Why Football is the Best Sport

TriggPack West team scouting the Raiders for week 14.

I attended my first NFL game in-person this week.  Granted it was a pre-season game.  Granted it was the 49ers against the Raiders in one of the most decrepit venues in the NFL, Candlestick Park.  But, after a long and uncertain off-season, I was psyched to see a game -- particularly when it was free seats in the first row on the 50-yard line, courtesy of my buddy Mark.

As I soaked in the ambiance of an NFL game, I found myself marveling at how fully awesome football is. Like a Minnesotan tucking into a deep-fried Twinkie, I just can't get enough.  I've been lapping up pre-season games with an intensity usually reserved for the playoffs. You'd think after the whole lock-out thing there might be some lingering bitterness. A slight diminishing of enthusiasm coming into the season. Instead I, like most NFL fans, am greeting the start of football like a rabid hyena clawing for zebra scraps.

It all begs the question: why exactly is football so awesome? Well, there are lots of factors, but I've boiled it down to 3 fundamental reasons.  The 3 "S's":

One thing that's not scarce: deep-friend Twinkies at Mall of America

1) Scarcity.  The fact there are only 16 games in the regular season distinguishes it from every other team sport.  No question one of the most critical factors in the NFL's success is it's scarcity.  Every single game matters, and matters greatly.  A 16-game stretch in the NBA or MLB is like a long road trip. Teams like the Mariners go on 16-game losing streaks.  The Astros are 34 games out of first place in their division.  34 games!  That's more than two full seasons of football.  Even for die-hard baseball and basketball fans, it's hard to get very worked up until the games mean something in the playoffs.  Even then, they have 7-game series -- that's half the season in football.  Soccer is worst of all.  Nobody knows when a season is even happening, and just when you think a game actually matters, it turns out to just be a friendly with all the star players off with their national teams.  A 16-game season, though my addiction wishes there were more, is perfect -- keeping us glued to every game and every play.

2) Strategy.  There is so much planning and preparation that goes into each NFL game.  Sure, other sports have "plays" too -- like when a basketball guard holds up a number 1 finger as he comes down court.  It must be hard for players to remember which of the two play options they are supposed to run.  Football teams have hundreds of plays.  For every play, eleven players on each side of the ball need to know where to go in 40 seconds.  Each play requires meticulous preparation, studying playbooks and practicing it on the field.  And each play has hundreds of hours of analysis behind it -- with dozens of coaches, scouts, and assistants combing through tape of their competition to determine the exact time to call the exact right play.  The results of all that strategic planning, and the players' ability to execute the strategy, directly determines the outcome of the game.  Unlike basketball, you can't just give the ball to LeBron James every play.

Civil War picnickers before the advent of NFL Sunday Ticket.

3) Savagery.  It's often stated that football is a violent game.  But "violence" isn't quite the right word.  "Savagery" isn't either but it starts with "S" so I'm going to use it -- plus, I think it more accurately captures what I see as the appeal of football's "physicality."  Violence to me means bloodshed and broken bones.  There are plenty of more violent sports, like UFA or pitbull fighting, that hold no widespread appeal.  No -- it's not the violence.  It's the scale of the violence.  (Maybe "Scale" would have been a better third "S.")  Nothing else offers eleven individual simultaneous hand-to-hand battles.  A one-on-one fist fight will draw a crowd, but when it's 11-on-11, or more like 45-on-45, there is some shit goin' down!  That's more akin to a bar fight.  Or a riot.  Like an army of gladiators charging at each other, you just don't turn away from football.  The scale of human conflict you are about to witness is just too fascinating.  It's like picnickers at the outbreak of the Civil War.  They were compelled to watch -- though many of them probably realized later it might have been preferable to catch that one on DirecTV.  You don't turn the channel on football.

There you have it: the three basic reasons that you'll be glued to your TV every Sunday through February.  It doesn't matter how much they strike.  It doesn't matter how much money they make.  It doesn't matter how much they mis-behave off the field.  You may be disgusted at times, but you watch.  You have to watch.  It's just too compelling.

Cobb Impresses in Packers' Pre-Season Debut

The fun thing about pre-season games is evaluating individual players. Determining which new additions to the roster might make the cut, and, more importantly, make an impact. Rookie Randall Cobb showed encouraging signs of being one of those impact players the Packers hoped he was when they drafted him.

The Kentucky product could give a real boost to our return game, which was fairly anemic last year through a rotating door of return men. Cobb had two nice kick returns out nearly to the 30 both times, and showed elusiveness and sure hands, though no yards, in his one punt return. Cobb also lead Packer receivers with 3 receptions for 60 yards, including a beautiful quick cut up the field on a 5-yard crossing pattern that netted 28 yards and nearly a TD.

Cobb could be a perfect addition to an already potent receiving corps. His speed, cutting ability and good hands will present match-up nightmares for opposing defenses. They will need to cover him with a corner, and particularly in a 4-receiver set, that corner isn't likely to be very good. Cobb will either be open or he will open up something for another receiver. And his impact on the return game could be dramatic. Even if he averages just a few more yards per return, it will make a big difference in field position. And if he breaks one or two this season for scores, those are the kind of plays that decide games.

Another player I was watching closely was Derek Sherrod. He and T.J. Lang are in a dead heat to replace Colledge at the left guard position. Sherrod looked good and sounds very comfortable at the guard position, despite playing only tackle at Mississippi State. Sherrod and Lang actually were both in the game with the second team, rotating between the left guard and tackle positions. And, with the exception of a blown blitz pick-up which resulted in a sack, fumble and return for a touchdown, they both played well. One will start and the other looks start-able should the other guy or Clifton get injured.

Other players who stood out Saturday against the Browns included James Starks -- who only had 2 carries but looked to be back into his beastly form, blowing guys backwards for gains of 5 and 9 yards. Starks is just one of those guys who seems to stride 2-3 yards with every step, breaks multiple tackles, and finishes every run falling forward for several additional yards. He and Grant will give us one of the most high-impact running back tandems in the league.

Matt Flynn also had a nice night. He finished 11/18 for 126 yards and a TD with no interceptions. He clearly has a full command of the offense, calling audibles at the line several times based on his reads. He has the arm strength and accuracy to make tough throws. And he has great poise for a young player -- efficiently leading the Packers on a 9-play, 89-yard touchdown drive with less than two minutes left before halftime. As Flynn showed last year against the Patriots, he can effectively lead the Packers in the event Rodgers goes down -- which in the era of concussion sensitivity (which I support, by the way) will be increasingly likely.

Overall, it was great to see the Packers back on the field. Although they didn't win, the only mild concern was watching the first-team defense give up a touchdown (granted, it was 3rd stringer Pat Lee who gave up the TD catch). It all whets the appetite for the regular season opener against the Saints on September 8. Can't wait!

Jones and Kuhn Staying Home

Free agency continues to be fast and furious.  Yesterday brought some good news with the re-signing of receiver James Jones and fullback John Kuhn.  Jones' return is particularly welcome news.  I thought he was all but gone, but he's back in what is shaping up to be a nasty receiving corps.  The return of all 5 WRs, plus the addition of rookie Randall Cobb, who was apparently lighting it up in practice, and the return of Jermichael Finley, should make the Packers passing game a juggernaut.

Cobb feels to me like he could have a similar impact as the Vikings' Percy Harvin, hopefully without the migraines.  Harvin had speed, quickness, and hands that enabled him to make an immediate impact and create mis-matches as DBs lined up against their bigger receivers.  I'm hoping Cobb may also be able to finally add some punch to our return game.

So far, the Packers have lost five players to free agency, including DE Cullen Jenkins (Philadelphia), guards Daryn Colledge (Arizona) and Jason Spitz (Jacksonville), RB Brandon Jackson (Cleveland) and FB Korey Hall (New Orleans).  Jenkins and Colledge are the two most concerning losses.  Replacing Jenkins worries me less.  He's 30 and has been getting injured more and more often the last few years.  Plus, with some potentially promising young DEs, including Mike Neal, C.J. Wilson and Jarius Wynn, they had some backfill.

Colledge, though un-spectacular has been steady.  And with Spitz leaving as well, their depth at offensive guard is shallow.  First-round draft pick Derek Sherrod has been practicing with the first team offense at Colledge's left guard position, and is the presumptive opening day starter -- even though he played exclusively at the left tackle position in college.  But the Packers lack many other options, besides T.J. Lang and Nick McDonald, and Sherrod sounds confident he can pick up the new role.


Not surprisingly, given Thompson's philosophy, the Packers haven't made any splashy free agency moves.  But a major difference for the Packers is the number of players they will have returning from IR.  Ryan Grant, Jermichael Finley, Brad Jones and Morgan Burnett are all impact players who should be back in the starting line-up week 1.  If these were all new players we'd signed via free agency, we'd all be pretty psyched.  So I don't necessarily expect or covet any big free agent signings in the next few weeks.  Instead, I look forward to seeing which young players will emerge as this year's B.J. Raji or Clay Matthews.

Eagles Hunting for Bear... or Packers

I normally don't comment much about other teams in this blog, unless it's to taunt the Vikings on firing of their coach, or their stadium implosion, or their general status as a society...  Let me re-phrase that, with the exception of the Vikings... or Bears, I don't normal comment much about other teams on this blog.  But what the Philadelphia Eagles have engineered in free agency the last 48 hours is nothing short of impressive.

Sometimes you are just ready for championship... or a piss.

Let's break this down for a second: Eagles lose home divisional playoff game to the Packers, decide they need to get active in the free agency market to get over the proverbial hump -- a hump, incidentally, the Eagles have been stuck on for the better part of 50 years.  Apart from losing appearances in Super Bowls XV and XXXIX, the Eagles haven't tasted a championship since 1960.  That's quite a dry spell.  If the Packers had gone 51 years without a championship (not to mention 0-for-2 in the Super Bowl era), we would all be getting a little antsy -- almost as antsy as this die-hard Eagles fan was to find a porta-potty without a line.

After their humbling loss to end the 2010 campaign, the Eagles wasted no time, after a short 5-month lock-out, in stacking up their defense.  And their moves have been almost as impressive as the squatting pose struck by this fan.  First was the deal everyone was anticipating, shipping Kevin Kolb to Arizona in exchange for cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.  Great move -- particularly once they signed Vince Young to a one-year deal to back up Vick.  Kolb's style was very different than Vick's.  And if/when Vick gets hurt, which I suspect he will, Vince is a much better back up that doesn't force them to change the way they call the offense.  Shrewd.  If this were the only move the Eagles made, it would have been a big upgrade.  But they weren't done.

Yesterday came the news that the Eagles had landed the top free agent prize of the year: Oakland cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.  Asomugha had gone somewhat forgotten in Oakland, but his skills are un-questioned.  Dallas, NY Jets and Houston were rumored to be the most likely destinations, but the Eagles swooped in and stole perhaps the top corner in the league.  Him, coupled with Cromartie and, presumably, a re-signed Asante Samuels will instantly give the Eagles one of the most high-octane defensive secondaries in all of football.  But they still weren't done.

This is when it really touches Packer nation -- today the Eagles announced the signing of our very own Cullen Jenkins.  Jenkins fits very well with their defense and should have plenty of time to get to the quarterback with their newly-signed shut-down corners.  I'm not sure I would have given a 5-year, $25 million contract to a 30-year-old defensive end, but it was one of the last missing pieces for the Eagles defense.

Eagles fan sending a message: "Get the beer guy!"

Clearly the Eagles are sending a message: we're not going to be runners up again.  We're blowing our wad this year to make a run at this thing.  Anything less than a Super Bowl championship will be a disappointment. And Eagles fans are sending a message too -- you can practically hear them shouting, "Get me anutha' cheesesteak!" and "Whadda you lookin' at!" and "The line fo' da pissa is way too freakin' long!"

Whether this will be enough to finally get the Eagles past the Packers and on to Super Bowl glory, time will tell.  But if there's one thing we can all agree on, it's that this classy fan base finally deserves a Lombardi trophy.

Shaky and Peanut Sign with Packers

Packers fans can rest assured that we won’t be resting on our laurels through the frenzy of free agent signing this week.  The Green Bay front office announced that the highly coveted Shaky Smithson, WR from Utah, and Peanut Joseph, NT from Temple – both undrafted free agents – have landed with the Packers.

Is this the future for Shaky and Peanut???

Although “Shaky” may not be the most re-assuring name for a wide receiver, at least he’s not a brain surgeon.  Or a calligrapher.  And while one might hope for more of a "Brazil nut" or "Macademia" for a nose tackle, “Peanut”, a name presumably appropriate for its irony, could add some depth behind B.J.  Most likely scenario is none of these guys make the team, but Sam Shields was plucked from last year’s undrafted free agent class, and now he has a Super Bowl Ring… as a neck tattoo.

So who am I to judge?

Other than Shaky and Peanut, the Packers dive into the free agency mosh pit hasn’t had many surprises.  In case you’re out of date, here are the highlights:

• Nick Barnett was cut.  No real surprise – saved the Packers $5 million in salary for a guy who is probably past his prime, is injury prone, and, in all likelihood, would be a back-up to Hawk and Bishop.  
• Daryn Colledge, as expected, is almost certainly leaving via free agency .  It would be great to re-sign him, but the salary could be a hard nut to swallow and it sounds like he’s already out the door.  I’m a little concerned about the O-line.  Not quite sure what their plan is for back-filling him.
• Mason Crosby was re-signed to five-year deal worth $14.75 million, including $3 million guaranteed – making him one of the most highly paid kickers in the NFL.  I like Crosby.  Not sure I like him that much, but I’m not GM.

The two biggest question marks remain Cullen Jenkins, who we all assume is gone (Redskins being the leading candidate), and James Jones.  Rodgers put in a strong case to bring Jones back today stating, "James is extremely talented and he's a guy that I think we need to bring back without a doubt. He should be priority No. 1 and I mean that with all my heart. He really should be priority No. 1. We don't win the Super Bowl without him and we need him."

My gut is Jones doesn’t come back, but you never know – there are several big-name WRs in the free agent pool this year, so Jones may discover he can’t get what he thinks he can get, and return to an heir-apparent #2 in Green Bay after Double-D retires.  I’d like to see him stay.  Maybe they can give him some of the money that Barnett and Colledge won’t be getting.

Stay tuned to TriggPack or risk missing more breaking news, like the Shaky and Peanut story.

HALLELUJAH!!!

Brown County officials welcome the end of the NFL lock-out.

It's finally over.  Months of bickering, animosity and greed finally culminated in what most observers figured would ultimately prevail: common sense.  There was simply too much money at stake for the two sides not to agree.  The league generates $9 billion per year today, but, barring an unexpected groundswell in Australian Rules Football that steals away TV audiences, the NFL will generate well over $100 billion over the 10-year life of this deal.  That's a lot of cheddar.  They had to get a deal done.

As a quick side rant, our friends in Washington D.C. would be well-served to follow the NFL's lead.  It's a sad statement that the NFL owners and players association look reasonable and mature compared to our federal elected officials.  One of many differences between a business and the federal government is that a business can see and measure when it is destroying its own equity through its own obstinance and idiocy.  The government can't -- at least not until our bonds get downgraded to junk status.  Regardless of your political leanings, there's really only one word that can be applied to Washington D.C.: dysfunctional.  Maybe we just need Jeff Saturday to get in there and give John Boehner a big 'ol hug.

Can't the politicians just hug it out like the NFL?

Back to football... tomorrow and the ensuing week or so is going to be unprecedented in terms of player movement.  And, unfortunately for the Packers, many of those players may be moving out the door.  The only Packer free agent who seems like a lock to re-sign is Mason Crosby.  Two of the most painful, and most likely, departures will be Cullen Jenkins and Daryn Colledge.  Given the up-and-coming young players the Packers have at both these positions, I'm not sure I'd pony up what either guy will command in the open market.  But both could leave big holes if the younger guys fail to step up.


The next crop of losses that will hurt but are more survivable are James Jones, Brandon Jackson, and either Korey Hall or John Kuhn.  Jones gets a bad rap among Packers fans for his untimely drops this season, but he will be hard to replace.  Randall Kobb could be good, but he's unproven and has a very different body type -- not really a replacement.  Jackson feels more expendable, assuming Grant returns to health and Starks keeps rolling.  Suspect Kuhn and/or Hall will be re-signed since there isn't a frothy market for FBs, but both are unrestricted free agents and could get scooped away.

Finally, there are several back-up defensive players who could exit in seek of starting roles elsewhere, including Nick Barnett, Atari Bigby, Matt Wilhelm, Brady Poppinga, and Brandon Underwood.  None of these guys would be big losses, and several could easily be re-signed if they don't find a new home in this compressed free agent period.  But more players out means a loss of depth and continuity that was key to the Packers weathering the perfect storm of injuries last year, which happens many years.

Unfortunately, I don't hear the Packers coming up in the discussion for many top free agent prospects.  This comes as no surprise, given Ted's inclination to build via the draft rather than free agency.  There are no glaring holes that they need to fill, although there may be some backfilling to do.  But it would be fun to see the Packers make some moves in next few days/weeks.  As reigning Super Bowl champions, they have a persuasive selling point to lure players they want.

CAN'T WAIT FOR THE SEASON!!!

It Is Time.

There were many spectacular moments in the Packers' Super Bowl victory, but one of my favorites wasn't discovered until I watched the replay of the game, complete with sideline cameras and microphones, on NFL Network.  It was linebacker coach Kevin Greene telling Clay Matthews, "It is time... It is time!"  On the next series, Matthews applied the hit that forced the fumble that probably won the game.  Spectacular.

NFL owners and players would be well advised to heed these words: IT IS TIME!  The ridiculousness of this lock-out has lasted long enough.  We are at the deadline.  If the two sides don't ratify this new agreement this week, missing games is a near certainty.  There's no more time for negotiation.  There's no more time for posturing in the media.  It is time to finally do what they should have done months ago -- get a new collective bargaining agreement and get on with football.  Damn it.