Packers vs. Bears Late Week Report

The Packers and the Bears are deep in preparation for a huge NFC North match-up on Sunday.  The Packers come into the game with a 2-0 record, after surviving a scary trip to Carolina in week two.  The Bears had a great game and victory in week one against the Falcons but came up short in New Orleans last week.  This game is big for both teams if only for the reason it is Packers v. Bears.  It is the oldest rivalry in the National Football League.  It harkens back to the days of Halas and Lambeau.  Great coaches like Lombardi, Ditka and Holmgren have coached in these games.  We are entering another golden age of the Packers and Bears rivalry with the emergence of Aaron Rodgers and the belief by the Chicago faithful that Jay Cutler will bring another Championship to Chicago.
 
This is the 183rd time the teams will play against each other and both teams come in a little dinged up.  For the Packers; Nick Collins, Frank Zombo, and Mike Neal have all been declared out for this game.  Collins is out for the season with a neck injury and will be place on Injured Reserve next week.  Zombo continues to rehab a scapula injury and is still a couple weeks away.  Mike Neal underwent knee surgery a week ago and will miss “significant time” as Mike McCarthy said last week.  Starting cornerback Tramon Williams and linebacker Vic So’oto both returned to practice in a limited compactly this week.    They are both expected to play on Sunday against the Bears.  Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson were both added to the injury report and did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday with a thigh and foot injury respectively.  Both are expected to practice Friday and play on Sunday.  Look for the Packers to run the ball more in this game and open some big holes against the Bears.  The defense should get a lot of pressure on a make shift offensive line like the Bears have.  Charlie Peprah will get the start for Nick Collins and should provide stability through this injury to Collins.

The Bears have suffered some major blows for early in the year.  They will be without first round draft pick and starting right tackle Gabe Carimi, who dislocated his knee in last week’s loss to the Saints.  They may also be without starting safeties Chris Harris, who missed last week’s game with a hamstring, and Major Wright, who suffered a head/neck injury against the Saints.  Look for the Bears to be more balanced on offense and relay on Matt Forte a lot against the Packers.  Their defense always plays Aaron Rodgers well and I expect that to continue, but can they stop James Starks and Ryan Grant?  If they can then it will be close, but if they can’t it could be a long afternoon for the Bears.

My prediction: I predict the Packers will control the line of scrimmage and control the game.  Cutler will get hit hard and often, and the Packers will leave Chicago on Sunday evening with a victory and a 3-0 record.     

Packers 28 Bears 13

Matt

Good Ol' Boys (GoB) Talk on Redemption

 

On the 5th hole.  Down by three strokes and you’ve just hit a water ball.  Some people take a mulligan and some people will let them.  I won’t take a water ball, I take the penalty.  It’s still a competition between Dan and Nate, but for me, it’s just turned into a round of redemption.  I’m not playing myself.  I’ve just given myself an opportunity to play the best game of redemption of my life. 

I’m down $200 gambling.  Call it a night.  Most people would.  Some people wouldn’t, and those that wouldn’t you have to be a little worried about.  Most people don’t rely so well on their gambling ability.  Take out $200 more, take a seat at the poker table, and turn this night, into a night; of redemption.

It’s a little bit after midnight, and you try to keep up with the fellas.  It’s not about you, it’s about the fellas.  Well the fellas are about 60 pounds heavier than you and you haven’t been goin’ easy on yourself.  The dance floor looks real good, and at this stage in the night, it really, really shouldn’t. 

Go to bed, you are obviously done for the night.  Or are you?  Put down your whiskey and coke, and pick up a red bull vodka.  You’ve just turned this night, from a night of loss, into the golden opportunity of redemption,

and nobody can take that away from you.

Kevin

My Ten Pack of College Football Picks for Week Four

North Carolina St. vs. Cincinnati Thursday, September 22 7:00

In a battle of 2-1 teams I think that Cincinnati’s running game is going to be the key. The Bear Cats can also score points and are averaging 51.3 points per game. The game is in Cincinnati and I expect them to make one or two more plays then the Wolfpack. Cincinnati 38 NC State 28

#15 Florida vs. Kentucky Saturday, September 24 7:00

Florida is on a roll, coming off a huge win against rival Tennessee. Going on the road in the SEC is tough and Florida will be challenged early against Kentucky but will prove to strong after half time. Expect a romp in Lexington. #15 Florida 44 Kentucky 14

#23 USC vs. Arizona St. Saturday, September 24 9:15

Arizona St. will come out with something to prove after letting one slip away against Illinois the week before but expect USC to weather the storm and make a big play late to seal the victory. Watch for both quarterbacks to have big days as well. #23 USC 27 Arizona St. 21

Colorado vs. Ohio St. Saturday, September 24 2:30

Ohio St got embarrassed last week at Miami and will look to take out their frustration on a Colorado team that got back on track last week against Colorado St. Because this game is at the Horseshoe in Columbus I am going with the Buckeyes but look for it to be closer than most think. Ohio St. 30 Colorado 24

#7 Oklahoma St. vs. #8 Texas A&M Saturday, September 24 2:30

This is the only game of the weekend to feature two top ten teams and it will be a dandy in College Station. Back and forth the two will go in an afternoon full of high scoring. The Aggies will pull it out in the end and defeat the Cowboys. #8 Texas A&M 45 Oklahoma St. 42

Western Michigan vs. #24 Illinois Saturday, September 24 2:30

Western Michigan is a good football team and Illinois is walking into a trap. Coming off an emotional win against Arizona St. and a week before the Big Ten schedule opens against Northwestern, the Illini will lost a tough one to the Broncos. Western Michigan 28 Illinois 24

#2 LSU vs. #16 West Virgina Saturday, September 24 7:00

On paper this game looks like it could be good but I expect a blowout. LSU is a great team and playing in Morgantown won’t faze them. Look for LSU to dominate from the start. #2 LSU 38 #16 West Virgina 14

#11 Florida St. vs. #21 Clemson Saturday, September 24 2:30

Florida St. feels they let one slip away against Oklahoma and will look to takes its vengeance out on the Tigers. Clemson got a huge win against Auburn last week and it due for a letdown against the Seminoles. #11 Florida St. 35 #21 Clemson 25

#14 Arkansas vs. #3 Alabama Saturday, September 24 2:30

Last year’s matchup between the Razorbacks and the Tide was great, with Alabama escaping with a 3 point win. This year will not be as close. The Tide will ride the home crowd and some unexpected Arkansas turnovers to an easy victory. #3 Alabama 28 #14 Arkansas 10

San Diego St. vs. #22 Michigan Saturday, September 24 11:00

Name this one the Brady Hoke Bowl. Hoke is going up against his former team and they know exactly how to play him. It will be back and forth at the Big House but Denard Robinson makes too many plays with his feet and Michigan survives a big scare from the Aztecs. #22 Michigan 38 San Diego St. 31

Matt

War is for the Dogs.

Imagine a time where the entire world was at war with each other. That is what life was like in the late 1930s and 1940s. Germany had invaded Poland and was at war with Great Britain. The fighting in Europe raged on for two years and then hit the United States with the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. America was thrust into the middle of the worldwide conflict. Many young men volunteered to fight for their country and to do their civic duty. Many women went to work in the factories, building ammunition, tanks and weapons. All of this you have probably already heard before but here is something you might not know. During World War II the United States Army had war dogs. These war dogs were trained in combat for their use as scouts, sentries and trackers. The dogs represented the struggle of the entire planet and not just the human population of the war.

The most decorated American War Dog was Chips. He was a German Shepherd-Collie-Siberian Husky mix and had a wonderful nose for action and danger. He was the property of Edward J. Wren of Pleasantville, New York and was donated to the war effort by Wren. Like any American solider, Chips was sent to training, War Dog Training in Front Royal, Virginia. He passed all his tests and exams and was shipped out overseas. He served in the 3rd Infantry Division under Pvt. John P. Rowell, his handler. Through his war journey Chips fought in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and Germany. Chips was extremely brave in his success of warning the troops of impending ambushes and attacks from the Axis armies. He ran with a cable wire attached to his collar, dodging gun fire to establish a communication line the base. Chips ran and jumped into a pillbox that was filled with Italian troops and they were all taken prisoner by Chips and Rowell. Chips ended his service in 1945 and was reunited with Wren back in Pleasantville.

Chips is a national hero. He was awarded the Silver Star for Valor and a Purple Heart for his wounds. These awards would soon be taken from him because it was believed by some that they demeaned all the men who had been awarded them in the past and in the future. After World War II, war dogs were considered military equipment and no longer soldiers. Chips helped to win World War II and I think it is time he gets some recognition.
 
 

 
Matt

Good Ol' Boys (GoB) on Gambling

What should you do when the dealer shows a 6 and you have a 12?  Double down?  Hit?  Stay?  Odds say to stay every time.  Might win, might lose.  Odds say you’ll win more than you lose.  But what the hell, everyone knows the game is stacked to the house.  The house always wins.  You know that going into the casino.  I will do whatever I’m feeling like.  When you have that good, lucky feeling, you can do no wrong.  Don’t let the “cheat sheet” card given to you by the casino that tells you the right way to play dictate your move.  That doesn’t smell right does it?  Hell I would double.  Right now I would.  Who knows what I’ll do tomorrow. 

At casinos they teach you how to play craps.  They tell you never bet the field.  Would you have guessed that there’s a 44% the field hits?  A one-time bet where you can double your money.  Yeah, 44% isn’t in your favor, but when you’re looking for entertainment, your smile will be much wider when your field bet hits!  

The only time I will ever play my odds to a fault is when playing poker.  The casino doesn’t get the odds at a poker table.  It get’s the rake.  You are playing the odds against a fellow poker player, and if you play your cards right, you only put yourself in situations where your odds of winning are 90% and a lot of the times you are staring down at the nuts.

Look, I’m not making a career gambling here.  I am looking for the thrill.  The entertainment.  The rush.  I won’t get that rush when I play the way the dealer tells me.  Math will have me a broke man at the end of the night.  A couple of lucky rolls, a couple of lucky hits and doubles, and some basic A-B-C poker.   Doesn’t happen every time, but just remember, according to your significant other, you always win.

Kevin

Matt’s Week Two NFL Power Rankings

Week two of the NFL season is in the books and the teams are still positioning themselves.  There have been some pleasant surprises (Lions, Bills, and Redskins all 2-0) and some disappointing surprises (Chiefs, Colts, and Rams all 0-2).  Let’s see how the teams stack up from 32 to 1.
32. Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) - There is not much to say about the Chiefs right now.  They stink.  Being outscored 89 to 10 in two games is pitiful.  It doesn’t get any easier for the Chiefs, having to travel to San Diego to take on the Chargers this Sunday.  Todd Haley better watch himself because more losses like the first two will result in a visit to the Unemployment Office.
31. Indianapolis Colts (0-2) – Who knew Peyton Manning played offense, defense and special teams.  Can’t stop the run, can’t stop the pass and can’t get anything going offensively.  Kerry Collins looks every bit of 38 years old and the so called playmakers (Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, Dallas Clark, Dwight Freeny, and Robert Mathis) are not making any plays.  Manning better return fast or there won’t be a season left to save with a huge game coming up this weekend with the Steelers.
30. Minnesota Vikings (0-2) – Blowing a 17 point lead against the Buccaneers in the second half is not the only problem the Vikings have.  They have a major problem at the quarterback position for a second straight year.  Donovan McNabb was brought in to push the ball downfield and relay on Adrian Peterson to set up the pass.  Well one of those things is true with Adrian Peterson started the season fast and strong but the other is far from true.  In two games McNabb has 267 yards passing and 1 touchdown.  The offense as a whole is ranked 27 in the league in total yards and second to last in passing yards per game.  They better watch themselves because they have a hungry Lions team going to Minneapolis this weekend to try and keep the Vikes down.
29. Seattle Seahawks (0-2) – The Seahawks just look like a lost team that doesn’t have an identity on offense or defense.  Just when you think they will be a running team with Marshawn Lynch they start chucking the ball around with Tavaris Jackson.  Are they a pressure or coverage defense?  They have a lack of playmakers and that is magnified by their quarterback Jackson.  They have three very losable games ahead with Arizona, Atlanta and at the New York Giants.  The Seahawks are a far cry from the division champs of a year ago.
28. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) – The Jags have only scored 19 points so far this season.  That is not going win many games in the National Football League.  Now add to the mix a rookie quarterback making his first start this weekend and you could see an all-time low offense in Jacksonville.  Blaine Gabbert may be the future in Jacksonville but he should not be the present yet either.
27. Cleveland Browns (1-1) – In order to win more games like they did in Indianapolis last week they have to keep giving the ball to Peyton Hillis.  Colt McCoy has shown sparks but is still too inconsistent at this point.
26. Denver Broncos (1-1) – With all the cries for Tim Tebow, it was lost that the Broncos won last week against the Bengals.  Kyle Orton remains the starter going to Tennessee but this game is big.  Orton needs to silence some of his critics this weekend.

25. Carolina Panthers (0-2) – They had a chance to knock off the defending champs in their home opener but couldn’t get it done.  They are a young team, but a young team that is getting better.  Cam Newton looks like the real deal but he just doesn’t have enough playmakers on the outside.
24. Miami Dolphins (0-2) – Miami has played tough in their first two games against the Patriots and the Texans respectively but that got them the same results, losing.  When they get in the red zone they have to come out with any points and yes I am talking to you Dan Carpenter, make your kicks!

23. Cincinnati Bengals (1-1) - I was really impressed with the way they went to Denver and battled.  They almost got the win and that will spur this young team forward with three of the next four games at home in Cincinnati.
22. San Francisco 49ners (1-1) – People are double guessing Coach Jim Harbaugh and his decision to leave points on the board and not take a first down penalty that could have closed out the game against the Cowboys last week.  Harbaugh will learn in time that when given the choice of three points or putting your offense back on the field in the fourth quarter, you always go with your offense.  Lesson learned Coach?
21. St. Louis Rams (0-2) – The Rams are hanging by a thread and need to figure out their Red Zone offense.  You have to score touchdowns to win in this league and they are having a hard time with that concept.  They don’t have time to feel sorry for themselves because they have Baltimore and Washington coming in.
20. New York Giants (1-1) – I am still not impressed by the Giants.  They were outplayed on Monday night by the Rams but made the plays when it counted and got turnovers.  They still have no identity on offense and Eli Manning should scare every Giant fan when you goes back to throw.  Injuries are really starting to pile up with the loss of Dominique Hixon to a torn ACL.
19. Oakland Raiders (1-1) – If they could have pulled out that victory in Buffalo, Oakland would be much higher on our list but they couldn’t seal the deal.  This team is on the up but they have to learn to beat a team outside of the AFC West.
18. Arizona Cardinals (1-1) – They like the Raiders were very close to being up in the top 15 if they could have held on in Washington.  Kevin Kolb has been really good in his first couple games in Arizona and they offense is on track.  The defense still needs a little work and I would like to see them get more pressure on the quarterback.
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1) – The Bucs are very lucky to be 1-1 and should very well be 0-2 if the Vikings could hold a lead.  I still see youth as the main thing that will hold this team back.  Big game with Atlanta this week will be a good test to see how the Bucs will fare this year.
16. Buffalo Bills (2-0) – In the first two games the Bills have played the JV Chiefs and the cross country traveling Raiders.  This weekend’s game against the Patriots will be a true test to see where the Bills are.  Ryan Fitzpaterick looks like the real deal at quarterback though.
15. Washington Redskins (2-0) – Call me crazy but I love the way Rex Grossmen is playing.  He has confidence and that in turn has his teammates confident.  Their defense has 3-4 personal in place and are running around and making plays.  Dare I say Washington is for real?
14. Tennessee Titans (1-1) – The Titans had a stinker in week one but had a marvelous performance against the Ravens in week two.  What is the true team?  I still like Chris Johnson to find himself and I love the way Matthew Hasslebeck is playing right now.
13. Dallas Cowboys (1-1) – There are some concerns in Big D and it has to do with their defense.  They are giving up a lot of yards and points.  Tony Romo showed you great toughness in getting that win last week in San Francisco.  Can they keep it up with injuries piling up on Romo, Felix Jones and Miles Austin?
12. Detroit Lions (2-0) – Fans in Detroit have every right to be excited about the Lions.  Their offense is firing on all cylinders and their defense are world betters.  Take into account they have played the Bucs and Chiefs.  
11. Atlanta Falcons (1-1) – Atlanta has got to shore up their offensive line because Matt Ryan is under way too much pressure.  They got the huge win against Philly and let’s see if it starts something.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) – Temper your excitement Steelers fans.  Yes you pitched a shutout last week; remember it was against the Seahawks.  It will take a couple more games like that to get the taste of the Ravens game out of your mouth.
9. San Diego Chargers (1-1) – For most of their game against the Pats, the Chargers looks like an elite team.  They kept the game within one score but turnovers killed them.  You can’t turn the ball over against the Patriots and the Chargers found that out the hard way.
8. Baltimore Ravens (1-1) – Not going to lie but that was not a good loss to Tennessee.  After completely dominating the Steeler, to follow that up with a stinker against the Titans is unacceptable.  Expect Coach John Harbaugh to communicate that to his team and the Ravens to get back on track.
7. Chicago Bears (1-1) – The Bears went down to New Orleans and kept with the Saints for the first three quarters.  Jay Cutler still gets hit too much and if their defense doesn’t take the ball away they are easy to play.  The game against the Packers this weekend will tell a lot about the Bears and the kind of team they are going to be this season.
6. Houston Texans (2-0) – Houston is playing great football right now.  Their defense under Wade Phillips looks nothing like the defense that got shredded last season.  The ultimate thing is that they are winning without Arian Foster, when he gets healthy this team will just get better.

5. Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) – The Eagles may have suffered a huge blow if Michael Vick can’t play this week against the Giants because of a concussion.  The Eagles looked shaky at times in Atlanta and brilliant at other times.  What team are you going to get, with or without Vick?
4. New York Jets (2-0) – The Jets had an easy win over the Jags but it will get a lot tougher with AFC East games coming up.  It doesn’t help that center Nick Mangold will be out for a while with a high ankle sprain.
3. New Orleans Saints (1-1) – The Saints played well against both the Packers and the Bears.  Dree Bress looks dialed in and the defense got back to form against the Bears.  They need to run the ball more to be balanced but that will come with time.
2. New England Patriots (2-0) – The Pats are the gold standard in the AFC.  They just keep trotting people out there on offense and scoring points.  Tom Brady looks unstoppable and could very well break the single season passing yards record.
1. Green Bay Packers (2-0) – They got a scare in Carolina but won and that is the name of the game.  Aaron Rodgers has to get comfortable and the offensive line needs to pass protect better.  The defense needs to tackle better and work on no giving up the big play.  They are still the champs though and it is hard to argue against the champs.

The Future of College Football: Super-Conferences

College football is a game that is steeped in tradition and history. There are few left that remember a time when college football was more popular then professional football. A time where you had eight teams in a conference and you played everyone in your conference once a year. A time where the Big 10 had ten teams and the Big 12 had twelve teams. That has all changed now and the primary reason is money. There is more money if you have more teams in a conference. The magic number is twelve. If your conference has twelve teams then you can split that up and implement two divisions within a single conference. When you have two divisions, then the winner of each division will play in a conference championship game, which is another game and another way to make more money. We are in a volatile time for college football and there are two teams that hold the key to order or chaos. Oklahoma and Texas.

The Big 12 is a power conference in college football. Many of the teams in the conference have lush histories and traditions. Major rivalries fuel this conference from Oklahoma vs. Texas to Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma St. to Texas Tech vs. Texas and the list goes on and on. The Big 12 could be in their final days of existence because of the departure of Texas A&M to the SEC two weeks ago. The conference already lost two schools, Colorado to the Pac 12 and Nebraska to the Big 10, last season and with the loss of A&M, leaves the conference at seven teams after this season. In today’s college football it is impossible to survive with seven teams and the Big 12 would most likely fold.

Oklahoma and Texas are the two schools that could try to hold the Big 12 together and convince other schools to join the Big 12. Oklahoma is willing to move to the Pac 12 because they are upset that Texas was able to create their own television network that will help recruiting immensely and provide millions and millions of dollars to the university in advertising dollars. Oklahoma St. and Texas Tech would also bolt for the Pac 12 leaving the Big 12 in shambles. Texas is considering moving to the Pac 12 also but may have to give up their Longhorn Network channel in the process. Again this all comes down to money, the money that Texas would get with a network, the money that Oklahoma, Oklahoma St., and Texas Tech would get in an expanded Pac 12 and the money that the NCAA can make on the further exploitation of their student athletes.

I wish we could go back to the days of 8 team conferences and keep traditional rivalries but that time is over. The corporate machine that is college athletics is rolling and knocking down anyone who stands in its way. The future of college football is in Super Conferences and it will happen sooner rather than later. The ACC has just agreed to add Syracuse and the University of Pittsburgh as its thirteenth and fourteenth schools. Oklahoma and Texas are the lynchpins for the Big 12 and the Pac 12. Who will they decide to go with? It is only a matter of time before that decision is made.
 
Matt