The Vikings season is officially done, thanks to Culpepper's ACL tear. So unless Brad Johnson and the rest of the Vikes can pull some purple magic out of their asses...I hope next year is a lot better than this one.

I agree, also, with Imagineer, that no one expected the Lions and the Bears to be the top two teams in the NFC North...

Prety well save to claim, too, that the Vikings are the biggest NFL team flop of the year.

Stop the presses!
The Browns won! AND, we scored our first offensive TD since last November!!

Tho we are still a kinda bad team, I see that the major bad is over. There's a difference between a bad team on the rise, and a bad team in decline.

Originally posted by rendova
Stop the presses!
The Browns won! AND, we scored our first offensive TD since last November!!

Tho we are still a kinda bad team, I see that the major bad is over. There's a difference between a bad team on the rise, and a bad team in decline.

there is a major diffence...

go titans....

<whimper>

Do you believe yet????

Colts 40
Patriots 21

a BEAUTIFUL game... i relished EVERY second after the game, watched Belicheck in the postgame interview... man i'm proud of the colts football team.

So ONE of the humps is off Peytons back... the Patriots... now for the next one--->the super bowl...

Look out Detroit, we're coming....

The Vikings are looking to be in better shape with Brad Johnson at QB. I know he's an inconsistent player, and it was just the lions that we beat, but Johnson's ability to carry the team will be tested this sunday against the Giants. Still a good win though, I thought we played more consistently than we had all year up to this point.

Sometimes a change in quarterbacks can lift a whole team. Also, an inconsistent quarterback tends to become more consistent with experience. Johnson hasn't played in a while, and I suspect he was highly motivated.
Meanwhile, the Packers are just plain pathetic this year. Injuries are a plague, and the veterans who remain are playing poorly. I feel sorry for Favre. He probably should have retired at the end of last season rather than enduring this.

Originally posted by Imagineer
I feel sorry for Favre. He probably should have retired at the end of last season rather than enduring this.

It seems like every game ends with him on all fours looking completely stunned. It's so sad.

Originally posted by LionelHutz
It seems like every game ends with him on all fours looking completely stunned. It's so sad. You know, I really dont have a lot of sympathy for a multi millionaire who has been to the pinnacle in his profession but just didnt know when to hang the cleats up. Reality is just smacking him in the face this year and it isnt pretty. Just another great athlete who didnt know when to quit. That is the sad part, IMO.

Boy am I looking forward to playing a weaker team this week. It will be fun to see the 'Skins play someone from a weaker division and hopefully dominate. If the 'Bucs couldnt even beat the 49'ers they are in for a very rude awakening this week. Fearless prediction: 'Skins 27 - 'Bucs 13.

Originally posted by HaVoK
If the 'Bucs couldnt even beat the 49'ers they are in for a very rude awakening this week.
The Bucs were overconfident and showed up expecting to walk all over the Niners.

Bucs 20, Washington 10.

Originally posted by HaVoK
You know, I really dont have a lot of sympathy for a multi millionaire who has been to the pinnacle in his profession but just didnt know when to hang the cleats up. Reality is just smacking him in the face this year and it isnt pretty. Just another great athlete who didnt know when to quit. That is the sad part, IMO.

He's not the reason they suck, though. He's playing decent, it's the team around him that's giving him the grief.

The mistakes and gaffs of the players around Favre have been awful. For example, the center snaps the ball as Favre is walking up to the line, causing the ball to go past him into the backfield. In this last game it was illegal shifts, with two or more recievers moving at the same time.
Part of this is due to injuries, and players that never went through training camp trying to learn the offense in a couple of practices the week of the game. Some of it is veteran players playing badly. Some of it is Favre himself trying to hard to win.
Some people are starting to blame Mike Sherman, the coach. That is probably justifiable to some extent, although I think it reflects his job as GM over the last couple of years more than his actual coaching. They have a new GM this year, and that brings hope for the future. This year has been painful to watch however.

You gotta admit though...Samkon Gado, for being literally a 3rd stringer all his life, put on a fairly impressive show last week.

Originally posted by Imagineer
That is probably justifiable to some extent, although I think it reflects his job as GM over the last couple of years more than his actual coaching.

That's definitely the problem. This is absolutely the fault of Mike Sherman the GM, who has completely screwed Mike Sherman the coach, who seems to be a pretty good coach.

Originally posted by silverbulletkc
You gotta admit though...Samkon Gado, for being literally a 3rd stringer all his life, put on a fairly impressive show last week.

Yes, he did put on a pretty good show. It was his chance at a big break in his career, and he played like he really wanted to show what he could do. Of course, the lack of a passing game helped get him more chances. Pittsburgh pretty well shut down the Packers passing game.

The Packers actually looked like a team today...too bad for the Falcons. :D

A strange day in the NFL. All four NFC North teams won today. The Packers looked like a team that could actually play football. Yay!!!

Originally posted by Imagineer
A strange day in the NFL. All four NFC North teams won today.

We'd hate for the Packers to gain ground on anyone else in the division now wouldn't we?

There is still time. They have home games against the Vikings and Lions, and two games against the Bears to go. If they play like today, they could still win the division. An 8-8 record could take it all in the NFC North.

No suprises here...

Colts 31
Texans 17

looks like our offense is getting crisper each week...

Next week:

Colts @ Bengals...

battle of the two best QB's in the league today.

Next up for the Packers are the Vikings on Monday Night Football. Should be an interesting game on the frozen tundra. I watched the weather forecast tonight, and there are three chances for snow in the next week.

Originally posted by Decka
looks like our offense is getting crisper each week...


Yeah, but your defence let Houston score 17 points!

So when your team gets outgained 405-137 and still wins...Lots of things have to go right for one team and bad for another. Nonetheless, Brad Johnson is 2-0 As a starter this season, despite not really wooing anybody due to some subpar performances. Sorta worries me about how well we'll perform on Monday night.

Originally posted by LionelHutz
Yeah, but your defence let Houston score 17 points!

Dude... 17 points is nothing

Every game has a different pace... Houston has an average offense... Andre Johnson is back, David Carr isnt getting sacked 50 times a game anymore, and Johnathon Wells is scoring alot.

All that matters is we outscored our opponent by 14 points.

Here is a question for ya... what do you think are the biggest rivalries in the NFL right now? I would say the most outspoken rivalries are:

A. Packers vs. Vikings
B. Seahawks vs. Rams
C. Colts vs. Patriots
D. Browns vs. Steelers

I might be missing some.. i know the bears and lions used to have a decent rivalry, along with the Cheifs and Raiders... but i dont know if they are as big time as they used to be.

I'm not sure about D. anymore - both teams have to be able to win every once and a while or the rivalry loses its luster, like the Bear-Packers rivalry.

Originally posted by silverbulletkc
So when your team gets outgained 405-137 and still wins...Lots of things have to go right for one team and bad for another. Nonetheless, Brad Johnson is 2-0 As a starter this season, despite not really wooing anybody due to some subpar performances. Sorta worries me about how well we'll perform on Monday night.

Well, if the Packers can avoid giving up long returns on kicks and punts, and avoid interceptions, it could be a long night for the Vikings. The frozen tundra effect is kicking in early this year, with snow on the ground and a low temperature tonight expected to be in single digits. It's Packer's weather.

why do i get the feeling that the "Lambaugh effect" has lost its luster... Farve loses there all the time when its cold now.

Partly because it hasn't really been cold their for years now, and partly because they have had teams good enough to dominate the NFC North, but not good enough to win in the playoffs. Mostly I blame the weather though. We have had mild winters for several years now.

What a week 11 so far.... lets check out the suprises and No suprises....

NO SUPRISES:

Colts 45 Bengals 37- Maybe the only suprise is watching the Bengals tear up the Indy D like they did... but both offenses are the best passing offenses in the league.

Tampa Bay 30 Atlanta 27- No suprise here.. Chris Simms is probably a better Quarterback than Mike Vick.

Jacksonville 31 Tennesee 28- Closer than one might have thought on paper, but Drew Bennett is back, Chris Brown and Steve McNair are healthy, you knew it would be close.

NY Giants 27 Philadeplhia 17- Philly sucks, they have no Defense anymore, their QB is from Rutgers, and you can barely name their recieving core. Meanwhile, Eli Manning is back on track, although its safe to say his brother has regained the "Best QB in the family" title that some suggested Eli took over.

Oakland 16 Washington 13- It looks like the Redskins "Win by 3 points" luck has run out. Brunell's red hot start has been put out, as has Santana Moss's.... Records aside this actually is no suprise.

Denver 27 NY Jets 0- Is it safe to say that the Jets have the WORST offense in the HISTORY of pro football??? I dont think im that far off.

Kansas City 45 Houston 17- Domanick Davis is back? Who cares... Larry Johnson set a KC record for rushing yards. Houston has no D and the score amplified that.




SUPRISES: (where to begin)

Chicago 13 Carolina 3- If you bet on Chicago you made out this week. No TD's for Davis AND Smith on Carolina??? the world must be coming to an end.

Baltimore 16 Pittsburgh 13- This one isn't as shocking as it initially seems. Tommy Maddox isn't to blame either.. I think pittsburgh just isn't as good as they are made out to be.

Cleveland 22 Miami 0- all i can say is "Whoa"... Ruben Droughns with a 75 yard TD run??? Trent Dilfer moving the ball??? Cleveland shutting ANYONE out??? somebody slap me!

Seattle 27 San Francisco 25- Now i know Seattle won, but it wasn't supposed to be NEAR this close. Hell if Ken Dorsey saw the wide open reciever he had on the potentially-tying 2 point conversion.. it would have gone to OT.

Arizona 38 St Louis 28- Kurt Warner returns to old form against his former team... that fits WAY too well, but its what happened. Warner is a giant question mark nowadays, to see him light up ANYONE is a suprise to me.

Ricky Williams didn't exactly LIGHT UP THE JOINT yesterday at Browns stadium.
He he he.

Hey Decka--
The Browns are much improved! I expect us to get even better and we play the Vi-queens next, that bunch of sorry sots.

how is it that an Ohio guy is a Colts fan?
You would love where I live--Colts country. Me, I've been a Browns fan since I was 6--many many many years ago, hehe..when I saw that they had no logo. I thought they were poor and felt sorry for them--little did I know tha they were one of the richest teams in the NFL!
Is there something wrong with the Colts' defense? Live by the pass, die by the pass........

Originally posted by rendova
Hey Decka--
The Browns are much improved! I expect us to get even better and we play the Vi-queens next, that bunch of sorry sots

Even with all the adversity going on, all the troubles and the big injury, we can still win games (even knock off the "for real" G-men). Don't expect to have it so easy next week.

Originally posted by silverbulletkc
Even with all the adversity going on, all the troubles and the big injury, we can still win games (even knock off the "for real" G-men). Don't expect to have it so easy next week.

The Vikings did indeed outplay the Packers tonight. One of the characteristics of a rebuilding team is inconsistency. They can play well for one game, and poorly the next. They can even do that in different halves of the same game. It is easy to get your hopes up when they play well, but it is important to remember that teams are rarely as good as they look when they win, and rarely as bad as they look when they lose. With that said, I think the Bears will probably win the division. The Packers will most likely wind up with a 4 - 12 record. Then the question of off-season moves will occur.

Originally posted by silverbulletkc
Even with all the adversity going on, all the troubles and the big injury, we can still win games (even knock off the "for real" G-men). Don't expect to have it so easy next week.

I am expecting a huge game, one of the better match ups of the year. The 2 teams are rather evenly matched but I hear tell that you all don't have a good run defense--if so, and if Reuben, our RB, has a decent game (and if Dilfer doesn't play TOO badly, and it's too bad our rookie Charlie Frye won't be playing like he did 2 weeks ago), I am predicting a win for the Browns at the Metrodome. Remember, we beat the Bears earlier and that's a team that could very well go to the Super Bowl this year , and who would have thunk it??

Remember you heard it here first--

Browns 20
Vikings 13

I dunno, playing in the Metrodome is a completely different deal. I think it exists in another dimension.

The one thing that Tice and Co. had better burn into the minds of every single defensive player are three simple words: Stop Reuben Droughns! The Browns, on the other hand, have got to deal with a rising confidence level in the vikings play. Nonetheless, both teams have created a november surprise in the NFL with a combined record of 5 wins and 1 loss.

The Vikings are favorites in the matchup, allbeit by a tiny tiny margin. Minnesota defense allows an average of 116 yards per game, while the Cleveland defense allows an average of 133 yards per game. Otherwise, there really is no definite way that either team can come away with a definite win. I expect a lot of variety in gameply from both teams, and a close game at that. But in the end, I believe a little Metro-Magic will come into play.

Vikings: 24
Browns: 21

It's on, Ren...it's on!

Yep, Reuben is a quality back who gets those few extra yards on runs that count for so much. He ain't pretty a la La Danian, but he gets it done. He is worth every penny of his salary!
You're right, this could very well come down to special teams tho.
Can't wait!

"Cry havoc, and unleash the dogs of war...."

PS I didn't mean to insult the Vikes earlier. Most of their players are ok guys and I have tremendous respect for Duante, who's a decent man. It does seem that Tice has lost control tho--is he too nice to be a head coach? Exactly what is the problem up there in minnesota? (not that we DON'T have problems, hehe). We seem to hear nothing but bad about the Vikes anymore and it's sad to see Bud Grant's old team be talked about this way.

Originally posted by rendova
Exactly what is the problem up there in minnesota?
I really direct the problem of the Vikings back to the Red McCombs Empire, who pretty much made so many cuts in the program like hiring coaches who will work for less than dirt in pay and letting a lot of Vikings symbols of pride (like the ship in front of the Eden Prairie office) rot away, while taking all the profit in cuts to use for his own personal benefit. All in all, he cared more about the money than the team.

When my girlfriend and I attended the Vikings/Lions game last year, I was surprised to see the amount of hatred towards McCombs. When his name was called over the loudspeaker to honor players of past vikings teams at what was the 300th game in the Metrodome (I believe)...well, let's just say I've never heard so many boos and jeers fill a stadium/dome of that size.

But now, there's a new era in Vikings football, thanks to The Zygster (Zygi Wilf) whom has taken over at the head office. Even though he's a businessman who doesn't know much about football, he has already made more of a public presence to the players and the team than what McCombs ever did. Good riddance to him (McCombs)...hope your money makes you happy.

Well, KC, we didn't just lose to yr Vikings today--we got our butt beat. The better team won today.





I HOPE YOU'RE HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!

Originally posted by rendova
Well, KC, we didn't just lose to yr Vikings today--we got our butt beat. The better team won today.





I HOPE YOU'RE HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!
I sure am!

You heard it here first! :)

Colts stomp Pittspuke....I mean Pittsburgh. The Squealers, I mean, Steelers, were no match for them, even with Ben What's -his -Name.
Can ANYTHING stop this Colts juggernaught??????
Are they REALLY going to go undefeated into the playoffs????

"It doesn't matter if you win every game. What matters is if you win the championship."
Vince Lombardi

signed,
Jealous Browns fan

Originally posted by rendova

Can ANYTHING stop this Colts juggernaught??????

No sir...

Originally posted by rendova

Are they REALLY going to go undefeated into the playoffs????

If they wanted to they could

Originally posted by rendova

"It doesn't matter if you win every game. What matters is if you win the championship."
Vince Lombardi

But you have to play your starters every week to keep them sharp... if you sit Manning and Harrison and Edge, this "finesse" offense might lose a step.

Originally posted by rendova

signed,
Jealous Browns fan

Yea, the way the browns are going, you might as well not buy tickets for the next 3 years, you wont miss anything...

actually i take that back, the brownies have a few pieces in place, but Trent Dillhole freakin sucks.

LOL, you don't EVEN want to know what we call Trent Dill-@#$%at our house. That is, us Brownie fans at the house. Hubby hopes he keeps playing. Hubby is a Colts fan, but we're still married.

Seriously tho, I hope for better things within a season or 2. I do believe we are taking the right steps--finally.

Ah, Dilfer. Glad he ain't in Tampa Bay anymore.

Originally posted by BorgHunter
Ah, Dilfer. Glad he ain't in Tampa Bay anymore.

the guy may be able to "manage" a game, but that pretty much means he's an average quarterback who needs an extraordinary defense and some playmakers in order for him to win.... isn't that right?

Originally posted by Decka
the guy may be able to "manage" a game, but that pretty much means he's an average quarterback who needs an extraordinary defense and some playmakers in order for him to win.... isn't that right?

Well. last I checked, our defense ranked 6th overall, and our run offense was 5th.
This before the Viking game.
I would say Dilfer is less than average. As a matter of fact, he's pitiful. He can't throw and looks like an idiot out there.
But what else should I expect from an ex-Raven?

True, our receivers tend to drop more than a few passes. I can't put ALL the blame on the guy. Our offensive line--left tackle, L J Shelton, gets beat continously. LG is injured and we're usung a backup.
QB always takes the blame tho, obviously. The guy COULD run now and then, but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Hopefully the rookie Charlie Frye will play against Jacksonville and maybe get something going.
Folks, it hasn't been easy, these past several years.

Sounds like this week's big talk is going to be about the Vikings (after all their problems, they're suddenly in the playoff hunt), the Colts (well, we all know why), and the Seahawk/Giant debochle, where the refs missed two touchdowns that would have given the Giants the game.

Yep, it's been a wild week. I was a bit surprised that Steve Mariucci was fired. Who the Lions should have gotten rid of ws Matt Millen. He is WAY too meddlesome. William Clay Ford is a dream owner, but this guy wants to do it all--even still play!

There was an interersting article on SI.com entitled "10 Ways to Stop the Colts". The suggestions included stuff Edgerrin, don't blitz, don't get into a shootout, have better special teams, rattle Peyton.
Easier said than done, I should say.

I can see the Bunkos beating them in the playoffs if the colts aren't careful and up for the game........they are peaking right now. And i am certainly aware of how this team has a tendency to break your heart.

and KC, yes, I can see the Vikings causing some trouble for teams too..they do seem to have put things behind them.

Originally posted by rendova
Yep, it's been a wild week. I was a bit surprised that Steve Mariucci was fired. Who the Lions should have gotten rid of ws Matt Millen. He is WAY too meddlesome. William Clay Ford is a dream owner, but this guy wants to do it all--even still play!

Millen should've definitely been the one to go, although it sounds as if Mariucci's been a little lax in laying down the law himself. Clean house!

It does help explain why Ford Motor Company is in such dire straights, though.

Originally posted by rendova
I can see the Bunkos beating them in the playoffs if the colts aren't careful and up for the game........they are peaking right now. And i am certainly aware of how this team has a tendency to break your heart.

Yeah, they'll probably do what they do every year that they're having a good season: clinch a high playoff seed, rest their starters for the last two games, and then get killed in the first round of the playoffs after having lost all of their momentum.

Originally posted by rendova
There was an interersting article on SI.com entitled "10 Ways to Stop the Colts". The suggestions included stuff Edgerrin, don't blitz, don't get into a shootout, have better special teams, rattle Peyton.
Easier said than done, I should say.

Yea...

HOW TO SLAY A DRAGON

1. cut off his head
2. stab him in his weak spot on his stomach
3. don't get torched by fire
4. don't get eaten
5. don't get crushed by his mega-ton body.

That SI article is so stupid.

Stuff Edgerrin? First off we have one of the best lines in football, and the whole thing that makes Edge so good is the scare of a deep throw. If you try to "stuff" edgerrin, then you might as well be prepared to have Harrison get a deep ball thrown over your head for six.

Don't Blitz? That is actually HOW you beat the colts.... When manning has time to set and throw, he's basically unbeatable... but he's not a good QB on the run, and he can get rattled a bit. Man, SI is stupid.

Don't get in a shootout? how do you NOT get in a shootout? If both defenses aren't performing, you have to score points. If you try to slow the game down, you might have trouble because Indy has a monster front four that can stuff the run. You can't play scared.

"Have better special teams" LOL... i think that's how you beat ANY team... was "score points" on the list too?

Rattle Peyton? How do you "rattle peyton" and "not blitz"??? Isn't that like saying "dunk the basketball WITHOUT jumping".... its impossible.

Seems to me a team could cause trouble for the Colts by eating up the clock with their running game. Teams that do this usually advance far.....I don't know what kind of run defense the colts have, but if a team could make their defense stay out there and get them tired, this MIGHT be the way to do it. A team is only as strong as their weakest link.

Don't get me wrong--I don't dislike the Colts and would like to see them go far and win something as well as go undefeated. It's high time Miami's unbeaten streak was matched. I have never liked Miami.

Ps Nice picture in yr signature, Decka.
now if only I could find a picture of Ray Lewis getting run over by a bus for MY sig, I'd be a happy person.

Originally posted by Decka
That SI article is so stupid.

Stuff Edgerrin? First off we have one of the best lines in football, and the whole thing that makes Edge so good is the scare of a deep throw. If you try to "stuff" edgerrin, then you might as well be prepared to have Harrison get a deep ball thrown over your head for six.

You are correct. They should probably just shorten to one way to beat the Colts:

1. Get a better team than the Colts.

Well, we lost to the Jaguars but we didn't look too bad. And hey, did you see the rookie Charlie Frye, or new QB?
What a pretty pass to Braylon Edwards for a nice TD.....Frye and Edwards--could be the next dynamic tandem if Braylon can get over being injury prone.
I see the Packers played the Bears hard for a while as that's still the biggest rivalry in the NFL and always will be..but the Bears eventually flexed their big paws and swiped them down.

Yes the Packers lost again. Basicly it was mistakes again, the penalties and interceptions that have cost them all season. Favre has a bad habit of trying to do too much to win. He will throw the ball to covered recievers, and hope for the best. The interception at the end of the first half really hurt. With the Packers leading the game, and in position to kick a field goal to increase the lead, he threw a bad pass that was picked off and returned to the Packer 10 yard line, which resulted in a Bear field goal instead. If he had merely thrown the ball away, it could easily have been a very different game.
Mike Sherman needs to make that point strongly. Unfortunately, Favre is more in charge of the team than the coach right now. That is a situation that must be remedied.

Definitely a tough loss to swallow after choking in the second half of the game. There's not much that anyone on the team can do anymore except wonder what next year will bring, and if Favre is on his way out. I'm sure a lot of other Packer fans want this year over with as well.

The Vikings, on the other hand are on a five game win streak since Brad Johnson took over. Though he's putting up solid numbers, not all the credit goes to him. The defense has found it's click and is operating well, as has the offensive line (Imagine how much better that will be when Matt Birk returns next year).

But how about that game with the lions? With the crowd booing Jeff Garcia after nearly every play, the Lions fan holding up the "Fire Millen" and being chased around Ford Field while the crowd cheered him on and chanted "Fire Millen!" in the process...looks like the Lions problems are just begining as the Vikings problems are long past.

It is getting tough to be a Packer fan. They are rebuilding this year. It is clear that they have many of the pieces to be a good team, but I am getting a bit frustrated by the refusal to demand smart play from Favre. It is true that injuries have hurt the offense, but it is also true that Favre has been throwing a lot of interceptions.
In the years with Holmgren as coach, you would see him screaming at Favre on the sidelines after he made poor plays. Once he went as far as benching him for a few series. This treatment produced excellence in Favre. Since Holmgren left, Favre's play has deteriorated. Coaches have been reluctant to upset him, and have eased up on him. He needs someone to stand up to him and demand excellence. If Favre's feelings are hurt, maybe he will play better. The Packers can't live with two standards for players, one for Favre, and one for the rest of the team.
I also think a good case can be made to let Rogers have some playing time. He is the quarterback of the future, and he needs the experience. This is a rebuilding year, and it is time to do some rebuilding.

Originally posted by Imagineer
It is getting tough to be a Packer fan. They are rebuilding this year. It is clear that they have many of the pieces to be a good team, but I am getting a bit frustrated by the refusal to demand smart play from Favre. It is true that injuries have hurt the offense, but it is also true that Favre has been throwing a lot of interceptions.
In the years with Holmgren as coach, you would see him screaming at Favre on the sidelines after he made poor plays. Once he went as far as benching him for a few series. This treatment produced excellence in Favre. Since Holmgren left, Favre's play has deteriorated. Coaches have been reluctant to upset him, and have eased up on him. He needs someone to stand up to him and demand excellence. If Favre's feelings are hurt, maybe he will play better. The Packers can't live with two standards for players, one for Favre, and one for the rest of the team.
I also think a good case can be made to let Rogers have some playing time. He is the quarterback of the future, and he needs the experience. This is a rebuilding year, and it is time to do some rebuilding.

Yes, Brett is a fierce competitor and all around good guy. who represents what's best about the sport, but there are times when he tries to do too much. In the past, he could get away with it but now it's catching up to him.
My daughter, lifelong Packers/Brett fan, who sleeps with his picture under her pillow at night, says the same thing. Yet, she is not looking forward to the time when he's not there..she cannot imagine such a thing.
I do wonder about Sherman. I had some doubts about him when he confronted Warren Crapp after that one TB game a few years ago. I thought he should have let his players take care of that thug at a later point in time. I couldn't imagine Lombardi doing such a thing.

How far can the Bears go in the playoffs?
Should teams be a bit scared of Carolina, who's quietly built an impressive record? Fox is the best out there, IMO..what about those Seahawks? no one talks about them...as for the AFC it looks like the Colts all the way, unless they totally self destruct.
God, they're good.

Braylon Edwards out for rest of season.
Did someone put a voodoo hex on us???
It was Cowher, I KNOW it!!!!!

Originally posted by rendova
Ps Nice picture in yr signature, Decka.
now if only I could find a picture of Ray Lewis getting run over by a bus for MY sig, I'd be a happy person.

best i could do...

http://www.vanormer.com/bus.jpg

Originally posted by rendova

I do wonder about Sherman. I had some doubts about him when he confronted Warren Crapp after that one TB game a few years ago. I thought he should have let his players take care of that thug at a later point in time. I couldn't imagine Lombardi doing such a thing.

Actually, I think Lombardi would have told his players to cool it. Don't take your revenge on Sapp, take your revenge by beating the team. He also would have pointed out that Clifton got hit when he quit on the play. He had decided the play was over before the whistle blew. It certainly was a cheap shot by Sapp, but it was a legal hit. The moral is, you don't quit on the play until the whistle blows.

That;s right, that's exactly what Vince would have said.
He was a sportsman, a gentleman, as well as a competitor.

thanks Decka, for the picture. LOL!

News from the gridiron....
Browns play hard, lose in waning seconds to the Bungels, Frye getting better with every game..could be our QB problems are over, at least for a while...

Colts clinch home field, say they want no R and R

Fan spotted wearing cheeeshat saying "Fire Matt" at Packers game

Bears lose as offense splutters, Vikings within one game of lead in NFC North....

Up next--Colts --Seahawks, where they've retired a jersey with the number 12 on it for the "twelth man"--the fans. Very loud there, a hostile stadium. If the Colts win this, there is no stopping them.

SI goofs bigtime with their picks this week.

Jets and Giants both win on the same Sunday. Hoodathunkit.

The Giants had me going for awhile. Thought they were going to grab defeat out of the jaws of victory.

Originally posted by rendova
where they've retired a jersey with the number 12 on it for the "twelth man"--the fans.

I think they only did that because besides Largent, have there ever been any Seahawks worthy of having their jerseys retired?

Come to think of it, no.

Touchdown... Peyton to Marvin
http://images.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/_photos/2005-12-11-harrison.jpg

PEYTON: "Hey Marv.. don't you get sick of doing this?"
http://www.colts.com/images%5Cnews_photos%5C88_harrison/2005_1211_jax_161_macht_a.jpg

Dungy now has to choose... sit em or play em
http://www.colts.com/images%5Cnews_photos%5Cfeature/2005_dungy_13.jpg

Originally posted by Decka
Yea...

HOW TO SLAY A DRAGON

1. cut off his head
2. stab him in his weak spot on his stomach
3. don't get torched by fire
4. don't get eaten
5. don't get crushed by his mega-ton body.

That SI article is so stupid.

Stuff Edgerrin? First off we have one of the best lines in football, and the whole thing that makes Edge so good is the scare of a deep throw. If you try to "stuff" edgerrin, then you might as well be prepared to have Harrison get a deep ball thrown over your head for six.

Don't Blitz? That is actually HOW you beat the colts.... When manning has time to set and throw, he's basically unbeatable... but he's not a good QB on the run, and he can get rattled a bit. Man, SI is stupid.

Don't get in a shootout? how do you NOT get in a shootout? If both defenses aren't performing, you have to score points. If you try to slow the game down, you might have trouble because Indy has a monster front four that can stuff the run. You can't play scared.

"Have better special teams" LOL... i think that's how you beat ANY team... was "score points" on the list too?

Rattle Peyton? How do you "rattle peyton" and "not blitz"??? Isn't that like saying "dunk the basketball WITHOUT jumping".... its impossible.

San Diego must have read that article. They managed to stuff Edgerrin and rattle Manning. They managed to run the ball against that monster front four enough to set up the pass.
Admittedly the game was only for the pride of going unbeaten for the Colts, but San Diego had every reason to fold and didn't. In the end, they beat the Colts in their own home stadium. Now do the Colts rest their starters in the meaningless games that remain?

On another topic, I bet ABC is groaning about tomorrow night's lineup.

yea the colts didn't have the usual swagger they normally do...

in defense of the front four... Mathis AND Simon were out... that's our top sacker AND our top run defender... so we were missing some pieces on D.

But i give plenty of credit to Drew Brees... he had a hell of a game.

Originally posted by Decka
yea the colts didn't have the usual swagger they normally do...

in defense of the front four... Mathis AND Simon were out... that's our top sacker AND our top run defender... so we were missing some pieces on D.

But i give plenty of credit to Drew Brees... he had a hell of a game.

Yes, Drew put on quite a show in front of hometown fans--as you know, he went to Purdue.
Now the pressure is off and the Colts can concentrate on winning the Super Bowl which is MUCH more important than an undefeated season.
I say they should start their regulars the last 2 games, esp against Seattle. It's not good to lose momentum--so important this time of year.
Vince Lombardi's Packers NEVER went undefeated--no one cares--look how many CHAMPIONSHIPS they won--sometimes a loss is a good thing--it wakes a team up.

Browns beat the Raiders with a field goal with 6 seconds remaining. Hey, we won a game on the road! Tho the Raiders aren't the best team out there, I see this as a HUGE step forward for us Brownie fans and their team.

Anyone watch NFL Primetime last night? It was about 12 minutes of commercials, 2 minutes of the NFL, and 46 minutes of the Colts losing.

I didn't see "Primetime" but always watch the Fox pregame show with Terry and Howie. Those 2 crack me up, and it's always a real laugh looking at Jimmy Johnson's cement hair- do too.

Ugh, I can't stand the Fox pregame show.

Yeah. It's not like that CBS extravaganza.
The only way that thing could get worse is if they pulled Limbaugh off waivers.
GO BEARS!

Did anyone watch MNF this week? I mean honestly, what the hell was that?

It was the Packers finally melting down completely. I hope Mike Sherman makes them watch the entire game film this week. To put it simply, the Packers had no defense, no running game, Favre throwing interceptions, and multiple people fumbling. Overall, it was the worst game the Packers have played all year.

This just in--
Tony Dungy's 18 year old son found dead.
What a tragic thing to happen to this fine man and his family.

Wow, how awful. I really like Dungy. Day in and day out he's one of the classiest guys in the NFL.

Agreed...

things like that aren't supposed to happen to guys like Dungy

reminds you that it IS just a game.


As for the Packers... if they lose by 5 or more points, i lose in fantasy football....

I sure hope they can pull one out of their ass.

It is sad for any one to lose a child. I wish him well.

As for the Packers, I hope with all my heart that they beat the Bears, but my brain says that you will probably lose in fantasy football. The additions the Packers have made to the roster will have to perform miracles to win this one. A punter who was a bartender for the Monday night humiliation by the Ravens, and who is expected to hold the ball for field goals as well does not bode well for the Pack.

I really wanted the Packers to win today, until I heard that Vikings fans also wanted the Packers to win. I can't help but want them to lose now, just out of spite. ;)

It figures... after 3 quarters its 24-7 Bears...

Geez Imagineer cant you just get me 1 win????? LOL

And on a side note...

i have NEVER... EVER... seen so much pity and closeups of a Quarterback then Brett Farve. The way the announcers talk about him, you'd think he has cancer.

Holy crap... ANOTHER interception for Farve...

i don't care WHAT he "did"... the guy is the worst QB in the league this year.

While he may "air it out", he's up near 27 interceptions for the year... and that is worse then a 3-and-out.

I'd rather have KYLE ORTON than BRETT FARVE... how messed up is that????

Originally posted by LionelHutz
I really wanted the Packers to win today, until I heard that Vikings fans also wanted the Packers to win. I can't help but want them to lose now, just out of spite. ;)

You just want the draft choice. Actually, at this point, it is really all that the Packers can salvage from this season. I just finished watching the postgame show, and the scariest thing was the 2 page list of unrestricted free agents. Hopefully the packers will have a shot at Reggie Bush, because Ahman Green, Najeh Davenport, and Tony Fischer are all on that list. On the offensive line, Mike Flanagan and Chad Clifton are free. Ryan Longwell is also on the list. Aaron Kampman is also on the list from the defensive line, as well as Grady Jackson. There are many other less well known players there as well. Brett Favre is likely to retire as well, or if he doesn't the Packers will probably ask him to play for less money.
Ted Thompson has his work cut out for him. He has only so much money under the cap, and most likely a lot of holes to fill.

Originally posted by Decka
Holy crap... ANOTHER interception for Farve...

i don't care WHAT he "did"... the guy is the worst QB in the league this year.

While he may "air it out", he's up near 27 interceptions for the year... and that is worse then a 3-and-out.

I'd rather have KYLE ORTON than BRETT FARVE... how messed up is that????

Favre is not the quarterback he was a few years ago, and he is playing with very little talent around him. He has been unable to admit either thing, and is still trying to play like he was a decade ago. It is kind of sad really. I'm afraid he will want to return again next year, and unfortunately that could wind up tarnishing a great career.

How would you like to lose 42-0 at home yet, to a hated rival?
Our total yardage at the end of the first quarter was -1 yards. Sad, sad, sad...we have a lot more rebuilding to do.

Did anyone see the last MNF show? Nice to see Frank Gifford again but I sure didn't miss old Howard.

Originally posted by Imagineer
Favre is not the quarterback he was a few years ago, and he is playing with very little talent around him. He has been unable to admit either thing, and is still trying to play like he was a decade ago. It is kind of sad really. I'm afraid he will want to return again next year, and unfortunately that could wind up tarnishing a great career.

agreed.. but ive always thought of Brett Favre as the "Bill Clinton" of football... the guy gets sucked off by Madden for YEARS and YEARS...and not just by Madden... NOONE in the media will DARE say anything that suggests the guy might be wrong.... This is just my personal opinion, but as far as QB's go.. i would take alot of guys over Brett Favre if i had to pick one QB in history.

Even though he DID win 3 superbowls... i think he's overrated, if that makes any sense LOL.

And the Browns? Wowww talk about taking the thing back behind the shed and just BLOWING its BRAINS out... There is really no other way to put it....

That was a Shalacking...

and look out.. its Browns vs. Ravens in week 17!!! everyone set your VCR's!!! LOL... no there are ALOT of pointless games this week... i shouldnt single out the brownies... hey i AM from cleveland and all....

Colts 31 Cardinals 21

True, it's a meaningless game for us Brownies--battle of the cellar dwellers--but hopefully we'll be up for the match with the hated Ratbirds, I mean, Ravens, as that is without a doubt the team I hate and despise the most.

Should be a decent game anyhoo.

PS. Decka, Brett didn't win 3 Super Bowls, only 1, but did win MVP 3 times. Not bad I'd say! I would say tho, that he is in the twilight of his career.

I'll say this for Favre - if your NFL-Europe caliber receivers aren't running routes properly or really trying to go after the ball, you're going to have a lot of interceptions. That being said, I can't find any circumstance, correct route or not, that you'd throw into triple coverage.

You're correct though that a lot of announcers won't say anything bad about the guy. There was a game last year where he ran a good five yards past the line of scrimmage and then threw a pass and the announcers were yammering on about Favre's playful attitude. I mean, come on, that was a retarded play - call the guy on it.

Announcers have done this for years--talking about a particular player ad nauseum to the exclusion of all the other guys in the NFL.
I recall their worship of Terry Bradshaw in the '70's, and their fawning over Montana and Marino in the '80s, and I was heartily sick of hearing about Troy Aikman in the '90's.

Packer games for the past 5+ years have been almost unwatchable for that reason. 1) Spend 30 minutes discussing how great Lambeau Field is. 2) Spend 30 minutes talking about how great Favre is. 3) Spend 30 minutes discussing how great the franchise is. 4) Halftime. 5) Spend 30 minutes discussing how great the tailgating is. 6) Spend 30 minutes summing up the game so far. 7) Spend 30 minutes discussing how great the fans are for staying until the end of the game. 8) Spend 1 minute thanking the producer and camera operators.

Personally I turn the sound on the television down and listen to the radio broadcast. Better announcers, and the commercials can be really weird.

Gotta love those Giants. What a goal line stand. Four plays from the one yard line and Oakland came up with nada.

It would be nice it the Giants get to play the hated 'Skins in the playoffs.

Wow, kinda shocking that Tice got the axe so quickly. The owner didn't waste much time, did he?
Also, Dom Capers will prob be fired today too, and Vermiel has already announced his retirement. Now I'm just awaiting word that yesterday was Brett Favre's last game. It was an emotional moment at Lambeau and even brought a tear to the eye of this Brownie fan. Also the Bus will prob retire too.

The changing of the guard in the NFL.

Will Mike Sherman also be fired???

You know how Fox is running the "Sexiest Man" contest?
Which is kinda odd as there AREN'T very many cute guys in this sport??
I say they should run a contest for ugliest man. I have several nominees:

Mike Martz--absolutely horrid even with all that makeup he wears

Sebastian Janikowski--a lab experiment gone very very wrong

Bill Cowher--a gorilla is cuter


Chris Hovan---good player but homely as get out


and the winner--


Brian Billick--gives new meaning to the word "hideous", stupid too.

Originally posted by rendova
Wow, kinda shocking that Tice got the axe so quickly. The owner didn't waste much time, did he?
Also, Dom Capers will prob be fired today too, and Vermiel has already announced his retirement. Now I'm just awaiting word that yesterday was Brett Favre's last game. It was an emotional moment at Lambeau and even brought a tear to the eye of this Brownie fan. Also the Bus will prob retire too.

The changing of the guard in the NFL.

Will Mike Sherman also be fired???

Tice got the axe quickly because he asked that the decision be made quickly. I think that the decision was probably made weeks ago, but that the announcement was made after the season ended. I remember at the start of the season when the Vikings were being touted as the most improved team in the NFC North. Big things were expected, and the play on the field didn't live up to the hype. Add to that the off field antics, and you have an owner who is looking for someone to blame. Revenues are down, because sponsors don't like to be associated with scandals. I'm not at all surprised that Tice was fired.
I think that Favre has played his last game. He has called a press conference for about 11 AM this morning, after refusing to talk to the press in post game interviews. I would not be surprised to hear him announce his retirement. The Packers are undergoing a major rebuilding effort, and many of the people he has played with will be gone. The Packers have 15 unrestricted free agents this year, and many will not be retained. I expect the Packers to be active in acquiring free agents as well, and it would improve the situation of the salary cap a great deal if he retires.
As for Sherman, I don't know. The team did not quit despite the losing record and tremendous injury problems this year. That speaks well of his coaching. He continues to have problems with clock management and play calling however. Also, I think when the Packers hired Bates as their defensive coordinator there was a tacit understanding that he would be moved up to head coach eventually. I think Sherman's days are numbered, but I don't know if it will happen this year, or at the end of next season.
One of the deciding factors may be Favre's decision. Favre does not want to learn a new offense at this point in his career. If Sherman is fired, Favre will almost certainly retire. If Favre retires, my guess is that Sherman will go also.

In a late breaking update to the previous post, Ted Thompson has called a press conference for 10:30 AM to discuss Mike Sherman's future with the Packers. I expect that things will be clarified shortly.

Packers fire Sherman.
Still awaiting news on Brett. Checking every five minutes. I do respect this man even if he is no Bart Starr.
Thanks for the update, imagineer.