Packers End Season With Embarassing Loss to Lions 31-0!

What was that?

I repeat.......WHAT WAS THAT!!!!!

Lions 31 - Packers 0!

So, as a fan, let us say this was your first game!  You even brought your 10 year old son!  You went through the Packer Hall of Fame and told your boy about the great Packer players!  The amazing Packer Games like the Ice Bowl!  Our most famous coach, Vince Lombardi and his quotes like:

"“The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.”

So, excellence today - NOT EVEN CLOSE!

What is we learn today?

This team is finished!  And MANY of these players are gone!

The Packer Management is under fire, beginning with Mark Murphy!

Ted Thompson left this team with the roster a mess.

Mike McCarthy left this team with NO HEART!

The injuries, training regimen, and strength program is a disaster.

GGOD NEWS????

Want some good news, 2018 season, the 100th in Packer History is FINISHED!

A new head coach is coming.

Ted Thompson is gone & Brian Gutekunst has another draft to prove himself!

And, the sun with come up tomorrow!!!   I think.........

Go Pack Go!

Packer vs Lions, Game 16!

As this season ends, number 100 for the Packers, what do we expect?

Last year, the Lions won in Green Bay & at home a sweep!

This year, the Lions won the first game, another win would be two years in a row!

NOT GOOD!

OK! Packers for years have owned the Lions at Lambeau! In 2015, the Lions won in Green Bay for the first time in 24 years!  WOW!

A sweep, two years in a row for the Lions, would be the first time in 35 years!!!!!

So, a Packer win is BIG!  We do not want to give anymore NFC North teams an edge! 

So, Packers, JUST WIN BABY!

So, we watch for new names to show up!

DT - Lancaster

WR - Kumerow

TE - Tonyan

CB - Brown

FB - Vitale

Go Pack Go!

Packers Last Game of 2018! Injury Report!

OK!  This is getting crazy!  The injuries of this team make watching Packer Football VERY difficult!

Here it is:

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Now, Adams, Alexander, Bakhtiari, Brice, Brown, Bulaga, Cobb, Graham, Matthews, Rodgers, St. Brown, Taylor.  That is 12 starters, remember, we already have 9 starters on the IR, finished for the year!  Now, some of the 12 on today's injured list will play.  But, will the NFL survive a game that is riddled with players that are not dependable.  A game that is played by back-ups?

OK, for this week.

Question #1 - Should Aaron Rodgers play??  The injury list above would suggest NO!  Our back up needs to be seen in action.  What do we have?

Question #2 - Watch closely, who is on this team NEXT year?????  You may want to say a good bye to Cobb, Matthews, Bulaga, Williams, House, and a few coaches, Zook, Philbin, etc.

Question #3 - Watch our kicking game - our veteran Crosby & rookie Scott!!!

Question #4 - I hate to say this - watch the Vikings & Bears game, WE NEED TO DEAL
WITH THSES TEAMS!!!

So, as we end, we also begin!

New Head Coach! New Players! New Offense? New draft picks!  New Free Agents!

Let the NEW PACKERS 

begin the NEXT 100 years!!!!

Packers Over Jets, Fun Game, Does It Mean Anything?

We just witnessed the Packers of the past 5-6 years.  A high scoring win, over a bad team, lead by Aaron Rodgers. 

This is what got Mike McCarthy fired!

A Packer team, riddled by injury - look at today's starting line-up!

This line up may be different than what you would expected.  But, if you have followed the Packer teams closely the past few years, sadly, it has be typical!  If you want a number, out of the day one starters of 22 players, 10 started the season as starters.  I wonder why Aaron Rodgers is frustrated?

The NFL has an injury problem!  The Packers have an injury problem!  The NFL is IN TROUBLE!

Just a quick discussion for thought as a football fan!  If you are reading this blog, think about these talking points & the future of the NFL!  What is causing the injury epidemic in the NFL?  My view:

1 - Players are getting too BIG! 350 pound linemen, 240 pound running backs, same ligament & tendons in the body & too much muscle mass!

2 - Crazy schedule, Sunday games as usual, Monday night, Thursday Night!  Fly to London!  There is NO WAY the NFL player can recover form a Sunday game and play a Thursday night game!!!  Crazy!

3 - Game day flow of play!  Commercials, Replay of controversial calls, injuries, etc.  Play 2 minutes, look at each other for 5 minutes.  Play 3 minutes, look at each other for 5 minutes.  Play 4 minutes, look at each other for 5 minutes.  Half time.  Change of quarters.  Time outs.  Crazy!

4 - Greed!  Salary of players & Owners income!

5 - Officiating?  What is pass interference?  What is holding?  What is roughing the QB?  What is a defenseless receiver?  The NFL is in trouble!  CRAZY!

6 - And here is a strange one!  On field displays by players!  After ONE big play, they strut around like a "Rooster in a Hen House!"  They allow "STUPID" touchdown celebrations!  I know what I would do to someone strutting around the field like a MACHO MACHO MAN!  This is not part of the game, when you score a TD, act like you have been there before!

OK, enough discussion on THAT!

Back to the Packers game against the Jets!  A win is a win. And, in the NFL that is the bottom line!  What good did we achieve from the win?

1 - Still like the wide receiver, Kumerow!  A crazy story, BUT, I see something in this kid!  Overall, the rookie receivers had an OK season.  Valdes-Scantling, St. Brown, Moore, & Kumerow.  Verdict still out on Geronimo Allison!  And Cobb, he is history!

2 - Defensive line!  WOW!  No Daniels, Clark & Wilkerson!  We are down tp Practice Squad players!!  Still like this Lancaster Kid!!!  And, Lowry has been dependable!

3 - Running game, as the Patriots always prove every year, you just need to use them wisely!  The Packers offense, under Philbin, is running screen passes, draw plays, and other simple old school simple running back patterns!  Need more NEXT year!

4 - Defensive backs!  WOW!  Did you see out starting safeties? Josh Jones & Tramon Williams?  A young hitter, Jones, that is still making mistakes & an old converted cornerback, Williams!  Corners, Brown(who is he!) & Alexander, a rookie that could be the real deal!

5 - Linebackers? Another WOW!  Matthews is still trying, but finished.  Martinez, like I have said, is the only guy that can tackle on the team!  Others, just fill ins!  

6 - Offensive Line - Thatk goodness for Bakhtiari & Linsley!  The others, just average!

7 - Tight Ends - need to sign a GOOD free agent or draft!  Graham has proven he has seen better days and Kendrick, another player at the end of a good career!  Lewis, still a no show & Tonyan, a young player that may end up being a good back-up!

So, good win, but not time to buy Super Bowl Tickets for next year!  A few promising keepers for next year, BUT, a total roster makeover coming!

Next week?  

Our battle for last place in the NFC North!  

The Lions come to Lambeau!

A Look at Our 2018 Defense?

This year, if you did not know, we hired a new D-Coordinator, Mike Pettine.

Stats after 14 games:

15th in yards per game - 349
17th in points per game - 23.6
2nd in penalty yards total - 586
27th in interceptions with - 7 (League Leader 26 by Bears)
18th in forced fumble - 10 (League Leader 19 by Chiefs)
7th in Sacks - 41 (League Leader 47 by Vikings)

Some mixed reviews.  One stat, 7th in sacks just 6 behind the leader, Vikings!  A disappointment, interception, 27th in league!  A good one, penalty yards, 2nd in the league!

Remember, losing starters?

Jake Ryan, inside linebacker in summer camp for the year.
Mike Daniels, defensive tackle, for the year - played 9 games
Kevin King, cornerback, for the year - played 6 games
Muhammed Wilkerson, defensive tackle, for the year - played 3 games
Nick Perry, outside linebacker, played in 8 games

Other starters, Ha Ha Clinton-Dixx traded!

Missing Games?

Jaire Alexander, cornerback, missed 2 games
Kentrell Brice, safety, missed 2 games

And, the players missing 0 GAMES!!!

Dean Lowry, defensive end
Blake Martinez, inside linebackers
Clay Matthews, outside linebackers

Considering all the above, I may be one to give Mike Pettine a second chance!!!  A lot will depend on the new head coach?  Is the new coach from an offensive or defensive background?  In any case, I DO NOT blame Pettine for our ugly season!

What To Watch For In Packers Last Two Games!

First, I need to cry a little!  Have you seen the race for the wildcard???

Look at the teams & records!

Seahawks - 8 wins 6 losses
Vikings - 7 wins 6 losses 1 tie
Eagles - 7 wins 7 losses
Redkins - 7 wins 7 losses
Panthers - 6 wins 7 losses

Wow!  Not a great year for wildcards and of course, WE SHOULD BE THERE!!!

OK, no more crying!

What to watch for? Who will be around 3 years from now? 

1 - Young receivers - Valdes-Scantling, St. Brown, Moore, Kumerow?  My guess today!  NONE!

2 - Running back - Aaron Jones injured, Montgomery(WELL YOU KNOW), Williams, Vitale.
Sorry, again NONE.

3 - Tight Ends Graham, Kendrick, Lewis, Tonyan - EASY NONE

This is why we are who we are!!!  Get ready Packer Fans!  Change is in the air!

So, watch the offense this week!  Is there anyone worth building around????

Packer Fans! The Agony is over!!!

The past two seasons have been VERY difficult for Packer Fans!  Makes winning and playoffs special!!  Let's take a look at this season!  First, I will look at our losses & tie game!

Week 2 - Vikings Tie - 29-29
Week 3 - Redkins Loss 31-17
Week 5 - Lions Loss 31-23
Week 8 - Rams Loss - 29-27
Week 9 - Patriots Loss - 31-17
Week 11 - Seahawks Loss - 27-24
Week 12 - Vikings Loss - 24-17
Week 13 - Cards Loss - 20-17
Week 15 - Bears Loss - 24-17

Let us pretend the Rodgers Offense could get ONE more TD & a two point?  We could have maybe
7 more wins???  Our record now is 5 wins - 8 losses 1 tie, COULD BE 12 wins & 2 losses???????

Let say just 4 games????  9 wins & 4 losses???

So, my first theory is we are NOT that far behind!  Next item to look at??

Injuries!!!!

Packer vs Bears 2018 - Game #2

Game #1, a one point win by Packers was DRAM PLUS!  Bears get lead, Rodgers gets hurt, first have a disaster!  Second half, Rodgers come back to win!  Another Rodgers miracle!  And, Packer Buddies Phil & Jim were there!

Fast forward to December 16 - Bears in first, and Packers has SLIM - VERY SLIM chance to make playoffs!!!

Look at the Injury Report for the week:

 

Packers9 players, Bears 1!

When you look at injured reserve - Packers 13 & Bears 5.

One of my many issues the past few years has been Packer injury issues!  I still think this needs a look!!

Now, the game?

1 - Bears D-line vs Packers banged up O-line! I would run a lot of quick passes.  Try to run the ball!  Run some miss-direction plays!  And, DO NOT turn the ball over - NEED "0" turnovers!

2 - Packer Pass Rush!  NEED to send people!  That means gamble!  That means be creative on blitz's!  If we need to cover man, one on one DO IT!  Move Matthews around!  Send some D-backs!  Heack, send the water boy and ball boy!

3 - Special Teams!  We NEED some special plays & most of all, NO PENALTIES!  If a play has his back to you, DO NOT block him!  DO NOT hold!  And, Crosby, make ALL field goal attempts!

4 - Body Language!  Packers players play HARD!!!

Players to watch:

Packers - Aaron Jones, Aaron Rodgers & Right Tackle Bulaga or Spriggs!  On defense, Matthews, Alexander, & my NEW FAVORITE D-tackle, Lancaster!!!!   And, special teams - Crosby!

The Bears have become one of the top NFL teams! (When did that happen?) Packers win, or just seeing a good game is what Packer Fans need to see!

First Game, Packers 24 & Bears 23.

Second Game..........

Packer Buddies Enjoy Their 20th Year of Travel to Green Bay & Lambeau Field!

Friendship!

Sports!

What happens when friends take a chance & travel to see their team in action????

Terry, Bill, Phil & Jim have experienced 20 years of Packer Football!  And, a Green Bay experience that is more than football!!  How did this migration begin from Pennsylvania & New Jersey?????

First, there were others - Andy, John, Bob, Rich,......  On a chance, the original group decided to visit a special football location - Green Bay & Lambeau Field!  To make a long story short, 20 years ago, after buying tickets on the street, and talking to locals, a connection was made!  Through that connection, many home Packer Games, away games, playoff games were enjoyed!  New connections were made & lost, and over twenty years, the Packer Buddies continued to make their trek to Lambeau!

Out of the group, Terry, Bill, Phil, & Jim continued the tradition!  And, a friendship grew!  What have the "Fantastic Four" experienced?

1 - Of course, great Packer games.  Playoff games!  Favres' last games as a Packer!  Away games, in Kansas City, Miami, Washington, etc!

2 - Great players!  Of course, Favre & Rodgers!  Driver, Matthews, Nelson, Woodson, etc!

3 - Great Moments!  Packer Alumni, Kramer, Starr, Horning, Taylor, etc! Farve's Retirement festivities.

4 - Meeting Green Bay People!  Darlene & Tom, who were at the Ice Bowl!  Charlotte, her father received his season tickets from Lombardi himself!  Henry Jordan's niece.  Bridget, a real estate agent, she sold Brett Hundley's home.  And, the stories continue!  We have met MANY people with connection to Green Bay & it's football history!  That is the beauty of Packer country!

5 - Things to do?  Segway Tours of Green Bay.  Fox River Boat Tours!  A trip to Sturgeon Bay.  Many great local eateries, Prime Quarter, Titletown, etc.  A Railroad Museum.  A tour of the Packer Hall of Fame, a Tour of Lambeau!  Many many things to do & see in the Green Bay area!

Who are these visitors to Green Bay?  All retired educators!  All Packer Fans.  Terry, Bill & Jim retired track & Field coaches!  Phil, grew up in Sturgeon Bay!  Bill & Phil attended high school together!

So, Terry, Bill, & Jim met on the track oval!  Phil, entered the group after attending a high school reunion.  And so, the journey began.  Terry, Bill, & Jim - 20 years ago. Phil about 8 years.

I have tracked my 37 Packer games, here they are:

(Click to enlarge)

That is 37 games!  My record, 25 wins & 12 losses.  Away games, 9.  Playoff games, 4.  Favre's last Packer Game!  Many great memories!  And, the people that the Packer Buddies meet have made the trip very special!  And, the Packer Buddies friendship has become stronger every trip!

Go Pack Go!

PackerBuddies Bring Home a Win! First Game After McCarthy Era!

We did it!  We, meaning the Packer Players, Coaches, and of course the Packer Buddies and over 80,000 loyal fans!  The drama is over for now, and three more games to go in 2018!  First, the win!

First, our singer for the National Anthem for got the words!  What a season!

Then, the first Falcon drive ends in a TD after 2 controversial calls!  AND, new head coach Philbin uses up his challenges ALL on the first drive!  Score Falcons 7 Packers 0!

BUT, Packers score the NEXT 34 points and go up 34-7!  Something special just happened!  Packers players & coaching staff put the McCarthy era behind them! And, a new era begins!

What were the differences?

First Packer drive saw some QUICK passes!  An actual SLANT pattern to Cobb!  And Packers tie the score at 7-7!  And, we see a screen pass!  And, we see a draw play!!  And, we see Rodgers scramble for 1st downs!  And, we see the team back up Rodgers after a cheap shot!  And, we see Crosby make field goals!  And, we see a defensive TD!  And, we see a young corner take on one of the top receivers in the league and hold his own!!  And, we see new faces shine - Lancaster at defensive tackle.  3 of 5 offensive line backups, McCray, Spriggs, & Patrick hold there own!  And, we see an old vet, Matthews have a GREAT game!  And, you know 34-20 win!

Now,  the Packer Buddies had a great weekend!  First, after a great flight from Baltimore to Milwaukee, a stop for breakfast at the Hobo Restaurant!  Exit 107, off Interstate 43 north.  awesome comfort food for the start of the weekend!

Next, a quick visit to Lambeau and the Packer Pro Shop!  And, of course, a visit with Vince!

That night, an fantastic Titletown Light Show!!!

And, a game day pic, another Packer Buddy tradition!  Left to right - Terry, Bill, Phil, & Jim!

The Packer Buddies have been making their Pilgrimage to Lambeau for over 20 years!  The next post, I will give a brief history of the Packer Buddies and their love of Green Bay & the Packers!!!

Packer Buddies Are Ready to Travel to Football Nirvana!

Here we go!  The Packer Buddies are making another trip to cheer for their favorite team!  As most Packer fans know, this has been a difficult year!  But, as a true fan, you MUST stay focused & support our Packers through good and bad!

It is frustrating!  Most true fans have seen the issues!  Ted Thompson, just VERY poor talent in his last few drafts!  Mike McCarthy lead us to a Super Bowl, BUT, the quality of play and most of all, the PLAY CALLING on offense has been an BIG issue!  Now, change is here!

Four games, and we get to see what life will be like without McCarthy & Thompson!  And what else do Packer Fans do while in Green Bay!!!!

EAT - great places to eat!  Prime Quarter, Titletown, and many other great restaurants!

SHOP - It is December, end of the year bargains!!  Packer Pro Shop & local stores!

SITE SEE - Packer History, Green Bay History, and of course Fox River & of course the bay - GREEN BAY!!!

And of course, the famous TURTLE, ice cream from Culver's!

Go Pack Go!

                       Go Pack Go!

                                                 Go Pack Go!

What Do We Watch For When Packers Play The Falcons?

Here we go!  And new era begins, kinds of!

What will I be watching for at the game??

1 - Packer Player Body Language

2 - Offensive Play Calling??

3 - Aaron Rodgers play

4 - Any new players that stand out?

5 - Special Teams Play!

6 - Pass Rush???

7 - And, can we win with this team?

Injuries Continue, first who is on the IR and finished for the year????

Geronimo Allison
Ibraheim Campbell
Tra Carson
Mike Daniels
Trevor Davis
Devon House
Kevin King
Kyle Murphy
Nick Perry
Jake Ryan
Muhammed Wilkerson

If you are counting, starters are shaded - Allison, Daniels, King, Perry, Ryan, & Wilkerson.
After two year, CB-King has be injured a lot!!!  Nick Perry, over paid & again, injuries the past few years!  With Daniels getting older & off season pick up Wilkerson near the end of a career, younger D-lineman are needed!  Outside linebacker????  For the last few years we have been struggling here!

This week, the injury list for the Falcon game:
David Bakhtiari
Bryon Bell
Hunter Bradley
Bashaud Breeland
Kentrell Brice
Bryan Bulaga
Tra Carson
Randall Cobb
Jimmy Graham
Raven Greene
Kevin King
Clay Matthews
Aaron Rodgers
Equanimeous St. Brown
Lane Taylor

If you are counting, that is 4 of 5 starting offensive linemen!
Much of the season Randall Cobb!
The position of safety - WOW!  This is a total 2018 failure for the entire year!
First, we let steady player Morgan Burnett go before season begins!  We let Ha Ha Clinton-Dixx go half way through the season.  We try young players Brice & Greene & they are always injured!  We move corners to safety - Tramon Williams! WHAT A MESS!

Our wide receivers have be injured & VERY young - Adams, Cobb, Allison, Valdes-Scantling, St. Brown, & Moore!  That is not a very good receiving core!

Tight Ends - another disaster, Graham, now injured, never got rolling!  Lewis was NEVER used!  Kendricks is used mostly as a Fullback, should have just kept a fullback on the roster!  Again, no real threat from the tight ends all year!!!

Not much to cheer about, but here are players to watch!

Jones at running back.
Kumerow at wide receiver.
Tonyan at tight end.
ANY substitute offensive lineman - maybe Patrick.
Lancaster at defensive tackle.
Fackrell at outside linebacker.
Williams at safety.
Jones at safety.
Jackson at cornerback.

Here we go, I really do NOT see much in this roster for the final 4 games!
The Falcons will be difficult to beat for this Packer team!!

Good Bye Mike McCarthy

Wow!  What a year!  Before we get into Mike McCarthy, let us re-cap the past year!

1 - The 2017 Packers, do not make the playoffs for the first time in 9 seasons & Aaron Rodgers has an injury plagued year!

2 - Ted Thompson, out GM is sent packing!  FINALLY!

3 - Mike McCarthy changes MANY coaching jobs, including offensive & defensive coordinators!

4 - 2018 - Aaron injured again, but manages to play.

5 - Packers lose  BUNCH of close games & finally, after the Packers lose at home to a VERY
poor Cardinal team, Mike McCarthy is fired!

So, first, THANK YOU Mike McCarthy for a Super Bowl and many good years of Packer Football!

So, what does this mean for the Packer Future????  First, do not forget, do NOT have one owner, so, the next shoe to drop may be Murphy, our team president!  And, our stock holders executive committee, THEY also need to shoulder some of the blame!

Of our present roster, WHO do will build around??  These are the players that I think will build on:

QB - Aaron Rodgers - of course, but he has had a bad year!!
WR - Davante Adams, first 1000 yard season
OT - David Bakhtiari - He also has great hair!
C - Corey Linsley - has quietly anchored the O-line!
RB - Aaron Jones - just do get caught smoking week & driving 100 mph!

DT - Kenny Clark
DT - Mike Daniels - but we need to start looking to replace
LB - Blake Martinez - one of the only guys that can tackle!
CB - Jaire Alexander - may be future All-Pro?

K - Mason Crosby - again, may need to soon look to replace

That is 10, all the rest can be replaced!

A few need to stay, because you cannot replace Too many!
DT Dean Lowry
OLB - Kyler Fackrell - WOW, cannot believe it!
S - Kentrell Brice - maybe serviceable?
CB - Kevin King - can he stay healthy?
WR -Marques Valdes-Scantling

OK, Mike McCarthy!  Crosby makes field goal, we still have him!

But, he missed!

Murphy got it right, that was a terrible performance!  We have seen it for 2-3 years.  Rodgers just covered up the majority of the issues.

McCarthy had to go, why?

1 - Offense was NOT creative & it was obvious Rodgers was doing his own thing!
2 - McCarthy continued to give the same old answers!
3 - The "EYE TEST" on the field was a team that was quitting!
4 - The coaching staff was blown up last year, and not pulling together this year!

Every day there seems to be more drama coming out!  Today, another coach goes.  Early in the year,
Montgomery does his own thing, and we lose!  Clinton-Dixx, cut loose, drama all around him!  Injuries still a BIG issue!  So, look at it as a new beginning!

Let see what we look like the last four games!

The Packer Buddies will be there!!!