Packers Make Some Strides in Pittsburgh!

Final Score - Steelers 31 - Packers 28

Surprised me!

Surprised Vegas!

And if they were honest, it surprised the Packers!

Handley, made some progress at QB.

Williams, took another step at RB.

Without Matthews at OLB & Clark at DT, the Pack D was adequate.

But, we lost.  Bottom line, a loss is a loss & you do not get STYLE points in the NFL!

McCarthy, did OK, but for a veteran coach made some interesting moves.  My least favorite, trying
a 58 yard field goal & giving up precious field position!  Packers up 21-14, Steelers get ball on there own 47, drive for a TD!  Score now 21-21.  I have mentioned this before, McCarthy has some strange traits - at times toooooo conservative & other time tooooooooo aggressive!

So, we are at 5 wins & 6 losses.  My take do are best to win at home next week against the Bucs & the following week away against the Browns!  That puts us at 7 wins & 6 losses.  Keep pushing!  If we lose next week, ware are 5 & 7, better luck next year!  Play a lot of young guys!  Alison, Janis, & Davis at wide receiver!  Our young d-backs - let them play!  Spriggs & Fackrell, can they cut it!  And, give Callahan a few series in every game.  Time to experiment!!!

Walk to Heinz Field, about 20 minutes from downtown, 

Wyndham Hotel

Walk to Heinz, and the rivers are awesome!

 Boats shuttling people from shore to shore!

Heinz Field!

Bill(Packer Buddy, Me, & Son-Jared(A Steeler Fan!)

Gametime!

Another Look At: We Ain't The Only Ones

Again, it is important, as you look at your team, to look at other NFL teams.  My, data:

The point of all this "crazy data?  As a Packer fan, we are still ahead of the curve!  Now there are some trends when you look at the results, and they are:

1 - Some NFL teams catch "lightning in a bottle"!  Example, John Grudens's 2002, Tampa Bay team! The Bucs were in 1 Super Bowl & they won it!  Gruden retires, and the Bucs are an up & down team!

2 - Our buddies the Cowboys!  8 appearance, and 5 wins.  BUT, the last time in the big game was 1995 season!  And, my reason, Coach Jimmy Johnson!  When he left, the Cowboys were never the same!  And, Jerry Jones, well you know, still, Jerry Jones!

3 - Hopeless teams?  The sad Cleveland Brown fans!  Ironically, before the Super Bowl Era, the Browns were an NFL powerhouse!  Now, coaching changes, QB nightmares, and this team for for the dogs!  In fact, the even have a "Dog Pound!"

4 - Salary Cap Era - this can drive teams crazy!  Bad decisions, and you are in trouble for 4-5 years!  Today's General Managers must navigate the salary cap, free agency & player talent!  This is where it gets interesting and meh favorite comparison is the Packers & Patriots!  Two very successful teams the past 10-15 years!  Let's compare!

Patriots & Packer QB's - Brady vs Favre/Rodgers  - GOOD ONES!

Team Building - Pack - draft & develop AND Patriots - draft & free agency

Ownership  - Packer Shareholders - Patriots Kraft

Coaching - Packers - McCarthy & Patriots - Belichick

Team Chemistry - Packers - tight lipped & class & Patriots - win at all cost & cheat if needed

So, there you have it.  This is, at least in my eyes, a look at today's NFL - more to come!

Packer Fans - "We Ain't the Only Ones!"

Another blog entry looking at the NFL!

First he teams.  Let us look at Super Bowls.  First, I have 3 categories:

1 - Super Bowl Winners & Appearances (19 teams)
     Patriots - 9 appearances - 5 wins & 4 losses
     Steelers - 8 appearances - 6 wins & 2 losses
     Cowboys - 8 appearances - 5 wins & 3 losses
     Broncos - 8 appearances - 3 wins & 5 losses
     49ers - 6 appearances - 5 wins & 1 loss
     Packers - 5 appearances - 4 wins & 1 loss
     Giants - 5 appearances - 4 wins & 1 loss
     Raiders - 5 appearances - 3 wins & 2 losses
     Redskins - 5 appearances - 3 wins & 2 losses
     Dolphins - 5 appearances - 2 wins & 3 losses
     Colts - 4 appearances - 2 wins & 2 losses
     Rams - 3 appearances - 1 win & 2 losses
     Seahawks - 3 appearances - 1 win & 2 losses
     Ravens - 2 appearances - 2 wins & 0 losses
     Bears - 2 appearances - 1 win & 1 loss
     Chiefs - 2 appearances - 1 win & 1 loss
     Saints - 1 appearances - 1 win & 0 losses
     Jets - 1 appearances - 1 win & 0 losses
     Bucs - 1 appearances - 1 win & 0 losses

   
2 - Never Won a Super Bowl, but in a Super Bowl (9 teams)
     Bills - 4 appearances - 0 wins & 4 losses
     Vikings - 4 appearances - 0 wins & 4 losses
     Falcons - 2 appearances - 0 wins & 2 losses
     Panthers - 2 appearances - 0 wins & 2 losses
     Bengals - 2 appearances - 0 wins & 2 losses
     Eagles - 2 appearances - 0 wins & 2 losses
     Cardinals - 1 appearances - 0 wins & 1 loss
     Titans - 1 appearances - 0 wins & 1 loss
     Chargers - 1 appearances - 0 wins & 1 loss

3 - Never in A Super Bowl (4 teams)
    Lions
    Jaguars
    Texans
    Browns

That is the past 51 years, if you go back to the beginning, the NFL leaders in championships are
starting in 1920.

Rank - Team - Championships
1 - Packers - 13
2 - Bears - 9
3 - Giants - 8
4 - Browns - 8
5 - Steelers - 6
6- Redskins - 5
7 - Cowboys - 5
8 - 49ers - 5
9 - Lions - 4
10 - Baltimore/Indianapolis - 4

So, old school, way back, Pack is king! But, we live in a world of "what have you done for me lately?"  And, looking at coaches & general managers, and owners, WHO is doing it?

You NEED to be careful.  Change for the sake of change does not always work!  Coaches - QB's - etc.  So, change carefully, maybe one position at a time!

The Packers are unique!  No owner, shareholders.  This is a different situation!  In our case, change is slow!  Good news, you do NOT have one crazy owner just hiring and firing because he had a bad day!  But, slowwwwwww change!

Top on the Packer shareholder list - Ted Thompson, our general manager.  Let see what fresh blood can do to help this team for the next 4-5 years!  Until that, you will see the same old Packers.

Aaron running around, winning 31-28 games.

Injuries every week.

And, Packer fans getting close to a Super Bowl, but not enough to finish!

Bye Bye Ted!  You are old enough to retire - enjoy the beaches of Green Bay!

2017 Packers vs Steelers?

Two teams with a common theme!

Blue Collar Teams?

Steelers still have an image of hard-nosed defense & explosive offense, Packers?

Blue Collar Coaches?

Mike vs Mike.  Both coaches are respected & have had success & trials?  Will it be Mike or Mike?

Blue Collar Fans?

How about those nicknames - Packers vs. Steelers.  What nickname wins?

Blue Collar owners?

Rooney Family vs Packer Stockholders.  Who is more blue collar?

Blue Collar Towns?

Green Bay vs Pittsburgh?

Battle of Blue Collar????????

Found a great article on the CNN website from 2011, right before Super Bowl XLV
Enjoy a great read! - http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/02/04/super.bowl.blue.collar.roots/index.html

Another Packer, I Just Do Not Understand........... Injuries!

From week to week, this Packer Fan, just does not get it.  Look at our week 12 injury report:

First, sheer numbers - Packers 12 players & Steelers 5 players.  The last few years, this has been an issue!  In my personal look at the Packers roster, first Ted Thompson should retire.  This may help the injury issue all by itself.  Otherwise the strength program, the trainers, team doctors(ask Martellus, just kidding), and nutrition should be looked at please! From year to year, week to week, something is not right in Green Bay!

So, for the Steelers game, we may be down - our backup right tackle(Bulaga already out!) Lucas Patrick, our multi-million dollar OLB, Clay Matthews.  Our up & coming nose tackle Kenny Clark.  Our starting running back, Ty Montgomery, and his back-up Aaron Jones (reported to be smoking the whacky tobaccky & speeding in October), and add to it our top draft pick Kevin King, still dizzy from his concussion protocol!  

Don't worry, Brett Hundly is improving, opps, was improving till last weeks disaster!  So, on the road, against the first place Steelers, with 1 great wide receiver, a very good running back, and a defense that makes the QB very nervous!  I feel an Uh Oh!  

And I will be there!!!  My son, a Steelers fan, and a Packer Buddy Bill.  What will we see Sunday night, the late game, a National TV Game!  Another Uh Oh!

How Would You Analyze Our Leader - Mike McCarthy?

How Would You Analyze Our Leader - Mike McCarthy?

Actually never having met the man, how would I analyze Mike McCarthy?

1 - Hard Worker
He has that "Blue Collar" Pittsburgh, PA hard working, no-nonsense background!  Will put in what ever hours it takes to get the job done!

2 - Stubborn
Just the look on his face, when certain questions are asked, says, "My way or the highway!"  Always goes back to his common answer - "Next man up"  & "We will correct our problems" & "No comment on injuries" & "Needs to work on his technique" & "It's My fault"

3 - Not an emotional leader
When the cameras are in the locker room, his after the game comments, are............. BORING!
Football is an emotional game, McCarthy is not emotional.  It is OK to be calm in the middle of a storm, BUT, there comes a time!

4 - Sometimes - VERY conservative other times A GAMBLER
I find this part very interesting.  He will curl up in a fetal position and try to melt the clock.  You have seen this at the end of games - run-run-pass-punt.  And at times, 4th & 1 - from the Packer 47 yard line - go for it!

5 - Loyal
You have see this lately!  Brett Hundley is our man!  Never a bad word about Martellus Bennett!  As a player, this is good.  As a fan, you know inside he is lying!  His coaches, especially Dom Capers, usually always last the season, and not much change in the off season!

6 - Successful
Cannot argue with his record, it is one of the best in the NFL.  My question is, what would his record be without Brett Favre & Aaron Rodgers!

My overall opinion, we could do much worse!  But, point #6, still bugs the heck out of me!

WITHOUT FARVE & RODGERS 

HOW GOOD IS 

COACH MCCARTHY???????

Packer Fans - We Have Been Spoiled, This Season Is Good For Us Too!

Yes, spoiled fans!  Not many in the NFL!

1 - We have, Brett Farve handing off to Aaron Rodgers!

2 - We have a run of playoff teams:

2016 - 10 wins - 6 losses - lost conference game to Cardinals - 45-21
2015 - 10 wins - 6 losses - lost divisional game to Cardinals in OT - 26-20
2014 - 12 wins - 4 losses - loss conference game to Seahawks in OT - 28-22
2013 - 8 wins - 7 losses - 1 tie - lost wild card game to 49ers 23-20
2012 - 11 wins - 5 losses - loss divisional game to 49ers - 45-31
2011 - 15 wins - 1 loss - great season, disappointing ending loss to Giants 37-20
2010 - 10 wins - 6 losses - Super Bowl Champs - 31-25 over the Steelers
2009 - 11 wins -5losses -  lost wild card game to Cardinals 51-45
2008 - last losing season 6-10

So, last losing season, 10 years ago!

But, notice the trend, last two years - 10 win season & miracles by Aaron to safe games!
And, defense, NOT VERY GOOD!!!

3 - Listen to interviews from coaches, same old stuff!
   Need to correct mistakes
   Cannot win games if you lost the turnover battle
   We will get better
   Next man up for injuries
 
So, we are VERY fortunate to be Packer Fans!  BUT, with an Aaron Rodgers............
well you know!

This Packer Fan Is Tired!!

This Packer Fan Is Tired!!

Tired of the injuries!

Tired of the interviews!

Tired of the excuses!

Tired of losing! (Even though we have made playoffs the last 7 years!)

Even when we were winning th last few years, I still think we were fooled.

Liked I have said, Mr. Rodgers has covered up a BUNCH & the proof is the past few weeks & other
years that Aaron missed games!

Today, against the very average Ravens team, the defense played well enough to win, but the offense
did not?  What happened?

Hundley, did you see the interceptions?  Unacceptable!

My drive chart?
1 - Interception
2 - Interception
3 - Fumble
4 - Punt
5 - Punt
6 - Downs
7 - Punt
8 - Downs
9 - Punt
10 - Fumble
11 - Downs
12 - Interception
13 - Punt

Ar you kidding me!  13 Drives - 5 turnovers!  5 Punts!  3 on Downs
This may be the worst offensive game in years!  And, if I was coaching, it would be

"Callahan Time"!

Defense, Clark goes out with ankle injury, Matthews goes out groin injury. Burnett was already out,
King was already out, cannot stay healthy!  Did hold Ravens to 6 points in first half, but did not finish!  And Ravens offense is pathetic.

Really look at our team!  Start at QB!

Aaron Rodgers
Brett Hundley
Joe Callahan

Like most teams QB is an issue!  There are maybe 4-5 good ones in the league, we have the BEST, beyond that nothing!  Grade with Aaron A+, without F!

Running backs - wow!  Another blunder.  We convert a wide receiver and draft 3 rookies!  We have injuries to our first two, Williams our third stringer looked OK, Mayes our 4th stringer, fumbles early!  Grade NOW - D+

Wide Receivers?  Without a QB, does not matter very much.  Nelson, getting older, Adams may have been coming into his own, & Cobb, a NON factor!  Again, with Aaron B, without Aaron D+

Tight Ends - Blamethis one on Teddy!  Bennett was a disaster, cannot even talk about this one!  Kendrick's, older & adequate.  Rodgers a third stringer!  Grade D-

Offensive line - starters Bakhtiari(good) - Taylor(good) - Lindsley (good) Evans(OK-but old) -
Bulaga (OUT for year) our first sub McCray has filled in well!  Spriggs & Murphy, our two draft choice from couple years back, injured entire year!  Grade B-

Defensive Line - Daniels, our leader & over achiever!  Clark, coming on, gets hurt today.  Lowry average and then a couple throw ins - Dial & Adams. Grade C-

Linebackers Inside - wow!  No fear here!  Ryan, Thomas, & Martinez.  First just 3. Second, not vey good - again - Thanks Teddy!  Grade D-

Linebackers Outside - Matthews - close to the end. Perry, above average pass rusher, not very good in coverage!  Brooks, an older pickup, nothing special.  Fackrell, nothing special.  Biegel, our draft choice, hurt the entire year, now playing - DO NOT know!  Grade D+

Defensive backs - Wow! Wow!  And, another WOW!  This crew is in constant change!  Many that the Pack have let go have performed well - Hayward, Hyde, etc.  Injured and beaten - constant state of change! House, Randall, Clinton-Dixx, & Jones.  Young guys playing, our leader, Burnett injured again & not playing.  Our top draft pick out again, King!  Injured Reserve - Brice, was coming on & is a hitter!  Waters & Rollins, injured, have shown flashes, but inconsistent!  Grade C-!

An average team, with a Hall of Fame injured QB.  Welcome to life as a Packer Fan!

Packers - Ravens, Another Chance To Show We Are Not A One Man Show!

I'm sure the other 52 Packer players are saying, we can do it! But, in their minds, it would be nice to to have AR back!  Well guess what, another week of 2 - PROVE IT BABY!!!

Baltimore?

1 - A physical defense!!!

2 - A QB, that is VERY inconsistent & well paid!

3 - A team fighting for a wild card! Like the Pack!

4 - An opportunity for:

   a - Packers, Hundley, to make another step, that he could be an NFL starter!

   b - Packer running backs, our third stringer - Williams and another new guy, our fourth
stringer,  Mayes.  Are they better than our 1 & 2 running backs???

   c - Remember Jordy Nelson?

   d - Defense, here we go!  Can they help win a game?

   e - Sacks - Sacks - Sacks

   f - and. who will our d-backs be this week???

With all the reading I do, and my "expert" opinion, I just do not see a lot of talent on the defensive
side of the ball?  As I has said, Ted simply must go.  And, next in line, our DC, Dom.  Sometimes you just need a change?

We have 7 more games - what will we see this week?

Stop The Presses, Packers Win! Packers Win!

We GOT one!  First win without Rodgers this year!!!!!

I know Brett Hundley does not have many starts, but is in his third year!

Los Angeles Rams 2nd Year QB, Jared Goff has his team in first in his division - 7 wins - 2 losses!
Carson Wentz, Eagles 2nd year QB, has his team in first place - 8 wins - 1 loss!
Third string QB, Case Keenum, has the Vikings in first place at 7 wins & 2 losses!

So, it CAN be done!  That means OTHER players MUST pick it up!  AND, coaches!!!

Here is what I always look at first, the drive charts:

Packers Drives
Drive #1 - FG
Drive #2 - Punt
Drive #3 - TD
Drive #4 - Punt
Drive #5 - Punt
Drive #6 - FG
Drive #7 - Punt
Drive #8 - FG
Drive #9 - TD
Drive #10 - Missed FG
Drive # 11- End of Game

So, throw out the last drive, End of Game, that is 10 drives - 6 scoring, 1 missed FG - NOT BAD
Of the scoring drives - missed FG, BAD - come on new long snapper!!  Home town boy! (Mine)
4 Punts, not bad, 2 three and out - NOT GOOD!
No turnovers - always good!

Bears Drives
Drive #1 - Punt
Drive #2 - FG
Drive #3 - Punt
Drive #4 - Fumble
Drive #5 - Punt
Drive #6 - FG
Drive #7 - Punt
Drive #8 - Punt
Drive #9 - TD
Drive #10 - FG
Drive #11- Downs

So, 4 scoring drives out of 11, not bad, but ONLY 1 TD - Good for Packer defense!
5 Punts & 1 turnover  - GREAT for our defense!  BUT,it IS the BErs & a rookie QB!!!

So, as of now in the NFC there are 4 teams at 5 wins 4 losses - Packers, Lions, Cowboys & Falcons
And, 2 teams at 6 wins 3 losses - Seahawks & Panthers!

Some big days - Davonte Adams - 5 receptions - 90 yards - 1 TD
Nick Perry - 3 sacks - 6 tackles
Handley - 18 - 25 & 212 yards & 1 TD AND no turnovers!

Next up Ravens!

Half Way Through The NFL Season, Where Do The Packers Stand?

OK, we are at the midpoint of the season, where is our team?

4 wins & 4 losses

25th in the league in total defense

23rd in the league in total offense

2 games behind the Vikings in our division

1 game out of the wild card race

missing starters for the year - QB-Rodgers, OT-Bulaga

injured reserve(remember, 2 may come back & play)
  Kentrell Brice - S
  Kyle Murphy - OT
  Taybor Pepper - LS
  Aaron Rodgers - QB
  Quinten Rollins - CB
  Jacob Schum - P
  David Talley - LB
  Herb Waters - CB

current injury report
  Ahmad B
just cut our starting tight end - Martellus Bennett (great pick up Ted)

leading rusher - Aaron Jones - 358 yds - 3 TD's - 21st in the league

leading receiver - Devante Adams - 404 yds - 5 TD's - 45th in the league

I could go on, WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I see an average or  below average team.  I see a QB that is struggling.  I see a defense that will not scare anyone.  I see a team struggling for leadership.

I am trying to be realistic!  This is NOT a very good team!

The Bears game is the key to the season!  What direction are we headed?  Stay tuned!

The Packers Are On Vacation, And So Am I!

Well, game 3 without Aaron!

I am with my golf buddies, one a week vacation golfing in Pinehurst, NC!  Just finished Pinehurst #5, and ready to talk Packers!

Did the Packers pass the "smell test?"

No, from the first drive missed field goal, till the end of first half. trouble was brewing!  The first drive was very creative, McCarthy finally show some confidence in Hundley!  But, as usual, the defense was NOT good.

A look at the Detroit drives:
Drive # - Result
1 - TD
2 - missed FG
3 - TD
4 - FG
5 - fumble
6 - FG
7 - TD
8 - FG

LOK AT THAT!  In 8 drives the Packers defense DID NOT force a Punt!  NOT ONCE!

3 TD's - 3 FG's - 1 missed FG - 1 fumble

THAT IS TERRIBLE!

Packers offense:
Drive # - Result
1 - missed FG
2 - Punt
3 - Punt
4 - FG
5 - Downs
6 - Punt
7 - TD
8 - Downs
9 - TD

3 points the first half!  4 drives - 1 FG
third quarter - NO POINTS
fourth quarter down 20-3, we score 2 TD's - too little - too late!

Final score Detroit 30 - Packers 17!

So, what did we learn in Hundley's third game?

1 - He can lead the team & score.  But, McCarthy must be creative & coach.  Rodgers has had so many scrambles & "Hail Mary's" that have covered up an offense that has no running game.  We do have some promising rookies, but no game changers.

Tight end Bennett has been a bust and is now hurt!  The offensive line was finally back to all the starters, and Bulaga, our right tackle, goes down for the season with an ACL! Cobb has never been the same the last 3 years & Adams is only as good as the QB!

2 - The defense NEEDS help!  NO Pass rush, No inside linebackers.  An aging all-pro at outside linebacker.  A secondary that is hurt AGAIN, and basically NOT very good!

So, what do I see.  A team that is on the verge of a downward spiral.  4 wins & 4 losses.  What must happen?  A win!  And the Bears are next, a game we MUST win!  But, the Bears are a team moving a new direction!  Rookie QB, with a chance to prove himself!  The Packers, a 3rd year QB trying to prove he can lead an NFL team!

A Packer defense with NO real meaning?  A defensive coordinator that has been a head coach & has been a defensive coordinator for a LONG time!  A time for change?

A General Manager that has not had a good 3-4 years! Ted should be on the away out!

Our remaining schedule:
Game 9 - Bears
Game 10 - Ravens
Game 11 - Steelers
Game 12 - Bucs
Game 13 - Browns
Game 14 - Panthers
Game 15 - Vikings
Game 16 - Lions

Right now, realistically, what do you see?

I see - 4 wins & 4 losses

Packers? McCarthy? Ted?  Capers?  PROVE ME WRONG!