Packers vs Broncos, What Will Happen?

Here we go.  Both teams coming off a Bye week.  Both teams have defenses playing well.  Both teams have a quarterback.  And BOTH teams are undefeated!  Here are my keys:

1 - Quarterbacks - for Denver, Manning is near the end of a great career.  It looks like his "fastball" has lost some zip, but he prepares. maybe better than anyone ever.  He like to say "Omaha"! He leads the league in interceptions!  His QB rating is around 30th!  Lower than rookie Winston, lower than his brother Eli, lower than Kirk Cousins of the Redskins!  He is NOT playing very well!

Aaron Rodgers, not having an Aaron year, but NOT hurting the team.  2nd overall QB rating in the league.  Only 2 interceptions.  Has had wide receiver issues.  Of course, missing Jordy.  Davante Adams has been hurt.  Rookie Montgomery was coming on, now hurt!  Quarrels, at tight end, has missed a bunch of games.  And, the running game is not great!  So, Aaron needs to BEAT Peyton!

2 - Running Games - both teams have not been great!  Denver, ranked 31st out of 32!  Broncos are averaging 85 yards a game.  Packers, ranked in the leagues at 127 yards a game, but the main man, Lacy has been hurt, has not looked good, and like many have noticed, looks overweight!  So, time for Lacy to show the league and the fans, I'm back!  Lacy runs for 100 yards & 2 TD's!

3 - Defenses?  The Broncos are for real!  1st in the league in yards per game - 281 yards!  Points per game - 2nd (to the Packers, who are 1st!) 4th in interceptions (Pack is 6th) Sacks, Broncos 1st, with 26 sacks (Pack is 3rd with 23).  Packers defense has given up 11 TD's & the Broncos 12.  So, the Broncos has the edge, BUT NOT a huge edge.  The Broncos have some big names - Demarcus Ware, Von Miller, at linebackers, Aqib Talib at safety are play makers, the MUST be neutralized!  The Packers MUST win the Sack & turnover battle!

4 - Special Teams - Wouldn't it be nice to have the Packers to have a TD return!  I do not care, punt return or kick return!  Come on Hyde to Abbrederis!  Make the field goals, cover punts & kicks! WIN the special teams battle!

Final Score

Packers 24 & Broncos 13!!!!!!

Packers Picture Day 2015

Time for all the coaches & players to pose for the Team picture!

Great Posture!

Someone farted?

Kuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhn!

Davante!  Sit up!

Better hair, Matthews of Bakhtiari?

Pitch Perfect Time?

Looking Good!

Tough Practice!

Enough said!

Packers Team Pictures 2015

Packer Retired Jerseys

Before Brett Favre has #4 retired, let's have a look at the other retired jersey #'s!

#3 - Tony Canadeo - HB - 1941-44, 1946-52  Retired 1952
The "Grey Ghost of Gonzaga"!  Great nickname!  Like many players in this era, played many positions - defensive back, passer, runner, kick returner,  & punter. 1943, the teams leading rusher & passer!  And, served in WWII in 1944 & 45, playing only 3 games in 1944 & missing all of 1945!  Came back in 1946 as a running back and was the first Packer to rush for 1,000 yards! His career stats:

#14 - Don Hutson - WR/DB - 1935-45  Retired 1951
Was credited with inventing certain patterns and is mentioned as one of the top receivers of all time!  Had a career 99 TD receiving TD's and this was an NFL record till 1989, broken by Steve Largent!  Hutson held 18 NFL records when he retired! Was on three NFL title teams - 1936, 1939, & 1944.  In 1970, NFL named hime to the all 50 players team in NFL history.  And, the indoor practice facility, the Hutson Center, has his name on it!  Don Hutson Stats:

#15 - Bart Starr - QB - 1956-71 Retired 1973
Drafted in the 17th round in 1956!  Yes, they had 17 rounds in the draft back in 1956! And, how about 6 division crowns, 5 NFL championships & 2 Super Bowls!!  Only lost 1 post season game, his first, was 9-0 afterward!  Was Super Bowl I & II MVP.  Also, was the Packers head coach from 1975-83.  Starr career stats:

#66 - Ray Nitsche - LB - 1958-72  Retired 1983
A third round draft pick in 1958 from Illinois, where he played full back & linebacker.  As the middle linebacker, was the leader of the defense during the Lombardi years! His athleticism was obvious with his 25 career interceptions!  In 1970 was names to the NFL all time top 50 list!  The Packers on started keeping defensive stats in 1975.

#92 - Reggie White - DE - 1993-98  Retired 2005
The Minister of Defense!  What a pick up for the Packers from the Eagles!  With the Packers for 6 years,   Named to 13 straight Pro Bowls!  Sacked 75 different NFL quarterbacks!  Finished with 198 sacks in 15 years in the NFL, currently second all time!  Helped get the Packers win in Super Bowl XXXI, recording 3 sacks, a record at that time!

And next, you know,

 #4 - Brett Favre!!!!

Bart Starr News

Here is the latest:

Bart Starr News (Click Here)

Somethings are predictable, Bart Starr is a fighter.  As a 17th round draft choice, to the Packers starting QB, and two time Super Bowl Champion!  This Thanksgiving, Bart Starr will attempt to attend the Packer vs. Bears!  And the Brett Favre number retirement!

The Packer Buddies will be there!!!

As the article pointed out, this could be another GREAT moment in Lambeau History!

Bart Starr

Brett Favre

Aaron Rodgers

November 26, 2015

Packer vs. Bears

7:30 PM CDT

Lambeau Field

Packers Bye Week Is Over! Time To Get To Work!

The 2015 Bye Week is over for the Packers!  Now, game #7 - the Denver Broncos!

First, Peyton Manning. Age 39.  Breaking a BUNCH of NFL career records! (A few by a guy named Favre!)  A SURE Hall of Famer!  Has handles his career VERY well!  A true CLASS ACT!

Not at his BEST, but still works VERY hard, can anticipate the the throw with the best.  Not going to be outworked!  BUT, not very mobile & has issues throwing the long ball!  So, I feel an attempt to pull a Phillip Rivers!  Pack needs to pressure Manning, not worry about his scrambles and take away the 8-15 yard passes.  Will Capers keep Manning under 500 yards passing?  How about under 250 yards & 2 interceptions!!!

Broncos total offense by yards - 29th of 32 teams - 325 yards a game!  By points - 25th - 18.3 per game!!!  We need to hold them below 18.3 - say 17 points!

The Broncos Defense, GOOOOOOOOD!  Total yards per game 1st!  By points - 2nd - 17 per game! (The Packers are first!!!)   They are also, 1st in sacks - 26 for the season! (The Packers are second with 23!)  The Packers need to stifle the Broncos pass rush and score 24 points!

Final score Packers 24 - Broncos 17!

More to come!

Go Pack Go!

Packer And Injuries?

Undefeated at 6-0!  One of 5 teams in the NFL still without a loss!

And, guess what, the Packers LEAD the NFL in injuries!!!  Check out the Yahoo Sports article:

Despite starting the season 6-0, Green Bay hasn’t had a lot of luck this season.

According to NFL Nation, they are currently the most injured team in the NFL with starters or key special-teams players missing a total of 78 games. The worst of these occurred in August, when Jordy Nelson blew out his knee in a pre-season game.

In addition, key contributors like Bryan Bulaga, Morgan Burnett and BJ Raji have also missed parts of the first six games.

Packers fans are acutely aware of the injury difficulties they suffered in 2010 when 15 players ended up on injured reserve. A total of 31 players missed 206 games that season. Nevertheless, as the sixth seed in the NFC, they went on to win the Super Bowl.

The least injured teams up to this point in the season have been the surprising Jets and the disappointing Seahawks. Both have lost only a total of six games to injury.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/yahoo-sportsdash/undefeated-packers-lead-the-league-in-unlucky-metric-004051891.html

That, folks is impressive!

Packer Buddies Have Another Awesome Weekend In Green Bay!! Packers 27 - Chargers 20

The Packer Buddies did it again!  An incredible weekend in Green Bay and the Packers win!

Phil, Jim, Terry & Bill

The weekend was one of our best!  First, the flights to and from Baltimore to Milwaukee were on time & smooth!  Plug for Southwest Airlines!

Second, the weather was TOP NOTCH!  WOW!  Great fall weather sunshine!!  

Third, Segway Tour of Green Bay Heritage Trail was one of our BEST experiences!  Our guide. Al, was on target!  Al, a retired education(like the Packer Buddies) was fantastic!  From the training on the Segway, to the history lesson on the trail, and the ride on the Segway itself, all were SPECIAL!

Fourth, the people we meet we typical great fans!  From the family from Hershey, PA, to our waitresses at local restaurants, and even "Blizzard" a Packer Fan Doggie!

Jim talks to Blizzard about our Packers!

And, fifth, and MOST important, our Green Bay Packers!  27-20 Win!!! What a finish!

#1 Draft pick - Damarious Randall

Oh, and the NEW "Throwback Jersey"  I like it!!!!  Have a look at the Throwback Uniforms!!!

 

Oh, and I forgot to mention the Flyover before the game!!

Breaking Packer News - Rodgers Intercepted at Lambeau! But, Packers Beat Rams 24-10!

Yes, the streak is over!

Streaks are good, but at times a pain in the neck!

With the 24-10 win, the Packers of 2015 are beginning to take on a new personality!

1 - The defense is starting to take shape.  Sacks - the Packer D can Sack the QB!  Interceptions - the Packer defensive backs are attacking the football & creating turnovers!

2 - Because of the defense, the offense does not need to be scoring 30 points a game!

3 - Special Teams are better, the Rams were dangerous, but we held in check!

4 - Injuries are still an issue!  NEED TO STAY HEALTHY!

Breaking down the drives of each team, for the Packers:
13 drives:
2 - End of Half & End of Game
3 - Turnovers - Rodgers 2 interceptions & 1 fumble!  NOT a good day, BUT we won!
4 - Punts (3 - 3 and outs) I DO NOT LIKE 3 & OUTS!!!
1 - Downs - went for it on 4th down & did not make it
3 - Scores - TD, TD, FG! (And do not forget, we had 1 defensive TD!)

For the Rams:
13 drives:
4  - Punts (2 - 3 & outs)
4 - Interceptions!
3 - Missed FG's!  They were LONG attempts - 49, 52 & 62 yards!
2 - Scores TD & FG

So, looking at the drives, offense an average day & defense another good day!

One Quarter of NFL Season is Finished - Where Are The Packers?

Mike McCarthy always breaks the season in the NFL into quarters, and guess what?  So do I!

So, what have we learned?

1 - The Packers fast start that Coach McCarthy wanted?    YES!  At 4 wins & 0 losses, that is FAST!

2 - Aaron Rodgers?  You could be watching something special, a quarterback, in his prime, playing at a level that is special!

3 - Injuries Yes!  Next man up, working!  Davonte Adams down, rookie Ty Montgomery up!  Morgan Burnett down, Micah Hyde up!  Brian Bulaga down, Don Barclay up!  Eddie Lacy semi-down, Starks semi-up!  Sam Barrington down for year, Nate Palmer up!  Jordy Nelson down for year, James Jones up! Suspensions on D. Jones & L. Guion, Mike Pennel & Josh Boyd(now down), up!

4 - Change in coaching duties, McCarthy giving up play calling, helping with Special Teams & Defense starting to work?  Play calling by Tom Clements?  New Special Teams Coach - Ron Zook.  It is still early, but so far so good.

It is only October, but the Packers are in a good place, two games up in the division and one of th
Gree teams left at 4-0!  So, the second quarter of the season begins and the Rams come into Green Bay!

Go Pack Go!

Packers Over 49ers 17-3 Yeeeeeeeeessssssssssss!

Let's review my Game Keys:

1 - Stop Kaepernick on his scrambles, keep him in the pocket!

2 - Hold down Carlos Hyde - try to keep under that magic 100 yards!

3 - Protect Rodgers, a let him pick apart the 49er secondary!

4 - Packers run the ball, combined over 120 yards - Lacy & Stark (And Harris?)

5 - Special Teams - keep improving all phases!  Punt & Punt Return!  Kick & kick return!


1 - CHECK - Kaepernick  -  10 rushes - 57 yards

2 - CHECK - Carlos Hyde - 8 rushes for 20 yards - 0 TD's

3 - CHECK - Rodgers sacked 3 times, but most looked like coverage sacks, except 1.

4 - CHECK - Lacy(90), Rodgers(33), Starks(28). Montgomery(10) = 161 total rush yards

5 - NO CHECK -
Packers - Kick Returns - only 2 & touchbacks, Punt Returns - 3 - 14 yards
49ers - Kick Returns - 1 for 20 yds & 3 touchbacks, Punt Returns - 3 - 12 yards & 2 out of bounds

So, overall a good game for the Packers!  Away game wins are ALWAYS good.  Defense, containing Kaepernick & giving up only 3 points!  & Offense, just an average day at the office!

Rams at Home!!!

Packer and 49ers, Not A Playoff Game, But It Feels Like One!

OK, it is only early October, game four of the season, but it is the 49ers!

Packers lead the all time series 34 win, 30 loses, and one tie.  But, the Pack have lost the last four games!  And some BIG games!

January 5, 2014 - 49ers 23-20 over Packers  (Play off)
September 8, 2013 - 49ers 34-38 over Packers
January 12, 2013 - 49ers 45-31 over Packers (Playoff)
September 9, 2012 - 49ers 30-22 over Packers

If you are counting, that is 4 in a row for the 49ers!
And, the Pack won 8 in a row before this!

So, lately, it has been a series of streaks.  Time to start a Packer streak!!!

Players to watch for the 49ers:

Of course Colin Kaepernick - QB!  Wow!  If you saw the games, the scramble have killed us!  Are we ready, we have had some success against Russel Wilson of the Seahawks.  What has Kaepernick done this year?

Game One - Win over Vikings 20-3
17 for 26 and 165 yards - 0 TD's - 0 interceptions

Game Two - Loss to Pittsburgh - 43-18
33 for 46 and 355 yards - 2 TD's - 0 interceptions

Game Three - Loss to Arizona - 47-7
9 for 19 and 67 yards - 0 TD's - 4 interceptions

As you see, not very good!

Running Back - Carlos Hyde - 4th in the League
54 carries - 262 yards - 4.9 average - 2 TD's

Another good running back to stop!

On defense, the 49ers have lost a lot of good players - Patrick Willis, Justin Smith & Aldon Smith!

So, the Cardinals put up 47 points and the Steelers 43 points.

Here are my 5 keys to the game:

1 - Stop Kaepernick on his scrambles, keep him in the pocket!

2 - Hold down Carlos Hyde - try to keep under that magic 100 yards!

3 - Protect Rodgers, a let him pick apart the 49er secondary!

4 - Packers run the ball, combined over 120 yards - Lacy & Stark (And Harris?)

5 - Special Teams - keep improving all phases!  Punt & Punt Return!  Kick & kick return!