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  • Green Bay Packers Prepare For The 49ers

    After beating the Chicago Bears to clinch the NFC North, the Green Bay Packers will have to face the San Francisco 49ers, again.

    This Sunday the Packers will take on the 49ers in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game.

    As a Packers fan, I’m happy to see them make it this far into the playoffs. It was touch and go for a while, first Clay Matthews broke his thumb in the week 5 game against the Lions, then Randall Cobb got hurt in the game against the Ravens in week 6, then Jermichael Finley’s season ending injury he suffered week 7 against the Browns, and quite possibly the greatest loss for the team for a while, when Aaron Rodgers got hurt during the Monday Night Football game week 9 against the Bears.

    All the worry and frustration dissipated when news broke that both Aaron Rodgers and Randall Cobb would be playing in the playoff game against the Bears.

    Now a win against the 49ers will determine if the Packers continue their season.

    When word came that the Packers would be playing the 49ers, flashbacks to last season’s final game against the 49ers began. It was the game that would send the winner to the Super Bowl. That winner was the 49ers. That game still stings for this fan.

    That game was played in San Francisco though. Maybe the bitter cold of winter in Green Bay could be an advantage for the team? Not necessarily so according to Rodgers, “You know, not everybody in this locker room is from the great state of Wisconsin. We do practice in it, live in it. I think we’re going to be better adapting to it initially, but once the game starts, it’s about who can execute in the cold weather. It does some different things to the football. It’s about taking care of the football in the playoffs and making some big plays. It definitely does change the texture of the football. So, you have to factor that in when you’re tossing the ball to a (running) back or when you’re throwing it. You have to make some small adjustments.”

    However, that bitter cold could have one downfall – fewer butts in the seats at Lambeau Field, but head coach Mike McCarthy isn’t worried about ticket sales. “I’m not concerned about it. Lambeau Field, I fully expect and have great confidence that it will be an incredible environment come Sunday. We have great fans. These are the games our fans live for, so I really have no concern about it at all. I have confidence that whatever needs to be done will be done,” said McCarthy.

    With their offense looking fresh again, it’s the defense the Packers need to worry about and keeping 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick contained. The Packers defense was ranked 29th and they have been struggling the past nine weeks. Matthews breaking his right thumb again in the week 16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers isn’t helping either.

    These injuries and changes the Packers have faced this season doesn’t seem to phase McCarthy. “We’re a playoff football team. Our identity has changed. This team has embraced it, and we know it’s going to take the full game to get it done, and that’s the way we play,” said McCarthy.

    You can watch the Packers take on the 49ers on Sunday, January 5 on FOX at 4:40 p.m. EST.

    Image via the Green Bay Packers official Twitter.

  • Brett Favre Rams: Did The Rams Turn To Favre?

    Brett Favre was approached by the St. Louis Rams to fill in at quarterback, although he seems to have denied the offer already. The Rams are searching for any sort of help that they can get.

    After struggling with Sam Bradford at quarterback, and now losing him to a season-ending injury, it is hard to know where to go from here.

    Some people were talking about the idea of bringing on Tim Tebow, but they decided to give Favre a call instead.

    He showed no signs of wanting to return to the league this time and simply said “It’s flattering, but you know there’s no way I’m going to do that.”

    Favre made a habit of wavering and being indecisive about whether to retire in his later years as a player, but he seems to be officially done at this point. Favre has not played a game since 2010, and it does not look like that will be changing any time soon. Favre admitted that it was a flattering offer, but that he is simply too old to get back on the field, and will be sticking to retirement this time.

    With all of the struggling and injuries happening with quarterbacks, Favre is not the only one who has ended up in this situation. In a bit of an opposite sort of situation, Jeff Garcia recently approached the Cleveland hopes of joining the team, although they did not want him, and that deal fell through as well.

    Sam Bradford went down with his injury in their game on Sunday night against the Carolina Panthers, in a 30-15 loss. With Favre out of consideration, the Rams have signed Brady Quinn, who previously played with the Cleveland Browns, and was released from the Jets earlier this week.

    Austin Davis is also returning, while they plan to start Kellen Clemsn in their game on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. With all of the troubles that the Rams have had at quarterback it is hard to know what is next for them

    What do you think? Who should be the new quarterback for the Rams? Respond below.

    After declining the offer from the Rams, Brett Favre will continue to go on living his calm life of retirement.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A6wvRgRM8Y

    Image via Youtube

  • Randall Cobb Injured: WR Will Miss Multiple Weeks

    Randall Cobb, the wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers, was injured in Sunday’s game. In a season that seems to be attacking almost every team in the league with some sort of injury, the Packers are the latest team to fall victim, losing both receiver Randall Cobb and fellow receiver James Jones in the same game.

    Both players were injured in yesterday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. Despite the injuries to an already ailing Packers team, they were able to prevail and defeat the Ravens in a very odd scoring game with a final score of 19-17. ESPN senior analyst Chris Mortensen confirmed that Cobb has a fractured fibula and could miss up to 6-8 weeks.

    Cobb leads the team with 29 receptions. He did return to the game after being hit in the right leg by Ravens safety Matt Elam. He was also seen using crutches on the sideline. James Jones was also injured, going down in the first quarter, and did not return. In relation to both injuries, head coach Mike McCarthy said “James, my understanding is he may have a chance. Randall does not have a chance this week. Randall will be multiple weeks.”

    The absence of both Cobb and Jones has left the Packers with only two viable options for receiver in Jordy Nelson and Jarrett Boykin. They will likely need to add another for next week. They have already re-signed the rookie Reggie Dunn to their practice squad, as of Monday.

    It was previously reported from Adam Schefter of ESPN that reports were good, and that he was only likely to miss a week or two. After further analysis of the injury, he is going to miss more than that, and will be a tough blow to the offense of the Packers.

    Randall Cobb’s injury will certainly hurt the Packers moving forward, after already struggling at third place in the division. They trail the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions in the NFC North division, with a record of 3-2. Next week, they play against the Cleveland Browns at home.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbPsdOzs70g

    Image via Youtube

  • Clay Matthews Fined For Hit On Colin Kaepernick

    This week, Matthews becomes the next villain in the dirty play of defensive players. He gave San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, a very hard tackle during their game last week. Matthews is a linebacker for the Green Bay Packers, and he has been known for delivering hard and dirty hits throughout his career. Matthews played for USC in college and was drafted by the Packers in 2009, making quarterbacks all over the league fear for him ever since.

    In their week 1 game, the Packers and 49ers faced off in a complete grudge match. The game’s final score was 34-28 in favor of the 49ers. Fighting to become one of the top teams in the NFC again this year, both teams have a lot to prove. Matthews delivered a late hit to him on the sideline after Kaepernick was scrambling near the sideline. The play even resulted in a fight between the two teams on the sideline, causing 49ers tackle Joe Staley to be penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct. After the game, Matthews conceded that it was not a smart play, although with only one other game of being fined, he feels that he still has a pretty clean record, states ESPN.

    The fine was issued on Friday, but the day before it was announced Matthews was asked to comment on the play. He was not willing to discuss the play and simply said “I’m an awesome player, not a dirty one.” He was previously fined $5,000 for a facemask penalty that was issued to him after hitting Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler in 2010.

    Matthews’ fullback teammate Matt Kuhn also defended him by saying “Clay’s not a dirty player. I think most people know that. We want him to play aggressive.” He also insisted that defenders have to be aggressive with a quarterback like Kaepernick who runs with the football, according to CBS Milwaukee.

    The whole game turned out to be very aggressive, issuing fines to other players as well, including 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks who was fined $12,750 for a hit on Aaron Rodgers and 49ers receiver Anquan Boldin was fined $7,875 for a late hit on Jarret Bush. With both of these coming from 49ers players, maybe they were simply retaliating out of frustration for the aggression that was given to their quarterback.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pr8hIzNefk

    This week, the Packers host the Washington Redskins and the 49ers have another tough match ahead against Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks.

    Image via Youtube

  • 49ers Fan Dies after Falling at Game

    While a late drive in the fourth quarter that helped the San Francisco 49ers beat the Green Bay Packers 34-28 made for an exciting start to the season, the fan base was left disheartened after learning that a 49ers fan fell to his death at Candlestick Park. The fall occurred shortly after the 49ers-Packers game kicked off on Sunday. The incident is the second serious accident to occur at an NFL stadium since the 2013 preseason began.

    The fan, whose name won’t be released until officials have a chance to notify his family, is described as a male in his thirties. According to police on the scene, witnesses say that the man fell from a ramp to the sidewalk while walking with his brother. Alcohol may have been a factor in the accident. “Multiple independent witnesses indicated he appeared to be intoxicated prior to his fall,” a statement issued by San Francisco police said.

    The 49ers issued a statement later today saying, “The San Francisco 49ers learned that there was a fatal accident outside of Candlestick Park prior to today’€™s game. We would like to express our deepest condolences to the family during this difficult time.”

    Candlestick Stadium isn’t the only sports stadium to see such a tragic death. In August, a fan leaned over a railing and fell 65 feet to his death at Turner Field. Another NFL fan died in an accident last year in Houston after falling from an escalator.

    Some sports fans on Twitter were shocked at the news of the accident during the opening weekend, while others offered up positive thoughts and prayers to the family:

    Image via YouTube

  • Brett Favre: Packers Want Him “Back in the Family”

    It’s hard to fault 43-year-old Brett Favre‘s Career. During his nearly 20 years in the NFL, the former quarterback made the Pro Bowl 11 times and holds NFL records for the most passing touchdowns, most passing yards, most passing completions, and most wins. When Favre left the Green Bay Packers in 2007, however, fans were hurt that their quarterback of 15 years ended up playing for the New York Jets and the Minnesota Vikings.

    Now, it appears the Packers organization is attempting to smooth things over with their greatest quarterback. According to a Fox Sports Wisconsin interview with Packers CEO Mark Murphy, the Packers want Favre “back in the family.” Murphy cited Favre’s appearance with current Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers at a recent NFL Honors show as a “first step” in bringing Favre “back into the fold.”

    Rodgers has also made similar statements on an ESPN radio show, revealing that he spoke with Favre and carefully helped organized the two’s handshake during the show. The Packer’s organization is hoping the event will symbolically begin healing the rift between the team and Favre that began in 2007.

    “It didn’t take a lot of coaxing for me to do it,” said Rodgers. “I did want to sit and think about whether it was the right thing to do. I really feel very secure in my position with the team and feel good about the things that we’ve been able to accomplish in my five years as the starter, and feel good about the direction the organization is going in.

    “Brett is two years removed from the game. He’s going to obviously be in the Packers Hall of Fame. He’ll get his number retired, and he’ll be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the next few years. It’s important, I think, to make sure that he’s recognized for all the accomplishments that he’s achieved in our organization especially. He’s still very dear to many of our fans for the things that he’s done for the Packers on the field. You can never take that away.”

  • Donald Driver Charms DWTS Audience

    Donald Driver Charms DWTS Audience

    Donald Driver, perhaps best known as a wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers, wowed audiences last night on the premiere of ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars” and proved he has grace as well as muscle.

    The Super Bowl champion showed off his raw energy on the dance floor, his athletic prowess an asset as he did the cha-cha with partner Peta Murgatroyd in a series of complicated spins and kicks. The routine earned the dance couple a standing ovation as well as high praise from the judges. Bruno Tonioli seemed impressed by Driver’s energy and concentration, although he did warn him to “refine it”. Carrie Ann Inaba loved his charisma and said, “You kicked that cha-cha booty!”

    His score of 21 out of 30 was met with boos by the audience, who were obviously as charmed as Carrie Ann by the routine.

    “Just 31 minutes into the season,” said host Tom Bergeron. “I think that’s a record for starting an ugly mob.”

    Driver tweeted about his experience after the show:

    (image)@Donald_Driver80
    Donald Driver    Oh my God! It was a amazing night! #DWTS was on fire. I want to thank everyone for tonight. Love u packer nation and @PetaMurgatroyd .(image) 8 hours ago via Echofon ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

    (image)@Donald_Driver80
    Donald Driver    @PetaMurgatroyd thank u for u leadership, motivation, determination today. Truly something special. Thanks(image) 5 hours ago via Echofon ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto