Tag Archives: Packers

Nothing like a bad call to speed up NFL referee negotiations

Posted on by
3

The missed call in Monday’s game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers was a big deal.

Was the Seahawks being gifted a 14-12 victory against the Packers one of those, “I’ll never forget where I was” type of moments? Probably not. But it’s a big story regardless, with quite a few layers to it.

I won’t go into great detail since most of you have probably watched the play at least 1,500 times on ESPN or NFL Network over the last couple of days.

Seahawks were down 5. Final play from scrimmage. Russell Wilson tosses lob into end zone. Seahawks receiver Golden Tate battles a few Green Bay Packers defenders for the ball. Refs rule simultaneous possession, giving Tate a game-winning TD.

Was the catch really simultaneous? Should the call have been overturned by the replacement refs? Was it understandable that pass interference wasn’t called on Tate?

But the most important question: Would it have played out any differently if the NFL’s regular officials weren’t locked out?

In this Monday, Sept. 24, 2012, file photo, an official, rear center, signals for a touchdown by Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate, obscured, as another official, at right, signals a touchback, on the controversial last play of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Seattle. The Seahawks won 14-12. The NFL referee strike puts the spotlight on a nebulous notion that is often overlooked when it works as it’s supposed to: the question of expertise. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, File)

One things is for sure. The wide gap that once existed between the league and its referees during this labor dispute has shrunk dramatically. Many outlets are reporting that the NFL’s regular officials will be back on duty as early as Thursday’s game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens.

The debate over this call took place at my workplace, and I imagine the same scenario played out at other job sites across the country.

Despite what the NFL’s letter in defense of the replacement refs said on Tuesday, I just don’t see how – after replay – that the refs could continue to stand by that catch as a simultaneous one, which by rule the tiebreaker goes to the offense.

Packers defensive back M.D. Jennings established possession for an interception early, and there was very little if any time after that in which Tate was able to get both arms on the ball until the two players hit the ground. But that’s my two cents, and everyone seems to have their own take on it.

I don’t think the regular refs would have noticed the pass interference by Tate. Hail Mary plays are chaotic, and in real time it’s a little more understandable that call being overlooked.

Would the regular refs have overturned the simultaneous possession portion of the play? The NFL says no, but I’m not so sure.

The NFL has been piled on over the lockout ever since Monday’s infamous play in a manner that isn’t much different from the pile of players that created it.

But I can understand the NFL’s stance too. Its officials get paid a lot of money, and while the NFL makes a lot of money, should part-time officials really receive the type of benefits (pensions, etc.) that the average full-time employee might struggle to receive? Again, I don’t have the answer to that, but it’s certainly something I go back and forth on.

It’s a great job at the NFL level if you can get it. Actually, after Monday’s turn of events, maybe it’s not.

Can the Green Bay Packers be beaten?

Posted on by
Reply

Take an all-world quarterback with good receivers and combine that with a takeaway machine of a defense, and what do you have? An undefeated team.

The Packers dropped the Detroit Lions on Thursday to push their record to 11-0, while Detroit fell to 7-4. The Lions looked good early, but penalties helped take the wind out of their sails. And Ndamukong Suh‘s decision to get kicked out of the game … well, not a wise idea. And c’mon, Suh! Are we really supposed to buy the excuse that you were just trying to regain your balance?

Aaron Rodgers ... he's been pretty good. Associated Press photo

Aaron Rodgers has been really, REALLY good this year. That’s no surprise. In 11 games this year, he has 33 touchdown passes and just four interceptions.

And the Packers defense leads the league in turnovers. You don’t see too many teams struggle when they don’t turn the ball over, but force the other team to do so many, many times.

But the question remains: Will the Packers go undefeated?

Only one team – the 1972 Miami Dolphins – has run the table in the regular season and postseason.

I’m in the camp of those believing some team will step up and beat Green Bay. I’m not sure when, but I think it will happen.

Thursday’s game with Detroit marked just the second time all season that the Packers have faced a team that entered the game with a winning record. In the final six weeks – including the Lions game – five of Green Bay’s six opponents are at least 6-4. The schedule is getting more difficult, and it will be tough sledding to get through games against the New York Giants, Chicago Bears and one more game with the Lions unscathed. And don’t count out those Oakland Raiders.

The Packers are an outstanding team, but are they a 16-0 kind of team? You need a lot of talent and a little bit of luck to win that many games without a loss. I’d still bet against it.

Want to get your picture taken with a cooked bear?

Posted on by
Reply

The Bears-Packers rivalry might have gone too far. Or maybe it hasn’t gone far enough.

A St. Paul bar owner is going to roast a bear to show his support for the Green Bay Packers in today’s NFC championship game against the Chicago Bears.

That’s a pretty interesting story. But what’s even more unusual is that the bear can’t be served to the public because it didn’t meet standards. So all anyone can do is get their picture taken with it. Could make for some good Christmas cards, right?

Defense – not offense – rules the day in NFL

Posted on by
Reply

For all of the talk about the NFL being all too kind to offenses, a quick glance at the remaining playoffs teams reveals the contrary.

All four teams left in the NFL postseason are ranked in the top six in scoring defense. And while they might not have the high-powered offenses that draw the biggest ratings, it’s probably no surprise that defensive-minded teams are the ones left standings.

The popular theory is that offense is everywhere. Receivers can get away with everything. You can’t hit the quarterback anymore. All that jazz.

Point being it’s easy for teams to generate offense now. But the teams that stand out are the ones that despite – all of the rules that favor offense – are still able to be sound defensive teams. And I think that applies to the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers.

As for my predictions, you’ll find them on D3 of Sunday’s Forum. But in case you missed it, here they are:

Four storied franchises hook up in what should be a couple of pretty good conference championship games.
The New York Jets have been world beaters so far this postseason. After all, when you beat a team like the Jets did last week, there’s no other term that can be used. The New England Patriots had dominated throughout the final eight weeks of the regular season, yet the Jets took down the Super Bowl favorites. However, this is familiar territory for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and I’ll take experience.
And for just the second time in NFL history, the Bears and Packers meet in a playoff game. These two teams split the regular-season series, though the Bears weren’t playing for anything when they met in Week 17 loss to GB.
Bears 27, Packers 21
Steelers 23, Jets 13 

Packers fans get one last look … maybe? … at Favre, plus NFL picks

Posted on by
1

The Minnesota Vikings-Green Bay Packers game might not be drawing quite the headlines that it did, say, a year ago. But it’s still Vikings-Packers, and once again, Brett Favre is playing in it.

Brett Favre

Minnesota Vikings QB Brett Favre faces his former team again Sunday. Associated Press photo

It’s been a difficult season for Favre. He’s injured his ankle, his shoulder, his ego … you name it! He’s already more than doubled his interception total (16 this year, 7 last year) from a year ago, despite having played in just nine games.

And his Vikings find themselves on the brink of falling out of playoff contention.

But Sidney Rice will be back on Sunday. He was activated by the Vikings on Saturday and should play against Green Bay.

Week 11 NFL picks

Rough week last week, going 1-4. That puts me at 21-19 for the season. Here’s hoping for the rebound this week:

Titans by 6 1/2 over Redskins. Titans

Cowboys by 7 over Lions. Cowboys

Steelers by 8 1/2 over Raiders. Raiders

Falcons by 3 over Rams. Falcons

Eagles by 3 over Giants. Eagles

Favre, Childress could put end to consecutive games streak

Posted on by
2

Brett Favre‘s consecutive games played streak of 291 is one of the craziest records in pro sports. In the hard-hitting world of the NFL, it seems hard to believe that a quarterback could survive that many seasons without missing a game. Few QBs last a whole season, let alone 18 of them.

But Favre and his ability to play through pain will be really put to the test this week, with the Minnesota Vikings preparing to face the New England Patriots on Sunday.

Favre has two different fractures in his left ankle, which were sustained during Sunday’s loss to Green Bay. When medical staff wanted to take a look at Favre after the play that is believed to be the cause of the fractures, he refused to be examined.

There’s not too many QBs in the NFL that would get away with that either. But Favre is a special case.

The question now becomes whether or not he or head coach Brad Childress will be able to end that consecutive games streak this week. Seems hard to believe that Favre should play Sunday, but crazier things have happened.

Childress said during his Monday news conference that sometimes you have to protect a player from himself. That is very true. The concussion issue in pro sports is a prime example of how coaches and medical personnel should be doing just that.

But I didn’t see anyone protecting Favre from himself after he suffered those fractures on Sunday, yet continued to play. I have a hard time believing anyone but Favre will step in now and stop him from playing again.

Childress can say what he’s supposed to say. But we all know that Favre isn’t your average quarterback, and this isn’t your average quarterback-coach relationship.

NFC North predictions

Posted on by
2

With the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints set to kick off the NFL season tomorrow, it’s time to break down the NFC North.

It’s a two-team race, which as a Chicago Bears fan, it kills me to say that.

And, unlike one of my colleagues, I don’t see any 14-win seasons coming from the North. That division got dealt a pretty tough nonconference schedule this season. Jets, Cowboys, Patriots and Giants … oh my!

Here’s my predictions:

  • 1. Minnesota Vikings (12-4). Besides the injury to Sidney Rice, pretty much everyone is back for the defending division champs. So why not pick them to have the same record as a year ago? The loss of Rice is big though. People can say that Brett Favre made Rice, and that’s true to some degree. But don’t sell Rice’s talent short. He made some tremendous catches. If anything, Rice developed simply because he had someone who was at least a league-average QB throwing to him. Defense still looks tough, and linebacker E.J. Henderson is back and healthy. Looking at the schedule, I see a tough run of games coming out of the Week 4 bye, but the Vikings should make a run starting Week 9 against Arizona.
  • 2. Green Bay Packers (10-6). I’m not as big of fan of the Packers’ chances to win this division as most people are. But I do think Aaron Rodgers has to be considered among the premier quarterbacks in the game. More than 4,400 yards, 30 TDs, and just 7 INTs! And he’s not 40, so you know he’ll be around for awhile. Difference between Vikings and Packers in my mind: I just like the Vikings’ defense a little more than the Packers’ D. Minnesota is stronger up front, and it’s a more veteran unit. Of course, those guys have to hold up for another year, but I don’t think they’re over-the-hill.
  • 3. Chicago Bears (6-10). I’m not completely sure what to make of this team, but I doubt it’s going to be good. Here’s what we know: offensive coordinator Mike Martz and premier defensive end Julius Peppers have arrived. Here’s what we don’t know: Can this aging defense ever stay healthy for a whole year? And what did they do to upgrade an awful offensive line? Can an offense led by Martz that relies so much on timing succeed with such a poor O-line?  Will Matt Forte bounce back? Will Jay Cutler avoid throwing 20 interceptions? Just way too many questions on this team. One thing is for sure: They better go on a run early, because the Bears could lose their final four games (vs. NE, at Min, vs. NYJ, at GB).
  • 3. Detroit Lions (5-11). The Lions are starting to look more and more like an actual NFL team. Strong pillars on offense and defense with receiver Calvin Johnson and defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh. Have to expect big seasons from those two. Lot depends on the development of second-year QB Matthew Stafford and whether or not Kevin Smith and/or Jahvid Best can supply the Lions with a solid running game. Looks like Detroit is getting closer, but still a ways to go.

Sorry folks. Wish I could say I went out on a limb. I plan to write an NFL preview tonight or tomorrow looking at all of the divisions. I’ll take some chances with that one.

Vikings fans can now sit back and wait

Posted on by
3

The Minnesota Vikings got the convincing victory they needed Sunday, and thanks to Dallas defeat Philadelphia, they got that coveted first-round bye week too.

Everything worked as good as it could have for the Vikings, who handed the New York Giants their second straight trouncing to end the regular season.

Now the Vikings wait and the top-seeded New Orleans Saints wait out the wild card round of the NFC playoffs. The Eagles play the Cowboys, again, on Saturday. The Cardinals play the Packers, again, on Sunday. Both matchups are rematches of their Week 17 games.

Not to beat a dead horse, but I really think the Saints will get burned by the way they played down the stretch. The season has plenty of ups and downs, so losing back-to-back games in Weeks 15 and 16 shouldn’t be too alarming. But then to go out in Week 17, bench starters and lose again, then have a first-round bye? Now you’re talking about a team that will go a month without a victory.

Once again, I understand why teams bench starters. The New England Patriots found that out when Wes Welker went down with a season-ending injury in the first-half of their meaningless Week 17 game. But what’s going to be tougher to overcome? Losing a key player before the playoffs start, or trying to stop the bleeding after going four weeks without a win? In my opinion it’s the latter.

The Packers are the hottest team going in the NFC playoffs, and no doubt TV executives are salivating over a possible Vikings-Packers matchup in the second round.

Packers, Bears not posing much of a threat

Posted on by
3

The Minnesota Vikings didn’t need to play Sunday to gain ground in the NFC North standings.

Both the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears lost Sunday, and in both cases it was pretty embarrassing.

The Packers lost to what was the league’s only remaining winless team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And the Bucs were wearing their cremesicle jerseys, no less.

The Bears got hammered by the Arizona Cardinals in a game that was pulled pretty quickly from local airwaves here in Fargo-Moorhead.

Both teams fall to 4-4, putting them three games behind the Vikings for first place at the halfway point of the season.

The Bears are in better shape, but only because they haven’t played the Vikes yet. Their quarterback play from Jay Cutler has been wildly inconsistent, which isn’t helped by a questionable offensive line, a lack of a running game, and very inexperienced receivers. This week, the defense hurt their cause.

The Packers have a had a phenomenal season from Aaron Rodgers, but those around Rodgers – the offensive linemen – have been anything but stellar. He has been sacked a league-high 37 times, seven more than the next closest team. That makes Rodgers’ performance – 16 TDs and just five picks – even more impressive.

The Vikings have a couple of gimme games – host Detroit and at Seattle – before the first of two matchups with Chicago. Time’s running out on the Bears and Packers catching up to snag the division title from the Vikings.

Favre, Packers were meant to remain together

Posted on by
3

Any time that the Green Bay Packers lose their season series to the Minnesota Vikings, there’s going to be plenty of boos and second-guesses by the Lambeau Field faithful.

But when both of those losses came at the hands of Brett Favre - former Packers QB and childhood idol to so many Wisconsinites – well, it’s that much tougher to swallow.

I’ve spent much of the past couple of months wondering why the national media made such a big deal of Favre going to the Vikings. Sure, it’s one of the Packers’ biggest rivals, if not the biggest rival. He played 16 seasons in Green Bay, so understandably, the fan base is miffed.

But what makes this a national story? I think the last few days have helped me realize why this seems like a bigger deal than Johnny Damon going from Boston to the Yanks, or something like that. The week-long stories out of Green Bay, like the fake funeral for Favre being pushed by an area radio DJ, crazy stuff. In the words of legendary Packers coach Vince Lombardi (cleaned up for the kiddies out there): "What’s going on out here?"

It’s because Favre and the Packers have so many things in common. Favre’s been a great fit for the Vikings, but deep down he’s a Packer.

For one, Favre – like the Packers – is considered a symbol to a brand of football played generations ago. He’s the back-woods QB, a gunslinger drawing plays up in the mud, then calling audibles, all while wearing those Wranglers jeans.

The Packers are the same way. Teams now-a-days don’t pop up in places like Green Bay anymore. It’s a franchise that has managed to survive and thrive in an era of pro sports that shouldn’t allow it to do so. Major League Baseball started out with teams in Troy, Louisville and Providence, but as time passes, those teams disintegrate. Major markets are where the money is.

To put it bluntly, if Wisconsin didn’t have an NFL team today, there’s no way the league would sign off on putting one in Green Bay. Imagine trying to sell that.

And – like playing pro football in Green Bay – there’s an element to Favre that suggests he thinks the world revolves around him. In Green Bay, you’re God-like if you play for the Packers. I think Favre has much the same feelings, just blown up on a more national scale, with the way he puts teams through his flip-flopping, "I’m retired, I’m not retired," saga the last couple of seasons.

Favre was meant to remain wearing Green and Gold. No doubt his appearance Sunday left more than a few Packers fans turning Purple.