Tag: football

Divisional Breakdown : NFC North Teams

We’ve arrived at my favorite divisional breakdown: the NFC North breakdown. Featuring the best team in any division, named by a completely unbiased source who has not been a fan since age 10: the Green Bay Packers.

I’m so excited.

The Chicago Bears

History: Founded in 1919 and becoming a charter member of the NFL in 1920, the Chicago Bears have one of the longest histories in the NFL. They are often identified with longtime leader and football pioneer George Halas (“Papa Bear”) and iconic player and coach Mike Ditka. The Bears are known for their defense (especially in the ’85 “Super Bowl Shuffle” season) and their historic rivalry with the Green Bay Packers.

Current Players to Know: Jay Cutler, the oft criticized quarterback, doesn’t always have the demeanor associated with the position, but has the arm for it. Brandon Marshall is a wide receiver who just relocated back to Chicago after a brief stint with the Broncos. Brian Urlacher is the leader of the defense – and really, the whole team – as an 8-time Pro Bowler at the linebacker position.

Head Coach: Lovie Smith

2011 Regular Season Record: 8-8

What to Watch For in 2012: As a Packers fan, the Bears make me nervous this year. The Cutler-Marshall connection was strong over the first weekend of NFL action…to the tune of 41 points in a 41-21 win over the Colts. Primarily known as a defensive team, this offensive explosion is really a revelation for the Bears.

The Detroit Lions

History: The Lions, originally the Spartans, were formed in 1929. Despite their long history, the Lions have never played in a Super Bowl (though they did win four NFL championships prior to the Super Bowl era), and also lay claim to the unfortunate statistic of being the only team in the NFL to go 0-16: a completely winless season. Barry Sanders, one of the best running backs of all time, played for the Lions from 1989 – 1998.

Current Players to Know: Matthew Stafford is the Lions young but experienced quarterback. If you hear the name “Megatron” on a Sunday afternoon you haven’t accidentally been switched to a showing of Transformers – that’s the nickname of the Lions incomparable wide receiver Calvin Johnson. And holding down the fort with big plays and big penalities on offense is Ndamukong Suh, who plays defensive tackle.

Head Coach: Jim Schwartz

2011 Regular Season Record: 10-6

What to Watch For in 2012: The Lions are kind of known as the punks of the league…and I’m not just saying that because I’m a Packers fan. Examples include last season’s head coach handshake debacle and Ndamukong Suh “unintentionally” stomping on a defenseless (Packers) player at the end of a play, resulting in a 2 game suspension. If they can get over themselves and be mature, they can increase the growth that has taken them from an 0-16 team to a playoff contender.

The Green Bay Packers

(Just so we’re clear, I’m going to be unapologetically biased while writing this review. I love the Packers more than almost anything.)

History: The Packers were founded in 1919 by Curly Lambeau. They were originally known as the “ACME Packers” as they were sponsored by the ACME Meat Packing Company. With 13 titles, the Packers have won more championships (not Super Bowls…yet) than any other team in NFL history, which is how Green Bay was issued the name “Titletown USA.” Eight of those titles came at the hands of legendary coach Vince Lombardi. Prolific players include Bart Starr, Jerry Kramer, Paul Hornung, Ray Nietschke, Reggie White, and Brett Favre. The Packers are the only remaining publicly owned franchise in American sports. Fans are renowned as “cheeseheads” and are often referred to as the best fans in sports (an accolade with which I wholeheartedly agree.)

Current Players to Know: Aaron Rodgers is the Packers quarterback and current league MVP. The blond beast at linebacker is Clay Matthews, who is already off to a great start with 2.5 sacks in Sunday’s game. Charles Woodson is the leader on defense; this season he’s transitioning from cornerback to safety.

Head Coach: Mike McCarthy

2011 Regular Season Record: 15-1

What to Watch For in 2012: The Packers had an unbelievable regular season last year – 15-1!!! – despite having the 32nd ranked defense in the league. Unfortunately…they’ve already matched that loss total in Week 1 and the defense doesn’t appear to have improved much. The Packers were a popular preseason pick to make it all the way to the Super Bowl but with the NFC North as good as it is they’ll have a hard time making the playoffs if the defense doesn’t improve ASAP.

The Minnesota Vikings

History: The Vikings are the only team in the NFC North that wasn’t founded with the original NFL. Their franchise was awarded in 1960 and they’ve enjoyed moderate success ever since. You may remember the Vikings from the Metrodome collapse of 2010.

Current Players to Know: Adrian Peterson is the offensive name to know on this team. He’s been one of the league’s leading running backs ever since his rookie season. Jared Allen, famous for his post-sack celebrations, is the leader of the defense at linebacker. Christian Ponder is the quarterback.

Head Coach: Leslie Frazier

2011 Regular Season Record: 3-13

What to Watch For in 2012: The Vikings were less than impressive last year…and that’s being generous. This season, AP is back with a fully rehabbed knee (torn ACL and MCL) and looks to be back in winning form. Their quarterback situation is far from rock solid, but Christian Ponder has been decent so far.

What To Know : Week 1

Here’s a new feature for the regular season: a little pregame prep we’ll call What To Know. Every Friday I’ll post the game to know, player to know, and storyline to know for the upcoming week.

And…a handful of recipes to make for your football watching pleasure.

It’s the best of all worlds! You’ll be well-educated AND well-fed!

So, off we go. Here’s the crucial information you need to know about Week 1 of the regular season:

GAME TO KNOW: Steelers vs. Broncos

This marks Peyton Manning’s return to football…and in a new uniform. Last year the Broncos ended the season with Tim Tebow as starting quarterback. They beat the Steelers in the first round of the playoffs, which means two things 1: The Broncos are a playoff-capable, if not playoff-caliber, team, and 2: The Steelers have something to prove. They had no business losing that game. The Steelers are also starting their first season without star wide receiver Hines Ward (retired in the off season) and with new offensive coordinator Todd Haley (former Chiefs head coach), so there will be plenty to watch for on the Steelers side of the ball, too.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Tim Tebow

The Jets actually did a respectable job of not talking about something: how they are planning on using Tim Tebow. Watch for Tebow to be used in unconventional ways and in 4th down situations…or in a completely different way that no one is anticipating.

STORYLINE TO KNOW: Replacement Refs

The regular refs are in a lockout with the NFL over contract disputes. So the NFL has brought in replacement refs to officiate until the regular refs return…and homeboys are struggling. I mean, you can hardly blame them. They’ve been pulled from NAIA college leagues, the ridiculous but legitimate lingerie league, and other conspicuous places. So it’s not like they have NFL experience. But still…it’s been rough. Someone called an eight yard penalty during one of the preseason games. Eight yards. Now, I know we’re all still learning here, but I think it’s pretty cut and dry that penalties come in 5 yard increments. Oh boy.

The replacement refs pose a few sizable problems.

1: Player safety. It’s kind of like the “wait until your father gets home” complex – players will try to get away with more because the replacement refs might be less confident about making harsh calls.

2. Game timing. During preseason, games felt like they took an eternity because it took an eternity for the refs to discuss the penalties and decide on the correct call.

3. Game Integrity. More often than not, it hasn’t been the correct call.

For a hilarious insider’s view on this situation, check out Vikings punter Chris Kluwe’s article on deadspin.

RECIPES TO MAKE:

3 Ingredient Mini Turtle Brownies

5 ingredient baked potato skins

grilled zucchini pizza

maple pecan popcorn

roasted garlic guacamole

Midterm Answers and Giveaway WINNER!

Our midterm testing has come to an end. I’m SO proud of the two courageous girls who took the test and posted their answers!

It was a very close call – a difference of only one correct answer! But in the end the winner is…

LIZ!

Congratulations, Liz! Email me your address and I’ll send your gift card on it’s way!

And great work, Mary! Thanks so much for playing!

Here are the full answers:

1. Which player for the Green Bay Packers participated in off-season cow wrestling?

  1. Aaron Rodgers
  2. D.J. Williams
  3. Charles Woodson
  4. John Kuhn

 

2. Which of the following is a Defensive position?

  1. Tight End
  2. Left Guard
  3. Center
  4. Cornerback

 

3. Which of the following is NOT an offensive position?

  1. Center
  2. Linebacker
  3. Right Guard
  4. Tight End

 

4. How many teams are in each conference?

  1. 8
  2. 16
  3. 32
  4. 4

 

5. The two conferences in the NFL are the:

  1. National League and American League
  2. NFL and AFL
  3. There are actually four conferences: north, south, east, and west
  4. NFC and AFC

 

6. Where is the red zone?

  1. The end zone
  2. Out of bounds
  3. The 20 yards prior to the end zone
  4. The spot where a penalty occurred

 

7. The Tennessee Titans were originally the:

  1. Houston Texans
  2. Houston Oilers
  3. Tennessee Tigers
  4. Baltimore Ravens

 

8. Which player in Jacksonville is holding out for a better contract?

  1. Blaine Gabbert
  2. Chad Henne
  3. Justin Blackmon
  4. Maurice Jones-Drew

 

9. True or False: The National Football League (NFL) only plays games in the United States.

  1. True
  2. False

 

10. How many head coaches in the AFC South are named “Mike”?

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4

 

11. The regular season is ( ) weeks long:

  1. 15
  2. 16
  3. 17
  4. 18

 

12. Football games are timed in:

  1. Periods
  2. Halves
  3. Innings
  4. Quarters

 

13. Which of the following actions will NOT stop the play clock?

  1. A complete pass is thrown
  2. An incomplete pass is thrown
  3. A player steps out of bounds
  4. A penalty is called

 

14. How many consecutive times did the Bills appear in and lose the Super Bowl?

  1. 2
  2. 3
  3. 4
  4. 5

 

15. Teams rotate sides of the field after:

  1. Halftime
  2. Every quarter
  3. Every score
  4. The first and third quarters

 

16. After a turnover, the ball is placed:

  1. At the spot where the turnover occurred
  2. At mid-field
  3. On the defense’s 30 yard line
  4. On the offense’s 30 yard line

 

17. If the ball is caught and downed in the offense team’s endzone during kickoff it’s called a:

  1. Touchdown
  2. Turnover
  3. Touchback
  4. Turndown

 

18. On 4th down, a team can choose to:

  1. Punt
  2. Kick a Field Goal
  3. Gain yardage by running a play
  4. All of the above

 

19. It’s 2nd and 2. This means:

  1. It’s the second down and the offense needs 8 yards for a first down
  2. It’s the second down and the offense needs 2 yards for a first down
  3. It’s the second quarter and there are two minutes remaining
  4. It’s the second quarter and the second down

 

20. The imaginary line where the players line up is called:

  1. The red zone
  2. The backfield
  3. The starting line
  4. The line of scrimmage

Our Training Camp : Midterm

Leave your answers to the midterm in the comments section by TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH, for your chance to win a $20 gift card to Target! Whoever gets the highest score, or whomever is randomly chosen among those who earn the highest scores, will win the gift card! Good luck!

1. Which player for the Green Bay Packers participated in off-season cow wrestling?

  1. Aaron Rodgers
  2. D.J. Williams
  3. Charles Woodson
  4. John Kuhn

 

2. Which of the following is a defensive position?

  1. Tight End
  2. Left Guard
  3. Center
  4. Cornerback

 

3. Which of the following is NOT an offensive position?

  1. Center
  2. Linebacker
  3. Right Guard
  4. Tight End

 

4. How many teams are in each conference?

  1. 8
  2. 16
  3. 32
  4. 4

 

5. The two conferences in the NFL are the:

  1. National League and American League
  2. NFL and AFL
  3. There are actually four conferences: north, south, east, and west
  4. NFC and AFC

 

6. Where is the red zone?

  1. The end zone
  2. Out of bounds
  3. The 20 yards prior to the end zone
  4. The spot where a penalty occurred

 

7. The Tennessee Titans were originally the:

  1. Houston Texans
  2. Houston Oilers
  3. Tennessee Tigers
  4. Baltimore Ravens

 

8. Which player in Jacksonville is holding out for a better contract?

  1. Blaine Gabbert
  2. Chad Henne
  3. Justin Blackmon
  4. Maurice Jones-Drew

 

9. True or False: The National Football League (NFL) only plays games in the United States.

  1. True
  2. False

 

10. How many head coaches in the AFC South are named “Mike”?

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4

 

11. The regular season is ( ) weeks long:

  1. 15
  2. 16
  3. 17
  4. 18

 

12. Football games are timed in:

  1. Periods
  2. Halves
  3. Innings
  4. Quarters

 

13. Which of the following actions will NOT stop the play clock?

  1. A complete pass is thrown
  2. An incomplete pass is thrown
  3. A player steps out of bounds
  4. A penalty is called

 

14. How many consecutive times did the Bills appear in and lose the Super Bowl?

  1. 2
  2. 3
  3. 4
  4. 5

 

15. Teams rotate sides of the field after:

  1. Halftime
  2. Every quarter
  3. Every score
  4. The first and third quarters

 

16. After a turnover, the ball is placed:

  1. At the spot where the turnover occurred
  2. At mid-field
  3. On the defense’s 30 yard line
  4. On the offense’s 30 yard line

 

17. If the ball is caught and downed in the offense team’s endzone during kickoff it’s called a:

  1. Touchdown
  2. Turnover
  3. Touchback
  4. Turndown

 

18. On 4th down, a team can choose to:

  1. Punt
  2. Kick a Field Goal
  3. Gain yardage by running a play
  4. All of the above

 

19. It’s 2nd and 2. This means:

  1. It’s the second down and the offense needs 8 yards for a first down
  2. It’s the second down and the offense needs 2 yards for a first down
  3. It’s the second quarter and there are two minutes remaining
  4. It’s the second quarter and the second down

 

20. The imaginary line where the players line up is called:

  1. The red zone
  2. The backfield
  3. The starting line
  4. The line of scrimmage

This Week…Midterm!

GIRLS!

Can you even believe we’ve been at this for 4 weeks now? Oh my word! We are officially at the halfway point of training camp!!! Since we’ve consumed a deluge of information so far, I think it’s a good time to review. And by review, I mean have a test.

A midterm.

Now, midterms aren’t so bad, right? Especially when the semester is only 8 weeks long? Especially when you can use your notes? Especially when you can win a $20 gift card to Target?

Oh, yes, it’s true! This little midterm comes with it’s own built-in scholarship. Whoever receives the highest score (or, whomever is randomly chosen among those who receive the highest scores) will win a Target gift card of their very own. Because nothing speaks to a woman’s heart quite like free money to burn at Target.

All you have to do is study, leave your answers in the comments section, and wait for the results to be announced next week.

WHAT TO STUDY:

Anything we’ve covered in the past 4 weeks of training camp is fair game. Here’s what we’ve learned so far:

The Basics

The Players

The Location

Schedule and Game Timing

Game Play

The AFC Divisions

The AFC North

The AFC South

The AFC East

The AFC West

We’ve also had four quizzes:

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

And don’t forget about the miscellaneous posts like this one, too!

The test will consist of questions from old training camp quizzes and new questions too, so study everything!

TEST DATE: Thursday, August 30th

ENTRY DEADLINE: Tuesday, September 4th

WINNER ANNOUNCED: Wednesday, September 5th (opening day of the regular season!!!)

Let me know if you have any questions. Otherwise, pop some popcorn and get to work!

GOOD LUCK!!! I know you will all be A+ students!

Resources : Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets

For all of you fantasy footballers out there, draft time is approaching. And luckily, ESPN is going to help you with the process.

As a general rule, you’re going to want to draft your high-scorers in the first round. This usually means taking the best available quarterback or running back. After that, it’s up to you, but I always like the approach of taking the best player on the board. To do that, use this Top 300 list. Cross off the players as they’re drafted and then go with the best available player at the position you need when it’s your turn to pick.

If you’re more of a by-team or by-position drafter, check out the first two cheat sheets on this list.

For those of you who want to play fantasty football but aren’t looking to get knee-deep in draft strategy, try checking out a Pick ‘Em league. All you have to do is guess the winners and losers of each game every week. It’s easy and fun!

If you are on the fence about playing fantasy football: DO IT! Seriously, do it. Playing in my first league a few years ago gave me a whole new appreciation for and interest in the games every week. You’ll be invested in a way that you wouldn’t be otherwise and you’ll learn so much. No matter what kind of league you join (and if your friends/family/coworkers don’t want to play, there are always free leagues to join online), just join one! Any one!

You’ve got nothing to lose except time and sanity and everything to gain.

Now go have fun!