Dec16

Packers Beat Bears to Claim NFC North: Talk About Jermichael Finley Axe Sparks Tight End

by The Spiller on December 16th, 2012 at 2:25 pm
Posted In: Green Bay Packers Blog

James Jones caught three touchdown passes and the Green Bay Packers claimed the NFC North title beating the Chicago Bears 21-13.  Although the game should have been well out of reach by the fourth quarter, a pair of missed field goals by Mason Crosby and a horrendously ill-advised lateral on a punt return by Randall Cobb enabled the Bears to get back into the game.  However, the Packers prevailed down the stretch and came away victorious, winning their sixth straight game over their rivals.

One piece of news that brought interest into this game for me was a story reported yesterday that tight end Jermichael Finley was going to be offloaded by the Packers this off-season.  Amidst countless dropped passes and a general lack of big plays from the dynamic and hyped player, it seemed as though the patience in Finley had worn thin as speculation over whether he would be cut or traded away began.  But Finley responded in a big way this week, and this performance may go a long way to keeping him with the Packers for the foreseeable future. ↓ Read the rest of this entry…

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Dec02

Mason Crosby Redeems Himself in Packers 23-14 Victory over the Vikings

by The Spiller on December 2nd, 2012 at 4:25 pm
Posted In: Green Bay Packers Blog

In the first of two matches this season between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings, Mason Crosby booted in three field goals to help preserve the Packers’ NFC North dominance, and to help save his job.  The nine points he added to the Packers side of the scoreboard was the difference in this game and I think he well deserves credit, considering how poor his play has been in recent weeks.

Ever since missing a game-tying field goal in Indianapolis in early October, Crosby has been a mess.  He has appeared utterly devoid of confidence and looked well on his way to the waiver wire with coaches and fans extremely fed up with his shaky displays and missed field goals.  However, in a pivotal moment of the game, Mason Crosby came through like a champion and earned his right to stay on this team. ↓ Read the rest of this entry…

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Nov25

Rafa Benitez Hire Resembles Last Roll of the Dice on Torres Chelsea Career

by The Spiller on November 25th, 2012 at 1:55 pm
Posted In: Soccer

I awoke to a text message from the Robotomy (whom is a Chelsea fan) a few days ago that simply read, “Pep Guardiola”.  I surmised that the inevitable act had occurred at the club:  Roberto di Matteo had been fired and was replaced by Guardiola, the most championed former coach of Barcelona who won multiple UEFA Champions League titles, La Liga Championships, and even two FIFA Club World Cup titles. 

“I want my bottle!” says Torres

But I was only half-right in my assertion.  Matteo had been fired, but the Robotomy and countless other fans had jumped the gun on their hopes of Guardiola taking charge of their club, and it was not to be.  When Chelsea made an announcement later in the day it was Rafa Benitez, ex-coach of Liverpool who had taken the reigns.  During his debut match against Manchester City today, Stamford Bridge erupted in boos, and many fans even held small “Rafa Out” signs during the game to signify their disappointment with their owner’s decision.  And so I wondered why on Earth was this man was chosen for the job, but then I saw the annoying face of Fernando Torres, and it all dawned on me:  Benitez is the final hope that the troubled striker could yet rekindle his old form and avoid becoming the worst piece of transfer business in the history of soccer. ↓ Read the rest of this entry…

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Nov05

The Green Bay Packers Head into the Bye: Mid Season Report

by The Spiller on November 5th, 2012 at 11:36 am
Posted In: Green Bay Packers Blog

At 6-3 and heading into the lone break of the season, the Green Bay Packers are feeling confident again with a solid four-game winning streak.  Battered and bruised, the team has had more injuries than anyone would like, and thus players will be excitedly rehabbing their bodies with some crucial time off to rest before heading into the playoff run of late fall.

The coming weeks will be vital with a plethora of divisional games and a trip to face the New York Giants looming ahead.  With the Chicago Bears starting strong at 7-1, and other division foes hovering around .500, the NFC North is set to be an absolute dog-fight in the coming weeks as the rivals jockey for position to earn a trip to the playoffs.  Will the Packers be able to muster up the strength to earn a trip to the NFL Postseason? ↓ Read the rest of this entry…

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Oct28

Consistent Inconsistency Continues for Arsenal

by The Spiller on October 28th, 2012 at 11:49 am
Posted In: Soccer

Arsenal is once again proving to be quite the enigma on the soccer pitch.  Just like it would be difficult to say this post’s title 5 times in succession, it is nearly impossible to predict how Arsenal will fare over 5 consecutive matches.  One day, they look quick and fluid as the likes of Santi Cazorla and Theo Walcott score impressive goals, and then the next game they flounder to mistakes like some amateur club and give up cheap goals as they fall to defeat.

This has been the same story at this club for over 5 years and doesn’t look to be changing anytime soon.  They simply keep on earning 4th place in the league, just doing enough to save Arsene Wenger’s job and the club’s pride, but then they falter at the most in-opportune times, and this keeps them from ever competing for trophies.  However, as the season grinds on this team is changing shape and perhaps this will be a blessing for the Gunners. ↓ Read the rest of this entry…

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