Packers Offseason Priorities

So it's finally that time of year when we start missing football deeply. March Madness hasn't quite started yet and neither have the NBA playoffs. Opening day for baseball is dimly visible after all of the painful amount of papers and tests we will be presented with conveniently around spring break. But, now that the NFL combine has finished, and we all are eagerly anticipating where the Manti Te'o media frenzy will land come April, we can start looking at mock drafts and Ted Thompson can start writing his Christmas wish list.

Seriously, the NFL draft is Ted Thompson's form of Christmas. A vast majority of the Green Bay starters are found through the draft. If we were to look at the expected starters for next season, not including upcoming free agency or the draft, and assuming Jennings, Finley and Woodson are gone, it would look like this:

The longest tenured Packer. Who could have expected what
he is now, compared to back in 2005, when he was first introduced.

Offense
QB: Rodgers (05' draft)
RB: Harris (12' Undrafted FA)
FB: Kuhn (FA from Pitt)
WR1: Nelson (08' draft)
WR2: Cobb (11' draft)
TE: DJ Williams (11' draft)
LT: Newhouse (10' draft)
LG: Lang (09' draft)
C: Dietrich-Smith (Undrafted FA)
RG: Sitton (09' draft)
RT: Bulaga (10' draft)

Defense
ILB: Hawk (06' draft)
ILB: Bishop (07' draft)
OLB: Matthews (09' draft)
OLB: Perry (12' draft)
NT: Raji (09' draft)
DE: Pickett (Free Agency)
DE: Neal (10' draft)
CB: Williams (Undrafted FA)
CB: Shields/Hayward/House (Undrafted FA/12' draft/11' draft)
S: Burnett (10' draft)
S:Mcmillian/Jennings (12' draft/Undrafted FA)

I'll do the math for you, that makes two of the twenty two projected* starters next year that have not started their careers with the Packers. I don't know if I can state enough how impressive that is, and for Rodgers to be the oldest of all those starters and not even be 30, is astonishing.

Now, that being said, I think we can all expect where Ted Thompson will be boosting our roster, but what kind of players will we need to be able to compete for a Super Bowl in New York next year?

Playmaking RB:

Ok, so there's no clear cut first round pick in this year's draft, but who cares? How often do we see skill position players succeed after being drafted in later rounds? If Eddie Lacey isn't available at the 26th pick overall, look out for Andre Ellington out of Clemson, a fast player who can break tackles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRoDGYi201Q

Safety:

I could write a book on how much I miss Nick Collins (sweet glory this was). Ever since he went down with a career ending neck injury, there hasn't been that safety net at the safety position that would save touchdowns and force big turnovers. This year has been cited by many scouts as a good year for the safety position in the draft, so hopefully TT can get a 2-4th round steal.

Center:

While Evan Dietrich Smith showed improvement last year, the Packers could really benefit from a dominant center in the first or second round of the draft. Perhaps even Travis Frederick of the Wisconsin Badgers. Imagining a right side of the line with a first or second round center, and two Pro Bowlers in Sitton and Bulaga makes me all giddy inside.

Others:

Many think that we need more of a pass rush, which I agree with, but thought that we showed improvement towards the end of last year. On top of that, Desmond Bishop, Nick Perry, and Jerel Worthy were all injured for either the whole year or most of it last season, and they are some of our most explosive pass rushers. If those three can stay healthy along with Clay Matthews, look for a lot more sacks next year, especially with the first to second year improvements that Perry and Worthy should make.

Parting thoughts:

While it is frightening to think of a future without Charles Woodson and Greg Jennings, keep in mind that the positions they play are the deepest positions on our team, and we should be excited about the possibilities of more playing time for Randall Cobb on offense and Hayward and Shields on defense.

Hang in there, only two more months until the draft!

Youth Sports and the Negative Approach Toward Physical Activity

Ladders, Laps, Push-ups... Is anyone able to correlate positive thoughts with their memories of these activities from their days of youth sport?

Me neither.

I cringe anytime I hear about ladders, or having to run miles within a certain time frame.

Physical activity and temporary discomfort from physical exhaustion are not desirable in any circumstance, but now that we are cognizant of the benefits of physical activity in life, it is important that we recognize how we should be using conditioning in youth sports.

Too many times I can remember basketball practices where a teammate (or myself) would use inappropriate language towards another team, or someone would be late, or just poor play, and we would be punished with physical activity. In any sport, it is beneficial to be in good physical condition, but there are many instances where younger athletes' physical condition has a lot to do with negative experiences. Where many youth coaches go wrong is in associating physical activity with punishment, whether they are aware of it or not.

Conditioning should be stressed as a way to compete better in a certain sport, rather than a preventative method towards bad play or behavior. Many children aren't fully able to recognize the lasting benefits of living a healthy lifestyle, and along with that, how quickly the era of organized sports goes by in ones' life. After organized sports, it becomes increasingly difficult to make time for exercise, and if one already has discouraging memories of physical activity, how likely is it that they are going to want to perpetuate a healthy lifestyle?

The physical and psychological benefits of exercise have been well documented to this date, and coaches need to be more cognizant of the approach they are taking towards youth in stressing the necessity of physical activity, especially with the rising childhood obesity rates.

With the privatization of youth sport and in turn, less accessibility for many youth for participation in organized sport, opportunities for educating our youth on the importance of personal health are being minimized, and it needs to be stressed with the coaches that we do have.

Kids in sports really want one thing, to be able to play. So as a form of punishment, it's fairly obvious how to approach such situations. It is much easier to discourage bad behavior through benching a kid than it is to have them run some laps, which is much more temporary.

With athletics budgets being cut in high schools, P.E. classes being dropped in elementary schools, obesity rates rising, and type II diabetes becoming more prevalent, it is starting to become clear that health and wellness are less of a priority than they used to be. Health and wellness need to be a priority again, especially with health care costs rising and life expectancy on the rise.

Youth sports are a good place to start the movement, and it starts with keeping our coaches and parents informed.

Why the MVP Award Shouldn't Be Determined by Sportswriters.

Barry Bonds won it seven times. Peyton Manning won it four times. Lebron already has three, and Kareem did it six times. Handing out MVP awards to these players took a lot of deliberation in some cases, and little to none in others. Yet, the voting systems in the MLB, NBA, and NFL remain majorly flawed, and I blame the media.

When we determine who the MVP is, there are too many questions that seem to be surrounding the discussion. Why can't it just be, who was the best player in the past season? 

In hearing analysts discuss the NFL MVP race this year, the circumstances surrounding Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson's comebacks from their injuries became the topic of conversation. While Manning's story is inspiring, it should not have an impact on his MVP chances. People with a story like his deserve an award that already exists, the comeback player of the year. I hardly recall hearing anything about Peterson's yards after contact, or Aaron Rodgers' TD/INT ratio, or JJ Watt's passes deflected/league leading sack total. 

While it seems like Adrian Peterson is rightfully going to win the award this year, there seems to be too much debate over how much Peyton Manning improved the Denver Broncos. Tim Tebow took Denver just as far as Peyton Manning. Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas are one of the best 1,2 receiver combinations in the league, but they are stuck in the media shadows of Tim Tebow and Peyton Manning, respectively. 

Michael Jordan could have won the MVP every year he was in the NBA, and I could argue the same for Lebron. The point is, regression in performance, and other factors that don't directly involve performance are too heavily weighted when these decisions are made. It is the same reason that Pete Rose, the all time hits leader in the MLB, isn't in the hall of fame. Outside factors not directly related to performance are too strongly considered. Furthermore, when we see great players, we become too accustomed and conditioned to their elite level of play. How often do you see a ridiculous dunk by Lebron, and then write it off because it's so common? It seems like MVP awards are now determined by who had the "best story" rather than the best performance. Performance doesn't need to be supplemented by a story. Why can't people just appreciate someone's performance for what it is? 

With all due respect to sportswriters and their knowledge of their respective sports, why don't the players and coaches decide? You know, the ones who are closest to the action. Players can tell you first hand who they had the most difficulties playing against, and who posed the toughest challenges. While players can be biased, aren't sportswriters subconsciously biased towards the teams they cover as well? In this instance, it is near impossible to place oneself behind the "veil of ignorance", but I know that I am less likely to argue with current coaches or players on who deserves the most prestigious individual award a sport can offer, rather than someone like me sitting at my computer. 

Season Review

Kaepernick Disaster

Another Season, another heartbreaking playoff loss for the Packers.

Colin Kaepernick brought back memories of the playoff loss years ago for the Packers when they played Michael Vick at Lambeau in 2003. The Packers' inability to stop Kaepernick made for a long night and humiliating loss. But nonetheless, there are negatives and positives to take away from this game/season.

Positives:

• Better Draft Pick- With Ted Thompson running things, the better draft position, the more likely we find a stud. 
• Young Team - Aaron Rodgers is only 29, which leaves him at least 5 more years of prime football, and the defense will be returning at least three second year starters. Nick Perry can't be overlooked as a difference maker. 
• Improvement - Jennings is likely to be gone, which doesn't necessarily help the Packers, but if Finley comes back, he is only going to be 26 next year, with Cobb still improving as well. Dujan Harris and Don Barclay, EDS, and Marshall Newhouse likely to all improve as young players.
• Adjustments - Colin Kaepernick exposed the Packers longtime weakness, the ability to be a dynamic defense. The Packers' inability to defend the run is well recognized, and Dom Capers and other D coordinators have something to adjust to this offseason. RGIII, Kaepernick, Cam Newton, Russell Wilson, and other running quarterbacks won't be as effective as they were this year, and people shouldn't overreact to the sudden perceived philosophical change in the NFL.

Negatives:

• Lack of $$$ - Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews, Jermichael Finley, and Greg Jennings all are due a ton of money in Free Agency this year or next. The likelihood of keeping them all is slim to none, and it's difficult to say how Rodgers can perform without Jennings or Finley. 
• Defense - Even though the first six picks in last year's draft were spent on defense, they were still the reason that the Packers lost tonight, and significant improvements need to be made if the Packers are to compete with the 49ers next year. 
• Physicality? - While Charles Woodson and Clay Matthews aren't soft by any means, why isn't the rest of the defense as tough as them? If Woodson is gone next year, the Pack is going to need someone to take over the leadership role and instill some toughness into the defense. The pass defense is impressive with a promising future, but the defense as a whole doesn't seem to have the swagger that Rodgers and Co. have on offense. 
• Offensive Line/Running Game - Dujuan Harris seems to be a good answer to this question, but Rodgers was still sacked the most times in the league this year (51 times). If the Packers don't get an RB and effective offensive lineman in the draft or free agency this year, there should be some concerns. 

Season Conclusion:

• The Packers were able to go 12-6 with the defense not playing to it's potential, and getting robbed of a home playoff game courtesy of the replacement refs. Aaron Rodgers had another MVP caliber season, and improvement on the defense provides Packer fans with some hope for next year. 
• Ending the year in the final eight is encouraging and gives hope for next year, but a lot needs to be fixed on both sides, and McCarthy could also be more fluid with his personnel decisions. Jeremy Ross returning the first punt was clearly a game changing mistake in the first half, and responsibility needs to be assumed for that. 
• With the 26th pick in next year's draft, and a decent amount of cap room, Ted Thompson will be busy this offseason, and it could be make or break for his career and this franchise. Paying players the right amount of money and making the right pick will be determining factors for the future of the Green Bay Packers. 

The Bears Still Suck.

Tragedy Strikes

Inexplicable Terror

It's Friday, December 14th, and there are just eleven days until Christmas. It is the cusp of last minute shopping after another long work week, with parents ready to buy presents for their children and loved ones. Not for 26 people in Newtown, Connecticut; for reasons that can never be understood, and horrifyingly difficult to prevent. Obama addressed the incident and said "They had their entire lives ahead of them. Birthdays, graduations, weddings, kids of their own."

The parents of the twenty children will never get to experience the growth of their children, and will be faced with unavoidable reminders every day. They will never be able to hug, feed, express their love, or teach their children again. 

The lives of the children at Sandy Hook Elementary have been stripped of any innocence possible. Counseling and perpetual fear will consume their adolescence, while normal kids will be playing sports, going to movies, and chasing their dreams. 

Frustration with society, empathy for those affected, and disdain for those who don't recognize this tragedy and feel compelled to alter their approach to life, are a few of the emotions that I experience when thinking of this unconscionable event. Yet my feelings are trivial in comparison and will never equate to a fraction of the emotions experienced by the parents, children, and friends of those surrounding this event. 

How do we move on from such a horrific event? How do we react? Where do we start? How do we even contemplate the continuance of "life as usual" succeeding this occurrence? 

The quandaries that have been forced to the surface as a result of this tragedy are representative of what America needs to focus on and collectively fix. How did some people reach the tipping point where it became reasonable to take the lives of others? Why don't we, as human beings, really appreciate the relationships we have and become negligent when we can see that our friends need help? Brady Quinn stated after Chiefs player Jovan Belcher killed his wife and himself that, 

"We live in a society of social networks, with Twitter pages and Facebook, and that’s fine, but we have contact with our work associates, our family, our friends, and it seems like half the time we are more preoccupied with our phone and other things going on instead of the actual relationships that we have right in front of us. Hopefully, people can learn from this and try to actually help if someone is battling something deeper on the inside than what they are revealing on a day-to-day basis.”

He's absolutely right. And he also mentioned that when we ask somebody how they are doing, do we really mean it? In our digital and technological age, we have lost the value of interpersonal communication. Before classes and during lunch breaks, or even in the company of friends, preoccupation with social networks and digital communication take precedent. No wonder there are so many emerging mental health problems, and it is becoming more and more difficult to find love. Why don't educational institutions place an emphasis on mental health and the ability to nurture those in need? What good is intellect without emotion and a support group? 

As I grieve for the people affected and mourn the losses of the teachers and children who were senselessly murdered, I also will be evaluating how I approach my relationships, and those I see on a daily basis. As a society, we need to appreciate the significance of each human life around us, and take notice of those in need of nurture. While nothing can resurrect or reverse the catastrophe that took place yesterday, steps can be taken to minimize the risk in future events being enacted. And it starts with interpersonal communication and taking the time to genuinely appreciate what each person contributes to our life. 

My thoughts and prayers are with the children, families, friends, and the deceased. My heart weeps for those lost and I wish for consequential and significant change, at the unfortunate expense of this tragedy. 

Packers Mid Season Review and Second Half Preview

It's about to be week 11 in the NFL, which means the Packers have seven games remaining on their schedule, with five of them within the NFC North.

Bulaga might be the most missed. 

Just coming off of the bye week, the main concern is the health of the team. Desmond Bishop, DJ Smith, Nick Perry, and most recently, starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga are all on IR and will not play again this season. Charles Woodson, Greg Jennings, Cedric Benson, and Clay Matthews all are still at least two weeks away from returning.
Yikes.... doesn't that sound promising?
It depends how you look at it really. The bright side is that Aaron Rodgers is still playing, and the Packers are currently 6-3 and one game behind the Bears for first place in the division with the head to head tiebreaker.
If the replacement players continue their stellar pace, and can provide depth and reliability down the stretch, Green Bay has the potential for their second championship in 3 years.
If the injuries continue to pile up, an early playoff exit looks as if it is more and more likely.

5 Reasons to be pessimistic. 

1. Woodson, Matthews, and Bishop have all been the main leaders on defense, and Matthews has had hamstring issues throughout his short career. An aging Woodson and unreliable Matthews in terms of health can't be overlooked.

2. Green Bay is returning from their bye with two away games against talented teams in Detroit and the New York Giants. Both have been struggling and will be desperately seeking wins.

3. The Packers started the season allowing a lot of sacks (remember those 8 they gave up in Seattle?), and with one of their top lineman in Bulaga being on the sidelines, protection of the MVP is in doubt.

4. There are currently four rookies (Worthy, Daniels, Heyward, Mcmillian) who are getting extensive playing time right now. While they are deserving of it, it remains to be seen whether they can handle the pressure of a potential road playoff game.

5. No running game. There seemed to have been a breakthrough against Arizona, but it doesn't look like Alex Green or James Starks are going to be effective to finish the season.

5 Reasons to be optimistic.

1. The team's health is improving, along with their depth. With how effective James Jones and Randall Cobb have been this year, it's hard to imagine how much more Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson adding much to the offense, but last time I checked they are both still decent receivers.

2. Randall Cobb. I'll leave it at that.

3. Four of the last 7 games are against the Lions and Vikings, who are both starting to show their true form. If the Packers can take advantage of them struggling, four more wins puts them at 10, which is usually the benchmark for a playoff spot.

4. The defense has a pass rush that is making plays, with more to come. Currently, Green by is tied for second in the league in sacks with 28, and Matthews has nine of them after having six in his first two games. There hasn't been a pick six yet this year, but with Dom Capers running things, we can expect a few of those.

5. KUUUUUHHHNN! Has anyone noticed that he hasn't been playing the last couple games? He is one of the most underrated fullbacks in the league and his return is going to boost the running game as well as the passing game. Plus, you know you want to hear his name again... can you say morale booster?

Green Bay has been pretty spoiled the last few years, and this year seems to be a disappointment. The reality is that the Packers should* be 7-2 and tied for first in the division right now, and they are still one of the best teams in the league. They showed they can beat quality competition in Houston and Chicago, and there is still a bitter taste in their mouths from the way they went out last season.

Mid Season Grade: B

Rest of Season Prediction: 5-2

Final Record: 11-5, Wild Card Berth

Is Michael Phelps the Greatest Olympian Ever?

The Olympic games have been in existence dating back to the times of Ancient Greece, and have become an increasingly global event since. The games gained their resurgence in the 1800's in Europe and have since seen the birth of the IOC in 1896, which catapulted the games into what they are today. With such a long history, there is a lot of talk of who the best Olympian of all time is. With such an extensive history surrounding the Olympics, that's a loaded question, but based on the growth of the games, the top athlete has to come from a recent games. Now for those who should warrant consideration:

Michael Phelps: We all know about Michael Phelps. He is far and above the most dominant swimmer we have ever seen and holds the most medals of any Olympian ever with 18 gold and 22 overall. In 2008, he turned in one of the most impressive performances anyone will ever see with a sweep of his events for 8 gold medals, and this year he earned 4 gold and 2 silver. What's most impressive is how dynamic he is. He isn't just specializing in one race in the butterfly, but multiple distances and races. He holds the world record for the 100 and 200 fly, as well as part of the record for the 400 individual medley, the most difficult event in swimming. It's unlikely we will ever see another swimmer as captivating as Michael Phelps.

Carl Lewis: As a track and field competitor, the argument for Carl Lewis is that there is a bigger talent pool than any other sport, because anybody can run and jump. Certain other sports offer more opportunities for people of affluent backgrounds. All other factors aside, Carl Lewis was named "Olympian of the Century" by Sports Illustrated magazine, and "Sportsman of the Century" by the IOC (Courtesy of Wikipedia). He competed in three Olympic games from 1984 to 1996, winning 9 gold medals and 1 silver medal. One could argue he was every bit is as dynamic as Michael Phelps, as he competed in the 100, 200, and Long Jump. For a sport that favors people in their youth, Lewis had an impressive 12 year run, including 65 straight victories in the long jump. In a sport where people are becoming increasingly athletic, his times being able to compare to Olympians of today make him all the more credible.

Muhammad Ali: It would be offensive to all athletes to not include Muhammad Ali in this conversation. I don't need to go over all his accolades for people to realize how polarizing he was. The only knock on Muhammad Ali in relation to the greatest Olympians is that he only competed in one Olympics. But as one of the greatest athletes ever, it's not difficult to forecast that he would have dominated more than one Olympic Games.

Usain Bolt: This is the second Olympic Games for Usain Bolt, and he is challenging Michael Phelps strongly for the biggest story of the 2012 games. Bolt's events are the 100 meter and 200 meter sprints. He currently holds the world record in both events, and has yet to lose a final in the last two Olympics, with the 200 meters still to be determined. What makes Bolt so impressive is that he is competing against the best competition that sprinting has ever seen with a bigger talent pool, and that he seems to do it with ease. Some have called him the greatest sprinter of all time, and it's hard to disagree. If he can win gold in 2016 at age 29, he may just be the greatest Olympian ever.

Nadia Comaneci: Comaneci comes from a long list of Romanian gymnasts. As many gymnasts do, she started early. She is known as the first person in modern Olympics history to have been awarded a perfect ten, in the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. Oh, she was fourteen at the time. She only competed in two Olympics, but in a sport where there is so little margin for error, her dominance is baffling. She won 3 gold medals in the 76' games and 2 more in Moscow in 80'. She is the youngest gymnast to earn the marks that she did, even though there are now restrictions that prohibit gymnasts under the age of 16 from competing in the Olympics. Considering how largely favored Mckayla Maroney was to win her event in this year's games, only to win the silver medal, Nadia Comaneci deserves massive amounts of credit for her composure and control of gymnastics for two straight Olympics.

To pick one over the other in this case is nearly impossible. Each of these athletes has been monumentally successful in their respective sport, and really it's hard to argue against making a case for any of them. It's likely that 100 years from now many of these athletes will be a distant memory as well, but to me, I'm going to give Michael Phelps the title of the Greatest Olympian of all time, for reasons of quality AND quantity. He dominated so many diverse events for such a long time, and he has the hardware to prove it. What I will state is this, he isn't the greatest by a long shot.