scored only nineteen points(four field goals,and a touchdown)but they had a very short field most of the first half,and only scored six points,in first half,including stopped on four downs,once... the Packers have won fourteen games this year,and not all of them have been because the arm of Aaron Rodgers,and the Packers' offense... they beat the Rams,Lions,and Buccaneers,with defense;returning two interceptions for touchdowns(and almost a third,to end the game),against the Lions,for example... they may give up points at the beginning of game,but of the twenty wins(of the last twenty-one games),they led throughout the fourth quarter... that simply means that the Packers' defense getting tougher,as game goes on,period...

injury report...

James Starks,Randall Cobb,and Greg Jennings are ruled out of game... Bryan Bulaga is listed as doubtful,along with Clay Matthews,and Charles Woodson are questionable for game... my educated guess is that Matthews may not play,and Woodson will give it a go,Sunday,but again,rest is what they both need,so who knows?

commentary...

Packers' coach Mike McCarthy is being coy about resting Aaron Rodgers,against the Detroit Lions,and not saying if Rodgers will sit,or start,in game... rather smart,but my opinion is that Rodgers will start,but will play perhaps a quarter,or even the first half,then Matt Flynn(out of LSU)will play most of the rest of game,with the possibility of Graham Harrell(out of Texas Tech),will mop up the game...

NFL players i admire,deeply respect,and love to watch...

Ray Lewis,Baltimore Ravens...
Brian Urlacher,Chicago Bears...
Tom Brady,New England Patriots...
Charles Woodson,Green Bay Packers...
Aaron Rodgers,Green Bay Packers...
Clay Matthews,Green Bay Packers...
i could put a number of Packers on list,but i will not do it;the players mentioned here have my true respect,as football players,because if you watch them,you learn how to play real football,,and they all go out to knock your head off,including Brady,and Rodgers,who will go for the big play,when needed... Ray Lewis,Brian Urlacher,Charles Woodson,and Clay Matthews are on the list,because they all have throwback(old-fashioned)work ethic,and that is what i look at,when watching them play the game... Urlacher always seems to be a big playmaker against the Packers(almost like he is in their huddle,sometimes)...

injury update...

as of today,wide receiver Randall Cobb,and running back James Starks look like they may not play,in week seventeen,against the Lions... everyone else,who may be injured have,at least,been on the field,in limited practice today...

movie legend dies last week...

Cheetah the Chimpanzee,from all of the Tarzan movies,died last week,at the Suncoast Primate Sanctuary,in Palm Harbor,Florida,at age 80....

beatdown of the week...

Carolina Panthers 48,Tampa Bay 16... when you get beat,by 32 points,yet keep football,32:57,of game time,and turn over football four times,allow 270 yards rushing the football,and 171 yards passing,and three touchdown catches... of your turnovers,you fumble three times,and in fourth quarter,you are down,48-10,before a garbage touchdown,and your coach probably gets fired at end of season(my opinion),you deserve the beatdown of the week...

Lions/Packers trivia...

no other NFL teams have played every year,since 1932,but the Lions,and Packers... the Detroit Lions were originally known as the Portsmouth(Ohio)Spartans,when they first played,in 1930... this will be the first time,in series history,that both teams have double digits in wins,when they met(Detroit is 10-5,Green Bay is 14-1)... this will be the eleventh time that they will meet,in season finale,and only the fourth time(1939,1945,and 1993 are the other years)that both teams have had winning records,when they met in their final regular season contest... the Packers first win in series was 47-13,in 1930,in City Stadium(renamed Lambeau Field,in 1957)...

Lions/Packers commentary...

i usually talk about this week's game,between the Lions,and the Packers more times,than now,but with both teams in the playoffs,i suspect the Packers' starters to play less time than the Lions' starters,because of the simple fact that the Lions have not won,in Green Bay(or Milwaukee,where the Packers played two home games a year,until,i believe,1994),since 1991... except for the offensive line,which may play most of the game(being thin on it does not help)the Packers' starters may play into the third period,except for Aaron Rodgers,who may play a quarter,or even the first half,if that...
the game will be interesting to watch,because it may play out like a pre-season game,in detail,but again,McCarthy may surprise everyone,and play the starters,deep into the game,but honestly,but with key injuries on the team,i seriously doubt it...

Pro Bowl selections...

Aaron Rodgers,Clay Matthews,John Kuhn,Charles Woodson,Greg Jennings,Scott Wells,and B.J.Raji were selected,as starters,at the Pro Bowl,a week before the Super Bowl...

stock sale update...

Green Bay Packers' stock sale is nearing their allotted 250,000 stock shares sold,so they are expanding their stock sale,by 30,000 extra stock shares...

injury update...

it was reported today that Minnesota Vikings' Adrian Peterson tore his anterior crucible ligament,and his medial crucible ligament(ACL,and MCL),in his left knee... eight to nine month recovery time,is projected,for Peterson...

NFL history...

Drew Brees,of the New Orleans Saints,has broken Dan Marino's 27 year old season passing yardage(5,084 yards)by throwing for 307 yards,in game,against Atlanta Falcons... he holds the record,now,at 5,087 yards,with one more game to go...

commentary...

how do you have the football for 35:42,in game,and rush for 199 yards,and still lose by 14 points? you have no consistent passing attack,and there is Aaron Rodgers on the other sideline,who threw five touchdown passes,including a 55 yard touchdown pass,to Jordy Nelson(a four play,80 yard drive)... Rodgers had quarterback rating,of 142.7(last week,he had an rating of just below 81),and the Bears' defense did sack him once,for a single yard(Packers did it with a makeshift offensive line)...
i have to give the Bears credit for a very hard fought game throughout,and rushing for nearly 200 yards,on the Packers' defense,but being intercepted twice(at least one set up Packers' score),and even though the Packers may be 31st,in yards allowed,they are only 14th,in points allowed(both numbers are from the NFL),and if the Bears could have passed with consistency,it would have been an interesting game,but as soon as the Packers had lead in second half,on a consistent basis,they went for the dagger(the aforementioned 55 yard touchdown pass,to Nelson,on a four play,80 yard touchdown drive),because it literally took out the Bears' game plan,of wearing down the Packers' defense,by running with the football,and keeping the Packers' offense off the field... they kept the Packers' defense off the field,by rushing the football for 199 yards,but it did not keep Rodgers,from lighting up the vaunted Bears' defense,for five touchdown passes,and even though the Packers rush offense has gotten hammered,by the pundits(who cares for that),they rushed for 82 net yards,including a 24 yard rush,during the four play,80 yard drive,to help Rodgers take apart the Bears...
the Bears had a very capable game plan,patterned after the Chiefs',week 15 win,over the Packers,but the Bears had not the athletes the Chiefs had,on offense,and in the defensive backfield(note:their(Chiefs')outstanding receivers,and defensive backs to cover the Packers' receivers),and they tried that plan,for the game,but Rodgers,and the Packers offensive brain trust(Mike McCarthy,and Aaron Rodgers)figured out how to shred the Bears' defense,in second half,and Dom Capers readjusted their defense plan,at halftime,to keep the Bears' rushers,in check,and having the Bears throw the football,which they simply could not do,on a consistent basis,to keep up with Rodgers,and the Packers' offense,who did not turn the football over,at all,all night,and i believe did not have a penalty called against the Packers all night(offensive,or defensive)...
i have to give the Bears credit,for trying to keep up,with the Packers,and trying to frustrate the Packers' receivers,but after last week,the receiving corps were rather upset,with dropping passes,and they held onto the critical passes,in second half,to shred the Bears' defense,but with no consistent passing attack,they were buried deep,and in trouble,and with Rodgers throwing five touchdown passes(three of them,in 16 minutes,in second half)... Championship teams do it with little time,on clock,and with lightning and thunder,at the critical time... let me remind you who is the defending Super Bowl Champion? or do i?

game score,and comment...

Packers 35,Bears 21... Aaron Rodgers:forty five touchdown passes,six interceptions,this season---Packers-14-1... everyone comes to Green Bay this post-season,as long as Packers are in post-season...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!

NFL news...

Chicago Bears/Green Bay Packers,tonight... score and commentary,later...

injury update...

i have great admiration for Minnesota Vikings' Adrian Peterson,so this is sad to hear that he apparently tore his left anterior cruciate ligament,in his left knee,and other structural things in that knee,today... MRI is being done this week... hopes he backs as near as 100%,as he can,next season... however,the Packers will be waiting,Adrian!!!!!!!!

NFL history,and some trivia...

San Francisco 49ers' David Akers set NFL record for most field goals,with his 41st field goal,in the 49ers' 19-14 win,over Seattle Seahawks...
Marshawn Lynch scored from four yards out,for the Seahawks,breaking the 49ers bid for not allowing a rushing touchdown in a season...

Packers/Bears keys to victory...

the game against the Chicago Bears,on Christmas night should be a real dogfight,and the problem with the Bears is their third string quarterback,in Josh McCown,and Bears' running backs,with their top two running backs(Matt Forte,and Marion Barber)unlikely to play;they have to scratch for points,against the Packers' defense... Devin Hester will be a big key to special teams,for the Bears-can he return a kickoff,or a punt to the house,at critical times,in game?
the Packers have one major area of concern:their offensive line,and containing Brian Urlacher,and Julius Peppers,as they rush Rodgers,and all the major Packers' running backs are going to play,but can they run,against the eighth ranked rush defense,in the NFL,in the Bears,and can the wide receivers to catch enough passes,to keep the Packers,on the field,on critical third downs,to keep drives going,and can Aaron Rodgers stay upright? there are the keys to the game for both teams... interesting game,is it not?

blog update...

as i note on the heading of this blog,i became an official Shareholder,in the Green Bay Packers,today...

Matt Barkley is returning to USC...

usually in this spot,i talk about Packers,and will talk about tomorrow,but i have a brother who is a alum of USC,so he must be very happy,that quarterback Matt Barkley,is returning to school,next season,and USC may be eligible for Pac-12 title next season,so watch out NCAA....

beatdown of the week...

Atlanta Falcons 41,Jacksonville Jaguars 14... when your team gives up the first 41 points,with no response,from your offense,and trailing 27-0,at half,and your first touchdown was scored by a blocked punt,late in third period,and you turn football over four times,and Matt Ryan(Falcons' starting quarterback)takes off basically the fourth quarter,being up 41-7,after three quarters,and you do it on national television,after having your head coach fired,the prior week,then you deserve the dubious honor,of my "beatdown of the week"...

very special commentary...

this may sound strange,but today,football may not be as important,because it is time of Christmas,and even though the Packers do play the Chicago Bears,on Christmas Day,and you will get updates,trivia,and a complete breakdown of the game,tomorrow,and every day after this... i need to step back to remind people that football is only a game,but life goes on,after Sundays,to come... i read a obit,of someone,who i do not know personally,and may not agree with,in other ways,but the radio host-Ron Smith,died of pancreatic cancer last night,at his home,in Maryland,near Baltimore,where he worked at WBAL,and was known as,"The Voice of Reason"... i have had four people,who i loved dearly,including my own mother,my grandmother Ladine,and my soulmate,who died 12 years old,Christmas Day,all four died of various forms of cancer,and as i think back on my fond,and dear memories of those dearly departed,i want everyone to remember what this holiday really means,not just the Packers,and the Bears,or all the presents that you may get from Santa,but to the people who we all miss,and will continue to miss until the day we leave this mortal coil,and may be reunited with them...

injury update...

Green Bay Packers place Derek Sherrod on injured/reserve list(IR list),after he broke both bones in right leg,during game,against Kansas City...

comment...

on NFL.com,the Packers are still the number one team,in their Power Rankings,getting eight of nine first place votes,all except for Joe Theismann,who ranked them sixth,but to tell you the truth,he must be on the New Orleans Saints' bandwagon,because his commentary makes absolutely no sense... by the way,the Saints lost to the Packers,42-34,in week one,in Green Bay...

commentary...

before i go off the deep end(laughing),let's go back in NFL history,to two teams that were simply the best teams,that year:the year was 1976,the team was the Oakland Raiders... they lost to the New England Patriots,not by five,but by 31 points(48-17),in Foxsborough,Mass,then did not lose another game,beating both the Pittsburgh Steelers(24-7,in Oakland),and then creamed the Minnesota Vikings,in the Rose Bowl(32-14)... the year was 1985:Chicago loses to the Miami Dolphins,in a rout,in Miami,losing their "perfect season",with members of the 1972 Dolphins looking on,on Monday Night Football,then shuts down everybody else,the rest of the year,and then destroying the New England Patriots,46-10... side note:the Patriots led game,3-0,at one time,then Chicago scored 46 straight points,to crush any hope,that day... both teams are remembered to be among the best one year Super Bowl,and NFL champions,in NFL history... i am not saying that the Packers are in that class of team,but to win nineteen games,in a row,does get mention,and they do have a chance to repeat,like the 60's Packers,the 70's Steelers(repeated twice,in six years),the 80's,and early 90's 49ers,the mid-90's Cowboys,and the 2000's Patriots... whether they do repeat,or not,is up to history,and,"the reason that they play the game"...

commentary...

this may be very short,or very long,depends on how upset i get,but honestly,first,the very good news:Packers' defense played absolutely great,yesterday,stopping the Chiefs four separate times,inside the red zone(from 20 yard line on in)... in fact,all four times seemed to be inside their five yard line,including a four down stoppage,allowing Kansas City,only four field goals,until,finally giving up a touchdown,with just under five minutes to play,in game... they were very stout all day,and deserved a better fate than losing game,but Kansas City played their best game of year,on defense... the Packers' offense really stunk,yesterday,and,"the best receiving corps,in NFL",dropped way too many passes,in first three quarters,including two offensive pass interference penalties,in first half,but Packers were down only,6-0,at half,so i thought they would awaken from their offensive funk,and do something,but they did absolutely nothing,until 8:04,left,in third,when Aaron Rodgers threw his team-record 40th touchdown pass,to Donald Driver(a two yard pass,to go up,7-6(the only Packers' lead of game),and then they stunk the rest of game,until awakening,with about four minutes,to play in the game,but they were down,19-7,at the time,so they had only one legitimate scoring drive all day... even Mason Crosby missed a 54 yard field goal,in the first half,so no one had a good game,including Coach Mike McCarthy,who actually missed a chance,to really challenge a Chiefs' play that was fumbled,by the Chiefs,inside the two yard line,and ball went through the end zone(would have been a touchback:Packers' ball on their own 20 yard line),but McCarthy kept challenge flag in pocket(score went from,9-0,to 12-0,right after that play),so McCarthy said it best,"we were beaten"...

big surprise...

Chiefs 19,Packers 14... Packers,13-1... NO ONE'S PERFECT!!!!!!!! commentary later tomorrow morning... Colts 27,Bengals 13... Colts,1-13

NFL history,and Packers/Chiefs trivia...

if Packers win,at Kansas City,they will join an elite group of teams to go,8-0,on the road... they are the 2007 New England Patriots,the 2001 St. Louis Rams,the 1984,1989,and 1990 San Francisco 49ers... three areas of concern:Chiefs' quarterback Kyle Orton,who faced Green Bay earlier this season,as starting quarterback of the Denver Broncos,and threw for 273 yards,and three touchdowns,against Green Bay,in a 49-23 Packers' win... Jonathan Baldwin,a 6'4" wide receiver,out of Pittsburgh,who can jump out of Arrowhead Stadium,and a very young,but very good Chiefs' offensive line,along with a very young,but very good pass rusher,by the name of Tamba Hali,and finally the 10th ranked,but totally underrated defensive secondary,in the Chiefs,but to tell you the truth,Dom Capers,and Mike McCarthy will try to neutralize the Chiefs,by giving them different schemes to look at,in the game... it will be the first time that the Packers will have faced the same starting quarterback,for two different teams,in the same season,since the 1970 NFL/AFL merger... if you are wondering if it has happened before,yes,Kerry Collins played for the Carolina Panthers,and the Atlanta Falcons,against the New Orleans Saints,in 1998...

prayers for Etta...

my prayers go out to blues singer Etta James,who is terminally ill,who has incurable leukemia,dementia,and kidney failure,among other ailments... her big hits were many,among those hits were,"At Last",and "Tell Mama"...

NFL news...

Chicago Bears released Sam Hurd,today...

crime news...

Chicago Bears' Sam Hurd is facing federal drug charges,in trying to buy 1,000 pounds of marijuana... he wanted to set up a drug distribution network,by buying 5,to 10 kilograms,of cocaine,along with 1,000 pounds,of marijuana,every week... what a real fool!!!!!!

Packers/Chiefs trivia...

the Packers and Chiefs have played only twice,in Kansas City,in last fifteen years... last game was a 33-22 Packers' win,on November 4,2007,at Arrowhead Stadium... the Chiefs and the Packers have only played nine times,with the Chiefs winning six,and a tie game,including Super Bowl I(a 35-10 win,for the Packers),after the Packers fourth NFL championship(of five),under Vince Lombardi... the game,in 2007,was a classic Brett Favre comeback:down 22-16,with 3:05 left,Favre hit Greg Jennings,with a 60 yard touchdown pass,and after a Mason Crosby field goal,Charles Woodson ended scoring,with a 46 yard interception touchdown return,with 59 seconds to play...

correction...

Tom Brady,of the New England Patriots also matched Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning,and Green Bay Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers,with thirteen games with two,or more,touchdowns,in a game... all three,right now,own the NFL record,in that category...

commentary...

Aaron Rodgers has thrown,at least,two touchdown passes,in every game,this season,so far... he matches Indianapolis Colts' quarterback Peyton Manning for most games in a season,with two,or more,touchdowns,in NFL history... i could talk about Aaron Rodgers every week(a great season,so far),but i am trying to give the rest of the team some much deserved respect,and props,in my commentaries,recently...

NFL,and Packers' news...

Green Bay Packers' wide receiver Greg Jennings will be out 2-3 weeks,with a sprained medial collateral ligament,in his left knee,reports out of Green Bay,have said... Packers have a bye in the NFL playoffs,and if they beat Kansas City,Sunday,every team in NFC will have to come to Green Bay,as long as the Packers are in the playoffs...

comment...

Green Bay was up,31-0,on the Raiders,yesterday,at halftime... it was the biggest halftime deficit,in Raiders' history... so it was the beatdown of the week,no matter what was the final score was,yesterday(46-16,Packers' win)...

commentary,and beatdown of the week...

Packers 46,Raiders 16... when your first five possessions,of the game,result in four touchdowns,and a field goal,and score is,43-7,after three periods,and your defense forced five turnovers,(four interceptions,and a fumble)and fumble recovery ended up in a touchdown(landed on it in end zone),and your team runs for over a hundred yards,and your starting quarterback is pulled,with 1:49 left in third period,and you pound out a win,on the Frozen Tundra,you deserve the beatdown of the week...

note...

i normally do not give the beatdown of week,to the Packers,but they are up big in the fourth quarter,against the Raiders,and Aaron Rodgers is on bench(not injured),and that was with 1:49 left,in third quarter...

Packers' history...

in 1943,a rookie,Irv Comp,from St Benedict's,intercepted ten passes,had thirty four interceptions in his NFL career,was Packers' quarterback,from 1943 to 1948,and was punter,in 1943;a jack of all trades,like most players back then... the ten interceptions is still Packers' record,for a season...

special note...

Navy 27,Army 21... 10th straight win,in series....

injury update...

as of today,Oakland Raiders' Darren McFadden will not play,because of a foot injury,against Packers,tomorrow... he injured foot,against Kansas City,in a 28-0 stomp,of Raiders(first quarter),in week seven...

Packers/Raiders trivia...

Packers lead Raiders in all-time series,6-5,including Super Bowl II,in Miami,Florida... last game played between the teams,was December 9,2007,at Lambeau Field,won by the Packers,38-7... from 1972-1987,Raiders won all five regular season games,but Green Bay has won last five games... side note:the Packers ended an eleven year postseason drought,by beating Raiders,28-0,on December 26,1993,in which Al Harris,did the first "Lambeau Leap"...

special note...

i will go through Packers/Oakland Raiders trivia in relevance,to this week's game,later today...

Packers' news....

Green Bay Packers' punter Tim Masthay has been named NFC Special Teams player of the week,for his outstanding punting last week... he kicked five punts for 221 yards,averaging 44.2 yards,with a 55 yard punt...

Packers' trivia...

i have said that is a waiting list,for season tickets,in Green Bay... i said that it was a 87,000 person waiting list... i was wrong... it has over 93,000 people on the waiting list... what a waiting list!!!!!!!!!

comments...

the Green Bay Packers have sold more than 185,000 shares of stock,in last two days,33% more than in 1997,including one share,to me today,after a minor foul up this morning,so i am part of the public ownership,of the Green Bay Packers,and part of their legacy,finally...

Pearl Harbor,December 7th,1941...

Pearl Harbor:at 7:55 am,and 8:30 am Hawaiian Time,Empire of Japan attacked Naval Base,Pearl Harbor,killing 2,403 sailors,and civilians(68 civilians);1,177,from U.S.S. Arizona,and injured 1,178 people... to those lost and injured at Pearl Harbor,70 years ago,today,this is the only post on both blogs,in their memory... as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt,said on 8 December 1941,"December 7th,1941,a day that will live in infamy..." i dedicate this day to the fallen...

change of blog policy...

per NFL rules for owners/shareholders,i will tell you truth about games seen by me,and you may not agree with my opinion,but i will temper some of personal criticism,of players,coaches,or employees,of NFL teams... example:coach so-so screwed up a call is fine,but call them a derogatory name is not acceptable... anything written before now is fine,because i was not a shareholder,before now... most of my blog posts would be fine... i know this blog is a small one,but if the NFL wanted to do it,they could fine me $5,000,for every questionable post,and i would shut down the blog,if ordered by the NFL... i know that i monitor this blog,with a gloved hand,but before posting,i will calm myself down,and tell you truth... very little will change,but will have an extra tight wrap on it...

update...

there is a report that,during Ndamukong Suh's car accident,in Portland Oregon,that,at least,one passenger did ask for an ambulance,while Suh was on phone,with 911,but he told the police,and the 911 operators that no one was hurt,so the woman was picked up by the woman's husband,and taken to a hospital... her insurance company would not pay for medical care,until the police report on Suh's accident was amended... it was,and the insurance company did pay for medical care,and Ndamukong Suh gets another black eye,for lying to the police... what a real winner of a person!!!!!!!!

dreams do come true...

i have dreamed of being a Packers' shareholder,even since being on the road,in 1997,when last the Packers sold shares,in that year,and never got the chance to become a shareholder... well,today,the dream came through... i may have only one share of Packers' stock,but to me it is priceless,and to help the Packers expand the stadium,and to have a smile on my mug every Sunday,from now on,is just wonderful... i have been a Packers' fan,since just after Vince Lombardi was coach,and this is the happiest day,of being a true Packers' fan... for your information,no shareholder can own more than two hundred shares of stock,so i may be a lowly one share part of the Packers' public ownership,but i am entitled to a chair,at the annual shareholders' meeting, next July,at Lambeau Field... the stock is to help the renovate Lambeau Field,and the simple,and great honor,of being part of the Packers' legacy...

injury update...

Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback,Michael Vick,who has been out of action with broken ribs,suffered against Arizona,on second play of game... he finished that game(a 21-17 Eagles' loss,in week 10)... Vick practiced,and says that he will play,against,Miami,next week...

NFC North standings...

x-Green Bay Packers 12-0
Chicago Bears 7-5
Detroit Lions 7-5
Minnesota Vikings 2-10
x-NFC North Champions

commentary,and game score...

Packers 38,Giants 35... what a good game,for both teams,but with 58 seconds,left in game,Aaron Rodgers went into field goal range,and Mason Crosby kicked the football through the goal posts,with three seconds left,to beat the New York Giants,38-35,after Eli Manning led the Giants on a two and half minute drive,and two point conversion,to tie game at 35... just too much time left on clock,for Aaron Rodgers... it took basically three or four plays,to get down to around the Giants' fifteen yard line,to set up Crosby for the chip shot field goal... the Giants used big plays to score their 35 points,and the Packers' receivers dropped too many passes early,and until midway into fourth period,but at critical times,they had glue hands... fortunately,the Packers had every break known to officiating,it seemed,but the good teams basically play hard,and force the so-so teams to keep up with their skill,and they get the good luck,most good teams seem to get,and that was the difference,because Rodgers did not panic,and dissected the Giants' pass defense,like a surgeon,in last minute,of game,instead of waiting for overtime... the Packers are tough to beat,period...

beatdown of the week...

Dolphins 34,Raiders 14...when you are losing,34-0,with eight minutes to play,and score two garbage touchdowns,and lose first place,to Denver Broncos(go from playoff position,to out of the playoffs,and not even in seventh place but eighth place,and everything goes awry(46 yards,rushing the football,but had three running backs,plus a two yard run by Oakland Raiders' quarterback Carson Palmer,to do that),and Palmer threw a interception that was returned 34 yards for a touchdown... Palmer had good basic numbers,but most of yardage,was in fourth quarter,when they were down by more than 30 points,and they had a pathetic running effort,all day... to be a first place team,and come out flat,do nothing,and get pounded(in three periods),34-0,you deserve the dubious honor of being beatdown for this week...

Karma bites back...

the last nine days has not been very sweet for Ndamukong Suh... first he stomped Evan Dietrich-Smith,of the Green Bay Packers,and was a arrogant person,and quite defiant,in his explanation of it,gets suspended two games from NFL,and his appeal was flatly denied... so he flies home to Portland,Oregon,and promptly loses control of his car(1970 Chevrolet Coupe),and smashes into a light pole,drinking fountain,and a tree(three people in car,no one hurt)... what karma!!!!!! what a bad nine days!!!!!!!

commentary...

the talk of an undefeated season by many pundits,of the 2011-2012 Green Bay Packers is way too immature,because teams have been 11-0,or greater(in fact,there have been eleven teams),one was 16-0(2007 New England Patriots),but New England lost Super Bowl,to the New York Giants,on a great hand,ball,to helmet catch by David Tyree,late in that game,so winning nineteen games in a row,is nearly impossible,let alone twenty five in a row,which if Packers go 19-0,they would have won twenty five games in a row... the only thing that i wanted to say was winning the Super Bowl,is more important than a perfect season,but being a true fan,of the Packers,going back to back,with Super Bowl wins,would be greedy,as a fan,but tell that to the Steelers,of the 1970's,Packers,of the 1960's,49ers,of the 80's,and the Patriots,of the 2000's... they all won back to back Super Bowls(in fact,the Steelers,of the 1970's,did it twice,in six years)... the Packers are the defending Super Bowl champions,and the main target of the NFL teams that they play,and of the entire league,so their record does not matter,but they will be,"the big dog",coming into the playoffs,so can any team beat the Packers in the playoffs? yes,like last year,when the Packers went into the playoffs,as the sixth seed,and then blew everyone else away,in all three playoff games... however,the Packers will be very tough to beat,period...

injury report...

Desmond Bishop,A.J. Hawk,Chad Clifton,and Josh Sitton,are out.... everyone else should play....

NFL news...

Ndamukong Suh's two game suspension appeal was denied... he will miss games,against New Orleans,at New Orleans,and at home,against Minnesota,for the Detroit Lions...

commentary...

Donavan McNabb came out of the University of Syracuse,went to Philadelphia Eagles,showed real talent,leading Eagles to,i believe,five NFC Championship games,and one Super Bowl,got basically dumped to Washington,after sub-par season,for him,and booed by fans in Philadelphia(they booed Santa Claus,after all),then got demoted to second string,and then third string,by Mike Shanahan(what a crock of a coach!!!)... the explanation of his demotion was pure Shanahan,and without class,and McNabb showed true class by not saying a word about the decision,but he was clearly disappointed...
the trade to Minnesota seemed to be a clear and very good change of scenery,but losing first three games of season,after having double digit leads,at the half,of all three games,including a 23-0 lead,against the Detroit Lions basically doomed McNabb,and he was replaced,by Christian Ponder,before the first Packers' game,telling fans of the Vikings that Minnesota was in rebuilding mode,no matter how well Ponder did play(he has done very well),but Minnesota has too many holes on offense,and an aging defense,to be serious contender,and even if McNabb went to Minnesota,it was not a good fit,for McNabb,and Minnesota thought they needed one piece to be a Super Bowl contender,after the debacle,and the circus,of what Brett Favre was... they were dead wrong... McNabb has been very quiet,and a true classy person,and whatever he does,after this release,may he find true happiness...

BREAKING NEWS...

Donavan McNabb has been granted his release by the Minnesota Vikings... will say something later today,on McNabb,because he deserves it,and it will be honorable...

fun trivia...

now for some fun trivia:St. Norbert College in DePere,Wisconsin,has been the training camp home,of the Green Bay Packers,since 1958... the Green Knights play in NCAA Division III,and their collegiate hockey team,is the current NCAA Division III National Champions

Packers/Giants trivia...

in 2006,when both the New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers were 8-8,it took four tiebreakers,and percentage points,to decide last NFC playoff team,that year... it went to the Giants...
Packers own 4-2 playoff record,against the Giants,all four wins were for the NFL Championship(1939,1944,1961,and 1962);Giants won 1938 NFL title,over Packers... the last time they played,in 2007 NFC Championship,won by the Giants,in Green Bay,was Brett Favre's last game,as a member of the Packers(his last pass,as a Packers' player,was an interception,which gave the Giants field position,for winning field goal)...
Packers hold 30-23-2 all time record,including aforementioned,4-2,playoff record...
the last regular season meeting was at the Meadowlands,September 16,2007,won by the Packers,35-13...

NFL news...

Ndamukong Suh has been suspended two games,by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell,without pay,for stomp on Evan Dietrich-Smith...
Jacksonville Jaguars fired Jack Del Rio;defensive coordinator Mel Tucker,interim head coach...
Jaguars sold to Shahid Khan,for amazingly,cash...

schedule change...

the Raiders/Packers game,at Lambeau Field,on December 11,has been moved to 1:15 pm,from 10 am,by the NFL...

NFC North standings...

Packers 11-0
Lions 7-4
Bears 7-4
Vikings 2-9

beatdown of the week...

NINE SACKS SAYS IT ALL!!!!!! Ravens put a whipping on the 49ers' offensive line,and Alex Smith,and stopping 49ers' eight game winning streak with a big thud,allowing San Francisco only two measly field goals,in a brutal showing of defensive stomping,by the Ravens... i wonder how,and if,Smith got out of bed on Friday,because he got stomped into turf...

update on beatdown of week...

the defensive stomping of Alex Smith,by the Baltimore Ravens(nine sacks),is the leading candidate for the beatdown of the week,as the Ravens beat the San Francisco 49ers,16-6,Thanksgiving night...

injury update...

Minnesota Vikings' running back Adrian Peterson will miss only his fourth game,in his NFL career,with ligament damage,in left ankle(high ankle sprain),against the Atlanta Falcons...

commentary...

normally,i would be happy with the performance of the Packers... overall,i am happy,but the lack of production on offense worries me... in first half,less than 90 yards offense on 20 plays did trouble me,but the Packers' defense and Lions' penalties kept the Lions scoreless,in first half,and the ejection of Ndamukong Suh just told me that the Lions were undisciplined,because it basically turned a 7-0 game,into a 21-0 game within four minutes of game time,after Suh was ejected,(an one yard touchdown run,by John Kuhn,and an one play drive,65 yard touchdown pass,to James Jones)... the way that the Lions were playing,it was game over,at that point,and even though,the Lions scored 15 points in fourth quarter,it was 24-0,Packers,at that point,and the Lions scored a garbage touchdown,in last half minute of game,to make game look respectable,on scoreboard... Detroit,seven weeks ago,looked good for the playoffs,but have lost four of the last five games that they have played,and Matthew Stafford had gone downhill with the team... Detroit is built to be a quick strike team,and if you frustrate them they become chippy,and turn into a team of individual performers,who are trying to outdo each other,and it is simply not working too well... next they play the New Orleans Saints,on Sunday Night Football,a week from tomorrow,and maybe without Ndamukong Suh,in New Orleans,and if you do not believe that Drew Brees,and company,are not tough at home:ask the Packers,who made two stops,late in game,to beat them 42-34,opening week,and can the Lions out-score the Saints,and play good defense,to beat the Saints... doubtful,on what i saw,on Thanksgiving Day...

funny fact...

the New Orleans Saints have lost every opening coin flip,all eleven... odds of that:2,048 to 1

commentary...

i could say a lot about the game yesterday,and i will later on today,but i want to address one issue that simply irritates me no end... games like football,and hockey(two sports that i cover)have become me-first leagues,not so much hockey,but there are instances,in hockey... the non-apology apology of Ndamukong Suh for stomping a Packers' player(Evan Dietrich-Smith) is an example of simply a very talented,but very dirty,and arrogant player,who need to have his comeuppance dealt to him,and him being a diva,does give the NFL,the Lions,and pro football a black eye... Suh "apologized" to his teammates,coaches,organization,but not a word to the player he literally stomped on,in Dietrich-Smith,and his tone in his press conference was one of an arrogance born of an immature man,and simply part of the punkish attitude of the Lions,and their coach,Jim Schwartz... the Lions have become the poster children of the me first generation of simple punks... they are a very talented team,but their attitude as a team really does suck,and i am afraid that the officials are going to watch them more closely,and it may cost them big time in the future... as for Suh,being a repeat offender(as the NFL sees it),he may not get off lightly,because on November 1st,he met with Roger Goodell(NFL Commissioner),and said all the right things to him,but now this:i expect a hefty fine,but the NFL must not be too happy with his comments,and simple lack of remorse,for his actions,and for Lions' coach Jim Schwartz to just repeat Suh's comments about what happened,is simply a disgrace to the coaching profession,period...

Lions' growl muted...

Packers 27,Lions 15... Packers 11-0...

injury update...

Houston Texans' quarterback Matt Schaub,who suffered a lisfranc(foot)joint injury,last week,against Tampa Bay,will undergo season-ending surgery,next week...

comments...

if i was on the Detroit Lions' coaching staff,i would keep eye on Tramon Williams,in Packers' defensive backfield... for second time in his NFL career,he has intercepted passes in three consecutive games,including two passes,against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,and four interceptions,in last three games... Packers have intercepted five passes,in last three games...

various NFL tidbits...

Kyle Orton got claimed off waivers from the Denver Broncos,by the Kansas City Chiefs...
Buffalo Bills' running back Fred Jackson is out for the rest of the season,because of a broken fibula...
so far,only one team has not allowed a rushing touchdown,all year:the San Francisco 49ers...

Packers' trivia...

the Packers have scored 3,386 points,allowing 2,889 points,in the rivalry,with the Lions,with a overall record of 89-65-7*...
*with two Packers' playoff wins:record is 91-65-7

NFL news...

Denver Broncos waived Kyle Orton,the starting quarterback,opening week,clearing the way for quarterback Tim Tebow,to be the starting quarterback...

commentary...

i "despise" the teams,in the NFC North,but i am getting to the point of feeling disrespected,as a fan of the Packers,about the attitude of the Detroit Lions,towards the Packers,as alumni now,are badmouthing the Packers...
Hall of Fame member Joe Schmidt has said that his team,the 1962 Detroit Lions,were a better team than the Packers,and have to admit,maybe they were,in handing the Packers their only loss,of that season,26-14,Thanksgiving Day,that season,but if they were that good,they would have met the Packers,in NFL Championship,instead of the New York Giants,in 1962(the Packers won that game,37-0)... Mr. Schmidt,when was the Lions' last championship? 1957,and have the Lions won only one playoff game,since? yes,i am correct... the Packers have won 13 NFL championships,and nine NFL Championships(five separate NFL,championships,including four Super Bowls),since 1962,five years,after your latest NFL Championship... if you want to look at the Lions' history,their offensive teams have been very pathetic,since Bobby Layne left town,for Pittsburgh,and the Steelers... Layne did say that the Lions will not win another championship,in a newspaper interview,after being traded to Pittsburgh,in 1957... have they won anything since,Mr.Schmidt? no,sir!!!!!! have a nice day,Joe....

beatdown of the week...

Dolphins 35,Bills 8... when your team scores only eight points(two field goals,and a safety),and rush for 41 yards(using four running backs even to do that),and your quarterback got intercepted,and sacked twice,and have opponent force a fumble,and finally,got punt blocked,for another seven points,even eight points seems to be a great number of points... they have been outscored,106-26,in last three games(which,in Bills' franchise history,is worst point difference,ever-80 points)... they have stunk,even for a 5-5 team,which is their record,and finally they deserve the dubious honor of being on the roll of beatdown victims,of the week...

a bad omen for Packers?

in games,in Detroit,the Packers have lost more games,than have won,in team history,against the Detroit Lions(41-36-3,Detroit leads),not including a playoff victory,against Detroit,because of the old gunslinger,Brett Favre...

NFL news...

Chicago Bears' quarterback Jay Cutler broke thumb on his throwing hand,against San Diego Chargers,and is out indefinitely... Caleb Hanie,last year's near-hero,against Packers,in NFC Championship Game,will start,for Bears...

commentary...

i know that is a football blog,but this post is for the hidden redneck,in all of us:
the NASCAR season came to a close,with the closest finish,in NASCAR history:
after 36 races,and a ten race chase for the Sprint Cup Championship,Tony Stewart,and Carl Edwards actually tied point for point,and finished in a literal dead heat... amazing as that is,Stewart won tiebreaker,with five wins to one,for Edwards,and had to win the Homestead-Miami Ford 400,to win the championship... if someone,but Stewart,had won,and Stewart finished second,and Edwards finished third,Edwards would have won the Championship,and finally Stewart had zero wins going into the Chase,and won five of the last ten races,of the season... funny thing is that Stewart said in an interview that he was happy to be in Chase,but that he did not give himself much of a chance,and that he was filling space,in the Chase... what space to fill!!!!!!! Congrats,Tony!!!

NFL news...

Chiefs/Patriots tonight,Monday Night Football...

commentary...

Packers never trailed in game... Aaron Rodgers had a sub-par game,so far,for him,only three touchdowns,and an interception(299 yards),and Jordy Nelson had two touchdown catches,including a 40 yard catch and run,that gave Packers the final momentum,to overcome Buccaneers... Packers' defense had two sacks on Josh Freeman,and Tramon Williams had two interceptions to stop Tampa Bay drives... Tampa Bay had one big play-a 54 yard run,for LaGarrette Blount,but Packers offense,and team made stops on Buccaneers' offense,when at all possible,and Rodgers threw the 40 yard touchdown,to Nelson,and then Williams intercepted his second pass,and took it deep into Buccaneers' territory,only to have Mason Crosby miss his first field goal,of the year,but the Packers gave the Buccaneers a long field,and simply not enough time on clock to do anything,and already down by nine points,35-26,and that was the final score... Packers were sub-par on offense,but defense stood up,and had the dirty job,of being more superior today,but that is why the Packers are good:they are a team,not only Aaron Rodgers,and company,but a complete team...

game score...

REDEMPTION!!!!!!!!! Packers 35,Buccaneers 26... Packers 10-0...

NFL history...

B.J. Raji,of the Packers,became the first nose tackle,in NFL history,to score a touchdown,rushing the ball,in first half,of the Packers/Buccaneers game,today...

Packers' history,and NFL trivia...

including a playoff victory,Packers hold series lead,30-21-1,but since the shift to the NFC South,before the 2002 season the former division rival,have won four of last five games,between the teams... both teams have played each other,at least once,except 1976,1982,2004,2006,2007,and 2010,since Tampa Bay become a NFL team,in 1976... BONUS:what year was Tampa Bay,in AFC West? answer:1976,when Seattle,was in NFC West,and Tampa Bay was in AFC West,then Seattle switched to the AFC West,and Tampa Bay switched to NFC Central,in 1977...

commentary...

on the day of the Packers' 38-28 loss(November,8,2009),the day started off bad,with a broken water pipe,in the visitors' dressing room,at Raymond James Stadium,in Tampa,that flooded the room,and forced the Packers' players to be taped in hallway,under the stadium stands,then the game started:a blocked punt for a touchdown,blowing an eleven point lead,in fourth quarter,and an interception return for a touchdown,in final seconds,and the Packers lost to a winless team,and a quarterback,in his first NFL start,and Mike McCarthy said that it was a,"wake-up call",to him,and for the team... now for REDEMPTION,tomorrow....

funny popularity list in Wisconsin....

1:Abraham Lincoln,91%
2:Jesus Christ,90%
3:Aaron Rodgers,89%
4:George Washington,86%
5:Mother Theresa,83%
6:Martin Luther King,Jr,74%
7:Santa Claus,67%
8:Mohandas K. Gandhi,64%
9:Nelson Mandela,64%
10:Steve Jobs,62%
source:PPP

NFL news...

Baltimore Ravens' All-Pro Ray Lewis,who has started 57 consecutive games,will miss game,against the Cincinnati Bengals,with a toe injury....

trivia...

in 1962 regular season,Packers lost only one game,to the Detroit Lions,26-14,in which they sacked Bart Starr eleven times.... the Packers stomped the New York Giants,37-0,in the NFL championship,later on in playoffs,that season,in the second biggest shutout,in NFL championship history

commentary...

the two words that was said during Lions' practice,i truly find disgusting,and will not mention here,but the NFL should discipline the Lions,for their coaches for using that language,during practice,because it gives the NFL a black eye,if they do not discipline the team,with a fine...

Packers' history...

both Greg Jennings,and Jordy Nelson have seven touchdown catches,so far,this season... if both get to double digits,in touchdown catches,they will be the first pair of receivers,in the 92 year history,of the Green Bay Packers,to do the feat,in same season...

commentary...

on the other side of the classy team,you have the Minnesota Vikings... they have had a very bad year,and they are probably not too happy with the season that they are having(guaranteed on that fact)... they get crushed by the Packers,45-7(the biggest rout in game history-102 meetings between the teams),and you do not hear squat from the team,about opponents,but the usual chatter,saying that their opponents have played much better,and that they have let games slip away this season... they may feel that they had the Packers on the hook,for a loss,the first time they played the Packers(a 33-27 loss,in Minnesota),and for just over a half,they played well,but you do not hear a peep from the Vikings' coaches,or players,outside of the locker team... i have to give one Vikings' player,besides Adrian Peterson,a compliment and that is one Christian Ponder,because Ponder has shown something that few players have shown me,a real sense of class,an intellect for the game that few players have,and a refusal to quit,even when down by 38 points... that is important,because you have a string of wins going,and everybody singing your praises,but then your team is lousy,but your quarterback has same attitude,"go out,and win",and even though you do not win,you say to your team,and to yourself,that next time,we will get them... he reminds me of a young Steve Young,or Joe Montana,in the way that he carries himself,and the games between the Packers,and Vikings,in the near future,should be really fun to watch(Rodgers,vs. Ponder),and i will probably "despise" Ponder,as a Viking,but will never disrespect him,because he is a football player,not just a quarterback...

commentary...

if you need to curse everybody,outside your team,to prepare your team to be ready for rest of season,then well folks,your team is the Detroit Lions... receivers coach Shawn Jefferson gathered receivers together,and said two words,and team repeated chant... what a real bunch of mental midgets!!!!!!! my opinion of this team has hit an all-time low,because if it is "us against the world",i can understand that,but to curse everybody who may disagree with your team,and treat them with disrespect,when your team just got toasted by Chicago,37-13,and you have lost three of the last four games,and shown little team,and coaching,class,in that time,and then you pull a stunt like that,in saying a word that i can not,and will not mention here,your team is in deep trouble,or at least,your coaching staff needs to be disciplined,by the NFL,because they have shown a total lack of respect,and class,,and have given the coaching ranks,and the NFL,a black eye with your moronic behaviour...

crime news...

NFL suspended former Packer Johnny Jolly received six years in prison,for violation of his probation,on criminal charge,of distributing codeine,and after three arrests in three years,judge had enough of his criminal activity... all three arrests involve the drug codeine,plus last arrest involved tampering with evidence.... he last played for the Packers,in 2009,before his trouble with,"the law"... what a real waste of a person!!!!!! i have zero sympathy for him...

Packers' history...

the last game between the Packers,and Buccaneers,won by the Buccaneers,38-28,on November 8,2009,and game mentioned to the team more than a few times this week,by coach Mike McCarthy,was also a historical game,in the Packers' team history... it was game number 1,200,in team history...

NFL news...

Houston Texans' quarterback Matt Schaub has a lisfranc joint injury(Tarsometataral Articulations*),of the right foot,and could be out,for the 2011-2012 season...
*Grey's Anatomy

NFL news...

Vince Lombardi's favorite player,and Hall of Fame member,and former Green Bay Packer,Forrest Gregg has been told by doctors that he has Parkinson's disease... to him,and his family,prayers go out to him...

Packers' historical trivia...

since 1921,and up to this week,the Packers have scored,24,735 points,and allowed opponents,21,635 points,as a team...

commentary...

it was so lopsided last night that Aaron Rodgers was on bench,with about ten minutes left,in game,with Packers up,38-7... Rodgers was 23 completions,in 30 attempts,for 250 yards,with four touchdowns(Matt Flynn ran for a touchdown,to close scoring)... Clay Matthews had two sacks(out of three team sacks),and Tramon Williams intercepted a pass,even though Charles Woodson dropped a sure interception,(and he had no one in front of him to stop him from going to the "house",all the way back for touchdown)... Adrian Peterson was held to 51 yards rushing,on fourteen carries... Vikings did have a scoring drive:2 plays 13 yards,when Randall Cobb muffed punt... Minnesota could not have scored,at all,because the Packers' defense had stopped everybody,pounded,and bodily punished the Vikings,all night,except for muffed punt,by Cobb... however,to give props to Cobb,on opening punt,by the Vikings,he ran punt back 80 yards,for touchdown,so Packers' offense was on field for first time,with a 7-0 lead,and they were off to a big rout...

NFL North standings...

Green Bay Packers 9-0
Detroit Lions 6-3
Chicago Bears 6-3
Minnesota Vikings 2-7
the division listing is from NFL... i put Detroit ahead of Chicago,because of current playoff seeding,if season ended today...

game score,and comment...

Packers 45,Vikings 7... except for a muffed punt,by Randall Cobb,Packers played best game of year... for example,four possessions,in second half,four touchdowns...

Packers' news...

Vikings/Packers,tonight... may need a heart start,after game,because it is almost always is a dogfight,between every team in NFC North...

injury report...

reports say that Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback Michael Vick suffered broken ribs,in first quarter,against the Arizona Cardinals(a 21-17,loss to the Cardinals)
Matt Schaub,of the Houston Texans,has a "significant" foot injury,and Matt Leinart(USC alum)will start after their bye week,against the Jacksonville Jaguars...

correction...

David Nelson,of the Buffalo Bills,did catch a pass for eleven yards,but the touchdown pass that he did catch,was the three yard variety...

NFL North smackdown,and a team brawl...

Chicago Bears smacked down the Detroit Lions,37-13,and both teams fought a line brawl,and at least one player got tossed... Bears intercepted Matthew Stafford four times,caused six turnovers,and RETURNED two interceptions,and had a punt return,for touchdowns... to quote Tom Berman(ESPN),a NFC Norris smackdown...

Packers' news...

Packers/Vikings,tomorrow night,Monday Night Football... third game,of four on primetime,so far,and only Monday Night Football appearance...

beatdown of the week...

Cowboys 44,Bills 7... they dominated the game from opening kickoff... Bills' quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick got intercepted three times,and running game for Bills,was Fred Jackson who ran for the quietest 114 yards,seen this season,by a running back,because Fitzpatrick threw 20 completions,for 146 yards,with three interceptions... Dallas Cowboys' first four offensive drives went for touchdowns,and was never threatened by Buffalo,whose only highlight was an eleven yard touchdown pass to David Nelson,who gave the ball to his girlfriend,along with a hug... one problem:his girlfriend is a Dallas Cowboys' cheerleader,one Kelsi Reich... Tony Romo had a big day,throwing 23 completions,in 26 attempts,for 270 yards,with three touchdowns... DeMarco Murray ran for 135 yards,with a touchdown... Cowboys' defense got three interceptions,and forced a fumble,off the Bills' offense... beatdown of the week,yes!!!!!!!!!!!!

commentary...

three weeks ago,i told you how to beat the Vikings... nothing has changed,but the Packers have to keep Adrian Peterson,in check,and let Christian Ponder try to beat you... the Vikings were nine for sixteen on third down,and the Packers have to watch out for the big play(example:72 yard pass play,on first play from scrimmage,that gave the Vikings momentum,in Minnesota)... unfortunately,for the Vikings,this game is in Green Bay,at Lambeau Field... the one man that the Packers have to stop,on defense,is Jared Allen,who is on pace,to shatter the NFL record,for most sacks,in a season,and who has twelve,and a half sacks,so far... keep Aaron Rodgers upright most of the game,and doubleteam Allen,or have a running back give Allen a chip block every so often... the Packers should win,if they find a way to stop Peterson,Allen,and Ponder from causing too much damage,and home cooking(being at home)should help them...

veteran's help...

Minnesota Vikings' Jared Allen has a charity,for wounded warriors named,"Homes for Wounded Warriors"... well,Josh Bullis is a triple amputee,who stepped on an IED,in Afghanistan,in September,2010... while Bullis took advantage of the housing foreclosure market,in Peoria,Arizona,he needed to retrofit his house,for his use,so Allen's charity retrofitted his house,to give him assistance... very nice...

funny story...

after the San Diego Chargers lost to the Oakland Raiders,last night,a drunk fan walked into wrong house,in Pacific Beach California,and fell asleep on couch... the owner,a 81 year old lady,found him asleep on couch,and called police,who charged him with being drunk in public... what a hangover!!!!!!!

football oddity...

Buffalo Bills' running back Fred Jackson used to live in Arlington,Texas... that is good news,but when he walks into Cowboys Stadium,he will be literally stepping into the neighborhood,where he grew up... in fact,the southwestern corner of the stadium,is where his childhood home stood... the Buffalo Bills plays the Cowboys,this Sunday...

commentary...

pundits are talking about the Packers going undefeated,in regular season,but at 8-0,it is way too early... only one team(2007 New England Patriots)have gone 16-0,but lost Super Bowl,to the New York Giants... if i was a true fan,which i am,i rather win the Super Bowl,than go for 16-0,because championships matter more than records... the Packers have had a very good start to season,but the pass defense worry me more than wins,in regular season... there are weaknesses in the Packers' team,but these can be corrected,and with Aaron Rodgers,the Packers' offense,and Clay Matthews,Charles Woodson,and company on the field,they will be tough to beat...
the Packers,so far,have been very healthy,relative to last year,when they lost,at least,fifteen players,to injured reserve,so they did not need to go into free agency,so much.. the Packers have been tough to beat,because they average just under 35 points,a game(34.375)... Mike McCarthy could be coach of the year,but will not be,because too many very good coaching jobs,this year,like the Cincinnati Bengals',and the Buffalo Bills' coaching jobs,which have been spectacular in their seasons... winning the Super Bowl is more important than having records... is 19-0,possible,by the record,yes... but not too likely...

Packers' schedule...

the Minnesota Vikings' game against the Packers kicks off three games in eleven days... the last time that it happened,in 2009,the Packers won all three games,at that time... they play the Minnesota Vikings,Monday night;the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,Sunday November 20th,and Detroit Lions,Thanksgiving Day,November 24th(early game,of three games,that day)...

comment...

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a interview,"that all three NFL California stadiums are not up to NFL standards",meaning simply he wants taxpapers to pay for the upgrade,or new stadiums,in San Diego,Oakland,and San Francisco... i do not want to mention what i think of NFL commissioner Goodell...

BREAKING NEWS...

Penn State University trustees fired football coach Joe Paterno,and university president Graham Spanier,in wake of scandal at Penn State... my opinion is that the trustees read Paterno's statement,about retiring at end of the current season,and his arrogance of telling the trustees that they should not fire him,"because of many more important things that they have to handle,and i want to make it as easy as i can",meaning retiring at end of season... what arrogance!!!!!!!

update on Packers' stock sale...

according to ESPN,the Green Bay Packers have contacted the state of Utah for feedback,from regulators,on a proposed stock sale,for the team's fifth stock sale... the Packers' stock sale could be "on,or around November 15th",as the report says... if true,i will be very happy... stock in the NFL team will not increase in value,or give a dividend,to the shareholder,but will give voting rights to the stockholder,in team affairs... as of right now,there are 112,205 stockholders... personally,i am taking this with a grain of salt,but i am preparing for the Packers' press release,announcing the opening of the stock sale......

trivia...

Minnesota Vikings' coach Leslie Frazier has won a Super Bowl ring-as a player-was defensive back,with the Chicago Bears(1981-1986),when they won Super Bowl XX,in 1985...

Joe Frazier RIP...

one quote says it all,from Muhammad Ali:"the world has lost a great Champion... i will always remember Joe,with respect,and admiration... my sympathy goes out to his family,and loved ones..." nothing is anymore poignant than that...

NFL news...

NFL has moved its Indianapolis Colts/New England Patriots game(December 4th),off Sunday Night Football... one of the choices to be moved could be the Packers/New York Giants game... they did it under their flexible scheduling,after week 10,in which they can moved one of the afternoon games,to Sunday night... they have not decided,on any game,for that week's Sunday Night Football game,yet...

Joe Paterno out,as Penn State coach...

reports,out of State College,PA,say that Penn State coach Joe Paterno will be out,in wake of former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky being accused of child molestation,of eight kids,dating back to 2002... Paterno won 409 games,as Penn State's coach... the university is trying to give Paterno a grateful exit...

Packers' breakdown...

i am very happy with the Packers' offense,because it is very good.. however,the defense is giving up too many passing yards,to be very happy,with the overall health of the team... being 8-0 is very nice,but one question:can the Packers stop anyone when they need to do it,at critical times? with the playoffs coming up,they need to tighten up their overall defense,and keep Rodgers fresh,and offense clicking on all cylinders;a better running game would help,to close out more games,and a tighter defense would show that the Packers are,really are,the best team in NFL... two,or three games,that have been close(points-wise) should not have been that close,if the defense had really played better,in the fourth quarter,and that makes this true Packers' fan quite angry...

commentary...

the Packers scored four touchdowns,on offense,with Aaron Rodgers throwing four touchdown passes,with no turnovers(21-26,for 247 yards)... Philip Rivers had four touchdowns,but had three interceptions,two returned for touchdowns(Charlie Peprah,two;one for touchdown,and Tramon Williams returned one interception,for touchdowm-both were returned,on back to back defensive series,to go up,21-7,early in first period,and even though the Packers are 31st in NFL,on pass defense,they may give up a lot of yards,on defense(i am nowhere happy about that),the team is averaging just under 35 points(34.375)per game,and scored 45 points,today... Aaron Rodgers is playing so very well that he is threatening three all-time NFL records(two,being all-time passer rating,and all-time passing percentage)for a season,and has had a passer rating of over 110,for every game,this season... Philip Rivers made it a game the last twelve minutes,but being down,45-24,at that point,was almost impossible to climb out of that hole,and the Packers also out-rushed the Chargers,136-85,with Rodgers running for 52 yards,with a 25 yard rush(high on team),and Peprah had two interceptions,(one 40 yard touchdown return,and a 76 yard interception return(got dragged out,at the three,or four yard line),to basically put the "dagger",in the Chargers,with seconds left in game... one kneel down,and game over...

game score...

Packers 45,Chargers 38... commentary later... Packers,8-0....

beatdown of the week...

Miami Dolphins 31,Kansas City 3... when your team beats a first place team(Kansas City Chiefs-AFC West),and do it,by 28 points,for your first win of the year,after losing two double digit leads,in last quarter,in last two weeks,and Miami did the deed,in Kansas City,and stop the Chiefs,on downs,inside your own ten yard line,not once,but twice,you deserve the beatdown of the week...

Packers' news...

Packers/Chargers,today... Packers are 4-1,in game after bye,under coach Mike McCarthy...

two major disappointments in NFL...

Chris Johnson,of the Tennessee Titans,ran for 2,006 yards,in 2009,hence his nickname,CJ2K,but has only run for 302 yards,on 107 carries,in 2011... he wanted long term big money contract extension,and held out,basically for training camp... he has stunk all year... more like CJ no K... Peyton Hillis,of the Cleveland Browns,who ran for 1,177 yards,and eleven touchdowns,last year,has run for only 211 yards,and is out(hamstring injury),for at least this week's game,against the Houston Texans... he also wants big money,for a contract extension... i really do not respect players,who have one very good year,get an inflated ego,and think they are better than everyone else,and simply do not work out as hard as they should... Chris Johnson,and Peyton Hillis are very talented players,but they really did not come into camp,or the season,in football shape,or in Johnson's case,any shape,at all,because Johnson has really stunk up the joint,this season... in other words,i think both of those gentlemen have become mental divas,because they surely have their priorities mixed up...

injury update...

Green Bay Packers' offensive lineman Mike Neal suffered non-contact left knee injury,in training camp,but may be on practice field next week...

Packers' injury report...

Josh Sitton,Clay Matthews,Frank Zombo,Sam Shields,and Morgan Burnett are among the major players on injury report,but are expected to play... Mike Neal,and Chad Clifton are out this week...

What odds are these...

a sportscaster(Barry Deley),for Global BC,up in Vancouver won a children's charity lottery,up in Vancouver,British Columbia,recently... it was put on by Global BC,to benefit the charity,and drawn live on television... funny thing is that they mispronounced his last name a few times,did not realize it was their colleague,so they called him and checked his address,and they asked him when was he coming back to work... his response,"maybe after Christmas"... he won his choice:one of five different houses,or $2 million,Canadian...

tough player...

since Clay Matthews,of the Green Bay Packers,has been listed,in week 3,as injured,in the last five weeks,he has two sacks,six tackles for loss,four pass deflections,and nine quarterback hits... if only he was healthy... last year,he played the last half of regular season,plus playoffs,with a hairline fracture,of his tibia(was told he had a sore shin),and missed only one game,last season... supposedly,he has a bad quadriceps pull...

trivia...

the Packers,and the San Francisco 49ers are the only undefeated road teams,in NFL,this season... (Packers are 4-0,and 49ers are 3-0)... if the Packers win Sunday,they will start 5-0,on road,for only the fourth time,in seventy years...

opponent's injury report

every major running back for the Chargers sat out practice today,with hamstring problems,but Ryan Matthews,and Mike Tolbert(their bruiser)expect to play,Sunday afternoon,against the Packers... wide receiver Antonio Gates also has hamstring problems,but expects to play,too...

comment...

to prepare myself for the Packers' game,against the San Diego Chargers,i intend to listen to the Chargers' game radio broadcast,against the Kansas City Chiefs(Monday Night Football),on NFL.com Audio Pass,sometime today...

kiss of death,for Jim Caldwell??(vote of confidence)...

Indianapolis Colts' vice chairman Bill Poilan is upset,at the record,of the 0-8 Indianapolis Colts,saying that"team is what record is says it is",stating that the team has failed to execute,"time after time,repeatedly",and fired off a long list of issues that plagued the Colts...
he is very upset,and states that,"fans have right to be upset",but states that he still backs Colts' coach Jim Caldwell... good luck,Jim!!!!!!!

commentary...

even though,San Diego is 4-3,and a very dangerous team,Chargers' quarterback Philip Rivers has thrown more interceptions(nine),than touchdowns(seven),and can Packers' defense shut him down? yes,but must keep Chargers from throwing it deep,and often,and with Packers ranked 31st,in passes given up,over 20 yards,in the NFL,that is the weakness in the Packers' defense,but which Chargers' quarterback is going to show up? the one last year,whose offense(San Diego's)was ranked first overall,or is it the one who melted down,against the Jets,in second half,of that game,losing an eleven point lead,and fumbled away a possible win,against the Chiefs,last night... if last year's quarterback shows up,the Packers will have a shootout on their hands,but if the quarterback of the last two weeks shows up,San Diego is in deep trouble,because the Packers will pound on them,offensively,to the tune,of a great deal of points,and the defense will smother the Chargers' receivers,and cause turnovers... interesting game,this week??

unique historical trivia

let us go back to 1942:Don Hutson,for the Green Bay Packers,caught 74 passes,for 1,211 yards,and 17 touchdowns... good numbers,nowadays,but let me tell you how great those numbers were,back in 1942:second place receiver in NFL,caught only 27 passes,and had 571 yards,receiving,and had single digits in touchdowns... it was like George Herman "Babe" Ruth,hitting 54 home runs,in 1919,and second place was in the teens... he told a reporter one time that for every catch he had,in game,that he caught 1,000 passes,in practice... his first ever catch,in NFL,was a 80 yard catch,against the Chicago Bears,in a Packers' 7-0 win...

unique trivia...

in his rookie season,Chicago Bears' Gale Sayers only touched the football 232 times,and scored 22 touchdowns,including six touchdowns,in game,in mud,against the San Francisco 49ers,in Chicago...

Packers' player history...

Brandon Saine was a free agent out of Ohio State...
Paul Fenaroli was an undrafted free agent,out of University of Stony Brook(N.Y.)...
Anthony Levine came out of Tennessee State,last year,and was on practice squad,all last year,and first two games of 2011 preseason,for the Packers...

Packers' roster moves...

Green Bay Packers signed running back Brandon Saine,off the practice squad,and elevated him to 53 man roster;put running back Alex Green,on injured reserve(ending his 2011 season),and signed center Paul Fenaroli,and safety Anthony Levine,to practice squad... they also released center/guard Cecil Newton,from the practice squad...

my blogs' history...

this is first time,in both of my blogs' history that both blogs have had 100+blogposts,in a month...

commentary...

the Detroit Lions are fast becoming a team that i have no real respect... after beating the Denver Broncos,45-10,some players took after their coach,who badmouthed Jim Harbaugh,after a loss to the 49ers,they ridiculed Broncos' quarterback Tim Tebow,by saying that he was a "joke",and saying that he may be a great athlete,but not a great quarterback... i will defend Tebow on this one point:to the players,who ridiculed Tebow,grow up,and understand that he has had five career starts,over two seasons,and who really knows how Tebow will do,over his NFL career,and to the Lions' organization,i say to you,your team,and coach have shown no class,and respect to opponents,this season... respect earns respect...

Rob Ryan,shut your mouth....

Dallas Cowboys' defensive coordinator Rob Ryan called the Philadelphia Eagles,an "all-hype" team,referring to many pundits,calling them,a "dream team"... Philadelphia had gotten many top end free agents in the off-season;that was reason for the label... so Philadelphia put the Cowboys down,and shut him,and them up by pounding out 34 points,and dominating for about 42 minutes,and tore apart the then-top ranked run defense for 239 rushing yards(most since week 16,2008),in a 34-7 pounding of the Cowboys... Ryan is twin brother,of Rex Ryan(New York Jets' coach),and son of Buddy Ryan,who won Super Bowl XX,as defensive coordinator,for the Chicago Bears,as the Bears dismantled the New England Patriots,46-10(second biggest rout,in Super Bowl history,behind the San Francisco 49ers' 55-10 rout of the Denver Broncos)

beatdown of the week...

Lions 45,Broncos 10... after giving up a field goal to go down,3-0,the Lions scored 45 straight points,including two turnovers returned for a touchdown(24 yard fumble return,and a 100 yard interception return),and sacked Tim Tebow seven times,and forced two turnovers,so the Lions put a 40-burger(45 points),on a Broncos' team that was outmuscled,outmatched,and simply dominated throughout the game,and did that,to the Broncos,in front of the Broncos' own fans... Tebow Time got stopped,smashed,crushed,mowed over,and buried,today...

special note...

after 267 games,as coach,of the Oakland Raiders,Denver Broncos,and now,the Washington Redskins,Mike Shanahan finally got his team shut out,as the Redskins got hammered,23-0,in Toronto,by the Buffalo Bills... way to go,Mike!!!!!!!! nice going!!!!!(you think that i do not like Shanahan,as a coach)(laughing)...

upset of the year...

St. Louis Rams 31,New Orleans Saints 21...

NFC North this week....

Lions/Broncos
Vikings/Panthers
Bears,and Packers are on their bye week...
what fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lowlight in life...

an attorney for Dodgers' owner,Frank McCourt,says that fight that almost killed San Francisco Giants' fan Bryan Stow,opening night of season,was partly Bryan Stow's fault... i really find that disgusting,and hope the Dodgers get their corporate tail kicked,in court,because that it is just about the stupidest thing i have ever heard,in my life...

induction into,"Honor Roll",in Philadelphia...

the Philadelphia Eagles will induct late defensive coordinator Jim Johnson,in their "Honor Roll",Sunday,during halftime,of their game,against Dallas Cowboys,in Philadelphia... he died July 28,2009,of melanoma... to the family,it will be bittersweet,and well-deserved...

trivia about fines,by NFL...

when a player is fined,the NFL deducts the fine from his paycheck....

commentary...

my opinion on,"the kick for two",(kick of T.J. Lang,in the groin,by Brian Robison),during game,with Minnesota,was unintentional,by Robison... he was trying to get up,and as he(in his own words),"was trying to get him off me",so he kicked his foot out... even though i did not like the Vikings,i honestly do not think that NFL players normally do not do anything intentional to hurt other players,because they do know that it could be them on the turf,the next time that they get tackled,or hit,because NFL football may be tough,and players do not have a long career(on average)... true fans understand that...

NFL news...

Buffalo Bills,and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick agree on a six year contract extension;worth just under $60 million,over six years,with $24 million,guaranteed...

foot in mouth disease outbreak....

now for a lowlight:Cincinnati Bengals' coach Marvin Lewis criticized quarterback Carson Palmer for"quitting on team,before season ended",for the Bengals,late last season,and then called it a blessing!!!!!! OPEN MOUTH,INSERT FOOT,Marvin!!!!! way to go,for a moronic comment...

prayers for Kris...

San Diego Chargers Pro Bowl left guard Kris Dielman will miss at least two games,because of seizure,suffered on flight home,after also suffering concussion,against New York Jets... the Chargers play Denver Broncos,and then play Green Bay Packers,next week... prayers for him,and his family go out to him...

special beatdown of the week...

because of the New Orleans Saints' 62-7 crushing of the Indianapolis Colts,Sunday night,i thought that i would not add a second game,to last weekend's beatdown of the week,but there was a game that also deserved mention:
Houston Texans/Tennessee Titans:when your team turn over the football three times(two interceptions,and a forced fumble)get your quarterback sacked twice,and allow 296 yards passing,and 232 rushing yards(Arian Foster,115 yards,two touchdowns,and Ben Tate,104 yards,with a long run of 24 yards,and Matt Schaub threw for 296 yards,with two touchdown passes),score 27 unanswered points,and just allow Matt Hasselbeck,and Jake Locker,only 116 passing yards,and allow Titans' running game to a paltry 53 yards,and score your only touchdown pass,on a 4th,and 5(goal),after being down,27-0,and then have the Texans score 14 more points,in fourth quarter,for a 41-7 pounding,of the Titans... the Titans deserve also the dubious honor of the beatdown,of the week...

unusual trivia....(but good trivia about what NFL teams do)...

San Diego Chargers' players,and cheerleaders sell special edition newspapers,on their 22nd annual Kid's Newsday,to benefit Rady Children's Hospital,in San Diego,recently...

Favre news...

Brett Favre visited U.S. troops,at Camp Shelby,Mississippi...

sad NFL history...

the late NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle said the biggest regret was making decision of playing the weekend of JFK's assassination-being the only major sport to do it...

Packers',and NFL news...

Minnesota Vikings' Brian Robison got fined $20,000 for kicking T.J. Lang,of the Green Bay Packers,in the groin,Sunday,during game... Robison apologized to Lang,and he said that he regrets it,and will make sure that it will not happen again...

Packers' history...

since 2000,the Packers have record,after the bye week,over the balance of season,of 66-29(.629)...

Packers',and NFL trivia...

1990 San Francisco 49ers,1998 Denver Broncos,2007 Indianapolis Colts,and the 2011 Green Bay Packers are the four teams,to start 7-0,after their Super Bowl win,the previous year...

update on Terrell Owens...

Terrell Owens had a public workout today,at Calabasas(CA.)high school... no NFL team showed up... he looked very good,after surgery on his left knee,but honestly he is not in game shape(extension in knee,calf,and thigh,is not where it should be),but knowing T.O.,he may be ready for a team,looking to go deep in playoffs,but character issues(loud mouth)has been the real baggage,on T.O.'s career... numbers are there,for consideration,for Hall of Fame,but sportswriters are a fickle bunch

sad health news...

Washington Redskins' quarterback Rex Grossman has been hospitalized with pneumonia,and a fever... if healthy,Sunday,he will back up,John Beck,against the Buffalo Bills,at Rogers Centre,in Toronto,Ontario,Canada... hope he recovers shortly...

commentary...

the one concern that Mike McCarthy(Packers' coach)mentioned during his post-game comments were on defense;27th in yards allowed,and 31st in pass defense(giving up big plays is a concern),but when you average 32.8 points a game;4th,in total offensive yards,and 3rd,in passing yards,and Aaron Rodgers has a overall passer rating,of 125.7,for the entire season... the defense has had injuries,to key people(Mike Neal,Nick Collins,Charles Woodson,and Clay Matthews are among the players that have been injured,at some time,this year)... sacks aside,Clay Matthews has has a very good year,tipping passes,and stopping the run... giving up 175 yards to Adrian Peterson yesterday,was not that bad,except for three carries(that kept Vikings,in game)for 108 yards(a 29,25,and a 54 yard carry)... they had a good game,on pass defense,except for opening 72 yard pass play(intercepting two passes,later in game) so Packers are no way perfect,but i will hate to face them throughout the rest of season,because very few teams can outscore them,and the defense will get better... i am saying that the Packers will be very tough to beat...

commentary...

i hope the Packers shut up the San Diego Chargers,in two weeks,because i am very tired of reading about how the Chargers believe that they should have won the New York Jets' game(they had a total team meltdown,and lost an eleven point lead,and lost 27-21,to the Jets),and they basically refuse to give credit,to the Jets,and accept blame for their inept handling of their game plan,in the second half... i know that frustration is obvious,but the Chargers have not earned any respect from me,for their boorish,and moronic badmouthing of the Jets... disrespecting another team after getting beat is just bush-league....

commentary...

San Diego Chargers' Quentin Jammer criticized the on-field officials,for an eleven point lead going away,when they were up,21-10,and the defense gave up seventeen unanswered points,to lose,27-21... first of all,referees can screw up a call,or two,but not thirteen penalties... my opinion is that Jammer is mad that he was called for pass inference during the game... the penalty gave the Jets the final three points in the Jets' win,yesterday... in fact,i am tired of hearing about the coach's gripe,about a hard handshake(Jim Schwartz,of the Detroit Lions),and now this stuff about penalties,from Jammer,and the whole defensive team,of the Falcons,who taunted,and disrespected,the Packers,during the lead-up to,and in the game,with the Packers... i am a football fan,who respects the teams the Packers play,and in NFL,in general,but the whining and being punks(like Schwartz),in their behaviour(Old English spelling)makes me sick to see,and makes me ashamed to be a true,and real fan.... you really do not want to know what my opinion is about this boorish,and stupid behaviour...

comments...

Green Bay Packers have their bye week,next week,so i will have football trivia,along with cute stories,about the Packers,and NFL... i will focus on San Diego(their next opponent),starting on Wednesday,talking about their season,so far

commentary...

have to give credit to the Vikings:opening play of game,by Christian Ponder;a 72 yard pass play,and 175 yards by Adrian Peterson,but Aaron Rodgers was 24 completions,in 30 pass attempts,for 335 yards,and three touchdowns,and Charles Woodson had two interceptions,but the Vikings refused to quit,throughout the game,and the Vikings did a lot of things right,but when you have Rodgers dissect your defense with 24 completions(13 straight,at one time),for 335 yards,and the Packers scored 23 straight points(from being down 17-10,late in the second period,to up,33-17,early in fourth period... until the last two minutes,what gave Vikings life,was the inability of the Packers,not converting on 3rd down(1 for 7)... history of note:Mason Crosby made Packers' history,by kicking a 58 yard field goal(he made four field goals,the last being the aforementioned 58 yard field goal)... it was an entertaining game,and the Vikings,Ponder,and Peterson did not give up,and fought back,and gave the Packers a good battle,but honestly,i expected that... another note:Brian Robison did the nastiest thing that a player can do to another player,he kicked T.J Lang in the groin,and was not seen again on the field... what a real punk!!!!!!!!! a great divisional matchup,period,but to see a player kick a player in the groin,was the ultimate cheap shot,and i blame Robison,and all of the Vikings' coaches,because you train a person to be a pro football player,and see Robison do that,was classless...

beatdown of the week...

Saints 62,Colts 7... when you get beat,62 to 7,on national television,you get dubious honor of beatdown of the week... enough said...

news...

commentary,and beatdown of the week,when NFL.com updates site...

Packers' score...

Packers 33,Vikings 27... Packers 7-0,with two game division lead,over Detroit...

World Series history...

sorry,football fans,but had to note this:George Herman "Babe" Ruth(1926-game 4,1928-game 4),Reggie Jackson(1977-game 6),and Albert Pujols(2011-game 3) are the only players,in Major League Baseball(MLB)history to hit three home runs,in a World Series' game... two New York Yankees,and one St. Louis Cardinals player...

Packers' history...

Mike McCarthy,as coach of the Packers,has beaten the Vikings seven of the ten times that he has coached against the Vikings... last game between the teams,in Minnesota,was 31-3,Packers... Brett Favre got pounded on that day,and the Vikings were screaming at each other,during game...

Packers/Vikings history...

this game will be the 100th game,between Packers and Vikings... Green Bay,overall,with a 51-47-1 record,but Minnesota has a home record of 25-24,against the Packers...

Packers' history...

with a win,Sunday,Green Bay will have 700 overall wins,only behind Chicago,in NFL history,with 724 wins...

RIP Gale Gillingham...

"Ice Bowl" Green Bay Packers team member Gale Gillingham has died at age 67... he was a five time Pro Bowl team member,and was drafted out of University of Minnesota,in 1966,by the Packers... condolences to his family...

trivia...

is there a quarterback starting,out of the Ivy League? answer:yes,Ryan Fitzpatrick,drafted,in 2005,out of Harvard,by the Buffalo Bills...

fun fact...

the Chicago Bears,who are in London UK,playing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,on Sunday,practiced at,"the Oval",known as one of the best cricket grounds in the world,and they played some cricket,with cricketeers,after practice...

update on Jerome Harrison...

Detroit Lions' Jerome Harrison underwent brain surgery today,for the brain tumor,discovered in trade physical,by the Philadelphia Eagles' medical staff... Best wishes,and prayers to him,and his family...

NFL news...

New Orleans Saints' center Olin Kreutz abruptly retired today,saying that "the passion (to play)was not there"... if this is it,for Kreutz,so be it,but it is very rare for a player that is not injured,to retire-just like that...

china doll revenge...

when Sean Payton had an injured player on his roster,he would give a china doll(as in fragile),as a gag to the player... well,the last Saints' player(Tracy Porter)got injured,he received the doll... well,when he got back to the Saints' office,he received many gifts,and the doll,marked,"Return to Sender"... nice revenge,Mr. Porter...

a trade that saved a life...

Detroit Lions' Jerome Harrison was traded to Philadelphia Eagles,for Ronnie Brown,but trade was voided,because Harrison failed physical... the reason? Jerome Harrison had a MRI,during physical,and told that he had brain tumor... prayers go out to him,and his family...

commentary...

the way that the Vikings win Sunday,is that the Vikings' defense contain Aaron Rodgers,and keep the Packers off the scoreboard early,and then pound away with Adrian Peterson,and have Ponder manage the game,with timely throws,and mix in runs,by Peterson,and keep football away from Rodgers,and company... honestly,they will try that at first,but the Vikings' offensive line is not that good to keep Clay Matthews,Charles Woodson,and company,from containing Peterson,all day,and keeping Ponder a real chance to manage the game... how does the Vikings stop the Green Bay offense? they do it,by keeping the ball,on critical third downs,and grind the clock down to zero,but they can not do that with a rookie quarterback,unless Peterson rushes for about 200 yards,on about 35-40 carries,but can Vikings' offense,and offensive line,hold up for entire game,and keep them in game? that is their keys to winning the game...
the Packers' keys to game is for the Packers get a lead,force Ponder to throw ball,45-50 times,and keep Peterson down to about 15-25 carries(just keep him from going on a 80 yard run,and multiple long runs),giving up 100 yards to him(which is possible),but force Ponder to beat you with passing ball(the Vikings' receiving corps,except for Percy Harvin,has been known to drop passes,or tip passes,through their hands,meaning they drop passes,and allow interceptions,and the Packers' defense has the most interceptions,since 2006(129,and counting)... Aaron Rodgers and the offense is one of the most dangerous offensive teams,and even with a 14 point lead,Rodgers can be absolutely bloodthirsty,by trying to put more points,with a big play... he has the instincts of knowing,when to go for the play that wins the game(the "dagger",as the announcers,of the Packers,put it),and the Packers just have too much weapons to beat them,this week,unless the Vikings force turnovers,and keep them off the field...

NFL news...

quarterback Christian Ponder has been announced as the starting quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings,by coach Leslie Frazier,today... the 2011 NFL first round draft pick will take over from Donavan McNabb,who started the the first six games,and,at times,did very well,but the record speaks for itself... welcome to the NFL,rookie!!!!!! you will face the World Champion Green Bay Packers,twice,in next three weeks,let alone,Lambeau Field,in three weeks... i really hope that we introduce you to a pounding,sacks,interceptions,and many more fumbles,in your Vikings' career,when you meet the Packers......

commentary...

2011 first round pick Christian Ponder will start his first NFL game,in his short career,against the World Champion Green Bay Packers,on Sunday... note:the last time that happened was when Josh Freeman,and the 0-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers,beat the Packers,38-28,in Tampa,in 2009... i would believe that Mike McCarthy(Packers' coach)would remind them of that fact... the Vikings will always be dangerous when they have Adrian Peterson in their backfield,because he may be the best running back in the NFL,period... on November 4,2007,Peterson ran for 296 yards,for the Vikings,against the San Diego Chargers(in the 2011 NFL record book,it is the record),so Peterson will be the man to stop,and pound Ponder into turnovers,and keep Peterson from going on a 80+yard run,or at least keep him under 150 yards... The Vikings started the entire season with a 103 yard kickoff return,by Percy Harvin,on opening kickoff of the 2011 season,so the Vikings may be 1-5,but i want to tell you that the Vikings lost double-digit leads,after halftime,in their first three games(San Diego-17-0,Tampa Bay-20-0,and Detroit-23-0),so Packers have to get off to a good start,and after halftime,keep team "foot",on gas,and do not let Vikings feel any momentum,in second half,and basically do the same thing that the Bears did to the Vikings,last Sunday night-take them down early,and make them,1-6,and then welcome them back to Lambeau Field,in three weeks...

commentary...

if you are excited about the Carson Palmer trade to the Oakland Raiders,the Raiders play the Packers,at Lambeau Field,on December 11th,2011... that day,the Packers will introduce Palmer,to the "FROZEN TUNDRA"... hope it snows like a blizzard,at gametime... the Raiders are a very good team,right now,but to come to Lambeau Field,in December,is going to be very fun,for the Raiders,that day... someone called Buffalo the coldest NFL city,recently,and it is cold,but Green Bay,and Buffalo are on,or near,the Great Lakes,but Green Bay is also near the Canadian Great Plains,that,like Winnipeg,it is home to some of the coldest weather,in North America(outside of Alaska),but the Canadian Maritime Provinces(New Brunswick,Prince Edward Island,and Nova Scotia,along with Lake Erie)affects Buffalo's weather,so tiebreaker goes with Green Bay... why do i say that? the Ice Bowl(1967 NFL championship),between the Packers,and the Dallas Cowboys(probably the coldest game,in NFL history,along with 1982 AFC championship,between San Diego,and Cincinnati)... BRRRR!!

NFL news...

Cincinnati Bengals trade quarterback Carson Palmer to the Oakland Raiders,for 2012 Raiders' first round pick,and a conditional 2013 second round pick(may be a first round pick,if Raiders reach AFC Championship game,i believe,this year)...

good time story...

All-Pro safety Nick Collins was on the sideline for the Rams' game "coaching" up the Packers' defense,giving them tips on how to simply play the game... to the Packers,it was good to see him on sideline... he is on injured reserve for the year...

commentary...

this may be shortest commentary,on a Packers' game:
Rams sucketh all day
Aaron Rodgers threw three touchdowns,one a 93 yard touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson
all before half time
second half:
Defense!!!!!!!! Defense!!!!!!!!! Defense!!!!!!!!!
PACKERS 24,Rams 3...

next three weeks of schedule...

at Minnesota
bye
at San Diego
Minnesota

beatdown of the week...

Bears 39,Vikings 10... when you hold Adrian Peterson to 39 yards,on twelve carries(with a long carry,of only eight yards),and sack Donavan McNabb FIVE TIMES,in only three quarters,of play(he was sat for his safety(ha,ha)... Devin Hester had two touchdowns,one on a 98 yard kickoff return,and one with 48 yard touchdown catch,from Jay Cutler... i respect the Bears,but do not like them,being a Packers' fan,but had to be impressed on how the Bears' offense scored enough points to demolish the Vikings,and see the Bears' defense basically stop the Vikings' offense stone cold,and then really pin their ears back,and pound McNabb,into the Soldier Field turf,and to see McNabb's family leave three quarters into game,was a nice touch...

RIP Dan Wheldon...

Dan Wheldon,the reigning Indy 500 champion,has died,at age 33,when his car launched into air,flipped,and burst into flames,in a 15 car pileup,during Indy-Car race,in Las Vegas,today... condolences to his family...

injury update...

New Orleans Saints' coach Sean Payton has suffered a torn medial cruciate ligament,and broken tibia,during game,with Tampa Bay Buccaneers...

game of note...

49ers 25,Lions 19... Lions,5-1,one game behind Green Bay,who is,at 6-0...

head coach injured...

New Orleans Saints' coach Sean Payton suffered a left knee injury,when Saints receiver Jimmy Graham rolled up on him,while being tackled,during first half of game,with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...

game score...

Packers 24,Rams 3... commentary,later tonight...

commentary...

two years ago,the Packers faced the then-winless,0-7,Tampa Bay Buccaneers,and quarterback Josh Freeman,coming off a bye week,and got hammered,38-28,in Tampa... ... differences that week,and this week:Aaron Rodgers was not Aaron Rodgers... the team was talented,and truly over-confident that week,and it may have been the worst overall loss,in Mike McCarthy's coaching career... since then,we have gotten battle-tested,and,as a team,very focused,and the game is at Lambeau Field where the Packers have won thirteen,of their last fourteen games... respect the,0-4,St. Louis Rams,watch for a team that has really nothing to lose,and yet finish off the game... everybody does not give the Rams a chance,but i really do,because i remember Buccaneers 38, Packers 28,and i believe the Packers remember the game...

best running backs of my time...

1)Walter Payton
2)Jim Brown
3)Gale Sayers
4)Barry Sanders
5)Emmitt Smith
story about Payton:he rushed for then-record 275 yards,with a 104 degree fever,and he played at quarterback,for the Bears,one game;only missed one game when coach sat him,in 13 years... his first game rushing totals,8 carries,for no yards...
story about Brown:he only missed a half,when he broke arm,and never failed to start a game,in his NFL career...
story about Sayers:ran every which way,for six touchdowns,against the San Francisco 49ers,as a rookie,on a muddy day...
story about Sanders:had a negative 1,000 yards on carries,but retired just short of Walter Payton's NFL rushing record...
story about Smith:played a game,against the New York Giants,with a separated shoulder,and they won the game...

odd things in Hall of Fame...

there are over 300 pieces of Packers' history,in Hall of Fame,in Canton,but the oddest thing in there may be a heating coil,installed by Vince Lombardi,before the 1967 season to Lambeau Field turf... it broke down the night before,"the Ice Bowl" game between the Dallas Cowboys,and the Packers...

heartwarming story...

DeJuan Smith-Whittaker is a senior linebacker,at Livonia-Clarenceville(Michigan) high school,which is somewhat of a miracle... six years ago,doctors told him that he had lymphoma,and would not give him clearance to play on his high school football team,even though he competed in basketball,and ran for a season on the track team... he desperately wanted to play high school football,and so,in July,doctors at Detroit's Henry Ford Hospital gave him the much-coveted thumbs-up to play high school football... in September, Smith-Whittaker led the Trojans with twelve tackles,in his first high school game... going into tonight's game,the Trojans were 3-4,this year...

commentary...

even though,the Rams are 0-4,they do have Sam Bradford,Steven Jackson,and a couple good receivers,on offense... Jackson is one of the best running backs,in the NFL,period,and Bradford did have a very good rookie season(going down to last game last season,before being eliminated,by Seattle),but the offensive line for the Rams really does sucketh,and a strong pass rush should neutralize Bradford,but a turnover-free,and strong rushing effort,by Jackson,should keep them in game,Sunday,but in time,during Dom Capers' tenure,as defensive coordinator,only five times,did a running back rush for more than 100 yards,against the Packers... the Rams' weakness on defense is in the defensive backfield,because they are inexperienced,in terms of playing on the field,and the Packers' strength is in their receiving corps,and Aaron Rodgers,along with a improving running game... give the Rams respect but do not feel over-confident,because the Rams can win,but they must play the perfect game,to do it...

Packers' news...

Packers' safety Morgan Burnett broke hand during a blitz drill,and Mike McCarthy(Packers' coach) does list him as probable,for Sunday's game,against the St. Louis Rams...

Packers' injury report update...

Charles Woodson,Clay Matthews,Frank Zombo,and Bryan Bulaga(major starters,or players,who will play) are listed as probable... Mike Neal,and Chad Clifton are the only ones,who are out of the game,against the Rams...

funtime story...

on ESPN'S Sportsnation,Hulk Hogan,ribbed Denver Broncos' quarterback Tim Tebow,saying his arms were bigger than Tebow's legs,giving his usual WWE/TNA pep talk,about Tebowmaniacs,which he said there were none,and Hulkamaniacs,saying,"what are you going to do,Tim Tebow,when Hulkamania runs wild on you...",and ripped off a Tebow Broncos' jersey,off his body...

Packers' news...

this will be the 90th time,in regular season,that the Packers,and Rams have played,but first time,since 2006,in Green Bay... the Packers are 27-19(.587)in home contests,against the Rams(some home contests were in Milwaukee)... the Packers have won eleven straight games,tying the second longest team game winning streak,set,in 1928-1929,including playoffs... team record is twelve games,set,in 1961-1962... this is first time,since 1965,that the Packers have been 5-0,and are one of only two teams(Detroit Lions are the other team),that are unbeaten,in the NFL... the last time,both teams were 5-0,in same season,was the 1931 season... the Packers will wear their third jersey,Sunday,celebrating their 1929 team(brown helmets,blue and yellow dotted jersey,with number in blue,in yellow dot in front)...

Way to go,NCAA...

NCAA whitewashed University of Auburn over allegations,and multiple investigations into football program,including one of which involved Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton,whose father,Cecil,tried to "shop" his son's services,out of junior college,for $180,000... they concluded that University of Auburn knew nothing of that shady deal... honestly,if you believe that,i have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you...

Packers' news...

Packers add offensive lineman Ray Dominguez from practice squad,and put safety Nick Collins onto injured reserve(not a surprise),ending his season...

NFL APPROVES STOCK SALE...

NFL approves stock sale,and regulatory issues remain before sale is allowed to public,but by possibly end of month,or end of year,(i)will become stockholder in the Packers,hopefully(cross my fingers)... would be a dream to be a shareholder in the Packers...

fact,and eerie coincidence...

Oakland Raiders had 10 men on the interception thrown,by Matt Schaub,of the Houston Texans to end game... NFL.com confirmed it... or was that 11 men,on the field?(Al Davis?)...

Packers' history...

the 56 yard field goal that was kicked,by Mason Crosby,last week,against Atlanta,tied his own Packers' team history,with a kick,against Philadelphia Eagles,last year,in opening game,in Philadelphia... last week's kick was actually the turning point,in that game,because at 14-6,Falcons,if Crosby missed kick,it would have been 1st and 10,Falcons' 46... Packers came back all the way to win,at Atlanta,25-14...

BREAKING NEWS...

Super Bowl XLIX will be in Glendale,Arizona,at the University of Phoenix Stadium....

NFL/WWE trivia...

St. Louis Rams' middle linebacker James Laurinaltis is the son of WWE Hall of Fame member,"Road Warrior Animal",Joe Laurinaltis...

commentary...

i respect every team in NFL,including the Atlanta Falcons,but the team,coaching staff,and fans should be ashamed of the way that they played,last night... giving people low blocks,and cheap shots,after the play is over tells me that the way they teach the Falcons,how to irritate teams into unnecessary penalties to benefit the team,by giving low blocks,pushes,and flopping around like they were dead fish,coming out onto a boat,and disrespecting teams who beat you 48-21 in playoffs,by saying that your team is better than the team who beat you that bad,is simply not working.... the Falcons were getting frustrated by the vast majority of the Packers,who were simply walking away from their foolishness... honestly,the offensive line of the Falcons would try to get under the Packers' skin,but after awhile,they stopped that stuff,looking totally disgusted,and realized that they were getting themselves into trouble,because they were making the Packers mad,because by the end of the game,the Packers were not taking their stuff,and i believe that the Packers were reminding them that the scoreboard spoke volumes,and to look at the scoreboard... the Falcons are talented,but are very undisciplined,and coach Mike Smith should be ashamed of the way the Falcons played,because they have been whipped by the Packers the last two times that they have played each other... is it not time that the Falcons shut up,grow up,and give the Packers some respect? unfortunately,they may not give respect... if you show up again,next time,let us make it,20 below zero,FROZEN TUNDRA,mid-January,with a brutal wind chill factor,on the Great Lakes... what a wonderful day it will be,for a team beatdown,again...

strange cruxes of coincidence....

i know that is a Packers' blog,but here is a story that i could not resist relaying to you:a lady(Amber Miller) who was pregnant and got medical clearance,to run the Chicago Marathon,if she half walked/half ran race... she finished the marathon,in 6 hours,and 25 minutes... she gave birth shortly after race... on the other side of the balance of life,a 35 year old North Carolina firefighter(Will Caviness)collapsed 500 yards from the finish,of the Chicago Marathon,and died at a Chicago hospital,about 90 minutes,after collapsing,today... to Amber,Congrats,and to the Caviness family,there,and in North Carolina,i express my deep sorrow...

Packers schedule update...

sorry Mom,Packers play the 0-4 St. Louis Rams,at Lambeau Field,next Sunday... the Rams have scored only 46 points this season,and given up 113 points... ROAST THE RAMS!!!!!!!!!

NFL news...

Houston Texans' linebacker Mario Williams tore his pectoral muscle,in his chest,against the Oakland Raiders,and will have season ending surgery... a huge blow to the Texans...

game of note,for yesterday...

in the spirit of the late Al Davis,the Oakland Raiders beat the Houston Texans,25-20,with an interception,in the Texans' end zone,on game's last play... like Al used to say,"JUST WIN,BABY"....

NFL history,and some major love for Brett Favre...

Aaron Rodgers,of the Green Bay Packers,set some NFL history last night... of anyone with 100 touchdowns,or more,in their career(he has 101),who has the lowest touchdown to interception ratio? answer: Aaron Rodgers... he has 34 interceptions,in his career... Hall of Fame member to be,Brett Favre had 79 interceptions,when he had thrown his 100th touchdown pass,but he was always a gunslinger,and a truly exciting quarterback... before we put Rodgers,in Canton,let me me give Brett Favre some love... he had 6,300 completions in 10,169 attempts(61.8 percent),with both NFL records of 508 touchdowns,and 336 interceptions,but he also sacked 525 times,and played in 297 regular season games in a row(321 games,including playoffs,and one Super Bowl-XXXI),in a monster 20 year career... see you in Canton,Brett...

beatdown of the week...

49ers 48,Buccaneers 3... when you give up 48 points,and 213 yards on the ground,you get beatdown,as a team,and over 200 yards passing,get your quarterback sacked three times,and the opposing punter punts only once,you deserve the honor of the,"beatdown" of the week... Tampa Bay Buccaneers played like they were planted six feet under the Candlestick Park turf,from opening kickoff... to me(a old-time person),it will be always Candlestick Park... it was so ugly for the Buccaneers that the 49ers scored a touchdown(on a 4th,and 2),and they were up 41-3... no one showed up,and fought like a Buccaneer,and simply their boat got sunk,in the seas,even before kickoff...