Ari Fleischer & The Packers

Of all the bullpuckey [as my buddy Jessie would say] that floated around during Reinstatement-gate by the far the biggest "what are they thinking moment?" was when I read that Ari Fleischer would be helping the Packers with PR.

I'm a life-long Packer fan...I felt like I was cheating when I went to a Seahawks/Vikings pre-season game last year...I am about number 60,000 on the season ticket list...so please, please, please don't rub partisan bullshit in my face by hiring Ari Fleischer for ANYTHING!

This is from April:



I wonder if he feels that way still?

J-E-T-S JETS! JETS! JETS!

Let me begin by saying: "Thank you Jets!" Favre-gate finally came to an end today as he was traded to the New York Jets. And for what? We aren't really sure of yet...maybe a 4th round pick, maybe a 3rd round...it depends on how much Favre stinks up the AFC East...

I'm tired of this whole thing but to be honest I've never been so interested in a Jets vs. Dolphins game in September before.

Clearlake -- Finally Free
From the Amber album.

The Frames -- Finally
From the Burn the Maps album.

Chris Cornell -- Finally Forever
From the Carry On album.

Long Live Aaron Rodgers

As someone who has written on this blog 17 times about Brett Favre and my beloved Packers, this news is the final straw...you are dead to me Brett.

You are as big a douche bag as this photo makes you look:

The king is dead, long live Aaron Rodgers.

My solution...the Packers should do nothing and just pay him and bench him. He can ride the pine for the rest of his contract even if Rodgers throws 4 interceptions his first game...don't forget what Brett's first game was like.

Is This the End?

So I guess this is the end of the Madden curse?

Elvis Costello -- Green Shirt
From the Very Best of Elvis Costello.

Packer Schedule

Next year's Packers schedule came out earlier this week and here are some of the highlights:

Monday, September 8th
Home game against the Vikings
This will be Aaron Rodgers' starting debut and an official end to Brett's starting record [assuming he gets through the pre-season without injury].

Sunday, October 19th
Home game against the Colts
If the Packers are anywhere near as good as they were last season, this will be one of the premier games for the entire league let alone the Green & Gold.

Monday, December 22nd
Away game against the Bears
Above all else, we must avenge our losses to the Bears during last season.

Goodbye

Overall, I think I am taking the news that Brett Favre is retiring a lot better than I took our NFC championship loss to the Giants. I am excited to see what an entire season of an Aaron Rodgers-led Packers team would look like and although I am excited, it is a good thing for Mike McCarthy that he got his contract extension this year rather than next because it might not be so pretty next year.

Supertramp -- Goodbye Stranger
From the Magnolia soundtrack.

The Moldy Peaches -- Goodbye Song
From their self-titled debut.

Peter Bjorn and John -- Goodbye, Again Or
From the Falling Out album.

Engineers -- How Do You Say Goodbye?
From their first full-lenght album Engineers.

Darnells -- Too Hurt to Cry, Too Much In Love to Say Goodbye
From a collection of Phil Spector produced songs called Phil's Spectre: A Wall of Soundalikes.

What Not To Do

So Brett retired than un-retired today...this is exactly what I didn't want to happen...an "is he? isn't he?" thing all spring long...

On Thursday, the Green Bay Packers' official Web site briefly reported he was retiring, but the page under the breaking news section was live for only a few minutes.

"There's nothing to it," Packers spokesman Jeff Blumb told The Associated Press. "People who handle our Web site had set up a dummy page in the event he was to retire. They were asked to take down that page."

Jose Gonzalez -- Stay in the Shade
From the Veneer album.

Maximo Park -- I Want You To Stay
From A Certain Trigger.

Talking Heads -- Stay Hungry [1977 Remastered Version]
From More Songs About Buildings and Food.

Dear Craig Part 2

Dear CS,

Okay, now this is getting to be a little bit ridiculous. Is the McCain campaign the new Green Bay Packers? Months ago people were arguing that McCain should just "retire" and not risk getting embarrassed on the political grid iron...and then comes the season and McCain wins New Hampshire and his primary record is looking surprisingly strong...now he wins the Florida primary and people are talking about maybe even home field advantage in the playoffs...

Now the only question is this: is there a New York Giants [in the shape of Mitt Romney] waiting out there somewhere?

I know you have supported McCain since 2006 and maybe before but did you really have hope that this day would come at his lowest points in 2007?

Sincerely,

Matt

The Beach Boys -- Sloop John B
This is pretty much on every Beach Boys greatest hits including Sounds of Summer -- The Very Best of the Beach Boys.

Pearl Jam -- Hard To Imagine
This is from Disc 2 of the Lost Dogs b-side compilation.

Yo La Tengo -- Mr. Tough
This is from the Mr. Tough single.

I Don't Want To Talk About It

Radiohead -- Let Down
From the OK Computer album.

The Black Keys -- Hurt Like Mine
From Thickfreakness.

British Sea Power -- It Ended on an Oily Stage
From BSP's first second album Open Season.

The Alphabetical Order -- This Too Shall Pass
From the I Am Magically Happening! album.

A Musical Tribute To Brett Favre

A little anecdote about Brett Favre & living in Wisconsin: when I was home over Christmas break and visited the local Shopko they had stacks and stacks of the Sports Illustrated edition naming Brett Favre Sportsman of the Year [the one they had to do all those extra printings of]. Next to those stacks and stacks of Sports Illustrated there were stacks and stacks of 8 1/2 x 11 picture frames just begging for you to proudly display your Brett cover.

Super Furry Animals -- Lazer Beam
From the Love Kraft album.

Bloc Party -- Hero
This song can be found on the Two More Years single.

Ben Folds Five -- For All The Pretty People
From the Whatever and Ever Amen reissue.

Wilco -- Bob Dylan's 49th Beard (Live)
From the Yankee Hotel Foxtrot import bonus disk.

The Black Lips -- Cold Hands
From the Good Bad Not Evil album.

The Go! Team -- We Just Won't Be Defeated
From The Go! Team's first album Thunder, Lightening, Strike.

Overstatement of the Week

Sorry CS, couldn't resist this t-shirt.

By the way, Sunday's forecast is listed at high of 12 degrees, low of 5, with a 10% chance of snow.

Live Blogging the Packers vs. Seahawks Game

1:15pm PST: I miss James Brown...watching three idiots and a James Brown look-a-like laughing at their inside jokes on the pre-game makes me almost wish the NFL network was broadcasting this one....

1:17pm PST: They just had a neat little piece on Lee Remmel, the Packer's PR Director, who is retiring after 62 years on the job.

1:23pm PST: My sister calls...why isn't she watching the game? Or at least praying for victory....

1:29pm PST: So today as announcers we get Marv's son Kenny Albert, Daryl "Moose" Johnston, and Tony Siragusa trolling the sidelines for "news."

1:33pm PST: It is snowing as the players are announced...in Wisconsin we would call if "flurries" ...if it were snowing like that here in Seattle, school would already be canceled for Monday and we would have our three total snow plows working double shifts...

1:36pm PST: Okay the game's over...Packers win the toss...see you in the NFC championship...

1:38pm PST: A record Brett doesn't have: he is 2nd to Joe Montana in playoff games started and touchdowns thrown.

1:40pm PST: Okay, breath in breath out...we've fumbled and Shaun Alexander has scored...this is not happening...this is not happening...

1:46pm PST: Ryan Grant's 2nd fumble inside 10 minutes...I don't know if I am going to be able to handle this and I might have to turn this off if it gets much worse...my stomach is hurting and I feel nervous...

1:50pm PST: Seattle's best receiver Deion Branch is injured so we are taking a break...I need to take a breath and get some chips...

1:53pm PST: Seahawks score again but I don't think the receiver had two feet in...come on McCarthy challenge it...

1:54pm PST: He challenges it but the refs rule he can't challenge it...14-0

1:55pm PST: If I have to hear that damned car commercials playing Andy Kim's "Rock Me Gently" I am going to scream...We've seen it twice so far...

1:59pm PST: Now we're moving...20 yard pass...

2:01pm PST: Favre to Jennings...TOUCHDOWN....YES YES YES YES 14-7

2:03pm PST: The replay shows that the play the Packer's scored the touchdown on was a play only between Jennings and Farve. Everyone else was playing a run play, including Ryan Grant...

2:09pm PST: Hasselbeck is sacked...4th down...man is it getting messy down there....it is snowing harder than at the start of the game...

2:14pm PST: We are moving again...4th and inches...we're reviewing the spot of the ball...The verdict: "they are re-spotting the ball and will remeasure" FIRST DOWN! YES...here we go....

2:20pm PST: Ryan Grant is running like a man possessed...1st and Goal

2:21pm PST: RYAN GRANT TOUCHDOWN...14-14....a weight has been lifted...

2:27pm PST: First play of the 2nd Quarter...SEAHAWKS FUMBLE, PACKERS RECOVER...

2:29pm PST: I didn't think I would say this nearly an hour ago but give Grant the ball every time...

2:33pm PST: Favre to Jennings...TOUCHDOWN....21-14

2:38pm PST: As I am watching the refs measure the placement of Seattle's ball, I remember my sister once saying "can't they just see the yellow line."

2:40pm PST: Personal foul...Seahawks get another chance...As my adoptive team I would be rooting for the Seahawks if they were playing anyone but the Packers...

2:45pm PST: So the Seahawks get a field goal that they shouldn't have...21-17...time for some Pizza Bursts....

2:51pm PST: Brandon Jackson gets a chance to touch the ball...7 yards....

2:54pm PST: We are getting a nice little drive together here....two straight 3rd down conversions...2 minute warning...

3:00pm PST: Brett may have just done one of his Top 10 plays of his career with the pass he just did to Donald Lee...1st & Goal...

3:01pm PST: RYAN GRANT'S 2ND TOUCHDOWN...28-17

3:04pm PST: Hasselbeck takes a knee and it is halftime...I really can't believe how things went down in this half...I never would have predicted what happened...hopefully the Packers can keep their momentum going...

3:10pm PST: I am boycotting the Fox halftime show...let's see what else is on...the best alternative is to jump in halfway into the Tim Robbins & Martin Lawrence buddy comedy Nothing to Lose.

3:18pm PST: We're almost ready to start as the Packers kick off to the Seahawks...

3:21pm PST: 3 and out for the Seahawks...let's avoid another ruffing the kicker penalty shall we boys?...

3:27pm PST: Brandon Jackson TOUCHDOWN! Everyone is getting in the mix! 35-17. Holmgren looks soooo pissed!

3:36pm PST: the Seahawks have a drive together but they are facing a 3rd and 10...they converted...1st down for them...

3:39pm PST: the Seahawks drive continues...but one thing is clear...the Packer running game is much stronger than Seattle's...they are running 2 failed run plays and then convert on a 3rd down pass...and the snow is coming down even harder now...

3:41pm PST: the Packers stop them and so they are going to kick a field goal...Josh Brown and his electric pants are going to try to get 3 points...
3:42pm PST: It's good...35-20

3:48pm PST: Ryan Grant runs one for 46 yards and sets the Packers playoff rushing record...

3:50pm PST: And Brandon Jackson runs for 10 more...forget Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor...it's Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson!

3:54pm PST: TOUCHDOWN #3 FOR #25! Mason Crosby [who should be Rookie of the Year] kicks it though...42-20

4:01pm PST: 3 and out for the Seahawks and they punt on 4th and 2 which is a little surprising...no return for the Packers.

4:05pm PST: Grant runs for 28 more...if I haven't said it already...All is forgiven Ryan. He is over 200 yards for the day...Fun fact: Ryan Grant has degrees in both Sociology and Computer Science from Notre Dame.

4:08pm PST: The Packers try something different other than touchdown...a punt...

4:10pm PST: We are down to about 9 minutes on the clock...

4:14pm PST: It's 4th and 10 for the Seahawks and this is the most important play of the game...incomplete...PACKERS TAKE OVER! Now it's time for 8 minutes of the Ryan Grant/Brandon Jackson running game

4:18pm PST: Brandon Jackson goes for 20!

4:20pm PST: We didn't do much on this drive except take 3 minutes off the clock...

4:22pm PST: Hasselbeck gets sacked by KGB...2nd and 22...

4:24pm PST: Packers get the ball back again following a punt...Brett comes out of the game and Aaron Rodgers comes in...

4:27pm PST: My dad calls to talk about the Packers...as my Mom says, "nothing makes your Father happier than the Packers winning."

4:33pm PST: I miss the final plays but who cares, the game is over. PACKERS WIN! 42-20

I can't wait for the Giants / Cowboys game tomorrow...

Super Furry Animals -- Run-Away
From the Hey Venus! album.

Johnny Cash -- You Win Again
From the Forever Johnny Cash set.

OK Go -- The House Wins
From the Oh No album.

Simon & Garfunkel -- A Hazy Shade of Winter
From the Best of Simon & Garfunkel collection.

No Doubt -- Running
From the Rock Steady album

13-3

If only the Packers could have played the Lions every game we would be 16-0 as well. Of course with the Packer win and the Cowboys loss to the Redskins, if we had only beaten those damned Chicago Bears two weeks ago we would have home field advantage for the playoffs. Oh well, maybe Washington will beat my adopted "home team" the Seahawks and then they can take out the Cowboys for a second time...and then it's can be a Redskins/Packers NFC Championship.

I imagine CS has a different opinion about this...

Radio 4 -- The Grass is Greener
This is from the album Enemies Like This.

Tom Vek -- Nothing But Green Lights
From the album We Have Sound.

Vince Guaraldi -- Greensleeves
From the album A Charlie Brown Christmas.

10-2, 11-2, 12-2, 12-3

I've been out of practice writing about the ups and downs of the Packers seasons these past few weeks with finals wrapping up, traveling, and hacking up a lung for weeks on end...but last weeks loss to the Bears for the 2nd time this season set me over the edge...

But I have to take a step back...breath in, breath out...I didn't think the Packers would make the playoffs this year let alone be in a position to get home field advantage in the playoffs...breath in, breath out...It is a miracle we have gotten this far....breath in, breath out...I should appreciate every game like it is Brett's last....

But the team that made up 1/2 of the Ice Bowl, now looked like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when they used to regularly visit Lambeau Field in December. All the receivers were huddled around the little heaters they had or bundled up in their parkas. Brett looked like he was discovering the North Pole. I know he is from Mississippi but what good is having home field advantage in January if in fact we aren't very good at playing in cold weather and in stormy conditions.

This song ties in nicely I think...the way the Packers played is a lot like the way Ella's abusive husband ends up in the song...dead in the market. This is essentially the opposite of the infamous Carole King song, "He Hit Me (It Felt Like A Kiss)." Ella's version should have been called, "He Hit Me And I Beat His Brains In."

Ella Fitzgerald -- Stone Cold Dead in the Market (He Had It Coming)

This song comes from a 75th Anniversary Decca Boxed set of Ella's work that my sister found in the clearance rack at the Electric Fetus for $15.99.

10-1

Another week, another feel good win. But it all comes down to next week's Cowboys game. I think I will be writing my Congressman that the game will be on a Thursday night on the frickin' NFL network which my cable doesn't have...

Jimmy Eat World -- Ten
From the Clarity album.

Led Zeppelin -- Ten Years Gone
From the Physical Graffiti album.

R.E.M. -- Rotary Ten
From the Dead Letter Office album.

The Clash of the Titans

I suspect that this post might make Blugold Matt regret bringing me on....

But I cannot wait for Thanksgiving and even more so for the following Thursday when the Green Bay Packers actually have to play a good team when they travel to Big D to take on my Dallas Cowboys.

Even though the teams have the same record, the Packers are having a magical season. GB's season feels like something out of a movie as a good team is getting all of the right breaks. Cowboys fans knew that this team had potential to be very good, but there were plenty of question marks (especially Tony Romo). Essentially, this Cowboys team has been living up to its best case scenario. I can't wait to see the two teams meet. I'll save the story of how a teenager living in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, ends up becoming a rabid Cowboys fan for another post.

TANGENT ALERT: Wade Phillips has been the most pleasant surprise for me. He is currently throwing a monkey wrench in my theory about teams that hire Larry Brown in the NBA or Bill Parcells in the NFL. My Brown/Parcells theory is that when teams hire them, they are essentially making a Faustian bargain. The team will get better immediately and will contend for titles. Considering where the Cowboys were as the Dave Campo era ended, I was happy to make that bargain. But the guy that follows Brown or Parcells is essentially set up for failure. If the next coach is a relaxed players coach, the team will treat him the way a classroom of sixth graders treat a nice guy substitute teacher when their strict teacher is out sick (think Pete Carroll with the Pats and to a lesser extent, Flip Saunders with the Pistons). And if the new coach is a tough guy type, the players won't respect him. They were willing to put up with Parcells/Brown because they knew that it was worth it. But the new guy likely hasn't proven himself and the players aren't going to take more yelling from a guy who isn't as smart as Brown/Parcells. At least for now, Wade Phillips seems to have busted this theory and I'm not sure how he has done it. Then again, Pete Carroll went 10-6 his first year with the Pats. END TANGENT.

This week, the Cowboys essentially get a bye week as the 2-8 New Yawk Jets, led by whistle blowing coach Eric Mangini, come to Dallas. Meanwhile, the Packers face a 6-4 Detroit team whose season is in some turmoil. Both make rather disappointing preludes to the big event.

The Race Is On -- George Jones

Welcome to Paradise -- Green Day

A Blast From The Packers' Past

Remember when the Packers drafted Tony instead of Barry Sanders, Deion Sanders, and Derrick Thomas?

Rufus Wainwright -- Do I Disappoint You?

From the Release the Stars album.

I'm From Barcelona -- The Saddest Lullaby

From the Let Me Introduce My Friends album.

8-1

I've been having a pretty stressful week at school but every once in a while I will remember that the Packers are 8-1 and all is well in the world.

Babyshambles -- 8 Dead Boys

From the Down in Albion album.

Belle & Sebastian -- The Eighth Station of the Cross Kehab House

From the Help: A Day in the Life charity compilation.

R.E.M. -- Driver 8

From And I Feel Fine...The Best of the I.R.S. Years 1982-1987 compliation.

Sunny Day Real Estate -- 8

From the self-titled "Pink album"

Alanis Morissette -- 8 Easy Steps

Fromo the So-Called Chaos album.

7-1

Another game and another milestone...with the win over Kansas City, Brett has beaten every NFL team, becoming the third quarterback to do so...interestingly the other two quarterbacks [Tom Brady & Peyton Manning] did it just last week.

I wish I was in Wisconsin during weeks like this...

The Clash -- The Magnificent Seven

Interpol -- Song Seven

Matthew Friedberger -- Seventh Loop Highway

You should buy this from the Clash, this from Interpol, and this from Matthew Friedberger's band The Fiery Furnaces.

6-1

Another win...although I am getting the faint feeling that this year's Packers might be last year's New Orleans Saints...The Packers seem to be coming up lucky each week and things just work out like scoring an 82 yard touchdown pass on the first play of overtime...plus we had a 100 yard rusher this week!

The Kinks -- Powerman

The Kinks don't have anything new coming out but they are featured in the soundtrack for the new Wes Anderson film The Darjeeling Limited. You can pick it up here.