Bleacher Report - Articles by Scott Kirst

Why It's Stressful To Be a Wisconsin Badgers Football Fan

Scott Kirst — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:20:51 -0400

Since my blood pressure can't get any higher when I think about the Wisconsin Badgers' football team, maybe it will go down if I get my thoughts out.

I have been a UW fan my entire life. My dad has had season tickets to home football games since the late 1980s and I make sure I get to as many of those games as possible. I was even there back in 2001 when the Badgers upset Ohio State University after OSU won the National Championship the season prior.

While I've been there for the good times and the bad, I can't help but feel stressed out every week during the season.

One reason for this is that, at least with this season, any time the Badgers start to get some momentum going or make a big play, it's called back due to a penalty.

You just can't win that way against tough teams. Not going to happen. Simple as that. Undisciplined penalties have really been hurting the Badgers this season, regardless of what their 5-2 record says.

What bothers me so much about it is that this problem can easily be fixed. They're always shooting themselves in the foot.

Another thing bothering me is the fact that UW always seems to play down to lesser teams. One example of this is, with the exception of Wofford, UW has had trouble with FCS teams within the last few years. Teams such as Cal Poly and The Citadel come to mind.

While these are top tier Football Championship Subdivision schools, they're still FCS schools. If the players on those teams weren't talented enough to play at the Football Bowl Subdivision level, they shouldn't be too difficult to beat.

Now, I understand they may run different offenses the Badgers aren't used to facing, but that's what a week's preparation is supposed to take care of.

Another example of UW playing down to their competition is the trouble they had beating Northwestern when the Wildcats were always near the bottom of the Big Ten Conference. Whether it was at NU or at Camp Randall Stadium, the Badgers have always struggled to beat them.

Even though players should never go into a game thinking it will be a guaranteed win, it would be nice if I could at least go into the game knowing the Badgers will be guaranteed to win. It just feels like every game could be a potential loss.

What also keeps me stressful as a Badger fan is the fact that they never seem to have great recruiting classes, even when they're a great team like they were a few years back.

They do do a fantastic job of coaching the players they get and I understand they like to recruit players that will stay for four years, but a top tier recruit can drastically change how good a team is.

I also understand, as far as recruiting, UW has a few things stacked up against them. For one, a lack of tradition compared to an OSU, University of Michigan, or Penn State University doesn't help. Second, Wisconsin isn't exactly the warmest state and some players obviously like to play in warmer weather.

Those factors certainly don't help UW's case when it comes to getting players to sign with them, but it would be nice to get some great players and start making themselves a school with tradition at the level of the schools mentioned earlier.

All I'm saying is that it would certainly be nice to see the Badgers with a consistent Top 25 recruiting class because I think they have the potential to do it.

I hope in time I will be able to relax when thinking about or discussing the Badger football team, but as of now, it's been one big stress fest the last few seasons. I'll be crossing my fingers.

The Brewers Need To Do Something...and Fast

Scott Kirst — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:33:46 -0400

The Brewers are sinking. But there's good news: It's only just before the All-Star Break, which means there's still plenty of time to get some sort of deal done, and with left fielder Ryan Braun starting to speak up about wanting General Manager Doug Melvin to make some moves, there could be some unrest in the locker room if something isn't done.

It's no secret the Brewers' pitching rotation is the weakest phase of their game. Left-handed pitcher Manny Parra has struggled and is currently in the minors trying to work out his problems, right-handed pitcher Dave Bush is on the Disabled List and the original starting rotation has a combined record of 26-27.

The only bright spots record-wise are Yovanni Gallardo (8-5) and Branden Looper (7-4).

Records of the others include Jeff Suppan with a record of 5-6, Parra at 3-8, and Bush putting up a record of 3-4. Not good.

There's no way Melvin and the Brewers will be able to muster up the kind of trade they made last year when they brought in C.C. Sabathia from the Indians, and there aren't expendable players on the current roster if you are looking for a trade, unless they want to give up more future prospects.

For one thing, it appears as if the Brewers and Brewer fans have had enough of third baseman Bill Hall and would love to trade him along with his overpaid contract. However, with the way he's been playing and the size of his contract, it will be extremely tough to find a team that would want him.

It's basically the same situation with Suppan. He hasn't lived up to his contract either and no one is going to want to take on the amount of money he's being payed for what he's putting out.

The Brewers do have trade bait, but it would be giving up more future prospects on the rise within the organization.

Infielder Casey McGehee has come on real strong as of late and starting to creep up the list of rookies to watch. He may have the greatest chance of any player on the Brewers to be included in a trade if they have their hearts set on third baseman Mat Gamel to fill that spot in the future. In this case, infielder Craig Counsell would more than likely be the full-time second baseman with Rickie Weeks out for the year.

With nobody for the Brewers to trade away without giving up some of their future, there is this thing called the free agent market to help solve their pitching woes.

Left-handed pitcher Tom Glavine, although old and not having pitched in awhile, may be able to help better than some of the guys the Brewers are putting out there now, especially since they're only going with righties. At least one lefty in the rotation would definitely help out. Might as well give him a shot.

Pedro Martinez is another person the Brewers should think about giving a shot. He may be out of his game and rusty, but there's always the chance he could contribute again, even if he's past his prime. You never know.

With the St. Louis Cardinals making the trade for utility man Mark DeRosa, adding a big bat to their club, the Cards greatly increased their chances for winning the division as long as DeRosa can get and stay healthy.

The Brewers also have a huge series coming up against the Cardinals July 7-9, and neither the pitching or offense has shown up lately, meaning the Brewers have got to get their act together.

If they don't and end up getting swept, the Crew could end up four games behind and more toward the middle of the division instead of near or at the top.

It'll even get tougher afterward as the Brewers will take on the Los Angeles Dodgers, the team currently holding the best record in the National League.

Simply put, the Brewers need to make a move and bring someone into the organization that can at least somewhat contribute to the rotation. Closer Trevor Hoffman may be having a great year to this point, but if the starters can't pitch well and pitch deep into ball games, Hoffman will become a wasted talent.

The Brew Crew has been able to stay atop or near the top of the division until now with bad pitching, but this won't last for long. If they don't make a move soon, they could fall behind quickly and never recover in time.

Camp Randall Stadium: Not Your Average College Football Atmosphere

Scott Kirst — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:03:02 -0400

It's where young men train and sweat for the battle ahead. No, I'm not referring to the training camp soldiers used to train for the Union Army during the Civil War.

I'm talking about what Wisconsin Badger football fans call Camp Randall Stadium, which was built right on top of the former base.

Heading into "Mad-Town," you can't help but notice the sea of red as well as the aroma of brats and burgers. Tailgaters are in the numerous parking lots around the area or just outside the union, which is where you'll hear the band playing before game time.

While heading toward the stadium, you'll see the ultimate pregame experience for any college student: drinking beer on the front lawns of frat houses while playing beer pong and bean bag toss. And you may even see someone drink from a three-or-four-story beer bong...and look very sick right after.

There is also sometimes a band or two to provide musical entertainment.

If you walk into the stadium from the east side, you can look across toward the front of the upper deck and see the names of the legends that left their mark on the University. Names like Heisman Trophy winners Alan Ameche and Ron Dayne, along with other players like Elroy Hirsch, Dave Schreiner, Allan Schafer, and Pat Richter (the last two whose numbers are now retired).

Walking around the stadium, you can also see statues of Badger legends, like Richter and former head coach and current athletic director Barry Alvarez,.

Just before the players enter the stadium and the game starts, the band will make their appearance playing the fight song to set the atmosphere for football. With that, the drum major tosses the baton in the air, hoping to catch it and insure a Badger win.

Then the players run out of the tunnel and it's game time.

And when you think the band is done just because the game has started, watch out for some of them to make their way throughout the entire stadium and perform in the aisles of random sections.

The student section also has their fun during the game, whether it be singing along with the songs played on the P.A. or yelling obscenities back and forth as a group, the most famous being one side yelling, "F*** you!" and the other responding with, "Eat s***!"

Then halftime arrives and the band performs. The band plays "Varsity", the school's alma mater, in which the majority of the people in the stadium wave their right hand in the air while the final lines are played.

After the second half is underway and the third quarter comes to a close, the stadium will start one of the newest traditions, the jump around. This involves the playing of House of Pain's "Jump Around" while the entire student section, band, players, and some of the rest of the crowd jumps up and down.

This tradition was almost halted due to safety concerns. In it's first year when everyone would jump around, the whole stadium's foundation would shake.

The song had to stop being played for a few weeks, but after complaints of it being removed between the third and fourth quarter break, and a safety inspection, it was ruled safe to continue.

After a Badger victory, don't be so quick to leave the stadium immediately because there is more entertainment. The band will perform another tradition called the "Fifth Quarter," where they give another halftime-like performance.

I've been going to Badger games at Camp Randall Stadium ever since I can remember. With the exception of when the Badgers lose (which is something that doesn't happen very often at home), Badger games are always an experience to remember.

A few years ago, when the Badgers finished playing a game against North Carolina, I heard one of the sports reporters from North Carolina had said that even though their team lost the game, it was still one of the better games he had ever been to, so don't just take it from me.

20 Questions I Would Ask Aaron Rodgers

Scott Kirst — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:05:34 -0400

1. How does it feel to not have everyone constantly asking you about Brett Favre's situation this year?

2. With that, I'll ask you a Brett Favre question. Do you think the Packers-Vikings rivalry has intensified over the possibility of Favre playing for them?

3. What do you think of Fran Tarkenton's comments on Favre?

4. You've done a lot of stuff with your teammates this offseason like going to the Kentucky Derby. How important is team chemistry to you?

5. While the team managed only six wins last year, you had a pretty impressive season for a first-year starting quarterback. How are you looking to improve coming into your second year?

6. There were a lot of people that felt the transition from Favre to you was the reason for the unsuccessful season last year. How do you respond to that?

7. You had some trouble coming from behind late in games last year. For instance, you threw a late interception in a loss to Carolina. What can you do to improve on leading the team down the field late in games?

8. Did you feel you deserved to go to the Pro Bowl last year?

9. When you hurt your shoulder last year at Tampa Bay, how close were you to not playing the next week?

10. What do you think of the team bringing in the 3-4 defense?

11. The Packers play the NFC West and AFC North this year. How do you see those matchups panning out?

12. With Jay Cutler now a Chicago Bear, do you feel the Packers-Bears rivalry has also intensified?

13. The division could be a three team race this year. Are you welcoming the challenge?

14. With every year comes new rookies coming in from the draft or undrafted free agents. Do you ever participate in any of the rookie hazing year after year?

15. Do you have any interesting stories from when you were a rookie dealing with rookie hazing?

16. What do you think of the Packers' rookies this year?

17. You've got two newoffensive linemen in T.J. Lang and Jamon Meredith and a new fullback in Quinn Johnson. What can you tell me about those guys and how they can help the offense?

18. Donald Driver was a no show for the first day of OTA's. Do you know what his situation is as of right now?

19. Are you excited the Packers are looking to keep wide receiver Greg Jennings around for a long time?

20. When you first came into the league, kicker Ryan Longwell had your number, but he wouldn't give it to you. Now that no one has it, have you thought about switching back to number eight?