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Football!

I love this time of the year – I think I’ve watched a football game every day for the last 10 days. Even the first few bowl games with teams you’ve rarely heard of we’re quite good (and I’m still laughing at George O’Leary).

I was ecstatic to see the Badgers win decisively in Coach Alvarez’s last game. I had been walking around the last few days convinced that what the analysts said was true – Auburn’s defense was going to rip in to Wisconsin, and the Badgers had little chance to win. Was I wrong – the Badgers won, and won big. Forget about the 10.5 point underdog status – Auburn couldn’t get it together all day and the Badgers offense was hot in the first half, and the defense played a heck of a game.

I was shocked to see the Packers fire Mike Sherman today – it wasn’t the $6 million they owe him for the last two years of his contract, it’s the question of who will replace him. In a year where there will be more head coaching vacancies than normal, will there be enough talent to go around? I also question if Ted Thompson is doing it for the right reasons – is Sherman definitely the wrong guy, or is Thompson trying to put his stamp on the team.

Time will tell. This leads me to believe Favre will retire, and is will be interesting to watch the Packers enter the next generation.

Pack Wins!

Driving in a car for just over 10 hours over a 24 hour period, to watch a 3.5 hour game was worth it – the Packers actually won a game this season.

While cold, it wasn’t nearly as bad as the game 3 years ago, and I only bought one hot chocolate this time.

Definitely worth it.

Off to Lambeau

I am off for a 5-6 hour drive to Green Bay to see the Packers take on the Lions. This is the latest in the season the NFL has scheduled a night game in Green Bay, the previous being Dec. 8th 2002 against the Vikings, which I was also at, and was extremely cold (I was complaining by the end of the first quarter, some Cheesehead I am).

Ten and oh and then …

Today’s quote of the day, from a Page 2 article on ESPN.com looking at the last 10 teams to start the season 10-0. The quote is from the last paragraph of the article:

ESPN.com: Page 2 : Ten and oh and then …

In 1998, Broncos backup QB Bubby Brister’s 99.0 QB rating was higher than John Elway’s. Brister, who was an ace sub for the injured Elway early in the season, completed 78 of 131 passes (59.5 percent) for 986 yards and 10 TDs. Brister also outran Elway, carrying 19 times for 102 yards. (Elway finished with 94 yards rushing.) According to Sports Illustrated, Brister motivated his teammates in the huddle by saying, “All right, [expletive], I’m not John, so get your asses in gear.”

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My first Wild game

I had an opportunity to go my first Minnesota Wild game last night. I can’t believe it’s been 5 years already since the NHL came back to Minnesota, and I hadn’t even been to a game yet.

The seats were fan seats – the gentleman who picked them out before the Wild’s inaugural season put a lot of thought in to them. The 2 seats are on an aisle, 13 rows up behind the visiting goal, so 2 out of 3 periods, if the Wild are going to score, you’re going to see it. Sitting behind the goal gives you a unique opportunity to watch the plays unfold, as you see the wingers fan wide setting up plays, and fast breaks coming straight at you are something to see.

It was a great time – hockey live is 10x better than on TV.

The Wild ended up losing – Roloson was in goal, and had 2 goals against in the first period, and the Wild seemed to play from behind the rest of the night. Gaborik made his return, and had a goal in the first period. The Wild ended up losing with 50 seconds left in the game to a little dunk shot that went between Rolosons legs.

Good game, great tempo to the game, good fans, and a great time.

Random Football Thoughts

This week’s random football thoughts:

  1. The Chargers’ powder blue unis are the best in football
  2. Unless you are the San Diego Chargers, you should not wear alternate jerseys
  3. Dom Capers is sooo fired
  4. I really, really like Carson Palmer
  5. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune’s headline this morning was right on: Kick. Win. Repeat.
  6. I really do think the Colts will go undefeated.
  7. Even with Vick having 2 games in a row with a passing rating over 95, I still think he’s overrated
  8. Why are you not reading the best football article anywhere? Go read the Tuesday Morning Quarterback

DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket

I don’t understand the black out rules around NFL’s Sunday Ticket on DirecTV.

Last week, the Packers the play the Steelers at 3:15 on CBS. CBS stays long on the Raiders / Chiefs, so I flip to the Sunday ticket channel for the Packer game. No go, it’s blacked out, as it usually is when broadcast on the local station.

While I appreciate CBS for staying with the hot game, I was annoyed that I couldn’t see the game I wanted to see, when I supposedly pay for “all” the games.

Yesterday, the Packers are at the Falcons, 3:15 on Fox. The Vikings are the noon game, and are going long. I switch to the Sunday ticket channel, assuming the Redskins / Buccaneers game is the game of the week at 3:15, and watch the Packer game on Sunday ticket. At halftime, the signal is disconnected. Sure enough, the Packer game is on the local Fox affiliate.

So why one week do I get the game and one week I don’t? Is it up to Fox and CBS to determine when DirecTV puts the blackout in effect? Worked out for me yesterday, but still annoying.

The more things change, the more things stay the same

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand’s column covers the shifts in the TV network’s announcer lineups now that NBC has picked up Sunday Night Football.

Let me express my disappointment in the quality of announcers on the air in the #1 lineups. In no particular order:

  • John Madden: Too old, too much of a showboat, and has lost his touch with today’s game
  • Joe Theisman: Not many original thoughts, was in the booth to argue with Paul Maguire (who was a much better color analyst than Theisman). Too animated.
  • Al Michaels: All class
  • Troy Aikman: Has gotten a lot better these last couple of years. Getting Cris Collinsworth out of the booth with him with only help him. Insightful analysis.
  • Joe Buck: Stick to baseball please.
  • Cris Collinsworth: Good riddance from Fox and the booth. Won’t have to put up with you calling Packer games, or on Sunday Night Football. Thank god.
  • Michelle Tafoya & Suzy Kolber: I really enjoy both of their sideline reporting. Blows away Pam Oliver at Fox or anyone MNF had before Ms. Tafoya.
  • SNF / MNF losing Mike Patrick and Paul Maguire is a huge blow. I really, really enjoyed the way they called football games. Take out Maguire & Theisman baiting each other, and it was the best broadcast of football weekly, including the analysis and ESPN’s presentation.

ESPN Voting

ESPN held a poll yesterday around NFL hold outs and their reader’s thoughts. I thought it was fairly interesting to post the results (Man, did I get the Shaun Alexander question wrong at the bottom):

Vote: Do players have a right to hold out?

SportsNation

Thank you for voting. See below for the results from across SportsNation.

Your responses in bold text below.

1) Do you feel there is a legitimate difference between teams saving money by cutting players for performing below expectations and players holding out for more money after exceeding expectations?

53.6% Yes

46.4% No

2) Given that the average NFL career lasts just 3.2 years and NFL contracts aren’t guaranteed, what do you think about players who hold out to renegotiate a contract?

66.1% They’re being selfish and should honor the contract they signed.

33.9% It’s a business, and they have to look out for themselves first.

3) Are there instances where you’ve supported a player holding out for a new contract?

59.9% No

40.1% Yes

4) How important do you think training camp is for rookies?

97.7% Very important

2.2% A little important

0.1% Not important at all

5) How important do you think training camp is for veteran players?

55.8% A little important

39.9% Very important

4.3% Not important at all

6) What do you think of Terrell Owens’ contract situation?

86.8% He signed a deal which made him one of the highest paid receivers, so he should play.

13.2% He earned a better deal through his performance last season.

7) What do you think of agent Drew Rosenhaus?

62.9% He’s a greedy SOB.

37.1% He’s just trying to do what’s best for his clients.

8) Which of these potential holdouts would be the biggest loss to his team?

40.1% Terrell Owens

33.9% Edgerrin James

17.1% Javon Walker

6.9% Richard Seymour

2.1% Sean Taylor

9) What do you think of Brett Favre’s criticism of Javon Walker holding out in Green Bay?

76.4% Favre is right, and as a team leader, he has an obligation to speak out and get a key player back.

23.6% Favre has always been taken care of; he should support a teammate trying to secure a better deal or say nothing.

10) Which of the following franchise or transition players who hasn’t signed is most likely to be a long holdout?

60.2% Shaun Alexander (Seahawks)

19.2% John Abraham (Jets)

14.1% Corey Simon (Eagles)

6.5% Bubba Franks (Packers)

Total Votes: 31,056