It's hard to say goodbye
The conclusion of Super Bowl XLII concludes my NFL blog here on Area Voices (remember, the Pro Bowl doesn't count). After leaving The Dickinson Press, I wanted to finish what I started with my weekly NFL column. While my picks this season were far from stellar, I hope my column was entertaining.
Here were my final statistics for the season:
Regular season: 164-92 (.641)
Playoffs: 6-5 (.545)
Total: 170-97 (.637)
You can continue to read my works at www.htrnews.com, the online home of the Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter. Thanks for reading!
Posted by: mattwellens on Monday, February 04 at 4:15 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Super Bowl XLII
I'm going to keep this short.
Up until now, everything the New England Patriots has done is meaningless.
Unless they win on Sunday.
Perfection is what the Patriots are chasing. The 1972 Miami Dolphins went 17-0, winning Week 1, 20-10 at Kansas City, in Super Bowl VII over Washington, 14-7, and every game in between.
If New England would lose on Sunday, then all the hype and talk of where they rank among the greatest teams of all time is useless.
Remember when I said the battle of the undefeated - Colts-Patriots - was meaningless during the regular season. It was, wasn't it?
For the 2007 New England Patriots to matter in my mind, they must finish their season the same way that the 1972 Dolphins did, with a winning percentage of 1.000 and the Lombardi Trophy hoisted over their heads.
Granted, a loss for the Pats would put them in history as well, right next to the Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills - sports all-time greatest chokers.
The talk of the Pats path to perfection has made me sick this season, but not as sick as the trash talk dished out by the 1972 Dolphins. While most of America has embraced history, they have disgraced it, doing everything in their power to degrade the Pats.
It's time for these old, bitter men to be put on ice forever like their yearly bottle of champagne.
Besides, rule No. 1 of my picks has held true all year long. "Don't bet against the New England Patriots."
Patriots 36, Giants 28.
And now, it's for a some bonus picks:
Next to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, there is no bigger gambling day than the Super Bowl, and people are not just betting on the outcome of the game. There are an endless amount of side bets, or prop bets, that Vegas puts out there for all of the gambling addicts.
If you bet on the coin toss, you have a problem. Seriously, go get some help.
Categories are bolded with my pick underlined. I found these at http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2008/01/24/super_bowl_proposition_bets. They came from Bodog. A number like (-115) would be the money line, (-2, +2) would be the spread and (1/3) would be he odds.
Side comments are made in italics.
Please, don't take these to Vegas. I guarantee you'll get burned.
Match-up Eli Manning Super Bowl XLII vs. Peyton Manning Super Bowl XLI
These are just plain interesting and fun, most notably the Tom Brady versus himself prop bets. It's like they stole them from an ESPN show, then slapped spreads on them.
Most Passing Yards
Eli Manning -115
Peyton Manning -115
(Note: Peyton had 247 Passing Yards)
Most Pass Completions
Eli Manning in Super Bowl XLII vs. Peyton Manning in Super Bowl XLI
Eli Manning +2 -130
Peyton Manning -2 Even
(Note: Peyton had 25 Pass Completions)
Most Pass Attempts
Eli Manning +1ﾽ -140
Peyton Manning -1ﾽ Even
(Note: Peyton had 38 Pass Attempts)
Historical Matchup Most Rushing Yards, Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw in Super Bowl XLII vs. Ottis Anderson and Dave Meggett in Super Bowl XXV?
Brandon Jacobs & Ahmad Bradshaw +15ﾽ -130
Ottis Anderson & Dave Meggett -15ﾽ Even
(Note: Anderson and Meggett combined for 150 Rushing Yards)
Historical Match-up Tom Brady vs. His Past Super Bowl Performances
Most Passing Yards
Tom Brady Super Bowl XLII -148ﾽ -115
Tom Brady Super Bowl XXXVI +148ﾽ -115
(Note: In Super Bowl XXXVI, Brady had 145 Passing Yards)
Huge spread and deservedly so. Brady won't get 300 passing yards but he'll get close.
Most Passing Yards
Tom Brady Super Bowl XLII +50ﾽ -115
Tom Brady Super Bowl XXXVIII -50ﾽ -115
(Note: In Super Bowl XXXVIII, Brady had 354 Passing Yards)
Most Passing Yards
Tom Brady Super Bowl XLII -25ﾽ -135
Tom Brady Super Bowl XXXIX +25ﾽ Even
(Note: In Super Bowl XXXIX, Brady had 236 Passing Yards)
Most Passing Touchdowns
Tom Brady Super Bowl XLII -2 -120
Tom Brady Super Bowl XXXVI +2 -120
(Note: In Super Bowl XXXVI, Brady threw 1 TD Pass))
Most Passing Touchdowns
Tom Brady Super Bowl XLII -120
Tom Brady Super Bowl XXXVIII -120
(Note: In Super Bowl XXXVIII, Brady had 3 TD Passes)
Most Passing Touchdowns
Tom Brady in Super Bowl XLII vs. Tom Brady Super Bowl XXXIX
Tom Brady Super Bowl XLII -145
Tom Brady Super Bowl XXXIX +105
(Note: In Super Bowl XXXIX, Brady had 2 TD Passes)
How long will it take Jordin Sparks to sing the National anthem?
Over 1:42 -125
Under 1:42 -115
I hate long national anthems.
Will this be the Most Watched Super Bowl in history?
Yes -200
No +150
What will the TV Rating be, O/U (Nielsen)?
Over 43ﾽ -105
Under 43ﾽ -125
Who will have the largest market share in TV Ratings?
New York -130
Boston Even
New York is an awful football town that only pays attention to the sport when one of its teams is either in legal trouble or in a championship. NYC probably knows more about Tom Brady then the Giants, and will be rooting for him.
How Many Times will Joe Buck mention Peyton Manning's name during the broadcast?
Over 5.5 -125
Under 5.5 -115
I will seriously be counting and if I were Buck, I'd place my life savings on the over and spout out Peyton Manning six times from the start of the broadcast, then retire on the spot, leaving Troy Aikman lost. That would be entertaining.
Will the entire Fox pre-game team pick the Pats to win the Super Bowl?
Yes -175
No +125
Where's the odds on who Frank Caliendo will impersonate during the pregame. That's what I care about.
Which Super Bowl commercial will have a higher rating on USA Today's annual Ad Meter?
Budweiser 2/3
Go Daddy.com 3/1
Pepsi 6/1
McDonalds 9/1
Victoria Secret 8/1
Other 2/1
Bras and panties would win hands down if it was just the fans judging this. Football is male dominated, mostly by male pigs. Hooray T & A!
Will one of these Cities win Double championships in their respective sports in 2008?
Pats/Celtics 2/1
Pats/Red sox 3/1
Giants/Yankees 10/1
None 1/2
I lied. Betting on this proves you have a problem. This is a lose-lose bet. Don't do it. Please.
Who will have more on February 3rd?
Kobe Bryant Total Points +2ﾽ -120
New England Patriots Total Points -2ﾽ -120
Creative.
Will the team that scores first win the game?
Yes -240
No +190
Will either team convert a 4th down attempt?
Yes -220
No +180
Who will have more penalty yards in the game?
New York Giants -130
New England Patriots Even
Who will the MVP of the Game thank first?
Teammates 3/1
God 2/1
Family 2/1
Coach 4/1
Doesn't thank anyone 6/1
What about the media? Or Campbells Chunky Soup? Oops, not NASCAR.
Will the game go to overtime?
Yes +600
No -1100
Will Lawrence Tynes miss a field goal?
Yes -125
No -110
Will Don Shula be on the field to shake Belichick's hand after the game?
Yes +150
No -200
If the Patriots win, will Bob Kraft mention the 72 Dolphins during the Trophy Presentation?
Yes -135
No Even
If you're Kraft, put all your money on yes, say "72 Dolphins" then laugh and say you just paid for Randy Moss next year.
Will an NFL player get arrested in Phoenix during the week of the Super Bowl?
Yes -120
No -120
Duh.
What will the choosing team call in the Coin Toss?
Heads -105
Tails -105
Just say no.
Odds to Win Super Bowl XLII MVP
Tom Brady (NE) 1/2
Eli Manning (NYG) 7/2
Randy Moss (NE) 4/1
Laurence Maroney (NE) 5/1
Wes Welker (NE) 5/1
Plaxico Burress (NYG) 8/1
Brandon Jacobs(NYG) 10/1
Kevin Faulk (NE) 12/1
Ahmad Bradshaw (NYG) 15/1
Armani Toomer (NYG) 15/1
Asante Samuel (NE) 15/1
Rodney Harrison (NE) 18/1
Donte Stallworth (NE) 20/1
Jabar Gaffney (NE) 20/1
Lawrence Tynes (NYG) 20/1
Junior Seau (NE) 25/1
Stephen Gostkowski (NE) 25/1
Tedy Bruschi (NE) 25/1
Benjamin Watson (NE) 30/1
Michael Strahan (NYG) 30/1
Osi Umenyiora (NYG) 30/1
Steve Smith (NYG) 33/1
Gibril Wilson (NYG) 40/1
Adalius Thomas (NE) 45/1
Antonio Pierce (NYG) 45/1
Corey Webster (NYG) 45/1
Sam Madison (NYG) 45/1
Field (Any Other Player) 11/2
It would be too easy to pick Brady.
What Song will Tom Petty sing to end his Halftime Show at the Super Bowl?
Free Falling 5/6
Dont Do Me Like That 5/1
Learning to Fly 12/1
Great Wide Open 9/1
Last Dance with Mary Jane 4/1
Runnin Down A Dream 9/4
I like that song. If Petty took this bet, he could afford plastic surgery so he doesn't look like he's dead.
Posted by: mattwellens on Thursday, January 31 at 1:27 PM | Permalink
My Lambeau Field Journal, Part II
Sunday, Jan. 20, 2008
9:00 a.m. (CST) - I awake to the buzzing of my alarm and immediately flip open my laptop and pull up weather.com. The current temperature in Green Bay is -13 degrees, with a wind chill of -25. I guess I'll crank up the hot water in the shower this morning. I may never be this warm again.
10:38 - After soaking in an extremely hot shower, I toss on only a few of my layers - two t-shirts, thermal pants and long-sleeve shirt, wool socks and a baggy pair of pants - throwing the rest of my clothes in a bag to put on at my aunt's. I also fry up some eggs for breakfast, then load the truck with some beer, a half-drank bottle of Vanilla McGillicuddy's, chips, television and an antenna, then depart for Titletown.
11:31 - I arrive in DePere at my aunt's house where my dad has already been downing hot coffee. We chill for a bit before we layer up. I add another long-sleeve thermal shirt, hoodie (sleeves attached), a Brett Favre jersey, a hooded Packers fleece track-jacket, a fleece liner and a Packers coat, as well as a pair of sweatpants and some flannel pants. I also tack on another pair of wool socks and threw some warmers in the toe of my Doc Martin boots. As for headwear, I have the two hoods, as well as a Lambeau Field beanie and a ear muffs. I'm wearing leather gloves and have a pair of deer-skin, fleece lined mittens. Yes, I'm wearing ear muffs and mittens - very manly.
12:45 p.m. - We pass by a bank and the temperature has risen to 1 degree. Woo hoo! It's warming up!
1:03 - We arrive at our tailgating site, the same place as last time along Tony Canadeo Way behind Brett Favre's Steakhouse. The lot was already hopping and filling up fast. There is little to no grass parking available because there is a mountain of snow covering it. You actually can't tell the difference between concrete and grass because its all covered in snow and frozen.
1:30 - Half of the stove will not light, probably because its so freaking cold. We still get the eats warmed up - BBQ shredded pork and baked beans. We also poor a couple mugs of hot chocolate, mixed with a few shots of the Doc. It was some of the best hot coco ever.
1:48 - My dad has made some spicy, hot baked beans. He makes a good call and calls for a beer. I like his thinking.
2:19 - The original plan was to chill outside, eat more food, drink more beverages and watch the AFC Championship on my tiny television I brought but with how cold it was, we were afraid of draining the battery. Besides the Lambeau Field atrium had the game on a big screen. We elect to pack up, walk around and make our way to the field.
2:28 - We stop by the employee lot, checking for my cousin, Wayne, whose' friend's mom is an employee of the Packers. He tailgates there for every game, whether he has tickets or not. We are actually warm with all our layers and I peel the coat off. After not finding Wayne, we head into the atrium.
2:34 - Did I mention in the last journal how weak the security check is. I get lightly padded, tell the guard I have my cell phone and digital camera in a pocket and she just waves me through. "O.K., enjoy the game," she says. I really should have smuggled that thermos and McGillicuddy's in.
3:07 - While watching the Chargers and Phillip choke against the struggling Pats, I contemplate buying a beer from the stand run by a Lutheran Church. They are charging $6.50 for a Miller High Life. I'm not paying $6.50 for a High Life and decide A) I don't want to shed a million layers just to take a piss and B) I know the effects of alcohol on the body when cold - hypothermia. Being a first responder is like being an airplane mechanic. It sucks because you know everything that can go wrong.
4:11 - The gates are opening up so we decide to go to our seats since no one has told Norv Turner that touchdowns and worth more points than field goals. Do you actually think field goals will beat the Patriots. Moron. Marty would have went for touchdowns.
4:36 - We find our seats in Section 126, Row 5, Seats 20 and 21. The field is still half covered as the grounds crew works to remove the rest of the tarps. Earlier in the day, they had the entire field covered and were blowing hot air underneath to keep it warm. There is some slight ice in the end zone but otherwise the field looks very nice. It's brown but nice.
4:42 - Joe Buck walks right by on us the field. He looks really old. Eli Manning walks right by us on the field as well. He looks really cold, but is unphased by all of the lame Seinfeld insults.
4:57 - Both teams are out on the field warming up and the Packers are pumped up, most notably Greg Jennings, Charles Woodson and Al Harris. Our cousin Andy comes out onto the field to apparently yell at a camera man that is too close. He is just wearing a light fleece. He spots us says hello, then darts back into the stadium, never to be seen again. Smart man.
5:28 - It's almost game time and I am really unphased by the cold. I have a scarf on so my face is partially covered but there is little wind in the stadium. Only a few players, mostly lineman, receivers and running backs have gone sleeveless. We have no clue what the temperature is but no one cares. I'm not even sure my warmers are working. I feel nothing in my boots though the one I have tucked by my camera is keeping it functional.
7:19 - Minus the 90-yard bomb to Donald Driver, the first half was mostly uneventful on the Packers side. It's pretty much what I expected though with the elements. This would not be an offensive explosion on either side. The lack of a Packers running game really is concerning me but the lead has me thinking all is well. Another observation that I and those around me have made is that Brandon Jacobs is HUGE. I can't blame Charles Woodson or Nick Barnett being unable to stick him in his place. That guy is a truck load.
7:21 - Due to my warmers not working, my toes are officially frozen. They are actually the only part of my body that is frozen. I decided to walk around the stadium to do thaw them out. I contemplate picking up some hot chocolate but the lines are awful so I pass. The long lines for the bathroom are also hella-long so drinking anything scares me to have to sit in that line.
8:23 - The Packers inability to move the ball and the Giants ability to move the ball with ease is discouraging, leaving for very few second half highlights but these:
- Lambeau is all bleachers, except for the indoor and outdoor club seats. In the bleachers, you are basically paying for a number and those numbers are not spread out very much. People are packed in there and on Sunday, with everyone wearing layers, we were really packed in. You could barely squeeze into your seat at times. While most people worked together to fit everyone into a seat, there is always one person who throws it off. My row was for the most part cooperative.
The row ahead of me was not. An old man would not move over to allow another person to squeeze in. It took two security guards to get him to move down and the threat of being arrested by police. If I ever get this old and stubborn, shoot me.
- The man next to me taps me on the shoulder and says look behind you. It's the bikini girls! You can see my picture of them above. We were all wondering where they were sitting and if they would show. They don't sit with the bikinis on the whole game, but only peal off the layers and show the good when the Packer did something good. Their appearances were rare, but when they popped up, they attracted many camera, on the field and in the stands.
Side note/Cover my own ass/Brownie points: Jenny, I was only taking photos of them for the readers of this blog. They are newsworthy and I do not determine what is newsworthy. My readers and the fans do. You are all I need to look at (wink, wink).
9:13 - The Packers should be dead but they aren't. The Giants have missed two field goals, botched a punt return and now the Packers have won the toss in overtime. Some around me believe there is divine intervention at work but unlike Jon Kitna, I don't believe that God is sitting on the edge of his seat, altering the outcome of football games. I do however believe in the power of nuns. With one as an honorary captain sitting in a box and a whole room of nuns back in Manitowoc watching it on a big screen, I think the Packers may have been getting a little help.
9:21 - The help finally runs out. Driver cuts inside but Favre's throw goes outside, the ball gets picked off. At that moment, the incomplete pass to Mark Chmura in 1998, the Steve Young pass to Terrell Owens and "4th and 26" all flash before my eyes. This one will rank up there with all of those. The two men next to me decided to leave for now the third time in the game, but this time it's for good. Giants 23, Packers 20. I had to look twice at the scoreboard to see if it was true.
9:47 - We join the other 70,000-plus people in what is a quiet walk out of the stadium. I see one of the towels that was given away lying all muddied up the ground. At the time, I thought it optimized what had just happened, that the Packers had just thrown their season away.
"I should have sold my tickets and bought a new purse," a girl behind me said.
"I should have sold my tickets to pay off my student loans," I added.
Looking back though, none of this was supposed to happen. It was tough to hate the Giants on Sunday because if it wasn't for them, there would have been no NFC Championship at Lambeau. New York executed a perfect game plan - keep Brett Favre and the offense off the field, shivering on the sidelines while their offense stayed active and warm on the field.
You could place the blame on the offense's inability to move the ball but it was the defense who couldn't get them back on the field. Al Harris and Charles Woodson got smoked like a hookah at Woodstock.
I'm sure all you Packer haters out there are loving the misery all of us are going through - I'm avoiding sports channels and websites, besides the local which are softees - but think of this, no you must go through two weeks of Boston-New York. It's basically Yankees-Red Sox for the next two weeks. I can't wait for the day that it finally hits these two cities that the rest of America could care less about your rivalry.
Next week, I'll bring you my Super Bowl column and share my thoughts on the New England Patriots run at perfection.
I know I've basically ignored them all season and that is because up until now, none of it mattered. Now they are going for perfection, so now, I'll talk.
Last week: 1-1
Playoff record: 6-4
Posted by: mattwellens on Monday, January 21 at 3:44 PM | Permalink
Coming Soon: My Lambeau Field Journal, Part II
(Don't worry, I still love you too tickets.)
Thanks to my great family connection - my favorite Lambeau Field security guard and cousin Andy Wellens as well as $296 - my father and I will be sitting in section 126, row 5, seat 20 of the Frozen Tundra on Sunday when the Packers host the New York Football Giants for the NFC Championship.
And the tundra will certainly be frozen and then some with the game time temperature projected to be around 0 degrees farenheit. I'd invest in some of that new fancy UnderArmour cold gear but I just spent $148 for a ticket to a football game.
How did this idiocy/great stroke of luck occur. Funny you should ask. Here's a prequel to sequel of, "My Lambeau Field Journal." Click the link to read the original. Again, none of the times are accurate because I don't look at clocks unless I'm writing on deadline, or praying for a swim meet to end in time for me to watch a Packers' playoff game. Props to Manitowoc Lincoln for getting us all out with 30 minutes to spare.
Sunday, Jan. 13
Stevens Point, WI
3:25 p.m. - After running a few errands around town with my lovely girlfriend (keep reading and you'll learn why I'm sucking up), we arrive back at her apartment just in time to see the Chargers upset the Colts. I have a good feeling inside, partially because Jenny is making me a grilled cheese sandwich, and partially because I sense today is not the favorites' day after the Pats and Pack cleaned up the day before. Maybe I'm just trying to justify to myself that crazy Giants over Cowboys pick, or I'm really looking forward to grilled cheese after only eating a day-old cheesy gordita crunch earlier, which was really nasty.
3:35 - Jenny gives me a grilled cheese sandwich that is burnt on one side. I decided we should break up.
3:35:01 - Just kidding. She actually had the burnt side down, and I didn't realize it was burnt until halfway through eating the sandwich. I'm still confident that the Cowboys will implode and happy that Jenny likes me despite me being a complete moron sometimes.
4:02 - Saturday was actually Jenny's birthday and since I had to work that day until 10:30 p.m., I was unable to celebrate it with her. So being the nice guy that I am, I offered to take her out to dinner, her choice. She chooses Chili's and agrees that we can go after the game. Did I mention she's an awesome girl.
4:48 - Things are not going well for the G-men and I suggest we leave for dinner at halftime, I'll be able to monitor the disaster there. She's game.
4:49 - Fox tells us that Packers coach Mike McCarthy will be the guest at halftime. I know he's not going to say anything of substance because McCarthy is about as exciting as Bill Belichick, but he does it with a smile to fool us all. Jenny reluctantly agrees to let me listen to McCarthy say nothing, though she's getting anxious for a daiquiri.
4:51 - Eli Manning does the unthinkable and drive the Giants down the field and ties the game at 14-14 heading into the half. Dallas had control of the game. This is a heart breaker. I got a feeling that the 46 second Manning drive would haunt the Cowboys, and a craving for Chili's Honey-Chipolte Chicken Crispers after seeing that damn commercial so many times.
5:01 - Fox is kissing McCarthy's ass. I love how people jump on and off the Packers bandwagon. First they are pretenders, then contenders. Then the Packers are most likely to be upset in the divisional round, now they are destined to make it to the Super Bowl. If they beat the Giants, I expect the national media to hop off the wagon once again. Belichick's charisma is too irresistable.
5:12 - We finally take off for Chili's. It's snowing in Point, but not as much as at Lambeau. I'm thankful because I have to drive to the parents yet that night to do laundry. I'm cheap and lazy.
5:28 - If you are a restaurant and want to have any business on a Sunday during football season, you better have at least two flat-screen LCD televisions in view from every seat. I asked for a table next to a television and I got two. One right over my right shoulder and another over Jenny's left shoulder so I could look deep into her eyes while watching the the Cowboys and Giants battle it out. The game is close, Jenny has her daiquiri and I have a tall Honey Weiss. All is well in the world.
6:03 - It's been half an hour since we placed our order and no food has appeared. The waitress tells us she forgot to place our order, then the manager, who I learned earlier was a Cowboys fan, comes over. He gives us a lame apology though I know that us being upset is not on his mind. Jessica Simpson and Mexico ruining his team's season is. I could have raked him over the coals but I'm not that kind of guy. We get some chips and salsa while we wait. I'm happy and enjoying watching this guy squirm as New York reaches the red zone.
6:12 - The Giants have taken a 17-14 lead and the realistic thought of the Packers playing the NFC Championship has entered my mind. I start talking with Jenny about how cool it would be to go to the game.
6:40 - Our food finally came but my attention was not on my food, or my girlfriend. My eyes are darting back and forth between the television and my cell phone, which has my cousin Andy's cell phone number highlighted. I don't want to call him about tickets until its official as not to jinx the Giants. At the same time, I'm trying to justify dropping the money on the game to Jenny, who I believe is enjoying watching me squirm and get giddy over this battle from within.
6:49 - INTERCEPTION! The Giants pick off Tony Romo in the end zone with seven second to go. I whip open my cell phone and call Andy, only to learn he had sold his tickets to his brother in law Jeff at the beginning of December, though if he came across any, I'd have first crack. I know those chances are slim. My heart sinks though I'm relieved that I don't have to go through the chaos of the game. I'm just stoked that the road to the Super Bowl is going through Lambeau.
7:01 - Andy calls me back. He thinks he can get me two tickets, a 75 percent chance. He'll give me a call the next day to let me know for sure. The price is $148. I think that's a steal.
7:04 - I call Dad to tell him the good news that I have tickets for us. He's not to thrilled about the $148 price tag and needs to think about it. I get a slight lecture on my finances and with that, decide to spend more quality time with Jenny that night, not wanting to get into a financial argument with the parentals.
Monday, Dec. 14
Winneconne/Manitowoc, WI
3:15 p.m. - After spending the day with the parents, doing laundry and discussing my awesome financial state being just out of college and in the wealthy world of sport reporting, I depart for Manitowoc, yet to hear from my cousin about the tickets. I'm starting to lose hope again.
3:54 - The call comes and I have the tickets! Andy and I arrange to meet on Wednesday to exchange funds and pieces of fancy paper. I call the father, but he shoots me down. I wasn't surprised but disappointed instead. I begin going down the list of close, Packer crazed friends.
Tuesday, Dec. 15
Manitowoc, WI
1 p.m. - I'm having no luck getting any takers. My girlfriend shot me down, my best friend from high school who has never been to a game, but always wanted to shot me down as did my good buddy, Lisa, from college. I learn that my other cousin, Wayne, is interested so I contact him. He's a no because he dropped too much dough the week before on the Seattle game.
9:30 - I call Dad on my way back from Valders. He caves quickly with little to no fight. Apparently Mom was disappointed he shot down the once in a lifetime opportunity as well.
No offense to Jenny, Allyssia, Lisa and Wayne but the game would not have been the same with you. My Dad, Jim, is my best Packer watching bud and he also makes a mean pulled pork sandwich and some awesome baked beans.
A 5:42:36.56739863107pie start gives us plenty of tailgating time and plenty of time to freeze to death as well. Sunday could be Ice Bowl II if temperatures continue to drop. During the last Ice Bowl, Jim was digging out his father's car so pops could go to the game. This time around, he'll actually get to be at the game.
And Dad, if your mini-van gets stuck, we'll just take my four-wheel drive truck. After living in Marquette, MI for four year, I'm sick of shoveling.
I'd also like to point out how awesome my girlfriend is for putting up with my crap. I owe you another dinner, Jenny, once I get a few more pay checks in the bank.
Here are this weeks picks.
San Diego at New England
The win on Sunday for Norv Turner cues an apology letter from everyone who said A.J. Smith was nutz for firing what's his name. The truth is, though, that Turner can't control his team with Phillip Rivers as proof. Good luck mouthing off to those Boston fans on Sunday Phillip. They and Brady will eat you alive. The Chargers will not stay on top with Norv at the helm. Patriots 42, Chargers 21.
New York Giants at Green Bay
After the Packers rebounded from Ryan Grant's two early fumbles that put them down 14-0, I became convinced that the Packers are a team of destiny. Eli Manning is playing phenomenal and making all his doubters, like me, look dumb. Now is not quite his time, though his future is looking a lot brighter than Tony Romo. The Packers head to the Super Bowl and I improve to 4-0 at Lambeau. Packers 36, Giants 18.
Check back on Monday night for My Lambeau Field Journal: Part II and watch www.htrnews.com for a column on the game as well. There will be no column on Thursday so check back Super Bowl week for my prediction. As of now, it's still Pats over Pack, maybe.
Last week: 3-1
Playoff record: 5-3
(4.5-3 overall if you're going off my original picks. I give myself a half point for at least saying Dallas would lose. I just didn't have the right team knocking them off.)
Posted by: mattwellens on Thursday, January 17 at 2:00 AM | Permalink
The Walrus
Editor's note: This is my third attempt at posting. Apparently Areavoices.com does not like Google Maps, or maybe its just me.
If you think I have it out for former Packers coach, current Seahawks
coach Mike Holmgren, check out what a local Wisconsin DJ is proposing.
Walrus Face Way
Holmgren
Way is an avenue that runs north-south in the city of Ashwaubenon and
is actually one block east of Lambeau Field. It features a number of
bars and runs past the Resch Center and Bay Park Square Mall. It was
originally named Gross Ave and once you cross Lombardi Ave. heading
north, it turns back into Gross Ave. again.
The streets that
border Lambeau Field are Lombardi Ave., Oneida St. and Ridge Rd. Reggie
White, Brett Favre, Tony Canadeo and Bart Starr all have streets in
their name in the stadium district but only Holmgren's street rivals
Lombardi's. The others are pretty small.
Map of Lambeau Field district
People's hatred for Holmgren stems from why and how he left the Packers. Holmgren thought he was bigger than the Packers organization, the idea behind the Green Bay Packers. No one is bigger than the Pack in the state of Wisconsin - Not Vince Lombardi, not Brett Favre and especially not Holmgren.
Lombardi may have a championship trophy and major street named after him, but both stand in the shadow of Lambeau Field.
Holmgren left because the franchise would not make him general manager and president, which Seattle eventually did. He left just two years after the Packers Super Bowl loss, and shortly after the team suffered a heart-breaking first-round playoff loss to the 49ers.
General manager Ron Wolf and president Bob Harlan exemplified the Packers organization, putting the fans before anything else. Harlan answered his own phone, personally talking to fans. Holmgren was not this type of person.
He ditched Green Bay when the going got tough and he didn't get his way. The same will happen to Seattle. Hopefully they won't make the mistake of naming a street after him.
But if they do, hopefully it will be Walrus Face Way.
Here are my picks for this week's playoff games. Due to internet problems, they are short. Last week I went 2-2, missing both NFC games. Despite the results, I'm sticking with guns.
Patriots 32, Jaguars 14
Had the Jags been traveling to Indy, then I'd stay on their bandwagon.
Colts 28, Chargers 21
The Bolts playoff win last week does not justify the firing of Marty. They are right back where they were last year, but instead of being sent home by the Pats, it will be the Colts. Can you really blame any coach for being down by those two teams in this day in age?
Packers 27, Seahawks 23
Hasselbeck's last visit to Lambeau resulted in his mouth writing a check his ass couldn't cash. The result was the sight of Al Harris' dreads in his wake. Expect a similar outing, minus saying anything stupid.
Giants 18, Cowboys 17
I doubt Brady, Manning or Favre were in the tropics with a busty singer during their bye week. An unhealthy T.O. makes things even worse for the 'Boys.
As for a do-over of my Super Bowl prediction, I'll stay with Pats over Packers, maybe.
Posted by: mattwellens on Thursday, January 10 at 2:08 PM | Permalink
Playoffs!?! Don't talk about playoffs!
Sorry Jim but it's time to talk about the playoffs. First though, I'd like to address the coaching carousel and NFL Network. Mora knows a little something about both ... as well as "diddly poo."
Black Monday
There is no better day to park your butt on the couch, tune to ESPNEWS and watch coaches get canned one by one. This year, though, Black Monday was pretty boring.
With Bobby Petrino already gone from Atlanta, the Ravens made the only firing on Monday, releasing Brian Billick, who brought Baltimore a Super Bowl title. Billick lost nine of his last 10 games this season and failed to develop a quarterback during his tenure.
For Billick, this was better for him than the Ravens. He has had nothing to work with in recent years and now he has the chance to go to a franchise where he can work with proper talent.
The Dolphins also joined the party by letting go of Cam Cameron today and that may be a good fit for Billick, though I see Parcells Inc. to go after a younger coordinator to be the 'Phins next skip.
The NFL coaching market is loaded this offseason with two Super Bowl champion head coaches available - Billick and Bill Cowher - as well as a Super Bowl champion coordinator in Mike Martz. Marty Schottenheimer is also available.
One last rumor, don't be surprised if the walrus swims down from Seattle to the Bay Area to become the 49ers next GM. Mike Nolan was stripped of the title on Wednesday.
I stand corrected
I originally stated that the NFL caving to peer pressure with its Patriots-Giants game was a bad idea. Now, I say the move was brilliant.
And it was well planned ... probably months in ahead of time.
While the NFL could not had scripted a better game, it did script some great commercials, and shots at cable, which it was able to air for free to a national audience.
Cable got duked. Just check out this spot. "Channels I don't want. You think I want four channels just for women? I was in Korea."
Now a look back even further
I can't believe I'm doing this but its time for the humiliation. Below are my preseason playoff predictions. The AFC looks pretty good but the NFC, well, ouch.
In the AFC, I have the Patriots, Bengals, Colts and Chargers winning division titles with Broncos and Steelers winning the wild card. The Patriots will defeat the Chargers to advance to the Super Bowl.That's pretty nasty. I think I'll modify those predictions a little bit. Here are this week's Wild Card round picks, followed by the rest of my playoff do-over picks. I could be conservative and go with the chalk, which I think will happen, but I'm feeling a little adventurous ...
In the NFC, I'll take the Cowboys, Bears, Saints and Rams to win their respective divisions with Seahawks and Eagles edging out the Packers for the wild card.
My Packers and Brett Favre will finish 9-7 thanks to an easy NFC North. The Saints will defeat the Bears in the NFC Championship, but fall to the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.
Redskins at Seahawks
Joe Gibbs has the Skins playing some inspired ball while Mike Holmgren decided to lose their way into the post season. Washington could be a dangerous team in the post season while the Holmgren era may be coming to an end in Seattle. Redskins 24, Seahawks 21.
Jaguars at Steelers
The Jags might be the hottest team of the Wild Card round and they do have the potential to knock off the Pats and Colts. The Steelers are without Willy Parker and that scares me. Big Ben is a quality quarterback, but I don't feel he can carry a team without a quality running back. Jaguars 28, Steelers 20.
Giants at Buccaneers
Typically I don't like teams who kill their momentum coming into the playoffs, playing against a team that is as hot as ever. The Giants did the best thing for them by playing the Pats right to the wire, but I still have no faith in Eli Manning. Buccaneers 18, Giants 16.
Titans at Chargers
After a dismal start, the Chargers have literally charged into the playoffs and in the words of Dennis Green, "They are who we thought they were." Maybe the Chargers can make my preseason prediction look good. Chargers 32, Titans 16.
Here are the rest of my pics for the playoffs. In the AFC Championship, I have the Patriots over the Colts and in the NFC Championship, I have the Packers over the Redskins. Dallas is playing awful right now and its inability to take care of the Redskins in the regular season finale will cost them dearly. While a New England-Green Bay Super Bowl is Bill Simmons' worst nightmare, I will not break my No. 1 rule of picking NFL games, "Never pick against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots." Unfortunately, it will be Pats over Pack in the Super Bowl, maybe.
I'll be back next week for another do-over of these picks. Again, don't take them to the bank.
Last week: 9-7
Final regular season record: 164-92 (.641)
Posted by: mattwellens on Thursday, January 03 at 11:53 AM | Permalink
Dumbassary
I've now decided to take the Mike McFeely route when it comes to blogging and dealing with comments from people who lack the ability to say anything worthwile.
http://www.areavoices.com/mcfeely/?blog=16512
If calling someone an idiot, moron or loser makes you feel better about yourself, more power to you. I'm all for whatever turns your pecker green but save it for your Dungeons and Dragons message boards. I'm not going to accept it here.
I used to find original thinkers like you hilarious, but now you're just a waste of everyone's time. From here on out, comments are now off.
Good day.
Posted by: mattwellens on Friday, December 28 at 9:02 PM | Permalink
NFL folds
There it sat. The ball cap was tipped low. Sunglasses were being dawned in a barely lit room and held an emotionless expression, similar to what you would find at a Bill Belichick press conference.
The National Football League was sitting at the poker table with a royal flush but it mucked the cards. All it's opponent it had was lousy pair of deuces, ducks.
On Wednesday, the NFL announced that Saturday's game between the Patriots and Giants will not be exclusively shown on its NFL Network, but it will be simulcast on NBC and CBS.
If the NFL thinks that allowing the nation to view the Patriots pursuit of perfection will gain its network sympathy in the war with the country's largest cable companies - Time Warner, Charter and Comcast, it didn't. All it did was guarantee that a few bored senators will be able to pressure the NFL Network into simulcasting all of their "big" games in the future.
To me, Saturday's matchup is quite pointless. An undefeated regular season is only worth something if you win the Super Bowl as well. The 1972 Miami Dolphins finished 17-0 with a Super Bowl title. The Patriots must go 19-0 in order to join the Dolphins in history. Forget about the Giants. Their starters will be out at halftime. The game will be over at halftime and the nation will have flipped to FOX or ABC because it can't stand Brian Gumble anymore.
While Gary Thorne, Al Michaels and (Whoa Nelly!) Kieth Jackson make a game sound bigger than it is, no one can make a game sound more meaningless and boring than Bryan Gumble.
Wednesday's move only hindered the NFL's cause. Let's see what teams can do to help themselves out this week in the playoff chase. Here are the games to watch.
49ers at Browns
Cleveland's loss last week put their fate in the hands of the Tennessee Titans. It doesn't matter what Cleveland does in this game, if the Titans lose, the Browns are in. If Cleveland wanted to, it could rest its starters just in case it gets to play next week. I wouldn't, however. Teams that lose their way into the playoffs rarely go far. Just go back and look at the 2005 Colts who were a No. 1 seed. Browns 18, 49ers 10.
Titans at Colts
If the Titans win, they are in. If they lose, they are done for. The NFL moved this game to Sunday night so the Browns will have to squirm in Cleveland until nightfall. The ratings for this game should be huge in the Cleveland and expect it to be a close one. Tony Dungy hates playing his starters in games that are meaningless so Payton Manning and Marvin Harrison will not last long. These are the kind of games that can trap pickers. Typically I would go with the Colts, without a second thought. Instead, I like the team that actually has something to play for - like their playoff lives. Titans 28, Colts 24.
Cowboys at Redskins
Washington got a number of gifts last week to set themselves up perfectly for the playoffs. First, the Vikings tanked against them on Sunday night giving Washington control of its own fate. Then, the Packers froze up in Chicago, giving Dallas the No. 1 seed in the NFC and nothing to play for in Week 17. An injury to Terrel Owens puts the fear of injury in Dallas and before you know it, the Redskins will get to meet the Cowboys' practice squad. Again, I will be going with the team that needs the win the most. If Washington wins, they are in. Redskins 27, Cowboys 24.
Vikings at Broncos
Finally someone watched the game tape of the Packers 34-0 whooping of Minnesota. If you put eight in the box and possess any respectable type of defense, you can beat Minnesota. The once hot Vikings are watching their lives flash before their eyes and it's all because they lack a quarterback. If they had one, they wouldn't be in the position they are in. Minnesota needs a win and a Redskins loss to play next week. A poor Denver run defense will give them half of that equation. You would think a team with seven Pro Bowlers would be in a better situation. Vikings 17, Broncos 15.
Saints at Bears
New Orleans needs another Week 16 to happen where everything goes wrong for those that control their fate. The Saints need a win, a Vikings loss and a Redskins loss to make the playoffs. Their rough start appears to be too large of a hole to climb out of. The Saints better be careful not to watch the scoreboard too much and forget about the Bears. Saints 14, Bears 13.
Here are my final regular season picks. Next week, I'll be back with my playoff predictions and I'll also take a look back at my playoff picks to start the season. That will be ugly.
Patriots over Giants; Seahawks over Falcons; Packers over Lions; Jaguars over Texans; Bucs over Panthers; Bills over Eagles; Bengals over Dolphins; Jets over Chiefs; Cardinals over Rams; Chargers over Raiders and Steelers over Ravens.
Last week: 9-7
Season: 155-85 (.646)
Posted by: mattwellens on Thursday, December 27 at 10:42 AM | Permalink
Ruin Romo
This was created by a publisher in Milwaukee who obviously has too much time on his or her hands.
http://www.ruinromo.com
The site features Jessica Simpson masks for people to print out and wear at Cowboy games, PTI style.
The signs are being pushed in Carolina tonight and Washington next week to help give Green Bay home field advantage in the playoffs.
I'd think his ex-girlfriend, Carrie Underwood, would be worse. Why he dumped her for Simpson is beyond my belief. Underwood is much better looking and carries less baggage.
Posted by: mattwellens on Saturday, December 22 at 7:12 PM | Permalink
Snub the Pro Bowl, not the selections.
While I tend to despise the many of college football's rituals, there is one that I treasure greatly, a tradition that I would love to see the NFL borrow from the NCAA the selection of its all-stars.
Professional sports has acquired an ugly illness the practice of selecting its single-season best before the season even finishes. They wait to name their most valuable player, rookie of the year and coach of the year, but the all-star teams must be announced when there are so many games left to be played.
Among the big four NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB pro football waits the longest, until after Week 15, nearly nine-tenths of the way through the regular season. Basketball, baseball and hockey use the all-star games as a break mid-way through their seasons, making an all-star appearance meaningless in my mind since all you can go down in the record book as is a great first-half player.
But at least the NHL, NBA and MLB get their all-stars to attend the extravaganzas. The NFL has struggled in recent years, making the Pro Bowl in Hawaii nearly unbearable to watch. Many of the league's greats and those that compete in the Super Bowl neglect to show up while those greats that do attend treat it like a preseason contest. You are lucky to see Payton Manning on the field for a whole quarter. Manning's only Pro Bowl highlight was calling then Indy kicker Mike Vanderjack a liquored up kicker, for calling the Colts quarterback for lacking heart.
I'd love to brag about Brett Favre's Pro Bowl highlights but he skips the sandy beaches of Hawaii every time to ride around on his tractor in Mississippi.
The NFL should just scrap the Pro Bowl in Hawaii or better yet, replace the Hall of Fame Game during the preseason with a contest featuring the best of the best from the year before, who are selected at the end of the regular season. The Pro Bowl is already a preseason game. It just needs to be put in its proper place on the schedule.
Here are this week's games to watch:
Steelers at Rams
I almost had to forfeit this game but the UPS man came just in time with my DSL router. Thanks to DirecTV finally getting my dish reinstalled at the new apartment, I will also get to see if the Steelers can recover from the slide they are in. Pittsburgh has yet to even clinch a playoff spot and a win tonight will not do it. It needs a Tennessee loss. Steelers 24, Rams 18.
Cowboys at Panthers
This is the apology game for me. I'm sorry Dad I did not initially invite you to my place to watch this game. Go get a dish so you don't have to travel an hour and a half for NFL network. Lisa, I am sorry I will miss a night out in Appleton for your birthday to see this game. It's not the game that's keeping me from celebrating your No. 24, but my lack of funds. Jessica Simpson should apologize to Cowboys nation for possibly sending them to Lambeau in January. Marion Barber should apologize to me for costing me a berth in the NoDak Paper People fantasy football league on Yahoo. Now I'm stuck in the third place game with Aarhus. I may be picking you Dallas, but I'll be rooting against you. Cowboys 28, Panthers 12.
Giants at Bills
New York is sliding quicker than the Cowboys and Steelers. Eli Manning has proved he is nothing like his brother and Citizen Echo watches may want to rethink their ad featuring the lesser Manning. The Giants need a win to get in the playoffs. A Redskins and Saints loss will do the trick also. I'll take the rural Bills at home versus the city not-so-slick Giants. Bills 18, Giants 15.
Packers at Bears
While I don't care about the Pro Bowl, the snub of the 12-2 Packers is disgusting. Only four - Brett Favre, Al Harris, Aaron Kampman and Donald Driver - made the team. Charles Woodson, Nick Barrnett and Greg Jennings were all snubbed. I wish I could explain how the Vikings put seven players in the Pro Bowl. Wanting to avenge a early season loss at Lambeau and the snubbing, I see the Packers routing Chitown. Packers 38, Bears 10.
Redskins at Vikings
Since getting blown out 34-0 in the Frozen Tundra, Minnesota has turned it around and can knock out two teams - Washington and Carolina - who stand in their way of reaching the playoffs. Seven Pro Bowlers and this streak of five wins may have Viking fans celebrating but they should remain cautious. The Vikings are just prospering in a weak NFC that has little beyond Green Bay and Dallas. Vikings 21, Redskins 20.
Here are the rest of the picks:
Browns over Bengals, Chiefs over Lions, Colts over Texans, Jaguars over Raiders, Saints over Eagles, Cardinals over Falcons, Buccaneers over 49ers, Patriots over Dolphins, Seahawks over Ravens, Titans over Jets and Chargers over Broncos.
Playoff scenarios can be found at http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/standings/playoffrace/scenarios.
Last week: 9-7
Season: 146-78 (.652)
Posted by: mattwellens on Thursday, December 20 at 6:32 PM | Permalink
