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Football

Gunfight at the OK Corral

I turned the Packer game on a few minutes late yesterday. I was thinking that DirecTV would blackout the Packer game as it was the game of the week on Fox, and Fox was still showing the Vikings-Bears game that was running late. So I change the TiVo to the Packer game (after watching the Chiefs lose) and lo, and behold, the Packer game is on Sunday Ticket (much less ranting to be had than last year).

3 minutes into the game, and I’ve already missed a Manning TD. Thinking to myself, hmm, they must have had a kick return for a TD… as I watch Favre air it out to Javon Walker for a TD strike. Back from commercials, I see Manning has already thrown one as Favre matches him, and again it happens – Manning TD, Favre matches him, 14-14 first quarter.

And they were just getting warmed up. 22 straight passes by Manning before Edge even touched the ball. Packers blitzing, blitzing, blizting… defensive doesn’t adjust once in the first half as they continue to play a base 4-3 as they blitz and Manning continues to pick them apart. 1st half ends, Colts have 35 points, all Manning TDs.

Second half starts, what’s this? Packers are in a dime! They adjusted their defensive scheme! Driver continues to drop balls with a few catches, Walker remains hot, Ferguson is non-factor on offense with his injury, but has an great kick return. Packers are trying to slow down the tempo a bit, offense and defense seem to be working. Holding Manning and Co. to 3 points so far.

And then Javon Walker is stripped at mid-field. Colts DB has been lit up by Favre all day, and he makes the play of the game on a beautiful, text-book rip-it-out-of-your-arms strip. Manning walks them down the field, some confusion to get to 2 minutes, Packers burning time outs. TD Edge. Game over.

At one point, early in the game, I had looked at Kelly and said I didn’t think the Packers would be able to keep up. I was pleasantly surprised in the second half to watch them methodically work their game to get back in it. Alas, it was all for naught, but it was an entertaining football game as losses go. I would rather watch that than the self-implosion I saw versus the Bears.

McKenzie's back!

ESPN’s Len Pasquarelli is reporting that Mike McKenzie will report to the Green Bay Packers Wed. morning, ending his holdout.

He is still seeking a trade, but is hoping a shift in strategy (by reporting to work) will help his case.

Even with a very good performance Monday night by the Pack, it will be nice to have him back.

Badger vs UNLV Review – 9/11/04

The Wisconsin Badgers hosted John Robinson’s UNLV football team at Camp Randall yesterday.

Looking at the history of these two teams, once again it was another strange game. Two years ago UNLV’s stadium suffered from power outages during the game, and last year UNLV stomped the Badgers 23-5 as the Badgers only scored on a field goal and a safety.

Bob Davie, former Notre Dame coach, and current color commentator for ESPN was eerily prophetic when in the first quarter he references last year’s safety by Wisconsin as UNLV is once again preparing ot punt from within their 5. Davie comments that UNLV won’t have forgotten tomorrow and may be nervous as the ball is hiked promptly sails over the punters head for a Badger safety.

Badger’s led for most of the first half 2-0, after missing 2 field goals early, including one from the 10, and a failed 4th and 1 from the Badgers 2. Badgers proceeded to score on a blocked UNLV field goal for a touchdown by Jim Leohnard and another safety. The only other scores were a field goal by UNLV and a later Badger touchdown.

All in all, it was kind of painful to watch, especially the first half. You would think a game featuring 2 safeties and a blocked FG for touchdown would be exciting, but the Badgers lack of offensive power was disturbing. True freshman running back Walker shows promise, but Booker Stanley is no Anthony Davis, and until Davis returns from an eye injury, the Badgers could have some trouble. QB John Stocco in his first year starting looks fairly good, with Owen Daniels and Brandon Williams being favortie targets.

Two games into the season, I’ve been pleasantly suprised with the UW defense. Led by a new defensive coordinator, they haven’t done anything flashy or given up really big plays, but solid and consistent play in and play out.

Next week: @ Arizona.

Gatorade commercials

I dig the new Gatorade commercial “Thank You” – the tribue to Mia Hamm.

The Keith Jackson narrating the founding of Gatorade from a year or two ago rocked as well.

I need to find out who their ad agency is!

Re: Packers

So I was close.

Couch gone. Both Ford & Vines gone.

Kept both kickers, good. Jenkins made it.

This R-Kal Truluck guy they traded a 5th and 6th rounder, better be good.

I’m not suprised Kenny Holmes and Larry Smith got cut. Holmes scared me with his injuries after the fiasco of Joe Johnson.

Good to see the practice squad flesh out with Scott Wells, Scott McBrien, and Kelvin Kight.

No word on McKenzie yet, but should be a fun season.

Packer Cuts

Today’s the day the Packers have to get to the NFL mandated 53 player roster.

The only roster spots I’m really interested in:

Cut Couch. He’s not the QB of the future. Cut your losses now.

Keep Sander. He’s kicked pretty darn bad, but only keep 2 QBs, keep Barker for the first 4 weeks of the season, then cut Barker and keep Sander.

Keep Cullen Jenkins.

Keep Scottie Vines, cut Carl Ford (poor Carl, after such a great camp a year ago too).

I won’t touch the defensive line, too hard to call.

Good move trading Marques Anderson.

Be back later today to see how I did with my crystal ball.

Go Badgers!

Badgers looked good today in QB’s John Stocco’s debut. The ESPN crew touched on his story briefly: After passing Matt Schabert last year on the depth chart to #2 behind Jim Sorgi, John was a bit shy and uncomfortable replacing Matt, who was also his roommate. After being demoted to #3, Matt left Wisconsin for a Division I-AA school this year, where he could be the starting QB.

Anthony Davis looked good, until getting hurt, again. Booker Stanley was so-so at RB. The new defensive coordinator’s scheme seemed to work, but nothing stood out about it. Not a lot of blitzing, and Scott Starks at CB will never start in the NFL.

I had told my dad this morning I would be happy to see the Badgers run up the score on University of Central Florida, as they are now the home to disgraced coach George O’Leary. I made the remark because after O’Leary was forced to resign at Notre Dame he spent 2 years on Mice Tice’s staff at the Minnesota Vikings, with the second year as defensive coordinator. Turn on the game today, and O’Leary isn’t even at the game as he’s attending his mother’s funeral. Oops.

Badgers should have a good year. If Stocco emerges in the mold of how Trent Dilfer played for Baltimore a few years back, as a steady, mistake free QB who doesn’t have to put up big yards, the Badgers could make a run at things. With Ohio State and Michigan struggling early in their wins today, there may be hope yet!

Badger Football

Took Alex to his first college football game yesterday, Badgers vs Gophers at the Metrodome. Gophers won on a last second field goal, but Alex had a ball. Pretty good seats, corner end zone, upper deck, so we had a nice clear view of the field.

I had as much fun watching Alex and his reactions to the game as I did watching the game. Great football game (even if the wrong team won) – Badgers stormed back in the second half, Alvarez had a gutsy time out call on the Gophers last drive, but it wasn’t meant to be.

Didn’t even realize until today when I was reading the sports page that the Gopher’s starting QB got hurt.

Great time, will have to do that again with Alex. :D

Dominating

How about those Packers?

As a friend said in an email this morning ripping on the Twin Cities media:

Bum bum, ba ba ba bum: GO PACK GO!