Green Bay Packers 2012 Epiloge

Well that was an ugly ending to the season.  Who ever heard of giving up 300 some odd yards rushing?  Everyone has their opinions on what went wrong, so I've decided to chime in.  Kinda' my view of what the Pack needs to do to get better.  Since I obviously know better what goes on with the organization .  Ha....

Seems like every year we hear about how the offensive line is built for pass protection, not the running game.  Only problem is that Rodgers is getting hit and sacked at an alarming rate.  Don't know if Sherord would help, think Bularga will--if he comes back from hip injury.

It is time to find a running back.  Not some old retread either.  These guys they come up with are cute, make a nice story.  Don't care.  They need some one who can haul the ball 20 some times a game and not get hurt.  Running game will improve with better run blocking as well.

Defense needs to tackle better.  A lot better.  Geez, some of these guys should be embarrassed.  Hopping on guys backs, bouncing off with shoulder tackles.  I know they are leery of fines, but once in a while you need to pop somebody.

Maybe it's time to get back to the basics a little bit.  Seems like the injuries just decimate the offensive and defensive lines.  Last nights game, Sitton goes out and the next guy in is Jeff Saturday?   But you have six receivers active?  Nobody carries 5 tight ends on the roster, except Green Bay.  I know every year we hear about how everyone wants our young skill guys and we have to keep them on the roster.  Maybe we should just let some of them go and build better depth elsewhere....boy if Rodgers ever goes down....

There was a time not that long ago when Dom Capers was considered the big defensive guru.  They were always afraid he was going to some other team.  Maybe it's time for a little reevaluation here.  I haven't been that impressed with the D for the last couple of years.  And on the offensive side, maybe they have too many receivers--they have guys running all over the place.  Sometimes it looks like McCarthy is coaching Arena league.....

I hate to say it, but this team is soft.  Who is the tough guy, the guy who won't take crap from anyone?  Matthews?  Nah, great player, but he is more of a finesse guy.  Woodson. too old now, too injured.  Raji?  Too nice.  Hawk?  Not good enough.  Rodgers?  Nope.....Sitton?  Probably toughest guy they have....They need a couple of guys willing to take on the entire other team, and back it up.  The kind of guy on other teams that we call "dirty".

So who goes?  Driver, gone.  Take the emotion out of it, should have not been on the team this year.  Woodson, gone.  Hall of Famer--- slowed down, $10.5 million next year, can't afford the luxury  Jeninngs, gone.  Will want one last huge salary.  Too many other weapons left.  Two tight ends.  Three is plenty.  Waldon--GONE.  Gee whiz, how many times you gonna' get sucked in on a fake?  You need to set the edge...I'm sure there will be other changes as well.  I just hope we don't keep eight or nine or ten first year guys again.  I know the money figures in, but sometimes you need to let guys play together for a while to make a better team.

Decisions need to be made on a number of free agents, and I know Ted Thompson doesn't dip too deep into the free agent pool.  He likes to develop and pay hid own guys.  Sometimes the problem with that is the same problem we all have.  We think our stuff is worth more than it really is, and we place too high a value on it.  I like Thompson, thinks he does a good job overall and know what he is doing.  I just don't think we need so many rookies and free agents.  Hey, maybe it's a good time to trade UP in the draft.

I'm pretty sure the Packers will have a decent team again next season.  They have good management, coaching, and a great quarterback.  But he is 30 years old now.  You only get so many shots at the Super Bowl, and I know it's tough.  But when you have as many weapons available to you as the Packers do, you need to take advantage.

This and That

A few things on my mind...

...Well we have backed away from the "Fiscal Cliff".  The brokers on Wall Street sure seem happy, but this isn't the end of our problems.  The debt ceiling looms, the Speaker is dropping F-bombs, and now a new Congress is sworn in.  I'm no economist, but even I know that if ya' spend more than ya' take in, your gonna have trouble.  Work together to solve problems people....

...Speaking of the new Congress, we now have the least amount of veterans since WWII, and the most women ever (20).  Will be interesting to see if the ladies can get things accomplished.

....Sad to see that Newsweek has ceased publication of their print edition.  I enjoyed reading the magazine, along with others like The Sporting News that are now gone.  I realize the way the business works, with the internet and what not.  It's kind of hard to argue when you can pretty much carry every newspaper and magazine and book in your pocket or briefcase.  But to me, there is still some thing about holding a book or newspaper in your hands---the smell, the sound of turning pages,----I will miss it.

....Glad I don't live in Chicago.  Heard on the radio there were 15 shootings on Jan 1st.  Then they say that only three people were killed though.  The guy sounded kind of disappointed, like they needed target practice or something.  Guess it's come to the point if you have a beef with someone ya' start shooting.  Time to find a new Marshall Dillon...

...Nave you noticed how may college football bowl games there are?  When I was a kid I think there were maybe ten or so.  You had the Cotton, Orange, Sun, Gator, of course the Rose Bowl, and a few others, like the Tangerine.  Now there has to be nearly 40 I would guess.  Get a couple of guys (or schools) together, find a sponsor, a place to play and somebody to televise it and you have your own bowl game.  And you have tams with 5 or 6 losses playing.  Guess we need something to fill up all the network TV. At least the games I've watched have been entertaining...

....Speaking of TV, I can't get over the stuff they put on TV.  Moonshiners, pawn brokers, swampers, Amish Mafia, cheating wives (and husbands), prison garbage.  I know they wouldn't put it on if people weren't watching, and there is plenty of good stuff on, and if I don't like something all I have to do is switch the channel (or just turn it off).  I just hope I don't see anyone I know on any of these shows....

....I see in Kansas the state is going after some guy for child support.  He says he was just a sperm donor for his lesbian friends.  Only problem with that is they didn't use a sperm bank, just went at it naturally.  Yeah, okay, sounds a little fishy to me, if ya' know what I mean....

....Wishing everyone a prosperous New Year.  Stay safe.....

New Years Resolutions

Well it's about that time of year again.  Time for the fruitless exercise (for me) of the new years resolutions.  This is the time of year when people come up with all kinds of things they are either going to or not going to do.  Whether it be quit smoking, eat better, be a better friend, cut out the swearing, there is always a multitude of things peple plan on doing.

I have had many new year's resolutions over the years.  I have resolved to take better care of myself, to keep in touch with friends and families, to get my financial house in order, to keep my nose out of other people''s business.  I have resolved to lose weight (more than once), cut down my alcohol intake, see a doctor once in awhile.  I have resolved to unclutter my life, to clean drawers and closets, all kinds of things.  Unfortunately, few if any of my resolutions have lasted more than a week or two.

There are people I know who are able to make resolutions and keep them .. I envy these people.  They say they are going to do something and then they do it. So far I have been unable to accomplish this.  Well enough is enough.  I have decided that if I start with just a few small things I say I am going to do and get them done, maybe it will lead to bigger accomplishments.  I'm hoping at least.....

......so here goes.  For 2013, I resolve to---

not only cut the weight, but to keep it off this time.  Gonna take a life style change or two, but I'm gonna do it.  I resolve to get the will and living trust updated.  Should be easy, but I've been putting it of for years.  Needs to be done.  And I resolve to start unloading some of the stuff around here.  Hard to come up with a volume number, but if it hasn't been used, I getting rid of it.    And finally, I resolve to finish the projects I have started around here before I start another.  There are all kinds of partially finished things around here that need final touches.  Everything gets done before I start anything else.....

Well I think that's a good start.  Maybe now that it is on here people can keep me honest.  I hope those of you who make new year's resolutions have good ones, and that you are able to keep them.  And for those of you that don't, I'm happ for you.....

Merry Christmas

Christmas means so many different things to different people.  From the getting together with family and friends to the baking, from the Christmas cards to the television specials, there are so many things to do and enjoy this time of the year.  Sometimes it seems that there is just so much going on that there isn't time to get it all done.  Everything seem to be more commercialized now more than ever--I guess it is just the chasing of the almighty dollar.

Christmas for us here has obviously changed for us as the kids have grown.  I'll never forget Stew's first Christmas when he fell down the stairs due to his excitement.  Or how the kids always sat at the stop of the stairs until Santa and his elves were ready for them to come down and open their gifts.  And of course I remember helping ol' St. Nick assemble all that stuff....The gifts have changed from toys to athletic equipment to electronics to stuff for college.  There have always been new clothes, probably something with the Packer logo, and usually something for the house.  Somebody usually gets something that makes us all laugh as well.

As I get older, I find myself reflecting on things more this time of year.  Those of you that know me know that I am not that religious, but as I look around I find myself thinking that all this stuff hasn't just happened.  I find myself thinking about friends and relatives who have passed away.  I find myself thinking about what the future holds, not just for myself, but for my kids and their kids to be.  I worry some, but also find some measure of peacefulness. 

So I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years.  I hope you all enjoy being with friends and family if that is what you choose to do.  I hope you all have a safe holiday season, and are able to enjoy the spirit of the season all year long.  And I hope for my Christmas wish  comes true, that we all can learn to get along. 

Desiderata----L. desired things

Back in the early '70s there was a "spoken word" record titled Desiderata.  I haven't heard it probably since then.  I remember that the words were printed in my religious school book, and that I had cut it out and saved it.  I even remember sticking it on the mirror in college, and I know where my copy is today.  I can say I haven't even thought about it in at least 25 years, but a couple of weeks ago I woke up with it on my mind.

Well we all know what the internet is, so it was pretty easy to look it up.  I found out it was written by Max Ehrmann in 1927, and that Adlai Stevenson had planed to include in in his Christmas cards the year he died.  All interesting or not.  I have no idea why this thing popped into my head after all these years.  Maybe it's all the complaining I've been hearing from people lately.  Maybe it's age.  Maybe I think I need a little religion and think this fits the bill.  No clue.  But I think it will give people something to think about, so I'm putting it here.  Have a good day.....

      Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.  As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.  Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

     Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit.  If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

     Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

    Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full or trickery.  But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

     Be yourself.  Especially, do not feign affection.   Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

     Take kindly the counsel of years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.  Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.  But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.  Many fears are born of fear and loneliness.

    Beyond a wholesome discipline,  be gentile with yourself.  You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

     And whether or not it is clear to you, on doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.  Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.  With all its shams, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.  Be cheerful.

     Strive to be happy.

Sandy Hook

What a sad sad day.  Twenty children killed, as well as six others.  What a sad time we are living in.  What could be so terrible in a person's life that they feel the need to shoot defenseless school children.  I don't really care to say anymore on this, because there is still too much unknown.

What are we going do about this shooting, as well as the others that have been happening all too much recently.  Are we going to turn all the schools into fortresses?  Are we going to stop going to theaters and shopping malls?  I'm still waiting for something to happen at a sporting event--kind of surprised that they haven't already.  Are we going to get rid of the guns, or are we simply going to have everyone armed? 

I feel so sorry for the surviving kids and their families, for the families who have lost family members, for the entire community.  As a father, I thought my number one job is to make sure my kids were safe.  What a helpless feeling those parents must have.  I feel for them.  Sadly, their lives will be changed forever. 

I thing it's time for our elected officials, our leaders, to get out in front on this.  There are way too many of these incidents happening now.  Whether it's stricter gun control, more security, harsher sentencing---something needs to be done.  Sooner rather than later, I hope.

Christmas Spirit

Where is my Christmas spirit?  I have none.  No motivation to get the house decorated.  I just keep thinking that the more stuff I put up the more I have to take down.  I have no interest in any of the Christmas specials on TV.  I think I must have seen them all dozens of times by now.  Even listening to the Christmas music on the radio does nothing for me.  Of course, it doesn't help when they play the same songs over and over and over again.  Heck, we haven't even started with the decorating the house with the snowmen. 

There will be no holiday party with the neighbors this year.  Too much work.  Don't feel like shopping, nobody has said they wanted anything, and I don't care to fight the crowds anymore.  We have the tree bought, but it's just sitting out back, and I'm already worried about cleaning up the needles....

So why am I feeling this way?  No idea.  Maybe it's another year now with the kids not around as much.  Maybe I'm just getting old and don't want the aggravation anymore.  Maybe it's the even greater emphasis on material goods.  Maybe it's because Thanksgiving fell early this year and there was no sense of urgency to get things done.  Or maybe.....

.....we need some damn SNOW!  Yeah I know it's a pain in the butt, but I like snow for Christmas!  We don't need feet, but a couple of inches would be just fine with me.  Think that it would really jump start the ol' Christmas spirit.  Then all I'd have to do is break out that old Muppets Christmas special and I would be all set...can't wait.