24 posts tagged “football”
With the NFC's 30-21 defeat of the AFC in the annual Pro Bowl, the 2008 NFL season is finally complete. My family clapped enthusiastically when the game was over. This means they now have a free Sunday (Monday nights, selected Thursdays, and a few Saturdays as well) to do what they want with the television until the Hall of Fame Game on August 9.
Way back in 1997, I was a deciding factor in moving from Wisconsin to our current location in Minnesota. For the most part, I still believe this decision was the right one to make at that time. We were pregnant and I had to talk my way back into the factory I previously worked at during our first stint in Minnesota to obtain quality health insurance.
One downfall to this move was the loss of viewing all of the Packer's football games. On days like this, I am forced to watch my beloved Pack on NFL.com while suffering mightily through the garbage known in the Twin Cities as Minnesota Vikings football. Since all the Vikings can muster are field goals and boos from their idiotic fans, I am forced to contemplate today's Tarot Card.
Facebook tells me:
The Knight of Chalices card suggests that my power today lies in passion.
Pursuing and expressing my hearts desire honors my love, passion, and
beauty and is worth waiting, courting or crusading for. What I lack in
external means, qualification or ability, I make up for with a true and
dedicated heart. I am not a victim therefore I do not need to be
rescued. I am empowered by patience or self-worth and my gift is
emotional availability and devotion.
Externally, I am not the most passionate person in the world. I tend, almost to a fault, to keep my emotions in check and do not allow them to rule over my ability to use logic and reason in making decisions. However, this does not mean I do not have passion. In those areas that matter to me most, I allow my passion to aid me as fuel.
The Tarot Cards lately have talked plenty about the avoidance of being a victim. Thankfully I have the right mindset, patience, and self-worth to avoid the temptation of choosing to become a victim. I recognize that my actions and choices, along with a little luck, determine how my life plays out, not the actions and plans of other people.
If the NFL would have started tonight's season opener two hours later, I would have had a choice to make:
Eli and the New York Football Giants versus the Washington NFL team
or
the Republican National Convention?
I would have chosen the NFL.
Yes, I learned of this deal at 5:45 this morning from Cathy Wurzer during my 45-minute drive to Wisconsin. Thankfully the drama is over for the time being. We'll see if the brain trust in Green Bay knows what they are doing. So far, it is an utterly disappointing deal because they traded away their best quarterback, no offense to Aaron Rodgers.
However, I do remember the Brett Favre of the NFC Championship game last year. This Brett Favre had to simply drive his team down the field for an easy overtime field goal. Rather than play it safe, he threw up a patented Brett Favre interception. I also remember the Brett Favre from week 16 last year, a 35-7 loss at Chicago. Favre was 17/32 for 153 yards, had no touchdown passes, and threw two interceptions.I watched some of the ESPN coverage of the press conference. They played some radio bits from some of the Jets fans and it is almost like they are expecting the second coming of Joe Namath. Here is a little reality check: the Jets are still not on the same field as the Patriots. Despite the addition of Favre, the Jets will be swept by the Pats this year.
Meanwhile, I will be watching by team, the Green Bay Packers, try and win games with Rodgers. It could turn out well this year. Perhaps he will be the Derek Anderson of 2008. Let's hope he does not turn out like Alex Smith, who was drafted in the same year as Rodgers.
Growing up, I remember the days of Lynn Dickey, Randy Wright, and Don Majkowski. I would hate to see this franchise descend back to those dark days. During the years of 1980-1989, the Packers went 66-85-3 (.437), as opposed to the record of 102-72-0 (.586) during the years of 1990-1999. So far this decade, the Packers' record is 78-50-0 (.609). Although he is only one player, Favre's influence was clear.
Will Brett Favre join this list of esteemed NFL players and play for a different team next year? The rumor mill is running at full speed with Mort reporting that Favre asked the Packers for an unconditional release. Former Star Tribune Vikings beat writer Kevin Seifert wants to fan the rumor flames and make a claim that Tampa Bay would be an ideal place for Favre.
Ericka is sticking her head in the sand, hoping all of this nonsense will just go away. She wants me to write about how well the bodybuilder Ed Hochuli fared in a popularity contest amongst NFL coaches. She seems to think Favre will never play for another team besides the Packers.
Perhaps she is correct. Maybe Favre will look long and hard at how goofy Johnny Unitas looked in a Chargers uniform and spare us all the misery of watching him play for Jon Gruden. I wish Brett would stop being so waffley and either play or deal with being retired.
Ericka is sticking her head in the sand, hoping all of this nonsense will just go away. She wants me to write about how well the bodybuilder Ed Hochuli fared in a popularity contest amongst NFL coaches. She seems to think Favre will never play for another team besides the Packers.
Perhaps she is correct. Maybe Favre will look long and hard at how goofy Johnny Unitas looked in a Chargers uniform and spare us all the misery of watching him play for Jon Gruden. I wish Brett would stop being so waffley and either play or deal with being retired.
This is a picture of Brett Favre after his 54-yard touchdown pass to Andre Rison in Super Bowl XXXI, a 35-21 Packer victory over the New England Patriots. I remember this play vividly because of the way Favre ran down the field like a schoolboy.
As a sports fan in a state (Minnesota) littered with perennially losing sports teams (the '87 and '91Twins are the exception as are the Wild, simply because they are still putting the thing together), I recognize the importance of that key player--the one that puts the whole puzzle together and creates the winner. Brett Favre was that player. He helped make Packers a winner after two decades of mediocrity.
Brett Favre is a sure first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee. He set NFL records in the following categories: touchdown passes (442), passing yards (61,655), wins as a starting quarterback (160), and, fittingly, interceptions (288). While I am not going to anoint him the greatest quarterback ever (Joe Montana), I am confident he ranks up there with the best.
Favre has been starting at quarterback for the Packers since 1992 and every game since then. Here are some of the winners that have come and gone from one of his former divisional rivals, the Chicago Bears.
Chicago Bears
Anyway, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson held the press conference and announced Favre's retirement. Who knows what will happen in the upcoming months? Favre said to ESPN's Chris Mortensen: "I know I can still play, but it's like I told my wife, I'm just tired mentally. I'm just tired... ."
Perhaps a nap and some of that Mississippi summer will refresh him.
As a sports fan in a state (Minnesota) littered with perennially losing sports teams (the '87 and '91Twins are the exception as are the Wild, simply because they are still putting the thing together), I recognize the importance of that key player--the one that puts the whole puzzle together and creates the winner. Brett Favre was that player. He helped make Packers a winner after two decades of mediocrity.
Brett Favre is a sure first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee. He set NFL records in the following categories: touchdown passes (442), passing yards (61,655), wins as a starting quarterback (160), and, fittingly, interceptions (288). While I am not going to anoint him the greatest quarterback ever (Joe Montana), I am confident he ranks up there with the best.
Favre has been starting at quarterback for the Packers since 1992 and every game since then. Here are some of the winners that have come and gone from one of his former divisional rivals, the Chicago Bears.
Chicago Bears
- Jim Harbaugh: 1988-1993
- Peter Tom Willis: 1992-1993
- Will Furrer: 1992
- Erik Kramer: 1994-1998
- Steve Walsh: 1994
- Dave Krieg: 1996
- Rick Mirer: 1997
- Steve Stenstrom: 1997
- Moses Moreno: 1998
- Shane Matthews: 1999-2001
- Cade McNown: 1999-2000
- Jim Miller: 1999-2002
- Chris Chandler: 2002-2003
- Henry Burris: 2002
- Kordell Stewart: 2003
- Jonathan Quinn: 2004
- Craig Krenzel: 2004
- Chad Hutchinson: 2004
- Kyle Orton: 2005, 2007
- Rex Grossman: 2003-2007
- Brian Griese: 2007
Anyway, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson held the press conference and announced Favre's retirement. Who knows what will happen in the upcoming months? Favre said to ESPN's Chris Mortensen: "I know I can still play, but it's like I told my wife, I'm just tired mentally. I'm just tired... ."
Perhaps a nap and some of that Mississippi summer will refresh him.
Watching games like this is fun. I am still trying to figure out if this New York Giant victory is one of the biggest upsets ever. Wow. I'm sure Don Shula, Mercury Morris, and the rest of the remaining '72 Dolphins are popping the cork somewhere...
One half of the Super Bowl has been decided, with the still perfect New England Patriots defeating the injury-riddled San Diego Chargers 21-12. Now, it is time for the senior league's championship game, featuring the six-time champion New York Giants (1927, 1934, 1938, 1956, 1986, 1990) visiting the twelve-time champion Green Bay Packers (1929, 1930, 1931, 1936, 1939, 1944, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1996).
Already defeating the Giants once this season (a 35-13 dismantling in Week 2), the Packers have history on their side with the Giants in championship games. The 1961 and 1962 NFL Championship games were contests between the Pack and Giants, with Green Bay winning both easily (37-0 in '61 and 16-7 in '62).
Things I will be watching during this contest will be (running totals shown next to question):
- How many times will they mention or show a shirtless Packer fan (1)
- How many times will they mention or show Peyton, Archie, or Mother Manning (8)
- How many times will they mention or show Deanna Favre (3)
- Will our favorite referee Ed Hochuli officiate the game
- How many times will they mention or show the air temperature or wind chill (10)
- Will they show any footage of the Monday Night game against Oakland after Brett Favre's father died (0)
- How many times will they speculate if this season will be Brett Favre's last in Green Bay (1)
- Bob Kraft is holding the Lamar Hunt trophy. He is a rich man. Crappy Patriots fans boo the Chargers.
- Bill Belichick smiled.
- Tom Brady. Time to turn to FOX.
- Were those Badger Band members walking past Pam Oliver drunk already?
- The game has not even started yet and they are already speculating about Favre's future.
- For Christmas next year, I am asking Santa to make the NFL televise all games on ESPN. FOX's pregame show is terrible.
- -1 degree, thanks Joe Buck
- Round thermometer shot
- Bart Starr is a legend the Vikings wish they had.
- Wind chill reference
- Finally the kickoff. The waiting is as bad as it is for the Super Bowl.
- At least FOX does not do the lame player intros done by other networks. The Pack is driving the ball well early.
- A punt. At least there was not a turnover or a three and out.
- More temperature talk.
- No Ed Hochuli.
- Will someone please cover Plaxico?
- Good news: the Giants were held to a field goal. Disturbing news: that drive looked rather easy for New York. Giants 3, Packers 0.
- Yikes. Although it is early, three and outs are bad.
- Nice dead fox hat.
- Stop with the glove talk.
- The way the Packers are playing is disturbingly similar to that dreadful loss at Chicago a few weeks ago.
- God help us--they switched from the gloves to the benches.
- Dumb penalty #1.
- Manning family reference #1 (all three in one sentence)
- Field goals are better than touchdowns. Giants 6, Packers 0
- Disastrous turnover averted.
- Fantastic touchdown throw from Brett Favre and an even better catch and run by Donald Driver. That is Green Bay Packer football! Packers 7, Giants 6.
- Tom Coughlin looks like a cold and old man.
- The Green Bay Packers lead the NFL with number of players with dreads.
- More defensive pass rush, please?
- Amani Toomer drop #2. Thanks!
- Greg Jennings is a valuable #2 receiver.
- It's about time the constant holding by the Giants offensive line was noticed.
- Let's hope we can capitalize on this good field position.
- A key penalty keeps the drive alive.
- Another key catch by Driver. First Down!
- More temperature talk. They just can't get enough.
- That was dense to call a screen play here. Third and eight inside the twenty is too long for that nonsense. At least we scored a field goal. Packers 10, Giants 6.
- Another disturbing catch by Plaxico Burress. A lucky bounce for the Packers.
- I think it is time to change the scheme currently in place to contain Burress because it is not working.
- Nice sack from the former Buckeye A.J. Hawk to end the half.
- More temperature talk, this time it comes from Curt.
- Even more temperatures. FOX is turning into The Weather Channel.
- I think Tom Coughlin is wearing Vaseline on his face. He should file a worker's compensation claim.
- Dumb penalty #2.
- Dumb penalty #3. These stupid mistakes are going to cost them later.
- Why is it so hard to put two players on Burress?
- This Raider-like effort by the Packers' defense is getting old.
- Brandon Jacobs scores a touchdown to end that dismal defensive effort by the Packers. Giants 13, Packers 10.
- Tramon Williams takes the kick-off to midfield. We need a touchdown here.
- They got lucky on that penalty. They have not yet converted a third down in this game.
- Donald Lee scores a touchdown via a soft lob by Favre. Packers 17, Giants 13.
- The three Bikini Girls count as shirtless fans. I knew FOX would find them.
- After giving up many yards on the kickoff, they gave up another play to Burress. Big shocker there.
- Damn. The defense can't stop them now. Yikes.
- Ahmad Bradshaw scores a touchdown. Giants 20, Packers 17.
- Manning reference #2 (Peyton). Eli is looking like Y.A. Tittle.
- It's about time they used Ryan Grant. What a concept: running the football with the back that got you to the NFC Championship game.
- Yawn, another third and long to begin the fourth quarter.
- More temperature talk.
- Finally, a third down conversion via a fabulous catch by Driver.
- Former Badger Mark Tauscher recovers a fumble by R.W. McQuarters who intercepted a forced ball by Favre who was attempting to avoid a sack. Crisis averted and a complimentary shot of Deanna.
- Deanna shot #2.
- Memo to Mike McCarthy: STOP RUNNING SCREEN PLAYS!
- Field Goal by Mason Crosby. Packers 20, Giants 20.
- Manning reference #3 (Archie)
- Lucky break here-offensive pass interference. Let's hope they can stop them again.
- Dumb penalty #4--This one cost them big time because it was fourth down.
- Finally, Al Harris makes a play--tips the ball away from Burress in the end zone.
- Manning reference #4 (Archie)
- Eli throws a bad pass on third down. Lawrence Tynes missed the field goal to the left. Finally, a break!
- They need a long drive that scores a touchdown.
- They are blowing it on this drive--two straight bad throws.
- Bad punt--what a wasted drive. More temperature talk.
- The time left in the game is dwindling down. We need to stop them here.
- A big break comes via a sack of Eli by KGB! Giants punt.
- The season hinges on this drive. Let's go Brett.
- STOP WITH THE SCREEN PASSES!
- Dumb penalty #5: False start
- Bad throw. Third down.
- Damn. Another punt from the Pack. The Giants do not have any timeouts.
- A bad punt and a fumbled return. Two Packers had a chance at a recovery but did not do so. Giants ball.
- A holding penalty on the Giants thankfully negates a Bradshaw touchdown.
- Two minute warning. My stomach hurts.
- Manning reference #5 (Archie)
- Manning reference #6 (Archie). The Giants are at the twenty.
- Four seconds left. Tynes is on the field for the field goal attempt.
- High snap and Tynes shanks the kick wide left. It's overtime. Ericka is dancing!
- Packers win the coin toss. Things are looking up now!
- Deanna shot #3
- More temperature talk.
- RUN THE FOOTBALL!
- A bad interception by Favre. Stupidity.
- Manning reference #7 (Archie)
- Fourth and five for the Giants. Another field goal attempt.
- Giants win. Manning reference #8 (Archie)
- Game over, season over.
Here is a matchup that I believe will be crucial in today's contest.
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If Woodson and Harris can refrain from giving up the big play or penalty, my team's defense can focus on stopping Brandon Jacobs. As Madden would say, Brett Favre will be Brett Favre. My team's offensive line will be effective in stopping the impending pass rush of Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. Ryan Grant is a critical player in determining how well the Packers beat the New York Football Giants.
The live blog and kickoff will begin at 5:30 CST. The all-important temperature is expected to be around 0. My prediction is that the Packers will win the game by a score of 24-10.
A big thanks to the New York Football Giants for vanquishing the sad Dallas Cowboys 21-17 in the Big D. This means the NFC Championship will be played in Green Bay instead of Dallas.
While I will look ahead at the game later this week, I think we should look back to a game played in Week #2.
In this game, the Packers went on the road and defeated the same New York Giants 35-13. The Packers scored 21 fourth quarter points (2 passing and 1 on the ground) and were helped by a dismal performance from the Giants' defense. It was this game that Brett Favre became the all-time winningest quarterback in NFL history, surpassing John Elway.
Looking at the matchup in an objective and impartial manner, I cannot fathom how the Giants will be able to beat the Packers.
