Bleacher Report - Articles by The Packers Lounge

Sunday School: Green Bay Packers

The Packers Lounge — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 13:11:48 -0400

Since there is no one around on Sundays to listen to me rant and rave during the off-season. I welcome you to Sunday school.

Today’s lesson… mathematics.

For those of you out there with blinders on (or those cool glasses Ted wears), prepare to be polarized.

Problem: Using simple addition, figure out who the best team in NFC North is right now.

Offensive Line

Bears: 2
Lions: 1
Packers: 3
Vikings: 4

Running Back

Bears: 3
Lions: 2
Packers: 1 (go ahead and try to argue this one)
Vikings: 4

Quarterback

Bears: 3
Lions: 1 (no matter what)
Packers : 4
Vikings: 2

Receiver

Bears: 1
Lions: 3
Packers: 4 (Greg Jennings)
Vikings: 2

Tight End

Bears: 4
Lions: 1
Packers: 2
Vikings: 3

Defensive Line

Bears: 3
Lions: 1
Packers: 2
Vikings: 4

Linebackers

Bears: 2
Lions: 1
Packers: 3
Vikings: 4

Secondary

Bears: 2
Lions: 1
Packers: 4
Vikings: 3

The Answer:

1. 26 - The Minnesota Vikings
2. 23 - The Green Bay Packers
3. 20 - The Chicago Bears
4. 11 - The Detroit Lions

Now of course, the draft could move these numbers a little bit. However, nearly every team in the division is forced to draft for need, and the chance of landing an impact player that will be a driving force in their first NFL season will always be a big unknown.

Don’t let your fan-hood hoodwink you…it’s officially a three way race.

Class dismissed.

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Jay Cutler Is a Good Thing for Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers

The Packers Lounge — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 13:05:48 -0400

Jay Cutler’s arrival in Chicago will make things much more exciting for Packer fans.

What does the Chicago Bears’ acquisition of Jay Cutler mean for Packer fans? I can answer that question in three simple words: Fun, fun, fun! The appearance of a big-time QB in Chicago will put some juice into the oldest rivalry in the NFL, which in recent years has played second fiddle to the much younger Packers-Vikings rivalry.

It is highly questionable whether this was a good move for the Bears, especially considering the price they paid for Cutler and the fact that Kyle Orton had become a solid NFL QB in the past year.

My own hunch is that it was indeed a good move. The Bears have not had an above-average QB at least since Jim McMahon, and his time in the limelight was brief anyway. I am not alone in being very impressed with Jay Cutler since he came into the league.

The way he moves in the pocket, the way he throws, his air of authority in running an offense...He’s got all the tools. He’s still a little raw and interception-prone, but he has yet to come into his prime. In fact, he reminds me a little of...Oh, nevermind.

Now, of course there is the character factor, which is a real concern considering how Cutler crybabied his way out of Denver. When he learned that his name had come up in trade talks, he went into a pout and eventually refused to even return his coach’s phone calls.

Prima donna behavior, to be sure. I don’t like it any more than most fans do. Some sportswriters and former NFL players feel the same way. But one place where I have yet to hear any criticism of Cutler is from current NFL players.

In fact, some of them have defended him. And for that reason, I don’t think Cutler’s behavior will hurt his standing with his teammates. Professional football players tend to be a tightly knit bunch. And being a prima donna QB is not exactly an unusual thing in the NFL.

What I like best about Cutler in Chicago is that it will set up a natural rivalry for Aaron Rodgers. Both QB’s are about the same age and are just beginning to establish themselves as impact players in the NFL.

Suddenly, every Packers-Bears game (including, for goodness’ sake, the season opener on Sunday Night Football with Michaels and Madden calling the game!) will have a story line. This will have the added benefit of reducing the amount of time spent on the inevitable Favre-Rodgers comparisons.

Every occasion when Aaron Rodgers is compared to Jay Cutler is an occasion when he is not compared to Brett Favre, and that’s a healthy thing for everyone.

We all need some relief from the Favre vs. Rodgers debates, and to those few who disagree with that statement, don’t worry—there will still be plenty of Favre-Rodgers comparisons to keep you occupied.

The storylines with this Cutler trade are all over the place—so numerous that it would seem that no single one of them could possibly be flogged to death, although the sportswriters and talking heads (not to mention us Internet addicts) will certainly give it their best try.

Can Cutler bring an offense that has been lacking in firepower to a new level? Will he be embraced by the Chicago fans? And best of all, can he defeat the Bears’ arch rival 200 miles to the north, who have a promising young QB of their own?

The season starts tomorrow, right? Please tell me that it starts tomorrow!

The Green Bay Packers on Twitter

The Packers Lounge — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 13:01:42 -0400

The only Packer player who ‘tweets’ that I know of is Nick Barnett, and it’s hilarious. Imagine if others joined the internet sensation.

10. @Harrell91 I stubbed my toe on my weight bench this morning. It hurts pretty bad. I can barely move my leg. I don’t want to tell coach.
about 4 hours ago from web

9. @Brennen_Carvalho I really am on the Green Bay Packers.
about 2 hours ago from txt

8. @Pickettfence meatloaf wit gravy and cornbread and a pot pie and chickn tenders and a diet coke. I love lunch.
about 3 minutes ago from Twitterberry

7. @MMcCarthy I don’t like Alexandra’s undisciplined boyfriend. I think I may send Jolly to visit him.
about 10 hours ago from Tweetdeck

6. @DaReel36 I downt git this theng. Whuts tha point? Im pooping write NOW!
about 1 minute ago from txt

5. @ARodg12 A tip to all my fans: Do not date strippers. Just don’t do it. If you see me scratching ‘down there’ in the huddles this year, you’ll know why.
about 7 hours ago from web

4. @BrianBrohm Took some more pills and oxycontin today or as I call it “The Backup Special.”
about 2 hours ago from TwitterFon

3. @AJHawk Another kid asked if I played Rocky Dennis in “Mask.” I hate people.
about 4 hours ago from Tweetdeck

2. @TedThompsonGM I totally like fired Kathy. Free agency started February 27th, which is totally not what she said! OMG! Now I have to work miracles during the draft. Sigh…noobs.
about 2 hours ago from web

1. @GJ85 I saved a bus full of kids from getting hit by a train on my way home from stopping a nuke launch in North Korea. Just another day.
about 2 hours ago from TwitterJennings

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The Green Bay Packers Mock GM Mock Draft

The Packers Lounge — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 12:26:42 -0400

As an admitted draft geek, I find myself obsessively checking mock draft after mock draft to see what the experts think the Packers will do at the end of this month. By this time, most people are predicting the same thing, so I decided to shake things up a bit. Instead of a Packers Mock Draft, I envisioned what our last two general managers would have done if they were still at the helm. So here it is, the first ever Mock GM Mock Packers Draft.

Mike Sherman

Round 1 (9)—Andre Smith, OT, Alabama.

Round 2 (36)—Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech

Round 2 (41)—Traded for 36th overall pick

Round 3 (73)—Travis Beckum, TE, Wisconsin

Round 3 (80)—Thomas Morstead, P, SMU

Round 3 (83)—Traded for 80th overall pick

Round 4 (109)—Traded for 36th overall pick

Round 5 (145)—Frantz Joseph, LB, Florida Atlantic

Round 5 (152)—Cornelius Lewis, OT/G, Tennessee State

Round 6 (182)—Johnny Knox, WR, Abilene Christian

Round 6 (187)—Traded for 80th overall pick

Round 7 (218)—Traded for 152nd pick

Mike Sherman took a giant risk by selecting Andre Smith in the first round.

“We loved Andre’s production on the field, and think he received a bad rap for his combine performance. As long as he surrounds himself with hardworking class acts like Cletidus Hunt and Mike McKenzie. He should develop into an outstanding player for us.”

Sherman also made several trades during the draft. First, he moved up to the top of the second round to take high-talent, but low on production Michael Johnson. Later he traded up in the third round to snatch up punter Thomas Morstead, who most draft gurus thought would garner a late round pick at best. Travis Beckum, another athletic player, albeit with a significant injury history, was the other third round selection.

Small school players Frantz Joseph, Cornelius Lewis, and Johnny Knox, all relative unknowns, rounded out the draft.

“To be honest, I slept through most of the combine," Sherman responded to criticisms to his underwhelming draft. “I’m confident that my offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, and life coach Brett Favre will mold these guys into outstanding players. Of course, I’ve allowed him to stay in Mississippi until September, but I think the four days he has to get everyone on the same page should be more than enough.”

Ron Wolf

Round 1 (9)—Traded to Carolina for Julius Peppers

Round 2 (41)—Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma

Round 3 (73)—Traded to Kansas City for Tony Gonzalez

Round 3 (83)—Traded to Carolina for Julius Peppers

Round 4 (109)—Cody Brown, DE/LB, Connecticut

Round 5 (145)—Brandon Underwood, CB/S, Cincinnati

Round 5 (152)—Sammie Lee Hill, DE/DT, Stillman

Round 6 (182)—Andy Kemp, G, Wisconsin

Round 6 (187)—Traded for 152nd overall pick

Round 7 (218)—Traded for 152nd overall pick

Ron Wolf made a blockbuster trade for All-Pro defensive end Julius Peppers, to play as a hybrid DE/OLB in Dom Capers’ 3-4 scheme.

The evening before the draft when asked about what the all-pro would bring to the Green and Gold Wolf remarked, “Julius adds tremendous flexibility at the outside linebacker position, forming what we think will be a formidable tandem with Aaron Kampman. With the money you have to invest in a top-10 pick, we thought the team would be better served bringing in a proven commodity. I mean seriously, do you think I’d pay a guy like Andre Smith top dollar at that spot?”

The second day brought news that Wolf added another all-pro in veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez. The two trades overshadowed the players that Green Bay actually drafted, who are expected to either step in right away or provide quality depth. Sammie Hill is expected to back up Ryan Pickett as a run-stuffing nose tackle.

“I believe our team was greatly improved over the weekend," Wolf said. "As the general manager of the Green Bay Packers, I feel an enormous responsibility to put out the best product possible.”

Make sure and visit the www.packerslounge.com for all your Packer entertainment.

Gerald Ford Screwed The Packers

The Packers Lounge — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:49:22 -0500

Never afraid to test the boundaries of blogging ethics, I would like to take this opportunity to publicly call out the 38^th President of the United States.

Yes, you heard me correctly. Gerald Ford screwed the Pack.

He turned down an offer to play football for the Green Bay Packers.

Now, I personally can’t ever imagine a situation in where pursuing the United States Presidency would be more important than playing for the Packers. Ford may have had his reasons for choosing politics, but it’s still not a good enough excuse give him a pass on this one.

Why can’t I let him off the hook?

The guy would have been good.

Let’s check out some of Ford’s incredible attributes and accomplishments.

“Ford granted ‘a full, free and absolute pardon’ to former President Richard Nixon for all offenses against the United States’.”

We have been talking about “Packer People” recently and Gerald Ford would have been undoubtedly just that. He would have understood that players and management are far from perfect and most certainly would not have held a grudge without warrant.

“Ford refused to lend federal funds to financially strapped New York City until the city raised taxes and cut spending.”

Much like us Packer fans, Ford obviously knew that it was irresponsible for New York to be spending obscene amounts of money on worthless goods. He, obviously, was a man of great intelligence much like Ted Thompson.

“Ford escaped two assassination attempts within 17 days in September 1975, both by women.”

Okay, when I read this it says, “Got multiple chicks on multiple weeks and scrambled out of the pocket with the best of them.”

“Ford attained the rank of Eagle Scout.”

Able to improvise in pinch and survive the worst of situations, Gerald Ford’s ability to adapt to a broken play could have been second to none. One could also file this under “Packer People.”

“He was once a model and a park ranger.”

Who doesn’t like good-looking guys with that Grizzly Adams’ mustached look?

I know I do.

“Ford was right-handed but wrote with his left hand.”

I can just hear it.

Ford takes the snap and rolls out.

He’s feeling the pressure as the defensive tackle bears down. The behemoth lunges at Ford looking to strip the ball from his out stretched left hand.

Ford nimbly switches the football to his right hand, and on his way to the ground heaves it cross-field right to Max McGee for the touchdown.

Whoa.

"Ford is the longest-lived president at age 93.”

Can you say consecutive start streaks not really that big of deal?

Boy that would have been golden.

Thanks a whole bunch President Ford.

Not play for the Packers?

What a dumbass.

Screw the Super Bowl, I'm Watching Puppy Bowl V

The Packers Lounge — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 11:32:18 -0500

By: Packers Lounge Writer Dale Zawada

For most people, Feb. 1 will revolve around the Super Bowl. For myself, that day is dedicated to Puppy Bowl V.

The Puppy Bowl will always have a special place in my heart as I caught it for the first time in 2007 with a large group of friends. As you can imagine, we were dangerously drunk.

After channel surfing and catching some crazy action on Real TV, we somehow came across The Puppy Bowl. The best part about the Puppy Bowl is the fact that it actually exists. Last year, Puppy Bowl IV brought in over 8 million viewers.

The premise is simple: It’s a large gang of puppies in a football field themed room. They wrestle with each other and fight over a football chew toy. It’s adorable and when you’re hammered, downright hilarious.

I think my favorite part of the festivities is the Kitty Half-Time show. Like the real Super Bowl, this game has a break in the action so the players can rest. The scratch posts come in along with the kitties, and kitty entertainment is had. And if you think the Packers were bad with penalties this year, you should check out the puppies in the Puppy Bowl.

It seems every minute the ref throws a flag because a pup urinated on the playing field. That’s a penalty! If only coach would have yelled at the little guy publicly. I can’t do a Puppy Bowl piece without making my pick for MVP.

At first I was going to go with Griffey.

Look at him. He’s cute and has that little scrappy way about him, like he’s going to run up and take your hot dog out of your hand. Adorable!

But I have to go with Elvira.

This pup just looks crazy. Look at that crazy eye! That is an awesome crazy eye. Also, Elvira is a Catahoula Cur mix. Do you know what that is? Neither do I. I can only assume it’s some crazy breed they get when you mate a Transylvanian dog with a Mexican sewer rat. Elvira has it in the bag.

The reason behind The Puppy Bowl, other than to try and steal some ratings, is to raise awareness about animal adoption. All of the pups and kitties involved are from animal shelters. They will all be adopted after the Puppy Bowl. Maybe animal adoption is something some of you might be interested in. If so, this link here is a good starting point.

And, if you already have a dog, don’t neglect him on Super Bowl Sunday. Give that dog some love! Or part of that cheeseburger. Or both! So if you’re all football’ed out or find it hard to watch a team not from Green Bay in the Super Bowl, tune in to Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl V!

To check out last years action click right here.

Alex Tallitsch also writes for the Packers Lounge a blog on the net dedicated to the Green Bay Packers.

Ben There Donald That: Green Bay Packer's Donald Driver Impacts Autistic Child

The Packers Lounge — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:20:36 -0500

I found this story while browsing around the corners of Packer nation. I am sure it won’t get any public attention, so I thought I would pass it on. It exemplifies the true class that we have in Green Bay.

After reading the piece I couldn't resist tracking down this young man for an interview.

Here is his story, and how the Packers' Donald Driver changed a life.

It’s why I am proud to be a Packer fan.

Here is the original followed by my interview with Ben.

"Yes Virginia…there really is a Santa Claus

Last January, I took my 10-year-old son Ben to Fan Fest at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Being a huge football fan, I’d been trying to get my son into football for a long time. He preferred trains.

The only player I could convince him to stand in line to see was Donald Driver, wide receiver for the Packers. So, we stood in line for 2 hours to get his signature on a football. The security officers were rushing people through pretty quickly and were not allowing any posing for pictures.

So when it was finally our turn, I told Ben that he couldn’t ask Mr. Driver a lot of questions.

Well… he did anyway.

Donald Driver was so nice to Ben and answered all of his questions. He waived off the security guards and let Ben go on and on. He stood up and took a picture with Ben and shook his hand. That made such an impact on Ben. He felt so good and so important that from that day on, he was all about football!

As soon as we got home, he went right to the Internet and started reading about Donald Driver and the Packers.

Since that day, a lot has changed for Ben. He has become obsessed with football. He knows the final score for every Packer game AND who scored on what drive! He knows all of the NFC North team schedules, records, and which players were injured each week! He even started playing flag football during recess WITH OTHER KIDS!! He’s not pacing on the playground or boring the teachers with his knowledge about trains and cars. The other kids seek him out when they talk about football which is a hot topic for 10-year-old boys.

He is actually starting to make some friends.

The first thing he wanted for Christmas this year was a Donald Driver jersey. I bought him one a few months before Christmas and put it away. I found out that Mr. Driver was going to be down by Madison a few weeks later, so I bought a ticket to the event.

The day finally came so I took off early from work, and with the jersey in hand, I stood in line to get my chance to meet the man that made such a difference in my son’s life. When I finally got my turn, Mr. Driver asked if the jersey was for me. I told him no, that it was for my 10-year-old son. I started to tell him about when he and Ben met at Fan Fest.

I explained that Ben has autism and his special interest used to be trains and the newest models of minivans. That was before he met Donald Driver. I told Mr. Driver that since that day, Ben has become obsessed with football and the Packers. I told him that we nick-named Ben “Sportscenter” and Mr. Driver started to laugh. I described how much closer our family has become now that we all have a common interest.

When I started to thank Mr. Driver for making such a difference in my son’s life, I started to cry… and so did he.

He thanked me for telling him about Ben. He said that he’s always telling the other players to take some time with kids because it really can make a difference.

I didn’t have a camera with me because I had just come from work but the couple behind me in line took some pictures and offered to email them to me. When I told Mr. Driver that Ben wouldn’t believe that Donald Driver really signed the jersey, he suggested I come behind the table so we could hold up the jersey together. That way I would have proof that Ben’s favorite player really did sign it just for him.

He signed the jersey, “To Ben… my # 1 Fan… Donald Driver… GO PACK GO!”

On Christmas eve, Ben was having a really hard time… too many people, too much noise, too long at mass. I saved his jersey for last, after he complained about every other gift he opened. When he opened the box, he was speechless, which is a rarity for my son. He held up the jersey and just stared at it. I told him to turn it over and he saw the signature and his own name. Just as I predicted, he looked at me and said “No way!”

I told him to look in the box and there he found the photo of me and Donald Driver holding up the jersey. I cannot begin to describe the look on my child’s face… a face that rarely shows emotion. He looked like he wanted to cry, scream and laugh at the same time. It was magical.

I got two tickets to the Packers/Lions game the Sunday after Christmas so my wonderful son and I could go show off his jersey and cheer for his favorite player. As luck would have it, Donald Driver ran 70-yards for a touchdown! Ben was so excited, it was priceless.

Yes Virginia…there is a Santa Claus.”

Like I said, after-the-fact I had to contact this young man and learn a little more.

Judging from the comments on the story after we posted it, it really touched quite a few people.

I wanted to follow up on the story so we contacted Ben and his mother to get a little more perspective on Ben and the impact that Driver and the Green Bay Packers have had on his life.

Ben and his mother were more than happy to grant us an interview, and according the Ben’s mother Valerie Rathkamp, it has taken little time for this young man to form a strong bond with those who wear the green and gold.

“Ben’s first game was actually the pre-season game against the Bengals this year,” says Rathkamp. “My (Rathkamp’s) first Packer game was many years ago. I’m old enough to remember sitting in the stands watching Lynn Dickey play. I’ve been going to games since the ‘Dark Ages'"

Ben, now with a little brother, was an only child for nearly ten years. Growing up was tough for Ben, and tough for the family as well.

“Ben didn’t talk as a toddler,” explains a tested Rathkamp. “I kept taking him to the doctor asking if there was something wrong. He didn’t like to be around other people or loud noises. Yet, he was very intelligent and seemed to understand when people spoke to him. The doctors kept telling me he was fine and that boys speak later than girls. I got on the Internet and started reading about autism and it was like reading about Ben.”

It took an extensive amount of time for the Rathkamp family to get Ben diagnosed. Unfortunately, the fight had just begun.

“Insurance does not cover ANY treatment for autism in the State of Wisconsin, explicates Rathkamp. “I have been a State employee for over 15 years and have excellent insurance but could not get any help for my son. I couldn’t even find someone to tell me where to start.”

Rathkamp’s mother quit her job so she could continue working while offering Ben in-home therapy for 40 hours a week. Still, the hardest part was trying to bring awareness to others about autism.

“Most people think of “Rain Man” when they hear autism,” confessed Rathkamp. “Some autistic individuals are mildly affected and some are more severe. But, their behavior can often look like bad parenting or just a naughty child. It’s not. It’s always a symptom of something that’s bothering them and they can’t communicate what it is. I won’t get into what causes autism… we know our kids better than anyone.”

Now, at 10-years-old, Ben attends a private Catholic school in which his mother has been adamant that he be treated as any other student.

“Ben is in a mainstream classroom,” reveals a firm Rathkamp. “I refused to put him in public school and let a county’s budget dictate how they were going to accommodate my son or warehouse him in a special education room somewhere. The pastor at his school believes in inclusion and acceptance, which has helped us deal with some narrow-minded parents. I believe the more Ben is around typical kids, the more he will model their behavior. I am hopeful for his future.”

Ben knows he is different as well, and if you ask him he’ll tell you, “Some kids have diabetes, some kids can’t walk. I have autism.”

Ben’s mother is still in shock that she is able to sit in the stands with Ben taking in the one-of-a-kind spectacle that is a trip to Lambeau. Before Ben met Donald Driver, he wasn’t even interested in football.

“What a difference it (football) has made to Ben,” says Rathkamp. “He started playing football with the other kids at recess and then he was invited over to a friend’s house for the first time last year.”

This may seem like no big deal, but that was hardly the case.

“Other kids think about going to a friend’s house as just another day, says a mother wise in reality. “For Ben, it was like Christmas or his birthday! He was so excited, he could barely sleep the night before and had his video games packed at 6 a.m.!”

If that doesn’t get you excited, Ben wants you to know that he celebrates game day just as religiously as all Packer die-hards.

“Ben wakes up very early on game day,” reveals Rathkamp. “He makes sure our ‘Packer Shrine’ is in place (various memorabilia arranged on top of the TV). He makes sure everyone has Packer clothing on and always reminds me to wear my ‘lucky socks.’”

If you think it’s tense around here during the game, Ben will also give every Packer fan a run for their money.

“He starts getting a little crazy just before the game, says his mother. “He has to sit on the end of the couch because he gets up and yells a lot.”

That sounds just like game day around these parts.

Ben also had some things to say to the folks on my website as well. Firstly, he was pretty happy to be featured on the Packers Lounge exclaiming, “Awesome… I have to tell everyone at school!”

Ben continued to explain that his love of football will hopefully translate into a career someday as an employee for ESPN. Then, out of the blue, Ben hit me with a knowledge bomb he wants all of you to hear. He wasn’t too happy with Ted Thompson.

“What is wrong with Ted Thompson,” rants the young Packer backer? “Doesn’t he know about Brett Favre? Doesn’t he know all of his records? I’m going to write Ted Thompson a letter and tell him that he better look up Brett Favre on the Internet!”

As far as meeting Donald Driver is concerned, the trip started out as a promise from Rathkamp, to her son, that he could swim in the hotel pool where they would be staying for this year’s Fan Fest.

When they got to the event, Ben started to get excited when Rathkamp was elated to find a Donald Driver autograph coupon in their Fan Fest book.

“He didn’t understand, so I took him to the coupon trading area and showed him how everyone wanted a Driver ticket,” says Rathkamp. “He got a little more interested. Then I took him to the Pro-Shop and told him to pick something out to have autographed. He picked a football. We got in line and he started to listen to all the stories about Driver as we made our way through the line.”

Thanks to some ‘real’ Packer fans, Ben and his mother averted disaster when someone tried to con Ben out of his chance to meet Driver.

“We almost lost our coupon when I had to leave Ben in line so I could use the restroom, revisits Rathkamp with concern. “As I ran back to get in line with him, some jerk was trying to ‘buy’ Ben’s Driver coupon. Thank God a nice couple in line next to Ben noticed and told the guy to get lost (I love true Packer fans). Ben almost fell for it. That’s a real example of how autistic kids are not able to read people’s intentions.”

After dashing disaster, Ben started to realize he was going to be a part of something special.

“As we got closer, I think Ben realized he was about to meet someone famous and started ‘stimming’, which is rocking and practicing out loud what he’s going to say,” explains Rathkamp. I saw how quickly the security was pushing people through so I warned Ben that he couldn’t ask any questions and just had to get his autograph and move on.”

Ben was not having any of it. Ben walked right up to the table and extended his hand proudly stating, “Hello Mr. Driver. I’m Ben Parsons from Montello Wisconsin.”

Donald took a moment to smile back before extending his hand and replying, “Well, hello Ben. I’m Donald Driver from Houston Texas, nice to meet you.”

Ben went on at length with questions only a 10-year-old would ask as he waited for Driver to sign his football. When the time came, Ben wanted to make sure the moment was perfect.

“Mr. Driver, you have to use the pen that came with the football,” instructed Ben to the all-star wide receiver. “And, can you sign it right here so you don’t cover up the G.”

Donald Driver was more than happy to oblige, and that moment made the entire day for Ben.

“No other player was as gracious and kind as him (Driver),” beams Rathkamp. “Marco Rivera came close because I spoke Spanish to him. I know this is really who he (Driver) is. There is nothing pretentious or arrogant about him… this not a man who is in it for just a paycheck. He doesn’t ‘give back’ by just writing a check either. Not to mention he is unbelievably handsome! Man… what a smile!”

This once again confirms that Donald Driver is the real package deal. This also confirms my belief that Packer fans are the best in the world.

I would like to extend our sincere thanks to Ben and his mother for granting us this interview.

If you would like to know more about autism, or help the cause, I encourage you to visit the Autism Society of Wisconsin’s website. In addition, the ASW of Fox Valley offers an amazing football camp every summer at Xavier High School for kids with autism.

As always, you can also check out the Donald Driver Foundation.

If you have anything you would like to let Ben know, I am sure he would be thrilled to hear it.

Leave some comments for him below. I know for a fact they will be passed on.

Dear Mark Murphy: Letter From a Green Bay Packers Fan

The Packers Lounge — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 08:59:35 -0500

As the proprietor of a Packer fan blog and as a writer in general, I feel obligated to say something monumental today. As much as the prospect of having to do so pains me at best, here are my thoughts on the team I live and die by.

I feel I always need to start with some kind of disclaimer about my knowledge in these types of situations, but in this instance I am going to refrain from doing so. Unless you are working for the organization, or have been lucky enough to gain to some kind of inside football knowledge, I am confident in saying I can hold my own in any reality based Packer conversation.

I never miss a game, I am certainly better read than most, and I devote approximately one-third of my total available time to following the Green Bay Packers.

That being said, I think I have a good grasp of the situation, and what the future should hold.

As put so eloquently by someone else, I think you’re facing a cold reality.

Not that you will listen to what I have to say with any real tangible interest, but, this is what I think the Packer’s should do… starting tomorrow.

Fire Ted Thompson

That sound you hear is the collective gasp of the three or so people that regularly read my stuff.

Shocking? Overall not really, but coming from my mouth it certainly will be considered unexpected. I have been the staunchest supporter of Ted Thompson since the word go. As a fan I feel it an unwritten rule to support the general manager and the decisions of the team with a warm embrace. You never slander or openly hope for the demise of anyone on your team. If you do, you are hardly a true fan.

I am not here to bash Ted Thompson, his decision making, or the team’s record. Whether you believe in Ted Thompson or not, the long term repercussions of another season with Ted at the helm, could devastate the already pot-holed Packer nation.

This has nothing to do with Favre (who still is a whiny little prima donna—Go Jets), or draft picks, or even our record. It has everything to do with a divided fan base and its reflection on a pride depraved organization.

The situation will not improve either. If you think the microscope on this off-season was bad, just wait until next year. The fans will not unite, the players will not come, and the team will not improve.

It seems everyone is longing for that cry baby…err young kid that goes out and plays with ardent fervor every Sunday. Please give our young guys a chance to do the same, to relax and play football.

You don’t have to change to playbook just change the face.

Make it all go away…it’s not worth it.

You Better Frickin’ Get Jennings

You obviously asked Greg Jennings if he wanted to talk contract this off-season. He also obviously said he wasn’t interested in talking quite yet. Eliminating Ted Thompson will go a long way in solving that problem. Greg Jennings is a superstar, the likes we haven’t seen in Green Bay in quite some time. He is the face of your franchise. Greg Jennings does not want to be a part of this circus.

Greg is above that.

Fire Bob Sanders (and his entire staff)

Do I really need to get into this? This was completely and totally unacceptable.

Please Bring Back Packer Football

What we have seen the past few weeks is completely un-inspired football. This team has always been synonymous with toughness and heart. We saw neither this season. We saw great play by a young quarterback, breakout years in the secondary, and rejuvenated careers. But, we did not see any fire, any toughness, or any I’m going to smash you down Packer football that is this team.

I totally support the Favre situation. It is obvious that Aaron Rodgers is the future of this team. Yet, Aaron is not the same type of person as Brett was. You never replaced the intangibles that Brett brought to the game. Aaron Rodgers is not that guy, Greg Jennings is not that guy, and Donald Driver was not that guy.

Find that guy and sign him.

We need that guy.

I am virtually certain that guy does not reside in the draft pool either. That was a hint.

Not to keep you any longer, it is obviously apparent that this situation cannot continue. No matter who is right or who is wrong, it is time to remove the owner of that judgment and replace him with an impartial party.

If you do not make this amazingly difficult decision immediately, you will put the proud face of this franchise in great peril.

Get it done, I think you will be surprised at how many will feel understandably relieved.

Packers Get Head

The Packers Lounge — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 04:50:07 -0500

In an unprecedented move to bolster an already depleted team, the Green Bay Packers have made an unusual late season acquisition. Working late into the night at 1265 this weekend, the Packers have inked Mr. Potato Head to long term contract.

Mr. Head or "The Head" as known to his teammates is sure to be a welcome addition to a team desperately looking for a spark plug. Spending their Thanksgiving crunching numbers instead of turkey, Ted Thompson and the Packer's staff worked tirelessly to get the thick skinned superstar to choose Green Bay as his team of the future.

Head, 1'6" and weighing in at a hefty 2.35 lbs, is excited to showcase his talents with this storied franchise.

"I'm thrilled to be a Green Bay Packer today," said an obviously tired Head. "My agent and I both felt that Green Bay was a talented team that will contend for a title for many years to come."

Head will arrive in Green Bay early Sunday morning with his wife Barbie and their daughter Strawberry Shortcake. Although he is not expected to make an appearance on the field, Head will join his teammates on the sidelines as they take on the Panthers Sunday afternoon.

In an early morning press conference GM Ted Thompson was relieved that the efforts of the front office had finally paid off.

"We are very excited to get Potato into town and ready for the stretch run," said Thompson. Getting Head as always been a huge priority for me this season, and it's satisfying to see the effort come full circle."

Although his position is not set in stone, Head will most likely replace Bush on the Packers roster for the remainder of the season.

Contract details have not been released at this time.

(Stay Tuned)

Alex Tallitsch also writes for The Packers Lounge, a blog on the net dedicated to the Green and Gold.

Green Bay Packers' Greg Jennings More Popular Than Boobs

The Packers Lounge — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 01:21:05 -0500

They said the statistic would stand forever. In fact, most thought it was a milestone that could never be achieved. But, it's official—Greg Jennings is more popular than boobs.

This morning, Google was forced to turn over secret analytical data that had been kept from the public. Citing a possible outcry and posing a tangible threat to boob lovers everywhere, Google reluctantly turned over the data it had been guarding so carefully.

Our team of highly trained scientists was able to comb through the mountain of numbers, and to no one's surprise, verified that on September 2nd, 2008 Greg Jennings became the first human being to become more popular than boobs.

Since the inception of the Internet, boobs have long been held as an untouchable pop culture icon. Verile males from nearly every country have Googled it with such frequency that many experts in the field felt it an impossibility that boobs could ever be overtaken in popularity.

They certainly never counted on Greg Jennings.

Take a moment to examine the numbers below.

Congratulations Greg—you have attained the unattainable.

Alex Tallitsch also writes for The Packers Lounge, a blog on the net dedicated to the Green and Gold.

Green Bay Packers: Donald Driver's Father Beaten by Police

The Packers Lounge — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:21:50 -0500

According to FOX Houston, Donald Driver's father has filed a report that he was brutally beaten by police after a traffic stop.

According to the report, Marvin Driver Jr., father of Driver, says the attack took place on Sunday night. After being taken into custody for traffic violations, Mr. Driver was then rushed to an emergency room.

"Though unable to speak, Marvin Driver was able to scribble details of the alleged assault on hospital napkins."

Apparently, the incident sounded quite serious.

"Houston Activist Quanell X says Marvin Driver was taken behind a local gas station by police officers, kicked and beaten. Quanell X also said officers allegedly forced Marvin Driver to swallow something and allegedly taunted him by saying, "This is going to take you to Jesus."'

We wish the best to Double D and his family in their time of need.

Alex Tallitsch also writes for The Packers Lounge, a blog on the net dedicated to the Green and Gold.

Breaking News: Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila Released

The Packers Lounge — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 06:55:14 -0400

The Packers have released nine year veteran Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. In what can be described as surprising, the Packers parted ways with the long time vet and activated first round pick Justin Harrell.

“We want to thank Kabeer for his contributions to the Green Bay Packers,” general manager Ted Thompson said in a news release. “During his time here, he has been a big part of our organization and our community. We wish Kabeer and his family well.”

KGB’s statement was as follows: “My nine years as a Green Bay Packer have been a blessing that is beyond words. I thank God for bringing me to this first-class organization and first-class community. During my time here, I’ve built relationships with a number of people in the Packer family. The front office executives, G.M.s, coaches, past and present players, the enormous support and administrative staff plus the greatest fans in football, all have helped make my time here truly special and I am thankful for that.

It has been a very positive experience. I was able to build a family here and grow with a community that I call home. Again, I’ve been truly blessed. I don’t know what my football future holds, but one thing I’ve realized is that football is more than a game—it’s about building relationships and changing lives.

One of the commitments I’ve had throughout my career has been to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and that is something that I intend on doing whether on the field or not. God bless the Green Bay Packers!”

This is indeed a surprising move to me, although I don’t disagree with it in the least. We have been ragging on KGB’s poor performance and high contract for several years now.

In retrospect, I’ll miss the man…and his one move.

I think we all can wish the best to a class act through and through.

The big question is was this purely a money move? If not, why is Jarrett Bush here?

Alex Tallitsch also writes for The Packers Lounge, a blog on the net dedicated to the Green and Gold.

$65 Million For Aaron Rodgers? That's a Lot of Dough

The Packers Lounge — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 04:39:35 -0400

I want to congratulate Aaron Rodgers on the signing of his new deal. However, that is an awful lot of money for the kid. I am not saying he doesn’t deserve it, but it does bring up an important question.

How would you spend Aaron Rodgers' $65 million?

It sounds like a simple proposition. Most people would quit their job, buy a house, or pay off their debt. Others might decide to travel, invest in the various markets, and build a sense of security for generations to come.

These are all smart choices of course, but, as a Packer fan I would urge you to take a moment to really think about it. There are a lot of unique ways to spend $65 million.

That in mind, my financial dream team has taken the time to put together a sure fire list of tips and hints that will help you get the most out of your new found bankroll.

1. Buy Greg Jennings.

You’re going to need to get on this one right away. Most of your old friends will have already tried to mooch as much cash as they can, so you’re going to need a new best friend right away. Why not go with Greg Jennings?

The initial price may be steep, but the benefits will quickly pay for themselves in the long run. You not only get the most amazing human on the planet, you also reap the benefits of Greg’s many skills, including walking on water, shooting fire bolts from your fingers, and of course, levitation.

If that isn’t enough for you, imagine going to the saloon every Friday night and sauntering to the bar saying, “Yes ma’am can I get a couple drinks? I’ll take a beer for myself, and oh yeah, could you get me one for Greg Jennings?”

Priceless.

2. Buy Jets.

No, I’m not talking about those kinds of jets, but rather The Jets. You’re going to need to pack up Greg and head to New York. The minute you get there, buy the team and immediately change the name to “The Favres.”

Secondly, locate Senator Clinton and slip her some special interest money to pass a bill requiring all fans of Favre to be New York residents. This will eliminate the “Favre Firster” population from Wisconsin, while generating a huge amount of income in apparel sales after Brett makes the entire team wear number four as well.

Use these profits to off-set the cost of acquiring Jennings.

3. Take Jarrett Bush on a trip.

Craziness? Hardly. If anyone needs a vacation, no one needs it more than this much-maligned dime back. Perhaps a few days in the sun will settle this kid down and get him back to playing form.

Find a private island somewhere south of Dubai, and purchase it. I hear they can be found for a measly six million so it is a fairly cheap investment. Next, get Jarrett on a helicopter. Make sure not to scrimp on the extras, some well placed wine and cheese can go a long way to boost morale.

When you get to the island have the super hot flight attendant hand Jarrett a very special letter (don’t scrimp on this step either, make Jarrett feel special by using ribbon and a real wax seal). Inside, make the following notation:

“Jarrett, the Packers have a very special mission for you. Somewhere on this tiny tiny tiny island is a football, find it for us and we shall return.”

You’ll never hear from the guy again. Problem solved.

4. Find a home.

With the extra cash from the Bush contract, along with the merchandise sales from your new team “The Favres,” your portfolio should be starting to look a little balanced. Now is the time to you should start thinking about that new permanent residence.

Rather than spend the time dealing with contractors and architects, I suggest you skip the middle man and just buy the “Atrium.” Go to Green Bay, and do whatever it takes to get the place.

After you have moved in, feel free to change to the name to whatever you want. You might want to keep the naming simple by perhaps just adding your first initial to the title. For example if your name was Tom you might just call it the “Tatrium” giving it your own unique feel while preserving some of the history (if your name is Gary we strongly advise against this approach) and still leaving a familiar tone.

I know this is a spendy proposition, but you’re going to be there every Sunday anyway so you will see the backend in your savings at the pump.

5. Take some risks.

These previous steps will have gotten you far enough to start making your final decisions on your own. Buying the entire section 135 is always an option, having Larry McCarren personally call the game while sitting next you each Sunday is worthy of the money as well.

Whatever you decide, you can’t go wide of the mark at this point, feel free to start taking a few small risks. Remember to take baby steps, and hold that wallet tightly whenever dealing with KGB. Even a promising investment gone wrong can cost you millions.

I hope this guide is helpful the next time you acquire 65 million dollars. I strive to provide my readers with not only sound Packer knowledge, but also sound guides for use in their everyday lives.

Remember to think ahead, spend wisely, and don’t forget to have a little fun along the way. There certainly is nothing wrong with wanting to see what a one hundred foot statue of Aaron Rodgers made entirely out of beer cans actually looks like.

Alex Tallitsch also writes for The Packers Lounge, a blog on the net dedicated to the Green and Gold.

If The Packers Were Villians!

The Packers Lounge — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:08:30 -0400

By Packers Lounge writer Dale Zawada

We thought it appropriate to take a minute and focus on the real task at hand for the Green Bay Packers—Halloween.

There have been many comparisons made between Green Bay Packers players and other NFL players. We wanted to be the first to make a different, more useful comparison. Although cutting edge, here are your Green Bay Packer players and their alter-egos, the villains.

Jigsaw—Aaron Rodgers

I want to play a game…and it’s called slicing and dicing your defense with ease! Rodgers is cold, calculated, and sees things down the road. He has it all planned out—just like Jigsaw!

And like the jigsaw killer, Aaron shows opposing defenses the meaning of life. Life is more than just football, don’t worry about it. You’ll do fine as a car salesman when you get cut after being torched for three TDs by a first year starter.

Jason Voorhees—Charles Woodson

You just can’t stop this guy! You can try. Even with a broken foot, Charles Woodson is coming after you relentlessly! And just when you thought he was done for, he re-surges better than ever!

Woodson’s career was thought to be over, but then had a rebirth when he joined the Packers! Jason is having a rebirth himself with the new remake of Friday the thirteenth. Odds are Woodson’s will be more impressive.

Michael Myers—KGB

Dumb and slow. Sorry, I couldn’t resist. What should be the coolest character is a total meltdown, just like KGB. How big of a disappointment has KGB been? He’s lost almost all of his abilities and it’s just sad.

It reminds me of Halloween. The movie starts with the killer escaping from the insane asylum and you knew things were going down! Or not. It was a lot of walking, a lot of girl talking, and a lot of heavy breathing, although I did like that.

I suggest you check out rifftrax.com’s commentary on this film to realize this classic…kinda sucks, just like fan favorite KGB.

Jack Torrance—Mike McCarthy

He seems normal: an everyday guy, an average Joe, if you will, but then he SNAPS! Suddenly he’s chasing people with axes! I hear McCarthy does this to Jarrett Bush on a regular basis, which is one of the reasons Bush is so fast.

McCarthy is always calm in his press conferences, but on Sundays, you can see he’s just a different person. He’s in head coach mode and he means business. All work and no play makes Mike McCarthy yell at Jarrett Bush.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde—Ryan Grant

This one is pretty obvious. You never know which one you’re going to get on Sundays. Will you get the one that shows flashes of a hall of fame career or the one who bumps into his own linemen and falls on his butt?

Grant just got a huge contract extension and this is what we get? This mediocrity? I just wish he would pick one. Be crappy or be awesome so we know and can move on with another running back. Figure it out, Ryan!

Jaws—Aaron Kampman

Aaron is hungry and he wants some blood! Is that some blood on your elbow, Mr. QB? UH-OH! Better start running now! Just when you thought it was safe to go on the football field.

Kampman reminds me of the atmosphere in Jaws. On the surface there’s no problem. Kampman is a small defensive end - nothing to worry about. But there’s just something there that worries you.

You KNOW eventually something bad is going to happen from that guy. Kampman needs to start humming the Jaws theme on the defensive line. That would amuse me.

Freddy Krueger —Greg Jennings

The man who gives defenses nightmares. But don’t go to sleep! He’s in there too, and you have to re-live what he did to you over and over again! He’ll haunt you in your dreams and in real life like Freddy Krueger.

Freddy is known for the long blades on his glove and that reminds me of Greg’s powerful hands. It just seems like some part of Greg's body has to be enhanced. What else would make him as great as he is? Also, they both have great fashion sense.

I’m sure I missed some obvious ones, so go ahead and tell me what they are!

Alex Tallitsch and Dale Zawada write for The Packers Lounge, a blog on the net dedicated to the Green and Gold.

Mike McCarthy Goes Vanilla for the Green Bay Packers

The Packers Lounge — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 03:13:48 -0400

Mike McCarthy is starting to piss me off. In his never-ending mission to state the obvious, once again he decides (much like his defensive coordinator) to remain totally vanilla.

In a quote from the Green Bay Press-Gazette McCarthy came up with the following in-depth statement: “Our house is messy right now.”

Really Mike? Way to state the obvious.

The Packers' house has been messy for three weeks now, and that was pretty obvious to even the most casual fan. The real question is, how in the hell are you going to fix it?

I would start by taking the obviously under-qualified Bob Sanders and sending him to nearest headset at the drive-up counter at Wendy’s. Then I would find out why your team has no toughness, no discipline, and no vocal leader.

You could move on to figuring out why no one looks excited or in the least bit pumped up out on the playing field. Then you can start chewing some tail for celebrating late touchdowns when you’re still down a score and facing an onside kick situation.

Your team looks like a bunch of pansies out there. Where is the desire? Where is the toughness?

We are sick of the excuses and the generalizations, get it fixed and get it fixed now.

Alex Tallitsch also writes for The Packers Lounge, a blog on the net dedicated to the Green and Gold.

Eat Me - A Green Bay Packer's Fan Guide to the Gut

The Packers Lounge — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:38:29 -0400

You might consider yourself a tough guy, but if you can’t put out a killer spread on Packer game day you’re not tough enough. Here are the top five Packer gameday recipes.

Every Sunday I get together with the same group of guys and we put out a feast whenever possible. These next five recipes are far and away our favorites and offer a little taste of Wisconsin.

Enjoy.

1. BC and Al’s Wisconsin Bluegill Chowder

Now I know everyone can’t get out in the below zero weather at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings before the game. But, for us die-hards, there is no substitute for setting up the shack and jigging for our Packer meal. Feel free to substitute any whitefish, but seriously, if you can hit the ice and bring ‘em in fresh, it’s the proper way to do it.

Ingredients:

4 ounces meaty salt pork, rind removed and cut into 1/3-inch dice
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 medium onions (14 ounces), cut into 3/4-inch dice
6 to 8 sprigs fresh summer savory or thyme, leaves removed and chopped (1 tablespoon)
2 dried bay leaves
2 pounds Baby Reds
5 cups Chicken Stock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 pounds fresh bluegill. Always best if caught ice fishing that morning.
1 1/2 cups heavy cream (or up to 2 cups if desired)

If you want to garnish the chowder use two tablespoons minced fresh chives.

Preparation:

Heat a 4- to 6-quart heavy pot over low heat and add the diced salt pork. Once it has rendered a few tablespoons of fat, increase the heat to medium and cook until the pork is a crisp golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cracklings to a small ovenproof dish, leaving the fat in the pot, and reserve until later.

Add the butter, onions, savory or thyme, and bay leaves to the pot and sauté, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, for about eight minutes, until the onions and softened but not browned.

Add the potatoes and stock. If the stock doesn’t cover the potatoes, add just enough water to cover them. Turn up the heat and bring to a boil, cover, and cook the potatoes vigorously for about 10 minutes, until they are soft on the outside but still firm in the center.

If the stock hasn’t thickened lightly, smash a few of the potato slices against the side of the pot and cook for a minute or two longer to release their starch. Reduce the heat to low and season heavily with salt and pepper (you want to almost overseason the chowder at this point to avoid having to stir it much once the fish is added).

Add the fish fillets and cook over low heat for five minutes, then remove the pot from the heat and allow the chowder to sit for 10 minutes (the fish will finish cooking during this time).

Gently stir in the cream and taste for salt and pepper. If you are not serving the chowder within the hour, let it cool a bit, then refrigerate; cover the chowder after it has chilled completely. Otherwise, let it sit for up to an hour at room temperature, allowing the flavors to meld.

When ready to serve, reheat the chowder over low heat; DON'T let it boil. Warm the cracklings in a low oven (200 °F) for a few minutes.

Use a slotted spoon to mound the chunks of fish, the onions, and potatoes in the center of large soup plates or shallow bowls, and ladle the creamy broth around. Scatter the cracklings over the individual servings and finish each with a sprinkling of chopped parsley and minced chives.

Notes:

Simply add the whole fillets to the chowder, cook it a few minutes longer, and remove it from the heat, without stirring it again. When you reheat the chowder, the fillets will break into lovely big chunks of tender white fish.

Have this once and you’ll never go back.

2. Jambalaya Packer Man Style

We love to hit the Jambalaya from time to time. Cooking jambalaya is an art, a past time and a big hit on game day.

Remember, Jambalaya is best cooked in a CAST IRON pot. If you are really a die-hard get outside in the snow and cook it over a birch wood fire. It’s very good and easy inside, but the wood fire puts it over the top.

This recipe is for a small 10 quart pot which will feed eight of your buddies. You can double or triple it for bigger sizes.

Jambalaya Ingredients:

4 - Big yellow onions chopped fine
8 - Cups water.
4 - Cups rice
3 - Banana peppers - chopped
3 - Crushed garlic cloves
2 - Bundles green onions. - chopped
2 - Pounds of hot pork sausage links - chopped
10 - Whole Pork-Chops
2 - Rings of Kielbasa

Salt, pepper, red pepper, onion powder, and anything else you want to throw in there.

Jambalaya cooking instructions:

Brown your sausage and chops and put them on the side. Cook down your yellow onions and garlic constantly stirring (add a little water if necessary so it doesn’t get dry in the bottom of the pot). Don’t burn them or the whole recipe is screwed.

Once you’ve sautéed this mix and reduced it, then add your meat and water (add enough water to cover everything). Season to taste and cook everything until your meat is good and tender.

About 15 minutes before you’re going to add your rice put in the peppers and green onions. Add rice and bring to simmer for 15 around minutes or until the rice looks to be getting cooked. Take a big spoon and turn the rice over once (you only want to bring the bottom to the top). Leave over low heat until your water is all out and the rice is tender.

Success you have Jambalaya.

It’s all about having huge and hearty chunks of meat Packer fans. No sincere Packer fan is going to dice everything up. This is all about being big and bad – just like the Pack.

3. Wisconsin Brats – The right way.

If there is one thing I can’t stand it’s an amateur who doesn’t know how to cook Bratwurst. There is nothing more sacrilegious than taking your Brats out the package and tossing them straight on the grill.

It’s just plain embarrassing.

Here is how a Packer fan does it.

Ingredients:

10 Brats (hit your local meat market)
2-12 ounce bottles or cans of beer (preferably a Wisconsin brew)
2 Large onions
Weber Grill
Charcoal briquettes (about 30) or lump charcoal
10 Brat buns
Condiments (Mustard Brown or yellow, chopped onion)

Directions:

There are three steps to this method - simmering, grilling, and holding.

Mound the charcoal briquettes in a pyramid (stack ‘em up nice and neat). Start the charcoal. I use an electric starter, avoiding the use of fluid.

When the coals are partially white, spread in a single layer. Allow the charcoal to burn until coals are covered with white-ash glowing embers (about 20-30 minutes). If you aren’t patient with the charcoal you will regret it.

On a kettle grill, the heat is just right when you can hold your hand palm-down, 2 inches above the grate, for 4-5 seconds. If you can still see a red glow, it’s too early to start cooking.

As you wait for the charcoal to get ready, put two beers in a pot. Throw in a chopped onion and the brats. If you need more liquid to cover the brats, add water. Bring the beer to a simmer (Don’t let it boil - ever! When steam begins to rise from the top of the liquid, it’s just right. Boiling will cause the brats to burst. Simmer the brats for 20 minutes. Throw out the beer/onion mixture.

When coals are ready, place the brats on the grill 7-9 inches above the coals.

Use tongs to turn the brats often until golden brown on all sides, about 10-15 minutes if you have pre-simmered them. Cover grill between turns. Some of us like the brats burnt as hell, don’t be afraid to put some black on them if that’s your style.

Treat the brats with care. Don’t puncture them or squeeze them too hard. If you see a flare-up developing, quickly move brats away from the flames if you can, immediately close grill cover and close vents for a minute or so.

Some folks control flare-ups with a spray bottle of water. I find that a spray bottle is unnecessary, if you are prepared to move quickly and use proper technique. Proper equipment helps as well. Use a Weber kettle charcoal grill. The vents can be adjusted to provide the optimum fire for cooking brats.

Serve brats on brat buns, dressed with a bit of the sauce and your favorite condiments. Accompany with classic Wisconsin side dishes.

For a crowd, you can double or triple the recipe easily.

In Wisconsin, nearly everyone drinks beer while grilling brats.

It is part of the process so just do it.

4. Venison Back Straps

Now I’ll be honest here. I totally reserve this one for preparation on the ice. There is no better meal to eat on a frozen lake than this one. Although you can make it at home, I strongly recommend using this one outside, on the frozen water, while listening to Larry call the game.

Ten below zero—that’s nothing baby.

Ingredients:

2- Strips of Bacon
1 - Tenderloin from an adult deer, approaching two pounds.
Steak Seasoning
Salt and pepper
Butter – a lot of it.
Knife
Cast Iron Skillet

Directions:

It doesn’t get much easier.

Trim any muscle lining from the tenderloin. Cut the tenderloin into medallions.

Then, season liberally with a steak seasoning and salt and pepper.

Cover the whole thing with your cut up bacon and then fire up your portable cook stove.

Throw gobs of butter into your well seasoned iron skillet. Toss in the Venison and let it simmer.

This is a no fork recipe. It is also ultra manly if eaten straight out of the skillet with your hunting knife.

Oh yeah.

Notes:

This part of the deer is also known as “back strap”. For this recipe, it helps if someone in the family hunts. Just remember when field dressing the deer to remove the two back straps before sending the remainder to the processor.

5. Fried Falcon (It is the weekend of the Atlanta game you know)

I would strongly advise against using real Falcon.

Ingredients:

1 - Family pack of chicken wings (18pc)
2 - Vidalia onion or yellow onion
1 - 16oz. Bottle of Buttermilk or regular milk (Buttermilk is better)
1 - Bag of Seasoned Chicken Breading (Normal flour will work if needed.)
2 - Aluminum Trays

Vegetable Cooking Oil
Italian dressing

Directions:

Rinse chicken wings and season with favorite ingredients (don’t use salt if using a seasoned breading).

Peel and cut both onions into rings. Mix chicken and one onion together in bowl. Then, place the other onion in a separate zip lock bag.

After seasoning, evenly place chicken and onions into Zip-Lock bags, before sealing bags sprinkle Italian Dressing on chicken. Place chicken in refrigerator overnight.

Heat the vegetable oil in the deep fryer. While oil is heating up, pour buttermilk into separate tray and pour the chicken breading into the other tray.

Empty the first bag of chicken into buttermilk tray, coat chicken and onions with buttermilk then transfer to the chicken breading tray. Coat chicken evenly with breading and transfer to cooking oil.

Then, repeat with the second bag of chicken.

Once the oil is hot, put the separate onion into the oil. Now, let it cook for about 2 min. Then add the breaded chicken.

Cook chicken until golden brown and drain excess grease. This should take about fifteen minutes.

(This one will whoop your Grandma’s ass)

Final Thoughts

Well, there you have it, the top five Packer game day recipes. I hope you get some mileage and some pounds of these.

Don’t be a douche and make your wife do it either.

Put on your man face and do it yourself—Packer style.

Columnist Alex Tallitsch also writes for The Packers Lounge, a blog on the net dedicated to the Green and Gold.

Packer's Cullen Jenkins out for Season

The Packers Lounge — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 07:41:57 -0400

Defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins is done for the year with a torn pectoral muscle. This is the same injury suffered by free-agent Joe Johnson several years ago.

According to the National Football Report:

“Green Bay Packers starting defensive end Cullen Jenkins will be placed on injured reserve with a torn pectoral muscle sustained in Sunday’s loss at Tampa Bay. The fifth year player out of Central Michigan had 13 tackles, 2 ½ sacks, and 1 forced fumble through four games with the Packers this season. Jenkins' tear is another blow to a Green Bay team that is already dealing with injuries to starting cornerback Al Harris (spleen) and Aaron Rodgers (sprained shoulder).”

This is a devastating loss for an already battered team and another sad day for this Packers fan.

Columnist Alex Tallitsch also owns and operates The Packers Lounge, a blog on the net dedicated to the Green and Gold.

A.J. Hawk of the Green Bay Packers Has a Torn Groin?

The Packers Lounge — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 13:29:33 -0400

The Packers' Lounge

This one will be short and to the point. Apparently overlooked, Packer's linebacker A.J. Hawk may have possibly suffered a torn groin in the Buccaneers game.

Testing will be done tomorrow, but NFL coverage is speculating that the groin is indeed torn.

This would further cripple an already depleted Packer defense while certainly forcing the former Ohio State standout to miss significant playing time.

It just went from bad to worse.

Columnist Alex Tallitsch also owns and operates The Packers Lounge a blog on the net dedicated to the Green and Gold.

This Is Wisconsin Badger Football: Program Is More Than a Sport

The Packers Lounge — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 04:31:19 -0400

My parents got divorced when I was around 18 years old. As with any separation of this nature, it was hard for everyone involved.

My mother eventually got married to a gentleman by the name of Robert Price. Dr. Price, a Russian professor at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, would become my stepfather for the next 15 years.

As well as being a fine college educator, he was an avid amateur sports fan. He rooted for everyone, from the local high school to the Division III Pointers, and most avidly for Wisconsin Badger football.

I never got to spend a whole lot of quality time with Bob. It can be tricky for a young man to establish a relationship with his stepfather, and this situation was no different. Our time was often limited to holidays and the occasional visit, which consisted of mostly small talk and irrelevance.

Finally, several years ago, I was able to obtain two tickets to the Badger/Spartan game at Camp Randall. I could have picked from a wide variety of friends more than eager to attend the game, but for some reason I decided that Bob would appreciate this experience more than any other.

Being born and raised in Detroit, the opportunity for Bob to see his Badgers take on his home state university was an offer far too good to pass up. Plans were set, and we both looked forward to the event at hand.

I arrived early in the morning to pick up Bob and head down to Madison. Bob, an amputee and diabetic, was not in very good shape that morning. Suffering from some blood sugar irregularity, he was semi-coherent and babbling indiscernibly.

It was touch and go at first, but with some well-placed snacks from my mother, Bob, although not feeling well, eventually started to come around. Not wanting to cancel our plans, he was insistent on attending the game. He was obviously quite tired but intent on spending the afternoon with his stepson watching Bucky lay the smack down on Michigan State. We hopped in the car and headed for MadTown.

Much like anywhere, when you get to Camp Randall Stadium it is a madhouse. Bob, slightly rejuvenated, began the long mile-and-a-half trek to the stadium. Prosthetic leg and all, we trudged slowly through the sea of surging red and white nearly 30-some blocks to the stadium.

Watching this man struggle to the venue was one the hardest things I have ever witnessed. Stoic as he was, never a word of weakness was uttered, as at the finish line was a date with Big Ten Football.

We eventually got into the madhouse and made our way to the seats. They were second row end zone, and although there was a constant stream of people walking in front of us, we were present, in person, for kickoff.

We did the whole kit and caboodle. We feasted on brats and beer in what was an “I buy, you fly” fashion. We also found ourselves immersed in the jump around and unfortunately got to watch Charles Rogers burn us deep right in front of our eyes. For all extents and purposes we got crushed, but to the two of us it didn’t matter.

The ride home was quiet. Bob slept most of the way, and I dropped him off later that evening in what was a less than healthy state. Not a word was said about the adventure, but the appreciation from this proud man needed no verbalization.

We once again went our separate ways, back to our often disconnected lives.

Dr. Robert Price would pass away less than a year later. Our Badger game together was the only time we ever truly bonded as father and son. As I look back, I wish I would have taken the time to create more moments, but in the end, a trip to Camp Randall is all I have to hold onto.

My mother would tell me later on in life how much this trip had meant to my stepfather, and today I share with you exactly how much it meant to me.

Every day I try to take a moment to realize that there is more to sports than what happens on the field. It is about memories, it is about moments, and it is about making the time to enjoy a spectacle with those you love.

I bleed red and white. I have hung from trees on State Street after Rose Bowl wins, and I have watched Ron Dayne break every record in Wisconsin history.

None of this really matters to me. What does matter is the memory of a trip to Camp Randall, with the stepfather I barely knew, and how a trip to Madison changed all of that forever.

That, folks, is Badger Football.

Alex Tallitsch also owns and operates The Packers Lounge a blog on the net dedicated to the Green and Gold.

Golfing and Growing Up: Reflections on My Father and Friends

The Packers Lounge — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 04:45:12 -0400

I rarely speak with my father anymore. It’s not something I’m happy about; it’s just the way it is.

It is important to note that my father is one of the finest men I have ever met. The subsequent unavailability of such a resource and friend is a monumental loss.

We both find ourselves guilty in this disconnection, with my youthful background of poor decision making and his inability to shake off the effects of what must have been a horrible and heart wrenching breakup with my mother.

Apart from the situation, I still hold hope that someday the hands of time will morph me into a portion of the man I regard so highly. So things being what they are, I find myself utilizing the tools and skills that he taught me back when life seemed a little bit simpler.

Some fathers take their kids fishing; others may spend the afternoons shooting hoops. For my father and me, it was the outdoors, just out of town, bonding together at one the most wonderful places on the planet…the first tee.

Looking back, it is remarkable how less complicated everything seemed to be. I started playing around age 6 at this little par-3 in Rib Mountain, Wisc. It was a rinky-dink little course attached to a little Italian restaurant called Iozzo’s.

Coincidentally, my late grandmother, extremely well traveled, swore that this particular restaurant had the best Italian food anywhere. Yes, even better than in Italy. It still exists today.

In retrospect, the golf shop was nothing more than a couple of bar stools and a soda machine. But, as I remember it, when I walked in it magically transformed into the starting line for what would be an afternoon of competition, bonding, and unlimited possibilities.

My father always seemed to know the guy at the counter, and even at a young age you somehow come to the realization that you are now becoming part of more than just a game, but, rather a society within itself.

A social order seeped with deep seeded foundations and the air of success. The affair begins here and in most cases lasts a lifetime.

I took to the game pretty quickly. My father custom cut a set of wood shaft clubs for me, pretty basic in content, with a driver, a three, and a nine. The set was complimented with a beat-up, chrome-coated straight blade.

I had a kid-sized bag, and we always walked, I shouldering my load and Dad pulling his pull cart latched on to a fine red and beige leather bag.

I was relegated to teeing off on the ladies' tees, which of course were never referred to as such, but rather designated as the ‘kids'’ tees.

Dad was probably close to a scratch golfer in his prime, so the goal was of course to try to take him down at all costs. I got close a few times, and managed to whack it around pretty good for the most part, but it wouldn’t be until much later in life that my scorecard ever read any lower than his.

This marriage of father and son, carefully combined with club and ball, soon spread to my brother as well. We all spent many an afternoon basking in the spirit of competition far into my teenage years.

As with many parent-child relationships, they reach the inevitable point in which it no longer becomes acceptable to spend large amounts of time socializing with one's parents. I crossed this invisible line somewhere in junior high school.

Always having been a sports fanatic, I found myself branching out into the usual grasp of your traditional high school sporting teams. I dabbled in wrestling briefly, played some football, and even pole vaulted for several years.

Never having a close set of friends who played golf regularly, more time was devoted to other interests and less to the course.

Little to my knowledge, the great equalizer of most great high school athletes was about to run its course…the growth spurt. Some get it and some don’t. Unfortunately, I happened to be one of the latter.

Undersized or not, one of the finer things about the game of golf is its ability to cater to any size, any age, and any skill level. That being said, I promptly turned my scrawny little self around and headed straight for the golf team.

My golf team was a potpourri of those who had seemingly fallen through the cracks of the great machine we know as the American high school.

You had your usual suspects of course, including the sons of the fathers from the country club, the kids whose parents were fortunate enough to have a little bit extra, and my all-time favorite golf team member Perry, the self proclaimed dirtball of the proud D.C. Everest High School.

It is admirable how the game attracts and accommodates people from all walks of life. Perry certainly would fit into that category.

He would saunter into practice clad in his extremely faded black denim jeans, paired with the obligatory AC/DC tee-shirt and leather jacket, heavily saturated with the fine smell of Marlboro Reds, thus adding to the whole "rebel without a cause" portrait just begging to be painted.

What was the most amazing aspect of the whole surreal scene was that the kid could just crush it. I often practiced next to him, watching countless balls sail with Palmer-like grace, as the cigarette-smoking outcast made a silent mockery of tradition and etiquette.

For some reason I always admired him, content amidst this sea of polos and khakis to challenge his own convictions, regardless of the status quo.

For Perry, it wasn’t about the clubs, the attire, or the family background. It was about a boy, a ball, and the desire to find oneself through both.

I never found the superstar success of some on the team, only playing in a few junior varsity tournaments, yet, I learned some valuable lessons. They weren’t about technique, but, rather lessons in life.

These were the kind of lessons that won’t necessarily fix your duck hook, but go a long way in teaching one how the world actually functions, bringing together so many with nothing in common except a passion.

My golf team experience was short-lived and I spent the last several years of high school following other avenues and roads less traveled.

Some of us took advantage of the opportunities offered to us by our respective high schools, while others such as myself, chose to take every befalling to buck the system and fight the advice of those around us.

Deciding that college was unnecessary and work so unfulfilling, I would be the first to take my ultra liberal stance right past ‘the man’ and do things my own way. Needless to say, I spent the better part of the next decade hitting quite a few more bongs than golf balls.

For many years thereafter, I would find myself detached from the game. Busy being a delinquent, I never had the money for equipment, and any extra I did have was usually reserved for a long night out and a party with my name on it.

I was always too embarrassed to hit the course. I carried a set of undersized clubs, had lost touch with my game, and found myself caught up in a vicious cycle of poverty, dead-end jobs, and a non-existent sense of ambition.

I even started skipping the annual family golf outing, an enduring tradition amongst members of my family.

The worst part was I wanted to play, but, found myself unwilling to answer the requisite questions about the status of my life from the nosy voices of reason that surely would be present.

This would start a long journey that would leave me detached from my parents, society, and anything that even closely resembled a plan for my future.

I would spend the better part of my 20s working in smoke filled bars, gentleman’s clubs, and exploring middle-management options with great frequency. It was a depressing juncture and went a long way into shaping my perspective on life.

I wouldn’t take to the game again until my late 20s. You can take the clubs away from the boy, but you can’t take the love of the game away from the man.

I found myself connecting with a group of guys I worked with at a local nightclub. They were bartenders and bouncers, while I was the disc jockey. More importantly, we were all golfers.

I was able to borrow a set of clubs from one the guys who was similar to me in size and stature. We would work and drink until four in the morning, sleep a couple of hours, and hit the course on Sunday morning on what was customarily our only day off.

How this motley crew ever found the energy to pull this off week after week is quite remarkable, yet, there we were every weekend with our ‘bats’, talking smack and sucking Gatorade like it was gold.

Contrary to what one might think, we were never a group to load up on beer and treat our 18 like a continuation of the night before. Instead, we used the time for reflection, camaraderie, and of course hard core competition.

I still hold this group of men in the highest regard. We have remained friends and have enjoyed watching each other grow up, finding ourselves while becoming adults in our own right.

Somewhere, on that first green, a foundation was poured. That foundation still stands today.

I finally ended up with my own set of clubs when I reached 30. Any hardcore golfer would chuckle at my setup, coming in at a grand total of $110. I ordered a cheap set of Ram Accubars from ebay, added a generic two-ball putter, and within a couple of days I was once again geared up and ready to go.

It took me a little while to accept to fact that I wasn’t going to own a mint set of Taylor Mades anytime soon, and I struggled to find the courage to take my cheap set of clubs, absent from head covers, to any kind of group function.

Over time, I gave up my reluctance and have continued to use the set ever since.

Nowadays, I find myself utilizing the golf course merely for serenity. Although still fiercely competitive with myself and others, just being outside in God’s country is often enough to whisk away any concerns that life might bring at the time.

I prefer to play when it is quiet, and still have never understood those who need several cases of beer to make the game enjoyable. I find myself increasingly annoyed at the influx of distractions I find on the course nowadays.

It seems that more and more, I must concern myself with a never-ending incursion of slow golfers, backups on the tees, and the obligatory raucous cart trying to sell me a beverage three to six times a round.

I know the golf industry is striving to provide a higher level of customer service, but for the love of God, leave me alone already. I personally would prefer that my customer service be relegated before and after my round, lest it interrupt what I consider to be a tranquil journey from tee to tee.

I golf to echo my thoughts and relax. The last thing I yearn for is an audience on every tee, a monitor on every other, and a bartender driving behind them. If I need a soda, rest assured, I will have already bought one.

Firstly, I agree that the game of golf needs to be promoted in new and unique ways. As you can tell from the previous 2,100 words, golf can impact and become an important part of someone for a lifetime.

However, I don’t think my role in that promotion can be accomplished on the business side of that transaction. I see the effect the game has played on the relationships in my life and feel that this is truly the untapped backbone of the industry.

In an age where social barriers are becoming further and further apart, here is an opportunity to bring together more fathers and sons, children, and other people of all ages.

Golf needs to find a way to make that opportunity available to everyone. I can play baseball in my backyard for $10 all summer long. Why wouldn’t golf want to be as accessible?

In this case, the story always comes full circle back to my father. A brilliant educator for many years, I felt compelled not only for my life, but for his, to graduate with a college degree.

No amount of money or power could equal the meaning of this piece of paper to him. Conceding that I had shot about an eight on the hole of life, I enrolled in the University of Wisconsin four years ago. I have spent most of this time finding myself a little bit more everyday.

I will always continue to promote golfing, whether it is through trying to inspire, writing, or taking a child of my own to local par-3.

Preferring to skip the issues of revenue, I will leave making sure Mr. Joe Millionaire has his favorite brand of bottled water before each round to someone with a little more gumption than me.

In the meantime, I will go on enjoying the sport as my father first taught. Although reconciliation between us may be difficult, when it does happen, I have a sneaking suspicion it will include a round of the greatest game ever.

Green Bay Packers: What a Pile of...

The Packers Lounge — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:26:05 -0400

When I was a kid, we used to get up quite early every Sunday morning. We would put on our church clothes, button up our top buttons, and begin the arduous one-hour event that was nothing more to me than a hated precursor to what was in store.

I would watch the hand on my father’s watch obsessively, as it slowly ticked its way around the that big golden dial that always resided on his wrist, hanging on every little movement of the thin second hand as it slowly revolved inside the glass circle.

Finally, after what seemed like ages, the final hymn would play, handshakes would be given, and my brother and I would rush to the car in anticipation of one single thing.

Football.

Immediately after getting home, we would scurry into our rooms to shed the stuffy church attire and swap it for our football shirts. It may have been a Badger shirt that day, or a D.C. Everest football model, but most times, it was a Packer shirt. That is, if it actually happened to be clean, which was rare due to its heavy use.

There was usually an hour until game time, so my brother and I would run outside, grab the Nerf, and hit the backyard. Before we could start playing, there was always a big decision to be made before that first bomb was ever thrown.

Who the hell were we going to be?

I usually removed myself from my own personality and instantly transformed into James Lofton. I was no longer 10-years old. I was a superstar receiver. I was the man, and the crowd in my head chanted my name repeatedly. My brother usually chose to be Jim McMahon, at times even donning the appropriate white headband that was synonymous with the Mac attack.

Shortly thereafter, the play-by-play would begin.

“The snap goes to McMahon, Lofton goes deep, he’s open...McMahon let’s it fly, Lofton makes a leaping grab...TOUCHDOWN”

The resulting six points was immediately followed with an over the back spike, followed by an end-zone dance, or in this case, a dance in what remained of the summer garden as the crowd in our minds showered us with praise.

Although it would appear to be only the two of us, there still were plenty of other adversaries standing in our way. There might not have been 350-pound behemoths to worry about, but we were faced with the most opposing defense ever known to man.

Dog crap.

Somewhere between the 20s, our golden retriever would leave steaming piles of excrement in strategically placed areas on our playing field. We would juke and jive around these piles like Gilbert Brown was hot on our tails. Once in awhile, we were tackled, not feeling the pain of a hit, but rather the stink now stuck on the bottom of our shoes. All we could do was take what we had and use our imagination to fill in the rest.

That my friends, is football.

It was the spirit of competition, it was the love of the game, and it was the thrill of victory. It was two kids, throwing around a ball, trying to emulate their ultimate heroes.

Today, I feel like all of this is long gone.

Brett Favre was one of the few players left in the league that could truly be admired. For so many years, he stuck to his guns, played the game, and went out everyday to play against the piles of dog doo at Lambeau.

He exemplified competition, he re-defined spirit, and he played the game much the way we played on our own field of dreams.

Two weeks ago, he took that admiration away from me.

Now, Packer fans are left with a hairy situation. It isn’t a good hairy either, like a French broad who is a little hairy but is still kinda hot, or an Italian girl who has more hair on her arms than you but still has huge cans. This is the sasquatch standing behind you in line at a port-a-potty.

I don’t care who’s to blame for the mess. Yesterday, I had some life decisions and questions to address. I needed to talk to someone and get some advice on my future.

I picked up the phone. I didn’t call my mom, I didn’t have my friend handle the business for me, and I didn’t have my brothers' bosses' best friends' girlfriend pick up the phone. I did it myself.

This is exactly what Ted Thompson and Brett Favre needed to do. Both of these guys should have been on the phone for a long time—a long time ago.

I am sick of the ego battle going on here. Ted Thompson has a team to run, and he has done a remarkably good job of doing so, up to this point. We have draft picks to sign, starters who need contracts, and a team that needs to rally around its new starting quarterback.

Instead, we are left with a prima donna and a hard head, and they can’t put their personal beefs aside and get something accomplished. They have chosen to let the media do their fighting for them, instead of manning up and owning the situation.

They have made a mockery of this fine franchise, and have left an irreversible scar on a once proud organization.

There will be no winners when this mess has ended. I will go as far as to say that this perhaps will go down as one of the most important events in sporting history. Unfortunately for fans, we had to watch it on the news, and not on the field, where moments like that belong.

Brett Favre was asked, "If he would go into camp to compete for the starting job?"

“Why?” Favre said. “That’s what I would ask them: Why?”

Why, Brett? Do you really need to ask? Football is, and always will, be about the spirit of competition. It is about the best man winning, it is about passion, and it is about giving everything you have for the greater good of the game.

It isn’t about rallies, it isn’t about mudslinging, and it isn’t about self-glorification.

What it is about are the two boys in the backyard that no longer can wear their Favre jerseys because their hero is no longer a hero at all.

Personally, I think someone is just afraid to dodge a little dog crap.

Alex Tallitsch, a Wisconsin resident, also writes for The Packer Page a popular Packer blog

Let's Be Candid...What Brett Favre is Doing is Wrong

The Packers Lounge — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 08:31:58 -0400

Let’s be candid…what Brett Favre is doing is wrong.

I have been a Packer fan since Lynn Dickey was a household name.

It took me a while to get there. Being born and raised in a Chicago Bear dominated household, I was initially misguided as a young teen, captivated by the man known as “Sweetness” and spending many an afternoon pumping out the Superbowl Shuffle repeatedly on the small wax ‘45 that graced the felt on the flip-top record player that was the iPod of my youth.

Eventually, the orange and blue was replaced with green and gold, and my Packer allegiance started to integrate itself into the man here today. For fifteen years I suffered through mediocre teams, dashed hopes, and Packer persecution. Finally in the late eighties, the Majik man came on the scene and finally people started to notice the Green Bay Packers again. Then, as we all watched Majik get taken off the field, a legend was born.

The rest of course is history.

Twenty-five or so years after I got my first Packer shirt, I am about as die-hard of a fan as you can get. The first, and I mean very first thing I do every morning, is hit refresh on my open browser already pre-set to the packerforum.com to make sure I didn’t miss a single thing over the previous six hours that I had been sleeping. I then browse the day’s Packer news, double check to see if there was anything I missed, and eventually get around to starting the rest of the day.

When I pick out what to wear in the morning, there is always great debate. Not over what matches with what or what is washed and what isn’t, but rather a simple decision on whether to don a Packer short-sleeve or long-sleeve. I drink my coffee from a Packer cup, choose whatever Packer hat I might need from the generous assortment on my coat tree, and hit the road in my vehicle which proudly displays the Packer logo that resides atop the rear windshield.

During the fall and spring I arrive at school located only a few miles from the Minnesota border. I strut my gear with pride, and I usually find myself lost in a sea of purple sported by the large contingent of students and staff all to eager to get their shots in even if most of them are only half of my age. I take it all in stride and banter back and forth in the tradition of fanhood.

Sundays in the fall are holy days around here. Not for religious reasons, but rather for preparation. There are meals to be made, friends to call, locations to be determined. My wife, a Viking fan (don’t blame me she was cute), doesn’t even bother to say a whole lot. She knows what’s on the docket for the afternoon or evening. If it’s a Monday night game, the same rules apply, it merely takes an extra day to get there.

There is no work done on Sunday afternoon; it is a day reserved for camaraderie, conversation, and complete devotion to the team I call my own. When the Packers take the field, there is no “I hope they win” but rather “I hope WE win.” It is one of the few times in which everyone I know can band together in unison, joining hands in support of the world’s greatest team.

As I sit there today, I fear that this unity has ended.

An irreversible line has been drawn in the sand. A line drawn in front of Brett Favre and behind the Packers organization. It is dividing a team, it is dividing a fan base, it is dividing a nation. Fans I have known for years are jumping down the throats of their friends. People are upset, people are worried, and people are angry that the Packer organization and Brett Favre are slowly tearing the fanbase apart.

Here in Wisconsin there is no place to hide. It dominates talk at the restaurants, at the playground, and at the gas station. From the little old lady down the street to the third grader afraid to showcase his brand new number twelve jersey, it is affecting everyone, everywhere. There is no escape.

As a fan, I feel disrespected. I feel like this is a situation that could and should have been avoided. The fact that it is still dragging on today is shameful at best. Every loss, every interception, and every failure will be judged by these events for years to come. Regardless of who yells “Blue 42, Blue 42″ from the huddle. It is sad, it is wrong, and it is painful for everyone who bleeds for this team everyday.

I would like to finish the day with some quotations by former NBA superstar and current analyst Charles Barkley. They were made candidly to Chris Myers as a reporter for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer followed him around yesterday.

Crucify me, if you must, Packer fans, but for today, I applaud Mr. Barkley for having the intestinal fortitude to tell things like they are. I have been a Favre fan since the day he threw his first completion to himself. However, this fine day in July, Charles sums up everything that I have been too afraid to say:

“There are more important things to worry about than Brett Favre coming back. He’s had his day, it’s only going to get worse. It’s a shame what he’s doing to Green Bay.”

I hate to say it, but I agree with Charles. It is a shame.

It is unfair to the fans, it is unfair to the team, it is unfair to the Packer nation. It should be dealt with swiftly and decisively.

It should end.

Now.

Alex Tallitsch also owns and operates The Packers Lounge a blog on the net dedicated to the Green and Gold.

Green Bay Packers Invaded by "Favre Firsters"

The Packers Lounge — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:21:10 -0400

No one is quite sure where it began, or precisely how for that matter. From what we have gathered, it was somewhere around three-fifteen on the second of July. They came out of nowhere. They came without warning. As if a magic light switch had somehow been flicked, out of darkness came the scorn of Green Bay Packer fans everywhere.

Creeping from their cobweb-covered holes poked the heads of the "Favre Firsters." You may not be familiar with the phrase. If you don't frequent the Green Bay Packer news scene, you probably have never heard of it. The phrase was coined on packerforum.com months and perhaps even years ago.

It was developed in response to an invasion of Brett Favre fans that have remained dormant (thank god) since Favre retired. When the news broke of Favre's possible return, the gate was lifted and the onslaught began. What is a "Favre Firster" you ask?

Well, around the globe, there are Packer fans and then there are those who have rooted for the Packers because Brett Favre was their favorite player. They are the "Favre Firsters." As soon as the news hit the airwaves, the "Favre Firsters" hit the forums, the chat rooms, and the sports pages across the globe.

You could almost see the drool cascading from their panting mouths as the thought of their beloved hero returning to the spotlight caused them to salivate like Pavlov had just gotten done dangling a cheese head in front of their shocked faces.

Although they couldn't tell you whom the Packers picked in the first round of this years draft, they were all too happy to laud their hero and demand his return to the organization. They were quick to label Ted Thompson a demon, and even quicker to dismiss any thought that Aaron Rodgers even knew what a football was.

They came, they commented, and they filled the Radio Flyer until it spilled number four-colored blood all over the pavement. Beware Packer faithful, an impressive adversary has mixed itself within your ranks. An opponent with numbers, with opinions, and with absolutely no knowledge of what has happened in the Don Hutson center this summer is looming.

I leave you with some advice and a word of warning from a die-hard Packer fan. Please, be careful what you say. The slightest slip of the tongue could leave you labeled a "Favre Firster" quicker than Gilbert Brown can eat a Buffalo.

Alex Tallitsch, a Wisconsin resident, also writes for The Packer Page a popular Packer blog.

Ted Thompson : Green Bay's Whipping Post

The Packers Lounge — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 04:35:29 -0400

Even Peter King from Sports Illustrated cut his vacation short to write an article called “The Nightmare in Green Bay," this weekend.

This is proof positive that the Brett Favre circus is still in full force.

Dealing with the fiasco is the one ring-leader that I wouldn’t want to be right now, GM Ted Thompson.

With Brett Favre’s family and friends sounding off, Ted is slowly becoming the whipping boy of the organization.

According to Mike Vandermause of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, the latest verbal lashing is coming straight from Favre’s family who insist that Favre’s retirement was wanted and promoted:

“He has felt like that for the last couple of years, that the Packers didn’t really want him back,” said Favre’s mother Bonita. He has the itch to play, but nothing has been said. You know it has just been bits and pieces throughout the last couple of years, things that would come up, and it just didn’t seem like they went out of their way to keep him. It was kind of like, you’re done.”

Al Jones, a reporter from the Biloxi Sun-Herald added even more stating:

“It all comes down to Ted Thompson. The main thing is the man has shown no respect to perhaps the greatest quarterback in their franchise history. Brett’s a little disappointed. He feels like he can still play. He knows he can still play. When it’s all said and done, Ted Thompson is the man to blame on all this.”

Ted Thompson as been on vacation and has had nothing to say on the matter, and no matter what, as far as the “Favre-firsters” are concerned, he will most likely take the blame if Brett doesn’t come back to town.

The bottom line is that the whole thing is starting to get out of hand.

I personally refuse to buy into the hoopla. This weekend, I have seen the issue separate friends, cause heated and often sinister conversation, and generally divide the fan base as a whole.

I don’t claim to be general manager and never will. I prefer to let Ted Thompson do his job and see what happens.

I am a Packer fan first. Whatever Ted decides is fine with me. I will have to trust that his decision is best for the team.

Whatever his decision might be, rest assured I will be rooting for whoever starts under center on opening night.

If Ted Thompson does make the wrong choice and it ultimately hurts the team, I too will have to start questioning the man, who right now, is being forced to make a monstrous choice.

No one wants to be Ted Thompson today.

Alex Tallitsch, a Wisconsin resident, also writes for The Packer Page a popular Packer blog.

Brewers Catch C.C.

The Packers Lounge — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 12:22:30 -0400

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Brewers have agreed to acquire pitcher C.C. Sabathia.

According to Tom Haudricourt, a, "reliable club source said that the Brewers have a deal in place with Cleveland for left-hander C.C. Sabathia, contingent on the paperwork being done and medical records exchanged."

This is a major, although expensive, acquisition.

Regardless, this immediately makes the Milwaukee Brewers serious contenders.

Look for Sabathia to make his debut for the Brewers Tuesday night at Miller Park against Colorado.

Alex Tallitsch, a Wisconsin resident, also writes for The Packer Page a popular Packer blog.

Open Mic: This is Sport

The Packers Lounge — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:21:20 -0400

Initially, I wasn't going to touch this topic. I thought that trying to define what a sport is and what isn't was both an arduous and nearly impossible task.

Then, I went to my mother's house today for a fourth of July get together. It was here that I realized that the answer to the question was actually quite simple.

I have never really been a family event kind of guy. However, today I packed up my wife and my golden retriever Gary, and hit the road for the holiday hike to a back yard barbecue under the crisp blue skies of a Wisconsin summer.

My brothers, who I hadn't seen in quite some time, were there as well as all the usual suspects you might find at your own family clambake.

We threw the ball around with the dog, played some corn hole (imagine two slanted boards thirty feet apart with a single hole drilled for insertion of tossed bean bags filled with corn), and generally had an outstanding time.

The opportunity to frolic with family, in any game, is amazing. Although we played for fun, rest assured, we were all playing to win.

That, my friends, is sport.

Sport is playing catch in the yard.

It is seeing how high your hound can jump for a tennis ball thrown wildly across a freshly mown lawn.

It is engaging with friends in the never ending spirit of competition.

It is watching your son get his first hit at tee ball.

It is getting up with your buddy at five a.m. to go fishing with a standing bet on total fish caught worth nothing more than a cold soda.

It's not about football, it's not about hotdogs, it's not about poker.

Sport has always been about anything that brings a single mind or large collective to the dinner table of dally, taking the brain and the brawn for a moment and filling them with the conbrio of co-rivalry.

It has been that way since the beginning of time.

The first humans had no idea that their first game would evolve into the seemingly non stop hippodrome that it is today.

They just wanted to see who could hit the tree with the rock.

Alex Tallitsch, a Wisconsin resident, also writes for The Packer Page a popular Packer blog.

Why Brett Favre SHOULD Come Back

The Packers Lounge — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:22:09 -0400

The truth behind the whole Brett Favre situation is that no one can stop him from making a comeback.

The strangest thing is—perhaps the Green Bay Packers may be the only thing standing in his way.

With Ted Thompson seemingly unavailable to the Favre camp as a whole, it is becoming particularly ugly in Green Bay.

As a fan, it is terribly difficult to separate the man from the team. With this in mind, there is only one thing to do.

Welcome back Brett Favre and let him join a quarterback competition.

It certainly isn't a question of whether Favre still has what it takes: the spirit, the arm, the re-definition of competition. Favre is not only still a great leader, but lest we forget, a pretty darn good quarterback as well.

That is precisely what Green Bay and the NFL needs.

Brett Favre should come back and the Packers should do nothing less than hand him the keys to his locker.

They should also remind him what it is like to play in the NFL and gently tell him that this honor comes with no guarantees.

When I go to work everyday, there is no insurance that someone better isn't going to come along. Brett Favre, if he does decide to return, should be held to the same standards.

Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers should battle it out right where mini-camp left off.

The Packers have already adjusted their offense for Aaron Rodgers, and it should stay that way. If Favre has the desire, he will adapt and adjust. Heck, even the cadence is still the same. Favre's learning curve would be much more extensive if he were to take the reigns of any other NFL team.

Competition has been making teams better since the beginning of sports. If Favre comes back and wins the job, then the naysayers will lose. If Aaron wins, Favre will finally realize that it's time to go for good.

Outside of the team, the real winner would be Ted Thompson, who would possibly avert a public relations disaster and ultimately save his own rear from the rabid fans who would forever blame Ted for running Brett out of town.

Save yourself some grief Thompson, and get the man in camp if he wants to play.

There is no better way in testing a man's will than by testing his resolve.

Time for a shoot-out at the Lambeau Coral.

Alex Tallitsch, a Wisconsin resident, also writes for The Packer Page a popular Packer blog.

Brett Favre Is Talking Comeback!

The Packers Lounge — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:11:37 -0400

Brett Favre has admitted to ESPN’s Chris Mortenson that he has been talking with the Packers about coming back for one more season.

With his family pressuring him to play one more year, Brett Favre has the "itch" to get back on the field.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen said that Favre has been speaking with the team about a possible return.

Sources close to Favre told ESPN that Favre has expressed interest to Mike McCarthy in reporting to training camp on July 28.

This is a developing story; stay tuned for a follow up in the coming days.

Alex Tallitsch, a Wisconsin resident, also writes for The Packer Page a popular Packer blog.

The Aaron Rodgers Comment: The Aftermath

The Packers Lounge — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 05:10:28 -0400

Yesterday, Aaron Rodgers threw himself right into the middle of a perfect storm as his comments to the fans to "get on board, or shut up", dominated the media.

I was told that Aaron received so many calls that his voicemail was full.

Although Aaron neither acknowledged nor denied the comments, the young quarterback seems to be backtracking.

“I love playing in Green Bay. I love the city of Green Bay," said Rodgers. "I love playing in a city that expects greatness, expects its players to play at a high level. I love my interaction with the fans, I love being in the community and spending time with them."

“That’s my only regret with this story breaking, that anyone would take offense to what I said. Anything that makes it look like I don’t care about what the fans think about me is off base. That’s the biggest disappointment.”

“The hardest thing today—and I’ve been pretty bummed out, to be honest—is that I honestly care about the fans. I do.”

Personally, as a diehard Packer fan, I wasn't offended at all.

I am completely sick of the repeated questions to Aaron from the media.

The guy obviously has some big shoes to fill, and if my fanbase refused to get off the Favre wagon and on to mine, I most likely would say the same thing.

I think before you can judge Aaron’s comments, you really need to spend a day in his shoes.

To sum up what Aaron Rodgers is dealing with, Michael Clemens, from Sports Radio 1250 in Milwaukee, told a story of some time spent with Aaron in his column at The Green and Gold Insider.

It is about a story of what Aaron Rodgers deals with every day. Here is a short excerpt:

“Hey Aaron,” the man says. “I’m so-and-so from Madison. You know my friend so-and-so from blah-blah. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know the newspaper in Madison is saying you’re never going to amount to much and they should trade you now. And they were saying the same thing on the radio the other day. I just wanted to let you know. Don’t know if you’d heard about it. Ok, ‘dere, (Wisconsin dialect) gotta go. Have a good day now.”

“Ok, thanks.” Rodgers just smiled, thanked the man for his breaking news bulletin. Then looked back at me, and shook his head a little.

“It never ends for you, does it?” I said.

“Nope,” said Rodgers.

I too would take offense to the verbal lashing Aaron takes everyday. I would be more concerned if he had kept his mouth shut.

Once again Favre fans, you are either a Packer fan or not.

In case you were wondering, Favre doesn’t have an NFL team.

Aaron Rodgers sure does.

Alex Tallitsch, a Wisconsin resident, also writes for The Packer Page a popular Green Bay Packer blog.

Aaron Rodgers Tells Fans to Get on Board or Shut Up

The Packers Lounge — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:29:32 -0400

In a story to appear in Sports Illustrated this week, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had some very strong words for the fans in Green Bay.

The SI story focuses around what it is like to replace a legend. It is called the "We Followed Club", although membership is not impressive.

The field includes Jay Fiedler, Brian Griese, and a few more un-impressive names.

The article speaks volumes about what is on Aaron Rodgers' mind as he heads into the season, and how he feels about the pressure put on him by fans and the media.

This is a tidbit of the article written by SI's Chris Ballard:

"Rodgers grew up admiring how athletes like Montana, David Robinson, and Michael Jordon handled the press, and he can already mimic their measured, bland responses."

Up until that point, it all sounded good until Rodgers strayed from the bland and delivered the one quote that Packer fans will talk about until training camp:

"I don't feel I need to sell myself to fans. They need to get on board now, or keep their mouth's shut."

Unfortunately for Aaron, this quote could crown him hero or zero before he even takes a snap in the regular season.

Alex Tallitsch, a Wisconsin resident, also writes for The Packer Page a blog dedicated to the Green and Gold.

It's all Pack...all of the time.