Its January, which means the weather is colder, fantasy football is over, and the NFL playoffs are about to begin. I realize I haven't posted about the Packers, or anything else since like week three of the NFL season, or in calendar terms... early October? But because of a neat little bro pact made with Rock and Force I am posting now. Not about the Packers and their season, that will come. Maybe. Don't hold your breath, but instead about how the playoffs will go down. I tend to get long winded at times, at least that's what I've been told so to keep this post under one thousand words I am going to try doing my predictions a little bit differently. I am going to name the teams playing. The team that will win. And the player that will have the biggest effect (or should it be affect) on the game. Let's start:
Round 1
Cincinnati v. New York
Cincinnati.
Okay I'm already bored with that idea. Cincinnati should win because NY can't throw the ball. Granted NY didn't need to throw the ball against the Bengals in their meeting last week, but that was in NY and Cincy had almost nothing to play for. Now Cincy is at home and NY loses in a tight contest.
Dallas v. Philadelphia
Dallas.
Force has given me crap about not rooting for my friends teams in the past and he is right. I have been trying to do better and I will attempt to prove that here. If the Cowboys stay committed to running the football they should completely overpower the smaller defensive line of the Eagles. McNabb needs time to be effective and DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer should do a good job of making sure he doesn't get any of that (meaning time).
New England v. Baltimore
Baltimore.
The Ravens should have beaten the Pats earlier this year with Wes Welker. Now they don't have to worry about the 5'9 double W. It shouldn't be close, but since it is the Patriots and they are at home it will be. And I definitely won't be shocked if this one goes the other way. Oh and one more thing, Ray Rice. Just thought I should get his name in there.
Arizona v. Green Bay
Packers.
Real shocker I know. The Packers destroyed the Cardinals in two games this year. And yes, neither of those two games meant a dern thing. This one does, however, I still like the Packers chances. Warner is good agains the blitz, but I think we should be able to get to him without it, and if Boldin doesn't play that gives him one less weapon to throw to. To be honest, which I rarely am, I think this game is a blow out. Well let me put it this way. If the Packers win it will be by more than 10 points. If it's a close game I like the "birds" chances.
Round 2
Indianapolis v. Baltimore
Indianapolis.
I don't like Peyton Manning, and I don't like the Colts defense. But the Ravens aren't quite good enough to beat the number one seed in the AFC. And although it pains me, I don't see this game being all that close either. Yes Baltimore played them close during the regular season. And yes they probably should have won, but they didn't then, and they won't now. But I'll be pulling for them.
New Orleans v. Green Bay
I left the prediction slot of this game open on purpose. It was not a typo. This is the crossroads game. Do I pick the realistic choice and go with the Saints, or do I show my homer side and go with the Packers... Yup, going with the Packers. The Saints offense is much better then last year when the scorched us for 55 some points, but so is our offense, and although it does struggle against good passing teams I think our defense is good enough to cause NO problems. Our linemen are big and excel at getting into passing lanes and batting down passes, and last I checked Drew Brees was only 6'0 advantage Packers. I hope. (fingers crossed)
San Diego v. Cincinnati
San Diego.
The Chargers probably should win it all. With this being the year where Philip Rivers joins Big Ben and Baby Eli by getting a ring for himself. The Chargers have won 11 straight games including the season finale while resting their starters. Oh and one extra tid bit Cincy just happened to be one of the teams SD beat during their 11 game win streak.
Minnesota v. Dallas
Minnesota.
Sorry JR. It's not that I won't be rooting for the Cowboys, but I don't think they can win in Minnesota, and I kind of don't want them to because I think a NFC Championship game between the Packers and the Vikings would be off the charts incredible. So, I guess maybe I won't be rooting for the Cowboys... Man, I, well, its complicated. Vikings win and the NFL gets a belated Christmas gift with the Packers and Brett Favre facing off for a third time in the same season. Let's just hope the game isn't blacked out. OH BURN.
Round 3
Indianapolis v. San Diego
San Diego.
Peyton Manning struggles against the Chargers defense. And even though it hasn't been as dominating this years as in the past, it still is better than the Colts D, and for some reason they have Peyton's number. Also the Chargers are equipped with an offense that not only can keep up with the Colts, it might be most potent. Chargers in the Super Bowl where they will meet...
Minnesota v. Green Bay
Green Bay.
Yes I am a homer. But hey, my team is in the playoffs and how can I pick against them. I've said it since the second meeting with the Vikings, which at the time seemed like a long shot, that if the Packers and Vikings were to meet again in the playoffs the Packers would win. If the still had Al Harris I would be absolutely positive, but even without him and Aaron Kampman, and being on the road I think the Packers finally get to finish a game on top. Plus the Vikings find a way to lose in the Championship games even when they have the better teams. We've got a minute thirty and two timeouts lets kneel on it... DOH.
Super Bowl
San Diego v. Green Bay
San Diego.*
"What? You you're really going to pick the Chargers after you just made that speech about backing the Packers since they're in the playoffs and blah blah blah."
Well it's true I did sell out I guess, and here is why. I think the Chargers should win it all. I really do, I'm pretty sure the Packers aren't going to make it this far. So with what can I say I'm a sell out. I'm covering my own heine. Oh man, Forget playing it safe I say if we make it this far the heck yes we beat the bloody Chargers. Tomlinson is washed up and Philip Rivers throws like a girl. Shawne Merriman couldn't sack my Grandma and Antonio Cromartie will be the second corner back with that sir name to be used and abused by Aaron Rodgers in his domination of the 2010 playoffs. YEAHHHHHHHHHHH.
*Let the record show that, if the Chargers play any team other than the Packers in the Super Bowl then I choose them.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Saturday, November 7, 2009
When Did This Happen?
*I haven't blogged in months, so when I signed on to do my playoff prediction post I saw I still had this unfinished post about the start of the basketball season. I'm not sure where I was going with this, or if it is even finished but I figured I myaswell post it and I can add to it later if needed.
Ha ha Ryan you saw the new post and you thought it was going to be about football but I tricked you, and now... I had a whole funny line thought up for here but now I can't remember it, so let's just end with BURN
The NBA season has arrived, and like most shiny new "toys" it has succeeded in pushing the rest of the older, more experienced "toys" to the side. In this case the more experienced toys include, the NFL season, Entourage opinions, my new job, and of course poll questions. However, to be fair the poll questions have been dead for a while and will continue to be until I am able to catch up on my poll results section. I know I woudln't hol my breathe either. But enough of the old, its time to address the new. And who knows once the new shiny "toy" gets its first ding in it, translated the first time the Timberwolves lose, maybe it ends up in the junk pile with the rest of the old toys and A Yittle Chubby once again resumes blogger silence.
Alright, one last side note and then I promise to get ot the "toy." For those of you wondering where the other contributor of this blog has gone, she's kind of lost her way/passion. However, if you're reading this, since she undoubtedly won't be because afer al lits about sports and the only sport she cares about is footbal and Brett Favre beating the Late Great Green Bay Packers, I would encourage you to post multiple comments on some of the recent blog posts calling for a return of the Great Shawna "Blogging Wizard" Kolbek.
Okay back to the toy analogy.
After one of the busiest offseasons in Timberwolves history, the regular season has finally arrived. What has changed in the past four months? Well let's take a stroll down memory lane and find out...
It actually goes back to the middle of last season when the Timberwoles dismissed Randy Wittman of his head coaching duties (ha ha duty) and replaced him with Kevin McHale, who in turn gave up his GM responsibilities to focus strictly on coaching. And that set up this change reaction.
McHale starts coaching
Timberwolves start winning
Al Jefferson gets hurt
Timberwolves start losing
Sebastion Telfair gets hurt Wolves still losing
Randy Foye gets hurt, you guessed it, Wolves keep losing.
Offseason comes
Owner, Glen Taylor, hires David Kahn as GM
Kahn decides not to bring McHale back as HC
-Okay lets stop here just for a second. According to sports radio the reason McHale was let go
was because Kahn wanted to completely rebuild the roster and didn't know how McHale would
feel about standing on the sidelines watching as Kahn dismantled the porous team that McHale
had worked so hart to create. Ok back to the reaction.
*Disclaimer some of these deals happened a while ago and I'm not near a computer to fact check.
How can you not have a computer if you're blogging?
Can it wise cracker, I'm writing this the old fashioned way on a type writer because I don't have internet access right now and lugging around a type writer is easier than carrying a desktop computer- wait that's not right... laptop, its easier than carrying around a loptop. No than's wrong too.
Remember in "You've Got Mail" how Greg kinear was obsessed with his type writer, and Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks were rocking the laptops's? And remember when people used to prefer desktops to laptops? I think there's a lesson in here somewhere... End of disclaimer
Kahn trades Mike "Monkey Man" Miller, because he likes/ones monkey's not because he looks like one although I think it could go both ways, and Randy "Fourth Quarter" Foye to the Wizards for Etan "Pupils" Thomas, Darious "I haven't been relevant since my Kings years" Songalia, Oleskiy Pecherov, who ironically enough I wrote a human interest piece on earlier in my blogging years, which can be seen here, and the fifth overall pick in the 2009 draft, which turned into Ricky Rubio. That's right Washingtion you traded a bag of dirty laundry and Ricky Rubio, to get "Fourth Quarter" and "Monkey Man" too bad you don't have a rewind button.
Wolves draft Ricky Rubio (5), Jonny Flynn (6), Ty Lawson (17), Wayne Ellingtion (26), Nick Calathes (45), and Henk "with an 'E'" Norel (47)
Ha ha Ryan you saw the new post and you thought it was going to be about football but I tricked you, and now... I had a whole funny line thought up for here but now I can't remember it, so let's just end with BURN
The NBA season has arrived, and like most shiny new "toys" it has succeeded in pushing the rest of the older, more experienced "toys" to the side. In this case the more experienced toys include, the NFL season, Entourage opinions, my new job, and of course poll questions. However, to be fair the poll questions have been dead for a while and will continue to be until I am able to catch up on my poll results section. I know I woudln't hol my breathe either. But enough of the old, its time to address the new. And who knows once the new shiny "toy" gets its first ding in it, translated the first time the Timberwolves lose, maybe it ends up in the junk pile with the rest of the old toys and A Yittle Chubby once again resumes blogger silence.
Alright, one last side note and then I promise to get ot the "toy." For those of you wondering where the other contributor of this blog has gone, she's kind of lost her way/passion. However, if you're reading this, since she undoubtedly won't be because afer al lits about sports and the only sport she cares about is footbal and Brett Favre beating the Late Great Green Bay Packers, I would encourage you to post multiple comments on some of the recent blog posts calling for a return of the Great Shawna "Blogging Wizard" Kolbek.
Okay back to the toy analogy.
After one of the busiest offseasons in Timberwolves history, the regular season has finally arrived. What has changed in the past four months? Well let's take a stroll down memory lane and find out...
It actually goes back to the middle of last season when the Timberwoles dismissed Randy Wittman of his head coaching duties (ha ha duty) and replaced him with Kevin McHale, who in turn gave up his GM responsibilities to focus strictly on coaching. And that set up this change reaction.
McHale starts coaching
Timberwolves start winning
Al Jefferson gets hurt
Timberwolves start losing
Sebastion Telfair gets hurt Wolves still losing
Randy Foye gets hurt, you guessed it, Wolves keep losing.
Offseason comes
Owner, Glen Taylor, hires David Kahn as GM
Kahn decides not to bring McHale back as HC
-Okay lets stop here just for a second. According to sports radio the reason McHale was let go
was because Kahn wanted to completely rebuild the roster and didn't know how McHale would
feel about standing on the sidelines watching as Kahn dismantled the porous team that McHale
had worked so hart to create. Ok back to the reaction.
*Disclaimer some of these deals happened a while ago and I'm not near a computer to fact check.
How can you not have a computer if you're blogging?
Can it wise cracker, I'm writing this the old fashioned way on a type writer because I don't have internet access right now and lugging around a type writer is easier than carrying a desktop computer- wait that's not right... laptop, its easier than carrying around a loptop. No than's wrong too.
Remember in "You've Got Mail" how Greg kinear was obsessed with his type writer, and Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks were rocking the laptops's? And remember when people used to prefer desktops to laptops? I think there's a lesson in here somewhere... End of disclaimer
Kahn trades Mike "Monkey Man" Miller, because he likes/ones monkey's not because he looks like one although I think it could go both ways, and Randy "Fourth Quarter" Foye to the Wizards for Etan "Pupils" Thomas, Darious "I haven't been relevant since my Kings years" Songalia, Oleskiy Pecherov, who ironically enough I wrote a human interest piece on earlier in my blogging years, which can be seen here, and the fifth overall pick in the 2009 draft, which turned into Ricky Rubio. That's right Washingtion you traded a bag of dirty laundry and Ricky Rubio, to get "Fourth Quarter" and "Monkey Man" too bad you don't have a rewind button.
Wolves draft Ricky Rubio (5), Jonny Flynn (6), Ty Lawson (17), Wayne Ellingtion (26), Nick Calathes (45), and Henk "with an 'E'" Norel (47)
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Seeing Things Clearly Revisited: Four outta Five Ain't Bad
Two Sunday's ago, I peered into the future and brought back these four predictions:
The 49ers would beat the Vikings.
If the Packers lost to the Rams, it would be Mike McCarthy's last game as Packers head coach.
The Twins would make the playoffs.
And the movie (referred to as movie on purpose) would be trash.
All last week, and then Monday evening, while conversing with Rock and Red I made two more daring predictions:
JerMichael Finley, and Clay Matthews would have break out games v. the Minnesota Vikings.
Well now it's time to look back and see how I did.
Vikings 49ers? Wrong. It looked so promising right down to the last seconds, and then Favre went all magical and rendered my prediction useless. However, considering few were giving the 49ers any love and they, the Niners, played nearly the entire game without their best offensive player, Frank Gore, I don't feel like a total fraud.
The Mike McCarthy Project. Well this was a conditional prediction. Luckily the Packers beat the Rams and my prediction was therefore irrelevant.
The Twins would make the playoffs. I should have been able to make this prediction weeks ago, when KFAN's Paul Allen predicted them dead in the AL Central race. But I didn't. I waited. I gave it some thought. And then when I realized the similarities between the 2006 Twins and this years squad, I knew it was destined to happen. And late last night it did. The Twins, down seven games to start September, and down three games with four to play, beat the Tigers in game 163 and advanced to the postseason for the first time since that 2006 miracle.*
The movie prediction. This was a gimme prediction because everyone knows this movie is going to be awful. Doesn't mean people won't rush out to see it, they probably will, but vampires don't sparkle they spontaneously com bust in sunlight. The girl playing the lead character looks like a pasty goth girl that went to my high school and played the violin. She also panted sad faces and tears on her face and wore leather necklaces and flannel along with her other goth clothes. And the character called Jacob looks like he has a mangina. And no I don't know what that is.
JerMichael Finley's breakout. If six catches for 128 and a touchdown isn't a breakout game I don't know what is. Mr. Finley, my fantasy teams thank you. Also did you know Finley has the same "Cock" hat that I do? UN-believable.
Clay Matthews. His game wasn't as flashy as Finley's, but it did include a forced and recovered fumble. One he ripped away from a stood up Adrian Peterson. And if that wasn't enough he then trotted 42 yards for a score. Consider yourself broken out.
Now what does one do when the hit on an unbelievable prediction streak like this. Well they either quit while they are ahead or they run and get some lottery tickets. Since I'm not 18 I guess I'll quit. Before I go I'd like to leave you with this. Please do not think of it as a prediction simply something to ponder. The last team that came all the way back to force a game 163 was the Colorado Rockies. They too one in extra innings on a controversial call. There were some controversial calls in the Twins last inning as well. Specifically in the top of the inning with Detroit at bat and the sacks full of Tigers. Well the Rockies prevailed bad call or not, and where did they end up that year? In the Series getting swept by the Red Sox.
NOTHING'S GONNA STOP US, NOTHING'S GONNA STOP US NOWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!
*More on the Twins and their postseason after tonights game. Which I will not be predicting a winner of because I kicked the habit.
The 49ers would beat the Vikings.
If the Packers lost to the Rams, it would be Mike McCarthy's last game as Packers head coach.
The Twins would make the playoffs.
And the movie (referred to as movie on purpose) would be trash.
All last week, and then Monday evening, while conversing with Rock and Red I made two more daring predictions:
JerMichael Finley, and Clay Matthews would have break out games v. the Minnesota Vikings.
Well now it's time to look back and see how I did.
Vikings 49ers? Wrong. It looked so promising right down to the last seconds, and then Favre went all magical and rendered my prediction useless. However, considering few were giving the 49ers any love and they, the Niners, played nearly the entire game without their best offensive player, Frank Gore, I don't feel like a total fraud.
The Mike McCarthy Project. Well this was a conditional prediction. Luckily the Packers beat the Rams and my prediction was therefore irrelevant.
The Twins would make the playoffs. I should have been able to make this prediction weeks ago, when KFAN's Paul Allen predicted them dead in the AL Central race. But I didn't. I waited. I gave it some thought. And then when I realized the similarities between the 2006 Twins and this years squad, I knew it was destined to happen. And late last night it did. The Twins, down seven games to start September, and down three games with four to play, beat the Tigers in game 163 and advanced to the postseason for the first time since that 2006 miracle.*
The movie prediction. This was a gimme prediction because everyone knows this movie is going to be awful. Doesn't mean people won't rush out to see it, they probably will, but vampires don't sparkle they spontaneously com bust in sunlight. The girl playing the lead character looks like a pasty goth girl that went to my high school and played the violin. She also panted sad faces and tears on her face and wore leather necklaces and flannel along with her other goth clothes. And the character called Jacob looks like he has a mangina. And no I don't know what that is.
JerMichael Finley's breakout. If six catches for 128 and a touchdown isn't a breakout game I don't know what is. Mr. Finley, my fantasy teams thank you. Also did you know Finley has the same "Cock" hat that I do? UN-believable.
Clay Matthews. His game wasn't as flashy as Finley's, but it did include a forced and recovered fumble. One he ripped away from a stood up Adrian Peterson. And if that wasn't enough he then trotted 42 yards for a score. Consider yourself broken out.
Now what does one do when the hit on an unbelievable prediction streak like this. Well they either quit while they are ahead or they run and get some lottery tickets. Since I'm not 18 I guess I'll quit. Before I go I'd like to leave you with this. Please do not think of it as a prediction simply something to ponder. The last team that came all the way back to force a game 163 was the Colorado Rockies. They too one in extra innings on a controversial call. There were some controversial calls in the Twins last inning as well. Specifically in the top of the inning with Detroit at bat and the sacks full of Tigers. Well the Rockies prevailed bad call or not, and where did they end up that year? In the Series getting swept by the Red Sox.
NOTHING'S GONNA STOP US, NOTHING'S GONNA STOP US NOWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!
*More on the Twins and their postseason after tonights game. Which I will not be predicting a winner of because I kicked the habit.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Yesterday's Take. Five Days Late.
So I guess I should have predicted one more blow out aye? Of course anyone that watched the game knows that the 36-17 score failed to show how close the game actually was. At one point in the third the Rams had the ball with decent field position trailing only by six at 23-17. But the defense stiffened, the offense showed some semblance of order for a couple long drives and at the end of the day we're 2-1. A shaky 2-1, but still 2-1. And how bout them Bengals? Maybe we're not as shaky at 2-1 as I thought. 2-1. 2-1. 2-1. Yeah it was getting a little old typing it too.
Positives and Negatives:
+ To the offense for putting up 36 points.
- To the offense for failing to score touchdowns on two possessions starting inside the opponents 20, because of defensive turnovers.
+ To the defense for creating three turnovers, blocking a field goal and giving the offense great field position all day.
- To Aaron Rodgers for missing a COMPLETELY wide open Donald Driver for a sure touchdown on their second chance from inside the 20.
+ To Aaron Rodgers for scoring three times: twice through the air, once by land or on the ground.
- To Ryan Grant not getting any of the touchdowns.
+ To John Kuhn scoring twice. Or in fullback talk, a career's worth. Maybe now we can trade one of our gaggle of FB's for a real position player.
- To Greg Jennings and Aaron Rodgers for only connecting twice.
+ To Greg Jennings and Aaron Rodgers for averaging over 50 yards a catch on those two completions.
- To Allen "Barbie." Two sacks for Leonard Little before the end of the first quarter. I don't know if they were both his fault, but I do know they both came from that side. Unacceptable.
+ To Donald Driver for surpassing Johnny Jolly for the catch of the year so far.
- To Jarrett Bush for showing up on the score card again due to a special teams penalty.
+ To Daryn Colledge not giving up a sack a LT.
- To Aaron Rodgers, with his hard ball spiking and first down taunting gestures. Please don't turn into an A-hole now that you're becoming moderately successful.
+ To Rodgers for going another game with out a turnover. Outstanding.
- To the defensive line for giving up another 100 yard rusher. At least this time it was to an elite back.
+ To Charles Woodson, the reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Month, getting another int.
- To Brandon Chillar for giving up back-to-back touchdown to the backup tight end.
+ To Jeremy Kapinos for averaging 50 yards per punt. Was it in a Dome, yes. But its not like we're praising him for making a tackle on special teams after a three yard gain.
Well I think that covers most of it. It is Friday, so that means I'm five days removed from actually watching the game so I may have missed a few things. We still got outplayed to start the beginning of the second half and that needs to stop, but we made some progress, which is good. Also for everyone worried about how Kyle Boller, their second string QB, started picking apart our defense calm down. Boller is a much more mobile QB and probably helped the Rams offense because he was able to move around in the pocket when it continually collapsed on him. Something Bulger could not do.
Oh and one final note, I'm not going to give him a + cuz he's supposed to be really good at rushing the passer and its only one sack, but good job Aaron Kampman, for finally getting the QB. Here's to many more.
Sometimes When We Touch
Remember last week when I said I would be posting my predictions for the rest of the season sometime between then and the next Packers game, well I forgot. And I didn't, and for those of you who were curious I had the Packers winning handily v. the Bengals aaaaaaaaand they didn't. Congratulations Packers it has taken all of two weeks for you to go from sleeper Superbowl picks to second most overrated team behind the Patriots. Before the Bears game six of eight analysts from FOX and CBS had the Packers in the NFC Championship game. And four had them in the Superbowl. Predictions based solely on the teams performance in the preseason. But everyone knows preseason performances count for nothing. I played as many meaningful snaps this preseason as anyone on the Packers roster in terms of significance towards the regular season.
The Packers preseason performance made one thing clear, the Packers offensive line is good enough to give Aaron Rodgers time to throw only when facing vanilla versions of teams defenses. Unfortunately the vanilla defenses stop one the real season begins. And with the real season upon us, it is becoming perfectly clear that if the Packers want to be playing meaningful games in December they need to find A. a new offensive line, or 2. a head coach that knows how to win games with out one. Good luck finding either.
Offensive lines take some time to jell. So its not inconceivable to think that the Packers line could still put it together. However, the loss of LT Chad Clifton to an ankle injury certainly doesn't improve their chances.
Ummm With all of that being said, I now give to you my game by game predictions:
Please note, all Packers scores will be stated first, followed by the opponents. Also in order to at least try and stay objective my choices on winners are based on whether or not I would put money on said team to win. Example, would I put money on the Packers beating the Vikings in either game this year? No, that's why I have them losing to them twice. Do I think they can beat them? Well, I'll put it to you this way, the Packers are 1-1, well they were 1-1 when I started this post now they're 2-1, and I still think they could go 16-0 this season. Here's to objectivity.
Week 3: St. Louis Rams
Why they will win: The Rams are a NFL Europe team playing in the NFL. If the Packers don't win this game, it could be Mike McCarthy's last as head coach for the Packers. The Offensive Line, with a week to practice in their new positions should be somewhat improved over last weeks debacle. Offense is too explosive for the Rams defense. Rams offense is too one-dimensional to exploit Green Bays defense.
Why they won't win: Its the Packers first road game. Its in a dome which will make things tougher for an already beleagured offensive line. As a defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo thrives on disguising blitzes and bringing pressure on the quarterback. If Cendric Benson can rush for 140 plus yards against our offensive line, Steven Jackson might hit three bills.
Final Prediction: I've learned my lesson with predicting blowouts, so lets say 24-10.
Week 4: Minnesota Vikings
Why they will win: Aaron Rogers will step up his game facing his former mentor. Brett Favre will try too much and throw too many interceptions.
Why they won't win: Packers have always struggled in the Metrodome. The Packers offensive front five isn't good enough to block anyone on the Vikings front four. Adrian Peterson is better than four Cedric Bensons'. Brett Favre is playing "Game Manager" rather than "Gun Slinger" and won't give the Packers defense any turnover oppourtunities.
Final Prediction: Division game will keep it somewhat close, 10-28.
Week 5: Bye Week
Week 6: Detroit Lions
Why they will win: Its been a calendar and even seasonal year since the Lions have beaten anyone. If the Rams are an NFL Europe team, the Lions are a Division 5A High school football team, with newer jerseys.
Why they won't win: We've already lost to the Bengals. Bengals stand for Tigers, and Tigers are Baby Lions.
Final Prediction: Assuming Chad Clifton is back and the OL is healthy, 28-13 Packers.
Week 7: Cleveland Browns
Why they will win: The Pckers have too many offensive weapons for the Browns defense. Jamal Lewis is too old and slow to take advantage of our force-run defense. Brady Quinn looks almost as lost as JaMarcus Russel.
Why they won't win: Its on the road, Jack. And don't come back no more no more no more no more. It wouldn't be the first time we've lost to a team that had already lost to the Broncos. Their offensive line could give our defensive fits.
Final Prediction: 23-17 Packers win in the Dawg Pound.
Week 8: Minnesota Vikings
Why they will win: Its at home. It could be a big statement game. They should be healthier from when they met before.
Why they won't win: Brett Favre back at Lambeau.
Final Prediction: 17-20 Vikings.
Week 9:
Why they will win: The Buccaneers are a rebuilding team. Their secondary is old, slow, and not talented. Leftwich is turnover prone and statue in the pocket.
Why they won't win: Its tough playing in a warm Tampa Bay. Could be emotionally fateagued from the gruellying division match up the week prior.
Final Prediction: Rodgers does what he couldn't last year and plays the whole game. Packers win 28-17
Week 10: Dallas Cowboys
Why the will win: Its later in the season, meaning Tony Romo should be ready to suck. We finally get them in Green Bay which is a definite plus. The Cowboy's defense isn't good enough to stop Tampa, so it shouldn't be good enough to stop us.
Why they won't win: They never beat the Cowboys, even the year they became World Champions, they lost 21-7 in Dallas, on 7 Chris Boniol field goals. Nice name drop right. Is it the right name? I don't know.
Final Prediction: First big win for the Packers since week 1, 35-31.
Week 11: San Fransisco 49ers Home
Why the will win: The 49ers have been a little one dimensional in that they can't pass. If our defense can hold Frank Gore in check, we should be able to blitz Shaun Hill until his head starts spinning so quickly that it eventually pops off.
Why they won't win: The defense isn't good enough to stop Gore, which means Dom Capers head will likely be the one popping, that's what she said.
Final Prediction: Not the cakewalk I anticipated at season's beginning, Crosby finally comes through in the clutch 20-17.
Week 12: Detroit Lions
Why the will win: Its Detroit.
Why they won't win: It's in Detroit, I believe its Thanksgiving, which means some fans might actually show up and make the environment hostile.
Final Prediction: It shouldn't take three fourth quarter interceptions in Detroit this time, 31-17.
Week 13: Baltimore Ravens Home
Why the will win: Baltimore's defense hasn't looked as dominating as in years past. And their receivers are extremely nondescript.
Why they won't win: Joe Flacco is doing a lot of damage with his nondescript receiving core, and if McGahee is the starting running back by then they may have the ability to lean on the Packers a little.
Final Prediction: Got to give some close games to the opponents, 14-16, Crosby wide right.
Week 14: Chicago Bears
Why the will win: The Bears aren't as good defensively as they were a year ago. And I'm not sure they are as consistent offensively either.
Why they won't win: Jay Cutler isn't going to throw four more interceptions. And despite their shaky defense we still won't be able to run on them, and you can't pass this late in the year in the Windy City.
Final Prediction: Neither team will be able to throw, Cutler and his big ego will try, 17-13 on the strength of our defense.
Week 15: Pittsburgh Steelers Road
Why the will win: The Steelers lost to the Bears. We beat the Bears. That means we can beat the Steelers. In Math that's called a hyperbole.*
Why they won't win: Its on the road against the defending Champs, who after some early season jitters will finally be playing up to par. Will have Polamalu back. And will probably need this game more than us.
Final Prediction: In the end Roethlisberger will be able to make one too many plays, 10-17.
Week 16: Seattle Seahawks Home
Why the will win: The Seahawks are a good team that apparently can't stay healthy, and will be playing on the road. Winter in Green Bay is a lot different than rainy season in Seattle.
Why they won't win: Matt Hasselbeck has already predicted victory? Oh I miss the days of "we want the ball, and we're gonna score." It truly was a simpler time.
Final Prediction: Since we'll be playing against all their third string 28-17.
Week 17: Arizona Cardinals
Why the will win: We already dispatched of them handily in week three of the preseason. Which is the most telling of all the preseason weeks. Which we already discussed still isn't that telling. So calling week three the "most telling" week of the preseason is kind of like talking about which one of the Carebears is most realistic. ** Anyway back to the real world, Cardinals lost in the Superbowl, and have stunk it up early on. Even at home. We should win.
Why they won't win: Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin are very good receivers. We may go in to this game needing a win to get into the playoffs. Remember what happened to the last NFC North team that attempted that? Yeah and that was against a much softer Arizona team.
Final Prediction: In a defensive struggle I say, 34-27.
* Yes I'm being sarcastic.
** I'd say Scary Spice.
One last note for the readers out their. I began this post Thursday of last week. Before the Packers played the Rams, before the Steelers lost to the Bengals, and before the Lions won for the first time in over a year. So it's a yittle yesterdays take three days later, but I'm sure you'll still find it irritating :)
The Packers preseason performance made one thing clear, the Packers offensive line is good enough to give Aaron Rodgers time to throw only when facing vanilla versions of teams defenses. Unfortunately the vanilla defenses stop one the real season begins. And with the real season upon us, it is becoming perfectly clear that if the Packers want to be playing meaningful games in December they need to find A. a new offensive line, or 2. a head coach that knows how to win games with out one. Good luck finding either.
Offensive lines take some time to jell. So its not inconceivable to think that the Packers line could still put it together. However, the loss of LT Chad Clifton to an ankle injury certainly doesn't improve their chances.
Ummm With all of that being said, I now give to you my game by game predictions:
Please note, all Packers scores will be stated first, followed by the opponents. Also in order to at least try and stay objective my choices on winners are based on whether or not I would put money on said team to win. Example, would I put money on the Packers beating the Vikings in either game this year? No, that's why I have them losing to them twice. Do I think they can beat them? Well, I'll put it to you this way, the Packers are 1-1, well they were 1-1 when I started this post now they're 2-1, and I still think they could go 16-0 this season. Here's to objectivity.
Week 3: St. Louis Rams
Why they will win: The Rams are a NFL Europe team playing in the NFL. If the Packers don't win this game, it could be Mike McCarthy's last as head coach for the Packers. The Offensive Line, with a week to practice in their new positions should be somewhat improved over last weeks debacle. Offense is too explosive for the Rams defense. Rams offense is too one-dimensional to exploit Green Bays defense.
Why they won't win: Its the Packers first road game. Its in a dome which will make things tougher for an already beleagured offensive line. As a defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo thrives on disguising blitzes and bringing pressure on the quarterback. If Cendric Benson can rush for 140 plus yards against our offensive line, Steven Jackson might hit three bills.
Final Prediction: I've learned my lesson with predicting blowouts, so lets say 24-10.
Week 4: Minnesota Vikings
Why they will win: Aaron Rogers will step up his game facing his former mentor. Brett Favre will try too much and throw too many interceptions.
Why they won't win: Packers have always struggled in the Metrodome. The Packers offensive front five isn't good enough to block anyone on the Vikings front four. Adrian Peterson is better than four Cedric Bensons'. Brett Favre is playing "Game Manager" rather than "Gun Slinger" and won't give the Packers defense any turnover oppourtunities.
Final Prediction: Division game will keep it somewhat close, 10-28.
Week 5: Bye Week
Week 6: Detroit Lions
Why they will win: Its been a calendar and even seasonal year since the Lions have beaten anyone. If the Rams are an NFL Europe team, the Lions are a Division 5A High school football team, with newer jerseys.
Why they won't win: We've already lost to the Bengals. Bengals stand for Tigers, and Tigers are Baby Lions.
Final Prediction: Assuming Chad Clifton is back and the OL is healthy, 28-13 Packers.
Week 7: Cleveland Browns
Why they will win: The Pckers have too many offensive weapons for the Browns defense. Jamal Lewis is too old and slow to take advantage of our force-run defense. Brady Quinn looks almost as lost as JaMarcus Russel.
Why they won't win: Its on the road, Jack. And don't come back no more no more no more no more. It wouldn't be the first time we've lost to a team that had already lost to the Broncos. Their offensive line could give our defensive fits.
Final Prediction: 23-17 Packers win in the Dawg Pound.
Week 8: Minnesota Vikings
Why they will win: Its at home. It could be a big statement game. They should be healthier from when they met before.
Why they won't win: Brett Favre back at Lambeau.
Final Prediction: 17-20 Vikings.
Week 9:
Why they will win: The Buccaneers are a rebuilding team. Their secondary is old, slow, and not talented. Leftwich is turnover prone and statue in the pocket.
Why they won't win: Its tough playing in a warm Tampa Bay. Could be emotionally fateagued from the gruellying division match up the week prior.
Final Prediction: Rodgers does what he couldn't last year and plays the whole game. Packers win 28-17
Week 10: Dallas Cowboys
Why the will win: Its later in the season, meaning Tony Romo should be ready to suck. We finally get them in Green Bay which is a definite plus. The Cowboy's defense isn't good enough to stop Tampa, so it shouldn't be good enough to stop us.
Why they won't win: They never beat the Cowboys, even the year they became World Champions, they lost 21-7 in Dallas, on 7 Chris Boniol field goals. Nice name drop right. Is it the right name? I don't know.
Final Prediction: First big win for the Packers since week 1, 35-31.
Week 11: San Fransisco 49ers Home
Why the will win: The 49ers have been a little one dimensional in that they can't pass. If our defense can hold Frank Gore in check, we should be able to blitz Shaun Hill until his head starts spinning so quickly that it eventually pops off.
Why they won't win: The defense isn't good enough to stop Gore, which means Dom Capers head will likely be the one popping, that's what she said.
Final Prediction: Not the cakewalk I anticipated at season's beginning, Crosby finally comes through in the clutch 20-17.
Week 12: Detroit Lions
Why the will win: Its Detroit.
Why they won't win: It's in Detroit, I believe its Thanksgiving, which means some fans might actually show up and make the environment hostile.
Final Prediction: It shouldn't take three fourth quarter interceptions in Detroit this time, 31-17.
Week 13: Baltimore Ravens Home
Why the will win: Baltimore's defense hasn't looked as dominating as in years past. And their receivers are extremely nondescript.
Why they won't win: Joe Flacco is doing a lot of damage with his nondescript receiving core, and if McGahee is the starting running back by then they may have the ability to lean on the Packers a little.
Final Prediction: Got to give some close games to the opponents, 14-16, Crosby wide right.
Week 14: Chicago Bears
Why the will win: The Bears aren't as good defensively as they were a year ago. And I'm not sure they are as consistent offensively either.
Why they won't win: Jay Cutler isn't going to throw four more interceptions. And despite their shaky defense we still won't be able to run on them, and you can't pass this late in the year in the Windy City.
Final Prediction: Neither team will be able to throw, Cutler and his big ego will try, 17-13 on the strength of our defense.
Week 15: Pittsburgh Steelers Road
Why the will win: The Steelers lost to the Bears. We beat the Bears. That means we can beat the Steelers. In Math that's called a hyperbole.*
Why they won't win: Its on the road against the defending Champs, who after some early season jitters will finally be playing up to par. Will have Polamalu back. And will probably need this game more than us.
Final Prediction: In the end Roethlisberger will be able to make one too many plays, 10-17.
Week 16: Seattle Seahawks Home
Why the will win: The Seahawks are a good team that apparently can't stay healthy, and will be playing on the road. Winter in Green Bay is a lot different than rainy season in Seattle.
Why they won't win: Matt Hasselbeck has already predicted victory? Oh I miss the days of "we want the ball, and we're gonna score." It truly was a simpler time.
Final Prediction: Since we'll be playing against all their third string 28-17.
Week 17: Arizona Cardinals
Why the will win: We already dispatched of them handily in week three of the preseason. Which is the most telling of all the preseason weeks. Which we already discussed still isn't that telling. So calling week three the "most telling" week of the preseason is kind of like talking about which one of the Carebears is most realistic. ** Anyway back to the real world, Cardinals lost in the Superbowl, and have stunk it up early on. Even at home. We should win.
Why they won't win: Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin are very good receivers. We may go in to this game needing a win to get into the playoffs. Remember what happened to the last NFC North team that attempted that? Yeah and that was against a much softer Arizona team.
Final Prediction: In a defensive struggle I say, 34-27.
* Yes I'm being sarcastic.
** I'd say Scary Spice.
One last note for the readers out their. I began this post Thursday of last week. Before the Packers played the Rams, before the Steelers lost to the Bengals, and before the Lions won for the first time in over a year. So it's a yittle yesterdays take three days later, but I'm sure you'll still find it irritating :)
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
One More Time With Feeling
I'm not sure how many of you read "The Doppler Effect," authored by Ryan "Rock" Christiansen, but if any of you do, you would see that he recently published a post about my "Look At Me Learning" post. Some might say he published a response, however I wouldn't say that, because I never said he was the "friend" to which I was referring in that particular piece.
Now Ryan I'm going to stop you right there, because I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, I've got you now because you did say it was about me. False I did not. If fact the only reason your name was in the post was so I could end with a positive. I never said I was ending with a positive in reference to the friend I was describing earlier. You assumed. Don't worry I forgive you.
But now onto the nuts and bolts of the matter. In your post you used Wikipedia. I'm not judging you, I think I may have used a definition from there as well. However, you used a quote from the "reinforcement" section, was it directed from the positive reinforment section? Maybe, was it a definition for positive reinforcement? No, it was a entry on reinforcement. So as informative as all your types of reinforcement were, they failed to really address the matter at hand. If I didn't know you better I'd say you were a democrat. Perhaps just a closet one?
Anyway enough of the nonsense that is Wikipedia, and stop it with the use of reinforcement's definitions to somehow justify that fact that you were just plain wrong, let's go to...
Drum roll please
Dictionary.com, stay with me Ryan, are you there yet? Okay now type in p-o-s-i-t-i-v-e-space-r-e-i-n-f-o-r-c-e-m-e-n-t-enter. If I lost you no worries, I cut and pasted the results.
Main Entry: positive reinforcement
Part of Speech: n
Definition: the offering of desirable effects or consequences for a behavior with the intention of increasing the chance of that behavior being repeated in the future.
I'd say the key words here would be "desirable effects or consequences." I know you just spent several years in Southern California, where maybe telling someone they suck is desirable, but here in America we see things differently, call me old fashioned, but compliments, candy bars, and ice cream are things that I consider desirable. Not being told how much I suck, and then being told I don't know the definition of a set of words, when turns out... I do. In the end that's what its about people. Never tell somebody they're wrong. And especially not if you don't know what your talking about ;). Do you see me standing her trying to tell you 8+9= 80. No, but trust me I want to.
As far as the rest of your argument, well it was good in that you used a lot of definitions that didn't really apply, but I think we touched on that, um what else. Oh yes saying that the person wanted me to throw more interceptions and that was why they were telling me I sucked? Big reach there, also irrelevant because I was throwing interceptions at a mind "bottling" rate, before the friend in question even mentioned the "s" word. So if that was their goal, to get me to throw interceptions, then they wouldn't have needed any reinforcement positive or negative at all to succeed, because I was doing it ad nauseam already.
As for the answers to your questions, I don't think I've ever had a friend tell me I was wrong. I think you just tried and failed though.
Yes I've had a friend write a 570 some word blog post.
Did one of my other friends laugh when they read it? Well now I'm not sure but probably, he's a pretty funny guy.
And mostly I'm glad that you don't have hurt feelings, or did you have hurt feelings. Or did you just say you had hurt feelings at the beginning and then change your mind and say you didn't have hurt feelings, cuz that is again, very democratic of you.
Tear
End with something positive? I've been positive enough lately.
If you're wondering what that sound is, that's me pounding the final nails into your BOXXXXXXXXXXX.
Now Ryan I'm going to stop you right there, because I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, I've got you now because you did say it was about me. False I did not. If fact the only reason your name was in the post was so I could end with a positive. I never said I was ending with a positive in reference to the friend I was describing earlier. You assumed. Don't worry I forgive you.
But now onto the nuts and bolts of the matter. In your post you used Wikipedia. I'm not judging you, I think I may have used a definition from there as well. However, you used a quote from the "reinforcement" section, was it directed from the positive reinforment section? Maybe, was it a definition for positive reinforcement? No, it was a entry on reinforcement. So as informative as all your types of reinforcement were, they failed to really address the matter at hand. If I didn't know you better I'd say you were a democrat. Perhaps just a closet one?
Anyway enough of the nonsense that is Wikipedia, and stop it with the use of reinforcement's definitions to somehow justify that fact that you were just plain wrong, let's go to...
Drum roll please
Dictionary.com, stay with me Ryan, are you there yet? Okay now type in p-o-s-i-t-i-v-e-space-r-e-i-n-f-o-r-c-e-m-e-n-t-enter. If I lost you no worries, I cut and pasted the results.
Main Entry: positive reinforcement
Part of Speech: n
Definition: the offering of desirable effects or consequences for a behavior with the intention of increasing the chance of that behavior being repeated in the future.
I'd say the key words here would be "desirable effects or consequences." I know you just spent several years in Southern California, where maybe telling someone they suck is desirable, but here in America we see things differently, call me old fashioned, but compliments, candy bars, and ice cream are things that I consider desirable. Not being told how much I suck, and then being told I don't know the definition of a set of words, when turns out... I do. In the end that's what its about people. Never tell somebody they're wrong. And especially not if you don't know what your talking about ;). Do you see me standing her trying to tell you 8+9= 80. No, but trust me I want to.
As far as the rest of your argument, well it was good in that you used a lot of definitions that didn't really apply, but I think we touched on that, um what else. Oh yes saying that the person wanted me to throw more interceptions and that was why they were telling me I sucked? Big reach there, also irrelevant because I was throwing interceptions at a mind "bottling" rate, before the friend in question even mentioned the "s" word. So if that was their goal, to get me to throw interceptions, then they wouldn't have needed any reinforcement positive or negative at all to succeed, because I was doing it ad nauseam already.
As for the answers to your questions, I don't think I've ever had a friend tell me I was wrong. I think you just tried and failed though.
Yes I've had a friend write a 570 some word blog post.
Did one of my other friends laugh when they read it? Well now I'm not sure but probably, he's a pretty funny guy.
And mostly I'm glad that you don't have hurt feelings, or did you have hurt feelings. Or did you just say you had hurt feelings at the beginning and then change your mind and say you didn't have hurt feelings, cuz that is again, very democratic of you.
Tear
End with something positive? I've been positive enough lately.
If you're wondering what that sound is, that's me pounding the final nails into your BOXXXXXXXXXXX.
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