If you read last week’s Pre-Draft column, you can probably assume that I’m pretty happy with the picks the Packers made. The prediction of Nick Perry turned out to be spot-on, and the Packers traded up in the second round to grab Jerel Worthy, another guy on the list. Now that the picks are official, let’s take a look at how the fresh faces should impact the Packers in 2012.
Nick Perry
The Packers’ first round pick has a chance to make an impact right from the start. Perry is already listed as the starter on some unofficial depth charts, and he’ll challenge Frank Zambo and Eric Walden for the opportunity to start opposite Clay Matthews. The Packers re-signed Walden last week, but they clearly envision Perry as the future at outside linebacker. Perry has great speed off the edge and should be able to get pressure on the quarterback, something the Packers struggled to do last season. The Packers will be a force to be reckoned with if Perry can play anywhere near the level of fellow Trojan Clay Matthews.
Jerel Worthy
Worthy easily could have been a first round pick, and Ted Thompson knew he wasn’t going to stay on the board until the Packers’ pick at #59, so he moved up to get the big boy from Michigan State. The Packers would love to have Worthy anchor the right side of the line, as that side lacks the size of the other starters. As it stands now, Pickett and Raji, the other two starters, are listed at 340lbs and 337lbs a piece. Worthy is only listed at 310lbs, but he’s bigger than Anthony Hargrove (272lbs) and Jarius Wynn (285lbs), the two guys who are expected to compete for the other starting defensive end position. If either Perry or Worthy plans out, this draft will be considered a success for the Packers.
Casey Hayward
Hayward is a name I hadn’t heard much of before the draft, but after doing some research I think Hayward can be a great addition to the Packers. Hayward is a ball-hawk, with 11 interceptions over the last two seasons. Some people think he lacks height, but both Tramon Williams and Sam Shields are also listed at 5-11. The biggest rumor this offseason is whether or not Charles Woodson will move from cornerback to safety, and it looks like that may very well be the case with the Packers moving up in the draft to get Hayward. Hayward could easily be starting across from Tramon Williams if the Packers roll with Woodson and Burnett at safety.
Mike Daniels
The Daniels pick was the first pick I didn’t love. Daniels is pretty small for the 3-4 system (6-0, 290lbs) and he’s stuck behind Pickett, Worthy, Hargrove and Wynn on the depth chart. I would have liked to see the Packers take a chance on a running back here, but the Packers were so bad at getting defensive pressure last season that the pick makes sense. He’ll battle to be a second-string defensive end in training camp.
Jerron McMillian
McMillian has been compared to Atari Bigby, an aggressive safety who isn’t afraid to land a big hit on receivers and running backs. McMillian will likely be groomed to become a starting safety once Chuck Woodson retires, but if Chuck stays at cornerback this season McMillian could see plenty of action in 2012. McMillian has great size and speed for a safety, and his presence helps fill the void left by Nick Collins, who was released after suffering a neck injury last season.
Terrell Manning
Many people had Manning being taken earlier than the fifth round, but he continued to fall on the third day of the draft and the Packers moved up to grab him. He’ll compete with Desmond Bishop, AJ Hawk, Robert Francois and DJ Smith for reps at inside linebacker. If he play up to his ability, he could give Hawk a run for his starting spot.
Andrew Datko
Will provide depth on the offensive line. He’ll have to earn his roster spot in training camp first though.
BJ Coleman
He’ll battle Graham Harrell for the right to backup Aaron Rodgers.
So what do you think of the Packers’ draft? Thought on Perry, Worthy and the gang? Drop me a line at wendt@brentfavre.com or on Twitter @MikeWendt7
Heading into the playoffs last season, Green Bay looked like the favorite to once again win the Super Bowl and enter the NFL draft with the last pick in the first round. As it turned out, the Packers weren’t able to stop Eli Manning, probably because he was wearing his Citizen EcoDrive watch. Although the game was ugly, it pointed some flaws on the defensive side of the ball that will likely be addressed in the draft. What ultimately killed the Packers in the playoffs was their inability to get Manning and the Giants off the field on third down (8-of-16 on third down conversions, but they converted about 8-of-10 to break the game open). The Packers simply couldn’t get enough pressure on Eli and it killed them. I’ve been hearing about a few different players the Packers might draft, so instead of focusing on just one guy like in years past, we’ll give you a few guys who have a great chance to don Green and Gold as the Packers’ first round pick. With the 28th selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers might select:
Nick Perry (USC) – OLB/DE
Why the Pack would take him – Perry is listed at 6’3”, 250 pounds, which probably makes him too small to play defensive end in the Packers’ 3-4 system, but he has great speed and explosiveness off the edge and could be used opposite Clay Matthews as a pass rushing outside linebacker. He struggles when he needs to drive a tackle or tight end into the backfield, but offenses always need to account for Perry because his speed rush is so deadly. Perry would likely be one of the best three players available if he falls to the Packers, and Ted Thompson loves to grab the best player available, so if he’s there I believe he’ll be the pick.
Why the Pack wouldn’t take him – The biggest reason why the Packers wouldn’t select Perry is because some other team already did. Nobody really knows where he’ll be drafted. I’ve seen Perry go as high as #12 to the Seahawks, and as low as sliding to the second round, so it’s anybody’s guess. Perry would be a good fit in Houston and New England, who hold the two spots right before the Packers in the first round, so don’t be surprised if he’s taken right before the Packers get on the clock. Another reason why the Packers may pass on Perry is his size. As stated earlier, he struggles to get penetration when he’s not speed rushing, so he’ll need to get stronger if he wants to be effective at the next level. That being said, Perry is listed at 6’3”, 250, and Clay Matthews is listed as 6’3, 255, and we’ve seen how effective he can be.
Shea McClellin (Boise State) – OLB/DE
Why the Pack would take him – Word on the street is that Ted Thompson really likes McClellin, so much so that it would have been a no doubt pick if McClellin was available in the second round. As is common during the offseason, certain players’ stock rises because of a solid combine and interest from multiple suitors. McClellin has gone from a mid-second round pick to a potential top-25 pick over the last few months as scouts have started comparing his ability to Brooks Reed, the Arizona Wildcat standout who had a very impressive rookie season with the Texans in 2011. McClellin is built much like the other hybrid outside linebackers, as he is listed at 6’3, 258. He’s another linebacker the specializes in the pass rush, but he’s also better than average in pass coverage. He’s got a motor that doesn’t stop when he’s on the field, and could be a Packer depending how how the rest of the first round falls.
Why the Pack wouldn’t take him – Unlike Perry, McClellin will likely still be on the board when the Packers are on the clock in the first round. The main reason why the Packers would pass on McClellin is because somebody else on their big board has fallen or because there are a handful of “best players available” still on the board. Again, we know the Ted Thompson loves to draft the best player available, and although McClellin is a talented prospect, Thompson might look for better value in the second or third round. If Nick Perry is off the board and a top cornerback or running back falls to the Packers, don’t be surprised if they pass on McClellin and try to make a trade to move up in the second round.
Jerel Worthy (Michigan State) DT/DE
Why the Pack would take him – Although some scouts think he needs to play in a 4-3 defense to maximize his abilities, Worthy would be a solid addition to the Packers as a 3-4 defensive end. He’s the type of player that doesn’t necessarily fit the scheme, but he’s one of the most talented players on the defensive side of the ball and could easily be one of Ted Thompson’s “best player available” picks. The Packers have struggled to get defensive end penetration since Cullen Jenkins left in free agency, and the newly suspended Mike Neal has been hampered by injuries and lackluster play during his development as Jenkins’ replacement. I’ve seen Worthy ranked as the top DE/DT in the draft, and although he’d probably be more comfortable in a 4-3 scheme his 6’3, 310 pound frame would fit into the Packers’ system. Almost every mock I’ve seen has the Broncos grabbing Worthy at #25, so Denver is likely the last hurdle he’d have to clear for the Packers to have an opportunity to draft him. The Packers could use a guy like Worthy to help stop the run and get penetration on pass plays to take pressure off our outside linebackers.
Why the Pack wouldn’t take him – Aside from the fact that he may not be available for the Packers to draft, the biggest knock against Worthy is his inconsistency. Worthy has shown flashes of brilliance at times, but he has also faded away from the spotlight at crucial moments in games, and scouts want to see him “bring it” on every play. Some question his maturity, but a team like the Packers should be able to keep him in line without much trouble. Plus, he’s a Big Ten guy who would get a lot of love from the crowd at the first signs of success, so I think he could be a great fit if given the chance. He’s got the talent, but the few knocks against Worthy could be enough for Thompson to pass on the Michigan State star.
Other Notables
Peter Konz (Wisconsin) – C
The Packers added Jeff Saturday to replace Scott Wells, but they need to start thinking about a long term replacement.
Courtney Upshaw (Alabama) – OLB/DE
If Upshaw falls to the Pack he’ll likely be taken over McClellin, but most mocks have him going to the Jets at #16. He’s another hybrid 3-4 backer.
Devon Still (Penn State) – DE/DT
Much like Worthy, Still could help solidify the defensive end position in the Packers’ 3-4 scheme. I think the Packers take Worthy over Still, but he’s an option if Perry, Worthy and Upshaw are gone.
Who do you think the Packers will draft? Leave a comment or drop me a line at wendt@brentfavre.com or on Twitter @MikeWendt7
If you’re like me, it’s taken you a few days to really digest Sunday’s loss to the Giants. The Packers, who have been so dominant over the last 21 games, looked flat and out of sync in the playoff game. Receivers were running the wrong routes (Finley on a key third down), guys were dropping balls (who didn’t) and nobody could get pressure on Eli Manning (we needed Cullen Jenkins). Watching the loss unfold was weird, because as Packer fans, this was the first time the team had lost a meaningful game since Week 15 last season against the Patriots. Last season wins and losses were tough to come by, and just getting in the playoffs was a huge accomplishment. This year, Packer fans didn’t care if we dropped one, two or five games, we knew the team was going to make the playoffs. Any losses the team suffered this year didn’t feel like losses, because we knew where the team would be come January. That’s why this loss, the one that ends our season, feels so strange to fans. But, since we’re only four months or so until OTA’s, I think it’s about time we looked ahead to next season. Here’s a list of things I’d like to see the Packers do, and since I’m an owner, I think these carry a little more weight!
1) Franchise tag Matt Flynn
The Packers need to franchise Flynn this offseason to prevent him walking away for nothing. Slap the tag on him and then ship him off somewhere. I know the NFL frowns on this practice, but since it’s completely legal the Packers might as well do it. The franchise tag salary for a quarterback is $16.4 million, but the contract can be restructured by the new team Flynn is traded to. I know some people think we should save the tag for JerMichael Finley, and I’ll get to Finley later, but we need to get value for Flynn since he looks like he is the real deal. It will be interesting to see what the Packers can get for Flynn, because both sides think they have leverage. Interested teams know the Packers only tagged Flynn in order to trade him, but the Packers will have plenty of interested teams looking to make a move for a potential franchise quarterback. The Kevin Kolb flop in Arizona probably hurts Flynn’s value the most, because like Kolb, Flynn has very little experience, although he’s looked like a stud in both contests. I think a second round pick is a bargain for Flynn, and wouldn’t be surprised to see a team trade a late first round pick for him. Personally though, I think we’ll get a early second round pick for Flynn if he gets the tag-and-deal.
2) Be reasonable with Finley, but don’t let him leave.
Let me preface this paragraph by saying that nobody on the team is more frustrating to watch than JerMichael. He dropped too many balls this season, ran some shaky routes, and his ego is still somewhat of a problem. If you yell out loud when you watched the Packers this season, you found yourself yelling at Finley more than anyone else.
That being said, all the areas he was weak in are coachable areas. Coaches can work on his hands, he can learn to run better routes and when he matures he’ll control himself better on the field. You can’t teach a guy to be 6-5, 247 pounds and run a 4.65 forty. Plus, he’s only 24. Give the guy a break, he’ll figure it out as he gets a little older.
Looking at his numbers, Finley had a decent season, but nothing crazy like Jimmy Graham or Rob Gronkowski. Finley ranked 14th in receptions and 12th in yards by tight ends, so he shouldn’t be demanding a crazy salary. He proved he could stay healthy for a full season, but the Packers won the Super Bowl without him and lost with him, so who’s to say his presence is needed?
I’m guessing Finley is going to want Jason Witten style money. Witten inked a five-year, $37 million deal in 2011, so I think Finley believes he should be paid in the $7-9 million a year range. The franchise tag salary for a tight end is $5.9 million, so tagging him just to work out a deal for about $2-3 million more a year seems pointless. Get the 2nd rounder for Flynn, and if Finley wants more than $10 million a season, let him walk and use the pick we get for Flynn on another tight end. Tagging Finley just doesn’t seem like the Ted Thompson way of doing business. I see the Packers offering Finley a four year deal in the $20 million range. Sides will squabble and I think we’ll end up getting Finley for something like four years, $25 million with a player option for a fifth year and $12 million guaranteed. I’d be on board with this.
3) Let Ryan Gran go, and find a running back already.
I do not like Ryan Grant. If you watched the playoff game with me, you would know this. I hate watching him run for two yards on 2nd and 10. I’ll admit that he’s a better pass blocker than James Starks, but Starks is by far the better runner. That being said, Starks isn’t the running back of the of the future either. There is a lot of depth in this year’s running back class, and don’t be surprised if Thompson drafts two running backs this year. Trent Richardson, Lamar Wilson, Chris Polk, LaMichael James, David Wilson, Isaiah Pead, and Bernard Pierce are all guys that could step into a major role at the next level. I want the Packers to draft one of them.
4) Do not move Charles Woodson to safety
Woodson had a good, but not a great season in 2011. Everyone thinks he’s slowing down and that he should be moved to safety, but that would only make things worse. Chuck is at his best when he’s playing closer to the line of scrimmage. He’s better at covering receivers because it’s more of a reaction than a thought process, and when he’s at the line the offense always has to account for a potential Woody blitz (just ask Tony Romo, 4-min mark). The biggest problem for the defense this year was the lack of a pass rush, which forced our secondary to cover guys for six-to-ten seconds every play. A better pass rush from the front three would allow our blitzers to get to the quarterback faster and force the opposing quarterback into bad throws, which takes a lot of pressure off our secondary.
5) Draft another Clay Mattews with our first round pick.
Ok, this might be easier said than done, but if offenses have to account for Matthews and Matthews 2.0 blitzing from either side, that will push the quarterback up into the pocket where our big front three should be waiting. A lack of a pass rush killed the Packers against the Giants, drafting another blitzing 3-4 linebacker would help solve that problem.
6) Keep Driver
Driver is set to make $5.6 million in 2012. I know he only caught 37 balls in 2011 (he also made $5.6 million in 2011, so that’s just over $150,000 per catch), but Driver has the attitude I want in players on my favorite team. He was targeted twice in the loss to the Giants, but made nice grabs on both the balls thrown his way. He was clearly focused and wanted it bad. If you watched the Super Bowl DVD you saw how bad Driver wanted to win the Super Bowl even though he left the game with an injury. He was standing on the bench trying to get a better view, living and dying with each play. He’s got the heart of a champion and his attitude would be contagious in the locker room. I don’t even want to play the “he’s earned it” or “the Packers owe it to him” card. The guy still has something left in the tank and is the perfect locker room veteran for this team. If the Packers don’t pay him, someone else will. Driver, a Texas native, could easily sign with the young-but-very-talented Houston Texans if the Packers aren’t careful. Please Ted Thompson, Driver is the anti-Favre, he’s worth the money late in his career. If you don’t listen to me Ted, at least listen to Teddy KGB.
(P.S. Rounders may be my favorite movie of all-time. Thank you Shaun Adamson for putting that on Youtube)
What do you think the Packers should do this offseason? Drop me a line, or tweet me on Twitter @MikeWendt7. I promise to tweet ya back.
Growing up in as an only child in the early 90′s, I was first introduced to a lot of ideas and concepts from popular television shows. One of the shows that impacted my childhood was The Wonder Years. For those of you unfamiliar with The Wonder Years, the show centered around a kid growing up in the 1970′s and facing all the challenges surrounding adolescence and beyond. I felt connected to Kevin, the character played by Fred Savage, because he was close to my age and because his problems related to what I was or would soon be going through. Whether it be riding a bike, dealing with personal loss, or just the idea of kissing a girl, I could relate to what Kevin went through.
I also remember The Wonder Years because Kevin always had a way of passing on good advice. One thing he said that stuck with many fans of the show was “memories are a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.” When we remember back to some of the happiest and saddest parts of our lives, we remember who we were with, and how they made us feel. People hold on to memories because, ultimately, we are only made up of our experiences and interactions with others.
I bring this up because there has been a lot of backlash about the Packers selling stock certificates to fans, with the promise of any stockholder being able to call themselves an “NFL owner”. We’ve all heard the comments by now. “I wish (insert team name here) could sell stock and raise money off idiot fans”, or “Green Bay has the smartest front office and the dumbest fans in the league, who would throw away $250 for a piece of paper that is worth nothing”.
In a sense, yes, the stock certificate is worth less than the postage used to ship them. But in another sense, the stock is worth so much more than $250.
To many Packer fans around the country, myself included, the stock sale gave us a tangible way to hold onto the things we love, the things we are, the things we never want to lose. We always remember who we were with at cherished moments in our life, but what we were doing is sometimes just as special. Like many fans, I can remember the first Packer game I attended (August 11th, 1996) and who I watched the game with (my father, uncle and cousin). I remember almost getting ticketed by Green Bay police while trying to scalp tickets before the Divisional playoff game in 2007, a game where my friends and I sat in a blizzard with MVP painted on our shirtless chests to watch Brett Favre earn what would turn out to be his final win as a Packer. I remember partying to the wee hours of the morning on State Street with friends and fans alike after winning Super Bowl XLV, many people drunk on the thrill of victory more than the beer that flowed so freely that February night.
Forty years from now, while I’m all but certain these won’t be my dearest memories, I know those experiences will never be forgotten. Without the Packers, some of my favorite experiences never would have been possible. I won’t always have my dad, but I’ll always remember him taking me to my first Packer game. I know that it will be tough to keep in touch with my friends who went to the playoff game with me, but we’ll always have the memory of those big white snowflakes melting as they landed on our bare shoulders and chests that cold Lambeau afternoon.
I have no shame in admitting that I love the Packers. While it may be a different love than the love I have for some of the people in my life, it’s a much stronger bond than the love that is casually thrown around in conversations like “I love the movie Forrest Gump”, or “I love the way my hips look in these jeans”.
For me, buying stock was, in many ways, a way to further my connection with the team as well a chance to thank the Packers for all they have meant to me growing up. The stock was purchased for me by money left by my late grandfather, which in itself will become another memory of him. Looking at the stock certificate will forever connect me to family as much as it connects me to the Packers.
There will always be people who will never understand why someone would spend $250 on something that, in their mind, is worthless.
To me, the stock is a culmination of the memories I’ve shared with so many people along the way. To me, the stock, and the memories, are priceless. They are something I love, something I want to hold onto, something I never want to lose.
Thoughts on the piece or the stock sale? Drop me a line at wendt@brentfavre.com or on Twitter @Mikewendt7.
The Packers and Bears will meet for the 184th time on Sunday, and although the Bears lead the all-time series 92-85-6 the matchup has been a little one sided of late, with the Packers winning five of the last six games. The Packers are expected to win once again, as they enter the Christmas day matchup as 13-point favorites and can clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win. As with any Packers-Bears game, there will be no love lost between the two fan bases, but there’s at least one Bears fan who will will be cheering for the Packers, at least until they get the goose egg off the scoreboard.
Dan Sawicki, the owner of Sawicki Motors in Rochelle, Illinois has signed off on an interesting sales gimmick in hopes of boosting holiday sales. The dealership is offering 100 percent rebates on any car purchased between December 16 and December 24. You heard right, 100 percent rebates on any vehicle on the lot. But before you drive south to put a down payment on $75,000 Range Rover as a Christmas present for yourself, you should take note that the rebates only go into effect if the Bears manage to shutout the Packers at Lambeau.
Per the Rockford Register Star, the idea was born when a few employees began discussing what type of promotion the dealership could run for the holidays.
“We were talking, and he said if the Packers shut out the Bears we should give away a free maintenance package,” Sales Manager Ron Matula said. “I told him we should up that. If (the Bears shut out the Packers), I’ll give away all of the cars. We laughed about it.”
They may have laughed in the beginning, but considering how unlikely a Bears shutout is, the dealership has decided to “risk” up to $1 million in free cars to boost sales and gain national attention. The promotion has kept Sawicki Motors buzzing over the last few days.
“It’s been a lot of fun so far,” Matula said.
While some folks in Illinois have been having fun with the promotion, it shouldn’t be lost on them that the only reason the promotion is even being offered in the first place is because the Packers are awesome and the Bears suck.
How long will it take for the Packers to score on Sunday? Drop me a line at wendt@brentfavre.com or on Twitter @MikeWendt7.
The Packers will continue their quest for perfection this Sunday against the Chiefs, and if the green and gold move to 14-0 they will clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Although clinching home-field is basically a done deal, the Packers need to seriously consider how they want these last few games to play out.
Let’s assume the Packers take care of business against Kansas City, which would leave two meaningless games against divisional foes to close out the year. While the games won’t impact the Packers from a playoff perspective, both the Bears and the Lions are right in the thick of the playoff hunt and will likely need to win those games to secure a berth. I’m all for perfection (I’ll explain later), but the Packers have already lost one of their top playmakers for a few weeks in a game where the Raiders never threatened the Pack, and I’d hate to see another top player go down.
When the Colts were 14-0, they played their starters in the first half, then trotted out the backups in the second half and went on to lose. Indy fell short of the Super Bowl that year and many blamed their style of play in the final weeks. Indy stayed healthy during the final weeks, but people argued that the Colts looked out of rhythm early in their playoff game, and it’s not that far fetched to believe that Peyton and his receivers were just a tad bit rusty after the extra time off.
The thing to know about NFL players is that they really enjoy their weekly routines, and each player uses the days leading up to Sunday to prepare both mentally and physically for the task ahead. When you throw players out of the rhythm, they oftentimes are sluggish early in the game. In 2011, teams coming off a bye went 16-16 this year. Many would expect that win column to be higher considering teams have more time to get healthy and more days to prepare for the other team, yet the stats don’t lie.
Should the Packers try for 19-0?
I bring this up because Aaron Rodgers said in a radio interview earlier this week that “the score may come into play here the last few weeks potentially if we’ve got things wrapped up.” It sounds as if there have been some internal discussions regarding how long the starters will play these last few weeks. Rodgers prefaced the statement with “the score may come into play”, hinting that the starters may only sit if the game is in hand, but I would be shocked if Rodgers was under center in the fourth quarter against the Lions in Week 17, especially with N’damukong “Stomp the Yard” Suh on the field.
Look, I really want the Packers to go undefeated. Can you remember off the top of your head who won the Super Bowl six years ago? 18 years ago? Super Bowl winners fade from our memory over time, but an undefeated season would never be forgot. Whenever a team starts 8-0 everyone in the national media starts talking about the 1972 Dolphins. It’s time to shut those old geezers up and cement history with a truly perfect 19-0 season.
Worst case scenario is that the Packers lose Rodgers for the year to an injury in a meaningless game and lose in the first round of the playoffs. Yes, it would suck, but the Packers won the Super Bowl last year and are set up to be a contender for the next decade. We’d move on. Best case scenario, the Packers run the table with their starters icing games, streamroll the other NFC contenders in Lambeau, then topple the Patriots in the Super Bowl to finish a perfect 19-0. Beating the Pats would be extra sweet for two reasons. The Pats were the only team to reach 18-0 before falling in the Super Bowl to the Giants, so beating Belicheat to accomplish something he never could do would be sweet. Also, the Patriots are the last team to beat the Packers, so we owe them a little revenge as is.
So I’m hoping McCarthy lets the top dogs play until the game is out of reach. As Lord Chesterfield once said; “Aim at perfection in everything, though in most things it is unattainable. However, they who aim at it, and persevere, will come much nearer to it than those whose laziness and despondency make them give it up as unattainable.” In football, perfection is attainable, and with Aaron Rodgers at the helm, you’ve got to like the Packers’ aim.
How do you want the Packers to play in the final few games? Drop me a line at wendt@brentfavre.com or @MikeWendt7 on Twitter.
The regular season is winding down, so it’s about time to take a look at which players are the frontrunners to be named league MVP. We’ll break it down into three tiers, saving the leaders for last.
THE OUTSIDE CHANCE TIER
Maurice Jones-Drew – Much like the last few seasons, MJD has been the one good thing the Jaguars have had going for them. Jones-Drew leads the league in rushing with 1,222 yards, and he has 10 total touchdowns on the year. His total touchdown numbers are decent, but considering he scored four of them against the Buccaneers on Sunday, his numbers haven’t been MVP-like throughout the entire year. Plus, he plays for a team that won’t sniff the playoffs. To be the MVP, you need to be on a winning team,
Eli Manning – Like they say, you can’t spell elite without Eli. Manning has put together another solid season, and he continues to get it done late in games (he leads the league in fourth quarter touchdowns). Eli is one of four quarterbacks who have already eclipsed the 4,000-yard mark, but he only has 25 touchdowns on the year, well off the pace set by some other quarterbacks. Eli would need to have monster games to close out the season if he wants to win the MVP award.
LeSean McCoy – McCoy has been a fantasy beast this year, shredding opposing defenses on the ground and catching the ball out of the backfield. LeSean trails MJD by 50 yards for the rushing lead, but he has twice as many rushing touchdowns (14) as Jones-Drew does. He also has three receiving touchdowns, and his 17 total touchdowns lead all players expect for quarterbacks. The problem for McCoy is that much like MJD, he plays for a team that will be sitting at home come January.
THE WORK LEFT TO BE DONE TIER
Tom Brady – It seems like Brady is in the MVP discussion every year, and this season is no different. Brady is second in the league in passing yards with 4,273, and he’s on pace to break the 5,000-yard mark. He also has the second best touchdown to interception ratio, as he’s thrown for 33 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions. If Brady wants to move into the top tier, he’ll need to guide the Patriots to the #1 seed in the AFC and break Dan Marino’s single season passing yards record (5,084).
Drew Brees – Brees is once again leading an offensive juggernaut down in New Orleans, and he leads all passers with 4,368 yards through the air. Brees is averaging 336 yards per game and is on pace to shatter Marino’s single season record. If Brees keeps up the pace, he’ll throw for 5,376 yards. Brees has 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on the year, and is third in touchdown to interception ratio. In order to be in the running for MVP, Bress needs to throw for 40 touchdowns, top Marino’s record and guide the Saints to the #2 seed in the NFC.
THE FRONTRUNNERS TIER
A-Rod leads the MVP race
Aaron Rodgers – Rodgers is one of two players who are head and shoulders above everyone else in the MVP race. Rodgers leads the league with 39 touchdowns, and he has only thrown six interceptions on the year. He throws 6.5 touchdowns for every interception he throws, that’s insane. He’s been the focal point of a team that hasn’t lost in 365 days, and is currently three wins away from a perfect regular season. With the first round bye already locked up, Rodgers may fall off the yards pace that Brady and Brees are setting, but as long as the Packers clinch home field throughout the playoffs A-Rod has to be the top dog in the MVP race.
Peyton Manning – All things considered, Manning is the only player on this list that is more valuable to his team than Aaron Rodgers. When A-Rod went down, Matt Flynn played fine and almost knocked off the Patriots in Foxborough. When Brady went down, Matt Cassel led the Patriots to 11 wins. With Peyton out, the Colts have looked downright awful. They have lost more games this season than they have during the last three seasons combined with Manning at the helm. While Manning is likely the definition of a player who is Most Valuable to his team, he won’t win the award.
So who do you think is this years MVP? Would you consider voting for Peyton if you had a vote? Drop me a line at wendt@brentfavre.com or hit me up on Twitter @MikeWendt7
Ever since the Packers won the Super Bowl last season it has become difficult to watch TV without seeing a Packer testing out their acting chops in a commercial. Last season it seemed like Peyton Manning was in every other commercial, but nowadays guys like Aaron Rodgers, Donald Driver and Clay Matthews are regulars on the tube. I’m sure these guys give each other some crap in the locker room about whose got the best commercial, so I thought we could help settle the argument. Below are the commercials in question, followed by a poll question. Watch the videos and decide for yourself!
Aaron Rodgers State of Imitation
Driver and Mason Crosby
Greg Jennings
Clay Matthews Fathead
So who do you think has the best/funniest/most entertaining commercial? We can only put three choices in the poll, so if you like the Clay Mathews commercial the best leave a note in the comments section!
Tim Tebow and the Broncos kicked off the 11th week of NFL football last night, and although we’re over halfway through another intriguing season of football it bears worth noting how much different this season feels as a Packer fan compared to last season.
At the beginning of last season, the Packers were favored to win the NFC North by a small margin over the Chicago Bears, but nobody really knew what to expect from the young team. Obviously a Super Bowl victory is what every team aspires for, but Packer fans were simply looking for them to play well enough through 17 weeks to earn a playoff spot.
I remember looking at the schedule and thinking if the Packers could get past Philly in Week 1 they would have a good chance of starting the season 4-0. The Packers stopped a Mike Vick fourth quarter rally, then trounced the Bills to begin the year 2-0. Fans were happy, but still lacked a certain sense of confidence about the team. After a brutal loss to the Bears on Monday night in Week 3 (don’t get me started on the officiating in that one) the Packers were sitting at 2-1, one game behind the rival Bears. They then handled Detroit to move to 3-1.
But that’s when weird things began to happen. Injuries struck during Week 5 and 6, and the Packers dropped back-to-back overtime losses to the Redskins and Dolphins, who are a combined 5-13 this year. The Packers were at a crossroads. They could either let injuries stifle a very talented team, or they could persevere. The Packers looked like they were going to be up to the challenge after winning their next four games to improve to 7-3. But then the inexplicable happened. The Packers threw away winnable games in Atlanta and Detroit before dropping a heartbreaker behind Matt Flynn to the Patriots. Suddenly, the Packers were staring at 8-6, and were in need of some help to make the playoffs. After DeSean Jackson’s punt return shocked the Giants, the Packers once again controlled their own destiny, and they clinched the final wildcard spot by beating the Bears in the final week.
We all know what happened next, but do you remember how you felt watching those Packer games? Every game at the end of the regular season and in the playoffs was do or die football, and you never really knew what to expect from the Packers. You knew they had the potential to win the Super Bowl, but can you honestly say you expected them to win games in Philly, Atlanta and Chicago before knocking off the Steelers in the Super Bowl? I knew the Packers had the potential to win the Super Bowl, but I can say that I didn’t expect us to win coming in as a #6 seed.
Flash forward to this season. The Packers entered the season under some criticism as they neglected to organize team workouts during the lockout. Many analysts said the Packers were simply basking in the glow of last season’s Super Bowl win and not pushing themselves to return to the promised land.
Coming into the first week of the season I really didn’t know what to expect. The Saints won the Super Bowl three years earlier and figure to be in the playoffs this season, so they were a good matchup out of the gates for the Packers. After winning that first game, there’s been a different feel when watching the Packers. Have you, at any point this season, ever felt like the Packers were going to lose? Even when they were losing to the Panthers I expected them to win by two touchdowns.
2010 and 2011 are radically different seasons, and only time will tell which one was more enjoyable. 2010 was incredible because the team that was ravaged by injuries, the team that teased you all season, made an improbable run to capture it’s 4th Lombardi Trophy. 2011 is historic because the Packers are aiming for a perfect 19-0 season, a feat which has never been done before. Even if they drop a game along the way, Packer fans will still expect the green and gold to return to the Super Bowl to defend its title from last season. While 2011 is exciting, unless the Packers go 19-0 I don’t believe it will top what happened in 2010. That season had highs, lows, stunning losses and an ending fit for a Hollywood script. Only perfection can top the craziness of 2010.
Do you think these seasons have a different feel to them? Drop me a line at wendt@brentfavre.com or hit me up on Twitter @MikeWendt7
The Packers once again came away victorious on Sunday, improving to 8-0 with a win in San Diego, but there’s another team from Green Bay worth looking at (literally).
The Green Bay Chill are one of twelve teams that make up the Lingerie Football League, a full-on tackle football league that specializes in big hits and little outfits.
The Green Bay Chill of the Lingerie Football League
The Chill were one of two expansion teams this year, and the league which is growing in popularity now consists of two divisions, each with six teams. The Eastern Conference consists of the Baltimore Charm, Cleveland Crush, Orlando Fantasy, Philadelphia Passion, Tampa Breeze and Toronto Triumph, while the Western Conference is made up of the Chicago Bliss, Green Bay Chill, Las Vegas Sin, Los Angeles Temptation, Minnesota Valkyrie and the Seattle Mist.
For a little more info on the league itself, check out its Wikipedia page.
The women don’t get paid for playing, but they get to be a part of an exciting sport that is gaining momentum. MTV2 broadcasts regular season games throughout the season, and will air the LFL Super Bowl during halftime of the NFL’s Super Bowl in February. Sorry Madonna, I’ll be changing the channel at half. I watched a little of the Chill’s first game, and I think the only thing preventing the Lingerie Football League from getting better ratings is the fact that MTV2 doesn’t broadcast in HD. Come on! We need to fix this problem as soon as possible.
The Chill are coached by former Packers lineman Gilbert Brown, and just like in his playing days he helped the Chill get their first ever victory last month in a 36-34 nailbiter over the Chicago Bliss. You can check out the highlights from the game here. Once again Green Bay gets the better of Chicago.
The win moved the Chill to 1-2 on the season, and they travel to Las Vegas to take on the Sin for their final regular season game on January 21.
One thing is for sure, the sport gives new meaning to the term “Tight End”.
Would you watch a Chill game? Drop me a line at wendt@brentfavre.com or on Twitter @MikeWendt7
