Torn Like An Old Sweater

The almost two week long protest at Wisconsin's state capitol certainly has gotten the old gears grinding.  Both on a literal level as the majority Republicans and "spectacling" Senate Democrats and their throngs of supporting protesters are firmly entrenched in halting government movement and figuratively as the little engine that could between my ears continues to break down viscosity.  While the protests have been a beautiful, awe inspiring exhibit of public force, I get tired of the notion that the people have drawn a line in the sand.  No they haven't, they've drawn a circle around an issue.  Albeit an important issue, but what happens next?

Governor Scott Walker and his ilk seem to believe that while a majority of eligible voters don't actually show up to the polls, that the citizens of his state have voiced a mandate to disparage the better interests of the poor, the state workers and more importantly further strike down the diminishing voice of workers unions, perhaps the only big political sway left to counterbalance corporate interest, not to mention a champion of his political rivals.  While this may just be political kamikaze, I'm sure if and when the public removes him there will be plenty of corporate board positions available.  So let's say one of the Democrats comes back and the bill passes.  Then the real political fight begins.  General strike?  Recalls?  New voter sentiment in 2012?  Believe it or not this may be better than the alternative.

It is hard to look a grass roots political movement with, for the most part, the betterment of community in mind and say that's great, but......  You can't tell these people to give up, nor should you, so let's say the Democrats histrionics works and the protesters spirit overcomes, and the bill is rebuilt with the removal of collective bargaining restrictions.  Yay, victory, right?  Um, more like pacification.  Unnecessary union concessions to support corporate tax breaks? Retardation and constraint of Badger Care, a program that should be expanded?  State property sold off to no bid contracts?

Much has been made of the impressive number of protesters, reaching upwards of 100,000, but in reality there should be a minimum 300,000 protesters at every state capital every day saying, "Stop, take care of our communities!".  It's impressive the tools the conservative right (mostly religion and Ronald Reagan) has used to scare a large number of otherwise common folk from voting in their communities best interests.  They love to throw the term "wealth redistribution" around to scare folks off from wanting a fair tax system and good social programs, but damn it if they don't love to take from our teachers, nurses, snow plow drivers and prison guards to help bank roll billionaires.  I'm also perversely amused by the division tactic of telling people in the private sector they are unfairly paying for public pensions and health insurance benefits they themselves don't receive.  First pensions are delayed payment of income earned and secondly the United States government tried to provide everybody with health insurance benefits and the conservative right acted as if the feds were taking their precious guns away and now we are left with a cumbersome, bastardized, amateur attempt at socialized medicine.

Maybe someday the masses will see through rhetoric, realize their best efforts are achieved as a community and not as wealth rivals.  Hopefully the labor stand in Wisconsin is the spark that starts the fire.

I Am What Democracy Looks Like

Usually my posts are light hearted, jovial and about sports, but not today my guests.  Not today because my state, my city, where I vote is the back drop for a huge political showdown.  Maybe you've heard.  For the past week tens of thousands of Wisconsin residents and supporters from surrounding states have flocked to their capitol, with Saturday's protests estimated at almost 70,000 people, to voice their disapproval of Governor Scott Walker's controversial budget repair bill that would among other things significantly hamper the strength of several public workers unions (including teachers) by taking away their ability to collectively bargain on everything except salary (which also would be limited), not allow unions to automatically deduct union wages from members pay and force union members to vote on union certification every year.  The bill would also have a large impact on Medicaid, the state's health plan for the poor, elderly and disabled by kicking almost 50,000 residents off the plan and granting unprecedented authority of the program to the Department of Health Services, and to the Joint Finance Committee to make "emergency rules.".  All 14 Democratic senators have left the state to prevent the quarom needed to pass a financial bill.

Wisconsinites shouldn't feel special.  Big corporate interest from both in and out of state are just trying to put us in our place, just like they did with our elected governor.  Only instead of granting us power and wealth they are foolishly trying to beat us down in to shanty towns.

The state of Wisconsin is facing a 137 million dollar short budget shortfall.  Before coming after the poor and working classes of Wisconsin for this money, Walker signed off on 117 million dollars in tax breaks for businesses and health care savings accounts.  Walker claims the moves are to promote job growth in Wisconsin.  Fine, now do mind tell us why you want all the jobs to suck?  I'm not over the top pro union, but I'm also not anti and I believe unions are important in setting a standard of working conditions and wages that pressures non union competition to follow suit or at least stay with in the ballpark.  Walker says he needs to take away the unions collective bargaining rights to allow local municipalities, that are about to experience funding cuts, the flexibility to manage their workforce.  If Walker really is the golden boy with the vision and plan to get Wisconsin back on track, then in budget years going forward conditions should improve, right?  Then guess who no longer has the flexibility to renegotiate their benefits and working conditions?

Politicians and their corporate masters have long been dipping their hands where they don't belong and it's relatively alarming that it has taking so long for the public to voice their rage with such force.  There was no huge public outcry when in 2009 Mercury Marine leveraged the threat of moving jobs from Fon Du Lac to Stillwater, Oklahoma to get deep concessions from their workers union.  The real mistake the Republicans made was firing a shot that hit our kids in the head.  Pick on people's kids' education and they get pissed.  Plus the Governor doesn't have the leverage to move these jobs to Oklahoma (he'll just drive quality teachers to states that will respect them) and the teachers union has the muscle to put serious pressure on citizens by making them take care of their own damn kids.

I'm not afraid of taxes.  I like quality public services.  I happen to like it when my income, sales and capital gains tax dollars go to education, health care, health care workers, fire departments, road maintenance and my less fortunate neighbors.  I get real sick of being asked to pull my weight and seeing Walker's Kochsucking cronies reap the benefits.

I hate to be a kill joy, but it seems that this bill will pass.  The Republicans have the votes they need, they don't give a crap about the mass protests and the Democratic senators can't stay in Illinois forever.  The heartening part is corporate interests can't really stand up to the people, the people just need to be doing this at the right time.

I was at the protests on Saturday and much to my surprise my favorite sign was held by a Tea Party supporter that read "Elections are what democracy looks like".  This budget bill attack on the working class is a well organized and prepared effort by the conservatives looking to broaden their power and make the protests (while awe inspiring and an important arm of the democratic process) look like a pathetic flailing by contrast.  Don't forget what is happening.  Seize this energy and passion and sign the recall petitions and support public worker strikes.  When the 2012 elections come around take time to learn about the candidates.  Don't like the candidates?  Understandable.  Get involved in your community and find people who think like you think and share your beliefs  Identify leaders in your community you would want in public office and most importantly vote!  If you don't your corporate overlords will be happy to do it for you.

Here are links to a couple really cool videos documenting the protests in Madison.  In state guests already know, but for my out of state guests can see first hand the passion and spirit of Wisconsinites that make the state the standard bearer in the fight to save America.

Numer One. In Your Face.

I'm a relatively busy man and can't devote much time to the massive college basketball world outside of the sphere of the Big 10....11....12 conference, but I'm going to go on record and say the most noteworthy game of the season took place in Madison, WI this past Saturday (2/12/11).  For those of you that don't know what I'm referencing, the University of Wisconsin's mens basketball team knocked off the previously undefeated (24-0) and number one ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, rallying from fifteen points down in th second half.

Also for those of you that don't know, the Buckeyes have a better basketball team than the Badgers.  Probably a fifteen point better team than the Badgers.  When they put William Buford, Aaron Craft, Jon Diebler, David Lighty and Jared Sullinger on the floor they can score from all five positions.  Four of the five can create their own shots and the other (Diebler) is about to become the Big Ten's most prolific three point shooter.  But in Madison you can spot the number one team in the country fifteen points and they will be lucky to lose by only four.  Under coach Bo Ryan, at the Kohl Center, the Badgers have a staggering record of 149-11, including 75-6 in conference, 75-6 in conference play and 24-7 vs top 25 ranked teams.  Thad Matta and Tom Izzo are 0 for the Kohl Center against Ryan.

Here's a look at the Badgers starting five (from the season opener) in each of Ryan's seasons and the top 25 (ESPN poll) that were felled on Dayton St.

2001-02 (19-13, 11-5)

Starters:  Charlie Wills, Dave Mader, Travon Davis, Kirk Penney, Devin Harris

Top 25 home victims:  #15 Marquette 86-73, #7 Illinois 72-66, #22 Ohio State 94-92 (OT)

2002-03 (24-8, 12-4)

Starters:  Penney, Mike Wilkinson, Mader, Freddie Owens, Harris

Top 25 home victims:  #14 Illinois 60-59

2003-04 (25-7, 12-4)

Starters:  Wilkinson, Mader, Boo Wade, Owens, Harris

Top 25 home victims:  #23 Marquette 63-59

2004-05 (25-9, 11-5)

Starters:  Alando Tucker, Wilkinson, Andreas Helmigk, Clayton Hanson, Kammron Taylor

Top 25 home victims:  #12 Maryland 69-64, # 18 Alabama 76-62, #15 Michigan State 62-59

2005-06 (19-12, 9-7)

Starters:  Jason Chappel, Tucker, Brian Butch, Ray Nixon, Taylor

Top 25 home victims: # 7 Michigan State 82-63, # 24 Indiana 72-54, # 12 Ohio State 78-73

2006-07 (30-6, 13-3)

Starters:  Butch, Tucker, Chappel, Michael Flowers, Taylor

Top 25 home victims:  # 2 Pittsburgh 89-75, # 5 Ohio State 72-69

2007-08  (31-5, 16-2)

Starters:  Marcus Landry, Butch, Greg Stiemsma, Trevon Hughes, Joe Krabbenhoft

Top 25 home victims:  # 11 Indiana 62-49, # 19 Michigan State 57-42

2008-09 (20-13, 10-8)

Starters:  Landry, Keaton Knankivil, Hughes, Jason Bohannon, Krabbenhoft

Top 25 home victims:  # 23 Illinois 63-50, # 24 Ohio State 55-50

2009-10 (24-9, 13-5)

Starters:  Jon Luer, Knankivil, Hughes, Bohannon, Tim Jarmusz

Top 25 home victims:  # 6 Duke 73-69, # 15 Ohio State 65-43, # 4 Purdue 73-66, # 5 Michigan State 67-49

2010-11 (to date 19-5, 9-3)

Starters:  Jarmusz, Josh Gasser, Knankivil, Luer, Jordan Taylor

Top 25 home victims:  # 14 Minnesota 68-60, # 16 Illinois 76-66, # 11 Purdue 66-59, # 1 Ohio State 71-67


So take heart Buckeyes, it happens to the best of them and suffice to say, I'm not looking forward to the rematch in Columbus.  One last word of caution though, Sullinger seems to be a lot more Terence Dials that Greg Oden.

Brett Favre Is A Pimp

Well folks, the Green Bay Packers went ahead and ruined a perfectly good NFL season.  Ok, I take that back.  If anything I'm just pissed at the Bears.  They had two shots to put a bullet in that iconic "G" and both times the gun jammed.  But I'm not really here to reflect on Super Bowl XLV, if like it you already know and if you don't there is no reason to go back down that road.  There will be some reflection, however, hearkening back to a time when Brett Favre and the Dallas Cowboys ruled the NFL.

In the post Super Bowl afterglow much has been made of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers moving out from under the shadow of Favre.  While the two will forever be liked through Favre's seeming endless and overwhelmingly uncomfortable "retirement", it's just as unfair to compare Favre to Rogders as it is to compare Rodgers to Favre.  They are both spectacular quarterbacks that happen to have played for the same franchise in succession, but each is his own entity.  If any one has been validated in relation to Favre it's Packers General Manager Ted Thompson.  In bringing joy to the hearts of Packers fans Rodgers has taken a huge leap towards Favre, but in relation to the impact and legacy Favre has left behind, Rodgers has taken but a baby step.  It is also in the best interest of the Packer fan to let Rodgers be Rodgers and not Favre, because Brett was once a young, brash extrovert, not unlike Rodgers, but when it was all said and done Favre was just a good old fashioned 'vert.

Secondly, as punishment for losing Super Bowl XLV we will reminisce about the Steelers previous Super Bowl failure, Super Bowl XXX.  In a time when the wild and crazy Dallas Cowboys were easily NFL public enemy number one, the nation welcome the thought of the return to glory of the famed "Steel Curtain".  Dallas had destroyed the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowls XXVII and XXVIII by a combined score of 82-30, but the juggernaut was ripe for the picking in Super Bowl XXX.  Twice in the second half the Steelers were with in six points or fewer of the Cowboys, but Steelers quarterback Neil O'Donnell couldn't help throwing the ball to Cowboy's cornerback Larry Brown who snared two passes, setting up 14 Cowboys second half points en route to a 27-17 victory.  Maybe if somebody had told then Steelers linebacker Kevin Greene "It's time!" everything would have been different.

Well that's it folks, Abraham's House Of Foolishness has thrown yet another football season in to the trash and not a moment too soon.  Now time to focus on basketball, beer and movies before the boys of summer start rustling around in earnest.

Corn Bowl XLV

Super Bowl XLV, Steelers and Packers?  Seriously?  Could you pick two cornier franchises?  Heck, one team actually plays in a cornfield.  The Packers and Steelers are the go to choices for football fans who don't like the local team or don't have a local team, making them more annoying than previously stated.  A couple things to remember while ESPN washes you with the glory of these two franchises.  Despite being in a professional football organization for seventeen more seasons than the Cleveland Browns the Steelers have won two fewer championships and despite being the NFL's leader with twelve championships the Packers have won just one since 1967.  Since then ten franchises have won at least two championships.  The Packers and Steelers certainly have earned their respective glories, but in typical ESPN/NFL wonk fashion, it's over played.

Well, now that my bitter feelings are out of the way we can take a look at the game which is a very interesting match up with much more pleasant prospects than listening to Steelers fans or looking at Packers fans.  The game is both an endorsement of the 3-4 defense and a barometer of how important running the football is to the modern NFL.

The Steelers and Packers were the league's top two regular season defenses concerning points allowed respectively and feature aggressive line backers and game changing secondaries.  Both teams are stout against the pass, but as the league's best run defense Pittsburgh holds a significant advantage against the rush.  Both teams have overwhelmed opponents this season with blitzing linebackers, so it will be interesting to see how both teams like a taste of their own medicine.

Green Bay caught a huge break when the Steelers pro bowl center Maurkice Pouncy was injured in the AFC championship game.  It's unclear whether or not Pouncy will be able to play in the Super Bowl, but it is clear that either a banged up Pouncy or his back up will be lined up against the Packers DT B.J. Raji, who may be playing the best football of anybody in league over the last six weeks.  If Pittsburgh is to win the game they will have to pound the Packers on the ground with their bulldozing back Rashard Mendenhall, get into the end zone and not give the Packers star quarterback Aaron Rodgers time to survey the field and find his various explosive receivers.

Green Bay has never trailed a game by more than seven points during this entire season and playoffs, which I find utterly amazing.  They are on a run reminiscent of the 2007 New York Giant that won ten consecutive road games, including three in the playoffs, before knocking off the Super Bowl success laden Patriots.

Official prediction:  Packers 28, Steelers 27

Jay Cutler Is The Best Quarterback In Bears History

That's right.  You heard me.  Jay Cutler is the best quarterback in Bears history.  This really more on an indictment on Bears quarterbacks than an unworldly achievement by Cutler, but the point is, for reactionary Bears fans, Cutler is the best thing to happen to the Bears passing game since the 1940s.  After just two seasons he is already eighth on the franchise's passing yards list and seventh in passing touchdowns.  He has thrown as many touchdowns in two season as Jim Harbaugh threw in seven seasons.  Sid Luckman is the Bears most legendary quarterback, holding the franchise records for passing yards and touchdowns.  In Luckman's first season, 1939, there were ten teams in the NFL, in his last, 1950, there were thirteen.  In Luckman's best season, 1943, there were zero black players in the NFL and in 1947 he threw 31 interceptions in 12 games.  Cutler is 26 years old and has four years of NFL experience, but because he was knocked out of the NFC championship with an MCL sprain game people conveniently forget the abuse he took playing behind one of the NFL's worst offensive lines.  Not to mention quarterbacking the Bears to the NFC championship game despite said line.  People forgot him running over Seattle defenders just one week earlier.  Quit, yeah right.

I'm not going to spend much more time sticking up for Jay, I believe Steve Rosenbloom said it best, Cutler doesn’t care about his image, so why should you?  I also think Lovie Smith hit the nail on the head by telling the media they don't put players on the field that can't defend themselves.  I'd like to see some of these dopes blasting Cutler try to fend off Clay Matthews with out being able to firmly plant one of their legs.  Then we'll see who's tough.

There was plenty of legitimate disappointment regarding the Bears performance against Green Bay, much of it stemming from Cutler's pre-injury performance.  It was pretty disheartening to see third string quarterback Caleb Hanie put together more touchdown drives against Green Bay in about a one and a half quarters than Cutler did in two and a half games.  Here's a quick recap of the Bears post season exploits.

NFC Divisional Round:  Bears 35, Seahawks 24 @ Chicago

Play of the game:  On the Bears first offensive drive of the game they used play action on third and short, fooling Seattle safety Lawyer Milloy.  Tight end Greg Olsen went streaking by, Cutler hit him for a 58 yard touchdown and the rout was on.

Player of the game:  Cutler
The Bears quarterback completed 15 of 28 passes for 274 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.  He also rushed eight times for 43 yards and two scores, becoming the only player other than Otto Graham two throw and run for two scores in a playoff game.

NFC Championship Round:  Packers 21, Bears 14 @ Chicago

Play of the game:  After finally getting on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter and pulling to within 14-7 the Bears faced third and four from deep inside their own territory.  Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers brilliantly dialed up a zone blitz and when the inexperienced Hanie tried to get the ball to Matt Forte short over the middle he never saw B.J. Raji.  The Packers defensive tackle snared the pass and rumbled in to the end zone for an 18 yard score.  The Bears would get in to the end zone less than two minutes later and had the ball in Packers territory inside of the game's final two minutes with a chance to tie, but they would turn the ball over and Raji's score turned out to be the deciding points.

Player of the game:  Greg Jennings
The Packers wide out caught eight passes for 130 yards, including several key grabs that helped the Packers build their early lead.

Going forward it will be hard for the Bears to repeat their 2010-11 success.  The Bears were a very good, well rounded football team and at times very explosive, but they suffered few key injuries and caught their share of breaks along the way.  A bizarre rule saved their bacon in week one, in week eleven they faced Miami's third string quarterback, Detroit's in week thirteen and when they clinched the division in Minneapolis in week thirteen not only did they not face Adrian Peterson, but due to the Metrodome's collapsed roof they didn't have to play in the Vikings true home stadium.

With a possible owner lock out on the horizon, free agency is a relative unknown.  The Bears have 14 unrestricted free agents heading into the 2011 off season, most notably starters C Olin Kruetz, DT Anthony Adams, S Danieal Manning, LB Pisa Tinoisomoa, P Brad Maynard and special teams ace Corey Graham.  I'd like to see Kruetz, Adams and Manning return, but I could take or leave the rest.  I'd also like to see the Bears strengthen the guard position in free agency.  As far a the draft is concerned I'd like for the Bears to look for future starters at wide receiver, cornerback and offensive tackle in the early rounds and reserve linebackers and offensive and defensive tackles in the later rounds.

If you asked me at the beginning of season how I would feel if the Bears won the division and advanced to the NFC title game, I would say I would love it.  Safe to say, despite the disappointing ending, the Chicago Bears 2010-11 season was a great one.

The Holiest Of Holy Wars

You have to believe.  There is no choice.  If you are a Packer fan you have to believe Green Bay is going to win the NFC Championship on Sunday.  If you are a Bears fan you have to believe the Bears are going to win the NFC Championship on Sunday.  There is no choice.  It's too big of a risk to think otherwise

I interact with many Bears and Packers fans and the second the Soldier Field crowd felt the Seahawks were comfortably handled and started the "Green Bay Sucks" chant the excitement and anticipation for the Packers vs. Bears NFC Championship showdown in Chicago was sky high.  And with each passing moment the excitement, anticipation and tension is building.  By Tuesday fans were telling me they were already having trouble sleeping because of the excitement.

There is much to be excited about on both sides.  Most importantly the two greatest rivals in professional sports are playing for a spot in the Super Bowl.  Sunday evening one team's fans will be signing from the mountain tops and the other's will be looking at a decade worth of humiliation.  I one fell swoop one fan base will be given the keys to the Super Bowl, a pair of dancing shoes and a map to the other fan's grave site.

Oh, there also is the matter of what will happen on the field.  If you are a Packer fan reading this you already know how the Packers can win and if you are a Bears fan you don't believe for a second that that is a possibility, so I'm going to focus on how the Bears will win this game.

Even though the Bears beat the Packers in Soldier Field this year and finished ahead of Green Bay for the NFC North division title, public perception once again favors the Packers.  There is reasoning to support this, the Packers have beaten in succession the Giants, Bears, Eagles and thoroughly embarrassed the Falcons.  Combined with the high level of play of star quarterback Aaron Rodgers there is much reason for excitement in cheese land.  Earlier in the season, the slight of Bears bothered me, but the Bears have made a season of doing things they weren't supposed to do and beating teams they weren't supposed to beat, so I'm fine with the Bears being the underdog and I'm sure Lovie Smith is too.  The Bears are also on an impressive run winning eight of their last ten games with wins over the Eagles, Jets and Seahawks.  Being at home should help the Bears, I see this match up as more toe to toe, than a clear advantage for either side.

The key for the Bears when they have the ball will be to run it well and run it often.  The Bears season turned from mediocre to excellent when the coaches started calling more hand offs.  With the Bears athletic guards and mauling tackles, the line is built to run and Bear receivers block down field as well as any group in the league.  Successful runs will help keep the Bears out of predictable passing situations, wear on Green Bay's elite pass rushers and set up play action.  Should the Bears have success running against Green Bay's 3-4, it will be interesting to see if the Packers would go to a 4-4-3 or maybe just play Charles Woodson as a fifth linebacker.

Now the Bears will have to put the ball in the air to win too, so giving Jay Cutler time to find receivers and make good decisions will be crucial.  In this season's match up in Lambeau, the speedy receivers Devin Hester and Johnny Knox were pushed around and a non-factor.  These two are too dynamic for the Bears to let that happen again, they have to find ways to get open. Earl Bennett didn't play in that game, hopefully his presence will help create space for the Bears speedsters.  Having a good play action game going will be big for Greg Olsen, especially if Green Bay has to adjust to stop the run.

Green Bay's offense is coming off an absolute destruction of the Falcon's defense in the Georgia Dome, but the good news for Bears fans is this week the game is outside and the Bears actually have a defense.  In week 16 the Packers put up 45 points, 404 passing yards, 4 touchdowns and no interceptions on the Giants.  The very next week the Bears held them to 10 points, 229 passing yards, 1 touchdown and picked off Rodgers once.  Getting pressure on Rodgers without blitzing will be the big key for the Bears defense.  Other than bringing nickel back DJ Moore off the edge, the Bears blitz game sucks and the secondary isn't good enough to check the Packers stable of receivers with out help from the front.  Green Bay has struggled to run the ball most of the season, but they feel behind James Starks they now have a new dimension.  This will certainly be put to the test as almost nobody ran well against the Bears second ranked run defense.  Most teams need to use seven or eight defenders to handle a running attack, the Bear can control even good running teams with Julius Peppers, Israel Idodije, Anthony Adams, Matt Toeaina, Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher.  Now the Bears run defense is a full team effort, but those six take a ton of pressure off the secondary.  It will be interesting to see how the Bears handle passes out of the Packers three back wishbone formation that will tempt the safeties to move up.  Turnovers are always a key for any Smith coached defense.  The Bears were third in the league in take aways and while the Packers aren't the most interception prone team, the do fumble, so the Bears will need to make sure the ball is coming out.

The Bears have hands down the best special team unit in the NFL and have for years.  Green Bay better be 110% on any special teams play or the Bears will tip the scales.  Every special teams play, extra points, everything.  A big challenge will be making Green Bay punt from deep inside their own territory forcing the Packers to kick to Hester, or give up field position kicking away from him.

Official prediction:  Several hundred Packer fans being serenaded by tens of thousands of Bears fans.  Run the ball, stop the run.  Bears 22, Packers 20