Bring it on, Cheeseheads!

Philly.com ^ | Jan. 05, 2004 | WILLIAM BUNCH

[wisconsinconservative]

Packers give soldiers tickets to playoff game


By Steve Wideman
PackersNews.com

GREEN BAY — Thirteen soldiers on leave from the war in Iraq will attend Sunday’s Green Bay Packers game thanks to some retired military veterans and the Packer organization.

The members of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion and dozens of unit family members will see Green Bay square off in its playoff game with the Seattle Seahawks after the Packers donated 50 tickets to the Ashwaubenon-based battalion.

The 432nd was deployed to Iraq in April for up to two years of duty helping to rebuild the country.

“I think it’s a great gesture by the Packers,” said Randy Hansen, a retired army officer and member of the Green Bay Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).

“It really came out of the blue. I could see the Packers giving away five or 10 tickets, but 50 is quite a lot, especially for a playoff game.”

Hansen said the MOAA and De Pere Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2113 “adopted the 432nd to help family members while the unit is deployed.”

Hansen linked the Packers and 432nd after he received four tickets for himself as a Brown County resident to attend last week’s Packers game against the Denver Broncos.

“I decided to give three of the tickets to three members of the 432nd who were home for two weeks of rest and relaxation before returning to Iraq,” Hansen said.

Hansen then met with representatives of the Packers’ marketing department who agreed to donate the tickets

“This will be a good chance for the soldiers who are home to wind down and get some excitement,” Hansen said.

Hansen said 432nd members still in Iraq produced a video which he also gave to the Packers marketing staff.

“The video shows the unit members in Iraq holding up a sign that says ‘Go Packers’ and local Iraq citizens holding up a sign that says ‘Saddam is a Viking Fan,’” Hansen said.

Lt. Col. Dan Ammerman, who commanded the 432nd until being called home in October for family reasons, said 13 soldiers and their family members will use 34 of the tickets. The other 16 will be used by relatives of 432nd members still in Iraq.

“It’s a great surprise for the soldiers who were extremely ecstatic to get the tickets fortheir families. This has been tough for families, too,” Ammerman said.

“The Packers’ ticket donation is representative of the kind of support the community has given the 432nd. I think this will do quite a bit to help the morale of the soldiers.”

Ammerman said a pre-game tailgate party will be held for the 432nd contingent in the parking lot of Kroll’s West Restaurant, located across the street from Lambeau Field.

During the game, the group will be seated in the south end zone area, near the top of the stadium.

Ammerman said it’s tough for some soldiers home on leave to go back to war, but an emotional attachment to their fellow soldiers in Iraq and a desire to “get the job done” carry them through the home visits.

Ammerman said seeing the Packers game will make things a little easier when the soldiers return to Iraq.

[End Times Sentinel]

Excellent analysis John O!

 

A couple of addition/clarifications:  McNabb is healthy right now, but Troy Vincent is questionable with a hip flexor.  I'm fine with Ike Reese taking over for Carlos Emmons at LBer, but there's nothing behind that should another LBer go down.

 

Our run D puts up poor numbers, but the thinking is (and it's worked) you can keep taking five yards a carry, but sooner or later, we'll hit you in the back field (or you'll draw a penalty) and it will be 2nd and 13 or 3rd and 8 and you'll have to throw.  I'd put our secondary up against any in the league.

 

Javon Walker destroyed Seattle, but Shawn Springs is their tallest DB at 6'0" (or maybe 5-10???)  Bobby Taylor is a legit 6-3 and a blanket.

 

ALSO to take into account- Ahman Green fumbled 2 (or maybe 3) times in the MNF matchup.  That likely won't happen again.  We'd have lost that game if Favre hadn't fumbled the slick ball at the end of the game.

 

My prediction?  uhmmm... how about it's gonna be a GREAT game!

 

Can't wait for Sunday!

Owl_Eagle

”Guns Before Butter.”

[7thson]

And he did have losing seasons on the playing field of life, where his total devotion to football caused him to ignore his wife's growing drinking problem and to rarely be there for his kids.

This was actually okay until this line. No need for this line. But what do you expect from someone from Philly. The town has no class. Do you guys remember that old black guy that dresses up like an Indian for Redskin games. Most times you see him spoofing with another black guy dressed up like a Cowboy during Dallas-Washington games. Well, several years ago, a few of Philly's finest put him in the hospital. Real brave men from Philly - ganging up and beating up an old man! I hope Green Bay kicks their arse and shows the overrated McNabb what it's like to be a HOF QB and not the darling of the NFL.

[Norman Conquest]

Thugles? Ha! The fans outdo the team by a margin too wide to measure.

What other stadium has holding cells, a courtroom and a sitting judge at game time so that the tidal wave of vandalism, assault and public lewdness arraignments can be handled on site?

Hell, the fuel saved and traffic jams averted by taking the Sunday afternoon convoys of police buses off Broad Street is the greatest thing that ever happened to the City of Brotherly Love.

[Solson]

Do you really think Javon Walker, our #3 receiver is going to be covered by Taylor? What about driver? What about Fergusen?

Taylor will most likely match up against Driver, Vincent against Fergie, and your nickel against Walker, or am I missing something here?

[El Gran Salseron]

"Philadelphia Eagles fans boo when planes land successfully at the airport." - Howard Cosell

'Nuff said.

[Norman Conquest]

I'm sure most philly fans are just your average street supporting, free mumia types.

Actually, the Free Mumia campaign is smaller and weaker in Philadelphia than in most cities in America.

Philadelphians actually heard the actual evidence at trial, rather than the "evidence" his supporters feed the gullible masses.

[Freebird Forever]

World Class A$$hole. (Can I say that on live television?)

I believe “clymer” is the preferred synonym around these parts.

But after reading all that smack eagles fans are posting throughout the net this week, I'd say that either is acceptable.

(Freepers excluded, of course)

[brewcrew]

The bigger someone puffs up their chest before a matchup, the more afraid they are of receiving a true @$$ kicking. I think I know what this writer is feeling right now.

[Rebelbase]

Just for equality sake, I think you guys ought to Limbaugh to publicly say something controversial about Farve's performance this week before the gametime.

[Freebird Forever]

Actually, the Free Mumia campaign is smaller and weaker in Philadelphia than in most cities in America.

Yeah right.

I guess they forgot to tell these folks:

INTERNATIONAL CONCERNED FAMILY & FRIENDS OF MUMIA ABU-JAMAL (ICFFMAJ)
4601 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
(215) 476-8812

[Rebelbase]

Ought to get Limbaugh to say.........

Sheesh, need more coffee today

[John O]

Our run D puts up poor numbers, but the thinking is (and it's worked) you can keep taking five yards a carry, but sooner or later, we'll hit you in the back field (or you'll draw a penalty) and it will be 2nd and 13 or 3rd and 8 and you'll have to throw. I'd put our secondary up against any in the league.

If you've seen the last few Packer games 3 and 8 doesn't scare us too bad. Brett's been throwing laser line passes through keyholes to his receivers. When our guys hold on to the ball we get first downs. (Freeman dropped just such a pass in the last game). I don't think that there is a secondary in the world that can defend against Brett when he's on, and he's been on.

ALSO to take into account- Ahman Green fumbled 2 (or maybe 3) times in the MNF matchup. That likely won't happen again. We'd have lost that game if Favre hadn't fumbled the slick ball at the end of the game.

This is an important point. Since that game GB has had 2 turnovers, both at Detroit. We've been executing great ball control for the last half of the season. (In fact we've finally gotten back to a plus turnover ratio after a horrendous start)

Without the 3 turnovers (and the momentum steal of our other 4 fumbles that we recovered) this would have been a far different game. Of course these were Brett's first fumbles of the year due to a wet ball and an injured thumb. His thumb is much better now.

My prediction? uhmmm... how about it's gonna be a GREAT game!

Should be a great one.

[1Old Pro]

I wouldn't be upset if Green Bay slammed McNab

[Lando Lincoln]

I, too, hope for a great game. The game last week-end between the Pack and 'hawks almost stopped my heart a dozen times. Had to be a producer's dream. Let's hope for the same this week-end.

Lando

[Tribune7]

I was surprised to know the Beagles are an NFL franchise. I thought they were a travelling prison team.

Say what? The Eagles are a very classy team with a classy coach. Since Reid has had it there has not been a hint of scandal.

[End Times Sentinel]

Taylor will most likely match up against Driver, Vincent against Fergie, and your nickel against Walker, or am I missing something here?

 

When you're in a two wide set, I agree with that.  Keep in mind Vincent is only 50/50 so a combination of Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown might cover Ferguson.  But when you go three wide, I'd be shocked if Bobby T wasn't on Walker (then again, I'm not Jim Johnson so we'll see).

 

BTW- Shep and Sheldon are 2nd year players, but both have been rock solid as of late, so don't read too much of an advantage into that.

Owl_Eagle

”Guns Before Butter.”

[Solson]

I know. It was a weak attempt on my part. Heck, Reid came from the Pack...

[1Old Pro]

The offesnive and defensive lines are about equal. It will be a match-up between quarterbacks imho.

http://www.twominutewarning.com/oline02.htm

The scale goes from 0 to 10, although realistically it would be hard to imagine a team being outside the 4.0 to 8.0 range, with a higher number being better on offense, a lower number being better on defense.

NFL 2002	Offensive Line			Defensive Line
Team	Rush	Pass	Overall	Rush	Pass	Overall
Oakland	6.7	7.1	7.0	5.7	5.7	5.7
San Francisco	6.3	6.7	6.6	5.1	6.2	5.8
Denver	6.8	6.2	6.5	5.7	6.3	6.1
Miami	6.4	6.3	6.4	5.6	5.6	5.6
Philadelphia	6.2	6.5	6.4	5.8	5.3	5.5
New England	6.2	6.5	6.4	6.2	6.0	6.1
Kansas City	6.4	6.4	6.4	6.6	6.6	6.6
New York Jets	5.8	6.8	6.4	6.8	6.4	6.5
Tennessee	5.9	6.6	6.3	5.4	6.0	5.8
Green Bay	6.0	6.6	6.3	5.8	5.6	5.7
Indianapolis	5.8	6.5	6.3	6.3	6.1	6.2
Pittsburgh	5.8	6.5	6.2	5.3	5.7	5.6
New York Giants	5.6	6.5	6.2	5.6	5.9	5.8
Seattle	6.0	6.3	6.2	6.7	6.3	6.5
Minnesota	6.3	5.9	6.1	5.0	6.6	6.0
Tampa Bay	5.8	6.3	6.1	5.3	5.2	5.2
Buffalo	6.2	6.0	6.1	6.2	6.2	6.2
St.Louis	5.9	6.1	6.0	5.8	6.3	6.1
San Diego	5.8	6.2	6.0	5.8	6.4	6.2
Atlanta	6.0	5.9	6.0	6.0	5.7	5.8
Jacksonville	6.2	5.9	6.0	6.1	6.2	6.1
Washington	6.1	5.8	5.9	5.5	5.8	5.7
Cleveland	5.7	6.1	5.9	5.7	6.3	6.0
Baltimore	6.0	5.8	5.9	6.0	6.2	6.2
Cincinnati	6.0	5.9	5.9	6.4	6.9	6.7
Chicago	5.6	5.9	5.8	6.1	6.6	6.4
New Orleans	5.5	5.8	5.7	6.0	5.9	6.0
Carolina	5.8	5.5	5.6	5.4	5.6	5.5
Dallas	5.6	5.2	5.4	6.1	6.6	6.4
Detroit	5.1	5.5	5.4	6.3	6.9	6.6
Arizona	5.2	5.6	5.4	6.7	6.9	6.8
Houston	4.8	4.6	4.7	6.2	6.0	6.1

Rating formulas as of 2/11/2003

[Solson]

I don't see a necessary advantage. You guys have the best defensive backfield in the NFL...when healthy. However, in the game of matchups, I don't think your LB's can hang with Green out of the backfield nor with TE's Franks, Walls, & Martin.

I'm sure Johnson will have your team ready as will Sherman.

The key matchup, IMO, is our LB's against your offense. McNabb loves the little dumpoff's and can run as well. If our LB's can't handle that, we'll lose.