commentary...

as the NFL goes,before training camp opens,in July,there are very few things going on,but i will say that the Packers should have a very good team,this upcoming season... record-wise,the Packers will not be 15-1,unless the defense really improves,and it has to improve,from the 32nd ranked defense,last year... the Packers' offense was so good,last year,and the defense basically gave up way too many big plays,in the fourth quarter,but with the team almost almost always,in fourth quarter,the defense got very lazy,and sloppy,in the area of giving up too many yards,in the fourth quarter,when teams,like the Detroit Lions,were trying to catch up,with the Packers...
unfortunately,if the defense does not improve,like it really should,and i believe that it will,the Packers(who did not lose a lead,when ahead at start of fourth quarter,all season-record when ahead,at start of fourth quarter,last season-15-0,and record,when behind at start of the fourth quarter-0-2)... the overall defense must improve,to really have the Packers go further,like,in 2010,when the Packers won Super Bowl XLV...

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' analysis for the 2012-2013 season...

the Tampa Bay Buccaneers started the 2011-2012 season,4-2,after six games,then took a nose dive to near the bottom of the NFL,with losing their last ten games,of last season... in week seventeen,they were down 42-3,at halftime,before making it look respectable,and losing 45-24,to the Atlanta Falcons... they fired their head coach(Raheem Morris),and hired Rutgers' head coach,Greg Schiano... their quarterback Josh Freeman had a bad year,and their defense quit,on their head coach(how do you explain a 42-3 halftime deficit,in week seventeen?)... they drafted Mark Barron,out of the University of Alabama,with their first of two first round draft picks,and four of the first five draft picks,were on the defensive side of the football... Freeman,and the offense looked good in spots,but when you give up 42 points in first half of game in week seventeen,they also basically quit,too... so they went from 10-6,in 2010-2011(and missing the playoffs,because of tiebreakers),to 4-12,in 2011-2012... will they recover,and compete,in 2012-2013,with a new head coach? i do not know... will they show up as the team who won ten games,in 2010-2011,or will they be the team that won four games,last year... questions in Tampa,this year,that much i know...

Packer for Life...

Donald Driver,and his agent,report that he has agreed on terms,on a new restructured contract,with the Green Bay Packers... on his Twitter account,he tweeted,"when i said i will be a Packer for life... now,it is true... Packer for life..." contract will be finalized,today...

commentary...

Detroit Lions' head coach Jim Schwartz,whose team i called last season,"poster children of the me-first generation,of simple punks"(November 25th,2011)still may not get it... two players:Titus Young,who punched a teammate,two weeks ago,and Nick Fairley,who got arrested for the second time,recently,in two months,are back at practice... Young did release a statement apologizing for his actions,so Young may have learned some humility,from being suspended from team,but Fairley had no comment,and may hear from NFL,for supplemental discipline,and/or fines... Schwartz has said he wants a more disciplined team this season,and may be in for a big shock,if recent developments are an indicator,of this team... the Lions are a talented team,but it may be a soap opera,again,this season...

Memorial Day NFL trivia...

what Vietnam War veteran was almost cut by his team,because of his injuries,and his NFL owner,said no,and he later won four Super Bowl rings,with his NFL team? answer:Robert Patrick "Rocky" Bleier,of the Pittsburgh Steelers

Minnesota Vikings' analysis for the 2012-2013 season...

this year's Minnesota Vikings will be better,considering a 3-13 record,last year... Matt Kalil,out of Southern Cal,will help a porous offensive line,and the top five draft picks will see significant time,in the team lineup... the Vikings were 0-6,in NFC North,last year,losing to Packers,33-27,when Adrian Peterson rushed for 175 yards,and,45-7,when Adrian Peterson rushed for 51 yards... Christian Ponder had up and down games;his best game was against the Packers,but he faded later in the season... Adrian Peterson tore up his anterior crucible ligament in his knee,late in the season,and reports,and he says,that he may be back for week one,and i have seen video of him rehabbing the knee,and i believe that he may be back,early in 2012-2013 season,perhaps week one... do not bet against him,and if that is the case,he may have a good year running the ball,for the Vikings,and the Vikings will need him... they will be last in the NFC North,considering who is in the division(Green Bay Packers,Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears),but may surprise someone in the NFL,this season...

Cleveland Browns' analysis,for 2012-2013 season...

bad news:Cleveland Browns were 4-12,last year...
good news:the Browns did not give up that many points,on defense,compared to others,at bottom of NFL standings...
bad news:the Browns averaged 13.625 points a game,on offense...
bad news:top stud running back Peyton Hillis only ran for 587 yards,on 161 carries,a 3.6 yard average...
bad news:quarterback Colt McCoy passed for 2,733 yards,threw 14 touchdown passes,but tossed 11 interceptions,in 13 games that he started,got sacked 32 times,and ran for his life,most of the year...
good news:they drafted Trent Richardson,running back,out of University of Alabama,and quarterback Brandon Weedon,out of Oklahoma State...
bad news:they did not play for the Browns,last season(ha ha!!!)...
bad news:Weedon will be 29 years old,during the season...
good news:they will be better on offense,and overall...
bad news:they play the Pittsburgh Steelers,Baltimore Ravens,and the Cincinnati Bengals(twice),in the AFC North,and were 0-6,in division,last year...
good news:they may surprise some teams,with Richardson,early...
bad news:they should finish last,in division...
good news:they should get a good draft pick,in 2013 NFL Draft...

blog statement...

sorry,folks... the analysis of the Cleveland Browns',and the Minnesota Vikings' 2012-2013 seasons will be online tomorrow...

morons attack...

i am not a big fan of Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback Michael Vick,because he is a Eagles' player(i "despise" the Eagles!!!!,ha ha ha!!!),but he was in Henderson,Nevada promoting a youth football camp,at a car dealership,when some moronic protesters showed up,to protest the fact that Vick was a "dog killer"(their words,not mine),referring to the fact that Vick spent eighteen months in prison for various dogfighting charges... i do not condone what Michael Vick did,at all,but he "paid his debt to society",and deserves a second chance... one person threatened to beat Vick up,according to reports...

Packers' news....

John Dorsey,now in his 22nd year in NFL personnel,has been named as Packers' director-football operations,and Eliot Wolf,now in his 9th year with the Packers,has been promoted,to director of pro personnel...

commentary...

this off-season,i have hammered the New Orleans Saints' organization pretty good,and i do not regret anything that i have said... however,what got me pissed off about the team was not the team itself... it was the holier-than-thou attitude,of the executives,coaches,and the players involved,in the "bounty" scandal,and the simple fact that they just would not shut up about their "so-called" innocence,and then players who had no idea if the players involved were innocent,or guilty,put their two cents in,proclaiming that the NFL had no proof,in suspending the executives,coaches,and players... honestly,there was,and is a report on the "bounty" scandal,done by NFL security,and it took three seasons,to investigative the scandal,because people cheated,lied about,and obstructed the investigation...
now after the fines,lost draft picks,and suspensions,of executives,coaches,and finally,the players involved,and giving everyone in the NFL a black eye,the main players involved,are still proclaiming their innocence... the NFLPA,is trying to literally gut NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell of the powers given to him,in the current collective bargaining agreement,and suspended New Orleans' player Jonathan Vilma is trying to make Goodell out to be a liar,and scoundrel,in a defamation lawsuit,in federal court... one question,Jonathan Vilma,and the NFLPA,why did it take three seasons for the NFL to investigative this scandal,and not just a few months,and if it was only in New Orleans,why then were the reports also coming out,of Buffalo,and Washington(under Gregg Williams-a few players did mention that to NFL security)?... if the players were innocent,why did the players get suspended various stretches of games?... why did Peyton Manning get his neck twisted,during an Indianapolis Colts/Washington Redskins game(to many people,that was the start of his neck problems)?... that day,Manning went off the field,with a numb arm,but returned after halftime... by the way,there is video of that arm numbing twist of his neck... the one common person in both scenarios-Gregg Williams... i am basically saying that there was something wrong in those years,in New Orleans,and i am tired of hearing of the innocence("i did not do it")defense,because someone did something wrong,and it took over three years to flush out,into the public,and it is in the NFL security report on the scandal... so,NFLPA,and Jonathan Vilma,just shut up,and stop trying to be "saintly" in this mess,because no one in the Saints' organization,or the black eye given to the NFL,looks good in this situation,period... JUST PLAY FOOTBALL!!!! OK!!

note...

today,i will analyze the upcoming season,for the Minnesota Vikings,and Cleveland Browns...

NFL news...

NFLPA filed a collusion complaint,in U.S district court,in Minneapolis,against NFL,stating that the NFL had a "secret salary cap",in 2010,costing players,$1 billion,in salary... my opinion:this really sucks,period...

NFL news...

NFL,and the NFL referees association agree to mediation,over their new contract... the old contract expired after Super Bowl XLVI...

commentary...

last year,New Orleans Saints' quarterback Drew Brees threw for 5,476 passing yards(most in NFL history),and completed 71.2%,of his passes... had a great year,period... he has said that he will not play under the franchise tag,again(i believe he played under the tag,in San Diego),but the Saints are making the biggest mistake,since Archie Manning was quarterbacking the Saints,if they believe that Drew Brees will crumble under his threat,of holding out,this season... if he does,the Saints are basically toast,this season... after the NFL "bounty" scandal,with a possibility of losing two defensive players due to it,why are they doing the dance,of having a season go up in smoke??? is the Saints' front office that stupid,or that brain-dead,not to pay Brees the money in a long term deal that he richly deserves,after,winning the Super Bowl,in 2009,and the historic passing season that he had,last season...
my opinion is that the contract should get done,but knowing the off-season,that the Saints(the organization)has had,i would not be surprised that the Saints and Brees go down to opening week,before the contract gets done... i believe that the Saints may crumble,in this impasse,because Drew Brees is a disciplined man,a nice guy,but still very disciplined,and he deserves the long-term contract... PAY THE MAN!!!!!!!!

RIP,Jesse Whittenton...

former Packers' cornerback,and Packers' Hall of Fame member,Jesse Whittenton,who played for Vince Lombardi,in the early 60's,died,at 78,today... prayers go out to his family...

no Christmas card for coach Schiano...

the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' head coach Greg Schiano,and former Buccaneers wide receiver Kellen Winslow(son of Chargers' legend Kellen Winslow)will not send a Christmas card,to each other,anytime,soon... Winslow was dealt to the Seattle Seahawks,for a conditional seventh round pick,in 2013 NFL Draft... when asked about the Winslow trade,he refused to,in a snarky way,talk about the trade,saying that,"Kellen Winslow is no longer a Buc"... literally,no class(my opinion)...

Packers' news....

Packers' wide receiver Donald Driver won "Dancing with the Stars",Tuesday night... "Twinkle Toes",as one Packers' player,calls him,will be razzed,by his teammates,when he shows up,for the OTA's(organized team activities),later this week... i bet...

NFL news...

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has said that the public eventually will see proof,on the NFL "bounty" scandal..."you can't worry about a popularity contest... you can't... you can't make everybody happy on this",he said in a press conference...

commentary...

i respect the New Orleans Saints,as a team,because you respect your opponents,but honestly,i am just a little tired about hearing that the Saints were targeted,by the NFL,and that they feel that way... well,the facts are that,if your coaching staff,and executives had stopped the "bounty" system,that was put into motion,by former Saints' defensive coordinator,Gregg Williams,and allowed to flourish under him,for three years,and going after,at least,three current,or former,NFL quarterbacks(Kurt Warner,Brett Favre,and Green Bay Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers),then your team would not be in the pickle that your team is in,but your people did not stop the "bounty" program,when they found out about it,in 2010(it went on from 2009-2011)...
as for Williams,he is very lucky that he has even a chance to get back into the NFL coaching ranks,because there were reports that he did the same thing,in Buffalo(where he was head coach),and Washington(where he was defensive coordinator),as he did in New Orleans...
as for Sean Payton,his obstruction,of the investigation,and his big mouth,got him into the mess,(and the year-long suspension)that he is in... he is very lucky that that he has a chance to again coach in the NFL(according to a review,by Commissioner Roger Goodell,after the Super Bowl)... from all reports,he will coach the Saints,in 2013... i just hope that he is a little more humble,and thankful,about the job...
as for the players who got suspended less than a year,you are lucky that it was not longer,in duration... i recommend that you appeal the suspensions,like you are,and just shut your mouths... be respectful,and understand that football is a team game,not an individual sport...
as for Drew Brees,just shut your mouth,and play football...
now,finally,as for Jonathan Vilma,you may be a very good football player,but honestly,i would have respected you more than i do,if you appealed your suspension,like the others did,and had been a little more humble,and not made this situation into,"me,me,me",and acted like someone who is bigger than the NFL,and soiled the reputation,of the League,and tried to be a real pain,in the side of the NFL,because,in your eyes,it is all about you,you,YOU... unfortunately,players like you,forget to remember that you are only a 1/53rd,of a team,and only that it is the team that is important,in football history,not the player... so Jonathan,just shut your mouth,and take your lumps...
to the Saints,just shut up,and just football...

commentary...

NFL.com,and writer Jason Smith,ranked Aaron Rodgers fifth,in the his quarterback ranking,behind Eli Manning,of the New York Giants,Tom Brady,of the New England Patriots,Ben Roethlisberger,of the Pittsburgh Steelers,and Drew Brees,of the New Orleans Saints... i do not,and can not,argue with the top three on the list,but the Saints' "bounty" scandal soured me on the Saints,but again,i still would pick Rodgers over Brees any day... i just do not like the Saints,and i just do not like what happened there,recently,and who won NFL MVP,last season? simply said:Aaron Rodgers... football is a team game,and the Saints' executives,coaches,and players played dirty,the last three years,period...

St. Louis Rams' 2012-2013 analysis...

the St. Louis Rams had their worst season since the 80's,when they lost something like eighteen games in a row,to the San Francisco 49ers,and since they were in,maybe,Cleveland... they lost running back Steven Jackson to injury,for most of the season,and their receiving corps was pathetic,and quarterback Sam Bradford played only ten games,threw only six touchdown passes,along with six interceptions,and their offense was unable to get points at critical times,losing to the Green Bay Packers,in week six,last year,24-3,at Lambeau Field,even though Sam Bradford threw for 320+yards,and Steven Jackson ran for 96 yards,but honestly,the Rams got hit with injury,very hard,shortly after the game with Green Bay,and Bradford never got back into the groove,mentally,and physically... in his second year,Bradford who had a very good rookie year,had a sophomore slump,and the injury bug bit hard,to make 2011-2012,miserable,for him...
the defense actually did not play that badly,but they could not stop the pass,and did stop the run adequately,but they did allow 407 points,and the offense scored only 193 points overall-a two hundred,and fourteen point difference... they made a blockbuster deal for the second pick,with the Washington Redskins,so they rebuilt their team,via the draft,this off-season... they lost their defensive coordinator,to the NFL "bounty" scandal(Greg Williams)... they should be better on offense,and with nice draft picks,they should be better,on defense,and they will have a better record,than last year's 2-14... how much better,is the question that will ring true,in St. Louis,this season... unfortunately,they play every team in the NFC North,including the Packers,at home,October 21st,plus the 49ers,twice,in their division,so they are in for tough times...

Indianapolis Colts' 2012-2013 analysis...

the Indianapolis Colts went through a major overhaul in team personnel,this off-season... head coach gone... check... general manager gone... check... franchise quarterback gone... check... many other things gone... check... coaching staff,mostly gone... check... starting center gone... check... what is left???
new head coach here... check... new franchise quarterback,hopefully here... check... one major wide receiver still here... check... defense mostly intact... check... this team was rebuilt,via the draft,this off-season,which means very few points on the scoreboard,unless the offense clicks early,and the defense will try to keep the team,in the games,early...
one good thing:Colts' owner Jim Irsay had a very good 2012-2013 NFL draft,hopefully,because if the draft busts out,overall,the Colts' fans will be screaming for their paper bags,for over their heads,but honestly,they should be fun to watch,if the offense clicks early,for the Colts,and they should be better,than last year(2-14,has to be better???)
one fun game for the fans to watch:Packers come to town,October 7th...

Packers' news...

Donald Driver,and his agent,has said that he will be,"a Packer for life",and both the team,and agent says that Driver's contract situation will be taken care of,after his stint on,"Dancing with the Stars",in which he is a finalist...

NFL news...

free agent wide receiver Terrell Owens told a Bay-Area radio station that he would like to play for the San Francisco 49ers,or the Oakland Raiders...

commentary...

to the unnamed NFL players,who respect suspended New Orleans Saints' Jonathan Vilma,for suing NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell,for defamation,in federal court... one question:if Vilma did what is alleged,in the NFL "bounty" scandal(putting a $10,000 bounty,on your health,during a NFL game),how would you feel being carted off the field? this situation honestly makes me very sick,because it is not because of "clearing your name",it is to embarrass NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell,and simply gutting the Commissioner's power to suspend NFL scofflaws,and to play in the 2012 NFL season... in other words,it is all about the money... i do respect the NFL players who have played fair,in going through the appeals' process... i hope they get justice,no matter what it is,but in the case of Jonathan Vilma,and let us play devil's advocate,for a moment,if he is innocent,why would Commissioner Goodell suspend him for a year? the NFL must have evidence to prove their point,and to tell me that Commissioner Goodell has a grudge,against Vilma,is stupid,because he is the Commissioner of the NFL,and he wants to make the NFL safer for the players,but Vilma has hatred for Commissioner Goodell's actions,and it seems to be very personal between them...
however,the fact is that the NFLPA wants to curtail Commissioner Goodell's power to suspend players,because they think it is not fair,and they simply are using Vilma's animosity toward Commissioner Goodell,to prove their point that Commissioner Goodell has no power to suspend players(for actions in the locker rooms)... one question:NFLPA,why did you not go after the powers of the Commissioner to suspend players,in the current collective bargaining agreement... it was because you wanted labor peace for ten years,and now you want to strip Goodell of those powers,and you want a independent arbitrator,or the NFL's appointed arbitrator to decide the case for the players,when in fact,all you want is for the players not to be suspended,for the upcoming season... what about the safety of the players,who were hurt,by the Saints' executives,coaches,and players who knew of the "bounty" system,put it into the game plans,and then allowed the players to execute the hits on the players who were hurt? NFLPA,you say that you are for the players... HA HA!!!!!! you are for the power to dictate,to the NFL Commissioner,to the owners,and to the fans that you are all-powerful... what hogwash!!!

a true class act...

a Clark County,Kentucky man,named Rankin Paynter went into a closing K-Mart store,in the area,asked the clerk what was to be done with the left over inventory,after store closure... the clerk replied that it would go to K-Mart power buyers... well,he became one himself,by paying $200,000 dollars,for the entire inventory,of the store... he donated it to charity,in the area-every last thing...

Happy Birthday,Ace!!!!!!

Clarence "Ace" Parker,the oldest NFL Hall of Fame living member turned 100 years old,today...

Saints,shut up,and play football!!!

suspended New Orleans Saints' linebacker Jonathan Vilma has filed a lawsuit,against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell,for defamation,in federal court,separately from the grievance from the NFLPA,filed for him...
New Orleans Saints' quarterback Drew Brees has told radio station WWL,in New Orleans,that he is "extremely frustrated" with his (multi-year)contract talks...
my opinion is that i am getting tired of hearing Saints' players complain,no end...

commentary...

former Packers' running back Ahman Green,at age 35,wants to play five more years,and since he still owns a home,near Green Bay,he wants to play for the Packers... however,his last two years that he played,in Houston,and Seattle(minus a cup of coffee,with Packers,in 2009-2010)does tell me one thing,about him:he is DONE,being a NFL running back... i am respectful of his productive years,as a Packers' running back,but he honestly ripped off Houston,who signed him to a big free agent contract,and he did very little,because of injury,and when he was healthy,he had no breakaway speed... i have seen video of him playing in Houston,and to be kind,he was not the same player that he was,in Green Bay...

NFL news...

Cleveland Browns' Scott Fujita,and Green Bay Packers' Anthony Hargrove,who are appealing their "bounty " scandal suspensions,appeared before an arbitrator,yesterday... New Orleans Saints' Jonathan Vilma did not appear,but tweeted,"i see the haters are up this morning... when i win this,what will they say,then???" (an exact quote,by the way)... simply said,what arrogance!!!

trivia...

what NFL team has been to more than one Super Bowl,and never has lost a Super Bowl? answer: the San Francisco 49ers,who have been to five Super Bowls,and(so far)has never lost a Super Bowl...

NFL news...

San Francisco 49ers' fifth round pick Darius Fleming tore his anterior crucible ligament,in his knee,during his first rookie camp practice...

crime news...

former,and suspended by the NFL,Packers' player Johnny Jolly was sentenced to a six year prison term,for violating his probation,on a drug charge,in November,but a judge put him back on probation,named,"shock probation",of ten years,and re-sentenced him also to 200 hours of community service... for his family,i am happy,and i wish him well...

unique Packers' trivia...

former Green Bay Packers' player Desmond Howard had only one kickoff return,for a touchdown,in his NFL career? when was it,and where? answer:a 99 yard return,scoring the Packers' final points,in the 35-21 victory over the New England Patriots,in Super Bowl XXXI,in the Superdome,in New Orleans...

Packers' news...

Packers sign five tryout players:
Shea Allard,Delaware...
Jarrett Boykin,Virginia Tech...
Grant Cook,Arkansas...
Curenski Gilleylen,Nebraska...
Otis Merrill,Illinois State...
and released Chris Campbell,a 2011 practice squad player,to get down to maximum 90 players,for training camp...

blog statement...

to prepare you for the 2012 NFL season,i will talk about every team,in NFL,in every division,in the coming month,leading to the Packers being last,on my list,and there may be a surprise or two,in my commentaries...

NFL news...

Tim Hightower re-signed with the Washington Redskins...

Packers' news....

Packers' head coach Mike McCarthy said that this was the best rookie mini-camp,in his seven years as head coach... he also updated health reports,on three players... Alex Green(knee injury),and Derek Sherrod(broken leg) should be ready for July's training camp,and Andrew Quarless(knee injury)should be questionable for the start of camp...

commentary...

anybody,as a pundit,who thinks that Chicago Bears' Devin Hester is not going to field punts,for the Bears,this upcoming season,must have many a screw loose,because you are talking about the best punt returner,in NFL history,period... if the Bears do not take advantage of that major asset,they are the stupidest franchise,in NFL,and even though,i may not like the Bears,at all,i do respect them no end,and as a franchise,they are not stupid...

RIP Junior Seau....

San Diego Chargers retired Junior Seau's number 55,during a public memorial,Friday night... TO HIS FAMILY,I GIVE MY PRAYERS...

Breaking news(for Packers' fans)...

the Green Bay Packers just signed Nick Perry,their first round pick,of 2012 NFL Draft...

Packers' news....

Packers have announced that the team have signed seven of their eight draft picks... only one not signed was first round draft pick Nick Perry,out of Southern California... the reason:not all draft picks around him are signed,and yet Perry is very excited to be a Green Bay Packers' player,according to in-state newspaper reports...

NIOSH mortality studies....

the National Institute of Occupational Safety,and Health(NIOSH) did a study with the NFLPA,in 1994,studied mortality rates between retired NFL players,and the general public... they studied 3,439 retired players,from 1959,to 1988... the overall rate was 46% lower,between retired NFL players,and the general public... they expected 189 deaths,and only 103 died... different rates for heart disease(defensive and offensive linemen)is greater(52%) than the general public,only because of body type,and size... defensive linemen has a 46% greater chance of heart disease than men in the general public,and African American players have a 69% greater chance of heart disease,than Caucasian players... accidents,and violence causing death;their rates are for violence,are 79% lower,and accidents are 39% lower than the general public...*
*stats are from CDC-NIOSH(1994 study),and 1-2012 follow-up study...

NFL news...

the Minnesota State Senate approved a $975 million dollar stadium plan,for the Vikings,and to build a stadium,on the site of the Metrodome... Governor Mark Dayton has said that he will sign the bill...

critique of the Packers...

this is not easy,but it is time to criticize the Packers,in total... will Aaron Rodgers,and the offense be better than last year? honestly,no,but last year,they were near-perfect,and everything went their way,on that side of the team,except in the offensive line,when they lost two,or three,players,to injury,for major parts of season(Chad Clifton,who only played six games,and Derek Sherrod,who had his leg snapped in week seventeen),and do not forget that Greg Jennings was injured(and not 100%,for the playoffs)... Aaron Rodgers had a MVP season for fifteen games(and was NFL MVP,last year)...
the Packers' defense went from 5th,in 2010,to 32nd,in 2011... they played from ahead most of the season,and gave up way too many yards,in the third,and fourth quarter,when Packers had lead in fourth quarter(record when having lead,at start of the fourth quarter,last year:15-2,including the playoff game with New York Giants:37-20,loss),their secondary could not tackle,and/or hit,with conviction-and lousy play of year-68 yard touchdown pass,by Hakeem Nicks,in playoff game,with Giants,in which Packers did hit him,but did not wrap up,with arms to tackle-he bounced off,a player,and ran into end zone... they lost Cullen Jenkins,to the Eagles(free agency),and Nick Collins(neck injury),in week two... they did lead NFL,in interceptions,but besides that,they could not pressure the opposing quarterback,into mistakes,and that showed up,late in the season,and in playoff game,against the Giants,when Eli Manning sliced,and diced the defense,with one big play,after another,and then the entire team made mistakes,in game that they did not make all season... the offense looked way out of sync,and the defense played their worst game of the entire season,along the worst special teams effort,of the year,that cold January day,in Green Bay...
now for the NFL draft:they drafted six players,on the defensive side;four of which could see significant playing time,in 2012... their first three draft picks(Nick Perry-USC Trojans,Jerel Worthy-Michigan State,and Casey Hayward-Vanderbilt)will see playing time this year,including their defensive back,from Maine(Jerron McMillian),who is known to be a very good tackler... their seventh round pick(Andrew Datko-Florida State)could help in their offensive line,backing up everybody,on the offensive line,at some point,of the season,like Bryan Bulaga,did,his rookie year...
will the Packers' defense be better this upcoming season? yes(they have to be!!!!),how much ultimately,is the $64,000 dollar question,for this season.... one thing is for sure:this team was ultimately embarrassed,and they deeply want to get rid of the sour taste,of a playoff loss that still grates at their football souls,and they will be out,as a team,to prove to people,that loss,was a blip,and they will be angry,and will have a chip on the collective shoulders,and the playoffs is just a start,for this upcoming season... i believe that they want another run at the Super Bowl,and nothing,but this team,can defeat them... i only mean that they may feel that the Super Bowl is all they want,and they may feel that last year,they honestly beat themselves,and no one else did,including the Giants,because they know that in their hearts,they did not play their best game,against the Giants...

one step up....

both the Minnesota State Senate,and Minnesota State House approved separate Vikings' stadium funding bills,over the last couple days... a conference committee will hopefully iron out the bills,on Wednesday,and probably most of the week...

commentary...

reports indicate that suspended interim Saints' head coach Joe Vitt,and suspended St. Louis Rams' defensive coordinator Greg Williams,when he was with the Saints,told now-Green Bay Packers' Anthony Hargrove,to lie to NFL investigators,during the original 2010 NFL investigation,into the "bounty" scandal,that imploded this off-season,telling him that,"those {guys} have been trying to get me for years,and stay on same page,and this will blow over",referring to NFL investigators... Vitt told him,"to play dumb"... they told him that several times... that will be part of his appeal,ultimately...

back to NFL tomorrow...

game scores...

Phoenix Coyotes 2,Nashville Predators 1... Coyotes win series,four games to one...
New York Rangers 3,Washington Capitals 2,overtime... Rangers lead series,three games to two...

commentary...

the St. Louis Blues played rather shabbily in their series,against the Los Angeles Kings,scoring only six goals,in four games,losing all four games... their offense,and goaltending were just awful,and they stunk... from 109 points,in the regular season,to a putrid sweep,being totally out-played,by a team that really had a miserable regular season,in the Los Angeles Kings,but it only means that a team only needs a chance to be in the playoffs,to win... Los Angeles Kings are the third 8th seed to make the Conference Championship finals,since the NHL lockout,in 2005... the other two,are the Edmonton Oilers,in 2006,and the Montreal Canadiens,in 2010... Edmonton Oilers lost to the Carolina Hurricanes,in 2006,in the Stanley Cup Finals... the Kings have beaten the two top seeds in the Western Conference,in the Vancouver Canucks(number one seed),and the St, Louis Blues(number two seed),and if they face the Phoenix Coyotes(who lead,three games,to one,against Nashville),and beat them,they would have beaten the top three seeds,in the Western Conference...

REVERSE BLOG DAY...

all blogs on here today,will be NHL news,FOR ONE DAY,ONLY...

fun day tomorrow...

this has been a very odd day for me... i put a blog meant for this blog on my other blog... i guess it is time for annual reverse blog day again... so tomorrow,will be the day,for NHL news,on this blog,and NFL news,on my NHL blog,FOR ONE DAY ONLY...

very unique MLB history...

had to note this history,folks:this is so odd,two position players pitched in the 9-6,17 inning,Baltimore Orioles win,over the Boston Red Sox,today... it was the first time since 1925,when Ty Cobb,and George Sisler both pitched in a game,between the Detroit Tigers,and the St. Louis Browns... Chris Davis,the Orioles' DH,at start of game,went 0-8,with five strikeouts,and still pitched two scoreless innings,for the win,first time since 1905,when Rube Waddell did the same thing,as Davis,and won the game that he pitched... they used nine pitchers apiece... Darnell McDonald,an outfielder,for the Red Sox,took the loss,when Adam Jones hit a three run home run,over "the Green Monster",in the top of the 17th inning...

commentary...

Washington Redskins' head coach Mike Shanahan has stated that Robert Griffith III,out of Baylor University,and the second overall pick,of the 2012 NFL Draft,will be their starting quarterback,this upcoming season... my opinion of Shanahan is of a coach who wishes to go back to the days of John Elway,and the mid-90's Denver Broncos,and yet,he has not had the team to even get to the playoffs... his son Kyle has treated many a quarterback,with utter contempt,as offensive coordinator,including one Donavan McNabb,and both have a superior attitude,thinking that they know everything... like former Dallas Cowboys' head coach Tom Landry,and former Miami Dolphins' head coach Don Shula,he is a person,whose team at the end of his coaching career is not what they think,and he may have a better record than last year,but his attitude,and arrogance,about his coaching staff may doom him... unfortunately,i feel sorry for the Redskins' fans,because this team may be better,but with their schedule,and the fact that they play the Saints,Falcons,Buccaneers,Cowboys(twice after their bye),Eagles(twice after their bye),Giants(twice),Steelers,and the Ravens,with a rookie quarterback,that is a baptism by fire,and every team listed,will be improved... good luck,Coach Shanahan!!!!!!! (laughing) you think that i do not think much of him,as a coach,in the last fifteen years,you are right!!!

funny,period....

one Packers' fan asked Vic Ketchman,on Packers.com,a question about two players reaching the quarterback at the same time,for half a sack,apiece,and asked if three players reached the quarterback at the same time,what would happen? his response:"the offensive line coach gets fired"... had to make you laugh!!!!!!!

commentary...

NFLPA is appealing suspensions of the four players suspended,by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell,saying that a:there was a lack of evidence,in the case,b:Commissioner does not have authority to suspend players,in this case... the NFLPA says that it should have gone to an independent arbitrator,or the arbitration set by the NFL,in the collective bargaining agreement,saying basically that the actions were on the field,and not in locker room,which would have allowed it to be heard by the arbitration set up by the NFL... they want to basically gut the Commissioner's power to suspend players,period... unfortunately,in my opinion,they are dead wrong in saying that the "bounty" program was "on the field",because the "bounty" pool of money was set up,by coaches,and players,in the weeks before the games indicated,in the NFL report... unfortunately,they forget one little fact,the "bounty" system was not set up in just one year,but it went on from 2009 to 2011,and there are reports that other players,including Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers,being targeted,in opening game of the 2011-2012 NFL season,and the audio of the disgraced Saints' defensive coordinator Greg Williams targeting San Francisco 49ers' players,"and their body parts",the night before the Saints/49ers playoff game,last season... NFLPA also says,along with the players involved,that the evidence was not shown to them,or there is "no evidence",to suspend the players involved,and basically throwing the coaches,and the Saints' organization under the proverbial bus,in getting the players involved,on the field,for the 2012-2013 NFL season... one not so minor question:NFLPA,and the players involved,why did it(the investigation)take three years,to come out to the NFL fans? answer:you(the coaches,and players involved)lied,and lied,about what happened,in the 2009-2010 NFL investigation,and when it was finally brought back to NFL security's attention,early last season,disgraced head coach Sean Payton,told everybody involved,"to get your ducks,in order",and still lie to NFL investigators... the NFLPA also says that the punishments are "unprecedented",in NFL history... let me remind them of one episode of infamous NFL history:the suspensions of Green Bay Packers' Paul Hornung,and the Detroit Lions' Alex Karras,in 1962,for gambling allegations? how long was their suspensions? answer,again:one year... in my opinion:eat dirt,NFLPA,and the players involved,in this disgusting,and offensive episode in NFL history...

best wishes,Terrell...

this may sound odd,but i would like to wish Baltimore Ravens' linebacker Terrell Suggs a speedy recovery,from(he says) a partially torn Achilles tendon... may it go well,next week,with the doctors... he plays football clean,tough,hard,and very well... he was NFL defensive player of the year,last season... he had a mentor in the great Ray Lewis,as a teammate...

commentary...

Jonathan Vilma unloaded about his one year suspension,saying in general,that he was not guilty of what he stands accused of:putting $10,000 bounty on Brett Favre,and Kurt Warner,during the 2009 NFL playoffs,saying that was "no evidence",in suspending him for a year... first of all,his response was all in CAPITALS,and said that he was "shocked,and extremely disappointed",about the suspension... i am very very sick of these clowns,and i do not believe him at all... i know that you want to,"clear " your name and reputation,but it is so obvious that you did it,and trying to throw other people under the bus,makes you a laughingstock in the NFL,and so i am laughing at you... just take your lumps,and shut up...

what a dream come true...

Eric LeGrand wanted to be in the NFL,but a tackle on special teams,for Rutgers University,during a game,against Army,on October 16,2010,put an end to his dream,when the tackle paralyzed him from the neck down... well you would think so,but dreams do come true... his former coach,Greg Schiano,became the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,and he was signed to a contract with the Buccaneers,to reward him for his character,spirit,and perseverance,and help bring attention to spinal cord injuries... they also noted that it was also because of the way that Eric lives his life,"and he epitomizes what we look for in Buccaneer Men"... by the way,they will send his uniform to him....

RIP Junior Seau....

former NFL player Junior Seau found dead in bed,at home,in Oceanside,California,of self inflicted gunshot,police report... prayers go out to his family....

commentary...

to Saints' quarterback Drew Brees,and former Saints' player(retired) Darren Sharper:you claim that there was no evidence,in the "bounty" scandal,or have not been shown the evidence,i say that you wanted to back up your teammates,but there was evidence,in this scandal... to you,i say,i just do not believe that both of you did not know about this scandal... it is just incredulous not to believe that the entire team did not know,because so many executives,coaches,and players got fined,and suspended... you wanted me to believe that,and i will never believe it,and to me,this will be a black eye to the NFL,for a long time,and i simply find it very disgusting,and offensive,period...
simply said,NFLPA,you are protecting the players involved,and i get that,no doubt,but to tell me that you have not shown any specific evidence,involving what happened,in this scandal... that simply is not believable,and you say that the players involved will have their day to state their case in lessening their punishments,and that is true,but honestly,let me remind that you,as an union,did sign the collective bargaining agreement,and you did not dampen the commissioner's power to punish players(as in this case)... my opinion is that you should have tried,but you abandoned that gripe,to sign the CBA,before last season,so now that gripe is back to bite you,as an union... so be it,NFLPA....

"bounty" punishments,on Saints' players laid out...

Saints' linebacker Jonathan Vilma suspended entire 2012-2013 season(Paul Hornung,and Alex Karras,for gambling allegations-1962-same punishment),for supposedly putting up $10,000 for bounty on Arizona Cardinals' Kurt Warner,and Minnesota Vikings' Brett Favre,during Saints' 2009 Super Bowl run...
Saints' defensive end Will Smith(four games)...
and two players who have signed with other teams:
Cleveland Browns' Scott Fujita(three games)...
and finally one player who really disturbs me,because he signed something to verify the scandal,and then became an obstruction to the 2010 NFL investigation:
Green Bay Packers' defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove(eight games)...
now for my comments about this:to the players,who did this to the NFL:simply said,they all deserve their suspensions,including Jonathan Vilma who got tossed out for the 2012-2013 NFL season... Smith,and Fujita,were mentioned in NFL report,as i knew,but Hargrove also got hammered,with an eight game suspension... i support the suspensions,because they hammered the people,who lied,and blackened the eye,of the NFL,which i find offensive,in my heart... as for the NFLPA,and the players who has said there is no evidence,or it has not been shown to them:just play football,and simply shut up... as the four players:i will say that you richly deserved your suspensions,and just be men,and take your lumps... to Fujita,and Hargrove,you also punished two teams that had nothing to do with this:the Cleveland Browns,and the Green Bay Packers,who signed both of you,to deals this year... i feel no sympathy,for any of you,and i feel pity for the teams that have been affected:the Browns,Packers,and even the Saints,whose owner got blindsided by this scandal... as for the 22 to 27 players who were named in the report,if you did not get suspended,simply said,you got lucky,,, simply said,the NFL just could not just suspend 20-plus players,so the NFL went after the players,who did the most,in this disgusting episode,in NFL history...

comments...

i am getting a little tired of waiting for the other shoe to drop(and the final shoe)in the NFL "bounty" scandal,because the NFL had promised that punishment of the players involved,in the scandal,would come after the NFL Draft,last weekend... all the NFL Network,and NFL.com are still talking about the draft,and the repeated yapping about it is getting me very bored,period... with respect,just get on with dropping the other shoe,on the scofflaws,Commissioner Goodell....