Moving to another Packers blog

I am in the process of moving to another blog address. That's just as well, because I have been put in the "penalty box," just becuase I am a huge fan of the Green Bay Packers. Yes, they ended their season 6-10, and Aaron Rodgers played better than Brett Favre, but there is no "I" in team. There is no "I" in Favre either, but I had to find an ending to that sentence.

Once I get my new and improved blog up and running, I'll tell you all where to go. For now, let's hope that the Packers defensive staff can bring their house in order. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of this cold, snowy winter.

Ms. Pacman.....over and out.

Bears Trek to Lambeau to Take a Likely Pounding

It appears that Chicago Bears' quarterback Kyle Orton will be starting Sunday against the Packers in Lambeau. I don't think this is good news for Packers fans, as we can usually rely on backup quarterback Rex Grossman to throw a few picks. Though, Coach Lovie Smith can really only have so many wins in a row at Lambeau Field. He is going to end his winning streak at four. The Packers will prevail. They may have a lot working against them for this crucial divisional meeting, but the Packers will have 72,000 loyal fans, Milwaukee Season ticket-holders, nonetheless, standing for every down.

The Packers will be looking to exchange favors from last season with the Bears, who swept the Packers last season. The weather won't be helping either team as the forecast in Green Bay Sunday calls for a few snow showers and 37 degrees! Yuck. Welcome to the winter in Wisconsin! It will give us a chance to see how Rodgers takes to the elements. We know his predecessor, at least for 95% of his career in the green and gold, took quite well to the sleet, snow and cold.

Go Pack Go. This is a must-win if there ever was one!

Stupid Metrodome.

The Packers loss Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings still hurts. Nice job refs. Nice play-calling Mike McCarthy. Nice job offensive line. And finally, to you Mr. Aaron Rodgers, you sign the big contract and then what?

If you believe in football karma, the right team did win. The Packers had no business even being in the game, were it not for the defense and special teams putting points on the board. In the NFC North, the Packers now sit in third place, with the 0-9 Detroit Lions rounding out the division. This is not where you want your team to be with seven games to go. I, along with many others, believe that this game against the Vikings was to be the game that lead the green and gold to the post-season. While they lost the Titans game, the team played tough. It appears that the loss to the Titans has shaken their confidence vs increasing it. With the Bears coming to Lambeau Field this weekend, we are seriously looking at the ultimate in must-win situations. If the Packers pull off the win, they will tie the Bears in-division record of 3-1. Then if we see a Vikings loss against the 6-3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, we are looking at a three-way tie in the division. If you are a Packers fan, this has to happen to stay alive.

The Packers have the added problem to rectify before Sunday in the huge loss of middle linebacker Nick Barnett; out with a torn ligament in his right knee. Barnett is a leader on the team both on the field and off making this injury all the more painful. Mike McCarthy and the other coaches haven't decided who is filling this position, whether it's moving starters to the middle like A.J. Hawk or Brandon Chiller, or giving Barnett's backup a shot, Desmond Bishop. Whoever is lined up come noon on Sunday needs to step it up. The run defense has been pitiful in the last few games. I am afraid to say it but they can't get much worse against the run. Can they

With this Packers Vikings annual ritual of horn blowing in the Metrodome behind us, we can focus to win these last seven and end at 11-5, potentially squeaking in to the post-season. I think we can safely say the Green Bay Packers won't be playing host to two NFC Championship games in a row. I will be taking those dollars and moving them right in to Packers tickets for Sunday, as this game is out NFC Championship game of the 2008 season.

Come on Guys. Buck up and let's win a couple.

Just out of Reach for the Packers

I can't say yesterday's Green Bay Packers vs. Tennessee Titans game was a bad one. On the contrary; the game was rough and tumble, down and dirty football. The Packers just came up a little short. Losing in overtime is a better scenario than going down to Nashville and getting smoked by a 7-0 team. Rodgers and the team showed the world what kind of players they are. That teamwork brought them awfully close to handing the Titans their first loss, but it just wasn't in the cards.

The Packers held the Titans to just 3 points off of two turnovers. That's impressive. What wasn't all that impressive was the play calling at the end of the game. I think the coaching staff forgot they were playing an undefeated team away from Lambeau. The Titans were going to score in overtime. The Titans were going to play to win at the end of the fourth quarter. The Packers should have gone for it on fourth down. What can you say? The game was competitive and fun to watch. It was terrific to hear the crowd noise escalate when the Titans were on 3rd down. Good for you Packers fans to take the road trip and support the team!

Another loud one coming up at the Metrodome next week. I think the Packers have a solid chance. Then we can put the beat down on the crippling Chicago Bears the following week.

Even with the loss, this game Sunday fired me up.

Go Pack Go!

Addition to the Packers Roster

This weekend marks the return of Al Harris and safety Atari Bigby to the Packers roster. Both had been out with injuries, but now are cleared to play. Another important addition to the green and gold is Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy's newborn daughter Gabrielle a week ago. Talk about nice timing! Born the week of the bye - impressive!

The return of these two vip's will certainly compensate for any lost momentum the team suffered from the bye week. A healthy, complete team is a winning team. Take a look at the Dallas Cowboys and the New England Patriots.

With the Tennessee Titans' win Monday against the faltering Indianapolis Colts, it remains true that the Packers will be going in to Music City looking to give the team their first loss of the 2008 NFL Season. A feat that should be met, not easily, but the Packers could catch the Titans in auto-pilot, not taking the 4-3 Packers seriously. Titans' quarterback Kerry Collins hasn't been sacked in their last 5 games. I am hopeful guys like Aaron Kampman, Cullen Jenkins and Charles Woodson put and end to this streak.

The Fab Five receivers are all in for the game as well Sunday, lead by the ever-reliable Donald Driver. Should make some interesting play calling to keep the Titans on their toes.

Packers Bye Week Well-Timed

The Green Bay Packers have had this past week to rest their weary bones and prepare for a tough competition against an undefeated Tennessee Titans team. I suspect there will be a great deal of green and gold in the stands at LP Field, knowing the history of Packers fans willingness to travel. With a surprise win against the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday, the Packers are in a position to make their mark in this 2008 season with a win against the Titans.

This win was just what I needed to seal the deal with Rodgers. I should say this win coupled with the little telephone call Brett Favre made to Lions'-ex Matt Millen. While it may not be true that Favre discussed any Packers plays, it still keeps that sour taste in my mouth. Aaron Rodgers has put together some solid performances, even in the 3 losses, he has played well. Confidence is high.

With Al Harris' return from a spleen tear, this team is going places. To think my expectations were pitifully low early in the season. I should be ashamed. I do wish Favre well with the Jets, but have moved on to #12.

The Packers lost to the Titans in the preseason, though only by 2 points. And how much does the preseason even reflect the regular season? I think these teams will split their meetings this year, with the Packers winning the more important of the match-ups.

And so go the days of our lives...in Packerland

"Brett Favre has been placed on the Green Bay Packers' roster following his reinstatement by the National Football League."

Interesting developments over the weekend. The Minnesota Vikings don't want him. The Green Bay Packers are gonna make him duke it out with Aaron Rodgers for the position of starting quarterback. What? And have Favre play all the downs in the preseason games? That is interesting. Should make the availability of preseason Packers tickets a little light if you get Favre playing for $40!

I was giving my boy the COLD should for a month or so. I am ashamed of myself. All of this love and devotion turned sour with one little itch. Poor Brett. I will scratch your itch. Good luck at making Aaron run for the AFC.

Go Pack!

This isn't the Soap Opera I Anticipated

Since my last post, a lot of you-know-what has hit the fan. It is all rather unbelievable. Retired Green Bay Packers' quarterback Brett Favre wants an unconditional release from his contract with the Pack. Wow. This is terribly depressing. What once was a beautiful relationship filled with love and support has turned sour.

Favre who retired fair and square has said he changed his mind and wants to play football. Well, fella, you have had, as the Packers say, numerous chances to come back and play for the green and gold. Each time you said no, no, retirement is for me.

Some say for all the time and energy I have devoted to this guy, I have turned a cold shoulder quickly. If it turns out the Packers made him rush to retirement and the writing was on the wall, well then, maybe I side with Brett, but it appears as though the quarterback had a chance to change his mind and he didn't take it.

As of a few minutes ago, apparently Packers' General Manager Ted Thompson said maybe Favre could come back and play second string behind Aaron Rodgers. If it was ugly before, this statement is off the charts.

And these are the days of our lives....

Rodgers: "Human Jugs Machine"

In a recent interview Greg Jennings said the following about his new quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, "He has a cannon. We call him the 'Human Jugs Machine. He throws it like a Jugs machine every time." Only on ESPN would this statement not create a little giggle among readers.

Bottom line though for Green Bay Packers fans is the fact that this statement was made at all. Players are saying that they knew all along that Rodgers can throw the ball, even if he will always be compared to that pesty #4. Head Coach Mike McCarthy said that for the past 3 years they have been working to drop his ball carriage, a trait Rodgers picked up in college at Cal State.

One good thing to this transition is that Rodgers isn't brand new to the team, he has been Packer for years and is a familiar face in the locker room and at Lambeau Field.

Who is Pro Bowl Cornerback Al Harris?

The guy is more than just a Packers player with dreadlocks. He hasn't missed an NFL game since the 1998 NFL season. Voted to play and start in the 2008 NFL Pro Bowl, Packers fans are happy to have such a quality cornerback on board. That said, Harris did have a tough game on his hands in the NFC Championship loss at Lambeau this past January. Harris was matched up with New York Giants' Plaxico Burress in what became such a heartbreaking loss for the Packers players and fans. Burress just had the game of his life and Harris just couldn't get the elevation to beat him.

One team had to lose that game.

Moving on to the upcoming season, Al Harris is ready for action. Along with Charles Woodsen and a few other vets, Harris will be relied upon to help lead the rookies. Harris has played in every game since he came to the Packers in 2003. That alone sets a nice example of toughness, both mentally and physically. With his bump-and-run style, Harris ensured his place in the record books with the Packers in a Wild Card game against the Seattle Seahawks in 2004 when in overtime, he intercepted Matt Hasselback's pass for a touchdown. Having been at that game, I will say that I will NEVER forget how great that moment was. The crowd was CRAZY!

Let's get to the good stuff. The muscles, dreads and tattoos. Share in a ton of great photos on his Al Harris' My Space page. He seems to be a good guy, dedicating time and energy to those in need.

Packers History Could Help in No-Cap Future

In 2010, the salary cap in the NFL, which had been in place since 1993, will be going bye-bye, allowing big time players to ask for some big time cash. The chatter with regard to this development and it's effect on the Packers chances to compete is bleak. With team owners like Jerry Jones, Daniel Snyder, Bob Kraft, each with very deep pockets, it may be a challenge for the league's only community-owned, non profit team to compete.

The Green Bay Packers current roster and contracts already have an hint of the cap elimination. For example, Aaron Rodgers will have his shot this fall to step in to Brett Favre's shoes as the Packers quarterback, if all goes well, Rodgers' current contract is through 2009, allowing for some tough negotiations ahead for the team and a potential windfall for Rodgers. I have no argument with that. Rodgers has waited patiently for his shot and if he performs, he deserves to get paid. The question is, will the Packers be signing his paycheck in 2010, or will it be for a rival team with unlimited funds?

This is not to say the Packers organization hasn't planned for this day. For years, they have stayed under the cap, storing funds for such a "rainy" day.

My real point here is to address the one thing the Green Bay Packers can offer, other teams cannot. The mystique of the team, the field they play on, the Coach Lombardi factor and the rest of the storied history of the franchise. Sure players will end up living part of the year in the NFL's smallest market, but they will literally be THE biggest fish in the pond. Green Bay treats their Packers players like gold. Green Bay supports the team year round, showing up for all of the practices, scrimmages and related events with bells on. My bet is that there will still be a number of solid players who will sacrifice some cash to experience the opportunity to wear Packers' Green and Gold each Sunday.

Packers Give Favre His Old Locker

Rather than creating mass hysteria as to which Packers player would next use the locker once used by former Packers quarterback Brett Favre, the team has decided to just give it to #4. As players starting coming in to Green Bay and streaming in to the locker room this Spring, none touched Favre's old locker, in fact most took pictures. ESPN even created a build your own Favre Locker shrine on their site. The team is going to have a new locker built and installed by the end of July, by the time practices are in full swing for the fall NFL season.

I will now await the very special day, when Brett and Deanna invite me over to their pad for a cookout and a tour of their decked out rec room. They have to have some time on their hands now. I will bring a nice dish to pass.

Packers Herron Saves the Day

Noah Herron, Green Bay Packers running back, saved the day when some scumbags broke in his Green Bay home this past Friday night. After hearing glass break in the basement, Herron took a bedpost from his room and got the two guys. One of these dirtballs remains in the hospital and the other was caught by police. Noah Herron saves the day! There had been a string of burglaries in the area which now hopefully will come to an end. Thankfully the police got it right and had absolutely no reason to give Herron a hard time, saying his use of force was reasonable and justified given the intrusion. I will say that is was pretty crazy that he went wandering downstairs with a bedpost, which wouldn't hold up in a gun fight. I am glad the good guy won.

Packers' Green Machine

There is a group of Green Bay Packers players who call themselves the Green Machine, which has nothing to do with football. The Green Machine is a basketball team comprised of Packers players, organized by Packers' wide receiver Ruvell Martin, who received all-state and all-conference accolades in basketball while in high school. While fun is a high priority of the machine, raising money for various charities is the top priority for the guys. It appears that Martin is involved with many charities, donating time and money to the likes of the United Way and the American Red Cross. This type of character can also be seen on the football field.

Receivers Shaun Bodiford and James Jones, cornerback Tramon Williams, offensive tackle Orrin Thompson and running back Noah Herron are all regulars on the Green Machine team. It is to be commended that these guys take their own time to drive around the state to help raise money for those in need. During halftime, the players are happy to shake a few hands and sign a few autographs for the kids in attendance. Their opponents have ranged from school-age kids to former Wisconsin Badgers basketball players. With a solid record, the Green Machine best not think of quitting their day job!

Packers in top third of ESPN Power Rankings

From ESPN, the following is how they see the upcoming NFL season to shake out. At the end of the 2007 season, they had the Green Bay Packers sitting at 5, and beginning this season at 10. Given the retirement of Brett Favre, I will take a 10 any day. That is a good thing. The Packers were solid on both sides of the ball last season and new quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been pretty good the few times he has hit the field for the Packers, most noteably was against the Dallas Cowboys last season when Favre went out with an injury.

ESPN lists their ranking for 2008 first, then in parenthesis is where the team landed in the rankings at the end of last season. We still see the Patriots at the top of the list. I guess that videotaping stuff doesn't help afterall?

1 (1)
New England Patriots
16-0-0

2 (2)
Indianapolis Colts
13-3-0

3 (6)
San Diego Chargers
11-5-0

4 (3)
Dallas Cowboys
13-3-0

5 (4)
Jacksonville Jaguars
11-5-0

6 (9)
New York Giants
10-6-0

7 (8)
Pittsburgh Steelers
10-6-0

8 (7)
Seattle Seahawks
10-6-0

9 (13)
Cleveland Browns
10-6-0

10 (5)
Green Bay Packers
13-3-0

11 (18)
New Orleans Saints
7-9-0

12 (15)
Minnesota Vikings
8-8-0

13 (14)
Philadelphia Eagles
8-8-0

14 (10)
Washington Redskins
9-7-0

15 (12)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
9-7-0

16 (11)
Tennessee Titans
10-6-0

17 (17)
Arizona Cardinals
8-8-0

18 (23)
Carolina Panthers
7-9-0

19 (19)
Buffalo Bills
7-9-0

20 (16)
Houston Texans
8-8-0

21 (30)
New York Jets
4-12-0

22 (25)
Baltimore Ravens
5-11-0

23 (21)
Denver Broncos
7-9-0

24 (20)
Chicago Bears
7-9-0

25 (22)
Cincinnati Bengals
7-9-0

26 (27)
Oakland Raiders
4-12-0

27 (26)
San Francisco 49ers
5-11-0

28 (29)
St. Louis Rams
3-13-0

29 (24)
Detroit Lions
7-9-0

30 (28)
Kansas City Chiefs
4-12-0

31 (32)
Miami Dolphins
1-15-0

32 (31)
Atlanta Falcons
4-12-0

There you have it. Now with the owners voting to go with out a salary cap two years earlier, we shall see if the playing field remains the same. All I care about is my Packers playing competitively and remining in Green Bay (which is a no brainer, I realize). The Packers

Favre Jersey for Years?

I like my Favre jersey, but wearing it every day for 1,581 days? This story hit elsewhere last week, but I didn't want it to go without mentioning it. This young boy from Connecticut wore his #4 jersey since receiving it as a gift Christmas 2003 up until April 23, 2008. Yes, it was washed and repaired regularly, but this young Green Bay Packers fan really took the extra step in showing his love. And to think some "tough guys" will poo-poo wearing gear even to a game!

Good for you David Whitthoft!

One Special Locker

So the story goes that weeks and weeks after Brett Favre retired from the Green Bay Packers, his locker sits as it did when he last was in Green Bay. No one wants to be the guy to take over a legend's locker. The Packers don't want to take his stuff down. Looks like Favre's locker will just become a bit of a shrine I guess. Word is that some of the rookies who came in for their minicamp were taking pictures of said locker. I certainly would and I don't play the game...Good for these new kids to come in with the understanding that they are coming to Green Bay at a pretty cool time. They respect what was and the years of history the team has compiled, but still know they have an opportunity to create the start of another great run. Maybe even a run to the post-season again. Wouldn't it be great if the Packers play host to another NFC Championship this coming January?

Favre on Fox?

It would be so simple to do a play on words with the rumor that former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre is in talks with Fox to add his commentary to their Sunday morning studio show. I mean the guy is Foxy, right?

I guess this would be a fair compromise. If we can't enjoy Favre in his green and gold uniform each Sunday, we can get a dose of his casual attire and witty remarks on our local Fox affiliate. The news of these talks was leaked during a speech given by former Dallas Cowboys coach Barry Switzer. It is Switzer who may get the boot to make room for Favre. Interesting.

Packers Tickets Scam; Dude Busted

Last season, Ben Huettl screwed a bunch of Packers fans out of the Packers tickets they thought they purchased through his website, lambeautickets.com. In fact, these folks did purchase the tickets, Huettl just chose to take the money and never deliver on the tickets. Nice.

Lesson to people looking to buy Green Bay Packers tickets, or really any tickets to a sold out event; be certain you are buying from a reputable source. Ticket brokers who are reliable are members of the NATB, on Ebay be sure to buy only from sellers with high ratings and a large quantity of transactions. Another lesson is to do your homework. I heard a story of someone looking for Packers tickets on Craigslist, saw some he was interested in and the seller said for him to meet her where ever and she would give him his tickets, now, in May. This is impossible. Packers tickets, nor really any NFL tickets are printed by the teams yet for the upcoming 2008 season. This could have been a bad deal, but thankfully something caused this craigslist.com shopper to be suspicious.

Back to this nice chap Huettl. While he wasn't prosecuted, he has agreed to comply with a number of state sanctions including no options of running a website. He paid the money back to the Packers fans, who ended up buying tickets at a discount from a friendly local Wisconsin ticket broker. The discount was offered when this story was shared. Sounds like a nice deal in a bad situation.

The lesson is to do your homework, work with reputable resellers and understand the delivery on Packers tickets.

Packers Draft 2008

I will not claim to have any sort of original thought on the NFL draft picks made by Ted Thompson and the Green Bay Packers. For the first time in 22 years, the Packers did not pick in the first round. In later rounds, they picked two quarterbacks, Louisville's Brian Brohm in the second round and LSU's Matt Flynn in the seventh. The Packers haven't picked two QB's in a draft since years before Favre even came to the team. So like 1984 or something.

I would presume these two, along with starting Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, are each fantasising about becoming the "next Brett Favre". Anyone would I suppose, especially football players with all that machismo at play. I am not looking for another Favre, I am looking for a winning season following Favre's retirement and a decent price for my Packers tickets.

Who is this Brohm guy? It seems like buzz has surrounded him and his performance on the field since the guy was in high school. As far as his response to being drafted by the Packers, Brohm said, "It was a long wait, but I'm just excited to be in the NFL and to be with the Green Bay Packers. I'm just pumped up. I want to come in and compete and be the best player I can be. I know they have a good team and I just want to do what I can to help out."