Ol' Bag of Donuts » NFL history lessons

Setting some celebration ground rules

admin — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 20:12:30 +0000

If you live in Wisconsin this week, these are wonderful times. The Packers are world champions for the 13th time. The three Lombardi Trophies proudly displayed in the final room of the Packers Hall of Fame are about to get a new friend. (Side note: We love the spotlights on the trophies, the music playing in the background and the montage of Packers greats on the walls in that room, but they really need a better ventilation system in there. Every time we’re in there, it always gets so dusty.)

But if you live outside of Wisconsin, the Packers’ status as Super Bowl champions can be fun for another reason: Gloating. This is particularly true for the Minneapolis chapter of Ol’ Bag of Donuts (Adam and Chris).

As most of you know, all three of us lived in Minnesota when we started this blog, which of course meant dealing with Vikings fans. We’ve made no secret on this site about how we feel about them — how laughable and obnoxious we find it they try to equate their legacy with ours one minute, only to grumble about how we care too much and we’re living in the past the next minute. They seem to love to point out Minneapolis’ vibrant arts scene as some kind of evidence of their sophistication, forgetting that outside of the Twin Cities, most of Minnesota is exactly like most of Wisconsin. And guys, if you can show us your last ticket stub from the Guthrie Theater or the Walker Arts Center, we’ll back off.

Most of those arguments were baseless in the first place, and now, they ring completely hollow. “Stop living in the past” is useless, because the Packers are the present champions of the world. Shots at Packers fans for caring too much just come off as phony, because the classier half of the Vikings fanbase will readily admit how much they long for what we have. The Metrodome collapsed, Brad Childress tossed a third-round pick to the Patriots on his way out of town, the Randy Moss trade was a joke, the StarCaps case may finally bring down the Williams Wall, Adrian Peterson is a free agent after next season and Brett Favre is gone. Oh, and the team might move to Los Angeles. Other than the Vikings’ infancy in the early 1960s, there may be no point in the history of these two franchises where the disparity has been as great as it is right now.

And because so many Packers fans live in Minnesota, either dating to before the Vikings arrived or owing something to the massive influx of Wisconsinites who cross the border for college, there are plenty of opportunities for trash-talk between the two fanbases. The Minneapolis Star Tribune published a story today called “Title etiquette: Packer backers need to behave.” It was written with tongue firmly in cheek, and it was good entertainment. And in the spirit of good entertainment, we’d like to respond with a few points of our own. Consider this the OBOD Super Bowl Celebration Manifesto:

–The article states that Packers fans in Minnesota are only allowed to discuss the Super Bowl if it’s brought up to them first. While we agree it’s not good to excessively rub Vikings fans’ noses in it, we can’t help but think this is all some sort of cosmic course correction for 2009, when Vikings fans, who had spent 16 years spewing bile at Brett Favre, were only too happy to remind us that they had our beloved hero. They told us at every turn how jealous we must be, even when we’d assert we were perfectly happy with our young quarterback and we’d caution them about how the playoffs would inevitably turn out. And we’re sorry, but to talk endless smack at one point and cry foul when it turns on you is just, well, so Vikings. We’ll behave (mostly), but after the Favre soap opera, know that you’ve earned yourselves a few jabs.

–We’ve been asked to refrain from mentioning the 13-championship disparity between these two franchises. Again, we at OBOD will use some discretion, but haven’t Vikings fans earned a little of that with all of their “Stop living in the past!” rhetoric? Championships, after all, are what you play for, and the Packers have more of them than any other team. And it’s easy not to remember the past when yours is so forgettable (no Super Bowls since 1976, and four losses in four tries).

–Under no circumstances will we cease to mention the massive disparity in quarterbacking between these two franchises, especially after the Vikings begged, pandered (and possibly tampered) to get Favre, and tried telling us how much we still loved him over the last two years. One team had a quarterbacking plan while the other gambled and lost. That fact is pertinent, it’s timely and even in intelligent football discussions, it’s central to the difference between these two teams. Though Favre himself does not need to be the topic of discussion, the effects of backing Favre, or not backing him, will reverberate far into the future for these two teams.

–Finally, please, please, please stop with the tired old lines like, “All cheeseheads sniff paint thinner!” and “Packers fans are just drunk all the time!” We’ve all lived in Minnesota. We’ve gone to college there. It doesn’t look much different than Wisconsin. Secondly, if Super Bowl XLV proved anything, it’s that the Packers are truly a national franchise with support too broad to confine to Wisconsin. And finally, to those who would trumpet Minnesota’s sophistication edge, we have two words for you: St. Cloud.

Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, here’s how we at OBOD plan to celebrate:

–We will joyfully wear our Packers championship gear throughout the offseason, even into the summer, but we will not utter the words “Vikings” unless we are asked about football first. If we are provoked, we are equipped with all manner of weapons of mass debunking to set the record straight. But we will keep our celebration on the right side of the “We’re the champs”/”We’re the champs and you suck” border.

–We will revel in the irony of Aaron Rodgers’ ascension and Ted Thompson’s vindication in the wake of Brett Favre’s departure, but we will keep most of the Favre rhetoric confined to what he said when he was forcing his way out of Green Bay, not when he played with the Vikings. There will be more attention on Favre’s relationship with the Packers going forward than his relationship with the Vikings anyway, and frankly, we don’t care enough about him to bother. He’s got his own problems these days, anyway.

–We will concentrate more energy on our newly renewed rivalry with the Chicago Bears, which frankly should have more spice than the Packers/Vikings feud anyway. We greatly enjoy the respectful, historical tenor of the Packers-Bears rivalry, and the run-up to the NFC Championship Game put that in a new light. The one problem between the Packers and Bears is that both teams are so rarely good at the same time, and there’s a chance that both will remain competitive for a few years to come (though we have our doubts about Jay Cutler). Still, we are hopeful that the playoffs put Packers-Bears back in its rightful place as the pre-eminent NFC North rivalry, ahead of the big-brother/little-brother dynamic that has always marked Packers-Vikings.

–Lastly, we will root for the Vikings to get a new stadium and remain in Minneapolis. Though we are frequently annoyed with Vikings fans, we recognize the strength of the NFC North lies in the fact it has four teams who have all been in the league for more than 50 years, and butting heads just as long. The NFC East is the only other division in football that has such a rich tradition of rivalries, and if the Vikings were to leave, something would be lost. We’ve always said we don’t hate the Vikings as much as we love to hate them, which means in the end, it’s all in good fun.

We feel these are reasonable terms under which to celebrate the Packers’ most recent Lombardi Trophy, and we plan to adhere to them throughout the offseason.

Finally, a note going forward: All we’ve ever wanted from Vikings fans is that they know their place. They’ve had plenty of successful seasons in the last 50 years, dominating the division through the 1970s and remaining competitive throughout the 1980s and 1990s. They haven’t anywhere near the dry spell between winning seasons that the Packers had between Lombardi and Holmgren, though their playoff failures speak for themselves. We’re not suggesting the Vikings are the Detroit Lions, but we’re also not going to suffer the logic they’re the Packers, Bears, Steelers, Cowboys or even the Giants. Championships do matter, and when there’s no football being played (which could be the case for a while), they’re what keep the banter lively between fanbases. The Vikings, historically, have been a good franchise that has struggled to achieve greatness, often falling short in memorable fashion. The Packers have some goofy traditions, but they’re also the most decorated team in the history of the league. Respect the economy of scale.

We hope these terms are agreeable to all, and we’ll be rooting for the Vikings to get a new home this winter. And, we hope, we’ll be butting heads with the Vikings as we chase title No. 14 next fall.

–The Ol’ Bag of Donuts staff

Dear Mike…I’m sorry

admin — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 03:07:50 +0000

To: Michael John McCarthy

From the desk (or couch) of: Chris Lempesis

Dear Mike,

Hey man – how’s it going? Silly question, I know. You must be on top of the world right now (or, at least, 60 minutes away from it).

Anyways, I’m writing you today to tell you I’m sorry. That’s right – your old buddy Chris is choking down a heapin’ helpin’ of crow.

In case you aren’t familiar with our odd little corner of the Interweb, I’ll fill you in. See, I’m the idiot who wrote, after your team’s loss to the Detroit Lions in December, that you should be “relieved of your duties at season’s end.” I felt then that you had peaked as a head coach, that you’d never be the guy to get this team – and, okay, this diehard fanbase of ours – to the promised land. You seemed capable of pulling things together for stretches, but never long enough to really get us there.

Or so I thought then. Man, how stupid was I, huh?

In my defense, you hadn’t done so up to that point. And, with a battered, bruised roster that had just turned in its most disheartening performance of your tenure, the 2010 season – one that began with “Super Bowl or Die” dreams – seemed destined for all-time worst season status for yours truly. Actually, after your loss at New England the next week, I wrote that this season had been the most disappointing of my lifetime as a fan.

Again, I was wrong. I should have given you the benefit of the doubt…or at least waited until the season was officially over to make such a ridiculous statement. Others, including our own Adam Somers, felt like that was the smart approach. I didn’t. I was completely overreactionary (a sign of the times, I suppose) and wanted your head on a platter.

You’d been pretty good at dodging bullets in the past – you move well for a big guy, kudos – but I never, in my wildest dreams, could have imagined you’d do what you’ve done over the past six weeks. But you’ve done it, sir – you’ve really done it.

You’ve gotten this team, this ragtag collection of stars and castoffs, to rally together as one. They never wavered in their belief that they could be the best, that they could get to where they are now. Of course, you’ve had some help in all this – tell Dom I said hi and thanks for everything – but, really, a lot of the credit must go to you. Your confident, steadfast approach was absolutely the right approach to take, even if things were as bleak as they’d ever been in your time as head coach of this team.

A lot of us doubted you. But the 53 men in that lockerroom never did. They bought what you sold. In the end, that’s all that matters, I’ve learned.

In turn, you’ve made me a believer in you, Mike. Okay, so sometimes you still drive me nuts – coaching not to lose instead of coaching to win late in two of your team’s three postseason games this year, for example – but all in all, I’m a believer in the “Book of Mike,” so to speak.

Lord help me – I’ve seen the light!

If I had any advice, though, for this next game, it’d be this: Your best moments have come when you’ve been aggressive, when you’ve really gone for it. Don’t forget that next Sunday. As I wrote after the Super Bowl last year, “in the biggest games of your life, you turn it loose.” That worked for the last NFC team in this game. Something tells me it will work for you, too.

But, really, this letter isn’t about that. If you check us out at all over the next week, you’ll find no shortages of us telling you what your team needs to do to win.

For right now, I just wanted to say, again, that I’m sorry. You’re much smarter than I ever gave you credit for. Keep doing what you’re doing, Mike. It’s working great.

And, oh yeah – go get us that trophy. It belongs in Green Bay. Bring it home.

Sincerely,

Chris Lempesis

The Green Bay Packers will defeat the Chicago Bears if…

admin — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 03:29:33 +0000

No catchy, clever intro here.

Let’s get down to business.

Here are three things the Green Bay Packers must, must, must do if they are to advance to the Su…wait…I don’t even want to say that phrase yet…defeat the Chicago Bears in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game (still get chills writing that).

Win the special teams battle. Or, at the very least, draw to a push.

If you’re like me, you believe the rest of this paragraph to be truth. The Packers are an eight offensively; the Bears are about a six. The Packers are an eight defensively; the Bears are a nine. That tilts the scales Green Bay’s way – until you factor in the special teams, where the Packers sit at five (and a generous five at that) and the Bears at nine.

In other words, if Chicago is to win the game, that will be where it does so. The Bears are absolutely lethal in all things special teams. They cover returns well, their specialists are elite (particularly at home) and then there’s that Hester guy, perhaps the best returner the game has ever seen.

Go ahead and talk about the Packers’ record-setting penalty numbers from the first Soldier Field game all you want. The real reason they lost is simple: Twice – twice! – Green Bay decided to kick the ball to Hester. He set up a score the first time; he plain ol’ scored the second time. Yep, that was about it.

That can not – repeat: CAN NOT – happen Sunday. The Packers figured it out the second time around, thanks to some great directional punting from America’s favorite ginger, Tim Masthay. They need to do it again. Hester’s big returns are as crucial mentally as they are in terms of field position. He breaks those returns and the entire team, the entire stadium, gets rocking.

And, oh yeah, if Green Bay could break a big return or two, that’d sure help things a lot against that defense. But, really, the Packers don’t necessarily have to excel on special teams Sunday. It’s more important to neutralize the Bears in that area. I’ll take a tie in that department, because a win would come out of that.

Get an early lead

This is absolutely essential, for a couple different reasons.

The first is a mental one. The Bears thrive on their tough-guy mindset. They want to knock you down early and then loom over you for four quarters, making you fearful to get up and attack them back. A bully mindset? Perhaps, but it’s served them more than well throughout the season. And we all know the best way to beat a bully is to deliver that first punch.

The second is tactical. Chicago, as always under Lovie Smith, will aim to shorten the game as much as possible. Get an early lead and grind it out with its defense and running back Matt Forte. If Forte can get into the 20-plus carry range, the Packers could very well be in trouble. A physical, tough runner with above-average speed, Forte could present some major problems for a defense that is still suspect against the rush.

No, the Packers don’t want that. What they want is to turn the game into Jay Cutler vs. Aaron Rodgers.

We all like to take our shots at Cutler – he really makes it too easy most of the time – but the fact of the matter is he’s been very good as of late. Eight touchdowns and just four picks in his last four games, including a very nice showing against Seattle last weekend. Still, no one knows how he’ll fare in a playoff game against a defense that isn’t from the Pacific Northwest.

Well, let’s find out. Make sure you’re ahead 10-3 or 7-0 in the second quarter. Make him feel like he has to beat you. Frankly, I don’t think he’s got enough bullets to do it, not with his tendency to give the opponent some shots at turnovers.

(By the way, Jay, we all talked it over and it’s totally cool if you want to throw at No. 38 a bunch. Really, he’s not that good. You should go for it!)

For the love of all things holy, make sure Bryan Bulaga has some help on the right side

Julius Peppers will be lining up opposite Bulaga on Sunday. You know it. I know it. Dead people know it.

And why wouldn’t he? He’s destroyed Bulaga countless times in their two matchups this season, including getting Bulaga to jump offsides three times in the second game. He’ll aim to do so again in this one. And it might only take one Bulaga error for Peppers to break through for a game-changing play.

Mike McCarthy can not allow for this. Look, we all know Mike Mac doesn’t like to give his linemen too much help. Keeping extra guys in to block takes away from what he wants to do in the passing game. I get that. But he needs to re-think that approach here. Peppers must be neutralized at every turn. Bulaga may be able to do so on his own in time, but he’s not ready for that challenge just yet. He needs help. Give it to him.

Make sure Tom Crabtree is over there. Get Brandon Jackson or Donald Lee that way. Heck, put B.J. Raji over there if need be. But do not expect Bulaga to hold his own, one-on-one, for 60 minutes with that beast.

There are likely some things I’ve left out (feel free to toss in your thoughts in the comments section below). But, really, I believe if the Packers can successfully nail these three things, they will win Sunday and advance to the Su…the Sup…

Nope. Still can’t say it. Yet.

-Chris Lempesis

One way or another, Sunday will stick with us…forever

admin — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 01:21:35 +0000

“Flashbulb memories” is a psychology term used to define specific moments. Or, at least that’s what I think it’s called. I only eeked out a B in my Psych 101 class in college.

Either way, these moments are referred to as such because – for the rest of your life – you will be able to remember where you were, who you were with and even little things like what you were wearing or eating when you think of them in future years. Most of the time, you never see these moments coming. They just, well, sort of blindside you, leaving you alone to figure out how you’ll remember them.

Sunday, January 23, 2011 will not blindside anyone.

You already know – or at least, you SHOULD already know - that’s going to be one of those days. For the rest of your life, you will remember every little thing about that day. You’ll remember which jersey, t-shirt or hat you had on. You’ll remember who you were with. You’ll remember if Adam made enough food for everyone (which, of course, he will have done). Was it snowing? What was the temperature outside? Trust me, you’ll remember.

Packers. Bears. Soldier Field. For the right to play for the world championship (that’s what they give to the team that wins its last game, Vikings fans).

Yeah – it’s just like that.

Do not, for a second, discount what will come from the final score on that field Sunday. One side will be able to hold the moment in their hearts forever. For the rest of their lives, it will be something they can look back and smile at. If their team goes 4-12 each and every year for the next decade, well, that’ll stink. But, hey, remember when we beat (loser’s name here) to go to the Super Bowl?! How freakin’ sweet was that?!

The other side will be unable to shake the memory, at least in terms of their life as a fan. Okay, even outside of their life as a fan, probably. Let’s be honest – this ain’t just a game to us. Not when it’s Packers/Bears.

It will sting, it will burn. There will be wins in the future, big wins. Maybe even Super Bowl wins. And, yeah, those will be great. But if your team loses Sunday, you’re always going to be haunted by it. At least a little bit. Time doesn’t necessarily heal all wounds fully, after all.

And two times a year for the rest of…well…ever, you’re going to be reminded of it. Incessantly at first, then less and less in the future. But make no mistake – you WILL be reminded of it. A friend, relative or coworker who roots for the other side will make sure of that, if Joe Buck and the rest of the national idiots don’t do it first.

The men who play and coach in this game will remember it, too, of course. But, honestly, this one’s about us. The people who comprise this game, they’re just sort of passing through, aren’t they? Winning would be great; losing would be a shame. But at the end of the day, their checks will clear. They aren’t necessarily Packers or Bears forever. It’s their job and, for most of them, it isn’t going to be the last one they ever have.

No, we will be the ones who really remember this day. Good or bad, it’ll be up to us to remember it in our own way. But that doesn’t make me nervous or scared or any other negative emotion.

Hell no – it makes me excited. I’m ready. I want this moment to arrive. I’m embracing it. Jay, Brian, Julius, Lance, Devin – hit me with your best shots. Something tells me my guys are ready. So, I tell you all, with the utmost sincerity:

Bring.

It.

On.

-Chris Lempesis

Comparing Brady’s streak to that of Favre’s

admin — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 04:46:56 +0000

In guiding his team to a 45-3 blowout win over the New York Jets on Dec. 6, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady set an NFL record for most consecutive regular season home wins at 26.

In case you weren’t sure, the record had previously been held by a man we know (all too) well: Brett Favre.

Sunday night’s contest with the Green Bay Packers provides Brady his first chance to extend that streak. But, as we currently stand, how does Brady’s streak compare to Favre’s, exactly?

The question facinated me. And, since I have no girlfriend, I figured I had the time to find out.

What was discovered is more than interesting. In short, while Brady’s streak may be longer, Favre’s streak was more impressive in a lot of areas.

Before we begin, an interesting tidbit: Each player’s streak began when their respective teams were coming off of 17-14 home losses (Brady to the Jets in Nov. 2006 and Favre to the Rams in Sept. 1995). After that, each was off and running.

In terms of major comparisons, the first you must look at is overall level of competition. During his streak, Brady has faced teams with a combined record of 85-96 (.470) at the time each headed into Foxboro. While that’s not atrocious, it doesn’t compare to the combined record of the teams Favre faced: 98-78 (.557).

As far as quality competition goes, again, give the edge to Favre. He faced 15 opponents who were either at or above .500 (not counting three season openers) at the time of the game, compared to 12 for Brady (who has also had three season openers during his streak). Favre’s average margin of victory against those quality opponents was 15.3 points per win. Brady’s is 17.9 per, although “The Hoodie” likes to run up the score just a bit more than Mike Holmgren did.

Given that Brady’s level of competition wasn’t as high, it’s not surprising that he’s racked up more big wins (10 points or more). But not many more – just one, in fact. Brady has 17, while Favre had 16. Brady’s largest margin of victory? That would be 59 points in New England’s 59-0 destruction of Tennessee last season. Favre’s isn’t as high – a 35-point win over Denver (41-6) late in the 1996 season – but, still, that’s not bad, either.

But while Brady has more big wins, he’s also had more close calls. A lot more. Five of Brady’s victories have come by four points or less. You know how many Favre had? One – the now-legendary 23-20 overtime thriller with San Francisco during the ‘96 season.

None of these facts are meant to downgrade the significance of Brady’s streak, keep in mind. In today’s NFL – i.e., “Parity Gone Wild” – for any quarterback to do what he’s doing is nothing short of astounding, especially when you consider the youth movement the Pats have gone through at the skill positions since the end of ‘08. And while Favre’s streak was impressive, it doesn’t change my current thoughts on the man.

Rather, this was just meant to be a fun exercise during an otherwise tough week for Packers fans. Hope you didn’t mind my geekiness too much.

-Chris Lempesis

The requiem of the White Knight

admin — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 06:22:22 +0000

“You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.”

- The Dark Knight (2008)

This whole season I kept coming back to this quote when thinking of Brett Favre. The night his streak ends I find it fitting to put this all into context…one…last…time.

We have exhausted ourselves over the past two seasons on this site expressing how we feel about #4, so I am not going to shed light on anything new, but rather finally add closure to this whole saga. When you think about it, Monday night delivered the perfect closure for Favre. A “home” game in Detroit because the Metrodome collapsed to due a snowstorm disaster, just as the 2010 season has been a complete disaster for him and the Vikings. It was also fitting that the team that ended Favre’s career in Green Bay was the Vikings’ opponent on Monday night.

Last year, Favre could do no wrong in Minnesota. He was their savior, their white knight. He led the Vikings closer to a championship than they had been in over a decade. He then hesitated to come back in 2010, like only Favre knows how. If he actually did hang it up, no one would have blamed him. Granted Vikings fans desperately wanted him back to take care of “unfinished business,” but even they couldn’t fault a 40-year-old future Hall of Famer if he decided to stay in Mississippi shooting Wrangler commercials.

But he came back, just like we knew he always would and it was only a matter of time before all of his hero tokens ran out. The thing about cheering for a guy like Favre on your team is that when he is good, you love him. When he is not good, you are pulling your hair out. Everyone who followed him close enough over the course of his career knew that 2010 was going to end in only one of two ways: he was going to play hero again and lead the Vikings to another deep championship run; or he was going to go down in flames and be the central cause to the Vikings’ demise. As well as Favre has played hero over the years, he plays one damn good villain too.

Would it surprise anyone if Favre gets on a plane to Mississippi this week and just ends his time in Minnesota three weeks early? It shouldn’t because there is nothing left for him in Minnesota besides five feet of snow and sub-zero temperatures. Being a closet conspiracy theorist it also wouldn’t surprise me if there is a suspension looming with Sterger-gate and the NFL told him he could end his streak with dignity this week or in shame the following the week. Even if that is the case, how much dignity does he have with how his streak ended? He has played through worse and it is actually kind of a let down how the streak ended. It always seemed like the streak would end with a serious, career-threatening injury or retirement.

So the streak ends at 297, three games short of 300, a number we all know Favre wanted to reach. Of all the records he owns, it is no secret the streak mattered the most to him. It is also his most self-absorbing record since it is the one where his teammates are involved the least. Favre is the most egotistical athlete in my lifetime and to have this streak, and most likely his career end in this fashion is too fitting. He had chances to go out as a hero at both the end of 2007 and 2009, unexpectedly delivering two teams one game shy of the Super Bowl.

However, he stuck around too long and tore the emotions of two rival fan bases. Who would have predicted three years ago that all of this would have transpired?

But it did. And now Favre is stuck knowing that he is forced to leave the game not the way he wanted, not as a hero. But rather, just the opposite.

-Adam Somers

Despite different beginnings, Rodgers and Ryan have succeeded under enormous pressure

admin — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 06:42:24 +0000

Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan are strikingly different – and strikingly similar.

Rodgers is a West Coast kid, through and through. He grew up in Chico, California, and played college ball at Butte College before transfering to Cal. Ryan cut his teeth on the East Coast, growing up in Pennsylvania before making a name for himself at Boston College.

Both were first round picks, yes, but even there, the stories differ. Rodgers’ stock famously plummeted on draft day 2005, the youngster forced to sit and stew in the green room for all to see on ESPN as team after team passed on him. Finally, mercifully, the Green Bay Packers selected him 24th overall. Things went much easier for Ryan. He was a no-brainer selection, going third overall to the Atlanta Falcons in 2008, immediately showered with praise.

Rodgers spent three years learning the position before getting his shot as an NFL starter. Ryan was thrown into the gig immediately, being named starter during training camp of his rookie year.

Since the beginning of 2008 – the first year for each as full-time starter – though, Rodgers and Ryan have one unique similarity, one few players have ever faced before: Both were asked to be the faces of franchises at a serious crossroads. Most players crumble under such pressure, but Rodgers and Ryan have each proved more than up to the task, one of the more interesting wrinkles in Sunday’s NFC showdown between the Packers and Falcons at the Georgia Dome.

By now, every Packers fan knows the pressures Rodgers faced. He had to replace that Favre guy, a man many of us held to deity status. But Rodgers also had a lot going for him. Confidence and stability at the top of the organization. A coach and general manager each armed with brand new five-year extensions. A talented, young roster, particularly on offense.

Now, take a look at the pressures the man many call “Matty Ice” had to face. In short, the Falcons were a franchise in complete disarray upon his arrival, after playing in an NFC Championship game just three years prior.

Michael Vick was gone, leaving in disgrace after his dogfighting issues. The previous year, Bobby Petrino – less than one season into a five-year, $24 million contract – resigned as head coach before even making it a full 16 games. A job few wanted was taken by Mike Smith, a man with no head coaching experience at any level. The man guiding the personnel department was 42-year old Thomas Dimitroff, a mere child by NFL standards.

Enter Ryan, with his six-year, $72 million rookie deal. Hope you enjoy that money, kid. And, by the way – don’t screw up or else this franchise is REALLY dead.

Ryan, like Rodgers, never flinched in the face of such enormous pressure. That’s not to say both didn’t feel the pressure internally because, well, how could you not? But publicly, each stayed cool. That translated into success early for the both of them.

Rodgers’ success was statistical in year one, the “rookie” throwing for over 4,000 yards, 28 touchdowns and 13 interceptions as the Pack scuffled to a 6-10 finish. Ryan, a true rookie, didn’t record such gaudy stats (over 3,400 yards, 16 touchdowns, 11 picks), but his team performed much better. The Falcons finished 11-5. earning a postseason spot along the way. Ryan also defeated Rodgers head-to-head in a game at Lambeau Field that year. Being at the game in person, you couldn’t help but be impressed by how well each handled themselves.

A year two slump followed for Ryan. His numbers – most notably completion percentage and interceptions – weren’t as impressive, he missed two games to injury and his team fell short of the second season. Rodgers turned in another outstanding year on the stat sheet and, this time, the Packers made the playoffs.

Oh, by the way, each player lost their only playoff game to the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale. Can’t make it up.

Year three has found each player coming into their own as stars in the truest sense. Ryan, through 10 games, has recorded 18 touchdowns, just five picks and is completing over 63 percent of his passes. Rodgers? In 10 games, he’s put up 19 touchdowns, nine interceptions and is completing over 64 percent of his passes. Rodgers is a better athlete with a stronger arm, while Ryan shows more cool in the pocket. Ice, indeed.

But it’s more than the numbers or playing styles. Each player has reached the point where they have full command of their lockerrooms. No doubts remain as to who leads the way for their teams. Each has fully grown into the role of “Face of the Franchise” and each wears it well.

And if each continues on their own path, Rodgers versus Ryan could very well turn into a rivalry to watch for quite some time.

-Chris Lempesis

Have there been two Packers games more fun than these?

admin — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 17:38:47 +0000

I had the pleasure of watching the Packers game at the Hawk and Dove on Capitol Hill yesterday with a bar full of jovial Packers fans, including the esteemed Holly Phelps, blogger for Cheesehead TV, BrentFavre.com and a handful of other places. Walking out after the Packers destroyed the Minnesota Vikings, Holly and I were talking about how much fun these last two blowouts – over hated rivals, no less – have been, and trying to think of two Packers games, back to back, that have been more fun than these.

My short answer: I can’t.

Yes, the 1996 NFC Championship Game and Super Bowl XXXI are obviously in front of these two. But that’s a special circumstance. Find me two other games that have been this sweet, where the Packers have blown out – nay, embarrassed – two teams they despise, bringing such a level of humiliation that in both cases, the team felt the need to fire its coach. They exposed two teams that, to my eyes, looked like fraudulent Super Bowl contenders before the season, and they shut up two fanbases that engage in as much unwarranted self-puffery as any I’ve seen. Oh, and by the way, they banished Brett Favre, their traitorous former quarterback to oblivion.

What, in recent memory, comes close? The late comeback over the Chargers in 2007, followed by Favre breaking Marino’s record in a Metrodome win over the Vikings, is the only thing I can come up with. But I can’t put that up there, since all my Favre memories have been tarnished. But even if they hadn’t been, I don’t think that stretch would measure up to this one — for dominant victories, for eff-you points, for overall satisfaction.

And here’s the best part, other than bludgeoning hated rivals: The Packers are playing as well as any team in the NFL right now. Their point differential is the best in football, 36 points better than the runner-up (the Steelers). They’ve allowed 10 points in their last three games. And they have a shot to move into a tie for the best record in the NFC if they can go to Atlanta and beat the Falcons on Sunday.

Yep, these are great times to be a Packers fan, and the opportunity to rub it in the faces of the Cowboys and Vikings makes it even better. Can you find me two games that are more fun than these? I think you’ll have a tough time doing it.

–Gene Bosling

So, who wants to bury the Minnesota Vikings?

admin — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 06:16:40 +0000

I really didn’t want to write a post like this. Seriously, you have to believe me. I mean, what’s the point of setting aside over 1,000 words for an opponent that’s 3-6? Isn’t that like setting aside over 1,000 words about your upcoming fight with a 12-year old? Doesn’t that just make you seem petty?

Maybe.

That said…

I hate the Minnesota Vikings. Hate them. H-A-T-E them. I despise them. I know I’ve written about this before, but right now, I frankly don’t care. I’m going to write about it again. Besides, something tells me you don’t mind.

I hate their fans, these dellusional psychopaths who really, truly believe the team they root for is on-par with ours. Yeah, because divisional championships and the “glory days” that consist of four Super Bowl losses in seven years is really equal with 12 – let me say that again, 12! – world championships. Bud Grant. Vince Lombardi. I get them confused all the time, too!

I hate that they base their whole sick existence on us, some of them running what claim to be Vikings “blogs”, but are really just sad, sorry excuses for taking shots at Packers fans and/or the good people of Wisconsin. Yeah, ’cause the people here in Minnesota are so much smarter. Do me a favor – go spend a day in Coon Rapids or Blaine and THEN tell me that. Apparently their trailer parks and mullets are much more glamorous than those you have in Wisconsin.

And, no, I’m not telling you which site I’m talking about. He’s a pathetic loser and he and the rest of his flunkies won’t get any pub from me.

I hate that they care oh-so-much about their team, only to quickly revert to not caring at all once the chips are down. Seriously, you want the pattern 99.9 percent of them follow? Here it is:

August: Talk your team up to no end. Go way overboard with it, in fact. Make up stupid sayings like “Destination: Dallas” and “Mission to Miami.”

September and October: Depending on how the Vikings start, they either a) become an even more insufferable group of jackasses or b) act like they don’t care.

November and December: Again, record depending, the “insufferable jackass” meter reaches near record-highs OR they begin to focus more on your team than theirs, uttering truly moronic statements like “well, it doesn’t matter if we aren’t winning it all. YOUR team isn’t, either.” Oh, so that’s how that goes, huh?

January: If the Vikings are going on a playoff run, well, again, there’s that “insufferable jackass” meter hitting the red. If they’re done, hey, who cares? There’s so much to do here! Their lives aren’t about football. Right, because the lines to get in to the Guthrie Theater are around the block.

February: Celebrate their team’s Super Bowl win. Oh, wait a minute…

Remember, Vikings fans, we sat through every single gut-wrenching minute of 4-12 in 2005 and 6-10 in 2008. From game one to game 16, we cared exactly the same. You might remember the 2008 season - it’s the one where you guys couldn’t sell out a home playoff game without help from the team’s sponsors. But, yeah, you care too, right?

Now, you’re probably asking: “Chris, you live there – surely you have some friends who are Vikings fans, right?” Yeah, I do. But as Chris Rock once famously said about having female friends, it’s all by accident.

I hate their stadium. It’s a dump, a toilet. No one likes going there. No one. I’m a University of Minnesota alum. The Gophers used to play there. The only reason ANYONE went to those brutal 11 a.m. kickoffs? Because they sold alcohol to underage students. Seriously, they checked I.D.s as stringently as Brett Favre avoiding sending cell phone pictures of his, um, tiny Brett.

They claim the building is so loud. It’s really not. They pump in noise there – and, really, it’s pretty obvious. Listen to the crowd before they play “Welcome to the Jungle” – such a sophisticated choice in tunes, no one plays that! – and then listen while it’s playing. It’s like you snapped your fingers and the place became deafening. They’re just so passionate, though!

I hate how they call us ungrateful for now hating the man with the tiny, um, Brett. After everything he pulled on us – spending two-and-a-half years trying to make us look stupid – why wouldn’t we hate him? Nevermind that little fact that they spent 15 years calling him a drug addict, drunk and any other awful name you can think of. We should still love him. Clearly, they think we’re as stupid as he does.

I hate their head coach, the moronic little man with the “To Catch a Predator” mustache and whiny, trust-fun kid attitude. He learned under Andy Reid? What did he learn? Reid is one of the classiest, most professional gentlemen in the league. He sticks by his players. He never criticizes the referees. He takes blame on himself. Does Childress do any of these things? No – he picks fist fights with his guys. Brad, I have Bud Kilmer on line one – he says you’re a jerk.

(Yes, I know Bud Kilmer is a fictional character, but work with me here, people!)

That said, I don’t want Childress to be fired…yet. I want him to be on those sidelines Sunday. I want to see the look on his face when the Packers – the team from the “tiny toilet paper factory town,” as Gene jokingly says when doing his Vikings fan impression – come into that shoddy building and deliver the knockout blow on their season. Actually, it’ll be more than a knockout blow. It’ll bury him as head coach of the team (if, you know, he isn’t fired before then).

And if that happens, do not be surprised one bit if the quarterback – you know, the “tough guy” who always makes a point to bring up his injuries – walks away too, no doubt hiding behind one of his supposedly brutal injuries.

Yeah, I think this needs to happen. This organization, those players, those fans – they need to be knocked down a peg. They need to know they don’t compare with us. We’re fans of the Green Bay %&@*!@ Packers. We aren’t going anywhere.

They’re just fans of a team that might end up in L.A.

-Chris Lempesis

Round two of an epic NFL season preview

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 04:37:37 +0000

Like Chris mentioned in his epic season preview, it would be only a matter of time before myself and Gene chime in with our season predictions. Great minds think alike (at least we think they are great), so Chris and I like a lot of the same teams this year. However, there are some big differences and hopefully I won’t predict a Giants-Titans Super Bowl.

The biggest question I always have to ask myself when I make season predictions is always, “Who are the unknowns that will make the playoffs and perhaps even win it all this year?” The Saints went 8-8 before holding up last year’s Lombardi Trophy. The year before the Steelers turned the previous year’s embarrassing first-round home loss to the Jaguars to a championship a year later. This past year they missed the playoffs.

What do the Saints, Packers, Cowboys, Patriots, Jets and Bengals all have in common? Besides five of them being mentioned as possible Super Bowl teams this year, they all missed the playoffs the year before making it last year. The year before it was seven teams different teams. It is easy picking chalk, but it is also the doom of all preseason predictions. That is one of the big reasons why all of this hype of the Packers is bothering me. So, some of my picks might be a little out there, but you have to remember every year the turnover of playoff teams is about 50%.

*Wild Card

AFC EAST

1. New England Patriots (11-5) – Looks like Brady’s new contract may be set sooner than later, but Moss is still far away. However, I look at this as a positive for the Pats as they will play “the world is against us” card. Don’t underestimate Belicheck when everyone seems to be ignoring him.

2. Miami Dolphins (10-6)* – Love what Parcells is doing down in Miami. I believe this defense is on the rise and if Brandon Marshall can keep is ego, head, whatever it may be in check he represents the best deep threat target the Dolphins have had since the Clayton and Duper days.

3. New York Jets (8-8) – This team could surprise me and win the division, but I think they finish more than likely here. Let’s remember they barley made the playoffs last year and I think the offense did not get any better. Rex Ryan may make it work, but too many grenades waiting to explode.

4. Buffalo Bills (2-14) – Jake Locker moves from one losing program to another. Feel a little bad for the guy.

AFC North

1. Baltimore Ravens (11-5) – The Houshmandzadeh signing is good value, but he is the same kind of receiver as Boldin and the team still lacks a deep threat. Still, there is a lot to love about this team, even with Ed Reed on the PUP list. They are built for January.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) – Nasty Ben’s return will provide a lift for this team if they can survive the first month. However, they fall just short of the postseason as the o-line woes continue.

3. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) – I actually think the T-Ocho show will actually work this year. It is Cedric Benson’s return to reality that keeps the team from a return trip to the playoffs.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12) – Maybe the best thing to happen to the Browns as Holmgren gets to choose his own coach after another dismal season gives him the green light to axe Man-genius.

AFC South

1. Indianapolis Colts (12-4) - Another year. Another 12 wins. Another MVP-caliber year for Manning. Is there any suggestion to prove otherwise?

2. Houston Texans (10-6)* – The Texans finally break through. Matt Schaub puts up MVP numbers and Arian Foster cranks out 1,200 yards. Oh and don’t forget about the game’s best wideout.

3. Tennessee Titans (8-8) – Chris Johnson will put up sick numbers again this year because he wants $$ and lots of it. However, how is this team any different than last year? Can you really trust Vince Young for all 17 weeks?

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12) – Poor MJD, burried in the wasteland of Jacksonville. Luckily for him Los Angeles is on the horizon. Was Tyson Aluala really that much better than Tebow? NFL is a business Mr. Weaver.

AFC West

1. San Diego Chargers 10-6 – Not sold on this team at all. Rivers and Gates are superb, with Floyd on the rise, but I just smell letdown waiting to happen. Merriman isn’t the same player anymore and with no McNeill and V-Jax, this teams squeaks out another division title, but that is about it. Also, don’t forget about who is at the helm there.

2. Oakland Raiders (9-7) – So if the Chargers slip, who rises up to challenge them? Yes, the Raiders. They run the ball and their defense is on the rise. I don’t think they get there quite yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised. Last year’s last season success wasn’t a fluke and I think McClain wins Defensive ROY, write it down.

3. Kansas City Chiefs (5-11) – Improved from last year, but still near the bottom of the AFC. Charles and Jones will provide a solid 1-2 punch and McCluster will be electrifying. I know it is just the preseason, but KC’s #1’s struggled against GB’s #2’s. Both teams have different aspirations, but it is still the NFL and that isn’t good.

4. Denver Broncos (4-12) – Just a mess on both sides of the ball, especially without Dumervil now. The only good can be a lot of Tebow time (am I the only one who likes the guy?).

NFC East

1. Dallas Cowboys (11-5) – Lots of toys for Tony Romo and last year’s playoff loss will help. I am a strong believer in that you have to lose before you can win. Defense will again be solid and I don’t think the East is as strong as people think it is.

2. New York Giants (8-8) – Yes, they have one of the best D-Lines in the game, but there are still a lot of question marks in their back seven. Steve Smith is a talented receiver, but he isn’t a true #1 and the team needs Nicks to step up.

3. Philadelphia Eagles (7-9) – Chris absolutely nailed it with the Kolb-Rodgers comparison. The one thing he didn’t mention is that Rodgers missed the playoffs his first year. This holds true with Philly even if they are headed in the right direction.

4. Washington Redskins (5-11) – I really wanted to get behind the McNabb-Shanahan tandem, but this team is too old and too dysfunctional right now.

NFC North

1. Green Bay Packers (12-4) – I could write the whole this whole preview about how the Packers are Super Bowl-ready, but I am assuming you read our site regularly and know our reasons (if you don’t, shame on you!). The one drawback I see right now if the pass defense, but I will think this will get better as the season rolls along with Harris and Bigby coming back coupled with maturation of Shields and Underwood.

2. Detroit Lions (9-7)* - Yes I am shocking the world, the Detroit Lions in the playoffs. And why not? Outside the top 3-4 teams in the NFC, isn’t the rest of the field wide open? Stafford-Johnson-Best has a chance to rekindle the electricity of Barry Sanders. Jim Schwartz is an excellent coach and the rebuilt defense will be better than you think. This may be my craziest sports prediction ever, but remember there are always teams in the playoffs you didn’t expect. Why not the Lions? The Saints giving New Orleans new hope was a great story and the Motor City Kitties could do the same for a down-and-out Detroit. Believe, I say!

3. Minnesota Vikings (9-7) – The whole season hinges on Favre. If he stays healthy for all 16 games, this is a playoff team and will challenge for the division title. But if he isn’t healthy they won’t make the playoffs. I am going with the later and I don’t think he finishes out the year with the team losing complete interest once he is done. Their first half of the schedule is just brutal and my bold prediction is that Tavaris Jackson will lead this team into Detroit Week 17 with the playoffs on the line and fail miserably. Plus that would be karma from insulting the Motor City last postseason.

4. Chicago Bears (4-12) – Let me get this straight: Lame duck coach, an overpriced defensive free agent who plays hard 1/3 of the time, and an offensive “mastermind” trying to teach a disciplined system to an immature quarterback. Get the popcorn ready!

AFC South

1. Atlanta Falcons (11-5) - Matt Ryan leads the Falcons back to the playoffs and proves that last year’s sophomore slump was an aberration. As long as Michael Turner stays healthy, this is a playoff team who will carry last year’s strong second half over to this season.

2. New Orleans Saints (10-6)* – Every champion suffers a hangover, small or large. I think the Saints fall in the middle here, but Brees is at the point of his career that he won’t let the Saints miss the playoffs.

3. Carolina Panthers (7-9) – This team can run, should run and will run. I predict over 1,000 yard seasons for both Williams and Stewart, but that won’t be enough. As long as Matt Moore and Jimmy Clausen are taking snaps the book is written on this team, which is not a good thing for a team that couldn’t score in the preseason.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-13) – All of this youth movement will pay off someday, right? Bucs fans hope so, there is nothing else for them to do.

NFC West

1. San Francisco 49er’s (10-6) – Alex Smith is not all that good, but he is in a good situation as he will not have to be much more than a caretaker. San Fran had a great draft picking two stalwart O-linemen in the first round. I really like the team’s identity under Singletary and this team runs away with the worst division in football. Great to see the Bay Area back on the NFL map, but you have to wonder how bad their fans wish the team didn’t screw up the quarterback decision in the 2005 draft.

2. Seattle Seahawks (6-10) – I think this record is better than what Seattle actually is, but this division is terrible so six wins seems about right. There are some exciting parts in Seattle, but Mike Williams? Really Pete? that Mike Williams starting? I said it during the Packers-Seahawks preseason game, the guy is on the juice. Explain to me otherwise how this is happening, I dare you.

3. Arizona Cardinals (5-11) – And the fall from grace is complete. No Warner, no Boldin, no Dansby, no chance. I would have given this team one if they just landed a half-way decent, competent quarterback this offseason. But they have Derek Anderson after the Pretty Matty left town. If you are a D-coordinator, don’t you just double team Fitz with a safety roaming and then just tee-off on Anderson? (Remember all of this advice is free)

4. St. Louis Rams (3-13) – Bradford will take his lumps and the Rams #1 goal this year is for him to make it through the season intact. Then go out and draft A.J. Green or Julio Jones in next year’s draft.

Playoff Predictions

AFC

Wild card round – (3) Baltimore over (6) Houston and (5) Miami over (4) San Diego

Divisional round – (5) Miami over (1) Indianapolis and (2) New England over (3) Baltimore

Championship game – (2) New England over (5) Miami

NFC

Wild card round – (3) Atlanta over (6) Detroit and (5) New Orleans over (4) San Francisco

Divisional round – (1) Green Bay over (5) New Orleans and (2) Dallas over (3) Atlanta

Championship game – (1) Green Bay over (2) Dallas

Super Bowl XLV – February 6, 2011, Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

New England Patriots 33, Green Bay Packers 27

As much as it pains to say it, I can’t be a complete homer. I really hope and believe the Packers will raise St. Vincent’s trophy, but unless the pass defense improves throughout the year (which I think it very might do) I have to go with Belicheck, Brady, Moss and Welker in this matchup. Don’t hate me Packer nation.

I only picked five new teams to make the playoffs from the year before, strongly debating including the Raiders, Giants or Steelers, but I couldn’t justify it at this point. As for the Lions pick? Crazy things happen every year. Who would have thought the Saints would string together this run after Katrina or the Bengals would be relevant again? If I have learned anything with the NFL in today’s parity stage, expect the unexpected. Believe, Detroit. Believe.

-Adam Somers