Screw the Crew! It’s Football Season!
And now the football season is really underway! The Milwaukee Brewers officially screwed the pooch this weekend, and unless a miracle occurs, will complete one of the most amazing collapses in their pathetic history. As they have every single year, save for 1982, they will complete their season without a trip to the playoffs. Ben “Tissue Paper” Sheets can now go and get his legs waxed and eyelashes permed since he won’t have to pitch anymore this year. Francisco Cordero can go reflect on all the great saves he had while realizing that when they really needed him to get the job done, he didn’t. And the rest of the pitching staff can all worry about their jobs too, since really, none of them have proven they can play an entire season without a severe decline in performance. All in all, an expected end for this miserable franchise that can do no right.
Now, on to the real teams in our fair state! How about them Packers?? Brett Favre was absolutely brilliant today, completing tough passes all over the place. For the first time in several seasons, I was not worried about him throwing a bad pick at the end. I really felt like he was either making the pass, or putting it somewhere where it wouldn’t be picked off. Quite frankly, I am a little shocked that the Packers are 3-0 with a running game straight out of 1991. Everyone knew the pass was coming all day long, and the offense was still able to make plays. I love James Jones, and of course, Donald Driver continues to prove he is an All-Pro receiver. Greg Jennings’ return to the field proved critical, as he outran the defense for the game winning touchdown. The defense was a bit shaky with regards to the pass rush, but you cannot fault a unit that held the reigning league MVP in check. All in all, a very successful afternoon. To beat three straight playoff teams from last season to start this one is truly a remarkable feat. I think Packer fans everywhere are probably a little higher on the team than perhaps they should be, but I do believe the Packers are for real.
Last, but certainly not least, are the Wisconsin Badgers. Say what you will, they have now won 13 straight football games. Think about that for a moment. 13 straight wins. This game was a battle, and could very well have gone the Hawkeyes’ way, but the bottom line is that the Badgers found a way to win, as they have in almost every game of Coach Bielema’s short tenure. Kirk “I hate the Badgers” Herbstreit stated throughout the game that Iowa’s defensive speed up front was beating Wisconsin’s size on the offensive line, and for a long while that may have been true. But as Bielema said at the end of the game, it is a 4 quarter game (actually 5 at Wisconsin home games, but who’s counting?). In the end, the Badgers’ power allowed them to prevail. Now it’s on to a matchup with the rising Michigan State Spartans. This game should never be taken for granted. Wisconsin seems to struggle mightily against the Spartans, especially when it appears to be a lopsided matchup in their favor. 2004 anyone? Still, you have to believe that since each victory has come with a struggle, the Badgers are preparing for each game without arrogance.
Next week should prove to be one for the ages, as Favre looks to become the all-time career touchdown leader. More importantly, the Packers look to move to 4-0, something they didn’t even do in either of their two Super Bowl seasons in the 90’s. Football rules supreme in Wisconsin, and if the first month of the season is any indication, things are going to be very interesting indeed!