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Packers Fire Defensive, Conditioning Staff

By MJ Kasprzak | January 7, 2009 | The Frozen Tundra

The Green Bay Packers made their first move in response to their terrible season, firing Defensive Coordinator Bob Sanders, Defensive Ends Coach Carl Hairston, Defensive Tackles Coach Robert Nunn, Secondary Coach Kurt Schottenheimer, Defensive Nickel Package/Cornerbacks Coach Lionel Washington and Strength & Conditioning Coordinator Rock Gullickson. According to the Packers website, Mike McCarthy said, "These are difficult decisions. I hold each of these men in high regard on a personal level, and I want to thank them for their service to the Green Bay Packers." I would agree with a few of them having given the Packers good service, and they are the coaches I would not have fired: Schottenheimer, Washington, and maybe even Sanders. But no one can argue that a team that was plagued with injuries all season was ready from a strength and conditioning standpoint: I don't know if any coach in the league did as poor...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Bob Sanders, Green Bay Packers, Mike McCarthy, NFC, NFC North, NFL, Ted Thompson

Mike Nolan may end up as defensive coordinator in Green Bay

By Samuel Lam | January 6, 2009 | Mining the Gold Rush

Looks like former Niners head coach Mike Nolan may find work again. Rumor has it that Nolan will go to Green Bay as their new defensive coordinator. Packers head coach Mike McCarthy roamed the sidelines for the sidelines for the Niners back in 2005 as the offensive coordinator. That was Nolan's first year as the head coach for the 49ers.It's nice to see these two reunite. However, I think this means more for Nolan than anybody else. Nolan did a pretty good job as a defensive coordinator in his days with the Ravens and for the most part, set himself up with a pretty good defensive team here in San Francisco. His real strength is defense and as a defensive coordinator, this is just something that he is better with.I don't know if he will ever be a head coach again. Unless he does a huge turnaround on defense for the Packers, this may be his best gig. Well, the Niners have moved on so I won't worry too much about Nolan. If he does do well for the Packers, that's great. Let's just hope that he doesn't do a good job when the Niners and Packers meet-- whenever that is....

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers

NFL Top Ten: Best 2009 Teams not in the 2008 Playoffs

By Greg Trippiedi | January 3, 2009 | MVN Outsider

There will be a bunch of teams in the tournament next year that aren't right now. Seven teams in the 2008 playoffs were not there in 2007. Which non-playoff teams have the best chance of making it next year? MVN's NFL Top Ten investigates:10. Dallas CowboysDallas has a lot of problems that will prevent them from significantly improving in the offseason, but you have to look at the roster right now as one that can compete for a playoff spot. Who knows whether they can improve on offense in 2009? The offensive line and the protection schemes have serious issues, and it's possible the two best receivers on the team don't even start, but Tony Romo is going to continue to be Tony Romo, and the team will have a three headed rushing attack it can lean on next year. The defense can be the type of defense it showed...

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, NFL, Washington Redskins

Jets Drama "Favre" From Over

By Richie Fender | January 2, 2009 | Carolina Sports Pulse

Who's tired of the Brett Favre drama? I thought that maybe a new team would mean a new revived life for the aging quarterback. He's looking more like college basketball player, one and done.All the Green Bay haters were furious when they heard that the Packers were done with the Favre drama and shipped Brett to New York. Let's all face it, Brett is not a city boy and that's apparent. He's a country boy, no doubt and there's nothing wrong with that. Who can blame Brett? New York is a tough sports city. Compared, Green Bay has a population of roughly 101,203 citizens while New York bolsters an outrageous population of 8,274,527.So was the Favre move the right thing at the beginning of the season? Who knows. You get different answers depending on who you ask. One thing was for sure though, Brett would stir up more drama at...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, Thomas Jones

Packers Avoid Being Trivia Answer, Save Face on Tough Season

By MJ Kasprzak | December 31, 2008 | The Frozen Tundra

One of these two teams was going to leave the field in utter embarrassment Sunday. The Lions were trying to avoid being the first team ever to lose all 16 regular season games. Only one other team, the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, had even finished 0-14; only a handful had ever ended a season without a win, and most of them had managed to at least tie someone. On the other hand, many teams have finished with just one win, including the 2007 Miami Dolphins, who have gone from 1-15 to 11-5 and AFC East division champions. So Detroit could be a footnote in history and know there had been a precedent for a turn-around. Instead, they are a headline in history and know they will be unfavourably compared to the worst team of all time. For the record, there is no comparison of how bad this team is...

Read more | 5 Comments | Tags: Aaron Rodgers, Calvin Johnson, DeShawn Wynn, Detroit Lions, Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers, Greg Jennings, Kevin Smith, Mason Crosby, Matt Millen, NFC, NFC North, NFL, Ryan Grant

Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers: Final thoughts - Never complain, never explain and never fix what ails the Detroit Lions

By Big Al | December 28, 2008 | The Wayne Fontes Experience

The Lions have accomplished something once thought impossible. The NFL has been long known for the term "Any given Sunday." Every NFL team should have enough talent to win, at the very least, a game or two a season, if only by accident. The NFL is the one professional league where parity is encouraged, and essentially mandated, thanks to profit sharing and a salary cap. Yet, with all those built-in advantages, the Lions still managed to go an entire season without a win. Zero for the season. 0-16. An unthinkable accomplishment for any established franchise...save for the Detroit Lions. This disgrace of a season wasn't caused bad luck, bad calls by the referees, injuries, or even an act of God. It was caused by 45 years of William Clay Ford being the absolute worst owner in sports. His complete and utter ineptitude has destroyed NFL football in Detroit.His Lions didn't...

Read more | 8 Comments | Tags: Detroit, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Matt Millen, NFL, Rod Marinelli, William Clay Ford

Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers: 4th quarter - The Lions stare history in the face...and blink. 0-16 is a done deal

By Big Al | December 28, 2008 | The Wayne Fontes Experience

Rodgers is sacked on the 1st play of the 4th quarter! 2nd and 11. Jennings and Bodden get into it as a pass falls incomplete. 3rd and 11.Rodgers dumps the ball off to Jennings short of the 1st down, and Pearson makes sure, dumping him at the 19. Crosby is on to try a 36 yard field goal, not a chip shot in this crap weather. But it's true! Packers back on top, 17-14. There's almost an entire quarter left, so this game is far from a done deal. But this is normally the time the Lions fold like a house of cards, so I'm not exactly confident of the their chances...Cason returns the kick to the 20. Fire Kwan. Another long time commenter, Baroque, replies to DG in the comments: Of course Hanson will make it - the man is awesome. Either that, or the game will end in...

Read more | 21 Comments | Tags: Detroit, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, live blog, NFL

Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers: 3rd quarter - The Lions won't go down in history without a fight

By Big Al | December 28, 2008 | The Wayne Fontes Experience

As few stats for your perusal...Total offense: Packers- 230, Lions - 121. Aaron Rodgers: 10-15-120-1 TD- 0 INT - 113.2 QB ratingDan Orlovsky: 6-14-76-1 TD-1 INT- 54.5 QB ratingKevin Smith has 20 carries (!) already, but only 50 yards rushing. Calvin Johnson: 4 catches, 58 yards and his 11th TD of the season.Lions lead the Packers by over a minute in time of possession. Go figure. Otherwise, the Packers are dominating the stat board, but only up 7 on the scoreboard. Should make for an interesting 2nd half. 30 minutes to 0-16...Crosby's kickoff rolls out of bounds, allowing the Lions to start from their 40. Orlsovsky throws to Owens...He's PLANTED after a 2 yard gain. That's gonna leave a mark.Smith gets 6 on 2nd down, 3rd and 2.Dan O in the gun, it's a short strike to Johnson at the 50, 1st down. It's Smith off tackle...he's into the Packer...

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Detroit, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, live blog, NFL

NFL Top Ten: Best 2009 Teams not in the 2008 Playoffs

By Greg Trippiedi | January 3, 2009 | MVN Outsider

All Detroit Wants for Christmas? One Lousy Win

By Anthony Hall | December 24, 2008 | MVN Outsider

var iamInit = function() {try{initIamServingHandler(420,296,374107,"http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/Css/css2.css")}catch(ex){}}() I don't think I'm breaking any new ground by saying that the city of Detroit is in an absolute mess. Its violent crime rate? The highest of any major city in the United States (nearly 20,000 violent crimes were recorded in 2007). Unemployment rate? 21.6% -- again, the highest of any major American city. Percentage of kids living below the poverty line? Try 47.8%. Its former mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick? Well, he's in jail right now, serving four months for obstruction of justice. And the Big Three automakers, the basis of Detroit's economy? They were recently spared from collapse, but needless to say, the auto industry faces a tough, uncertain road ahead. Could it be any more fitting, then, that this city's NFL team has already set a record for futility and is on the verge of finishing the season with the first 0-16 record in...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, NFL

Fantasy Football: Breakout Stars of 2008

By Brad Berreman | December 22, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Since many fantasy football leagues will end for this season with tonight's game, I will give you my top ten breakout players for 2008. These players were probably a bargain on draft day in most leagues, whether traditional draft or auction style, or could have been had early in the season on the waiver wire and ultimately paid nice dividends. Note: All stats are through Week 16, except for Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers, who has yet to play his Week 16 game. 1. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons- Turner got a chance to start for the Falcons this year after spending his first few NFL seasons in San Diego behind LaDainian Tomlinson, and became a star. He has 1,491 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns, both good for second in the NFL. Turner has been an important player in the Falcons' turnaround this season, and was probably a key catalyst to at least a few...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Aaron Rodgers, Antonio Bryant, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, DeAngelo Williams, Fantasy, Fantasy Football, Fantasy Outsider, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Kurt Warner, Matt Cassel, Michael Tuurner, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Philip Rivers, Roddy White, San Diego Chargers, Steve Slaton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Thomas Jones

NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Pennsylvania teams eventually rise to top

By Greg Trippiedi | December 18, 2008 | MVN Outsider

1. Tennessee Titans (12-2) The Titans hold the top spot at least one more week through the loss, but they will have to beat Pittsburgh at home without Albert Haynesworth and Kyle VandenBosch to hold it any further. Good luck guys.2. Philadelphia Eagles (8-5-1)The Eagles jump up to number two this week behind the strength of a third consecutive win, and the Steelers knocking off the Ravens, who beat the Eagles back when this was a team in turmoil. 3. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3) Do the Steelers have the greatest defense of all time? Only a championship would validate this. The offense apparently isn't going to assist them until the final two minutes of every game.4. Baltimore Ravens (9-5) The Ravens aren't going to fall too far, falling victim to the "Tuck Rule curse". They should have taken care of business in Pittsburgh, and then it wouldn't have come down to...Read more

Read more | 4 Comments | Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, power poll, Tennessee Titans

NFL Stock Market Week 16: Giants firesale!

By Greg Trippiedi | December 16, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Don't you feel foolish for buying those back2back Giants World Champions posters so early? It's the NFL Stock Market on MVN Outsider!Sell, Sell, Sell...New York GiantsYes, the Dallas front seven has been playing great football lately, but eight sacks?! The best offensive line in the league would never allow that many sacks in a game, perhaps not in three. Eli will be forced to play back inside the conditions next week, and then against a Minnesota team in Week 17 that has had his number going back to last year. Getting Brandon Jacobs back will help a lot, but were talking about a potential 3 seed here. They're a super bowl contender, still, but maybe not even the front-runner from the NFC.It's time to get on the bandwagon....Houston TexansAll the Texans needed from Santa this year was an NFL-caliber defense. Fortunately for the Texans, they found that by themselves sometime...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, NFL stock market, Philadelphia Eagles

Monday Night Football Fantasy Preview: Packers vs. Saints

By Brad Berreman | November 24, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Week 13 of Monday Night Football brings us a possible offensive showcase in the Superdome, as the New Orleans Saints (5-5) welcomes the Green Bay Packers (5-5) to the Bayou. Here are some things to watch for tonight as a fantasy football owner. Reggie Bush Reports suggest that Bush will miss tonight's game due to his lingering knee injury. He brings a game-breaking element to the Saints' offense and return game when he is healthy. If Bush is inactive tonight Deuce McAllister would likely start the game, while Pierre Thomas would seem likely to get some carries too. McAllister is dealing with a knee injury himself, so that could mean more playing time for Thomas if he is limited by the injury. Bush's absence could have an effect on special teams play as well during the game. The Packers aren't likely to be afraid to kick to any of the...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Fantasy, Fantasy Football, Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, NFL

Which current NFL players will be in the Hall of Fame?

By Andrew Strickert | November 20, 2008 | MVN Outsider

I'll be fortunate to tell my grandchildren one day that I saw most of the future Hall of Famers listed below. Not on TV, but in person, watching them in games with my binoculars focused on them and observing their actions. Whenever any of them are playing in the NFL stadium closest to you, I hope you'll take advantage of the opportunity to go see them. The primary criteria I used in selecting these players is not how their stats compare to others already in the Hall, but how they compare to their contemporaries. The players who were the best in their era are the most deserving to be inducted one day. This is measured best, in my opinion, by the number of Pro Bowl appearances and first-team All-Pro honors garnered. Please also note that I am measuring these players by their entire body of work. If a player's career ends today, would he be...Read more

Read more | 11 Comments | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New York Jets, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFL Power Rankings, Week Twelve

By Andrew Strickert | November 18, 2008 | MVN Outsider

1. New York Giants (9-1) The G-men ran all over the Ravens last week in a very impressive performance, which helps to make them early favorites in postseason play. 2. Tennessee Titans (10-0) Just like Ol' Man River, Kerry Collins and the Titans keep rolling on. Their average margin of victory is eleven points per game. 3. Carolina Panthers (8-2) The Panthers are very quietly having a great season. They should continue to be a force as the schedule continues heading into the postseason. 4. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3) The Steelers defense is playing tough. If Ben Roethlisberger and Willie Parker get healthy, watch out. 5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-3) Can Jon Gruden take the Bucs to the promised land again? They're playing better than their talent says they should. 6. Washington Redskins (7-3) They've dropped a few spots after losing to the Cowboys but they still have the hosses to...Read more

Read more | 4 Comments | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, NFL, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins

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