UCLA Bruins running back Johnathan Franklin.
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

If you’re a Dynasty fantasy football league player, you’ve probably wiped the drool off the corners of your mouth by now and are champing at the bit for your annual rookie league draft.

But before you lock in your rankings, let me make one final plea for slotting Johnathan Franklin ahead of Eddie Lacy in the Green Bay Packers‘ backfield.

On the surface, Lacy looks like the slam dunk pick for not only the first Packers selected, but the first player selected over the likes of Tavon Austin, Giovani Bernard, Le’Veon Bell and Montee Ball. Lacy should get more touches per game than Austin or Bell. And Green Bay’s offense is much more dynamic than the one Bell plays for in Pittsburgh.

I question Ball’s effectiveness in the NFL as well. Lacy is a 230-pound monster that beat up on SEC defenses on a weekly basis. The Ex-Badger Ball ran through holes the size of dairy farms at Wisconsin. They won’t be as big on the pro level.

And as much as I like Lacy, I think there are significant advantages to owning Franklin in fantasy as opposed to him. For one, unless you flipped an aging star for an additional first round pick this year, you probably won’t have a chance at both backs.

According to Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC) high-stakes dynasty fantasy football drafts, Lacy has been going a few picks higher on average than Franklin. And given that Lacy was drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft, as opposed to the fourth where Franklin was picked, that makes sense.

But Packers GM Ted Thompson traded up to get Franklin. He gave up both a fifth and a sixth round selection to make sure Franklin was wearing the Green and Gold. And while Lacy was selected higher, he simply fell to the Packers. Thompson did not feel the same inclination to trade up to snag the ‘Bama bruiser.

Furthermore, Lacy’s injury history would make even Super Dave Osborne’s eyes bulge out. In less than two years, Lacy has suffered injuries to a pectoral muscle, hand, elbow and knee.

In addition to those ailments, Lacy’s hamstring injury was blamed for his poor pro day workout. Plus a turf toe injury has forced him to have surgery once already.

Eddie Lacy
Eileen Blass-USA TODAY Sports

While Lacy’s toughness rarely cost him practice or game time, Franklin does not have the injury baggage that Lacy totes. Franklin didn’t missed one game in his four-year career at UCLA. Outside of a few minor contusions and bruises, Franklin does not have any major injury flags like Lacy has.

Nagging injuries seem to have a way of turning into long-term issues for NFL players. While it’s far too early to be concerned about Lacy’s long-term health, it’s not even in the conversation for Franklin right now.

So, go ahead and roll the dice. Trade down, and grab Franklin. And when Green Bay is limiting Lacy’s touches throughout the regular season in an effort to keep him healthy enough to grind out those cold weather leads in January playoff games, it will be Franklin reaping the regular season fantasy benefits.

If there’s anyone who looks worse on the sidelines, it’s Bill Belichick.
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Call me traditional or even old school when it comes to the appearances of National Football League head coaches.

Let me just say I am sick and tired of looking at Bill Belichick’s hoodie, let alone his weekly grimace he wears inside it. Overall, I’m sick of corporate America ordering the league to wear their threads.

Vince Lombardi looked the part of the leader that he was.

In honor of the Grammys and their own dress code (if you want to call everyone breaking that dictum as a “code”), we must take a look at what the NFL used to be and what it’s become – especially when we consider the appearance of coaches.

Where are the days when Vince Lombardi and George Halas roamed the sidelines in suits, ties, overcoats and fedoras? I guess those days are gone and won’t be back any time soon.

That’s because since the 1980s the league has agreed to allowing the NFL’s clothing supplier – for several years it was Reebok that required its clothes on the bodies occupying the sidelines of every stadium, from the head coach down to the water boy. Now its Nike calling the shots.

What it has led to is embarrassment that’s been taken to an all-new level by Belichick.

To me, it’s disgusting and lowers the league and its head coaches to the gang mentality. The more team names and colors the better.

Ok, who looks better, Dan Reeves (left) or Bill Parcells (right)?

I don’t know about you, but I miss the days of the coach who shows up and looks like someone who’s in charge, not the guy in the first row. Let the fans show their colors – that’s fine – but also allow the coaches to stand out like the person who is truly in charge.

We can probably blame Mike Ditka, who in the late 1980s started wearing sweaters with the team name blazing across the chest. Yeah, I know you remember those hideous sweaters. Though not quite as bad as Bill Cosby’s they led the league down this road of fashion trauma.

When fans started inquiring how they could get their own versions of the coaches’ bad taste, the light went on at the NFL offices – actually, it was the dollar signs that began popping up over everyone’s heads. It was a multi-billion dollar industry waiting to happen … and happen it has.

Will the NFL field look more like the Canadian Football League fields in the future?

American football fans don’t think much about the Canadian Football League – in fact, friends of the National Football League think its junior league is somewhat of a joke.

But don’t tell that to the members of the NFL’s competition committee. You see, the committee has been looking for ways to continue to improve their game and have been eyeing the fields in Canada and considering making NFL fields bigger to enhance safety.

Dan Pompei wrote a piece about the competition committee’s considerations in today’s National Football Post … an article that should at least raise a couple of eyebrows, if not bring it into the discussion.

When you think about it, it’s not such a bad idea. The CFL fields are 195 feet wide (NFL fields are 160) and are 30 yards longer than the fields to the south.

But how would this enhance safety? The thinking on one side is that it spreads players out and reduces crushing collisions over the middle of the field. It would also change the physical makeup of players as teams would need smaller, faster individuals to cover more ground.

Big hits are one of the reasons the NFL is such a popular game.

However, there are those who feel that more room on the field would allow players more space to gain the speed needed for high-impact collisions. Those are polar opposite views that would have to be investigated further.

The question is whether the owners would be open to the idea. Not only would it change the nature of the game (higher scoring, less defense), but physical changes would also have to be made to stadiums, which might come at a large cost to the owners.

Those are questions that would need to be addressed down the road, but it’s not stopping the competition committee from considering the options.

Pompei’s discussion included comments from former competition committee member Bill Polian. He said, “I’m not so sure we shouldn’t think about widening the field. It’s a radical idea, but I think it’s worth thinking about. You would have more space and perhaps a safer game. I say that based on my CFL experience. There are less collisions of that type in the Canadian game.”

Warren Moon

Even Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Moon got into the discussion.

Here’s what he had to say to Pompei: “The lower impact hits I think cause more problems over a period of time because there are more of them. A wide receiver doesn’t get the number of hits a linebacker or lineman gets on a day to day basis. Those hits accumulate over time and probably do more damage than a big hit a receiver might get a few times a season.”

It’s clearly a radical idea that would have a profound affect on the NFL. Maybe too profound. There are less radical ideas out there, such as widening the hash marks, but nobody’s really sure that would have any impact on player safety. After all, that’s what the entire intent is here.

As the NFL continues to look for ways to make things safer for players, yet keep the explosive allure for fans, there will probably be more radical ideas. After all, if change is to be made, most times it’s the radical ideas that make a difference.

It will be interesting to see just how much discussion this idea brings.

What are your thoughts? Leave a comment below … or visit us and like us on Facebook. You can also follow us on Twitter.

Video of NFL big hits

Herb Adderley is helped out of a wheelchair before walking onto Lambeau Field this past December.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Not sure if you had a chance to see this, but former Green Bay Packers cornerback Herb Adderley’s comments surely illustrates why there is a major disconnect between NFL alumni players and those part of the game today.

Adderley was a guest on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Radio channel with host Chris Russo Monday and was asked about Drew Brees’s comments made about the financial situations of former players.

Russo read this quote from Brees: ”There’s some guys out there that have made bad business decisions. They took their pensions early because they never went out and got a job. They’ve had a couple divorces and they’re making payments to this place and that place and that’s why they don’t have money. And they’re coming to us to basically say, ‘Please make up for my bad judgment.’ ”

Adderley, a Hall of Fame cornerback who earned a handful of Super Bowl Championship rings during his time as a players, had this response: “Drew Brees is misinformed and he had no idea what was going on as far as why,” Adderley said. “He never came to any of the guys and said, ‘Well, why did you have to take early pension?’ He just made up his own mind about why some guys were in bad shape financially. And he just came out and made statements like that. And in my mind, Drew Brees is one of the greediest guys, and misinformed guys, in the NFL today. Last year he held out because he wanted more money. The guy’s already made millions and millions and millions of dollars, but he’s going to hold out for more money. And then he comes down on the retired guys for just wanting a few more dollars for the time, the cornerstones, what we put in the league . . . .  And none of us retired guys are fans of Brees because of him being misinformed. I needed the money. I needed to put my daughter through school and she ended up being a very successful dentist at the particular time in Washington, D.C.  If I don’t do that, she don’t end up going to college.”

Herb Adderley makes his way out of the tunnel at Lambeau Field this past December.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Clearly, Brees was pigeon-holing players of the past and doesn’t have a clear picture of what these former stars – the players who built the league into the multi-billion-dollar empire that it is today – have gone through. Though the players of the 1950s and 60s who are still alive today made good dollars in their day, it is nothing compared to what the players of today make.

In addition, those former players are now living with the maladies of not only growing older, but injuries suffered during the days when concussions were considered nothing more than “getting your bell rung.”

I recently had the opportunity to be on the sidelines as a photographer at the Packers vs. Vikings game at Lambeau field this past December. Adderley was one of the alumni honored by the Packers that day. When I saw Adderley being pushed up the tunnel in a wheelchair, I was saddened. Before he got to the end of the tunnel, Adderley was helped out of the chair so he could shuffle onto to Lambeau Field on his own power. You could see the immense pride of the man as he emerged from the tunnel and showered with cheers once more.

In my humble opinion, the current players association has been woefully insensitive to the needs of all these former players. Adderley is right. Greed has played a huge role in the plight of these former players and the league as well as the players association should be ashamed of their lack of support.

Here are 10 resolutions that might please Green Bay Packers fans.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

It’s 2013 … another year to look forward to as fans of the Green Bay Packers.

As the National Football League postseason kicks off this coming Saturday, we thought we would take a quick look at some early resolutions for the Packers.

Therefore, we resolve and hope the Packers:

Mike McCarthy
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

1. Develop that Super Bowl swagger. Head Coach Mike McCarthy alluded to the fact that his team has to take control of their own destiny starting Saturday night if they plan to march toward the Super Bowl.

2. Learn to tackle, Tramon Williams who has got to stick his nose into the tackle. We know he is one of the best cover corners in the league. Now he must amp up his game by sticking some tackles and there’s no better place to start than this coming Saturday against Adrian Peterson.

3. Start a new streak against their NFC North opponents. The Vikings broke the Packers’ winning streak against division opponents, but now it’s time to restart the streak – and what better way than when all the marbles are on the line in a playoff game.

James Starks scores against the Vikings.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

4. Have the opportunity to get James Starks back on the field, but also continue to get DuJuan Harris some touches. He seems to ignite the Packers’ run game and has been a great change-of-pace back.

5. Fan base continues to make the difference and that Mike McCarthy and the Packers re-find that Packers home playoff game dominance. Under McCarthy, the Packers are 1-3 in postseason play. Granted, both those losses were against the New York Giants who went on to win the Super Bowl in both cases, but that’s no excuse. Bring on the Vikings.

Mason Crosby
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

6. Stick with Mason Crosby and that he continues his streak of made field goals and quiets the criticism that has been so strong the past month.

7. Look toward a balance of offense and defense in the upcoming draft. We especially hope that Ted Thompson uses the draft to strengthen the team’s offensive line – targeting players who will strengthen pass protection.

8. Focus on developing schemes that stop dominant runners like Adrian Peterson. But come to think of it, I’m not sure it’s possible to stop Peterson altogether. But there’s got to be a way to slow him down so he’s not a game-changer.

9. Make decisions about players like Donald Driver, Cedric Benson, Greg Jennings and Charles Woodsonearly in the off-season. If it’s time to cut the reins and move forward, then do it. Don’t let the players and

Charles Woodson acknowledges the crowd at Lambeau.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

the fan base hang with indecision.

10. That the Packers reach out to Brett Favre this coming season and finally bring him back for a formal retirement of his number.

Those are just a few of the quick thoughts that come to mind. There’s got to be a million others … let me know by commenting here, liking Lombardiave.com on Facebook and following us on Twitter.

December 30, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid walks off the field after losing to the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. It was his final game as head coach of the Eagles. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

“Black Monday” is historically the day after the final National Football League regular season games have been played. It’s the day when coaching staff firings are announced

If a normal year is considered black, today, Monday, Dec. 31, might go down in league history as the blackest of the black, the black hole where no light can seep in or out.

Dec 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith. He won’t have to worry about beating the Green Bay Packers anymore as he was fired Monday.
Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Already today, there have been, as of this writing, as many as 10 head coaches and general managers who have been given their pink slips – including our beloved Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith. I have a suggestion for the coach who takes over that storied franchise – don’t make defeating the Green Bay Packers your sole mission in life. Before you do, you might want to ask Lovie how that all went down.

In any event, the sound of the revolving doors over the next couple of weeks should be a loud hum as teams across the league scramble to hire the next coach that will take their franchise to the Super Bowl.

For us Green Bay Packers fans, the only thing we should worry about is whether some of these desperate teams sweep in and raid our coaching staff … though the team can somewhat control that situation, rarely do franchises stand in the way of someone improving their lot in life – and that’s the way it should be.

One of the best sites for keeping track of all that’s happening today and will be continuing throughout the next few weeks is at profootballtalk.com … Here is the link to the updated information.

Enjoy, and better yet, relish in the fact that the Packers are in the Playoffs once again, play at home this weekend and are preparing to take revenge on the Minnesota Vikings.

Jan 26, 2012, Honolulu, HI, USA; NFC quarterback Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers (12) signs autographs for fans during practice for the 2012 Pro Bowl at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The National Football League Pro Bowl has become a joke.

Sure, it’s an honor for every player who is selected, to be recognized for their accomplishments during the season. All the players say that.

Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews and Jeff Saturday – The Packers players named to the team yesterday – said exactly that.

Clay MatthewsRob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Clay Matthews:

“It means a great deal to me to continue to maintain the success on a personal level year-in and year-out, but ultimately this is a testament to the team that we have. The players around me, the coaching staff, the personnel department, and everybody who is involved with allowing me to do the things I can do on the field and helping to put me in a position to excel.”

Aaron Rodgers
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Rodgers:

“It’s an honor to be voted in, knowing that it’s a combination of the fans, my fellow players and the coaches. To be recognized by all of those people, it’s pretty special.”

Jeff SaturdayJeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff Saturday:

 “Obviously, it’s always an honor. Anytime you get to go to the Pro Bowl, it is an honor and you appreciate everyone, the players, coaches and fans that voted for you. As an offensive lineman, it is nice to get the award.”

But it’s one of those hollow honors for football players, a chance to hop a plane and head to Hawaii for a week’s vacation following a long, hard season. A time to bask in the sun, play some golf, tour the sights, take a swim and play a football game.

Play a football game?

Well, if that’s what you can call it.

Unlike Major League Baseball’s All-Star game that is not only a stage for the game’s best players, it’s a competition with something on the line – home field advantage for the league’s championship World Series. They have something for which to play.

The NFL’s All-Star game is just that – a whole bunch of multi-millionaires jogging through the motions with quarterbacks and wide receivers playing pitch and catch. It’s not a game … it’s a joke … and something needs to be done with it.

I say scrap it altogether. If the league is going to have a season-ending picnic in Hawaii, then that’s what they should have. Forget the game … play a softball game, volleyball game, pick-up basketball game … whatever. Just get rid of the football game because it’s an embarrassment to the players, the coaches and the league. Everybody laughs out loud about it – heck, even Aaron Rodgers came out last year and blasted the players and the game for what it really is … a laid back laugh.

So, when the players come out today and for the next week and describe how proud they are for having been selected, we all know that in the backs of their minds they are laughing. They are thinking it’s just another bargaining chip that will land them a few million more dollars in their next contract.

You know they are not looking at film, meeting with coaches and actually developing schemes to beat the other team. They are planning their itinerary for themselves and their family. They are scheduling their 10-minute appearance on the NFL Network (another joke, for another column), deciding what they will say when interviewed on the sideline during the game and making flight plans for their next destination after leaving Hawaii.

Sure, they have earned the honor of selection. That’s a good thing. But when the league says there will be an actual game, that is a joke and an insult to the fans who follow the game so passionately and closely.

In the meantime, we have to extend our congratulations to the three Packers selected: Matthews, Rodgers and Saturday – which brings me to the next issue – Jeff Saturday? Really?

I love Mr. Saturday as much as the next Packers fan, but in my mind he really hasn’t had the standout, stout season that we all expected – and to be selected to the Pro Bowl only emphasizes what I’ve been stating all along here.

Jeff Saturday? Really? He was benched last week because he wasn’t meeting team expectations and now he’s an Pro Bowler … hmmmmm.

Anyway, that’s enough … congrats to all who have been selected.

Now, let’s get on to the real games that will be played this weekend. These will be the most important games of the season for so many teams in the league – starting right with the Packers vs. Vikings in Minneapolis.

I’m sure the players are watching plenty of film, meeting with coaches, practicing their butts off and scheming on ways to beat the opponent.

That’s what football’s all about.

Apr 28, 2011; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell introduces the 32nd overall pick of the Green Bay Packers during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE

The Week 14 FanSided 2013 NFL Mock Draft has been released.

The folks over at FanSided.com do a new mock draft every week right up until the actual draft in April, and we here at LombardiAve.com know it’s never too early for some draft conjecture of our own. We Packer fans have our own opinions about what needs the Packers should try to fill using the 2013 draft. In this article we’ll explore some possibilities for the Packers first pick.

Draft positions will shuffle some during the remainder of the season, so the Packers position in round 1 will probably move around a bit. Here’s hoping that it ends up being the 32^nd pick in round 1!

According to Fansided, with the 26^th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select:

“Lane Johnson – Offensive Tackle Oklahoma”

Analysis: “Aaron Rodgers is one of the most sacked quarterbacks in the NFL over the past two seasons, and in 2012 he was just brutalized on a regular basis. Packers lineman complained about the refs after the Seattle Screw but they should have been more angry at the fact the Packers have had to take receivers off the field to add extra blockers. Green Bay doesn’t need too much but a glaring need is apparent on the offensive line.”

I have my doubts about Mr. Johnson. He has decent size at 6-7 and 303. He hasn’t played OT for his whole college career, having worked as a TE and a DE. A two-year starter only at OT, most draftniks think he’s a natural RT if he plays O line at all. Yet I hear nobody saying he’ll be able to transition to LT, which is where the Packers really need help on the O line. Bulaga is, at least as far as I’m concerned, the Packers RT for the next decade if he can stay healthy. The Packers don’t have anybody that fits a similar description on the left side. Johnson also projects as a second or even third round pick on many boards. Not a good get with the first round pick for the Packers.

If the Packers go OL with the first pick I would rather it be a lineman who either projects as a natural LT or a guy who has shown ability, and proven that ability, to play multiple O line positions well.

I still think the Packers should mortgage something to get into position to draft Jake Matthews from Texas A&M as their next-decade LT, or the versatile Barrett Jones from Alabama. Both would be excellent gets for TT and MM.

This week we’re going to take a look at some other prospects. We’ve mocked the O line to death already. Let’s look at some other positions the Packers might fill with their first round pick.

Running Back

Everybody knows you don’t need or necessarily want to draft a RB in the first round. Unless of course you have an opportunity to draft somebody like Adrian Peterson.

There are plenty of talented RBs in college but I see no prospects like Peterson out there. Giovani Bernard (North Carolina), Stefan Taylor (Stanford), Eddie Lacey (Alabama), Joseph Randle (OSU), Mike Gillislee (Florida), Le’Veon Bell (Michigan State), Monte Ball (Wisconsin), and a whole bunch more will be getting drafted by some NFL team, but where should they go?

Randle and Bell are over six feet tall. Everybody else is under six feet. Bell also weighs in at 235, which is a load at RB. I’m not convinced any of these guys are worthy of a first round selection, but Bernard and Randle show up in the first round on many mock drafts.

Sentimentality dictates Monte Ball as my choice, but I’m afraid he’s not elusive enough to avoid the career-depleting hits that RBs sometimes take in the NFL. But he sure would be fun to watch in Packers green and gold on Sundays. If he makes it out of the first round maybe TT grabs him in the second round? Can you get behind it?

Safety

The Packers have some talented young DBs. But I think TT and MM might be thinking about getting somebody who is bigger and faster than what they have on their roster today. Somebody more suited to blitzing and actually getting to the QB. Somebody tall enough and tough enough to make opposing WRs and TEs think about when they venture across the middle.

The Packers clearly miss Nick Collins and it shows on Sundays. I think maybe the Packers go after a safety in the first round.

There are a variety of safeties out there, but I’m going to stick with guys who are over 6-1. Eric Reid (LSU), Kenny Vaccaro (Texas), T.J. McDonald (USC), and Robert Lester (Alabama) all fit the criteria.

I really can’t make a strong case for anybody but T.J. McDonald. He’s got more tackles and more experience than the rest of the group, and he’s been playing in a Kiffen defensive secondary, which requires a bit more headwork than most other college defenses.

Tight End

I was a big believer in J-Mike Finley’s ability and updsides. Unfortunately he’s proven to be way too inconsistent for my taste. The Packers other TEs have shown flashes of true brilliance, but I think secretly TT and MM want a reliable, consistent, and above all sure-handed TE. Do they go after one in round 1? What’s out there?

I think the Packers could really use a guy like Jason Witten in Dallas, Jimmy Graham in New Orleans, or Gronk in New England. A big TALL quick guy who can move and catch and make defenses adjust every time they’re on the field.

There are a few guys like that in college now. Tyler Eifert (Notre Dame), Zach Ertz (Stanford), Joseph Fauria (UCLA), Ryan Otten (San Jose State), and Michael Williams (Alabama) all come to mind.  All are 6-6 or better and all have caught over 40 passes this season except Williams.

My pick for the Packers in the 2013 draft would be Zach Ertz. He’s 6-6 and 249. He runs the 40 in about 4.6. He can jump, he has good hands, and even his blocking ability is an asset. I could see him dunking TD catches over the Lambeau goal posts before Lambeau Leaping into the fourth row of seats. Can you dig it?

How about it? Do the Packers go after a quick running back like Monte Ball, a big safety like T.J. McDonald, or do they do what I think they should do…go after Gronk-like TE Zach Ertz from Stanford? Or should they still sell some more stock to find a way to get Jake Matthews or make Barrett Jones their first pick? Let me know which way you think the Packers should go!

Don’t forget to check out the whole mock at FanSided 2013 NFL Mock Draft.

What former player would you add to the 2012 Packers?

Let’s talk Packers. Let’s speculate. Let’s take a look back in time.

I love remembering the great things about the Green Bay Packers; even sometimes, I like looking back on all the bad years of the Green Bay Packers.

It’s all part of the lore of the National Football League‘s finest franchise. Ok, Bears fans, it’s all right. We won’t rub it in.

But here’s a chance for everyone to consider a question that got me to thinking about how various players from different eras would fit into the Green Bay Packers of 2012.

So, the question is this:

If you could add any former Packers player to the team’s 2012 roster, who would it be and why?

Can you imagine Aaron Rodgers throwing to Don Hutson? B.J. Raji lining up next to Willie Davis? Charles Woodson lining up across from Willie Wood? How about Jerry Kramer toiling in the trenches with this year’s offensive line unit?

Give us your best shot on this one. Would love to hear what your imagination says …

And while you’re at it, Like Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Oct 1, 2011; Hattiesburg, MS, USA; Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles former quarterback Brett Favre talks on television for Comcast Sports Southeast before the start of the game against the Rice Owls at M.M. Roberts Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-US PRESSWIRE

On this very day in Green Bay Packers history, Brett Favre made his first official start against the Pittsburgh Steelers, leading the Packers to a 17-3 victory.

In the process of winning, Favre also posted an impressive quarterback rating – one of the best ratings in team history.

The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame provides this Packers day in history post each and every day. If you’re into remembering all the good – and bad – things that have occurred over the past 94 years, revisit their page daily.

But without further adieu … enjoy this blast to the past.

Oh, and don’t forget to like lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Simply Favrelous: Brett Makes First NFL Start

Sept. 27, 1992 – Brett Favre makes his first NFL start at quarterback one week after leading the Green Bay Packers to an exciting, last-minute, 24-23 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. This time the cannon-armed field general disposes of the Pittsburgh Steelers, 17-3, to even the team’s record at 2-2. “Today he played like a veteran,” Steelers safety Carnell Lake says of the Packers’ young quarterback. “He showed that he knows what he’s doing out there.” Favre is on target completing 14 of 19 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns. His passer rating of 144.6 is one of the best in team history.

Sept 24, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; MD Jennings clearly picked the ball off but the refs ruled in favor of Golden Tate who should have been penalized for offensive pass interference after he shoved Sam Shields away. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-US PRESSWIRE

I think everybody can agree that Monday night’s game against the Seahawks was a win that the replacement referees took away from the Green Bay Packers.

The call was clearly wrong as the entire game was painful to watch, from the offensive pass interferences that were missed mutliple times in the second half, to the roughing the passer calls that should not have been penalties. It is time for the regular referees to come back and bring integrity back to the National Football League.

But let’s be realistic, the only way that these owners will do that is if the fans openly protest, sponsors threaten to end endorsement deals, or season ticket holders sue the NFL for not providing the on-field quality for which they paid.

The best way to send the message to the NFL is to openly protest the league. This is what the fans of the NFL deserve. I propose that if the replacement referees are not back for next week, all fans should walk out during the game to protest the referee issue. This would humiliate the NFL into bringing back the referees as the potential of fans not buying tickets as this would limit the owners ability to make money.

At the end of the day, the one way of getting to owners in taking away some of their money because they don’t have the actual refs back. The Packers have had a game stolen from them, literally. Tthis is the biggest debacle that I have ever seen in sports.

The league must make it right and do it now.

The map below and the link above will take you to the506.com’s pages which not only give you the hand dandy colored maps, but also all the broadcast rules and regulations you would ever need.

As for the Packers vs. Seahawks Monday Night Football game, you don’t have to worry about colors and maps – the game is national (is it international, too?) and will be broadcast anywhere that ESPN is available (which is just about anywhere on the planet).

But in the meantime, enjoy your games today and don’t forget to tune in tomorrow night when the Packers and Seahawks go head-to-head.

Go to the506.com for all the maps and more.

Yes, the Vikings are 1-1, but we all know that won’t last long as they get into the meat of their schedule. The 49ers are 2-0 and showing they have what it takes to make a push for a Super Bowl title.

That’s just one of the 16 games this week and one that’s probably pretty easy to pick the winner. However, like every week in the NFL there are surprises. The Niners versus the Vikings won’t be one of them.

So, without any further delay, here are all the games and my projected winners and losers. Ok, we’ll start with that SF vs. Minnesota game while we’re on the topic.

• San Francisco 27 Vikings 10: Christian Ponder is the league’s most accurate passer, but he won’t be after today. The Niners’ defense will be the difference in this one. While Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson will be an interesting matchup against the Niners’ defense, in the end San Francisco contains the elusive one and get after Ponder. The Niners also get at least one turnover that they turn into a score in this route.

• Tennessee 23 Detroit 21: The Lions sit at 1-1, but come into Tennessee looking more like the Paper Lions. I see this as one of the upsets of the week. Chris Johnson has a breakout game and Detroit shows why their lack of a run game and their inconsistency will be their downfall this season.

• Buffalo 28 Cleveland 14: The Buffalo defense will have its day with Cleveland rookie QB Brandon Weeden, but will also have to stop Trent Richardson. On the other side of the ball, Buffalo’s C.J. Spiller (yes, he’s the league’s leading rusher) will have his way with the Cleveland defense.

• Pittsburgh 24 Oakland 16: The Pittsburgh defense showed last week why they will carry this team to many wins this season by shutting down the New York Jets. They will do the same today against the so-far-pathetic Oakland Raiders.

• Indianapolis 17 Jacksonville 12: Yes, the Colts move to 2-1 as they get by the hapless Jaguars. In this sleeper, Maurice Jones-Drew will be all that Jacksonville will offer in offense for the Jags, while Indy rookie QB Andrew Luck does just enough to give his team an ugly win.

• Cincinnati 26 Washington 20: This is an intriguing game not because of Robert Griffin III, but because of the loss of  two of the Redskins’ top defensive players, Adam Carriker and Brian Orakpo. Cincinnati will look to exploit their losses and will probably be successful in that effort. Griffin will have his second straight week of inconsistency.

• St. Louis 20 Chicago 17: St. Louis has shown some moxie in the early going and have had some decent games from QB Sam Bradford. Chicago is still reeling from its bad showing in Green Bay last week and lack of leadership from Jay Cutler. The trend in the Windy City continues as the St. Louis defense picks up where the Packers left off and Bradford brings his A game in a close game.

• New York Jets 31 Miami 23: The Jets come back to life after their drubbing at the hands of the Steelers last week, but only because they are playing a not-so-good Dolphins team. In this game that doesn’t bring much excitement for anyone outside the New York and Miami area codes, the Jets will put together some offense today, while Miami’s Reggie Bush will have a tough time running against the New York defense.

• New Orleans 33 Kansas City 20: I can’t imagine that a Drew Brees-led Saints team is going to go 0-3, especially when they are playing at home. Kansas City isn’t built for a shoot-out and the Saints won’t be denied points in the Super Dome. I see Brees throwing for huge yardage today and Matt Cassell struggling for the most part.

• Tampa Bay 23 Dallas 21: This will be a knock down, drag out type of game at Dallas, but I feel Tampa Bay’s off-season improvements have been a bit more than those made by Dallas. The Cowboys’ beating at Seattle last week showed some ugly warts and even thought the Bucs gave up miles of yardage to Eli Manning and the Giants in the second half of their loss last week, I feel the Josh Freeman-led Bucs will get out of Texas with a close win today.

• Atlanta 24 San Diego 20: Neither of these teams has been overly impressive while going 2-0. There are just too many questions surrounding their fast starts. While the Falcons showed they can take the ball away with their treatment of Peyton Manning last week, their offense has been sluggish. The Chargers get running back Ryan Mathews back this week, but is he really ready to play? I think Matt Ryan and the Falcons get a couple of turnovers in this one to make the difference.

• Houston 27 Denver 23: The Peyton Manning love-fest takes another dive today as he loses at home against the Arian Foster-led Texans who will get their first win over a competitive team. Manning’s turnovers last week raised a few eyebrows and it won’t get any easier for the veteran whose arm strength has come into question. On the other side, Foster takes over games with his legs. Today won’t be any different.

• Philadelphia 28 Arizona 26: This battle of the unbeatens will be closer than most are predicting, with the Eagles coming back once again, despite turnovers, to find a way to win. Arizona is for real, as are the Eagles. The difference in this one will be the Eagles’ ability to get after their former QB Kevin Kolb. The Cardinals make a game of it, but somehow the Michael Vick-led Eagles find a way to win.

• New England 23 Baltimore 17: Many are thinking this is the game of the week … and I get the feeling these two teams won’t disappoint. There will be hitting, there will be some trash talking, but when it comes down to the end, it will be Patriots’ QB Tom Brady who shows why he’s one of the best in the league. The older Baltimore defense isn’t showing the teeth it once did and Brady will find ways to exploit. For the Ravens, they will discover that Joe Flacco’s inconsistency in the passing game will hurt them once again. For the second straight week, they don’t utilize Ray Rice enough and the Patriots will use turnovers to their advantage.

Packers 31 Seahawks 17: This Monday Night matchup will have some intrigue, but when it comes down to the end, it will be a resurgent Packers offense with WR Greg Jennings back in the mix that will be the difference. The 12th Man in Seattle and the Seahawks defense will slow the Packers to start, but when Green Bay’s defense closes down Seattle’s running game and forces the pass with rookie Russell Wilson, the former Wisconsin star will make mistakes. The Packers will get enough of a running game to allow Aaron Rodgers to pick apart the Seattle defensive backfield. Though the Packers start slowly in this one, it will be over by the fourth quarter as Rodgers rolls in the second and third quarters. Heck, they may even call over to the Seahawks’ sideline to see if former backup QB Matt Flynn wants to go in for Rodgers …

Case in point is one of his most recent drawings that was released following the Packers win over the Chicago Bears last Thursday.

So, without further adieu and with permission from Mr. Heller to republish his cartoon here on Lombardiave.com, is something that should make you laugh out loud, if not at least curl the corners of your  mouth just a little bit.

One thing the Packers must do to keep from going 0-2 is to get their running game going against the Chicago Bears Thursday night. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

If there’s one thing that’s certain about Sunday’s game between the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers, it’s this: The 49ers may just be the best team the Packers face all season.

It was clear from Sunday’s game that the 49ers are one of the most balanced teams in the league. They have a great offensive line, they run the ball well, their quarterback doesn’t make mistakes, their defense is the cream of the crop and their special teams are top-notch.

That said, and as badly as the Packers played Sunday, they still nearly pulled out a win at Lambeau Field.

The fact remains that the Packers were outplayed in all three phases of the game – offense, defense and special teams … well, maybe special teams were a wash with the return of a punt for a touchdown by Randall Cobb. Nevertheless, it’s over and the Packers are 0-1.

Could they open the 2012 season at 0-2? After all, it is the Chicago Bears who are coming to town in 48 hours – a 1-0 Chicago Bears team that destroyed the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday. Ok, so it was the Colts – a not very good Colts team.

Either way, we all know it’s time to throw out the records and previous games – it’s the Chicago Bears that are coming to town. It’s a division game and if the Packers are to win the North Division, they have to beat the Bears.

Head Coach Mike McCarthy understands that. So, does Aaron Rodgers.

That’s why they must learn from the 49ers game and move on … quickly.

In 48 hours they will be kicking off against the Bears in one of the more unusual scheduling tricks played on both teams in recent years. After opening the campaign on Sunday, both the Packers and Bears must turn around and play the opening Thursday Night Football game.

So, how do the Packers keep from going 0-2?

Well, they get after Jay Cutler and punish him; they play solid special teams and they get their offense going – namely their running game.

It’s a tall order, but remember, this was a team that had 15 wins last season … it’s not time to panic, but it is time for the Packers to play football like they are capable of playing football. It’s also time to get back to winning football games.

Thursday night’s the best time to do that.

Enjoy the Packers versus 49ers today. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

If you’re going to Lambeau Field for today’s game between the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers, you will have ringside seats to the National Football League’s most-anticipated game – heck, even Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will be there calling it.

However, if not, check out the preview below, as well as the map provided by http://www.the506.com/nflmaps/2012/wk1.html.

Across the state, the game will be broadcast on FOX television stations, and if you like listening to Wayne Larrivee on the radio, check out the Packers Radio Network.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-previews/0ap2000000059209/Preview-San-Francisco-49ers-vs-Green-Bay-Packers

NFL on FOX: Week 1 Late Game – September 9, 2012 

UPDATES:
Fort Myers FL: SF-GB to CAR-TB

Jordy Nelson scores a touchdown versus the 49ers back in 2010. Packers fans hope Nelson and the other Packers receivers come up big against the 49ers Sunday. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

In a bit more than 24 hours we will all be transfixed on Lambeau Field and the opening of the 2012 National Football League game for both the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers.

Many feel this is a preview of the the National Football Conference Championship Game … to me, that’s a bit premature. Both of these teams will look a lot different in December and January than they look now, but as we enter the season, this is as big as it gets. No doubt, this game trumps all others this first week – even the Cowboys vs. Giants and Broncos vs. Steelers, in my opinion, aren’t as sexy as this one.

You’ve got offense versus defense; Aaron Rodgers versus Alex Smith; the Packers offensive line versus the Smith boys on the 49ers defensive line; Randy Moss versus the Packers secondary – and a whole lot more.

And so, with that in mind, we here at Lombardiave.com have caught up with Eric Melendez, the lead editor at our Fansided.com fellow blog site, NinerNoise.com. We asked him a few questions about his outlook for Sunday’s game. In kind, we also answered a few questions he threw our way – we will feature our answers right here on our site tomorrow morning, so be sure to stop back prior to the game to see our exchange.

In the meantime, here’s our questions and Eric’s responses:

With new addition Perrish Cox and second-year player Chris Culliver at cornerback behind the starters, the secondary appears to be in good hands. Cox showed in the preseason he makes the correct reads of what the quarterback is going to do. Culliver has the size and speed to keep up with the Packers receivers.

Lombardiave: The 49ers defense has been hailed as one of the best to hit the field in many years. The question I have going into Sunday’s game is this: Can they really slow down the Packers’ offense?

The 49ers defense will pose a huge challenge to the Packers offense. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Niner Noise: The 49ers’ secondary looked sluggish in the preseason, especially the first-stringers, which was not encouraging.  However, the 49ers have Pro Bowlers Carlos Rogers at cornerback and Dashon Goldson at safety leading and directing what the secondary needs to do on Sunday. What is key to the 49ers slowing down the Packers’ offense is applying constant pressure on Rodgers and forcing him to make mistakes, something the defensive line and linebackers did well last season. If the 49ers defense cannot get pressure on Rodgers, there is no way they will slow down the passing game.

Lombardiave: Given that the Packers’ pass defense was pathetic last season and considering that the Packers have had injuries to their defensive line (Pickett and Raji) will the Niners try to exploit the Packers through the air or on the ground?

Niner Noise: Expect the 49ers offense to exploit the Packers through the ground more than the air. The 49ers upgraded their passing game with the new additions at wide receiver, but the running game will still be the focus of the offense. The 49ers offensive line will win the matchup against the Packers defensive line, allowing them to march down the field. The real question is can the 49ers score touchdowns and not field goals after entering the red zone. This is something they struggled with last season which is why kicker David Akers set multiple kicking records. The 49ers need to score a touchdown on every possession if they want to keep up with the Packers prolific passing offense and have a chance to win the game.

Moss is second on the receivers depth chart, so Jim Harbaugh and his coaching staff knows he can and will be valuable on the field as well. If Harbaugh did not think Moss could start and would do damage to opposing defenses, he would not be one of the starting receivers. Look for Moss to be a favorite target for Alex Smith in the back of the end zone.

Niner Noise: The 49ers and Packers will get off to a slow start as it is opening week and we will see some turnovers from both teams in the first half. The second half will be faster paced with both teams making plays they should on offense and defense. As much as the offenses will be highlighted, both defenses will be what everyone will be talking about after the game. It will be a close game throughout with 49ers edging out the win, 25-23, in the final minutes with a turnover.

Dec 25, 2011; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Jarius Wynn (94) during the game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Bears 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Jarius Wynn, an on-again, off-again member of the Green Bay Packers, was discarded once again by the team this morning.

His cut was the first of several that should be announced sometime this afternoon as the Packers make the move to get down to the 75-man roster imposed by the National Football League.

Wynn was a sixth round pick by the Packers in 2009 and made the roster that season. However, he was cut in 2010, was brought back to the practice squad and was placed back onto the 53-man roster when Justin Harrell went down with injury for the umpteenth time. Wynn played well enough to make it into every game last season, though his production was minimal. He started four games.

However, with the major push by Ted Thompson to improve the defense this off-season, there was little room for Wynn.

As other announcements are made by the team today we will keep you up-to-date here and on our Facebook page.

Yes, we are all wound a bit too tightly, folks. It is just preseason. Whether the Packers fix their pitiful running attack, whether Graham Harrell can find his rhythm, whether the defense can find its mojo and just how long Desmond Bishop will be out – yes, those are important questions to consider.

But not today.

Today I thought i might be fun just to relax and take a look at something fun, something not related to football, something that will put a smile on my face and give me time to think about something less stressful … kinda like when Packers coach Mike McCarthy took his team skeet shooting.

Yes, there will be those of you out there who will scream and whine like Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz. You will say, “this is football season. We work hard here and we make every minute count. When I come to this website, I want to read about football, I want to have every ounce of football information crammed down my throat because that’s what we do!”

Relax.

We’ll get back to football. There’s plenty of football season ahead and yes, we’ll give you what you want.

But for today, here’s something a bit different.

Being a journalist, a man of words and fonts, I provide you this brief, humorous look at what fonts might sound like if they had a voice. You know you’ve done it with your pets. Well, today we do it with fonts.

Check it out. Then stop back later today and the rest of the football season for some Packers news …

Green Bay Packers head coach Vince Lombardi's name should be the only name affiliated with the trophy. Malcolm Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

I could never figure out why the NFL Network hired Michael Irvin as a commentator for its programming.

He talks like a hood; he looks like hoodlum; and we all know his past behavior is nothing short of criminal.

Today, any modicum of respect that I had for him (which was nil) was washed down his toilet like the turd he is.

He suggested in an interview today that the Lombardi Trophy should be named to include the hoodie man himself, Bill Belichick – or Bill Belicheat as many have come to know him.

Yes, he’s won a few Super Bowls and has been a perennial winner with the Patriots.

But to suggest that Patriots’ coach’s name be attached to the trophy that has become the highest symbol of excellence in all of sports is ridiculous, it’s stupid, and just plain idiotic.

Here’s what he had to say to the Boston Herald:

“I think the world of Belichick. I told him this, ‘Man, if it was up to me, that (Super Bowl) trophy would be called the Lombardi/Belichick.’ I don’t care what they think. It would be called the Lombardi/Belichick. That’s how good he is to do what he’s doing in this day and age, what the league is now. I would call it the Lombardi/Belichick.”

Obviously, the reaction was immediate and severe.

Here are some of the comments that I pulled off www.facebook.com/apackphan:

• Paula Rick No way.. No how Never.

  9 hours ago · Like
• 

  Cory Grassell other known facts: water is wet.

  9 hours ago · Like · 1
• 

  Patrick W. Steele People have no ability to put things in perspective… Chuck Noll won FOUR super bowls with Pittsburgh and did not lose one… Belichek is only 3-2 in the super bowl…. and he is a douche

  9 hours ago · Like · 1
• 

  Donnie BoeSr ABSOLUTLY NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!

  8 hours ago · Like
• 

  Sten Cantwell not only never, but never ever, billicheat should b e out of football forever and all his cheating wins erased! irvin should be fired, doper womanizer

  8 hours ago · Like · 1

  Need I say more? Consider this idea idiotic and done …

  Irvin is a singular enemy of the NFL.

  Michael Irvin, go back to the hood and take your stupid ideas with you.