Suh gets 2 Game Suspension, Files Appeal

Ndamukong Suh received the expected 2 game suspension from the NFL, even after his half-ass explanation and childish apology to the Commish.

Suh was advised by both Commissioner Goodell and the NFL Players Association that he should appeal that suspension and he has officially done so.

Up until this incident took place, I was on the fence about Suh and his previous fines, but now its clear to me that he is a dirty player. These fines that he is receiving is not for helmet to helmet hits that are sometimes unavoidable, they are for unnecessary roughness on the quarterback. Don't get me wrong, I dislike how much the NFL is protecting QB's and I don't like some of the penalties for late hits on the QB, but Suh's penalties and play this season is endangering NFL players, and the fines on Suh are clearly not altering his play.

It is in the NFL's best interest to suspend Suh for at least these two games (which I think is too short) before his actions lead to a serious injury to his opponent.

Suh, you are officially the dirtiest player in the NFL.

Packers Tame Lions, 11-0!

Amidst predictions that the Detroit Lions would be the Packers' first loss of the season, the Pack made it clear on Thursday that they were the superior team. The game was a little chippy with 2 ejections and got off to a slow start, but in the end boys from Green Bay surpassed their 2010 regular season win total. Here's my analysis:

Things I Liked

2nd Half Adjustments - I'm not sure what the coaches said or did in the locker room, but the Packers looked like a different team in the final 30 minutes of the game.

Backup Linebackers - DJ Smith and Robert Francois both made their first significant contributions on defense with injuries to starters AJ Hawk and Desmond Bishop. They filled in nicely and came up with some big plays in big moments. Smith was great in run support and Francois had a beautiful interception. They may both start on Sunday against the Giants, so let's hope this continues.

Tramon Williams - Tramon looked like his old self for the first time all season. He shut down Calvin Johnson and had several pass defenses. He could have had at least 2 interceptions, but I'm just happy to see him playing well again.

Aaron Rodgers - It was another "off" day for Rodgers, or more of an off half because he got his act together in the 2nd half of the season. But he put up his 11th straight 110+ point QB Rating and tied the Packers' single-season record for most 300-yard passing games in a season. (Here's a great article on Rodgers' leadership in the locker room: http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/rodgers-learns-52-ways-to-motivate-teammates-ep36nlo-134545253.html)

Things I Did Not Like

Ndamukong Suh - It's official...he's a dirty player. I think he will definitely become one of those guys that Packer fans will not like for years to come.

Slow Start - The offense got off to a really slow start in the 1st half with a couple of 3 and outs. Thankfully the defense played well.

Injuries - Not that we haven't seen this before, but injuries to important players could make next week against the Giants difficult. Josh Sitton, AJ Hawk, and Desmond Bishop were all injured in the 1st half. The status of all 3 is in question for the December 4th matchup against the Giants. Sitton is the least likely to play. The fill-ins did a nice job (especially the LBs), but the starters are starters for a reason.

There you have it, the Packers are 11-0 for the first tim in franchise history! Next week the Packers travel to New York to take on the Giants. GO PACK!

Jay Cutler...Injured again...

By all counts, the Bears game was looking like a tough one on the schedule. It had the potential to ruin my Christmas with a loss or even a close game. But on Sunday afternoon Jay Cutler threw an Interception and attempted to make a tackle to stop a touchdown. During the process he broke the thumb on his right (throwing) hand. He is expected to have surgery and miss the rest of the regular season. It is possible that he could return for the playoffs, should the bears make it that far. I never like to see anyone get hurt, but when it's Cutler I don't feel too badly about it.

Injuries: James Starks

Starks was injured with just over 3 minutes left in the 4th quarter. The official diagnosis is a knee sprain. His status is unknown. Hopefully we will have more information later today.

I would assume he will not be ready to play on Thursday against the Lions.

Packers Do Enough to Squeak Past Bucs...10-0 and counting...

Thankfully, ugly wins count. It's the mark of a good team. When everything seems to go wrong and you still come away with a victory. The Packers did not look like an undefeated team yesterday against a sub-par Buccaneers squad, but a win is a win and the Pack are 1 step closer to making the playoffs. Here's my analysis:

Things I Liked

Jordy Nelson - He is becoming an excellent receiver, and just makes it that much harder for teams to defend the undefendable Packers' offense. I wish I had drafted him on my fantasy team.

BJ Raji - Raji didn't do anything special on Defense that I noticed. But it was fun to see him plow through the line on a 1 yard TD plunge for his 2nd career touchdown.

Tim Masthay - Masthay fumbled twice on the same play without being touched...normally this would be a bad thing. But anytime your punter scrambles for a 1st down rather than getting a punt blocked, it's a good thing. I laughed out loud, shook my head, and was happy when it happened. Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good.

Donald Driver - Driver has quietly been having a solid season and is still an integral part of our offense. Didn't do anything spectacular, but had a few key catches that went relatively unnoticed. I think he deserves the credit for them.

Tramon Wiliams - Tramon came up with 2 Interceptions against the Bucs, making his season total 4. His 2nd also sealed the game for the Pack. As bad as this defense is, they seem to come up with a big play everytime it's needed.

Things I Did Not Like

Aaron Rodgers - Rodgers looked flustered and off target for a lot of the game. Granted he still threw for 299 yards and 3 TDs, but he also threw a costly INT. And when our defense plays that badly we can't afford for him to look bad at all.

Defense, defense, DEFENSE!!! - The defense was just flat out BAD. There is no excuse for there to be a wide open receiver on every play or for LeGarrett Blount to break 6 tackles and run for a 50+ yard TD. I keep expecting improvement, but it's just not happening.

Hopefully the defense comes to play on Thursday against the Lions. Happy Thanksgiving and GO PACK!

8-0 Becomes 9-0 as Pack Stomp Vikings

Sorry for the late post, but with it being a MNF game and things just being a little hectic this week, I am a little behind schedule.



This game was never in question. 45-7 is convincing no matter who you are. Here's my analysis:

THINGS I LIKED

Aaron Rodgers - I think Rodgers has been on this list every week so far and for good reason...Nobody in the league is playing as well as #12. 4 more TDs puts his total at 28 through 9 games. 28 is a really good number for 16 games!

Randall Cobb - It has to be the most improved part of the Packers' team this year, I'm talking about the return game. Cobb took a 1st quarter punt 80 yards for a TD and nearly took another later in the game. This guy has the potential to change a game and that's huge! He also had 3 catches. Good to see him getting more involved in the offense.

Defensive Intensity - The whole defense looked good. They held Peterson to 51 yards and blitzed on over 70% of their plays! Dom Capers must have listened to Charles Woodson.

Clay Matthews - Clay was dominant for the first time all season. He posted 2 sacks, bringing his total to 5 for the year. He also looked great in coverage and on run support. I hope to see this continue going forward.

Charles Woodson - Woodson looked like himself on Monday for the first time all season. He was all over the field and looked like the 2009 Defensive Player of the Year. My only knock on Woodson is that he dropped a sure pick 6...I'll forgive him though.

THINGS I DID NOT LIKE

Muffed Punt - Cobb is a huge Boom or Bust. He either returns a punt for a TD or muffs it and gives the other team a 1st down inside the red zone. In this case, it did not affect the game. But when it comes to playoff time, this could kill us.

Offensive Line - Rodgers was sacked 3 times. It didn't seem to me on any of them that he was holding the ball too long. The line needs to improve to keep Rodgers on his feet. Especially with some good defensive lines on the upcoming schedule (Lions, Giants, Bears...oh my!).

Jared Allen - I just don't like him.

A sweep of the Viqueens is always sweet! 9-0 is sweet too. Next up, the reeling Buccaneers at Lambeau on Sunday. GO PACK!

Packers Out-Shoot Chargers: Move to 8-0...

Wow, what an intense game! One much closer than it should have been. The offense was unstoppable and the defense couldn't make a stop. In the end all that matters is that the Pack came up with another win and are making it harder and harder for other teams to avoid a trip to Lambeau in the playoffs. Here are my thoughts on the game:

Things I Liked

Aaron Rodgers - He is playing out of his mind! Ask anyone who has ever wateched football for any significant amount of time and they will tell you that Aaron Rodgers isn't just a good QB...he's the best one in the NFL right now.

Interceptions - It was the one redeeming factor for the defense. 3 INTs and 2 of them returned for TDs.

Charlie Peprah - Yes, Peprah has been out of position a lot and missed some tackles this season, and he was out of position a couple of times when Vincent Jackson burned the Pack. But I am beginning to see some improvement in his tackling and coverage skills.

Jordy Nelson - Nelson has emerged as the clear cut #2 wideout, which poses major problems for opposing defenses.



Things I Did Not Like

Pass Defense - Wow, I can't really say anything else. They were just awful with the exception of the 3 interceptions, Phillip Rivers just ravaged them.

Tackling - This had been getting better in recent weeks, and I don't know if it was due to the rain or what, but it didn't seem like the defense could tackle Mike Tolbert at all. I'm surprised the Chargers didn't run him more often.

Sacks - Rodgers avoided some sacks with his feet, but it seemed like he was getting pressured a lot of the game. Again, I'm not sure if he's holding the ball too long or if the o-line is just not protecting him long enough but when we play a good team this is going to be a problem.

Charles Woodson - I don't know if it's his toe injury or if age is finally catching up with Woodson, but he is not the player he once was. He has definitely lost a step. He is a key to the defense and if he cannot play at a high level, the Packers will suffer. I expect CB to be a high priority in the 2012 draft.

That's pretty much it. I was very comfortable in this game until the 4th quarter when the pass defense all but disappeared. Next week the Vikings come to Lambeau...this is a Monday night game. GO PACK!