Here, I thought, was a GREAT opportunity for Super Bowl weeks. Fresh story lines, new topics and finally (finally) two blissful weeks without mention of the damn New England Patriots.
Wrong.
While there should be focus on the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers set to meet in Super Bowl LIV, here come headlines: Tom Brady is a free agent! Tom Brady wants to keep playing in the NFL!! Do the New England Patriots want to re-sign him? Does Coach Bill Belichek want him back?? Etcetera. Etcetera.
Good lord, people, just give it a rest.
Instead, let's dwell on a couple other more timely Super Bowl thoughts, like why do we need two weeks between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl? Or why can't we number it so people can actually understand? Hey, I'm cool with the Roman Numeral system, but once you reach a certain point, does it really matter? Sure, it might look a little classy, but since they're not even teaching cursive in school these days, do kids know that L equals 50? Let's keep in mind that they didn't start tacking on Roman Numerals until Super Bowl V.
Of course, Joe Fan ain't going to this game. Not without shelling out an AVERAGE of $8,000 a ticket. But I digress...
On to the most important aspect of Super Bowl LIV -- who's gonna win. First, there's the San Francisco 49ers, making their first appearance in 25 years, feature a stonewall of a defense. It's said that defense wins championships.
On the other hand, the high-powered Kansas City Chiefs are in the title game for the first time in 50 years. They won it in 1969 under Coach Hank Stram -- featuring players like Len Dawson, Otis Taylor, Jan Stenerud and Buck Buchanan.
This seems to be a pick 'em game, according to Las Vegas, which has Kansas City as a one-point favorite. Vegas has an over/under in points of 54 1/2.
I look at this game as a high-scoring affair. And Kansas City gives Andy Reid his championship. And selfishly, I'm pulling for a scored that ends in 2 (KC) and 3 (SF) -- my numbers in the pool!
Friday, January 31, 2020
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Changes In An Industry
My February issue of Sports Illustrated arrived in the mail last week.
Let that sink in for a moment. My FEBRUARY issue...
Yes, like so many other publications faced with changing dynamics and the Internet providing nearly instantaneous information, Sports Illustrated is adapting. What launched as a weekly magazine in August, 1954 (Eddie Matthews of the Milwaukee Braves at the plate, with old County Stadium in the background), the publication will now go to 16 issues a year.
This, after shifting to a bi-weekly at the start of 2019. Those 2020 16 issues will also include a stand-alone (the notorious swimsuit edition -- which first appeared IN the magazine in 1964), plus football, the NBA, baseball and the Olympics.
I understand the changes. Many magazines have simply ceased publication, switched formats (hell, Entertainment Weekly has gone monthly but stubbornly keeps "weekly" in it's masthead) or gone totally electronic. Reading habits have changed -- even the venerable (or nefarious) Playboy Magazine (also begin in 1954) has switched from a monthly to a quarterly schedule.
As a young man growing up in rural Central Wisconsin, I eagerly awaited each issue of Sports Illustrated. It opened up a whole new sports world, bringing to my door national and international events and people that I didn't see in the daily paper we got (via the mail, always a day behind). The writing was always first-rate, and continues to be, while the photography was outstanding.
Here's hoping their new efforts are successful.
Let that sink in for a moment. My FEBRUARY issue...
Yes, like so many other publications faced with changing dynamics and the Internet providing nearly instantaneous information, Sports Illustrated is adapting. What launched as a weekly magazine in August, 1954 (Eddie Matthews of the Milwaukee Braves at the plate, with old County Stadium in the background), the publication will now go to 16 issues a year.
This, after shifting to a bi-weekly at the start of 2019. Those 2020 16 issues will also include a stand-alone (the notorious swimsuit edition -- which first appeared IN the magazine in 1964), plus football, the NBA, baseball and the Olympics.
I understand the changes. Many magazines have simply ceased publication, switched formats (hell, Entertainment Weekly has gone monthly but stubbornly keeps "weekly" in it's masthead) or gone totally electronic. Reading habits have changed -- even the venerable (or nefarious) Playboy Magazine (also begin in 1954) has switched from a monthly to a quarterly schedule.
As a young man growing up in rural Central Wisconsin, I eagerly awaited each issue of Sports Illustrated. It opened up a whole new sports world, bringing to my door national and international events and people that I didn't see in the daily paper we got (via the mail, always a day behind). The writing was always first-rate, and continues to be, while the photography was outstanding.
Here's hoping their new efforts are successful.
Friday, January 24, 2020
Expect Major Changes On Green Bay's Roster
Each and every year, there's changeover on professional rosters, whether that's basketball, baseball, football or hockey.
In the National Football League, things are no different for the Green Bay Packers. Players come (through trade, draft or free agent acquisitions) and players go.
To be honest, I don't think I've ever seen this large a class of unrestricted free agents in the Green and Gold.
There's 19 (yes, 19; that's over a third of the roster) that are free agents. Some will be back, some won't. My thoughts on the list, with offensive players in italics:
RT Bryan Bulaga -- solid veteran. Let's face it, health is always a concern with him. I would only bring him back at a reasonable salary as a backup.
K Mason Crosby -- had one of his best season in his 13th year as a Packer. Steady, consistent and worth the price of his contract. Kicking in Lambeau Field in December is no picnic.
FB Danny Vitale -- worth signing to a budget deal.
ILB Blake Martinez -- played his last game for Green Bay, I believe. Packers need to improve at the position. While a good tackler, Martinez was a liability as a pass defender.
WR Geronimo Allison -- not sure I would bring him back. Too many drops and his production certainly doesn't warrant it.
RT Jared Veldheer -- signed out of retirement, was a solid pro for Green Bay. IF he wants to come back, I would sign him on the cheap.
RB Tyler Ervin -- bring him back just on his special teams play alone (his issues in the NFC title game not withstanding).
OLB Kyler Fackrell -- has shown flashes. If the dollar amount is reasonable, sign him.
ILB B.J. Goodson -- not sure his production calls for it. Another player who, if the cost is minimal, may be worth it.
TE Marcedes Lewis -- don't think he'll be back. Getting up there in years of service.
WR Ryan Grant -- won't be back.
S Will Redmond -- worth it if the contract is reasonable.
WR Allen Lazard -- seemed to get better and better as the season wore on, and QB Aaron Rodgers seems to trust him. While there will be many changes in the receiver room this year, Lazard is worth the contract.
CB Chandon Sullivan -- worth it if the contract is reasonable.
WR Jake Kumerow -- UW-Whitewater alum is a fan favorite. A reasonable contract brings him back.
TE Robert Tonyan -- spotty performer. On the bubble.
DT Tyler Lancaster -- On the bubble, but will probably return.
FB Malcolm Johnson -- On the bubble.
The Packers ARE bringing back defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. A good move, in my opinion. With the exception of two games, his unit was prepared and his game plan solid. Unfortunately, those two exceptions were both against San Francisco, and that NFC title game was embarrassing. But clearly, Green Bay's defense was better in 2019 than 2018. It's fair to expect more improvement in 2020.
In the National Football League, things are no different for the Green Bay Packers. Players come (through trade, draft or free agent acquisitions) and players go.
To be honest, I don't think I've ever seen this large a class of unrestricted free agents in the Green and Gold.
There's 19 (yes, 19; that's over a third of the roster) that are free agents. Some will be back, some won't. My thoughts on the list, with offensive players in italics:
RT Bryan Bulaga -- solid veteran. Let's face it, health is always a concern with him. I would only bring him back at a reasonable salary as a backup.
K Mason Crosby -- had one of his best season in his 13th year as a Packer. Steady, consistent and worth the price of his contract. Kicking in Lambeau Field in December is no picnic.
FB Danny Vitale -- worth signing to a budget deal.
ILB Blake Martinez -- played his last game for Green Bay, I believe. Packers need to improve at the position. While a good tackler, Martinez was a liability as a pass defender.
WR Geronimo Allison -- not sure I would bring him back. Too many drops and his production certainly doesn't warrant it.
RT Jared Veldheer -- signed out of retirement, was a solid pro for Green Bay. IF he wants to come back, I would sign him on the cheap.
RB Tyler Ervin -- bring him back just on his special teams play alone (his issues in the NFC title game not withstanding).
OLB Kyler Fackrell -- has shown flashes. If the dollar amount is reasonable, sign him.
ILB B.J. Goodson -- not sure his production calls for it. Another player who, if the cost is minimal, may be worth it.
TE Marcedes Lewis -- don't think he'll be back. Getting up there in years of service.
WR Ryan Grant -- won't be back.
S Will Redmond -- worth it if the contract is reasonable.
WR Allen Lazard -- seemed to get better and better as the season wore on, and QB Aaron Rodgers seems to trust him. While there will be many changes in the receiver room this year, Lazard is worth the contract.
CB Chandon Sullivan -- worth it if the contract is reasonable.
WR Jake Kumerow -- UW-Whitewater alum is a fan favorite. A reasonable contract brings him back.
TE Robert Tonyan -- spotty performer. On the bubble.
DT Tyler Lancaster -- On the bubble, but will probably return.
FB Malcolm Johnson -- On the bubble.
The Packers ARE bringing back defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. A good move, in my opinion. With the exception of two games, his unit was prepared and his game plan solid. Unfortunately, those two exceptions were both against San Francisco, and that NFC title game was embarrassing. But clearly, Green Bay's defense was better in 2019 than 2018. It's fair to expect more improvement in 2020.
Friday, January 17, 2020
"I Just Want To Bang On The Garbage Can All Day"
Channeling my inner Harry Carey, I should be shouting "Holeeee Cow!"
Three (count 'em, three!) Major managers canned this week, just six weeks or so before the start of spring training.
By now, you know the story. Using cameras, smart phones and a garbage can, the Astros let their batters know what pitch was coming. Now it also has been suggested that certain players wore an electronic device on their shoulder that let them know the pitch while on the road. May explain why Jose Altuve was so adamant that his jersey remain on when the 'Stros beat the Yankees in New York.
Houston was caught cheating and was dealt with by MLB, suspending manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow for a year, fining the franchise $5 million (the maximum allowed) and stripping them of four draft picks -- their first two in the next two drafts.
The Astros -- forever to be known as the Asterisks, since that may well be attached to their 2018 World Series Championship -- took the next step and fired Hinch and Luhnow.
Guilt by association soon caught up with the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets, as both teams "mutually parted ways" with their managers.
Let's face it. In Boston, manager Alex Cora was fired. Cora, it seems, may have been the ringleader in the garbage can scandal, getting it started before leaving to manage the Red Sox. Was it just a coincidence when Boston won a World Series under him? I think not.
And along come the Mets, who just two months ago made former Astros player Carlos Beltran the manager. Not wanting the stink to hang over New York too long, the Mets fired Beltran.
Both clubs can play the we-mutually-parted-ways card, but they're not fooling anyone.
By the way, I first addressed this whole electronic cheating thing in a blog 12/13/18.
Just sayin'
Thursday, January 9, 2020
Be Thankful For Paul Chryst
Unassuming. Bland. Boring. A winner.
University of Wisconsin Badger football coach Paul Chryst is all of these. But he does things "The Wisconsin Way" and that's just fine with us.
Since taking the Wisconsin job in 2015, Chryst's team have gone 62-19. That's a winning percentage of .765. During that stretch, the Badgers won the Holiday, Cotton, Orange and Pinstripe bowl games -- and this year SHOULD have closed out the Rose Bowl with a win instead of falling 28-27. Bucky was clearly the better team on the field, but was uncharacteristic in committing turnovers and penalties at crucial times.
The only game in which Wisconsin was truly blown out this year came on Oct. 26th at Ohio State, a 38-7 loss. Otherwise, the defeats at Illinois, the Big Ten title game with Ohio State and the Rose Bowl were all winnable.
The one real Achilles' heel for Bucky this season, in my opinion, was special teams. Let's face it, Wisconsin punters just didn't cut it. I find it interesting that BOTH All-Big Ten punters, chosen by the Associated Press, hail from Melbourne, Australia.....Blake Hayes, Illinois junior was first team while Rutgers junior Adam Korsak (featured in a Sports Illustrated piece) was second team. Maybe it's time for Chryst & Co. to head Down Under to recruit a strong leg from an Australian Rules Football roster.
Wisconsin loses some studs at linebacker through graduation, and four players have announced they will leave early
No matter. Wisconsin will reload at linebacker, the O-Line and running back. In fact, a four-star runner from New Jersey, Jalen Berger, committed to the Badgers.A solid all-around runner who is 6-foot, 205-pounds, picked UW from a final five that included LSU, Penn State, UCLA and Rutgers. He's the fifth four-star recruit to join the Badgers. It's rare for Wisconsin to get those four-stars, so it shows that this program is in good hands.
University of Wisconsin Badger football coach Paul Chryst is all of these. But he does things "The Wisconsin Way" and that's just fine with us.
Since taking the Wisconsin job in 2015, Chryst's team have gone 62-19. That's a winning percentage of .765. During that stretch, the Badgers won the Holiday, Cotton, Orange and Pinstripe bowl games -- and this year SHOULD have closed out the Rose Bowl with a win instead of falling 28-27. Bucky was clearly the better team on the field, but was uncharacteristic in committing turnovers and penalties at crucial times.
The only game in which Wisconsin was truly blown out this year came on Oct. 26th at Ohio State, a 38-7 loss. Otherwise, the defeats at Illinois, the Big Ten title game with Ohio State and the Rose Bowl were all winnable.
The one real Achilles' heel for Bucky this season, in my opinion, was special teams. Let's face it, Wisconsin punters just didn't cut it. I find it interesting that BOTH All-Big Ten punters, chosen by the Associated Press, hail from Melbourne, Australia.....Blake Hayes, Illinois junior was first team while Rutgers junior Adam Korsak (featured in a Sports Illustrated piece) was second team. Maybe it's time for Chryst & Co. to head Down Under to recruit a strong leg from an Australian Rules Football roster.
Wisconsin loses some studs at linebacker through graduation, and four players have announced they will leave early
- RB Jonathan Taylor, who's exit is totally understandable. Sure it would be nice if he came back, but running backs only have so many carries in them. Leaving for the NFL and a salary was expected.
- C Taylor Biadasz, probably the best interior lineman in the draft
- WR Quintez Cephus, a surprise in a draft that is wide receiver heavy
- WR Aaron Cruickshank, who REALLY surprised Badger Nation by entering the transfer portal. Despite his success as a kick returner and his explosiveness, he may well have looked around the receiver room and decided he wouldn't get a chance.
No matter. Wisconsin will reload at linebacker, the O-Line and running back. In fact, a four-star runner from New Jersey, Jalen Berger, committed to the Badgers.A solid all-around runner who is 6-foot, 205-pounds, picked UW from a final five that included LSU, Penn State, UCLA and Rutgers. He's the fifth four-star recruit to join the Badgers. It's rare for Wisconsin to get those four-stars, so it shows that this program is in good hands.
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
Take A Deep Breath, Packer Nation
Be honest.
If someone had come to you in August and told you that a) the Green Bay Packers would finish 13-3, win the Northern Division AND have the second playoff seed but b) that they would be winning ugly with an inconsistent offense and an up-and-down Aaron Rodgers, would you have been happy?
Damn skippy you would have been! Close to cartwheels, I'm willing to bet.
That's why, for the days following the season finale (by the skin of their teeth) victory in Detroit, the airwaves and water-cooler discussions were about how bad the Packers were...how lucky the Packers were...how undeserving of a second seed the Packers were.
Get over yourselves, Packer Nation, and appreciate what the team has done. Seriously, too many of you feel too damn entitled -- you remind me of Alabama football fans!
I'm of a certain age and remember (sadly) the years from about 1972 to the mid 1980s, when Packer football SUCKED and it was a challenge to be a fan and remain a fan.
If someone had come to you in August and told you that a) the Green Bay Packers would finish 13-3, win the Northern Division AND have the second playoff seed but b) that they would be winning ugly with an inconsistent offense and an up-and-down Aaron Rodgers, would you have been happy?
Damn skippy you would have been! Close to cartwheels, I'm willing to bet.
That's why, for the days following the season finale (by the skin of their teeth) victory in Detroit, the airwaves and water-cooler discussions were about how bad the Packers were...how lucky the Packers were...how undeserving of a second seed the Packers were.
Get over yourselves, Packer Nation, and appreciate what the team has done. Seriously, too many of you feel too damn entitled -- you remind me of Alabama football fans!
I'm of a certain age and remember (sadly) the years from about 1972 to the mid 1980s, when Packer football SUCKED and it was a challenge to be a fan and remain a fan.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)