Favre Plans A & B

Will Brett come back for another season or two, or three? Packers fans worldwide hope so, but I'm going to take a look at two seperate plans for what the Packers SHOULD do for next season. The first plan is if Favre returns, the second if he decides not to.

Favre Plan A
If Brett returns which I think he will, the main gameplan MUST be to spend the money in free agency and make one last push for the title. I believe the Packers are about 14 million under the cap currently. Where should they cut more fat? First man gone is Robert Ferguson, who's done next to nothing in his benign career. His base salary jumps from $500,000 this year to $1.4 million next season. Thanks Mike Sherman! Also, Antonio Chatman will be a free agent and should be let go as well. He's done next to nothing as a return man and 4th receiver. Bring back Rod Gardner to be the #3 receiver and hope that Walker returns to form. Also, another move would be to spend big money on a big time free agent playmaking receiver. I won't even utter the initials of that pig who played with Philly the past two seasons. Tight end Daniel "Bubba" Franks will probably go elsewhere as well as he may be looking for a big payday. The Packers need to find a blocking tight end to help out the offensive line.

Fullback wise, the Packers have to re-sign William Henderson. Leach was too inconsistant to be a full time starter. At running back Davenport and Fisher are all but gone. The question mark is Green. I say, sign him at the veteran's minimum and add incentives to it. Samkon Gado is a nice backup and I'd love to see the Packers draft a running back in the 2nd or 3rd round. Laurence Maroney from Minnesota would be perfect. Backup to the backup QB, Craig Nall is never going to get a chance here so it's time for him to move on. Oh and if Mr. Longwell is looking for yet ANOTHER large contract, he can find it somewhere else. Longwell had his worst season as a pro in 2005.

The offensive line was as weak as it's been since the pre-Super bowl years of the mid 90's. Was this Larry Beightol's fault? No, Beightol is the same guy who turned Mike Wahle from a 2nd round supplemental pick into a pro bowler, only to have him sign elsewhere. Thanks again Mike Sherman. The Packers need to spend the money and get two starting offensive interior linemen, or one tackle and move Tauscher to guard. Flanagan is on his last legs, and the guys behind him aren't too exciting. That's my rough plan A.

Favre Plan B
First, we should kiss the season good-bye because Aaron Rodgers will have little more success than Kyle Boller, and at least Boller has a defense to cover for him.
Let the following players leave, Fisher, Davenport, A. Green, Ferguson, Franks, Kevin Barry, Chatman, Nall and Longwell. The only difference from the past plan being that Green would be gone. IF Green is let go, the Packers would need to sign a veteran running back (Stephen Davis?) and draft the same rookie running back, hopefully Maroney. In the 2nd or 3rd round they'd have to draft an offensive lineman who could come in and immediately start.
But the bottom line with this plan is, you're looking at another 4-12 season at best. Hey, I guess then we'll have another high draft pick.

Brett is needed in Green Bay.

Run for the hills, McCarthyism is baaaaack!

Ahhh how very ironic that Senator Joe McCarthy was from the great state of Wisconsin. Speaking of Wisconsin, I need to check through all of my Wisconsin state quarters to see if they have that extra cornstalk flap. Now where was I, oh yes Mike McCarthy now the new head coach and Ted Thompson 2nd year GM have been putting their stamp all over the new team. Most of it is questionable at best. The latest and most puzzling hire being Bob Sanders as the new defensive coordinator. Uhhhh Bob who?!?!? The Packers defensive line coach of course.

I'm sick and tired of hearing people throw misleading stats out there about Green Bay's defense last year. As any sane person knows, statistics can prove any point you want them to. Yes the Packers defense was ranked #1 in yards allowed vs. the pass, but come on, they couldn't stop the run, why would any team pass the ball. Add into that the offense's propensity to turn the ball over, and an impotent punter and there you have the formula for the defense's high rank. Let's be serious, there wasn't a single pro bowler on the defense, and in particular Mr. Sanders' unit was extremely inept.

Take for example, Kabeer Baja-Biamila, aka Mr. Moneybags! Last season he didn't even reach double digits in sacks and was extremely weak against the run. The defensive line should take the primary responsibility for the pourous rush defense. How does Mr. Sanders intend to improve this defense overall and the defensive line in particular. It's my opinion that there are only about a handful of defensive players worth keeping. Aaron Kampman is a free agent and could get a lot of money thrown his way. He's a very hard worker, but let's be realistic he's never going to be an upper echelon defensive end. Grady Jackson is a huge help in stopping the run but his agent has already said he's going to want a big deal. It's clear the Packers need at least two quality starters on the defensive line for next year. One tackle and one end, UNLESS Sanders decides to go to a 3-4 defense, which is very unlikely. The linebacking corps is even more inept. The only worthwhile proven commodity is Nick Barnett, who arguably had his worst season as a pro last year. He was consistantly out of position and couldn't seem to do anything in pass coverage. Brady Poppinga could be serviceable but more likely a quality backup. I think it is paramount that the Packers take either A.J. Hawk at linebacker or Mario Williams an end with the number five overall pick and fill in a couple of holes via free agency.

The secondary is foolishly funny! I think Nick Collins will develop into a good player and he actually seems to have a mean streak in him. He likes to hit and he likes to tell you about it afterwards. This is the type of defender the Packers sorely lack. Al Harris is a good #2 cornerback but he's not a #1, let's not kid anyone. It's also about time to cut Ahmad Carroll loose and admit that was another terrible first round pick. The other safety position is currently manned by Mark Roman, but that has to change as well. So in summation, the Packers need 6 new starters on defense. I'm not sure how Bob Sanders is going to help as he has no experience as a defensive coordinator at ANY level, just like Mr. McCarthy. Does any of this sound familiar? It should, as Mike Sherman had no head coaching experience at ANY level either before he was given the key to the Rolls! It's a scary time to be a Packers fan.

Odds are...

...pretty good for me I'd say. I have a betonsports.com account and banked $1000 on a $40 bet on my beloved Chicago White Sox to win their first world series since 1917. Yes boys, the futures market is where the betting is at. By futures I mean putting a 10 bet or whatever amount you want on a team to win a title down the road. I have some good odds going right now, let me share them with you. AND...what odds I got when I bet and where they are currently. Wait too long and you lose out, this is the key!

NCAA Basketball Championship 2006
TEAM Amount Bet Odds I got Possible Payout Current Odds
Florida $10 45-1 $450 11-1
Memphis $10 25-1 $250 13-1
NHL
Carolina $20 55-1 $1100 15-1
Nashville $20 25-1 $500 15-1
NASCAR
J. McMurray $25 35-1 $875 7-1
E.Sadler $20 30-1 $600 45-1
$10 45-1 $450 45-1
K.Harvick $10 50-1 $500 48-1
J.Mayfield $10 70-1 $700 70-1
to win daytona 500
Kyle Busch $10 100-1 $1000 20-1

Now granted if one of these futures bets hits I stand to make some cash, I think? Of course I sure wouldn't mind seeing Kyle Busch win the Daytona 500, the Carolina Hurricanes win Lord Stanley's Cup, Florida win the NCAA hoops title, and Elliott Sadler win the NASCAR points title.
*(bets not pictured are money on green bay, oakland, new orleans and baltimore to win the super bowl this past season, and the st. louis blues to win the stanley cup. that would be an embarassment!)

Championships and such

Ok, I know some of you are clamoring for my comments on what's transpired over the past few days in Titletown, but that will come in good time. Suffice it to say, none of it is very positive. Now, as I sit listening to the so called experts spew whatever crap they believe it's time to come up with some sensible stuff.
First off, everyone seems to be psyched that these two games are going to be so exciting. Well for one thing, that is a freakin' lie. If I were a betting man, I'd say that one of these games if not both is NOT going to come down to the final minutes. It's been my opinion for years that your most exciting playoff football comes the week BEFORE the championship games. It makes logical sense as there are 4 games instead of 2. I'm not saying that either of these games will be blowouts persay, but I don't think we'll see anything close to what happened in the indy/pitt game. I've never been the best at outright predicting games (5-3 this year in the playoffs), but I do think I know about what to look for and watch.
First game on the schedule is the AFC championship so let's start there. I'll say it right away I like Pittsburgh to win. Denver has been hot at home, but when push comes to shove I don't think Jake Plummer has what it takes. If Plummer has to win it by throwing the ball 35+ times, Denver won't win. Plummer has proven that throughout his career. I think Dick Lebeau is a great defensive coordinator and will be ready, that and I don't think that Denver will be the recipient of 5 turnovers as they were last week. On the Pittsburgh side of the ball my unlikely mvp of the game is Hines Ward. The guy's due to breakout. But what do I know. Pittsburgh is my pick here.
NFC game is a bit more intriguing for me. I'll give you my pick right away again, Holmgren and Seattle win this one and Holmgren will be hoisting the Lombardi trophy for his 2nd different team in 2 and a half weeks. Why will Seattle win? Well I think the big reason is they are going to be able to run the ball and VERY effectively. I look for Shaun Alexander to have a huge day, specifically running behind the left side of that line. Tackle Waler Jones, and Left Guard Steve Hutchinson are great at what they do. In particular Hutchinson, I feel is the best guard not named Will Shields in the league (Yes, he's still better than Mike Wahle)! It's fun to watch Hutchinson during the game, do it, and you'll see what I mean. Very rarely is it enjoyable to watch an offensive lineman during an NFL contest, unless he's ripping some guy's helmet off his head!
I see Seattle running the ball often and effectively and they will run it at Julius Peppers. What's more, is I think Carolina's D is going to be in for a surprise if they blitz Seattle like they did the Giants and Bears. You can get away with blitzing Eli and Rex but Hasselbeck does have a bit of experience under his belt. I also am going to go out on a limb and say Steve Smith doesn't finish this game due to injury. Hey, I'm allowed a swing and a miss once in awhile. This is going to be a game where, if it's close, the team with the ball last will lose. I don't see either Hasselbeck or Delhomme making one of those classic last minute drives for the victory. Seattle will win this one. *Watch out for Jerramy Stevens having a big game.*

Baseball Tip to make you look smart, Part 1

Ok, I've decided to impart my knowledge about all things sports to make you and yours look a lot more intelligent to the rest of the world. Here's a great baseball tip to make you look like an absolute genius and student of the game.
This one involves the MLB rulebook, or any baseball rule book for that matter. How many times have you heard some sloshed caveman in a bar after a bang-bang play at first scream, "Tie goes to the runner!!!" ? Well this is an old wive's tale.

I have to admit, playing baseball since a young lad, that I too thought this was the case. Not so, the rule book actually reads that "the batter or baserunner must BEAT the ball to the base." In other words if the first baseman (or any other for that matter) catches the ball at the same time the runner's foot touches the base, the runner is out. I hope this helps you the next time you want to look smarter than you actually are. And if you have non-believers, tell them to consult with the rulebook!

Green Bay's new head coach

I thought it very appropriate that my first post be about the Green Bay Packers, as I've been a diehard fan for the past 25 years. Yes, through the lean years of the 80's and the success of the 90's, but now what? First, a brilliant move in letting Mike "I'm so confused I must perform fellatio on this pen" Sherman go. This guy has done nothing but set records as the head coach. Granted, these records aren't positive, but they're records none the less. Who can forget the Packers first home playoff loss in team history against the Atlanta Falcons in a snowstorm! Yes, team history. We're not talking about the Yoooston Texans here, this is a storied franchise which has been around since 1919! The team no longer has a home field advantage. Sherman also had his hands in the batter, when making awful GM decisions. Impotent draft picks and a wide array of boneheaded contract extensions have the Packers looking at a bleak future, especially if Favre comes back.
Now, Ted Thompson has given the reigns to Mike McCarthy, clearly not the best man for the job, but perhaps Thompson is betting that this will keep Favre around for at least another season or two, which is clearly the team's best chance for resurrected glory. That being said, would you come back if you were Favre? Should you come back if you're Favre? I think that is a question that can only be answered by Brett after Mr. Thompson tells him what the blueprint is. As a Packer fan, I have to say with the 15+ million dollars under the cap, and a semblance of an offense, the Packers need to sacrifice the long term for one last short term run. This means still using your first round pick on a playmaking defensive beast like Ohio State's AJ Hawk, or Mario Williams of NC State who's a football player with the dimensions of an NBA power forward. Next money must be spent to bring in a playmaking veteran wide receiver, an above average offensive guard and another presence or two in an unexperienced and untalented secondary.
These are just one man's thoughts...