The absolute WORST thing about the Super Bowl? The $#@#%& two week break from the AFC & NFC title games until Super Bowl LII. Seriously, is that necessary? It's not. The hype is overwhelming and a waste of time. A week after the conference title games, just play the Super Bowl. Enough, already.
We'll know more about the Philadelphia Eagles, a team that's 0-for-2 in previous appearances, than we could possibly care to know.
So let's see. Here comes the NFL's own Evil Empire, led by Coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady. Those of a certain age will remember when the New York Yankees dominated baseball, and were hated for it. Still are, but that's beside the point.
The Patriots and their success (often with under a cloud; see Deflategate and illegally filming opponent walkthroughs & sideline coaches, for example) clearly makes them the team to hate. And don't get me started on the latest AFC title game. Jacksonville, the least-penalized team during the regular season, gets whistled nine times. Plus the "quick whistle" that took away a defensive TD. Say, was I seeing things or was that referee smiling with the Patriots when they scored the go-ahead TD. And who was the first to shake Brady's hand after the clock ran out? Seemed like another zebra.
This marks the Patriots 8th SB in Brady's 16 years. He's 5-2 in these games. Will winning a 6th solidify him as GOAT? Some say yes, I say no. More opportunities doesn't necessarily mean better. Joe Montana won four Super Bowls in four tries for the San Francisco 49ers.
Green Bay's Bart Starr won five NFL titles, and the first two Super Bowls, for Vince Lombardi in nine seasons. Odds are, had Paul Hornung not sat out the 1963 season (along with Detroit's Alex Karras) for "associating with gamblers", the Packers probably would have won another. That would have been SIX out of SEVEN as league champions.
Granted, Starr played in a different era. Free agency didn't exist, teams stayed together. And quarterbacks weren't called upon to throw on nearly every down and they called their own games.
There are those, hopefully tongue-in-cheek, who have suggested the Lombardi Trophy be renamed for Belichick, should New England win yet again. Total BS.
This marks New England's 10th Super Bowl appearance, most among NFL clubs. At the other end of the spectrum are four teams without a single trip to the title game: Cleveland, Detroit, Houston and Jacksonville. Within the next 3 seasons, I think that number will drop by two: Houston and Jacksonville will make the trip. And the Eagles will upset the Patriots. You read it here first.
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Saturday, January 27, 2018
Friday, January 26, 2018
Some Interesting Moves For Milwaukee
Sometimes the best deals are the ones you never make. Signing that pricey free agent pitcher to a long-term contract, for example, or trading that rising star...the one you have control over for several seasons before free agency strikes.
For the one, that might be the case with third baseman Travis Shaw. Here's a guy you grabbed from the Boston Red Sox, one who showed potential in Boston, and who blossomed in Milwaukee. He's young, under contract for awhile and just developing into the kind of player the Brewers were hoping for. He's been the subject of trade rumors, but so far at least, cooler heads have prevailed.
The other is swinging for the fences with a couple of moves that make outfield even more crowded. First, the trade for a proven commodity, like the Miami Marlins Christian Yelich. The young (26-year-old) centerfielder is a prize. Here's a career .290 hitter who, in 643 games, has an On Base Percentage of .369. He's flashed power ( 59 home runs, 293 RBI) and speed (72 stolen bases, including 16 in 18 attempts last season), Yelich could be a bargain for the Brewers. He's got four years left on a seven year deal that pays him $49.57 million; this includes $7 million this year AND a $15 million team option in 2022.
But at what's the cost? Well, you have to give something to get something, and with Miami and new
owner Derek Jeter getting rid of proven talent to rebuild the farm system, the Brewers had enough to swing the deal.
A team with A LOT of outfield talent currently in the minors, Milwaukee turned a couple of those players with potential into Yelich. Gone is the consensus No. 1 prospect, Lewis Brinson, who struggled in 21 games with the big club, hitting just .106, showed he can get the job done with his glove. And he did bat .331 at Triple A Colorado Springs. Also send packing were OF Monte Harrison, IF Isan Diaz and RHP Jordan Yamamoto. Only Brinson saw any action as high as Triple A, so the others have potential (there's that word again) but are NOT sure things.
Yelich is. And he will be a welcome addition, both offensively and defensively, when the Brewers take the field in a few weeks.
Then factor in the free agent signing of Lorenzo Cain, also a proven centerfielder. Cain came up with the Brewers in 2010 and showed he belonged. I liked him then, and was crushed when the Brewers sent him to Kansas City as part of the Zack Greinke deal. But adding Yelich AND Cain means your outfield has too many working pieces, added to Ryan Braun, Domingo Santana, Brett Phillips and Keon Broxton.
The odd man out appears to be the 24-year-old Santana, who had an exceptional 2016 season hitting .278 with 30 home runs and 73 RBI. I might toss Broxton into that mix as well.
If GM David Stearns uses these two pieces to add to the pitching staff with arms that can help NOW, then I'm all for the trades. Meanwhile, the Brewers are still rumored to be shouting "Hey Yu!" and dangling a contract in front of free agent pitcher Yu Darvish. It would be a good signing only if it's a reasonable contract. That means reasonable length filled with incentive-laden money.
For the one, that might be the case with third baseman Travis Shaw. Here's a guy you grabbed from the Boston Red Sox, one who showed potential in Boston, and who blossomed in Milwaukee. He's young, under contract for awhile and just developing into the kind of player the Brewers were hoping for. He's been the subject of trade rumors, but so far at least, cooler heads have prevailed.
The other is swinging for the fences with a couple of moves that make outfield even more crowded. First, the trade for a proven commodity, like the Miami Marlins Christian Yelich. The young (26-year-old) centerfielder is a prize. Here's a career .290 hitter who, in 643 games, has an On Base Percentage of .369. He's flashed power ( 59 home runs, 293 RBI) and speed (72 stolen bases, including 16 in 18 attempts last season), Yelich could be a bargain for the Brewers. He's got four years left on a seven year deal that pays him $49.57 million; this includes $7 million this year AND a $15 million team option in 2022.
But at what's the cost? Well, you have to give something to get something, and with Miami and new
owner Derek Jeter getting rid of proven talent to rebuild the farm system, the Brewers had enough to swing the deal.
A team with A LOT of outfield talent currently in the minors, Milwaukee turned a couple of those players with potential into Yelich. Gone is the consensus No. 1 prospect, Lewis Brinson, who struggled in 21 games with the big club, hitting just .106, showed he can get the job done with his glove. And he did bat .331 at Triple A Colorado Springs. Also send packing were OF Monte Harrison, IF Isan Diaz and RHP Jordan Yamamoto. Only Brinson saw any action as high as Triple A, so the others have potential (there's that word again) but are NOT sure things.
Yelich is. And he will be a welcome addition, both offensively and defensively, when the Brewers take the field in a few weeks.
Then factor in the free agent signing of Lorenzo Cain, also a proven centerfielder. Cain came up with the Brewers in 2010 and showed he belonged. I liked him then, and was crushed when the Brewers sent him to Kansas City as part of the Zack Greinke deal. But adding Yelich AND Cain means your outfield has too many working pieces, added to Ryan Braun, Domingo Santana, Brett Phillips and Keon Broxton.
The odd man out appears to be the 24-year-old Santana, who had an exceptional 2016 season hitting .278 with 30 home runs and 73 RBI. I might toss Broxton into that mix as well.
If GM David Stearns uses these two pieces to add to the pitching staff with arms that can help NOW, then I'm all for the trades. Meanwhile, the Brewers are still rumored to be shouting "Hey Yu!" and dangling a contract in front of free agent pitcher Yu Darvish. It would be a good signing only if it's a reasonable contract. That means reasonable length filled with incentive-laden money.
Friday, January 19, 2018
Badgers Look To Be Loaded In 2018
Still basking in the after glow of that 13-1 season the Wisconsin Badgers posted? The one that pretty much came out of nowhere and ended with a nice, solid beating of "THE U" -- the University of Miami Hurricanes?
It's not too early to look down the road to the fall of 2018. And it will be a huge task for the Badgers to come close to repeating that success, there's no reason to think that Wisconsin won't be in the chase again this year.
This is a team that has the potential to light up the scoreboard on a regular basis. Now that the (entering the NFL draft) smoke has cleared, it looks like the Badgers will return 10 of 11 starters on the offensive side of the ball. They will loose TE Troy Fumagalli, who pulled in 46 passes for 547 yards and four TDs. For his career, Fumagalli played in 47 games, caught 135 passes for 1,627 yards and seven scores.
Down the stretch, it seemed as though Fumagalli disappeared, either due to defenses or injuries. While he will be missed, it's next man up and they should be fine at that position.
The departure I think Paul Chryst's staff may miss the most is not one most fans would notice. To me, the graduation of Austin Ramesh, the pride of Land O' Lakes, Wisconsin (as well as Northland Pines High School in Eagle River). This 6-1, 255-pound fullback posted rather modest career stats: 34 carries for 147 yards (4.3 average) and five touchdowns, 13 catches for 130 yards and a score; appeared in 25 games in his career, 21 the past two seasons.
Ramesh was a blocking stud at fullback, clearing the way and doing the dirty work. When called upon to tote the rock, he did so with quiet efficiency.
I content that his spot will be harder to fill than Fumagalli's.
It's not too early to look down the road to the fall of 2018. And it will be a huge task for the Badgers to come close to repeating that success, there's no reason to think that Wisconsin won't be in the chase again this year.
This is a team that has the potential to light up the scoreboard on a regular basis. Now that the (entering the NFL draft) smoke has cleared, it looks like the Badgers will return 10 of 11 starters on the offensive side of the ball. They will loose TE Troy Fumagalli, who pulled in 46 passes for 547 yards and four TDs. For his career, Fumagalli played in 47 games, caught 135 passes for 1,627 yards and seven scores.
Down the stretch, it seemed as though Fumagalli disappeared, either due to defenses or injuries. While he will be missed, it's next man up and they should be fine at that position.
The departure I think Paul Chryst's staff may miss the most is not one most fans would notice. To me, the graduation of Austin Ramesh, the pride of Land O' Lakes, Wisconsin (as well as Northland Pines High School in Eagle River). This 6-1, 255-pound fullback posted rather modest career stats: 34 carries for 147 yards (4.3 average) and five touchdowns, 13 catches for 130 yards and a score; appeared in 25 games in his career, 21 the past two seasons.
Ramesh was a blocking stud at fullback, clearing the way and doing the dirty work. When called upon to tote the rock, he did so with quiet efficiency.
I content that his spot will be harder to fill than Fumagalli's.
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
RIP Rob Picciolo, One-Time Milwaukee Brewer
Sometimes you spot a name and memories just start flooding back. That was the case recently when I saw that former major-league infielder Rob Picciolo had died at the age of 64.
In May of 1982, Picciolo was traded from Oakland to Milwaukee, just in time to be part of the Brewers' only World Series run. This, of course, is back when there were only four playoff teams per league. Both leagues were divided then into East and West Divisions, and division playoffs were in the best-of-five format. Milwaukee famously came back from a two-game deficit against the California Angels to win the AL title and advance to the World Series, dropping the final two games to fall 4-3 in the series.
Picciolo was a backup to Robin Yount, who earned the American League MVP that season and would go on to be selected to baseball's Hall of Fame. He was also, essentially, backup to third baseman Paul Molitor as well.
Let's face it, Picciolo was only getting onto the field in the event of injury or catastrophe. He played in only 22 games in '82, batting .286.
I had covered games four and five in the ALCS, then the opportunity to go back and cover Game 5 of the World Series. The Brewers won 6-4 (Yount went 4-for-4, raising his World Series average to .405).
In the locker room afterward for post-game comments and stories, the national (and state) sports media was packed 10 and 15 deep around the lockers of Yount and Molitor. I looked around to see Picciolo, alone and pretty much ignored by the media. Heck, you could swing a baseball on a 10-foot-rope and not hit anybody.
So I wandered over and came away with a great quick feature, learning how he stayed focused and prepared for that just-in-case moment. He was funny, he was frank, he was refreshingly honest.
RIP Rob.
In May of 1982, Picciolo was traded from Oakland to Milwaukee, just in time to be part of the Brewers' only World Series run. This, of course, is back when there were only four playoff teams per league. Both leagues were divided then into East and West Divisions, and division playoffs were in the best-of-five format. Milwaukee famously came back from a two-game deficit against the California Angels to win the AL title and advance to the World Series, dropping the final two games to fall 4-3 in the series.
Picciolo was a backup to Robin Yount, who earned the American League MVP that season and would go on to be selected to baseball's Hall of Fame. He was also, essentially, backup to third baseman Paul Molitor as well.
Let's face it, Picciolo was only getting onto the field in the event of injury or catastrophe. He played in only 22 games in '82, batting .286.
I had covered games four and five in the ALCS, then the opportunity to go back and cover Game 5 of the World Series. The Brewers won 6-4 (Yount went 4-for-4, raising his World Series average to .405).
In the locker room afterward for post-game comments and stories, the national (and state) sports media was packed 10 and 15 deep around the lockers of Yount and Molitor. I looked around to see Picciolo, alone and pretty much ignored by the media. Heck, you could swing a baseball on a 10-foot-rope and not hit anybody.
So I wandered over and came away with a great quick feature, learning how he stayed focused and prepared for that just-in-case moment. He was funny, he was frank, he was refreshingly honest.
RIP Rob.
Thursday, January 11, 2018
Brewing Up Some Pitching
Milwaukee's Brewers have not been all that active going after major (read big-buck) free agents thus far. And with up-and-coming Jimmy Nelson on the mend from surgery, they could certainly use a stud addition. But they did make a couple of moves to add to the pitching staff that are worth noting.
First, they brought back Brewer alum Yovani Gallardo, he of the five opening day starts (a team record). Traded to Texas in 2015, Yo struggled there and subsequently in Seattle as well, which dropped him after a terrible campaign this past season. He's not that old a guy, knows Milwaukee and is, in essence, a cheap addition.
I hope they sat Yovani down and told him A) we're giving you a shot, but you're on a short leash & B) you will probably end up in the bullpen. Long relief wouldn't be a bad spot for him. The issue I've had with him in the past is his penchant for high pitch counts. Never seemed to get past the 5th inning as he was always going full count on hitter after hitter. We put him in the pen, that's not a problem. Go ahead, throw your heart out for two or three or four innings.
The other pickup was the hard-to-pronounce Jhoulys Chacin. Here's a guy who has been with several different teams in his career, and spent 6 seasons with the Colorado Rockies. Denver is the city where pitching ERAs go to die. This might work in his favor as Miller Park, like Denver, is hitter-friendly. Still, Chacin had a 3.93 career ERA in 193 games (67 starts) and a 59-67 record. He was 13-10 for the woeful San Diego Padres last year. His overall ERA 3.89 with 153 strikeouts BUT he was 1.79 at pitcher-friendly Petco Park. His two-year, $16 million contract is pretty team friendly, so I think it's a good acquisition.
With Nelson coming off surgery, that left Chase Anderson and Zach Davies as the only returning starters. Look for Brandon Woodruff and, my choice, fire-balling lefty Brent Suter, to step into the rotation.
Adding pieces to the bullpen, as well as subtracting, is something Milwaukee has continued. Gone is Taylor Jungmann (off to ply his trade in Japan) while coming aboard Boone Logan (33) and J.J. Hoover (30). Logan, a lefty, had success with the Cleveland Indians and should be a good situational addition.
As for Hoover? Well, he sucked (can't resist, sorry!) in 2016 with a 13.50 ERA, but throughout his career he's pretty much cleaned up (again, can't resist) with an ERA of 4.09. He should help the bullpen if he can regain the way he pitched in 2015.
First, they brought back Brewer alum Yovani Gallardo, he of the five opening day starts (a team record). Traded to Texas in 2015, Yo struggled there and subsequently in Seattle as well, which dropped him after a terrible campaign this past season. He's not that old a guy, knows Milwaukee and is, in essence, a cheap addition.
I hope they sat Yovani down and told him A) we're giving you a shot, but you're on a short leash & B) you will probably end up in the bullpen. Long relief wouldn't be a bad spot for him. The issue I've had with him in the past is his penchant for high pitch counts. Never seemed to get past the 5th inning as he was always going full count on hitter after hitter. We put him in the pen, that's not a problem. Go ahead, throw your heart out for two or three or four innings.
The other pickup was the hard-to-pronounce Jhoulys Chacin. Here's a guy who has been with several different teams in his career, and spent 6 seasons with the Colorado Rockies. Denver is the city where pitching ERAs go to die. This might work in his favor as Miller Park, like Denver, is hitter-friendly. Still, Chacin had a 3.93 career ERA in 193 games (67 starts) and a 59-67 record. He was 13-10 for the woeful San Diego Padres last year. His overall ERA 3.89 with 153 strikeouts BUT he was 1.79 at pitcher-friendly Petco Park. His two-year, $16 million contract is pretty team friendly, so I think it's a good acquisition.
With Nelson coming off surgery, that left Chase Anderson and Zach Davies as the only returning starters. Look for Brandon Woodruff and, my choice, fire-balling lefty Brent Suter, to step into the rotation.
Adding pieces to the bullpen, as well as subtracting, is something Milwaukee has continued. Gone is Taylor Jungmann (off to ply his trade in Japan) while coming aboard Boone Logan (33) and J.J. Hoover (30). Logan, a lefty, had success with the Cleveland Indians and should be a good situational addition.
As for Hoover? Well, he sucked (can't resist, sorry!) in 2016 with a 13.50 ERA, but throughout his career he's pretty much cleaned up (again, can't resist) with an ERA of 4.09. He should help the bullpen if he can regain the way he pitched in 2015.
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
The Silver Screen & Other Musings
Would someone please explain to me WHY movie trailers now have to give away the entire movie plot? Seems like a general waste of time and a pain in the ass.
The best trailers are the ones that get your attention, and your interest, without the thought of "Meh, seen all of it in a couple minutes, won't spend my hard-earned to see it on the big screen when it comes out."
Take, for example, the trailer for the first Aliens film. Yes, I'm dating myself. But here's the trailer, in a nutshell: you see a large egg, it cracks and light comes from it, then the text on the screen "In Space, No One Can Hear You Scream"
That pulled me in. And the movie didn't disappoint.
Moving over to the small screen -- it seems everything happens in Chicago, according to NBC. There's Chicago P.D., Chicago Fire, Chicago Med. Okay, what about Chicago Sanitation or Chicago Metro Operator or Chicago Cabbie? Guess those are still in the pipeline.
Monday, January 8, 2018
Time for Kramer to Join the HOF
This should FINALLY be the perfect year for Jerry Kramer.
Kramer, a standout offensive guard with Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers, the Idaho product has too long been ignored when it comes to joining the NFL's Hall of Fame.
For whatever reason (or reasons) the voting media has not opened the HOF door for Kramer, though many of those he faced en route to being part of five NFL titles (and the first two Super Bowl Champions) have endorsed him time and time again.
I’ve enjoyed watching some tremendous athletes perform in the NFL over the years. But, I find it
hard to understand how, year after year, the HOF can bypass Jerry Kramer for inclusion. Kramer was a do-everything kind of player, a throw-back.
How versatile was he? In the 1962 and '63 seasons, he filled in as a placekicker (straight-ahead, old-school!) and did so with success, He was a major factor in Green Bay winning the NFL title in 1962 -- the first of five -- when he hit field goals of 26, 29 and 30 yards in a 16-7 win. He was 9 of 11 in field goals in that '62 regular season. In all he hit 29 of 54 regular season field goals AND tacked on 90 of 95 extra points.
Here's an OFFENSIVE LINEMAN, for goodness sake, who scored nearly 200 points. Here's a multiple all-pro, key versatile member of five NFL title teams with the Green Bay Packers AND starting guard on the NFL’s First 50 Years squad -- Yet he’s the only member of that group not good enough for the NFL’s Hall of Fame?
How versatile was he? In the 1962 and '63 seasons, he filled in as a placekicker (straight-ahead, old-school!) and did so with success, He was a major factor in Green Bay winning the NFL title in 1962 -- the first of five -- when he hit field goals of 26, 29 and 30 yards in a 16-7 win. He was 9 of 11 in field goals in that '62 regular season. In all he hit 29 of 54 regular season field goals AND tacked on 90 of 95 extra points.
Here's an OFFENSIVE LINEMAN, for goodness sake, who scored nearly 200 points. Here's a multiple all-pro, key versatile member of five NFL title teams with the Green Bay Packers AND starting guard on the NFL’s First 50 Years squad -- Yet he’s the only member of that group not good enough for the NFL’s Hall of Fame?
Kramer is a finalist this year, and the announcement will come at Super Bowl LII. It's time for the NFL to do the right thing and do so while he is still alive and can enjoy the honor – we are losing
greats from the 1960s and ‘70s at an alarming rate.
Sunday, January 7, 2018
Seriously Flawed Thinking
I love reading the letters to the editor in the Wisconsin State Journal. They can be an interesting peek into the soul of the writer. Or a view into a serious lack of thought -- though I suppose many can say the same of this column.
But I digress. While the letters page is often filled with political rants, one this week caught my eye. This gentleman in Madison suggested that the problem with the NFL is violence, with player after player carted off the field. His solution? Limit the SIZE of the players. Let me quote his letter: "Linemen shouldn't weigh more than 250 pounds, while linebackers should be under 235, and receivers and defensive backs should weigh less than 175. Would the game be less interesting? The University of Wisconsin's 1963 Rose Bowl game is still considered by many to be the best every played, and most of the players on that team weighed close to 200 pounds."
Yes, 55 years ago college and NFL players were smaller. I recall being told by a sports editor of mine that, when Green Bay won Super Bowl II under Vince Lombardi, the defensive line of Green Bay Premontre High School (now known as Green Bay Notre Dame) weighed more than the Packers line. But then, players weren't making millions and had to have off-season jobs as well.
Going with the suggestion that placing limitations on the NFL would improve the game, maybe we should take it a few steps further
NBA -- Limited the height allowed on the court at one time. Based on inches.
NHL -- Limited to the number of remaining teeth in players (they are hockey players, after all).
MLB -- Only X-number of players who have tested positive for PEDs (Performance Enhancing Drugs) in the lineup at one time.
But I digress. While the letters page is often filled with political rants, one this week caught my eye. This gentleman in Madison suggested that the problem with the NFL is violence, with player after player carted off the field. His solution? Limit the SIZE of the players. Let me quote his letter: "Linemen shouldn't weigh more than 250 pounds, while linebackers should be under 235, and receivers and defensive backs should weigh less than 175. Would the game be less interesting? The University of Wisconsin's 1963 Rose Bowl game is still considered by many to be the best every played, and most of the players on that team weighed close to 200 pounds."
Yes, 55 years ago college and NFL players were smaller. I recall being told by a sports editor of mine that, when Green Bay won Super Bowl II under Vince Lombardi, the defensive line of Green Bay Premontre High School (now known as Green Bay Notre Dame) weighed more than the Packers line. But then, players weren't making millions and had to have off-season jobs as well.
Going with the suggestion that placing limitations on the NFL would improve the game, maybe we should take it a few steps further
NBA -- Limited the height allowed on the court at one time. Based on inches.
NHL -- Limited to the number of remaining teeth in players (they are hockey players, after all).
MLB -- Only X-number of players who have tested positive for PEDs (Performance Enhancing Drugs) in the lineup at one time.
Friday, January 5, 2018
Changes To An Old Friend
This has probably flown under the radar for many, but Sports Illustrated will be making some major changes in 2018.
The weekly sports magazine, born in 1954, will begin bi-weekly publication with the Jan. 15th issue. Among reasons given by the editors was "many subscribers that it's difficult to keep up with a weekly magazine...that you wouldn't mind more time to absorb each issue."
I can agree with that logic. Pressed for time, I've often been two or three issues behind. That's because the sports journalism in this magazine is so outstanding; it takes time to read and appreciate. I've been enjoying SI since the late 1960's, and have been a subscriber longer than I can recall. And as long as that level of quality continues, I'll stick around.
Although it may be time for the organization to put retire their vaunted swimsuit edition -- heck, when they started that feature, it was always folded into a regular issue. Over the years, it grew into a stand-alone issue. For several issues before hand, a notice on the letters page let's subscribers know they can opt-out of the swimsuit issue and not receive. To be honest, some of the most entertaining letters are those SI publishes for a couple weeks AFTER the swimsuit issue, when readers seem surprised to have received it.
The weekly sports magazine, born in 1954, will begin bi-weekly publication with the Jan. 15th issue. Among reasons given by the editors was "many subscribers that it's difficult to keep up with a weekly magazine...that you wouldn't mind more time to absorb each issue."
I can agree with that logic. Pressed for time, I've often been two or three issues behind. That's because the sports journalism in this magazine is so outstanding; it takes time to read and appreciate. I've been enjoying SI since the late 1960's, and have been a subscriber longer than I can recall. And as long as that level of quality continues, I'll stick around.
Although it may be time for the organization to put retire their vaunted swimsuit edition -- heck, when they started that feature, it was always folded into a regular issue. Over the years, it grew into a stand-alone issue. For several issues before hand, a notice on the letters page let's subscribers know they can opt-out of the swimsuit issue and not receive. To be honest, some of the most entertaining letters are those SI publishes for a couple weeks AFTER the swimsuit issue, when readers seem surprised to have received it.
Thursday, January 4, 2018
Considering 2018 for Green Bay
It's about time!
That's the first reaction to the news that the Packers parted ways with Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers. He wore out his welcome several seasons ago. And while there are those in his corner who will point to the massive number of injuries the team suffered AGAIN, it was time to move.
Capers himself has admitted his complex defense requires veterans. Yet GM Ted Thompson consistently put emphasis on draft-and-develop instead of filling gaps with free agents. That philosophy, plus the general stubborn approach the last few years to Green Bay's own free agents, was a formula for disaster.
Replacing Capers? The popular name at the time may well be Jimmy Leonard, the University of Wisconsin D-Coordinator who had such great success this season as the Badgers used a top-ranked defense to finish 13-1. Regarding Leonard, I have just two words -- Not yet. Leonard did a fabulous job in his first year as the D-Coordinator, and only his second as a coach at any level. But let's see how he does in rebuilding a defense, and gets some seasoning, before we anoint him. Maybe that means hiring another guy with Wisconsin ties, Dave Aranda (currently D-C at Louisiana State). Maybe that means getting another guy with NFL experience.
Back to Thompson. While he was making moves, or avoiding them, he consistently refused to step up to the microphone and defend those moves to the public. Green Bay doesn't have one owner, it has thousands. Yes, the team has a president/CEO and board of directors -- and I'm sure he spoke with them. But for the rest of us? Thompson was the sphinx. And never should have been!
Now Thompson will transition to another front office position --Senior Advisor to Football Operations. Another It's-About-Time moment. There are plenty of potential replacements who have a background in Green Bay. But I think it's time for Eliot Wolf to step in as the general manager, with hopefully a new approach to the operation. Thompson did alright in his stretch, yes, but only 1 Super Bowl with the best quarterback in the league
What does this mean for Coach Mike McCarthy? He's got another year on his contract, and I think you will see an extension here. Green Bay's problems are not on the offensive side of the ball, once Aaron Rodgers is healthy. Despite a few play-calling snafus here and there, Coach Mac is pretty solid. And if this past 7-9 debacle had any bright spots, it was the development of a pair of running backs that will assist McCarthy and Rodgers in 2018.
Speaking of 2018, taking a look at the home-and-away schedule that has been set so far, Green Bay will face three new head coaches (in Detroit, Chicago and Arizona) and five playoff teams (Minnesota, Buffalo and Atlanta at home, the Los Angeles Rams and New England on the road). In addition, the Packers will face eight teams with winning records and only five clubs with losing records.
That's the first reaction to the news that the Packers parted ways with Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers. He wore out his welcome several seasons ago. And while there are those in his corner who will point to the massive number of injuries the team suffered AGAIN, it was time to move.
Capers himself has admitted his complex defense requires veterans. Yet GM Ted Thompson consistently put emphasis on draft-and-develop instead of filling gaps with free agents. That philosophy, plus the general stubborn approach the last few years to Green Bay's own free agents, was a formula for disaster.
Replacing Capers? The popular name at the time may well be Jimmy Leonard, the University of Wisconsin D-Coordinator who had such great success this season as the Badgers used a top-ranked defense to finish 13-1. Regarding Leonard, I have just two words -- Not yet. Leonard did a fabulous job in his first year as the D-Coordinator, and only his second as a coach at any level. But let's see how he does in rebuilding a defense, and gets some seasoning, before we anoint him. Maybe that means hiring another guy with Wisconsin ties, Dave Aranda (currently D-C at Louisiana State). Maybe that means getting another guy with NFL experience.
Back to Thompson. While he was making moves, or avoiding them, he consistently refused to step up to the microphone and defend those moves to the public. Green Bay doesn't have one owner, it has thousands. Yes, the team has a president/CEO and board of directors -- and I'm sure he spoke with them. But for the rest of us? Thompson was the sphinx. And never should have been!
Now Thompson will transition to another front office position --Senior Advisor to Football Operations. Another It's-About-Time moment. There are plenty of potential replacements who have a background in Green Bay. But I think it's time for Eliot Wolf to step in as the general manager, with hopefully a new approach to the operation. Thompson did alright in his stretch, yes, but only 1 Super Bowl with the best quarterback in the league
What does this mean for Coach Mike McCarthy? He's got another year on his contract, and I think you will see an extension here. Green Bay's problems are not on the offensive side of the ball, once Aaron Rodgers is healthy. Despite a few play-calling snafus here and there, Coach Mac is pretty solid. And if this past 7-9 debacle had any bright spots, it was the development of a pair of running backs that will assist McCarthy and Rodgers in 2018.
Speaking of 2018, taking a look at the home-and-away schedule that has been set so far, Green Bay will face three new head coaches (in Detroit, Chicago and Arizona) and five playoff teams (Minnesota, Buffalo and Atlanta at home, the Los Angeles Rams and New England on the road). In addition, the Packers will face eight teams with winning records and only five clubs with losing records.
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
The NFL is its Own Worst Enemy
Professional football seems to be intent on destroying itself.
Nearly every week, there are cringe-worthy shots to the head by players. Shots that were unnecessary.
Yes, I know that today's players are bigger-faster-stronger than those of even 20 years ago. And having been on the sidelines for Packer games, I know how violent the game is. Much more so than television can ever convey.
Take the Green Bay-Carolina game of 12/17/17 as a perfect example. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, rusty after an eight-week layoff, throws an interception. As Carolina's Colin Jones turns up field, GB wide receiver Dante Adams is blindsided from the left by linebacker Thomas Davis. Davis, a 12-year pro out of Georgia, clearly launches and leads with his helmet, smack into Adams' helmet. The ensuing 15-yard penalty is tacked on, yes, but while Adams heads to the sideline for concussion protocol (and will be lost for the game) Davis will return.
What's wrong with that picture? Granted, come Monday (or Tuesday) the NFL front offices will issue a stiff fine for the hit. But where's the in-game justice? We lost one of ours, shouldn't Davis be tossed for the rest of the game as well?
Maybe the NCAA has it right. Or at least the START of getting it right. Targeting is not tolerated in the college game. And if, in the opinion of the officials checking on the infraction, the targeting is egregious, the player is tossed for a game. In the college system, if the targeting takes place in the first half of a game, the offending player is done for the day. If the targeting takes place in the second half, the offending player is tossed AND will be sitting out the first half of the NEXT game.
Seems pretty simple, and is a bit more proactive than the NFL. Yes, the college game tends to err on the side of caution, but at least they are trying.
All of these injury issues stem, I think, from the lack of basic tackling technique being taught from day one. I recall Coach Terry and Coach Brad stressing that you kept your head up and hit the guy in the numbers. Wrap up! (I can still hear them screaming that...) This was long before the days of organized youth programs. For many high schoolers "back in the day" these were the first exposure to organized football.
Nearly every week, there are cringe-worthy shots to the head by players. Shots that were unnecessary.
Yes, I know that today's players are bigger-faster-stronger than those of even 20 years ago. And having been on the sidelines for Packer games, I know how violent the game is. Much more so than television can ever convey.
Take the Green Bay-Carolina game of 12/17/17 as a perfect example. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, rusty after an eight-week layoff, throws an interception. As Carolina's Colin Jones turns up field, GB wide receiver Dante Adams is blindsided from the left by linebacker Thomas Davis. Davis, a 12-year pro out of Georgia, clearly launches and leads with his helmet, smack into Adams' helmet. The ensuing 15-yard penalty is tacked on, yes, but while Adams heads to the sideline for concussion protocol (and will be lost for the game) Davis will return.
What's wrong with that picture? Granted, come Monday (or Tuesday) the NFL front offices will issue a stiff fine for the hit. But where's the in-game justice? We lost one of ours, shouldn't Davis be tossed for the rest of the game as well?
Maybe the NCAA has it right. Or at least the START of getting it right. Targeting is not tolerated in the college game. And if, in the opinion of the officials checking on the infraction, the targeting is egregious, the player is tossed for a game. In the college system, if the targeting takes place in the first half of a game, the offending player is done for the day. If the targeting takes place in the second half, the offending player is tossed AND will be sitting out the first half of the NEXT game.
Seems pretty simple, and is a bit more proactive than the NFL. Yes, the college game tends to err on the side of caution, but at least they are trying.
All of these injury issues stem, I think, from the lack of basic tackling technique being taught from day one. I recall Coach Terry and Coach Brad stressing that you kept your head up and hit the guy in the numbers. Wrap up! (I can still hear them screaming that...) This was long before the days of organized youth programs. For many high schoolers "back in the day" these were the first exposure to organized football.
Sack, Sack...Who's Got The Sack (Record)
This bugs me, and maybe it bugs you, too. Career records for the National Football League don't take quarterback sacks into account until the 1970's.
What? There were none in the '60s or earlier. What a load of crap. Let's ask David "Deacon" Jones, the stellar DE of the Los Angeles Rams' "Fearsome Foursome" if he ever sacked a quarterback. They have a little thing called film that they can review, and I can imagine it wouldn't be all that tough to go back and examine film for a handful of players and determine their totals.
Of course, it was harder to get sacks then. Teams didn't throw with the regularity that today's defenses face, and until 1960 the NFL played 12 games a season -- and expanded that to 14 with expansion (and the AFL putting up competition).
Still, seems like this could be accomplished without a lot of hassle.
Speaking of the AFL -- Milwaukee was considered for one of the original franchises. It never came about, because legend has it Vince Lombardi heard about it. He went to the fine folks in Milwaukee and in no uncertain terms let them know that, if that so-and-so league came to town the Packers would never play there again. This, of course, is back when GB played a couple games at Milwaukee County Stadium and the rest at Lambeau Field. Everyone genuflected, said we're sorry St. Vincent, and the AFL went it's merry way.
Good thing, too. When ABC launched Monday Night Football in 1970, the lights at Lambeau weren't good enough for prime time games, so any MNF contests Green Bay hosted were done in Milwaukee. Which is where, in the fall of 1973, I tagged along with our game reporters (a college sophomore at UW-Oshkosh) to do a sidebar interview with a fading Joe Willie Namath. I'm sure he remembers it fondly...
* * * *
While we're talking records, let's talk about the NCAA and it's arbitrary line in the sand regarding the career rushing record.After 2002, a college running back's totals include bowl appearances. Prior to that? Not so much. So maybe they don't have definitive statistics available prior to that? Oh, wait, they would. So just go back over the records, look at the top, say, 10 career rushers and adjust accordingly.
Adding in the 728 yards that Wisconsin's Ron Dayne picked up would give him a career total of 7,125 yards...easily topping the mark that San Diego State's Donnel Pumphrey put up that included his bowl appearances.
What? There were none in the '60s or earlier. What a load of crap. Let's ask David "Deacon" Jones, the stellar DE of the Los Angeles Rams' "Fearsome Foursome" if he ever sacked a quarterback. They have a little thing called film that they can review, and I can imagine it wouldn't be all that tough to go back and examine film for a handful of players and determine their totals.
Of course, it was harder to get sacks then. Teams didn't throw with the regularity that today's defenses face, and until 1960 the NFL played 12 games a season -- and expanded that to 14 with expansion (and the AFL putting up competition).
Still, seems like this could be accomplished without a lot of hassle.
* * * *
Speaking of the AFL -- Milwaukee was considered for one of the original franchises. It never came about, because legend has it Vince Lombardi heard about it. He went to the fine folks in Milwaukee and in no uncertain terms let them know that, if that so-and-so league came to town the Packers would never play there again. This, of course, is back when GB played a couple games at Milwaukee County Stadium and the rest at Lambeau Field. Everyone genuflected, said we're sorry St. Vincent, and the AFL went it's merry way.
Good thing, too. When ABC launched Monday Night Football in 1970, the lights at Lambeau weren't good enough for prime time games, so any MNF contests Green Bay hosted were done in Milwaukee. Which is where, in the fall of 1973, I tagged along with our game reporters (a college sophomore at UW-Oshkosh) to do a sidebar interview with a fading Joe Willie Namath. I'm sure he remembers it fondly...
* * * *
While we're talking records, let's talk about the NCAA and it's arbitrary line in the sand regarding the career rushing record.After 2002, a college running back's totals include bowl appearances. Prior to that? Not so much. So maybe they don't have definitive statistics available prior to that? Oh, wait, they would. So just go back over the records, look at the top, say, 10 career rushers and adjust accordingly.
Adding in the 728 yards that Wisconsin's Ron Dayne picked up would give him a career total of 7,125 yards...easily topping the mark that San Diego State's Donnel Pumphrey put up that included his bowl appearances.
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