FROM THE SUBLIME TO THE RIDICULOUS, PART wejmaH Soch

(Klingon just because)


NEITHER SUBLIME NOR RIDICULOUS JUST SAD

Once a Packer Always a Packer Al "Hoagy" Carmichael

Packers Hall of Famer (1974) Al Carmichael died Sept. 9, 2019 at the age of 90. He played for the Packers from 1953 to 1958 and was released by Vince Lombardi in his first training camp. He held the NFL-record for the longest kickoff (106) which he set against the Chicago Bears at old City Stadium on Oct. 7, 1956 until it was broken in 2007 by Ellis Hobbs of New England when he returned a kickoff 108 yards. He held the Packers record until Randall Cobb broke it in 2011 when he also returned a kickoff for 108 yards. When he left the Packers he held the NFL records for most career kickoff returns and most career kickoff return yardage. Well actually that is pretty SUBLIME.

First AFL Touchdown

He also set a milestone that would never be broke or duplicated when he scored the first touchdown in the old AFL. He signed with the Denver Broncos in 1960 and scored the league's first touchdown on a 59-yard catch on Sept. 9, 1960, on a pass from quarterback Frank Tripucka in a game against the Boston Patriots.

Come to think of it Al "Hoagy" Carmichael’s football career was not only SUBLIME but it was also SUMBLIMEST.

The LaFleur Era Has Begun or Has It Really?

It took 1 year, but the refurbishing of the Green Bay Packers is finally taking place. Like I said before the Packers move like a glacier under the leadership (or lack there of) of Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No. Evil CEO Mark Murphy and in the case of Head Honcho Ted Thompson and Head Coach Mike McCarthy, it took over seven years for him to recognize the deliberate deterioration of the Packers budding 3rd Dynasty.

The Packers Have Hired a New Coach…..Really You Packers.com Readers

Those Packer Backers who get their news from anywhere else than Packers.com (it is 12:41 a.m. January 8, 2019 when I write this and the word came down from the real world about the hire about 8 hours ago on January 7) know the Packers have hired a new head coach. The new man is Matt LaFleur the offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans. I have no trouble with this hire because the powers that be took my advice and hired a young hot-shot assistant instead of an old retread or that well known flake Josh McDaniels, which was one of the others the Packers interviewed. UPDATE: It is now 3:34 p.m. on January 8th and still no announcement on Packers.com. 

The Glacier Known as the Packers Hasn’t Moved Yet

The Packers made no moves last night after the worst loss at Lambeau Field in many, many, many years, but the other disappointing teams not run by Ted Thompson have made their moves and if I was Mark Murphy I would jump on two coaches immediately to fill the coordinator jobs. I still hope a hot shot young assistant coach at the pro level (not Josh McDaniels) or a hot shot college head coach would be the best hire for the head coach position.

First, I would hire Adam Gase as Offensive Coordinator. Anybody who could make Jay Cutler look good is a miracle worker and certainly could solve whatever ills or bad habits Aaron Rodgers has or has gotten into.

Second, I would hire Gregg Williams as Defensive Coordinator. Putting Bounty Gate aside Williams is a defensive genius in the mold of Phil Bengston, Hawg Hanner and Fritz Shumur. Also he spells his first name with 2 g’s like Forrest Gregg and that is a good sign he belongs in Green Bay.

Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are at a Crossroads

I think it would be safe to say if Aaron Rodgers played like Aaron Rodgers the Packers would be in the playoffs, despite the terrible leadership and play calling of Mike McCarthy and the terrible leadership and team building of Ted Thompson and his successor Brian Gutekunst. Rodgers had always overcompensated for those frauds Thompson and McCarthy, but for some unknown reason he hasn’t been able to do that this year for Gutekunst and McCarthy.

Oh Say It Ain’t So

I don’t know if it was as easy for you as it was for me, but the firing of Mike McCarthy was easy as pie (by the way where did that saying come from? I have made pies and cakes and it is a lot easier to make a cake than a pie) for me. I was so ready to NOT see that chubby fellow hidden behind his play sheet on the sidelines calling plays I predicted he would call, which predictably failed most of the time, especially after a timeout. I didn’t miss him at all. Not at all. I wonder how many others felt that way. Joe Philbin has revitalized Aaron Rodgers in particular and the offense in general. I also don’t miss Dom Capers up in his perch but for an entirely different reason. Mike Pettine sits in Capers seat and the Packers defense fails just as often as Capers’ defense did. It’s as if Dom just had a makeover.

But now word has come out that the Packers have interviewed two coaches. Before I mention their sorry names I want to make a comparison. When Ted Thompson was promoted and put in charge of tutoring his bastard son Brian Gutekunst the Packers didn’t miss a beat – the Thompson Beat I mean.

You See I (We) Were Right

The local kiss-ass media is an exact reflection of how the Ted Thompson Era (we are still in it until that man departs 1265 Lombardi Avenue for real) of the Green Bay Packers reacted to the thoughts of Packer Backers – total and complete ignorment (I know it’s not a word, but it is now) about transactions, lack of transactions and any criticism of the play on the field. They have spent the time since 2006 brushing away the criticism and spouting out the company line at every instance.

A Reality Check for the Local Kiss-Ass Media

All the buzz this week from the local kiss-ass media is the arrival of wide receiver Jake Kumerow on his white horse to save the Packers season. Who is Jake Kumerow and when was his All-Pro years and why wasn’t he playing earlier when he, evidently, pushed Jordy Nelson out the door?

All good questions except for the local kiss-ass media, who for some reason think Mr. Kumerow, who played college ball at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, making him the local boy made good, is the missing part of the playoff puzzle. But wait.

I’m Back and I’m Still Not a Happy Packer Backer

It’s been many, many weeks since I’ve weighed in on the sinking ship that is the 2018 Packers, but, at least, for today, I’m to give my 6 cents on what’s happened and is happening and what will happen.

Mike McCarthy has coached the Packers longer than anyone else since Curly Lambeau. The immortal Curly Lambeau won 6 titles in 31 years and the extremely mortal Mike McCarthy has won 1 in his 13 years as head coach. Vince Lombardi and Bart Starr were coach for 9 years and Mike Holmgren for 7 years and Mike Sherman 6.

One of the reasons I haven’t commented on the terrible play in general, the yearly rash of injuries and the terrible play calling of Mike McCarthy is because what I had to say was something I’ve been saying for years now and again after the “new beginning” during the offseason.

I wanted McCarthy fired years ago for not firing Dom Capers. Remember McCarthy kept Dom Capers on WAY TOO LONG after he became a liability. I was calling for Capers to be fired since the 2011 season and it took him 7 years to do so. The hallmark of a Capers defense is that in a crunch it will fail and it seems Mike Pettine’s defense isn’t much better.

FROM THE SUBLIME TO THE RIDICULOUS, PART 36

(this is one that is completely American made)

Simply stated there is NOTHING sublime these days, so let’s get right to the

RIDICULOUS:

On Nov. 6th it was announced that current/former Packers General Manager and chief cook and bottle washer Ted Thompson will be inducted in the Packers Hall of Fame next year on May 4, 2019 in its 49th induction.

 

Ted Thompson interviewed by Bagdad Larry about being selected to the Packers Hall of Fame

The official announcement was: “We are thrilled to present Ted as the 162nd inductee into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame,” said Tom Konop, president of Packers Hall of Fame Inc. “The Hall of Fame nominating committee, made up of some of the most respected football purists, pointed to Ted’s accomplishments of nine playoff seasons, and winning Super Bowl XLV, as part of his acumen resulting in this honor. His drafting of Aaron Rodgers was obviously one of the most important draft picks in Packers history. Ted was also responsible for assisting with the success of numerous coaches and scouts around the league. With his induction into the Packers Hall of Fame we are proud and honored that Ted will take his rightful place as part of Packers history forever.”

Most of Thompson’s great draft picks came in his first six years and all of the great accomplishments came during that time. The last seven years have been a major disappointment with no Super Bowl titles with that great draft pick Aaron Rodgers at the helm.

25 Questions and Answers About Bills Game

1. Is Mike McCarthy still head coach? Yes. So the Packers might lose to Buffalo.

2. Is Mike McCarthy still calling the plays? Yes. So the Packers might lose to Buffalo.

3. Is Mike Pettine still defensive coordinator? Yes. So the Packers might lose to Buffalo.

4. Is Mark Murphy still CEO? Yes. So the Packers might lose to Buffalo.

5. Is Ted Thompson still working for the Packers? Yes. So the Packers might lose to Buffalo.

6. Is Eliot Wolf working for the Packers? No. So the Packers might lose to Buffalo.

7. Is Brian Gutekunst still General Manager? Yes. So the Packers might lose to Buffalo.

Some More Things We Now Know

After last season when the basically season-ending injury to Aaron Rodgers showed some stark realities to the local kiss ass media and the lovers of Ted Thompson or the “Tedders” as I call them that except for Rodgers the Packers 52 + 10 rest of the roster was not championship quality. So a meeting of the minds in 1265 Lombardi Avenue resulted in the “big spring of change” during the offseason and the Packers were now new and improved and totally energized to make a serious run for the Super Bowl.

However after seven weeks of games the Packers sitting in second place in the North Division behind da Bears of all teams at 1-1-1. In this short time we have learned that the “big spring of change” was just smoke blown up our collective skirts by the local kiss ass media and the brain trust of the Packers.

Packers – Redskins

The Packers are 1-0-1 and are lucky to be that. I gave up being proud a long time ago and will accept the former rookie place kicker for the Vikings gave the Packers the tie. The 38-yard field goal was normally a give-me, but I felt the rookie was already rattled and would probably have missed a 10-yard field goal at that point. Cutting him was cruel. If he was good enough to win the job then he should have been given the time to grow into the job. Mason Crosby had his trial by fire in 2012 (making only 21 of 33 field goals and he was a veteran, but nobody would have griped if he was cut, but head coach Mike McCarthy stayed with him and since then he’s made 125 of 147 field goals coming into the season and this year he’s made 5 of 6, but the one miss was for the win last week. He didn’t get cut.

The Packers offense is ranked 17th in the league with a one-legged Aaron Rodgers, who is only one hit away from being lost for a long period of time. DeShone Kizer is NOT a quality backup and the Packers need a veteran behind Rodgers ASAP. But the stubborn Ted Thompson influenced front office WILL NOT admit they made a mistake and sign one.

What Have We Learned After the First Two Games

1. Aaron Rodgers is the Packers MVP.

2. Aaron Rodgers is one tough son of a bitch.

3. If Aaron Rodgers goes down for good the Packers don’t have a second string quarterback for the second straight season. TT/BG should have signed a veteran quarterback after what happened last year.

4. If Aaron Rodgers goes down the Packers won’t win another game.

5. Mike McCarthy’s offensve scheme makes it harder to be Aaron Rodgers.

It’s All About Me

I just can’t believe what happened, except for the fact it was me that caused everything to happen Sunday night when Aaron Rodgers pulled a Willis Reed and led the Packers to a 4th quarter comeback for the ages after being down 20-0 in the 3rd quarter.

I watched the 1st half of the game in my living room, which I normally don’t do, and the result of breaking my normal routine was disastrous, which was also something I should have known because like I said before it’s all about me.

Week 1 and Hopefully not Done

The Packers open the season at LAMBBBBBBBBBBBEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAUUUUU Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin against da Bears. The first week power rankings has the Packers dropping two spots to No. 9 while the Bears rose nine spots to 15 after making the trade Brian Gutekunst should have made for Kahlil Mack.

Sunday Night Is Football Night at Lambeau Field

The team that takes the field Sunday night against the Bears is a team we haven’t seen since ever. The offensive skill starters hardly played in the preseason, which is no surprise because Coach Mike McCarthy does that every year since Jordy Nelson was hurt in the second preseason game three years ago and pretty much before that, but it's worse now.

The Packers are notorious slow starters at the beginning of the season and I think that is a direct cause of this practice. So come Sunday night Aaron Rodgers will be under center Corey Linsley. Justin McCray is the new right guard replacing Jahri Evans. Lane Taylor missed most of the preseason and returns at left guard. David Bakhtiari is back at left tackle and Bryan Bulaga returns at right tackle after missing the last eight games of the season on injured reserve for the third time in his 8-year career and second because of knee surgery. The first was a hip fracture.

The Cuts and Signings: The Aftermath

The NFL cut down day was Saturday and the Packers made those cuts and I was wrong on 11 of them. The first day after the Day was Sunday and Ted Thompson/Brian Gutekunst was silent on adjusting the lineup, but, of course, they signed 8 of those cuts to the practice squad and 3 of those signings were 3 players I had kept, but were cut (running back Joel Bouagnon, fullback Joe Kerridge and guard/tackle Adam Pankey).

The other practice squad signees signed on Sunday were center Austin Davis, outside linebacker Kendall Donnerson, defensive tackle Tyler Lancaster, defensive tackle James Looney and inside linebacker Greer Martini leaving two spots open. Other moves were waiving running back Devante Mays, tackle Kyle Murphy and cornerback Quinten Rollins from injured reserve with injury settlements even though those moves haven't been officially announced yet and may never be.  

The Cuts Are Really In And….

The cut to 53 has come, but it probably hasn’t gone because what was left from Saturday’s cutdown leaves more moves to come to actually fill out the roster, but if there are not any changes then some of the positions have been left in a lurch. So let’s see how I did position by position.

FROM THE SUBLIME TO THE RIDICULOUS, PART 35

Sublime

The preseason is over and the season starts next week against da Bears at Laaaammmmbeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Blonde Sublime

I will be going to The Cellar this season because of the loss of two of the Packer Backers. I’ve been watching the Packers games at The Cellar since 1994.

 

Wisconsin Girl from Milwaukee

The first set of Packer Backers from 1994 to 1997 were Patrick Immel and a very blonde radio and tv major at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale from Kenosha, Wisconsin. I really didn’t know her name, so I called her “Kenosha”. She was a true Wisconsin Packer girl. This was prior to watching the preseason games on the internet and The Cellar had the preseason package. I would guess her final year at SIU I was down at the bar on a Friday night and I think the Packers were playing the Dolphins in the first preseason game. I was there and she showed up for the kickoff. She had just arrived back in town and had her boyfriend drop her off at the bar to watch the game even before they got back to their apartment. She knew football like all the Packer Backer girls. We all have our little superstitions or things. Her thing was placing her keys in the middle of the table as she sat down.