October 18, 2004

Manifest Destiny or Not: Dyin Ain’t Much of A Livin!

By: Marty Coultas
Milwaukeeworld.com
MartyCoultas@Yahoo.com

Welcome back Milwaukeeworlders to another week of crazy freakin sporting news. Over the last week since we talked, we hear Brett Favre say that he is seriously considering retirement after this season after a talk with his daughter while driving her to school. Granted, everyone knows that children are always concerned with what is best for their parents, but people, Favre is considering this “advice” from a FREAKIN FIVE-YEAR-OLD!

This week we also saw that the boys from Boston are sick and tired of this “Bambino Curse,” every one seems to obsess over and we saw the St. Louis Cards prove, yet again, this is their year and they are going to do whatever the hell it takes to attain what they believe is their destiny!

With that said Milwaukeeworlders, let us begin with the Green and Gold and chat about what their destiny may end up being come February.

The “new look” Packers showed up to play at the Ford Center on Sunday. Not so much the “new look” but rather an old look Packer team. One that got into the playoffs last year through a miracle and one that has a big hill to climb but showed some promise this weekend.

Those who recall the last half of 2003 will remember that the Packers played a tight defensive scheme with occasional blitzing and used the speed of the linebackers to cover receivers whenever the corners and safeties were sent into opposing backfields. We used to do that successfully with the former defensive coordinator, now it is the Slowik plan.

Rest assured, I recognize that the best receiver available to the Lions was the mediocre Az Hakim. I also realize that he burned Carroll early but the defensive plan was still better and the fact that Carroll held his own the rest of the day was encouraging. What was much better was the way that Sharper was playing 10 to 15 yards off the line as he has so successfully done for all of the early part of his career. The result was him being involved in tackles and the interception that really put the dagger into the Lions heart. The play of the D line was more inspired and even though I miss KGB, I thought the guy that was there in his body yesterday did a good job.

I don't think I realized how important Najah Davenport is to the offense until yesterday. Clearly his presence is extremely important to the team. He is a punishing runner and more than once yesterday carried defenders with him for his extra yards. His TD was a thing of beauty. I was also impressed with the play of Antonio Chatman and even though I know he has limitations, it is great to see that he goes after everything thrown at him and he catches the ball. If we can ever get all the receivers healthy, he could be a big weapon.

The offensive line was also good yesterday given that the massive front of the Lion defense is really a good group. For our backs to run over them the way they did, it required a few gaps and those were provided in abundance. Overall it was a good showing but we will need to be that good or better to win this week against a Dallas team that is obviously chomping at the bit to get a win. Dallas has a better team than Detroit and they will be pumped. Hopefully, so will we and if we are then we will win. I hope the turnaround has started.

Oh yeah, there was Sherman in that casual Guayabera shirt with the tail out again yesterday. That must be his indoor dome shirt. I guess that would be appropriate for a Central American wedding but really just looks sloppy here in the USA.

Somebody needs to help him get a clue, or at least a personal stylist. I think he can afford it!

And now, let us talk some baseball! God do I love October and baseball! If my predictions are correct we just may end up seeing the greatest World Series in the history of the game in just a few short days.

Again this week, we have seen a come back that not one person besides a Red Sox fan thought possible, the unbelievable 12th inning heroics of the Boston Red Sox who won a marathon Sunday night against the Yankees. They scored a run off Mariano Rivera to tie the game. That won't happen again and sadly, the curse of the Bambino will continue for at least another year. But man, have these boys shown us that they believe they can win this series against the Yanks? Props to you boys, too bad its just another case where the effort was just too little too late.

And what is the deal with Beltran from Houston? Is this guy on a binge or what? I still like the Cards but Houston is slippery and they have a guy carrying them who is smoking hot right now. Not too mention AP, the freakin best player on that team. He showed us Sunday afternoon that this team is serious. And, remember people, like I said last week, although these boys from Houston are hot and looking for respect, unfortunately it aint gonna happen this season.

Those Bud Boys are just too damn good!

With that said my fellow sports addicts, let us remember this week that there is a lot more prey to be devoured. Not only for the Packers, but also for the Cards, the Yanks, the Sox and the Astros.

And, if I may quote Clint Eastwood in the movie, The Outlaw: Josey Wales:

“People, dyin aint much of a livin.”

Let us remember that as we watch the baseball playoffs this week and see who dies and who does not. It’s all about destiny baby and who wants it more. We will see that result one-week from now.

As always, remember to keep your ears open and your noses clean!

Ciao.....

Marty the Sports Chick
Milwaukeeworld.com
MartyCoultas@yahoo.com

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