Posts filed under 'Brett Favre'
January 20th, 2008
It was not the kind of start the Packers wanted, but hey, it sure beat last week’s. This time Green Bay only trailed 3-0 early instead of 14-0.
Brillaint early play calling caught New York off guard. But after two plays, Green Bay had no offense.
New York looked like you wanted Green Bay to look — a nice 14 play, 71 yard march that took 7:48 off the clock. That’s how you win games.
Green Bay is going to have to start holding New York to three-and-outs or on its side of the field — at least until the Packer offense warms up — if anyone, or anything, can warm up.
January 20th, 2008
Favre seems impatient. He just completed three consecutive passes — for minus-3 yards, with a long gain of 1 yard. New York has gotten no rush, yet Favre keeps flinging the ball into the flat after about one second. On a shovel-pass screen, he tossed the ball before any of the defensive linemen overran the play. You’ve got to let the rushers get past the receiver and close in on the quarterback before you throw. The Giants, on the other hand, have been throwing down field. Their only problem has been dropped passes, one by Amani Toomer that wound up leading to a 21-yard punt. And one in the end zone by Kevin Boss on their first drive that turned a would-be touchdown into a field goal and a 3-0 lead. — Matt Trowbridge
January 20th, 2008
It didn’t take long to realize we were getting close to Lambeau Field today. At the Walgreen’s on Oneida Street, their sign read, “Attention Giants: Bandaids and pain killers on sale.”
We got here easily, with traffic light two hours before kickoff. Most everybody already had arrived, even though the temperature was 2.
The cold didn’t seem to stop tailgaters. Just might have taken longer to light those grills.
One hour, eight minutes to kickoff. Guess we’ll have to eat.
If you’re wondering, it’s a balmy 74 degrees or so in the press box. Plenty of additional body heat, as I’ve never seen this many media ever at a Packer home game.
Must be an important game going on.
January 20th, 2008
The Patriots finally pulled away, winning 21-12 a few seconds ago, but Packer fans needn’t fret too much. I’ve re-thought my earlier Super Bowl position that Green Bay stood no chance against New England’s unbeaten juggernaut. The Patriots are obviously better, but sometimes being better doesn’t matter. It’s how you match up, and the Packers match up well with New England.
How important are matchups? Well, Green Bay was obviously better than Chicago this year, but the Bears beat the Packers twice. In college, Oklahoma beat Missouri twice, by 10 points and by 21. Clearly better, right? Uh, no. Oklahoma also lost to Colorado and Texas Tech, teams Missouri walloped by 45 and 31 points. Missouri just didn’t match up well with Oklahoma.
But Green Bay does with New England. The Chargers’ defense stood up to the Patriots, intercepting Tom Brady three times. The reason: former first-round draft picks Quentin Jammer and Antonio Cromartie are the Chargers’ two starting cornerbacks. Cromartie was second in All-Pro voting (24 votes) to New England’s Asante Samuel and had 10 interceptions this year. Both Jammer and Cromartie intercepted Brady. The Chargers led the NFL with 30 interceptions this year. The Colts tied for second with 22 interceptions, and also gave New England a tough time, leading until the fourth quarter.
Here’s why this matters. Green Bay corners Al Harris (8 votes) and Charles Woodson (6) ranked fourth and fifth in Pro Bowl voting. In other words, they are two of the best five cornerbacks in the entire league, and perhaps the best starting tandem. Couple that with Green Bay’s No. 2-ranked offense — unlike the Chargers, Brett Favre and Ryan Grant could keep Tom Brady and Randy Moss off the field — and Green Bay matches up well. Even better, Harris and Woodson play more pure bump-and-run defense than any team in the NFL. There’s two ways to cover Randy Moss — double and triple-team him, which leaves other receivers open for Brady to dink and dunk you to death — or get in his face and bump him. Green Bay has the perfect defense to disrupt the Patriots. … That may not work, because the Patriots are still better, but they are better than everybody. Green Bay’s style gives the Packers a better puncher’s chance to beat the Patriots than any team New England has yet faced except for Peyton Manning and the Colts. — Matt Trowbridge
January 20th, 2008
Here’s a tribute by third graders at Green Bay’s Annie Jackson School to No. 4. I post this now (less than an hour before kick off) in hopes it’s a good-luck charm for Brett Favre.
[kml_flashembed movie="http://youtube.com/v/RqGQuRgjKeA" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
January 20th, 2008
I visited the Boston Globe back in November when I was in the Boston area to talk about Web-first publishing. My friend, Thomasine Berg, works there. I got a tour of the newsroom and met boston.com’s editor, David Beard.
Well, David, I have to say I love the story I found on your site today.
Check out this goodie by Frank Dell’Apa on Brett Favre and the Packers.
January 20th, 2008
I listened to WTMJ radio from Wisconsin Dells to Rockford. Lots of good stuff. Funniest? When the guys were talking about Eli Manning’s fiance, Abby McGrew. (Don’t worry, this isn’t a Tony Romo-Jessica Simpson-type story.)
Apparently, poor Abby has to sit outside today at Lambeau. When she sits in the suites, he doesn’t play as well.
Fox Sports and several other media picked up the story.
(I’ll bet Deanna Favre, Brett’s wife, will be in a suite today. )
January 20th, 2008
My prediction: the good Brett will show up at Lambeau today. New York thinks so, too.
January 19th, 2008
Newsday.com sports writers talk about Packers-Giants game, calling this year Brett Favre’s last shot. Hmmm. I hope not. But I’ll worry about next year later. Big game Sunday to get past first.
January 19th, 2008
The Oklahoman’s Mike Sherman (yeah, I did a double take on that name, too) is getting on the Packer and Brett Favre bandwagon.
His newsroom has been debating who’s better: Tom Brady or Brett Favre. That was the wrong focus.
Instead, he now asks what’s more important: The machine (Brady) or the man (Favre)? The pursuit of perfection (Brady) or overcoming imperfection (Favre)?
You know my answers.
Watch the video.
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