Packers Vs. Ravens: Inside Scoop with Ravens Writer and Author John Eisenberg

As the Green Bay Packers prepare to meet the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night, I felt the need to get the inside scoop on the Ravens from someone in the know.

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to interview John Eisenberg, a long-time Baltimore sportswriter and author of seven sports books. John is currently employed by the Ravens organization, writing a regular column for the official team web site.

Also of great interest to Packers fans is John’s latest book, “That First Season ,” about the 1959 Green Bay Packers. Based on new interviews with people who were there, the book recounts how Vince Lombardi came to Green Bay and transformed a downtrodden organization into one of the NFL’s greatest dynasties.

More about the book later, but first let’s get to my question and answer session with John Eisenberg.

 

Al: Thinking about this Packers-Ravens match-up, I have this uneasy feeling that the Ravens are a team ready to break out with a big game. Looking at the Ravens’ record, one thing stands out. The Ravens’ five losses have come to teams with a combined record of 44-10. The average margin of loss in those games was 4.6 points. Are the Ravens a very good team ready to explode on the unsuspecting Packers?

John: The Ravens are indeed a dangerous team. I don’t think anyone relishes playing them. They hit hard and play close games. A couple of late-game gaffes, including a missed field goal by a kicker no longer with them, have kept them from being 8-3 or even better. Having said that, they’re also one of the most penalized teams in the league, they’ve been prone to make key mistakes, and most importantly, their defense, long one of the game’s best, is not playing at the same level this year—still solid but more yielding against both the run and pass. I don’t think they will explode on the Packers. And I don’t think the Packers are unsuspecting—they have seen the films of all these brutal games the Ravens play in their division with Pittsburgh and Cincy. I would expect a close, hard-nosed game.

 

Al: Joe Flacco can expect to see plenty of blitzing from the Packers defense. How would you say he has handled teams that try to rattle him in that way?

John: The Vikings had a lot of luck early in their game with the Ravens by blitzing Flacco. And Pittsburgh had some success last week. Flacco is just in his second year and is still learning about reading defenses and coverages—sometimes his youth shows. But he is a big guy and not afraid to take a hit. A warning, he gets up and comes back at you. The Vikings had him on the ropes, and he directed a huge rally in the fourth quarter and had the game won until Steve Hauschka missed the 44-yard kick—in a dome, unforgivable. Flacco’s biggest problem right now is a sore ankle that is hampering his mobility and also his throwing mechanics.

 

Al: The Ravens brought in kicker Billy Cundiff two weeks ago. He has made an immediate impact, making 5-6 field goals against Indianapolis and then kicked a game winner in OT against the Steelers. How much were the Ravens affected by missed field goals in their five losses?

John: Cundiff has provided stability, which the Ravens needed. They took a big gamble and failed by not bringing back Matt Stover, a superb kicker who was getting old but still had it. They thought Hauschka could step in with a huge leg, but he was a kid (24) and he crumbled under the pressure. The miss in Minnesota was devastating, and he missed a couple of other key kicks before the Ravens cut him. It is not impossible that Cundiff could eventually struggle, too, but he looks good so far.

 

Al: Ravens fans have been very critical of head coach John Harbaugh, much like Packer fans were of Mike McCarthy earlier this season. Do you feel he’s being out coached during games and is the criticism warranted?

John: The fans are rightfully upset with all the penalties, which indicate a lack of discipline that falls on the shoulders of the head coach. And he has had problems with time management, timeouts and challenges. But he isn’t really taking that much heat. Cam Cameron runs the offense and Greg Mattison runs the defense. Mattison is taking more heat than Harbaugh because the defense has had some problems. Mattison was a longtime college coordinator and some fans don’t like his more conservative approach. They long for the days of Rex Ryan, the mad scientist, who brought all kinds of blitzes.

 

Al: Having followed Ray Rice at Rutgers, I was very high on him coming into the NFL draft. The Ravens grabbed Rice in the second round, one pick before the Packers made their ill-fated selection of Brian Brohm. I have often wondered if the Packers would have taken Rice if the Ravens didn’t. I consider Rice a future Pro Bowler. Do you agree, and what problems do you think he presents for the Packer defense?

John: The Ravens drafted Rice, but like every team, had no idea he would be this good, especially so soon. They thought they were set at running back with Willis McGahee but Rice has made Willis expendable. He can run and catch and makes a ton of yards after the first hit. He has been a huge playmaker. I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes the Pro Bowl this year—he deserves it. He will present the Packers the same problem he has presented every opponent—with his strength and low center of gravity, he is elusive in traffic, has a knack for getting through scrums.

 

Al: How did the Ravens come out of the Pittsburgh game injury-wise? Will any starters be out for the Packers game? Is Terrell Suggs expected back?

John: The Ravens are banged up. I realize that is true for every team this time of year, but the Ravens have issues. Flacco is playing on a sore ankle that is having an impact. Their best defense defensive player, Haloti Ngata, is also playing on a sore ankle that has made him less effective. Suggs is questionable, and if he plays, won’t be 100 percent. Starting cornerback Fabian Washington is out for the season, but the rookie who replaced him, Lardarius Webb, had a great game against the Steelers. Webb is a classic Raven, a third-round pick from a little school who plays tough.

 

Al: In your opinion, what are the three main things the Packers will have to do to beat the Ravens?

John:

1. Run the ball. It can be done against the Ravens this year, as opposed to years past, and it throws the defense off.

2. Pass the ball down field. The Ravens are susceptible to big plays in the secondary.

3. Don’t make mistakes. The Ravens tend to make their share penalties and turnovers. If you don’t give the game away, you’re halfway there.

 

That concluded my interview with John Eisenberg. I find it interesting that the three things John mentioned as keys for beating the Ravens are all things the Packers have had issues with. Running the ball successfully has been a problem until just recently. Being able to throw down field, of course, depends on the offensive line’s ability to protect Aaron Rodgers. Excessive penalties have been a recurring problem for the last three seasons.

Personally, I think the performance of the offensive line will be the key for this game. Can they open some holes for Ryan Grant to keep the Ravens defense honest? Can Rodgers be given enough time to pick apart the Raven’s struggling secondary or will he spend the evening fearing for his life? The answers to those questions will most likely determine the outcome.

Getting back to John’s book , the full title is “That First Season: How Vince Lombardi Took the Worst Team in the NFL and Set It on the Path to Glory.” It is interesting to note that John grew up in Dallas and was a Cowboys fan during the 50’s. He jokingly says that the Green Bay Packers “ruined his childhood.”  But you would never know that from reading his book.

I am about halfway through the book and have found it both entertaining and informative. I rate it a “must-read” for anyone interested in the Green Bay Packers or NFL history, in general.

Thank you, John, for the interview and enjoy the game!

 

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You can find more of Jersey Al Bracco’s articles on several sports web sites: Jersey Al’s Blog , Packer Chatters , Packers Lounge , NFL Touchdown , and, of course, Bleacher Report . Jersey Al is the Green Bay Packers Draft Correspondent for Drafttek.com.

You can also follow Jersey Al on facebook and twitter .

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Green Bay Defeats Detroit: Five Reasons to Be Thankful

As the Green Bay Packers knocked the stuffing out of the turkeys known as the Detroit Lions, Packer fans everywhere were surely in a thankful mood.

After watching the game, here are five things this Packer fan and writer is thankful for. Feel free to add your own in the comments section:

Thank you for the 2009 NFL Draft

Clay Matthews, BJ Raji, TJ Lang, Brad Jones, Quinn Johnson, Brandon Underwood. Six Packer draft picks have made significant contributions in just their first year in the NFL.

Clay Matthews has shown he can be a star in this league. Watching him beat two players easily in a three-man rush and then chase down a scrambling Stafford for a sack showed me the kind of will he has to be successful. I have no doubts that he will.

BJ Raji has been coming on strong and making an impact, as his ankle injury has healed and his play count has increased. Today, he crushed a Lion running back in the backfield, knocked down a pass, and was a force in the short yardage defense.

TJ Lang once again stepped in at left tackle today when Chad Clifton pulled a hamstring. The line did not miss a beat and Mike McCarthy called Lang’s play “impressive.” Lang, Jones and Johnson are all potential starters next season.

 

Thank you for making it through a game with Jarret Bush as the nickelback

I’ve never seen a defensive back look more confused in coverage than Jarret Bush. Now, this is his fourth season with the Packers, shouldn’t he know who to cover by now?

On the Tramon Williams interception, he first ran at the receiver Williams was covering, turned and ran at another receiver, turned again and realized he was covering nobody.

Fortunately, Williams stuck with his man and Stafford made a poor decision to throw it to the wrong receiver. Had he looked down-field, he would have seen the receiver Bush should have been covering wide open.

Did I forget to mention that a punt hit Bush in the back?

 

Thank you for Jermichael Finley still having a head

Finley took a vicious hit after an incomplete pass, as Lions rookie Louis Delmas took a run at him in what was very nearly a direct helmet-to-helmet hit. Only a slight turn of the head at the last minute prevented what could have been a serious injury.

Finley did stay on the ground for a while holding his head, causing me to fear a possible concussion, but luckily, he just had the wind knocked out of him. Regardless, it was a scary hit that is sure to draw Delmas a fine from the league office.

 

Thank you for Donald Driver

Like Old Man River, Donald Driver just keeps rolling along. Driver caught seven passes today for 142 yards and a touchdown.

For the season, that gives him 53 catches for 845 yards and five touchdowns. With five games to play, Driver is sure to reach the 1,000 yard mark for the sixth straight season.

Driver is on a mission to disprove the perception that he is getting old. After the game, as he was awarded the “Golden Gobbler” as player of the game from Fox, Driver commented, “I may be old in age, but I still play young.” Yes, you do Donald, and thank you for that.

 

Thank you for Charles Woodson

A multi-dimensional player like Woodson, who can do so many things, and all in an outstanding manner, is a rarity.

It was just another day at the office for Woodson, with 7 tackles, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, 1 touchdown, 1 forced fumble and fumble recovery, 4 passes defended and he also returned a kickoff.

Even more significantly, it was announced before the game that Woodson has donated $2 million to a new children’s hospital at his Alma mater, the University of Michigan. Clearly, Charles Woodson doesn’t do anything in a half-hearted manner.

Hopefully, other multi-millionaire players will be inspired to follow his example. After all, how many millions does one need to be able to live a good life?

So those are the five things from the Packers Thanksgiving Day victory that this writer is thankful for. I’d like to hear yours…

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You can find more of Jersey Al Bracco’s articles on several sports web sites: Jersey Al’s Blog , Packer Chatters , Packers Lounge , NFL Touchdown , and, of course, Bleacher Report . Jersey Al is the Green Bay Packers Draft Correspondent for Drafttek.com

You can also follow Jersey Al on facebook and twitter .

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Green Bay Packers Ryan Grant and Offensive Line Struggle to Find Their Way

The Green Bay Packers running game has taken a lot of hits lately, both on and off the field. Sportswriters, bloggers and fans have all been lamenting the paltry number of rushing yards being gained. I dare to dissent and say it’s been “good enough.”

Everyone has been criticizing the Packers play calling for running 17 times on first down in the win against the St. Louis Rams. I dare to say that the Packers did a good job with the playcalling and were actually very aggressive on first downs. Huh? Don’t worry, more on that later.

How can I come to these conclusions, you ask? Well first, you have to spend a few hours with the game tape. Last night I played back the Packers game, with heavy use of the rewind and slo-mo buttons. Because it seems to be the favorite post game topic of the Rams game, I specifically focused on the Packers running plays.

Albeit a bit bleary-eyed, I can distill the Packer’s running game’s struggles down to two major factors: Offensive linemen that aren’t holding their blocks long enough and a running back that just takes too long to get to the line of scrimmage.

Now, there are certainly plenty of other contributing factors. Grant’s lack of lateral movement, how easily he goes down when tackled very low and the lack of creativity in the running plays (seriously, 80 percent of the running plays look like the same play). But I just felt it was important to identify the top two.

Analyze the running plays closely, and you will see how many times Grant is tackled from behind or the side (often around the ankles) because an offensive lineman could not keep the backside sealed off or hold their block. Using freeze-frame, you can see that many times there are holes early on, but the Packers running plays are not designed as quick hits (with the exception of the fullback dive).

By the time Grant gets there, the hole is often gone. He then lacks the lateral movement and quickness to make a last minute change of direction. In my opinion, the Packers had two backs better suited to running in this scheme. But Tyrell Sutton is in Carolina and Kregg Lumpkin is languishing on the practice squad.

Having said all of that, after watching for hours, I’m actually not as upset with the running game as most people seem to be. If the Packers can average 3.8 YPC on 25 attempts per game, that’s just about good enough. The Packers will never have the game breaking threat from the current running game, but it’s OK. That’s what Rodgers and the wide receivers are for.

As we all know, running the ball is necessary to keep the safeties honest and setup the deep play-action passes down the field. Although the running game didn’t exactly burn it up, the plan still worked for the Packers. Every big pass play in the game was off of play action. The Rams linebackers and safeties bought the run fakes because the Packers had shown the run so much. Here are some examples:

2nd and six, Driver, 46 yard pass reception—I formation, play fake right, single coverage on Driver.
3rd and seven, Jennings, 50 yard pass reception—Shotgun with single back. Fake draw play, single coverage on Jennings.
1st and 10, Driver, 21 yard TD reception—I formation, play fake right, rollout left, single coverage on Driver.
1st and 10, Jennings, 53 yard pass reception—I formation, play fake right, single coverage on Jennings.
There were at least three other long passes attempted, two on first down. Jordy Nelson dropped one right in his hands and two were overthrown.

17 RUNS ON FIRST DOWN!!!
Now, for all of you screaming about the Packers running 17 times on first down versus 11 passes, look a little closer. Seven of those runs came in the fourth quarter, when they were protecting a lead—that’s what your SUPPOSED to do! So through three quarters, the Packers were actually 10/11, run/pass on first down. And one of those runs was a reverse, which warms the cockles of my heart. In light of those facts, there is NOTHING wrong with a 17/11 pass/run ratio on first down, especially if four of those passes were long shots down the field and a fifth was a TD.

I have often accused Mike McCarthy of being too conservative, but this was not one of those times. And for the first time this season, the Packers won the time of possession battle over their opponent. Yes it was only the Rams, and yes they could stand to gain more yards on their first down runs, but it’s a good start towards developing a serviceable running game.

My main criticism after watching this game is one that I have had before: the lack of originality in the running play design. The Packers’ second play from scrimmage was a creatively designed play. Rodgers in the shotgun, Grant to his right. Nelson slot left, Lee tight end on the right side. Nelson goes in motion to the right. Ball is snapped, Lee blocks down on the DE, Barbre pulls around him to the outside, pitch out to Grant with Barbre and Nelson lead blocking. It worked beautifully and picked up 10 yards. They never ran it again. Every other running play to Grant was a straight hand off. But I digress—play design is a pet peeve of mine and a whole separate article.

The litmus test for McCarthy will come in situations like the Packers trailing by 10 points in the third quarter. Will he revert to his old ways and throw the running game out the window, or will he stay committed?

With the Favre-led 3-0 Minnesota Vikings next on the schedule, that test could very well come this week. The Packers’ offensive line will have their hands full with the Vikings front four. That matchup will probably be the deciding factor in this game. Sorry Brett, but it’s not ALL about you.

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Green Bay Packers-Bengals Aftermath: Is Mike McCarthy in Charge Here?

To quote Vince Lombardi, “What the hell is going on out here?”

Carefully read between the lines of this quote by Aaron Rodgers after the Cincinnati game: “We need to have a good week of practice. Offensively, our two weeks of practice have been average. We haven’t practiced the way we’re capable of practicing. Young guys and old guys alike need to focus in a little more in practice and practice like a professional.

“I’m including myself in that sentence, but we’re two weeks into the season now and it’s time to grow up and be a pro and practice and play like it. Charles Woodson played his butt off today and kept us in the game, but we need to have eleven guys on defense and eleven guys on offense playing and wanting it as badly as Charles does. We have to follow his example.”

Maybe Aaron Rodgers should be coaching this team. Or maybe Charles Woodson.  Because Mike McCarthy is not getting it done. That’s really what Rodgers is saying. Sure, he’s putting it on the players shoulders, but who is responsible for the team being focused in practice?

Mike McCarthy is a lousy motivator and does not hold his players accountable. He makes excuses, laments the things that were done wrong, and promises to fix it in practice, but it doesn’t happen. We just see more of the same.

This isn’t a new complaint from me. I’m not jumping down his throat after one bad loss. I’ve been saying this since his first season as Packers coach.

Play a horrible game, and you’ll “work on it” in practice and be right back in there the next game—no worries about your job. Get called for four penalties and go to sleep that night knowing you’ll just be asked to “clean things up.”

I’m done with the penalties. I hold you, Mike McCarthy, solely responsible for that mess. The Packers are going to have a third straight penalty-ful (like plentiful) season? It’s your fault, Mike. And just accepting blame in your press conferences isn’t enough. Where is the discipline on this team?

And now we find out that the Packers’ head coach can’t even get the players to focus in practice? Players are not acting like professionals in practice? Where is the accountability? What kind of leadership abilities is McCarthy displaying for the players to not take practice seriously?

In fairness, let’s give Coach McCarthy a chance to explain. Here is what he had to say about the practices after the Bengals debacle. “But you go through it every year at the beginning of the year. I don’t know of how many teams that I’ve been a part of that just jumped right out of training camp and were having great weeks of practice.

“I thought we practiced better this week than we did last week. I thought the defense has put together two good weeks of practice, solid weeks of practice. The offense has got some work to do and I think it’s carrying over to our performance. So, you have new faces, you have different things, guys doing different things during the work week.

“It’s a normal progression and we will clean up the problems that we had today, we will clean them up tomorrow and I can promise you we will have a hell of a practice Wednesday.”

So Coach McCarthy is saying that all his teams have had lousy practices early in the season and that’s normal. Blame it on “different things, guys doing different things during the work week. It’s a “normal progression.” 

Really Coach McCarthy? It’s normal for your QB to have to call out his teammates after game two for poor focus in practice? Normal?! Normal?! (Say that to the tune of “playoffs?!”)

For a guy that was supposed to be a tough, hard-nosed Pittsburgh guy, when do you see him get in someone’s face? The once a year he supposedly gets really angry is not enough for me. Sorry, but I like my coaches “old-school.” When is Coach McCarthy going to do something more demonstrative than stand up at press conferences and promise to “get things cleaned up”.

If you need a current frame of reference, check out the job Rex Ryan is doing with the NY Jets. He has completely changed the mindset of that team and those players. He is truly the Anti-Mangini (and Anti-McCarthy).

In a recent interview with Mike Vandermuse of the Green Bay Press Gazette, when asked about last season, McCarthy said, “Professionally it was the most frustrated I’ve ever been. Clearly the hardest year I’ve ever been through.”

Well Coach McCarthy, if you don’t get this cleaned up fast, last year will start to look like a cakewalk.

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You can find more of Jersey Al Bracco’s articles on several sports websites: Jersey Al’s Blog, Packer Chatters , Packers Lounge, NFL Touchdown and of course,  Bleacher Report.

You can also follow Jersey Al on twitter.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Packers-Bears: Jersey Al “Looks at the Film”

Now that the euphoria over the Packers’ exciting win over the Bears has worn off, it’s time to take a closer look at this game.

Watching the game live is a great experience, but impressions we develop can be affected by many things. Your own emotions, announcer’s comments, too much beer—all of these can taint what you think you’re seeing.

As Mike McCarthy will tell you, he doesn’t know what the real story is until he “looks at the film.” So down to my man cave I went.

I fired up the DVR and the HDTV and spent some quality hours pressing the play, rewind, and slow-motion buttons on the remote.

After re-emerging, I have a question for you all and some observations.

 

Question

There was one huge play in this game that will be completely overlooked. Yet without this play, the Bears finish the game with 22 points. Can you think of what play I’m referring to?

The answer is at the end of this article.

The offensive line seemed a bit disjointed, a bit slow, and often indecisive. While all of the attention was rightly on Alan Barbre, the rest of the offensive line had a disappointing night.

Josh Sitton was probably the best of the bunch, but I spotted him making some bad choices on who to block. That’s what happened on the play where Sitton was penalized for holding.

He couldn’t decide which of two players to block and by the time he did, the defender was rushing past him. So Sitton did the only thing he could do in order to protect Rodgers—he held.

The Bears defense easily won the line of scrimmage battle, consistently getting a strong push and moving the Packers’ OL back.

Of course, this resulted in few clear-cut holes for Ryan Grant to run through. Grant had to make a lot of yards on his own running through people, as he did on his touchdown run.

On that play, there was nowhere to go, as Urlacher stuffed his inside running lane, so Grant bounced it out around Chad Clifton and inside Donald Lee.

Two Bears defenders met him head on in the hole, but he refused to get pushed back and was able to fight through them for the TD.

Do not make the mistake of looking at Grant’s 68 yards rushing and saying he didn’t do well. Ryan Grant earned every yard he gained in that game.

I also don’t want to hear anyone say that Rodgers was “off his game.” Anytime a pass he threw was off the mark, it was due to heavy pressure. The long passes that came up short were due to Ogunleye being in his face and Rodgers not being able to step into the ball.

So please, no Rodgers criticisms this week.

As for the safety: Watching the game live, I thought that he could have gotten rid of the ball and I was critical of Rodgers. Playing it back multiple times and in slow motion, I can say I was clearly wrong.

Rodgers doesn’t even see the blitzer until he was a few short steps away. His best option was to try to get away. As he was doing that, the receivers were just starting to break off their routes and look back at Rodgers.

There was a split second where Rodgers might have been able to throw the ball safely in front of Jermichael Finley, but Daniel Manning hooked Rodgers’ right arm. Rodgers actually did a very smart thing, transferring the ball to his left hand to avoid Manning stripping the ball from him in the end zone.

As well as the Packers’ defense played, continuing their preseason turnover spree and playing with aggression, they did relinquish 352 yards of offense.

The problem of course was the big play. The Packers gave up six plays of 20 yards or more, all in the air.

On the plus side, the run defense was outstanding, holding the Bears to a 2.8 yard per carry average. Equally good was the third down defense, stopping the Bears on 11 of 15 third down attempts.

These were both big problems last year, so the marked improvement is more than welcome. But there’s still plenty to work on with the secondary and the big plays.

 

Defensive Line

Exactly when did Johnny Jolly become a defensive back? They dropped him in coverage a few times and then he sniffs out the screen and makes a diving one-handed interception (Tramon, were you paying attention?).

This is a different Jolly than the one we have known in the past. He was in for over 50 plays, along with Cullen Jenkins, and was still going strong at the end of the game.

The Packers played most of the first half in the nickel, with Jenkins and Jolly as the only two defensive linemen. The second half saw much more three-man fronts, with Pickett at nose tackle.

 

Linebackers

Brandon Chillar was outstanding. I’ve watched his sack now at least 20 times and I’m still amazed by the hurdle and how quickly after it he closed in on Cutler.

As for all you Hawk haters and Kampman disbelievers, you’ll have to find yourselves some new whipping boys (I believe Poppinga is available). Hawk finally played like a No. 5 draft pick. It seemed like he was involved in every play in some manner.

Whether it was standing up blockers, crashing through the line, pressuring Cutler on blitzes, covering tight ends, or running down Devin Hester on the sideline to stop a possible TD, he was everywhere. He played with aggression, smarts, and ability we haven’t seen before.

Mr. Invisible left a huge impression on this game, his best game as a pro that I’ve seen.

Aaron Kampman was, quite simply, Aaron Kampman. His coverage responsibilities were limited and any time he was asked to cover, the Packers were blitzing other players, making it difficult for Cutler to take advantage of the supposed mismatch of Kampman in coverage.

A perfect example would be Chillar’s sack. Kampman was back in coverage on that play.

He looked fine as a linebacker against the run, especially when the ball was run wide to his side, standing up blockers and slowing down Matt Forte until more help arrived.

He was used extensively in the pass rush and was in the Bears’ backfield all night. He mostly played like Aaron Kampman, just not from a three point stance.

I would complain about the penalties, but three of them (against Clifton, Matthews, and Harris) were just horrendous calls. The phantom illegal contact on Al Harris might be one of the worst I’ve seen in 40 years of watching football.

Having said that, it does still seem like the Packers draw penalties at the worst times—when the defense gets a big stop or the offense runs off a big play.

Perhaps the second most amazing play of the night was Bret Swain’s tackle on the fake punt. Swain is the outside end on the right side, down in a three point stance. He takes one step in like he’s rushing the passer, then stands up.

He immediately sees the fake, hustles down the line of scrimmage behind the scrum, and makes a textbook, wrap-your-arms, linebacker-like tackle just as the ball carrier was breaking through the hole.

If you look back at that play, you will see that there isn’t another Packer in sight. If Swain doesn’t make that tackle, we’re looking at a 30-yard gain and a back-breaking first down for the Bears.

As much as everyone loved Ruvell Martin, Swain has already paid dividends.

 

Best TV Announcer Moment of the Night

After the fake punt:

Al Michaels: “Lovie’s thrown the challenge flag.”

Collinsworth: “Maybe on his own call.”

Aaron Rodgers is much more Bart Starr than Brett Favre, and as much as I enjoyed watching Brett Favre, I think that’s a really good thing.

DeShawn Wynn couldn’t run the ball, couldn’t block anyone, and couldn’t catch a pass. Did I miss anything?

 

Answer

Charles Woodson on the Johnny Knox 68-yard pass. What? Have I lost my mind? No, not at all. If you have the ability to watch it again, you’ll see an amazing thing. You’ll see Charles Woodson, beaten badly by one of the fastest players in the NFL, refuse to give up.

He could easily have eased up and relinquished the touchdown. But he didn’t. By sheer will, he somehow caught up to Knox, dove, and got enough of Knox’s left leg to make him take a step out of bounds.

A sure touchdown and seven points were put on hold. A few plays later, Jolly intercepts a pass and the Bears get zero points when they should have had seven. When you win the game by six points, I’d say this was a key moment.

So blame Woodson all you want for getting beat, but also laud him for the amazing play he made to prevent the touchdown.

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You can find more of Jersey Al Bracco’s articles on several sports websites: Jersey Al’s Blog, Packer Chatters , Packers Lounge, NFL Touchdown and of course,  Bleacher Report.

You can also follow Jersey Al on twitter.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Green Bay Packers Vs Chicago Bears: Great Moments From a Classic Rivalry

In the very first meeting between the Packers and the Bears in 1921, there was a single moment that would foretell a future of heated battles. Chicago’s John (Tarzan) Taylor threw a sucker punch that broke the nose of Packers tackle Howard Buck. It would prove to be the opening salvo in what became a long and tenuous rivalry between Green Bay and Chicago.

7,000 fans at Wrigley field watched the Bears shut out the Packers that day by a score of 20-0. While a mere 200 miles separates these two cities, the differences couldn’t be greater. Small town Green Bay vs. big city Chicago. In 1921, Chicago was the second largest city in the country with a population of 2.7 million people. Green Bay was a blue-collar paper mill town with a population of only 31,000 people.

But while the cities’ demographics are at opposite ends of the spectrum, they do share a common bond, one of football greatness.

With Curly Lambeau and George Halas steering the ship, these two teams established themselves early on as the standard to aspire to. The Packers have won the most Championships in NFL History (12) and the Bears are second all-time with nine. The Bears have won 17 Division Championships, the Packers 13.

A total of 52 Pro Football Hall of Fame members (28 for the Bears and 24 for the Packers) have played in this rivalry. Names like Bronco Nagurski, Johnny Blood McNally, Red Grange, Don Hutson, Sid Luckman, Bart Starr, Gayle Sayers, Paul Hornung, Dick Butkus, Ray Nitschke, Walter Payton, Bret Favre.

These two teams epitomized what football should be. As renowned sports author Dick Schaap once said, “If you want to draw a picture of football, you just draw Ray Nitschke’s face and Dick Butkus’ face. That tells you all you have to know about the game.”

Over the 90 years of this rivalry, there have been many moments that helped define this rivalry. Let’s take a look at just a few that epitomize what this rivalry is all about..

1924: Ejected for fighting: The first time players were ever ejected from an NFL game for fighting was naturally during a Packers-Bears game. Bears end Frank Hanny and Packers end Walter Voss were tossed from the game before the end of the first half, as verbal sparring led to fisticuffs. Hanny would be ejected from a Bears-Packers game once again in 1926 and the pattern of nastiness had been established.

1941: WWII can’t stop the rivalry: Exactly seven days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Packers and Bears met in the first and only playoff meeting between these two teams. In a time when the country was devastated by the advent of World War II, an overflow crowd of more than 43,000 fans came to Wrigley Field to watch the Bears defeat the Packers 33-14. The following week, when the Bears hosted the NY Giants in the NFL Championship game, only 13,000 fans showed up to see them win their fourth title.

1964: The Free Kick Game: Vince Lombardi’s Packers were the first team to ever invoke the “fair catch free kick” rule. After Elijah Pitts fair caught a punt on the Packers 48 yard line just before halftime, Vince Lombardi informed the referees that they would be trying a free kick. There was confusion among all. Neither team had ever seen it before or practiced it.

The Packers lined up on the line of scrimmage with Bart Starr holding the ball. Paul Hornung stepped up and made the 52-yard field goal as the half ended. Everyone was shocked and the Bears were embarrassed as the Packers went on to win 23-12. Lombardi said after the game it was probably a “once in a lifetime” occurrence. He was proven wrong, however, as the Bears would return the favor 4 years later, beating the Packers on the free kick.

1980: Chester Marcol’s freak touchdown: This is one of the most memorable plays in NFL History. The Packers and the Bears were tied at 6-6 in overtime. A 32-yard pass from Lynn Dickey to James Lofton helped set up a game-winning field goal attempt by Packers’ kicker Chester Marcol. The Bears’ Alan Page managed to break through a block the field goal, with the football hitting his helmet. While it wasn’t immediately clear to the players what had happened, Marcol grabbed rebound off Page’s helmet and ran around the pile for a touchdown and the win.

1986: The Charles Martin Hit List: Packers defensive tackle Charles Martin wore a towel with numbers of specific Bears players he planned to “get” Walter Payton and Jim McMahon topped the list. AFVter a McMahon interception, as he was looking to walk off the field, Martin came up behind McMahon and body-slammed him to the turf. McMahon’s shoulder was separated and he was lost for the season.

Martin was suspended for two games, at the time the longest suspension in NFL history for an on-field incident. The Bears still finished the season 14-2, but were upset in the playoffs leaving many Bears fans wondering what might have been if the Bears still had McMahon. If Martin was sorry for his actions, he took it to his grave, as he never apologized for the incident. To Bears fans, Martin is surely one of the most hated Packers of all time.

1989: The Instant Replay game: I can hear Bears fans groaning right now. Trailing 13-6 very late in the game, Packers quarterback Don Majowski is leading the Packers downfield. After advancing to a first and goal from the seven, Majik threw two incompletions and was sacked for a loss. With 40 seconds left and a fourth and goal from the fourteen, Majkowski scrambled out of the pocket and threw a TD pass to Sterling Sharpe. But an official threw a flag on the play, claiming Majkowski had stepped over the line of scrimmage.

Packers coach Lindy Infante challenged the call and after a deliberation of over four minutes, the replay official overturned the call and allowed the TD. Packers win 14-13. Of course Bears fans are still angry over this, but the Packers and their fans were elated. It was their first win over the Bears after eight straight losses.

1995: Favre ironman act continues: The Packers entered the game trailing the Bears by one game in the standings. A win would put them in a tie and give them a sweep of the season series.  QB Brett Farve’s status for the game was doubtful due to a sprained ankle. He had not practiced all week, but started the game and went on to have a classic Brett Favre game. He completed 25 of 33 passes for 336 yards and five touchdown passes as the Packers won the game 35-28. 

This game was a key turning point for the Packers of the late 90s. Just 5-4 coming into the game, this win started the Packers on a streak of winning six out of their last seven games to win the Division Title with an 11-5 record. They would make it to the NFC Conference Championship game that season and to the Super Bowl the next two seasons. This was the game that put Green Bay on the winning track and sent the Bears in the opposite direction.

Of course, there have been many more great moments in Packers-Bears history. There have been better played games and even more important games than those listed here. But these were chosen for the effect they had on building and intensifying the rivalry that is Packers-Bears.

And one shouldn’t mistake rivalries for matchups. True rivalries take a long time to develop. In most cases, geography and defending ones turf was a motivating factor. As we have become more national in focus, regional rivalries have become less important. Certainly, nobody can say that Packers vs. Bears means as much today as it did earlier in the century, or even as recently as the Nineties. But reveling in the history of this classic rivalry can only help.

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You will find my prediction for the upcoming Packers – Bears game ON THIS PAGE

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You can find more of Jersey Al Bracco’s articles on several sports websites: Jersey Al’s Blog, Packer Chatters , Packers Lounge, NFL Touchdown and of course,  Bleacher Report.

You can also follow Jersey Al on twitter.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

The Green Bay Packers’ Turk Says: Whack DeShawn Wynn, Leave Kregg Lumpkin

This is my final plea.

I am writing this on the eve of the final NFL roster cuts. By 4PM ET on Saturday, 22 Packers will be off the team. Some will return via the practice squad. Some will be picked up by other teams. Maybe some will be traded and some will take that long drive home to Realityville.

But there’s one guy that shouldn’t be doing any of those things. One guy that I think would be the perfect No. 2 running back on the Packers. Kregg Lumpkin. OK, you can stop rolling your eyes. Sure you’ve heard this from me before. But hey, I really believe it.

And yet, it seems that everyone is in love with DeShawn Wynn and has Lumpkin gone. Why? What do you all see that I don’t?

Both Lumpkin and Wynn have had their injury problems, so lets throw that out. Is he a better receiver that Lumpkin? NO. Is he a better blocker than Lumpkin? YES. Is he a better runner than Lumpkin? NO.

Oh, you don’t believe that last one? We’ll to me, a good running back is one that gains yards when he has the ball. Lets look at some facts:

In the 2008 preseason, Lumpkin was the Packers leading rusher (38 carries, 153 yards, 4.0-yard average, one touchdown) and also added seven receptions for 59 yards and another TD. DeShawn Wynn was CUT by the Packers in favor of: Kregg Lumpkin.

In this preseason, lets look at these numbers:

Wynn, 17 carries, 49 yards, 2.8 YPC
Lumpkin, 27 carries, 95 yards, 3.8 YPC
Sutton, 40 carries, 191 yards, 4.8 YPC

Obviously, Sutton deserves to make the team. But getting down to that last RB spot (and like Brian Carriveau at Railbird Central, I think the Packers may keep four), Lumpkin offers much more. Lumpkin has moves, picks a hole quickly and is able to bounce outside if needed. Wynn just plods forward.

Watching tape of the Tennessee game, I often spotted Wynn not following his lead blocker, and instead, “running to darkness.” Yes, he had six carries for 11 yards in that game. Watching that same tape, you’ll see Kregg Lumpkin with some great moves and “running to daylight”. He had 9 carries for 34 yards and a touchdown.

All I’ve heard this preseason is how Lumpkin hasn’t show anything. Well what has Wynn shown? Somebody PLEASE tell me.

One of the few allies I have in this area is fellow Packers blogger D. D. Driver, who is on record as saying “BTW, I am a Wynn hater. I don’t know what it is about the guy. I think it is the cult that has somehow grown up around him that see him as some sort of superstar in the making that just drives be batty.”

Now, I don’t know how he feels about Lumpkin, but it’s obvious he doesn’t get the Wynn hype, as I don’t. More surprising to me is a late change of heart shown by Greg Bedard, a Packers beat writer for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Greg has had little good to say about Lumpkin, yet in his last projected 53-man roster, he has Wynn gone and Lumpkin in. Bedard also points out Wynn’s “plodding” style and Lumpkin’s ability to always gain positive yardage.

Now if the Packers only keep three running backs and both Wynn and Lumpkin are out, so be it. But if it comes down to a choice for a roster spot between Lumpkin and Wynn, you know where I stand.

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You can find more of Jersey Al Bracco’s articles on several sports websites: Jersey Al’s Blog, Packer Chatters , Packers Lounge, NFL Touchdown and of course,  Bleacher Report.

You can also follow Jersey Al on twitter.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Vikings’ Favre Will Divide, Packers Will Conquer

It has started already.

The rumblings out of Minnesota. A team divided. A “schism” it’s being called.

In the words of one NFL source, Favre has “little support” in the locker room.

Ah, it’s music to my ears.

Like Napoleon Bonaparte, the self-proclaimed emperor of France that didn’t know when to stop, has Brett Favre gone too far and agitated his own Minnesota minions?

There are many players in the Viking locker room that don’t want Favre there. Some resent his riding in on his white horse to seemingly “rescue” the Vikings. “We didn’t need rescuing” is the sentiment.

Some resent the special treatment he has received from the Vikings organization and Brad Childress.

What self-respecting NFL coach drives to the airport to pick up a player? None. Except for Brad Childress.

Some are just buddies of Tarvaris Jackson and are incensed at the raw deal he has received. All T-Jack wanted was a fair fight between him and Sage Rosenfels. That scenario is officially dead.

And some are in Rosenfels’ corner. They felt he could bring the consistency that T-Jack lacks.

After all, the Vikings did pretty well when unspectacular, but steady Gus Frerotte was at the helm last year. Why not give Sage a chance? That possibility is also dead.

As Abe Lincoln said (borrowed from the new testament, I believe), “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

Will Favre turn the Minnesota Vikings into “Team Turmoil?” It really only depends on one thing—how well he plays. If he is able to play at a high level and lead the Vikings to some wins, most likely all will be forgotten.

I happen to be one Packer fan that still believes he can play and if healthy, he will help the Vikings. But I  don’t regret the Packers’ decision to go with Aaron Rodgers. That decision is looking better every day.

But if Favre playing well doesn’t come to pass, resentment will linger, the “schism” will get larger, and the Vikings divided “house” and season will come tumbling down.

Like the egomaniacal emperor Napoleon, Brett Favre has recorded many victories and conquered many hardships. But will going to Minnesota be his Waterloo and mark the end of his reign as emperor of the NFL?

If so, then perhaps the Packers will conquer the NFC North. As a Packer fan, it’s what I have to hope for.

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You can find more of Jersey Al Bracco’s articles on several sports websites: Jersey Al’s Blog, Packer Chatters , Packers Lounge, NFL Touchdown and of course,  Bleacher Report.

You can also follow Jersey Al on twitter.

Packers Vs. Bills: Preseason Game Two Winners and Losers

While many euphoric Packers fans already have the team going to the Super Bowl based only on two preseason games, I am trying to keep a level head. There are some great signs, to be sure, but let’s not assume anything. Just ask the 0-16 Lions that were 4-0 in preseason last year.

So, in the spirit of keeping things at a “McCarthy-like” even keel, let’s take a calm, rational look at this past week’s winners and losers.

Winners:

The “Ones”:  The No. 1 defense forced three turnovers in four Buffalo drives, and the No. 1 offense scored three touchdowns in four possessions. But before anyone gets overly exuberant, let’s watch this week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. If the Packers “Ones” repeat their dominant play, then I’ll personally jump to the front of the bandwagon.

Aaron Rodgers: He finished 8-of-9 for 98 yards and two TD passes for a gaudy 151.6 quarterback rating. Rodgers completed passes to six different receivers and hasn’t been sacked or even knocked down yet in preseason. That’s a wonderful thing to see, as holding on to the ball too long was one of the few things you could justly criticize Rodgers for last season.

Jermichael Finley: “A completely different person and player this year” is how Mike McCarthy has described him. It is showing with remarkable results on the field.

While we all have witnessed his athleticism and pass-catching ability, he has worked hard on his attitude, blocking, and route running. The results so far have been impressive.

Along with the reliable Donald Lee, when the Packers go to a two tight end formation, there are more options that the defense has to worry about. In this game, the Packers went with two tight ends on 13 of the first 23 plays, when the “ones” were in the game.

Johnny Jolly: Despite seeing limited action due to an ongoing ankle injury, Jolly recorded two sacks and a forced fumble in just 12 plays from scrimmage. What will he do when his ankle is OK?

Jolly is another guy that looks like a completely different player out there. I have been critical of Jolly in the past for taking too many plays off. Let’s hope he has found himself in this, his fourth NFL season.

Desmond “The Destroyer” Bishop: If you ever run into Desmond Bishop, just step out of his way. Packer fans have seen flashes of Desmond Bishop’s talent the last two seasons, but there were also a plethora of mental mistakes to offset the big plays.

As he starts his third season, it seems his mental game has caught up with his physical game. He has made an inarguable case for more playing time at linebacker, in addition to his role on special teams. I see a nice four-man ILB rotation developing between Hawk, Barnett Bishop, and Chillar, with Bishop earning more time as the season progresses.

Tyrell Sutton: In my mind, I think he has already made the team. The Packers’ coaches like the different look he presents to defenses. Sutton seems very comfortable with the zone blocking scheme, picks his holes quickly, and seems to always be getting positive yardage. He’s one of those guys that doesn’t fit your perfect mold for a running back, but he just makes plays.

Brian Brohm: Hey, he improved his quarterback rating from 0 to 51 in just one week. What’s not to like about that, right?

Losers:

Kregg Lumpkin: Besides the rantings of some lunatic blogger (yours truly) that insisted Lumpkin could be the Packers best running back, he has shown little this preseason.

Yet prior to the Buffalo game, he was listed as third on the depth chart at RB, ahead of Deshawn Wynn. That would probably be surprising to many Packers fans, but not to me. I think the Packers’ coaches see a lot of things they like in Kregg Lumpkin. Unfortunately, he had an awful day against Buffalo. He better turn it around next week or the practice squad will be looming.

Breno Giacomini: Anytime you let your opponent sack your quarterback, and it results in your quarterback getting hurt, you wear the big L on your forehead.

After the game, Coach McCarthy stated that he will look at the OL closely on film. He hopes to pick his starting offensive line before Friday’s game against the Cardinals and let them play together for three quarters. Once he sees the films, look for McCarthy to name Alan Barbe as the starter.

Jeremy Kapinos: Is there anyone on this team with less apparent competition in camp that has such an insecure grip on a job? The Packers worked out four punters during the week before the Cleveland game but kept none of them.

Durant Brooks was scratched for the Buffalo game with a hip flexor injury. Kapinos is the No. 1 punter on the depth chart. And yet, the odds are pretty good that the Packers’ punter in 2009 is probably on someone else’s roster right now.

Of course, if the offense continues to play like it did against the Bills, who needs a punter, anyway?  I’m just being facetious there; I happen to be a big believer that winning the field position battle leads to consistent success in the NFL. I’ve watched the Giants do it for years.

Bob Sanders: There was a mini-reunion after the game between some of the Packers players and  former Packer defensive coordinator and current Buffalo defensive line coach Bob Sanders. There were smiles and hugs everywhere, and all the right things were said.

Yet one has to feel sorry for Bob Sanders. If Dom Capers’ amazing transformation of the Packers’ defense continues, with basically the same players Bob Sanders had, then what picture does that paint of Bob Sanders? How about a loser with a “kick me” sign on his back. I’m not saying it’s right, just that it will happen. Even though he deserves better, many Packer fans will turn Bob Sanders into the second-most disrespected ex-Packer still in the NFL.

You can find more of Jersey Al Bracco’s articles on several sports websites: Jersey Al’s Blog, Packer Chatters , Packers Lounge, NFL Touchdown and of course,  Bleacher Report.

You can also follow Jersey Al on twitter.

 

Green Bay Packers Defense: Training Camp Improvements to Wish For

As the Packers’ 2009 training camp continues, here are the developments I want to see on the defensive side of the ball by the time the Packers break camp. 

 

Developments I want to see on Defense:

Lets hope the  “new look” defense is ready for game one

I started writing this article a few days before the first preseason game. When I wrote “game one, I was referring to the first game of the regular season. Little did I know, the defense would be ready by the first preseason game—a shutout!

But seriously, I’m not reading anything into this first game against the awful Browns, other than our reserve DBs and LBs played well.

Getting back to my point, if the Packers are to have a winning season, it’s imperative the new defense is humming and ready to go to start the season. The way the Packers’ schedule shakes out, the early games are where the wins will be there for the taking.

The Packers’ first six games are against Chicago, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Minnesota, Detroit and Cleveland. Even if we give the Packers a loss to one of their division rivals, that’s still 5 games they should put in the win column. But only if the defense is ready.

I’ve seen this scenario before, firsthand. In 2006, the Packers had fired Mike Sherman and brought in a new coaching staff headed by Mike McCarthy.

The opening game of the season was against Chicago, and it happened to be my first ever visit to Lambeau Field. Unfortunately, my day was ruined as the Packers were a disorganized mess.

Nobody was on the same page, there were missed assignments galore and it seemed like on every play there was a Bear receiver open by ten yards. I’ll swear on anything you like,; that day, they made Rex Grossman look like Joe Montana. The final score was 26-0, but it could have easily been much worse.

In any case, my point is that the Packers’ coaches simply had done a poor job getting the team ready for the start of the season. In fact, it took the better part of the season that year before the Packers started to look like a football team.

With a new defensive staff and scheme in 2009, the Packers can’t afford to repeat that mistake. The good news is that Dom Capers is not Bob Sanders. Capers’ track record of successful defensive turnarounds has me feeling confident he will get the job done in time for the season opener against  Chicago.

 

The Packers find more defensive line depth

HELP!  Even before training camp started, I considered this to be an area of concern for the Packers. The potential DL backups are Johnny Jolly, Justin Harrell, Mike Montgomery, Alfred Malone, Dean Muhtadi, Anthony Toribio and sixth-round draft pick Jarius Wynn. There isn’t one name on that list that makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

Now that we are two weeks into training camp, it’s a BIG concern. Projected starter BJ Raji is just getting into camp, Justin Harrell is again trapped in his injury hell and Johnny Jolly (who takes too many plays off for my liking, anyway) is a bit banged up.

The only bright spot on the line is Cullen Jenkins looking like his old self while coming back from his injury. Ryan Pickett is a solid player and is now surely the starter at nose tackle.

Having watched a lot of the New York Giants defense for the last few years, what makes them so good is the depth they have on the defensive line. They can run reserves out onto the field that are fresh and almost as talented as their starters.

Opposing offensive linemen have to deal with a seemingly never-ending string of big, nasty defensive linemen coming at them. It wears the offensive linemen out and saps them of some of their strength as the game progresses.

This is a major reason why the  Giants’ defense is able to shut down opposing offenses late in games.

In my opinion, the Packers could really use another veteran on the DL to provide some depth. Ebenezer Ekuban, Kevin Carter, Vonnie Holliday and others are still out there and unsigned. Shouldn’t we have brought one of those players in instead of  signing Stryker Sulak? Sure, it would have cost some money, but isn’t there a bigger need at DL than there is at outside linebacker?

 

Al Harris moves to nickel back

Let me make this perfectly clear, I have nothing against Al Harris. This is really more about Tramon Williams than it is about Al Harris. While Al Harris may have lost a step and isn’t the greatest tackler,  he is still in the top 20 percent of cornerbacks around the league.

If the Packers break camp with Harris at the nickel, that means Williams had a GREAT camp and the coaches feel he is ready for NFL stardom. I’m looking for Tramon to take that next big step and show us that the flashes of good play we’ve seen were just a preview of greater things to come.

Admittedly, this is a long shot. Deposing Al Harris would be no small feat, and the Packers coaches would surely be reluctant to make the move. Another factor is that Williams is probably better suited to the nickel position than Harris is. But who’s to say that in nickel situations, the Packers don’t bring Harris in to play corner and move Williams to nickel?   Is that the type of move an NFL head coach would make? I personally don’t know the answer to that question, but if any readers do, please leave a comment and enlighten us.  Regardless, my simple wish is to get Tramon Williams on the field for every defensive down.

 

Aaron Kampman

By the end of training camp, I would just like to see Aaron Kampman be one thing:  Comfortable.  If Kampman is able to grasp the responsibilities of his new position well enough to be able to play without having to over-think, then he will be just fine. Will he become a great cover linebacker? Probably not. Can he become a great rushing linebacker and an above-average all-around linebacker? Probably yes.

I trust Dom Capers to use Kampman in the best way and maximize his effectiveness. He will surely attempt to limit the game situations when Kampman will be called upon to cover one-on-one. Kampman will be protected by schemes in which he will get help from corners or safeties. And you can expect Kampman to be turned loose in passing situations, often in sub packages, where he will play as an end in a three-point stance.

I also trust that Capers and Kevin Greene have gotten Kampman to “buy-in” to the change and have worked tirelessly to make him feel good about it. To Kampman’s credit, he has been a model student. Kampman has spent a great deal of time in Green Bay since Capers and his crew were hired. He has studied the playbook extensively and worked one-on-one with Greene for much of the off-season.

Now that training camp is underway, I mainly want to see Kampman become comfortable with the schemes and know what his responsibilities are in each situation. If he has that part mastered, I’m confidant his ability will take care of the rest.

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Check back for the next installment when I will cover some remaining miscellaneous topics. You can also read the previous installments on the kicking game and the offense.

You can find more of Jersey Al Bracco’s articles on several sports websites: Jersey Al’s Blog, Packer Chatters , Packers Lounge, NFL Touchdown and of course,  Bleacher Report.

You can also follow Jersey Al on twitter (when it’s not being hacked).

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