Load the Wagon

Big Ten grades

noreply@blogger.com (3000) — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:07:00 +0000

Mark Hasty over at (The) Fanhouse has posted a two part piece grading the Big Televen football teams.

His take on Wisconsin:

"WISCONSIN: F

"Bumbling" is a harsh word, but somehow it seems to sum up the Badgers' 2008 season. It started with a terrible decision to get rid of defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz, who was unemployed for about the length of a commercial break. (See Northwestern above.) It continued with a thoroughly inexplicable preseason ranking of No, 13. Toss in Bret Bielema's misplaced loyalty to quarterback Allan Evridge, woeful special teams play, and a defense no better than mediocre, and you've got a formula for disappointment.

The Badgers got flogged by Penn State, 48-7, and by Iowa, 38-16, in the midst of a 1-5 stretch. Those were good teams, however. The Badgers also lost to Michigan in there, and would have lost to Cal Poly if not for the Mustangs having special teams problems of their own. Then in the Champs Sports Bowl they got cratered by what was probably the weakest Florida State team since the 1970s. It wasn't the Badgers' fault they were overrated in the preseason, but this team didn't get better as the season went on.

2009 outlook: Gut check. Bret Bielema will be on the hot seat at the start of the season. Bank on it. Since his first season the Badgers have lost more and more games every year. The Badgers will be shockingly young next year, which isn't a good sign for them. The only thing the Badgers can be sure of is that in 2009, they won't have to overcome a too-high preseason ranking."

Yeah, pretty spot on, I'd say. While next year will be a "gut check" for the Badgers, and Bielema will most definitely be on the hot seat, the homer in me still sees the future with rose-colored glasses. Seriously, it'd take a losing record two or three games into conference play with no signs of improvement to start getting pessimistic. With Evridge gone, Bielema's hand forced to utilize John Clay more and a defense that (knock wood) won't get worse, the ship could (and should) get righted....

Since You've (I've) Been Gone

noreply@blogger.com (3000) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:46:00 +0000

December 10th? Wow. Obviously, in the five weeks since I posted here at LTW a lot's happened. The Packers' season limped to an end. And thank goodness they didn't drop their last game against Detroit; to be an answer to a trivia question for all time would have been no way to go out.

In the wake of that game, defensive coordinator Bob Sanders and a handful of defensive assistants were given the bum's rush outta Green Bay. Amid speculation that Mike Nolan and then Gregg Williams would be named the new Packers D-coordinator, Mike Nolan and then Gregg Williams took other jobs. Ultimately, the situation has resolved itself with the naming of Dom Capers. Begin the 3-4 (well, multiple scheme, I guess) era in Green Bay! I'm actually really interested, now, in the off season transactions and upcoming draft.

Wisconsin had a fitting end to their season getting waxed by Florida State in their bowl game. Then, P.J. Hill declared for the draft. I gotta admit, I was initially against it before I was for it. At first, I doubted Hill's pro prospects. Ron Dayne was bigger, faster, and stronger than Hill. He stayed for four years, won a Heisman, and we all saw how his career panned out. But then I stopped to consider things from Hill's perspective. Another year in Madison was unlikely to help his draft position; more wear and tear on a body that's already shown itself prone to injury is good for nobody. And then, too, after a season in which redshirt John Clay seemed to be a stronger runner and better future prospect, it's hard to imagine that Hill was going to see any more touches in 2009 than 2008. In fact, it's likely that he'd see considerably fewer. (Maybe it's just me, but after Hill's first year, while he mightn't have had the sort of Dayne-ish runs exploding through the line, then running over the second and third levels of defense on his way to 50, 60, or 70 yard runs, Hill showed flashes of that potential. This past year, though, his running seemed even less specatcular than the "pedestrian" 4.1 yards per carry, or whatever he averaged.)

Being a stereotypical homer, I still like the '09 squad's chances. Both sides of the ball are losing starters, but honestly I don't see that as a huge problem. The 2008 team had a ton of starters back and we all saw how that panned out. Recruiting is such an inexact science that it's hardly worth breaking down Bielema's 2009 class. (On that note, though, the comments to the article are picture perfect demonstrations of the law of the internet: those with the least credibility to speak speak loudest. It seemed everywhere I looked during the season, commenters were on Bielema's ass about his unhealthy devotion to "measurables" over talent and yet here are a bunch of assholes going on and on about recruiting undersized players. It's almost as though none of these dipshits have ever considered the fact that these players may actually spend a redshirt year *gasp* working with the staff's trainers. I wonder if any of those people realize that a 6' 213 lb linebacker may well be 235 by the time he sees the field?)

Still, in his fourth year, Bielema's first recruiting class will be true juniors or redshirt sophomores and should, in theory, be the prime contributers to the team. Add to that the fact that you can easily point to multiple instances that coaching either failed to put the team in position to win or actively put the team in position to lose, and you can see how 2009 could well be a make or break year for BB in Madison.

And on that note, I wonder if, put in a position to fire Bielema, Barry Alvarez would search for another head coach or reinstate himself until the team was on the right track? Needless pondering. I hope.

Michael David Smith's Every Play Counts

noreply@blogger.com (3000) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:50:00 +0000

I've quite enjoyed MDS's Every Play Counts feature this year (if it existed before, I was unaware...).

This week's is as informative and interesting as all of the rest, but for obvious reasons, it's a little hard to read.

Well, that should at least end the Packers playoff scenario talk...

noreply@blogger.com (3000) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:02:00 +0000

I was at the Roller Derby, so the only thing I know about the Packers/Texans game was that Houston won on a last second(ish) field goal. My kneejerk reaction is that the defense couldn't close. Kind of exactly like last week.

UPDATE: I've just read, briefly, about the game. I still have no idea how the offense (or new punter) did, but the defense gave up 549 yards. To the Texans. At Lambeau. These last three games should function as a late season preseason for the off-season (phew). Forget about winning, get guys in situations to see who can play, who stays, who goes, and prepare for some major overhauling in the coming months. It's do or die time, TT.

I'm not gonna lie....

noreply@blogger.com (3000) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:30:00 +0000

This blog has basically fallen off my radar. While the neglect is due in part to my focus on Action Football! (and "focus" is used pretty loosely), I'll admit that it's mostly due to the super disappointing season Wisconsin treated us to, and the slightly less disappointing we're in the midst of with the Packers. First to the former, then the latter.

Since my last post, Wisconsin very nearly dropped a game against what should have been a cupcake opponent, Cal-Poly. (Spare me the "#3 in FCS" baloney; a program that should be in the top tier of a BCS conference should never be beaten by an FCS team on their home field.) To be frank, I can't even remember how the game got so far off the rails; I suspect I've just blocked it out of my mind. While the offense mustn't have played too inspired (I guess until late in the game, although were it not for all the extrapoints CPSLO's kicker missed, they'da come up short anyway), but the defense.... I can't begin to figure out why the Badgers' defense was so woeful this season. Injuries factored, sure, but every team has injuries.

So where does Wisconsin go from here? Well, immediately, to a bowl game somewhere. A few projections over at the Journal-Sentinel's Badgers blog has possible opponents of Missouri, Virginia Tech, Florida State, Clemson, and Kansas. (I also read Miami somewhere else....) Frankly, after this year, I'm not too confident with any of these games, but especially not Missouri or Kansas. Seriously, either of those teams would put about 80 points on Wisconsin's defense. While the Tigers and Jayhawks don't have defenses to write home about, there's no way Wisconsin's offense could keep pace, and when you're dealing with teams that can air it out, the time of possession battle is completely negated.

The offense and the defense, and, hell the special teams, too, underperformed this season. I guess Chryst gets a pass because he had to break in an inexperienced quarterback and Beckum - their most explosive playmaker from last season - missed, essentially the whole year with various injuries. As the season wore on Sherer looked better. In fact, he may have actually benefitted from Beckum going down for the year because he was forced to look to other receivers. And as a result, those young receivers - Gilreath, Anderson, Toon - seemed to mature which bodes well for next year. (Spring ball will be provide a really interesting quarterback battle: Sherer or redshirt freshman Curt Phillips. On the one hand you'd have a starter with game experience, on the other, although you'd like to avoid a second consecutive season dealing with a quarterback's growing pains, the prospect of having a potential four year starter is pretty seductive. Especially since Phillips is supposedly more mobile than Sherer, a bonus considering the inexperienced offensive line that will be fielded next year.)

Dave Doeren probably also gets the benefit of the doubt on the other side of the ball. You've got to give a new coordinator a season or two to get up to speed; even if Doeren's a promoted coach and not a new guy outright, so, in theory there wasn't a huge system overhaul....

And it seems high time that Bielema gives up coaching the special teams. Period.

It's not even worth looking ahead to next year's team. And forget looking at the "returning starters" as any sort of indiator; the bold majority of the '07 squad was back and that helped shit-all.

And now to the Packers. Green Bay followed the drubbing of the Bears in Lambeau by taking a world-class beating in New Orleans. It was basically the substandard play of the safeties and now released punter Derrick Frost that did them in. And that's all I'm going to say about that.

Last weekend Green Bay hosted Carolina. You've heard the story: down early, second half comeback, suspect playcalling, poor special teams play, and abyssmal pass coverage late to seal the deal. Technically only two games out of first in the division, the Packers' season is done for all intents and purposes. Sure, there's going to be a lot of morons saying that Green Bay made a huge mistake not bowing to Favre's whims, but that's all poppycock.

Aaron Rodgers played as well or better than I'd hoped, and I had pretty high expectations for him. It was ultimately the defense and special teams that have hurt Green Bay and, last time I checked, Rodgers doesn't play on either of those units.

It'll be interesting to see how things develop in terms of player and coaching personnel. Ted Thompson has demonstrated an extreme reluctance to admit mistakes (otherwise, Frost would have been released weeks before) and seems to have a very overinflated opinion of his drafting prowess. With four games left (let's eliminate all hopes of a playoff spot, that way if the stars align and Green Bay does win the division, a first round loss won't stick in our craws), it's silly to start considering free agency and the draft. So I won't.

That was one rambling-ass last post.

noreply@blogger.com (3000) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:06:00 +0000

So, unfortunately for the Big Foot Chiefs, the dream season ended last night with a 20-0 loss to Wautoma/Faith Christian. The score kind of betrays how close the game really was. Both defenses were lights out, but WFC had the benefit of some suh-weet field position because of Big Foot's inability to get anything going on defense. Admittedly, Big Foot's ability to force turnovers gave them some pretty good field position, too, but they couldn't get anything going. I think Big Foot may have been a little shell-shocked; a team that probably averaged around 200 yards rushing from the first game of the year through the playoffs was completely stuffed.

The passing game couldn't get going (until the final drive, when Wautoma was playing off and keeping everything underneath) mostly because it seemed like as soon as the ball was snapped two to four defenders were in the backfield. On two occassions, Steve Dowden (Big Foot's quarterback) lost a ton of yardage on sacks, backpedalling with defenders right in his grill.

Speaking of that last drive, with just a few minutes left in the game, FSN Wisconsin put up a graphic showing that Big Foot had only gained, like, 37 total yards. The record for least yardage in a D4 game was 75. Thankfully, with Wautoma playing off, Big Foot was able to gain enough yardage to get up over that mark; I would have been pretty disappointed to see the Chiefs finally fight their way into a Championship game with only an answer to a trivia question to show for it. Now, Beloit Turner can hold on to that dubious distinction.

It's easy to play the "what if" game (and frankly, given the lack of success Big Foot could muster offensively no matter what they tried and where the ball was, it's probably a waste of time, but still...) but I look at two plays that could feasibly have changed the complexion of the game. Early in the second quarter, with the score tied 0-0 after a few short possessions and punts by both teams, Big Foot running back T.J. Schaid took the ball off tackle to the right. He had pretty good seal blocks and, after a gain of about five yards, looked like he was going to turn the corner and have a safety to beat for six. Before he got the chance, a Wautoma linebacker laid out and got him by the fackemask, twisting him off balance and tripping him up. Without that facemask, there's a good chance Schaid, with his speed and burst, is gone giving Big Foot the first points on the board. Maybe striking first gives a boost in confidence, maybe not....

The second play came shortly thereafter. Wautoma had a first and ten at the Big Foot 44 after a good scramble by quarterback Jacob Abbrederis. They lost five on a run attempt, then Abbrederis fumbled on a fake hand off, picked it up and was tackled bringing up a third and 18. A false start turned that into a third and 23 at Wautoma's 43. On the third down play, Abbrederis was getting a lot of pressure from his left; he was able to escape the pocket to his right and, while being dragged down, get off a dart to a receiver for a gain of 19. A punt on a fourth and four was downed at Big Foot's three yard line. A first down run was knocked back to the one, and a second down pass was picked at around the 20 setting up Wautoma's - and the game's - first score.

Now the rub is that a replay showed that Abbrederis's knee hit before he threw the ball. If Wautoma's punting from their own 35 instead of Big Foot's 48, there's little to no chance that ball is downed at the three. (Factor in that Wautoma's last punt was a fourteen yard shank, and there's no telling what Big Foot's field position is.) So in an alternate reality, either T.J. Schaid scores early in the second, or at the very least, Big Foot isn't forced to play with their backs on their own goalline, gifting Wautoma with the sort of field position that turns into points.

Of course, those two plays alone wouldn't change the fact that, in the second half, Big Foot was completely unable to move the ball, or that it seemed like the Chiefs' defense wore down and Wautoma's offense was able to gain some yards, but a two score swing turns a 20-0 game to a 13-7 game....

Maybe I'll start actually writing here again...

noreply@blogger.com (3000) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:39:00 +0000

I'm at least a day ahead of my recent trend of spotty posting here.

Let's start with the Wisconsin game. For the second week in a row, halftime adjustments seemed to make all the difference in the world. This time, though, it was less about taking a lead and getting their shit together than it was about reclaiming a game and finishing. While I'd prefer the Badgers play full games the way they have the second halves against Indiana and Minnesota, I'll still take shaky first halves, strong seconds instead of games like the Michigan or Michigan State game without hesitation.

I was pretty frustrated with the sloppy play of the first half, and I'll admit to feeling guilty, after the fact, of my "Are you fucking kidding me?" reaction to Kyle Jefferson's fumble. I mean, if I'd known he was concussed, I certainly wouldn't have been as critical.... Again, though, the fact that Wisconsin came out of the half and played capital eff football was good to see. (And while there will never, ever, ever be a play in a Paul Bunyan's Axe game that surpasses The Blocked Punt, the Pontiac Game Changing safety comes as close as any play I can imagine will.)

And now on to Green Bay's dismantling of Chicago; a pure, grade A, USDA prime beat down. One of my oldest, dearest friends is a Bears fan and it took every fiber of my being to not cockily shoot him text messages every, say, ten minutes after the game started. That's right, I took the high road. Like I've mentioned before, without NFL Sunday Ticket or the desire to drop $40 at a sports bar, I'm relegated to following the Packers on most Sundays by the internet and scoring game breaks. By this method, close games really try my patience. (And cardiovascular health.) Thankfully, the outcome of this game was never in question.

So, recapping, first and foremost, thank Christ Green Bay beat Chicago. Raised in a fiercely Packers supporting home, I still cling to the stance that a 2-14 record is fine as long as those two wins were against the Bears. Lovely Smith's tenure as Bears coach has been a killer, let me tell you. (Although I love the guy for two reasons: first, he's been rightfully cited by GQ as one of the most dapper dudes in the NFL, and second, he said at his first fucking press conference that beating the Green Bay Packers was his number one goal; Respect. The. Rivalry.)

Mostly, I'm glad that Ryan Grant played worth a shit in this football game. I can't imagine I'm the only Packers fan that was pissed that he and his dipshit agent had him sit out camp. Accordingly, I'm sure I'm not the only football fan whose reaction to the ESPN NFL Gameday commercial about global warming ("It's hot," "Like the NFC North's run game," "In a pass happy league, with Adrian Peterson and Ryan Grant, why not" or whatever; seriously, Ryan Grant's been a chump-ass chump this year! Consider cutting two or three versions of your dumb commercials so you don't look like assholes! And along that line, consider stopping the Antiques Roadshow-like ad after Keyshawn says "It looks like a cat." That shit's hilarious. Going on to say "Or a Panther," "And speaking of the Panthers, who do you like in the NFC South this year?" Because having Mort say "Well, historically, the team that finishes last one year, finishes first the next," doesn't hold water when you're talking about a division that's existed for six fucking years. What's historic about that? Get back to me when the trend continues for a decade, dick bird.)

Anyway, the reason I'm really writing today is that I had one helluva Saturday watching/listening to football. First, of course, was the second half comeback by the University of Wisconsin. Second, though, was the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (of Wisconsin, if the url is to be any indicator...) level four victory* by The Big Foot Chiefs which puts them in the state final. Is it hypocritical to be a big "booster" from 1000 miles away especially because I not only didn't play, but made fun of the football players when I was in school? Well, perhaps, but I'd contend that there wasn't a culture of supporting the football team when I was in school and the two years of pine-riding basketball that comprised my high school athletic career serve to indicate that my "suiting up" wouldn't have done much to improve the on-field performance. No, if there's anything that leads me to believe that "now" is different from "then" it's that there's currently a middle school tackle football program that didn't exist when I was a kid. My only introduction to tackle football was the two weeks after the flag football season that the A-team (which *fingernail polishing on the shirt* I was on in seventh and eighth grades**) engaged in. I learned two things from that: first, I couldn't run through the gauntlet, and second, that I'd definitely pay the price by trying to tackle Jake Ries at the two yardline after, as a d-lineman, I'd run the entire field - bypassing him juking the other linemen, linebackers, and secondary).

Anyway, last year's level two win was a school's best, and this year's level four win blows that one out of the water. As a Directv "Sports Pack" subscriber, I'm almost positive I get the upcoming title game televised, which is about a million times weirder than hearing my high school's football games streamed on the internet. Assuming the game is on tv, I'll be watching. And at the very least (and even if it is televised) I'll see about streaming it online (in case the tv feed cops out too early).

Much like the way I've been a bigger Badgers fan since moving away (separation making the heart grow fonder, and all that), I've grown an bigger Chiefs fan (at least football-wise, thanks Friday Night Lights*****). Since I'm afforded the opportunity to head back to Walworth at least once a year (Merry Christmas!) and the fact that, since Big Foot's athletic teams have gotten better and they've started printing them, I was able to pick up a white on red "Big Foot" t-shirt. Of course, I'm summarily forced to explain to all onlookers that "Big Foot" refers to Chief Big Foot and not the monster on an almost weekly basis....

* I think Entourage is a horrible, horrible show. Like, Sex and the City for douchebags. But worse. But still, I saw Kevin Dillon on Conan once and they talked about how his character, *shudder* Johnny Drama played a Viking whose catch phrase was "Victoryyyy!" and it cracked me up.

** The seventh grade ending in a one-tied-game tie for first place, the eighth an undefeated season and sole possesion of first place - which culminated in a school year ending presentation of an autographed football to our coach*** and a tearful speech, following.

*** Who, actually, is the father of one of the stars of Big Foot's squad, and whose presence in this post is both a testament to my unusually thourough memory as well as the fact that youth athleics coaches (and, in his case, history teachers) make impacts on young minds. (I'm not even going to get into the fact that the kid was born when I was his student or that his wife was also my high school PE teacher.... Well, not much, anyway.)

**** Although I will cop to going to a BFHS hoops game, when I was in college, with my old man and my granddad (RIP); the varsity squad was on the cusp of the state playoffs which didn't happen in my entire time in high school.

Very nearly this weekend without a post from last weekend.

noreply@blogger.com (3000) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:13:00 +0000

Wow. This blog has gotten to the point in all blogs' lives where the updates are few and far between. (I think it's hardly coincidental that my enthusiasm for the blog has pretty much followed the success of the Badgers and Packers. Now, that doesn't make me a fair weather fan - I still follow the teams the same as ever - but most assuredly does make me a fair weather blogger....)

Pretty soon all I'll be doing is dumping a YouTube video here every three weeks and that will be that.

Still, until then, here's this:

Last Saturday, I had some folks over to watch the UNC/Georgia Tech game. It's very tech snobby, I guess, but I'd rather watch a game I'm marginally interested in in high definition than one I'm actually interested in in standard def. Oh well. Still, I periodically (commercial breaks, halftime) checked in on Wisconsin, and can say that I was pretty disheartened by at the half. 24-21 over Indiana? Yikes.

Still, I was progressively more "heartened" throughout scoring updates in the second half. Thirty one unanswered points? That's more like it. From what I read, Wisconsin's defense got their heads on straight, and the offense was able to run all over Indiana. I'm hoping that those trends flow over to tomorrow's match up against Minnesota. But more on that in a minute.

On Sunday, I kept tabs with the Packers through game updates and infrequent trips to the computer. Of course, following the game, primarily, by score alone didn't give me the immediate indication of exactly how poor they played. By all accounts, based on the play of the offense and defense, Green Bay should have lost by about five touchdowns. Certainly not the play you'd hope for from a team that's still only a few games out midway through the season; a team that I'd hoped was reloading and not rebuilding....

Sunday, with the Bears in town, will hopefully show what the Packers are made of and what to expect from them down the stretch. They've split the season with the Vikings, still have two against Chicago (2-0 would be spectacular, but I could settle for 1-1), and have one more against Detroit (which, so help me if they lose...). The remaining schedule's not easy, but with New Orleans and Jacksonville not playing up to expectations and Carolina capable of games like the one against Oakland, the Packers still have a shot at the playoffs. (Although with the look of the NFC East and South, winning the division will probably be what it takes.)

As far as Wisconsin's concerned, the fact that Eric Decker's out is a huge, huge plus. I don't know who they'd have had on him, but I suspect he'd have had a big day. As it stands, Wisconsin does look like they've started to remember how to play football, and the Golden Gophers have slowed after a hot start, so Wisconsin's being picked by most analysts. I just hope they come out strong and decide not to let Minnesota back into the game (ala Michigan and Michigan State).

With the Paul Bunyan Axe on the line, high def or no, this game is going to be my primary.

Yet Another Monday Update

noreply@blogger.com (3000) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:15:00 +0000

It's hard for me to put into words my disappointment from Wisconsin's loss to Michigan State. I'm frustrated at the continued mental errors. And the penalties, oh the penalties... Niles Brinkley was called for what seemed like fifteen pass interference penalties and got away with what seemed like another fifteen.

Mostly, though, I was disgusted with the "sideline warning/unsportsmanlike conduct on the coaching staff" two-fer. Through the rest of the telecast, I don't think the commentators mentioned that penalty once, but that seemed to me the turning point for the whole game. I just don't know how Bielema expects the team to play a smart, disciplined game if they can't behave in a smart, disciplined manner on the sideline. "I learned it from watching you" indeed.

As far as Green Bay's concerned, without Sunday Ticket or the compulsion to spend $40 at a sports bar, I was unable to watch the game. Since I took the afternoon to go to the Durham Art Walk with my wife (and saw, maaaybe, two or three pieces worthwhile), I wasn't able to keep up with in-game scoring breaks or internet Game Centers. And finally, since I've used up all my Media minutes, I didn't check the score on my phone. So it was with nervous optimism that I turned on Football Night in America when we got home.

Basically, it looks like Tennessee's ability to run did the Packers in.

Still, at with the Bears at 5-3 with a banged up Orton, I still like Green Bay's chances in the division.

Hey, Another Monday, Another Post

noreply@blogger.com (3000) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:32:00 +0000

(In fairness, this blog is being underwritten because of my slightly higher focus on Action Football!)

The Badgers picked up their first Big Ten win, 27-17 over Illinois in Madison. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Wisconsin. They're now one (small) step closer to some crappy December 27th bowl game. I'm sure most Badgers fans, like me, had at least a tiny sigh of relief: the offense, while not spectacular, didn't have any crippling mistakes, and the defense finally looked like I was expecting them to look all year.

It's never too soon to start looking ahead, and while Sherer played better - and is just a junior - and, apparently Tolzien - a sophomore - had moved into the two spot on the depth chart, I'm kind of hoping red-shirting freshman Curt Phillips has a great spring and fall camp and gets himself into position to start as a red-shirt freshman. Think about getting four years out of a starting quarterback. Pair that with another three from John Clay, a handful of young receivers, big linemen on (hopefully) ready to emerge.... Maybe the year after next Wisconsin will have a team worthy of a top 10 ranking.

One thing that I noticed watching the game, that I don't really remember hearing about, is how consistent kicker Phillip Welch has been; 14/16 field goals including 1/2 of 50+. Add to that he's a red-shirt freshman, and we're likely looking at the next great Badgers kicker. It would be nice if he could get kick offs through the endzone, but I'm willing to accept less than booming kick offs for accurate field goal kicking.

No update since last Monday, huh?

noreply@blogger.com (3000) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:54:00 +0000

Well, last Monday's "Packers, Badgers 1-1 This Weekend" is still spot on. So's the first line: "But, holy cow, what a loss Wisconsin's was." I could only stomach about half of the game. The Badgers seem out of sorts in all phases, and it doesn't look possible to get it sorted out. I'm not going to start the "almost basketball season" line because I like college football more than college basketball, and no matter how rationally gone this season is, I'm still irrationally hoping that Wisconsin will turn a corner and at least get bowl eligible....

The Packers, on the other hand, sound like they gave the Colts what for. I've seen the highlights, but have yet to read anything about the game. Perhaps I'll have something more to write after I've read the coverage.

And perhaps not.

Packers, Badgers 1-1 This Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (3000) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:17:00 +0000

But, holy cow, what a loss Wisconsin's was. I was in Athens for the Georgia/Tennessee game, but managed to find a bar (and pizza! and pitchers!) to watch the Wisconsin game with my buddy.

The two of us have a habit of finding bars a million miles away from Wisconsin that, somehow, have a table full of opposing fans to sit behind. This happened in Chapel Hill in for the 2003 upset of Ohio State and again in 2007 for the Badgers hoops squad short-lived #1 ranked loss to Michigan State. Of course the trend continued Saturday and we were sitting behind a half dozen Nittany Lions fans.

Seriously, I don't feel like talking about the game in any capacity. This team is going to have to get it together and fast.

The Packers won, apparently, but I have neither seen highlights nor read recaps. I do know they're tied for first in the division, though. (Thanks, Bears!)

This Weekend in Awful Wisconsin Sports News

noreply@blogger.com (3000) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:57:00 +0000

Okay, I'm not going to lie to you. I saw neither the Badgers nor Packers game. My wife scored free tickets to the Carolina/U Conn game, which is why I missed the former, and I'm out of region and not about to pay for Sunday Ticket which is why I missed the latter. I'd actually dvr'd the Badgers game, but since I was keeping track of the score on my phone, I only would have watched it if they'd won. Kinda counterintuitive, I know.

Anyway, from what I've read, both games were decided because the defenses didn't hold tough enough. Oh well.

Add to that the fact that the Brewers exited their first post-season appearance since Reagan's first term early (but not as early as the Cubs; enjoy that next 100 years, a-holes!), and it was a pretty crappy weekend all told.

Still, though, Wisconsin could still stay in the mix if they can beat Penn State in Madison next weekend (a scenario that seems increasingly unlikely, unfortunately). Green Bay is at Seattle, which could (should) be a win. Even with a 2-3 record, with two division wins already, the Packers are still relevant in the NFC North hunt.

Plus, the Scott Skiles era is right around the corner. Imagine how weird it'll be to see the Bucks playing defense.

Buckeyes and Falcons

noreply@blogger.com (3000) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:13:00 +0000

Wisconsin has got Ohio State in Madison Saturday night. According to The Daily Cardinal, the defense is...ready? Forgive my skepticism, but not only do I remember Wisconsin's struggles against spread attacks and mobile quarterbacks last year (UNLV, Illinois), I remember Steven Threet's 40+ yard scamper last week. And from the looks of things, Tyrelle Pryor can throw better than Juice Williams and run better than Threet. Basically, I'm going to keep my expectations really low for this week and, hopefully, won't come away disappointed. Say what you will about Wisconsin's defense, Ohio State's going to get their points. The critical aspect in this ballgame is Wisconsin's offense getting something going. Three-and-outs last week prevented Wisconsin's defense from getting any rest in the second half, and I shudder to think what Pryor and Beanie Wells would do against a tired Wisconsin d this week.

Green Bay is home against the Falcons Sunday. Not only is Rodgers's status still up in the air, it's looking increasingly like he won't start. If Rodgers is out, Matt Flynn will probably get the start. Now, it's distinctly possible that Flynn could take the world by storm with a limited playbook. After all, the Falcons' staff has very little film on him. However, you'd think that, even if Rodgers plays, it's going to be imperative that the Packers get their running game going. For what it's worth, I had a dream last night in which Grant had a monster game; I mean, like 160 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries. So here's hoping I prove to be some kind of football psychic. (I almost nail the number of points South Florida put up on NC State over at Action Football! last week....)

Oh, great.

noreply@blogger.com (3000) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:13:00 +0000

Cullen Jenkins is done for the season. Apparently, the Packers have signed 6'4" 248 lb. Kenny Pettway. Just what Green Bay needs, another undersized pass-rush specialist. Ugh.

In Badgers news, Paul Chryst's daughters are sticking it to him for his play calling. I wonder how old Katy and JoJo are, because they sound pretty great. Hopefully they can get him back on track for the Ohio State game. Speaking of which, the Buckeyes coaches are getting the team prepped for the atmosphere by showing them clips of the "Jump Around" tradition. And apparently, some former Buckeye told corner Chimdi Chekwa that Badgers fans throw batteries and nickels in marshmallows. Which is the dumbest shit I've ever read on the interenet. Which is saying something.

Well at Least the Brewers Kept This Weekend from Completely Sucking....

noreply@blogger.com (3000) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:32:00 +0000

Since I didn't see any of the Packers game, I'm going to hold off talking about it until I've read a few more recaps. Or maybe I'll just let it go outright. Really, it seems like the main story is Rodgers's shoulder. If he misses a few weeks, Green Bay could find themselves in a helluva hole early in the season. There was insult added to injury, yesterday, with Favre throwing six touchdown passes in the Jets' win over the Cardinals.

What I really want to write about is the Wisconsin/Michigan game. Even with a 19-0 lead at halftime, I had a really bad feeling about the game. The Badgers were virtually incapable of getting into the end zone and seemed to have to desire to capitalize on the numerous Michigan mistakes and turnovers. Evridge looked worse in that game than in any of the others, seeming to lock on to receivers right off the snap. On a few occasions, the lack of moving his eyes got him drilled from the periphery. Granted, over the past few seasons especially, the tight end has been an integral part of the passing game and Garrett Graham not playing and Travis Beckum not playing until late took away a huge safety valve for Evridge. And Beckum not practicing obviously hurt in the misalignment at the end of the game that cost Wisconsin the tying two-point conversion.

I can't remember if it was Maguire, Griese, or Nessler that said it, but one of them mentioned that Evridge was very Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde in the ballgame. He either looked really sharp or really lost. He was sharpest on the final, potentially game tying drive. Say what you will about Michigan playing in a prevent-type defense, Evridge seemed a lot more confident and decisive with his passes; unfortunately, that was way to late in the game. Of course, you can't place the blame solely on Evridge for the lack of a passing attack. I don't know if it's that DelVaughn Alexander's wideout coaching finally supplanting Henry Mason's, but holy moly were there a lot of catchable balls dropped.

Finally, last season, Mike Hankwitz found himself out of a job after the defense took a huge step back. I wonder if Paul Chryst's seat might heat up if the offense doesn't start getting on track. I'm getting awfully tired of hearing about Wisconsin's mammoth offensive line and then seeing three two or three yard runs and a punt. Sure, the issue gets complicated if the lack of a passing threat keeps eight or nine defenders up against the run, but I'm pretty sure it's the offensive coordinator's job to find a way to get the passing game on track to prevent defenses from loading up. At least, from what I saw, Chryst only called the center screen (that hasn't worked in two and a half years) once.

Not Your Grandfather's Packers Fan

noreply@blogger.com (3000) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 14:00:00 +0000

This might end up being a little divisive in Packers fandom (I mean, if Rodgers' 'stache and possible nickname are too much for some to handle...), but Lil' Wayne has a new blog on ESPN. In its first entry, he says:

As a Packer fan, it's been pretty good so far. Aaron Rodgers has been wonderful, man. He's handled everything, and way more than just the football part. Of course it helps the Jets aren't doing nothing.

Now, I knew he'd reverenced Lambeau leaps and Brett Favre in songs before, which seemed weird to me at the time (although no weirder than "I am so far from the othars I mean others/ I can eat them for supper get in my spaceship and hover"), but they seem to make a lot more sense knowing he's a fan.

Anyway, Weezy is the polar opposite of the preconceived Packers fan. And I think that's spectacular.

The Gunslinger.

noreply@blogger.com (3000) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:40:00 +0000

Okay, so Brats and Beer pointed out yesterday that, predictably, in the wake of the Packers loss to Dallas some dipshit Packers "fans" called in to WTMJ's post-game show claiming that with B-Favre at the helm, Green Bay would have won the game.

Well, I hope that all those callers watched last night's Jets/Chargers game. Favre threw two interceptions - including a 52 yard pick six - and can actually consider himself lucky. Were it not for a case of San Diego defenders' "open field jitters" Favre easily could have thrown three more interceptions, two of which could have been taken back for scores or at least put the Chargers in really, really good field position.

Red. Zone. Offense.

noreply@blogger.com (3000) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:34:00 +0000

Photo: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

I've decided against getting too specific about last night's Packers/Cowboys game. Suffice it to say that Dallas outplayed and out-coached Green Bay in about all aspects of the game.

The thing I think most needs to be addressed is getting the ball in the end zone. The whole complexion of the game could have been different had Green Bay come away with 14 points instead of three on their first two scoring drives.

(I realize that the picture has nothing to do with the title or the post, but, whatever - I like it.)

Everybody's Working For The Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (3000) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:48:00 +0000

So they can sit on the couch, eating poorly, and drinking beer, getting exhausted from inactivity, but then sleeping poorly because of a sore back because of the aforementioned inactivity. Then it's back to work.

Man, that's depressing.

Anyway, no Wisconsin game to watch Saturday, so that means I'll be faster and looser with the remote. And the Packers don't play until Sunday night (sing it, Faith!), so that means I won't be as glued to the tickers during the first and second games on Sunday; doubly so, since I'm not playing fantasy football this year.

So now, here are my Completely Common Sense, Insightless Keys to Victory for Green Bay:

1. The defense must pressure Tony Romo. Given the talent of Dallas's d-line, that's going to require getting creative with the blitzing: linebackers, nickle corners, safeties. His rhythm must be disrupted.

2. The corners must get physical with Dallas's receivers. If they get off the line cleanly, it's going to be up to the safeties to contain. Which means....

3. The safeties must play disciplined ball. Anytime one of them is out of position, a play could go for six. Look at tape of the Philly game: the Cowboys love to go down field; down the middle of the field.

4. Whether McCarthy uses the run to set up the pass or the pass to set up the run, it's going to take a balanced gameplan to win. Look at tape of the Philly game: you can move the ball against Dallas's defense.

5. Unless Green Bay is able to jump out to a spectacular early lead, field position and time of possession may be their best chance to win. Therefore, the kick and punt coverage must be textbook.

So there you have it, a completely milquetoast look at the keys to VICTORY!

Really, Casillas?

noreply@blogger.com (3000) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:27:00 +0000

I tend to hold Wisconsin Badgers to a higher standard than other college athletes, so it disappoints me when they get in trouble. The latest is Jonathan Casillas who was cited for DUI in August.

There's nothing funny about drunk driving, but the first time through the article I was like, "What the fuck does 'double-scoot' mean?" Rereading, it turns out that not only was Casillas scootering at nearly twice the legal limit, but he had a passenger.

I hope that passenger was a sexy lady. At least then you could maybe see why his judgment was compromised.

The Weekend in Wisconsin Football

noreply@blogger.com (3000) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:56:00 +0000

First and foremost, let me say how glad I am that no more Wisconsin games are going to start at 10:30 pm (Eastern). I started watching games at about noon (starting with the DVR'd fourth quarter of Friday's Kansas/USF game) so by the time the Wisconsin game got underway, I was damn near sick of being on the couch. By halftime I was exhausted, but rather than record the rest to watch Sunday morning, I decided to power through.

The game reminded me a lot of Wisconsin's bowl game against Tennessee. Both teams were kind of slugging it out. Neither offense could take control, but it seemed less due to defensive prowess and more due to the inability of the offenses to deviate from what they were doing. After Wisconsin was up 10-0, I was hoping they'd be able to take control. Instead, it was a healthy diet of run up the middle; run to the left; run to the right; punt.

Similarly, I'm not sure why Pat Hill seemed so reluctant to spread the field and open it up (though, I'm grateful he chose to play the way he did). Given Wisconsin's thin d-line (which did a great job of generating pressure, regardless), a spread passing attack likely would have given the secondary fits in the second half.

Still, though, like was pointed out elsewhere, a "seen-from-a-mile-away" goal line play on fourth and goal early, the bobbled punt that was blocked, and the "now it's a fumble, now it's not" play really kept Fresno State in the game.

At the end of the day, Wisconsin traveled across half the continent into a stadium that was amped for an upset and came away with a W. 3-0 with an actual test headed into an open week before a pretty brutal start to conference play is definitely a best case scenario.

As for the Packers, since I don't have Sunday Ticket and didn't feel like going to a bar, I relied on the ticker, game breaks, and halftime/postgame highlights to keep me informed. While I'd have preferred that the defense (ive secondary) didn't let the Lions back into the game, they seemed to right the ship late and then put it to bed with two pick-sixes.

Rodgers had another solid outing throwing for 300+ and 3 touchdowns. Most importantly, he didn't throw any interceptions (although he apparently fumbled twice, losing one). Not turning the ball over is the key to success this season for sure, and so far so good.

After watching last night's Cowboys/Eagles game, I'm sure glad next Sunday's game is going to be in Green Bay. I hope the corners and safeties were playing especially close attention to how much Dallas likes to chuck it downfield....

One and Oh! One and Oh!

noreply@blogger.com (3000) — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:15:00 +0000

Before I read anything else about the game, I'm going to shit out my impressions:

1. Way, way, waaaaaay to many penalties. I was furious after Moll was flagged for illegal downfield the second time (negating that sweet 80 yard Driver touchdown) until Jaws rightfully pointed out that it wasn't his fault. (I still had a hard time letting that go.)

2. Rodgers looked sharp.

3. Jennings and Driver are a helluva tandem. When James Jones is ready to go...whoa, doggy.

4. Grant's running with authority.

5. The defense looked...okay. The backs were flying around; Barnett was getting his name called a lot (but he's going to have to reign in the after-the-play intensity, 'cause much more of that will get him flagged); the d-line was able to get pressure when it needed to, but depth - and the relative inability to rush with the linebackers - could be a factor in upcoming weeks (although that offsides call on KGB was bull); Green Bay's "physical" corners got away with at least two pass interferences.

6. Live, I woulda sworn Blackmon stepped out-of-bounds on his punt return.... Thankfully, he didn't....

7. It seems a little ridiculous to call "leverage" if a kick isn't missed or blocked. It's kind of like calling holding on the left tackle on a sweep to the right: sure, it happened, but it had zero effect on the play.

8. Jared Allen can put his helmet square up his ass.

All told I'm pretty satisfied with how things rolled, although the last three minutes gave me fits. First down, second and long, third and long runs stuffed (the last of which was with a stopped clock 'cause of the holding call on Tausch) gave the Vikings the ball and a shot with just shy of two minutes instead of the ball and a prayer with about one.

Still, it worked out in the end (thanks, Atari!) and you've gotta be pretty confident heading into the Detroit game.

Well, I Guess Five Days After The Badgers Game Is As Good A Time As Any....

noreply@blogger.com (3000) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:19:00 +0000

Time for a hazy recap. Hooray!

First and foremost, the Badgers run game is who (what) we thought they (it) were (was/is). That is to say, Wisconsin can run the ball. Racking up nearly four hundred yards on the ground and having three different running backs score is good news.

Evridge didn't do anything to make me any more concerned about the passing game, but he didn't do anything to set me more at ease either. It might have been nerves, but it seemed like a lot of his passes were sailing on him. That's not too bad against Akron, but I'd hate to see balls like that against Fresno State. Or Ohio State. Or, hell, Minnesota....

On the one hand, there was a play that he rolled out of the pocket to the left and, rather than running (for a probable first down - or close, anyway) he threw a nice ball between two defenders about eight or nine yards down field. On the other hand, he telegraphed that interception in the end zone. So, yeah, the coaching staff is gonna need to work on that decision making.

Defensively, I liked the way Wisconsin's tacklers (especially the linebackers and especially especially Jaevery McFadden) were flying around the early. Less reassuring, however, was how they seemed to slow down in the second half. Akron was on their heels early, but seemed to settle down and execute their offense in the second half. Again, not too bad against Akron, but....

So, all told, a win's a win, but I don't think we'll really get a sense of the team Wisconsin's got until that Fresno State game. Which is kind of old news.

Now That Green Bay's Preseason Is Done...

noreply@blogger.com (3000) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:58:00 +0000

It might be a good time to address what we've learned. I've learned that I don't have the stomach for preseason football.

I've also learned that it's relatively futile to try to gain any insight from preseason games.

How's this sound? I'll write what I learned from the preseason after Green Bay's Week One game against Minnesota....