It's all in the tailgate.

We were at the game two weeks ago. The San Francisco 49ers vs the Green Bay Packers. It was a spring like warm and beautiful day. We are in the habit of getting started early, so at 8:00 am. we were putting up the new canopy.

The parking lot was surprisingly empty that early. Some weeks it will be completely full at the same time. One thing I have always said is that you can't guarantee the outcome of the game, but you can guarantee the fun of the pre-game tailgate. The recipe is pretty basic: brats, chips, drinks and cigars.

Twenty years have passed now since I started bringing Jeff to Lambeau and we have enjoyed every tailgate, but not every game.

Renaissance for the Green and Gold

There is a new dawn in Packerland with the emergence of the defense and offensive adjustments that have made the team a playoff contender. Dallas brought out the best in the defense and next the 49ers got the "beat down".

Granted the 49ers gave us a scare in the last quarter but a win is a win.

Today with the whipping of the Lions on Thanksgiving day the Packers sit at 7-4 and in a good spot in the standings. They still have their work cut out for them, but today, it was fun to watch.

In the top photo I am trying to imitate the Packer logo. Joe and Julia joined us for the tailgate with Joe's sister Amanda and Ben. Mike joined our foursome too. The weather was the star of the tailgate. It was warm and sunny.

It was fun while it lasted.

I couldn't help noticing that the Packers have set up a three ring circus now. On one side show we had Bart Starr and Jan Stenerud talking about Hall of Fame issues. (It was nice to catch a glimpse of 2 hall of fame players.) They also have big tents with TV sets, music and refreshments. Add a couple more ex-players for the weekend, Gale Gillingham and Adam Timmerman. Many distractions......

But the big attraction this week was Brett Favre. The trouble was that it exposed the coach and general manager. #4 threw four touchdowns in their faces. They said he couldn't play anymore, his heart wasn't into it anymore. hmmm...... From my seat it didn't look like that was true.

Having Favre was the greatest and it sure was fun while it lasted.

More Packers/Vikings

The wheels appear to be coming off Mike McCarthy's train. That train that he didn't think Favre was on anymore. After the recent Tampa Bay loss, the hatred that had been directed at #4 has been redirected at Ted T. and Mike.

The Viking game was actually a little more subdued leading up to it than expected. Everyone was in a pretty good mood and relatively polite to the purple characters.

(see picture)

I have to say that I am in the mood to look back on the Favre era the way the really old guys look at the Lombardi era. I would say Holmgren/Favre era, but Favre lasted a lot longer and there were some memorable games with Mike Sherman and even Mike McCarthy.

And now the classless booing Packer fans have shamed the franchise on national TV so we have some damage control to deal with.....

Viking Packer

The Viking Packer game wasn't exactly one for the ages. It was sad because it became particularly apparent that the greatness that once was the Packers is now the Vikings. I didn't agree with the booing of Favre. I think many of the Packer fans came off as foolish, misinformed and idiotic. Wise up people!

The Purple Favre

On November 1, the Packers entertained the Vikings. We decided to set up early for the 3:15 pm game, so here we are at 8:55 am. Not as many getting ready for the traumatic experience. This marked the 20th year that Jeff and I started going at least once a year to a regular season game. We never thought we would see Favre play again after the Giant's game (NFC Championship game from the 2007 season). Now we weren't so sure we wanted to see him again. As I have often said, you can't guarantee a fun game, but you can guarantee a fun tailgate. Family gathering for refreshments and fellowship on a beautiful Sunday morning. The leisurely pace was really nice. I enjoyed relaxing in view of the stadium. I couldn't help thinking about my dad and his many years of loyalty to the Green and Gold. I would love to know his take on TT and Coach Mike and the Purple Favre. We had a couple of purple jerseys in our group. I don't know how he would have liked that. But we all mellow with age.

Don't over look Cleveland.

With the big rematch only a week away, it would be tempting to over look this week's game at Cleveland. Favre will be coming to Lambeau and I think it will unleash some ugly stuff. The anti-Favres should be in their glory.

But we don't want to loose sight of what is most important. Beat the Vikings. But before that, win this week at Cleveland. Each week in the NFL is so important you have to win the ones you are supposed to.

I am feeling optimistic and am looking for a 2-0 record the next two weeks.

The Shadow still lingers.

This image was floating around the internet last year. When I first saw it, I was annoyed that some computer geek changed the uniform on Favre from the 2007 cover story as a Green Bay Packer.

How sad that it has come true. Mike Holmgren on his radio show publicly criticized how Favre was treated and said it should have been up to the coach to take care of Rodgers and keep Favre as a Packer.

I know this is water under the bridge, but Holmgren was talking about this recently.

It will be pretty strange when #4 comes back to Lambeau.

I can't wait.

Things to fix.

I'm sure it is never easy being the coach of the Green Bay Packers. Now, there is the illusion that we as fans will only be satisfied with winners.

The truth is that from 1972-1995, almost 25 years we were quite satisfied with losers. We could reminisce about the Lombardi era and how great Titletown was in the 60s....even when we couldn't remember it. The team was in the black and the little stadium was full. We were pretty happy with 8-8, even though the Bears killed us every year with Ditka as the coach.

As you know, Ron Wolf, Mike Holmgren, Brett Favre and Reggie came to Green Bay and restored respect to the franchise and built the new stadium and secured money for the future.

It was hard to watch Favre beat the Packers last week. In the pre-game show he said with a grave and trace-like stare- I want to win this game. This game means something to me.

I didn't think the Packers had a chance, and yet they played with a lot of intensity and determination. Rodgers had a whale of a game. The offensive line needs to be fixed. If they had been respectable, we win the game even when the Vikings have Favre.

Jack the defense up and shore up the offensive line, otherwise we are back to the losers of the late 70s and 80s.

Trouble on the Tundra

If week two is any preview of the rest of the season, there is trouble on the tundra. The Packers looked terrible against the Bengals. Every aspect of their game was terrible, but nothing more so than the offensive line. Poor Aaron Rodgers will not last the beating he has had to take. If he goes down the season is lost. 10 sacks and about 10 other hits in two weeks.

How about penalties? There is no excuse for double digit penalties. Coaching better kick in pretty soon, Favre and the Vikings are on the horizon.

At least Woodson and Driver came to play.

It makes sense.

I noticed that Favre started his 270th game. For 269 games, the Viking fans hated Brett Favre. For the game last weekend, they loved him. The Minnesota radio and TV is all about Brett Favre.

Favre tackled Percy Harvin like he was Edgar Bennett when Holmgren was the coach.

We have been supporting Ol' Brett for 269 games, why stop now? Even if he plays for a team that we usually don't support, we still support the man. How can we help it?

He has been the joy of Packer football for 16 years. Ted and Mike have moved on and Aaron pulled one out against the Bears. I heard an announcer say Aaron Rodgers already has as many losing seasons as Brett Favre, let's hope he doesn't pass Favre in that catagory.

Happy New Year!

Now we are only hours away from full scale NFL kickoff. The key to the Packer season will be the lines. As always, the offense and defensive line will determine the season. The preseason has made Packer fans pretty hopeful. Rodgers looked fabulous- as all the starters did.

Of course the only problem is that the games didn't count yet. I think the Bears will bring out the best in the Pack in the opener.

Here's to Double D!!!

This is a year to celebrate the career of Donald Driver. He will surpass Sterling Sharpe with the most catches in the history of the Green Bay Packers. He already has the most catches at Lambeau Field. He also has the catch in consecutive games record. In two good yardage years he will surpass James Lofton for most yards for a receiver in Packer history. These are all great accomplishments especially for the likes of a 7th round draft pick in 1999.

What a great example and a consummate professional.

Getting ready for the real games.

The preseason is hopeful, and now after two games, the new look defense has had a good showing and the offense has looked pretty sharp.  Of course none of it was for real yet...it is only the preseason.....

 Still, it is the optimistic time of the season when the super bowl is everyone's goal.  

I still can't say enough about the new Ray Nitschke Field.  The Packers have really added to the quality of the football experience of training camp.   It helps the fan to get ready for the real games in a kind of retro setting.  

Solve the problem.

The national spot light is on a team in the bordering state regarding a former team mate.  There is an easy solution to the annoying problem.  The solution is to win. 

 Beat the Vikings twice.

Show the NFL that you moved on and if you were right, you should win.  If there is a chance that you don't win, then there is a chance for more discord among the loyal fans for both the Green Bay Packers and the loyal fans for Brett Favre.

That's Entertainment.

So, do the Packers feel any pressure about Old #4 coming to their hated rival?  I doubt it.  They have enough to worry about.

  I think that probably the only one who is annoyed is TT.  He doesn't want to see Favre come back into Lambeau for possible revenge.  But really, I think TT has enough to worry about too.   He has to produce now.  This is his 5th year as GM.  After 5 years, Ron Wolf's team won the Super Bowl.

Everyone can't win, and in preseason polls the Packers were ranked 20th in the NFL.

Favre coming back to a rival makes the year more interesting and after all, it's only entertainment.

The madness is back!

This morning the breaking news has the Packer faithful scratching their heads and wringing their hands.  Brett Favre is back and he is a Viking.  Our worse fears have been fulfilled.

It should be an interesting year in the NFC North.  Personally I am disappointed, but a man has a right to earn a living.  He doesn't owe me anything.  I will still have my memories of the great Green Bay Packer quarterback Brett Favre.  We've seen some of his very best games and some of his very worse.  It was worth every penny.

It must be hard to quit doing something you appear to love so much.

Leave it to #4 to do what he wants regardless of public opinion.  I guess the Favre haters can get their lighters going again, if they still have an old jersey left.

Happy Birthday, Green Bay Packers!

Tonight marks the 90th birthday of the Green Bay Packers!  It is nice to see what an important American Institution and shrine to the National Football League that Green Bay and Lambeau Field have become.  

Newest Story Line

For me, the newest storyline of this season's Green Bay Packers was the fact that at practice last Tuesday there were some fights.  Not just 2 guys that are annoyed with each other, but an all out brawl with about 20 guys.  I have never seen a big group of Packers start fighting.  Brady Poppinga decked Kregg Lumkin and at least 20 players were fighting.  Kevin Greene couldn't stop it and some rumors suggest he is behind it.  The Press Gazette "Insider" called it the most spirited practice in a decade.  There had been two fights earlier in the same practice.  

I have said that the Packers don't play mean enough.  The mean teams like Pittsburgh, the Bears, the Ravens (in the past maybe Oakland and even Tampa during their Super Bowl run) let you know they are going to beat on you.

The last player to really play mean was probably Wayne Simmons.  Mean players aren't dirty players, they hit harder, are more aggressive, and may try to "take you out".  I saw a little bit of that in A. J. Hawk his first season.  Remember how teams played Robert Brooks?   They used to try to hurt him on every play and hit him even when the ball was no where to be seen.

Are the Packers going to play mean?   They looked like it last Tuesday night.

Training Camp Heaven

I was eager to experience the new Ray Nitschke practice field and it did not disappoint.  This facility is fantastic!  It was built with the Packer fan in mind.  Now at the morning practice, the sun isn't in your eyes, traffic won't run you over, and you don't have to look through a fence.  It is designed to look like it is from ancient times, like the 1930s or 1940s, with a brick facing that matches the stadium.  Vendors have what you need right outside of the bleacher and there is a boardwalk made of brick to walk along the venue to pick your entrance.  Probably most importantly there are ushers making sure people find a seat and don't block the views or the walkways.  Unbelievable!  It is better than you would have expected in the age of high revenue stakes of pro sports.  If you haven't been to camp, you better make plans.

Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure

I have to admit I have had some bad thoughts concerning the actions of TT.  But here I am with the General Manager of the Green Bay Packers.  He is a professional football guy and you have to give him a chance to see what the team does with his own choices in place.  His popularity suffered last year when he traded the most beloved player in recent history and one of the greatest football players of all time.  That is a rough legacy to overcome.  He needs this team, this year to do well.  They have to have a winning record.  

Nice to be on the website.

The good news today is that Brett Favre is not going to play for the Vikings this season.   I am sure the Favre-haters are feeling a little foolish tonight.  Especially the knuckleheads that burned their #4 jerseys.  I would like Favre to sign for a day and retire a Packer.  

Aside from that, I happened to notice that on the Packer website there is a gallery of photos from the Hall of Fame banquet and low and behold, I am in the gallery!  I am standing near the Aaron Rodgers silent auction table at the pre-dinner reception.  

Freeman in the hall.

It was fitting that Antonio Freeman went into the Packer Hall of Fame with Dorsey Levens.  He was a fan favorite from the super bowl run along with Dorsey.  It was particularly nice because Jeff and I were at their best game.  Each said in an interview that their favorite game was the NFC Championship against the Carolina Panthers.  Both had career games that led the Packers on to the big dance.  

Both agreed that any player should continue to play anywhere they can still play.  Each ended their careers with other teams, but this night, no one remembered.

Dorsey Gives a Nod to Favre

It is always nice when an opinion you have about a former player is shared by an honored guest at the Hall of Fame Dinner.  This opinion is by a former team mate.  Dorsey Levens gave an outstanding speech about the honor of being here as an inductee.  He talked about game day and living in Green Bay.  

At the end of his eloquent speech he said it is going to be hard to see #4 come back to Lambeau in purple.  He said if you don't like it, boo him, he can take it, he's a man.  But, in the end when all of this is over and he retires for good, welcome him back and embrace a great Packer. 

 The crowd cheered and applauded....at least those who get it.

Hall of Fame Dinner-July 18th, 2009 Lambeau Atrium

I suppose everyone should go to the Hall of Fame dinner at least once.  This year they celebrated the careers of Dorsey Levens and Antonio Freeman.  It was the largest gathering of fans at this dinner(now in its 39th year).  The food was pretty food, the silent auction was tempting, and the company we were in was first class.

Here is Jeff with the architect of the last Packer Super Bowl-Ron Wolf.  We can be forever grateful for what Ron did to put Green Bay back on the NFL map.

 But when he left, I still have a few questions.  Why did he hire Ray Rhodes?  Why did he make Mike Sherman the head coach and general manager( when that is what Mike Holmgren wanted and would have stayed and won another Super Bowl or two ).   

 Oh well, I don't think I will get the answers..... 

Beware of haters- Idiots disguised as fans.

Some one posted this on the Press Gazette site and I have to say it is appalling.  

In my opinion this is a hate crime and the degree of hatred in these days of terrorism is scary.  

Will fans be safe in Green Bay?  

Can you still wear a Favre jersey without fear?  

These kind of people are a menace to society.

This is no joke.

What would the Patriarch think about #4?

The most devoted Packer fan I have known was the guy who inspired our family to become Packer fans.  He was even-keeled and level headed and the Packers became entwined into our family culture.

Even though his favorite player was Don Hutson and his favorite 60's player was Paul Hornung, he once said Brett Favre was the most exciting player in the history of the Packers. 

First of all I think he would have been disgusted with last summer and the fiasco of the trade to the Jets.  I also think he would have become a little more disillusioned with professional sports and the illusion of loyalty from teams, owners, players and fans.  Lastly, I think he still would have rooted for Brett Favre because of what he has meant to the organization and the great fun and excitement he brought to the team.

He would have been disgusted that Favre will play for the Vikings, but I think he would have wished him well and welcomed him back to Lambeau anytime.

Conflict within the Faithful.

What will we do when Favre dons the purple?  Many say they will boo, some say he is hurting his legacy, most agree that there is conflict within the faithful.  

For some it will prove if TT made a mistake, or if moving on was the right thing to do.  There are many Viking fans who don't even want him on their team.  They would rather be average without him.

If you vote with your heart, Brett Favre can do whatever he wants and you will treasure the memories of watching him play.  He supplied the Packers with great games and thrills for many years.  He was one of the greatest Packers ever to play at Lambeau Field.  We never thought the Packers would get rid of him.  He was the not only the face of the Packers but the face of the NFL.  

 If you vote with your head, you say its a business, move on, Favre is selfish, he is washed up.  The Packers are bigger than one man.

But Favre was all heart and gave everything he had to the Green Bay Packers.  If the Packers won't let him play on their team, what should he do? retire ?  I think they'll have to carry him off. 

 Good luck Brett.  I wish you were still wearing Green and Gold.  

How can Packer fans be so forgetful?

Now that nearly everyone in Wisconsin hates Brett Favre, it is time to review what he has meant to the favorite franchise.

Has everyone forgotten what the Packers were like since 1973? Well, they did not win the division from 1973-1994. 

They won one playoff game in 1982.(and lost one)

They had one hall of famer since the Lombardi era(Lofton).

The Packers wanted to move on, Favre wanted to still play.

Favre has been one of the most exciting players in the history of the N.F.L. and every game he played- (and he played every game) was historic.  So what is the problem with him still wanting to play and go out on his own terms?

As Randy Moss would say,"I gotta see this, it's Brett Favre!!!"

Jeff and A-Rodg

When it comes to football, it is always nice to meet the players in an informal setting.  Aaron Rodgers was out and about in Milwaukee lately and so was Jeff.

Rodgers is Favre's successor in Green Bay and arguably has had the most pressure on himself as anyone in recent Packer history. Maybe the most since Bart Starr retired.  Luckily he had a very good year and has acted with the utmost class as an individual.

The notion of the celebrity sports star is hard to resist.  We see them on TV, we cheer and root for our team and some play fantasy football and video football.  Then we find out they are (sort of) normal young men that we put into the limelight.

This season should be very interesting.

Lambeau Tailgaters Defense

Now that the draft is over for 2009 we can look for some real help on defense.  Thompson seems to have come through with some interesting picks-B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews.  Maybe it is dawning on TT that we don't have the elite players we need to stop anyone.  I put up this picture because I have been thinking about the concept of playing mean.  I know there was a book called Mean on Sunday and it was written by Ray Nitschke.  The Packers don't play mean.  I don't think they have had a mean player since Wayne Simmons.   It is time to play mean..... it is football after all.

Looking forward to the draft.

The draft is coming up and it is aways a hopeful time for NFL fans.  Some jokingly call it the "most wonderful time of the year".  No one has lost a game yet and any team can come together and make a Super Bowl run.  A future hall of famer could show up to cement the teams chances.

Let's hope that McCarthy is as good of a coach as we thought he was in 2007.  Let's hope Ted Thompson is as good drafting players as he was in Seattle when he formed Holmgren's third Super Bowl team.  Let's hope Rodgers can make a 4th quarter drive to win.  Let's hope that the new defense can learn the new defense.

In the mean time, we will still have fun, we will still have some brats on the grill and yell and scream for a victory... and always remain hopeful.