FanNation - The Republic of Sport

So, as the Brewers continue to slowly bleed their season to death (which might be a blessing in disguise, folks - anything to make Ned Yost's dismissal occur is going to be good for the franchise), it is safe to say that once again, the Packers are saving my mental well being.  As are the Badgers, which is a completely different article.  But, all I can say about yesterday is; wow...

 1) For those of you who just look at the stats, see Aaron Rodgers performed well, but then look at who they played, and say, "yeah, BUT it was Detroit," I say you really aren't familiar with the Black and Blue Division.  Yes, it was Detroit.  But here's the thing about Detroit playing at home; they really like playing at home - especially against the Packers.  Playing Detroit at Ford Field is kind of like one of those seemingly easy, four foot putts you might encounter on the golf course; they SHOULD be really easy to sink, but there's always the thought in the back of your head that if you miss it, the people who were watching you will never let you forget it.  And sure enough, Detroit came storming back, and actually took the lead, 25-24, in the fourth quarter.  To say the least, that was NOT Aaron's fault.  The defense seemed to be a little too relaxed, and seemed to be thinking that no matter what they did, Kitna or his butterfingered receivers were going to screw up, somehow.  Suffice to say, that strategy did not work.  But what they did AFTER Aaron Rodgers took the team downfield once again to take the lead with a field goal, DID work.  Three picks within a few minutes, two of them for six points, is definitely what you might call "clamping down."  Meanwhile, Rodgers did everything he could possibly do to get the team a W.  Yes, again, it was Detroit.  We all know what it means to be the Lions.  But we all know what a trap Detroit has shown it can be for the Packers in the past, Favre or no Favre.  And really, Rodgers is getting better and better as the year goes on.  His ability to actually run, is something we haven't seen in a decade.  He seriously is fun to watch.  He's enjoying himself, and I think that is the most important thing for him.  We'll just have to see how he handles adversity - a loss, or an interception, etc.  As of right now though, I'm going to wait a few more weeks before I declare him the messiah of Green Bay football.  But you have to admit, there's a lot of crow waiting to be eaten by those who declared the Packers, Ted Thompson, and Mike McCarthy dead in the water, all because they let a 39 year old QB, who couldn't make up his mind, go.  Speaking of which...

2) Hmmm...Brett Favre, throwing a pass directly in the arms of the opposing team's defender...where have I seen this before?  I'm getting images of Lambeau Field....it's really cold...the Giants are in town...I think this game might be important...a playoff game, or something...the game is tied...it's overtime...Favre drops back, hurls a pass towards Driver...no, wait, that's a Giants defender...now I remember.  The NFC Championship game...oh, bad, bad memories.  Wait, getting more memories now...I think this happend more than once!  289 times, to be exact...Get used to it, Jets fans.  He kind of likes to do stuff like that.  Especially if the coach doesn't take control of him.  We had two coaches who did (Holmgren, McCarthy), and they did pretty well.  I don't know if the so-called "Mangenius" is up to task.  Judging by that terrible throw, I'm guessing no. Let's just start the countdown to when NY fans start mercilessly booing Favre...10, 9, 8....

3) Props to Mike Shanahan for showing balls...HUGE balls.  Anytime a coach goes for two to win a game, he walks a very, very fine line.  Me, personally, would have congratulated him regardless if it worked or not.  But you know a good portion of the people who are now lavishing him with compliments to his ballziness, would rip him apart if it didn't work.  Such is the life of an NFL head coach.  Your entire life is a no-win situation.  I'm thankful for one, that at least one coach has to cahones to ignore those talking heads, and go for the win.

4) Back to Detroit; I really have no idea what the sentiment is amongst Lion fans - I know there is no way possible that any of you are congratulating Matt Millen on a job well done...but am I wrong in saying that there is a complete absence of protest within the Lion fan base?  If there is, it certainly isn't a visible movement.  Let's just put it this way; Matt Millen is the single worst executive in NFL history.  There might be a few arguments here or there, but this team is an absolute embarrassment.  The fact they make their fans pay ticket prices to see that trash of a product take the field every Sunday, is just a shame.  It's come to the point that, even Detroit's division rivals are starting to wish Detroit was better.  I WANT to look at a Packers schedule, see that they play the Lions, and think, "oh, wow, that's going to be a battle."  It's no fun answering the question, "who do the Packers play?" and respond "meh, the Lions...should be an easy one."  Where's the protest?  Hang a sign outside of Millen's office (if you can).  Hand out t-shirts outside Ford Field that say "fire Millen!" Don't show up to games - I'm sure the way the American automotive industry is doing, Henry Ford can't afford to have his fanbase completely abandon his franchise.  C'mon Detroit!  Raise hell!  You are the ones paying for this mess - demand you get your money's worth.  I mean, if i'm wrong, and there actually is a healthy movement to get rid of Millen, then I apologize.  My criticism comes from the fact that none of us outside of Detroit can see it.  Good luck though, and I hope Detroit can see a competitive football team, one day...