So, right now all the Favre fans claiming to be Packers fans (or who previously claimed to be) are scrambling for excuses as to what could possibly explain how the NFL God himself Brett Favre could have possibly lost to the Patriots, sans Brady, at the Meadowlands, while Aaron "Favre gives the Packers the best chance to win" Rodgers is a happy 2-0 against division rivals Minnesota and Detroit, all while performing marvelously.  What will you folks chalk this up to?  Evil forces?  NFL conspiracy?  TT and MM rigged the game?  The list of excuses must be getting painfully thin...

 

For all the TRUE Packer faithful like myself, how sweet have these past 2 weeks been?  I know that the season is far from over, but it never hurts to be 2-0 in your own division, and Rodgers is an exciting QB.  Some big tests coming up, particularly against Chicago, Indy, Carolina, and the Cowboys.  If the team keeps playing like it has, and limitas the penalties, I think they are going to go far.  As for you Favre-ites, well, deep down, what did you really expect?

Painful as it is to write, I have to extend some congrats to the New York Giants. They came into the Frozen Tundra and beat the Green Bay Packers fair and square. The officiating was great, the teams seemed very evenly matched. The Giants were just the better team this Sunday night. All of the talk about the Packers giving the Giants the game is ridiculous. If anything, the Giants were attempting to give the Packers the game. But I look to 3 key people for this loss: 1) First and foremost, it has to be Mike McCarthy. His inablility to maintain the gameplan that has carried them to the NFC Championship game is inexcusable. Why was Ryan Grant limited to just 13 carries all game? Instead we get a heavy dose of Favre, which leads me to my next finger-pointing; 2) Brett Favre. He has been phenomenal all year, eclipsed only by Tom Brady. However, he reverted to the "old" Favre last night, with errant passes, poor accuracy, poor choices, etc. The INT in overtime was the most inexcusable play of the game. That ball was so slow and poorly thrown, it was begging to be intercepted. My 3rd goat of the game is Al Harris. All season long we have heard nothing but how great the CB of GB are, and for the most part, they have played up to expectations. However, we saw glimpses of how Harris could be beat in the Dallas game, and he looked awful in this game. He seemed out of place and slow all game. His inability to cover Burress was the key to the Giant's victory. How many 3rd downs were converted on Harris's watch? And this leads back to my number 1 goat: Why, oh why, McCarthy, can you not send the hard-hitting Bigby over to help Harris? How many hits could Burress have taken in that cold before he starts to hear the footsteps? I am not saying that Burress gets alligator arms, but maybe he doesn't convert a few of those 3rd downs...It's not like all the blame falls on these 3--there were other defenders guilty of too many crucial penalties, and the entire defense failed to put enough pressure on Manning, but I still think the majority of the blame is awarded to my 3 goats.

That ends my whining. Congrats again to the New York Giants and their fans on an improbable Super Bowl berth.

As for Favre,I am probably alone among Packers fans who will look at this as a fluke game for for our ageless QB, but I am more than ready for him to retire. He has his SB ring, he has all the records that he can get, and I am ready for Rodgers to step in and show us he can at least manage the team, and not make crucial mistakes when the other team is begging you to take the game from them. I am not looking for the next Favre, Brady, or P. Manning; I would, however, take a Garrard, E. Manning, Rivers, etc. Someone who limits their mistakes and can throw to these truly gifted receivers. Please, Brett, do us and yourself a favor and hang it up before you become a punchline (if it's not too late already).

As for New England, hat's off to them for sending one more trash-talking chump scurrying home with his tail between his legs. Igor Olshansky, have you finally learned who the New England Patriots are? While you are mulling over your poorly chosen words, maybe you could research LT, A. Smith, Patrick Crayton, Splicer, Tony Dungy, Joey Porter, Don Shula, and anyone else I have forgotten this season that has spewn garbage at the Patriots and whom either individually or as a team has paid the price of irritating a Juggernaut. Good luck to the Patriots in the Super Bowl (sorry, Giants fans), and I hope you can finish an undefeated 19-0.

Kimmy

Um, actually, you won't.

Thanks in part to Patrick Crayton's two drops on important passes, the Dallas Cowboys will watch as the Giants head to Green Bay to face my Packers. Dallas has not played inspired football in over a month, while the Giants have been on a hot streak as of late. Despite these glaring facts, Dallas still had a chance to win the game at the end, but Romo came up short. Maybe all the talk of him being the next Favre was, in fact, premature. He clearly has a long way to go. And by the way, anyone who doesn't see right through T.O.'s "tearful" backing of his QB is either blind or painfully naive. T.O. found a clever way to deflect criticism from himself while not throwing his QB completely "under the bus", as the NFL network likes to say. I'm not buying it. Luckily he has until next season to get his acting skills up to par. And Crayton has until next season to rethink his trash-talking-to actual skill ratio. News flash: His trash-talking far outweighs his skill.

Let me be the first to say that while I saw the Giants upset coming a mile away, I was as shocked as most non-Charger fans to see them knock off Indy. In Indy. Without being 100%. I was so happy to know that we would not have to endure another "holier than thou" Colts team in the Super Bowl.

It's nice to see that Peyton Manning is back to his usual self--good regular season, choke in the playoffs. Is anyone else seeing what I've been saying for years? Peyton Manning is over-rated. I said it, and I am sticking by it. He is only the 3rd best QB in football right now, and it's not even close. the man has been surrounded by talent for so long that his numbers will be great, but he is not as good as the numbers project.

I have come to a conclusion about the Chargers. I have thought that L.T. has been a whiny, sore loser for the past 2 years, but I didn't realize that Rivers is a ####. Seriously, I know he had a good game, but who does he think he is? talking trash to ANY crowd (even Indy or Dallas) is a "class-less" move, as L.T. would say. BTW, why is it a travesty when the Patriots mock his team, but fine when his team makes complete A$$es out of themselves? Can we say hypocritical?

The Patriots looked good and Brady looked phenomenal aginst the vaunted Jaguars defense. It was nice to see Brady have a great game without Moss (I know--he was still a factor for coverage), but he actually seems to do better when he is not forcing passes to Moss. Congrats to New England, and I hope they can knock off San Diego next week. I am already tired of L.T. and Rivers.

Finally, my beloved Packers. i have to admit, I was worried when they went down 14-0. This score, coupled with increasing snow, seemed to set up a recipe for Favre INTs. However, the Packers stuck with Grant, who turned into a phenomenal game on the ground. Favre was great through the air, and the defense was solid, especially when they didn't have to defend from their own 4 yard-line. Every week, the Packers look more dangerous. Watch out to any team they have to face.

Saturday's games had a theme, as did Sunday's. Saturday's theme was great QB play, coupled with great a running attack, for home team victories. Sundays games showed more QB management of the game, along with under-performances by two of the "premier" QBs in the league, resulting in inexcusable home losses. I am not saying or guaranteeing that GB and NE are Super Bowl bound, but they have great chances. Good luck to both teams next week.

until then,

Kimmy

Congrats to the New England Players and Coaches for an undefeated regular season.  I am happy to say that we have witnessed history.  If my Packers do not reach the SB, I hope that the Patriots can round out this perfect season with a Super Bowl win.  In my book, there is no asterisk, and if you are not a whiny cry-baby or complete ####, there should not be any asterisk in your book, either.

Green Bay ended their season on a high note.  I didn't get to watch the game due to the pointless NO/Chicago "contest" (which ultimately meant nothing, as Washington won), but the highlights were enough to see that everyone played like they were supposed to.

I was happy to see that Dallas lost again, even if it didn't mean anything to the playoff standings.  Dallas played it's starters for a quarter and a half, and they played poorly.  This is what Dallas has become?  What happens if TO doesn't come back for their playoff game?  They could get bounced very easily, especially the way they have been playing.  Maybe all the talk of Romo being the next Favre was a little premature?

Congrats to New Orleans and Minnesota for playing like their playoff lives depended on the fianl game of the season.  Oh, wait--they didn't play very well.  And their playoff lives DID depend on it--at least, until Todd Collins and the Redskins dismantled Dallas. 

Here's looking ahead to next week--maybe we will see some better games.  I hope Washington can beat Seattle.  i would like to see the Redskins/Cowboys face off again.  The 'Skins have all the momentum...

Until next week,

Kimmy

Here it comes. The inevitable onslaught from the Bear fans who will try and use this last game as a platform to "prove" that the Bears are better than the Packers. Newsflash: They're not. This only shows that the Bears have had the Packers' number the last few years. The bottom line is that the Bears will still be watching the Packers in the playoffs from home. And honestly, the Bears winning did not hurt the Packers terribly, or help the Bears at all. I know a lot of people think that the Bears should be playing for pride, but the Bears have A LOT of work ahead to improve their team, and they need high draft picks. I actually hope they beat New Orleans next week so that they get an even lower pick.

As far as the game went, well, it was pathetic. I felt like I was watching the 3rd string offense out there for the Packers. They had one beacon of light--Ryan Grant--among the sea of darkness that was the offense and special teams. "Special" is right. I've seen mentally handicapped children that could play better on a punting unit. It was awful to watch. And the worst thing is, the Bears haven't exactly been doing this all year long. Yes, Hester has been running the punts back, but they haven't been blocking them much. Simply awful. No adjustments, nothing.

Thankfully, the Packers will NOT have to face Chicago in the playoffs. That feels good to say. Maybe they will get lucky and draw Minnesota somehow...

In the rest of the NFL, the Patriots marched on to 15-0, only one game away from perfection. Next Saturday they face a Giants team with nothing to gain by playing their starters, so they have that much better a chance of going 16-0. I personally hope they do it, and erase the '72 Dolphins' record we can't stop hearing about. I was happy to see the Patriots clobber the Dolphins, but I think the records the Patriots are chasing may be affecting their game. I hope that Brady and Moss get their respective records, but they seemed predictable in the second half, whereas they were near-perfect in the first half.

Anyway, here's to a (mostly) pointless week 17, looking forward to the playoffs.

Until next week,

Kimmy

To all my Bears fans out there:  Better luck next year.  Not really.  I hope this run of miserable QB play, offensive line disaster, poor RB performance, and lackluster defense continues for years to come.  With so many holes to fill, they might be better off just starting from scratch.  They are in real trouble barring some miracles in the draft and free agency.  Good Luck.  Thanks for continuing the trend--6 of the last 7 Super Bowl LOSERS have failed to make the playoffs the next year, and the teddy Bears did not disappoint.

Watching last night's game brought a smile to my face.  The Bears stated that Kyle Orton is going to start against Green Bay.  Good.  As bad as Grossman has been, he still finds a way to play well against the Packers.  Hopefully,  Orton will not have the same success.  And I was happy to see Minnesota win.  If they capture a playoff berth, the Packers may end up playing them again--the Packers have taken the last 2; no reason to think 3/3 is out of the question.

 

The MNF crew is horrible.  They are seriously about 1 step up from the NFL network play-by-play guys.  Tirico is not bad, but Jaws is incompetent and Kornheiser is no longer even watching the games.  He is simpy rattling off one nonsensical line after another.  Here's a line from Kornheiser concerning Hester: "They should clone 22 of this guy right away.  maybe they could have them ready for the second half."  This was a paraphrase, but you get the point.  This is what we have been subjected to all season long, and it's not getting any better.  He ####. on PTI (Wilbon carries that show), and he's even worse when we're FORCED to listen to him.  Why can't we get Scott Van Pelt?  He already works with Tirico on Tirico's radio show--Van Peezy is awesome.  He is by far the funniest person on ESPN, and would be a great counter to Tirico's calm play-by-play.  And how about a woman to round out the apparent need for three commentators in the booth?  Michele Tafoya does a fantastic job both on the radio and on the sidelines--she could easily be the third voice.  Her talents are being wasted with two line remarks on the status of so-and-so's leg/hip/groin injury, or what adjustments are being made at half-time.  Please, ESPN, get it right next year.  You don't want to be viewed in the same light as the NFL network.

 

Things went very well for the Green Bay Packers yesterday. First, they roll the admittedly weak St. Louis Rams to advance to 12-2. I realize the Rams are no powerhouse, but it was Favre, and it was a Dome, and given his past success in domes, anything could have happened. But Favre and Co. did their thing, through the air and with some help from the running game. Ryan Grant looked good, but a little unneccesary, given how well the passing game and defense were playing. And what happened to Atari Bigby? All season long it seriously looked like I could have covered better in the backfield, and then suddenly, he's a beast. Two INTs, some good pass coverage, and some good hits. Maybe Santa came early this year to Green Bay. Favre finally has the record that I didn't think he would be able to get--the passing yards record. I am still waiting for Marino to come out and say "Yeah, he's got the record, but I didn't play as long as him...". It's been the theme this year--why should he be any different?

Dallas looked terrible yesterday. I didn't get to watch the whole game, but what I did see was not impressive. Romo looked off even before his thumb injury, and it never seemed that the Cowboys could really get anything going. Luckily for them that they recovered every fumble, or the game could have been worse. Suddenly, the Cowboy fans that were lambasting the Patriots for squeaking by Philadelphia have become rather quiet. Turns out Johnson's defense is no joke. I am not holding my breath, but maybe Washington and/or Carolina could give the Packers and early Christmas gift and beat Dallas again. Let's see how great Dallas is if they have to go to Green Bay for the playoffs. BTW, do you still think Dallas is better than New England, Jimmy Johnson?

I believe Brian Westbrook was the most intelligent and classiest player on the field yesterday. You show me five other players that would have knelt down on the 1-yard line in order to run out the clock. Absolutely brilliant, and absolutely selfless.

I was a little dissapointed that I did not get to see New England pound Mangini and the Jets. Wind and rain are not conducive to high powered offense, as we have seen a year long. Maybe the Patriots will have better weather when they repay the Dolphins for Shula's arrogant comments. Now that the Dolphins have a win, no one is going to feel sorry for them anymore.

Normally, I don't care much for college football, but Rich Rodriguez earned #### of the Week. How do you say that you are going to stay with WV, sign an extension, and then bolt? I realize that a lot of coaches have done the bolting part lately, but as far as I know, none of them have signed extensions first. I really hope Rodriguez does poorly in Michigan. Karma, and all that.

I love it when Karma comes back to kick you in the ####

Anthony Smith must have been having a meeting with Karma during the Patriots Steelers game, because he obviosly didn't have time to try and cover New England's receivers.  Just goes to show you--put up or shut up.  Smith could manage neither.  Nor could the rest of the Steelers, apparently.  Nice one about seeing the Patriots again in the playoffs, though.  Not played out out at all.  Smith and Crayton should get together and go bowling.  I hear there are still lanes available at  Sore Loser Lanes...

And now to my favorite subject--the Packers!  After a dissapointing loss last week, I was treated to an impressive win over the lowly Raiders.  I know, I know.  It was just the Raiders, but the Packers did what great teams are supposed to do to lesser teams--they clobbered them.  The Packers clinched the division, and should be receiving the second seed and a 1st round bye.  All is well for this week.  The Packers only have one real test in front of them until the playoffs--the Bears.  For some reason, lowly Chicago can't put together enough defense to stop Eli Manning or the Redskins' back-up QB, but they always play Green Bay tough (at least over the past few years).  Should make for an exciting game that will likely be the reverse of what happened last year--the game meaning very little since one team is playoff-bound and the other is going to be watching from home.

As for the 1st NFC team, I almost had a glimmer of hope that they would lose yesterday.  I was excited and thinking about their games down the road--and then I remembered this was the Lions.  Game over before it began.  I know both Lions fans will probably write and say "But the Lions had it!  They just had to fall on that fumble!"  Again, they are the Lions.  This is what they do.

To other news; i.e. Michael Vick.  People are obviosly divided by the amount of time that he received.  Some people think that dog-fighting is no big deal, and that 23 months is too long.  I say he hasn't began to be punished.  Let's hope there are a few dog-lovers in prison with access to Vick.  Then maybe their will be some payback.  At least we can conclude that his career is most likely over in the NFL.  Good-bye and good-riddance.

 

Until later,

Kimmy

Well, the "Game of the Year", NFC-style, has come and gone.  The Dallas Cowboys proved they were the better team, and Charles Woodson proved he may actually be the Packers' MVP, since the other defensive backs appeared incapable of stopping Romo.  Period.  If TR had suddenly decided to toss TO a beach ball, he probably would have scored 4 TDs.  Likely two of them would have come off of penalties by Atari Bigby.  How in the world did he fool so many people into thinking he can play safety?  Or football?  Bigby is a liability for the Packers defense, and needs to be removed, immediately.  There does not seem to be any chance of the Packers gaining home-field at this point, given the Cowboys remaining schedule.  I don't see another loss mixed in anywhere, much less the 2 that would be needed.  So we will in all likelihood be seeing the Packers march back to Dallas in January, with 0-10 in Dallas being a distinct and probable statistic.  In a word, dissapointing.

In other news, at least my family got to share in my dissapointment after razzing me post-Packer defeat.  Nothing gave me more pleasure Sunday than watching the Bears squander a 9 point lead with 12 minutes left.  At home.  Good stuff.  Unfortunately, the Packers have not locked up the division yet.  Next week, with any luck.

BTW, how bad can things get for Miami?  You have to be thinking that if they were going to win, this was the week for it.  Anyone who really thinks Miami is going to beat new England for their first win doean't really watch football, or really needs to increase their medication.

Finally, God Bless Sean Taylor, and his family and friends.  I thought the missing-man formation was so touching.  As for the Bills, I don't think people should be mad at them.  If Gibbs didn't know the formation was coming, then there's no way Jauron knew. 

Until next week,

Kimmy

 

Hello everyone.  Well, it's Monday, and I can happily write that the Packers are 10-1 after defeating the up and down Lions.  I am nervous, however.  I expected the defense to contain the one-sided passing attack of the Lions better than they did.  This makes me nervous because Dallas is not limited to simply passing; they can run very well.  So Thursday may not work out as well as I had originally hoped. I still have faith, though, that they can hang in there and maybe even pull out a much needed victory in the race for home-field advantage.

In other news, for anyone else that watched the Patriots/Eagles game: do you really buy into the articles stating that New England is now somehow less invincible than they were before the game?  I am not trying to say that they cannot be defeated, but after watching this past game, I still don't see them being any more vulnerable.  Any team with 10+ dropped passes and critical offensive pass interference calls (which was BS, BTW) will not put up 50+ points.  And in case anybody is paying attention, they still won and they still put up 30+ points.  Not to jump on the Patriots bandwagon, but people already on it should not be jumping off based on one well-played game by the Eagles...

Finally, for all those who read my profile and felt inclined to write to tell me what an ignorant #### I am for being a Republican and supporting our military and military personnel:  Thank you.  I am glad that I have that effect on you.  Just remember, our military is the reason you are able to talk trash about our military, our president, and me to no end.  And BTW, just because I am a conservative does not mean that I follow every word that comes out of Bush's mouth without thinking..

p.s.  for all those with dogs: Stacy made the mistake of feeding Pharoah a few grapes this weekend, and he responded by vomitting blood.  A friend of ours who is a vet. assistant later told us grapes are poisonous to dogs.  I never knew this.  Just an FYI...Until next week.

 

Kimmy