A lot of Green Bay Packer Fans can rest easy now that two pivotal parts of the Packers Defense have been extended long term contracts. The news that DL Ryan Pickett and FS Nick Collins both will be extended today came from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s columnist, Greg A. Bedard.

It is reported that DL Ryan Pickett has received a four year extension worth a total of $28 million.  FS Nick Collins accepted a three year extension worth a total of 23 million dollars.

Quotes:

“I signed the papers today, We’ve been working on this off and on for a year.” I’m just happy to stay in Green Bay.” It meant the world to him to be here, his family likes it here; he loves to fish, he’s a small town guy, he loves being part of the Green Bay community.” – Ryan Pickett

“love this defense, I think I was built for it…I think the defense is going to grow leaps and bounds from last year.” – Ryan Pickett

“Our No. 1 goal is to get to the Super Bowl.”- Ryan Pickett’s response when asked if he and Collins made the decision together.

This Move will go a long way in helping the Packers return to the post season and compete for a Super Bowl championship.  Once again, the Ted Thompson haters have to eat a little bit of humble pie after this deal.  He’s done an excellent job of retaining quality talent on favorable deals.  Way to go Teddy. Go Pack!

Watching New Orleans completely force the hand of the Colts late in the game last night made me think of one thing… The Packers really were good enough to do the same thing. You could say, “Oh, well Indy would have torn apart Green Bay’s D,” or “The Packers’ offense is good but it’s not dominant like the Saints.” But let’s look at the numbers shall we.

In the regular season the Saints had the 26th ranked passing defense while the Packers ranked fifth. Okay, maybe ranking in the upper 15% was a bit of a flash in the pan for the Pack because of an easy schedule; but had they faced tougher offenses would they have dropped 21 spots to 26? I don’t think so.

How about the run defense? You could tell last night that the Colts felt pretty comfortable running the ball. The reason being is because New Orleans gives up an average of 122 yards on the ground, good for 21st in league. The Packers? Only the top ranked running defense in the NFL, giving up 83 yards per game.

The turnover margin is also in the Packers’ favor with a league best +24, while the Saints –a team that proclaims to rely on turnovers- sits at +11.  So with all these statistics we can agree that the Packers defense is at least up to par with the “Who Dats?”

Now on to the offensive side of the ball. The Saints were outstanding putting up 6,461 total yards this year. This was the number 1 offense, but the Packers were not too far behind at number six, putting up 6,065 yards. Both teams were led by excellent quarterbacks. Drew Brees’ performance over the last few seasons speaks for itself. A-Rodge’s does as well. He actually put very similar statistics with the ex-Boilermaker. He had more yards and less picks, while Brees had 4 more TD’s and a slightly higher passer rating.

While numbers clearly aren’t everything, they provide a good way gauge a team. And if you’re gauging with these numbers, you could say that the only thing holding back the Packers from the Superbowl was a better defensive game plan against the Cardinals . Either way, with a few minor adjustments, these numbers give Packer fans all the more reason to be excited for next year.

Once The Who clear out of Sun Life Stadium this Sunday, the NFL is left with a seemingly larger problem than a potential lockout in 2011.

You see, The Who is the last “big” classic rock band to play the halftime show, and after them, it’s pretty much slim pickings in the pantheons of rock (personally, my fingers are crossed for a CCR reunion).

Think about it. Since 2002, the NFL already had Paul McCartney, Prince, The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, U2, and Bruce Springsteen. Any NFL fan knows that the league has taken the safe route since we were all granted the privilege of seeing Janet Jackson’s nipple in 2004, and it’s hard to believe that they would change that stance in the immediate future.

Here are a few bold predictions as to what the NFL’s next move is for the halftime show…

1. Jay-Z, Lil’ Wayne, Rihanna, T.I., etc.

In a surprising move, the NFL lets MTV produce the halftime show again. MTV responds with a glorified hip-hop mash-up, much like the one we saw at the Video Music Awards in 2009.

As a matter of fact, MTV just rehashes that same script and applies the theme towards football. Put them all in football jerseys, have them sing about “swagger” and cough syrup, and boom!

I’ve already thought of a name for it too! MTV presents: “We Really Phoned It In 2011.”

2. The Doobie Brothers

You laugh now, but savvy football fans will remember how the Doobie Brothers “rocked it” at the Orange Bowl in 2009.

In 2000, I attended a Doobie Brothers concert with my parents, courtesy of Northwest Airlines and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. I kid you not, after every song, they had to thank one of those sponsors. Nobody in the crowd stood up at any point, and only polite golf claps were allowed in between songs.

Oddly enough, in 2001 I would be starting my own rock band, partly because I vowed that we would be cooler than the Doobie Brothers. The jury is still out as to whether or not I was successful in this endeavor.

That being said, the Doobie Brothers are perhaps the lamest choice the NFL could make. Plus, they’d probably force them to change their name to the “Groovy Brothers” for the evening. You know how the NFL doesn’t like to co-mingle with pot!

3. Led Zeppelin

I’m assuming that Led Zeppelin isn’t reuniting anytime soon because Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones hate money.

But honestly, how hard can it be for them to crawl onstage, rip through a few classics (I’m thinking a medley of ‘Rock n Roll,’ ‘Black Dog,’ ‘Kashmir,’ then ‘Stairway to Heaven’), take their paycheck and go back across the pond?

If anybody can do it, it’s the NFL. Imagine what Roger Goodell’s resume would look like afterwords:

Accomplishments:

-Commissioner of the NFL.

-Personally responsible for cleaning up the league’s tarnished image through swift and severe punishments and suspensions.

-Reunited Led Zeppelin.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Your dream Led Zeppelin halftime setlist? Post em’ in the comments, mmmmk?

We are officially less than one week away from Super Sunday. I will be making the journey up to the Twin Cities by way of Milwaukee for me and my college cronies’ big game party. I am looking forward to it. Not to mention being able to pour a little more salt in the still fresh wounds of my friends up there who cheer for a group of lesser men, who go out on Sundays to play football dawning the color purple. Speaking of the Super Bowl and the Vikings, as a certain narcissistic big boned 4^th grader from South Park elementary would say, “ha ha ha ha ha ha.” But in all seriousness, did you see the best looking highlight Favre was a part of making during the NFC Championship game? If you guessed it was all those TV shots of his daughter, I would agree. Okay, okay enough about the Vikings, Favre, and their players who are too busy ‘recovering’ through practice (due to partying at Miami night clubs) rather than appearing in their first Pro Bowl game, and on to other notes.

First and foremost, congrats goes out to “Who Dat?” nation. My heart still goes out for the people of the gulf coast region. So as not to take anything away from the great hardships being undertaken currently in Haiti, New Orleans and the gulf coast region still have a long way to go on the road to recovery. Sadly, it is a road they may not see the end of, and I feel as a nation that we have forgotten about them all too quickly. I will say this last bit about the NFC Championship game. As much as I hate to admit it, the better team lost that Sunday. The Saints will have to play much better against the Colts to beat them in the big game, and unless you are from Indiana or U of TN alum, I hope you will be rooting for the Saints come Super Sunday.

Speaking of “Who Dat”, if you haven’t read anything about the NFL attempting to slap a TM on that phrase, then you should. The NFL really has turned itself into a fairly evil money hoarding empire whose ego has gotten too big for my taste thanks in large part to Emperor Goodell. Case in point, the NFL just recently asked for exemption to the antitrust laws and regulations (even though it is a blatant monopoly), which I am happy report the Supreme Court tossed out their request almost immediately. In addition, are you aware that when the NFL files its taxes with the IRS every spring, it categorizes itself as “not for profit” as in a NPO. A NPO, seriously, no joke. There is no reason for any president or CEO of any NPO to make more than $150,000.00 in a year. Yet, when Paul Tagliabue was still the head cheese, he pocketed roughly 80 times that for an annual year of service and it is rumored that Goodell makes upwards of $18,000,000.00 plus bonuses. Think about it, the NFL, a tax exempt organization, that takes in roughly $7billion (with a ‘B’) dollars (not yen) in revenue (and growing) annually doesn’t have to contribute to the same pool you and I do that goes to fund schools, fill pot holes, fight fires, and defeat terrorists.  Yet somehow, when a new stadium goes up, tax-payers tend to shell out a large chunk for the tab. Strange, I know. And don’t even get me started on the whole ‘concussion committee’ the NFL paid to produce less than balanced results for its “in depth research” project to present to the Senate committee, or this NFL in Europe business. Though the later is the least serious of all of the above topics, football is America’s game, and even the mentioning of hosting an over seas Super Bowl one day should be considered high treason, and a lynch mob should be formed. Look, I am a red-blooded American just like you. I eat too much red meat, love my football, love my Lite beer (because real friends won’t let you be a ‘ght’er), and take my women the same way I take my coffee, hot. But the NFL really has gotten out of control.

Threatening legal action against shop owners trying to revive a spirit and a profit in a city that was absolutely decimated 4 years ago by the worst natural disaster in our nation’s history, for selling t-shirts with the phrase “Who Dat” on them?!?! Because the NFL thinks it owns the rights to a phrase the people of the city of New Orleans have used for more than a half century, so it can make a couple extra bucks?!?! That sir or madam is the straw that broke my camel’s back. Two words for you NFL, public domain! To go one step further, forget the No Fun League. They have the nerve to fine Ochocinco $30k every time he does something goofy and fun on the field (I mean, ’cause fans don’t want to be entertained at football games they pay to go to right?), though he has been nothing short of a class act off the field. At least the fine money gets donated to charity. Too bad it’s the NFL who get’s to take the credit and add that to its donation total and not Chad. Welcome to the Not Fair League.

For the past few years we have all witnessed what Favre does to his team in the offseason.  He holds the team hostage until training camp (this year it was until after two-a-days), then decides to return.  Year after year he talks retirement and returns to play, but will this year be different? I think not.  

This year is eerily similar to the way Favre imploded in the 2007 NFC Championship game.  He then proclaimed that he was retiring, which turned out to be a lie, and wanted to come back after the Pack had moved on.  He tried to hold the whole business/organization hostage even after they presented Favre with a fair offer, which was that he would compete for the starting spot. What more can you ask for?  

Nothing is given Brent, everything is earned.  I hope Vikings fans were watching when that drama queen wanted his way because they are in for a parade.  Yes, Favre has proven that he has some fumes left in the tank, but will he finally hang it up?

I caught the beginning of the press conference after the 2010 NFC Championship game last night. Favre held back the water works this time, but he sounded like an old man at the end of his road.  He sounded drained, especially after losing in the manner that he loves ( going down in flames). The gunslinger has lost a few MPHs on that fastball of his – he may need to use that Wrangler Jean wearing brain of his and make better decisions.  But has he ever?  No.  Will he ever?  I hope not (retire!)

It has been a long and storied career for the Ironman, and he should go down as the second greatest QB of all-time – second to Peyton Manning.  Favre should think about his last two shots at getting to the Super Bowl.  Once he threw the ball right to Corey Webster and once into a group of Saints with the same outcome – interceptions that blew his team’s shot at winning an overtime game to get to the Super Bowl.  

I think Favre’s main reason for unretiring was to stick it to the Packers, but did he?  Yes, he won both games against the Packers.  Yes, he ALMOST made the Super Bowl which was the team’s goal, but he has also stunted the growth of whomever is going to be the Vikings quarterback – which I appreciate!  He is also the sole reason why Brad Childress got  a contract extension – which I also appreciate!  As a Viking, Favre has done some good for us Packers fans.  But that should all be over now. Let’s enjoy as the Packers control the NFC North for years to come.

I hope the next time i see Favre will be on a “Just for Men” commercial, starring opposite Emmitt Smith.  Now that’s entertainment.

When ranking teams according to their all-time winning percentages, the Minnesota Vikings are fourth overall in the NFL and have the highest within the NFC north.  They also appeared in one-third of the first twelve Super Bowls.  So what’s stopping the Minnesota Vikings from being considered one of the NFL’s most prestigious franchises?

They are 0 and 4 in their four Super Bowl appearances — their last one being Super Bowl XII in 1977 — and are ranked 25th out of 32 teams in postseason winning percentage. Maybe they wouldn’t choke so much if they chewed their breakfasts more prior to their postseason games.

The odds-makers are singing a different tune this year (these are the people who make a living off of wagering large, difficult bets backed by their large crystal cajones). The Vikings are currently tied for second with the New Orleans Saints (+400) to win Super Bowl XLIV, only trailing Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts (+300).

"So You're Saying There's a Chance...."

With the NFC North Division practically already won — sorry Packers fans, there is always next season — many are already trying to put together the postseason puzzle.

Although upsets are always possible, some people are already drooling over a Vikings/Saints NFC Championship Game with the winner playing the favored Colts out of the AFC for the Super Bowl XLIV title.

Ruling out Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson, and the rest of the present-day Purple People Eaters from a potential Super Bowl XLIV Title would be foolish. Every passing week brings that closer to reality.

9. KOBE!!!

I am a Lakers and Bucks fan. But after George Karl broke up the big three, I have been much more of a Lakers fan. Kobe is currently, and has been, my favorite player since Jesus Shuttlesworth left MKE for SEA; rather, got ran out of town by George Karl.

In defense of my Lakers fandom, my favorite player growing up was a Laker: Nick Van Exel. Don’t ask me why, because I don’t know. I loved Jordan, but I loved NVE more for whatever reason.  In any event, it was good to see him win one without Shaq, who as of late looks like a shmuck.

10. Pittsburgh does it again

But this time it was on the ice. I don’t know much about hockey. But I do know the following: it’s fun to watch and is either the best or second best sport to watch live depending upon who you ask. I haven’t really cared all that much about hockey since the last lockout.

There are teams in cities that don’t support hockey and that really pisses me off (especially considering Milwaukee doesn’t have a pro team). My favorite team has always been the Pens (my best friend since 1st grade is a huge Pens fan), and my least favorite team has always been the Red Wings. So, needless to say, I was quite happy about the Stanley Cup finals.

Damn good year for sports in Pittsburgh

11. You knew I would be getting to this topic: Favre.

My feelings, thoughts, and opinions on this topic alone could be made into a book. So I will save the post about HeWhoShallNotBeNamed for later. Vuck Finnesota!

12. WE HAVE A HOME… and it’s name is TCF Bank *sigh*.

Well, the stadium is beautiful and the atmosphere is great. I wish I lived up there so I could go see my Gophers in action more (but that’s the only reason I still wish I lived in Minneapolis). Too bad we still kind of suck eyh?

Here’s to a season that will most likely end in a loss at the ThisBowlDoesNotEvenMatterSoChangeTheChannel.com Bowl. Here’s to next year and a good off season of recruiting… RAH!

13. The Yankees prevail… evil reigns supreme… Aaron rejoices?

Okay, I wanted the Yankees to win. I cheered for them for many reasons that you can hate me for. One, for sure, isn’t very logically sound.

A) A-rod played his single A ball in my home town, I got to meet him, I have a few of his autographs, the Timber Rattlers (formerly the Appleton Foxes — the team he and Big Papi played for) are now a minor league affiliate of the Brewers by the way.

B) I love hating the Yankees. But, lets face it; it’s not fun to hate on someone constantly if they are always down. Hell, they hadn’t won it in a while, regardless of how much I hate them because they buy all their players and perceived championships for astronomical amounts of loot.

The bottom line is they hadn’t been to the top of the mountain in almost a decade. It’s always best to knock the bully down when he is atop his high horse. And if baseball is going to continue it’s non-salary cap ways, then I might as well be able to hate the Evil Empire.

C) C.C: Dude gave his heart and soul for the Crew and threw out his arm at the tail end of the regular season. Just so we could say we made it back to the playoffs (prior to last year, in all of American pro sports, no team had a longer playoff drought than the Brewers).

He even wanted to stay with the Crew, and if it weren’t for the MLBPA practically forcing his hand to sign the NY deal, he most likely would have (this, btw, is more fact than speculation, if you care for me to explain it to you, I will later).

A collection of topics (and anything related to them) I plan to write about in the coming weeks:

Packers, Bucks, Gopher football/basketball, NBA, NFL, Vikings, HeWhoShallNotBeNamed, MLS Cup Final, etc.

That does it; I hope you liked numero uno. This is Mav, pulling the eject handle… WATCH THE GLASS CEILING!!!

If there is anything specific you want to hear my outlandish opinion on, just ask, and it will be duly noted.