Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Thanks for the memories
Let the Aaron Rodgers era begin...
Friday, February 29, 2008
Classic Kevin Borseth
I kind of miss his emotion up here. Classic rant.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Ned Yost still needs to be fired
MILWAUKEE--After watching today's game from the cheap seats of Miller Park (Section 427), I still think Ned Yost needs to get canned, Bill Hall needs to be moved in the line up, and Geoff Jenkins is playing for a contract.
Labels: 1982 Redux, Sports
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Ned Yost needs to be fired
Seriously, what is with this team. They were the hottest team in baseball and now they can't beat the Twins at home. What is with this lineup?
Tony Gwynn-RF
JJ Hardy-SS
Prince Fielder-1B
Bill Hall-SS
Johnny Estrada-C
Geoff Jenkins-LF
Craig Counsell-3B
Tony Graffanino-2B
Pitcher
First, I like Tony Gwynn in the line up. He is fast as hell and is a true leadoff hitter. But why is Bill Hall still batting 4th? Why is Geoff Jenkins still hitting 6th? And why is JJ Hardy batting second still?
Because Ned Yost doesn't know how to fix a lineup.
Coming into tonight's game, Hall is batting .257. he has struck out 27 times this year. He is awful with runners in scoring position. If I am any opposing pitcher, I would gladly walk Prince to get to Hall.
Now, JJ is batting second, leading the league in homers. However, there is at most only one player on the bases at any given time. So, many of his homers are solo shots. He should be batting third, not second.
Jenkins has been hot this season--maybe because he is playing for a contract. He is still batting 6th behind swing-at-the-first-pitch Estrada. Like Hardy, Jenkins doesn't hit many homers with runners on the bases--both Hall and Estrada are ahead of him. I am not a Jenkins fan. In fact, I thought he should have been traded in the offseason. But having him hit behind two guys that that can't get on base doesn't make a whole lot of sense. And with Kevin Mench going 0 for May, its time for Mench to ride the pine or get traded. We can insert Gwynn in left field when Jenks needs to sit against a lefty.
So the ideal lineup when Rickie Weeks and Corey Hart get healthy would be:
Against Righties: (About 75% of the time)
Tony Gwynn-RF
Rickie Weeks-2B
JJ Hardy-SS
Prince Fielder-1B
Geoff Jenkins-LF
Bill Hall-CF
Johnny Estrada-C
Craig Counsell/Tony Graffanino-3B
PitcherAgainst Lefties: (About 25% of the time)
Rickie Weeks-2B
Bill Hall-CF
JJ Hardy-SS
Prince Fielder-1B
Johnny Estrada-C
Corey Hart-RF
Craig Counsell/Tony Graffanino-3B
Pitcher
And on days off, adjust accordingly.
Why bat Hall second? He will get better pitches to hit. Let's face it, right now a pitcher would rather pitch to Hall than Hardy. Hardy is tearing it up. He is everything you want in a No. 3 hitter--he can hit for power and percentage. And with Fielder behind him, he is even more effective.
Don't even get me going on pitching...that will come tomorrow after I attend getaway day at Miller Park
UPDATE: Next Season
Jenkins should be gone next year. I would be shocked if they give him the money. If they do give him the money, he would need to platoon in left field again--only this time with Corey Hart. Hart is going to be the future starting outfielder.
Tony Gwynn-CF
Rickie Weeks-2B
JJ Hardy-SS
Prince Fielder-1B
Bill Hall-RF
Ryan Braun-3B
Johnny Estrada-C
Corey Hart-LF
Pitcher
And on the bench, you would have Craig Counsell, Gabe Gross (if he re-signs) and Damien Miller if he doesn't retire. Fill in the rest of the positions in the 25-man roster with unneeded prospects.
On the way out would be: Tony Graffanino, Kevin Mench, and possibly Jenkins.
If the Brewers don't do anything this year, look out for next season...
Labels: 1982 Redux, Sports
Monday, May 07, 2007
The worst hire since Mike Heideman
UW-Green Bay decided to hire a NAIA coach to replace the legendary Kevin Borseth. Have you ever heard of Matt Bolland...or Bryan College? I haven't. (I had to look it up, its in Tennesee.)
"Matt is a perfect fit for UW-Green Bay," said Bothof. "He has proven recruiting success in the Midwest from his time as a Division I assistant coach, and his record as a head coach speaks for itself. We are excited to have Matt and his family as part of our program."
"We have the right person to lead the UW-Green Bay women's basketball program," said UW-Green Bay Chancellor Bruce Shepard. "Coach Bollant was the consensus choice of our players as well as campus and community members who helped in the coaching search. He has demonstrated enthusiasm and passion for our women's basketball program and University. I am confident that the program, which has such an outstanding tradition on the court and in the classroom, will have an even brighter future under Coach Bollant."
"I am thrilled for the opportunity to be the head coach here at UW-Green Bay," said Bollant. "I hope to continue the high level of excellence the team has had here, and I can't wait to get started building for the future." Bollant begins his NCAA head coaching career in Green Bay following five seasons at Bryan (Tenn.) College. In his five seasons as the program's mentor, Bollant posted a 134-38 record (.779 winning percentage) with the Lady Lions at the NAIA level.
I really want to know what kind of Kool Aid these guys are drinking. First, UWGB was a NAIA team. They aren't one anymore. Secondly, what was wrong with John Barnes, the current head coach at Michigan Tech. He knows the area. He recruited the same players as Kevin did. He comes from the school where Kevin coached prior to UWGB.
My university is run by morons. That's right, complete morons. When Dick Bennett left to coach at Madison, they kept Mike Heideman around as the head coach. Sure, he went to the NCAA tournament in his first year, but it was straight to the bottom of the MCC from there. He destroyed UW-Green Bay men's basketball.
My hatred for Tod Kowalczyk will greatly diminish this year because of this hire. He's a great recruiter, awful coach. But he isn't the worst basketball coach on our campus anymore.
What a craptacular way of opening up the new Phoenix Sports Center.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Four All-Stars for the Brew Crew?
I thought the Brewers only had three going into today--Jeff Suppan, J.J. Hardy, and CoCo Cordero. Today, I think Price Fielder should get the nod as well.
This guy is clutch. He went 3-4 today with two homers and 3 RBI. He is batting just under .300 (.298) for the season with nine home runs with no protection behind him.
This team is impressing me more and more. Now, if they can only fix their LOB problem. They stranded six today. Last night they stranded five. For a season, they've left 240 men on base--good for fourth in the NL, behind the Phillies, Nationals and Rockies--teams that suck.
But it will be a good year...definitely.
Labels: 1982 Redux, Sports
Friday, May 04, 2007
Can someone tell Bill Hall that the Brewers aren't a AAAA team anymore?
I amazed by the Brewers some times. Any time they pay someone a big contract, they suck. Bill Hall is the newest member of that club. He has a knack of striking out when the Brewers have players in scoring position. In tonight's case, he strikes out with bases full of Brewers.
Coming into tonight's game, he leads the team in strikeouts with 27. He is ninth in NL in strikeouts. He is batting .257. His slugging percentage is under .500. He sucks.
Someone needs to tell them the Brewers are not a AAAA team anymore. They have arrived as a true big league team. Sure, in the last few years the strikeouts didn't matter as much.
Now they do. He needs to either be sat down, or sent to Nashville to work on his hitting. Nashville is working wonders for Ryan Braun.
Labels: 1982 Redux, Sports
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Thanks. But no thanks.
UW-Green Bay is still looking for a coach to replace the legendary Kevin Borseth. It really makes me wonder what is so bad at our program to cause someone to change their mind about UWGB.
GREEN BAY, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay will immediately resume its search for a women's basketball head coach following the resignation of Aaron Johnston, UW-Green Bay Director of Athletics Ken Bothof announced today. Johnston, who had accepted the head coaching position for the women's basketball team Tuesday, has decided to return to South Dakota State University, where he has been the head coach for the past seven seasons.
"Although we are disappointed in Aaron's decision, we are moving forward," said Bothof. "The opportunity to be a part of a program as strong as our women's basketball team continues to make this position a desirable one. I am as confident as ever that we will find a high-quality coach that will lead this team to success both on and off the court."
"I didn't realize until today the strong emotional ties I had to South Dakota State University and the community of Brookings," said Johnston. "I want to apologize to Chancellor Bruce Shepard, Athletics Director Ken Bothof, the search and screen committee and the community of Green Bay and its University for the sudden change of heart."
Thursday, December 21, 2006
A disheartend Penguins fan's rant
Just when the team the explosive trio of Sidney Crosby, Jordan Stall and Evgeni Malkin, and has an average about .500, and can score eight goals in one night, the politicians in Pennsylvania told the Pittsbugh Penguins go take a hike.
It is a sad day in Pittsburgh and even sadder for Pens fans.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are off the market, and owner Mario Lemieux says the team will look at relocating.
"It is time to take control of our own destiny," Hall of Famer Lemieux said in a statement issued by the team Thursday.
"After seven years of trying to work out a new arena deal exclusively in Pittsburgh, we need to take into consideration the long-term viability of the team and begin discussions with other cities that may be interested in NHL teams," Lemieux said.
You have to remember that Mario Lemieux is the savior of hockey in Pittsburgh. After bankrupcy, the team could have been sold to the highest bidder and shipped elsewhere. Instead, Mario took the initiative to find a few investors and eat the amount the team owed him as a player and formed the ownership group. If he didn't, there would be one less team wearing the black and gold.
The Penguins are now free to move when the season ends following a state panel's rejection Wednesday of a casino company's offer to build the team a new arena for free.
Lemieux said talks will begin shortly with state and local leaders about a new arena but added a move outside Pennsylvania is another option.
"Accordingly, starting today, the team is off the market," Lemieux said, "and we will begin to explore relocation offers in cities outside Pennsylvania."
The team had lobbied for Isle of Capri Casinos to be granted a license to operate slot machines in Pittsburgh, as the developer had pledged to build a new arena at no cost to the Penguins to replace 45-year-old Mellon Arena. But the board instead awarded the license to Detroit-based casino developer Don H. Barden's PITG Gaming. Barden's group proposes building a casino and entertainment development on the city's North Shore, near Heinz Field and PNC Park -- a plan the Steelers and Pirates both strongly opposed.
The Isle of Capri rejection came only five days after Balsillie unexpectedly pulled out of his $175 million deal to buy the franchise, apparently because the NHL wanted him to commit to not moving the Penguins. Balsillie had been expected to close on the deal late last week.
I don't so much mind not having a new owner. I think Mario has done a fine job with the team as take a good look at what is on the ice. The organization is heading in the right direction on the ice. The problem is that the Mellon Area is a dump to put it nicely. It is an eyesore in the skyline.
The hypocracy of the local Pennsylvania authorities is that the lowly Pirates received a state-of-the art facility. The Steelers were rewarded one as well. Both are stunning and amazing facilities. If there ever was an example of a downtown redevelopment with professional sports stadiums, Pittsburgh nailed it.
The city needs to come to its senses and realize what they may lose. The Pens could be Stanley Cup champions in a few years. Maybe next year at the earliest. Do they want the Cup to be celebrated elsewhere?
Labels: Sports
Monday, November 20, 2006
Rodgers out for the year
Good. Maybe he'll learn his lesson not prance around and try to be an NFL quaterback.Please bring in Mr. Quinn immediately.
Labels: Sports
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Maybe this is why Alex Smith was drafted ahead of Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers got some playing time today against the Patriots. Actually he got a lot of playing time. He had the look of deer in headlights all day long. These were his stats:
Comp/Att: 4/12
Yards: 32
Avg: 2.7
TD: 0
INT: 0
Former No. 1 draft pick Alex Smith, who was picked before Rodgers had these stats in his win against the defending NFC champions--the Seatle Seahawks.
Comp/Att:19/25
Yards: 163
Avg. 6.5
TD: 1
INT: 0
I think it is time for the Packers to go after a real quarterback from a major school...like Notre Dame. If the Pack tanks like they did today for the rest of the season, they should have a good shot at Brady Quinn. Please, please Ted get us a real quarterback.
Labels: Sports
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Maybe the zone blocking does work
Wow...Ahman Green just broke a 70-yard run.
Makes me wonder just how bad the Dolphins really are.
Labels: Sports
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Packers blow it again
Just got back from the game. I have a few thoughts...
Why is it a rookie head coach can't manage a game clock?
Why did Brett Favre try to make something out of nothing, then fumble, on second down with 40 or so second left in the game?
Why wasn't the Southern Mississippi marching band lound enough so we can hear them all the way up in the 300 section?
Why is Al Harris still in Green Bay? His play is almost as bad as Ahmad Carroll.
Why did the Rams give the Pack numerous opportunities to beat them?
Why does the Brown County tickets sit people in the 300 level?
Overall, I had a good time. I was fortunate to sit around a bunch of great fans--even Rams fans who travelled from St. Louis. Great time, bad play.
It's a good thing we can't lose next week.
Labels: Sports
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Will someone please fire Kurt Schottenheimer?
And while you're at it Ted, please cut Ahmad Carroll. I completely agree with Green Bay Press-Gazette columnist Chris Havel.
Today would be soon enough to cut ties with Carroll. I can't imagine the Packers unloading Schottenheimer, but demoting him and promoting Lionel Washington to defensive backs coach would be a popular move in the locker room. That could pay dividends on the field, and, frankly, it couldn't hurt.
The Packers' current approach isn't getting it done, especially in a secondary that has become the primary concern.
Exactly. When you give up big play after big play, something needs a change. Jared Bush looks pretty good in limited action this year, why not make him the nickle corner? How worse of could the Packers be?
EDIT: My wish came true...almost. Ahmad Carroll was released today!!!! Yipppeee!!!
Labels: Sports
Sunday, September 10, 2006
The rebuilding begins...
Anyone think that maybe Brett Favre should have retired and not endured this? I am starting to become a believer.
The Chicago Bears barely let Brett Favre touch the ball Sunday, shutting out the three-time MVP for the first time in his career in a 26-0 victory over the Green Bay Packers.
Quarterback Rex Grossman found wide receiver Bernard Berrian for a 49-yard touchdown pass on the opening drive. It would be the Bears’ only offensive touchdown of the day, but Chicago continued to move the ball well enough to keep the game largely out of Favre’s hands.
And when the Packers did have the ball, they stuck to the running game.
Favre, who deliberated for several months before deciding to return to the Packers after a 4-12 season, threw only five passes in the first half — completing all five for only 70 yards.The Bears had 236 yards of total offense in the first half, compared to only 103 for the Packers.
Favre, back for his 16th season, and the Packers opened up the offense in the second half, but Favre couldn’t get the ball in the end zone and threw interceptions to Charles Tillman and Danieal Manning in the fourth quarter.
Favre, who threw a career-worst 29 interceptions last season, finished the game 15-of-29 for 170 yards.
Grossman has been limited by injuries to only seven regular-season starts in his previous three NFL seasons, but seems to have no problem outdueling Favre at Lambeau Field when healthy.
Grossman was 18-of-26 for 262 yards as he ran his career record to 3-0 at Lambeau Field.
On the Bears’ sixth play from scrimmage, Grossman reared back and heaved a deep pass to Berrian, who caught it in stride and turned it into a 49-yard touchdown.
After the Packers went three-and-out with three straight running plays to Ahman Green, Grossman threw an interception to linebacker Nick Barnett on the next series.
Green, who is returning from a torn quardriceps last season, carried 20 times for 110 yards.
Grossman and the Bears kept moving the ball with downfield passing plays — including five catches for 77 yards by tight end Desmond Clark — setting up kicker Robbie Gould for four field goals.
The Packers offense reached Bears territory only twice in the first half. They turned the ball over on a failed quarterback sneak by Favre early in the second quarter, and the half ended on a missed 53-yard field goal attempt by Dave Rayner.
The Packers’ final drive of the half was extended by a successful fake punt, as punter Jon Ryan threw to Noah Herron for 16 yards, one of the Packers’ few successful pass plays in the first half.
The Bears scored their second touchdown on an 84-yard punt return by Devin Hester, giving the Bears a 26-0 lead early in the fourth quarter.
It was the Bears’ first shutout since a victory at Detroit on Dec. 30, 2001. The loss ruined the debut of new Packers coach Mike McCarthy, hired after the team fired Mike Sherman.
It was the first time the Packers were shut out since a 10-0 victory by the Bears on Oct. 17, 1991 — a streak of 233 games. It was the fourth-longest such streak in league history and second-longest active streak. The Minnesota Vikings have not been shut out in 236 games.
On the bright side, the offensive line looked really good and Ahman Green looked like his old self. Safety Nick Collins continued where he left off last season, hitting people and in the mix of everything.
Labels: Sports
